Boxing News Thread
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Junior Lightweight: From Not To Red Hot
[IMG]
By Cliff Rold
Boxing fans have grown used to how quickly things can change from division to division. Particularly in this era of seventeen weights classes, a simple movement of a few key names three or four pounds north can reset a landscape.
It happened between 130 and 135 lbs. in the previous decade. Floyd Mayweather, Diego Corrales, Acelino Freitas, and Joel Casamayor made 130 of the places to be in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Those four joined with each other and Jose Luis Castillo to light 135 on fire seamlessly.
Beginning really in late 2014 and blossoming in 2015, we’re seeing something similar happen between 126 and 130 lbs. This Saturday, when former WBA 1267 lb. titlist Nicholas Walters (26-0, 21 KO) makes his official division debut against Jason Sosa (18-1-3, 14 KO), we may see the beginnings of an outright explosion.
USA Today’s Mike Coppinger reports that a deal is in place for the winner of Walters-Sosa to face longtime WBA 130 lb. kingpin Takashi Uchiyama (23-0-1, 19 KO) next year. It’s thrilling news for anyone who knows just how good Uchiyama has been. While never having unified, Uchiyama is the consensus choice for top fighter in the division after a quality reign that dates to January 2010.
Some may ask ‘if Uchiyama has been around this long, what makes the class hot now?’ The answer is that there is a difference between good fighters and a good class. There are always good fighters. There is not always a heavy supply of matches feeding into more matches. When ‘what’s next’ is nearly as intriguing as ‘what’s now,’ a division is on fire.
Walters-Uchiyama would be, on paper, as exciting a showdown between heavy-handed battlers as one could ask for in 2016. Walters isn’t the genesis of this renaissance though. He is the second critical name to rise from featherweight.
When longtime featherweight stalwart Orlando Salido (43-13-3, 30 KO) missed weight for his victory over Vasyl Lomachenko and lost his WBO belt on the scale, it opened the door for a rise in weight. Wars have followed. Salido alone has been involved in three straight.
His WBO 130 lb. title win over Terdsak Kokietgym in September 2014 was at worst many people’s runner-up choice for Fight of the Year, a seven knockdown tour through hell. Salido followed that victory by coming off the floor twice in a breathless decision loss to Rocky Martinez (29-2-3, 17 KO) in April 2015 and then came right back to trade knockdowns with Martinez in an arguably better fight, and disputed draw, on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather-Andre Berto in September.
That neither Salido-Martinez fight made the BWAA’s list of Fight of the Year finalists for 2015 (so far, amendments always possible) is head scratching. That neither was even the best fight in the division this year is jaw dropping.
No, that honor goes to another undercard clash, this time supporting and stealing thunder from Saul Alvarez-Miguel Cotto.
A classic from start to finish, Francisco Vargas (23-0-1, 17 KO) came off the floor in the fourth and battled threw a badly damaged eye to stop Japan’s Takashi Miura (29-3-2, 22 KO) for the WBC belt. It was a Gatti-esque turnaround that demanded a sequel.
It looks like we’ll get one in 2016. It also looks like we’ll get Martinez-Salido III.
And, with a win this weekend, Walters-Uchiyama.
That, in hockey parlance, would be one hell of a hat trick.
This is boxing, and the possibilities boxing can present, at its very best. It’s a combination of multiple markets, established talents from lower classes, divisional talent in need of foes, and fresh faces ready to be proven. The bringing together of markets is often the hardest part.
As the sport gets farther down the scale, especially in this multi-title era, history says it is more difficult to bring together the sports best in a given division. The reasons for that are pretty simple.
Boxing is an international sport. Money is usually lighter as the fighters become so. A fighter who can carve an economic niche in Asia can find good foes and paydays in that market. The same is true for fighters in the America’s. The wide breadth of fans, meaning those who don’t anxiously await the next Uchiyama fight on YouTube, don’t always know much about each other’s best guys.
Without that knowing, there isn’t as much demand to supply as there is in a class like welterweight or middleweight. There, the talent pool is more centralized to one area or one market. There is reason to shine the brightest light possible to feed fresh matches.
Uchiyama is the sort of talent who the world of fans would have benefited in seeing two or three years ago. For his own benefit, a move outside his established market may be coming a little on the wrong side of his prime at age 36.
How many fight fans really knew to ask for him sooner?
How many will really know what they’re getting heading into a possible Uchiyama-Walters clash?
If Uchiyama still has the A-game to make it what it could be, those who don’t know will get a hell of a pleasant surprise. They will know Miura, whom Uchiyama stopped in 2011, because of what they saw in Vargas. They definitely know Martinez and Salido.
They’re also getting to know IBF titlist Jose Pedraza (21-0, 12 KO) and WBA sub-titlist Javier Fortuna (29-0-1, 21 KO). This being boxing, there will still be promotional barriers between the PBC and non-PBC sides of the sport.
Mix Pedraza and Fortuna with Salido and Martinez on one side. Mix Uchiyama and/or Walters with the Vargas-Miura rematch winner. Guess what we have?
A whole bunch of fights people will want to see with a wide cast of characters both familiar and fresh. That’s a red-hot division.
[IMG]
By Cliff Rold
Boxing fans have grown used to how quickly things can change from division to division. Particularly in this era of seventeen weights classes, a simple movement of a few key names three or four pounds north can reset a landscape.
It happened between 130 and 135 lbs. in the previous decade. Floyd Mayweather, Diego Corrales, Acelino Freitas, and Joel Casamayor made 130 of the places to be in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Those four joined with each other and Jose Luis Castillo to light 135 on fire seamlessly.
Beginning really in late 2014 and blossoming in 2015, we’re seeing something similar happen between 126 and 130 lbs. This Saturday, when former WBA 1267 lb. titlist Nicholas Walters (26-0, 21 KO) makes his official division debut against Jason Sosa (18-1-3, 14 KO), we may see the beginnings of an outright explosion.
USA Today’s Mike Coppinger reports that a deal is in place for the winner of Walters-Sosa to face longtime WBA 130 lb. kingpin Takashi Uchiyama (23-0-1, 19 KO) next year. It’s thrilling news for anyone who knows just how good Uchiyama has been. While never having unified, Uchiyama is the consensus choice for top fighter in the division after a quality reign that dates to January 2010.
Some may ask ‘if Uchiyama has been around this long, what makes the class hot now?’ The answer is that there is a difference between good fighters and a good class. There are always good fighters. There is not always a heavy supply of matches feeding into more matches. When ‘what’s next’ is nearly as intriguing as ‘what’s now,’ a division is on fire.
Walters-Uchiyama would be, on paper, as exciting a showdown between heavy-handed battlers as one could ask for in 2016. Walters isn’t the genesis of this renaissance though. He is the second critical name to rise from featherweight.
When longtime featherweight stalwart Orlando Salido (43-13-3, 30 KO) missed weight for his victory over Vasyl Lomachenko and lost his WBO belt on the scale, it opened the door for a rise in weight. Wars have followed. Salido alone has been involved in three straight.
His WBO 130 lb. title win over Terdsak Kokietgym in September 2014 was at worst many people’s runner-up choice for Fight of the Year, a seven knockdown tour through hell. Salido followed that victory by coming off the floor twice in a breathless decision loss to Rocky Martinez (29-2-3, 17 KO) in April 2015 and then came right back to trade knockdowns with Martinez in an arguably better fight, and disputed draw, on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather-Andre Berto in September.
That neither Salido-Martinez fight made the BWAA’s list of Fight of the Year finalists for 2015 (so far, amendments always possible) is head scratching. That neither was even the best fight in the division this year is jaw dropping.
No, that honor goes to another undercard clash, this time supporting and stealing thunder from Saul Alvarez-Miguel Cotto.
A classic from start to finish, Francisco Vargas (23-0-1, 17 KO) came off the floor in the fourth and battled threw a badly damaged eye to stop Japan’s Takashi Miura (29-3-2, 22 KO) for the WBC belt. It was a Gatti-esque turnaround that demanded a sequel.
It looks like we’ll get one in 2016. It also looks like we’ll get Martinez-Salido III.
And, with a win this weekend, Walters-Uchiyama.
That, in hockey parlance, would be one hell of a hat trick.
This is boxing, and the possibilities boxing can present, at its very best. It’s a combination of multiple markets, established talents from lower classes, divisional talent in need of foes, and fresh faces ready to be proven. The bringing together of markets is often the hardest part.
As the sport gets farther down the scale, especially in this multi-title era, history says it is more difficult to bring together the sports best in a given division. The reasons for that are pretty simple.
Boxing is an international sport. Money is usually lighter as the fighters become so. A fighter who can carve an economic niche in Asia can find good foes and paydays in that market. The same is true for fighters in the America’s. The wide breadth of fans, meaning those who don’t anxiously await the next Uchiyama fight on YouTube, don’t always know much about each other’s best guys.
Without that knowing, there isn’t as much demand to supply as there is in a class like welterweight or middleweight. There, the talent pool is more centralized to one area or one market. There is reason to shine the brightest light possible to feed fresh matches.
Uchiyama is the sort of talent who the world of fans would have benefited in seeing two or three years ago. For his own benefit, a move outside his established market may be coming a little on the wrong side of his prime at age 36.
How many fight fans really knew to ask for him sooner?
How many will really know what they’re getting heading into a possible Uchiyama-Walters clash?
If Uchiyama still has the A-game to make it what it could be, those who don’t know will get a hell of a pleasant surprise. They will know Miura, whom Uchiyama stopped in 2011, because of what they saw in Vargas. They definitely know Martinez and Salido.
They’re also getting to know IBF titlist Jose Pedraza (21-0, 12 KO) and WBA sub-titlist Javier Fortuna (29-0-1, 21 KO). This being boxing, there will still be promotional barriers between the PBC and non-PBC sides of the sport.
Mix Pedraza and Fortuna with Salido and Martinez on one side. Mix Uchiyama and/or Walters with the Vargas-Miura rematch winner. Guess what we have?
A whole bunch of fights people will want to see with a wide cast of characters both familiar and fresh. That’s a red-hot division.
Dan Rafael chat wrap 12/18:
- Guesses that Canelo vs. GGG will take place at 157 or 158.
- GGG will make a run to try and make a fight with the Lee-Saunders winner. If he cannot secure that fight, likely he fights Tureano Johnson.
- Disagreed with Iole's take on it being a disappointment that GGG-Canelo is not happening right away. Having an interim fight and then trying to make the fight fall of 2016 is perfectly fine.
- GGG's PPV has not hurt his negotiating power with Canelo.
- Andy Lee's next opponent will come down to money. His promoter DiBella is closely tied to Haymon, but Lee makes his own decisions. If Andy Lee wins expects him to fight GGG or Jacobs next.
- Arum says Crawford will fight 3 times in 2016.
- Texted with RJJ a day after getting KO'd. Said he is not committed either way (continue fighting/retire). The KO was one of the worst he has ever seen.
- No word on Badou Jack. He says he is willing to fight either JCC or DeGale.
- TR says Broner is not being considered for Pacquiao.
- There are efforts to try and make Kovalev and Stevenson for June, but will believe it when he sees it.
- Barthelemy decision over Shafikov.
- Most people are picking Jennings, he is picking Ortiz. Ortiz's team say he is in condition to go 12. Conventional wisdom says if the fight goes 12 it favors Jennings. Less than 12 favors Ortiz.
- Rosado winning over Clottey.
- Lee vs. Saunders is tough. Lee can be outboxed, but he also can be outboxed and still KO you.
- If a fighter gets a $1 million purse, how much does the fighter get? If the purse is $1 million, the promoter has already been taken care of, about 150k to his corner, then taxes and possible sanctioning fees...so roughly 650k-700k.
- Is planning on asking Peter Nielson why don't they use their other HBO platforms to show undercard fights.
- Has not heard rumors of Canelo and Cotto negotiating a rematch for May, but it wouldn't be surprising.
- Has learned to not let it bother him when he sees fighters still fighting who appear very affected by the punishment they have taken. It is the job of his family, promoters, commission, and handlers to make sure he is well taken care of. He will however not be afraid to voice his opinion about those fighters (James Toney).
- Hearn is talking to HBO and Showtime about showing Joshua in the US. Unlikely to fight on US soil anytime soon.
- DiBella raves about Prograis.
- Best six man tournament possible in the HW division? Fury, Wilder, Ortiz, Jennings, Joshua, Parker.
- Benavidez is done at 140. HBO and TR don't trust him to make weight anymore.
- Trainer's have confided in him before that their fighter was in terrible shape.
- Walters said he can still make 126 and will fight between 126 and 130 depending on the money and opponent.
- Arum and Mr. Honda have spoken about making Walters vs. Uchiyama.
- Thought Kauffman eeked out a victory vs. Arreola, but it was close. Was not a horrible decision.
- Warriors Boxing (Haymon) won the purse bid for Glazkov-Martin.
- Joshua vs. Whyte sold 400k. Hatton in his day would sell 1 million. The UK charges a lot less for PPV's than the US
- Guesses that Canelo vs. GGG will take place at 157 or 158.
- GGG will make a run to try and make a fight with the Lee-Saunders winner. If he cannot secure that fight, likely he fights Tureano Johnson.
- Disagreed with Iole's take on it being a disappointment that GGG-Canelo is not happening right away. Having an interim fight and then trying to make the fight fall of 2016 is perfectly fine.
- GGG's PPV has not hurt his negotiating power with Canelo.
- Andy Lee's next opponent will come down to money. His promoter DiBella is closely tied to Haymon, but Lee makes his own decisions. If Andy Lee wins expects him to fight GGG or Jacobs next.
- Arum says Crawford will fight 3 times in 2016.
- Texted with RJJ a day after getting KO'd. Said he is not committed either way (continue fighting/retire). The KO was one of the worst he has ever seen.
- No word on Badou Jack. He says he is willing to fight either JCC or DeGale.
- TR says Broner is not being considered for Pacquiao.
- There are efforts to try and make Kovalev and Stevenson for June, but will believe it when he sees it.
- Barthelemy decision over Shafikov.
- Most people are picking Jennings, he is picking Ortiz. Ortiz's team say he is in condition to go 12. Conventional wisdom says if the fight goes 12 it favors Jennings. Less than 12 favors Ortiz.
- Rosado winning over Clottey.
- Lee vs. Saunders is tough. Lee can be outboxed, but he also can be outboxed and still KO you.
- If a fighter gets a $1 million purse, how much does the fighter get? If the purse is $1 million, the promoter has already been taken care of, about 150k to his corner, then taxes and possible sanctioning fees...so roughly 650k-700k.
- Is planning on asking Peter Nielson why don't they use their other HBO platforms to show undercard fights.
- Has not heard rumors of Canelo and Cotto negotiating a rematch for May, but it wouldn't be surprising.
- Has learned to not let it bother him when he sees fighters still fighting who appear very affected by the punishment they have taken. It is the job of his family, promoters, commission, and handlers to make sure he is well taken care of. He will however not be afraid to voice his opinion about those fighters (James Toney).
- Hearn is talking to HBO and Showtime about showing Joshua in the US. Unlikely to fight on US soil anytime soon.
- DiBella raves about Prograis.
- Best six man tournament possible in the HW division? Fury, Wilder, Ortiz, Jennings, Joshua, Parker.
- Benavidez is done at 140. HBO and TR don't trust him to make weight anymore.
- Trainer's have confided in him before that their fighter was in terrible shape.
- Walters said he can still make 126 and will fight between 126 and 130 depending on the money and opponent.
- Arum and Mr. Honda have spoken about making Walters vs. Uchiyama.
- Thought Kauffman eeked out a victory vs. Arreola, but it was close. Was not a horrible decision.
- Warriors Boxing (Haymon) won the purse bid for Glazkov-Martin.
- Joshua vs. Whyte sold 400k. Hatton in his day would sell 1 million. The UK charges a lot less for PPV's than the US
Roach: I’d like Canelo rematch with rehydration clause
Posted on
December 23, 2015
by Ryan O'Hara
Freddie Roach called for a rematch once again between his fighter Miguel Cotto and newly-crowned WBC World middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez – with conditions.
Leading up to his unanimous decision loss to the Mexican superstar Alvarez, Cotto was stripped of the WBC World middleweight title for refusing to pay a $300K sanctioning fee.
Cotto (40-5, 33 KO’s) went on to lose the fight controversially as all three judges had the bout relatively one-sided, with one judge ruling Alvarez had won 11 of the 12 rounds.
Roach has yet to grasp the defeat, but in a recent conversation with Cotto at the Wild Card Boxing Club, the Hall of Famer presented an idea for a rematch.
“I’d like to get a rematch with a cap on how much weight we can gain,” Roach said to FightHub TV. “Because, he must have gained like 30 pounds. He went from a little guy to a big guy.”
“They owe us a rematch. I thought it was very close, I did think we outscored him, I thought we outboxed him, I thought the gameplan worked well,” he added.
The WBC allowed both Alvarez and WBA/IBF/IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin to each take one voluntary defense before fighting each other – possibly in September – and Roach does not believe the fight should take place until they are given a chance at redemption.
“I don’t even think the GGG fight should happen until he fights us again,” Roach said. “11 rounds to one?? Someone has to ask these people [the judges], ‘What were you watching?’
“It wasn’t the same fight I was watching. That’s for sure.”
Roach affirmed that Cotto is not yet ready to retire, although the timetable for Cotto’s return remains undetermined.
“We don’t have anything going on right now, but we’re not done yet.”
Last week, WBO World welterweight champion Timothy Bradley said a third bout with Manny Pacquiao was not in his interest, albeit a bout with Cotto was.
“154 is a better weight for [Cotto], but for the right fight, I’m sure we could make 147, yeah. It could happen.”
Bradley (33-1-1, 13 KO’s) has not stopped at just Cotto, also expressing interest in fighting Alvarez for the middleweight belt.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum said in November that he would not allow Bradley to take on Alvarez above 155 pounds.
Posted on
December 23, 2015
by Ryan O'Hara
Freddie Roach called for a rematch once again between his fighter Miguel Cotto and newly-crowned WBC World middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez – with conditions.
Leading up to his unanimous decision loss to the Mexican superstar Alvarez, Cotto was stripped of the WBC World middleweight title for refusing to pay a $300K sanctioning fee.
Cotto (40-5, 33 KO’s) went on to lose the fight controversially as all three judges had the bout relatively one-sided, with one judge ruling Alvarez had won 11 of the 12 rounds.
Roach has yet to grasp the defeat, but in a recent conversation with Cotto at the Wild Card Boxing Club, the Hall of Famer presented an idea for a rematch.
“I’d like to get a rematch with a cap on how much weight we can gain,” Roach said to FightHub TV. “Because, he must have gained like 30 pounds. He went from a little guy to a big guy.”
“They owe us a rematch. I thought it was very close, I did think we outscored him, I thought we outboxed him, I thought the gameplan worked well,” he added.
The WBC allowed both Alvarez and WBA/IBF/IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin to each take one voluntary defense before fighting each other – possibly in September – and Roach does not believe the fight should take place until they are given a chance at redemption.
“I don’t even think the GGG fight should happen until he fights us again,” Roach said. “11 rounds to one?? Someone has to ask these people [the judges], ‘What were you watching?’
“It wasn’t the same fight I was watching. That’s for sure.”
Roach affirmed that Cotto is not yet ready to retire, although the timetable for Cotto’s return remains undetermined.
“We don’t have anything going on right now, but we’re not done yet.”
Last week, WBO World welterweight champion Timothy Bradley said a third bout with Manny Pacquiao was not in his interest, albeit a bout with Cotto was.
“154 is a better weight for [Cotto], but for the right fight, I’m sure we could make 147, yeah. It could happen.”
Bradley (33-1-1, 13 KO’s) has not stopped at just Cotto, also expressing interest in fighting Alvarez for the middleweight belt.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum said in November that he would not allow Bradley to take on Alvarez above 155 pounds.
Props:
CZAR and CZAR
Raging Babe
R
@RaG
ingBabe
JROCK instructed his team to make the Willie Nelson fight. Couple others in the IBF ahead of Nelson though. The Ruckus Boxing Podcast By BadCulture.net 12/22 by BadCulture Radio Network | Sports Podcasts #boxing
12:22 AM - 23 Dec 2015
BlogTalkRadio
@Blo
gtalkradio
JROCK instructed his team to make the Willie Nelson fight. Couple others in the IBF ahead of Nelson though. The Ruckus Boxing Podcast By BadCulture.net 12/22 by BadCulture Radio Network | Sports Podcasts #boxing
12:22 AM - 23 Dec 2015
BlogTalkRadio
@Blo
gtalkradioLeo Santa Cruz Wants Lomachenko, Russell, Selby, Cuellar
By Miguel Rivera
WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz (31-0-1, 17KOs) is looking for the big names at 126-pounds and wants to unify the division. Santa Cruz had one of his biggest wins in August when he won a twelve round unanimous decision over Abner Mares in a long anticipated bout in Southern California.
Santa Cruz spoke to his manager, Al Haymon,who told his boxer that a date in late January or mid-February was likely for his next fight.
"I started training, I still have no exact date....just that I might come back in late January or mid-February. I spoke to my manager and he told me that, and I started today to train. Obviously the first day is always difficult, you get tired fast, and I had a little bit of a bad flu, but I'll be okay," Santa Cruz said to ESPN Deportes.
Santa Cruz is looking for all of the big names at 126, at or outside of the featherweight division.
"The truth is I asked my manager for the best fights. I think my best is yet to come in 2016, I want to unify with Lee Selby (IBF), Jesus Cuellar (WBA), Vasyl Lomachenko (WBO), Gary Russell (WBC ), including a rematch with Abner Mares," Santa Cruz said.
"At 126 pounds I feel pretty good, pretty strong. I want to make a few more fights at 126 pounds, and when the body starts asking me to go to super featherweight I'll go, but I really do not see that happening in 2016."
- See more at: Leo Santa Cruz Wants Lomachenko, Russell, Selby, Cuellar -Boxing News
By Miguel Rivera
WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz (31-0-1, 17KOs) is looking for the big names at 126-pounds and wants to unify the division. Santa Cruz had one of his biggest wins in August when he won a twelve round unanimous decision over Abner Mares in a long anticipated bout in Southern California.
Santa Cruz spoke to his manager, Al Haymon,who told his boxer that a date in late January or mid-February was likely for his next fight.
"I started training, I still have no exact date....just that I might come back in late January or mid-February. I spoke to my manager and he told me that, and I started today to train. Obviously the first day is always difficult, you get tired fast, and I had a little bit of a bad flu, but I'll be okay," Santa Cruz said to ESPN Deportes.
Santa Cruz is looking for all of the big names at 126, at or outside of the featherweight division.
"The truth is I asked my manager for the best fights. I think my best is yet to come in 2016, I want to unify with Lee Selby (IBF), Jesus Cuellar (WBA), Vasyl Lomachenko (WBO), Gary Russell (WBC ), including a rematch with Abner Mares," Santa Cruz said.
"At 126 pounds I feel pretty good, pretty strong. I want to make a few more fights at 126 pounds, and when the body starts asking me to go to super featherweight I'll go, but I really do not see that happening in 2016."
- See more at: Leo Santa Cruz Wants Lomachenko, Russell, Selby, Cuellar -Boxing News
https://twitter.com/BronzeBomber/status/679708932898557953?ref_src=twsrc^tfw
Deontay Wilder
✔
@BronzeBomber
Mark my words... I will be the UNDISPUTED heavyweight champ of the world very very soon.... #RideOnTheWilderSide
1:03 PM - 23 Dec 2015
27 27 Retweets
56
Deontay Wilder
✔
@BronzeBomber
Mark my words... I will be the UNDISPUTED heavyweight champ of the world very very soon.... #RideOnTheWilderSide
1:03 PM - 23 Dec 2015
27 27 Retweets
56
Props:
CZAR and CZAR
Walters Staying Or Going?
WEDNESDAY 12-2315 UPDATE: One of my sources swears up and down that Walters is heading to Haymonville, that he’s ready to transition to PBC-land. The deal is basically done, the guy tells me. But you recall yesterday someone else told that such certainty was erroneous.
Some thoughts..this is a case where a guy is a good TV fighter, but doesn’t have that rooting fanbase who’ll fill an arena to see him do his thing. That brings up the question, how do you determine a guy’s worth? Andre Ward doesn’t fill arenas, but has been a prized TV fighter for a few years.
What are Walters’ expectations, and does his criteria for self-measuring his worth jibe with the people who’d be getting him paydays and signing checks to him? I think we get clarity on the issue fairly soon…
————————————————————————————————————-
The Axe Man looked sharp on Saturday night on HBO, though some judges were working through fogged glasses, and deemed Nicholas Walters’ match with Jason Sosa a draw.
Balderdash…
The Jamaican did the better work, though the Jersey Boy’s stock went up as he held his ground well. As per usual, this happens at least once every two weeks in a big-platform bout, roars declaring the judges inept, or corrupted, were heard in living rooms round the world…
But that is dirty water under the bridge and now the next leg of the Walters journey is to be taken. And the grapevine is buzzing and is watching with keen eyes: will the 27-0 126-130 pound ace be doing his thing under the Top Rank banner..or another?
The “another” in this case would perhaps be the Al Haymon PBC banner. That is what I hear from some folks. I also heard that Walters is gonzo from Top Rank, that his contract is up and he’s decided to jet for greener pastures. Someone familiar with that relationship told me that is “not true.”
So we shall see how this plays out. It’s a compelling bit of inside baseball. You recall that over a long spell Julio Cesar Chavez Jr squabbled with Top Rank, then tried to wriggle out of his contract, then signed to Haymon, and now he plies his trade for PBC. That arc started playing out way before the March 2015 PBC debut.
If Walters were to jump ship, from Top Rank, where he’s been made a fixture on HBO, he’d be choosing, in theory, maybe a lump sum upside over the rock-solid infrastructural excellence that Top Rank boasts.
They have the horses, led by Bob Arum, and a crew of wisemen matchmakers and opiners and publicity purveyors which sum up to unsurpassed expertise that can only be built over time.
Then again, Haymon has that war chest..green trumps gray (matter), often…and that could, I guess, sway Walters.
Time, that great clarifier, will need to pass, to see which way the winds are blowing in the sport, and if a new precedent gets set, or the older guard stays on as firm a foundation
WEDNESDAY 12-2315 UPDATE: One of my sources swears up and down that Walters is heading to Haymonville, that he’s ready to transition to PBC-land. The deal is basically done, the guy tells me. But you recall yesterday someone else told that such certainty was erroneous.
Some thoughts..this is a case where a guy is a good TV fighter, but doesn’t have that rooting fanbase who’ll fill an arena to see him do his thing. That brings up the question, how do you determine a guy’s worth? Andre Ward doesn’t fill arenas, but has been a prized TV fighter for a few years.
What are Walters’ expectations, and does his criteria for self-measuring his worth jibe with the people who’d be getting him paydays and signing checks to him? I think we get clarity on the issue fairly soon…
————————————————————————————————————-
The Axe Man looked sharp on Saturday night on HBO, though some judges were working through fogged glasses, and deemed Nicholas Walters’ match with Jason Sosa a draw.
Balderdash…
The Jamaican did the better work, though the Jersey Boy’s stock went up as he held his ground well. As per usual, this happens at least once every two weeks in a big-platform bout, roars declaring the judges inept, or corrupted, were heard in living rooms round the world…
But that is dirty water under the bridge and now the next leg of the Walters journey is to be taken. And the grapevine is buzzing and is watching with keen eyes: will the 27-0 126-130 pound ace be doing his thing under the Top Rank banner..or another?
The “another” in this case would perhaps be the Al Haymon PBC banner. That is what I hear from some folks. I also heard that Walters is gonzo from Top Rank, that his contract is up and he’s decided to jet for greener pastures. Someone familiar with that relationship told me that is “not true.”
So we shall see how this plays out. It’s a compelling bit of inside baseball. You recall that over a long spell Julio Cesar Chavez Jr squabbled with Top Rank, then tried to wriggle out of his contract, then signed to Haymon, and now he plies his trade for PBC. That arc started playing out way before the March 2015 PBC debut.
If Walters were to jump ship, from Top Rank, where he’s been made a fixture on HBO, he’d be choosing, in theory, maybe a lump sum upside over the rock-solid infrastructural excellence that Top Rank boasts.
They have the horses, led by Bob Arum, and a crew of wisemen matchmakers and opiners and publicity purveyors which sum up to unsurpassed expertise that can only be built over time.
Then again, Haymon has that war chest..green trumps gray (matter), often…and that could, I guess, sway Walters.
Time, that great clarifier, will need to pass, to see which way the winds are blowing in the sport, and if a new precedent gets set, or the older guard stays on as firm a foundation
Michael Woods
‏@Woodsy1069
WEDNESDAY 12-2315 UPDATE: One of my sources swears up and down that Walters is heading to Haymonville, that he's ready to...
Michael Woods ‏@Woodsy1069 2h2 hours ago Brooklyn, NY
.. transition to PBC-land. The deal is basically done, guy tells me. But yesterday someone else told that such certainty was erroneous.
3 retweets 2 likes
‏@Woodsy1069
WEDNESDAY 12-2315 UPDATE: One of my sources swears up and down that Walters is heading to Haymonville, that he's ready to...
Michael Woods ‏@Woodsy1069 2h2 hours ago Brooklyn, NY
.. transition to PBC-land. The deal is basically done, guy tells me. But yesterday someone else told that such certainty was erroneous.
3 retweets 2 likes
Dan Rafael chat wrap 12/23 (no Friday chat):
- Rosado wants Canelo next, doubts it happens. GB wants Canelo's May fight to be on PPV and Rosado as an opponent would be a disgrace of a PPV. It would create a lot of negative views towards the event.
- Has heard rumors of Canelo vs. Lemieux, doubts it happens since Lemieux was crushed by GGG. Not a PPV title fight worthy, right after Lemieux lost with that same opportunity.
- Canelo vs. Bradley has been talked about for May. Teddy Atlas doesn't want Bradley to take that fight.
- Fan said he talked to Monroe Jr. and he said he is trying to fight Canelo or Lemieux next. Canelo not likely as it won't sell as a PPV. Lemieux is very possible as an undercard fight.
- Donaire likely defends his title vs. Gradovich in April.
- Kovalev likely dispatches Pascal quicker than the first fight.
- If Kovalev actually was able to schedule Pascal, Stevenson, and Ward in 2016 and win all 3 fights it would be one of the greatest years ever for a fighter.
- Ricardo Lopez vs. Chocolatito? Lopez.
- Most disappointing fighter of the year? JCC, Pacquiao (losing and shoulder excuses), Klitschko, Stevenson (lack of real opponents).
- Sore loser of the year? Cotto, Pacquiao.
- Ortiz vs. Stiverne would be a fun fight.
- Wilder's camp will run like Forrest Gump did across the country to stay away from Ortiz.
- It is confusing how Ortiz got an interim title fight so quickly after testing positive for PED's, but he did serve his suspension.
- Ortiz vs. Joshua? Joshua is not ready for the fight yet.
- A double header of Crawford and Verdejo in NY is being discussed.
- Arum has said he would match Crawford vs. Postol, but doubts it is Crawford's next fight.
- Hearing Herrera vs. Provodnikov is being discussed for early 2016.
- Cotto will not go back to 147.
- Valdez wins a title in 2016? Tough. He won't get to fight the PBC fighters at 126, that only leaves Lomachenko with a belt. He would be a huge underdog.
- Believes Porter vs. Thurman will happen in 2016 and it will be the next fight for both fighters.
- Broner vs. Pacquiao is not happening. Koncz and Broner have been talking which has led to the rumors. Koncz has no authority to make the match. Arum guarantees the money. Broner and Koncz can talk forever, but unless Arum decides to make the fight, it won't happen. Haymon + Arum = no fight.
- Fights in 2016 he wants: Kovalev-Stevenson, Canelo-GGG, Fury-Wlad 2 and the winner to face Wilder, Gonzalez-Estrada 2, Thurman-Porter, Lomachenko-LSC, Ortiz vs. any top HW (Stiverne is doable), Frampton-Quigg, Brook-Khan (Khan has been wasting valuable time and Brook needs to fight a top name eventually), Pacquiao-Crawford, Crawford-Postol.
- Has boxing ever had a Steve Harvey moment? Yes, many times. One he remembers was Stevie Johnston vs. Castillo in 2000. Johnston was announced the winner and crowd went crazy. Turned out they added up the cards wrong and it was actually a draw. Johnston went to Castillo's dressing room and gave him back the belt, which is how Castillo found out he retained the title.
- Eubank Jr. may eventually get a shot vs. Canelo or GGG, but not in the near future. He is the mandatory for Jacob's secondary title.
- It was disappointing to hear Jacobs say he didn't care if he was secondary champion, as long as people called him champion. His belt is secondary to GGG's and his is not a true championship belt.
- Eubank is the mandatory for Jacob's secondary WBA title, but Jacob's isn't the mandatory for GGG's legit WBA title...ahhh, the corrupt WBA.
- Tureano Johnson is likely next to fight GGG. He is his mandatory, a quality opponent, and willing to fight.
- Salido vs. Martinez 3 is supposed to happen, but no date yet.
- Martin is a decent opponent and could beat Glazkov, because Glazkov is well...Glazkov.
- Told Ward will return around March. Rumored opponent is Sullivan Barrera, but that fight is a long way from being made.
- Very possible Uchiyama comes to the US to fight Walters.
- Linares' next fight is supposed to be vs. his mandatory Zlatacainin. Very interesting fight.
- Walters vs. Sosa decision was not a bribery. Walters was the house fighter and him winning is more valuable.
- Recommending all fight fans to POLITELY write or contact the commission on the poor Walters-Sosa scoring.
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION ATHLETIC COMMISSION
5218 PATRICK ROAD
VERONA, NEW YORK 13478
(315) 361-7710(315) 361-7709
FAX ATTN: DANIEL J. GUSTAFSON, Executive Director/Commissioner,
[email protected]
You can contact the head of the Oneida's at:
Mr. Arthur Raymond Halbritter
Nation Representative
The Oneida Indian Nation 2037
Dreamcatcher Plaza Oneida, NY 13421
Phone: (315) 829-8900
Fax: (315) 829-8958
Toll-free Phone: (800) 685-6115
Email: [email protected]
- Letter from a chat fan who wrote in about Walters-Sosa: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CW7beAVWEAAkwrp.jpg
- Credit goes to the IBF for sticking to their rules and stripping Fury...but he has talked to them before that they need to tweak a few rules for cases like this.
- Most talented divisions? 147, 175, and 126.
- Roman Gonzalez wants to move up in weight sooner than later. So if he were to fight Inoue, it likely would take place at 115.
- Who has more PPV potential: Canelo or GGG? Canelo.
- Jack or DeGale vs. Abraham? Give both Jack and DeGale good chances to beat Abraham. Quality fights.
- Robert Hoyle is a nice guy, but his scorecards have been real questionable lately.
- Tom Schrek also had a bad card on Gonzalez-Shabranskyy.
- Does not know what Maidana's plans are. If he feels he has made enough money and doesn't need to fight, good for him.
- Under the radar great fights: Michael Brodie vs. Injin Chi fights from 2003 and 2004. Also, Morales-Chi.
- Has close to 4,000 boxing posters.
- Who will Billy Joe Saunders face next? The easiest stiff his handlers can get away with.
- Cunningham wants to go back down to CW.
- Showtime's January 16 card is solid.
- Better trilogy: Gatti-Ward or Morales-Barrera? Morales-Barrera.
- No word on James Kirkland.
- Hearing LSC could be back in February. No work on a LSC-Mares rematch.
- PBC needs to start matching their top guys for long-term success.
- Bernard Hopkins best win? Trinidad.
- Rosado wants Canelo next, doubts it happens. GB wants Canelo's May fight to be on PPV and Rosado as an opponent would be a disgrace of a PPV. It would create a lot of negative views towards the event.
- Has heard rumors of Canelo vs. Lemieux, doubts it happens since Lemieux was crushed by GGG. Not a PPV title fight worthy, right after Lemieux lost with that same opportunity.
- Canelo vs. Bradley has been talked about for May. Teddy Atlas doesn't want Bradley to take that fight.
- Fan said he talked to Monroe Jr. and he said he is trying to fight Canelo or Lemieux next. Canelo not likely as it won't sell as a PPV. Lemieux is very possible as an undercard fight.
- Donaire likely defends his title vs. Gradovich in April.
- Kovalev likely dispatches Pascal quicker than the first fight.
- If Kovalev actually was able to schedule Pascal, Stevenson, and Ward in 2016 and win all 3 fights it would be one of the greatest years ever for a fighter.
- Ricardo Lopez vs. Chocolatito? Lopez.
- Most disappointing fighter of the year? JCC, Pacquiao (losing and shoulder excuses), Klitschko, Stevenson (lack of real opponents).
- Sore loser of the year? Cotto, Pacquiao.
- Ortiz vs. Stiverne would be a fun fight.
- Wilder's camp will run like Forrest Gump did across the country to stay away from Ortiz.
- It is confusing how Ortiz got an interim title fight so quickly after testing positive for PED's, but he did serve his suspension.
- Ortiz vs. Joshua? Joshua is not ready for the fight yet.
- A double header of Crawford and Verdejo in NY is being discussed.
- Arum has said he would match Crawford vs. Postol, but doubts it is Crawford's next fight.
- Hearing Herrera vs. Provodnikov is being discussed for early 2016.
- Cotto will not go back to 147.
- Valdez wins a title in 2016? Tough. He won't get to fight the PBC fighters at 126, that only leaves Lomachenko with a belt. He would be a huge underdog.
- Believes Porter vs. Thurman will happen in 2016 and it will be the next fight for both fighters.
- Broner vs. Pacquiao is not happening. Koncz and Broner have been talking which has led to the rumors. Koncz has no authority to make the match. Arum guarantees the money. Broner and Koncz can talk forever, but unless Arum decides to make the fight, it won't happen. Haymon + Arum = no fight.
- Fights in 2016 he wants: Kovalev-Stevenson, Canelo-GGG, Fury-Wlad 2 and the winner to face Wilder, Gonzalez-Estrada 2, Thurman-Porter, Lomachenko-LSC, Ortiz vs. any top HW (Stiverne is doable), Frampton-Quigg, Brook-Khan (Khan has been wasting valuable time and Brook needs to fight a top name eventually), Pacquiao-Crawford, Crawford-Postol.
- Has boxing ever had a Steve Harvey moment? Yes, many times. One he remembers was Stevie Johnston vs. Castillo in 2000. Johnston was announced the winner and crowd went crazy. Turned out they added up the cards wrong and it was actually a draw. Johnston went to Castillo's dressing room and gave him back the belt, which is how Castillo found out he retained the title.
- Eubank Jr. may eventually get a shot vs. Canelo or GGG, but not in the near future. He is the mandatory for Jacob's secondary title.
- It was disappointing to hear Jacobs say he didn't care if he was secondary champion, as long as people called him champion. His belt is secondary to GGG's and his is not a true championship belt.
- Eubank is the mandatory for Jacob's secondary WBA title, but Jacob's isn't the mandatory for GGG's legit WBA title...ahhh, the corrupt WBA.
- Tureano Johnson is likely next to fight GGG. He is his mandatory, a quality opponent, and willing to fight.
- Salido vs. Martinez 3 is supposed to happen, but no date yet.
- Martin is a decent opponent and could beat Glazkov, because Glazkov is well...Glazkov.
- Told Ward will return around March. Rumored opponent is Sullivan Barrera, but that fight is a long way from being made.
- Very possible Uchiyama comes to the US to fight Walters.
- Linares' next fight is supposed to be vs. his mandatory Zlatacainin. Very interesting fight.
- Walters vs. Sosa decision was not a bribery. Walters was the house fighter and him winning is more valuable.
- Recommending all fight fans to POLITELY write or contact the commission on the poor Walters-Sosa scoring.
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION ATHLETIC COMMISSION
5218 PATRICK ROAD
VERONA, NEW YORK 13478
(315) 361-7710(315) 361-7709
FAX ATTN: DANIEL J. GUSTAFSON, Executive Director/Commissioner,
[email protected]
You can contact the head of the Oneida's at:
Mr. Arthur Raymond Halbritter
Nation Representative
The Oneida Indian Nation 2037
Dreamcatcher Plaza Oneida, NY 13421
Phone: (315) 829-8900
Fax: (315) 829-8958
Toll-free Phone: (800) 685-6115
Email: [email protected]
- Letter from a chat fan who wrote in about Walters-Sosa: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CW7beAVWEAAkwrp.jpg
- Credit goes to the IBF for sticking to their rules and stripping Fury...but he has talked to them before that they need to tweak a few rules for cases like this.
- Most talented divisions? 147, 175, and 126.
- Roman Gonzalez wants to move up in weight sooner than later. So if he were to fight Inoue, it likely would take place at 115.
- Who has more PPV potential: Canelo or GGG? Canelo.
- Jack or DeGale vs. Abraham? Give both Jack and DeGale good chances to beat Abraham. Quality fights.
- Robert Hoyle is a nice guy, but his scorecards have been real questionable lately.
- Tom Schrek also had a bad card on Gonzalez-Shabranskyy.
- Does not know what Maidana's plans are. If he feels he has made enough money and doesn't need to fight, good for him.
- Under the radar great fights: Michael Brodie vs. Injin Chi fights from 2003 and 2004. Also, Morales-Chi.
- Has close to 4,000 boxing posters.
- Who will Billy Joe Saunders face next? The easiest stiff his handlers can get away with.
- Cunningham wants to go back down to CW.
- Showtime's January 16 card is solid.
- Better trilogy: Gatti-Ward or Morales-Barrera? Morales-Barrera.
- No word on James Kirkland.
- Hearing LSC could be back in February. No work on a LSC-Mares rematch.
- PBC needs to start matching their top guys for long-term success.
- Bernard Hopkins best win? Trinidad.
Julian Williams: The PBC Boogeyman
by Steve Kim | Dec 22, 2015
[IMG]
Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/TrappFotos/SHOWTIME®
These Philadelphia throwbacks are unfortunately stuck in the new millennium boxing business. Yeah, news flash. Boxing has always been a business but never has it been so apparent as fighters themselves are now exhibiting the caution of managers (whose job it is to be risk-averse). Making it worse is there is a new breed of “fan-ager” who praises such behavior as if somehow he gets a financial cut.
That right there is my biggest issue with fighters today. I get that boxing is a business and that fighters need to make as much money as they can during their careers but wanting to get the big bucks while avoiding any risks is pure bytchmade behavior in my book.
Find that happy medium between being financially smart while also being a competitor who wants to fight the best.
More often than not actually beating good fighters is usually the fastest way to becoming a real moneymaker in boxing anyway.
by Steve Kim | Dec 22, 2015
[IMG]
Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/TrappFotos/SHOWTIME®
These Philadelphia throwbacks are unfortunately stuck in the new millennium boxing business. Yeah, news flash. Boxing has always been a business but never has it been so apparent as fighters themselves are now exhibiting the caution of managers (whose job it is to be risk-averse). Making it worse is there is a new breed of “fan-ager” who praises such behavior as if somehow he gets a financial cut.
That right there is my biggest issue with fighters today. I get that boxing is a business and that fighters need to make as much money as they can during their careers but wanting to get the big bucks while avoiding any risks is pure bytchmade behavior in my book.
Find that happy medium between being financially smart while also being a competitor who wants to fight the best.
More often than not actually beating good fighters is usually the fastest way to becoming a real moneymaker in boxing anyway.