Boxing News Thread

[heyzel]

Jürgen Brähmer Back In Jail; Golovkin Next To Leave Universum

Per Ake Persson: WBO lightheavy champ Juergen Braehmer was sentenced to 16 months in jail today - without probation - for his part in an assault affair in Schwerin, Germany that dates all the way back to September of 2008. There was to begin with two different affairs but one case was settled out of court. In the second case however the prosecutor refused to allow the complaint to be withdrawn citing public interest. It will be the third time the champ has to do hard time and he was on probation from a previous sentence when this incident took place. I was told in Magdeburg this past weekend that the public prosecutors in Schwerin have worked very hard to put Braehmer away.

WBA middleweight mandatory challenger Gennadyi Golovkin has joined the long list of boxers who have a contractual dispute with Universum. Golovkin, a very talented fighter, has reportedly already had talks with promoters in the US but Universum still claim promotional rights. As to why Universum all of a sudden have a whole bunch of fighters that want to leave is, I believe, connected to the expiring TV deal with ZDF. Another problem is marketing of the likes of Golovkin, Sergey Dzinziruk and others. They are the real thing boxing wise but not German where Universum´s main market is. TV in Kazachstan, Ukraine and elsewhere in the ex-USSR do have some money but not enough to carry a major league boxer and that leaves everybody unhappy..

Dutch jr lightweight Innocent Anyanwu takes on Spaniard Sergio Palomo February 7 in the Netherlands with the EBA title at stake.

Cruiser Vincenzo Rossitto and Mohamed Ali Ndiaye make their debuts for new promoter OPI 2000 January 29 in Pontedera. Rossitto faces Lithuanian spoiler Remigijus Ziausys while Ndiyae is in against Latvian Jevgenijs Andrejevs. OPI 2000 have also signed up featherweight Luca Giacon, who up until now have resided in Spain and fought there and in Panama. He´s now based in Cagliari where he trains under former EBU fly champ Franco Cherchi.

The new WBFederation (not to be confused with the still existing WBFoundation) have appointed Albanian Ylli Ndroqi has Honorary President. Ndroqi promotes Kreshnik Qato, who holds the WBFederation middleweight title. The WBFederation will hold its first world convention in April of 2010 in Tirana, the capital of Albania.

 

[heyzel]

Ryan Rhodes Calls For a Floyd Mayweather Jr. Shot

London - After the total debacle of the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao negotiations falling through, rumor has it that British boxer Matthew Hatton, brother of super star Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton and Paul "The Punisher" Williams are being considered to step in against Floyd "Money" Mayweather. Another man has thrown his name into the hat for a potential mega showdown with the flashy superstar, current European Jr., Middleweight Champion Ryan Rhodes (43-4, 29KO's) is ready and willing to bring on !! Rhodes' trainer and co-manager Dave Coldwell has offered his man's services and has this to say...

" I hear that Floyd is willing to come to the UK to showcase his talents, and that they contacted Matthew Hatton originally as well as Williams, Ryan Rhodes is currently ranked # 3 by the WBC, # 4 by the IBF and # 5 by The Ring Magazine; He is the current European Champion and is a big strong Jr., Middleweight coming off The Fight of The Year in Europe and one of the fights of the year worldwide. I believe this would be the better fight to make and a well deserved opportunity for Rhodes if Floyd is willing to cross the pond and accept the challenge."

"Rhodes is one of the most recognizable names in the UK and has the respect of legions of his followers and the media, a Mayweather fight over here would sell out in minutes. If "Money" is serious about wanting to come and show the UK fans what he's all about, then Rhodes is the man he should come and fight" Frank Warren is joint manager along with myself. We could do a Mayweather/Frank Warren Promotion, I also work with Hayemaker Promotions, we could do it joint with them and I'm a promoter myself there's nothing in the way but space and opportunity, Rhodes can fight, he's proved that. He can punch and has balls. If Mayweather wants in on a bit of UK action, we're here and the UK fans would get behind it 100%."

 

[heyzel]

Paul Williams Ready To Fight Floyd Mayweather in March

By Mark Vester

Promoter Dan Goossen told the Los Angeles Times that Paul Williams is ready and able to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. on March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Mayweather has yet to pick an opponent for the fight. Kermit Cintron, Paulie Malignaggi, Carlos Quintana and Nate Campbell have all been mentioned as possibilities.

"If we were asked, I’d pick Paul up, and we’d be there as fast as we could get there to sign the contract,” Goossen said.

Williams' 6'3 frame and high workrate would present a lot of problems for Mayweather but there are political reasons that would prevent this fight from taking place. Manager/adviser Al Haymon guides the careers of both fighters. It's not likely for Haymon to match two of the best fighters in his stable against each other. That won't happen.

 

[heyzel]

Abraham-Dirrell, Darchinyan-Martinez Double For March 6

By Rick Reeno

Promoter Gary Shaw has confirmed to BoxingScene.com that everything is ready to go for Showtime's doubleheader on March 6 at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California. In the televised opener, Vic Darchinyan will defend his WBA/WBC super flyweight titles against Raul Martinez. Both Darchinyan and Shaw are hoping that a rematch with Nonito Donaire will be the next move. Martinez has one loss on his record, which came at the hands of Donaire by way of a fourth round knockout.

The main event of the evening is a second round bout in the Super Six Tournament. The tournament leader Arthur Abraham will face Andre Dirrell. In the first stage of the tournament, Abraham knocked out Jermain Taylor to pick up three points, and Andre Dirrell dropped a close twelve round decision to Carl Froch.

 

[heyzel]

Carl Froch Says: "Mikkel Kessler Will Feel My Wrath"

By Mark Vester

Carl Froch plans to make a serious point when he defense his WBC super middleweight title against Mikkel Kessler on April 17 in Denmark. The fight is part of the second stage of fights in Showtime's Super Six tournament. Kessler was the favorite to win it all but he was battered in the first stage by Andre Ward. Froch had more luck on his side. He won a close decision over Andre Dirrell. Froch is getting pumped at the thought of fighting Kessler in his backyard.

"Kessler was the tournament favourite according to some bookies - and I will not be taking him lightly. But he is going to feel my wrath in Denmark on April 17," Froch wrote in the Nottingham Evening Post. "The thought of fighting him in his home country spurs me on and I think that will be that extra motivation I need. Maybe his fans will think this is an edge for Kessler. But he is the one with the pressure, coming off a loss with a lot of expectation."

Froch is not overlooking the Danish fighter but at the same time he is not too impressed with his abilities.

"Kessler is naturally left handed, but fights right-handed like myself and thus has a great left jab. He is a big strong guy and can punch with either hand. He does nothing spectacular but everything he does, he does well," Froch said

 

[heyzel]

David Haye Inspired To Trash Talk By Naseem Hamed

By Mark Vester

WBA heavyweight champion David Haye is known as one of the best trash talkers in boxing. He showers his opponents and potentials rivals with verbal jabs from every corner. Haye was inspired to trash talk by watching British icon Prince Naseem Hamed. As a teenager, he loved to watch Naseem verbally trash his opponents.

“Slowly but surely I became a trash talker though.” Haye told The Daily Star. “I was a massive fan of Naseem when I was in my teens. He could do no wrong in my eyes. He was very funny. You’d hear an interview from him and you’d always have a real laugh. And that’s great. If it ruffles people’s feathers and gets their blood boiling, and if people hate me because of it, I say mission accomplished.

Not everyone loves Haye's trash talking style. His mum is not a fan. She yells at her son all the time but it doesn't stop him.

“My mum hates it. I get reprimanded every other night. I get calls from her and she says, ‘How dare you say this about this guy, he’s a human being. How would you like it if he said that about you?’ I said, ‘Mum, this is boxing. He’s going to try to knock me out in a few weeks’ She knows it’s my personality, but she’s not impressed by it one bit. She brought me up to be a lot more respectful and she feels it might reflect badly on her," Haye said.

 

[heyzel]

Malignaggi interested in fighting Khan

By Sean McDaniel: Former IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi (27-3, 5 KO’s) would like nothing better than to fight World Boxing Association light welterweight champion Amir Khan in the near future. In an article at the Manchesterevening news, Malignaggi had this to say about the prospects of fighting Khan: “My team told me Amir wanted one more fight in England to hype things up then we’d fight at the Garden later in the year. Over here we talk about Amir like he will be England’s next superstar, that once in a generation superstar like Ricky Hatton or Naseem Hamed.”

As you can see, Malignaggi is talking real nice about Khan right now. I guess he doesn’t want to blow a big opportunity to get a shot against the British star. Malignaggi will have to wait his turn, though, to get a chance at Khan, because Amir looks to be facing WBA light welterweight interim champion Marcos Maidana next.

The word is that Khan will likely take that dangerous fight, but if he can get through it in one piece, then a bout between Malignaggi and Khan could be a possibility in 2010. Khan would like to get a shot against former International Boxing Federation light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton, who made an announcement today in the press that he’s planning on coming back for one or two more fights, but Hatton didn’t mention Khan’s name as a potential opponent.

It could be that Hatton might be open to fighting Khan once he sees how much money he can make in a fight with him, but as of now Hatton isn’t saying who he plans on fighting for sure.
Malignaggi is being considered for a fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in March. That would be a huge fight for Malignaggi if he ends up being the one picked by Mayweather.

As of now, Floyd has mentioned two names: Malignaggi and Nate Campbell as two of the fighters that he’s considering. Boxing fans have been less than pleased with these two picks, however, and see either of those fights as one-sided affairs because of Mayweather’s bigger size and talent.

Even if the Mayweather doesn’t happen, there’s still a good chance that Khan will show interest in facing Malignaggi later in 2010. Khan needs a well known American fighter for his fight in the United States, and Malignaggi would serve that purpose without being too dangerous for Khan.

Malignaggi has very little power to speak of, and some boxing fans call him a poor man’s Mayweather. Malignaggi is certainly not an easy fighter to go up against unless you have a lot of power like Miguel Cotto or Ricky Hatton, both of which beat Malignaggi in the past. Khan doesn’t have the power of a Hatton or Cotto, but he does have much better hand speed and movement. He should be able to take care of Malignaggi with his speed advantage and get a win. It might not make Khan look good, though, because Malignaggi is hard to look good against because of his spoiling tactics.

 

[heyzel]

The Paradox of Floyd Mayweather Jr.

by Niko Tricarico: The public cried, “Outrage!” They screamed in vain for Pacquiao and Mayweather to find some sort of an agreement. It was the most anticipated fight in the history of the sport! It has to happen! It must happen. How could it NOT happen? Without this fight what state is boxing in? It’s a super fight that even the casual boxing fan was pining for. It’s over. Boxing is ruined. No Pacquiao and Mayweather? Boxing is…oh no! What IS boxing without Mayweather? He’s so good. He’s so charismatic. He’s so engaging. What is boxing without this great contributor to the sport?

And the answer is…better. “Better?” You ask. And again, I say, “Yes, better. What are you deaf?” Boxing is better off without Floyd Mayweather. No one seems to remember that before Mayweather fought De La Hoya he was almost booed out of the sport for being so boring. At Welterweight he is not an exciting fighter. Then when he retired analysts were suddenly clamoring for his return stating that there was a hole in boxing. There was hardly a hole. The only hole that existed was in Floyd’s bank account. You think he sold all of his cars because he suddenly developed an aversion towards decadence and flash? It’s called liquefying your assets.

With fights like (Rafael) Marquez/Vasquez, Pacquiao/Hatton, Pacquiao/(Juan Manuel) Marquez, Cotto/Margarito, Williams/Quintana, Berto/Collazo, Marquez/Diaz, Cotto/Clottey, Margarito/Mosely, Cintron/Angulo, Williams/Martinez, Hopkins/Pavlik, Taylor/Froch and not to mention the Super 6 tournament on Showtime, these have been two of the best years in boxing of recent times. And why? Because great fighters were fighting great opposition. The truth is that for all his brilliance inside the ring, Floyd Mayweather is bad for boxing. When someone with his talent and skills refuses to engage in great fights, fights that test his mettle and would secure his legacy while initiating others, then they are thumbing their nose and flipping off the sport and the boxing public that enabled their success in the first place.

Once Pacquiao fights Joshua Clottey on March 13, win or lose, he will have faced tougher opposition at Welterweight in less than one year than Mayweather has in four. And he will have done it without being a braggart or an insufferably obnoxious jerk. Floyd should be ashamed of himself. But he probably isn’t. Floyd should want to prove himself. But he probably won’t. Floyd should do this, Floyd should do that.

But what Floyd will do is verbally pot shot other fighters and make it seem as though he is the star attraction in boxing. He calls himself the greatest without facing great opposition. He points to his undefeated record and in the same breath, points to the blemishes on everyone else’s. He points to fighters losing to other fighters whom he has never faced and probably never will, which is a point Brian Kenny failed to impress upon his brash interviewee on ESPN. He’s searching for a March opponent? Fight Paul Williams!

The saddest aspect of Floyd Mayweather is that he could beat all of the top Welterweights. He would outbox Cotto, Clottey, Collazo, Berto and even Margarito. Many look to Sugar Shane Mosely as the man to shut Mayweather’s mouth, but Mosely gets dominated by technically proficient fighters (Winky Wright beat him, Vernon Forrest beat him and even De La Hoya was winning both fights until Mosely was able to goat him into a brawl). Paul Williams would not be an easy win and has probably the best chance to beat Mayweather, but at least he would be testing himself against another great fighter. Why Mayweather refuses to fight the best in the division is a mystery. He’s not a coward. He makes his profession as a fighter. If he were a coward he would never have chose boxing in the first place.

Sorry to disappoint you Floyd, but until you fight at least three top ten Welterweights your declarations of greatness are empty. Floyd Mayweather is, for me, like Sushi. The longer I go without it, the more appealing it becomes. Then when I have some I remember that it’s not worth the memory.

 

[heyzel]

Will Pavlik fight Williams or Sturm in 2010?

By Jim Dower: WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (36-1, 32 KO’s) missed on a big fight with Paul Williams last year, and had to settle for a fight against number #3 WBC contender Miguel Espino in December. However, with Espino taken care of in an easy 5th round TKO, Pavlik, 27, can now focus on taking a live threat like Williams or possibly Sergio Martinez for his next fight. Pavlik missed a lot of action last year because of a nagging staph infection on his left hand that kept him out of action for 10 months in 2009 and limited his title defenses to only two for the entire year.

There is talk that Pavlik could fight a unification bout against World Boxing Association middleweight champion Felix Sturm (33-2-1, 14 KO’s). That fight might not be a huge one in the United States because fans aren’t too familiar with Sturm other than his failure to beat Oscar De La Hoya in 2004. Since that time, Sturm has fought almost exclusively in his adopted country of Germany.

It would be a good fight for Pavlik in that he could possibly pick up another title in the process, but it would be a fight that might not thrill many boxing fans in the United States. Since winning the WBC/WBO middleweight title against Jermain Taylor in 2007, Pavlik hasn’t had too many appealing fights.

Fans thought that Pavlik, with his exciting style of fighting, would naturally be going after the most thrilling opponents while defending his titles. Instead, fans have had to be content with Pavlik fighting fighters like Gary Lockett, Marco Antonio Rubio, Espino, a needless rematch with Taylor and a fight against 43-year-old Hopkins, which Pavlik lost by a lopsided 12 round decision. During this time, Pavlik missed out on fights against Sergio Mora and Paul Williams because of his staph infection on his hand.

Boxing fans would appear to be more interested in seeing Pavlik fight the better known Williams at least in the U.S. rather than Sturm. However, Williams is a dangerous fighter who throws a lot of punches. You could understand why this fight might not end up getting made because of his busy style of fighting.

But if Pavlik doesn’t fight Williams, I’d hope that he would at least fight someone like Sergio Martinez rather than Sturm or another fighter. For me, I see the Sturm fight as another fairly safe fight for Pavlik, because Sturm has little power and mostly just throws jabs and few power shots.

 

[heyzel]

Hopkins-Jones II Back On For April?

by James Slater - Back on December 2nd of last year, when former great Roy Jones Junior was stunningly upset inside a round by Australian hard man Danny Green, fans everywhere thought for sure the pencilled in return fight between Jones and Bernard Hopkins had gone for good. Set for the spring of 2010, some seventeen years after the two had first met down at middleweight, the rematch had people talking. Then came Green and it was thought B-Hop would face "The Green Machine" instead.

Talks began for such a fight, but in the end money issues that could not be settled ruined the potential match-up. Things got even more interesting regarding Green , though, when the beaten Jones claimed his foe had beaten him due to illegally wrapped hands (this appeal on the part of the Jones team is ongoing). Suddenly everyone had forgotten all about Jones-Hopkins II..

But Hopkins, who beat Enrique Ornelas in his own tune-up on Dec. 2nd, may still get the chance to get his revenge. Even after his former rival had been smashed by Green, Hopkins said the second fight between he and Jones should still go ahead. Buying into the "Jones was robbed" line, the soon-to-be 45-year-old legend claimed the Green loss did nothing to diminish interest in Jones-Hopkins II.

According to BoxRec, the rematch that was to be fought at light-heavyweight, is back on, for April 17th in Las Vegas. Has "The Executioner" got his wish? It's by no means officially set to take place, but BoxRec is usually pretty reliable, and be honest, how shocked would you be if the fight went on after all? Not very, I'll bet. But if the sequel does happen, will you watch it? Or, as it's set to be on Pay-Per-View (according to BoxRec), a better question is, would you PAY to watch it?

Let's face it, Jones, now approaching the age of 41, is a faded fighter. The Green fight brought to an end any inkling Jones was giving his fans of his being anywhere near back to his best. The Joe Calzaghe fight pretty much told us all we needed to know about how much the once sublime Jones has left; the Green fight underlined the fact that he is a faded force. Hopkins, on the other hand, has aged incredibly well. Still in amazing condition and having proven he can fight as an "old man" with his 2008 win over Kelly Pavlik, Hopkins has been blessed far more than has Jones in this department.

Feeling in his heart that, his pro debut points loss to Clinton Mitchell aside, Jones is the only man to have ever beaten him fair and square, Hopkins is anxious to wipe the slate clean. And, if the now dud of a rematch does go ahead in April, wipe it he sure will. It won't be exciting and it won't be pay-per-view-worthy, but Hopkins will box a near master-class once again, as he shuts down Jones, dictates the pace, out-scores his man and ultimately wins a wide UD.

While Jones should retire, though, Hopkins has earned the right to continue fighting - simply because he's never once been really hurt in a fight, despite his age. But the fans need a reason to wish to see him fight on. And a rematch with recent KO victim Roy Jones Junior is not a good enough reason.

 

[heyzel]

Pacquiao Has No Catch-Weight Desire For Clottey Fight

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao’s trusted adviser Michael Koncz says that the WBO welterweight champion will defend his title at the 147 pound limit dispelling reports that he would ask Clottey to agree to a catch-weight of 145 pounds just like he did in the title fight against Miguel Cotto.

Koncz told us there had been no indication from Pacquiao that he wanted to impose a catch-weight and even Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told us earlier in the week that the fight was agreed to at 147 pounds although Pacquiao generally comes in at around 144-145 pounds.

Pacquiao’s lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal was one of those quoted as saying they would push for a catch-weight of 145 but this was expected to get a negative reaction from the foreign media and fight fans who generally frown on catch-weight arrangements pointing out that if a fighter is a champion in a particular weight division he must be prepared to fight at that weight.

Koncz also informed us that the results of the urine test taken by Dr. Alex Pineda of the Philippine Olympic Committee who is the only doctor in the country accredited by the World Anti Doping Agency will be made public on Thursday.

The urine sample was sent to an accredited laboratory in Malaysia .

There was no doubt in anybody’s mind that the results would be negative as Pacquiao is clean and has never failed any drug test despite unfounded allegations by Team Mayweather without any evidence that Pacquiao was on some performance-enhancing drugs.

Pacquiao is currently in Manila and according to Koncz will leave for Los Angeles on Sunday to begin training at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach.

Arum who will stage the fight at the spanking, new Dallas Cowboys stadium said the Pacquiao-Clottey fight on the fight card titled “The Event” is bound to be a good one although he believes the Filipino southpaw’s speed should prove too much for Clottey who is known to be able to take a good punch and to also hit hard.

Although Clottey lost a split decision to Cotto in a close fight, there were many at ringside who thought he won but that his decision to coast in the final two rounds probably cost Clottey the fight.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Hopkins, Jones Jr. agree to fight


By Dan Rafael
ESPN.com
Archive

Two months after the long-anticipated Roy Jones Jr.-Bernard Hopkins rematch was left for dead following Jones' stunning first-round knockout loss in an interim bout, the fight was resurrected on Wednesday -- an early birthday present for the aging stars.

Hopkins, who will be 45 on Friday and still ranks among the best fighters in the world pound-for-pound, and Jones, who turns 41 on Saturday, signed contracts to meet in a scheduled 12-round light heavyweight fight on pay-per-view, representatives for both fighters told ESPN.com on Wednesday night.

The fight likely will be April 17 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, Hopkins' promoter, said.

"We worked very hard to keep this fight alive and we got it signed on Wednesday," said John Wirt, the CEO of Square Ring, Jones' promotional company. "We're ecstatic that the fight was made and we're looking forward to a great event. There's been a long-standing rivalry between two of the preeminent boxers of our generation. This fight will establish once and for all who is the better fighter between Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. This is the fight Roy always wanted."

Schaefer said he was in talks with HBO PPV about handling the event, adding that "there are different parties also interested in the fight." HBO's spring pay-per-view schedule is unclear with deals still possible for it to carry fights involving Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.

After numerous failed attempts to make a rematch over the past decade, Jones and Hopkins finally came to terms in September to meet again. However, Jones had already signed for a fight on Dec. 2 in Australia against Danny Green.

Jones, who was due $4 million to fight Green, didn't want to withdraw from the fight, so he faced Green and Hopkins took a tuneup fight on the same day in his hometown of Philadelphia. While Hopkins, who ended a 14-month layoff, cruised to a lopsided unanimous decision against Enrique Ornelas, Jones was shockingly knocked out in the first round by Green.

The deal between Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs) and Jones (54-6, 40 KOs) was contingent upon both men winning their December bouts, so when Jones lost, it appeared they would not fight, although Hopkins continually mentioned Jones as still being a viable opponent and tried to play up the loss to Green as a quick stoppage.

Hopkins explored a fight with Green, but those talks went nowhere, and he had few other notable options. And Jones, who is protesting the loss to Green over a dispute related to the amount of gauze Green used in his hand wraps, still wanted to face Hopkins.

"The interesting thing is the conversations never died down," Schaefer said. "Even after Bernard won and Roy lost, the talks continued and different options were evaluated. But I just felt from talking to Bernard and from the conversations I had with John that they really wanted to fight each other.

"I think there is so much at stake for these guys. This is an event they have been waiting for for 17 years. They would not let anything get in the way of getting this fight finally done. I believe very strongly that at this point in their careers, after everything they have accomplished, I think this is a well-deserved fight for these two guys to finally get it on April 17. Love 'em or hate em, they are two of the most recognized names in the sport of boxing."

In several previous negotiations, Jones and Hopkins had always been hung up on the revenue split. Under the deal they agreed to in September, the split of the money was to be 50-50, but with a knockout provision. If the fight was decided by a knockout, the winner would get 60 percent with the loser getting 40 percent.

Although terms of the new deal were not disclosed, Wirt said that Jones agreed to "a modification" of the original deal with Jones' percentage potentially increasing depending on how the pay-per-view performed.

The knockout provision, however, is still in the new deal.

"The only thing I can say about the structure of the deal is that there is still a substantial financial benefit to the guy who wins by knockout," Schaefer said.

Before either man became a star, they met for a vacant middleweight title on May 22, 1993. Jones won a clear unanimous decision and would go on to dominate boxing, reigning as the pound-for-for king for about a decade while winning titles in four weight classes from middleweight to heavyweight.

After Jones left the middleweight division, Hopkins claimed the vacant title and went on to make a division-record 20 defenses, including becoming the undisputed champion in 2001. After Hopkins lost the middleweight title to Jermain Taylor in 2005, he moved up in weight and upset Antonio Tarver to win the light heavyweight championship in 2006.

Even though Jones lost his last fight, Schaefer said people would be foolish to write him off.

"Those who write Roy Jones off are making a mistake because he will come in motivated more than ever because this is a personal showdown between these guys," Schaefer said. "They were waiting a long time for this fight and here it is. Bernard, at this point in his career, keeps on defying mother time. For Bernard, after all the accomplishments, for him to get up for a fight, he also needs that personal motivation, and he will have it against Roy Jones.

"Those two guys, after all the talking and the build up, and the ups and downs and the cheers and disappointments, finally, they are going to meet again. Bernard won't be judging Roy on his last performance. He knows that would be a big mistake. I think they will both come at their best because of how important this is to both of them."

Dan Rafael is ESPN.com's boxing writer.

 

[Johnny Truelove]

^ who the fuck wants to see that? better be free on hbo

 

[2-0-Sixx]

I know, it's about 8 years too late. But being a hopkins fan I'm going to watch it.

 

[Johnny Truelove]

holy shit its going to be ppv? R U FUCKING SERIOUS!!?? lol

 

[2-0-Sixx]

I don't think there is any other choice because I doubt HBO will pick it up (considering they have a show on the same day I believe) nor did they express any interest since Jones lost to Green, so what can they do? They'll have a minor PPV and sell 200,000 buys at least, pretty decent payday for both guys nearing retirement.

 

[heyzel]

Devon Alexander-Juan Urango is Looking For a New Home

By Ryan Burton

A reliable source informed BoxingScene.com that the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino is no longer hosting the junior welterweight unification bout between Devon Alexander and Juan Urango. The fight is being broadcast by HBO on March 6th. Also on the card, Cory Spinks defends his IBF junior middleweight title against Cornelius Brundrage in the co-main event.

Don King still wants the fight to be in Las Vegas and other venues are being scouted at this very moment. If another venue in Las Vegas is not secured soon, this fight will be moved to Alexander and Spinks' hometown of St Louis.

 

[heyzel]

Mayweather vs Cintron is Very Possible, Says De La Hoya

By Mark Vester

Among the possible candidates to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. on March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya says former champion Kermit Cintron has a very good chance of landing the fight. De La Hoya saus the choice is not his. Mayweather's team will make the ultimate call on Cintron and other possibilities like Nate Campbell and Paulie Malignaggi. Cintron had a good 2009; fighting to a draw with Sergio Martinez, pulling off an upset over Alfredo Angulo and winning a showcase bout in Puerto Rico.

"Kermit Cintron is a great choice, but it's Mayweather's team who will have to decide. But the possibility is very great," De La Hoya told Puerto Rican scribe Carlos Rosario.

"Mayweather Jr. wants to fight one of the best welterweights and Cintron is considered as one of them. He's a natural welterweight and now that he's learned to box more, he looks like a tough opponent for Mayweather Jr."

 

[Johnny Truelove]

i fuckin hate floyd.

 

[heyzel]

Green: "I Offered Hopkins 15 Times His Previous Purse"

By Mark Vester

IBO cruiserweight Danny Green is moving forward with his career and taking a look at a few options in the aftermath of his broken negotiations to secure a fight with Bernard Hopkins. The Aussie champ claims to have reached a verbal deal with Hopkins for a 50-50 split and then Hopkins changed the terms to a 60-40. Green offered Hopkins 15 times what he made for his last fight with Enrique Ornelas.

Hopkins will instead have a rematch with Roy Jones Jr. on April 17 in Las Vegas. Green stopped Jones in one round last month in Australia.

"I offered Bernard Hopkins 15 times his previous purse and that was a guarantee and that was the minimum he was going to earn," Green told AAP. "We had a verbal agreement. Bernard changed it and then we allowed him his demands and he's chosen against fighting me and chosen to fight Roy Jones in America.

"There's nothing more I could have done apart from fighting him for free. I did everything in my power to make this fight happen because we want to bring the big fights to Australia. Financially, he (Hopkins) has got everything to gain by coming here. He may see it as beating Roy Jones and then fighting me after that, who knows."

Green is considering a few options at cruiser and even a move to heavyweight or a drop in weight to light heavyweight. A move to heavyweight would seem strange. Green barely weighs over 180-pounds for his cruiserweight bouts.

"There could be a move to heavyweight, there could be a light heavyweight fight, so I'm just keeping my options going. The signs are clear that I want to get back in because I'm shadow boxing the fridge, I'm shadow boxing the stereo, I'm shadow boxing the barbecue and I'm shadow boxing my chihuahua Rocky," Green said.