Boxing News Thread

  • Wanna Join? New users you can now register lightning fast using your Facebook or Twitter accounts.
Jul 24, 2005
12,836
2,137
0
45
Miguel Cotto and Emanuel Steward: One Fight Too Late

Niko Tricarico - Or maybe even two.....It always fascinates me how quickly a boxer’s mystique can be dissolved. On July 25th, 2008, Miguel Cotto was an unbeatable force on the verge of superstardom. He was a body punching, pressure fighter who wore his opponents down, broke their will and snapped their resolve; a monster shoved into a 5’7” 147 lb frame. His confidence beamed and rumbled with the same swift thunder that accompanied his thudding punches. And with an entire nation behind him he could do no wrong. “Yo soy Boricua, pa’que tu lo sepas!”

On July 26th, 2008, however, Cotto faced the mullet-ed, Mexican, mauler Antonio Margarito in a fight that Max Kellerman described as a, “modern day boxing classic..” They brawled for eleven and I sat and felt my stubborn mind slowly absorb the reality of the fight. Cotto left the ring that night bloodied, battered, bruised and broken. His usual intensity that he wears so well upon his face was now showered in crimson defeat and rising from a voluntary knee he shook his swollen head from side to side as blood leaked out of every available orifice. My favorite fighter had lost.

It has been almost two years since that fight and Cotto has endured a tumultuous journey. He experienced an ugly and bitter split with uncle and former trainer Evangelista Cotto and barely survived a back and forth battle with Joshua Clottey. He was TKOed by Manny Pacquiao and then, shortly after, found himself coping with the loss of his father, Miguel Cotto Sr.
Miguel Angel Cotto, without making excuses for his most recent performances, has not been the same since the Margarito loss. Perhaps, it does have something to do with not having an authoritative figure in the corner. Joe Santiago was Cotto’s choice to replace his uncle and I quickly brushed aside public notions that he was too inexperienced to be an effective trainer. I honestly didn’t think it would make much of a difference at this point in Cotto’s career. Now, with Cotto enlisting the help of Kronk Gym’s Emanuel Steward, it seems as though a change was indeed felt to be necessary. There is no doubt that Steward is among the sport’s most effective active trainers having guided the careers of fighters like Thomas Hearns, Michael Moorer, Lennox Lewis and now Wladimir Klitschko, but he has become more of a celebrity these days. His name garners attention. Oscar De La Hoya used him for a bit. Jermain Taylor used him for a bit. Kermit Cintron used him for a bit and now Miguel Cotto will be using him, if not for forever, then at least for…a bit.

I can’t help thinking, however, that the pairing of Steward and Cotto is simply one fight too late (especially since Steward already offered his services after the Clottey fight and Cotto, for some reason said, no). How much stock should be put into a trainer’s accrued knowledge versus a fighter’s talent and skill? If the boxer is the actor then it is the trainer who has the responsibility of directing the movie. And there are few who are as good at their job as Manny Steward. But with different fighters, trainers have different roles. Angelo Dundee’s role with Muhammad Ali was much different than what Cus D’Mato did for Mike Tyson is different from Roger Mayweather and Floyd Jr.’s relationship and Freddy Roach and Manny Pacquiao’s. What will Steward’s role be in camp Cotto?

Against Pacquiao, Cotto made some glaring mistakes that cost him the fight. His choice to stand and exchange with a lightening fast, precision punching machine was an ill-fated decision that was birthed either out of a lack of sound corner strategy or from his own frustrations at not being able to hurt Pacquiao. Cotto also has developed a bad habit of leaning in with his guard and sitting on his punches, not throwing and waiting to counter. He did this in the Joshua Clottey fight with terrible results and against Pacquiao it proved disastrous. Can Emanuel Steward help Cotto? It would be ridiculous to speculate upon whether or not Cotto would have done better in his previous two fights had Steward been head trainer as oppose to Joe Santiago, but it would have made more sense for this union to have occurred earlier. Cotto has already lost to Pacquiao and lost badly and in boxing losses are typically written in pen, not pencil.

In most professional sports a fan who stares at their favorite team teetering on the brink of defeat can always fall back on the old adage, “there’s always next year.” That “next year,” in boxing, however, is hardly ever a fresh start. That “next year,” in boxing is simply another hole in the hull of a sinking ship. So, what does Cotto have left and what can Emanuel Steward mold that in to?

Miguel Cotto was my favorite fighter. I loved his style, his tenacity, his ferocity, his willingness and more importantly his desire to face the best opponents available, but I also loved the fact that he won. The look in his eyes after he was knocked down for the second time by Manny Pacquiao was a look of fear and defeat. He needs his confidence back. He needs to regain that bravado that served him so well before the Margarito loss. He needs to be able to say, “F*** you, pay me,” to whomever stands in his way. But most of all, he needs to listen to Emanuel Steward. And maybe on June 5th those indelible words will ring true in his ears once again as he stands with his arms raised in victory. I’ll be cheering him on.

“De Caguas, Puerto Rico. Miguel Angel Cotto!”
 
Dec 9, 2005
11,231
31
0
41
^ I always felt, and still do feel like Cotto is a bad matchup for Mayweather. He's got an excellent jab, and is also very effective and keeping the pressure on. People are stlil writing Cotto off, but I think that he looked good in the Pacquiao fight, and still has plenty left in the tank.
 
Jul 24, 2005
12,836
2,137
0
45
Arum: Pavlik could fight Winky Wright or Paul Williams next – News

By Chris Williams: Top Rank promoter Bob Arum will be looking to match WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (36-1, 32 KO’s) against either 38-year-old fellow Top Rank fighter Winky Wright or Paul Williams next, according to an interview by Greg Leon of Boxing Talk.. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing Pavlik fight Williams, I have absolutely zero interest in watching him fight Wright. And I’m betting that’s who Arum will match Pavlik against. That would be so perfect and so fitting for the kind of dull opponents that Pavlik has been matched up against in the past. I think Wright was a good fighter in his prime, but the guy is getting old. Arum says “I really believe that Winky Wright or Paul Williams will be next.” Notice how Arum mentioned Wright first? I bet that’s because he’ll be the one facing Pavlik next.


Wright has fought only once in the past three years, and lost two consecutive fights to Paul Williams and Bernard Hopkins. Is that the type of fighter that should be matched against the middleweight champion Pavlik? We’ve already seen Pavlik fighting the likes of Gary Lockett, Marco Antonio Rubio and Miguel Espino. None of those fighters are marquee names by any stretch of the imagination.

I cringe at the thought of the 38-year-old Wright being added to the list. I have no doubts that a prime Wright would beat the brakes off of Pavlik, but probably not now. And I hate the idea of fighter who has lost his last two fights being given a shot at the world title. That seems weird and not really fair to all the contenders that have been fighting actively and winning their fights to try and get a shot at the title. I’d rather see Pavlik fight Williams or another top contender like Gennady Golovkin or Matthew Macklin.

Golovkin would be good because he can punch a little. Setting up a fight between Pavlik and Williams might be difficult because Williams will want to be paid well, maybe even asking for a 50-50 deal. I think Williams would beat Pavlik, so I doubt they’ll want to fight him. I just want to see Pavlik fighting some good fighters for a change that have the talent to beat him.

But I see Pavlik probably fighting Wright, and then going after guys like John Duddy or Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. I think Pavlik wouldn’t be doing himself any favors if he fights those guys. I mean it might give him an easy title defense and allow him to hold onto his title a little while longer, but those aren’t the kinds of fights he needs to win new fans. Pavlik needs to fight guys like Daniel Jacobs, Golovkin, Lucian Bute, and the winner of the Super Six tournament.

Pavlik will be facing Sergio Martinez on Saturday April 17th at the Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Pavlik is expected to win the fight, if only because he’ll have a big size and strength advantage. You can’t say for sure, because of how horrible Pavlik looked in his loss to Bernard Hopkins in October 2008. Anything can happen when you put Pavlik in with a boxer like Martinez.
 
Jul 24, 2005
12,836
2,137
0
45
Mayweather-Mosley: Will Floyd throw enough punches to win?

By Chris Williams: Floyd Mayweather Jr. (40-0, 25 KO’s) isn’t known for having a high work rate, but on May 1st, he’s going to have to find a way to throw more punches than he normally does if he wants to beat World Boxing Association welterweight champion Shane Mosley (46-1, 39 KO’s). Mayweather, 33, will be facing a steady withering fire all night long from the 38-year-old Mosley, and unless Mayweather is able to match his punch volume, Mayweather could end up losing and being the one who looks 38.


Mayweather has been able to win his fights on the cheap in his last four fights, beating opponents that couldn’t catch up to him long enough to land more than a punch or two. Mayweather, with his movement, is able to punch and move to keep out of the way of his opponents. The movement is good, but it’s made Mayweather more reliant on his legs rather than his offense.

This puts Mayweather in danger when facing a fast fighter like Mosley, who throws a lot if punches and who has the strength and power advantage over Mayweather. Mosley is going to be going after Mayweather and really letting his hands go with a lot of punches. Mosley has noted that Mayweather doesn’t throw a lot of punches and can be out-punched if his opponent can stay on top of him. Mosley, though, can’t just stand in front of Mayweather.

That would lead to Mosley taking some pinpoint shots. Mosley has to instead use angles and attack Mayweather hard when in close. It’s not going to easy. Mayweather showed in his fight with Ricky Hatton that he can fight really well in close with short punches. However, Mayweather is there to be hit if Mosley can get near enough. Forget the shoulder roll garbage. Mayweather is going to look silly if he does that bit against Mosley.

He needs to leave that for his slower, more limited opponents that can’t fight. Mosley probably has no chance of beating Mayweather if he makes the mistake of trying to box him. Mayweather is too clever and fast to be beaten by boxing him. The only way that Mosley can beat him is by turning the fight into a war, throw a lot of punches and try to rough Mayweather up on the inside. Even that might not work, but it’s really the only chance that Mosley has.

Mosley needs to throw punches and try overwhelm Mayweather’s defense. If Mayweather is too busy covering up and messing with his shoulder roll, he won’t be able to throw his pinpoint shots and will fall behind in the fight. If Mayweather gets behind in the fight, he doesn’t have the power to score a knockout. He’ll end up losing the fight because of his inability to come back and stop Mosley.

Another thing that Mosley should consider trying is his punch and hold technique. It worked wonders his fight with Antonio Margarito last year in January, and kept Margarito from throwing his own punches. Mosley might just be able to smother Mayweather’s offense if he hugs him all night long. It will be boring to watch, to be sure, but it might work in shutting Mayweather down.
 
Jul 24, 2005
12,836
2,137
0
45
Booth insists on 50-50 deal for Haye-Klitschko fight: Is Haye worth it?

By Scott Gilfoid: With only four fights under his belt as a heavyweight, including only one defensive of his World Boxing Association heavyweight title, David Haye and his trainer/manager Adam Booth want a 50-50 split of the revenue for a fight with IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. Booth says in an article at the Sun, “The Klitschkos have to get it inside their heads that the only spilt will be 50-50. If they [Wladimir Klitschko] think it will be anything else they are deluding themselves.”


Thus far, Haye has held the WBA heavyweight title for all of five months and already he and his trainer are asking for a 50-50 deal with Klitschko. Incredible! That takes a lot of gall. Wladimir has been considered to be the best heavyweight in the division for at least five years now, and has been a champion for four of the years. And now Haye comes along and barely beats a fading, weak-punching, poor moving paper champion in Nikolay Valuev by a 12 round majority decision and then beats an old fighter in John Ruiz and then Haye expects to get a fight on even financial terms?

That’s pretty funny and kind of sad. That’s like taking a class in how not to make a fight with someone. I think in terms of accomplishment, Haye deserves 20% of the revenue with Wladimir getting the lion share of 80%. Haye doesn’t have enough experience at heavyweight to get a better deal. Wladimir has more belts than Haye and has held them longer. Wladimir is a worldwide star, whereas Haye is just a star in the UK. People don’t have clue one who Haye is in the United States.

I ask people all the time if they’ve ever heard of Haye and to this day not one person that I’ve asked has ever heard of Haye, and these are casual boxing fans I’m asking. Haye is a huge star in the UK, but what good is that if no one else in the world has heard of Haye. I think Wladimir would be giving Haye a great deal if he gave him 20% of the revenue, because I think he might even be worth less. Haye should take it and be happy.

I think it will be his first and only fight with the Klitschkos because I see Wladimir knocking him cold. There won’t be a fight with Vitali Klitschko for Haye, not that he wants one. It’s weird how now Haye is asking for the Klitschko brothers to fight each other, so that Haye won’t have to fight both of them. I wonder if he’s lost his nerve. I knew it was going to be like this. As soon as Haye beat Valuev, an easy mark that a lot of the top contenders would likely easily beat, Haye would get a good payday and then quickly lose interest in fighting the Klitschko brothers.

Look at it this way: by Haye asking for a 50-50 deal with Wladimir, basically it’s like he’s saying he doesn’t want to fight Wladimir. Really. He’s got to know with his lack of experience at heavyweight, Wladimir is going to take an offer of 50-50 as an insult and walk away mad. He’s not going to accept that and I don’t blame him. All Haye is done is beat a handful of fighters that really should be 2nd tier at this point and not world class in my view. And I don’t count Haye’s experience at cruiserweight. That’s the weakest division in boxing. Come on. Can you imagine what Wladimir would do to Jean Marc Mormeck or Enzo Maccarinelli? Those were Haye’s best fights at cruiserweight. It wouldn’t even be a fight. Wladimir would likely beat both fighters without ever getting hit.

Haye says “I don’t care if those two fight in the boxing ring or in the back yard at their mum’s house but that is what they should do. They keep bleating about fighting me but if they are serious about unifying the world title there is a very quick way to get it done and dusted — box each other and then the winner takes me on. If they don’t want to upset any members of their family, then one brother should give the other his belts before stepping into the ring with me.”

It’s incredible how Haye seems to have totally changed his mind about wanting to fight both Klitschko brothers. He sounds as if he doesn’t want to be bothered by having to do that. Haye is always bellyaching about his legacy, but now it looks like he doesn’t want to put in the work to make the legacy. He’s trying take shortcut by having one Klitschko brother fight the other, just so that Haye doesn’t have to fight the other one. I can only guess who Haye would be fighting his other three last fights against. Probably some more weak heavyweight opposition like he’s been fighting. I think Haye is milking his title and not serious about wanting to fight Wladimir.
 
Jul 24, 2005
12,836
2,137
0
45
Should Haye fight Audley Harrison before facing the Klitschko brothers?

By William Mackay: WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (24-1, 22 KO’s) recently beat John Ruiz by a 9th round stoppage. Haye, bragging about the win afterwards on the Studio Five show, said “I broke his [Ruiz] nose, jaw and gave him a perforated eardrum. He was in a bad way. He had his million dollars that night.” Recently, Haye has been talking about wanting to fight the Klitschko brothers, but is undecided about whether to fight one of them or someone else. Since Haye seems to be in doubt about who he should fight next, I think Haye would do well if he was to choose European Boxing Union (EBU) heavyweight champion Audley Harrison (27-4, 20 KO’s) instead of going after the Klitschkos right away.


By fighting the 38-year-old Harrison, Haye would be proving who the best heavyweight is in the UK, and would get even more praise if he were able to beat Harrison. Last Friday night, Harrison showed great courage and heart by fighting with a bad right shoulder from the 2nd round on until stopping opponent Michael Sprott in the 12th round with a powerful left hook to the head. The ending was one of the most exciting ones I’ve seen ages, as Harrison was behind in the fight and needed a knockout to win.

Harrison came through under pressure, revived his career and put himself into the thick of things in the heavyweight division. Harrison would like to get a fight against World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko later this year. However, before he does this, Harrison will have to make up his mind whether he wants to hold onto his EBU title and defend it against 6’7” Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko or if he wants to vacate his title and seek out a fight against Vitali.

Harrison sees the Klitschko brothers as the better option compared to Haye, preferring to fight them because the Klitschko brothers have been considered the best in the division for many years and are well known in the United States. Haye, as popular as he is in the UK, is totally unknown among casual boxing fans in the United States. The Klitschko brothers have been around fighting off and on in the United States for 10 years now, and are well known fighters, even to casual fans.

This is why Harrison wants a fight with one of the Klitschkos rather than Haye. But I think Harrison could be convinced to take a fight with Haye if David were to suddenly show a lot of interest and make it clear to him that he was serious about fighting him. This fight that could help Haye in two ways: 1. it would show who the best heavyweight is in the UK.

Right now, people assume that it’s Haye. However, with Harrison’s big 6’4 ½” size and big left hand knockout power, you can’t know for sure how Haye would react if he was to be hit on the button by one of Harrison’s biggest left hand shots. 2. Haye could learn from a fight against the tall Harrison and use that in his following fights with the 6’6” Wladimir and 6’7” Vitali Klitschko. Harrison may not be as big as the Klitschko brothers, but he’s pretty close and could give Haye some needed practice for a big fight against one of the Klitschkos.
 
Jul 24, 2005
12,836
2,137
0
45
Wladimir Klitschko Worries: "Haye Can Not Be Trusted"

By Mark Vester

WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko is a bit worried when it comes to making a deal for a unification bout with WBA champ David Haye. On Monday Klitschko released a video baiting Haye to accept a fight. The British fighter's manager, Adam Booth, will begin negotiations with Klitschko's management this week. Last year Haye had agreed to fight Wladimir in June and then wanted to fight older brother Vitali Klitschko in September. The British boxer withdrew from both fights. Wladimir doesn't trust Haye's promise to follow through if the two sides reach a deal.

"Haye can not be trusted. We twice wanted to fight him but he always pulled out. He had promised Chelsea Football Club's stadium (Stamford Bridge) then he said 'Let's do it in June' (in Germany)... he just can not be trusted," Klitschko said to Reuters.

Wladimir doesn't want to accept any title defenses. He wants to unify all of the titles under the Klitschko name and Haye is the last man standing. Wladimir promises to fight a more aggressive style against Haye.

"It is now time to unite all belts under one name - the Klitschko name," Wladimir said. "It is definitely going to be a big deal for television," said the Ukrainian. "It is going to be an historic event when all the belts will have one name. I am the world champion and I will prove it. Haye is good and he will challenge me but this time you will not see defensive boxing as in my last few fights. I will be more aggressive."
 
Jul 24, 2005
12,836
2,137
0
45
Mayweather Says Mosley's Lack of a Jab is a Big Problem

By Mark Vester

The uncle and trainer for Floyd Mayweather Jr, Roger Mayweather, says WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley will need a good jab if wants to have any shot in the May 1 mega-fight. Without the jab, Roger has no idea how Mosley will prevent his nephew from staying on the move. Mosley's biggest critics as the fight draws closer have been the Mayweathers. Both Roger and Floyd have focused on Mosley's lack of a good jab.

“How does he cut Floyd off?” Roger Mayweather told the Grand Rapids Press. “He’s got to find some kind of tactic to stop Floyd from moving, stop Floyd from jabbing. I don’t know what his plan is. Trapping the guy, keeping the guy in the corner, keeping him where you want to keep him at -- it’s a hard thing to do, especially if you’re going to have to use the jab to do it. That’s why I say it’s a very difficult fight for Shane.”

“My thing is what he’s going to use to attack Floyd with. What’s he going to use? If he’s going to use his jab, he’s got to trap Floyd some way. And if he traps Floyd, how’s he going to use his jab?

Roger agrees with Mosley's strategy to make it a rough fight. In the opinion of Roger, Mosley is not good enough to win a boxing match. Whether the fight is rough or not, Roger think his nephew will outbox Mosley in impressive fashion.

“Shane don’t want it to be no boxing match,” Roger said. “If he wants a boxing match, that’s an easier fight for Floyd. Shane has to keep the fight physical. His job is to keep on top of Floyd and keep that pressure on him, and hopefully, Floyd will wilt. That’s what he has to do.”

“Floyd’s got better boxing skills than anyone he’s been in with. So when people say, ‘Shane’s going to do this, Shane’s going to do that,’ it’s not about what Shane does. Floyd didn’t start boxing yesterday. He knows what he has to do. This is what boxing’s about
 
Jul 24, 2005
12,836
2,137
0
45
Mosley's Trainer Could See Mayweather Folding After Five

By Mark Vester

As the welterweight mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley draws closer, a lot of interesting scenarios have been discussed. Mosley's trainer, Naazim Richardson, has a very interesting one. If Mosley is lucky enough to sweep the first five rounds, Richardson thinks there is a possibility that Mayweather will mentally give up.

If Mayweather loses on May 1, he does have a immediate rematch clause. Because of that clause, Richardson could see that unlikely scenario taking place. He thinks Mayweather is more concerned with the money involved in a rematch. Many would disagree. Even those who dislike Mayweather, like Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, have said the fighter is obsessed with his unbeaten record.

"We could get through five rounds of this thing up 5-0," Richardson said to the Los Angeles Times. "At that point, Mayweather may just say, ‘Forget it, I've got a rematch guaranteed. Try again next time.' "

Mayweather's uncle and trainer, Roger Mayweather, told the paper that his nephew could care less about a rematch clause. He doesn't think Richardson knows what he's talking about.

"Floyd is the most skilled … fighter in the sport," Roger Mayweather said. "He doesn't care about a rematch. That doesn't mean [anything]. [Richardson's] only saying what Shane has to do to win the fight. Bring all the pressure he wants. Floyd's more skilled, and I've been around boxing longer than [Richardson
 
Jul 24, 2005
12,836
2,137
0
45
Klitschko: "Haye is The Only Fight I Want, It's Personal"

By Mark Vester

WBO/IBO/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko is only interested in fighting WBA champion David Haye. He doesn't want Alexander Povetkin, or Samuel Peter, or any other possible challenger. Klitschko tells Lem Satterfield of AOL's Boxing FanHouse that he released a video on Monday in order to send a strong message to Haye.

"Because this is the only fight that I want. You can read an article, but I wanted to make it personally, so that the boxing fans could actually see that I want to make this fight. We can make this fight. We've been chasing David Haye around and calling him out. But he has been bitching out on a fight against us," Klitschko said.

Top Rank CEO Bob Arum told BoxingScene.com last week that he plans to file a petition with the IBF to get Klitschko stripped if he doesn't comply with his mandatory defense of the title against Povetkin or Peter. Klitschko says the IBF rules will permit the fight with Haye.

"There are rules within the IBF that allows me, as the champion, if I'm going to fight a championship unification, to move the mandatory aside. I have time, and I want to show the world and the boxing fans. It's enough. Now, David Haye can make the fight as well. He knows about it, and we need to make the fight," Klitschko said.

All of Haye's trash talk and press conference antics paid off. Klitschko is filled with rage and he wants to punish Haye in the ring. Klitschko can barely stand the wait.

"I can't stand this guy. The way that he presents himself in the public, and the way that he presented my brother and myself with our heads cut off. The way that he represents the sport, I don't really like it for the public," Klitschko said.

"When he's presenting himself with our heads cut off, I can't take it, I can't stand it and I want to fight this guy. It's personal. I think that David Haye deserves to get his punishment from a real champion, and that's why I'm really pushing for it right now."
 
Jul 24, 2005
12,836
2,137
0
45
James Toney - "I'd Love To Fight Haye At Wembley Stadium And KO Him In Front Of 50,00

Exclusive Interview by James Slater - Though fans are very much intrigued to see how boxing all-time great James Toney will get on when he makes his MMA debut later this year (exact date still to be decided), "Lights Out" assured me in the following interview that boxing is and always will be his true love. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer wants to challenge himself against the big names in MMA, yet he also very much wants to fight for the heavyweight championship in the sport he has achieved greatness in.

Once again calling out the two Klitschko brothers, as well as WBA champ David Haye, Toney (yesterday evening UK time) had the following things to say on all subjects pertaining to his fighting career(s) in general:

James Slater: It's a great pleasure to be able to speak with you again, Champ. We're all intrigued about your move into MMA, and your deal with UFC's Dana White. Do you have a date yet for your MMA debut, and who it will be against?

James Toney: No problem. They're talking about August. But first and foremost, I want to say I've not moved into UFC - I'm still a boxer. But the thing is, MMA is where the action is; no-one wants to fight James Toney in boxing! Nobody will put their name down on that contract.. So I want to enhance myself by fighting in MMA - to prove myself as the ultimate fighter; who will fight anyone. I'm the real deal, you know?

J.S: You've certainly achieved pretty much all there is to achieve in boxing; but who will you be facing in MMA? Are there any names decided yet, or the number of fights you will have in MMA?

J.T: I love the UFC and it will be great to test my skills against the best athletes from that sport. I've not decided yet how many fights I'll have, maybe two or three. I want the big names. I've proven beyond any doubt I'm the best in boxing; that's undisputed. Now I want to fight the best in MMA. I'm not interested in facing no-names, you know what I'm saying?

J.S: Obviously, though you know everything there is to know about boxing, MMA is a whole different sport in a number of ways - with takedowns, ground and pound, etc. How has it been getting used to those new techniques?

J.T: I like the ground and pound, that's just part of my nature. I like the rough, tough stuff. It's not easy, don't get me wrong, but I love it. It's another challenge.

J.S: I've read about the guy you're working with, and I hope I pronounce his name correctly - Juanito Ibarra. How have things been with you two working together? Have you clicked, you both respect one another?

J.T: You said it right! Yeah, he's a great dude. It's like I've known him for twenty years; like he's family. He's worked with some of the best in MMA - guys like Rampage Jackson and other guys whose names I've forgotten right now. Yeah, we clicked - he teaches it the right way. Now I look forward to enhancing my overall skills and fighting experience. One thing training for MMA has definitely done is keep my boxing skills sharp.

J.S: It's great that you're going to be fighting in MMA, but I'm glad you say boxing is your real love - we'd hate to lose you to another sport!

J.T: Oh, boxing is the best sport in the world! MMA is number-two. It's exciting and there's action there, but I'm an old-school boxer and I always will be.

J.S: Talking about boxing; I read you still want the Klitschkos.

J.T: Oh, man, the Klitschko sisters! I read recently how Wladimir wants David Haye, and that he told Haye to stop running from him. Tell that motherf****r to stop running from me! The Klitschkos have been ducking me for seven years now! They want to fight Haye, who is a good fighter but nothing special, because they say he has a weak chin, which is true. But if they want a real fight they have to call me. David Haye is not half what James Toney is. But they're [the Klitschkos] scared to death of me. I'm coming for blood!

J.S: Are you in top shape now, James? Have you been in the gym every day?

J.T: I'm around 50-percent shape right now, because we don't know the date for my next fight yet. I could be there [in top shape] in around two weeks. I've worked on all the important things like takedowns and stuff and when I fight my first MMA fight I will be 100-percent ready, I guarantee it.

J.S: Talking about David Haye - I'm from the U.K and he's obviously a big deal over here. Would you come over to take that fight?

J.T: I would love to fight him at Wembley Stadium. It would be great to knock him out in front of 50,000 people. I love the U.K, it's been a while since I was over there.

J.S: I also read how you were disgusted with the recent Bernard Hopkins-Roy Jones rematch...

J.T: (jumping in) Oh, my goodness! Did you see it?

J.S: I saw highlights only.

J.T: God bless you. It was an awful fight, two guys posing. They all say Hopkins is a legend; he ain't no legend. He ain't no old-school fighter like me. You've never seen an old-school fighter cry about low blows and punches to the back of the head. You ain't never seen an old-school fighter do that, ever!

J.S: You'd like to fight Hopkins?

J.T: I've been trying, but he's got an excuse every time. I can't chase a scaredy-cat, you know what I'm saying? He's had an excuse all these years.

J.S: I also read how you had something to say about Johnathon Banks...

J.T: (jumping in) Oh, he's another clown. He's not worth my breath to be honest. He doesn't deserve to be in the same ring as me; he don't bring no money to the table either. He's just Wladimir Klitschko's sparring bitch!

J.S: Well, it's been great speaking with you, James. We look forward to your MMA fights, and then seeing you back in the boxing ring.

J.T: Thank you. Yeah, I'm looking forward to it, like I say. I'm going to fight in UFC but I'm still the IBA heavyweight champion in boxing. I'm going into their ring in MMA, because they're scared to come into my ring. I'm gonna go in there and beat them at their own game
 

Joey

Sicc OG
Jul 2, 2002
4,090
894
113
44
I think after Cotto lost to Margirito that it destroyed him....He was no longer undeafeated and he lost some of his drive..Cotto hasnt really been the same since..
 
Dec 9, 2005
11,231
31
0
41
I think after Cotto lost to Margirito that it destroyed him....He was no longer undeafeated and he lost some of his drive..Cotto hasnt really been the same since..

No doubt it affected him. I think more mentally than physically, but how can anyone really say this based on his 3 fights after Margarito:

The tune up fight against Jennings, he dominated like he was supposed to.

Edged out a rugged and always tough Clottey, who no one looks good against.

Then he gave Pacquiao a run for his money, up until he got caught with a shot that most guys would have not gotten up at all. That was all heart after the 4th round in that fight.

He gave the pound for pound best fighter on the planet, and arguably the best fighter of this decade all he could handle.


The real domination in the Pacquiao fight came from round 6 to 12, after the 2nd knockdown in the 4th round...and he even came back strong in the 5th. He was fighting on sheer courage and heart. Physically, never recovered from that shot. It was right on the button.


I'm not ready to write Miguel Cotto off just yet.
 
May 25, 2009
2,403
485
83
39
Berto diagnosed with biceps tear

Welterweight titlist Andre Berto suspected that he had torn his left biceps in either the first or second round of his defense against Carlos Quintana on Saturday night in Sunrise, Fla., and it turned out that he was correct.

Berto told ESPN.com that he was diagnosed with a tear in the muscle on Tuesday after seeing his doctor in Winter Haven, Fla., and undergoing an MRI.

"But my tendons are still intact as they can see," Berto said. "So I am gonna have to ice it and rest for a few weeks so the swelling can go down [and] then start rehab."

Berto (26-0, 20 KOs), who had been icing the arm since he knocked out Quintana in the eighth round of his fourth title defense, said his doctor told him he needed six to eight weeks to recover.

"But the doctor said it should be fine," Berto said. "Not a serious tear, just needs time to heal."

Berto added that he was going to Los Angeles to see another specialist for a second opinion.

Despite the injury, Berto, 26, who hadn't fought in 11 months, dominated the fight at the BankAtlantic Center after the second round before stopping former titleholder Quintana with an eighth-round onslaught on blows.
 
Jul 24, 2005
12,836
2,137
0
45
Mayweather's Adviser: "Floyd Does Not Use Xylocaine"

By Mark Vester

During a recent conference call with the press, Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s adviser Leonard Ellerbe lashed out at the circulated rumors pertaining to Floyd's alleged use of the drug Xylocaine. There have been rumors circulating for months that Mayweather was using the drug to the numb any possible pain in his hands. Mayweather has been plagued with hand pain for several years. According to Ellerbe, Mayweather has not expereinced any hand problems in his last couple of fights.

"For the record, Floyd Mayweathter doesn't shoot anything in his hands. That was a nasty rumor that was spread out there just because people like to do those kind of things. Floyd is a clean athlete and he's been a clean athlete from Day One. Floyd Mayweather doesn't shoot or use needles in his hands," Ellerbe was quoted as saying by Lem Satterfield of AOL's Boxing FanHouse.

"For the record, Floyd hasn't had hand problems in a number of fights, especially in the last few. What this is is that people are always out there looking for reasons to take away from someone's accomplishment. The bottom line is that when it comes to Floyd's hands, he's not having any problems, and he doesn't shoot anything into his hands. And come May 1, Shane Mosley will see for himself what Floyd will be able to do with both of his hands."

Mayweather and Shane Mosley in a random drug protocol for their May 1 mega-fight. The United States Anti Doping Agency is handling the tests, but Xylocaine is not on their list of prohibited substances
 
Jul 24, 2005
12,836
2,137
0
45
Klitschko-Povetkin Expected By The IBF, Not David Haye

By Ruslan Chikov

The championship chairman for the International Boxing Federation, Lindsey Tucker, is expecting Wladimir Klitschko to make a mandatory defense of his IBF title against Alexander Povetkin. The fighters have until April 26 to reach an agreement before a purse bid is ordered.

Klitschko wants to fight WBA champion David Haye of England, but Tucker has not received a request for an exception. There is no guarantee the exception will be granted because Klitschko has not made an IBF mandatory defense since 2007. Klitschko stopped the IBF from making an interim-title fight with Povetkin and Samuel Peter because he promised to make a defense after beating [WBO mandatory] Eddie Chambers.

"All that I know, is that Team Klitschko and Povetkin are currently negotiating the fight. I do not know anything about Klitschko fighting David Haye. Our goal is to make a fight between Wladimir and Povetkin because we have waited too long for an official defense of our title. He has the right to request an exception but there is no guarantee that it's going to be granted," Tucker told Alexander Pavlov.

"Under his directive [Klitschko] we did not allow Povetkin to fight for a [IBF] interim-title, and he promised after the fight with Eddie Chambers, that he would fight Povetkin, and we expect for him to do so."
 
Jul 24, 2005
12,836
2,137
0
45
Mayweather Mosley Undercard Announced

In welterweight action, 19-year-old Mexican prodigy Saul “Canelo” Alvarez puts his unbeaten record on the line against veteran contender Jose Miguel Cotto in a 10-round bout, former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon and Cornelius Lock will face off in a 10-round featherweight match-up, while Argentinean power puncher Hector David Saldivia takes on Las Vegas native Said Ouali in a 10-round welterweight fight.

Boxing superstar and six-time World Champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather and welterweight mega-star, five-time World Champion and current WBA Welterweight World Champion Sugar Shane Mosley, are set to meet Saturday, May 1 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas in a spectacular bout which will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

The event, promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T, Dewalt Tools and StubHub, promises to be a spectacular display of talent and skill with Mayweather and Mosley meeting in a 12-round welterweight battle that is already being compared to other great and historic welterweight match-ups such as Sugar Ray Leonard against Tommy Hearns and Oscar de la Hoya against Felix Trinidad.

Tickets, priced at $1,250, $1,000, $600, $300 and $150 not including applicable service charges, are on sale now and limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Unbeaten in 32 pro fights, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (31-0-1, 23 KOs) has quickly developed a tremendous fan base and is rapidly moving in on a world title shot. With the NABF, WBO Latino, WBC Youth and WBA Fedecentro welterweight title belts already in his trophy case, it’s clear that the Mexican phenom is ready for the big time. Currently ranked fourth in the world by the WBC and WBO, Alvarez must first turn back the challenge of his toughest test to date, Jose Miguel Cotto, before moving closer to his dream of a world title shot.

The brother of boxing superstar Miguel Cotto, Jose Miguel Cotto (31-1-1, 23 KOs) is carving out his own niche in the fight game with an exciting style and a veteran’s savvy. A 1996 Puerto Rican Olympian, the Caguas native is unbeaten in five fights since his hard-fought decision loss to Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz in a 2006 lightweight world title bout. Now fighting at 147 pounds, the 32-year-old feels that now is the time to shine and wants to prove it against Alvarez on May 1.

Known for his knockout power and warrior’s heart, former Junior Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon (38-2, 32 KOs) has reinvented himself as a featherweight contender and with wins over Marlon “Rata” Aguilar, Roinet Caballero and Orlando “El Fenomeno” Cruz in his new weight class. A May 1 victory over the crafty Cornelius Lock should put him on a fast track to becoming a two-division world champion.

Winner of three of his last four bouts, including victories over 14-0 Juan Garcia, 27-1 Roger “Speedy” Gonzalez and 16-0-1 Orlando “El Fenomeno” Cruz, Detroit’s Cornelius Lock (19-4-1, 12 KOs) is rapidly becoming a fighter opposing pugilists definitely don’t want to see across the ring from them on fight night. The 31–year-old southpaw plans on spoiling Daniel Ponce De Leon’s night this May.

Ranked fourth in the world by the WBA, Argentinean warrior Hector David Saldivia (33-1, 26 KOs) has been making waves in the welterweight division for the last two years. Winner of the WBA Fedelatin title, he has defeated the likes of Omar “Tito” Weis, Ricardo Cano, Daudy Bahari and Luis Rodriguez. On May 1, “El Tigre” makes his United States debut against Said Ouali.

A native of Morocco now fighting out of Las Vegas, Said Ouali (26-3, 18 KOs) gets a chance to perform in front of his adopted hometown crowd on May 1 when he takes on Argentina’s Hector David Saldivia. Winner of 12 of his last 13 bouts, this southpaw standout who is ranked number five in the world by the WBA is well aware that he can catapult himself even higher up in the 147-pound rankings with a victory over Saldivia.

The Mayweather vs. Mosley pay-per-view telecast, which begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Mayweather vs. Mosley fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

HBO's fast-moving reality series “24/7 Mayweather/Mosley” returns with an all new episode on Saturday, April 17 at 9:30 pm ET/6:30pm PT. The four-episode series chronicles the preparations and back stories of both fighters as they train for their May 1 pay-per-view showdown. Episode one is available on HBO ON DEMAND.


Mosley Vows To Knock Mayweather Out On May 1st

Los Angeles, CA (April 13)... Sugar Shane Mosley unleashed a less sweet side of his mild-mannered personality on TBS' "Lopez Tonight" last night as he declared that he will knock out Floyd Mayweather when they meet in the ring May 1 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and live on HBO Pay-Per-View®.

Lopez to Mosley: "Can you knock Floyd out?"

Mosley: "Definitely."

Lopez: "Will you knock Floyd out?"

Mosley: "I will knock Floyd out."

Oscar de la Hoya, who appeared with Mosley, was given a pair of blue boxing shoes with the "Lopez Tonight" logo on the soles in hopes Mayweather would wear them in the ring on May 1. Lopez said, "When he's down on his back I want to see the 'Lopez Tonight' logo at the biggest moment in boxing history when Sugar Shane Mosley knocks out Floyd Mayweather."