Boxing News Thread
- Thread starter heyzel
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Looks like Andre Ward vs Dirrell is going to be rescheduled. Must be a problem of the venue. Ward obviously wants Oakland, Dirrell wants Detroit. Obviously they will have to fight as they are in contract with Showtime so I'm guessing it will be pushed back to October... They should just fight in Vegas, neutral.
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Reports of some serious rumblings that undefeated WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell will not be fighting on September 25 in their stage 3 bout of the Super Six World Boxing. No venue has been announced, tickets are not on sale and we also understand that neither boxer is in training camp as this goes to print. Ward and Dirrell's friendship has been well documented and it should be most interesting to see if they ever fight each other. Dirrell's future in the tournament greatly depends on the result of his fight with Ward, which is as attractive a match-up that Showtime could have ever hoped for.
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Reports of some serious rumblings that undefeated WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell will not be fighting on September 25 in their stage 3 bout of the Super Six World Boxing. No venue has been announced, tickets are not on sale and we also understand that neither boxer is in training camp as this goes to print. Ward and Dirrell's friendship has been well documented and it should be most interesting to see if they ever fight each other. Dirrell's future in the tournament greatly depends on the result of his fight with Ward, which is as attractive a match-up that Showtime could have ever hoped for.
Kotelnik: Floyd Mayweather Jr. Told Me I Beat Alexander!
By Ruslan Chikov
In a recent interview with the Russian press, former junior welterweight champion Andriy Kotelnik said he discussed last Saturday's performance with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in St. Louis. Mayweather was a special ringside guest of promoter Don King. He watched the contest between Kotelnik and WBC/IBF 140-pound champion Devon Alexander. Kotelnik made a good showing but lost a twelve round unanimous decision to the champion. There have been debates on which fighter should have received the decision.
Kotelnik says Mayweather saw him as the clear winner.
"Me and Mayweather managed to communicate. Floyd also said that 'he had Kotelnik winning.' He may even come to visit to Lviv. Everyone knows who the real champion is," Kotelnik was quoted by Golzka.
Kotelnik signed a contract with King a few months ago. He says there are no issues with his promoter and everything that was promised to him, was delivered.
"After the fight I had to discuss with Don a couple of questions - and in the morning I had to leave. So went to his room after dinner, it was almost four hours in the morning. We sat, talked and discussed my future. King is one of the greatest promoters. At this point, all the conditions that were stipulated when signing the contract in the Ukraine, King has fulfilled. Much of what they write about him in the press, is not true. It is his image. I hope Don will soon visit Ukraine again - he really wants to meet with the President," Kotelnik said.
By Ruslan Chikov
In a recent interview with the Russian press, former junior welterweight champion Andriy Kotelnik said he discussed last Saturday's performance with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in St. Louis. Mayweather was a special ringside guest of promoter Don King. He watched the contest between Kotelnik and WBC/IBF 140-pound champion Devon Alexander. Kotelnik made a good showing but lost a twelve round unanimous decision to the champion. There have been debates on which fighter should have received the decision.
Kotelnik says Mayweather saw him as the clear winner.
"Me and Mayweather managed to communicate. Floyd also said that 'he had Kotelnik winning.' He may even come to visit to Lviv. Everyone knows who the real champion is," Kotelnik was quoted by Golzka.
Kotelnik signed a contract with King a few months ago. He says there are no issues with his promoter and everything that was promised to him, was delivered.
"After the fight I had to discuss with Don a couple of questions - and in the morning I had to leave. So went to his room after dinner, it was almost four hours in the morning. We sat, talked and discussed my future. King is one of the greatest promoters. At this point, all the conditions that were stipulated when signing the contract in the Ukraine, King has fulfilled. Much of what they write about him in the press, is not true. It is his image. I hope Don will soon visit Ukraine again - he really wants to meet with the President," Kotelnik said.
Shaw, Criscio Respond To Angulo on Turning Down $750K
By Ryan Burton
On Thursday, BoxingScene.com ran a story where junior middleweight contender Alfredo "El Perro" Angulo explained why he rejected an offer of $750,000 dollars to fight WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez. Angulo explained to me that he thought he could negotiate for a little more money. He also didn't think it was right that Martinez was going to get a percentage of the gate. Angulo felt he should be getting a percentage himself since he would be drawing most of the fans in a heavily Mexican populated area like Los Angeles where he believed the fight would be held.
Angulo's promoter, Gary Shaw, and manager Mike Criscio, read the story and wanted to comment on it. Shaw for one wasn't sure who told Perro that the fight might be at Staples Center.
Shaw said - "I don't know who is talking to Perro, but I want to set the record straight. First I never mentioned Staples (Center) to Perro. If anywhere, I believe Lou DiBella would have looked at the Nokia Theatre (next door to Staples Center)."
Shaw believes that someone on the outside was giving Angulo bad advice and that he had no knowledge of Martinez's end of the deal.
"I have no idea what Sergio's deal was, never asked, so I don't know how Perro knows that. Sergio is a partner with Lou DiBella."
Shaw thought the deal was fair and presented the maximum purse that he could offer.
"The fact is that I offered Perro $750,000 and told him that is all I have, he said he wanted a million. I hung up the phone and called his manager (Mike Criscio), told him what happened, and he said he would call me back. Criscio did call me back, and said Perro would take $900,000. I repeated what I had said, which was that $750,000 was all I had plus the shot at the middleweight title of the world. The rest is history, I called Lou who was being very fair and turned down the fight. I now think you will get to see Martinez vs [Paul] Williams 2 but that is just my opinion."
Mike Criscio told BoxingScene - "Look I talked to Perro's assistant multiple times. I told them that $750,000 was all I could get and he originally asked for 1 million. I never spoke to Perro directly. I talked through his assistant. I don't know if something got lost in translation or what but he then said he would fight for $900,000. I told him that they wouldn't go that high and we should take the $750,000. I told him we might be able to get them up to $800,00 but that would be about it. I then called and texted them the rest of the day and the next day waiting on answer. Finally after like 25 messages and texts I got someone to answer and they turned down the fight. I know a lot of people think Martinez would win but I truly believe that Perro would have stopped him late."
After hearing from both sides of the story it seems like there must have been a misunderstanding on both sides. It seems like most of their negotiations from previous bouts had a lot of give and take on both sides and in this case there was absolutely no room for negotiation. There was an urgency for the fight to be consummated quickly and Angulo felt that he would be able to negotiate for a little more based on negotiations from prior fights.
Since it had worked before then you can't blame him for what had been good negotiating practices. In this particular instance that just wasn't the case. If Williams-Martinez 2 isn't made here shortly, lets hope that Angulo is offered the fight again. I bet the negotiations will be handled differently on both sides and we will get a decidedly different outcome.
By Ryan Burton
On Thursday, BoxingScene.com ran a story where junior middleweight contender Alfredo "El Perro" Angulo explained why he rejected an offer of $750,000 dollars to fight WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez. Angulo explained to me that he thought he could negotiate for a little more money. He also didn't think it was right that Martinez was going to get a percentage of the gate. Angulo felt he should be getting a percentage himself since he would be drawing most of the fans in a heavily Mexican populated area like Los Angeles where he believed the fight would be held.
Angulo's promoter, Gary Shaw, and manager Mike Criscio, read the story and wanted to comment on it. Shaw for one wasn't sure who told Perro that the fight might be at Staples Center.
Shaw said - "I don't know who is talking to Perro, but I want to set the record straight. First I never mentioned Staples (Center) to Perro. If anywhere, I believe Lou DiBella would have looked at the Nokia Theatre (next door to Staples Center)."
Shaw believes that someone on the outside was giving Angulo bad advice and that he had no knowledge of Martinez's end of the deal.
"I have no idea what Sergio's deal was, never asked, so I don't know how Perro knows that. Sergio is a partner with Lou DiBella."
Shaw thought the deal was fair and presented the maximum purse that he could offer.
"The fact is that I offered Perro $750,000 and told him that is all I have, he said he wanted a million. I hung up the phone and called his manager (Mike Criscio), told him what happened, and he said he would call me back. Criscio did call me back, and said Perro would take $900,000. I repeated what I had said, which was that $750,000 was all I had plus the shot at the middleweight title of the world. The rest is history, I called Lou who was being very fair and turned down the fight. I now think you will get to see Martinez vs [Paul] Williams 2 but that is just my opinion."
Mike Criscio told BoxingScene - "Look I talked to Perro's assistant multiple times. I told them that $750,000 was all I could get and he originally asked for 1 million. I never spoke to Perro directly. I talked through his assistant. I don't know if something got lost in translation or what but he then said he would fight for $900,000. I told him that they wouldn't go that high and we should take the $750,000. I told him we might be able to get them up to $800,00 but that would be about it. I then called and texted them the rest of the day and the next day waiting on answer. Finally after like 25 messages and texts I got someone to answer and they turned down the fight. I know a lot of people think Martinez would win but I truly believe that Perro would have stopped him late."
After hearing from both sides of the story it seems like there must have been a misunderstanding on both sides. It seems like most of their negotiations from previous bouts had a lot of give and take on both sides and in this case there was absolutely no room for negotiation. There was an urgency for the fight to be consummated quickly and Angulo felt that he would be able to negotiate for a little more based on negotiations from prior fights.
Since it had worked before then you can't blame him for what had been good negotiating practices. In this particular instance that just wasn't the case. If Williams-Martinez 2 isn't made here shortly, lets hope that Angulo is offered the fight again. I bet the negotiations will be handled differently on both sides and we will get a decidedly different outcome.
Dzinziruk's Promoter Fires Back at Vanes Martirosyan
By Ryan Burton
In an earlier report on BoxingScene.com, undefeated junior middleweight prospect Vanes Martirosyan scathingly called out WBO junior middleweight champion Sergiy Dzinziruk, and the rest of the division, for not fighting him. Vanes was particularly upset at a proposed fight between Dzinzurik and former welterweight champion Luis Collazo. The story can be found here.
Gary Shaw read the story and told BoxingScene - "He (Martirosyan) should have no problem getting a [Migue] Cotto fight, as his promoter (Top Rank) only does in-house fights. When Bob [Arum] gives me Cotto or [Julio Ceasar] Chavez Jr. for [Alfredo] Angulo, or Pac Man for [Tim] Bradley, then I will let Vanes fight Dzinziruk."
"Until then, he needs to get more tissues, as he will continue to cry. Vanes needs to understand, when your promoter builds walls, sometimes you get trapped within them. The thing is, is that I really do like Vanes."
Shaw has been angling for a fight between Angulo and Cotto since Angulo stopped Alcine in the first round last month. Wouldn't it be refreshing if we could get a Cotto-Angulo main event with a Dzinzurik-Martirosyan co-feature with the winners squaring off at a later date? I don't know if HBO would have the budget for that doubleheader but if these promoters really want to put on good pay-per-view undercards, then this would be a good start
By Ryan Burton
In an earlier report on BoxingScene.com, undefeated junior middleweight prospect Vanes Martirosyan scathingly called out WBO junior middleweight champion Sergiy Dzinziruk, and the rest of the division, for not fighting him. Vanes was particularly upset at a proposed fight between Dzinzurik and former welterweight champion Luis Collazo. The story can be found here.
Gary Shaw read the story and told BoxingScene - "He (Martirosyan) should have no problem getting a [Migue] Cotto fight, as his promoter (Top Rank) only does in-house fights. When Bob [Arum] gives me Cotto or [Julio Ceasar] Chavez Jr. for [Alfredo] Angulo, or Pac Man for [Tim] Bradley, then I will let Vanes fight Dzinziruk."
"Until then, he needs to get more tissues, as he will continue to cry. Vanes needs to understand, when your promoter builds walls, sometimes you get trapped within them. The thing is, is that I really do like Vanes."
Shaw has been angling for a fight between Angulo and Cotto since Angulo stopped Alcine in the first round last month. Wouldn't it be refreshing if we could get a Cotto-Angulo main event with a Dzinzurik-Martirosyan co-feature with the winners squaring off at a later date? I don't know if HBO would have the budget for that doubleheader but if these promoters really want to put on good pay-per-view undercards, then this would be a good start
HBO planning on doing a four-part Pacquiao-Margarito 24/7 series
By Chris Williams: Despite Antonio Margarito still not having a boxing license to fight in the United States, HBO is already planning on putting together an HBO Pacquiao-Margarito 24/7 series, which will be shown in four parts, according to Dan Rafael of ESPN. Frankly, I think this fight isn’t worth one episode, let alone an entire series. But if HBO is willing to pump money into putting together a series for a fight that may end up doing poorly on pay per view, more power to them. It might take more than a four part series to interest a lot of casual boxing fans in this fight because Margarito isn’t a popular fighter in the United States, and was also recently beaten last year by Shane Mosley.
I wouldn’t say that Margarito shot fighter, but he definitely doesn’t look like the same guy he was two years ago in his prime when he was beating guys like Miguel Cotto and Kermit Cintron. Something is missing with Margarito, both in his work rate and his power. I’ve seen a fighter lose it all of a sudden, but I’ve never seen them lose both power and work rate overnight the way that Margarito did. That is a real weird thing and I can’t understand what’s happening with him. But I sure don’t see the Pacquiao-Margarito bout being material for an HBO 24/7 series.
I think it will the fight generate more PPV buys, but Margarito really hasn’t been seen in over a year for most boxing fans in the U.S. and it seems like really, really bad timing for Bob Arum to have selected Margarito to fight Pacquiao. With all this stuff about the loaded hand wraps, why on earth did Arum choose Margarito to fight Pacquiao right now? And HBO wants to create a 24/7 series on this fight? Boy, I think that’s not a good idea. It’s like pouring money into something that isn’t worth it. If Arum wanted to really do well, he’d put this fight at a discount rate; say $10 and then market the fight aiming towards the angle of ‘how fast can Pacquiao knock out Margarito.’ I just don’t see the point in this fight.
If I was an HBO executive, I wouldn’t put an HBO 24/7 series on this because I wouldn’t see it as a fight that will bring in a lot of fan interest. I see this fight as Joshua Clottey type fight, not something that’s going to bring in 1 million buys. At best, I see this fight maybe doing 700,000 but I doubt that. And Arum has visions of putting it in the Cowboy Stadium, in Arlington, Texas. I don’t know what it is about Arum and stadiums, but I think this fight belongs hidden away in Abu Dhabi.
Like I said, sell it at a steep discount of $10 and Arum will make a killing with this fight. I can see it doing much better than if he goes ahead and sells it for $49.95. I’ve talked to a lot of my Filipino friends and none of them – not one – say they’re going to buy the Pacquiao-Margarito fight. They keep asking me, “Why is Pacquiao fighting that guy>?” Good question. I have no idea.
By Chris Williams: Despite Antonio Margarito still not having a boxing license to fight in the United States, HBO is already planning on putting together an HBO Pacquiao-Margarito 24/7 series, which will be shown in four parts, according to Dan Rafael of ESPN. Frankly, I think this fight isn’t worth one episode, let alone an entire series. But if HBO is willing to pump money into putting together a series for a fight that may end up doing poorly on pay per view, more power to them. It might take more than a four part series to interest a lot of casual boxing fans in this fight because Margarito isn’t a popular fighter in the United States, and was also recently beaten last year by Shane Mosley.
I wouldn’t say that Margarito shot fighter, but he definitely doesn’t look like the same guy he was two years ago in his prime when he was beating guys like Miguel Cotto and Kermit Cintron. Something is missing with Margarito, both in his work rate and his power. I’ve seen a fighter lose it all of a sudden, but I’ve never seen them lose both power and work rate overnight the way that Margarito did. That is a real weird thing and I can’t understand what’s happening with him. But I sure don’t see the Pacquiao-Margarito bout being material for an HBO 24/7 series.
I think it will the fight generate more PPV buys, but Margarito really hasn’t been seen in over a year for most boxing fans in the U.S. and it seems like really, really bad timing for Bob Arum to have selected Margarito to fight Pacquiao. With all this stuff about the loaded hand wraps, why on earth did Arum choose Margarito to fight Pacquiao right now? And HBO wants to create a 24/7 series on this fight? Boy, I think that’s not a good idea. It’s like pouring money into something that isn’t worth it. If Arum wanted to really do well, he’d put this fight at a discount rate; say $10 and then market the fight aiming towards the angle of ‘how fast can Pacquiao knock out Margarito.’ I just don’t see the point in this fight.
If I was an HBO executive, I wouldn’t put an HBO 24/7 series on this because I wouldn’t see it as a fight that will bring in a lot of fan interest. I see this fight as Joshua Clottey type fight, not something that’s going to bring in 1 million buys. At best, I see this fight maybe doing 700,000 but I doubt that. And Arum has visions of putting it in the Cowboy Stadium, in Arlington, Texas. I don’t know what it is about Arum and stadiums, but I think this fight belongs hidden away in Abu Dhabi.
Like I said, sell it at a steep discount of $10 and Arum will make a killing with this fight. I can see it doing much better than if he goes ahead and sells it for $49.95. I’ve talked to a lot of my Filipino friends and none of them – not one – say they’re going to buy the Pacquiao-Margarito fight. They keep asking me, “Why is Pacquiao fighting that guy>?” Good question. I have no idea.
Arreola comes in heavier for Quezada than he did in last fight against Adamek
By Jason Kim: Heavyweight Chris Arreola (28-2, 25 KO’s) tried to explain why he lost his last fight to former cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek last April, saying “Mentally, I wasn’t there. I was full of myself. I really believed that I didn’t have to train as hard as I should. I missed a lot of time.” Arreola ended up running out of gas in that fight and losing by a 12 round decision. Strangely enough, Arreola weighed 250 for that bout, and in yesterday’s weigh-in for Arreola’s fight with Manuel Quezada (29-5, 18 KO’s) tonight, Arreola weighed 256, six pounds more than he did against Adamek.
Maybe it’s muscle weight, who knows? But it would be a lot nicer to see Arreola’s weight creeping downwards towards the mid-230s rather than nearing the 260 range. That just makes one wonder how hard Arreola prepared for the Quezada fight. This is a fight that Arreola doesn’t have to worry as much about, because Quezada isn’t in the same class as Adamek or Vitali Klitschko. However, when you’ve lost two out of your last three fights like Arreola has, you can’t really afford to overlook anyone.
Its one thing losing to guys like Adamek and Klitschko, but a loss to Quezada would really be a huge setback for Arreola and would likely push him completely out of the top 15. The Adamek fight was a very winnable fight for Arreola if he had been able to cut off the ring more against Adamek, and have better stamina in the second half of the fight. That’s the kind of fighter that Arreola needs to beat if he wants to get another shot against one of the Klitschko brothers or WBA heavyweight champion David Haye. Arreola can’t have any more fights like the Adamek one if he wants to stay in contention.
Quezada might not have the size, the movement or the power to beat Arreola, but you can’t say that for sure because Arreola has looked so bad against Klitschko and Adamek. And he didn’t even look good in beating smallish heavyweight Brian Minto last year in December in a 4th round TKO win. Arreola was hit a lot in that fight and he weighed a career high of 263. Well, Arreola isn’t far from that number against an arguably better opponent in Quezada. Hopefully, Arreola wins this fight and can get his weight under control. He really needs to get down to below 250, so that his stamina is better that it looked in his last fight.
By Jason Kim: Heavyweight Chris Arreola (28-2, 25 KO’s) tried to explain why he lost his last fight to former cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek last April, saying “Mentally, I wasn’t there. I was full of myself. I really believed that I didn’t have to train as hard as I should. I missed a lot of time.” Arreola ended up running out of gas in that fight and losing by a 12 round decision. Strangely enough, Arreola weighed 250 for that bout, and in yesterday’s weigh-in for Arreola’s fight with Manuel Quezada (29-5, 18 KO’s) tonight, Arreola weighed 256, six pounds more than he did against Adamek.
Maybe it’s muscle weight, who knows? But it would be a lot nicer to see Arreola’s weight creeping downwards towards the mid-230s rather than nearing the 260 range. That just makes one wonder how hard Arreola prepared for the Quezada fight. This is a fight that Arreola doesn’t have to worry as much about, because Quezada isn’t in the same class as Adamek or Vitali Klitschko. However, when you’ve lost two out of your last three fights like Arreola has, you can’t really afford to overlook anyone.
Its one thing losing to guys like Adamek and Klitschko, but a loss to Quezada would really be a huge setback for Arreola and would likely push him completely out of the top 15. The Adamek fight was a very winnable fight for Arreola if he had been able to cut off the ring more against Adamek, and have better stamina in the second half of the fight. That’s the kind of fighter that Arreola needs to beat if he wants to get another shot against one of the Klitschko brothers or WBA heavyweight champion David Haye. Arreola can’t have any more fights like the Adamek one if he wants to stay in contention.
Quezada might not have the size, the movement or the power to beat Arreola, but you can’t say that for sure because Arreola has looked so bad against Klitschko and Adamek. And he didn’t even look good in beating smallish heavyweight Brian Minto last year in December in a 4th round TKO win. Arreola was hit a lot in that fight and he weighed a career high of 263. Well, Arreola isn’t far from that number against an arguably better opponent in Quezada. Hopefully, Arreola wins this fight and can get his weight under control. He really needs to get down to below 250, so that his stamina is better that it looked in his last fight.
Dawson could fight Bute at a 172 pound catchweight after Chad beats Pascal – News
By Jim Dower: If and when former two-time light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson beats World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal on Saturday night, Dawson will be looking to fight IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute next at a 172 pound catchweight, according to the Canadian Press.
Bute’s IBF super middleweight title wouldn’t be on the line, so if he gets beaten by Dawson, which is likely, then Bute wouldn’t lose anything than some hurt feelings. The fight would take place in Canada and that would be something for Bute to look forward to. Dawson’s promoter, Gary Shaw, thinks that Dawson can win over the Canadian boxing fans if he can beat both Pascal and Bute and become one of the home town darlings.
Shaw says “So we knock out Pascal and then come back and knock out Bute. Then we strip you of your darling.” It’s kind of amusing the way that Shaw has everything planned out already. If he wasn’t the promoter for a fighter as talented as Dawson I would think he was dreaming. However, Dawson is more than good enough to beat both Pascal and Bute. I don’t know about knocking them out, but I think he’s good enough to beat them both by lopsided decisions. The hardest part of beating Bute is just getting the guy to fight Dawson.
I just can’t see Bute doing it. His career opposition has been so unremarkable that I couldn’t see him stepping it up at this point now that he’s 30. I can’t see it. Dawson would be a huge risk for Bute and I think he would likely be better off tending his garden facing guys like Librado Andrade and Edison Miranda, fighters that he can beat.
It will be interesting to see if Dawson can even get a fight with Bute, because if he looks too good in beating Pascal, Bute could be scared of less likely to fight him in the future. Bute has had a good thing the past few years with the weak super middleweight opposition. Now that the division has suddenly improved, Bute is facing a much less certain future with talented fighters like Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell breathing down his neck. Dawson is one more dangerous threat to Bute, and likely too good of a fighter for him to beat.
Dawson has to get by Pascal on Saturday for his dream of fighting Bute to come true. Dawson figures to need little more than his jab to dominate the shorter Pascal. He’s not going to try and brawl with him needlessly. Dawson’s whole focus is to win the fight above anything else.
By Jim Dower: If and when former two-time light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson beats World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal on Saturday night, Dawson will be looking to fight IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute next at a 172 pound catchweight, according to the Canadian Press.
Bute’s IBF super middleweight title wouldn’t be on the line, so if he gets beaten by Dawson, which is likely, then Bute wouldn’t lose anything than some hurt feelings. The fight would take place in Canada and that would be something for Bute to look forward to. Dawson’s promoter, Gary Shaw, thinks that Dawson can win over the Canadian boxing fans if he can beat both Pascal and Bute and become one of the home town darlings.
Shaw says “So we knock out Pascal and then come back and knock out Bute. Then we strip you of your darling.” It’s kind of amusing the way that Shaw has everything planned out already. If he wasn’t the promoter for a fighter as talented as Dawson I would think he was dreaming. However, Dawson is more than good enough to beat both Pascal and Bute. I don’t know about knocking them out, but I think he’s good enough to beat them both by lopsided decisions. The hardest part of beating Bute is just getting the guy to fight Dawson.
I just can’t see Bute doing it. His career opposition has been so unremarkable that I couldn’t see him stepping it up at this point now that he’s 30. I can’t see it. Dawson would be a huge risk for Bute and I think he would likely be better off tending his garden facing guys like Librado Andrade and Edison Miranda, fighters that he can beat.
It will be interesting to see if Dawson can even get a fight with Bute, because if he looks too good in beating Pascal, Bute could be scared of less likely to fight him in the future. Bute has had a good thing the past few years with the weak super middleweight opposition. Now that the division has suddenly improved, Bute is facing a much less certain future with talented fighters like Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell breathing down his neck. Dawson is one more dangerous threat to Bute, and likely too good of a fighter for him to beat.
Dawson has to get by Pascal on Saturday for his dream of fighting Bute to come true. Dawson figures to need little more than his jab to dominate the shorter Pascal. He’s not going to try and brawl with him needlessly. Dawson’s whole focus is to win the fight above anything else.
Kessler vs. Green: Can Mikkel get out of this fight without taking a lot of punishmen
By Dan Ambrose: At one time in his career, Mikkel Kessler was able to dominate his opponents without suffering so much as a scratch. Now, however, Kessler is taking punishment even when not fighting the absolute best in the super middleweight division. But the 31-year-old Kessler has really began to take a lot of vicious punishment since he started fighting in the Super Six tournament, where in two of his fights against Andre Ward and Carl Froch, Kessler has taken a lot of hard shots and ended up black and blue afterwards.
Kessler lost his first fight of the Super Six tournament to Ward by an 11 round technical decision last year in November, but in April of this year, Kessler was able to defeat Froch by a hard-earned 12 round unanimous decision. Despite winning that fight, Kessler was hit a lot and looked more like the loser than the winner.
However, Kessler’s next fight of the tournament is against Allan Green, who was easily beaten by Ward in June by a one-sided 12 round decision. Green showed very in that fight and looked for the most part like he didn’t really belong in the Super Six tournament. With good power but a very low work rate, Green was forced to absorb one-way punishment from Ward all night long.
If Green fights much the same way against Kessler in September, then it should be a really easy fight Kessler in terms of taking hard head shots. Green is still likely to be dangerous due to his power and fast hands, but if he’s not throwing a lot of punches, then he will have less chance of hurting Kessler. Right now, Kessler really needs an easy fight going into the semifinals.
First of all, he needs to beat Green to get to the semifinals but he also needs an easier fight where he’s taking less shots. The worst thing that Kessler could have, besides a loss, is another grueling fight just before going into the semifinals. The four fighters that make it to the semifinals of the Super Six tournament will be all quality guys, and there won’t be any more easy fights for Kessler after the Green fight. This is why it’s important for Kessler to get through this fight as easily as he can without getting hit too much.
By Dan Ambrose: At one time in his career, Mikkel Kessler was able to dominate his opponents without suffering so much as a scratch. Now, however, Kessler is taking punishment even when not fighting the absolute best in the super middleweight division. But the 31-year-old Kessler has really began to take a lot of vicious punishment since he started fighting in the Super Six tournament, where in two of his fights against Andre Ward and Carl Froch, Kessler has taken a lot of hard shots and ended up black and blue afterwards.
Kessler lost his first fight of the Super Six tournament to Ward by an 11 round technical decision last year in November, but in April of this year, Kessler was able to defeat Froch by a hard-earned 12 round unanimous decision. Despite winning that fight, Kessler was hit a lot and looked more like the loser than the winner.
However, Kessler’s next fight of the tournament is against Allan Green, who was easily beaten by Ward in June by a one-sided 12 round decision. Green showed very in that fight and looked for the most part like he didn’t really belong in the Super Six tournament. With good power but a very low work rate, Green was forced to absorb one-way punishment from Ward all night long.
If Green fights much the same way against Kessler in September, then it should be a really easy fight Kessler in terms of taking hard head shots. Green is still likely to be dangerous due to his power and fast hands, but if he’s not throwing a lot of punches, then he will have less chance of hurting Kessler. Right now, Kessler really needs an easy fight going into the semifinals.
First of all, he needs to beat Green to get to the semifinals but he also needs an easier fight where he’s taking less shots. The worst thing that Kessler could have, besides a loss, is another grueling fight just before going into the semifinals. The four fighters that make it to the semifinals of the Super Six tournament will be all quality guys, and there won’t be any more easy fights for Kessler after the Green fight. This is why it’s important for Kessler to get through this fight as easily as he can without getting hit too much.
ha! Berto vs Kotelnik in November, according to Don King
Mayweather; Kotelnik feens for Berto
* August 13th, 2010 6:05 pm
[...]
“Floyd, I call him the Boss With The Hot Sauce,” King said from his South Florida home. “I am getting ready to call Floyd right now to see what time he is coming in here.”
King said he never asks Mayweather if he is disgruntled with adviser Al Haymon and/or promoter without a contract, Golden Boy.
“I don't have to ask Floyd about that because, if everything was good, he wouldn't keep coming back to see me. I love having dinner with Floyd”
[...]
King said that he and Lou DiBella have made a verbal agreement for a fight between rugged Andriy Kotelnik, coming off a close but impressive defeat at the hands of Devon Alexander, and undefeated Andre Berto.
“I just spoke to HBO. Kotelnik can be ready for November, no problem,” King said. “I'm keeping the kid here, keeping him at my training camp in Ohio. He trained there to fight Devon. That was a great fight last Saturday night in St. Louis but Devon won it.”
“Hell, yes, we want that Berto fight,” King said.
“With Gary Shaw, we're making Devon against Tim Bradley for Jan. 29 so maybe HBO will want to see the winners of Kotelnik-Berto and Bradley-Alexander fight next year.”
[...]
King also is greasing the HBO wheels for a possible Ricardo Mayorga-Sergiy Dziniriuk middleweight title bout.
"People don't believe Mayorga will get back in the ring but I'll put him in training camp, in isolation, as well."
Micheal Marley
Mayweather; Kotelnik feens for Berto
* August 13th, 2010 6:05 pm
[...]
“Floyd, I call him the Boss With The Hot Sauce,” King said from his South Florida home. “I am getting ready to call Floyd right now to see what time he is coming in here.”
King said he never asks Mayweather if he is disgruntled with adviser Al Haymon and/or promoter without a contract, Golden Boy.
“I don't have to ask Floyd about that because, if everything was good, he wouldn't keep coming back to see me. I love having dinner with Floyd”
[...]
King said that he and Lou DiBella have made a verbal agreement for a fight between rugged Andriy Kotelnik, coming off a close but impressive defeat at the hands of Devon Alexander, and undefeated Andre Berto.
“I just spoke to HBO. Kotelnik can be ready for November, no problem,” King said. “I'm keeping the kid here, keeping him at my training camp in Ohio. He trained there to fight Devon. That was a great fight last Saturday night in St. Louis but Devon won it.”
“Hell, yes, we want that Berto fight,” King said.
“With Gary Shaw, we're making Devon against Tim Bradley for Jan. 29 so maybe HBO will want to see the winners of Kotelnik-Berto and Bradley-Alexander fight next year.”
[...]
King also is greasing the HBO wheels for a possible Ricardo Mayorga-Sergiy Dziniriuk middleweight title bout.
"People don't believe Mayorga will get back in the ring but I'll put him in training camp, in isolation, as well."
Micheal Marley
I don't think I've ever bought into the Arreola appeal. I like most of his fights but he's lazy and his constant "I'm gonna get better next fight" or "next training camp I'm gonna take it seriously" became old 3 fights ago. Quezada got most of his hype by an impressive crushing of Travis Walker but besides that he's done nothing especially and dropped a fight to heavyweight trial horse Jason Gavern.
I don't buy the hurt hand shit or I'm getting in the gym shit.. as long as Arreola stays with his trainer that lets him get away with whatever he wants I don't see him getting any further than he has already and I can only see him going down. Put him against Eddie Chambers before Eddie decides make the move down to cruiser..
I don't buy the hurt hand shit or I'm getting in the gym shit.. as long as Arreola stays with his trainer that lets him get away with whatever he wants I don't see him getting any further than he has already and I can only see him going down. Put him against Eddie Chambers before Eddie decides make the move down to cruiser..
Dawson Problems Continue With Contract, Financial Rifts
By Michael Marley
Bad Chad Dawson was being trumpeted as boxing's next American superstar.
But now, I have learned, the once-beaten light heavyweight is beset by financial and myriad other problems outside the ring, including ongoing legal disputes with his manager, Mike Crisco, his promoter, Big Gary Shaw, and his adviser, the rap music maven James Prince.
Dawson, whose verging on boxing superstar status took a major hit in Montreal Saturday when he got outhustled by Jean Pascal, has been trying to shake manager Criscio like a deer tick carrying lyme disease.
Their rift was mentioned, a bit obliquely, by announcer Jim Lampley on the HBO telecast Saturday night as the lethargic lefthander was getting knocked from the ranks of the undefeated (he's now 29-1) by the Haitian born resident Quebec resident.
Criscio, who owns a pawnshop and check cashing stores in and around New Haven, Ct., was nowhere to be seen on the prime cable network's coverage and his absence was particularly noticeable as the HBO cameras emphasized trainer Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.
There was no sign of Criscio in the fighter's corner, anywhere in the ring or even in the whole of Canada.
Dawson has been feuding with and trying to free himself of Criscio and the manager's 10 percent share of the 28 year old's ring income.
The backdrop to this is that Dawson's relationship with Shaw, once solid and strong, has grown contentious.
(I am informed, though, that Dawson has had some rapprochement with Shaw which came after the promoter agreed to fully provide all past Muhammad Ali and other financial disclosures and to accept a less lengthy promotional deal, said to be for only four bouts rather than a four year one.)
I am told that Dawson is saddled with a strong contract he signed with Prince, the Rap A Lot label owner from Houston.
Dawson is required to pay 10 percent of his purses to Prince, the adviser who has a piece of Andre Ward and formerly held a slice of Floyd Mayweather Jr..
When you then subtract Criscio's share, Prince's fees, Muhammad's standard 10 percent trainer cut and what Shaw keeps for himself, it really adds up.
I'm hearing that Prince, who really does nothing for Dawson but collect money for himself, paid Dawson $20,000, to get involved and has gotten back about $300,000.
You may remember that, when Mayweather refused to pay money to Prince, a team of “collection agents” visited the Top Rank Gym and used forcible methods to extract payment in full. Let's just say that blood flowed and no one called the police to report anything.
Getting back to Dawson, the fighter was upset when he discovered that Shaw had given $500,000 to Criscio, later explained as Shaw's investment in one of Crisco's check cashing operations.
At or about the same time, Shaw feathered Criscio's nest by installing him as the manager of junior middleweight slugger, Alfredo Angulo.
Dawson's professional past is littered with former handlers, including Rhode Island promoter Jimmy Burchfield and ex-trainers John Scully, Dan Birmingham and Floyd Mayweather Sr.
Dawson has also engaged the services of a gang of attorneys along the way.
"The only guy who Chad really trusts now is Eddie Mustafa which was one of his reasons in deciding to move from Connecticut to Las Vegas," a source close to the situation said Sunday. "If not for his close relationship with his trainer, Dawson might be totally adrift. As it is now, he's just very confused."
How Dawson rid himself of Burchfield is, what's the expression, instructive.
Burchfield accepted a settlement of $150,000 but then Dawson was hit with and paid a $250,000 legal fee to lawyer Judd Burstein.
One Dawson observer said the fighter owns a $500,000 house in Connecticut but also bought five, high priced cars and fritters away money on jewelry and other trinkets.
“The kid bought himself a watch for $150,000,” the man said. “For the first Montreal press conference he was supposed to fly from Hartford to Montreal. He was repeatedly told he had to have a passport to enter Canada. He had a lawyer going with him.
“About 15 minutes before they had to board the flight, the lawyer got a call from Chad who said he couldn't find his passport. He participated in the press conference by telephone.”
Losing to Pascal might be a temporary setback for the talented Dawson.
But his issues with Criscio, with Shaw and with Prince linger on.
“He just doesn't pay attention to his business affairs,” the same man said. “He doesn't read or understand contracts and then he acts surprised when these people want to collect money.
"Dawson looks to Floyd Mayweather's lifestyle and would like to emulate him," this man said. "But Mayweather is a proven superstar who earns millions upon millions as a PPV draw whereas Chad is still trying to climb to that level."
Pascal and Dawson split a HBO rights fee of $1.75 million, or $875,000 each, from their title bout but PPV revenue from Canada may add up to about 500,000 buys which would push both of their total purses well past the million dollar mark.
That's appropriate for Bad Chad, the big talent with a million problems
By Michael Marley
Bad Chad Dawson was being trumpeted as boxing's next American superstar.
But now, I have learned, the once-beaten light heavyweight is beset by financial and myriad other problems outside the ring, including ongoing legal disputes with his manager, Mike Crisco, his promoter, Big Gary Shaw, and his adviser, the rap music maven James Prince.
Dawson, whose verging on boxing superstar status took a major hit in Montreal Saturday when he got outhustled by Jean Pascal, has been trying to shake manager Criscio like a deer tick carrying lyme disease.
Their rift was mentioned, a bit obliquely, by announcer Jim Lampley on the HBO telecast Saturday night as the lethargic lefthander was getting knocked from the ranks of the undefeated (he's now 29-1) by the Haitian born resident Quebec resident.
Criscio, who owns a pawnshop and check cashing stores in and around New Haven, Ct., was nowhere to be seen on the prime cable network's coverage and his absence was particularly noticeable as the HBO cameras emphasized trainer Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.
There was no sign of Criscio in the fighter's corner, anywhere in the ring or even in the whole of Canada.
Dawson has been feuding with and trying to free himself of Criscio and the manager's 10 percent share of the 28 year old's ring income.
The backdrop to this is that Dawson's relationship with Shaw, once solid and strong, has grown contentious.
(I am informed, though, that Dawson has had some rapprochement with Shaw which came after the promoter agreed to fully provide all past Muhammad Ali and other financial disclosures and to accept a less lengthy promotional deal, said to be for only four bouts rather than a four year one.)
I am told that Dawson is saddled with a strong contract he signed with Prince, the Rap A Lot label owner from Houston.
Dawson is required to pay 10 percent of his purses to Prince, the adviser who has a piece of Andre Ward and formerly held a slice of Floyd Mayweather Jr..
When you then subtract Criscio's share, Prince's fees, Muhammad's standard 10 percent trainer cut and what Shaw keeps for himself, it really adds up.
I'm hearing that Prince, who really does nothing for Dawson but collect money for himself, paid Dawson $20,000, to get involved and has gotten back about $300,000.
You may remember that, when Mayweather refused to pay money to Prince, a team of “collection agents” visited the Top Rank Gym and used forcible methods to extract payment in full. Let's just say that blood flowed and no one called the police to report anything.
Getting back to Dawson, the fighter was upset when he discovered that Shaw had given $500,000 to Criscio, later explained as Shaw's investment in one of Crisco's check cashing operations.
At or about the same time, Shaw feathered Criscio's nest by installing him as the manager of junior middleweight slugger, Alfredo Angulo.
Dawson's professional past is littered with former handlers, including Rhode Island promoter Jimmy Burchfield and ex-trainers John Scully, Dan Birmingham and Floyd Mayweather Sr.
Dawson has also engaged the services of a gang of attorneys along the way.
"The only guy who Chad really trusts now is Eddie Mustafa which was one of his reasons in deciding to move from Connecticut to Las Vegas," a source close to the situation said Sunday. "If not for his close relationship with his trainer, Dawson might be totally adrift. As it is now, he's just very confused."
How Dawson rid himself of Burchfield is, what's the expression, instructive.
Burchfield accepted a settlement of $150,000 but then Dawson was hit with and paid a $250,000 legal fee to lawyer Judd Burstein.
One Dawson observer said the fighter owns a $500,000 house in Connecticut but also bought five, high priced cars and fritters away money on jewelry and other trinkets.
“The kid bought himself a watch for $150,000,” the man said. “For the first Montreal press conference he was supposed to fly from Hartford to Montreal. He was repeatedly told he had to have a passport to enter Canada. He had a lawyer going with him.
“About 15 minutes before they had to board the flight, the lawyer got a call from Chad who said he couldn't find his passport. He participated in the press conference by telephone.”
Losing to Pascal might be a temporary setback for the talented Dawson.
But his issues with Criscio, with Shaw and with Prince linger on.
“He just doesn't pay attention to his business affairs,” the same man said. “He doesn't read or understand contracts and then he acts surprised when these people want to collect money.
"Dawson looks to Floyd Mayweather's lifestyle and would like to emulate him," this man said. "But Mayweather is a proven superstar who earns millions upon millions as a PPV draw whereas Chad is still trying to climb to that level."
Pascal and Dawson split a HBO rights fee of $1.75 million, or $875,000 each, from their title bout but PPV revenue from Canada may add up to about 500,000 buys which would push both of their total purses well past the million dollar mark.
That's appropriate for Bad Chad, the big talent with a million problems
Jean Pascal: If Carl Froch Wants To Fight, No Problem!
By Mark Vester
WBC/IBO light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal pulled off what may become the upset of the year on Saturday night, when he won an eleven round technical decision over previously undefeated Chad Dawson at the Nell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The fight was stopped in the eleventh after a clash of heads opened up a deep cut above the right eye.
The only man to beat Pascal is former super middleweight champion Carl Froch. The fight was a twelve round war. Froch won by decision. Afterwards Pascal moved up to light heavyweight and turned his career around. Froch is tied up in Showtime's Super Six Boxing Classic. He faces Arthur Abraham on October, but Pascal would love the chance to get revenge.
"Carl Froch has to fight Arthur Abraham. If he wants to fight me, I have no problem. He beat me, so that would give me a great chance to try to beat him," Pascal said.
Last time Pascal traveled to Froch's hometown of Nottingham. This time he would consider another trip to England, but he prefers to have the contest in Montreal.
"It's all about business, but I have great fans in Quebec. They are the best fans in the world so I would like to fight on HBO in Montreal once again," Pascal said.
By Mark Vester
WBC/IBO light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal pulled off what may become the upset of the year on Saturday night, when he won an eleven round technical decision over previously undefeated Chad Dawson at the Nell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The fight was stopped in the eleventh after a clash of heads opened up a deep cut above the right eye.
The only man to beat Pascal is former super middleweight champion Carl Froch. The fight was a twelve round war. Froch won by decision. Afterwards Pascal moved up to light heavyweight and turned his career around. Froch is tied up in Showtime's Super Six Boxing Classic. He faces Arthur Abraham on October, but Pascal would love the chance to get revenge.
"Carl Froch has to fight Arthur Abraham. If he wants to fight me, I have no problem. He beat me, so that would give me a great chance to try to beat him," Pascal said.
Last time Pascal traveled to Froch's hometown of Nottingham. This time he would consider another trip to England, but he prefers to have the contest in Montreal.
"It's all about business, but I have great fans in Quebec. They are the best fans in the world so I would like to fight on HBO in Montreal once again," Pascal said.
Dawson: I'm Not Worried, I Have a Rematch Clause
By Mark Vester
Following his upset decision loss to WBC/IBO light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (26-1, 16KOs) at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, previously undefeated Chad Dawson said he was not worried because there was a rematch clause in the fight contract. Dawson was behind on points but had Pascal in a lot of trouble in the eleventh round when there was a clash of heads. Dawson suffered a bad cut above his eye and the ringside doctor quickly stopped the fight.
The rematch clause is not an immediate rematch clause. Pascal has the option to take another fight, including an all-Canadian clash with IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute.
"I'm not worried because I have a rematch clause. We are going to do it again. We are going to go back in the gym and we'll do it again. He has to do it again," Dawson said.
By Mark Vester
Following his upset decision loss to WBC/IBO light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (26-1, 16KOs) at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, previously undefeated Chad Dawson said he was not worried because there was a rematch clause in the fight contract. Dawson was behind on points but had Pascal in a lot of trouble in the eleventh round when there was a clash of heads. Dawson suffered a bad cut above his eye and the ringside doctor quickly stopped the fight.
The rematch clause is not an immediate rematch clause. Pascal has the option to take another fight, including an all-Canadian clash with IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute.
"I'm not worried because I have a rematch clause. We are going to do it again. We are going to go back in the gym and we'll do it again. He has to do it again," Dawson said.