Boxing News Thread

[trips]

Sports book sets over/under on Money-Pacman PPV sales at 3.15 million

By Kevin Iole

There isn't a deal yet for Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao to fight each other, but as talks have intensified, speculation has grown about how well the pay-per-view sales will do.

Everyone involved in trying to put the event together is convinced it will break all existing records in terms of pay-per-view sales, pay-per-view revenue and live paid gate.

Currently, the most sales for a fight came in 2007, when a match at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas between Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya said 2.5 million. It was initially reported as 2.4 million, but sales eventually grew to 2.5 million.

The record for the most pay-per-view revenue on a fight came in 2013 when Mayweather met Canelo Alvarez at the MGM Grand. That fight, which sold 2.2 million buys, generated $150 million in pay-per-view sales because it was priced higher.

The largest gate in boxing history is $20 million, set by Mayweather-Alvarez in 2013. Promoters have talked of scaling the MGM Grand Garden to produce a $40 million gate for Mayweather-Pacquiao, with the cheapest tickets being $1,000 and seats on the floor at $5,000.

Bovada, an online sports book, has put an over/under on sales for the fight at a stunning 3.15 million. If it hit that number, it would beat the existing record by 650,000, which in and of itself is an extraordinary number for a pay-per-view.
Bovada opened both over and under at minus-110. But the line has moved and under is the current favor. Right now, under is minus-160 and over is plus-120. For non-bettors, that means that if you believe the final announced total PPV sales will be under 3.15 million, you would have to lay $1.60 for every $1 you want to win. So, if you bet $1.60 on under and it was under, you'd get back $2.60 -- your original $1.60 bet, plus the $1 profit.

On the other side, over is an underdog. So that means that for every $1 you bet on the over, you'll receive $1.20 in profit. Thus, if the sales exceed 3.15 million, a bettor who wagers $1 would get back $2.20 -- his original $1 bet plus the $1.20 profit.

My own estimate is the fight, if it happens in May 2, would do 3.25 million, so I'd be the over. It's a phenomenally high number, but the interest in the fight is extremely intense, and it's essentially been promoted for five years as the negotiations have been on-again, off-again and the men have remained in the news.

But if it fails to be made on May 2, I would bet it loses its luster and doesn't do nearly as well as in the unlikely event it would ever get made again down the line.

 

[trips]

straight up

Rigondeaux Open To Featherweight Bout With Weight Stip

World super bantamweight champion of the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO), undefeated Cuban Guillermo "The Jackal" Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs), is still hoping to get in the ring with fellow undefeated champion, of the World Boxing Council (WBC), Mexico's Leo Santa Cruz (29-0-1, 17 KOs).

While the other champions at 122-pounds are refusing to face him, he may have better luck at featherweight - where there are plenty of names like Nicholas Walters, Vasyl Lomachenko, Jhonny Gonzalez, Abner Mares and Evgeny Gradovich.

Rigondeaux is open to facing a big name at 126 - if there is a solid weight stipulation that prevents his opponent from rehydrating by more than ten pounds. Some featherweights have been known to rehydrate all the way to 140-pounds and beyond.

"I do not have any problems [with fighting any of the top featherweights]. I'm a 122-pounder, but if you put a limit where [the opponent] is unable to go beyond 136-pounds on the day of the fight - I'll fight anybody. As long as I'm getting paid, I'll fight with anyone. I never say no. I'm a boxer who knows how to solve problems when I fight," Rigondeaux said.

 

[trips]

cool

IBF Orders DeGale-Dirrell Title Fight After Froch Vacates

By Terence Dooley

Nottingham’s Carl Froch, 33-2 (24KOs), has vacated the IBF Super middleweight title, freeing the belt up for London-based mandatory challenger James DeGale MBE, 20-1 (14KOs), and Michigan's Andre Dirrell, who sit at #1 and #2 in the IBF’s latest rankings.

Froch had hoped to fight Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez next month. Eddie Hearn, his promoter, claimed that a deal was in place only for an injury to rule Froch out of the fight. “The Cobra” still holds the WBA title, so he has options should he decided to return to boxing once his elbow has healed.

The IBF have already set the wheels in motion by notifying DeGale and Dirrell of the vacant title situation. The two camps will be granted time to work out a deal, otherwise the fight will go to a purse bid hearing.


“The letter went out this morning,” stated IBF Championships Chairman Linsdey Tucker. “We always shoot for 90 days but sometimes that gets pushed back, especially if it goes to a purse bid.”

“It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks with terms agreed for the Chavez fight only for me to be unable to proceed in camp due to injury,” said Froch when breaking the news. “I know what it’s like to wait for a shot and I didn’t want to hold James up in fighting for a World title. James is a great fighter and I hope he can go out and win that title and who knows, we may even meet later in the year.”

“Talks continue with the Chavez camp regarding a summer clash in Las Vegas, and discussions have taken place with Golden Boy Promotions regarding a bumper clash in Nottingham with two-weight World champion legend Bernard Hopkins in the summer,” added Hearn.

“It's been a long time coming but I will be fighting for the World title and making history,” stated DeGale, who could fight at London’s O2 on April 25 if a deal can be nailed down in time to make that date. “I don't care who I have to fight to do it.”

Dirrell, 24-1 (16KOs), is unlikely to want to travel to the U.K.; he still believes he was robbed against Froch in Nottingham in 2009—a split-decision defeat—and has stated that he would not consider a return. If he opts to go for a different title option, Gilberto Ramirez, George Groves and Julius Jackson are in the Top Five, so there are plenty of options for DeGale if “The Matrix” decides to look elsewhere.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Is this a real tournament or some fan art type stuff?

 

[battle619]

Depending on who wins, it looks like it can be for reals tho, as most of the better fighters are with TR

 

[battle619]

Looks bad ass tho. Look for Gonzalez to get robbed vs Russell

 

[trips]

lmao

ANDRE DIRRELL CALLS OUT JAMES DEGALE "I'M BEATIN' YO ASS"; CARL FROCH VACATES

 

[heyzel]

Despite Split With Shaw, Roc Nation signs Miguel Sanchez
ThaBoxingVoice
By ThaBoxingVoice February 4, 2015 9:55 pm
Related Articles

Box Nation to Broadcast Pacquiao-Algieri Live 0 12.Sep
Jesse Hart vs. Roberto Acevedo Fight Photos 0 05.Oct
Shawn Estrada Returns to Battle Alfredo Contreras on November 20 0 04.Nov

MiguelSanchez







The undefeated and promising Mexican prospect, Miguel ‘Zurdo’ Sánchez from Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico has signed with Roc Nation Sports and is now a member of the long list of elite boxers and athletes that have signed with the newly developed sports promotional company which was founded in spring of 2013. Roc Nation launched their boxing division in August of 2014. Roc Nation Sports was founded by none other than the successful, and famous singer, artist, songwriter, producer, and now boxing’s newest promoter, Jay-Z.

The 25 years old Sanchez ( 9-0, 7 KO’s ), who is campaigning in the welterweight division ( 147lbs ), trains at the ‘House of Boxing Training Center’ gym located in San Diego, California under the tutelage of veteran trainer, Carlos Barragan, who also trains the undefeated junior welterweight, Antonio Orozco.

“I am very satisfied with my team and with myself because of all the hard work we do”, stated Miguel Sanchez. “In less than a year, and with less than 10 fights, I signed with a huge company that is giving me full support, and in return, I will do the same in the gym by training as hard as I can. I will not disappoint my people or the opportunity that Roc Nation Sports has given me”.

Sanchez is managed by Benjamin Lieblein and Alfredo Rodriguez.

“We are pleased to announce this major step in Sanchez’s career. He is expected to have his pro-debut under the Roc Nation Sports banner in March”, said co-manager Benjamin Lieblein, who continued, “In the year 2015, the boxing fans will know for sure who ‘Zurdo’ Sanchez is”

 

[heyzel]

Cotto will vacate WBC title rather than fight Golovkin, says Gennady’s promoter
date February 4th, 2015 | Post Comment - 200 Comments

Share the post "Cotto will vacate WBC title rather than fight Golovkin, says Gennady’s promoter"

266Facebook
28Twitter
8Google+

photo: miguel cotto gennady golovkin By Dan Ambrose: WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin’s promoter Tom Loeffler thinks WBC 160 pound champion Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KOs) will look to take one title-milking fight to defend his WBC middleweight title, and then he’ll vacate the belt to avoid facing his mandatory challenger Golovkin.

Loeffler says he’s reached out to Cotto to try and setup a fight between him and Golovkin, and he’s had no luck.

Since his contract negotiations with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez failed, Cotto and his management have been looking to get an opponent for his next fight. There’s still no scheduled opponent, although Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has mentioned wanting to match Cotto against Brandon Rios or Tim Bradley next. Both of those fighters are welterweights, and would need to move up two divisions to face the 34-year-old Cotto.

“Cotto knows Gennady is his mandatory, and the WBC will enforce the mandatory after this next fight,” Loeffler said to Thesweetscience.com. “I am sure Cotto will want one more payday before vacating the title, instead of fighting Triple G. Nobody seriously thinks he will fight Gennady at 160.”

It’ll look bad if Cotto vacates his WBC title without fighting Golovkin, as it’ll make Cotto’s win over the 39-year-old Sergio Martinez look like an empty victory and little more than an example of cherry picking an opponent. Cotto beat the gimpy-kneed Martinez last June in taking his WBC title.

While Cotto’s trainer Freddie Roach said that Sergio Martinez was in his prime, few boxing fans agree with that. Many of them see Roach and Cotto as having waited until Martinez was over-the-hill before fighting him.

Cotto needs to show that he’s willing to face Golovkin and defend it no matter how big of a risk it is. If Cotto turns around and fights someone like Bradley or Rios instead of Golovkin, then it’ll take away any argument that Cotto might have about him not facing Golovkin due to his lack of popularity.

If Cotto is willing to fight Bradley or Rios, who are no more popular than Golovkin, then he should be able to fight Golovkin as well.

Golovkin will be fighting this month on February 21st against #1 WBC Martin Murray (29-1-1, 12 KOs) at the Salle des Étoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco. Golovkin needs to get past Murray for him to be in position to fight for the WBC title against whoever.

If Cotto vacates his WBC title then Golovkin will be fighting for the vacant WBC title against the next available contender willing to fight him. #2 WBC is David Lemieuz, but he probably won’t agree to fight Golovkin. This means Golovkin would likely face #3 WBC Jorge Sebastian Heiland for the vacant WBC title.

 

[trips]

Cotto Promotions Press Conference

 

[heyzel]

WBC tournament fighters to be tested by VADA
February 5, 2015

Participants in an eight-man event called “The Jose Sulaiman Cup: WBC Super Welterweight Tournament” will be randomly tested by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA), according to a release.

A single-elimination scenario is to be comprised of boxers from eight different countries and three continents. The tournament is being produced by promoter Sampson Lewkowicz and WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman and is named in honor of the late president Jose Sulaiman.

“The ‘Jose Sulaiman Cup’ will be conducted under the new ‘Clean Sport Initiative,’ a program developed by VADA in conjunction with the WBC,” read the statement. “All eight fighters will be subjected to random testing through the duration of the tournament and this unprecedented program has as an objective to prevent and to serve as a positive message from our sport to the youth of the sport.”

The first phase of the tournament is being targeted for April and May, with the bouts being scheduled for 10 rounds. The 12-round semifinals will be held in September and the 12-round finals in February 2016.

In the top bracket, the winner between John Jackson (19-2, 15 KOs) and Dennis Laurente (49-5-5, 30 KOs) will face that between Yudel Jhonson (16-1, 9 KOs) and Jorge Luis Cota Lugo (24-1, 22 KOs).

In the bottom bracket, Sergey Rabchenko (25-1, 18 KOs) will fight Luciano Cuello (35-3, 17 KOs) with the winner to meet that between Domonique Dolton (15-0, 8 KOs) vs. Lukasz Maciec (22-2-1, 5 KOs).

The winners of the four fights will square off in a semifinal that will produce the championship finalist. Opening-round tournament participants will receive $50,000 each with those in the semifinals receiving $100,000 and the finalists, $200,000.

 

[heyzel]

Berto, Lopez, Porter, Garcia look forward to Spike TV dividends
February 4, 2015

Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Spike TV

Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Spike TV



The March 13 doubleheader featuring two-time welterweight titleholder Andre Berto against Josesito Lopez and former IBF 147-pound beltholder Shawn Porter opposite Roberto Garcia will take place at the Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif., Haymon Boxing Management officially announced on Wednesday.

Berto (29-3, 22 knockouts) will face Lopez (33-6, 19 KOs) in the main event of a new boxing series on the Spike TV cable network unveiled by adviser Al Haymon. The co-feature will match Porter (24-1, 15 KOs) and Garcia (36-3, 23 KOs).

The premiere episode will be the debut of a monthly series that will air on Fridays at 9:00 p.m. as part of a multi-year deal.

“Fighting on the ‘Premier Boxing Champions’ series on Spike TV is huge for all of us and for the sport of boxing,” said Berto. “This is going to take all of us to a whole different level and give us the chance to become household names.”

A two-time welterweight titlewinner, Berto returned to full-time training from shoulder surgery in Aug. 2013 to repair a ruptured subscapularis (under the shoulder blade) tendon he suffered during a 12th-round stoppage loss to Jesus Soto Karass in July 2013. The most recent surgery had followed a previous procedure to repair a ruptured left biceps in February 2012.

The loss to Soto Karass was Berto’s first by knockout. His other setbacks were by unanimous decision to Victor Ortiz in April 2011 and to Robert Guerrero in Nov. of 2012.

“Fighting on free television is what made guys like Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler huge stars and I’m ready for my chance to do the same,” said Berto. “I can’t wait to start this next chapter of my career and you’re going to see a new and rejuvenated Andre Berto on March 13 on Spike TV so make sure to tune in.”

Lopez has sandwiched a fifth round technical knockout of Aaron Martinez in April 2014 between decisions over Mike Arnaoutis and Rafael Cobos in Dec. 2013 and last September. Prior to facing Alvarez in his 154-pound debut, Lopez captivated many fans by stopping Ortiz, a former 147-pound titleholder whose jaw was broken during their bout.

“This is definitely going to be the fight of my life and I’m excited. I’m looking forward to all of my local fans being there to witness a great victory. I’m fighting a really good fighter in Berto but every fighter is dangerous,” said Lopez.

“I know I have to prepare even better than ever. On March 13, I expect a big crowd because I’m fighting so close to home and my fans have been so supportive wherever I fight. I’m confident that I’m going to give the fans in attendance and on television a great performance.”

Porter lost his belt by majority decision to Kell Brook in August after having won it by fourth round technical knockout over two-division beltholder Paulie Malignaggi in April. Prior to Malignaggi, Porter was coming off a unanimous decision win over Alexander, during which he dictated a physical fight that left both fighters bleeding from cuts around their eyes in Dec. 2013.

“The opportunity to fight on Spike TV and show my skills in front of millions of people is very exciting. Being a part of the first PBC event on Spike TV is an honor. My opponent has a great record and he’s a veteran,” said Porter.

“He’s strong and durable and he’s going to be ready when he gets into that ring. I expect it to be a very tough fight but a great fight. Of course, I expect to win and I expect to look very good doing it.”

In his last fight in July, Garcia secured a unanimous decision over Breidis Prescott, representing his eighth consecutive victory since losing a unanimous decision to former titleholder Antonio Margarito in a junior middleweight bout in May 2010.

“I’m grateful that I’m going to be part of something that is going to be great for this sport and that is being on the first PBC event on Spike TV. Shawn Porter is a great, world-class fighter,” said Garcia.

“He is the kind of fighter that you need to beat to be seen at the ‘A-level’ in boxing. This is the fight that can change my career and my life. I’m already training as hard as I can. I’m giving it everything I have in the gym so I can give everything I have on March 13.”

 

[2-0-Sixx]

No surprises here, Leo Santa Cruz will not be fighting Rigondeaux....



Dan Rafael ✔ @danrafaelespn
Follow
Frustrated O @oscard eLaHoya blocked by Haymon from making L @leo santacruz2-Rigo so he sold SC contract to Haymon. Check my Blog: GBP sells Santa Cruz's contract to Haymon - Dan Rafael Blog - ESPN

 

[HERESY]

Cotto scared! LMAO!

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Cotto Promotions Press Conference

8 people in a food court lmao

 

[WYNO707X4]

And cotto considers him self a A SIDE lmao!! Boxing a joke now fuck leo santa cruz and floyd and his boss haymon they dont want the manny fight ....HAYMONS CIRCUS thats what he should call his company all bad for boxing...when nbc asks haymon to make the floyd and manny fight haymon going to take all his fighters to xm radio next

 

[Coach E. No]

In other news, Cotto's a homo.

LSC is a ho too, even though that's Haymon's fault.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

No surprises here, Leo Santa Cruz will not be fighting Rigondeaux....



Dan Rafael ✔ @danrafaelespn
Follow
Frustrated O @oscard eLaHoya blocked by Haymon from making L @leo santacruz2-Rigo so he sold SC contract to Haymon. Check my Blog: GBP sells Santa Cruz's contract to Haymon - Dan Rafael Blog - ESPN

Team Rigondeaux: Santa Cruz a Coward, Ran To Haymon!




By Luke Furman

Guillermo Rigondeaux's manager, Gary Hyde, is furious over the recent development involving WBC super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz.

Hyde and Rigondeaux's promoter, Caribe Promotions, were on board to stake the Cuban's WBA/WBO title in a unification with Santa Cruz. Even Santa Cruz's promoter, Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, told BoxingScene.com two weeks ago that a Santa Cruz-Rigondeaux unification was at the top of his agenda.

Rigondeaux and his team erupted after being informed that Santa Cruz's contract was purchased from Golden Boy by the boxer's manager, Al Haymon.

Last month, Golden Boy and Haymon parted ways after a long working relationship. The influential manager walked away with nearly every fighter he had under contract. Santa Cruz, who still had a valid contract with Golden Boy, was one of the few fighters who remained.

In the opinion of Hyde, Santa Cruz was willingly pulled away from his promotional ties in order to completely crush De La Hoya's plan to put him in the ring with Rigondeaux.

"The WBC should strip Leo Santa Cruz of the WBC title for making a mockery of their organization. Santa Cruz is a coward for not accepting the Rigondeaux unification fight. He has ran for cover to Al Haymon because he knows he will be protected from a Rigondeaux massacre. Santa Cruz is gutless and should not be allowed to defend against another unknown challenger. Rigondeaux and Frampton are the only genuine world champions," an angry Hyde stated.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Official: Andy Lee vs Peter Quillin. This will be on the Danny Garcia vs Peterson card. Funny how Quillin dropped his WBO title and a $1.4m payday so didn't have to fight his mandatory in Korobov, who Andy Lee knocked out, and now Quillin is fighting Andy Lee for the WBO title he just dropped lol. Whatever, good card.

Speaking of Danny Garcia, nice fucking pants, fruit.

 

[heyzel]

TOP RANK PRESIDENT TODD DUBOEF "IRATE" AND TEAM PACQUIAO "UPSET" WITH BOB ARUM OVER CONFLICTING STATEMENTS
By Ben Thompson | February 06, 2015
TOP RANK PRESIDENT TODD DUBOEF

According to an informative article written by Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports, Top Rank president Todd duBoef is "irate" with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum for comments he's been making to several media outlets about the long-awaited mega-fight between undefeated pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather and 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. For the past several weeks, Arum has been making conflicting statements about the status of negotiations that simply aren't adding up. Apparently, Arum's antics have also ruffled the feathers of Team Pacquiao as well.

In his latest column, Iole writes:


But Arum's insistence on public comments are clearly an impediment to reaching a deal. That is one point that people on both sides of the aisles in these talks agree about. Top Rank president Todd duBoef is irate at Arum, his step-father, but has essentially thrown his hands up in the air and said he can't control Arum. Even Pacquiao's team has gotten upset at Arum's willingness to go on the record with comments that often don't add up.

In fact, one source that Iole spoke to freely admitted, "Believe me, if this fight doesn't get done, it will be because of Bob Arum. Nobody can figure what he is doing or why he is doing it."

The news of Arum's contradicting statements should come as no surprise to FightHype.com readers. After all, it was Arum who first declared back in January that not only had Pacquiao agreed, but Mayweather's team had agreed as well to all terms, only to hear weeks later from Arum himself that there were supposedly still some "other issues" that existed between both camps. Arum also suggested to boxing fans that a contract for the bout existed when he told them "besiege Mayweather with just these words, 'Sign the contract! Sign the contract!'" However, Showtime Sports Executive Vice President and General Manager Stephen Espinoza quickly shot down that notion, telling FightHype.com, "Arum isn't being truthful on this and he knows it. There is no contract that is awaiting Floyd's signature and Bob Arum knows that."

Arum's latest untruth came just earlier today when he informed Tim Dahlberg of the Associated Press that the two networks, Showtime and HBO, had reached a deal. Moments after he made the revelation, multiple representatives from both sides "vehemently" denied the report.

It should be noted that Arum has also been making statements to the media which suggest that perhaps his own team isn't on the same page as him. In a recent interview with Lem Satterfield of RingTV.com, a clearly frustrated Arum went on one of his classic rants about what he called "bizarre-ness" in the negotiations. "Nobody's listening to anybody. I have no idea what's going to happen. I've never been through a situation as crazy as this. I'm tired of it. I've negotiated for 50 years and I've never been through some shit like this," he commented. "It is craziness. It is just crazy. If you knew what was going on, you would know how bizarre it is. But maybe you go through this bizarre-ness before you cross the goal line. I have nothing else to say except that it's not over until it's over."

Given Iole's description of an "irate" Todd duBoef and an "upset" Team Pacquiao, one has to wonder if it's Arum who might be having a difference of opinion with not only his step-son, the president of Top Rank, but also the fighter he promotes when it comes to finalizing the deal for Mayweather vs. Pacquiao.