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heyzel

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Exclusive Interview with Ronald Hearns - "I Want To Win At Least Two World Titles At

11.09.08 - by James Slater - Unbeaten 29-year-old Ronald Hearns has been very active this year. Having already had two fights this year (both stoppage wins), Hearns has another two scheduled for September and October, respectively. A natural light-middleweight at the moment, the son of the legendary Thomas Hearns has compiled stats of 19-0(15) since turning pro - at the fairly advanced age of 25 - in April of 2004. Ronald has inherited his father's long-limbed physique and his formidable boxing skills. It seems as though the next generation Hearns has also been blessed with serious punching power.

Very kindly taking time out to speak with me over the phone yesterday, the soft-spoken and very polite fighter had the following answers to my questions.

James Slater: Did your Dad work your corner in last fight?

Ronald Hearns: Yes, he did. My main trainer got held up with his passport, so my dad took over at the last minute.

J.S: Will he work the corner again or was that just a one-off?

R.H: I don't know, he may work my corner again. I mean, before any fight he always calls me up and gives me advice and stuff. If he did work my corner again he'd be the second corner man. Right now my corner men are Henry Hill and my uncle, Billy Hearns, who do a great job with me.

J.S: Have you and your dad ever sparred - even just for fun?

R.H: Yeah, we have (smiles). It was fun. For my last two fights we sparred a couple of rounds. It was good, him teaching me a few of the tricks he learnt in his career. Even though I said he was an old man and to go lightly, I knew he still had that devastating right hand (laughs).

J.S: I notice you've changed your nickname from "The Motor City Cobra" to "The Chosen One."

R.H: Yeah, my dad was known as "The Motor City Cobra" so I tried to step out of his shadow, and now I have my own nickname. Also, I feel I am the chosen one in that I've been chosen by God. It's my destiny to be a world champion and a great boxer like my dad. As the bible says, many are called but few are chosen.

J.S: Is there any truth in the word that you and another son of a legend, in Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr, may fight at light-middleweight one day?

R.H: I've not heard anything, but I think it would be an exciting fight for the fans. Both our fathers have an enormous legacy and the fight would be big, so I say if the paper work is right and if the money's right, let's do it. I'm old School in my attitude, it would be a good fight between the two of us so let's make the fight.

J.S: Do you feel you are at your peak right now, and are you staying at might-middleweight for the moment?

R.H: Oh yeah, I'm at my peak I'd say. I want to win at least two world titles at light-middleweight, unifying the division and winning all three would be great, a bonus, but winning two would be great also. Then I plan on moving up to middleweight and winning a title there.

J.S: So you see yourself as a world champion in 2009?

R.H: Yes, I should be a world champion in 2009. Or maybe later this year, you never know.

J.S: I know you have two fights coming up, one in September and then one in October, so you're keeping busy.

R.H: Yeah, I like to stay active - they have to throw me out of the gym when I haven't a fight coming up, I love to train all the time.

J.S: Best wishes with the remained of your career and I hope it's a long one.

R.H: Thank you for the interview and I'd like to say thanks to all my fans.
 
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heyzel

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Oscar De La Hoya - "This Is A Global Event!"

by James Slater -

Oscar De La Hoya has always been very good at hyping a fight, especially if it's one of his own. Well, though the upcoming De La Hoya-Manny Pacquiao fight doesn't need any further hype to become a huge success, a little more never hurts. And the 35-year-old legend has been talking recently with ESPN on the December 6th fight..

Calling the welterweight clash dubbed "The Dream Match," a "global event" and "the biggest event in boxing history," De La Hoya certainly talked the fight up big style. "The Golden Boy" also talked tactics and gave a little away as to what type of fight the bout may well become. Having been studying both of Pacquiao's close calls with Juan Manuel Marquez, two of "Pac-Man's" toughest fights, De La Hoya has been formulating his game-plan.

"Well, watching both fights, obviously Juan Manuel Marquez is such a crafty boxer. He has changed his style a bit so he could be more of an aggressive puncher, a more pleasing style for the fans and obviously that's helped his career out quite a bit," Oscar said of the fighter he promotes, in Marquez. "I have to be smart. I have to use my jab. I have to be rangy in that ring, just the way Juan Manuel Marquez did against him [Pacquiao] in both of their fights. He was using that long jab. He was using those long right hands. I just have to make sure that when Pacquiao comes in with his explosive style and his hard punches, I have to make sure that I have my hands up."

Always a smart boxer, it seems De La Hoya is not in any way looking at the Pacquiao fight as a foregone conclusion. Oscar also revealed why he took this fight, instead of the number of others that were possibilities.

"The fact that they challenged me. The best fighter on the planet, the fact that he challenged me. The fact that he said he could knock me out," De La Hoya said in giving his reasons for wanting the fight. "And I think the fact that Freddie Roach said I could no longer pull the trigger anymore. Okay, well let's see what's going to happen in December. And also the fact that this is going to be the biggest event in boxing history. This is a global event. It's great for the sport."

As focused as he is on Manny Pacquaio and December 6th, Oscar also says he would still like a second fight with Floyd Mayweather Junior, who has been suffering some financial woes as of late.

"I don't lose sleep over it, " De La Hoya said with regards to a return with Mayweather. "I do sometimes think, 'Wow, if I can have that rematch, how different it would be.' When I fought Floyd Mayweather Junior, it was actually easy when I was throwing the jab. For some reason I stopped throwing it and if we did fight in the near future it would be a totally different story - that's for sure. I hear he needs the money!"

You've got to hand it to Oscar, he's one of the best talkers in the game!
 
2-0-Sixx

2-0-Sixx

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oh FUCK NO!!!!!!

Guzman overweight!!!!!!!!


Friday, September 12 2008

By Damien St. Pierre at the scale

At today's weigh-in in Biloxi, IBF/WBA/WBO lightweight Nate Campbell originally weighed 135.2 pounds, then made the 135-pound limit even just thity minutes later. Challenger Joan Guzman was originally 138.5 pounds and has two hours to take off 3.5 pounds. Stay tuned. In the other title fight, WBC 140lb champ Tim Bradley was originally 140.3 and made 139.8 an hour later. Challenger Edner Cherry weighed 139.2 on the first try.

##############

Sergio Mora 2 pounds heavy!

From the MGM Grand in Vegas for tomorrow night's "The Challenge," televised on PPV, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions:
Joel Casamayor 135 vs. Juan Manuel Marquez 135
Sergio Mora 156 vs. Vernon Forrest 154
Mora has two hours to lose two pounds.
Victor Ortiz 140 vs. Roberto Arrieta 137.5
Julio Garcia 163 vs. Danny Perez 159
Daud Yordan 125 vs. Antonio Meza 126
Daniel Jacobs 164 vs. Ramon Espinoza 163
Danny Garcia 143 vs. Tyrone Wiggins 141
Carlos Velasquez 127 vs. Jose Navarrete 129
 
REdRUM

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In the United States, Americans celebrate the 1776 Declaration of Independence from Great Britain on Fourth of July weekend. Fireworks are usually the highlight of a fun, relaxing holiday.

Mexicans celebrate their 1810 independence from Spain -- Grito de Dolores -- every Sept. 16. That weekend also traditionally includes fireworks, but usually of the fistic variety.

Year after year, you can count on an important fight to take place on the second weekend of September, and it almost always will involve a Mexican star.


"It was an honor for me to fight on this weekend because I knew that all Mexican fans were watching very closely," said Marco Antonio Barrera, one of Mexico's greatest fighters. "It has always been an important date that belongs to most important Mexican fighters."

It will be no different Saturday night (HBO PPV, 9 ET) when Juan Manuel Marquez, one of Mexico's most decorated active fighters, moves up to lightweight to challenge world champion Joel Casamayor of Cuba in an effort to win a title in his third division at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Mexicans and Mexican-Americans celebrating the holiday are expected to descend on Vegas for the weekend with thousands coming especially for the fight. Marquez, who long fought in the shadow of more famous countrymen Erik Morales and Barrera, can join them as three-division champions by defeating Casamayor. Morales, Barrera and Julio Cesar Chavez, Mexico's greatest champion, are the only fighters from Mexico to win titles in three divisions.

Marquez is motivated to join that elite group, but he's also aware of the importance of fighting on the weekend of his country's national holiday.

"It is an honor and privilege to fight on a date that is so special for all Mexicans," said Marquez, who defended his featherweight title on the holiday weekend in 2004. "All Mexicans, Mexican-Americans and boxing fans in general are eagerly awaiting this fight and I look forward to fighting with pride for all of them."


Although Marquez is coming off a controversial junior lightweight championship loss to Manny Pacquiao on March 13 and Casamayor scored a 10th-round knockout of Michael Katsidis a week later to retain the lightweight championship, Casamayor is almost a 4-1 betting underdog at the MGM.

The Cuban star likes it that way. He figures it will make a victory on Marquez's important weekend that much sweeter.

"Juan's a great fighter. He's won [two] weight class championships," Casamayor said. "It's not only a chance for him, but it's a chance for me mentally because it's also Mexican Independence Day. Remember, we're going in Sept. 13 as the underdog and it's important to a lot of Mexican fans.

"It's going to be a great fight because Juan is a great fighter and everyone knows I'm a great fighter. And not only is Juan a fighter but he's also smart in the ring just like me. It's going to be a challenge, its going to be a great challenge. It's my first pay-per-view [main] event. I feel it is long overdue and I'm very excited to fight on Mexican Independence Day against a great Mexican fighter.

"I'm like a little kid in a candy shop. I'm very, very happy and I'm honored to be fighting with the great Mexican fighter."

Chango Carmona is believed to be the boxer who began the tradition of having a big fight on the holiday weekend when he stopped Mando Ramos in the eighth round to win the lightweight title in Los Angeles on Sept. 15, 1972.


"For me it was very special and so important to fight on Sept. 15 in 1972," he said. "I remember shouting for joy after I beat Ramos and captured a world title in front of all the Mexican fans in the Los Angeles Coliseum. That win wasn't just for me, it was for Mexico as well."

Since then, many of Mexico's brightest stars, including Salvador Sanchez, Ruben Olivares, Barrera and Morales, have headlined on the weekend. But Chavez owned it for many years. He won his first world title Sept. 13, 1984, stopping Mario Martinez in the eighth round for a junior lightweight belt in Los Angeles.

Each year from 1991 to 1995, Chavez fought a significant championship fight on the weekend. Among those bouts were some of his biggest: a heavily hyped showdown with Puerto Rico's Hector Camacho in 1992, the controversial draw with Pernell Whitaker in 1993, and his 1994 rematch with Meldrick Taylor.

"I feel proud to have been part of fights that gave fans such great memories while celebrating Mexico's independence, such as my fight against Meldrick Taylor," Chavez said. "That night, I was filled with great pride knowing that all of my people were watching and that the fight was taking place as part of the celebration of Mexican independence."

Mexican-American Oscar De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions is putting on Saturday's card, assumed the mantle from Chavez as the fighter who would take over the weekend beginning with his 1997 domination of Camacho in a welterweight title defense.

The following year, De La Hoya took the weekend from Chavez for good by stopping him in the eighth round of their rematch.

De La Hoya would go on to headline the weekend many times in some of his biggest fights, including against Felix Trinidad, Fernando Vargas, Shane Mosley (in their rematch) and Bernard Hopkins.

Always proud of his Mexican heritage -- he held up both American and Mexican flags when accepting an Olympic gold medal for the United States in 1992 -- De La Hoya said the weekend has special meaning to him.

"I have always felt great pride fighting during Mexican Independence Day weekend," De La Hoya said. "It gave me extra motivation because of the importance of this date for Mexicans and those of Mexican descent all over the world. There is extra pressure to perform on this weekend and I know Marquez is going to want to prove he's the best on Sept. 13. I know he's going to come out strong and show he's tough, just like Chavez and I did when we fought on this special day."

Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.
 
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heyzel

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Joan Guzman and all that is wrong with boxing

13.09.08 - by Mark Gregory, photo by Tom Casino /


Showtime - When Joan Guzman enters the ring to take on three-belt lightweight champion Nate Campbell later today, the fans will not be witnessing a championship fight. This is because Joan Guzman yesterday failed to make weight by the not insignificant margin of three and a half pounds.

Campbell deserves credit for still going ahead with the fight, as he would have been well within his rights to pull out, just as Diego Corrales did when Jose Luis Castillo failed to make weight for their rubber match in the great lightweight trilogy that never was. Whilst Castillo had been struggling to make 135lbs for year, the fact is that in this case there can be little excuse for Guzman failing to make the weight. In the modern era, a fighter’s weight is constantly monitored throughout the training camp to ensure that the pounds are being shed at the right rate so as to not drain strength and endurance. Fighters are also weighed periodically right up to seven days prior to the fight to gauge whether or not it is feasible for them to make weight. In short, then, Joan Guzman would have been well aware that he was over the limit in the lead up to the fight and will have known that those extra pounds needed to be shed..

Quite why Guzman failed to lose the extra weight is open to speculation. Perhaps he came into his camp just too heavy to make the weight; his struggles to stay in shape between fights are well-documented. However, if a fighter like Ricky Hatton – who balloons to well over his 140lb limit when out of the gym – can consistently boil down to make weight with relatively few problems, then one would have to question quite why Guzman could not do the same. It seems even more implausible that Guzman could not physically make the limit when you consider that he is stepping up in weight for this fight, and that just a few years ago he was fighting at 122lbs. With his frame, there is no good reason why he cannot make 135lbs comfortably.

Another possible explanation is that Guzman simply did not have the motivation or desire to shed those extra few pounds, knowing that in so doing it would weaken him going into the fight. Given that he would have known how much weight needed shedding with a week to go to the fight, and given that there seems no physical reason why he could not make the higher weight, this explanation seems fairly plausible. It seems even more likely when past lapses in Guzman’s professionalism are noted, such as his failure to secure a visa in time ahead of the mandatory defence of his WBO 130lb belt against Alex Arthur earlier in the year. That he did not want to fight Arthur is understandable, however he had a contractual agreement to do so and that he did not fulfil this obligation is solely down to him. Was the whole visa farce a way of masking difficulty making the weight? It certainly seems a possibility. Either way, if he has not really tried to shed those pounds then he is, to be blunt, a cheat.

The question has to be asked, then, why could Guzman not motivate himself to make the weight for the most important fight of his career? Why did he not bust a gut in the last week of his camp to make sure he came in at 135lbs so that he could fight for the belts? It seems mystifying, especially when we constantly hear Guzman – and his legion of die-hard fans – calling out the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Juan Diaz, and claiming that the aforementioned fighters are avoiding him. Well Mr. Guzman, if you want to earn the right to fight the likes of Pacquiao and Diaz you have to do it by getting in the ring, winning titles and fighting the best. There is no such thing as a God-given right to fight the best out there; that is a right that must be won through letting your fists do the talking.

And all of this leads on to another issue surrounding the career of Joan Guzman that may shed further light on his failure to make the weight for tonight’s superfight. In the last 5 years Guzman has racked up a total of 8 fights. That is a whole 4 fights less over the same period than the man Guzman and his fans seem to be obsessed with, Manny Pacquiao. Given that Pacquiao’s fights have been against the likes of Barrera, Morales and Marquez whilst the standout names on Guzman’s ledger are Barrios and Soto – good fighters, but at least one level below Pacman’s opposition – then you have to admire the temerity of Guzman in accusing the more active, better matched Pacquiao of ducking him. Isn’t it meant to be the up and coming challenger who matches himself tough and fights regularly in order to get a shot at the number one? Perhaps I am just being old-fashioned.

The fact of the matter is that over the past few years, Guzman has shown himself to be both unprofessional and lazy. In addition to never fighting anyone who could be considered top 25 p4p, let alone top 10, Guzman has only ever held the least highly regarded of the four major belts, the WBO, in his two-weight championship reigns. He has never shown any genuine ambition to unify and has never defended for long enough to really stake a claim for being the best in any division he has fought in. And yet some of his fans, and he himself, will tell you that he is one of the best fighters in the world right now. But whilst he runs his mouth, he has done little to back up his words in the ring. His ambition clearly only stretches so far as calling out the best, not actually forcing them to take notice of him.

Of course Guzman is a very talented fighter. He is quick, defensively excellent and has good skills. But for the casual fan he is not particularly exciting to watch, and he is no KO artist. Ordinarily this would mean that he would be working harder to force himself into the consciousness of both the public and those fighters that he so desperately claims to want to fight. Instead he has been content to sit on a paper title, fighting B and C class opposition, and doing so only one or two times a year.

In Joan Guzman we have a perfect example of some of the problems of modern boxing. Here we have a fighter who claims to be amongst the elite, who claims to deserve to be in the ring with the very best fighters in the world, and who may well have the talent to be correct in his claims. However, we also have a fighter who has yet to face an elite boxer in some 28 fights; who has pulled out of fights at late notice; who fails to keep himself in shape between fights; who has shown no ambition to unify or establish himself as a force at any weight; who has fought at a pitiful rate for the past five years; and who, on the eve of the most important fight of his life, a fighter who failed to make weight by a whole three and a half pounds.

For the sake of boxing, we can only hope that Nate Campbell does the business in the ring tonight and sends Guzman’s career into the obscurity it merits.
 
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Sugar Shane Mosley - "After I Beat Mayorga, I Want Margarito!"

13.09.08 - by James Slater - At the age of 37, Sugar Shane Mosley shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. Okay, he will never again be the lighting fast, sublimely skilled lightweight/welterweight he was in the late 1990s/early 2000s, but the former three weight world champion is as hungry, as determined and as willing to face the best as he always was..

Never a fighter to pick and choose who he fights, Mosley has been in with the likes of Oscar De La Hoya (twice), Vernon Forrest (twice), Miguel Cotto and Winky Wright (twice) - Wright being a fighter he could very easily have avoided like a good many other light-middleweights were doing at the time. Mosley may not have beaten all the men listed here, but that's not the point; he fought them all and has always taken on the very best so as to prove his own worth. Boxing could use a whole lot more like him.

In his next fight, this coming September 27th, Mosley takes what some have called a "mark time" fight when he goes in with Nicaraguan wild man Ricardo Mayorga. And it's true the oft-beaten (at least lately) Mayorga is not a fighter who is in Mosley's league as far as skills go, and Shane, even at 37, should beat him with some ease. But the plan Mosley has for after he beats Mayorga is a big and highly commendable one - he very much wants a showdown with the mighty Mexican that is WBA welterweight king Antonio Margarito. Mosley hopes a win over Mayorga will earn him a go at "Tony" some time next year.

As quoted recently by MLive.com, Sugar Shane is eyeing a future match-up with Margarito.

"I go after the best fighter. It doesn't matter who it is," Mosley stated. "When Mayweather was on top before he retired, I wanted Mayweather. Margarito is the best welterweight out there right now, so I want Margarito. I love the challenge. I've always been that way, wanted to be the best. So if he's the best fighter I'm going after him."

Would Mosley have a good chance at beating Margarito? Shane would almost certainly be the underdog if the fight came off, even if he entered the bout having despatched the always dangerous "El Matador" in spectacular fashion in September. But because of his still formidable boxing skills, fine chin and overall boxing savvy, a Mosley victory could not be written off.

Remember, Cotto was winning the first half of the fight with Margarito before fading and being caught up with in the later rounds. Could Mosley box and move, stick to his game-plan, make Margarito miss and pick up a close points win? It's possible.

Sure, Margarito got to Cotto in the end and stopped him - Cotto being the last man to beat Mosley - but styles make fights and Sugar Shane just might be able to go one better than did the Puerto Rican. The odds are against a Mosley win, yes, and there would also be a fair chance of the "Tijuana Tornado" becoming the only man to ever stop Mosley. But the greatness that would be bestowed upon him if he caused the upset is what's driving Mosley to take the fight.

As he says, he's always been that way, he's always wanted the best. Fingers crossed Ricardo Mayorga doesn't get lucky on September 27th. Then hopefully Mosley will get the opportunity to achieve what he's always wanted.
 
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heyzel

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Nate Campbell vs. Joan Guzman is Still in Doubt

Nate Campbell vs. Joan Guzman is Still in Doubt
Posted by: Rick Reeno on 09-13-2008.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click Here For Tons of More Breaking Boxing News, Articles and Insider Information


By Rick Reeno & Keith Terceira

BoxingScene.com has learned that tonight's lightweight championship contest at the Beau Rivage Theatre in Biloxi, Mississipi, between IBF/WBO/WBA lightweight champion Nate Campbell (32-5-1, 25 KOs) and Joan Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs), is still in doubt.

Guzman was 3.5-pounds (138.5) over the lightweight limit during yesterday's weigh-in. He was given two additional hours to make the weight, never came back to for a second attempt. One source told BoxingScene that Guzman was very dehydrated and went to the hospital last night to get fluids back into his body.

The word on the street in Mississipi is that Guzman's camp is contemplating his withdrawal from the fight because of his physical state. BoxingScene has heard that Guzman's camp was told by the Mississipi State Athletic Commission that if their fighter pulls out, he could be looking at an indefinite suspension, because there is a general feeling that Guzman and his team had to have known days before the weigh-in that a potential problem existed with making the lightweight limit.

If a fight happens to go forward, Guzman may be asked to step on the scales to check his current weight. If Guzman is considerably bigger than Campbell, that could be a whole other issue in itself. A final decision will probably come down in the next 2-3 hours
 
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Paulie Malignaggi-Ricky Hatton: IBF Says "No Title"

By Rick Reeno

BoxingScene.com has learned that the IBF is attempting to prevent Paulie Malignaggi from defend his junior welterweight title against Ricky Hatton on November 22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

According to a source close to the situation, the IBF's position is that Herman Ngoudjo, the mandatory, should be the next fighter in line to receive a shot at the title. I hear that situation is trying to be worked out. Malignaggi-Hatton will move forward with or without the IBF title at stake. Hatton's lesser-known IBO title might be the only trinket up for grabs when they step in the ring.

Malignaggi already won a close decision over Ngoudjo in January. It was far from a pretty fight and nobody, including Malignaggi, wants to see the fight again. There is zero chance that HBO or Showtime would even think about picking up a Maliganggi-Ngoudjo fight. Ngoudjo beat Souleymane M'baye in June to become the mandatory
 
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Daniel Santos Eyes The Mosley vs. Mayorga Winner

By Mark Vester

Several months have passed since Daniel Santos (32-3, 23KOs) pulled off the upset by knocking out heavy favorite and undefeated Joachim Alcine in six-rounds to become a three-time champion. Now with the WBA title around his waist, Santos has no idea on his next move and claims that his promoter, Don King, has not been in contact with him in some time.

Santos would like to return in the near future and hopes to fight to the winner of Shane Mosley vs. Ricardo Mayorga, taking place at 154-pounds on September 27. If Mosley wins, he will probably target Antonio Margarito. Since Mayorga is also with King, a fight with Santos would be a lot easier to make. Santos thought he would be pushed after winning a title, but he feels that he's still in the same position.

"I don't want to tell you a lie. I have no idea what I plan to do," Santos told El Nuevo Dia. "I feel a little uncomfortable, I don't know what is going with my career right now. I am expecting for them to tell me something. I thought now things were going to be different, but it seems that I'm going through the same things
 
Rumpelstiltskin

Rumpelstiltskin

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I know I commented on it before, but that is extremely unprofessional on Guzman's behalf. Its your JOB to make weight, its one of the things you have to do. You either have no discipline, or your nutritionist and strength/conditioning coaches are morons. Maybe a combination of both.

I feel bad for the people who laid money on Guzman at -240, before all of this mess. Guzman is now at -190.

Hatton a no show at the conference. Strange. He's getting old. I think he should retire. He's doesnt have it in him anymore. He peaked 5 years ago.

I really hope Margarito vs Mosley doesn't happen. What a step back...

Going to watch Marquez work his magic. JMM saves the night.
 
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heyzel

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Campbell-Guzman Debacle; Both Sides Discuss The Mess

By Lyle Fitzsimmons

BILOXI, Miss. - Nate Campbell went through the whole routine. He sequestered himself from the wife and kids, put in eight weeks of hard training and prepared for 12 rounds of in-ring dissension with unbeaten challenger Joan Guzman at the Beau Rivage Casino & Resort.

But when fight night arrived Saturday, there was only one problem:

Guzman wasn’t quite up to it.

One day after failing to make the 135-pound lightweight and therefore transforming the match with Campbell into a non-title affair, the Dominican apparently changed his mind and pulled out about three hours before the opening bell.

“I found out just before I walked into the building,” said a dejected Campbell told BoxingScene.com, who had intended to make the initial defense of the WBA/WBO/IBF championships that he won from Juan Diaz in March. “He waited until the last minute. I came downstairs about 6-something (Central time) and they told me.

“I don’t want to make it sound bad, but aren’t we sick of these guys that are so worried about themselves and are so self-absorbed that they don’t do the job that’s there for them to do? All he had to do was make weight.”

The fight was initially changed from championship event to non-title attraction on Friday, when Guzman tipped the scales at 138 ½ pounds. He was given two hours to drop the extra weight and fight for the title, but never reported back to the scales for another attempt.

Campbell weighed in a fraction of a pound over the limit on his initial try as well, but came back within the two-hour window at exactly 135 pounds.

The cancellation was announced to the crowd at the Beau Rivage to a chorus of boos, about an hour before the scheduled fight time. The card’s other championship bout, a WBC 140-pound match between champion Timothy Bradley and No. 6 challenger Edner Cherry, was elevated to main event status.

Bradley defended his title with a lopsided unanimous decision, earning verdicts of 117-110, 118-109 and 119-109 on the three scorecards.

Campbell appeared in the ring briefly after the announcement and promised fans he'd meet them in the lobby and 'sign anything you want me to sign, and talk about anything you want to talk about, as long as it's not too kinky, because my wife's not into that stuff.'

Promoter Don King said, 'I think Guzman should have fought. He trained and he should have been ready to fight.'

The two sides agreed late Friday to go ahead with a non-title scenario in which Campbell could not lose the belts and Guzman could not win them, and Campbell said he’d gone ahead with that assumption Saturday until hearing the news from Tampa-based promoter Terry Trekas.

“There was a lot of stuff swirling (that Guzman was having weight problems), but you don’t listen to all that. You take it with a grain of salt,” Campbell said. “You listen to some and you put up with some, but it doesn’t really impact anything. You’re here to fight, not to talk.”

Campbell said he was assured he’d receive his full fight purse, because “I did the job I came here to do and the job I promised to do.” Guzman, on the other hand, will likely face both financial and suspension penalties for failing to hold up his end of things.
“Normally in a position like this it’s the guy on Nate’s side who’d pull out, because he was the one taking the risk fighting the heavier guy,” said James “D.J.”

Montanocordoba, Campbell’s training and conditioning coach. “In this case, no matter how much money was at stake, Nate wanted the show to go on.

“Guzman didn’t give a reason, but I think it’s his heart. He didn’t want this fight and he showed it.”

Scott Woodworth, president of Guzman’s promotional company -- Sycuan Ringside Promotions -- said the decision not to fight was actually made by Mississippi commission doctors who said Guzman was too dehydrated after attempting to make the weight.

Woodworth said Guzman was “upstairs in tears” after the doctor told him his fate.

He also said Guzman would honor whatever penalty is imposed.

“What they’re talking about right now is that Mississippi is going to suspend him for a year, which of course would be effective nationwide,” Woodworth said. “I hope that’s not the case, because at the end of the day you can’t suspend him if the doctor isn’t going to support him when he wants to fight.”

Woodworth said he’d consider making a financial deal with Campbell if he agreed to arrange a future fight with Guzman.

“He was getting $250,000 for this fight, and I just told Nate Campbell if we could do it again -- and I don’t blame Nate if he says ‘No, I’m not ever doing it again’ -- that whatever the penalty is we’d give it to Nate on the next fight. Fifty thousand dollars. Whatever they think is fair. Nate didn’t do anything wrong.”
 
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