Boxing News Thread
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2 close fights with Manny, 1 draw and 1 loss. They weren't robberies, you can just argue with the fact that he lost. He beats Casamayor and that automatically propels him into a shot with Manny for a 3rd time?
And then what? He loses again and people still wont believe it. Or he wins and we go for a 4th time? It just doesnt make any sense.
Sure, Id like either one of them to fight Juan Diaz so Diaz can get KO'd and stick with his college studies.
Realistiaclly I've always honored the fight your "mandatory" challenger concept. I'd like to sit back and watch either one of them defend, hell, and least a couple times. All these super fights and mega fights and dream match ups are going to run out.
And then what? He loses again and people still wont believe it. Or he wins and we go for a 4th time? It just doesnt make any sense.
Sure, Id like either one of them to fight Juan Diaz so Diaz can get KO'd and stick with his college studies.
Realistiaclly I've always honored the fight your "mandatory" challenger concept. I'd like to sit back and watch either one of them defend, hell, and least a couple times. All these super fights and mega fights and dream match ups are going to run out.
The 13th was my sisters bday and I had to stay away from websites to avoid it getting spoiled. Just finished watching the entire PPV and Marquez put on a good performance. I thought Casamayor would be able to put on a dirty, foul filled and sloppy decision. Hit me up with whatever av you want me to throw up.
So just for the record Joan Guzman did want to fight despite being unhealthy:
Guzman's Manager Nunez:
“I told Joan, I will not follow you into the ring. It’s not the right thing. It’s the wrong thing to do and I can’t go along with you on this. Your career is still brilliant. Your career will continue. But I must agree with the doctors that you cannot risk your life for one fight. If the doctors say you cannot go, I have to agree with them. We will move on from here.”
But the Mississippi State Athletic Commission, under Chairman Jon S. Lewis, produced two doctors who refused to permit the non-tilte bout to continue. And then, quite dramatically, Guzman manager Jose Nunez fell on his own sword.
Guzman's Manager Nunez:
“I told Joan, I will not follow you into the ring. It’s not the right thing. It’s the wrong thing to do and I can’t go along with you on this. Your career is still brilliant. Your career will continue. But I must agree with the doctors that you cannot risk your life for one fight. If the doctors say you cannot go, I have to agree with them. We will move on from here.”
Good or bad move?? I'm leaning towards BAD.......I think his career was moving along rather nicely with Shaw....
Yuriorkis Gamboa Reportedly Signed By Promoter Don King
By Rick Reeno
BoxingScene.com has been advised by more than one source that hot featherweight Yuriorkis Gamboa (11-0, 9 KOs), who won a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics, signed a promotional deal with Don King. Gamboa was being co-promoted in America by Arena Box, based in Germany, and Gary Shaw.
When contacted for comment, Gary Shaw told BoxingScene that he heard the same information. He was baffled as to why Arena Box and Gamboa would make such a move.
"I heard the same thing, that Ahmet Öner [Arena Box head] made a deal with Don King for Gamboa. I did everything right by the kid. I put him on HBO. I'm putting him on HBO again in October," Shaw said.
Both BoxingScene, and Shaw, also heard that King contacted HBO to inform them that he signed Gamboa. Don King was unavailable for comment.
According to Shaw, Gamboa will still appear on his HBO date of October 4, facing Marcos Ramirez (25-0, 16 KOs) as part of a televised triple-header.
The signing of Gamboa would be King's second high profile signing in less than a month. He picked up free agent, and former three-division champion, Marco Antonio Barrera a few weeks ago.
Yuriorkis Gamboa Reportedly Signed By Promoter Don King
By Rick Reeno
BoxingScene.com has been advised by more than one source that hot featherweight Yuriorkis Gamboa (11-0, 9 KOs), who won a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics, signed a promotional deal with Don King. Gamboa was being co-promoted in America by Arena Box, based in Germany, and Gary Shaw.
When contacted for comment, Gary Shaw told BoxingScene that he heard the same information. He was baffled as to why Arena Box and Gamboa would make such a move.
"I heard the same thing, that Ahmet Öner [Arena Box head] made a deal with Don King for Gamboa. I did everything right by the kid. I put him on HBO. I'm putting him on HBO again in October," Shaw said.
Both BoxingScene, and Shaw, also heard that King contacted HBO to inform them that he signed Gamboa. Don King was unavailable for comment.
According to Shaw, Gamboa will still appear on his HBO date of October 4, facing Marcos Ramirez (25-0, 16 KOs) as part of a televised triple-header.
The signing of Gamboa would be King's second high profile signing in less than a month. He picked up free agent, and former three-division champion, Marco Antonio Barrera a few weeks ago.
Pound for Pound Top-Ten; Marquez Forces Realignment
By Cliff Rold
Following Antonio Margarito’s devastating knockout win over Miguel Cotto in July, the pound-for-pound ratings were shaken up. Now a Mexican countryman of Margarito’s, new World Lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, has forced yet another fresh look. Heading into the fourth and final quarter of 2008, Marquez’s knockout win over Cuba’s Joel Casamayor provided one of the defining highlights in a career which expands its definitions regularly in twilight.
Marquez had been rated variably in the eighth and ninth spots since September of 2007. It wasn’t a wildly popular choice with some readers who see gaps between spots on lists like this one where only eyelashes worth of distance exist. Those readers might well be pleased here…and with some big names and big fights yet to hear their opening bell, further shake-ups can be expected in the near future.
Let’s consult the Boxing Scene Pound for Pound ratings in the wake of Marquez-Casamayor
Let’s consult the Boxing Scene Pound for Pound ratings in the wake of Marquez-Casamayor.
1) Manny Pacquiao (46-3-2, 35 KO’S)
Age: 29
Current Titles: Alphabelt at Lightweight/135 lbs.
Career Titles: Lineal World Flyweight/112 lb. champion (1998-99); World Featherweight/126 lb. champion (2003-2005); World Jr. Lightweight/130 lb. champion (2008); additional alphabelts at 112, 122, &130 lbs.
Last Five Opponents: David Diaz, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Jorge Solis, Erik Morales (thrice)
Next Opponent: December 6, 2008 vs. Oscar De La Hoya (39-5, 30 KO)
The Take: Pacquiao has been a minority favorite for the top spot for the better part of the last two years. With Diaz destroyed in June, this spot is further solidified and there really shouldn’t be much debate. While the man one step behind him has had one hell of a career, Pacquiao is what a pound-for-pound king ought to be. He has defied the scale in a way that only Hall of Famers like Henry Armstrong, Roberto Duran, Fidel LaBarba, Fighting Harada and Jimmy McLarnin compare to and Pacquiao’s success grows closer to Armstrong and Duran by the fight. He is the only man in history to win the lineal Flyweight, Featherweight, and Jr. Lightweight crowns, and very soon could challenge to be the first man the first four-division lineal World champion in history. Before he gets there in possible fights with Marquez or Jr. Welterweight king Ricky Hatton, he gets an Oscar and the question is already being asked: if he loses as just about everyone suspects he will, can he still hold this spot? It’s an interesting debate. The early impulse is to say wait and see. If Oscar wins this hand-picked vanity fight by blowout, it would be hard to justify the heights but if the fight is close, if it is genuinely competitive, then the ridiculous size difference present has to be a consideration even in a Pacquiao defeat. Of course Manny could always win and make the point moot, but most likely scenarios are more important considerations. Former Flyweight champions don’t often beat elite level guys, even over the hill ones like Oscar, who started near the Lightweight limit and peaked at Welterweight. If he can do it then, older names then those listed, names like Langford, will start coming up in the hyperbole of it all.
2) Joe Calzaghe (45-0, 32 KO)
Age: 36
Current Title: World Super Middlweight/168 lb. Champion (2006-Present); Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight titlist
Career Titles: Alphabelt titles at 168 lbs. since 1997
Last Five Opponents: Bernard Hopkins, Mikkel Kessler, Peter Manfredo, Sakio Bika, Jeff Lacy
Next Opponent: November 11, 2008 vs. Roy Jones Jr. (52-4, 38 KO)
The Take: He always said he wanted to come to the U.S. for a big name foe. In April, he got just that in defeating former World Middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins at Light Heavyweight. It wasn’t a thrilling fight, but it was an important one in furthering the bona fides of Calzaghe that have been too questioned outside of his native Wales. In the bout, he did something no one else has ever done. He adjusted to Hopkins late and won it down the stretch, something that Hopkins has staked as his territory over the years. Add to the Hopkins win two more against undefeated and younger foes (Lacy and Kessler) many favored to defeat him and Calzaghe’s plaque in Canastota is finally, fully guaranteed. He isn’t long for the game at 36, and he regularly talks retirement, but one has to wonder if he’ll be able to resist a big-money fight in 2009 with Kelly Pavlik should he blow by the faded Roy Jones as expected. Pavlik is the sort of challenge that could silence, forever, any lingering doubts about Calzaghe’s greatness even if there really shouldn’t be any.
3) Juan Manuel Marquez (49-4-1, 36 KO)
Age: 35
Current Title: World Lightweight Champion (2008-Present)
Career Titles: Alphabet titles at 126, 130 lbs.
Last Five Opponents: Joel Casamayor, Manny Pacquiao, Rocky Juarez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Jimrex Jaca
Next Opponent: TBA
The Take: Is it possible the Casamayor win could get a little overrated? Perhaps, but it certainly thinned the eyelash. Casamayor entered the ring aged 37 years after all and should have lost his title almost one year ago against Jose Armando Santa Cruz. That said, Casamayor looked good in March, stopping Michael Katsidis, and looked even better against the better Marquez. Marquez, no spring chicken himself, won anyways in a balanced battle of body and mind, becoming the first man to stop Casamayor after bigger, presumably harder hitting men like Jose Luis Castillo, Acelino Freitas, and the late Diego Corrales could not. Marquez, in his first fight at Lightweight and only his fifth above Featherweight since moving up permanently in 2007, dismantled Casamayor with precision punching and guts. Those were big left hands cutting into him all night, from a bigger man, and Marquez would not relent. It’s impressive when one remembers he weighed only 124 ½ for Jimrex Jaca less than two years ago. In victory, he picks up his first lineal World title after just missing out on the distinction at 126 and 130 lbs., cursed on both occasions by the excellent Pacquiao. A third fight with Manny would be next in a world of best-cases but Marquez lives in a world where his promoter and a promotional stable mate, Ricky Hatton, are getting and then are more likely to get the opportunity he desires. In the meantime, he probably can look forward to a showdown with young former titlist Juan Diaz and questions of when he might consider settling the issue of Lightweight supremacy with multi-belted titlist Nate Campbell. “blah blah blah Don King…” isn’t a good enough response in regards to Campbell. Two questions remain: why lower than Calzaghe? Answer: Hopkins was, is and always has been better than Casamayor and Calzaghe’s decade of dominance prior to Hopkins is hard to ignore. The other question: considering the mutually shared training from Nacho Beristain, is Marquez what Ricardo Lopez would have looked like had he been blessed with a tad more size? Fans can debate that one amongst themselves, but it would be hard to imagine Lopez could have looked much better.
4) Israel Vasquez (43-4, 31 KO)
Age: 30
Current Title: World Jr. Featherweight/122 lb. Champion (2007-Present)
Career Titles: World Jr. Featherweight (2005-2007); additional alphabelts at 122 lbs.
Last Five Opponents: Rafael Marquez (thrice), Jhonny Gonzalez, Ivan Hernandez, Oscar Larios, Armando Guerrero
Next Opponent: TBA
The Take: Vasquez was for years one of those incredible crowd-pleasers that few thought of as one of the very best in the game until one day he just was. Now, having left fans in awe after an all-time great thrillogy with Marquez, Vasquez goes from working class toughie to shoe-in Hall of Famer. Suddenly, the trilogy against Larios, the up from the deck win over Gonzalez in 2006…it all just means more. There can never be a discussion of the great Jr. Featherweights without him. Vasquez is proof that hard work and balls are just as important as natural athleticism in the ring. What’s next for him is unknown but as long as it nets him a solid check he’s earned it. It might be selfish, but hoping for a showdown one day with the emergent Juan Manuel Lopez is forgivable. No matter what, Vasquez can know forever that a fighter once rarely thought of will never be forgotten.
5) Cristian Mijares (36-3-2, 15 KO)
Age: 26
Current Title: Alphabelts at Jr. Bantamweight/115 lbs. since 2006
Last Five Opponents: Chatchai Sasakul, Alexander Munoz, Jose Navarro, Franck Gorjux, Teppei Kikui
Next Opponent: November 1, 2008 vs. Vic Darchinyan (30-1-1, 24 KO)
The Take: The WBC titlist Mijares was his typical bit of technical excellence in wresting the WBA belt at 115 lbs. from Alexander Munoz in May, the first unification bout in the division in over a decade. Mijares hasn’t lost since 2002 and has been on a tear of late with wins over former World champions Katsushige Kawashima (at 115) and Jorge Arce (at 108). Add to that a near shutout over former U.S. Olympian Jose Navarro and what’s left is a ring surgeon at the peak of his game willing to test it. His combination of deft footwork, subtle defense and sharp counterpunching is as good as any fighter alive. He stands out as the best choice for best in class at a weight that stands out as one of the best in Boxing right now. The only man with a serious argument against that claim is WBO titlist Fernando Montiel, and a showdown between the two is one of the best in the sport. It waits. Now that Mijares has finished the expected easy business of former World Flyweight champion Sasakul, whom he defeated in three one-sided rounds in August, he heads towards further unification with the IBF titlist Darchinyan. The awkwardness and power of Darchinyan will provide different tests then the power of Kawashima, Arce and Munoz did, but given his penchant for defusing bombers he’ll enter as a favorite. Win and he’ll have a very strong case for Fighter of the Year in 2008 and be in one of the strongest positions of anyone on this list to make a play for the very top in 2009.
6) Antonio Margarito (37-5, 27 KO)
Age: 30
Current Title: Alphabelt at Welterweight/147 lbs.
Career Titles: Two additional alphabelts at Welterweight
Last Five Opponents: Miguel Cotto, Kermit Cintron, Golden Johnson, Paul Williams, Joshua Clottey
Next Opponent: TBA
The Take: The best Welterweight in the world right now is the man who rules the undisputed best weight class in Boxing. That appears to be Margarito right now. The remaining non-believers in this rugged warrior have caught the fever after Maragarito went Monsterito on previous BoxingScene #4 Miguel Cotto. After years of being the steady force just beneath the top of the ladder, Margarito now stands (almost) entirely alone atop the Welterweight ladder. It wasn’t just that he beat Cotto; from the sixth round forward, he laid waste to the game but outmatched Puerto Rican star. The only thing preventing Margarito from wearing the crown alone is one Paul Williams. Margarito’s only loss in the division this decade came in narrow fashion to Williams last August. The rematch can’t come soon enough. Margarito gets the nod for this list over Williams because, even with the loss, his total body of work is deeper and more impressive. After the Cotto win, Margarito is 8-1 with six knockouts against Ring Magazine top ten contenders at 147 lbs. since 2002. Williams is 2-1, having split two fights with Carlos Quintana.
7) Ivan Calderon (32-0, 6 KO)
Age: 33
Current Title: World Jr. Flyweight/108 lb. Champion (2007-Present)
Career Titles: Additional alphabelts at 105 & 108 lbs.
Last Five Opponents: Hugo Cazares (twice), Nelson Dieppa, Juan Esquer, Ronald Barrera, Jose Luis Varela
Next Opponent: TBA
The Take: You’ll read from many a knowledgeable scribe that this diminutive Puerto Rican champion ‘might be the best pure boxer in the sport.’ Calderon can do it all in the ring short of knock opponents dead, making his inability to lose thus far all the more remarkable. His game is all skill with just enough thrill (usually) to make his fights worth watching; this is no Sven Ottke. After years as the uncrowned king at 105 lbs., Calderon outboxed and outgutted a much larger (at the opening bell) Cazares in August 2007 to cement his foothold among the game’s elite by capturing the World title at 108 lbs. The similarly small Ricardo Lopez was marvelously underrated for years of his prime; no need to make that mistake twice with Calderon facing the near end of his. His easy win over fellow Puerto Rican Dieppa was okay but Calderon’s biggest tests could come from excellent WBC titlist Ulises Solis. The test some thought he might get in the August rematch with Cazares never unfolded. Calderon built a strong lead through the first half before a headbutt split his forehead open and sent the bout to the cards. It was bad enough to keep him out of the ring again until 2009 and it’s easy to ask how much longer his legs can keep him winning as the calendar stalks them.
8) Rafael Marquez (37-5, 33 KO)
Age: 33
Current Title: World Jr. Featherweight (2007)
Career Titles: Alphabelt at Bantamweight/118 lbs.
Last Five Opponents: Israel Vasquez (thrice), Silence Mabuza, Ricardo Vargas, Mauricio Pastrana, Heriberto Ruiz
Next Opponent: TBA
The Take: Marquez had the better resume prior to his rivalry with Vasquez and, even in losing 2 of 3, all he’s done is add to the shine. After three early career stoppage losses that might have doomed him to be just “Juan Manuel’s brother,” Marquez found his way into the ring in 2001 and 02 with American Flyweight great Mark Johnson. Johnson was his first great rival and Marquez ended Johnson’s prime while emerging victorious in both those bouts. In 2003, he ended the run of another solid American, then-undefeated bantamweight Tim Austin, annexing the IBF belt at 118 lbs. in the process. Seven title defenses later, he stood out as one of the best Bantamweights to come around since the 1980s heyday of Jeff Chandler. His world title victory in the first Vasquez fight and the two subsequent losses put the icing on the cake. His has been a great career and it’s not over yet, but age is catching his body rapidly and the end may be nearer than anyone would hope for. One might ask by the end of this list why his two straight losses seemingly count less than losses for other fighters like a Miguel Cotto. The evidence is in the fights. Marquez had a case for victory in the rubber match with Vasquez and was nip-tuck throughout the epic trilogy; if Vasquez is here, Marquez belongs nearby though if both find youthful titlists like the aforementioned Lopez or a Steve Molitor to much for their worn bodies to withstand next year, it would be no surprise.
9) Kelly Pavlik (34-0, 30 KO)
Age: 26
Current Title: World Middleweight/160 lbs. (2007-Present)
Last Five Opponents: Gary Lockett, Jermain Taylor (twice), Edison Miranda, Jose Luis Zertuche, Leonard Pierre
Next Opponent: October 18, 2008 vs. Bernard Hopkins (48-5-1, 32 KO)
The Take: Having taken his customary ‘breather’ first title defense in Lockett, Team Pavlik talked about a trip up the scale to challenge Calzaghe but that isn’t happening in 2008. Instead we get a showdown no one really asked for against the former Middleweight champ Hopkins at a catch weight of 170. Sadly, it was the best option available. Undefeated IBF Middleweight Arthur Abraham, coming off his devastating rematch win over Edison Miranda on June 21, is tied up in a mandatory. Let’s hope timing doesn’t ruin a classic. Pavlik-Abraham is one of the two or three best in-ring matches that can be made in the entire sport. In the bigger picture, take a look at Pavlik’s last five foes and that’s his whole story. From prospect to contender to champion, and strapped to the meteor of his rise are the hopes of the American market for its next true superstar. The knockout of Taylor is their first fight came in arguably the best Middleweight title fight since Jorge Castro-John David Jackson in the mid-1990s.
10) Paul Williams (34-1, 25 KO)
Age: 27
Current Title: Alphabelt at Welterweight
Career Titles: Additional alphabelt reign at Welterweight
Last Five Opponents: Carlos Quintana (twice), Antonio Margarito, Santos Pakau, Sharmba Mitchell, Walter Matthysse
Next Opponent: TBA
The Take: By far the least accomplished man on the list, there is no denying the summer months have been good to Williams, good enough to edge out Cotto for this ten spot. While the glow of Cotto-Margarito is still washing over the game, and while Margarito has certainly earned the right to call himself one of the World’s best, what does it all say about Williams? He followed his gutsy win over the Mexican steamroller with a shocking loss to Puerto Rico’s Carlos Quintana in February but then credited himself by correcting and immediately avenging that off night in a single round in on June 6. This is clearly no one-trick pony. Margarito’s dismantling of Cotto casts a light on Williams because the lanky “Punisher” did something no one else at Welterweight has done against Margarito in recent memory. He built the customary lead only to have Margarito come roaring back to begin the process of doling out pain…but unlike so many others, including Cotto, he survived the suffering. He even outfought Margarito in the final round to seal victory after being stunned in the 9th and 11th. Margarito’s resume is better but until he exacts revenge we won’t know if, head to head, he can be better than Williams until they meet again.
Exiting the Ratings: None
Five More Who Could Easily Be Here: Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Mikkel Kessler, Fernando Montiel, Bernard Hopkins
Five More Who Could Be Here Shortly: Jorge Linares, Koki Kameda, Chris John, Chad Dawson, Arthur Abraham
As always, feel free to agree…and disagree. This list is for entertainment purposes only and based purely on imagination, hypotheticals and conjecture just like every other pound for pound list ever written. Neither it nor any other such list made up of such illusory ingredients should be used to forward corporate agendas of any kind.
That doesn’t make it any less fun to argue
By Cliff Rold
Following Antonio Margarito’s devastating knockout win over Miguel Cotto in July, the pound-for-pound ratings were shaken up. Now a Mexican countryman of Margarito’s, new World Lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, has forced yet another fresh look. Heading into the fourth and final quarter of 2008, Marquez’s knockout win over Cuba’s Joel Casamayor provided one of the defining highlights in a career which expands its definitions regularly in twilight.
Marquez had been rated variably in the eighth and ninth spots since September of 2007. It wasn’t a wildly popular choice with some readers who see gaps between spots on lists like this one where only eyelashes worth of distance exist. Those readers might well be pleased here…and with some big names and big fights yet to hear their opening bell, further shake-ups can be expected in the near future.
Let’s consult the Boxing Scene Pound for Pound ratings in the wake of Marquez-Casamayor
Let’s consult the Boxing Scene Pound for Pound ratings in the wake of Marquez-Casamayor.
1) Manny Pacquiao (46-3-2, 35 KO’S)
Age: 29
Current Titles: Alphabelt at Lightweight/135 lbs.
Career Titles: Lineal World Flyweight/112 lb. champion (1998-99); World Featherweight/126 lb. champion (2003-2005); World Jr. Lightweight/130 lb. champion (2008); additional alphabelts at 112, 122, &130 lbs.
Last Five Opponents: David Diaz, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Jorge Solis, Erik Morales (thrice)
Next Opponent: December 6, 2008 vs. Oscar De La Hoya (39-5, 30 KO)
The Take: Pacquiao has been a minority favorite for the top spot for the better part of the last two years. With Diaz destroyed in June, this spot is further solidified and there really shouldn’t be much debate. While the man one step behind him has had one hell of a career, Pacquiao is what a pound-for-pound king ought to be. He has defied the scale in a way that only Hall of Famers like Henry Armstrong, Roberto Duran, Fidel LaBarba, Fighting Harada and Jimmy McLarnin compare to and Pacquiao’s success grows closer to Armstrong and Duran by the fight. He is the only man in history to win the lineal Flyweight, Featherweight, and Jr. Lightweight crowns, and very soon could challenge to be the first man the first four-division lineal World champion in history. Before he gets there in possible fights with Marquez or Jr. Welterweight king Ricky Hatton, he gets an Oscar and the question is already being asked: if he loses as just about everyone suspects he will, can he still hold this spot? It’s an interesting debate. The early impulse is to say wait and see. If Oscar wins this hand-picked vanity fight by blowout, it would be hard to justify the heights but if the fight is close, if it is genuinely competitive, then the ridiculous size difference present has to be a consideration even in a Pacquiao defeat. Of course Manny could always win and make the point moot, but most likely scenarios are more important considerations. Former Flyweight champions don’t often beat elite level guys, even over the hill ones like Oscar, who started near the Lightweight limit and peaked at Welterweight. If he can do it then, older names then those listed, names like Langford, will start coming up in the hyperbole of it all.
2) Joe Calzaghe (45-0, 32 KO)
Age: 36
Current Title: World Super Middlweight/168 lb. Champion (2006-Present); Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight titlist
Career Titles: Alphabelt titles at 168 lbs. since 1997
Last Five Opponents: Bernard Hopkins, Mikkel Kessler, Peter Manfredo, Sakio Bika, Jeff Lacy
Next Opponent: November 11, 2008 vs. Roy Jones Jr. (52-4, 38 KO)
The Take: He always said he wanted to come to the U.S. for a big name foe. In April, he got just that in defeating former World Middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins at Light Heavyweight. It wasn’t a thrilling fight, but it was an important one in furthering the bona fides of Calzaghe that have been too questioned outside of his native Wales. In the bout, he did something no one else has ever done. He adjusted to Hopkins late and won it down the stretch, something that Hopkins has staked as his territory over the years. Add to the Hopkins win two more against undefeated and younger foes (Lacy and Kessler) many favored to defeat him and Calzaghe’s plaque in Canastota is finally, fully guaranteed. He isn’t long for the game at 36, and he regularly talks retirement, but one has to wonder if he’ll be able to resist a big-money fight in 2009 with Kelly Pavlik should he blow by the faded Roy Jones as expected. Pavlik is the sort of challenge that could silence, forever, any lingering doubts about Calzaghe’s greatness even if there really shouldn’t be any.
3) Juan Manuel Marquez (49-4-1, 36 KO)
Age: 35
Current Title: World Lightweight Champion (2008-Present)
Career Titles: Alphabet titles at 126, 130 lbs.
Last Five Opponents: Joel Casamayor, Manny Pacquiao, Rocky Juarez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Jimrex Jaca
Next Opponent: TBA
The Take: Is it possible the Casamayor win could get a little overrated? Perhaps, but it certainly thinned the eyelash. Casamayor entered the ring aged 37 years after all and should have lost his title almost one year ago against Jose Armando Santa Cruz. That said, Casamayor looked good in March, stopping Michael Katsidis, and looked even better against the better Marquez. Marquez, no spring chicken himself, won anyways in a balanced battle of body and mind, becoming the first man to stop Casamayor after bigger, presumably harder hitting men like Jose Luis Castillo, Acelino Freitas, and the late Diego Corrales could not. Marquez, in his first fight at Lightweight and only his fifth above Featherweight since moving up permanently in 2007, dismantled Casamayor with precision punching and guts. Those were big left hands cutting into him all night, from a bigger man, and Marquez would not relent. It’s impressive when one remembers he weighed only 124 ½ for Jimrex Jaca less than two years ago. In victory, he picks up his first lineal World title after just missing out on the distinction at 126 and 130 lbs., cursed on both occasions by the excellent Pacquiao. A third fight with Manny would be next in a world of best-cases but Marquez lives in a world where his promoter and a promotional stable mate, Ricky Hatton, are getting and then are more likely to get the opportunity he desires. In the meantime, he probably can look forward to a showdown with young former titlist Juan Diaz and questions of when he might consider settling the issue of Lightweight supremacy with multi-belted titlist Nate Campbell. “blah blah blah Don King…” isn’t a good enough response in regards to Campbell. Two questions remain: why lower than Calzaghe? Answer: Hopkins was, is and always has been better than Casamayor and Calzaghe’s decade of dominance prior to Hopkins is hard to ignore. The other question: considering the mutually shared training from Nacho Beristain, is Marquez what Ricardo Lopez would have looked like had he been blessed with a tad more size? Fans can debate that one amongst themselves, but it would be hard to imagine Lopez could have looked much better.
4) Israel Vasquez (43-4, 31 KO)
Age: 30
Current Title: World Jr. Featherweight/122 lb. Champion (2007-Present)
Career Titles: World Jr. Featherweight (2005-2007); additional alphabelts at 122 lbs.
Last Five Opponents: Rafael Marquez (thrice), Jhonny Gonzalez, Ivan Hernandez, Oscar Larios, Armando Guerrero
Next Opponent: TBA
The Take: Vasquez was for years one of those incredible crowd-pleasers that few thought of as one of the very best in the game until one day he just was. Now, having left fans in awe after an all-time great thrillogy with Marquez, Vasquez goes from working class toughie to shoe-in Hall of Famer. Suddenly, the trilogy against Larios, the up from the deck win over Gonzalez in 2006…it all just means more. There can never be a discussion of the great Jr. Featherweights without him. Vasquez is proof that hard work and balls are just as important as natural athleticism in the ring. What’s next for him is unknown but as long as it nets him a solid check he’s earned it. It might be selfish, but hoping for a showdown one day with the emergent Juan Manuel Lopez is forgivable. No matter what, Vasquez can know forever that a fighter once rarely thought of will never be forgotten.
5) Cristian Mijares (36-3-2, 15 KO)
Age: 26
Current Title: Alphabelts at Jr. Bantamweight/115 lbs. since 2006
Last Five Opponents: Chatchai Sasakul, Alexander Munoz, Jose Navarro, Franck Gorjux, Teppei Kikui
Next Opponent: November 1, 2008 vs. Vic Darchinyan (30-1-1, 24 KO)
The Take: The WBC titlist Mijares was his typical bit of technical excellence in wresting the WBA belt at 115 lbs. from Alexander Munoz in May, the first unification bout in the division in over a decade. Mijares hasn’t lost since 2002 and has been on a tear of late with wins over former World champions Katsushige Kawashima (at 115) and Jorge Arce (at 108). Add to that a near shutout over former U.S. Olympian Jose Navarro and what’s left is a ring surgeon at the peak of his game willing to test it. His combination of deft footwork, subtle defense and sharp counterpunching is as good as any fighter alive. He stands out as the best choice for best in class at a weight that stands out as one of the best in Boxing right now. The only man with a serious argument against that claim is WBO titlist Fernando Montiel, and a showdown between the two is one of the best in the sport. It waits. Now that Mijares has finished the expected easy business of former World Flyweight champion Sasakul, whom he defeated in three one-sided rounds in August, he heads towards further unification with the IBF titlist Darchinyan. The awkwardness and power of Darchinyan will provide different tests then the power of Kawashima, Arce and Munoz did, but given his penchant for defusing bombers he’ll enter as a favorite. Win and he’ll have a very strong case for Fighter of the Year in 2008 and be in one of the strongest positions of anyone on this list to make a play for the very top in 2009.
6) Antonio Margarito (37-5, 27 KO)
Age: 30
Current Title: Alphabelt at Welterweight/147 lbs.
Career Titles: Two additional alphabelts at Welterweight
Last Five Opponents: Miguel Cotto, Kermit Cintron, Golden Johnson, Paul Williams, Joshua Clottey
Next Opponent: TBA
The Take: The best Welterweight in the world right now is the man who rules the undisputed best weight class in Boxing. That appears to be Margarito right now. The remaining non-believers in this rugged warrior have caught the fever after Maragarito went Monsterito on previous BoxingScene #4 Miguel Cotto. After years of being the steady force just beneath the top of the ladder, Margarito now stands (almost) entirely alone atop the Welterweight ladder. It wasn’t just that he beat Cotto; from the sixth round forward, he laid waste to the game but outmatched Puerto Rican star. The only thing preventing Margarito from wearing the crown alone is one Paul Williams. Margarito’s only loss in the division this decade came in narrow fashion to Williams last August. The rematch can’t come soon enough. Margarito gets the nod for this list over Williams because, even with the loss, his total body of work is deeper and more impressive. After the Cotto win, Margarito is 8-1 with six knockouts against Ring Magazine top ten contenders at 147 lbs. since 2002. Williams is 2-1, having split two fights with Carlos Quintana.
7) Ivan Calderon (32-0, 6 KO)
Age: 33
Current Title: World Jr. Flyweight/108 lb. Champion (2007-Present)
Career Titles: Additional alphabelts at 105 & 108 lbs.
Last Five Opponents: Hugo Cazares (twice), Nelson Dieppa, Juan Esquer, Ronald Barrera, Jose Luis Varela
Next Opponent: TBA
The Take: You’ll read from many a knowledgeable scribe that this diminutive Puerto Rican champion ‘might be the best pure boxer in the sport.’ Calderon can do it all in the ring short of knock opponents dead, making his inability to lose thus far all the more remarkable. His game is all skill with just enough thrill (usually) to make his fights worth watching; this is no Sven Ottke. After years as the uncrowned king at 105 lbs., Calderon outboxed and outgutted a much larger (at the opening bell) Cazares in August 2007 to cement his foothold among the game’s elite by capturing the World title at 108 lbs. The similarly small Ricardo Lopez was marvelously underrated for years of his prime; no need to make that mistake twice with Calderon facing the near end of his. His easy win over fellow Puerto Rican Dieppa was okay but Calderon’s biggest tests could come from excellent WBC titlist Ulises Solis. The test some thought he might get in the August rematch with Cazares never unfolded. Calderon built a strong lead through the first half before a headbutt split his forehead open and sent the bout to the cards. It was bad enough to keep him out of the ring again until 2009 and it’s easy to ask how much longer his legs can keep him winning as the calendar stalks them.
8) Rafael Marquez (37-5, 33 KO)
Age: 33
Current Title: World Jr. Featherweight (2007)
Career Titles: Alphabelt at Bantamweight/118 lbs.
Last Five Opponents: Israel Vasquez (thrice), Silence Mabuza, Ricardo Vargas, Mauricio Pastrana, Heriberto Ruiz
Next Opponent: TBA
The Take: Marquez had the better resume prior to his rivalry with Vasquez and, even in losing 2 of 3, all he’s done is add to the shine. After three early career stoppage losses that might have doomed him to be just “Juan Manuel’s brother,” Marquez found his way into the ring in 2001 and 02 with American Flyweight great Mark Johnson. Johnson was his first great rival and Marquez ended Johnson’s prime while emerging victorious in both those bouts. In 2003, he ended the run of another solid American, then-undefeated bantamweight Tim Austin, annexing the IBF belt at 118 lbs. in the process. Seven title defenses later, he stood out as one of the best Bantamweights to come around since the 1980s heyday of Jeff Chandler. His world title victory in the first Vasquez fight and the two subsequent losses put the icing on the cake. His has been a great career and it’s not over yet, but age is catching his body rapidly and the end may be nearer than anyone would hope for. One might ask by the end of this list why his two straight losses seemingly count less than losses for other fighters like a Miguel Cotto. The evidence is in the fights. Marquez had a case for victory in the rubber match with Vasquez and was nip-tuck throughout the epic trilogy; if Vasquez is here, Marquez belongs nearby though if both find youthful titlists like the aforementioned Lopez or a Steve Molitor to much for their worn bodies to withstand next year, it would be no surprise.
9) Kelly Pavlik (34-0, 30 KO)
Age: 26
Current Title: World Middleweight/160 lbs. (2007-Present)
Last Five Opponents: Gary Lockett, Jermain Taylor (twice), Edison Miranda, Jose Luis Zertuche, Leonard Pierre
Next Opponent: October 18, 2008 vs. Bernard Hopkins (48-5-1, 32 KO)
The Take: Having taken his customary ‘breather’ first title defense in Lockett, Team Pavlik talked about a trip up the scale to challenge Calzaghe but that isn’t happening in 2008. Instead we get a showdown no one really asked for against the former Middleweight champ Hopkins at a catch weight of 170. Sadly, it was the best option available. Undefeated IBF Middleweight Arthur Abraham, coming off his devastating rematch win over Edison Miranda on June 21, is tied up in a mandatory. Let’s hope timing doesn’t ruin a classic. Pavlik-Abraham is one of the two or three best in-ring matches that can be made in the entire sport. In the bigger picture, take a look at Pavlik’s last five foes and that’s his whole story. From prospect to contender to champion, and strapped to the meteor of his rise are the hopes of the American market for its next true superstar. The knockout of Taylor is their first fight came in arguably the best Middleweight title fight since Jorge Castro-John David Jackson in the mid-1990s.
10) Paul Williams (34-1, 25 KO)
Age: 27
Current Title: Alphabelt at Welterweight
Career Titles: Additional alphabelt reign at Welterweight
Last Five Opponents: Carlos Quintana (twice), Antonio Margarito, Santos Pakau, Sharmba Mitchell, Walter Matthysse
Next Opponent: TBA
The Take: By far the least accomplished man on the list, there is no denying the summer months have been good to Williams, good enough to edge out Cotto for this ten spot. While the glow of Cotto-Margarito is still washing over the game, and while Margarito has certainly earned the right to call himself one of the World’s best, what does it all say about Williams? He followed his gutsy win over the Mexican steamroller with a shocking loss to Puerto Rico’s Carlos Quintana in February but then credited himself by correcting and immediately avenging that off night in a single round in on June 6. This is clearly no one-trick pony. Margarito’s dismantling of Cotto casts a light on Williams because the lanky “Punisher” did something no one else at Welterweight has done against Margarito in recent memory. He built the customary lead only to have Margarito come roaring back to begin the process of doling out pain…but unlike so many others, including Cotto, he survived the suffering. He even outfought Margarito in the final round to seal victory after being stunned in the 9th and 11th. Margarito’s resume is better but until he exacts revenge we won’t know if, head to head, he can be better than Williams until they meet again.
Exiting the Ratings: None
Five More Who Could Easily Be Here: Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Mikkel Kessler, Fernando Montiel, Bernard Hopkins
Five More Who Could Be Here Shortly: Jorge Linares, Koki Kameda, Chris John, Chad Dawson, Arthur Abraham
As always, feel free to agree…and disagree. This list is for entertainment purposes only and based purely on imagination, hypotheticals and conjecture just like every other pound for pound list ever written. Neither it nor any other such list made up of such illusory ingredients should be used to forward corporate agendas of any kind.
That doesn’t make it any less fun to argue
Ricky Hatton's Dad Eyes Manny Pacquiao For May/June 09
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Britain’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton was a no-show at the press conference to promote his November 22 fight against Paul Maliggnagi for the IBF/IBO light welterweight title in Las Vegas last Saturday but he did find time to show up at the Juan Manuel Marquez – Joel Casamayor title fight and was seen seated next to “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya at ringside.
Hatton claimed he was knocked out after drinking lemonade at a hotel bar in Las Vegas following the long flight from London and was quoted as saying it was “the last time I drink lemonade, I can tell you that.”
Independent Television News in London quoted Hatton’s lawyer Gareth Williams as s saying “we don’t know what the problem is. We came in last night, had some food and then he got sick. When he’s eating burger, chips and beer, he’s fine.”
Williams insisted that Hatton who enjoys eating and drinking but maintains a strict doet during pre-fight training was not suffering from a hangover. In fact there were claims that Hatton may have had a slight case of food poisoning but those who know of Hatton’s lifestyle in-between fights were not sold on the lemonade story.
Hatton who is handled by his father/trainer Ray Hatton will be trained for the Malignaggi fight by Floyd Mayweather Sr, father of Floyd Mayweather Jr who scored a tenth round TKO over Hatton last December 8 at the MGM Grand which is also the venue for his fight against Malignaggi, Malignaggi’s promoter Lou DiBella said “no matter how sick he (Hatton) feels right now, he’s going to be a lot sicker” on fight night..
Malignaggi is known as a fine boxer but not a heavy puncher and this is shown by his ring record of only 5 knockouts in 25 wins with 1 loss against Miguel Cotto. Hatton, on the other hand has a record of 44-1, 31 KO’s)
Hatton’s father Ray told insidesports.ph, Manila Standard and Viva Sports prior to leaving for Las Vegas that they were looking forward to a clash with Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao sometime in May or June next year. He said they want the fight and promised it would be explosive.
Pacquiao himself told us he's like to fight Hatton next year but it all depended on the negotiations between the two camps.
Hatton revealed they would begin sparring after about one week in Vegas. He said Ricky Hatton “doesn’t do a lot of sparring because he’d rather do quality not quantity. Too much sparring means you leave your fight in the gym.”
He trainer said they wouldn’t’ have to bring sparring partners from Britain and would instead get sparring partners from the US. He said they have rented a house in Las Vegas and were “very comfortable with it.”
Hatton said the fight against Malignaggi would be a good one because Malignaggi is “a beautiful boxer and it should be an exciting fight.”
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Britain’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton was a no-show at the press conference to promote his November 22 fight against Paul Maliggnagi for the IBF/IBO light welterweight title in Las Vegas last Saturday but he did find time to show up at the Juan Manuel Marquez – Joel Casamayor title fight and was seen seated next to “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya at ringside.
Hatton claimed he was knocked out after drinking lemonade at a hotel bar in Las Vegas following the long flight from London and was quoted as saying it was “the last time I drink lemonade, I can tell you that.”
Independent Television News in London quoted Hatton’s lawyer Gareth Williams as s saying “we don’t know what the problem is. We came in last night, had some food and then he got sick. When he’s eating burger, chips and beer, he’s fine.”
Williams insisted that Hatton who enjoys eating and drinking but maintains a strict doet during pre-fight training was not suffering from a hangover. In fact there were claims that Hatton may have had a slight case of food poisoning but those who know of Hatton’s lifestyle in-between fights were not sold on the lemonade story.
Hatton who is handled by his father/trainer Ray Hatton will be trained for the Malignaggi fight by Floyd Mayweather Sr, father of Floyd Mayweather Jr who scored a tenth round TKO over Hatton last December 8 at the MGM Grand which is also the venue for his fight against Malignaggi, Malignaggi’s promoter Lou DiBella said “no matter how sick he (Hatton) feels right now, he’s going to be a lot sicker” on fight night..
Malignaggi is known as a fine boxer but not a heavy puncher and this is shown by his ring record of only 5 knockouts in 25 wins with 1 loss against Miguel Cotto. Hatton, on the other hand has a record of 44-1, 31 KO’s)
Hatton’s father Ray told insidesports.ph, Manila Standard and Viva Sports prior to leaving for Las Vegas that they were looking forward to a clash with Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao sometime in May or June next year. He said they want the fight and promised it would be explosive.
Pacquiao himself told us he's like to fight Hatton next year but it all depended on the negotiations between the two camps.
Hatton revealed they would begin sparring after about one week in Vegas. He said Ricky Hatton “doesn’t do a lot of sparring because he’d rather do quality not quantity. Too much sparring means you leave your fight in the gym.”
He trainer said they wouldn’t’ have to bring sparring partners from Britain and would instead get sparring partners from the US. He said they have rented a house in Las Vegas and were “very comfortable with it.”
Hatton said the fight against Malignaggi would be a good one because Malignaggi is “a beautiful boxer and it should be an exciting fight.”
Manny Pacquiao: "I'll Fight Juan Manuel Marquez any Time"
By Mark Vester
Contrary to the comments recently made by Richard Schaefer, CEO for Golden Boy Promotions, WBC lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao says he is more than willing to fight a trilogy bout with Juan Manuel Marquez. In the aftermath of Marquez's knockout of Joel Casamayor in Las Vegas, Schaefer said that Pacquiao, and his promoter Bob Arum, would in no way agree to a third fight with Marquez. He said Pacquiao was avoiding the fight, while Marquez is ready to take on any challenge.
“There’s no way Bob Arum and Pacquiao are going to fight him again,” Schaefer was quoted as saying by Kevin Iole. “I don’t think Pacquiao wants anything to do with Juan Manuel Marquez any more. Juan Manuel Marquez will fight anyone. He’s never turned down anyone," Schaefer said. "Have you ever heard him turn down any opponent?”
Pacquiao would respond proir to leaving to the United States to begin training for his December 6th bout with Oscar De La Hoya. Manny said he was up for a third meeting with Marquez, but the Mexican fighter has understand that he is going to take the smaller purse in the trilogy bout. After they fought to a draw in 2004, it took another four-years before the rematch took place because Marquez refused to accept the short money.
Pacquiao also said that his own promotional company would have to handle the event, probably along with Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, who have Marquez.
“I’m willing to fight him any time. But since I will be the promoter, he must first accept all the conditions I will ask including a smaller purse [for him]," Pacquiao said. “If he agrees to the conditions, I know he is fighting for honor and I will fight him. If not, he’s only after getting big purse."
By Mark Vester
Contrary to the comments recently made by Richard Schaefer, CEO for Golden Boy Promotions, WBC lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao says he is more than willing to fight a trilogy bout with Juan Manuel Marquez. In the aftermath of Marquez's knockout of Joel Casamayor in Las Vegas, Schaefer said that Pacquiao, and his promoter Bob Arum, would in no way agree to a third fight with Marquez. He said Pacquiao was avoiding the fight, while Marquez is ready to take on any challenge.
“There’s no way Bob Arum and Pacquiao are going to fight him again,” Schaefer was quoted as saying by Kevin Iole. “I don’t think Pacquiao wants anything to do with Juan Manuel Marquez any more. Juan Manuel Marquez will fight anyone. He’s never turned down anyone," Schaefer said. "Have you ever heard him turn down any opponent?”
Pacquiao would respond proir to leaving to the United States to begin training for his December 6th bout with Oscar De La Hoya. Manny said he was up for a third meeting with Marquez, but the Mexican fighter has understand that he is going to take the smaller purse in the trilogy bout. After they fought to a draw in 2004, it took another four-years before the rematch took place because Marquez refused to accept the short money.
Pacquiao also said that his own promotional company would have to handle the event, probably along with Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, who have Marquez.
“I’m willing to fight him any time. But since I will be the promoter, he must first accept all the conditions I will ask including a smaller purse [for him]," Pacquiao said. “If he agrees to the conditions, I know he is fighting for honor and I will fight him. If not, he’s only after getting big purse."
Statement from Nate Campbell
By Nate Campbell -
IBF / WBO / WBA Lightweight Champion: "I can't begin to tell you how disappointed I am in Joan Guzman. So much went into this fight. My preparation, my time away from my family. So much. And for him to pull this stunt shows a complete lack of respect for the sport, the fans, the network, and myself. I wanted my pound of flesh. I wanted his "0". I found out he had pulled out of the fight while on my way to the dressing room. I found out later that this nonsense had been going back and forth all day. He was gonna fight, he wasnt gonna fight, he was gonna fight, etc. Terry had kept me pretty insulated from most of it though, so I didnt know until on my way to the dressing room what was up. I really feel bad for the fans who came out, and for DKP, Showtime, and the Beau Rivage, who put so much effort into making this fight happen. Alot of money and effort went down the drain due to the unprofessional conduct of this idiot.
One other thing that makes me laugh too is that throughout this entire promotion, Guzman and his people made allegations against me regarding steroid use, yet it is Guzman who bulked up so much mass that he couldnt even make 135.. And to get sympathy, they are claiming that he was throwing up blood. This is not a symptom of dehydration to make weight. Throwing up blood is a symptom of using too much diuretics. He didn't even try to lose any weight after weighing 138.5 on his first try. He went back to his room and watched tv. And all this "rushed to the hospital" nonsense is just bullshit spin from his people. They only took him to the hospital after the weigh-in because getting an IV is a quicker way to re-hydrate than naturally taking in fluids. But thats besides the point. This wasnt a case of someone getting the flu, or an injury during fight week. Those things legitimately happen sometimes. They knew at least 3 or 4 days ago that the weight was gonna be a problem. But instead of letting people know, and making another deal or something for the fight to move forward, they pulled this crap at the last second. I've also heard a few stories saying that it was the doctor that pulled the plug on the fight. I don't believe that is true. Terry asked the commissioner what his ruling was, and if it was medical related, or what. The commissioner told him "I advised the fighter of the consequences of not participating in the fight, and the fighter elected not to participate". I even told them I didn't care what he weighed. He could have came in at 160 for all I care. I just wanted that ass and that "0". I'm very disappointed.
As for what's next, I really don't know. Obviously Terry will meet with our attorneys and DKP this week to see what our options are. I truly hope the commission suspends this clown for at least a year. This wasn't a sudden injury, or sickness or something. They knew damn well they had a weight issue. And if his own weight mis-management caused him to be weak, or sick or whatever, then that's on him. I dont feel sorry for him one bit. Maybe if his fat ass didnt blow up to 170+ in between fights, this wouldnt happen. At least I was assured by the WBO that since I made weight, and was ready and willing to fight even though he wasn't, that I have fulfilled my mandatory obligation, and can move on in another direction. We do have an IBF mandatory to do with the Funeka kid that knocked out Raheem, so maybe Don can work to get that done right away. We'll just have to see what Don has in mind.
Again, I really feel bad for the fans, Showtime, the Beau Rivage, DKP, my team and my family who were all looking forward to this fight. I did everything I could to make it happen. I can't put a gun to his head though and make him climb the stairs and fight me. Hopefully Don and Terry will work something out so I can be back in the ring before Christmas. I just want to fight. And thanks to all the great fans who came out, and met me in the casino. I enjoyed meeting each and every one of you.
By Nate Campbell -
IBF / WBO / WBA Lightweight Champion: "I can't begin to tell you how disappointed I am in Joan Guzman. So much went into this fight. My preparation, my time away from my family. So much. And for him to pull this stunt shows a complete lack of respect for the sport, the fans, the network, and myself. I wanted my pound of flesh. I wanted his "0". I found out he had pulled out of the fight while on my way to the dressing room. I found out later that this nonsense had been going back and forth all day. He was gonna fight, he wasnt gonna fight, he was gonna fight, etc. Terry had kept me pretty insulated from most of it though, so I didnt know until on my way to the dressing room what was up. I really feel bad for the fans who came out, and for DKP, Showtime, and the Beau Rivage, who put so much effort into making this fight happen. Alot of money and effort went down the drain due to the unprofessional conduct of this idiot.
One other thing that makes me laugh too is that throughout this entire promotion, Guzman and his people made allegations against me regarding steroid use, yet it is Guzman who bulked up so much mass that he couldnt even make 135.. And to get sympathy, they are claiming that he was throwing up blood. This is not a symptom of dehydration to make weight. Throwing up blood is a symptom of using too much diuretics. He didn't even try to lose any weight after weighing 138.5 on his first try. He went back to his room and watched tv. And all this "rushed to the hospital" nonsense is just bullshit spin from his people. They only took him to the hospital after the weigh-in because getting an IV is a quicker way to re-hydrate than naturally taking in fluids. But thats besides the point. This wasnt a case of someone getting the flu, or an injury during fight week. Those things legitimately happen sometimes. They knew at least 3 or 4 days ago that the weight was gonna be a problem. But instead of letting people know, and making another deal or something for the fight to move forward, they pulled this crap at the last second. I've also heard a few stories saying that it was the doctor that pulled the plug on the fight. I don't believe that is true. Terry asked the commissioner what his ruling was, and if it was medical related, or what. The commissioner told him "I advised the fighter of the consequences of not participating in the fight, and the fighter elected not to participate". I even told them I didn't care what he weighed. He could have came in at 160 for all I care. I just wanted that ass and that "0". I'm very disappointed.
As for what's next, I really don't know. Obviously Terry will meet with our attorneys and DKP this week to see what our options are. I truly hope the commission suspends this clown for at least a year. This wasn't a sudden injury, or sickness or something. They knew damn well they had a weight issue. And if his own weight mis-management caused him to be weak, or sick or whatever, then that's on him. I dont feel sorry for him one bit. Maybe if his fat ass didnt blow up to 170+ in between fights, this wouldnt happen. At least I was assured by the WBO that since I made weight, and was ready and willing to fight even though he wasn't, that I have fulfilled my mandatory obligation, and can move on in another direction. We do have an IBF mandatory to do with the Funeka kid that knocked out Raheem, so maybe Don can work to get that done right away. We'll just have to see what Don has in mind.
Again, I really feel bad for the fans, Showtime, the Beau Rivage, DKP, my team and my family who were all looking forward to this fight. I did everything I could to make it happen. I can't put a gun to his head though and make him climb the stairs and fight me. Hopefully Don and Terry will work something out so I can be back in the ring before Christmas. I just want to fight. And thanks to all the great fans who came out, and met me in the casino. I enjoyed meeting each and every one of you.
VERNON FORREST: "HAD I LOST THIS FIGHT, I WAS DONE!"
By Simon Ruvalcaba | September 15, 2008
"Had I lost this fight, I was done...if I can't beat a guy like this, I don't need to be fighting. That's just the way I feel...I wanted this fight so bad and I'm happy. I am so happy that the fight turned the way it turned out," stated newly crowned WBC jr. middleweight champion Vernon Forrest as he talked about his dominant win over Sergio Mora. Check out what else he had to say about his performance, his future plans and much more.
http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content3426.html?PHPSESSID=697f6e00942c0995f5ddb330c8481ca4
By Simon Ruvalcaba | September 15, 2008
"Had I lost this fight, I was done...if I can't beat a guy like this, I don't need to be fighting. That's just the way I feel...I wanted this fight so bad and I'm happy. I am so happy that the fight turned the way it turned out," stated newly crowned WBC jr. middleweight champion Vernon Forrest as he talked about his dominant win over Sergio Mora. Check out what else he had to say about his performance, his future plans and much more.
http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content3426.html?PHPSESSID=697f6e00942c0995f5ddb330c8481ca4
why he gotta be bitch?
Listen, he was moving up in weight. He added strength training and weight lifting to his workout for the first time. His game plan was to have more power then campbell. As a result, he added too much muscle (he wasn't FAT or overweight he was TOO ripped). His mistake was he underestimated how difficult it would be to shed the weight prior to the fight because of the muscle gain. It's difficult to lose that. He had to be hospitalized afterwords for dehydration, said he would fight and the two doctors didn't medically clear him, his promoter/manager pulled him out.
It sucks. But it happens in boxing. People still LOVE Deigo Corrales right? He had to pull out of a fight because he was overweight. Same goes with Castillo (several times!). Difference with them though is they were fighting at the weight class they already fought at before, Guzman was going up and adding more weight to his body, which he mistakenly fucked up. I'm sure he feels very bad about it since a). he wont get the payday he badly needs, b). blew his chance at stardom and c). will face penalties/fines/suspension.
I'm going to cut him a break because he doesn't have a history of this and under the circumstances, it's not that bad if you look at the facts.
Listen, he was moving up in weight. He added strength training and weight lifting to his workout for the first time. His game plan was to have more power then campbell. As a result, he added too much muscle (he wasn't FAT or overweight he was TOO ripped). His mistake was he underestimated how difficult it would be to shed the weight prior to the fight because of the muscle gain. It's difficult to lose that. He had to be hospitalized afterwords for dehydration, said he would fight and the two doctors didn't medically clear him, his promoter/manager pulled him out.
It sucks. But it happens in boxing. People still LOVE Deigo Corrales right? He had to pull out of a fight because he was overweight. Same goes with Castillo (several times!). Difference with them though is they were fighting at the weight class they already fought at before, Guzman was going up and adding more weight to his body, which he mistakenly fucked up. I'm sure he feels very bad about it since a). he wont get the payday he badly needs, b). blew his chance at stardom and c). will face penalties/fines/suspension.
I'm going to cut him a break because he doesn't have a history of this and under the circumstances, it's not that bad if you look at the facts.