Boxing News Thread

[heyzel]

Gamboa vs. Rojas Clash For The WBA Title on ShoBox

am very proud and honoured to fight for my first world title”, says Gamboa. “This is what I turned professional for: to fight big fights and collect championship belts. I thank everybody for this opportunity. I will not underestimate Rojas – but I will beat him.”

The fight will certainly be Gamboa’s toughest challenge so far. Rojas has gone the distance with WBA super champion Chris John in March 2007 and also got a technical draw with John in his record when their fight in December 2004 had to be stopped after a head clash.

Gamboa and his team are already in training camp in Nevada for their final preparations.

“Everything is going according to plans” states trainer Ismael Salas. “We have great sparring partners. Yuri is very focused and very determined. He knows what he has to do and he will do it on April 17th.”

In the co-feature rising Turkish welterweight star Selcuk Aydin will give his US debut against “Prince” Said Ouali (25-2, 17 kos) in a WBC semi-final elimination bout. WBC #6 and reigning and defending WBC international champion Aydin holds an impressive record of 17 wins without defeat including 14 stoppages. In his last appearance on March 6th in Cuxhaven, Germany, ARENA’s “Mini-Tyson” destroyed Luis Hernandez from Ecuador in one round.

“People in the US asked me for Selcuk after they had seen his fights on the internet”, says promoter Ahmet Öner. “I am very happy that I can present him on a major TV station in his first US appearance. He is very aggressive, very powerful and has good hand speed as well. But Ouali is a strong opponent. This promises to be a very exciting fight. The winner truly deserves a shot at the WBC title

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Barrera Turns His Back on Margarito, Calls For Global Ban


By Mark Vester

Include Marco Antonio Barrera with the group of Mexican fighters who are speaking out against Antonio Margarito. Barrera had supported Margarito since the fighter's hand wraps were confiscated before the Shane Mosley bout on January 24. After the last week's report surfaced from the Department of Justice, which confirmed that plaster of Paris elements were present in Margarito's wraps, it was too much for even Barrera to defend. For weeks, Barrera has stood by Margarito and felt that his countryman deserved the chance to make money in Mexico - since the California State Athletic Commission revoked his license on February 10.

Barrera is now saying that Margarito's punishment should be on a global scale and not limited to California and/or the United States.

"After this happened, I said that Antonio, as the fighter, was the least responsible but he should not be excluded because at some point he had to have known about this. This is painful to say but the punishment for my compatriot should be on a global scale and not just in California. Margarito should be made aware of the damage they did to Mexican boxing and this would be the worst punishment," Barrera said on El Nuevo Dia.

"For his part in this, Javier Capetillo [trainer of Margarito] should never be involved with boxing again. It's being said that in Mexico there will be support for Margarito so he can continue fighting. I think the boxing commissions [in Mexico] should abide by the punishment handed in California. They are not as strict in Mexico [as the California regulations] and a a serious accident can happen this conduct is repeated."

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Nate Campbell vs Ricardo Torres on May 16th


Campbell takes on dangerous Ricardo Torres
by Dan Rafeal

Former WBA, WBO, and IBF Lightweight Champion Nate Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KOs) makes his 140 pound debut against former WBO champ Ricardo Torres(32-2, 28 KOs) on May 16th, Terry Trekas told ESPN.com.

Trekas, manager of Nate Campbell, couldn't be more thrilled about the fight.

"The fight between Campbell and Torres will be great between two of the sport's devastating punchers," said Trekas. "The fight allows us to stay active and allow us to claim Juan Manuel Marquez is afraid of us, just like every other fight."

Nate Campbell, 37, predicts a devastating knockout of Torres.

"I can't wait to go in there and knockout Ricardo Torres," claimed Campbell. "Afterwords, I can keep continuing to look like a hypocritical cunt by claiming full credit for stopping Torres, even though he was stopped in round 1 by Kendall Holt and discredit Juan Manuel Marquez for beating a ruined Juan Diaz."

The fight has no set location, but Terry Trekas informed ESPN.com that the fight will either take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida or the Bank Atlantic Center, which is also in Florida. Showtime will televise the bout at 10 PM Eastern/7 PM Pacific.

Dan Rafeal is a fatass yank who writes for ESPN.com

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Johnny Tapia Sentenced to VH1 Celeb-Reality
Tapia gets jail time, too

Updated: Wednesday, 01 Apr 2009, 10:44 PM MDT
Published : Wednesday, 01 Apr 2009, 10:44 PM MDT

* Web Producer: Bill Diven

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Instead of boxing fans it will be cameras tracking every move of five-time world champ Johnny Tapia as a probation violation sends him to cable TV show starring celebrities with drug or alcohol problems.

But first Tapia will serve nine days in jail for violating his probation on a prior drug conviction.

On Wednesday Tapia admitted in court that he had possessed a controlled substance, and District Judge Kenneth Martinez imposed the sentence that includes the stint on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew on the cable TV channel VH1.

The show, which follows celebrities like Brigitte Nielsen and Daniel Baldwin as they go through rehab for drug or alcohol abuse, invited Tapia to participate. His rehab is part of the show's next season.

"Yeah, I've seen it," Tapia said after the hearing. "I've seen it on TV."

But is he going to be OK with video cameras around 24 hours a day? a TV reporter asked.

"I'm with you guys every time man," Tapia replied.

When Tapia finishes Celebrity Rehab he'll still be facing another six months of treatment in the state facility at Fort Stanton.

http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/crime/...pia_sentenced_to_celebrity_rehab_200904012239

 

[rylor206]

Dr Drew's head is gonna explode when he hears Tapia's story. That should be interesting

 

[2-0-Sixx]

they should invite aaron pryor, julio cesar chavez, mike tyson...shit damn near every retired fighter!

In other sad boxing news I read Tommy Hearns owes the IRS over half a million in taxes, his $40 million he apparently earned over the period of his career is pretty much all gone. I guess he was really banking on the success of his son, Ronald, who just got KTFO the other day. He's talking about having another "comeback" fight, he's 51.

 

[heyzel]

David Haye: "I Will Shove Klitschko's Jab Up His Ass"

By Mark Vester

IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko vowed to shut David Haye's mouth with his fist. Well, now Haye is promising to destroy one of Klitschko's most feared weapons - his accurate jab. Haye challenges Klitschko on June 20 at a venue yet to be finalized in Europe.

"I have been telling anyone that would listen, from when I could talk, I would be heavyweight champion of the world. I am now less than three months away. If I was to fight anymore heavyweights I would look even more devastating and Wladimir would have dodged me forever. He doesn't realise how good I am. I am going to rip that Klitschko jab up and shove it up his ass," Haye told The Daily Record .

Haye feels the fight likely end up in Germany. He plans to go for the knockout in every round, trying to blow Klitschko out because he doesn't believe he can win a decision in Germany.

"I will have to go out and destroy him because you will never win on points in Germany. That would put boxing in Britain back on the map. We are down a champion with Calzaghe gone and I want to make up for that big time," Haye said.

 

[heyzel]

Haye - "I'll Smash Klitschko Like Sanders Spanked Him"

Mark Vester

Now that David Haye has secured his shot at WBO/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on June 20 - he is on the verbal warpath. The way the terms of the contract are set up, Haye could be fighting someone with the last name of Klitschko until 2010. As stated last night, if Haye defeats Klitschko, he would be forced to have an immediate rematch with Wladimir or fight older brother Vitali Klitschko, the current WBC heavyweight champion. If Haye wins the second Klitschko encounter, the third fight would be a rematch with Wladimir [if Haye fights Vitali second] and/or a rematch with Vitali.

Haye plans to execute a performance so devastating that Wladimir will never want to fight him again.

"I’ve got to give Wladimir a rematch but that might change if I do such an amazing job on him that he doesn’t want to fight me again. Once I’ve smashed him up it could be like when Corrie Sanders spanked him and he didn’t want to know. At some stage in a fighter’s career it comes down to heart and who wants to win the fight more - there is no way Wladimir wants it as much as I do. If he did he would’ve been fighting a lot better opposition - he’s a safety-first type of fighter and a man," Haye told the South London Press

 

[heyzel]

Penalosa Working Hard at Wild Card For Juanma Battle

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa gets nowhere near the attention that Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao receives at the Wild Card Gym of celebrated three-time “Trainer of the Year” Freddie Roach but those who work with him say he is in amazing shape for his April 25 battle with WBO super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez.

With some three weeks to go before he climbs into the ring in Puerto Rico to take on hometown hero and undefeated KO artist “Juanma” Lopez continues to spar with a variety of fighters in preparation for undoubtedly the biggest challenge of his career.

Conditioning expert Alex Ariza who was instructed by Roach to work with Penalosa besides Pacquiao told us that the 36 year old southpaw was “one of the strongest runners I can honestly say I’ve ever seen. That guy is something special.

Ariza said he took Penalosa to the Santa Monica stairs yesterday morning which had 200 flights of stairs which is where British lightweight Amir Khan trained for his fight against Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera. He said Penalosa did the routine nine times until Ariza asked him to stop although he could have done more.

Ariza said Penalosa “looked great” even in sparring Thursday when he went four rounds with a taller lightweight with Penalosa working on his defense and occasionally exploding with combinations.

Penalosa’s manager Billy Keane said he was pleased with Penalosa’s condition and believes “Juanma” may be in for a big surprise on fight night.

The venue will be the 13,000 capacity Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon which is one of the biggest indoor sporting arenas in Puerto Rico .

The Penalosa-Lopez title fight will be telecast in the Philippines by Solar Sports as one of three blockbuster weekends beginning with the "Fast and Furious" headlined by IBF/IBO champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire's title defense against undefeated Raul "Cobra" Martinez on April 19, followed by the Penalosa-Lopez title fight on April 26 Manila TNime and the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton showdown on Sunday, May over Solar Sports and GMA 7.

 

[heyzel]

Paulie Malignaggi Set To Return On Froch-Taylor Show?

by James Slater - "The Magic Man," Paulie Malignaggi has been uncharacteristically quiet as of late. Not having heard a thing from the flashy New-Yorker since his 11th round retirement loss to Ricky Hatton back in November of last year, fans have been wondering what the slick 28-year-old's plans for the future are. Well, according to BoxRec.com, Malignaggi will make his return to the ring in a scheduled eight-rounder at light-welterweight on the under-card of the April 25th super-middleweight title clash between Carl Froch and Jermain Taylor. Set to face an opponent yet to be named, Paulie will be having his first fight in over five months.

Not a long layoff by any means, Malignaggi will likely be reasonably sharp and ready to fight. The loss to Hatton was only the Brooklyn man's second pro defeat, and against certain top-notch 140-pounders Malignaggi figures to remain competitive today. Though he was stopped against Hatton - trainer Buddy McGirt's decision to pull his man out at just 48 seconds of the 11th round seeing to it that he suffered his first ever stoppage loss - it could be argued that Malignaggi took more punishment in his other loss, the one to Miguel Cotto.

Paulie, 25-2(5) sucked it up against Cotto and though he was banged up and bloodied he made it to the final bell. He was hurt early in the Hatton fight, but didn't take the constant punishment in that fight that he did against the Puerto Rican back in June of 2006. And Malignaggi was able to bounce back from that loss well enough to grab a version of the world title at light-welterweight. Can he do the same again, post-Hatton?

Sure, it can take a lot out of a fighter, mentally especially, when he suffers being stopped for the first time - and this may be the case with Malignaggi. However, sometimes a loss can make a fighter more determined to come back stronger. We may get a glimpse of which column to file Malignaggi's comeback under in April. If he comes out and looks dazzlingly quick and looks full of desire, we will maybe be looking at a fully motivated return to the ring. On the other hand, if we see a former champion merely going through the motions and struggling as a result, we may get the impression that "The Magic Man" has ran out of tricks AND desire.

A lot will be revealed by the fighter Malignaggi chooses as his comeback foe. Yes, it's only an eight-rounder, but if Paulie opts to face someone other than a complete patsy and instead goes in with a tough guy, we will get some idea of how serious he is. In the final analysis, two losses - both of them coming against two men who were/are considered to be up with the very best in his division at the time - do not signal the end of a career.

There may be plenty of life in the former IBF light-welterweight champion yet. Indeed, some may be quite surprised to see him back in the ring so soon after the Hatton loss. We will find out if Malignaggi's comeback is one to follow on April 25th

 

[heyzel]

David Haye - "I Am Doing This For Dempsey, Marciano, Louis, Ali, Frazier And All The

James Slater -

As you will have certainly read by now, not just on this website but on practically any other boxing site on the net, the hugely anticipated heavyweight title showdown between champ Wladimir Klitschko and former cruiserweight boss David Haye is on. What took so long! Finally, we fans can sit back and look forward to a heavyweight title fight that has a very real potential to be thrilling, violent, and in no way boring. Short and sweet is how many fans of the biggest weight class in boxing like their action to be, and short and sweet the collision between "Dr. Steel Hammer" and "The Hayemaker" may well be.

As we all know, Haye - who we now also know was never, ever remotely bluffing - has been calling out for this fight for some time. Now that he's got it, the question is, will he regret getting what he's been asking for?

Haye is all too aware he will be the smaller man in the ring on June 20th (probably in Germany, venue yet to be 100-percent confirmed), yet he says this will work to his advantage . The confident 28-year-old has spoken often about the condition of today's heavyweight division. Calling the top men today either fat and out of shape or too big and therefore lumbering, Haye says he and he alone will "save" the division by bringing back real excitement to it. How will he do this? Haye says he will wipe out all the overweight and/or plodding guys with his sizzling speed - speed he says he is capable of at approx 220-pounds.

In an interesting quote Haye came out with in the official Hayemaker Promotions announcement for the fight, David said he was campaigning to dominate at the top of his (still new) weight class in honour of past heavyweight greats who were far from huge men. "I am doing this for Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and all the other great, smaller heavyweights," Haye said.

A firm believer, it seems, that being too big is detrimental to a fighter's ability to fight fast and hard for 12 rounds, Haye wants to take the division back a few of decades or more and put a 6'3" 220-pounder on the throne - namely himself. This is a very admirable plan that Haye has, but will it succeed?

Sure, Wladimir Klitschko is somewhat cautious in the ring, as Haye has also pointed out many times, but he is definitely in great physical condition and he is not a fighter anyone could call slow. It's interesting that Haye brought up the likes of Dempsey, Frazier, Marciano, etc when listing the greats he wants to emulate (presumably, when he included Ali in his list of great, smaller heavies he was referring to the Ali of the 1960s), because many fans on this website have already debated on what would have happened had a prime Dempsey or a peaking Ali met one of the Klitschko brothers.

Some fans have said either Klitschko would simply have been too big, too powerful and too strong for the smaller legends. It's safe to say, then, that these same fans will have no qualms in picking Wladimir to crush Haye. For Haye has the same dimensions as some of the greats he listed, but he has yet to prove he has their, well, greatness.

Speed kills, some boxing experts will tell you. David Haye, whatever else his critics may say about him, is definitely fast and in possession of speed. Former greats that were also giving up weight when going for the title made their seeming disadvantages work for them - Joe Frazier, for example, who bobbed and weaved his way inside many a bigger, taller fighter. Now can Haye? Of course, what should not be forgotten is the fact that each and every immortal of the sport Haye mentioned had a chin that was at worst reliable, and at best concrete-like.

Will the June fight - that actually sees two men with suspect chins squaring off - come down to the ability, or inability to take a shot? Klitschko-Haye, short and sweet as I've mentioned, may well come down to who hits who first!

 

[2-0-Sixx]

From ESPN:

Arum also told ESPN.com that he has fights lined up for two of his other titleholders. Junior lightweight Humberto Soto (47-7-2, 30 KOs), who destroyed Antonio Davis for a fourth-round knockout in his first defense last Saturday night, has officially replaced injured featherweight titleholder Steven Luevano on the May 2 Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao HBO PPV card. Soto's opponent is not signed, but Canada's Benoit Gaudet (20-1, 7 KOs) is the leading candidate. Fernando Montiel (39-2-1, 29 KOs), who claimed a vacant bantamweight belt with a third-round knockout of Diego Silva on last week's card, makes his first defense against mandatory challenger Eric Morel (41-2, 21 KOs) on June 27 in a televised match on the Kelly Pavlik-Sergio Mora pay-per-view undercard in Atlantic City, N.J. "I was really thrilled with the performances of Soto and Montiel last week," Arum said. "Both of these guys are tremendous fighters and exciting."



• Coming off a lopsided loss to Hatton in November, former junior welterweight titlist Paulie Malignaggi (25-2, 5 KOs) is on the comeback trail. Malignaggi, who complained bitterly when his corner stopped the Hatton fight in the 11th round, faces Chris Fernandez (16-6-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round untelevised match April 25 on the Carl Froch-Jermain Taylor undercard. "Paulie has been busting my [chops] every day to get him a fight," promoter Lou DiBella told ESPN.com. "I love the kid. Paulie is a proud person and he wants to get back in the ring. He wants to get distance from the poorest performance of his career against Hatton." If Malignaggi wins, he'll probably meet undefeated prospect Mike Alvarado on June 27 on the Pavlik-Mora PPV card. "We've had conversations with Top Rank about the fight," DiBella said. "It's an attractive fight. This [April 25] fight is a way for Paulie to get back in the groove and see how he feels. He wants to fight Alvarado, and hopefully that fight will be made. We're talking numbers, but first he has this fight."

 

[T-Rip]

Randall Bailey just got a great knockout on friday night fights. Hes kind of older but maybe on the rise again

 

[naner12]

Randall Bailey just got a great knockout on friday night fights. Hes kind of older but maybe on the rise again

If Urango doesn't get stripped and Bailey has to fight him instead of fighting for a vacant title I don't think he'll get his title back. That shit was a nasty knockout though .. beautiful right hand.

 

[heyzel]

David Haye: He Actually Can Save Boxing

By Michael Herron: The phrase “The Fight To Save Boxing” is overused and often overstated. The most recent fight to save boxing for instance, Mayweather vs. De La Hoya, nearly killed it! Not financially but morally for true boxing fans were severely disappointed. Recent reports have indicated however that former cruiserweight champion David Haye and current heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko have agreed to a heavyweight title fight in June. While it may not be billed as the “fight to save boxing” it just may be the fight to instill new life in a sport whose glamour division has faded.

What exactly does it mean to save boxing? Does it mean big Pay-Per-View numbers; or a fight of the year candidate? Does it mean the two biggest names in the sport are going to battle? Is it a fight that will bring boxing back into the mainstream, live on network television? Or perhaps it’s a fight that’s so momentous that it will have a trickle-down effect in the sport and will leave its mark for years to come? Perhaps all of these options are required to save boxing but a major step, whether the boxing world realizes it or not, will be taken when Haye meets Klitschko in a contest that will hopefully bring excitement back to the heavyweight division.


Since the retirement of Lennox Lewis in 2003, the heavyweight division has been in shambles. The Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, have consistently competed for the vacated throne but six years later neither have solidified their position as the true heavyweight champion. Title-holders they may be, but not “the unified champion…the real champion” as Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, and Mike Tyson were before them. Though Vitali has recently returned from semi-retirement, Wladimir, since falling to Lamon Brewster, has consistently defeated every opponent placed in front of him blazing his way to the top of the division. Though his accomplishments are with merit, the reality is that as he continues to rise, the sport of boxing continues to fall. Wladimir Klitschko, whether due to his personality, fighting style, or a string of unmemorable performances, is simply not connecting with boxing fans around the world. Boxing historically lives and dies based on excitement generated by the heavyweight division, the little guys can only carry the sport for so long before fans begin to look elsewhere for their fight fetish.

So how can this fight save boxing? Its simple, David Haye is a face, a talent, and a personality that youth can identify with. Consequently, the sport suffers because it has lost its youth audience. Young athletes who in years past would have chosen boxing as a profession are now choosing football, basketball, and even Mixed Martial Arts! Former heavyweight champions, icons like Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, George Foreman, and even Mike Tyson, brought in new fans and inspired the next generation to want to take up the sport. David Haye, if victorious, can perhaps restore this legacy and become the new “face of boxing” a title and duty expected of the heavyweight champion of the world. Thus, to save boxing, Haye will need to succeed where the Klitschko’s have failed: connect with fans, engage the youth, thrill the media, provide exciting fights, and most importantly of all, gain recognition as the true heavyweight champion of the world. Yeah I know, easier said than done, but based on Haye’s downbeat opinion of the current heavyweight division, his willingness to move up in weight, and his belief in himself, it is clear that saving boxing is exactly what he has in mind.

So can he do it? It remains to be seen but he is starting at the right place, the scourge of the boxing world, the heavyweight division. Hopefully the “youth” will be watching

 

[naner12]

Hurtado looked absolutely hideous tonight. He should attempt to get a decent fight for a decent payday now before he loses to a random scrub for no money.

 

[rylor206]

Randall Bailey just got a great knockout on friday night fights. Hes kind of older but maybe on the rise again

Damn i just saw that shit. It is fun as hell to watch pure power like that i dont think he will beat Urango though but still should be a great fight

 

[Lamberto Quintero]

Is Valero's fight on PPV today, HBO, or just regular ass tv? LOL

 

[ChuckTaylor84]

PPV^

 

[heyzel]

David Haye Says The Contract The Klitschkos Wanted Him To Sign Was An Utter Joke

by James Slater - As fans know, getting the long awaited Wladimir Klitschko-David Haye fight signed, sealed and delivered has not been easy and it sure took some time. Was the fight going to happen, we asked ourselves, and what exactly was the problem with getting the bout signed. Well, according to challenger Haye, who will of course now meet Wladimir on June 20th, the reason the fight took so long to get made was because of the simply ridiculous terms the Klitschko people tried to get him to agree to three months back..

Speaking live over the phone to Setanta Sports last night, Haye revealed how bad the current contract - the one he HAS signed - is. Haye believes the heavy price he has had to pay to ensure the fight was made goes to prove how fearful both brothers are of him, and that they have only taken the fight(s) with him because he was willing to sacrifice so much.

Haye spoke about how hugely in Klitschko's favour the contract is.

"I've got to fight three Klitschkos in my next three fights," Haye said. "I think they've got an uncle that does a bit of boxing! Seriously, you should have seen what they tried to make me agree to before! This was a massive compromise on my part. It was a joke what they wanted. It was ridiculous. I honestly thought it was a hidden-camera TV show."

Under legal reasons, Haye was unable to reveal everything about the original contract, but he did speak more on the matter.

"It just goes to show me the mentality of the Klitschko boys, how much "wusses" they are," Haye said. "They're not warriors, they don't believe they're the best out there - otherwise they wouldn't make me sign a stupid contract and make me fight them three times. If they thought they'd beat me - ok, make me give Wladimir a rematch, but now, when I beat Wladimir twice I will have to fight Vitali.

"But, ok, cool, if that's what they want. If I hadn't agreed to that the fight would not be happening!"

So, under the signed contract, Haye's immediate future will be taken up by fights against the Klitschko brothers and no-one else - and, it goes without saying that all three bouts have an excellent chance of being staged in Germany. Do these demands show fear or trepidation on the part of Wladimir, Vitali and their manager? Or merely a good business brain? Haye clearly believes it's the latter.

However, Haye said he does not think Wladimir will want anymore after June 20th.

"Once I knock out Wladimir, there's no way in a million years he'll want to come anywhere near me again," Haye continued. "So then I'll have to fight Vitali. Knocking Vitali out will take a lot, but once I do knock him out he's finished. So I don't think I'll be having three fights, unless they wheel in one of their uncles.

"Most people wouldn't accept the terms I've accepted, but I have - simply for boxing. I'm looking at leaving a legacy behind. I've never heard of it in the history of boxing, someone having to sign for all this. But if that's the only way these chumps feel comfortable getting in the ring with me - when they know they'll get a rematch and then the brother gets his chance - that's what I've got to do.

"I'm willing to do this because I know I can beat both of them."

It seems - going by what the challenger has had to say, anyway - that David Haye is the fighter we have to thank for saving the June 20th fight.