Boxing News Thread
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Felix Trinidad Getting Close To Final Retirement
By Mark Vester
Former three division champion Felix "Tito" Trinidad is on the verge of a final retirement. Trinidad has retired twice in the past. This time he plans to retire for good. He returned last January and lost a twelve round decision to Roy Jones Jr. There was minor talk last of fights with Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor but neither of those came through.
Trinidad would like to get a rematch with Bernard Hopkins or some kind of worthy fight. He says 2009 is his final year as a boxer and we are already in the month of July. Unless he receives a call from promoter Don King in the very near future, he doesn't see himself fighting again.
"I can say that 2009 will be my last year as a boxer. The only fight that interests me is a rematch against Bernard Hopkins, but for some reason he doesn't want to and I don't see a lot of opportunities out there," Trinidad was quoted as saying by Primera Hora.
"(King) has not called me and it is getting very late. We're already in July and if we want to have a fight before the end of 2009, he have to make a deal."
Trinidad also ruled out a rematch with Winky Wright, who dominated the Puerto Rican fighter in May 2005. Trinidad says Winky is close friend and he won't fight him again.
"We have a good friendship. Winky has come to my house to visit my mom and we share things. It's something that people know and if we do another fight, they will say that it's not true friendship that unites us," Trinidad said
By Mark Vester
Former three division champion Felix "Tito" Trinidad is on the verge of a final retirement. Trinidad has retired twice in the past. This time he plans to retire for good. He returned last January and lost a twelve round decision to Roy Jones Jr. There was minor talk last of fights with Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor but neither of those came through.
Trinidad would like to get a rematch with Bernard Hopkins or some kind of worthy fight. He says 2009 is his final year as a boxer and we are already in the month of July. Unless he receives a call from promoter Don King in the very near future, he doesn't see himself fighting again.
"I can say that 2009 will be my last year as a boxer. The only fight that interests me is a rematch against Bernard Hopkins, but for some reason he doesn't want to and I don't see a lot of opportunities out there," Trinidad was quoted as saying by Primera Hora.
"(King) has not called me and it is getting very late. We're already in July and if we want to have a fight before the end of 2009, he have to make a deal."
Trinidad also ruled out a rematch with Winky Wright, who dominated the Puerto Rican fighter in May 2005. Trinidad says Winky is close friend and he won't fight him again.
"We have a good friendship. Winky has come to my house to visit my mom and we share things. It's something that people know and if we do another fight, they will say that it's not true friendship that unites us," Trinidad said
Jorges Linares Wants Humberto Soto Unification Bout
By Mark Vester
WBA super featherweight champion Jorge Linares (27-0, 18KOs) is ready for a major fight in his weight class of 130-pounds. He plans to fight again in October in Japan, and then he would like to unify with WBC champion Humberto Soto (48-7-2, 31KO) of Mexico.
Both fighters recently made defenses of their titles and are looking for big fights. Soto has been mentioned several times as a possible opponent for Manny Pacquiao. That may not happen with Pacquiao's current status and big name opponents lining up to fight him.
"I will probably return to the ring in October, in Japan which is like my second home. Then I would like to unify with Humberto Soto," Linares told ESTO
By Mark Vester
WBA super featherweight champion Jorge Linares (27-0, 18KOs) is ready for a major fight in his weight class of 130-pounds. He plans to fight again in October in Japan, and then he would like to unify with WBC champion Humberto Soto (48-7-2, 31KO) of Mexico.
Both fighters recently made defenses of their titles and are looking for big fights. Soto has been mentioned several times as a possible opponent for Manny Pacquiao. That may not happen with Pacquiao's current status and big name opponents lining up to fight him.
"I will probably return to the ring in October, in Japan which is like my second home. Then I would like to unify with Humberto Soto," Linares told ESTO
Antonio Margarito To Return To The WBC Rankings
By Mark Vester
According to members of the WBC, once six months of Antonio Margarito's punishment has passed, he will re-enter their welterweight rankings. Back in February, Margarito and trainer Javier Capetillo had their licenses revoked by the California State Athletic Commission.
Margarito's punishment stemmed from the controversy prior to his January bout with Shane Mosley, when inserts containing a plaster-like substance were removed from his hand wraps. The ruling by the CSAC is being honored by every major commission in the United States. Margarito's lawyers are appealing the decision by the CSAC and trying to overturn their ruling. If Margarito’s legal team fails, he can apply for a new license in 2010 but the CSAC has the right to turn down his request.
Margarito has gone on the record several times and says he is currently training to stay in shape for a ring return in September in Mexico, where he is able to box
By Mark Vester
According to members of the WBC, once six months of Antonio Margarito's punishment has passed, he will re-enter their welterweight rankings. Back in February, Margarito and trainer Javier Capetillo had their licenses revoked by the California State Athletic Commission.
Margarito's punishment stemmed from the controversy prior to his January bout with Shane Mosley, when inserts containing a plaster-like substance were removed from his hand wraps. The ruling by the CSAC is being honored by every major commission in the United States. Margarito's lawyers are appealing the decision by the CSAC and trying to overturn their ruling. If Margarito’s legal team fails, he can apply for a new license in 2010 but the CSAC has the right to turn down his request.
Margarito has gone on the record several times and says he is currently training to stay in shape for a ring return in September in Mexico, where he is able to box
Everything is Fine For Pacquiao vs. Cotto, Says Arum
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says "everything is fine" in terms of the scheduled showdown between Filipino boxing icon and hero of Asia Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rico’s WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas on November 14.
Arum said Pacquiao only has to look at the numbers in his proposal which is being hand-carried by Pacquiao’s adviser and Arum’s friend Michael Koncz. Koncz delayed his scheduled return to Manila on Tuesday until Friday so that he could accompany world-rated Bernabe Concepcion to the "Pinoy Power 2" press conference at the Artists Hall in the Convention Center of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Thursday, Manila Time.
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says "everything is fine" in terms of the scheduled showdown between Filipino boxing icon and hero of Asia Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rico’s WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas on November 14.
Arum said Pacquiao only has to look at the numbers in his proposal which is being hand-carried by Pacquiao’s adviser and Arum’s friend Michael Koncz. Koncz delayed his scheduled return to Manila on Tuesday until Friday so that he could accompany world-rated Bernabe Concepcion to the "Pinoy Power 2" press conference at the Artists Hall in the Convention Center of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Thursday, Manila Time.
How Arreola Became the Nightmare, Views on Dempsey
By Brent Matteo Alderson
The other day I went to hang out with Chris Arreola and his trainer Henry Ramirez at the gym and made a comment about him having the same nickname as Samuel Peter, “The Nightmare,” and asked him why he chose that particular moniker since it was already in use and he responded, “I didn’t choose that nickname, it was given to me a long time ago, even before I won the (2001) National Golden Gloves. One day I went to get a haircut and it came out all weird, it was like an afro-hawk before that was in style so I went home and shaved my head, but when I was younger I had a lot of acne, so when I shaved my head there was all this acne you could see and people used to tell me, ‘damn you look like Freddy Krueger,’ and then that changed to just Freddy and people would be like ‘hey Freddy,’ and then finally somehow they just ended up calling me the Nightmare.”
Later on after Arreola finished training, I was talking about how once Jack Dempsey had to walk across the Nevada desert to fight someone in the back of a bar for a twenty dollar pay day and told him about Dempsey’s match with Jack Sharkey.
“Dempsey lost the title the year before in a shutout so he had to fight one of the top contenders to get another title shot. So Sharkey is beating the crap out of Dempsey for six rounds then in the seventh Dempsey hits him low and Sharkey turns to complain to the referee and Dempsey knocks him out with a left hook. Well afterwards, all the writers were knocking Dempsey and he responded by asking, ‘What did you want me to do? Write him a letter?’”
Then Henry Ramirez who is very knowledgeable about the history of the sport interjected, “Come on Alderson, stop talking about guys that were fighting before my grandfather was born.”
And then Arreola stated, “I could knock Dempsey out!”
Then I looked at Arreola and said, “I don’t know about that Chris, Dempsey is one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. He was one of the deadliest punchers in the history of the sport. He was ferocious. Mike Tyson even idolized Dempsey and shaved his sides like him. Dempsey is a legend; he made millions of dollars in the 1920’s and banged all the leading actresses in Hollywood. He was the man!”
Then after contemplating the matter for a moment Arreola finally acknowledged Dempsey’s greatness and shook his head in an affirming manner and stated, “Yah he was a smart guy!”
Notes:
Favorite Quote - In summing up the foreseen problems in making a Tyson-Lewis fight at the turn of the millennium, then head of Showtime Boxing, Jay Larkin, commented, “HBO will let Lewis fight on Showtime when hell freezes over and Showtime will let Tyson fight on HBO when pork chops are growing on the palm trees of Tel Aviv."
Cotto-Pacquiao is definitely bigger than Mosley-Pacquiao. Arum isn’t just matching the Puerto Rican welterweight with the Pac-man just because he controls both of them and won’t have to share the promotional profits; the fight really is a bigger money fight with a special international appeal.
I always under-estimate Pacquiao, but if the fight is made at 145 pounds or above I am going to bet large sums of money on Cotto. Manny won’t be able to back Cotto up and that’s how you beat him. He looks like a fish out of water going backwards, kind of reminds me of how Tommy Morrison looked going backwards against George Foreman.
Wladimir Klitschko is boring with a capital B. Bring on a heavyweight champion with balls half the size of Evander Holyfield’s and I will be a happy camper.
Victor Ortiz still has a very promising future in front of him. Tough losses in amazing fights can help a fighter’s marketability, just ask Arturo Gatti.
Some people collect fight tapes, but I collect boxing-literature. I have almost one thousand magazines archived in bins by the year going back to 1927 and about seventy books. I actually have quite a few old ones including the complete set of Nat Fleischer’s Black Dynamite, the history of the negro in boxing.
By Brent Matteo Alderson
The other day I went to hang out with Chris Arreola and his trainer Henry Ramirez at the gym and made a comment about him having the same nickname as Samuel Peter, “The Nightmare,” and asked him why he chose that particular moniker since it was already in use and he responded, “I didn’t choose that nickname, it was given to me a long time ago, even before I won the (2001) National Golden Gloves. One day I went to get a haircut and it came out all weird, it was like an afro-hawk before that was in style so I went home and shaved my head, but when I was younger I had a lot of acne, so when I shaved my head there was all this acne you could see and people used to tell me, ‘damn you look like Freddy Krueger,’ and then that changed to just Freddy and people would be like ‘hey Freddy,’ and then finally somehow they just ended up calling me the Nightmare.”
Later on after Arreola finished training, I was talking about how once Jack Dempsey had to walk across the Nevada desert to fight someone in the back of a bar for a twenty dollar pay day and told him about Dempsey’s match with Jack Sharkey.
“Dempsey lost the title the year before in a shutout so he had to fight one of the top contenders to get another title shot. So Sharkey is beating the crap out of Dempsey for six rounds then in the seventh Dempsey hits him low and Sharkey turns to complain to the referee and Dempsey knocks him out with a left hook. Well afterwards, all the writers were knocking Dempsey and he responded by asking, ‘What did you want me to do? Write him a letter?’”
Then Henry Ramirez who is very knowledgeable about the history of the sport interjected, “Come on Alderson, stop talking about guys that were fighting before my grandfather was born.”
And then Arreola stated, “I could knock Dempsey out!”
Then I looked at Arreola and said, “I don’t know about that Chris, Dempsey is one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. He was one of the deadliest punchers in the history of the sport. He was ferocious. Mike Tyson even idolized Dempsey and shaved his sides like him. Dempsey is a legend; he made millions of dollars in the 1920’s and banged all the leading actresses in Hollywood. He was the man!”
Then after contemplating the matter for a moment Arreola finally acknowledged Dempsey’s greatness and shook his head in an affirming manner and stated, “Yah he was a smart guy!”
Notes:
Favorite Quote - In summing up the foreseen problems in making a Tyson-Lewis fight at the turn of the millennium, then head of Showtime Boxing, Jay Larkin, commented, “HBO will let Lewis fight on Showtime when hell freezes over and Showtime will let Tyson fight on HBO when pork chops are growing on the palm trees of Tel Aviv."
Cotto-Pacquiao is definitely bigger than Mosley-Pacquiao. Arum isn’t just matching the Puerto Rican welterweight with the Pac-man just because he controls both of them and won’t have to share the promotional profits; the fight really is a bigger money fight with a special international appeal.
I always under-estimate Pacquiao, but if the fight is made at 145 pounds or above I am going to bet large sums of money on Cotto. Manny won’t be able to back Cotto up and that’s how you beat him. He looks like a fish out of water going backwards, kind of reminds me of how Tommy Morrison looked going backwards against George Foreman.
Wladimir Klitschko is boring with a capital B. Bring on a heavyweight champion with balls half the size of Evander Holyfield’s and I will be a happy camper.
Victor Ortiz still has a very promising future in front of him. Tough losses in amazing fights can help a fighter’s marketability, just ask Arturo Gatti.
Some people collect fight tapes, but I collect boxing-literature. I have almost one thousand magazines archived in bins by the year going back to 1927 and about seventy books. I actually have quite a few old ones including the complete set of Nat Fleischer’s Black Dynamite, the history of the negro in boxing.
Froch Says Haye Will Smash Klitschko, Knock Him Out
By Mark Vester
WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch has been speaking with his close friend David Haye, and advised his fellow Brit to continue his pursuit of IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. Froch appears confident that Haye will not only beat Klitschko, but he will blow the huge Ukranian champion away with ease. Froch views Wladimir as a boring fighter who is scared of his own shadow.
"I think Haye will walk through Wladimir, smash him to bits and knock him out — especially based on his last fight. I know he was quite dominant on the outside against Ruslan Chagaev, but Wladimir's like a chicken. He's scared of his own shadow, runs around the ring, ponces about and is just boring," Froch said To The Sun.
"If you watch him on TV you want to switch him off after four rounds. He's not a fighter who's got any sort of balls at all. Wladimir's got no bottle, whereas Haye's ferocious. Haye comes forward, looks his opponents in the eye and tries to decapitate them with every single punch. I just think he'll catch Wladimir and do a job on him, I really do."
While Froch doesn't have much respect for Wladimir, he does have a lot of respect for the older brother, WBC champion Vitali Klitschko.
"You've got to remember that Vitali was at his best when he fought Lennox Lewis [in June 2003]. He's a great fighter and is much bigger and stronger than his brother. He's definitely more of a threat and a much better boxer. Vitali would give Haye more trouble but you have to wonder what he's got left. The Lewis fight was years ago and boxing is all about timing.
"I think the time is right for Haye to do a number on Wladimir and then do the double-header on his brother. Vitali's definitely a tougher, harder fight. But with the confidence he'd get from beating Wladimir, I could see Haye beating Vitali too — and what a great fight that would be."
Froch also claims that Haye's withdrawal from the June 20th bout with Wladimir had nothing to do with money. He claims that Haye's back injury was legit.
"I spoke to Haye about four weeks ago and he was in serious pain. He was really, really annoyed he had to cancel the fight because of the injury but sometimes it happens. It wasn't down to Setanta going bust — it was because he had a back injury," Froch said.
By Mark Vester
WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch has been speaking with his close friend David Haye, and advised his fellow Brit to continue his pursuit of IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. Froch appears confident that Haye will not only beat Klitschko, but he will blow the huge Ukranian champion away with ease. Froch views Wladimir as a boring fighter who is scared of his own shadow.
"I think Haye will walk through Wladimir, smash him to bits and knock him out — especially based on his last fight. I know he was quite dominant on the outside against Ruslan Chagaev, but Wladimir's like a chicken. He's scared of his own shadow, runs around the ring, ponces about and is just boring," Froch said To The Sun.
"If you watch him on TV you want to switch him off after four rounds. He's not a fighter who's got any sort of balls at all. Wladimir's got no bottle, whereas Haye's ferocious. Haye comes forward, looks his opponents in the eye and tries to decapitate them with every single punch. I just think he'll catch Wladimir and do a job on him, I really do."
While Froch doesn't have much respect for Wladimir, he does have a lot of respect for the older brother, WBC champion Vitali Klitschko.
"You've got to remember that Vitali was at his best when he fought Lennox Lewis [in June 2003]. He's a great fighter and is much bigger and stronger than his brother. He's definitely more of a threat and a much better boxer. Vitali would give Haye more trouble but you have to wonder what he's got left. The Lewis fight was years ago and boxing is all about timing.
"I think the time is right for Haye to do a number on Wladimir and then do the double-header on his brother. Vitali's definitely a tougher, harder fight. But with the confidence he'd get from beating Wladimir, I could see Haye beating Vitali too — and what a great fight that would be."
Froch also claims that Haye's withdrawal from the June 20th bout with Wladimir had nothing to do with money. He claims that Haye's back injury was legit.
"I spoke to Haye about four weeks ago and he was in serious pain. He was really, really annoyed he had to cancel the fight because of the injury but sometimes it happens. It wasn't down to Setanta going bust — it was because he had a back injury," Froch said.
Victor Ortiz Clears The Air On The Maidana TKO Loss
I didn't fight the right fight and I didn't execute the correct game plan to beat Maidana," Ortiz said from his home in Oxnard. "I will learn from the mistakes I made on Saturday and not make the simple mistakes again, like trying to slug when I should box. I promise that next time, I will be more focused."
"I made some comments after the fight that were an emotional response to the loss," Ortiz continued. "I take full responsibility for my mistakes and actions, but I didn't mean what I said. I am young, have things to learn and I guarantee you, I will be a world champion, MARK MY WORDS...Just watch me!"
Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions (Ortiz' promoter) commented, "Victor is a 22-year-old kid and has a brilliant future ahead of him in boxing, but on Saturday night, he fought the wrong fight and he knows that. You have to fight a puncher like Maidana with your head, not your heart and guts. He got caught a couple of times trying to go for the knockout even though he was clearly winning the fight. I'm 100% confident that he will go back to the drawing board with his team and come back stronger and a better fighter as a result of this experience."
CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer stated, "Victor suffered from being hit by several illegal blows to the back of the head and was sent to the hospital after the fight for a post-fight check up as a precaution. He was there until close to 3 AM for testing and, although he is thought to have suffered a concussion, was released from the hospital. We know that Victor will be back in a world title fight soon. He was leading on the scorecards before the ringside physician stopped the fight, but this is boxing and the fight ended the way it did. He had a tough fight, but we are confident he will now rebound from it."
Ortiz' co-manager Rolando Arellano said, "The difficulties and struggles that Team Ortiz faced Saturday night are but the price we must pay for the accomplishments and victories of tomorrow. This team is one of positive affirmation and when Victor returns, he will be smarter, stronger and better. I will not allow the negative opinions and thoughts of others to poison our advancement towards a World Championship.
I didn't fight the right fight and I didn't execute the correct game plan to beat Maidana," Ortiz said from his home in Oxnard. "I will learn from the mistakes I made on Saturday and not make the simple mistakes again, like trying to slug when I should box. I promise that next time, I will be more focused."
"I made some comments after the fight that were an emotional response to the loss," Ortiz continued. "I take full responsibility for my mistakes and actions, but I didn't mean what I said. I am young, have things to learn and I guarantee you, I will be a world champion, MARK MY WORDS...Just watch me!"
Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions (Ortiz' promoter) commented, "Victor is a 22-year-old kid and has a brilliant future ahead of him in boxing, but on Saturday night, he fought the wrong fight and he knows that. You have to fight a puncher like Maidana with your head, not your heart and guts. He got caught a couple of times trying to go for the knockout even though he was clearly winning the fight. I'm 100% confident that he will go back to the drawing board with his team and come back stronger and a better fighter as a result of this experience."
CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer stated, "Victor suffered from being hit by several illegal blows to the back of the head and was sent to the hospital after the fight for a post-fight check up as a precaution. He was there until close to 3 AM for testing and, although he is thought to have suffered a concussion, was released from the hospital. We know that Victor will be back in a world title fight soon. He was leading on the scorecards before the ringside physician stopped the fight, but this is boxing and the fight ended the way it did. He had a tough fight, but we are confident he will now rebound from it."
Ortiz' co-manager Rolando Arellano said, "The difficulties and struggles that Team Ortiz faced Saturday night are but the price we must pay for the accomplishments and victories of tomorrow. This team is one of positive affirmation and when Victor returns, he will be smarter, stronger and better. I will not allow the negative opinions and thoughts of others to poison our advancement towards a World Championship.
David Haye Willing To Travel For Vitali Klitschko Scrap
By Terence Dooley
David Haye is hoping to put the disappointment of his aborted fight with Wladimir Klitschko to one side, he is now seeking a September fight against the elder, and tougher, Klitschko, WBC title holder Vitali.
Haye's pre-fight ballyhoo has put Wlad off a fight, for now, he seems intent on making Haye pay for his braggadocios pre-pullout antics, Wlad could make David wait until next year, taking on Alexander Povetkin in the meantime.
However, Vitali's projected fight with WBA boss Nicolai Valuev is not a done deal, leaving a window of opportunity open for Haye. Adam Booth, who trains and manages Haye, told the Daily Mirror that David is willing to travel to Germany or the Ukraine for a shot against Vitali.
“We don't mind where it is as long as it's in a boxing ring,” said Booth. “Everything is very sensitive at the moment. There are a lot of negotiations and discussions going on in different directions. I'm just doing what I can to make something happen for David.”
Haye has not fought since defeating Monte Barrett in November of last year; a Vitali fight would be a tall order for Haye given his recent inactivity. Team Haye have pencilled in September for a return, they want a Klitschko in the other corner, but it looks like they will have to stand in line
By Terence Dooley
David Haye is hoping to put the disappointment of his aborted fight with Wladimir Klitschko to one side, he is now seeking a September fight against the elder, and tougher, Klitschko, WBC title holder Vitali.
Haye's pre-fight ballyhoo has put Wlad off a fight, for now, he seems intent on making Haye pay for his braggadocios pre-pullout antics, Wlad could make David wait until next year, taking on Alexander Povetkin in the meantime.
However, Vitali's projected fight with WBA boss Nicolai Valuev is not a done deal, leaving a window of opportunity open for Haye. Adam Booth, who trains and manages Haye, told the Daily Mirror that David is willing to travel to Germany or the Ukraine for a shot against Vitali.
“We don't mind where it is as long as it's in a boxing ring,” said Booth. “Everything is very sensitive at the moment. There are a lot of negotiations and discussions going on in different directions. I'm just doing what I can to make something happen for David.”
Haye has not fought since defeating Monte Barrett in November of last year; a Vitali fight would be a tall order for Haye given his recent inactivity. Team Haye have pencilled in September for a return, they want a Klitschko in the other corner, but it looks like they will have to stand in line
Potential Superstars Of The Future, Yuriorkis Gamboa And Juan Manuel Lopez On A Colli
by James Slater - Promoter Bob Arum says he believes he has found a superstar of the future with unbeaten bomber Juan Manuel Lopez, the unbeaten, reigning WBO super-bantamweight champion from Puerto Rico. Clearly hoping to see the fighter he promotes develop into the next Felix Trinidad or Miguel Cotto, Arum wants "Juanma" to engage in his first truly big fight. According to a number of sources - ESPN and USA Today newspaper for two - this initial big fight could come against another possible star of the future, in unbeaten Cuban featherweight Yuriorkis Gamboa, the current interim WBA 126-pound ruler..
Southpaw Lopez - who stopped the previously unbeaten Olivier Lontchi at the end of the 9th round this past Saturday in Atlantic City - wants bigger fights for the future. Even before he defended his WBO 122-pound belt for the fourth time on June 27th, the soon-to-be-26-year-old (Juanma shares his birthday with Mike Tyson) spoke to USA Today about his desire to get himself what he himself calls a signature fight.
"All I need is one of those signature fights," Lopez said a day before scoring his 26th pro win (24 inside the distance wins). "I have a fight with one of those guys [Rafael Marquez, Israel Vazquez] and beat them, that will make me more popular."
No doubt such a win would go a long way towards making Lopez the star he himself and Arum feel he can be. However, the latest word is that "Juanma" and Cuban defector and now Miami, Florida resident Gamboa are on something of a collision course, destined to meet soon. The winner of such a fight will be on his way towards genuine star status. According to Dan Rafael over at ESPN.com, assuming Gamboa wins his next fight - scheduled for July 25th's Top Rank "Latin Fury" instalment - the two wannabe household names will fight together on the same Madison Square Garden card; probably in September or October. Then, if each man wins, the hugely intriguing fight, one that Arum says he is going to build up, will happen around this time next year.
"Juanma is very fortunate that we have Gamboa and, in a year or so, it's going to be a very big fight," Arum told ESPN. "It's going to be a monster fight."
Letting the fight boil makes sense. If 27-year-old Gamboa, 15-0(13) and Lopez fought in a few months, the fight, though big, would not be the massive event Arum is sure it can be next year. Both guys are unlikely to lose in the meantime, not with the impressive talent each fighter possesses, so the fight can wait for now. But this one has potential classic written all over it.
Both men can crack, Lopez especially, while both men are fast, well conditioned boxers who are hungry, if not starving for glory. Also, as each fighter continues to both develop further and gain more and more fans, you can rest assured there will be much debate as to who will win when the fight is signed. Likely to take place up at featherweight (it doesn't make sense for Gamboa to drop down to 122), Lopez-Gamboa could well be one of the best and most meaningful lower-weight showdowns since Rafael Marquez-Israel Vazquez or Erik Morales-Marco Antonio Barrera. And, as was the case with those rivalries, the match-up could possibly grow into a series.
It's way to early to pick a winner, but one thing looks sure; the fight will not in any way be boring. How could it be? Lopez has the kind of raw power capable of sending anyone he catches cleanly to sleep, while Gamboa, though prone to being the victim of a flash knockdown or two, has the kind of reflexes and power to be able to hurt anyone himself. Add it all up, as Arum plans to, and the fireworks will surely go off.
The action might not last too long (a 126-pound version of Hagler-Hearns anyone?), but it figures to be un-missable!
by James Slater - Promoter Bob Arum says he believes he has found a superstar of the future with unbeaten bomber Juan Manuel Lopez, the unbeaten, reigning WBO super-bantamweight champion from Puerto Rico. Clearly hoping to see the fighter he promotes develop into the next Felix Trinidad or Miguel Cotto, Arum wants "Juanma" to engage in his first truly big fight. According to a number of sources - ESPN and USA Today newspaper for two - this initial big fight could come against another possible star of the future, in unbeaten Cuban featherweight Yuriorkis Gamboa, the current interim WBA 126-pound ruler..
Southpaw Lopez - who stopped the previously unbeaten Olivier Lontchi at the end of the 9th round this past Saturday in Atlantic City - wants bigger fights for the future. Even before he defended his WBO 122-pound belt for the fourth time on June 27th, the soon-to-be-26-year-old (Juanma shares his birthday with Mike Tyson) spoke to USA Today about his desire to get himself what he himself calls a signature fight.
"All I need is one of those signature fights," Lopez said a day before scoring his 26th pro win (24 inside the distance wins). "I have a fight with one of those guys [Rafael Marquez, Israel Vazquez] and beat them, that will make me more popular."
No doubt such a win would go a long way towards making Lopez the star he himself and Arum feel he can be. However, the latest word is that "Juanma" and Cuban defector and now Miami, Florida resident Gamboa are on something of a collision course, destined to meet soon. The winner of such a fight will be on his way towards genuine star status. According to Dan Rafael over at ESPN.com, assuming Gamboa wins his next fight - scheduled for July 25th's Top Rank "Latin Fury" instalment - the two wannabe household names will fight together on the same Madison Square Garden card; probably in September or October. Then, if each man wins, the hugely intriguing fight, one that Arum says he is going to build up, will happen around this time next year.
"Juanma is very fortunate that we have Gamboa and, in a year or so, it's going to be a very big fight," Arum told ESPN. "It's going to be a monster fight."
Letting the fight boil makes sense. If 27-year-old Gamboa, 15-0(13) and Lopez fought in a few months, the fight, though big, would not be the massive event Arum is sure it can be next year. Both guys are unlikely to lose in the meantime, not with the impressive talent each fighter possesses, so the fight can wait for now. But this one has potential classic written all over it.
Both men can crack, Lopez especially, while both men are fast, well conditioned boxers who are hungry, if not starving for glory. Also, as each fighter continues to both develop further and gain more and more fans, you can rest assured there will be much debate as to who will win when the fight is signed. Likely to take place up at featherweight (it doesn't make sense for Gamboa to drop down to 122), Lopez-Gamboa could well be one of the best and most meaningful lower-weight showdowns since Rafael Marquez-Israel Vazquez or Erik Morales-Marco Antonio Barrera. And, as was the case with those rivalries, the match-up could possibly grow into a series.
It's way to early to pick a winner, but one thing looks sure; the fight will not in any way be boring. How could it be? Lopez has the kind of raw power capable of sending anyone he catches cleanly to sleep, while Gamboa, though prone to being the victim of a flash knockdown or two, has the kind of reflexes and power to be able to hurt anyone himself. Add it all up, as Arum plans to, and the fireworks will surely go off.
The action might not last too long (a 126-pound version of Hagler-Hearns anyone?), but it figures to be un-missable!
Floyd Mayweather Jr Investigation Reveals Huge Debts
By Mark Vester
When Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced that he was returning to the sport, he swore the comeback had nothing to do with money. There were numerous reports that Mayweather was in heavy debt. Reports that he owed millions to the IRS, among others. Mayweather and his best friend/CEO of Mayweather Promotions, Leonard Ellerbe, denied these claims.
The Associated Press started their own investigation and dug up a lot of outstanding debt. The AP believes that Mayweather is returning for his Sept. 19 bout with Juan Manuel Marquez to get a big payday in order to satisfy his debts.
The AP found that Mayweather owes
1. $6.17 million to the IRS. The placed a lien on Mayweather in the Clark Country Recorder in Las Vegas and the bill stems from unpaid taxes in 2007.
2. According to a New Jersey Superior Court judgment, also from 2007, he owes that state $193,000 in taxes.
3. Unresolved debts worth $9,400 to three homeowners associations.
4. $3,900 to a contractor who programmed electronics at one of his homes.
5. Even $320.10 to his trash collector.
Ellerbe, despite the lien and the hard documents, denies that Mayweather owes any type of money to the IRS or any other party.
"Floyd Mayweather does not have a problem with the IRS," Ellerbe told the AP. "He doesn't owe the IRS $6.1 million ... I don't (care) what a lien says. When you have a problem with them, you ain't hard to find — ask Wesley Snipes. You go to jail, they come take your (stuff). He doesn't have a problem."
"(Mayweather) is free to move and do anything and everything he wants to do with no problems at all. None whatsoever."
By Mark Vester
When Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced that he was returning to the sport, he swore the comeback had nothing to do with money. There were numerous reports that Mayweather was in heavy debt. Reports that he owed millions to the IRS, among others. Mayweather and his best friend/CEO of Mayweather Promotions, Leonard Ellerbe, denied these claims.
The Associated Press started their own investigation and dug up a lot of outstanding debt. The AP believes that Mayweather is returning for his Sept. 19 bout with Juan Manuel Marquez to get a big payday in order to satisfy his debts.
The AP found that Mayweather owes
1. $6.17 million to the IRS. The placed a lien on Mayweather in the Clark Country Recorder in Las Vegas and the bill stems from unpaid taxes in 2007.
2. According to a New Jersey Superior Court judgment, also from 2007, he owes that state $193,000 in taxes.
3. Unresolved debts worth $9,400 to three homeowners associations.
4. $3,900 to a contractor who programmed electronics at one of his homes.
5. Even $320.10 to his trash collector.
Ellerbe, despite the lien and the hard documents, denies that Mayweather owes any type of money to the IRS or any other party.
"Floyd Mayweather does not have a problem with the IRS," Ellerbe told the AP. "He doesn't owe the IRS $6.1 million ... I don't (care) what a lien says. When you have a problem with them, you ain't hard to find — ask Wesley Snipes. You go to jail, they come take your (stuff). He doesn't have a problem."
"(Mayweather) is free to move and do anything and everything he wants to do with no problems at all. None whatsoever."
Mayweather vs Marquez Bumped Up To 147-Pounds?
Mark Vester
The rumors are out there again. A few weeks ago, there were rumors that Floyd Mayweather Jr vs. Juan Manuel Marquez, scheduled to take place at the catch-weight of 143/144-pounds [depending on who you ask], was going to get bumped to the full welterweight limit of 147. The weight changed was disputed by those who are close to the fight. Then the fight got pushed back due to an injury to Mayweather's rib and the new date of September 19 has been locked down.
This time the weight change talk is coming from Nacho Beristain, the manager and trainer of Marquez. He says people are saying the weight got bumped to 147 and that would put them at a bigger disadvantage if it proves to be true.
"They are saying that they changed it to 147 pounds. Juan is eager to fight Mayweather and does not care about that, but if the fight is allowed to take place at that weight, Floyd could rise to 160-pounds by the time he enters the ring, or more. The chances of that taking place if he weiged 143 are far less because he would have to work a lot harder to make the weight. I need to speak to Juan about this," Beristain told The Record.
Mark Vester
The rumors are out there again. A few weeks ago, there were rumors that Floyd Mayweather Jr vs. Juan Manuel Marquez, scheduled to take place at the catch-weight of 143/144-pounds [depending on who you ask], was going to get bumped to the full welterweight limit of 147. The weight changed was disputed by those who are close to the fight. Then the fight got pushed back due to an injury to Mayweather's rib and the new date of September 19 has been locked down.
This time the weight change talk is coming from Nacho Beristain, the manager and trainer of Marquez. He says people are saying the weight got bumped to 147 and that would put them at a bigger disadvantage if it proves to be true.
"They are saying that they changed it to 147 pounds. Juan is eager to fight Mayweather and does not care about that, but if the fight is allowed to take place at that weight, Floyd could rise to 160-pounds by the time he enters the ring, or more. The chances of that taking place if he weiged 143 are far less because he would have to work a lot harder to make the weight. I need to speak to Juan about this," Beristain told The Record.
Erik Morales Pushes His Ring Return Back To Sept/Oct
By Mark Vester
Former three division champion Erik Morales had planned to make a ring return in August, making a final run at a fourth world title in his fourth weight division. Morales says there has been a lot of trouble with securing a good opponent to travel for a fight in Tijuana, Mexico. Morales wants to fight a world ranked opponent in his comeback bout and not a stiff.
Morales says that he is forced to push back his fight to the end of September or even October. He was rumored to land on the Mayweather-Marquez undercard but says that he doesn't want to be involved on card involving another top fighter. Morales turns 33 in September.
"I had some problems out there and I'm really looking for a date that is not connecting with another fighter so everyone can decide if I have a shot at fighting for a world title or not," Morales told ESTO.
"I found also some problems with opponents who did not want to come to Tijuana and then things became more complicated, but somehow I will continue with my plan to return to lightweight and get my fourth world title at the end of the year or the start the next."
By Mark Vester
Former three division champion Erik Morales had planned to make a ring return in August, making a final run at a fourth world title in his fourth weight division. Morales says there has been a lot of trouble with securing a good opponent to travel for a fight in Tijuana, Mexico. Morales wants to fight a world ranked opponent in his comeback bout and not a stiff.
Morales says that he is forced to push back his fight to the end of September or even October. He was rumored to land on the Mayweather-Marquez undercard but says that he doesn't want to be involved on card involving another top fighter. Morales turns 33 in September.
"I had some problems out there and I'm really looking for a date that is not connecting with another fighter so everyone can decide if I have a shot at fighting for a world title or not," Morales told ESTO.
"I found also some problems with opponents who did not want to come to Tijuana and then things became more complicated, but somehow I will continue with my plan to return to lightweight and get my fourth world title at the end of the year or the start the next."
Junior Witter is Anxious to Regain The World Title
By T.K. Stewart
By all accounts, Junior Witter is on the way to being in the shape of his life for his August 1st fight against Devon Alexander for the vacant WBC 140-pound title belt. Witter is rarely far from top shape and is known to always be in the gym between fights.
“I'm working on it, I'm working on it,” said Witter, 35, when asked if he was in his best ever condition. “I've got brilliant trainers in Dominic and Brendan Ingle and we're only a few weeks away [from the fight] and I feel in great shape. Everything is going very well in training and I'm happy about where I am right now.”
Witter held the WBC 140-pound belt for 20 months after gaining the vacant title in September 2006 with a unanimous decision win over DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley.
Witter made two successful title defenses before losing to Timothy Bradley in May 2008. The WBC stripped Bradley of the title earlier this year which caused the vacancy.
“I'm fighting a skilled man in Devon Alexander,” said Witter. “He's unbeaten, 22 years old and he's had a lot of things go his own way so far. He's young and he's ambitious and he's a Don King fighter. I'm going to America to meet him in his back yard and when you think about all of that – everything is on his side.”
Witter, 37-2-2, 22KOs, will face Alexander at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California. It will be the chief undercard support to Timothy Bradley vs. Nate Campbell who will clash for the WBO 140-pound title.
“I know what I need to do in the fight and I have a brilliant tactician in Brendan Ingle in my corner,” said Witter. “He knows what I need to do to in order to win and to push me harder. I've had some great sparring.”
Witter has reportedly been doing very well and has appeared sharp in the gym while sparring with undefeated welterweight Kell Brook and the always tough Jon Thaxton who is now campaigning as a lightweight. Witter fights under the promotional banner of Mick Hennessey, who also promotes WBC super middleweight titlist Carl Froch.
“I can tell you that Mick is going to have two world champions after August 1,st” promised Witter.
Even though Alexander is a southpaw and 13 years Witter's junior, “The Hitter” feels he will be victorious.
“I know there are things to worry about with him,” admitted Witter. “But I know what I've got and I know the real me didn't turn up when I lost to Timothy Bradley. When I get in the ring in August I know the real me is going to be there and I know I'm going to be walking out of the ring with my title. I'm Junior “The Hitter” Witter and I know I'm going to be there at my best and I know that I'll be bringing the title back home. I will be spot on.”
By T.K. Stewart
By all accounts, Junior Witter is on the way to being in the shape of his life for his August 1st fight against Devon Alexander for the vacant WBC 140-pound title belt. Witter is rarely far from top shape and is known to always be in the gym between fights.
“I'm working on it, I'm working on it,” said Witter, 35, when asked if he was in his best ever condition. “I've got brilliant trainers in Dominic and Brendan Ingle and we're only a few weeks away [from the fight] and I feel in great shape. Everything is going very well in training and I'm happy about where I am right now.”
Witter held the WBC 140-pound belt for 20 months after gaining the vacant title in September 2006 with a unanimous decision win over DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley.
Witter made two successful title defenses before losing to Timothy Bradley in May 2008. The WBC stripped Bradley of the title earlier this year which caused the vacancy.
“I'm fighting a skilled man in Devon Alexander,” said Witter. “He's unbeaten, 22 years old and he's had a lot of things go his own way so far. He's young and he's ambitious and he's a Don King fighter. I'm going to America to meet him in his back yard and when you think about all of that – everything is on his side.”
Witter, 37-2-2, 22KOs, will face Alexander at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California. It will be the chief undercard support to Timothy Bradley vs. Nate Campbell who will clash for the WBO 140-pound title.
“I know what I need to do in the fight and I have a brilliant tactician in Brendan Ingle in my corner,” said Witter. “He knows what I need to do to in order to win and to push me harder. I've had some great sparring.”
Witter has reportedly been doing very well and has appeared sharp in the gym while sparring with undefeated welterweight Kell Brook and the always tough Jon Thaxton who is now campaigning as a lightweight. Witter fights under the promotional banner of Mick Hennessey, who also promotes WBC super middleweight titlist Carl Froch.
“I can tell you that Mick is going to have two world champions after August 1,st” promised Witter.
Even though Alexander is a southpaw and 13 years Witter's junior, “The Hitter” feels he will be victorious.
“I know there are things to worry about with him,” admitted Witter. “But I know what I've got and I know the real me didn't turn up when I lost to Timothy Bradley. When I get in the ring in August I know the real me is going to be there and I know I'm going to be walking out of the ring with my title. I'm Junior “The Hitter” Witter and I know I'm going to be there at my best and I know that I'll be bringing the title back home. I will be spot on.”
Joseph Agbeko - "I Will Give Darchinyan A Worse Beating Than The One Nonito Donaire G
Exclusive Interview by James Slater - Joseph King Kong Agbeko (the King Kong is not a nickname, hence no speech marks - the name appears on Joseph's passport) faces the lethal punching Vic Darchinyan a week on Saturday in Florida, as he makes the second defence of his IBF bantamweight crown.
Massively confident the former flyweight and super-flyweight champion has made a mistake in moving up to face him, the Accra-born 29-year-old with the fine 26-1(22) record promises a beating for the man known as "The Raging Bull.."
Very kindly taking time out to speak with me earlier today, the incredibly softly-spoken 118-pound champ had the following answers to my questions.
Here is what Joseph had to say:
James Slater: Thank you for talking to me so close to the big fight, Joseph. Firstly, how did training camp go for the Vic Darchinyan fight?
Joseph Agbeko: Oh, training went fine. Very fine. I'm in better shape than ever for this fight.
J.S: And who did you spar with to get ready?
J.A: I worked with some good amateur boxers. Not big names, but very good boxers - southpaws of course.
J.S: I read about how you and Darchinyan had some strong words for each other at the press conference the other day. Is it right you said you do not think he is a big puncher?
J.A: I believe I have better skills than him and I believe I am a better puncher than him. It was just raging bullshit what he was saying. Vic has never fought anyone in my class before. He has always fought guys he knew he could beat - guys he knew he could do what he wanted to against them. But who will tell him what to do against me? Who will show him how to beat me? He said [at the press conference] that this fight will be a mismatch. It will be, with me winning over him easily.
J.S: You predict a KO win?
J.A: Yes. I will give him the worst beating of his entire career. Worse than the beating [Nonito] Donaire gave him.
J.S: I take it you've been watching tapes of Darchinyan in preparation, the Donaire fight in particular?
J.A: I watched a few, but that was all. Then I stopped watching him, because I only needed to see one fight of his to know how to beat him.
J.S: You are very, very confident. You don't think this will be the toughest fight of your career at all?
J.A: (pauses) No, not really. You see, Vic is nothing special to me, not really. He has made a name for himself and become a world champion, but I don't think he's a special fighter. Anything he can do, I can do better and I want to prove to the world how good I am. As to my toughest fight, my fight against William Gonzalez was the hardest so far. (Joseph is adamant he was robbed in his sole career loss, against Wladimir Sidorenko. Actually, Vic Darchinyan agrees with Agbeko on this).
J.S: What will a win on July 11th mean to you?
J.A: Oh, it will be the beginning of my life as a top, high-profile boxer. I always wanted to be one of the best fighters in the world, and this is my chance to show it now. I have always said, any time I face a high-profile fighter, someone they say is the best, I perform better myself. Against the better the opponent the easier it is for me.
J.S: Not to look too far ahead, but if you beat Darchinyan, what will you do afterwards? Will you stay at bantamweight?
J.A: I will defend my title a few times - I will look to defend it against Yonny Perez first. Then I would like to fight guys like Israel Vazquez, all those guys, any one of them. Maybe I can get the chance to unify the titles.
J.S: Thank you again for taking time to speak with me, Joseph.
J.A: Okay. I want to tell the fans that this is my time now and that the world will see just how good King Kong is
Exclusive Interview by James Slater - Joseph King Kong Agbeko (the King Kong is not a nickname, hence no speech marks - the name appears on Joseph's passport) faces the lethal punching Vic Darchinyan a week on Saturday in Florida, as he makes the second defence of his IBF bantamweight crown.
Massively confident the former flyweight and super-flyweight champion has made a mistake in moving up to face him, the Accra-born 29-year-old with the fine 26-1(22) record promises a beating for the man known as "The Raging Bull.."
Very kindly taking time out to speak with me earlier today, the incredibly softly-spoken 118-pound champ had the following answers to my questions.
Here is what Joseph had to say:
James Slater: Thank you for talking to me so close to the big fight, Joseph. Firstly, how did training camp go for the Vic Darchinyan fight?
Joseph Agbeko: Oh, training went fine. Very fine. I'm in better shape than ever for this fight.
J.S: And who did you spar with to get ready?
J.A: I worked with some good amateur boxers. Not big names, but very good boxers - southpaws of course.
J.S: I read about how you and Darchinyan had some strong words for each other at the press conference the other day. Is it right you said you do not think he is a big puncher?
J.A: I believe I have better skills than him and I believe I am a better puncher than him. It was just raging bullshit what he was saying. Vic has never fought anyone in my class before. He has always fought guys he knew he could beat - guys he knew he could do what he wanted to against them. But who will tell him what to do against me? Who will show him how to beat me? He said [at the press conference] that this fight will be a mismatch. It will be, with me winning over him easily.
J.S: You predict a KO win?
J.A: Yes. I will give him the worst beating of his entire career. Worse than the beating [Nonito] Donaire gave him.
J.S: I take it you've been watching tapes of Darchinyan in preparation, the Donaire fight in particular?
J.A: I watched a few, but that was all. Then I stopped watching him, because I only needed to see one fight of his to know how to beat him.
J.S: You are very, very confident. You don't think this will be the toughest fight of your career at all?
J.A: (pauses) No, not really. You see, Vic is nothing special to me, not really. He has made a name for himself and become a world champion, but I don't think he's a special fighter. Anything he can do, I can do better and I want to prove to the world how good I am. As to my toughest fight, my fight against William Gonzalez was the hardest so far. (Joseph is adamant he was robbed in his sole career loss, against Wladimir Sidorenko. Actually, Vic Darchinyan agrees with Agbeko on this).
J.S: What will a win on July 11th mean to you?
J.A: Oh, it will be the beginning of my life as a top, high-profile boxer. I always wanted to be one of the best fighters in the world, and this is my chance to show it now. I have always said, any time I face a high-profile fighter, someone they say is the best, I perform better myself. Against the better the opponent the easier it is for me.
J.S: Not to look too far ahead, but if you beat Darchinyan, what will you do afterwards? Will you stay at bantamweight?
J.A: I will defend my title a few times - I will look to defend it against Yonny Perez first. Then I would like to fight guys like Israel Vazquez, all those guys, any one of them. Maybe I can get the chance to unify the titles.
J.S: Thank you again for taking time to speak with me, Joseph.
J.A: Okay. I want to tell the fans that this is my time now and that the world will see just how good King Kong is
I’ve got no Doubt, King Arthur Abraham Rules Supreme
By Shaun Murphy - I think, in boxing, we’ve been extremely lucky over the course of the last few years as a continuum of highly-skilled tough guys have graced the middleweights and encapsulated the public with their glitz and heart. For example, Bernard Hopkins ruled the division with his knarred fists and jail-house manners for 21 defences. And like domestic fish before feeding time, bubbling under Hopkins’s middleweight waters, stalked a group of fiery-eyed pretenders itching to devour the division’s oldest ever champion. Eventually, the affable Jermaine Taylor defeated the 41-year-old ‘’Executioner’’ and a pressured flood gate opened to a new world and breed of contender…
I like Jermain Taylor, he’s got that hard working blue-collar style of thinking and fighting I admire. When ‘’Bad Intensions’’ enters the ring you know you’re getting an honest performance that’ll be driven by a need to put on a show. However [although Hopkins moved up to light heavyweight] the tall-lean Kelly Pavlik was one of those fish that needed feeding and he wanted Taylor's belt. Unfortunately, for Taylor, ''The Ghost'' had something to prove and when he met Taylor in the center of the ring in September, 2009, in New Jersey’s Boardwalk Hall, his lazer-like punches won him the title in the 7th rd..
Taylor wanted a rematch and, although he put up a good performance, ‘’The Ghost’’ kept his title and cemented his claim as the planet’s best middleweight. Or is he?
‘’He Can Walk Through Walls’’
Before the talented Wayne Elcock was set to fight Arthur Abraham he was warned ‘’this man is strong. He can walk through walls’’.
Being an ex-street fighter, decorated amateur and B.T. engineer – Elcock probably felt a sliver of terror edge down his spine, but lingered in the quite confidence all men have about their own untapped fighting prowess. Then he saw Abraham up close: the Armenian’s granite-hard head, slopping shoulders and class-A muscle spread sinisterly across his real man’s physique may have worried him. However, Elcock might have told himself he was strong too and returned to that confident place.
Then the Armenian started to fight and punch after devastating punch was thrown at Elcock’s chin and, from this savagery, the Englishman’s world-title aspirations were ended in the 5th rd.
Abraham’s most impressive victory, however, has been against the heavy hitting Columbian Edison Miranda. ‘’King Arthur’’ TKO’d the tough South American in 4 rds, and sent out a shock wave to boxing’s middleweight division he meant business.
Abraham’s one of the many non-natives fighting out of Germany, and the Armenian strongman has won the German Boxer of the Year Award three-times; proving how popular he is in his adopted home.
Again, showing his class, in his last outing, ‘’King Arthur’’ stopped the fringe-contender Mahir Oral in the 10th rd. It’s clear, to me, and to everyone who follows the sport that there needs to be some negotiations made for Abraham-Pavlik.
I think, in the current climate, the disparity in style and the fire power both bring into the ring would be a catalyst for a modern day classic. If you go down the list: Pavlik-Kessler, Kessler-Hopkins, Frotch-Abraham – not one fight, around middleweight, has the guaranteed explosion of Pavlik-Abraham. After ‘’The Ghosts’’ defeat by Hopkins, at 27-years-old, he is eager to rebuild his fistic reputation among the chiter-chatting, fair-weather boxing public. This fight needs to be made, and if the contest is agreed upon -- the boxing world will have a fight that'll eclipse anything MMA could produce in its wildest imagination.
In closing, if this fight is arranged my year will be made – for boxing – this contest needs to happen! As I believe Arthur Abraham is the world’s best middleweight, and he needs to battle Kelly Pavlik in a classic to prove it…
By Shaun Murphy - I think, in boxing, we’ve been extremely lucky over the course of the last few years as a continuum of highly-skilled tough guys have graced the middleweights and encapsulated the public with their glitz and heart. For example, Bernard Hopkins ruled the division with his knarred fists and jail-house manners for 21 defences. And like domestic fish before feeding time, bubbling under Hopkins’s middleweight waters, stalked a group of fiery-eyed pretenders itching to devour the division’s oldest ever champion. Eventually, the affable Jermaine Taylor defeated the 41-year-old ‘’Executioner’’ and a pressured flood gate opened to a new world and breed of contender…
I like Jermain Taylor, he’s got that hard working blue-collar style of thinking and fighting I admire. When ‘’Bad Intensions’’ enters the ring you know you’re getting an honest performance that’ll be driven by a need to put on a show. However [although Hopkins moved up to light heavyweight] the tall-lean Kelly Pavlik was one of those fish that needed feeding and he wanted Taylor's belt. Unfortunately, for Taylor, ''The Ghost'' had something to prove and when he met Taylor in the center of the ring in September, 2009, in New Jersey’s Boardwalk Hall, his lazer-like punches won him the title in the 7th rd..
Taylor wanted a rematch and, although he put up a good performance, ‘’The Ghost’’ kept his title and cemented his claim as the planet’s best middleweight. Or is he?
‘’He Can Walk Through Walls’’
Before the talented Wayne Elcock was set to fight Arthur Abraham he was warned ‘’this man is strong. He can walk through walls’’.
Being an ex-street fighter, decorated amateur and B.T. engineer – Elcock probably felt a sliver of terror edge down his spine, but lingered in the quite confidence all men have about their own untapped fighting prowess. Then he saw Abraham up close: the Armenian’s granite-hard head, slopping shoulders and class-A muscle spread sinisterly across his real man’s physique may have worried him. However, Elcock might have told himself he was strong too and returned to that confident place.
Then the Armenian started to fight and punch after devastating punch was thrown at Elcock’s chin and, from this savagery, the Englishman’s world-title aspirations were ended in the 5th rd.
Abraham’s most impressive victory, however, has been against the heavy hitting Columbian Edison Miranda. ‘’King Arthur’’ TKO’d the tough South American in 4 rds, and sent out a shock wave to boxing’s middleweight division he meant business.
Abraham’s one of the many non-natives fighting out of Germany, and the Armenian strongman has won the German Boxer of the Year Award three-times; proving how popular he is in his adopted home.
Again, showing his class, in his last outing, ‘’King Arthur’’ stopped the fringe-contender Mahir Oral in the 10th rd. It’s clear, to me, and to everyone who follows the sport that there needs to be some negotiations made for Abraham-Pavlik.
I think, in the current climate, the disparity in style and the fire power both bring into the ring would be a catalyst for a modern day classic. If you go down the list: Pavlik-Kessler, Kessler-Hopkins, Frotch-Abraham – not one fight, around middleweight, has the guaranteed explosion of Pavlik-Abraham. After ‘’The Ghosts’’ defeat by Hopkins, at 27-years-old, he is eager to rebuild his fistic reputation among the chiter-chatting, fair-weather boxing public. This fight needs to be made, and if the contest is agreed upon -- the boxing world will have a fight that'll eclipse anything MMA could produce in its wildest imagination.
In closing, if this fight is arranged my year will be made – for boxing – this contest needs to happen! As I believe Arthur Abraham is the world’s best middleweight, and he needs to battle Kelly Pavlik in a classic to prove it…