Boxing News Thread
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Barrera vs. Morales 4 in the summer
By Eric Thomas: According to the latest boxing news coming down the pike, 34-year-old Erik Morales (51-7, 35 KO’s) and 37-year-old and Marco Antonio Barrera (67-7, 44 KO’s) could be squaring off for a 4th fight on July 30th. Morales recently showed interest in the fight and Barrera, who hasn’t done much in the past three years, immediately liked the idea and said he’d like to do the fight. Morales recently gave knockout artist Marcos Maidana all he could handle earlier this month in a close 12 round decision loss on April 9th. Morales showed brief glimpses of what he used to be as a fighter despite tiring and losing the last two rounds of the fight to come up short. Morales suffered a closed right eye that kept him from seeing out of the eye from the 3rd round on.
This fight might not be as big as some people think because both Morales and Barrera have been out of the spotlight for so long and many newer fans of the sport will likely have not seen too much – if any – of their previous fights and not be aware that they fought three times in the past. Without either Morales or Barrera doing much in recent years to stay in the minds of fans, it may hurt how well a fourth fight would do with fans. It would sure to be a PPV bout but the success of the fight would be questionable unless they put it along with some excellent undercard fights with younger, more recognizable fighters that the younger fans know well.
By Eric Thomas: According to the latest boxing news coming down the pike, 34-year-old Erik Morales (51-7, 35 KO’s) and 37-year-old and Marco Antonio Barrera (67-7, 44 KO’s) could be squaring off for a 4th fight on July 30th. Morales recently showed interest in the fight and Barrera, who hasn’t done much in the past three years, immediately liked the idea and said he’d like to do the fight. Morales recently gave knockout artist Marcos Maidana all he could handle earlier this month in a close 12 round decision loss on April 9th. Morales showed brief glimpses of what he used to be as a fighter despite tiring and losing the last two rounds of the fight to come up short. Morales suffered a closed right eye that kept him from seeing out of the eye from the 3rd round on.
This fight might not be as big as some people think because both Morales and Barrera have been out of the spotlight for so long and many newer fans of the sport will likely have not seen too much – if any – of their previous fights and not be aware that they fought three times in the past. Without either Morales or Barrera doing much in recent years to stay in the minds of fans, it may hurt how well a fourth fight would do with fans. It would sure to be a PPV bout but the success of the fight would be questionable unless they put it along with some excellent undercard fights with younger, more recognizable fighters that the younger fans know well.
Marquez to settle for Judah bout if the Pacquiao fight doesn’t happen
By Eric Thomas: WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KO’s) would like nothing better than to get a third fight with Manny Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KO’s) to prove once and for all that he’s the better fighter than the Filipino star. In the minds of many boxing fans, they feel that Marquez has already proven that he’s the better fighter than Pacquiao from the first two fights. Marquez and Pacquiao fought to a 12 round draw in 2004, and then Pacquiao won a very controversial 12 round split decision in 2008.
A lot of fans, and this writer included, saw Marquez winning both of those fights. However, Marquez still wants a third fight with Pacquiao to get the win on his resume to prove to fans that might be leaning towards Pacquiao that he’s better than him. But there is a lot of doubt whether Marquez will get the shot at Pacquiao unless he signs with Top Rank, the same promotional company for Pacquiao. Currently, Marquez fights for rival promotional company Golden Boy and the two companies are rarely having fighters competing against each other nowadays.
If the Pacquiao doesn’t happen, Marquez is content to face IBF light welterweight champion Zab Judah later on this year in what would be an exciting fight and a move up in weight for the 37-year-old Marquez. Before that, Marquez plans on fighting in June or July to defend his WBA/WBO lightweight titles against a still to be determined opponent. Pacquiao has a fight coming up next month against 39-year-old Shane Mosley in Las Vegas. Pacquiao should win that fight because Mosley doesn’t look like the fighter he once was.
By Eric Thomas: WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KO’s) would like nothing better than to get a third fight with Manny Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KO’s) to prove once and for all that he’s the better fighter than the Filipino star. In the minds of many boxing fans, they feel that Marquez has already proven that he’s the better fighter than Pacquiao from the first two fights. Marquez and Pacquiao fought to a 12 round draw in 2004, and then Pacquiao won a very controversial 12 round split decision in 2008.
A lot of fans, and this writer included, saw Marquez winning both of those fights. However, Marquez still wants a third fight with Pacquiao to get the win on his resume to prove to fans that might be leaning towards Pacquiao that he’s better than him. But there is a lot of doubt whether Marquez will get the shot at Pacquiao unless he signs with Top Rank, the same promotional company for Pacquiao. Currently, Marquez fights for rival promotional company Golden Boy and the two companies are rarely having fighters competing against each other nowadays.
If the Pacquiao doesn’t happen, Marquez is content to face IBF light welterweight champion Zab Judah later on this year in what would be an exciting fight and a move up in weight for the 37-year-old Marquez. Before that, Marquez plans on fighting in June or July to defend his WBA/WBO lightweight titles against a still to be determined opponent. Pacquiao has a fight coming up next month against 39-year-old Shane Mosley in Las Vegas. Pacquiao should win that fight because Mosley doesn’t look like the fighter he once was.
Victor Ortiz: “I took Berto's heart, I conquered his body and his spirit, and that to
by Geoffrey Ciani (Interviewed by Jenna J & Geoffrey Ciani) - Last week’s 121st edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio (brought to you by CWH Promotions) featured an exclusive interview with the newly crowned WBC welterweight champion of the world “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) who scored an upset victory against previously unbeaten champion Andre Berto (27-1, 21 KOs) just last week. Ortiz spoke about his victory, talked about the future, and shared opinions on the current boxing landscape. Here are some excerpts from that interview:
On scoring the victory against Andre Berto to win the WBC welterweight championship:
“It’s an amazing feeling to have captured such a great title with such great recognition, especially given the fact that I was the big underdog. I wasn’t supposed to go far with the world seemed to call the biggest threat at 147. I said it from the get go on day one that I agreed to disagree with that because I figured I was a threat.”
Regarding his expectations going into the Andre Berto fight:
“My expectations were actually to knock him out. I actually came up a little short about that, but you know it was a great fight regardless. I took Berto's heart, I conquered his body and his spirit, and that to me was worth more than a knockout. I did exactly what I said I was going to do. Everybody seemed to disagree with me. I was very certain as to what I was going to do. There were some mistakes that took place along the way. I got dropped and it only made the excitement a little better for me.”
His thoughts at the time after dropping Berto in the first round of their fight:
“I was actually just thinking wow! The welterweight champion of the world just tasted the canvas in the first round. So I’m thinking to myself I should get him out. I should try to get him out and I just kind of said to myself no. You know what this is going to be a twelve round battle. He is tough, he is going to get up, and he’s going to go to war with me. Sure enough I was right, and I stuck to my game plan and listened to my corner. I stayed composed and took it round by round.”
Regarding what he was thinking after the knockdown he suffered in round two of his fight against Berto:
“Not a whole lot. I knew it wasn’t one of those things where he actually knocked me down. I just felt like this was kind of crappy, but I already had the sense that the referee was kind of going against me. So it didn’t surprise me one bit. I took it for what it was worth. I was just like alright baby! You think you dropped me? Alright! No worries. Let your head grow. So I just kept composed under the circumstance and just kept going.”
On what he was feeling when he was dropped big a big shot from Berto in round six:
“I mean I got dropped only because I didn’t listen to my corner. They told me to keep that left hand up. I disobeyed them and I faced the consequences shortly after. I didn’t go down thinking oh man! This is going to be a tough fight! I went down thinking oh damn! I just failed my corner, but you know what? It’s all good. I’m going to get you! I’m going to knock you out! I’m going to be the new champion of the world. I am the new WBC champion. So I kept very positive beyond that whole moment and returned the favor.”
On coming back and landing a big shot that dropped Berto near the very end of the sixth round:
“Well you know, I didn’t feel like I was hurt. When I went back and saw the fight I actually did see my legs wobble a little bit. I guess there was so much determination going on through me I really didn’t feel any pain or any kind of hurt. The referee was kind of eyeing it a couple of times so I’m just thankful that I had enough courage to turn around and drop him and then jump on him like a lion. Except the only difference was that he had time to finish me and I had no time to finish him. Otherwise I assure you it would have ended in that round, because I bounced back on him and the bell rang. So he was definitely saved by the bell.”
On how it felt when he was announced as the new WBC welterweight champion of the world:
“There were so many mixed emotions. I wasn’t supposed to get there according to everyone, according to statistics, according to the media, and according to everyone in the boxing world and the boxing game. I wasn’t supposed to make it so it meant a great deal to me to have the people who most believed in me, my team, my manager, and everyone right beside me that never took that hope off of me and just declared me the new WBC champion of the world. I told my manager from day one in training camp, I said I’m not leaving that ring without that belt! That WBC crown will be mine! One way or another, war or knockout, it’s going to be mine. That was just a very touching moment for me along with all of my team. I mean I cried and it just felt good to be announced as the new WBC champion of the world, especially because I didn’t fight a nobody. I fought an undefeated welterweight threat to Manny Pacquiao and to Floyd Mayweather. In my eyes I saw that as nonsense. I knew that I belonged in the world championship level and now that I’m there I’m just thankful.”
His views on the fact that Berto was often mentioned as a possible future opponent for Mayweather and Pacquiao and whether he believes he should not be mentioned as a potential foe for those fighters:
“I hope they give me a shot, both of them! That would be great!”
Regarding whether he is concerned that a fight with Pacquiao may be difficult to make as a result of strained relations between Golden Boy and Top Rank:
“You know what, if the fight’s supposed to happen it will happen. I don’t really care what Bob Arum has to say or Top Rank. As far as I’m concerned if a fighter wants to fight a fighter and they agree on it, hey! It should be happening. As far as anybody else is concerned and anybody else’s two cents on that, I think they should just hold it.”
On whether he was able to neutralize Berto’s speed or whether Berto was simply not as fast as advertised:
“I think the media has it twisted. How about it’s more along these lines, Victor is not that fast. That’s what everybody was focusing on, and with me I have disagreed many different times on that. They say I’m not faster, as fast, or fast enough for certain people but I know when I can match someone’s speed or I know when I’m faster than someone. In this case I knew I was faster than Berto. I saw how he jabs. I saw how he throws. The difference with me is I commit to each of my punches and they carry power. So they are very powerful and fast, so I know I carry the speed and the power. A lot of people for some reason, maybe they focus on my power, maybe they focus on something else, maybe the shoes I’m wearing, but they never catch the speed that I carry. So as far as I’m concerned I can’t even tell you what people do think about me and I won’t sit here and tell you that maybe Berto was faster than me or maybe a certain person is quicker than me because I don’t believe that! I don’t believe that Berto is faster than me, not now, not ever!”
On whether he feels this victory silences the critics who have questioned his heart since losing the Maidana fight:
“A critic is always going to be a critic. Who knows? As far as I’m concerned maybe in the next couple of weeks or something, there is going to be something along the lines of Berto is just not up to Victor’s style, maybe Berto is not fit for Victor, maybe Victor’s got too much experience in the pros. I don’t really know. I can’t really answer that question. As far as I’m concerned though, I know I happen to be the WBC champion of the world as of right now and I’ll be reigning for many years to come. It’s going to be one hell of a night for anyone who tries to step into that ring with me.”
Regarding whether he has any desire to avenge his loss against Marcos Maidana:
“Maidana is nothing. I had an off night. It was a fluke. You, myself, the world knows it, Maidana knows it. I’ve called out Maidana time and time again. I’ve begged him! I’ve told him I don’t want his money. I don’t want anything from him. I’ll sign my check over to you. I just want an opportunity to fight you when I was 140 and he just never said anything. He said oh no, I don’t know, I got to talk to my corner. Dude! The moment they asked me I gave you the shot on the spot. As far as I’m concerned there is no Maidana in my dictionary anymore. That’s actually an insult to Berto for you to ask me that question.”
His views on whether Shane Mosley has a chance to score an upset against Manny Pacquiao:
“Everyone’s got a chance, always! You got eight ounce gloves in there you got a chance. Now which way is the fight going to go? I’m not a wizard. I can’t tell the future. I’m not a psychic but I can tell you it’s going to be a great fight.”
His views on whether he can take a shot from a power punch at welterweight:
“I can take a shot from you! I can take a shot from anyone. I can take a shot from anyone who weighs anywhere from 160 to about 210.”
On when we can expect to see him back inside the ring:
“Boxing is the last thing on my mind right now. I’m going to go enjoy some Caribbean time and some down time for the next few weeks and then when I come back I think my manager will take care of letting the world know who and when I’m fighting next. Am I dodging anyone? No! Will I fight anyone? Absolutely!”
His views on the future:
“Well I’m not planning on letting this world championship leave me anytime soon, so you’ll be seeing welterweight champion of the world for a long time. His name is Victor Ortiz, known as vicious.”
On what he would like to say to his fans and supporters:
“I just want to say thank you. Thank you to everyone and all! Love me or hate me, just thank you!”
by Geoffrey Ciani (Interviewed by Jenna J & Geoffrey Ciani) - Last week’s 121st edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio (brought to you by CWH Promotions) featured an exclusive interview with the newly crowned WBC welterweight champion of the world “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) who scored an upset victory against previously unbeaten champion Andre Berto (27-1, 21 KOs) just last week. Ortiz spoke about his victory, talked about the future, and shared opinions on the current boxing landscape. Here are some excerpts from that interview:
On scoring the victory against Andre Berto to win the WBC welterweight championship:
“It’s an amazing feeling to have captured such a great title with such great recognition, especially given the fact that I was the big underdog. I wasn’t supposed to go far with the world seemed to call the biggest threat at 147. I said it from the get go on day one that I agreed to disagree with that because I figured I was a threat.”
Regarding his expectations going into the Andre Berto fight:
“My expectations were actually to knock him out. I actually came up a little short about that, but you know it was a great fight regardless. I took Berto's heart, I conquered his body and his spirit, and that to me was worth more than a knockout. I did exactly what I said I was going to do. Everybody seemed to disagree with me. I was very certain as to what I was going to do. There were some mistakes that took place along the way. I got dropped and it only made the excitement a little better for me.”
His thoughts at the time after dropping Berto in the first round of their fight:
“I was actually just thinking wow! The welterweight champion of the world just tasted the canvas in the first round. So I’m thinking to myself I should get him out. I should try to get him out and I just kind of said to myself no. You know what this is going to be a twelve round battle. He is tough, he is going to get up, and he’s going to go to war with me. Sure enough I was right, and I stuck to my game plan and listened to my corner. I stayed composed and took it round by round.”
Regarding what he was thinking after the knockdown he suffered in round two of his fight against Berto:
“Not a whole lot. I knew it wasn’t one of those things where he actually knocked me down. I just felt like this was kind of crappy, but I already had the sense that the referee was kind of going against me. So it didn’t surprise me one bit. I took it for what it was worth. I was just like alright baby! You think you dropped me? Alright! No worries. Let your head grow. So I just kept composed under the circumstance and just kept going.”
On what he was feeling when he was dropped big a big shot from Berto in round six:
“I mean I got dropped only because I didn’t listen to my corner. They told me to keep that left hand up. I disobeyed them and I faced the consequences shortly after. I didn’t go down thinking oh man! This is going to be a tough fight! I went down thinking oh damn! I just failed my corner, but you know what? It’s all good. I’m going to get you! I’m going to knock you out! I’m going to be the new champion of the world. I am the new WBC champion. So I kept very positive beyond that whole moment and returned the favor.”
On coming back and landing a big shot that dropped Berto near the very end of the sixth round:
“Well you know, I didn’t feel like I was hurt. When I went back and saw the fight I actually did see my legs wobble a little bit. I guess there was so much determination going on through me I really didn’t feel any pain or any kind of hurt. The referee was kind of eyeing it a couple of times so I’m just thankful that I had enough courage to turn around and drop him and then jump on him like a lion. Except the only difference was that he had time to finish me and I had no time to finish him. Otherwise I assure you it would have ended in that round, because I bounced back on him and the bell rang. So he was definitely saved by the bell.”
On how it felt when he was announced as the new WBC welterweight champion of the world:
“There were so many mixed emotions. I wasn’t supposed to get there according to everyone, according to statistics, according to the media, and according to everyone in the boxing world and the boxing game. I wasn’t supposed to make it so it meant a great deal to me to have the people who most believed in me, my team, my manager, and everyone right beside me that never took that hope off of me and just declared me the new WBC champion of the world. I told my manager from day one in training camp, I said I’m not leaving that ring without that belt! That WBC crown will be mine! One way or another, war or knockout, it’s going to be mine. That was just a very touching moment for me along with all of my team. I mean I cried and it just felt good to be announced as the new WBC champion of the world, especially because I didn’t fight a nobody. I fought an undefeated welterweight threat to Manny Pacquiao and to Floyd Mayweather. In my eyes I saw that as nonsense. I knew that I belonged in the world championship level and now that I’m there I’m just thankful.”
His views on the fact that Berto was often mentioned as a possible future opponent for Mayweather and Pacquiao and whether he believes he should not be mentioned as a potential foe for those fighters:
“I hope they give me a shot, both of them! That would be great!”
Regarding whether he is concerned that a fight with Pacquiao may be difficult to make as a result of strained relations between Golden Boy and Top Rank:
“You know what, if the fight’s supposed to happen it will happen. I don’t really care what Bob Arum has to say or Top Rank. As far as I’m concerned if a fighter wants to fight a fighter and they agree on it, hey! It should be happening. As far as anybody else is concerned and anybody else’s two cents on that, I think they should just hold it.”
On whether he was able to neutralize Berto’s speed or whether Berto was simply not as fast as advertised:
“I think the media has it twisted. How about it’s more along these lines, Victor is not that fast. That’s what everybody was focusing on, and with me I have disagreed many different times on that. They say I’m not faster, as fast, or fast enough for certain people but I know when I can match someone’s speed or I know when I’m faster than someone. In this case I knew I was faster than Berto. I saw how he jabs. I saw how he throws. The difference with me is I commit to each of my punches and they carry power. So they are very powerful and fast, so I know I carry the speed and the power. A lot of people for some reason, maybe they focus on my power, maybe they focus on something else, maybe the shoes I’m wearing, but they never catch the speed that I carry. So as far as I’m concerned I can’t even tell you what people do think about me and I won’t sit here and tell you that maybe Berto was faster than me or maybe a certain person is quicker than me because I don’t believe that! I don’t believe that Berto is faster than me, not now, not ever!”
On whether he feels this victory silences the critics who have questioned his heart since losing the Maidana fight:
“A critic is always going to be a critic. Who knows? As far as I’m concerned maybe in the next couple of weeks or something, there is going to be something along the lines of Berto is just not up to Victor’s style, maybe Berto is not fit for Victor, maybe Victor’s got too much experience in the pros. I don’t really know. I can’t really answer that question. As far as I’m concerned though, I know I happen to be the WBC champion of the world as of right now and I’ll be reigning for many years to come. It’s going to be one hell of a night for anyone who tries to step into that ring with me.”
Regarding whether he has any desire to avenge his loss against Marcos Maidana:
“Maidana is nothing. I had an off night. It was a fluke. You, myself, the world knows it, Maidana knows it. I’ve called out Maidana time and time again. I’ve begged him! I’ve told him I don’t want his money. I don’t want anything from him. I’ll sign my check over to you. I just want an opportunity to fight you when I was 140 and he just never said anything. He said oh no, I don’t know, I got to talk to my corner. Dude! The moment they asked me I gave you the shot on the spot. As far as I’m concerned there is no Maidana in my dictionary anymore. That’s actually an insult to Berto for you to ask me that question.”
His views on whether Shane Mosley has a chance to score an upset against Manny Pacquiao:
“Everyone’s got a chance, always! You got eight ounce gloves in there you got a chance. Now which way is the fight going to go? I’m not a wizard. I can’t tell the future. I’m not a psychic but I can tell you it’s going to be a great fight.”
His views on whether he can take a shot from a power punch at welterweight:
“I can take a shot from you! I can take a shot from anyone. I can take a shot from anyone who weighs anywhere from 160 to about 210.”
On when we can expect to see him back inside the ring:
“Boxing is the last thing on my mind right now. I’m going to go enjoy some Caribbean time and some down time for the next few weeks and then when I come back I think my manager will take care of letting the world know who and when I’m fighting next. Am I dodging anyone? No! Will I fight anyone? Absolutely!”
His views on the future:
“Well I’m not planning on letting this world championship leave me anytime soon, so you’ll be seeing welterweight champion of the world for a long time. His name is Victor Ortiz, known as vicious.”
On what he would like to say to his fans and supporters:
“I just want to say thank you. Thank you to everyone and all! Love me or hate me, just thank you!”
few more notes from today:
***One of Floyd Mayweathers court cases has been postponed to September, which likely means he will not be fighting in 2011 at all.
Article here:
http://www.boxingscene.com/mayweathers-criminal-case-adjourned-again-sept-1--38468
***Erik Morales Undercard: John-De Leon, Ishida-Kirkland?
By Miguel Rivera
The return of Erik "El Terrible" Morales is expected to have another strong undercard. Morales has announced his ring return for July 30. He fought on April 9 in Las Vegas, losing a spirited twelve round majority decision to Marcos Maidana. Among some of the fights being discussed for Morales' undercard includes a featherweight clash between WBA "super" champion Chris John and challenger Daniel Ponce De Leon.
Another fight is a possible rematch between junior middleweights James Kirkland and Nobuhiro Ishida. On the undercard of Morales-Maidana, Ishida scored a shocking first round stoppage of the previously undefeated Kirkland. Since the knockout victory, Ishida has become a very popular target for most boxers at 154 and 160.
Morales' opponent has not been set, but the Mexican boxer is open to facing Maidana in a rematch, moving down to chase a title at 135-pounds, or even facing Marco Antonio Barrera for a fourth
***One of Floyd Mayweathers court cases has been postponed to September, which likely means he will not be fighting in 2011 at all.
Article here:
http://www.boxingscene.com/mayweathers-criminal-case-adjourned-again-sept-1--38468
***Erik Morales Undercard: John-De Leon, Ishida-Kirkland?
By Miguel Rivera
The return of Erik "El Terrible" Morales is expected to have another strong undercard. Morales has announced his ring return for July 30. He fought on April 9 in Las Vegas, losing a spirited twelve round majority decision to Marcos Maidana. Among some of the fights being discussed for Morales' undercard includes a featherweight clash between WBA "super" champion Chris John and challenger Daniel Ponce De Leon.
Another fight is a possible rematch between junior middleweights James Kirkland and Nobuhiro Ishida. On the undercard of Morales-Maidana, Ishida scored a shocking first round stoppage of the previously undefeated Kirkland. Since the knockout victory, Ishida has become a very popular target for most boxers at 154 and 160.
Morales' opponent has not been set, but the Mexican boxer is open to facing Maidana in a rematch, moving down to chase a title at 135-pounds, or even facing Marco Antonio Barrera for a fourth
ESPN: Top Rank Offers Marquez Trilogy Fight with Pacquiao
Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao will defend his welterweight title against former champ Shane Mosley next month, but promoter Top Rank is already making plans for him to fight rival Juan Manuel Marquez in the fall.
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer said Monday that Top Rank has made a formal, written offer for Marquez, the lightweight champ, to challenge Pacquiao for his welterweight title on a date to be determined in October if he defeats Mosley.
Schaefer said the offer was sent to Golden Boy's attorney by Top Rank's attorney.
Marquez's contract with Golden Boy expired at the end of February. Although Golden Boy has offered him fights and discussed a new deal with him, he has not accepted while holding out hope for a third fight with Pacquiao.
But even though Marquez's promotional deal with Golden Boy expired, the company still has the right to match any offer from another company until February 2012, Schaefer said. He said Top Rank is aware of the matching rights, which is why its attorney sent Golden Boy the offer.
"Last Friday, April 22, Top Rank made a firm offer to Juan Manuel Marquez to fight Manny Pacquiao in October for his WBO 147-pound belt," Schaefer said. "Part of the deal includes a rematch provision in case Marquez would win. So Pacquiao could potentially be tied up for quite awhile."
Schaefer said the written offer to Marquez also contained financial terms, such as the guaranteed purse and the specifics his share of the pay-per-view profits. Schaefer would not disclose those terms.
Top Rank declined to discuss the offer.
"I have no comment on anything regarding Marquez," Top Rank president Todd duBoef said. "We have said that Marquez would be one of the possible opponents for Pacquiao after the fight with Mosley if he is successful against Mosley on May 7. But I have no comment. I am concentrating on promoting a fight on May 7."
Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao will defend his welterweight title against former champ Shane Mosley next month, but promoter Top Rank is already making plans for him to fight rival Juan Manuel Marquez in the fall.
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer said Monday that Top Rank has made a formal, written offer for Marquez, the lightweight champ, to challenge Pacquiao for his welterweight title on a date to be determined in October if he defeats Mosley.
Schaefer said the offer was sent to Golden Boy's attorney by Top Rank's attorney.
Marquez's contract with Golden Boy expired at the end of February. Although Golden Boy has offered him fights and discussed a new deal with him, he has not accepted while holding out hope for a third fight with Pacquiao.
But even though Marquez's promotional deal with Golden Boy expired, the company still has the right to match any offer from another company until February 2012, Schaefer said. He said Top Rank is aware of the matching rights, which is why its attorney sent Golden Boy the offer.
"Last Friday, April 22, Top Rank made a firm offer to Juan Manuel Marquez to fight Manny Pacquiao in October for his WBO 147-pound belt," Schaefer said. "Part of the deal includes a rematch provision in case Marquez would win. So Pacquiao could potentially be tied up for quite awhile."
Schaefer said the written offer to Marquez also contained financial terms, such as the guaranteed purse and the specifics his share of the pay-per-view profits. Schaefer would not disclose those terms.
Top Rank declined to discuss the offer.
"I have no comment on anything regarding Marquez," Top Rank president Todd duBoef said. "We have said that Marquez would be one of the possible opponents for Pacquiao after the fight with Mosley if he is successful against Mosley on May 7. But I have no comment. I am concentrating on promoting a fight on May 7."
makes sense since floyd is out the rest of the year (or at least till the end of the year).
Also this could be pretty significant. If Top Rank is willing to work with Golden Boy to make this fight happen that could be huge for the sport. If they work together it would be the first time in quite some time and maybe they could patch things up, which would open doors for all the other fights we want like Gamboa vs Chris John, Donaire vs Mares, etc
Also this could be pretty significant. If Top Rank is willing to work with Golden Boy to make this fight happen that could be huge for the sport. If they work together it would be the first time in quite some time and maybe they could patch things up, which would open doors for all the other fights we want like Gamboa vs Chris John, Donaire vs Mares, etc
Gamboa to face Rafael Marquez next, says Arum
By Dan Ambrose: Juan Manuel Lopez (30-1, 27 KO’s) was supposed to be facing Rafael Marquez (39-6, 35 KO’s) in a needless rematch next, but Orlando Salido wrecked those plans by stopping Lopez in the 8th round on April 16th. Lopez now has to waste valuable time in his career going over old ground to try and hopefully avenge the loss to Salido rather than moving on for his money fight with Marquez and a fight with Gamboa. Instead of Lopez getting the rematch with the 36-year-old Marquez it may well be IBF/WBA featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa (20-0, 16 KO’s).
Bob Arum, the promoter for both Lopez and Gamboa, said recently that he may match Gamboa up with Marquez next. Why Arum doesn’t want to wait until Marquez at least gets one or two wins under his belt is unclear. Marquez was stopped in his last fight with Lopez and it seems kind of silly to feed him to Gamboa right after a loss. However, this is what happened with Orlando Salido. After getting beaten by Gamboa, Arum then put Lopez in with Salido immediately in a move that backfired on Arum when Lopez was shockingly stopped by Salido. On paper, it must have looked like a good move for Arum to make because Salido was clearly beaten by Gamboa. However, Salido had more than enough in the tank to take care of Lopez.
Ideally, Gamboa should be matched with some younger contenders rather than the recently beaten Marquez. Cellestino Caballero or Mikey Garcia would be excellent choices for Gamboa to fight instead of matching him with Marquez.
By Dan Ambrose: Juan Manuel Lopez (30-1, 27 KO’s) was supposed to be facing Rafael Marquez (39-6, 35 KO’s) in a needless rematch next, but Orlando Salido wrecked those plans by stopping Lopez in the 8th round on April 16th. Lopez now has to waste valuable time in his career going over old ground to try and hopefully avenge the loss to Salido rather than moving on for his money fight with Marquez and a fight with Gamboa. Instead of Lopez getting the rematch with the 36-year-old Marquez it may well be IBF/WBA featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa (20-0, 16 KO’s).
Bob Arum, the promoter for both Lopez and Gamboa, said recently that he may match Gamboa up with Marquez next. Why Arum doesn’t want to wait until Marquez at least gets one or two wins under his belt is unclear. Marquez was stopped in his last fight with Lopez and it seems kind of silly to feed him to Gamboa right after a loss. However, this is what happened with Orlando Salido. After getting beaten by Gamboa, Arum then put Lopez in with Salido immediately in a move that backfired on Arum when Lopez was shockingly stopped by Salido. On paper, it must have looked like a good move for Arum to make because Salido was clearly beaten by Gamboa. However, Salido had more than enough in the tank to take care of Lopez.
Ideally, Gamboa should be matched with some younger contenders rather than the recently beaten Marquez. Cellestino Caballero or Mikey Garcia would be excellent choices for Gamboa to fight instead of matching him with Marquez.
Erik Morales back in action on 7/30, Maidana a possible opponent
By Dan Ambrose: Three time former world champion Erik Morales (51-7, 35 KO’s) will return to the ring on July 30th against a still to be determined opponent. Marcos Maidana and Marco Antonio Barrera are the possible fighters that the 34-year-old Morales could be facing. Morales recently lost a 12 round majority decision fight to Maidana on April 9th in Las Vegas.
Morales fought well enough to at least earn a draw in the minds of many boxing fans that saw the fight. However, Morales hurt his case for victory by tiring in the last two rounds of the bout and letting Maidana take the fight to him. After the bout, Maidana said he would give Morales a rematch if he wants one. At the time Morales said that he did want a rematch, but recently there has been talk of Morales facing the 37-year-old Barrera for a 4th time. Morales has lost two out of the three past fights with Barrera. With the exception of the last fight, the first two bouts between Morales and Barrera were very exciting with a lot of back and fourth action. The last fight between wasn’t nearly as interesting as Morales looked slower.
Morales’ right eye was closed in the Maidana fight and he also received a small cut over the eye. Morales took a lot of heavy shots in that fight and July could be a bit soon for Morales to be coming back after such a hard fight like this. He’s not as young as he used to be and if he’s matched tough again in a rematch with Maidana, Morales might not look nearly as good as in the first fight.
By Dan Ambrose: Three time former world champion Erik Morales (51-7, 35 KO’s) will return to the ring on July 30th against a still to be determined opponent. Marcos Maidana and Marco Antonio Barrera are the possible fighters that the 34-year-old Morales could be facing. Morales recently lost a 12 round majority decision fight to Maidana on April 9th in Las Vegas.
Morales fought well enough to at least earn a draw in the minds of many boxing fans that saw the fight. However, Morales hurt his case for victory by tiring in the last two rounds of the bout and letting Maidana take the fight to him. After the bout, Maidana said he would give Morales a rematch if he wants one. At the time Morales said that he did want a rematch, but recently there has been talk of Morales facing the 37-year-old Barrera for a 4th time. Morales has lost two out of the three past fights with Barrera. With the exception of the last fight, the first two bouts between Morales and Barrera were very exciting with a lot of back and fourth action. The last fight between wasn’t nearly as interesting as Morales looked slower.
Morales’ right eye was closed in the Maidana fight and he also received a small cut over the eye. Morales took a lot of heavy shots in that fight and July could be a bit soon for Morales to be coming back after such a hard fight like this. He’s not as young as he used to be and if he’s matched tough again in a rematch with Maidana, Morales might not look nearly as good as in the first fight.
Pavlik on a crash course for a Bute mega fight
By Jason Kim: Former WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (36-2, 32 KO’s) be back in action next month against Alfonso Lopez (21-0, 16 KO’s) in a fight on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosey bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The fight will be the first for the 29-year-old Pavlik at super middleweight and his promoter Bob Arum is aiming for a future fight between Pavlik and IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute. This would be the biggest fight out there right now in the super middleweight division for Pavlik if he can keep winning and looking good.
Arum isn’t going to put Pavlik in with Bute right now because it would be foolhardy for him to do so with Pavlik still rusty from a years’ worth of inactivity. However, if Pavlik looks good in beating Lopez and can pick up two or three more wins, Arum could be ready to put Pavlik in with Bute for a good paying bout.
HBO no doubt will be interested in this fight and it would be one of the bigger ones for Bute. Thus far, Bute hasn’t had popular opponent for him to face and get anything close to what fans could consider a career defining fight. Mikkel Kessler is an option for Bute and the two will likely be facing each other soon. But once the smoke clears from that fight, Pavlik will be ready to move in and get his shots. Pavlik has to get by Lopez first, however.
Lopez is coming into the fight with little pressure on him because no one is giving him any kind of shot to beat Pavlik. He has that and the benefit of being able to study Pavlik’s recent 12 round decision loss to Sergio Martinez in putting together a plan to beat the 6’2” Pavlik. Lopez needs to use movement, speed and combinations to win. Pavlik had problems with Martinez’s combinations in the second half of their fight and seemed to run out of gas when Martinez turned it up a notch with his offensive output.
By Jason Kim: Former WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (36-2, 32 KO’s) be back in action next month against Alfonso Lopez (21-0, 16 KO’s) in a fight on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosey bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The fight will be the first for the 29-year-old Pavlik at super middleweight and his promoter Bob Arum is aiming for a future fight between Pavlik and IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute. This would be the biggest fight out there right now in the super middleweight division for Pavlik if he can keep winning and looking good.
Arum isn’t going to put Pavlik in with Bute right now because it would be foolhardy for him to do so with Pavlik still rusty from a years’ worth of inactivity. However, if Pavlik looks good in beating Lopez and can pick up two or three more wins, Arum could be ready to put Pavlik in with Bute for a good paying bout.
HBO no doubt will be interested in this fight and it would be one of the bigger ones for Bute. Thus far, Bute hasn’t had popular opponent for him to face and get anything close to what fans could consider a career defining fight. Mikkel Kessler is an option for Bute and the two will likely be facing each other soon. But once the smoke clears from that fight, Pavlik will be ready to move in and get his shots. Pavlik has to get by Lopez first, however.
Lopez is coming into the fight with little pressure on him because no one is giving him any kind of shot to beat Pavlik. He has that and the benefit of being able to study Pavlik’s recent 12 round decision loss to Sergio Martinez in putting together a plan to beat the 6’2” Pavlik. Lopez needs to use movement, speed and combinations to win. Pavlik had problems with Martinez’s combinations in the second half of their fight and seemed to run out of gas when Martinez turned it up a notch with his offensive output.
Photo: Marcos Maidana Fires Back at Victor Ortiz
WBA interim-junior welterweight champion Marcos Maidana has used a photo to fire back at Victor Ortiz, the WBC's welterweight champion. In a few recent interviews on BoxingScene.com, Ortiz ripped Maidana and said the hard-puncher from Argentina was not worthy of a rematch. In 2009, Maidana stopped Ortiz in six rounds. Maidana, by way of the social networks, expressed his response with a single picture.
WBA interim-junior welterweight champion Marcos Maidana has used a photo to fire back at Victor Ortiz, the WBC's welterweight champion. In a few recent interviews on BoxingScene.com, Ortiz ripped Maidana and said the hard-puncher from Argentina was not worthy of a rematch. In 2009, Maidana stopped Ortiz in six rounds. Maidana, by way of the social networks, expressed his response with a single picture.
Angelo Dundee: “After He KO’s Klitschko, David Haye Will Be In The Top-15 All-Time He
By James Slater: As fans have probably read, legendary boxing Trainer of Champions, Angelo Dundee recently sat down with WBA heavyweight champ David Haye and gave the 30-year-old some of his sage advice ahead of Haye’s July 2nd mega-fight with Wladimir Klitschko. Working at Dundee’s world renowned 5th Street Gym in Miami, Haye had his July 2nd game-plan “tweaked” by the 89-year-old Hall of Famer.
Haye spoke briefly about his chat(s) with Dundee, and Angelo himself, on Radio 5, spoke further about Haye and his chances against “Dr. Steel Hammer.” Not only does Dundee believe Haye will win in July; not only does he feel Haye will win by KO - but the trainer says Haye, with the win, will be elevated into the top-15 all-time heavyweights. High praise indeed, and an opinion that is sure to inspire some serious debate from the fans.
“I saw him when he was training in The 5th Street Gym and he looked as though he belonged there right away,” Dundee said of Haye. “It was the first time I had seen him personally and I have been very impressed with the guy. He can box, he can move and he’s a well-conditioned kid. He feels at home in The 5th Street Gym. That’s important. You need to blend in. David has done that, just like Muhammad Ali did when he first came to that gym.
“David Haye, after he knocks out Wladimir Klitschko, will be in the top-15 all-time heavyweight boxers. Every era has a different great fighter. David Haye belongs to this era.”
Is Angelo right? Will Haye, even if he does manage to upset and stop Wladimir in Germany, really be worthy of a place amongst the top-15 heavyweight boxers in history? A Haye win over just one of the Klitschkos would certainly secure him a place in history; especially when the win would be accompanied by Haye’s great success as a cruiserweight. But top-15 of all-time as a heavy? After just six fights at the weight? I am willing to bet how many fans will strongly disagree with Dundee’s comments.
If, however, Haye sticks around and manages to defeat BOTH Klitschko, then he would be worthy, in my opinion, of being ranked as loftily as Dundee says.
Right now, here are the top-15 greatest heavyweights in my humble opinion:
1: Muhammad Ali.
2: Jack Johnson.
3: Joe Louis.
4: Jack Dempsey.
5: Rocky Marciano.
6: George Foreman.
7: Larry Holmes.
8: Sonny Liston.
9: Joe Frazier.
10: Evander Holyfield.
11: Lennox Lewis.
12: Mike Tyson.
13: Vitali Klitschko.
14: Riddick Bowe.
15: Wladimir Klitschko.
David Haye would be ranked right in the lower section of this list if he were to beat both Klitschkos. Can he do it!?
By James Slater: As fans have probably read, legendary boxing Trainer of Champions, Angelo Dundee recently sat down with WBA heavyweight champ David Haye and gave the 30-year-old some of his sage advice ahead of Haye’s July 2nd mega-fight with Wladimir Klitschko. Working at Dundee’s world renowned 5th Street Gym in Miami, Haye had his July 2nd game-plan “tweaked” by the 89-year-old Hall of Famer.
Haye spoke briefly about his chat(s) with Dundee, and Angelo himself, on Radio 5, spoke further about Haye and his chances against “Dr. Steel Hammer.” Not only does Dundee believe Haye will win in July; not only does he feel Haye will win by KO - but the trainer says Haye, with the win, will be elevated into the top-15 all-time heavyweights. High praise indeed, and an opinion that is sure to inspire some serious debate from the fans.
“I saw him when he was training in The 5th Street Gym and he looked as though he belonged there right away,” Dundee said of Haye. “It was the first time I had seen him personally and I have been very impressed with the guy. He can box, he can move and he’s a well-conditioned kid. He feels at home in The 5th Street Gym. That’s important. You need to blend in. David has done that, just like Muhammad Ali did when he first came to that gym.
“David Haye, after he knocks out Wladimir Klitschko, will be in the top-15 all-time heavyweight boxers. Every era has a different great fighter. David Haye belongs to this era.”
Is Angelo right? Will Haye, even if he does manage to upset and stop Wladimir in Germany, really be worthy of a place amongst the top-15 heavyweight boxers in history? A Haye win over just one of the Klitschkos would certainly secure him a place in history; especially when the win would be accompanied by Haye’s great success as a cruiserweight. But top-15 of all-time as a heavy? After just six fights at the weight? I am willing to bet how many fans will strongly disagree with Dundee’s comments.
If, however, Haye sticks around and manages to defeat BOTH Klitschko, then he would be worthy, in my opinion, of being ranked as loftily as Dundee says.
Right now, here are the top-15 greatest heavyweights in my humble opinion:
1: Muhammad Ali.
2: Jack Johnson.
3: Joe Louis.
4: Jack Dempsey.
5: Rocky Marciano.
6: George Foreman.
7: Larry Holmes.
8: Sonny Liston.
9: Joe Frazier.
10: Evander Holyfield.
11: Lennox Lewis.
12: Mike Tyson.
13: Vitali Klitschko.
14: Riddick Bowe.
15: Wladimir Klitschko.
David Haye would be ranked right in the lower section of this list if he were to beat both Klitschkos. Can he do it!?
Juan Manuel Marquez given offer for Pacquiao bout in October
By Chris Williams: Top Rank has made an offer to WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez to fight their number #1 fighter Manny Pacquiao for his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title in October.
The move appears, which comes before Pacquiao’s important fight next month against Shane Mosley, appears to have been done to lock down Marquez for the Pacquiao bout while at the same time giving Marquez something to make him change his mind about taking a July 30th fight against IBF light welterweight champion Zab Judah. Marquez’s contract with his promoter Golden Boy Promotions has run out and the Judah fight was one of the bouts that Golden Boy were offering the 37-year-old Marquez if he decides to stay with them.
The offer to Marquez covers his guaranteed purse as well as PPV money that he would make for Pacquiao fight, according to Dan Rafael. There will be a rematch clause in the contract just in case Marquez were to beat Pacquiao.
There hasn’t been any word about whether there would be a small catch weight handicap for Marquez, because without a catchweight, this would be a fight that would be very difficult for Marquez to win. Marquez fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. at 143 in 2009, and the added weight slowed Marquez down badly. Given that Pacquiao has been fighting at welterweight for some time now and was able to get Shane Mosley, the WBO champion at the time of their fight, to agree to a catchweight handicap, it seems only fair that Marquez should be able to fight with the same kind of handicap that Pacquiao has had in fights against Cotto, and Antonio Margarito.
If Marquez does accept the fight with Pacquiao then the Judah fight will almost surely be forgotten about. It’s unclear if Marquez agreeing to fight Pacquiao would mean that Marquez would be signing with Top Rank or not. Golden Boy can match whatever offer that Top Rank makes for Marquez.
The offer to Marquez for October means that a fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. won’t be happening in 2011, because this will be the last available date for Pacquiao this years. Perhaps Top Rank wanted to get the Marquez fight out of the way before trying to take on Mayweather.
It’s kind of odd that Bob Arum of Top Rank is locking down Marquez even before Pacquiao’s fight with Mosley has still get to be fought. This reeks of over-confidence because Mosley does have a chance of beating Pacquiao, even it it’s a small one.
By Chris Williams: Top Rank has made an offer to WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez to fight their number #1 fighter Manny Pacquiao for his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title in October.
The move appears, which comes before Pacquiao’s important fight next month against Shane Mosley, appears to have been done to lock down Marquez for the Pacquiao bout while at the same time giving Marquez something to make him change his mind about taking a July 30th fight against IBF light welterweight champion Zab Judah. Marquez’s contract with his promoter Golden Boy Promotions has run out and the Judah fight was one of the bouts that Golden Boy were offering the 37-year-old Marquez if he decides to stay with them.
The offer to Marquez covers his guaranteed purse as well as PPV money that he would make for Pacquiao fight, according to Dan Rafael. There will be a rematch clause in the contract just in case Marquez were to beat Pacquiao.
There hasn’t been any word about whether there would be a small catch weight handicap for Marquez, because without a catchweight, this would be a fight that would be very difficult for Marquez to win. Marquez fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. at 143 in 2009, and the added weight slowed Marquez down badly. Given that Pacquiao has been fighting at welterweight for some time now and was able to get Shane Mosley, the WBO champion at the time of their fight, to agree to a catchweight handicap, it seems only fair that Marquez should be able to fight with the same kind of handicap that Pacquiao has had in fights against Cotto, and Antonio Margarito.
If Marquez does accept the fight with Pacquiao then the Judah fight will almost surely be forgotten about. It’s unclear if Marquez agreeing to fight Pacquiao would mean that Marquez would be signing with Top Rank or not. Golden Boy can match whatever offer that Top Rank makes for Marquez.
The offer to Marquez for October means that a fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. won’t be happening in 2011, because this will be the last available date for Pacquiao this years. Perhaps Top Rank wanted to get the Marquez fight out of the way before trying to take on Mayweather.
It’s kind of odd that Bob Arum of Top Rank is locking down Marquez even before Pacquiao’s fight with Mosley has still get to be fought. This reeks of over-confidence because Mosley does have a chance of beating Pacquiao, even it it’s a small one.
Floyd Mayweather Jr’s Hurdles to overcome
By Frank Livingstone: This May 1 would be one year since Floyd Mayweather Jr was in the ring with Shane Mosley. This is when he displayed his defensive skills in winning over Mosley in 12 rounds after recovering from a shocking blow in the second round. The boxing world is now wondering if Floyd Jr will ever return to the ring this year or ever. There are a number of hurdles to his return and each hurdle is getting a bit higher as time goes by.
The first hurdle is his mounting legal problems. The eight misdemeanor and felony charges filed against him by his former partner Josie Harris, the assault charge on a security guard and the defamation case filed by his nemesis, Manny Pacquiao. Being the Money Man, Floyd has the best legal team to defend his case. The cases on J Harris and the security guard can be settled out of court but the Harris’ case might come at a significant financial cost. The defamation case may be part of any future negotiation with Team Pacquiao or a simple public apology and some sort of compensation may be in store. The worse case scenario is jail time and that would end his comeback.
The second hurdle to his comeback would be the guy at the other side of the ring. There was a talk of a tune up fight before the mega fight with Pacquiao. A number of names were mentioned and the latest being Victor Ortiz. Floyd was also contemplating of fighting the winner of the Martinez/Williams where Sergio emerged victorious. But Floyd being a businessman must choose an opponent with a limited risk and high return so a Martinez fight as a tune up fight is out of the picture. The opponent should also be good enough to attract a PPV number of over 1 million. If the guarantee amount is less than $20 million, Floyd might not even bother.
The third hurdle to his comeback is Father Time. Floyd turned 34 early this year and he is almost two years older than Pacquiao. His period of inactivity in the boxing ring with only two fights since his return would surely have an impact on his physical condition in an actual fight. Shane Mosley was inactive for 19 months when he fought Floyd and Shane barely survived the twelve rounds. Can Floyd turn back the clock despite his period of ring inactivity?
The last hurdle to his comeback is the public perception. If Pacquiao wins convincingly against Mosley on May 7, the public clamor for Floyd’s return may change. The ball will be on Floyd’s court to either step up or shut up. But with Floyd being Floyd, who knows he may surprise the world and get over the three hurdles to make a point. As for a fight with Pacquiao, Well, let’s get Floyd over the three hurdles first.
By Frank Livingstone: This May 1 would be one year since Floyd Mayweather Jr was in the ring with Shane Mosley. This is when he displayed his defensive skills in winning over Mosley in 12 rounds after recovering from a shocking blow in the second round. The boxing world is now wondering if Floyd Jr will ever return to the ring this year or ever. There are a number of hurdles to his return and each hurdle is getting a bit higher as time goes by.
The first hurdle is his mounting legal problems. The eight misdemeanor and felony charges filed against him by his former partner Josie Harris, the assault charge on a security guard and the defamation case filed by his nemesis, Manny Pacquiao. Being the Money Man, Floyd has the best legal team to defend his case. The cases on J Harris and the security guard can be settled out of court but the Harris’ case might come at a significant financial cost. The defamation case may be part of any future negotiation with Team Pacquiao or a simple public apology and some sort of compensation may be in store. The worse case scenario is jail time and that would end his comeback.
The second hurdle to his comeback would be the guy at the other side of the ring. There was a talk of a tune up fight before the mega fight with Pacquiao. A number of names were mentioned and the latest being Victor Ortiz. Floyd was also contemplating of fighting the winner of the Martinez/Williams where Sergio emerged victorious. But Floyd being a businessman must choose an opponent with a limited risk and high return so a Martinez fight as a tune up fight is out of the picture. The opponent should also be good enough to attract a PPV number of over 1 million. If the guarantee amount is less than $20 million, Floyd might not even bother.
The third hurdle to his comeback is Father Time. Floyd turned 34 early this year and he is almost two years older than Pacquiao. His period of inactivity in the boxing ring with only two fights since his return would surely have an impact on his physical condition in an actual fight. Shane Mosley was inactive for 19 months when he fought Floyd and Shane barely survived the twelve rounds. Can Floyd turn back the clock despite his period of ring inactivity?
The last hurdle to his comeback is the public perception. If Pacquiao wins convincingly against Mosley on May 7, the public clamor for Floyd’s return may change. The ball will be on Floyd’s court to either step up or shut up. But with Floyd being Floyd, who knows he may surprise the world and get over the three hurdles to make a point. As for a fight with Pacquiao, Well, let’s get Floyd over the three hurdles first.
Calzaghe do enough in his career to be considered great?
By Saqib Khan: When a boxer retires we always look back at the memorable fights the boxer had. When i think of Joe Calzaghe I can’t think of many.
Obviously Calzaghe fans will state Jeff lacy, no disrespect to Jeff lacy but he wasn’t nothing special, he was hyped up by the ITV media to get viewers for Calzaghe as he was struggling to get ratings at the time. Jeff lacy was hardly a fighter with great movement speed or any defence, all he possessed was a left hook which was very nonexistent. For a fighter good as Calzaghe to fight an opponent as weak as Jeff lacy in unification fight, in his 41st fight was embarrassing and a disgrace by him and his promoter.
That was the annoying with Calzaghe, he was good boxer I believe he would have beaten most of the superstar Americans not all for e.g., Glen Johnson; he would have made a massive name for himself in the US at the time. But in boxing you have to go by facts, and when you look at his record you have to say which legend has he beaten in their prime, had any wars like Morales/Barrera or Dela Hoya/ Vargas etc
I think Calzaghe and his dad Enzo were very clever men, they knew what they were doing in and out of the ring, boxing is a business and the o in his record meant he could get easy match ups with Bernard and Jones later on, that resulted in good pay days. After the lacy fight he fought Sakio Bika and Peter Manfredo Jr. no disrespect to them two hardly pound for pound calibre opponents in your 42nd plus fights.
The only highlight of Joe career was when he fought Mikkel Kessler which was to give credit to Joe was good fight but the fight was in Wales, had Calzaghe fought against him in Denmark like Carl Froch or Vegas would Calzaghe would have won ? I don’t think so.
Calzaghe last two opponents two living legends of the game, the great Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jnr. Victory over them two was nothing special as they were not in their prime, Even though in both fights Calzaghe hit the canvass. What do you think a prime Roy Jones or Bernard would do to Calzaghe? That thought is scary.
I class Calzaghe as a good boxer with good fast hands and good foot work. Who can forget the Byron Mitchell fight Calzaghe showed a lot of heart in that fight but in that fight he was badly hurt. Apart from his protected record he always be labelled as a “what if fighter” what if Calzaghe went over the US and fought the like of glen Johnson, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jnr “what if Joe didn’t retire and he fought André ward or Froch. Carl Froch probably the most annoying man on the planet but credit to him he will fight anyone anywhere whether he wins or loses, one can argue did Calzaghe duck him. Even Ricky Hatton and Prince Naseem Ahmed fought the best at their time they may have failed but they got both boxing fans appreciation for it.
I know Amir Khan is not everyone’s cup of tea but even he fought the best puncher in his division in Marcos Maidana and now in his 26th fight he will unify the division by fighting the best at his weight class which is Tim Bradley.
Maybe I’m being too harsh on Joe but when I look through his record I do not see any opponents that are pound for pound champions or massive super fights where the contest was a pickem fight, maybe with Joe we will never know how good of a boxer he really was.
By Saqib Khan: When a boxer retires we always look back at the memorable fights the boxer had. When i think of Joe Calzaghe I can’t think of many.
Obviously Calzaghe fans will state Jeff lacy, no disrespect to Jeff lacy but he wasn’t nothing special, he was hyped up by the ITV media to get viewers for Calzaghe as he was struggling to get ratings at the time. Jeff lacy was hardly a fighter with great movement speed or any defence, all he possessed was a left hook which was very nonexistent. For a fighter good as Calzaghe to fight an opponent as weak as Jeff lacy in unification fight, in his 41st fight was embarrassing and a disgrace by him and his promoter.
That was the annoying with Calzaghe, he was good boxer I believe he would have beaten most of the superstar Americans not all for e.g., Glen Johnson; he would have made a massive name for himself in the US at the time. But in boxing you have to go by facts, and when you look at his record you have to say which legend has he beaten in their prime, had any wars like Morales/Barrera or Dela Hoya/ Vargas etc
I think Calzaghe and his dad Enzo were very clever men, they knew what they were doing in and out of the ring, boxing is a business and the o in his record meant he could get easy match ups with Bernard and Jones later on, that resulted in good pay days. After the lacy fight he fought Sakio Bika and Peter Manfredo Jr. no disrespect to them two hardly pound for pound calibre opponents in your 42nd plus fights.
The only highlight of Joe career was when he fought Mikkel Kessler which was to give credit to Joe was good fight but the fight was in Wales, had Calzaghe fought against him in Denmark like Carl Froch or Vegas would Calzaghe would have won ? I don’t think so.
Calzaghe last two opponents two living legends of the game, the great Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jnr. Victory over them two was nothing special as they were not in their prime, Even though in both fights Calzaghe hit the canvass. What do you think a prime Roy Jones or Bernard would do to Calzaghe? That thought is scary.
I class Calzaghe as a good boxer with good fast hands and good foot work. Who can forget the Byron Mitchell fight Calzaghe showed a lot of heart in that fight but in that fight he was badly hurt. Apart from his protected record he always be labelled as a “what if fighter” what if Calzaghe went over the US and fought the like of glen Johnson, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jnr “what if Joe didn’t retire and he fought André ward or Froch. Carl Froch probably the most annoying man on the planet but credit to him he will fight anyone anywhere whether he wins or loses, one can argue did Calzaghe duck him. Even Ricky Hatton and Prince Naseem Ahmed fought the best at their time they may have failed but they got both boxing fans appreciation for it.
I know Amir Khan is not everyone’s cup of tea but even he fought the best puncher in his division in Marcos Maidana and now in his 26th fight he will unify the division by fighting the best at his weight class which is Tim Bradley.
Maybe I’m being too harsh on Joe but when I look through his record I do not see any opponents that are pound for pound champions or massive super fights where the contest was a pickem fight, maybe with Joe we will never know how good of a boxer he really was.
Wladimir says he won’t be bothered by Haye’s psychological games
By William Mackay: IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO’s) plans on making WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KO’s) his 50th knockout on July 2nd in their mega fight at the Imtech stadium in Hamburg, Germany.
Haye, 30, has given countless interviews since the fight was recently announced and is painting a dire picture of Wladimir crawling on his hands and knees in the ring after being stopped by Haye, while Wladimir’s brother WBA heavyweight champion fumes in anger at the sight of Wladimir down and plans his revenge. Haye seems to want to both excite the public while at the same time un-nerve Wladimir. Haye’s goal is to accomplish both and then lure Vitali into cancelling his September mega fight with heavyweight contender Tomasz Adamek to try and avenge Wladimir’s fight against Haye.
In an interview today at edition.cnn.com/, Wladimir said “I knocked out 49 fighters and David Haye is going to be the 50th on my list. He [Haye] will try to get through with his strategy, psychological and physical game and I’m ready for it because I’m a true professional athlete and have been doing it for such a long time. I love to be challenged.”
Haye’s mind games likely won’t be effective against Wladimir, as he’s been around too long and is well aware of what Haye is trying to do. Haye will have to come up with a better plan than that if he wants to beat Wladimir on July 2nd. Haye won’t have the size or the skill advantage in this fight. Wladimir, 6’6″, is a much better boxer and will be sporting a four inch height advantage over the 6’2″ Haye.
By William Mackay: IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO’s) plans on making WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KO’s) his 50th knockout on July 2nd in their mega fight at the Imtech stadium in Hamburg, Germany.
Haye, 30, has given countless interviews since the fight was recently announced and is painting a dire picture of Wladimir crawling on his hands and knees in the ring after being stopped by Haye, while Wladimir’s brother WBA heavyweight champion fumes in anger at the sight of Wladimir down and plans his revenge. Haye seems to want to both excite the public while at the same time un-nerve Wladimir. Haye’s goal is to accomplish both and then lure Vitali into cancelling his September mega fight with heavyweight contender Tomasz Adamek to try and avenge Wladimir’s fight against Haye.
In an interview today at edition.cnn.com/, Wladimir said “I knocked out 49 fighters and David Haye is going to be the 50th on my list. He [Haye] will try to get through with his strategy, psychological and physical game and I’m ready for it because I’m a true professional athlete and have been doing it for such a long time. I love to be challenged.”
Haye’s mind games likely won’t be effective against Wladimir, as he’s been around too long and is well aware of what Haye is trying to do. Haye will have to come up with a better plan than that if he wants to beat Wladimir on July 2nd. Haye won’t have the size or the skill advantage in this fight. Wladimir, 6’6″, is a much better boxer and will be sporting a four inch height advantage over the 6’2″ Haye.