Boxing News Thread
- Thread starter heyzel
- Start date
Sergio Martinez wants Saul Alvarez bout if Chavez Jr. won’t fight him
March 21st, 2012
By Allan Fox: According to an interview WBC Diamond middleweight champion Sergio Martinez gave to the record.com.mx, Martinez is interested in moving down to 154 to fight WBC junior middleweight champion Saul Alvarez if Martinez can’t get WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. to agree to fight him in September. Chavez Jr. is Martinez’s first choice, but he has serious doubts about whether Chavez Jr. wants to fight him.
In the interview at the record.com.mx, Martinez, 37, said he wants Chavez Jr. to agree to Olympic style drug testing for performance enhancing drugs in order to fight him. However, it’s unclear whether the young 26-year-old Chavez Jr. will agree to the testing that Martinez wants. Martinez says he’s willing to take less money than Chavez Jr. but he definitely wants the drug testing in place before he fights him.
Chavez Jr. has been coming into his fights heavy at or near 180 lbs after re-hydrating. It could be tough on Martinez if he has give up 10 to 15 pounds in weight. That should be more of a concern for him than worrying about PEDs. What Martinez needs is to have some kind of rehydration limits in place the day of the fight to try and limit how much Chavez Jr. can balloon up in weight because he’s been coming into his fights recently as a small cruiserweight in size facing guys in the 160s. That’s a big advantage for Chavez Jr. to have, as he can beat his opposition on size alone when he’s that heavy.
Besides wanting a fight against Alvarez and Chavez Jr., Martinez also wants to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. and is willing to go down to 150 to try and fight him. Mayweather has mentioned liking the idea of fighting Martinez, but right now he’s got a fight coming up against WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto on May 5th. If Mayweather can get though that fight in one piece, then perhaps he’ll be interested in facing Martinez.
March 21st, 2012
By Allan Fox: According to an interview WBC Diamond middleweight champion Sergio Martinez gave to the record.com.mx, Martinez is interested in moving down to 154 to fight WBC junior middleweight champion Saul Alvarez if Martinez can’t get WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. to agree to fight him in September. Chavez Jr. is Martinez’s first choice, but he has serious doubts about whether Chavez Jr. wants to fight him.
In the interview at the record.com.mx, Martinez, 37, said he wants Chavez Jr. to agree to Olympic style drug testing for performance enhancing drugs in order to fight him. However, it’s unclear whether the young 26-year-old Chavez Jr. will agree to the testing that Martinez wants. Martinez says he’s willing to take less money than Chavez Jr. but he definitely wants the drug testing in place before he fights him.
Chavez Jr. has been coming into his fights heavy at or near 180 lbs after re-hydrating. It could be tough on Martinez if he has give up 10 to 15 pounds in weight. That should be more of a concern for him than worrying about PEDs. What Martinez needs is to have some kind of rehydration limits in place the day of the fight to try and limit how much Chavez Jr. can balloon up in weight because he’s been coming into his fights recently as a small cruiserweight in size facing guys in the 160s. That’s a big advantage for Chavez Jr. to have, as he can beat his opposition on size alone when he’s that heavy.
Besides wanting a fight against Alvarez and Chavez Jr., Martinez also wants to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. and is willing to go down to 150 to try and fight him. Mayweather has mentioned liking the idea of fighting Martinez, but right now he’s got a fight coming up against WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto on May 5th. If Mayweather can get though that fight in one piece, then perhaps he’ll be interested in facing Martinez.
Lennox Lewis takes another shot at the Klitschko’s
March 21st, 2012
By John F. McKenna (McJack): In what has been all too common of late, former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has decided to take another shot the Klitschko brothers. WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO and The Ring heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (57-3, 50 KO’s) and his brother WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (44-2, 40 KO’s) presently hold all the heavyweight title belts after Wladimir scored a unanimous twelve round decision victory over former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-2, 23 KO’s) in July 2011.
Lewis in this writers view is one of the great heavyweight champions in boxing history. He lost only two fights in his illustrious career one was a TKO loss to Oliver McCall in 1994 and the other a KO at the hands of Hasim Rahman in 2001. Both of Lewis’ losses were avenged in convincing fashion.
In one of the best heavyweight battles of the last twenty years, Lennox scored a TKO victory in the 6th round over present WBC title holder Vitali Klitschko; in 2003. “Dr. Ironfist” was leading on all scorecards when the fight had to be stopped due to a horrific cut over his eye.
At the time Lewis promised to give Vitali a rematch, but Lewis chose to retire rather than fight Klitschko again. In all fairness to Lennox he was 37 ½ years old when he fought Vitali. In another attempt to get Lewis back into the ring, Klitschko met with him at his residence. Lennox’ mother was present at the meeting and after sizing up the huge Ukrainain she nixed the idea of another Lewis – Klitschko fight.
Of course the story leaked out about Lewis’ Mum squashing a 2nd Lewis – Klitschko fight. In retrospect in releasing the details of the meeting Klitschko may have been attempting to embarrass Lewis into accepting another match with him. In any case Vitali is now three years older then Lennox was when he retired.
To be quite fair there is always a little bit of rivalry between the champions of today vs the champions of yesteryear. It is only natural to think that the era in which you competed was the best ever.
In Lennox taking swipes at the Klitschko’s, Vitali in particular, there is a sense of a small amount of envy on the part of Lewis. And while Wlad and Vitali are not household names in the west, they certainly are to the millions of boxing fans in Eastern Europe and Germany. Greatness, just like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The Klitschko’s never fail to pack the stadiums in Germany.
As far as the Klitschko’s not fighting top notch opponents, Lennox knows full well that all the viable contenders bailed out of a potential fight with Wladimir in his last fight. His next fight with Tony Thompson in the summer is his mandatory challenger. Lennox above all other people knows how the game is played in boxing. Perhaps after Thompson Klitschko will be able to take a match on with a fighter of his choosing.
March 21st, 2012
By John F. McKenna (McJack): In what has been all too common of late, former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has decided to take another shot the Klitschko brothers. WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO and The Ring heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (57-3, 50 KO’s) and his brother WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (44-2, 40 KO’s) presently hold all the heavyweight title belts after Wladimir scored a unanimous twelve round decision victory over former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-2, 23 KO’s) in July 2011.
Lewis in this writers view is one of the great heavyweight champions in boxing history. He lost only two fights in his illustrious career one was a TKO loss to Oliver McCall in 1994 and the other a KO at the hands of Hasim Rahman in 2001. Both of Lewis’ losses were avenged in convincing fashion.
In one of the best heavyweight battles of the last twenty years, Lennox scored a TKO victory in the 6th round over present WBC title holder Vitali Klitschko; in 2003. “Dr. Ironfist” was leading on all scorecards when the fight had to be stopped due to a horrific cut over his eye.
At the time Lewis promised to give Vitali a rematch, but Lewis chose to retire rather than fight Klitschko again. In all fairness to Lennox he was 37 ½ years old when he fought Vitali. In another attempt to get Lewis back into the ring, Klitschko met with him at his residence. Lennox’ mother was present at the meeting and after sizing up the huge Ukrainain she nixed the idea of another Lewis – Klitschko fight.
Of course the story leaked out about Lewis’ Mum squashing a 2nd Lewis – Klitschko fight. In retrospect in releasing the details of the meeting Klitschko may have been attempting to embarrass Lewis into accepting another match with him. In any case Vitali is now three years older then Lennox was when he retired.
To be quite fair there is always a little bit of rivalry between the champions of today vs the champions of yesteryear. It is only natural to think that the era in which you competed was the best ever.
In Lennox taking swipes at the Klitschko’s, Vitali in particular, there is a sense of a small amount of envy on the part of Lewis. And while Wlad and Vitali are not household names in the west, they certainly are to the millions of boxing fans in Eastern Europe and Germany. Greatness, just like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The Klitschko’s never fail to pack the stadiums in Germany.
As far as the Klitschko’s not fighting top notch opponents, Lennox knows full well that all the viable contenders bailed out of a potential fight with Wladimir in his last fight. His next fight with Tony Thompson in the summer is his mandatory challenger. Lennox above all other people knows how the game is played in boxing. Perhaps after Thompson Klitschko will be able to take a match on with a fighter of his choosing.
Chavez Jr. vs. Martirosyan given the green light by HBO
March 21st, 2012
By Dan Ambrose: HBO has reportedly given the stamp of approval to WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr’s next opponent undefeated junior middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan (32-0, 20 KO’s) for a fight on June 16th at the Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas, U.S. Martirosyan, 25, is the proposed Top Rank replacement for middleweight contender Martin Murray, who was unable to take the fight with Chavez Jr. due to visa problems.
Martirosyan was in the right place at the right time with no scheduled opponent, a division below Chavez Jr. in weight and best of all he fights for the same Top Rank stable. Martirosyan wants the fight and despite what will likely be a possible 20 pound weight disadvantage against the 180 pound Chavez Jr. on fight night on June 16th, Martirosyan could give Chavez Jr. a decent fight in losing.
Sergio Martinez is hoping to be next in line for Chavez Jr., but that remains to be seen. Martinez’s promoter Lou Dibella is eager to make the fight happen, but it’s up to Bob Arum, Chavez Jr’s promoter and of course it’s up to Chavez Jr. himself. The WBC was supposed to be forcing Chavez Jr. to make the fight with Martinez, his mandatory, but it looks like they’re going to allow Chavez Jr. another optional title defense.
A fight between Chavez Jr. and Martinez could still happen if they agree to the money and other factors. Chavez Jr. will have to get by Martirosyan, but that shouldn’t be a problem for Chavez Jr. if he has a 20 pound weight advantage over him.
March 21st, 2012
By Dan Ambrose: HBO has reportedly given the stamp of approval to WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr’s next opponent undefeated junior middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan (32-0, 20 KO’s) for a fight on June 16th at the Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas, U.S. Martirosyan, 25, is the proposed Top Rank replacement for middleweight contender Martin Murray, who was unable to take the fight with Chavez Jr. due to visa problems.
Martirosyan was in the right place at the right time with no scheduled opponent, a division below Chavez Jr. in weight and best of all he fights for the same Top Rank stable. Martirosyan wants the fight and despite what will likely be a possible 20 pound weight disadvantage against the 180 pound Chavez Jr. on fight night on June 16th, Martirosyan could give Chavez Jr. a decent fight in losing.
Sergio Martinez is hoping to be next in line for Chavez Jr., but that remains to be seen. Martinez’s promoter Lou Dibella is eager to make the fight happen, but it’s up to Bob Arum, Chavez Jr’s promoter and of course it’s up to Chavez Jr. himself. The WBC was supposed to be forcing Chavez Jr. to make the fight with Martinez, his mandatory, but it looks like they’re going to allow Chavez Jr. another optional title defense.
A fight between Chavez Jr. and Martinez could still happen if they agree to the money and other factors. Chavez Jr. will have to get by Martirosyan, but that shouldn’t be a problem for Chavez Jr. if he has a 20 pound weight advantage over him.
Chavez Jr. Up for WBC Title Defence Against Andy Lee on June 16
Andy Lee, Irish Kronk middleweight star (28w, 1l 20kos) declared this week he wants a world title shot against World Boxing Council (WBC) Middleweight Champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (45w- 1d, 1nc 31kos) on June 16 at the Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas.
In February this year, Lee was already in the frame to fight Chavez Jr. on June 16. The fight was agreed in principle by HBO Boxing, Team Lee and Chavez Jr.’s promoter Top Rank CEO Bob Arum. Then Team Chavez reneged on Lee as an opponent because of the Kronk fighter’s southpaw style..
In an interview with Ben Thompson of Fight Hype, Chavez Jr. has now indicated that he is willing to fight Lee and the Kronk fighter’s southpaw style would not be an issue. He will fight whoever his promoter Top Rank chooses for him.
There are no other credible middleweight fighters out there for Chavez Jr. to fight with the same credentials and standing in the sport as Lee. The Kronk fighter is presently listed in the world rankings as WBC #4, WBA #2 and WBO #2.
Lee commented ‘With Julio now up for the fight, there are no obstacles in the way to make the fight, it is now up to Julio’s promoter Bob Arum and my promoter Lou DiBella to cut a deal and get the fight on for the fans. I am ready and willing to step through the ropes on June 16 and go to battle with Julio for the WBC middleweight title. Bring it on.’
Andy Lee, Irish Kronk middleweight star (28w, 1l 20kos) declared this week he wants a world title shot against World Boxing Council (WBC) Middleweight Champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (45w- 1d, 1nc 31kos) on June 16 at the Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas.
In February this year, Lee was already in the frame to fight Chavez Jr. on June 16. The fight was agreed in principle by HBO Boxing, Team Lee and Chavez Jr.’s promoter Top Rank CEO Bob Arum. Then Team Chavez reneged on Lee as an opponent because of the Kronk fighter’s southpaw style..
In an interview with Ben Thompson of Fight Hype, Chavez Jr. has now indicated that he is willing to fight Lee and the Kronk fighter’s southpaw style would not be an issue. He will fight whoever his promoter Top Rank chooses for him.
There are no other credible middleweight fighters out there for Chavez Jr. to fight with the same credentials and standing in the sport as Lee. The Kronk fighter is presently listed in the world rankings as WBC #4, WBA #2 and WBO #2.
Lee commented ‘With Julio now up for the fight, there are no obstacles in the way to make the fight, it is now up to Julio’s promoter Bob Arum and my promoter Lou DiBella to cut a deal and get the fight on for the fans. I am ready and willing to step through the ropes on June 16 and go to battle with Julio for the WBC middleweight title. Bring it on.’
Bob Arum Says Manny Pacquiao Will Not Retire Until 2013; Hope Yet For Mayweather Super-Fight?
By James Slater - Earlier this week, a news story broke that informed us how boxing superstar and P-4-P king Manny Pacquiao had had a dream in which God told him to retire. The subsequent statement by Pac-Man, that retirement many not be too far away as a result of his religious experience (no small thing for any fighter - remember heavyweight legend George Foreman’s decision to up and quit after being visited by The Almighty in that steamy dressing room in Puerto Rico in 1977?) was enough to worry promoter Bob Arum.
Arum, talking to The Manila Bulletin, expressed his concerns:
“I am worried a bit because these are the things you don’t say when preparing for a fight,” The Top Rank boss said. “He will retire in 2013..”
Usually, whatever Arum says goes as far as Pacquiao is concerned. Loyal to Uncle Bob in a big way (to the extent that certain boxing people have expressed the opinion that Manny would be a whole lot better off without Arum), Pacquiao fights when Arum says, against who Arum says. So, if Arum says the 33-year-old superstar will not walk away from the ring until 2013, this will likely be the case. Also, trainer Freddie Roach has dismissed talk of an imminent retirement.
And Pac-Man himself, in an interview yesterday with The Freeman, said “Retiring is still far from my mind. I know I can still fight.”
Next up, as fans know, is the unbeaten Tim Bradley. Should Pac-Man do as Roach predicts and look good in getting a stoppage win on June 19th, at least one further fight will be likely. And we all know who we’d like that one fight to be against! Fellow megastar Floyd Mayweather Junior.
For as long as these two great fighters are active, fans, experts, writers and anyone else involved with the sport will not give up hope that the two will some day square off in what could be the richest boxing match of all-time.
Maybe, just maybe, 2013 will be the lucky year in which the super-fight finally happens
By James Slater - Earlier this week, a news story broke that informed us how boxing superstar and P-4-P king Manny Pacquiao had had a dream in which God told him to retire. The subsequent statement by Pac-Man, that retirement many not be too far away as a result of his religious experience (no small thing for any fighter - remember heavyweight legend George Foreman’s decision to up and quit after being visited by The Almighty in that steamy dressing room in Puerto Rico in 1977?) was enough to worry promoter Bob Arum.
Arum, talking to The Manila Bulletin, expressed his concerns:
“I am worried a bit because these are the things you don’t say when preparing for a fight,” The Top Rank boss said. “He will retire in 2013..”
Usually, whatever Arum says goes as far as Pacquiao is concerned. Loyal to Uncle Bob in a big way (to the extent that certain boxing people have expressed the opinion that Manny would be a whole lot better off without Arum), Pacquiao fights when Arum says, against who Arum says. So, if Arum says the 33-year-old superstar will not walk away from the ring until 2013, this will likely be the case. Also, trainer Freddie Roach has dismissed talk of an imminent retirement.
And Pac-Man himself, in an interview yesterday with The Freeman, said “Retiring is still far from my mind. I know I can still fight.”
Next up, as fans know, is the unbeaten Tim Bradley. Should Pac-Man do as Roach predicts and look good in getting a stoppage win on June 19th, at least one further fight will be likely. And we all know who we’d like that one fight to be against! Fellow megastar Floyd Mayweather Junior.
For as long as these two great fighters are active, fans, experts, writers and anyone else involved with the sport will not give up hope that the two will some day square off in what could be the richest boxing match of all-time.
Maybe, just maybe, 2013 will be the lucky year in which the super-fight finally happens
Timothy Bradley: I’m 100 percent natural!
March 22nd, 2012
By Chris Williams: WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley says he’s 100% natural on natural supplements to supply his strength and ability. He’s got a fight coming up against WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao on June 9th, and when asked about blood testing for the Pacquiao fight to check for performance enhancing drugs, Bradley told writer Kevin Davis at boxingsocialist.com that he doesn’t care one way or another about the tests.
Bradley said this in the boxingsocialist.com interview about blood testing “It doesn’t matter. I’m going to beat him [Pacquiao] anyway. You know, I’m not saying Manny is on steroids or not…I don’t know but it ain’t going to help him in this fight…You can put all these unnatural supplements in your body or whatever but it ain’t going to work against me, man. I’m natural…I’m not the one in the ring catching cramps.”
Ouch! Bradley was really slamming Pacquiao here and tip-toeing around the performance enhancing stuff. I don’t believe Pacquiao is using PEDs. I just think he might getting worked too hard by his strength trainer Alex Ariza. Pacquiao needs to just focus on sparring and light road work rather than what he’s been doing. He needs to make some changes in his training.
Bradley is considered an underdog in this fight, but given his youth, determination, him having never been beaten, and Pacquiao’s problems with leg cramps, Bradley has a real good chance of beating Pacquiao on June 9th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be a huge win, but not an upset as far as I’m concerned. Pacquiao has been showing signs of fading for the last three fights, but he’s been fortunate to have soft matchmaking for two of those fights and in his third, Pacquiao got a questionable decision over Juan Manuel Marquez. I had Marquez winning that fight comfortable. Pacquiao will probably do well in the first few rounds, but once his leg cramps stat rearing their ugly heads, Pacquiao will become grounded and start taking punishment like an older fighter. It’s too bad Pacquiao’s strength trainer Alex Ariza likely won’t be able to whip Pacquiao into the kind of shape where the leg cramps won’t happen but I don’t think he will. I see it as age related.
March 22nd, 2012
By Chris Williams: WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley says he’s 100% natural on natural supplements to supply his strength and ability. He’s got a fight coming up against WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao on June 9th, and when asked about blood testing for the Pacquiao fight to check for performance enhancing drugs, Bradley told writer Kevin Davis at boxingsocialist.com that he doesn’t care one way or another about the tests.
Bradley said this in the boxingsocialist.com interview about blood testing “It doesn’t matter. I’m going to beat him [Pacquiao] anyway. You know, I’m not saying Manny is on steroids or not…I don’t know but it ain’t going to help him in this fight…You can put all these unnatural supplements in your body or whatever but it ain’t going to work against me, man. I’m natural…I’m not the one in the ring catching cramps.”
Ouch! Bradley was really slamming Pacquiao here and tip-toeing around the performance enhancing stuff. I don’t believe Pacquiao is using PEDs. I just think he might getting worked too hard by his strength trainer Alex Ariza. Pacquiao needs to just focus on sparring and light road work rather than what he’s been doing. He needs to make some changes in his training.
Bradley is considered an underdog in this fight, but given his youth, determination, him having never been beaten, and Pacquiao’s problems with leg cramps, Bradley has a real good chance of beating Pacquiao on June 9th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be a huge win, but not an upset as far as I’m concerned. Pacquiao has been showing signs of fading for the last three fights, but he’s been fortunate to have soft matchmaking for two of those fights and in his third, Pacquiao got a questionable decision over Juan Manuel Marquez. I had Marquez winning that fight comfortable. Pacquiao will probably do well in the first few rounds, but once his leg cramps stat rearing their ugly heads, Pacquiao will become grounded and start taking punishment like an older fighter. It’s too bad Pacquiao’s strength trainer Alex Ariza likely won’t be able to whip Pacquiao into the kind of shape where the leg cramps won’t happen but I don’t think he will. I see it as age related.
Dawson wants to send 47-year-old Hopkins into retirement on April 28th
March 22nd, 2012
By Dan Ambrose: Chad Dawson (30-1, 17 KO’s) not only wants to beat 47-year-old WBC light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KO’s) next month in their long awaited rematch on April 28th, but he also wants to send Hopkins into retirement so that new blood can move in and have their time at the top.
Dawson told Boxingnewsonline.com “I want to get Bernard Hopkins out of the sport so I can make room for other young fighters coming up.”
Dawson will probably end up beating Hopkins soundly by a lopsided 12 round decision – if Hopkins doesn’t come down with some kind of injury – but I don’t think Hopkins will retire from boxing. I believe Hopkins will linger on into his 50s, and become more careful about the fighters he competes against. WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly already said he’d be still interested in facing Hopkins next even if he loses to Dawson next month. In other words, Cleverly wants Hopkins no matter what happens. You can see that Hopkins will still opportunities to fight but with his skills starting to show some wear, he could end up being just an opponent for the top fighters if he continues to decline as a fighter.
It would be risky to put your money on Hopkins in the Dawson rematch because of how uncomfortable he looked against the bigger and stronger Dawson last October. It may have only last two rounds due to Hopkins falling down and injuring his left shoulder after Dawson lifted him up in the 2nd, but Hopkins didn’t look good and seemed to be on his way towards losing the fight by a 12 round decision. The rematch will have more pressure on Hopkins to stay in one piece but I can see some kind of injury occurring that will knock him out of the fight somewhere along the line in the fight.
March 22nd, 2012
By Dan Ambrose: Chad Dawson (30-1, 17 KO’s) not only wants to beat 47-year-old WBC light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KO’s) next month in their long awaited rematch on April 28th, but he also wants to send Hopkins into retirement so that new blood can move in and have their time at the top.
Dawson told Boxingnewsonline.com “I want to get Bernard Hopkins out of the sport so I can make room for other young fighters coming up.”
Dawson will probably end up beating Hopkins soundly by a lopsided 12 round decision – if Hopkins doesn’t come down with some kind of injury – but I don’t think Hopkins will retire from boxing. I believe Hopkins will linger on into his 50s, and become more careful about the fighters he competes against. WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly already said he’d be still interested in facing Hopkins next even if he loses to Dawson next month. In other words, Cleverly wants Hopkins no matter what happens. You can see that Hopkins will still opportunities to fight but with his skills starting to show some wear, he could end up being just an opponent for the top fighters if he continues to decline as a fighter.
It would be risky to put your money on Hopkins in the Dawson rematch because of how uncomfortable he looked against the bigger and stronger Dawson last October. It may have only last two rounds due to Hopkins falling down and injuring his left shoulder after Dawson lifted him up in the 2nd, but Hopkins didn’t look good and seemed to be on his way towards losing the fight by a 12 round decision. The rematch will have more pressure on Hopkins to stay in one piece but I can see some kind of injury occurring that will knock him out of the fight somewhere along the line in the fight.
Erik Morales: I feel rejuvenated
March 22nd, 2012
By Allan Fox: 35-year-old WBC light welterweight champion Erik Morales (52-7, 36 KO’s) says he has a new enthusiasm for boxing that was missing years ago when suffered four consecutive losses from 2005 to 2007. Morales took three years off in retiring from the sport until making a comeback in 2010. Morales has now won four of five bouts during his comeback but he’s not looked anywhere near as good as he was, even during his four-fight losing streak. This bigger version of Morales is slower, heavier and not as big a puncher.
Morales makes his first defense of his WBC title on Saturday night against unbeaten Danny Garcia (22-0, 14 KO’s) at the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas. If Morales looks anything like he did in struggling to beat 22-year-old fringe contender Pablo Cesar Cano last September for the vacant WBC 140 pound title, then we could see Morales get badly beaten by Garcia because he’s rated as a lot better fighter than Cano.
Morales said to supersport.com “I feel rejuvenated. I needed to take some time off to decide what I wanted to do. Now I know I’m 100 percent committed to boxing.”
Garcia has the speed, power and youth to give Morales a lot of problems in this fight and likely stop him inside the distance at some point. Garcia has the speed to give Morales fits and with his power and youth, he’s probably a step too far for Morales. This isn’t a good match-up for Morales, who would have been better off vacating the title and moving back down in weight to lightweight or super featherweight if he could make the fight. He likely can’t make the weight at this point in his career and that’s probably why he’s at 140. The WBC made it easy for Morales to pick up a title when Cano was found to replace ill Lucas Matthysse last September. Morales would have struggled against a fighter like Matthysse.
March 22nd, 2012
By Allan Fox: 35-year-old WBC light welterweight champion Erik Morales (52-7, 36 KO’s) says he has a new enthusiasm for boxing that was missing years ago when suffered four consecutive losses from 2005 to 2007. Morales took three years off in retiring from the sport until making a comeback in 2010. Morales has now won four of five bouts during his comeback but he’s not looked anywhere near as good as he was, even during his four-fight losing streak. This bigger version of Morales is slower, heavier and not as big a puncher.
Morales makes his first defense of his WBC title on Saturday night against unbeaten Danny Garcia (22-0, 14 KO’s) at the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas. If Morales looks anything like he did in struggling to beat 22-year-old fringe contender Pablo Cesar Cano last September for the vacant WBC 140 pound title, then we could see Morales get badly beaten by Garcia because he’s rated as a lot better fighter than Cano.
Morales said to supersport.com “I feel rejuvenated. I needed to take some time off to decide what I wanted to do. Now I know I’m 100 percent committed to boxing.”
Garcia has the speed, power and youth to give Morales a lot of problems in this fight and likely stop him inside the distance at some point. Garcia has the speed to give Morales fits and with his power and youth, he’s probably a step too far for Morales. This isn’t a good match-up for Morales, who would have been better off vacating the title and moving back down in weight to lightweight or super featherweight if he could make the fight. He likely can’t make the weight at this point in his career and that’s probably why he’s at 140. The WBC made it easy for Morales to pick up a title when Cano was found to replace ill Lucas Matthysse last September. Morales would have struggled against a fighter like Matthysse.
Kimbo Slice Gets Even Smaller Replacement Opponent For March 24 Bout
Profile_picture_tiny by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 21, 2012 4:16 PM EDT in Boxing News Analysis
22 comments
Story-email Email
Printer Print
Kimbo Slice, seen here in a rare moment of throwing a punch at an actual heavyweight. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)
Richard Wolowicz - Getty Images
Kimbo Slice, seen here in a rare moment of throwing a punch at an actual heavyweight. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)
I'm sure it's my MMA side that has led to a deeper freakish curiosity in the boxing career of Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson, but his transition to boxing has been pretty incredible. While teeing off on smaller opponents, Jared "$kala" Shaw has insisted that Kimbo is shooting for a title shot and is a "much needed injection" into the heavyweight boxing ranks.
Kimbo was set to face middling regional level mixed martial artist Mike Glenn for his fourth bout this coming Saturday but he had some sort of issue with Glenn as the opponent. After deciding he was willing to face Glenn, now Glenn has issues with promoters for the event and has withdrew from the bout.
Related Video: Jared Ryan Shaw's "Mr. All the Wrong Ones"
Have no fear though, they've found a mixed martial artist to box Kimbo as a later replacement. Facing Slice as a late replacement in this heavyweight bout? 185 pounder Brian Green. Green announced the bout via his Facebook page:
I'm fighting KIMBO SLICE This Saturday night in a boxing match!!!! Call me crazy if you want, but the dude has beat up nothing but scrubs.... I'm giving up size, but it's a once in a lifetime opportunity... What am I gonna do, say NO??!?!?!? WHO WANTS TO GO?! It's in Springfield Missouri. a 5 hour drive from Des Moines! HIT ME UP for tickets peeps! ROOOOOOOOOOAD TRIPPPPPP
Glenn, the original opponent, was a light heavyweight (205 pound) mixed martial artist. Green is a middleweight who will be giving up a huge amount of size.
Star-divide
Green is 27-17 in his MMA career and has fought some decent names. He has, predictably, lost to pretty much anyone of note that he has stepped into the cage/ring with. And, again, he is a 185 pound fighter.
Earlier this month I had talked about Kimbo's fight with Glenn over at Bloody Elbow and had this to say:
This is a continuing trend for Kimbo as he made his debut against then 0-1 James Wade weighing 227 to Wade's 205, took on then 2-3 Tay Bledsoe weighing 244 to Bledsoe's 206 and then beat the debuting Charles Hackmann when he weighed 235 to Hackmann's 211. The only opponent Slice has faced (or is scheduled to face in Glenn's case) who is a listed heavyweight is Hackmann, and that's only because he made his debut at heavyweight. He almost certainly could have cut down to cruiserweight.
One wonders what the ultimate point here is. Kimbo is 38 years old with bad knees. If they're serious about him ever challenging for a title (they're not) then beating up on guys who are cruiserweights or smaller isn't going to get him there. Is the goal with this fight just to have him beat a guy whose trade is as a mixed martial artist? Just so that Jared Shaw can try to validate his statements that the only reason Kimbo lost in MMA was because he had to worry about more than just throwing hands? Now, bringing a mixed martial artist into boxing, if he knocks him out will Shaw take to Twitter or, god forbid, get in front of someone's camera to do a "what'd I tell you?!" act?
I'm actually a fan of Kimbo, the man. By all accounts he's a pretty nice guy and I don't begrudge him the ability to go out and make some money doing a little boxing. But a point comes eventually where enough is enough and bullshit hype has to be called bullshit hype even on the smaller scale.
Kimbo's career is a sad joke, and I have to say that I honestly think he's better than this. Maybe not in terms of talent, but in terms of the kind of man he is. But what do I know? Maybe he's fine with his horrific UFC win over Houston Alexander being the high point of his career, barely ahead of such other great moments as that time he punched that fat guy in the head a lot in that parking lot.
Profile_picture_tiny by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 21, 2012 4:16 PM EDT in Boxing News Analysis
22 comments
Story-email Email
Printer Print
Kimbo Slice, seen here in a rare moment of throwing a punch at an actual heavyweight. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)
Richard Wolowicz - Getty Images
Kimbo Slice, seen here in a rare moment of throwing a punch at an actual heavyweight. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)
I'm sure it's my MMA side that has led to a deeper freakish curiosity in the boxing career of Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson, but his transition to boxing has been pretty incredible. While teeing off on smaller opponents, Jared "$kala" Shaw has insisted that Kimbo is shooting for a title shot and is a "much needed injection" into the heavyweight boxing ranks.
Kimbo was set to face middling regional level mixed martial artist Mike Glenn for his fourth bout this coming Saturday but he had some sort of issue with Glenn as the opponent. After deciding he was willing to face Glenn, now Glenn has issues with promoters for the event and has withdrew from the bout.
Related Video: Jared Ryan Shaw's "Mr. All the Wrong Ones"
Have no fear though, they've found a mixed martial artist to box Kimbo as a later replacement. Facing Slice as a late replacement in this heavyweight bout? 185 pounder Brian Green. Green announced the bout via his Facebook page:
I'm fighting KIMBO SLICE This Saturday night in a boxing match!!!! Call me crazy if you want, but the dude has beat up nothing but scrubs.... I'm giving up size, but it's a once in a lifetime opportunity... What am I gonna do, say NO??!?!?!? WHO WANTS TO GO?! It's in Springfield Missouri. a 5 hour drive from Des Moines! HIT ME UP for tickets peeps! ROOOOOOOOOOAD TRIPPPPPP
Glenn, the original opponent, was a light heavyweight (205 pound) mixed martial artist. Green is a middleweight who will be giving up a huge amount of size.
Star-divide
Green is 27-17 in his MMA career and has fought some decent names. He has, predictably, lost to pretty much anyone of note that he has stepped into the cage/ring with. And, again, he is a 185 pound fighter.
Earlier this month I had talked about Kimbo's fight with Glenn over at Bloody Elbow and had this to say:
This is a continuing trend for Kimbo as he made his debut against then 0-1 James Wade weighing 227 to Wade's 205, took on then 2-3 Tay Bledsoe weighing 244 to Bledsoe's 206 and then beat the debuting Charles Hackmann when he weighed 235 to Hackmann's 211. The only opponent Slice has faced (or is scheduled to face in Glenn's case) who is a listed heavyweight is Hackmann, and that's only because he made his debut at heavyweight. He almost certainly could have cut down to cruiserweight.
One wonders what the ultimate point here is. Kimbo is 38 years old with bad knees. If they're serious about him ever challenging for a title (they're not) then beating up on guys who are cruiserweights or smaller isn't going to get him there. Is the goal with this fight just to have him beat a guy whose trade is as a mixed martial artist? Just so that Jared Shaw can try to validate his statements that the only reason Kimbo lost in MMA was because he had to worry about more than just throwing hands? Now, bringing a mixed martial artist into boxing, if he knocks him out will Shaw take to Twitter or, god forbid, get in front of someone's camera to do a "what'd I tell you?!" act?
I'm actually a fan of Kimbo, the man. By all accounts he's a pretty nice guy and I don't begrudge him the ability to go out and make some money doing a little boxing. But a point comes eventually where enough is enough and bullshit hype has to be called bullshit hype even on the smaller scale.
Kimbo's career is a sad joke, and I have to say that I honestly think he's better than this. Maybe not in terms of talent, but in terms of the kind of man he is. But what do I know? Maybe he's fine with his horrific UFC win over Houston Alexander being the high point of his career, barely ahead of such other great moments as that time he punched that fat guy in the head a lot in that parking lot.
Lennox Lewis: I can’t help but think I’m Vitali’s only competition
March 23rd, 2012
By Sean McDaniel: Something about seeing WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko struggle and go life and death with a very average Dereck Chisora last month has seemingly planted some ideas into the head of 46-year-old Lennox Lewis, who now fancies himself as the only guy out there that can take on and beat Vitali.
Lewis said to the Sun Sport “When you see some of the fights out there, or a champion without a real test, I can’t help but thinking I’m still his [Vitali] only competition, but I’m retired.”
It’s sounds nice that Lewis feels he’s the only competition for Vitali but then he has to go and wreck it all by saying he’s retired. It’s pretty pointless for Lewis to even talk about this when he’s not willing to step in the ring to prove his opinion in real life. It’s like a fan sitting at ringside saying to himself that he could step in and beat so and so, but then he never does.
Lewis’ last fight came against Vitali nine years ago when Lewis stopped Vitali on cuts in the 6th round. Lewis struggled through most of the fight but was able to rock Vitali with two big uppercuts in the 6th round that cut up his lip badly and a right hand that opened up a big cut on the left eye of Vitali. Shortly after that fight, Lewis retired from boxing and never fought Vitali again despite the huge interest in seeing the two fighters get back in the ring. Vitali tried for many years to coax Lewis back into the ring but with zero luck.
Lewis also said this before Britain’s Got Talent show on ITV: “Can the Klitschkos be beaten? Of course they can. I always tell people there’s a guy out there who can beat them, and they quickly cotton on that it’s me.”
This is funny. Lewis seems to enjoy this for some reason. He needs to agree to make a come back and try his luck against Vitali. Vitali is 40, and Lewis is 46. Lewis can’t be any slower than Vitali, because he’s glacial slow. Even a 46-year-old Lewis would likely have better hand speed than Vitali.
March 23rd, 2012
By Sean McDaniel: Something about seeing WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko struggle and go life and death with a very average Dereck Chisora last month has seemingly planted some ideas into the head of 46-year-old Lennox Lewis, who now fancies himself as the only guy out there that can take on and beat Vitali.
Lewis said to the Sun Sport “When you see some of the fights out there, or a champion without a real test, I can’t help but thinking I’m still his [Vitali] only competition, but I’m retired.”
It’s sounds nice that Lewis feels he’s the only competition for Vitali but then he has to go and wreck it all by saying he’s retired. It’s pretty pointless for Lewis to even talk about this when he’s not willing to step in the ring to prove his opinion in real life. It’s like a fan sitting at ringside saying to himself that he could step in and beat so and so, but then he never does.
Lewis’ last fight came against Vitali nine years ago when Lewis stopped Vitali on cuts in the 6th round. Lewis struggled through most of the fight but was able to rock Vitali with two big uppercuts in the 6th round that cut up his lip badly and a right hand that opened up a big cut on the left eye of Vitali. Shortly after that fight, Lewis retired from boxing and never fought Vitali again despite the huge interest in seeing the two fighters get back in the ring. Vitali tried for many years to coax Lewis back into the ring but with zero luck.
Lewis also said this before Britain’s Got Talent show on ITV: “Can the Klitschkos be beaten? Of course they can. I always tell people there’s a guy out there who can beat them, and they quickly cotton on that it’s me.”
This is funny. Lewis seems to enjoy this for some reason. He needs to agree to make a come back and try his luck against Vitali. Vitali is 40, and Lewis is 46. Lewis can’t be any slower than Vitali, because he’s glacial slow. Even a 46-year-old Lewis would likely have better hand speed than Vitali.
Erik Morales: I’m giving the classes to Garcia
March 23rd, 2012
By Allan Fox: WBC light welterweight champion Erik Morales (52-7, 36 KO’s) was a little annoyed by some of the bold talk coming from his opponent Danny Garcia (22-0, 14 KO’s) ahead of their fight this Saturday night at the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas. This will be the 35-year-old Morales’ first title defense of his World Boxing Council title he won last September in a fight against Pablo Cesar Cano.
Morales said this as quoted by RingTV “I’ve heard it all before. Can they be that stupid> I am changing my name to ‘The Professor.’ I’m giving classes.”
To be sure, Morales would definitely be the one giving classes if this fight had taken place seven to ten years ago, but he’s been through a lot of hard wars, he’s older and he’s fighting four divisions above his best weight class of super bantamweight. It’s only 18 pounds above his old weight but that’s a significant among when you’re facing a bigger and faster fighter like 23-year-old Garcia. It remains to be seen whether Morales’ experience, talent and heart can get him through this fight. Garcia is a good fighter, but he’s arguably not in the class of the better fighters at 140 like Timothy Bradley, Lamont Peterson, Amir Khan, Marcos Maidana, Lucas Mattysse, Humberto Soto, Ajose Olusgun, Mike Alvarado, and Andriy Kotelnik. But Garcia is at least at the 10 spot.
However, that may be still good enough to beat Morales unless Morales can find another gear to shift into to step away from Garcia on Saturday night. Morales didn’t look good in having to fight really hard to beat Cano in his last fight. It was good that Morales was able to turn it on to eventually stop him but in a 10th round retirement but it was bad that Morales took a lot of punishment from a pretty average fighter.
March 23rd, 2012
By Allan Fox: WBC light welterweight champion Erik Morales (52-7, 36 KO’s) was a little annoyed by some of the bold talk coming from his opponent Danny Garcia (22-0, 14 KO’s) ahead of their fight this Saturday night at the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas. This will be the 35-year-old Morales’ first title defense of his World Boxing Council title he won last September in a fight against Pablo Cesar Cano.
Morales said this as quoted by RingTV “I’ve heard it all before. Can they be that stupid> I am changing my name to ‘The Professor.’ I’m giving classes.”
To be sure, Morales would definitely be the one giving classes if this fight had taken place seven to ten years ago, but he’s been through a lot of hard wars, he’s older and he’s fighting four divisions above his best weight class of super bantamweight. It’s only 18 pounds above his old weight but that’s a significant among when you’re facing a bigger and faster fighter like 23-year-old Garcia. It remains to be seen whether Morales’ experience, talent and heart can get him through this fight. Garcia is a good fighter, but he’s arguably not in the class of the better fighters at 140 like Timothy Bradley, Lamont Peterson, Amir Khan, Marcos Maidana, Lucas Mattysse, Humberto Soto, Ajose Olusgun, Mike Alvarado, and Andriy Kotelnik. But Garcia is at least at the 10 spot.
However, that may be still good enough to beat Morales unless Morales can find another gear to shift into to step away from Garcia on Saturday night. Morales didn’t look good in having to fight really hard to beat Cano in his last fight. It was good that Morales was able to turn it on to eventually stop him but in a 10th round retirement but it was bad that Morales took a lot of punishment from a pretty average fighter.
Kirkland: I’ve been trying to get fights against Chavez Jr. and Saul Alvarez, but I’m not hearing back from them
March 22nd, 2012
By Allan Fox: Junior middleweight contender James Kirkland is disappointed right now because he’s been trying with no luck to get a fight against the top fighters at junior middleweight and middleweight but has been ignored. Kirkland has a fight coming up on Saturday night against Carlos Molina and while it’s interesting fight, it’s not the kind of fight that Kirkland wants. He wants a title shot against the big names such as Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Saul Alvarez.
Kirkland told ESPN “I’ve been sending messages to [Saul] Alvarez, [Julio Cesar] Chavez [Jr.] and everyone out there in the 154 pound weight class. My messages are going one way, but I don’t get anything on the other way. I just have to keep doing what I have to do, and hopefully they will give me what I want.”
Kirkland, #2 WBC, #3 WBO, could end up waiting for all of 2012 and 2013, before he eventually gets a title shot against one of the junior middleweight champions in 2014 when one of them is forced to fight him by the sanctioning bodies. Kirkland can pretty much forget about getting a title fight against WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. ever. That’s not going to happen because Kirkland is dangerous and he fights for Golden Boy Promotions. That’s a fight that is undo-able and Kirkland shouldn’t even waste his breath talking about it because it’s not going to happen. Chavez Jr. is being matched against guys like Peter Manfredo Jr., and Marco Antonio Rubio. They’re not going to break from that pattern to put him in against someone that can actually fight like Kirkland.
Kirkland can increase his chance at getting a title shot by taking care of Molina on Saturday night by beating him by an early knockout or by a one-sided 12 round decision. Kirkland could then generate some buzz and that right there might get him a title shot by making a champion take a look at him to request him.
March 22nd, 2012
By Allan Fox: Junior middleweight contender James Kirkland is disappointed right now because he’s been trying with no luck to get a fight against the top fighters at junior middleweight and middleweight but has been ignored. Kirkland has a fight coming up on Saturday night against Carlos Molina and while it’s interesting fight, it’s not the kind of fight that Kirkland wants. He wants a title shot against the big names such as Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Saul Alvarez.
Kirkland told ESPN “I’ve been sending messages to [Saul] Alvarez, [Julio Cesar] Chavez [Jr.] and everyone out there in the 154 pound weight class. My messages are going one way, but I don’t get anything on the other way. I just have to keep doing what I have to do, and hopefully they will give me what I want.”
Kirkland, #2 WBC, #3 WBO, could end up waiting for all of 2012 and 2013, before he eventually gets a title shot against one of the junior middleweight champions in 2014 when one of them is forced to fight him by the sanctioning bodies. Kirkland can pretty much forget about getting a title fight against WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. ever. That’s not going to happen because Kirkland is dangerous and he fights for Golden Boy Promotions. That’s a fight that is undo-able and Kirkland shouldn’t even waste his breath talking about it because it’s not going to happen. Chavez Jr. is being matched against guys like Peter Manfredo Jr., and Marco Antonio Rubio. They’re not going to break from that pattern to put him in against someone that can actually fight like Kirkland.
Kirkland can increase his chance at getting a title shot by taking care of Molina on Saturday night by beating him by an early knockout or by a one-sided 12 round decision. Kirkland could then generate some buzz and that right there might get him a title shot by making a champion take a look at him to request him.
Lewis: Vitali is looking heavy on his feet and winning on size alone now
March 22nd, 2012
By William Mackay: After watching a badly out of breath WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko labor to a 12 round unanimous decision against British challenger Dereck Chisora last month, former heavyweight champion of the world Lennox Lewis said he sees vulnerability in Vitali now and thinks he’s ripe for the taking by a good challenger. Vitali injured his left shoulder in the Chisora fight and was forced to fight with only his right hand, but that doesn’t explain Vitali being so badly out of breath through many of the rounds.
Lewis said in an interview at the Sun Sport “I was saying a while ago that Vitali’s looking pretty heavy on his feet and is really relying on his size right now. Father time is definitely knocking on his door.”
Lewis figures that David Haye could have a good chance of beating Vitali right now if he could get a fight with him. Previously, Lewis thought Haye would have a great chance of beating Vitali’s brother IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko last July. However, Haye fought passively and took few chances in that fight in losing by a lopsided 12 round decision.
Lewis continued “Maybe he [Haye] can do it against the guy [Vitali] that doesn’t move so well. I was surprised that David didn’t get a better result against Wladimir, but like he said, he did hurt his toe.”
Lewis went on to say that he wouldn’t have stepped into the ring to fight Wladimir unless he was 100 percent for the fight. Lewis is right. Haye shouldn’t have taken the fight if he had a broken toe because that basically crippled his performance and kept him from driving off of his back foot with the power he needed in order to hurt Wladimir. Haye, of course, hasn’t helped himself by refusing to make a comeback against other fighters to show that he’s not the guy that was toyed with by Wladimir. Haye is waiting on the big payday fight with Vitali and negotiating from a position of weakness.
March 22nd, 2012
By William Mackay: After watching a badly out of breath WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko labor to a 12 round unanimous decision against British challenger Dereck Chisora last month, former heavyweight champion of the world Lennox Lewis said he sees vulnerability in Vitali now and thinks he’s ripe for the taking by a good challenger. Vitali injured his left shoulder in the Chisora fight and was forced to fight with only his right hand, but that doesn’t explain Vitali being so badly out of breath through many of the rounds.
Lewis said in an interview at the Sun Sport “I was saying a while ago that Vitali’s looking pretty heavy on his feet and is really relying on his size right now. Father time is definitely knocking on his door.”
Lewis figures that David Haye could have a good chance of beating Vitali right now if he could get a fight with him. Previously, Lewis thought Haye would have a great chance of beating Vitali’s brother IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko last July. However, Haye fought passively and took few chances in that fight in losing by a lopsided 12 round decision.
Lewis continued “Maybe he [Haye] can do it against the guy [Vitali] that doesn’t move so well. I was surprised that David didn’t get a better result against Wladimir, but like he said, he did hurt his toe.”
Lewis went on to say that he wouldn’t have stepped into the ring to fight Wladimir unless he was 100 percent for the fight. Lewis is right. Haye shouldn’t have taken the fight if he had a broken toe because that basically crippled his performance and kept him from driving off of his back foot with the power he needed in order to hurt Wladimir. Haye, of course, hasn’t helped himself by refusing to make a comeback against other fighters to show that he’s not the guy that was toyed with by Wladimir. Haye is waiting on the big payday fight with Vitali and negotiating from a position of weakness.
Andrew Golota-Riddick Bowe III In The Works - In MMA!
By James Slater - Never rule out the possibility of anything happening in today’s boxing world!
In what will have to go down as one of the freakiest of all freak shows if it actually takes place, reports from Poland say Andrew Golota has put pen to paper regarding a third encounter with 1990’s rival Riddick Bowe. That’s wild enough, but there’s more: the prospective fight would take place under MMA rules!
According to a piece on Polish web site Thenews.pl, promoter Michael Brill, speaking on radio show TOK FM, said “We finished negotiations regarding the third Golota-Bowe encounter at 3 O’clock in the morning.”
It is not yet known if “Big Daddy” has signed the contract himself. Nor is it known where the fight will take place, or on what date..
One of the craziest ideas in recent times, Bowe-Golota III promises to be ugly. The two men, when top-ranked heavyweights, gave us two thrilling yet also somewhat tragic fights in 1996; Bowe winning both via quite bizarre disqualification when “The Foul Pole” twice got himself chucked out for blatantly belting Bowe below the belt on more than one occasion. Since then, both men have fought as past-their-best “names” - Bowe looking a shot fighter in his most recent outing: a 2008 points win over Gene Pukall.
Golota actually had a couple more big fights after the second farce against Bowe; going in with everyone from Lennox Lewis to Mike Tyson. Last appearing in that 2009 “Polish super-fight” with Tomasz Adamek (a KO loss for Golota), the 44-year-old has been talking about the possibility of fighting again ever since Now it looks as though he will do so; but in MMA.
Bowe, also 44, has also refused to give up the ghost; stating a number of times recently that he could beat the Klitschkos if given enough time to get into shape. Bowe, who slurs his words in alarming fashion these days, also called out David Haye quite recently.
It will be appalling if this MMA fight does happen. Bowe is an accident waiting to happen, while Golota hasn’t been able to fight effectively for years himself. Someone, probably Bowe, will get hurt if this bout goes ahead. But, hey, money talks. If there is enough interest, and if there is a promoter willing to put up the cash to stage the even, anything is possible.
We’ve seen former great James Toney humbled inside the cage; will we now see two once top-notch (Bowe especially; remember how great he actually was in 1992!) heavyweights get the same treatment?
For the record, Bowe is 43-1(33). Golota is 41-8-1(33).
I think this will be a damn good nhb match tho between to shot fighters
By James Slater - Never rule out the possibility of anything happening in today’s boxing world!
In what will have to go down as one of the freakiest of all freak shows if it actually takes place, reports from Poland say Andrew Golota has put pen to paper regarding a third encounter with 1990’s rival Riddick Bowe. That’s wild enough, but there’s more: the prospective fight would take place under MMA rules!
According to a piece on Polish web site Thenews.pl, promoter Michael Brill, speaking on radio show TOK FM, said “We finished negotiations regarding the third Golota-Bowe encounter at 3 O’clock in the morning.”
It is not yet known if “Big Daddy” has signed the contract himself. Nor is it known where the fight will take place, or on what date..
One of the craziest ideas in recent times, Bowe-Golota III promises to be ugly. The two men, when top-ranked heavyweights, gave us two thrilling yet also somewhat tragic fights in 1996; Bowe winning both via quite bizarre disqualification when “The Foul Pole” twice got himself chucked out for blatantly belting Bowe below the belt on more than one occasion. Since then, both men have fought as past-their-best “names” - Bowe looking a shot fighter in his most recent outing: a 2008 points win over Gene Pukall.
Golota actually had a couple more big fights after the second farce against Bowe; going in with everyone from Lennox Lewis to Mike Tyson. Last appearing in that 2009 “Polish super-fight” with Tomasz Adamek (a KO loss for Golota), the 44-year-old has been talking about the possibility of fighting again ever since Now it looks as though he will do so; but in MMA.
Bowe, also 44, has also refused to give up the ghost; stating a number of times recently that he could beat the Klitschkos if given enough time to get into shape. Bowe, who slurs his words in alarming fashion these days, also called out David Haye quite recently.
It will be appalling if this MMA fight does happen. Bowe is an accident waiting to happen, while Golota hasn’t been able to fight effectively for years himself. Someone, probably Bowe, will get hurt if this bout goes ahead. But, hey, money talks. If there is enough interest, and if there is a promoter willing to put up the cash to stage the even, anything is possible.
We’ve seen former great James Toney humbled inside the cage; will we now see two once top-notch (Bowe especially; remember how great he actually was in 1992!) heavyweights get the same treatment?
For the record, Bowe is 43-1(33). Golota is 41-8-1(33).
I think this will be a damn good nhb match tho between to shot fighters
Darchinyan vs. Yamanaka: WBC Bantamweight Title
By Sevak Sarkisian: Boxing Star Vic Darchinyan is set to take on WBC bantamweight champion Shinsuke Yamanka in Japan this April. This particular match-up features a nice contrast in fighting style between the two fighters. As most boxing fans already know Darchinyan loves to come forward and brawl, he also loves to use his size and physicality against his opponents.. Though he doesn’t really possess one punch knockout power Darchinyan is heavy handed and breaks his opponents down with his pressure.
On the other hand Yamanaka is more of a boxer-puncher then anything ells. He prefers to stay on the outside work his jab and use his legs. He’s a southpaw with good boxing skills and places his punches well. However he has limited experience at the top level and has never faced an opponent of Darchinyan’s caliber. Looking at things closely, Yamanaka does pose a difficult style match up for Darchinyan because boxing against a brawler most of the time proves to be a good strategy. We should also take into consideration that Darchinyan’s physicality hasn’t been as effective against his opponents since moving up to bantamweight.
However, when I look at this fight closely I can’t see Yamanaka’s limited experience at the top level doing him any good in this fight. His lack of durability and experience are going to be his downfall and pave the way for a Darchinyan win.
By Sevak Sarkisian: Boxing Star Vic Darchinyan is set to take on WBC bantamweight champion Shinsuke Yamanka in Japan this April. This particular match-up features a nice contrast in fighting style between the two fighters. As most boxing fans already know Darchinyan loves to come forward and brawl, he also loves to use his size and physicality against his opponents.. Though he doesn’t really possess one punch knockout power Darchinyan is heavy handed and breaks his opponents down with his pressure.
On the other hand Yamanaka is more of a boxer-puncher then anything ells. He prefers to stay on the outside work his jab and use his legs. He’s a southpaw with good boxing skills and places his punches well. However he has limited experience at the top level and has never faced an opponent of Darchinyan’s caliber. Looking at things closely, Yamanaka does pose a difficult style match up for Darchinyan because boxing against a brawler most of the time proves to be a good strategy. We should also take into consideration that Darchinyan’s physicality hasn’t been as effective against his opponents since moving up to bantamweight.
However, when I look at this fight closely I can’t see Yamanaka’s limited experience at the top level doing him any good in this fight. His lack of durability and experience are going to be his downfall and pave the way for a Darchinyan win.
Klitschko-Lewis: 21st of June 2003 Staples Center, Los Angeles
By Aaron Scully: Kirk Johnson 34-1-1 (24 KO’s) pulled out due to a partially torn chest muscle, In which Lineal/WBC/IBO/The Ring Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis 40–2–1 (31 KO’s) gave Vitali Klitschko 32–1 (29 KO’s) a title shot.
Many people seem to be under the influence IBF Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd 32-2 (17 KO’s) pulled out of the fight however that is false Lewis and Byrd never scheduled to fight.
In what was a legitimate win for Lennox Lewis over Vitali Klitschko people say it was a very controversial fight what they fail to see is Lewis caused the cut with a punch and for any referee or doctor to let the fight go any further would have to answer are they suitable and professional enough for their jobs.
The cut was severe and would of only lead to further damage and quite possible long term damage, the fight had to be stopped Vitali was showing signs of retreat and didn’t look as if he wanted to continue at this point Lewis was hitting Vitali time after time with right straights, uppercuts and hooks and while all Vitali could do his hold on to his opponent justifies that the fight was turning around and Vitali was in a lot of danger.
I also from opinion don’t believe Vitali could of beaten Lennox Lewis in a rematch due to the lack of preparation Lewis had as well as not fighting in over a year and his general fitness, Lewis was in awful shape in the fight and still beat him.
Had Lewis trained 3 month for the fight with a tune up fight I don’t think he would of struggled the first half of the fight trying to figure him out and would of Knocked Vitali out by the 6th round, which makes you think did he really need to give him a rematch or is Vitali just being bitter about the whole thing as he said post fight the cut came from a head butt which it was clearly caused by a jab followed by a strong straight.
By Aaron Scully: Kirk Johnson 34-1-1 (24 KO’s) pulled out due to a partially torn chest muscle, In which Lineal/WBC/IBO/The Ring Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis 40–2–1 (31 KO’s) gave Vitali Klitschko 32–1 (29 KO’s) a title shot.
Many people seem to be under the influence IBF Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd 32-2 (17 KO’s) pulled out of the fight however that is false Lewis and Byrd never scheduled to fight.
In what was a legitimate win for Lennox Lewis over Vitali Klitschko people say it was a very controversial fight what they fail to see is Lewis caused the cut with a punch and for any referee or doctor to let the fight go any further would have to answer are they suitable and professional enough for their jobs.
The cut was severe and would of only lead to further damage and quite possible long term damage, the fight had to be stopped Vitali was showing signs of retreat and didn’t look as if he wanted to continue at this point Lewis was hitting Vitali time after time with right straights, uppercuts and hooks and while all Vitali could do his hold on to his opponent justifies that the fight was turning around and Vitali was in a lot of danger.
I also from opinion don’t believe Vitali could of beaten Lennox Lewis in a rematch due to the lack of preparation Lewis had as well as not fighting in over a year and his general fitness, Lewis was in awful shape in the fight and still beat him.
Had Lewis trained 3 month for the fight with a tune up fight I don’t think he would of struggled the first half of the fight trying to figure him out and would of Knocked Vitali out by the 6th round, which makes you think did he really need to give him a rematch or is Vitali just being bitter about the whole thing as he said post fight the cut came from a head butt which it was clearly caused by a jab followed by a strong straight.
KIRKLAND-MOLINA: THE WAY THINGS SHOULD BE
By John McCormick
The 154-pound middleweight division is one of the most talent dense divisions in boxing. Boxers such as Miguel Cotto, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, Erislandy Lara, Paul Williams, Vanes Martirosyan, James Kirkland, Carlos Molina and Cornelius Bundrage all campaign at 154 pounds. Add pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, whom is moving from welterweight to face Cotto for the WBA super championship on May 5th, and a possible move down to the division by middleweight king, Sergio Martinez and the possibilities are endless. Some of the above mentioned names were handed alphabet titles without much effort. Others are giving it all they have to even receive a title shot. This Saturday, boxing fans will get the privilege of seeing James Kirkland and Carlos Molina face off in a non-title fight, with the winner possibly facing Martirosyan down the line in an alphabet eliminator bout.
By now, most boxing fans know all about Kirkland (30-1 with 27 KOs). It would be nearly impossible not to. Kirkland ravaged through his twenty five opponents and in early 2009, it appeared as if he was in line for a title shot. That opportunity was postponed when a gun charge and subsequent jail stint derailed his promising career. Kirkland returned in March 2011 to destroy Ahsandi Gibbs inside of one round. Could it be the jail time hadn’t affected him? Any one who felt so was about to be proven wrong. Two fights later, Kirkland got knocked out in the first round by Japan’s Nobuhiro Ishida, in what many called the upset of the year. Kirkland’s departure from his long-time trainer Anne Wolfe during his comeback fights was a factor in the loss to Ishida, which prompted Kirkland to fire Wolfe's successor, Kenny Adams, and reunite with Wolfe. The result? Kirkland’s brilliant, blood and guts performance win over Alfredo Angulo last November.
At the time of the fight, many experts and fans wondered why Kirkland and Angulo were fighting each other in a non-title fight in Cancun, Mexico. Rarely in this day and age do we see two top fighters,, both big draws, who are willing to fight each other with no title on the line. Many wondered if Golden Boy Promotions was attempting to cash out on Kirkland by taking advantage of his loss to Ishida and feeding him to Angulo right after. I recently asked Kirkland what his thoughts were on that topic, and Kirkland responded by saying ““Me and Golden Boy Promotions are a team. Whatever was being said about that, I will hold my comments on. We are a team and Golden Boy is just trying to give the fans what they want to see, and that was a good fight. I was down for it like always. I ride with Golden Boy, we are doing this together and bigger and better things are coming in the future.”
Many believe that after a sensational performance against Angulo, Kirkland should be in line for a title shot in his very next fight. Well, it isn’t happening just yet, as Kirkland is going to be in another scrap with a top-rated contender, Carlos Molina (19-4-2 with 6 KOs). “I want a title shot as soon as possible. Hopefully after this fight here but I’m looking to take my time here and not move up to 160 so fast because there is a lot of action here at 154. I am going to be here for a minute to give the fans what they want to see.” Kirkland claimed, when I asked about how eager he was for a title shot and what his thoughts were on facing another tough challenge. Molina holds a win over Kermit Cintron, and draws with Erislandy Lara and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., in fights that many believed Molina won.
“This is the way it should be. It should be all of the top ten fighters fighting each other every weekend to find out who is the best at 154. Not winning a belt right away and picking and choosing who you want to fight. ," stated Molina, when I asked his thoughts on fighting top-notch competition over and over in non-title fights. "Hopefully this fight can be an example for them in the future so the top 154 pounders can compete and fight each other to find out who is the real champion at 154. I don’t want a WBC title handed to me. I want to earn it.”
It seems as if Kirkland and Molina are being brought up the old way, when fighters earned their shot at the title and it wasn’t simply given to them by fighting someone whom most fans never heard of. Furthermore, Kirkland-Molina is a fight that boxing needs at this moment in time, as it is a pick-em’ fight. If someone was to ask another whom they thought would win this fight, an immediate answer would not be probable. A prediction would require a few moments of thought and analysis, as both fighters have a major chance to win. Without a doubt, the winner of Kirkland-Molina should be in line for an immediate title shot and hopefully their “face the best in the division” attitude will be infectious to the rest of those campaigning at junior middleweight.
By John McCormick
The 154-pound middleweight division is one of the most talent dense divisions in boxing. Boxers such as Miguel Cotto, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, Erislandy Lara, Paul Williams, Vanes Martirosyan, James Kirkland, Carlos Molina and Cornelius Bundrage all campaign at 154 pounds. Add pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, whom is moving from welterweight to face Cotto for the WBA super championship on May 5th, and a possible move down to the division by middleweight king, Sergio Martinez and the possibilities are endless. Some of the above mentioned names were handed alphabet titles without much effort. Others are giving it all they have to even receive a title shot. This Saturday, boxing fans will get the privilege of seeing James Kirkland and Carlos Molina face off in a non-title fight, with the winner possibly facing Martirosyan down the line in an alphabet eliminator bout.
By now, most boxing fans know all about Kirkland (30-1 with 27 KOs). It would be nearly impossible not to. Kirkland ravaged through his twenty five opponents and in early 2009, it appeared as if he was in line for a title shot. That opportunity was postponed when a gun charge and subsequent jail stint derailed his promising career. Kirkland returned in March 2011 to destroy Ahsandi Gibbs inside of one round. Could it be the jail time hadn’t affected him? Any one who felt so was about to be proven wrong. Two fights later, Kirkland got knocked out in the first round by Japan’s Nobuhiro Ishida, in what many called the upset of the year. Kirkland’s departure from his long-time trainer Anne Wolfe during his comeback fights was a factor in the loss to Ishida, which prompted Kirkland to fire Wolfe's successor, Kenny Adams, and reunite with Wolfe. The result? Kirkland’s brilliant, blood and guts performance win over Alfredo Angulo last November.
At the time of the fight, many experts and fans wondered why Kirkland and Angulo were fighting each other in a non-title fight in Cancun, Mexico. Rarely in this day and age do we see two top fighters,, both big draws, who are willing to fight each other with no title on the line. Many wondered if Golden Boy Promotions was attempting to cash out on Kirkland by taking advantage of his loss to Ishida and feeding him to Angulo right after. I recently asked Kirkland what his thoughts were on that topic, and Kirkland responded by saying ““Me and Golden Boy Promotions are a team. Whatever was being said about that, I will hold my comments on. We are a team and Golden Boy is just trying to give the fans what they want to see, and that was a good fight. I was down for it like always. I ride with Golden Boy, we are doing this together and bigger and better things are coming in the future.”
Many believe that after a sensational performance against Angulo, Kirkland should be in line for a title shot in his very next fight. Well, it isn’t happening just yet, as Kirkland is going to be in another scrap with a top-rated contender, Carlos Molina (19-4-2 with 6 KOs). “I want a title shot as soon as possible. Hopefully after this fight here but I’m looking to take my time here and not move up to 160 so fast because there is a lot of action here at 154. I am going to be here for a minute to give the fans what they want to see.” Kirkland claimed, when I asked about how eager he was for a title shot and what his thoughts were on facing another tough challenge. Molina holds a win over Kermit Cintron, and draws with Erislandy Lara and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., in fights that many believed Molina won.
“This is the way it should be. It should be all of the top ten fighters fighting each other every weekend to find out who is the best at 154. Not winning a belt right away and picking and choosing who you want to fight. ," stated Molina, when I asked his thoughts on fighting top-notch competition over and over in non-title fights. "Hopefully this fight can be an example for them in the future so the top 154 pounders can compete and fight each other to find out who is the real champion at 154. I don’t want a WBC title handed to me. I want to earn it.”
It seems as if Kirkland and Molina are being brought up the old way, when fighters earned their shot at the title and it wasn’t simply given to them by fighting someone whom most fans never heard of. Furthermore, Kirkland-Molina is a fight that boxing needs at this moment in time, as it is a pick-em’ fight. If someone was to ask another whom they thought would win this fight, an immediate answer would not be probable. A prediction would require a few moments of thought and analysis, as both fighters have a major chance to win. Without a doubt, the winner of Kirkland-Molina should be in line for an immediate title shot and hopefully their “face the best in the division” attitude will be infectious to the rest of those campaigning at junior middleweight.
Erik Morales Fails To Make 140-Pounds Ahead Of Tomorrow’s Fight With Danny Garcia, WBC Title Now Vacant
By James Slater - Moments ago in Houston, Texas, Mexican legend Erik Morales and his unbeaten opponent Danny Garcia weighed-in. As has been reported by Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, 35-year-old “El Terrible” looked drawn as he approached the scale, and he then failed to make the 140-pound limit.
Morales tipped-in at 142-pounds and, according to Rafael, then “gulped down Gatorade.” For failing to make 140, Morales was stripped of his WBC belt and fined the sum of $50, 000. Garcia came in at a ready 139.5. Garcia will now be shooting to win the vacant belt..
This news will be good news for Team-Garcia. Not only is “Swift” so much the younger man at age 24, but if Morales is weight-drained at having dragged his body down as far as he could, Garcia’s speed, youth and sheer desire could prove too much for the ageing future Hall of Famer. At 22-0(14), Philadelphia’s Garcia has never met anyone as experienced, as tough and as great as Morales before (his best wins coming over good fighters Nate Campbell and, last time out, Kendall Holt; both of whom Garcia out-pointed), but if “El Terrible” is not at full strength the form book may go out of the window.
Is this fight one too many for Morales? Even if the Mexican star’s sheer savvy and ring experience is enough to overcome a man so much fresher than he is, the WBC belt will not be going home to San Ysidro with the multi-weight king.
As far as tomorrow’s co-main event of James Kirkland-Carlos Molina, Rafael reports that both junior-middleweights came in at 153.¾. Interestingly, another Mexican legend, in Jose Luis Castillo, who will face Miguel Cotto’s brother Jose, also failed to make weight today. The contracted weight for Cotto-Castillo was 145 - Castillo, who has had a long history of failing to make weight, came in at 147.7!
Will it be a bad night for two Mexican greats tomorrow night?
By James Slater - Moments ago in Houston, Texas, Mexican legend Erik Morales and his unbeaten opponent Danny Garcia weighed-in. As has been reported by Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, 35-year-old “El Terrible” looked drawn as he approached the scale, and he then failed to make the 140-pound limit.
Morales tipped-in at 142-pounds and, according to Rafael, then “gulped down Gatorade.” For failing to make 140, Morales was stripped of his WBC belt and fined the sum of $50, 000. Garcia came in at a ready 139.5. Garcia will now be shooting to win the vacant belt..
This news will be good news for Team-Garcia. Not only is “Swift” so much the younger man at age 24, but if Morales is weight-drained at having dragged his body down as far as he could, Garcia’s speed, youth and sheer desire could prove too much for the ageing future Hall of Famer. At 22-0(14), Philadelphia’s Garcia has never met anyone as experienced, as tough and as great as Morales before (his best wins coming over good fighters Nate Campbell and, last time out, Kendall Holt; both of whom Garcia out-pointed), but if “El Terrible” is not at full strength the form book may go out of the window.
Is this fight one too many for Morales? Even if the Mexican star’s sheer savvy and ring experience is enough to overcome a man so much fresher than he is, the WBC belt will not be going home to San Ysidro with the multi-weight king.
As far as tomorrow’s co-main event of James Kirkland-Carlos Molina, Rafael reports that both junior-middleweights came in at 153.¾. Interestingly, another Mexican legend, in Jose Luis Castillo, who will face Miguel Cotto’s brother Jose, also failed to make weight today. The contracted weight for Cotto-Castillo was 145 - Castillo, who has had a long history of failing to make weight, came in at 147.7!
Will it be a bad night for two Mexican greats tomorrow night?