Boxing News Thread
- Thread starter heyzel
- Start date
well right that's why I say he should have done it. at the time I argued they should have just agreed to a cutoff date, since its pretty useless taking peds a week or two before the fight [u want to take peds while training not while ur cooling down]. times have changed since then and pac MUST take these additional tests now, that much we all agree on.
I hear u man. what I'm saying is I just don't think anyone is going to investigate and spend tax payers money and resources unless there was a damn good reason. and even then this boxing, not baseball or football, they don't care. if they did they would investigate much bigger issues such as blatant corruption, blatant robberies, corrupt ass wbc and wba and their corrupt rankings, etc. bottom line is the people who have that kind of power don't care about Pacquiao and top rank, much less the sport of boxing in general.
the only thing we can hope to in regards to testing is the state of nevada implements a year round, random, strict testing and other state commissions will follow. that of course would also effect the ufc and I'm not so sure they would want that tbh.
the only thing we can hope to in regards to testing is the state of nevada implements a year round, random, strict testing and other state commissions will follow. that of course would also effect the ufc and I'm not so sure they would want that tbh.
Ward: I beat Froch with one hand; I’m ready to fight him again
June 5th, 2012
By Scott Gilfoid: WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward is game for facing one of his recent victims Carl Froch and beating him again if the Brit is up for it. Recently, Froch’s win over IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute has planted some ideas in Froch’s head to where he’s now saying he could beat Ward if he’s at his best like he was in the Bute fight.
Well, Ward is ready for Froch to prove it, and Ward is even willing to come over to Nottingham so that he can whip Froch in front of his own fans if he has to.
Ward said to Thisisnottingham.co.uk “I’m ready and willing to do a rematch any time, any place. I would love to fight Carl Froch totally healthy…I fractured my hand and had to deal with a grotesque swelling [when Ward fought Froch]…I won the fight with virtually one hand.”
There it is, folks. Ward telling it like it is. He spanked Froch with a broken left hand and did it all pretty much using just his right hand. That tells you what a talent Ward is. He put on a clinic against Froch, beating him with his jab from the outside and then collapsing inward to school Froch on the inside. On the inside, Froch was out of his class, because he didn’t have the skills to compete with Ward.
Froch says he’s rather face Mikkel Kessler than Ward in his next fight. How come I’m not surprised? I can just see it. Froch faces Kessler, and then after that fight, Froch will likely start mentioning someone else other than Ward for his next bout. In other words, Froch likely will never even attempt at facing Ward again. Do I blame the guy? Nope. I agree, he shouldn’t fight Ward again. If I was Froch’s promoter, I’d wrestle him to the ground if he even mentioned wanting to face Ward again, because I wouldn’t want to see him get whipped a second time. It’s better for Froch’s promoter to put him in with guys he can beat like Brian Magee, Glen Johnson and Arthur Abraham. Those types of fighters. But DON’T put Froch back in with Ward and DON’T put Froch back in with Andre Dirrell, because that’s a bridge too far for Froch.
June 5th, 2012
By Scott Gilfoid: WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward is game for facing one of his recent victims Carl Froch and beating him again if the Brit is up for it. Recently, Froch’s win over IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute has planted some ideas in Froch’s head to where he’s now saying he could beat Ward if he’s at his best like he was in the Bute fight.
Well, Ward is ready for Froch to prove it, and Ward is even willing to come over to Nottingham so that he can whip Froch in front of his own fans if he has to.
Ward said to Thisisnottingham.co.uk “I’m ready and willing to do a rematch any time, any place. I would love to fight Carl Froch totally healthy…I fractured my hand and had to deal with a grotesque swelling [when Ward fought Froch]…I won the fight with virtually one hand.”
There it is, folks. Ward telling it like it is. He spanked Froch with a broken left hand and did it all pretty much using just his right hand. That tells you what a talent Ward is. He put on a clinic against Froch, beating him with his jab from the outside and then collapsing inward to school Froch on the inside. On the inside, Froch was out of his class, because he didn’t have the skills to compete with Ward.
Froch says he’s rather face Mikkel Kessler than Ward in his next fight. How come I’m not surprised? I can just see it. Froch faces Kessler, and then after that fight, Froch will likely start mentioning someone else other than Ward for his next bout. In other words, Froch likely will never even attempt at facing Ward again. Do I blame the guy? Nope. I agree, he shouldn’t fight Ward again. If I was Froch’s promoter, I’d wrestle him to the ground if he even mentioned wanting to face Ward again, because I wouldn’t want to see him get whipped a second time. It’s better for Froch’s promoter to put him in with guys he can beat like Brian Magee, Glen Johnson and Arthur Abraham. Those types of fighters. But DON’T put Froch back in with Ward and DON’T put Froch back in with Andre Dirrell, because that’s a bridge too far for Froch.
Angel Manfredy Interview: “I’m coming back, and I want Floyd Mayweather Jr. Again!”
By "Big Dog" Benny Henderson Jr, Doghouse Boxing (June 6, 2012) Doghouse Boxing
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Angel Manfredy
At one time boxer Angel Manfredy who compiled a career record of 43-8-1 (32), was the fighter to watch. Win, lose, or draw, he was an exciting puncher, with an aggressive style that made him a fan favorite. Foes who fell to Manfredy were the likes of, the late great human highlight reel Arturo Gatti, Ivan Robinson, and, Jorge Paez. The majority of his losses were to top notch fighters, such as, Stevie Johnston, the late tough as nails Diego Corrales, and the still undefeated former pound for pound king, Floyd Mayweather Jr. After a good solid career Manfredy hung up the gloves and has been away from the bang for your buck sport for eight years. So when I contacted Manfredy to do this interview with Doghouse Boxing, I figured it would be the both of us reminiscing on his stellar career, instead, the thirty-seven year old informed me of his comeback. So in this exclusive interview, the fighter formerly known as El Diablo, talks about his comeback, Mayweather and more, enjoy.
Benny Henderson Jr.: Thanks for taking out the time to chat with Doghouse Boxing, basically what has been going down in the world of Angel Manfredy?
Angel Manfredy: I have been taking of my family, I am a father, I am a grandfather at a young age. I enjoy myself living a humble life and I am very anxious to get another shot at Mayweather, that is what is going through my heart right now. I took years off, and I know now how to beat Mayweather, and I am hoping and praying that he will give me the opportunity.
BH: You are speaking on making a comeback, if sop, when can the fans expect you to make that comeback?
AM: I have been running and all getting my cardio up, I am walking around 150-pounds, so I can fight at 147-pounds. I feel strong I feel fast, I am motivated and my mind is right. My mind was not right for the first fight, I had a lot of drugs, a lot of women, fame, fortune, a lot of success, and I did not know how to handle it at that time. But I am right now, and I want to move forward and pick up where I left off.
BH: In order to fight Mayweather you are going to have to fight your way back up the ladder, so when can we expect your return to knock off the ring rust and start that climb?
AM: I do not know, I am going to get a MRI, to make sure the brain is alright, I am waiting on that, when that gets done I will be back in the ring.
BH: I have to ask this, I thought you had a very good career to be proud of, with all that you accomplished, and with the time off and at thirty-seven years old, why return to the sport of boxing?
AM: I love it, I gave it to God and He gave it right back to me. I want to prove to the world that I am the best, by beating the best I will show the world that I did not go anywhere. I had to get my mind right, I was not a mature fighter at the time, I am now. I would love to get back in the mix and show the world that I am the best.
BH: When people read this interview, there are going to be a lot of people, fans, media, critics etc. They are going to say that you should not come back, and many may say that you have no chance and to just stay retired. What would you say to the ones who may respond negatively?
AM: They can say what they want to say, you will always have critics in the boxing world, they did not know what I was going through at that time during my career. I was not mentally prepared for the fight, when I fought Diaz and Gatti, I showed that I was mentally prepared. When I fought Johnston I was not right, I was doing cocaine before the fight, I was a narrow minded man at that time. I have nothing to prove to nobody, if anybody have anything to prove it is Mayweather, that was a premature stoppage. They stopped it way to early, you only stop a fight when a man cannot defend himself, I caught three or four punches on my gloves. They stopped the fight when I was defending myself, you are not supposed to stop the fight when a man is defending himself. But I am back, I am stronger, I am faster, I am more motivated, and I am more determined to get back what I have lost.
BH: At one time you had these addictions to cocaine, how long have you been clean?
AM: Seven years, well, more than that, about ten years.
BH: We look at the 147-pound division and there is a lot of talent in that weight class, so before you get to the likes of Mayweather, who do you feel amongst the division that you can step in against and beat to prepare yourself for the Mayweather fight?
AM: I am not looking at nobody, I am looking at Mayweather, he is the only that motivates me, just like Gatti motivated me, that is what brought me to my best. If anybody needs anybody, Mayweather needs Manfredy, because that was an unproven fight. The stopped the fight prematurely, and I could not make the weight noway. After that fight I went back up to 135-pounds and beat Robinson and showed everybody that I was not a 130-pound fighter. They knew I could not make 130, when I fought John Brown at 130 I got rocked, I was killing myself to make weight. but you live and learn, I learned through my mistakes.
BH: Let’s just say the Mayweather fight will never materialize, would you still want to return to the fight game?
AM: I do not know right now, the only one that would motivate me would be Mayweather. All I can think about is Mayweather, I now know what it takes to beat him. I have figured him out and I believe that I can beat him now.
BH: Any message you want to send to the fight world, mainly Floyd Mayweather?
AM: Be ready! You would fight a different man now, I took the fight with Mayweather the first time for the money, he was a no name. he beat Hernandez, I beat Gatti in his prime, I was the name, not Mayweather, but they had it all rigged up for him to win. I made more money than Mayweather in that fight, he would not fight me unless he made more money so we cut the check in three checks. It made it look like I made four hundred thousand for the fight, but I really made a million dollars. It was all rigged up, all set up, it was all for the money and it was my mistake taking the fight for the money. I could not make the weight, I went to Florida to train, I killed myself to make the weight. I was to weak in the fight, and it showed. But it was rigged up for Mayweather to win that fight.
BH: Anything in closing?
AM: Thanks to all of my fans, I am back, and after I did my MRI I am back in the ring, and I am going to get back what I lost, the fame, the fortune, I am a brighter fighter. I want to go forward, and I want to thank you for the interview and the world, I am back.
By "Big Dog" Benny Henderson Jr, Doghouse Boxing (June 6, 2012) Doghouse Boxing
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Angel Manfredy
At one time boxer Angel Manfredy who compiled a career record of 43-8-1 (32), was the fighter to watch. Win, lose, or draw, he was an exciting puncher, with an aggressive style that made him a fan favorite. Foes who fell to Manfredy were the likes of, the late great human highlight reel Arturo Gatti, Ivan Robinson, and, Jorge Paez. The majority of his losses were to top notch fighters, such as, Stevie Johnston, the late tough as nails Diego Corrales, and the still undefeated former pound for pound king, Floyd Mayweather Jr. After a good solid career Manfredy hung up the gloves and has been away from the bang for your buck sport for eight years. So when I contacted Manfredy to do this interview with Doghouse Boxing, I figured it would be the both of us reminiscing on his stellar career, instead, the thirty-seven year old informed me of his comeback. So in this exclusive interview, the fighter formerly known as El Diablo, talks about his comeback, Mayweather and more, enjoy.
Benny Henderson Jr.: Thanks for taking out the time to chat with Doghouse Boxing, basically what has been going down in the world of Angel Manfredy?
Angel Manfredy: I have been taking of my family, I am a father, I am a grandfather at a young age. I enjoy myself living a humble life and I am very anxious to get another shot at Mayweather, that is what is going through my heart right now. I took years off, and I know now how to beat Mayweather, and I am hoping and praying that he will give me the opportunity.
BH: You are speaking on making a comeback, if sop, when can the fans expect you to make that comeback?
AM: I have been running and all getting my cardio up, I am walking around 150-pounds, so I can fight at 147-pounds. I feel strong I feel fast, I am motivated and my mind is right. My mind was not right for the first fight, I had a lot of drugs, a lot of women, fame, fortune, a lot of success, and I did not know how to handle it at that time. But I am right now, and I want to move forward and pick up where I left off.
BH: In order to fight Mayweather you are going to have to fight your way back up the ladder, so when can we expect your return to knock off the ring rust and start that climb?
AM: I do not know, I am going to get a MRI, to make sure the brain is alright, I am waiting on that, when that gets done I will be back in the ring.
BH: I have to ask this, I thought you had a very good career to be proud of, with all that you accomplished, and with the time off and at thirty-seven years old, why return to the sport of boxing?
AM: I love it, I gave it to God and He gave it right back to me. I want to prove to the world that I am the best, by beating the best I will show the world that I did not go anywhere. I had to get my mind right, I was not a mature fighter at the time, I am now. I would love to get back in the mix and show the world that I am the best.
BH: When people read this interview, there are going to be a lot of people, fans, media, critics etc. They are going to say that you should not come back, and many may say that you have no chance and to just stay retired. What would you say to the ones who may respond negatively?
AM: They can say what they want to say, you will always have critics in the boxing world, they did not know what I was going through at that time during my career. I was not mentally prepared for the fight, when I fought Diaz and Gatti, I showed that I was mentally prepared. When I fought Johnston I was not right, I was doing cocaine before the fight, I was a narrow minded man at that time. I have nothing to prove to nobody, if anybody have anything to prove it is Mayweather, that was a premature stoppage. They stopped it way to early, you only stop a fight when a man cannot defend himself, I caught three or four punches on my gloves. They stopped the fight when I was defending myself, you are not supposed to stop the fight when a man is defending himself. But I am back, I am stronger, I am faster, I am more motivated, and I am more determined to get back what I have lost.
BH: At one time you had these addictions to cocaine, how long have you been clean?
AM: Seven years, well, more than that, about ten years.
BH: We look at the 147-pound division and there is a lot of talent in that weight class, so before you get to the likes of Mayweather, who do you feel amongst the division that you can step in against and beat to prepare yourself for the Mayweather fight?
AM: I am not looking at nobody, I am looking at Mayweather, he is the only that motivates me, just like Gatti motivated me, that is what brought me to my best. If anybody needs anybody, Mayweather needs Manfredy, because that was an unproven fight. The stopped the fight prematurely, and I could not make the weight noway. After that fight I went back up to 135-pounds and beat Robinson and showed everybody that I was not a 130-pound fighter. They knew I could not make 130, when I fought John Brown at 130 I got rocked, I was killing myself to make weight. but you live and learn, I learned through my mistakes.
BH: Let’s just say the Mayweather fight will never materialize, would you still want to return to the fight game?
AM: I do not know right now, the only one that would motivate me would be Mayweather. All I can think about is Mayweather, I now know what it takes to beat him. I have figured him out and I believe that I can beat him now.
BH: Any message you want to send to the fight world, mainly Floyd Mayweather?
AM: Be ready! You would fight a different man now, I took the fight with Mayweather the first time for the money, he was a no name. he beat Hernandez, I beat Gatti in his prime, I was the name, not Mayweather, but they had it all rigged up for him to win. I made more money than Mayweather in that fight, he would not fight me unless he made more money so we cut the check in three checks. It made it look like I made four hundred thousand for the fight, but I really made a million dollars. It was all rigged up, all set up, it was all for the money and it was my mistake taking the fight for the money. I could not make the weight, I went to Florida to train, I killed myself to make the weight. I was to weak in the fight, and it showed. But it was rigged up for Mayweather to win that fight.
BH: Anything in closing?
AM: Thanks to all of my fans, I am back, and after I did my MRI I am back in the ring, and I am going to get back what I lost, the fame, the fortune, I am a brighter fighter. I want to go forward, and I want to thank you for the interview and the world, I am back.
Timothy Bradley on why Floyd Mayweather won't fight him after Manny Pacquiao
By Johnny Benz, Doghouse Boxing (June 6, 2012) Doghouse Boxing
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Timothy Bradley
Timothy "The Desert Storm" Bradley Jr. makes his "Grand Arrival" at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Tuesday.
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Photo © Chris Farina / Top Rank
By Johnny Benz, Doghouse Boxing. - Should Timothy Bradley prevail as the victor this Saturday on HBO Pay-per-view, when he faces Manny Pacquiao, one must naturallly assume that Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. would be Bradley's next challenge. But let's be real, right? There are no guarantees a win would propel "The Desert Storm" into a Mayweather fight, and Bradley himself is very aware of that.
Quoted by ESPN, Bradley regarding a possible fight against "Money" Mayweather should he defeat Pacquiao on Saturday, stated: "Mayweather won't fight me if I beat Pacquiao. Mayweather is a businessman. That's it."
Bradley went on to add: "I don't think Mayweather would think he'd lose, but as far as business goes, he won't take that fight right away. He'll say, 'Oh, you've still got a lot to prove Bradley.' You know how it goes."
By Johnny Benz, Doghouse Boxing (June 6, 2012) Doghouse Boxing
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Timothy Bradley
Timothy "The Desert Storm" Bradley Jr. makes his "Grand Arrival" at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Tuesday.
--
Photo © Chris Farina / Top Rank
By Johnny Benz, Doghouse Boxing. - Should Timothy Bradley prevail as the victor this Saturday on HBO Pay-per-view, when he faces Manny Pacquiao, one must naturallly assume that Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. would be Bradley's next challenge. But let's be real, right? There are no guarantees a win would propel "The Desert Storm" into a Mayweather fight, and Bradley himself is very aware of that.
Quoted by ESPN, Bradley regarding a possible fight against "Money" Mayweather should he defeat Pacquiao on Saturday, stated: "Mayweather won't fight me if I beat Pacquiao. Mayweather is a businessman. That's it."
Bradley went on to add: "I don't think Mayweather would think he'd lose, but as far as business goes, he won't take that fight right away. He'll say, 'Oh, you've still got a lot to prove Bradley.' You know how it goes."
EXCLUSIVE: NEVADA COMMISSION SAYS FLOYD MAYWEATHER & OSCAR DE LA HOYA NEVER FAILED DRUG TEST!
June 5th, 2012 By Pedro Fernandez
Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather
MAXBOXING.COM STEROID STORY WAS WRONG!
San Francisco, CA- Yesterday, one of the biggest boxing websites, MaxBoxing.com, with whom I have enjoyed a lengthy professional relationship, their writer Gabriel “Gabe” Montoya, I believe, put his reputation on the line when he said (or implied) that Floyd Mayweather Jr. had, “Flunked three tests” for prohibited systems. The story also implied that Oscar De La Hoya failed drug tests as well. Had it involved anything less than Performance Enhancing Drugs, I would’ve it just dismissed it and went about my business. And before I go any further, I am not trying to take away or diminish the job and efforts of either MaxBoxing or their writers.
ASKED TO INTERVENE, I CONTACTED KEITH KIZER
Having received a number of emails and blogs on the subject, I see that the Examiner.com’s Mark “Scoop” Malinowski even picked it up and sprinted with the story. Where Mr. Montoya and the Examiner.com went wrong was that they never bothered to contact the Nevada State Athletic Commission. They issued a one-sentence response to my Tuesday early afternoon inquiry. Here it is verbatim
from Nevada Commission head Keith Kizer: “Neither Oscar nor Floyd has ever failed a NSAC steroid or drug test.”
AN ATTEMPT TO “UN DO THE DAMAGE”
Having been Oscar De La Hoya’s first publicist, this in 1990 when he was under the sponsorship of real estate magnate Carl Dame, I don’t feel the need to help him at all as he never did me any favors professionally or personally. As for Floyd Mayweather, like him or not, whether you think he’s a prick or not, he and I have ran “hot and cold” over the years. In the span of one Mayweather press conference, I went from being the “Best writer in boxing,” to somebody that, “Don’t know s*it about boxing.” Again, what I’m trying to say is that I don’t owe either of these guys anything personally or professionally.
STILL PAYING FOR BREAKING THE MOSLEY-BALCO LABS STORY
When I was told that Shane Mosley had testified before the BALCO Labs. Grand Jury here in San Francisco that he had in fact taken both the “Clear & Creme” designer steroids, even though a renowned writer had given me the information, I wouldn’t print it. It wasn’t until I actually saw the BALCO transcripts over drinks at a downtown bar that I decided to run with the story that Mosley, Gary Shaw, the MGM Grand, and others used to “blackball” me in boxing. In November 2009, Mosley admitted in a videotaped deposition that he had knowingly taken both of the aforementioned steroids and in addition to admittedly taking EPO (blood doping).
Gabriel Montoya
A LESSON EVERY WRITER SHOULD LEARN FROM
Mark "Wrong Scoop" Malinowski
With Montoya going with a source or sources outside of Keith Kizer and the Nevada Athletic Commission, he has put his head in a legal vice. Having only written one retraction in 40+ years of writing, that on a “he said, she said,” story, I suggest both Gabriel Montoya and Mark “Scoop” Malinowski of Examiner.com, in light of Kizer’s statement, pen a quick retraction, unless they want to test the waters of Civil Court, something that is so costly, that swallowing their pride and writing retractions are not only cheaper, it won’t cause an overwhelming amount of stress, loss of money and the need of attorneys.
June 5th, 2012 By Pedro Fernandez
Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather
MAXBOXING.COM STEROID STORY WAS WRONG!
San Francisco, CA- Yesterday, one of the biggest boxing websites, MaxBoxing.com, with whom I have enjoyed a lengthy professional relationship, their writer Gabriel “Gabe” Montoya, I believe, put his reputation on the line when he said (or implied) that Floyd Mayweather Jr. had, “Flunked three tests” for prohibited systems. The story also implied that Oscar De La Hoya failed drug tests as well. Had it involved anything less than Performance Enhancing Drugs, I would’ve it just dismissed it and went about my business. And before I go any further, I am not trying to take away or diminish the job and efforts of either MaxBoxing or their writers.
ASKED TO INTERVENE, I CONTACTED KEITH KIZER
Having received a number of emails and blogs on the subject, I see that the Examiner.com’s Mark “Scoop” Malinowski even picked it up and sprinted with the story. Where Mr. Montoya and the Examiner.com went wrong was that they never bothered to contact the Nevada State Athletic Commission. They issued a one-sentence response to my Tuesday early afternoon inquiry. Here it is verbatim
from Nevada Commission head Keith Kizer: “Neither Oscar nor Floyd has ever failed a NSAC steroid or drug test.”
AN ATTEMPT TO “UN DO THE DAMAGE”
Having been Oscar De La Hoya’s first publicist, this in 1990 when he was under the sponsorship of real estate magnate Carl Dame, I don’t feel the need to help him at all as he never did me any favors professionally or personally. As for Floyd Mayweather, like him or not, whether you think he’s a prick or not, he and I have ran “hot and cold” over the years. In the span of one Mayweather press conference, I went from being the “Best writer in boxing,” to somebody that, “Don’t know s*it about boxing.” Again, what I’m trying to say is that I don’t owe either of these guys anything personally or professionally.
STILL PAYING FOR BREAKING THE MOSLEY-BALCO LABS STORY
When I was told that Shane Mosley had testified before the BALCO Labs. Grand Jury here in San Francisco that he had in fact taken both the “Clear & Creme” designer steroids, even though a renowned writer had given me the information, I wouldn’t print it. It wasn’t until I actually saw the BALCO transcripts over drinks at a downtown bar that I decided to run with the story that Mosley, Gary Shaw, the MGM Grand, and others used to “blackball” me in boxing. In November 2009, Mosley admitted in a videotaped deposition that he had knowingly taken both of the aforementioned steroids and in addition to admittedly taking EPO (blood doping).
Gabriel Montoya
A LESSON EVERY WRITER SHOULD LEARN FROM
Mark "Wrong Scoop" Malinowski
With Montoya going with a source or sources outside of Keith Kizer and the Nevada Athletic Commission, he has put his head in a legal vice. Having only written one retraction in 40+ years of writing, that on a “he said, she said,” story, I suggest both Gabriel Montoya and Mark “Scoop” Malinowski of Examiner.com, in light of Kizer’s statement, pen a quick retraction, unless they want to test the waters of Civil Court, something that is so costly, that swallowing their pride and writing retractions are not only cheaper, it won’t cause an overwhelming amount of stress, loss of money and the need of attorneys.
Boxing Hall of Fame: Thomas Hearns faces battles head-on both inside, outside of ring
As one would expect of a man who made a career of standing toe-to-toe with some of the all-time great fighters in boxing, Thomas Hearns is a stand-up guy.
Hearns, who staged memorable fights against the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran over the course of his illustrious career, faced perhaps his toughest fight outside the ring.
In 2010, the IRS placed two liens against Hearns’ property, including his $500,000 home in suburban Detroit, for back taxes on income in 2006-07. Much of Hearns’ financial problems came as a result of being overly generous to his eight brothers and sisters.
Hearns met his problems head-on.
TommyHearns.JPGAP, 1984Thomas Hearns, left, drives Roberto Duran into the ropes during first round of their World Boxing Council super welterweight championship fight, June 15, 1984, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Hearns won with a TKO when the fight was stopped in the second round.
He auctioned off many of his possessions, including historic memorabilia from his career in the ring. He actually attended the auction, watching as the robes he wore for fights against Leonard and Hagler were sold to the highest bidder. He also lost a 1957 Chevy and a 47-foot boat.
“If you have debt, you pay it off,” Hearns told the Detroit News on the day of the auction. “You have to confront the problem head-on. I’m not going to run or dodge this. It is most important to straighten out this situation.”
Two years later, Hearns is attempting to put his financial problems behind him.
He will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota on Sunday.
“Things happened. You need to move on,” Hearns said in a recent telephone interview. “I can’t sit here and worry about the past. I hope for brighter days and a brighter future. Right now, I’m looking up.”
Hearns’ induction would seem to be long overdue. His career record of 61-5-1 includes wins over Duran, Pipino Cuevas and Wilfred Benitez.
“The Cuevas fight, that’s one that people don’t talk about,” Hearns said of his 1980 bout against the Mexican champion. “He was one of the great fighters. He was the type of man that I wanted to be. He had a great record. When I beat him, people started looking at me more then.”
Hearns would become the first fighter to win four world titles in four divisions. He then became the first to win five titles in five divisions.
» Weekend Hall of Fame schedule
» Hearns' IBHOF biography
» Hearns' career record
Hearns entered the ring as a professional on Nov. 11, 1977, a young fighter who had come under the tutelage of Hall of Fame trainer Emanual Steward at Detroit’s famed Kronk Gym.
“I met Manny in 1973 or 1974,” Hearns said. “I went down to Kronk. I wanted to box with Emanual Steward. He had a lot of very good fighters, champions. I respected that.”
On Sept. 16, 1981, Hearns climbed into the ring at Caesar’s Palace to face Leonard. Hearns was 32-0 and the WBA world welterweight champion. Leonard, the former Olympic darling, held the WBC welterweight belt.
Hearns led on all three judges’ scorecards through 12 rounds, but Leonard knocked Hearns through the ropes at the end of the 13th round and then kept up the attack in the 14th, forcing the referee to stop the fight. Ring Magazine declared the match the Fight of the Year.
Hearns put off his own induction by continuing to fight even as age began to sap him of the quickness that earned him his original nickname “Motor City Cobra” and the wallop that led to his better-known sobriquet “Hitman.”
Hearns, then 41 years old, lost to Uriah Grant in what appeared to be his last fight in 2000. But he returned to the ring just before he would have been eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame. In July 2005, at age 46, he beat John Long with a ninth-round knockout.
The following February, Hearns beat Shannon Landberg.
Although he’s now 53, Hearns said he’s reluctant to return to a gym because of the temptation that the ring possesses.
“I work out a little bit,” he said. “I stay in shape, but I don’t want to go train again. I know I’ll want to fight again so I just don’t do it.”
While Hearns credits Steward for molding him into a champion, he said he’s not cut out for a career as a trainer.
“Me and Manny never got into any arguments. We always had respect for each other,” Hearns said. “But fighters today can be difficult. I don’t know if I can put up with that — somebody talking back to me.”
Hearns would like to promote boxing events, and he’s dabbled in that arena. He and his mother, Lois, promoted the 2000 bout between Mike Tyson and Andrew Golota.
“My biggest dream is to become a promoter,” Hearns said. “I think more so than training fighters, I could help guide their careers as a promoter.”
Hearns is looking forward to his big weekend in Canastota. He said being inducted into the Hall of Fame would not only be a highlight of his career, but he’s hoping it can lead to his next career.
“The Hall of Fame is major,” Hearns said. “The Hall of Fame can raise the flag for me and do a lot of
As one would expect of a man who made a career of standing toe-to-toe with some of the all-time great fighters in boxing, Thomas Hearns is a stand-up guy.
Hearns, who staged memorable fights against the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran over the course of his illustrious career, faced perhaps his toughest fight outside the ring.
In 2010, the IRS placed two liens against Hearns’ property, including his $500,000 home in suburban Detroit, for back taxes on income in 2006-07. Much of Hearns’ financial problems came as a result of being overly generous to his eight brothers and sisters.
Hearns met his problems head-on.
TommyHearns.JPGAP, 1984Thomas Hearns, left, drives Roberto Duran into the ropes during first round of their World Boxing Council super welterweight championship fight, June 15, 1984, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Hearns won with a TKO when the fight was stopped in the second round.
He auctioned off many of his possessions, including historic memorabilia from his career in the ring. He actually attended the auction, watching as the robes he wore for fights against Leonard and Hagler were sold to the highest bidder. He also lost a 1957 Chevy and a 47-foot boat.
“If you have debt, you pay it off,” Hearns told the Detroit News on the day of the auction. “You have to confront the problem head-on. I’m not going to run or dodge this. It is most important to straighten out this situation.”
Two years later, Hearns is attempting to put his financial problems behind him.
He will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota on Sunday.
“Things happened. You need to move on,” Hearns said in a recent telephone interview. “I can’t sit here and worry about the past. I hope for brighter days and a brighter future. Right now, I’m looking up.”
Hearns’ induction would seem to be long overdue. His career record of 61-5-1 includes wins over Duran, Pipino Cuevas and Wilfred Benitez.
“The Cuevas fight, that’s one that people don’t talk about,” Hearns said of his 1980 bout against the Mexican champion. “He was one of the great fighters. He was the type of man that I wanted to be. He had a great record. When I beat him, people started looking at me more then.”
Hearns would become the first fighter to win four world titles in four divisions. He then became the first to win five titles in five divisions.
» Weekend Hall of Fame schedule
» Hearns' IBHOF biography
» Hearns' career record
Hearns entered the ring as a professional on Nov. 11, 1977, a young fighter who had come under the tutelage of Hall of Fame trainer Emanual Steward at Detroit’s famed Kronk Gym.
“I met Manny in 1973 or 1974,” Hearns said. “I went down to Kronk. I wanted to box with Emanual Steward. He had a lot of very good fighters, champions. I respected that.”
On Sept. 16, 1981, Hearns climbed into the ring at Caesar’s Palace to face Leonard. Hearns was 32-0 and the WBA world welterweight champion. Leonard, the former Olympic darling, held the WBC welterweight belt.
Hearns led on all three judges’ scorecards through 12 rounds, but Leonard knocked Hearns through the ropes at the end of the 13th round and then kept up the attack in the 14th, forcing the referee to stop the fight. Ring Magazine declared the match the Fight of the Year.
Hearns put off his own induction by continuing to fight even as age began to sap him of the quickness that earned him his original nickname “Motor City Cobra” and the wallop that led to his better-known sobriquet “Hitman.”
Hearns, then 41 years old, lost to Uriah Grant in what appeared to be his last fight in 2000. But he returned to the ring just before he would have been eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame. In July 2005, at age 46, he beat John Long with a ninth-round knockout.
The following February, Hearns beat Shannon Landberg.
Although he’s now 53, Hearns said he’s reluctant to return to a gym because of the temptation that the ring possesses.
“I work out a little bit,” he said. “I stay in shape, but I don’t want to go train again. I know I’ll want to fight again so I just don’t do it.”
While Hearns credits Steward for molding him into a champion, he said he’s not cut out for a career as a trainer.
“Me and Manny never got into any arguments. We always had respect for each other,” Hearns said. “But fighters today can be difficult. I don’t know if I can put up with that — somebody talking back to me.”
Hearns would like to promote boxing events, and he’s dabbled in that arena. He and his mother, Lois, promoted the 2000 bout between Mike Tyson and Andrew Golota.
“My biggest dream is to become a promoter,” Hearns said. “I think more so than training fighters, I could help guide their careers as a promoter.”
Hearns is looking forward to his big weekend in Canastota. He said being inducted into the Hall of Fame would not only be a highlight of his career, but he’s hoping it can lead to his next career.
“The Hall of Fame is major,” Hearns said. “The Hall of Fame can raise the flag for me and do a lot of
Manny agrees testing threw the media, then you watch him fight Mosley and Marquez you just have to wonder. He looked tired by round 9 in the Marquez fight, and none of his punches hurt Marquez. It just seems kind funny to me that after almost three years of breaking 145lb -160lb guys faces up, he finally agrees to random testing, and his performance in the ring drops big time. Another thing I want people to notice is that Marquez and Mosley were not weight drained coming into the fight, and Manny didn't look all that good against them, now add in Clottey and you get the point I'm making. Them leg cramps might come back on the 9th against Bradley.
Exclusive Interview With Lateef Kayode - “I Want To Apologise To Showtime For What I Said. I Want A Rematch With Tarver"
By James Slater: This past Saturday, unbeaten, powerful, yet raw cruiserweight contender Lateef Kayode looked to have done enough to have out-pointed veteran star Antonio Tarver. The fight in Carson was, however, scored a draw after 12 somewhat messy, at times wild, at times exciting rounds (I for one enjoyed the fight; I don’t know about you?)
Nigeria’s Kayode, trained by the great Freddie Roach, soon got himself into hot water due to letting loose with an angry tirade which was brought about by disappointment and frustration. Indeed, Lateef’s outburst became the talking point of the fight a whole lot of people expected more from.
I called Kaoyde up this evening, and the 29-year-old came across as a nice guy, who was genuinely apologetic for all the things he said after the fight, one which brought his pro record to 18-0-1(14). Kayode is also desperate to get Tarver into the ring for a second time.
Here is what Lateef had to say:
James Slater: Thanks for taking the time to speak with Eastside Boxing, Lateef. Have you watched a tape of your fight with Tarver yet?
Lateef Kayode: Yeah, I’ve watched the fight again and again. I won the fight. Everyone knows I won the fight! I won really big. One thing I really want to say, is I am sorry for what I said on Showtime. I’m sad for what I said, I didn’t mean it. I hope they can forgive me, please.
J.S: By how big a margin do you think you won the fight? I had you up by a point, for what it’s worth.
L.K: I controlled the fight. The first six rounds, I was busy and I controlled the action. He came on, after his corner was unhappy with him, in the 6th, 7th and 8th - he caught me with a nice one-two to the head and he was trying to knock me out. I missed and I lost my balance. But the 11th and 12th, it was all me. So the first five or six and the last two have to go to me, so how was it a draw? I threw more power punches than him. All his team knew he lost the fight. Afterwards, people from everywhere came up to me and said, ‘good job.’ Everyone from all over the world knows I won.
J.S: You want a rematch, obviously?
L.K: One thing I want to say first: I don’t know what it was, whether it was cocoa butter or what, but he had something on his body and it made my body punches slip down and miss. They said my punches missed the target (and hit Tarver low), but I hit him in the body but the cocoa butter or whatever it was that he had greased himself up with, made my punches slip. I don’t know what it was.
J.S: But you want the rematch?
L.K: I want it, but I don’t think he wants it. I know now what to do to beat him. They say I’m sloppy, but I’m young and I’m improving all the time. This was my first championship fight. My team will train me and make a difference in each fight. They [Team-Tarver] thought I’d come in and be aggressive and look for the KO, but I boxed and used movement. They’d never seen me box before and they were very surprised. My fights on You Tube, I’m always going for the KO. I can surprise anyone in the ring. I’m learning all the time. The people who saw the fight know I was stronger. They say he [Tarver] was old, but I don’t care about his age. He wanted to fight, he’s not old. I beat him and now they say it was because he’s old.
J.S: Who else would you like to fight if you can’t get Tarver again? And would you ever like to move up to heavyweight one day?
L.K: I’m ready for anybody right now. But Tarver says he may move up to heavyweight, or he may fight Marco Huck. How can he fight Marco Huck? He [Tarver] has to deal with me first! I tell you the truth, Tarver is looking for money right now. He knows I’m too good. But I’m ready for anybody, for any champion. I’ll wait and see who wants to take me on. I would love to move to heavyweight, but not now. I want to win a world cruiserweight title and defend it all over the world first.
J.S: Well, best of luck for your next fight, Lateef. Thanks for talking with me.
By James Slater: This past Saturday, unbeaten, powerful, yet raw cruiserweight contender Lateef Kayode looked to have done enough to have out-pointed veteran star Antonio Tarver. The fight in Carson was, however, scored a draw after 12 somewhat messy, at times wild, at times exciting rounds (I for one enjoyed the fight; I don’t know about you?)
Nigeria’s Kayode, trained by the great Freddie Roach, soon got himself into hot water due to letting loose with an angry tirade which was brought about by disappointment and frustration. Indeed, Lateef’s outburst became the talking point of the fight a whole lot of people expected more from.
I called Kaoyde up this evening, and the 29-year-old came across as a nice guy, who was genuinely apologetic for all the things he said after the fight, one which brought his pro record to 18-0-1(14). Kayode is also desperate to get Tarver into the ring for a second time.
Here is what Lateef had to say:
James Slater: Thanks for taking the time to speak with Eastside Boxing, Lateef. Have you watched a tape of your fight with Tarver yet?
Lateef Kayode: Yeah, I’ve watched the fight again and again. I won the fight. Everyone knows I won the fight! I won really big. One thing I really want to say, is I am sorry for what I said on Showtime. I’m sad for what I said, I didn’t mean it. I hope they can forgive me, please.
J.S: By how big a margin do you think you won the fight? I had you up by a point, for what it’s worth.
L.K: I controlled the fight. The first six rounds, I was busy and I controlled the action. He came on, after his corner was unhappy with him, in the 6th, 7th and 8th - he caught me with a nice one-two to the head and he was trying to knock me out. I missed and I lost my balance. But the 11th and 12th, it was all me. So the first five or six and the last two have to go to me, so how was it a draw? I threw more power punches than him. All his team knew he lost the fight. Afterwards, people from everywhere came up to me and said, ‘good job.’ Everyone from all over the world knows I won.
J.S: You want a rematch, obviously?
L.K: One thing I want to say first: I don’t know what it was, whether it was cocoa butter or what, but he had something on his body and it made my body punches slip down and miss. They said my punches missed the target (and hit Tarver low), but I hit him in the body but the cocoa butter or whatever it was that he had greased himself up with, made my punches slip. I don’t know what it was.
J.S: But you want the rematch?
L.K: I want it, but I don’t think he wants it. I know now what to do to beat him. They say I’m sloppy, but I’m young and I’m improving all the time. This was my first championship fight. My team will train me and make a difference in each fight. They [Team-Tarver] thought I’d come in and be aggressive and look for the KO, but I boxed and used movement. They’d never seen me box before and they were very surprised. My fights on You Tube, I’m always going for the KO. I can surprise anyone in the ring. I’m learning all the time. The people who saw the fight know I was stronger. They say he [Tarver] was old, but I don’t care about his age. He wanted to fight, he’s not old. I beat him and now they say it was because he’s old.
J.S: Who else would you like to fight if you can’t get Tarver again? And would you ever like to move up to heavyweight one day?
L.K: I’m ready for anybody right now. But Tarver says he may move up to heavyweight, or he may fight Marco Huck. How can he fight Marco Huck? He [Tarver] has to deal with me first! I tell you the truth, Tarver is looking for money right now. He knows I’m too good. But I’m ready for anybody, for any champion. I’ll wait and see who wants to take me on. I would love to move to heavyweight, but not now. I want to win a world cruiserweight title and defend it all over the world first.
J.S: Well, best of luck for your next fight, Lateef. Thanks for talking with me.
Rigondeaux: The other champions at 122lbs are hiding; they are cowards
June 6th, 2012
By Dan Ambrose: In a message to the other 122 pound champions, WBA World super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (9-0, 7 KO’s) said that the other champions in the division are hiding from him and lack courage to take him out.
Rigondeux is speaking about champions Nonito Donaire, Jeffrey Mathebula, Takalani Ndlovu and Toshiaki Nishioka.
Rigondeaux will be making his first defense of his World Boxing Association super bantamweight title on Saturday against #14 WBC Teon Kennedy (17-1-2, 7 KO’s) in a pay-per-view bout on HBO on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley bout.
Rigondeaux told Elnuevoherald.com “At least I have to thank this guy [Teon Kennedy] for agreeing to fight me. All other so-called champions of the division have hidden. My promotional team has tried to reach them, but do not receive responses. They are cowards.”
Rigondeaux has been trying to get a fight against WBO champion Donaire, but he’s not even remotely interested in taking the fight with Rigondeaux, seeing him as a dull fighter that doesn’t interest him. However, Rigondeaux is widely considered to be the best fighter at 122lbs by many hardcore boxing fans. Rigondeaux would be a nightmare for puncher like Donaire, who likes to load up with his shots to try and score knockouts. Rigondeaux does really well against fighters that put everything they have in each punch, and it’s highly likely he would stop Donaire with a body shot much in the same way that Rigondeaux recently blew away WBA champion Rico Ramos last January by a 6th round TKO win.
Kennedy is a busy fighter known for throwing a lot of punches. It’s doubtful that he’ll do anything to change that style of fighting this Saturday. As such, this fight could end very quickly with Rigondeaux taking Kennedy out with a hard counter shot to the midsection within the first six rounds.
June 6th, 2012
By Dan Ambrose: In a message to the other 122 pound champions, WBA World super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (9-0, 7 KO’s) said that the other champions in the division are hiding from him and lack courage to take him out.
Rigondeux is speaking about champions Nonito Donaire, Jeffrey Mathebula, Takalani Ndlovu and Toshiaki Nishioka.
Rigondeaux will be making his first defense of his World Boxing Association super bantamweight title on Saturday against #14 WBC Teon Kennedy (17-1-2, 7 KO’s) in a pay-per-view bout on HBO on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley bout.
Rigondeaux told Elnuevoherald.com “At least I have to thank this guy [Teon Kennedy] for agreeing to fight me. All other so-called champions of the division have hidden. My promotional team has tried to reach them, but do not receive responses. They are cowards.”
Rigondeaux has been trying to get a fight against WBO champion Donaire, but he’s not even remotely interested in taking the fight with Rigondeaux, seeing him as a dull fighter that doesn’t interest him. However, Rigondeaux is widely considered to be the best fighter at 122lbs by many hardcore boxing fans. Rigondeaux would be a nightmare for puncher like Donaire, who likes to load up with his shots to try and score knockouts. Rigondeaux does really well against fighters that put everything they have in each punch, and it’s highly likely he would stop Donaire with a body shot much in the same way that Rigondeaux recently blew away WBA champion Rico Ramos last January by a 6th round TKO win.
Kennedy is a busy fighter known for throwing a lot of punches. It’s doubtful that he’ll do anything to change that style of fighting this Saturday. As such, this fight could end very quickly with Rigondeaux taking Kennedy out with a hard counter shot to the midsection within the first six rounds.
IBF asks Pavlik to face Adonis Stevenson
June 6th, 2012
By Dan Ambrose: The International Boxing Federation (IBF) is asking #7 IBF super middleweight contender Kelly Pavlik (38-2, 33 KO’s) to face #2 IBF Adonis Stevenson (18-1, 15 KO’s) on August 11th in an IBF 168 pound eliminator bout to determine a mandatory challenger to IBF 168 pound champion Carl Froch.
Pavlik, 30, has until June 8th to say whether he’ll take the fight or not. If he decides not to accept the bout, the IBF will move on to the next available contender #9 IBF Pablo Farias. #3 IBF Edwin Rodriguez was previously asked by the IBF to face Stevenson but he railed to accept it. Other contenders Thomas Oosthuizen and James DeGale haven’t spoken up asking for the fight.
Stevenson’s promoter Yvon Michell told RDS.ca “I’d be very surprised if Pavlik agrees.”
I’ll second that. I don’t think Pavlik will accept the Stevenson fight either, because he’s too fast, too powerful and his southpaw stance would be all wrong for Pavlik. To be sure, Pavlik would have a puncher’s chance against Stevenson if he could make it past the first few rounds, but it would be too much of a jump up in competition for Pavlik, who hasn’t faced a live body since 2010 when he was beaten by Sergio Martinez. Pavlik looked awful last year when he barely beat super middleweight fringe contender Alfonso Lopez by a 10 round majority decision. Pavlik didn’t fight again after that fight until recently when he stopped little known 2nd tier fighter Aaron Jaco in the 2nd round in March.
This Friday, Pavlik will be taking on another 2nd tier fighter in Scott Sigmon. Pavlik is being groomed to face fellow Top Rank fighter WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in late 2012 or early 2013. His promoter won’t want to mess that up by putting Pavlik in with Stevenson and having him knocked out.
June 6th, 2012
By Dan Ambrose: The International Boxing Federation (IBF) is asking #7 IBF super middleweight contender Kelly Pavlik (38-2, 33 KO’s) to face #2 IBF Adonis Stevenson (18-1, 15 KO’s) on August 11th in an IBF 168 pound eliminator bout to determine a mandatory challenger to IBF 168 pound champion Carl Froch.
Pavlik, 30, has until June 8th to say whether he’ll take the fight or not. If he decides not to accept the bout, the IBF will move on to the next available contender #9 IBF Pablo Farias. #3 IBF Edwin Rodriguez was previously asked by the IBF to face Stevenson but he railed to accept it. Other contenders Thomas Oosthuizen and James DeGale haven’t spoken up asking for the fight.
Stevenson’s promoter Yvon Michell told RDS.ca “I’d be very surprised if Pavlik agrees.”
I’ll second that. I don’t think Pavlik will accept the Stevenson fight either, because he’s too fast, too powerful and his southpaw stance would be all wrong for Pavlik. To be sure, Pavlik would have a puncher’s chance against Stevenson if he could make it past the first few rounds, but it would be too much of a jump up in competition for Pavlik, who hasn’t faced a live body since 2010 when he was beaten by Sergio Martinez. Pavlik looked awful last year when he barely beat super middleweight fringe contender Alfonso Lopez by a 10 round majority decision. Pavlik didn’t fight again after that fight until recently when he stopped little known 2nd tier fighter Aaron Jaco in the 2nd round in March.
This Friday, Pavlik will be taking on another 2nd tier fighter in Scott Sigmon. Pavlik is being groomed to face fellow Top Rank fighter WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in late 2012 or early 2013. His promoter won’t want to mess that up by putting Pavlik in with Stevenson and having him knocked out.
Pacquiao-Bradley tickets still not sold out for Saturday’s fight
June 6th, 2012
By Dan Ambrose: If you look around at some of the ticket agencies you’ll notice very quickly that there are still tickets for this Saturday’s fight between Tim Bradley and Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
With only three days to go before the big fight it’s highly likely that the ticket agencies will have to start slashing ticket prices in order to try and move these tickets so they’re stuck with them.
So what happened? Pacquiao used to be able to sell out a venue like the MGM Grand no problem well ahead of one of his fights. Did Bob Arum blow it by choosing his new Top Rank signee Tim Bradley to fight Pacquiao rather than twisting Pacquiao’s arm to get him to fight Miguel Cotto at a catchweight? It sure seems like it. While Bradley is a popular fighter among the hardcore boxing fans, you’d be hard pressed to find many casual boxing fans who’ve ever heard of the guy. At this point in his career, Bradley simply isn’t a household name as of yet. To be sure, this Saturday’s fight will help make Bradley a better known fighter, but it’s coming way too late to make this fight a huge seller.
It’s a bad sign to still have tickets available this close to the fight, and it seems pretty clear that Arum made a blunder by choosing Bradley instead of a better known opponent. Of course, he’ll do swimmingly well because both of the fighters are in his Top Rank stable, so this will be another in house fight for him. Personally, he won’t do badly at all even if doesn’t sell out or reach 1 million pay per view buys.
However, you’d still like to see Pacquiao selling tickets and bringing in big numbers in PPV. The three Pacquiao-Bradley 24/7 series episodes have lacked drama or any kind of animosity between the two fighters. You could say that the family and religious oriented twists of the three series probably hasn’t helped sell tickets or get people to order the fight on PPV. It’s too tame and it almost looks packaged like a political infomercial instead of something that would get fans interested in buying the fight.
June 6th, 2012
By Dan Ambrose: If you look around at some of the ticket agencies you’ll notice very quickly that there are still tickets for this Saturday’s fight between Tim Bradley and Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
With only three days to go before the big fight it’s highly likely that the ticket agencies will have to start slashing ticket prices in order to try and move these tickets so they’re stuck with them.
So what happened? Pacquiao used to be able to sell out a venue like the MGM Grand no problem well ahead of one of his fights. Did Bob Arum blow it by choosing his new Top Rank signee Tim Bradley to fight Pacquiao rather than twisting Pacquiao’s arm to get him to fight Miguel Cotto at a catchweight? It sure seems like it. While Bradley is a popular fighter among the hardcore boxing fans, you’d be hard pressed to find many casual boxing fans who’ve ever heard of the guy. At this point in his career, Bradley simply isn’t a household name as of yet. To be sure, this Saturday’s fight will help make Bradley a better known fighter, but it’s coming way too late to make this fight a huge seller.
It’s a bad sign to still have tickets available this close to the fight, and it seems pretty clear that Arum made a blunder by choosing Bradley instead of a better known opponent. Of course, he’ll do swimmingly well because both of the fighters are in his Top Rank stable, so this will be another in house fight for him. Personally, he won’t do badly at all even if doesn’t sell out or reach 1 million pay per view buys.
However, you’d still like to see Pacquiao selling tickets and bringing in big numbers in PPV. The three Pacquiao-Bradley 24/7 series episodes have lacked drama or any kind of animosity between the two fighters. You could say that the family and religious oriented twists of the three series probably hasn’t helped sell tickets or get people to order the fight on PPV. It’s too tame and it almost looks packaged like a political infomercial instead of something that would get fans interested in buying the fight.