Boxing News Thread

[CZAR]

Sergio Martinez Vows to Give Chavez Jr a Serious Beating

After refusing to have his gloves weighed on June 15, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. successfully defended his WBC middleweight title a day later, knocking out Andy Lee during the seventh round of their encounter.

With the win, Chavez Jr. is on course to face Sergio Martinez on Sept. 15, and the animosity between the two should lead to a very entertaining fight.

Martinez wasn't impressed with Chavez' performance against Lee - many in the boxing community had the Irishman up on the scorecards before the knockout. And he vows to hand Chavez Jr. a serious beat-down.

"I will give Chavez the biggest beating that he ever got, so it's better not to talk too much because he will go too far and damage his integrity," Martinez said during an interview with Boxingscene.com. "I'm starting to get upset and they will regret [their words], the father and the son, because I would never withdraw from anything. … He's had an evolution with his quality. He's a much better fighter [now]. He's very strong and very big. I am really looking forward to [fighting him] because now it will be more of [an even fight] than it was two fights ago. I am really happy because I think that it's the right time [to do this fight] and [there should be] no excuse."

Even though Chavez Jr. has put together a solid professional boxing record, his antics have distanced him from hardcore fans of the sports. Many perceive Chavez Jr. as a spoilt brat, who has been handed everything he has - including his WBC title - due to his fathers' accomplishments.

Chavez Jr. did display his toughness against Lee, and he'll earn even more respect from boxing fans if he sticks to his word and faces Martinez in September. However, I'm not sure he has the skills needed to retain his title against Martinez, and he might find himself in serious trouble when the two collide in Las Vegas.

Got Em!!

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Man, this would be great. A central commission to oversea boxing. Make it happen McCain


McCain, Reid Aim To Establish National Commission

Giving voice to the outrage over Timothy Bradley's controversial split decision over Manny Pacquiao, two senators introduced legislation Monday that would create a special boxing commission to oversee all matches in the United States and restore integrity to the sport.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who boxed while at the U.S. Naval Academy, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., a former middleweight boxer, are pushing the measure establishing the U.S. Boxing Commission, an entity that would carry out federal boxing law, work with the industry and local commissions and license boxers, promoters, managers and sanctioning organizations.

Speaking on the Senate floor, McCain evoked the words of former sportswriter Jimmy Cannon, who called boxing the "red light district of sports." He said the recent dispute stemming from the welterweight bout between Bradley and Pacquiao "is the latest example of the legitimate distrust boxing fans have for the integrity of the sport."

Earlier this month in Las Vegas, Pacquiao seemed to have the fight in hand, but two judges decided otherwise, giving Bradley a split decision in the welterweight title bout. The results ended Pacquiao's outstanding seven-year unbeaten streak and left promoter Bob Arum angry and demanding a full investigation by Nevada officials.

"I've never been as ashamed of the sport of boxing as I am tonight," Arum, who handles both fighters, said after the fight.

Bradley won five of the last six rounds on two scorecards and four on the third. He won 115-113 on two scorecards, while losing on the third by the same margin. The Associated Press had Pacquiao winning 117-111.

"Clearly, the conspiracy theories and speculation surrounding the fight are given life because there are so many questions surrounding the integrity of the sport and how it is managed in multiple jurisdictions," said McCain, who pointed out that professional boxing is the only sport in the United States without a strong, centralized association regulating it.

Under the legislation, all referees and judges participating in a championship or a professional fight lasting 10 rounds or more would have to be fully registered and licensed by the commission. A sanctioning organization could provide the names of judges and referees it considers qualified for that caliber bout, but only the commission could appoint judges and referees to participate in the matches.

 

[heyzel]

it's about time something needs to happen I just hope that it don't take 10 years for it to become a reality^^^

 

[heyzel]

Emanuel Steward Concerned About Chavez Jr Drug Test for Lee Fight

Andy Lee, Irish Kronk middleweight fighter put on a brave performance in his WBC world title challenge against champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on Saturday night at the Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas.

Lee to his credit went to the champion’s backyard with 20,000 Mexican cheering for Chavez Jr. at the Sun Bowl Stadium a long way from Limerick, Ireland. He prepared meticulously for the fight and did everything that was asked of him to promote the fight. He showed courage and heart and did his utmost and best in the fight.

Lee was ahead of all 3 judges’ scorecards (58-54) at the end of the 6th round before the referee Laurence Cole intervened and stopped the fight 2.21 minutes into the 7th round after a sustained barrage of punches were inflicted on the Irishman by Chavez Jr.

In the aftermath of the fight Emanuel Steward has expressed he is very concerned about whether the fight was a level playing field for both fighters to compete in. Chavez Jr. neglected to give a mandatory urine sample when he successfully defended his title against Marco Antonio Rubio in Texas in February this year.

Team Lee have now requested confirmation and clarity from Dick Cole, the Texas State Athletic Commissioner on whether Chavez Jr. carried out an anti-doping drug test on Saturday evening and what the results are. Furthermore Emanuel Steward has a meeting with Senator John McCain, instigator of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act on July 10 and one of the items on the agenda is enhanced performance drugs being used in professional boxing.

Emanuel Steward commented ‘Andy Lee is like a son to me, I always look after all my fighters’ health and wellbeing. I am very concerned about enhanced performance drugs being used by boxers. This is not tennis or golf; boxing is a physical combat sport where if drugs are used by one fighter then this is a disadvantage against the other fighter and causes serious damage to a fighter’s health. Are we going to wait for someone to be killed in the ring before this matter is taken seriously and dealt with?”

“I am taking this matter about the fight on Saturday evening very seriously and I am waiting on the Texas Commission to clarify the situation before considering any appropraite action. I am not putting Andy Lee or any of my fighters’ lives at risk in life and death fights and then everyone pretends this is the honourable noble art of the sport of boxing. Good people in boxing need to stand up and speak out for what is right and stop these fighters, promoters and commissions doing whatever they like because they have money, power and muscle.”

Drugs and bad judging is killing the sport of boxing in the United States. The fans are turned off; they love the sport but not the business of boxing. What type of role models and heroes are professional boxers and world champions using drugs providing to young kids in the gym starting their amateur careers? Parents and Youth and Community workers are trying to steer their kids away from drugs.

Steward also expressed concerns about Chavez ballooning in fights from 160lb on the day of the weigh-in to 180lb come fight night and the weight advantage he then has against his opponents. Another issue was why Chavez Jr. was complaining about leg cramps after the fight.

Most observers thought the size of the ring was a joke, it was not a world championship ring, and it was more like a training ring for young amateur kids at the local recreation center. All of this weighted to Chavez Jr advantage.

Andy Lee took defeat on the chin, and like the true Irishman that he is he will pick up the pieces of his shattered dream and life will go on, tomorrow is another day. There's an old saying ‘that victory isn't defined by wins and losses; it's defined by effort.’ Andy Lee performance was not short of effort.

As Theodore Roosevelt also once said ‘It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

Andy Lee was the fighter in the boxing arena, who has tasted and knows victory and defeat and on Saturday night he failed while daring greatly in trying to win a world title and realise his dream and you cannot ask for any more of a fighter.

 

[heyzel]

Floyd Mayweather Senior: “Everybody has got a bad decision in boxing before! Now all of a sudden cause Pacquiao is from the Philippines and he got a bad decision, they are going to put the damn government in it! Bull that's all it is!"

by Jenna J- The latest edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio featured an exclusive interview with boxing trainer Floyd Mayweather Senior, who touched on a variety of topics including the controversial decision in the Manny Pacquiao & Timothy Bradley fight, his thoughts on corruption in the sport, a possible fight between Pacquiao and his son, his views on Mayweather Jr's attempt to get released from prison early, how he believes his son will be affected from being in jail and more! Here is what Floyd Senior had to say:

His views on the decision in the Pacquiao-Bradley fight:

"I thought that Pacquiao edged him out, I don't think it was no gigantic edge, but I did think that Pacquiao pulled it off."

On whether he was surprised that Bradley got the decision:

"Of Course I was surprised about that particular part of it, I thought the fight was a close fight but I thought Pacquiao edged it out, so I definitely thought that Pacquiao was going to get the fight, no question in my mind. I was surprised!"

On if he believe there was corruption in the fight result:

"I think there is a lot of corruption going behind it, there is corruption anyways, look at the fight that Pacquiao just fought with Marquez the fight before this fight. He clearly got his ass whopped, and nothing was said about it, now all of a sudden it's a big deal now that he got a bad decision! Everybody has got a bad decision in boxing before! Now all of a sudden cause he is from the Philippines and he got a bad decision, now they are going to put the damn government in it! Bulls*** that's all it is!"



His thoughts on his son's recent attempt to get released from jail, to be put under home arrest:

"We do what we do, and got to pay for what we do, but I just feel like he's done a whole lot for the state of Nevada. When he fills the house he makes them money, he makes them a lot of money, so I feel like they could just give him house arrest"

Whether he believes that the condition's his son is being held under could affect his career:

"It could. It could affect anybody being in a jail cell 23 hours. I think there are trying to bash him in different kind of ways to try and let him know that they are the law. Keeping someone anywhere 23 hours a day is cruel, and vicious and unnecessary, that's what it is."

"I think it's cruel what they doing, and they expect this man to come out here again and do what he use to do. You know what, a lot of times thing affect your mind and your life and it changes you, and sometimes you aint ever be the same again. Life is that way, you are here today and gone tomorrow"

On if he believes the hype for a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight will be the same once his son gets out:

"If Pacquiao come back and do what he have to do and dominate Tim Bradley the fight is right back where it was, cause nobody want to see Tim Bradley and Floyd Mayweather, nobody want to see that, they want to see the Pac-man and Mayweather, and that's what they be looking for still, nobody is looking for Bradley and Floyd, that's nothing! The fight will still be big cause nobody really felt that Bradley won"

His thoughts on if his son should take things slowly once he is out of jail to find out where he is at physically:

"He got to get out there and get the feel of it again, see a lot of people don't know what things will do to a person, do to a person's mind and change their life, he ain't gonna be the same person once he come out of there. My son is strong in different areas, and boxing is his valid point, but this aint about boxing, this is about every day life right here, and every day life can kill everybody, it can kill you in different kind of ways. When he get out he got to accept life and learn life better, I mean don't get me wrong, he is a young man, and he is still coming along, but hey, he got to learn to life better."

 

[heyzel]

Can we please have another Super 6 tournament?
June 18th, 2012

By Dallan O’ Donnell: After the super-middleweight Super 6 came to an end, I was a little disappointed. Personally, I think that the idea was superb. The prospect of pitting the best fighters in the division against each other was great, making them fight each other in their prime.

Of course, Andre Ward won the tournament, beating Carl Froch in the final.

So, why not put another Super 6 tournament on in either the welterweight division or the middleweight division? Personally, I prefer the middleweight idea.

At the minute, the division is so tough with good fighters around every corner. The likes of Sergio Martinez, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Felix Sturm, Martin Murray, Matthew Macklin, Darren Barker and former light middleweight king, Miguel Cotto who is tempted to step up to the middleweight division.

There are seven potential candidates for a possible tournament, all mouth-watering clashes and a huge potential to make millions of dollars.

The sport needs something like this after recent controversies have given the sport bad press and a negative image around the world. Of course, Martinez and Chavez have agreed to fight later this year but I’m sure they wouldn’t say no to a rematch.

Then, there is Felix Sturm. Both Martin Murray and Matthew Macklin would love rematches against him after both fighters had contentious decisions against him.

It is only an idea, but boxing needs the best to fight the best to remain ahead of the ever growing MMA and UFC franchise.

What Super 6 would you like to see in what division?

 

[heyzel]

Mayweather Jr. at top of list for highest paid athletes
June 18th, 2012

By John F. McKenna (McJack): Love him or hate him everyone sports fans would have to admit that undefeated superstar World Boxing Association (WBA) light middleweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (43-0, 26 KO’s) is now not only the highest paid boxer in the world, but the highest paid athlete as well.

Forbes reported today that “Money May” earned $85 million for the two fights he engaged in over the last twelve months. Mayweather replaces Tiger Woods who previously headed the list of highest earning athletes over the past ten years.

Last September Floyd KO’d former WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz in the 4th round. On May 5 of 2012 Mayweather scored an entertaining twelve round unanimous decision over former WBA light middleweight champion Miguel Cotto. The victories over Ortiz and Cotto maintained Floyd’s undefeated record. What is most impressive about Mayweather’s $85 million in earnings is that the actual time he spent in the ring for both the Ortiz and Cotto fights was less than an hour.

Mayweather has long been regarded in the boxing world as something of a genius at self promotion and at maximizing the amount of money he brings. Floyd is a shrewd businessman and acts as his own promoter through Mayweather Promotions. He collects all the revenue from tickets, Pay Per View (PPV) and sponsorships and covers the costs of his opponents. His earnings per fight are typically approximately 50% higher than his closes competitor former WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KO’s).

“Money May’s” most recent fight with Cotto generated $94 million in PPV revenue. Manny Pacquiao earned $56 for his fights with Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley. “Pacman” also earned an additional $6 million in endorsements from Nike, Hewlett-Packard, Monster Energy and Hennessee.

Floyd Mayweather is very complex and intelligent and his business savvy cannot be overstated. Many see him as a polarizing individual who happens to be a great fighter, but he is much more than that. Mayweather is also known to do charitable work within the community but he does not trumpet that for all the world to see.

 

[heyzel]

Boxings new stars can be found at the lighter weights
June 18th, 2012

By Ashley Gibson: I constantly hear people complaining about boxing beginning to decline and that because Manny Pacquiao got beat there has been at least a dozen articles titled ‘boxing is dead’. Well I believe the stars of the lighter weight classes could remedy the drought of star studded fights.

With the likes of Yuriorkis Gamboa, Abner Mares, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Orlando Salido, Jorge Arce, Adrien Broner and Brandon Rios to name a few, all of these fighters are brilliant to watch and exciting and talented future stars.

Floyd Mayweather has already expressed his interest in undefeated pound for pound superstar Yuriorkis Gamboa and it is easy to see why. Undefeated in all his contests and a pure raw talent. He is sparking interest in all boxing corners.

Nonito Donaire is set to fight Jorge Arce which is a brilliant fight. Both fighters are talented in their own respects and it could be a terrific ordeal.

Adrian Broner is another rising star and has had brilliant reviews from the likes of the Dirrell brothers, Andre Ward, Floyd Mayweather and Austin Trout. He is being touted to take Mayweather PPV kingship in the future and it is hard to deny it.

Finally Brandon Rios is another fighter who deserves to be mentioned. Even though he had a questionable victory over Richard Abril recently, he is still a brilliant talent and is definitely looking for super fights. After the collapse of the Rios-Gamboa fight, fans all over lost interest but real fight fans appreciate his craft and look forward to seeing him in any fight in which he partakes.

To conclude, the heavyweight division is dominated by the Ukrainian giants, the light heavy weight division is not all that exciting the middleweights are not getting a look in where Sergio Martinez is concerned and welterweight has been in a state of pause ever since a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight was mentioned. Therefore the lighter weights, in my opinion, is the future and where the real talent lies. I know people will discard this article but it is hard to make a point for one of these fighters not to be on the list.

 

[JLMACN]

Jorge Arce a future star?????????

He's like 33 years old.....LOL

Gamboa better hurry or his time will past by very quickly.

Rigondeaux and Broner are for sure future stars......

 

[bigface]

Mayweather Jr. at top of list for highest paid athletes
June 18th, 2012

By John F. McKenna (McJack): Love him or hate him everyone sports fans would have to admit that undefeated superstar World Boxing Association (WBA) light middleweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (43-0, 26 KO’s) is now not only the highest paid boxer in the world, but the highest paid athlete as well.

Forbes reported today that “Money May” earned $85 million for the two fights he engaged in over the last twelve months. Mayweather replaces Tiger Woods who previously headed the list of highest earning athletes over the past ten years.

Last September Floyd KO’d former WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz in the 4th round. On May 5 of 2012 Mayweather scored an entertaining twelve round unanimous decision over former WBA light middleweight champion Miguel Cotto. The victories over Ortiz and Cotto maintained Floyd’s undefeated record. What is most impressive about Mayweather’s $85 million in earnings is that the actual time he spent in the ring for both the Ortiz and Cotto fights was less than an hour.

Mayweather has long been regarded in the boxing world as something of a genius at self promotion and at maximizing the amount of money he brings. Floyd is a shrewd businessman and acts as his own promoter through Mayweather Promotions. He collects all the revenue from tickets, Pay Per View (PPV) and sponsorships and covers the costs of his opponents. His earnings per fight are typically approximately 50% higher than his closes competitor former WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KO’s).

“Money May’s” most recent fight with Cotto generated $94 million in PPV revenue. Manny Pacquiao earned $56 for his fights with Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley. “Pacman” also earned an additional $6 million in endorsements from Nike, Hewlett-Packard, Monster Energy and Hennessee.

Floyd Mayweather is very complex and intelligent and his business savvy cannot be overstated. Many see him as a polarizing individual who happens to be a great fighter, but he is much more than that. Mayweather is also known to do charitable work within the community but he does not trumpet that for all the world to see.

But $40 million for one fight was not a good offer by Mayweather says the Manny fans. lol

 

[Tony]

Damn^^^ Now that Pacquiao has lost, Money May may even ask for more money now.

 

[MOREBASS]

But $40 million for one fight was not a good offer by Mayweather says the Manny fans. lol

Not when he could make a considerable amount more for negotiating a better deal that included a % of the PPV revenue.

The difference between Floyd's other opponents and Pacquiao, is that Pacquiao doesn't have to ask "how high?" when Floyd tells him to jump.

He would have been an idiot to take that flat fee.

 

[heyzel]

Steve Cunningham A Free Agent, Eyes Move To Heavyweight; Showtime to air Johnny Tapia Tribute on Saturday

Former two time International Boxing Federation (IBF) Champion of the World, Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, announced earlier today that he is now a promotional free agent, as well as stated that he is considering a move to the Heavyweight division.

Cunningham, whose second reign as Champion see him secure victories over Troy Ross and Enad Licina before controversially losing his crown, due to a dubious Technical Decision in favour of his opponent, Cuba’s Yoan Pablo Hernandez, in October 2011.

The IBF reacted instantly, ordering an immediate rematch, which took place on the 4th February, this time the bout went the distance, however the result went against the former Navy man.

Since the second Hernandez fight, Team Cunningham have been attempting to secure a meaningful Cruiserweight bout, preferably a title challenge, without any success.

On making the announcement Cunningham said, "I'm excited to be a free agent again and see what's out there.

I feel like heavyweight is the right move for me right now, but I would still take the right cruiserweight fight.

I would love to fight in America again, but I'll go wherever duty calls."

IABA UPDATE (AIBA NOTIFICATION IN REGARDS TO JOE WARD)

The IABA have received final notification today from AIBA that boxer Joe Ward, (81kg) will not be competing in the 2012 London Olympics.

The AIBA notification states: “…following the Olympic Qualifying Guidelines approved by the IOC Executive Board, the next Best Boxer from the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships is supposed to be selected. Following the Competition Protocol list, we regrettably found out that your boxer does not meet the qualification to be the next Best Boxer in your continent.”

The IABA High Performance Head Coach Billy Walsh has stated that he is extremely disappointed with this decision.

 

[heyzel]

Roger Mayweather: Pacquiao needs to fight Floyd Jr, not Marquez
June 19th, 2012

By Chris Williams: Roger Mayweather, the uncle and trainer for WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., doesn’t see the point of Manny Pacquiao fighting Juan Manuel Marquez next. Roger thinks Pacquiao should fight Floyd Jr. instead of wasting his time with a fourth fight with the 39-year-old Marquez.

Roger has a point. Why is Bob Arum looking to put Pacquiao in with Marquez and not Mayweather? That’s the fight that boxing fans want to see, and it’s also the fight that will bring in a lot more money. Why isn’t Arum looking at making that fight next? He needs to grab the money while he still can because the cash might not be there if Pacquiao continues to get beaten by Arum’s stable fighters.

Roger told writer Chris Robinson at Examiner.com this about Pacquiao fighting Marquez again: “For what? They don’t need that bulls***. They might as well sit back, relax, and let my nephew [Floyd Jr] whoop his [Pacquiao] a**. Then he’ll know who the truth is.”

Well, we just saw Pacquiao get beaten by Tim Bradley. You can probably forget all about Pacquiao facing Mayweather Jr. now. Bob Arum is already looking at putting Pacquiao in with Marquez in November, and after that he’ll likely throw Pacquiao back in with Bradley. Given the choice between Mayweather and Bradley, Arum will likely opt for Bradley, because he’s one of his Top Rank stable fighters and he’s not nearly as good as Mayweather.

Getting beaten by Bradley obviously is no fun for the Filipino, but the beating that Mayweather would give Pacquiao would hurt him big time because it would be such a one-sided whipping. A whipping from Mayweather could ruin Pacquiao’s cash cow status, because boxing fans might not want to continue paying to see him fight if Mayweather Jr. clowns Pacquiao as bad as I think he will.

I think Marquez is still good enough to beat Pacquiao, but I doubt they’ll give him the decision.

 

[heyzel]

Olubamiwo banned for four years for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs
June 19th, 2012

By Sean McDaniel: Muscular British heavyweight Larry Olubamiwo (10-3, 9 KO’s) has reportedly received a four year ban for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. The 34-year-old Olubamiwo has given a really stiff penalty for testing positive for EPO, a blood boosting chemical for his bout against Sam Sexton last January.

In addition to that, Olubamiwo has apparently admitted to taking 13 banned substance, such as human growth hormone and anabolic steroids.

The 6’4 250+ pound Olubamiwo was known for having a lot of muscles and pretty good power. However, his stiffness and lack of hand speed was a problem for him in losses to Sexton and John McDermott.

The four year ban would seem like a really stiff penalty for a fighter like Olubamiwo, because you think that perhaps a year would be a better time frame for a ban.

It’s unclear what Olubamiwo will do now. Perhaps he can look to fight outside of the UK in order to continue his career at some point. If he waits the entire years, Olubamiwo will be 38, and likely too old to do much.

 

[heyzel]

Arum says Chavez Jr. was drug tested BEFORE the Lee fight
June 18th, 2012

By Dan Ambrose: Examiner.com writer Michael Marley is reporting that WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr’s promoter Bob Arum is saying that Chavez Jr. was given a urine test BEFORE his fight against Andy Lee last Saturday night at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.

This is interesting news, because one of the HBO analysts said that Chavez Jr. hadn’t been able to take the urine test for performance enhancing drugs.

Arum told Marley this at examiner.com “This is just ludicrous. There was a piss test. I know this for a fact. I know Julio did the urine test at the arena right before the fight. As far as Julio’s weight gain, well so what? That is certainly within the rules.”

How much weight Chavez Jr. gained for the fight after rehydrating is unclear, but HBO analyst Roy Jones Jr. estimated that that Chavez Jr. weighted approximately 180 pounds last Saturday for the Lee fight. Jim Lampley from HBO said that Chavez Jr. was punching like a light heavyweight. Arum is right about it being legal for Chavez Jr. to weigh as much as he wants after rehydrating.

However, Lee’s trainer Emanuel Steward is concerned about whether or not Chavez Jr. was drug tested. It obviously is an important thing for a trainer to be worrying about, because there wasn’t drug testing done for Chavez Jr’s last fight in Texas in his bout against Marco Antonio Rubio. Someone dropped the ball and the drug testing wasn’t done. Steward wants to make sure that there was even playing field with his fighter going up against a fighter that looked a lot bigger than him last Saturday.

 

[heyzel]

DUANE FORD STRIKES AGAIN!

PhilBoxing.com
19 Jun 2012


Duane Ford.
Duane Ford decided to once again come out in the open and explain his controversial judging of last week’s bout between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley. And once again, he came not only short but with confusing and baffling answers to the hottest topic in sports nowadays.

Ford was one of the special guests in Jim Lampley’s HBO program called “The Fight Game” which tackled the arguable decision that Ford alongside fellow judge C.J. Ross came up with in that mega fight in Las Vegas a week ago.

Ford first defended the qualifications of himself and his two other fellow judges that night stating that “they are not trainees” and adding that the three of them have a combined 350 plus world title fights between them. He further states that all of them saw and agreed that Pacquiao and Bradley fought a close fight last June 9th. It is an observation that the fans of the sport strongly disagrees with. Majority that watched the fight both at the MGM Grand and worldwide through television thinks that the Filipino boxer won the fight and that he won it convincingly as well.

“What I personally saw that night, is that the first six rounds, clearly Pacquiao was the winner. It was an exciting six rounds,” stated Ford during the interview with Lampley.

Wait! He said what? He saw Pacquiao clearly winning six rounds of the twelve round championship fight. Then why did he only give five rounds to Pacquiao in his score cards? If he thinks that the then defending champion won six of the twelve, then the least he could score it was a draw for both fighters. Twelve minus six equals six, right Mr. Ford?

Mr. Ford did not stop there. He further defended his actions that night by saying “What I saw on the fourth round is that Pacquiao clearly won that. He hurt Bradley. But the Manny Pacquiao that I judged in the past would have finished him. He let him off the hook. “

Wait again! Did Ford judge Pacquiao’s performance not because of what he saw happening in the ring that night but instead compared him to the Pacquiao of the past? When did comparison of present and past performances become a factor in judging a fight? If that was one of the factors that he used in judging that fight, then his scores should not only be examined but he should be questioned by the Nevada Athletic Commission as well. He clearly is using the wrong criteria in judging a boxing fight. He is clearly biased on old performances of fighters versus the way the fight unfolds in front of his eyes. No wonder he came up with that score card. He should not be allowed to judge again based on this statement of his. He looks not on the fight itself but on what he perceived that fighter was once capable of doing. He clearly has it wrong.

Mr. Ford’s bloopers did not stop there on last night’s TV appearance. He further states that Pacquiao “in the later rounds, I thought he tired and his punches were missing a bit.”

Wait, wait Mr. Ford. Missing a BIT? What exactly did you see that night sir? Did he miss or did he not, did he score or did he not? There is no “bit” in judging a fight. What exactly did you see? Or what exactly did you not see?

Duane Ford was very vocal of his actions right after the fight. He defended his appalling scoring of a fight that the world saw differently. He told the Las Vegas Review Journal that he thought “Bradley gave Pacquiao a boxing lesson.” A comment that is uncalled for, given the issue at hand. Ford’s comment at that time was not only ill-advised, it is also arrogant.

But Duane Ford’s appearance on television last night and he making those remarks just added to the debate that he has erred in judging the Pacquiao-Bradley match. His explanations were absurd and downright confusing. He puts himself in a deeper hole with every statement he makes.

Mr. Ford should just remain silent from hereon and stop embarrassing himself and the sport. He has done enough damage already. He needs to stop defending his controversial work that night with equally controversial answers. He should stop representing other boxing judges, because he cannot. Despite his years of experience in the sport, he has only become a poster boy for erroneous and incompetent judging because of his actions last week and his remarks thereafter.

If Duane Ford thinks that Timothy Bradley gave Manny Pacquiao a boxing lesson, then maybe someone should give him a simple MATH LESSON.

Mr. Ford… 12 - 6 = 6!

 

[heyzel]

Bernstein: Mayweather would beat Pacquiao

By Rob Smith Boxing analyst Al Bernstein wasn't too impressed with Manny Pacquiao's performance against Tim Bradley on June 9th, and he feels that Pacquiao would lose to Floyd Mayweather Jr. if they were to fight now. Bernstein points out that there's been some wear and tear on the 33-year-old Pacquiao because of the numbers of grueling fights he's been in during his career.

Bernstein said to examiner.com "He's [Pacquiao] 33-years-old, he's been in a lot of fights, and some have been difficult fights. He could probably still beat most everybody certainly from 140 pounds up to 147. I do not believe he's going to beat Floyd Mayweather fighting that way."

Bernstein went on to say that Mayweather would be all over Pacquiao if he left himself as wide open as he did in his loss to Bradley. I have to agree with Bernstein on that part. Had it been Floyd in the ring with Pacquiao on June 9th, Pacquiao very likely would have been picked apart and left a silly mess from Mayweather's pinpoint shots. It's a good thing for Pacquiao he only had to deal with Bradley, who gave Pacquiao hell despite being hindered by two injured feet.

I think Mayweather could drive a truck through the openings in Pacquiao's guard that he showed in the Bradley fight. And if all Pacquiao could do was throw left hands all night long, Mayweather would end up likely humiliating the Filipino by pounding him at all with shots. I still don't understand why Pacquiao suddenly stopped using his right hand. Everything was with his left hand in the Bradley fight.

 

[heyzel]

Arum says Manny calls the shots; does Floyd call his?
June 20th, 2012

By Kristofer Williams Sr. Just recently, a boxing scribe conducted an interview with Top Rank bossman Bob Arum and asked him about potential opponents for Manny Pacquiao this coming November. Would it be a rematch with newly crowned WBO “WheelchairWeight” Champ Timothy Bradley, or a fourth match with Juan Manuel Marquez? Or would it be against undefeated pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr.?

Arum responded to examiner.com, “Contrary to what some of these genius writers write, I don’t call the shots when it comes to who Manny fights next. Manny has the final say on who he wants to fight.”

This statement really makes me wonder about some things. In the past, Manny would always say he would have to speak with Bob first when it came to making the final decision on future opponents. Pacquiao would always say “we”, meaning Arum, Koncz, Roach, and Pacquiao would get together in a room and discuss their next fight and whether it would make business sense, financial sense, as well as career sense. However, Bob was adamant in saying this week that Manny had the ultimate final say in who he chooses to fight. On the other had, Bob did not say whether Manny had the complete authority to choose fighters outside of Top Rank as well as Top Rank fighters or even consider non-stable fighters per Arum’s permission. Therefore, there is a strong possibility that Manny indeed calls the shots but at the same time he is limited to choosing only Top Rank stable mates.

One other thing to consider is the fact that immediately after Pacquiao-Marquez III, Arum was completely intent on staging Pac-JMM 4 as soon as possible. Manny, however, shot that down, and after haphazard attempts to stage a fight with Miguel Cotto, Pacquiao had no recourse but to set up the Bradley fight. Maybe Arum was perturbed by Manny deciding not to fight Marquez in June. And maybe Arum senses the growing possibility that Pacquiao might bolt faster than Usain when his contract with Top Ranks ends, creating an increasing uneasiness within Arum’s veins and hence all the conspiracy theories of Arum “fixing” Bradley as the new champion in order to build him up in hopes of establishing a new breed of cash cows in the event Pacquiao leaves.

Everybody has their own theory but at the end of the day, if Manny really does call the shots like Bob says, then Manny needs to do everything in his shot-calling power to convince Arum as well as Floyd to get together in a room and seal the deal on the mega-fight.

Switching gears to Floyd Mayweather, I wonder about some things as well. Floyd loves to profess about his being his own boss, his “Money Team”, and everything else that comes with it. But what Floyd rarely talks about is how much input advisor Al Haymon really has in his career. We all know Haymon and Ellerbe are extremely close to the people at HBO. Haymon, in fact, was once quoted as saying, “If I wanted to, I could run boxing.” (More on the Haymon-Floyd story later. Stay tuned&#8230. Floyd rarely talks about Haymon and in fact, people rarely catch a glimpse of Al Haymon in the boxing scene. Most people don’t even know what he looks like because he operates so low under radar he makes UFO sightings look silly. It is this writer’s opinion that the entire Floyd Mayweather marketing strategy was created, conceived, implemented, and executed by none other than Al “The Ghost” Haymon. Floyd believed in him, and Floyd followed him. More on this, so stay tuned for my next article.

All in all, does Floyd really call the shots? Does Manny really call the shots? At the end of the day, the promotional war in the sport of boxing isn’t about Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Emanuel Dapidran Pacquiao. This whole thing is a tug-of-war between Al Haymon and Bob Arum caused by the money making enterprise that is prizefighting in America. Richard Schaefer, Oscar Delahoya, and Golden Boy Promotions are simply stuck in the middle and in it for the ride.

 

[heyzel]

Randall Bailey vs. Devon Alexander a possibility for August 25th
June 19th, 2012

By Dan Ambrose: Newly crowned IBF welterweight champion Randall Bailey (43-7, 37 KO’s) could wind up facing former IBF/WBC light welterweight champion Devon Alexander (23-1, 13 KO’s) on August 25th.

According to RingTV, Golden Boy promotions CEO Richard Schaefer said that Showtime President of Sports programming Stephen Espinoza has approved the Bailey-Alexander fight.

Alexander, 25, wants the fight and the only thing that stands in the way of the fight being made is whether Bailey wants to make a tough first defense of his title or now. Bailey, 37, will have to be soon facing the winner of the Kell Brook vs. Carson Jones fight, and that won’t be easy to beat the winner of that bout.

Bailey came from behind to stop previously unbeaten Mike Jones in the 11th round on June 9th. Bailey was getting out-boxed by Jones when Bailey knocked Jones down with a right to the head in the 10th. A round later, Bailey finished Jones off with a huge right uppercut that knocked Jones flat on his back on the canvas. The fight was halted at that point.

It’s a good thing that Bailey did stop Jones, because he was behind in the fight by the scores of 97-93, 98-92 and 99-91. Bailey definitely needed a knockout to win, and that chance came for him when Jones made the mistake of getting too close to Bailey when he threw a lazy jab in the 11th. Bailey fired back a perfect right uppercut that sailed between Jones’ guard to get the knockout.

Alexander would be a very tough opponent for a fighter like Jones because of Alexander’s hand speed and his tendency to clinch a lot. In Alexander’s recent lopsided 10 round unanimous decision win over Marcos Maidana last February, Alexander clinched Maidana constantly, clinching as much 10 times per round. Alexander would throw a punch and immediately grab Maidana to keep him from getting his shots off. It worked perfectly, but it was really ugly to watch.