Boxing News Thread
- Thread starter heyzel
- Start date
50 Cent increases chance of Pacquiao vs. Mayweather? Arum: "Yeah, I just got off the phone talking with certain people and I think so..."
By Steve Kim, MaxBoxing (Aug 1, 2012) Doghouse Boxing (Photo © German Villasenor)
-
Bob Arum
So what's Bob Arum's two cents on the formation of TMT Promotions, headed by 50 Cent and rumored to be Floyd Mayweather's newest promoter of record?
“I think it's really good for boxing because if anybody has an idea on how to energize the urban community, it's somebody like 50 Cent,” said Arum. “So I think that if he comes in and promotes and is able to do that, I think everybody benefits. Everybody benefits because, as you see, when we energized the Hispanic community and Hispanics turned on to boxing, that benefited non-Hispanic fighters because of the Hispanic fans. Well, the same thing will happen with the urban fans. So if he can reinvigorate the urban base, well, that's great for everyone in boxing.”
So with this development, does it increase the percentages of a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight in 2013?
“Yeah, I just got off the phone talking with certain people and I think so because it strips away a lot of the non-essential issues that were present with a Golden Boy-Top Rank promotion. Those issues would not be the same,” answered Arum.
Perhaps, this is a case of “My enemy’s enemy is my friend.” Regardless of his personal relationship with 50 (who recently paid a handsome sum to Top Rank for the services of Yuriorkis Gamboa), Arum says, “I have never met him; I met some of the people around him and I like what he's saying and yeah, I look forward to doing stuff with him and I think it's a positive thing.
By Steve Kim, MaxBoxing (Aug 1, 2012) Doghouse Boxing (Photo © German Villasenor)
-
Bob Arum
So what's Bob Arum's two cents on the formation of TMT Promotions, headed by 50 Cent and rumored to be Floyd Mayweather's newest promoter of record?
“I think it's really good for boxing because if anybody has an idea on how to energize the urban community, it's somebody like 50 Cent,” said Arum. “So I think that if he comes in and promotes and is able to do that, I think everybody benefits. Everybody benefits because, as you see, when we energized the Hispanic community and Hispanics turned on to boxing, that benefited non-Hispanic fighters because of the Hispanic fans. Well, the same thing will happen with the urban fans. So if he can reinvigorate the urban base, well, that's great for everyone in boxing.”
So with this development, does it increase the percentages of a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight in 2013?
“Yeah, I just got off the phone talking with certain people and I think so because it strips away a lot of the non-essential issues that were present with a Golden Boy-Top Rank promotion. Those issues would not be the same,” answered Arum.
Perhaps, this is a case of “My enemy’s enemy is my friend.” Regardless of his personal relationship with 50 (who recently paid a handsome sum to Top Rank for the services of Yuriorkis Gamboa), Arum says, “I have never met him; I met some of the people around him and I like what he's saying and yeah, I look forward to doing stuff with him and I think it's a positive thing.
The 25 most powerful people in boxing
There are few sports more star-driven than boxing. The NFL doesn't rely on a Tom Brady or a Peyton Manning the same way boxing desperately needs guys like Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr.
In the major team sports, guys like Brady and Manning have influence, but they're just one piece in the cog. When Brady missed almost the entire 2008 season, the NFL didn't see a drop in ticket sales, merchandise sales, television ratings or overall interest.
Where did Floyd Mayweather Jr. end up on the list of boxing's most powerful? (AP)
Try the same thing in boxing. Guarantee in 2013 that neither Pacquiao nor Mayweather fights and the sport will take a precipitous drop. Big stars are extraordinarily important for boxing. Good matches between little known fighters don't sell at the box office and don't attract television ratings.
That gives guys like Pacquiao and Mayweather extraordinary power and influence within the industry. It also makes big-time power brokers of those who work with them.
With that in mind, here are the Top 25 most powerful men (and women) in boxing:
1. Al Haymon – The most powerful guy in boxing is also its most mysterious. You'll rarely, if ever, see him in front of a television camera and you'll never catch him speaking to a reporter. He's not a promoter. He's not a manager. But when Haymon says jump, plenty of people in boxing listen.
He's referred to as an adviser, which is a smart way to avoid having to be licensed by an athletic commission and to skirt the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act. It's illegal in the U.S. to serve as a promoter and a manager, though Haymon does both.
But what he does is, he'll hire a promoter to, essentially, buy his or her license for an event. So, while, say, Gary Shaw Productions may be the promoter of record for an event, he's doing so at the direction of Haymon. It's Shaw who has to follow the regulations required of a promoter by the state athletic commissions, not Haymon, but it's Haymon making the calls.
He also directs the careers of many fighters, serving as a de facto manager. But while managers are required to be licensed by the states, advisers are not.
He's involved with a slew of the sport's biggest stars, including the biggest, Floyd Mayweather Jr. When Haymon wants one of his fighters on television, he gets it. His fighters compete when he says, where he says, on the network he wants and generally for what he asks purse-wise.
There's no one more powerful than that.
2. Todd duBoef – duBoef is the president of Top Rank. He is the promoter of Manny Pacquiao, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., and Nonito Donaire. He is very innovative and has made many changes, including revamping the live event atmosphere at Top Rank fights.
He's embraced the use of technology and Top Rank is clearly the leader in the digital space among boxing promoters.
3. Richard Schaefer – The CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, Schaefer for years had to listen as competitors and media moaned about his unfair advantage in landing fights on HBO. Then, when the deal with HBO ended, the former legal counsel for Golden Boy, Stephen Espinoza, was hired to run Showtime Sports. Suddenly, Golden Boy's fights are all over Showtime and Schaefer's competitors are moaning again.
That's the definition of power and influence.
lt of that relationship, he's promoted all of Mayweather's fights since 2007. He also owns Ring Magazine and its website uses it as a propaganda tool when need be. When he complained that media was too influenced by Top Rank's Bob Arum, he used the site he owns and a reporter he pays as the vehicle to do it. That provides him with even more influence.
4. Curtis Jackson – Jackson is a musician who is best known by his stage name, 50 Cent. He recently formed a promotional company, TMT Promotions, which is short for "The Money Team." That is the moniker that Mayweather has given his crew. It appears that Jackson will be Mayweather's promoter going forward.
TMT Promotions has reportedly signed fighters such as Yuriorkis Gamboa, Andre Dirrell, Zab Judah and Andre Berto. None of them are big draws, but it's an indicator that Jackson is serious about promoting.
As long as he's fast friends with Mayweather and Mayweather continues to fight, he'll continue to be among the leading boxing powerbrokers.
Bob Arum remains a fixture in the boxing game.
5. Bob Arum – The Top Rank founder is a Hall of Fame member who is still very active at 80. And while much of the business is run by duBoef, Arum's imprint is still all over everything Top Rank does.
He has a great knack for understanding how to build a fighter and he gives his very strong team plenty of room to do their jobs. As a result, he consistently comes up with star after star and remains at the top even as others fall into irrelevance.
Arum has stayed current, though he keeps referring to Jackson as "50 Cents." That faux pas aside, Arum is a relentless worker who has relationships with some of the most powerful people in the television, venue and casino businesses.
6. Ken Hershman – The president of HBO Sports, Hershman has the biggest budget and the largest reach of any broadcaster who does big-time boxing. As a result, if he wants a fight to be on HBO, it usually is.
7. Floyd Mayweather Jr.– He's the top boxer in the sport. He's the biggest draw in the sport. He's aligned with the most powerful figure in the sport. Those factors earn Mayweather a spot on the list. The only issue is whether he should be higher.
8. Manny Pacquiao – He's not as big as Mayweather in the U.S., but he's got a bigger fan base world-wide. The Philippines is a boxing-mad country and Pacquiao has great influence with the young boxers emerging there.
9. Stephen Espinoza – Espinoza is the executive vice president and the general manager of Showtime Sports. He controls a big budget and a lot of dates, many of which are going to his old bosses at Golden Boy. But without any significant involvement in boxing from basic cable or over-the-air network channels, he's in charge of the No. 2 outlet in the U.S.
10. Kathy Duva – The promoter at Main Events has laid a strong foundation in a deal with the NBC Sports Network for fights. She's also managed to convince NBC to put fights on the network starting later this year. Right now, most of the fights involve lesser names, but if she has success with the series, it could lead to more high-profile bouts with bigger audiences. But with the television dates and the potential audience she controls, she wields considerable influence among the boxing crowd.
11. Leonard Ellerbe – Ellerbe is the CEO of Mayweather Promotions and is extremely close with Mayweather. He's also close with Haymon and 50 Cent, putting him squarely in the middle of a lot of big deals.
12. Fernando Beltran – Beltran is a promoter in Mexico and delivers many of the top Mexican stars to Top Rank. The Hispanic audience is a significant one for boxing and nobody is stronger with it than Beltran.
Oscar De La Hoya's promoting career has had plenty of ups and downs.
13. Oscar De La Hoya – The Golden Boy was No. 1 on this list in 2008. But he's no longer boxing and his influence isn't what it was. He's a liability at times to the company with his Tweeting and he's been taunted relentlessly by 50 Cent. But De La Hoya is still an idol to many younger boxers and his presence without question attracts fighters to Golden Boy.
14. Richard Plepler– Plepler is the co-president of HBO and is the man who hired Hershman. He's not a boxing guy and isn't involved on a day-to-day basis, but it's Plepler who sets the tone for the boxing content that winds up on HBO. The amount of boxing-related shoulder content on HBO has increased dramatically since Plepler has taken a greater interest in it.
15. Keith Kizer – A state regulator ordinarily wouldn't make a list of the most powerful, but Kizer runs the commission in Nevada, where the majority of the sport's biggest events are held. He has great sway with his commissioners and exerts a firm hand over what happens. The fact that Antonio Margarito did not fight again in Nevada after the hand wraps incident with Shane Mosley in California in 2009 was largely the result of Kizer's behind-the-scenes influence with the Nevada boxing commissioners.
16. Wladimir Klitschko – The International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion attracts crowds of 30,000 plus in Europe for fights the fans know going in are not going to be competitive. He has a lot of sway with the TV networks in the U.S., as well.
17. Jim Lampley– Lampley is the voice of HBO Boxing and, as such, plays a huge role in how the public perceives the sport. He's also landed a news magazine show in which he's able to explore serious topics in the sport in more depth. He reportedly was involved in a coup of sorts to try to take over the boxing division at HBO last year. It didn't work, but Lampley still remains a major player.
18. Michael Koncz– He's Pacquiao's right-hand man and that alone gives him juice. Whether he retains that when Pacquiao retires, or if he manages to hang around with Pacquiao until the end, can be debated. But he speaks for the champ and that opens plenty of doors for him.
19. Bruce Trampler – Top Rank's Hall of Fame matchmaker, Trampler has the ear of Arum and duBoef. They still won't make a big fight without his OK.
20. Bernd Boente – He's often insufferable and has more feuds than Pete Rose has hits, it seems, but Boente is the personal manager of the Klitschko brothers and wields plenty of power as a result.
21. Eric Gomez – The matchmaker for Golden Boy Promotions is also De La Hoya's boyhood friend. Gomez shapes the career of many fighters who appear regularly on TV and he's earned Schaefer's trust.
22. Gordon Hall – Hall runs Showtime's ShoBox series, which is a steppingstone for young prospects looking to move to the next level. All of boxing's managers have his number on speed dial.
23. Cameron Dunkin – Dunkin is a manager of elite fighters like Donaire and Timothy Bradley Jr. He's one of the best talent evaluators in the business and, despite an appearance he's a Top Rank guy, has relationships with all of the promoters.
24. Mark Taffet – The senior vice president of sports operations and pay-per-view at HBO, Taffet has much say in who appears on the air and how they're presented.
25. Kery Davis – Davis is the senior vice president of sports programming at HBO. It's his day-to-day job to program HBO's boxing shows and he's extremely close with Haymon.
Others also considered – Al Bernstein, broadcaster; Bruce Binkow, Golden Boy Promotions marketing officer; Eric Conrad, Univision; Roberto Diaz, Golden Boy matchmaker; Lou DiBella, promoter; Frank Espinoza, manager; Brad Goodman, Top Rank matchmaker; Dan Goossen, promoter; Max Kellerman, broadcaster; Nick Khan, talent agent/manager; Don King, promoter; Michael Lombardo, HBO; Carl Moretti, vice president, Top Rank; Russell Peltz, matchmaker/promoter; Freddie Roach, trainer; Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Univision; Emanuel Steward, broadcaster/trainer; Sam Watson, Haymon organization.
There are few sports more star-driven than boxing. The NFL doesn't rely on a Tom Brady or a Peyton Manning the same way boxing desperately needs guys like Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr.
In the major team sports, guys like Brady and Manning have influence, but they're just one piece in the cog. When Brady missed almost the entire 2008 season, the NFL didn't see a drop in ticket sales, merchandise sales, television ratings or overall interest.
Where did Floyd Mayweather Jr. end up on the list of boxing's most powerful? (AP)
Try the same thing in boxing. Guarantee in 2013 that neither Pacquiao nor Mayweather fights and the sport will take a precipitous drop. Big stars are extraordinarily important for boxing. Good matches between little known fighters don't sell at the box office and don't attract television ratings.
That gives guys like Pacquiao and Mayweather extraordinary power and influence within the industry. It also makes big-time power brokers of those who work with them.
With that in mind, here are the Top 25 most powerful men (and women) in boxing:
1. Al Haymon – The most powerful guy in boxing is also its most mysterious. You'll rarely, if ever, see him in front of a television camera and you'll never catch him speaking to a reporter. He's not a promoter. He's not a manager. But when Haymon says jump, plenty of people in boxing listen.
He's referred to as an adviser, which is a smart way to avoid having to be licensed by an athletic commission and to skirt the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act. It's illegal in the U.S. to serve as a promoter and a manager, though Haymon does both.
But what he does is, he'll hire a promoter to, essentially, buy his or her license for an event. So, while, say, Gary Shaw Productions may be the promoter of record for an event, he's doing so at the direction of Haymon. It's Shaw who has to follow the regulations required of a promoter by the state athletic commissions, not Haymon, but it's Haymon making the calls.
He also directs the careers of many fighters, serving as a de facto manager. But while managers are required to be licensed by the states, advisers are not.
He's involved with a slew of the sport's biggest stars, including the biggest, Floyd Mayweather Jr. When Haymon wants one of his fighters on television, he gets it. His fighters compete when he says, where he says, on the network he wants and generally for what he asks purse-wise.
There's no one more powerful than that.
2. Todd duBoef – duBoef is the president of Top Rank. He is the promoter of Manny Pacquiao, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., and Nonito Donaire. He is very innovative and has made many changes, including revamping the live event atmosphere at Top Rank fights.
He's embraced the use of technology and Top Rank is clearly the leader in the digital space among boxing promoters.
3. Richard Schaefer – The CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, Schaefer for years had to listen as competitors and media moaned about his unfair advantage in landing fights on HBO. Then, when the deal with HBO ended, the former legal counsel for Golden Boy, Stephen Espinoza, was hired to run Showtime Sports. Suddenly, Golden Boy's fights are all over Showtime and Schaefer's competitors are moaning again.
That's the definition of power and influence.
lt of that relationship, he's promoted all of Mayweather's fights since 2007. He also owns Ring Magazine and its website uses it as a propaganda tool when need be. When he complained that media was too influenced by Top Rank's Bob Arum, he used the site he owns and a reporter he pays as the vehicle to do it. That provides him with even more influence.
4. Curtis Jackson – Jackson is a musician who is best known by his stage name, 50 Cent. He recently formed a promotional company, TMT Promotions, which is short for "The Money Team." That is the moniker that Mayweather has given his crew. It appears that Jackson will be Mayweather's promoter going forward.
TMT Promotions has reportedly signed fighters such as Yuriorkis Gamboa, Andre Dirrell, Zab Judah and Andre Berto. None of them are big draws, but it's an indicator that Jackson is serious about promoting.
As long as he's fast friends with Mayweather and Mayweather continues to fight, he'll continue to be among the leading boxing powerbrokers.
Bob Arum remains a fixture in the boxing game.
5. Bob Arum – The Top Rank founder is a Hall of Fame member who is still very active at 80. And while much of the business is run by duBoef, Arum's imprint is still all over everything Top Rank does.
He has a great knack for understanding how to build a fighter and he gives his very strong team plenty of room to do their jobs. As a result, he consistently comes up with star after star and remains at the top even as others fall into irrelevance.
Arum has stayed current, though he keeps referring to Jackson as "50 Cents." That faux pas aside, Arum is a relentless worker who has relationships with some of the most powerful people in the television, venue and casino businesses.
6. Ken Hershman – The president of HBO Sports, Hershman has the biggest budget and the largest reach of any broadcaster who does big-time boxing. As a result, if he wants a fight to be on HBO, it usually is.
7. Floyd Mayweather Jr.– He's the top boxer in the sport. He's the biggest draw in the sport. He's aligned with the most powerful figure in the sport. Those factors earn Mayweather a spot on the list. The only issue is whether he should be higher.
8. Manny Pacquiao – He's not as big as Mayweather in the U.S., but he's got a bigger fan base world-wide. The Philippines is a boxing-mad country and Pacquiao has great influence with the young boxers emerging there.
9. Stephen Espinoza – Espinoza is the executive vice president and the general manager of Showtime Sports. He controls a big budget and a lot of dates, many of which are going to his old bosses at Golden Boy. But without any significant involvement in boxing from basic cable or over-the-air network channels, he's in charge of the No. 2 outlet in the U.S.
10. Kathy Duva – The promoter at Main Events has laid a strong foundation in a deal with the NBC Sports Network for fights. She's also managed to convince NBC to put fights on the network starting later this year. Right now, most of the fights involve lesser names, but if she has success with the series, it could lead to more high-profile bouts with bigger audiences. But with the television dates and the potential audience she controls, she wields considerable influence among the boxing crowd.
11. Leonard Ellerbe – Ellerbe is the CEO of Mayweather Promotions and is extremely close with Mayweather. He's also close with Haymon and 50 Cent, putting him squarely in the middle of a lot of big deals.
12. Fernando Beltran – Beltran is a promoter in Mexico and delivers many of the top Mexican stars to Top Rank. The Hispanic audience is a significant one for boxing and nobody is stronger with it than Beltran.
Oscar De La Hoya's promoting career has had plenty of ups and downs.
13. Oscar De La Hoya – The Golden Boy was No. 1 on this list in 2008. But he's no longer boxing and his influence isn't what it was. He's a liability at times to the company with his Tweeting and he's been taunted relentlessly by 50 Cent. But De La Hoya is still an idol to many younger boxers and his presence without question attracts fighters to Golden Boy.
14. Richard Plepler– Plepler is the co-president of HBO and is the man who hired Hershman. He's not a boxing guy and isn't involved on a day-to-day basis, but it's Plepler who sets the tone for the boxing content that winds up on HBO. The amount of boxing-related shoulder content on HBO has increased dramatically since Plepler has taken a greater interest in it.
15. Keith Kizer – A state regulator ordinarily wouldn't make a list of the most powerful, but Kizer runs the commission in Nevada, where the majority of the sport's biggest events are held. He has great sway with his commissioners and exerts a firm hand over what happens. The fact that Antonio Margarito did not fight again in Nevada after the hand wraps incident with Shane Mosley in California in 2009 was largely the result of Kizer's behind-the-scenes influence with the Nevada boxing commissioners.
16. Wladimir Klitschko – The International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion attracts crowds of 30,000 plus in Europe for fights the fans know going in are not going to be competitive. He has a lot of sway with the TV networks in the U.S., as well.
17. Jim Lampley– Lampley is the voice of HBO Boxing and, as such, plays a huge role in how the public perceives the sport. He's also landed a news magazine show in which he's able to explore serious topics in the sport in more depth. He reportedly was involved in a coup of sorts to try to take over the boxing division at HBO last year. It didn't work, but Lampley still remains a major player.
18. Michael Koncz– He's Pacquiao's right-hand man and that alone gives him juice. Whether he retains that when Pacquiao retires, or if he manages to hang around with Pacquiao until the end, can be debated. But he speaks for the champ and that opens plenty of doors for him.
19. Bruce Trampler – Top Rank's Hall of Fame matchmaker, Trampler has the ear of Arum and duBoef. They still won't make a big fight without his OK.
20. Bernd Boente – He's often insufferable and has more feuds than Pete Rose has hits, it seems, but Boente is the personal manager of the Klitschko brothers and wields plenty of power as a result.
21. Eric Gomez – The matchmaker for Golden Boy Promotions is also De La Hoya's boyhood friend. Gomez shapes the career of many fighters who appear regularly on TV and he's earned Schaefer's trust.
22. Gordon Hall – Hall runs Showtime's ShoBox series, which is a steppingstone for young prospects looking to move to the next level. All of boxing's managers have his number on speed dial.
23. Cameron Dunkin – Dunkin is a manager of elite fighters like Donaire and Timothy Bradley Jr. He's one of the best talent evaluators in the business and, despite an appearance he's a Top Rank guy, has relationships with all of the promoters.
24. Mark Taffet – The senior vice president of sports operations and pay-per-view at HBO, Taffet has much say in who appears on the air and how they're presented.
25. Kery Davis – Davis is the senior vice president of sports programming at HBO. It's his day-to-day job to program HBO's boxing shows and he's extremely close with Haymon.
Others also considered – Al Bernstein, broadcaster; Bruce Binkow, Golden Boy Promotions marketing officer; Eric Conrad, Univision; Roberto Diaz, Golden Boy matchmaker; Lou DiBella, promoter; Frank Espinoza, manager; Brad Goodman, Top Rank matchmaker; Dan Goossen, promoter; Max Kellerman, broadcaster; Nick Khan, talent agent/manager; Don King, promoter; Michael Lombardo, HBO; Carl Moretti, vice president, Top Rank; Russell Peltz, matchmaker/promoter; Freddie Roach, trainer; Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Univision; Emanuel Steward, broadcaster/trainer; Sam Watson, Haymon organization.
RAY MERCER: "IT'S JUST A DIFFERENT BREED OF FIGHTERS NOW...I DON'T KNOW WHAT CHANGED"
By Nick Sanchez | August 01, 2012
"I think it changed when the Olympic committee tried to take it away from us; when they put that white circle on the front of the gloves and you have to hit with that to make contact for it to count as points, you know? All that has something to do with it, man. I don't know, it's just a different breed of fighters now, and I think back in the day, there was a better breed of people that enjoyed the fights. Not very many enjoy them now. They are good with the little guys, but everyone knows that the Heavyweights are where it's at and the Heavyweight division right now in the United States is not looking good. I don't know what changed, man. It's like a new era in boxing. I just don't know what's wrong," stated former heavyweight champion Ray Mercer, who shared his thoughts on the current state of boxing, the chances of the US Olympic boxing teams to bring home gold, and much more. Check it out!
NS: How you been doin', Ray? What have you been up to?
RM: I've been doin' great, man, basically just making appearances as a part of the organization. It's a non- profit organization. You donate money and it's to help the kids; not only the kids, its grown-ups, young people, in whatever they want to do, whether it be schooling or mixed martial arts or boxing. We got gyms going, you know, and everything.
NS: what is the name of the organization, Ray?
RM: Find a Dream. You can go to findadream.org. It'll tell you everything about it, man. We got all kinds of kids doing all kinds of things, man. It's just giving back, that's all.
NS: That's awesome, man. We all definitely need to give back
RM: All donations are tax free, man. You don't have to pay taxes on that. We're just trying to give back to the kids, man.
NS: I've been dying to ask you about a particular fight in your career, back in 96, the Lennox Lewis fight. Man, my buddies and I were watching that live. We all thought , matter of fact, we were convinced, you were gonna get the decision from the judges. What were you feeling when you heard the decision go to Lewis and what were the judges watching?
RM: I don't know, man. I was just hurt because, I mean, we were in my own backyard. You know, he represented his country in the Olympics and I represented mine the same year. We both won Gold medals. He came to the United States to fight and, you know, it was a good fight. I feel like I whooped that ass and everybody else thought so also. You know, for them to be here and me to lose a fight like that, man, I was devastated. I couldn't believe it. I was just hurtin' for the country. I mean, here we are in this country, everybody screaming "USA! USA!" and all that, and he had a little handful of people, and we in New York, man. I mean, I don't know.
NS: Yeah, we were all upset by that decision. Talking about the Olympics, you were in one of the last Olympic classes that had multiple medalists in boxing. You had Michael Carbajal, Kennedy Mckinney, Romallis Ellis, Kenneth Gould, Roy Jones Jr., Andrew Maynard , Riddick Bowe and yourself. What do you think has happened to our boxing programs that we are not producing as many top notch Olympic boxers?
RM: I don't know. We were in one of the last groups to come out that gave a shit about real boxing. I don't know what they are doing nowadays. They are on vitamins, lifting a ton of weights. You know, boxing now, they're not stronger; at the end of the day, they just changed. I think it changed when the Olympic committee tried to take it away from us; when they put that white circle on the front of the gloves and you have to hit with that to make contact for it to count as points, you know? All that has something to do with it, man. I don't know, it's just a different breed of fighters now, and I think back in the day, there was a better breed of people that enjoyed the fights. Not very many enjoy them now. They are good with the little guys, but everyone knows that the Heavyweights are where it's at and the Heavyweight division right now in the United States is not looking good. I don't know what changed, man. It's like a new era in boxing. I just don't know what's wrong.
NS: Do you keep in contact with any of your old Olympic boxing teammates?
RM: Oh yeah, I talk to Michael Carbajal , Andrew Maynard , Roy [Jones Jr.]. I talked to Riddick Bowe about 3 weeks ago; we all keep in touch.
NS: I live in Phoenix and I have run into Carbajal at some local establishments. He's a good guy
RM: Yeah, Michael Carbajal , I talk to him all the time.
NS: Getting back to the Heavyweight Division, does it shock you that the Klitschko brothers have been dominating that division basically over the last decade?
RM: No, not really. They got probably the best trainer in the world in Emanuel Steward. Sometimes, you feel with Emanuel Steward, if he is in your corner, you're gonna win. I feel like he's that type of trainer that he brings that to the table. I mean, he's an automatic in your mind - I'm gonna win because he knows what he's talking about kind of thing, yeah , cause he really do. He can make a fight a whole lot easier for ya. That's why every time he trains somebody, they become champion. I just haven't been fortunate enough to have him as my trainer. But I had a good trainer in Mr. Tommy Parks, but you know he passed away, and he was also Bobby Czyz's trainer.
NS: I asked you earlier about your Olympic teammates, but what about your Triple Threat teammates - Al "Ice" Cole and Charles Murray? How much have you kept in contact with those guys?
RM: Of course, I talked to Charles about 2 months ago. He's up in Rochester , New York. He's training guys, he has a couple good guys, and Al Cole, he is just making appearances, man, and you know, just being Al. I talk to him all the time. I see him too. I seen him within the last couple of months.
NS: I was a huge fan of the Triple Threat. I used to love watching you guys fight.
RM: Yeah, thank you.
NS: Who in your boxing days hit the hardest?
RM: Hmmm, Tommy Morrison was hittin' hard back in them days. Bert Cooper, all them guys, they hit hard, man.
NS: What do you miss the most about fighting?
RM: Hmm, the checks. I gotta make checks in other ways other than boxing
NS: In your boxing career, is there anything you would've done differently? I know after the Morrison fight, you relinquished your title. Is that something you would do different ; not give up that title?
RM: I would have fought Michael Moorer. I would've kept my title. That is one thing I would do different is take that fight with Moorer, but we were going through management changes. This manager wants you to do this, he's taking over, and you know, I think I was the victim of a management argument or a transaction. But I definitely should've fought Michael Moorer and kept my title.
NS: Yeah, I remember that was the Heavyweight fight that everyone wanted to see back then, other than Tyson vs. Holyfield.
RM: Yeah, it was.
NS: You know Ray, we see issues in boxing nowadays, like the Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. situation; everyone wants to see that fight, but it seems there is a "he said, he said" struggle with the promoters on why the fight is not happening. Why do you think fights like that are so hard to make nowadays?
RM: I have no idea man, but money, 9 times out of 10, it's money. It's a money issue. That's the only thing I can tell you. Both of them are tough fighters; nobody is scared of each other. It's just a money issue. That's the only thing I can tell you.
NS: Do you think certain promoters have too much power or maybe just too many promoters out there?
RM: Um, yeah, I think the promoters definitely have a lot of power, but they are the ones that make the fights. They're gonna have the power; you just gotta hope you get the right one.
NS: You had a pretty smooth career from Olympics to Pro. Who was your management team when you were having the most success?
RM: Marc Roberts for the Triple Threat. He was my manager for most of my career, the earlier part of my career. We were successful. He was a decent guy, but there is a lot that I would do different.
NS: Since boxing, you took up a fight with former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia. You knocked him out in 9 seconds. What was that experience like? I remember that there was a big controversy prior to the match. It was supposed to be a boxing match, then it turned into a MMA match
RM: They said there was no commission to grant that Boxing/MMA, so they couldn't do it, so what we had to do is if I'm gonna take the fight and bring some money home, I had to do it MMA and I did. I got satisfaction out of it cause he was just talking so much trash, like because we were fighting in his sport, and I can understand that 'cause if it were a boxing match, I felt like there's no way he can beat me, so we were doing his thing and he thought that. So I went out there and one punch and I caught him. With one punch. I meant to throw it; I meant to hit him just like I hit him and that was it. I got satisfaction out of that, man. That was my last fight matter of fact.
NS: Yeah, that was awesome, man. I remember watching that fight the next day on YouTube and sitting there thinking, "Holy Crap! That was a vicious KO!" If I remember correctly, it was an overhand right?
RM: It was just a right hand. Really no name for it; just a straight right.
NS: I want to go back and talk some more Olympic boxing. With it having started over the weekend, are you gonna be watching or paying any attention to it? And do you think any of the guys and/or girls have a shot of being good pros?
RM: I think they do. It's the Olympic team, you know. This is gonna propel them into their professional career. How far they make it in these Olympics , this is gonna propel them in the professional ranks. You know this is real important, these Olympics, and I think we have a good team that can go in there and win some medals. I'm hopin' and prayin' that they do.
NS: I am too, as is the rest of the country. I think we have an opportunity to bring back the glory of Olympic boxing, this team does. I hope they all bring home some Gold for us like you guys did.
RM: Yeah, me too, man.
NS: Well Ray, I really thank you for the opportunity you gave me to sit down with you and talk some Sweet Science. Is there anything you would like to say in closing this interview? Anyone you want to thank or mention from findadream.org?
RM: Yeah, from Find a Dream , Rod Ricciardi, he's a great guy , loves kids. He put the thing here together. We all need just to help. W e know the economy is bad and all, but we still have to look out for our kids, man, and the young people and that's what we are doing. Like I said, you can go to findadream.org and get more information on it. All the money goes towards the kids, believe me. We are building a gym in Myrtle Beach pretty soon and we are gonna be holding some fights, all kinds of events: MMA, boxing matches, everything for kids. We're training them in the gym and all that!
NS: Other than yourself, will there be more professional fighters there that will be coaching?
RM: Yeah, there is Don Steele, he is out of South Carolina. I had the pleasure of fighting him in my career. He's there he was born and raised there. There's a couple of professional MMA fighters that are there. We've got all kinds of help, you know, for the kids.
NS: Well again, thank you very much Ray, and I will be more than happy to spread the word about your foundation/organization findadream.org and help get some donations in there.
RM: I appreciate that man.
By Nick Sanchez | August 01, 2012
"I think it changed when the Olympic committee tried to take it away from us; when they put that white circle on the front of the gloves and you have to hit with that to make contact for it to count as points, you know? All that has something to do with it, man. I don't know, it's just a different breed of fighters now, and I think back in the day, there was a better breed of people that enjoyed the fights. Not very many enjoy them now. They are good with the little guys, but everyone knows that the Heavyweights are where it's at and the Heavyweight division right now in the United States is not looking good. I don't know what changed, man. It's like a new era in boxing. I just don't know what's wrong," stated former heavyweight champion Ray Mercer, who shared his thoughts on the current state of boxing, the chances of the US Olympic boxing teams to bring home gold, and much more. Check it out!
NS: How you been doin', Ray? What have you been up to?
RM: I've been doin' great, man, basically just making appearances as a part of the organization. It's a non- profit organization. You donate money and it's to help the kids; not only the kids, its grown-ups, young people, in whatever they want to do, whether it be schooling or mixed martial arts or boxing. We got gyms going, you know, and everything.
NS: what is the name of the organization, Ray?
RM: Find a Dream. You can go to findadream.org. It'll tell you everything about it, man. We got all kinds of kids doing all kinds of things, man. It's just giving back, that's all.
NS: That's awesome, man. We all definitely need to give back
RM: All donations are tax free, man. You don't have to pay taxes on that. We're just trying to give back to the kids, man.
NS: I've been dying to ask you about a particular fight in your career, back in 96, the Lennox Lewis fight. Man, my buddies and I were watching that live. We all thought , matter of fact, we were convinced, you were gonna get the decision from the judges. What were you feeling when you heard the decision go to Lewis and what were the judges watching?
RM: I don't know, man. I was just hurt because, I mean, we were in my own backyard. You know, he represented his country in the Olympics and I represented mine the same year. We both won Gold medals. He came to the United States to fight and, you know, it was a good fight. I feel like I whooped that ass and everybody else thought so also. You know, for them to be here and me to lose a fight like that, man, I was devastated. I couldn't believe it. I was just hurtin' for the country. I mean, here we are in this country, everybody screaming "USA! USA!" and all that, and he had a little handful of people, and we in New York, man. I mean, I don't know.
NS: Yeah, we were all upset by that decision. Talking about the Olympics, you were in one of the last Olympic classes that had multiple medalists in boxing. You had Michael Carbajal, Kennedy Mckinney, Romallis Ellis, Kenneth Gould, Roy Jones Jr., Andrew Maynard , Riddick Bowe and yourself. What do you think has happened to our boxing programs that we are not producing as many top notch Olympic boxers?
RM: I don't know. We were in one of the last groups to come out that gave a shit about real boxing. I don't know what they are doing nowadays. They are on vitamins, lifting a ton of weights. You know, boxing now, they're not stronger; at the end of the day, they just changed. I think it changed when the Olympic committee tried to take it away from us; when they put that white circle on the front of the gloves and you have to hit with that to make contact for it to count as points, you know? All that has something to do with it, man. I don't know, it's just a different breed of fighters now, and I think back in the day, there was a better breed of people that enjoyed the fights. Not very many enjoy them now. They are good with the little guys, but everyone knows that the Heavyweights are where it's at and the Heavyweight division right now in the United States is not looking good. I don't know what changed, man. It's like a new era in boxing. I just don't know what's wrong.
NS: Do you keep in contact with any of your old Olympic boxing teammates?
RM: Oh yeah, I talk to Michael Carbajal , Andrew Maynard , Roy [Jones Jr.]. I talked to Riddick Bowe about 3 weeks ago; we all keep in touch.
NS: I live in Phoenix and I have run into Carbajal at some local establishments. He's a good guy
RM: Yeah, Michael Carbajal , I talk to him all the time.
NS: Getting back to the Heavyweight Division, does it shock you that the Klitschko brothers have been dominating that division basically over the last decade?
RM: No, not really. They got probably the best trainer in the world in Emanuel Steward. Sometimes, you feel with Emanuel Steward, if he is in your corner, you're gonna win. I feel like he's that type of trainer that he brings that to the table. I mean, he's an automatic in your mind - I'm gonna win because he knows what he's talking about kind of thing, yeah , cause he really do. He can make a fight a whole lot easier for ya. That's why every time he trains somebody, they become champion. I just haven't been fortunate enough to have him as my trainer. But I had a good trainer in Mr. Tommy Parks, but you know he passed away, and he was also Bobby Czyz's trainer.
NS: I asked you earlier about your Olympic teammates, but what about your Triple Threat teammates - Al "Ice" Cole and Charles Murray? How much have you kept in contact with those guys?
RM: Of course, I talked to Charles about 2 months ago. He's up in Rochester , New York. He's training guys, he has a couple good guys, and Al Cole, he is just making appearances, man, and you know, just being Al. I talk to him all the time. I see him too. I seen him within the last couple of months.
NS: I was a huge fan of the Triple Threat. I used to love watching you guys fight.
RM: Yeah, thank you.
NS: Who in your boxing days hit the hardest?
RM: Hmmm, Tommy Morrison was hittin' hard back in them days. Bert Cooper, all them guys, they hit hard, man.
NS: What do you miss the most about fighting?
RM: Hmm, the checks. I gotta make checks in other ways other than boxing
NS: In your boxing career, is there anything you would've done differently? I know after the Morrison fight, you relinquished your title. Is that something you would do different ; not give up that title?
RM: I would have fought Michael Moorer. I would've kept my title. That is one thing I would do different is take that fight with Moorer, but we were going through management changes. This manager wants you to do this, he's taking over, and you know, I think I was the victim of a management argument or a transaction. But I definitely should've fought Michael Moorer and kept my title.
NS: Yeah, I remember that was the Heavyweight fight that everyone wanted to see back then, other than Tyson vs. Holyfield.
RM: Yeah, it was.
NS: You know Ray, we see issues in boxing nowadays, like the Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. situation; everyone wants to see that fight, but it seems there is a "he said, he said" struggle with the promoters on why the fight is not happening. Why do you think fights like that are so hard to make nowadays?
RM: I have no idea man, but money, 9 times out of 10, it's money. It's a money issue. That's the only thing I can tell you. Both of them are tough fighters; nobody is scared of each other. It's just a money issue. That's the only thing I can tell you.
NS: Do you think certain promoters have too much power or maybe just too many promoters out there?
RM: Um, yeah, I think the promoters definitely have a lot of power, but they are the ones that make the fights. They're gonna have the power; you just gotta hope you get the right one.
NS: You had a pretty smooth career from Olympics to Pro. Who was your management team when you were having the most success?
RM: Marc Roberts for the Triple Threat. He was my manager for most of my career, the earlier part of my career. We were successful. He was a decent guy, but there is a lot that I would do different.
NS: Since boxing, you took up a fight with former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia. You knocked him out in 9 seconds. What was that experience like? I remember that there was a big controversy prior to the match. It was supposed to be a boxing match, then it turned into a MMA match
RM: They said there was no commission to grant that Boxing/MMA, so they couldn't do it, so what we had to do is if I'm gonna take the fight and bring some money home, I had to do it MMA and I did. I got satisfaction out of it cause he was just talking so much trash, like because we were fighting in his sport, and I can understand that 'cause if it were a boxing match, I felt like there's no way he can beat me, so we were doing his thing and he thought that. So I went out there and one punch and I caught him. With one punch. I meant to throw it; I meant to hit him just like I hit him and that was it. I got satisfaction out of that, man. That was my last fight matter of fact.
NS: Yeah, that was awesome, man. I remember watching that fight the next day on YouTube and sitting there thinking, "Holy Crap! That was a vicious KO!" If I remember correctly, it was an overhand right?
RM: It was just a right hand. Really no name for it; just a straight right.
NS: I want to go back and talk some more Olympic boxing. With it having started over the weekend, are you gonna be watching or paying any attention to it? And do you think any of the guys and/or girls have a shot of being good pros?
RM: I think they do. It's the Olympic team, you know. This is gonna propel them into their professional career. How far they make it in these Olympics , this is gonna propel them in the professional ranks. You know this is real important, these Olympics, and I think we have a good team that can go in there and win some medals. I'm hopin' and prayin' that they do.
NS: I am too, as is the rest of the country. I think we have an opportunity to bring back the glory of Olympic boxing, this team does. I hope they all bring home some Gold for us like you guys did.
RM: Yeah, me too, man.
NS: Well Ray, I really thank you for the opportunity you gave me to sit down with you and talk some Sweet Science. Is there anything you would like to say in closing this interview? Anyone you want to thank or mention from findadream.org?
RM: Yeah, from Find a Dream , Rod Ricciardi, he's a great guy , loves kids. He put the thing here together. We all need just to help. W e know the economy is bad and all, but we still have to look out for our kids, man, and the young people and that's what we are doing. Like I said, you can go to findadream.org and get more information on it. All the money goes towards the kids, believe me. We are building a gym in Myrtle Beach pretty soon and we are gonna be holding some fights, all kinds of events: MMA, boxing matches, everything for kids. We're training them in the gym and all that!
NS: Other than yourself, will there be more professional fighters there that will be coaching?
RM: Yeah, there is Don Steele, he is out of South Carolina. I had the pleasure of fighting him in my career. He's there he was born and raised there. There's a couple of professional MMA fighters that are there. We've got all kinds of help, you know, for the kids.
NS: Well again, thank you very much Ray, and I will be more than happy to spread the word about your foundation/organization findadream.org and help get some donations in there.
RM: I appreciate that man.
Orlando Salido vs Mikey Garcia on the next Donaire card
Whomever Donaire (29-1, 18 KOs) fights in the fall, you can count on seeing featherweight titlist Orlando Salido (39-11-2, 27 KOs) -- who came through a tuneup fight on Saturday night with ease -- facing Miguel Angel "Mikey" Garcia (28-0, 24 KOs) in the co-feature. That is a terrific matchup.
Dunkin, who manages Garcia, said that fight is in the process of being finalized, which is also what Salido's manager, Sean Gibbons, told me following Salido's tuneup win.
http://espn.go.com/blog/dan-rafael/p...be-sidetracked
Garcia vs. Salido is must see boxing.
Whomever Donaire (29-1, 18 KOs) fights in the fall, you can count on seeing featherweight titlist Orlando Salido (39-11-2, 27 KOs) -- who came through a tuneup fight on Saturday night with ease -- facing Miguel Angel "Mikey" Garcia (28-0, 24 KOs) in the co-feature. That is a terrific matchup.
Dunkin, who manages Garcia, said that fight is in the process of being finalized, which is also what Salido's manager, Sean Gibbons, told me following Salido's tuneup win.
http://espn.go.com/blog/dan-rafael/p...be-sidetracked
Garcia vs. Salido is must see boxing.
Floyd Mayweather – Once in a Lifetime Pugilist?
By Ben Hoskin: Many column inches have been spent discussing the larger than life character that is Floyd Mayweather Junior. He divides opinion like no other partly due to his extravagance but mostly because he still has that unbeaten resume which all boxers in close proximity to his weight want to tarnish.
Brash, cocky, arrogant and insolent are many of the adjectives bestowed upon “pretty boy” and they’re just some of the nice ones! Mayweather will never be beloved like some of the all time greats such as Ray Robinson, Ali and Marciano. This could be in part explained by the era we live in. Social media and reality documentaries bring access to all facets of the lives of celebrities. Whereas now we see Floyd flash wads of dollars like confetti, boxing royalty of yesteryear had no invasion into their private lives. No doubt some of the lustre of these previous champions would have dulled if we’d been afforded fly on the wall coverage. Some may say Floyd courts the spotlight with his outspoken braggadocio. Ultimately though, the more egotistical his boasts are the more the casual fan will pay to see him finally vanquished in the square circle! Money talks and nobody makes more than the “money man”.
Aside from the cocksure braggart resides an astute businessman. Mayweather realises the more contentious his comments the more dollars he’ll be compensated for putting his health on the line. Progress waits for no man and Floyd is fortunate he lives in an era where top sportsmen are paid huge sums of money to entertain the public as opposed to the relative pittance his forebears received. So what if he is a multi-millionaire. To stay at the level he has and command such purses is commensurate with a supremely gifted athlete and lets not escape this fact. Floyd Mayweather is a genius in the ring whether we like him or not. If I’m being honest, I’m not his biggest fan as I’ve always loved the blood and thunder types, Duran, Tyson, Nigel Benn, Gatti etc but none of the aforementioned had the ring craft of Floyd. An early iteration of Duran would have given Floyd plenty of problems but eventually the frustration of missing this elusive practitioner would have given the Panamanian fits.
You have to ask yourself what is left for Floyd to achieve? Does he continue feasting on very capable but limited fighters in respect to his own ability and retire in the next year or two at most? Does he have to fight a lot bigger men to satisfy us, the paying public? Does he have the long mooted super-fight with the now visibly ageing Pacquaio? The final decision rests with the man himself and it wouldn’t surprise me if he has a final payday against a relatively easy to beat opponent such as a Guerrero or Khan for a swansong. With the skillset he has, age will erode those attributes sooner rather than later so best get out with the 0 intact before a young buck usurps him.
When this multi-divisional champion does finally hang up the gloves, where will he be placed in the all-time lists? He has beaten all before him including fifteen world champions who held one of the big four straps, many of whom will be enshrined in the hall of fame which is the yardstick for greatness. As so often happens with retired stars his legacy will be cherished far more than his current status. Forgotten will be his boasting, instead his superlative skills will be applauded. This isn’t an article “bigging up” Floyd Mayweather, it is an honest appraisal of a boxer unique for his time. I can see no current boxer capturing the imagination quite like him but history has taught us another will eventually. Until that time arrives let us marvel at his ethereal talent, we can count ourselves damn fortunate we were around when he demonstrated his finesse. Remember, the foundation of the great sport of boxing is to hit and not be hit and Floyd “pretty boy” Mayweather is undoubtedly one of the finest produced!
By Ben Hoskin: Many column inches have been spent discussing the larger than life character that is Floyd Mayweather Junior. He divides opinion like no other partly due to his extravagance but mostly because he still has that unbeaten resume which all boxers in close proximity to his weight want to tarnish.
Brash, cocky, arrogant and insolent are many of the adjectives bestowed upon “pretty boy” and they’re just some of the nice ones! Mayweather will never be beloved like some of the all time greats such as Ray Robinson, Ali and Marciano. This could be in part explained by the era we live in. Social media and reality documentaries bring access to all facets of the lives of celebrities. Whereas now we see Floyd flash wads of dollars like confetti, boxing royalty of yesteryear had no invasion into their private lives. No doubt some of the lustre of these previous champions would have dulled if we’d been afforded fly on the wall coverage. Some may say Floyd courts the spotlight with his outspoken braggadocio. Ultimately though, the more egotistical his boasts are the more the casual fan will pay to see him finally vanquished in the square circle! Money talks and nobody makes more than the “money man”.
Aside from the cocksure braggart resides an astute businessman. Mayweather realises the more contentious his comments the more dollars he’ll be compensated for putting his health on the line. Progress waits for no man and Floyd is fortunate he lives in an era where top sportsmen are paid huge sums of money to entertain the public as opposed to the relative pittance his forebears received. So what if he is a multi-millionaire. To stay at the level he has and command such purses is commensurate with a supremely gifted athlete and lets not escape this fact. Floyd Mayweather is a genius in the ring whether we like him or not. If I’m being honest, I’m not his biggest fan as I’ve always loved the blood and thunder types, Duran, Tyson, Nigel Benn, Gatti etc but none of the aforementioned had the ring craft of Floyd. An early iteration of Duran would have given Floyd plenty of problems but eventually the frustration of missing this elusive practitioner would have given the Panamanian fits.
You have to ask yourself what is left for Floyd to achieve? Does he continue feasting on very capable but limited fighters in respect to his own ability and retire in the next year or two at most? Does he have to fight a lot bigger men to satisfy us, the paying public? Does he have the long mooted super-fight with the now visibly ageing Pacquaio? The final decision rests with the man himself and it wouldn’t surprise me if he has a final payday against a relatively easy to beat opponent such as a Guerrero or Khan for a swansong. With the skillset he has, age will erode those attributes sooner rather than later so best get out with the 0 intact before a young buck usurps him.
When this multi-divisional champion does finally hang up the gloves, where will he be placed in the all-time lists? He has beaten all before him including fifteen world champions who held one of the big four straps, many of whom will be enshrined in the hall of fame which is the yardstick for greatness. As so often happens with retired stars his legacy will be cherished far more than his current status. Forgotten will be his boasting, instead his superlative skills will be applauded. This isn’t an article “bigging up” Floyd Mayweather, it is an honest appraisal of a boxer unique for his time. I can see no current boxer capturing the imagination quite like him but history has taught us another will eventually. Until that time arrives let us marvel at his ethereal talent, we can count ourselves damn fortunate we were around when he demonstrated his finesse. Remember, the foundation of the great sport of boxing is to hit and not be hit and Floyd “pretty boy” Mayweather is undoubtedly one of the finest produced!
Lewis: Haye might have lasted two rounds with me
August 1st, 2012
By Scott Gilfoid: former world champion Lennox Lewis believes that the heavyweight division is one ruled by the giant heavyweights such as the Klitschko brothers. He feels it’s tough for the smaller or mid-sized heavyweights to compete with the giants that are around today. Being perfectly honest, Lewis said that he doesn’t see David Haye as someone that would have lasted long against him in his prime.
Lewis said to the Dailymail.co.uk “I beat Vitali in a great fight when were in our prime…David might have lasted a couple of rounds against me if he was lucky. Heavyweight championship boxing is now a game for giants.”
I agree with Lewis. The little guys just don’t stand the chance against big talents like Deontay Wilder and the Klitschko brothers. You take a short 6’2″, 210 pound Haye and throw him in with a 6’7″ Wilder or 6’6″ Wladimir Klitschko or 6’7″ Vitali, and Haye is going to get dominated on size alone. The weight isn’t the issue here, it’s the height and arm length that allow those guys to dominate a little guy like Haye. Dereck Chisora weighs about as much as Vitali and Wladimir, but he looked hopefully lost against Haye and ended up getting taken out.
Lewis was a decent heavyweight in his prime but hardly invincible. I think he would have lost the fight to Vitali had the Ukrainian not suffered a bad cut. Winning by cuts shouldn’t be allowed because you really don’t see the whole picture of what actually happened in the fight when someone wins that way. Winning on an injury isn’t really winning in my book. That should be a no contest.
Haye probably would have problems against Lewis because he could fight scared instead of with confidence and that’s all it would take for Lewis to win. Lewis was good against fighters that fought like they were afraid. He struggled against the confident ones who had a plan.
August 1st, 2012
By Scott Gilfoid: former world champion Lennox Lewis believes that the heavyweight division is one ruled by the giant heavyweights such as the Klitschko brothers. He feels it’s tough for the smaller or mid-sized heavyweights to compete with the giants that are around today. Being perfectly honest, Lewis said that he doesn’t see David Haye as someone that would have lasted long against him in his prime.
Lewis said to the Dailymail.co.uk “I beat Vitali in a great fight when were in our prime…David might have lasted a couple of rounds against me if he was lucky. Heavyweight championship boxing is now a game for giants.”
I agree with Lewis. The little guys just don’t stand the chance against big talents like Deontay Wilder and the Klitschko brothers. You take a short 6’2″, 210 pound Haye and throw him in with a 6’7″ Wilder or 6’6″ Wladimir Klitschko or 6’7″ Vitali, and Haye is going to get dominated on size alone. The weight isn’t the issue here, it’s the height and arm length that allow those guys to dominate a little guy like Haye. Dereck Chisora weighs about as much as Vitali and Wladimir, but he looked hopefully lost against Haye and ended up getting taken out.
Lewis was a decent heavyweight in his prime but hardly invincible. I think he would have lost the fight to Vitali had the Ukrainian not suffered a bad cut. Winning by cuts shouldn’t be allowed because you really don’t see the whole picture of what actually happened in the fight when someone wins that way. Winning on an injury isn’t really winning in my book. That should be a no contest.
Haye probably would have problems against Lewis because he could fight scared instead of with confidence and that’s all it would take for Lewis to win. Lewis was good against fighters that fought like they were afraid. He struggled against the confident ones who had a plan.
50 Cent applying for licence to promote in Las Vegas
August 1st, 2012
By Chris Williams: 50 Cent [Curtis Jackson] of TMT Promotions has already been licensed to promote in New York with his new company formed with Floyd Mayweather Jr. He’s now reportedly applying for a license in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the chances are incredibly high that he’s going to be approved.
Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer told RingTV what they’re looking for when they’re licensing a promoter, saying “We’re looking at the background of the people involved and their personal history. You’re also looking at the financial wherewithal of the company and then you’re also looking at the ability of the company to do promotions.”
50 Cent definitely has got the financial resources to promote. He’s got a personal worth of over $100 million, and he’s already been successful in business. He’s definitely someone that can do the job. However, 50 Cent and Mayweather Jr. are going to have to hire a fairly large staff because there’s a lot of things that they’ll need done that they won’t have time to do themselves.
It can’t be just 50 Cent and Mayweather pushing all that paper, making all the phone calls and meeting with all the people. It’s going to be too much work. They’re going to have to put a good team together for them to be successful at the promotional side. They’re doing a great job of signing top talent, such as Yuriorkis Gamboa, Andre Dirrell and Billy Dib. Andre Berto could be the next fighter they sign on.
August 1st, 2012
By Chris Williams: 50 Cent [Curtis Jackson] of TMT Promotions has already been licensed to promote in New York with his new company formed with Floyd Mayweather Jr. He’s now reportedly applying for a license in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the chances are incredibly high that he’s going to be approved.
Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer told RingTV what they’re looking for when they’re licensing a promoter, saying “We’re looking at the background of the people involved and their personal history. You’re also looking at the financial wherewithal of the company and then you’re also looking at the ability of the company to do promotions.”
50 Cent definitely has got the financial resources to promote. He’s got a personal worth of over $100 million, and he’s already been successful in business. He’s definitely someone that can do the job. However, 50 Cent and Mayweather Jr. are going to have to hire a fairly large staff because there’s a lot of things that they’ll need done that they won’t have time to do themselves.
It can’t be just 50 Cent and Mayweather pushing all that paper, making all the phone calls and meeting with all the people. It’s going to be too much work. They’re going to have to put a good team together for them to be successful at the promotional side. They’re doing a great job of signing top talent, such as Yuriorkis Gamboa, Andre Dirrell and Billy Dib. Andre Berto could be the next fighter they sign on.
Adrien Broner could be the only future PPV star to replace Mayweather and Pacquiao
August 1st, 2012
By Scott Gilfoid: Boxing could be in really sad shape when Floyd Mayweather Jr., Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao eventually retire in the near future. There’s really no one to take their place except for the talented Adrien Broner (24-0, 20 KO’s), and he’s not enough to carry the entire sport on his back for the next 10 years. There’s got to beat least two other top talents that can attract fans in droves to PPV fights.
The boxing promoters are going to have to do a better job of promoting their talented fighters so that they can build up a fan base for future PPV fighters. It’s not enough to just have a talented fighter. You’ve got to market the fight and teach him how to speak and act with media. It’s almost like acting. The promoters got to train their best fighters how to hype themselves and their fights, because that’s a huge part in a fighter building a huge worldwide audience.
Of the current crop fighters in boxing I only see a tiny handful that has the potential to be big PPV stars in the near future:
Adrien Broner
Andre Dirrell
Anthony Dirrell
Andre Ward
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr
Keith Thurman
Saul Alvarez
That’s basically it. There isn’t anyone else that has the talent and the personality that can take them to the next level to become a PPV star. The guys that are closest to getting to that level right now is Chavez Jr. and Alvarez due to their fans in the Mexican community. But the Dirrell brothers, Ward and Thurman can definitely get to the top level as well if they fight often enough and learn some self promoting techniques from Mayweather. I don’t see Alvarez or Chavez Jr. ever being really huge PPV stars because they’re so badly flawed. These are a couple of slow plodders to be honest, and both of their careers could tank as soon as they can no longer make weight for their divisions. Chavez Jr. will be nothing at 168, and little 5’9″ Alvarez will struggle badly at 160.
They can’t be shy and expect to become big PPV stars because that doesn’t fly in the U.S. You’ve got to be confident like Mayweather, Thurman and Broner.
August 1st, 2012
By Scott Gilfoid: Boxing could be in really sad shape when Floyd Mayweather Jr., Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao eventually retire in the near future. There’s really no one to take their place except for the talented Adrien Broner (24-0, 20 KO’s), and he’s not enough to carry the entire sport on his back for the next 10 years. There’s got to beat least two other top talents that can attract fans in droves to PPV fights.
The boxing promoters are going to have to do a better job of promoting their talented fighters so that they can build up a fan base for future PPV fighters. It’s not enough to just have a talented fighter. You’ve got to market the fight and teach him how to speak and act with media. It’s almost like acting. The promoters got to train their best fighters how to hype themselves and their fights, because that’s a huge part in a fighter building a huge worldwide audience.
Of the current crop fighters in boxing I only see a tiny handful that has the potential to be big PPV stars in the near future:
Adrien Broner
Andre Dirrell
Anthony Dirrell
Andre Ward
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr
Keith Thurman
Saul Alvarez
That’s basically it. There isn’t anyone else that has the talent and the personality that can take them to the next level to become a PPV star. The guys that are closest to getting to that level right now is Chavez Jr. and Alvarez due to their fans in the Mexican community. But the Dirrell brothers, Ward and Thurman can definitely get to the top level as well if they fight often enough and learn some self promoting techniques from Mayweather. I don’t see Alvarez or Chavez Jr. ever being really huge PPV stars because they’re so badly flawed. These are a couple of slow plodders to be honest, and both of their careers could tank as soon as they can no longer make weight for their divisions. Chavez Jr. will be nothing at 168, and little 5’9″ Alvarez will struggle badly at 160.
They can’t be shy and expect to become big PPV stars because that doesn’t fly in the U.S. You’ve got to be confident like Mayweather, Thurman and Broner.
blah blah blah. I read that same article except change the name to Oscar de la hoya. NO ONE predicted Pacquiao would become as massive as a star as he did back then. There will always be new stars.
Plus the author is retarded. Andre Dirrell AND Anthony Dirrell, Ward, Thurman, big stars...really? LMAO! They can be good but never ever ever big PPV stars. This writer clearly has some weird bias (anthony dirrell, REALLY?!) and doesn't understand what takes a PPV star (big ppv stars are not super technical fighters unless they are floyd).
Canelo, Chavez jr, here are two guys that will be, very soon, solid PPV draws. Just watch how good of numbers chavez vs martinez pulls in.
There are a lot of young guys coming up too, gary russell jr., he could won day be a ppv draw. see my "under 25" thread for lots more.
Plus the author is retarded. Andre Dirrell AND Anthony Dirrell, Ward, Thurman, big stars...really? LMAO! They can be good but never ever ever big PPV stars. This writer clearly has some weird bias (anthony dirrell, REALLY?!) and doesn't understand what takes a PPV star (big ppv stars are not super technical fighters unless they are floyd).
Canelo, Chavez jr, here are two guys that will be, very soon, solid PPV draws. Just watch how good of numbers chavez vs martinez pulls in.
There are a lot of young guys coming up too, gary russell jr., he could won day be a ppv draw. see my "under 25" thread for lots more.
I agree with u except I do think Ward will become a star and a PPV star also. Also if Chavez Jr. loses to Martinez and if he loses to any great fighter he fights he wont become a huge draw. This fight with Martinez will really tell alot about him. If he wins then skys the limit no doubt and he could become an all time great. Got Em!!
GOLDEN BOY WORKING WITH MIGUEL COTTO IN DECEMBER POSSIBLY AT MIDDLEWEIGHT
August 1st, 2012 | by Peter Quillin
Miguel Cotto wants to come up to 160 pounds? Hmm, Kid Chocolate’s job is not to worry about who he is going to fight. Kid Chocolate’s job is to prepare to fight the fights that are set up for him and come out victorious. Like I said, I stopped years ago pointing the finger and saying, “I want to fight him and him.” Everybody is eligible for an ass whoopin’ and everybody can take an ass whoopin’.
This is a sport and a business that’s being done and conducted the way that it should be. I’m happy with the people that I’m working with and, like I said, when they get me in a situation, it’s up to my team to understand what comes after the situation, what’s the risk and what’s the reward, and all of these types of things that these fights bring. I don’t second guess myself at all with my talent. I believe that I have room for improvement and ways to get better, but when I step in the ring against anybody, I’m looking to win man.
August 1st, 2012 | by Peter Quillin
Miguel Cotto wants to come up to 160 pounds? Hmm, Kid Chocolate’s job is not to worry about who he is going to fight. Kid Chocolate’s job is to prepare to fight the fights that are set up for him and come out victorious. Like I said, I stopped years ago pointing the finger and saying, “I want to fight him and him.” Everybody is eligible for an ass whoopin’ and everybody can take an ass whoopin’.
This is a sport and a business that’s being done and conducted the way that it should be. I’m happy with the people that I’m working with and, like I said, when they get me in a situation, it’s up to my team to understand what comes after the situation, what’s the risk and what’s the reward, and all of these types of things that these fights bring. I don’t second guess myself at all with my talent. I believe that I have room for improvement and ways to get better, but when I step in the ring against anybody, I’m looking to win man.
JOSESITO LOPEZ: "WE'RE NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE WEIGHT...I WILL DEFINITELY BE COMFORTABLE"
By Percy Crawford | August 02, 2012
"There is somewhat of a size difference, but it's not that big of a deal. It's not something that big of a deal. It's not something I can't overcome. I think you are right. It has a lot more to do with mentally than physically. I feel like I can hang with any fighter out there. Just give me enough time to prepare and get ready and I will give anybody a tough fight. And I feel like, against Canelo, this is definitely a fight that I can win and I'm going to show it on the 15th of September...We're not worried about the weight at all and what most people don't know is I walk around at a heavier weight; heavier than most junior welterweights. I will feel comfortable at whatever wait I come in at. I will definitely be comfortable there," stated Josesito Lopez, who talked about his move up in weight for his September 15th showdown with WBC jr. middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Check it out!
PC: This has been a crazy year for you already and we are a little bit past halfway through it. How have you been dealing with all of this?
JL: Everything is pretty much the same. I got a lot more attention; that's about it. I'm back at home training, but things are the same way it's been for years. The difference is not too drastic.
PC: Everyone thought it was a stretch when you went up to 147 pounds to face Victor Ortiz. Now you go up to 154 to face Canelo Alvarez. They say boxing is 90% mental. You seem to rally off of that because size obviously isn't an issue to you.
JL: There is somewhat of a size difference, but it's not that big of a deal. It's not something that big of a deal. It's not something I can't overcome. I think you are right. It has a lot more to do with mentally than physically. I feel like I can hang with any fighter out there. Just give me enough time to prepare and get ready and I will give anybody a tough fight. And I feel like, against Canelo, this is definitely a fight that I can win and I'm going to show it on the 15th of September.
PC: Both you and Henry told me you saw things in Ortiz that made you think you can win that fight. Is this all mental coming into the Canelo fight as far as winning or do you see things you can exploit in his game?
JL: I have a lot of people that have faith in me and I'm starting to believe in myself; that's a big advantage and a big difference that I made in myself. But yes, like every fighter, there are definitely things I can work on to do great against a fighter like Canelo. He has his flaws, and like I said before, there are reasons why they haven't put him up against top notch fighters, fighters of good caliber, and I gotta go in there and find out the reason why.
PC: If you pull this off, this will be one of the craziest things to ever happen in boxing.
JL: That's definitely the plan, to pull it off. God works in great ways and if everything goes as planned…and we are definitely working hard to create shockwaves in the boxing world. We do plan on winning and that's what we are planning for. It's gonna be a shock to many people, but to my group and the people that believe in me, a victory is definitely within our reach.
PC: You seemed to take Victor Ortiz's shots pretty well. Obviously that is something you will have to showcase in the Canelo fight as well, the ability to take shots, because he is a bigger and stronger guy.
JL: Moving up to 47 against a strong puncher like Ortiz, we were somewhat worried about it, his power, because I had never been in a fight at 47 against a strong person like Ortiz. Once I knew I can definitely take his punch and I could open up more and not be so cautious, I wasn't too worried about it. It's the same thing going up to 54. He is a stronger fighter, but we can take a punch. We spar and train with bigger fighters. It's not too big of an issue. I don't know why. I guess I can take a punch.
PC: One thing that I like Henry is saying is that you guys are going to come in comfortable and not try to be at a certain weight on the scale to look like a 154-pound fighter. I think that's very important.
JL: Yeah! We're not worried about the weight at all and what most people don't know is I walk around at a heavier weight; heavier than most junior welterweights. I will feel comfortable at whatever wait I come in at. I will definitely be comfortable there. I don't have a plan to get to 54 or 53; whatever feels right is what I will come in at. The best thing about it is when the fight was announced, we had 2 months of preparation, so that's plenty of time to get a game plan and nutritional plan and to be as strong and in as good of shape as I can be in for the fight on the 15th.
PC: Are you finding yourself eating more or basically just not having to watch what you eat so much?
JL: Pretty much maintaining my weight, but I am eating more. I can double up on my protein. I'm eating more meats and it's definitely a change and different to what I'm used to. I don't need to cut down on my meals. I'm eating the same things I was before, but just doubling up on everything and whatnot.
PC: What is it like to be a part of a card of this magnitude during a Mexican holiday?
JL: It is a huge opportunity and, you know, I feel like I can do what most people don't think I can do. I need to prove it on the big show and a big weekend like this. Man, things couldn't be set up better for a great night of boxing.
PC: I wish you the best of luck. I commend you for your heart and keep me posted throughout camp. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
JL: I appreciate the few
By Percy Crawford | August 02, 2012
"There is somewhat of a size difference, but it's not that big of a deal. It's not something that big of a deal. It's not something I can't overcome. I think you are right. It has a lot more to do with mentally than physically. I feel like I can hang with any fighter out there. Just give me enough time to prepare and get ready and I will give anybody a tough fight. And I feel like, against Canelo, this is definitely a fight that I can win and I'm going to show it on the 15th of September...We're not worried about the weight at all and what most people don't know is I walk around at a heavier weight; heavier than most junior welterweights. I will feel comfortable at whatever wait I come in at. I will definitely be comfortable there," stated Josesito Lopez, who talked about his move up in weight for his September 15th showdown with WBC jr. middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Check it out!
PC: This has been a crazy year for you already and we are a little bit past halfway through it. How have you been dealing with all of this?
JL: Everything is pretty much the same. I got a lot more attention; that's about it. I'm back at home training, but things are the same way it's been for years. The difference is not too drastic.
PC: Everyone thought it was a stretch when you went up to 147 pounds to face Victor Ortiz. Now you go up to 154 to face Canelo Alvarez. They say boxing is 90% mental. You seem to rally off of that because size obviously isn't an issue to you.
JL: There is somewhat of a size difference, but it's not that big of a deal. It's not something that big of a deal. It's not something I can't overcome. I think you are right. It has a lot more to do with mentally than physically. I feel like I can hang with any fighter out there. Just give me enough time to prepare and get ready and I will give anybody a tough fight. And I feel like, against Canelo, this is definitely a fight that I can win and I'm going to show it on the 15th of September.
PC: Both you and Henry told me you saw things in Ortiz that made you think you can win that fight. Is this all mental coming into the Canelo fight as far as winning or do you see things you can exploit in his game?
JL: I have a lot of people that have faith in me and I'm starting to believe in myself; that's a big advantage and a big difference that I made in myself. But yes, like every fighter, there are definitely things I can work on to do great against a fighter like Canelo. He has his flaws, and like I said before, there are reasons why they haven't put him up against top notch fighters, fighters of good caliber, and I gotta go in there and find out the reason why.
PC: If you pull this off, this will be one of the craziest things to ever happen in boxing.
JL: That's definitely the plan, to pull it off. God works in great ways and if everything goes as planned…and we are definitely working hard to create shockwaves in the boxing world. We do plan on winning and that's what we are planning for. It's gonna be a shock to many people, but to my group and the people that believe in me, a victory is definitely within our reach.
PC: You seemed to take Victor Ortiz's shots pretty well. Obviously that is something you will have to showcase in the Canelo fight as well, the ability to take shots, because he is a bigger and stronger guy.
JL: Moving up to 47 against a strong puncher like Ortiz, we were somewhat worried about it, his power, because I had never been in a fight at 47 against a strong person like Ortiz. Once I knew I can definitely take his punch and I could open up more and not be so cautious, I wasn't too worried about it. It's the same thing going up to 54. He is a stronger fighter, but we can take a punch. We spar and train with bigger fighters. It's not too big of an issue. I don't know why. I guess I can take a punch.
PC: One thing that I like Henry is saying is that you guys are going to come in comfortable and not try to be at a certain weight on the scale to look like a 154-pound fighter. I think that's very important.
JL: Yeah! We're not worried about the weight at all and what most people don't know is I walk around at a heavier weight; heavier than most junior welterweights. I will feel comfortable at whatever wait I come in at. I will definitely be comfortable there. I don't have a plan to get to 54 or 53; whatever feels right is what I will come in at. The best thing about it is when the fight was announced, we had 2 months of preparation, so that's plenty of time to get a game plan and nutritional plan and to be as strong and in as good of shape as I can be in for the fight on the 15th.
PC: Are you finding yourself eating more or basically just not having to watch what you eat so much?
JL: Pretty much maintaining my weight, but I am eating more. I can double up on my protein. I'm eating more meats and it's definitely a change and different to what I'm used to. I don't need to cut down on my meals. I'm eating the same things I was before, but just doubling up on everything and whatnot.
PC: What is it like to be a part of a card of this magnitude during a Mexican holiday?
JL: It is a huge opportunity and, you know, I feel like I can do what most people don't think I can do. I need to prove it on the big show and a big weekend like this. Man, things couldn't be set up better for a great night of boxing.
PC: I wish you the best of luck. I commend you for your heart and keep me posted throughout camp. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
JL: I appreciate the few
Matthysse goes for WBC interim 140 lb title against Olusegun on September 22nd
August 1st, 2012
By Jason Kim: 29-year-old Lucas Matthysse (31-3, 29 KO’s) will be looking to put himself in line for a title shot when he faces unbeaten Ajose Olusegun (30-0, 14 KO’s) for the vacant WBC interim light welterweight title on September 22nd in San Antonio, Texas.
Matthysse missed out on a big chance to fight for the vacant WBC light welterweight title last year against Erik Morales when Matthysse developed the flu and had to drop out of the fight. Matthysse has worked his way back since missing that chance by winning his last three fights which included a big 5th round stoppage of former WBC lightweight champion Humberto Soto last June.
Matthysse can’t blow it this time because if he can’t afford to get sick, injured or get beaten again if he wants to get a shot against WBC 140 pound champion Danny Garcia in the near future. Garcia has a fight coming up against Morales in October and that’s not going to be much of a fight for Garcia. He’ll be available for Matthysse if he can get past the 32-year-old Olusegun.
It’s hard to tell much about Olusegun, because he’s not really faced quality opposition during his 11 year pro career. Olusegun’s best wins have come against Nigel Wright, Colin Lynes and Ali Chebah. In other words, Olusegun has faced little more than 2nd tier opposition his entire career. He does seem to have decent power and he does throw a lot of punches. We know that. But we don’t know how good he is or how good his chin is, because the guys that he’s faced haven’t been big punchers.
It’s hard to believe that Olusegun has hung around the sport his long and the best guys he’s fought has been domestic level opposition. On September 22nd, Olusegun will be taking a huge step up in class against Matthysse and it’s going to be a big test to see if he can handle that big step.
August 1st, 2012
By Jason Kim: 29-year-old Lucas Matthysse (31-3, 29 KO’s) will be looking to put himself in line for a title shot when he faces unbeaten Ajose Olusegun (30-0, 14 KO’s) for the vacant WBC interim light welterweight title on September 22nd in San Antonio, Texas.
Matthysse missed out on a big chance to fight for the vacant WBC light welterweight title last year against Erik Morales when Matthysse developed the flu and had to drop out of the fight. Matthysse has worked his way back since missing that chance by winning his last three fights which included a big 5th round stoppage of former WBC lightweight champion Humberto Soto last June.
Matthysse can’t blow it this time because if he can’t afford to get sick, injured or get beaten again if he wants to get a shot against WBC 140 pound champion Danny Garcia in the near future. Garcia has a fight coming up against Morales in October and that’s not going to be much of a fight for Garcia. He’ll be available for Matthysse if he can get past the 32-year-old Olusegun.
It’s hard to tell much about Olusegun, because he’s not really faced quality opposition during his 11 year pro career. Olusegun’s best wins have come against Nigel Wright, Colin Lynes and Ali Chebah. In other words, Olusegun has faced little more than 2nd tier opposition his entire career. He does seem to have decent power and he does throw a lot of punches. We know that. But we don’t know how good he is or how good his chin is, because the guys that he’s faced haven’t been big punchers.
It’s hard to believe that Olusegun has hung around the sport his long and the best guys he’s fought has been domestic level opposition. On September 22nd, Olusegun will be taking a huge step up in class against Matthysse and it’s going to be a big test to see if he can handle that big step.
STEVE UPSHER CHAMBERS TO KEITH THURMAN: "LET'S DO THIS ON OCTOBER 6"
By Press Release | August 02, 2012
Once beaten Welterweight contender Steve Upsher Chambers Is seeking an opportunity to take on undefeated Welterweight Keith Thurman for a potential fight on October 6th in Atlantic City.
Chambers, 24-1-1 with six knockouts of Philadelphia was offered a fight with Thurman just two weeks before the July 21st scheduled fight.
Chambers would love to get an opportunity at the Florida native but would like the same full training camp as Thurman.
"I have too much pride in my career to take the biggest opportunity on short notice" said Chambers.
"I understand that he is being positioned to fight on October 6th in Atlantic City. Well Keith let's make this happen. It makes even more sense now because I live just an hour from Atlantic City and I will have a full camp to prepare to beat you"
"Keith and I have been going back and forth on Twitter and now it's time to settle this in the ring. I deserve this opportunity. A year ago Josesito Lopez pulled out of ESPN fight with me and now he is one of the hottest names in the sport. The world knows I would have won that fight and I should be the one getting the opportunities he has received and now it is my time and Thurman will be MY Victor Ortiz", Finished Chambers
Chambers, like his brother former Heavyweight title challenger "Fast" Eddie Chambers is trained by James Ali Bashir.
Steve Upsher Chambers is a promotional Free Agent
By Press Release | August 02, 2012
Once beaten Welterweight contender Steve Upsher Chambers Is seeking an opportunity to take on undefeated Welterweight Keith Thurman for a potential fight on October 6th in Atlantic City.
Chambers, 24-1-1 with six knockouts of Philadelphia was offered a fight with Thurman just two weeks before the July 21st scheduled fight.
Chambers would love to get an opportunity at the Florida native but would like the same full training camp as Thurman.
"I have too much pride in my career to take the biggest opportunity on short notice" said Chambers.
"I understand that he is being positioned to fight on October 6th in Atlantic City. Well Keith let's make this happen. It makes even more sense now because I live just an hour from Atlantic City and I will have a full camp to prepare to beat you"
"Keith and I have been going back and forth on Twitter and now it's time to settle this in the ring. I deserve this opportunity. A year ago Josesito Lopez pulled out of ESPN fight with me and now he is one of the hottest names in the sport. The world knows I would have won that fight and I should be the one getting the opportunities he has received and now it is my time and Thurman will be MY Victor Ortiz", Finished Chambers
Chambers, like his brother former Heavyweight title challenger "Fast" Eddie Chambers is trained by James Ali Bashir.
Steve Upsher Chambers is a promotional Free Agent