Boxing News Thread
- Thread starter heyzel
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Adrien Broner or Gary Russell Jr
September 13th, 2012 | Post Comment
By Miles Peart: Boxing is always looking for the next big thing, the next superstar who can generate high levels of interested when inside or outside of the ring. Currently boxing has stars such as Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao who garner attention from not just the boxing world but also the sporting world and beyond.
However, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao won’t be around forever. There are many boxers who are being backed by their promoters and TV networks to become the next boxing superstar.
Here in the U.K. boxers such as Kell Brook, Carl Frampton and David Price are given alot of exposure as they are seen as potential superstars. Over the pond there are numerous young boxers given the tag as “The Next Big Thing”. But there has been one young boxer who has been given the most media coverage out of all young upcoming/established boxers, that man is the 23 year old Adrien Broner. Known for his charisma and talent, Adrien Broner has been seen to be groomed by HBO as the new boxing PPV star or as some people see Adrien Broner, as the new Floyd Mayweather Jr (mainly due to the philly shell/shouder roll defence, however did anyone see Floyd Mayweather Jr in 1996/1997 as the new James Toney with the shouder roll defence?).
Only Saul Canelo Alvarez can be argued to have more coverage than Adrien Broner. So far Adrien Broner has become the youngest American world champion in todays boxing, a KO victory against former US olympian Vicente Escobedo, KO victory over super featherweight contender Jason Litzau and a debatable twleve round decision over former world champion Ponce De Leon. However I personally see another young American boxer who I believe purely on talent should command the same attention as Adrien Broner, 24 year old Gary Russell Jr. An extremely fast southpaw at featherweight, with a decorated amateur boxing career. At sixteen Gary Russell Jr won both the U.S. Championships and the Golden Gloves and won bronze in the 2005 world championships at 17 years of age and later was named 2005 USA athlete of the year. As a pro Gary Russell Jr has won all of his 20 bouts with 12 KOs, but no recognisable name on his record, this may have contributed into why Gary Russell Jr hasn’t had the same attention and coverage as Adrien Broner. It could also be the fact Gary Russell hasn’t shown or have the charisma as Adrien Broner or a distinctive look that Saul Canelo Alvarez has. Right now the world of boxing is leaning towards Adrien Broner to be the PPV star in the near future, however could Gary Russell Jr talent and skill help him to burst on the boxing scene and become an attraction, his style over his last two fights suggest he can with a first round KO back on the Broner vs Rodriguez card and a third round stoppage in his last bout. Time will tell which one of these talented young boxers will rise to become the PPV star, hey they may even one day face it each other which would make for an exciting bout or could become another Bradley vs Alexander (hopefully not..hopefully). Who do you believe will become the better star?
September 13th, 2012 | Post Comment
By Miles Peart: Boxing is always looking for the next big thing, the next superstar who can generate high levels of interested when inside or outside of the ring. Currently boxing has stars such as Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao who garner attention from not just the boxing world but also the sporting world and beyond.
However, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao won’t be around forever. There are many boxers who are being backed by their promoters and TV networks to become the next boxing superstar.
Here in the U.K. boxers such as Kell Brook, Carl Frampton and David Price are given alot of exposure as they are seen as potential superstars. Over the pond there are numerous young boxers given the tag as “The Next Big Thing”. But there has been one young boxer who has been given the most media coverage out of all young upcoming/established boxers, that man is the 23 year old Adrien Broner. Known for his charisma and talent, Adrien Broner has been seen to be groomed by HBO as the new boxing PPV star or as some people see Adrien Broner, as the new Floyd Mayweather Jr (mainly due to the philly shell/shouder roll defence, however did anyone see Floyd Mayweather Jr in 1996/1997 as the new James Toney with the shouder roll defence?).
Only Saul Canelo Alvarez can be argued to have more coverage than Adrien Broner. So far Adrien Broner has become the youngest American world champion in todays boxing, a KO victory against former US olympian Vicente Escobedo, KO victory over super featherweight contender Jason Litzau and a debatable twleve round decision over former world champion Ponce De Leon. However I personally see another young American boxer who I believe purely on talent should command the same attention as Adrien Broner, 24 year old Gary Russell Jr. An extremely fast southpaw at featherweight, with a decorated amateur boxing career. At sixteen Gary Russell Jr won both the U.S. Championships and the Golden Gloves and won bronze in the 2005 world championships at 17 years of age and later was named 2005 USA athlete of the year. As a pro Gary Russell Jr has won all of his 20 bouts with 12 KOs, but no recognisable name on his record, this may have contributed into why Gary Russell Jr hasn’t had the same attention and coverage as Adrien Broner. It could also be the fact Gary Russell hasn’t shown or have the charisma as Adrien Broner or a distinctive look that Saul Canelo Alvarez has. Right now the world of boxing is leaning towards Adrien Broner to be the PPV star in the near future, however could Gary Russell Jr talent and skill help him to burst on the boxing scene and become an attraction, his style over his last two fights suggest he can with a first round KO back on the Broner vs Rodriguez card and a third round stoppage in his last bout. Time will tell which one of these talented young boxers will rise to become the PPV star, hey they may even one day face it each other which would make for an exciting bout or could become another Bradley vs Alexander (hopefully not..hopefully). Who do you believe will become the better star?
Props:
JLMACN and trips
Anyone who thinks Marquez is the easier fight (as opposed to Bradley) for Manny is a fucking bird brain. Period.
Although I'm not thrilled about what's going to end up as another 7 round to 5 either way, controversial decision, I can see why they made the fight...it's all about the bottom line. SMH.
I won't be attending, but I'll be watching, like the rest of you.
Also, not sure what this fight being announced has to do with Floyd. He's obviously not going to take a fight with Manny after being in jail, and inactive for so long...not without taking a tune up fight first (Guerrero would be my guess)...so not sure how some of you are making the assumption that this is a duck on either guy's part.
Although I'm not thrilled about what's going to end up as another 7 round to 5 either way, controversial decision, I can see why they made the fight...it's all about the bottom line. SMH.
I won't be attending, but I'll be watching, like the rest of you.
Also, not sure what this fight being announced has to do with Floyd. He's obviously not going to take a fight with Manny after being in jail, and inactive for so long...not without taking a tune up fight first (Guerrero would be my guess)...so not sure how some of you are making the assumption that this is a duck on either guy's part.
Nevada's Kizer Jabs at HBO During Showtime Presser
By Ernest Gabion
MGM Grand, Las Vegas - During the final press conference for Saul Alvarez vs. Josesito Lopez, the head of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Keith Kizer, took a swipe at HBO's broadcast team. Alvarez-Lopez headlines a Showtime televised quadrupleheader.
Kizer wasn't pleased with some of the comments that were made about the Las Vegas judges - following the aftermath of June's Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley HBO pay-per-view.
“There was another fight here on June [9], but some of the veterans [judges] at ringside that felt badly that night won’t feel so bad this time, because HBO, [Jim] Lampley and [Harold] Lederman won’t be there,’’ Kizer said. “I like the Showtime announcers much better,’’ Kizer said.With dueling events on Saturday night, Kizer was also present for Wednesday's final press conference at the Wynn, where middleweights Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Sergio Martinez discussed their HBO pay-per-view main event.
LOL.. The HBO team is just bad other then Roy Jones and Max sometime.
By Ernest Gabion
MGM Grand, Las Vegas - During the final press conference for Saul Alvarez vs. Josesito Lopez, the head of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Keith Kizer, took a swipe at HBO's broadcast team. Alvarez-Lopez headlines a Showtime televised quadrupleheader.
Kizer wasn't pleased with some of the comments that were made about the Las Vegas judges - following the aftermath of June's Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley HBO pay-per-view.
“There was another fight here on June [9], but some of the veterans [judges] at ringside that felt badly that night won’t feel so bad this time, because HBO, [Jim] Lampley and [Harold] Lederman won’t be there,’’ Kizer said. “I like the Showtime announcers much better,’’ Kizer said.With dueling events on Saturday night, Kizer was also present for Wednesday's final press conference at the Wynn, where middleweights Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Sergio Martinez discussed their HBO pay-per-view main event.
LOL.. The HBO team is just bad other then Roy Jones and Max sometime.
Props:
Tony, trips and heyzel
Rigondeaux is Happy To Fight, Will Look For More Money
By Ryan Burton
Wynn Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas- WBA super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux is thrilled to be able to defend his title on Saturday night against Roberto Marroquin. Boxingscene recently caught up with the two time Olympic gold medal winner who admitted that at times he didn't think the fight would push through.
"I kept training for the fight but at times I wasn't sure the fight would happen. Thanks to God it is going to happen but at a few different times I thought I wasn't going to get to fight. Thankfully we got everything worked out," stated Rigondeaux.
The Cuban fighter is a free agent after this fight and was noncommittal when I asked him if he planned on resigning with his current promoter Top Rank.
"After this fight we are going to sit down and talk about it. They are paying me peanuts. I'm getting nothing for these fights. I need to get paid better and we are going to sort that out after the fight," Rigondeaux told BoxingScene.
Rigondeaux has chased big money fights against the top fighters in his division without success. He has campaigned for a showdown against WBO/IBF champion Nonito Donaire ever since the Filipino moved up to the bantamweight division. I asked Rigondeaux if he felt he was any closer to getting his dream fight.
"What do you think?" Said Rigondeaux directing the question back to me. "I will fight any of these guys. Any of them. You need to ask Nonito. I've always said I would fight him. He's never said he would fight me," Rigondeaux concluded.
Send questions or comments to [email protected] Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene's official audio on Tuesdays. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton.
Article Link - http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=57050#ixzz26POqBhc3
By Ryan Burton
Wynn Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas- WBA super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux is thrilled to be able to defend his title on Saturday night against Roberto Marroquin. Boxingscene recently caught up with the two time Olympic gold medal winner who admitted that at times he didn't think the fight would push through.
"I kept training for the fight but at times I wasn't sure the fight would happen. Thanks to God it is going to happen but at a few different times I thought I wasn't going to get to fight. Thankfully we got everything worked out," stated Rigondeaux.
The Cuban fighter is a free agent after this fight and was noncommittal when I asked him if he planned on resigning with his current promoter Top Rank.
"After this fight we are going to sit down and talk about it. They are paying me peanuts. I'm getting nothing for these fights. I need to get paid better and we are going to sort that out after the fight," Rigondeaux told BoxingScene.
Rigondeaux has chased big money fights against the top fighters in his division without success. He has campaigned for a showdown against WBO/IBF champion Nonito Donaire ever since the Filipino moved up to the bantamweight division. I asked Rigondeaux if he felt he was any closer to getting his dream fight.
"What do you think?" Said Rigondeaux directing the question back to me. "I will fight any of these guys. Any of them. You need to ask Nonito. I've always said I would fight him. He's never said he would fight me," Rigondeaux concluded.
Send questions or comments to [email protected] Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene's official audio on Tuesdays. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton.
Article Link - http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=57050#ixzz26POqBhc3
Props:
heyzel
FREDDIE ROACH CLAIMS 50 CENT IS NEGOTIATING ON MAYWEATHER'S BEHALF AND PACQUIAO MAY FORGO MARQUEZ
By Ben Thompson | September 14, 2012
Late Thursday night, world-class trainer Freddie Roach made an appearance on Sirius XM's The Scott Ferrall Show to promote Saturday's highly-anticipated showdown between WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and middleweight king Sergio Martinez. Naturally, it didn't take long for the topic of discussion to switch to Manny Pacquiao, 50 Cent, and Floyd Mayweather. "50 Cent is talking to Mike Koncz. Mike Koncz is negotiating with Manny. Dubai people are offering 100 million a piece. The fight, I think it's getting closer now. I think it's going to happen. For the first time in my life, I see a light at the end of the tunnel," Roach surprisingly revealed, alleging there's a possibility that Pacquiao may forego a fourth clash with Juan Manuel Marquez if promoters Bob Arum and 50 Cent can finalize details for a mega-fight with undefeated pound-for-pound champion Floyd Mayweather.
According to Roach, 50 Cent has allegedly been given the authority to negotiate on Mayweather's behalf, and talks of a joint promotional venture with Manny Pacquiao is really an attempt to finalize details of March or April clash between the two fighters in Dubai. "Well, there's talk about that, but the thing is, it's just really negotiating the two of them fighting," Freddie explained when asked about Pacquiao and 50 Cent joining forces. "Now 50 and Mayweather, they got together and spent 3 million dollars and bought like 5 fighters, and they spent big money for these fighters, but then Al Haymon stepped in again, so the deal's not done yet. And the thing is, 50 is negotiating on Mayweather's behalf with Michael Koncz because Mayweather gave him that authority."
"I'm not sure where Al Haymon is going to end up in this scenario, but I think 50 is taking over and he's going to start his own promotion company. And one thing that Arum told me, he said, 'I can deal with this guy. I'll negotiate with him.' And well, I think it's a good sign, so...It'll be in March or April," Roach added. "Marquez won't happen if that fight comes through first...That's what I was told."
Believe Roach if you want, but I'm telling you that what he's saying simply isn't true. The fight is no closer to being made than it was a year ago, when all this talk about mystery investors from Dubai, Singapore, and Mexico first began. Furthermore, 50 Cent is NOT secretly negotiating on behalf of Floyd Mayweather, although I don't doubt that Roach may have been led to believe that. In fact, according to a source close to Pacquiao's camp, contrary to reports, Pacquiao has yet to agree to face Marquez, and this latest news regarding 50 Cent is simply a ploy to convince Pacquiao that the fight he really wants, a showdown with Mayweather, is guaranteed to take place if and only if he moves forward with the Marquez bout. "It's an illusion," our source explained. "Who is he kidding? Michael Koncz is using 50 Cent to get to Manny, just like he used those investors. They're trying to make everything promising for the mega-fight to happen. Like, 'Yeah, we got this connection. We got 50. We got the influence. All you have to do is fight Marquez, and then you'll get Mayweather. They're basically using the promise of Floyd to lure Manny in."
Regardless of whether or not Pacquiao can see through the smokescreen, rest assured, there won't be any agreement reached as Roach is hoping for. Roach better worry more about convincing Pacquiao to press for a knockout against Marquez on December 8th, because if the fight goes the distance, I will not be surprised to see Marquez finally get the victory over 8-division world champion that has eluded him.
By Ben Thompson | September 14, 2012
Late Thursday night, world-class trainer Freddie Roach made an appearance on Sirius XM's The Scott Ferrall Show to promote Saturday's highly-anticipated showdown between WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and middleweight king Sergio Martinez. Naturally, it didn't take long for the topic of discussion to switch to Manny Pacquiao, 50 Cent, and Floyd Mayweather. "50 Cent is talking to Mike Koncz. Mike Koncz is negotiating with Manny. Dubai people are offering 100 million a piece. The fight, I think it's getting closer now. I think it's going to happen. For the first time in my life, I see a light at the end of the tunnel," Roach surprisingly revealed, alleging there's a possibility that Pacquiao may forego a fourth clash with Juan Manuel Marquez if promoters Bob Arum and 50 Cent can finalize details for a mega-fight with undefeated pound-for-pound champion Floyd Mayweather.
According to Roach, 50 Cent has allegedly been given the authority to negotiate on Mayweather's behalf, and talks of a joint promotional venture with Manny Pacquiao is really an attempt to finalize details of March or April clash between the two fighters in Dubai. "Well, there's talk about that, but the thing is, it's just really negotiating the two of them fighting," Freddie explained when asked about Pacquiao and 50 Cent joining forces. "Now 50 and Mayweather, they got together and spent 3 million dollars and bought like 5 fighters, and they spent big money for these fighters, but then Al Haymon stepped in again, so the deal's not done yet. And the thing is, 50 is negotiating on Mayweather's behalf with Michael Koncz because Mayweather gave him that authority."
"I'm not sure where Al Haymon is going to end up in this scenario, but I think 50 is taking over and he's going to start his own promotion company. And one thing that Arum told me, he said, 'I can deal with this guy. I'll negotiate with him.' And well, I think it's a good sign, so...It'll be in March or April," Roach added. "Marquez won't happen if that fight comes through first...That's what I was told."
Believe Roach if you want, but I'm telling you that what he's saying simply isn't true. The fight is no closer to being made than it was a year ago, when all this talk about mystery investors from Dubai, Singapore, and Mexico first began. Furthermore, 50 Cent is NOT secretly negotiating on behalf of Floyd Mayweather, although I don't doubt that Roach may have been led to believe that. In fact, according to a source close to Pacquiao's camp, contrary to reports, Pacquiao has yet to agree to face Marquez, and this latest news regarding 50 Cent is simply a ploy to convince Pacquiao that the fight he really wants, a showdown with Mayweather, is guaranteed to take place if and only if he moves forward with the Marquez bout. "It's an illusion," our source explained. "Who is he kidding? Michael Koncz is using 50 Cent to get to Manny, just like he used those investors. They're trying to make everything promising for the mega-fight to happen. Like, 'Yeah, we got this connection. We got 50. We got the influence. All you have to do is fight Marquez, and then you'll get Mayweather. They're basically using the promise of Floyd to lure Manny in."
Regardless of whether or not Pacquiao can see through the smokescreen, rest assured, there won't be any agreement reached as Roach is hoping for. Roach better worry more about convincing Pacquiao to press for a knockout against Marquez on December 8th, because if the fight goes the distance, I will not be surprised to see Marquez finally get the victory over 8-division world champion that has eluded him.
Props:
Manniacal and JLMACN
Roach: Mayweather can’t move like he used to because of age; Pacquiao and him are an even fight
September 14th, 2012 | Post Comment
By Chris Williams: Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach doesn’t think that WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. has his legs anymore under him due to old age starting to set in for the 35-year-old champion. Mayweather took a lot of heavy shots in his last fight against WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto last May in winning that fight.
Roach believes the punishment that Mayweather took was because he couldn’t move around to avoid Cotto’s shots because of his legs not working like they once did.
Roach told Fightnews.com “I don’t think he fought Cotto in the pocket by choice. I think he had to. He was much more mobile before. I don’t think he can move like he used to. His legs have given out on him.”
Roach went on to say that he believes that both Pacquiao and Mayweather are an “8″ out of 10 from what they used to be. He believes that they’re both about even at this point in their careers.
I don’t think Roach is seeing things clearly. Mayweather can move when he wants to, but he chose to slug with Cotto in order to make the fight exciting and to win over fans. Mayweather also chose to fight Cotto at the full 154 lb weight for the junior middleweight division instead of asking for a catchweight handicap. Pacquiao could have had a fight with Cotto right now instead of another fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, but Cotto wasn’t interested in fighting Pacquiao at a catchweight. It’s too bad Pacquiao wouldn’t face Cotto at the full weight like Mayweather because the fight would be much bigger than seeing Pacquiao fight Marquez for the fourth time. That’s getting really old about this time.
Roach is way off about Pacquiao and Mayweather being even. All you have to do is take one look at Pacquiao’s last fight against Tim Bradley to notice that he’s not on the same level as Mayweather.
Pacquiao has become a fighter that only fights hard in the last seconds of every round and can’t move around the ring like he once did. Talk about someone who has lost his legs. Pacquiao has become utterly stationary and vulnerable. Even a light hitting fighter like Bradley was able to take advantage of Pacquiao’s lack of movement and ability to cut off the ring.
September 14th, 2012 | Post Comment
By Chris Williams: Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach doesn’t think that WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. has his legs anymore under him due to old age starting to set in for the 35-year-old champion. Mayweather took a lot of heavy shots in his last fight against WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto last May in winning that fight.
Roach believes the punishment that Mayweather took was because he couldn’t move around to avoid Cotto’s shots because of his legs not working like they once did.
Roach told Fightnews.com “I don’t think he fought Cotto in the pocket by choice. I think he had to. He was much more mobile before. I don’t think he can move like he used to. His legs have given out on him.”
Roach went on to say that he believes that both Pacquiao and Mayweather are an “8″ out of 10 from what they used to be. He believes that they’re both about even at this point in their careers.
I don’t think Roach is seeing things clearly. Mayweather can move when he wants to, but he chose to slug with Cotto in order to make the fight exciting and to win over fans. Mayweather also chose to fight Cotto at the full 154 lb weight for the junior middleweight division instead of asking for a catchweight handicap. Pacquiao could have had a fight with Cotto right now instead of another fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, but Cotto wasn’t interested in fighting Pacquiao at a catchweight. It’s too bad Pacquiao wouldn’t face Cotto at the full weight like Mayweather because the fight would be much bigger than seeing Pacquiao fight Marquez for the fourth time. That’s getting really old about this time.
Roach is way off about Pacquiao and Mayweather being even. All you have to do is take one look at Pacquiao’s last fight against Tim Bradley to notice that he’s not on the same level as Mayweather.
Pacquiao has become a fighter that only fights hard in the last seconds of every round and can’t move around the ring like he once did. Talk about someone who has lost his legs. Pacquiao has become utterly stationary and vulnerable. Even a light hitting fighter like Bradley was able to take advantage of Pacquiao’s lack of movement and ability to cut off the ring.
Props:
Tony
Weak Pay Per View sales worked against Bradley
September 13th, 2012 | Post Comment
By John F. McKenna (McJack): World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (29-0-1, 12 KO’s) was jubilant when he found out last spring that he would finally realize his dream of fighting eight division champion Manny Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KO’s). Bradley then realized his worst nightmare. “Desert Storm” won what many describe as the worst decision in boxing in modern times along with Manny’s WBO title belt.
Bradley at first allegedly conceded to Top Rank CEO Bob Arum that he had done his best, but could not handle Pacquiao. After the decision was announced Bradley changed his tune and began saying that he thought he had won the fight. And to be fair to Bradley he is not the one responsible for the horrendous decision.
As it turned out the Pacquiao – Bradley fight was a huge disappointment with regard to Pay Per View (PPV) sales, which were in the 700,000 to 850,000 range depending on whose numbers you believe. In any case the PPV sales were a few hundred thousand short of the 1.3 million PPV sales Pacquiao and Marquez drew last November.
Do thre math, at between $60 and $70 a pop times the 500,000 less PPV sales the Pacquiao – Bradley fight pulled in last June and you are looking at a pretty significant piece of change. The shortfall in PPV sales was too high a mountain for Bradley to climb. Both Arum and Pacquiao were unwilling to run the risk of the low PPV sales another Bradley fight was likely to bring.
For “Desert Storm” the nightmare that keeps playing over and over for him is that nobody save for a few Pacquiao haters, really think he won the fight. Most boxing pundits gave Bradley two to three rounds tops in the Pacquiao fight.
The 2nd part of the Bradley nightmare is that as WBO welterweight champion, and after technically beating “Pacman”, no one wants to fight him because of his anemic drawing power. Arum had thought that because of his wizardry in promoting fights and by putting Pacquiao on the ticket the PPV sales would not be that bad. Even Uncle Bob was shocked when the low PPV numbers came out.
So Bradley is in the unenviable position of having to disparage Pacquiao for not wanting to fight him again. Bradley’s efforts to cajole Manny into a rematch reached a new level of absurdity when he accused Pacquiao of being scared to fight him in a rematch. Of course not even Bradley’s staunchest supporter believed that.
It will be interesting to see how the Bradley saga plays out over the next few months. Presently there does not appear to be any high profile fighters lining up to fight him.
September 13th, 2012 | Post Comment
By John F. McKenna (McJack): World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (29-0-1, 12 KO’s) was jubilant when he found out last spring that he would finally realize his dream of fighting eight division champion Manny Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KO’s). Bradley then realized his worst nightmare. “Desert Storm” won what many describe as the worst decision in boxing in modern times along with Manny’s WBO title belt.
Bradley at first allegedly conceded to Top Rank CEO Bob Arum that he had done his best, but could not handle Pacquiao. After the decision was announced Bradley changed his tune and began saying that he thought he had won the fight. And to be fair to Bradley he is not the one responsible for the horrendous decision.
As it turned out the Pacquiao – Bradley fight was a huge disappointment with regard to Pay Per View (PPV) sales, which were in the 700,000 to 850,000 range depending on whose numbers you believe. In any case the PPV sales were a few hundred thousand short of the 1.3 million PPV sales Pacquiao and Marquez drew last November.
Do thre math, at between $60 and $70 a pop times the 500,000 less PPV sales the Pacquiao – Bradley fight pulled in last June and you are looking at a pretty significant piece of change. The shortfall in PPV sales was too high a mountain for Bradley to climb. Both Arum and Pacquiao were unwilling to run the risk of the low PPV sales another Bradley fight was likely to bring.
For “Desert Storm” the nightmare that keeps playing over and over for him is that nobody save for a few Pacquiao haters, really think he won the fight. Most boxing pundits gave Bradley two to three rounds tops in the Pacquiao fight.
The 2nd part of the Bradley nightmare is that as WBO welterweight champion, and after technically beating “Pacman”, no one wants to fight him because of his anemic drawing power. Arum had thought that because of his wizardry in promoting fights and by putting Pacquiao on the ticket the PPV sales would not be that bad. Even Uncle Bob was shocked when the low PPV numbers came out.
So Bradley is in the unenviable position of having to disparage Pacquiao for not wanting to fight him again. Bradley’s efforts to cajole Manny into a rematch reached a new level of absurdity when he accused Pacquiao of being scared to fight him in a rematch. Of course not even Bradley’s staunchest supporter believed that.
It will be interesting to see how the Bradley saga plays out over the next few months. Presently there does not appear to be any high profile fighters lining up to fight him.
Props:
JLMACN