Boxing News Thread
- Thread starter heyzel
- Start date
Here is a possible gem to keep your eye on:
Kanat Islam
Born in China who was a Chinese amateur boxer of Kazakh ancestry, now also a citizen of Kazakhstan. Turned pro in Sept 2012 and already has 8 fights (8-0, 8 KO's). He's like a even more wild version of Golovkin. I guess he's fighting out of Florida now. Get this guy on ESPN quick!
Kanat Islam
Born in China who was a Chinese amateur boxer of Kazakh ancestry, now also a citizen of Kazakhstan. Turned pro in Sept 2012 and already has 8 fights (8-0, 8 KO's). He's like a even more wild version of Golovkin. I guess he's fighting out of Florida now. Get this guy on ESPN quick!
Props:
trips and heyzel
What if Jones had remained a heavy
By Brian Campbell
The past eight years have been particularly difficult for fans of Roy Jones Jr. -- a spiraling journey that began with a stunning knockout loss to Antonio Tarver in 2004 and continues today as a 40-something Jones collects defeats against anonymous names in faraway lands.
The truth about Jones is that there isn't another win or loss remaining that can change how we remember him. What's been done is, well, already done -- something all the more difficult to swallow for the staunch protectors of his legacy.
One thing we all can agree on is that Jones' stock was never higher than after his March 2003 win over John Ruiz, when Jones became the first former middleweight champion since 1897 to win a piece of the heavyweight title. He was also never the same after hastily dropping back down in weight eight months later to defend his light heavyweight championship.
[+] EnlargeRoy Jones
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty ImagesRoy Jones Jr., right, reached a career pinnacle in 2003 when he moved up in weight to face John Ruiz, whom Jones toyed with before taking his heavyweight title.
Let's look past wondering how large Jones' legend would have grown had he retired after beating Ruiz -- a flawed theory that assumes Jones, then 34 and virtually undefeated (having avenged his lone disqualification loss by first-round KO), would have walked away at the peak of his earning power after the crowning moment of his career.
Instead, consider this: What if Jones had remained a heavyweight after the Ruiz win? With a string of handpicked opponents, could Jones have made a run as a heavyweight attraction, where advantages in hand speed and movement might have allowed for longevity as his physical tools deteriorated?
By defending his title against fading, smaller heavyweights such as Evander Holyfield, James Toney, Michael Moorer and Mike Tyson -- while raking in truckloads of cash -- could Jones have sustained enough success to carry the division in the ensuing years, when the retirements of Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko (mixed with two shocking KO losses for Wladimir Klitschko) led it to rock-bottom status?
More important, could a fighter known for not taking chances in the ring commit to placing himself in harm's way every fight?
"Implied in the question is whether Jones had the physical talent do this, but it takes more than physical talent," said recently retired HBO analyst Larry Merchant. "To me, it's a moot question. His was a one-off and a way to demonstrate that he had rare ability. It was a way of answering a question in his head, demonstrating how big his talent was. But he didn't have the desire to fight the big guys. He felt he could get ruined by them."
[+] EnlargeRoy Jones
The Ring Magazine/Getty ImagesThe prospect of Roy Jones Jr. competing -- and contending -- in the heavyweight division wasn't as wild a notion during his prime as it might sound today.
Flashbacks of Jones on the business end of concussing power shots can reinforce just how crazy an idea this seems in hindsight. But the reality is that Jones as a heavyweight was a healthy topic in 2003.
Negotiations to fight a 40-year-old Holyfield at Madison Square Garden in October 2003 fell apart at the last minute. There was also legitimate talk about Jones facing Corrie Sanders -- fresh off his upset of Wladimir Klitschko -- along with rumors of a superfight against Tyson or Lewis in Nairobi, Kenya. Knowing what we know now, though, many are skeptical.
"Evander, at that point, was a much tougher fight for him -- and forget about Tyson," Showtime analyst Al Bernstein said. "Remember, Roy didn't rush to fight guys who were super-difficult. Once he is in against bigger men, if they have a skill level that is adequate, then he could have a problem. He didn't win with skill; he won with athleticism. And if that's your trump card, then it's tricky if some of that eludes you when you get a half-step slower. Now you are in trouble."
To some, the idea of Jones as a heavyweight was fool's gold, more a case of perfect matchmaking against the hard-charging and limited Ruiz.
"Beating John Ruiz was kind of a perfect storm for him and exactly the right person as a heavyweight who was not a big puncher," Bernstein said.
Jones responded well to Ruiz's size and power but proved unable to handle flush shots upon his return to light heavyweight.
The prevailing theory, supported by Jones, was that his shedding nearly 20 pounds of muscle over the eight months after the Ruiz fight left him too weak for ensuing bouts against Tarver.
Had Roy Jones Jr. defended his heavyweight title even once before walking away, there's no telling where his legacy would stand today.
"John was my roommate in the amateurs as a light heavyweight, so he was a blown-up heavyweight and always had a problem with fighters that have a high skill set," said two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd. "Roy is very talented, but at heavyweight, it didn't make any sense for him. Boxing is a style matchup, so when you get a taller, lengthier heavyweight who stands on his back and boxes, I don't see Roy doing too much."
Byrd, who, at 6 feet and 215 pounds, was closer in size to the 5-foot-11, 193-pound heavyweight version of Jones than most of his own opponents, unsuccessfully made a similar drop down two weight classes in 2008, ending in a knockout loss to Shaun George. But that doesn't mean Byrd believes losing muscle is what cursed Jones.
"I did that for five weeks and lost 40 pounds; Roy weighed 193 and had to get down to 175," Byrd said. "Every light heavyweight in boxing now has to lose the same amount of weight, so that's an excuse.
Everybody cuts weight; it's part of boxing. It's an excuse for him to say, 'Well, I lost too much weight too fast.' No you didn't. That's disrespectful to every fighter that loses the weight and doesn't say the same thing."
[+] EnlargeAntonio Tarver
Ed Mulholland/WireImageThe reasons for his decline are up for debate, but it's clear that Roy Jones Jr., right, wasn't the same fighter after returning to 175 pounds following his heavyweight title win.
Whether it was weight loss or Father Time catching up to him, Jones clearly wasn't the same upon his return to 175 pounds. That, along with memories of a bulked-up Jones toying with Ruiz, fuel the fantasies of what could have been at heavyweight.
What If ... Roy Jones Jr. had remained a heavyweight in 2003? - ESPN
By Brian Campbell
The past eight years have been particularly difficult for fans of Roy Jones Jr. -- a spiraling journey that began with a stunning knockout loss to Antonio Tarver in 2004 and continues today as a 40-something Jones collects defeats against anonymous names in faraway lands.
The truth about Jones is that there isn't another win or loss remaining that can change how we remember him. What's been done is, well, already done -- something all the more difficult to swallow for the staunch protectors of his legacy.
One thing we all can agree on is that Jones' stock was never higher than after his March 2003 win over John Ruiz, when Jones became the first former middleweight champion since 1897 to win a piece of the heavyweight title. He was also never the same after hastily dropping back down in weight eight months later to defend his light heavyweight championship.
[+] EnlargeRoy Jones
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty ImagesRoy Jones Jr., right, reached a career pinnacle in 2003 when he moved up in weight to face John Ruiz, whom Jones toyed with before taking his heavyweight title.
Let's look past wondering how large Jones' legend would have grown had he retired after beating Ruiz -- a flawed theory that assumes Jones, then 34 and virtually undefeated (having avenged his lone disqualification loss by first-round KO), would have walked away at the peak of his earning power after the crowning moment of his career.
Instead, consider this: What if Jones had remained a heavyweight after the Ruiz win? With a string of handpicked opponents, could Jones have made a run as a heavyweight attraction, where advantages in hand speed and movement might have allowed for longevity as his physical tools deteriorated?
By defending his title against fading, smaller heavyweights such as Evander Holyfield, James Toney, Michael Moorer and Mike Tyson -- while raking in truckloads of cash -- could Jones have sustained enough success to carry the division in the ensuing years, when the retirements of Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko (mixed with two shocking KO losses for Wladimir Klitschko) led it to rock-bottom status?
More important, could a fighter known for not taking chances in the ring commit to placing himself in harm's way every fight?
"Implied in the question is whether Jones had the physical talent do this, but it takes more than physical talent," said recently retired HBO analyst Larry Merchant. "To me, it's a moot question. His was a one-off and a way to demonstrate that he had rare ability. It was a way of answering a question in his head, demonstrating how big his talent was. But he didn't have the desire to fight the big guys. He felt he could get ruined by them."
[+] EnlargeRoy Jones
The Ring Magazine/Getty ImagesThe prospect of Roy Jones Jr. competing -- and contending -- in the heavyweight division wasn't as wild a notion during his prime as it might sound today.
Flashbacks of Jones on the business end of concussing power shots can reinforce just how crazy an idea this seems in hindsight. But the reality is that Jones as a heavyweight was a healthy topic in 2003.
Negotiations to fight a 40-year-old Holyfield at Madison Square Garden in October 2003 fell apart at the last minute. There was also legitimate talk about Jones facing Corrie Sanders -- fresh off his upset of Wladimir Klitschko -- along with rumors of a superfight against Tyson or Lewis in Nairobi, Kenya. Knowing what we know now, though, many are skeptical.
"Evander, at that point, was a much tougher fight for him -- and forget about Tyson," Showtime analyst Al Bernstein said. "Remember, Roy didn't rush to fight guys who were super-difficult. Once he is in against bigger men, if they have a skill level that is adequate, then he could have a problem. He didn't win with skill; he won with athleticism. And if that's your trump card, then it's tricky if some of that eludes you when you get a half-step slower. Now you are in trouble."
To some, the idea of Jones as a heavyweight was fool's gold, more a case of perfect matchmaking against the hard-charging and limited Ruiz.
"Beating John Ruiz was kind of a perfect storm for him and exactly the right person as a heavyweight who was not a big puncher," Bernstein said.
Jones responded well to Ruiz's size and power but proved unable to handle flush shots upon his return to light heavyweight.
The prevailing theory, supported by Jones, was that his shedding nearly 20 pounds of muscle over the eight months after the Ruiz fight left him too weak for ensuing bouts against Tarver.
Had Roy Jones Jr. defended his heavyweight title even once before walking away, there's no telling where his legacy would stand today.
"John was my roommate in the amateurs as a light heavyweight, so he was a blown-up heavyweight and always had a problem with fighters that have a high skill set," said two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd. "Roy is very talented, but at heavyweight, it didn't make any sense for him. Boxing is a style matchup, so when you get a taller, lengthier heavyweight who stands on his back and boxes, I don't see Roy doing too much."
Byrd, who, at 6 feet and 215 pounds, was closer in size to the 5-foot-11, 193-pound heavyweight version of Jones than most of his own opponents, unsuccessfully made a similar drop down two weight classes in 2008, ending in a knockout loss to Shaun George. But that doesn't mean Byrd believes losing muscle is what cursed Jones.
"I did that for five weeks and lost 40 pounds; Roy weighed 193 and had to get down to 175," Byrd said. "Every light heavyweight in boxing now has to lose the same amount of weight, so that's an excuse.
Everybody cuts weight; it's part of boxing. It's an excuse for him to say, 'Well, I lost too much weight too fast.' No you didn't. That's disrespectful to every fighter that loses the weight and doesn't say the same thing."
[+] EnlargeAntonio Tarver
Ed Mulholland/WireImageThe reasons for his decline are up for debate, but it's clear that Roy Jones Jr., right, wasn't the same fighter after returning to 175 pounds following his heavyweight title win.
Whether it was weight loss or Father Time catching up to him, Jones clearly wasn't the same upon his return to 175 pounds. That, along with memories of a bulked-up Jones toying with Ruiz, fuel the fantasies of what could have been at heavyweight.
What If ... Roy Jones Jr. had remained a heavyweight in 2003? - ESPN
Arum to insist on random drug testing for Pacquiao vs. Marquez 5
Boxing article posted on January 6th, 2013 | Post Comment
Pacquiao Marquez 5 Pacquiao vs. Marquez 5 manny pacquiao juan manuel marquez By Chris Williams: It’s hard to believe it but Top Rank promoter Bob Arum reportedly will be insisting on random drug testing for the 5th fight between Juan Manuel Marquez and Arum’s fighter Manny Pacquiao in September, according to Philboxing.com. This is interesting because when Floyd Mayweather Jr. was fighting for random blood testing during his failed negotiations for a fight with Pacquiao in 2010, he was met with resistance.
Now all of a sudden everything is changed Marquez having put on muscle and knocked Pacquiao out in the 6th round of their fight last month. I think Marquez should say no deal. Who wants to end up like whale getting harpooned with needles 24/7 at any times.
Random blood testing isn’t part of the Nevada State Athletic Commissions normal testing for fighters, so I say forget it. If it’s not part of the norm for the state or for Texas, wherever wants the fight to take place, then no testing. Marquez should only agree to the normal testing.
There were some people who suspected that Marquez was using performance enhancing drugs. Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach hinted about it, and Marquez volunteered to the testing but they didn’t take him up on it.
I had a feeling that Arum would ask for the random blood testing after Pacquiao got knocked out. It won’t be a big deal for Marquez I’m sure because the guy was more than willing to agree to any all testing that Pacquiao’s team wanted for the fight.
They can test but it’s come down to whether Pacquiao can take a head shot. If he can’t handle Marquez’s power than he’s going to get knocked cold again, because defensively he’s reckless with the way he rushes forward. Marquez is going to hit Pacquiao a lot in the rematch, and the testing isn’t going to stop that from happening.
If Pacquiao’s chin can’t handle Marquez’s power, Pacquiao is going to get knocked cold again. We saw last time that Pacquiao struggled when he was hit hard by Marquez. I can’t see Roach being able to change Pacquiao’s fighting style to make him a more defensive fighter. I don’t think it’s possible. Pacquiao is 34 now and he’s pretty set in his ways in terms of his fighting style.
Boxing article posted on January 6th, 2013 | Post Comment
Pacquiao Marquez 5 Pacquiao vs. Marquez 5 manny pacquiao juan manuel marquez By Chris Williams: It’s hard to believe it but Top Rank promoter Bob Arum reportedly will be insisting on random drug testing for the 5th fight between Juan Manuel Marquez and Arum’s fighter Manny Pacquiao in September, according to Philboxing.com. This is interesting because when Floyd Mayweather Jr. was fighting for random blood testing during his failed negotiations for a fight with Pacquiao in 2010, he was met with resistance.
Now all of a sudden everything is changed Marquez having put on muscle and knocked Pacquiao out in the 6th round of their fight last month. I think Marquez should say no deal. Who wants to end up like whale getting harpooned with needles 24/7 at any times.
Random blood testing isn’t part of the Nevada State Athletic Commissions normal testing for fighters, so I say forget it. If it’s not part of the norm for the state or for Texas, wherever wants the fight to take place, then no testing. Marquez should only agree to the normal testing.
There were some people who suspected that Marquez was using performance enhancing drugs. Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach hinted about it, and Marquez volunteered to the testing but they didn’t take him up on it.
I had a feeling that Arum would ask for the random blood testing after Pacquiao got knocked out. It won’t be a big deal for Marquez I’m sure because the guy was more than willing to agree to any all testing that Pacquiao’s team wanted for the fight.
They can test but it’s come down to whether Pacquiao can take a head shot. If he can’t handle Marquez’s power than he’s going to get knocked cold again, because defensively he’s reckless with the way he rushes forward. Marquez is going to hit Pacquiao a lot in the rematch, and the testing isn’t going to stop that from happening.
If Pacquiao’s chin can’t handle Marquez’s power, Pacquiao is going to get knocked cold again. We saw last time that Pacquiao struggled when he was hit hard by Marquez. I can’t see Roach being able to change Pacquiao’s fighting style to make him a more defensive fighter. I don’t think it’s possible. Pacquiao is 34 now and he’s pretty set in his ways in terms of his fighting style.
Keith Thurman in action on March 9th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York
Boxing article posted on January 6th, 2013 | Post Comment
keith thurman By Dan Ambrose: #2 WBO, #3 WBA, #9 IBF, junior middleweight contender Keith Thurman (19-0, 18 KO’s) is waiting to find out who his opponent will be for his scheduled 10 round bout on the undercard of Bernard Hopkins vs. Tavoris Cloud at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The 24-year-old Thurman’s 4th round destruction of former WBO welterweight champion Carlos Quintana last November really pushed Thurman up the junior middleweight rankings to where he’s now nearing title shots against 154 pound champions Austin Trout, Zaurbek Baysangurov and Cornelius Bundrage. Thurman is one of the biggest punchers and most exciting fighters in the junior middleweight division right now. I think he’s good enough to beat Saul Alvarez and most of the other champions at this weight.
Unfortunately for Thurman, he’s not ranked in the top 15 by the World Boxing Council, which means a fight between him and WBC 154 pound champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is highly unlikely in the foreseeable future. It’s a fight that should be able to take place, as they both share the same promoter at Golden Boy Promotions, but it’s not likely to happen because Golden Boy has been matching Alvarez against smaller fighters than Thurman some reason and they might not want to put Alvarez in with a full sized junior middleweight just yet.
There’s talk that Thurman will be facing a junior middleweight top 10 contender for this fight. That’s going to be interesting if they put do put him in with someone good because Quintana is the only recognizable name on Thurman’s resume right now. He’s good enough to face the other top contenders in the division if Golden Boy can put together a fight with one of them.
Here are some good options for Thurman’s next fight:
Sergey Rabchenko
Ruben Varon
Delvin Rodriguez
Alfredo Angulo
Damian Jonak
Jonathan Gonzalez
Roberto Garcia
Lucas Konecny
Demetrius Andrade
Javier Maciel
Charles Whittaker
Carlos Molina
I’d be really surprised if Golden Boy can get any of those fighters. I think they get one of them if they make a big enough offer, but I’m not so sure they’re ready to put Thurman in with any of these guys just yet. I don’t see they wouldn’t because if they were willing to match Thurman against Quintana then they should be open to putting him in with the likes of Angulo, Rodriguez and Rabchenko. Thurman vs. Angulo would be a really great fight and I’d like to see that one.
Boxing article posted on January 6th, 2013 | Post Comment
keith thurman By Dan Ambrose: #2 WBO, #3 WBA, #9 IBF, junior middleweight contender Keith Thurman (19-0, 18 KO’s) is waiting to find out who his opponent will be for his scheduled 10 round bout on the undercard of Bernard Hopkins vs. Tavoris Cloud at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The 24-year-old Thurman’s 4th round destruction of former WBO welterweight champion Carlos Quintana last November really pushed Thurman up the junior middleweight rankings to where he’s now nearing title shots against 154 pound champions Austin Trout, Zaurbek Baysangurov and Cornelius Bundrage. Thurman is one of the biggest punchers and most exciting fighters in the junior middleweight division right now. I think he’s good enough to beat Saul Alvarez and most of the other champions at this weight.
Unfortunately for Thurman, he’s not ranked in the top 15 by the World Boxing Council, which means a fight between him and WBC 154 pound champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is highly unlikely in the foreseeable future. It’s a fight that should be able to take place, as they both share the same promoter at Golden Boy Promotions, but it’s not likely to happen because Golden Boy has been matching Alvarez against smaller fighters than Thurman some reason and they might not want to put Alvarez in with a full sized junior middleweight just yet.
There’s talk that Thurman will be facing a junior middleweight top 10 contender for this fight. That’s going to be interesting if they put do put him in with someone good because Quintana is the only recognizable name on Thurman’s resume right now. He’s good enough to face the other top contenders in the division if Golden Boy can put together a fight with one of them.
Here are some good options for Thurman’s next fight:
Sergey Rabchenko
Ruben Varon
Delvin Rodriguez
Alfredo Angulo
Damian Jonak
Jonathan Gonzalez
Roberto Garcia
Lucas Konecny
Demetrius Andrade
Javier Maciel
Charles Whittaker
Carlos Molina
I’d be really surprised if Golden Boy can get any of those fighters. I think they get one of them if they make a big enough offer, but I’m not so sure they’re ready to put Thurman in with any of these guys just yet. I don’t see they wouldn’t because if they were willing to match Thurman against Quintana then they should be open to putting him in with the likes of Angulo, Rodriguez and Rabchenko. Thurman vs. Angulo would be a really great fight and I’d like to see that one.
Atlas wants Broner to be matched against quality 140 lb fighters
Boxing article posted on January 5th, 2013 | Post Comment
Broner Rees Broner vs. Rees adrien broner By Scott Gilfoid: ESPN analyst Teddy Atlas is tired of seeing WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner (25-0, 21 KO’s) wants him to start facing guys his own size and Atlas thinks it’s high time that Broner start fighting the top 140 pounders despite the fact that Broner just recently moved up to 135 and will be fighting for only the second time at this weight on February 16th against Gavin Rees.
Atlas said on ESPN Friday Night Fights “Have a true test for Adrien Broner. He’s being groomed as boxing’s next big star. I like him a lot but please match him against someone his own size and skill level, someone like Brandon Rios, Amir Khan or Lucas Matthysse.”
That does sound like a good idea for Broner because there’s nothing for him to accomplish by staying at 135 and beating guys like Ricky Burns and Gavin Rees. Those guys aren’t the same skill level as Broner, and neither of them is popular enough to make it worthwhile for Broner to fight them.
Broner says he’d take a fight with Rios if it were offered to him. It’s not going to be offered to him because Rios fights for Top Rank, and Rios’s promoter isn’t going to want to see Rios get beaten before he’s matched him against someone like Manny Pacquiao.
Matthysse and Khan would be good options, but I doubt that Golden Boy will risk having Khan take on a good fighter like Broner because they look like they’re trying to rebuild Khan’s image right now after he was beaten twice recently. Matthysse is a possibility but I don’t see Golden Boy making that fight because Matthysse isn’t a big name and it would be a risky fight for Broner.
If Broner does move up to 140, I have a feeling that he’ll have problems getting the big fights that he wants. I can see him getting a fight with someone like IBF 140 pound champion Lamont Peterson, but not against the other champions.
Boxing article posted on January 5th, 2013 | Post Comment
Broner Rees Broner vs. Rees adrien broner By Scott Gilfoid: ESPN analyst Teddy Atlas is tired of seeing WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner (25-0, 21 KO’s) wants him to start facing guys his own size and Atlas thinks it’s high time that Broner start fighting the top 140 pounders despite the fact that Broner just recently moved up to 135 and will be fighting for only the second time at this weight on February 16th against Gavin Rees.
Atlas said on ESPN Friday Night Fights “Have a true test for Adrien Broner. He’s being groomed as boxing’s next big star. I like him a lot but please match him against someone his own size and skill level, someone like Brandon Rios, Amir Khan or Lucas Matthysse.”
That does sound like a good idea for Broner because there’s nothing for him to accomplish by staying at 135 and beating guys like Ricky Burns and Gavin Rees. Those guys aren’t the same skill level as Broner, and neither of them is popular enough to make it worthwhile for Broner to fight them.
Broner says he’d take a fight with Rios if it were offered to him. It’s not going to be offered to him because Rios fights for Top Rank, and Rios’s promoter isn’t going to want to see Rios get beaten before he’s matched him against someone like Manny Pacquiao.
Matthysse and Khan would be good options, but I doubt that Golden Boy will risk having Khan take on a good fighter like Broner because they look like they’re trying to rebuild Khan’s image right now after he was beaten twice recently. Matthysse is a possibility but I don’t see Golden Boy making that fight because Matthysse isn’t a big name and it would be a risky fight for Broner.
If Broner does move up to 140, I have a feeling that he’ll have problems getting the big fights that he wants. I can see him getting a fight with someone like IBF 140 pound champion Lamont Peterson, but not against the other champions.
Props:
IronLungs420
Floyd Mayweather Jr. Has started a trend with Olympic style drug testing
Boxing article posted on January 7th, 2013 | Post Comment
floyd mayweather jr Floyd Mayweather Jr. has started a trend with this Olympic style drug testing as of late, lately that style of testing is being purpose in possible upcoming bouts like Manny Pacquiao/Juan Manuel Marquez & Sergio Martinez/Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and It makes a world of sense. Just like MLB (Major League Baseball) has done with their performance enhancing drugs issues by having random testing throughout the season, boxing should do the same.
Olympic style drug testing should become a norm in boxing in order to clean the sport and rid it of it’s cheaters. If this is implied, no longer will people suspect some fighters of using performance enhancing drugs and no longer will clean fighters careers and lives be in danger by these cheaters. Some people believe that with the current methods of testing fighters and trainers know how to work around and beat the current tests. The latest fighters that got caught using PED’s is Lamont Peterson and who knows how long he’s been using PED’s for.
Who knows if Peterson was juiced up at the Amir Khan fight and who knows if Khan would of disposed of Peterson early in the fight instead of Peterson Winning. I think just like MLB does with it’s minor league system, Olympic style testing should also happen in amateur boxing as well to keep the youngsters from cheating their way up and instead learn how to do it by pure talent and strength. It remains to be seen if the people who govern this sport will apply this change,but it should consider it, What harm can it do cleaning the sport of boxing.
Boxing article posted on January 7th, 2013 | Post Comment
floyd mayweather jr Floyd Mayweather Jr. has started a trend with this Olympic style drug testing as of late, lately that style of testing is being purpose in possible upcoming bouts like Manny Pacquiao/Juan Manuel Marquez & Sergio Martinez/Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and It makes a world of sense. Just like MLB (Major League Baseball) has done with their performance enhancing drugs issues by having random testing throughout the season, boxing should do the same.
Olympic style drug testing should become a norm in boxing in order to clean the sport and rid it of it’s cheaters. If this is implied, no longer will people suspect some fighters of using performance enhancing drugs and no longer will clean fighters careers and lives be in danger by these cheaters. Some people believe that with the current methods of testing fighters and trainers know how to work around and beat the current tests. The latest fighters that got caught using PED’s is Lamont Peterson and who knows how long he’s been using PED’s for.
Who knows if Peterson was juiced up at the Amir Khan fight and who knows if Khan would of disposed of Peterson early in the fight instead of Peterson Winning. I think just like MLB does with it’s minor league system, Olympic style testing should also happen in amateur boxing as well to keep the youngsters from cheating their way up and instead learn how to do it by pure talent and strength. It remains to be seen if the people who govern this sport will apply this change,but it should consider it, What harm can it do cleaning the sport of boxing.
Will 2013’s Fight Night game deprive us of the Mega Match as well?
Boxing article posted on January 7th, 2013 | Post Comment
By James Le Blanc IV: The great thing for boxing fans/gamers here in 2013 is that we are due for another Fight Night. The last few boxing games have not featured Floyd Mayweather and what surprised boxing fans two years ago when the roster for Fight Night Champion came out was the incredible number of top fighters that were not show cased in the game. There are a lot of political reasons as to why some of our favorite fighters are not in the game and not every case is the same.
Brian Hayes the Producer of Fight Night expressed his own frustration stating, “It’s not like boxing is chock-full of stand-up guys accustomed to a strict code of business ethics, nor is it populated by an abundance of athletes with a realistic perception of their brand value and/or mainstream appeal.”
While Hayes clearly shows that his frustrations are on par with fans that wanted to see certain fighters in the game he also made a note to state that some boxers were extremely professional and helpful with the process of getting in the game. Here is a list of fighters fans hope to see in this year’s Fight night that were not featured in 2011’s Fight Night Champion.
Floyd Mayweather
Andre Ward
Sergio Martinez
Julio Chavez Jr
Adrien Broner
Bam Bam Rios
Carl Froch
Canelo Alvarez
James Kirkland
Amir Khan
Juan Manuel Marquez
Juan Manuel Lopez
Abner Mares
Mikkel Kessler
Austin Trout
Andre Dirrell
With all the issues embodied in the sport of boxing including PED use or Judges Incompetence, by far the most frustrating issue would be the top two promotional company’s inability to work with each other to give the fans the fights they want to see. The first fight that comes to mind is of course Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacman. Now that this fight is unlikely to happen in light of Manny’s recent knockout loss there is another fight that is not happening due to the two promotional companies. Fans have been asking all last year for Nonito Donaire to face Abner Mares. Let’s see the best fight the best, but the problem is, one fighter fights for Top Rank and the other for Golden Boy. We may never see this fight happen nor will we see a change to this issue in the near future.
Sports fans/gamers are always able to set up matches they want to see when it comes to Madden or NBA2K. But boxing fans can’t even do this because their favorite fighters are not even in the game. I know the solution to this problem is tough but my answer first would be to pay Floyd what he wants to not only be in the game, but on the cover. I guarantee the game will sell and casual fans will pick it up just to create the showdown we have been asking for years and years. I believe just as Floyd is able to put up big numbers when it comes to PPV events he will be able to do the same for the game and the creators of Fight Night will get their money back. As someone that has been big on the game I have noticed the consistent effort in bringing in classical fighters like Ali, Tyson, Foreman, Leonard, and Hearns. What we need now is more effort to be done to get today’s top fighters so that the game is just as relevant as the sport. I’m sure I missed some names up there and it would be great to have every top fighter in the game but this isn’t realistic. What is realistic is getting the best boxer in the sport today to be in the game, the #1 P4P fighter and the biggest money generator in the sport.
Follow me on twitter J @james _theGrad
Boxing article posted on January 7th, 2013 | Post Comment
By James Le Blanc IV: The great thing for boxing fans/gamers here in 2013 is that we are due for another Fight Night. The last few boxing games have not featured Floyd Mayweather and what surprised boxing fans two years ago when the roster for Fight Night Champion came out was the incredible number of top fighters that were not show cased in the game. There are a lot of political reasons as to why some of our favorite fighters are not in the game and not every case is the same.
Brian Hayes the Producer of Fight Night expressed his own frustration stating, “It’s not like boxing is chock-full of stand-up guys accustomed to a strict code of business ethics, nor is it populated by an abundance of athletes with a realistic perception of their brand value and/or mainstream appeal.”
While Hayes clearly shows that his frustrations are on par with fans that wanted to see certain fighters in the game he also made a note to state that some boxers were extremely professional and helpful with the process of getting in the game. Here is a list of fighters fans hope to see in this year’s Fight night that were not featured in 2011’s Fight Night Champion.
Floyd Mayweather
Andre Ward
Sergio Martinez
Julio Chavez Jr
Adrien Broner
Bam Bam Rios
Carl Froch
Canelo Alvarez
James Kirkland
Amir Khan
Juan Manuel Marquez
Juan Manuel Lopez
Abner Mares
Mikkel Kessler
Austin Trout
Andre Dirrell
With all the issues embodied in the sport of boxing including PED use or Judges Incompetence, by far the most frustrating issue would be the top two promotional company’s inability to work with each other to give the fans the fights they want to see. The first fight that comes to mind is of course Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacman. Now that this fight is unlikely to happen in light of Manny’s recent knockout loss there is another fight that is not happening due to the two promotional companies. Fans have been asking all last year for Nonito Donaire to face Abner Mares. Let’s see the best fight the best, but the problem is, one fighter fights for Top Rank and the other for Golden Boy. We may never see this fight happen nor will we see a change to this issue in the near future.
Sports fans/gamers are always able to set up matches they want to see when it comes to Madden or NBA2K. But boxing fans can’t even do this because their favorite fighters are not even in the game. I know the solution to this problem is tough but my answer first would be to pay Floyd what he wants to not only be in the game, but on the cover. I guarantee the game will sell and casual fans will pick it up just to create the showdown we have been asking for years and years. I believe just as Floyd is able to put up big numbers when it comes to PPV events he will be able to do the same for the game and the creators of Fight Night will get their money back. As someone that has been big on the game I have noticed the consistent effort in bringing in classical fighters like Ali, Tyson, Foreman, Leonard, and Hearns. What we need now is more effort to be done to get today’s top fighters so that the game is just as relevant as the sport. I’m sure I missed some names up there and it would be great to have every top fighter in the game but this isn’t realistic. What is realistic is getting the best boxer in the sport today to be in the game, the #1 P4P fighter and the biggest money generator in the sport.
Follow me on twitter J @james _theGrad
Props:
Swayze
Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez 5: signs seem to be pointing to a September bout
Boxing article posted on January 7th, 2013 | Post Comment
Pacquiao Marquez 5 Pacquiao vs. Marquez 5 manny pacquiao juan manuel marquez By Omar Torres: Seems like all signs are pointing to Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez for the 5th time in September 2013. Marquez has said that his boxing status was up to his wife. If she thought he should retire, he would rise into the sun set and retire. If she permits him to take on the Pacman one final time he would be open for negotiations.
Pacquiao’s camp seems to believe that Manny will get a chance to redeem himself for this past December’s defeat, and Pacquiao is not ready to hang up the gloves just yet. Bob Arum has also came out publicly and said that a fifth fight between Pacquiao and Marquez was imminent, which most likely means the next night Marquez and Pacquiao will have will most likely be between each other with no tune up match in between for both boxers which is exciting.
I know some people think Pacquiao should have a tune up fight like fighting Tim Bradley again is being suggested by many before fighting Marquez but if you look.at the fight Pacquiao was dominating ‘La Dinamita’ for most of the fight until he got hit with that devastating power shot that knocked Manny out cold. The 5th installment of the rivalry that is Pacquiao Marquez should be another exciting fight that will undoubtedly sell and will be action packed. If you love boxing,then you will love the fact that we get to see these two living legends will square off at least one more time.
Boxing article posted on January 7th, 2013 | Post Comment
Pacquiao Marquez 5 Pacquiao vs. Marquez 5 manny pacquiao juan manuel marquez By Omar Torres: Seems like all signs are pointing to Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez for the 5th time in September 2013. Marquez has said that his boxing status was up to his wife. If she thought he should retire, he would rise into the sun set and retire. If she permits him to take on the Pacman one final time he would be open for negotiations.
Pacquiao’s camp seems to believe that Manny will get a chance to redeem himself for this past December’s defeat, and Pacquiao is not ready to hang up the gloves just yet. Bob Arum has also came out publicly and said that a fifth fight between Pacquiao and Marquez was imminent, which most likely means the next night Marquez and Pacquiao will have will most likely be between each other with no tune up match in between for both boxers which is exciting.
I know some people think Pacquiao should have a tune up fight like fighting Tim Bradley again is being suggested by many before fighting Marquez but if you look.at the fight Pacquiao was dominating ‘La Dinamita’ for most of the fight until he got hit with that devastating power shot that knocked Manny out cold. The 5th installment of the rivalry that is Pacquiao Marquez should be another exciting fight that will undoubtedly sell and will be action packed. If you love boxing,then you will love the fact that we get to see these two living legends will square off at least one more time.
Schaefer: Mayweather-canelo Will Break Records
By Robert Morales
We could be one step away from a big pay-per-view showdown between junior middleweight champions Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. The two fighters are slated to return on the same date, May 4th, but in separate fights at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Mayweather's return on the MGM card has been confirmed, likely against frontrunner Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero, and the details of Canelo's return are still being worked out.
This is where it gets interesting. It would not be the first time two stars like Mayweather and Alvarez fought different opponents on the same card. If they win their upcoming fights, there is a strong chance they could face each other on September 14th - Mexican Independence Day Weekend.
With a bout between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao now in the trash can after Pacquiao was brutally knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez last month, a Mayweather-Alvarez bout would definitely be the next best thing.
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who promotes Canelo and works with Mayweather, discussed whether the fight could break records the way everyone figured Mayweather-Pacquiao would have had it not gone up in smoke.
"I think that potential fight between Mayweather and Alvarez is getting bigger with each passing month or each passing fight," Schaefer said. "I do think if that fight eventually does happen, that it can definitely be a record-breaker. I sort of look what we have done with Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya, where we are holding the all-time record of pay-per-view buys, a little over 2.5 million (for Mayweather's split-decision win over De La Hoya in 2007).
"Do I think that Floyd Mayweather is substantially bigger today than when he fought Oscar De La Hoya? Absolutely. Do I think that `Canelo' is yet as big as Oscar? No, I don't think so, but I think he's getting there. ... Do I think this could be a record-breaker?
"Absolutely."
For now, it's all conjecture. But we would love to see Mayweather-Alvarez. The feeling here is it would definitely do at least 2 million pay-per-view buys.
Of course, Guerrero could beat Mayweather and ruin the whole thing. Alvarez could lose his next fight, too. Stuff happens. Just ask Pacquiao.
Source: Boxingscene
By Robert Morales
We could be one step away from a big pay-per-view showdown between junior middleweight champions Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. The two fighters are slated to return on the same date, May 4th, but in separate fights at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Mayweather's return on the MGM card has been confirmed, likely against frontrunner Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero, and the details of Canelo's return are still being worked out.
This is where it gets interesting. It would not be the first time two stars like Mayweather and Alvarez fought different opponents on the same card. If they win their upcoming fights, there is a strong chance they could face each other on September 14th - Mexican Independence Day Weekend.
With a bout between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao now in the trash can after Pacquiao was brutally knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez last month, a Mayweather-Alvarez bout would definitely be the next best thing.
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who promotes Canelo and works with Mayweather, discussed whether the fight could break records the way everyone figured Mayweather-Pacquiao would have had it not gone up in smoke.
"I think that potential fight between Mayweather and Alvarez is getting bigger with each passing month or each passing fight," Schaefer said. "I do think if that fight eventually does happen, that it can definitely be a record-breaker. I sort of look what we have done with Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya, where we are holding the all-time record of pay-per-view buys, a little over 2.5 million (for Mayweather's split-decision win over De La Hoya in 2007).
"Do I think that Floyd Mayweather is substantially bigger today than when he fought Oscar De La Hoya? Absolutely. Do I think that `Canelo' is yet as big as Oscar? No, I don't think so, but I think he's getting there. ... Do I think this could be a record-breaker?
"Absolutely."
For now, it's all conjecture. But we would love to see Mayweather-Alvarez. The feeling here is it would definitely do at least 2 million pay-per-view buys.
Of course, Guerrero could beat Mayweather and ruin the whole thing. Alvarez could lose his next fight, too. Stuff happens. Just ask Pacquiao.
Source: Boxingscene
Schaefer doesn’t see Arum working with him to make Mares vs. Donaire
Boxing article posted on January 8th, 2013 | Post Comment
Mares Donaire Mares vs. Donaire nonito donaire abner mares By Allan Fox: Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer doesn’t think believe that Top Rank promoter Bob Arum will want to sit down and workout a fight between his fighter WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (31-1, 21 KO’s) and Golden Boy’s fighter WBC super bantamweight champion Abner Mares (25-0, 13 KO’s).
Schaefer said to Steve Kim at maxboxing.com “It’s pretty obvious that Top Rank doesn’t want to work with us. I mean, I think [Bob] Arum can’t be clearer in that regard and so, unfortunately, I don’t see that fight happening.”
It’s strange because Arum talks about wanting to match Donaire against Mares, but I can’t see it happening because it’s just so rare that the two promotional companies match their top fighters against each other. The lesser aren’t as much of an issue, but the big name guys like Manny Pacquiao and now Donaire, you just don’t see the two companies cooperating with one another to make important fights.
Mares has a mandatory defense of his World Boxing Council title due against #1 Victor Terrazas (36-2-1, 21 KO’s), Schaefer doesn’t know if Mares will take that fight or look at another option. I guess Mares could in theory move up in weight to the featherweight division to look to capture one of the titles at that weight class. Schaefer says he wants to make the Mares-Donaire fight but he doubts that it’s a doable fight.
If Mares can’t get the Donaire fight then he really needs to consider moving up in weight because there’s no one for him to fight at super bantamweight. The bigger names are at featherweight and super featherweight if Mares can successfully move up to those weight divisions. It’s something to think about because if it doesn’t work out he can always move back down to super bantamweight and recapture one or more of the titles.
Boxing article posted on January 8th, 2013 | Post Comment
Mares Donaire Mares vs. Donaire nonito donaire abner mares By Allan Fox: Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer doesn’t think believe that Top Rank promoter Bob Arum will want to sit down and workout a fight between his fighter WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (31-1, 21 KO’s) and Golden Boy’s fighter WBC super bantamweight champion Abner Mares (25-0, 13 KO’s).
Schaefer said to Steve Kim at maxboxing.com “It’s pretty obvious that Top Rank doesn’t want to work with us. I mean, I think [Bob] Arum can’t be clearer in that regard and so, unfortunately, I don’t see that fight happening.”
It’s strange because Arum talks about wanting to match Donaire against Mares, but I can’t see it happening because it’s just so rare that the two promotional companies match their top fighters against each other. The lesser aren’t as much of an issue, but the big name guys like Manny Pacquiao and now Donaire, you just don’t see the two companies cooperating with one another to make important fights.
Mares has a mandatory defense of his World Boxing Council title due against #1 Victor Terrazas (36-2-1, 21 KO’s), Schaefer doesn’t know if Mares will take that fight or look at another option. I guess Mares could in theory move up in weight to the featherweight division to look to capture one of the titles at that weight class. Schaefer says he wants to make the Mares-Donaire fight but he doubts that it’s a doable fight.
If Mares can’t get the Donaire fight then he really needs to consider moving up in weight because there’s no one for him to fight at super bantamweight. The bigger names are at featherweight and super featherweight if Mares can successfully move up to those weight divisions. It’s something to think about because if it doesn’t work out he can always move back down to super bantamweight and recapture one or more of the titles.
Canelo possibly won’t fight on May 4th against Trout unless he gets guarantee of Mayweather fight on September 14th
Boxing article posted on January 8th, 2013 | Post Comment
saul alvarez floyd mayweather jr austin trout By Dan Ambrose: According to fightnews.com, a source is saying that WBC junior middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KO’s) won’t agree to fight WBA junior middleweight champion Austin Trout on May 4th on Golden Boy’s pay per view card on HBO unless Golden Boy can guarantee him that he’ll get a fight against WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. on September 14th later on in the year. If Golden Boy can’t guarantee Canelo that, he’ll fight on another date and possibly in Mexico instead of the USA.
I think Canelo might have to go looking for another fight card because I don’t know if Golden Boy can guarantee a Mayweather fight for Canelo just because he feels he wants it. It’s not easy to get Mayweather to agree to anything unless he himself has decided he wants a particular fight.
I think Golden Boy can talk to him or his adviser until their blue in the face and it’s not going to work unless Mayweather wants the fight. Canelo might be hurting himself by showing a little much interest.
Golden Boy obviously wants to have Canelo on the May 4th card, headlined by Mayweather, because it means a lot more pay per view money, but I really doubt they’re going to be able to give Canelo want he wants.
If Canelo faces Trout on May 4th, the chances are high that Golden Boy won’t have to worry about matching Canelo with Mayweather because Trout will out-box the kid and make Canelo look bad in doing so. I suppose might get a guarantee that he’d get the Mayweather fight in September win or loss in the Trout fight, but who would want to see Mayweather fight a recently beaten Canelo if he can’t beat Trout in May and I don’t think he can unless it’s controversial.
I don’t think it’s something that Golden Boy can deliver for Canelo and they should just tell him to forget it. If he wants to fight Floyd that badly then he needs to start fighting top junior middleweights for a change and make a name for himself instead of fighting all these pas their prime welterweights welterweights.
Boxing article posted on January 8th, 2013 | Post Comment
saul alvarez floyd mayweather jr austin trout By Dan Ambrose: According to fightnews.com, a source is saying that WBC junior middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KO’s) won’t agree to fight WBA junior middleweight champion Austin Trout on May 4th on Golden Boy’s pay per view card on HBO unless Golden Boy can guarantee him that he’ll get a fight against WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. on September 14th later on in the year. If Golden Boy can’t guarantee Canelo that, he’ll fight on another date and possibly in Mexico instead of the USA.
I think Canelo might have to go looking for another fight card because I don’t know if Golden Boy can guarantee a Mayweather fight for Canelo just because he feels he wants it. It’s not easy to get Mayweather to agree to anything unless he himself has decided he wants a particular fight.
I think Golden Boy can talk to him or his adviser until their blue in the face and it’s not going to work unless Mayweather wants the fight. Canelo might be hurting himself by showing a little much interest.
Golden Boy obviously wants to have Canelo on the May 4th card, headlined by Mayweather, because it means a lot more pay per view money, but I really doubt they’re going to be able to give Canelo want he wants.
If Canelo faces Trout on May 4th, the chances are high that Golden Boy won’t have to worry about matching Canelo with Mayweather because Trout will out-box the kid and make Canelo look bad in doing so. I suppose might get a guarantee that he’d get the Mayweather fight in September win or loss in the Trout fight, but who would want to see Mayweather fight a recently beaten Canelo if he can’t beat Trout in May and I don’t think he can unless it’s controversial.
I don’t think it’s something that Golden Boy can deliver for Canelo and they should just tell him to forget it. If he wants to fight Floyd that badly then he needs to start fighting top junior middleweights for a change and make a name for himself instead of fighting all these pas their prime welterweights welterweights.
Canelo is smart, why the fuck would he get on a card with mayweather again if he's not fighting him. I ain't paying to see Mayweather vs ghost. I'll pay to see Canelo vs trout though.
Lol @ Canelo being on undercards, hahaha the fastest rising star and probably second most popular fighter should only be doing main events. Anything else isn't worth his time. #CaneloTakeOver2013
Real talk, time for a real test
Lol @ Canelo being on undercards, hahaha the fastest rising star and probably second most popular fighter should only be doing main events. Anything else isn't worth his time. #CaneloTakeOver2013
Real talk, time for a real test
Last edited: