Boxing News Thread

[REdRUM]

What's this rumor I'm hearing about a ''return'' by Erik Morales? Anyone else hear about it?

Personally...if he and Marco Antonio Barrera want to come back and beat the shit out of each other, or if he'd fight Juan Manuel Marquez, I'd watch it. Even pay for it.

Otherwise, I'd prefer if one of my favorite boxers of all time would stay retired.







Sidenote: What ever happened to Parkboyz? Did he change his name?

 

[naner12]

Holy shit .. Holt laid him the fuck out. That shit was ridiculous.

 

[heyzel]

Floyd Sr. Feels Mayweather Jr. Will Still Return To Boxing

By Mark Vester

Despite the recent comments of Floyd Mayweather Jr., his father/former trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., still feels the big paydays will lure his son back to the sport of boxing. Last Friday, Mayweather Jr. spoke out for the first time since announcing his retirement a few weeks back, and told the Grand Rapids Press that he would not return unless there was a $100 million dollars waiting for him.

"I'm through," Mayweather said. "Once I tell people I'm through, I'm through. People say, 'Oh, he retired and came back, after the De La Hoya fight.' I didn't retire and come back. I just fought one more fight, against Ricky Hatton. And as soon as I beat him, it was, 'What about this guy?' and 'What about that guy?' It's never good enough. Some boxing people weren't going to be happy until I take a loss, and that's not ever going to happen. I achieved all I wanted to achieve.

"And if I did want to come back, I was going to make, what, $50 million (for the De La Hoya rematch)? You know what, don't call my phone unless you've got $100 million. I was truly, truly blessed to have good people around me and I was smart during my career. "I made great investments. By the end of this year, I should be a billionaire."

Floyd Sr. was going to train Oscar De La Hoya for a rematch with his son, previously scheduled for September, but the fight was obviously scrapped after Mayweather Jr's retirement announcement. He thinks his son made the right move by walking away, but at some point he sees a return.

"He made the right decision," Floyd Sr. told the Las Vegas Review Journal. "But he'll be back. When? I can't tell you that. But what will bring him back is the money. He likes those big paydays."

De La Hoya's bout has been changed to December 6 and Floyd Sr. says their camp for the fight will begin shortly. The opponent has not been set. Miguel Cotto, should he beat Antonio Margarito on July 26, is the favorite to get the fight. Floyd Sr. reunited with De La Hoya for the May 5 bout against Steve Forbes. He liked what he saw in Oscar's offense, but he felt the former six-division champ was lacking the proper defense and took too make punches during the twelve-round win.

"Oscar was so focused on his offense that his defense wasn't as sharp as it should be," Floyd Sr said. "But he's learning to relax in the ring and not waste energy

 

[heyzel]

David Haye To Confront Wladimir Klitschko in Germany

By Mark Vester

Former undisputed cruiserweight champ David Haye is up to his old tricks and plans to confront IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on July 12 in Germany when the Ukranian fighter defends the belts against mandatory challenger Tony Thompson. Haye is training to begin his heavyweight campaign this October and he's been doing everything possible to get a crack at Klitschko. Several months ago, Haye used the same tactic and confronted Klitschko during a charity event in London.

"I've looked Wladimir in the eye and I'm not so sure he fancies getting in the ring with me," said Haye to The Sunday News. "He is talking about meeting me at the 02 Arena in London but I'm not sure that is what he really wants - and that's why I'm going to Hamburg to confront him. The heavyweight division is about to vanish off the face of the earth and I'm going to tell Wladimir that he can help me save it. It's a total joke - nobody has taken the heavyweight division seriously since Lennox Lewis retired."

Monte Barrett, who recently knocked out Tye Fields, is calling for the October date with Haye.

"I want David Haye next," Barrett said. "I just slayed one giant in Tye Fields and now I'm ready to go across the pond and beat that big Brit. I know I am better than him and will knock him flat on his back. Haye is a David Telesco look-alike and we're ready to Roy Jones him."

When the paper spoke with Haye's manager Adam Booth, he didn't seem interested in the contest and said the fight does interest them unless Barrett is able to get a top-ten ranking with one of the major sanctioning bodies.

"If he's not top ten then it's not a consideration", said Booth. "There's no point in him shouting his mouth off. If people want to fight David Haye then they shouldn't be shouting their mouth off in the press, they should be calling me!"

 

[heyzel]

Ricardo Torres: "I Got Careless and Kendall Holt Got Me

by Mark DeSisto at ringside

LAS VEGAS – In 61 seconds of punching madness, Kendall Holt exacted revenge on WBO light welterweight champion Ricardo Torres with a brutal first-round knockout at the Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino Saturday night.

Colombian champion Torres, who had stopped Holt in eleven rounds in Colombia back in September of 2007, came out flying and floored Holt with a right hand. Holt bounced up quickly and actually took another right hand before referee Jay Nady pointed Torres to the corner and administered the mandatory eight count.

Torres pounced on Holt, flooring him again with a glancing left hook. Holt was up quickly again and seemingly clear-headed after Nady’s count, when Torres made a tactical error of attacking wildly the talented and big punching Paterson, New Jersey resident. Holt (24-2, 13 KOs) caught Torres with a right hand that put him to the ropes and Holt’s second right hand was a devastating punch that slumped a motionless Torres into a seated position on the middle rope, head down, out cold, and the fight was over just 1:01 into the first round.

From a five feet away ringside view, this writer could see Torres left foot eerily twitching, reminiscent of heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson’s first knockout of Ingemar Johansson in 1960.

“I had him in my hands, I got careless, and he got me,” stated a disappointed Torres after the fight.

Torres (32-2, 28 KOs) who took a good ten minutes after the knockout to come around and communicate effectively, was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons.

“This is better than a dream come true” said new champion Holt.

Regarding his two visits to the canvas, Holt had this to say: “I may go down, but I get back up.

“I never saw the first knockdown coming, I looked away and was distracted. The second knockdown I saw it coming but couldn’t do anything about it. I wasn’t hurt and thought to myself to just let it go.

“I caught him perfect and was pretty sure that would end it. I want to thank Torres for the rematch. He didn’t have to come here to the United States to do this and for that reason I am champion

 

[heyzel]

Kendall Holt vs. Lamont Peterson Eyed By Top Rank

By Mark Vester

Top Rank is already making moves to set up the first title defense of newly crowned WBO junior welterweight champion Kendall Holt. Last Saturday in Las Vegas, Holt knocked out Ricardo Torres in 61-seconds to capture the title in a wild first round. Holt was quickly dropped twice in the bout and came back later on with a wicked right to knock Torres out cold.

Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank, told Keith "What The Heck" Idec that unbeaten prospect Lamont Peterson, who stopped Rogelio Castaneda on the Holt-Torres undercard, is a natural opponent for Holt's first defense. Top Rank has already spoken with Showtime about the fight.

"[Peterson is] an obvious, natural opponent for [Holt]," duBoef said. "And we have talked to Showtime about it."

Peterson is not alone. The WBO informed Top Rank that Willy Blain of France is the mandatory and Holt has to meet him within 120-days. Idec notes that Top Rank is able to apply for an extension if they want to push through the bout with Peterson.

Torres is hoping that a trilogy bout can be made with Holt down the line. He stopped Holt in a very controversial first fight last September in Colombia.

"I won the first time," Torres said. "The second time, I was winning the fight. It was very competitive. I think we're made for each other. I think we should do it a third time."

 

[heyzel]

Witter Aims For Bradley, Moore Targets John Duddy

By Mark Vester

Former champ Junior Witter is still trying to land a revenge bout with unbeaten Timothy Bradley. Witter was upset by Bradley in May, losing a split-decision, and also lost his WBC junior welterweight title and his dream of facing UK rival Ricky Hatton.

Witter was dropped during the contest and then outworked down the stretch. He still feels Bradley is not better than him.

"It's my only goal; to be back on top completely. And beating Bradley to win the title back is the way I want to do it," Witter told the Sheffield Star. "I know I'm better than him and realistically I don't have to prove that because it's plainly obvious. He knows that and he knows that eventually he will have to face me again."

Bradley is willing to fight Witter again, "if the money was right."

Jamie Moore tells the Irish Sun that he's been promised a shot at "Irish" John Duddy, if Duddy drops down to junior middleweight as expected and wins a major title. That's only one end of the chip. Moore would have to beat Zaurbek Baysangurov in September and get himself into the top 10 rankings to seal the deal.

"Me against John Duddy would be a hell of a fight," said Moore. "I've shown what I'm made of and he's shown he's got a granite chin and that he can dig deep. The fans would be in for a tr

 

[heyzel]

Mayweather Jr. Blasts De La Hoya in New Documentary

By Mark Vester

HBO were not the only recipients of Floyd Mayweather Jr's wrath. The former five-division champion blasted his father Floyd Sr, and ring-rival Oscar De La Hoya in a new retirement documentary being put together by New York producer Anthony Carvalho. Mayweather held nothing back during his narration in the film.

"Oscar De La Hoya, f*ck you and f*ck everything you stand for. I don't like you, you don't like me," Mayweather was quoted by the Grand Rapids Press as saying in the film.

Mayweather won a split-decision over De La Hoya last May in a bout that broke pay-per-view and live gate records. The rematch was set for September 20, but later cancelled once Mayweather announced his retirement from the sport.

Carvalho was said to have given stacks of still photos and hundreds of hours of videotape to use in the film. The videos include more than 200 tapes of unlabeled raw footage. The paper says the documentary will be two hours long.

 

[heyzel]

BoxingScene.com's Third Quarter Divisional Ratings

By Cliff Rold


The following provides a detailed list of results from April-July based on the second quarter ratings; the affects can be found directly below. Readers will note that some swings occur at the bottom of divisions not based on losses by rated fighters. This is largely a variable factor of using the sanctioning bodies as a component.

Heavyweight (201 lbs.-Unlimited)

Second Quarter Results

05/03: #10 Alexander Dimitrenko (28-0, 18 KO) W TKO5 Derric Rossy (18-2, 10 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Heavyweight Championship: Vacant

Vacant Since: Retirement of Lennox Lewis 02/06/2004

Top Ten Contenders

1. Wladimir Klitschko (50-3, 44 KO, IBF/WBO) - 2.057

2. Ruslan Chagaev (24-0-1, 17 KO, WBA) -9.02

3. Samuel Peter (30-1, 23 KO, WBC) - 11.032

4. Nicolay Valuev (48-1, 34 KO) - 36.02

5. Alexander Povetkin (15-0, 11 KO) - 49

6. John Ruiz (43-7-1, 29 KO) - 58.13

7. Sultan Ibragimov (22-1-1, 17 KO) - 59.062

8. Alexander Dimitrenko (28-0, 18 KO) - 67

9. Tony Thompson (31-1, 19 KO) - 71.031

10. Vladimir Virchis (24-1, 20 KO) - 73.04

Rating Notes…Next to nothing happened at Heavyweight in Boxing’s second quarter and it would be hard to find anyone who noticed or cared…#1 Klitschko has a chance to further solidify his position against #9 Thompson on July 12…Big brother Vitali will allegedly finish a camp healthy to challenge #3 Sam Peter in the Fall for his first fight in almost three years…Also on tap, #4 Valuev and #6 Ruiz will engage in a rematch of their mildly controversial first encounter in 2005…Eventually, heavyweight might produce something interesting.

Cruiserweight (176-200 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

04/05: #3 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (41-2, 31 KO) W KO1 Gabor Gyuris (6-11)
04/12: #7 Marco Huck (20-1, 15 KO) W TKO5 Leon Nzama (2-6)
04/19: #4 Tomasz Adamek (34-1, 23 KO) W TKO8 #8 O’Neil Bell (26-3-1, 24 KO)

05/03: #6 Firat Arslan (29-3-1, 18 KO, WBA) W UD12 Darnell Wilson (23-7-3, 20 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Cruiserweight Champion: Vacant

Lineage Descends From: David Haye Vacated for Heavyweight, May 2008



Top Ten Contenders

1. Steve Cunningham (21-1, 11 KO, IBF) - 4.045

2. Firat Arslan (29-3-1, 18 KO, WBA) - 25.106

3. Tomasz Adamek (34-1, 23 KO) - 35.029

4. Jean Marc Mormeck (33-4, 22 KO) - 40.108

5. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (41-2, 31 KO) - 48.048

6. Enzo Maccarinelli (28-2, 21 KO) - 52.067

7. Marco Huck (20-1, 14 KO) - 72.05

8. O'Neil Bell (26-3-1, 24 KO) - 75.086

9. B.J. Flores (21-0-1, 13 KO) - 76.023

10. Vadim Tokarev (24-1-1, 17 KO) - 80.058

Rating Notes…The decision to vacate by Haye either opens the division wide or casts it into the disarray and lethargy that is the bulk of its history…It’s all a matter of the right fights getting made…For now, Cunningham is the leader of the class and was the most deserving contender to Haye by far. It’s too bad he never got the shot but fight fans can rest assured he’ll still be in a good fight when a possible mandatory against #3 Adamek comes due…That mandatory could also come against former U.S. Olympian BJ Flores depending on how it all shakes out…Keep an eye out for American Jonathon Banks. He’s unrated now but could soon hold the WBO title being vacated by Haye.

Light Heavyweight (169-175 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

04/12: #2 Antonio Tarver (27-4, 19 KO, IBF) W UD12 #6 Clinton Woods (41-4-1, 24 KO)
04/12: #4 Chad Dawson (26-0, 17 KO, WBC) W UD12 #7 Glen Johnson (47-12-2, 32 KO)
04/19: #9 Andre Diaconu (25-0, 15 KO) W UD12 Chris Henry (21-1, 17 KO)
04/19: World Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe (45-0, 32 KO, Ring) W SD12 #3 Bernard Hopkins (48-5-1, 32 KO)
04/26: World Champion Zsolt Erdei (29-0, 17 KO, Lineal/WBO) W UD12 DeAndrey Abron (15-2, 10 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Light Heavyweight Champion: Zsolt Erdei (29-0, 17 KO, Lineal, WBO)

Lineage Descends From: Hill SD12 Maske 11/23/1996

Top Ten Contenders

1. Joe Calzaghe (45-0, 32 KO, RING) - 4

2. Antonio Tarver (27-4, 19 KO, IBF) - 11.133

3. Chad Dawson (26-0, 17 KO, WBC) - 15

4. Bernard Hopkins (48-5-1, 32 KO) - 36.085

5. Roy Jones Jr. (52-4, 38 KO) - 39.071

6. Glen Johnson (47-11-2, 32 KO) - 47.200

7. Hugo Garay (31-3, 17 KO, WBA) - 53.088

8. Adrian Diaconu (25-0, 15 KO) - 70

9. Clinton Woods (41-4-1, 24 KO) - 71.078

10. Juergen Braehmer (31-1, 25 KO) - 74.031

Rating Notes…Calzaghe’s ratings are in a state of flux as he decides between holding onto belts at 168 lbs. and competing full time at 175 so he was assigned zero scores for sanctioning bodies. He says he has only one fight left, period, so after the September showdown with #5 Jones, Calzaghe could disappear altogether…Tarver and Dawson appear headed towards an anticipated unification bout, but a mandatory for Dawson against #8 Diaconu could get in the way. Let’s hope it all ends with Johnson getting the opportunity he earned in the controversial loss to Dawson…And with an early third quarter win against former #10 Yuri Barashian, Garay cracks the ratings as the new WBA titlist. Garay previously dropped two hotly disputed decisions to the lineal champion Erdei…Braehmer appears to now be full time at 175 and slides in at #10.

Super-Middleweight (161-168 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

04/05: #7 Juergen Braehmer (31-1, 25 KO) W TKO9 Karim Bennama (17-10-2, 4 KO)

05/10: #5 Carl Froch (23-0, 19 KO) W TKO4 Albert Rybacki (15-1, 8 KO)
05/28: #3 Anthony Mundine (32-3, 23 KO) W UD12 Sam Soliman (35-11, 13 KO)

06/21: #2 Mikkel Kessler (40-1, 30 KO, WBA) W TKO11 Dimitri Sartison (22-1, 14 KO)
06/21: 160 lb. #1 Arthur Abraham (27-0, 22 KO, WBA) W TKO4 #9 Edison Miranda (30-3, 26 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Super Middleweight Champion: Joe Calzaghe (45-0, 32 KO, Lineal/Ring/WBC/WBA/WBO)

Lineage Descends From: Calzaghe UD12 Lacy 03/04/2006

Top Ten Contenders

1. Mikkel Kessler (40-1, 30 KO, WBA) - 3.024

2. Lucien Bute (22-0, 18 KO, IBF) - 14

3. Anthony Mundine (32-3, 23 KO) - 51.086

4. Carl Froch (23-0, 19 KO) - 57

5. Librado Andrade (27-1, 21 KO) - 58.036

6. Jermain Taylor (27-2-1, 17 KO) - 61.083

7. Jeff Lacy (23-1, 17 KO) - 63.042

8. Denis Inkin (32-0, 24 KO) - 64.000

9. Edison Miranda (30-3, 26 KO) - 67.091

10. Jean Pascal (21-0, 14 KO) - 69

Ratings Notes…As has been the case since the Calzaghe-Kessler fight last year, the division awaits the future of Calzaghe to figure out where it’s headed. He hasn’t vacated all of his belts yet so he rightfully remains in the spot he earned…Back in at #1 is Kessler after picking up the WBA’s ‘other’ belt. The question is where he goes from here? He has a terrible mandatory to fulfill against Whodat Euro, but live by the sanctioning body, die by it one supposes. Taylor and Lacy linger as possibilities for 2009…#2 Bute has a tough test on tap against #5 Librado Andrade in October…And at #4, Froch could soon find himself with the vacant WBC belt. Super Middleweight could be on its way to a monster 2009, and the positioning game is interesting viewing.

Middleweight (155-160 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

04/12: #5 Sebastian Sylvester (29-2, 14 KO) W KO12 #6 Javier Castillejo (62-8, 42 KO)

06/07: World Champion Kelly Pavlik (34-0, 30 KO, Lineal/Ring/WBC/WBO) W TKO3 Gary Lockett (30-2, 21 KO)
06/21: Raul Marquez (41-3-1, 29 KO) W UD12 #8 Giovanni Lorenzo (26-1, 18 KO)
06/28: #7 John Duddy (25-0, 17 KO) W UD10 Charles Howe (17-5-2, 9 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Middleweight Champion: Kelly Pavlik (33-0, 29 KO, Lineal/Ring/WBC/WBO)

Lineage Descends From: Hopkins TKO12 Trinidad 09/29/2001

Top Ten Contenders

1. Arthur Abraham (27-0, 22 KO, IBF) - 7

2. Felix Sturm (30-2-1, 13 KO, WBA) - 14.076

3. Sebastian Sylvester (29-2, 14 KO) - 33.101

4. Ronald "Winky" Wright (51-4-1, 25 KO) - 44.08

5. Randy Griffin (24-2-3, 12 KO) - 65.121

6. John Duddy (25-0, 17 KO) - 67

7. Raul Marquez (41-3-1, 29 KO) - 75.078

8. Amin Asikainen (24-1, 16 KO) - 76.04

9. Sebastian Zbik (23-0, 9 KO) - 78.000

10. Javier Castillejo (62-8, 42 KO) - 79.114

Rating Notes…Still no big changes in the division, speaking highly of the quality up top…Abraham destroyed Edison Miranda at Super Middleweight and verified the obvious: Pavlik-Abraham is a potential Fight of the Year…After settling matters with #5 Griffin in their July 5 rematch, winning a clear unanimous decision, Sturm now looks poised for a mandatory against #3 Sylvester…Wright slips to fourth and, really, should he even be rated? He’s going to cruise past one year without fighting at all and hasn’t fought at 160 since December 2006 (against Jr. Middleweight Ike Quartey)…Marquez crashes in at #7 off of a game upset of the previously rated Giovanni Lorenzo. His reward is a mandatory date with the intimidating Abraham.

Jr. Middleweight (148-154 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

04/26: #3 Sergiy Dzinziruk (35-0, 22 KO, WBO) W MD12 Lukas Konecny (36-3, 18 KO)

05/03: #5 Oscar De La Hoya (39-5, 30 KO) W UD12 Stevie Forbes (33-6, 9 KO)

06/07: Sergio Mora (21-0-1, 5 KO, WBC) W MD12 #1 Vernon Forrest (40-3, 29 KO)
06/07: #8 Sergio Martinez (43-1-1, 22 KO) W TKO7 Archak Termeliksetian (16-7, 13 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Jr. Middleweight Champion: Vacant

Vacant Since: Ronald "Winky" Wright Vacated in 2005

Top Ten Contenders

1. Verno Phillips (42-11-1, 21 KO, IBF) - 8.213

2. Sergio Mora (21-0-1, 5 KO, WBC) - 17.023

3. Joachim Alcine (30-0, 19 KO, WBA) - 21.000

4. Sergiy Dzinziruk (35-0, 22 KO, WBO) - 23.000

5. Oscar De La Hoya (39-5, 30 KO) - 32.114

6. Cory Spinks (36-5, 11 KO) - 53.131

7. Alex Bunema (29-5-2, 15 KO) - 62.167

8. Vernon Forrest (40-3, 29 KO) - 65.048

9. Joel Julio (33-1, 30 KO) - 67.029

10. James Kirkland (22-0, 19 KO) - 73.000

Ratings Notes…Verno Phillips? At #1 in a weight class? Strange days indeed at 154, but props to an old veteran who paid his dues on the way to a career-best win over Spinks earlier this year…Contender Season One winner Sergio Mora leaps in at #2 based on the win over former Welterweight champ Forrest; can he do it again in what looks like a certain rematch?...Jr. Middleweight is more interesting right now as conjecture than reality, i.e. Will James Kirkland-Alfredo Angulo one day be a classic?

Welterweight (141-147 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

04/03: #9 Joshua Clottey (34-2, 19 KO) W TKO5 Jose Luis Cruz (36-4-2, 29 KO)
04/12: #1 Miguel Cotto (32-0, 26 KO, WBA) W RTD5 Alfonso Gomez (18-4-2, 8 KO)
04/12: #3 Antonio Margarito (36-5, 26 KO, IBF) W KO6 #5 Kermit Cintron (29-2, 27 KO)

06/07: #6 Paul Williams (34-1, 25 KO, WBO) W TKO1 #2 Carlos Quintana (25-2, 19 KO)

06/21: #7 Andre Berto (22-0, 19 KO) W TKO7 Miguel Rodriguez (29-3, 23 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Welterweight Champion: Vacant

Lineage Descends From: Floyd Mayweather Retirement 6/6/2008

1. Miguel Cotto (32-0, 26 KO, WBA) - 1.000

2. Antonio Margarito (36-5, 26 KO, IBF) - 13.125

3. Paul Williams (34-1, 25 KO, WBO) - 15.029

4. Sugar Shane Mosley (44-5, 37 KO) - 29.102

5. Andre Berto (22-0, 19 KO, WBC) - 36.000

6. Joshua Clottey (34-2, 20 KO) - 56.056

7. Luis Collazo (28-3, 13 KO) - 66.097

8. Zab Judah (36-5, 25 KO) - 69.122

9. Carlos Quintana (25-2, 19 KO) - 74.038

10. Jackson Bonsu (28-1, 23 KO) - 77.034

Rating Notes…Any big fights coming up at 147? Oh, yeah, Cotto-Margarito. Floyd who?…If Cotto wins this fight clean, there is no really good reason not to recognize the Puerto Rican star as the outright Welterweight champion. There is also no good reason for any objective ratings to have Margarito listed lower than third, even though a Margarito win would mean a necessary second showdown with Paul Williams to clear up the who of divisional king. So be it. Williams-Margarito I was excellent stuff…In the meantime, Cotto has his hands full with the most consistent member of the Welterweight upper class this decade…#3 Williams showed that losing is learning by decimating #9 Quintana in one round of their rematch. The winner of Cotto-Margarito versus Williams is a reason to wake up in the morning…Former champion Judah gets another chance to represent the IBF against #6 Clottey in October…#4 Mosley fighting Ricardo Mayorga in October is money well saved.

Jr. Welterweight (136-140 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

05/10: Timothy Bradley (22-0, 11 KO, WBC) W SD12 #1 Junior Witter (36-2, 21 KO)
05/24: #2 Paulie Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KO, IBF) W SD 12 Lovemore N’Dou (46-10-1, 31 KO)
05/24: World Champion Ricky Hatton (44-1, 31 KO, Lineal/Ring) W UD12 Juan Lazcano (37-5-1, 27 KO)

06/06: Herman Ngoudjo (17-2, 9 KO) W UD12 #6 Soulemayne M’Baye (36-3-1, 21 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Jr. Welterweight Champion: Ricky Hatton (43-1, 31 KO, Lineal/Ring)

Lineage Descends From: Tszyu KO2 Judah 11/03/2001

Top Ten Contenders

1. Paulie Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KO, IBF) - 8.038

2. Timothy Bradley (22-0, 11 KO, WBC) - 10.000

3. Kendall Holt (24-2, 13 KO, WBO) - 17.077

4. Andreas Kotelnik (29-2-1, 13 KO, WBA) - 24.077

5. Junior Witter (36-2-2, 21 KO) - 42.075

6. Ricardo Torres (32-2, 28 KO) - 71.059

7. Demetrius Hopkins (28-0-1, 11 KO) - 72.017

8. Herman Ngoudjo (17-2, 9 KO) - 75.105

9. Jose Luis Castillo (56-8-1, 48 KO) - 79.157

10. Devon Alexander (15-0, 8 KO) - 80.000

Ratings Notes…Big changes due to Witter’s surprising loss to now #2 Bradley and Kendall Holt’s off-the-floor-twice-to-win-by-knockout-all-in-a-minute war with #6 Torres on July 5th…Ngoudjo takes the place of Soulemayne M’Baye after a dominant decision victory and Lovemore N’Dou exits after a second loss to now-#1 Malignaggi…Alexander probably doesn’t belong yet, but the sanctioning bodies like him and he’s promoted by Don King. Never let it be said that the Don still doesn’t carry some stroke…Hatton-Malignaggi will be the division’s big deal later this year unless Manny Pacquiao decides he really wants Hatton before 2009.

Lightweight (131-135 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

04/04: #7 Yuri Romanov (20-2, 13 KO) W TKO6 Jonathan Thaxton (33-8, 18 KO)
04/05: #8 Amir Khan (17-0, 13 KO) W TKO7 Martin Kristjansen (19-2-3, 5 KO)

06/21: #8 Amir Khan (18-0, 14 KO) W TKO5 Michael Gomez (35-9, 24 KO)
06/25: #4 Julio Diaz (35-4, 26 KO) W TKO5 David Torres (20-1, 13 KO)
06/28: World Jr. Lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao (47-3-2, 36 KO, WBC) W KO9 #3 David Diaz (34-2-1, 17 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Lightweight Champion: Joel Casamayor (36-3-1, 22 KO, Lineal/Ring/WBC Interim)

Lineage Descends From: Castillo UD12 Lazcano 06/05/2004

Top Ten Contenders

1. Nate Campbell (32-5-1, 25 KO, WBA/WBO/IBF) - 4.145

2. Manny Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KO, WBC) - 13.077

3. Juan Diaz (33-1, 17 KO) - 20.029

4. Julio Diaz (35-4, 26 KO) - 53.103

5. Ali Funeka (30-1-2, 25 KO) - 60.061

6. Amir Khan (18-0, 14 KO) - 66.000

7. Joan Guzman (28-0, 17 KO) - 69.000

8. Michael Katsidis (23-1, 20 KO) - 69.056

9. Yuri Romanov (21-2, 14 KO) - 69.087

10. Jose Armando Santa Cruz (25-3, 14 KO) - 69.107

Rating Notes…Lightweight is on one hell of a run and it could get better. Much depends on whether or not Manny Pacquiao is serious about the division and fighting its best fighters. David Diaz followed by a proposed fight with virtually untested Jr. Lightweight titlist Edwin Valero is a little bit of smoke and mirrors…Campbell and Casamayor didn’t come to terms for a needed rematch, but fans get two toss-up matches instead. Campbell has his ends full with Guzman, who cracks the ratings at #7 after vacating his belt at Jr. Lightweight…That fight will air on 9/13 opposite Casamayor and Jr. Lightweight Juan Manuel Marquez. Of the two, Campbell-Guzman is a much better bargain at free than what could a style nightmare for payola…#3 Juan Diaz may or may not be headed towards Katsidis in a can’t miss thriller...Ali Funeka sneaks in only days into the third quarter, replacing a Zahir Raheem who he iced in four on July 5…And no, it is not forgotten that Santa Cruz got jobbed last November against Casamayor and still deserves his rematch.

Jr. Lightweight (127-130 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

04/12: #8 Cassius Baloyi (35-3-1, 18 KO, IBF) W MD12 #4 Mzonke Fana (27-4, 10 KO)

06/12: #2 Edwin Valero (24-0, 24 KO, WBA) W TKO7 Takehiro Shimada (22-4-1, 15 KO)
06/28: Francisco Lorenzo (33-4, 14 KO) W DQ4 #5 Humberto Soto (44-7-2, 28 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Jr. Lightweight Champion: Manny Pacquiao (46-3-2, 35 KO, Lineal/Ring/WBC)

Lineage Descends From: Pacquiao W12 Marquez 03/15/2008

Top Ten Contenders

1. Edwin Valero (24-0, 24 KO, WBA) - 13.000

2. Cassius Baloyi (35-3-1, 18 KO, IBF) - 20.090

3. Alex Arthur (26-1, 19 KO, WBO) - 21.037

4. Juan Manuel Marquez (48-4-1, 35 KO) - 29.049

5. Humberto Soto (44-7-2, 27 KO) - 47.151

6. Jorge Barrios (47-3-1, 34 KO) - 66.069

7. Mzonke Fana (27-4, 10 KO) - 73.040

8. Rocky Juarez (27-4, 19 KO) - 73.129

9. Sergey Gulyakevich (24-1, 12 KO) - 75.129

10. Roman Martinez (19-0-1, 11 KO) - 78.025

Ratings Notes…Want to know how shallow most divisions are with seventeen to choose from? Look at what happens to Jr. Lightweight with Guzman, Pacquiao and likely Marquez all gone or departing. Ouch…Former IBF featherweight titlist Robert Guerrero is on his way four pounds north to add some spark at 130…Soto should really have a WBC belt but for the strong breeze he created all but missing the back of Francisco Lorenzo’s head...Speaking of, Soto-Guerrero would be a solid fight.

Featherweight (123-126 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

04/05: #8 Hiroyuki Enoki (27-0-2, 19 KO) D12 Takahiro Aoh (16-0-1, 8 KO)
04/26: #6 Orlando Salido (30-9-2, 20 KO) W TKO4 Renan Acosta (21-6, 6 KO)

05/17: #5 Jorge Solis (35-1-2, 25 KO) W UD10 Miguel Roman (25-3, 17 KO)

06/28: #3 Steven Luevano (35-1-1, 15 KO, WBO) D12 Mario Santiago (19-1-1, 14 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Featherweight Champion: Vacant

Vacant Since: Manny Pacquiao vacated in 2005

Top Ten Contenders

1. Chris John (41-0-1, 22 KO, WBA) - 4.012

2. Jorge Linares (25-0, 16 KO, WBC) - 14.000

3. Steven Luevano (35-1-1, 15 KO, WBO) - 14.028

4. Jorge Solis (35-1-2, 25 KO) - 54.055

5. Orlando Salido (30-9-2, 20 KO) - 58.263

6. Hector Velasquez (50-11-2, 35 KO) - 68.197

7. Cristobal Cruz (36-11-1, 23 KO) -73.240

8. Hiroyuki Enoki (27-0-2, 19 KO) - 75.034

9. Mario Santiago (19-1-1, 14 KO) - 76.034

10. Monty Meza-Clay (28-1, 19 KO) - 79.071

Ratings Notes…John doesn't fight anyone of note and Linares hasn’t fought period since December 2007 with nothing on tap. Featherweight is a mess right now and the one bright light is the active Luevano, whose draw on the Pacquiao-Diaz undercard on June 28 with #9 Mario Santiago was the only competitive fight on an otherwise unworthy pay show…If the top featherweights aren’t showing any interest in fighting each other, economic incentives to do so existing or otherwise, why spend much time on them. Moving on. Nothing (besides Luevano) to see here.

Jr. Featherweight (119-122 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

04/04: #9 Jhonny Gonzalez (37-6, 31 KO) W KO3 Edel Ruiz (29-20-4, 20 KO)
04/05: #3 Steve Molitor (27-0, 10 KO, IBF) W UD12 Fernando Beltran (30-3-1, 18 KO)
04/06: #6 Rey Bautista (25-1, 18 KO) W KO2 Genaro Carmango (17-4, 11 KO)

05/06: #8 Ricardo Cordoba (32-1-2, 21 KO) W TKO3 Franklin Solis (11-4-1, 7 KO)
05/09: #9 Jhonny Gonzalez (38-6, 32 KO) W TKO4 Mauricio Pastrana (34-9-2, 22 KO)
05/23: #5 Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (34-1, 24 KO) W TKO2 Ifan Bone (?)

06/07: #1 Celestino Caballero (29-2, 20 KO, WBA) W TKO12 Lorenzo Parra (28-2, 18 KO)
06/07: #7 Juan Manuel Lopez (22-0, 20 KO, WBO) W TKO1 #2 Daniel Ponce De Leon (34-2, 30 KO)
06/24: #5 Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (35-1, 25 KO) W KO3 Jason Butar (2-4-1)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Jr. Featherweight Champion: Israel Vasquez (42-4, 31 KO, Lineal/Ring/WBC)

Lineage Descends From: Vasquez TKO3 Larios 12/03/2005

Top Ten Contenders

1. Celestino Caballero (29-2, 20 KO, WBA) - 7.065

2. Juan Manuel Lopez (22-0, 20 KO, WBO) - 14.000

3. Rafael Marquez (37-5, 33 KO) - 14.119

4. Steve Molitor (27-0, 10 KO, IBF) - 16.000

5. Jhonny Gonzalez (38-6, 32 KO) - 58.136

6. Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (35-1, 25 KO) - 61.028

7. Daniel Ponce De Leon (34-2, 30 KO) - 72.056

8. Toshiaki Nishioka (31-4-3, 19 KO) - 79.144

9. Rey Bautista (25-1, 18 KO) - 80.038

10. Akifumi Shimoda (18-1, 8 KO) - 80.053

Ratings Notes…Hey, look, fighters having interesting fights. This is more like it…Lopez arrives at #2 like a nuclear bomb after detonating the falling #7 De Leon in a single frame…#1 Caballero could be getting a unification bout with Molitor in the Fall; the winner of that bout should then immediately jump into the dance card of champion Israel Vasquez if there is any justice…There is of course still a clamor for Vasquez-Rafael Marquez IV, but maybe Rafael should get his legs back beneath him and some other divisional worthies get their chance to get in the mix…#6 Kratingdaenggym is one to note. His win over former titlist Somsak Sithchatchwal put him in line for a mandatory shot at Caballero in what could be a very good fight…Here’s an idea: Juan Manuel Lopez-Jhonny Gonzalez. More bombs away.

Bantamweight (116-118 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

04/06: #3 Gerry Penalosa (53-6-2, 36 KO, WBO) W TKO8 Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (72-10, 48 KO)

05/31: #9 Anselmo Moreno (22-1-1, 8 KO, WBA) W UD12 #2 Wladimir Sidorenko (21-1, 7 KO)
05/31: #6 Silence Mabuza (22-2, 18 KO) W TKO5 Damian Marchiano (15-4-1, 5 KO)

06/12: #1 Hozumi Hasegawa (24-2, 7 KO, WBC) W UD12 Cristian Faccio (15-3, 10 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Bantamweight Champion: Vacant

Vacant Since: Bernardo Pinango vacated March 1987

Top Ten Contenders

1. Hozumi Hasegawa (24-2, 7 KO, WBC) - 4.077

2. Anselmo Moreno (22-1-1, 8 KO, WBA) - 9.022

3. Gerry Penalosa (53-6-2, 36 KO, WBO) - 11.115

4. Joseph Agbeko (25-1, 22 KO, IBF) - 30.038

5. Wladimir Sidorenko (21-1-2, 7 KO) - 51.083

6. Silence Mabuza (22-2, 18 KO) - 55.083

7. Abner Mares (17-0, 10 KO) - 67.000

8. Alejandro Valdez (21-2-1, 15 KO) - 73.104

9. Jhonny Gonzalez (38-6, 32 KO) - 78.136

10. Vuisi Malinga (18-2-1, 11 KO) - 80.119

Ratings Notes…Hasegawa continues to shine but against who? New #10 Malinga, who removed Verapol Sahaprom from the Bantamweight mix after over a decade near the top of the class, could be a good who…#2 Moreno made the “0” go from Sidorenko; assume a rematch between the two eventually…Perhaps the most intriguing development in the division is a potential fight between #3 Penalosa and the undefeated former Mexican Olympian Mares, #7. Mares is Penalosa’s mandatory and a real chance for a star for 118 lbs.

Jr. Bantamweight (113-115 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

04/06: #10 AJ Banal (17-0-1, 14 KO) W TKO4 Caril Herrera (21-1, 13 KO)

05/17: #1 Cristian Mijares (35-3-2, 14 KO, WBC/WBA) W SD12 #3 Alexander Munoz (32-3, 27 KO)
05/17: #7 Jorge Arce (49-4-1, 37 KO) W MD12 Devid Lookmahanak (18-2, 9 KO)
05/31: #2 Fernando Montiel (37-2-1, 28 KO) W TKO3 Flyweight #10 Luis Maldonado (37-3-1, 28 KO)
05/31: #8 Z Gorres (28-2-2, 15 KO) W UD10 Nick Otieno (15-2, 5 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Jr. Bantamweight Champion: Vacant

Vacant Since: Masamori Tokuyama Retired 03/14/2007

Top Ten Contenders

1. Cristian Mijares (35-3-2, 14 KO, WBC/WBA) - 2.100

2. Fernando Montiel (37-2-1, 28 KO, WBO) - 9.062

3. Dimitri Kirilov (29-3-1, 9 KO, IBF) - 30.106

4. Alexander Munoz (32-3, 27 KO) - 44.075

5. Jorge Arce (49-4-1, 37 KO) - 45.083

6. Nobuo Nashiro (11-1, 7 KO) - 58.083

7. Vic Darchinyan (29-1-1, 23 KO) - 59.048

8. Z Gorres (27-2-2, 15 KO) - 64.094

9. Kohei Kono (21-3, 7 KO) - 75.125

10. AJ Banal (17-0-1, 14 KO) - 79.028

Ratings Notes…The awesome that has been the year to date at 115 sees no end in sight...Mijares and Montiel remain the top two with big recent wins, and the only question that matters is when…as in when are they gonna’ get in the ring together? Some speculation about a show this Fall is reason to smile…Also reason to smile is the likely rise in weight of IBF Flyweight titlist Nonito Donaire, perhaps for a fight with Arce. It should be a highly winnable fight for Donaire and could set up a big fight with Montiel or Mijares next year…Kirilov is already in preparation for a tough assignment with Darchinyan and the winner of that one can look for bigger fights as well, particularly if it’s the sellable Darchinyan…Not to be outdone, the Asia-based Nashiro and Kono will also face in September…What is not to love about this weight class?

Flyweight (109-112 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

05/03: Bernard Inom (19-1-1, 10 KO) W TKO8 #8 Andrea Sarritzu (27-4-4, 10 KO)
05/07: #7 Roberto Vasquez (25-2, 18 KO) W TKO3 Cesar Singo (21-4-1, 12 KO)
05/09: #4 Omar Narvaez (27-0-2, 17 KO, WBO) W TKO7 Ivan Pozo (28-5-1, 18 KO)
05/17: Julio Cesar Miranda (25-3-1, 18 KO) W TKO5 Jr. Flyweight #6 Omar Salado (19-1-2, 11 KO)
05/29: #9 Wandee Singwancha (56-8-1, 12 KO) W KO4 Roland Latuni (5-5-2, 2 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Flyweight Champion: Daisuke Naito (32-2-2, 20 KO, Lineal/WBC)

Lineage Descends From: Miguel Canto (1978-79*)

Top Ten Contenders

1. Nonito Donaire (19-1, 12 KO, IBF) - 5.050

2. Omar Narvaez (27-0-2, 17 KO, WBO) - 12.034

3. Takefumi Sakata (32-4-2, 15 KO, WBA) - 14.132

4. Denkaosan Kaovichit (43-1-1, 18 KO) - 41.033

5. Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (67-3-1, 34 KO) - 47.012

6. Koki Kameda (17-0, 11 KO) - 52.000

7. Wandee Singwancha (56-8-1, 12 KO) - 57.131

8. Bernard Inom (19-1-1, 11 KO) - 71.147

9. Roberto Vasquez (26-2, 19 KO) - 76.133

10. Julio Cesar Miranda (26-3-1, 19 KO) - 86.062

* Canto, a WBC champion, became clear champion when twice defended against foe Betulio Gonzalez became WBA champ on 08/13/1978

Ratings Notes…Like Featherweight, Flyweight has solid talent but big economic, political and geographic obstacles to the best fights. At least they have a slew of fights in the middle somewhere…Kameda is a mega-star in his native Japan, meaning he is also the best chance for the division to have a unification fight again ever. With champion Naito and Sakata both based in the land of the rising sun, there would be dollars aplenty in fights with either or both and he is already in position to be a mandatory to Sakata…Miranda and Inom crack the top ten with upset wins, Miranda’s coming against previously rated Omar Salado in what might be the best Flyweight fight of 2008 so far.

Jr. Flyweight (106-108 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

04/05: World Champion Ivan Calderon (31-0, 6 KO, Lineal/Ring/WBO) W UD12 Nelson Dieppa (25-5-2, 14 KO)

05/17: #10 Brian Viloria (22-2, 13 KO) W KO3 Fred Valdez (10-18, 5 KO)

06/14: #2 Edgar Sosa (32-5, 17 KO, WBC) W TKO8 Takashi Kunishige (18-3-1, 2 KO)
06/14: Juanito Rubillar (46-10-7) W SD12 #7 Omar Nino (25-3-1)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Jr. Flyweight Champion: Ivan Calderon (31-0, 6 KO, Lineal/ Ring/WBO)

Lineage Descends From: Cazares TKO10 Dieppa, 09/30/2006

Top Ten Contenders

1. Ulises Solis (26-1-2, 20 KO, IBF) - 1.100

2. Brahim Asloum (23-2, 9 KO, WBA) - 12.025

3. Edgar Sosa (32-5, 17 KO, WBC) - 13.139

4. Giovanni Segura (19-0-1, 15 KO) - 41.000

5. Hugo Cazares (26-4-1, 19 KO) - 43.080

6. Juan Landaeta (24-6-1, 18 KO) - 60.210

7. Juanito Rubillar (46-10-7, 22 KO) - 60.214

8. Omar Nino (25-3-1, 11 KO) - 62.093

9. Adrian Hernandez (13-0-1, 11 KO) - 65.037

10. Juan Carlos Reveco (18-1, 9 KO) - 65.056

Ratings Notes…Calderon is getting ready to defend the crown in a rematch with the man he took it from, Cazares. That’s a good start to the year’s second half…It still doesn’t solve for Solis and Sosa, two fighters who do nothing lately but win and in a better world would have the chance to show themselves the very best…Segura’s shot at Asloum is postponed, but he should be favored when it comes off…Rubillar cracks the ratings after upsetting the veteran Omar Nino, who slips just a tad.

Strawweight (105 lbs.)

Second Quarter Results

04/28: #8 Katsunari Takayama (21-3, 9 KO) W KO9 Mating Kilakil (1-1-1)

06/14: Raul Garcia (23-0-1, 15 KO, IBF) W SD12 #2 Florante Condes (22-4-1, 20 KO)
06/18: #3 Oleydong Sithsamerchai (27-0, 11 KO, WBC) W KO9 Junichi Ebisuoka (17-11-3, 7 KO)
06/27: #10 Nkosianthi Joyi (18-0, 14 KO) W TKO7 Sammy Gutierrez (20-3-2, 12 KO)

3rd Quarter Ratings

World Strawweight Champion: Vacant

Vacant Since: Ricardo Lopez vacated in October 1999

Top Ten Contenders

1. Yutaka Niida (23-1-3, 9 KO, WBA) - 6.000

2. Raul Garcia (23-0-1, 15 KO, IBF) - 6.021

3. Oleydong Sithsanerchai (27-0, 11 KO, WBC) - 6.135

4. Donnie Nietes (22-1-3, 13 KO, WBO) - 28.096

5. Eagle Kyowa (18-2, 6 KO) - 39.100

6. Florante Condes (22-4-1, 20 KO) - 50.093

7. Katsunari Takayama (21-3, 9 KO) - 56.125

8. Muhammad Rachman (62-6-5, 31 KO) - 59.116

9. Roman Gonzalez (19-0, 17 KO) - 61.000

10. Yasutaka Kuroki (18-3, 13 KO) - 67.143

Ratings Notes…Raul Garcia provided the highlight of the quarter with a win over Condes for the IBF belt…Nkosianthi Joyi drops out of the ratings due to shifts in computer and sanctioning body ratings…Ricardo Lopez could come out of retirement and still not make this division all that interesting but, hey, any time grown men who weight 105 lbs. can make money without wearing funny costumes or working for the circus, good for them.

Next Ratings: Full ratings updates are quarterly with the next to come in early-October 2008.

Want More: If you’re still feenin’ for lists, check out the latest installment of BoxingScene’s Pound for Pound Ratings: http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/view.php?pg=pound

Semantics

The scores here are derived from the sources noted above and the list is fairly self-explanatory. However, it must be noted that not all rankings rate a champion in each division. In cases where a lineal champion is also ‘ranked,’ the fighters below them in a given ratings system are elevated one spot. In most cases where a division has interim champions, that champion is assessed as that sanctioning bodies #1 contender and everyone below drops a spot. The number eleven is used as a substitution value for fighters rated by one body but not another, and various other logical substitutions are used when called for. Alphabelt champions are assigned a zero for all organizations (unless the division has more than

 

[heyzel]

Wright Sides With Mayweather Jr. Against "Racial" HBO

By Mark Vester

On Friday, Floyd Mayweather Jr. spoke out for the first time since announcing his retirement from the sport a few weeks ago. He sure had a lot to say, but most of the comments about HBO and their announce team made a lot of noise in the industry. He told David Mayo of the Grand Rapids Press that HBO plays the race card against black fighters. He claims the announcers do the same and worse.

"Even a guy like Jim Lampley, he praises Kelly Pavlik -- who has won some good fights, he beat Jermain Taylor twice, we have to give him credit for that -- but they talk about Kelly Pavlik, a white fighter, like he's the second coming Or they go crazy over Manny Pacquiao. But I'm a black fighter," Mayweather said. "Is it racial? Absolutely. They praise white fighters, they praise Hispanic fighters, whatever. But black fighters, they never praise. I've noticed it for a long time but I couldn't say anything because I had to do business with them. I'll still do business with them, but I'm done holding my tongue. I think HBO is great. But their announcers are full of shit."

"Jim Lampley, Larry Merchant, Emanuel Steward, they're always talking about the negative things in my life. But I've seen Jim Lampley in the same strip club as me before. They always want to talk about me going to strip clubs, but they don't want to talk about that. He caught a court case himself, too. But when they catch a case, all they do is take them off the air a couple weeks, then it's over."

Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports, issued a short reply to Mayweather's comments.

"Floyd is a tremendous athlete who gave his all to the sport," Greenburg said. "We have nothing but admiration for what he accomplished in the ring. His remarks regarding HBO broadcasters and executives are unfortunate and we could not disagree more. We will not engage in a debate. We are very disappointed in hearing about this. We wish him well in retirement."

But, former champion Winky Wright has also decided to go on the record with the paper, and says that HBO's announcers simply do not understand black fighters and the network itself does not treat black fighters in the same light as fighters from other ethnic groups.

"Black fighters, we have different styles," Wright said. "But the announcers, they want someone that just walks out there face-first. Boxing is supposed to be an art. Black fighters, we've got style, we've got pizzazz. All they want is for us to just go out there and slug.

"I think they're just always looking for the next white hype. They just don't give black fighters the same credit that they do for a white fighter, or a Hispanic fighter like De La Hoya. They definitely have their favoritism

 

[heyzel]

'A Colorblind Blackeye'?: Are Mayweather And Winky 'Wright' About Race In Boxing?

By Vivek Wallace: Lately, it appears that U.S. politics isn't the only topic that entertains the question of race. In what may quickly become a 'watershed' moment, ignited by arguably one of the sports most outspoken figures, the question of race has unfortunately found a way to rear its ugly head. In a sport best suited for those not accustomed to backing down, suddenly comes a topic that leaves most put on the spot about this matter doing just that. Last week it was reported by David Mayo of the Grand Rapids Press that longtime Pound for Pound great, Floyd Mayweather Jr., had some less than flattering things to say about the state of race as it relates to the sport. Mayweather was quoted as saying that "Pavlik should get credit for defeating Jermain Taylor twice, but they [HBO Boxing Television Crew] talk about Pavlik, a white fighter, like he's the second-coming, or they go crazy over Manny Pacquiao". He then asked rather rhetorically, "Is it being racial"? The response, "Absolutely. They praise White fighters, they praise Hispanic fighters, but Black fighters, they never praise". Chiming in on the topic a bit later was Ronald 'Winky' Wright, whose statement touched closer to perhaps the true core of the problem. Wright stated "Boxing is supposed to be an art, but the announcers, all they want is someone who goes out there face-first. But Black fighters, we've got style and pizzazz, but all they want is for us to go out there and slug it out". This statement, (in my observation), doesn't prove any blatant racism, but does point out a view that somewhat supports the thoughts of Mayweather and Wright..

In example, those familiar with the inception of the term "Pound for Pound" know that the evolution of the term started with perhaps the greatest to ever lace up a pair of gloves, Mr. "Sugar" Ray Robinson. If there was ever a textbook definition of the term, it would all come down to a fighter whose overall quality and pure talent transcends that of any other fighters overall quality and pure talent at any weight, be it higher or lower. Most recently, that fighter would be Floyd Mayweather Jr. Some would argue that Floyd Mayweather Jr. didn't get much love from the media because of his 'brash-eager-to-trash-an-opponent' swagger. Clearly, those comments don't take away his talent, but few can argue that they haven't served as a reason for those verbally presenting the fight cards (TV commentators) to take away some of the props they would ordinarily give him. While they have openly admitted that Floyd was the P4P best, based on his personality, it's safe to say they chose not to embellish him in it, rather focusing their attention on other great stars of his era. The P4P crown holder prior to him was Roy Jones Jr., who just like Floyd Mayweather Jr., was easily the sports most talented star, yet he also possessed a mouth that left some waiting for it to be closed. Two great fighters with talent unseen in this generation, yet their personalities outside of the ring was allowed to make a bigger statement than the television crew appointed to help define who they truly are inside the ring.

Arguably the best 5 minds in the sport of Boxing today, if we were to sit the the prolific Bert Sugar, the great Teddy Atlas, the legendary Angelo Dundee and Lou Duva, and the iconic Don King in a room together to have an open debate on the topic of P4P, I doubt very seriously that either of them would name 2 active fighters that actually belong in the discussion with "Sugar" Ray Robinson and company. Each of the active fighters currently under consideration are ones that are crowd pleasers, but aren't exactly what one would call a total package. This is where the true disconnect comes relative to touting certain fighters and being gun-shy when it comes to actively promoting others. If you look at various P4P list around the sport, Pavlik, Calzaghe, Pacquio, or Cotto are all in the top 5 somewhere. Pavlik, Pacquiao, and Cotto, are currently my favorite three fighters to watch, and Calzaghe I have learned to love because he's a consummate professional with great Championship tenure, but relative to a total package of talent, (meaning equally amazing offense as well as defense and everything between), which of those men would you honestly put in the class of a prime "Sugar" Ray Robinson, a prime "Iron" Mike Tyson, a prime Muhammad Ali, or a prime Roy Jones Jr.? Now this isn't to say that Pavlik and that group couldn't beat any of those legendary P4P fighters I named, but when you analyze the talents, any true boxing mind will tell you that they're on a different level totally, yet they're the ones that deserve the high acclaim in the mind of most media.

When you analyze a prime Jones Jr. and Mayweather Jr., you see talents so refined that it literally made their fights often appear very dull because their total recall and command of those skills would rarely allow them to even lose a single round in most fights. The fact that their defense and reflexes were so paramount that they were rarely hit highlights the comment made by 'Winky' Wright (one of this era's best defensive fighters) where he stated that "[they] just want to see fighters go in the ring face-first". That finding brings about the question of what exactly makes a better fighter? Is a better fighter perceived to be the guy who can take a beating and overcome it, or the guy who avoids the beating, making it all look too easy? That question brings to mind a story from years ago when NFL stud Troy Aikman was asked how he compares to Hall-of-Famers like John Elway or Dan Marino, and he stated that "he didn't understand how people felt it diminishes his ability or makes him less of a quarterback because his teams were BETTER ALL AROUND which helped him to avoid having to comeback in the clutch to win 30 some games" like the other two quarterbacks had to. That excerpt is very relative - (in an indirect way) - because just like Aikman's Dallas Cowboys proved, you can get same results with pure fundamentals that won't require you to rely on heroics and heart alone. Once again, I wouldn't be so quick to yell racism, but if you want a glimpse of the perception Mayweather and Wright speak of, think Arturo Gatti for a second. A great fighter, and a guy that I personally love to this day. This is a man who has the heart of a lion king, yet came up short quite often on the big stage. Now ask yourself, how much promotion and props did the HBO crew give him over the years in comparison to say a Roy Jones Jr.? Some would argue Gatti was more likeable, and his heart made him highly supportive, but none could argue his talent to be remotely close. Whether viewed as a fact or fallacy, it's this type of perception that makes some pull the race card. Personally, I have too much respect for Lampley, Merchant, Kellerman and the HBO crew, but perception is reality and this is a very real reality to a certain group of people.

Does race play a role in Boxing? Why ask me? I'm just another face in the crowd, blessed enough to speak out loud. But, what I will say is that as much as I don't think it's blatant racism, I do think there's a serious game of 'catch 22' being played; In the sense that there are two underlying issues, both in which are considered necessary evils due to nature and evolution, but neither in which ultimately helps certain fighters. For one, everything about entertainment is marketing and promotions, and it often seems like some of these fighters have taken that mantle on their own shoulders to compensate for what they view as weak efforts by their promotion companies, and subsequently it cost them love from the media and fans. A valid example would be Floyd Mayweather Jr. who began to open his mouth about his talent when he felt Top Rank didn't do a good enough job. A non-valid, yet equally effective (and very entertaining) example would be Mike Tyson. What would a pre-fight circus have been in the twilight of his career without him telling the world how much he wanted to eat someones kids? Everyone supposedly hated it until the bell rang, which is when they all just shut the hell up because they were too busy watching to comment. Secondly, the dynamics of the fight game has changed drastically. For some odd reason it's gone from seeking pure overall talent to a quest to see which fighter can win after taking the most punishment. If it were about pure unequivocal talent, when we talk Pound for Pound, we'd be talking about the potential that lies within guys like Cuban Yuriorkis Gamboa, and the likes of Puerto Rican Ivan Calderon, not the the classy and entertaining, yet far from fundamentally sound Kelly Pavlik and Manny Pacquiao; Both of whom get hit far too much, exposing marginal defensive skills. Miguel Cotto I think should rank higher on the list and although both he and Pacquiao are slowly rounding into better fundamental form, despite the great ring moments, when compared to the Ray Robinson's, there's very little dialogue left to be held. As out of shape as James Toney has been in recent years, when talking pound for pound, he's still a guys who's skill level and ring smarts remain nearly unparalleled. This is a guy who could barely move in recent fights due to weight issues, yet still found ways to get the "W", or make it damn close. Guys like Wright, Toney, and Hopkins rate P4P accolades in my book. Not guys who make for the best fights because they're accustomed to taking leather to give leather. That's all great for the eye of the fan, but if we judged on that basis, some would argue that we'd better make room for recent champs like Glen Johnson and Carlos Baldomir. Few have more heart than those guys.

So in closing, once again we ask is there a race issue in Boxing? After further review, I still say no, but there's clearly a political one. Now, as far as who those politics build up and tear down goes, I'll refer that question to you. After gathering your intelligence and reading this piece, now you decide.

(Disclosure: This is a highly debated topic, and this piece isn't intended in any way, shape, or form, to mold anyones opinions. For those of us out there who are true fight fans, you know first hand that 'love for the game' transcends any topic color or race related. One Sport, One Mission, One Love)!

 

[heyzel]

David Haye To Face Oleg Maskaev In October

.07.08 - by James Slater: In yet MORE news featuring David Haye, there is at last some inclination of who "The Hayemaker" will fight in his heavyweight re-debut this coming October. According to the usually very reliable BoxRec, Haye will face none other than former WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev. It's unlikely the majority of fans will be too thrilled if this does indeed turn out to be the fight that is made. The far more formidable Monte Barrett, for one, will surely not be happy.

Maskaev, now 39-years-of-age and not having fought since his 6th round TKO loss at the hands of Samuel Peter back in March, is the last person this writer expected to land the October fight with Haye. Then again, it was reported not too long ago that "The Big O" was back in training and wanting to fight again. A good fighter in his day, Maskaev is a worn and faded force now - at least he looked like it in his clash with Peter.. What will the ageing Russian bring to the Haye fight?

Oleg has a good right hand, if he can land it. And the 39-year-old is ultra-experienced. That's about it when it comes to what Maskaev has to offer as a fighter today. Slow, not too hard to hit and injury-prone as of late, the Maskaev of 2008 will surely be nothing more than cannon fodder for the much younger and faster Haye. No disrespect to Oleg - he was, after all, a man capable of twice defeating the original choice to face Haye, in Hasim Rahman - but that was a long time ago. At best, Maskaev figures to stick around for a few rounds in October.

I can see the critics having something of a field day if Maskaev is indeed Haye's next opponent. After all his big talk of bringing both respect and excitement back to the heavyweight division, the fast-talking Londoner takes a fight against a guy who, if some other heavyweight were facing him, he'd criticise the match! It has come as a disappointment indeed now that Haye will fight someone as old and inactive as Maskaev. Perhaps Haye and his team were unable to get anyone else for the October date (this is unlikely, however, because the aforementioned Monte Barret is/was absolutely desperate for the opportunity).

In any case, after all the talk and after all the hype, the fans were expecting a younger and more dangerous opponent for Haye to box. Let the comments begin!

 

[heyzel]

Mike Tyson Tried to Kill My Daddy” To Hit A City Near You

When former heavyweight boxer Mitchell Rose released his book “Mike Tyson Tried to Kill My Daddy”, his goal was to educate as many people as possible about the corruption in pro boxing, as well as clarify what happened during the night of his notorious street fight with boxing legend Mike Tyson.. Rose has been taking his book around the country and has hit many cities including Montgomery, Alabama Columbia, South Carolina, Richmond, Virginia and presently Atlanta, Georgia. Rose has met a lot of his fans during the tour and plans to hit many more cities in the near future.

“So far, the book sales have been outstanding”, exclaimed Rose, who initially gained fame after knocking out cult boxing hero Butterbean in 1995. “There has been great diversity among my customers as well and I am very happy that my book appeals to people from all walks of life. As a token of my appreciation for those who have purchased the book, I have been giving away Mike Tyson t-shirts and hats. After I leave Atlanta, I will be returning home to New York, as I have to turn in paper work at a federal court building for my $88 million lawsuit against Jay-Z”, said Rose.

 

[MOREBASS]

That Wallace article was pretty good.


But the thing is, IMO. People...commentators included, love to see vulnerability. Part of what is so intriguing to me about boxing, is seeing a man hit rock bottom...and then coming all way back up to triumph. All in one fight.

Just look at the Chico - Castillo 1 fight. You got to see both men pummel each other, and Chico in particular look like he was done. Then in an instant, you saw him rise from the depths of hell to pull of what was one of the most incredible victories in one of the most memorable fights ever.

Basically, people want to see a fighter leave his heart in the ring. Granted, then might not be the most skilled a la Floyd Mayweather Jr. They tune in to be entertained, because frankly...most casual boxing fans don't know enough about the technicalities of the sport to appreciate them.

 

[heyzel]

Malignaggi: Cast off, rehabilitation begins, ready for Hatton in the Fall

NEW YORK CITY (July 7, 2008) – IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KOs) had a cast removed from his right hand last Tuesday and he has started rehabilitation..

Malignaggi underwent hand surgery May 28 to repair a fractured metacarpal bone of the middle finger on his right hand, suffered during his title-defense win by 12-round decision against Lovemore N’dou.

“I feel good about the whole situation,” Malignaggi said yesterday from his Brooklyn home. “Getting the cast off was the first step, now rehabilitation starts. There’s no pain or swelling of the hand. I’m moving forward, thanks to Dr. Margles, who has saved my career several times. I’m looking ahead to a big showdown in the fall. I’ll be ready to rock ‘n roll against Ricky Hatton.”

Renowned boxing hand specialist, Dr. Steven Margles, operated on Paulie at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts. He has also repaired the hands of former world champions Vinny Paz, “Irish” Micky Ward and Harry Simon, to name a few of his more notable boxing patients.

“I removed his cast and took x-rays,” Dr. Margles explained. “There was no pain and the fracture is healing like magic. Right now, he’s on or ahead of schedule

 

[heyzel]

Nate Campbell: "After Guzman, It's Pacquiao or Funeka"

Contrary to several recent rumors, IBF/WBO/WBA Lightweight king Nate Campbell has no plans to vacate any of his world titles, especially the IBF belt.

"I've heard this in a few places, and there's no truth to it whatsoever. There's no way I'll vacate my IBF title. Ms. Muhammad, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Peoples, and everyone else within the IBF believed in me, even when nobody else would so much as rank me. I would never turn my back on them."

"So folks can forget all this chatter about me vacating any of my titles. It ain't going to happen. Anyone who wants any of my titles is gonna have to come get them the old fashioned way. They're gonna have to beat me, and take them from me."

"After my WBO defense against Joan Guzman, I only have 2 options available to me. My IBF mandatory defense against Ali Funeka, who just knocked out Zahir Raheem for the #1 spot, or, the IBF rules would permit me to make a unification fight with Pacquiao for his WBC title. The rules allow unifications to take priority over mandatories. But that's it. After Guzman, my next fight will be with either Funeka or Pacquiao." said Campbell.

 

[naner12]

Lucian Bute vs Librado Andrade on October 24th

Reigning IBF super-middleweight champion Lucian Bute of Canada will make the 2nd defence of his world title on October 24th when he faces teak-tough Mexican Librado Andrade. The fight will take place in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the scene of all but four of the champion's 22 pro fights. In the 29-year-old Andrade, Bute will be meeting a very hardened warrior.

Bute, a talented 6'2" southpaw who was born in Romania 28 years ago, won the title with an 11th round TKO over Colombia's Alejandro Berrio back in October of last year. Since then "Le Tombeur" has turned back the challenge of former world champion at middleweight, William Joppy - a fighter who had undeniably seen better days. Bute stopped him in the 10th round. Making defence number two against the rock-chinned Mexican who lives in California, it is likely Bute will be tested like never before..

Andrade, also 6'2," is a quite unbelievably resilient fighter. In his fight against Yusaf Mack last October, for instance, the Mexican, currently 27-1(21) took an alarming number of full-blooded shots in an exciting war, only to take them all and come on to win by stoppage after seven action packed rounds. In his last fight, a fine 8th round TKO win over Robert Stieglitz of Germany, Andrade earned his shot at Bute. Be certain the supremely tough fighter will make the most of this, his second crack at a world title. Losing on points to then WBA and WBC 168 pound champ Mikkel Kessler in March of 2007 in a fight that took place in the champ's home country of Denmark, Andrade was simply out-boxed. Will the 22-0(18) Bute be able to do the same thing to him?

It's unlikely Bute, though he's a good puncher, will be able to stop Andrade. Simply because no-one else has ever been able to do it. But will the southpaw be able to outclass the somewhat crude tough guy? Andrade has met southpaws before. In his only other visit to Canada, back in April of 2006, the 29-year-old stopped and retired lefty Otis Grant. Therefore Bute's stance will not present Andrade with too many problems.

I think a definite distance fight is in store, even though both men can bang pretty good. In what is sure to be a close one, I take the quicker Bute to retain his championship on points. To do this, however, the IBF champ may well have to dig deeper than he ever has before.

 

[naner12]

Even though I think Bute will beat him .. LET'S GO ANDRADE!

 

[heyzel]

Felix Trinidad Thinks Oscar De La Hoya is Bluffing

By Mark Vester

Although Richard Schaefer, CEO for Golden Boy Promotions, has approached Don King about Oscar De La Hoya-Felix "Tito" Trinidad rematch for December 6 in Las Vegas, Trinidad and members of his team are not convinced that De La Hoya is serious about making the fight.

Trainer, father and manager, Felix Trinidad Sr., says De La Hoya has used his son's name in the past as a negotiations ploy to secure other fights. He feels De La Hoya is once again using Tito's name to place himself in a better position with his upcoming negotiations with Miguel Cotto [if he beat Antonio Margarito on July 26]. He says Tito is not looking for anything, that De La Hoya called on them, but if the fight takes place, it would have to be on their terms.

As previously written, Trinidad Sr. has made it clear that Tito will not fight below 165-pounds and will not take less than a 50-50 split since his son won their first bout in 1999. Neither of those is likely, but the agreed upon weight is a bigger problem than the actual money involved.

De La Hoya has said over and over again, he will not fight Tito above 154-pounds. He refused to meet Tito at 160 when the Puerto Rican icon was fighting at middleweight, and now Tito is fighting at light heavyweight and unable to even get down to 160. De La Hoya last fought at 150 against Steve Forbes in May, while Trinidad fought Roy Jones Jr. at 170 in January.

"We are not looking around for our options [in boxing]. We are not looking for anything like that. Tito is resting and watching what's going on in the sport, enjoying the sport as a fan, but he still is an active fighter," Trinidad Sr. said to El Nuevo Dia. "I don't view the negotiations [for De La Hoya] as being serio

 

[heyzel]

Where Are The American Heavyweights

By Steve Kim

Every Monday afternoon, Teddy Atlas - trainer and color commentator for ESPN2 - sees a group of young men that he believes has the skill set and athleticism to be standout heavyweights. Unfortunately, it's not inside a boxing gym, but at Hofstra University, which is used as a training facility by the NFL’s New York Jets.

Atlas, who is listed as a 'Special Assistant Coach, Boxing' in the Jets media guide, was brought in by head coach Eric Mangini and general manager Mike Tannenbaum last year to work with their players once a week to teach them the rudimentary skills of the sport to aid their hand-eye coordination, conditioning and mental focus. Years ago, many of these American footballers would've made their way into a boxing ring before ever stepping foot onto the gridiron.

You see now that as the heavyweight division has more and more of an Eastern European slant, this country’s best athletes have been gravitating more and more to basketball and football throughout the years. The heavyweights of yesteryear are now more likely to be shooting guards and outside linebackers.

Atlas sees the athletic ability of the players and wonders what could've been.

“I see some of these guys I work with and if they had started early enough, some of them could be good prospects to be fighters, especially as it turns out to be the big guys, heavyweights," he says. "Some of them pick up very fast athletically and they have the athletic abilities where they obviously would've been good candidates- if they were inclined - to be successful in boxing. You never know truly until you get into the mental areas to find out how they would take that athleticism inside such a pressure place as a ring, where you have to make choices under pressure, difficult choices, even more difficult choices than you have to make on a football field, where you have other people around you.

"You never really know that true promise, what that prospect would really be until you get him into those places, and like I said, taken what they've learned technically and what they have physically and applying it in the practical terms of facing another man throwing punches at you. But definitely, from just the simplest aspects of it, the athletic aspect and the physical aspect, those guys, you look at them and you say, 'Yeah, if you had them early enough and had a chance to get them experience and a chance to get the emotional background that it takes to be good in the ring, hey, you'd probably have something."

This Saturday in Germany, Tony 'the Tiger' Thompson takes on Wladimir Klitschko, the consensus choice as the sport’s best heavyweight. Thompson, a late bloomer who began boxing at the ripe age of 27, is considered the best American big man - and he isn't given much of a chance of beating Klitschko. Beyond him is a cadre of old heavyweights who are no longer in their prime and a few select prospects who are still relatively unknown and unproven. There seems to be no middle ground; either you're a has-been or a never-was.

Where have you gone Earnie Shavers, Jerry Quarry, Jimmy Ellis and Ron Lyle?

Is it that simple, that America's best young athletes (especially the ones who weigh above 200-pounds) are just more interested in other sports like football?

"I don't know if we’re losing more to football, I think there's a combination of reasons why we're not getting those athletes in boxing," says Atlas. "First of all, there's just not as many gyms to entice them as there used to be years ago, there's not as many trainers, not as many teachers around. I think there are a lot of reasons for it. I don't think there are scholarships to college - I think that's a big reason, I don't think we look at that enough. A lot of these kids, their parents are pushing them, their parents are encouraging them when they're young, whether it’s baseball, football, basketball, golf, whatever it happens to be. Now, I know some of these sports are safer than boxing, but football's not safer than boxing. As a matter of fact, it's a lot less safe if you really get down to the honesty of it.

"A lot of these parents push them and say, 'Hey, if they become good enough, it can pay for their college education.' They're not even thinking about the pros. And maybe a lot of these parents would be more prone to letting their kids go towards boxing in certain areas if they knew there were scholarships. Where, 'Hey, you like boxing, fine, it can get you through college.' That's not the case. So I think if there were scholarships that could be rewarded to kids going to college with boxing, like there used to be years ago, there would be a better chance of that bringing more people to the sport and obviously more athletes to the sport."

Thompson, who is born and bred in Washington D.C., admits that his focus growing up was on other sports. "Definitely a football player," he says. "I was supposed to be a Washington Redskin, linebacker or defensive end."

He believes that the risk-vs-reward ratio for this sport simply doesn't match up compared to other sports.

“But that's boxing's fault. From our amateur system to the pros, nobody wants to go through the headaches that you have to go through with boxing to get where you need to be," he states. "We're the only major sport, we don't have any pension, we don't have any retirement, no health. We don't have anything. So if you pretty much don't become a champion of some sort - and even when you're champion - you don't make as much money as you should to balance off the health problems you're going to have later on in life."

Interestingly enough, Thompson believes that the future of the heavyweight division is not as bleak as many make it out to be, with fighters like Chris Arreola, Kevin Johnson and Malik Scott representing the next generation of American heavyweights.

“I don't think it's in dire straits as a lot of people like to say. I think we have a lot of young up and coming heavyweights and I think once they start fighting each other, fighting the upper level, people will start to recognize them again. I just don't think we're doing a good job of showcasing the younger heavyweights, that's all."

Interestingly enough, there are two separate factions hoping to find would-be heavyweights from the NFL scrap heap through a reality-TV based format where athletes who don't make the cut for Sundays are then turned into boxers. Yeah, I know, you're probably having visions of Ed 'Too Tall' Jones and Mark Gastineau. As they say, you play football, you don't play boxing. It's a whole different realm picking up an incoming blitzer than it is to face an incoming right cross.

But athletes from other sports have always had an interest in boxing and will continue to migrate over to the squared circle as their career options dwindle. The latest football player to delve into boxing is former Michigan State linebacker Seth Mitchell, who was listed at 6'2, 255 pounds during his playing days in the Big 10. Right now the 26-year old Mitchell has a mark of 3-0-1. Thus far, he looks more like a linebacker trying to box than a boxer who just happens to be a former linebacker.

This transformation (should it ever occur) will take time. The large majority of world-class boxers begin their careers long before they hit puberty. It's become second nature to them. For guys like 'Mayhem' Mitchell, it's like learning a second language after the age of 40. The learning curve will be much steeper, and as he goes up the ladder, he will face huge disadvantages in overall experience.

In an era where heavyweights are now routinely over 240 pounds (Joe Louis fought in the 190's, Ali in the 210's), the overall athletic ability of the plus-size behemoths has also gone to another level. It isn't just the running backs and linebackers (who usually weight in the range of 210-240) that would have a chance to be successful in boxing.

“I have D’Brickashaw Ferguson," says Atlas of the Jets left tackle, "who was a top draft pick a couple of years ago and he's very athletic, he's very smooth. I joke around with him and call him 'Silky' because he's so smooth and he's a big man. I'm guessing he's about 6'4, 6'5, about 275-280 pounds. And he's got no problem moving in a fluid way. I got a couple of the linemen, and I would say that you're right, I would agree with you on the whole, that the linebackers, the running backs, those guys, I've even had a couple of good tight ends, too, but I would say yeah, that on the whole they would make better candidates.

"But some of the linemen are so big, they're not quite as coordinated, not quite as gifted in the areas you need them to be to be a heavyweight prospect. But some of them are. Nowadays, bigger guys are more athletic than they used to be years ago. I mean you got big guys that are running 4.6, 4.7, in the forty (yard dash), which is remarkable when you're talking about a guy who is 290-pounds and 6'7.

"So the bigger guys are more athletic than they used to be years ago."

Unfortunately for boxing, most of them are not partaking in 'the sweet science.'

HOW HEAVY?

One of the mistakes that seems to be made on a consistent basis in facing the Klitschko brothers is that most fighters feel the need to pack on extra pounds in facing them. The logic being that the extra girth is needed to deal with their size and strength


But BB Hudson, who is in charge of the strength and conditioning of Thompson, says, "We're going to come in where we're going to come in. The main thing is just to be in shape. I don't care if you're 300,400 pounds, if you can move it, then we can use it. My motto is, just train the weight that you're at."

If 215 is your optimal weight, it shouldn't matter if you're opponent weighs over 250-pounds.

"Right, you gotta find out the best weight for the fighter, where the fighter feels best. To get him down below, to get him above, that's not going to make him feel good in the ring. As long as he's feeling good and we're all comfortable around his weight and he's in shape, that's the weight we're going to go at."

Hudson says that Thompson has a strong work ethic, something that isn't always attributable to a lot of other heavyweights in this era.

"I don't think they're less disciplined, I think they don't like to work as hard and they feel, 'Because we're heavyweights we can get away with it.' They always make the excuse as far as, 'We're pushing around 250-pounds.' Well, y'know what? The guy who pushes around 250-pounds the best is the guy who's going to win the fight, in my opinion."

Hudson's regimen includes resistance training, plyometrics, core strengthening and sprint and distance running.

"We do weights, but it's how you do it and we do a lot of 'phase training'. It's basically done within the phases of the camp," he explains. "You don't want to be in the last week of camp pounding a lot of heavy weights; that's going to slow you down. It's all done through phases."

Hudson adds, "He's going to be in great shape."

PRETTY RANT

I read with great amusement the latest childish rant from one Floyd Mayweather Jr. about HBO and their announcers being 'racist' in an interview he conducted with David Mayo of the Grand Rapids Press. I don't think anyone should be too outraged over what was said (except perhaps the offended parties he besmirched) because let's face it, this isn't John Carlos, Tommie Smith or Jim Brown we’re talking about. If it were, then perhaps we should give his comments further thought.

We should all consider the source here.

Yes, I agree with him, HBO's announcers do have a bias. They happened to like fighters who aren't bores inside the ring, and boorish outside of it. Which is their prerogative. But just because they like boxers who are more inclined to be offensive and partake in entertaining battles than defensive specialists who safety-first their way to victories doesn't make them Roger Metzger. But the stark reality is that this network’s announcers have been cheerleaders for his cause (some much more than others) in pushing the propaganda of Mayweather being the modern day Sugar Ray Leonard, which of course is a huge exaggeration. But this is also the same network who, for at least 15 years, has continually pushed the likes of Pernell Whitaker, James Toney, Roy Jones and most recently, Mayweather, ( all African-American individuals) as being the best fighter in the world in succession.

What's interesting is that the most critical of the HBO crew just happens to have the same complexion as he does - Emanuel Steward. So in Floyd's eyes, is Steward just some Uncle Tom sell-out, then? Or perhaps is he just stating his opinion like Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant? Which of course just happens to be his job.

It's easy to dredge up Mayweather's 1999 complaints of receiving 'slave wages' in comparison to the contract that Naseem Hamed had with the network, but that's a cheap and easy comparison in which pundits will pile on Mayweather. In retrospect Mayweather may not have been as off-base as many believe if you look back at Hamed's performances on the network and his eventual ceiling and upside. And just because somebody is compensated into the millions, doesn't mean they themselves aren't the victims of bigotry and prejudice. Mayweather still retains the right to complain - you just wish it wasn't something so obviously manufactured because of his jealously over the acclaim lavished on fighters like Manny Pacquiao and Kelly Pavlik in recent months.

But when statements like the ones that were recently uttered by 'Martin Luther' Mayweather are made, they only trivialize the real problems that plague our society today. Racism is alive and well - perhaps it's much more subtle and covert, but it certainly exists - but comments like Mayweather's only cause more divisiveness where none is needed.

HBO's announcers can be maddening, I've had plenty of issues with them, trust me. But they are not racist - they just don't particularly like Floyd all that much. They finally see what I've been saying for awhile. But this has nothing to do with the color of his skin.

But perhaps this is poetic justice in many ways. HBO for years has been an enabler to him (from phony, made-up story lines on 24/7, to extravagant license fees to face the likes of Henry Bruseles and the like) and they pushed him as the face of boxing post-De La Hoya. Now this is what they get in return. It's like that couple who raises dobermans or pit bulls and they tell you how these are actually kind, obedient animals who would never hurt anyone. Till one day it bites the hand off their newborn child.

Well, they created this monster, now they've got to deal with it.

But the thing that is most disturbing about Mayweather's interview with Mayo was how he and Lampley are in the same strip clubs together. C'mon, that has to be some sort of man-card violation, isn't it? Why throw him under the bus like that? Especially in light of the fact Lampley has been his single biggest advocate (sans Max Kellerman, who hasn't done that many Mayweather events for HBO) on the network. But what does his personal life (which made headlines last year and ironically enough, because of an ex-girlfriend that happened to be African-American) have to do with anything?

Did he really have to do him like Diddy did Shyne or Kobe did Shaq?

Now, THAT was wrong.

FINAL FLURRIES

I'd have to say that Kendall Holt-Ricardo Torres II is the best 61-second fight I have ever seen....How many dead bodies were on the latest edition of 'Solo Boxeo' on Telefutura? Like I've said before, that had more zombies walking around in it than Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' video.....So I guess Rafael Nadal is the top dog in tennis now.....I read Ross Greenburg's reaction to Mayweather’s comments. Boy, he really stood up for his troops didn't he?....OK, will Dave Smith 'the Sports God' take away Mayweather's 'Man Card' for his violation of the code? Listen in tomorrow to 830AM (in SoCal) when he's on with Roger Lodge from six-to-ten in the morning and again in the afternoon from three-to-six in the afternoon......