Oscar De La Hoya Close to Finalizing Opponent: Manny Pacquiao

According to Dan Rafael at ESPN, the most possible scenario for The Golden Boy's final fight will be a clash with the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world and new lightweight weight champion, Manny Pacquiao.

Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank's Bob Arum will be holding a meeting in Los Angeles later this coming week to do their best to finalize the super-fight. "I am going to meet with him and if we can work out a deal that is acceptable to Bob, Manny, and to us, then we will get the fight done," Schaefer, Golden Boy's CEO, told ESPN.com. 

This is potentially the biggest fight in boxing in terms of popularity and draw. In one corner you have the always exciting and internationally loved, Many Pacquiao and in the other, the all time leading PPV sales attraction and the most popular fighter in America, The Golden Boy. These fighters arguably have the two deepest fan bases in the sport and will surely attract more than any other possible match-up in boxing (only one close in terms of fans is Hatton).

The talk suggests that the fight will take place at the 147 lbs welterweight limit. Pacquiao, the five divison champ who started his career in the 112 lbs flyweight division, has proved that he doesn't have a problem adding muscle, without losing his core abilities. However, De La Hoya will be cutting weight for the and end up weighing about 157 lbs when he step in the ring. The fairly sizable height and weight disadvantage for Pacquiao will be a major challenge to overcome. 

If De La Hoya was in his prime, we would say Manny might be getting a little too overzealous with the jumping of the weight classes, but since he isn't, there is a good chance he will come out on top.

Weekend Preview: Judah, Clottey, Darchinyan, Direll

Like usual we have to choose between an HBO and Showtime broadcast, although the last couple of times it ended up working out due to the timing.

HBO

Zab Judah (36-5, 25 Ko's) vs. Joshua Clottey (34-2, 20 Ko's) Welterweights

At age 30, Zab Judah is rapidly approaching the latter half of his career. This weekend will most likely be his last shot at headlining major events if he can't find a way to come out victorious. Since putting up a tough showing against Miguel Cotto and suffering an 11th round KO, Judah has handily defeated his last two opponents. He was slated to fight in a PPV event against top 5 ranked Sugar Shane Mosely until he put his arm through a glass door in the shower that caused the cancellation of the bout. Now he has one more shot to prove that he still belongs among the top names of the division. 

His opponent Joshua Clottey is no spring chicken himself, and at age 31, is facing similar circumstances as his counterpart. The difference between the two fighters is that Zab is used to fighting top fighters and competing at a high level - Floyd Mayweather, Kostya Tszyu, Miguel Cotto, Carlos Baldomir, Cory Spinks, and was schedule to fight Shane Mosely. Whereas Clottey has only faced three truly upper echelon fighters in Antonio Margarito, Carlos Baldomir, and Deigo Corrales - only coming out on top in one of the fights (Corrales). 

Clottey is actually favored in the fight, because he hasn't lost since his defeat at the hands of Margarito a few years back. With that said, look for this to be a pretty good (not great) fight - Judah takes a decision.

Showtime

Dimitri Kirilov (29-3-1, 9 Ko's) vs. Vic Darchynian (29-1-1, 23 Ko's) - IBF Junior Bantamweight Title

Vic Daychinian was not so long ago one of the most feared men in boxing. His awkard fighting style and reckless abandon in the ring made him one of the toughest fighters to square off with - that was until he ran into Nonito Donaire's left hook and was knocked cold. Since that fight he hasn't carried the same allure with him, finishing with a decision and a draw in his last two bouts. 

Kirilov is the current title holder, but has not faced too many sound opponents before claiming the vacant belt. He may be in over his head with the cagy Armenian. Look for Darchinyan to make a strong comeback on his first mjor TV appearance since suffering the KO defeat - Darchinyan KO win in under 7 rounds.

Undercard: Andre Dirrell (15-0, 10 Ko's) vs. Mike Paschall

David Haye Still Waits For His Shot

The first time David Haye confronted the current heavyweight champ of the world in front of a sea of media, Wladimir Klitschko calmly replied with a few bits of advice for the former unified cruiserweight champ - Let me take care of my mandatory challengers and you go gain some weight, beat a decent heavyweight or two and then we can talk.

Well it looks like David Haye is taking the advice from the champion that he admittedly highly respects and ranks as a skilled fighter. Haye has bulked himself up to 232 lbs, which is much more than was expected for his heavyweight campaign (see photos). 

"I am eating well, living well and doing some serious training. My body fat is 12 percent and I'm currently in better shape than the majority of the division even at this early stage [of training]," said the Hayemaker. One down, one to go - However, it will remain to be scene whether or not the weight will affect his speed and agility, the traits that have made him so explosive up to this point.

Klitschko has kept his side of the bargain and defeated the mandatory challenger Tony Thomson and David Haye plans to do the same. He has a date set for his first high-scaled showing as a heavyweight (has had one previous heavyweight bout).  London's brand new O2 Arena, with a 20,000 seat capacity will be the location for his bout in which the challenger has yet to be named. Haye promises that the fight will be with a heavyweight ranked in the top 10 and that the opponent will be finalized soon.

What's Next For All you Margaretards Out There?

It would seem that after his career defining victory this past weekend that established him as possibly the top fighter in the division, Antonio Margarito should have his pick of the welterweight divison for his first title defense. But not so fast. With his superhuman performance against one of the best fighters in the world, has he furthered his self-fulfilling prophecy of  his past label as the "most avoided man in boxing"? Who is going to want to get in the ring with this guy after witnessing that? It is possible that he may have just put on such a good performance that, whether he likes it or not, he has laid claim to his former moniker.

However, there is one major difference now than from a few years back, when, as the tale goes, Floyd Mayweather Jr. turned down 8 million dollars to fight The Tijuana Tornado. This time he not only has the top crown in the division, but after proving that he could headline a Pay-Per-View event that created so much buzz and excitement (i.e. $$$$$), he now has the the dollar draw to attract nearly any fighter (no matter how badly they would like to avoid him).

With that said, the victory opens the door to a handful of very interesting fights. The original idea was to have the winner of the fight go on to face the The Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya, in his grand finale on December 6th. But the name that was always talked about for that fight was Cotto, so when Margarito won and looked like a beast doing it, Oscar said no thanks - declaring that he did not want to end his career fighting another Mexican fighter (another way of saying I want to leave the sport, but not on a stretcher). So thats out.

The next possible intriguing match-up would be with Paul The Punisher Williams, the same man who took the title from Antonio one year ago.  One could argue that the 6'1 freak is the best welterweight in the division - his only loss was avenged in the rematch in under 2 minutes and he beat Margarito who beat Cotto. In the first match-up Williams started to fade in the late rounds as Margarito began to pick it it up, but is was a little too late and he ran out of time. The fight ended in a fairly close decision for Williams.

Next, is the most obvious choice, a re-match of the fight of the year candidate against Miguel Cotto. This fight would draw even more attention than the first and would surely be as exciting, if not better. However, it would be surprising if Cotto took this fight directly after that tough loss, especially when he fought great and gave him everything he had, but still couldn't come out on top.

Finally we have The Pretty Boy.  Will the constant repetition of the fact that he turned down a fight for big bucks against Tony draw him out of "retirement"? We know at some point he is going to come back and pull a Sugar Ray Leonard on us, but would this be the best fight to do it? If he came back and soundly beat Margarito, a fighter that looked nearly indestructible and is still hot from that last fight, he would be building a strong case for his top ten all-time pound-for-pound ranking (and we might possibly stop calling him names).

The Cotto-Margarito bout brought something to boxing that was sorely needed - some major buzz from the regular world. There is no doubt in our minds that a match-up with one of these fighters could inevitably duplicate that success.

Toney - Rahman Decision Reversed

James Toney TKO stoppage over Hasim Rahman has been changed to a no contest by the California State Athletic Commission (see what happened).  At least this give us all a little reassurance that boxing isn't as crooked as everyone makes it out to be.  They reviewed the call and overturned it.

Jeff Lacy Comes Out of Retirement!!!!? Lacy-Taylor Back

After sitting and waiting for the perfect opportunity to reinstate himself back into the sport that he so adamantly retired from, Jeff Lacy has decided to come out of retirement - a retirement that lasted all of three and half days.

Lacy went on a rant a few days after his amateur-like close decision victory over Epifanio Mendoza. He was upset when he found out that the $500,000 purse that he was going to receive for his upcoming fight with Jermain Taylor was only increased by $50,000 after his horrible performance. Hoping to get a reaction, he retired. But, it seems no one really cared (including us; see article)

Apparently DiBella must have let him know that if he did well and raised the interest in the Jermain Taylor fight (which there is none of), then they might make the purse a little sweeter for him. But, he didn't so neither did they.

"It's back on," Lacy told the Tampa Tribune. It seems this revelation came about when Golden Boy COO, David Itskowitch said that he had to make a deal with Lacy. "I spoke to Jeff this morning and I asked him what the number was for him to take the fight and he told me and we got it done," said Itskowitch.

Another example of an overrated pre-madonna fighter, who is coming off three horribly close decisions to middle of the road fighters. He does not deserve even $200,000 for the fight, he doesn't even deserve a bout against a top boxer. There is no reason why Taylor shouldn't make an overwhelming comeback against Lacy, an opponent who has been one of the most highly overrated boxers in recent memory.

Pic of the Week: Cotto vs. Margarito

Click to enlarge and download

Every picture tells the story.

Fight of the Year: Antonio Margarito Ko's Miguel Cotto!!!

"Portrait of a losing side, proof positive that you can't out-punch machinery. Proof also of something else: that no matter what the future brings, man's capacity to rise to the occasion will remain unaltered. His potential for tenacity and optimism continues, as always, to outfight, outpoint, and outlive any and all changes made by his society, for which three cheers and a unanimous decision rendered from the Twilight Zone."

- Rod Serling, 1963

Miguel Cotto found himself traveling into a dimension he had never once explored in his young boxing career. At some point in this monumental fight, Cotto realized that he was not fighting a man in the ring tonight, "he was fighting a robot, or to be exact, and android, definition: an automation resembling a human being" (Serling). His opponent, Antonio Margarito showed the world that there is no tougher man in the sport of boxing, than The Tijuana Tornado. 

Cotto dashed from the gates with an impressive first round, dominating with his stiff jab and following up with vicious combinations (punches that can and have knocked out many tough fighters in the past). The next four or five rounds followed suit - Cotto moved around the ring in circles putting on a display of boxing, landing clean hard shots as Margarito continued to give relentless chase.  

It was not overly apparent, but every round after the second, Margarito seemed to slowly gain momentum, as if someone in the boiler room finally decided to slowly start adding more and more coal to the fire. About half way through the seventh round, it was obvious that the fight was rapidly starting to head in a very different direction - the locomotive had finally reached full speed. Margarito's relentless pressure ultimately started catching up to Cotto, forcing him to trade punches in the middle of the ring. 

"And now we have our classic," said Max Kellerman.

From that point forward, Miguel Cotto had come to the realization that not even his best blow could inflict any damage on his unrelenting opponent and he did the only thing that was rational - turn to survival mode. Cotto resorted back to sticking and moving to avoid danger like he did so easily for the first couple of rounds, but this time Margarito was on another level, stalking Cotto and throwing non-stop punches until they finally started to do some damage.

In round eleven, Margarito continued to eat huge right hands and left hooks as he shadowed his opponent's every move until he finally found Cotto exaclty where he wanted him. Margarito cornered Cotto against the ropes and pummeled him from all directions. Even while taking a beating, Miguel managed to get off a 1-2 that may have KO'd most fighters, but not his opponent on this night. Margarito ate the stiff shots and fired one more upper cut, forcing Cotto to take a knee. 

Cotto rose to his feet only to be met by a charging bull, and once again dropped to a knee to avoid fruther damage. Cotto, face covered in blood, showed the toughness of true champion and once again climbed to his feet. But it was obvious he had enough. 

Miguel Angel Cotto's cornerman threw in the towel with a minute to go in the 11th round of the fight. A fight that crowned a new welterweight champion of the world and made us all proud to be fans of the sweet science that is boxing . 

More to come on Cotto vs. Margarito

Jeff Lacy Done With Boxing?

The former super-middleweight champion, Jeff Left Hook Lacy (24-1 (17 Ko's) has told The Tampa Tribune that he is done with the sport of boxing. After his lack-luster performance on ESPN Wednesday Night fights in which he barely survived a ten round decision over Epifanio Mendoza, we think he might be making the correct move.

"I'm retiring," said the 31 yr old. "There will be no fight between me and Jermain... I'm just retiring... I'm done."

"This business is dirty. That's all I have to say. This is a very dirty business. I would advise anyone who has kids not to ever let them fight in this business."  

Nothing yet on what caused this disdain for the sport he has been involved in for his entire life. Its seems all of this came as surprising news to everyone involved with the up-coming fight, including his trainer, Roger Bloodworth and co-promoters of the Talor -Lacy fight, Lou DiBella and Golden Boy Promotions.  "Put it this way, I've heard nothing from anyone in his camp indicating anything other than the fight's happening," said DiBella.

Whether or not Lacy is serious about retirement or just upset with his last fight, this route may be the best way to go. After showing so many flaws in his most recent fight, there is no reason why the former undisputed middle weight champ of the world, Jermain Taylor, wouldn't absolutely destroy him in the ring. Lacy's retirement would inevitably force Taylor into taking a tougher and all around better fight - a shot a vacant title against the British contender Carl Froch.

Apparently Lacy has never fully recovered from his overwhelming loss to Joe Calzaghe two years ago. Since that fight, he has been lucky to sneak away with three very close decisions, including a victory over Peter Manfredo that many felt was undeserved. It may be best to avoid this upcoming bout with Taylor and take some time to think things over, then return to the thing that he knows how to do best.

The Battle: Cotto - Margarito Weigh-In Results

It's on. This morning both fighters stepped to the scale at a cut 147 lbs. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that these two would be ready to go.

The Battle: Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito

The eve of boxing's biggest night of 2008 is rapidly approaching. Two warrior champions will step inside the squared-circle fueled not only by the desire to be the number one boxer in their weight class, but by the rivalry of bloodlines passed from their countryman that was animated long before either of them slipped their hands into a pair boxing gloves.

These two fistic combatants are giving us something that only happens once every so often in the sport of boxing.  Max Kellerman illustrates the significance of this bout -  "Today there is so much jockeying going on for the big money fights, that bouts between the great fighters - the ones even non-boxing fans want to see - take so long to develop that when we finally get to the bout, either one or both of the fighters are past their prime. A case in point is the 2007 De La Hoya - Mayweather match-up... But in Cotto-Margarito, we have two brilliant boxers who are at the top of their game." 

The welterweight champion of the world, Miguel Angel Cotto, has proven to everyone that he is not only the number one fighter in the division but also competing for the rank of best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. 

Cotto has welcomed all comers with a stone-cold demeanor and the actions in the ring to back it up. During his undefeated campaign, Cotto has engaged a slew of excellent fighters, including one-time world champions Sugar Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, Carlos Quintana, Paulie Malignaggi, and Ricardo Torres. 

The journey was not easy by any means. He found himself in trouble a few different times throughout his career, but showed the tough chin, desire and stability to come back from it with a decisive victory every time. And that is what makes him great.

Cotto may be the best all-around fighter in the game. His solid defense is tough to wear down, but he is willing to trade punches to land his own. He works the ring like a technician, using his jab to set up an unparalleled attack to both body and head. And most importantly, he is entertaining. 

Miguel Cotto does not waste his time trash talking before his fights - he is there for only one reason - to inflict as much carnage as possible on the man standing across from him. Come Saturday night, that man will inevitably be the toughest opponent he has ever faced. 

Antonio The Tijuana Tornado Margarito envelopes the heart and soul of a true Mexican fighter. He earned his nickname by demonstrating an extraterrestrial work-rate and a crazy come-forward style, while in the process delivering punches from all angles. 

Maragrito learned the game of boxing in a rough way. With his family struggling financially, he turned pro at fifteen years old and subsequently took three early devastating losses to veterans. There is no doubt that his tough on-the-job experience has molded him into the man that he is today. 

Like many Mexican fighters before him, he has never given into pain or fatigue. And since he has never once been stopped in his career by another man's punch,  he will always stand as a true test for his opponent to overcome.

Last but not least, he has the one punch that can equalize any fight - the left hook to the body.  Margarito exhibited the gut busting power of this punch (that has left many of his opponents pissin' blood for days) in his overwhelming KO victory over then IBF champion Kermit Cintron (video below). 

There is no better match in boxing than the pairing between these to superior athletes in the prime of their careers. A Puerto Rican boxer/puncher vs. a Mexican whirling dervish brawler - a clash of styles and nations. Forget Mayweather, forget De La Hoya - these two fighters had to wait behind the big shadows that the overpaid and over-reported fighters cast. It is their turn now. 

This is the fight that should be breaking all-time pay-per-view records and discussed on daytime television, but it won't be and wether that is sad or not is up to you. Regardless if you are a boxing fan or not, this is a must see fight - go to a freind's, pay ten bucks at a bar, or even drop the 49 doll hairs to sit on your oversize love seat and tune in. This will not disappoint. And although Daniel Day-Lewis' name is nowhere to be found on the undercard - we can promise you, There Will Be Blood.

Saturday July 26th on HBO PPV - 9:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm PT

Did Kelly Pavlik Knock Lockett Into an Early Retirement?

After coming to America only to have his hopes of becoming a world champion completely shattered by a power punching specter, the  31 yr old Gary Lockett has had some time to re-evaluate things.

It looks like Lockett's life flashed before his eyes during his last three rounds of boxing. "I am considering my future," said Lockett in an interview with BBC Sports. "I still have my faculties and I want to spend time with my family."

We knew Kelly Pavlik packed a serious punch, but apparently he hits so hard that it makes some people rework there life's plans. Lockett must have seen the light during his fight with The Ghost and at some point decided that he doesn't want to go through anything like that again.

We can't blame him for hanging it up - near death experiences usually result in unalterably changing a person's view on life (plus he finally got a decent payday). 

Well, he wasn't really going to die, but he probably felt like it, enough to leave the sport that he has fought professionally in for twelve years. 

"Every time he threw punches, it felt like he was making me pay"

- Gary Lockett

Wednesday Night Fight Recap: Jeff Lacy vs. Epifanio Mendoza

In what started off as a pretty entertaining super middleweight slugfest then quickly became just two men trying to catch their breath, Jeff Lacy took a majority decision from Epifanio Mendoza.

By about the fifth round both fighters had unloaded some big shots on their opponent, but in the process they also unloaded any energy they had brought to the table. The remaining five rounds brought the viewers a sluggish, boring poor of boxing skill and stamina.  

There has been some talks suggesting that Jermain Taylor, the former undisputed middleweight champ of the world,  was going to turn down a shot at a vacant title against Carl Froch, to take a supposedly more lucrative fight with Lacy.  Anyone who had a vested interest in that fight may as well kiss it goodbye.  

Lacy looked horrible in this slight victory, lunging in at his opponent with his head down and not once employing a consistent jab or any real skill.  Jermain would pick Lacy apart.  

Carl Froch, the WBC #1 contender and undefeated prospect, has always been the better fight for Jermain (not to mention a chance to win a vacant belt). But, because money seems to be the end all be all as usual, and because the little-known Froch won't bring enough of it to the table, it most likely won't happen. 

Hopefully the lack luster display Lacy just put on tonight was enough to change Jermain's mind.

Calzaghe Injured: Roy Jones Jr Fight Postponed

According to the BBC, Joe Calzaghe has put the impending light heavyweight championship match up with Roy Jones Jr on hold.

During training camp Joe suffered an injury to his right hand.  Like many fighters he has battled of hand injuries for most of his career, but has managed to fight through the ailments.  

No date has been rescheduled as of yet, but as of now the Pay-Per-View event at Madison Square Garden that was supposed to have taken place on September 20th, is off until further notice.

Have We Been a Little Hard on the Heavyweight Champ of the World??

Wladimir Klitschko has been under relentless fire following his last few title defenses. He has heard it from not only the media and general public, but from fighters all over the division -most recently and notably, from David Haye (someone who only has one bout in the division). And Although much of the criticism is warranted, it is possible that many have gone too far.

As the recognized heavyweight champion of the world, Klitschko lives his professional and personal life in the hottest spotlight of the boxing industry. To any boxing outsider, the division where Wlad stakes his claim is all they know and/or care about, and at the moment he is the face of that division, one that is filled with middle class big men. 

Wlad, as many have so blatantly noted, is not what we as the American public want from our heavyweight champion of the world. 

He is a man who displays a set of traits that we would associate more with what we hope our kid will grow up to be like one day, or even the guy you want your daughter to marry - but in boxing, he is the anti-heavyweight champion of the world. We apparently like our champions of a whole different breed.

Where Wlad spends his time going to school and achieving a PhD, we want someone like Evander Holyfield, who despite making over 250 million dollars mis-manages his funds so poorly he drives himself to the point of bankruptcy. Where Wlad understands his weakness, and skillfully does his best to protect his well-being at all times in the ring, we want someone like Rocky Marciano, who is willing to get his face beat in just to put the hurt on his opponent. Where Wladimir rarely loses his calm inside the ring or out, says the right thing at the right times, and devotes his time to charitable causes, we prefer a psycho like Mike Tyson, who eats opponents for breakfast (literally) inside the ring, and rapes and pillages villages outside of it.

We admit that Waldimir Klitschko is not exciting to watch by any means. However, he rarely gets credit for the things that he does correctly. He is a very skilled and technical boxer, he has never once backed down from or ducked any fighter in the division, he has never been one to pull pre-madonna stunts, which cannot be said for so many champions (Floyd) and he consistently works to unify the heavyweight title, something that most fighters seem to have forgotten about.

The problem lies within the fact that he is too smart and just plain too regular for his own good. He doesn't take risks, he stays in shape, he plays by the book, his prison record is clean, he keeps his mouth shut and he really gives all of us nothing to talk about because of it. Anything unexpected rarely happens with Wlad, so we begin to nitpick every flaw.

We are not saying you need to love the guy.  We are not even saying you have to agree with us in slightest (because at times we don't even know if we agree with ourselves on this subject). But, we must not drop all of the blame on the best fighter of a horrible division. 

If he is so bad, then someone needs to step up and knock him out and give us something else. Until then we have to accept what is reality - a champion that is 51 and 3 and has Ko'd over 80 % of the opponents he has faced, and for the most part isn't as bad as we all make him out to be (boring, but not as bad..).

If anyone is sick of the heavyweight division, try watching some fights below 200 lbs, where some of the best fights in years are taking place. Don't tell us boxing has lost it's punch, David Krikorian (see article), when all you are referring to is one division. Anyone who follows the sports will disagree with that unfounded claim.

Pic of the Week: Preemptive Fight Poster Mayweather vs. De La Hoya

click to enlarge

We got our hands on a fight poster that was premptively (and mistakenly) created for the rematch between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather.  The poster was already designed and illustrated before the Golden Boy even set foot in the ring with Steve Forbes. 

Hopefully this company learned their lesson from putting the ever-retiring Mayweather in one of their ads, and realized that maybe next time they should wait until after one of the fighters completes his prior engagements.

Yuriorkis Gamboa KO's Seeger

Yuriorkis Gamboa came through once again, and in the process, made us look good for speaking so highly of him. The fight was stopped within the first round when Gamboa connected with a right, sending Al Seeger to the floor as if he had been picked off by a sniper. 

See Video

Gamboa artwork to come...

Yuriorkis Gamboa: Cuban Phenom

Turn on your televisons.

In a few hours, super featherwight Yuriorkis Gamboa (10-0, 8 Ko's) will be showcasing his talents on ESPN Friday Night Fights. He will square off against last minute replacement, Al Seeger (27-3, 21 Ko's).

Gamboa is a 2004 olympic gold medalist for Cuba and has recently defected from his homeland to turn pro in America.  This speed demon walked threw his first 9 opponents, however in his tenth bout against a step up in class, Darling Jimenez, he showed some weakness.

Gamboa stilled dominated the fight and won every round, but his case is very interesting.  He may be too fast and too good for is own good (if that makes sense). 

Gamboa can throw punches like a machine, sometimes dropping combinations in excess of 15 punches. He is so well conditioned and so much faster than everyone he comes into contact with, that is seems he never really had to learn how to properly defend himself.  

He just ducks and dodges every punch, and for the most part his raw ability lets him get away with it. However it did catch up with him for a moment in has last fight, when in the fourthh round he walked into a flash knock down.

It will be interesting to see how he develops in the next year, because with out a doubt, he has greater natural ability than 99% of professional fighters. Tonight should be a chance for him to score a convincing win on a last minute replacement in front of national audience.  

Down the line, look for Gamboa to challenge for a world title.

More to come on Gamboa, as well as artwork...

Kelly Pavlik is Making the Move to Super MIddleweight to Fight Bernard Hopkins

Although it finally looks like we may see a Kelly Pavlik - Joe Calzaghe showdown in the future, in the mean time both fighters still have impending bouts to worry about before then. Calzaghe is signed and set to go against Jones, but Pavlik has been struggling to find an adequate opponent, that is until now.

We recently reported that the match-up with welterweight champ Paul Williams was close to being inked, and it was close, however as things often do in the sport of boxing, it fell through due to monitory issues.  The fight wouldn't generate enough of it. 

After going through a fairly diverse list of welterweights, junior middles, and middleweights, that included Sergio Mora, Marco Antonio Rubio, Paul Williams, Randy Griffin and Winky Wright, The Ghost's camp decided on a light heavyweight of all things, former Ring champ and "legend," Bernard Hopkins. 

Dan Rafael, from ESPN, broke the news this morning. "There's a deal, but there are a few details to be tied up," Arum said. "But the fight is happening."

Although this is definitely not Pavlik's first choice (or ours for that matter), this bout will be directly beneficial to Kelly in three ways.  (1) If he plans to take on Joe Calzaghe at super middleweight, this fight will be a perfect test at the higher weight (2) We will all be able to compare and contrast how Pavlik handles Hopkins as opposed to his counterpart Joe C. (3) If he defeats Hopkins, he scores a win over a legend of the sport, and although over-the-hill, he still shows up on many people's top ten pound-for-pound list. 

With all that said, this is not and easy fight by any means. Hopkins will give anyone a tough time in the ring and "Kelly isn't thrilled with the fight, but if he is going to fight Calzaghe, it gets him ready for that fight," said Jack Loew, Pavlik's trainer.

Who can blame him though? Most fighters wouldn't even think of taking a fight with a crafty vet like Hopkins, who has the ability to make anyone look horrible in the ring, especially when there is not a belt on the line. But, Pavlik is showing that he is a true champ and is willing to take on whoever is put in front of him, unlike many of the fighters out there (eh hmm... Floyd).

The fight will take place at the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, N.J. and will be broadcast on HBO Pay-Per-View live October 18th.

Joe Calzaghe Now Willing to Fight Kelly Pavlik?

It's working.  

The constant pressure from the fans and media seems to be slowly getting to the Welsh super middleweight and light heavyweight champ.  Just the past week, Joe Calzaghe made statements suggesting that he intended to hold on to his WBO super middlweight title (the belt that he defended 21 times for over ten years) and continue fighting after the Roy Jones Jr. bout (article).

The BBC reported earlier this morning that Calzaghe not only intends to defend his title, but could be planning to do it against the best middle weight in the world, Kelly Pavlik. "There is no way I am going to give up my WBO title.  If I beat Jones, I might move back down to super-middleweight to face Kelly Pavlik," said Joe C. 

Thank you Joe, we take back anything negative that we have ever sent in your direction. 

If Calzaghe's words hold up and these two actually step in the ring, win or lose, Calzaghe's credibility, likability and legacy will all take a turn for the better in the mind's of every American boxing fan. 

Now Calzaghe's is really fighting for something in his next bout with Jones.  He is fighting for the fans and for boxing, he is fighting for the chance to set up one of the biggest fights in the past ten years - a showdown between the top two undefeated  160 and 168 pounders in the world.

James Toney vs. Hasim Rahman Results: Another Disappointment

Yes they are. Don't know whatever possessed us think that this match-up wouldn't somehow end in raging disappointment.

After three rounds of fairly decent action, James Toney and Hasim Rahman's very large heads collided, opening a gash above Hasim's eye and leaving both a little disoriented (see video 1). Toney (who despite claiming he worked harder than ever in training, still looked like an alien pod was incubating in his stomach) quickly capatilized on the occasion, landing quite a few big right hands before the round ended. And then it got weird.

BDSSP Fight Night: Round 3 Highlights

In between rounds, the ringside physician came over to Rahman's corner to check the cut that was caused from the unintentional head-butt. Somewhere in the conversation, Hasim said that he was having trouble seeing out of his eye (the one that was affected by the butt). The ringside physician did exactly what he was supposed to do and stopped the bout when a fighter's vision is severely affected.

At the sound of the bell we saw James Toney fall to the floor in excitement for what he thought was a victory.  After some deliberation before the announcer let us in on the ruling, Toney's camp realized the decision was not cut and dry and decided to sit down to wait anxiously in their corner.  

Now what normally happens when an unintentional head-butt causes a cut that is bad enough to stop the fight within the first four rounds, the bout is ruled a no-contest.  However, after the fourth round the decision will go to the score cards. Pretty simple right? Not quite.

Since the doctor ruled that the cut was okay to contiue, the fight was stopped on Rahman's exclamation of blurred vision in his left eye. Although the head-butt may have aided in his ailment, it is possible that it was caused from punches as well. So Rahman was, by his own admission, not able continue and James Toney was awarded the NABO heavyweight title (see video).

BDSSP Fight Night: Final Decision

In his post interview, Toney mumbled something about how he is the best heavyweight in the division and slung some derogatory comments towards the number one heavyweight champion Wlad Klitschko (seems to be the "it" thing to do these days; see video above). And this is coming after a horrible and unconvincing technical victory.

Although Klitschko has not astounded us as of recently, there is no way James Toney should even get the chance to be mentioned in the same breath as Wlad. He is still out of condition and at age 40 has no chance of lasting 12 rounds with a man who is 7 inches taller, a ripped 241 lbs, and currently just a better fighter. 

Toney get in the long line of Wald contenders, your at the end buddy. 

Clazaghe Not Done After Jones?

According to Boxing News 24, Joe Calzaghe may be taking back his recent words of retirement.

Calaghe has informed the president of the WBO that he intends to defend his super middleweight title after the conclusion of the Roy Jones Jr. fight at Madison Square Garden, on September 20th.

Apparently the onslaught of media backlash (us included) that was directed his way after turning down a chance to fight middleweight champ, Kelly Pavlik, finally got to him.  There is no mention of who he would be fighting in his return to super middleweight, but it definitely leaves it open for a Calzaghe - Pavlik Showdown.

Weigh-in results: James Tony vs. Hasim Rahman

When we first heard that these two "veterans" (we're being nice) singed up for a heavyweight bout, we were very skeptical (see favorite article; Toney and Rahman Are Still Fighting?). And not to say that we have changed our minds, but after hearing some buzz about the training camps and seeing the weigh in results, the fight just became a little bit more interesting (a little bit...).

The last couple of times we saw James Toney (70-6 -3, 43 Ko's) in the ring he was looking (how do we put this lightly..) not healthy. He tipped the scales at over 250 lbs, was grossly out of shape and resembled Grimace, Ronald McDonald's obese purple buddy or the pleasantly plump alien Earl, from Sega's Toe Jam and Earl (the one eating the hotdog; whichever, he was a big boy). 

However, there have been rumors floating around that Toney has been taking this fight as seriously as he did back when he was the middleweight champion of the world (16 years and 100 lbs ago).  And it would seem that the rumors are true.

James Toney stepped up to the scale looking fit and ready, weighing in at 226 lbs.  His opponent Hasim Raham (45-6-2, Ko's 36), tipped in at 244 lbs. 

The fact that Toney looks like he is taking the fight more seriously is what makes it instantly more interesting.  Although the winner of this match-up doesn't deserve a title shot (as previously stated by the promoters), there is a very slight chance we could be in for a good fight.

We are still talking about two of the better fighters in the past 15 years. Toney has won a title in every division on his journey up from middlweight to heavyweight and was named 2003 "Fighter of Year". Standing across from him will be one of the few men who can say they took down the last outstanding heavyweight champ, Lennox Lewis.  And they both will be fighting as if it were their last fight (because it probably is).

If these guys are as serious as they claim, this fight has the chance to be a diamond in the rough in the heavyweight division.  In the same breath, it could be as boring as (if not worse) than the Klitschko fight. We have to keep in mind that we are still watching heavyweights, both past the age of 35 and both semi-washed up with one foot out the door (and into a Coldstone Creamery for Toney).

The fight will be broadcast live from Temecula, CA on FSN tomorrow night (wed.) at 11:00 pm EST  

Chad Dawson vs. Antonio Tarver Set To Go

The Sweet Science posted a released from Showtime confirming the deal for a interesting match up between two of the top light heavyweight title holders.

Antonio The Magic Magic Tarver and Bad Chad Dawson will step between the ropes on October 11th, to find out who is the better man when it comes to fistic combat - the aging one-time super star of the light heavy's or the best young talent in the division.

The fact that they came to terms did not come as a surprise.  Dawson, who is coming off a unanimous decision victory over tough veteran Glen Johnson, recently opted out of a low cash purse and low visibility (no visibility actually, it was not even going to be broadcasted) mandatory defense that would have taken place over seas, against Adrian Diaconu.  By doing so he relinquished his WBC light heavyweight title and Diaconu has subsequently taken the reign as champ.  

There is no way Dawson would have given up his title without knowing he was going to have a shot at two more in his upcoming fight. Even if he knew, we still think the move is a little risky. How many done deals have we seen fall through in the past? (Enough to say hold on to your belt)

In this case, it was the right move.  Dawson is what Tarver once was (when he defeated Roy Jones on two occasions) conditioned, skilled, fast and powerful. It will be quite the role reversal for Tarver from when Mason The Line Dixon (his character) defeated the veteran Rocky Balboa. In this battle of southpaws, Dawson dethrones the aging Magic Magic and claims his second and third (IBF & IBO) light heavyweight titles. 

This year has been as stand out display of great fights in the sport of boxing.  And the main reason is the fact that the promotors and fighters seem to be doing their best to make the best possible fights (minus Calzaghe) happen in a timely manner. With the stable of talent in all divisions below the 200 lbs mark, there should be no reason why this can't continue for quite some time.

The fight will be broadcasted on Showtime at 9:00 PM EST

Pic of the Week: Final Bell Boxing Unofficial Cotto vs. Margarito Fight Poster

click on the illustration to enlarge and download

- From the creative mind of Adam Morris at Final Bell Boxing -

Celebrity Boxing: Sikahema vs. Jose Canseco

As if Jose Canseco hasn't embarrassed himself enough in the sporting world. 

The man who turned half of baseball on to anabolic steroids then subsequently sold every one of them out in his tell-all books, stepped inside the ring with former NFL punt returner, Via Sikahema,  to take part in a celebrity boxing match (if we want to classify these guys celebrities).

Canseco got his clocked cleaned in the first round and went down to the matt twice before the contest was stopped.  Sikahema, standing at 5'9" and 205 lbs., dominated the roided-out ex-slugger, who came into the fight at 6'4"  and 245 lbs.

According the press, Via Sikahema has participated in more than 80 amateur boxing matches, proving once again that anyone who has trained as a boxer will outclass someone who has not, no matter how much bigger or stronger (or hopped up on roids) he is. 

Canseco has stated that he has a background in martial arts, which leads us to believe one of two things, he took karate when he was a helpless 7 year old or he is full of s#*!

Klitschko vs Thompson recap

There isn't much to say about this heavyweight fight except for the fact that we personally know two different people who fell asleep some time after the fifth round (and one of them was watching it at 4:30 in the afternoon). 

In the past we have defended Wladimir Klitschko as being a technically sound and fairly dominate fighter, although that coming against a class of schlubs. No longer will we make

that assertion. He is the ringleader of mediocre heavyweights, the captain of the last place team, and quite simply put, the best of the worst.

After putting on a display of boxing for 11 rounds which proved that neither of the fighters deserve to hold the "greatest crown in sports", the fight came to an end when an exhausted Thompson (who was falling all over the place up until then) walked into one of Klitschko's giant right hands. 

Joe Cortez was there to call the fight after Thompson could not get to his feet before the count concluded. And we have to ask how the hell Joe Cortez is still in there? Last week Cortez put his name on one of the worst refereeing decisions of the past ten years (see article).  

He has lost his ring presence and in this fight he missed the opening head-butt (that conveniently split both fighters eyes open in the exact same spot at the same exact time), claiming a punch did the damage. The sanctioning bodies have to consider this when casting Joe for anymore big title fights.

On another note, at least one fighter in the division agrees that it is atrocious. David Haye was in Hamburg to witness the debacle. "If he fights me in the way he fought that guy, he will be knocked out in three rounds," said Haye, after the fight. "He has got the perfect style for me. I don't want him to have any more fights before me as I don't want someone else to do what I will do against him." 

And we are starting to become believers.  Haye has been begging (or demanding) for a fight with Wlad since vacating his cruiserweight titles (see here). And for the first time ever Klitschko acknowledged him as a possible fight. "David Haye was here in Hamburg and wants to fight me.  He is one of the candidates," said the heavyweight champ.

Without even fighting once at heavyweight, Daivid Haye is slowly starting to become the anointed savior of the division. With his speed and heavy KO power (and Klitschko's more-than-not wide open chin) Haye should be able to do what he has been explicating to all of us for the past few months.

Saturdays undercard: Kronk star Jonathon Bank won a decision a close majority decision over Vincezno Rossitto to claim the vacant IBO cruiser weight title. 

Wlad Klitschko vs. Tony Thompson: Heavyweight Championship of the World

The weigh-in is official.  Heavyweight champion Wald Klitschko came in at 241 lbs. and Tony "The Tiger" Thomspon tipped the scale at 247 lbs.

Although very boring and very robotic, Wlad has still looked dominate in his recent fights. However, some think Thompson may be able to give him some trouble with his boxing ability and the fact that he is only giving up one inch in height.  

We see it as a another fairly easy win for the champ from the Ukraine. Emanuel Steward has Klitschko using his specimen of a body better than ever before and he should not have to worry about his questionable chin as Thompson does not show any one-punch KO power.  Either way this fight is a no win situation for Klitschko. If he wins, then he beat another "bum" in the heavyweight division and if he loses, he loses to that same "bum".  As far as the significance of the fight - not much.

The bout will take place today in Hamburg, Germany  and will be aired live on HBO at 4:30 pm EST. 

Undercard:

Jonathon Banks (19-0, 14 Ko's) vs. Vincenzo Rossitto (36-5, 22 Ko's) 

Jonathon Banks is the undefeated Kronk prospect who currently holds the NABO cruiserweight title.  Emanuel Steward has informed us that he will be a force to reckon with in the fairly open cruiserweight division, especially with the recent departure of former undisputed champ David Haye. 

Look for Banks to take care of business in this bout against an opponent who has only one notable fight in his career in which he was KO'd in two rounds by the aforementioned Haye.

The Contender Back on the Air

ESPN has reported that The Contender television series has found a new home for the third time in the past four years.  After a year stint with NBC and two years with ESPN,  the live sports network, Versus, has claimed the rights to the boxing reality series that has produced a somewhat steady following.  

The show will air on Versus this coming December with 11 one-hour episodes culminating with a two-hour episode for the final championship bout.  

This season is apparently heading in a new and much heavier direction.  The 16 man tournament will be filled with cruiser-weight contenders from the 200 lbs. division.  The names discussed as possible contenders are much more prominent than that of any past years. The interested parties range from prospects B.J. Flores and O'niel Bell, to veterans like Darnell "Ding-a-Ling Man" Wilson, to the current undefeated NABO cruiser-weight champ and Kronk product, Jonathon Banks.  

There is a twist this year.  The American cruiser-weights will be facing off against a team from overseas and it looks like all of the gang will be back for the ride. Sugar Ray Leonard is expected to rejoin in his role as supervisor and host. Buddy McGirt will be training the American team and they are hoping to secure the Ring "Trainer of the Year", Enzo Calzaghe, to train the international team.  Now that would make for some good television as Clazaghe runs his mouth with the best of em' (from what we can make out; see here)

The previous Contender fighters, although not consistently the best talent in the biz,  have made the most of the face time they received from the series. (See Contenders on the Main Stage article).  These cruiser-weights will hope to do the same and shed some light on a division that most poeple out side of boxing don't even know exists.

For your listening pleasure the theme song for The Contender (probably the best part about the show) that was created by one the greatest film and t.v. composers of all time Hans Zimmer... Even if the show sucks this year, the music still gets you a little exicted, no?

Also included the theme song from Quentin Tarantino's, True Romance, by Hans Zimmer.