Pacquiao vs. Mayweather a done deal for March 13!

Official press announcement of super fight expected this coming week!

Various news outlets are now reporting that pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao has agreed to face undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr on March 13. Both parties are content with their monetary compensation as well as the date of the fight.  While the only matter left to officially decide upon is the venue itself, there's a better than average chance that the super fight will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas NV.

According to Ronnie Nathanielsz of Philboxing.com, Pacquiao and his advisor Michael Koncz met with his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, early this morning at the New World hotel in Makati City. Supposedly Arum made Pacquiao an offer that he simply could not refuse. “I am very excited and it was a good meeting and Michael (Koncz) was very constructive in the meeting," Arum continued. "Manny was very alert and showed a tremendous knowledge of what he was doing and his problems of running for office and the March 13 date solves those to some extent.”

On Fightnews.com moments ago, Arum was quoted as saying at a press conference, "You guys can interpret that anyway you want. But you see a smile on my face so I’m not disappointed. Now my job is to go back to the United States, sit with Richard Schaefer (CEO of Golden Boy Promotions) and the Mayweather people… so that we can make an announcement in a short term.” When questioned during a newscast about facing Mayweather on March 13, Pacquiao replied, "He’s been trash talking too much and I want to put a stop to it. I don’t want kids who are watching us to emulate him." Those sound like some brash fighting words to this observer!

Based on what has been reported by Ben Thompson of Fighthype.com, boxing fans can expect Arum to make an official announcement this Tuesday which happens to be his 78th birthday. Doesn’t it feel so satisfying to know that two opposing teams, who are not known for being able to do business with one another, can come together in a professional manner to do what's right for the common good of our sport?

Boxingchronicles.com was particularly critical of Mayweather for requesting that Pacquiao openly challenge him to the fight. Everyone knows that it takes two to make a mega fight of this magnitude. Not since the late and great Diego “Chico” Corrales nine years ago has there been a worthy adversary, currently in his prime and universally recognized as the best in the world, capable of bringing out the best in the Grand Rapids, Michigan native.

When listening to the mainstream news, it becomes clear that the media and the fans that have openly criticized Money May [myself included], left him absolutely no choice but to take the fight with the pride of the Philippines. To a certain extent he had been vilified lately as a fighter who was cherry picking his opponents -- up until now. No other fight, for either contestant, would be acceptable at this time. Respect must be paid, both to Arum and Mayweather, for putting their differences aside in order to make this fight possible.

At the end of the day, we the fans are the ones who will emerge as the real winners from the pending materialization of this extravaganza. It must be the happy holiday cheer that is in the air. Should this fight be announced on Tuesday, as Arum has been hinting, consider such a landmark an early holiday gift to all of you.

Read More

Pavlik vs. Williams off for now!

World middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik has withdrawn from his October 3 title defense against former WBO welterweight champion Paul Williams, due to a knuckle injury he suffered on his left hand in training. Dates that both parties are currently considering to reschedule the event are November 21 and December 5. The bout was scheduled to take place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.

According to ESPN's Dan Rafael, Williams' promoter Dan Goossen was completely unaware of the Pavlik's decision to withdraw from the fight. Goossen informed ESPN, ""As you are aware, we've just learned of Pavlik's decision to cancel the press conference and thus the fight and we will evaluate where we go from here." HBO and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who represents Pavlik, have already approved the rescheduled date of November 21, but Goossen has not yet confirmed his fighter's next step amidst yesterday's sudden postponement. On that same evening, Goossen will be representing super middleweight Andre Ward in his title challenge of WBA super middleweight champion Mikkell Kessler on HBO rival Showtime's Super Six Classic Tournament.

Goossen is well aware of the fact that Kessler vs. Ward and Pavlik vs. Williams could very well interfere and compete with one another as the respective boxing telecasts will likely coincide. Taking that into consideration, this reporter believes there is a better than average chance that Pavlik vs. Williams will be rescheduled for December 5. Stay tuned for further details.

Read More

Wladimir Klitschko vs David Haye set for June 20!

After months of ongoing negotiations with a number of them stalling, an agreement has finally been reached between the parties of IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and former cruiserweight champion David Haye. Klitschko will defend his titles against Haye on June 20, at a site that is still yet to be determined. HBO will televise in the US, which adds another upcoming fight to the list of intriguing matches that have been and will be televised by the network.

Read More

Is Floyd Mayweather Jr returning to the ring?

A source says he's sparring and trying to plan a return to the ring on July 11!

According to an article I read on ESPN by Dan Rafael, former pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr has been in the gym sparring and is itching to make a return to the ring. Mayweather has not seen action since December of 2007, when he knocked out Ricky Hatton in 10 rounds to retain the WBC welterweight championship of the world. After a rematch with Oscar De la hoya had been scheduled for September 20 of last year, Mayweather humbly announced his retirement from the sport of boxing.

Such news is reassuring to read, but I would like to hear it or read it from either Floyd Mayweather, Jr or his advisor and close confident Leonard Ellerbe rather than just a source. There are so many sources out there these days, right down to a simple cab driver or security officer, who has absolutely no legitimate projection of an athlete's future business endeavor. I for one would like to see Mayweather in the ring again, primarily against against Miguel Cotto, welterweight champion Shane Mosley, or most preferably - current pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao. As I have noted previously on numerous occasions, Pacquiao vs. Mayweather is a huge event, staging a potentially exciting fight, for millions of dollars in what could be the greatest payday for both combatants.

There is not one serious boxing fan who would not want to go to Las Vegas to attend that fight live or pay to see it on PPV. Regardless of who would win or lose, it is definitely the type of fight against the caliber of opponent who could push Money May to the edge of his physical and mental ring abilities. Mayweather would not be able to pot shot and run his way to a decision. Pacquiao is simply too fast and throws too many punches. Whoever were to emerge victorious, Pacquiao vs. Mayweather is certainly a fight worth watching. Mayweather's been in a few boring fights, but I have rarely ever seen Pacquiao in a dull fight (one-sided or competitive) and nobody has ever tarnished Mayweather's undefeated record.

The source claims that Mayweather has been discussing a July 11th date with HBO for his return to the ring, which Mayweather would prefer to have on HBO World Championship Boxing, but there are a couple monkey wrenches that conflict with those plans. HBO would have to come up with a license fee in order to put Mayweather's summer comeback fight on HBO, or else that event might also air live on PPV.

The other obstacle would be a conflict of dates, as July 11 is the date currently being negotiated for a proposed cruiserweight title fight between IBF champion Tomasz Adamek and former middleweight and light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins. However, Main Events and Golden Boy Promotions, the respective promoters for Adamek and Hopkins, have not yet committed to that date, so it remains questionable whether or not Mayweather's return engagement would fill that time slot.

Read More

Dawson vs. Tarver II rescheduled for May 9!

HBO still intends to televise.

The rematch between IBF/IBO light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson and former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver will happen on May 9 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. They were originally scheduled to meet on March 14, but Dawson withdrew from the fight due to an injury suffered in training. According to an interview conducted by Ryan Burton on Boxingtalk, Alfredo Angulo will appear on the under card.

Read More

Cotto vs. Clottey June 13 at Madison Square Garden?

According to Boxingscene.com, it looks like a unification title fight between WBO welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto and IBF welterweight belt holder Joshua Clottey is almost officially set for Madison Square Garden on June 13, which is the weekend of the Puerto Day Parade in New York City.

In a way, I'm a bit surprised that Top Rank promoter Bob Arum did not choose Cintron as Cotto's next opponent, being that both guys are Puerto Rican and the idea for the event is to stage it at Madison Square Garden on the weekend of the Puerto Rican Day parade. Cintron tarnished his reputation in his last fight with the way he carried on about the so called headbutt that dropped him in the seventh round, rather than the straight left hand that Martinez landed. As if that wasn't enough, he cried robbery when the official judges declared that fight a draw. Therefore I am delighted that Arum did not select him as Cotto's next opponent.

Furthermore, Clottey currently resides in Bronx, NY, both Cotto and Clottey fight under the Top Rank banner, and overall this is a much better match up than Cotto vs. Cintron. Would I most like to see Mosley vs. Cotto II? Yes, but I won't beat a dead horse over and over again. To his credit, Clottey is a titleholder as well as a top three welterweight would could present Cotto with spirited challenge, so Cotto vs. Clottey is fine by me. No complaints on my end; lets make this fight happen Bobfather!

Read More

Froch vs Taylor officially set for April 25!

According to reliable news sources, WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch is finally set to defend his title against former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor on April 25. The fight will take place at the MGM Mirage at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut. Contract for the fight has been signed by both parties and the fight is officially a done deal. Froch vs Taylor will be televised on Showtime.

Read More

Wladimir Klitschko ends talks of fight with David Haye!

WBO/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has withdrawn from negotiations for a title defense against former cruiserweight champion David Haye later this year. Supposedly Klitschko does not believe that Haye is worthy of a shot at his titles due to the verbal attacks that Haye has consistently launched at him as well as unreasonable demands being made on Haye's behalf.

Yesterday on Fightnews, I read the following article.

According to the Ukrainian language section of klitschko.com, Wladimir Klitschko has decided to stop negotiations with David Haye. He says the main problem has been a lack of professionalism on the part of Haye and his representatives. Wlad says Haye can’t decide on his demands. “If Haye continues in the same spirit, it will be two more years before he get a chance to reach a championship fight.” In the event the fight with Haye is not resurrected, Wlad plans “to face Chris Arreola or find someone else. This will be determined later.”

Klitschko is beginning to sound like Oscar De la hoya, when Fernando Vargas talked trash about him, and as a result De la hoya for years dismissed the notion of fighting him [they eventually met in September 2002, with De la hoya scoring a dramatic 11th round TKO]. It is neither noble or courageous to deny a fighter - especially a top contender and former world champion - an opportunity just because he talked some trash. Boxing is a hurting business; it is not always a gentlemen sport. Avoiding Haye who is a former world champion emerging as a heavyweight contender, just because he has belittled Klitschko, is no way for Klitschko to distinguish himself from the rest of the barely recognizable Eastern European titlists.

Certainly Haye is a brash and arrogant character who never hesitates to take his share of verbal jabs at Klitschko, but I will wholeheartedly admit that he is a bigger risk than Klitschko's next prospective opponent, undefeated Chris Arreola. Haye has at least fought some decent opposition and won a world championship. While Haye may not necessarily have the most durable whiskers, he can be evasive and he does possess sufficient enough hand speed as well as an awkward style to cause Klitschko much discomfort. Arreola punches pretty hard, but punching power is not the number one asset a fighter needs to defeat Klitschko - I believe it's hand speed.

Ability to even locate the target on a man as tall and rangy as Klitschko is a vital key to success. Haye is capable of making contact and perhaps even hurting Klitschko early with fast combinations, as Corrie Sanders was able to accomplish in 2003 when he made short and sweet work of Klitschko, devastating the Ukrainian giant in less than two rounds.

Read More

Campbell loses titles on the scales!

WBO and IBF titles, only on the line for Funeka!

Nate Campbell lost his WBO and IBF titles on Friday afternoon, when he failed to make the 135lb limit at the weigh-in. On his first attempt, Campbell weighed 138lbs. He was given two more hours to shed the additional weight. On his second and final attempt, Campbell weighed 137.5 - still two and a half pounds over the contracted weight.

As a result, the WBO and IBF rightfully stripped Campbell of his titles. The fight will still happen tonight and it is still a title fight, but only for challenger Ali Funeka, who weighed 133.5lbs on his first try. Should Campbell emerge victorious, the titles will remain vacant. If the upset-minded Funeka wins, he takes home the titles.

Serious questions arise, given these events: Did Campbell take this fight seriously enough? After all, failure to make weight is exactly the reason why Campbell heavily criticized his previous opponent Joan Guzman last September, when Guzman also came in over weight and prevented their September 13th title fight from happening. Is Campbell in danger of suffering a let down after posting a career defining victory over Juan Diaz almost a year ago?

Perhaps it's a weigh-in curse that has long plagued the lightweight division. If you all recall, Jose Luis Castillo failed to make weight for his lightweight title rematch with Diego Corrales in 2005. Corrales weighed in well above the 135lb limit for his lightweight title rubbermatch against Joel Casamayor in October of 2006. As was mentioned before, the same thing happened with Guzman when he was scheduled to challenge Campbell for the lightweight championship last September.

Alright ladies and gentlemen, Friday the 13th has come and gone. Putting weight class superstitions aside, let us look into a more logical and realistic reason for Campbell's mishap.

While Campbell is in fact a ripe 36 years of age [he'll be turning 37 on March 7], I take my hat off to an old veteran like Bernard Hopkins, a gym rat who remains in the gym and stays fit, even if he does not have a fight to train for. When one is able to maintain some semblance of physical conditioning throughout the year, it makes it much easier to take any additional weight off for the fight. At the advanced age of 36, taking a year off from boxing and then weighing in three pounds over the weight limit on the scales is something that a guy like Campbell can not afford to do. When you're a professional, especially a unified world champion at an advanced age, you're expected to show more discipline than that.

That's the difference between a great old fighter maintaining his form at a later age vs. a guy who happens to work his way to the title and then fails to keep it due inconsistency and lack of consistent work ethic. I'm sorry to say, but I do not chalk this one up to age. In this particular case, Campbell is guilty of inconsistency, as he has been on several occasions. He gives a near-prime Joel Casamayor all he can handle in January of 2003, in what was a close debatable decision loss, but was stopped on two separate by Robbie Peden.

Campbell dominated and stopped Kid Diamond, but lost a decision to Francisco Lorenzo, whom Humberto Soto went on to defeat this past year. Campbell also lost to welterweight contender Isaac Hlatshwayo in a jr welterweight fight that took place in 2004, but came back in March 2008 with a career-best performance and handed previously undefeated Juan Diaz his first loss to claim the WBO and IBF titles. Since the win over Diaz, Campbell was laid off for almost a year.

The sequence of events that were just described purely summarize the height of inconsistency and irresponsibility. That is why Campbell's reign has been cut short, before he's even had a physical fighting chance to make the first defense of the title he worked so hard to win.

Read More

Joe Calzaghe announces retirement!

Yesterday, undefeated light heavyweight champion Joe Calzaghe of Wales announced his retirement from the sport of boxing.

Currently ranked #2 pound for pound at Boxing Chronicles, Calzaghe finishes his career with a record of 46-0 that includes recent wins over Mikkell Kessler, Bernard Hopkins, and Roy Jones Jr. Perhaps the most impressive and career defining win was against Kessler to become the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world.

In October of 1997, Calzaghe won his first title, WBO super middleweight championship, outpointing Chris Eubank by unanimous decision. In March of 2006, Calzaghe unified two of super middleweight titles by beating undefeated IBF champion Jeff Lacy in what was a brutal and one sided twelve round affair.

Throughout his ten year reign as super middleweight champion, Calzaghe has also defeated the likes of Robin Reid, Charles Brewer, Byron Mitchell, Sakio Bika, and Peter Manfredo, Jr. I personally would have liked to see Calzaghe fight Chad Dawson prior to his retirement, in what would've either been the culmination of the new young kingpin of the light heavyweight division, or the final affirmation of a great champion who has been on top for over ten years.

In any case, I wish Mr. Calzaghe a happy retirement and give him props for a very good career that saw him retire unbeaten.

Read More

Gainer a free agent: disapproves of provisions in latest promotional agreement!

I was reading the article at Fightnews regarding Former WBA Featherweight Champion Derrick "Smoke" Gainer being a free agent, after his latest prospective promotional company and he severed professional ties. Gainer tried to modify several provisions in the agreement. The article at fightnews was written as such:

The promotional deal between Zeferino Entertainment and Derrick Gainer has collapsed. "We had a contract, but Gainer decided he wanted to modify several provisions in the agreement. Rather than to fight over these provisions we both decided to severe the professional relationship and go our separate ways," said
promoter Zef Ramirez. "I wish him the best of luck in the future."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"We are looking for a promoter we feel will put their efforts into getting Smoke back into title contention," stated Gariner's agent Brian Reed. "We are not under a promotional contract at this time and are open to offers. Smoke is back in top shape with a renewed desire to become a world champion. Smoke just turned 34 and we feel he still has all the tools to win another world title." Reed said are more aggressive Gainer should return in March. "We can't wait to show the world the new Seek & Destroy fighting style Smoke's new trainer has implemented. We feel the best is yet to come.

I think it's funny how fighters will blame the provisions of a promotional agreement, or prospective promoters or handlers, for not getting them immediate title shots.

Do prizefighters ever stop to think that it's not ALWAYS the promoters who are responsible for the fighter's unfortunate status in the sport? They act as if they have nothing to do with the position they're in, when in retrospect, they usually have the MOST to do with it because they are the ones who performed in the ring, either impressively or unimpressively.

The promoter's job is the get their fighters the fights and market the fighter. How can you market a guy who barely beat a 16-19 fighter? Sometimes, it helps if the fighters win their fights and build themselves up over time in order to deserve another title shot. It doesn't help when the boxer goes 1-2 in his last three outings, and the win that he did score was merely a split decision win, over a stepping stone with a losing record. Gainer, a former world champion, BARELY beat unknown stepping stone Phillip Payne who was 16-19-1, in his last fight! That should have been an easy fight. A coming out party after losing two in a row. A no-brainer! Whatever you opt to call that. It should'nt have been a struggle resulting in a split decision.

At 34 years of age, Gainer should be worrying about staying active, staying in the gym, getting any fights that he can get, and winning those fights impressively to ensure that earns himself a title shot. Win your fights, Smoke. Win your fights.

Wins, impressive wins over live bodies (not even top contenders necessarily), are what get people talking. Worry about provisions later. There is not much to negotiate with when you can't win your fights. There is not much you can do about that, either, if you no longer have the stomach to be a fighter.

Read More

Vasquez vs Marquez set for March 3!

World Bantamweight Champion moving up to challenge World Super Bantamweight Champion in spring superfight!

The fight everyone wants is now a done deal. Frank Espinoza, manager of Israel Vazquez, has confirmed to Fightnews.com tonight: "I am happy to announce that an agreement has been reached for the highly anticipated clash between my fighter, WBC Super Bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez and IBF Bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez. The fight is set for March third at a location yet to be determined. I would like to thank Sycuan Ringside, Gary Shaw Promotions, and Golden Boy Promotions for helping to make this super-fight a reality. I would also like to thank SHOWTIME championship boxing for having the vision to put on such an explosive confrontation. This will be a battle between two proven gladiators that is destined to become a classic."

source: fightnews

Read More

Freitas vs Casamayor II in April?

The lightweight title unification rematch between WBO beltholder Acelino Freitas and WBC titlist and Ring Magazine Kingpin Joel Casamayor is practically set to take place in April. The only thing left to complete is the signing of the paper work, and this fight is a done deal for the spring. In January 2002, Freitas scored a razor-thin yet unanimous decision over Casamayor to unify the WBO and WBA Jr Lightweight belts. A flash knockdown scored by Freitas, coupled with a point deduction from Casamayor, gave Freitas the verdict of 114-112 on the scorecards of the three official judges. Five years later, they're looking to lock horns once again and unify their respective titles again, this time at the lightweight limit of 135lbs. Freitas looks to ascend to the top of the lightweight division, following his close title winning effort over Zahir Raheem last year, and to redeem himself for the TKO loss to Diego Corrales in August 2004, when he was dropped three times and simply said "No Mas". Casamayor, on the other hand, intends to remain at the top of the division where he currently and rightfully stands, following his split decision victory over Corrales in their rubber match last October, and to avenge his loss to Freitas which is now five years old.

Read More

Williams destroys Mitchell; calls out Margarito AGAIN!

Margarito: Forget about Floyd for now; fight those who are calling you out!

Last Saturday night in Reno, NV, Paul Williams maintained his mandatory WBO ranking and undefeated record by posting a 4th round TKO of Former two-time Jr Welterweight Champion Sharmba Mitchell.

From the opening bell, Williams attacked Mitchell like an angry swarm of bees. Mitchell's size disadvantage was apparent from the outset. Mitchell did, however, manage to connect with a combination in the 2nd round, but was dropped in the third round.

The fourth round saw the end for Mitchell, as Williams decked him three times to prompt the referee to the stop the fight. Once again, Williams called out WBO Welterweight Champion Antonio "the self-proclaimed most feared man in boxing" Margarito to a fight.

Margarito has a fight lined up for December 2 in Atlantic City, NJ on Showtime, and word has it that the opponent will be Joshua Clottey, so Williams could be off Margarito's dance card until early next year. One thing is certain; Margarito must defend against Williams (his mandatory) in order to keep the belt he currently holds.

Most feared man in boxing, Antonio?

Face Clottey. Face Williams. Take on Kasim Ouma, who has expressed an interest in fighting you.

Those who acknowledge the fact that Margarito is only a welterweight might be overlooking the fact that he moved up to Jr Middleweight to fight Daniel Santos in September 2004. Although he lost that fight at the 154lb weight class via a technical decision, he did not exactly look ridiculously removed from his natural weight element of 147lbs.

If he can fight Santos, he can fight Ouma at 154lbs, or even a catch weight of 150lbs. Margarito has never been knocked out. Ouma, who has a high punch output and works three minutes and ten seconds of every round, couldn't crack an egg with his punches if he wanted to. What is wrong with Margarito vs Ouma at 154lbs, or even 150lbs????

Most feared man in boxing? How about knocking out these top 147lbers or even a 154lber, to prove to your fellow pugilists at 147lbs just how feared you are????

Just because Floyd Mayweather is facing World Welterweight Champion Carlos Baldomir on November 4, and does not have you on his dance card at this moment, does not mean that all of the other welterweights and super welterweights are avoiding you!

Give the boxing fans, and most importantly, some of your fellow welterweights a legitimate reason to "shiver!"

Read More