Klitschko gets revenge against Brewster: State of the heavyweight division!

Last Saturday night at the Koln Arena in front of 17,000 fans in Cologne, Germany, IBF Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko exacted revenge against nemesis and Former WBO Heavyweight Champion Lamon Brewster. From the outset, Klitschko fired his jab frequently, more frequently that I have seen in recent outings, to keep the shorter Brewster at bay and in his range. Brewster, who had been off for 15 months due to recovery for a detached retina, was never really in the fight from a competitive standpoint.

As soon as Klitschko had Brewster in range, he began to fire right hands that were moving Brewster back and keeping him on his heals. In the third round, Brewster managed to land some shots to the Klitschko's midsection and that momentarily slowed Klistchko's jab output, but Klitschko resumed control in the second half of the round when he started fighting Brewster with his right hand. As the rounds progressed, Brewster was less and less active and Klitschko was beginning to punch Brewster with combinations. As Jimmy Lampley pointed out, with Lennox Lewis now retired, Klitschko may very well have the best right hand in the heavyweight division. Perhaps, the best right in hand in the sport of boxing. At the end of a punishing sixth round, Brewster's trainer Buddy McGirt mercifully called a halt to the action. He didn't want to see his fighter get hurt permanently, opting to stop the fight and let his fighter live to fight another day.

As I had predicted, Klitschko outboxed Brewster and stopped him in the middle rounds. The 15 months off may very well have tainted Brewster and the ring rust looked apparent, but that is not to diminish Klitschko's performance. Klitschko's offense as well as defense looked the best I have ever seen. He was more measured in his attack and he was firing an average of 40-50 jabs per round to set up some really crisp combinations. Where does Klitschko go from here? He stated to Larry Merchant in the post fight interview that he would not be satisfied until he unified the belts with the other titlists.

Maybe his next fight will be against the winner of the unification match between WBA King Ruslan Chagaev and WBO Titleholder Sultan Ibragimov. Fighting the winner of that match, Klitschko would enter with one titlebelt and more than likely leave with three all together. The fourth major belt out there is held by Oleg Maskaev, who is tenatively scheduled to defend that crown against mandatory challenger Sam Peter. Klitschko already has a win over Peter dated back to September 2005, and if Peter dethrones Maskaev, a Klitschko vs Peter rematch could very well be the most significant fight in the heavyweight division today. After all, Peter is very much an improved fighter ever since his loss to Klitschko, judging by his outstanding performance earlier this year in his rematch with James Toney.

In recent days, Brewster indicated to the press that he is far from a finished fighter. He wants to take a little time off to rest and then come back in about three months for a tune up fight. Referring to how the media perceived Klitschko to be a shot fighter after his destruction of him three years ago, Brewster is quick to imply that he can come back and restore his credibility following this defeat just as Klitschko was able to resurrect his career following his loss to Brewster in 2004 and change his style to become a better fighter.

Read More

Klitschko, Brewster collide once again Saturday night!

Take a look back at the first fight between Klitschko and Brewster three years ago!

On Saturday night, IBF Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko will once again step into the ring with nemesis and Former WBO Heavyweight Champion Lamon Brewster. Back on April 10, 2004 in Las Vegas, Brewster scored the biggest win of his career, upseting Klitschko with a shocking fifth round stoppage.

Klitscho was in complete control of the match through the first three rounds, scoring a knockdown of Brewster in the third round and hurting him really bad in the process. However, Brewster would go on to recover at the start of the fourth round while Klistchko suddenly ran out of gas and lost steam. At that point, Brewster dropped and finished off a badly fatigued Klitschko to claim the vacate WBO title.

Since then, both fighters have taken opposite career paths. Klitschko came back from that defeat with a nice solid winning streak, including wins over Eliseo Castillo, Sam Peter, Chris Byrd, and Calvin Brock. Three of those opponents were previously unbeaten when Klitschko defeated them and Peter was even a solid favorite to win his fight with Klitschko. Klitschko won the IBF Championship from Byrd in Germany last year and has successfully defended that title two times, the first coming against Brock and the second being a dominant two round destruction over a mismatched, alphabet-soup mandatory challenger Ray Austin.

Brewster, on the other hand, defended the WBO belt a few times, with a disputed decision win over Kali Meehan and a come from behind knockout of Luan Krasniqi in Germany. Brewster would go on to lose his belt to Sergei Liakhovich by means of a convincing unanimous decision. Since that defeat over a year ago, Brewster has not stepped foot in a ring for prize fight. Going by those records, one would have to favor Klitschko going into the rematch. Klitschko is a revived and improved fighter under the tutalige of Hall of Fame Trainer Emmanuel Steward, while a defeat, age, and inactivity seem to have plagued Brewster in the last couple of years.

Klitschko should be able to outbox Brewster and stop him in the middle rounds, as long as he doesn't tire out like he did in their first fight. Yet, they still have yet to officially settle their score in their rematch this Saturday night. The result is not certain, which is why we have a fight upcoming this weekend.

Read More

Mayweather -vs- Hatton in November?

Mayweather to vacate WBC Super Welterweight Title!

It has been announced by reliable sources, such as Greg Leon at Boxingtalk.com, that Pound for Pound King Floyd Mayweather Jr has vacated the WBC Super Welterweight title that he won from Oscar De la hoya on May 5 of this year. His retirement, however, could very well be short lived. There is speculation that a big fight between Mayweather and Ricky "The Manchester Mexican" Hatton, who is fresh off of his fourth round demolition of Jose Luis Castillo, could very well be in the cards for November 10 of this year. Mayweather vs Hatton would be intriguing matchup between two undefeated champions in their prime for the Welterweight Championship of the World. Even though Mayweather vacated the 154lb title, he still holds the WBC Welterweight Championship. As for the Super Welterweight belt, that could very well be contested for in the July 28 fight between Former Welterweight Champions Vernon Forrest and Carlos Baldomir.

Read More

Margarito -vs- Williams Conference Call Quotes

In a highly anticipated match and can't miss candidate for Fight of the Year, WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito will defend his belt against undefeated, No. 1-ranked and mandatory challenger, Paul “The Punisher” Williams in the main event of "Pride N' Punishment'' on Saturday, July 14, in the outdoor tennis stadium at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The 12-round bout, presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions, will be televised on HBO “World Championship Boxing.”

“The winner of this fight is the preeminent welterweight in the world -- and that includes (Miguel) Cotto or anyone else in the 147-pound division,’’ promoter Dan Goossen said.

Tickets for “Pride N’ Punishment” are available for as low as $25, with VIP floor seats priced at $300. Other tickets in the bowl are available at $50, $75 and $150 and are on sale at TicketMaster outlets and online at www.Ticketmaster.com, as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Group tickets are available online at www.aegtickets.com or by calling 1-877-AEG-TICKETS. The first bout will begin at 5:30 p.m. PT.

Begin Opening Comments.

Goossen:
I am stranded out in Dallas with the terrible thunderstorms, so I am going to try to make my flight back to L.A., and the quicker that I can do that, the happier I will be because I will be closer to this fight July 14. I think it is a great event, “Pride N’ Punishment.’’ One of the great things this year we have seen are some great anticipated match-ups and this is certainly I think one of the top ones out there. We have had De La Hoya-Mayweather, Cotto-Judah, Hatton-Castillo and coming up July 14, I think at the top of that chain, we have two of the hungriest, in their prime, welterweights in the world – one that we know has been considered the most feared fighter in boxing today, and the other one who wants to show that that title deserves to be on his shoulders. Tickets are going great. There is a lot of anticipation there. It has been great working with Antonio Margarito and Bob (Arum) and I go back many years and have had a good, strong and healthy relationship to make these kinds of fights. As Bob has recently been saying, and as we have been saying for years, this is what boxing needs – the best fights, the most competitive fights. You need two hungry fighters out there that want to go out there and knock the other one out. That is what we have got July 14 with “Pride N’ Punishment.’’


Arum:
Dan, in addition to his talents as a promoter, has been trying out as a tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, and he can tell you about how that is going. I am delighted that Dan is on his way back to Los Angeles so he can continue to promote this great fight between Antonio Margarito and Paul Williams. As everyone knows, we as the promoters of Antonio Margarito, think he is an absolute star in boxing. We are very confident. We are very proud of Antonio. We know he will give a great account of himself against Paul Williams, who is one of the top welterweights in the world. So I can certainly recommend this fight to everyone who will be in the Los Angeles area to come out and to watch a great fight.

Margarito:
Everything is going great. I have been training two months. Sparring has been great, camp has been great. No excuses. This camp is just positive. I feel very strong and very excited to fight July 14.

Williams:
Everybody says that Margarito is the most feared and I want that reputation. I understand the man is a champion, but there is new blood in the sport and it is my time. I feel like it is my time to shine. Here in Puerto Rico, training camp is going real good. I am doing all my exercises and stuff. I am just anxious to get in the ring on July 14 and prove to the world that I deserve to be a world champion.

Begin Press Questions.

Question:
Antonio, are you doing anything differently in training for this fight? Does Paul Williams present a different type of challenge for you than some of the other guys who you have defended your title against?

Margarito:
We have been doing different things. Not every fighter is the same fighter, so on July 14, you will definitely see a new and different Antonio Margarito.

Question:
Paul, what kind of challenge does it present to you to fight a guy like Margarito? Can you compare him to any of the fighters you have fought?

Williams:
No sir. Like he said, every fighter fights differently. I am (fighting) the best fighter in the whole world. I am not taking him lightly. I know he has power in both his hands. Anything he brings to us, I am prepared for.

Question:
Antonio, have there been any injuries?

Margarito:
Camp has been going great. No injuries whatsoever. I am happy, positive, and I am anxious to get in the ring.

Question:
Paul, has there been any distractions to take away from the training?

Williams:
No injuries or anything. Just going through the pain, blood, sweat and tears. That is all you can go through. It is just a one-night chance. I am blessed and I am happy with the way things are going. We are very confident that we are going to win this fight. You will see some fireworks, believe me. There is going to be another Fourth of July.

Question:
Antonio, in your last fight with Joshua Clottey, he seemed to give you trouble in the beginning. Even though Williams is a different fighter and has a different style, is there anything in your training you have done to adjust to avoid any problems coming up again?

Margarito:
I do not want to make any excuses, but a lot of different things happened during that training camp. It was not a good training camp. Yes, you did see a rough Antonio Margarito there, but you are not going to see that same person on July 14. You will see a whole different fighter there, a very different fighter.

Question:
Antonio, you are not used to fighting fighters who are taller than you. How much is that going to be a factor?

Margarito:
It should not be a problem. We have got some sparring. We were able to find tall sparring partners. I have fought fighters that have been somewhat taller, maybe not as tall as Paul, but that should not be a problem. We have been training real hard for this type of fight.

Question:
Paul, why at your age and with your experience do you feel you are ready to fight one of the top world class fighters like Antonio Margarito, and defeat him on July 14?

Williams:
I believe I proved to myself and I have proved to the world that I deserve a title shot. I feel like it is my time. I have been doing this going on eight years. I want to put my mark in the boxing record books as one of the greats. I do not want to fight any easy fight. I want the hard fights. Bottom line, it is my time. I am hungry for it; I have starved for this since day one.

Question:
Antonio, do you agree that it seems that whenever you fight difficult fights such as the one you are going into, you come out very well prepared.

Margarito:
Yes, sometimes the fights that seemed like they were going to be the most difficult seemed to be the easiest because of my preparation. Everything has been going perfectly, so I feel very confident I will be victorious on July 14.

Question:
Paul, how has training in Puerto Rico been helpful to your career compared to other training camps that you have had in the U.S.?

Williams:
It has been going very well. It was too cold in Washington D.C. with the ice and snow. So we came to Puerto Rico where it is always hotter. Everybody sends a lot of love down here. I am prepared. Everything is convenient. I am a blessed man to be where I am at today and I am going to prove it July 14. I train hard and will come out as a world champion.

Question:
Paul, you come from South Carolina and Georgia, where there is not a whole lot of boxing there. How did you get into boxing?

Williams:
Well, there is a friend of the family. He is my mom’s best friend and he was an amateur coach. He trained my brother and I in the sport. We fell in love with it. We messed around at 160 and then came down to 147 because the weight was so easy to make. I feel comfortable at 147, so we wanted to get a belt at 147 and then possibly move up to 160.

Question:
Who has been your toughest fight so far?

Williams:
Walter Matthysse has been my toughest fight.

Question:
Why was he your toughest?

Williams:
He had power in both hands. You had to be ready every minute of the fight because any time he hits you, he could take you out. Of course, I train myself for that and that is why I am ready for Margarito. I know he has power in both hands. I am going to be on my p’s and q’s and do what I do best and that is punish people.

Question:
Antonio, do you feel this is the most difficult opponent you have had to face?

Margarito:
No, I do not feel that this is the most difficult opponent I have faced. I have faced tough opponents with more experience and tougher fighters. I am well prepared for this fight and well prepared for Paul. I will be in there ready for everything he has to give. I am going to give my best too. I feel very confident I am going to be victorious in this fight.

Question:
Dan, can you give your thoughts on why you are so confident that your kid will win?

Goossen:
We always have the confidence, whether or not we won the purse bid or not. The bottom line is that Paul and Bob said that the best way to prove you are the best is to fight the best and be the king of the mountain. That is what we need in boxing. You have (Miguel) Cotto who just beat Judah – he has brought a lot of attention to this 147 pound division. You have Margarito who has defended his title numerous times and is considered the most feared welterweight in the world. You have Paul Williams who realizes that assimilating victory, an exciting victory over Antonio Margarito, puts him right at the top of the heap, eye to eye with anybody out there – De La Hoya, Mayweather, Cotto, it does not matter. Those are the big fights. We said it on a press conference awhile back. This is like a remake of the Hearns-Leonard-Duran era where you just had all these three guys fighting each other and really bringing a lot of excitement to the boxing world, and that is what I see with Williams. I believe everyone will be a winner because it is going to be a great fight. I am that confident in this fight, but I am confident that Williams is the best 147 pounder in the world.

Question:
Antonio, you are saying that you are going to change totally. What’s going to change?

Margarito:
You are going to be seeing the same Margarito in the fight – a fighter that goes in and gives all his heart and fights for the people. I am fighting a different fighter. I am fighting Paul Williams who is a southpaw. I have to make adjustments and I have to make changes and that is why I say you are going to see a different Antonio. You will still see the same Antonio -- there with the heart, with the Mexican pride, that wants to put on great fights for his people.

Question:
Bob, the De La Hoya-Mayweather fight was supposed to be the fight to save boxing. We all know how that went. Then Judah versus Cotto was such a great fight that that fight seemed to be a fight that saved us from the fight that was supposed to save boxing. Do you think Margarito-Williams will be as exciting as Cotto and Judah was?

Arum:
You cannot predict with certainty how a fight is going to unfold. However, based on what I have seen of the styles of these fighters, it cannot help but be an exciting fight. Now, how exciting compared to Cotto-Judah? We will have to see. But certainly, it is going to be more exciting in the ring than De La Hoya-Mayweather.

Question:
Paul, you remind a lot of people of Tommy Hearns, but who were some of the fighters that you looked up to when you were a kid and who were some of the fighters that you would compare yourself to today?

Williams:
Not being ignorant or cocky, I never looked at the fights back in the days. When I got into boxing, I found there were guys that were in the gym as amateurs moving up. I just learned different styles from them and made them into my own little style. I have seen the fights of Hearns and Hagler and all the other fighters, but am I basing my style on them? No sir, I look into myself.

Question:
Antonio, with the fight at the Home Depot Center you are seemingly going to have the home field advantage. What does that mean to you? Also, have you ever had a fight where you have been the local favorite like you will be in this fight?

Margarito:
I never go into a fight wondering if I am the favorite, or if the crowd is with me or not. I go in there to do my job. I go in there to fight and to give a good fight and try to make more fans by fighting the best fights.

Question:
Paul, conversely, even though you have fought at the Home Depot Center before, and your fight was probably the best fight of the night when you beat Matthysse, did it matter to you where this fight was held? Did you care where this fight was or whether you were viewed as a villain or favorite?

Williams:
No sir. Just about all my fights have been away from home. I put on a good show; I do not give a boring show. It does not matter where I fight. On July 14, I am just going to put on a great show. I know Margarito is going to bring his A game, but he needs to bring his AAA game because I am coming out there with my guns blazing.

Question:
Bob, will the winner of this fight face Cotto, or is the World Boxing Association asking Cotto to defend his title? If Margarito wins, do you see a fight between Margarito and Cotto?

Arum:
If Margarito wins, that fight has been signed. There is no question. If Paul Williams wins, we have to see what kind of fight it is. There are other fighters out there. We have talked to the World Boxing Association. There is no question on a unification match or that they will agree on an exemption so Cotto can fight a world champion of another organization.

Question:
Antonio, the last time you fought against a southpaw was against (Daniel) Santos. What would be different between the styles of Santos and Williams?

Margarito:
Not really anything. I have been preparing for a southpaw and I am ready. I am not going to be making any excuses. I am ready to fight Paul Williams. I am ready to go.

Question:
This seems like this is just going to be a tremendous slugfest in the middle of the ring from start to finish. The question is, do you see this fight going the distance?

Margarito:
No, I really do not believe this fight will go the difference. If Paul Williams is going to fight the way he has been saying he will fight, this fight will not be going the distance.

Question:
Paul, do you feel this fight could possibly go the distance?

Margarito:
With my confidence level, I do not think the fight will go the distance. If it did, I would be punishing him the whole 12 rounds.

Question:
Paul, you mentioned especially in interviews in Puerto Rico that Margarito makes too many mistakes, you are going to capitalize on them and you do not feel he will last six rounds if he commits the same mistakes. What type of mistakes do you mean?

Williams:
I will tell you that on July 14.

Question:
Paul, when this fight was initially signed and you were told that you were finally going to get your shot at a world title and against the guy you have been calling out, Antonio Margarito, what was your reaction?

Williams:
That was what I have been waiting on. There are a lot of fighters that never get to that point. I made it. I am just really happy and I appreciate Dan and Bob Arum for making this fight happen. I get a chance to be a world champion. I just thank God everyday that he gave me the talent and the gift, so I can get this opportunity to fight for a world title. I appreciate all those guys at HBO for putting on this fight.

Question:
Is there is a rematch clause for either fighter in the contract?

Goossen:
No, there is not.

Question:
Dan, if your guy wins, are you going to work with Top Rank to make Cotto his next opponent, or will you seek another opponent before a potential Williams-Cotto fight?

Goossen:
Here is the way that I look at it. I have had numerous conversations with Bob. I believe Paul is going to show on July 14 that he is the preeminent welterweight in the world. No disrespect to Miguel Cotto because he is a tremendous fighter and an exciting fighter. With Paul’s physical abilities, along with his athletic abilities inside that ring, it makes him the Babe Ruth of the welterweight division in our eyes. That remains to be seen and proven on July 14. Going back to the question, yes, we want to do exactly what Paul said, and that is the best have to fight the best. We are at the level of this sport where Paul, with the type of victory that I believe he is going to get, will catapult himself into the brackets where we can do tremendous numbers in attendance and everything else. It will be a fight that a lot of people will want to see.

Question:
Antonio, where would you like a fight with Cotto to happen if it happens?

Margarito:
I would prefer it being in Las Vegas. I really do hope it is there.

Begin Closing Comments.

Arum:
It should be a great fight, and we at Top Rank are absolutely convinced that the one winner in this fight is our guy, Antonio Margarito. But whatever happens, it is going to be a great fight.

Goossen:
It is going to be a great fight and it is going to bring back the tough fights that I saw Bob promote back in the 70s and 80s with, as I said earlier, Hagler, Leonard, Hearns, and Duran. We have got the hot welterweight division right now where July 14 is a can’ miss for us. So we are real excited to be a part of it. A lot of respect goes out to Margarito. However, we just believe Paul will be the punisher that night and come out victorious, but the fans are really going to climb aboard knowing that it is excitement all the time. They are always going to be looking for him to hit that home run and that is what Paul likes to do.

Williams:
I would like everybody to come out and see the fight on July 14 because I am going to go out there and do my best. Everything is going good in training camp. My weight is fine. I will go out after I leave the gym and do my workout. Come July 14, I am going to show the world that I deserve to be a champion.

Margarito:
I want to give thanks to my promoter, Bob Arum. I just want everybody to know that I am preparing very well. I want my fans to be sure that I will be victorious. I am getting ready for a good fight, and it will be just like what Bob says. There is going to be fireworks July 14.

Read More

Boxing Chronicles Pound 4 Pound List

///UPDATED: October 5, 2009 ///

1. MANNY PACQUIAO
World Jr Welterweight Champion

After Floyd Mayweather Jr announced his retirement from the sport, Manny Pacquiao rose to the top of the pound for pound list. He's defeated Eric Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez by slightest of margins in their rematch last March, and moved up to 147lbs to dominate and stop Oscar De la hoya in what was an upset in December 2008. The upset win over De la hoya cemented his status as the best pound for pound fighter in the world today. In his latest outting back on May 2, Pacquiao scored a devastating 2nd round KO of  Ricky Hatton to claim the 140lb championship. He is scheduled to meet WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto on November 14, in what is an intriguing matchup that pits speed against power.  Should Pacquiao emerge victorious, the absolute biggest and best fight that can be made remains Pacquiao vs Mayweather.

2. FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR
Undefeated Six-time World Champion

Money May successfully returned to the ring after a 21 month lay off, scoring an impressive, one-sided unanimous decision over lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez.  Mayweather boasts an impressive resume, from 130lbs to 154lbs, which includes victories over Genaro Hernandez, Angel Manfredy, Diego Corrales, Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Oscar De la hoya, Ricky Hatton, and now Marquez.  Should Mayweather have any intentions of rising to the very top of this list, it behooves him to defeat either welterweight champion Shane Mosley or the winner of the November 14 welterweight title fight between Pacquiao and Cotto.  During Mayweather's temporary retirement period, Pacquiao assumed the top spot on this list.  The only fight that matters in boxing, should Pacquiao defeat Cotto, is still Pacquiao vs. Mayweather to determine who is the absolute best competitor in the sport.

3. BERNARD HOPKINS
Former 175lb World Champion
Former 160lb World Champion

Hopkins is where he is at for a reason. He set the record for most middleweight title defenses in history. Following two consecutive yet disputed losses to Taylor, Hopkins moved up two weight classes to the Light Heavyweight division and did what his idol Sugar Ray Robinson could not accomplish. He defeated the universally recognized Light Heavyweight Champion of the World at the time, Antonio Tarver. He not only defeated Tarver, he dominated him and beat him up over the course of twelve rounds. In his most recent outing, he took on Pound for Pound elite, the favored Winky Wright. Over the course of the 12 rounds, Hopkins outworked Wright en route to a unanimous decision. Hopkins lost a split decision to Joe Calzaghe last April, but he followed that up with a scintillating performance - dominating and outpointing previously undefeated middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (who is seventeen years his junior). Amazing that Hopkins, 43, still remains near the top of this list. He is in fact the ageless wonder!  Hopkins is tentatively scheduled to face Roy Jones Jr at some point in the spring of 2010.  I'd much rather see Hopkins face Chad Dawson.


4. SHANE MOSLEY
World Welterweight Champion

Mosley just scored the biggest win of his career, a 9th round stoppage of defending welterweight champion Antonio Margarito. Mosley did something nobody else was previously able to do - he stopped Margarito, who is one of the toughest and most durable fighters in the sport of boxing. Previously, Mosley had faced Cotto in November of 2007and fought a virtually even fight with Cotto, but came up on the losing end of a close unanimous decision (Boxing Chronicles scored that fight a dead heat draw). Close decision loss to Cotto, a dramatic knockout win in the final second of his fight with Mayorga, and a career defining stoppage of Margarito to reclaim the welterweight championship of the world places Mosley back in the pound for pound sweepstakes, when few thought they would once again see him here in this position. Mosley's next fight will likely fall on January 30 against the undefeated WBC welterweight kingpin Andre Berto.

5. JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ
World Lightweight Champion

After laboring in obscurity as a result of poor management decisions, Marquez made a career defining statement, bursting onto the pound for pound scene, by dethroning the great Marco Antonio Barrera in March of 2007 to win the World 130lb Championship. He defended that title with an easy unanimous decision victory over Rocky Juarez. Marquez would lose a razor thin split decision to Manny Pacquiao in their fight at 130lbs in March of 2008(a fight that Boxing Chronicles scored for Marquez by a point), but Marquez would rebound from that loss to knock out Joel Casamayor in September of 2008 to win the lightweight championship.  Marquez knocked out Juan Diaz last February to retain his title. Consecutive knockout wins over Casamayor and Diaz have elevated Marquez to the status of universally recognized lightweight champion of the world. Many were arguing that Marquez was the best pound for pound fighter in the world. That was until his last outting on September 19, when he moved up to the weight limit of 144lbs to take on the comebacking Floyd Mayweather.  Marquez was clearly outclassed, but showed plenty of heart against the bigger and more talented man.  A return to the lightweight ranks appears likely for Marquez. 

6. PAUL WILLIAMS
Former two time Welterweight Titlist

Paul Williams moves up on this pound for pound list with his recent lopsided unanimous decision win over Winky Wright. Prior to his loss to Williams, it had been quite some time since Wright had been defeated that convincingly. You would have to go back to Wright's fight against Julio Cesar Vasquez, who officially knocked Wright down five times enroute a decision win. Given Margarito's loss Mosley, and Cotto's loss to Margarito, Williams win over Margarito remains pretty solid and substantial, given that Margarito had knocked out both Cintron and Cotto following that loss. Williams did lose his welterweight title in what was a mild upset to Carlos Quintana in a very close fight in February of 2008, but he avenged that loss four months later with first round KO of Quintana to reclaim his title. Since his destruction of Quintana, Williams has left the 147lb weight class and moved around between 154lbs and 160lbs. Williams stopped Verno Phillips in November of 2008, who had dethroned defending IBF jr middleweight champion Cory Spinks in his previous fight at 154lbs.

7. MIGUEL COTTO
Two-time Welterweight Titlist

Miguel Cotto is back on my pound for pound list, largely due to the controversy surrounding Margarito's hand wrap issue and speculation that Margarito may have used the handwraps during the fight in which he beat Cotto. Cotto also has wins over Paulie Malignaggi, Carlos Quintana (who once beat Paul Williams), Zab Judah, and Shane Mosley who is currently the welterweight champion after having knocked out Margarito. Cotto won the vacant WBO welterweight title with a 4th round TKO of Michael Jennings and won a hard-fought split decision over Joshua Clottey at Madison Square Garden last June.  Cotto is scheduled to face Pacquiao on November 14 in Las Vegas.

8. ISRAEL VASQUEZ
World Jr Featherweight Champion

Israel Vasquez finally enters my top ten Pound for Pound list, based on his revenge victory over defending champion Raphael Marquez. Vasquez in the last three years has posted victories over the likes of Oscar Larios, Jhonny Gonzalez, and now Raphael Marquez, who prior to this update, was a pound for pound entrant himself. Vasquez has dropped a couple spots on my list, due to his inactivity as well as the accomplishments of other pound for pound entrants previously beneath him, but he returns to the ring on October 10 in a non-title featherweight match against Angel Antonio Priolo.

9. CHAD DAWSON
Light heavyweight contender

The undefeated Dawson makes his long awaited debut on this pound for pound list.  Having scored wins over Eric Harding, Tomaz Adamek (who went on to become the cruiserweight champion of the world), Antonio Tarver (2X), and Glenn Johnson, Dawson has quietly established an impressive resume for himself.  Yours truly would've loved to have seen him fight Joe Calzaghe, but Calzaghe saw fit to retire after being dropped in each one of his last two wins against former champions Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr.  Dawson may very well be the goods at the 175lbs.  His next fight, a rematch with Johnson, is scheduled for November 7.  This reporter wouldn't mind seeing Dawson vs. Hopkins in 2010.

Read More

Hatton stops Castillo in four rounds!

On Saturday night, at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV, World Jr Welterweight Champion Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton retained his title with a fourth round knockout of Former Two Time Lightweight Champion Jose Luis Castillo. Hatton dominated the action for the first three rounds, rounds that were fought in close quarters for the most part. Hatton appeared to be the physically stronger fighter of the two combatants, as he out muscled Castillo in the inside and managed to land some brutal body shots. The fourth round spelt Castillo's demise as Hatton landed a vicious left hook to Castillo's liver, putting the Mexican down for the first time in his career.

As referee Joe Cortez reached the count of ten, Castillo had been cleanly knocked out for the first time in his long career. Castillo has previously been stopped on cuts, but this marked the first time that Castillo went down from a punch and could not manage to beat the count. The body shot was so devastating that Castillo did not even try to get up. Hatton raised his unbeaten record to 43-0, 31 KOs, while Castillo, who has probably seen better days, dropped his record to 55-8-1, with 47 KOs.

There are a number of fighters in the surrounding weight classes would love to get a shot at "The Hitman". World Lightweight champion Joel Casamayor, Former WBA Jr Welterweight Champion "Vicious" Vivian Harris, and newly crowned IBF Jr Welterweight Champion Paulie Malignaggi (fresh off his title-winning victory over Lovemore N'dou last weekend in Uncasville) are just a few guys calling out Hatton. Hatton, however, has entirely different intentions. He mentioned that he would love to get a crack at Pound for Pound King "Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather, who currently resides in Las Vegas.

Is the Hatton finally ready to challenge Floyd, or is he bluffing knowing that Mayweather is officially retired (or to put it more realistically, vacationing)???? Hatton turned down the Mayweather fight on a number of occasions, claiming that he was not yet ready for the challenge. Last year he opted to go up to welterweight to face Luis Collazo, but he damn near suffered the first loss of his career against the bigger and slicker Collazo (who was soundly defeated by "Sugar" Shane Mosley this past February). Mayweather, whos last fight was fought in the 154lb weight division against Oscar De la hoya, is classes above Collazo in terms of slickness, ring generalship, and boxing skill.

Knowing all of these facts, I do not see a Mayweather vs Hatton fight coming to fruition anytime in the near future. We all know Hatton would love to make that kind of money, but does he really want to go through that type of hell or embarrassment in the ring? Hatton would be much better advised to concentrate on cleaning out the 140lb weight division before he opts to once again move up in weight. After all, the previous move was not as successful as he assumed it was going to be. More realistic options for Hatton would be Malignaggi and Harris (should Harris get past WBC Jr Welterweight titlist Junior Witter).

Read More

Preview: Hatton -vs- Castillo!

World Jr Welterweight Champion Ricky Hatton and Former Two Time Lightweight Champion Jose Luis Castillo were showcased in separate 140lb matches back in January on an HBO World Championship Boxing Doubleheader, with Castillo just barely winning a split decision over previously undefeated Herman Ngoudjo and Hatton dropping back down to 140lbs with a comfortable unanimous decision win over Juan Urango who was also previously undefeated.

Regardless of how lackluster their performances may have been, the two were finally set to meet each other on June 23. Tomorrow night, at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Hatton and Castillo will finally meet in a much anticipated showdown that is expected to be one of the most exciting fights of the year.

Castillo is coming up in weight, regardless of what anyone else says. He may have been a natural 140lber for a long time, but the fact of the matter is, his opponents were not natural 140lbers. He was fighting lightweights, and he was a bully in the process, against those lightweights. He fought at 140lbs for the first time, against Ngoudjo, and almost got exposed in that fight by a 14-fight novice who was a natural 140lber.

Many of you may recall, that on June 8 of this year, Ngoudjo, in first fight back since the close decision loss to Castillo, barely edged out former WBO beltholder Randall Bailey. Bailey has not accomplished anything of note in the last seven years! Not only is Hatton a natural 140lber, but a legitimate 140lb world champion who's fought guys bigger than Castillo.

In May 2006, Hatton moved up to the welterweight division of 147lbs and fought then WBA Welterweight Champion Luis Collazo in Boston, MA. Hatton won a disputed decision over Collazo, in a fight in which many boxing fans and experts including yours truly believed Collazo had done enough to win the fight and retain his title. That was Hatton's only fight at that weight class to date, but it illustrates nonetheless that Hatton has the size advantage over Castillo.

Although he does it really well, Castillo fights one way. He comes forward and throws a lot of punches. He throws precise shots, and he has fast hands, but that's what he does in the ring. Hatton has shown an ability to fight a couple different ways. He can box a little bit, but he can also stand toe to toe, put the pressure on, and steam roll opponents with an accumulation of punishment.

Castillo is not going to be in there with a lightweight come June 23. He'll be in there with a natural 140lber who is fighting at his most effective weight.

Prediction:

Due to the fact that Castillo fights one way (albeit extremely well) and Hatton can do a few different things in there, I believe Hatton's slightly superior versatility (primary ability to come forward and throw a lot of shots, but also the ability displayed in the Urango fight to box when needed) is going to make the difference in this fight. I'll pick Hatton by convincing UD in a competitive fight, which is exciting at certain times. Castillo may be the better overall fighter, but the man's been in wars. You can only go to the well so many times and come up with fresh water. This should be a wild and entertaining affair, but I look for the younger and fresher fighter to eek this one out. Odds are this will be a memorable battle.

Read More

Malignaggi dethrones Ndou!

At the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT, Brooklyn native Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi won the IBF Jr Welterweight title with a dominating unanimous decision win over Lovemore Ndou. Scores: 120-106 (twice), 118-108.

Malignaggi used his left jab and lateral movement to control the action for almost the entire twelve rounds. In the eighth round, the light hitting Malignaggi managed to score a knockdown with a right hand that caught Ndou coming in. The performance was an outstanding one for Malignaggi, who picked up his first world title and moved on to 23-1, with 5 knockouts. Malignaggi displayed the sweet science in exciting fashion, demonstrating to the fans that one does not have to run circles around the ring like it's a track to outbox his opponent. Brilliant display of boxing from The Magic Man.

Malignaggi stated afterwards that he wants Ricky Hatton. He believes, by vacating the IBF title rather than having to face Ndou, Hatton took on an easier opponent in Jose Luis Castillo whom he is scheduled to face in Las Vegas next Saturday night. Malignaggi explained to Larry Merchant that he wants to get Cotto again down the road, and that anybody who faces Cotto is going to get beaten up. However, it's just a question of winning more rounds at the end of the day.

On the under card, Andre Dirrell ran and potshotted his way to a unanimous decision over Curtis Stevens. Boxing is perceived as a sweet science in which one hits and doesn't get hit. What Dirrell seemed to be doing was not getting hit for over two minutes and thirty seconds of every round and hitting a little bit in the spare time that he had for the rest of the round each round. He used the entire ring to evade Stevens.

The fans booed during the fight as well as the decision, as Dirrell showed very little desire to engage in exchanges or make any contact whatsoever. Scores: 97-93, 97-93, 98-92 for Dirrell.

Read More

Speakboxing weekend wrap up!

Saturday, January 27, 2007
Honda Center
Anaheim, CA

Jorge Acre W12 Julio Ler
Super Flyweight Contender Jorge "The Lollipop Cowboy" Arce pounded out an easy unanimous decision against a Julio Ler, who looked unspired to even be in the ring last night. Fighting defensively and choosing not to engage in combat, Ler fought more like a man trying to survive to the final bell rather than a man who was fighting for victory. Arce, who entered the ring on a horse, claims he had to work harder rehearsing his ring entrance than he did preparing for the opponent he had in front of him in the ring. Perhaps that's a sign that he needs a higher caliber of opposition in the near future. A showdown with IBF Flyweight Champion Vic Darchinyan would be a nice start for Arce, who is desparately due for a stern challenge in the ring. Judges scores: 117-109, 117-110 (twice). It appeared to me as though Arce pitched a complete shutout.

Kelly Pavlik KO8 Jose Luis Zertuche
Middleweight contenders Kelly Pavlik and Jose Luis Zertuche staged a thrilling, crowd pleasing fight, but it was rather one-sided in Pavlik's favor. Pavlik appeared to win every round of the fight, but Zertuche had his moments early when he landed some good shots the body and drove Pavlik into the ropes. In round 6, Pavlik landed a perfectly thrown straight right hand on a Zertuche, who was squared up, and produced a sensational knockdown at the end of the round. Zertuche made it to his feet, and went on for another two rounds before being stopped in the eighth round. One might choose to call this a crowd pleasing showcase, as fans got a chance to see a young contender turn in a dominance performance that certainly had its share of thrills. Pavlik against Edison Miranda would be a natural in the middleweight division. However, Miranda is already slated to face super middleweight contender Allan Green, who is coming down in weight to meet Miranda, later this spring.

televised: HBO Boxing After Dark

**********

Friday, January 26, 2007
Mohegan Sun Casino
Uncasville, CT

Richard Gutierrez KO4 Teddy Reid

Teddy Reid's best days are clearly behind him, as appeared to be the case against Richard Gutierrez. Gutierrez took command from the outset, wobbing Reid on several occassions in the opening frame of their jr middleweight bout on Friday night. Gutierrez would continue to assume command, punishing a listless looking Reid enroute to a fourth round KO. The supposed body punch Gutierrez stopped Reid with appeared as if it could have been a low blow, but it got the job done for Gutierrez nonetheless, and brought an end to the merciless carnage that Reid had been subjected to. I do not think Reid should be fighting anymore. Gutierrez, on the other hand, only has one loss to date... that being at the hands of top welterweight contender Josh Clottey, who gave WBO Welterweight Champion Antonio Margarito all he could handle last month. Gutierrez must now determine whether he wants to campaign in the welterweight or jr middleweight division.

televised: ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights

Read More

Hatton reclaims IBF Jr Welterweight Title!

Castillo barely escapes with narrow split decision!

Ricky Hatton's made a successful Las Vegas debut, as he outpointed Juan Urango via unanimous decision to reclaim the IBF Jr Welterweight Title.

Not primarily recognized as a boxer, Hatton showed some technical brilliance in the first four rounds by outboxing Urango, yet Urango managed to figure out that style in the fifth round, which turned out to be Urango's best round of the fight.

From that point on, Hatton changed his style from the boxer to the mauling/holding style he has often utilized to defeat previous opponents such as Ben Tackie. Skeptics would say Hatton clinched way too many times against an opponent who was fighting with such a speed disadvantage. Nonetheless, Hatton got the done with a unanimous verdict, all three judges scoring the fight 119-109. Speakboxing also scored the contest 119-109 for Hatton.

On the under card, Jose Luis Castillo made his 140lb debut and kept alive the major plans for a June super fight with Hatton, but just barely, with a very close split decision over previously unbeaten Herman Ngoudio. In the early rounds, Castillo looked flat and listless, as Ngoudio was able to land the cleaner and faster shots and force Castillo to the ropes.

The tide would turn, however, in the middle rounds, as Castillo sensed the urgency of a brewing upset as well as the potential loss of a big payday, and stepped up his intensity level to land some telling body shots on Ngoudio and out work him down the stretch.

The judges scored the fight 115-113 (twice) for Castillo, and 115-113 for Ngoudio.

Read More

Hatton/Castillo HBO Doubleheader tonight!

In the first HBO televised boxing card of the new year, World Championship Boxing takes viewers to Paris Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV, where Ricky Hatton will attempt to gain back the IBF Jr Welterweight Title from current beltholder Juan Urango.

Urango won the vacant belt with a questionable decision over Naoufel Ben Rabah, after Hatton vacated it to move up to the welterweight division last May to challenge WBA Welterweight Champion Luis Collazo in Boston. Hatton won a close, and somewhat controversial, unanimous decision over Collazo. After that fight, rather than rematching Collazo, Hatton instead opted to move back down to 140lbs and win his old belt back.

Hatton, who never lost the belt in the ring, is still regarded as the RING Magazine Jr Welterweight Champion, but it is Urango who is defending the IBF belt tonight. On the undercard, Former two-time Lightweight Champion Jose Luis Castillo makes his debut in the jr welterweight division against undefeated Herman Ngoudjo, in what is a WBC title eliminator.

Should Hatton and Castillo win their fights, as they are favored to do, the two will meet a Jr Welterweight super bout later this year.

Read More

Has Acelino Freitas taken path of least resistance?

It was reported from reliable sources, such as Boxingtalk and Fightnews that recently unretired WBO Lightweight Champion Acelino Freitas was going to be fighting WBC Interim Lightweight Champion David Diaz.

Why fight the Interim Champion, when he could fight the WBC's real Lightweight Champion Joel Casamayor, who also happens to be the current kingpin of the division following his split decision victory over Corrales last October? The same Casamayor whom Freitas posted a victory, albeit a narrow victory, against back in January of 2002?

Freitas, following his split decision, title-winning effort over Zahir Raheem in April of last year, announced to the world his retirement from boxing. To lay any further claim to his supremacy in the lightweight division, he would have had to rematch then WBC Champion Diego Corrales, who had dropped Freitas three times and forced him to wave the white flag in the 10th round of their clash in August 2004.

What would be the point in rematching a guy, who so thoroughly asserted his dominance, when chances are such a result could conceivably happen again? For one taking the path of least resistance, there would be absolutely no point in one subjecting one's self to such a thrashing for a second time. Therefore, Freitas opted to retire.

It was not until October 2006, when Casamayor upset Corrales for the Lightweight Championship of the World, that Freitas would conveniently unretire and attempt to reemerge as a force in boxing, and possibly as the best lightweight in the world, by calling out the man he once defeated at 130lbs, Casamayor.

At this moment, there are talks of a Lightweight Unification rematch between WBC and RING Magazine Champion Joel Casamayor and WBO titlist Acelino Freitas. In all likelihood, Freitas has to feel safe that his nemesis, Corrales, outgrew the lightweight division and will be moving up in weight upon his return to the ring. Maybe Freitas feels safe taking on Casamayor. but is there any guarantee that Freitas can defeat Casamayor in a rematch???

Would a loss to Casamayor trigger yet another retirement from the sport for Freitas? Can Freitas find the courage, or the stomach, to present himself as the fighter that the boxing world once perceived him to be prior to that embarrassing loss at the hands of Corrales? Has Freitas found the will power to summon up the courage to be a man and abandon that path of least resistance? One can only hope. Time will tell, as this is a new year. Time, in the career of Freitas, is ticking away.

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

De la hoya vs Mayweather tickets on sale January 27!

De la hoya vs Mayweather set for May 5 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV!

Golden Boy Promotions has announced that tickets for the Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather superfight will go on sale Saturday, Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. The battle between six-division world champion De La Hoya and unbeaten, four-division world champion Mayweather will be held Saturday, May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Tickets are priced at $2000, $1,500, $1,000, $750, $350 and $150 and will be available at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Ticket sales at $2000, $1,500, $1,000 and $750 are limited to six (6) per person and ticket sales at $350 and $150 are limited to two (2) per person. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

The live gate could exceed a Nevada-record $18 million which would shatter the $16.8 million generated by the Lennox Lewis vs. Evander Holyfield rematch in 1999. There is high anticipation that ticket sales will be brisk and could sell out quickly. "We already have received an unprecedented amount of inquiries at our offices regarding tickets for the fight," said Richard Schaefer, CEO for Golden Boy Promotions. "The response is amazing and certainly reflects the excitement and magnitude of this fantastic event."

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

Happy New Year: Speakboxing Buzz

Happy New Year readers. Here's the buzz at the start of this new year, which is sure to be packed with plenty of boxing action.

*****

This Saturday night, World Jr Welterweight Champion Ricky Hatton returns to the 140lb division, after moving up to the welterweight division last May in his close title-winning effort against Lou Collazo, to take on IBF Jr Welterweight titlest Juan Urango. Hatton is heavily favored to defeat Urango, who won the vacant IBF belt after Hatton vacated it to make the move to welterweight. Now Hatton is coming back down to Jr Welterweight to fight Urango for the belt he used to hold. On the under card, Jose Luis Castillo will be making his 140lb debut against undefeated but untested Hermin Ngoudjo. Should both Hatton and Castillo prevail in their respective bouts, there is speculation that Hatton and Castillo will meet in a big showdown later this year.

*****

Tentatively scheduled for July 21 on HBO PPV, Light Heavyweight King Bernard Hopkins, who recently unretired after his history-making victory over Antonio Tarver last June, could very possibly be fighting his old rival and nemesis, former Pound for Pound King Roy Jones, Jr. In their last fight, which took place back in May 1993, Jones won by unanimous decision over Hopkins by a rather wide margin. At that time, Jones was a young tiger on the up and coming and had his speed and reflexes. Hopkins, on the other hand, was still green, inexperienced, and was just coming off a prison term that he had served. The story, in today's time, is different, as Jones has lost three of his last four fights, while Hopkins scored the biggest victory of his career less than a year ago, against Tarver, the man who's to credit for two of Jones three losses.

*****

Apparently Manny Pacquiao, who has emerged as the WBC mandatory challenger at 130lbs with his knockout wins over Erik Morales last year, will have to wait a little longer to get his rematch with WBC Super Featherweight Champion Marco Antonio Barrera, the man whom he brutally beat up and stopped three years ago. The WBC has given Barrera a pass on fighting Pacquiao in his next fight, approving the fight between Barrera and Former Featherweight Champion Juan Manuel Marquez. The Barrera/Marquez fight, which will be televised on HBO PPV, is set to take place in Las Vegas on March 17.

*****

World Super Welterweight Champion Oscar De la hoya is set to defend his title against World Welterweight Champion and Pound for Pound Picasso Floyd Mayweather, Jr on May 5, but he may very well be doing so without the tutelage of his current trainer, who is none of than Floyd Mayweather, Sr (father of Oscar's next opponent). Many in the boxing world believe that the PPV will do at least 100,000 more buys should Mayweather, Sr be present in Oscar's corner on fight night. However, Mayweather, Sr has declined from the uncomfortable position of guiding De la hoya to beat up his son. One trainer, who may very possibly replace Mayweather, Sr for this particular fight is Jack Mosley, Shane Mosley's father, who trained Shane to two upset wins over De la hoya in 2000 and 2003.

Read More

Taylor retains title with unanimous decision!

On Saturday night, from the Alltel Arena in Little Rock, AR, World Middleweight Champion Jermain Taylor (26-0-1, 17 KOs) made a successful homecoming in his first return to Little Rock since winning the title, as he retained his WBA/WBC/WBO belts with a unanimous decision over the rugged and determined Kasim Ouma (25-3, 15 KOs).

For the first time in many years, officials emphasized the experiment of open scoring. Taylor consistently backpedaled and nailed Ouma with jabs and right hands, as Ouma constantly pressured the champion with ineffective aggressiveness.

Taylor's power was something that Ouma had never previously seen in his previous 27 fights as a professional, as Taylor was able to functionally cut Ouma's outpoint almost in half. At the end of the day, Taylor won by scores of 115-113, 117-111, and 118-110.

Next for Taylor could either be a super middleweight showdown with World Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe in 2007, or a rematch with number one middleweight contender Winky Wright, who scored a lopsided victory in his own homecoming last weekend against Ike Quartey. The longer it takes to make a Taylor/Wright rematch, the better Taylor is probably to get and the older Wright is going to become.

Wright demands parity with Taylor, as he refuses to settle for anything less than 50/50. Perhaps Wright is content to fight non-title fights that come his way rather than winning the World Middleweight Championship from the hungry young lion.

Hopefully, the two parties can come to terms in the negotiations and we can see Taylor/Wright II in 2007. Taylor/Wright I was clearly one of the best and most action-packed fights of 2006. If the Taylor/Wright rematch can not happen, Calzaghe/Taylor at 168lbs seems most logical and could be fun to watch as well. First, Calzaghe must get past Contender Season One star Peter Manfredo on March 3, 2007.

Ouma, who was sporting a hat that said "I love Larry Merchant" after the fight was over, would probably be better served to move back down to the jr middleweight class, as his frame is way to small to carry 160 pounds. At 154lbs, Ouma might still be able to make some noise, as his determination, will, and rugged style would appear to be a tremendous advantage to him against boxers in the same weight class as him.

On the undercard, rising Haitian welterweight and Undefeated 2004 Olympian prospect Andre Berto (16-0, 14 KOs) scored one sided sixth round stoppage of Miguel Figueroa (24-6-1, 14 KOs).

Berto's punching power was too much for Figueroa as he staggered him at the end of the round one, and appeared to score a knockdown with a jab in the third round, but referee Laurence Cole ruled it as a slip.

Berto completely outclassed Figueroa to the point when Cole brought an end to the carnage in the sixth round.

Read More

Taylor defends tonight against Ouma!

Live tonight from the Alltel Arena in Little Rock, AR, home town favorite and World Middleweight Champion Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor will make the third defense of hit title against Former IBF Jr Middleweight titlist Kasim "The Dream" Ouma.

Taylor last fought on June 17 of this in Memphis, Tennessee against Winky Wright. Taylor and Wright fought to a split draw, in an exciting tussle that sparked plenty of controversy regarding the result. Ouma's last fight took place on August 5 of this year, at the Theater in Madison Square Garden, when Ouma won a ten round unanimous decision over Sechew Powell.

Ouma is moving up in weight to 160lbs for the opportunity to fight for the middleweight championship. His chances, however, would appear to be slim, as he seems to lack the necessary punching power to put Taylor in any type of jeopardy.

In the jr middleweight division, Ouma, who had a high punch output and let his hands go frequently, was not known for his punching power. With the move to middleweight, I do not know what is going to change that.

Ouma's best chance is to try to get inside Taylor's reach advantage, pressure him on the inside, and let his hands go once he is inside Taylor's range. He will have to try to outwork and hopefully outpoint Taylor, but considering the fact that this fight is staged in Taylor's hometown of Little Rock, the chances of Ouma winning a decision are slim to none (and slim left town last Tuesday).

Bernard Hopkins couldn't retain his title in a close fight against Taylor, when he dropped a close split decision to the challenger in July 2005. Wright couldn't get a close decision in Memphis, when he challenged Taylor this past June. I can't see Ouma getting a decision against Taylor in his hometown of Arkansas tonight.

My prediction is that Jermain Taylor is going to win in one way or another. Either a unanimous decision, or a late stoppage. I can see Taylor knocking Ouma out.

Read More

Hagler vs Hearns - THE WAR!

Intense. Short but SWEET. Clearly one of the greatest boxing matches in the history of the sport! Promotionally billed as The War, Champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler defended his Undisputed Middleweight Crown against Jr Middleweight King Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns, who was coming up in weight.

Read More

Vitali Tsypko: "I want to fight - and beat - Lacy again."

Press Release - Vitali Tsypko agrees with the experts who believe he was on the wrong end of a majority decision when Jeff Lacy last weekend clinched a debatable points victory in front of his hometown fans in Florida. While Larry Merchant and fellow journalists had the Ukrainian ahead, two of the judges controversially awarded the ten-rounder to the former IBF champion (96-94), with the third one scoring it a draw (95-95). "I feel like I have won this fight and I deserve a rematch," the 30-year-old southpaw (19-2, 10 KOs) said. "Lacy might have controlled the first two rounds but I took over in the following.

"I connected more often throughout and wobbled him big time at the end of the eighth round when only the bell saved him from a knock-down. I would have deserved to win."

ESPN´s Dan Rafael holds a similar view. "He (Tsypko) badly rocked Lacy at the end of the eighth round and dominated the final four rounds to do enough, it seemed, to win," Rafael wrote in his online column.

And Ant Evans, who called the result a "hometown decision", reported on secondsout.com: "I had Tsypko - who came back from a torrid opening round to bully Lacy at time - a two point winner."

Lacy looked nowhere near the star fighter that had won all of his first 21 fights before getting blown out of the ring by a superb Joe Calzaghe nine months ago. In fact, as the St. Petersburg Times noted, "last March didn´t seem so far away".

Tsypko feels the fight has won him many hearts across the Atlantic.

"I have shown the American audience that I can fight," he vowed. "I want to build on that performance and get another chance to shine. I want to fight - and beat - Lacy again."

Read More

Wright/Quartey and Lacy/Tsypko scorecards!

Wright vs Quartey

Round 1: 10-9 Wright
Round 2: 10-9 Wright Total: 20-18
Round 3: 10-9 Wright Total: 30-27
Round 4: 10-9 Wright Total: 40-36
Round 5: 10-9 Wright Total: 50-45
Round 6: 10-9 Quartey Total: 59-55
Round 7: 10-8 Wright Total: 69-63
Round 8: 10-9 Wright Total: 79-72
Round 9: 10-9 Wright Total: 89-81
Round 10: 10-9 Wright Total: 99-90
Round 11: 10-9 Quartey Total: 108-100
Round 12: 10-9 Quartey

Total: 117-110 Wright (9-3)

Closing thoughts: Winky (rated #3 Pound For Pound at Speak Boxing) did exactly what he had to do. He widely defeated a tough former champion who was not coming into the ring to lay down. Quartey has never been KOed and that was not going to change against Wright, who has not scored a knockout in God knows how long. Wright won 9 rounds out of 12. Quartey still fought rather competitively, as he always has. I think he should go back down to 154lbs. He might still be able to make SOME noise there.

Lacy/Tsypko

Round 1: 10-9 Lacy
Round 2: 10-9 Lacy Total: 20-18 Lacy
Round 3: 10-9 Tsypko Total: 29-28 Lacy
Round 4: 10-9 Tsypko Total 38-38
Round 5: 10-9 Lacy Total: 48-47 Lacy
Round 6: 10-9 Lacy Total: 58-56 Lacy
Round 7: 10-9 Lacy Total: 68-65 Lacy
Round 8: 10-9 Tsypko Total: 77-75 Lacy
Round 9: 10-9 Tsypko Total: 86-85 Lacy
Round 10: 10-9 Tsypko

Final Score: 95-95 (5-5)

Closing thoughts: Tsypko was way too reserved in his attack in the middle rounds and that cost him the fight in my opinion, but the fight taking place in Florida did not do much to help Tsypko's cause either. Tsypko did, however, close the show strongly enough to earn a draw on my scorecard. Lacy looked horrible in this fight; perhaps he is damaged from the thrashing at the hands of Joe Calzaghe, but it will take a couple fights to determine whether or not that is truly the case. I saw no improvements in his fight game, coming off the loss to Calzaghe, whatsoever. He still fights with the same style he brought into the ring against Calzaghe.

Read More

Wright outpoints Quartey!

Lacy escapes with razor thin majority decision!

Tonight, in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL, Former two-time Jr Middleweight Champion and number one Middleweight Contender Winky Wright (51-3-1, 25 KOs) kept his ranking in tact with a convincing unanimous decision over Former Welterweight Champion Ike Quartey (37-4-1, 31 KOs) .

The fight was a homecoming of sorts for Wright, who was making his ring appearance in Tampa in fourteen years. Wright was credited with knockdowns in rounds two and seven. In the 2nd round, Wright managed to score a knockdown of Quartey, a moment in which the feet of the two combatants got tangled, Quartey was hit with a shot, and went down. In the seventh round, Wright knocked Quartey off balance, Quartey's glove touched his ankle (not the canvas), and the referee inexcusably ruled it a knockdown.

Wright went on to win by scores of 117-110, 117-110, and 117-109. I scored the fight 117-110 Wright, giving Wright only a 10-9 score in the second round, a round I felt Quartey easily won outside of the knockdown.

In a brutal undercard fight, Former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Jeff Lacy (22-1, 17 KOs) returned to the ring, for the first time since his one sided loss to Super Middleweight Kingpin Joe Calzaghe last March, to narrowly and defeat Vitali Tsypko (19-2, 10 KOs) by majority decision.

Lacy started strong in the early rounds, but it was Tsypko who hung tough and gradually got stronger as the rounds went on. Tsypko won the final three rounds on my scorecards, but did not do quite enough to sway two of the three officials, who awarded the fight to Lacy. Scores: 95-95, 96-94 Lacy (twice). I scored the fight a draw at 95-95.

The performance failed to impress fans and backers of Lacy who want to see him make a successful return after the thrashing he suffered at the hands of Calzaghe earlier this year.

Read More

Wladimir Klitschko vs Calvin Brock

KLITSCHKO vs BROCK
IBF HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
November 11, 2006
Madison Square Garden
New York, NY

Read More

Boxingtalk Interview with Floyd Mayweather, Jr!

Boxingtalk's Greg Leon conducted an interview with undefeated Pound for Pound King Floyd Mayweather, following one of his training sessions in preparation for his November 4 bout with World Welterweight Champion Carlos Baldomir. Mayweather spoke about his training, how he's getting ready for Baldomir, what he can expect, and talk of a possible fight with Sugar Shane Mosley in 2007.

Read More

Updated Pound for Pound List

Speak Boxing had not updated its Pound for Pound list since mid-July! How ridiculous is THAT?

There has been a change or two in the past few months, the biggest being Joel Casamayor's lightweight title winning victory over Diego Corrales. How does that affect the Pound for Pound list??? See for yourself:

Bryan's Top 10 Pound for Pound

Read More

Freitas coming out of retirement; wants Casamayor!

According to reliable sources at Boxingtalk, WBO Lightweight Champion Acelino Freitas, who attended to WBO Convention, apparently reported that he is unretiring and chooses to return to the ring for a unification bout with WBC Champion Joel Casamayor.

In January of 2001, Freitas defeated Casamayor by an extremely narrow yet unanimous decision. Casamayor, following his split decision victory over Diego Corrales in their rubbermatch a few weeks ago, is regarded as the legitimate World Lightweight Championship as he seized the RING Magazine crown as well as the WBC strap.

I find it extremely fitting and convenient that, so soon after Casamayor defeated Corrales, Freitas suddenly wants to come out of retirement and face Casamayor. Styles make fights. Freitas, who defeated Casamayor in 2001, was humiliated, dropped multiple times, and was forced to quit when he faced Corrales in August 2004. Casamayor, following his career-defining victory over Corrales a few weeks ago, is now the man at 135lbs! Freitas no longer has to worry about Corrales. He was just defeated, eliminated from the lightweight division as a result of his inability to make the weight any longer, and now looks to get the hell out of dodge and move up to 147lbs.

If I was Freitas, and I saw a man, whom I once defeated, beat the man who destroyed me for all of the marbles in my weight class, it would probably lure me out of retirement as well!

Popo is not leaving just yet, folks.

Read More

Countdown to Baldomir vs Mayweather!

Two weeks from tonight, at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV on November 4, Pound for Pound King "Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather will step into the ring to face WBC Welterweight Champion Carlos Manuel Baldomir.

Mayweather, now campaigning in his fourth weight class since turning pro, made his welterweight debut November of 2005 with a systematic sixth round stoppage of Sharmba Mitchell with a bodyshot.

Surely, a Judah vs Mayweather fight, for the Undisputed Welterweight Championship of the world, was bigger than ever following Mayweather's victory over Mitchell. Certainly, it was atop the lists of many boxing fans experts most anticipated showdowns. Judah vs Mayweather was perceived as boxing's biggest superfight at that time, biggest in any weight class south of the heavyweight division.

However, there was one road block (one that was not initially viewed as threatening, however) that stood in the way of the Undisputed Welterweight Champion. One obstacle that he would have to overcome, to ensure that his major showdown with Mayweather could transpire into the event it was being perceived as. This obstacle went by the name of Carlos Baldomir, an unknown Argentinian journeymen, who had not lost a fight in eight years.

Baldomir, widely perceived as boxing's modern day Cinderella Man, burst onto the scene earlier this year, when he claimed the WBC Welterweight belt by scoring a dramatic upset via unanimous decision over 18-1 favorite and then Undisputed Welterweight Champion Zab Judah at Madison Square Garden in New York, which is Judah's home turf. That victory is still in the running for the award of Upset of the Year for 2006.

In his first title defense on July 21, 2006, Baldomir would enter a ring in a favored opponent's hometown, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, for the second consecutive time, to beat up and stop boxing's drama king Arturo "Thunder" Gatti, whom Mayweather had practically demolished almost a year and a month to the day at the exact same venue.

Two common opponents can be found on the professional boxing records of Mayweather and Baldomir. Zab Judah and Arturo Gatti. As one can see, Baldomir defeated Judah first, as Mayweather faced Judah just a few months later. Nonetheless, Mayweather stopped Gatti prior to Baldomir's destruction of him 13 months later. Two common opponents. Mayweather and Baldomir have a combined record of 4-0 with 2 KOs against those two opponents.

Such a sequence of events has led us to this moment, just two weeks before Baldomir and Mayweather. The contest, billed as "Pretty Risky," is one that carries risks of different types on both sides. Mayweather, the pound for pound king, puts that title on the line when he steps into the ring, as Baldomir looks to defend his Welterweight title against a fighter the world regards as the greatest in the sport today.

Out of all of Mayweather's previous opponents, Baldomir is definitely the biggest and strongest guy Mayweather has ever faced. It is my belief that Baldomir is Mayweather's greatest challenge in the last four years, with the last legitimate challenge of Mayweather being Jose Luis Castillo in 2002. Castillo, like Mayweather, is a strong fighter who applies constant pressure on his opponents and looks to out work them.

Baldomir possesses much of the same style as Castillo (Castillo probably has the faster hands), but his size will be something that Mayweather has never seen in a professional boxing ring. However, Mayweather's speed and skill level are certainly advantages that no other opponent of Baldomir has ever brought into the ring against the Argentinian.

The HBO Countdown to Baldomir vs Mayweather premieres Friday, October 27 at midnight. The fight, itself, can viewed Saturday November 4 live on HBO Pay Per View!

Read More

Diego Corrales signs with GBP!

According to Golden Boy Promotions, Former Jr Lightweight and Lightweight Champion Diego Corrales has recently signed a promotional contract to fight under the promotional auspices of GBP. Corrales, who lost his WBC Lightweight Championship a couple weeks ago in a rubbermatch to Joel Casamayor via split decision, looks to move up to the welterweight division and win a third title in as many weight classes.

Read More

Valuev: Inspired by Muhammad Ali!

Press Release: Imagine seven-footer Nikolai Valuev as a track and field athlete. It could have happened if a teenage Valuev didn't become inspired by watching tapes of Muhammad Ali. In an interview with a German journalist, Valuev credited the Greatest for getting him into the sweet science. "As a matter of fact, it was Muhammad Ali, who got me started in boxing," he said. "I moved away from home and into a sports boarding school at the age of 13. Back then I was in track and field. Often, my trainer would show us videos of Ali's fights in the evening – I was fascinated to the point that boxing became both my sport and my passion." The WBA heavyweight titlist also told the German interviewer about his career goal. "Any world champion naturally dreams of winning all four belts and becoming the super champion of the world. That is, of course, a question of the right management – but definitely a realistic goal from an athletic viewpoint.

Read More