Pacman vs JMM IV – I don’t want either one to lose

09/22/201209/21/2012 ESB

By Paul Strauss: Three and not out, and four might not settle the score. Maybe being unresolved is good enough. Shocking as it might sound, I don’t care. I like and admire both of these great fighters. Admit it, failure to produce a clear cut winner and final resolution to their four match-ups might not be such a bad thing. Constructive debate would continue and that is good for boxing.

It’s not difficult to envision future sportscasters bubbling over about the good old days when Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez fought four times in one of the best rivalries ever! They will describe with great enthusiasm the fact neither fighter could gain the clear cut upper hand over the other, providing unmatched excitement, not giving an inch.

So, even if there isn’t the so called finisher, it will be okay. Fans of each will keep their hero, and experts will be allowed to conduct lively arguments from now until doomsday about who in their opinion was the best.

To borrow a little something from Van Halen, “If we could have the best of both worlds, (then we’d) have heaven right here on earth.” Maybe lack of a definitive fight is not what some consider “heaven”, but it will at least allow the debate to continue, and for both combatants to then go on for a little while longer, knocking the blocks off remaining competition.

Alexander Povetkin: Kostya Tszyu doesn’t want a new fighter!

09/14/201609/21/2012 ESB

The fight for the WBA World Heavyweight Championship is getting closer. On September 29, defending champion Alexander Povetkin (24-0, 16 KOs) and mandatory challenger Hasim Rahman (50-7-2, 41 KOs) will battle it out at the Sporthalle Hamburg, Germany. Since his last bout against Marco Huck, a lot has changed for team Povetkin. With ring legend Kostya Tszyu he has someone in his corner, who will help him to exploit his full potential. In the following interview Povetkin talks about his new training and his next opponent Hasim Rahman.

Alexander Povetkin, your last fight against Marco Huck was seven months ago. A lot has been said since then. Now that you had time to reflect, what are your thoughts on that topic?

Alexander Povetkin: It was a hard and tough battle, and both of us had to go to the limits of our capacity. However, in the end I beat Marco as I landed the more precise punches than him.

What lessons did you learn from this extremely close fight?

Alexander Povetkin: Of course, I learned a lot from that fight. My team and I know what we have to do to prepare myself in order to be better than last time. For example, we have worked a lot on my stamina during my current preparations.

Has Canelo Alvarez arrived?

09/14/201609/21/2012 ESB

By Robert Jackson: With his dominating 5th round TKO win over Josesito Lopez, most would say that Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has arrived. But has he?? His latest win over Lopez though credible comes against a smaller opponent that until 2 fights previous campaigned at 140lbs where he was a contender. Prior to Lopez, Canelo fought and beat a 40 year old Shane Mosley, who had lost 3 out of his last 5 fights; Mosley RETIRED shortly after that loss.

Brought along slowly Canelo has feasted on journeyman fighters including Lovemore N’Dou, Matthew Hatton, Jose Miguel Cotto, Carlos Baldomir and Alfonso Gomez along his path to becoming champion. MOST of the BIG name fighters today are brought along slowly so they can learn how to fight as professionals and remain undefeated, maximizing their earning power. Fighting SKILL however is developed by fighting different styles AND fighters that CHALLENGE a prospect on his way to contending. STIFF challenges NONE of the aforementioned fighters were for Canelo. Is he just THAT good?

IT is now ASSUMED that Canelo is seasoned and PREPARED for the ELITE fighters in the division, including Floyd Mayweather Jr, and Miguel Cotto or even Sergio Martinez. Canelo himself has said as much. Canelo fights with patience, a command of the ring and a disciplined style albeit against C and B level fighters. He’s very linear in his fight style and stands tall and rigid while fighting.

Hasim Rahman Interview

09/14/201609/21/2012 ESB

Hasim Rahman (50-7-2, 41 KOs) wants to do it again. The man who already took on big names such as Lennox Lewis will face current WBA Champion Alexander Povetkin (24-0, 16 KOs) at the Sporthalle Hamburg, Germany, on September 29. And the American is not planning on just showing up. At the age of 39, Rahman is aiming to become the champion of the world once more. Right before the big showdown, the heavyweight took some time out of his preparations for a one-on-one interview.

Hasim Rahman, you will be stepping back into the ring on September 29. Your last fight was in June 2011 which ended in a victory over Galen Brown. Now you have had quite a long break.

Hasim Rahman: The Galen Brown fight was over a year ago and really was a tune up. About the only thing I can say is, that I will be in a lot better condition for the Povetkin fight than I was for Galen.

What are your thoughts on your next opponent Alexander Povetkin? Where do you see his strengths and which weaknesses are you planning to exploit when you meet him inside the ring?

Hasim Rahman: Povetkin is a very good fighter. He has proven to be a winner at every level. He was an Olympic gold medallist and is the current WBA Champion. I have respect for him as a boxer. Regardless of his strengths or weaknesses, I know what I have to do and that is to knock him out. I know that when I’m at my best, no one can take my power and I will knock him or anyone else out, period!

Salido vs. Garcia and Lara vs. Martirosyan: A match made in boxing heaven

09/14/201609/21/2012 ESB

By Joseph Herron – Top Rank has generated yet another big double headliner, featuring two of the most long awaited and fan friendly match-ups in boxing.

Current WBO Featherweight Champion Orlando Salido (39-11-2, 27 KOs) will put his title on the line against undefeated challenger Mikey Garcia (29-0, 25 KOs) in the main event of the evening, and Vanes Martirosyan (32-0, 20 KOs) will square off against crafty southpaw Erislandy Lara (17-1-1, 11 KOs) to finally decide the WBC Junior Middleweight mandatory challenger position in the highly anticipated co-main event.

This amazing fight card is slated to be held at the Wynn Las Vegas on November 10th, and will be broadcast on HBO “Boxing After Dark”.

Fight scribes and boxing fans alike have clamored to see the two proposed match-ups for quite some time, and the action in the ring should answer many questions surrounding all four combatants.

While most fans of the sport have been waiting for the Oxnard, California resident to compete for a major world title, boxing pundits are wondering if Garcia is truly ready for a fight of this magnitude.

Alright, Mr. DeMille…Gabriel Rosado is ready for his close-up

09/14/201609/21/2012 ESB

By Joseph Herron: “One secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.” – Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881)

In an era where massive scrutiny is placed on a single blemish within a fighter’s resume, 26 year old Gabriel Rosado (20-5, 12 KOs) has been quietly climbing up the Junior Middleweight ladder one performance at a time.

After turning pro with minimal amateur experience at the age of 20, the Philadelphia puncher has been hard at work; mastering his craft while learning on the job. Although the perpetual student owns a resume with five losses, including a humbling defeat at the hands of Alfredo Angulo in 2009, Rosado currently finds himself just one step away from a world title opportunity.

But the “King” admits it hasn’t been easy.

“Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr: Why, Oh Why?”

09/14/201609/20/2012 ESB

By Marc Livitz – “Say it ain’t so”, says Mexico.

After witnessing one of the most memorable displays of sheer guts and chutzpah in recent boxing memory, someone just had to spill the coffee even though the warning to mind the hot water was in plain view.

Provided the just surfaced reports are correct, Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. hopefully has Plaxico Burress on speed dial. Signs are pointing to a failed drug test following this past Saturday night’s grandiose contribution to pugilistic lore.

There are momentary lapses of reason and there is also outright stupefaction at its finest. If the son of the legend from Culiacan did in fact test positive for marijuana, then a bit more is explained in terms of some of his punches sailing wider than a Buffalo Bills missed field goal, as well as his impressive pain threshold.

Those from the nation of sky high aren’t usually the most combative of chaps. Nevertheless since ESPN graciously gives us “Friday Night Fights” each year, then perhaps boxing can have its own rendition of “C’mon, Man!”.

We don’t even have to wait for HBO to replay the fight this coming Saturday evening.

Chavez Jr. tests positive for Marijuana, rematch with Sergio Martinez may be delayed

09/14/201609/19/2012 ESB

By Michael Collins: Former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-1-1, 32 KO’s) has allegedly tested positive for Marijuana in his drug test following his 12 round unanimous decision loss to Sergio Martinez (50-2-2, 28 KO’s) last Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chavez Jr. now faces a possible suspension of up to a 1 year as well as a possible forfeiture of his entire $3 million purse for the Martinez fight, according to RingTV.

If the positive drug test is confirmed for Chavez Jr. then his rematch with Martinez might not happen until well into next year if even then. Chavez Jr. tested positive for a Diuretic in 2009 following his win over Troy Rowland. Chavez Jr. received a 7 month suspension for that fight.

It’s likely that Chavez Jr’ will receive a longer suspension if the positive Marijuana tests are confirmed. Chavez Jr. also arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol earlier this year on January 22nd, one week before his title defense against Marco Antonio Rubio. Chavez Jr. performed well in that fight despite the alcohol related infraction.

Don “War a Week” Chargin: “Canelo Alvarez is ready to fight the best in boxing”

09/14/201609/19/2012 ESB

(Photo credit: Adrian Hernandez) By Joseph Herron: While many fight scribes and boxing fans have criticized Canelo Alvarez’s seemingly soft road to the World Boxing Council (WBC) Junior Middlweight Championship, Hall of Fame matchmaker and promoter Don “War a Week” Chargin claims that the careful matchmaking of Golden Boy Promotions has been a necessary part of the young fighter’s maturation process.

As a special adviser to Golden Boy Promotions, the great Don Chargin was authorized to oversee any and all opposition placed in front of the 22 year old phenom. And after many cautious maneuvers to properly cultivate Canelo’s confidence and skill level, the legendary boxing pundit has finally deemed Saul Alvarez fit to wreak havoc on the entire Junior Middleweight division.

“Sometimes you have to protect a fearless fighter like Canelo from himself,” professes the six decade boxing proponent. “He wants to fight the best fighters available. Canelo has stated adamantly that he wants to fight Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto; and up until September 15th, I was always very hesitant about it…but not anymore.”

Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV: is it just for the Money?

09/14/201609/19/2012 ESB

By Robert Jackson: Since 2004 up until the present, fight fans around the world have been treated to 3 fights between antagonists Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez; and since 2004 neither man has separated himself from the other. All 3 fights followed the same script, and with the exception of 3 knockdowns – they were close give and take fights with Pacquiao doing the fighting and Marquez doing the boxing.

In many fight fans and critics eyes this 4th fight is unnecessary and not needed; what will they prove? Both men are claiming that they will KO the other but at this point it seems as if a silent agreement has been made between these two. Fight #4 could turn out to be another sparring session where one fighter defends while the other fighter tries to get his punches in and then they’ll switch roles.

The tempo and pace will be the same like it’s always been: high speed chess (they’ll try), and at fight’s end half of the observers will claim Pacquiao as the victor the other ½ will claim Marquez. And don’t forget the judging that many would say has been awful, where valid arguments could be made that any of the 3 fights could’ve been scored another way.