Sakio Bika Draws With Anthony Dirrell: Retains WBC 168 lb Strap
Super middleweight warhorse Sakio “The Scorpio” Bika, from Sydney, NSW, Australia, retained his WBC strap with a split draw against Flint, Michigan’s Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell in Brooklyn, New York, Saturday night.
In the opening televised bout from the Barclays Center, Douala, Cameroon born Bika was the much more aggressive fighter throughout the twelve rounds.
In his first defense, thirty four year old Bika, rated 8 at 168 pounds by The Ring, began the fight looking intent on a knockout, recklessly throwing wild over hand rights and was picked off by the five years younger Dirrell, who had a three and a half inch reach advantage.
But Bika never stopped pressuring and from the start did good work to the body which told late in a gruelling match up but the big moments early came from the challenger. Continue reading
Amateur vs. professional boxing – a mismatch or a unity?
Now that amateur boxing is on the brink of extinction (check out “The Prince and the Pauper” article), we might take a look back at it before amateur boxers turn into free lance Olympic semi-professionals. Amateur and professional styles have their specific flavors but it is still boxing and the two styles (in fact there are many) may not be as different as they seem to the naked eye.
The amateur code provides a platform where a boxer has to fight whoever comes his way with no choice or advance knowledge of his opponents. As long as he is winning he advances forward and can be a champion. No negotiations and hype are necessary to set up a championship fight. That means no promoters either, only one sanctioning body which acts as a promoter for all national federations. Politics and the suspect computer scoring system have been a problem but basically it’s very difficult to keep a good man down in the amateur circuit. The best have to fight the best all the time and there are no prima donnas who can come up with excuses for avoiding a strong opponent. Rocky Marciano and Floyd Mayweather lost several times as amateurs. Continue reading
Malignaggi defeats Judah, wants Broner-Maidana winner
(Photo credit: Tom Casino/Showtime) BROOKLYN, N.Y. (December 8, 2013) – Two weeks after his 33rd birthday, Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (33-5, 7 KO’s) picks up his 33rd win in a unanimous decision victory over Zab “Super” Judah (42-9, 29 KO’s) in front of his hometown crowd at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. The fight, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, headlined a four-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event.
Despite being knocked down in the second round, Malignaggi was able to regain his stride en route to a strong 116-111, 117-110, 117-110 victory which earned him Brooklyn bragging rights and a potentially bright future in the stacked welterweight division. In addition, he was awarded a special Brooklyn’s World Championship belt designed by SARTONK. Continue reading
Rigondeaux dominates Agbeko; Macklin defeats Russ; Kirkland stops Tapia
In a fight that should have never been made, WBA/WBO super bantamweight champion (13-0, 8 KO’s) easily beat a ring-rusty veteran Joseph Agbeko (29-5m 22 KO’s) in winning a ridiculously easy 12 round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Rigondeaux was too fast for Agbeko, and was able to hit him cleanly with left hands all night long. Agbeko tried hard to land his shots, but he was too slow and way out of out of his class.
It was one of those fights where the class between the two fighters was too far apart for the fight to be competitive. No doubt, Agbeko could have been more aggressive to try and win the fight, but it looked like he made up his mind he was just going to go the distance and not do what he needed to in order to win the fight. Continue reading
Malignaggi decisions Judah; Porter defeats Alexander; Lara beats Trout
(Photo credit: Tom Casino/Showtime) Zab Judah (42-9, 29 KO’s) scored a knockdown in the 2nd round, and then pretty much disappeared in the fight in losing by a 12 round unanimous to Paulie Malignaggi (33-5, 7 KO’s) at the Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, New York. Following a knockdown of Malignaggi in the 2nd, Judah seemed to shift his offense into neutral for the remainder of the fight, as he focused entirely on defense.
It was almost as if Judah had suffered an injury because he just shut down completely and let Malignaggi run away with the fight. For a fan of boxing and entertaining fight due to Judah’s lack of aggression. The judges scored it 116-111, 117-110, and 117-110.
I hope Malignaggi fights someone with a little more enthusiasm next time because this was an awful performance from Judah. Continue reading
Sturm defeats Barker
In a surprise upset, former WBA midleweight champion Felix Sturm (39-3-2, 18 KO’s) came out fast and knocked IBF middleweight champion Darren Barker (26-2, 16 KO’s) out in the 2nd round tonight at the Porsche Arena, in Stuttgart, Germany. Barker was knocked down twice in the 2nd round from clubbing right hands to the head from Sturm.
Barker was able to get back to his feet after the 2nd knockdown, but he was taking some big head shots that led to his corner choosing to have the fight stopped by throwing the towel in.
Barker reportedly dislocated his left hip in the fight. In watching it on replay, the injury may have occurred when he was staggered after the 1st knockdown. Barker almost lost his feet and he put a lot of weight on his left leg. Continue reading
Liam Smith re-signs with Frank Warren; puts on devastating display against Thompson
British Light-Middleweight Champion Liam Smith has extended his promotional deal with Frank Warren by signing a new deal.
The Liverpool ace put on a ruthless performance tonight in front of his home fans at the Liverpool Echo Arena to destroy challenger Mark Thompson inside four rounds to successfully make the first defence of his title.
Smith, 25, who is now undefeated in 16 fights with six knockouts, is delighted to continue working with his promoter who he signed with in 2008 and is looking to achieve big things in 2014. Continue reading
Krzysztof Wlodarczyk Victorious in Chicago
WBC Cruiserweight Champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk successfully defended his title last night at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois. This victory completed his trilogy of fights with Italian former champion Giacobbe Fragomeni and was also his sixth defense of the WBC belt. Wlodarczyk displayed a true veteran’s poise in the ring tonight and put on a flawless performance. Fragomeni was giving up several inches in height and reach but sometimes it felt like a foot. Wlodarczyk’s footwork was also put on display as he rarely if ever let Fragomeni get inside, the only place the challenger could get any solid work in.
The highlight of the fight was most certainly the left hook in round four that knocked Fragomeni to the canvas. It was a strange knockdown on a very short punch. The two came close together and the referee came over and it looked like there was going to be a break and Wlodarczyk just threw a punch. Fragomeni went down to his stomach and was shaking his head as the count picked up and it didn’t look like he was going to make it. Continue reading
ShoBox: Knockout Night For “Money Team”: Love, Jack, Bey and Pearson KO Opponents
Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather’s “Money Team’’ fighters went 4-0 in fights Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® from Little Creek Casino Resort.
Each won by convincing knockout, much to the delight of Floyd, who watched from ringside.
“I’m proud of my team,’’ he said. “We have a talented group of fighters and they proved that tonight. It was a nice crowd of boxing fans and I enjoyed myself. The city of Shelton, Wash., welcomed us with open arms and the hospitality was great! I’m looking forward putting on more exciting shows like the one Mayweather Promotions put on tonight.’’ Continue reading
Santana and Nugaev march forward with victories
Gary Shaw Productions presented another edition of the popular series titled “Central Coast Championships” at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California.
In the main event, local fan favorite Francisco Santana scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Joachim Alcine. Santana dominated the bout from the opening round, throwing hard punches to the head and body that kept Alcine on the retreat. Scorecards read 99-90 twice and 100-89, all in favor for Santana who retained his “Central Coast Championship.”
“I wanted to come out here tonight and prove once again that I’m ready to step up in competition,” said Santana. “I felt great and I’m hoping I can work my way up the rankings in 2014, with the possibility to fight for a world title in the near future. I’m looking forward to what my promoter Gary Shaw has lined up for me next.” Continue reading