Boxing: Five Memorable “Psych Jobs”
Boxing is an inherently psychological undertaking. It is an activity that exposes the contestants to far more than the simple prospect of defeat: the potential combination of public humiliation and genuine physical harm percolate in a fighter’s mind to a degree that few who have not lived the experience can reasonably quantify. Far from being a mere test of physical skills then, boxing is perhaps one of the purest tests of human will power. Some of the biggest contests in boxing history have therefore been won or lost through cunning, bravery and fortitude as much as they have speed, strength and stamina. Continue reading
David Haye says he’s the second-greatest cruiserweight in the division’s history – do you agree?
Possibly retired former cruiserweight and former WBA heavyweight champ David Haye is working this weekend’s big Carl Froch-George Groves grudge-match for Sky Sports, and it was whilst talking with Sky that Haye, wearing a sling to support his damaged right shoulder, spoke about his career.
While Haye did not say that his career is definitely over, he did speak on how he hopes the fans would remember him if he has boxed his last. Haye stated that he hopes the fans remember him as “one of the best cruiserweights of all time – I think I’m second behind Evander Holyfield.”
You won’t find many fans disagreeing with the legendary Holyfield being placed at the top of the greatest ever cruiserweights list, but do you agree with Haye being placed at number-two? Continue reading
Weights from Germany: Boytsov 226.6 vs Leapai: 244.7 lbs, Hernandez 198.6 lbs vs Alekseev 198.9 lbs
Here are the weigh in results from Bamberg for tomorrow’s show at the brose Arena, Bamberg, Germany (all photos by Wende):
WBO-Asia-Pacific Heavyweight Title, 10 rounds:
Alex Leapai (Australia): 111,0 kg / 244.7 lbs
Denis Boytsov (Russia): 102,8 kg / 226.6 lbs
IBF Cruiserweight World Championship, 12 rounds:
Alexander Alekseev (Russia): 90,2 kg /198.9 lbs
Yoan Pablo Hernandez (Germany): 90,1 kg / 198.6 lbs
IBF Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator, 12 rounds:
Dmitry Sukhotsky (Russia): 78,4 kg / 172.8 lbs
Eduard Gutknecht (Germany): 78,4 kg / 172.8 lbs
Continue reading
Froch vs. Groves weigh-in live stream
Carl Froch and George Groves had to be separated at today’s weigh-in for their World title clash at the Phones4u Arena in Manchester tomorrow night, live on Sky Sports Box Office, in association with bet365.
Froch tipped the scales the heavier man at 11st 13lbs 12oz with Groves over a pound lighter at 11st 12lbs 6oz, and as they squared up they had to be pulled apart after the champ twice whispered into the challenger’s ear.
Not even those on the stage would be able to hear what ‘The Cobra’ said to ‘Saint’ George over the raucous atmosphere created by the packed crowd at Manchester Central, but Froch was quick to tell Sky Sports News that he was leaving Groves in no doubt as to the magnitude of the occasion.
“I was just letting him know he is in deep water,” said Froch. “The time is now. David Haye will say the same, it’s just sort of bringing reality. Continue reading
Pacquiao vs. Rios: The Macau Massacre
This Saturday night which will be Sunday morning Macau time, Manny Pacquiao attempts to climb back on the horse that bucked him and ride that thing in to the sunset of his career.
The man that will be across the ring from Pacquiao is Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios, who’s full steam ahead style has everyone outside the Rios camp thinking this fight will be a one sided beat down not in his favor, and entertaining as hell while it lasts.
Can Manny bounce back from the nightmare that still lingers from his fourth encounter with the Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez?
Can Rios clip Manny with a fight changing punch making him an overnight star in the boxing world? Continue reading
Juan Carlos Gomez calls out Marco Huck!
Gomez: “I want to fight the best – and Huck is the best cruiserweight at the moment!”
“The Black Panther” back in action this Saturday in Hamburg
Only three weeks after his successful return to cruiserweight, former WBC world champion Juan Carlos Gomez will be back in action this Saturday (Nov. 23) in Hamburg, Germany, against Czech journeyman Jindrich Velecky. Velecky should surely be no serious test for Gomez but “The Black Panther” feels that he needs a high level of activity to get rid of the ring rust from his 14-months-lay-off. Continue reading
Pacquiao to Roach: “Are Those The Guys That Made Fun Of You? That’s All I Need To Know”
When Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza got into a scuffle, it was evident that this fight, at least the competitive angle of it, is going to change its course. Verbal back and forth is always a part of boxing, its marketing and hype. Nevertheless when Alex Ariza kicked Freddie Roach and made fun of his Parkinson’s, he signed his respect away, and boxing fans are unlikely to give it back anytime soon.
Roach was also out of line, and is now being dubbed a racist for saying a few things that are certainly worthy of such a title. But knowing Roach and Wild Card, it seems very unlikely that it was anything but the heat of the moment that made him say what he did, as his gym is probably the most international one of them all. Continue reading
Roy Jones Junior will not face Bobby Gunn on Dec. 4th as planned, will box in Russia on Dec. 21st instead
Living legend and future Hall of Famer Roy Jones Junior was originally set to attempt to keep his fading career alive by facing ‘bare knuckle champ’ Bobby Gunn in Philadelphia on December 4th. Gunn – who lost to former Jones rival James Toney in his most recent sanctioned boxing match, being stopped with a broken hand after 5-rounds last April – will be disappointed, yet Jones has had a change of mind and will instead be fighting in Moscow on December 21st.
(statement from Team Toney: For the record, the reason why Bobby Gunn didn’t answer the bell was cause he didn’t want to fight James Toney anymore. Gunn did not sustain a broken hand as you reported during the fight, the following morning he was even in the lobby shaking hands and laughing with boxing fans. Also for the record, there are no medical documents whatsoever supporting that he indeed had a broken hand. We are tired of hearing the same old false reports of Bobby having a broken hand. – TEAM LIGHTS OUT) Continue reading
Mayweather/Pacquiao fight could finally happen says Arum ahead of Pacquiao/Rios clash
BoxNation to donate £2 from every new subscription this week to help Philippines disaster victims
Boxing’s biggest-ever money fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao could finally take place according to a key player behind the negotiations.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, who promotes the Filipino superstar, admitted to BoxNation that there is genuine will on his part to make the fight happen should Pacquiao overcome the relentless Brandon Rios in Macau, China this weekend.
The matchup between boxing’s two superstar names has long been mooted, ever since both men became household pay-per-view draws. Continue reading
Broner-Maidana Undercard Media Conference Call Transcript
Kelly Swanson – – Thanks, everybody, for calling in. We really appreciate it. This call is to talk about this fantastic undercard, the undercard for the Adrien Broner and Marcos Maidana fight, which is December 14 from the Alamodome in San Antonio.
We’re going to start off today with Cesar Seda and Leo Santa Cruz, and then immediately following their comments and your questions for them, we will turn it over to Keith Thurman and Jesus Soto Karass. To get this call going, I’m going to introduce Richard Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Boy Promotions.
Richard Schaefer – Thank you, Kelly. Before I get started to talk to about this sensational card, I just want to make another quick comment. There were some great fights this weekend. We had pound-for-pound great Andre Ward looking quite spectacular in defending his world title, but there was another fight which really stole the weekend. We had Kelly Swanson look more than spectacular in her first victory. Continue reading