Rumour Mill: Freddie Roach Wants Pac-Man Vs. Khan?

09/14/201608/27/2012 ESB

Rumour Mill: Freddie Roach Wants Pac-Man Vs. Khan? By James Slater – Whilst scanning the web for the latest boxing news, I came across an intriguing little ‘story’ (well, maybe not so little – at least the story won’t be if it turns out to be true!) that suggests ace-trainer Freddie Roach now wants to see his star pupils, Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan, fight one another soon.

According to the piece on The Moment (as picked up by Opposing Views), Roach “Is pushing for the boxer (Khan) to step up from the light-welterweight division to take on Manny Pacquiao. Roach now wants Khan to move up to 147-pounds where he can take on stable-mate and good friend Pacquiao.”

Of course, this ‘story’ could turn out to be no real story at all, and just a load of baloney, but boxing is a weird sport at times and, with both Pac-Man and “King Khan” coming off defeats (albeit a robbery in the eyes of millions in Manny’s case), maybe the fight could happen.

It sure would prove to be a shock if Team-Pacquiao’s forthcoming next opponent announcement told the world he will indeed be fighting Khan.

Dawson-Ward: Super Middleweight Super Fight

09/14/201608/26/2012 ESB

By Eric Roman Sr: April 6th, 1987: the date we got to see two of the greatest fighters of all time come together for a historical event that boxing fans around the globe still argue about day in and day out. Sugar Ray Leonard came out of retirement to face the defending Middleweight Champion of the world, Marvelous Marvin Hagler. The outcome of that bout has been debated in barber shops and boxing gyms for over two decades; come September 8th 2012, HBO will grace us with a “super” match up between two of the sports most outstanding talents, at a weight division only eight pounds heavier then 1987’s original “Super Fight”.

WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion “Bad” Chad Dawson will come down in weight to face the smaller Undisputed Super Middleweight World Champion Andre”S.O.G” Ward. Although these two combatants may not be at the popularity level that Leonard and Hagler were at that time, there are many eerie similarities to point out that make this one just as important as the one the Hall of Famers gave us a quarter of a century ago. Dawson, the bigger fighter and a southpaw like Hagler, didn’t have a prestigious amateur background, he got his recognition as a pro, fighting big names and winning big fights. Also, like “the Marvelous One”, Chad Dawson grew up in New England with a chip on his shoulder, which gives him the sense of being the meaner of the two. Ward on the other hand is a pure bred natural talent. His speed and focus got him a Gold Medal in the Athens Olympics much like Sugar Ray did in 1976, and he is a crowd favorite. A charming guy with a great smile. He got through the Super Six Tournament with ease, and showed the world that brains overcome braun in boxing on any given night, but thats what makes this fight so anticipating.

Steward sees Wach as a tough opponent for Wladimir

09/14/201608/26/2012 ESB

By Michael Collins: Trainer Emanuel Steward has some concerns about the 6’7 1/2″ unbeaten heavyweight contender Mariusz Wach (27-0, 15 KO’s) as being a tough fight for IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 51 KO’s) in their fight on November 10th at the O2 World Arena, Altona, in Hamburg, Germany.

Steward told fightsaga.com “I have my work cut out for me with this assignment. Wach will not only be the biggest opponent Wladimir has fought since we’ve been together, he will also have the mentality of an undefeated fighter when he steps in the ring.”

Wach has won all of his 27 fights, but he’s also not fought anyone that you could call good. He’s still at the Tye Fields level, and now he’s being put in with Wladimir. I’m sure Wach wants the fight and the payday that goes along with it, but he’d have been better off waiting until he’d at least fought two or three contenders so that he could pick up more experience before fighting for a world title. Wach has excellent power in his right hand, but that’s about all he’s got. His jab is like like limp spaghetti noodle, and his left hand is virtually nonexistent. But perhaps the biggest flaw in Wach’s game, besides the lack of a punch arsenal and experience, is his slow hand speed.

Deontay Wilder: I could fight Tyson Fury once he overcomes his fears

09/14/201608/26/2012 ESB

By Michael Collins: Former 2008 heavyweight Olympic bronze medalist for the United States Deontay Wilder (24-0, 24 KO’s) see a fight between him and undefeated heavyweight contender Tyson Fury (19-0, 14 KO’s) as a possibility in the near future once the 24-year-old Fury stops being afraid to face him. Wilder has been calling out Fury for the past few weeks but has largely ignored by the 6’9″ Fury. That’s not stopping Wilder from continuing to talk to try and get him in the ring.

When asked if a fight between him and Fury was a possibility, Wilder told boxingopinion1.blogspot.com “He could definitely be a potential opponent for me. I’m a type of fighter that gives fighters nightmares, just the thought of potentially fighting me. So once those fears have been overcome [by Fury] and when that happens there will be a fight.”

I hope Wilder doesn’t hold his breath waiting for Fury to suddenly show interest in fighting him, because it appears that Fury doesn’t really want the fight. Fury has been fighting guys like Martin Rogan, Vinny Maddalone, Neven Pajkic and Nicolai Firtha as of late. A fight against Wilder would obviously fit in well amongst those fighters, but Fury seems to not want the fight. Fury is hoping to get former WBA World heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev in the ring this November if the fight can be put together. Chagaev, #7 WBA, has a high ranking by the World Boxing Association and it will in theory help Fury get better.

Tony Weeks to referee Chavez Jr-Martinez fight on September 15th

09/14/201608/26/2012 ESB

By Rob Smith: American Tony Weeks will be the referee for the September 15th fight between WBC junior middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-0-1, 32 KO’s) and Sergio Martinez (49-2-2, 28 KO’s) in their fight on HBO pay per view at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Weeks has a good reputation for letting the fighters fight without constantly getting in the way, breaking the fighters and penalizing like some referees. His presence should not impede the flow of the fight thankfully.

There’s not much for Weeks to really watch for in this fight other than Chavez Jr. perhaps using his size and weight advantage to push/bump Martinez to force him to the ropes. Chavez Jr. will likely be the much heavier fighter on fight night on September 15th, and if he weighs in at 180 lbs or more, it will give him a big enough weight advantage over Martinez to where he’ll be able to bull around the ring like he did against Marco Antonio Rubio. Martinez is expected to come into the fight around 165 lbs like he normally does.

Chavez Jr’s size advantage might not matter, though, unless the ring is really tiny like it was in Chavez Jr’s last fight against Andy Lee last June in El Paso, Texas. If it’s a normal sized ring then Martinez will be able to move around to avoid Chavez Jr’s attacks. Even if it’s a small one.

Dawson: I wanted the Ward fight at 170 lb catchweight but they said no

09/14/201608/26/2012 ESB

By Rob Smith: Chad Dawson (31-1, 17 KO’s) said it wasn’t his idea to fight WBA/WBC super middleweight champion Andre Ward (25-0, 13 KO’s) at 168 for their September 8th fight at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Dawson, 30, was left with no other choice but to come all the way down fro 175 lbs to make the fight at super middleweight after he was refused when he asked for a catchweight of 170 lbs.

Dawson said on 24/7 Road to Ward-Dawson “We wanted to do a catchweight at 170, but they threw it out the window. They said no. We can’t make the fight unless it’s 168 pounds. The weight don’t bother me. The fight in Ward’s backyard don’t bother me. Ward’s a great fighter; I’m a great fighter. I don’t know why I’m the underdog in this fight. I don’t think people look at resumes too close. I beat some big names in the sport.”

I don’t think anyone knows for sure who will win this fight on September 8th. Ward is the better inside fighter and he’s done remarkably well against the top of the class in the super middleweight division in his fights in the Super Six tournament. However, Ward showed some vulnerabilities in his fights against Sakio Bika and Carl Froch that Dawson could take advantage of if he’s smart, and works hard.

Dirrell wants Abraham rematch

09/14/201608/26/2012 ESB

By Michael Collins: Andre Dirrell (20-1, 14 KO’s) wants to get a shot at newly crowned WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham’s World Boxing Organization crown to take the title off of him and pay him back for being fouled in their fight in April 2010 in the Super Six tournament. Although Dirrell completely dominated Abraham and won the fight by an 11th round disqualification, Dirrell still wants to get Abraham back in the ring so that he can beat him until the conclusion of the fight.

Dirrell said this on his twitter yesterday after learning about Abraham beating WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz by a 12 round unanimous decision in Berlin, Germany: “I want that WBO [belt], Abraham!!! Scene 2, Ace 2. I’m gonna act out another ass whopping on you…again! Let me get the mandatory for that WBO after my next fight!!! I bet Abraham won’t fight me!!! Haha. I can’t wait!!!”

I also bet Abraham doesn’t fight Dirrell. There’s really no reason for Abraham to take the fight because in terms of important fights that can make him the most money, a fight against Dirrell would have to be low ranking right about now. Abraham can make better money against fighters like Lucian Bute, Mikkel Kessler, Felix Sturm or Carl Froch. Abraham isn’t going to use up an important fight and risk getting beaten again if he’s not going to get the biggest payday.

Arthur Abraham-Felix Sturm – The Super-Fight For Germany Makes All The Sense In The World

09/14/201608/26/2012 ESB

By James Slater – They are both mega-stars in Germany, and reigning world champions Arthur Abraham and Felix Sturm have seemingly been on something of a collision course for years. Now that “King” Arthur is back where he belongs and has done his job against the classy Robert Stieglitz, all that remains for the super-fight to happen is Sturm taking care of his business this coming Saturday.

Sturm, the long-reigning WBA middleweight king, faces IBF champ Daniel Geale, 27-1(15) and if the 33-year-old can come though okay, it would be a natural for him to move up to 168 (Sturm has struggled to make 160 for some time) and get it on with Abraham.

32-year-old Abraham, 35-3(27) now a two-weight ruler, against Sturm, 37-2-2(16), would attract an absolutely monstrous audience in Germany. Simply put, both guys are total legends in their homeland (Abraham being born in Armenia but living in Berlin for a number of years). In separate fights the two stars bring in huge crowds, together the box-office records would likely be smashed.

Both men have enjoyed long, likely Hall of Fame-worthy careers, and the two veterans are closing in on their last few years. What we need to see now is a showdown between the two, to finally find out who is the best. Abraham has those heavy hands and he is rock-solid and tough.

Abraham with a lot of options for big fights

09/14/201608/25/2012 ESB

By Adrian Soehner: Newly crowned WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham (35-3, 27 KO’s) is in a great position right now to get a big money fight against some of the other top super middleweights and champions from other divisions after beating WBO super middleweight champ Robert Stieglitz (42-3, 23 KO’s) by a 12 round unanimous decision earlier on Saturday night at the O2 World Arena in Berlin, Germany. Abraham’s power came through for him to help him win a posts decision by the scores 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113.

Abraham was expected to win going in and he showed why people favored him by punishing Stieglitz all throughout the fight with hard combinations. Abraham has always been heavy-handed since his days as the IBF middleweight champion, but now he seems to be even more powerful now that he’s matured. That doesn’t mean he’s invincible. He’s far from actually. The win proved little other than showing that Abraham can beat the weakest of the super middleweight champions. But it still won’t keep him from getting a good opponent for his next fight later on in the year. However, Abraham is going to have to choice wisely because he may not get a second title defense if he faces someone too good.

The options for Abraham are as follows:

Tyson Fury sparring with MMA fighters to get ready for Chagaev bout

09/14/201608/25/2012 ESB

By Michael Collins: Peter Fury, the uncle and trainer for unbeaten Tyson Fury (19-0, 14 KO’s), says that Tyson is sparring with MMA fighters to get in shape for his upcoming fight which they hope will be against former WBA World heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev in November.

Peter Fury said to Britishboxers.co.uk “He’s got a couple of MMA fighters…excellent sparring for him.”

I’ve never really heard of a professional fighter using MMA fighters to spar with to get ready for a well seasoned veteran like Chagaev. I’m not sure that an MMA fighter would be someone that would be good for a sparring partner given that they’re often guys from wrestling backgrounds with little skills or experience at boxing.

You can pretty much take even the oldest heavyweight from professional ranks and put in a top MMA fighter and put gloves him and he’s likely to lose and lost badly. It takes too many years to get good at boxing, and sticking gloves on an MMA fighter and sparring with them probably is a waste of time.