Broner destroys Rees; Bika decisions Sjekloca

02/17/201302/16/2013 ESB

broner33 By Bill Phanco: WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner (26-0, 22 KO’s) was just too strong for challenger Gavin Rees (37-2-1, 18 KO’s) tonight in beating Rees by a 5th round TKO victory at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Broner put Rees down twice, and stopped him shortly after dropping him with a left to the body in the 5th. Broner was hammering away on Rees after he got up, and this led to Rees’ trainer Gary Lockett throwing in the towel to stop the punishment.

The knockdown in the 5th came when the two fighters were in close, and Rees seemed to be confused, as if he thought the referee was going to break them because they had stopped punching. Broner used the opportunity to hit Rees with a crunching left to the body that put Rees down on the canvas.

Wladimir Klitschko vs. Bryant Jennings possible for May 4th

02/16/2013 ESB

By Jeff Sorby: A fight between IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (59-3, 50 KO’s) and unbeaten American #3 IBF Bryant Jennings (16-0, 8 KO’s) is possible for May 4th, according to Sports Illustrated. The Klitschko-Jennings fight hinges interest from one of the two U.S cable giants HBO or Showtime.

HBO is reportedly interested in televising the fight. However, if they choose not to televise the fight to the U.S boxing fans, then Wladimir will then go ahead and face unbeaten Italian heavyweight contender Francesco Pianeta. That fight would still likely be shown in the U.S, albeit on EPIX instead of HBO or Showtime.

Broner moving up to light welterweight if Ricky Burns doesn’t face him

02/16/2013 ESB

broner4 By Jeff Sorby: WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner (25-0, 21 KO’s) is ready to give up on the 135 lb. division if he can’t get a unification bout with WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns (35-2, 10 KO’s) in the near future.

Broner, who has what amounts to be as a stay busy title defense tonight against the over-matched 5’4” Gavin Rees (37-1-1, 18 KO’s), wants to face Burns to prove to boxing fans that he’s the best fighter in the division. However, Burns hasn’t been helpful in making the fight, and has twice gone in the other direction when Broner has tried to get him in the ring.

Kellerman: Broner is a heavy favorite over Rees because he’s so special

02/17/201302/16/2013 ESB

By Bill Phanco: Gavin Rees (37-1-1, 18 KO’s) is coming into his fight tonight against World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion Adrien Broner (25-0, 21 KO’s) as a huge underdog by as much as 80-1. Max Kellerman of HBO believes the reason why Rees is such a huge underdog is because how good Broner rather than how limited Rees is. Kellerman actually sees talent in the 5’4” Rees, but he still thinks he’s out of his class because of who he’s facing tonight.

Kellerman said in an interview with I Film London “He’s [Rees] a good fighter, and the odds, which are absurdly wide over here, as much as 80-1 at some point, is a reflection more of what they think of Broner than what they think of Gavin. People think Broner is a special kind of fighter, and I think the odds reflect that over here…The way Broner beat Antonio DeMarco, it was one of the most thorough beatings you’ll see a top fighter.

Enzo Calzaghe not impressed with Broner, compares him to Jeff Lacy

02/16/2013 ESB

(Photo credit: Hogan photos) By Jeff Sorby: Enzo Calzaghe, the former trainer for Gavin Rees (37-1-1, 18 KO’s), is giving him a better than average chance to beat WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner (25-0, 21 KO’s) tonight in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Calzaghe thinks Rees can win if he fights like he used to years ago when he was at the top of his form.

Interestingly enough, Calzaghe isn’t impressed with what he’s seen of Broner, and he compares him to Jeff Lacy, a fighter his son Joe Calzaghe defeated by a lopsided 12 round unanimous decision seven years ago in 2006. Lacy came into the fight with Joe unbeaten and highly hyped, but Calzaghe easily beat him.

Ward: Easy work for Broner tonight against Rees; don’t blink

02/16/2013 ESB

(Photo credit: Hogan photos) By Michael Collins: WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward doesn’t see WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner (25-0, 21 KO’s) having any problems in his first defense of his WBC title tonight against former WBA light welterweight champion Gavin Rees (37-1-1, 18 KO’s) on HBO at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Ward sees this fight ending quickly with Broner stopping the 32-year-old Rees.

Ward said on his twitter “Don’t blink because that fight shouldn’t last long. Easy Work!! Easy!! Like Too Easy!! Not about underestimating…but I can’t help what I see on film.”

Mayweather vs. Guerrero and Canelo vs. Trout could be announced next week

02/15/2013 ESB

canelo1 By Bill Phanco: WBC junior middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KO’s) is reporting on his twitter that he’ll be facing WBA World junior middleweight champion Austin Trout (26-0, 14 KO’s) on the Floyd Mayweather Jr. undercard on May 4th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Also, Golden Boy Promotions matchmaker Robert Diaz is reporting that Golden Boy will be announcing Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Robert Guerrero and Trout vs. Canelo fight card for May 4th within days.
Here’s what Canelo said on his twitter today: “Canelo vs. Trout, May 4, MGM.”

Dibella May Sound for Macklin v Lee

02/15/201302/15/2013 ESB

By Padraig Ivory: Andy Lee may have returned from an America that was deep in economic turmoil, however he very nearly fell off his own’ Fiscal Cliff’ of sorts when he faced Anthony Fitzgerald on Saturday night. The fight was televised on the ‘Unfinished Business’ card on Sky Sports which was headlined by the European Super Bantamweight title clash between Carl Frampton and Kiko Martinez.

After a disappointing and emotional 2012 the Limerick native was back in Ireland looking to reinstate his middleweight credentials. Andy was entering a new phase in his career after the passing of his Hall of Fame trainer Emmanuel Steward. Manny was more than a boxing coach to the Irishman, he was a friend, a companion and an inspiration. As the infamous Kronk Gym closed its doors Lee had no option but to uproot his training base. The 2004 Olympian teamed up with Adam Booth in November as he began his career rehabilitation following a crushing loss to Julio Chavez Jr. in June 2012.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. tabs his Father to train him

02/14/2013 ESB

Robert Jackson – The latest news has it that Floyd Mayweather Jr. whomever he decides to fight on May 4, 2013 will be trained by his father Floyd Joy Mayweather Sr. Floyd Jr’s announced return to his father after a long separation was speculated about previously with Floyd Jr saying his current trainer at the time – Uncle Roger’s health was deteriorating due to his diabetes, preventing him from training at his best.

Floyd Sr. has worked with Chad Dawson, Joan Guzman, currently works with Andre Dirrell and Mickey Bey, and was the trainer of Oscar De La Hoya during his heyday in the ring. Floyd Sr. was also in the camp for Floyd Jr’s return to the ring against Juan Manuel Marquez. During that fight Floyd’s tactics and technique were very sharp with Floyd winning a lopsided UD. Floyd Sr was also in the camp when Floyd Jr faced Shane Mosley albeit in a limited role, and for the next two fights against Victor Ortiz and Miguel Cotto Floyd Sr was absent from his son’s camps. During which a decline in Floyd Jr’s technique and tactics was noticeable.

Price vs Thompson: Thompson wants to ruin David Price and Tyson Fury meeting

02/12/2013 ESB

TONY THOMPSON believes he is just days away from ruining all hopes of David Price and Tyson Fury meeting.
The American double world title challenger (36-3) meets British and Commonwealth champion Price (15-0) in a 12 round international heavyweight contest at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Saturday February 23.

Price v Fury is the biggest domestic clash right now, and purses bids were due to be held on Wednesday, but Tyson pulled out.