It’s just over three decades old (31 years ago today to be exact) but no fight has surpassed the epic three-round war between Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas “Hitman” Hearns since it took place in Las Vegas in 1985 – certainly no middleweight fight has topped “The War.” With seemingly reckless abandon, the two greats, who were at their peak at the time of the showdown, launched into one another. Fans, experts and even the commentators could barely do anything but watch in awe as the magnificent warfare unfolded.
James Slater
Tyson Fury/Anthony Joshua won’t be fighting on the same night, Joshua sees sense and looks at other dates for first title defence
In the words of one boxing pundit, it would have been “promotional suicide” for rival British heavyweight stars to have fought on the same night. Yet for a time, it looked as though the world heavyweight king and the newly crowned IBF heavyweight champ would indeed go head-to-head on rival shows on July 9th. But today, in speaking with BBC Sport, Joshua said it is “most unlikely” he will now box on July 9th.
Who are the 10 worst heavyweight champs in boxing history?
Perhaps it’s disrespectful to even attempt to compile such a list: the 10 worst heavyweight champions in boxing history. After all, all boxers, from amateur to pro level, be they club fighters or pound-for-pound stars, deserve the utmost respect for having the bravery and the courage to do what they do. But still, in light of how much hard-earned cash fight fans must part with to see the big names, the champions, in action, such a list must on occasion be compiled.
Ellerbe: Not a word about Floyd coming back
Though talk of a possible Floyd Mayweather Junior-Manny Pacquiao rematch gathered pace this week, according to one man – Floyd’s right hand man, Leonard Ellerbe – it is mere talk and nothing more. In fact, in speaking with Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports, Ellerbe basically said there is nothing to talk about with regards to a possible Mayweather ring return.
Broner sent to jail for ten days for parole violation
Adrien Broner seems destined as of late to make more headlines due to his out of the ring actions than those inside the four corners. Broner currently sits in a Cincinnati jailhouse due to how he was arrested this week for parole violation. Broner – who was recently in court to face assault and theft charges – violated the terms of his parole for a previous crime, that of a reckless driving conviction. Broner will not be released until April 22nd, his sentence being ten days.
Broner, nicknamed “The Problem,” has recently had far more problems than the majority of his boxing opposition; although he did stop his last foe, Ashley Theophane (in a fight where the winner was stripped of his WBA light-welterweight title before the bout got underway due to failing to make weight) on April 1st.
Julio Cesar Chavez Vs. Roberto Duran in the works for July 23rd in Vegas! (in an exhibition)
Quite often, when the subject of “Dream Fights” comes up, fight fans close their eyes and fantasize over just how special a lightweight super-fight between all-time greats Roberto Duran and Julio Cesar Chavez would be; and to wonder who would have emerged triumphant. Well, both long retired greats are well above the 135-pound limit today (and the 147, 154 and maybe 160-pound limit come to that) but they are set to face one another in a special attraction of a bout that Bob Arum is planning to add to his upcoming July 23rd show at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas (probably to be topped by Terence Crawford-Viktor Postol).
But calm down, the planned Duran-Chavez bout will be of the exhibition variety only. Arum told Dan Rafael of ESPN.com that he aims to have the two-round exhibition on his card in the name of fun. According to Rafael, the Nevada State Athletic Commission must first approve the bout, and decide what weight it will be “fought” at, but both living legends have said they definitely want to take part in the exhibition. Chavez is now 53-years-old, Duran – who will soon see a movie based on his incredible life released, with “Hands of Stone” set to hit cinemas in August – is 11 years older at 64.
Anthony Joshua likely to make first IBF title defence against a US fighter in bid to crack pay-per-view market: four names in the mix
Anthony Joshua, and his promoter Eddie Hearn, want to crack the US market and become a genuine pay-per-view attraction. Hearn, in speaking with Boxing News, said he fully understands how it takes time to become a big name in America; the kind of name fans will readily part with cash to see fight. And as such, Hearn is likely to match the new IBF heavyweight champ against an American name in his first defence.
There are huge domestic fights out there for Joshua, with Tyson Fury and David Haye waiting in the wings, but it looks as though they will have to wait a while. Hearn, in speaking with the trade paper, said he has a few names lined up when it comes to who Joshua may fight in his maiden defence, penciled in for July 9th. It’s probable Joshua will defend in the UK, but the names Hearn mentioned are: Malik Scott, Bryant Jennings, Bermane Stiverne and Eric Molina.
Former Anthony Joshua foe Dillian Whyte launches scathing attack on Charles Martin: He was c**p!
While new IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is still enjoying the plaudit’s his 2nd-round stoppage win over Charles Martin earned him on Saturday night, A.J’s critics remain. We’ve all read what heavyweight ruler Tyson Fury had to say about Joshua, both before and after his IBF title win; and former Joshua foe Dillian Whyte was also less than impressed by Joshua’s quick win.
Or, more accurately, Whyte was hugely unimpressed by the performance Martin gave inside a sold-out O2 Arena three days ago. Whyte, who craves a rematch with Joshua – having pushed the unbeaten star hard back in December – told Sky Sports he thought defending champion Martin was c**p and that he “sold his belt to Joshua.”