James Slater, Author At Boxing News

So who will televise Manny Pacquiao-Jessie Vargas?

August 18, 2016 by James Slater

Jessie Vargas, Manny Pacquiao - Manny Pacquiao’s November 5 comeback fight with reigning WBO welterweight champ Jessie Vargas, while a solid fight, has not caught fire with the majority of fight fans. Pac-Man, who will end the retirement from boxing he announced after his rubber-match win over Tim Bradley in April, is a fighter fans will always want to watch, but it was hoped he would face a bigger, more marquee name than Vargas in his return - Terence Crawford for example (a match-up that could still happen next year some time).

Manny Pacquiao’s November 5 comeback fight with reigning WBO welterweight champ Jessie Vargas, while a solid fight, has not caught fire with the majority of fight fans. Pac-Man, who will end the retirement from boxing he announced after his rubber-match win over Tim Bradley in April, is a fighter fans will always want to watch, but it was hoped he would face a bigger, more marquee name than Vargas in his return – Terence Crawford for example (a match-up that could still happen next year some time).

HBO, who televised many of Pac-Man’s greatest hits, will not be showing the November return bout, and promoter Bob Arum now has the job of finding a network that will carry the fight. Currently in The Philippines, Arum told RingTV.com that as soon as he returns to the states he will be working on finding the fight he himself says will be a great fight a home. It’s possible, Arum said, that the fight could end up being televised by either Showtime (HBO’s major rival of course), ESPN or a Turner network. It’s unclear how many fans will be eager to tune into the fight wherever it is shown.

Abel Sanchez says GGG will KO Brook within five-rounds, says he has never worked with a fighter possessing as much power as Golovkin

August 18, 2016August 18, 2016 by James Slater

Abel Sanchez, Gennady Golovkin, Kell Brook - When they share the ring in London on September 10, will challenger Kell Brook take the action right to middleweight king Gennady Golovkin, or will the welterweight who has bulked up to 160-pounds look to stick and move in the hopes of sticking around and taking the unbeaten puncher into the later rounds? This is what fans are debating, with some predicting a quick GGG stoppage win over a willing Brook, and others predicting how Brook will run and look to survive.

When they share the ring in London on September 10, will challenger Kell Brook take the action right to middleweight king Gennady Golovkin, or will the welterweight who has bulked up to 160-pounds look to stick and move in the hopes of sticking around and taking the unbeaten puncher into the later rounds? This is what fans are debating, with some predicting a quick GGG stoppage win over a willing Brook, and others predicting how Brook will run and look to survive.

One man whose opinion matters is Triple-G’s trainer Abel Sanchez and he stated at the LA press conference that he feels Brook will come to have a fight, “to show he’s a man.” Speaking further with Sky Sports News, Sanchez marvelled over his fighter’s incredible punching power – power he says will see his man to victory “in five rounds at the most.”

What if: George Chuvalo-Henry Cooper? Chuvalo gives his take

August 18, 2016August 18, 2016 by James Slater

A British heavyweight legend and a Canadian heavyweight great: Sir Henry Cooper (RIP) and George Chuvalo; two heavyweights who both added considerably to their respective careers by twice facing “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali. But they never fought each other, even though it could easily have happened – really should have happened – in the 1960s. Cooper was the reigning Commonwealth heavyweight champion throughout much of that decade (and before that, in the late ‘50s, as well as into the early 1970s) and during this era there was a dangerous and hungry Chuvalo, eager to get his shot.

Adrien Broner released from jail, possibility he may fight in October

August 17, 2016 by James Slater

Adrien Broner - Former champ Adrien Broner was today released from prison having served his 30-day sentence, the one he got for turning up in court either drunk or hung-over; his trial for alleged assault and robbery set to begin. Now a free man again (for now, at least) “The Problem” is of course expected to do what he does best aside from get into trouble - fight. Broner remains a big name, a fighter who can attract fans with his bad guy, or man you love to hate image, and there could be big fights out there for him still.

Former champ Adrien Broner was today released from prison having served his 30-day sentence, the one he got for turning up in court either drunk or hung-over; his trial for alleged assault and robbery set to begin. Now a free man again (for now, at least) “The Problem” is of course expected to do what he does best aside from get into trouble – fight. Broner remains a big name, a fighter who can attract fans with his bad guy, or man you love to hate image, and there could be big fights out there for him still.

RingTV.com spoke briefly with Broner’s trainer Mike Stafford, and he said that while it’s obviously way too early to have anything approaching set yet, there is a chance the four-weight titlist could box as soon as October – against a “Ricky Burns type” of opponent. This doesn’t mean it will be Burns next for Broner, but the Scottish hero, who recently rejuvenated his own career by winning another major belt, was supposed to fight Broner a while back and this fight still has a decent look to it. Burns enjoyed boxing in the U.S when he gave Omar Figueroa a great battle in Texas last May, and he would possibly look at returning to America to finally get it on with Broner.

Wladimir Klitschko says he will take Tyson Fury to court “to protect my own rights and eventually see the rematch”

August 17, 2016August 17, 2016 by James Slater

Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko - It seems we are further away than ever when it comes to seeing the anticipated return fight between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko. Ex-champ Klitschko, who first saw a July 9 return with Fury fall apart due to Fury picking up a calf injury, is now threatening to take the man who out-pointed him to court. Klitschko uploaded a video on his Twitter page earlier today, in which he stated the following:

It seems we are further away than ever when it comes to seeing the anticipated return fight between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko. Ex-champ Klitschko, who first saw a July 9 return with Fury fall apart due to Fury picking up a calf injury, is now threatening to take the man who out-pointed him to court. Klitschko uploaded a video on his Twitter page earlier today, in which he stated the following:

James DeGale-Badou Jack unification clash likely for Oct/Nov in Las Vegas

August 17, 2016 by James Slater

Badou Jack, James DeGale - It’s a big fight if not a massive one and it’s a solid match-up that either fighter might win; and according to one of the principals, James DeGale, his super-middleweight unification showdown with Badou Jack is “nearly there” for either October or November in Las Vegas. Yet another important fight this year involving a British boxer, DeGale-Jack will see one fighter crowned as the IBF and WBC 168-pound ruler.

It’s a big fight if not a massive one and it’s a solid match-up that either fighter might win; and according to one of the principals, James DeGale, his super-middleweight unification showdown with Badou Jack is “nearly there” for either October or November in Las Vegas. Yet another important fight this year involving a British boxer, DeGale-Jack will see one fighter crowned as the IBF and WBC 168-pound ruler.

Price trainer Coldwell: “If not [Joshua next] we’ll fight Joseph Parker in order to get the opportunity”

August 17, 2016August 16, 2016 by James Slater

Anthony Joshua, David Price, Joseph Parker - David Price really wants a shot at IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua - the man he revealed last week he flattened in sparring many moons ago. Price, under new trainer Dave Coldwell, is finally finding his “nasty side,” according to the trainer who spoke with Sky Sports today. Coldwell says Price is “fed up of being ridiculed and written off,” and now has “the devil in him” as he trains and looks for his next fight.

David Price really wants a shot at IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua – the man he revealed last week he flattened in sparring many moons ago. Price, under new trainer Dave Coldwell, is finally finding his “nasty side,” according to the trainer who spoke with Sky Sports today. Coldwell says Price is “fed up of being ridiculed and written off,” and now has “the devil in him” as he trains and looks for his next fight.

Coldwell says Price will fight like the huge puncher he is from now on; so it’s goodbye, nice guy, hello merciless puncher. At least that’s what Coldwell says, and he is “loving it.”

A Brook win over GGG would not just be a great win for the challenger, but also the finest moment for a legendary Sheffield gym

August 16, 2016August 16, 2016 by James Slater

Gennady Golovkin, Kell Brook - Herol Graham, Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson, Junior Witter, Ryan Rhodes. These are just some of the talented fighters to have risen from the famous Wincobank gym in Sheffield and either won or fought for a world title. But for all the achievements of the cherished Ingle gym, one fighter will give the boxing gym its finest success, one to top all previous glories, if he can shock the odds and pull off a victory later on this year.

Herol Graham, Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson, Junior Witter, Ryan Rhodes. These are just some of the talented fighters to have risen from the famous Wincobank gym in Sheffield and either won or fought for a world title. But for all the achievements of the cherished Ingle gym, one fighter will give the boxing gym its finest success, one to top all previous glories, if he can shock the odds and pull off a victory later on this year.

Kell Brook, the current IBF welterweight champion who will move up two weight classes to challenge the formidable and feared Gennady Golovkin in less than a month, walked into the Ingle gym many years ago.

Tony Bellew says he is ready to show BJ Flores “why I’m the best cruiserweight in the world”

August 16, 2016August 16, 2016 by James Slater

BJ Flores, Tony Bellew - As fans may have read, it is now official how WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew will make his first defence against long-time contender B.J Flores. Promoter Eddie Hearn is promising a “huge card” for Bellew’s hometown of Liverpool on October 15, with a number of supporting bouts to be announced in the coming says - with appearances by David Price and Rocky Fielding likely and a fight between Gary Sykes and Sean Dodd at lightweight already confirmed.

As fans may have read, it is now official how WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew will make his first defence against long-time contender B.J Flores. Promoter Eddie Hearn is promising a “huge card” for Bellew’s hometown of Liverpool on October 15, with a number of supporting bouts to be announced in the coming says – with appearances by David Price and Rocky Fielding likely and a fight between Gary Sykes and Sean Dodd at lightweight already confirmed.

Joshua Buatsi emerging as the British boxing star at Rio; Floyd Mayweather predicts he will be a world champion

August 15, 2016 by James Slater

One of the great things about the Olympics is how, amongst the expected glamour and excitement brought by the big names, a new star can emerge. In boxing, British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi is looking like being one of the previously unknown talents set for a totally new life after the Games have reached their conclusion. The Londoner who was born in Ghana is guaranteed a bronze medal yet he is naturally aiming to go for glory and bring home a gold.