James Slater

Billy Joe Saunders has harsh words for Willie Monroe Jr, Chris Eubank Jr.

Billy Joe Saunders has harsh words for Willie Monroe Jr, Chris Eubank Jr.

WBO middleweight ruler Billy Joe Saunders has a big and meaningful fight for the first time in over a year, and the unbeaten southpaw is expected to formally announce it later today: Saunders, 24-0(12) is expected to face fellow southpaw Willie Monroe Junior, 21-2(6) on September 16 in London.

And today via instagram, Saunders appeared in a short video in which he had harsh words for both Monroe Jr. and Chris Eubank Jr. Saunders, in one of his biggest wins, decisioned Eubank back in November of 2014, taking Eubank’s unbeaten record, and he has been close to fighting him again. The rematch has not been made, though, and, in light of Eubank’s move up to super-middleweight and his entry into The World Boxing Super Series eight-man tournament, it’s likely it never will get made.

continue

Charles Martin comeback continues tomorrow, will face Michael Marrone in Louisiana

Charles Martin comeback continues tomorrow, will face Michael Marrone in Louisiana

One win removed from his terribly disappointing effort against Anthony Joshua in April of last year, when he lost his IBF heavyweight belt, Charles Martin’s comeback is scheduled to continue tomorrow night in Alexandria, Louisiana. The 31 year old southpaw known as “Prince” Charles, will face journeyman Michael Marrone, 21-7(15).

In April this year, returning to action a full year after being blasted out inside just two rounds by Joshua, the 6’5” Martin, 24-1-1(22) eased himself back with a straightforward stoppage win over another journeyman in Byron Polley. It’s not likely Martin will get a much stiffer test against Marrone, the 31 year old from Vero Beach, Florida who was once managed by the late Lou Duva.

continue

Win, lose or draw, Floyd Mayweather will be a billionaire after August 26

Win, lose or draw, Floyd Mayweather will be a billionaire after August 26

No wonder they call him “Money.” Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather Promotion’s CEO, told MMAjunkie how Floyd Mayweather Junior will, in all likelihood, become a billionaire after all the revenue comes in from the heavily hyped Mayweather-Conor McGregor “Super-Fight” of August 26.

Mayweather, whose career earnings are said to be around the, quite staggering, $750 million mark already, are expected by Ellerbe to go over the $1 billion mark after the Las Vegas extravaganza. So, win, lose or draw on August 26 (Floyd will win; YOU can take it to the bank) Mayweather will be one incredibly rich man; THE highest paid athlete in all sports leaving all competitors in his wake (his nearest competitors being Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods).

continue

Eubank Jr. beats Abraham but can he do the same to Groves, DeGale?

Eubank Jr. beats Abraham but can he do the same to Groves, DeGale?

Chris Eubank Junior has done a whole lot of talking throughout his pro career, as fans know. Promising much, the reigning IBO super-middleweight champ backed up at least a few of his big words last night, shutting out the ultra-experienced Arthur Abraham in a fight that, in truth, nearly everyone expected the younger man to win.

But the Abraham victory, the best name on Eubank’s record aside from Billy Joe Saunders who defeated him, is a step in the right direction – a step towards greatness according to both Eubank the fighter and Eubank Senior, the former fighter. Eubank, aged 27 and now 25-1(19) as a pro, will now go into the upcoming, eagerly anticipated World Boxing Super Series tournament full of confidence (when has he not been?)

continue

Boxing’s finest trash-talkers!

Boxing's finest trash-talkers!

Finally they are silent – for now. We’ve been “treated” to plenty of hype, nastiness, fun and games and, most notably, trash-talking these past four days; courtesy of Floyd Mayweather Junior and Conor McGregor. And, perhaps surprisingly, it is McGregor who gets most votes when it comes to who had the fastest, smartest mouth during the four-day press tour; with the MMA star getting off better, more amusing lines than his upcoming August ring rival.

Trash-talking has of course been around the sport of boxing for decades, with it today being as big a part of the game as stare-downs, catch-weight fights and rematch clauses. Trash-talking can be fun; if it’s done right. Mayweather, for once, found himself out-talked by McGregor (rest assured Floyd will make him pay in the fight next month) but “Money” is usually on the money when it comes to hurling both amusing and effective (effective at rattling his opponent) insults.

continue

Showtime boss Espinoza says he expects Joshua-Klitschko II decision “pretty quickly”

Showtime boss Espinoza says he expects Joshua-Klitschko II decision “pretty quickly”

Anthony Joshua could be heading towards his US debut in his next fight. Promoter Eddie Hearn has been looking over potential venues in Las Vegas, with the T-Mobile Arena now the frontrunner to host the expected rematch between the reigning WBA/IBF heavyweight champ and former king Wladimir Klitschko (Klitschko has still to officially confirm that he will face AJ for a second time).

And Stephen Espinoza of Showtime says Joshua-Klitschko II “would be the biggest heavyweight Vegas fight in probably a couple of decades.” Joshua wants it, Hearn wants it and Espinoza wants it – now it just needs Klitschko’s signature on the contract to make the rematch happen in Vegas. At least this is how it seems.

continue

Amir Khan on Kell Brook’s planned return: If he fights me that could be a third loss and bad for his health

Amir Khan on Kell Brook's planned return: If he fights me that could be a third loss and bad for his health

It’s been said more than a few times and by more than a few, that British stars Amir Khan and Kell Brook have no remaining big fight in their respective careers other than one against each other.

As fans know, former IBF welterweight champ Brook is coming off two painful stoppage defeats, to Gennady Golovkin and, just under two months ago, Errol Spence Jnr. Khan, the former 140 pound champ, has not fought since being taken out by Canelo Alvarez 14 months ago. But though Brook is planning to return, hopefully, he says, before the end of the year, Khan is reluctant to finally face him in what would still be a genuine all-British blockbuster.

continue

Floyd Mayweather says plenty about why he thinks Manny Pacquiao’s performances declined, while actually saying very little

Floyd Mayweather says plenty about why he thinks Manny Pacquiao's performances declined, while actually saying very little

Is the wide decision win Floyd Mayweather scored over fellow superstar Manny Pacquiao his defining win? It seems that, present, or upcoming fight with Conor McGregor aside, the May 2015 fight is the one most people want to talk to Mayweather about.

And though “Money” is currently going all-out to hype, hype and then really hype, his August fight with MMA star McGregor, he is still being asked about the win he scored over Pac Man. And, in a short interview with Fight Hub, Mayweather managed to say a whole lot about his former rival – this without actually saying much at all. We have to read between the lines somewhat, to get what Floyd is really saying:

continue