It seems there is a chance, if a small one, that we could still see Deontay Wilder defend his WBC heavyweight crown against Cuban Luis Ortiz. As fans know full well, Ortiz tested positive for a banned substance shortly before his scheduled November 4 challenge of Wilder, the fight being scrapped – much to the annoyance of Wilder, who saw yet another big fight/payday crumble due to no fault of his own.
James Slater
Bob Arum not interested in seeing Pacquiao-McGregor clash: He can’t spell fight
Judging roughly by the posts and comments of fight fans on the various forums and boxing websites, there is average at best interest in a Manny Pacquiao-Conor McGregor fight. Pac Man recently appeared to call out the MMA star via social media, and though some people are intrigued by the prospect of yet another crossover fight that would pit McGregor with another superstar boxer, many other fans are not thrilled at the idea.
Ricky Hatton says Tyson Fury beats Anthony Joshua: I think he stands him on his head
British legend Ricky Hatton has been watching former heavyweight king Tyson Fury up close and personal. Training for his planned 2018 ring return at Hatton’s gym, Fury has, according to “The Hitman” who spoke with The Manchester Evening News, been displaying impressive hand and foot speed.
Lomachenko vs. Rigondeaux: Will we see an outright winner on December 9?
We’ve been treated to some big, big fights this year, but the best may be still to come; as pound-for-pound stars and former amateur greats Vasyl Lomachenko and Guillermo Rigondeaux are gearing up for their truly fascinating December 9 meeting.
Both great boxers took part in a conference call with the media yesterday – Lomachenko saying he feels Rigondeaux has taken the fight merely for the payday, Rigondeaux having none of it, asking, even demanding, that we give him full credit after he wins.
Lomachenko vs Rigondeaux: Lomachenko says he holds no size advantage – “I’m not bigger than him”
It’s the most fascinating, intriguing match-up of the year: Vasyl Lomachenko Vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux. The two duel Olympic gold medal winners, arguably the finest modern day amateur boxers ever, have such a high skill level that fans simply cannot wait to see what boxing brilliance will be on display in New York on December 9.
IF Floyd Mayweather comes back – who should he fight?
It really does seem as though there will be talk of ‘one more time,’ or ‘one more fight’ revolving around megastar Floyd Mayweather Junior until he is around 45 years of age. A recent report courtesy of TMZ Sports strongly suggested “Money” is keeping himself in fantastic shape because he has not entirely ruled out the idea of having a 51st fight.
George Groves vs Chris Eubank Jr. threatens to bring back the glory days of the great British super-middleweights
In truth, the upcoming February battle between seemingly bitter British rivals George Groves and Chris Eubank Jr. doesn’t mean all that much to US fans. No, this fight is a far, far bigger deal in Europe, the UK in particular. And with good reason. It was back in the glorious 1990s when Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank Snr and Michael Watson, household names all, fought one another in a fantastic series of fights – each of them on terrestrial, or, if you like, “free” TV.
Joseph Parker going all-out to get Anthony Joshua fight; offers rematch clause
WBO heavyweight champ Joseph Parker really does seem to be doing all he can do to make the unification showdown with WBA and IBF ruler Anthony Joshua. The unbeaten New Zealand warrior has offered to take a 35-percent split of the fight purse, to Joshua’s 65-percent, and now Parker has proposed the placing of a rematch clause in the contract.
“@AnthonyJoshua, doesn’t a 65-35% between two unbeaten champions sound fair? Nearly double our share. Don’t worry a rematch clause is there in case you’re worries about your chin. #NoExcusesNow #NeverBeenDropped,” Parker wrote on twitter a while ago.
Kell Brook aims to challenge for a 154 pound belt next year after “warm up fight”
Former IBF welterweight champ Kell Brook is not ready to call it quits just yet. Despite losing back to back against Gennady Golovkin and Errol Spence – Brook going to hospital after both stoppage defeats, his eye socket broken by both men; each side – the Sheffield man is stepping up to 154.
Promoter Eddie Hearn wanted Brook to move up earlier than now, in fact after the brave but somewhat gung-ho decision to challenge middleweight king Golovkin, but Brook didn’t want to vacate his 147 pound belt. Now that he’s lost it, Brook will pack on the pounds and go to 154 (or he will not have to undergo the agony of shedding weight to make the 147 limit).
Dillian Whyte – Lucas Browne possible for February; Hearn states how “2018 will see Whyte challenge for a world title”
Highly ranked heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte has options, and so too does Lucas Browne. Eddie Hearn’s plan is to match the two together in London next February, but Browne, one win removed from his suspension for a failed drugs test (“Big Daddy” actually twice testing positive for a banned substance) could get a shot at reigning WBO heavyweight champ Joseph Parker instead.