Eddie Hearn has said whilst speaking with Kugan Cassius of IFILM TV that the response to the recently announced Anthony Joshua-Eric Molina fight has been “lukewarm” in the UK, although better in the US, where Molina, 25-3(19) is of course far better known. Hearn said he has once again heard the moans and groans regarding why the December 10 fight, and it’s card, will be pay-per-view on Sky Box Office.
James Slater
Lucas Browne-Shannon Briggs is on: Big Daddy Vs. Big Mouth!
Shannon Briggs has finally landed himself a big fight. The 44-year-old former lineal and WBO ruler first chased, harassed and pestered Wladimir Klitschko for a fight, then Briggs turned his attention towards David Haye. Niether of these two took the bait (although Haye appeared to come close, verbally promising the vocal veteran a fight but then either opting to run away, according to Briggs, or not being able to find a pay-per-view platform, according to Haye).
Kell Brook says his weight “has settled down,” “ I could still make welterweight;” eyes possible fights with Spence, Pacquiao, Khan
Kell Brook is still the reigning IBF welterweight champion and he has until February 24 of next year to decide if he wants to defend that title against mandatory challenger Errol Spence Jnr or move up to 154. As fans know, Brook bulked up for a middleweight title challenge of Gennady Golovkin in September, and the Sheffield fighter says he now craves further massive fights.
But will these come at 147 or at 154? Brook says the broken eye socket he suffered at the damaging hands of GGG is now “healing well,” and that his weight has “settled down.” Still, Brook is not yet sure if his future lies at welter or junior-middle. However, Brook told ESPN.com that he is very much interested in facing the likes of Manny Pacquiao (who Brook expects to beat Jessie Vargas this Saturday, via points verdict) Amir Khan, Spence and the Danny Garcia-Keith Thurman winner – so maybe Brook will look to try to hold onto that IBF belt.
George Foreman big on Anthony Joshua, says he will reign for ten years if he can get past Klitschko
Heavyweight legend George Foreman was a guest of honour in London over the weekend, meeting and greeting those fans of his who were lucky enough to attend. And while he visited London, “Big” George paid Londoner Anthony Joshua, the reigning IBF heavyweight champ, some very big compliments.
Foreman is often guilty of saying nice things to nice people, but the former two-time king of kings does seem to genuinely rate Joshua very highly; this despite AJ being just 17-0(17) as a pro right now.
Angel Garcia: Danny knocks Thurman cold, Mayweather can get it too if he comes back
We all know how vocal (and entertaining) Angel Garcia, father and head trainer of WBC welterweight champ Danny Garcia, can be, and with “Swift’s” big upcoming fight against rival welterweight champ Keith Thurman set for next March, Angel has fired some serious shots. Speaking with Premiere Boxing Champions, Angel came out with a bold prediction: his son with knock the unbeaten Thurman out cold inside just five rounds on March 4.
Richard Schaefer: We need Floyd Mayweather back
As fight fans may or may not have read, Richard Schaefer is back with a new promotional outfit, the former Golden Boy CEO set to launch Ringstar Promotions soon. And Schaefer, in speaking with Fighthub and Secondsout, said that the world of boxing “needs Floyd Mayweather back.”
Schaefer, with whom Floyd is both friendly and on good terms with as far as mutual respect goes, says he feels boxing is missing an ingredient today, and that the star power of “Money” would satisfy fans who have, as one-time Schaefer partner Oscar De La Hoya put it last week, endured “one of the worst years in boxing history” in 2016 – if he returned for a 50th fight.
A Halloween to remember: Lennox Lewis arrives on the world stage with a stunning KO win over Razor Ruddock
Sometimes in heavyweight boxing a fighter, with just one win, arrives on the world stage and captures the attention of anyone and everyone interested in boxing in a massive way. This was exactly what happened on this day, Halloween, in 1992. Lennox Lewis may already have been known to a good share of fight fans, due to his winning the Olympic gold medal in 1988, but his performance on this night really catapulted the Brit to superstardom.
So, what next for Juan Manuel Lopez?
Former two-weight world champ Juan Manuel Lopez showed over the weekend that when he is matched a certain way, he can still fight and he can still win. The 33-year-old southpaw went to war with his bitter rival Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr this past Saturday in an intense, all-Puerto Rican grudge-match, and he won via exciting 11th-round KO. Juanma was out-boxed in the early going of the fight but his power and sheer determination got him the win in the end.
Shannon Briggs says he’s fighting Lucas Browne for the vacant WBA heavyweight title
Former heavyweight champ Shannon Briggs, who has been chasing a big fight with David Haye, seems to think he has found himself a world title chance instead. The vocal 44-year-old, who insists Haye will not face him due to fear, posted on his Instagram account how he will be facing Australia’s Lucas Browne for the soon to be vacant WBA belt.
“BREAKING: WBA to order Shannon Briggs and Lucas Browne to fight for Tyson Fury’s vacated WBA world heavyweight title,” Briggs posted on social media yesterday.
Lennox Lewis picks Wladimir Klitschko’s experience to be too much for Anthony Joshua
Retired heavyweight great Lennox Lewis believes Wladimir Klitschko’s vast experience will prove too much for Anthony Joshua if the two meet next spring as is a strong possibility. Speaking with Sky Sports News HQ, Lewis said he favours 40-year-old Klitschko to beat 27-year-old Joshua, but only “slightly.”
“I would have to say Wladimir [wins] because of the experience,” Lewis said. “We have seen a lot of Anthony Joshua’s fights but he has knocked out everybody so what has he learned?