It really was 30 long years ago this week (November 22) when a young, soon to peak Mike Tyson made boxing history by becoming, at the age of 20, the youngest ever claimant of a world heavyweight title.
Tyson, who had been a pro for just 20 months, challenged WBC champ Trevor Berbick in Las Vegas and those in attendance witnessed a quite brutal coronation.
The only thing fans are in agreement on regarding last night’s exciting fight between Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward (the winner’s name goes first) is there simply has to be a rematch. The razor-thin unanimous decision awarded to Ward instantly became a topic of huge contention, even before either fighter had left the ring in Las Vegas – some even calling the verdict a “robbery,” some saying it is one of the worst they have ever seen.
There was a rematch clause inserted ahead of last night’s bout, so it seems there is a good chance a return fight will happen and soon. Kathy Duva, promoter of Kovalev, is calling for an immediate return. Kovalev, who says he never lost more than three rounds, is not guilty of having sour grapes; he genuinely believes he won the fight. Many millions of fight fans firmly agree with the now former light-heavyweight champ.
There were plenty of boxing greats in Las Vegas last night to attend the big Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward fight, with big names from past and present on hand to watch the light-heavyweight title showdown. One of these great fighters was living legend Julio Cesar Chavez, the greatest Mexican fighter in history according to most experts and fans alike.
And while he was in town, the former multi-weight king was asked – and not for the first time – how he felt he would have done, in his prime, in a fight with 49-0 master Floyd Mayweather Junior. Chavez, who twice defeated Floyd’s uncle and trainer Roger, smiled as he told Fight Hype how, at 140-pounds, he would have “F****d him up.”
Former undisputed heavyweight king Lennox Lewis says that although the current heavyweight division is “wide open,” Wladimir Klitschko remains the man to beat. Speaking with The New Zealand Herald, Lewis said that with Tyson Fury unable to fight (for well-documented reasons we all know about) Klitschko is “still the man to beat right now.”
Lewis, who of course called it quits on a great career after a win over Wladimir’s brother Vitali, says he “feels bad” for Klitschko, who is unable to try and avenge his decision loss to the troubled Fury.
Last night in his native London, super-middleweight contender George Groves pounded out a wide 12-round unanimous decision over an incredibly tough and game Eduard Gutknecht. Scores were 119-109 twice and 119-110. Groves is now 25-3(18). Gutknecht, really a light-heavyweight, falls to 30-5-1(13).
The unfortunate aftermath to the fight is the most important thing right now, however. The German, who really shipped some heavy shots from Groves, collapsed in his dressing room shortly after the brutal and one-sided fight had ended. BBC Sport reports how the 34-year-old was taken to hospital on a stretcher. At this time, the only thing that matters is the health and well-being of Gutknecht.
Although he is retired (although it’s apparent few truly believe he is) superstar Floyd Mayweather Junior continues to make the news on a regular basis. Now a promoter, the 39-year-old all time great recently closed the door with a slam on a rematch with Manny Pacquiao; a pointless and unneeded return in the opinion of not only Mayweather but all those fans who have not forgotten how one-sided, and dull, the May 2015 fight was.
And it was while talking about how happy he is as a promoter and how content he is with how his career played out (49-0 of course) that “Money” explained just why he became the smart defensive fighter he is best known – for good or for bad- for being. There was a time when Mayweather, when he was known as “Pretty Boy,” delivered plenty of pretty knockout wins/stoppages (see his destruction of Diego Corrales, and of Arturo Gatti).
Most people understandably see tomorrow night’s big fight between Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward as a classic Boxer Vs. Puncher showdown. Kovalev, the world light-heavyweight ruler, is the puncher, Ward, the former dominant super-middleweight king, the boxer. But is there a chance their roles could be swapped in Las Vegas?
Ward, as quoted by BBC Sport, suggests as much, stating how “we will see who is the puncher” in this fascinating match-up. Ward warned how Kovalev, should he make any mistakes in the early going of what has been called by many the biggest fight of 2016, will “be made to pay.”
Forget his last twenty or so ring performances, compiled over the last dozen or so years, but it is undeniable how Roy Jones Junior was once a very special fighter indeed. During his prime years of 1993 to 2003, when Jones really did sparkle, the former multi-weight king was the King of Kings, appearing to be all but unbeatable.
If only Jones had retired on top, say after his historically brilliant win over heavyweight titlist John Ruiz. Still, as much damage as Jones has done to his reputation and legacy – did he really get stopped by the likes of Glen Johnson, Danny Green and Enzo Maccarinelli – his extraordinary talent was once undeniable.
With Carl Froch out of the running for a fight with middleweight king Gennady Golovkin (if he was ever in the running in the first place), two other British super-middleweights have said they would relish the opportunity of facing GGG up at 168 pounds. James DeGale recently said a fight with Golovkin would be his “dream fight,” and George Groves – the only man to have beaten DeGale as a pro – tells The Star that he would take a fight with the feared puncher.
Could 2017 see two big heavyweight comebacks? While nobody knows if and when Tyson Fury might box again, fans hope his return will happen, and next year. But one man who says he will definitely take over where he left off with a return next year is WBC champ Deontay Wilder, who of course is aching to get it on with Fury.
While a Wilder-Fury fight might not take place next year (we all hope it will happen, naturally) Wilder says he fully expects he will fight again before too many months have passed in 2017. Speaking with Sky Sports, the unbeaten champ said the injuries he picked up in his last fight, a July stoppage win over the tough (and hard-headed) Chris Arreola, have “fully healed,” and that he is back “punching with both hands.”