Proving once again that boxing is the must addictive, hard to leave sport there is, former WBC heavyweight champ Oleg Maskaev has announced how he “doesn’t plan to retire yet,” and is looking for the right fight with which to return to the ring. Maskaev, in his day a powerful puncher who was somewhat vulnerable to a big punch, gave fans some exciting and memorable fights.
James Slater
Roman Gonzalez replaced atop of Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound list, by .. Andre Ward
Superb little fighting machine Roman Gonzalez, a warrior who sat atop of Ring Magazine’s respected pound-for-pound list since September of 2015, has been demoted. The result of his thrilling but losing battle with Thai southpaw Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (a tough name to pronounce, but one we should all get used to as the new WBC super-flyweight king promises to stick around the big fight orbit for some time), the Nicaraguan has slipped to No.4 in the mythical rankings.
50 years ago: Ali stripped and refused license to fight – but think what might have happened if he’d been able to box on
A half century ago (March 22, 1967) the greatest heavyweight champion boxer in the sport’s long history was, quite disgracefully, stripped of his world title. Even worse, Muhammad Ali – who was still unashamedly being called Cassius Clay by certain people who basically knew no better – was refused the right to box, to earn a living.
It was the height of America’s most unpopular (some would say needless) war, and Ali, having been ordered to fight in Vietnam, refused and was almost universally vilified as a result. Called a traitor and other things, Ali had been transformed from a jovial, entertaining star fighter to a cowardly non-fighter. It would be years, almost four, before Ali would be exonerated and referred to by his real name by all.
Vitali Klitschko: Of course Wladimir has to be the winner on April 29
Vitali Klitschko, brother of course of Wladimir, is convinced his sibling will emerge victorious in his fast approaching April 29 clash with unbeaten star Anthony Joshua. Vitali – a great fighter in his own right, now heavily involved in politics in his native Ukraine – took some time out to speak with Sky Sports about the upcoming IBF/WBA title fight that will play out in front of a record breaking 90,000 crowd.
De La Hoya: Mark my words, when Canelo-Golovkin gets made, Canelo’s not going to respect him one bit
Not only is Oscar De La Hoya even more adamant that his fighter Canelo Alvarez is the A-side in the (hopefully) upcoming Canelo-Gennady Golovkin fight, the Golden Boy head fully believes that Canelo defeats GGG and gives him no respect in the fight.
Speaking with The Los Angeles Times, De La Hoya made it clear he, along with other people, feels GGG’s stock had fallen somewhat due to his close, controversial points win over Danny Jacobs at the weekend. De La Hoya says Jacobs gave GGG “too much respect” in the fight, the first half of the bout especially, and that this ultimately cost Jacobs the fight. De La Hoya says Canelo would make no such mistake.
Boozing and boxing don’t mix; something Tyson Fury should be aware of
Everyone associated with the great sport of boxing – be it fighters, trainers, pundits or even fans – knows that for a fighter to be successful, the life of a fighter must be lived 100 percent. It sounds simple enough, but unfortunately the sport is littered with tales of talented boxers coming apart, sometimes agonisingly so, due to failing to maintain a dedicated regimen outside of the ring.
If he doesn’t get the GGG rematch, who could Danny Jacobs fight next?
Though he didn’t get the verdict many people felt he deserved in his close fight with middleweight ruler Gennady Golovkin, Danny Jacobs certainly proved, or re-proved, his worth in a big way. Arguably the second best middleweight in the world today, Jacobs, once he recovers from the crushing disappointment of losing (or, in the opinion of some, “being robbed”) can get himself some big, big fights.
Jacobs, who lost for just the second time in his fine career (one that could have ended but for Danny’s famously heroic winning battle with cancer) wants a rematch with Triple-G, but it seems unlikely the New Yorker will get one; certainly not this year anyway. So who could Jacobs fight next – who would you like to see “The Miracle Man” get it on with in his ring return?
Billy Joe Saunders liked what he saw in GGG’s display in Jacobs fight
“I’ve seen flaws I can take advantage of”
After narrowly, even controversially, outpointing Danny Jacobs on Saturday night, middleweight ruler Gennady Golovkin is looking at his next move. Will it be Canelo Alvarez next, or will it be Billy Joe Saunders? Saunders hopes it will be he who gets the next shot at GGG.
GGG Vs. Canelo: now who wins?
Has your opinion changed any on who wins if and when (hopefully when) Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez get it on? Maybe you always felt the Mexican superstar would be able to take GGG and his belts and unbeaten record, or maybe you feel this way now in light of how, shall we say, ‘ordinary,’ Golovkin looked on Saturday night in scraping past a determined and skilled Danny Jacobs?
Of course, Canelo fights nothing much like “The Miracle Man,” and it will be an entirely different fight when these two finally rumble, but has Golovkin’s stock dropped at least a little bit due to his performance against Jacobs? It seems it has, but enough for the majority of fight fans and experts to now pick Canelo to beat him?
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai-Roman Gonzalez: a fight so great there has to be a rematch
Unlike the Gennady Golovkin-Danny Jacobs main event, the super-flyweight clash between Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Roman Gonzalez was an absolute classic. Also a huge upset – one that saw “Chocolatito” lose his unbeaten record and with it a chance of breaking the immortal Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 ledger – the chief supporting fight had everything.
Blood (lots of it!) a shocking knockdown, ferocious back and forth trading and plenty of heart and raw courage. This one was special and both men covered themselves in glory. It was desperately close and the 12 round decision that went the underdog’s way could easily have gone to Gonzalez or been scored a draw. The fight was so close, and so good, a return is a natural.