James Slater

The Heavyweight Division Shake-up: ranking today’s top-10

The Heavyweight Division Shake-up: ranking today’s top-10

Beginning with underdog Tyson Fury’s points win over a long dominant Wladimir Klitschko last November, the heavyweight division has seen a major shake-up. We currently have five fighters claiming at least a portion of the heavyweight title. The unbeaten Fury is recognized as THE champion – the man who beat the man and all that – but who is the best heavyweight today?

We’ve seen new talent aside from Fury crowned with a strap: Charles Martin, also unbeaten, and Cuban banger Luis Ortiz, himself sporting a perfect record recently being crowned. Added to these two is Lucas Browne, who made history as the first-ever Australian to hold a version of the heavyweight crown this past Saturday, with his thrilling win over Ruslan Chagaev.

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Jessie Vargas wants Tim Bradley rematch, fights with Danny Garcia, Kell Brook

Jessie Vargas wants Tim Bradley rematch, fights with Danny Garcia, Kell Brook

Once-beaten Jesse Vargas, who won the vacant WBO welterweight title with an impressive 9th-round stoppage of Sadam Ali this past Saturday, has a number of fighters in mind for future showdowns, but when it comes to the one man Vargas, 27-1(10) really wants, there is one stand out choice: Tim Bradley, the man who gave Vargas his sole career defeat.

Vargas, in speaking with RingTV.com, said he wants to take over where he left off in his June 2015 fight with Bradley, when he had Bradley hurt and in trouble in the 12th and final round (before referee Pat Russell made an error and, thinking he heard the bell when in fact it was the last ten-seconds warning, jumped in and ended the fight around ten seconds early). Vargas, though, says he will “knock Bradley out in four-rounds next time.”

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“Prince” Charles Martin says he’ll go down in history as the greatest-ever southpaw; vows to “spark out” Joshua

“Prince” Charles Martin says he’ll go down in history as the greatest-ever southpaw; vows to “spark out” Joshua

Charles Martin, the recently crowned IBF heavyweight champion, isn’t just going to defeat Anthony Joshua next month, he is going to knock him out and go on to become recognised as the best southpaw in boxing history. At least this is what a supremely confident “Prince” Charles told Sky Sports recently.

Martin – whose sole victory of note came against Vyacheslav Glazkov in a fight that ended in an unsatisfying manner when Glazkov’s knee blew before the fight could really get going – believes he is destined for greatness.

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Lucas Browne not happy about being called out by “undeserving” fighters

Lucas Browne not happy about being called out by “undeserving” fighters

Australian warrior Lucas Browne, who overcame tremendous odds to take a portion of the heavyweight title this past Saturday night in Grozny, Russia, does not appreciate being called out and challenged by fighters he says have not earned a world title shot. Browne, who has also boxed away from home in England, is understandably proud of the way he worked his way up to title contention and he says other fighters who want to challenge him for his next belt should do the same.

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Shawn Porter would like to fight Danny Garcia if the Thurman fight doesn’t happen by May or June

Shawn Porter would like to fight Danny Garcia if the Thurman fight doesn’t happen by May or June

Shawn Porter Vs. Keith Thurman is a great welterweight match-up between two quality 147-pound operators, as fans agree. The fight should be taking place this Saturday night, but a car crash suffered by Thurman curtailed the fight; as fans also know. However, if the fight does not happen, by May or June at the latest, there is a chance we could see an equally good match-up involving former IBF champ Porter: one with reigning WBC welterweight champion Danny Garcia.

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Sports Illustrated – Top-100 moments in Sports History revealed: boxing features six times

Sports Illustrated - Top-100 moments in Sports History revealed: boxing features six times

Iconic publication Sports Illustrated has covered all the major sporting events around the globe for decades; but what are the publication’s picks for the top 100 greatest moments in sports history?

The website of the magazine has just revealed the picks for the top 100, and boxing features quite a few times; six in all. And “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali, features in no less than four of the choices for momentous moments in the history of The Sweet Science.

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Wladimir Klitschko Tweets a short message to his fans, confirms Fury fight is still on

Wladimir Klitschko Tweets a short message to his fans, confirms Fury fight is still on

In truth, former heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko has not said too much about his November loss to Tyson Fury. Apart from stating, early on after the points defeat, that the loss had hurt him deeply and that he was “suffering,” Klitschko has been out of the public eye – so much so that some fans wondered aloud whether the near 40-year-old really wanted the contracted return bout.

Well, rest assured fight fans who crave seeing a rematch of the fight that took place almost four months ago: Klitschko does want it, he is focused on it and he is training for it. Klitschko Tweeted a photo of himself earlier today, with the short message:

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David Lemieux back this Saturday, still thinks he can beat Golovkin; wants rematch

David Lemieux back this Saturday, still thinks he can beat Golovkin; wants rematch

Though he was comprehensively defeated by middleweight terror Gennady Golovkin back in October, exciting middleweight David Lemieux remains a top contender and a big draw. The former IBF champ returns to action this Saturday, against James De La Rosa in Montreal, Canada. The fight will go out live on Fox Deportes.

Lemiuex, still only 27 and sporting a good 34-3(31) record, has bounced back from a stoppage loss before, when he returned to winning ways following a shock 7th-round upset defeat at the heavy hands of Marco Antonio Rubio (this 2011 loss followed by a points defeat to Joachim Alcine) and the big puncher told USA Today how he feels he can rise to the top once again. Not only does Lemieux believe he can become a two-time world champion, the skilled slugger thinks he can gain revenge over GGG – the man who gave him the most comprehensive defeat of his career.

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Kell Brook pushing for a big name opponent, expects one immediately after Bizier mandatory on March 26

Kell Brook pushing for a big name opponent, expects one immediately after Bizier mandatory on March 26

With all that has happened in British and world boxing over the past month or so, unbeaten welterweight Kell Brook, the reigning IBF champion, has almost become a forgotten man. Brook’s ideal big-fight opponent, Amir Khan has signed on for a massive fight with Mexican/global star Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, and the eagerly anticipated Shawn Porter-Keith Thurman fight (that Brook was excited to see and was targeting a showdown with the winner) has been postponed due to a car crash injury suffered by Thurman.

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Billy Joe Saunders wants Gennady Golovkin Super-Fight in the summer – but has to get past Max Bursak first

Billy Joe Saunders wants Gennady Golovkin Super-Fight in the summer – but has to get past Max Bursak first

British southpaw Billy Joe Saunders has made it clear many times: he is not scared of any man. The conqueror of Chris Eubank Junior and the reigning WBO middleweight champion has announced how he will defend against Max Bursak on April 30th, but that fight will, hopefully, be a big step towards a super-fight with the avoided Gennady Golovkin.

As quoted by The Mail, Saunders has spoken to his promoter Frank Warren and he wants a summer stadium fight with GGG this year:

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