James Slater

Ricky Burns wants revenge – against either Crawford or Zlaticanin

Ricky Burns wants revenge - against either Crawford or Zlaticanin

Back on top of the world by way of his impressive stoppage win over Michelle Di Rocco in which he became the WBA super lightweight ruler and a three weight king, Scottish hero Ricky Burns currently has one thing on his mind: revenge. The 33-year-old was out-pointed by new star Terence Crwaford, who ended his reign as WBO lightweight champion, and Burns, when on the comeback trail from that loss, suffered another points defeat at the hands of Dejan Zlaticanin just three months later.

Crawford has gone from strength to strength since coming to Glasgow to beat Burns, and he next fights a unification bout with Viktor Postol at 140-pounds. Burns picks Crawford to add the WBC title to the WBO 140-pound belt he already holds with a win over Postol on July 23rd, and he told Sky Sports he would love a rematch with the pound-for-pound star.

continue

Eddie Hearn says he feels Haye could get down to 210, fight with Bellew targeted for February or March 2017

Eddie Hearn says he feels Haye could get down to 210, fight with Bellew targeted for February or March 2017

Eddie Hearn, the promoter of newly crowned WBC cruiserweight king Tony Bellew, really does feel a massive fight between Bellew and David Haye can happen. Speaking with RingTV.com, the Matchroom boss said he believes Haye – the former undisputed cruiserweight ruler and also a former WBA heavyweight champ and a current heavyweight campaigner – could get his weight down to 210-pounds (the heaviest Bellew wants to fight at, understandably) and that he is looking at the fight taking place in February or March of next year.

continue

Jarrell Miller says “more than 80-percent of America” doesn’t know who WBC champ Deontay Wilder is

Jarrell Miller says “more than 80-percent of America” doesn’t know who WBC champ Deontay Wilder is

He’s got a big mouth and he’s not afraid to use it. No, not Tyson Fury, but another unbeaten heavyweight: New York’s Jarrell Miller. Miller is a colorful talker and fighter with power, and he is slowly building up a fan base with his trash-talking and his impressive KO wins. The latest to come under attack – of the verbal kind – from “Big Baby,” as Miller is curiously nicknamed, is reigning WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder.

Miller, 17-0-1(15) says the majority of fight fans in America do not know who Wilder is, while the 27-year-old has also criticized Wilder’s next challenger, Mexican/American warrior Chris Arreola. Speaking with Sky Sports, Miller – who has been compared to the great Riddick Bowe by some impressed experts – said the upcoming July 16th fight is “crap.”

continue

Vasyl Lomachenko: has any other 6-1 fighter ever looked so great!

Vasyl Lomachenko: has any other 6-1 fighter ever looked so great!

Due to his stunning and brutal KO win over the more than capable Roman “Rocky” Martinez, Ukraine’s Vasyl Lomachenko is currently getting all kinds of praise from many people. An amazing amateur talent – wining, amongst other top honours, two gold medals at Olympic level – the 28-year-old southpaw looks set to match his unpaid success in the pro ranks; if that’s possible – 396-1, a truly staggering set of numbers, makes up Lomachenko’s amateur record, after all. At just 6-1(4) Lomachenko has already engaged in six world title fights (WBO) and the man known as “Hi-Tech” has captured two major belts.

continue

Invaluable site BoxRec’s new ratings: the pound-for-pound best of all-time!

Invaluable site BoxRec’s new ratings: the pound-for-pound best of all-time!

Practically anyone and everyone who follows boxing (and has access to a computer) pays, at the very least, a visit or two to BoxRec.com each week, probably more frequently and often. A painstakingly put together site that lists every single active boxer, their records and, in extra-quick time, their results as they happen, BoxRec is simply essential for any boxing fan or writer.

continue

Klitschko adds hi-tech elements to his “Rocky Balboa-style workouts,” using Cyrosauna

YouTube video

We’ve all seen the movie Rocky IV, where Russian terror Ivan Drago uses a hi-tech approach to training, while old slugger Rocky Balboa sticks to the old-school methods of chopping trees and running in the snow and the like. Well, real-life ex-champ Wladimir Klitschko is taking no chances ahead of his must-win rematch with new heavyweight ruler Tyson Fury; using both tried and tested and new, hi-tech methods so as to be able to avenge a loss he himself calls “embarrassing.”

continue

Who has the tougher upcoming title defence: Wilder or Joshua?

Who has the tougher upcoming title defence: Wilder or Joshua?

There is plenty to like about both unbeaten Deontay Wilder, the reigning WBC heavyweight king, and unbeaten Anthony Joshua, holder of course of the IBF strap, and there are some similarities between the two. Both big men are still somewhat green at the highest pro level and both have been called a champion is progress by the experts. Both men have real punching power, and already, fans and a few of these experts are talking about a potential unification showdown between the two that would be absolutely massive.

continue

Can Krusher Kovalev become the first man to crush Isaac Chilemba?

Can Krusher Kovalev become the first man to crush Isaac Chilemba?

He may not be the biggest name in the light-heavyweight division and he is far from the most exciting, but one thing South Africa’s Isaac Chilemba is, is hard to knock out. Never stopped in his 11-year, 24-3-2(10) pro career, the 29-year-old is experienced, tricky and can be a just plain nightmare to fight. Next up for Chilemba, on July 11th, is a surprise shot at king of the division Sergey Kovalev and his three world titles.

continue

Manila: where Ali should have fought his last; and how his later years might have been if he had

Manila: where Ali should have fought his last; and how his later years might have been if he had

It might seem an odd choice as it is certainly no Ali book that either celebrates or holds up The Greatest’s legend as a God-like figure who is deservedly idolised the world over, but Mark Kram’s superb book, Ghosts of Manila has been paid another visit during this, the time of Ali”s passing. The sad news has upset millions, and by way of tribute a far less scrutinising book would make far more a palatable read for the Ali worshippers (including me).

continue