As fans have most probably read, new IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua’s first title defence has been officially announced for expected venue The O2 in London, on June 25th (two weeks before world heavyweight champ Tyson Fury meets Wladimir Klitschko in their big rematch). Another big sell-out is anticipated, even though fans who are buying tickets do not yet know who the 16-0(16) Joshua’s challenger will be.
James Slater
Mosley far from done, says he wants Cotto, Marquez, Mayweather, Pacquiao after Avanesyan bout
Though he is 44-years-old and way past his sizzling best, former pound-for-pound star “Sugar” Shane Mosley remains as ambitious as ever. The former lightweight, welterweight and super-welterweight champion announced his retirement after a corner retirement of a loss to Anthony Mundine in late 2013; only for Mosley to come back, in what could be called a “special attraction” type of fight with Ricardo Mayorga in a rematch, and then fight and defeat Patrick Lopez after that.
Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko to come face to face at Manchester press conference next week
The fight is dubbed “Repeat or Revenge,” and next week in the city of Manchester in the UK, heavyweight rivals Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko will come face to face for the first time since their November fight, at the official press conference to announce the date and the venue of the anticipated return.
Press conferences can be dull affairs, merely a matter of formality. However, in light of the crazy, and highly amusing antics Fury got up to in a previous press conference with Klitschko – where he, amongst other things, dressed up as Batman, rolled around on the floor in a mock fight, knocked the then-champ’s belts on the floor and hurled plenty of verbal abuse at an often bemused-looking Klitschko – people are asking themselves what will happen when Fury meets Klitschko next Wednesday in Manchester?
Joshua breaks down his three likely candidates: Stiverne, Molina, Breazeale
As has been reported previously, newly crowned IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is likely to face one of the following three opponents in his first title defence set for June 25th: Bermane Stiverne, Eric Molina or Dominic Breazeale. All three US heavyweights have strengths and weaknesses, and either fighter would make a good first title challenger for the 16-0(16) champ who has yet to be taken beyond the 7th-round.
Kell Brook: I just wonder if [Errol Spence Jr] has got a taste of Jeff Lacy about him
![Kell Brook: I just wonder if [Errol Spence Jr] has got a taste of Jeff Lacy about him](https://www.boxing247.com/wp-content/uploads/1-007_Kell_Brook.jpg "Photo: Kell Brook: I just wonder if [Errol Spence Jr] has got a taste of Jeff Lacy about him")
Reigning and undefeated IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook heard unbeaten hot prospect Errol Spence Junior call him out after his impressive stoppage win over Chris Algieri this past Saturday, and Brook, in speaking with Sky Sports, says a fight with the classy southpaw will be “interesting when he becomes the mandatory and we have to get it on.” However, Brook – who lists WBC welterweight ruler Danny Garcia as his first choice for his next fight – isn’t yet convinced “The Truth” is the complete article.
Gennady Golovkin: Canelo, The idol of Mexico? The idol for what?
Feared middleweight Gennady Golovkin isn’t really much of a trash-talker. No, the lethal talent with the choirboy looks, who refers to his opposition, those opponents he has respect for, as “good boys,” is more at home with a smile and a good word, not a snarl and an insult. So, it is perhaps due to his growing frustration at not being able – so far – to nail down a fight with Mexican star Canelo Alvarez, that GGG has come out and questioned Alvarez’ idol status in his homeland.
Martin Murray-George Groves clash on Joshua’s undercard on 6/25
According to British super-middleweight Martin Murray, he will likely face fellow Brit and fellow former world title challenger George Groves on the upcoming card that will see new IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua make his very first defence. The date penciled in is June 25th, but the card has yet to be announced officially.
But Murray, 32-3-1(15) and coming off a split decision loss to Arthur Abraham, told Sky Sports the fight between he and Groves, 23-3(18) and two wins removed from his points loss to Badou Jack, is likely to go ahead.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler: boxing will never die, but we need a new superstar
Former undisputed and long-reigning middleweight king Marvelous Marvin Hagler was lucky, in that he fought during a golden era that was literally cluttered with stars and big marquee names. There was The Marvelous one himself of course, and Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard. Hagler fought them all, along with other attractive names like John Mugabi, and this served him well – money-wise and fame-wise.
Joshua’s first title challenger down to three likely names; Hearn says A.J wants “a real fight”
Newly crowned IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua is already back in training after his explosive yet easy 2nd-round stoppage of Charles Martin. A.J doesn’t quite know who he will be fighting in his first defence as champion, but he is taking no shortcuts in training as he gets ready for his maiden defence. And his promoter Eddie Hearn, in speaking with Sky Sports today, said the short-list now consists of three likely names – all of them American fighters.
“The IBF put out there new rankings today and we have to box someone in the top-15 of those rankings,” the Matchroom boss said. “We expect from those rankings the likes of Bermane Stiverne, Eric Molina, Dominic Breazeale. There has been big interest from US broadcasters. I think a US opponent makes sense. These are real guys and he wants a real fight.”
Courageous Nick Blackwell Tweets how he is “on the mend,” gives thanks for the overwhelming support he’s had
In good news, Nick Blackwell has felt well enough to return to Twitter, for the first time in a month. As fans know, the gutsy middleweight engaged in a brutal fight with Chris Eubank Junior and was placed in an induced coma shortly after lapsing into unconsciousness after the 10th-round stoppage defeat. Thankfully, no brain surgery was needed and Blackwell, who regained consciousness a week after the fight, now says he is “on the mend.”