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.”
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.
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.
If you have not yet seen unbeaten super-flyweight warrior Jamie Conlan fight, do yourself a favour, stop reading this article and search out as many bouts from the Irish fighter’s pro career as you can – his absolute, have to be seen to be believed battles with Junior Granados and, in his last fight, Anthony Nelson especially.
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).
Whether or not you agreed with the man himself when he made his bold claim of being The Greatest, and whether or not you agree with those fans and experts who say heavyweight legend Muhammad Ali deserves to go down in history as the best fighter of all time, it has to be agreed how the world lost a very special boxer, athlete and human being on June 3rd when the three-time king passed away.
The greatest fighter of all-time, Muhammad Ali, passed away just hours ago as surely every person with a TV, a radio or a computer knows by now. Without doubt the most famous, the most celebrated and the most intoxicating sporting personality who ever lived, Ali, the former three-time world heavyweight king, will continue to be celebrated and honoured for many days, weeks, months, years, decades, maybe even centuries from now.
Heavyweight champ Tyson Fury has been boasting about the way he is able to “go from a fat pig on the booze to a feeling really fit.” Currently training, apparently hard, in Holland, the unbeaten 27-year-old says he has put down the beer, the champagne and the vodka and is now in great physical shape. With just over a month to go until the anticipated rematch, Fury says he has bulked up and added muscle to his 6’9” frame.
Speaking from his Dutch training base, Fury said he will “be massive” upon entering the ring in Manchester on July 9 and that he will “knock Klitschko out” this time. Fury isn’t expecting an easy fight, and he says 40-year-old Klitschko “would beat anyone else but me,” but he sees only one winner.
Terry Flanagan of Manchester is thrilled he will be appearing on the July 9 under-card of heavyweight champ Tyson Fury and his defence against ex-champ Wladimir Klitschko in their rematch in his hometown, but fans may not like the man chosen to be the unbeaten WBO lightweight’s challenger. 26-year-old Flanagan, 30-0(12) will face 42-year-old Mzonke Fana of South Africa next month. Now, to be fair, his age aside, Fana, 38-9(16) is not a bad, or shot fighter, even if he has seen better days.
He’s big at approx 280-pounds, he has genuine punching power and Jarrell Miller is young at age 27. Further good news for those fans who feel the Brooklyn talent is the next big thing in a heavyweight division that has been referred to by many as “wide open,” comes with Miller’s plans to stay active. “Big Baby,” as Miller, 17-0-1(15) is curiously nicknamed, fought just a week ago – crushing an overmatched Nick Guivas inside a couple of rounds – yet he is scheduled to be back in action on August 19th, his manager Greg Cohen told ESPN.com.