Has Alexander Povetkin’s reputation been forever ruined due to his coming up positive for a banned substance, causing the postponement, perhaps cancellation of his title fight with Deontay Wilder? Already, past Povetkin opponents are second-guessing their fights with the Russian star.
James Slater
Could Tyson Fury become another Buster Douglas? David Haye fears the worst
It’s been said before now, by a number of fans, that heavyweight ruler Tyson Fury – who partied and partied after winning the crown and piled on a ton of weight as a result – could go down in history as “another Buster Douglas.” Douglas of course, smashed “invincible” heavyweight king Mike Tyson to defeat in a truly stunning performance, then ate himself up to around 300-pounds and almost lost his life after falling into a diabetic coma.
Hopefully Fury will not follow such a path, but there are fresh concerns in light of his terrible physical appearance at “that” press conference in Manchester last month. Fury has since shifted a substantial amount of the excess weight he packed on and hopefully he will be fully focused going into his July 9 rematch with Wladimir Klitschko.
Lee Haskins retains IBF bantamweight crown with UD over Ivan Morales
Last night in Cardiff, Wales Lee Haskins retained his IBF bantamweight title for the first time with a comprehensive 12-round unanimous decision over once-beaten challenger Ivan Morales. Crafty and tricky southpaw counter puncher Haskins won by scores of 119-108 and 118-110, 118-110. Now 33-3(14) the 32-year-old will next face mandatory challenger and former foe Stuey Hall. Morales, younger brother off Mexican living legend Erik Morales, falls to 29-2(17).
Joseph Parker’s trainer Kevin Barry twice turned down “risky” fight with Carlos Takam
It is a sign of how dangerous a task unbeaten New Zealand heavyweight contender Joseph Parker faces a week today against Cameroonian Carlos Takam, that his trainer Kevin Barry twice turned a possible fight with Takam down, as he was “all risk and no reward.” This was a few months back, when Parker needed, in the words of Barry, who was speaking with Stuff.co.nz earlier this week, “more time to develop and mature.”
Rigondeaux reinstated as WBA super-bantamweight ‘super’ champ; tournament planned to crown one man as WBA 122-pound ruler
Gifted Cuban southpaw Guillermo Rigondeaux has been given back his status as the WBA “super” champion at 122-pounds. As fans may recall, “Rigo” was stripped of the belt back in November of last year due to inactivity. Scott Quigg of Britain was elevated to “super” champion ahead of his fight with IBF boss Carl Frampton. Frampton won, adding the WBA strap to his collection, but then he himself was stripped as he chose to move up in weight – for a huge fight with featherweight king Leo Santa Cruz – and now Rigondeaux has the belt back. Phew!
Deontay Wilder-Alexander Povetkin fight in jeopardy as Povetkin reportedly fails pre-fight drugs test
In breaking news from Dan Rafael of ESPN.com it seems the WBC heavyweight title fight between champ Deontay Wilder and challenger Alexander Povetkin could be called off as Povetkin has reportedly tested positive for Meldonium.
“Status of the #WilderPovetkin fight is unclear at the moment after Povetkin’s test,” Rafael Tweeted earlier today.
Rafael later wrote:
Enzo Maccarinelli to face Dmytro Kucher for vacant Euro cruiserweight title, McKenzie withdraws with illness
BBC sport in Wales is reporting how former WBO cruiserweight champ Enzo Maccarinelli will face Dmytro Kucher in June, for the vacant European 200-pound title. Ovill McKenzie, a former two-time opponent of the Welshman, has been forced to withdraw from the Kucher fight due to illness. Maccarinelli, 41-7(33) and a former European champ at cruiser now gets a chance to become a two-time Euro ruler at York Hall in London on June 10th.
Danny Garcia “looking forward” to fighting Floyd Mayweather, convinced he would beat him
We’re constantly hearing rumours and suggestions regarding how superstar Floyd Mayweather Junior will fight again; how “Money” will come back to earn another big pile of money and also attempt to reach the milestone record of 50-0. And Danny Garcia, the man who now holds Mayweather’s old WBC welterweight crown, has heard all about how his name has oft been mentioned as a “likely” return foe for Mayweather.
Lucas Browne stripped of WBA title, suspended for six-months; the belt goes back to Chagaev
Australian heavyweight Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne, who won a version of the WBA title with an heroic upset stoppage win over Ruslan Chagaev back in March, has been stripped of the title and banned for six months. Fans may have read about how Browne tested positive for the weight loss aid Clenbuterol shortly after his big win and now, added to his A sample coming up positive, Browne’s B sample, released yesterday, also tested positive. The WBA have now stripped Browne and returned the belt to Chagaev, who has 120 days in which to negotiate a defence against Fres Oquendo; a man he has already out-pointed.
Dillian Whyte – Hughie Fury ordered by BBB of C, to decide vacant British heavyweight title
With IBF heavyweight ruler Anthony Joshua having vacated the British title he won just this past December in a thrilling battle with Dillian Whyte, the British Boxing Board have called for Whyte to face unbeaten Hughie Fury to decide the vacant title. In a brief interview with Sky Sports, Board chairman Robert Smith said the fight will go to purse bids if no deal can be reached between the two fighters and their teams in the meantime:
“The purse bids are due on June 8, however, they have between now and June 8 to negotiate the private deal if they wish,” Smith said today.