Fight fans may have grown accustomed to, or are even bored of, two fighters getting in one another’s face at a pre-fight press conference, but it’s still entertaining to some when it happens. And today, just two days before the IBF/WBA super-bantamweight unification clash between unbeaten rivals Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg, the obligatory, ‘I’ll grab you, you grab me’ theatrics were witnessed.
“Retired” boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Junior celebrates his 39th birthday today. The word retired is in quotes because, well, practically everyone who follows the fight game is all but certain Mayweather, currently 49-0, WILL fight again – it’s just a matter of time, the general line of thinking goes, until Floyd comes back in search of pro win number-50.
And, despite the fact that age 39 is somewhat advanced for a top class prize fighter (greats Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Joe Louis and many others were finished well before closing in on age 40), Mayweather has proven that age is literally just a number to him. Eventually, if he were to fight on and on, his reflexes would fade or his punch resistance (never tested too much as it is!) would desert him, but there wouldn’t be too many people willing to bet against Mayweather managing to put at least one more result in his win column if he did/does box again either later this year or early next.
It’s no secret that comebacking former WBA heavyweight champ David Haye wants a big, all-British showdown with unbeaten fellow Londoner Anthony Joshua. Haye, who returned to the ring in January and next fights, against TBA, in May, has been interested in a potential blockbuster with “A.J” for months now. And Haye is quite right when he says the fight would only be that much bigger if a world title were on the line.
Well over three years in the making, “Hands of Stone,” the biopic on the life and legendary career of the one and only Roberto Duran, finally gets released in the U.S this August, on the 26th. The film – written and directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz and starring Robert De Niro as Duran trainer Ray Arcel and Edgar Ramirez as the Panamanian warrior – was filmed on location in both New York and Panama.
Also starring Usher Raymond, as Sugar Ray Leonard and Ruben Blades as Duran’s main man, Carlos Eleta, the film will also have portrayals of infamous mob guy Frankie Carbo and another boxing legend in Angelo Dundee.
At The O2 Arena in London next month, an exhibition will open – until August – that will celebrate the legendary career of the one and only Muhammad Ali, “The Greatest.” And Ali himself, who has recently celebrated his 74th birthday, is expected to fly to the UK – perhaps for the very last time – to visit the tribute that is sure to be a massive hit with fight fans.
But London’s own David Haye wants the UK to go one step further, and recognize Ali with an honorary Knighthood. Haye has launched a petition, inviting people to sign it and, as he says, give the great man what he deserves.
Promoter Oscar De La Hoya knows real talent when he sees it, and the Golden Boy head thinks he has the best big man in the sport signed to him. De La Hoya believes interim WBA champ Luis Ortiz can see off all comers and he wants to keep the Cuban southpaw active – so much so that, if Ortiz beats Tony Thompson with relative ease on March 5th, “King Kong” will fight again on the May 7th Canelo Alvarez-Amir Khan bill in Las Vegas.
It seems we can pretty much forget about seeing a light-heavyweight unification battle between bitter and vocal rivals Adonis Stevenson and Sergey Kovalev any time soon. These two gigantic punchers should have met by now, at least a few months back, but negotiations, for whatever reason or reasons, have failed and failed.
When he was pulled out at the conclusion of ten woefully one-sided rounds in his rematch with Tyson Fury in November of 2014, Dereck Chisora cut something of a sad figure. Some people even thought “Del Boy” had had too many tough fights and was practically finished as a top contender. But, after finding a new promoter to back him (Sauerland) the 32-year-old warrior proceeded to reel off five straight wins (albeit against so-so opposition) and Chisora, 25-5(17) is now on the verge of a fight that just might see him recapture the European title.
British legend Nigel Benn, who ruled the world at middleweight and super-middleweight, is sure his son Conor will reach the very top also. Set to have his pro debut soon, as a light-welterweight, Conor is the real deal, Benn insists. Conor, who will carry his father’s “Dark Destroyer” nickname, had just 22 amateur fights but is sure the pro game will suit his fighting style.
Speaking with Sky Sports, former king Benn spoke about the 18-year-old son he is understandably very proud of and has also sparred with.
Unbeaten heavyweight contender Anthony Joshua knows better than anyone how quality southpaw sparring is paramount to his chances against defending IBF heavyweight champ Charles Martin. “A.J” has not fought a southpaw before in his 15-0 pro career, and people are wondering how the stance of Martin may or may not affect Joshua on April 9th.
Joshua has revealed to Sky Sports how he is sparring, amongst others, unbeaten Swedish lefty, Otto Wallin. The 25-year-old with the 14-0(10) pro record is almost as tall as Joshua and he has, according to the 2012 Olympic gold medal winner, been providing good work.