It was forty years ago today when massive underdog Leon Spinks upset The Greatest, in defeating Muhammad Ali to take the world heavyweight crown. Spinks, a veritable novice, shocked the world by winning a fifteen-round split decision in Las Vegas. Was Ali finished, for good? It looked like it, but as we know, The Greatest came back and scored one last win – a revenge win over “Neon Leon.”
James Slater
Jeff Horn not fazed over Terence Crawford fight being moved to Vegas: I’ll fight him on the moon or in a phone box
Reports say the upcoming April 14 clash between defending WBO welterweight champ Jeff Horn and challenger Terence Crawford is to be moved – back to Las Vegas, where it was first set to be fought. The switch from New York, at Madison Square Garden, has not fazed Australian Horn, even though he says he would have liked to have boxed at the historic venue where so many great fighters have done their stuff.
100 years on: The Curious case of the Jack Dempsey-Jim Flynn fights
Jack Dempsey is known throughout the world as one of the greatest heavyweights in history. Very much a man way, way, way ahead of his time, Dempsey’s crouched, ultra-aggressive approach shocked audiences; his naked aggression being seen as “uncivilised” and “barbaric” in its nature. Yet Dempsey was hugely successful as a prizefighter, eventually capturing the world title and in time becoming a true hero.
Bad Boy Broner just cannot stay out of trouble, “The Problem” arrested again, this time for sexual battery
Is Adrien Broner THE biggest jerk in boxing today? It may seem like a harsh, even dumb question, but then Broner’s out of the ring behavior has been so dumb it simply has to be looked at in nothing but a harsh manner. How many times has “The Problem” (and, oh, how much will Broner live to regret his ring nickname of choice!) been in trouble with the law?
Groves vs Eubank, Garcia, Rios, Beltran, Ortiz and others all in action – Big weekend of boxing heading our way!
Fight fans will be spoilt for choice when it comes to the big fights they tune in to see this coming weekend. There will be a number of world title fights fought, as well as one incredibly intriguing, tough to pick WBSS semifinal. The action will get underway on Friday night (Feb. 16) as Raymundo Beltran and Paulus Moses will go at it for the vacant WBO lightweight title – in Reno, Nevada, to go out on ESPN.
Gerald McClellan to be honoured with ‘Gerald McClellan Day’ in Freeport, Illinois next week
Some people will never, ever forget the great Gerald McClellan, or his incredible displays of boxing brilliance, savagery and bravery. The former world middleweight king was, as fans know, permanently injured in his epic and brutal battle with British warrior Nigel Benn – the February 25, 1995 fight producing an indelible piece of modern day boxing history.
Floyd Mayweather says yes, he has had talks about another fight: “Another multi-billion dollar deal”
Whatever superstar Floyd “Money” Mayweather says makes news, even though the all-time great who so polarises opinion (a genuine love or hate figure if ever there was one) is practically retired. Or is he? According to the man himself, who spoke with Forbes (picked up by ESPN.com), yes, there is indeed a chance he could fight again.
Naseem Hamed: If he hadn’t retired when he did?
Former featherweight king “Prince” Naseem Hamed celebrates his 44th birthday today. The super-powerful southpaw – long retired and long content to live a low-key existence, vastly overweight, in fact barely recognisable from his peak fighting days – by his own admission retired too soon.