2017 shaping up as a great year for boxing

04/07/201712/19/2016 James Slater

James DeGale-Badou Jack, Carl Frampton-Leo Santa Cruz II, David Haye-Tony Bellew, Keith Thurman-Danny Garcia, Gennady Golovkin-Danny Jacobs, Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko. These are just some of the big and potentially great fights that have been officially confirmed for the boxing calendar in 2017.

If all these fights go ahead without a hitch (I.E: with no postponements due to injury and the like) we will have some year next year. With the possibility of other fascinating match-ups to be announced for 2017 – maybe Canelo Alvarez-Julio Cesar Chavez Junior, Canelo-GGG! and maybe even Joshua-Deontay Wilder!! – fight fans just might get one of the best 12 months the sport has seen in a long, long time.

Hearn: AJ-Wilder unification showdown will happen late 2017 or early 2018

12/19/2016 James Slater

The heavyweight division could have two enormous world title fights next year. As fans know, Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko will meet in an April blockbuster in 2017, and after that, another, perhaps even bigger fight could take place.

Recently, WBC heavyweight ruler Deontay Wildeer said that “all being well” he will make his ring return in February and “get the winner of the Joshua and Klitschko fight next,” and yesterday, promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports that he sees the unification fight happening soon enough – perhaps towards the end of next year.

Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko: The Richest Fight in Boxing History – or certainly the most expensive

12/16/2016 James Slater

Boxing history could be made on April 29th at Wembley in London, in a number of ways. The heavyweight title clash between reigning and defending IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua and former lineal king Wladimir Klitschko – which will also contest the vacant WBA belt – could smash the record for most tickets sold for a boxing match. The current record of almost 80,000 tickets sold was set by Carl Froch and George Groves a couple of years back, but now there are realistic expectations of 90,000 tickets being shifted for the clash of generations next April.

If Klitschko wins he will be one of the very few three-time heavyweight champions in history, and as far as ticket prices go for the big fight, the record for the most expensive ringside seat will be broken next April. How much for a VIP ringside seat? £800? No. £1,000? No. £1,500? No again. A VIP seat at ringside can be yours for, get this……£2,000 (approx $2,490 US). A regular ringside ticket will set you back the considerable sum of £800.

Joshua vs Klitschko – April 29 at the Wembley Stadium in London / Videos

12/14/201612/14/2016 K2 Promotions

The first period of ticket sales for the World Heavyweight unification blockbuster between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladmir Klitschko on April 29 at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE will commence at midday on Friday December 16.

There will be two periods of ticket sales for the event and coach packages are available in order to maximise the available capacity at Wembley.

The first batch of tickets on sale from Friday December 16 as follows:

The UK now has more reigning world champions than any other country in the world!

12/12/2016 James Slater

Amazingly, and proof positive that boxing is flourishing on these shores, the UK can now boast more reigning world champion boxers than any other country in the world. With 13 world rulers – from heavyweight all the way down to super-flyweight – the UK currently has more champs than America (12) and Mexico (8).

The current impressive list of world champions consists of:

Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko is on for April, but will this fight deliver?

12/11/201612/11/2016 James Slater

While IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua had an easy time of it in despatching challenger Eric Molina last night, fight fans are finding it harder and harder to shell out good money to see the 18-0(18) star bowl over opponents, one after the other, in easy, even scripted-looking “fights.”

Everyone agrees that AJ is badly in need of a test, but will this test come in his next fight – officially announced in the ring in Manchester last night, for April 29 against former king Wladimir Klitschko – or will the planned Wembley event prove to be yet another disappointment? Previous Joshua foes such as Kevin Johnson, Dillian Whyte, Charles Martin and Molina promised so much going in but, Whyte aside, they all flopped on fight night.

Results: Anthony Joshua slaughters Molina

12/11/201612/11/2016 Showtime Boxing

Anthony Joshua extended his perfect record to 18-0 with 18 knockouts in a dominating defense of his IBF Heavyweight World Championship over American challenger Eric Molina Saturday on SHOWTIME from Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

Joshua floored Molina with a huge left in the third, leaving the Texas native crumpled in the corner. Molina looked dazed and barely beat the count, but he was again in trouble and defenseless seconds later, forcing the referee to halt the contest at 2:02.

Joshua way too good for Molina, scores 3rd-round KO to officially announce Klitschko fight

12/11/201612/10/2016 James Slater

IBF heavyweight ruler Anthony Joshua proved way, way, way too strong, powerful and effective for challenger Eric Molina tonight in Manchester. AJ improved to 18-0(18) with a seemingly easy 3rd-round stoppage win over a negative/intimidated Molina. Joshua’s powerful right hand decked Molina and the follow-up barrage brought about the end.

Time was 2:02. Molina falls to 25-4(19).

Joshua-Molina, Crawford-Molina, Parker-Ruiz – Three big fight prediction for this weekend

12/10/201612/10/2016 James Slater

There is no shortage of boxing action this weekend, with a number of big and important fights going down in various locations. The three fights that have attracted a good deal of the attention are the Anthony Joshua-Eric Molina fight (Yes, the under-card fight of Dereck Chisora Vs. Dillian Whyte has also attracted plenty of press and fan interest, but the word now is that the fight might not even happen. As a result of Chisora’s desk-throwing wobbler, the BBB of C must decide whether or not to allow the fight to go ahead), the Andy Ruiz Jnr-Joseph Parker clash and the Terence Crawford-John Molina Jnr showdown.

Anthony Joshua says he will retire in five years, “provided everything goes to plan”

12/10/201612/10/2016 James Slater

Although he has had just 17 pro fights – fight number 18 comes this Saturday night against challenger Eric Molina – Anthony Joshua is already speaking about when he plans to call it a day and retire. The reigning IBF heavyweight champ, speaking with The Mirror, says that if things go to plan he will retired in five years at the age of 32.

Joshua says he could retire today if he wanted to, as he is happy. Yet right now, the 27 year old is enjoying boxing and he wants to leave behind a legacy.