Leonard Ellerbe defends the Mayweather Jr. vs. Berto bout

Leonard Ellerbe defends the Mayweather Jr. vs. Berto bout

It’s no secret that the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Andre Berto bout is something that most of the boxing community did not expect to ever see. Sure Mayweather had picked questionable opponents for some of his bouts in the past, but now, towards the finish line, it was expected that he would leave the sport that has done so much for him and his family, with a bang.

Andre Berto is not a chump nor is he a greenhorn, but him being picked for one of the last Mayweather Jr. fights simply doesn’t make any sense. Aside from the fact that he lost three out of his last six bouts, and that he is simply put, no threat to Mayweather Jr. in the ring in any way shape or form, he is also not a huge draw. If Money May is all about the numbers, and has proven himself to be a decent businessman as well, did he sign up for this fight knowing that he is throwing away a ton of money as well as standing to lose a big chunk of his fan base?

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Jamie McDonnell vs Tomoki Kameda II on for 6th September in Texas

Jamie McDonnell vs Tomoki Kameda II on for 6th September in Texas

It was confirmed last night that British WBA (reg) bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell will return to Texas to battle Japan’s Tomoki Kameda for a second time, following his hard fought victory back in May in which he earned the unanimous decision after hitting the deck in the 3rd from a huge Kameda right hand.

Showing some real grit, McDonnell battled back, got back to his boxing and eventually took the fight by scores of 114-113 (x3) in the face of some quality work from the Japanese fighter. It was a score that accurately reflected how close the fight was first time round, and manager Dave Coldwell – who cornered McDonnell for the fight due to regular trainer Dave Hulley’s fear of flying – tweeted the confirmation last night.

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Boxing Notes: Mayweather–Berto Undercard Addition, Eddie Chambers Update, More!

Boxing Notes: Mayweather–Berto Undercard Addition, Eddie Chambers Update, More!

By Paul Paparazzi Jones Photo © (clockwise) Paul “Paparazzi” Jones /ESB, Premier Boxing Champions, Suzan Classen, Matthias Kern, and Daniel Kucin, Jr. | Illustration – “Paparazzi” Jones

Just in case you missed the memo, it’s official. Floyd “Money” Mayweather (48-0-0, 26 KOs), 38, will return to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 12 to take on Andre Berto (30-3, 23 KOs), 31, in a welterweight title bout (Showtime, Pay-Per-View).

By toppling Berto, Mayweather aims to tie Rocky Marciano’s (49-0-0, 43 KOs) coveted perfect record of 49 wins without a loss. Although Marciano’s benchmark has stood for nearly 60 years, a win over former welterweight titleholder Berto would put Mayweather alongside “The Brockton Blockbuster” in the boxing annals.

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Lee Selby Signs With Haymon / Possible Gary Russell Jnr Fight for the Future?

Lee Selby Signs With Haymon / Possible Gary Russell Jnr Fight for the Future?

In a statement of intent, newly crowned IBF 126 lb champion Lee Selby has signed a deal with elusive “advisor” Al Haymon, following the lead of fellow Brits Amir Khan and James DeGale, as well as Northern Irishman Carl Frampton.

The talented Selby has recently expressed a desire to chase the big unification fights, and realises that the way to achieve that will be to go to the US, however signing with Haymon could ostensibly put a hold on any plans to face Ukranian amateur standout Vasyl Lomachenko, who is promoted by Bob Arums Top Rank and fights on HBO.

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Floyd Mayweather vs Andre Berto is Official / Amir Khan Snubbed

Floyd Mayweather vs Andre Berto is Official / Amir Khan Snubbed

The news officially landed yesterday that P4P boss Floyd Mayweather will indeed fight Florida’s Andre Berto on September 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The news will come as no surprise to those who have been praying that Floyd was only joking when he mentioned Berto in the same breath as Karim Mayfield some months ago, and it will be a crushing blow to Britain’s Amir Khan who has been desperately chasing the fight – going on record recently to suggest he was holding out on Floyd potentially surprising him with a late-doors call up.

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Joseph Parker set to face Kali Meehan on October 15th

Joseph Parker set to face Kali Meehan on October 15th

Fast rising heavyweight contender Joseph Parker 15(13)-0 has just announced his next opponent as fellow countryman Kali Meehan 42(32)-5. Parker in keeping with the busy schedule laid down by his team last year is lining up the well respected Meehan as his 4th opponent of 2015 with another fight set to follow in December as well as a potential bout in Samoa tentatively pencilled in for late January next year.

Meehan an 18 year veteran and former world title challenger, who still commands a respectable Boxrec ranking of twenty nine, marks a jump in competition for Parker who will be looking to see if he can keep his recent impressive knockout streak going.

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George Groves Lands Mayweather Undercard Date for Challenge to Badou Jack

George Groves Lands Mayweather Undercard Date for Challenge to Badou Jack

In a not entirely unexpected piece of news, George Groves will have his challenge to WBC 168 lb champion Badou Jack included on the Floyd Mayweather/Andre Berto undercard in Las Vegas on September 12th.

Groves will join the likes of British boxing legends Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe in boxing in the esteemed “fight capital” of the world – an achievement bitter super middleweight rival Carl Froch never ticked off his bucket list before retirement.

The fight with Vegas based Swede Jack, will be the Hammersmith fighter’s 3rd crack at a world title after the two challenges to Froch ended in defeat in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

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Mayweather vs. Berto a done deal for September 12th!

Mayweather vs. Berto a done deal for September 12th!

LAS VEGAS (Aug. 4, 2015) – In what is expected to be the final fight of his illustrious 19-year career, boxing superstar and pound-for-pound king Floyd “Money” Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) will put his undefeated record and WBC and WBA Welterweight World Championships on the line against power-punching, two-time welterweight world champion Andre Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) Saturday, Sept. 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, live on SHOWTIME PPV (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT).

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Michael Katsidis to Return in China Next Month

Michael Katsidis to Return in China Next Month

After what was supposed to be a farewell fight back in March – a low key 6 rounder he won on points – veteran Australian Michael Katsidis announced recently that he was keen to box on.

Katsidis, who was involved in many memorable fights with the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez, Joel Casamayor and Graham Earl, will box Kaewfah Tor Buamas in a 10-rounder on Sept. 12 at Yu Hang Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China.

“What a great sport boxing is,” Katsidis said. “It’s given me so much and now once again I have an opportunity of a lifetime. I get to return to the ring.” he said officially announcing.

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Dillian Whyte: Hunting for a Decent Test for Sep 12th / Would Like Erkan Teper

Dillian Whyte: Hunting for a Decent Test for Sep 12th / Would Like Erkan Teper

Boxing back on Sky Sports in the UK for the first time in a long time is bringing Dillian Whyte a whole new fan base keen to see the big hitting Brixton man square off against Anthony Joshua for the British heavyweight title in December.

Joshua boxes Scotland’s Gary Cornish for the vacant Commonwealth strap on September 12th and Whyte will feature on the undercard – certain that he needs a decent test after obliterating Irineu Costa Jnr within a round last weekend. Both New Zealand knockout artist Joseph Parker and the big-hitting David Price took longer to do the job against the Brazilian fighter.

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