The Latest Boxing News
There are a couple of big all-UK world title fights the fans there want to see, and sadly it seems, neither are any closer to fruition.
One is obviously the seemingly dead in the water Kell Brook/Amir Khan fight that I guess we can dream of happening one day if Amir runs out of excuses to avoid it, and the other is the seemingly unlikely fight (at least for now) between IBF 122lb champion and rival divisional belt holder, WBA (reg) champion Scott Quigg.
Roy Jones, Jr. responded today to the recent reports that he has been blacklisted and included into … continue
Unbeaten Kazakh knockout artist Gennady Golovkin has big power. Of that I think everybody can agree.
The last fight of his to go the distance was an 8 rounder in 2008 against Amar Amari in Switzerland, and since that time his destructive streak has wreaked havoc on all who stood in his way, bar none.
Obviously a belief exists among some that “he hasn’t fought anybody” yet – anybody of similar dominance or who is operating at elite world class level anyway – at 160 or beyond – although on October 17th he will at least be facing the hardest puncher he’s ever stood in front of in Canada’s IBF middleweight champion David Lemieux.
One fight hardcore fans are getting excited about along with all the upcoming treats this October and November, is the big flyweight clash that will take place on the Golovkin/Lemieux HBO PPV bill from Madison Square Garden, between Nicaraguan P4P star Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (43-0, 37ko) and America’s “Hawaiian Punch” Brian Viloria (36-4, 22ko).
Even though the American former champ at fly and super fly is approaching 35 years old, he is still considered one of the most credible tests for the unbeaten Gonzalez, and has warned that he is far from “past-best,” promising that he still carries one of the hardest digs in the lower weight classes and cannot wait for fight night.
One of the most popular New England pugilists, Danny O’Connor delighted hundreds of loud passionate hometown Boston fans in his last outing with a dominating fifth round technical knockout victory over Chris Gilbert in May. O’Connor knockdown Gilbert five times after which referee, Leo Gerstel stopped the bout with 1:04 left in the round. O’Connor, with the win, improved his record to 26-2, 10 KOs and received the vacant New England welterweight title.
“I’m happy with my performance against Gilbert and I’m especially proud of myself for the way I handled all the challenges that led up to this bout with [Paulie] Malignaggi being hurt [cut over his left eyelid during sparring] and then having to change my opponent on one week notice,” said O’Connor. “I’m still working on getting better each and every day and I’ve a great deal more to accomplish.”
Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (33-0, 30 KOs) and IBF Middleweight World Champion power-puncher David Lemieux (34-2, 31 KOs) of Montreal, Quebec hosted the final press conference on their three-city tour in Los Angeles on Thursday, August 20. The fighters received a warm welcome with a huge reception including a large crowd of media members in attendance and fans who eagerly waited outside the venue doors trying to get in or sneak a peak at their boxing heroes.
The successful Los Angeles press tour stop for Golovkin vs. Lemieux capped a week of exciting media events for the two middleweight champion fighters. On Tuesday, Aug. 18 in New York City, Golovkin and Lemieux took to the top of the famous Empire State Building to pose with their middleweight championship belts before ending the day with a packed-house at Chase Square at Madison Square Garden for the kick-off press conference.
American boxing fans in particular must be bemoaning the news that unbeaten WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will be facing French WBC #12 ranked Johann Duhaupas (32-2, 20ko) on September 26th in his home state of Alabama in a scheduled PBC on NBC broadcast.
It is a frankly disappointing defence against more low-level opposition from the Al Haymon “advised” fighter – of whom fans are demanding much more – and at the first official presser to announce the fight on Thursday, it was evident the delicate process of polishing a turd had already begun.
Ahead of the November 21st HBO Pay-Per-View mega-fight between lineal World Middleweight champion Miguel Cotto 34, (40-4 33 KO) of Puerto Rico and Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, 25 (45-1-1 32 KO) set to take place at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada, former 154 lb titilist Fernando Vargas, -who was on the losing end of of a thrilling titular installment in the heated “Mexico vs Puerto Rico rivalry” against Hall of fame member Felix “Tito” Trinidad in the very same Arena Cotto and Canelo will do battle in back in late 2000 had this to say to El Vocero concerning the legacy of his historic fight with Trinidad, his respect for the fighting cultures of both Mexico and Puerto Rico and finally how Cotto V Canelo stacks up against his encounter with Trinidad.
Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (34-0, 33 KOs) hosted a press conference yesterday to formally announce his Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC bout taking place Saturday, September 26 against Johann “Reptile” Duhaupas (32-2, 20 KOs) at Legacy Arena in Birmingham.
Wilder will defend his title for the second time in his home state. Duhaupas, who has never been stopped, hopes to defy the odds and do what no previous opponent has accomplished against Wilder – emerge victorious.
During his recent uninspiring decision victory over Marcos Reyes in Texas, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr suffered a left hand fracture, that after surgery on Thursday, is looking like it will keep him out of action for longer than was initially expected – probably until the end of the year.
Speaking to ESPN Deportes, the former middleweight champ revealed that he was given X-ray results this week which showed that he would require surgery to repair the problem – an operation he underwent on Thursday under the supervision of Dr. Steven S. Shin.