Martin Murray: Working Toward Big Fights w/DeGale & Groves

Martin Murray: Working Toward Big Fights w/DeGale & Groves

He makes his debut under the Matchroom promotional banner tomorrow night in Liverpool, fighting up at 168 lb for the very first time against Georgia’s George Beroshvili in what is something of an “easing into the division” fight – yet Martin Murray has his sights on the division’s big-guns – and is hopefully looking towards big money-fights with new IBF champion James DeGale and WBC mandatory George Groves in the none too distant future.

Murray, who extended Gennady Golovkin further than any man previously when he took him 11 rounds in Monaco back in February, spoke to iFLtv about his fight tomorrow night – and just what lies in store beyond that.

continue

How to fix “The Problem” Cincinnati’s Broner looks to regroup after losing Battle of Ohio

How to fix “The Problem" Cincinnati’s Broner looks to regroup after losing Battle of Ohio

(Photo credit: Suzanne Teresa/Premier Boxing Champions) By Matthew Reyna: Even after another disappointing loss, Adrien “The Problem” Broner remained his polarizing self.

“This time I didn’t get the decision, but it’s OK,” Broner said. “At the end of the day, everybody in here will take my autograph and take my picture.”

The latter may be true, but his career has reached a crossroads. After another tough loss, questions are being raised about his dedication and accomplishments.

Broner, 25, is falling out of favor in the boxing world as quickly as he once climbed up the rankings.

continue

Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: Broner/Porter, Malignaggi/Garcia, & Andre Ward!

Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: Broner/Porter, Malignaggi/Garcia, & Andre Ward!

Kevin H. (Atlanta, GA): As an Adrien Broner fan, I think his loss to Porter was more of what he didn’t do than what Porter did. How did you rate his performance and where do you think he goes next?

Vivek W. (ESB): I would have to totally disagree. To the contrary, I think what we witnessed last Saturday night had everything to do with what Porter did, more so than what Broner “didn’t do”. Going into the fight, Porter had the entire deck of cards stacked against him. Everything from the catchweight clause, to the pulse of the promotion itself. It just seemed that all elements involved tilted towards Broner. Few places in life breed absolute truth like a boxing ring. In dialog, any man can speak big and paint a scripted picture. But in the ring, there’s no way to avoid the evolution of reality.

continue

Hatton Warns De La Hoya Against Comeback / Doesn’t Want To See Him Hurt

Hatton Warns De La Hoya Against Comeback / Doesn't Want To See Him Hurt

Three years ago he made a brief and ill-fated comeback of his own against Vyacheslav Senchenko, so perhaps former British world champion Ricky Hatton is perfectly placed to offer advice to old friend Oscar De La Hoya on the pitfalls of such a plan?

With De La Hoya seemingly still conflicted and publicly considering the idea, Hatton has spoken to Sky Sports to say that while he isn’t really surprised, he thinks De La Hoya could be potentially flirting with disaster.

continue

Retirement On The Horizon For Paul Smith ?

Retirement On The Horizon For Paul Smith ?

He was heavily criticized for over-shooting the 172 lb catch-weight limit against Andre Ward last weekend by 4.4 lbs in a fight that from before the first bell, there was only ever one winner – and come the 9th round a bloodied and battered Smith was mercifully halted in what, according to trainer Joe Gallagher, should be the last fight of Paul Smith’s long career.

He said in the Liverpool Echo;

“I’ve told Paul to probably consider retiring now.”

continue

Golovkin v Lemieux Can Go Ahead Now Says Loeffler

Golovkin v Lemieux Can Go Ahead Now Says Loeffler

Following David Lemieux’s all-action win against Frenchman Hassan N’Dam at the weekend, which saw the French-Canadian capture the IBF 160 lb strap, Gennady Golovkin took to his twitter and issued an open challenge to both Lemieux and promoter Oscar De La Hoya, insisting now is the right time – not later – to make a fight between the two heavy-hitting middleweights.

Sadly for the fans it seemed an imminent clash was some way off as De La Hoya spoke out to insist that his fighter was due to fight a mandatory defence later this year that would keep the two punchers apart – at least until 2016.

continue

Khan: ‘Floyd Clearly Avoiding Me’ / Will Fight Manny If Not

Khan: 'Floyd Clearly Avoiding Me' / Will Fight Manny If Not

After his labored victory over light-hitting Chris Algieri recently, and with welterweight rivals Kell Brook and Keith Thurman questioning his suitability for the Floyd Mayweather Sep 12th slot – Amir Khan may finally have realized his credibility has taken a damaging hit and that he is NOT going to be the man in the opposite corner for Floyd’s 49th pro outing.

But fear not.

Speaking in ‘The National’ ,Khan has realised the next biggest money fight for him may be against former Wild Card stablemate Manny Pacquiao – and while seemingly attempting to dismiss speculation from Bob Arum that the fight could take place in Dubai – and continuing to assert it is Mayweather he wants – he seemingly concedes he will take 2nd prize and fight the Filipino star if needs be.

continue

Porter beats Broner, but is he the better fighter? Maliggnaggi’s opinion doesn’t carry much weight

Porter beats Broner, but is he the better fighter? Maliggnaggi's opinion doesn't carry much weight

Shawn “Showtime” Porter (26-1-1, 16 KOs) fought a good fight and deserved his unanimous decision win over Adrien “The Problem” Broner (30-2-0, 22 KOs) on Premier Boxing Champions on NBC at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV. He pressed the action and threw and landed more punches. The judges had no choice but to award him the win. Respectful of his conquered opponent, Shawn explained his win was over a very good fighter, a champion, and he feels it should earn him the right to a fight with Floyd “TBE” Mayweather, Jr., right? Well, that decision is in the hands of one man, and that man is TBE. It’s not likely TBE will select Showtime to be his final opponent. He has bigger fish to fry.
Saturday Broner threw harder, shorter and more accurate punches, just not enough of them to warrant a win. Why he chose to wrestle with Porter is a mystery. He might have mistakenly thought such tactics would eventually slow down Porter, enabling him to gain a later rounds advantage.

continue

Tim Bradley: Working On Technique & Power For Jessie Vargas

Tim Bradley: Working On Technique & Power For Jessie Vargas

This Saturday, “Desert Storm” Tim Bradley makes his first in-ring appearance of 2015 when he faces unbeaten Jessie Vargas for the interim WBO welterweight title, after Floyd Mayweather didn’t end up vacating the full version. A decision on what Floyd plans to do with that belt is still a way off with Mayweather yet to pay the WBO sanctioning fees from his clash with Manny Pacquiao last month.

The situation surrounding that title will become clearer with time, yet ahead of the fight Saturday, Bradley has spoken to ThaBoxingVoice to suggest that he has been working on his technique and power following his draw with Diego Chaves last December, as he no longer feels as comfortable leaving things in the hands of the judges.

continue