The Latest Boxing News
Sam Watson, a close associate of Al Haymon, says that the Floyd Mayweather Jr vs. Manny Pacquiao fight is close to being done. It’s being worked on, and they’re at the part where they’re trying to iron out the Showtime and HBO deal. Both networks will likely be televising the fight on pay per view on the same night.
This part of the deal is going to be tricky, and one can only hope that they don’t mess things up. Pacquiao has reportedly agreed to a 60-40 split of the money.
If Oscar De La Hoya gets his way, boxing fans may soon be seeing a fight between Lucas Matthysse and Ruslan Provodnikov taking place this year. De La Hoya is reportedly working hard to try and put the fight together. It’s a doable fight due to Provodnikov not being promoted by Golden Boy rival Top Rank, and a situation where the Russian fighter needing a win badly after his loss to Chris Algieri last year.
Provodnikov lost his WBO light welterweight title in that fight to Algieri, and he’s done much since then other than beat a 40-year-old Jose Luis Castillo recently.
The hard-hitting Stiverne (24-1-1, 21 KOs), of Las Vegas, defends his title against the unbeaten knockout specialist Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala.,- in two days, but if they had their way they’d fight tonight.
Whether its stamina, strength, or experience, the boxing match-ups provide boxing fans with general debatable attributes and abilities for a discussion, and possibly argument in favor of their favorite fighter.
The same goes for the much anticipated Mayweather Jr. vs. Pacquiao scenario.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. fans are confident that their fighter will come out victorious due to his exceptional ring I.Q., ability to adapt during a bout, and of course his speed and style. Floyd fans argue that being a sharpshooter, Mayweather Jr. does well against opponents that throw high volume of shots, which Pacquiao’s style is all about.
Trainer Freddie Roach is highly interested in a future fight between his fighter WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Cotto lost to Mayweather by a 12 round unanimous decision three years ago in 2012, but that was before Roach took over as Cotto’s trainer. Roach now thinks that with his help, he’d lead Cotto to victory over Mayweather.
The Mayweather-Cotto rematch is definitely an option for 2015 or 2016, and it’s a potential plan-B for Mayweather if the negotiations between him and Manny Pacquiao go down the toilet.
DON KING: I would like to say first that Amir Imam will be on the card also. He is a super-sensational fighter and we are looking forward to seeing him. This program is “Return to Glory” America’s return to glory in the heavyweight division. The WBC champion Bermane Stiverne against the mandatory challenger Deontay Wilder. It is something that is going to be a great event but it is a fight for Peace. Then with the Bombs Away is an addition to. This is going to bring boxing back to where it should be and get the country back to where it should be – being able to bring the glory back to the heavyweight division, which has been lacking for quite a while now. We are going to celebrate this at the MGM Grand with a salute to Kirk Kerkorian, the founder of bringing the MGM and all the rest of the then in Las Vegas and making it the boxing capital of the world. I am very excited about this and I know you’ll be too. It is going to be a super-sensational card and a lovely night at the MGM Grand and the lion shall roar. We are very happy to be able to present this to you. Keep in mind this is a fight to unify – unify, solidarity and togetherness and you are going to have a peoples’ champion – a guy that’s name is Bermane, who reminds me of Mike Tyson the awesome devastating puncher, meeting another puncher named Deontay Wilder. I am very happy to be able to address you about it and look forward to seeing you at the fight.
Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KOs), the current WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion, and Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17 KOs), the former WBC and Lineal Light Heavyweight Champion and Current holder of the WBC Diamond Belt, addressed the U.S. media in New York City in advance of their March 14 fight for the WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight Championships. Kovalev has been named The Fighter of the Year by the WBO, Sports Illustrated, BleacherRepor, New York Post, USA Today and many others and today received his WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Championship Ring from Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events.
Just 10 days before they write the final chapter of their epic trilogy, former world champions and co-stars of one this era’s most intense and exciting boxing rivalries, Denver’s “Mile High” MIKE ALVARADO and BRANDON “Bam Bam” RIOS of Oxnard, Calif., met with the media today at a media workout at Alvarado’s Denver-based gym. Alvarado (34-3, 23 KOs) and Rios (32-2-1, 22 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., who each own a victory in the series — both of which were candidates for Fight of the Year in 2012 and 2013 — discussed the upcoming Alvarado-Rios 3, which is scheduled for 12 rounds with the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) International welterweight championship on the line. Taking place Saturday, January 24, at the 1STBANK Center, located in the Denver suburb of Broomfield, CO, Alvarado-Rios 3 will be televised live on HBO, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. The last boxing event hosted by 1STBANK Center was sold out in advance — the October 19, 2013 WBO junior welterweight world championship between Alvarado and Ruslan Provodnikov.
It is entirely possible that if nothing goes outrageously wrong, this might be the last article I write on the topic of Mayweather Jr. vs. Pacquiao without discussing ticket prices and proposed details of the would-be already signed bout.
Bob Arum of Top Rank has stated to Yahoo Sports that Manny Pacquiao has agreed to all of the terms set forth by team Mayweather Jr., and now all that is left is Floyd’s approval.
“I want to get some movement here, with bringing Mayweather to the table so we can go out and get everything signed and get the networks together and get the thing finished,” pleaded Arum to Yahoo Sports.
It`s official: Robert Guerrero will be facing Keith Thurman in the main event of the NBC Boxing premier set for March 7th. The undercard will feature Adrien Broner Vs. John Molina. Robert Guerrero has not fought since June of last year, where he earned a hard-fought victory over Yoshihiro Kamegai. Keith Thurman had an unimpressive win over Bundu but has kept himself more active than Guerrero. Thurman can punch and Guerrero can take a few to land his own. This should be a great fight and a big test for Thurman. We will see if Thurman’s power is too much for Guerrero or if he will he fold under Guerrero’s pressure.