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The Latest Boxing News

Koncz says Pacquiao training harder than he’s ever seen him

Michael Koncz, the adviser for Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KO’s), is very impressed with the way that Manny is training for his bout next month against Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 23 KO’s) on November 23 at the Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort, Macao, Macao S.A.R., China.

Koncz sees intensity in Pacquiao’s workouts that he’s never spotted before in the years that he’s been with him. Pacquiao, 34, is coming off of a bad knockout loss in his last fight against Juan Manuel Marquez last December and a lot of boxing fans think it’s not a good idea for him to be continuing his career after such a devastating KO.

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Joe Calzaghe debuts BoxNation’s hit new ‘Fighting Back’ series ahead of Hopkins-Murat clash

LONDON (22 Oct) – Undefeated boxing great Joe Calzaghe will kick off ‘Fighting Back’, a hit new series debuting on BoxNation this Friday, ahead of Bernard Hopkins’ world title showdown with German contender Karo Murat. The first instalment of the series features the Welsh pugilist as he looks back over his historical victory over the eternal Hopkins, who became the oldest world champion ever at 48 when he beat Tavoris Cloud for the IBF title last March.

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Thabiso Mchunu signs with Main Events

745TOTOWA, NJ – Main Events announced today that they have signed up-and-coming cruiserweight sensation Thabiso Mchunu, 14-1, 10 KOs, to an exclusive promotional contract. The southpaw from South Africa made his American debut on August 3rd with a surprise 10-round unanimous decision over Eddie Chambers, 36-4, 18 KOs, at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT, in a bout that was nationally televised by NBC Sports Network. Mchunu’s performance in the fight served as a terrific introduction and made it clear that his impressive record and collection of African titles were no fluke.

Mchunu turned professional in 2007, and started winning regional titles almost immediately. He earned the vacant South African cruiserweight title in just his fourth bout, with a 9th round stoppage of Patrick Madzinga. Two fights later, he won the vacant WBA Pan African cruiserweight crown with a 32-second KO of Marciano Commey. Then in 2012, Mchunu knocked out Danie Venter in round five to take the vacant African Boxing Union cruiserweight title.

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Wladimir Klitschko Says He Plans On Keeping His “Boring” Style

wlad793The giant Ukrainian boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko has taken the heavyweight division hostage. His smart and well seasoned approach to using his size as an advantage, popping his thundering long-reaching jab, he seems to be able to overcome his competition with certain ease and comfort in the ring. He is effective, there is no argument there. He is exceptionally smart and careful in the ring, at least ever since his losses to Sanders and Brewster. His 1-2 combination, if lands clean, has a devastating outcome for his rival. There is one thing missing from Wladimir’s arsenal of skills: the ability of making the fights exciting.

For years now, boxing fans as well as the media have given the younger Klitschko a hard time about his lackluster action in the ring. Whether it’s throwing jabs the entire fight, or leaning on his opponents tying them up, the audience is rarely pleased with his effort to please them.

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Back when Sonny Liston was “The baddest man on the planet”

liston53There was a whole lot going on in the world fifty years ago. In the real world, hugely popular President, John. F Kennedy was embroiled in both civil rights issues and the ever-growing tension that was building in South East Asia. In England, the shock of the Profumo Affair was huge news, and in the same country members of pop music group The Beatles were closing in on taking the entire planet by storm.

In the boxing world, a young Cassius Clay was making noise, claiming the world heavyweight title was his destiny. For the moment, though, a hugely strong and terrifyingly intimidating former jail bird by the name of Charles Liston, Sonny to those who knew him, was looking like sitting on the heavyweight throne for, well, as long as he liked!

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Ruslan Provodnikov: “I don’t think we need a rematch with Mike Alvarado”

ruslan titleMoments after his title winning effort against former champ Mike Alvarado, newly crowned WBO Junior Welterweight Champion Ruslan Provodnikov spoke candidly about a possible rematch with the Denver, Colorado, resident.

Although Ruslan’s promoter and president of Banner Promotions, Artie Pellulo, stated that an opportunity for a rematch would be extended to Mike Alvarado out of courtesy and respect, the Siberian native doesn’t really feel that a return bout would be appropriate after the way the highly anticipated title fight played out.

Despite being a competitive and entertaining battle of attrition, Ruslan was winning the fight on every judge’s scorecard at the time of stoppage. The judges’ scorecards read 98-90, 97-90, and 96-92; all in favor of the new WBO Champion.

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Hopkins vs. Murat undercard fights for this Saturday

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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (Oct. 21) – Before the legendary Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins defends his IBF Light Heavyweight World Championship against top contender Karo Murat on Saturday, Oct. 26, top talent from the East Coast and Puerto Rico will open the event on SHOWTIME EXTREME® and put their stellar records on the line against hungry opponents looking to make a name for themselves at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.

Taking to the ring in undercard action will be unbeatens Zachary Ochoa, Robert Easter, Dominic Wade and Bryan Cruz, as well as Puerto Rican prospect Braulio Santos.

With a perfect 4-0 (3 KO’s) record thus far as a pro, Brooklyn’s Zachary Ochoa is making plenty of noise in the area. Returning to the site of his first-round knockout of Michael Salcido last November, Ochoa recently scored a shutout four-round decision over Calvin Smith in April. He will face York, Alabama’s Michael J. Doyle (2-5, 1 KO) in a four-round junior welterweight bout.

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Povetkin’s Trainer Wants To Eliminate Help From America Before Fights

povetkin123Alexander Povetkin’s trainer Alexandr Zimin has recently suggested that he doesn’t like the idea of having international boxing trainers helping out.

“Overall I think that that future training camp will not change much, but the help of American specialists will be slimmed down; there is no effect from it. They ruined our entire effort. Trainers along with Stacey McKinley arrived three weeks prior to the fight against Klitschko and started assigning exercises, that should be done three months before a fight,” said Zimin to gorodokboxing.com.

As expected, the blame game starts to formulate. Losing such a high profile fight is not easy for anyone. It’s hard for the fighter, and is also unpleasant for the entire team. But who is responsible? Did the fighter not follow the plan? Or was the trainer formulated plan simply the wrong one?

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Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: Provodnikov’s Stunning Performance, Ward’s Steroid Testing Position, & What’s Next for Provodnikov & Bradley!!!

provodnikov10Andrei S. (Miami Lakes, FL): Provodnikov is a countryman of mine and I was very excited to see him get the victory over Alvarado. How did you rate his performance and what do you see happening next for him?

Vivek W. (ESB): Coming into the fight I had Provodnikov winning, and the failed weight attempt by Alvarado made me feel even more comfortable with that choice. It should be duly noted that Alvarado is an absolute warrior and a couple losses will not define his legacy. That being said, Provodnikov was viewed by most coming in as the hungrier fighter, and it was clear that he would not be denied. A week ago I pointed out a very similar subplot that existed in the Bradley/Marquez showdown. In that fight, we had Bradley coming in with something to prove, following a victory where most felt he could have lost and didn’t perform well. To his opposite, we had Marquez, riding the high of a stunning KO victory. In this fight we had Provodnikov coming off a loss with something to prove, and Alvarado, who was also riding the wave of a great victory.

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