The latest boxing top stories and breaking news
The celebrated Michael Buffer was on hand to conduct MC duties (always the sign of a big fight) and bitter British heavyweight rivals David Haye and Tony Bellew weighed-in moments ago, ahead of their big non-title fight at The O2. Not surprisingly Haye was the heavier man, tipping in at 16st 9oz (233 pounds) while reigning WBC cruiserweight champ Bellew weighed a career-high 15st 3lb 8 oz (213 pounds).
At the recent Haye-Bellew press conference in Liverpool, which was open to the public, something remarkable took place. We saw Haye emerge from it as the villain while Tony Bellew found himself slotted in to the role of the good guy – the wholesome family man who unlike Haye is in boxing for all the right reasons.
Now just think about that for a second. Tony ‘Bomber’ Bellew, a fighter who’s spent his entire professional career unleashing tirades of invective at his opponents in the lead up to fights, whose every second or third word is usually an expletive, a man infamous for bullying and intimidatory antics, suddenly this guy is being depicted as a poster boy for family values and proper etiquette.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg5qEyZ8UJo
With less than a week to go before David Haye and Tony Bellew step into the ring at the O2 Arena in London to settle accounts in one of the most bitter grudge fights British boxing has seen in some time, the cultural and lifestyle differences between both fighters could not be more stark.
IBF heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua (18-0, 18 KOs) is scheduled to defend his title against former world champion Wladimir Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) on April 29 at Wembley Stadium in London, England. In addition to Joshua’s IBF title, the vacant WBA super world heavyweight title will also be up for grabs in a showdown that could ultimately be seen as a crossroads fight for both pugilists.
Breazeale says he was “blindsided by sucker punches”
Deontay Wilder releases statement
It seems heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Dominic Breazeale did not fight once each on Saturday night in Alabama, but twice – their second fight, or brawl, being between each other. Wilder, who retained his WBC crown with a come-from-behind stoppage win over a game Gerald Washington, later got into it with Breazeale, who won an exciting fight with the unbeaten Izuagbe Ugonoh – so claims Breazeale.
In the blistering televised opener, Dominic Breazeale (18-1, 16 KOs) stopped previously unbeaten Izuagbe Ugonoh (17-1, 14 KOs). Ugonoh controlled the fight early landing heavy blows to both Breazeale’s body and head, but Breazeale was able to compose himself and stormed back to knock out Ugonoh in impressive fashion.
The co-main event featured Jarrett Hurd (20-0, 14 KOs) knocking out Tony Harrison (24-2, 20 KOs) in the ninth round of their contest.
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs) has to come from behind to beat a surprisingly good #8 WBC Gerald Washington (18-1-1, 12 KOs) by a 5th round TKO on Saturday night at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Alabama. Wilder kept his offensive weapons under wraps until the 5th round when he hurt Washington with a devastating right hand to the head.
Below are what the fighters and their teams had to say at today’s fan fiesta and Q & A session in Los Angeles:
CANELO ÁLVAREZ, Former Two-Division World Champion: “This is a brand new weight for me, but my team and I are going to work hard to get prepared and do everything necessary to win on May 6th.
Having been given a deadline by the WBO, unbeaten Hughie Fury today signed on the dotted line to challenge unbeaten WBO heavyweight champ Joseph Parker. Fury’s promoter Frank Warren announced how Hughie, cousin of former and still undefeated world champion Tyson Fury, signed today:
“Contract is now signed for @hughiefury to face @joeboxerparker for the @WorldBoxingOrg World Heavyweight Championship! #andthenew,” Warren wrote on twitter.
A few days back, Top Rank Boss and Manny Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum stated flat-out that the stories in the UK newspapers claiming Pacquiao could fight Amir Khan next were “complete bulls**t.” Well, the ongoing saga on who Pac-Man may fight next just took yet another twist, as Manny himself has confirmed that yes, he IS in talks with Khan.
“My team and I are in negotiations with Amir Khan for our next fight. Further announcement coming soon,” Pacquiao wrote in his tweet.