Javan “Sugar” Hill: “There is no replacement for Emanuel Steward in Wladimir Klitschko’s training camp”

09/14/201609/30/2012 ESB

Javan “Sugar” Hill: “There is no replacement for Emanuel Steward in Wladimir Klitschko’s training camp” (Picture credit: Michael Freitag) By Joseph Herron: While camp is just getting underway at Wladimir Klitschko’s customary training facility in Austria, many have pondered the question concerning who will serve as the Heavyweight Champion’s chief second in Hamburg, Germany on November 10th.

Due to an unexpected ailment suffered by Wladimir’s longtime trainer, friend, and mentor, Hall of Fame boxing legend Emanuel Steward, “The Steel Hammer” will find himself in a very unusual situation when he faces undefeated Heavyweight contender Mariusz Wach.

While the usual band of fighters, coaches, and supporters will be on hand to help prepare the popular fighter, the incomparable master strategist and motivator will be unable to reprise his role as head trainer for a title defense that is set to take place in just 41 days.

Emanuel Steward’s nephew and longtime Kronk Gym trainer Javan “Sugar” Hill expounds on the current situation.

WBC prepared to enforce Junior Middleweight mandatory challenger in 2013

09/14/201609/30/2012 ESB

By Joseph Herron – On November 10th, at the Wynn Las Vegas, Vanes Martirosyan will finally face Erislandy Lara in a highly anticipated WBC Junior Middleweight title eliminator, which should place the eventual winner in a Championship contest opposite current WBC title holder Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in 2013.

While many fighters and boxing scribes alike have characterized the WBC’s involvement with Canelo’s championship run as unscrupulous, the president of the WBC has assured boxing fans and all three fighters involved with the 154 pound mini tournament that the eventual mandatory challenger for the WBC Junior Middleweight crown will indeed receive their deserved title opportunity immediately following the conclusion of the big November 10th event.

“Saul Alvarez must defend his title against the winner of the November 10th contest between Vanes Martirosyan and Erislandy Lara,” asserts Don Jose Sulaiman. “If he does not want to face the winner immediately after the conclusion of the contest, then he will have to forfeit the title.”

Wladimir Klitschko doubts that Povetkin will fight him

09/14/201609/29/2012 ESB

By Rob Smith: WBA World heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin (25-0, 17 KO’s) easily took care of Hasim Rahman (50-8-2, 41 KO’s) earlier tonight in a 2nd round TKO win in Hamburg, Germany. It was impressive stuff from Povetkin in beating an over-matched and badly past his prime 39-year-old Rahman. The question that boxing fans now want to know is when if ever will the 33-year-old Povetkin step it up and take on IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko or his brother WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko.

Povetkin said this after the fight as quoted by espn “When [my promoters] say it’s time to fight Klitschko, I will be ready. He’s the best heavyweight in the world and I will be ready to fight him.”

Wladiimr doesn’t think Povetkin wants the fight, saying to Sports Illustrated “Right. Where was he before? Please.”

Is Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez ready to headline HBO?

09/14/201609/29/2012 ESB

By Joseph Herron – “Where the heavyweight division goes, so goes boxing,” was an age old adage that seemed to characterize the popular sentiment of the sport within any era. But in the new millennium, “Where HBO goes, so goes boxing,” would be a more appropriate maxim to sum up the current state of the industry.

An impressive or disappointing performance while headlining HBO’s “WBC” or “BAD” has become more impactful to a fighter’s career than actually winning or losing a major world title. It is widely viewed as the benchmark for success in boxing.

Tonight on HBO’s “Boxing After Dark”, Super Middleweight contender Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KOs) will appear in the main event of the popular television series for the first time in his promising career.

In what could be a defining night for the DiBella Entertainment hopeful, the Worcester, Mass resident will face the big puncher from Jersey, Jason Escalera (13-0, 12 KOs), in a Super Middleweight battle of unbeatens.

Is Edwin ready for his biggest moment as a professional?

Sergio Martinez wants Mayweather in 2013

09/14/201609/29/2012 ESB

By Rob Smith: WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez isn’t just content with getting a rematch against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. next year; Martinez also wants a fight against undefeated WBO junior middleweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. Martinez seems to believe that he can get Mayweather in the ring to face him, but the signs aren’t there. Mayweather Jr. is totally silent about a fight against Martinez.

Martinez said to Punto Pelota on Spanish tv, “[Mayweather] be ready because I’m going to find you in 2013.”

The odds are probably very, very low that Mayweather decides on taking the dangerous punching Martinez because Martinez hits too hard and there’s less dangerous options out there for Mayweather to make big money against rather than risking his neck against a bigger and stronger fighter like Martinez.

Ricky Hatton: Chasing the Past

09/14/201609/28/2012 ESB

By Padraig Ivory: I once saw a black and white photo of Ricky Hatton as he lay unconscious after his last bout in 2009. His ripped abdominal muscles almost gave a cobblestone appearance to the Las Vegas canvas. It was a devastating knockout of the raucously supported English favourite. Now three years later ‘The Hitman’ is preparing both physically and mentally to re-enter the boxing ring.

Envision the early runs. The dew unevenly evaporating from the terrain as the nights shadows slowly recede. The footpaths appear two toned, the white frost fading towards the kerbs edge. His warm breath vaporising as it meets the cooler morning air. The thoughts and dreams of the former champion oscillating to and fro as he paces the city streets.

Turning by Victoria Station he automatically decelerates to a slow jog. Nostalgia weighs heavy. The blurring figure of a younger Ricky Hatton running that same street overtakes the now 33 year old. Inspired by the vivid memory he speeds up, chasing his younger image.

Malik Scott: “I Would Love to Get a Crack At Seth Mitchell. I Believe His Style is Picture Perfect for Me”

09/14/201609/28/2012 ESB

Exclusive Interview by Charles White – Congratulations on the big win Malik. How are you feeling after this big victory?

MS: Thanks bro, I’m feeling great. I hopped right back in the gym the same night after the fight and I think I was more sore from my after fight workout then the actual fight. Personally, I don’t even consider that a big win for me. It was easy work and I beat the shit out of Bowie with basically one hand the whole fight so now it’s on to the next so-called test, whoever the hell that’s supposed to be.

For those who didn’t get the opportunity to see the fight, walk us through it briefly. What was working for you and how did you put an end to this fight?

MS: Like I said before it was easy work. I used my jab, I was dressed down in defense and Bowie was looking for one shot all night that he never could land. It was so much more obvious I could have done more to make Bowie quit a lot more sooner than he did and that was my main reason for leaving the venue that night directly after the fight and going straight to the gym to fill in the loop holes of things that I didn’t capitalize on that night against Bowie. As a matter of fact he should consider himself very lucky.

Sergio Martinez ultimately wants a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

09/14/201609/27/2012 ESB

(Photo credit: Adrian Hernandez) By Joseph Herron: After securing his dominance in the Middleweight division with an undefeated three year, six bout campaign, the world of boxing has suddenly become Sergio Martinez’s oyster at the tender age of 37.

While many fight fans are clamoring for an immediate rematch with former WBC Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, most boxing scribes see many more enticing match-ups residing south of the Middleweight border for “Maravilla”.

Although Martinez has never shied away from a challenge, DiBella Entertainment’s “Boxing Publicist” Kevin Rooney Jr. doesn’t necessarily see a rematch with Junior as the biggest challenge for “Maravilla”.

“Sergio absolutely dominated that fight for eleven rounds and ninety seconds,” professes the Junior Middleweight fighter. “A lot of fans seem to be demanding a rematch based on the twelfth round, which is fine. Sergio is by no means leery of getting back in the ring with Chavez, but we think it turns out pretty much the same way as their first encounter.”

Vanes Martirosyan: “The WBC should hand over Canelo Alvarez’s belt after I beat Erislandy Lara”

09/14/201609/27/2012 ESB

By Joseph Herron:, photo by Adrian Hernandez — On November 10th, at the Wynn Las Vegas, “The Nightmare” Vanes Martirosyan (32-0, 20 KOs) will finally get it on with elite level talent Erislandy Lara (17-1-1, 11 KOs) in the co main event of a tremendous double header, slated to be aired on “HBO Boxing After Dark”.

The highly anticipated bout will determine the mandatory challenger for the current WBC Junior Middleweight Champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KOs).

“The Nightmare” from Armenia claims that the WBC mandatory position is somewhat of a dubious formality.

“In my opinion, the two best fighters at 154 pounds will be facing each other on November 10th. Both Lara and I would knock-out Canelo if he were to step in the ring with either one of us, so the WBC should just give the belt to the winner of our fight and just tell Canelo to go home because he’s never going to fight us.”

Andre Berto to face K9 Bundrage for the IBF 154 pound title

09/14/201609/26/2012 ESB

(Photo credit: Naoki Fakuda/Dibella) By Joseph Herron: On November 24th, Andre Berto and Cornelius Bundrage will return to the ring in a superb match-up for K 9’s coveted IBF Junior Middleweight Championship.

With much media attention being focused on the upcoming Miguel Cotto vs. Austin Trout contest on December 1st, and the long awaited Vanes Martirosyan vs. Erislandy Lara match-up on November 10th, both fighters are anxious to make a resounding statement that would undoubtedly secure their spot among the elite of the packed 154 pound division.

Even though the title fight hasn’t officially been announced, DiBella Entertainment’s “Boxing Publicist”, Kevin Rooney Jr. (4-2, 2 KOs), claims that it will definitely take place on Thanksgiving weekend.

“It’s going to be a tremendous fight,” states the Junior Middleweight fighter. “Andre is looking to re-establish himself as one of the top fighters in boxing. He’s been cleared by the California State Athletic Commission to fight, and now he just wants get back in the ring to do what he does best.”