Chad Dawson’s Quest for a Third World Title Continues this Saturday against Tommy Karpency

10/02/201410/01/2014 James Stillerman

Former two-time world light heavyweight champion, “Bad” Chad Dawson (32-3, 18KOs) will continue his comeback toward another world title when he squares off against former world title challenger, Tommy Karpency (23-4-1, 14KOs) in a ten round bout on Saturday, October 4, 2014 from the Fox Theater at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

“I`ve had a great camp, my weight is in check and I`m extremely excited to fight this Saturday,” said Dawson. “I`m looking to make a statement in this bout in front of my hometown fans and put the boxing community on notice that I`m back. After I defeat Karpency, I want significant fights in 2015.”

The Dawson vs. Karpency matchup will be televised on Showtime Boxing Special Edition which will headline reigning and undefeated International Boxing Federation (“IBF”) Champion, Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (20-0-0 -1NC, 12KOs) as he defends his super featherweight title against former world title challenger and IBF third ranked, Fernando Saucedo (52-5-3, 8KOs), in the main event. These fights are co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing.

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Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: Malignaggi, Mayweather/Pacquiao, Thurman/Kahn, & Danny Garcia!

10/02/201410/01/2014 Vivek Wallace

Austin E. (Charlotte, NC): Paulie Malignaggi was recently quoted saying that he feels Thurman and Khan both have enough in their arsenal to defeat Mayweather and Pacquaio. I was curious to hear your thoughts on his words and whether or not you find them true?

Vivek W. (ESB): Malignaggi is one of those guys who has earned my respect both in and outside of the ring. Despite his limited power, I always viewed him as a fighter who had a very strong grip on the fundamental element of boxing. Listening to him in the role of commentator, I think his words solidify that position, as I think he’s a complete natural at breaking it all down. Few have done a better job than Paulie behind the mic, as it relates to articulating how certain fighters need to go about execution to gain victory in a given match. I think this is the first time I totally questioned his logic, but in all truthfulness, I can’t say that he’s wrong, either.

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Stevens vs. N’Dam: Where the rubber meets the road

10/02/201410/01/2014 Chris Carlson

Espn2 Friday Night Fights is back, but not for the season, rather a double dip of sorts that kicks off Wednesday night in Southern California at the Barker Hangar. The winner of Wednesday’s bout will be in line for a title shot facing the winner of Wednesday’s fight between Jermain Taylor and Sam Soliman, which will also be broadcasted by Espn.

A few years ago, and 8 pounds north of his current weight class, Curtis Stevens was on a path leading to nowhere fast on the world level. Stevens, known for his power in both hands, struggled mightily with the likes of Jessie Brinkley and Marcos Primera.

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ESPN Boxing Weigh-In Results

09/15/201609/30/2014 Michael Montero

Tomorrow night on a special edition of ESPN Boxing, Michael King of King Sports presents another great night of fights from Santa Monica, California. Featherweights Miguel Marriago (18-0, 16KO) and Christopher Martin (28-3-3, 9KO) open the telecast, followed by welterweights Frederick Lawson (22-0, 20KO) and Ray Narh (26-5, 21KO). The main event features an IBF middleweight title eliminator between Hassan N’Dam (30-1, 18KO) and Curtis Stevens (27-4, 20KO). Earlier this evening the fighter camps and media gathered for a brief press conference and the official weigh-ins.

Hassan N’Dam vs. Curtis Stevens, middleweights

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Abraham vs Smith: ‘That’s What Happens In Germany’

10/01/201409/29/2014 Ryan Forde-Kelly

First of all, congratulations to Paul Smith who delivered a career best performance, which he promised, on the night when it mattered the most. A monumental effort behind enemy lines, which was appreciated by every set of fully functioning eyeballs which had the joy of tuning in for what was a tremendous fight.

Isn’t it such a shame that we find ourselves on familiar ground once again, marveling at inconceivable ineptitude that points to the darker side of boxing, which has soiled its name for far too long.

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Beterbiev could be the top guy at 175

09/28/2014 Jeff Sorby

Never mind about Bernard Hopkins, Adonis Stevenson, Jean Pascal and Sergey Kovalev, the fighter that could be the best in the light heavyweight division is Artur Beterbiev (6-0, 6 KOs). After Beterbiev’s 2nd round knockout win over former IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud (24-3, 19 KOs) last night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, I think you can make an argument that Beterbiev beats all the other fighters in the light heavyweight division.

No offense to 49-year-old Hopkins, but beating Karo Murat, Cloud and Beibut Shumenov hardly makes him the best fighter in the division. He’s still pretty much the same fighter that Chad Dawson beat two years ago in 2012, only Hopkins probably isn’t even as good as he was back then.

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Abraham vs Smith: Smith’s Crowning Moment?

09/28/201409/27/2014 Ryan Forde-Kelly

On the morning of the Merseyside Derby, you would be forgiven for the thinking that an Everton away victory would be the rarest of occurrences, having not won since 1999, in this sports crazy city.

You’d be wrong.

Not since Paul Hodgkinson’s reign as WBC Featherweight Champion, between 1991-1993, has Liverpool been the home to a legitimate world champion. So, when Paul Smith faces Arthur Abraham (40-4 28KO’s) for the WBO Super-Middleweight World Title in Kiel, Germany this evening, he will aim to redress the balance and return with a title this city has been missing for far too long.

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Mayweather takes shot at Pacquiao on Twitter

09/27/201409/26/2014 Rob Smith

WBA/WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr waited two days before he unloaded on WBO Manny Pacquiao with both barrels on twitter this morning in calling him broke and desperate and in need of a payday fight against him. Mayweather also took a shot at Pacquiao’s sagging PPV numbers, which haven’t hit 1 million buys since his 6th round knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.

“Miss Pac Man is broke and desperate for a pay day. Your Pay-Per-View numbers are a joke,” Mayweather said.

Ouch, that hurt. Mayweather hitting Pacquiao where it hurts in taking a shot at his financial situation and his high interest in a fight against him. Mayweather sees Pacquiao’s sudden interest in fighting him as a sign that he’s in need of money to help his finances.

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Canelo Alvarez Signs Major Agreement with HBO Sports

09/24/201409/23/2014 Golden Boy Promotions

Golden Boy Promotions Founder Oscar de la Hoya, HBO Sports President Ken Hershman, and superstar boxer Canelo Álvarez today announced a major new agreement to showcase the fan-favorite fighter’s matches on HBO Sports.

“For all of my career, I have wanted to fight on HBO for one main reason–I believe it will allow more of my fans to see me in action,” said Álvarez (44-1-1, 31KOs). “Today marks a huge milestone for me, and I look forward to a long and successful partnership with HBO.”

Álvarez, a light-middleweight knockout artist known for his tremendous punching power, made his pro debut in 2005 at 15-years-old and quickly became one of the most popular prize fighters in the sport. His exciting fighting style and reputation for taking on all comers has captured the attention of fans all around the world.

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Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: Mayweather Promotions, Alex Ariza, Manny Pacquiao & More!!!

09/23/201409/23/2014 Vivek Wallace

Martin R. (St. Louis, MO): Alex Ariza has apparently been signed to Mayweather Promotions to be Floyd’s strength and conditioning guru. Everybody was critical of him when he was with Pacquiao. What are your thoughts now that he is with Floyd Mayweather?

Vivek (ESB): I don’t think there’s a way to defend Mayweather from the “hypocrisy” tag. Several times in the past he spoke bad about Ariza, as it relates to the possibility of him providing steroids for Pacquiao; now he’s going to use him? To many, that double-talk instantly kills credibility, and I can’t say it shouldn’t. It’s just not a good look. That being said, I can see his angle for making such a move. From my seat, this move is part strategy, part psychology. I really believe that Ariza’s presence will be a welcomed addition, when you consider that Mayweather has found this level of success without ever popping a basic vitamin! The addition of modern science could be a very intriguing element to add to his repertoire.

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