Gennady Golovkin: Now What?

02/03/2014 Chip Mitchell

On Saturday in Monte Carlo, Monaco Gennady Golovkin scored his 16th knockout in a row by defeating a very game Osumanu Adama. Golovkin registered three knockdowns in fight as he improved to 29-0, with 26 wins via knockout.

A jab sent Adama to the canvas at the end of round one. The right hand that followed was just icing on the cake as Adama was on his way to the canvas. A left hook knocked Adama down in the sixth, forcing an eight count from referee Luis Pabon. Adama went down again from a Golovkin a left jab in the seventh. Golovkin followed with two left hooks, which prompted Pabon to step in and halt the fight.

After the fight, Golovkin made it known where his sights were set. ”I want to fight Sergio Martinez to prove who the best middleweight is,” Golovkin said.

continue

By offering Fans to decide, Mayweather Jr. might rob Amir Khan of his confidence

02/03/2014 Vitali Shaposhnikov

“I’m going to let the fans vote. Tell me who I should fight next. Khan or Maidana?,” posted Floyd Mayweather Jr. on his Instagram page, with the pictures of both possible opponents side by side.

This is certainly a curve ball from Mayweather Jr., and even if it turns out to be nothing but a joke, it can still send a very destructive message to either fighter, with Amir Khan more likely to be affected by it.

Since reading about his humble offer, I started looking around trying to find any and all online polls and discussions on the subject. While I wouldn’t say that I am shocked by what I am seeing, the fact that there are so many more people interested in having Mayweather Jr. give Maidana a shot, than to see Floyd face Khan, is at the least curiosity arousing.

continue

Osumanu Adama won’t give up on world title dream

02/03/201402/03/2014 Prince Dornu-Leiku

He may have lost a second world title fight in two years but Ghana’s Osumanu Adama insists all is not lost and he can still realise the childhood dream of becoming a boxing world champion.

Adama,now 22-4, 16 KOs suffered the most annihilating defeat of his 12 year professional career last Saturday night in Monte Carlo following a round 7 technical knockout loss to IBO and WBA Super Middleweight king, Gennady Golovkin.
It was also the first time the Ghanaian nicknamed Machine Gun has ever been stopped in the ring but Adama remains unfazed, steadfastly maintaining his belief of claiming world championship glory before he retires.

“It was a disappointing loss but I will be back and I know I can get a world title shot again, I have agood feeling it will happen. I lost but it’s not the end of the world, I can still become world champion. I have to fulfill my dream,” Adama told this writer exclusively from his Joliet, Chicago base early Monday morning.

continue

Floyd Mayweather Junior asks his fans who he should fight next: Khan or Maidana

02/03/2014 James Slater

Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Junior didn’t do as was widely expected and use the platform of the always huge Super bowl weekend to announce who his next fight would be; instead Mayweather took to his Twitter account and asked his fans do do the choosing of his next opponent for him. But fans have just two names to choose from: Britain’s Amir Khna and Argentina’s Marcos Maidana.

“I’m going to let the fans vote,” wrote Mayweather. “Tell me who I should fight next. Khan or Maidana?”

It’s a pity Mayweather’s list has just two fighters on it – just think how many votes Floyd would receive if Manny Pacquiao was on the list! But as it is, it’s almost guaranteed, in my opinion anyway, that the lion’s share of the fans vote for Maidana. Ever since the possibility of Mayweather facing Khan was brought up, fans everywhere have complained of the fight being “an obvious mis-match,” or “an easy pay day for Floyd.” It’s a no-brainer that these same fans will now ask for Mayweather to get it on with the dangerous if somewhat crude at times Maidana.

continue

Virgil Hunting for Trainer of the Year

02/01/2014 Rudy Mondragon

Virgil Hunter began his career as a boxing trainer by coaching youth from probation centers. In order to grow as a trainer, Hunter sought the mentorship of trainers like Bobby Warren, Jimmie Simmons, Charlie Smith, and Tiger Floyd. He has associated himself with the likes of Barry Hunter, Leon Lawson, Tony Morrison, Kevin Cunningham, and Nazim Richardson. Virgil’s growth as a trainer first became evident to me based on the rise of his star fighter, Andre Ward. Virgil’s work with Ward have helped put his name on the map. As a result, Virgil has became the hunted trainer as three big names in boxing have solicited his services in the last 2 years.

This is all important when you think about being at the right place at the right time. However, in the case of Virgil Hunter, that cliche is too simple to describe a man who has worked hard to put himself in the right place at a crucial time in his career. The three boxers are Amir Khan, Alfredo Angulo, and Andre Berto. The first two hired Virgil in the fall of 2012 while the latter hired him in June of 2013. These three, along with Andre Ward are the key ingredients that can elevate Virgil Hunter to 2014 Trainer of the Year.

continue

Is Top Rank moving Mikey Garcia too quick for a fight with Manny Pacquiao?

01/31/201401/31/2014 Chris Carlson

Much has been said of late about the plans laid out by Top Rank C.E.O. Bob Arum for Mikey Garcia’s in 2014. All signs point to Yuriorkis Gamboa as the next opponent for Mikey on May 17 according to widely reported stories from Bob Arum and just today 50 cent was on twitter saying it’s basically a done deal.

With Gamboa’s recognizable name in and around the featherweight and lightweight divisions it makes a lot sense.

It doesn’t hurt that the two fighters have been going toe to toe for a while now on twitter which will only help the hype in the lead up for this much talked about matchup.

Another interesting element is that Gamboa can match Garcia in skill and will certainly have the speed advantage come fight night.

continue

Collazo Paid his dues, Cashes in at Barclay’s Center

02/01/201401/31/2014 George Goddiess

Eighteen months off for Victor Ortiz resulted in just below six minutes in the ring as he was shocked by a right hook from Luis Collazo. Tonight was all about Victor Ortiz who for awhile was being pushed along by Golden Boy Promotions as the next possible star and after a bumpy road this may be the final set back. Ortiz in the prefight hype claimed he never really left the gym despite having a badly broken jaw and that his physique should show it. Well Ortiz looked to be in great shape but he came out tight in the first round and was wide with his shots. He won the first round and was aggressive. His lead hand work was pretty good as his jab and right hook appeared to be on point. Luis Collazo fought a relaxed and intelligent fight looking to set up the left hand in the first round. The second round became interesting as both men traded left hands early in the round.

continue

Freddie Roach says his former charge Amir Khan can upset Mayweather!

01/30/2014 James Slater

The fight has still not been announced as official yet, but most boxing people seem to think superstar Floyd Mayweather Junior WILL do as expected and next fight British star Amir Khan. Boxing fans are waiting patiently for Mayweather’s announcement, and maybe over the Super Bowl weekend, Floyd will put an end to any and all speculation.

But one man has a very good idea of what will transpire in the ring if Mayweather does indeed fight Khan on May 3rd: Khan’s former trainer Freddie Roach. Roach was a guest on Sky Sports’ Ringside: Toe to Toe podcast this week and he said he feels his former pupil can cause the shock and upset Mayweather “if he fights the correct fight.”

continue

Styles Clash: Miguel Cotto vs. Sergio Martinez on June 7, 2014 at MSG

01/29/2014 Vitali Shaposhnikov

We all know that Miguel Cotto (38-4-0) is a fan of fighting at the Madison Square Garden in New York. Maybe it’s because he feels that he has a much bigger following and support there than anywhere else, or maybe it’s because out of the ten times that he had fought in New York, he came out a winner nine times.

Come June 7th, Cotto will be facing his toughest MSG opponent yet: Sergio Martinez (51-2-2).

Miguel Cotto is a fighter before a boxer, at least in the way he prefers to press the action. Never backing down and never leaving any room for anyone to question his heart, Cotto is a fan of middle ring action.

continue

Juan Manuel Lopez-Daniel Ponce De Leon to clash in rematch on Garcia-Herrera card in Puerto Rico

01/29/2014 James Slater

A very interesting and potentially explosive card is all set to go down in Puerto Rico on March 15th. Topping the bill will be light-welterweight champ Danny Garcia, defending his Ring Magazine and WBA/WBC 140-pound belts against tough Mexican Mauricio Herrera. Also on the card will be the heavyweight meeting between puncher Deontay Wilder and boxer Malik Scott.

Both these fights intrigue, yet the third fight confirmed for the card caught my eye. Remember back in the summer of 2008, when an unbeaten 25-year-old “Juanma” Lopez blasted onto the world stage with a bang in the form of a 1st-round KO over Mexico’s Daniel Ponce De Leon? Lopez of Puerto Rico snatched the WBO super-bantamweight belt with the win and superstardom seemed to be in his future. Things didn’t quite work out that way for the southpaw slugger, even if he did thrill millions of fans in his subsequent fights.

continue