If the road to the top in any sport is beset with challenges and hard physical graft, then boxing must rank amongst the toughest. But despite the obstacles to greatness, boxing continues to make people rich and famous, just as surely as it leaves most fighters with questionable futures. In general terms, boxing is the oldest and most maligned sport in the world today, but that doesn’t stop the support, and it certainly doesn’t stop the money. Most eyes used to be on the Heavyweights – the blue ribbon event – but a continued dominance since the Klitschko brothers gained the titles in…erm… 1694, has brought attention to the other weights, culminating in the Mayweather deal; which still beggars belief in most third world countries and gives promoters across the USA cold sweats on dark nights. Floyd is a boxing freak though, a supreme talent, and a fighter like him only comes along once every 25 years. We owe it to ourselves to make the best of the time he’s giving us in the ring. But, like the saying goes “Make hay while the sun shines” and that sun is dipping low on Floyd no matter how hard we want to tell ourselves it’s not true.
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Adonis Stevenson – Fighter Of The Year for 2013?
Even though there is exactly one month left in 2013, I think tonight is the right time to give serious consideration to the person who should be recognized as the fighter of the year for 2013. I’ll give you a clue about the person I have in mind for 2013’s Fighter Of The Year – he just knocked out the #1 contender in the light-heavyweight division, Tony Bellew. Tonight’s boxing main event on American premium cable and satellite television network, HBO, [or last night, depending on what time zone in which you viewed the fight] showcased the prime candidate for the 2013 Fighter Of The Year. Poor Tony Bellew didn’t know what hit him. Was it a bird? Was it a plane?
No – it was Adonis ‘Superman’ Stevenson, the World Boxing Council (WBC), Ring Magazine and universally recognized Light-heavyweight Champion. Tony Bellew won a world title-eliminator earlier this year to become Adonis Stevenson’s mandatory challenger.
Froch seems to be leaning towards career finale in Vegas, Groves says he’d stop Froch in six-rounds in a rematch
The fallout over last weekend’s epic yet controversial Carl Froch-George Groves fight continues. Amid reported death threats aimed at referee Howard Foster – who, as if you didn’t know, halted the fight in the 9th-round, instantly coming under fire from just about everybody, the feeling being that he halted the action prematurely – fans continue to talk about a possible rematch between the two British rivals.
Fans also continue to either praise Groves and have a go at Froch, or, is some cases, praise both fighters. But you will be hard pressed to find anyone who is entirely satisfied with what went down in Manchester last Saturday. The only way to end the controversy, the thinking goes, is to get Froch and Groves back in the ring ASAP. But it’s almost never that simple in boxing.
Mundine All Class in Stoppage Victory over Mosley
Anthony ‘The Man’ Mundine (45-5, 27 KOs) was in full flight in his six round stoppage victory over future hall of famer ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley (47-9-1, 39 KOs) at the AllPhones Arena in Sydney, Australia last night.
In the 50th fight of his career and having long sought to fight a marquee name in the sport, it was clear from the opening bell the 38 year old Australian was out to put on a performance to get the boxing world’s attention.
Mundine possessed a significant size advantage, with his six centimetre height advantage to Mosley looking quite imposing. Upon commencement, Mundine took the centre of the ring and was looking to stalk Mosley.
Left-Hook Lounge: Pacquiao that “Great” or Rios that “Bad”?, Is Pacquiao a Threat to Mayweather?, Froch “Gift” Victory?
Alain B. (Cebu, Philippines): In the past you said that Pacquiao would give Mayweather a good run for him money. After seeing this performance, would you still say that he is a threat to Mayweather?
Vivek W. (ESB): From day one, I’ve maintained that Pacquiao’s offense would be a great threat to Mayweather, and that his ability to pepper the opponent with power shots would be a threat to anyone in the sport, and yes….that does include Floyd Mayweather. His offense was never a question. The only question about Pacquiao was his ability to handle punches. Now that we know he can, without doubt, he remains a threat to Floyd Mayweather and everyone else. Now…..that being said…..when you peel back the layers of excitement and fanboy-isms attached to this potential showdown and see it for what it is, I don’t think anyone thinking clearly can tell me that Pacquiao is the lock to win that fight.
And so we go down that road again…talks begin anew for Mayweather Vs. Pacquiao
I can hear the groans from some fight fans already, those who have suffered enough over the games both sides have played with regards to thus far putting the stumbling blocks on making the fight the whole world (still) wants to see: Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao.
No sooner had Pac-Man put a beat down on a game but outclassed Brandon Rios, did promoter Bob Arum and Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach begin banging the drum (again) for a Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown. Arum told AFP that the fight can finally be made because “where there is a will there is a way.”
Roach went further in hyping the would be fight, stating how he believes his fighter will “overwhelm” Mayweather should the two superstars get it on.
Manny Pacquiao Outclasses Rios in Macau
The first round of the fight was a very interesting round as Pacquiao attempted to shake off the cobwebs that have developed after such a long layoff. Brandon Rios fought the first round very tactically and more measured than usual. He did not come barreling in and was really doing his best to establish his jab.
McCreedy and Traietti Are Victorious
“Irish” Joey McCreedy from Lowell, Massachusetts improved his record to 15-6-2, 6KOs with an a six round unanimous decision victory over Steven Tyner who dropped to 3-13-2, 2KOs. McCreedy received all three scorecards, 60-54, 60-54 and 59-55 in this light heavyweight matchup. He controlled the fight by outworking and out landing Tyner. He pressed the action and had Tyner backing up for most of the fight. Tyner had an effective jab but he couldn’t get any other sustainable offense going. McCreedy has won two in a row.
“Royale Rumble” at the Royale Nightclub in Boston, Massachusetts was presented by Big Six Entertainment.
Iraq War Veteran, Chris Traietti scored a third round technical knockout win over Randy “The Rattler” Campbell when Campbell`s corner ended the fight before the start of the fourth round, as Campbell appeared to have a broken nose and was taking a great deal of punishment.
The Heroism Of George Groves
George Groves put in a performance against Carl Froch at the Manchester Phones4U Arena that will go down in boxing history as one of the most heroic, courageous, and audacious ever seen in the ring. All the way through the build up to the fight, Carl Froch had talked like a man who was going to roll over George Groves like a juggernaut, rattled by the younger man’s extraordinary confidence and belief.
Yet when they entered the ring it was Groves who appeared calm and focused, while the champion appeared agitated, nervous even. You sensed then that this was going to be special.
Groves told us he was going to come out and take the centre of the ring and he did exactly that, beating Froch to the jab again and again and countering with a right hand that soon began to find the mark. When sensationally he put the champion down with ten seconds left of the first round, it looked all but over.
Manfredo KOs Gingras in the 8th Round and Obtains His 40th Victory
The former International Boxing Organization and North America Boxing Federation Champion, Peter “The Pride of Providence” Manfredo, Jr. scored an eight round technical knockout victory over Richard Gingras, as referee, Joey Lupino stopped the bout with 1:33 left in the round after Manfredo landed more than ten powerful unanswered shots on Gingras who was stumbling towards the ropes and on the verge of being stopped.
“This was a great victory for me tonight because I earned my 40th win which not a lot of fighters achieve in their pro career, but more importantly, I was able to dedicate this victory to my close friend, light welterweight boxer, Gary Balleto who`s paralyzed from the waist down from an accident he suffered in July,” said Manfredo, Jr.
The fight card event entitled “Pride and Power” was sponsored by Jimmy Burchfield`s Classic Entertainment and Sports at the Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
This was a great all out action packed first four rounds where both orthodox super middleweight pugilists had their momentums and landed strong punches on the other fighter. Manfredo had the slight edge in the first two rounds before Gingras stunned Manfredo in the third round with a right hook that had him in significant trouble. He pinned Manfredo on the ropes and landed several powerful shots, yet Manfredo escaped the round.