Paul Smith: Not Ready to Call Time On Career Just Yet

Paul Smith: Not Ready to Call Time On Career Just Yet

Paul Smith Jr, last seen getting beaten and bloodied against Andre Ward in June, has insisted that he isn’t ready to call it a day just yet.

Smith, who has now recovered from an elbow surgery that he underwent following the catch weight loss to the Oakland fighter, moved to (35-6) with the defeat, and has blamed poor preparation for both his performance on the night as well as coming in overweight on the scales – an offence for which he was fined a considerable sum, only for Ward to return that portion of his purse as a goodwill gesture.

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Kell Brook says He’s Intent on Surpassing Mayweather’s Legacy / Delighted to Enter RING P4P at #10

Kell Brook says He's Intent on Surpassing Mayweather's Legacy / Delighted to Enter RING P4P at #10

It’s not unfair to say that yesterday’s revised RING magazine pound-for-pound list raised a few eyebrows and sparked some healthy debate across social media.

The new top ten, freshly adjusted in the wake of Floyd Mayweather’s retirement, saw the returning Andre Ward enter at #2 despite a 19 month lay-off and one routine catchweight win over an over-matched Paul Smith three months ago. It also saw dominant lineal heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko slip down 3 places to #6, sparking yet more intense debate.

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Audley Speaks: Anthony Joshua, David Haye

Audley Speaks: Anthony Joshua, David Haye

Welcome to a brand new #AudleySpeaks post. I have recently signed with new agents and I am very excited to join the ‘Champions Celebrity’ family championscelebrity.com.

We will soon roll out a brand new website www.audleyharrison.com and every few weeks, on a Thursday, I will pass comment on the latest views and news in boxing, sport and current affairs.

No subject will be off limits…if I’m passionate about a subject, expect to see my thoughts here. I want to see your comments and views, share my page and let’s get talking … use the hashtag #AudeySpeaks when commenting please..

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Frank Warren: ‘Andy Lee/Billy Joe Saunders WILL Happen Before Year’s End’

Frank Warren: 'Andy Lee/Billy Joe Saunders WILL Happen Before Year's End'

After a string of bad luck surrounding Andy Lee’s WBO 160 lb title defence against mandatory challenger Billy Joe Saunders – including two separate postponements – veteran British promoter Frank Warren has spoken out to insist that, all being well, the fight WILL happen before the end of this year.

Many theories abounded as to why the fight moved from the original September date and venue – Thomond Park in Limerick – although the official line is as a result of a virus suffered by the champion, meaning the fight was then set to top the bumper October 10 ‘World War 3’ card from Manchester, that also includes WBO lightweight champ, Terry Flanagan and Liverpool’s Liam Smith in separate world title bouts.

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Hughie Fury v Nicolai Firtha on Wladimir Klitschko/Tyson Fury Undercard

Hughie Fury v Nicolai Firtha on Wladimir Klitschko/Tyson Fury Undercard

When Tyson Fury challenges dominant lineal heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on October 24th in Germany, his 20 year old cousin Hughie (16-0, 8ko) will be on the undercard, boxing a former opponent of Tyson’s – American, Nicolai Firtha (21-11-1, 8ko).

Tyson boxed Firtha back in 2011, when he too was a heavyweight prospect (15-0), knocking the American out in 5 rounds, and there will be inevitable comparison’s when Hughie fights the Ohio native – albeit on a far bigger and grander stage than King’s Hall in Belfast, where Firtha’s first fight with a Fury took place.

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Kevin Mitchell: Hoping to Work Toward 4th World Title Tilt / Returns on December 12th in London

Kevin Mitchell: Hoping to Work Toward 4th World Title Tilt / Returns on December 12th in London

George Groves isn’t going to be the only British fighter hoping that 4th time’s a charm in world title tilts, as Dagenham’s Kevin Mitchell – set to return on December 12th against a TBA opponent – is also looking to work his way back into a similar position.

Mitchell was on the losing end of a heroic effort back in May, in a WBC 135 lb title challenge against Venezuelan champion Jorge Linares, dropping “El Nino” in the 5th round of an action packed fight, before incurring a grotesque eye injury (pictured) that impeded his vision, hitting the deck himself in the 10th and being waved off as he rose to his feet, the life drained out of him.

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James DeGale on George Groves: “It’s Funny How Things Work Out”

James DeGale on George Groves: "It's Funny How Things Work Out"

As rumours abounded on social media that George Groves may announce retirement following last Saturday’s world title challenge loss to Badou Jack, bitter rival James DeGale seems to believe it karma, saying openly it’s “funny how things work out.”

As Groves deleted his social media accounts in the wake of his Las Vegas disappointment, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist spoke to Sky’s Ringside Reaction online show, to reflect on how when his own career ‘hit the skids’ under promoter Mick Hennessy, leaving ‘Chunky’ boxing in shopping malls against less than stellar opposition, Groves was one of the first to openly mock him.

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‘Man vs Machine’: I Will Rip Into Buglioni Like a Shark says Fedor Chudinov

'Man vs Machine': I Will Rip Into Buglioni Like a Shark says Fedor Chudinov

WBA (reg) super middleweight champion Fedor Chudinov (13-0, 10ko) has promised he is going to finish Frank Buglioni when he comes to London on September 26th to defend his title, and when he’s through with that, he wants to dethrone the other key British 168 lb fighters – chief among them, IBF champion James DeGale.

Chudinov, who postponed the fight once already, has one eye on German puncher Vincent Feigenbutz, the Interim WBA champ, and thus, mandatory challenger to his title, and the fight between the two young punchers is already agreed in principle, provided the Russian gets past Buglioni – something he is extremely confident of doing.

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Eddie Hearn on Anthony Joshua: ‘You’re Not Gonna Stand Up to His Power, I Don’t Care Who You Are’

Eddie Hearn on Anthony Joshua: 'You're Not Gonna Stand Up to His Power, I Don't Care Who You Are'

After his 14th one sided victory in a row on Saturday night, which saw him pick up the Commonwealth heavyweight title, destroying Gary Cornish in 90 seconds, Anthony Joshua’s December 12th fight with fellow Londoner Dillian Whyte is well and truly on.

While many are predicting that the old rivals will put on a competitive dust-up for the fans, another element, including AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn, believe it doesn’t matter who is in front of the Olympic gold medalist, such is his raw ability and heaviness of hand, that Whyte will go the same, brutal way as those who have come before him.

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Dillian Whyte: Looking Forward to December Anthony Joshua Clash

Dillian Whyte: Looking Forward to December Anthony Joshua Clash

After both men came through their respective fights in style last night in London, new Commonwealth heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and bitter rival Dillian Whyte, are all set to square off on December 12th at the O2 Arena.

Despite nursing a shoulder injury in his 3rd round stoppage of overmatched late notice opponent Brian Minto, the unbeaten Whyte confirmed that he will be fit for AJ, and the injury will not put the brakes on the big domestic showdown that will also be for the vacant British title.

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