Month: September 2013

Oscar De La Hoya making a lot of pre-fight predictions ahead of “The One!”

dela hoya12It’s always both very interesting and a great honour being a call in participant whenever a big fight is preceded by a teleconference; especially an international one ahead of a massive, massive fight such as the fast approaching Floyd Mayweather-Saul Canelo Alvarez clash. Yesterday, with big name scribes such as Dan Rafael and Lem Satterfield asking Canelo and Oscar De La Hoya questions regarding “The One,” it was hugely exciting being on the line.

I listened to the ESPN.com scribe ask his questions, along with writers for USA Today, Ring Magazine and other instantly recognisable publications, and the thing that struck me most, well actually there were two things – they were: Canelo’s amazing maturity and quiet self confidence, and Oscar De La Hoya’s bold pre-fight predictions.

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Mayweather Jr. vs. Alvarez is 10 Days Away… The anticipation Grows

canelo99Today we are 10 days away from one of the best boxing cards we have seen in a long time. Floyd Mayweather Jr. will of course be the main attraction, squaring off against a young unbeaten Mexican hope, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

As we get closer to that moment when both fighters cross the ropes at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, boxing fans produce more and more predictions and explanations to their thoughts on the probable result of the fight.

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Up Close And Personal With Returning Champ Mark Prince

MarkPrince2780 Photo by Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro – A few weeks ago it was announced that former WBO and IBF Inter-Continental Light Heavyweight Champion, and World title challenger, Mark Prince is set to make his return to competitive action, on the Dave Murphy Acourtier Events promoted ‘NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS’ at York Hall, in London, on Friday 4th October.

Earlier this week I was lucky enough to catch up with the man known simply as ‘The Prince’, but before we get the interview I think a bit of scene setting would be in order, for those that have not had the pleasure of seeing Mark in action the first time around, with an abridged version of Mark’s excellent career.

On the 4th April 1993, Mark made short work of his first pro opponent, Birmingham’s Bobby Mack, by stopping him in the second round, early baths followed for both his next pair of opponents, John Kaighin and Art Stacey, Kaighin only made it to the third and Mark knocked out Stacey in the second.

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Chris Arreola, Seth Mitchell Confident, Ready To Go At It Saturday On SHOWTIME

arreola56445NEW YORK (Sept. 3, 2013) – Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola calls it a “must-win” and may retire if he loses. Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell calls it “do-or-die” and a “crossroads fight for both of us.”

This Saturday, Sept. 7, former world title challenger Arreola (35-3, 30 KO’s), of Riverside, Calif., meets former college football star Mitchell (26-1-1, 19 KO’s), of Brandywine, Md., in a 12-rounder for the WBC Silver Championship in a battle of world-ranked heavyweights on SHOWTIME BOXING: Special Edition live on SHOWTIME® immediately following ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Canelo Episode 3 Premiere which begins at 10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast

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Is Canelo a Real Threat to Floyd?

canelo931205The build up for this fight is typical of most recent Mayweather fights. Floyd is his normal boastful self, and on the other side is an opponent claiming to be hungry and set to take away Floyd’s “0”. We have heard this exact same script before, most recently prior to Mayweather dominating Robert Guerrero earlier this year. And the fan reactions are as typical as the script itself. Mayweather’s fans/supporters brag that there is no blueprint to beat Floyd, and that he can easily adapt to any style. Mayweather’s detractors/haters (along with Canelo’s fans/supporters) are hopeful for Floyd’s demise, and some still accuse him of ducking Pacquiao in the past. Most others who find themselves in between those two extremes rightly favor the P4P king for the win. Money May has proven himself time and time again against all kinds of boxers with all sorts of styles. Why should this be different? The common expectation is the same as always, that Mayweather outclasses Alvarez and cruises to an easy or fairly easy victory on the cards. Maybe Mayweather could even stop him.

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Will Canelo Alvarez be “The One” to finally defeat Floyd Mayweather?

canelo00LAS VEGAS (September 3, 2013) – If Canelo Alvarez is awestruck by the prospect of trying to do something that no one else has done – defeat pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather – he doesn’t show it.

Canelo maintained the same cool, calm expression throughout a nine-city press tour to promote “THE ONE: Mayweather vs. Canelo” – the highly anticipated, super welterweight world championship pay-per-view showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 14. It was the look of a man who is never hurried and never worried. All business.

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Floyd Mayweather, Saul Alvarez and the double standards of the boxing industry

009MayweatherandCaneloIMG_0090Fight night is approaching, the tension in both camps is building up and the masks are falling. It’s time for mind games and a little psychological warfare. It will probably be a close fight most of the time and the judges scoring the points will be the main factor. This time Floyd may not benefit from the politics if it comes to that. So far he has been greatly privileged as far as point scoring is concerned. The best example of that would be his first fight with Jose Luis Castillo when Mayweather won by UD but was out landed 176:66 in the power punch department and 203:157 in total punches. Boxing isn’t about counting punches (tell that to Castillo) but when one of the boxers out-lands his opponent almost 3 to 1, questions and doubt will linger the outcome forever. Floyd was the beneficiary of a “political” decision when he was a rising prospect loaded with expectations.

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Frank Warren, Bill Ives and Queensberry Promotions announce formation of new super-promotional venture

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It was announced today that Frank Warren, Britain’s leading boxing promoter, his sons George and Francis’ company Queensberry Promotions and Bill Ives, one of Britain’s leading businessmen, have signed an exclusive agreement to create a powerful, new, promotional organisation.  The combination of the promotional powerhouse that is Frank Warren and the business acumen and financial investment of steel tycoon Bill Ives is designed to take boxing promotion in the UK to a new level. 

Mr. Warren, an inductee in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, has been responsible for promoting many of the world’s best boxers and their highest profile contests.  Mr. Ives is the Chairman and principal of Rainham Steel, the UK’s foremost independent steel stockholder. He regularly features in the Sunday Times Rich List as one of the country’s most successful businessmen.

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Ray Beltran ready for Ricky Burns

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This Saturday afternoon Ray Beltran (28-6, 17 KO’s) will take on Ricky Burns for Burns’ WBO Lightweight championship on AWE & www.awetv.com beginning at 3pm eastern time.

To say Beltran earned this opportunity is an understatement as the native of Phoenix, Arizona via Los Mochis, Mexico has had to fight his way to this opportunity.

Beltran turned pro in 1999 took some losses early in his career but he was determined to realize his dream of becoming a world champion. 

Beltran who lost a controversial decision to Sharif Bogere and a close loss to undefeated Luis Ramos Jr. before a magical three fight run where he defeated Number-one ranked contender Henry Lundy, former world title challenger Ji-Hoon Kim and Alejandro Rodriguez that catapulted him into this opportunity.

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Teddy & Tyson – A Few Words and a Hug

Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight champ of the world, who now is a boxing promoter, showed up ringside for ESPN’s season finale of Friday Night Fights. Iron Mike took the opportunity to make peace with Teddy Atlas. He said he was sorry for what he did years ago. Apparently, he was referring to a well-publicized incident that occurred years ago. Allegedly, it involved Tyson’s crude behavior toward a young girl related to Teddy’s wife. Tyson, after expressing his sorrow, then hugged Teddy. All is well. It was a release for Tyson, who constantly struggles to turn the corner on his recovery.

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