Khan in safe hands

05/29/201505/29/2015 Ryan Forde-Kelly

A good strategy is best judged by the long-term results it delivers in any form of business, boxing is no different. A solid plan can be the difference between the maximization of a fighters talents or future theoretical discussions of what might have been.

So, when Virgil Hunter spoke at Tuesday’s final press conference ahead of tonight’s clash between his improving charge Amir Khan, 30-3 (19KO’s), and New York native Chris Algieri, 20-1 (8KO’s), we would do well to listen.

“Strategy, always strategy. Success in life comes from strategy.” Proclaimed Hunter.

Frampton : The Latest To Thank Al Haymon

05/29/2015 Olly Campbell

Very interesting news that came out of the UK last night following this tweet from IBF 122lb champion Carl Frampton.

“My team and I have teamed up with the most powerful man in boxing, Al Haymon.”

Immediately, all the nay-sayers on social media rejoicing that the Tiger’s Bay man had rid himself of former featherweight legend Barry McGuigan – who they believe the responsible party for negotiations with Eddie Hearn and Scott Quigg turning sour – were silenced, when it was announced McGuigan was staying on as manager.

Khan vs. Algieri: King Kong or King of the Con?

05/29/2015 Chris Carlson

Amir Khan and Chris Algieri meet in a game of high-speed chess not checkers in front of a Brooklyn based crowd at the Barclays Center on Spike this Friday night. Khan’s been busy the last few years lining up his ducks in a row in order to land a major fight. Can Algieri pull another rabbit out of his hat the way he did versus Ruslan Provodnikov about a year ago. The co-feature pits the explosive Javier Fortuna against a steady-rising Bryan Vazquez in a matchup that should start the broadcast out with a bang.

Nearly 3 years ago Amir Khan was ready to face Lamont Peterson in a rematch from a close bout. As fate would have it Lamont Peterson failed a random drug test after not informing the agency he’d implanted a testosterone pill in his hip the previous winter before their first meeting. In walks Danny Garcia for a July showdown with the highest of high stakes awaiting Amir in victory in the form of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.

Malignaggi – ‘Stylistically This Fight Doesn’t Favour Chris Algieri’ / Khan v Algieri

05/29/2015 Olly Campbell

Tonight in New York from the Barclays Center, Amir Khan squares off against light hitting Chris Algieri in a much criticised fight that has brought considerable pressure on Khan from ALL corners – particularly the fans – who have bombarded his twitter feed over recent days and weeks to let him know exactly how they feel about this fight – which is largely seen as meaningless.

Kugan Cassius spoke to former 2 weight champ Paulie Malignaggi for iFLtv ahead of the fight to discuss his own thoughts on the contest.

The New Yorker – who was due to box on the card before sustaining a cut in training – is in the UK for Sky Sports punditry duties ahead of tomorrows Brook v Gavin card from London and essentially agrees with the fans, albeit it a little more respectfully than some of the tweets I’ve seen.

Miguel Cotto Media Day Quotes

05/29/201505/28/2015 HBO Boxing

Los Angeles (May 28, 2015) – Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KO’s), the reigning WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion and the first native of Puerto Rico to become world champion in four different weight classes, will defend his titles against former Two-Time World Champion Daniel Geale (31-3, 16 KO’s) of Australia on June 6, 2015 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn in a 12-round fight that will be televised live on HBO. Cotto hosted a Los Angeles media workout Tuesday afternoon at Wild Card Boxing Club in preparation for his title defense against Geale.

Here’s what Cotto and his trainer, Freddie Roach, had to say:

Miguel Cotto – WBC & Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion

Cotto Will Stop Geale Says Freddie Roach

05/29/201505/28/2015 Olly Campbell

Ahead of his fighter’s June 6th defence of the WBC 160lb belt he won last year against an injured Sergio Martinez – Freddie Roach has spoken to fighthype.com regarding the outcome of the catchweight contest between Miguel Cotto & Daniel Geale – predicting that despite the significant height, reach and rehydration weight advantages the Aussie is going to have – his man can stop the former 3x world champion in the 8th or 9th rounds.

There has been fierce media criticism of Cotto for seemingly refusing to fight mandatory challenger – Kazakh wrecking machine Gennady Golovkin – yet Roach claims it was he who picked Geale as the opponent for Cotto and thus, surely accepts part of the responsibility?

He said;

Kell Brook – ‘It’s Gonna Be All Action From Me’

05/29/201505/28/2015 Olly Campbell

Sheffield’s IBF 147lb champion Kell Brook has spoken out at today’s presser to promote his headline title defence against Frankie Gavin on Saturday’s ‘Rule Britannia’ card promising that he is ready, in shape and intending to look good when he steps out under the bright lights of London’s O2 Arena.

Brook, who destroyed mandatory challenger Jo Jo Dan in style back in February, has tweeted previously that he can see this one ending inside 3 rounds – yet whatever ends up happening in the ring against the former world amateur champion – he is promising that he has come to fight on Saturday.

“It’ll be all action from me. It’s a Box Office card and all these fans (are) coming out, so I’m expecting Frankie Gavin to give the fans what they want – and that’s an all action fight.”

Kevin Mitchell Credits Matchroom For Resurgence / Focused On Linares

05/29/201505/28/2015 Olly Campbell

For many, Dagenham lightweight Kevin Mitchell is one of the most likable characters in British boxing – and at times has been one of the most frustrating to follow the career of – notably in his two crushing defeats to Michael Katsidis at Frank Warren’s massive Upton Park show in 2010 and then again in his second heavy loss to Scotland’s Ricky Burns in 2012 which was ostensibly the end of him at the time.

It’s been well documented that a party lifestyle and the distractions of both fame and money were responsible for the past hiccups in a stop-start career – that has enjoyed a resurgence under promoter Eddie Hearn and trainer Tony Sims – and it culminates Saturday in his challenge to dangerous Venezuelan WBC champion, Jorge Linares.

Khan vs. Algieri – A Must KO Win For Khan

05/29/201505/28/2015 Ivan Ivanov

The fight will take place on May 29 at the Barclays center, a high capacity indoor arena in Brooklyn, NY. Usually boxers need excuses why they do not take a certain fight but Amir Khan (30-3) has been trying to justify his choice and has offered excuses why he should fight Christopher Algieri (20-1). The British boxer can gain credibility only from a stoppage win over this opponent even though Algieri went the distance with Pacquiao and holds a win, albeit a controversial SD, over rough and tumble Ruslan Provodnikov.

Chris Algieri is a little taller and his reach is a little longer but he lacks in experience and skill compared to Khan. In fact he lacks in experience compared to any high-level boxer. Khan is an Olympic silver medalist and his transition to the paid ranks was not seamless but he has more fights than Algieri, a journeyman with little if any amateur experience. The American has been floored 8 times in his last two fights and it would take a stretch of imagination to conjure up a winning path for him in this fight.

‘Rule Britannia’ : Best UK Card In Years Being Mis-Sold / Preview & Predictions

05/27/2015 Olly Campbell

As boxing fans – be it writers, ticket buyers or the fighters themselves, we are all interested in good, solid, competitive and meaningful fights – as often as is humanly possible – preferably as part of our normal Sky package, terrestrial TV or even on a specific subscription fight channel like Boxnation – who provide the very best international content from America and beyond, week in, week out.

After a barrage of criticism over the quality of their ‘regular’ domestic cards and the decision to make ANY card of championship quality a PPV – I’m beginning to wonder just how well the buy rate is doing for this Saturday’s ‘Rule Brittannia’ show from London’s O2 – that in my eyes, is one of the very best British fight cards in a good long while.