Month: April 2016

Anthony Joshua likely to make first IBF title defence against a US fighter in bid to crack pay-per-view market: four names in the mix

Anthony Joshua likely to make first IBF title defence against a US fighter in bid to crack pay-per-view market: four names in the mix

Anthony Joshua, and his promoter Eddie Hearn, want to crack the US market and become a genuine pay-per-view attraction. Hearn, in speaking with Boxing News, said he fully understands how it takes time to become a big name in America; the kind of name fans will readily part with cash to see fight. And as such, Hearn is likely to match the new IBF heavyweight champ against an American name in his first defence.

There are huge domestic fights out there for Joshua, with Tyson Fury and David Haye waiting in the wings, but it looks as though they will have to wait a while. Hearn, in speaking with the trade paper, said he has a few names lined up when it comes to who Joshua may fight in his maiden defence, penciled in for July 9th. It’s probable Joshua will defend in the UK, but the names Hearn mentioned are: Malik Scott, Bryant Jennings, Bermane Stiverne and Eric Molina.

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Former Anthony Joshua foe Dillian Whyte launches scathing attack on Charles Martin: He was c**p!

Former Anthony Joshua foe Dillian Whyte launches scathing attack on Charles Martin: He was c**p!

While new IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is still enjoying the plaudit’s his 2nd-round stoppage win over Charles Martin earned him on Saturday night, A.J’s critics remain. We’ve all read what heavyweight ruler Tyson Fury had to say about Joshua, both before and after his IBF title win; and former Joshua foe Dillian Whyte was also less than impressed by Joshua’s quick win.

Or, more accurately, Whyte was hugely unimpressed by the performance Martin gave inside a sold-out O2 Arena three days ago. Whyte, who craves a rematch with Joshua – having pushed the unbeaten star hard back in December – told Sky Sports he thought defending champion Martin was c**p and that he “sold his belt to Joshua.”

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Showtime boss thinks Mayweather-Pacquiao II could happen “if fans demand it”

Showtime boss thinks Mayweather-Pacquiao II could happen “if fans demand it”

Wanna see a rematch between “retired” great Floyd Mayweather and “retired” great Manny Pacquiao? If you do, and if there are enough fans around the world asking for a rematch of last May’s “Fight of The Century,” it could happen. So says Showtime boss Stephen Espinoza. In speaking with RingTV.com, Espinoza said he has spoken with Mayweather Junior recently, and that the feeling he got was that the 39-year-old would “strongly consider” giving fans any fight – including a rematch with Pacquiao – if the demand were great enough.

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Demetrius Andrade vs. Willie Nelson on June 11

Demetrius Andrade vs. Willie Nelson on June 11

NEW YORK (April 11, 2016) – An outstanding super welterweight clash has been added to SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, June 11 as undefeated, former WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Demetrius Andrade will face hard-hitting perennial contender Willie Nelson in a WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator. The winner of the 12-round co-feature will become the mandatory challenger to the winner of the May 21 showdown between Jermell Charlo and John Jackson, who face off for the vacant WBC 154-pound title on SHOWTIME.

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Floyd Mayweather Junior reportedly told Tim Bradley he had Pacquiao III fight a draw

Floyd Mayweather Junior reportedly told Tim Bradley he had Pacquiao III fight a draw

It didn’t go out live on air, nor was it recorded, but a conversation Floyd Mayweather Junior is supposed to have had with Tim Bradley this past Saturday would have been a very interesting one to have eavesdropped on. According to a piece by Wallace Matthews on ESPN.com, the retired great is supposed to have told the beaten Bradley that he had Saturday’s rubber-match between Bradley and the now retired Manny Pacquiao all even as a draw.

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Shannon Briggs confirmed to fight at Haye Day on May 21 at The O2

Shannon Briggs confirmed to fight at Haye Day on May 21 at The O2

After huge public demand, former two-time world heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs has been confirmed to fight at Haye Day on May 21 at The O2, with the view to a battle David Haye later in the year if they are both victorious.

Nicknamed ‘The Cannon’, Briggs brings a wealth of experience with a record of 59 wins (52KO’s) 6 loses. Briggs has been actively pursuing a fight with The Hayemaker for a number of months but will have to overcome his Haye Day opponent in order to challenge the former two-weight world champion.

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Anthony Joshua: I want to maintain this for a decade

Anthony Joshua: I want to maintain this for a decade

While newly crowned IBF champ Anthony Joshua says it’s “cool” to have won his first world title, the unbeaten heavyweight star – already a household name in the UK and closing in on international stardom – insists there is far, far more to come. In fact, the 26-year-old (young for a heavyweight, especially these days) says he wants to fight at the highest level for a further decade; until he turns 35.

Speaking with The Telegraph, A.J said he thinks he will be capable of unifying the heavyweight crown “by the end of 2017.”

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Pacquiao vs Bradley 3 Recap: Is Manny Pacquiao really retired? (VIDEO)

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More than eleven months after suffering a one-sided loss at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr, Manny Pacquiao finally made his return to the squared circle – and it was against familiar foe, Timothy Bradley, who battled it out with the Filipino sensation in their rubber match this past Saturday. Pacquiao knocked Bradley down in round 7 and again in round 9, before ultimately being awarded a unanimous decision victory where all three official judges scored the contest 116-110 in favor of Manny Pacquiao. The performance was on par with the best Pacquiao has looked since suffering a devastating KO loss at the hands of long time nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez back in late 2012.

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Is Gilberto Ramirez the man to give Gennady Golovkin a fight; maybe beat him?

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Mexico’s Gilberto Ramirez made boxing history this past Saturday night, as he became the first fighter from his country to win a world super-middleweight title. The unbeaten 24-year-old shut-out tough old warrior Arthur Abraham over 12-rounds on the Pac-Man-Bradley card in Las Vegas. A fine talent who had been groomed for championship level and for stardom, the tall, 6’2.5”, southpaw improved to 34-0(24) and he stated after his commanding win how he is open to fighting “anybody” in the near future.

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Pacman & Money – Two Too Good to Retire

Pacman & Money - Two Too Good to Retire

For purely selfish reasons, boxing fans lament, “say it ain’t so” to Manny “Pac man” Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38KO) and Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Jr. (49-0-0, 26KO). They are two fighters, who should remain at the top of the P4P lists. There is a problem, though. Money wisely continues with his desire to be in control. In other words, as he explains, he wants it to be his decision to retire, rather than have adverse effects of the brutal game dictate when it’s time to retire.

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