Anthony Joshua – Wladimir Klitschko: 2017’s Fight of The Year

12/29/2017 James Slater

Fight fans the world over experienced a truly special night at Wembley on April 29 of this year. There have been some great fights this year, a number of them Fight of The Year candidates – Srisaket Sor Rungvisai-Roman Gonzalez, fight-one, Badou Jack-James DeGale and Gennady Golovkin-Canelo Alvarez being real highlights from 2017 – but the heavyweight rumble has to be the pick for FOTY.

But although there was no shortage of fan interest ahead of the two-belt showdown, some people did worry the fight might prove to be a dull affair. Klitschko, in the past, had given us some less than thrilling affairs, and some fans were concerned the hype would not be matched by the actual action once the 41 year old former champ got in the ring with new star AJ. No way were such worries necessary.

Top Rank fighters talk of 2018 goals

12/29/201712/28/2017 Top Rank

Boxing enjoyed an outstanding 2017 and before the crystal ball drops in Times Square to begin an even better year, Top Rank asked some of its fighters for their New Year’s resolutions. Here are their responses:

TERENCE CRAWFORD (32-0, 23 KOs) / Two-division world champion / 2017 BWAA Fighter of the Year nominee / 2014 BWAA Fighter of the Year

“My 2018 resolutions are to win a world title at my new welterweight division, making me a three-division champion, and to open the fully renovated B&B Boxing Academy here in Omaha for all the kids in my community to enjoy.”

Anthony Joshua-Joseph Parker fight “has never been closer to reality” as the two sides agree purse split term

01/16/201812/28/2017 James Slater

It’s looking likely that we will see a three-belt heavyweight unification showdown next spring. Anthony Joshua, the WBA/IBF ruler, and Joseph Parker, the WBO champ, have arrived at a deal regarding the purse split for the fight. After weeks of haggling, the two sides have finalized the money side of things – with Parker reportedly in line to get between 30 and 35% of the cash – and the two teams are now looking to make the fight a reality for between March 31 and April 28 of next year.

“Foreman” documentary provides inspirational viewing

12/28/2017 James Slater

The George Foreman story is well known and, as is the case with Muhammad Ali, there are plenty of documentaries, books and other tributes looking back on the incredible achievements of the former two-time world heavyweight king out there. As such, fans who have not yet seen the new (released in September of this year) documentary “Foreman,” may feel the Universal Pictures release offers nothing new.

Jorge Linares says he’d stay at 135 for a Lomachenko showdown; feels it’s not a difficult fight for him

12/28/2017 James Slater

While there is a growing sense that many top fighters are, if not exactly running away from Vasyl Lomachenko, not too enthusiastic at the idea of climbing into the ring with the Ukrainian southpaw, this is not the case with Jorge Linares. The reigning WBA and Ring Magazine lightweight king, in training for his January 27 defence against Mercito Gesta, has put it out on social media that after this fight is done and dusted, he and Lomachenko can fight:

Shannon Briggs says he could be facing Tyson Fury in April

12/27/2017 Rob Smith

Heavyweight Shannon Briggs is saying he’ll be Tyson Fury’s next opponent in April when the overweight former heavyweight champion makes his return to the ring following a 2-year layoff. Briggs says he’s already been in talks for the fight with the 6’9” Fury (25-0, 18 KOs), and he’s ready to knock him out.

Vasyl Lomachenko likes the idea of fighting in a WBSS tourney: It would make it possible to win all of the belts in one big swoop

12/27/2017 James Slater

As he waits for his next fight, a big one he hopes, pound-for-pound NO.1 Vasyl Lomachenko is open to quite a few possibilities. While the southpaw sensation has posted a fan poll on his official twitter page, asking who he should fight next in fan opinion, “Hi-Tech” is also thinking about other options.

Happy Birthday Tim Witherspoon – “Terrible Tim” hits 60 today

12/27/2017 James Slater

One of the so-called “lost generation” of heavyweights, 1980s big name, and two-time titlist Tim Witherspoon hits the big 60 today. Looking far younger and having gotten out of the game in far better shape than a number of his fellow “lost generation” heavyweights – guys like Greg Page (RIP), Trevor Berbick (RIP), Tony Tucker and others who went down in depressing fashion – Witherspoon looks good, he talks well and he has his health and, if not as much as he should have, then at least some of his money.

47 years on: Sonny Liston’s death is still one big mystery

12/26/2017 James Slater

What was going on in the life of the great Sonny Liston 47 years ago this week? Was the former heavyweight king, soon to be found dead, busy taking drugs in a fit of self pity in his Las Vegas apartment, or was the (officially) 38 year old being set up for a mob hit, with dark forces rapidly closing in? Or was Liston, by Boxing Day in 1970, in fact already dead?

Naoya Inoue looking to end the year with another bang against Yoan Boyeaux – “The Monster” in action on December 30

12/26/2017 James Slater

The year is almost over and with it all boxing action of 2017. There is, though, one last big fight to be fought. Well, it’s a fight that will feature a big puncher. Japan’s reigning WBO junior-bantamweight king Naoya Inoue may be no big guy, height and weight-wise; nor is the unbeaten “Monster,” as in monster puncher, the big star he should be, but he is one huge talent.