Undefeated three-division world champion Mikey Garcia and unbeaten IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Sergey Lipinets went face-to-face for the first time Monday at a press conference in Los Angeles to discuss their main event showdown on Saturday, Feb. 10 live on SHOWTIME (10:15 p.m. ET/PT). The matchup of top-5 ranked junior welterweights will take place at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas and is presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Year: 2017
Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez explains why he turned down a fifth fight with Pacquiao; even with mega-money on offer
Despite all his other considerable ring achievements, Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez seems destined to be forever remembered mostly for his shocking, utterly stunning one-punch KO of the equally great (or greater) Manny Pacquiao.
It was in the fourth meeting between the two modern day legends when it happened: an advancing Pac Man was hit flush by a monster, perfectly timed right hand that left Pacquiao face-planted on the canvas just a second or two before the bell rang to end the sixth-round. The sudden termination to the bout, and with it the rivalry, was so shocking because the previous three encounters had all gone down to the wire, so close, debatable even as they were on the score-cards.
David Lemieux will still take something from 2017: The KO of The Year Award
He may not take too much solace from it, and in light of the very bad night he had on Saturday against the slicker than slick Billy Joe Saunders, in front of his home crowd, David Lemieux can’t be expected to – but the former champ is still on course to take something away from 2017: The KO of The Year Award.
It was back in March of this year when the former IBF middleweight king squared up with Curtis Stevens in another grudge-match. What was widely anticipated to be a war, one that either puncher may win, instead turned out to be one sweet night for Lemieux. It was in the third-round when it happened: Stevens, on the ropes and throwing a left hand, got beaten to the punch by Lemieux, who scored with a scorching left hook of his own that landed flush on Stevens’ jaw, sending him out like a light the split-second it found its home.
Amir Khan targets UK ring return in March: I think it is time
Not too long ago, reigning WBO middleweight champ Billy Joe Saunders expressed serious interest in having an all-British fight with Amir Khan. Now, in light of Saunders’ superb win and performance against David Lemieux, BJS is aiming for much bigger fights. In fact, the gifted southpaw wants a fight with either Gennady Golovkin or Canelo Alvarez; Canelo of course being the last man to have fought Khan, knocking him out in quite disturbing fashion last May.
Saunders: I’ll school Canelo and Golovkin
Billy Joe Saunders has vowed to “school” both Gennady Golovkin and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez following his master-class WBO world middleweight title victory over David Lemieux in Montreal on Saturday night. MTK Global-managed Saunders oozed class as he cruised to a dominant unanimous-decision points win over former IBF world champion Lemieux.
The Hatfield native, who is now based in Sheffield under trainer Dominic Ingle, was awarded every round on one judge’s card, 120-108, while the other officials scored the bout a lop-sided 118-110, 117-111 to make it a shutout.
Vasyl Lomachenko vs. The Super Featherweight’s Golden Era – Because Why Not?
I might be a little slow on this one, but it’s taken me two weeks of Youtube and instant replays to fully grasp the totality of Vasyl Lomachenko victory over a man formerly considered a pound-for-pound entrant.
Sure, Guillermo Rigondeaux came in with a size disadvantage. That became painfully obvious at the weigh-in. And sure, Rigondeaux was old for his profession and suffered long period of inactivity to boot – the late 30s are perilous for fighters other than Bernard Hopkins or a Klitschko brother.
The great Manny Pacquiao turns 39 today – will Pac Man fight again?
All time great and absolute slam-dunk future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao turns 39 today; an age where most fighters are happily (we hope) retired and firmly on the safe side of the ring ropes. 39 was once a seriously advanced age for a fighter, especially one who operates in the lower weight divisions, where sharp reflexes are essential. Pac Man as we know, started off his pro career scarcely weighing above 100 pounds.
Billy Joe Saunders: They [GGG and Canelo] won’t want to fight me now
![Billy Joe Saunders: They [GGG and Canelo] won't want to fight me now](https://www.boxing247.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/1-SaudersLemieux_Hoganphotos2.jpg "Photo: Billy Joe Saunders: They [GGG and Canelo] won't want to fight me now")
So what next for reigning, undefeated, WBO middleweight champ Billy Joe Saunders? With last night’s hugely impressive display in totally outclassing a dangerous David Lemieux, a fighter Saunders defused, the gifted southpaw certainly put himself in a great position. Saunders cannot be ignored by the elite of the elite any longer, and it seems the big fights with either Gennady Golovkin or Canelo Alvarez, or maybe even both, will have to come.
Exclusive Interview with Bill Hillman
Bill Hillman is a writer and a fighter from Chicago and he runs with the bulls. Exactly what is says on the tin. This man has such an infectious and unique story it is hard not to want to read what is about to unravel in front of your eyes. Without further ado this is Will Vickers and Bill Hillman deep thought with one another. Enjoy the ride!
Can you tell us about your upbringing in Chicago and how you first became involved with boxing?
Saunders beats Lemieux – Results
Billy Joe Saunders (26-0, 12 KOs) outpointed hometown hero David Lemieux (38-4, 33 KOs) to retain the WBO Middleweight World Championship in the 12-round main event of HBO World Championship Boxing at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec, Canada. Saunders, a native of the United Kingdom, outboxed Lemieux for 12 rounds from his slick southpaw stance to win via unanimous decision with scores of 120-108, 117-111, and 118-110.