Kathy Duva: Welcome everyone to the Sergey Kovalev vs. Igor Mikhalkin and Dmitry Bivol vs. Sullivan Barrera international media conference call. This is Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events. I just want to, on a personal note, tell everybody it’s great to have you back after these few months. This is a long cold winter. Happy to be able to get back into action.
Month: February 2018
“Puncher Of The Century” Earnie Shavers to be enshrined in The Las Vegas Boxing Hall of Fame in August
The names have been announced for this year’s Las Vegas Boxing Hall Of Fame; with greats including “Sugar” Shane Mosley, Kevin Kelley, Laila Ali and Earnie Shavers set to be enshrined in the month of August. There are a number of legends set to be posthumously inducted; including Aaron Pryor and Henry Armstrong, along with trainer Bill Miller (the man the great James Toney says is THE finest boxing trainer who ever lived).
Kelly Pavlik: He came close to greatness
A decade ago, Kelly Pavlik was the undefeated middleweight champion of the world – and seemingly set for greatness. An incredibly heavy-handed warrior with a fierce fighting heart, a solid amateur background and a trusted team behind him, “The Ghost” as Pavlik was known (the nickname given to him when, as an amateur, he was so hard to hit), changed his style considerably in the pro ranks.
Could George Groves have beaten Chris Eubank Senior?
It’s far from certain that George Groves will defeat Chris Eubank Junior in tomorrow night’s fascinating, 50/50 showdown that will see the winner both emerge as the WBA 168 pound champion (Groves currently the holder of the belt) and as a finalist in the WBSS tournament. Fans, here in the UK especially, are about as split down the middles as could be imagined; with any good case for a Groves win being matched by an equally good and convincing argument that Eubank Jr. will get the win.
Danny Garcia and Brandon Rios final press conference videos, quotes
Two-division world champion Danny Garcia and former world champion Brandon Rios faced off Thursday at the final press conference for their WBC Welterweight World Title Eliminator this Saturday, February 17live on SHOWTIME from Mandalay Bay Events Center, and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Garcia, who returns for his first bout since a unification showdown with Keith Thurman, promised to put on a show, while a confident Rios assured he was 100 percent prepared for what he deemed a “make or break” fight.
Groves beats Eubank Jr. predicts Callum Smith
Callum Smith’s prediction: Groves on points after a few rocky moments
Callum Smith believes he will face George Groves in the final for the Muhammad Ali Trophy.
“Groves-Eubank is a good fight, a very good one. The winner will become an even bigger name after the weekend,” said Smith.
The ten greatest super-middleweight champions ever, according to the WBC
Who was the greatest ever 168 pound, or super-middleweight, champion? Most fans may say Roy Jones Junior, others Andre Ward. While others still may say Joe Calzaghe deserves the distinction, or maybe Sugar Ray Leonard. Well, the WBC has just listed its ten greatest super-middleweight champions: the Top-10 finest 168 pounders to have worn the illustrious green belt.
Like with all lists of this kind, no way will everyone be happy, but here is the WBC Top-10:
February 15 in the late ’70s: One heavyweight career begins and another appears to be over – Spinks-Ali, Gerry Cooney
It was forty years ago today when massive underdog Leon Spinks upset The Greatest, in defeating Muhammad Ali to take the world heavyweight crown. Spinks, a veritable novice, shocked the world by winning a fifteen-round split decision in Las Vegas. Was Ali finished, for good? It looked like it, but as we know, The Greatest came back and scored one last win – a revenge win over “Neon Leon.”
Brandon Rios and Danny Garcia quotes for Saturday on Showtime
Two-division world champion Danny Garcia and former world champion Brandon Rios hosted a media workout in Las Vegas on Wednesday ahead of WBC Welterweight World Title Eliminator this Saturday, February 14 live on SHOWTIME from Mandalay Bay Events Center, and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Ortiz vs Alexander & Plant vs Medina quotes for Saturday
Former welterweight world champions Victor Ortiz and Devon Alexander showed off their skills at a media workout in El Paso Wednesday, as they prepare for their Saturday, February 17 showdown that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on FOX & FOX Deportes action from Don Haskins Center on the UTEP campus in El Paso, Texas.