East Side Boxing News

True Greatness! Julio Cesar Chavez

February 12, 2015February 12, 2015 by James Smith

Julio Cesar Chavez - It was a whirlwind 48 hours, not with Eddie Murphy but with Mexico’s greatest fighter ever, the incomparable Julio Cesar Chavez at his homeland in Culiacan, a city in northwestern Mexico. Julio is an all time great, a master in the ring, a hall of famer, a true legend in boxing and, most importantly, a hero to his people in Mexico.

It was a whirlwind 48 hours, not with Eddie Murphy but with Mexico’s greatest fighter ever, the incomparable Julio Cesar Chavez at his homeland in Culiacan, a city in northwestern Mexico. Julio is an all time great, a master in the ring, a hall of famer, a true legend in boxing and, most importantly, a hero to his people in Mexico.

Julio Cesar Chavez was being honored by the Culiacan people with a huge, 11½ ft. raised statue of him placed in one of the city’s most visited areas. Celebrities and thousands of fans joined the festivities and we were there.

Douglas Upsets Tyson – 25 Years Ago Today

February 12, 2015February 11, 2015 by John G. Thompson

Buster Douglas, Mike Tyson - Today marks the 25th anniversary of the biggest upset in boxing history, and quite possibly the entire history of sports. Twenty-three year old “Iron” Mike came into the fight with an incredible record of 37-0, with all but four bouts ending by way of knockout – most in the early rounds. Along the way, Tyson had picked up the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, making him the undisputed heavyweight champ and one of (if not the most) feared boxers in the history of the sport. His opponent James “Buster” Douglas came into the fight at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan with a 29-4-1 record, and had been knocked out three times in prior bouts.

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the biggest upset in boxing history, and quite possibly the entire history of sports. Twenty-three year old “Iron” Mike came into the fight with an incredible record of 37-0, with all but four bouts ending by way of knockout – most in the early rounds. Along the way, Tyson had picked up the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, making him the undisputed heavyweight champ and one of (if not the most) feared boxers in the history of the sport. His opponent James “Buster” Douglas came into the fight at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan with a 29-4-1 record, and had been knocked out three times in prior bouts.

Mayweather v Pacquiao: Boxing’s Will They, Won’t They Saga

February 12, 2015February 11, 2015 by Michael McEwan

Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao - After half a decade of strained negotiations, social media sparring, racial slurs and break-ups over drug testing protocols, it appears that boxing’s two most prized assets may finally be prepared to trade in their intolerable courting for a one-night, dysfunctional marriage of fistic brilliance. Notice the choice of the modal verb ‘may’; quite simply, the certainty of a ‘will’ or a ‘must’ has seemed and still seems a tad fanciful in the context of a Floyd Mayweather – Manny Pacquiao landmark bout.

After half a decade of strained negotiations, social media sparring, racial slurs and break-ups over drug testing protocols, it appears that boxing’s two most prized assets may finally be prepared to trade in their intolerable courting for a one-night, dysfunctional marriage of fistic brilliance. Notice the choice of the modal verb ‘may’; quite simply, the certainty of a ‘will’ or a ‘must’ has seemed and still seems a tad fanciful in the context of a Floyd Mayweather – Manny Pacquiao landmark bout.

Why the renewed optimism for the premiere bout being launched then? Well, coming into 2015, widely acknowledged pound for pound kingpin, Mayweather, is entering the final year of his lucrative contract with US television network Showtime which guarantees him two further fights this year. With the ripened age of 38 less than a month away, Mayweather has admitted for some time that 2015 will be his last rodeo; one in which he hopes to deliver a brazen exclamation mark to his protestation that he is the greatest fighter of all-time. With his perennial rival Pacquiao, battle hardened at 36 and with a myriad of bruising encounters lining his recent history (not least a knock out loss at the hands of Welterweight Juan Manuel Marquez in 2013), then the marketability and plausibility of the mega-fight are all reaching an apex at this juncture. With this in mind, the projected date of May 2nd, or never, is the forecast for the fight amongst the boxing intelligentsia.

Paul Smith to get a big fight if he wins on February 21st

February 12, 2015February 11, 2015 by James Sexton

If Paul Smith can become the WBO world champion in his fight against Arthur Abraham he is promised a huge fight. Who that would be is unsure but Eddie Hearn has tossed around names such as James DeGale, George Groves or Carl Froch even. Whether any of these type of fights will come off remains to be seen but first of all Smith has to pull the Abraham victory out of the bag.

In the first fight I had Smith losing to Abraham but the scores must have been closer than the ones the judges has on the night. 111-117 twice and 109-119, were the final scores and the moment they were announced there was outrage amongst the Smith fans.

Eddie Hearn still discussing Brooks summer superfight

February 11, 2015February 11, 2015 by James Sexton

Kell Brook - In an interview with IFL TV Eddie Hearn again referenced his plans to set up a big money and exposure fight for IBF welterweight champ Kell Brook in the summer of 2015.

In an interview with IFL TV Eddie Hearn again referenced his plans to set up a big money and exposure fight for IBF welterweight champ Kell Brook in the summer of 2015.

Eddie Hearn now has said that Juan Manuel Marquez is the number one fight that they want, as Marquez is the biggest name out there available for Brook. Whilst they understand that Mayweather and Pacquiao are a bit out of their reach currently, everyone else is on the hit list and the first now on that list is Marquez.

Anthony Joshua back in the gym

February 11, 2015 by James Sexton

Anthony Joshua is back in the gym in training for his April fight. Joshua took a little time off from his busy fight schedule after discovering a stress fracture in his back.

Now Joshua is back in the gym sparring, training and getting prepared for his bout on April 4th. After that he is expected to take part in the Kevin Johnson fight, therefore the TBE opponent we will see him fight next likely wont be a dangerous puncher or someone capable of upsetting Joshua as that would spoil the Johnson fight and end the Joshua express.

Omar Figueroa vs Ricky Burns

February 11, 2015 by James Sexton

Omar Figueroa, Ricky Burns - Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has made the announcement that 90% of the terms are agreed regarding the proposed fight between Omar Figueroa and Ricky Burns.

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has made the announcement that 90% of the terms are agreed regarding the proposed fight between Omar Figueroa and Ricky Burns.

Hearn made the point to announce that the largest remaining issue was with weight as he initially believed the bout would be contested at a catch weight of 138 pounds, however now Figueroas people are now saying the fight will happen at the full super lightweight limit of 140lbs. Burns may not be fully comfortable at 140 and we know Figueroa isn’t happen with 135 so with this issue the negotions are ongoing, however we hope they get settled as this is a fantastic matchup.

Berman predicting Murray will ‘bring it’ to Golovkin in Monte Carlo showdown

February 11, 2015February 11, 2015 by Golden Gloves

Gennady Golovkin, Golovkin vs. Murray, Martin Murray - Having spent time with MARTIN MURRAY in Johannesburg at the weekend, South African promoter RODNEY BERMAN says he expects a fierce contest when Murray and GENNADY GOLOVKIN square off in Monte Carlo for Golovkin’s WBA Super World middleweight, interim WBC World middleweight and IBO middleweight titles next weekend.

Having spent time with MARTIN MURRAY in Johannesburg at the weekend, South African promoter RODNEY BERMAN says he expects a fierce contest when Murray and GENNADY GOLOVKIN square off in Monte Carlo for Golovkin’s WBA Super World middleweight, interim WBC World middleweight and IBO middleweight titles next weekend.

Berman’s Golden Gloves is promoting the Monte-Carlo “Thunderbolt” show in association with K2 Promotions and GGG Promotions.

Golovkin (31-0, 28 KOs) is on a record 18 consecutive knockouts and will be seeking another against Murray (29-1-1, 12 KOs), the highly-regarded WBC number one contender.