Where does Miguel Cotto rank all time? De La Hoya says Top-20

Where does Miguel Cotto rank all time? De La Hoya says Top-20

Though Miguel Cotto’s “final fight,” (in quotes because, let’s face it, these days fighters are often changing their minds; especially regarding retirement), set for December 2, against Sadam Ali is a solid one, a number of fans are not too excited about the fight. (Photo Credit: Matt Easley – Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions)

Cotto, who said he would “go out with a bang,” spoke of facing either Gennady Golovkin or Canelo Alvarez in his swansong, or failing this, David Lemieux. Instead, the Puerto Rican legend faces the once-beaten Ali, 25-1(14) in New York. What does look likely – and begging Ali’s pardon – is how Cotto, 41-5(33) will go out a winner if this is indeed his very last ring appearance.

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Saunders fights Lemieux on 12/16 on HBO

Saunders fights Lemieux on 12/16 on HBO

Christmas will come early for boxing fans this year as WBO World Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders (25-0, 12 KOs) will put his belt on the line on Saturday, December 16 against former IBF World Middleweight Champion David Lemieux (38-3, 33 KOs) at a soon-to-be announced venue in Montreal, Canada. The fight will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:40 p.m. ET/PT.

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Joshua talks Takam fight

Joshua talks Takam fight

Unified Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua worked out for the media on Tuesday in Sheffield, England, as the undefeated British sensation continues preparation for his showdown against IBF mandatory challenger Carlos Takam on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT live on SHOWTIME from Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. (Photocredit Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

“This is a must-win for myself and for Carlos Takam,” Joshua told Sky Sports, which will present the fight in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports Box Office. “As much as my supporters want to see me win, there are still a few people who doubt me and want me to lose and disrupt our plan. They don’t want to see the cream rise to the top.”

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Happy Birthday to “The Hitman” – The great Tommy Hearns turns 59 today

Happy Birthday to “The Hitman” - The great Tommy Hearns turns 59 today

A true boxing legend celebrates his birthday today as The Detroit Hitman, Thomas Hearns turns 59. So much Hearns gave, and still gives, to the sport that made him famous and that he himself lit up in one huge way in the 1980s and ’90s. An all-time great, Hearns competed in at least a dozen fights that are considered classics.

But to Hearns himself, the fight, the world title victory that means the most to him is his 1980 fight with Mexico’s Pipino Cuevas. It was in this fight that Hearns was first coronated.

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Billy Joe Saunders-David Lemieux looks on for December 16 in Canada

Billy Joe Saunders-David Lemieux looks on for December 16 in Canada

Various reports (including one via Dan Rafael of ESPN) say Billy Joe Saunders and David Lemieux will fight in Canada on December 16, the two having reached an agreement that rules out the need for the WBO-ordered fight to go to purse bids.

An excellent fight and a superb match-up, the WBO middleweight title fight will further add to what is shaping up as a great end to the year’s boxing calendar. Saunders, unbeaten and craving the big, big fights for some time, must be commended for agreeing to travel to Lemieux’s Canadian fortress to take this fight, while power-puncher Lemieux must now figure out Saunders’ effective boxing style and land his big bombs.

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Miguel Cotto and Sadam Ali quotes for Dec.2

Miguel Cotto and Sadam Ali quotes for Dec.2

Four-division world champion Miguel Cotto (41-5, 33 KOs) and WBA International Welterweight Champion Sadam “World Kid” Ali (25-1, 14 KOs) hosted a press conference today to formally announce their 12-round fight for Cotto’s WBO World Junior Middleweight Championship. The action will take place at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Cotto will make his 24th appearance on the network and his 10th showcase at MSG in the final fight of his historic career as one of the most decorated and significant Puerto Rican fighters in boxing history.

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Takam the danger-man? Sky Sports boxing head compares Joshua-Takam to Lewis-Klitschko

Takam the danger-man? Sky Sports boxing head compares Joshua-Takam to Lewis-Klitschko

As fans have surely read by now, Kubrat Pulev is out (with an injured shoulder) and Carlos Takam is in, taking Pulev’s place on October 28 in challenging unbeaten WBA/IBF heavyweight ruler Anthony Joshua in Cardiff, Wales.

Takam, ranked NO.3 by the IBF, has good credentials and some people – such as Sky Sports head of boxing Adam Smith – suggest the Cameroonian-French fighter with the 35-3-1(27) record could prove to be very dangerous for A.J.

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Dillian Whyte: Deontay Wilder might decide to fight Audley Harrison again instead of me!

Dillian Whyte: Deontay Wilder might decide to fight Audley Harrison again instead of me!

British heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte has again put the boot in regarding WBC heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder, whilst at the same time he has insisted his credentials for a shot at “The Bronze Bomber” will speak for themselves after he has beaten Robert Helenius on October 28.

Speaking with Sky Sports, Whyte, 21-1(16) said that after he beats Helenius on the upcoming Anthony Joshua-Carlos Takam bill in Cardiff (Takam replacing the injured Kubrat Pulev) Wilder will have to face him – either than or Wilder will “decide to fight Audley Harrison again.”

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Reports say Kubrat Pulev is injured, fight with Anthony Joshua in serious jeopardy

Reports say Kubrat Pulev is injured, fight with Anthony Joshua in serious jeopardy

Just days after a big heavyweight title fight between WBC champ Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz fell through, a second world title clash in the sport’s glamour division is also said to be in serious jeopardy. According to various reports, Bulgaria’s IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev is injured and his October 28 challenge of IBF/WBA heavyweight ruler Anthony Joshua will have to be postponed as a result.

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