Unified Middleweight World Champion (WBC, WBA, IBF, IBO) GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN (36-0, 33 KO’s) and WBA Middleweight Champion and Mandatory Challenger DANIEL “THE MIRACLE MAN” JACOBS (32-1, 29 KO’s) hosted a massive contingent of Southern California media on Wednesday in Downtown Los Angeles to promote their highly anticipated showdown set for Saturday, March 18 at “The Mecca of Boxing”, Madison Square Garden. The championship event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Floyd Mayweather offers Conor McGregor $15 million and share of PPV for “Super-Fight”
Still interested in a possible Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor “super-fight?” Money Mayweather sure is, and he’s gone on record as saying he will pay the UFC star the figure of $15 million, along with a slice of the Pay-per-View revenue, for the fight to happen – under boxing rules.
Mayweather, speaking on ESPN’s “First Take” yesterday evening, said “Let’s make it happen.”
Deontay Wilder wants Joseph Parker next “if all goes well in February”
WBC heavyweight ruler Deontay Wilder is all for taking a fight that he believes would see him add the WBO belt to his trophy cabinet. Wilder, who must first return to action for his first fight since last July, against Polish contender Andrzej Wawrzyk on February 25, says he very much wants to fight recently crowned WBO champ Joseph Parker in April.
Parker and his people have gone on record as saying they would like the Wilder fight – and a unification fight can override a mandatory, so Parker’s mandatory, Hughie Fury would have to wait – and “The Bronze Bomber” told 78SPORTSTV he wants Parker after Wawrzyk.
Eddie Hearn confirms talks have begun for a Manny Pacquiao-Kell Brook fight
With superstar Manny Pacquiao set to see out the remainder of his great career overseas, on a “world tour” according to Bob Arum, fighters from countries such as Australia – Jeff Horn, next in line to challenge Pac-Man – and the UK are anxious for a shot at the southpaw.
And, according to Eddie Hearn who spoke with Sky Sports, talks have begun for a fight between Pacquiao and Kell Brook. Brook, who has not yet fought since his brave but ultimately painful loss to middleweight king Gennady Golovkin, says an all-British super-fight with Amir Khan remains his priority, but that a fight against either Errol Spence or Pac-Man could happen this year.
Erislandy Lara 154 vs Yuri Foreman 153.2 – Weights
Erislandy Lara 154 vs Yuri Foreman 153.2
Anthony Dirrell 169.8 vs Norbert Nemesapati 168
Miguel Cruz 146 vs Alex Martin 146.8
Juan Carlos Payano 119 vs Isao Gonzalo Carranza 118.4
Dennis Galarza 135.2 vs Edgardo Rivera 134.4
Robert Daniels Jr. 180.8 vs Antonio Alicea 179.2
Mikey Garcia, Dejan Zlaticanin and Leo Santa Cruz quotes
Former three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz continued to prepare for his featherweight world title rematch against Carl Frampton and hosted a Los Angeles media workout Tuesday before he headlines action on Saturday, January 28 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and live on SHOWTIME®.
Also working out for the media at Fortune Gym Tuesday were lightweight world champion Dejan Zlaticanin and former two-division champion Mikey Garcia, who meet in the opening bout on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
DeGale vs. Jack quotes for this Saturday
Fight week activities officially began today with media workouts at the brand new Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn before the super middleweight title unification showdown between Badou Jack and James DeGale that headlines action this Saturday, January 14 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn and live on SHOWTIME.
Also in attendance and opening the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT are junior lightweight world champion Jose Pedraza and unbeaten contender Gervonta Davis.
Tim Bradley discusses possible retirement, says his health is his priority
Warrior Tim Bradley, last seen in the ring doing battle for a third time with superstar Manny Pacquiao in April, has gone on record stating how he is mulling over the idea of retiring sooner rather than later. Bradley, speaking with FightHub, said “I think about it (retirement) a lot.”
A great fighter who thrilled fans with, amongst other bouts, his almost unbelievably entertaining 12 round war with Ruslan Provodnikov – this incredible, up-from-the-floor 2013 win arguably being the most exciting of Bradley’s 36 pro fights – Bradley says he “can’t complain,” and that at age 33 he feels he has “done pretty damn well,” which is of course an understatement.
“Don’t blink!” says Haye ahead of Bellew fight – “Bellew is getting destroyed”
A fighter’s fitness cannot be gauged accurately by looking at photos, but it must be said, David Haye looks in absolutely superb physical condition today as he trains for his grudge-match with fellow Brit Tony Bellew – and there are still a full eight weeks to go until fight night.
Haye, who is training out at Dino Spencer’s legendary 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach, released a Twitter photo today, along with a short video message also on social media. Haye looks to be about as fit and strong as he ever has, certainly more ripped and muscular than for his last fight, the May blowout of Arnold “The Cobra.”
Can the wisdom of Hunter help Danny Jacobs in fight with GGG? Virgil brought in as “assistant”
Fighters often like to add the wisdom of a great trainer to their team as they approach a big, big fight. Oscar De La Hoya, for example, was fortunate enough to have been able to bring in the legendary Angelo Dundee ahead of his big fight with Manny Pacquiao (although not even Dundee’s vast knowledge was able to help a severely weight drained, past his best De La Hoya). And heavyweight legend Evander Holyfield was one of quite a few fighters who brought in the services of “hired gun” Emanuel Steward; “The Real Deal” doing so before his second fight with Riddick Bowe.