By Boxing’s Devil’s Advocate, Daniel M Webster – Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, today I intend to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the majority draw decision in the Badou Jack vs Lucian Bute fight is a perfectly acceptable outcome. It is true that the decision was initially met with shock, dismay and outrage. After what appeared to be 12 dominating rounds, Badou Jack found himself having to settle for a draw against former champion Lucian Bute. “How could such a thing have happened?”, you might ask yourself. Surely this is a sign of incompetent judging, as Teddy Atlas so often professes; the kind of thing that is killing this great sport of ours. I am sorry to shatter the illusions of conspiracy and corruption, but this was neither the result of unscrupulous promoters, greased palms, or underworld influence. Lucian Bute received a draw in this fight simply because two of the three judges objectively believed he won 6 of the 12 contested rounds.
Danny Garcia ready to defend WBC welterweight title against former champ Andre Berto
Fight fans would like to see Danny Garcia, the WBC welterweight champion who also ruled as a 140-pounder, fight the biggest and best fights. Unbeaten at 32-0(18) Garcia looked sensational in relieving Amir Khan of his WBA 140-pound title and then defending it against the always-dangerous Lucas Matthysse. But since then, “Swift” has apparently lost a step. Struggling with Mauricio Herrera and Lamont Peterson down at 140 (and blasting out woefully overmatched Rod Salka), Garcia has since looked somewhat ordinary in defeating Paulie Malignaggi and, last time out, in winning the vacant WBC 147-pound belt, Robert Guerrero.
Tyson Fury again promises to retire after Klitschko rematch; “100-percent”
Fight fans don’t believe him, but heavyweight champ Tyson Fury has again stated how he will retire after his upcoming July 9th rematch with former champion Wladimir Klitschko. At the official press conference in Manchester last week, Fury vowed to KO Klitschko “in a round,” but then, after the German press conference the following day, a far more subdued Fury said he does not care if he wins or loses the fight dubbed “Repeat or Revenge.”
Video: Pulev vs Chisora HEATED Press Conference
Pulev vs Chisora Live on AWE – This Saturday afternoon an intriguing and important heavyweight contest between former world title challenger’s Kubrat Pulev and Dereck Chisora has been added to the much anticipated telecast that will feature WBA Lightweight champion Anthony Crolla defending his title against hard punching Ismael Barroso that will be shown LIVE ON AWE–A Wealth of Entertainment.
Mayweather/Hearn plan Money Team Vs. Matchroom one-night tournament for September in UK
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn recently said he has no real interest in bringing back his hugely popular and successful “Prizefighter” one-night elimination tournament. However, the plans Hearn does have, in working with Floyd Mayweather’s promotional outfit The Money Team, is to stage a one-night tournament featuring fighters from both teams meeting in world title fights. Hearn told The Mail that a tournament is being eyed for this September at a venue to be decided in the UK.
Did Timothy Bradley Embarrass Teddy Atlas?
April 9, 2016 and what was billed as the final match of Manny Pacquiao’s luminous career came to a close without the expected fanfare. Much like Floyd Mayweather’s supposed retirement several months prior, the boxing world is not quite convinced Pacquiao will leave the sport. Interestingly, talk of Pacquiao’s final performance in the ring was not the main narrative of the night; boxing media instead was much more focused on Timothy Bradley’s alliance with new head trainer Teddy Atlas.
Saul Canelo Alvarez-Amir Khan this Saturday: Khan ready to “shock the world”
Photo: Tom Hogan / GBP – There isn’t long to go now until the most intriguing and potentially exciting fight of the year goes ahead: Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez (a fighter now known merely by his nickname, perhaps more so than any other fighter in recent boxing history) against British star Amir Khan (who really will live up to his “King” nickname if he can cause the upset in Las Vegas). The fight this Saturday, which will play out over Cinco de Mayo weekend, has split fight fans right down the middle: with half saying the fight is a good one, between two top class fighters, and the other half saying the fight is a joke, between a man who has no right fighting for the middleweight crown (Khan) and a man who should be picking on someone his own size (Canelo).
Floyd Mayweather Junior talks possible comeback: “It would have to be a nine-figure payday and probably a championship fight”
One of the old sayings in boxing is, “they all come back,” and, Rocky Marciano, Gene Tunney, Lennox Lewis and a few more exceptions aside, yes, they all do. And the latest fighter being constantly asked if he will lace ‘em up one more time, and who admits how he is thinking about it, is superstar Floyd Mayweather Junior. As fans know, Mayweather has been retired all of eight months, yet his name is seemingly always in the news; with the most interesting topic being, will he or won’t he fight again?
Badou Jack and James DeGale Unification Bout Still In Tact Despite Controversy in DC
By Justin Jones – Washington, DC — Current Super Middleweight titleholders James DeGale, IBF Champ,(23-1, 14 KOs)and Badou Jack, WBC Champ,(20-1-2, 12 KOs)can now shift their focus on each other –late summer or early fall showdown – after neither fighter relinquished their belts last night at the DC Armory.
DeGale and Jack were the favorites going into their semifinal matchups of the Showtime-proclaimed 4-man 168-pound tournament, but neither fighter had an easy go at it. DeGale earned the unanimous decision (117-111, 116-112, 115-113)over a very game Rogelio Medina (36-7, 30 KOs), who pushed DeGale to the limit. Some ringside and many of the 4,135 people in attendance (booing loudly) thought the score of 115-113 was a more just score and more aligned with how the fight actually played out. Even DeGale was critical of his performance post-fight.
Andre Berto conquers Victor Ortiz in rematch
(Photo Credit: Suzanne Teresa/Premier Boxing Champions) Carson, CA (April 30, 2016) – In front a packed house of 7,760 and a nationally televised PBC on FOX and FOX Deportes audience, Andre Berto, (31-4, 24 KOs) turned back the clock and successfully gained his revenge over “Vicious” Victor Ortiz, 31-6-2 (24 KOs) with a stunning fourth-round knockout in a rematch of their 2011 “Fight of the Year” on Saturday night at Southern California’s legendary open-air boxing venue StubHub Center.