Though the recently announced rematch between Tony Bellew and David Haye – set for London’s O2 on Sunday, December 17 – carries a fair amount of intrigue, it’s fair to say most fans would have been far more interested to see what would have happened had cruiserweight champ Bellew clashed with Andre Ward.
November 4: The Show will go on – but who will Deontay Wilder fight?
As soon as the news broke regarding how heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz had tested positive for an illegal substance, fight fans everywhere went into a slump, realising Ortiz’ big fight with WBC ruler Deontay Wilder had surely fallen apart.
And though some reports confirmed the worst, that the clash of unbeaten punchers was indeed cancelled, Lou DiBella, promoter of Wilder, informed RingTV.com that this is not the case – it seems the show will go on at the Barclays Centre in New York next month.
Results: O’Sullivan stops Quigley
The fighting Irish illustrated the meaning behind the famous moniker tonight as Irishman Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan (26-2, 18 KOs) battled Englishman Nick Quigley (15-3, 3 KOs) to a fourth-round technical knockout victory in the televised main event on Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN.
(Photo Credit: Golden Boy Promotions )
O’Sullivan and Quigley both came out swinging from the first bell and went toe-to-toe, with each fighter bloodied from the action. O’Sullivan received a cut as the two middleweights fought for dominance. Ultimately, the referee took note of Quigley’s decreased ability to stand solidly on his feet after a big right was landed by O’Sullivan and waved off the fight in the fourth round.
Mairis Breidis decisions Mike Perez to advance in WBSS tournament, retains WBC cruiser title
Tonight in Riga, Latvia, defending WBC cruiserweight champ Mairis Breidis retained his belt and also advanced in the WBSS tournament by way of a unanimous decision victory over Mike Perez. Local hero Breidis, now 23-0(18) won by scores of 116-110, 115-111 and 114-112. Perez, who was mightily disappointed by his defeat, is now 22-3(14).
Tonight’s fight was far from a classic, with an almost shocking amount of holding witnessed, with defending champ Breidis being guilty of initiating most of it. There was a clash of heads in the third-round, with Breidis suffering a nasty cut to his left eye. Perez was docked a point by the referee.
Earnie Shavers: The man who finished “The Greatest”
Called by many the hardest heavyweight puncher in history, Earnie Shavers made his pro debut in November 1969, with a second round KO over one Silas Johnson. Johnson became the first of a number of fighters to be knocked flat or stopped, that number would eventually total 67.
Mayweather-McGregor “Super Fight II?” – McGregor says he “knows” he’d get the win if he fought Floyd again
Do we really want to go through it all again? The hype, the circus atmosphere and the actual (surprisingly entertaining, even competitive for a few rounds) fight itself caused quite a stir, but is there any need to see a return fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor?
Mayweather, who “retired” after scoring a tenth-round win that earned him a staggering $100 million payday, could well be calling McGregor up in the future, for a rematch – this is what McGregor told a gathering in Glasgow yesterday (as filmed by MMA Fighting.)
Vasily Lomachenko vs Guillermo Rigondeaux LIVE on BoxNation on Dec.9
The battle between two-time Olympic gold medallists Vasyl Lomachenko and Guillermo Rigondeaux on December 9th at Madison Square Garden will be shown exclusively live on BoxNation.
‘The Channel of Champions’ will air the dream matchup featuring two men regarded as boxing’s greatest ever amateurs as part of the channel’s exclusive output deal with promoters Top Rank.
Dillian Whyte tweets Wilder: No excuses now, I’ll take Ortiz’ place!
It hasn’t taken long for the news of Luis Ortiz’ failed drugs test to reach British heavyweight Dillian Whyte – and Whyte sees opportunity in the demise of the Cuban’s November 4 fight with Deontay Wilder.
Whyte, who has wanted and called out for a shot at Wilder and his WBC crown for some time, took to his twitter account a couple of hours ago, basically writing how Wilder must now face him instead of Ortiz.
“No excuses now, I’ll take Ortiz’ place,” wrote Whyte, adding the words, “Eddie Hearn make this fight now.”
Luis Ortiz fails pre-fight drugs test, fight with Deontay Wilder falls apart
In terrible news, it has been confirmed by multiple sources that heavyweight Luis Ortiz has testesd positive for a banned substance in a pre-fight drugs test that was conducted by VADA a week ago. Ortiz was of course to have challenged WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder on November4; this fight is now off.
It remains to be seen whether or not Wilder, unbeaten at 38-0 will still fight on the November date (some people have suggested he may fight former foe Bermane Stiverne in a return; Stiverne being the fighter who took step-aside money to allow Wilder to face Ortiz instead – but this is nothing more than speculation at this point in time).
Bellew Vs. Haye – The Rematch Is Official
Following the blockbuster battle between Tony Bellew and David Haye earlier this year, the two nemeses will once again go to war in The Rematch at The O2 on Sunday December 17, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
After a fiery build up, Haye and Bellew met at the Greenwich venue in March this year and served up an explosive encounter which left fans on their edge of their seats. Both fighters went toe to toe for a thrilling 11 round contest. Haye bravely fought on despite fully rupturing his Achilles in the sixth round, Bellew was victorious after Haye’s team eventually threw the towel in.