Preview: Joseph Parker V Yakup Saglam

Palmerston North, New Zealand, Saturday 13th of June rising heavyweight Joseph Parker 13 -0-0, 11 KOs) takes on German based Turk Yakup Saglam (34-3-0, 31 KOs).

Saglam on his first visit to New Zealand has passed off some lofty proclamations, first been that he gave Wladimir Klitschko so much so heat in sparring sessions the champ couldn’t handle it. Going as far as to say he had the champ ‘scared’ and after only two days of what was meant to be a two week sparring assignment his services were dispensed with.

Broner : 'Maidana Didn't Beat Me, I Beat Myself' - Broner v Porter

I guess I was one of those that hoped Adrien Broner might mature a little bit in defeat, use such a humbling as a learning curve and come back not only stronger but having had a much needed “attitude adjustment.”

Like so many people constantly say about “The Problem”, it’s not necessarily ability that’s the issue for him – he has natural talent in spades – rather his attitude, arrogance and out of ring histrionics and theatrics that have given to so many people disliking him and willing he be knocked out whenever he gets between the ropes.

When Deontay Wilder steps through the ropes on Saturday to make the maiden defence of his WBC heavyweight title, those who follow boxing with a little bit more fervour than the man-in-the-street, will realize they are about to witness what should be nothing more than routine business for the big-punching Alabama born man.

Fighting in his home state, which will incidentally be hosting it’s first ever world title fight, “The Bronze Bomber” has promised his hometown fans that they will see a knockout performance from the man who has stopped all of his opponents – with the exception of Bermane Stiverne back in January.

David Price Wants An Anthony Joshua Fight

Not so long ago, it was between David Price and Tyson Fury as to who the next big British heavyweight was going to be, with the two men looking to be on an eventual collision course to decide. Anthony Joshua had barely turned professional.

And then along came wily old veteran Tony Thompson and the wheels came off for David Price. After those two career-derailing knockouts that left Price on the heavyweight scrap heap, Tyson Fury went his own way and is now set to challenge Wladimir Klitschko for the WBO title later this year.

Adrien Broner Wants Amir Khan Fight After Porter

He really should be focusing on the task in hand rather than looking beyond it – but Adrien Broner, who fights Shawn Porter on June 20th as part of Al Haymon’s PBC brand from The MGM Grand, Las Vegas, has spoken out to Sky Sports in the UK to say that he has his sights set on a clash with Amir Khan once he is done with his American opponent – a potentially dangerous move that could make Broner look very foolish in my opinion. Porter certainly isn’t a gimme.

There may be a catchweight of 145 for Porter to boil down to, which is the main advantage Team Broner has going into the fight, but Shawn’s father and trainer Kenny has previously insisted that this will be no problem for them and many out there are tipping the stronger, more marauding and bullying style of “Showtime” to triumph on the night.

Saturday night sees big punching WBA (sup) featherweight champion Nicholas Walters defend his title against dangerous Colombian puncher Miguel Marriaga live on HBO/Boxnation from the mecca of boxing – New York’s Madison Square Garden – a dream come true for any fighter – and should the “Axe-Man” come through the test presented by his undefeated challenger, then a barrage of big-money unification superfights potentially exist down the line against the likes of Vasyl Lomachenko, Gary Russell Jr and Britain’s Lee Selby.

Talking to Crystina Poncher for Top Rank at the media workouts earlier this week, the Jamaican champion said of the opportunity to box at the Garden;

Anthony Joshua Will Dominate Says Klitschko

It would seem that the world and his wife has an opinion on British knockout artist and heavyweight prospect Anthony Joshua and just what his next move should be – with the Watford fighter seemingly re-igniting interest in the marquee division both at home and beyond – with the natural gifts of the 6ft 6″ Olympic gold medalist drawing attention from all corners of the fight game.

Possibly the highest praise for Matchroom Sport’s future “face” of boxing has come from dominant, lineal heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, who appears to be tipping the Brit, above all others, to fill the gaping void he is soon to leave behind when he inevitably retires.

Luke Campbell v Tommy Coyle: All Set For August 1st

It’s already being billed as a huge domestic clash that will serve as an official eliminator for WBC champion Jorge Linares’ 135 lb title – and after leaking online earlier in the week, promoter Eddie Hearn this morning dropped the news that London 2012 gold medalist Luke Campbell and hometown rival Tommy Coyle, will indeed headline Matchroom’s “Rumble On The Humber” card from Hull’s Craven Park – with ample support coming in the form of Scotland’s Ricky Burns – (who put in a heroic shift vs Omar Figueroa Jr in Texas recently, when he fights a TBA opponent.)

Deontay Wilder - Eric Molina quotes for Showtime

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 10, 2015) – Unbeaten Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder, heavyweight challenger Eric Molina, along with co-headliners Puerto Rican junior lightweight Jose Pedraza and Russian amateur standout Andrey Klimov, kicked off fight week working out for the press at Round 1 Gym in Birmingham, Ala. in advance of their SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® bouts this Saturday, June 13, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.

Also in attendance Wednesday were, undefeated world-ranked contenders Ivan “El Terrible” Redkach and Dejan “El Dinamita” Zlaticanin, who will square off in a 12-round eliminator earlier that night in the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Catching Greatness

The inception of narrowed weight classes, stemming from the 1960’s, has long since occupied the list of accusations that in some peoples eyes have diluted big time boxing and the achievements of its best fighters.

The list is long and arduous, with some of its entries more valid than others and a discussion for another time. However, when it comes to weight classes, the debate is best kept to the era in which it belongs.

Preview: Joseph Parker V Yakup Saglam

Broner : ‘Maidana Didn’t Beat Me, I Beat Myself’ – Broner v Porter

Wilder Promising Knockout Performance

David Price Wants An Anthony Joshua Fight

Adrien Broner Wants Amir Khan Fight After Porter

Nicholas Walters: This Fight Won’t End In A Decision

Anthony Joshua Will Dominate Says Klitschko

Luke Campbell v Tommy Coyle: All Set For August 1st

Deontay Wilder – Eric Molina quotes for Showtime

Catching Greatness