Is unbeaten puncher Jamie Cox the most avoided fighter in British boxing today? Maybe. The dangerous southpaw who is 20-0(12) returns to action tonight in what could be called a stay-busy fight if Cox had been busy to begin with, but the Swindon southpaw has had trouble finding himself fights (he has also had legal issues that were well-publicized).
Red-Hot prospect Josh Taylor becomes a champion, wins vacant Commonwealth 140-pound title with 5th-round stoppage of Dave Ryan
Last night in Edinburgh, Scotland, red-hot super-lightweight prospect Josh Taylor advanced to championship level as he won the vacant Commonwealth title with a hugely impressive 5th-round stoppage over the tough and experienced Dave “Rocky” Ryan. Taylor, who had never previously gone beyond the 2nd-round in his 6-0 pro career, downed Ryan with a sickening right to the body. Ryan, showing his usual courage, beat the count but he was immediately under more fire, the referee having no choice but to stop the fight.
Khan Vs. Brook: should it happen at 147 or at 154?
Both Amir Khan and Kell Brook are coming off heavy stoppage defeats: Khan to Canelo Alvarez in a 155-pound meeting, Brook up at full middleweight against Gennady Golovkin. Now, with the two arch-rivals having no immediate fight coming up, the logical thing is for the two to fight one another. As fans know, these two have been going at it verbally for some months/years now, and 2017 seems perfect for the two world champions (Khan a former 140-pound ruler, Brook still, for the time being, the IBF 147-pound champ).
Scotland’s Josh Taylor is a special talent
Every Scottish fighter operating in the lighter divisions who shows the first hint of potential is immediately burdened by comparison to Ken Buchanan, the greatest fighter this small nation of five million has ever produced. It is a burden they are forced to carry as they try to live up to the great lightweight world champion’s tremendous legacy, one of the greatest ever cultivated by a lightweight anywhere in any era. In every case up to now it has proved a curse, damning the unfortunate recipient of such high expectations with unrealistic promise.
Artur Beterbiev to face Isidro Ranoni Prieto Dec 23 in Quebec
Unbeaten light-heavyweight banger Artur Beterbiev, one of the hardest punchers fighting today, will fight a couple of days before Christmas Day, when he will meet never-stopped Isidro Ranoni Prieto of Paraguay (now based in Argentina) in his adopted Quebec, Canada on December 23. In line to fight the winner of the November clash between Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward, the 10-0(10) Beterbiev will be having just his second fight of this year.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr to face Dominik Britsch in December; can “The Son of a Legend” make up for lost time?
Backed by his new promoters Zanfer, Mexican star Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr is set to return in December against Germany’s Dominik Britsch. Zanfer Tweeted the fight is confirmed for December, but there is no official word yet on either the venue for the fight (expected to be in Mexico) or the weight the fight will be fought at.
Eric Molina, David Price gunning for December shot at Joshua; but they may fight each other instead
With Anthony Joshua’s next fight, set for December 10, still up in the air opponent-wise, a number of name heavyweights are calling for the next shot at the reigning IBF heavyweight title holder. With no decision yet given by the WBA with regards to whether or not the organisation will sanction a Wladimir Klitschko-Joshua fight, promoter Eddie Hearn has already been eyeing potential replacement foes for his fighter.
And two men who have thrown their hat into the ring are Mexican/American Eric Molina, and fellow Brit David Price. At one point in time it looked as though Price and Molina would fight each other on the Joshua under-card in Manchester – and this intriguing fight could still happen – but now both contenders want AJ next.
David Lemieux faces Christian Fabian Rios on Saturday
Stepping into the ring after a bloody fourth round knock out over Glen Tapia this past May in Las Vegas under the Canelo-Khan Card, David Lemieux has been gearing up for his highly anticipated return to the ring to take on Argentina’s Christian Fabian Rios at Montreal’s Bell Center this Saturday, October 22 in “Blood, Guts and Glory” presented by Eye of the Tiger Management, Golden Boy Promotions and InterBox in association with evenko and Videotron. Die-hard fans can watch the broadcast starting at 6:30 EST / 3:30 PT through PunchingGrace.com. Lemieux followers can also keep up to date with all of the fight week events here.
Joseph Parker-Andy Ruiz Jnr ordered by the WBO, and the winner must defend against David Haye
It has been confirmed how the WBO has ordered unbeaten heavyweight contenders Andy Ruiz Jnr and Joseph Parker to fight for the vacant title, with the fight expected to be officially announced for New Zealand on December 10. This news came from Puerto Rico, where the WBO are currently holding their convention.
Eddie Hearn “not hopeful” of Klitschko-Joshua being made, names the other possibilities for AJ on Dec 10
Promoter Eddie Hearn is frustrated right now, and he is not at all convinced the fight that appeared so close to being made – Wladimir Klitschko Vs. Anthony Joshua – will actually happen this December as was planned/hoped. Speaking with Sky Sports this afternoon, Hearn said he is now waiting on the WBA, who will make a decision soon as to whether or not they will sanction Joshua against Klitschko.
Hearn, though, said he is “not hopeful,” and spoke of the growing rumours that suggest “Dr. Steel Hammer” will be back operating against Australia’s Lucas Browne on Dec 10 instead of against AJ.