With welterweights Danny Garcia and Keith Thurman, arguably the two best 147-pound fighters operating today, set to meet next year (likely in March) there have been verbal barbs exchanged bwteeen the two. Thurman, unbeaten and the reigning WBA champion, laid into Garcia for choosing the unheralded Samuel Vargas, tweeting how Garcia should “enjoy your last cherry of the year…..I’ll be waiting to take that green belt in 2017!”
Evander Holyfield: A dead-cert for the Hall of Fame
Dan Rafael of ESPN.com has reported how the nominees for this year’s ballot for the Hall of Fame have been sent out to those writers who are eligible to vote, and there are three new names on the list: Evander Holyfield, Marco Antonio Barrera and Johnny Tapia. All three greats appear to be slam-dunks to get voted in and enshrined next summer, but in the opinion of many, cruiserweight and heavyweight legend Holyfield is even more deserving of the honour than the two lower weight kings, despite their extraordinary accomplishments.
David Haye explains why he’s not fighting Shannon Briggs…..yet
There are David Haye critics out there who claim the former WBA heavyweight champ has done his fans a disservice by not following up on his verbal agreement to face veteran Shannon Briggs in his next fight, one we thought might happen this past September. The ever-vocal Briggs, who plagued Haye with his “Let’s go Champ” war-cry and by travelling over to London, was “rewarded” with a fight on Haye’s May under-card.
The verbal agreement was that Briggs would get the Haye fight next if he won, which he did. But since then, nothing. Haye, who says he actually likes the talk that suggests he is “running scared” from Briggs, has explained his situation to IFL TV.
Floyd Mayweather — Adrien Broner’s Bunkin’ With Me … ‘Til He Feels Better
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is coming the rescue of his ex-enemy Adrien Broner … taking the boxing star into his home after Adrien’s Internet suicide scare … TMZ Sports has learned.
Floyd’s reps tell us Mayweather saw the post, and reached out to Adrien, inviting him to crash in his Vegas mansion until AB is feeling better.
“Floyd is taking care of Adrien” … says the rep.
Hopefully the big, big fights will come for Danny Garcia in 2017: Thurman, Canelo?
Reigning WBC welterweight champ and two-weight king Danny Garcia has not had anything that could be called a stellar year here in 2016. The unbeaten 28-year-old has boxed just once, winning a competitive 12-round decision over Robert Guerrero in January, and is set to face Samuel Vargas in an anticipated mismatch next month. Compared to previous years, when “Swift” took on and defeated quality fighters such as Amir Khan, Zab Judah and Lucas Matthysse, this year has been one big disappointment.
Freddy Kiwitt fired up for ‘Riiddy’ Brown test next
UK based boxer, Freddy Kiwitt (11-0, 6 KOs) has teamed up again with Ghanaian trainer, Carl Lokko for his next fight on November 12 against also undefeated Akeem Ennis Brown (6-0, 1 KO) in a final English Super Lightweight eliminator on November 12 at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London.
The Liberian born Kiwitt goes into his 5th straight fight under the stewardship of the vastly experienced Lokko and the 26 year old says he is enjoying every bit of work with the man who also trains recent IBF Lightweight title challenger, Richie Commey as well as another rising Ghanaian star, Duke Micah – who fights for the Commonwealth Bantamweight championship on same November 12 night, same venue, same Goodwin Promotions bill.
David Haye Predicts Tony Bellew vs BJ Flores
David Haye has told fans to put their money on B.J. Flores to rip Tony Bellew’s WBC World Cruiserweight title from him when they meet at the Echo Arena in Liverpool tomorrow night, live on Sky Sports.
Bellew defends his crown for the first time since his stunning KO win over Ilunga Makabu at Goodison Park in May, and for brash American Flores, it could be his last shot at World glory having been edged out on points for the interim WBA crown by Beibut Shumenov last July.
Danny Garcia – Samuel Vargas quotes
Undefeated world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia hosted a Philadelphia press conference Thursday as he announced his hometown bout against Colombia’s Samuel Vargas Saturday, November 12 in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on Spike from Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.
Also in attendance and participating on the televised undercard are Jarrett Hurd, who takes on once-beaten contender Jorge Cota, and undefeated prospect Omar Douglas, who battles former world champion Javier Fortuna, with televised coverage starting at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.
Danny “Swift” Garcia battles Samuel Vargas on November 12
Undefeated welterweight world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia (32-0, 18 KOs) will make his first appearance in his native Philadelphia since 2010 as he takes on Colombia’s Samuel Vargas (25-2-1, 13 KOs) in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on Spike Saturday, November 12 from Temple University’s Liacouras Center. The bout will be Garcia’s final hurdle before a planned massive showdown with unbeaten champion Keith “One Time” Thurman scheduled for the first quarter of 2017.
In keeping with his desire to give back to the community, Garcia is teaming up with Philabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief organization, to arrange a regional food drive, collecting most-needed items, such as tuna and vegetables. Fans are being encouraged to drop off canned goods at the Liacouras Center (1776 N Broad St) and the DSG Boxing Gym (3731 Jasper St). Additionally, $10 from each ticket sold will be donated and provide 20 meals per ticket for people in need. More information on these efforts and how you can get involved will be announced shortly.
David Haye: “Joshua beats Klitschko easily, all he needs is a fair referee”
Former WBA heavyweight champ David Haye, who was soundly out-pointed in a disappointing challenge of Wladimir Klitschko way back in 2011, says that should Anthony Joshua fight Klitschko next, it will be the 40-year-old ex-champ who is soundly beaten – maybe even disqualified! Speaking with Sky Sports, Haye said he feels Joshua “wins that fight easily.”
Klitschko-Joshua has not yet been made official, but promoter Eddie Hearn has said numerous times how the fight is “close” and an official announcement should be forthcoming soon. But Haye sees only one winner, and it’s the man he wants to fight; hopefully next summer at Wembley.