The Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) and former WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) completed their final press conference yesterday at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas ahead of their Nov. 21 world championship showdown, which will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.
Klitschko ‘A Big Step Up for Fury’ says Joe Calzaghe
British former super-middleweight legend and Hall of Fame Inductee, Joe Calzaghe, has waded into the Klitschko/Fury debate to state that it’s a big ask for the undefeated challenger to topple the long-time champion, who is currently 11 1/2 years undefeated.
Fury attempts to wrest away Klitschko’s IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight titles in Dusseldorf in 9 days time, in what is to be, far and away the biggest fight of his life, yet having shed as much as 5st (70lbs) in order to be in the best shape possible, many are speculating that given his huge 6′ 9″ frame and youth, the 39 year old champion could possibly be in for his toughest defence in a long time.
Canelo: ‘I Never Run From Any Challenge’
Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez, has sensibly stated that he doesn’t wish to discuss the Golovkin question until AFTER Saturday’s crunch middleweight clash with Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas, so as not to disrupt his focus.
The WBC middleweight strap, being contested at a 155 catch-weight, is only available for the Mexican to win after Cotto refused to pay $300k sanctioning fees earlier this week, leading many back to the question of a future fight with interim WBC champ, Gennady Golovkin – who will be upgraded to full champion status in the event of a Cotto victory.
Cotto: ‘I Don’t Need Their Belt’
Miguel Cotto has shrugged of the WBC’s decision to strip him of his middleweight title days out from Saturday’s clash with ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, saying ‘I don’t need their belt.’
The Puerto Rican, who is nearing the end of his Hall of Fame worthy career, had refused to pay the $300k sanctioning fees wanted by the WBC, instead trying to negotiate a lower fee, which was refused by the organisation.
DeGale: ‘Froch is Old News’
IBF super-middleweight champion, James DeGale, has dismissed all suggestions of Carl Froch ahead of his fight with Lucien Bute in Quebec in 10 days time, saying ‘The Cobra’ is both ‘an old man’ as well as ‘old news.’
DeGale fights former Froch foe Bute, in the maiden defence of the (vacant) belt he won back in May against Andre Dirrell, hoping to better his newly-retired countryman’s own destructive stoppage performance over the Canadian southpaw back in 2012.
‘Zurdo’ Intent on Looking Good Ahead of WBO Shot
Mexico’s unbeaten super-middleweight contender, Gilberto Ramirez (32-0, 24ko) takes on Dutch-based Armenian, Gevorg Khatchikian (23-1, 11ko) Friday night in Las Vegas, hoping to move one step closer to his world title ambitions.
The 24 year old Top Rank star is the mandatory challenger to the WBO super-middleweight title held by Germany’s Arthur Abraham, who defends against Britain’s Martin Murray on Saturday night in Hannover, and says he wanted to stay active as he awaits the opportunity, which will likely come in the first few months of 2016, assuming he is victorious against the tough Khatchikian.
Abraham vs. Murray final press conference – quotes and pictures
Arthur Abraham (43-4, 29 KOs) insists he has left no stone unturned in preparation for his WBO World Super Middleweight Championship contest with Martin Murray (32-2-1, 15 KOs) on Saturday night at the TUI Arena in Hannover, Germany.
Speaking at today’s final pre-fight press conference, ‘King Arthur’ detailed his ‘brutal’ training camp and declared himself ready to beat the British challenger.
Jacobs: I have the skills advantage over Quillin
WBA Middleweight World Champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs, former world champion Yuri Foreman and undefeated super bantamweight contender Heather “The Heat” Hardy hosted a media workout Tuesday at Gleason’s Gym in their hometown of Brooklyn as they prepare for their respective battles on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Barclays Center. Jacobs will defend his title against undefeated former champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® main event with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. In the co-feature, WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar (27-1, 21 KOs) will face exciting Puerto Rican contender Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (26-4, 16 KOs).
Cotto – Canelo predictions
Buzz is building for the epic showdown set for this Saturday, November 21 when Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) and former two-time Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) will meet in the ring at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas for the Ring Magazine Middleweight World Championship.
David Haye Returns Under Shane McGuigan
Former world heavyweight champion, David Haye has revealed he is set to return to the ring in 2016 under Carl Frampton trainer Shane McGuigan, son of legendary former Irish world champion, Barry.
Haye, who also held WBO/WBA/WBC cruiserweight titles over a 10 year pro career, and hasn’t boxed in over three years since knocking out bitter rival, Dereck Chisora in July 2012, released a short promo video via The LAD Bible, accompanied by the twitter hashtag #HayeMakerIsBack.