Sunday, October 11 marked the third anniversary of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. Traditionally speaking, it’s the leather anniversary. We’d prefer to ignore the modern gift idea devised by librarians at the Chicago Public Library, namely glass. We neither live in such a house nor have such a jaw. The leather anniversary. That’s more like it. Leather doesn’t shatter and, when put to good use, it can dent a septum now and then. We have striven to do just that, with affection, on behalf of thinking boxing fans around the world. Our mission is threefold: provide weekly rankings that are trustworthy and authoritative, identify the true champions, and convince boxing that common sense is making a comeback.
Fonfara Is ‘High Risk, High Reward’ says Nathan Cleverly
Former WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly (29-2, 15ko) has conceded his fight with Poland’s Andrzej Fonfara (27-3, 16ko) this Friday is a “high risk but high reward” type of affair, though says it’s exactly the type of gamble he needs to take in order to get back to top level.
The Welshman will be fighting in the Pole’s adopted Chicago backyard on the Premier Boxing Champions bill, and claims he took the non-title opportunity with Fonfara in America over another high-risk fight against WBA (reg) titlist, Juergen Braehmer in the champion’s German backyard – a hotbed of questionable judging for British fighters in the past.
Interview: Australia’s brightest star, Jeff Horn
While proven names such as Amir Khan, Danny Garcia and Kell Brook are circling, Australian excitement machine Jeff Horn sits just below them looking for his opportunity to break into the top tier.
Matthew Macklin: I Still Believe I Can Win a World Title
2x former world title challenger Matthew Macklin (33-6, 22ko) is convinced that he can still capture the world honours that have proven frustratingly elusive, with a move down from middleweight to 154 lbs potentially the key to success.
The 33 year old begins his quest against Jason Welborn (17-3, 6ko) in Birmingham on Saturday night, his first fight at the new weight in 9 years, and a crucial bounce back from his crushing – and somewhat surprise – defeat at the hands of Jorge Sebastian Heiland a year ago.
Andy Lee: ‘I Want to Unify Titles After I Beat Saunders’
While it seems that some fighters at 160 don’t really want the big fights in the division – or at best want to pick and choose them – one cannot say the same for Gennady Golovkin and David Lemieux, who clash in a unification Saturday in New York – and now WBO champ “Irish” Andy Lee has added his name to that [short] list of middleweights keen to fight the best and unify titles.
Lee finally has a rescheduled December 19th date with mandatory challenger, Billy Joe Saunders, and says that when he comes through that fight, he will seek out those big unification fights – ostensibly chasing the winners of Golovkin/Lemieux and November’s Cotto/Canelo WBC clash.
‘It’s Not Just About the Power’ says David Lemieux
Whatever happens this Saturday at Madison Square Garden, IBF middleweight champion David Lemieux, will receive huge credit for signing to fight dominant WBA boss Gennady Golovkin, and nominating to sign for a dangerous unification immediately after winning his IBF crown against Hassan N’Dam, rather than take a couple of ‘soft’ voluntary defences first.
The Canadian star claims he has had the best camp of his career in the build up and is more than comfortable with the underdog tag he’s been branded with, claiming that when the upset comes, it will make victory all the sweeter.
Liam Smith: ‘Shane Mosley Should be Calling ME Out!’
After his fantastic WBO 154 lb title winning effort in Manchester last night, Liverpool’s Liam Smith has admitted he was looking past America’s John Thompson in favour of bigger fights/names, and alluded to the possibility of a future fight with veteran former world champion, Shane Mosley – who continues to fight on at 44.
“I can’t describe how I feel right now, it just hasn’t sunk in but I can tell how much it means to everyone around me,” Smith said immediately post-fight last night.
Possible Quick Turnaround for Flanagan?
WBO lightweight champion Terry Flanagan, destroyed his mandatory challenger Diego Magdaleno in Manchester last night in effortless fashion, with a view to a possible quick turnaround – and 4th outing of 2015 -on December’s Andy Lee/Billy Joe Saunders card.
Video: Golovkin Lemieux Face Off with Kellerman
Fight fans eager for a unique inside look at the red-hot October 17th HBO Pay-Per-View® world middleweight championship unification showdown between knockout artists and title-holders Gennady Golovkin and David Lemieux, should mark their calendars to catch an all-new edition of “Face Off,” starring the two prizefighters. “Face Off With Max Kellerman: Golovkin/Lemieux” debuts Saturday, Oct. 10 at 11:20 p.m. (ET/PT).
Flanagan smashes Magdaleno; Smith KOs Thompson; Singh beats Whiting
Best of British, Terry Flanagan and Liam Smith, spanked the Yanks at the Manchester Arena in their world title fights with Flanagan retaining his title and Smith being crowned new world champion.
Manchester ace Flanagan destroyed his mandatory challenger Diego Magdaleno inside two round in the first defence of his WBO World Lightweight title, while Liverpool star Smith smashed John Thompson in.