Briedis destroys Charr

In a surprising upset, the well-known heavyweight Manuel Charr (28-4, 16 KOs) was stopped in the 5th round by little known undefeated Mairis Briedis (17-0, 14 KOs) on Saturday night at the Akhmat Arena, in Grozny, Russia. Charr was knocked out cold from a left-right combination from Briedis that deposited Charr face down on the canvas.

It was similar to the way Juan Manuel Marquez knocked Manny Pacquiao out three years ago in 2012. The only difference was Briedis split Charr’s guard with a right uppercut to the chin and followed it up with a parting left hook to the head that sent the 245 pound Charr face down on the canvas. Charr’s arms were to his sides when he hit the canvas and he didn’t even attempt to brace his fall because he was literally knocked unconscious. Referee Irakly Malazonia stopped the fight officially at 2:55 of the round.

continue

Wladimir Klitschko v Tyson Fury Set for Huge 54,600 Sell-Out says Mick Hennessy

Tyson Fury’s October 24th world heavyweight title challenge to dominant lineal champion Wladimir Klitschko at the 54,600 capacity Espirit Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany is poised for a sell-out according to Fury’s long-time promoter Mick Hennessy.

The fight, which became a done deal at the 11th hour ahead of a scheduled purse bid, has seen a huge demand for tickets from passionate Brits who believe the giant 6ft 9″ challenger may well be able to pull off the upset over the Ukrainian WBO/WBA and IBF champion, especially given the rare size advantages Fury is set to enjoy over “Dr. Steelhammer.”

continue

Mosley v Mayorga 2 in Serious Jeopardy / Don King Trying to Pull the Plug

After the initial ridicule over veteran Shane Mosley’s August 29th rematch bout with fellow old timer Ricardo Mayorga, there was a feeling eventually among some on social media that maybe it wasn’t actually going to be all that bad after all – at least some of us in the UK who could watch as part of our normal Boxnation subscription, rather than shell out for a PPV like our American cousins, thought that way anyway.

Plus, with all the hard work and promotion Sugar Shane was putting in, especially via his must-read twitter feed, encompassing the dual risks of fighting in AND promoting the event, this writer for one was wishing the former champ the best with the endeavour, regardless of if the catchweight fight between the two was pretty much an irrelevance to most right-thinking fans – me included.

continue

Carl Frampton Fight No Nearer says Scott Quigg / “Out of My Hands”

There are a couple of big all-UK world title fights the fans there want to see, and sadly it seems, neither are any closer to fruition.

One is obviously the seemingly dead in the water Kell Brook/Amir Khan fight that I guess we can dream of happening one day if Amir runs out of excuses to avoid it, and the other is the seemingly unlikely fight (at least for now) between IBF 122lb champion and rival divisional belt holder, WBA (reg) champion Scott Quigg.

continue

Roy Jones Jr “Blacklisted” In Ukraine

Roy Jones, Jr. responded today to the recent reports that he has been blacklisted and included into … continue

Golovkin Has More of Everything Than He Has Shown says Abel Sanchez

Unbeaten Kazakh knockout artist Gennady Golovkin has big power. Of that I think everybody can agree.

The last fight of his to go the distance was an 8 rounder in 2008 against Amar Amari in Switzerland, and since that time his destructive streak has wreaked havoc on all who stood in his way, bar none.

Obviously a belief exists among some that “he hasn’t fought anybody” yet – anybody of similar dominance or who is operating at elite world class level anyway – at 160 or beyond – although on October 17th he will at least be facing the hardest puncher he’s ever stood in front of in Canada’s IBF middleweight champion David Lemieux.

continue

Brian Viloria: Promising Action Against Roman Gonzalez

One fight hardcore fans are getting excited about along with all the upcoming treats this October and November, is the big flyweight clash that will take place on the Golovkin/Lemieux HBO PPV bill from Madison Square Garden, between Nicaraguan P4P star Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (43-0, 37ko) and America’s “Hawaiian Punch” Brian Viloria (36-4, 22ko).

Even though the American former champ at fly and super fly is approaching 35 years old, he is still considered one of the most credible tests for the unbeaten Gonzalez, and has warned that he is far from “past-best,” promising that he still carries one of the hardest digs in the lower weight classes and cannot wait for fight night.

continue

Popular New England Fighter: Danny O’Connor

One of the most popular New England pugilists, Danny O’Connor delighted hundreds of loud passionate hometown Boston fans in his last outing with a dominating fifth round technical knockout victory over Chris Gilbert in May. O’Connor knockdown Gilbert five times after which referee, Leo Gerstel stopped the bout with 1:04 left in the round. O’Connor, with the win, improved his record to 26-2, 10 KOs and received the vacant New England welterweight title.

“I’m happy with my performance against Gilbert and I’m especially proud of myself for the way I handled all the challenges that led up to this bout with [Paulie] Malignaggi being hurt [cut over his left eyelid during sparring] and then having to change my opponent on one week notice,” said O’Connor. “I’m still working on getting better each and every day and I’ve a great deal more to accomplish.”

continue

Gennady Golovkin vs. David Lemieux LA/NYC Quotes

Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (33-0, 30 KOs) and IBF Middleweight World Champion power-puncher David Lemieux (34-2, 31 KOs) of Montreal, Quebec hosted the final press conference on their three-city tour in Los Angeles on Thursday, August 20. The fighters received a warm welcome with a huge reception including a large crowd of media members in attendance and fans who eagerly waited outside the venue doors trying to get in or sneak a peak at their boxing heroes.

The successful Los Angeles press tour stop for Golovkin vs. Lemieux capped a week of exciting media events for the two middleweight champion fighters. On Tuesday, Aug. 18 in New York City, Golovkin and Lemieux took to the top of the famous Empire State Building to pose with their middleweight championship belts before ending the day with a packed-house at Chase Square at Madison Square Garden for the kick-off press conference.

continue

Wilder: Selling 2nd Tier Opponents to His Hometown Fans

American boxing fans in particular must be bemoaning the news that unbeaten WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will be facing French WBC #12 ranked Johann Duhaupas (32-2, 20ko) on September 26th in his home state of Alabama in a scheduled PBC on NBC broadcast.

It is a frankly disappointing defence against more low-level opposition from the Al Haymon “advised” fighter – of whom fans are demanding much more – and at the first official presser to announce the fight on Thursday, it was evident the delicate process of polishing a turd had already begun.

continue