Mayweather v Pacquiao: Prepare For Disappointment

The ongoing saga (or soap opera, depending on who you speak to) of the “will they, won’t they” couple; boxing’s top two 147lbers who have kept the fans and public guessing for way too long now, leaving many completely indifferent to whether the fight will actually happen or not; Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao have led us all on a merry dance, and now are allegedly close to confirming a showdown sometime in the first half of 2015.

With the relevance of this fight significantly reduced since its first incarnation was discussed way back in 2009 (hard to believe it’s gone on that long now), most people I speak to now are totally uninterested and pretty much say the same thing: “I’ll believe it when the bell rings”.

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Froch not interested in Golovkin or Ward, wants Chavez Jr

If he can’t get his desired fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in Las Vegas, IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch says he’ll be hanging up his gloves and going into retirement. He has no interest in taking plan-B backup options of facing Gennady Golovkin or Andre Ward, even though both of those fights would do quite well on British pay-per-view and would likely sell as well as Froch’s recent fights against George Groves.

Froch wants Chavez Jr because he thinks he can beat him, and he likes that Chavez Jr has a large Mexican fan population that follows him.

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The Debut of “Throne Boxing” from Roc Nation Sports is an Instant Success

By: Joe Latti, Brick City Boxing – The stars were out Friday night at Madison Square Garden as Roc Nation Sports kicked off the first edition of their “Throne Boxing” series. The event was televised by Fox Sports 1 and hosted by famous New York radio personalities Angie Martinez and DJ Mustard with Michael Buffer doing the pre-fight introductions. Rapper and New York City native Fabolous put on a performance in the ring before the main event. Some of the guests scattered around ringside included Jay Z, Rihanna, Jake Gyllenhaal, CC Sabathia, Victor Cruz, Winky Wright, Bryant Jennings, Rosie Perez, Paulie Malignaggi, and the newest boxer to the Roc Nation Sports family Andre Ward, who was signed to a deal just hours before the event.

The main event featured Dusty Hernandez-Harrison (25-0, 13 KOs) in a dominant victory by decision over New York fan favorite Tommy Rainone (22-6-1, 4 KOs). The bout started off with light action in the first frame, a round which could have went either way.

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Broner rejects $40 million offer for 5 years with Roc Nation Sports

TMZ is reporting that boxing star Adrien Broner has rejected a healthy 5-year, $40 million offer from Roc Nation Sports. Broner felt that the offer was insulting to him because it was for only $8 million per year. Broner figures that he’ll be fighting four times in 2015 alone. Unfortunately, Broner didn’t say what kind of money he’s looking for to sign with them, but you’d have to assume that it’s a lot more than the $40 million that Roc Nation was supposedly offering him to sign.

If Broner isn’t happy with a big offer of $40 million, it would be interesting to see what kind of money that he’s looking for in order to sign a contract of 5 years with various promoters.

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Let the Games Begin: Ward, Golden Boy, Schaefer, Broner, Khan & More!

The year 2015 is starting off with a bang- not neccessarily in the ring, but definitely outside of it. The pieces on the chess board are moving into place and when the smoke clears, we will (maybe) have a better picture of the boxing landscape.

Andre Ward

Andre Ward’s frustrating court battle with Goossen Tutor apparently has come to an end. Jay Z’s Roc Nation announced the signing of Andre Ward during their initial boxing card last night in Madison Square Garden’s theatre.

What it Means

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Pacquiao vs. Mayweather Jr.: Start saving your pennies?

It’s close, very close. According to various recent reports, the fight venue as well as the drug testing issue has been ironed out and agreed upon. As always, the last and most important piece is the finances, which is likely the only thing keeping the signatures off the contract for now.

The fight, if comes to fruition, will take place at MGM Grand arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The possible date has not yet been declared, but if not the most likely and Floyd’s favorite month of May, I would strongly assume that June would be the month to host the biggest boxing match in recent history.

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Andre Ward not interested in moving to light heavyweight

Andre Ward (27-0, 14 KOs) feels there’s no need in him moving up to the light heavyweight division to get big fights in that weight class. Ward, 30, feels that there’s no need in him moving up to the 175 pound division until he physically grows into that division.

Right now, Ward still sees him as a super middleweight despite the fact there are questions whether he’ll be able to make the weight given his long year and a half layoff from the ring.

Ward signed with Roc Nations Sports last Friday after breaking free from his previous promoter Goosen Promotions, who Ward had been in litigation with for the last year.

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Mayweather-Pacquiao fight could get done in 7-10 days

The mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Pacquiao could get done in the next week to week and a half, according to an inside source that spoke to LA Times writer Lance Pugmire on Friday. The blood testing and venue have both been agreed on, and now the only thing that’s left to iron out is the purse split for the fight.

We’re making progress,” the source told Pugmire at Latimes.com.

The purse split is the tricky part. Pacquiao is said to be okay with getting a 60-40 deal with Mayweather getting the lion’s share, but it’s unclear whether that’s a good enough deal for Mayweather to agree to.

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Perez Out Points Maicelo Opening ESPN Friday Night Fights 2015 Season

In the first card for 2015 on ESPN Friday Night Fights, WBA interim lightweight belt holder Darleys Perez (32-1, 20 kos) retained against number 6 contender Jonathan Maicelo (21-2, 12 kos) with a convincing unanimous decision at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California.

Columbian Perez was a class above his fellow 31 year old foe over the final half of the fight and punctuated a dominating performance with big rounds in eleven and twelve.

Peru’s Maicelo was competitive during the opening four rounds with his unorthodox movement and wide punches but once Perez established his led left hand he was able to control the action from center ring.

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Ivan Redkach Blasts Yakubu Amidu In First ShoBox: The New Generation Of 2015

Undefeated prospect Ivan Redkach (18-0, 14 KOs) was impressive in a sixth-round knockout victory over Yakubu Amidu (19-6-2, 17 KOs), who failed to get off his stool following the sixth round in Friday’s main event of ShoBox: The New Generation from Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif.

Working for the first time with new trainer Robert Garcia, Redkach, of Los Angeles by way of Ukraine, started out slow as he found his range, with the durable Amidu handling his power in the opening rounds. Amidu, of Los Angeles by way of Ghana, started slow but picked up the pace in the fourth and then was docked a point by referee Ray Corona for repeated low blows in the fifth.

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