The debate on whether boxing is the premium combat sport over mixed martial arts is generally a hollow argument dressed in ignorance. After all, they are two vastly different fighting disciplines only linked by their mutually destructive aim of rendering an opponent unconscious. You are unlikely to wage an impassioned discussion of the respective merits of Rugby versus American football, so why afford the column inches to the tedious boxing – UFC dispute?
Keith Thurman Ready For July 11 Premier Boxing Champions On Espn Fight
Undefeated Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman (25-0, 21 KOs) is ready for his July 11 Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on ESPN fight, the first PBC fight on ESPN. Thurman will meet former world champion Luis Collazo (33-6, 19 KOs) on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT live from the USF Sun Dome in Tampa.
The 26-year-old Thurman, who kicked off the inaugural PBC card with a unanimous decision victory over Robert Guerrero, believes he is the best 147-pound boxer in the world.
“I am an evolutionary boxer,” Thurman said. “I change and grow with every camp, every fight, I am here to retain my title and become the undisputed, true welterweight champ.”
Oscar De La Hoya Says ‘No Comeback’
After much media speculation over his public indecision and desire to stage a return to the ring at the age of 42, former 6 weight world champ and modern great Oscar De La Hoya has finally decided to officially rule out the idea, releasing a statement via his official Facebook account that should finally put paid to any further gossip in relation to any potential in-ring resurrection.
The “Golden Boy”, who now enjoys his position as CEO of his eponymous promotional company, said;
“Over the last 6 months I’ve had a front row seat as Golden Boy fighters including Canelo Alvarez, Bernard Hopkins, Lucas Matthysse, Jorge Linares and David Lemieux have stepped into the ring and shown what boxing should all be about – a commitment to fight the best, respect the sport and put the fans first.”
Amir Khan Says Floyd Mayweather Is Messing Up His Own Legacy
The circus that surrounds Floyd Mayweather’s potential opponent for his ‘final’ fight in September has been arguably led by one ‘ringmaster’ – a man who calls himself ‘King’, yet acts more like a Jester in terms of his very public chasing of the lucrative opportunity many – fighters and fans alike – consider him undeserving of.
I am of course talking about Britain’s Amir Khan, who in his ever desperate and public quest to get Floyd between the ropes, has told Ringcast.net that the future Hall of Fame Inductee is “messing his own legacy up” by ostensibly refusing to fight him on September 12th and opting for a ‘softer’ option.
Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: Timothy Bradley, Thurman/Collazo, & Best American Fight Trainers in the Game!
Preston B. (San Francisco, CA): Timothy Bradley has proven time and time again that he’s the best welterweight in the world. I don’t think he gets the respect he deserves and I never understood that. He knows how to win. How did you rate his performance and his talent in general?
Vivek W. (ESB): Timothy Bradley is tough topic to tackle for me at times. I often think back to his fight across the pond against Junior Witter. I had seen him before and studied a few notes on him, but after that performance I became a very big fan. The heart he displayed that night in an effort thousands of miles away in another man’s land was as good as it gets. Where my personal trouble comes with Bradley is his inability to be consistent with those type of performances. We saw him look great against arguably the best Mexican warrior and future Hall of Famer of this era (Marquez); we’ve seen him look awful against the likes of Provodnikov.
David Haye: Fury Is Not Good Enough To Beat Klitschko
The soon-to-go-to purse bids clash between long reigning lineal heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and mandatory challenger Tyson Fury, is set to be one of the biggest heavyweight clashes involving a British fighter since David Haye’s own ill-fated Wladimir challenge and trip to Hamburg 4 years ago – which resulted in the now infamous and oft ridiculed “Toe-Gate” saga in which Haye displayed his injured little toe to the world as “evidence” of his poor performance immediately after the fight.
The fact of the matter remains that like so many before him, Haye came up short against “Dr.Steelhammer” – yet ahead of Fury’s attempt at dethroning the younger Klitschko brother, he has seen fit to speak out and scotch the giant Mancunian’s chances – going so far in ‘The Sun’ as to suggest the fight won’t even take place – saying he’ll be “very surprised” to see Fury actually get in the ring to fight the Ukrainian champion.
Scott Quigg Still Believes Frampton Fight Can Happen
On July 18th WBA (reg) 122 lb champion Scott Quigg goes into what will be a fight for comparative purposes when he takes on Spain’s Kiko Martinez in Manchester.
Bitter rival Carl Frampton boxed and beat Martinez twice – the first time in 2013 by 9th round stoppage and then again 18 months later by unanimous decision, to take the IBF 122 lb strap the Northern Irishman currently owns.
Negotiations for a fight between the two Brits recently broke down, with Frampton going on to sign with seemingly omnipotent ‘advisor’ Al Haymon – “The Jackal” is now set to face Alejandro Gonzalez Jr in Texas on the same July 18th date Quigg fights.
Kell Brook: I Believe I Can Beat Floyd Mayweather
There is still a degree of uncertainty surrounding September 12th for Britain’s IBF 147 lb champion Kell Brook. While mooted to be facing American brawler Brandon Rios on that date, the Sheffield fighter is still one of the names in the hat as a potential Floyd Mayweather opponent on the same date – and has spoken out to Sky Sports to insist that he is one of the few fighters out there able to cause Floyd real problems in the ring should that be the fight that comes off for him.
With Bob Arum recently suggesting the choice lies with Rios himself as to whether or not he ends up traveling to the UK to fight Brook, it’s clear that “The Special One” is keeping his options open.
Tough Night All Around – Bradley beats Vargas
Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley Jr., 32-1-1 (12KO) the favorite, did what was expected. He pounded out a unanimous decision over the until then unbeaten Jessie Vargas 26-1-0 (9KO). All too often the 5′ 10″ Vargas gave up his four inch height advantage. He allowed Bradley to control the distance and land his own jab and just out work him. Neither man is a big puncher, so neither man was in serious trouble until the last round. That is when the fun started Saturday night at the StubHub Center, Carson, CA.
With under twenty-seconds left in the fight, Bradley got careless and in the middle of an exchange, he dropped his guard. At just about that precise moment Vargas was uncorking a big right hand.
Joel Diaz: Bradley/Vargas Rematch Makes No Sense
Boxing is littered with bizarre incidents and controversy, from in-ring riots to Parachutist’s landing in the ring – yet last night’s welterweight clash between Tim Bradley and Jessie Vargas introduced us to a slightly different kind of strange when referee Pat Russell initially appeared to wave the fight off in favour of Vargas – who behind on all 3 cards – rocked Bradley badly in the dying seconds of the final round.
This prompted wild celebration from the WBA 140 lb champion, when in actual fact, Russell was signaling the end of the action after mistaking the 10-second clacker for the final bell – and after much confusion, order was restored and the rightful winner announced – with Bradley getting the unanimous decision by scores of (115-112, 116-112 AND 117-111).