Wolgast, Rivers and the double knockout drama

By Mike Dunn: One of the most controversial title fights took place on the Fourth of July, 1912, in Vernon, Calif., near Los Angeles. Popular local favorite Mexican Joe Rivers – who wasn’t Mexican at all but a fourth-generation Californian of Spanish-Native American descent whose real name was Jose Ybarra – challenged rugged lightweight champ Ad Wolgast in a fight that would forever be known for the rarest of all fistic occurrences – a double knockout – and for the subsequent shocking actions of the ref enabling Wolgast to retain the title.

Rivers was a formidable challenger, having dispatched of both Johnny Kilbane (KO 16) and Frank Conley (KO 12) to earn his shot at the crown in the open-air Vernon Arena before 11,000 witnesses that hot Independence Day.

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Hatton Backing Flanagan To Win World Title Against Zepeda

In 9 days time, “Turbo” Terry Flanagan will square off against big punching American knockout artist Jose Zepeda in Manchester for the WBO 135 lb title, live on Boxnation in the UK.

Scots Ken Buchanan, Jim Watt and Ricky Burns have held versions of the world 135 lb title, yet should Flanagan prevail he will become the first English fighter to do so.

Terry – who hails from Ancoats – is being backed by former world champion and fellow Mancunian Ricky Hatton, who is confident he can do the business in front of his hometown fans on July 11th.

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It’s Not Over Yet Says Bernard Hopkins / Targeting 168 ?

His list of accomplishments as a fighter is long and voluminous, and for many fans, the punishment he sustained last November against “The Krusher” Sergey Kovalev should have been enough for the now 50 year old Bernard Hopkins to say enough is enough – and finally walk away from the ring.

Yet, the future Hall of Famer has insisted to Fox Sports that he still has something left to give;

“Unlike my business partner Oscar De La Hoya, I’ll be confirming that I’m not retired. I’m looking to make one more historical, meaningful fight before I close out my 27 year career.”

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Kevin Mitchell To Get Possible Shot At Redemption Against Jorge Linares?

Going into his world title challenge on May 30th against Venezuelan champion Jorge Linares, likable Dagenham lightweight Kevin Mitchell had to convince a lot of people that he really could perform when it was all on the line. After disappointing and emphatic stoppage losses in prior world title challenges on the big stage – against Michael Katsidis for an interim strap in 2010 and then again 2 years later against Ricky Burns – there were still serious questions about the Londoner’s desire and commitment, despite his career rejuvenation under the Matchroom promotional banner over the last couple of years.

Those questions were answered by a lion-hearted Mitchell in a thrilling fight in which both men touched down – however Linares would be the man to eventually prevail, securing a 10th round stoppage, aided in part by a horrific eye swelling that had blighted Mitchell’s face.

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Golovkin thinks Mayweather and Froch are dodging him

WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (33-0, 30 KOs) is aiming high for his next fight in 2015. He wants Floyd Mayweather Jr., Carl Froch, Miguel Cotto or Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Unfortunately, what Golovkin wants and what he’ll get our two different things. Golovkin believes that Froch and Mayweather are ducking a fight against him by making excuses for why they can’t get inside the ring to face him.

Mayweather said he can’t fight Golovkin because he’s near the end of his career. That probably means it’s too dangerous of a fight for him right now. Froch says that Golovkin wants a catch-weight in order for him to fight him. Golovkin’s promoter Tom Loeffler refutes that notion, saying that they have never asked for a catch-weight for a fight against Froch. They’ll fight him at 168. So who do you believe?

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Eddie Hearn: Anthony Joshua v Dillian Whyte Is Inevitable

After the 2 fighters once again began trading barbs over twitter yesterday, and a host of fight fans began chucking in their two cents, Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn was forced to publicly intervene, thus giving his clearest indication yet that the big domestic heavyweight clash between rising star Anthony Joshua and Brixton’s Dillian Whyte is firmly on his radar for later this year.

After tweeting that he would allow the two undefeated prospects to go at it in the ring, Hearn has today given an interview with Sky Sports in which he says he is eyeing November or December for the clash – a fight he refers to as “inevitable”.

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Thurman: “Looking Forward To The Future”

WBA (reg) welterweight champion Keith Thurman headlined the inaugural PBC card on NBC back in March, and on July 11th he will headline the debut PBC on ESPN card when he faces New York southpaw Luis Collazo live from the USF Sundome in Tampa, FL – in what is said to be another crucial step in Thurman’s quest to be a breakout boxing star of the future.

Speaking at a conference call to promote the fight via fighthubtv, undefeated Thurman, who defends the strap he won against Robert Guerrero 4 months ago, said he plans on continuing in his current vein and is constantly learning new things about the sport.

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Pacquiao Should Not Return This Year Says Arum

For many fight fans, May 2nd, the rotator cuff saga and the ensuing controversy now seems something of a distant memory, so much has happened since.

With Floyd Mayweather making plans for September, the future of Manny Pacquiao is still relatively uncertain – yet in his latest chat with fighthubtv, the Filipino star’s promoter Bob Arum has offered his two pennies worth on the situation surrounding his fighter – reaffirming his belief that while it is now ‘possible’ Pacquiao could make a ring return later this year – as promoter, it’s something he would advise against.

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Carl Frampton US Debut To Be Screened By ITV

In a good piece of news for UK fight fans, Carl Frampton’s 2nd defence of his IBF super bantamweight title against Mexico’s Alejandro Gonzalez Jr – that is to take place in El Paso, Texas on July 18th – is to be screened on terrestrial television, with ITV confirming they are to broadcast the bout. It will be screened prime time, starting at 9:45 pm (BST)

The channel, which has a historic association to the sport in the country, made a hugely successful return to it with Frampton’s sizzling maiden defence against brash American challenger Chris Avalos back in February. An audience of over 2 million viewers tuned in.

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Wilder Has No Chin & A Padded Record Says Lucas Browne

Since that less than stellar performance against Eric Molina earlier this month, Alabama’s WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has taken a bit of a shellacking from all quarters, particularly from his fighting peers in the heavyweight division.

One man it seems more than any other, unbeaten Australian contender Lucas Browne, has been trading barbs with Wilder across social media as of late – the latest of the exchanges coming via a video Browne has released in relation to their ‘beef’.

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