Eddie Hearn says Kell Brook targeting Marquez, Maidana, Thurman or Guerrero after Jo Jo Dan

In an interview with Fight Hype Eddie Hearn, promoter for IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook, said that once their mandatory against Jo Jo Dan is complete, they would be looking for a big name in the summer. The names that he chose to mention were Juan Manuel Marquez, Marcos Maidana and the winner of the upcoming Thurman vs Guerrero match up.

Any of these fighters would be a fantastic match up for the 28 year old Brook, and each would most likely be viewed as his toughest test to date. Juan Manuel Marquez has been looking for a title at . Marquez was the third Mexican born boxer to become a four division champion and a win over Brook would make him the first five division champion. His only other options to pick up titles in that weight division would be rematches with Mayweather and Pacquiao so Brook has to be seen as the best route for him.

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The biggest things which need to happen for the sport of boxing to thrive

In this article I am going to detail my own personal opinions on what needs to happen, what needs to change and what needs to be stopped for the sport of boxing to increase in popularity and to return to its former glory which was enjoyed in the past. Boxing as a whole has been under a lot of fire in the last few years over a number of topics and this article will look to explain some of the major ones. Some of these are never going to change and are just wishful thinking, others, could very well happen in the next few years.

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The Future of the Heavyweight Division

Now the dust has settled on Deontay Wilders impressive and dominant twelve round unanimous decision over Bermane Stiverne to capture the WBC heavyweight title last month, many questions about him have been answered. Can he work for a full twelve round fight? Yes. Can he take a punch? Yes. Can he use fundimental techniques such as a strong jab and lateral movement. Yes. What this means however is that the division has a lot more questions to answer now. Who are the best heavyweights in the world? Are there other heavyweights who will be able to stand up to Wilders punches for a full twelve rounds? And who will be the fighter to finally end the Wladimir Klitschko express and dethrone him as the dominant face of the division (if anyone can do it!)

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The Super Lightweight Picture

There are a number of interesting matchups occurring in the 140lb division in the next few months, most notably a showdown between the IBF Champion Lamont Peterson and the lineal Champion Danny Garcia. Garcia had a terrible year in 2014 despite actually winning both of his bouts. This must be seen as the best opponent he has faced since his showdown with Argentinean slugger Lucas Matthysse in 2013.

Also former three weight world Champ Adrien Broner will take on pressure fighter John Molina Jr. Whilst I personally wouldn’t rate Molina as a top 15 fighter in this division, it is interesting seeing Broner in with someone who can punch after his disastrous performance against Marcos Maidana when they fought.

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Capital Punishment – Undercard Review

Hibbert goes up a level | Ryder ends a difficult night with a bang | Martin a class apart

John Wayne Hibbert TKO8 Tyler Goodjohn

John Wayne Hibbert 15-2 (9KO’s) took another huge step towards a tilt at the British light welterweight title, producing an eye-catching display to halt Tyler Goodjohn 11-4 (4KO’s) in the 8th round.

Given the obligatory social media bad blood in the lead up to the contest, there was a feeling that war would be declared from the opening bell. Hibbert had other ideas moving freely in and out of range, stinging the marching Goodjohn with sharp combinations.

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Capital Punishment – Main Event Review: Mitchell destroys Estrada in 8

Kevin Mitchell stormed into the mandatory position for Jorge Linares’ WBC lightweight title tonight with a sensational 8 round demolition of Daniel Estrada.

From the first punch until the last Mitchell, now 39-2 (29KO’s), was punch perfect as he completely dismantled a credible opponent in a career best showing.

Estrada, who now moves to 32-4 (24KO’s), looked surprised from the first exchange in the face of the superior speed of thought and movement from the Londoner who beat the Mexican to the punch on every occasion. Mitchell a standout victor of the first round accentuated the point landing flush with his lead left uppercut, the punch that would define the fight.

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Luis Upsets Dargan, Jeff Lacy Should Be Retired

photo by David Spagnolo/Main Events – Seven to one underdog Tony “Lightning” Luis handed hyped lightweight Karl “Dynamite” Dargan his first loss with a unanimous ten round decision on an ESPN 2 Friday Night Fight card at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

WBA number 13 Canadian Luis (19-2, 7 kos) out fought Dargan (17-1, 9 kos) from the second round on and it was a long night for the Philadelphian who entered the ring rated no. 15 IBF and no. 31.

The 5’9 Naazim Richardson trained Dargan took the first round as Luis fell short with most of punches following his rangier opponent around.

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Results from Foxwoods Dargan vs. Luis

The much-anticipated main event featured Philadelphian Karl “Dynamite” Dargan (17-1, 9 KOs)* against Tony “The Lightning” Luis (28-5, 18 KOs) for the WBC Continental Americas Lightweight Championship.

The first round started slow with both fighters feeling each other out. Luis appeared to control the second round keeping Dynamite on the ropes. Dargan was down in the third and the referee ruled it a slip. Luis continued to be the aggressor in the fourth. Dargan began to return fire late in the fourth and Luis thew a punch after the bell that enraged Dynamite.

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Arum: “I’m optimistic it will all be put together in the next couple of days”

For an unbearably long time, camp Manny Pacquiao was pointing fingers at Floyd Maywether Jr. for delaying, or even avoiding their fight. At the same time, camp Mayweather Jr. were doing the exact same thing, proclaiming that Top Promoter Bob Arum is not letting the fight come to fruition, while Pacquiao is evading certain terms and conditions.

All of this just came to an end, at least for now. In a recent interview with the New York Post, Bob Arum stated that he is now convinced that Mayweather Jr. truly does want this fight to happen: “Based on the meeting with Pacquiao in the hotel suite, Manny and Michael Koncz were convinced Floyd absolutely wants to do the fight.”

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Capital Punishment – Preview

In the wake of Anthony Joshua’s unfortunate back injury, Kevin Mitchell takes centre stage as Capital Punishment rolls into London’s O2 Arena, this coming Saturday.

Dagenham-born Mitchell faces Mexican Daniel Estrada for the vacant WBC Silver lightweight and a guaranteed shot at Jorge Linares’ recently acquired WBC strap.

It promises to be a raucous occasion with a card stacked with local interest. Not least of all John Ryder’s defence of his recently acquired WBO Inter-Continental middleweight title against late replacement Billi Godoy.

Here we will take a look at what’s in store as we kick of a huge 2015 for British boxing.

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