Joe Calzaghe Talks Mayweather v Pacquiao – “Being Undefeated Can Be A Burden”

Legendary British 168lb wizard Joe Calzaghe has spoken to the BBC ahead of the Vegas super-fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao, predicting a win for Floyd, though calling his undefeated record “a massive burden.” If there is anyone well placed to talk of the burden of protecting an ‘0’ then it’s Calzaghe, who finally retired in 2008 after an unblemished 46-0 record and 11 long years a world champion.

He was involved in many memorable contests throughout his hall-of-fame career, including his destruction of American “Mini Mike Tyson” Jeff Lacy in 2006 and his US victories over living legends Roy Jones Jr and Bernard Hopkins in 2008. Not to mention his MASSIVE showdown with Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler that unified the 168lb titles in front of 50,000 in Cardiff in 2007.

continue

Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao Prediction and Analysis

It is only just over a week away before the long anticipated showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao finally takes place. The fight is long overdue and has been six long years in the making. Now that the time has arrived at last, what will happen? How will the fight unfold? What type of momentum shifts might occur? What can we expect to see? And ultimately, and most importantly, who will win this legacy defining fight between boxing’s two biggest stars? The answers to all of these questions and more will be addressed and considered in this official prediction video.

continue

Andre Ward vs Paul Smith Jr on June 20 in Oakland

So after much rumour and speculation, the confirmation has finally arrived, and it will be Britain’s Paul Smith (35-5, 20ko) who squares off in the opposite corner to the returning Andre Ward (27-0, 14ko) on June 20th in Oakland, California.

Ward is one of America’s best in my opinion, and despite a 19 month lay-off will walk into this non-title bout a heavy betting favourite against the Liverpool fighter, who has been cruelly referred to by fans as “not even the best super middleweight in the Smith family” in reference to younger brother, undefeated 168lb contender Callum Smith (15-0, 11ko).

continue

Magnanimous Mayweather? A New Impression, More Than Three Years Removed

Humble. Quiet. Polite. Contemplative, even. These aren’t the words one would have normally used to describe Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the past. These aren’t the words this author, nor the soldiers assigned to Task Force Duke at Forward Operating Base Salerno in Afghanistan, used to describe Mayweather following an overseas Skype session in 2011.

The date was Sept. 2 of that year, and Mayweather was just weeks from squaring off against Victor Ortiz, the World Boxing Council welterweight champion at the time.

continue

Video – Maloney Returns To Boxing Promotion Following Gender Reassignment

Legendary British promoter Kellie Maloney, who famously guided Lennox Lewis to the world heavyweight title in her former incarnation of Frank, has spoken to the BBC’s 5live in the UK today to signal her return to boxing.

Maloney left the fight game following then charge David Price’s crushing losses to American Tony Thompson, ostensibly because she “had fallen out of love with boxing”.

The reality was that the promoter had finally decided to face a life-long gender identity crisis away from the unforgiving glare of the boxing public.

continue

Wladimir Klitschko sets his sights on Joe Louis’s record of 25 straight title defenses

Klitschko is not just looking past Bryant Jennings (19-0) but he has grand plans to rewrite the record books. At this stage the Ukrainian has 17 consecutive title defenses ranking third behind Larry Holmes with 19 pops and Joe Louis in a league of his own with 25 straight wins at the top. Dr. Steelhammer will tie one of Louis’s achievements – 27 title bouts- the moment he sets foot in the ring tomorrow night at the Garden to defend his 4 titles against Jennings.

“As long as I have the motivation and health, I’ll do it. I don’t feel old, or bad, or slow.” said the confident champion. At the last press conference prior to his fight with Jennings, Wladimir acted out of character and did some brash talking giving the media and fans a little more food for comments. Ever the gentleman, he never talks trash and he found some balance in dismissing the up comers but paying his respect to the legends form the past, saying: “I am still looking up to those guys.

continue

Mayweather v Pacquiao Tickets At Last!

It appears that the rich and powerful can finally sleep a little easier tonight, as Mayweather-Pacquiao tickets appear to finally be going on sale later today.

Well around a thousand rich people can sleep easy anyway, as of the 16,500 seats inside the venue come fight night, that’s the amount that will be available to the public.

continue

Larry Holmes Unveils $1 Million Dollar WBC Belt – Mayweather v Pacquiao

Tuesday in Mexico City, the WBC unveiled the million dollar belt that will be presented to the winner of Mayweather-Pacquiao on May 2nd.

Current WBC 175lb champion Adonis Stevenson and legendary former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes were on hand to help with the unveiling, alongside WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman.

It’s always good to see the Easton Assassin, who won his own WBC strap in a gruelling fight with Ken Norton in 1978, out and about and looking so well.

continue

Andre Ward In Comeback 2.0!

American 168lb king Andre Ward (27-0, 14ko) has shown a self-deprecating sense of humour in a chat with fighthype.com, jokingly referring to his much talked about comeback as “the comeback 2.0”.

This obviously in reference to the agonising time out of the ring he has had since his last fight way back in November of 2013, and the mooted returns that have previously failed to materialise.

With a smile on his face, S.O.G said of his pencilled in June 20th date, “It’s the comeback 2.0. Let’s just clarify! You gotta laugh at yourself sometimes, man. It (the inactivity) is what it is..”

continue

The Russian invasion of the cruiserweight division

They have arrived with a bang. A knock out bang that is resonating through the cruiser weight … continue