Another View of Marquez-Alvarado: It’s Magnificent, But It Isn’t War

“C’est magnifique mais c’est pas la guerre.” (It’s magnificent, but it isn’t war).

~Marshal Pierre Bosquet in 1854, as he watched English cavalry charge toward their doom in a brave but ill-advised attack upon a deeply entrenched Russian artillery battery during the Battle of Balaclava.~

Although Tennyson’s poem remains the most famous piece of writing about the Charge of the Light Brigade, Bosquet’s quote may well be the most succinct, and appropriate description of what took place that day. You really can’t hope to do much better in terms of trying to express the mixture of admiration and incredulity that one would feel when watching an event like this take place before your eyes. And, that’s the reason why this author has decided to begin the article with these words; because he has a feeling that they’ll be uttered by more than one boxing fan as they watch an entirely different sort of battle take place at the Inglewood Forum this Saturday.

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Pac and Floyd’s latest PPV: Handwriting on the wall

The pay-per-view sales are down for the shows far below projections. HBO and Showtime live cable viewing for both fights didn’t do well in numbers based on the announced approximation by the producers or accurate/padded figures they are reluctant to divulge. Brats and crocs aren’t ecstatic about the grim facts that have come in.

Had the people been remiss in doing their part and had majority of the fans, as a form of protest, failed to keep their distance from the recently concluded “Mayweather-Maidana” and “Pacquiao-Bradley II,” PPV result for the said events could have ballooned to more than double.

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Boxnation to show Martinez vs Cotto live

LONDON (May 16) – This summer’s eagerly anticipated showdown between superstars Sergio Martinez and Miguel Cotto will be shown live and exclusive on BoxNation.

‘The Channel of Champions’ has once again proved its punching power by landing the mega middleweight world title clash on June 7th at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York.

This follows an incredible 2014 which has seen the world’s best boxing channel air a host of leading matchups including Floyd Mayweather’s toe-to-toe superfight with Marcos Maidana, plus Manny Pacquiao’s sensational ring return against Tim Bradley.

The addition of Martinez’s defence of his WBC middleweight crown against a rejuvenated Cotto, to the BoxNation calendar, offers fight fans the chance to see two of boxing’s biggest names go at it in a genuine 50-50 fight.

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OPEN MIC: Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin Discusses Golovkin, Mayweather Jr., Stevens,and More!

Photo © Paul “Paparazzi” Jones – Washington, DC —In April,WBO Middleweight Champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs) dominated Lukáš Konečný (50-5, 23 KOs) over 12 rounds at the DC Armory. When the final results were read, Kid Chocolate led on all three scorecards (119-109 [twice], 120-108) in a virtual shutout. After the fight, Quillin wasted little time in calling out the Miguel Cotto(38-4, 31 KOs)/Sergio Martínez(51-2-2, 28 KOs) winner and fellow New Yorker, Daniel Jacobs(27-1, 24 KOs).

Before his victory, Quillin sat down with Eastsideboxing’s Paul “Paparazzi” Jones for an exclusive interview. Kid Chocolate discussed his upbringing, potential opponents, his connection to International Boxing Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, and more.

Eastsideboxing.com: Can you talk a little bit about growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and discuss some of the hardships that you’ve faced along the way?

Peter Quillin (PQ):“Well, I was homeless in New York City. That’s away from family. While I was with family, it still was a struggle. My mom was raising four boys alone. My dad went to prison at an early age; me and my brother had to learn a lot of life lessons in the streets.”

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Marquez vs. Alvarado: Can “Dinamita” keep his unbeaten streak alive at the reincarnated Forum?

The fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California is ready to add to its already rich history after being refurnished in time for this Saturday, May 17th on HBO. Juan Manuel Marquez and Mike Alvarado are both attempting to reboot their careers after suffering losses in their last outing.

The biggest unknown heading into Saturday nights tilt is how much has the great Mexican boxer declined since his epic knockout of Manny Pacquaio in December 2012. From the sounds of it, Mike Alvarado is in a good mental state after a lackluster training camp in preparation for his war with Ruslan Provodnikov that resulted in him quitting on the stool in front of a ruckus hometown crowd in Denver last fall.

The Forum famously housed the 1980’s Showtime Lakers. It also became a hot spot for boxing diehards with monthly shows that drew legions of fans and legendary fighters. The Forums next chapter should start out with a bang when these two combatants faceoff. The proverbial dangling carrot for the winner is a fight with Manny Pacquiao later this year.

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Eddie Chambers is on a mission back to world level

‘Fast’ Eddie Chambers is on a mission back to world level and is ready to show that at Leeds Town Hall on Saturday night (May 17).

The former world heavyweight title contender takes on Carl Baker and is determined to prove his class on the undercard to the MaxiNutrition Knockout semi-finals, live on Channel 5 from 10pm.

“I’m feeling as good as I’ve ever felt – strong, focused and determined to get back to where I need to be in this sport,” Eddie said.

“I’m going to give you a reason to come and support me because I’m planning on taking this straight to the title, there’s no question about it and we’ll make some history on the way.”

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Mchunu to Take On Dos Santos in South Africa

Photo: Rich Graessle/Main Events – Pretoria, South Africa: Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu (16-1, 11 KOs), the southpaw from South Africa, will fight for the vacant IBF International Cruiserweight Title against Julio “Gaspar” Cesar Dos Santos (26-2, 23 KOs), the veteran from Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 6th at Rembrandt Hall at the University of Pretoria in Pretoria, South Africa. The fight is scheduled for ten rounds.

The young Mchunu, 26, of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, made his US debut Aug. 3, 2013 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT with a stunning unanimous decision upset of former heavyweight contender “Fast” Eddie Chambers. He then went on to defeat Olanrewaju “God’s Power” Durodola on Jan. 24, 2014 on NBCSN Fight Night in Atlantic City, NJ. This will be his first fight back in his home country since signing with Main Events last year.

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Juan Manuel Marquez is determined to become Mexico’s first five-division world champion

Boxing legend Juan Manuel Marquez is determined to become Mexico’s first five-division world champion by setting up an historic showdown with Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.

The 40-year-old great goes head-to-head with the all-action Mike Alvarado this weekend, live and exclusive on BoxNation, knowing that victory on Saturday night will propel him into a fifth meeting with his famed nemesis Pacquiao and a shot at his WBO welterweight crown.

The chance to seize yet another world title, this time at 147 pounds, offers Marquez the unique opportunity to become Mexico’s only five-division world champion, with the veteran currently alongside Mexican icons Erik Morales and Jorge Arce as a four-weight champion.

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Video: Tyson Fury Opens Bolton Gym

Heavyweight boxing star Tyson Fury, along with trainer Peter Fury, undefeated cousin Hughie and other members of the Team Fury entourage will all be on hand to open their brand new Bolton boxing HQ on Wednesday May 14.

Developed in conjunction with the Platinum Sports and Events Management Company headed by Asif Vali, The Platinum Community Centre will boast state-of-the-art training facilities to help develop future amateur and pro champions.

“We’re really excited about getting this Team Fury gym up and running,” said Peter Fury recently. “It’s been a lot of hard work in the making but we’re there now and the set-up is fantastic. Tyson and the rest of the team will be based there and hopefully the gym will soon have its first world champ.”

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Robert Guerrero vs Yoshihiro Kamegai on Saturday, June 21 live on Showtime

LOS ANGELES (May 14, 2014) – Former four-division World Champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero will make his anticipated return to the ring to face Japan’s Yoshihiro Kamegai in a 12-round welterweight bout on Saturday, June 21 at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

In a co-feature of the three-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast, unbeaten Gary Russell Jr. faces Ukrainian star Vasyl Lomachenko for the vacant WBO World Featherweight Title in a 12-round showdown and in the opener, former world champion Devon Alexander “The Great” returns to meet Jesus Soto Karass in a 10-round super welterweight match up.

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