ESPN Thursday Night Fights: A Ringside Report

On May 1, Hialeah Park and Casino hosted ESPN Thursday Night Fights. Those in attendance included both current and former world champions such as Guillermo Rigondeaux, Riddick Bowe, Joel Casamayor, and Sergio Martinez.

NON TELEVISED BOUTS

The fighter who left the biggest impression in the opening bouts was Ahmed Elbiale, fighting out of Miami, FL by way of Cairo Egypt. He faced Steven Chadwick Jr. in a light heavyweight bout scheduled for four rounds. Neither the judges nor the ring card girls would be needed in this short, brutal bout.

continue

Mayweather vs. Maidana: Will May 3 be a monumental moment or just a mirage?

We know Marcos Maidana will have his moments when facing Floyd Mayweather but will he have enough of them to get his hand raised. Mayweather is once again a heavy favorite heading into Saturday nights scrap so the real question outta be will the paying customer get a bang for their bucks. Along with the main event I will preview and predict the undercard fights that include big names like Amir Khan and Adrien Broner.

With so few weaknesses inside the ring for Floyd Mayweather it’s very difficult to pick against him. When my mainstream boxing fan friends ask me about an upcoming Mayweather fight I’m often left talking about how entertaining it will be rather than convincing them that he will lose.

continue

“The Moment” Fight Week Day 3 : Khan-Collazo, Broner-Molina and Love-Periban Final Press Conference

The Moment’s undercard fighters’ final press conference took place on Thursday, Day 3 of fight week in Las Vegas. Each fighter took the podium to say their last words to the press as they prepare for battle in a few days.

Coming off from his December loss, one wasn’t sure if Adrien Broner would be more humble this time around. A press conference could always use some some color and excitement. Although Broner is not headlining the card, he made it a point to be heard during the conference.

Each fighter praised their opponent, but each promised victory at the same time.

Here are notable quotes from each fighter along with visuals.

continue

Mayweather vs Maidana: Closer Than You Think

The highly anticipated fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Marco Maidana is scheduled to take place thisSaturday May 3, 2014 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Most fight fans, critics, analysts, and boxers are giving the edge to Floyd Mayweather as they should. He is the champion, he has been a champion for over 17 years, he has been here before and been successful 45 times without a blemish on his record. Although I too give the edge to Floyd due to the many advantages he has, I also believe that this fight is going to be closer than most feel. Here is why…

Floyd and Referees

One of Floyd’s major advantages is that referees allow him to get away with a lot. With Floyd’s experience, he is able to implement elbows, clenches, and forearm action with no consequences. When was the last time Floyd was deducted a point, let alone a verbal warning? Closest he got was in the Hatton fight, yet Joe Cortez did not allow Hatton’s bully and rough tactics, which threw off a worthy game plan by the Englishman.

continue

Marcos Maidana: “I think I can knock him out, but I also think I can beat him by decision”

When it comes to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his opponents, we have learned over the years that their promises are simply meaningless. Not to say that Floyd’s rivals don’t believe their predictions and guarantees, as a matter of fact, most wholeheartedly do.

The difficulty in persuading the boxing community when facing Mayweather Jr., is that over the years, we have heard the entire spectrum of combinations of pledges, and none of them crossed the necessary threshold to make the boxing fans consider that despite coming up short, they almost did it.

continue

“The Moment” Fight Week Day 2 : Final Press Conference

Day 2 for “The Moment” came with with final press conference for the Welterweight unification bout between Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Marcos Maidana.

The trainers, promoters and sponsors all took the time to thank the fans and media as the build-up for the fight continues.

Mayweather, Jr., in an effort to show his philanthropic side, announced a donation to the Sussan G. Kommen Foundation. But this is a stage that Mayweather has been on for so many years already. Mayweather promised victory the same way he always has over the years.

continue

The Weigh-In: ESPN Thursday Night Fights: A Preview Of May 1

On April 30, 2014, eighteen fighters ranging from Featherweight to Light Heavyweight took center stage at Hialeah Park and Casino to weigh in for ESPN’s Thursday Night Fights.

First to weigh in were Texan Roberto “La Amenaza” Garcia (34-3, 22 KOs) and his scheduled opponent, Dominican Victor “Mermelada” Cayo (32-4, 23 KOs). First, Roberto Garcia played to the crowd a bit, flexing and mugging for cameras. After taking a minute to remove all of his jewelry, he weighed in at 146.2 lbs., or 3.8 lbs. under their 150 lb. contract weight. However, things did not go as smoothly for Victor Cayo.

First, Cayo awkwardly approached the scale with his back to the audience and cameras. After being turned around twice, he weighed in a few ounces over the 150-lb. contracted weight at 150.6 lbs. . Pursuant to the rules that contemplate such a discrepancy, Cayo was given two hours to re-weigh. He left the stage and returned minutes later to re-weigh. This time, Cayo stood on the stage naked as the day he was born, but still weighed 150.2 lbs.

continue

Josh Dubin and James Prince Statement on Behalf of Andre Ward

Dan Goossen likes to put out press releases that confuse the issue – so on behalf of Andre Ward, we want to be crystal clear: the ‘legal issues’ that he referred to are only just getting underway. It is only after a California judge or jury speaks that the legal issues will be resolved.

Today’s decision from the California State Athletic Commission was not unexpected. From the very start, we do not feel that the commission has been looking out for the best interests of Andre Ward, the very boxer they are supposed to protect.

To the contrary, for some inexplicable reason, the CSAC has continually bent over backwards to try to accommodate a promoter who we feel is taking horrible advantage of Andre and his career.

continue

“The Moment” Fight Week Day 1: Fighter Grand Arrivals – Photos

“Ole…ole…ole…oleeeeee!!!!! Ole…….Ole!!!!!”

Such were the chants echoed through the MGM Grand’s lobby that were heard as Marcos Maidana took the stage for his grand arrival.

Was this a soccer match or a boxing event’s fight week kickoff?

Las Vegas, NV is once again the boxing spotlight. Two and a half weeks after headlining a Welterweight showdown between the anticipated rematch of Pacquiao and Bradley, the boxing world’s attention turns to The Moment: Mayweather Vs. Maidana.

continue

Lucas Browne Wants Arreola/Stiverne Winner

AUSSIE puncher Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne says he’d be prepared to step in against the winner of the upcoming WBC heavyweight title fight between Chris Arreola and Bermane Stiverne.

Browne enhanced his standing with the Mexico City-based sanctioning body in Sheffield, England on Saturday night by blasting out Stiverne’s countryman Eric Martel Bahoeli in five rounds and he’s eager for sterner tests.

Fights with both Dereck Chisora and Tyson Fury have been mentioned for the hard-hitting Sydney man, but he’d happily push them to one side if a world title opportunity became available.

“Like every heavyweight my ultimate goal is Klitschko, but I know I’ve got a few little things I need to work on before I’ll be ready for that fight,” he said.

continue