Canelo Alvarez Signs Major Agreement with HBO Sports

Golden Boy Promotions Founder Oscar de la Hoya, HBO Sports President Ken Hershman, and superstar boxer Canelo Álvarez today announced a major new agreement to showcase the fan-favorite fighter’s matches on HBO Sports.

“For all of my career, I have wanted to fight on HBO for one main reason–I believe it will allow more of my fans to see me in action,” said Álvarez (44-1-1, 31KOs). “Today marks a huge milestone for me, and I look forward to a long and successful partnership with HBO.”

Álvarez, a light-middleweight knockout artist known for his tremendous punching power, made his pro debut in 2005 at 15-years-old and quickly became one of the most popular prize fighters in the sport. His exciting fighting style and reputation for taking on all comers has captured the attention of fans all around the world.

continue

Canelo back at HBO; next fight likely Joshua Clottey on December 6th

Golden Boy Promotions biggest star Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is meeting with HBO President of Sports Ken Hershman and Golden Boy president Oscar De La Hoya today to sign a new contract that will return the red-haired Canelo to HBO for an unspecified amount of fights. Canelo was previous with HBO before leaving for Showtime for his last 5 fights.

With Canelo coming back to HBO, it brings them a big star that can potentially take over for Manny Pacquiao when he eventually walks away from the sport or gets too old to bring in the PPV numbers like he used to.

Along with Canelo’s signing with HBO to be announced today, Canelo’s December 6th fight against Joshua Clottey is expected to be announced as well. The Canelo-Clottey fight will be taking place at the Alamadome in San Antonio, Texas. It’s not a great fight, to be sure, but it gives Canelo a sure thing win so that he can move forward afterwards and face WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto in their expected catch-weight fight at 155 pounds next year in May on Cinco de Mayo.

continue

Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: Mayweather Promotions, Alex Ariza, Manny Pacquiao & More!!!

Martin R. (St. Louis, MO): Alex Ariza has apparently been signed to Mayweather Promotions to be Floyd’s strength and conditioning guru. Everybody was critical of him when he was with Pacquiao. What are your thoughts now that he is with Floyd Mayweather?

Vivek (ESB): I don’t think there’s a way to defend Mayweather from the “hypocrisy” tag. Several times in the past he spoke bad about Ariza, as it relates to the possibility of him providing steroids for Pacquiao; now he’s going to use him? To many, that double-talk instantly kills credibility, and I can’t say it shouldn’t. It’s just not a good look. That being said, I can see his angle for making such a move. From my seat, this move is part strategy, part psychology. I really believe that Ariza’s presence will be a welcomed addition, when you consider that Mayweather has found this level of success without ever popping a basic vitamin! The addition of modern science could be a very intriguing element to add to his repertoire.

continue

Rick Glaser talks Mayweather/Maidana

Joseph Gaxiola of Eastside Boxing was fortunate enough to catch up with professional business boxing man Rick “The Raccoon” Glaser. Rick recently gave us an insight on his history in boxing and his current status in the game but in this second exclusive interview, Raccoon provides us his thoughts on Mayweather/Maidana 2, the undercard for that event, and the actual ppv buys. Read below to find out what they were.

ESB: Rick, thank you for giving us some time out of your busy schedule to share your thoughts on the recent Mayweather/Maidana 2 event.

RG: No problem Joe, thank you for having me.

ESB: Lets get right into it Rick, what were your thoughts on the Mayweather/Maidana 2 bout and the overall event.

continue

Salido defeats Kokietgym in war

Orlando Salido (42-12-2, 29 KOs) defeated the tough hard hitting #2 WBO Terdsak Kokietgym (53-5-1, 33 KOs) by a harder than expected 11th round knockout last Saturday night at the Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutiérrez Moreno, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

#1 WBO Salido won the interim WBO super featherweight title with the important victory. However, it was a hard fight for Salido, as he was put down on the canvas three times in the fight in getting dropped in the 1st, 2nd and 5th rounds.

continue

The Return of the Saint

George Groves has been blessed with what would appear, to this writer at least, to be a special kind of self-confidence, an inner belief that sets him apart and will be lead him to World Title in the not too distant future. This assertion typified by his immediate return to the scene of what was the most harrowing night of his boxing career.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Wembley Arena was chosen for the second fight under the Sauerland banner. The decision to meet his demons head on, one typical of George Groves, who for my money, still believes completely that he’s got Froch’s number. That might sound deluded to some and for what it’s worth I make him wrong, but it’s this very mentality that can propel ‘The Saint’ to the top.

continue

Khan could be next for Mayweather, says Floyd Sr

If trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr knows what he’s talking about, we could see former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan sharing the ring with WBA/WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr next May on Cinco de Mayo at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Floyd Sr, who is generally quite blunt in his opinions, said that the 28-year-old Khan is No.1 on the list for Mayweather’s next fight.

“More than likely it won’t be Pacquiao. I would say Amir Khan is No.1 on the list, but that’s still not even permanent,” Floyd Sr. told Hit First Boxing. “There’s still a few other fighters out there. I can’t say who’s permanent unless they ask for it.”

continue

Groves asks Froch for fight, and gets turned down

George Groves (20-2, 15 Kos) asked IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch a fight last night following Groves’ 12 round unanimous win over EBU super middleweight champion Christopher Rebrasse (22-3-3, 6 KOs) at the Wembley Arena in London, UK.

While Groves was being interviewed after the fight by Sky Sports, Groves spotted Froch outside of the ring and bluntly asked him for a fight, but Froch wasn’t having any of it as he told him that he’d already beaten him twice and there was no point in the fight.

Groves asking Froch for a fight took away from Groves’ moment because it was obvious that Froch was going to turn him down because he wasn’t thrilled at the idea of fighting Groves a second time after all the trash talking he’d done before their first fight.

continue

Ariza signs 2-year contract with Mayweather

Strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza has reportedly signed a 2-year contract with WBA/WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr (47-0, 26 KOs) that should in theory take Mayweather all the way to retirement. Ariza had helped Mayweather stretches during one of his workouts in getting ready for his rematch against Marcos Maidana.

Ariza continued to be around the Mayweather gym, making many boxing fans feel that it was just a matter of time before Mayweather eventually signed him up as his strength and conditioning coach.

“I signed an official contract for two years to serve as Floyd’s strength and conditioning coach,” Ariza said via the Manilastandardtoday.com.

continue

Chuy Gutierrez wins first title Saturday in Las Vegas

Saturday night Chuy Gutierrez (13-0) stepped in the ring to battle Rashad Ganaway (14-5-1) outdoors at Sunset … continue