Ricky Hatton: Chasing the Past

Ricky Hatton: Chasing the Past By Padraig Ivory: I once saw a black and white photo of Ricky Hatton as he lay unconscious after his last bout in 2009. His ripped abdominal muscles almost gave a cobblestone appearance to the Las Vegas canvas. It was a devastating knockout of the raucously supported English favourite. Now three years later ‘The Hitman’ is preparing both physically and mentally to re-enter the boxing ring.

Envision the early runs. The dew unevenly evaporating from the terrain as the nights shadows slowly recede. The footpaths appear two toned, the white frost fading towards the kerbs edge. His warm breath vaporising as it meets the cooler morning air. The thoughts and dreams of the former champion oscillating to and fro as he paces the city streets.

Turning by Victoria Station he automatically decelerates to a slow jog. Nostalgia weighs heavy. The blurring figure of a younger Ricky Hatton running that same street overtakes the now 33 year old. Inspired by the vivid memory he speeds up, chasing his younger image.

The Best Match-Ups That Can Be Made Today: From Heavyweight To Bantamweight!

By James Slater: Wanna see a good fight? We’ve seen some great, dramatic fights this year (think Martinez-Chavez, Maidana-Karass, Brook-Jones, Garcia-Khan to name but a few) and 2012 has more promising action still in store. But next year, 2013, could be even better – in fact a whole lot better.

How? By making these fights become a reality.

This is the way I see it, anyway: from heavyweight on down, the best match-ups that can be made next year……..

Malik Scott: “I Would Love to Get a Crack At Seth Mitchell. I Believe His Style is Picture Perfect for Me”

Exclusive Interview by Charles White – Congratulations on the big win Malik. How are you feeling after this big victory?

MS: Thanks bro, I’m feeling great. I hopped right back in the gym the same night after the fight and I think I was more sore from my after fight workout then the actual fight. Personally, I don’t even consider that a big win for me. It was easy work and I beat the shit out of Bowie with basically one hand the whole fight so now it’s on to the next so-called test, whoever the hell that’s supposed to be.

For those who didn’t get the opportunity to see the fight, walk us through it briefly. What was working for you and how did you put an end to this fight?

MS: Like I said before it was easy work. I used my jab, I was dressed down in defense and Bowie was looking for one shot all night that he never could land. It was so much more obvious I could have done more to make Bowie quit a lot more sooner than he did and that was my main reason for leaving the venue that night directly after the fight and going straight to the gym to fill in the loop holes of things that I didn’t capitalize on that night against Bowie. As a matter of fact he should consider himself very lucky.

Sergio Martinez ultimately wants a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

(Photo credit: Adrian Hernandez) By Joseph Herron: After securing his dominance in the Middleweight division with an undefeated three year, six bout campaign, the world of boxing has suddenly become Sergio Martinez’s oyster at the tender age of 37.

While many fight fans are clamoring for an immediate rematch with former WBC Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, most boxing scribes see many more enticing match-ups residing south of the Middleweight border for “Maravilla”.

Although Martinez has never shied away from a challenge, DiBella Entertainment’s “Boxing Publicist” Kevin Rooney Jr. doesn’t necessarily see a rematch with Junior as the biggest challenge for “Maravilla”.

“Sergio absolutely dominated that fight for eleven rounds and ninety seconds,” professes the Junior Middleweight fighter. “A lot of fans seem to be demanding a rematch based on the twelfth round, which is fine. Sergio is by no means leery of getting back in the ring with Chavez, but we think it turns out pretty much the same way as their first encounter.”

Vanes Martirosyan: “The WBC should hand over Canelo Alvarez’s belt after I beat Erislandy Lara”

By Joseph Herron:, photo by Adrian Hernandez — On November 10th, at the Wynn Las Vegas, “The Nightmare” Vanes Martirosyan (32-0, 20 KOs) will finally get it on with elite level talent Erislandy Lara (17-1-1, 11 KOs) in the co main event of a tremendous double header, slated to be aired on “HBO Boxing After Dark”.

The highly anticipated bout will determine the mandatory challenger for the current WBC Junior Middleweight Champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KOs).

“The Nightmare” from Armenia claims that the WBC mandatory position is somewhat of a dubious formality.

“In my opinion, the two best fighters at 154 pounds will be facing each other on November 10th. Both Lara and I would knock-out Canelo if he were to step in the ring with either one of us, so the WBC should just give the belt to the winner of our fight and just tell Canelo to go home because he’s never going to fight us.”

What’s Behind Pacquiao’s Decision to Drop Lawsuit

By Paul Strauss: The latest news release reveals Manny Pacquiao is dropping his defamation lawsuit against the Mayweathers in exchange for an undisclosed settlement. In addition, the Mayweathers have to endure some humiliation by releasing a statement explaining they never intended to imply Manny used PEDs, and none of their previous comments should in any way be construed as such. Talk about foul tasting!

Don’t you find it interesting this is coming soon after a judge ordered Floyd Mayweather, Jr. to pay Manny’s legal fees? The judge apparently felt Floyd failed to cooperate. Floyd’s reason or alibi’s given for failing to appear on prescribed dates for depositions were not acceptable. Another way of looking at it is Floyd was refusing to comply with his legal obligation to be deposed. At least that’s the way the judge looked at it. The possibly of giving testimony under oath was obviously not something Floyd, Jr relished. That possibility was harder to swallow than the crow he is now eating.

Alas, it’s a safe bet the undisclosed amount Floyd, Jr. has agreed to pay to Manny is going to be somewhere close to five percent of the projected purse for their long awaited and hoped for match. Remember, just a few days ago, Manny announced he would take 45% to Little Money’s 55%.

David Haye: All Bravado, No Bottle 2.0

Back in March 2011, I wrote an article entitled the same as this one minus the “2.0.” I opined that Haye’s performance against Wladimir Klitschko in a match that unified three of the heavyweight belts (WBA, WBO and IBF) was disgraceful and shameful given all of the chest-pounding, insults and smack talk that allowed David Haye the opportunity to fight a Klitschko brother for a title belt.

To say Haye failed to live up to his bravado before the fight with Wladimir Klitschko is an understatement. Haye was excoriated around the globe for his pathetic performance and embarrassing attempt to blame the loss on a hurt toe, and, for flopping like a professional soccer player attempting to draw a penalty.

Now, Haye claims that he wants a fight against WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko before Dr. Ironfist retires from boxing. Bravado.

Andre Berto to face K9 Bundrage for the IBF 154 pound title

(Photo credit: Naoki Fakuda/Dibella) By Joseph Herron: On November 24th, Andre Berto and Cornelius Bundrage will return to the ring in a superb match-up for K 9’s coveted IBF Junior Middleweight Championship.

With much media attention being focused on the upcoming Miguel Cotto vs. Austin Trout contest on December 1st, and the long awaited Vanes Martirosyan vs. Erislandy Lara match-up on November 10th, both fighters are anxious to make a resounding statement that would undoubtedly secure their spot among the elite of the packed 154 pound division.

Even though the title fight hasn’t officially been announced, DiBella Entertainment’s “Boxing Publicist”, Kevin Rooney Jr. (4-2, 2 KOs), claims that it will definitely take place on Thanksgiving weekend.

“It’s going to be a tremendous fight,” states the Junior Middleweight fighter. “Andre is looking to re-establish himself as one of the top fighters in boxing. He’s been cleared by the California State Athletic Commission to fight, and now he just wants get back in the ring to do what he does best.”

Demetrius Andrade Dominates Alexis Hlores

By James Stillerman: Undefeated 24 year old, Providence, Rhode Island pugilists, Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade, continued his climb up the middleweight division with a dominating second round knockout of Alexis “Hurricane” Hlores at the 11th annual Fight to Educate Pro-Am Card at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Andrade, the 2008 US Olympian, dominated the first round as he had Hlores on the ropes throughout and stunned him several times. Andrade continued the dominance into the second round as he knocked down Hlores with a straight left hook. Hlores got up slowly but Andrade was all over him and seconds later sent him to the canvas again curtsey of a right hook. Hlores got up and beat the count; however the referee stopped the bout.

Chavez Jr. receives small fine from WBC for positive drug test

By Rob Smith: Former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-1-1, 32 KO’s) is getting off without much punishment from the World Boxing Council for having tested positive for marijuana for his last fight against Sergio Martinez on September 15th. Chavez Jr. will receive a $10,000 fine and will be asked to attend a rehabilitation treatment class by the WBC.

As far as suspensions go, the WBC won’t be suspending Chavez Jr. at all despite this being his second drug offense in addition to a DUI incident earlier this year.

WBC president Jose Sulaiman said on the World Boxing Council website “As president of the WBC, I have got in touch with the Board of Governors, and we have decided to fine him $10,000 USD. That money will be donated to an institution for children who suffer from cancer. We also are asking Julio to attend a rehabilitation center and want official confirmation that he’s so doing…The WBC won’t suspend Julio Cesar for an undefined time, because that is not going to help him.”