ormer WBO Super-Welterweight World Champion Liam Smith and reigning British Champion Liam Williams became embroiled in a war of words at a press conference in Newcastle yesterday ahead of their highly-anticipated rematch at the Metro Radio Arena on Saturday 11th November, live on BT Sport and BoxNation.
The undercard at the Metro Radio Arena is set to feature some of the very best emerging local North East talent, as well as some other excellent young fighters from further afield.
Heavyweight Joe Joyce, who won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics as a super-heavyweight, will make his pro debut on October 20th in London. And, partly due to his age, 31, Joyce is already being moved incredibly fast. The Richard Schaefer/David Haye-promoted talent will face the experienced Ian Lewison in his very first professional test.
Now that he’s retired, perfect, unbeaten at 50-0 and filthy rich, Floyd “Money” Mayweather leaves those fight fans who wanted so badly to see him lose a fight – and there are plenty of these fans in existence – feeling very disappointed. A comeback could happen, yes, and if Floyd, at age 40 or 41, did box again, he could certainly lose.
But don’t count on it: Floyd coming back, that is. No, this retirement announcement, made by Mayweather soon after his dismantling of UFC star Conor McGregor, seems to be one that will stick. So those fans who cannot stand Mayweather are left to point at fights they claim Mayweather actually did lose; only not officially.
Usyk: Huck is tough and doesn’t fear anything
WBO World Champion Aleskandr Usyk on Marco Huck, tactics and Muhammad Ali ahead of the World Boxing Super Series premiere on September 9 at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany.
You picked Marco Huck as your opponent in the World Boxing Super Series. How would you describe him?
Ghana’s Emmanuel ‘Akufo-Afddo’ Quartey (21-2, 19 KOs) has the chance to move closer to a shot at the elusive Commonwealth title when he fights Robbie Turley of Wales (18-6, 4 KOs) in an international super bantamweight contest in the UK on October 6.
The Commonwealth title has eluded the hard hitting Quartey for a long time as many opponents have chickened out of facing the Ghanaian including Gamal Yafai also of the UK (12-0, 5 KOs) who relinquished the title last year rather than fight the Ghanaian slugger.
But Quartey, famously nicknamed Akufo-Addo after Ghana’s President, could finally set up a date to win the British Empire title if he can see off the challenge of 23 year Turley on the Saniger Events bill at the famous Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, England next month.
Briedis and Perez face to face in Riga before September 30
WBC World Champion Mairis Briedis (22-0, 18 KOs) came face to face with Mike Perez (22-2-1, 14 KOs) in Riga before their Ali Trophy quarter-final bout at the Riga Arena, September 30.
“I feel good, I am ready to go, I am ready to fight right now,” said Mike Perez. “This is a really interesting fight and I am looking forward to it and getting the victory. Whatever the fight brings I am ready for it.”
Badou Jack: 1-0(1) as a light-heavyweight. Adonis Stevenson: 29-1(24) at 175. It might seem a mismatch, but it could also be viewed as one of the most exciting light-heavyweight fights that could be made today.
Jack, a former super-middleweight champ, jumped up seven-pounds and ripped the WBA light-heavy belt from tough and capable Welshman Nathan Cleverly on the huge Mayweather-McGregor “Money Fight” of August 26. Now, the Swedish-born two-weight champ wants all the gold at 175 – Andre Ward and Adonis Stevenson; but not particularly in that order.
In sad news, it has been reported how featherweight great Ultiminio “Sugar” Ramos passed away yesterday aged 75. The Cuban who relocated to Mexico and became a firm fan favourite had been battling cancer.
Turning pro in October of 1957 in Havana (before Fidel Castro’s regime began), Ramos relocated to Mexico in the early 1960s so as to carry on with his hugely promising career and to fulfil his dream of becoming world champion.