Froch vs. Groves II: The Controversial Stoppage and Rematch Prediction

We won’t have to wait too long before we witness the rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves, May 31st to be exact, which is being staged at a sold-out 80,000 capacity Wembley Stadium. So I thought I’d provide my own view of the controversial ending of their first encounter and also express an opinion on the likely outcome of the rematch itself.

Just to be clear, when reviewing the first fight, I believe that George Groves had a comfortable lead on the scorecards, despite whatever the official scorecards claimed, and also thought that the ref’s stoppage was premature. However, I’m convinced that this was a classic case of one punch too soon or one punch too late. I feel that Groves put the referee in a difficult situation by not defending himself effectively when he was on the receiving end of Froch’s relentless onslaught.

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Jürgen Brähmer Interview: “History will not repeat itself”

Juergen Braehmer (42-2, 31 KOs) will make the first defense of his WBA World Light Heavyweight Title against Enzo Maccarinelli (38-6, 30 KOs) on April 5 in Rostock, Germany.

The reigning champion returns to Rostock for the first time since an ill-fated challenge for the WBA crown in 2008. With this defeat still fresh in his mind, Braehmer is adamant that history will not repeat itself when he faces Maccarinelli.

Q: Mr. Braehmer, what comes to your mind when you think of boxing in Rostock?

JB: That you should only step into the ring when you are fit to fight.

Q: Is this answer related to your missed world title opportunity in 2008?

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Australian Boxing: Filipino Duo Set to Shine Friday Night

This Friday night sees action return to the Malvern Town Hall, Victoria, Australia for the first time in 2014 in what is set to be an exciting night of action.

The six fight card will see leading Victorian stars, undefeated middleweight Michael Zerafa (14-0, 7 KOs) and light welterweight Terry Tzouramanis (11-1-3, 2 KOs) in action along with the comeback of Manny Vlamis (11-3, 8 KOs), returning after almost two years out of the ring.

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Can Froch Get Even With Groves?

It has recently been revealed that Carl Froch and George Groves will face each other in a rematch that is expected to take place on 31st May 2014. This is after of course the controversial ending of the Froch-Groves I, in which George Groves alleged that he was stopped too soon in the 9th round. News of this rematch started rumours that this match will be the biggest bout in Britain of 2014. I expect that above rumour will be proven, but with little possibility of a controversial ending like the first Froch-Groves bout ended.

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Luis Collazo: I’m just grateful for this opportunity to be back on top of the boxing world

During Wednesday’s conference call for Amir Khan and Luis Collazo, I had a chance to ask Collazo how he felt about being back on the big stage after he disappeared from the boxing spotlight. He responded by telling me that just talking about it made him emotional. Collazo says “I’m just grateful for this opportunity to be back on top of the boxing world”. He has given his life to god and said that he is no longer on his own time but ” Right now I’m on God’s time”.

Collazo hasn’t lost a fight since 2011 to Freddy Hernandez. Since then he has won four straight with his most recent fight being his most important. His victory over Victor Ortiz put him in the position to challenge Amir Khan as the co-main event to Mayweather-Maidana on Showtime PPV.

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Mike Alvarado wants to retire Juan Manuel Marquez on May 17th

Former WBO light welterweight champion Mike Alvarado (34-2, 23 KO’s) wants to not only beat 40-year-old Juan Manuel Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KO’s) in their fight on May 17th, but also send Marquez into retirement. For Alvarado, it’s about redeeming himself from his recent 10th round stoppage loss at the hands of Ruslan Provodnikov and also doing it in a fashion where he sends Marquez into a permanent retirement. I guess it’s one of those two for the price of one deals.

“Redeeming myself and retiring the legend is even better,” Alvarado said to Radio Raheem. “I’m destined to be great. I’m good but I’m not better than good.”

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Roach: Pacquiao should be able to stop Bradley by the mid-rounds of the fight

Trainer Freddie Roach is playing Nostradamus once again in predicting one of Manny Pacquiao’s knockout wins. In this case, Roach sees Pacquiao scoring a knockout over WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley (31-0, 12 KO’s) by the 6th round on April 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What’s different from this time compared to the last time Pacquiao fought Bradley? Well, Roach says that Pacquiao will be fighting for the full 3 minutes of every round and that he’s going to keep the pressure on the 5’6” Bradley the whole time without giving him any space whatsoever. In other words, he’s going to stay on top of the 30-year-old Bradley the entire time without giving him rest breaks like he did in their fight in 2012.

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Keith Thurman, Lucas Matthysse and Omar Figueroa to headline Showtime tripleheader at Stubhub center on April 26

LOS ANGELES (March 26, 2014) – StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., has rapidly become known amongst boxing aficionados as the place to be to see world-class fights and fighters. On Saturday, April 26, that reputation continues to grow as Golden Boy Promotions and SHOWTIME Sports® team up for an all-action tripleheader featuring some of the top fighters in the sport today. In the 12-round main event, Florida power-puncher Keith “One Time” Thurman defends his interim WBA World Welterweight Championship against former World Lightweight titleholder Julio “The Kidd” Diaz.

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Khan says his fight against Collazo will “steal the show” on May 3rd

Amir Khan (28-3, 19 KO’s) says his performance against Luis Collazo (35-5, 18 KO’s) on May 3d will “steal the show” on the Floyd Mayweather – Marcos Maidana card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Khan expects to steal the thunder from the headline fight between Mayweather and Maidana by really shining against the 32-year-old Collazo. That may be.

Khan has a guy that he can certainly do that against, as long as he’s careful and doesn’t run into any of Collazo’s right hooks the way that Victor Ortiz did in his 2nd round knockout loss to him last January.

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Pacquiao & Roach Conf Call Transcript

BOB ARUM: Good morning everyone, this fight has been eagerly anticipated, a lot has been written about it. The two fighters are extraordinarily dedicated to their profession. From everything I hear I think this is going to be a monumental fight and from talking to Freddie and Manny and from watching at the Wild Card that many will be 100% prepared and will give a vintage Manny Pacquiao performance on April 12.

FREDDIE ROACH: Training is going really well. The training in the Philippines went real well. Manny sparred quite a few rounds and just getting the work in. We have five different sparring partners and whatever Bradley brings to the table we will be ready for.

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