Rigondeaux vs. Agbeko & Tapia vs. Kirkland: Return of the 122 King and a classic prospect versus vet matchup

This coming weekend boxing fans get quite a treat with a plethora of fights to choose from. This article will focus on the return of the Super Bantamweight King Guillermo Rigondeaux facing off against the hardened pro Joseph Agbeko.

There is a fantastic matchup between rising prospect Glen Tapia, who is vying to become a contender, and always dangerous James Kirkland, which will serve as the co-feature for the HBO broadcast from Atlantic City.

Much has been stated or spewed about Guillermo Rigondeaux’s performance the night he did the unthinkable and beat than Top 5 P4P member Nonito Donaire.

Some of the top writers in the sport rained down on the Cuban’s parade for not having enough excitement or action in his victory. Many including Bob Arum labeled it as horrible bordering on torture to watch the whole fight in one sitting.

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“The Prince and the Pauper” are threatened by loss of identity

209 Some highly regarded boxing experts and pundits are still using the term “amateur” in a derogatory sense towards boxers. They fail to notice that the word has a totally different meaning when applied to boxing and appear to be the amateurs per se.

The amateur sanctioning body AIBA is addressing such issues by renaming Amateur boxing to Olympic boxing and dropping the word “amateur” from all official events. They are changing the rules and are obviously aiming to merge the pro and amateur codes with very loose differentiations between the two. Like all sanctioning organizations, they are riddled by their own moral and political issues. They’d better get their scoring system right instead of renaming and depersonalizing the good old mother of boxing. If I used to be a middleweight amateur (75 kg/165 lbs) back in the day, now I have to change all my old papers to super-middleweight Olympian? Nonsense (forget about it).

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When enough is not enough

pac784 Boxing fans and sports fans in general have recently had some good and bad news bounced off of them. Momentary rekindling of their hopes (for the big fight) grew to be a flicker, only to be doused with negative news.

This is how is went. Fans were gradually pumped up with a good bit of worldwide ballyhoo, hawking Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s return to the squared circled against a worthy opponent, who was presented as a dangerous slugger with only one loss on his record. Questions were going to be answered. Either a new star would emerge from the USA, or another would re-emerge brighter than ever.

Colorful tidbits of Information were supplied, making old news new news, and the ordinary extraordinary. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum carefully orchestrated the one ring circus, so fans could understand the potential of the fertile ground he was about to exploit. The octogenarian and the sport of boxing were about to conceive a new fruitful baby in Maucau, China.

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Stevens – Majewski, Mchunu – Wilson Begin NBCSN Fight 2014 With a Bang

The popular nationally televised live boxing series, Fight Night, begins the new year with a bang on Friday, January 24th with an explosive double header from Resorts International Hotel Casino in Atlantic City. Topping the card, which will be telecast on NBC Sports Network Fight Night beginning at 10PM ET, is a 10-round middleweight contest between hard-hitting contender Curtis Stevens, 25-4, 18 KOs, and the iron-jawed Patrick Majewski, 21-2, 13 KOs.

“Showtime” Stevens, Brooklyn, NY, is coming off a gallant challenge of 160-pound champ Gennady Golovkin, and is eager to battle his way back to another title try. Stevens is known for his devastating punching power, and has scored quickies against seasoned Saul Roman, warrior Elvin Ayala, then-undefeated Piotr Wilczewski and many others. This time out, Stevens will learn if his fists can crack the granite in Majewski’s chin.

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Will Agbeko Perform Better Than Donaire Against Rigondeaux?

Nonito Donaire and Joseph Agbeko both became well established names in boxing circles following impressive victories against Vic Darchinyan. More than 6 years ago, when still a relative unknown, Donaire was the first to defeat Darchinyan in a shocking upset knockout. From there Donaire coasted and ultimately earned universal elite status recognition. Many people felt Donaire’s great run would continue for the foreseeable future, and it had until he was outclassed by Guillermo Rigondeaux earlier this year.

Rigondeaux made Donaire look absolutely terrible. In fact Rigondeaux was so dominant that it left fans searching for answers. Was Rigondeaux really that good? Was Donaire perhaps a bit overrated? Is Donaire on the slide? A bad style match up? An off night? Too reliant on his power? Whatever the case may be, Donaire’s style was awful and entirely ineffective against Rigondeaux. Donaire more closely resembled a rank amateur than a solidified P4P superstar. It was simply a masterful performance from the Cuban sensation.

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Chris Mannix: “I’m Told Mayweather-Khan Is a Done Deal”

As much as some people disapprove, even despise the idea of Floyd Mayweather Jr. facing Amir Khan next, the concept of this fight keeps gaining ground, and like in a snowball effect, is becoming more talked about and assumed a fact as time goes on.

According to Chris Mannix’s recent Tweet, this fight is going to happen, and an announcement is on its way.

“Still, I’m told Mayweather-Khan is a done deal. A U.S. fight. Announcement could come as early as next week,” read the Twitter post.

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Lucas Browne: “I can’t say I’m surprised that David Price has vacated his titles”

LUCAS “BIG DADDY” BROWNE says he’s far from shocked with David Price’s decision to vacate the Commonwealth heavyweight title.

The hammer-fisted Aussie won the right to contest the crown when he halted Sheffield giant Richard Towers last month.

He was hoping to square off with Price in early 2014, but the Liverpudlian’s new promoters, Sauerland, yesterday confirmed that he’ll be relinquishing the championship along with his British belt.

Browne keeps busy against old foe Clarence Tillman on December 13 and will be ready for his title opportunity in the New Year.

“I can’t say I’m surprised that Price has vacated to be honest. If Tony Thompson can stop Price, I know I can too,” Lucas, 18-0 (16 KOs), said.

“I have a fight in a weeks’ time that I’m focusing on and I can’t wait to close 2013 with a bang before beginning 2014 with that title fight.

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Adrien Broner and Marcos Maidana Interview Transcript

Marcos, if you could maybe make a quick opening statement before I’m going to introduce Adrien?

Marcos Maidana

I’m excited to be on this great boxing card the next 14th of December in San Antonio. I’m in the last stage of my preparation, which has been great; and once again, I’m convinced that Adrien Broner has never fought a rival like me, so it will not be easy for him.

R. Schaefer

Thank you. Now, the man I’m going to introduce, he talks the talk. Some of them don’t like him because of it, but you know what? He’s one of those guys who not only talks the talk, but he walks the walk. He is, without question, quickly becoming one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He has a record of 27-0, with 22 knockouts. He is already a three division world champion.

At 130 pounds in 2011, he won the WBO World Title against Vicente Rodriguez in three rounds, by the way. In 2012, he defended the WBA with fourth round TKO over then undefeated Eloy Perez and then against Vicente Escobedo in July.

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Bob Arum: “We’re Willing To Make Anything Happen”

Of all the things that seem to be in the way of a Mayweather Jr. vs. Pacquiao fight, and there are many, the boxing fans claim that Bob Arum of Top Rank is one of the primary causes of the inability of this bout to materialize.

While there has been, and possibly still is some bad blood between Top Rank and Mayweather Promotions (along with Golden Boy Promotions), it is the money that dictates the flow, and it’s the promoters who would ultimately secure a safe and financially care free life for their families’ future.

In a recent interview with USATooday, when Arum was asked whether he still intends on pursuing the mega-fight, Arum gave a long answer:

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De La Hoya, Trinidad and Calzaghe all headed into The Hall of Fame – all three greats fully deserving of the honour

The list of the next great fighters (and writers, promoters, photographers, etc) set to enter The Hall of Fame has been announced. To the dismay of absolutely nobody, ring greats Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad and Joe Calzaghe head the newest inductees.

The special Hall of Fame weekend will take place next June and all three retired greats are sure to be there to make speeches and meet and greet the fans. Also to be inducted are: Barry Hearn, promoter, Richard Steele, referee, Graham Houston, writer, and Neil Leifer, photographer. Also to be inducted are: George Chaney, Charles Ledoux and Mike O’Dowd in the old-timers category, and Tom Allen in the pioneers category.

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