This past week I was given the opportunity to interview via telephone Atlantic City’s rising light heavyweight prospect Lavarn Harvell as he prepares for his June 14th bout against Paul Vasquez from Martinez, California.
Dean Byrne reckons if there was any justice he would be fighting Kell Brook this month
Brook meets Carson Jones in a rematch on Saturday, June 29 – and Byrne is back in the ring six days later looking to build on a career-best performance.
He came in at just three days’ notice to box world rated Jones last December – and came desperately close to upsetting the hard-as-nails American.
Does Marcos Maidana vs. Amir Khan II Make Sense For Both?
After Amir Khan had won his bout against Marcos Maidana via a 12 round unanimous decision in 2010, many boxing fans demanded a rematch. Towards the end of the fight Maidana seemed to have hurt Khan, and was certainly comfortable coming forward. There was an entire community of boxing fans convinced that in a proposed rematch, Maidana would have sent Khan to the canvas.
Back then, it would have been impressive and shocking to most boxing fans, but today, after Danny Garcia had shown that Khan’s chin is not made of granite, it would simply pave the way for the critics to claim that they had known that Khan was an average fighter all along.
Gary O’Sullivan ready to shock Billy Joe Saunders
Billy Joe Saunders will be KO’d early says WBO International Middleweight Champion Gary O’Sullivan in the battle of the undefeated fighters at Wembley Arena on Saturday 20th July.
Dubliner O’Sullivan clashes with rival Saunders on a huge night of boxing alongside stars Dereck Chisora, Carl Frampton and Paul Butler, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).
Antoine “Action” Douglas 6th fight in 2013 on ESPN June 14, 2013
This week I conducted a phone interview with rising middleweight Antoine “Action” Douglas of Washington, D.C. who is scheduled to fight his 6th fight of 2013 against seasoned veteran Ibahiem “The Almighty” King on June 14th at the Richard J. Codey Arena in West Orange, N.J. as part of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Antoine has had to overcome a lot of adversity in life. Douglas grew up with two drug-addicted parents, both of them in and out of jail. He and his sister and two brothers were raised by aunts, uncles, cousins, and strangers in the foster care system.
Boxing’s 10 Most Exciting Fighters Today
More than just a trending revival, thanks to recent exciting fights and big bouts on the horizon, boxing is seemingly back as one of the most watched and profitable sports on earth. Carl Froch vs Mikkel Kessler had the whole of Britain enraptured, while the announcement of Floyd Mayweather fighting Saul Alvarez in September has made every sports fan around sit up and take notice. All over, boxing is far away from the days where many stated it was ‘dying’.
It is probably true that the rise of MMA gave boxing the kick up the backside it needed to ensure the best fights were getting made regularly and made accessible to as many as possible. But there are also powerful new promoters that have helped boxing rise back to prominence, with the likes of Golden Boy Promotions and Matchroom Boxing in particular wrestling control away from the old-school promoters that called all the shots and thus stifled the sport.
“Twice Bitten,” The Story Of Holyfield-Tyson II A KO Read
Review by James Slater: New York Post writer George Willis has delivered a fine read regarding the true story regarding one of the blackest days in boxing history. Willis, having done impeccable research, has produced the definitive read on the infamous second meeting between heavyweight legends Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson.
Known universally as “The Bite Fight,” the spectacle that unfolded in Las Vegas in June of 1997 shocked everyone; fans, experts and casual viwers alike. Willis, in his addictive book, explains why.
More than just a book to cash in on the shocking behaviour of the then hugely unhinged Tyson, “Twice Bitten” also serves as a comprehensive biography of both heavyweight greats. With good coverage devoted to the formative years of both men, including when Tyson and Holyfield met for the first time, and the time the “obsession” Holyfield had of fighting Tyson first reared its head, Willis gives readers plenty of new information: such as, how a member of Team Tyson took to dying his white shorts black when no black ones were at hand, and what Holyfield trainer Don Turner feels about religion and boxing, and his take on God “picking the other guy to win.”
Jason ‘2 Booth’ reckons Leigh Wood is tough enough to follow in his footsteps
Booth has had 25 title fights in a career that has brought him major honours at four weights – and Wood steps up to championship level in front of his home crowd next week. Wood will battle Ian Bailey for the vacant British Masters featherweight title in the top-of-the-bill fight at Clifton Leisure Centre a week on Saturday.
Bellew: Adonis Stevenson won’t last long as champion if I can help it
Now that Adonis Stevenson (21-1, 18 KO’s) has the WBC light heavyweight title after obliterating Chad Dawson in one round, Britain’s Tony Bellew, the #1 WBC 175 lb. contender, has come out of the woodwork and he wants his shot at Stevenson’s new WBC title and he likes his chances in beating the 35-year-old.
Bellew said to Sky Sports “He’s [Stevenson] the one I’d have preferred to face…it’s not going to last long…Adonis Stevenson is wild and gives you opportunities. So I don’t think he’s going to be a long-standing champion, especially if I’ve got anything to do with it.”
Haye: I have not agreed to fight Tyson Fury
In response to a comment from unbeaten heavyweight contender Tyson Fury (21-0, 15 KO’s) over the weekend where Fury said a fight between him and former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (26-2, 24 KO’s) was “99 percent done,” Haye answered the questions on his social media site saying that he’s not agreed to fight the 6’9” heavyweight.
Haye said on his twitter today: “I read that Fury thinks a fight with me and himself is ‘99% Done’ HAHA At best i’d say there’s Light Discussions, that are moving slowly. For everyone asking if I’m fighting Fury. I currently have no agreement, or contract in place. But a fight later in the year would be fun.”