Kellerman: Broner is a heavy favorite over Rees because he’s so special

broner432 By Bill Phanco: Gavin Rees (37-1-1, 18 KO’s) is coming into his fight tonight against World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion Adrien Broner (25-0, 21 KO’s) as a huge underdog by as much as 80-1. Max Kellerman of HBO believes the reason why Rees is such a huge underdog is because how good Broner rather than how limited Rees is. Kellerman actually sees talent in the 5’4” Rees, but he still thinks he’s out of his class because of who he’s facing tonight.

Kellerman said in an interview with I Film London “He’s [Rees] a good fighter, and the odds, which are absurdly wide over here, as much as 80-1 at some point, is a reflection more of what they think of Broner than what they think of Gavin. People think Broner is a special kind of fighter, and I think the odds reflect that over here…The way Broner beat Antonio DeMarco, it was one of the most thorough beatings you’ll see a top fighter.

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Enzo Calzaghe not impressed with Broner, compares him to Jeff Lacy

(Photo credit: Hogan photos) By Jeff Sorby: Enzo Calzaghe, the former trainer for Gavin Rees (37-1-1, 18 KO’s), is giving him a better than average chance to beat WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner (25-0, 21 KO’s) tonight in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Calzaghe thinks Rees can win if he fights like he used to years ago when he was at the top of his form.

Interestingly enough, Calzaghe isn’t impressed with what he’s seen of Broner, and he compares him to Jeff Lacy, a fighter his son Joe Calzaghe defeated by a lopsided 12 round unanimous decision seven years ago in 2006. Lacy came into the fight with Joe unbeaten and highly hyped, but Calzaghe easily beat him.

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Ward: Easy work for Broner tonight against Rees; don’t blink

(Photo credit: Hogan photos) By Michael Collins: WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward doesn’t see WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner (25-0, 21 KO’s) having any problems in his first defense of his WBC title tonight against former WBA light welterweight champion Gavin Rees (37-1-1, 18 KO’s) on HBO at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Ward sees this fight ending quickly with Broner stopping the 32-year-old Rees.

Ward said on his twitter “Don’t blink because that fight shouldn’t last long. Easy Work!! Easy!! Like Too Easy!! Not about underestimating…but I can’t help what I see on film.”

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Mayweather vs. Guerrero and Canelo vs. Trout could be announced next week

canelo1 By Bill Phanco: WBC junior middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KO’s) is reporting on his twitter that he’ll be facing WBA World junior middleweight champion Austin Trout (26-0, 14 KO’s) on the Floyd Mayweather Jr. undercard on May 4th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Also, Golden Boy Promotions matchmaker Robert Diaz is reporting that Golden Boy will be announcing Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Robert Guerrero and Trout vs. Canelo fight card for May 4th within days.
Here’s what Canelo said on his twitter today: “Canelo vs. Trout, May 4, MGM.”

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Dibella May Sound for Macklin v Lee

By Padraig Ivory: Andy Lee may have returned from an America that was deep in economic turmoil, however he very nearly fell off his own’ Fiscal Cliff’ of sorts when he faced Anthony Fitzgerald on Saturday night. The fight was televised on the ‘Unfinished Business’ card on Sky Sports which was headlined by the European Super Bantamweight title clash between Carl Frampton and Kiko Martinez.

After a disappointing and emotional 2012 the Limerick native was back in Ireland looking to reinstate his middleweight credentials. Andy was entering a new phase in his career after the passing of his Hall of Fame trainer Emmanuel Steward. Manny was more than a boxing coach to the Irishman, he was a friend, a companion and an inspiration. As the infamous Kronk Gym closed its doors Lee had no option but to uproot his training base. The 2004 Olympian teamed up with Adam Booth in November as he began his career rehabilitation following a crushing loss to Julio Chavez Jr. in June 2012.

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. tabs his Father to train him

Robert Jackson – The latest news has it that Floyd Mayweather Jr. whomever he decides to fight on May 4, 2013 will be trained by his father Floyd Joy Mayweather Sr. Floyd Jr’s announced return to his father after a long separation was speculated about previously with Floyd Jr saying his current trainer at the time – Uncle Roger’s health was deteriorating due to his diabetes, preventing him from training at his best.

Floyd Sr. has worked with Chad Dawson, Joan Guzman, currently works with Andre Dirrell and Mickey Bey, and was the trainer of Oscar De La Hoya during his heyday in the ring. Floyd Sr. was also in the camp for Floyd Jr’s return to the ring against Juan Manuel Marquez. During that fight Floyd’s tactics and technique were very sharp with Floyd winning a lopsided UD. Floyd Sr was also in the camp when Floyd Jr faced Shane Mosley albeit in a limited role, and for the next two fights against Victor Ortiz and Miguel Cotto Floyd Sr was absent from his son’s camps. During which a decline in Floyd Jr’s technique and tactics was noticeable.

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Price vs Thompson: Thompson wants to ruin David Price and Tyson Fury meeting

TONY THOMPSON believes he is just days away from ruining all hopes of David Price and Tyson Fury meeting.
The American double world title challenger (36-3) meets British and Commonwealth champion Price (15-0) in a 12 round international heavyweight contest at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Saturday February 23.

Price v Fury is the biggest domestic clash right now, and purses bids were due to be held on Wednesday, but Tyson pulled out.

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Pacquiao vs. Marquez V: “Don’t Play It Again, Sam”

pac53 By Marc Livitz: Popular sentiment does not always equal undeniable proof.

Quite often, results can create an aura of their own, and through the course of time, the memories become distorted and the truth is stretched. History gives way to legends and sometimes on to myth. The three hundred defeated the one hundred thousand or so, Saint George killed the dragon, and William Wallace was eight feet in height. These and many more are unlikely episodes yet they are padded by time and tradition.

Boxing cannot as a sport and pastime allow itself to permit the shocking to trump the significant. Earlier this weekend, ESPN aired a replay of the noteworthy and now perhaps in the ranks of fireside chat happenings of December 8, 2012.

Did all time great Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez save fifty people from a burning building? Not exactly. He did what most of us hadn’t anticipated, which of course was to knock Manny Pacquiao across the next three dimensions.

The sixth round knockout cleared the argument in regard to the nonsensical pound for pound debate. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. clearly sat upon the throne, although many would argue that perhaps Marquez or Andre Ward held the rights upon which to take off the load. Boxing in 2012 had its fair share of upsets and horrific displays of ringside judging.

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Will Rees have a ‘Problem?’

By J.D: February 16th at the Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City will see Gavin ‘The Rock’ Rees (37-1-1 18 ko’s) lock horns with WBC Lightweight Champion Adrien ‘The Problem’ Broner (25-0-0 21 ko’s).
Rees has been given little chance by many of upsetting the odds, but as a former world champion at Light Welterweight and the current European and most recently crowned British Champion of the lightweight division has he perhaps been written off too soon as just another learning curve for the highly touted Broner?

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Donaire vs. Rigondeaux: Nonito in risky fight on 4/13

By Jeff Sorby: WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (31-1, 20 KO’s) is finally facing a quality fighter in WBA World super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KO’s) on April 13th in New York. Rigondeaux is expected to sign shortly, and the fight will then likely take place in New York at Madison Square Garden.

The southpaw Rigondeaux potentially has the talent to give Donaire a lot of problems due to his power, speed, counter punching ability and defensive skills. Donaire defeated Jorge Arce, Toshiaki Nishioka, Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. and Jeffrey Mathebula in 2012. Some boxing experts thought Arce and Nishioka were going to be tough tests for Donaire, but they ended up being badly over-matched in losing by knockouts.

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