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.

continue

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.

continue

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.

continue

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.

continue

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?

continue

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.

continue

Saul Alvarez to fight on May 4th in Las Vegas, Nevada

By Bill Phanco: WBC junior middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KO’s) is set to fight on the Floyd Mayweather Jr. undercard on May 4th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 22-year-old Canelo doesn’t have an opponent as of yet, but could see him in against WBA junior middleweight champion Austin Trout. He’s the only fighter that has been consistently mentioned for Canelo, and it’s kind of a situation where if Canelo doesn’t face him he’ll take major heat from the boxing world.

continue

Andy Lee’s stock drops in win over Fitzgerald

lee6 By Kevin Chittenden: Middleweight contender Andy Lee (29-2, 20 KO’s) looked like a shell of his former self last Saturday night in having to really battle hard against a fighter that he would have likely blown out a year ago in Anthony Fitzgerald (13-4, 4 KO’s).

The 28-year-old Lee defeated Fitzgerald by a 10 round decision, but it was far from easy. Lee’s former trainer, the legendary Emanuel Steward, passed away last October, leaving Lee having to start over with a new trainer after having been with Steward for many years.

continue

Hearn steering Frampton towards IBF or WBC titles; Quigg believes he’ll fight him soon

By Michael Collins: Eddie Hearn of Mathroom Sport is positioning his fighter EBU super bantamweight champion Carl Frampton (16-0, 11 KO’s) towards the vacant IBF and WBC 122 pound titles, and away from the WBA and WBO champions Guillermo Rigondeaux and Nonito Donaire following Frampton’s 9th round TKO win over former EBU super bantamweight champion Kiko Martinez last Saturday night in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Quigg, the interim WBA super bantamweight champion, was at the fight last night and he believes he’ll get a shot against Frampton eventually.

Quigg told Sky Sports News “It’s going to happen. They [Frampton & Hearn] are talking about getting an IBF shot or a WBC shot, if there’s a world title on the line then it would be even bigger. But the fight will definitely happen. I want it and he wants it. It’s got to happen. The public wants it.”

continue

Ricky Burns: Vazquez is the toughest opponent of my career

burns4 By Michael Collins: WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns (35-2, 10 KO’s) believes he’s going to be in a real tough one on March 16th against IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez (33-3, 10 KO’s) at the Wembley Arena in London, England. Burns has the home advantage of sorts given that he’s from the UK while Vazquez is from Mexico, but he still expects it to be a tough fight.

Burns said to Sky Sports “It’s the toughest fight of my career with two world titles on the line. He’s not the world champion for nothing. When you look at his record, he’s only lost to two fighters at the top of their game. I know myself it’s a tough ask, but I’m going to be really bring it. He’s going to bring out the best in me. He’s the fight I’ve always wanted, so I’m looking forward to it.”

continue