Beibut Shumenov’s time to shine has finally arrived

shumenov66LAS VEGAS (December 264, 2013) – Reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) Super and International Boxing Association (IBA) Light Heavyweight World Champion
Beibut Shumenov (14-1, 9 KO’s) celebrates his fourth anniversary as world champion next month but he really didn’t arrive on the worldwide boxing scene until this past December 14th in his SHOWTIME debut.

The 30-year-old Shumenov set a light heavyweight record for capturing a world title in the fewest career fights, 10, when he won (Jan. 10, 2010) a 12-round decision over Gabriel Campillo in Las Vegas. Shumenov’s fifth successful world title defense was an impressive performance over previously undefeated challenger Tomas “Tomi Kid” Kovacs (23-1, 14 KOs) on “Danger Zone,” headlined by Marcus Maidana’s upset of Adrian Broner, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Richard Schaefer named 2013 Promoter of the Year by Sports Illustrated

schaefer3LOS ANGELES (Dec 26) – 2013 was one of the best years boxing has had in recent memory, and as Sports Illustrated recapped the past 12 months, it honored Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer as the iconic publication’s Promoter of the Year.

“This is obviously an unexpected award, but I’m very appreciative and honored,” said Schaefer. “But I must point out that a single person can’t do what Golden Boy Promotions has done in 2013, so I’d like to thank my staff, our fighters, our sponsors and TV partners for their continued support and efforts in 2013. In the end, this is all about the fans of our great sport and I will continue to deliver the best fights and fighters to them in 2014 and beyond.”

Froch showing no interest in Groves rematch

froch0567If George Groves (19-1, 15 KO’s) is going to get a rematch against IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KO’s), then it’s probably going to take a change of tactics for him to get Froch to start showing interest in giving him a second chance.

Froch says he’s not interested in fighting Groves again because he’s not shown him the proper respect since their controversial fight from last month in Manchester. Froch won that fight by a 9th round stoppage after he hurt Groves with a series of head shots that caused the referee Howard John Foster to step in and halt the fight.

Manny Pacquiao Responds To Mayweather Jr.: “I’m Glad That He Is Still Thinking Of Me”

pac76After witnessing Floyd Mayweather Jr. make numerous posts poking fun at Manny Pacquiao as well as other possible opponents using his Twitter account, it is no secret that he is trying hard. But what is he trying to do?

While it is not uncommon for competition, whether it’s boxing, basketball, or any other competitive sport, to try and devalue their opponent using various online social tools such as Twitter and Facebook, usually there is a quick and direct response from the other party, offending right back.

Mayweather shows Khan, Maidana and Pacquiao in tweets

In what could be a sign that that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is still undecided about who he plans on fighting on May 3rd, he posted 3 tweets today showing himself fighting Amir Khan, Manny Pacquiao and Marcos Maidana, and writing captions that showed how little he thought of them as potential opponents for him. As you can see from Mayweather’s caption, he feels that Maidana would be little more than a side order for him to beat. As for Khan, Mayweather sees himself knocking him out.

Final pound-for-pound rankings of the year for 2013

floyd7802013 was a very good year for boxing by and large, and the elite operators of the last 12 months really had a chance to show their class. The mythical but always interesting/debatable/essential pound-for-pound rankings saw some old stars remain where they were, whilst some new stars burst into the charts.

Guys like Mayweather, Klitschko and Ward continued to enjoy lofty positions P-4-P, while gifted boxers Guillermo Rigondeaux, Mikey Garcia and Danny Garcia proved their worth in bringing some new blood into the rankings of many boxing publications.

Maidana would be tough fight for Mayweather, says Sergio Martinez

maidana790If Marcos Maidana ends up being the one that faces Floyd Mayweather Jr. in his next pay-per-view bout on Showtime on May 3rd, Sergio Martinez sees Mayweather as having problems in trying to beat him. Sergio, a tough fighter from Argentina, thinks Maidana won’t be an easy out for Mayweather if he chooses to face him.

Mayweather hasn’t revealed whether he’ll face Maidana or an arguably weaker test in Amir Khan, but fans have pretty much spoken with their desire not to see Mayweather fight Khan. Maidana would be an upgrade over Khan despite the fact that Khan beat him three years ago.

Height of ignominy if Mayweather chosen fighter of the year

floyd#15Toughness of mind and skill in facing toughest oppositions are equal to gallantry. It is the virtue most supreme and compatible to boxing as a combat sport. Thus beyond ring performances, gallantry should be topmost as criteria in choosing the Fighter (not “Fighter”) of the Year award.

How can a boxer who avoids toughest oppositions ever be thought of being “so good” to be considered Fighter of the Year for 2013 or any year? How can he be awarded as the best from the year he started shying away from solidly genuine challenges up to the year he refuses to fight a fellow boxer that the entire world has been longing to see him fight, for as long as the fight makes sense and matters?