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Boxing Articles By Lee Bellfield
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By Lee Bellfield November 8th, 2008 All Boxing Previews
© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing
In a fight 10 years in the making, Joe Calzaghe makes his New York debut against ring legend Roy Jones Junior in a 12 round light heavyweight bout.
For Calzaghe, this is the opportunity to cement his status as 175 pound number one. For Jones, at 39, a victory on Saturday night would solidify him as an all time great.
Calzaghe reigned the super middleweight division for 10 years. This run included wins over Chris Eubank, Robin Reid, Omar Sheika, Richie Woodall, Charles Brewer, Byrom Mitchell, Jeff Lacey and Mikkel Kessler. More...
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By Lee Bellfield October 18th, 2008 All Boxing Previews
© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing
Bernard Hopkins, a pro now for 20 years, continues his remarkable career when he meets fellow American Kelly Pavlik in a 12 round light heavyweight bout in Atlantic City tonight, 18 October.
Hopkins, now 43, has done it all in his pro career. A middleweight champion for 10 years from 1995-2005, "The Executioner" made 20 successful defences of his title before losing it on a close decision to Jermain Taylor in July, 2005.
After losing a rematch five months later, many thought that was it for Hopkins. But six months later in June 2006, Hopkins resurfaced in the light heavyweight division, totally outworking and outclassing the recognised number one at that time, Antonio Tarver over 12 rounds.
The Indian summer continued 13 months later in July 2007 when he outscored the crafty Winky Wright to set up a superfight with the super middleweight number 1, Joe Calzaghe. More...
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By Lee Bellfield October 11th, 2008 All Boxing Previews
After nearly four years out of the ring, Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko challenges "The Nigerian Nightmare", Samuel Peter, for his old WBC Heavyweight Championship at the 02 World Arena in Berlin tonight.
Much has happened since Klitschko's last fight. Brother Wladimir has established himself as top dog in the weight class, unifying half the division and Vitali's opponent this Saturday night is looking to establish his legacy in the division also.
Peter is no stranger to the Klitschko's; back in 2005 in an IBF eliminator, the Nigerian knocked down Wladimir three times before dropping a close but unanimous decision over 12 rounds.
Strong, powerful and durable, Peter dusted himself off and proceeded to score two victories over the crafty veteran James Toney before winning the Interim WBC title with a points victory over Jameel McCline, climbing off the canvas three times to do so, in October 2007. He then won the title proper with a sixth round stoppage over Russian Oleg Maskaev in March this year.
Vitali, the older of the two Klitschkos, represents Peter's toughest test since the last defeat of the "Nigerian Nightmare". Although the challenger has spent four years out of the ring, he is tough, durable and has tons of heart. The sixth round loss on cuts to Lennox Lewis in June 2003 proved that. In that fight, Vitali absorbed bombs that would have knocked out any other fighter.
His only three fights since then was a second round stoppage win over Kirk Johnson in December 2003 and two eight round stoppage wins over Corrie Sanders and Danny Williams in 2004 in WBC title bouts. More...
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By Lee Bellfield September 6th, 2008 All Boxing Previews
Hot lightweight prospect Amir Khan tops the bill tonight at the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England when he faces dangerous Colombian Breidis Prescott.
At stake is the WBO Intercontinental Lightweight title, but more importantly both men's unbeaten records are on the line.
Khan, 21 from Bolton, England, is unbeaten in 18 bouts with 14 knockouts. The 2004 Olympic Silver Medallist is an exciting boxer puncher. In Prescott, he meets a man who also carries knockout power. Unbeaten in 19, the 25 year old Colombian has scored 17 knockouts, most of which have been in the first five rounds.
Again, the spotlight is on Khan. Although exciting, the Bolton sensation has also looked defensively open. Against light punching Scot Willie Limond in July of last year, Khan was tagged badly before rallying to stop his opponent in eight.
In his most recent fight, three months ago, against veteran Michael Gomez, who was formerly a British Super Featherweight Champion, Khan was floored before knocking out the Mancunian slugger in five.
Little is known of Prescott apart from the fact that he can punch. However, looking through his record, most of his CV is filled with little known opponents in his native Colombia.
The big selling point of this fight, which amazingly is being aired as a Pay Per View event here in the UK, is that both men are punchers and Khan likes a tear up if needed.
That being said, Khan's promoter is a shrewd businessman and I cant see him risking Khans perfect 0 just yet and I feel Khan will box and move, using his cutting punches to break down Prescott's defence by the midway stage. More...
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By Lee Bellfield July 26th, 2008 All Boxing Previews
Tonight at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada, Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, 32-0 (26), defends his WBA Welterweight Championship against Mexican Antonio Margarito, 36-5 (26), who voluntarily gave up the IBF title to face Cotto.
This 147 pound bout could go a long way to deciding who the premier welterweight is.
Cotto, the two weight world champion is making the fifth defence of the title he first won back back in February, 2006. Vulnerable at 140 pounds, Cotto has seemed stronger since moving up to the welterweight division and has certainly grown into the weight with ease.
Big names such Zab Judah and Shane Mosley have been the names amongst the five defences of Cotto, and the bout against Mosley last November particularly impressed me.
Never an easy opponent and also coming off an impressive win against Fernando Vargas, Mosley used all the tricks in his arsenal to try and dethrone Cotto, but the Puerto Rican, showing his trademark calmness under pressure, rode the storm, especially Mosley's body punches, on the way to a hard fought but clear enough unanimous decision verdict.
Cotto's opponent tonight, Antonio Margarito, at 30 is two years older than Cotto. For the last six years, Margarito has been perceived as the dangerman of the division.
Since winning the WBO title in 2003, Margarito made five successful defences before meeting the highly touted American Paul Williams in July of last year, losing the belt on a close unanimous decision verdict, but won the IBF crown by knocking out Kermit Cintron in six rounds this past April.
In between his successful welterweight title defences, Margarito dipped his toes into the 154 pound division, losing a technical decision to old foe Daniel Santos following a cut eye stoppage after 10 rounds in September, 2004. More...
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By Lee Bellfield July 12th, 2008 All Boxing Previews
Tonight in Hamburg, Germany, Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko defends his WBO and IBF Heavyweight titles against Tony Thompson.
In this one, Klitschko, for a change, will be facing an opponent almost equal to him in height. The American challenger from Washington DC stands 6 foot 5 inches tall and has a respectable record of 31 fights with only 1 defeat. He hold wins over divisional contenders Dominick Guinn, Timor Ibragimov and Luan Krasniqi.
Klitschko, the champion, now holds a record of 50 wins with only 3 defeats and for me, is still the best of the bunch at heavyweight currently. Although in an era where marquee heavyweight opponents are sadly lacking, Klitschko is doing the right thing by keeping himself busy and attempting to build a legacy that way.
While Thompson is a respected challenger, I feel his style will play straight into the champion's hands. The southpaw delivery of Thompson could be tricky for most opponents, but this time it could be the American's undoing as he will be vulnerable to the Ukranian's booming right hands when throwing his own left.
The Klitschko of 2008 is a more cautious fighter, but I feel after starting the bout behind his jab, he will begin to connect with his right hand to end the fight on a TKO around the midway mark.
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By Lee Bellfield June 21st, 2008 All Boxing Previews
Click for larger image © Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
In a scrap I'm personally looking forward to, Bolton's Amir Khan defends his Commonwealth Lightweight belt against tough Mancunian Michael Gomez this Saturday night in Birmingham, England.
For Khan, this could be one of his last tests before hopefully being pitched in for a world title opportunity. For Gomez, this could be his last chance at the big time.
Champion Khan is unbeaten in 17 bouts with 13 knockouts. Now looking comfortable as he matures into the lightweight limit, Khan for me produced his most mature complete display last time out, stopping Dane Martin Kristjansen in seven rounds in April.
Gomez, although only 30, is the veteran in this bout. A professional now for 13 years, Gomez has spent the majority of his career at the super featherweight limit. More...
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By Lee Bellfield May 10th, 2008 All Boxing Articles
What If Bowe And Lewis Met As Professionals In The Ring? Twice!
The year was 1992. Evander Holyfield was ruling the heavyweight division and by the close of that year had defended his crown against George Foreman, Bert Cooper and Larry Holmes.
At the same time, two young heavyweights named Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe were making their way to the top of the divisional ranks and a four person heavyweight tournament was devised with the winners of each respective bout meeting each other for the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship.
Of the four, Razor Ruddock was considered the best, having given Mike Tyson two tough bouts just a year earlier and he would meet Lennox Lewis in an official eliminator for the World Title in October.
Many thought this would be a step too far for Lewis, but in two amazing rounds he destroyed the dangerous Ruddock with chopping right hands.
The heavyweight landscape was changing and for many, Riddick Bowe was considered the most dangerous challenger that Holyfield had faced in his tenure as champion.
In November, 1992 in an all time classic bout, Bowe would defeat Holyfield over the 12 round distance to become the new champion. The stage was now clear for old Olympic rivals Bowe and Lewis to meet for undisputed honours.
The rivalry between Riddick Bowe and Lennox Lewis had been going on for the last four years. The two had met as amateurs in the 1988 Super Heavyweight Olympic final with Lewis stopping Bowe with a big right hand. More...
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By Lee Bellfield May 6th, 2008 All Boxing Articles
Let's turn the clock back to 1985 in order to consider what could have been a legendary fight between Barry McGuigan and Azumah Nelson.
Both men were riding high in the featherweight division. McGuigan, on an emotional night in London, had defeated the great Panamanian Euesbio Pedroza and had cemented that win with a solid eight round victory over tough American Bernard Taylor.
As for Nelson, he became a World Champion at the second time of asking by defeating the great Wilfedo Gomez in 11 rounds in 1984. He ended the following year with a second successful defence against Briton Pat Cowdell with a swift one round knockout to close 1985.
After months of being called out by Nelson, "The Clones Cyclone" Barry McGuigan agreed to put his WBA version of the championship on the line against The Professor's WBC honours.
The fight was signed to take place at the Caesars Palace Sports Pavillion on 25 February, 1986. It would be a fight that Ring Magazine would vote Fight of the Year.
Despite the goading by Nelson, it was obvious that the African had a high amount of respect for his Irish opponent.
This was highlighted in the opening few rounds when Nelson adopted a high guard to offset the constant pressure of his opponent who was three years younger. McGuigan, although setting the pace, was always wary of the African's potent left hook. That fear was realised when McGuigan was caught high on the temple, taking a count in the fifth round. More...
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By Lee Bellfield April 18th, 2008 All Boxing Previews
© Tom Hogan/Golden Boy Promotions
Finally, it's upon us.
A fight that has been years, not months, in the making finally takes places this Saturday at the Thomas and Mack Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Its a fight at light heavyweight between two men with a combined 41 successful defences of their world titles.
Welshman Joe Calzaghe will be attempting to stop a disappointing run of results in Camp Calzaghe. After world title defeats for stablemates Gavin Rees and Enzo Maccarinelli, the undefeated World Super Middleweight Champion will be desperate not to make it third time unlucky.
Bernard Hopkins stands between Joe and a place in boxing history. A pro now for 20 years, Hopkins won the middleweight title at the third attempt, stopping Segundo Mercardo in seven back in 1995, having lost and drawn previous title attempts. More...
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By Lee Bellfield April 12th, 2008 All Boxing Previews
© Tom Casino
A week before the big Calzaghe vs. Hopkins light heavyweight showdown, Sheffield's Clinton Woods defends his IBF title against Antonio Tarver in Tampa, Florida.
For Woods, this is his well deserved spot in the big league, topping an American bill as champion. A pro since 1994, Woods has won titles at domestic, Commonwealth and European level at super middleweight and light heavyweight.
In his first tilt at world honours, Woods had the misfortune to run into Undisputed World Light Heavyweight Champion Roy Jones Jr, then at the peak of his powers, losing in six rounds in September 2002. After a draw and a points loss verdict to veteran Glencoffe Johnson, Woods finally made it fourth time lucky, stopping American Rico Hoye in five in March 2005, wining the vacant IBF title. More...
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By Lee Bellfield March 15th, 2008 All Boxing Previews
© Hoganphotos.com
Four years after their Fight of the Year in 2004, Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao renew their rivalry over 12 rounds in Las Vegas this Saturday night. At stake at the Mandalay Bay is Marquez's WBC Super Featherweight World Championship.
Their first fight in May 2004 was an absolute classic. Marquez, the gritty smart champion at featherweight, survived three first round knockdowns against his buzzsaw opponent, battling his way to a drawn verdict and keeping his featherweight belts.
Their rematch is at four pounds heavier and to be honest, the rise in weight hasn't affected either man so far.
Marquez the champion has defeated all-time great Marco Antonio Barrera and credible challenger Rocky Juarez over 12 rounds. Pacquiao has twice beaten Mexican legend Erik Morales and decisioned the aforementioned Barrera, scoring his second win over the "Baby Faced Assassin". More...
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By Lee Bellfield March 8th, 2008 All Boxing Previews
© Tom Casino / Showtime Boxing
One of Britain's most eagerly anticipated fights takes place this Saturday when Welshman Enzo Maccarinelli faces English rival David Haye in a World Cruiserweight Championship unification match up.
At stake are the Welshman's WBO and the Englishman's WBA/WBC Titles. The venue is the magnificent 02 Arena in London.
Some are calling this matchup the biggest dustup Britain has seen in 20 years. I for one would agree. In terms of anticipation, this one is right up with the likes of Nigel Benn vs. Chris Eubank. Its also just as tough to call a winner!. More...
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By Lee Bellfield February 22nd, 2008 All Boxing Previews
Saturday night sees a rare heavyweight unification matchup when the Ukraine's IBF Champion Wladimir Klitschko, 49-3 (44), meets Russian WBO Champion Sultan Ibragimov, 22-0 (17), at New York's Madison Square Garden.
Klitschko, a pro now for 12 years, is widely recognised as the best of the bunch at heavyweight and goes into Saturday's bout as a healthy favourite. With only three defeats in 52 bouts, Klitschko seems to have recovered well from his crushing defeats against Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster. Certainly against big punching Samuel Peter in September, 2005, in an elimination bout, the giant Ukrainian showed grit, character and heart.
Saturday night sees the fourth defence of his portion of the heavyweight crown, having seen off Ray Austin, Calvin Brock and Lamon Brewster, the latter being a big revenge win.
An undefeated fighter is a tough man to beat and in Ibragimov we have an undefeated WBO Champion. With 22 wins, the Russian has had less than half the fights of his IBF counterpart but has the nightmare style. He's a southpaw!
After drawing in an IBF title eliminator in July 2006 against Ray Austin, Ibragimov rebounded by taking the WBO title from the musclebound yet fragile champion Shannon Briggs in June last year on points. His one defence was also a points win over veteran Evander Holyfield in October.
In a division much criticised at the moment, this is a welcome step in the right direction on the way to hopefully finding a unified champion. This is in fact the first heavyweight unification fight this decade. More...
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By Lee Bellfield January 19th, 2008 All Boxing Previews
Two modern day boxing legends share a boxing ring tonight when Roy Jones Jr meets Felix Trinidad over 12 rounds at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York.
For Jones Jr this is his third bout since losing a light heavyweight rubber match to local rival Antonio Tarver in October 2005. A former four weight world title holder and Olympian, Jones has won major world belts at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight.
At 39, Jones is four years older than rival Trinidad. The Puerto Rican has won major world titles at welterweight, light middleweight and middleweight. Trinidad's last bout was back in May 2005 when he lost a 12 round decision to Winky Wright.
One wonders why this fight is taking place now at a time when obviously, both men are past their peak? That being said, Jones Jr, in his two fights since the Tarver defeat, has showed he still has his fleet footed boxing skills.
The fight tonight will be at catchweight of 170 pounds. Who does this favour? For me ,this favours Jones Jr. Although he has won titles at middleweight, super middleweight and heavyweight, Jones has spent the majority of his professional boxing career at the 175 pound limit.
Don't forget that he was a world champion at that weight from 1996 through to 2004. For Trinidad, the majority of his professional career was spent at the welterweight limit and after a short visit to 154 pounds, his last fights were at 160 pounds. More...
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By Lee Bellfield January 18th, 2008 All Boxing Previews
A big weekend of fight action kicks off this Saturday in Dusseldorf, Germany when Britain's Matt Skelton challenges unbeaten Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan for the WBA World Heavyweight Championship.
Skelton, a late starter in the professional ranks, has only one defeat in 22 fights, scoring 18 knockouts. A never say die brawler, Skelton was previously a kick boxer before joining the professional boxing ranks five years ago at age 35.
Realising time wasn't on his side, Skelton would win the English Heavyweight title in only his eighth professional bout, scoring a sixth round win over Michael Holden in September 2003.
Five fights later in April 2004, he captured the British and Commonwealth title in a brutal fight with champion Michael Sprott, winning in the 12th and final round.
His only defeat occurred in February 2006 against Danny Williams when he lost a split decision over 12 rounds. However, Skelton would gain revenge five months later, winning a decision in an easily forgettable fight.
In Chagaev, he meets a champion unbeaten in 23 professional bouts. Most of Chagaev's professional career has been spent in his adopted homeland of Germany. The champion will be conceding two inches in height to his challenger this Saturday night. That's nothing however compared to the masive 11 inches he conceded when he annexed the title from Nikolay Vaulev back in April of last year. Other names on the champion's record include John Ruiz, who he decisioned in November 2006. More...
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By Lee Bellfield December 8th, 2007 All Boxing Previews
Click for larger image
Well after months of anticipation its finally here. The hype machine has taken in such places as Los Angeles, Grand Rapids, New York, London and Manchester. Many words have been said. The fighters have come face to face. Now, in the words of Michael Buffer, "Lets Get Ready to Rumble".
In a great year for world boxing, where big matchups seem to be coming like buses, Floyd Mayweather Jr., defends his WBC Welterweight crown against Ricky Hatton.
Both men are undefeated with a combined record of 81-0 and 53 knockouts have been amassed between them. Hatton is a two weight world champion and Mayweather is a five weight world champion.
It all started for Hatton in September 1997 with a one round win in Widnes, England. In his second pro fight, Hatton would get his first taste of the big American fight scene on the undercard of the Naseem Hamed vs. Kevin Kelley featherweight thriller. On that night in December 1997, he would again have his hand raised, gaining a four rounds points decision win.
Over the next three years, "The Hitman" would continue his unbeaten record, even appearing on a Mike Tyson undercard in Manchester before fighting for his first professional title against the experienced Jon Thaxton in October 2000. More...
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By Lee Bellfield December 6th, 2007 All Boxing Previews
Click for larger image
As well as the big welterweight fight between Floyd Mayweather and Ricky Hatton, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas sees other big fight action too this Saturday.
Two fighters who are no strangers to British fans, Jeff Lacy and Peter Manfredo, fight in an intriguing 10 round super middleweight bout.
Jeff Lacy, just two years ago, was being touted as the best super middleweight fighter in the world. An undefeated IBF champion with 21 wins and 17 KO's, Lacy was backed by many to defeat Welshman Joe Calzaghe in an eagerly awaited unification bout in March 2006. 12 rounds later, Lacy was left battered and totally defeated and left the ring at the Manchester Arena an ex-champion.
Since that rude awakening, Lacy has fought just the once, 12 months ago, in a rematch against old foe Vitali Tsypko. Lacy that night didn't look impressive, just managing to scrape a 10 round majority decision win. Now, he aims to get back into the title picture.
Opposing him this Saturday is another former Calzaghe foe, Peter Manfredo. With a useful record of 28-4, Manfredo is more famous to the casual fan as a competitor in the reality boxing show "The Contender", reaching the final. His reward for this achievement was a high profile challenge for Joe Calzaghe's title in April this year where he was stopped in three rounds. More...
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By Lee Bellfield December 6th, 2007 All Boxing Previews
A cracking night of action on both sides of the Atlantic gets underway in Bolton, England where local hero Amir Khan makes the second defence of his Commonwealth Lightweight Championship.
Graham Earl, from Luton, opposes Khan this Saturday. Earl himself has held British and Commonwealth titles and has even tread water into world level in his last outing, losing in five torrid rounds during a vacant WBO title bid against Aussie Michael Katsidis.
For Khan, this will be his 15th professional fight since turning pro two years ago. Frank Warren, his promoter, seems to be handling Khan well, asking certain questions of Amir as each bout progresses.
The former Olympic Silver Medallist's biggest test came in July of this year when in a tough scrap against Scot Willie Limond, Khan survived a sixth round knockdown en route to a thrilling eighth round stoppage win to bag the Commonwealth crown.
After one defence, Khan steps into the ring for another potentially tough matchup.
Graham Earl is arguably the toughest opponent that Khan has faced in the pro ranks and has certainly faced the better opposition of the two. More...
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By Lee Bellfield November 21st, 2007 All Boxing Previews
Click for larger image © Jorge Garcia
The Staples Centre in Los Angeles plays host this Friday to a bout between two former champions in Fernando Vargas and Ricardo Mayorga.
The big question obviously, when you observe this matchup, is how much has either man got left?
Lets start with Vargas. It's hard to believe that "Ferocious" is still only thirty years of age. A former two time light middleweight champion, he still has a respectable professional record of 26 wins with only 4 defeats.
He first won world honours in December 1998 when he stopped the rugged Yory Boy Campas in seven rounds. Things seemed to be going well for Vargas when he successfully negotiated title defences against respected names such as Ike Quartey and Winky Wright.
Then, he stepped into the ring against Felix Trinidad in December 2000. Despite showing great heart, rising from two first round knockdowns, he was finally pummelled to defeat in 12 brutal rounds. More...
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