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Boxing Articles By Matt Cotterell
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By Matt Cotterell September 16th, 2008 All Boxing Articles
Same old, same old...
I can only draw one conclusion from watching Audley Harrison's ‘career’; the man likes upsetting us. Ever since striking gold in 2000, Harrison has subjected the boxing watching public to what can only be described as a fistic cure for insomnia.
The latest instalment in the lowlight that is Harrison’s career saw him labour to a ten round decision over Brazilian cruiserweight George Arias. It took all of ten seconds for the M.E.N crowd to turn on Harrison as a he once again picked and poked and grunted his way through another ‘fight’.
Arias tried to make a contest of things and his flurries of punches regularly landed on Harrison's chin and body, bringing cheers from an oddly behaved crowd. Harrison for his part did occasionally open up and let some leather fly, which prompted the commentary team to remark that at times Harrison looks world class.
In truth, the only thing world class about Harrison is his gob. "I got the win, still believe that I can win a world title, that guy went the distance with Johnny Nelson." Well, that changes everything then doesn’t it?
Raise me up with Power?
In the co-main event, ‘Amazing’ Alex Arthur surrendered his WBO Super Featherweight title he never actually won in the ring to Dagenham’s Nicky Cook. More...
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By Matt Cotterell August 24th, 2007 All Boxing Interviews
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Back in May 2004, the boxing world was shocked by the news that former Commonwealth Welterweight Champion and world title challenger Scott Dixon, 27-10-3 (6), had been the victim of a brutal and sustained attack that very nearly cost him his life. |
After having a sword put to his throat and being forced into a car, Scott was driven to the southern outskirts of his hometown of Hamilton, Scotland where he was subjected to an horrific ordeal, having both legs deliberately broken and stabbed repeatedly.
Scott was also beaten over the head with a baseball bat and had his left arm severely broken.
Just a touch over three years later, SaddoBoxing had the opportunity to catch up with Scott in the unlikely boxing surroundings of Malta. The man who once feared that he might never walk again, let alone step inside the ring, has made a fantastic recovery.
SaddoBoxing: Scott, first of all, what brings you to Malta? Is this part of your rehabilitation?
Scott Dixon: "Yes and no. I have two Maltese children and living here has given me a better quality of life since the attack. Being here in Malta has been a big part of my rehabilitation. Glasgow is a tough place and not too good for rehab. More...
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By Matt Cotterell April 25th, 2007 All Boxing Articles
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By Brian Hughes MBE and Damian Hughes
“When God asked us both “which one of you wants to be Sugar Ray Robinson” I guess I didn’t raise my hand fast enough” Charley Burley
When Author Brian Hughes MBE announced he had written a new book about the great Sugar Ray Robinson, |
I immediately made a cheeky request for a free copy, for review purposes of course. Not only was my request met, but the book was kindly signed by the author and will shortly go up for grabs in a saddoboxing.com competition. Many thanks Brian.
Spread over twenty five punchy chapters the book goes into great detail covering not only Robinsons ring achievements, but also his personal and social circumstances which shaped him as an individual. From his early years in Detroit, through the glory years as undisputed welterweight and middleweight champion of the world, to the struggling prize fighter unable to repay a debt to the authorities, his sublime skills and business empire a thing of the past. More...
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By Matt Cotterell November 16th, 2006 All Boxing Articles
You have to admire Audley Harrison. Ok, I take that back, but you have to concede that his decision to challenge Matt Skelton for the Commonwealth Heavyweight title is a bold one to say the least.
In his last two contests of any note, Audley has been on the receiving end of embarrassing losses. In December of last year, Harrison dropped a split decision to Danny Williams in a snorefest. Four months later, he lost a unanimous decision to fellow underachiever Dominick Guinn. Harrison got back to winning ways in June of this year, blowing out Andrew Greeley in three rounds. Greeley has very nearly won as many as he has lost.
Harrison is once again under the tutelage of Thell Torrance, after a brief spell with Buddy McGirt. Torrance had been sacked by Harrison for his continued work with fellow heavyweight Hasim Rahman and the trainer recently remarked that Harrison is psychologically right for this fight and back to how he was when he first worked with him. Is it just me or does that mean its all Torrance's fault?
Joking aside, Harrison has blamed his celebrity lifestyle and wealth for his poor performances in the ring, even quoting the old adage "it’s hard to get up in the morning when you're wearing silk pajamas". Audley is correct in part. He was given too much too soon without having to earn it. More...
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By Matt Cotterell October 20th, 2006 All Boxing Articles
Joe Calzaghe’s much anticipated return to the ring following his destruction of Jeff Lacy didn't go quite to plan. What was supposed to be another sizzling performance by the Welshman turned into a bit of a bar room brawl with both Calzaghe and Cameroonian Sakio Bika guilty of roughhouse tactics. But if we are honest, was anyone surprised? When we consider the performance that preceded this, it was inevitable that there would be a dip in form, although to be fair, none of us expected Calzaghe to dip quite as far as he did.
Bika and Calzaghe are light years apart in terms of technical boxing ability. When it comes to brute strength and will to win, Bika, who now fights out of Australia, is a match for anyone which makes Calzaghe’s decision to play him at his own game all the more baffling.
From the get go Calzaghe never looked himself; this was never more evident than at the end of the opening session when Calzaghe seemed to have an identity crisis and for a moment thought that he was Naseem Hamed, and then Chris Eubank. Calzaghe’s posturing didn't go down too well, I'm sure it was an attempt to look interesting and exciting for the American audience, but what he actually looked was a little foolish. More...
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By Matt Cotterell November 24th, 2005 All Boxing Articles
Something’s Gotta Give
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© Simon Shaw
Saddoboxing.com
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When Audley Harrison and Danny Williams square off for the vacant Commonwealth title on December 10th, we have on our hands the biggest British heavyweight battle since Lewis-Bruno, some twelve years ago. The Sports Network promoted card at The ExCel Arena, London is an excellent one, featuring the cream of British up-and-comers, in Amir Khan, Kevin Mitchell and Ross Minter. |
Another highlight is the second fight in the comeback of miracle man Eamon Magee, as he faces Takaloo in defence of his WBU welterweight title. Topping the bill is Matt Skelton’s defence of his British Heavyweight title against John McDermott.
Let’s make no bones about it: Harrison-Williams is the one we all want to see. With the departure of Vitali Klitschko (temporary or otherwise), the result of this fight takes on greater significance, with the victor possibly a step or two away from a title shot, and the loser having, at best, a rebuilding job at hand and, at worst, the end of their career. More...
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By Matt Cotterell May 27th, 2005 All Boxing Articles
Welcome to The Fans Voice, a look back at the hot topics and big talking points of the week from the SaddoBoxing.com forum members. If you have an opinion and want to be heard, why not join today and be part of one of the biggest and best boxing sites on the net.
Brewster vs. Golota.
Total shock was the resounding response from the forum as “Relentless” Lamon Brewster whacked out Andrew Golota in under a minute to retain his WBO heavyweight title. In what many thought would be a fifty-fifty fight, Brewster never gave Golota a chance to get started as he downed the Pole three times in quick succession, all with left hooks. Following the pattern set by Lennox Lewis, Brewster was all over Golota like a rash and the first left hook (the pick of the bunch by the way) scrambled Golota’s circuits and he was left on the deck not knowing what had hit him, Golota never recovered and two further knockdowns brought the referee’s intervention after just fifty-three seconds. This was Golota’s third straight tilt at a title and whilst he might have a moan or two about his previous efforts, there can be no arguments about this one; it is difficult to see where Golota goes from here and you would not be surprised if he retires. Brewster on the other hand made a big impression; the Klitschko fight aside, Brewster has a very uninspiring record with losses against Clifford Etienne and Charles Shufford, but new trainer Jessie Reid has Brewster believing that he can do real damage with his vaunted left hook, and do damage he did to Andrew Golota. The commentary team asked before the fight if either of the fighters could do something to make us want to watch them again; I think Lamon Brewster did exactly that. More...
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By Matt Cotterell May 20th, 2005 All Boxing Articles
Welcome to “The Fans’ Voice,” a look back at the hot topics and big talking points of the week from the SaddoBoxing.com forum members. If you have an opinion and want to be heard, why not join today and be part of one of the biggest and best boxing sites on the net.
Ronald “Winky” Wright vs. Felix “Tito” Trinidad.
Naturally the first talking point of the week was Wright’s virtuoso performance against Trinidad. Wright’s performance came as a big shock to some of the forum members who perhaps have not seen enough of his talents or simply assumed that Trinidad would be too strong. For a portion of the forum members, this came as no surprise at all, although to be fair, I do not think anyone envisaged it being quite the cakewalk that it was; Trinidad was clueless and Wright ran rings around him all night. Thought quickly turned to both men’s futures with some calling for Tito to hang them up once again, it is difficult to see where Tito goes from here, can he do any more in a rematch? You would think not, such was Wright’s dominance. Wright however, would appear to have some choices. There is the possibility of a rematch, however competitive it might be, there was also talk among the forum of his chances against middleweight kingpin Bernard Hopkins. However, it often does not come down to whom Wright wants to fight, it is almost certainly once again a case of who wants to fight him. More...
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By Matt Cotterell May 17th, 2005 All Boxing Articles
| Standing seven feet tall and weighing 300 plus pounds, Russian heavyweight (I’ll say) Nicolai Valuev is the proverbial man mountain. Despite his obvious physical attractions, Valuev has remained somewhat of an unknown quantity. Although fighting mainly in his native Russia, and of late, |
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his adoptive Germany, he has also travelled well, winning fights in Australia, Japan, England and The United States; his resume reads like that of a journeyman but that he most certainly is not. Valuev appears to be a very mild mannered man, he looks almost embarrassed at fight time when announced to the crowd, and the most he can muster is a half-hearted raised fist whilst his eyes struggle to gaze anywhere but the floor. More...
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By Matt Cotterell May 16th, 2005 All Boxing Articles, Boxing Previews
| When I think about the fights that I have witnessed, a select few jump immediately to mind. The kind of fight where you learn more than just how skilled a man is, it’s the kind of fight that strips a fighter to his core and displays it for all to see. We have all watched these fights with the hairs stood proud at the back of our necks, screamed at the TV or from our arena seat in complete awe of the two combatants |
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© Paul Speak
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as they push all the bullshit to one side and remind us all why we love this sport so much. When Ricky Hatton takes on light welterweight kingpin Kostya Tszyu, I believe we will have another classic in the making, who knows, maybe more than one. Both men are class personified, stating their case when questioned in a lucid and respectful manner, they know their role. They know what the other man brings to the table and they are both certain of victory. Of course, barring a draw, one of them will be wrong, but that kind of unshakable self-belief is an element of that which the classic match-ups are born. More...
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By Matt Cotterell May 13th, 2005 All Boxing Articles
| Welcome to “The Fans’ Voice,” a look back at the hot topics and big talking points of the week from the SaddoBoxing.com forum members. If you have an opinion and want to be heard, why not join today and be part of one of the biggest and best boxing sites on the net. |
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Corrales-Castillo.
As expected, this fight got a tonne of coverage from various angles. Despite there being differing views on the stoppage, the referee’s performance and Corrales antics with the mouthpiece, the one thing we agree on in unison is that this was one of the greatest fights we have ever witnessed. The case was made for both fighters by the forum members with Castillo being the slight favourite in what everyone saw as a very even fight. The one thing that tended to sway the members was the calibre of each man’s chin, no one doubted Castillo’s, whilst many questioned Corrales’ ability to take the punishment about to be dealt to him. The forum members proved to be correct in part, as Corrales was twice dumped on the deck by Castillo, the first being the result of a perfectly executed left hook to the chin, the following knockdown could also be attributed to this one punch as Corrales was still feeling the effects. Where a minority did slip up was to question Corrales’ toughness which is a mistake in my book, and so he proved as he twice dragged himself off the canvas when many thought he was about to quit. Corrales, with mouthpiece freshly rinsed, almost immediately drilled Castillo with a peach of a left hook, then, drove him to the ropes where he unleashed a torrent of punches, which in the opinion of most left referee Tony Weeks zero choice. It is ironic that the one attribute (chin) the members were certain of, might have been the one to bring about Castillo’s downfall. Whatever we have agreed, or agreed to disagree on, one things for sure, Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo put on a fistic treat for us all, an immense showing of heart and determination which will be remembered alongside any great match up you care to mention, congratulations to you both, we hope you do it again real soon. More...
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By Matt Cotterell May 7th, 2005 All Boxing Articles, Boxing Previews
| On June 3, WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison will defend his title against Manchester’s Michael Brodie in what will be the opening headliner in a bumper weekend of action, the following night of course being Ricky Hatton’s challenge to Kostya Tszyu. At a glance, it looks like a classic domestic match-up; the brute strength of |
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Harrison pitted against what some would deem the more technically skilled Brodie. The fight may indeed pan out that way, with Brodie having success early on before getting ground down by the incessant Harrison and falling behind on the cards or getting stopped. Now don’t get me wrong, I love a good domestic tear-up as much as the next man, but there’s something about this fight that doesn’t sit right with me. Is it the fact that Brodie is coming back from a double failure at world honours and walking straight into another chance? Is it the possibility that Harrison might be taking the soft option, whilst Victor Polo (the man who fought Harrison to a draw last time out, Polo won on my card) moves on to a crack at the man who sits at the top of the featherweight tree, Juan Manuel Marquez? Well actually, it’s a bit of both. More...
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By Matt Cotterell May 4th, 2005 All Boxing Articles, Boxing Previews
| When Felix “Tito’ Trinidad climbs through the ropes on May 14 at the MGM Grand, it will be his first proper outing for the best part of four years. He got in a few rounds against Hassine Cherifi, but realistically, Cherifi was never going to offer much resistance. Ricardo Mayorga on the other hand was going to be a real test, particularly with Trinidad |
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returning after a twenty-seven month layoff; many people thought it was going to be a very tough night’s work for the Puerto Rican hero, how wrong they were. Mayorga, moving up two weight classes to take the job is a tough one-dimensional slugger made to order, and Trinidad obliged, pounding him to defeat in eight entertaining rounds. Things will be entirely different come the fourteenth when Trinidad takes on light middleweight champion Ronald “Winky’ Wright. Wright is the antithesis of Mayorga, a well-schooled, well-drilled slick southpaw with a very tight defence and an accurate if not devastating punch. More...
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