Boxing News

Boxing Ringside Report: Matt Godfrey - Derrick Brown

By Phil Santos August 15th, 2007 All Ringside Boxing

Click for larger image © Stacey Arpin-Santos / Saddo Boxing

Live from Twin Rivers Resort in Lincoln, Rhode Island, cruiserweight Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey put his NABF Cruiserweight title on the line against Derrick "D-Train" Brown last Friday night.

Godfrey entered the fight rated #2 by the WBC after a recent string of impressive victories over the likes of Felix Cora Jr. and Shaun George. Godfrey has been steadily climbing the world rankings and has scored four knockouts in his last five fights before stepping in with Brown.

Godfrey knows the eyes of the boxing world, as well as the cruiserweight division, are focused on him as he continues to step up in competition. These are the type of fights that can give us a glimpse as to what the future may hold for this promising young prospect turned contender. More...

Boxing Perspective: Erik Morales Looks To End On A High Note

By Phil Santos August 4th, 2007 All Boxing Articles

With Erik Morales scheduled to take on David Diaz tonight, I got to thinking about just how bad things have gotten for "El Terrible".

Morales entered 2004 with a remarkable, 48-1 (34), but the worst was yet to come. Morales has since fought seven times, compiling a 3-4 record and being brutally stopped by Manny Pacquiao in his last two fights.

Morales has had an excellent career, however there is something about the fact that in both of the unforgettable trilogies that he has been a part of, he has come up short.

Both times he won the first bout, beating Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera by decision, but was figured out and pretty much dominated, especially by Pacquiao, in their second and third fights.

I would love to see Morales score a nice victory and retire with a win, unfortunately he picked a tough opponent. David Diaz is no slouch and if Morales looks anything like he did against Pacquiao, he will get stopped again.

Morales always brings a punchers chance with him to the ring but my feeling is that his reckless style, much like that of Diego Corrales, has taken its toll.

Here is a look back at the last fight Morales took part in, the finale to a great three fight series between Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao.

Morales vs. Pacquiao III: "The torch has been passed" More...

Boxing Profile: Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs

By Phil Santos June 27th, 2007 All Boxing Articles

What If?

What if Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs had knocked out Lennox Lewis in their championship fight in 1998?

At that point in his career, Briggs was 30-1 with a win over George Foreman. Could that win have propelled Briggs to be considered one of the best heavies of his generation? What if he had finished the job against Francois Botha? Would wins over Botha, Lewis and Foreman have made Briggs a candidate for Canastota?

Shannon Briggs knows what it sounds like when opportunity knocks. But instead of answering the door, he draws the curtains and dims the lights like that jerk in your neighborhood did every Halloween so he didn’t have to hand out candy.

Despite the loss to Lewis, Briggs still had plenty of chances to assert himself as one of the best big men of the 90’s and 00’s. Sadly for Briggs and his fans, he has almost always come up short when the spotlight is on him.

Two fights after losing to Lewis, Briggs had another shot at an elite heavyweight in Francois Botha. Once again, Briggs couldn’t close the deal; after flooring Botha in the eighth round, he settled for a draw. More...

Ringside Boxing Report: Peter Manfredo Jr - David Banks

By Phil Santos June 26th, 2007 All Ringside Boxing

Click for larger image © Phil Santos / Saddo Boxing

Fresh off his 9th round TKO of Ted Muller, “The Pride of Providence”, Peter Manfredo Jr. (28-4 13 KO) was back in action against David Banks. Since gaining world wide recognition while taking part in The Contender Manfredo has put together some solid victories against quality opposition, besting Scott Pemberton, Joe Spina and Ted Muller all by TKO. The lone blemish on his post Contender record coming against the current World Super Middleweight Champ and one of the best Pound for Pound fighters going in Joe Calzaghe. Tonight’s fight with Banks will mark the third time in less than three months that Manfredo will step into the ring, a schedule that looks as though it has begun to take a toll on him.

David Banks enters the contest with an impressive record of 14-1-1 (2). His last two fights resulted in victories over highly touted prospect Elvin Ayala. Banks can be a difficult fighter to solve, he possesses very quick hands, good defense and a solid chin, all of which he would demonstrate against Manfredo tonight. More...

Ringside Boxing Report: Antonio Tarver vs. Elvir Muriqi

By Phil Santos June 15th, 2007 All Ringside Boxing

Photo Gallery ©Barry Arpin/SaddoBoxing

This past Saturday night on Showtime Championship Boxing we were treated to an explosive night of fights. Of the eight fights on the card, five ended with knockouts, one in a split decision and the main event ended in a majority decision. More importantly the two fighters everyone packed into the Connecticut Convention Center to see delivered solid crowd pleasing performances.

In the co-feature, WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Chad Dawson squared off against Jesus Ruiz. The man formerly known as “Bad” Chad Dawson was awesome, which as we were told by his promoter Gary Shaw is exactly what he expects to be called now.

Dawson made his entrance to the ring surrounded by his crew and some crazy guy in a gorilla suit. Being so close to Boston, one had to wonder if Theo Epstein was back in his familiar threads.

Right from the start, Dawson made it very clear who the superior fighter was, making himself difficult for Ruiz to find. Ruiz had to know that he had no chance of outboxing his opponent and was loading up trying to score something big. Dawson landed frequently with a nice jab and quick counters after Ruiz swings and misses. More...

Exclusive Boxing Interview: Edison Miranda

By Phil Santos May 18th, 2007 All Boxing Interviews

© PanteraBoxing.com

Just days before his fight with Kelly Pavlik, SaddoBoxing spoke with "The People's Champ", Edison "Pantera" Miranda. One of the most exciting and quotable fighters in the sport, Miranda never fails to put on a good show. Pantera possesses some of the heaviest hands in boxing and a self confidence that appears to border on cockiness.

Having spoken to Edison a few times now, I am convinced that he truly respects his opponents and the sport of boxing. He just believes himself to be the best in the world and who can blame him?

In a sport dying for some likable, charismatic, entertaining young fighters to light the way for boxing's future, you need look no further than Edison Miranda.

SaddoBoxing: You have knocked off Willie Gibbs, Allan Green and Howard Eastman within the last year and a half. All three of them are considered title contenders, with Green being undefeated before he got in the ring with you.

You are getting set to face another undefeated in Kelly Pavlik in a match that's being called a title eliminator. How will you approach a heavy-handed opponent in Pavlik? How do you think he compares with your last opponent, Allan Green?

Edison Miranda: "I have studied Pavlik's fights and I see enough flaws and holes in his defense that I know I will be landing early in this fight. I am always patient and show my opponents some respect. But as soon as he makes his first mistake, he will feel my right hand on his jaw. More...

Ringside Boxing Report: Mike Oliver - Vernie Torres

By Phil Santos May 8th, 2007 All Ringside Boxing

Photos ©Barry Arpin/SaddoBoxing

Defending USBA Super Bantamweight Champion Mike Oliver put his title and unbeaten record on the line this past Friday against veteran Vernie Torres at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. Torres, a tough, former USBA Super Flyweight Champion came in looking to derail Oliver’s title quest and place himself back in the hunt.

This was Oliver’s first time in the ring since besting previously undefeated Gary Stark Jr., by unanimous decision in February. While the victory over Stark wasn’t his best showing, a silver lining can be found in the fact that he managed an easy win on points despite not being at his best. Torres also faced Stark Jr., at the end of last year, dropping a unanimous decision.

Mike Oliver made his way to the ring accompanied by a rapper providing a musical entrance (ala 50 Cent for Floyd), and a corner that included former cruiserweight title contender John “Ice Man” Scully and the full support of his hometown fans. More...

Ringside Boxing Report: Matt Godfrey - Felix Cora

By Phil Santos April 9th, 2007 All Ringside Boxing

Click for larger image © Barry Arpin / Saddo Boxing

In front of a crowd of 4,320 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey took on Felix "Bad News" Cora Jr. for the NABF and NABA Cruiserweight titles on a ESPN Friday Night Fights telecast.

The Providence R.I. based Godfrey came into the fight with an undefeated record of 14-0 (8) and the support of the crowd. Godfrey also holds the NABA Cruiserweight belt which he put on the line against Cora.

Former NABF and USBA Cruiserweight champion Felix Cora Jr. was looking to rebound after suffering his first loss as a pro. After a nice win over Darnell Wilson, Cora was knocked out by Vadim Tokarev in 2006. More...

Boxing Superstars Mosley, Cotto, Margarito, Cintron: State Of The Game At Welter

By Phil Santos March 30th, 2007 All Boxing Articles

The strongest division in boxing is loaded with talent and big names as well as future and potential future Hall of Famers. Perhaps even more intriguing is the fact that boxing's next great star could emerge from the welterweight division.

Floyd Mayweather Jr's departure has opened the door for someone to stake claim to the throne. Unification seems unlikely, at least in the near future, as four different fighters hold titles, five if you consider the fact that Mayweather technically still holds the WBC and The Ring championship belts.

WBC: Shane Mosley, 44-4 (37), recently made his return to the welterweight division and immediately made an impact. Fresh off his thrilling battles with Winky Wright and Fernando Vargas, Mosley hoped a return to a division that he once dominated would lead to another championship. More...