Ed Levine, president of the IBO, has spoken out on the organisation's pioneering world ranking system and other issues currently concerning boxing fans. The IBO is the only sanctioning body to offer an unbiased, computerised ranking of fighters, for which it has received much praise. However, critics have pointed to what they believe are politically motivated inconsistencies, such as the apparent irrelevance of the rankings when the IBO appoints champions or decides matches for vacant championships.
In a recent conversation with this writer, Ed Levine conceded that the IBO hasn't clarified such issues as well as it might have done in the past. “You have to remember that the original idea was way out of the mainstream,” Levine says. “We went with computerised rankings to be as fair as we possibly could to all fighters, but computers can't read circumstances like human beings. Such a system can never be perfect, which means that you have to constantly review it and make adjustments.
“We want the IBO champions to be the best in their class and we are confident we will get to that point. Gauging the quality of fighters is so important and an ongoing issue for us. The difference in quality between, say, the number one and number fifty contenders in each weight class may differ radically. More...
With his serious preparation completed, Jeff Lacy held a light open media workout Tuesday in Manchester, England. In an eagerly-awaited battle of undefeated super middleweight champions, IBF titleholder Lacy will take on WBO kingpin Joe Calzaghe in a 12-round 168-pound world unification bout Saturday on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
International Boxing Federation light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods, Sheffield, England, has backed fellow Brit Joe Calzaghe, Newbridge, Wales, to defeat big-punching American Jeff Lacy at the MEN Arena this Saturday.
Calzaghe and Lacy attempt to unify the WBO, IBO and IBF super-middleweight belts in the early hours of Sunday morning, local time.
Fight Academy promoted Woods and Calzaghe were scheduled to meet in October of 2004 but Calzaghe decided to withdraw. There have been some acerbic words exchanged between the two camps since but Woods has sent a message of support to Calzaghe ahead of the biggest challenge of his career. More...
Northeast Promotions in association with Cappiello Promotions presents “Night of The Irish” live from the Roxy Nightclub, St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2006. The main event pits former British Commonwealth Welterweight Champion Neil Sinclair, 28 – 4 24 by KO, Belfast, Ireland taking on former IBF JR. Welterweight Champion “Cool” Vince Phillips, 48 – 9 – 1 34 by KO, Las Vegas, NV in a 10 round Welterweight matchup televised live on ESPN 2 “Friday Night Fights”. More...
The Cream of the Crop: The New Irish Murderer's Row
With the bitterly cold days of February behind us, we look forward to the hopefully warmer days of March, and ultimately spring. But before the spring season is upon us we must get through the St. Patrick's Day festivities. Boxing fans around the globe can rejoice that now there is a new talented crop of prospects that come from the shores of Ireland. The man leading this
Irish charge through the boxing ranks is star middleweight prospect John Duddy, 15-0 (13). Duddy is coming off a unanimous decision over Julio Jean on February 4th in Boston, his fifteenth straight pro win.
Now Duddy is headlining the "Shamrock Express" at the Theater at Madison Square Garden on St. Patrick's Day eve. "Amazing", Duddy commented when asked about his thoughts on headlining a fight at the hallowed New York arena. "I am a believer that things happen for a reason, I feel like a kid, but I still have a long way to go yet," he said. More...
A war was promised, and on Saturday night at the ExCel arena in London, a war is exactly what we got. Brixton's Danny Williams is the man of the moment, narrowly out pointing Bedford born bruiser Matt Skelton over twelve punishing rounds live on ITV1 to retain his Commonwealth crown and solidify, once and for all, his standing as the nations’ leading big man. Claiming his second undefeated scalp in less than three months, a deserved world title shot may now be on the horizon for the amiable champion.
Rolling out of their corners like a pair of inexorable tanks, the fiercely focused fighters had destruction in their eyes and fire shooting through their veins. With the clang of the opening bell still ringing in the warm air, they locked horns ferociously. Both vying for an early advantage, they immediately sought to impose their formidable strength and will on the other. Almighty clanks resonated throughout the arena as they collided early and often, their bodies making an almost metallic sound when they clashed. More...
The injury that Carl Froch suffered whilst defeating Dale Westerman earlier this month has forced him to delay the highly anticipated mandatory defence of his British super middleweight title against Brian Magee, originally scheduled for March 31st in Belfast.
During a second consultation yesterday with Orthopaedic specialist Dr. Nick Downing, the 28-year-old was instructed not to use his right arm for at least another three weeks given the diagnosis of a severe haematoma on his bicep, (see attached picture).
"I have to give it complete rest," Froch explained. "I can’t hit a pad, bag or even do a press up. Anything that extends the arm fully may open up the haematoma again and cause further bleeding under the skin. More...
Local boxer Jose Antonio Rivera will have a chance to regain a world title when he challenges World Boxing Association super welterweight champion Alejandro "Terra" Garcia at the DCU Center on May 6 in a match promoted by Don King Productions. More...
The contest between Graf and Hernandez, as well as four other fights, will be broadcast live on www.boxing.de starting at 6 PM CET. Eurosport will broadcast at 9 PM.
Stuttgart – The Spotlight Boxing gala on Tuesday (28.02.) at Alte Reithalle of Stuttgart will be highlighted by an international top fight at super middleweight. More...
"Star of David" Dmitriy Salita, 24-0-0, of Brooklyn, N.Y. will be featured on Top Rank's big Hasim Rahman vs. James Toney World Heavyweight Championship fight card hosted by Caesars Atlantic City at the Boardwalk Hall on March 18. Salita, rated WBA #8 at super lightweight, last fought in Atlantic City when he defeated Rocky Martinez on May 22, 2004. Since, Salita has fought for promoter DiBella Entertainment in New York City. Salita is trained by Hector Roca and Jimmy O'Pharrow. For more info Visit Dsalita.com
Rumours on the Internet over the weekend suggest that Undisputed super lightweight world boxing champion Ricky “Hitman” Hatton may make his next defence in the USA on May 13 with Vivian Harris as the leading possible opponent.
Team Fenech’s “Black Panther” Lovemore Ndou says if HBO Sports and the fans want to see a truly great fight, Hatton’s promoters should go no further than giving him a contract to sign to face the “Hitman”. More...
Call it "Red Friday". On a dry yet breezy Friday evening at the Casino Morongo Resort, just outside Palm Springs in Cabazon, CA, approximately 1,000 fans filled the reservation's boxing arena, only to witness each winner hail from the red corner. A fitting color considering two boxers drew blood just before succumbing to the winner. While it
may have been a runaway night for the red corner, the seven scheduled bouts, promoted by Two Feathers Productions, provided plenty of entertainment and parity for boxing fans who traveled to the venue, located on the Morongo Indian Reservation.
“The fighters appear to be very evenly matched tonight," stated local heavyweight boxing star Chris "The Nightmare" Arreola. "All the fighters here are good and the fans should enjoy these bouts." Indeed, "The Nightmare" was on point about the matchups that were anything but a bad dream. Of the seven scheduled bouts, only two ended in a knockout. Yet, even in both of those fights, the losing boxer held his own, stood his ground, and demonstrated stellar physical and mental toughness. More...
Seven years after winning the WBO Super Middleweight title, Joe Calzaghe finally gets the opportunity to add another major world title belt to his collection with the advent of IBF Champion Jeff Lacy's sojourn to the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester to face "The Pride Of Wales" next Saturday, March 4th. The Lacy fight will mark an amazing 18th occasion that Calzaghe has placed his WBO crown at risk and the Welshman's resume is littered with such names as Charles Brewer, Byron Mitchell, Chris Eubank and Robin Reid. More...
Hells Kitchen At The Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham, UK.
Matchroom Sport and UK Presents put on a bill headlined by world title prospect Nicky "Cookie" Cook looking to defend his European Featherweight Crown. What transpired was a fierce battle shown live on Sky Sports 1 against the rough and tumble Ukraine fighter Yuri Voronin in front of Cookie's all singing home crowd. The atmosphere as Voronin entered the ring was intimidating to say the least with huge sections of the
crowd turning on him in a traditionally bitter "London Welcome".
Round one: the crowd roar as the bell sounds and Cookie looks sharp as he flies at Voronin with stinging jabs. Cook unleashes some sickening body shots then fires off some excellent jabs that keep Voronin at bay. Voronin is staying low towards the end of the round and looks scared of Cook's power. More...
There was loads of great action on the Cook - Voronin undercard at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham on Friday night, as Matchroom Sport and UK Presents put on a great show. The main support bout was a twelve round clash between WBF Light Middle Champion Joszef "Shatter-Machine" Matlosci of Budapest, Hungary and his challenger Brice Faradji of France. This was the second time that these two rivals had shared the ring with Algerian born
Faradji taking a wide points decision and the WBF belt back in July of last year. Since then Faradji had vacated the title, which had been won been Matlosci in the meantime.
The action begins and a feeling out round is on offer for the first three minutes with little action happening. In the second, Faradji seems arrogant and almost Junior Witter-like as his hand are low and he flicks out the jab with good success. Suddenly...Bang! He catches Matlosci with a crunching uppercut/left hook that has the Hungarian down for the eight count and wincing in pain. Wild hooks from Matlosci start the third and some good exchanges happen. Faradji looks the stronger and lands good left hooks again followed by an awesome overhand right that brings out the Ali-style shuffle from his nimble feet. More...
Ballroom Brawl - Not For The Elegant Or Faint Of Heart
For the twenty second season, the Irvine Marriott hosted the “Battle in the Ballroom” this past Thursday night. The successful boxing show, put on by Roy Englebrecht Promotions and the first of six fightcards planned for 2006, kicked off the new boxing season with a sellout, standing room only, crowd of 1,500. “This should be a good fight, tonight," said Mike Hart, announcer for the evening's entertainment. "We
have fighters coming in from all over to compete, and the fans know they are getting their money's worth. We have many season-ticket holders who are repeat customers and expect a great fight each time. So far, Battle in the Ballroom has always delivered, and we don't expect tonight to be any different." More...
Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion Danny Williams was kind of enough to spend a few minutes with SaddoBoxing yesterday at the official weigh-in for the Brixton man's eagerly awaited Sports Network showdown with the undefeated British Champion Matt Skelton. The Londoner was relaxed and eager to face the brawling Bedford man, a matchup that has the whole of Britain waiting in anticipation, and spoke very candidly about the
fight and some other issues that are near and dear to Danny's heart.
SaddoBoxing: Compared to previous fights, how are you feeling physically right now?
Danny Williams: "Physically, I feel fantastic and better than I was when I fought Audley Harrison."
SB: Yes, you're looking trimmer.
DW: "And that's partly to do with my trainer, Jim McDonnell, and also cutting out the 'Mr.Kipling Cakes' and 'McDonalds'. More...
There was distinct drama in the air at the ExCel Arena in London yesterday as Sports Network conducted the official weigh-in to their tremendous fight card taking place this evening at the same venue. While many will watch the exciting line up of fights tonight at either the packed Excel or at home on terrestrial television giant ITV, only SaddoBoxing brings you right into yesterday's official
weigh-in. Of the principals, it was Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion Danny Williams who shone in the spotlight, gathering all the attention from the roomful of media personnel and the charismatic Brixton man didn't disappoint, displaying his awesome physique while on the scales. Greatly feared banger and British Champion Matt Skelton was next up and where Williams was affable and warm, the Bedford brawler was chilling in his detached and menacing demeanor. The tension was palatable as the two heavyweights stared each other down from just inches away. The head of Sports Network, Frank Warren, was on hand to orchestrate the proceedings and must be commended for getting the two top heavyweights in the UK into the same ring. Rumor has it that the deal maker will sort a major world title shot for the winner of the Williams - Skelton pairing and that has certainly added to the level of anticipation surrounding this bill. More...
In a nice warm up for tomorrow night's Mosley-Vargas showdown, top ranked light welterweight Juan Lazcano pounded out a unanimous ten round decision over Ben Tackie at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. All three judges scored the entertaining scrap 98-92, or eight rounds to two for Lazcano. What probably
stood out to those in attendance by fight's end on the Golden Boy Promotions card, was the world class chin of Ghanian Ben Tackie. Thirty two year old Tackie has been the distance with some of world's best 140 pounders, such as Ricky Hatton and Kostya Tszyu, and has now never been stopped in a 34 professional bouts.
El Paso native Lazcano started out well in round one, establishing an effective jab and putting together a few combinations to easily take the opening round. Round two started the same but Tackie appeared to hurt Lazcano and had him reeling backwards with relentless pressure in the last 30 seconds of the round, enough for two judges to give the round to Tackie. More...
On Saturday, Shane Mosley, 41-4 (34), will battle Fernando Vargas, 26-2 (22), at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada in a WBA Junior Middleweight title elimination bout on HBO pay per view. Many boxing insiders are picking Mosley to easily outbox Vargas, and win a unanimous decision victory. Why? These so called boxing insiders believe Vargas is a “shot fighter”,
because of suffering brutal defeats to Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya. Vargas has also suffered back injuries and battled weight in order to remain in the 154lb division. On paper, Mosley also defeated one of Vargas' conquerors, De La Hoya, and previously won three world championships in three weight divisions (lightweight, welterweight, junior middleweight). But apart from Oscar De La Hoya, whom has Mosley beaten? This young man, Mosley, won his first world title, the IBF Lightweight Championship on February 8, 1997, by defeating Philip Holiday. Failing to secure significant unification bouts with other champions from other sanctioning bodies, he abdicated his title and moved up two weight classes to the 147lb division after making eight successful lightweight title defenses within two years. More...
