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‘Lucian Bute’
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By Aaron King July 10th, 2009 All Boxing Articles
“Renaissance” would be the wrong term to describe what’s happening in the super middleweight division right now. That implies a “rebirth,” but never before has the division seen this depth of talent, and more importantly, a group of talent who actually show interest in fighting one another.
Remember the Roy Jones Jr./Frankie Liles/Steve Little days?
When Joe Calzaghe left the division in late 2007, he left a gaping void at the top. In retrospect, this was something of a blessing—the absence of a champion created a carrot for the line of highly-capable contenders in tow.
What’s beginning to transpire is a novelty at 168. From the amorphous jumble of challengers, some clarity has been gained, namely because they’re starting to get in the ring together.
Showtime is looking to settle the fascinating ambiguities that remain in the super middleweight ranks—more on that later. Let’s take a look at where the division stands at present and where it might be headed. First, a look at the top fighters:
1. Mikkel Kessler (41-1, 31 KO) – “The Viking Warrior” has been out of action for about nine months now and has only taken on two fairly pedestrian foes since losing to Calzaghe in November, 2007. Nonetheless, he still has a belt, is the most accomplished, and his set of skills is the most complete of anyone campaigning at 168.
2. Lucian Bute (24-0, 19 KO) – Title-holder Bute was lucky to get out of the 12th round against Librado Andrade in October, but was in control through most of the fight. Lucky for the rest of us, Andrade and Bute will go at it again sometime this fall. More...
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By Paul Downey June 23rd, 2009 All Boxing Articles
Here we look at potential opponents for WBC Super Middleweight Champion Carl Froch, assessing the box office potential and career enhancements that 'The Cobra' could gain from certain adversaries.
Bernard Hopkins: Light Heavyweight (49-5-1-1)
Possibly the biggest draw box office wise, also seems to be hardest to negotiate with money-wise for Froch so far, with Hopkins supposedly playing hard ball over the purse split.
This clash would also mean a step up in weight to 175lbs, but rumours in the press suggest 'The Executioner' is set to retire after not finding a suitable opponent since schooling Kelly Pavlik last October.
Chad Dawson: Light Heavyweight (28-0)
A real long shot again at light heavy, could attract some US television coverage after 'Bad' Chad's two victories over Antonio Tarver. Possibly not the fighter to capture the imagination of British audiences because of his technical style either.
An unlikely match-up, with Froch looking to unify the super middleweight division before looking at moving up in weight. More...
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By Hermann Helmut January 2nd, 2009 All Boxing Previews
Two WBO titlists will put their belts at risk on January 10 in Magdeburg, Germany as newly minted Dennis Inkin and longtime champ Zsolt Erdei see action on the bill.
Light heavy kingpin Erdei, 29-0 (17), has held the WBO crown for almost five years now and has successfully navigated his way through ten title defenses over that span of time.
The 34 year old "Firebird" has had a rocky reign, posting a majority decision and split decision over current WBA titlist Hugo Hernan Garay in two bouts, a split decision against Tito Mendoza and was veering very close to a loss before stopping ex-WBA titlist Mehdi Sahnoune in the final round of their contest.
Erdei has also made a lot of defenses against less that top flight competition and on January 10 will continue that tradition against Ukraine based Armenian Yuri Barashian, 25-4 (17).
29 year old southpaw Barashian is coming off a loss for the vacant WBA title challenge to cagey Argentine Garay in which he was soundly outboxed and widely outpointed.
Prior to that, Barashian won the European title by knocking out Germany's Thomas Ulrich but once past that victory, the resume of wins becomes very thin. More...
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By Jose Espinoza September 23rd, 2008 All Boxing Articles
Steve Molitor, the IBF Super Bantamweight Champion, is looking towards a defining moment in his career. The undefeated boxer is fresh from winning his most recent bout, against Ceferino Dario Labarda. According to his handlers Orion Management, a victory would secure Molitor a title unification fight against Celestino Caballero. So far, no news about any upcoming fight. Instead, there is a lot of speculation about Molitor's past choices and what this means for his future.
The Canadian Kid, as Molitor is known, has made headlines over the past few months, but not because of his boxing accomplishments. Molitor got into a public argument with his manager, Allan Tremblay, reportedly because of his recent fight purses.
The public fight is now resolved, but there were casualties. There is a strain now between Orion Management and Steve Molitor, and his trainer for the past seven bouts, Chris Johnson, has been replaced. Molitor is now being trained by Stephane Larouche, the man who is responsible for Lucian Bute and Adrian Dianocu. Will this be a good match for Molitor? Only time will tell.
Another issue that has been brought up in the Canadian press, is the quality of Molitor's opponents and his unwillingness to fight outside of Canada since he won the IBF title. His opponents have been carefully selected by his management team to make Molitor shine in his title defenses.
The list goes as follows: Labarda, Takalani Ndlovu, Ricardo Castillo and Fernando Beltran Jr have been his last four opponents. These fighters have little experience fighting real contenders and have rarely fought outside their home countries.
Why hasn't a fight against a more aggressive and experienced opponent been arranged for Molitor? It would benefit him because if you fight against better fighters, you become a better fighter and real contenders will want to fight you. More...
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By Boxing Press September 23rd, 2008 All Press Releases
Ronald Hearns, 20-0-0 (16), is scheduled to lace up the gloves against Paul Clavette, 14-1-1 (2), on Friday, October 24 at the Bell Centre in Monreal.
Hearns earned a TKO1 victory over Alexander Pacheco Quiroz, 14-7-1 (4), last week to set up the October 24 clash. This bout will be the main support to the long awaited IBF Super Middleweight title fight featuring champion Lucian Bute, 22-0-0 (18), vs. #1 contender Librado Andrade, 27-1-0 (21). More...
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