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  • Boxing Perspective: Shame On You Lennox Lewis

    Look At The Mess You Left!

    The so called big fight is behind us, the heavyweight bout billed ridiculously as “America’s Last Line of Defense.” Well, our last line has fallen. I have to admit, I thought Hasim Rahman would win this one. Not that his loss is an upset or big shock in anyway, I just felt he looked ready and talked as though he has learned from his mistakes. Oh well.

    When it comes down to it, Rahman is just a mediocre fighter who seems to crumble when he is under pressure. His whole career is basically built upon his one punch KO win over an out of shape Lennox Lewis, who was more interested playing his cameo role in what was then the upcoming film, Oceans 11, rather than in the gym getting ready to defend his title. We all know how the rematch went, so lets move on.

    I was on the way to the store this morning, thinking about last nights events when on the radio Simon and Garfunkel’s Mrs. Robinson came on (why my wife makes me listen to the oldies all the time is beyond me). When the part “Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio” came through the speakers, I got a kick out of this because Larry Merchant used this analogy last night and dubbed in Joe Louis. (more…)

  • Boxing Perspective: Antonio Margarito – Fact Or Fiction?

    The bout’s signed, it’s a done deal, and the almost mythical Antonio Margarito has just grown another three feet. It’s official, the peerless Floyd Mayweather Jr. will square off against rugged WBC welterweight kingpin Carlos Baldomir on Saturday, November 4 against a glittering Las Vegas backdrop. Pay Per View blockbuster, they say. Millions to be made by both.

    The hard-hitting WBO champion, meanwhile, is once again left twiddling his thumbs in the darkened corner, forlornly scouring the room for someone to dance with. (more…)

  • Boxing Comissioner Turns Playwright

    Ron Scott Stevens, Chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission who oversees boxing in the state, has been involved in the sport of professional boxing for 30 years as a promoter, matchmaker, editor and ring announcer. Appointed by Governor George Pataki on June 10, 2003, he was recently re-appointed for another three-year term. (more…)

  • McCline Calling out Boxing Champs/Top Contenders!

    With his ratings climbing steadily back to their previously lofty status (currently #10 WBO and top-15 in the WBC and IBF), WBO NABO Heavyweight Champion Jameel “Big Time” McCline wants to take the next step in his surging comeback by taking on one of the division’s champions or top-rated contenders. (more…)

  • Boxing Info: Jimmy Lange Returns Saturday, October 7,

    Tickets go on sale Thursday, August 17 at Noon

    Leading Northern Virginia’s recent boxing revival, popular local junior middleweight JIMMY LANGE (26-3-1, 18 KOs) returns to action Saturday, October 7, 2006 at George Mason University’s Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA. Lange will battle TOMMY WILT (20-5), a veteran of over 300 amateur fights and a five-time Pennsylvania state champion. Lange, who headlined the Patriot Center’s first two successful professional boxing shows drawing more than 5,000 enthusiastic fans, will be showcased in the Main Event of the six-bout card being promoted by Major League Boxing in association with Guzman Entertainment. The first fight set for 8:00 pm. (more…)

  • Boxing Litmus Test: Baldomir vs. Mayweather

    After months of speculation that IBF Welterweight Champion Floyd Mayweather would face a variety of opponents at a whole range of weights, the contracts have been signed for the fast handed Michigan native to square off with WBC Champion Carlos Baldomir in a unification clash scheduled for 4 November. On paper, this contest represents the biggest challenge of either man’s career but it remains to be seen whether or not the actual bout itself will live up to that hypotheses.

    Baldomir, 43-9-6 (13), will be the first natural welterweight that Mayweather has had the opportunity to share the ring with, and the bullish Argentine specializes in the type of relentless forward pressure that Jose Luis Castillo used to such good effect in his first fight with “Pretty Boy”.

    Mayweather, 36-0 (24), was blindingly fast of foot, hand and reflex as a super feather and has taken that advantage along for the ride at welter. This speed is exponentially magnified by the boxing skill that accompanies it as a long list of defeated Mayweather opponents can attest. (more…)

  • Boxing Perspective: James Toney and Samuel Peter

    What to Watch For

    The James Toney-Samuel Peter has the feel of the Chris Byrd-Ike Ibeabuchi bout nearly a decade ago. That bout featured an up and coming Nigerian fighter vs. a slick American boxer. Byrd’s quickness versus Ibeabuchi’s power and in that fight, power overcame the quickness.

    Toney is the master boxer and is the kind of fighter who is hard to hit even when he is standing in front of you. Peter is a power-punching machine who can crack opponent’s body parts with sledgehammer power. This is an intriguing match up since Toney has the ability to embarrass you and Peter can stop you with just one shot.

    Toney has so far shown that he can compete with the heavyweight elites. He beat Ruiz even though steroid use caused the result to be changed to no contest. He held on to force a draw, controversial as it was, with Hassim Rahman. Peter first big fight with Wladimir Klitschko ended with Peter knocking Klitschko down three times; but losing by decision. Peter was nearly stopped in the last round and the Ukrainian out boxed the Nigerian Nightmare most of the night for an easy decision despite hitting the canvas three times. (more…)

  • Boxing Training Camp Notes: Joan Guzman

    Undefeated former world champion Joan Guzman has never looked so good a month away from a fight.

    “We started with a new strength and conditioning coach for this fight, and Guzman is eating five times a day, looking really cut and hitting with a lot of power,” said manager Jose Nunez. “He’s way ahead of schedule. We’d be ready to fight this weekend if we had to.”

    Guzman (25-0, 17 KOs), of the Dominican Republic, challenges Jorge Barrios Sept. 16 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight title. (more…)

  • Boxing Info: Johnny Brooks

    Not to be out done by his brother Marcus, who fought on HBO Pay Per View August 12th, Johnny Brooks looks to step up his own game on August 19th, when he fights for the CBO (Carolinas Boxing Organization) Light Heavyweight Title. On the heals of an upsurge in activity for South Carolina boxing, Johnny Brooks takes on fellow prospect Thomas Brown at The Rock Hill National Guard Armory, in Rock Hill, S.C. (more…)

  • Junior Witter to fight for WBC boxing title in London

    Bradford’s Junior Witter has waited patiently for his opportunity to challenge for the most prestigious title in boxing.

    Finally, he has it, in what will be one of the biggest fights in London for years.

    Click for larger image

    On a Hennessy Sports event at the historic Alexandra Palace on September 15th 2006 Witter will meet American DeMarcus Corley, promoted by Don King, for the WBC super lightweight title. The action will be covered live by Britain’s premier boxing broadcaster Sky Sports.

    It will be the first time that the green belt has been contested in the Capital since Lennox Lewis met Francois Botha at the London Arena in July 2000.

    That was also the last instance of a Brit successfully contesting a WBC title fight, be it in a defence or a challenge, on home soil. (more…)

  • Ringside Boxing Report: Maskaev-Rahman plus undercards


    Click for larger image
    © Natasha Chornesky
    Saddo Boxing

    		 The WBC Heavyweight Title match Saturday night at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada had an exciting finish with challenger Oleg Maskaev ensuring his victory with a TKO stoppage of champion Hasim Rahman with just 43 seconds to go in the 12th and final round. The rematch was similar to their first encounter back in 1999,

    when Rahman jumping out to an early lead only to have Maskaev come on later and finish him off in the 8th round, sending “The Rock” thru the ropes and onto the concrete floor for the knockout. The now 37 year old Maskaev needed a bit longer to get the engine running and get the job done this time around.

    Boxing’s heavyweight division has been looking for a catalyst, some spark for sometime now and we’d like to think that this close fight and late stoppage would do the trick. But if we are “keeping it real” as some like to say, last night’s bout was not heavyweight boxing as it’s finest. As a matter of fact, it was downright dreadful and sloppy at times. (more…)

  • Boxing Info: Jon Thaxton – Acelino “Popo’ Freitas

    Norwich slugger Jon Thaxton is poised to launch an audacious assault against one of the world’s best fighters. Fight Academy’s Dennis Hobson is in talks to secure Thaxton a WBO lightweight title shot at feared Brazilian puncher Acelino “Popo’ Freitas in what would be a massive opportunity for the British fighter.

    Hobson and Freitas’ promoter Art Pelullo, along with Robert Waterman, are co-promoters for Ricky Hatton and there is a chance Freitas v Thaxton could appear on the Hitman’s undercard in America on December 9.

    “Actually, Jon had the front to ask me if I could get the Freitas fight for him,” laughed Hobson. “But I told him that I’d already been speaking to Artie about the fight even before he suggested it. Artie is happy to make the fight, be it on the Hatton show or early in the New Year, and I think it is a winnable fight for Jon.” (more…)