Hot on the heels of Bobby Gunn’s challenge to Enzo Maccarinelli and his unfathomable arrival at WBO #15 WBO in the weeks preceding the bout, the WBO may well have surpassed themselves by sanctioning a bout between their unbeaten Light-Heavyweight champion Zsolt Erdei versus the wonderfully named George Blades. Now Erdei isn’t Bob Foster, but he is an accomplished belt-holder and undefeated in 26 contests. Blades isn’t. Nor will he ever be. His record is aesthetic enough at 21-2, but the 21 is flimsy and the 2 illuminating.
Archive for June, 2007|Monthly archive page
WBO and their house of sham(e)
In Boxing, Fight Reports, Sports on June 15, 2007 at 2:21 pmArchive: The Dragon That Cried Wolf
In Boxing, British Boxing, Sports, TSS.com Archive on June 15, 2007 at 8:26 am
25/04/2005The on-going ‘will they, wont they’ soap opera between the camps of Mikkel Kessler and Joe Calzaghe is not a new phenomenon. Debate on the relative merit of Calzaghe’s career and whether the veteran Welshman will ever have opportunity to deliver on his immense ability in signature bouts has been running ever since he floored Chris Eubank in 1997. It certainly feels that way anyway. Nobody could doubt the courage of Calzaghe the fighter but finding him the type of illustrious opponents his talent needs has become a weapon for the doubters. Did Calzaghe really want the big fights enough? Read the rest of this entry »
Pocket Rocket Comeback Halted
In Boxing, British Boxing, Sports on June 15, 2007 at 8:17 am
According to the Irish Evening Echo, former World-Champion Wayne McCullough has been forced to postpone his latest comeback because proposed opponent Francisco Mateos has been unable to secure the paperwork required to travel – details not clear to what these papers relate to. With only 8 days to go until the bout, McCullough clearly doesn’t feel a substitute opponent was a realistic possibility and has withdrawn. I don’t often say this about fighters, but I genuinely hope McCullough stays retired. Read the rest of this entry »
Palle Agrees to Warren Terms; Well Almost
In Boxing, British Boxing, Sports on June 15, 2007 at 8:07 am
Mogens Palle is reported to have accepted Frank Warren’s terms for the proposed clash between Super-Middleweight king Joe Calzaghe and Mikkel Kessler but with the small, and potentially fatal caveat, that the bout takes place in November rather than proposed September. The reason, Palle wants to celebrate 50 years as a promoter with a signature show. I’m not sure whether I think this is understandable or pathetic to be honest.
Rahman Looking to Stars After Taurus Win
In Boxing, Fight Reports, Sports on June 15, 2007 at 7:56 am
Former heavyweight champion, and he was a proper one not just a belt holder, Hasim Rahman got back on track with a perfunctory points victory over peripheral contender Taurus Sykes. Weighing a beefy 261 pounds Rahman eventually won a comfortable points decision but it was only in the penultimate round Sykes was docked a point and floored that a clear gap emerged. And he still found time to shake The Rock in the last.
Dark-Horse Molitor to Face Ndlovu
In Boxing, British Boxing, Fight Reports, Sports on June 15, 2007 at 7:32 am
Canadian Super-Bantamweight Steve Molitor is one of my favourite fighters. Ever since he arrived in England and schooled Jason Booth I’ve been a keen follower of his progress. The ease with which he dispatched Hartlepool’s game brawler Michael Hunter was of little surprise to me and the IBF 122lb belt secured cemented his position as a gem only partially discovered. Accomplished, busy and with a rounded style, Molitor could well feature in some high-profile encounters in the division. First on the list is South African Takalani Ndlovu. Read the rest of this entry »
The Smoking Gunn
In Boxing, British Boxing, Sports on June 15, 2007 at 7:13 am
I appreciate I’m risking turning this site into a publicity forum for Bobby Gunn’s career, but I feel compelled to keep readers up to date with developments, the latest being a visit from Bobby Gunn’s father Robert Gunn Sr., who is also Gunn’s manager. And Mr Gunn Sr, isn’t too impressed with my willingness to publish Joe Mack’s (Joe McEwan) open letter recently, a letter Mr Gunn believes slanders his son’s name and containing accusations the Gunn’s intend to fight in court. In turn, Mr Gunn suggested Joe Mack was the real villain of the piece. “I think you should know that the contracts that Bobby got from Frank Warren’s Sports Network were faxed by Joe but he chose to fake them”. Read the rest of this entry »
Danny Green Tackles Reality Star Griffin
In Boxing, British Boxing, Contender Series, Sports on June 14, 2007 at 8:31 am
Forgotten in the wake of The Contender’s global success as a boxing reality show, Next Great Champ – the show fronted by Oscar DeLaHoya - produced its own victor a year or two back when Otis Griffin secured the $500,000 prize. It seems the kudos associated with that triumph is now set to start delivering for him. He’s been selected as Aussie hard-man Danny Green’s next opponent. It represents a significant step up for the 29 year old who goes by the curious alias of Triple OG. Read the rest of this entry »
PR: Hayemaker Hits Back at Maccarinelli and Warren
In Boxing, British Boxing, Sports on June 14, 2007 at 7:49 am
It’s difficult not to like David Haye, the big-punching, charismatic 26 year old constantly entertains, Ismael Abdoul aside, and though more shrewd than he would admit, take risks in the selection of his opponents. Always quotable and entertaining, Haye increasingly carries the torch for British fight fans hoping for a resurrection of interest in their sport and following his one round demolition of historically sturdy Tomasz Bonin, he’s also become a big hope for the heavyweight division. First though, he’s eager to set the record straight on the potential fight with British rival Enzo Maccarinelli. Read the rest of this entry »
Minter Pulled Out of ‘World’ title fight
In Boxing, British Boxing, Fight Reports, Sports on June 14, 2007 at 7:42 am
British welterweight, Ross Minter – an improving professional – has been forced to pull out of his clash with Michael Jennings next month with a rib injury. Disappointingly, the Crawley Observer are referring to his clash with the Mancunian puncher as being a world title fight. Is there any wonder casual fans simply don’t understand or connect with our complex sport? The WBU belt to which they refer, is essentially meaningless on the international stage. Read the rest of this entry »
PR: Murray Misses Out on Showtime Slot
In Boxing, British Boxing, Sports on June 14, 2007 at 7:28 am
One of Britain’s best young prospects, John Murray has unfortunatley been forced to withdraw from his headline clash with Noel Rodriguez in Montreal. A head injury sustained falling from his bike has ultimatley caused the whole show to be postponed, everyone connected with Murray will hope the Showtime slot he had for the bout can be reclaimed later in the year.
PRESS RELEASE
Hennessy Sports have regrettably cancelled their promotion in Montreal on July 6th following the unfortunate withdrawal of John Murray from the headline contest. Read the rest of this entry »
Toney Shamed By Steroids Slur
In Boxing, Fight Reports, Sports on June 13, 2007 at 7:25 am
I’m not sure whether I’m surprised about today’s story that 38 year old James Toney failed the drugs test conducted around his May 24th clash with Danny Batchelder. Both boldenone and stanazolol were found in Toney’s blood stream and an automatic one year suspension is applied pending appeal. A break that would, surely, end the career of a fighter already in the autumn of his prime and in increasing decline. It will be shame if this second drugs test scandal casts a shadow over all of his professional career but I suspect it will. Read the rest of this entry »
“You were laying on the canvas in a pool of blood”
In Boxing, British Boxing, Sports on June 13, 2007 at 7:12 am
OK, so it isn’t Ali v Frazier. But the war of words between Bobby Gunn, the former bare-knuckle brawler somehow plucked from obscurity to face Enzo Maccarinelli recently, and the rest of the world continues to entertain this writer. First, it was his former manager Joe Mack, then former foe Jeff Holcomb dropped by to leave his own vitriolic comments and a cell number. Today Bobby Gunn replied. Read the rest of this entry »
Hasim Rahman Back For More
In Boxing, Contender Series, Fight Reports, Sports on June 12, 2007 at 9:25 am
Former World-Champion Hasim Rahman returns on Thursday against peripheral American contender Taurus Sykes in a minor title bout. Rahman is confident victory over Sykes will pave the way for what feels like his 17th shot at the title. Obviously, that isn’t the case but he has undoubtedly failed to live up to the potential he showed beating Lennox Lewis in his key bouts since.
“I’m coming back because I miss the glory.” Michael Grant
In Boxing, British Boxing, Fight Reports, Sports on June 12, 2007 at 9:09 am
Precious few fighters are born with the physical gifts Michael Grant has been blessed with. 6ft 7inches, 250 pounds of lean, athletic muscle and a talented sportsman in a number of fields. Grant is undeniably a tremendous heavyweight in 2d. Further to this, he can punch too. However, for all the genetic blessings, Grant has suffered a great deal of professional misfortune. Read the rest of this entry »
Castillo Dispenses With the Niceties
In Boxing, British Boxing, Sports on June 11, 2007 at 3:54 pm
So far the promotion of the Ricky Hatton – Jose Luis Castillo bout on the 23rd has been a well-mannered, even tempered, respectful love-in as the two fighters seek to demonstrate their respect for each other. Both are blue-collar professionals with humility and class so in truth, cheap smack talk would be a surprise. However, Castillo today fired the first broadside as they bid to build up interest in their clash. According to the veteran Mexican, Hatton’s pretty 42-0 record doesn’t compare favourably with his own less pristine ledger; “I don’t think for one minute Ricky Hatton’s record bears any comparison with mine.” Read the rest of this entry »
Holcomb Hunting Bobby Gunn
In Boxing, British Boxing, Fight Reports, Sports on June 11, 2007 at 2:15 pm
I seem to attract fighters from the club circuits, in a purely platonic way you understand, but ever since I flippantly criticised Crawford Grimsley and was swiftly brought to task by Mrs Grimsley they’ve been congragating at my ‘virtual’ front door. My recent commentary on Bobby Gunn has attracted attention from past opponents, fans and managers. The latest? Former foe Jeff Holcomb is desperate for a rematch. Read the rest of this entry »
Archive: Frank Warren, A Boxing Survivor
In Boxing, British Boxing, Sports, TSS.com Archive on June 11, 2007 at 12:02 pm
08/09/2005
Close to two years have passed since the first widely whispered rumours of a split between Ricky Hatton and Frank Warren were heard, on the cusp of signing a new ITV contract the timing couldn’t have been worse for Warren who must have relied heavily on Hatton’s star to entice the terrestrial broadcaster. I wrote a piece at the time reflecting on this emerging news and Warren’s ability to survive. Considering he has lost Hatton, Scott Harrison and Johnny Nelson during that period Warren has juggled well to still have a chance of contract renewal. But then he always survives. Read the rest of this entry »
Cotto Shuts Judah Up (For Now)
In Boxing, Fight Reports, Sports on June 11, 2007 at 11:39 am
I don’t mind admitting it, I take great pleasure in getting this bout spot on. True, I wasn’t alone in believing Cotto’s precision, rediscovered stamina at 147 and heavier hands would wear down the erratic Judah late in the fight but I still take great joy from being right. Well wouldn’t you after some high-profile howlers? Most notably, and with the caveat that it was a deliberately selected long-shot – Ray Austin to beat Klitschko. Groan. Read the rest of this entry »
Morrison Wins in ‘MMA’ debut
In Boxing, Mike Tyson, Sports on June 11, 2007 at 11:16 am
Statistics for this site/blog for the past week suggest my small piece on Tommy Morrison’s debut in Mixed Martial Arts proved the most read over that seven day period. The MMA phenomenon knows no bounds. There is certainly fuel in the MMA train. For the record Morrison did as he predicted he would, hit the guy and won in the first round and on the surface further protected the theory most boxing fans subscribe to; ‘that boxing remains the most destructive and definitive combat sport’. That wouldn’t tell the whole story though. Read the rest of this entry »
