Debate about the substance of Joe Calzaghe’s career will enthrall boxing fans for decades to come, his standing will ebb and flow with the passage of time and in all likelihood forever divide opinion thus – he was an all-time great who dominated his division for 10 years or, alternatively, he was a great fighter with a weak resume who ‘cherry-picked’ his way to retirement. When I look back on his career as Donald McRae in-depth interview with Calzaghe for Boxing News encouraged me to this morning, I don’t point to the Lacy fight, the Kessler war or the Hopkins victory as the night or nights which define Joe the fighter, nor do they provide helpful synopsis of his career. I think for so many reasons his brawl with Cameroon-born Australian hard man Sakio Bika epitomised his career more than any other single fight. Read the rest of this entry »
Archive for the ‘Contender Series’ Category
Boxing: Sakio Bika, a ghost from Calzaghe’s past returns to the fore
In Boxing, Contender Series, Fight Previews, Sports on July 29, 2010 at 1:50 pmSmith v Quigley as it happens: Live
In Boxing, British Boxing, Contender Series, Fight Reports, Sports on October 30, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Genuine electricity in the air as fellow Liverpudlians clash for the British Super Middleweight title, thankfully officiated by Richie Davies – the most respected referee in the country. Each time these two have met in the build up to this fight, sparks have flown. It could be about who holds their composure in the red-hot arena of the Echo arena. If it does, Smith holds the greater experience. Read the rest of this entry »
Sexton wins Prizefighter 2; is it really drawing new fans?
In Boxing, British Boxing, Contender Series, Fight Reports, Sports on September 15, 2008 at 10:06 am
Always enlightening to watch an event like this with those not keenly interested in the sport. Spend too much time on Internet forums and it is entirely possible to succumb to the assumption EVERYONE is interested in boxing. Of course they are not. An evening at my old local, The Windmill in the former coal-mining town of Thorne near Doncaster, reintroduced me to this harsh reality, it left me wondering whether this supposedly fan-friendly concept really could attract new fans? Read the rest of this entry »
Boxing: Natural order is restored – Forrest dominates Mora
In Boxing, British Boxing, Contender Series, Fight Reports, Sports on September 15, 2008 at 9:31 am
The Contender series wasn’t a reality show in the popular sense of the word. I’m always disgusted when mainstream reporters refer to its contestants, when partaking in significant out-of-show bouts, as “reality show winners”. It misleads the uninitiated, implying those who featured were not ‘real’ boxers but talented wannabees, celebrities even. Fighters like Steve Forbes, Peter Manfredo and Alfonso Gomez were professional fighters long-before their participation in the ground-breaking series.
Archive: Is the Rocky road boxing’s only path to redemption?
In Boxing, British Boxing, Contender Series, Sports, TSS.com Archive on November 16, 2007 at 9:55 am
Archive: 20/10/2006
The recent renaissance of interest in boxing has been palpable. Stirred by the success of Joe Calzaghe, David Haye and the impending super fight between Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather the recently beleaguered and oft discarded sport of boxing is back on the sports pages, back on the television and back in the consciousness of the British public. Only a year ago, I contemplated whether boxing was in terminal decline and wondered who or what could provide catalyst to a revival. The greatest comeback fighter of all?
Contender, controversial and clap trap
In Boxing, British Boxing, Contender Series, Sports on November 13, 2007 at 11:21 am
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the premise and execution of the Contender series. Pitching together undiscovered gems, gutsy veterans and nearly men tapped into a global love of the underdog and reintroduced many mainstream and casual fans to the bitter reality of boxing. It told stories, and a fighter story is as compelling a reason for following a particular fighter’s fortunes as his in the ring potential.
Ruddy cheeked and ready
In Boxing, British Boxing, Contender Series, Sports on November 12, 2007 at 4:09 pm
How fickle the fortunes of British boxing, and boxing in general in fact. A year or less ago, every article spoke of the terminal outlook of boxing’s various ills. Naysayers pointed to the rise of Mixed Martial Arts and its most notable body, the UFC. David Haye’s weekend capture of the World Cruiserweight title and Joe Calzaghe’s acceptance as a modern day great are the latest links in a chain of good news that has transformed the complexion of British boxing. The doom-merchants have been vanquished, the threat of UFC forgotten and boxing galvanised. Read the rest of this entry »
Contender Star Paul Smith In Action Dec 8
In Boxing, British Boxing, Contender Series, Fight Previews, Sports on October 29, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Unbeaten Contender star Paul Smith Jnr., re-emerges domestically from his successful stint in the third series of the boxing reality show stateside on the December 8th card scheduled for the Bolton Arena (according to frankwarren.tv) or the Reebok stadium (according to Smith’s Myspace circular). Regardless of venue, presumably, it will be a support for Amir Khan’s tangle with Graham Earl.
Boxing: Who gives a Froch about experience?
In Boxing, British Boxing, Contender Series, Fight Previews, Sports on August 16, 2007 at 3:55 pm
On paper, Carl Froch versus former WBC World Champion Robin Reid is a terrific battle, positioning the veteran Runcorn man as the final, and arguably, superfluous gatekeeper to the British champion’s ascent to the international scene. In reality, Froch doesn’t need the fight to further substantiate his credibility on the domestic scene, but a knee operation has encouraged caution, a pause for breath before capitalising on his high rankings with every sanctioning body.
Pugilistic Dementia; Something old, something new?
In Boxing, Contender Series, Fight Reports, Sports on August 14, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Few writers met the news of Oscar DeLaHoya intention to continue fighting with the type of disappointment expressed by Bill Dwyre at the LA Times. Is every other writer too entrenched in the hushed, unspoken agreement to keep boxing relevant, to comment objectively? Is Bill the sole voice of reason? Recycling the last remaining superstars of the 1990’s is a tired but reliable format after all. Read the rest of this entry »
Plucky Gomez Talks About Gatti Victory
In Boxing, Contender Series, Fight Reports, Sports on July 20, 2007 at 8:28 am
I’m not alone in following the career of gutsy Mexican Alfonso Gomez. His heart-warming willingness to face series favourite Peter Manfredo in the opening show of Contender 1 endeared the soft-featured Welterweight to millions around the world. It is that exposure that facilitated his own elevation to elite competition. Notoriety over achievement. Ticket sales over ability. But the difference with Gomez’s opportunity, as opposed to Manfredo’s against Calzaghe is, Gomez delivered. Those who saw him beat the bigger, more seasoned Manfredo weren’t surprised. Read the rest of this entry »
BoxingWriter.co.uk Tribute Wear
In Boxing, British Boxing, Contender Series, Mike Tyson, Shop, Sports on July 4, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Begun on an idle whim, the BoxingWriter .co.uk Tribute Wear has proved tremendously popular and exceeded expectation. Sales of t-shirts featuring the likes of Marciano, Hearns and Tapia have been well received and dispatched to satisfied customers within 2-3 days of order receipt and the feedback on quality has been favourable too. Check them out… 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 »
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.
Rhodes Flattens Buchanan in One
In Boxing, British Boxing, Contender Series, Sports on June 4, 2007 at 10:01 am
It’s been a while since Ryan Rhodes demonstrated the type of form he did yesterday in knocking out game Paul Buchanan in the opener. Traditionally, known for his speed of hand and elusive style – at least those were his trademarks in a youth that saw him capture the British title in record time - the knockout power displayed has been an absent friend in recent years. Read the rest of this entry »
Most Over Used Words in Boxing
In Boxing, Contender Series, Sports on April 27, 2007 at 2:42 pm
The recent press release pertaining to Peter Manfredo’s next bout caused a tremor of discomfort in my sensitive sensibilities. And this dissatisfaction centred on one key word in the brief release; controversial. In recent years the word controversial has become a broad church for a litany of different conclusions to fights. Whether points, knockout or other intervention the word controversial undermines victory, excuses defeat and adds further murk to boxing’s inherently muddy water. Read the rest of this entry »
Gatti to Tackle Gomez in July.
In Boxing, Contender Series, Sports on April 26, 2007 at 7:03 am
Few fighters demonstrate the resolve and determination regularly delivered by Arturo Gatti during his long and eventful career and precious few are held in such affection by boxing fans around the globe. A reputation for effort, entertainment and sheer bloody mindedness has earned Arturo Gatti a very special place in boxing folklore, his name etched alongside more gifted fighters because of the ‘Human Highlight Reel’ his career has become. Read the rest of this entry »
The Weekend Long-Shot
In Boxing, British Boxing, Contender Series, Sports on March 16, 2007 at 12:56 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed the laughter that surrounded my Ray Austin to win prediction last week, I countered those who berated me for the ridiculousness of the claim that it was merely a slow news day and I enjoy being contrary. However, I think I might make it a weekly feature. So this week I’ve scanned through the upcoming fixtures and found my long-shot, I’ll make a vague and shaky case for the prediction and then enjoy the sycophantic praise if it comes off and laugh off the derision if it doesn’t.
What do jer maine Mora’s out?
In Boxing, Contender Series, Sports on March 15, 2007 at 3:24 pmAccording to the always swift SecondsOut, and it’s a great site when the topic isn’t Roman Greenberg, Sergio Mora has pulled out of the forthcoming clash with undisputed Middleweight Champion Jermaine Taylor because of fears the proximity of Memphis to Taylor’s home town could affect his chances of winning. Personally, I would think the fact Mora is about two leagues below Taylor in terms of class, power, ability and experience would provide all the problems Mora needs. The fight could be in Mora’s living room for all the difference it would make to the outcome. Read the rest of this entry »
Alfonso Gomez: Contender Star
In Boxing, British Boxing, Contender Series, Sports on March 15, 2007 at 9:01 am
I have to confess, I didn’t follow the second Contender series at all nor did I see the first series through to conclusion. The television schedule was continually changed and I missed key episodes and the fighters’ stories passed me by. However, one fight I did see – and it’s preceding story – was the opener between series favourite Peter Manfredo and baby-faced Mexican Welterweight Alfonso Gomez. It may have been the slow-motion replays or the editing but I fell in love with the game Gomez. Love in the affectionate, platonic sense, but in love all the same. Read the rest of this entry »
