I’ve highlighted the availability of some classic archive footage on SKY channel 442 before so I wont keep you too long. Just a brief note to remind British readers – both of you – that the excellent ESPN Classic channel is showcasing Mike Tyson at 6.30pm GMT tonight. Experts will try to establish the factors behind his protracted demise from the most fearsome fighter of the eighties to a tabloid curiosity by the nineties. Continue reading “ESPN Classic: The Downfall of Iron Mike”
Herbie, Herbie, Herbie. Will You Ever Learn?
Former WBO Heavyweight champion Herbie Hide continued his promotional merry-go-round this week, a ride that has taken him across the Atlantic to no real affect and back to Europe and the one-time dynamite young puncher is no nearer actually facing an opponent. Earlier this week Arena Box-Promotion announced it had signed Hide, alongside a host of Cuban defectors to its German based stable. At last, Hide had found a home for his supposed return as a Cruiserweight, a division more suited to his cocktail of heavy punching and glass jaw.
Sadly, the release was a touch premature. Continue reading “Herbie, Herbie, Herbie. Will You Ever Learn?”
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Good Ship Greenberg Avoiding Icebergs
Heavyweight hopeful Roman Greenberg is arguably the most talked about heavyweight that hasn’t achieved anything. His Jewish background, youth and fast hands encouraging the Fight Academy promotional team to utilise every conceivable vehicle to issue a press release, and for a time their frequency and flashes of excellence in Greenberg’s embryonic outings convinced enough observers to track the chunky fighter. Continue reading “Good Ship Greenberg Avoiding Icebergs”
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Audley Back Before He Left
Stubborn, defiant, belligerent, delusional? Audley Harrison, staring at 3 defeats in his last 5 fights, remains confident he will return better than ever and at championship level from his latest setback. True the punch that flattened him this time was a cracker, with the small caveat that Sprott isn’t known as a devastating puncher, but alongside his conspicuous knockdown to a glancing blow from Danny Williams and the shiver light-punching Mark Krence sent down his spine, the furthering of his fistic career will be done without the security of an iron chin. Continue reading “Audley Back Before He Left”
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Simply the Pest: Eubank Arrested
Few fighters cut a more distinct figure than Chris Eubank in a giant American truck, but the fearsome former champion is as opinionated as ever and brought a great deal of media attention to a protest against the War in Iraq, and specifically today’s news that third in line to the throne, Prince Harry, is to see active front-line duty. Continue reading “Simply the Pest: Eubank Arrested”
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You Khannot Be Serious: Amir Ranked!
Now far be it from me to tell the WBO how to run their business, nor am I willing to suggest something underhand has occurred to facilitate Amir Khan’s new found status as a world-ranked Lightweight, but Amir Khan – #14, really? A staggering step by the WBO, with whom Khan’s promoter – Frank Warren – has always had a close relationship, considering the Bolton fighter has yet to face an opponent of even moderate renown. Continue reading “You Khannot Be Serious: Amir Ranked!”
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Boxing: Peace Follows War: Benn and McClellan Meet
For boxing fans of a certain generation, namely mine, the fight between Nigel Benn and Gerald McClellan represents a seminal moment in our love of the sport. Retrospectively however, the fight creates disharmony amongst those that saw it. Fans crave to revel in the intensity of the combat, the purity of two men willing to put their mind, body and sense of who they were under the most intense physical pressure imaginable in the name of sport. Respect, and a degree of embarassment given our love of a sport that fundamentally places men at risk, forces restraint because of the sad conclusion to the fight. Continue reading “Boxing: Peace Follows War: Benn and McClellan Meet”
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Shadow Boxing: Matthew Hatton Emerges
A brief note to recognise how important Matthew Hatton’s recent victory on the Hatton v Urango undercard could prove to be. The younger, bigger Hatton slogged away unspectacularly on the undercards of his illustrious sibling for a number of years without ever announcing himself as a talent in his own right, but a change could be on the horizon. Continue reading “Shadow Boxing: Matthew Hatton Emerges”
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The Unwise Return of Tommy Morrison?
I’ve found it hard to fathom quite how American heavyweight Tommy Morrison, 46-3, has been cleared to fight again a decade or more on from the announcement he’d contracted HIV at some unknown point during his sexual voyage through an unquantifiable number of female companions. My bemusement appears to be widespread with conflicting medical opinion on the legitimacy of Morrison’s claim that he is either cured, or the victim of a misdiagnosis. Continue reading “The Unwise Return of Tommy Morrison?”
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Williams v Gammer: Live on the Web
According to www.boxingtimes.comthe British title fight between champion Scott Gammer and Danny Williams will available over the Internet for a price starting at $16.99. An interesting move, and yet another example of the inevitable move toward integrated coverage of the sport. What next, hover-boards?
Barry Hearn, head of Matchroom, and the promoter.. Continue reading “Williams v Gammer: Live on the Web”
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Hatton Britain’s Greatest?
Billy Graham, the long-time trainer of Ricky Hatton, today claimed that the British public will one day accept Hatton as the greatest fighter to ever have emerged from the United Kingdom. It seems an ambitious claim given the mediocrity of his recent encounters but considering the achievements of the previous champions from these shores, it isn’t impossible to believe he could succeed in fulfilling that prediction. Continue reading “Hatton Britain’s Greatest?”
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Hatton Faces Castillo on June 23rd
Reported everywhere today, so why should this little hideaway be any different, the news that Ricky Hatton is to face veteran – and its noticeable how many media outlets refer to him as veteran since his narrow victory and lacklustre performance last time out – Mexican, Jose Luis Castillo in a fight few fans will want to miss. Continue reading “Hatton Faces Castillo on June 23rd”
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Neil Sinclair’s Career: Take 47
Belfast banger Neil Sinclair, one of the purest punchers from the British Isles in recent memory, made a cautious return to action following a failed attempt to galvanise himself in America last year, beating imported loser Arek Malek. The detour to America went desperatley wrong, a third choice substitute knocked him out on his Stateside debut. A painful lesson in attention to detail for the former British champion in a fight scheduled to enable him to rebuild from the humbling defeat to Taz Jones back in ‘Blighty’ the year before. Continue reading “Neil Sinclair’s Career: Take 47”
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Poleaxed. The Audley Charade Ends
I’ve written dozens of articles, fight reports, previews and message board comments on Audley Harrison in the past five years, his professional career running parallel to my own contributions as a boxing writer – if affording myself that title isn’t too much of an insult to the Putnam, Leibling and Mailers that precede me. In fact, I’ve compounded the crime – mentioning their names close to mine – but hopefully they’ll excuse the indulgence. Continue reading “Poleaxed. The Audley Charade Ends”
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Congratulations Ali!
Just a brief note of congratulation to Ali Nuumbembe, the Glossop based Namibian finally fulfilled his dream of winning a professional title – defeating Commonwealth champion Kevin Anderson by Split-Decision in a tightly contested fight. Anderson was somewhat dismayed by the decision having started by brightly but barely survived the eighth. Continue reading “Congratulations Ali!”
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Ali Nuumbembe Faces Final Hurdle
Good luck to Ali Nuumbembe this weekend in his bid to win the Commonwealth Welterweight title from Scotsman Kevin Anderson. I met Ali just over a year ago, with benefactor Richard Parker, at the latter’s pub in Glossop and it is very hard not to be engaged by Ali’s story. Continue reading “Ali Nuumbembe Faces Final Hurdle”
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Earl Seeking to Earn Respect
Graham Earl, the former British Lightweight champion and present custodian of the WBU Lightweight belt, a strap that enables non-elite fighters like Earl to masquerade as World Champions – Something the Luton fighter is clearly not – will contest the WBO version this week. Of course, Earl will tell you he understands the charade and that he doesn’t truly regard himself as a world champion because of his success in WBU title fights, a perspective that only beggars the question – why bother? Continue reading “Earl Seeking to Earn Respect”
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From Big Acorns: Earnie Shavers Lacing Up Again
Relax, the nearly man of the golden heavyweight era of the 1970’s isn’t returning to the professional ring, though he still cuts a fearsome figure at the age of 62, but will be – according to the British tabloid, The Daily Mirror – competing in an evening of White Collar Boxing in Tranmere. Continue reading “From Big Acorns: Earnie Shavers Lacing Up Again”
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A Clash of Opposites: Audley faces Sprott
Audley Harrison takes another belated step on the path to heavyweight glory this weekend when he faces Reading’s quiet man Michael Sprott. The two fighter’s careers a study in opposites. For Audley, the toast of the domestic and international scenes for almost five years following his surprise Olympic victory, this represents another meaningful hurdle – for Sprott, a fighter forced to earn a crust around the rings of Europe, this represents a major opportunity to establish himself as a legitimate contender at the higher level.
Continue reading “A Clash of Opposites: Audley faces Sprott”
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Takaloo in Embarassing Benefit Fraud
Margate’s Welterweight contender Mehrdud Takalobiagashi, widely known as Takaloo to save his adopted English countryman struggling with his Iranian pronunciation, appeared in court over alleged benefit fraud alongside his wife, Sarah. Continue reading “Takaloo in Embarassing Benefit Fraud”
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Shock News: Hatton Vacates
The most predictable story of the year so far; Ricky Hatton vacates the belt he won for the second time against Colombian hulk Juan Urango, preferring to face Jose Luis Castillo than mandatory challenger Lovemore N’Dou. Continue reading “Shock News: Hatton Vacates”
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Not Burns’ Night: Johanneson Prevails
Firstly, apologies for the title, I’m sure I’ll be around 43rd to use the Burn’s night phrase – alas nothing else presented itself.
More important than the header is the news hometown puncher, Carl Johansson successfully repelled the gutsy challenge of Scot Ricky Burns to defend the British Super Featherweight title at the Leeds Town Hall on Friday night. And the fight was compelling viewing. Continue reading “Not Burns’ Night: Johanneson Prevails”
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Staggering. Maccarinelli To Face Joke Opponent?
Pragmatism is an essential personality trait for boxing fans these days, accepting mediocre opponents in the name of world-championship boxing has become second nature to fans of the sport.
However, in Bobby Gunn, Frank Warren may just have found an opponent so devoid of credentials that boxing fans, even those devoted to the WBO Cruiserweight champion, Enzo Maccarinelli, Gunn is scheduled to face, will be unable to accept. Continue reading “Staggering. Maccarinelli To Face Joke Opponent?”
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Hatton, N’Dou and the IBF
Never the shy retiring type, Lovemore N’Dou has gone public on his frustration at Ricky Hatton’s decision to face Mexican Jose Luis Castillo in June rather than honour his mandatory obligation. N’Dou, who beat countryman Ben Rabah to secure mandated status, is a veteran of the PR game and an irrepressible voice in the Light-Welterweight division. Continue reading “Hatton, N’Dou and the IBF”
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Sugar Ray Too Sweet About Amir Khan
There is little doubt Sugar Ray Leonard is one of the finest atheletes to ever grace the sport. Victories over Hearns, Duran and Hagler alone earn him a place in any debate on the greatest fighter of all time. It isn’t a crown he could claim but he isn’t out of place in the discussion.
However, following a brief spell as a promoter after his final retirement he has returned to the consciousness of boxing fans as the face of The Contender series – a show pitting peripheral contenders against one another in a last man standing format. The series has proved popular enough in America, where both series winners and many of the supporting fighters have gained acclaim and recognition beyond their ability and potential. Continue reading “Sugar Ray Too Sweet About Amir Khan”
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Real Life Rockys Go Head to Head: Francis & McKenzie
In the boxing backwater of Gloucestershire, Ovill McKenzie and Dean Francis clash this weekend for McKenzie’s Commonwealth title and the bout represents a major achievement for both fighters. Francis, for whom much was once expected, contesting a significant title following the injuries to his right arm that twice convinced him to retire only to return is prize enough. The fiercely competitive 33 year old will want, and expect to go one further and win of course despite relying almost exclusively on the left hand for much of the eight years since the dislocation against Undra White. Continue reading “Real Life Rockys Go Head to Head: Francis & McKenzie”
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Boxing: Witter Just Wouldn’t Let It Lie
The on-going PR campaign being waged by Junior Witter’s irrepressible promotional team, Hennessey Sports is beginning to take on a life of its own. Perpetual and persistent, the endless supply of challenges made to Ricky Hatton is slowly returning the long-overdue Hatton v Witter clash to the top of most boxing fans’ list of must-see engagements.
True, Hatton’s clash with Jose Luis Castillo takes on greater meaning for the intangible ‘legacy’ to which it seems all boxer’s attribute every matchmaking decision of their career – though precious few selections actually the deliver the validation they claim to crave – and for the lucrative American market for whom Junior Witter represents… Continue reading “Boxing: Witter Just Wouldn’t Let It Lie”
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Tarver or Jones Next for Clinton Woods?
On whichever criteria IBF Light-Heavyweight champion Clinton Woods’ career is assessed it is impossible not to congratulate his perserverence and willingness to tackle the best the division has to offer. Defending the title he secured beating game young puncher Rico Hoye against challengers as capable and ambitious as Gonzales and Johnson illustrate this zest for genuine competition.
In this era of avoiding fellow contenders he is to be applauded for this willingness. Continue reading “Tarver or Jones Next for Clinton Woods?”
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The Contender Arrives in the UK
Following success Stateside, the Contender concept will take its bow in the UK later this year and will feature a host of Welterweight/Light Middleweights with much to prove.
Provocatively pitched against American counterparts including Cornelius Brundage and Grady Brewer, the likes of Ross Minter, Wayne Alexander and Nigel Wright will seek to grasp the undoubted noteriety and attention the series generates. Continue reading “The Contender Arrives in the UK”
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Tyson on ESPN Classic – In the UK
A brief note to alert British boxing fans, [and only 3 of them read these pages], channel 442 starts a three part re-run on Mike Tyson’s eventful early career – should be a nice recap for those too young to recall his thunderous prime and those who had begun to forget the demonic like swathe he cut through the ponderous 1980’s heavyweight division. Continue reading “Tyson on ESPN Classic – In the UK”
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