Young Mexican puncher Francisco ‘Panchito’ Bojado returned from a three year career hiatus to score a solid ten round victory over veteran trial horse Dairo Esalas. Bojado, still only 24, weighed in at an eager 143 pounds a weight that suggests he will return to elite action at Light-Welterweight. Continue reading “Bojado Returns with a Victory”
The Great American Hope? Chambers Beats Guinn
During the title reign of Jack Johnson a hundred or so years ago, the search for a white heavyweight to overcome the ‘negro’ champion became a holy grail for the western world, the theme continued for decades, although less conspicuously, throughout the reigns of Joe Louis, Ali and even Larry Holmes.
Continue reading “The Great American Hope? Chambers Beats Guinn”
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The Definitive DLH v Mayweather Preview
You’ll be pleased to hear it isn’t penned by me. Don Steinberg, who writes for ESPN.com, took on the mammoth task of re-watching every round of both fighters’ careers. 27 hours of footage, taking in opponents like Chavez, Whittaker, Trinidad, Mosley, Castillo, Gatti, Hopkins, Corrales and Judah – a stellar roster of opponents. Don breaks down the fight into minute detail and the article is accompanied by footage lifted from EA Sports Fight Night 3, which adds a little colour and interest to the micro detail of the preview. Continue reading “The Definitive DLH v Mayweather Preview”
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Explaining the Unexplainable
I think it is fair to say boxing fans are sometimes asked to explain the impossible, the subtle idiosyncracies and nuances of the sport they love to the uneducated and unwashed masses. Whether it be contextualising a bout’s significance – given the plethora of sanctioning bodies etc – or arguing that modern day fighters ARE just as good as their 1970’s or 80’s ancestors but occasionally boxing throws up a ‘curve ball’ that even the most die-hard boxing fan couldn’t read. The scoring in last nights Yory Boy Campas bout is a case in point. Continue reading “Explaining the Unexplainable”
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Juuko Returns from the Scrap-Heap
The last time we saw Ugandan Justin Juuko in a British ring the veteran fighter looked unable to stand in a stiff breeze let alone coordinate his feet enough to fend off Mancunian Michael Gomez. It left those in attendance with little choice but to write off the former World-Title challenger and frequent visitor to these shores as a spent force. Another stoppage defeat the following year put another exclamation mark to the assumption Juuko should retire. However, like so many fighters the story didn’t end there.
Continue reading “Juuko Returns from the Scrap-Heap”
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Boxing is a brave man’s sport
And the sky is blue, grass is green. An obvious statement of course, but the weekend corner retirement of Acelino Freitas brought down the curtain on a distinguished career and it would be sad if the hard-punching Brazilian is remembered only for quitting versus Diego Corrales and young Juan Diaz at the weekend. It would be unjust to overlook his longevity and the knockout streak of his youth.
Continue reading “Boxing is a brave man’s sport”
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Oboh Gets The Violin Out
The ashen white look on Dean Powell’s face when it became clear British Light-Heavyweight champion Peter Oboh was refusing to defend his crown despite being at the venue, having made weight and with the crowd in their seats was a postcard picture. No words could convey the disbelief better than Powell’s jaw resting on his knees. Continue reading “Oboh Gets The Violin Out”
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Haye Convinces the Doubting Tomasz’
Yesterday I commented on the two-tone nature of Tomasz Bonin’s heavyweight credentials, on the one hand he had an aesthetic record of 37-1, was ranked #11 by the WBC, appeared rugged and game – on the other he had a flattering ledger with no quality on it, an unqualified ranking and at 231 pounds still looked to be carrying extra ‘timber’ of a relaxed rather than tense nature. So a certain context is required before adding to the bravado and hoopla David Haye’s devastating stoppage of the gutsy Pole has induced.
Continue reading “Haye Convinces the Doubting Tomasz’”
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Contrasting Fortunes of Borges and Iole
Congratulations to Kevin Iole on his recent Nat Fleischer award for excellence in boxing journalism, a prestigious gong and Kevin takes his place behind a parade of hugely talented scribes who have won the award created to honour the Ring magazine’s most famous Editor.
Continue reading “Contrasting Fortunes of Borges and Iole”
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Who’s On First? Yep, Who’s on First. Holdsworth Howler
Instances of boxing commentators making you laugh, and I mean full on guffaw, are few and far between. There was the time Glen McCrory, in a statement borne out of an affinity with his old sparring partner and instruction from the paymaster for whom he was speaking, believed Mike Tyson could “turn back the clock for one night only” before being pummelled from pillar to post by Lennox Lewis and there was also the time Adam Smith showed a video of Jawaid Khaliq to Vernon Forrest who opted to fight Shane Mosley rather than the Nottingham taxi driver. Last night, in the deeper shadows of Eurosport, Steve Holdsworth and Bob Mee had me spitting out my late night cornflakes.
Continue reading “Who’s On First? Yep, Who’s on First. Holdsworth Howler”
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Crystal Ball: Ray Austin Falls
My thanks to Oliver Fennell for drawing attention to my idle suggestion that mediocre American Ray Austin could unseat Wladimir Klitschko last weekend, a prediction roughly in line, in terms of stunning stupidity, with my suggestion Clifford Etienne could outwork and and outlast Mike Tyson a year or two ago. Oliver, who now writes for Ben Carey’s website ukboxingpress.co.uk is a long-standing contact from our dual residency at audleyharrison.com. Proof if proof were needed that association with failed heavyweights needn’t preclude success as a writer. Continue reading “Crystal Ball: Ray Austin Falls”
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Double You B Who?
British terrestrial network ITV returned to professional boxing two years ago with the happy mantra of focusing on meaningful fights. Research had told them of the frustration and misconception the plethora of meaningless belts had caused. SKY TV, no longer committed to Frank Warren’s Sports Network group, also publicly announced that the previous acceptable notion of WBU, WBF, IBO (and others) title belts being required to make fights worthwhile was now extinguished and only ‘proper’ English, British, Commonwealth, European and World Title contests would be considered for broadcast. Hallelujah. Continue reading “Double You B Who?”
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M’Baye Survives a Squeeky One
French WBA LightWelterweight title holder Souleymane M’Baye survived an absorbing contest last night, emerging from his bout with Andreas Kotelnik with a contentious draw that preserved his status as the champion. The fight, broadly defined by Kotelnik’s superior aggression and volume of punches and M’Baye back-foot counter-punching and thudding right hand, was an enjoyable spectacle. As result, few ripples will be felt in the 140 pound division; M’Baye remains a mile away from a shot at Ricky Hatton while ever Frank Warren remains in control of his career.
Continue reading “M’Baye Survives a Squeeky One”
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Boxing Holds It’s Breath: Burgos Hospitalised
The news Victor Burgos, one of a long line of glorious Mexican fighters, had emergency brain surgery to remove a clot and ease swelling following his clubbing defeat to Vic Darchinyan this weekend caused the boxing community to hold it’s collective breath. Disaster is always one punch away in boxing and though everyone involved consents to the risk the sport is always scrutinised when a fighter is hospitalised. Continue reading “Boxing Holds It’s Breath: Burgos Hospitalised”
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Despite Victory Introspection Beckons For Williams
Whether victory over Welshman Scott Gammer for the British Heavyweight title proves to be the final chapter in the colourful career of the 33 year old Londoner remains to be seen. Even in victory Danny was typically unsure of his future commitment to the sport and will take time to assess his options beyond his latest reign as British champion. For Gammer, his pedestrian potential has surely been exhausted now and declining the £100,000 payday offered to fight Audley Harrison two months ago doesn’t look quite the astute choice manager Paul Boyce assured everyone it was. Continue reading “Despite Victory Introspection Beckons For Williams”
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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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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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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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‘Bad’ Chad Dawson Arrives at One Seven Five
At 6-3, with telescopic reach, solid technique, authoritative power and a southpaw stance Chad Dawson struck most informed observers as a young man with undoubted potential. Now aged 24, and a new arrival in the WBC champion’s lounge – a comprehensive destruction of champion Tomasz Adamek earning him the belt – Dawson is suddenly hot news.
In the light-heavyweight division, a new broom is overdue – Antonio Tarver, Bernard Hopkins, Clinton Woods, Roy Jones and Glen Johnson still sit aloft the weight class and all are at the veteran stage, and more than one is shot. Continue reading “‘Bad’ Chad Dawson Arrives at One Seven Five”
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Cotto Impresses Securing Hatton’s Vacated Title
The more time passes, the less likely it appears the paths of Miguel Cotto and Ricky Hatton will ever cross. Last weekend, following his belated move to the Welterweight division – a move simultaneous to Hatton’s own return to the Light-Welterweight class – Cotto provided ample evidence of his own ability in the stoppage defeat of previously unbeaten Puerto Rican, Carlos Quintana. Continue reading “Cotto Impresses Securing Hatton’s Vacated Title”
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