The fact James Toney returned to action on a Thursday night tells fans plenty about what the veteran fighter has left. Add the fact he chose a blown-up club fighter, Danny Batchelder, to comeback against suggests a steep decline in promoter confidence following his knockout defeat to Sam Peter. If also told you Toney could only eek out a split-decision win over ten, espite weighing in a breezy 229 pounds,you’d probably be eager to write off the former champion wouldn’t you? Continue reading “Toney Back With a Whimper”
Archive: Harrison Breaks Brodie’s Heart
05/06/2005
With further clouds brewing over Scott Harrison, it felt pertinent to recall the capable fighter Harrison once was. Next week two years will have elapsed since his clash with Manchester’s Michael Brodie – one of boxing’s most genuine nearly men. It was an engaging contest and, in retrospect, a great shame it didn’t prove the final step before richly rewarding clashes with the Featherweight elite. Now sadly synonymous with drink rather than boxing, once a upon a time Scott Harrison was a bloody good fighter.
Continue reading “Archive: Harrison Breaks Brodie’s Heart”
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YouTube Taking Punches
It is arguably life’s most absolute truism; “nothing in life is free”. Ok, it lacks the history, popularity or endorsement from Luthur Vandross of “the best things in life are free” but its resonance is irrefutable. Your place between the two schools of thought is probably decided by your natural level of cynicism and demeanour in every day life. Is the glass half full or half empty? Continue reading “YouTube Taking Punches”
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Archive: King to a Republic
25/08/2005
The news Joan Guzman is to step up to 135 pounds to challenge WBO Lightweight belt holder Michael Katsidas will further endear the enigmatic puncher to boxing fans. Once known as a ‘Lil Tyson’, the proud native of the Dominican Republic prefers to compare himself to Marvin Hagler stylistically and aspires to become a hero to his countrymen in the way Julio Cesar Chavez was to Mexicans. Continue reading “Archive: King to a Republic”
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Arthur Close To WBO Shot
Throughout the past decade, the World Boxing Organisation has become increasingly omnipresent in British rings. Usually the preserve of Frank Warren’s Sports Network promotions, the WBO has become synonymous with Warren’s elite champions. No surprise then, that over-ripe Scottish contender Alex Arthur appears close to a shot at their Super-Featherweight title. Less surprising is the news world-class Joan Guzman’s forthcoming abdication of the ‘crown’ precedes the challenge. Continue reading “Arthur Close To WBO Shot”
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Dangerous Liasons: Hatton and PPV
Light-Welterweight champion Ricky Hatton has been a pay per view attraction for almost two years. I’m not sure many of the fights, Kostya Tszyu aside, have warranted the implicit kudos associated with attaining PPV status either on paper or in retrospect but despite, mediocre performances and moderate entertainment value the blue collar hero’s fans will once again need to dig deep to see him in action. Continue reading “Dangerous Liasons: Hatton and PPV”
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Mayweather Prevails But Questions Remain
And so it came to pass. Finally, the most hyped fight in living memory – and probably beyond that too – came and went and with it a new superstar was born; Floyd Mayweather. Of course, to boxing fans Mayweather has long been a superstar but this fight was intended to deliver him on a big, plump Oscar De La Hoya fragranced cushion to the mainstream American sports fan. Did it happen? As a British fan of boxing, I’m as far removed from the US casual fan as its possible to be but am I the only one who still feels a little unfulfilled? Continue reading “Mayweather Prevails But Questions Remain”
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Boxing laments the loss of Corrales
Few fighters carve out the type of niche string-bean former Lightweight and Super-Featherweight champion Diego Corrales did in a little over a decade in the ring. Perhaps Arturo Gatti or Johnny Tapia command comparable affection from the fans who revelled in, and embraced the gutsy puncher’s career. Corrales was a competition hungry professional, game to the last and willing to fight the fights ticket buying fans wanted to see. He was real. Not a throwback to some romanticised bygone age, but a genuine fighter and the type of elixir the sport needed in these troubled times.
Continue reading “Boxing laments the loss of Corrales”
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Best of Big Fight Live: Michael Watson, the forgotten gem
A rare treat on ITV4 last night, Jim Rosenthal and Barry McGuigan hosted a wander down memory lane. Using footage from ITV’s impressive archives, action from Hagler v Hearns, Mark Kaylor, Benn, Eubank, Tyson and Hamed were inter-spersed with ‘talking head’ contributions from Colin Hart, John Rawling, Duke McKenzie, a very nervous Ron Lewis from the Times and most treasured of all, Reg Gutteridge. I miss Reg’s wisdom on the mic. However, for me, the biggest thrill was being reminded of Michael Watson’s excellence. Continue reading “Best of Big Fight Live: Michael Watson, the forgotten gem”
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Bojado Returns with a Victory
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”
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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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Oscar and Floyd Weigh In: Pics
Looking in tremendous shape, Oscar De La Hoya has weighed in at 154 pounds on the ‘nose’ with weight jumping rival Floyd Mayweather opting to maintain speed at a more natural 150 pounds. Both men looked cut and well prepared for the richest fight in boxing history. Whether Oscar will now rehydrate and fight at more like 160+ remains to be seen. Mayweather will not weigh more than a good dinner heavier than 150 having elected not to bulk up unneccessarily. Continue reading “Oscar and Floyd Weigh In: Pics”
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‘Panchito’ Bojado Returns This Weekend
No weekend long-shot this week as the schedule failed to throw up a contest of interest. However, I’ll take the space to suggest a fighter to keep an eye out for this weekend. British fans will have to check a result and little more as all eyes turn to the mega fight between Oscar and Floyd on TV but the American audience could get to see the re-emergence of a potential star of the prize ring.
Continue reading “‘Panchito’ Bojado Returns This Weekend”
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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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Corrales Will Have to Continue
Those fight fans who believed the crushing defeat to Joshua Clottey on his Welterweight debut would signal the end of Diego Corrales’ career are likely to be disappointed. Kevin Iole reports on Yahoo.com, for whom he recently became lead boxing writer, such is the dire nature of Corrales’ finances that he is even unable to repay a six figure sum given to him as a signing bonus last October by Golden Boy Promotions. Gary Shaw successfully proved he still had rights on Corrales’ career and the contract to which the bonus was intended to precede was torn up – Corrales had already spent the money on tax debts. Continue reading “Corrales Will Have to Continue”
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Did I Miss Something? Hatton thinks he’s next?
I cannot claim to have devoured every second of the pre-fight promotion for the Mayweather v Oscar fight, 24/7, nor could I claim to have consumed every line of copy that has been generated to further build the fight but of the coverage I have digested I don’t recall the words Ricky or Hatton being mentioned, and certainly not as a potential next opponent for either of the protagonists. Perhaps Hatton’s millions fund access to Satellite stations simply unavailable to mortals like myself because he believes he has the pick of the two next? Continue reading “Did I Miss Something? Hatton thinks he’s next?”
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Mayweather Has Much At Stake
I’m a fan of Maxboxing.com, it maintains a high standard of editorial control and has worked hard to establish its credibility amongst the raft of boxing sites that have emerged over the past five years. To this reader at least, the site has made the step up and is comparable with some of its esteemed printed contemporaries. With this respect underlined, I found Dougie Fischer’s article on Floyd Mayweather’s need to beat Oscar for his own legacy but also to provide a bridge of sorts to the mainstream fan to whom he remains a unknown quantity, an interesting piece. Continue reading “Mayweather Has Much At Stake”
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UKBoxingpress Hits the Buffers
It was sad to note today that one of my regular watering holes, UKBoxingpress.co.uk appears to have succumbed to the bad feeling caused by a public spat with Frank Maloney’s Promotions company. Or at least that is the assumption. The forum there provided host to most of the regular visitors to message boards on British boxing and one can only hope it is a temporary hiatus.
Continue reading “UKBoxingpress Hits the Buffers”
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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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Terrible Tim. No seriously, its terrible Tim!
Approaching 34, I’d begun to feel my time as an Amateur footballer was drawing to a close; family and working life making the commitment to stay fit and available hard to muster. I’ve never been particularly gifted, but hard work, a loud monotone Yorkshire accent and a fearless approach to the tackle has carved me a small niche in local league football in Cambridgeshire for the past decade. However, I’ve recently realised I’m a mere pup and to retire now would be tantamount to quitting at my peak. What changed? Well if Tim Witherspoon is to fight again at 49 I reckon I could tackle another right winger or two. Continue reading “Terrible Tim. No seriously, its terrible Tim!”
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Mayweather v Oscar: When indecisiveness is OK
Picking a winner from these two is a tough task for any observer, regardless of access to the fighters, or depth of wisdom. From my detached existence I’ve flipped from one outcome to the other. A sign the fight is that rarest of commodities; a genuine one. The BBC’s on-site correspondent, Mike Costello, has me flipping once more.
Continue reading “Mayweather v Oscar: When indecisiveness is OK”
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PR: Froch Has Knee Surgery
PRESS RELEASE: 02/05/07
The enclosed Press Release from Hennessy Sports focuses on Froch’s knee surgery but of more interest to British fight fans presents a clear indication he intends to defend his British and Commonwealth titles one more time before departing for international fixtures. It seems Robin Reid’s suggestion he would demolish Froch has made him the opponent of choice following the veteran clash between Reid and Glenn Catley in a final eliminator. Continue reading “PR: Froch Has Knee Surgery”
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Lest We Forget: Leavander Johnson
It appears fashionable to criticise boxing. Commentators regularly, and gleefully, posting obituaries for the once great sport and though it is irrefutable true that the sport is perilously close to expulsion from the consciousness of mainstream or casual fans, at boxing’s core the heart of the fighter still beats strong. Continue reading “Lest We Forget: Leavander Johnson”
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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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Archive: British Boxing’s Road to Redemption
An article plucked from back in the summer of 2004, in the days preceding Danny Williams’ challenge to Mike Tyson. With a perspective on the significance of the bout for British boxing as a whole and specifically its hope of sustaining significance and resonance with the next generation of sports fans. Continue reading “Archive: British Boxing’s Road to Redemption”
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PR: Murray unsurprised at ‘joker’ Khan’s knock-back
PRESS RELEASE 30/04/07
Hennessy Sports promoted John Murray is not surprised that his British lightweight rival Amir Khan rejected an offer to fight him this Saturday on potentially the biggest event in boxing history, despite the Olympic Silver medalist’s false claim that he ‘played’ with him in sparring. Continue reading “PR: Murray unsurprised at ‘joker’ Khan’s knock-back”
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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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Beyond Castillo; Is Hatton’s Cupboard Bare?
Nobody could question the legitimacy of the venerable Jose Luis Castillo as an opponent for the Mancunian terrier Ricky Hatton in June; the 37 year old warrior is a revered fighter, capable of an outstanding punch output, an unflinching desire for combat and a rounded technical game. The clash promises high-octane, high quality toe to toe action and whatever the relative merits of the two in pound for pound terms it is a proper fight and the type Hatton urgently needs. After Castillo however, the way forward is far less clear.
Continue reading “Beyond Castillo; Is Hatton’s Cupboard Bare?”
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Set to Drown: Roman on Klitschko Short-List
Secondsout.com, a site with a vested interested in furthering the case for Roman Greenberg, claim the 24 year old is on a short-list of three to be Vitali Klitschko’s opponent when the big former title holder returns. Perhaps only in a fight with an elite, if rusty, professional like Klitschko will Greenberg realise just how slowly he’s been moving both in the ring and up the heavyweight ladder. His record is aesthetic, he will doubtless gleefully take the payday and those are presumably the two criteria facilitating his consideration as the sacrifical lamb. Continue reading “Set to Drown: Roman on Klitschko Short-List”
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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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