Reports of Johnny Tapia’s deteriorating condition continue to circulate. One conflicting news item suggested he was improving – Sporting Life – but a host of contradictory reports are growing and concern for the fallen fighter is shared by fans across the world. Overnight the story may update but British media outlet Sky Sports, one of the leading news providers, strongly proposes the 40 year old is in a critical condition. Continue reading “Tapia Condition Critical?”
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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See the Woods for the Trees
Following weeks of public deliberation as to the name of Clinton Woods’ next opponent today’s announcement that the Sheffield fighter will tackle former foe Julio Gonzales in a mandatory defence was met with varying degrees of apathy. What happened to Roy Jones Jnr, Antonio Tarver, Bernard Hopkins or even long-shots Darius Michelczewski and Joe Calzaghe? True Woods has been side-lined longer than expected by an arm injury but still, Gonzales again? Hardly quickens the pulse does it? Continue reading “See the Woods for the Trees”
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The Heavyweight Malaise, Moorer Looks to Bygone Days
In most other sports, participants over the age of 35 are eligible for the Senior Tour. A parallel competition established to provide escape for the tired former champions to continue to earn a crust away from the intensity of their youthful counterparts. Tennis is a prime example, few top line players can sustain themselves beyond the age of 28 or 29, and though each generation throws up an exception from Conners to Ivanisevic, the rule of thumb applies – by 30 your done. Sadly for boxing, and particularly in the heavyweight division – though the trend is extended throughout the weight classes – 30 is simply the beginning. And it isn’t a good thing. Continue reading “The Heavyweight Malaise, Moorer Looks to Bygone Days”
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Vida Loca; Another Sad Chapter in the Life Of Johnny Tapia
As one of the finest prizefighters of his generation Johnny Tapia’s life has always been a back-page story, and more frequently than he’d prefer, a front page one too. News that the recently retired former champion has once again been found close to death following an apparent cocaine overdose will chill but not surprise those of us for whom Tapia has always been a hero. His biography, My Vida Loca – [My Crazy Life] contains more drama and turmoil than most people could pack into five lives – and within it – Tapia’s claim he’d been pronounced clinically dead six times following a drug and drink related episodes provides Freudian support for that conclusion.
Continue reading “Vida Loca; Another Sad Chapter in the Life Of Johnny Tapia”
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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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Beware, Beware. Klitschko is Due A Fall
I can’t really summon rational reason for what I’m about to write but I feel compelled to suggest Ray Austin is going to upset the heavyweight applecart tonight and dethrone Wladimir Klitschko. Austin is a mediocre puncher, has a mediocre resume and is of mediocre renown, but I just feel Klitschko re-emergence as the golden boy of the beleaguered weight class is overdue another punctuation mark. Too many people have been eager to forget his pummelling at the hands of Corrie Sanders, his collapse versus Lamont Brewster and most recently the fact pedestrian powerhouse Sam Peter decked him three times.
Continue reading “Beware, Beware. Klitschko is Due A Fall”
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Burgos Out of Induced Coma
Just to cover all those boxing fans that proclaimed their love and concern for Victor Burgos, who suffered bleeding on the brain and a clot following his defeat to Vic Darchinyan, but then immediately forgot and neglected the fallen Mexican once they clicked on, I’ve dug around on one or two sites, but not in a Ron Borges way – can you believe that story? – to find out what happened next. In truth, I’d forgotten for a day or two too. Making others feel bad eased my guilt.
However, back to Burgos.
Continue reading “Burgos Out of Induced Coma”
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Under the Radar; Barney to Face Bute
Few fighters unify boxing fans like Matthew Barney. Before I explain why, it’s firstly important to point out that I instinctively recoil from sharing the thinking of the masses. I like holding a contrary view. Sometimes it sets you aside as a voice of wisdom other times it is a compulsion that leads you to suggest Clifford Etienne could stop Mike Tyson late. So as a state of mind or ethos, it is a flawed position. The majority cannot always be wrong is the lesson these experiences teach me. However, on the subject of Matthew Barney I think they are. Because, you see, boxing fans simply don’t like Matthew Barney.
Continue reading “Under the Radar; Barney to Face Bute”
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Higher Napa, Higher Napa
Diminutive scrapper Ian Napa has battled against his physical limitations of height and a lack of natural pop his entire career. Relying on his rolling style to avert the heavier punches of his opponents and allow him to land his classy combinations. If only he had a little snap in those shots he could be a genuine contender. Ifs, buts and maybes don’t win belts and against Italian Simone Maludrottu he faces a European champion of substance and with a nice line in fortunate decisions. A gift Napa has never enjoyed. Continue reading “Higher Napa, Higher Napa”
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Come Back and Finish What You Started
Don’t leave me hanging on, hanging on. As the song goes.
On Saturday night Runcorn veteran Robin Reid returns to competitive action against Jesse Brinkley, the former Contender contestant, on the Newcastle bill that pits British fighters against Contender series fighters later this month. It hurts me to describe the former WBC World Champion as a veteran, mainly because it reminds me that the first generation of fighters to whom I gravitated as a younger fan are all but retired – Lewis, Benn, Prince Naseem, Watson, my beloved Herol, ‘Sweet C’ McMillan they’re all gone.
This fight now represents the last hurrah for the 36-year-old as he seeks to squeeze either paydays or meaning from the last embers of his career.
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Donny Lad! Bull Gets Khan Job
Stefy Bull is a fighter I’ve been trying to get an interview with for a while, obviously I didn’t try hard enough, given I’ve had it on my to do list for about four years. Finally, and by complete coincidence our paths crossed last week on doghouseboxing.com, home to the some of the weird and wonderful inhabitants of boxing’s forum underworld – though I remain certain one or two are from an entirely different planet – and Stefy relayed his willingness to organise something. Before you get excited and click ‘more’ in the hope of reading Bull’s inner most thoughts, don’t – the interview hasn’t happened yet. You can’t say I didn’t warn you. Continue reading “Donny Lad! Bull Gets Khan Job”
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Calzaghe: A Year On From Lacy
On the cusp of his American coronation against game Contender Peter Manfredo on April 7th, Joe Calzaghe has been reflecting on the year that has elapsed since he emerged from the debris of his long tenure as WBO Super-Middleweight champion, and all the mediocrity that attracts, to beat Jeff Lacy. In conversation with the Wales On Sunday, and available through icwales.co.uk, Calzaghe is clearly keen to still bask in the glow of that victory but is growing more earnest and pragmatic regarding the disrespect that preceded his vault into the pound-for-pound debate.
Continue reading “Calzaghe: A Year On From Lacy”
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Welterweight Is Where The Party Is Ricky
The lunacy of Ricky Hatton’s recent career direction was further highlighted during the past seven days as the elite opponents he seeks to add ‘meat’ to the ‘skeleton’ of his victory over Kostya Tszyu two years ago continues to be gobbled up by the draw of the Welterweight division. Ironic considering Hatton’s 2006 conclusion that a move to 147lbs to pursue Floyd Mayweather and make the big fights was the only route forward. Continue reading “Welterweight Is Where The Party Is Ricky”
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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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McGuigan Takes the Fight to UFC
I’ve written a thought or two on the emergence of UFC as a threat to boxing’s place in the hearts and minds of British sports fans and with some substance, they get so much right in their organisation and promotion. Much of which was learned from the flaws currently suffocating boxing. However, boxing has an articulate defender in Barry McGuigan, the former Featherweight champion, who in today’s Daily Mirror made the most lucid defence of boxing and unraveled many of the myths that surround UFC recent success. It is a heartening read for beleaguered boxing fans. Continue reading “McGuigan Takes the Fight to UFC”
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So can anyone stop Valuev?
Rocky Marciano’s hasty retirement, still unbeaten in 49 contests, following the victory over Archie Moore, a fight in which he was floored, created one of the world’s greatest and most long-standing sporting landmarks. The closest anyone has come to surpassing the Rock’s pristine benchmark was in the early eighties when Larry Holmes, who once suggested Marciano wasn’t fit to carry his jock strap, came within one points decision of equalling the marker. Until of course, a Russian giant appeared on the heavyweight landscape. Continue reading “So can anyone stop Valuev?”
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Who Do You Think Your Are Kidding Mr.Kipling?
I often state that boxing can no longer surprise me. As a keen observer of the sport for a number of years its hard to believe boxing could throw up an event or news story that could shock me. The sanctioning bodies and promoters have exhausted every plausible manoeuvre to further their own bank accounts, every unexpected fight outcome has been seen before and no judge or referee’s decision could sink lower than those already catalogued in my time following the sweet science.
Continue reading “Who Do You Think Your Are Kidding Mr.Kipling?”
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ESPN Classic: The Downfall of Iron Mike
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”
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The Fighter: Micky Ward Story Latest
In the embryonic early days of this blog, no single post has generated the level of interest created by the news Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg are to co-star in the story of Micky Ward’s life. Certainly, boxing at the movies – or the pictures as those of us of a certain demographic refer to them – is hot news following the success of Million Dollar Baby, Rocky and Cinderella Man but it is possible The Fighter may just prove the greatest formula of all. Continue reading “The Fighter: Micky Ward Story Latest”
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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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The Viral Spread of UFC
A brief note to record my bemusement at the growing trend to feature news, interviews and previews on UFC and MMA events on boxing websites. Maxboxing, TheSweetscience (RIP) and BoxingTalk have all committed this particular crime and the reach is spreading. Is boxing so devoid of charisma or the tools required to reach out for the younger audience that it needs to steal goodwill from the aspiring fight code? Continue reading “The Viral Spread of UFC”
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Cotto Staying Busy Against Urkal
Miguel Cotto could never be criticised for inactivity. A busy champion who fights three or four times a year and is willing to face whatever mandatory opponent sanctioning bodies demand is a rarity in the modern world. However, one wonders whether his next fight, against European veteran Oktay Urkal, is just one obligation too many. Continue reading “Cotto Staying Busy Against Urkal”
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Mayweather’s: You Couldn’t Make It Up
But I suspect somebody is. The forthcoming fight between Oscar DeLaHoya, boxing’s poster boy for the past decade and Floyd Mayweather the consensus pound for pound champion, is being hyped as the major fight of the year and perhaps beyond. It certainly brings together two of the most talented fighters of my generation and in DeLaHoya it also delivers the last great cross-over star of world boxing. Morales, Barrera, Pacman, Gatti and Mosley all touched the broader public but nobody has been as effectively marketed as Oscar and he brings all that promotional know-how to this show too. Continue reading “Mayweather’s: You Couldn’t Make It Up”
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Lennox Back? No. Training? Yes. Trainer? Maybe.
Former champions are always news in boxing. Whether Tommy Morrison returning from an HIV enforced absence on the back of suspiciously vague medical clearance, Evander Holyfield entirely just but completely impossible pursuit of the title aged 44 or Mike Tyson’s admittance of drug related problems and subsequent rehab request – champions remain news. Continue reading “Lennox Back? No. Training? Yes. Trainer? Maybe.”
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Boxing’s ‘B&W’ Fighters Would Crush ‘Wide-Screen’ Generation
All sports are burdened and enriched in equal measure by their history. I propose few create the depth of debate boxing does when it seeks to pitch its bygone champions into mythical encounters with their modern day equivalents. Some observers prefer to avoid the debate entirely, pointing out that comparison is futile and propose judgement of individual fighters can only be done within the relative context of their own generation.
Fair point. But where is the fun in that? Continue reading “Boxing’s ‘B&W’ Fighters Would Crush ‘Wide-Screen’ Generation”
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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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“Always Pull Marciano Out Thay Ass”
The success of Million Dollar Baby, Clint Eastwood’s emotionally charged tale of a novice female fighter, and before it Will Smith’s plausible facsimile of Muhammad Ali, startled Hollywood but encouraged those with the power to look more fondly on film projects with boxing at their heart. Suddenly, Russell Crowe was able to strike a chord as the Cinderella Man, Sylvester Stallone given the go-ahead to conclude his life-affirming Rocky series and projects detailing the lives of Micky Ward and Joe Louis are at advanced stages with screen figures as popular and talented as Matt Damon and Spike Lee involved respectively. Continue reading ““Always Pull Marciano Out Thay Ass””
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