For those boxing fans so blinkered to the failings of the sport,those mystified as to why more sports fans don’t gravitate toward boxing and those unable to understand why the mainstream media isno longer fascinated by the noble art, a quick review of today’s Chorley Guardian will provide all the explanation needed. According to the chirpy local correspondent, Michael Jennings a fighter beaten by Young Muttley for the British title, and swatted around the ring by Bradley Pryce before that, is fighting for a ‘World-Title’ in April. Nobody told me?

Continue reading “And We Wonder Why; Jennings World-Title Shot?” →

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” →

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” →

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” →

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” →

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” →

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?” →