The return of giant Ukrainian Vitaly Klitschko caused something of a rumpus in boxing circles this week, fresh from Samuel Peter’s emergence as a contender from the ranks of pretenders it would seem the WBC, the over-valued leader of the sanctioning bodies and one of the sport’s biggest problems, reinstated the former champion as mandatory challenger to Oleg Maskaev. Himself of Soviet birth and clearly, at the age of 75, looking for the biggest pay-day his belated ascension to the heavyweight throne can garner him. Continue reading “Vital or A Knee Jerk? The Return of Big Brother”
Boxing Returns to Sweden
As a country that fathered former Heavyweight boxing champion Ingamar Johansson, who beat Floyd Patterson to win the title before losing in a rematch – as well as flattening proud British hope Henry Cooper amongst others, Sweden is long overdue a return to professional boxing. 37 years on from the last card staged there, and having witnessed the growth of elite level boxing in Denmark in the intervening period, the wider boxing industry should welcome the return of the Scandinavians to the squared circle. Continue reading “Boxing Returns to Sweden”
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Coma to KO with Jorge Castro
As a veteran of 144 contests you would think there could be little left to prove or pursue in a fighter’s career, but following a car crash that threatened to paralyse former middleweight champion Jorge Castro (130-11-3) returned from months of rehabilitation and a 20 day coma to exert revenge over Jose Herrera, the last man to beat him on his last comeback, one far too hasty following his crash. Continue reading “Coma to KO with Jorge Castro”
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Harrison and Cook in Rare Heated Exchange
Unlike America, where press conference squabbles between fighters and their entourages is common-place, here in the UK press conferences are typically tacit, mild-mannered and respectful affairs.
True, Herbie Hide has had an altercation or two down the years but with the Norwich fighter absent presently the heated words Scott Harrison and Nicky Cook shared caused something of a stir. Continue reading “Harrison and Cook in Rare Heated Exchange”
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Hatton and Calzaghe Short-Listed for Personality Award
Pessimism or its younger sibling, apathy, often irks leading figures in the sport of boxing. It’s easy to suggest boxing is in crisis, close to self-destruction and disappearance as a sport of note amongst an increasingly disinterested new generation of sporting fans. Continue reading “Hatton and Calzaghe Short-Listed for Personality Award”
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Danny Boy, the pipes the pipes are calling…
Frustrating former world-title challenger Danny Williams accepted the late notice invitation to face Audley Harrison in a re-run of arguably the worst heavyweight bout in recent memory. Continue reading “Danny Boy, the pipes the pipes are calling…”
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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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Boxing Welcomes Latest Rugby Player to Pro Ranks
The BBC report that New Zealand international Rugby League star and Wakefield captain Monty Betham will follow in the footsteps of fellow Antipodean Anthony Mundine and fore sake his stature as a leading Rugby player for the squared circle. Continue reading “Boxing Welcomes Latest Rugby Player to Pro Ranks”
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Skelton Confirms Withdrawal From Audley Clash
As suggested on various Internet message boards over the past few weeks, and particularly in the past 24 hours, Bedford heavyweight Matt Skelton has been forced to withdraw from next week’s clash with Audley Harrison.
A hand injury, compounded by Matt’s attempts to continue training, forces the postponement – whether Harrison still fights is unknown but unlikely and equally the future prospect of the two fighter’s paths crossing in the New Year is unsure.
Cynics may suggest the troubled promotion needed to drop some of it’s significant costs, given the presumed damage Scott Harrison Mediterranean detention caused to ticket sales.
Visit www.mattskelton.uk.com for the fuller news release
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Skelton Out Rumour Gathers Pace
Yesterday’s suggestion that the much troubled December 9th Sports Network card could lose the Matt Skelton v Audley Harrison heavyweight clash received added substance today when American based British middleweight Patrick Maxwell confirmed that Thel Torrence, his and Harrison’s trainer, had cancelled his planned flight to England.
This is unconfirmed by Sports Network, but reliable evidence that the show – headlined by Scott Harrison’s WBO featherweight defence versus Nicky Cook – will suffer yet another withdrawal.
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Alex Arthur Vacates European Super-Featherweight Belt
In a brave move, entertaining Scottish Super-Featherweight Alex Arthur has opted to vacate the European belt he secured beating gallant veteran Boris Sinitsen last year. On the cusp of a world-title shot in the talent rich 130 pound division Arthur will need to be a the pinnacle of his capabilities simply to be competitive with the likes of Joan Guzman, Marco Antonio Barrera and the other leading lights at the weight.
Presumably, Arthur’s promoter Frank Warren has spied an easier route to world-title level through the WBO. Their champion the infinitely more beatable Malcolm Klassen who deposed Gary St. Clair recently.
It will be interesting to see whether the decision to vacate the much trumpeted EBU belt proves an astute choice or indeed, whether Arthur can be manoeuvred to a title shot and not toward a meaningless lesser sanctioning body’s belt.
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Matt Skelton Out Of Harrison Clash?
Bedford brawler Matt Skelton is rumoured to be pulling out from his forthcoming under card clash with the much maligned Audley Harrison due to a hand injury. Although no substance as yet, the suggestion would certainly devalue the December the 9th bill. Continue reading “Matt Skelton Out Of Harrison Clash?”
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Amir Khan: Stick or Twist?
Burgeoning light-welterweight talent Amir Khan next faces little known Frenchman Rachid Drilzane on the Harrison v Cook under card in just over a week’s time. The tenth fight in his professional career and burdened with an intense spotlight following his success at the Olympics Khan is being moved studiously by promoter Frank Warren. Continue reading “Amir Khan: Stick or Twist?”
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Hopkins Returns. Did he ever leave?
When you start to open a door, the pressure has to be greatest in the beginning, yet the door moves the least.
Norman Mailer, Author, 1923-2007, The Executioner’s Song (1979)
Boxing needs personalities. And never more so than in the beleaguered heavyweight division. Yesterday’s announcement, and the worst kept secret in boxing, that former middleweight great and presently consensus Light-Heavyweight champion, Bernard Hopkins plans to return in the blue ribbon weight class didn’t cause the gasps of disbelief the ‘Executioner’ appears to crave.
Continue reading “Hopkins Returns. Did he ever leave?”
