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[OFFICIAL] Boxing Discussion Thread

63K views 465 replies 57 participants last post by  Martin Hary 
#1 ·

This is our OFFICIAL Boxing discussion thread for ALL things Boxing. All discussion about boxing go here.

Enjoy!
 
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#174 ·
Oh am so glad broner lost, someone should tell him just because he thinks he is mayweather doesnt mean he is anything close to being him. And Maidana humping him in th eback in the 11th was just awesome.
 
#178 ·
http://www.badlefthook.com/2013/12/16/5216960/vitali-klitschko-named-wbc-champion-emeritus-as-he-focuses-on

Vitali Klitschko named WBC champion emeritus as he focuses on political career

Vitali Klitschko didn't fight in 2013, and won't be fighting any time soon, it would appear, as he's become a central figure in the Ukraine political scene. With that in mind, the WBC has chosen to make Klitschko "champion emeritus" in the heavyweight division, the second time he's been recipient of that designation.

Here's the WBC statement on the decision:

The WBC is proud and honored to confirm the status of Vitali Klitschko as WBC Heavyweight World Champion Emeritus. Undoubtedly, Vitali has earned that distinction through his actions inside and outside the ring.

Vitali Klitschko is fighting the fight of his life, this time outside the ring. Vitali is showing to the world what is the true heart of a champion by leading his countrymen to battle in the streets in their search of human equality, rights and peace for the great country of the Ukraine.

Vitali Klitschko announced his candidacy for the Presidency of the Ukraine, which election will take place in 2015. Vitali believed he would be able to defend his WBC Heavyweight World Championship, and wanted to do so against the WBC mandatory contender Bermane Stiverne.

Vitali attended the WBC 51st annual convention in Bangkok last November. At the convention, the representatives of the 165 countries affiliated to the WBC issued a special proclamation applauding and joining his efforts to represent boxing and the WBC in his candidacy for the presidency of the Ukraine.

With the current extreme and delicate political situation in the Ukraine, Vitali has answered his country's call to fight for human rights and equality. Accordingly, Vitali will not be able to provide the WBC with a predictable timeframe to return to the ring. In light of those considerations, the WBC Supreme Council and the WBC Board of Governors have voted unanimously to name Vitali Klitschko WBC Heavyweight Champion Emeritus. Very few great fighters have received such an honorable distinction, which will entitle Vitali to fight for the WBC Heavyweight World Championship when he is ready to return to the ring.

The WBC joins Vitali in his struggle to fight for democracy; to promote rule and order and human equality in his country; and to follow the path of the great Nelson Mandela who paved the way for many to stand up for what they believed was right and to make this a better world.

The WBC will conduct a very special ceremony to award Vitali his WBC Emeritus Champion distinction in the very near future. In the meantime we all wish him great success in his political career.


Of all the goofy stuff that can be written off as pure silliness in boxing when it comes to title belts, this is one I don't mind. Vitali's doing something very serious and very meaningful right now. That the WBC has chosen this route instead of stripping him is perfectly fine.
 
#179 ·

It's looking like it's become an almost sure thing that Miguel Cotto will be moving up in weight to challenge Sergio Martinez in June for the middleweight championship of the world. According an article by Boxing Scene's Elisinio Castillo, the target location for the battle is Madison Square Garden in New York, with New Jersey's MetLife Stadium having an outside shot.

Arum claims that the promoters for each side are "very close" to a deal, making it sound as if it's only a matter of time.

"I think HBO, (Cotto's adviser) Gaby (Penagaricano), (Top Rank VP) Todd (DuBoef), and (Martinez's promoter) Lou Dibella are very close (to a deal) and they are working out all the details. We are optimistic that we will see Miguel Cotto against Sergio Martinez in June. Right now we are continuing to analyze our options for the venue," Arum told Carlos Narvaez.

"Miguel and Gaby Penagaricano are business people. They know that the money from the pay-per-view, tickets and everything else that's involved will generate much more money than anything offered by Golden Boy or anything that might generate in a fight between Miguel and Canelo."

"Remember that Miguel has the opportunity to do something no Puerto Rican has ever done, which is to win a fourth title in a (fourth) division. That means a lot to Miguel and his legacy. A fight on that date would be a special (event) for all of the Puerto Ricans who also attend the Puerto Rican Day Parade as well."

A few years ago a fight between Cotto and Martinez would have seemed like a mismatch created only for a money grab. But times have changed. Martinez is at his most vulnerable it would seem after eking out a tight decision over Martin Murray, and being inactive since April won't help either by the time they fight in June. The middleweight champion also suffers from various injuries, notably to the knees.

This figures to be a legitimately big event if it does occur in Madison Square Garden near the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Cotto has fought on this occasion a few times in the past which normally results in a raucous crowd.

The only downside? It could be the third PPV in a row if Manny Pacquiao fights in April and Floyd Mayweather fights in May. So cancel that summer vacation you were so foolishly planning.
If there's ever a time for Cotto to gun for Martinez, then it is now.

But saying that, I can't help but get the feeling Cotto will get outworked like against Austin Trout.

What say you?
 
#180 ·
#184 ·
http://www.badlefthook.com/2014-boxing-preview/2013/12/27/5249608/2014-boxing-preview-new-crop-of-heavyweight-hopefuls-positioning-for

The era of the Klitschko brothers dominating boxing's former glory division appears to be over, as Vitali Klitschko's focus has shifted from the sweet science to the volatile political scene in Ukraine. Now, younger brother Wladimir stands alone atop the heavyweight mountain.

This year, Wladimir finally dispatched Alexander Povetkin in a dominant but truly miserable performance. That fight was five years in the making, twice bailed on by Povetkin, and once we finally got it, it lived down to the worst expectations and fears. That said, as he approaches age 38, Wladimir seems no more vulnerable now than he has since he finally found his true groove about seven years ago. He's barely so much as lost a round in that time, and he appears no closer to falling now than he has been at any point since he demolished Chris Byrd in 2006.

The last batch of potential threats have been dealt with. Since 2006, we've seen Wladimir or Vitali dispose of supposed contenders Povetkin, David Haye, Chris Arreola, Sultan Ibragimov, Ruslan Chagaev, Odlanier Solis, Samuel Peter, Dereck Chisora, Kevin Johnson, Eddie Chambers, and Tomasz Adamek.

There is, however, a new crop of potential foes cautiously treading water around Wladimir. Here are five guys that could wind up as the next big hope to meet the end of Wladimir's jab.

Kubrat Pulev
Pulev (19-0, 10 KO) is the most talented of the bunch, or at least the most well-rounded. The 6'4", 32-year-old Bulgarian was an accomplished amateur, much like Povetkin and Solis, with a couple fairly impressive wins, and some nice performances against "giants" like Alexander Ustinov and Alexander Dimitrenko. Pulev, though, is a pretty straightforward, mostly basic talent, much like Povetkin in particular. While style-wise they're not the same fighter, both of them bring about the same things to the table. They're not prone to making bad mistakes, which means they'll likely slog through 12 rounds while being unable to figure out how to do anything to Wladimir. We already saw it with Povetkin, and as good as Pulev might be, a similar fight should be the expectation if and when he cashes in his mandatory title shot.

Tyson Fury
The loudest of the lot, Fury (21-0, 15 KO) saw his career stalled in 2013 because he bothered to sign up for a fight with David Haye that was first postponed due to a training camp cut, and then outright canceled, with Haye's career reportedly in jeopardy due to a shoulder injury. To say that Fury doesn't much buy Haye's reasons would be a bit of an understatement, but that chapter of Fury's career, such as it were, is now in the past. Fury talks a lot (a lot) and gets himself in trouble with is mouth, but so far he's been able to back it up in the ring. He's no longer the uncoordinated, reckless brawler who got too excited and punched himself in the face throwing an uppercut. Fury still occasionally gets a bit ahead of himself, and he can be put on the canvas, but he's got a real fighter's spirit and to beat him, it looks as though you're going to have to truly outfight him. He's got the size at 6'9", 250 pounds, but does he have the skill to trouble Wladimir, or even the one-punch power to change the complexion of a fight? That's the real question.

Bermane Stiverne
At 35, Stiverne (23-1-1, 20 KO) is the old man of this bunch. The Haitian-born Stiverne wasn't impressive when he got an HBO shot in 2011 against Ray Austin on one of Don King's crappy events, but he changed the tune of many when he completely destroyed Chris Arreola this past April in his return to the big network. 6'2" with an 80-inch reach, Stiverne has more compact power than Fury, but may have a harder time being a physical match for Klitschko. If nothing else, Fury can lean on Wladimir when they get in close, as Wladimir isn't exactly against a good old-fashioned hug, and use his weight to tire Klitschko. Stiverne mostly has to fight his way in and fight when he gets there, and we've seen plenty of decent heavyweights try and fail at that. For now, it would appear Stiverne's focus will be on a mandatory rematch with Arreola for the now-vacant WBC belt, which Vitali has given up.

Deontay Wilder
American fight fans have been dying for a real heavyweight contender for years now, and not much has come up. Those same fans have every reason to believe that Alabama's Wilder (30-0, 30 KO) is another paper-thin promoter creation, a 2008 bronze medalist in Beijing who came into the pro ranks skinny and raw, and has packed on muscle and some technique to go with the Mack truck power in his right hand. The 6'7" Wilder has fought mostly exceptionally easy competition, but as I've said before, a lot of that was truly strategic. Wilder had a lot to learn when he turned pro, and he and his team accepted that and brought him along slowly. They've accepted any hype put behind them, but at the same time, they have not been against fighting on off-TV undercards in an attempt to develop not only Wilder's skills, but his body. In his pro debut five years ago, Wilder weighed 207 pounds. When he knocked out Nicolai Firtha in October, he tipped the scales at 224. That weighed has fluctuated up to about 230 over his journey, but it has been put on carefully. Wilder has been groomed, developed, and nurtured, and now it may be time to let the Doberman off the leash and find out what he's got at the higher levels. He's got the power to knock out anybody. Anybody. How he deals with real return fire is the question.

Mike Perez
One of the "Irish Cubans," Perez (20-0, 12 KO) is a 6'1" southpaw just starting to make his mark as a pro. The 28-year-old has a more awkward, true boxing style than most of his peers, and his November win over Magomed Abdusalamov was not only 10 rounds of brutality, but it was also a good win. Perez might not have the size or the tools to be a real challenge to Klitschko, but he's talented.

In order, most likely to beat Klitschko:

1.None of them. Well, let's be serious.
2.Kubrat Pulev. Most talented, smartest fighter.
3.Deontay Wilder. That one-punch power is so legit that he's got by far the best puncher's chance of the bunch.
4.Tyson Fury. I do think he could find himself with a late-rounds opportunity if he can wear down Wladimir's arms by laying on him. Wladimir's a big, strong dude, but Fury's really good at wearing opponents out with this tactic.
5.Bermane Stiverne. He can punch a little.
6.Mike Perez. Not a good enough puncher for me to even see the outside shot of him winning. Otherwise, just another 6'1" guy for Wladimir to jab all night and hug every four seconds.
 
#185 ·
I always forget to look and see if this thread has been updated haha. martinez/Cotto will be a fun fight but this is not a good match up for Cotto, I was really hoping that we would get Canelo/Cotto that would be such a fun fight. This one will be as well, but I see martinez walking away with the win.

Sad to see Vitali step away from boxing, but at the same time I hope he does well with politics it could really help the country. And this means that Wlad can win that last title and be the undisputed champion.

As for the list, I agree with the order of who has the best chance of beating Wlad. Maybe move Stiverne ahead of Fury, but its hard to say since Fury has the height and reach that Stiverne does not have. I think Wilder is extremely sloppy but has that KO power, and is still not tested by a guy who is durable and won't go down in a couple rounds, this guy is Americas next hope for a HW champion, I see them building him slowly and taking out Wlad at the very end of his career maybe.
 
#186 ·
I LOVE that they included Perez. I've been watching Perez for a long time, and about 3 years ago I was dying for him to become eligible to Fury's Irish HW title. It'll be cool to see Garcia and Acosta get the same recognition sometime.

At the same time, Perez and Fury don't stand a chance. Wilder might...in 6 years.
 
#187 ·
http://www.badlefthook.com/2013/12/27/5249004/nathan-cleverly-to-return-in-monaco-against-ilunga-makabu

With Pawel Kolodziej dropping out as the opponent for Ilunga Makabu on February 1 in Monaco, when Gennady Golovkin headlines against Osumanu Adama, Nathan Cleverly has stepped in for what is a very dangerous fight as he looks to make his mark as a cruiserweight following August's brutal loss to Sergey Kovalev in Cleverly's final fight at light heavyweight.

Cleverly (26-1, 12 KO) hasn't fought since he was overpowered by Kovalev and lost his WBO light heavyweight title, a bubble-bursting reality check that was followed by the fighter giving himself and his performance an honest look-over, considering his future in the sport, and deciding to return at cruiserweight for another go at a world title. Against Makabu, he'll look to secure the interim WBA belt, which would put him right in line for such an opportunity.

Makabu (15-1, 14 KO) is no joke, though, and this is an ambitious first fight at the new weight for Cleverly. After losing his pro debut back in 2008, Makabu has gone 15-0. He's shown some real ability in recent fights against Dmytro Kucher and Eric Fields, and though he has a fairly empty record overall, he passes the eye test, at least.

Is Cleverly taking too big a risk as he moves up?
Cleverly has a problem with a heavy-hitter so goes back UP to CW????

Not seeing the logic there. Lots of CW fighters would give him fits out there!
 
#188 ·


Liam Neeson will narrate a feature-length documentary on Manny Pacquiao, coming this spring.

Coming this spring, Manny Pacquiao will be the subject of a feature-length documentary titled simply Manny, narrated by Academy Award nominated actor Liam Neeson. Check out the trailer above, and here's a quick summary on the film:

"Manny" is an inspirational tale of a man who overcame insurmountable odds to become one of the most loved and respected athletes of all time. From a starving teenager who fought to feed his family, to a Congressman working tirelessly to improve the lives of his people, "Manny" is a hard hitting feature length documentary film that explores the many triumphs and tribulations of Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao. The film is narrated by Liam Neeson and directed by Ryan Moore and Academy Award winner Leon Gast ("When We Were Kings"). "Manny" features original music by Lorne Balfe (Inception, The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes) and Chad Hugo (The Neptunes/NERD) with Yardnoise and interviews by Mark Wahlberg, Jimmy Kimmel, Jeremy Piven, Oscar De La Hoya, and other notable celebrities.
 
#189 ·
So in seeing CupCake's sig (and ny my avy), I thought I should check up to see if Pacman has a fighter arranged. I google his name.

"Mayweather: Manny is getting desperate...Mayweather says he is in no rush to fight Pacquiao".

So Manny is "desperate" to fight Mayweather.
Mayweather is in "no rush" to fight Pacquiao.

I still would like to see anyone in the world defending Mayweather here.
 
#190 ·
I generally don't pay too much attention to the whole Pacquiao/Mayweather debate anymore, both guys have interesting matchups possible I try not to get distracted from what is actually going on with them, instead of what could possibly be.

Manny and Roach are looking for a rematch with Bradley, I hope that works out.

My sig and avy is more my admiration of Freddie Roach rather than Pacman :D
 
#191 ·
Floyd doesn't need defending, pacman doesn't have a thing for him not now, not in the past, not ever. No one has ever given floyd that much trouble not even de la hoya (how that was a split is beyond me). Manny got his lights switched off against marquez not long ago, robbed marquez before that and looked average against bradley even though he should have won. The only people that can beat floyd are at higher weight classes.
 
#192 ·
I'm not going to get into it all, especially with you :D.

But the problem is, Mayweather will ALWAYS have Pacquiao's name attached, Pacquiao wont. Pacquiao has had some wars in his career, and some amazing exciting fights. He also has 4 epic fights against JMM. People will remember this stuff alone, and Mayweather will be an after thought. Mayweather doesn't have this. He has made great opponents look bad, which means people can forget the fight even happened. His fights are generally unmemorable, meaning that if someone is reviewing his career, there is a lot more room for "what if?".

Pacquiao was fighting guys that go against him stylistically. Mayweather wasn't doing this for a while, although he did earn my respect for fighting Canelo. Pacquiao looks terrible against guys who don't come forward. That means Bradley, JMM, Clottey and the run away version of Mosley all were difficult fights for him to look impressive in. Thats why people are talking about Rios so much. He comes forward, and Pacquiao did what he always does.

I'm actually looking forward to the Khan fight. 99% of the time, you give this to Floyd. 70% of those times, it's by KO. But Khan imo is faster than Mayweather. I gave Canelo a lot of rounds because Mayweather wasn't coming forward and didn't really counter much, and Canelo just seemed the more aggressive. If Khan can take advantage of these rounds, he can use his speed to impress the judges. It's a long shot, but it's not a punchers chance like Hatton, Oscar, Cotto etc. I do see a slight way that Khan might be able to win (as I did with Canelo), so I like when Mayweather takes these guys on.
 
#201 ·
http://www.badlefthook.com/2014/2/12/5406770/carl-froch-vs-george-groves-ii-contract-agreement-reportedly-reached-hearn-ibf-boxing-news

A rematch to one of 2013's most controversial matches is getting closer to fruition. Boxing Scene has reported that Carl Froch and George Groves have reached a contract agreement to face each other in a rematch to their fight that occurred last November and saw Froch walk away with a ninth round stoppage victory that was hotly debated to put it nicely.

The ending was so challenged that the IBF ordered a rematch to take place, and gave a February 8 deadline for a deal to be made between the camps. If a deal could not be struck on time, the fight would go to purse bid. According to the IBF's rules, a purse bid would have resulted in an 85% - 15% monetary split in favor of the champion (Froch in this case), giving extra incentive for the Groves side to aggressively negotiate before that happens. Fortunately for them, the IBF allowed an extension of the deadline, and the deal appears to be done.

IBF president Daryl J. Peoples had this to say:

"We have been informed by Carl Froch's people and George Groves' people that they have come to an agreement, so it will not go out to purse bids.

"It is an excellent fight, great for the IBF and the UK, and I understand that there's been quite a demand for it (the rematch) - they're two top notch fighters. We haven't been notified of a venue yet - they're trying to finalize those details - but I understand that the contracts will be with us soon."

According to the article, the fight is likely to take place in May.

This is a rematch that we knew was going to take place. Their first encounter was an excellent fight with drama and the controversial (and, in my opinion, terrible) stoppage only added to the spectacle. This fight will be a huge deal in the UK.

Can Groves finish what he started last time? Or will Froch retain the momentum from the ending of the first one and come out more ready than he did in their previous battle?
Any guesses on the outcome of the rematch?

I think Froch won't underestimate Groves this time and get the late finish after a back-and-forth brawl...maybe 9th round stoppage for The Cobra.
 
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