By James Slater: In sad news today, former WBA heavyweight champ Mike “Dynamite” Dokes, who had been battling stomach and liver cancer, passed away a few hours ago. The former Olympian was just 54-years-old.
ESB
Can 50 Cent and TMT Promotions solve boxing’s problems?
By Emilio Camacho, Esq. I often hear complaints about boxing. Some of these complaints are superficial but others are especially serious. One of these has troubled me for several years now: Black fighters are not being efficiently promoted in today’s boxing world. In this article I argue that the improper management (or lack of careful management) of Black fighters has hurt the sport and its athletes for years. Let us discuss this in more detail.
From Heavyweight To Flyweight – Today’s Eight Hardest Punchers
By James Slater: Everyone loves a big puncher. We boxing fans may appreciate a super-stylish boxer, but a huge, all-out aggression minded banger is something we can admire in an altogether different way. There is nothing like a spectacular KO, the site of one man completely and utterly mastering another by way of a single, crushing blow. It can happen any second at all when two brave gladiators are in the ring, and both they and us know this all too well. Yet when a recognised puncher, a man known for his ability at landing lots of lethal punches throughout his career is in the ring, this possibility is much more likely. That’s why, as a general rule of thumb, history’s big punchers have been the biggest money earners/fan favourites. We simply love to see knockouts!
Bryan Vera Proves First Win Over Sergio Mora Was No Fluke, Wins Another Decision Over “The Latin Snake”
By James Slater: Last night in San Antonio, Texas, middleweight contenders Bryan Vera and Sergio Mora met in a rematch of their exciting Feb. 2011 clash, and once again Vera put in too much work for the former “Contender” star and one-time WBC light-middleweight ruler. Last time, Vera, 21-6(12) prevailed via ten-round split decision, this time the 30-year-old hammered out a 12-round majority verdict. The scores were as follows: 118-110, 117-111 and, somehow, 114-114.
Ken Norton: He Boxed A Near Masterpiece Against Ali, Yet Somehow Came Up Short
By James Slater: Former World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight king Ken Norton has been in the news this week, but unfortunately for unpleasant reasons. The 69-year-old sadly suffered a stroke this week and he is currently in hospital, fighting hard.
In Light Of Peterson’s Retention Of IBF Title, Amir Khan Asks: “What’s The Point Of Drugs Tests”
By James Slater: I didn’t think it would take long for former 140-pound champ Amir Khan to give his opinion on the recent decision by the IBF to allow Lamont Peterson to retain his position as their 140-pound world champion. Khan, who was controversially out-pointed by Peterson last December, by a Peterson who was later caught taking PED’s, was never going to be happy that the IBF failed to follow the lead of the WBA and strip the admitted cheat.
Roy Jones Junior-Lateef Kayode Fight “Imminent”
By James Slater: Raw yet powerful and energetic cruiserweight Lateef Kayode of Nigeria made his name by holding a big name veteran to a draw earlier this year, and now it seems the Freddie Roach-trained contender will try and go one better and KO a living legend.
Lamont Peterson Retains Position As IBF 140-Pound Champ, Must Defend Against Zab Judah Next
By James Slater: The fallout to last December’s controversial Lamont Peterson-Amir Khan fight has finally settled. Peterson, guilty of taking an illegal substance going into his career biggest win, was subsequently stripped by the World Boxing Association (WBA) (the other belt he won with the 12-round decision) but the IBF has today announced that their findings deem it okay for “Havoc” to remain as their champion.
Evander Holyfield Auctioning Off some of his posessions
By Vitali Shaposhnikov: What started as minor financial difficulties such as child support, turned into a devastating economic down-spiral for Evander Holyfield. Just about a month ago, Holyfield was forced to sell his mansion just outside of Atlanta for $7.5 million, but that sale was of minimal benefit, as the champ owed the bank double that amount, and more than $200,000 in back taxes (http://www.tmz.com/2012/06/08/evander-holyfield-georgia-mansion-sold-auction/).
Heavyweight Legend Ken Norton Suffers Stroke, In Stable Condition In Hospital
By James Slater: According to a number of boxing web sites (I read the sad news on SecondsOut.com), former WBC heavyweight king Ken Norton suffered a stroke earlier today and is in a stable condition in hospital. Ironically, today is Kenny’s birthday – either his 69th or, according to other records, his 67th.