Ward-Kovalev II: Sergey Kovalev says he’s “still waiting on Son of Judges” to sign for June 17 rematch

03/24/2017 James Slater

It’s one of the most eagerly awaited, even demanded, rematches in recent memory; it’s Andre Ward-Sergey Kovalev II, and almost as soon as the decision, in favour of Ward, was announced last November, fans called for it. According to a piece on RingTV.com, the date for the return meeting is June 17, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, but Ward, as of yet, has not signed on the dotted line.

continue

Dereck Chisora-Robert Helenius rematch will be official eliminator; but is either fighter capable of giving Wilder a beating?

03/24/2017 James Slater

As fight fans may have read by now, British heavyweight warrior Dereck Chisora will travel to Finland for a rematch with Robert Helenius on May 27 (the month of May really looking like a great month for boxing, what with the heavyweight battle added to big fights including Canelo-Chavez and Brook-Spence).

A good, solid fight, one that will be a sequel to the controversial points win Helenius picked up in 2011 (British promoter Frank Warren calling the decision one of the worst he had ever seen at the time), Helenius-Chisora II could well prove entertaining. But, as an official WBC eliminator, the question has to be asked: is either Chisora, 26-7(18) or Helenius, 24-1(15) capable of defeating Deontay Wilder, or even of giving the reigning WBC king a tough fight?

continue

Chris Eubank Jr. calls out Tony Bellew for catch-weight fight!

03/24/2017 James Slater

We’ve seen some shocking, unlikely match-ups get made just recently in boxing; where two men from different weight classes, sometimes with more than one weight class between them, got it on in a catch-weight bout. Recently, no-one saw Canelo Alvarez-Amir Khan coming, or Gennady Golovkin-Kell Brook; while going back a few years, the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar De La Hoya fight was widely ridiculed when it was first announced.

Might a Tony Bellew-Chris Eubank Junior clash be the next catch-weight contest that will get shot down initially but then just might catch on with the fans? Due to a highly entertaining and amusing twitter battle between the two British stars, Eubank – the former British middleweight champ who recently moved up to 168 pounds and won the lightly regarded IBO belt at the weight -called Bellew out.

continue

Sugar Ray’s say: Leonard gives quick prediction on Mayweather-McGregor “Super-Fight”

03/23/2017 James Slater

Like many other people right now, boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard has an opinion on what would – or will – happen, when boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather meets UFC legend Conor McGregor. But don’t think for one minute that the Hall of Famer who met and defeated such fellow greats as Tommy Hearns, Roberto Duran and Marvelous Marvin Hagler is getting carried away by the hype.

continue

Revised plan now calls for Pacquiao to box in July and November; Khan, Crawford, Broner possible foes

03/23/2017 James Slater

Manny Pacquiao has a new plan of action regarding the upcoming continuation of his Hall of Fame career. At least his promoter Bob Arum does. As fight fans may recall, Pac-Man was originally supposed to fight Australian puncher Jeff Horn in Australia in April. That fell through, as Pacquiao opted instead to face Britain’s Amir Khan in a huge money spinner in the UAE in May. That also fell through (at least the big money that was supposedly on the table fell through; leaving Khan, who said the funds “were in place” angry and without a fight).

continue

Oleg Maskaev “not retired yet,” the former WBC heavyweight champ eyes ring return at age 48

03/22/2017 James Slater

Proving once again that boxing is the must addictive, hard to leave sport there is, former WBC heavyweight champ Oleg Maskaev has announced how he “doesn’t plan to retire yet,” and is looking for the right fight with which to return to the ring. Maskaev, in his day a powerful puncher who was somewhat vulnerable to a big punch, gave fans some exciting and memorable fights.

continue

Roman Gonzalez replaced atop of Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound list, by .. Andre Ward

03/22/201703/22/2017 James Slater

Superb little fighting machine Roman Gonzalez, a warrior who sat atop of Ring Magazine’s respected pound-for-pound list since September of 2015, has been demoted. The result of his thrilling but losing battle with Thai southpaw Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (a tough name to pronounce, but one we should all get used to as the new WBC super-flyweight king promises to stick around the big fight orbit for some time), the Nicaraguan has slipped to No.4 in the mythical rankings.

continue

50 years ago: Ali stripped and refused license to fight – but think what might have happened if he’d been able to box on

03/24/201703/22/2017 James Slater

A half century ago (March 22, 1967) the greatest heavyweight champion boxer in the sport’s long history was, quite disgracefully, stripped of his world title. Even worse, Muhammad Ali – who was still unashamedly being called Cassius Clay by certain people who basically knew no better – was refused the right to box, to earn a living.

It was the height of America’s most unpopular (some would say needless) war, and Ali, having been ordered to fight in Vietnam, refused and was almost universally vilified as a result. Called a traitor and other things, Ali had been transformed from a jovial, entertaining star fighter to a cowardly non-fighter. It would be years, almost four, before Ali would be exonerated and referred to by his real name by all.

continue

Vitali Klitschko: Of course Wladimir has to be the winner on April 29

03/21/2017 James Slater

Vitali Klitschko, brother of course of Wladimir, is convinced his sibling will emerge victorious in his fast approaching April 29 clash with unbeaten star Anthony Joshua. Vitali – a great fighter in his own right, now heavily involved in politics in his native Ukraine – took some time out to speak with Sky Sports about the upcoming IBF/WBA title fight that will play out in front of a record breaking 90,000 crowd.

continue

De La Hoya: Mark my words, when Canelo-Golovkin gets made, Canelo’s not going to respect him one bit

03/21/2017 James Slater

Not only is Oscar De La Hoya even more adamant that his fighter Canelo Alvarez is the A-side in the (hopefully) upcoming Canelo-Gennady Golovkin fight, the Golden Boy head fully believes that Canelo defeats GGG and gives him no respect in the fight.

Speaking with The Los Angeles Times, De La Hoya made it clear he, along with other people, feels GGG’s stock had fallen somewhat due to his close, controversial points win over Danny Jacobs at the weekend. De La Hoya says Jacobs gave GGG “too much respect” in the fight, the first half of the bout especially, and that this ultimately cost Jacobs the fight. De La Hoya says Canelo would make no such mistake.

continue