Due to his stunning and brutal KO win over the more than capable Roman “Rocky” Martinez, Ukraine’s Vasyl Lomachenko is currently getting all kinds of praise from many people. An amazing amateur talent – wining, amongst other top honours, two gold medals at Olympic level – the 28-year-old southpaw looks set to match his unpaid success in the pro ranks; if that’s possible – 396-1, a truly staggering set of numbers, makes up Lomachenko’s amateur record, after all. At just 6-1(4) Lomachenko has already engaged in six world title fights (WBO) and the man known as “Hi-Tech” has captured two major belts.
James Slater
Invaluable site BoxRec’s new ratings: the pound-for-pound best of all-time!
Practically anyone and everyone who follows boxing (and has access to a computer) pays, at the very least, a visit or two to BoxRec.com each week, probably more frequently and often. A painstakingly put together site that lists every single active boxer, their records and, in extra-quick time, their results as they happen, BoxRec is simply essential for any boxing fan or writer.
Klitschko adds hi-tech elements to his “Rocky Balboa-style workouts,” using Cyrosauna
We’ve all seen the movie Rocky IV, where Russian terror Ivan Drago uses a hi-tech approach to training, while old slugger Rocky Balboa sticks to the old-school methods of chopping trees and running in the snow and the like. Well, real-life ex-champ Wladimir Klitschko is taking no chances ahead of his must-win rematch with new heavyweight ruler Tyson Fury; using both tried and tested and new, hi-tech methods so as to be able to avenge a loss he himself calls “embarrassing.”
Who has the tougher upcoming title defence: Wilder or Joshua?
There is plenty to like about both unbeaten Deontay Wilder, the reigning WBC heavyweight king, and unbeaten Anthony Joshua, holder of course of the IBF strap, and there are some similarities between the two. Both big men are still somewhat green at the highest pro level and both have been called a champion is progress by the experts. Both men have real punching power, and already, fans and a few of these experts are talking about a potential unification showdown between the two that would be absolutely massive.
Can Krusher Kovalev become the first man to crush Isaac Chilemba?
He may not be the biggest name in the light-heavyweight division and he is far from the most exciting, but one thing South Africa’s Isaac Chilemba is, is hard to knock out. Never stopped in his 11-year, 24-3-2(10) pro career, the 29-year-old is experienced, tricky and can be a just plain nightmare to fight. Next up for Chilemba, on July 11th, is a surprise shot at king of the division Sergey Kovalev and his three world titles.
The best value for money warrior you might not have seen fight (yet): Jamie Conlan, back in action July 16th
If you have not yet seen unbeaten super-flyweight warrior Jamie Conlan fight, do yourself a favour, stop reading this article and search out as many bouts from the Irish fighter’s pro career as you can – his absolute, have to be seen to be believed battles with Junior Granados and, in his last fight, Anthony Nelson especially.
Manila: where Ali should have fought his last; and how his later years might have been if he had
It might seem an odd choice as it is certainly no Ali book that either celebrates or holds up The Greatest’s legend as a God-like figure who is deservedly idolised the world over, but Mark Kram’s superb book, Ghosts of Manila has been paid another visit during this, the time of Ali”s passing. The sad news has upset millions, and by way of tribute a far less scrutinising book would make far more a palatable read for the Ali worshippers (including me).
With Ali gone, who is the world’s greatest living fighter?
Whether or not you agreed with the man himself when he made his bold claim of being The Greatest, and whether or not you agree with those fans and experts who say heavyweight legend Muhammad Ali deserves to go down in history as the best fighter of all time, it has to be agreed how the world lost a very special boxer, athlete and human being on June 3rd when the three-time king passed away.
Muhammad Ali – January 17th 1942-June 3rd 2016 – Tsunami of tributes pour in for The Greatest
The greatest fighter of all-time, Muhammad Ali, passed away just hours ago as surely every person with a TV, a radio or a computer knows by now. Without doubt the most famous, the most celebrated and the most intoxicating sporting personality who ever lived, Ali, the former three-time world heavyweight king, will continue to be celebrated and honoured for many days, weeks, months, years, decades, maybe even centuries from now.
Tyson Fury: “Klitschko will see I am massive, I will knock him out”
Heavyweight champ Tyson Fury has been boasting about the way he is able to “go from a fat pig on the booze to a feeling really fit.” Currently training, apparently hard, in Holland, the unbeaten 27-year-old says he has put down the beer, the champagne and the vodka and is now in great physical shape. With just over a month to go until the anticipated rematch, Fury says he has bulked up and added muscle to his 6’9” frame.
Speaking from his Dutch training base, Fury said he will “be massive” upon entering the ring in Manchester on July 9 and that he will “knock Klitschko out” this time. Fury isn’t expecting an easy fight, and he says 40-year-old Klitschko “would beat anyone else but me,” but he sees only one winner.