Olly Campbell

Bob Arum: ‘No Catch-Weight For Walters v Lomachenko’

Bob Arum: 'No Catch-Weight For Walters v Lomachenko'

As soon as Jamaica’s Nicholas Walter’s appeared at the weigh in ahead of his WBA 126 lb fight last Saturday against Miguel Marriaga, those in attendance and watching proceedings elsewhere could see immediately that he was drained.

After missing weight and dropping his title on the scales, the fans who had been looking forward to the mooted unification fight with WBO featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko, were left scratching their heads, wondering if it will indeed now happen if the “Axe Man” is no longer able to make the weight and intends on moving up.

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Porter Slams Broner For Not Talking Catch-Weight Situation

Porter Slams Broner For Not Talking Catch-Weight Situation

It’s certainly one of the more anticipated fights that Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions brand has delivered thus far, and ahead of Saturday’s clash with Adrien Broner from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, “Showtime” Shawn Porter has spoken via Sky Sports to criticise his opponent for seemingly refusing to discuss the contracted catch-weight stipulation and rehydration clause, that essentially tip the scales in favour of the physically smaller Broner.

Porter, who has boxed up at 154 lb in the past and who comes in as a genuine welter, blowing up to 155-160 on fight night, is angry that Broner is refusing to talk to the media about the catch weight – something “The Problem” insisted on if the fight was to be made.

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Paul Smith: ‘The Ideal Is Me Catching Ward Cold’

Paul Smith: 'The Ideal Is Me Catching Ward Cold'

British 168 lb contender Paul Smith, goes into the lions den once again this weekend when he takes on unbeaten American Andre Ward in the “S.O.G’s” Californian back-yard – and ahead of the contest the Liverpool fighter has penned a column for Sky Sports, with whom he works as a pundit, to discuss his thoughts and feelings ahead of Saturday’s fight – which will be screened by the channel in the UK.

Smith, who is coming off back-to-back world title challenge defeats to Germany’s Arthur Abraham, surprised many when he was given the nod to face the American former P4P star, who is returning after over 18 months of inactivity.

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Buglioni Gets Surprise World Title Shot against Fedor Chudinov

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Yesterday, the recent world title rumors that had surfaced on social media regarding Enfileld’s Frank Buglioni became a reality when promoter Frank Warren announced that the “Wise Guy” will indeed get a shot at newly crowned WBA (Reg) 168 lb champion Fedor Chudinov on July 24th from the SSE Arena in London.

Buglioni had been due to face domestic rival Lee Markham in an immediate rematch of their FOTY candidate just 6 weeks ago, however, in something of a promotional master stroke, Warren has managed to maneuver Buglioni into position for a hometown challenge against the Russian, who himself won the belt in May when he shocked the seasoned Felix Sturm over a 12 round SD. It was just Chudinov’s 13th outing as a professional.

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Woeful Deontay Wilder sends Heavies Circling Like Sharks

Woeful Deontay Wilder sends Heavies Circling Like Sharks

I was off the grid at the weekend so had to catch up on all the action that I had missed on Monday, including Deontay Wilder’s hometown 1st defence of his WBC heavyweight title against Texan, Eric Molina.

And boy, words failed me as those 9 rounds unfolded. Who expected it to last that long?

The dust has settled on the fight and as far as I can see, a few things are pretty apparent. And they are sentiments shared by a majority of the boxing press.

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Groves v Jack Possibly On Mayweather Undercard

Groves v Jack Possibly On Mayweather Undercard

After he upset Anthony Dirrell to take the WBC 168 lb strap out in Chicago recently, it was clear Sweden’s Money Team member and new champion Badou Jack would be facing mandatory challenger George Groves (who had stepped aside to allow Jack to face Dirrell) in his very next outing.

When Groves’ promoter Sauerland Event announced that a deal had been reached between concerned parties faster than expected back in May, it became apparent that the Brit would be traveling Stateside, though an exact date and venue are still to be confirmed.

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Broner : ‘Maidana Didn’t Beat Me, I Beat Myself’ – Broner v Porter

Broner : 'Maidana Didn't Beat Me, I Beat Myself' - Broner v Porter

I guess I was one of those that hoped Adrien Broner might mature a little bit in defeat, use such a humbling as a learning curve and come back not only stronger but having had a much needed “attitude adjustment.”

Like so many people constantly say about “The Problem”, it’s not necessarily ability that’s the issue for him – he has natural talent in spades – rather his attitude, arrogance and out of ring histrionics and theatrics that have given to so many people disliking him and willing he be knocked out whenever he gets between the ropes.

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Wilder Promising Knockout Performance

Wilder Promising Knockout Performance

When Deontay Wilder steps through the ropes on Saturday to make the maiden defence of his WBC heavyweight title, those who follow boxing with a little bit more fervour than the man-in-the-street, will realize they are about to witness what should be nothing more than routine business for the big-punching Alabama born man.

Fighting in his home state, which will incidentally be hosting it’s first ever world title fight, “The Bronze Bomber” has promised his hometown fans that they will see a knockout performance from the man who has stopped all of his opponents – with the exception of Bermane Stiverne back in January.

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David Price Wants An Anthony Joshua Fight

David Price Wants An Anthony Joshua Fight

Not so long ago, it was between David Price and Tyson Fury as to who the next big British heavyweight was going to be, with the two men looking to be on an eventual collision course to decide. Anthony Joshua had barely turned professional.

And then along came wily old veteran Tony Thompson and the wheels came off for David Price. After those two career-derailing knockouts that left Price on the heavyweight scrap heap, Tyson Fury went his own way and is now set to challenge Wladimir Klitschko for the WBO title later this year.

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Adrien Broner Wants Amir Khan Fight After Porter

Adrien Broner Wants Amir Khan Fight After Porter

He really should be focusing on the task in hand rather than looking beyond it – but Adrien Broner, who fights Shawn Porter on June 20th as part of Al Haymon’s PBC brand from The MGM Grand, Las Vegas, has spoken out to Sky Sports in the UK to say that he has his sights set on a clash with Amir Khan once he is done with his American opponent – a potentially dangerous move that could make Broner look very foolish in my opinion. Porter certainly isn’t a gimme.

There may be a catchweight of 145 for Porter to boil down to, which is the main advantage Team Broner has going into the fight, but Shawn’s father and trainer Kenny has previously insisted that this will be no problem for them and many out there are tipping the stronger, more marauding and bullying style of “Showtime” to triumph on the night.

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