Marquez: ‘Experience an Important Factor in Cotto/Canelo

11/22/201511/21/2015 Olly Campbell

Mexican modern great, Juan Manuel Marquez has spoken out ahead of tonight’s Mexico v Puerto Rico catch-weight clash between Miguel Cotto and ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, to wisely state ‘experience will be the key.’

Marquez, ostensibly now retired following injury, though refusing to confirm or deny as much, was keen to state if the fight is in any way close, that it could well be the 35 year old Puerto Rican who emerges the victor, thanks to his top-level experience, which far exceeds that of the younger Alvarez.

continue

‘Haye is Back for Anthony Joshua’ says Eddie Hearn

11/21/201511/20/2015 Olly Campbell

Matchroom Boxing chief, Eddie Hearn has stated his belief that former heavyweight world champion David Haye is returning to the sport to seek out a fight with his unbeaten future star, Anthony Joshua.

Haye this week announced his intention to return to boxing under the tutelage of Carl Frampton trainer, Shane McGuigan, and has claimed many times over recent months that he intends to get back to top level again in 2016.

continue

Shawn Porter: ‘I Was & Still Am Ready for Keith Thurman’

11/21/201511/20/2015 Olly Campbell

Former IBF welterweight champion, Shawn Porter, says he is still waiting on official confirmation of date and venue ahead of his mooted clash with fellow Al Haymon fighter and WBA (reg) champion, Keith Thurman.

Porter had been hoping for a date before the end of the year for the fight with Florida’s Thurman, who himself has repeatedly stated he wants a ‘big ending’ to 2015 after what some people have seen as an ‘indifferent’ year for ‘One Time.’

continue

Arthur Abraham: ‘I Want to Unify Before I Retire’

11/21/201511/20/2015 Olly Campbell

WBO super-middleweight champion, Arthur Abraham has stated that he wishes to attempt to unify the 168 lb division ahead of Saturday night’s fight with British challenger, Martin Murray in Hanover, Germany.

The now-35-year-old Abraham has looked reinvigorated in recent times and says that he still possesses clear goals to motivate him and keep the desire burning in what is certainly the Autumn of his long career.

continue

Andy Lee: ‘Cotto Beats Canelo on Points’

11/21/201511/20/2015 Olly Campbell

WBO middleweight champion, Andy Lee, is keeping a close eye on Saturday’s Mexico v Puerto Rico mega-clash, predicting the experience of 4-weight world titlist Miguel Cotto will be enough to see off young Mexican challenger, ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in Las Vegas.

After failing to negotiate a reduction in the WBC sanctioning fees for the fight, Cotto’s recognition as the organisation’s middleweight champion was withdrawn, meaning the title is only on the line for Alvarez to win.

continue

Roach Wants Mayweather/Cotto 2 after Canelo

11/20/201511/19/2015 Olly Campbell

Miguel Cotto’s trainer, Freddie Roach, has stated that after his fighter knocks out Canelo Alvarez on Saturday night in Las Vegas – as he believes he will – he would like the Puerto Rican modern great to ride off into the sunset on the back of a second Floyd Mayweather fight.

Cotto, the only Puerto Rican fighter to win four world titles in as many weight classes, fought the newly retired Mayweather back in 2012, without the services of Roach, who is claiming he has not only nailed the right game plan to topple Canelo on Saturday, but could also devise the correct one for Cotto to beat Mayweather, should Floyd return next year to reach 50-0, of course.

continue

Klitschko ‘A Big Step Up for Fury’ says Joe Calzaghe

11/20/201511/19/2015 Olly Campbell

British former super-middleweight legend and Hall of Fame Inductee, Joe Calzaghe, has waded into the Klitschko/Fury debate to state that it’s a big ask for the undefeated challenger to topple the long-time champion, who is currently 11 1/2 years undefeated.

Fury attempts to wrest away Klitschko’s IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight titles in Dusseldorf in 9 days time, in what is to be, far and away the biggest fight of his life, yet having shed as much as 5st (70lbs) in order to be in the best shape possible, many are speculating that given his huge 6′ 9″ frame and youth, the 39 year old champion could possibly be in for his toughest defence in a long time.

continue

Canelo: ‘I Never Run From Any Challenge’

11/20/201511/19/2015 Olly Campbell

Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez, has sensibly stated that he doesn’t wish to discuss the Golovkin question until AFTER Saturday’s crunch middleweight clash with Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas, so as not to disrupt his focus.

The WBC middleweight strap, being contested at a 155 catch-weight, is only available for the Mexican to win after Cotto refused to pay $300k sanctioning fees earlier this week, leading many back to the question of a future fight with interim WBC champ, Gennady Golovkin – who will be upgraded to full champion status in the event of a Cotto victory.

continue

Cotto: ‘I Don’t Need Their Belt’

11/19/201511/18/2015 Olly Campbell

Miguel Cotto has shrugged of the WBC’s decision to strip him of his middleweight title days out from Saturday’s clash with ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, saying ‘I don’t need their belt.’

The Puerto Rican, who is nearing the end of his Hall of Fame worthy career, had refused to pay the $300k sanctioning fees wanted by the WBC, instead trying to negotiate a lower fee, which was refused by the organisation.

continue

DeGale: ‘Froch is Old News’

11/19/201511/18/2015 Olly Campbell

IBF super-middleweight champion, James DeGale, has dismissed all suggestions of Carl Froch ahead of his fight with Lucien Bute in Quebec in 10 days time, saying ‘The Cobra’ is both ‘an old man’ as well as ‘old news.’

DeGale fights former Froch foe Bute, in the maiden defence of the (vacant) belt he won back in May against Andre Dirrell, hoping to better his newly-retired countryman’s own destructive stoppage performance over the Canadian southpaw back in 2012.

continue