The Klitschko Dream & The Klitschko Legacy

by Geoffrey Ciani – The term Klitschko Dream typically refers to the goal of brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko to simultaneously hold all of the major world titles in heavyweight boxing. Mission accomplished! Wladimir now holds belts from three of the four main sanctioning bodies, while Vitali carries the fourth. This is an amazing feat. In fact, for the better part of the last eight years either one or both of the brothers has reigned supreme. Despite this impressive display of dominance, however, the Klitschko brothers remain largely unappreciated as heavyweight commodities, particularly in the US. Why is this?

Many observers viewed the Klitschko Dream as nothing more than a pipe dream back at the time when the two brothers both turned professional in November 1996. After all, the heavyweight landscape during this period had a great deal of depth and talent. Initially Wladimir was viewed as the more promising of the two brothers, largely because he captured the Gold Medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. The overall early perception of the Klitschkos was a mixed bag. They were obviously big and strong, but often described as being robotic and uncoordinated. Plenty of question marks surrounded the two of them as they slowly worked their way up through the professional ranks.

Vitali would soon be seen as the better of the brothers following Wladimir’s shocking loss at the hands of Ross Purity in December 1998, which was just over two short years after the Klitschkos debuted. Wladimir’s loss to Purity had more to do with inexperience and poor pacing than anything else. Eager to put on an impressive performance while fighting for the first time in front of his hometown audience in Kiev, Wladimir simply punched himself out against a durable opponent, which allowed Purity to capitalize on Wlad’s physically and mentally exhausted state.

continue

De La Hoya Says Deontay Wilder Is A Heavyweight Thomas Hearns!

De La Hoya Says Deontay Wilder Is A Heavyweight Thomas Hearns! By James Slater: Fans have been waiting, and waiting for promising, talented heavyweight contender/prospect Deontay Wilder to step it up in terms of quality of opposition, and now, in speaking to Ringtv.com, Golden Boy head Oscar De La Hoya says that this is just what he plans to have “The Bronze Bomber” do next.

So far, aside from the odd decent opponent, the 26-year-old sole American boxing medallist in Beijing has fought guys Gene Wilder could defeat – but all that has now come to an end says De La Hoya.

“The plans are that it’s time to step him up,” Oscar said to Ring.tv. “It’s time to take him to the big stage – the HBOs and the Showtimes. It’s time to unleash Deontay Wilder, and he will be a serious, serious threat to the heavyweight division.

continue

Timothy Bradley Wonders If Manny Pacquiao May Be “Scared” Of A Rematch

Timothy Bradley Wonders If Manny Pacquiao May Be “Scared” Of A Rematch By James Slater: With his likelihood of getting a lucrative return fight with Manny Pacquiao looking ever more doubtful (Bob Arum has said a rematch of the controversial June 9th fight does not appeal to enough fans willing to part with pay-per-view cash), unbeaten Tim Bradley has publicly asked whether or not the man he shocked and out-pointed just over two months ago is “scared” of facing him again.

Speaking exclusively with Mydesert.com, “The Desert Storm” said he needs to know if he’s going to get the rematch or not, that way he can get busy planning his next move. Bradley’s preferred option is definitely a return with Pac-Man, though – and Bradley feels he can do oh, so much better with two healthy legs.

“To be honest with you, I think a lot of people on that side are scared,” Bradley said. “He couldn’t KO me with two peg legs. Me healthy, I’m going to beat him worse. If Manny wants to do it, let’s do it. I’ve been sitting around here waiting. I want the fight, but he hasn’t decided yet.

continue

Chauncy Welliver: “I know that I have to make a statement, and that’s how I’m going to do it—by knocking this guy cold”

Exclusive Interview by Geoffrey Ciani – Earlier this evening I was afforded the opportunity to have a nice chat with heavyweight contender Chauncy Welliver (53-6-5, 20 KOs), who will be squaring off against Kyotaro Fujimoto (4-0, 3 KOs) on September 19 in Tokyo, Japan. Fujimoto is new to professional boxing, but is making the transition from K-1 where he was a former heavyweight world champion. Welliver spoke about his upcoming match-up, and also discussed his majority decision loss his last time out against Sherman Williams, which was the first time Welliver had lost a bout in nearly three years ending his 18 fight winning streak. Here is a complete transcript from that interview.

Audio:

GEOFFREY CIANI: Hello everyone. This is Geoffrey Ciani from East Side Boxing and I am joined here today by heavyweight contender Chauncy Welliver. How’s everything going today, Chauncy?

CHAUNCY WELLIVER: Everything is going good. I’m still in the hunt. I’m still on my way to a world title and getting ready to fight in Tokyo, Japan.

CIANI: Speaking of Tokyo, Japan, Chauncy, you’re going over there. You’re fighting a guy named Kyotaro Fujimoto. He is 4-0 with 3 knockouts. How have your preparations been going for this fight, and what are you expecting going into this one?

continue

“Big” George Foreman and what awaited him after his Olympic triumph in 1968

by James Slater: Back in 1969, a young fighter who had managed to capture an Olympic gold medal was not assured the million dollar contracts that abound for such talent today. No, the sport was different to young talent such as Cassius Clay, Joe Frazier and George Foreman – to mention three Olympic gold medallists from the swinging sixties. Back then, a young Foreman was paid a few hundred bucks (if that) for his debut – far, far less than guys and gals like Anthony Joshua, Nicola Adams, Katie Taylor and Jose Ramirez (who failed to win a medal) can look to pocket should they go pro.

continue

Female Trailblazers Mia St. John, Christy Martin Retire From Boxing After St. John Rematch Win

By James Slater: Together they helped pave the way for female boxing in the 1990s, and trailblazers Mia St. John and Christy Martin, who enjoyed real fame and presumably fortune that decade and beyond, have now called it quits on their boxing careers.

continue

Arum Says Pac-Bradley Rematch Unlikely, Says It Will Be Cotto Or Marquez On Nov. 10th – And Then A Mayweather Showdown Next April?

By James Slater: According to Top Rank boss and promoter of superstar Manny Pacquiao, Tim Bradley is out of the running as far as Manny’s November 10th opponent goes. As quoted by The Manila Times, Arum said there is simply not enough fan interest in a Pacquiao-Bradley II, despite, or maybe because of, the controversial nature of the June 9th fight that Bradley somehow won via decision.

continue

Julio Cesar Chavez Junior’s Matchmaker Tells Ringtv.com “Chavez Jr. Is Knocking Sergio Martinez Out!”

By James Slater: A year or so ago, fans either labelled the fight a mismatch or a joke, while others still said it would never actually happen anyway. I’m talking about the fast-approaching genuine grudge-match that is September 15th’s Sergio Gabriel Martinez-Julio Cesar Chavez Junior middleweight title fight showdown.

continue

Italian Giant Roberto Cammarelle To Turn Pro; Can The Olympic Gold Medallist And All-Round Amateur Great Achieve Success In The Paid Ranks?

Italian Giant Roberto Cammarelle To Turn Pro; Can The Olympic Gold Medallist And All-Round Amateur Great Achieve Success In The Paid Ranks? By James Slater: While London 2012 Olympic super-heavyweight gold medallist Anthony Joshua says he will stay an amateur and shoot for more gold in Rio in 2016, the man who was closely, controversially out-pointed by the Londoner says he plans to join the pro ranks soon.

Italy’s amateur great Roberto Cammarelle, still angered and dismayed at the countback decision that went against him this past Sunday, would possibly make an exciting addition to today’s heavyweight ranks. As experienced as they come at amateur level – with a bronze, a gold and, most recently, a silver medal being claimed at Olympic games; along with a number of honours at European and world amateur level also won – Cammarelle has already shared a ring with a few recognizable pro names.

continue

Will Pacquiao and Mayweather EVER fight?

By Robert Jackson: 3 days and counting to Money Mayweather’s release from Las Vegas County Jail…unless he beats up a guard between now and then. Well anyway, upon Mayweather’s release the boxing world will be wondering whom Lil Floyd will fight next, and whether he’ll be fighting again in 2012.

continue