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Friday, February 28, 2014

Preview: Boxcino middleweight tournament on FNF Feb. 28

Boxcino Friday Fight Nights Middlewieght Tournament

Boxcino middleweight tournament quarterfinals will return on Friday night, Feb 28 to be aired on ESPN2 "Friday Night Fights" to be held at the Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, IN. All the bouts will be scheduled for six rounds.



Here are the participants:



  • Brandon Adams vs Daniel Edouard

  • Cerresso Fort vs Vitaliy Kopylenko

  • Donatas Bondrovas vs Willie Monroe Jr.

  • Raymond Gatica vs Sena Agbeko


[Also: Review: Boxcino lightweight tournament]



Brandon Adams vs. Daniel Edouard


Undefeated 24 years old Brandon Adams (12-0-0, 8 KO's) of California will fight Daniel Edouard (23-4-2, 14 KO's) from Florida. Adam is coming in from five consecutive victories via stoppage. He stopped three opponents in two rounds. So this guy can really punch, and starts strong. Edouard could be in a short night, but he bring experience to the table against a seemed heavy handed opponent.



Cerresso Fort vs Vitaliy Kopylenko


American Cerresso Fort (17-2-1, 11 KO's) will try to get back to the winning column after TKO defeat against Caleb Truax in round 4 in his attempt for the vacant USBA middleweight title. On the opposite corner, Ukrainian Vitaley Kopylenko (22-0-0, 12 KO's) will try to continue his unblemished record.



Donatas Bondrovas vs Willie Monroe Jr.


Born in Lithuania now residing in Chicago, Donatas Bondrovas (18-4-1, 6 KO's) will face Willie Monroe Jr. (15-1-0, 6 KO's) of New York.



Raymond Gatica vs Sena Agbeko


Texan Raymond Gatica (13-2-0, 8 KO's), is looking to get back to the winning side as he faces undefeated Sena Agbeko (15-0-0, 15 KO's) of Ghana. Agbeko has an impressive resume, who has a perfect record, and those victories are all by way of knockouts. Out of 15 Agbeko opponents, only one went to the final round, but he eventually stop that opponent in the final round.

Chavez Jr. vs Vera rematch preview and prediction

[caption id="attachment_1599" align="aligncenter" width="570"]Retech's Bum-Rush Preview Chavez Jr. vs Vera II Photo via Chris Farina/Top Rank[/caption]

Chavez Jr. vs. Vera rematch Preview:


Will Chavez Jr. comes out being all by himself on Saturday night? And do his job in the ring without thinking about his legendary father's influence, which can be a factor (again) of the outcome of his rematch with Vera. He might learned his lesson in the first fight; although his father's influence can do him favors, but you can't hide peoples opinion on fight's outcome.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. returns to the ring in a rematch with Texan Bryan Vera on Saturday, 01 Mar. at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, USA following a controversial unanimous decision win in September.

For Chavez, this fight will be his chance to prove that he can be the "Batman" -- not the "Robin" that play the role behind shadows.

Now. being a father himself, he told in HBO presentation titled "Road to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.-Bryan Vera II" that "I become more focused on what I have." I expected that focus he mentioned in this fight.
"Julia Chavez, that's her name. It's an... an experience... an indescribable feeling when you have a child. Your life changes. I become more focused on what I have, my daughter, may family and... boxing"

On the other hand, Vera's focus is to come and get what exactly he was due during the first fight. And I think he understand that he should do it in a more decisive way and try to force a knockout victory.

Vera, in the previous fight was hit with heavier shots. He's an easy target for Chavez as he pressed forward. Although he landed more and brought the fight to Chavez, judges on the other hand might favor the fighter who landed the heavier blows.

Chavez Jr. vs. Vera Prediction:


I think Vera will try to outwork and out-land Chavez. But Chavez has the needed stamina to keep up the pace until the last round. Chavez would still land the heavier shots that will wobble Vera maybe several times. Vera's efforts to try to outwork, out-land Chavez, the same way he did in the first fight, may not be enough. Chavez will be the stronger, the bigger and more focus fighter.

My final verdict:


Chavez by unanimous decision -- but this time -- he deserve it.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Amir Khan issues official statement on Mayweather fighting Maidana

Amir Khan issues official statement on Mayweather fighting Maidana

British Boxer Amir Khan issued an official statement following undefeated boxing's pound-for-pound king, Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s official announcement, selecting Argentinean slugger Marcos "El Chino" Maidana, 35-3-0 (KO 31) as his opponent on May 3.

Khan, 28-3-0 (KO 19) posted his official statement on his website and I can feel his frustration and disappointment for not landing the Mayweather fight.
“I am, however, very disappointed with Floyd and his team for not providing any explanation as to why he delayed the announcement for so long and ultimately avoided the fight with me.

Khan pulled out a fight against Devon Alexander on December in anticipation for a showdown with Floyd. But Khan's opportunity to fight Floyd and get the biggest paycheck in his career was in jeopardy when Marcos Maidana defeated Mayweather's "little brother" Adrein Broner last year.

With Maidana's name included in the mix, Floyd ran a poll on his website to determine whether the fans wanted Khan or Maidana for him to fight next . Khan won the poll. But in another websites running the same poll -- Maidana won.

On Floyd's birthday, he announced that he's fighting Maidana.

With Floyd's unfavorable decision to Khan, he (Khan) is expected to announce his next fight in the next 10 days.
“I’m focused and ready for my next outing - we currently have a few options on the table at the moment and my team are working alongside Golden Boy Promotions to announce my next fight within the next 10 days.

Here's the full excerpt from Amir Khan official statement:
“Following the announcement by Floyd Mayweather that he will be facing Marcos Maidana on May 3rd I would like to clarify my situation for my fans and members of the media.

“Despite having signed my part of the agreement to fight Floyd in early December, I’ve been preparing myself for some time that the match up with him wasn’t going to happen, as I announced on Twitter a few days ago. Therefore, this announcement did not come as a surprise.

“I am, however, very disappointed with Floyd and his team for not providing any explanation as to why he delayed the announcement for so long and ultimately avoided the fight with me.

“Clarification, if he was not fighting me, would have allowed me to look over my options and pursue another path, rather than the ultimate delay to my career this has caused.

“It has been a very frustrating period as I’d been due to fight in December against Devon Alexander, however, I was strongly advised to not take this fight as I would be facing Floyd this May – and therefore signed my side of the contract on this belief.

“Floyd was keen to engage with the fans and so decided to let them choose who he should fight in his next bout. I clearly won his official poll, by a significant margin, but for unknown reasons he decided to ignore the fans vote and failed to keep his word. Disappointing many fight fans who took the time to vote.

“I genuinely wish Marcos and Floyd all the best for their fight – two great fighters. As a team we have now moved on and are looking at different options.

“I’ve been training very hard since my last fight. I’m a fighter who wants to face the very best out there and have never ducked any opponent.

“I’m focused and ready for my next outing - we currently have a few options on the table at the moment and my team are working alongside Golden Boy Promotions to announce my next fight within the next 10 days.

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring and am determined to put on a great show for my loyal fans who have waited a long time to see me back in action – and I’m very excited about what’s yet to come this year. Thank you for all your continued support.”

 

Monday, February 24, 2014

Floyd Mayweather Jr. picks Marcos Maidana over Amir Khan for May 3 fight

[caption id="attachment_1589" align="alignnone" width="570"]Floyd Mayweather Jr. picks Marcos Maidana over Amir Khan for May 3 fight Photo via Showtime[/caption]

After a somewhat delayed announcement Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Marcos Maidana is finally official.

Boxing's pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. finally announced that Argentinian slugger Marcos Rene Maidana (35-3, 31 KO) will be his next opponent when he returns to the ring on May 3 for his third fight under contractual obligation on Showtime 6-fight mega deal.

Mayweather (45-0, 26 KO) posted on social media and said that he will be fighting Marcos Maidana May 3rd on PPV Showtime/CBS.

Marcos Maidana, thanked everybody that supported him and promise to give victory, in a post via twitter.

 

Below is from the Show press release:
"I am extremely happy to be facing Floyd Mayweather because it will give me the opportunity to show the world that I am the best welterweight in the division," said Maidana, who will represent throngs of Hispanic boxing fans on Cinco de Mayo when he faces the pound-for-pound king. "I just handed a great defensive fighter his first loss and I plan to do the same to Mayweather. I don't care whether he's the best and undefeated. I will bring some real Latino power to him on May 3rd."

"This is an extremely dangerous fight for Floyd as Marcos Maidana is a technical knock-out artist and continues to show us that he gets better with each fight," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. "Maidana showed so much in his last performance, he's clearly at the top of his game and a great match-up for Floyd."

"In Marcos Maidana, Floyd Mayweather may be in for his toughest opponent ever," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "Maidana is the type of fighter who will find out if Floyd still belongs on top of the pound-for-pound list. He's strong, tough and aggressive. He in giving Adrien Broner his first loss, he showed that he won't be intimidated by talk, a big fight atmosphere or an unbeaten record. I give Floyd a lot of credit for stepping up to the plate and testing himself once again. He is a true warrior, and the fans will be the winners on May 3rd."

"The first two events in our partnership with Floyd Mayweather were incredible and SHOWTIME PPV is proud to present the next chapter in Floyd's remarkable career," said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports®. "Marcos Maidana is a boxer whose fearsome power can change the trajectory of a fight with a single punch. Couple that with his ferocity and perseverance and you have the recipe for an incredible fight on the grandest stage of the sport."

Review: Boxcino lightweight tournament

Review: Boxcino lightweight tourney


Last Saturday morning here in Kuwait (Friday night ET) I wasn't able to finished watching the entire Boxcino lightweight tournament on "Friday Night Fights" via live-streaming. Thanks to Ryan Bivins of sweetboxing for his usual efforts in uploading every FNF edition. Actually this is my first time to watch a boxing tournament. And I don't even know what Boxcino is, that it was already aired in the past by FNF in 1997, wherein former junior lightweight and lightweight champion Acelino "Popo" Frietas was the champion. Searching few keywords on Google let me know few things about Boxcino.


On Sunday night I was able to watch the entire fight and here' my review.


[Also: Ring of Gold Results: Sonsona Dela Torre and Ancajas big time winners]


Chris Rudd UD-7 Yakubu Amidu


Chris Rudd (13-1, 8 KO) won an upset towards a very competitive and veteran opponent from Ghana, Yakubu Amidu. The bout was initially scored by the judges as a draw. But to my surprise, the tournament has a unique rule compared to a regular professional boxing match. The bout is scheduled for 6-rounds. But in the case of a draw, which happen to be the case for this bout; the bout is extended for another one round as a "tie-breaker". So, the bout went round 7, for the judges to once and for all score the round and hopefully break the draw. Although, personally, I have Rudd winning in the regular regulation because he was able to beat Amidu (21-5-2, 9 KO) from outside, which is Rudd strength because he's the taller fighter. And while from the inside, Rudd, is also competitive (Amidu should have capitalize fighting from inside because of his height disadvantage). But anyway it was too close that I don't bothered by the judges called it a draw. The deciding round even convinced me more that Rudd deserved the win. In round 7, Rudd stick to his advantage and fought from outside, smartly shifted to southpaw stance to keep Amidu at bay. Amidu wasn't able to counter that move and can't force the action from the inside. With the win Rudd advances to the semi-final round.


Petr Petrov UD-6 Fedor Papazov


Two Russian collides. Petr Petrov gave Fedor Papazov firs t defeat as a pro. Both guys were trading hard shots that I'm surprised why the fight came to the final bell? I mean, after exchanging hard shots I expected someone will go down. Petrov wrestled the semi-final spot because I think he's the one who is more accurate and consistent during the heated exchanges. He also followed up shots after every exchanges that caught clean Papazov that now dropped to 14-1 (9 KO).


Miguel Gonzalez SD-6 Miguel Mendoza


This match-up has been so far was the downside of the Boxcino lightweight tournament because as you know Gonzalez (23-3, 16 KO), has a style that wasn't crowd-pleasing to the point that people in the arena booed the fight. Gonzalez won to the scores of 58-56, 58-56, and 56-58. What I observed in this fight is that both have slower hand-speed compared to the first two bout. Take note that all these match-ups are in the lightweight division and they look too tired after the sixth round.


Fernando Carcamo TKO-2 Samuel Neequaye


This final bout was the only match-up in this Boxcino lightweight tournament that ends with a stoppage. In the first round although Neequaye (21-1, 15 KO) was knockdown; it was obvious that he wasn't hurt. It has something to do with the position of his feet that made him down after he was hit to the body. Personally, I have Neequaye won that round. He landed the harder shots in the first round. But one flaw I noticed from him -- his defense. In round two, Neequaye's flawed defense (he put his guard too low) was exploited by Carcamo. Carcamo (16-5, 13 KO) caught Neequaye clean shots during exchanges. He wobbled Neequaye several times before referee Jay Nady stepped in to stop the fight.


The Boxcino lightweight tournament will resume on March 28 for the semifinal round with the below match-up.




  • Chris Rudd vs. Petr Petrov

  • Miguel Gonzalez vs.Fernando Carcamo


On February 28 in Hammond, Indiana Boxcino Middleweight tournament will kick-off. Another eight middleweights will battle.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Ring of Gold Results: Sonsona, Dela Torre and Ancajas big time winners

[caption id="attachment_1561" align="aligncenter" width="570"]Ring of Gold Results: Sonsona, Dela Torre and Ancajas big time winners Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank[/caption]

Filipinos went three-out-of-three in Macau.

Filipino pugilists that fought in the under-card for "Ring of Gold" boxing card in Macau all won via highlight-reel type of knockouts. Marvin Sonsona, Harmonito De la Torre and Jerwin Ancajas delivered stunning knockout performances against their respective opponents at the Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort, Macao, China.

Ring of Gold Results: Sonsona, Dela Torre and Ancajas big time winners

Featherweights: Marvin Sonsona TKO-3 Akifumi Shimoda

Marvin Sonsona now improved to 18-1-1 (KO 15) set the icing of the cake, when he knocked out cold former world super bantamweight titlist Akifumi Shimoda of Japan, now dropped his record to 28-4-2, (KO 12) in the second round.

Sonsona was unable to get things to his favor in the first and second round as Shimuda landed the harder shots. He was even hit by a four-punch combo to the body towards the ropes. I had Shimuda winning those two rounds. He has the fight under control.

I thought the fight between two world titles would go to the distance.

However, in the third round, Sonsona was cornered through the ropes and Shimuda was ready to attack. In anticipation, Sonsona fired a jab and followed through a devastating short uppercut that landed right on the spot. That was a thing of beauty. Shimuda's head snapped back and his knees folded, and he fell down to the canvas. Referee Tapdasan immediately halted the fight.

The win is Sonsona's second world title.

Ring of Gold Results: Sonsona, Dela Torre and Ancajas big time winners

Super Flyweights: Jerwin Ancajas TKO-2 Inthanon Sitchamuang

Southpaw Jerwin Ancajas, 23, now improved to 19-1-1 (KO 10), started the knockout streak from the Filipino pugilists. Ancajas was tagged in the first round but immediately retaliate dropping Sitchamuang on the canvas. In the second round Ancajas peppered Sitchamuang with one-two combinations from the southpaw stance. Ancajas wobbled Sitchamuang and finished him off with hard shots to the head. The referee stepped in to stop the fight.

Super Featherweights: Harmonito Dela Torre KO-1 Yakobus Heluka

The intermission dance was far more longer than the opponent of Harmonito to last in their super featherweight battle. Dela Torre finished Heluka with ease early in the first round with another highlight-reel knockout. Dela Torre landed a beautiful right hand that knocked out Heluka.

Mayweather vs. Khan: Amir says "Good luck to Maidana against Mayweather"

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It seemed Amir Khan surrender his bid to fight pound-for-pound kingpin Floyd Mayweather Jr., after trying to sacrifice everything just to secure the Mayweather sweepstakes. From pulling out a fight in December against Devon Alexander, appealing his fans to support him from a poll Mayweather ran in his website, which ultimately he won, and of course training in the gym without the official opponent.

Khan posted in his twitter saying "good luck" to Maidana and Mayweather and regrets about pulling out the fight with Alexander.
Good luck to Maidana, against mayweather.
— Amir Khan (@AmirKingKhan) February 22, 2014

No response from Mayweather or his team. Fights not happening. I should of taken the title fight last December against Alexander...
— Amir Khan (@AmirKingKhan) February 21, 2014

Khan even issue apologies to the "thousands of people [that he let down]" and said Mayweather is running scared.
Can I apologies to the thousands of people who are let down. You me and everyone wanted the Mayweather fight. He's running scared.
— Amir Khan (@AmirKingKhan) February 21, 2014

However Leonard Ellerbe said on Fight Hype that Mayweather hasn't decide yet. And said that "When Floyd Mayweather makes up his mind on who he's fighting, which he hasn't yet, he will announce it to the world."

Do you think Khan is just too impatient to wait Mayweather's announcement? Do you think his twitter post would help him secure the fight he's long been longing for?

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Ring of Gold: Sonsona, Dela Torre and Ancajas will be in action in Macau

Ring of Gold-Sonsona, Dela Torre and Ancajas will be in action in Macau

Three Filipino boxers will be seen in action facing different opponents in Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort, Macao, China on February 22, as part of Top Rank’s Ring of Gold boxing event. Ring of Gold will headline China’s two time Olympic Gold medalist Zou Shiming 3-0-0 (KO 0), pitted against Yokthong Kokietgym 14-3 (KO 10), of Thailand.

Former WBO super flyweight title holder Marvin Sonsona 17-1-1 (KO 14) will face WBA world super bantamweight titlist Akifumi Shimoda 28-3-2, (KO 12) of Japan for the WBO international featherweight title.

Sonsona will try to continue his winning streak after that fourth round KO loss against Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. in an attempt for another world title.

Sonsona captured the WBO super flyweight title in 2009 at age 19. He was the second youngest Filipino boxer that captured world title.

Undefeated super featherweight prospect Harmonito Dela Torre 11-0 KO 6), will be up against Indonesia’s Yakobus Heluka 3-3 (KO 0), for 6-round  super featherweight action. Dela Torre, 19, is Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) super featherweight titlist.

Bantamweight Jerwin Ancajas 18-1-1 (KO 9) will fight Thailand’s Inthanon Sithchamuang 19-6 (KO 10) in the event’s first bell.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Hughie Fury stops Matthew Greer in round two

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Undefeated 19 year old heavyweight Hughie Fury won an impressive knockout victory against American Matthew Greer on BoxNation's opening match at the Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Hackney Wick, London, United Kingdom.

Fury, now improve his record to 13-0 (KO 8) dropped Greer three times in the second round. In the third knockdown Greer's corner had seen enough and throw in the towel to stop the fight. .

In the get-go Fury established his jab and finished the round with vicious shots to the body. It's obvious that those body shots really hurt Greer.

In the second round Greer come out smoking and tried to brawl Fury. But his onslaught was short-lived as Fury unleashed again hard shot to the body. Greer took a knee thrice after absorbing barrage of body shots.

Friday, February 14, 2014

When Erik Morales stops fighting?

Erik Morales vs Jorge Paez Jr.

Erik Morales won't stop fighting.

Until when a warrior would say "that's it" and call it a career? Boxing is a dangerous sport. The more a fighter aged, the more possibilities that his abilities will diminished. Not all fighters are born like Bernard Hopkins.

Erik Morales is no Bernard Hopkins.

And yet, even how disciplined "The Alien" inside and outside the ring, time will come for signs and symptoms that will tell him to quit and that's it.

But not all fighters who felt these signs and symptoms quit. There are really stubborn fighters who only quit when it's too late. They don't listen to their hearts that tell them it's time to quit. They let their bodies decide. They let their bodies quit.

This is dangerous when they choose to let their bodies push them out of the sport. This means that they feel something serious already that will not allow them fight anymore. It would mean permanent physical disabilities that will rob fighters and their family's happiness after boxing.

In the case of Erik "El Terrible" Morales 52-9-0 (KO 36), I believe he should have not came out of retirement after suffering four consecutive losses. He lost to Zahir Raheem in 2005, twice against Manny Pacquiao in 2006 (via stoppage), and David Diaz in 2007. He retired in the same year but came back in 2010 and got three consecutive victories against lesser opposition.

In search for further glory and to rejuvenate his already stellar career, Morales took younger and dangerous Marcos Maidana and dropped to a majority decision in 2011. He won against Pablo Cesar Cano also in 2011. The MD loss and won via RTD convinced Morales to go on fighting. But this sport will not come short of younger, hungrier breed of lions.

"El Terrible" fought undefeated Danny Garcia for the vacant light welterweight title. He lost via UD in the first encounter and was KO'ed viciously in the rematch.

Morales loss over Garcia, for me, is the second warning for him to quit and call it a career. I'm sad when I saw the great four-division titlist, Erik Morales, endured what it seems to be looked like career ending blows. How many blows like that, can a now, 37 years old Erik Morales may take because he's staging another comeback fight. Yes! He's fighting again.

Morales is set to fight 26 year old Jorge Paez Jr., 37-4-1 (KO 22) in Arena Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico on 22nd Mar.
“Many criticize me or ask me, ‘Why do I keep on boxing at my age and after everything I’ve accomplished?’ I tell them that I am pursuing a dream." Morales said translated from Spanish on Wednesday at the news conference in Monterrey, Mexico.

“I’d like to achieve a few more things. I don’t want to go back to my house wondering, ‘Why didn’t I try it?’ And even if I face a hungry young challenger, I need to win to achieve my dream."

I don't know what dreams Erik Morales is chasing at this point in his boxing career. I hope his pursuit of this "dream" will not turn into a "nightmare".

Do you think it is wise for Erik Morales to go on fighting?

Why Floyd Mayweather Jr. delays next opponent announcement?

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Boxing fans are still blank as to when boxing's pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. will pick his next opponent. Floyd's booked to be back in the ring on May, but until now there's no official announcement to whom he will fight next.

From the time of this post, there were 78 days remaining prior to 3rd May; it's less than three months from now. Normally, a fight of this magnitude, were officially announced at least three months before. This is to give ample time for the preparation that includes press tour -- for the official announcement, and time for the fighters to train.

However, until now Floyd is still delaying his announcement as to whom he will fight for his third fight under his massive Showtime 6-fight deal. He fought Robert Guerrero first and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez second, which he defeated via 12-round decisions.

It seems Floyd is having difficulty to (cherry) pick his next opponent. Few days ago, Floyd went to social media and posted this: "P4P king Floyd Mayweather wants to know who you think he should fight next. Go to http://MayweatherPromotions.com/ & vote now!"

The poll initially had Marcos Maidana leading, not until Amir Khan (only Khan and Maidana were the options of the poll) appeal to his fans to support him and ultimately won the poll on Mayweathes's website. Ironically, some media outlets ran the same poll but had Maidana as the clear winner.

Although Khan was ahead on Mayweather's poll, until now there's no official announcement if he ever fight Khan, which seems to me from the beginning and prior to the poll Floyd is inclined to fight. But the initial fans reaction of Floyd was underwhelming.

In a post from his twitter acount Amir Khan is urging Mayweather to take him for the showdown being the winner of the poll.
"It would b an honour to share the ring with @FloydMayweather who will be loyal to his word and to the fans, to fight the winner of his poll"

Floyd's delaying the announcement would eventually hurt the marketing preparation of the fight. Although if he made "delaying the announcement" as a tactic to whoever he will fight to be under-prepared is another question. Floyd can of course start his training with intense focus even if he will pick his opponent a day before the fight.

Even if Amir Khan is confident that he will be chosen by Mayweather still he can't focus his mind to prepare until he's sure that he is the official opponent for Floyd.

What do you think are the reasons why Floyd delayed to much in choosing his next opponent?

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Carl Froch vs. George Groves II: Rematch is official

Carl Froch v George Groves - IBF & WBA World Super Middleweight Title Fight

After reading several media outlets in the US saying that the rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves is on -- still I'm reluctant to believed, because in the UK there's no official announcement yet. Not until, No Holds Barred, a UK based boxing-head, posted in his Facebook timeline that the Froch vs. Groves is finally official.
It's official !!!!!

Carl Froch and George Groves have agreed to a rematch on 31 May, possibly in a football stadium.

Who do you think wins second time around and how?



The most anticipated boxing rematch in British boxing history is set on May 31, 2014 in a certain stadium, which is yet to be determined.




According to promoter Eddie Hearn said via Sky Sports News, "We are in discussions with about six or seven football stadiums in the country - including Old Trafford, Wembley, the Emirates, Twickenham, the Millennium Stadium and the City Ground.





In an interview also with Kugan Cassius of iFL TV Hearn also pointed out that every one is happy about the rematch and confirmed the date as May 31.

 





This rematch is very much anticipated by the many boxing fans especially the British boxing fans because of the controversy that surrounded the Froch-Groves first encounter at Phones 4u Arena (formerly M.E.N Arena), Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom on November 23.

In the first round of the bout, Froch was dropped hard to the canvas by a right hand from Groves. Although, Froch was able to continue he still look shaky in the second round. From that point onward Grove was controlling the fight. But in the ninth round referee Howard Foster stopped the fight in favor in favor of Froch, which only him could justify why.

Because of this controversial stoppage, the fans demanded for a rematch. Groves wanted a rematch. And here we go. Finally it's official and it's a big big fight in the UK.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

"Ring of Gold" Card to Air on HBO 2 Feb. 22

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MACAU, CHINA (February 11, 2014) -- The Year of the Horse will get off to a galloping start when world championship boxing makes its 2014 debut at The VENETIAN® MACAO'S COTAI ARENA. International Boxing Federation (IBF) world lightweight champion MIGUEL "Titere" VAZQUEZ, of Mexico, and two-time Chinese Olympic gold medalist ZOU SHIMING headline "Ring of Gold," SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22. Vazquez will defend his title against undefeated top-rated contender DENIS "GHENGIS KHAN" SHAFIKOV, of Russia, and Shiming will risk his undefeated record in an eight-round flyweight bout against the young seasoned YOKTHONG KOKIETGYM of Thailand. Both fights will be televised on HBO2, beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Tecate, the "Ring of Gold" HBO2 telecast will feature Fran Charles handling the blow-by-blow while former world champion Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini and Hall of Famer Larry Merchant will add expert analysis and commentary.

Remaining tickets for Ring of Gold can be purchased via COTAI TICKETING; prices start at HKD/MOP 80, with ferry and hotel packages also available.

Rounding out the troika of 2012 Olympic gold medalists will be RYÅŒTA MURATA and EGOR MEKHONTSEV, from Japan and Russia, respectively, in separate bouts on the non-televised undercard. It is exceptional for so many Olympic gold medalists to be featured on the same boxing card. The "Ring of Gold" undercard will also feature former world champion and current No. 2-rated contender AKIFUMI "Sugar" SHIMODA of Japan, in a 12-round Word Boxing Organization (WBO) International featherweight title bout against fellow former world champion MARVIN SONSONA of the Philippines, and undefeated Hong Kong super flyweight sensation REX TSO in a 10-round rumble with MAKO MATSUYAMA of Japan, with the World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian super flyweight and the WBO Asia Pacific junior bantamweight titles at stake.

Vazquez (33-3, 13 KOs), of Guadalajara, México, captured the IBF lightweight title in 2010 when he won a 12-round unanimous decision over Jihoon Kim. Since winning the world title, Vazquez has successfully defended it five times during his four-year reign. Vazquez will be facing undefeated top-rated contender Shafikov (33-0-1. 17 KOs), from Chelyabinsk, Russia. A southpaw with an aggressive style, good skills and movement, the former European junior welterweight champion Shafikov has good punching power and is not afraid to use it.

Zou (3-0), from Guizhou, China, and trained by Hall of Famer FREDDIE ROACH, won his professional debut on April 6, 2013, via a dominant four-round unanimous decision over gritty Eleazar Valenzuela. He followed that up with six-round unanimous decision victories over Jesus Ortega and Juan Toscano on July 27 and November 24, respectively, last year, and all at CotaiArena. One of the most popular Olympic athletes in China, Zou was the world's greatest light flyweight, capturing gold medals in the World Amateur Championships in 2005, 2007 and 2011, along with gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games. He also owns an Olympic bronze medal from the 2004 games, making him his nation's first Olympic medallist in boxing as well as its first boxing gold medallist in the World Amateur Championships and the Olympics. He will be graduating to an eight-round bout when he faces Kokietgym (14-3, 10 KOs), of Roi-Et, Thailand. The vastly more experienced Thai enters this fight having won six of his last seven bouts, with two of those victories coming by way of knockout.

Murata (2-0, 2 KOs), from Tokyo, a sensational prospect at 160 pounds, captured the Olympic gold medal in the middleweight division at the 2012 Olympics held in London. It was the first gold medal won by a Japanese boxer since Takao Sakurai in 1964, and also is the first-ever boxing medal in a weight class other than bantamweight or flyweight. The six-foot Murata also became the 100th gold medalist in Japanese Olympic history. He made his pro debut last August, knocking out OPBF middleweight champion Akio Shibata (21-7-1) in the second round. Murata followed up that victory on December 6 with a fourth-round stoppage of David Peterson (13-1). He will be facing battle-tested slugger and one-time world title challenger Carlos Nascimento (28-3, 22 KOs), of Sao Paulo, Brazil, who enters this fight having won 12 of his previous 14 bouts, nine by way of knockout. Their fight is schedule for eight rounds at middleweight.

Mekhontsev (1-0, 1 KO), of Asbest, Russia, won his pro debut on December 4, knocking out Peter Cajigas in the third round. Trained by his father Leonid, Mekhontsev captured the Olympic light heavyweight gold medal at the 2012 summer games and as a heavyweight he won gold at the 2009 World Amateur Championships and the 2010 and 1008 European Amateur Championships. He'll be battling fellow undefeated prospect Jaritram Atthaporn (3-0, 1 KO), of Bangkok, in a six-round light heavyweight bout.

Shimoda (28-3-2, 12 KOs), of Tokyo, captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) super bantamweight title in 2011, dethroning defending champion Ryol Li Lee via a unanimous decision aided by three knockdowns. Shimoda's title reign was short-lived, losing his first title defense, to Rico Ramos, six months later. He immediately moved up to featherweight and enters this fight riding a two-year unbeaten streak. Sonsona (17-1-1, 14 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, captured the WBO junior bantamweight title in 2009, winning a decisive unanimous decision over defending champion Jose "Carita" Lopez . Sonsona lost the title in his first defense on the scale coming in two pounds over the division limit, against Alejandro Hernandez, though the official decision was a draw. After losing to Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. in 2010 a battle for the vacant WBO junior featherweight title, Sonsona returned to the winner's circle and enters this fight on a two-year winning streak with his last two victories coming by way of knockout.

Tso (8-0, 5 KOs), is the Pride of Hong Kong. This will mark his third time fighting at Cotai Arena where he has begun to develop a very big following. In his last bout, on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios event last November, Tso scored a first-round knockout of Susu Sithjadaeng Tso will be facing Mako Matsuyama (7-7-1, 3 KOs) of Tokyo, who enters this fight having won a unanimous decision victory over Masatoshi Nakamura last November. They will be facing each other in a 10-round bout for Tso's WBC Asian super flyweight title and the vacant WBO Asia Pacific junior bantamweight title.

The undercard will also feature local favorite, "The Macao Kid" KUOK KUN NG (2-0), from Macao, China, who will be in a six-round super featherweight and a four-round super welterweight bout, respectively.