merce77's Classic Boxing Thread, tape them hands up before you enter!!!!

[Ready2Rumble82]

FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR: NOT THINKING PACQUIAO DREAM MATCH, BOXING

Sources close to former undefeated pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr have stated that despite Manny Pacquiao's sensational stoppage victory over Oscar De La Hoya, the pound for pound Picasso has zero interest in returning to the ring to face the current pound for pound king. "Floyd's not even thinking boxing right now," said our source. It should be interesting to see if the public's interest in the bout and the pocketbooks of powers that be can entice Mayweather to make this dream match a reality.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

BRADLEY TARGETS HOLT-HOPKINS WINNER


Undefeated WBC 140-pound champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley will be in Atlantic City, NJ this weekend to scout out his next opponent. Bradley will be ringside watching WBO junior welterweight champion Kendall Holt defend his title against undefeated Demetrius Hopkins this Saturday night. The fight will be televised live on Showtime from Atlantic City ’s Boardwalk Hall. “I want fights. Lots of fights,” said Bradley who will make his next title defense in the first quarter of 2009 against the winner of the Holt-Hopkins rumble. “I have a lot of respect for Holt and Hopkins which is why I’m getting an up-close-and-personal look at both men from a ringside seat. I think an even better fight would be for the winner of our fight to defend the title against Manny Pacquiao."

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

PACQUIAO-DE LA HOYA 1.25M PPV BUYS

The Manny Pacquiao-Oscar De La Hoya fight generated 1.25M PPV buys and grossed $70M in PPV revenue. Pacquiao-De La Hoya becomes the third biggest non-heavyweight fight in the history of boxing behind Mayweather-De La Hoya and Trinidad-De La Hoya. Source: HBO's Mark Taffet

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

PAVLIK, COTTO TO SHARE SPOTLIGHT ON FEBRUARY 21 TOP RANK PPV

World middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik and ex-welterweight champion Miguel Cotto will share the spotlight on as co-main events of a unique PPV Top Rank will itself distribute. Pavlik will face Marco Antonio Rubio in Youngstown, Ohio while Cotto takes on Michael Jennings for the WBO welterweight crown vacated by Paul Williams, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

DARCHINYAN-ARCE: SHOWTIME FEBRUARY 7

On February 7, 2009 Showtime Championship Boxing will televise undisputed super flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan's anticipated defense against Jorge Arce. The bout will take place at the Honda Center-formerly known as the Pond- in Anaheim, California.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

ARUM CONFIRMS PACQUIAO-JUDAH AS POSSIBILITY, TRAVELING TO PHILIPPINES TO DISCUSS WITH PACQUIAO

Pacquiao to return in May!

Moments ago Bob Arum confirmed that Manny Pacquiao could face Zab Judah in his next fight, which will take place in May. Arum stated that in the coming days he will be flying to the Philippines to discuss Pacquiao's immediate future face to face.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

ODLANIER SOLIS TO FACE OWEN BECK


Heavyweight Odlanier Solis will face Owen Beck on January 9th at the Terrible’s Casino Resort in Primm, Nevada. The US debut for 2004 Olympic gold medallist Solis will be featured on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights”. “La Sombra” will be looking to score his 13th win in as many pro fights. 32-year-old “What the Heck” Owen Beck (27-3, 20 KOs) has had two easy comeback wins amongst long stretches of inactivity after being stopped in the third by WBA champion Nikolay Valuev in June 2006. “This is Solis’ chance to show the US public what he is made of”, states promoter Ahmet Öner. “The heavyweight division is slowly recovering from years of boredom. Odlanier is one of the guys with real superstar potential. Hopefully he can prove that on January 9th.” The card billed as “Cuba Libre” also features Solis’ compatriots Erislandy Lara and featherweight star Yuriorkis Gamboa.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Freddie Roach Willing To Train Nonito Donaire For Montiel

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says that trainer Freddie Roach is “interested in training” IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire who is being lined up for a title fight against WBO super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel in March either in Manila or Macau.

In an overseas telephone conversation with insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Arum revealed that Roach told him he was “interested in stepping in and training Nonito” who had earlier announced that his father, Nonito Donaire Sr would no longer be his trainer.

Arum said looking for a successor to Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao, “maybe” Donaire could be the answer but added “I don’t know whether he can step up.”

At the same time Arum said he was also not sure whether Brian Viloria can regain a world title as a flyweight although Viloria has won his last four fights after losing to Mexico’s Edgar Sosa by a majority decision in a battle for the vacant WBC light flyweight title.

Arum disclosed that Solar Sports was interested in staging a blockbuster double-header title card at the Araneta Coliseum in March featuring Donaire vs Montiel and Viloria possibly going down to fight IBF light flyweight champion Ulises Solis.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Haye Plans To Confront Wladimir Klitschko in Germany

David Haye will continue his hunt of WBO/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. He plans to head out to Germany to sit ringside for Klitschko's title defense against Hasim Rahman. If Klitschko wins, Haye believes the two of them will fight next summer, around May or June. Klitschko doesn't have to make a mandatory defense against Alexander Povetkin until September 13, leaving him wide open for the fight. Haye plans to trade some verbal blows with Wladimir in Germany.

"If Wladimir is ready to make it happen, I'll jump straight in with him for my next fight - maybe in May and June," Haye told Steve Bunce's Boxing Hour. "I'm going over to Germany to see Wladimir do a spectacular job. I'll be there at ringside giving him some verbals. They don't need to fight Povetkin until September so me and Adam Booth will talk to K2 after the fight and see if we can set something done."

Haye was also chasing older brother Vitali, the WBC champion, but he doesn't think the fight will happen due to the mandatory defense Vitali owes.

"Vitali has to fight Juan Carlos Gomez in March. You look at him then having to have a month off and two to three months to get ready to fight again and the summer's gone and that's when I want to fight. Wladimir's schedule is a lot clearer than Vitali's," Haye said.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Ricky Hatton: "Hey Mayweather, Pacquiao is Mine!"

Ricky Hatton is not exactly pleased with the rumors of Floyd Mayweather Jr. considering a comeback to fight Manny Pacquiao. After Pacquiao stopped Oscar De La Hoya last weekend in Las Vegas, it was lock for Hatton to fight Pacquiao in May or June of next year. Now with the possible return of Mayweather, Hatton could see himself get snubbed. Hatton feels that he's earned the right to fight Pacquiao by staying active, while Mayweather has sat around for over a year.

“I’m not surprised Floyd is considering a return — but I’d be disappointed if he got in ahead of me. I’ve put the hard work in and would like to get the chance to take on Manny. If I win that fight, then I could strike a deal for a rematch with Mayweather. But that’s some way down the line,” Hatton told The Sun.

Hatton doesn't want any other opponent. Like everone else, he has Pacquiao fever. He appears to be very confident that a fight can be made.

“I’d love Manny Pacquiao to come down and fight me. He’s the best in the world right now and I’m unbelievably confident a showdown can be arranged," Hatton said.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Cotto vs. Jennings Likely To Move To MSG, Says Arum

The return of Miguel Cotto may move from the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City to Madison Square Garden in New York City. Cotto will face Michael Jennings of the UK on February 21 for the vacant WBO welterweight title that Paul Williams left behind when he moved up to junior middleweight. Cotto-Jennings will be co-main event to a split-feed pay-per-view being put together by Top Rank. The other main event will feature Kelly Pavlik making a defense of his WBC/WBO middleweight titles against Marco Antonio Rubio, taking place im Ohio.

Bob Arum said the fight is tentative to take place at the Boardwalk Hall, but the executives at Madison Square Garden are interested in hosting the fight and Top Rank president Todd duBoef is currently negotiating with them. Arum says the press conference to announce Cotto's return is scheduled to take place in early January in New York.

"Atlantic City is a great place, but Madison Square Garden is a place that better suits the fans who follow Cotto. The people at The Garden are interested in hosting the event and Todd is working on that. We expect to finish everything in the coming week," Arum told Primera Hora .

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Hasim Rahman should retire.

That is all.

 

[Q-vo]

Cotto vs. Jennings Likely To Move To MSG, Says Arum

The return of Miguel Cotto may move from the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City to Madison Square Garden in New York City. Cotto will face Michael Jennings of the UK on February 21 for the vacant WBO welterweight title that Paul Williams left behind when he moved up to junior middleweight. Cotto-Jennings will be co-main event to a split-feed pay-per-view being put together by Top Rank. The other main event will feature Kelly Pavlik making a defense of his WBC/WBO middleweight titles against Marco Antonio Rubio, taking place im Ohio.

Bob Arum said the fight is tentative to take place at the Boardwalk Hall, but the executives at Madison Square Garden are interested in hosting the fight and Top Rank president Todd duBoef is currently negotiating with them. Arum says the press conference to announce Cotto's return is scheduled to take place in early January in New York.

"Atlantic City is a great place, but Madison Square Garden is a place that better suits the fans who follow Cotto. The people at The Garden are interested in hosting the event and Todd is working on that. We expect to finish everything in the coming week," Arum told Primera Hora .

Yeah, I guess that's a good choice to get some re-building done as far as Cotto's concerened. Just glad that there was an immediate rematch goin' on (As was rumored)

Checked out Holt/Hopkins earlier. Shit felt like a football game (i.e., 4 hours long) Couldn't complain about Julie Lederman giving the fight to "Nephew" Hopkins though, because I had the fight closer than the SHO crew had. But of course, the NJ judge had Holt winning a grip of rounds. What else is new?

The same with Toney/Oquendo (Yup, I watched that shit too) the commentators had Fres winning by about 3 points, but in a close fight (When Fres doesn't do as much shit as usual) you gotta penalize him for not doing enough. Boy will never learn.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Cotto has been a proven ticket seller at the garden. We'll see how many NY Rican's still show him love.

Speaking of Puerto Rican fighters...

It's painful to watch Oquendo's unwillingness to let his hands go. It really is.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Haye vs Klitschko?

Heavyweight contender David Haye claims he has a verbal deal to face WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in London next June. "We sat down and talked numbers that made sense for both sides, and it's done and dusted," stated Haye to the BBC. "We agreed terms and just need to dot the I's and cross the T's. Plain and simple, this is how boxing should be." The WBC has stated that Klitschko has a mandatory obligation to face Juan Carlos Gomez first before any bout with Haye can take place.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Gomez: Vitali is mine!

WBC mandatory heavyweight challenger Juan Carlos Gomez has commented to claims by ex-cruiser champ David Haye that he has a deal to fight WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko. "I understand how this kid feels and what he thinks," stated Gomez. "In fact, we have a lot in common. We both used to be the best cruiserweights in the world, now we both want to become world heavyweight champions and get rid of those annoying Ukrainians. But, David, I got one advice for you: Keep your hands off Vitali. He's mine. You can go after Wladimir if you want. He will be easier to handle for you anyways. If you desperately want to fight Vitali you will have to wait until I stripped his belt from him. After we dethroned both Klitschko sisters we can go on and find out one on one who is the best heavyweight fighter in the world if you want. It will be my honor and pleasure to beat you up to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world."

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

WINKY WRIGHT RETURNS TO HBO MARCH 14

Winky Wright-Paul Williams coming soon?

Winky Wright will return to the ring and HBO on March 14, 2009, in what would be his first fight since a close loss to Bernard Hopkins in July 2007. No opponent has been solidified yet, but do not be shocked if Paul Williams, who holds a WBO interim title at 154 pounds, is eventually secured as Wright's opponent.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Carl Froch vs. Mikkel Kessler in Talks For February 28


According to Bjarne Nielsen, who often breaks exclusive Team Palle news in Ekstrabladet, a Danish tabloid, has reported that talks are taking place for a February 28 unification showdown between WBC super middleweight champ Carl Froch and WBA champ Mikkel Kessler.

The report notes that Mogens Palle, Kessler's promoter, was approached by Mick Hennessy, who promotes Froch - and the two sides have been talking the fight over. Froch won the vacant title on December 6 from Jean Pascal. The mandatory to his belt is Jermain Taylor. Kessler, a two-time champion and regarded as the best at the weight, has one loss on his record via decision to Joe Calzaghe.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Lennox Lewis To Join Team Haye To Beat Vitali Klitschko


According to David Haye, former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis is coming on board as an advisor during his training camp for the June clash with WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko. The news broke on Sunday that Haye and Klitschko sat down in Germany and reached an agreement on the terms for their fight. Lewis fought Vitali Klitschko in 2003, stopping him after six rounds when the ring doctor felt that Vitali's facial cuts were too severe to allow him to continue. There was never a rematch, Lewis retired a few months later.

"I'm really good friends with Lennox. "He wasn't impressed with Wladimir's performance against Hasim Rahman (a seventh-round stoppage on Saturday) either and thinks I would knock him out. Lennox has worked with me in the gym before, he's seen me sparring, he knows I'm the real deal. I'll definitely bring him on board in an advisory role," Haye told Sportinglife .

"He's fought Vitali, he knows what works and what doesn't and if there's anyone to give me advice about strategy, it's Lennox. Maybe I'll go to the States where he is based. I've got six months, a long build-up to the fight, so why not?"

Many expected Haye to fight younger brother Wladimir, holder of the WBO/IBF titles, but the British talker claims that after Vitali watched him break apart Monte Barrett a few weeks ago - he didn't want his younger brother involved.

"It was always going to be Wladimir until my fight with Barrett. But Vitali was ringside for my victory over Barrett and I think he saw something in me that he doesn't want his brother getting involved in, someone like me, who isn't afraid of getting jabbed. I am someone who wants to go out there throwing bombs and my bombs on Wladimir's chin would equal a knockout. Vitali knows he has got a lot better chin (than Wladimir). He's a lot sturdier and stronger, so I think he made a family decision and put himself in the firing line," Haye said.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Vitali Klitschko: "I Will Knock Haye Out For Wladimir"


There appears to be some legit bad blood for the proposed June fight between WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and former cruiserweight champ David Haye. Vitali became enraged after he saw a photo in a mens health magazine of Haye laughing while holding a decapitated head of younger brother Wladimir Klitschko. After Vitali saw the photo, he told family members that he was going to make Haye pay for crossing the line. The two fighters reached an agreement last weekend in Germany. The contracts still have to be signed.

Vitali confronted Haye in Germany, while the two fighters sat ringside at the SAP Arena to watch Wladimir demolish Hasim Rahman last Saturday night. Vitali told Haye that he crossed the line. Haye responded by telling Vitali that he was going to knock him out.

"I admit that I was shocked with what I saw in the Men’s Health magazine and my wife even felt unwell," Vitali told Russian media members. "It is difficult to describe my feelings at the moment. There is David Haye on the photo laughing with the head of my brother. I came to David of course and said that it was too blatant and that he overstepped the mark. But, as a response, I got the words that he would beat my brother and then me. "

Vitali will show no mercy when he meets Haye in the ring. He plans to bring a very "cold heart" to the ring.

"I will reply for my brother. He must pay for this photo. I seldom feel inclined to fight but, this time, I will enter the ring with a cold heart. You know lots of people said that they would knock my brother and me out. But it is well known what happened to them, the same would happen with Haye," Vitali said.

 

[tp2001]

Cotto has been a proven ticket seller at the garden. We'll see how many NY Rican's still show him love.

Speaking of Puerto Rican fighters...

It's painful to watch Oquendo's unwillingness to let his hands go. It really is.

I really thought that Fres was going to win that fight...I wasn't all too confident of Toney pulling that out, so when I heard the decision, I was kind of surprised.

Cotto will probably still sell out the Garden...He fought a valiant fight against Margarito, so I don't think the interest for Cotto will go down.

Paul Williams would be a big move for an opponent for Winky, especially since it would end up being nearly two years since his last fight. I wouldn't mind it at all if it happens though

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Sugar Jackson faces Baldomir

Next Saturday in Antwerp, Belgium

The long awaited WBC welterweight eliminator fight between former world champion Carlos Baldomir (44-13-6) from Argentina and former Belgian EBU champion Sugar Jackson Osei Bonsu (29-2) will draw a full house in the Antwerp Lotto Arena on December 20. Sugar Jackson has single-handedly brought boxing back to enormous popularity and guarantees sell out shows at the night of the fight series. The WBC eliminator is the main bout at the night of the fight IV, which is promoted by PSE from Belgium and will be televised live on Belgian TV. Both contenders have prepared their fight very seriously, Carlos Baldomir already being in Antwerp ten days before the event whereas Sugar Jackson had a training camp in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

WBC opens Mosley probe

The WBC may fine or DQ Sugar Shane Mosley after court documents revealed that Mosley testified that he injected himself with the performance enhancing substance EPO before his second fight with Oscar De La Hoya in 2003. Mosley seized both the WBC and WBA super middleweight titles held by De La Hoya in that bout. "It was a real surprise to read that Mosley has confessed that he did take those medicines, those drugs that are totally prohibited by the WBC," WBC president Jose Sulaiman told the NY Daily News. "The WBC rules state that we must have a hearing. This is a matter of serious concern to us." The WBC legal counsel is currently gathering evidence on Mosley to present to the WBC Board of Governors. Shane is scheduled to challenge WBA welterweight champion Antonio Margarito on January 24th.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

David Haye - "If Vitali Lands Flush, He Will Stop Me"

Former undisputed cruiserweight champ David Haye is not trying to distort the truth. He knows the limitations of his questionable chin. During a recent interview with Steve Bunce, Haye said WBC champion Vitali Klitschko would knock him out if he manages to land a flush shot.

Haye and Vitali met last weekend in Germany and reached an agreement for a potential fight in June. While Haye admits there is high risk involved, he says Vitali will never get the chance to land a big shot. He admits that Klitschko is very strong, but also views him as being a very slow fighter. Too slow to land a knockout punch. Haye wants to finish what Lennox Lewis started during his bout with Vitali in 2003. Haye plans to Vitali into retirement on his back - and then he will target younger brother Wladimir.

"What is the point in having all of those physical advantages if you are slow and take forever to get your shots off?" added Haye. "If he hits me flush on the chin he will knock me out but I will take him out first. That is what the heavyweight boxing is all about. Wladimir Klitschko goes over too easy and this giant (Vitali) has never even been knocked down. Lennox Lewis couldn't hurt him but I will end his reign and send him into retirement and then I will knock out the other one."

Haye said the meeting with Vitali to make the deal was a smooth and easy process. Though contracts still have to be signed and finalized.

"It was just us in the room. Vitali and me and our managers, who are also our promotional partners, and the deal in the end was easy because it is the fight that heavyweight boxing wants to see," Haye said.

There is still the open matter of Vitali's mandatory title defense against Juan Carlos Gomez. As previously reported, Vitali's manager Bernd Boente says that his fighter is ready to drop the title if the WBC refuses to sanction the fight with Haye. He says the fight is bigger than the WBC title.

"This is the biggest fight in the heavyweight division and people all over the world want to see it," said Boente. "We will wait and see what the WBC have to say but it could take place without the belt. It is big enough."

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Chad Dawson's Manager Would Love a Hopkins Fight

I spoke with IBF Light Heavyweight champion Chad Dawson's manager Mike Criscio on Monday afternoon to get his thoughts on Bernard Hopkins' recent comments and also to find out what's next for 'Bad Chad'.

Hopkins, coming off his great win over Kelly Pavlik, is apparently telling anybody that will listen that he has run out of opponents since Joe Calzaghe will not engage in a rematch with him and Roy Jones, Jr. is damaged goods.

Criscio said that he has heard what Hopkins has said. He also says that his young, undefeated champion is more than willing to fight Hopkins - but so far Bernard is reluctant.

"Bernard knows that Chad is just too young and too fast," said Criscio. "Bernard knows that he doesn't want to risk his legacy. He just wants to take it easy and make fights as easy as he can get them."

Certainly Dawson looked like a world-beater with his signature win over Antonio Tarver in October. The New Haven, Connecticut native showed he has a multi-faceted game and that his youth and energy along with his speed are huge equalizers. Dawson rolled his record to 27-0 (17)KO's and made relatively easy work of Tarver.

"We wish Bernard would fight us," said Criscio. "We would love to fight Bernard and I think it would be a great fight. Bernard's 43, but he doesn't box like he's 43 and he doesn't look like he's 43. He fights like a 25 year-old and he has a body like a 25 year-old kid. He's found the fountain of youth somehow."

"Chad just wants to fight the best in the light heavyweight division and he wants the best fights possible. He wants the Calzaghes, the B-Hops and the Roy Jones' of the world," said Criscio of his 26 year-old, southpaw client.

"I think the fans would love to see a Hopkins fight, the fans would love to see that fight," said Criscio.

Next up for Dawson will be a headline appearance on an HBO World Championship Boxing telecast at the end of February or first of March with the exact date and site to be determined.

"We're not sure yet of the opponent, either," said Criscio. However, he was able to confirm the fight will be a defense of Dawson's IBF 175-pound title.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

"King Kong" Agbeko Targets Gerry Penalosa, Mabuza


IBF bantamweight champion Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko, coming off his recent defense against William Gonzalez, is targeting countryman Silence Mabuza and WBO champion Gerry Penalosa. Agbeko plans a March return to the ring and wants either fighter as the opponent.

Agbeko views Penalosa as a big name to fight in America. In the case of Mabuza, there is some tension. Mabuza threw a lot of challenges while Agbeko was training for the fight with Gonzalez. Agbeko is willing to fight him before a possible unification with Penalosa.

“Gerry Penalosa is big in America and he is also respected, so if I want to soar above him I have to fight him and I am ready for him. Mabuza is the third contender in the IBF rankings and the good thing is that he has already expressed the interest to fight me. If negotiations go well between our camps I could fight him before facing Penalosa," Agbeko told Graphic Online.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Rafael Marquez vs. Celestino Caballero is in The Works?

According to trainer Ignacio Beristain, an offer was presented for Rafael Marquez to get a crack at WBA/IBF super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero at the end of February. The venue will be agreed upon at a later date, but should be in the United States. After recently stopping Steve Molitor in the fourth round of their unification bout, Caballero began calling out all of the big names at his weight. Lately he's been chasing WBO champ Juan Manuel Lopez, who appears to have other plans.

Beristain told ESTO that he plans to accompany Marquez's manager, Jaime Quintana, to a meeting in the next week or two in Los Angeles to discuss the possible fight. The man everyone wants to face at the weight, WBC ruler Israel Vazquez, is recovering from his recent surgery for a detached retina in his right eye.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Guerrero now a free agent

After a ten month layoff, two-time world champion, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (21-1-1, 15 KO’s), got the news today from lawyer Bruce Zabarauskas, that the California State Athletic Commission ruled in his favor regarding his arbitration case against Goossen Tutor. Now a free agent, Guerrero will sit down with this management team of Shelly Finkel and Bob Santos to discuss what promotional company they will choose for representation. Guerrero whose undefeated in world title fights (4-0, 4 KO’s), is ecstatic about his future while targeting the elite fighters in his respected division. “I’m ready to challenge the best fighters in the world of boxing,” said Guerrero. “Pacquiao, Marquez and Barrera are a few names that come to mind. Now that I’ve moved up in weight, my goal is to capture a third world title in two weight classes.” While away from the ring, Guerrero looked at this layoff as a blessing in disguise as he went on to say, “This layoff has enabled me to take care of my wife during her battle with cancer. I’ve been able to be by her side as she’s been going through her chemotherapy treatments. I’m happy to say with God’s blessing’s that she is now in remission.”

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

DAWSON-TARVER REMATCH SNATCHING WINKY'S DATE?

HBO will air the Chad Dawson-Antonio Tarver rematch as early as March 14, a date Winky Wright could also appear on if he's able to solidify bout with a handful of fighters dubbed HBO approvable.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

GOLDEN BOY TO INKS GUERRERO?

Guerrero a promotional free agent


Golden Boy Promotions will soon be named as the official promoter of former IBF featherweight champion Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero. This news comes on the heels of Guerrero's victory over former promoter Dan Goossen in an arbitration.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

MARQUEZ-DIAZ IN THE WORKS, BUT JUAN MANUEL NOT IN ANY HURRY TO SIGN!

Juan Diaz has already agreed to face linear lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in March or April of 09, however Juan Manuel has not yet agreed to the fight, therefore no agreement or announcement can formally been made.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

HBO SNUBS TAYLOR-FROCH

HBO losing interest in Jermain Taylor?


Sources close to former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor provided some surprising news earlier today. It turns out that HBO will not approve Jermain Taylor's title challenge against undefeated super middleweight champ Carl Froch. Our sources inform us that HBO's list of Taylor opponents is so short (Winky Wright or Mikkel Kessler) that Taylor's braintrust could be inclined to shop Taylor to Showtime.

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Hitman targets Pacman (sort of)

Ricky Hatton's lawyer Gareth Williams says Hatton is interested in a showdown with P4P king Manny Pacquiao, but only under the Hatton Camp's terms. "Every light welterweight in the world wants to fight Hatton," Williams told PA Sport. "We've had approaches from everybody. We've also had approaches from people at 130 pounds, Juan (Manuel) Marquez and Juan Diaz both want to fight him. He is a massive draw and can fight where he wants. We've also had approaches from Mayweather to have a rematch with him. He wants to fight Ricky. But the fight we want to make, our preference, is Manny Pacquiao because we think that is a great fight. Ricky has made no secret of the fact he wants to take on the best and Pacquiao is regarded as the best....but it has to be on our terms. We won't be bullied or forced into any decision that is not on our terms."

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

KINGPIN JOHNSON CALLS OUT THE NIGHTMARE


If you ask Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson, he'll tell you he'd fight anyone you put in front of him, and he wouldn't be lying. Since turning pro on February 13, 2003, the Star Boxing prospect has been telling anyone who would listen he's destined to become the next great heavyweight champion. Now 21 wins later against 0 defeats, Johnson is willing to put his boasts on the line, and also a very good friendship, by challenging fellow American heavyweight hopeful Chris "Nightmare" Arreola (26-0 with 23 KOs). Arreola last fought on November 29th on HBO against Travis Walker (28-2-1, 22KO) stopping Walker in the third round. Johnson's promoter, Star Boxing CEO Joe DeGuardia said, "We think that Kevin is the best heavyweight in the world. On the other hand, Chris thinks he is the best and has his people telling him the same thing. Depending on who you talk to in the industry, one person will say Kevin is the best, another will say Chris is. So let's decide who actually is the best and have these two great heavyweight prospects fight each other, plain and simple," said "It would be a great fight for the fans, a great fight for the heavyweight division and a great fight for the U.S. The winner clearly cements themselves as THE best American heavyweight... and THE rightful challenger to the heavyweight champions out there."

 

[Ready2Rumble82]

Klitschko-Haye: Two Sides to the Restaurant Altercation


The near brawl that took place between WBC champion Vitali Klitschko and rival David Haye has the streets talking in several countries. Prior to the two fighters reaching an agreement for a June fight, they nearly exchanged punches in a packed restaurant during their meeting last weekend in Germany. Vitali lost his temper after Haye threw a magazine on the table that featured a photo of the talkative Brit holding a decaptitated head of younger brother Wladimir.

Klitschko’s manager Berndt Boente told The Sun that Vitali became "very angry" when he saw the photo and physically went after Haye. The two fighters began to wrestle and the wild scene ended when Vitali pushed Haye and the British fighter fell backwards.

“Vitali was very, very angry. He grabbed David and they then wrestled for a few seconds. He also gave David a push. He fell back and then tried to make a joke of it by doing some kind of dance — only then did it calm down,” Boente said.

Adam Booth, who mananges Haye, told The Guardian that Vitali grabbed the Hayemaker by the throat when he saw magazine photo, stunning both manangers and Haye.

“I was sitting with Vitali’s manager for negotiations to set up the fight for about 18 hours. At the end David and Vitali came to the restaurant to shake hands over the table. David tossed a copy of the magazine across the table with him dressed up as one of the characters from the ‘Reservoir Dogs’ film holding Wladimir’s head. When Vitali saw it he just lost the plot, jumped up and grabbed David by the scruff of the neck and started yelling at him that he would pay for it," Booth said.

Haye believes that he's finally broken the mental wills of the Klitschkos.

"I have already riled the boys. Wladimir's fight with Hasim Rahman was just boring. A Mike Tyson would have eaten him up in three rounds and spat him out. That is exactly what I am going to do with the lame Klitschkos," Haye said.

Vitali promised to do some serious damage when he steps in the ring with Haye.

"I will do that without emotion in the ring. I will reply for my brother and Haye must pay for this photo. You know lots of people said that they would knock my brother and me out. But it is well known what happened to them and the same would happen with Haye," Vitali said.