July, the first full month of summer, should be a period of appreciation: the blooming of flowers, warm nocturnal zephyrs and abundant sunshine. But the sun set shockingly early for three of boxing’s best this month. For this reason, a part of me wants to forget “Cruel-ly”. The boxing world lost three universally liked and respected members. I hurt because messrs. Arguello, Gatti and Forrest were three of my all-time favorites. But to honor their memories and contributions I will never forget them.

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Star Boxing’s IBF# 2 rated welterweight, Delvin Rodriguez (24-2-2, 14KO) and his team left their camp today in the Catskill Mountains and are headed to the Mohegan Sun, where Rodriguez will take on South Africa’s IBF #3 rated Isaac Hlatshwayo (28-1-1, 10KO) on Saturday night for the vacant IBF Welterweight Championship of the World. The card is being promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

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Ricky Hatton is backing British Middleweight Champion Matthew Macklin to conquer Europe and the World over the next 12 months. The Birmingham man is the latest addition to Hatton’s new promotional outfit and “The Hitman” has moved quickly to secure a European title shot for his newest signing. Macklin will contest the vacant European Middleweight title with World ranked Finn, Amin Asikainen at the Manchester Velodrome on September 25th as he looks to move within touching distance of a World title fight. Having won 5 World titles himself Hatton knows exactly what it takes to get to the very top and he believes that Macklin has all the right ingredients..

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Since Manny Pacquiao emerged from just another fighter looking to make a living, to a multi weight world champion and on to Bona fide Superstar. Boxing has taken an upsurge in The Philippines. One such fighter to take advantage of this is WBO Strawweight world champion Donnie Nietes 24-1-3(14). He won the title in September 2007 when he outpointed then unbeaten Pornsawan Porpramook. He was then kept from defending his title for a variety of reasons before he re-emerged the following August showing no ring rust when he demolished Eddy Castro in two. This past February Nietes made his second defence, this time on the road in Mexico where he turned back the valiant attempt of Erik Ramirez on points. Next up will be another trip to Mexico when he will fight Manuel Vargas on 5 September on the undercard of Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr & Jason LeHoullier. Not bad for a guy who used to be a gym hand and only got into Boxing when he was encouraged to by the other guys in and around the gym.

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Originally Ana Julaton was to challenge for Melissa Hernandez’ WIBA Super Featherweight title this weekend. The bout had been scheduled to take place on the Shobox off-television undercard on Friday in Temecula, California. Then several weeks back the title fight was moved a day to the undercard of Timothy Bradley’s title defense against Nate Campbell. With about a week to go, the Julaton camp received word that the fight would be moved again, this time to September. Undaunted, Julaton and her camp still have Hernandez in their sights as they continue to architect what would be an upset of one of the top female fighters in the game.

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Now Ryan does 20 minutes of Pilates first. He’s stopped talking about it since someone asked if he wears pink spandex under his trunks. It’s Milt’s fault. Milt and age. Milt and that damned jab. Tap, tap, tap on the Everlast patch of his headgear. Ryan’s tucked chin transfers the stress to his lower back. Like what Ali did to Patterson.

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