Sources have told 15rounds.com that Alex Bunema will take on Sergio Martinez on October 4th at The Pechanga Resort in Temecula, California for the WBC Interim Super Welterweight title.
HELP WANTED: TITLE CHALLENGER
August 20, 2008 By 46 Comments
Big time success in boxing, just as in any sport or entertainment endeavor, is often simply contingent on getting the right opportunity and exposure at the right time. 33 year old Sergio Gabriel Martinez, an Argentinean now residing in Madrid, Spain, is scheduled to get his shot on October 4 as he fights for the WBC interim light middleweight title in a fight to be broadcast live on HBO.
CAPITOL HILL CONTROVERSY
August 18, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Officially, Ishmail “The Arsenal” Arvin, 15-1-4 (7), defeated Anthony “The Messenger” Thompson, 23-3 (17), by TKO 6 in a scheduled 12 rounder for some meaningless trinket called the USBO Jr. Middleweight title. The bout was held at the Ibiza Nightclub in Washington D.C. before an estimated 120 in the main event of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.
CAPITOL HILL CONTROVERSY
August 18, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Officially, Ishmail “The Arsenal” Arvin, 15-1-4 (7), defeated Anthony “The Messenger” Thompson, 23-3 (17), by TKO 6 in a scheduled 12 rounder for some meaningless trinket called the USBO Jr. Middleweight title. The bout was held at the Ibiza Nightclub in Washington D.C. before an estimated 120 in the main event of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.
GOLDEN BOY: RIPE FOR CRITICISM OR JUST THE WHIPPING BOY?
August 14, 2008 By 37 Comments
It seems to me that if you regularly read the boxing columns from a number if sites, you might begin to feel after awhile that there is an overall media bias against Golden Boy Promotions (GBP). It wasn’t always this way but it seems to have developed over time. And, if it’s not a story in print, there are the subtle whispers and snickers from behind the scenes that evidence my point.
[Read more...]
DEPRECIATING ASSETS
August 11, 2008 By 49 Comments
It was recently announced that DiBella Entertainment has signed former welterweight titlist Kermit Cintron. This would appear to be a coup for DBE as the 27 year old Cintron, 29-2 (27), is a devastating power puncher still in his prime who has suffered both of his losses to Antonio Margarito, certainly no disgrace.
The 147 pound division is the deepest and most talented in the game, and it would seem on the surface that there are any number of big fights out there for someone with Cintron’s resume. It’s not inconceivable that he could ultimately win another belt somewhere along the line, provided that he stays away from Margarito. So why did Main Events let him go, for the second time no less?
[Read more...]
DEPRECIATING ASSETS
August 11, 2008 By Leave a Comment
It was recently announced that DiBella Entertainment has signed former welterweight titlist Kermit Cintron. This would appear to be a coup for DBE as the 27 year old Cintron, 29-2 (27), is a devastating power puncher still in his prime who has suffered both of his losses to Antonio Margarito, certainly no disgrace.
PACQUIAO-DE LA HOYA MATCH IS A FARCE
August 6, 2008 By Leave a Comment
In a perfect world Oscar De La Hoya would be facing Antonio Margarito on December 6 in his farewell fight. Margarito, who had just won the WBA welterweight title from previously undefeated Miguel Cotto, is hands down the very best opponent from a competitive standpoint and could even fight at 150 pounds if Oscar was to so choose.
Oscar has faced the very best throughout his career– Felix Trinidad, Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley (twice) are examples of De La Hoya’s desire to mix it up with the best. Yes, he lost to them all, and the fact is that he has never beaten a premier fighter at their peak. So if safe to say that the odds would be stacked against him with Margarito as well, but he could proudly walk away from the ring saying, “I took them all on and I never ducked a tough fight.”
[Read more...]
PACQUIAO-DE LA HOYA MATCH IS A FARCE
August 6, 2008 By Leave a Comment
In a perfect world Oscar De La Hoya would be facing Antonio Margarito on December 6 in his farewell fight. Margarito, who had just won the WBA welterweight title from previously undefeated Miguel Cotto, is hands down the very best opponent from a competitive standpoint and could even fight at 150 pounds if Oscar was to so choose.
ONE TOO MANY
August 6, 2008 By 49 Comments
In the early days of boxing television broadcasts, there was one announcer who said very little except to describe the action in the ring, and didn’t always do that. And then in 1960 Don Dunphy moved to television after 19 years in radio and drawing off of that experience he painted a picture of every nuance that occurred in the ring.
During a 40 year career he called some 2,000 fights in his nasally, high pitched voice that set a standard for boxing announcers that endures to this day. During his radio days he worked with color man Bill Corum, but the fight description, as always, belonged exclusively to Dunphy.
[Read more...]
ONE TOO MANY
August 4, 2008 By Leave a Comment
In the early days of boxing television broadcasts, there was one announcer who said very little except to describe the action in the ring, and didn’t always do that. And then in 1960 Don Dunphy moved to television after 19 years in radio and drawing off of that experience he painted a picture of every nuance that occurred in the ring.
REFLECTIONS IN THE AFTERMATH
July 28, 2008 By Leave a Comment
“Miguel fought a great fight, a perfect fight. Anyone else he slows down and takes out. This guy was like an express train that he couldn’t slow down and the express train ran over him. Cotto was hitting him with tremendous punches and they were having no affect at all. It’s as simple as that.”
THE CLASSIC CONFRONTATION
July 23, 2008 By Leave a Comment
This Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Top Rank presents “The Battle,” the long anticipated matchup of Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito. In the opinion of many hardcore fans and experts this is the best possible welterweight bout out there, with or without Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the mix.
CALIFORNICATED?
July 21, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Last Wednesday night at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California, James Toney defeated Hasim Rahman by a TKO at the end of round three in a heavyweight bout televised by Fox’s “The Best Damn Sports Show Period.” Or did he?
ONE LIVE UNDERDOG
July 9, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Tony “The Tiger” Thompson, 31-1 (19), finally gets his shot at the heavyweight title on Saturday, July 12, facing IBF/WBO/IBO champion Wladimir Klitschko, 50-3 (44). The fight will be held at the Color Line Arena in Klitschko country of Hamburg, Germany, and televised live on HBO at 4:30 p.m. ET, and 1:30 p.m. PT, with a replay at 10:00 p.m.
SHEDDING the BURDEN of BARRANQUILLA
July 2, 2008 By 1 Comment
This Saturday night, July 5, there will be some additional holiday fireworks at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Ricardo Torres and Kendall Holt will try to pick up where they left off last September 1 when their first fight ended, prematurely I believe, bringing on a tidal wave of controversy.
PACQUIAO MAKES PEOPLE HAPPY
June 30, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Last Saturday night at the Mandalay Events Center in Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao won the WBC lightweight title by TKO at 2:24 of round nine over a game, but outclassed, David Diaz. At the post fight press conference, Manny was asked if he thought he was the best lightweight in the world.
THE SHAW-SHANK REDEMPTION
June 25, 2008 By Leave a Comment
On Tuesday we ran a story, “Saw it Coming a Mile Away,” about the defections of flyweight titlist Nonito Donaire and junior middleweight contender James Kirkland from the Gary Shaw stable. We theorized as to the possible reasons and future implications of their signing new promotional contracts.
SAW IT COMING A MILE AWAY
June 23, 2008 By 1 Comment
There is no doubt in my mind that flyweight titleholder Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire and junior middleweight contender James “Mandingo” Kirkland are both destined to become very successful stars on the boxing horizon for years to come. However, barring a legal reversal, they’ll be doing it without Gary Shaw as their promoter. The two fighters have recently fired Shaw for breach of contract and for failure to provide revenue statements as provided by the Muhammad Ali Act.
THE BEST OF THE WEEKEND PICKS
June 20, 2008 By Leave a Comment
This past Thursday we reviewed the events of the “King” Arthur Abraham-Edison Miranda fight of September 23, 2006, held in Abraham’s back yard of Germany. The Berlin resident and undefeated IBF middleweight titlist Abraham was beat to a pulp but escaped with a unanimous decision, with the help of some questionable officiating.
ABRAHAM-MIRANDA I REPRISED
June 18, 2008 By Leave a Comment
This Saturday Showtime features a 12 round non-title bout featuring IBF middleweight titlist “King” Arthur Abraham, 26-0 (21), and Edison “Pantera” Miranda, 30-2 (26), in the rematch of their controversial fight of September 23, 2006. The broadcast, from the fan friendly venue of the Seminole Hard Rock Live Resort and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT, fought at a catch weight of 166 pounds.
BREAKING EVERY STEREOTYPE
June 16, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Last Friday at the Isleta Casino and Resort in Albuquerque, New Mexico, there was a very entertaining night of boxing that highlighted female fighters. “Finally,” as the card was billed, was a PPV event that featured Holly Holm vs. Mary Jo Sanders in a main event for the Woman’s Boxing Archive Network (WBAN) pound for pound belt and the IFBA junior middleweight title.
FLOYD’S HONORABLE DISCHARGE
June 14, 2008 By Leave a Comment
I must confess that I was among the cynics who questioned Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s motives for retirement. No sooner had I read his retirement letter addressed to the media than I began to believe that he was simply posturing for a better deal for his now aborted September 20 rematch with Oscar De La Hoya. Floyd was to earn $20 million, a considerable amount of cash to walk away from, even for “Money Mayweather.”
INTEGRITY TEST
June 11, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Well, what do you know? Who was that sitting at the commission table, flush against the ring apron at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville Connecticut Saturday night to enjoy a night of championship boxing? It turns out to be none other than Armando Garcia, the Executive Director of the California State Athletic Commission, almost 3,000 miles from home and business, but still right in the thick of the sport we all love.
SHOCKING MORA WIN LEAVES THIS WRITER EMBARRASSED
June 9, 2008 By 48 Comments
From its inception on the NBC network, admittedly I’ve been generally unkind to “The Contender” fighters, and particularly to Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora. And up until Mora upset Vernon Forrest for the WBC junior middleweight title by majority decision, 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112 on Saturday night, my instincts have been proven correct.
ELITE XC SUCCESS ON CBS
June 5, 2008 By 42 Comments
If you haven’t picked up the July issue of Boxing Digest as yet, (the one with Pacquiao vs. Diaz on the cover and a brilliantly written article on the fight on pages 18-21), there is a fascinating story by Zach Arnold regarding the debut of EliteXC on CBS last Saturday. I highly recommend that you turn to page 48 and check it out as soon as you’ve read the Pacquiao-Diaz story.
POINT AND COUNTERPOINT
June 2, 2008 By Leave a Comment
To begin, first and foremost, we extend Get Well Soon wishes to Shelly Finkel who is having angioplasty surgery on Tuesday morning. Despite the upcoming surgery, he graciously agreed to this interview. We didn’t toss out softballs as you might see in some interviews with influential figures in boxing, and whether you agree with him or not, he didn’t duck any questions.
RULES ARE RULES, FOR THE MOST PART
May 30, 2008 By 39 Comments
On June 21, HBO’s Boxing After Dark presents unbeaten welterweight contender Andre Berto, ranked #1 by the WBC, facing Miguel Angel Rodriguez, ranked #2, in what is said to be a title eliminator. Berto, 21-0 (18), is the more highly touted participant, having gained considerable TV time after an amateur career of 200 fights and a berth on the 2004 Haitian Olympic team.
HEAD TO HEAD ON JUNE 7
May 28, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Showtime and HBO go head to head on the first Saturday of June with each network providing intriguing cards. The HBO card, which we’ll address on a later date, features a superstar, Kelly Pavlik, 33-0 (29), against a virtual unknown, Gary Lockett, 30-1 (21), for the WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine titles. The co-main event might be a bit underrated with Daniel Ponce de Leon, 34-1 (30), defending his WBO bantamweight title against Juan Manuel Lopez, 21-0 (19). That one should steal the show on the HBO card.
PREVIEW OF THE INEVITABLE
May 26, 2008 By 39 Comments
Boxing careers have a shelf life comparable to an automobile. A well conditioned, properly maintained vehicle will be running like a top for years, while a roughly handled, hard driven car that has been abused since it left the lot will likely be a clunker before its time.