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Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Toney, Batchelder Test Positive for Steroids; Suspended for One Year
James Toney and his opponent from his last bout on May 24th, Danny Batchelder, have both tested positive for steroids according to California State Athletic Commission Executive Officier Armando Garcia.
They both tested for two different types of steroids. Toney for boldendone and stanazol; Batchelder for stanazol and oxandolone.
“They have a right to appeal,” Garcia said Wednesday. “My recommendation is suspension until the end of the licensing year and a $2,500 fine for both. We will give them the 30 days to appeal. If they don’t, that’s what the suspension will be.”
“We have a detailed anti-doping program in place in this state,” Garcia said. “If they come here doping, they’re going to get caught.”
Unlike the last time Toney tested positive for steroids, the outcome of his bout with Batchelder will not be changed and his split decision win will stand. Toney came up positive for nandrolone two years ago and his victory over John Ruiz was changed to a no contest.
Could this be the end for Toney? It just might be…
Inside the Ropes
Inside the Ropes
Author: Arthur MercanteHe was the best referee of my time and were some great ones. Men like Mills Lane and Joe Cortez among others. Arthur Mercante was the cream that rose to the top. Now he has written a book titled Inside The Ropes. It is a recollection of Mercante’s travels through the landscape of boxing. Mr. Mercante has decades of memories that he shares his readers. It is a wonderful trip back in time as he talks about some of the famous fights that he acted as the third man. Patterson - Johannson II and Ali - Frazier I among others. Mercante talks about some of the best boxers he’s come in contact with. Foreman, Frazier, Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard and a young Cassius Clay.
I thoroughly I enjoyed this book. It’s a slice of boxing history through the eyes of a man who has seen it up close and personal. I highly recommend this fine book.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Cotto, Judah Both Make Weight
Zab Judah and WBA Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto have both officially made weight for their scheduled bout tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden on HBO.
Judah weighed in at 145 lbs; Cotto 146 lbs.
Report: Merchant Signs Extension with HBO
Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Larry Merchant has agreed to a two-year contract extension with HBO to remain one of their lead analysts:
A source close to Kellerman confirmed that Kellerman agreed to a deal in March 2006 that would make him the lead analyst on all HBO World Championship Boxing and HBO Pay-Per-View telecasts as of June 1, 2007. The contract called for Kellerman, 33, to serve as the analyst on HBO’s Boxing After Dark telecasts prior to that, which he has done.
Merchant’s contract with HBO expired on May 31, but he agreed to return to his old job for Saturday’s WBA welterweight title fight at Madison Square Garden between unbeaten champion Miguel Cotto and Zab Judah.
But Merchant has now agreed to a two-year contract extension with a two-year mutual option to appear in the same role on half of all HBO World Championship Boxing and HBO Pay-Per-View telecasts.
“In general, my attitude has been that I’ve been a leading man forever and that I was willing to take a step back in some transitional sort of role,” Merchant, 76, said. “That’s been my attitude from the start. Let’s just say that it’s been a long, long negotiation.”
So where does that leave Kellerman in this picture?
Sunday, May 27, 2007
For Some the Sun Did Not Shine
We have all heard of Ali, Frazier and Foreman. Of Tyson and Holyfield. The lighter weight classes have produced the likes of Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard. Who will ever forget Duran, Pryor and Arguello?
What about the “near misses”? The ones who in this day of multi- fractured titles would almost surely have garnered a piece of championship pie.
Let’s start with the big boys. Jerry Quarry failed in his first title try losing a debatable decision to underrated Jimmy Ellis. In his final title shot he was out gunned by “Smokin” Joe Frazier. He would later lose a rematch to Frazier as well as two bouts to Muhammad Ali.
Continue reading "For Some the Sun Did Not Shine"
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Crotch Knockout
While your punching bag may not punch you back, it can definitely hurt your senses.
In Cincinnati a father and son wondered what was in their punching bag, in case of a leak. They opened it up to find it was filled with dirty underwear.
Heckel described the discovery as “gross but kind of funny in a way,” and couldn’t help but chuckle as he told his story. He and his son finished installing the punching bag after taking pictures, but he says they have yet to use it.
I’m sure there’s someone out there who’s into that, and maybe they could even sell it on Ebay for something, but they just wanted something to hit.
They weren’t able to contact the company, Technical Knockout Inc, but luckily the compay found their story on a website and reached out to them. They’re now getting a new punching bag sans dirty underwear.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Tommy Morrison Talks MMA Debut, Boxing vs MMA, and Plans to Call Out Chuck Liddell
Yes, I’m talking about former heavyweight boxing champion, former co-star of Rocky V, and former contractor of HIV Tommy Morrison. What’s he doing opening his mouth?
We have to go back and remember Chuck Liddell’s original comment towards Morrison during his infamous interview with Good Morning Texas where Liddell was out of it after taking medicine. When asked who he would want to fight, Liddell responded with Morrison, obviously as a joke. Well it seems that Tommy boy isn’t taking it that way…
Similar to his boxing counterparts in the form of Kermit Cintron, Floyd Mayweather Jr, as well as HBO announcer Jim Lampley, Morrison has gone ahead and defended his sport against those who compete in MMA. He’s also expressed his interest in fighting Liddell and has even said that he plans to call him out at the UFC 71 press conference, which is scheduled for tomorrow by the way.
Let’s break down Morrison’s comments…
Morrison stated that he will be making his MMA debut on June 9th in Arizona against John Stover. The fight will use modified MMA rules where neither fighter is permitted to take the fight nor continue it on the ground. He also talked about his future plans which include a victory over Stover, another boxing match under the Top Rank banner, and then a “mega PPV fight against Liddell in Japan”...
“This guy’s like 350 pounds, so no, I’m not going to the ground. I saw a tape of him the other day, and he’s a big son of a bitch but he’s awkward and slow. But I’m just doing it to help Peter McKinn out, pick up a little money, and sharpen my skills. Then, 20 days later I’ll be back on a Top Rank card at the same place. This is a one time thing. I’m making money and sharpening my skills and it could possibly lead to a mega pay per view fight with Chuck Liddell in Japan down the line. I’ll go over there, make about ten million bucks, slap him out in three rounds…easiest ten million dollars you can make in your life.”
First off, I hope that Morrison is aware that he’s making himself look bad by having the rules modified in order to save himself. Morrison also better hope that the fight doesn’t turn out to be a complete war on the feet or else he won’t be fighting 20 days later like he expects.
Why would you want to fight Liddell over in Japan Tommy? There’s no reason to go over there when it’s obvious you would make the most money right here in the US. Are you afraid of testing positive since a fight against Liddell would most likely be held in Las Vegas or California, not Texas where testing is so lenient.
Here’s my favorite part of Morrison’s rant. According to Morrison’s logic, Butterbean is destroying everyone in the UFC:
“The thing people don’t understand is these UFC guys, if they’re going against another UFC guy, they’re probably pretty good, but a skilled boxer…Butterbean is putting guys in the f*cking hospital. And Butterbean in the boxing world is below mediocre, but in UFC he’s mowing through guys like a knife through hot butter. And (Ray) Mercer is making the transition, Mayweather’s talked about it, and I’m going to do it. Once fighters (boxers) start planting these f*ckers, that sport will go down the tubes in six months. You wait. It’s gonna happen, and we’re going to cash in on it before it happens and ride the waves and expose them.”
First off Tommy, it doesn’t pay to be ignorant. If you are going to try and intelligently discuss a topic, you should try and do a little research on it before running your mouth. Eric Esch has never fought in the UFC and most likely never will because of the 265 lb limit in the organization’s heavyweight division. Go check Butterbean’s record and fight card. He’s 10-3 but go ahead and look at who he’s fought. All of his losses have come against decent fighters. All of his wins with the exception of James Thompson and Cabbage Correira have come against former pro wrestlers, 400 pounders, and cans.
But the best part of this whole thing is Morrison’s plan to attend the UFC 71 pre-event press conference and call out Liddell. The press conference is actually scheduled to be held tomorrow so it should be interesting to hear about what happens.
“I’ll go back and forth between boxing and mixed martial arts if I have to, there’s possibly a lot of money to be made there. Maybe build something up with Chuck Liddell, I’m going to show up at his press conference in Vegas and I’m going to pop off to him and get some sh*t going.”
Two things are going to happen - Morrison isn’t even going to be allowed to attend the conference or he will be let in and then laughed at once he tries to start something with Liddell. Now I would continue with this rant but I’m afraid that Morrison is going to pay me a visit at my house for saying bad things about him. Hysterical…
As for this whole boxing vs MMA thing, here’s the deal. If you take a boxer and have him fight under MMA rules, he will most likely lose. If you take a mixed martial artist and put him in a ring with a pro boxer, he will most likely lose. It’s as simple as that…
Cross-posted on our sister site - MMA on Tap
General • Personalities • Jim Lampley • Floyd Mayweather Jr • Kermit Cintron • Ray Mercer • Tommy Morrison
PermalinkTuesday, May 22, 2007
Foreman Drugged Before Ali Fight?
Apparently that’s what George Foreman is saying in his recently published memoirs, “God in My Corner”.
Foreman states that he may have possibly been drugged just moments before his fight against Muhammad Ali in 1974’s famous “Rumble in the Jungle” when his trainer gave him a drink that tasted like medicine:
“I almost spit it out ... [I told my trainer] ‘Man, I know this water has medicine in it,’” Foreman wrote. “I climbed into the ring with that medicinal taste still lingering in my mouth.”
“After the third round, I was as tired as if I had fought 15 rounds. What’s going on here? Did someone slip a drug in my water?” he wrote.
We will definitely have more on this story as we gather the information…
Update 7:30 PM: Here’s an ESPN Motion clip where Foreman discusses the incident in detail…
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Diego Corrales Killed in Motorcycle Accident
BoxingTalk.com is reporting that Diego Corrales has been killed in an apparent motorcycle accident earlier this evening in Las Vegas.
Earlier tonight former two division world champion Diego Corrales, 29, got into a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas, Nevada and was pronounced dead at the scene. Moments ago Corrales’ manager James Prince confirmed to the grim news to Boxingtalk. Corrales will always be remembered as a warrior in the ring and our deepest condolences go out to his entire family.
We will have much, much more on this as we receive more information…
Update 12:55 AM: Various message forums already have threads discussing Corrales’ death. His Wiki has also been updated.
Update 2:35 AM: It’s no longer just a report, Corrales’ passing is official.
The Las Vegas Police Department stated that the accident took place at the intersection of Fort Apache and Russell Roads in southwest Las Vegas.
All of us at KO Corner send our condolences to the friends and family of Diego Corrales.
A small collection of links as mainstream media is just getting wind of the story:
AP via USA Today: Diego Corrales dies in motorcycle accident in Las Vegas
ESPN: Former two-division champion Corrales killed in Vegas
Yahoo! Sports: Corrales dead in motorcycle accident
AOL Sports: Boxing Champ Diego Corrales Killed in Motorcycle Accident
Doghouse Boxing: Diego Corrales has Died
Boxing Scene: Diego Corrales Killed in Motorcycle Accident
Long Beach Press-Telegram: Corrales, 29, killed in accidentUpdate 1:00 PM: Some more details on the accident…
Early reports are stating that Corrales was traveling upwards of 100 MPH on his motorcycle when he crashed into the back of a car just behind Las Vegas intersection. Corrales was apparently thrown into the intersection by the force of the impact and hit the ground where he was then hit by another car. Corrales died on impact.
He was found with his helmet still on his head and was pronounced dead at the scene. There have been no indications of any involvment of alcohol at this stage in the investigation. At least one of the passengers in one of the vehicles that struck Corrales sustained minor injuries.
Some more links as well…
Boxing Scene: More Details on The Passing of Diego Corrales; Remembering Diego Corrales - Chico, You Were the Man
Eastside Boxing: The Courage and Fire of Diego Corrales; Diego Corrales - 1977-2007. God Bless “Chico”
BBC Sport: Hatton shocked by Corrales death
The Sports Network: Former boxing champ Corrales killed in accident
Chicago Tribune: Boxer Corrales dies in crash
UK Telegraph: Former champion Corrales killed in crash
UK Times Online: Corrales killed in motorcycle crash
IC Coventry: Heroic Corrales a legendary warrior
Seconds Out: Diego Corrales dead at 29
MaxBoxing: Peace at Last for ‘Chico’Monday, April 30, 2007
Welcome to De La Hoya-Mayweather Week
Well it’s finally here - the week and the event that many say will bring boxing back up to the forefront.
Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather will clash in the biggest bout in at least 10 years. They will clash in the biggest bout of this century so far and we will be right here to cover it all for you.
Be sure to check back with us all week long for mucho coverage on the upcoming event as well as predictions on the bout, a massive gathering of media coverage, and a possible 24 hour live blog on Saturday that would cover the hours leading up to the event, the event itself, and all of the post-fight reaction…