RSSHeavyweight
Monday, July 02, 2007
EEC - July 2, 2007
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- The rumors are true: Felix Trinidad will be coming out of retirement to fight later this year, most likely in December.
- Oleg Maskaev’s showdown against Samuel Peter has been moved from September 29th to October 6th on Showtime and will now take place at Madison Square Garden according to Don King. Showtime is looking to fill the vacant September 29th weekend spot with a possible matchup between Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson, provided they are both victorious in their bouts on June 9th.
- Contract talks between the camps of Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik are almost finished according to Lou DiBella. Taylor would end up defending his middleweight titles on September 29th on HBO. DiBella says that he is currently attempting to hold the event at Boardwalk Hall.
- NetBoxe is reporting that WBC and WBA Cruiserweight Champion Jean-Marc Mormeck is currently in talks with the camp of David Haye for a possible fight on September 28th.
- Nikolai Valuev and Vladimir Virchis look set to fight at some point this fall. The deadline for purse bids for this fight is July 30th according to Per Ake Persson of Boxing Scene.
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Sunday, July 01, 2007
Holyfield Decisions Savarese
Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield won an unanimous decision over former heavyweight contender Lou Savarese on Saturday night:
Evander Holyfield outworked and outclassed Lou Savarese on Saturday night, winning a 10-round unanimous decision to remain undefeated in his latest comeback.
Holyfield, the 44-year-old former heavyweight champion, started and ended the fight with a hard left to the head of the 41-year-old Savarese. In between, Holyfield was in control.
The judges scored it 98-90, 99-87 and 96-91.
Savarese, a former title contender himself, held his own for the first eight rounds before being knocked off his feet with a hard left to the chin.
Holyfield (42-8-2) knocked Savarese (46-7) to the mat again in the 10th, with Savarese looking as though he was hoping to just stay upright.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Roman Added To Holyfield-Savarese Card
Juarez’ brightest young boxing star, the undefeated Miguel “Mickey Mouse” Roman (21-0), has been added in a feature bout on the June 30th, Holyfield vs Savarese card, scheduled for Saturday, June 30th at UTEP’s Don Haskins Center.
Roman (21-0, 15 KO’s) is scheduled to take on Jose Alonso (29-13-2, 14 KO’s) in a ten round Featherweight fight. The Roman vs Alonso contest will be one of seven fights on the card (see attached), which features 4-time World Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield battling two-time World Heavyweight Contender, Lou Savarese in the main event.
Slated for the Semi-Main Event on the card is El Paso’s undefeated heavyweight sensation, David Rodriguez (25-0) taking on another undefeated prospect, Rick Dyer (13-0, Fort Smith, Ark.).
The June 30th fight against Alonso will be Roman’s second ring appearance in the United States, having fought in El Paso this past October 21st when he knocked out Andres Ladesma in the 3rd round.
Continue reading "Roman Added To Holyfield-Savarese Card"
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Tuesday, June 19, 2007
McCall Wants Title Shot Against Maskaev
Despite fighting in his opponent’s backyard in Ankara, Turkey, former world heavyweight champion Oliver McCall moved a step closer to regaining the crown he once held on Saturday, as he battered and outpointed Sinan Samil Sam over 12 rounds to win the WBC international championship and earn a shot at the WBC crown currently held by Oleg Maskaev.
“Maskaev, Sam Peter, Vitali Klitschko, it don’t matter,” said McCall when discussing the fighters currently embroiled in their own battles for the WBC crown. “I already knocked out Maskaev once, I wouldn’t mind exposing Peter as all hype, and I could send Klitschko back into retirement. I just want my title shot and I’m gonna get my belt back. Mr. Sulaiman said the winner of my fight with Sam will get a title shot, and I know him to be a man of his word. I can’t wait!”
Continue reading "McCall Wants Title Shot Against Maskaev"
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Thursday, June 14, 2007
Holmes: Morrison is “Full of Crap”, Still Has AIDS
Former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes appeared on ESPN Radio’s The Dan Patrick Show earlier today and certainly didn’t shy away from talking about the Tommy Morrison situation going on right now…
Holmes on Morrison’s claims of being AIDS-free:
“I think he’s full of crap. I think he’s got it and it’s a shame that he gets in the ring and he just might infect someone else. We still don’t know a lot about that disease that he’s carrying around called AIDS,” Holmes said.
Holmes on why Morrison is still fighting despite having the disease:
“I think he’s broke and he could use some money and that’s why fighters do these things. That’s why fighters are fighting him. They could get a few dollars by stepping in the ring and facing Tommy Morrison. We could all say ‘well it won’t happen to me,’ but it could happen to you,” Holmes said. “Tommy Morrison thought the same thing ‘it would never happen to me.’ Look it happened to him. He’s infected and he says ‘what hell, I might as well give someone else the disease, somebody gave it to me.’
Holmes on testing and Morrison’s next fight:
“They (Nevada State Athletic Commission) are going to put him through a test. When I fought in Las Vegas over the age of 40, they put me through ever test to make sure I was healthy. They wanted to make sure that I was capable to do what I was doing and those are the kind of tests they are going to put Tommy Morrison through. He knows this and this is why he chose not to go to Las Vegas,” Holmes said. “Anybody can go to a reservation. I’m 57-years-old and if I wanted to fight, I can go to any reservation to fight. But, if I go to Las Vegas, they are going to put me through all kinds of tests to make sure I can even stand up. Not only if I could stand up, but somebody would tell me no.
Holmes on getting in the ring with Morrison:
“No. I wouldn’t get in the ring with Tommy Morrison now because of the disease that he has and I don’t want to be infected. I don’t know why anybody would want to get in the ring with him. They have to be desperate fighters to get in the ring with Tommy Morrison and not really caring about their life or their family’s lives,” Holmes said.
“I want to say to Tommy and I hope he’s listening. Give it up. You were former heavyweight champion of the world. You beat George Foreman. You should put that on your chest and wear it. No matter what people say, you were the heavyweight champ of the world so why continue to go out there and stress yourself out.”
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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…
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Grant Ends Hiatus on ESPN
NEW YORK – Pro boxing goes upscale when “Black-Tie Boxing” comes to New York City on June 27 as caviar and champagne replace hot dogs and beer, tuxedos and gowns become required attire and fashion models serve as round card girls, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
“Black-Tie Boxing,” presented by Thomas Gallagher Productions, Inc., will be broadcast live on ESPN2 Wednesday Night Fights, headlined by a 12-round super middleweight title fight between former USBA champion Yusaf Mack (22-1-2, 14 KOs), rated No. 15 by the IBF, and Puerto Rican power puncher Jose Juan “Zeus” Vasquez (16-1-1, 9 KOs).
In a pair of eight-round co-feature events, former world heavyweight title contender “Big” Michael Grant (41-3, 31 KOs), former IBC and NABF champion, returns to the ring after a two-year absence against tough veteran Billy “The Kid” Zumbrun (21-8-1, 11 KOs); former Intercontinental welterweight champion Nick “Ace” Acevedo (17-2, 9 KOs), star of the The Contender II television reality series, faces dangerous light middleweight Max “Holy Hands” Cuevas (9-5-1, 5 KOs).Continue reading "Grant Ends Hiatus on ESPN"
Friday, June 08, 2007
Nick Charles to Call Rahman-Sykes
Nick Charles, one of boxing’s finest and most recognizable blow-by-blow announcers has joined Versus and will make his network debut on the next Fight Night on Versus in collaboration with Top Rank Boxing, Thursday, June 14 at 9 p.m. ET from the Main Street Armory in Rochester, New York.
Charles, the blow-by-blow voice of Showtime’s Shobox since 2001, replaces Bob Papa and will join Wallace Matthews to form the Versus Fight Night announce team. One of the original members of CNN, Charles began his career in the mid-70’s in Washington D.C. where he served as an anchor for CNN Sports for 21 years and won two Cable Ace Awards. The first fight he covered was the 1976 heavyweight championship bout between Muhammad Ali and Jimmy Young.
“We’re delighted to have someone with the reputation and experience of Nick Charles join our Versus Fight Night team,” said Marc Fein, Senior Vice President of Programming and Production for Versus. “Nick has been a ringside fixture at major boxing events and his professionalism and knowledge will provide our fans with great boxing insight during each Fight Night telecast.”
Versus’ June 14 Fight Night will be headlined by a 10-round heavyweight bout pitting former two-time WBC heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman (41-6-2, 33 KOs) against former NABA champion Taurus Sykes (25-3-1, 7 KOs). Rahman first emerged as a heavyweight champion when he knocked out Lennox Lewis in the fifth round of their first clash in 2001; but Lennox took the title back in their rematch.
Also featured will be Kid Diamond (24-1-1, 14 KOs), of Las Vegas in the NABF Lightweight Championship against Mexico City’s Miguel Angel Huerta (24-7-1, 17 KOs). Diamond, whose real name is Almzabek Raiymkulov, is a native of Kyrgystan. In his last fight, September 14, 2006 in Las Vegas, which was televised by Versus, Diamond scored a 7th round TKO against Jairo Ramirez.
Broadcasters • Versus • KO Corner News • Promoters • Top Rank • Weight Classes • Heavyweight • Hasim Rahman
PermalinkFriday, May 25, 2007
Toney Wins Split Decision in Bad Performance
James Toney won a split decision over Danny Batchelder last night in a very lackluster performance for Toney.
The crowd of only 4,269 was probably an omen that the main event wasn’t going to be very exciting. Batchelder took the fight on only three weeks notice and I’m sure that didn’t help things either. Basically Toney looked old last night, so old that his poor performances against Samuel Peter actually looked decent. The fight was said to be extremely boring and those that didn’t leave early rained down boos throughout the fight.
Toney came into the fight out of shape once again, not a surprise to those that have been following him for the last couple of years. Reports said that Toney weighed in at 229 lbs, an improvement from his 257 lb effort before the first Peter fight but still above his supposed “target weight” of 217 lbs that he claimed he was going to get to last month.
The judges’ scorecards read 98-92 and 97-93 for Toney and 96-94 for Batchelder…
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
De La Hoya Picks Ibragimov Over Briggs
LOS ANGELES – Sultan Ibragimov is ready to put his unbeaten record up for grabs against the WBO Heavyweight Champion, Shannon Briggs, on Saturday, June 2nd at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ.
The high-impact 12-round showdown is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Seminole Warriors Boxing Promotions in association with Caesar’s Atlantic City, Nafta Moskya, Golden Grain, CSI Sports, Global Advertising and Main Events. The fight will be shown on Pay-Per-View and begins at 9:00 pm ET/ 6:00 pm PT.
Ibragimov is one of the hottest talents in the heavyweight division, and experts as well as his Russian supporters believe he has the ability to beat the current champion in this long-awaited match up. The championship fight was originally scheduled for March 10, but was postponed after Briggs suffered from an pneumonia.
“We’re confident that Sultan Ibragimov is the next heavyweight champion of the world, and we’re eager to see him beat Shannon Briggs and put the championship belt around his waist,” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya.
“He dominated Javier Mora with a quick 46-second knockout in the first round of his last fight, and we know he is ready for his fight against Briggs,” continued De La Hoya.
A 2000 Olympic Silver medalist for Russia, Sultan Ibragamov (20-0-1, 17 KO’s) turned pro in 2002 with a first round knockout of Tracy Williams - in fact, his first four fights ended in opening round victories. He won the WBO Asia-Pacific title in October of 2004 with a third-round knockout against Najee Shaheed. He defended that crown six times.
He has also defeated former world champion Al Cole and contenders Lance Whitaker and Zuri Lawrence.