RSSKO Corner News
Monday, November 12, 2007
Williams Hopes to Derail Rahman
Big time boxing returns to the Sovereign Center in Reading, PA on Thursday, November 15th when Top Rank Promotions presents “Downtown Showdown,” featuring former two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman against veteran Sherman “The Tank” Williams in a ten round main event.
The fight will be televised nationally on Versus “Fight Night Live,” hosted by Wally Matthews and Nick Charles.
Former champion Hasim Rahman (44-6-2, 35 KOs) is continuing his quest for another world title shot, having won his last three fights (two by knockout) since switching to Reading-based trainer Marshall Kauffman. With a win, Rahman is hoping to gain a shot at IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.
In 2001, Rahman captured the undisputed heavyweight title with a spectacular 5th round knockout of Lennox Lewis, only to lose the title in the rematch. Tough ring veteran Sherman Williams (33-10-2, 19 KOs) has won his last eight bouts in a row, including three by knockout. A native of the Bahamas, he has only been stopped once in his career.
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Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Johnson Vows to KO Former Champ
Former champion Reggie Johnson battles former champion Glen Johnson in the “Fight Night for Climate Change” Pay-per-View extravaganza on November 17, from the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Before you laugh off former middleweight and light heavyweight champion “Sweet” Reggie Johnson’s chances in his upcoming fight against Glen Johnson, you really need to speak to William Guthrie.
In 1998, Reggie Johnson had boxed less than a round in three years when he signed to face then-IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Guthrie, who was an undefeated knockout artist with growing reputation as one of boxing’s most powerful new champions.
Guthrie left on a stretcher. Johnson left with a new belt around his waist.
And when he battles former world champion and red-hot IBF #1-rated contender Glengoffe Johnson on November 17 at the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Reggie (43-7-1, 25 KOs) says he’s going to do it again.
“I have never officially retired,” explains the 41-year-old Johnson, whose only ring appearance in the past five years was a ninth round knockout over respectable veteran Fred Moore last July. “I’m better physically and mentally than I was when I was 25. My sparring partners, doctors, and trainers will assure you of that. On November 17, I will be at my best. I’ve been in 21 title fights, so my experience will be the key to pulling off one the biggest upsets in the last decade.”
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Wednesday, October 31, 2007
De La Hoya-Mayweather Numbers Show Boxing is Back
LOS ANGELES — For a sport that has taken more than its share of slings and arrows over the last few years, boxing has proven to be as resilient as its greatest champions, rising from the canvas in 2007 to again take its place among the most popular and relevant sports in the world.
The latest sign that boxing is back came this week, when HBO revealed that the record-shattering May 5th super fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather did even better than initially thought, with final numbers now clocking in at 2.4 million pay-per-view buys and $134.4 million in domestic revenue.
These numbers have established De La Hoya as the all-time leader in pay-per-view sales with 12.8 million buys. Not only did his fight with Mayweather shatter existing records for most PPV buys for a non-heavyweight fight, it sailed past the previous leader for overall PPV buys (1.9 million, which was set by the rematch between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson in 1997).
“This is amazing news and the strongest possible sign that boxing is not only alive, but that it is thriving,” said De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions, the promoters of De La Hoya-Mayweather. “There is no proof like cold, hard facts, and the response of fight fans to these events has given me hope that this sport will soon be back on the front pages of daily newspapers and in the mainstream’s consciousness like it was in its heyday.”
“I’m happy that my fight with Oscar did so well, but I’m not surprised because this is what happens when you give the people what they want,” said Mayweather, who fights Ricky Hatton on December 8. “I am going to keep bringing that to the people and that’s what they will see when I fight Hatton. Plus, being a competitive person, I want to go past 2.4 million buys and show the world what boxing is all about.”
What’s even more impressive is that in this record-breaking overall year for the boxing business, there are still two PPV super fights left – the November 10th battle between Sugar Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto, and the grand pay-per-view finale December 8th between Mayweather and Hatton.
Added Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, “I’ve always said that if you brought great fights and great fighters to the people and promoted it properly that every fight fan would respond, and the success we’ve had this year proves it. This is the dawning of a new age for boxing, and we are proud to be part of its renaissance.”
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Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Abraham Wants Taylor, Pavlik in America
Undefeated IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham is looking forward to his first fight on foreign territory as he takes on Britain´s Wayne Elcock in Switzerland on December 8. Today the two fighters met for the first time at a press conference in Basle.
“It is my goal to make big fights in America, so Switzerland will be a good first step,” King Arthur (24-0, 19 KOs) said. “I am really looking forward to boxing in Basle.”
After knocking out mandatory challenger Khoren Gevor in Berlin, Abraham is confident of success against the 33-year-old Brit. However, he has promised not to underestimate his opponent.
“I take him very seriously,” Abraham stated. “Just like me, he has defeated Howard Eastman, who is a very good puncher. I´ll be starting my training camp tomorrow and will be highly concentrated.”
The fight will also spell Elcock´s first appearance outside Great Britain.
“That does not make a difference for me,” the challenger (18-2, 8 KOs) said. “I am coming here to win the title and that is all that matters.”
After the press conference in Basle, Abraham and his coach Ulli Wegner travelled straight to their training camp base in Zinnowitz (Baltic Sea), where practice will begin tomorrow morning.
“We´re eager to start the preparation. I´m sure the boys will have a lot of fun,” Wegner said with a smile.
Meanwhile, manager Kalle Sauerland revealed that King Arthur is getting more and more popular all over the world.
“The TV interest in his fights is very high and can be compared to the Valuev fight in Basle (vs. Jameel McCline),” he stated. “King Arthur´s popularity is growing, especially in America. They have some well-known middleweights over there. That´s why our champion is of big interest to them.”
Sauerland added that a showdown with Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik is planned for the near future.
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Power, Napa to Rematch in November
Nearly two years to the date after Martin Power claimed a hotly disputed points decision to retain the British title over Ian Napa, he steps back into the fray to try and regain a title he never lost in the square ring on Friday, November 30, at the Newham Leisure Centre in London, England.
This is one of the most eagerly awaited rematches for a British title and continues a line of eagerly contested domestic title fights promoted by Frank Maloney, which has seen fight fans appreciate the return to traditional boxing.
In the last meeting between Power and Napa, held at York Hall in November, 2005, two judges voted 116-113 for Power while one judge saw it 116-113 for Napa.
Since that fight, Napa, 15-6 (1), lost a European title bid on points but then won the British belt in July of this year before claiming his first stoppage win in a 21 fight career against Lee Haskins last month.
Power, 19-2 (8), has had changing fortunes as well, as the previously undefeated Londoner suffered two convincing losses, both stoppages, by the world ranked Commonwealth bantamweight champion Tshifhiwa Munyai, who will also be appearing on the card, looking to push his claim for a world title.
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Zarate and Torres Headline “Path to Glory”
For Julio Zarate and Vernie Torres, the path to boxing glory is sometimes a rocky one, where only true warriors are left standing.
On Friday, November 2, these two featherweight standouts will meet at the crossroads in an eight round contest which may determine who moves forward and who is left behind. Yes, the path is rough; but if they survive its pitfalls, one might emerge as a world champion.
“Path to Glory”, a six bout card of competitive and hard-hitting professional boxing, will be presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California. F
The November 2 card will also feature a host of California’s top young prospects, all who are hoping to carve their own niche in the crowded west coast fight scene.
In the main event, Mexico City’s Julio Zarate (25-4-1, 15 KOs) puts his four fight-winning streak on the line against Los Angeles-based Filipino Vernie Torres (27-10, 15 KOs). Zarate, a former interim WBA bantamweight champion, is looking to regain the form that took him to the top in 2004.
Winner of his last four bouts, two by knockout, the 32-year old will be tested by the 33-year old Torres, who has struggled since a career-best year in 2003 that saw him win IBA and USBA titles, but who still has plenty of fight left in him for another title run.
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Monday, October 29, 2007
Rahman Returns on November 15 Against Williams
READING - Big time boxing returns to the Sovereign Center in Reading, PA on Thursday, November 15th when Top Rank Promotions presents “Downtown Showdown,” featuring former two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman against veteran Sherman “The Tank” Williams in a ten round main event.
The fight will be televised nationally on Versus “Fight Night Live,” hosted by Wally Matthews and Bob Papa.
Former champion Hasim Rahman (44-6-2, 35 KOs) is continuing his quest for another world title shot, having won his last three fights (two by knockout) since switching to Reading-based trainer Marshall Kauffman. With a win, Rahman is hoping to gain a shot at IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.
In 2001, Rahman captured the undisputed heavyweight title with a spectacular 5th round knockout of Lennox Lewis, only to lose the title in the rematch. Tough ring veteran Sherman Williams (33-10-2, 19 KOs) has won his last eight bouts in a row, including three by knockout. A native of the Bahamas, he has only been stopped once in his career.
Continue reading "Rahman Returns on November 15 Against Williams"
Monday, October 08, 2007
Tszyu’s Thoughts on Mayweather-Hatton
I have been keeping my eye on boxing around the world and I am really looking forward to the December 8 fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Ricky Hatton.
It is a very interesting match. I have double feelings on who will win. I can see how Mayweather can win and I can see how Hatton can win. The reason why is that I never felt that Ricky could beat me, but it happened. I remember a time when Roy Jones Jr. felt he was unbeatable, the same way I felt. But everyone can be beaten. This is life.
I can see Floyd losing his focus on boxing. Having appeared on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ myself here in Australia, I know how much work is involved. It is a full time job to prepare properly. To get ready for a fight with Ricky Hatton and concentrate on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ will be very hard. This is why I am saying Floyd is losing his focus. There is no doubt that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a boxing freak, just as Roy Jones Jr. was a boxing freak. They are very special talents. But anyone can still lose. Maybe Floyd will not be on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ for that many weeks. I, like millions of others around the world, will be watching the outcome closely. It will be a great fight.
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HBO to Replay Pacquiao-Barrera
It’s a special edition of HBO Boxing After Dark when HBO Sports presents the exclusive replay of the super featherweight showdown Manny Pacquiao vs Marco Antonio Barrera II Saturday, October 13th, 11:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO. The HBO Sports team, which was ringside for the live event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, calls all the action.
The fight, which took place Oct. 6 and was carried live on HBO Pay-Per-View, featured the highly anticipated rematch. Pacquiao scored a unanimous decision victory.
Following the Pacquiao-Barrera II replay, HBO will present the previously announced HBO Boxing After Dark lightweight unification title matchup between Juan Diaz and Julio Diaz from Chicago.
HBO2 playdates for both fights: Oct. 14 (9:00 a.m., 4:45 p.m.) and 16 (11:00 p.m.). Times are ET/PT.
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Hirsch Added to Brunson Card
Promising light middleweight Tony Hirsch has been added to the Settles Entertainment fight card headlined by Tyrone Brunson’s attempt to break the world first round KO record this Saturday, October 13 at Chez Paree Club in Carter Lake, Iowa.
Hailing from the mean streets of Oakland, CA, Hirsch has won both of his professional contests since joining the paid ranks in June of this year and will square off over four scheduled rounds with Nebraska based journeyman Reuben Rodriguez, 3-6 (0), who has beaten two of the four undefeated fighters that he has faced.
Hirsch capped off his amateur career by winning a Gold Medal at the 2006 San Francisco Golden Gloves competition but the quick-fisted 23 year old also enjoyed success on a different field of play; as a member of the Arena Football League San Jose SaberCats, and was briefly with the NFL’s Oakland Raiders before being beat out for the cornerback spot by Phillip Buchanon.
“After the Raiders, I just wanted to do something else,” said Hirsch. “Arena football wants me back but I really want to make a career of boxing and I think that with my skills, I can do that.”