RSSPersonalities
Saturday, September 01, 2007
De La Hoya Wants to Return at Welterweight
In a recent interview with ESPN’s Dan Rafael, Oscar De La Hoya has stated that he plans on returning to the ring next May, at welterweight:
But De La Hoya (38-5, 30 KOs), who has won 10 world title belts in six divisions, has no immediate plans to stop fighting and is thinking about his ring return, targeted for May 3, 2008.
And when he does return, De La Hoya said that he will be back in the welterweight division he once dominated before moving up to junior middleweight and taking a two-fight stab at middleweight.
“Nothing is set in stone about who I’m going to fight,” De La Hoya told ESPN.com in a recent interview. “Right now, I’m plotting these fights [that Golden Boy is promoting], keeping myself busy and spending time with my family. I won’t decide who I am going to fight until I see how things unfold [in the fall], but I will be back at welterweight, that’s for sure.”
Oscar back at 147 lbs? Just imagine the possible matchups: Mayweather, Mosley, Hatton, Williams, Cintron and Margarito are all potential opponents at this point.
Permalink
Friday, August 24, 2007
Klitschko to Face Winner of Tournament
Dan Rafael of ESPN is reporting that Chris Byrd, Alexander Povetkin, Eddie Chambers, and Calvin Brock have all agreed to participate in a “three-fight box-off” to determine who will receive a title shot against Wladimir Klitschko when he recovers from an injured left hand next year:
In the first elimination fight, former titlist Byrd (40-3-1, 21 KOs), who has already lost twice to Klitschko, will face 2004 Russian Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist Povetkin (13-0, 9 KOs), one of the hottest prospects in the world. They will meet Oct. 27 in Germany.
In the second eliminator, Chambers (29-0, 16 KOs) will meet Brock (31-1, 23 KOs) on Nov. 2 on Showtime’s “ShoBox: The New Generation” at a site to be determined.
The winners of the two fall fights will meet in early 2008, with that winner earning a shot at Klitschko.
Permalink
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Maskaev Refuses to Sign Contract for Defense Against Peter
WBC Heavyweight Champion Oleg Maskaev has refused to sign the contract that would have him defend his title against mandatory challenger Samuel Peter later this year according to WBC President Jose Sulaiman.
Sulaiman sent out this press release to the media this afternoon:
Due to the fact that the WBC heavyweight champion of the world, Oleg Maskaev of Russia, has refused, through his representative, to sign the contract to fight mandatory challenger Samuel Peter of Nigeria, the President of the African Boxing Union, Houcine Houichi, has sent a recommendation for the WBC to not only continue in court on the case presented by the champion’s representative, but to also unfreeze the heavweight championship by immediately ordering an interim heavyweight world championship between Samuel Peter and the highest rated available contender in the WBC ratings, according to the WBC rules and regulations, while the court case by Maskaev’s representative is resolved.
Permalink
Monday, June 18, 2007
Tenny Joins Rivera Promotions
WORCESTER – Dave Tenny, a 30-year veteran of the sport of boxing with more than 30 world championship fights as a top cutman, has joined Rivera Promotions, the newest promotional team that hopes to ignite the world of boxing in New England.
“I’m excited that Dave Tenny has decided to join our team,” said José Antonio Rivera, three-time world boxing champion and president and CEO of Rivera Promotions. “Dave has the knowledge and love for the sport of boxing that will only help Rivera Promotions grow.”
Mr. Tenny was an amateur boxer before continuing professionally in the sport as a trainer, manager and top cutman for more than 30 years. He has worked the corner for several championship fights, including Mr. Rivera’s fights in which he won the WBA championship at the welterweight and junior middleweight levels.
Mr. Tenny will serve as a coordinator and consultant as Rivera Promotions begins to develop the top promotional team in the New England area. The team is planning its first event for the end of the year.
Continue reading "Tenny Joins Rivera Promotions"
Friday, June 08, 2007
HBO Reveals Broadcast Booth Schedule
NEW YORK – Veteran HBO Sports boxing commentator Larry Merchant has agreed to a new contract, it was announced today by HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg.
“We are delighted to have one of sports television’s most respected broadcasters continue to call them as he sees them,” said Greenburg. “Larry is an institution at HBO. Sharing the workload with Larry will be Max Kellerman, which essentially gives us two formidable broadcast teams on ‘World Championship Boxing’.”
Max Kellerman, who joined HBO Sports in April 2006, will also work “World Championship Boxing” events, alternating the workload with Merchant. Among Kellerman’s upcoming assignments are: the June 23 Hatton-Castillo fight in Las Vegas; the Atlantic City portion of the July 14 “World Championship Boxing” tripleheader; and the July 21 HBO Pay-Per-View event from Las Vegas, featuring Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright.
“It’s exciting to have Larry continue with his unique perspective on our telecasts and to expand the role of Max Kellerman,” said Rick Bernstein, executive producer of HBO Sports. “We feel the winners are our subscribers, who will continue to get honest and insightful commentary from all our broadcast talent.”
Upcoming HBO announcer assignments include: Jim Lampley, Larry Merchant, Emanuel Steward and Harold Lederman for the June 9 HBO Pay-Per-View program from Madison Square Garden; Bob Papa, Lennox Lewis and Lederman for the June 16 “HBO Boxing After Dark” card; Lampley, Kellerman, Steward and Lederman for the June 23 “World Championship Boxing” presentation from Las Vegas; and Lampley, Merchant, Lewis and Lederman for the July 7 “World Championship Boxing” HBO show in Cologne, Germany.
With two sites for the July 14 “World Championship Boxing” tripleheader, Lampley and Merchant will be working from Carson, Cal., while Papa and Kellerman are in Atlantic City. For the July 21 HBO Pay-Per-View presentation from Las Vegas, Lampley, Kellerman, Steward and Lederman will be on hand.
Permalink
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?
Taylor-Pavlik Looks Set for September
Dan Rafael of ESPN is reporting that a bout between Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik is looking very likely for this fall:
Taylor’s promoter, Lou DiBella, and Pavlik’s promoter, Bob Arum, both told ESPN.com that they have hammered out a deal in principle for the fight to take place this fall. HBO’s working date is Sept. 29. Although the promoters are on the same page, DiBella still needs to finalize his own deal with Taylor.
“Bob and I basically have a deal. We have no major terms we are fighting over and I believe it will get done,” DiBella said. “Bob and I have always been able to get things done. But there are discussions I need to have with my side and with HBO, and the HBO things are not related to money. I haven’t fully talked to my fighter or [Taylor adviser] Al Haymon yet, but I know for a fact that Jermain wants the fight and Haymon isn’t opposed to it.”
The promoters were happy that HBO’s offer for the fight of almost $5 million—well above the figure the network is obligated to pay under its exclusive contract with Taylor—was generous enough to keep the fight off pay-per-view. Arum credited HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg with coming up with the money.
Said DiBella: “HBO came with a fair offer and Bob has postured fairly, so the combination of the two things mean there is no reason a deal shouldn’t get done. I just have to talk things through with Jermain, who has been on vacation, and with Al. But we’re looking for a site. I believe it will happen in September and after Jermain wins, he will come back and fight again in December.”
Permalink
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
Permalink
Thursday, April 05, 2007
EEC - April 5, 2007
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- Last Friday I reminded everyone about the strong possibility of Roy Jones Jr. pulling out of his rumored bout with Tony Hanshaw because of past occurences. Guess what happened?
The fight has been scrapped according to ESPN’s Dan Rafael because of Jones unwillingness to agree to terms on a contract. Jones reportedly gave promoter Lou DiBella the go ahead to create a contract and then dodged DiBella when contacted. Days passed until DiBella received a text message from Jones saying that he would not agree to the fight unless he received triple the original amount of money that was already agreed for the fight.
Let’s just say that DiBella didn’t say yes…
- If Joe Calzaghe wants to fight Bernard Hopkins, he has to come to the USA:
“I’m not going to give Joe Calzaghe a forum to promote himself off Bernard Hopkins’ back,” Hopkins said. “I’m not about to say, ‘I want him.’ Legends don’t call out other fighters. I’m not being big-headed. That’s just how it is. And I wouldn’t go across the water to fight Calzaghe in any case. If he wants superstardom in America, let him come here. They got TVs in England. The money’s in pay-per-view, anyway.
Permalink
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
EEC - March 7, 2007
I can’t think of any more one-liners to put up here, I may have to stop soon…
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that Anthony Thompson will be helping Floyd Mayweather Jr. train for his upcoming fight on May 5th against Oscar De La Hoya. Honestly, I think I’ve said that 50 times in the last two months.
What makes this interesting is that there seems to be a backstory behind it…
Thompson will be part of the camp for six weeks. Several years ago, Thompson was one of the fighters that helped prepare Oscar De La Hoya for his his September 04 bout with then middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins. Thompson spent three weeks helping De La Hoya get ready for Hopkins.
Additionally, the report noted that Hopkins was also in contact with Thompson, making him an offer to join De La Hoya’s camp. Thompson would have joined, if Hopkins would have contacted him earlier, but there was already an agreement to join Mayweather’s camp and he wanted to honor that agreement.
- Despite originally stating that he was going to consider retirement after his win over Scott Gammer last week, Danny Williams has now said that he will not retire and instead will continue on with his career in hopes of facing some of the top heavyweights in the division in the near future
“I have had so much positive feedback from people who said I showed glimpses of world class,” said Williams. My main goal is to get back to the top. I believe I can still compete with champions like (WBC king) Oleg Maskaev. I won the British Title again after coming off two loses against Audley Harrison and Matt Skelton and so I think I can do better next time coming off a decent performance.”
- Jim Lampley has issued a public apology to Candice Sanders in hopes of ending the whole damn thing:
“It is with considerable regret and deep embarrassment that I acknowledge having overreacted to a household dispute with Candice Sanders on New Year’s Eve. As a result of my anger, our dispute has become a matter of public discussion and speculation and I accept responsibility for that. To bring closure to this process, I am offering my full and unconditional apology to Miss Sanders and her family, as well as to all my friends, family and professional colleagues who have been unwarrantedly damaged by the events of that night. Miss Sanders feels very deeply and sincerely, as do I, about the rights of women and children. She will be a powerful symbol on their behalf, and I will thoroughly support and encourage her organized efforts in this regard. At the same time, I would encourage all to look favorably on Candice’s efforts and contribute wholeheartedly to the advancement of this cause.”