Inform: In a disagreement that could prove difficult to resolve, the recently defeated Carl Froch has demanded his up-coming third round bout of the 'Super Six: World Boxing Classic' with Arthur Abraham be hosted in the UK, claiming a pre-existing agreement is in place.
Sauerland Event, promoters of Arthur Abraham (and Mikkel Kessler) claim otherwise, a source stating; “they have misunderstood. The only agreement was that the next fight would take place in Europe. The situation is this – the fight will go to where the money is".
Froch has also stated that it would require "at least" an additional one million pounds for the fight to occur in Germany, the figure he would receive for a semi-final bout in the tournament, under the logic that he would certainly lose a decision in Germany following what Froch perceives to be a hometown decision he suffered against Mikkel Kessler.
Complicating matters further is the tournament agreement inserted by the American network Showtime that no fighter can be paid more than the agreed upon amounts.
Comment: It all seemed a little too good to be true didn't it? A tournament involving six of the best seven fighters from one division competing in a round-robin competition for the unofficial but undoubtedly authentic crown of the division. There had to be a few problems along the way. This fight fan would suggest a neutral venue for the fight in question, to avoid a lengthy and potentially embarrassing struggle that could threaten to derail the tournament. I can understand Froch's frustration and I can understand Sauerland's position (under the assumption that the contract only obligates the fight take place in Europe).
Monday, 26 April 2010
Froch vs Kessler: Boxing Fans by Unanimous Decision
Inform: Mikkel Kessler showed real heart and an iron chin to out-point the previously unbeaten Carl Froch, claim the WBC Super-Middleweight title and gain a vital two points in the 'Super Six: World Boxing Classic' tournament.
In a closely contested bout that evolved into fistic warfare in the later rounds, Kessler did just about enough to take the decision, albeit with some very wide and very inaccurate scorecards (take a bow Roger Tilleman, you've earnt it with another embarrassing judgement). The early rounds were debatable, with both fighters trading stiff jabs and the occasional straight right hand. Froch exploded into action in the fifth round, stiffening the Danish fighter with a sledgehammer straight right - the first indisputable round. Kessler upped his work rate throughout the next four rounds, while Froch seemed to tire visibly. A vicious straight right hand counter shot from Kessler buckled Froch in the eighth as the Englishman flung his weight behind a right hand of his own, but showed an iron chin (or chain mail beard) to not only survive the round, but battle back. Entering the championship rounds, Froch dug deep and did just about enough to out-fight the resilient Kessler, with both swinging wildly until the final bell, much to the delight of everyone alive. With many debatable rounds, the general consensus is that neither fighter deserved more than a two-point victory.
Comment: This fight fan felt that Froch did just enough to take a decision upon repeated viewing, by a single point, but has no problem at all with Kessler taking the decision. A hometown decision? Perhaps, but Froch can hardly complain considering the questionable decision he received against Andre Dirrell in the first round of the tournament. A blistering, explosive fight and a victory for boxing fans everywhere, regardless of whether you consider the decision correct.
In a closely contested bout that evolved into fistic warfare in the later rounds, Kessler did just about enough to take the decision, albeit with some very wide and very inaccurate scorecards (take a bow Roger Tilleman, you've earnt it with another embarrassing judgement). The early rounds were debatable, with both fighters trading stiff jabs and the occasional straight right hand. Froch exploded into action in the fifth round, stiffening the Danish fighter with a sledgehammer straight right - the first indisputable round. Kessler upped his work rate throughout the next four rounds, while Froch seemed to tire visibly. A vicious straight right hand counter shot from Kessler buckled Froch in the eighth as the Englishman flung his weight behind a right hand of his own, but showed an iron chin (or chain mail beard) to not only survive the round, but battle back. Entering the championship rounds, Froch dug deep and did just about enough to out-fight the resilient Kessler, with both swinging wildly until the final bell, much to the delight of everyone alive. With many debatable rounds, the general consensus is that neither fighter deserved more than a two-point victory.
Comment: This fight fan felt that Froch did just enough to take a decision upon repeated viewing, by a single point, but has no problem at all with Kessler taking the decision. A hometown decision? Perhaps, but Froch can hardly complain considering the questionable decision he received against Andre Dirrell in the first round of the tournament. A blistering, explosive fight and a victory for boxing fans everywhere, regardless of whether you consider the decision correct.
Thursday, 8 April 2010
David Haye vs Wladimir Klitschko close? Povetkin to be paid off?
Inform: Reports out of Eastern Europe (and subsequently Boxing Scene...) suggest that IBF number one contender Alexander Povetkin will be paid off in order to create the David Haye vs Wladimir Klitschko megafight that failed to materialise last year thanks to a back injury that Haye suffered.
Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=26702
Comment: This fight fan seriously hopes Povetkin is paid off, although it remains to be seen how necessary it is. Povetkin has been the IBF mandatory challenger since January 2008 following his victory over then unbeaten Eddie Chambers and has shown little interest in fighting Wladimir. Even with Povekin out of the way, Nikolay Valuev may prove a stumbling block if he chooses to enforce his rematch clause upon Haye. Wladimir to pay off Povetkin and Haye to pay off Valuev? God I hope so.
Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=26702
Comment: This fight fan seriously hopes Povetkin is paid off, although it remains to be seen how necessary it is. Povetkin has been the IBF mandatory challenger since January 2008 following his victory over then unbeaten Eddie Chambers and has shown little interest in fighting Wladimir. Even with Povekin out of the way, Nikolay Valuev may prove a stumbling block if he chooses to enforce his rematch clause upon Haye. Wladimir to pay off Povetkin and Haye to pay off Valuev? God I hope so.
Monday, 5 April 2010
Margarito wants Pacquiao - may get his wish
Antonio Margarito wants to fight Manny Pacquiao for 'his' WBO welterweight championship and he may just get it if negotiations between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr fail to create a highly-anticipated megafight yet again.
Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=26642
Comment:
Bob Arum (promoter of both Pacquiao and Margarito) would undoubtedly be keen on creating the contest in question if the Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown fails to materialise again. Margarito is struggling for credibility after the California State Athletic Commission found him guilty of having illegal handwraps before his fight with Shane Mosley in January of 2009 and a fight with Pacquiao would be an easy fight for Arum and his promotional company Top Rank to create. This blogger is torn between wanting to see Margarito take another beating and not wanting to reward him with a large payday. While it will probably be forever a mystery as to how complicit Margarito was in his illegal handwraps, this blogger thinks it to be highly unlikely that a veteran professional fighter wouldn't know what was in his handwraps - which isn't to suggest that Margarito was directly guilty, but more likely indirectly guilty by choosing to ignore the contents of his wraps.
Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=26642
Comment:
Bob Arum (promoter of both Pacquiao and Margarito) would undoubtedly be keen on creating the contest in question if the Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown fails to materialise again. Margarito is struggling for credibility after the California State Athletic Commission found him guilty of having illegal handwraps before his fight with Shane Mosley in January of 2009 and a fight with Pacquiao would be an easy fight for Arum and his promotional company Top Rank to create. This blogger is torn between wanting to see Margarito take another beating and not wanting to reward him with a large payday. While it will probably be forever a mystery as to how complicit Margarito was in his illegal handwraps, this blogger thinks it to be highly unlikely that a veteran professional fighter wouldn't know what was in his handwraps - which isn't to suggest that Margarito was directly guilty, but more likely indirectly guilty by choosing to ignore the contents of his wraps.
David Haye vs John Ruiz - what did we learn and what have we yet to learn?
What did we learn?
Short answer: not a great deal.
Long answer: we learned a few subtle things.
1. Haye has the power to trouble any heavyweight - forget about whether he is the biggest hitter in the division (as Haye has brashly claimed), just consider that he hurt one of the toughest men in the sport today on quite a few occasions. I'm of the opinion that the apparent chin issue that allegedly plagues Wladimir Klitschko is overstated, but should Haye land directly to Wladimir's chin, it could be lights out.
2. Haye isn't as elusive as he thinks - Ruiz found the mark round after round with jabs, and although Haye avoided the vast majority of power shots thrown, it should be of concern in the Haye camp. While Haye rolled with most of the landed jabs to minimise impact, it is questionable as to whether the tactic would be of much effect against a heavier puncher than Ruiz. Both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko have excellent jabs with real force behind them and if Haye takes too many, it could be lights out.
3. Ruiz is a badass - Haye landed power shot after power shot, round after round, not to mention the hard rabbit punches also landed and Ruiz never looked completely beaten. His legs may have been a little leaden after the first knockdown, but I think it's safe to assume from the other eight rounds that it was a case of getting caught cold. Ruiz showed Wolverine-like recuperative powers throughout the contest and showed tremendous heart in the face of a big puncher who was landing power shots almost at will thanks to superior speed. All that said, in the opinion of this blogger it's time for the quiet man to turn off the speakers entirely after suffering such a beating, especially considering the effort it would take to establish another title opportunity.
What have we yet to learn?
1) Can Haye take a true heavyweight punch? - with all due respect to Bonin, Barrett, Valuev and Ruiz; Haye is yet to take a flush punch from a decent puncher at the heavyweight division. Haye will almost certainly have to endure at least a flush punch or two from either Klitschko brother if he is to emerge victorious and we just don't know if he can. This fight-fan would suggest, contrary to popular opinion, that Haye would fare better against the older and tougher Vitali Klitschko under the assumption that his chin is still suspect. While Vitali is still a hard puncher, his stoppages are in the a lot of cases due to a prolonged beating rather than a devastating combination or single shot (see the Arreola fight for a prime example). The younger and arguably more vulnerable Wladimir is a far bigger puncher and could potentially stop Haye with a single shot.
2) Does Haye still have stamina issues? - Haye appeared to be breathing very heavily in between rounds as the fight progressed, raising concerns over whether he can maintain his level of performance under pressure (if you're thinking what I was thinking when I wrote this then you need to grow up). Breathing heavily does not necessarily point to poor stamina, but in most cases it is a clear indicator.
Short answer: not a great deal.
Long answer: we learned a few subtle things.
1. Haye has the power to trouble any heavyweight - forget about whether he is the biggest hitter in the division (as Haye has brashly claimed), just consider that he hurt one of the toughest men in the sport today on quite a few occasions. I'm of the opinion that the apparent chin issue that allegedly plagues Wladimir Klitschko is overstated, but should Haye land directly to Wladimir's chin, it could be lights out.
2. Haye isn't as elusive as he thinks - Ruiz found the mark round after round with jabs, and although Haye avoided the vast majority of power shots thrown, it should be of concern in the Haye camp. While Haye rolled with most of the landed jabs to minimise impact, it is questionable as to whether the tactic would be of much effect against a heavier puncher than Ruiz. Both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko have excellent jabs with real force behind them and if Haye takes too many, it could be lights out.
3. Ruiz is a badass - Haye landed power shot after power shot, round after round, not to mention the hard rabbit punches also landed and Ruiz never looked completely beaten. His legs may have been a little leaden after the first knockdown, but I think it's safe to assume from the other eight rounds that it was a case of getting caught cold. Ruiz showed Wolverine-like recuperative powers throughout the contest and showed tremendous heart in the face of a big puncher who was landing power shots almost at will thanks to superior speed. All that said, in the opinion of this blogger it's time for the quiet man to turn off the speakers entirely after suffering such a beating, especially considering the effort it would take to establish another title opportunity.
What have we yet to learn?
1) Can Haye take a true heavyweight punch? - with all due respect to Bonin, Barrett, Valuev and Ruiz; Haye is yet to take a flush punch from a decent puncher at the heavyweight division. Haye will almost certainly have to endure at least a flush punch or two from either Klitschko brother if he is to emerge victorious and we just don't know if he can. This fight-fan would suggest, contrary to popular opinion, that Haye would fare better against the older and tougher Vitali Klitschko under the assumption that his chin is still suspect. While Vitali is still a hard puncher, his stoppages are in the a lot of cases due to a prolonged beating rather than a devastating combination or single shot (see the Arreola fight for a prime example). The younger and arguably more vulnerable Wladimir is a far bigger puncher and could potentially stop Haye with a single shot.
2) Does Haye still have stamina issues? - Haye appeared to be breathing very heavily in between rounds as the fight progressed, raising concerns over whether he can maintain his level of performance under pressure (if you're thinking what I was thinking when I wrote this then you need to grow up). Breathing heavily does not necessarily point to poor stamina, but in most cases it is a clear indicator.
The aims of this blog
1) Inform - this blog promises to keep up-to-date with every slither of important, international boxing news, be it actual an actual fight result or the rumour of an encounter.
2) Comment - this blog promises to give the considered opinion and analysis of a true believer in the sweet science with respect and without bias. If an opinion is held, it is held based on evidence.
3) Satirise - this blog promises to allow no ill-thought comment, promotional mismatch or example of bureacratic bullshit to go unpunished.
2) Comment - this blog promises to give the considered opinion and analysis of a true believer in the sweet science with respect and without bias. If an opinion is held, it is held based on evidence.
3) Satirise - this blog promises to allow no ill-thought comment, promotional mismatch or example of bureacratic bullshit to go unpunished.
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