DEGALE WINS IN NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT
Former European super-middleweight champion James DeGale had an easy nights work on his North American debut where he defeated Sebastien Demers by 2nd round knockout.
DeGale, a 2008 Olympic champion, had been scheduled to fight back in March, but with Channel 5 reportedly pulling the plug on their boxing output the fight was scrapped and a new date, this time across seas, was set.
An 8 round contest at the Hilton Lac Leamy hotel in Quebec, Canada against former middleweight title challenger Sebastien Demers was to be the fight, and DeGale made short work of his opponent. Read more »
DAVID HAYE PULLS OUT OF MANUEL CHARR FIGHT
Hayemaker Boxing regret to inform that David Haye has withdrawn from his proposed June 29 bout with Manuel Charr due to a hand injury picked up in training.
The injury to his left hand occurred on Sunday evening and left the former WBA world heavyweight champion with no option but to postpone his impending return to the ring. Read more »
Pay-Per-View Proved Potent For Boxing
By Sam Goldman
Boxing biggest weakness is its Pay-Per-View dependence. The absence of a Mayweather Pacquiao fight has ruined the sports reputation.
A failure to utilize cable TV will be the nail in the coffin. MMA has emerged as boxing biggest competitor.
The UFC has transformed into an international sport. A recent 7-year deal with Fox signified the sports rapid growth. Being able to adapt away from Pay-Per-View has allowed MMA to become a household name. A lack of boxing superstars doesn’t interest the casual fan. Read more »
MONDAY MUSINGS: THE GAMBLE
The gambler is apparently the last optimist; he is a creature totally unmoved by experience.
His belief in ultimate success cannot be shattered by financial loss, however great.
Promoter Dennis Hobson gambled on Saturday night in Doncaster. He gambled big. This wasn’t a small flutter on a horse race, nor was it bet on any other sporting event that took place that evening. This was a gamble bigger than any bet he will likely place. Read more »
ADIL ANWAR: “I’M GOING TO BE 100% AND I’M GOING TO TAKE HIM OUT!”
American author Napoleon Hill once stated “Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.” For one boxer in particular, patience is an attribute that he is all too familiar with and success is something he craves. Adil Anwar rose to prominence in the domestic, light welterweight division with a dominant display in the 2011 Prizefighter series. From there on in the man from Leeds was expecting an imminent shot at British honours against, then champion, Ashley Theophane. However, things failed to materialise and Anwar was left to go down a different route by trying to become the mandatory opponent for the title. The “Platinum Kid”, through patience and determination, beat Mansfield’s Dale Miles in the final eliminator in Liverpool, setting up a clash with slippery operator Darren Hamilton. Read more »
JEFF MAYWEATHER: “FLOYD PUT ON A MASTERFUL PERFORMANCE…GUERRERO REALLY APPEARED TO HAVE NO STRATEGY AT ALL”
“I think Floyd put on a masterful performance and made Robert Guerrero look like a rank amateur; two totally different levels. He couldn’t hit Floyd with a bag of rice; he was all talk and also made a mockery of himself claiming that God chose him to humble Floyd. Obviously we are all God’s children, so God doesn’t choose sides, but he foolishly convinced himself that he was The Chosen One, but he ended up being smoking mirrors…Gurrero really appeared to have no strategy at all; just throwing wild punches hoping to get lucky,” stated world-class Jeff Mayweather, who shared his thoughts on Floyd Mayweather’s performance against Robert Guerrero and much more. Check it out!
SS: Firstly, congratulations on the victory over the weekend. I personally rate that as Floyd’s most polished performance in many years. What was your verdict on his performance?
JM: I think Floyd put on a masterful performance and made Robert Guerrero look like a rank amateur; two totally different levels. He couldn’t hit Floyd with a bag of rice; he was all talk and also made a mockery of himself claiming that God chose him to humble Floyd. Obviously we are all God’s children, so God doesn’t choose sides, but he foolishly convinced himself that he was The Chosen One, but he ended up being smoking mirrors.
SS: Floyd spoke of having his father back in camp to help his defense. Was it decided early in the camp that Floyd would box on the move like the old Floyd or was the plan to play chess for a couple of rounds and adjust from there?
JM: To make adjustments as the fight progressed. No one can out-think Floyd and he only needs a few rounds to figure you out, and that’s what happened. Floyd is on auto-pilot while the other guy is thinking two or three steps ahead. Gurrero really appeared to have no strategy at all; just throwing wild punches hoping to get lucky.
SS: With Floyd having 6 fights in 30 months, do you anticipate similar intensity and camp length as the Guerrero fight or do you anticipate camp being reduced slightly? This is a situation we have not seen Floyd in too often.
JM: I think the entire boxing world is excited about Floyd being a little more active. When Floyd fights, it’s an event. He’s closing out his career and most people, if they haven’t seen him, you won’t have many more chances to see one of the best fighters to ever live.
SS: I loved the build up to the fight and the aftermath of the fight, but one thing I am glad is over is that I don’t have to listen to Ruben Guerrero. What did you make of his comments after the fight about Floyd running all night?
JM: I thought he was a clown from the beginning and even a bigger clown with his asinine comments. He was eating up every second of his 15 minutes of fame. Not only his ignorance showed, but I got tired of seeing that same shirt over and over and over. If your son was better, he would have figured out a way to win.
SS: In recent fights, Floyd stood and traded more and people accused him of losing his legs. He certainly silenced those critics on Saturday. Floyd spoke before the fight about training “smart”. What adjustments did Floyd make in this camp from previous camps to train “smart”?
JM: To be honest, Floyd fought most of the camp flat-footed and would only move when necessary, but his legs have never been shot or gone, and Floyd didn’t run. He really only moved in the fight when needed to get out of the corner. He stood in front of Gurrero and pot-shotted him all night long.
SS: Floyd made a point of having yourself, Roger, and Floyd Sr. in the camp before the fight. What advice did you give to Floyd before the fight?
JM: To be honest, I never said much to Floyd because when he was in camp, I would tell my fighter that I train what Floyd would need to do, and by time I would say he needs to do this or do that, Floyd seemed as though he was listening to every word I said, so there was no need for me to say a word in camp. He was brilliant and we were on the same page.
SS: People are still so eager to see Floyd go up to 154 against Canelo where, in my opinion, he looks a lot less comfortable. What fights at 147 appeal to you for September?
JM: Any other guy out there that has a title should be given a shot at Floyd. Canelo doesn’t dictate what Floyd does, and to be honest, Floyd is not 154 pounds. He has won the title at 154 pounds twice, but never weighed over 150. He was 147 against Cotto and 149 against Dela Hoya, and made 147 a week before the fight, so fighting Canelo would be just to please the fans.
SS: Sergio Martinez has often mentioned Floyd’s name. He looked awful in his fight against Murray recently, a fight I think he lost and certainly got dropped twice in. I’ve always been of the opinion Martinez is too big, but if he came to 154 with the new Rehydration clause from the WBC, do you think this could be a possibility?
JM: Well, my previous answer proves my point of fighting Martinez. He looked horrible and really lost, just as you said, and he, like every other fighter out there, wants a payday. Martinez is no different. That fight will never happen because he’s too big for Floyd, but far from being the better fighter.
SS: J’Leon Love was involved in a controversial fight on Saturday against Rosado. Personally, I had Love winning by a point based on the fact that for too many of the earlier rounds, Love dictated the majority of the round, but Rosado finished the last 30 seconds slightly stronger. I think robbery is harsh. What are your thoughts on that fight?
JM: It was a very tough fight that could have went either way in all honesty. I’m glad of course that J’Leon won because he’s part of the Money Team, but I take my hat off to Gabe Rosado for not only putting up a great fight, but being a complete Class Act after the fight, paying homage to the loss of both their brothers. I like them both and wish them both continued success.
SS: Just before we finish, is there anything you wish to say to the fans about your fighters’ fights coming up?
JM: I have an extremely busy schedule. May 25 Ontario (boxing), June 1st Seattle (boxing), June 6th Buffalo, New York (kickboxing), June 19th (MMA), June 21st Minnesota (boxing).
MONDAY MUSINGS: THE WORD ROBBERY; THE WORD BORING
To define a robbery in boxing is difficult given that scoring is subjective and comes down to personal preference when scoring a round. Some judges, some fans, prefer activity and aggressiveness, while others prefer to reward the cleaner, more harder shots that land.
In an instance where a fight features both of those criteria, with one fighter displaying the activity and the other displaying accuracy, then the chances are the decision at the end of the fight is going to be close and hotly disputed. Read more »
J’Leon Love “Im not really worried about him, im going to go out there and dominate and do what I do best.”
With May Day fastly approaching on the boxing calendar. TMT’s J’Leon Love takes us inside his camp with an exclusive interview with Fight Hype UK. The American Middleweight prospect explains to Fight Hype what to expect from him May 4th and his fight prediction for Mayweather Vs Guerrero. He also discusses the bright future ahead for TMT and fighters to look out for under Mayweather Promotions. Part 1 with J’Leon Love………………..
“Preparing has gone great, I’ve got some great sparring partners. We’ve been running,we’ve been doing everything by the book”………. ” A dream of mine to be on the big stage pay-per-view to the world. I mean it’s not just the United States it’s the whole world. Everyone that will be ordering the fight will possibly be watching so it’s a great opportunity”……………….. “I’m in the game to fight the best and they say he’s the toughest guy or the most feared or whatever the case I’m in the game to get it in and do what I do, so I’m not really worried about him I’m going to go out there and dominate and do what I do best. Read more »
DAVID HAYE SIGNS LONG TERM PROMOTIONAL AGREEMENT WITH MATCHROOM SPORT
Hayemaker faces Manuel Charr at the MEN Arena on June 29
David Haye has signed a long term promotional association with Matchroom Sport, which begins when he faces Manuel Charr at the MEN Arena in Manchester on June 29, live on Sky Sports.
Matchroom Sport and Hayemaker Promotions will co-promote the shows headlined by the former World Heavyweight champion, beginning with the clash with the 28 year old World title challenger Charr in Manchester.
“I’m delighted to have agreed a four-fight promotional deal with David Haye and Hayemaker,” said Eddie Hearn. “In my opinion David is the most exciting heavyweight on the planet and I’m over the moon to help bring his comeback fight against Charr to Sky Sports on June 29.”
Further details on Haye’s clash with Charr and the promotional association with Matchroom Sport and Hayemaker Promotions will be revealed at a press conference in Manchester on Wednesday.
MONDAY MUSINGS: DON’T WRITE OFF GARCIA; THE DECLINE OF MARTINEZ
Despite having a break-out year in 2012 the jury is still out for current unified light welterweight champion, Danny Garcia.
The argument of not being sold on Garcia is one that does hold weight given that he has not yet faced the best in the division. On the other hand, though, the complete dismissal of a fighter who has fought just as good opposition as the other top fighters in his weight class, is somewhat mind-boggling.
Garcia’s top four fights and wins are more impressive than not.
He struggled in his first fight with Erik Morales, then inflicted punishment upon Amir Khan on way to a fourth round TKO before knocking out Morales in a rematch, also in the fourth round. His win over Judah, while many may see it as unimpressive considering the late rally from Judah in the final four rounds, did teach us something. Read more »
