Blogs
Happy Independence Day from Bad Left Hook
by SC
on Jul 4, 2009 1:43 AM EDT
2 comments
Since today's a major holiday here in America -- a grilling and partying holiday, no less -- I'll be out of action for today, but I wanted to wish everyone a safe and totally awesome 4th of July here in the States. For our UK readers, uh, no hard feelings? You have a good one, too.
2 comments | 0 recs
Pound 4 Pound Radio: Alexis Arguello Tribute Show
by SC
on Jul 3, 2009 1:53 PM EDT
in News
0 comments
Pound 4 Pound Radio on SIRIUS 98 did a tribute show last night to the late, great Alexis Arguello, and it's my pleasure to share the broadcast (in MP3 format) with you.
0 comments
| 0 recs
|
ESPN: Inside Marcos Maidana's upset of Victor Ortiz
by SC
on Jul 3, 2009 12:23 PM EDT
in Post-Fight Analysis
4 comments
So much has been made of Victor Ortiz's loss and the way it came about that I do think not enough has been made of the fact that Marcos Maidana beat on him until he gave up. ESPN.com ran a fantastic article a couple days ago from the perspective of Maidana's corner. It's a must-read:
The orders were to hit first, then move in to throw harder punches, with the left paving the way for the other punches, always bobbing and weaving. And Maidana complied, but only occasionally. The fight was still a war, much to our despair.
Toward the end of the fourth round, things began to look up. Maidana connected on a trio of right hands and hooks to the body that hurt Ortiz. We could hear the exclamations from the audience ("uhh!") whenever one of those painful shots hit a soft spot.
In the fifth, the bombs from both fighters continued to land. But it was Maidana who delivered the most punishment, connecting on a tremendous right hand that opened a deep cut over Ortiz's right eye.
Continuous chants of "Or-tiz, Or-tiz" exhorted the local fighter, but Ortiz's legs weren't responding. By the end of the round, we realized he was due to hit the canvas again at any moment.
Can't recommend the article enough. Outstanding stuff.
And I still say if you missed Ortiz-Maidana, check for a replay or see if it's on HBO On Demand right now. It was a thrilling war, unsatisfying ending and all.
4 comments
| 0 recs
|
Friday Morning Notes: Carl Davis Drumond cleared of rape charges in Costa Rica
by SC
on Jul 3, 2009 9:28 AM EDT
in News
0 comments
In a horrible but brief news story, 34-year old Costa Rican heavyweight Carl Davis Drumond was accused of rape by his housekeeper, who has now dropped the charges. Drumond has served time in prison from rape charges in 1996, and also was accused of raping a prostitute in 2008. Those charges were dropped when the alleged victim's story was inconsistent.
Drumond is saying that people are going after him now because they think he made big money for his February technical decision loss to Ruslan Chagaev.
- Martin Castillo will "unretire" to face Alfredo Montano on July 17. 24-year old Montano sports a record of 9-8 with five knockouts. All eight of his losses have come by stoppage and unless Castillo (33-3, 17 KO) is more shot than any formerly good fighter I have ever seen, he should win this one with zero trouble.
- Jake Donovan discusses the legacy that the late Alexis Arguello leaves behind.
- Dan Rafael reports that Pacquiao-Cotto is still "on track," and that Pacquiao will be looking for at least $12 million for the fight. Mr. Rafael guesses that an official announcement will be made soon when Bob Arum returns from vacation.
- For our UK fans: Muhammad Ali will be making a visit to Britain, and will attend three dinners held in his honor in London, Manchester and Stoke. Says Ali, "I want to visit one last time not only to raise awareness and funds for the Muhammad Ali Centre, but also to say goodbye in person to such a wonderful country and to all my friends and fans here, in case my health makes such a journey impossible in the future."
- Happy belated birthday to Mike Tyson, who turned 43 on Tuesday. Isn't it crazy that he's younger than Bernard Hopkins? I know Mike's had another rocky year in his personal life, and we truly send our best wishes.
- Chris Arreola's promoter, Dan Goossen, has either gone certifiable or he's doing one of the all-time worst hype jobs in history. Ron Borges says that Goossen believes Arreola could sell 40,000 tickets in Los Angeles, and that they want to fight at Dodger Stadium.
0 comments
| 0 recs
|
AP investigation says Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s debts are substantial
by SC
on Jul 3, 2009 2:28 AM EDT
in News
4 comments
A lot of the scuttlebutt surrounding Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s imminent return to boxing centered on people in and out of boxing believing that the former pound-for-pound ruler needed a big payday. Talk of debts to the IRS and others was denied by both the fighter and his friend and business partner, Leonard Ellerbe.
Now, though, the Associated Press has hard evidence.
The IRS hit the former pound-for-pound boxing king with a lien in October for $6.17 million in unpaid taxes from 2007, according to the Clark County Recorder in Las Vegas. A New Jersey Superior Court judgment from the same year shows he owes $193,000 in state taxes there.
...
Besides taxes, county records in Las Vegas show the former five-division champ has unresolved debts worth $9,400 to three homeowners associations. Other liens filed with the county say the boxer did not pay nearly $3,900 to a contractor that programmed electronics at one of his homes and $320.10 to his trash collector.
Add it all up: $6,376,620. And ten cents.
Ellerbe continues to deny the claims:
"Floyd Mayweather does not have a problem with the IRS," Ellerbe told the AP on Thursday. "He doesn't owe the IRS $6.1 million ... I don't (care) what a lien says."
"When you have a problem with them, you ain't hard to find — ask Wesley Snipes," Ellerbe said. "You go to jail, they come take your (stuff). He doesn't have a problem."
I know they want to spin this as best they can, but it took years for Wesley Snipes' troubles to become known. More than that, Mayweather has a September 19 date that even after taxes on that and paying his corner and the like will still single-handedly erase this debt. Don't forget he's also the lead promoter for his fight with Juan Manuel Marquez.
This isn't about disgracing Floyd or anything. These things happen. Richer folks than Mayweather have screwed up their finances beyond belief. As huge a figure as $6 million-plus is, it's quite fixable in his position.
It is, though, hard to take Ellerbe seriously with this news now so readily available to the public. Like it or not, Mayweather-Marquez will now be firmly associated with one thing: Floyd needing the money.
4 comments
| 0 recs
|
Some Random Rumors
by Brickhaus
on Jul 2, 2009 1:29 PM EDT
in Rumors
4 comments
Some news and notes from around the boxing world this week...
- According to BoxingScene, Jorge Linares is calling out Humberto Soto. It would be a great step-up fight if it were to happen, but I can't help but feel that Linares still hasn't built up enough of a name to make this a decent money fight. I have to imagine that Soto would be game either way, as I've never seen him back down from anyone, but Arum might prefer to save him for a fight with someone in the Top Rank stable. The fight wouldn't be until early next year, and if it does happen, there's a decent chance it could create a new lineage.
- In a battle that could create a legitimate welterweight contender, Selcuk Aydin will be facing "Sugar" Jackson Bonsu in a WBC eliminator next weekend. Bonsu was last seen narrowly beating Carlos Baldomir and losing to Rafal Jackiewicz. Aydin's last fight was on US television, but he didn't exactly look dominant, and I still think his tiny little T-Rex arms will hurt him in the long run. The fact that this fight could create a top 10 contender is a testament to just how weak the welterweight division is after the top dogs.
- Japanese megapromoter Akihito Honda is considering making a bout between Daisuke Naito and Edgar Sosa. Sosa, who has defended his belt 9 times since winning it from Brian Viloria, and who has become a big draw in Mexico, has expressed interest in moving up to flyweight after making one more defense. Naito is probably the second most popular boxer in Japan at the moment, and is a huge draw there. While this would be a great fight for the sport, I have to wonder how they would reconcile the money. If the fight's in Japan, it probably doesn't make any more for having a borderline pound for pound fighter as the opponent, since Sosa has no name recognition there. If the fight's in Mexico, there's the same problem going the other way. Plus, you wouldn't be able to broadcast live from one location to the other due to the time difference. Sounds better in concept than in execution.
- The soap opera just continues with Mikkel Kessler. Later this week, his mandatory against Gusmyl Perdomo is supposed to go to a purse bid. The path of least resistance for him to get out of his contract with Mogens Palle was to take this fight, and then make the argument that the contract is over. However, it looks like Perdomo's handlers don't want him facing Kessler, and will try to make a fight with Denis Inkin instead, which leaves Kessler out on the lurch.
- Vic Darchinyan heading to Golden Boy Promotions? Gary Shaw says that's hogwash.
- In a sad story, former champ Rocky Lockridge is living homeless in Camden, NJ. Lockridge was involved in the 1988 fight of the year with Tony Lopez, and was one round away from beating Wilfredo Gomez in Puerto Rico.
- According to Fightnews, Delvin Rodriguez-Isaac Hlatswayo II might be happening soon, this time on US soil. Most reports had Delvin winning the first fight in South Africa, which was originally scored a win for Hlatswayo, and then changed to a draw due to a scoring error.
4 comments
| 0 recs
|
Rafael Concepcion subbed in as Aug. 15 opponent for Nonito Donaire
by SC
on Jul 2, 2009 6:51 AM EDT
in News
0 comments
Nonito Donaire's August 15 pay-per-view fight with former 108-pound champion Hugo Cazares has fallen through, and Donaire will now face Rafael Concepcion that night in Las Vegas. San Francisco Examiner boxing writer Colin Seymour says that talks with both Cazares and Jose Lopez failed, and that promoter Bob Arum says Concecpion was "the best [they] could do."
Concecpcion (13-3-1, 8 KO) held the interim WBA title at 115 pounds last year after upsetting Pinoy prospect AJ Banal with a 10th round knockout in July, then less than two months later went to Mexico to defend against Jorge Arce, a hell of a tough war that Arce won when Concepcion retired after nine rounds of back-and-forth slugging.
He's better than his record, though Nonito Donaire has already noted that he is shorter than he expected. Donaire, moving up from 112 pounds, is listed at 5'6", while Concepcion is listed at 5'4" and that might be a bit of an overstatement. Concepcion also hasn't made 115 pounds since the Arce fight, though he's fought twice since then. He weighed 127 pounds for a fight with a tomato can in November, and 120 for a fight against Kermin Guardi in February.
The fight has also stirred up some folks in boxing, notably handlers of Concepcion's planned opponent for September 6, up-and-coming Filipino Drian Francisco (17-0-1, 13 KO). Concepcion opted to breach his contract and take the Donaire fight, but it sounds like Top Rank is willing to reimburse everyone involved with that card for money spent promoting the fight, and for airfare to and from the Philippines as well. Donaire being a fellow Filipino also helped, according to the event's managers.
Donaire-Concepcion is a pretty safe bet for a Donaire win, a fairly easy move up to 115, but not a lot different than the proposed Donaire-Cazares bout, which I found mildly interesting but also sort of transparent. Cazares really doesn't belong at the weight, and power, speed and youth were probably all on Donaire's side. Against Concepcion, he's taking on a guy who can take some punishment, but I also think Donaire will get him out of there in the middle rounds. Concepcion isn't a big banger and isn't particularly fast, so I expect him to really struggle to keep up with Donaire offensively and defensively.
0 comments
| 0 recs
|
Wednesday Notes: 72-year old boxer batters knife-wielding assailant
by SC
on Jul 1, 2009 9:55 PM EDT
in News
14 comments
Maybe there should be a new saying: Don't bring a knife to a fistfight with a 72-year old ex boxer. If you do, you might wind up looking like Greg McCallum did after he attempted to rob Frank Corti near Oxford, England.
Despite boxing being one of my favorite things on earth and the fact that I'm an MMA fan as well, and I grew up watching pro wrestling and still love a good action or horror movie (and oft times a bad one, too), I'm not a violent guy. But if you're the type of guy to go after a 72-year old, unarmed man with a knife and he winds up beating the left side of your face into hamburger mush with his bare hands, you pretty much had it coming.
The blows were so powerful that McCalium, who had just lunged at Mr Corti with the knife, was left looking like he had been in 'a car accident'.
The pensioner then restrained him until police arrived. He was jailed for four and a half years yesterday after a judge told him he had 'got what he deserved'.
...
Recorder Angela Morris said: 'Luckily, Mr Corti was an able-bodied 72-year-old who was able to defend himself.
'The jury might well have concluded you got what you deserved when you entered that property and took a swipe at him with that weapon.
'The elderly and vulnerable people are entitled to demand the protection of courts from people like you who decide to take matters into your own hands and enter a property with a weapon.'
Mr Corti, a retired car worker, added: 'If needed to, I would do it again.'
That last line is some John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn or Gran Torino Clint Eastwood stuff.
- UFC stars Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir, who will meet for a second time at UFC 100 this month, talked some boxing recently and...well, they tried, let's put it that way. Mir confuses Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera at one point. Mir then ends with this line: "The UFC put the nail in the coffin on boxing, which shot itself in the foot. I tell some of my friends, who are huge boxing fans, 'Don’t blame the UFC for boxing's decline, blame what you’ve done to yourself." Hey, if it helps him sleep better at night...
- Hey, look at that, Jose Sulaiman and the WBC favors Mexican fighters again. The sanctioning body said it will return Antonio Margarito to its welterweight rankings despite the fact that he's currently suspended by the California State Athletic Commission, which everyone else is taking to heart. Margarito says he's going to fight in September in Mexico, but his promoter Bob Arum has said recently (if I recall, to ESPN.com's Dan Rafael) that he won't promote him until the suspension is lifted.
- Golden Boy chief Oscar de la Hoya is just one of the many around the world and around boxing mourning the loss of Alexis Arguello, the great former champion and Hall of Famer who died of a suspected suicide at the age of 57. "The Golden Boy" sent out a press release calling Arguello his "idol," and recalling nice times spent with him before and after Oscar's 2008 fight with Steve Forbes. Side note: Not to be mean at the wrong time, but does anyone else recall Oscar calling Julio Cesar Chavez his idol at one point?
- Guess who else sent out a press release? "The Quiet Man" himself, John Ruiz. Ruiz got wind of Chris Arreola fighting in September against a former champion, according to Dan Goossen, and now he's decided he should be that man. Not that I think Arreola has the pure, one-shot power of David Tua, but I don't think Ruiz would fare so well against Arreola.
14 comments
| 2 recs
|
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
New FanPost
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
