And it was not a left hook as so many have incorrectly reported. Martinez is a southpaw and does not throw a left hook. He throws a left cross. Besides, it was an overhand left, but we digress.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=5837851

David Tua vs Ike Ibeabuchi on ESPN Classic UK Tuesday 22nd Nov 10.45pm Great heavyweight fight from 1997. Both undefeated going in. Sky

Just got word from Bristol: ESPN3.com will have live coverage of Friday's David Lemieux-Hector Camacho Jr. fight from Montreal. 10 pm ET.

Dan Rafael's Twitter. Presumably this means the fight will no longer be available to U.S. viewers for free on Seconds Out TV.

Boxers don't pull any punches and neither should those of us who train and write about these fearless warriors. Whether a championship is at stake or not, one- sided bouts in which a devastating puncher is at work must be halted, if not by the corner, then by the referee or doctor. Boxers must be protected from their bravery. The punishment that Briggs suffered on Saturday was so egregious and unnecessary that it was a blow to the gut to watch. It was enough to make a person feel guilty about being involved in the sport.

Vitali Klitschko Pounds Out a Dominant Performance and an Argument for Reform in Boxing

Boxing on ESPN Classic (UK) Tuesday 5.50pm. Evander Holyfield v Dwight Muhammad Qawi from 1986. Great 15 rd fight for the WBA Cruiserweight title.

Frank Warren's "Magnificent Seven" to air from 6pm on Sat 18th September. Line up as follows: Darren Barker v Matt Macklin. Nathan Clevely v Karo Murat. Ryan Rhodes v Lukas Konecny. Sam Sexton v Derek Chisora. Enzo Maccarinelli v Alexander Frenkel. Kell Brook v Michael Jennings. James Degale v Carl Dillks. Source: Skytext page 443.

Skytext page 443.

Escalante Likely to fight Ponce de Leon on undercard of Mosley-Mora El Paso featherweight contender Antonio Escalante is headed for a showdown with Daniel Ponce de Leon in arguably his biggest fight of his career. Escalante (24-2, 15 knockouts) has a verbal agreement to fight Ponce de Leon (39-2, 32 Ko's) on Sept. 18 in Los Angeles on an HBO pay-per-view card headlined by a junior middleweight clash between Shane Mosley and Sergio Mora. The fight card will be held at the Staples Center. Escalante's manager, Lester Bedford said he's just waiting for the contracts on the fight. "It'll be a great test for Antonio," he said. "It's a type of risk we have to take."

Well it’s one of those fights that I hope never happens because Pacquiao doesn’t need Mayweather in his life. It’ll be one of those life changing experiences for Pacquiao, especially. For instance, I didn’t have to fight Muhammad Ali. I really didn’t have to take that fight. I took the fight and it turned into more than just a boxing match. It became a political statement, one way and the other, and today we’re great friends but if I had to do it over again, because of all the other sprinkling on the pies, I never would have taken part in such a fight. I think Pacquiao had a nice name. Mayweather started to slander him, say things like he was taking drugs. When you start running into people like that, it’s best that you stay away from them. It’s not even necessary to even have them in your life. But if the fight does take place, I think that Pacquiao wins because he’s got the momentum, he has a real trainer, and he’s willing to take the fight. He’d probably beat Mayweather, probably. Not to say Mayweather isn’t a wonderful fighter. He is the best fighter I’ve ever seen in my life, but he can’t beat Pacquiao because there is something else going on in that fight business. Not the X’s and the O’s, but there’s something else. -George Foreman

Chris (Albany)Dan u cursed every prospect of the year that you've named. Dan Rafael (2:09 PM):Before you make such a moronic statement go look at the full list. My track record is outstanding.

From Dan Rafael's chat For the record, here's his prospect of the year list since he started: 2009 Daniel Jacobs (upset in 2010) 2008 Victor Ortiz (upset in 2009) 2007 Amir Khan (upset in 2008) 2006 Andre Berto (should have been upset in early 2008) 2005 Joel Julio (upset in 2006, has become a journeyman) 2004 Samuel Peter (upset in 2005) 2003 Jermain Taylor 2002 Miguel Cotto 2001 Francisco Bojado (upset in 2002; became a journeyman, got fat and disappeared) 2000 Julio Diaz (upset in 2001 and 2002, though to his credit later became a titlist)

"We have been in communication (with Mayweather Jr.) and knew of his visit," the lawyer said during a conversation yesterday afternoon. "We will meet and discuss a little matter that I am not at liberty to publish," the lawyer added.

Miguel Cotto's lawyer, on Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s vacation in Puerto Rico. If Mayweather has indeed been in talks with Cotto, this adds a twist to the whole situation, especially if Bob Arum knew all along that Mayweather was looking at another one of his fighters. Also note that other sources have been mentioning a potential bout between Cotto and Andre Berto.