VARGAS IS

 VICTORIOUS

By Jim Amato

Fernando Vargas is once again a force to be reckoned with. He pounded out a hard fought, but unanimous decision over former WBC Light Middleweight Champion Javier Castillejo this past saturday.

The bout started slowly, but began to heat up in the third round as the hand speed and power of Vargas took control. Give Castillejo credit as he rode out some tough moments and managed to come on late in the fight. It was to little too late as Fernando had built up a substantial lead. the final tally was 97-92 twice and 98-91 all for Vargas.

This opens the door to several possible intriguing match ups. How about Vargas and Ricardo Mayorga for the WBC 154 pound title? I've always been interested in a Vargas-Sugar Shane Mosley pairing. What about Fernando and the come backing former welterweight champion Vernon Forrest? Vargas has stated that he would like a return match with Oscar De La Hoya. The "Big O" has shown some interest in facing Fernando again. Oscar stopped Vargas in their first meeting.

The Return of Roy Jones!

By David Gonzalez

Roy Jones (49-3 38 KO'S) last two disastrous outings against Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson convinced many that the great one was finished as a fighter. However Roy Jones seems to have other plans, as the so called great one is coming back to try to repair his legacy in October. Many feel and believe that Roy is making a grievous mistake by coming out of retirement to once again face his nemesis Antonio Tarver (23-3-18 KO's), who was the first to damage the aura of the once unbeatable Jones.

Roy is a rich man, who still has his senses about him even after sustaining two devastating knockouts. Why then would a man come back to jump into the fray? Is it money? Fame? or simply respect? I believe that deep down inside, Roy knows that his fans, and the public have been anxiously awaiting to see if the proud Jones would forever run away from boxing with his tail between his legs after his last two loses.

Roy has been talking the talk about perhaps returning to the fight game for some time now, even after being crushed by Johnson (42-10 28 KO's), who left many believing that Roy Jones was damaged as an elite boxer. I for one believe that Roy simply never got over the loss to Tarver, who was the first to penetrate Roy's impregnable armor of invincibility, and the first to shake Jones confidence as a fighter.

Despite the devastating and grueling knockout he suffered at the hands of Gen Johnson, who is the last man to defeat Jones, I feel that Roy Jones will come back to defeat Tarver. My reasons for believing so, are that Roy is always in shape and the layoff would have done him a lot of good. Roy is an athlete and has God given boxing skills that a few other boxers like Floyd Mayweather are born with. Roy's biggest obstacle will be overcoming his inner demonic fears of being knocked out twice, which we hope has not shaken his confidence in himself, because other great fighters like Mohammed Ali, Floyd Patterson, and recent greats like Oscar De La Hoya to name a few, overcame such losses to become champions again.

Come October 1st, we will once again see Roy in action and in my estimation he will win this bout against his arch rival Antonio Tarver. but if I am wrong, I am sure he will still win over the hearts of boxing fans even in defeat, because the boxing public craves warriors and fighters, who do not run away from rivals who once defeated them.

Comment

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RAHMAN VS KLITCHKO

 NEXT

By Michael Amakor

Hasim Rahman scored a twelve round unanimous decision victory over Monte Barrett to become the WBC Interim  Heavyweight Champion at the United Center in Chicago in a bout featured on pay per view on Showtime.

For a fight of this magnitude it was very saddening to note that many articles about this bout received scant attention by most boxing fans who could not fathom what the hype was all about, I would like to hazard a guess that the pay per view numbers were indeed low, as several fans declared their intention not to buy the fight, the numbers will soon tell the true story.

The low interest in the bout underscores the confusing situation faced by random observers and fans of boxing today. Currently, all the Heavyweight champions are virtually unknown by the general public, a situation which is a far cry from the days of Mohammed Ali, or Mike Tyson when these champions bestrode the world like giants, and now to complicate matters further Rahman has now joined the long list of title holders.

Still you could not really fault the WBC for sanctioning this bout as reigning champion Vitali Klitchko has been out of commission for a variety of reasons since December 2004, before then he had fought only once in April.

Rahman victory has now finally backed Vitali into a corner with his legacy at stake because he now has 120 days to defend his title against Rahman or risk getting  stripped. This situation may finally force him to pick up the gauntlet thrown down by Rahman to prove his supremacy of the division in an action packed media frenzy that will certainly go a long way in determining that the last last man standing, will be crowned the peoples champion.

COMMENT

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N.Y. COMMISSION; Do It

 Right Or Don't Do It At All !
 

By Jim Amato

Something needs to be done to protect the fighters. I could not agree more. I just did not feel that the NYSAC went about it in a proper manner. Even if the suspension is upheld, what is to stop Evander from boxing in a state that does not honor the ruling ? The door has been left ajar for Evander to do this if he so wishes. Aaron Pryor did this when he fought in Wisconsin some years back. Some states are not that strongly regulated. You know as well as I do that there are several boxers out there that are considered "career losers".

Some may even be decent fighters to a degree that are brought in to meet a local prospect with a very slim chance of winning. He comes in, takes his beating, gets paid (sometimes) and moves on to the next state. Bruce "The Mouse"Strauss made a career out of this. He was a good enough boxer to occasionally win one but more often then not he became a victim and helped to pad an aspiring fighter's record. There are so many boxers like this out there that are not even as accomplished as Strauss was that are plying their trade. "Tomato Cans" is what they are usually referred to in the business. The sport feeds off these less talented individuals. I just don't understand how they will be able to continue making a living and Evander can not.

Continue

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Ex Champ Watch

By Michael Amakor

On the under card of the Rahman versus Barrett WBC Heavyweight title Interim bout, former champion Oliver McCall scored a fourth round technical knockout victory over ex European Champion Przemyslaw Saleta at the United Center in Chicago.

Most boxing fans may remember Oliver because of the bizarre incident when he suffered an emotional breakdown in the ring against Lennox Lewis for the vacant WBC title back in 1997, but that was a long time ago.

Since that episode, he has amassed a fourteen fight winning streak before losing a close decision to Davaryll Williamson just this past November, however this recent victory against Saleta has him winning five fights in a row in 2005 alone, he now sports a record of 45 wins and eight losses.

I would like to thank Don King for his willingness to give former champions like McCall a chance, long after the proverbial short memories of boxing fans elapses, need I mention to any critic that this was the second to the last man to beat Lewis, he has also beaten the legendary Larry Holmes and Henry Akinwande, and by all accounts roughed up a prime Mike Tyson during a sparring session.

If an undeserving Andrew Golota can get three title shots in a row, why not the still powerful and ever hungry forty year old Mccall who you would reckon would have stood a better chance against John Ruiz or Chris Byrd if those fights are ever made. We can send him off into the sunset with some prize money, and in the process find out before it it too late whether he still has one last great fight still left in him as famous HBO boxing analyst Larry Merchant is often known to quip, about old fighters.

Comment

Heavyweight Confusion - WHO IS THE REAL CHAMPION

By Jim Amato

I miss Lennox Lewis. I never really liked him so obviously I was not a fan. Still I find myself missing his presence among today's heavyweights. Why? Simple, with Lennox you knew who the real champion was. No ands, ifs or buts about it. When Lennox did briefly lend his title to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman, he stopped both in rematches to regain his crown.. He did not need the WBA's blessing as their champion. Did anyone really think that John Ruiz would beat him?

Lennox would become a true linear champion when he stopped Shannon Briggs. You see Shannon had defeated George Foreman who had defeated Michael Moorer who had defeated Evander Holyfield. Evander had originally won the crown by stopping Buster Douglas. This was the Buster Douglas, who had upset the undisputed heavyweight king Mike Tyson in Tokyo. After Evander beat Douglas he would lose the title to Riddick Bowe. He would regain the crown in the infamous "Fan Man" bout.

Lennox first won title recognition by the W.B.C. after he halted the dangerous Razor Ruddock in two rounds. Then newly crowned champion Riddick Bowe remembered how Lennox had battered him into submission in the 1988 Olympic games and refused to fight Lennox. Therefore the W.B.C. decided to name Lewis as their champion. Still Lennox did not join the true championship line until he beat Shannon Briggs.

Lennox is retired now and although I miss his presence on the heavyweight scene I hope he remains retired. I'm not sure where Lennox will end up among the all time greats but you have to give him his due. He turned back the challenges of Holyfield, Tyson, Tua and yes even Vitali. He was the best heavyweight of his era.

Continue

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A TRIBUTE TO GATTI AND MAYWEATHER

By Joe Haynes

Authors Note: Hello and welcome to my first contribution to FightKings.Com. First of all, before I begin, I would like to say that I am the biggest fan of boxing and take pride in being associated with the greatest sport of all - the sport of KINGS!

Arturo Gatti: My personal favorite, but the ultimate sacrificial lamb

I wrote this article to express my deep and profound appreciation of Arturo "Thunder" Gatti. Through the years, I have never revered or had such an appreciation of any fighter other than Gatti. To me, he has fulfilled every thing that I used to love about the sweet science.

The ultimate "Blood and Guts" warrior never seemed to disappoint me or make me wish he had given a better performance. There were a couple times against Gianlunco Branca where I wished he had a better ability to solve his opponents, but I have never asked my money back from Gatti like I have from Lennox Lewis or Bernand Hopkins. I always thought that this guy had a punchers chance in any fight he showed up for...Until last Saturday.

I'll be the first one to say that I was not only disappointed from what I saw last from that fight, I was also disenheartened. Keep in mind, this has nothing to do with his performance, but it has EVERYTHING to do with the fallout...I expect Gatti to fight maybe two more times, then hang it up, but Floyd Mayweather, as good as he is, is going to rule this division for the next ten years. All we have to look forward to is a cocky Junior Welterweight manhandling opponents and the rest of the field ducking him until he's pushing forty when someone finally takes him out. Not to take anything away from Mayweather, he's the best prospect since a young Ray Leonard, but we're about to fall into the same Lennox Lewis/Bernand Hopkins abyss of boring fights.

There isn't one fighter be it Ricky Hatton or Miguel Cotto who can match up to the strength, speed or endurance of Mayweather, and we're all worse off because of it. I personally hope that Gatti takes on a couple more big fights before walking into the sunset, but if he left the game tomorrow, much like the 98 Utah Jazz, they can walk away knowing that they got beat by the best there was...Gatti, as a fan favorite, has been defeated 7 times now, and for every Micky Ward victory, there's been an Ivan Robinson defeat...As sad as it is, the boxing game will lose a piece of their identity when the Thunder is silenced...Hail Ceasar (Mayweather)

Editors Note: We shall see whether Mayweather fulfills his true potential,  already there is speculation that he is interested in fighting Sugar Shane Mosley, Winky Wright and now just recenly down the wire - Zab Judah.

Comment

Rahman vs Barrett Pre-fight Analysis 

By Michael Amakor

In another curious abnormality now common place in boxing today, the WBC has sanctioned a heavyweight bout to install an Interim Champion. Reigning champion  Vitali Klitchko has been out of commission since December 2004 as he recovers from back surgery, before then he had fought only once in April. This saga got more interesting as a seemingly revitalized Vitali is now being rumored to prefer returning to the ring against the likes of Oleg Maskaev and Calvin Brock instead of his mandatory opponent Hasim Rahman in a bout that has often times been postponed by Klitchko in curious circumstances that leaves you questioning his motives. The WBC perhaps sensing that it may have to strip him down the road has ordered a runoff between Monte Barrett and Hasim Rahman for the interim title in a bout to be televised on Showtime. 

Hasim Rahman is a capable veteran who once held the USBA and IBF intercontinental belts earlier on in his career beating other rising prospects like Ross Purity, Obed Sullivan, Jesse Ferguson, Jeff Wooden and former champions Corrie Saunders and Trevor Berbeck along the way. He exploded unto the world stage with his shocking fifth round knockout of Lennox Lewis in far away South Africa to become the unified WBC, IBF and IBO Heavyweight champion of the world in a 2001 ring magazine upset of the year.        

This sudden victory catapulted him right into the media spotlight and unto a roller coaster ride of activities that saw him going on a religious pilgrimage to Mecca, turning down multi million dollar deals with a HBO and Showtime, scuffling with Lewis in a pre-fight interview and squabbling with his then trainer in moves that derailed his training camp. Needless to say he got brutally knocked out by a more focused Lennox Lewis in their highly anticipated rematch in 2001; thereafter his career went into a tailspin. 

CONTINUE

CALZAGHE FIGHTS LACY IN NOVEMBER

By Jim Amato

Jeff Lacy sealed the deal when he halted a dead game Robin Reid. Reid was down four times and it will into the record books as a seventh round triumph for the undefeated Lacy who moves to 20-0. Now the stage has been set for Lacy, the IBF champ to meet long time WBO titleholder Joe Calzaghe in November.

This is a fine match up and a long overdue chance for world > wide recognition and respect for Calzaghe who will bring a 39-0 record to the table. At times it seemed the Calzaghe of Wales was on the verge of a super fight. Bernard Hopkins was rumored to be moving up to 168 to challenge Joe. Then Joe was considering bumping up to 175 to meet then champion Roy Jones Jr. These fights never materialized for Joe. This time it looks very > promising for Joe that this fight will come off.

Calzaghe is a quick handed boxer and a sharp puncher but he may be a few years past his prime. Lacy may be among the strongest boxers pound for pound in the world today. He is a heavy fisted, punishing fighter who just breaks opponents down. He is still a work in progress though and the seasoned Calzaghe could pose some serious problems for him.

I like Lacy. I feel he has the tools to become a first rate champion. This will be a great test for him. I respect Joe Calzaghe and his ring accomplishments thus far in his career. I just believe that Lacy is entering the beginning of his prime and will prove to be too powerful for an aging Calzaghe.

Still I expect this to be an exciting fight and I'm looking forward to seeing it.

Lacy impresses!

By Christophe Neyts: www.worldcupofboxing.com

On Saturday, 2000 Sydney Olympian Jeff Lacy (#13, v470) successfully defended his IBF super middleweight title before his own fans in Tampa Florida dropping his opponent Robin Reid (#14, v460) four times to eventually win the bout on a seventh round stoppage. Lacy adds 460 points to the 110 he had already scored earlier this year, upping his World Cup total to 570 points.

The Tampa fighter climbs from rank 18 to rank 4 in the World Cup ranking, which is headed by Germany's Danilo Häussler with 1200 points. Second is Mikkel Kessler (1000 pts), followed by Markus Beyer (600 pts). In the super middleweight total ranking Lacy climbs to a temporary seventh spot, with 1060 total points. Markus Beyer still leads with 2600 points.

WBO titlist Joe Calzaghe trails by 350 points. If Calzaghe comes out victorios in his WBO title defence on September 10, he is scheduled to clash with Lacy in a IBF/WBO title unification bout on November 5. Third in the TR is Mikkel Kessler with 2200 points.

There is a new total ranking leader at 108lbs, a division which in World cup of boxing terms also contains the minimumweights. On Saturday, Eagle Kyowa (#2,v1800) regained the WBC minimumweight crown, defeating now ex-champ Katsunari Takayama (#16, v440) on points in Tokyo. The scorecards read 116-112, 117-113 and 119-111. The Japan-based Thai fighter now has 2440 total points and thus removes WBC light flyweight champ Eric Ortiz (2050 pts) from the top position. Third is WBO minimumweight titleholder Ivan Calderon with 1819 points.

Kyowa enters the World Cup standings in eighth spot. Eric Ortiz still leads with 1600 points, followed by Omar Soto (1205 pts) and Luis Alberto Lazaarte (800 pts).

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WORLD CUP OF BOXING RELEASES AUGUST RANKING

For more information please visit their site at  
http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/

Calzaghe Awaits Lacy - Reid Winner

By Curtis McCormick

WBO Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe has a definite interest in this weekend's compelling matchup between IBF titlist Jeff Lacy and his seasoned veteran challenger Robin Reid, as the quick handed southpaw will likely face the winner later this year. The undefeated Welshman, 39-0 (31), is coming off a successful trip to Germany where he dominated the much improved Mario Veit enroute to a sixth round stoppage and has long been looking forward to the opportunity to add another world title belt to his trophy cabinet.

A Calzaghe - Lacy pairing has been talked about for some time now and "The Pride of Wales" is banking on the American slugger prevailing against his old British nemesis Reid. "Lacy probably wants to make a statement by beating Reid more comprehensively than I did," stated the longest current reigning world titlist in boxing today. "Lacy knows that I struggled against Reid, but I broke my hand in that fight and Reid did make things difficult for me. Lacy beating Reid isn't a forgone conclusion as Robin is still a good fighter. I don't believe Reid will win but I'll be shocked if Lacy can stop him. I think Reid will give a decent performance but he's a bit one paced. I think that Lacy will outwork him and I can see him winning the fight."

The Calzaghe - Reid matchup of 1999 was one of the best fights to take place in a British ring that year. It was a very close contest and arguably the toughest of the man from Wales' career to date. Calzaghe views a bout against Lacy to be much more profitable than a rematch with his English archrival. "Basically, I want to fight Lacy and I'm not excited at the prospect of fighting Reid again," lamented Joe. "Obviously, if he wins he'd have the belt so I'd want to fight him but I don't think I have anything to prove in regards to Reid. He's a bitter man. He fought his best, I fought my worst and he still couldn't beat me but has mouthed off ever since about how he should have won the fight; Get over it.

CONTINUE

Jones to Fight Tarver III

By Jim Amato

AUTHOR'S NOTE: In light of the very good possibility of Roy Jones Jr. returning to fight Antonio Tarver in a rubber match October 1, 2005, I decided to re-release the following article. It was posted right after Roy's stunning loss to Glencoffe Johnson....

NO NEED TO BE COY ROY...IT'S TIME TO RETIRE !

Well the initial shock is now over. It took a while. I mean no disrespect to Glencoffe Johnson but I did not think he had a real chance to win. I didn't really give him a " puncher's chance " because he did not carry the rep of a big hitter. No I thought Jones had made a wise career move. Fight and beat Johnson who was a respectable opponent who also held a piece of the title. That would set up the rubber match with his nemesis Antonio Tarver to unify their respective titles. If he beat Tarver to regain his past glory there would be other big fights on the horizon. Maybe he could entertain challenges from Bernard Hopkins or Joe Calzaghe. Maybe he would move back up to heavyweight for a long awaited rematch with James Toney. Who would have thought that a guy named Glencoffe would have ended all these possible scenarios.

This was not even a very competitive fight. Johnson jumped on Roy early and kept steady pressure on Roy. Jones had some moments, a flash of his brilliant past now and then. For the most part though Roy was rather ineffective. Still when the KO came I just sat in a state of shock. No way did I see this happening. To me this was an upset of major proportions. I always felt that Roy was a little overrated and had the benefit of fighting at a time when top notch 175 pounders were scarce. I don't believe in kicking a man when he is down so no point going into that here. I really think this bout was just a case of a once fine fighting machine reaching the end of the line. It has happened to most of the greats, Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Duran, Arguello... They all fought one too many. I hope Roy retires now so fans will be able to put his bad performances of late behind. Fans should remember Roy at his peak and judge his rightful place in boxing history from those performances. One final thought. Who would have thought one year ago that Roy Jones would be knocked out, not once but twice !!!

AUTHOR'S FINAL NOTE:

I was hoping Roy would stay retired. I felt he beat Tarver the first time but it was close.Still it was the first sign of cracks in the great wall that Roy had built. In his KO loss to Tarver in the rematch...Well, he just got caught. I could see the justification for Tarver-Jones III. After Roy's non performance against Glen Johnson one would have to wonder what Roy really has left.

Obviously Roy feels that he has unfinished business with Tarver. Will he regain the magic ? We'll have to wait and see. A strong argument can be made that Roy was the best fighter of his era. I hope he does not get hurt.

SEE PAST JONES VS JOHNSON PRE-FIGHT ANALYSIS

            COMMENTS                                                            BUY A FIGHT

REGGIE JOHNSON PRESS RELEASE

Determined to continue his road to a great career, Houston.s own son, winner and defender of two World Boxing Title Championships, one as 1998 NABF, IBF and USBA Light Heavyweight Champ and another 1992 WBA and USBA Middleweight Champ is Reggie Sweet Johnson. Reggie is scheduled to fight a Light Heavyweight match, August 27, 2005 at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, LA on a co-main event ticket with Blake .Candyman. Provost. Reggie.s trainer is legendary, Maurice .Termite. Watkins. His Agent is Kerry Daigle. The promoter for the event is Warrior Boxing Promotion and marketed by CeeCee E. Dogins for Houston based NESE, Inc. Sports & Entertainment Group.

Reggie.s fight career has span some twenty years. He has traveled to many countries from the age of fifteen years old as an amateur boxer. He has fought all over the world. His last official Championship fight was fought against Antonio Tarver in January 25, 2002. Reggie suffered a busted ear drum and a defeat by split decision to Tarver. Reggie was derailed for a period of time due the ear problem, followed by the death of his father. The death of his father and other personal issues has halted Reggie.s ring action. When asked what has kept him from the ring so long, his reply was that, "I waited out a dispute.I had a personal lost and for so long, I got tired of the system. I wanted to keep control of my own fate." Watkins, a former boxer who gained fame last year by organizing Iraq’s first Olympic boxing team, said Johnson’s absence from the ring won’t be a factor by the time they’re through training.

BACK TO THE CRUISERWEIGHT DIVISION

By Michael Amakor

What can you say about the Cruiserweight Division, for the past several years the Division has been battling in the throes of obscurity, the last time the division generated any excitement was when a certain 1984 Olympic bronze medallist by the name of Evander Holyfield beat Dwight Mohammed Oawi in a sensational fifteen round slugfest back in 1986 to win the WBA Title. Holyfield went on to unify the titles in the division before leaving the division to become a Heavyweight.Since his departure there have been a host of vaguely recognizeable champions like Virgil Hill,Adolpho Washington, Imamu Mayfield, Uriah Grant, Nate “Mr” Miller, to name a few, who have all lacked the star power to attract boxing fans to the division, this situation continued unabated for several years further relegating the Cruiserweights to the dustbin of boxing divisions.

However, a few events are signaling the revival of the division, not too long ago the various alphabet organizations in their infinite wisdom increased the weight limit of the division from 190 to 200 pounds in a long overdue move that is sure to retain talented fighters within the division. The second event happened in a well  publicized boxing event this past April, when we watched WBA Champion Jean Marc Mormeck,display fearsome punching power, that backed up WBC Champion “Big Truck” Wayne Braithwaite over twelve rounds, to annex his title, and become the first unified champion of the division since 1988.
                                                          

 CONTINUE
 

HOPKINS VERSUS THE GREAT MIDDLEWEIGHTS

By Jim Amato

Bernard Hopkins did not win the night he faced a fresh, legitimate challenger in young but talented Jermaine Taylor. I give Bernard credit for taking on such a tough challenge in the twilight of his career. Here's my thing, even if Bernard would have clocked Taylor with the first punch he landed, I still feel that there were several middlewights in my time (1965 to Present) that may have been able to handle Bernard. Though no fault of his own, Bernard came along at a time when serious challengers were few and far between. Yes he beat every challenger put before him and I agree he did not duck anyone. My question is, who did he really beat? Trinidad who we later found out thanks to Winky Wright, was lacking in the skills department. De La Hoya who was just in with a bigger, stronger man. Oscar was probably at his best at 147pounds.

I respect Bernard but he was never seriously challenged. Trinidad and De La Hoya were blown up welterweights. A lot of his challengers like Robert Allen, Antwon Nichols, Joe Lipsey, Keith Holmes and William Joppy were good fighters but not in the caliber of some world title challengers and former titleholders from days gone by.

CONTINUE

Jermain Taylor has ended the long reign of Bernard Hopkins. Taylor won a split decision in a bout where youth took the early lead and age and knowledge fell short.

Give Bernard his due. When he realized his title was in jeopardy, he came on like a true champion. At times it looked like he might overwhelm Taylor and salvage his title but Taylor was there to bring home the bacon and he did just that. The scores were 116-112 for Bernard but that vote was over ruled by two cards reading 115-113 for Taylor. So Jermain is now the main man.

A rematch? If Bernard requests it , he should get it. It was not like he was blown out of the ring. He made a very respectable showing and he deserves a > rematch if he so desires. 

For the time being Taylor is the top dog. He rose to the occasion. This  young man has a great future ahead.

See Pre-Fight Analysis by Jim Amato

See Pre-Fight Analysis by Michael Amakor

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Former WBC Welterweight Champion

Vernon " The Viper" Forest

made a comeback to the ring, after a two year injury induced hiatus from the ring by knocking out  unheralded Sergio Rios, in the second round of a non title bout on the Hopkins versus Taylor Next in Line under  Card. 

Welcome Back Forest

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WATCH THE REBROADCAST OF

DE LA HOYA VS HOPKINS

AND

HOPKINS VS HOWARD EASTMAN

ON HBO AT

Sat 7/16 01:30 AM HBO2 - WEST

Sat 7/16 11:00 AM HBO2 - EAST

Sat 7/16 02:00 PM HBO2 - WEST

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WEBER HALTS FRANKIE RANDALL IN SIX
By Jim Amato

Craig Weber kept his dream of getting a big fight alive as he halted  former three time world champion Frankie Randall in the sixth round.

It was an entertaining fight and although the aging Randall had his moments, Weber was clearly in charge of the fight. The end came at 2:43 of the sixth round when Randall took a knee after absorbing a barrage of punches indicating that he could not go on.

The win pushes Weber to an Impressive 21-1-2 record. With victories over Angel Manfredy and now Randall, Craig should be in line for a shot at a main stream contender in the near future.

MADE IN HELL DETHRONES THE DREAM

By Michael Amakor

Russian fighter Roman Karmazin out-pointed Kassim "The Dream" Ouma on all the three judges scorecards to become the new IBF Light Middleweight Champion of the world at the Orleans Hotel & Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The dream simply was not strong enough and could not get past the stiff jab of Karmazin, who looked physically bigger, and dominated him throughout the fight, flooring him twice in the 3rd round alone, the first knockdown came from a left hook to the body and the second knockdown was from a combination to the head.

With this victory, Karmazin is now the number one ranked Light Middleweight in the world, and he has served notice to Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley who were both seated at ringside, that he is perhaps ready to take on all comers.

For Ouma, his rising profile has dimmed considerably, and they big money fights against name opponents like Oscar De La Hoya or Shane Mosley will have to wait for now. But at only twenty six years old he can recover from this disaster, all he has to do, is go to the back of the line and battle back for a title shot down the long road, albeit may be not against Karmazin

Other Celebreties at ringside included Hasim Rahman,

Punch On

Matt Skelton and Danny Williams Set For War

By Frank Maloney

This week sees something quite big happen in regards to boxing in Britain. Terrestrial television, roughly the equivalent of "Network" TV in America, is returning to the sport here in the UK. This is similar to when NBC started showing boxing in the US a couple of years back; it provides a much larger audience base than what one gets with subscription, satellite or cable television broadcasts. Specifically, ITV has committed to a two-year deal with Frank Warren's Sports Network company and the first benefactors of this arrangement will be the British Heavyweight scene. In the rest of the world, the heavyweight division is in the doldrums due to the lack of any dominant American heavyweight coming through. At the highest levels, the division is currently run by a Ukrainian, Vitali Klitschko and a Puerto Rican - American fighter, John Ruiz, who has won the title, lost it and then regained it more times than I can remember. His latest title was given back to him by default as James Toney, who could have set the game alight, failed a post fight drug test.

In Britain however, we have a very good heavyweight matchup this weekend and all eyes are turning Bolton's Reebok Centre in the north of England. On Saturday night, that's where a great domestic heavyweight match will take place between the undefeated British Champion Matt Skelton and a former holder of that title, Danny Williams. Fans here have been waiting for this fight to happen and it truly has captured their imaginations.

The defending champion, Matt Skelton, never had an amateur fight in his life, but is on an amazing ride through the division especially when you consider the quality of opponents that he's beaten. They may not be names known the world over, but in Britain, those opponents were expected to beat Skelton.

In the opposite corner is the former British Champion and nearly man, Danny Williams. Throughout his career, Danny has always promised but in reality has failed to deliver. Even as an amateur, he had the reputation of not quite coming to the table. People go on about Williams, saying that he's the best thing in Britain since Lennox Lewis, but if you check his record at world class level, who has Danny Williams beaten?

CONTINUE

BERNARD HOPKINS VS JERMAIN TAYLOR PRE-FIGHT ANALYSIS

By Michael Amakor

On July 16th, Undisputed Middleweight Champion of the world Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins defends his WBA, WBC,WBO and IBF titles against WBC Continental Americas Middleweight Champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on HBO in a fight Labelled Next in Line.

The Executioner first made me his fan with his thrilling and brutal stoppage of skilled southpaw Joe "The Sledgehammer" Lipsky in the 4th round back in 1996, you had to see that knockout as Hopkins suddenly stepped back and unleashed a blur of vicious uppercuts that absolutely stopped Lipsky dead on his feets,Hopkins showed killer instinct by immediately putting together a combination that sent the sledgehammer to the canvas almost unconscious prompting the experienced Referee - Mitch Halpern to wave off the fight even before Lipsky’s head had touched the canvas, Joe Lipsky has not fought again since that knockout.

Another thing that endeared me to Hopkins was his ring entrance, which is quite tame now, but back in 1996 it was a menacing spectacle to behold, he usually walked slowly into the ring cloaked in an executioners mask with an entourage of burly masked bodyguards who carried his swords, battle axes, and Championship belts right behind him like a funeral procession, that along with his hard core eloquencial ponitifications was truly inspiring, I knew after that fight that this guy was on a mission and he could really bang.

Back then he let the world know that he was not getting the best fights because no one wanted to fight him, he wanted to fight Roy Jones in a rematch and urged Don King,to work with his then promoter Butch Lewis who had labeled him the Hagler of the nineties when signing him up, to get him career defining fights. He finally got the chance to showcase his skills, five years later, when he competed in the Don King sponsored Middleweight unification series by stopping legendary Felix Trinidad in the eleventh round to become the unified Middleweight King.

Three years later he went on to stop Oscar De la Hoya with a single devastating body shot to annex the WBO version of the middleweight to claim absolute supremacy of the division. He has also surpassed Carlos Manzon's title defense record with 20 title defenses of his own, and has crushed the likes of Antwun Echols, and former champions Keith Holmes, Simon Brown, Segundo Mercado and recently dethroned Light Heavyweight King Glen Johnson. But he is now on the north side of 40 and father time will have to catch up with him someday, the only question is when, and this is where Taylor comes into the picture.

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************************************************************                    MAYWEATHER JR.-vs-SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY ?

By Jim Amato

This bout is actually being discussed and rumor has it that both boxers are interested. I am not sure but I am assuming that the bout will be fought at 147 pounds.

A very interesting proposed match up. Floyd is on a roll and Mosley trying to come to terms with his four losses. two each to Vernon Forrest and Winky Wright. Still you must remember that Shane has twice defeated De La Hoya. Floyd is the best young fighter I've seen since a prime Roy Jones Jr. and before that Sugar Ray Leonard himself.

Two things that Shane brings to the table that may trouble Floyd are his tremendous strength and his hand speed, especially in close. Shane is probably pound for pound one of the strongest boxers active today. If they fight at 147, this will be a great advantage for Shane. If Mosley could bull his way inside, he still has the ability to get off quick combinations to the head and body. Also Shane is a pretty good banger to the body.

Floyd has a great defense. He is extremely hard to hit solidly and nearly impossible to hit with two power punches in a row. The boxer who has had the most success against Floyd was Jose Luis Castillo in their first fight at 135 pounds. Why ? Pressure, pressure, pressure. If you give Floyd room he'll box your ears off. If Mosley pressures Floyd to ropes, uses his strength and lets his hands go, he has a legitimate chance of winning.

I just wonder if Shane still has enough confidence in his abilities.

Who is Next

By Michael Amakor

On July the second, "The Nigerian Nightmare" Sam Peters continued his upward rampage through the Heavyweight Division, he just cleared out the crowded deck of next generation championship pretenders by pummeling Taurus "The Bull Sykes into submission by  brutally knocking him down forcing the referee to halt the contest at the 2.07 mark of the second round at the Events center in Reno Nevado.

With this brutal display Peters has annexed the NABA Heavyweight Crown, he is also the current NABF and USBA Heavyweight Champion, and as he strapped the new belt to his huge body he began screaming WHO NEXT determined to destroy anybody in his path towards annexing another title to his waistline.

This victory has elevated the Nigerian Nightmare as the sixth ranked heavyweight fighter in the world according to Boxrec.Com, and if you rise up in protest against this seeming outrage please remember that he has already crushed Jeremy Williams, Charles Shufford, Juvo Pudor, Dale Crowe, Yankee Diaz and now Sykes to hold your peace. He remains unbeaten in 24 fights with twenty one knockouts and he is only  twenty-four years old.

Is he another Contender or Pretender - Only Time will Tell

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THOMAS "THE HITMAN" HEARNS IS BACK - MEMORIES AGAINST ROBERTO  DURAN

By Jim Amato

Roberto Duran WAS my idol. When he whipped Leonard in Montreal, well... That goes right up there in the important date column with the birth of my kids and March 8, 1971 when Joe whipped Ali's ass.

With that said, you can fully understand my disappointment when Roberto said "No Mas" during Leonard-Duran II. Still there was this feeling that it wasn't a complete victory for Leonard. Who knows what was going on in Roberto's head when he uttered those now famous words ? It left the door open for a rubber match that would take place years later.

It was so different when Hearns nearly tore Roberto's head off that June night in 1984. Up to this fight only the great Esteban DeJesus had put Duran on floor. Tommy CREAMED him. It was utterly unbelievable. To see Roberto flat on his stomach at the feet of the towering Hearns was humbling to Roberto and his fans. Roberto had just gone fifteen tough rounds with the "Marvelous One", Marvin Hagler.Leonard had been unable to put him down in either of their contests. Who would have thought that Roberto would be so easily dispatched ? They didn't call Thomas Hearns the "Hit Man" for nothing.

I don't recall Roberto ever pushing hard for a return match with Tommy ! Could you really blame him ?

PETERS VERSUS TAURUS SYKES FIGHT ANALYSIS
By Michael Amakor

On July 2nd at the Reno Events Center in Reno Nevada NABF and USBA Heavyweight Champion Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peters puts his titles on the line against Taurus “The Bull” Sykes in a unification bout on Showtime TV.

Not much is known about the Bull, the thirty three year old underdog, especially since he will tell you that some of the heavy hitters in the division have been ducking him, but he is the newly crowned NABA Heavyweight Champion which he seized by besting capable Friday Ahunanya over 12 rounds in March. A review of his dossier shows victories over vaguely recognizable journey men live Jovo Pudor, Sherman Williams and faded former IBF Cruiserweight Champion Imamu Mayfield.

In this fight he has his hands full against the 25 year old Samuel Peters who possesses natural punching power in both hands and was a quarter finalist at the 2000 Olympic Games. The nightmare from Nigeria currently sports an unbeaten record of 23 victories with 20 of these victories coming inside the distance, only three of his fights have gone the distance against vastly more experienced veterans like Marion Wilson, Jovo Podo, and Charles Shufford earlier on in his career He is being hailed and wished by the boxing establishment as the next young great Heavyweight. His knockouts have been so savage and sudden you are immediately reminded of a young Mike Tyson. Boxing historians will compare him to another great Nigerian Heavyweight “The President” Ike Ibabuchi whose express run towards the heavyweight title was suddenly derailed after he went to jail over a rape conviction wondering about what could have been and praying that Peters goes all the way and realizes his potential.

Against a common opponent, Jovo Pudor both fighters eeked out twelve round decisions, which may indicate that this fight is a competitive match up as both fighters seem to be at the same experience and skill level. Both guys sport a motley collection of C class fighters with a couple of B minuses on their resumes with Sam Peters getting the nod due to his recent and more spectacular knockouts wins over ranked foes.

We will all be curious to see whether Sykes confidence and overall boxing ability could bull it out against a Sam Peters who has the killer instinct and power to knock him down and out before a stamina war ensues down the stretch.

What ever happens, one thing is clear, the outcome of this fight will flush out a pretender to the throne and speak volumes about the victor’s pedigree to become a challenger for one of the more recognizable titles down the stretch.

May the best Man win
 

TALE OF THE TAPE

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