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The Haymon Way
By Sean Crose · On September 2, 2015
It’s easy to despise Al Haymon, I suppose. The man comes across as rather disinterested in fans and shadowy in his dealings. But sometimes you have to step back and look at the big picture. I’m not saying Haymon isn’t doing harm to boxing. I’m just saying things have to be looked at objectively in order to arrive at such a conclusion fairly. Who knows? The guy may actually be doing some good.
First off, let’s take a look at the man himself. About four years ago, Greg Bishop of The New York Times did an impressive write-up on this most enigmatic of boxing’s players which was quite thorough, and it still makes for a fine source of reference.
Haymon is a product of Cleveland. He’s also a Harvard guy. That’s right, Al Haymon – like Bob Arum – has himself an Ivy League education. So much for boxing powerhouses being gangsters and dopes. Haymon first made his mark, however, in the field of concert and tour promotions. Eddie Murphy, MC Hammer, Whitney Houston: Haymon dealt with them all. In short, the guy wasn’t small time. Not by a long shot.
Haymon: in the shadows.
Haymon: in the shadows.
But Haymon was not a man content to put all of life’s eggs into one basket. He ended up being a television producer before finally working his way into boxing roughly 15 years ago. His first charge was welterweight champion Vernon Forrest.
“Starting with Forrest,” Bishop writes, “Haymon established his reputation as someone who maximized fighters’ incomes, often at the expense of promoters.” Sound familiar?
As Haymon’s power and stable grew, so did his reputation for being a mysterious, shadowy figure who may have acted as both a promoter as well as a manager, something clearly illegal in the U.S. thanks to the Muhammad Ali Reform Act. His also gained a reputation for giving highly paid fighters from his stable soft touches for lots of money.
Max Kellerman of HBO finally ended up voicing his frustrations with Haymon on the air, and needless to say, Haymon ended up going over to HBO’s main competitor, Showtime. Oh, and Haymon’s star client, one Floyd Mayweather Jr., made his way over to Showtime as well, for a humongous amount of money.
The Great Defection was such a massive move that it led to a huge Cold War between networks and promotional entities. And at first, it looked like the Haymon/Showtime camp was winning in a big way against HBO and rival entity Top Rank promotions. After all, Showtime had a massive and terrific year in 2013 with Mayweather vs Canelo and some great cable fights like Broner vs Maidana.
The Canelo vs Floyd snoozer was part of a huge year for Showtime.
The Canelo vs Floyd snoozer was part of a huge year for Showtime.
Things began to change, however, in 2014, when Haymon’s big stars engaged in less-than-stellar fights on Showtime. Indeed, some of the matches, like the Garcia vs Salka mismatch, were downright offensive. HBO meanwhile, presented a stellar lineup, topped off by Sergey Kovalev’s brilliant battle against the legendary Bernard Hopkins.
Yet 2015 was to bring massive changes to the fight game. Massive changes indeed. First off, Haymon was able to make enough peace with Top Rank’s Arum to finally make the long dreamed of Mayweather vs Pacquiao bout a reality. What’s more, Haymon put major boxing cards back on network and cable television with his Premiere Boxing Champions series. Good or bad, it appears 2015 is a watershed year for boxing.
So, what to make of Haymon? Frankly, it’s difficult to see precisely where the man is coming from since he speaks to the press about as much as Thomas Pynchon. What’s more, his fighters are loyal to the man to a fault. You won’t find much badmouthing from Haymon’s stable, if there’s any badmouthing at all.
Adonis Stevenson: just one of the many boxers loyal to the Haymon Way.
Adonis Stevenson: loyal to the Haymon Way.
Indeed, the loyalty Haymon inspires from his followers is – for lack of a better term –creepy. Is anyone worthy of the steady praise we hear these men sing about Haymon in bout after televised bout? Add this to the fact that some top Haymon fighters seem – on the surface at least – to shamelessly avoid serious competition, and there’s little wonder why Haymon is the subject of such suspicion and hostility.
Also worth noting is the fact that some wonder if Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions series is merely a cash grab. The broadcasts are based on a time-buy, after all, which means networks had to be paid in order for the product to see air time. With few truly top level bouts coming out, some are wondering if the hedge fund which paid for the series made a serious mistake.
And while we’re at it, what’s the deal with Showtime? The network, which is attached to Haymon at the hip, isn’t showing much boxing these days, not much at all. Is Showtime even interested in fights after the major cash flow that came from the record haul from the #MayPac pay-per-view numbers?
Lastly, there’s the lawsuits. Yup, Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank are both suing the Haymon Empire for doing just the sort of underhanded stuff it’s been accused of in the past. If Haymon ends up on the losing end of these battles, he may have to forfeit both a boatload of cash and a great deal of influence.
Bob Arum: once sued, now suing.
Bob Arum: once sued, now suing.
What’s all this mean for the fans, though? Nothing, for now. If Haymon loses in court, however…
As for the man’s influence on boxing, well, that’s tough to figure out. No one likes the fact that some Haymon fighters such as Garcia and Adonis Stevenson have gleefully taken on more cupcakes than a bakery, but everyone does like the fact that a good match like Thurman vs Guerrero or Santa Cruz vs Mares can now be seen without an added price tag to the monthly cable bill.
In the end, I suspect Haymon’s impact will be decided by the matches he allows to happen. The biggest draw of boxing, as I’ve stated before, is the question it asks of who is better than who. If fans pretty much know the answer already (ie., Mayweather vs Berto) then they’re going to watch UFC instead. But if Haymon decides to let the best fight the best with some regularity, then the man will become water to the bud which is current day boxing.
As always, time will tell the tale. — Sean Crose
Haymon-Floyd-620x349
Columns
0
The Haymon Way
By Sean Crose · On September 2, 2015
It’s easy to despise Al Haymon, I suppose. The man comes across as rather disinterested in fans and shadowy in his dealings. But sometimes you have to step back and look at the big picture. I’m not saying Haymon isn’t doing harm to boxing. I’m just saying things have to be looked at objectively in order to arrive at such a conclusion fairly. Who knows? The guy may actually be doing some good.
First off, let’s take a look at the man himself. About four years ago, Greg Bishop of The New York Times did an impressive write-up on this most enigmatic of boxing’s players which was quite thorough, and it still makes for a fine source of reference.
Haymon is a product of Cleveland. He’s also a Harvard guy. That’s right, Al Haymon – like Bob Arum – has himself an Ivy League education. So much for boxing powerhouses being gangsters and dopes. Haymon first made his mark, however, in the field of concert and tour promotions. Eddie Murphy, MC Hammer, Whitney Houston: Haymon dealt with them all. In short, the guy wasn’t small time. Not by a long shot.
Haymon: in the shadows.
Haymon: in the shadows.
But Haymon was not a man content to put all of life’s eggs into one basket. He ended up being a television producer before finally working his way into boxing roughly 15 years ago. His first charge was welterweight champion Vernon Forrest.
“Starting with Forrest,” Bishop writes, “Haymon established his reputation as someone who maximized fighters’ incomes, often at the expense of promoters.” Sound familiar?
As Haymon’s power and stable grew, so did his reputation for being a mysterious, shadowy figure who may have acted as both a promoter as well as a manager, something clearly illegal in the U.S. thanks to the Muhammad Ali Reform Act. His also gained a reputation for giving highly paid fighters from his stable soft touches for lots of money.
Max Kellerman of HBO finally ended up voicing his frustrations with Haymon on the air, and needless to say, Haymon ended up going over to HBO’s main competitor, Showtime. Oh, and Haymon’s star client, one Floyd Mayweather Jr., made his way over to Showtime as well, for a humongous amount of money.
The Great Defection was such a massive move that it led to a huge Cold War between networks and promotional entities. And at first, it looked like the Haymon/Showtime camp was winning in a big way against HBO and rival entity Top Rank promotions. After all, Showtime had a massive and terrific year in 2013 with Mayweather vs Canelo and some great cable fights like Broner vs Maidana.
The Canelo vs Floyd snoozer was part of a huge year for Showtime.
The Canelo vs Floyd snoozer was part of a huge year for Showtime.
Things began to change, however, in 2014, when Haymon’s big stars engaged in less-than-stellar fights on Showtime. Indeed, some of the matches, like the Garcia vs Salka mismatch, were downright offensive. HBO meanwhile, presented a stellar lineup, topped off by Sergey Kovalev’s brilliant battle against the legendary Bernard Hopkins.
Yet 2015 was to bring massive changes to the fight game. Massive changes indeed. First off, Haymon was able to make enough peace with Top Rank’s Arum to finally make the long dreamed of Mayweather vs Pacquiao bout a reality. What’s more, Haymon put major boxing cards back on network and cable television with his Premiere Boxing Champions series. Good or bad, it appears 2015 is a watershed year for boxing.
So, what to make of Haymon? Frankly, it’s difficult to see precisely where the man is coming from since he speaks to the press about as much as Thomas Pynchon. What’s more, his fighters are loyal to the man to a fault. You won’t find much badmouthing from Haymon’s stable, if there’s any badmouthing at all.
Adonis Stevenson: just one of the many boxers loyal to the Haymon Way.
Adonis Stevenson: loyal to the Haymon Way.
Indeed, the loyalty Haymon inspires from his followers is – for lack of a better term –creepy. Is anyone worthy of the steady praise we hear these men sing about Haymon in bout after televised bout? Add this to the fact that some top Haymon fighters seem – on the surface at least – to shamelessly avoid serious competition, and there’s little wonder why Haymon is the subject of such suspicion and hostility.
Also worth noting is the fact that some wonder if Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions series is merely a cash grab. The broadcasts are based on a time-buy, after all, which means networks had to be paid in order for the product to see air time. With few truly top level bouts coming out, some are wondering if the hedge fund which paid for the series made a serious mistake.
And while we’re at it, what’s the deal with Showtime? The network, which is attached to Haymon at the hip, isn’t showing much boxing these days, not much at all. Is Showtime even interested in fights after the major cash flow that came from the record haul from the #MayPac pay-per-view numbers?
Lastly, there’s the lawsuits. Yup, Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank are both suing the Haymon Empire for doing just the sort of underhanded stuff it’s been accused of in the past. If Haymon ends up on the losing end of these battles, he may have to forfeit both a boatload of cash and a great deal of influence.
Bob Arum: once sued, now suing.
Bob Arum: once sued, now suing.
What’s all this mean for the fans, though? Nothing, for now. If Haymon loses in court, however…
As for the man’s influence on boxing, well, that’s tough to figure out. No one likes the fact that some Haymon fighters such as Garcia and Adonis Stevenson have gleefully taken on more cupcakes than a bakery, but everyone does like the fact that a good match like Thurman vs Guerrero or Santa Cruz vs Mares can now be seen without an added price tag to the monthly cable bill.
In the end, I suspect Haymon’s impact will be decided by the matches he allows to happen. The biggest draw of boxing, as I’ve stated before, is the question it asks of who is better than who. If fans pretty much know the answer already (ie., Mayweather vs Berto) then they’re going to watch UFC instead. But if Haymon decides to let the best fight the best with some regularity, then the man will become water to the bud which is current day boxing.
As always, time will tell the tale. — Sean Crose
Props:
HERESY and HERESY
BoxingScene.com @boxingscene
Bradley-Rios in Talks For 11/7, But Not Finalized Yet Bradley-Rios in Talks For 11/7, But Not Finalized Yet - Boxing News #boxing
6:57 PM - 3 Sep 2015
Bradley-Rios in Talks For 11/7, But Not Finalized Yet Bradley-Rios in Talks For 11/7, But Not Finalized Yet - Boxing News #boxing
6:57 PM - 3 Sep 2015
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Devon Alexander-Aron Martinez set for Oct. 14 in Arizona
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Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer
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2013 BWAA Nat Fleischer Award winner for excellence in boxing journalism
ESPN.com boxing writer since 2005
Five years at USA Today
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The next edition of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN will take place Oct. 14 at 9 p.m. ET and will be headlined by former welterweight and junior welterweight titleholder Devon Alexander, according to the network.
Alexander will take on journeyman Aron Martinez at the Gila River Arena is Glendale, Arizona.
A formal announcement has yet to be made.
Alexander (26-3, 14 KOs), 28, of St. Louis, has not looked good in recent fights. He has lost two of his last three bouts and is coming off a near-shutout decision loss to Amir Khan in December.
Martinez (19-4-1, 4 KOs), 33, a Los Angeles-based native of Mexico, has lost three of his last four fights and only has boxed four times since late 2012. However, he dropped welterweight contender Robert Guerrero and gave him a serious run for his money in a debatable split decision loss June 6.
The card also will feature featherweight titlist Lee Selby (21-1, 8 KOs), 28, of Wales, who will make his first title defense when he faces Mexico's Fernando Montiel (54-4-2, 39 KOs), 36, a former three-division titlist, who has won eight fights in a row. Selby won a 126-pound world title May 30 in London when he dominated Russia's Evgeny Gradovich en route to an eight-round technical decision victory cut short because Gradovich suffered a cut over his right eye from an accidental head butt and was unable to continue.
Selby is already in the United States training for the fight with Montiel. He was ringside Saturday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to watch Leo Santa Cruz claim a vacant featherweight belt with a majority decision win against Abner Mares in an action-packed, fight of the year candidate that headlined a PBC on ESPN card.
Selby hopes to eventually face Santa Cruz, which is entirely possible since they are both with adviser Al Haymon, the creator of PBC.
Devon Alexander to fight Aron Martinez in Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN card Oct. 14
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Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer
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2013 BWAA Nat Fleischer Award winner for excellence in boxing journalism
ESPN.com boxing writer since 2005
Five years at USA Today
Follow on Twitter
129 Shares
Comment
The next edition of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN will take place Oct. 14 at 9 p.m. ET and will be headlined by former welterweight and junior welterweight titleholder Devon Alexander, according to the network.
Alexander will take on journeyman Aron Martinez at the Gila River Arena is Glendale, Arizona.
A formal announcement has yet to be made.
Alexander (26-3, 14 KOs), 28, of St. Louis, has not looked good in recent fights. He has lost two of his last three bouts and is coming off a near-shutout decision loss to Amir Khan in December.
Martinez (19-4-1, 4 KOs), 33, a Los Angeles-based native of Mexico, has lost three of his last four fights and only has boxed four times since late 2012. However, he dropped welterweight contender Robert Guerrero and gave him a serious run for his money in a debatable split decision loss June 6.
The card also will feature featherweight titlist Lee Selby (21-1, 8 KOs), 28, of Wales, who will make his first title defense when he faces Mexico's Fernando Montiel (54-4-2, 39 KOs), 36, a former three-division titlist, who has won eight fights in a row. Selby won a 126-pound world title May 30 in London when he dominated Russia's Evgeny Gradovich en route to an eight-round technical decision victory cut short because Gradovich suffered a cut over his right eye from an accidental head butt and was unable to continue.
Selby is already in the United States training for the fight with Montiel. He was ringside Saturday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to watch Leo Santa Cruz claim a vacant featherweight belt with a majority decision win against Abner Mares in an action-packed, fight of the year candidate that headlined a PBC on ESPN card.
Selby hopes to eventually face Santa Cruz, which is entirely possible since they are both with adviser Al Haymon, the creator of PBC.
Devon Alexander to fight Aron Martinez in Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN card Oct. 14
Sadam Ali
R
@REAL
worldkidali
I will NEVER take a step aside deal for my title opportunity. G @Golden BoyBoxing @HBOboxing @trboxing W @Wood sy1069 D @danr afaelespn
6:37 PM - 3 Sep 2015
25 25 Retweets
20
Sadam Ali R @REAL worldkidali
My focus is on fighting for a world title regardless of the out come. G @Golden BoyBoxing @HBOboxing @trboxing W @Wood sy1069 D @danr afaelespn
6:38 PM - 3 Sep 2015
14 14 Retweets
14
I will NEVER take a step aside deal for my title opportunity. G @Golden BoyBoxing @HBOboxing @trboxing W @Wood sy1069 D @danr afaelespn
6:37 PM - 3 Sep 2015
25 25 Retweets
20
Sadam Ali R @REAL worldkidali
My focus is on fighting for a world title regardless of the out come. G @Golden BoyBoxing @HBOboxing @trboxing W @Wood sy1069 D @danr afaelespn
6:38 PM - 3 Sep 2015
14 14 Retweets
14
Sadam Ali
R
@REAL
worldkidali
Waiting on the @WorldBoxingOrg which I respect and hope they don't bend their rules on my title opportunity. G @Golden BoyBoxing @HBOboxing
6:41 PM - 3 Sep 2015
13 13 Retweets
11
Boxing Legion @BoxingLegion
Hey R @REAL worldkidali did you take a step aside fee for Bradley-Rios. They are saying its finalized for WBO title.
5:29 PM - 3 Sep 2015
1 1 Retweet
1
Waiting on the @WorldBoxingOrg which I respect and hope they don't bend their rules on my title opportunity. G @Golden BoyBoxing @HBOboxing
6:41 PM - 3 Sep 2015
13 13 Retweets
11
Boxing Legion @BoxingLegion
Hey R @REAL worldkidali did you take a step aside fee for Bradley-Rios. They are saying its finalized for WBO title.
5:29 PM - 3 Sep 2015
1 1 Retweet
1
Thought this was good enough to post
The Curious Case of Floyd Mayweather
1) Canelo was too young for Floyd but not for cotto.
2) Cotto was too old for Floyd at 32 but not to old for Canelo at 34.
3) Floyd ducked Margarito who got koed by Mosley
4) Mosley was good when beating Margarito but too old the very next fight vs Floyd
5) Marquez was too small for Floyd but koed Manny.
6) Floyd dodged Manny until Manny got old when Floyd is 2 years older because Floyd never gets old.
7) Floyd cherry picked and beat an old Oscar while Manny didn't cherry pick an older and weight drained Oscar.
8) Oscar a cherry pick at 34, Cotto is a great fighter at 34 and Floyd is not washed up at 38.
9) zab was not a great opponent
10) Baldomir beat Zab but Floyd cherry picked him
11) Maidana gave Floyd a good first fight but Floyd cherry picked the rematch
12) Diego was a good victory but that was a long time ago.
13) yeah Floyd koed an undefeated Hatton but manny did it quicker because hatton wasn't a shot fighter by then.
14) Sweat Pea and Ali had great defense but Floyd is a runner.
15) Floyd called out Tzu after 3 straight fights but was ducking him.
16) Gatti wasn't a good fighter
17) Floyd was 152 against a 165 Canelo but Floyd had the weight advantage due to the 152 catch weight that Canelo asked for.
18) Floyd fought 23 world champions and they all weren't good
19) Floyd isn't challenging himself at 38 yrs old because he's fighting Berto but his last fight was Manny.
20) Floyd is a different 38 because he has the skill to not take much damage...and that's not a great achievement.
The Curious Case of Floyd Mayweather
1) Canelo was too young for Floyd but not for cotto.
2) Cotto was too old for Floyd at 32 but not to old for Canelo at 34.
3) Floyd ducked Margarito who got koed by Mosley
4) Mosley was good when beating Margarito but too old the very next fight vs Floyd
5) Marquez was too small for Floyd but koed Manny.
6) Floyd dodged Manny until Manny got old when Floyd is 2 years older because Floyd never gets old.
7) Floyd cherry picked and beat an old Oscar while Manny didn't cherry pick an older and weight drained Oscar.
8) Oscar a cherry pick at 34, Cotto is a great fighter at 34 and Floyd is not washed up at 38.
9) zab was not a great opponent
10) Baldomir beat Zab but Floyd cherry picked him
11) Maidana gave Floyd a good first fight but Floyd cherry picked the rematch
12) Diego was a good victory but that was a long time ago.
13) yeah Floyd koed an undefeated Hatton but manny did it quicker because hatton wasn't a shot fighter by then.
14) Sweat Pea and Ali had great defense but Floyd is a runner.
15) Floyd called out Tzu after 3 straight fights but was ducking him.
16) Gatti wasn't a good fighter
17) Floyd was 152 against a 165 Canelo but Floyd had the weight advantage due to the 152 catch weight that Canelo asked for.
18) Floyd fought 23 world champions and they all weren't good
19) Floyd isn't challenging himself at 38 yrs old because he's fighting Berto but his last fight was Manny.
20) Floyd is a different 38 because he has the skill to not take much damage...and that's not a great achievement.
Last edited:
Dan Rafael chat wrap 9/4:
- Inoue is coming off a hand injury. He was supposed to return in August, but that didn't happen. Should be back soon before the end of the year.
- No word on additional programming for Canelo-Cotto and GGG-Lemieux. HBO confirmed there will be a lot. Also confirmed both will get a Face Off.
- 135 Gatti vs. Corrales? An all time fight. Picks Corrales because he was more skilled.
- Bradley vs. Rios is nearly made and will likely be November 7. Lomachenko is expected to be on the undercard. He has heard that Rios has signed, Bradley as agreed, but not signed because TR is trying to secure the Wynn to be the host casino. Fight will be made because both fighters agreed to take less than initial requests, but HBO also moved up and is paying more than their original offer.
- TR and Donaire said talks with Quigg have slowed down recently.
- Selby could be competitive with anyone at 126.
- Fully expects Walters to move to 130. Word is he may fight Gamboa at 130 in December.
- Haymon wants to buy Mikey Garcia's contract from TR. It likely could be more than JCC's because Arum says Garcia has several years and fights left on his deal.
- Briggs vs. Marone? Briggs KO2.
- Canelo is genuinely a very nice guy. Very good to deal with and is likable.
- Tureano Johnson is going to fight on the undercard for GGG-Lemieux. Hopefully he will be on the televised card, not the off air matchups. If he wins he becomes the mandatory for GGG-Lemieux winner.
- The British fans have been giving a lot of hate for Brook vs. Chavez. It isn't an A fight, but it is a good fight. Chavez is as tough as anyone Brook has faced.
- Ward is still trying to get his fight on the Cotto-Canelo undercard worked out. If HBO has their way he will be fighting Yuneiski Gonzalez.
- Mayweather vs. Berto will be in theaters. Canelo-Cotto and GGG-Lemieux will not be in theaters.
- Would say that Diaz is a top 10 trainer.
- Whose story is more true between Bradley and Diaz? Probably somewhere in between.
- Has dealt with Monica Bradley a lot and likes working with her.
- Has been told that Provodnikov is talking with Haymon to face one of his fighters in November at Barclay's. Khan is one of the talked about opponents. He is skeptical because it is a tough fight for Khan and thinks that Khan signed with Haymon so he wouldn't have to face a guy like Provodnikov.
- Rank in order their resumes: Garcia, Khan, Broner.
- Is a huge fan of Oleksandr Usyk.
- McDonnell vs. Kameda is a 50/50 fight.
- Verdejo likely will return in November.
- A source told him that GGG's step aside money to let Cotto-Canelo happen was very high six figures.
- LSC vs. Lomachenko? Not likely. TR + PBC = no fight.
- Peterson's opponent Felix Diaz is a good boxer, but is a bit boring.
- If Quillin wins, he and Jacobs are penciled to fight Dec. 5 at Barclay's.
- Does not remember a PPV fight being as criticized as Mayweather-Berto.
- Mayweather vs. Berto will do over 500k PPV buys.
- Toughest fighters to interview? RJJ - would be hours late, talk very fast, and not focus on the question and swerve off in his own direction. Mayweather - rarely gives a legitimate answer. Pacquiao - difficult to get a complete thought out of him and if he doesn't like a question pretends not to understand English.
- Zab Judah's fight will be shown on CBS Sports Net on tape delay.
- Would watch Mosley vs. JMM.
- His disgust for Broner-Khabib not the matchup, but the fact it is for a belt.
- Dream fights? Mayweather vs. Pacquiao in 2009 or 2010. Tua vs. Tyson in late 90's, early 2000's. Would have picked Tua.
- Sept. 8 purse bid for Barthelemy vs. Shafikov.
- Glowacki will be out for a bit, he is getting hand surgery.
- Doesn't disagree that Spence would beat Maidana.
- If Rios vs. Bradley gets made, Ali vs. Vargas is a good possibility.
- Schaefer is still deciding what he wants to do. His non compete agreement is over. Expects he will be back in boxing soon.
- Dirrell vs. Caparello? At least Caparello is at 168. Not a great matchup and should be an easy win for Dirrell.
- Paulie's dream has been to fight in Italy, so he is going to take a 6 round fight vs. a can. His parents were from there and he grew up there for part of his childhood.
- Paulie probably would be competitive with the Italian champ, Branco.
- Believes Thurman vs. Porter will happen early 2016.
- Fighters who actually do it for the fans? Gatti, Corralles, maybe Hatton.
- Berto's style could make the Mayweather fight entertaining.
- Inoue is coming off a hand injury. He was supposed to return in August, but that didn't happen. Should be back soon before the end of the year.
- No word on additional programming for Canelo-Cotto and GGG-Lemieux. HBO confirmed there will be a lot. Also confirmed both will get a Face Off.
- 135 Gatti vs. Corrales? An all time fight. Picks Corrales because he was more skilled.
- Bradley vs. Rios is nearly made and will likely be November 7. Lomachenko is expected to be on the undercard. He has heard that Rios has signed, Bradley as agreed, but not signed because TR is trying to secure the Wynn to be the host casino. Fight will be made because both fighters agreed to take less than initial requests, but HBO also moved up and is paying more than their original offer.
- TR and Donaire said talks with Quigg have slowed down recently.
- Selby could be competitive with anyone at 126.
- Fully expects Walters to move to 130. Word is he may fight Gamboa at 130 in December.
- Haymon wants to buy Mikey Garcia's contract from TR. It likely could be more than JCC's because Arum says Garcia has several years and fights left on his deal.
- Briggs vs. Marone? Briggs KO2.
- Canelo is genuinely a very nice guy. Very good to deal with and is likable.
- Tureano Johnson is going to fight on the undercard for GGG-Lemieux. Hopefully he will be on the televised card, not the off air matchups. If he wins he becomes the mandatory for GGG-Lemieux winner.
- The British fans have been giving a lot of hate for Brook vs. Chavez. It isn't an A fight, but it is a good fight. Chavez is as tough as anyone Brook has faced.
- Ward is still trying to get his fight on the Cotto-Canelo undercard worked out. If HBO has their way he will be fighting Yuneiski Gonzalez.
- Mayweather vs. Berto will be in theaters. Canelo-Cotto and GGG-Lemieux will not be in theaters.
- Would say that Diaz is a top 10 trainer.
- Whose story is more true between Bradley and Diaz? Probably somewhere in between.
- Has dealt with Monica Bradley a lot and likes working with her.
- Has been told that Provodnikov is talking with Haymon to face one of his fighters in November at Barclay's. Khan is one of the talked about opponents. He is skeptical because it is a tough fight for Khan and thinks that Khan signed with Haymon so he wouldn't have to face a guy like Provodnikov.
- Rank in order their resumes: Garcia, Khan, Broner.
- Is a huge fan of Oleksandr Usyk.
- McDonnell vs. Kameda is a 50/50 fight.
- Verdejo likely will return in November.
- A source told him that GGG's step aside money to let Cotto-Canelo happen was very high six figures.
- LSC vs. Lomachenko? Not likely. TR + PBC = no fight.
- Peterson's opponent Felix Diaz is a good boxer, but is a bit boring.
- If Quillin wins, he and Jacobs are penciled to fight Dec. 5 at Barclay's.
- Does not remember a PPV fight being as criticized as Mayweather-Berto.
- Mayweather vs. Berto will do over 500k PPV buys.
- Toughest fighters to interview? RJJ - would be hours late, talk very fast, and not focus on the question and swerve off in his own direction. Mayweather - rarely gives a legitimate answer. Pacquiao - difficult to get a complete thought out of him and if he doesn't like a question pretends not to understand English.
- Zab Judah's fight will be shown on CBS Sports Net on tape delay.
- Would watch Mosley vs. JMM.
- His disgust for Broner-Khabib not the matchup, but the fact it is for a belt.
- Dream fights? Mayweather vs. Pacquiao in 2009 or 2010. Tua vs. Tyson in late 90's, early 2000's. Would have picked Tua.
- Sept. 8 purse bid for Barthelemy vs. Shafikov.
- Glowacki will be out for a bit, he is getting hand surgery.
- Doesn't disagree that Spence would beat Maidana.
- If Rios vs. Bradley gets made, Ali vs. Vargas is a good possibility.
- Schaefer is still deciding what he wants to do. His non compete agreement is over. Expects he will be back in boxing soon.
- Dirrell vs. Caparello? At least Caparello is at 168. Not a great matchup and should be an easy win for Dirrell.
- Paulie's dream has been to fight in Italy, so he is going to take a 6 round fight vs. a can. His parents were from there and he grew up there for part of his childhood.
- Paulie probably would be competitive with the Italian champ, Branco.
- Believes Thurman vs. Porter will happen early 2016.
- Fighters who actually do it for the fans? Gatti, Corralles, maybe Hatton.
- Berto's style could make the Mayweather fight entertaining.
Quigg vs Donaire fight appears on track for November
By Scott Christ
S @scott christBLH on Sep 3, 2015, 12:01p 15
Dave Thompson/Getty Images
Scott Quigg and Nonito Donaire appear on a collision course for November.
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It looks as though things are close to final for a November super bantamweight clash between Scott Quigg and Nonito Donaire, with Donaire looking to return to the big stage and Quigg looking to continue proving that he belongs there.
Quigg, who holds the "regular" or "world" version of the WBA super bantamweight title, is coming off of a career-best win over Kiko Martinez on July 18, stopping the Spaniard in two rounds. Donaire has been out of the loop as far as major exposure, but has won two fights this year, beating William Prado in March and Anthony Settoul in July.
Donaire (35-3, 23 KO) moved back down to the 122-pound ranks after a one-sided loss to Nicholas Walters last October, which opened up plenty of chatter about whether or not Donaire still has it, or even if he's particularly invested in his career anymore. At 32, Donaire is getting up there in age for fighters his size. Not old, but definitely past his prime. Rocky performances against Guillermo Rigondeaux and Walters in defeat, and between those fights in wins over Vic Darchinyan and Simpiwe Vetyeka, cast plenty of doubt about Donaire's ability to compete with top fighters at this stage of his career.
Quigg (31-0-2, 23 KO) has also been subject of a lot of similar talk, in his case that maybe he was a stagnating fighter who had not developed as was previously projected. Often fighting overmatched opponents, Quigg's career didn't come to a stop at any point, but it seemed to be lagging, particularly in comparison to Carl Frampton. But Quigg's win over Martinez was a statement.
This fight may not happen, but it's a good one for both guys if it does. Donaire could badly use a win over someone like Quigg, and even if Quigg were beating a somewhat defanged Donaire, it's still better than most wins he could add to his resumé.
If the fight does happen, do you like Quigg or Donaire to emerge victorious?
By Scott Christ
S @scott christBLH on Sep 3, 2015, 12:01p 15
Dave Thompson/Getty Images
Scott Quigg and Nonito Donaire appear on a collision course for November.
Tweet (18) Share
Pin
It looks as though things are close to final for a November super bantamweight clash between Scott Quigg and Nonito Donaire, with Donaire looking to return to the big stage and Quigg looking to continue proving that he belongs there.
Quigg, who holds the "regular" or "world" version of the WBA super bantamweight title, is coming off of a career-best win over Kiko Martinez on July 18, stopping the Spaniard in two rounds. Donaire has been out of the loop as far as major exposure, but has won two fights this year, beating William Prado in March and Anthony Settoul in July.
Donaire (35-3, 23 KO) moved back down to the 122-pound ranks after a one-sided loss to Nicholas Walters last October, which opened up plenty of chatter about whether or not Donaire still has it, or even if he's particularly invested in his career anymore. At 32, Donaire is getting up there in age for fighters his size. Not old, but definitely past his prime. Rocky performances against Guillermo Rigondeaux and Walters in defeat, and between those fights in wins over Vic Darchinyan and Simpiwe Vetyeka, cast plenty of doubt about Donaire's ability to compete with top fighters at this stage of his career.
Quigg (31-0-2, 23 KO) has also been subject of a lot of similar talk, in his case that maybe he was a stagnating fighter who had not developed as was previously projected. Often fighting overmatched opponents, Quigg's career didn't come to a stop at any point, but it seemed to be lagging, particularly in comparison to Carl Frampton. But Quigg's win over Martinez was a statement.
This fight may not happen, but it's a good one for both guys if it does. Donaire could badly use a win over someone like Quigg, and even if Quigg were beating a somewhat defanged Donaire, it's still better than most wins he could add to his resumé.
If the fight does happen, do you like Quigg or Donaire to emerge victorious?
Why undefeated Floyd Mayweather just can't compare to Muhammad Ali
Kevin Iole By Kevin Iole
3 hours ago
Yahoo Sports
LAS VEGAS – On Saturday, Floyd Mayweather will make that familiar walk down the aisle at the MGM Grand Garden to fight Andre Berto. It will be the 49th time as a professional he makes the trip and, he insists, it will be the last.
By any standard, Mayweather will leave the game fabulously wealthy and with his health fully intact. Boxing is a brutal sport that takes a lot even from its most enduring icons, but Mayweather has beaten it at its own game.
For instance, Muhammad Ali, its most eloquent figure, has largely been muted the last quarter century of his life, unable to speak because of the incredible physical toll of his 21-year career.
But win or lose on Saturday, Mayweather has beaten boxing. It’s been a first-round KO, and an early one at that.
He has hundreds of millions of dollars in the bank and lives the lifestyle previously reserved for the likes of oil barons, heads of industry, sultans and kings.
View gallery
.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. will return to the ring to face Andre Berto on Sept. 12 in Las Vegas. (AP)
Floyd Mayweather Jr. will return to the ring to face Andre Berto on Sept. 12 in Las Vegas. (AP)
He speaks and thinks as clearly in his final days as a pro as he did in his early ones.
He’s among the most famous athletes in the world, an instantly recognizable face.
With the expected victory over Berto, he’ll raise his record to 49-0 and match one of the most revered marks in the sport’s history, tying the legendary ex-heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano.
He’s also still perceived as the best in his profession, and has had the audacity to call himself “The Best Ever.”
In many ways, Mayweather modeled his career after Ali, the legendary former heavyweight champion who similarly dominated boxing in his time.
Ali, who in 1964 brashly declared himself “The Greatest,” is regarded by most historians and boxing experts as one of the five greatest fighters who ever lived.
By the time Ali finally surrendered and left the sport, after an oddly sad loss to Trevor Berbick in Nassau, Bahamas, on Dec. 11, 1981, he had become one of the most recognizable figures on Earth even though he was a shell of himself as a boxer.
In 2012, Ali was the only athlete on the list of Time’s 20 most influential Americans in history. He was included on a prestigious list that included presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as well as civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Apple founder Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and others.
In its comments on Ali’s inclusion, Time wrote, “ … Another international bout, the 1975 'Thrilla in Manila,' in which he beat Joe Frazier, helped Ali become the best-known person on the planet – and, it seemed, the most beloved. In later years, his uncomplaining battle with Parkinson’s Disease further cemented his status as a global icon of courage, grace and good will.”
There's where Mayweather suffers his one big loss. He became rich – certainly, far more so than Ali – and he became famous. But he never became part of the world’s fabric the way that Ali did; no one would consider him a global icon of courage, grace and good will.
Mayweather is famous largely for his boasts about his money, and his status is largely confined to his sport. Ali transcended boxing, and even sport, and became an internationally beloved figure.
In 2005, President George W. Bush presented Ali with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor the country can bestow upon a civilian citizen.
While praising Ali, Bush said, “Across the world, billions of people know Muhammad Ali as a brave, compassionate and charming man … ”
Now, there are many similarities between Ali and Mayweather. Both were Olympic medalists. Ali won light heavyweight gold in Rome in 1960, while Mayweather won a featherweight bronze in 1996 in Atlanta.
View gallery
.
Muhammad Ali stands over fallen challenger Sonny Liston in this May 25, 1965, file photo. (AP)
Muhammad Ali stands over fallen challenger Sonny Liston in this May 25, 1965, file photo. (AP)
Both won world championships, but more significantly, became the dominant figures in boxing, largely by using their wit and their relationship with the media to their advantage.
Ali, of course, lost three years from the prime of his career when he was a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War on religious grounds. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1971 overturned his conviction in a historic decision.
Mayweather has been dogged with domestic violence issues on and off throughout his career and spent nearly two months in jail in 2012 after pleading guilty to reduced charges of beating the mother of some of his children.
Both men had extraordinarily long careers. Ali was 39 years, 10 months and 25 days old, and long past his prime, when he was beaten by Berbick in that final bout in 1981. He’d been a professional for 21 years, one month and 13 days, or 53 percent of his life at the time of the Berbick fight.
Mayweather will be 38 years, six months and 20 days old when he faces Berto on Saturday. He’ll have been a professional for 18 years, 11 months and two days, or 49 percent of his life on Saturday.
Not long after the Berto fight was signed, Mayweather pointed to his advanced age for an athlete as one of the reasons for his retirement, though he remains on top.
He briefly bowed his head as he pondered how best to answer the question, “Why is now the right time to retire?” He took a deep breath, leaned ever so slightly forward and sort of grimaced.
“Man, I’m almost 39 years old,” he said in that rarest of moments when he admitted to human weakness.
As he counts down the final days of his career, much will be made of Mayweather’s place in boxing history.
But wherever one might rank him on the all-time pound-for-pound list, this much is true about Mayweather: Without Ali, Floyd Mayweather as we know him would never have existed.
Ali invented the genre of the boastful, outspoken athlete that Mayweather has used to become rich beyond any imagination. Without Ali perfecting that style, it’s hardly likely that the “Money May” character would have ever been heard from.
Beyond that, unlike Ali, Mayweather’s contributions never extended to the social realm. Mayweather changed the way boxers, and other athletes, should approach their business and for that, future generations should be thankful.
But he didn’t have an impact upon society beyond boxing and his persona as the world’s richest athlete. Ali in so many ways made a difference in people’s live that few athletes, not just Mayweather, could approach.
That’s why Muhammad Ali has been, and forever will be, “The Greatest.”
Kevin Iole By Kevin Iole
3 hours ago
Yahoo Sports
LAS VEGAS – On Saturday, Floyd Mayweather will make that familiar walk down the aisle at the MGM Grand Garden to fight Andre Berto. It will be the 49th time as a professional he makes the trip and, he insists, it will be the last.
By any standard, Mayweather will leave the game fabulously wealthy and with his health fully intact. Boxing is a brutal sport that takes a lot even from its most enduring icons, but Mayweather has beaten it at its own game.
For instance, Muhammad Ali, its most eloquent figure, has largely been muted the last quarter century of his life, unable to speak because of the incredible physical toll of his 21-year career.
But win or lose on Saturday, Mayweather has beaten boxing. It’s been a first-round KO, and an early one at that.
He has hundreds of millions of dollars in the bank and lives the lifestyle previously reserved for the likes of oil barons, heads of industry, sultans and kings.
View gallery
.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. will return to the ring to face Andre Berto on Sept. 12 in Las Vegas. (AP)
Floyd Mayweather Jr. will return to the ring to face Andre Berto on Sept. 12 in Las Vegas. (AP)
He speaks and thinks as clearly in his final days as a pro as he did in his early ones.
He’s among the most famous athletes in the world, an instantly recognizable face.
With the expected victory over Berto, he’ll raise his record to 49-0 and match one of the most revered marks in the sport’s history, tying the legendary ex-heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano.
He’s also still perceived as the best in his profession, and has had the audacity to call himself “The Best Ever.”
In many ways, Mayweather modeled his career after Ali, the legendary former heavyweight champion who similarly dominated boxing in his time.
Ali, who in 1964 brashly declared himself “The Greatest,” is regarded by most historians and boxing experts as one of the five greatest fighters who ever lived.
By the time Ali finally surrendered and left the sport, after an oddly sad loss to Trevor Berbick in Nassau, Bahamas, on Dec. 11, 1981, he had become one of the most recognizable figures on Earth even though he was a shell of himself as a boxer.
In 2012, Ali was the only athlete on the list of Time’s 20 most influential Americans in history. He was included on a prestigious list that included presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as well as civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Apple founder Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and others.
In its comments on Ali’s inclusion, Time wrote, “ … Another international bout, the 1975 'Thrilla in Manila,' in which he beat Joe Frazier, helped Ali become the best-known person on the planet – and, it seemed, the most beloved. In later years, his uncomplaining battle with Parkinson’s Disease further cemented his status as a global icon of courage, grace and good will.”
There's where Mayweather suffers his one big loss. He became rich – certainly, far more so than Ali – and he became famous. But he never became part of the world’s fabric the way that Ali did; no one would consider him a global icon of courage, grace and good will.
Mayweather is famous largely for his boasts about his money, and his status is largely confined to his sport. Ali transcended boxing, and even sport, and became an internationally beloved figure.
In 2005, President George W. Bush presented Ali with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor the country can bestow upon a civilian citizen.
While praising Ali, Bush said, “Across the world, billions of people know Muhammad Ali as a brave, compassionate and charming man … ”
Now, there are many similarities between Ali and Mayweather. Both were Olympic medalists. Ali won light heavyweight gold in Rome in 1960, while Mayweather won a featherweight bronze in 1996 in Atlanta.
View gallery
.
Muhammad Ali stands over fallen challenger Sonny Liston in this May 25, 1965, file photo. (AP)
Muhammad Ali stands over fallen challenger Sonny Liston in this May 25, 1965, file photo. (AP)
Both won world championships, but more significantly, became the dominant figures in boxing, largely by using their wit and their relationship with the media to their advantage.
Ali, of course, lost three years from the prime of his career when he was a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War on religious grounds. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1971 overturned his conviction in a historic decision.
Mayweather has been dogged with domestic violence issues on and off throughout his career and spent nearly two months in jail in 2012 after pleading guilty to reduced charges of beating the mother of some of his children.
Both men had extraordinarily long careers. Ali was 39 years, 10 months and 25 days old, and long past his prime, when he was beaten by Berbick in that final bout in 1981. He’d been a professional for 21 years, one month and 13 days, or 53 percent of his life at the time of the Berbick fight.
Mayweather will be 38 years, six months and 20 days old when he faces Berto on Saturday. He’ll have been a professional for 18 years, 11 months and two days, or 49 percent of his life on Saturday.
Not long after the Berto fight was signed, Mayweather pointed to his advanced age for an athlete as one of the reasons for his retirement, though he remains on top.
He briefly bowed his head as he pondered how best to answer the question, “Why is now the right time to retire?” He took a deep breath, leaned ever so slightly forward and sort of grimaced.
“Man, I’m almost 39 years old,” he said in that rarest of moments when he admitted to human weakness.
As he counts down the final days of his career, much will be made of Mayweather’s place in boxing history.
But wherever one might rank him on the all-time pound-for-pound list, this much is true about Mayweather: Without Ali, Floyd Mayweather as we know him would never have existed.
Ali invented the genre of the boastful, outspoken athlete that Mayweather has used to become rich beyond any imagination. Without Ali perfecting that style, it’s hardly likely that the “Money May” character would have ever been heard from.
Beyond that, unlike Ali, Mayweather’s contributions never extended to the social realm. Mayweather changed the way boxers, and other athletes, should approach their business and for that, future generations should be thankful.
But he didn’t have an impact upon society beyond boxing and his persona as the world’s richest athlete. Ali in so many ways made a difference in people’s live that few athletes, not just Mayweather, could approach.
That’s why Muhammad Ali has been, and forever will be, “The Greatest.”
By Elisinio Castillo
Former champion and Olympic gold medal winner Yuriorkis Gamboa (24-1, 17KOs) has been inactive since last November.
The 33-year-old talented Cuban fighter is ready for his next fight. While working out his promotional situation with SMS Promotions, owned by rapper Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson - the boxer was given permission, by 50 Cent, to fight under the promotional banner of Mayweather Promotions, which is owned by the rapper's friend Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"We are grateful, because we got 50 Cent's permission to fight under the banner of Floyd Mayweather,'' said Gamboa to scribe Jorge Ebro. "This is an opportunity to see what can happen with my career. For those who have always followed me, this year there will be a fight, 100 percent.''
Gamboa is training in Las Vegas under the care of one of his early coaches, Ismael Salas.
According to sources close to the fighter, Mayweather had considered the possibility of Gamboa making his return as part of Saturday's Showtime Pay-Per-View undercard - where Mayweather faces Betero in the main event.
Because of time and logistics, that idea was scrapped. Now it seems that Gamboa is possibly going to make his return as part of an upcoming edition of Premier Boxing Champions, which is the boxing series owned and operated by manager Al Haymon (who works with Mayweather).
"This is a very real possibility that has emerged for Gamboa,'' said Willie Suarez, who manages and directs Cuban Sports USA. "He's training hard and is eager to return to the ring. ''
Breh's pray with me this happens
2016 on PBC and from Miami
Former champion and Olympic gold medal winner Yuriorkis Gamboa (24-1, 17KOs) has been inactive since last November.
The 33-year-old talented Cuban fighter is ready for his next fight. While working out his promotional situation with SMS Promotions, owned by rapper Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson - the boxer was given permission, by 50 Cent, to fight under the promotional banner of Mayweather Promotions, which is owned by the rapper's friend Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"We are grateful, because we got 50 Cent's permission to fight under the banner of Floyd Mayweather,'' said Gamboa to scribe Jorge Ebro. "This is an opportunity to see what can happen with my career. For those who have always followed me, this year there will be a fight, 100 percent.''
Gamboa is training in Las Vegas under the care of one of his early coaches, Ismael Salas.
According to sources close to the fighter, Mayweather had considered the possibility of Gamboa making his return as part of Saturday's Showtime Pay-Per-View undercard - where Mayweather faces Betero in the main event.
Because of time and logistics, that idea was scrapped. Now it seems that Gamboa is possibly going to make his return as part of an upcoming edition of Premier Boxing Champions, which is the boxing series owned and operated by manager Al Haymon (who works with Mayweather).
"This is a very real possibility that has emerged for Gamboa,'' said Willie Suarez, who manages and directs Cuban Sports USA. "He's training hard and is eager to return to the ring. ''
Breh's pray with me this happens
2016 on PBC and from Miami
Pair of PBC cards announced for October
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Super middleweight Julius Jackson and heavyweight prospect Dominic Breazeale will headline separate PBC cards in October. Alex Trautwig/Getty Images
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Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer
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2013 BWAA Nat Fleischer Award winner for excellence in boxing journalism
ESPN.com boxing writer since 2005
Five years at USA Today
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While the Premier Boxing Champions slate of 21 cards on Fox Sports 1 kicks off on Tuesday night (9 ET) in Hollywood, California, with former junior middleweight titlist Austin Trout (29-2, 16 KOs) taking on Joey Hernandez (24-3-1, 14 KOs) in the main event, two more bouts for upcoming cards have been announced.
On Oct. 6 in San Antonio, U.S. Virgin Islands super middleweight Julius Jackson (19-0, 15 KOs), one of the fighting sons of former world titleholder Julian Jackson, will face Mexican-based Venezuelan Jose Uzcategui (23-1, 19 KOs) in a world title eliminator for the right to become the mandatory challenger for titleholder James DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs).
Uzcategui has won his only fight since appearing on HBO in June 2014 and losing a 10-round decision to Matt Korobov in a middleweight bout.
The Oct. 13 card, which will take place at a site to be announced, will include Alhambra, California, heavyweight prospect Dominic Breazeale (15-0, 14 KOs), a 2012 U.S. Olympian, taking on Fred Kassi (18-3-1, 10 KOs), a native of Cameroon living in New Orleans. Kassi is coming off a spirited 10-round majority draw with former two-time title challenger Chris Arreola on July 18.
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[​IMG]
Super middleweight Julius Jackson and heavyweight prospect Dominic Breazeale will headline separate PBC cards in October. Alex Trautwig/Getty Images
[​IMG]
Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer
Close
2013 BWAA Nat Fleischer Award winner for excellence in boxing journalism
ESPN.com boxing writer since 2005
Five years at USA Today
Follow on Twitter
71 Shares
Comment
While the Premier Boxing Champions slate of 21 cards on Fox Sports 1 kicks off on Tuesday night (9 ET) in Hollywood, California, with former junior middleweight titlist Austin Trout (29-2, 16 KOs) taking on Joey Hernandez (24-3-1, 14 KOs) in the main event, two more bouts for upcoming cards have been announced.
On Oct. 6 in San Antonio, U.S. Virgin Islands super middleweight Julius Jackson (19-0, 15 KOs), one of the fighting sons of former world titleholder Julian Jackson, will face Mexican-based Venezuelan Jose Uzcategui (23-1, 19 KOs) in a world title eliminator for the right to become the mandatory challenger for titleholder James DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs).
Uzcategui has won his only fight since appearing on HBO in June 2014 and losing a 10-round decision to Matt Korobov in a middleweight bout.
The Oct. 13 card, which will take place at a site to be announced, will include Alhambra, California, heavyweight prospect Dominic Breazeale (15-0, 14 KOs), a 2012 U.S. Olympian, taking on Fred Kassi (18-3-1, 10 KOs), a native of Cameroon living in New Orleans. Kassi is coming off a spirited 10-round majority draw with former two-time title challenger Chris Arreola on July 18.
I just read somewhere the no one is buying the Mayweather PPV and there are plenty of seats left even though they are way less than the Pacman bought. Mayweather claims this is last fight. Fitting it should be against a nobody.
Props:
heyzel and heyzel