Boxing News Thread

[heyzel]

Pacquiao Wants Nothing To Do With Marquez Anymore," Says Schaefer. "I'm Willing To Fi

by James Slater - It's a fight all of boxing wants to see; Manny "Pac-Man" Pacquiao Vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III. But it did seem as though the fight would never happen. Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions is certainly under the impression that the fight is doubtful, claiming recently that Pacquiao wants nothing more to do with the Mexican great who held him to a draw at featherweight and then took him 12 hard rounds in a super-featherweight return..

"There's no way Bob Arum and Pacquiao are going to fight him [Marquez] again," Schaefer was reported as saying by Yahoo Sports. "I don't think Pacquiao wants anything to do with Juan Manuel Marquez anymore. Juan Manuel Marquez will fight anyone. He's never turned down anyone. Have you ever heard him turn down any opponent?"

Schaefer is correct when he says Marquez is a true warrior, willing to face anyone out there, but Manny Pacquiao strongly disagrees that he is unwilling to box "Dinamita" for a third time. "Pac-Man," now a promoter as well as fighter, said recently that he'd be willing to face Marquez again, but that he and his promotional company, along with Top Rank and Golden Boy, would promote the bout.

"I'm willing to fight him any time," Pacquiao said. "But since I will be the promoter he must first accept all the conditions I ask for, including a smaller purse [for Marquez]. If he agrees to the conditions I will know he is fighting for honour and I will fight him. If not [I'll know] he's only after getting a big purse."

A third meeting between these two archrivals would be a great thing for boxing fans the world over. Bouts one and two were nothing short of thrilling, and the argument still goes on, even though Pacquiao never lost either bout, as to which fighter is superior. Both boxers are red hot at the moment, with Marquez becoming the first man to stop Cuban great Joel Casamayor at the week end, and Pacquiao having brutally and clinically despatched David Diaz in his last fight. Indeed, Pacquiao is that good, he is even being given a good chance (by some) against the much bigger Oscar De La Hoya in a fight that will be held at welterweight this coming December. It seems this fight, and how well "Pac-Man" fares in it, will be one of the factors that goes into deciding whether or not there will be a third fight between he and Marquez.

Should Manny actually beat Oscar the Filipino legend will be in a sensational position. Able to pretty much pick and choose who he wants to fight next, a De La Hoya-conquering Pacquiao will have monstrous respect from everyone in the boxing world. As such, any fighter calling him out/claiming he's being ducked by Pacquiao will simply look foolish. However, if Manny is given a beat down by "The Golden Boy" in his welterweight debut, chances are Pacquiao will be moving back down to his more natural weight of 135-pounds - and the much wanted third go with Marquez would have a good chance of taking place.

Marquez wants the fight, Pacquiao says he's willing to give him it if the Mexican agrees to his terms. Could we, then, be seeing the third instalment of a classic series some time next year

 

[trips]

why he gotta be bitch?

Listen, he was moving up in weight. He added strength training and weight lifting to his workout for the first time. His game plan was to have more power then campbell. As a result, he added too much muscle (he wasn't FAT or overweight he was TOO ripped). His mistake was he underestimated how difficult it would be to shed the weight prior to the fight because of the muscle gain. It's difficult to lose that. He had to be hospitalized afterwords for dehydration, said he would fight and the two doctors didn't medically clear him, his promoter/manager pulled him out.

It sucks. But it happens in boxing. People still LOVE Deigo Corrales right? He had to pull out of a fight because he was overweight. Same goes with Castillo (several times!). Difference with them though is they were fighting at the weight class they already fought at before, Guzman was going up and adding more weight to his body, which he mistakenly fucked up. I'm sure he feels very bad about it since a). he wont get the payday he badly needs, b). blew his chance at stardom and c). will face penalties/fines/suspension.

I'm going to cut him a break because he doesn't have a history of this and under the circumstances, it's not that bad if you look at the facts.

read campbell's response above, guzman has 2 prove me wrong until then hes a bum. thats some fucked up shit period

 

[2-0-Sixx]

yeah I've already read that, so what? I feel bad for campbell too, the whole thing is disappointing. Guzman isn't a bum, this is the first time this happened to him so let's give him a BIT of a break. He's too blame, lets see if he can redeem himself.

 

[TLALOC]

It Pacman's last statement he sounded kind of like DLH.....His terms only?! Just give Marquez another shot......Pac need to stop thinking so much like a promoter and start thinking like a fighter. I understand where he coming from w/the promotion and "my terms" deal, but come on, he still needs to prove that he could truely beat Marquez..IMO the only thing that seperates the last 2 fights they had is 1 point

 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

The biggest difference in this weight issue is that the own boxer who was overweight didn't want to fight.

Usually the fight will go on, but belts aren't at stake for one opponent. Or the opponent refuses to fight the overweight fighter. Never have I seen the overweight fighter choose not to continue.

I mostly blame his nutritionist (if he even has one). You can lift weights and work on strength all you want, but diet is 75% of making weight.

Oh well, I'm over it.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

The biggest difference in this weight issue is that the own boxer who was overweight didn't want to fight.

Usually the fight will go on, but belts aren't at stake for one opponent. Or the opponent refuses to fight the overweight fighter. Never have I seen the overweight fighter choose not to continue.

I mostly blame his nutritionist (if he even has one). You can lift weights and work on strength all you want, but diet is 75% of making weight.

From what I've read the docs didn't clear him. And according to HIS camp (so obviously take this with a grain of salt) he was caughin up blood at the hospital, etc. I seriously doubt Guzman would pull out of the fight unless there are legit reasons, I mean he was almost a 3-1 favorite to win and he's undefeated. Plus, he needs the money!

 

[heyzel]

David Haye Bails on Kevin Johnson, JD Chapman Now in?

By Rick Reeno

BoxingScene.com was informed by promoter Joe DeGuardia that David Haye (21-1, 20KOs) may have bailed on the potential fight with undefeated heavyweight prospect Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson (27-0-1, 7KOs). Last week, Haye's reps contacted DeGuardia and began negotiating for Johnson to meet the former cruiserweight champ on November 15 at the O2 Arena in London.

Haye is scheduled to announce his 11/15 opponent during a Tuesday press conference in the UK, and DeGuardia was confident that a deal would be finalized for Johnson to meet Haye, but as of tonight - DeGuardia has not heard back from the Haye camp.

"They were calling me last week and we discussed the fight, but since then our phones have been cold," DeGuardia said.

There were stories going around that negotiations fell apart at the late hour over money, but DeGuardia says those reports are not true. Johnson is ready, willing and able to face Haye.

"This is not about money. Kevin Johnson is ready and available to fight David Haye on November 15," DeGuardia said.

One source told BoxingScene that Haye may have watched videos of Johnson, including his recent breakdown knockout of former heavyweight champ Bruce Seldon, and felt the prospect's boxing ability may give him some trouble. DeGuardia has heard the same news going around the industry.

A disturbing bit of news that several sources have told me, which DeGuardia has heard from several sources as well, is that Haye is now looking at undefeated JD Chapman (29-0, 26KOs). Chapman may have an appealing record on the outside, but on the inside his record is filled with a hearty amount of homegrown Arkansas stiffs and no-hopers.

For a guy who says he can beat the best heavyweights in the world, like Wladimir Klitschko and Samuel Peter, he seems to picking at the bottom of the barrel. This is not a knock on Chapman's potential abilities, but the guy has not faced world-class competition or even semi-world class competition and he's never been close to the big stage. He's ranked 9 by the WBA and 7 by the WBO, satisfying Haye's UK television contract which calls for him to fight a heavyweight ranked in the top-ten by a major sanctioning body.

With all the hype, mostly coming from Haye, regarding his heavyweight re-debut and how he's going to clean up the heavyweights - is Chapman the best he could get?

During several conversations over the past few weeks, I know that Lou DiBella has Monte Barrett (ranked 9 by the WBO) ready to fight. Promoter Dan Goossen has Eddie Chambers and James Toney ready to fight. Don King has Andrew Golota ready to fight. Top Rank has Hasim Rahman ready to fight.

"If Haye really wants to prove that he's a world class heavyweight on the level of an Alexander Povetkin, then he needs to fight someone like Eddie Chambers or James Toney," Goossen told BoxingScene two-weeks ago.

The money being offered for the fight is piss-poor and Haye can't expect some of these guys to accept a lowball figure, and at the same time he can't go around shouting off that no heavyweight wants to fight him. There is a line of heavyweights waiting at the door to fight Haye. Some of the them, like Barrett and Johnson, are willing to take the offer to head over.

"David Haye wants nothing to do with Monte Barrett," DiBella said

 

[REdRUM]

Honestly, I can only SMH @ Calzaghe being the #2 p4p fighter in the world.

 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

I agree. He's just the boxer. He takes his advice from his hired professionals as he should. As I would as well. Just saying, I'm not holding any anger or taking anything away from Guzman anymore (not that he cares), I was just pissed off. I think it was the camp that kind of let it fall apart. I mean, if he was sneaking away at night eating ice cream sundae's and fried twinkies thats another story, but I seriously doubt that's the case.

 

[naner12]

All I can say about the Guzman situation is that I'm glad I didn't end up buying tickets for the shit. Even though Bradley/Cherry was a straight and Elio Rojas looked real good in his eliminator fight .. I would've been heated. The main thing that bothers me is the extremely late announcement from Guzman and his camp. Nate said he didn't find out until around 6 o'clock and it might've got the Rojas/Velasquez fight a TV spot.

 

[m.w.merlino]

why he gotta be bitch?

Listen, he was moving up in weight. He added strength training and weight lifting to his workout for the first time. His game plan was to have more power then campbell. As a result, he added too much muscle (he wasn't FAT or overweight he was TOO ripped). His mistake was he underestimated how difficult it would be to shed the weight prior to the fight because of the muscle gain. It's difficult to lose that. He had to be hospitalized afterwords for dehydration, said he would fight and the two doctors didn't medically clear him, his promoter/manager pulled him out.

It sucks. But it happens in boxing. People still LOVE Deigo Corrales right? He had to pull out of a fight because he was overweight. Same goes with Castillo (several times!). Difference with them though is they were fighting at the weight class they already fought at before, Guzman was going up and adding more weight to his body, which he mistakenly fucked up. I'm sure he feels very bad about it since a). he wont get the payday he badly needs, b). blew his chance at stardom and c). will face penalties/fines/suspension.

I'm going to cut him a break because he doesn't have a history of this and under the circumstances, it's not that bad if you look at the facts.

But, honestly, he just ruined his career for the next two years. He was already not someone people wanted to fight.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

No question it was a fucked up mistake. Not arguing that....

And I do think boxing fans have short memories so if he can get back in the ring as quickly as possible (even if it's against some bum) the better for his career. If he can get a couple impressive looking wins quickly here people will forget about this or wont care as much. Happens all the time in boxing

 

[heyzel]

Wladimir Klitschko-Alexander Povetkin Set: 12/13 on HBO

By Mark Vester

K2 Promotions, the promotional company of WBO/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (51-3, 45 KOs), put in the winning purse bid to win the rights to Klitschko's mandatory title defense against IBF mandatory Alexander Povetkin (16-0, 12 KOs). K2 placed a very high bid of $13,130,130, while Povetkin's promoter, Sauerland Event, put in $8,114,140.

The fight will go ahead on December 13 in Germany and HBO will televise. Povetkin, who won an Olympic Gold Medal in 1996, became the mandatory after winning the IBF's tournament, stopping Chris Byrd last year in the first round and then winning a decision over Eddie Chambers in the finals which took place in January.

 

[heyzel]

Paul Williams Not Vacating WBO Title, Despite Rumors

By Mark Vester

Despite the rumors going around in Puerto Rico, Paul Williams has no plans to vacate the WBO welterweight title. There was some talk that Williams would vacate the title as he moves up in weight on September 25 against Andy Kolle at 160-pounds, but promoter Dan Goossen says the rumors are not true and Williams is looking to defend his WBO title on November 29 on HBO.

The rumors began when there was talk that Miguel Cotto was planning on taking a fight for Williams' vacant title in early 2009 to set up the June rematch with Antonio Margarito. Goossen says that won't happen, unless Cotto plans to fight Williams.

"That is completely incorrect. We are looking to defend the WBO title in November," Goossen told Primera Hora. "We put an offer on the table of $4 million dollars to Margarito, but he refused to accept it. He doesn't have an excuse. He knows that he cant beat Paul. We are looking for the biggest fights, whether it be Margarito or Cotto. Paul wants to fight the best between 147 and 160-pounds."

Williams told the paper that he would be willing to give Cotto a shot at the title.

"I'm not going to drop the WBO title. I am just experiencing other divisions, but I still feel comfortable making 147-pounds and I consider myself the best at the weight. I would fight Cotto, but the problem is that nobody wants to accept our challenge," Williams said

 

[heyzel]

Joe Calzaghe-Roy Jones Jr 24/7 Debuts on HBO 10/26

HBO Sports will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as two surefire Hall of Famers finally trade punches and look to put an exclamation mark on their celebrated careers. A champion in four different weight classes, including the heavyweight division, Roy Jones Jr. has always called Pensacola, Fla., home. He first grabbed the spotlight at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, where he was named the finest boxer of the Games. Starting his pro career soon after, Jones quickly piled up championship belts and accolades, reigning as the sport’s pound-for-pound king during a significant portion of the 1990s and the first three years of this decade. His career mark of 52-4, 38 KOs includes a win over Felix Trinidad earlier this year.

A native of Newbridge, Wales, where he is trained by his father, Joe Calzaghe is the United Kingdom’s premier fighter, with an undefeated record of 45-0, 32 KOs that includes a record-tying 21 successful defenses of his world super middleweight title. Calzaghe migrated to the 175-pound division last April when he fought for the first time in the United States, turning back future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins and demonstrating why he figures in debates about the sport’s pound-for-pound king.

HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg says, “We are looking forward to presenting the remarkable contrasts of these two dynamic characters. We will again take viewers behind the scenes as Joe and Roy prepare for this important fight. ‘24/7’ is now a valuable franchise of HBO Sports.”

CALZAGHE/JONES 24/7 follows the runaway hits “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7,” which debuted in April 2007, and “Mayweather/Hatton 24/7,” which debuted in November 2007. Newsweek wrote, “ ‘De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7’ is an engrossing look at both a boxing match and a personal circus, and fans of human drama will want to have a ringside seat.” ESPN The Magazine proclaimed the series “a masterfully entertaining reality show,” while the New York Daily News called it “compelling television.” Liev Schreiber, who narrated both previous “24/7” series, returns as narrator of CALZAGHE/JONES 24/7.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT), HBO Pay-Per-View presents the showdown “Calzaghe vs. Jones,” live from Madison Square Garden.

The executive producers of CALZAGHE/JONES 24/7 are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; coordinating producer, Dave Harmon; producers, Scott Boggins and Bentley Weiner; narrator, Liev Schreiber.

 

[heyzel]

Eddie Chambers, David Haye's New Opponent For Nov. 15?

By Rick Reeno

Not long after BoxingScene.com reported that David Haye (21-1, 20KOs) bailed out on a potential bout with undefeated heavyweight prospect Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson (27-0-1, 7KOs), we received several calls from sources in the United States and the UK, all indicating that top contender Eddie Chambers (31-1, 17KOs) is the current frontrunner to be announced as Haye's opponent for the November 15 bout at the O2 Arena in London.

There is a Tuesday press conference scheduled to announce Haye's next foe. There was talk going around that Haye would end up fighting untested prospect JD Chapman (29-0, 26KOs), but one source indicates that Chapman turned down the fight for monetary reasons. I say good for Chapman. The guy is only 25-years-old, he's untested and has plenty of time to work his way to the big stage.

Around two-weeks ago, BoxingScene was advised that members of Haye's team were fishing around for tapes of Chambers. I have to admit, Chambers is a very tricky opponent. He could present a very tough style for Haye to crack. And while he only has one loss, by decision to Alexander Povetkin, you saw the damage that Chambers caused on Povetkin's face. This could be a very tough fight when comparing the styles, especially if Chambers stays focused and keeps it a boxing match. Chambers has a keep-busy fight scheduled at the Blue Horizon on October 3, obviously that won't go forward if he lands the Haye date

 

[heyzel]

Pacquiao-Marquez Trilogy Doesn't Appear Likely, For Now

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

THERE won’t be a trilogy between Manny Pacquiao and newly crowned Ring Magazine lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez no matter how many fight fans and boxing writers believe it’s the fight people want to see.

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer spoke plainly when he said at the post-fight conference following Marquez’s 11th-round knockout win over Joel Casamayor that the fight won’t happen.

“There’s no way in the world that (Bob) Arum and Pacman (Pacquiao’s moniker) want anything to do with Marquez,” said Schaefer.

“Marquez will fight anyone—and I mean anyone,” added Schaefer in an obvious reference to World Boxing Council lightweight champion Pacquiao.

Schaefer then posed the question: “Has he (Marquez) turned down anyone? No.”

Pacquiao himself has made it clear that in his mind he beat Marquez to win the WBC super featherweight title last March 15 and believes he won the first fight in which he decked Marquez three times in the first round before the Mexican counter-punched his way to salvage a draw. Given this, Pacquiao believes there’s no need for a third fight.

Besides, no matter how attractive a Marquez trilogy would look to fight fans, the money in such a fight would never come near what Pacquiao will earn in his dream match with Oscar De La Hoya and a much-talked-about fight next year with Ricky Hatton.

De La Hoya, looking slim if not thin as Arum told us last week, said they were “leaving the doors wide open for any challengers” adding that the options are many, including a rematch with Casamayor, a possible clash with Juan Diaz or Nate Campbell. But to all intents and purposes, a third fight with Pacquiao appears, at the very least, to be remote.

Former Pacquiao business manager Rod Nazario has often cautioned the Filipino champ in the past not to fight Marquez because he would have a difficult time coping with his style, which proved effective in both their battles.

Marquez who flew to Manila last June and personally challenged Pacquiao during a fight card at the Araneta Coliseum to give him one more fight, himself realized the futility of his efforts.

“The third fight will probably not happen,” said Marquez, who however reiterated his claim. “I already proved I beat Manny Pacquiao. I did my job in the ring, now, Manny and Oscar have to do their part.”

Pacquiao and De La Hoya will face each other at 147 pounds with the Pacman moving up two weight divisions, while De La Hoya who was expected to struggle to make 147 pounds, already looks trim at 149 pounds.

In case he doesn’t, which looks unlikely at present, De La Hoya is committed to pay Pacquiao $3 million for every pound or fraction of a pound over the 147 limit.

Meantime, Pacquiao has arrived in Los Angeles along with lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal and will begin his preparation for the Dec. 6 showdown with early morning jogging at Griffin Park and later on working out at the Wild Card Gym of celebrated trainer Freddie Roach.

Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee, who is five months pregnant told insidesports.ph he plans to leave for Los Angeles probably in the first week of October.

 

[heyzel]

Exclusive Interview With Kevin Johnson - "I Thought The Fight With David Haye Was On!

by James Slater -


With today's official press conference in London to announce David Haye's upcoming opponent for November 15th having ended up telling us virtually nothing and merely confusing the issue, this writer called up Kevin Johnson a few hours ago in an attempt to get some clarification. Very strongly rumoured to be Haye's next foe, Johnson instead, we are told by Haye's trainer/manager Adam Booth, asked for too much money and therefore the fight was off. Well, in attempting to get to the bottom of the whole thing, I was given a completely different version of events from the unbeaten Johnson.

Unaware that the fight had even been scrapped, the 28-year-old informed me he was going to have to make some phone calls of his own now that I'd given him the news! Astounding. According to Johnson, the first he heard the fight was off was when I told him. Very upset and disappointed, "King Pin" told me he wanted/wants this fight bad and at no time did he ever ask for more money..

Here is the interview in full.

James Slater: I appreciate your time, Kevin. Can you clarify the situation with the David Haye fight? His side say you asked for too much money, your side say he got cold feet after seeing tapes of you in action. What do you have to say?

Kevin Johnson: Oh, this fight should be happening. With you telling me the fight's off, I'll be having to make some calls of my own right after I talk to you! I mean, I thought the fight was on, I was getting ready to go to training camp to get ready!. It wasn't about money, I wasn't getting a whole lot anyway. I mean me going over to the UK made it a case of me giving up the lion's share of the purse anyway.

J.S: So you'd still take the fight then?

K.J: The fight should be on, it's his end you have to ask, my end's done. My promoter, Joe DeGuardia, wasn't asking for much money and we wanted the fight. I think the guy called me out and started running his mouth before he really knew who I was. I knew he'd turn me down. I'm real upset, it would have been a great fight. It's good going in against a guy who thinks he's a killer. It's easy fighting a little woman like David Haye! He knows he cant beat me, he knows he can't knock me out, and he knew I was coming to England to win. No way was I gonna come over to England just for a decision!

J.S: We hear it may be J.D Chapman for Haye now...

K.J: Of course he's gonna fight J.D Chapman, 'cos that's an easy fight for him. J.D Chapman don't have anything on his resume like me. Neither does Haye.

J.S: I assume you have seen tapes of Haye, what do you think of him as a fighter?

K.J: I've never seen him , but I know there isn't one fighter out there who can beat me. Like I say, I want this fight bad, you're telling me this news now. He did ok as a cruiserweight but his chins is very suspect - that's well known.

J.S: There's no way then that you asked for more money?

K.J: No way. I know there's no point in messing with pennies when the winner of this fight would be a rich man anyway. The winner of this fight would have walked into a millionaire situation and a title shot. So it wasn't about money at all. I'm willing to go face-to-face with him on camera and say everything I'm saying to you now. I've given you my personal number, my home number, you call me any time and I'll tell it like it is. My whole world is boxing, I'm in the gym 24-7 and I know I'm gonna reach the top. It don't seem like Haye has the heart to look at the sport of boxing like I look at it. I want this fight bad. I'm on a roll, we might as well keep it going, you know? My world is boxing, I eat and - forgive my language - I shit boxing! You've never seen me tired in a fight, you've never seen me get staggered, you've never seen me get out-boxed. I'm the best kept secret in boxing!

J.S: If you don't get Haye, what next for you instead?

K.J: There's a lot on the table for me, but at the same time I'll be very upset if I don't get this fight. All Haye's talk about going straight after Wladimir Klitschko, that was just erratic talk, he was blowing smoke. I mean, I plan on destroying Klitschko one day, but at the same time, even though I hate the way he fights, he a nice person and he's achieved a lot. You can't just dismiss all what he's done like Haye is trying to.

J.S: In many eyes you are the best unbeaten American heavyweight. Do you feel pressure to become the world champion and bring a belt back to the U.S?

K.J: Shit! The 'hood was what brought me pressure when I was growing up. That was pressure each and every day. No, I don't feel no pressure today. I'm like a kid in candy store, going through these heavyweights one by one, getting my candy! Haye don't have my heart, he has money, think about it, he's with Golden Boy, but he isn't looking at boxing the same way I am.

J.S: In your last fight you stopped Bruce Seldon. Was that your best performance so far do you think?

K.J: It was the best performance in regards to the right hand. In my fight with Robert Hawkins I threw three right hands the whole fight - I won with just my jab. But in the Seldon fight I had to get a stoppage win. I'd have been crucified even more than I already have been if I didn't stop him.

J.S: Do the critics who say you can't punch hard annoy you?

K.J: Well, think about it; Ali and Holmes never got the credit until they were at the top. That's the way it is, you don't get the credit until you get to the top. So I'm not worried because I know I'll get there. And when I do I'd like to talk to all these critics who have been saying things about me. Let's see what they have to say then.

J.S: It's been great speaking with you, Kevin. Any final word on the Haye fight?

K.J: I wish I was in the U.K right now, that way I could clear up all this talk from Haye and his team. Turn the fight down? I've never turned down a fight in my life! If he fights me he'll be 21-2, no doubt

 

[heyzel]

Arreola vs. Sultan Ibragimov In The Works?

By Scoop Malinowski

Undefeated Heavyweight contender/curiosity Chris Arreola deserves a lot of credit if he follows through with recent discussions and arranges a mouth-watering match-up with former WBO champ Sultan Ibragimov. Though the fight is not signed and sealed, Ibragimov’s manager Boris Grimberg confirmed preliminary discussions have occurred. “Yes. (But there is not a deal) not yet. It’s too early to talk about. Next year. Not till the end of the year will Sultan fight.”

Mexican-American Arreola, ranked #4 by WBC/WBO, #7 IBF, sports an all-business, no nonsense style which would surely be put to the test by the rapid-firing Russian left-hander, ranked #5 by the IBF. This clash has slugfest written all over it, especially since Ibragimov will revert back to his previous relentless attacking style, after parting ways with defensive minded trainer Jeff Mayweather after the points loss to Wladimir Klitschko in their February IBF/WBO unification bout.

Informed boxing fans will love this meaningful match-up and we hope all parties come to an agreement. Once again, it must be said that Arreola deserves high marks for his courage and confidence if he does indeed decide to do battle with Ibragimov (22-1, 17 KO’s), rather than handpicking decent but limited opposition of the Kevin Johnson/Tomas Bonin sort for his future HBO dates.

 

[heyzel]

Kevin Johnson: "David Haye is a Complete Joke"

WBA #7 heavyweight Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson (20-0-1, 7KO) fresh off his 5th round destruction of former heavyweight champion of the world Bruce Seldon (38-7, 34KO) was left speechless, a very uncommon occurrence for the colorful Johnson, upon hearing that fellow top 10 heavyweight contender David Haye (21- 1, 20KO) was still looking for an opponent for his heavyweight debut on November 15th.

"I don't understand," said a perplexed Kevin Johnson who sat shaking his head for several minutes. "This guy runs his mouth for months saying that he is going to take over the heavyweight division, that he is going to knock this guy and that guy out, but here I am stepping up to the plate, and now he doesn't want the fight," questioned Johnson.

"Maybe he thought I wouldn't want the fight and he wasn't prepared for my acceptance, but he obviously doesn't know Kevin Johnson then. I have said since day one that I would fight anyone, anywhere, anytime. The fight with Haye would take place in his backyard, his homeland of London, and that still didn't bother me. He knows that it wouldn't matter if he had his entire country screaming and cheering for him because once he gets in that ring, it's just me and him.

This guy is a complete joke, he talks all this crap how he will fight anyone and he is the man now in the heavyweight division, yet he has not fought anyone yet, and I am here telling him that I want the fight, I want to come to London and show his country what a real heavyweight looks like, and he punks out. He says he is the best heavyweight in the world, and I feel that I am the best, so to me it's simple, let's put the two best heavyweights in the world against one another and whoever comes out on top truly can call themselves THE best.

Next time you plan on running your mouth and calling people out, be prepared to accept the consequences and be prepared to fight. Hopefully you will change your mind and man up and we can get this over with, but it's pretty obvious you are just flat out afraid of me and to be honest I can't blame you. I am reading now that his manager Adam Booth is saying that three guys have pulled out and acting like noone wants to fight this guy. They also accused me of asking for too much money. Those statements are both completely one hundred percent false. I heard that they offered the other guys more money than me anyways. Let's just stop the excuses and make this fight happen. If the big bad Haye is scared then I hope he is man enough to at least admit that.

I am the best heavyweight in the division and to prove that I am willing to fight the best, or so-called best heavyweights out there. If anyone wants to challenge that or disagrees with my statement, call my promoter Joe DeGuardia at Star Boxing, he is great to work with and can set something up the following day if you want, I will be ready," stated an irate Johnson