Boxing News Thread

[heyzel]

Quintana Could See a Move To 160, Eyes Sergio Martinez

By Rey Colon

Although he will reappear on Friday in the junior middleweight division, Carlos 'El Indio' Quintana, a former WBO champion at 147 pounds, did not rule out a move up to middleweight noting that where he feels more comfortable because he doesn't have to drop a large amount of weight.

"At 147 pounds it was tough. At 154 I have to do a little work. If I see something good at 160 pounds, I'll go up. There I'll feel a lot stronger and faster. I'd like to fight Sergio Martinez. That's a very attractive looking fight," appropriated Quintana. "I'm going back to my roots by boxing more. That is the best style

 

[ArGenTin3]

By Rick Reeno

Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas - During the final press conference for Saturday's clash between Fernando Montiel and Nonito Donaire, Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum ripped into the upcoming welterweight fight between WBC champion Andre Berto and junior welterweight contender Victor Ortiz, which is scheduled to take place on April 16.

Arum questioned why Berto is fighting Ortiz, who is coming off a draw with Lamont Peterson, and not facing the winner of Saturday's welterweight rematch between unbeaten Mike Jones and Jesus Soto Karass.

"Why is Andre Berto fighting a 140-pound fighter, who had a draw with another 140-pound fighter? There is one thing that I'm sure of, that these two fighters, these two welterweights [Jones and Karass], if they fought Victor Ortiz, they would destroy him," Arum said. "Why is Andre Berto fighting Victor Ortiz and not fighting the winner of this fight? That's a question that we all should be asking. What the hell is going on here?

I like how everyone keeps doubting Ortiz. Dude has a ton of talent just waiting to be unleashed. Problem is...Why won't he release it for more then a few rounds? Im hoping he is out there reading all these naysayers comments and takes it into the ring and uses it toward his great boxing abilities in his upcoming fight.

He is done if he lets Berto have his way with him though. I just don't want to see all that talent go to waste is all...it would be some sad shit.

 

[dookie1]

By Rick Reeno

Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas - During the final press conference for Saturday's clash between Fernando Montiel and Nonito Donaire, Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum ripped into the upcoming welterweight fight between WBC champion Andre Berto and junior welterweight contender Victor Ortiz, which is scheduled to take place on April 16.

Arum questioned why Berto is fighting Ortiz, who is coming off a draw with Lamont Peterson, and not facing the winner of Saturday's welterweight rematch between unbeaten Mike Jones and Jesus Soto Karass.

"Why is Andre Berto fighting a 140-pound fighter, who had a draw with another 140-pound fighter? There is one thing that I'm sure of, that these two fighters, these two welterweights [Jones and Karass], if they fought Victor Ortiz, they would destroy him," Arum said. "Why is Andre Berto fighting Victor Ortiz and not fighting the winner of this fight? That's a question that we all should be asking. What the hell is going on here?

This coming from a guy whos fighter is fighting an old man who's coming off a loss and a draw!!!!!!!! WOW!!!

 

[naner12]

I like how everyone keeps doubting Ortiz. Dude has a ton of talent just waiting to be unleashed. Problem is...Why won't he release it for more then a few rounds? Im hoping he is out there reading all these naysayers comments and takes it into the ring and uses it toward his great boxing abilities in his upcoming fight.

He is done if he lets Berto have his way with him though. I just don't want to see all that talent go to waste is all...it would be some sad shit.

I don't think it's the doubting of Ortiz more than the fact that it's a joke fight. Ortiz hasn't won a championship at his own weight and gets an instant title shot against Berto in his first fight at 147? That's laughable and shameful. A division once touted by many as the best division in boxing has become people fighting in meaningless fights chasing paychecks instead of fighting each other.

140 is stupid packed at the top with talent and I think it says a lot that Ortiz would rather test his luck 7lbs north than with the killers he was with.

 

[heyzel]

I like how everyone keeps doubting Ortiz. Dude has a ton of talent just waiting to be unleashed. Problem is...Why won't he release it for more then a few rounds? Im hoping he is out there reading all these naysayers comments and takes it into the ring and uses it toward his great boxing abilities in his upcoming fight.

He is done if he lets Berto have his way with him though. I just don't want to see all that talent go to waste is all...it would be some sad shit.

ortiz has all the physical tools to be a champion but I question his heart under pressure if he gets rock by berto is he going to fold up and quit again

 

[2-0-Sixx]

I'm surprised golden boy would allow ortiz to fight berto. i guess they figure its all or nothing on this one fight

 

[dookie1]

I'm surprised golden boy would allow ortiz to fight berto. i guess they figure its all or nothing on this one fight

Thats real!!! if they dont figure sumthin out soon oscars gunna have to lace em up just to save the company!!!LMFAO!!! that still wouldnt help tho!

 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Ortiz reminds me of Francisco Bojado.

Looked good at first, good power, rumors come out about his poor training habits, he loses...then goes downhill.

Ortiz is cool though. I'm not hating on the guy. I hope he beats Berto for the good of his career. He is taking the gamble and I hope he cashes on it.

 

[ArGenTin3]

I don't think it's the doubting of Ortiz more than the fact that it's a joke fight. Ortiz hasn't won a championship at his own weight and gets an instant title shot against Berto in his first fight at 147? That's laughable and shameful. A division once touted by many as the best division in boxing has become people fighting in meaningless fights chasing paychecks instead of fighting each other.

140 is stupid packed at the top with talent and I think it says a lot that Ortiz would rather test his luck 7lbs north than with the killers he was with.

I wouldn't call it laughable, shameful or meaningless personally. I think Ortiz has a great chance of winning this fight if he can stay dialed in. Berto hasn't really been tested and has looked mediocre in some of his previous fights too. Both of these fighters need a fight like this imo.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

I wouldn't call it laughable, shameful or meaningless personally. I think Ortiz has a great chance of winning this fight if he can stay dialed in. Berto hasn't really been tested and has looked mediocre in some of his previous fights too. Both of these fighters need a fight like this imo.

It would be a GREAT win for Ortiz if he can pull it off. Berto I don't think will get any credit at all if he wins. I mean, this would be his third 140 pound fighter he's defended his 147 pound title against and Ortiz couldn't even beat Lamont Peterson and got KO'd by Maidana, so Berto surely is expected to win.

 

[heyzel]

Tommy Morrison’s Montreal Comeback Bid KO’d

By Darren Barcomb: Tommy “The Duke” Morrison’s latest comeback bid has been thwarted as he was unable to be licensed for SP Promotion’s February 25th, 2011 card at the Pierre Charbonneau Centre in Montreal. Morrison (48-3-1, 42 KO’s), who has been at odds with Quebec’s Boxing Commission (RACJ) over pre-fight blood testing had been scheduled to face Canadian Erik Barrak (3-0, 2 KO’s). Although the news has not been released publically by the promoter, The Duke has verified that he has been replaced by Matt Weishaar (4-1-2, 3 KO’s), who himself was a TKO victim of Morrison in 2008.


With one week to go until the 25th, it will be interesting to see if the show can still go on without Morrison’s drawing power. SP Promotion’s website still has not issued any updates and still displays a Morrison/Barrak fight poster. In fact, the promotion has done very little to address the situation with the exception of some Morrison appearances in Montreal back in January. If the show does manage to go on, it is planned to also highlight “Merciless” Ray Mercer (36-7-1, 26 KO’s) taking on Montreal’s Stephane Tessier, (3-26-1).

With no real hype or announcements heading up to the show with the exception of the Morrison drama, there are serious doubts regarding the upcoming card and SP Promotion itself. Morrison, for his part, has vowed to continue battling for licensing as he contests the HIV positive test results that have plagued him since 1996. So, until there is a resolution on that matter, fans will have to wait and wonder what might have been if The Duke had been able to step into the ring in Montreal.

 

[heyzel]

Abraham-Ward Possible in California: Major Sticking Points

By Rick Reeno

Sauerland Event has confirmed to BoxingScene.com that the Home Depot Center in California is "one of the sites" being discussed for the Super Six semi-final bout between WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward (23-0, 13KOs) and former IBF middleweight champ Arthur Abraham (32-2, 26KOs). The fight is scheduled for May 14.

There are some major sticking points involved. The California State Athletic Commission is not too friendly with the use of neutral officials. When Sauerland fighter Mikkel Kessler fought Andre Ward in the first stage of the Super Six in Oakland, the controversy over the officials nearly caused the fight to get cancelled. Both sides reached a deal on the eve of the fight. In the aftermath of Ward-Kessler, Sauerland and Team Kessler were very upset with performance of California referee Jack Reiss. They believe the ref allowed Ward to get away with multiple fouls, including several headbutts. It's almost a lock that Sauerland is going to request a neutral referee and neutral judges.

Another issue is a testing protocol by WADA [World Anti-Doping Agency]. California does not have a WADA testing requirement in place. Two of Abraham's three fights in the Super Six have involved WADA testing. The fights with Carl Froch [Helsinki] and Jermain Taylor [Berlin] had WADA testing protocols in place, while the fight with Andre Dirrell [Detroit] did not. There is no indication on how big of an issue the WADA testing requirement will become.

 

[Tony]

Berto is going to knock Ortiz out.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

you would hope so being that Maidana knocked him out at 140

 

[heyzel]

Haye says he has the hunger for Wladimir, not Vitali

By William Mackay: It’s crystal clear that if WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KO’s) wants a fight with IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO’s), Haye will have to put off his retirement in October and wait until next year to hang up his gloves. Haye won’t do this, however, and still plans on retiring on his birthday in October. Wladimir is already booked up with fights for the remainder of the year with bouts against Dereck Chisora (14-0, 9 KO’s) on April 30th and then a fight against Tomasz Adamek in September.


That finishes the year, leaving no time for a Haye vs. Wladimir fight in 2011. What’s interesting is that even with Wladimir unable to fight this year, Haye still isn’t interested in fighting WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (41-2, 38 KO’s). Haye just doesn’t seem eager for that fight.

In an interview on Sky Sports Ringside the other day, Haye was asked why not fight Vitali if Wladimir is busy with fights. Haye, looking uncomfortable with being put on the spot, said “I’ve got the desire and the hunger for Wladimir. Vitali hasn’t done any videos [referring to the Youtube video Wladimir put together last year to try and get Haye in the ring] about wanting to fight me. People don’t come up to me and ask when you going to fight Vitali. They ask ‘when you’re going to fight Wladimir?’ Wladimir is the more athletic of the two and the one who’s been calling me out. If I were to fight Vitali, people would say I’m ducking Wladimir. ‘Wladimir’s younger, he’s got more belts. Why go after his older brother? He’s almost 40. Why you going after him?’ Wladimir is the one I have the beef with.”

Vitali has called Haye out plenty of times in the past, but Haye and his trainer/manager Adam Booth singled out Wladimir as the one that they wanted. But the question why is Haye still focused on Wladimir when it’s clear that he can’t fight him unless he puts off his retirement? If Vitali is the only option in 2011, why does Haye still not want to fight him? It seems to me that Haye is afraid of Vitali. Forget about age, Vitali still looks a lot better than Haye and I think Haye is afraid of him. He figures he’s got a good chance against Wladimir because of his weak chin. Haye hopes to get inside on Wladimir and try to knock him out. But that’s not going to happen because the fight isn’t there in 2011, and Haye doesn’t want to stick around. So why isn’t Haye going after Vitali?

 

[bigface]

Why is Wladimir ducking Haye? He wants his big brother to fight him first I guess. . Wladimir is scared..

 

[ArGenTin3]

you would hope so being that Maidana knocked him out at 140

ortiz put maidana on the mat 3 times and was ahead on all the judges scorecards in that fight too. he just couldn't seal the deal.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

being able to seal the deal is pretty important!

I don't know man, that seems to be his problem. He had Peterson down a couple times to and couldn't seal the deal and allowed peterson to fight himself back into it.

maybe ortiz will have a different approach this time, just sayin

 

[Tony]

Ortiz is going to get knocked out by Berto. Berto ain't no joke, that's why Arum and team Pacquiao keep looking past him. Miss me with "who is Berto", "who has Berto fought" excuses. They want no part of Berto because all it takes is one punch to end the fight and Pacquiao is known for getting KTFO. Look at his KO losses, all from one punch.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

sure tony, keep tellin yourself that.

why doesn't floyd fight berto then? oh that's right, floyd's also in the business of making money, not fighting nobodies for pay cuts.