Boxing News Thread
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James Toney-Denis Lebedev Signed,
James Toney-Denis Lebedev Signed, Toney’s Advisor Ivaylo Gotzev Says “Lights Out” Is Down To 212-Pounds
By James Slater: James Toney and his team have been in Russia recently, and this past weekend his November 4th fight with top cruiserweight contender Denis Lebedev was signed. Toney reportedly went down a storm in Moscow, with the fans warming to his friendly, witty approach. Very much stealing the show from local man Lebedev, Toney now has to back up his pre-fight promises of “taking Lebedev to school” and of “sending him home early if he fights the way he did against Roy Jones.”
A dangerous fight for Toney, not least because it will be his first bout down at the 200-pound limit of cruiserweight since his 2003 win over Vasiliy Jirov (actually a 190-pound match-up). Fans on this web site have openly claimed to have major concerns about whether or not the 43-year-old will be able to get down as low as 200-pounds - pointing to his recent 257-pound win over Damon Reed.
But Toney’s advisor, Ivaylo Gotzev, in speaking with ESPN.com, said there is no need for concern when it comes to his fighter’s weight.
“I’ve seen him as low as 212 with my own eyes, so there is nothing to worry about there,” Gotzev said of Toney.
There was a suggestion the fight would be held at a catch-weight, but Toney, claiming he wants to give Lebedev, 22-1(17) “no excuses” for the loss he is sure he will hand him, insisted on fighting the southpaw slugger at his own weight.
Those fans who are concerned about Toney’s weight (insisting he will be left weakened if he does manage to shed the pounds all the way down to 200) are also doubting Toney’s chances of winning due to the raw power Lebedev carries. We all saw what happened to Jones back in May - is another modern day master in for a similar KO loss?
In a word, no! I can’t see Lebedev doing to Toney what he did to Jones. After all, Jones’ punch resistance deserted him years ago (even though the final shot that flattened Jones in that scary 10th-round was a monster blow that would’ve downed anyone) and what’s more, he was right there to be hit in the Lebedev fight. Toney has way more left in the tank than does the man who out-pointed him way back in 1994, therefore any comparison between Toney’s chances against Lebedev are pointless.
I do share the concerns about Toney, 73-6-3(44) perhaps not being strong enough after he’s worked so hard in the gym to make 200-pounds, though. In the later rounds (the fight is scheduled for 12-rounds, not 10), against such an aggressive, rough and tough operator as Lebedev, Toney will surely have to dig deep. Years ago, back when he was beating up Jirov in that great fight, I’d have picked Toney to box Lebedev’s ears off. But today, after having fought as high as he has in recent years, Toney might think he’ll do certain things in the ring but will realise only when it’s too late that his body can no longer obey his brain like it once did.
The November 4th fight is a hugely intriguing fight, no doubt about that, I just hope we get to see it on live T.V here in the U.K (as well as in the U.S).
Toney says he is going to show the Russian people “a real fighter” in action. Lebedev feels he will add another big name to his growing C.V.
Article posted on 03.10.2011
James Toney-Denis Lebedev Signed, Toney’s Advisor Ivaylo Gotzev Says “Lights Out” Is Down To 212-Pounds
By James Slater: James Toney and his team have been in Russia recently, and this past weekend his November 4th fight with top cruiserweight contender Denis Lebedev was signed. Toney reportedly went down a storm in Moscow, with the fans warming to his friendly, witty approach. Very much stealing the show from local man Lebedev, Toney now has to back up his pre-fight promises of “taking Lebedev to school” and of “sending him home early if he fights the way he did against Roy Jones.”
A dangerous fight for Toney, not least because it will be his first bout down at the 200-pound limit of cruiserweight since his 2003 win over Vasiliy Jirov (actually a 190-pound match-up). Fans on this web site have openly claimed to have major concerns about whether or not the 43-year-old will be able to get down as low as 200-pounds - pointing to his recent 257-pound win over Damon Reed.
But Toney’s advisor, Ivaylo Gotzev, in speaking with ESPN.com, said there is no need for concern when it comes to his fighter’s weight.
“I’ve seen him as low as 212 with my own eyes, so there is nothing to worry about there,” Gotzev said of Toney.
There was a suggestion the fight would be held at a catch-weight, but Toney, claiming he wants to give Lebedev, 22-1(17) “no excuses” for the loss he is sure he will hand him, insisted on fighting the southpaw slugger at his own weight.
Those fans who are concerned about Toney’s weight (insisting he will be left weakened if he does manage to shed the pounds all the way down to 200) are also doubting Toney’s chances of winning due to the raw power Lebedev carries. We all saw what happened to Jones back in May - is another modern day master in for a similar KO loss?
In a word, no! I can’t see Lebedev doing to Toney what he did to Jones. After all, Jones’ punch resistance deserted him years ago (even though the final shot that flattened Jones in that scary 10th-round was a monster blow that would’ve downed anyone) and what’s more, he was right there to be hit in the Lebedev fight. Toney has way more left in the tank than does the man who out-pointed him way back in 1994, therefore any comparison between Toney’s chances against Lebedev are pointless.
I do share the concerns about Toney, 73-6-3(44) perhaps not being strong enough after he’s worked so hard in the gym to make 200-pounds, though. In the later rounds (the fight is scheduled for 12-rounds, not 10), against such an aggressive, rough and tough operator as Lebedev, Toney will surely have to dig deep. Years ago, back when he was beating up Jirov in that great fight, I’d have picked Toney to box Lebedev’s ears off. But today, after having fought as high as he has in recent years, Toney might think he’ll do certain things in the ring but will realise only when it’s too late that his body can no longer obey his brain like it once did.
The November 4th fight is a hugely intriguing fight, no doubt about that, I just hope we get to see it on live T.V here in the U.K (as well as in the U.S).
Toney says he is going to show the Russian people “a real fighter” in action. Lebedev feels he will add another big name to his growing C.V.
Article posted on 03.10.2011
Tyson training
y Vitali Shaposhnikov: Most have anticipated and hoped for the ring legend ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson (50-6-0) to get back into boxing in some or other way. It has been a long time since Tyson fought, and the talks of his comeback have been shrinking by the minute. These days, everyone is fully away that Tyson will not get back inside the ring as a fighter.
Despite him retiring indefinitely from the sport as a boxer, his training career might take off. We have been hearing all kinds of speculations about Tyson wanting to become a trainer, but no solid proof has yet been provided.
Well here is a video of Mike Tyson training a kid named Tim Malano at the Mandalay Bay. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVSvS51vrEM&feature=player_embedded#)
While this video doesn’t show much, still it could be a beginning to something more serious and permanent to come. In the video, Tyson seems to know what he is doing, holding the pads and giving Malano advice.
As far as evaluating the potential of Tyson becoming a full time coach, I think it would be a very successful gig. Maybe Tyson would not be great with holing the pads or strategizing, but as far as boxing advice, who wouldn’t trust the student of the legendary trainer Cus D’Amato.
I think it would be very exciting to see Tyson working a corner and possibly even molding his own world champion. Plenty of former boxers have become successful trainers, and having Tyson be one of them will really add to the sport.
y Vitali Shaposhnikov: Most have anticipated and hoped for the ring legend ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson (50-6-0) to get back into boxing in some or other way. It has been a long time since Tyson fought, and the talks of his comeback have been shrinking by the minute. These days, everyone is fully away that Tyson will not get back inside the ring as a fighter.
Despite him retiring indefinitely from the sport as a boxer, his training career might take off. We have been hearing all kinds of speculations about Tyson wanting to become a trainer, but no solid proof has yet been provided.
Well here is a video of Mike Tyson training a kid named Tim Malano at the Mandalay Bay. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVSvS51vrEM&feature=player_embedded#)
While this video doesn’t show much, still it could be a beginning to something more serious and permanent to come. In the video, Tyson seems to know what he is doing, holding the pads and giving Malano advice.
As far as evaluating the potential of Tyson becoming a full time coach, I think it would be a very successful gig. Maybe Tyson would not be great with holing the pads or strategizing, but as far as boxing advice, who wouldn’t trust the student of the legendary trainer Cus D’Amato.
I think it would be very exciting to see Tyson working a corner and possibly even molding his own world champion. Plenty of former boxers have become successful trainers, and having Tyson be one of them will really add to the sport.
A MODERN BOARDWALK EMPIRE: THE IMMINENT DEATH OF ATLANTIC CITY
By Matt Goldstein
Former Boxing Mecca Facing Economic Collapse
It has already started. The death of Atlantic City is in fact underway. The new Pennsylvania casinos have stuck a dagger in the heart of the Atlantic City economy. With 8 new casino’s in Eastern PA alone and more on the way, Atlantic City casinos are dying fast. This slow painful yet imminent death will have a major impact on boxing, and promoters will be scrambling for new sites and site fees. "Atlantic City is over," claims pro poker player and my brother, Adam Goldstein. The premiere Casino attraction and nightlife in Atlantic City, the Borgata, is taking a major hit. The Borgata poker room is the biggest and best poker room on the entire East Coast and one of the biggest attractions in all of Atlantic City. However, there are actually more poker games going on right now at Parx casino in Bensalem PA. A few years ago when Parx casino opened this would have been unthinkable, but the action has literally changed cities. Parx casino in Bensalem and Harrah’s casino in Chester are just 20 minutes from downtown Philadelphia as opposed to the hour and 15 minutes drive to Atlantic City. Not to mention, the Sugarhouse casino, which is actually downtown Philadelphia.
These casinos blanket the entire Philadelphia metro area with Chester in the south off just minutes off I-95 and 476, Bensalem in the north minutes off of I-95 and the turnpike, and the Sands in Bethlehem just off of 476. These casino’s were strategically placed to do just that, blanket 20 million people with no need to travel anywhere else to get their fix. These casinos are also stepping the entertainment attractions with boxing, upscale restaurants, concerts and comp giveaways.
Growing up in Bensalem I’m happy for my hometown's economy but spending most of my getaway weekends in Atlantic City and Margate, covering boxing events, hitting the bars, restaurants and casino’s and the beach, it’s heartbreaking to see one of my favorite places in the world take such a serious hit. The death of Atlantic City will not only hurt the residents and workers of Atlantic City, but it will also hurt the surrounding resort towns of Brigantine, Ventnor, Margate, Longport, Ocean City, Somers Point and more. The property values and economies of these beach towns are intrinsically intertwined to Atlantic City. The death of Atlantic City is imminent. Hopefully the surrounding cities can take preventative measures before taking the hit as well. As well, boxing as a whole must take measures and prepare for Atlantic City no longer the home for boxing that it has been over the last 30 years.
By Matt Goldstein
Former Boxing Mecca Facing Economic Collapse
It has already started. The death of Atlantic City is in fact underway. The new Pennsylvania casinos have stuck a dagger in the heart of the Atlantic City economy. With 8 new casino’s in Eastern PA alone and more on the way, Atlantic City casinos are dying fast. This slow painful yet imminent death will have a major impact on boxing, and promoters will be scrambling for new sites and site fees. "Atlantic City is over," claims pro poker player and my brother, Adam Goldstein. The premiere Casino attraction and nightlife in Atlantic City, the Borgata, is taking a major hit. The Borgata poker room is the biggest and best poker room on the entire East Coast and one of the biggest attractions in all of Atlantic City. However, there are actually more poker games going on right now at Parx casino in Bensalem PA. A few years ago when Parx casino opened this would have been unthinkable, but the action has literally changed cities. Parx casino in Bensalem and Harrah’s casino in Chester are just 20 minutes from downtown Philadelphia as opposed to the hour and 15 minutes drive to Atlantic City. Not to mention, the Sugarhouse casino, which is actually downtown Philadelphia.
These casinos blanket the entire Philadelphia metro area with Chester in the south off just minutes off I-95 and 476, Bensalem in the north minutes off of I-95 and the turnpike, and the Sands in Bethlehem just off of 476. These casino’s were strategically placed to do just that, blanket 20 million people with no need to travel anywhere else to get their fix. These casinos are also stepping the entertainment attractions with boxing, upscale restaurants, concerts and comp giveaways.
Growing up in Bensalem I’m happy for my hometown's economy but spending most of my getaway weekends in Atlantic City and Margate, covering boxing events, hitting the bars, restaurants and casino’s and the beach, it’s heartbreaking to see one of my favorite places in the world take such a serious hit. The death of Atlantic City will not only hurt the residents and workers of Atlantic City, but it will also hurt the surrounding resort towns of Brigantine, Ventnor, Margate, Longport, Ocean City, Somers Point and more. The property values and economies of these beach towns are intrinsically intertwined to Atlantic City. The death of Atlantic City is imminent. Hopefully the surrounding cities can take preventative measures before taking the hit as well. As well, boxing as a whole must take measures and prepare for Atlantic City no longer the home for boxing that it has been over the last 30 years.
Tim Bradley: I’m the best at 140
By Tommy Allan
Timothy Bradley has come out swinging at critics today by claiming he is the best 140lb fighter in the world and will make more money facing Joel Casamayor, than he would have facing Amir Khan.
“I cant wait to get in that ring, Im the best at 140 and promise no one has a chance to beat me. I also want to let my fans know, I will be getting more money fighting Casamayor than I was with Amir Khan so it was a smart business move. The moment had to be right to fight khan and think if we waited we could get more PPV and let the fight build up. I made the same mistake with Alexander, we could of built up that fight more, and sorry to say but business is business, and my family comes first. I am he best at 140 period. Khan dosent stand a chance with me, this is only a tune up fight and pays me well. Then I have bigger fish to fry, Pacman.”
Bradley and Casamayor are scheduled to face off on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez 3rd fight, November 12th, on HBO PPV.
By Tommy Allan
Timothy Bradley has come out swinging at critics today by claiming he is the best 140lb fighter in the world and will make more money facing Joel Casamayor, than he would have facing Amir Khan.
“I cant wait to get in that ring, Im the best at 140 and promise no one has a chance to beat me. I also want to let my fans know, I will be getting more money fighting Casamayor than I was with Amir Khan so it was a smart business move. The moment had to be right to fight khan and think if we waited we could get more PPV and let the fight build up. I made the same mistake with Alexander, we could of built up that fight more, and sorry to say but business is business, and my family comes first. I am he best at 140 period. Khan dosent stand a chance with me, this is only a tune up fight and pays me well. Then I have bigger fish to fry, Pacman.”
Bradley and Casamayor are scheduled to face off on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez 3rd fight, November 12th, on HBO PPV.
Adrien Broner:I don'ʼt care if I'm at 130, 135, none of these guys can beat me"
"If they want to come up, let them come up. I want them to come up. Right now, at 130, I have nobody to fight. Come on! I came in and I fought Ponce de Leon and Jason Litzau. Other than those two, who is out there that is really known? Who's on HBO? Who'ʼs at 130 that's a good fight for me right now? I mean, if I fight Rocky Juarez, they're gonna say he is over the hill. I donʼ't know who's at 130 that I can fight and get my credit. Some people look at me as a loud talking, young, cocky guy. That's not me. I'm just confident and I know what I can do. I feel none of these guys can beat me. I don'ʼt care if I'm at 130, 135, or wherever I go. I know that they get inside those four corners, they are not gonna beat me," stated undefeated super featherweight Adrien Broner as he talked about his upcoming November 26 return to the ring and much more.
http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content10910.html
"If they want to come up, let them come up. I want them to come up. Right now, at 130, I have nobody to fight. Come on! I came in and I fought Ponce de Leon and Jason Litzau. Other than those two, who is out there that is really known? Who's on HBO? Who'ʼs at 130 that's a good fight for me right now? I mean, if I fight Rocky Juarez, they're gonna say he is over the hill. I donʼ't know who's at 130 that I can fight and get my credit. Some people look at me as a loud talking, young, cocky guy. That's not me. I'm just confident and I know what I can do. I feel none of these guys can beat me. I don'ʼt care if I'm at 130, 135, or wherever I go. I know that they get inside those four corners, they are not gonna beat me," stated undefeated super featherweight Adrien Broner as he talked about his upcoming November 26 return to the ring and much more.
http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content10910.html
not sure how bradley thinks he's getting paid more or the same than he would have against Khan. Against Khan he would have made 1.4 million PLUS 50/50 of the UK PPV, which would have been a very big number. He's not getting a cut of the pacquiao ppv, he's getting the flat 1.3 million HBO promised him for his return fight after Alexander.
Which reminds me - fuck hbo for overpaying guys that have no fanbases. Alexander & Bradley alone took about 1/4 of hbo's budget for 2011 lol. They are the reason Hopkins vs Dawson is on PPV and not regular HBO.
Which reminds me - fuck hbo for overpaying guys that have no fanbases. Alexander & Bradley alone took about 1/4 of hbo's budget for 2011 lol. They are the reason Hopkins vs Dawson is on PPV and not regular HBO.
I've screamed this and even gone as far as calling promoters to suggest this...
For fighters with no fan base, take them on the road where they have nothing going on and I guarantee they sell more tickets. You think Berto fighting for a title on HBO wouldn't sell at least 5 times the tickets he does in Florida in a place like Oklahoma City? Little Rock Arkansas? Albequerque NM? The UFC has done this over and over with great results and it promotes the health of the sport long term and short term. The wack UFC card on Spike that was here in OKC sold out because there was nothing else to do at that time and people checked it out just because. WWE has done that for years too.
For fighters with no fan base, take them on the road where they have nothing going on and I guarantee they sell more tickets. You think Berto fighting for a title on HBO wouldn't sell at least 5 times the tickets he does in Florida in a place like Oklahoma City? Little Rock Arkansas? Albequerque NM? The UFC has done this over and over with great results and it promotes the health of the sport long term and short term. The wack UFC card on Spike that was here in OKC sold out because there was nothing else to do at that time and people checked it out just because. WWE has done that for years too.
I've always thought small venues are the way to go too, forget having guys like berto/bradley/etc at Vegas.
For example Tacoma, WA. Anytime there is a fight card here it is jam packed and the atmosphere is electric. This is with straight bums too most of the time. So any time there is a semi bigger card like a showtime card or whatever with a decent name like Vic Darchinyan vs Abner Mares or whatever it's off the hook.
It's much better to have 3-4 thousand fans in a sold out venue going CRAZY than to have 2-3 thousand in a not even CLOSE to sold out venue who don't give a shit.
The problem is money though. At the end of the day, these Vegas Casino's they pay more money. Another example of how boxing hurts itself by chasing the short term money instead of building for the future.
For example Tacoma, WA. Anytime there is a fight card here it is jam packed and the atmosphere is electric. This is with straight bums too most of the time. So any time there is a semi bigger card like a showtime card or whatever with a decent name like Vic Darchinyan vs Abner Mares or whatever it's off the hook.
It's much better to have 3-4 thousand fans in a sold out venue going CRAZY than to have 2-3 thousand in a not even CLOSE to sold out venue who don't give a shit.
The problem is money though. At the end of the day, these Vegas Casino's they pay more money. Another example of how boxing hurts itself by chasing the short term money instead of building for the future.
Arturo Gatti's last fight-"48 Hours Mystery" investigates the ongoing controversy of the death of world championship boxer Arturo Gatti.
special on 48 hours
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7382189n
special on 48 hours
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7382189n
21 year old kid:
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big picture don't want to stretch page:
http://suljosblog.com/peperodriguez/files/2010/09/DSC_9441.jpg
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big picture don't want to stretch page:
http://suljosblog.com/peperodriguez/files/2010/09/DSC_9441.jpg