Boxing News Thread
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Floyd Mayweather: Robert Guerrero Bout is Just a 'Rumor'
Internet buzz has made Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero the lone candidate for the big money opponent slot against boxing cash cow, Floyd Mayweather on May 4 in Las Vegas. Mayweather, however, has stepped forward to clarify that a Guerrero bout is not as much of a done deal as has been reported.
The controversial five-division world champ and pound-for-pound top dog took to his official Facebook account Wednesday afternoon to issue the following brief, but clear statement:
"As of right now I don't know who I'm fighting on May 4th. Me fighting Robert Guerrero is just a rumor."
Literally minutes later, Golden Boy Promotions CEO, Richard Schaefer, made his own statement to Rick Reeno of Boxingscene.com, declaring that Mayweather's opponent had been selected and that an announcement would be made as soon as all of the contractual formalities had been signed and sealed.
"We had conference calls with our lawyers yesterday and today," Schaefer said. "All parties who are participating [on May 4] have agreed, and now the attorneys are working on the contracts...drafts are circulating. We hope that we are able to announce something by the end of this week or early next week. The contracts are being finalized and obviously I don't want to go and announce something without signed contracts. An announcement is imminent."
Regardless of Mayweather's statement, Guerrero has to remain the frontrunner for the May 4 date after his dominant unanimous decision victory over former welterweight champ, Andre Berto, last November. Looking at the available talent within the 147-154 lb. weight range, the Guerrero match-up is also the one that makes the most sense at the moment. Other qualified Golden Boy-friendly talent is either tied up with other plans or sorely lacking in marketability for such a high-profile fight.
Richard Schaefer's statement gives the appearance of being damage control following the Mayweather declaration as well as an effort to subtly put Mayweather back in line when it comes to signing on to the "right" fight for his company.
The fact that Schaefer is commenting at all is a solid sign that Mayweather will be facing a Golden Boy fighter on May 4. Despite the fact that Mayweather has exclusively handled his business through Golden Boy for the last six years, he is not legally bound to the promotional company in any way and could've taken his business elsewhere. Apparently, whether Guerrero is next or not, one of Golden Boy's fighters appears to be on deck once again..
Given that Saul Alvarez has pretty much gone on record as saying that a clash with Mayweather will happen in September, the only viable alternative is Guerrero, unless something unforeseen happens and Mayweather completely flips the script on everybody.
The backstage maneuverings of the boxing world are always interesting, but impossible to completely sort out based solely on what's leaked to the media. The public rarely gets the full truth when it comes to the exclusive world of closed door business dealings. This particular situation may be a case where nobody learns the actual truth of what happened and why.
All we know is that Mayweather felt the need to make his statement directly to the public while Schaefer apparently felt the need to go directly to the media in response. Of course, the timing could all be a coincidence, but that would be unlikely.
As it stands now, though, Mayweather will be fighting someone on May 4 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The opponent that makes the most sense is Robert Guerrero, but according to Mayweather, nothing is beyond the rumor stage. Golden Boy, on the other hand, is saying that everything has been sorted out and that an announcement is coming very soon.
Got Em!!
Internet buzz has made Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero the lone candidate for the big money opponent slot against boxing cash cow, Floyd Mayweather on May 4 in Las Vegas. Mayweather, however, has stepped forward to clarify that a Guerrero bout is not as much of a done deal as has been reported.
The controversial five-division world champ and pound-for-pound top dog took to his official Facebook account Wednesday afternoon to issue the following brief, but clear statement:
"As of right now I don't know who I'm fighting on May 4th. Me fighting Robert Guerrero is just a rumor."
Literally minutes later, Golden Boy Promotions CEO, Richard Schaefer, made his own statement to Rick Reeno of Boxingscene.com, declaring that Mayweather's opponent had been selected and that an announcement would be made as soon as all of the contractual formalities had been signed and sealed.
"We had conference calls with our lawyers yesterday and today," Schaefer said. "All parties who are participating [on May 4] have agreed, and now the attorneys are working on the contracts...drafts are circulating. We hope that we are able to announce something by the end of this week or early next week. The contracts are being finalized and obviously I don't want to go and announce something without signed contracts. An announcement is imminent."
Regardless of Mayweather's statement, Guerrero has to remain the frontrunner for the May 4 date after his dominant unanimous decision victory over former welterweight champ, Andre Berto, last November. Looking at the available talent within the 147-154 lb. weight range, the Guerrero match-up is also the one that makes the most sense at the moment. Other qualified Golden Boy-friendly talent is either tied up with other plans or sorely lacking in marketability for such a high-profile fight.
Richard Schaefer's statement gives the appearance of being damage control following the Mayweather declaration as well as an effort to subtly put Mayweather back in line when it comes to signing on to the "right" fight for his company.
The fact that Schaefer is commenting at all is a solid sign that Mayweather will be facing a Golden Boy fighter on May 4. Despite the fact that Mayweather has exclusively handled his business through Golden Boy for the last six years, he is not legally bound to the promotional company in any way and could've taken his business elsewhere. Apparently, whether Guerrero is next or not, one of Golden Boy's fighters appears to be on deck once again..
Given that Saul Alvarez has pretty much gone on record as saying that a clash with Mayweather will happen in September, the only viable alternative is Guerrero, unless something unforeseen happens and Mayweather completely flips the script on everybody.
The backstage maneuverings of the boxing world are always interesting, but impossible to completely sort out based solely on what's leaked to the media. The public rarely gets the full truth when it comes to the exclusive world of closed door business dealings. This particular situation may be a case where nobody learns the actual truth of what happened and why.
All we know is that Mayweather felt the need to make his statement directly to the public while Schaefer apparently felt the need to go directly to the media in response. Of course, the timing could all be a coincidence, but that would be unlikely.
As it stands now, though, Mayweather will be fighting someone on May 4 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The opponent that makes the most sense is Robert Guerrero, but according to Mayweather, nothing is beyond the rumor stage. Golden Boy, on the other hand, is saying that everything has been sorted out and that an announcement is coming very soon.
Got Em!!
It's official. Donaire vs Rigondeaux in April. brian viloria on undercard.
Props:
trips, heyzel and JLMACN
Donaire vs Mares: Golden Boy offers $3 million to promote the fight
By Scott Christ on Jan 24, 10:24a 1
Tom Casino/SHOWTIME
Golden Boy Promotions has reported offered Top Rank $3 million to promote a fight between Abner Mares and Nonito Donaire. Could this great matchup actually happen, or is it just more big talk?
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With boxing fans demanding Nonito Donaire vs Abner Mares at 122 pounds, it appears the stakes between rival promoters Top Rank and Golden Boy are getting pretty high.
While Top Rank's Bob Arum has said he'd offer Golden Boy a fee to promote the fight, Golden Boy has reportedly countered by offering Top Rank $3 million for the rights to the bout, which they would promote without Top Rank's assistance, the same idea Top Rank has to do it without Golden Boy's aid, only their fighter.
Schaefer, though, doesn't believe Arum actually wants to do it, despite Top Rank speaking with Mares' promoter, Frank Espinoza:
"Itt is the same bullshit that we went through with a potential Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. He has no intention to do it. There have been conversations going on between him and Mares' manager, Frank Espinoza, and Arum has been lowballing us for a potential fight, to provide the services of Abner Mares. ... I will pay Top Rank $3 million dollars, and I don't know what kind of deal they have with Donaire...probably a 50-50, so [Arum] can pay Donaire $1.5 million and he can make $1.5 million, but I don't care how they split up the $3 million."
Really, it just seems like more posturing from both sides. If Arum really is offering low money, then he can always at least say, "Hey, I tried to make it, they were unreasonable." If Schaefer truly believes Arum just won't allow the fight to happen, then he could offer anything and be able to say, "Look, we made this offer." It's the same bullshit we went through with the Khan-Bradley negotiations once upon a time, where Khan and Golden Boy offered all of these great things for a fight that they knew wouldn't happen.
By Scott Christ on Jan 24, 10:24a 1
Tom Casino/SHOWTIME
Golden Boy Promotions has reported offered Top Rank $3 million to promote a fight between Abner Mares and Nonito Donaire. Could this great matchup actually happen, or is it just more big talk?
With boxing fans demanding Nonito Donaire vs Abner Mares at 122 pounds, it appears the stakes between rival promoters Top Rank and Golden Boy are getting pretty high.
While Top Rank's Bob Arum has said he'd offer Golden Boy a fee to promote the fight, Golden Boy has reportedly countered by offering Top Rank $3 million for the rights to the bout, which they would promote without Top Rank's assistance, the same idea Top Rank has to do it without Golden Boy's aid, only their fighter.
Schaefer, though, doesn't believe Arum actually wants to do it, despite Top Rank speaking with Mares' promoter, Frank Espinoza:
"Itt is the same bullshit that we went through with a potential Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. He has no intention to do it. There have been conversations going on between him and Mares' manager, Frank Espinoza, and Arum has been lowballing us for a potential fight, to provide the services of Abner Mares. ... I will pay Top Rank $3 million dollars, and I don't know what kind of deal they have with Donaire...probably a 50-50, so [Arum] can pay Donaire $1.5 million and he can make $1.5 million, but I don't care how they split up the $3 million."
Really, it just seems like more posturing from both sides. If Arum really is offering low money, then he can always at least say, "Hey, I tried to make it, they were unreasonable." If Schaefer truly believes Arum just won't allow the fight to happen, then he could offer anything and be able to say, "Look, we made this offer." It's the same bullshit we went through with the Khan-Bradley negotiations once upon a time, where Khan and Golden Boy offered all of these great things for a fight that they knew wouldn't happen.
Andre Ward, Mikkel Kessler Continue To Trade Words
This is the super middleweight fight that will never die. At least not until it gets settled once and for all in the ring.
The problem is that Mikkel Kessler and unified champion Andre Ward disagrees on who's to blame for a return fight not materializing.
Why talk about Ward-Kessler II when there's a big rematch between the Dane and Carl Froch coming up in May? Because the natural fight for the winner of that showdown happens to be Andre Ward. And perhaps for that very reason, Kessler fired an uncharacteristic poisonous pill towards his American conqueror:
"Every time we have had talks with Andre Ward it leads to nothing. He will never fight away from home or his demands are crazy. There's always something with this guy. He will not fight abroad and is therefore not a worthy champion," Kessler said.
That statement has made Ward angry, in where he called Kessler a liar:
"Mikkel Kessler keeps saying that he wants a rematch, but he doesn't want [the rematch whenever] we discuss it. That's why I feel I have to say something because it's not true."
Kessler said the following about Ward's style:
"Andre Ward is good at what he does, but as I have discussed with Carl Froch - we will fight a real fight. We are going to stage a war and determine who's the better boxer. Not who's better at holding, headbutting, rabbit-punching and holding again. That's not a real boxing match."
An upset Ward says:
"I had big respect for Mikkel Kessler before our fight. I also respected him after the fight that I won fair and square. Yes there where unfortunate headbutts but these things happen in a fight. Even in the sweetness of my win, I never disrespected Kessler or the Danish boxing fans. Now he is disrepecting me by lying about how I won and all that. It's distastefull and upsets me to hear that."
Even though Kessler-Froch II is being touted as one of the biggest fights of 2013, Ward has little respect for it:
"Let me tell you why Kessler and Froch would rather meet again. It's because it's an easier fight for both of them. If I were Mikkel Kessler then I'd surely be more interested in fighting me again. Get my revenge and my belt back.
This is the super middleweight fight that will never die. At least not until it gets settled once and for all in the ring.
The problem is that Mikkel Kessler and unified champion Andre Ward disagrees on who's to blame for a return fight not materializing.
Why talk about Ward-Kessler II when there's a big rematch between the Dane and Carl Froch coming up in May? Because the natural fight for the winner of that showdown happens to be Andre Ward. And perhaps for that very reason, Kessler fired an uncharacteristic poisonous pill towards his American conqueror:
"Every time we have had talks with Andre Ward it leads to nothing. He will never fight away from home or his demands are crazy. There's always something with this guy. He will not fight abroad and is therefore not a worthy champion," Kessler said.
That statement has made Ward angry, in where he called Kessler a liar:
"Mikkel Kessler keeps saying that he wants a rematch, but he doesn't want [the rematch whenever] we discuss it. That's why I feel I have to say something because it's not true."
Kessler said the following about Ward's style:
"Andre Ward is good at what he does, but as I have discussed with Carl Froch - we will fight a real fight. We are going to stage a war and determine who's the better boxer. Not who's better at holding, headbutting, rabbit-punching and holding again. That's not a real boxing match."
An upset Ward says:
"I had big respect for Mikkel Kessler before our fight. I also respected him after the fight that I won fair and square. Yes there where unfortunate headbutts but these things happen in a fight. Even in the sweetness of my win, I never disrespected Kessler or the Danish boxing fans. Now he is disrepecting me by lying about how I won and all that. It's distastefull and upsets me to hear that."
Even though Kessler-Froch II is being touted as one of the biggest fights of 2013, Ward has little respect for it:
"Let me tell you why Kessler and Froch would rather meet again. It's because it's an easier fight for both of them. If I were Mikkel Kessler then I'd surely be more interested in fighting me again. Get my revenge and my belt back.
Matthysse: If I'm Not Next, Then Danny Garcia Is Ducking
By Ryan Burton
The WBC recently ordered their junior welterweight champion, Danny Garcia (25-0, 16KOs), to face the interim-champion Lucas Matthysse (32-2, 30KOs) before the end of the year. Matthysse appeared on this week's edition of The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene's official audio show and said that is the fight that he has been targeting.
"That is the fight I want. It is a fight I have been asking for, for a long time. Hopefully the promoters can get together and make it happen," Matthysse said.
There has been talk of a rematch between Garcia and Amir Khan possibly taking place in the fall. Garcia knocked Khan out in four rounds this past July. Matthysse said that if Garcia doesn't face him after his February 9th fight against former champion Zab Judah, then it will be clear the Philadelphia based fighter is avoiding him.
"He knows that he has to fight me. If he doesn't fight me after Judah and fights Khan or anyone else then yes he would be ducking me. There is no other way about it. Hopefully that doesn't happen though and he fights me," Matthysse told The Boxing Lab.
Regardless of what Garcia decides to do, the Argentine fighter plans on campaigning in the junior welterweight division for the foreseeable future.
"I don't plan on moving up anytime soon. I want to fight the top guys at 140 before I move up in weight," Matthysse revealed.
Matthysse face Mike Dallas Saturday night on Showtime.
Source: Boxingscene
By Ryan Burton
The WBC recently ordered their junior welterweight champion, Danny Garcia (25-0, 16KOs), to face the interim-champion Lucas Matthysse (32-2, 30KOs) before the end of the year. Matthysse appeared on this week's edition of The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene's official audio show and said that is the fight that he has been targeting.
"That is the fight I want. It is a fight I have been asking for, for a long time. Hopefully the promoters can get together and make it happen," Matthysse said.
There has been talk of a rematch between Garcia and Amir Khan possibly taking place in the fall. Garcia knocked Khan out in four rounds this past July. Matthysse said that if Garcia doesn't face him after his February 9th fight against former champion Zab Judah, then it will be clear the Philadelphia based fighter is avoiding him.
"He knows that he has to fight me. If he doesn't fight me after Judah and fights Khan or anyone else then yes he would be ducking me. There is no other way about it. Hopefully that doesn't happen though and he fights me," Matthysse told The Boxing Lab.
Regardless of what Garcia decides to do, the Argentine fighter plans on campaigning in the junior welterweight division for the foreseeable future.
"I don't plan on moving up anytime soon. I want to fight the top guys at 140 before I move up in weight," Matthysse revealed.
Matthysse face Mike Dallas Saturday night on Showtime.
Source: Boxingscene
