The Boxing News Report 03.22.08
Posted by Ramon Aranda on 03.22.2008
We've got a huge edition of the Boxing News Report this week with details on Mayweather's trainer issues as well updates on Mikkel Kessler and Edison Miranda. A title fight will be shown for free over the internet and we've got an exciting championship fight to look forward to this weekend!
In a week that doesn't seem at all to be lacking in news, we've got a stacked up edition of the Boxing News Report. This week we'll be talking about some newly announced fights or developments. Last week we witnessed another epic battle between Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao in a close fight that went in the Pac-Man's favor. I haven't yet watched the replay which airs tonight but I'll certainly re-score it again to see if I come up with a different tally than I did from ringside in Las Vegas. (My scorecard was 116-112 for Marquez)
Now onto this week's newsbits!
Stevie Forbes Cuts Roger Mayweather
As if this saga couldn't get any crazier. As previously reported, Steve Forbes, who is set to take on Oscar De La Hoya on May 3rd, was to have been trained by Roger Mayweather, uncle and trainer of pound for pound king and welterweight champ Floyd Mayweather. During an international conference call held by the WWE to hype up the Mayweather-Big Show match at WrestleMania, Mayweather expressed his displeasure with his uncle training Forbes stating, "I asked Roger not to train Forbes," said Mayweather. "If Forbes beats Oscar De La Hoya, then money is being taken out of my pocket...I fully disapprove...if it happens, I'm going to have to move on and get another trainer."
Though you may think it's sort of a piss poor attitude to have especially if you are the supposed best fighter in the world, it actually does make sense that Roger not train Forbes. Just seems like a conflict of interest if you really think about it though it certainly deals a blow to Forbes' chances of pulling off an upset. That being said, Forbes has responded by axing Roger Mayweather and replacing him with brother Jeff Mayweather instead. At least he stuck to the family blood line. (Credit: Fightnews.com)
Dino Duva Looks for Heavyweight Unification Bout for Peter
Since Peter's dismantling of Oleg Maskaev in Cancun, promoter Dino Duva has been working the phones looking to line up a heavyweight unification bout with unified champion Wladimir Klitschko. Of course standing in his way is brother Vitali Klitschko who is Peter's mandatory challenger.
"Now that Samuel Peter is the undisputed king of the WBC heavyweight title there are a lot of exciting things that Samuel wants to accomplish," said Duva. "Samuel has to fight Vitali Klitschko and we are working on that right now and look forward to that great match. Samuel also has a dream to bring a world heavyweight championship fight to his homeland in Nigeria. It will be the biggest sporting event in Nigerian and African history. Ultimately he wants to unify the world heavyweight championships. If Samuel and Wladimir Klitschko continue on winning paths, the rematch between the two for the ultimate heavyweight unification will be the biggest heavyweight fight in years."
"As we have been preaching for a long time, Samuel Peter has brought back excitement to the heavyweight division," added Duva. "Samuel Peter's schedule is my number one priority and it will impact the entire heavyweight division. Included in that plan and of the utmost importance is the ultimate goal of unifying all of the heavyweight belts. I have been in contact with the representatives of Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko and the other heavyweight champions and I believe exciting things will fall into place very quickly for the heavyweight division."
Should Vitali fight and defeat Peter, the Klitschko brothers have already stated in the past that they would never fight each other. Unfortunately that would be counterproductive in helping crown an undisputed heavyweight champion.
Kessler vs. Miranda Looks Like a Done Deal
SHOWTIME has just recently updated its schedule of fights and that schedule lists a May 24th matchup between two super middleweight heavy-hitters in "Pantera" Edison Miranda (30-2, 26 KOs) and Mikkel Kessler (39-1, 29 KOs). The bout is still subject to commission approval but it looks like Kessler has finally accepted the bout. Should that fight come off, you can expect a heap of fireworks from two guys that know how to punch.
On the topic of SHOWTIME fights, they have also added a June 7th, double header featuring WBC super welterweight titleholder Vernon Forrest taking on The Contender Season One champion Sergio Mora. The card will also include the welterweight rematch between Carlos Quintana and Paul Williams which took place just recently where Williams looked terrible against a hungry Quintana and suffered his first professional loss. Looks like SHOWTIME's got quite a solid schedule in the coming months.
Knockout Kings Coming to the Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida
Juan Urango (19-1, 15 KOs) vs. Wilfredo Vilches (52-7-2, 31 KOs), a 12 round IBF title elimination bout, headlines a Hard Rock Live Hollywood, FL bout card presented by Seminole Warriors Boxing. Doors open at 6:30pm and the first bell rings at 7:30pm. ESPN2's Wednesday Night Fights broadcast begins at 9pm ET / 6pm PT. This should be a stern test for the talented Urango who gave Ricky Hatton the fits after Hatton came back down to junior welterweight following his decision win against Luis Collazo.
In the co-feature, middleweight sensation "Mean" Joe Greene is wasting no time getting back into the ring after his spectacular showing against Francisco Mora in February, and he will take on an opponent to be announced in a 10 round contest.
Tickets for "THE KNOCKOUT KINGS", priced at $150, $100, $50 and $25, are on sale now, and may be purchased at the Hard Rock Live Box Office or TicketMaster.com.
Spinks vs. Phillips to Air Live and Free on DonKingTV.com
So Don King has opened up his own television network, via the internet and his first big bout will be the upcoming junior middleweight title fight between Cory Spinks (36-4, 11 KOs) and Verno Phillips (41-10-1, 21 KOs) in St. Louis, Missouri.
I think it's a great idea and I wish this sort of thing was more readily available to the fans for fights that are not being televised but have some significance. The fact that it's free is icing on the cake. The card will be televised on Thursday, March 27 on DonKingTV.com starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT live from the Scottrade Center.
A second title fight will be featured when World Boxing Council Continental Americas super lightweight champion Devon Alexander "The Great" (14-0, 8 KOs) takes on World Boxing Association FEDELATIN super lightweight champion Miguel Callist (24-6-1, 17 KOs) during the four-hour webcast (four hours!!!).
"This is another new and exciting adventure for us," said Don King. "Like the Gateway to the West, we will be taking St. Louis and this trailblazing fight card worldwide via the internet. Fans will be able to see IBF 154-pount champion Cory Spinks take on Verno Phillips and undefeated 140-pounder Devon Alexander against Miguel Callist. We want as many people as possible to see just how great our technology is, so we're making four exciting hours of action available free of charge."
"The Internet continues to be a driving force in revolutionizing how sports are consumed," said Brad Rinklin, vice president of marketing, Akamai Technologies. "Akamai is excited to collaborate with DonKingTV.com to deliver the live streaming for this premiere event, and to help bring this first-of-its-kind Internet channel to the world of boxing."
I'm all for it Don, just keep them coming and remember that boxing fans love the word "free".
The webcast will not be available in St. Louis where fans can see the event live and in person at Scottrade Center. Tickets are still available for the night of boxing featuring nine bouts beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Scottrade Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at 314-241-1888 for an automated line or 314-421-4400 or 618-222-2900 for sales rep, or online at ticketmaster.com. A per-ticket facility fee will be added to all tickets purchased at all locations, including at the Scottrade Center Box Office. Additional Ticketmaster service charges and handling fees apply. For disabled seating, call 314-622-5420.
Watch Alfonso Gomez Prepare for Miguel Cotto
Hungry for more 24/7-like telecasts or countdown shows for upcoming bouts? Well who doesn't like those especially when you get to see who the fighters really are and what they go through to prepare for their fights. Well right now, you can log onto www.alfonsogomez.com to get his updated webcasts in a behind-the-scenes look at his training camp as he prepares for his April 12th bout against Miguel Cotto.
They really are pretty interesting to watch and fans of Gomez or anyone else interested in the fight should give them a gander. Gomez, is a class act and fun to watch in the ring and his webcasts are no different.
WWE/Mayweather Press Conference in NYC
Next Wednesday afternoon, the WWE will be holding a press conference in New York City to hype up the Mayweather-Big Show match at WrestleMania. You can expect that thousands of fans will be in attendance to check out the mayhem and our own Jonathan Yaghoubi will be there to provide 411 readers with all the coverage. The conference will be held at noon and fans who are not in the area can watch it all live on WWE.com.
Random Tidbits
-Top Rank is working on a Tye Fields vs. Hasim Rahman bout for the Las Vegas Heavyweight Championship. Details will soon be announced.
-Tickets are off to a strong start for Miguel Cotto vs. Alfonso Gomez, Kermit Cintron vs. Antonio Margarito scheduled April 12 at the historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
-Top Rank is working on a press conference with Kelly Pavlik and Gary Lockett to officially announce that world title bout which will be scheduled June 7 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The initial press conference will be in New York City next week.
-Ruslan Chagaev and Nicolai Valuev will meet in a rematch for the WBA heavyweight strap on May 31 in Germany.
Weekend Fight Reminder
Tonight, fans will get to see the Arturo Gatti remake of Michael Katsidis (23-0, 20 KOs) looks for his first world title when he takes on lightweight champion Joel Casamayor (35-3-1, 21 KOs) on HBO's Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET / 7:05 p.m. PT. The telecast will begin with a super middleweight fight between exciting, power-punching Librado Andrade (26-1, 20 KOs) and Robert Stieglitz (31-1, 19 KOs).
That's all for this week folks, as if you needed more news. Stay tuned next week for our exclusive interview with former WBO welterweight champ Antonio Margarito.
