Roman Greenberg knocked out in 2nd
30.08.08
London-based Israeli, Roman Greenberg whom was being groomed for heavyweight stardom was sensationally knocked out on his feet in the 2nd round of his scheduled 12 round fight with Cedric Boswell for the IBF North American heavyweight title.
After a tentative first round the two fighters came out firing bigger shots before Boswell caught Greenberg with a crunching right hand which sent Greenberg back. Boswell sensing that Roman was in trouble attacked him with a flurry of hard punches leaving him shaky before a big right hand prompted the referee to step in.
Cedric Boswell moves to 28-1 (22ko) with his lone loss via 10th round TKO to Jameel McCline in Vegas 5 years ago, will now look to get his career back on track.
Meanwhile 24 year old Greenberg slips to 27-1 (18ko) but still has plenty of time to resurrect himself.
leave comment HERE
Carl Froch discusses Degale and 2012 Olympics
30.08.08
By Carl Froch
WELL, what a performance from James DeGale at the Olympics. It's always fantastic to see a fellow Brit do well in any sport at the Olympics, but to see James prevail in my own chosen sport and at my old weight class was nothing short of marvellous.
He boxed clever and knowing how good the Cuban amateurs are myself, James operated with a cool head, despite even being bitten, to snatch the gold medal.
He now has the boxing world at his feet and will soon be courted by all the promotional big guns in an effort to get his name on a contract.
I've been down that road myself. And, if I were to offer any advice, it would be to simply enjoy the moment and don't get too clouded by the pound signs which may be floating around.
To succeed in the Olympics is the ultimate for any amateur sportsman, but James may have the opportunity to go one better and to represent Great Britain when London hosts the event in 2012.
Click here!
To claim a second gold medal when we are hosting the event would eclipse any other British amateur boxer's achievements, whether it be at middlweight or even a higher weight category – James can only improve even more over the next three years or so.
But, deep down, I believe that he will probably turn professional and will be unable to resist the spoils that will be offered.
If that's the case, then he will need to choose his promoter carefully.
All said and done, professional boxing nowadays is sadly an entertainment business first and a sport second.
Too many talented boxers are taking the easy route to one of the lesser world title belts and then defending it against sub-par opposition.
They are, sadly, more concerned with ducking the big fights in favour of remaining unbeaten.
I've always maintained that I wanted to go through the paid rankings in the proper manner. First, I wanted to take care of all domestic rivals and claim the Commonwealth and also the Lonsdale belt for keeps, before hopefully moving on to the world scene and then finally taking on the reigning WBC champion.
The WBC title is the most prestigious belt there is. When Ali and Foreman rumbled in the jungle, it was the WBC title at stake.
Likewise when Ricky Hatton challenged Mayweather for the welterweight title, it was the WBC version up for grabs.
When the WBC made me Joe Calzaghe's mandatory challenger I was honoured. But, as soon as I had been instated, than Calzaghe suddenly vacated the best belt in his trophy cabinet.
By the close of 2009, Nottingham will have a reigning WBC world champion in myself and, unlike others in my profession, you will see the Cobra taking on all-comers to the title.
I will give all mandatories their shot.
The lion's share of those fights will hopefully be in Nottingham – but after becoming champion I really do want to showcase my skills in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, or even Madison Square Garden, New York, should Jermain Taylor beat Jeff Lacy.
Now there's a trip for the hardcore fans!
But first, all my focus is on Canadian Jean Pascal, who I will of course take out in style! Expect some big news on the event very soon...
leave comment HERE
Paul Williams vs Luis Collazo Nov 29
27.08.09
Former WBA Welterweight champion Luis Collazo is shortlisted and the hot favourite to fight Paul 'the punisher' Williams for the champion's WBO title that he regained from Carlos Quintana.
Heavyweight star in the making Cristobal Arreola looks set to fight in chief support role of the Dan Goosen promoted show which looks to be aired on HBO on November 29th.
Collazo (28-3), who took a year out of boxing to recover from a broken thumb sustained during a points loss to Shane Mosely in Februry 2007, recently won a unanimous decision against Edvan Dos Santos Barros(9-4-1).
leave comment HERE
Carl Froch talks Olympics, Graham and Roy Jones
25.08.08
I've got to admit, I envy the lads in the Olympic games in China at the moment. What an experience. I would have loved to have gone to the Olympics before I went professional, but it is the pinnacle of the sport. But I was robbed in the Olympic qualifier.
Mind you, I'm not sure I'd have coped with that scoring system. It was bad enough in my day...but it's even worse now.
In the news it said that Ricky Hatton had parted with Billy Graham after all those years and Ricky said that he just couldn't train properly with Billy anymore due to Billy's bad joints and arthritice. Apparently his hands were that bad he had to take injections to numb the pain. As much as Ricky loved Billy it would seem that it was the best move for him to bring someone else in. Maybe Billy wanted to carry on but it took others around him to realise he couldn't do it anymore.
Sadly there are a few others in boxing who also need to turn it in. Roy Jones was an unbelievable talent in his 1990's heyday, but as much as i admire what he has done over the years the stark reality is that he's been smoked in three of his last six fights ! I find it a bit disapointing that Calzaghe has decided to fight Jones after declaring in his autobiography that he would prove nothing by being the third person to knock Jones out.
As much as he says it will earn him good money I can't help but feel he wants to protect his unbeaten record more than challenge himself against a hungry fighter like Pavlik or yours truly. Eubank gave Joe his chance but it seems he is reluctant to pass the torch and would rather keep his '0' intact.
Eddie Futch once said that "In Britain they don't build fighters.... they build records" and it would seem that's the case with Joe. Personally the likes of Taylor and especially Pavlik, are dream fights for me and I would have no problem taking them on at the drop of a hat as I know I have the tools to take care of them both. Pavlik has blazed his way through the best at his weight and as a former Middleweight myself as an amateur, i think it would be a mouth watering tear up for the fans.
Speaking of people protecting their records, I hear Denis Inkin has suddenly recovered from his Froch-induced yellow fever. He is fighting his stablemate Karoly Balzsay in a WBO eliminator fight. My mum is called Carol too and I bet she'd smoke the pair of those clowns. I still hope that Inkin finds a way to win and then at some point I get to bounce him off the canvas on behalf of all my loyal fans who waited twice for him to turn up. Somehow I don't think he will though.
It's a shame Inkin is not as brave as some of my current Nottingham sparring partners who have taken a few Froch lumps lately. I have started back in the Liberty gym at Snienton market over the last few weeks and started hitting the bags. After only a couple of sessions I have been taking the spars apart and am looking forward to a good training camp in Nottingham for my next fight against Jean Pascal. My knee is absolutely fine and am only about 5 pounds off my fighting weight.
When the hard work is done I will throw open the doors and all you fans can come and see me spit some Cobra venom in an open workout!
leave comment HERE
Could Willie Kickett threaten Amir Khan
19.08.08
Aussie 2007 hot prospect of the year "Cool" Willie Kickett (11-0, 5ko's) may not be a name too familiar with boxing fans in Europe and the States, but soon he will be.
Due to fight at the Wyong Leagues Club on the NSW Central Coast against experienced Vicente Martin Rodriguez (21-1) in only his 12th fight, he will be looking to claim the WBO super featherweight youth title - all inside his first 18 months as a pro.
Victory against Rodriguez, ranked No.11 , could pave Kickett's way to a dream world title eliminator.
Speaking to reporter Jay Clark, Willie's trainer Craig Christian said the bout was a huge test for the super-featherweight, but insisted the 21-year-old rising star was not out of his depth and would be looking for his next win.
"It's a huge fight for Willie and a big step, as Rodriguez is one of the best young boxers in the world and he's on the rise,'' Christian said.
"But Willie is ready. He's improving rapidly all the time and all his fights from now on will be big fights like this.''
Standing at 5'4, Kickett has been described as the Australian Amir Khan with fast hands and feet - and an aggressive attacking style.
Kickett fought Amir Khan opponent Gary St Clair in a ten round two months ago and floored the tough St Clair in round two and round eight.
With Willie Kicket at Super featherweight (130lb) and Amir Khan campaigning at Lightweight (135lb) a potential fight would require Kickett to step up in weight which would be no problem for the stocky Australian who has weighed up to 140 since he professional debut in 2007.
Here is Kickett in action in his 7th Pro fight :-
leave comment HERE
Junior Witter set to return
16.08.08
Junior Witter looks set to fight for the European Light welterweight title held by Italian Gianluca Branco.
The European Boxing Union has set today as the deadline for agreement or purse bids between the Italian and Witter's promoter, Mick Hennessy.
If Hennessy is succesful then the fight could be on the undercard to the WBC super middleweight world title soon to be contested between Carl Froch and Canadian Jean Pascal, which is anticipated to take place on Saturday November 1st.
leave comment HERE
Sicknote Denis Inkin returns
14.08.08
German-based Russian Denis Inkin (33-0, 24 KOs) looks set to return on September 27th against fellow stablemate Karoly Balzsay (19-0, 14 KOs)on the Universum promoted 'Champion Night' in an undercard fight to the main event of Firat Arslan, who defends his WBA world title against mandatory challenger Guillermo Jones.
Inkin, who was due to fight Froch for the WBC final eliminator spot in March, claimed he was sick only two weeks before the fight. Then again, two weeks before the rescheduled May date he suddenly suffered with a bad back.
The winner of the WBO interim title, will become the full champion, should Calzaghe decide not to defend it.
If this occurs, they will join other German stablemates Sergiy Dzinziruk and Zsolt Erdei who also own WBO titles.
leave comment HERE
Robin Reid to return from Retirement
13.08.09
Robin Reid is allegedly considering to be making his return to Super Middleweight boxing, with potentially the soon-to-be vacated British title currently held by his conquester Carl 'the cobra' Froch.
Potential opponents include Belfast's Brian Magee who ironically has already lost to Robin Reid for the IBO title once already after being floored several times. He was also KO'd for the first time by Froch in tough fight at the York Hall 2 years ago.
Should Reid decide to fight for the title and Magee gets his shot too, it could be a long awaited opportunity for the Irishman to vanquish the past his best Runcorn warrior.
Reid made his intentions known at the Murray vs Meager fight and let it be known that a British title fight would interest him.
Meanwhile Welshman Nathan Cleverly has decided to take his chances in the Light Heavyweight division and is expected to make the 175lb division his permanent fighting weight.
“I’ve been experimenting between the weights and I just feel that I’ve got more energy at light-heavy,” He said. “I feel I can train better when I’ve got a bit more weight on. I feel stronger in general and my punches feel a bit more snappy as well.
“Obviously I’m gonna be fighting bigger men but if I can take my speed up then it’ll be no problem.”
It also appears that this new weight class will allow ‘The Clever Boy’ to showcase his skills against a higher level of opposition, with a possible fight against reigning British and Commonwealth champion Dean Francis being muted for October.
“It’s yet to be confirmed, but Francis is on the cards.” Admitted Cleverly. “It’s the fight my mind is set on at the moment. He (Francis) is a dangerous fighter. He’s very experienced and there’s no doubt it’ll be the fight of my life.
“I know that he’s a massive puncher but my chin has been tested before. I’ve taken some big shots in sparring and I know that my chin isn’t a problem. Obviously I don’t want to get hit if I can avoid it but I’m not afraid of his power going into the ring.
He added: “I’ll have more youth about me. It’s my time now to take over. It’s time to have a younger athlete in the picture.”
leave comment HERE