Boxing 2022

[Elite]

Hopefully 2022 will be a better year for fights with less Covid disruption (Hopefully).

 

Usyk V Joshua 2 is the most intriguing so far.

 

 

[Kevin D]

[Kevin D]

[KMD7]

The Loneliest Sport 

 

'One night, as I walked onto the porch to go into the house, Uncle Israel looked at me and, noting my stocky build, told the others, 'That boy there, that boy is gonna be another Joe Louis.

'

Well, those words made an impression. Eight years old at the time, I thought, 'Why not?' Boxing fit with the rough-and-tumble character that I was.

 

At school, classmates would give me a sandwich or quarter to walk them at the final bell so that bullies wouldn't mess with them. Bullies would see me and say, 'Oh, okay. I didn't know you were friends with him.'

 

Around Laurel Bay, any scoombagah who got in my face soon regretted it. Another Joe Louis. That sounded dead right to me. From the moment Uncle Israel spoke those words, I took them to heart.

 

The next day, I got an old burlap sack and filled it with rags, corncobs, a brick in the middle, and Spanish moss that grew on trees all over Beaufort County. I tied a rope to it and hung this makeshift heavybag from an old oak tree in the backyard lot where the mules were kept. And for the next six, seven years damn near every day I'd hit that heavybag for an hour at a time.

 

I'd wrap my hands with a necktie of my daddy's, or a stocking of my momma's or sisters,' and get to it. I told folks I was destined to be a world champion, the next Joe Louis. They looked at me as if I was from Mars.'

 

- Joe Frazier 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kevin D]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2022/01/23/anthony-joshua-accept-15m-fee-step-aside-tyson-fury-oleksander/

 

Anthony Joshua is close to accepting a £15 million step-aside fee that would pave the way for Oleksander Usyk to fight Tyson Fury in an undisputed heavyweight title bout in the Middle East.

Joshua had been due a rematch with Usyk for his three world title belts, which he lost to the Ukrainian in London last year.

 

But the former Olympic champion is now open to accepting a deal to step aside after a weekend of protracted talks among boxing’s movers and shakers delivered hopes of a breakthrough. The Principality Stadium in Cardiff has also been reserved for Fury to fight on March 26.

 

Described as “chaos” and “a mess” by Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum, nothing official has come from Joshua’s management team - nor indeed has the Londoner announced his new training team after visits to several renowned American gyms - but his promoter Eddie Hearn last week suggested that boxing fans could “expect the unexpected” in the coming week as the situation is resolved for the spring.

 

If Joshua accepts the financial step-aside deal, rather than go ahead with his rematch, it would almost certainly be expected that the Londoner would face the Fury-Usyk winner.

 

There has been little clarity over the next round of heavyweight superfights with purse bids for Fury’s WBC defence against Dillian Whyte, the mandatory challenger, delayed three times, most recently to Jan 26. Arum and Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter in the UK, maintain they are sticking to the 80/20 purse split mandated by the WBC following Fury’s victory over Deontay Wilder.

 

Warren dropped the biggest hint yet that matters could be resolved this week. “It’s a saga but if we can keep things between us, we can get something over the line one way or another,” he said.

 

“Everybody in boxing wants to see the undisputed fight between Tyson and Usyk, I want to see it just as a fan. So that is the fight we are trying to make.”

 

Arum told Telegraph Sport on Sunday that he was unable to comment, yet if Whyte’s team aims to go ahead and claim the right to fight Fury and accept the 80/20 purse split, it ought to come to a head on Wednesday evening at the rescheduled purse bid for Fury-Whyte.

[sir roger]

Sergo Martinez making a comeback after 8 years out. Hopefully not a financial necessity.

[Kevin D]

https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/33152960/canelo-alvarez-considering-bouts-jermall-charlo-dmitry-bivol-trilogy-gennadiy-golovkin

 

Every time Canelo Alvarez prepares to select his next opponent, the fate of boxers in multiple weight classes hangs in the balance.

 

Just whom -- and at which weight -- Canelo fights next is still undecided, but sources told ESPN that Alvarez has received two lucrative offers that stand as his leading options.

 

Al Haymon's PBC recently extended a one-fight offer to Alvarez for a May 7 defense of his undisputed super middleweight championship against middleweight titleholder Jermall Charlo, sources said.

 

The other offer came from Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, a proposed two-fight deal that would pit Canelo vs. light heavyweight titleholder Dmitry Bivol on May 7, per sources. The second fight: a long-awaited trilogy battle between Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin on Sept. 17, but this time, at 168 pounds for Alvarez's four belts.

ESPN's No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer prefers to honor his native country and fight on Cinco De Mayo weekend and Mexican Independence weekend in September when possible.

 

At the moment, Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) has plenty of time to decide which path he wants to pursue for those dates. The promotion for most top-level fights commences eight weeks out, which gives Alvarez at least one month to weigh these two options and whatever other offers are sure to come his way.

 

Alvarez, 31, is currently focused on preparations for the Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament that begins next week.

After that, he'll have plenty to consider. He has expressed on numerous occasions how much he relishes being a promotional free agent and the flexibility that brings. Boxing's top star signed an 11-fight, $365 million deal with DAZN in 2018 shortly after he defeated GGG in a September rematch that headlined HBO PPV.

 

But after just three fights, Alvarez sued his longtime promoter, Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, and DAZN. The suit was settled and Canelo gained his freedom. He remained on DAZN on a one-fight deal with Hearn for a December 2020 win over Callum Smith, then re-upped for a two-fight pact that brought wins over Avni Yildirim and Billy Joe Saunders.

 

Following the May 2021 fight with Saunders, Alvarez signed a one-fight deal with PBC for a Showtime PPV against Caleb Plant in November. Alvarez won the undisputed 168-pound championship with the 11th-round TKO and earned a guaranteed $40 million.

 

If he chooses to remain with PBC for his next fight, he'll face a formidable challenge in Charlo, ESPN's No. 1 middleweight. The twin brother of unified 154-pound champion Jermell, Jermall would climb eight pounds for the opportunity. He possesses a large frame for a 160-pounder and appears eager to test himself at a new weight class.

Fighting out of Houston, the 31-year-old Charlo (31-0, 22 KOs) is a willing trash-talker who owns an excellent power jab. He has fought only once each of the past two years, decision victories over Juan Macias Montiel and Sergiy Derevyanchenko.

 

Bivol (19-0, 11 KOs) would present an opportunity for Canelo to chase a second title reign at 175 pounds. The 31-year-old native of Russia is a tricky boxer who is adept at controlling range with his jab. What he hasn't done recently is entertain, with two decision wins in 2021 that featured little action.

 

The biggest prize of all, at least commercially, is a third meeting with Alvarez's rival, GGG. The pair of future Hall of Famers fought to a spirited draw in their 2017 bout for the middleweight championship before Alvarez scored a majority decision victory one year later in another closely contested fight.

 

Both bouts produced over $1 million pay-per-view buys and over $20 million in gate receipts. Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs) has expressed his willingness to fight Alvarez a third time on numerous occasions. Now approaching his 40th birthday, time is running out.

 

He was set to meet Ryota Murata in a middleweight title unification in Japan last month, but COVID restrictions forced the fight's postponement. The bout is expected to be rescheduled in the spring; GGG would of course need to defeat Murata to keep the hope of an Alvarez fight alive, no matter which path Canelo chooses.

 

Canelo could always pick something else entirely. His trainer and manager, Eddy Reynoso, expressed interest in a move to cruiserweight for a shot at the WBC title. That belt is up for grabs this weekend when Ilunga Makabu defends against Thabiso Mchunu.

 

In the meantime, the boxing schedule is on hold in many divisions as fighters wait and see who wins the Canelo Alvarez sweepstakes.

 

[Kevin D]

[Kevin D]

 

 

[sir roger]

Seems to be way above what the fight is worth , unless there are some middle-eastern high-jinks

[Bjornebye]

Oh Eddie 

[Kevin D]

They're saying it's going to be April 23rd in Cardiff. Same weekend as the Merseyside derby...

[Jairzinho]

Eddie got fingered. 

[Bjornebye]

Last Eddie 

[an tha]

Joshua can do one for me.

 

Never has to earn his shot by getting back in line.

 

Got an immediate rematch when he lost titles the first time and is now going to get another immediate rematch after losing them a second time.

 

Laughable.

[Elite]

11 minutes ago, an tha said:

Joshua can do one for me.

 

Never has to earn his shot by getting back in line.

 

Got an immediate rematch when he lost titles the first time and is now going to get another immediate rematch after losing them a second time.

 

Laughable.

Money talks.

 

Hopefully there isn't yet another rematch clause in Usyk 2.

[lifetime fan]

Morales Vs Barrera on sky sports arena now. 

[an tha]

3 hours ago, Elite said:

Money talks.

 

Hopefully there isn't yet another rematch clause in Usyk 2.

Yeah sadly.

 

What makes me laugh about is Ruiz batters him, Hearns robot gets his rematch - the robot labours to pts win and Ruiz is sent to back of the queue.

 

Watch same thing happen to Usyk if (as unlikely as it is he) loses.

 

I get rematch clauses are in contracts more and more these days and i get people don't often want the same fights 3 times - but i always find it irritating when the likes of Joshua goes 1-1 with someone and ends up moving on as champion and now has lost it for a 2nd time only to get an instant shot at winning back and no doubt if he does Usyk won't get the same chance.

[A Red]

With Joshua not stepping aside at least we get to potentially see 3 good fights instead of 2.

[Captain Howdy]

Just watching the Hagler Hearns fight on Sky. That first round.

[Bjornebye]

4 minutes ago, Captain Howdy said:

Just watching the Hagler Hearns fight on Sky. That first round.

Unreal. 

[Harry's Lad]

5 minutes ago, Captain Howdy said:

Just watching the Hagler Hearns fight on Sky. That first round.

I recorded that last night.  Fucking hell, what a fight that was.

It's awe inspiring no matter how many times you see it.

 

Just about to watch Hagler - Leonard again now.

[Boss]

On 27/01/2022 at 00:14, Kevin D said:

https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/33152960/canelo-alvarez-considering-bouts-jermall-charlo-dmitry-bivol-trilogy-gennadiy-golovkin

 

Every time Canelo Alvarez prepares to select his next opponent, the fate of boxers in multiple weight classes hangs in the balance.

 

Just whom -- and at which weight -- Canelo fights next is still undecided, but sources told ESPN that Alvarez has received two lucrative offers that stand as his leading options.

 

Al Haymon's PBC recently extended a one-fight offer to Alvarez for a May 7 defense of his undisputed super middleweight championship against middleweight titleholder Jermall Charlo, sources said.

 

The other offer came from Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, a proposed two-fight deal that would pit Canelo vs. light heavyweight titleholder Dmitry Bivol on May 7, per sources. The second fight: a long-awaited trilogy battle between Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin on Sept. 17, but this time, at 168 pounds for Alvarez's four belts.

ESPN's No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer prefers to honor his native country and fight on Cinco De Mayo weekend and Mexican Independence weekend in September when possible.

 

At the moment, Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) has plenty of time to decide which path he wants to pursue for those dates. The promotion for most top-level fights commences eight weeks out, which gives Alvarez at least one month to weigh these two options and whatever other offers are sure to come his way.

 

Alvarez, 31, is currently focused on preparations for the Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament that begins next week.

After that, he'll have plenty to consider. He has expressed on numerous occasions how much he relishes being a promotional free agent and the flexibility that brings. Boxing's top star signed an 11-fight, $365 million deal with DAZN in 2018 shortly after he defeated GGG in a September rematch that headlined HBO PPV.

 

But after just three fights, Alvarez sued his longtime promoter, Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, and DAZN. The suit was settled and Canelo gained his freedom. He remained on DAZN on a one-fight deal with Hearn for a December 2020 win over Callum Smith, then re-upped for a two-fight pact that brought wins over Avni Yildirim and Billy Joe Saunders.

 

Following the May 2021 fight with Saunders, Alvarez signed a one-fight deal with PBC for a Showtime PPV against Caleb Plant in November. Alvarez won the undisputed 168-pound championship with the 11th-round TKO and earned a guaranteed $40 million.

 

If he chooses to remain with PBC for his next fight, he'll face a formidable challenge in Charlo, ESPN's No. 1 middleweight. The twin brother of unified 154-pound champion Jermell, Jermall would climb eight pounds for the opportunity. He possesses a large frame for a 160-pounder and appears eager to test himself at a new weight class.

Fighting out of Houston, the 31-year-old Charlo (31-0, 22 KOs) is a willing trash-talker who owns an excellent power jab. He has fought only once each of the past two years, decision victories over Juan Macias Montiel and Sergiy Derevyanchenko.

 

Bivol (19-0, 11 KOs) would present an opportunity for Canelo to chase a second title reign at 175 pounds. The 31-year-old native of Russia is a tricky boxer who is adept at controlling range with his jab. What he hasn't done recently is entertain, with two decision wins in 2021 that featured little action.

 

The biggest prize of all, at least commercially, is a third meeting with Alvarez's rival, GGG. The pair of future Hall of Famers fought to a spirited draw in their 2017 bout for the middleweight championship before Alvarez scored a majority decision victory one year later in another closely contested fight.

 

Both bouts produced over $1 million pay-per-view buys and over $20 million in gate receipts. Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs) has expressed his willingness to fight Alvarez a third time on numerous occasions. Now approaching his 40th birthday, time is running out.

 

He was set to meet Ryota Murata in a middleweight title unification in Japan last month, but COVID restrictions forced the fight's postponement. The bout is expected to be rescheduled in the spring; GGG would of course need to defeat Murata to keep the hope of an Alvarez fight alive, no matter which path Canelo chooses.

 

Canelo could always pick something else entirely. His trainer and manager, Eddy Reynoso, expressed interest in a move to cruiserweight for a shot at the WBC title. That belt is up for grabs this weekend when Ilunga Makabu defends against Thabiso Mchunu.

 

In the meantime, the boxing schedule is on hold in many divisions as fighters wait and see who wins the Canelo Alvarez sweepstakes.

 

 

I'd take the Charlo fight if I was him. He'll beat him pretty handedly. Bivol is dangerous, but probably too green to beat him. Notice no mention of Beterbiev? That's the fight.

[Boss]

On 24/01/2022 at 17:22, sir roger said:

Sergo Martinez making a comeback after 8 years out. Hopefully not a financial necessity.

Unless he's got a new set of knees, that's only going to end badly.

[Kevin D]

Only found out who he is when he started doing his sham fights, but this fella Jake Paul might be an absolute genius:

 

 

 

His ability to act the cunt, piss people off and draw them into paying to hopefully watch him get his arse handed to him is Ric Flairesque.