By Chris Mannix, SI.com
At the time, it seemed like a good idea. Actually, it was a great one.
Get six of the top fighters in one weight class to commit to a series of fights that will consume nearly two years of their careers? If the nonsensical statements uttered during the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather negotiations taught us anything, it's that promoters have a hard time agreeing on a breakfast order, much less the parameters of a significant fight.
Showtime did it, though. Under the guidance of top exec Ken Hershman, the cable network got Mikkel Kessler, Andre Ward, Arthur Abraham, Carl Froch, Andre Dirrell and Jermain Taylor to sign on the dotted lines. A true super middleweight champion will be crowned, the network crowed during a press conference in New York. For the first time in a long time, there will be one face of the 168-pound division.
Quickly, however, things have unraveled. First, Taylor was forced to withdraw, the end result of an Abraham right hand that knocked him out of the tournament and into retirement. With Lucian Bute unavailable and Kelly Pavlik unwanted, Showtime turned to Allan Green, an untested power puncher with no significant wins on his resume.
Kessler was next, withdrawing this week with an eye injury that will require nine months to heal. With the Super Six entering its final stage, it's most accomplished fighter (Kessler) and most recognizable American (Taylor) are on the sidelines.
This tournament needs a save, and a big one. Early word is that Green -- who was battered around in a unanimous decision by Ward in June and who was likely facing a night as human chum for Kessler next month in Denmark -- will be cut, with Showtime dangling a 175-pound fight for Green as a carrot to walk away without complaint.
With Green out, the Super Six suddenly becomes a Final Four. Abraham-Froch, scheduled for Oct. 2 in Monaco -- another utterly idiotic decision caused by Froch's lack of any confidence to win a decision in front of tens of thousands of fans in Germany while, Abraham wasn't interested in fighting in front of a few thousand Froch fans in Nottingham -- becomes a de facto semifinal, with Ward-Dirrell's fight serving as the other.
Of course, that's assuming Ward and Dirrell actually fight. Officially, the two are slated to tango on Sept. 25. But there has been no promotion. No tickets have been sold because there is no venue.
There isn't likely to be one anytime soon, either. Gary Shaw, who promotes Dirrell, is refusing to take his fighter to Oakland, Ward's backyard. He has a point. Ward has already fought at home twice during the Super Six while Dirrell's lone appearance in his home state of Michigan came in his disqualification win over Abraham in March.
Dan Goossen, Ward's promoter, wants nothing to do with a fight in the midwest. He has a point, too. Dirrell-Abraham drew only about 3,500 fans to Detroit's Joe Louis Arena, while Ward has averaged crowds of 9,500 in his wins over Kessler and Green.
With both sides bickering, it's Hershman who needs to step in. Oakland makes the most sense. The network is already being forced to swallow an Abraham-Froch fight that likely won't draw a fraction of the crowd it would in Germany. Ward has carefully cultivated a fan base in Northern California in recent years while Dirrell has largely ignored his home turf. A Ward-Dirrell fight at Oracle Arena would exceed 10,000 fans and could draw as many as 15,000. An energetic crowd is part of the appeal of a big fight, a fact Froch and Abraham will soon become keenly aware of.
Sweeteners can -- and should -- be added to make a trip to Oakland more appealing to Dirrell. And if he is still not comfortable with winning a decision on the road, well, he shouldn't have been in the tournament to begin with. Great fighters win the fights in front of them, regardless of where they are held.
The loss of Taylor and Kessler has put the Super Six in a precarious decision but not one beyond repair. With the clock ticking towards a planned spring final, it's those in positions of power who need to make the right decisions.
Source: sportsillustrated.cnn.com
Friday 27 August 2010
Antonio Margarito Approved for Texas License to Fight Manny Pacquiao -- FanHouse
By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
Antonio Margarito
will fight in the United States once more.
"On Monday, August 23, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation received a complete application for a Texas Professional Combative Sports Contestant license from Antonio Margarito," said William Kuntz, the executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, in an e-mail to FanHouse. "After a thorough review of his application, it was determined that Mr. Margarito met the requirements of the Texas Combative Sports Act and Rules."
When Margarito (38-6, 27 knockouts) faces Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) in the HBO televised pay-per-view event, Pacquiao will be pursuing his eighth crown in as many different weight classes.
"I want to thank the state of Texas for granting me a boxing license, which enables me to continue my passion for the sport of boxing in the United States," said Margarito in a prepared statement. "I have dedicated my life to giving the fans of the sport entertainment and excitement. On November 13, this great opportunity will ultimately be fulfilled when I battle Manny Pacquiao."
Margarito had been unable to fight on American soil since his license was revoked by the California State Athletic Commission following a hand-wrapping scandal stemming from his ninth-round knockout loss to Shane Mosley in January 2009.
Margarito, whose suspension ended on Feb. 11, denied knowledge of the illegal plaster-like substance in his wraps, blaming it all on his former trainer, Javier Capetillo.
Magarito tried to file for a license in Nevada, but was directed by that commission to return to the CSAC for a ruling. He was turned down, yet again, by the CSAC. Margarito was then free to apply at any of the other state commissions, with Texas being the first.
Margarito is coming off of May's 10-round, unanimous decision over Roberto Garcia in a junior middleweight clash fought in Mexico, which licensed him for the bout.
The review of Margarito's application included "the application form, the California order revoking the fighter's Margarito's boxing license, the transcript of Margarito's license revocation hearing before the California State Athletic Commission, his August 18 license application hearing before the California State Athletic Commission, and a letter from the Association of Boxing Commissions to its members that they may now consider licensing Mr. Margarito," according to Kuntz's statement.
"Based on the review of the above information," stated Kuntz, "I have authorized the issuance of a license to Mr. Margarito."
Top Rank Promotions' CEO Bob Arum had expressed optimism all along that Margarito would be licensed in Texas.
"This is absolutely great. For my point of view, it's been a situation where I just thought that Antonio Margarito was really treated unfairly and that Antonio Margarito had no knowledge of this, and that they were piling on to him, particularly after his license was revoked," said Arum.
"And then, to deny him a license again, I thought that that was just horrible. A boxer has a certain number of years during which he can perform, and they really took it all away from him," said Arum. "I just really feel good for him."
On March 13, Pacquiao drew more than 50,000 to Cowboys Stadium when he decisioned Joshua Clottey in the first-ever boxing event held at the venue. Margarito also was present at Pacquiao-Clottey, his popularity rivaling that of Pacquiao's.
"I think that this is going to be huge. I really think that this is going to be a big, big event," said Arum. "I think that, you know, Margarito, an Hispanic fighting at the [Cowboys Stadium], with this fight being during football season, where the Cowboys are playing, we can utilize their assets to promote the fight. It will be really great."
Arum plans to stack the card with other big names such as Cuban-born southpaw and two-time former Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux (6-0, five KOs), a super bantamweight (122 pounds), as well as 28-year-old former WBO and WBC middleweight (160 pounds) champion Kelly Pavlik (36-2, 32 knockouts) of Youngstown, Ohio, against an opponent to be determined, and rising Philadelphia welterweight (147 pounds) Mike Jones (22-0, 18 KOs) in a bout opposite Mexican-born Jesus Soto Karass (24-4-3, 16 KOs) of Los Angeles.
BoxingScene.com cited sources close to Arum in reporting that Felipino featherweight (126 pounds) contender Bernabe Concepcion (28-4, 15KOs) and Panamanian southpaw featherweight Ricardo Cordoba (37-2-2, 23KOs) are two of the names being mentioned as candidates to face Rigondeaux, with Cordoba being the preferred option.
"I think that we're working on all of the undercard fights, and I think that we'll have announcements next week," said Arum. "It's going to be a great celebration of boxing."
Arum told FanHouse earlier this week that he already had scheduled a press tour that will begin on Tuesday with stops in Los Angeles, New York and Dallas.
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
Antonio Margarito
will fight in the United States once more.The ex-world champion from Mexico was granted a license on Thursday to fight WBO welterweight (147 pounds) champion Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium for the vacant WBC junior middleweight (154 pounds) title, an official from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation told FanHouse.
"On Monday, August 23, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation received a complete application for a Texas Professional Combative Sports Contestant license from Antonio Margarito," said William Kuntz, the executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, in an e-mail to FanHouse. "After a thorough review of his application, it was determined that Mr. Margarito met the requirements of the Texas Combative Sports Act and Rules."When Margarito (38-6, 27 knockouts) faces Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) in the HBO televised pay-per-view event, Pacquiao will be pursuing his eighth crown in as many different weight classes.
"I want to thank the state of Texas for granting me a boxing license, which enables me to continue my passion for the sport of boxing in the United States," said Margarito in a prepared statement. "I have dedicated my life to giving the fans of the sport entertainment and excitement. On November 13, this great opportunity will ultimately be fulfilled when I battle Manny Pacquiao."
Margarito had been unable to fight on American soil since his license was revoked by the California State Athletic Commission following a hand-wrapping scandal stemming from his ninth-round knockout loss to Shane Mosley in January 2009.
Margarito, whose suspension ended on Feb. 11, denied knowledge of the illegal plaster-like substance in his wraps, blaming it all on his former trainer, Javier Capetillo.
Magarito tried to file for a license in Nevada, but was directed by that commission to return to the CSAC for a ruling. He was turned down, yet again, by the CSAC. Margarito was then free to apply at any of the other state commissions, with Texas being the first.
Margarito is coming off of May's 10-round, unanimous decision over Roberto Garcia in a junior middleweight clash fought in Mexico, which licensed him for the bout.
The review of Margarito's application included "the application form, the California order revoking the fighter's Margarito's boxing license, the transcript of Margarito's license revocation hearing before the California State Athletic Commission, his August 18 license application hearing before the California State Athletic Commission, and a letter from the Association of Boxing Commissions to its members that they may now consider licensing Mr. Margarito," according to Kuntz's statement.
"Based on the review of the above information," stated Kuntz, "I have authorized the issuance of a license to Mr. Margarito."
Top Rank Promotions' CEO Bob Arum had expressed optimism all along that Margarito would be licensed in Texas.
"This is absolutely great. For my point of view, it's been a situation where I just thought that Antonio Margarito was really treated unfairly and that Antonio Margarito had no knowledge of this, and that they were piling on to him, particularly after his license was revoked," said Arum.
"And then, to deny him a license again, I thought that that was just horrible. A boxer has a certain number of years during which he can perform, and they really took it all away from him," said Arum. "I just really feel good for him."
On March 13, Pacquiao drew more than 50,000 to Cowboys Stadium when he decisioned Joshua Clottey in the first-ever boxing event held at the venue. Margarito also was present at Pacquiao-Clottey, his popularity rivaling that of Pacquiao's.
"I think that this is going to be huge. I really think that this is going to be a big, big event," said Arum. "I think that, you know, Margarito, an Hispanic fighting at the [Cowboys Stadium], with this fight being during football season, where the Cowboys are playing, we can utilize their assets to promote the fight. It will be really great."
Arum plans to stack the card with other big names such as Cuban-born southpaw and two-time former Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux (6-0, five KOs), a super bantamweight (122 pounds), as well as 28-year-old former WBO and WBC middleweight (160 pounds) champion Kelly Pavlik (36-2, 32 knockouts) of Youngstown, Ohio, against an opponent to be determined, and rising Philadelphia welterweight (147 pounds) Mike Jones (22-0, 18 KOs) in a bout opposite Mexican-born Jesus Soto Karass (24-4-3, 16 KOs) of Los Angeles.
BoxingScene.com cited sources close to Arum in reporting that Felipino featherweight (126 pounds) contender Bernabe Concepcion (28-4, 15KOs) and Panamanian southpaw featherweight Ricardo Cordoba (37-2-2, 23KOs) are two of the names being mentioned as candidates to face Rigondeaux, with Cordoba being the preferred option.
"I think that we're working on all of the undercard fights, and I think that we'll have announcements next week," said Arum. "It's going to be a great celebration of boxing."
Arum told FanHouse earlier this week that he already had scheduled a press tour that will begin on Tuesday with stops in Los Angeles, New York and Dallas.
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
Cowardice? Not really. It's Floyd's superb intuition -- 8CountNews
By Art Babao, 8CountNews.com
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is probably the greatest thinking boxer of all time. He is likened into a sophisticated jet fighter with advanced radar system that can easily detect the presence of danger even from a far distance.. He really knows when to engage and determines precisely if there’s a necessity to evade. He has the intuitive ability to detect how much danger that his opponent can bring, and can foresee how much chances he can take to overcome him. The Pretty Boy has the edge of this rare ‘gut feelings’ that allows him to pre-determine the outcome of the fight should he decide to engage against anybody. It’s like a high-tech detector that forewarns him accurately -if he will lose or win. His record speaks for itself.
Without this superb intuition, Floyd Mayweather Jr. could have been into a rash-decision to fight the great Pacman who could bring him an irreparable damage. Floyd knows that poor intuition will often bring a poor decision leading into a tragic consequence.
See what happened to Marco Antonio Barrera in Alamodome- who ignored to listen his intuition to detect how much danger that Manny would bring. Instead, he listened to his pride, underestimated the Pacman, and never had the radar to foresee the humiliation that he could possibly take. Look also the Golden Boy, who also underestimated Manny Pacquiao, and failed to listen his inner gut of the possible outcome in fighting Manny. Clearly, Dela Hoya’s pride covered his ears away from his intuitive device that could have saved him from shame. Similar feat happened to the pride of Manchester, and many others who relied too much on their pride and arrogance, instead of listening in their natural gift of intuition that could have forewarned them to fight or not.
The alleged ‘egocentric’ Floyd has done the right thing. He actually ‘swallowed his ego’ and listen to his natural gift of intuition. In fact his intuitive power to foresee the possible outcome is very sharp. He exactly knows at this point how much Pacquiao brings to the table. We know for sure that Floyd Mayweather Jr. has already detected something ‘danger’.. yeah, real danger for sure that Manny brings. Hence, being a thinking fighter, he must not go rushing to fight for the sake of his hyperbolic pride. He does not want to end like Barrera , Dela Hoya, and Hatton.
Mayweather is really a great fighter both of skills and brain. No matter of how many ‘coward’ and ‘chicken’ that has been thrown unto his name, still, he has to rely into his sharp intuition whether he’ll fight or not the great fighter of the Philippines. For now, his journey in boxing career with unblemished record of 0 loss must be remained.
For now, Floyd Mayweather’s sharp intuition has detected something in the crossroad while going closer towards the Pacman. It warns him loud and clear: “Please, Detour! Cliff Ahead.”
This time, he has to eat his pride… or else, he’s taking a suicide!
Source: 8countnews.com
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is probably the greatest thinking boxer of all time. He is likened into a sophisticated jet fighter with advanced radar system that can easily detect the presence of danger even from a far distance.. He really knows when to engage and determines precisely if there’s a necessity to evade. He has the intuitive ability to detect how much danger that his opponent can bring, and can foresee how much chances he can take to overcome him. The Pretty Boy has the edge of this rare ‘gut feelings’ that allows him to pre-determine the outcome of the fight should he decide to engage against anybody. It’s like a high-tech detector that forewarns him accurately -if he will lose or win. His record speaks for itself.
Without this superb intuition, Floyd Mayweather Jr. could have been into a rash-decision to fight the great Pacman who could bring him an irreparable damage. Floyd knows that poor intuition will often bring a poor decision leading into a tragic consequence. See what happened to Marco Antonio Barrera in Alamodome- who ignored to listen his intuition to detect how much danger that Manny would bring. Instead, he listened to his pride, underestimated the Pacman, and never had the radar to foresee the humiliation that he could possibly take. Look also the Golden Boy, who also underestimated Manny Pacquiao, and failed to listen his inner gut of the possible outcome in fighting Manny. Clearly, Dela Hoya’s pride covered his ears away from his intuitive device that could have saved him from shame. Similar feat happened to the pride of Manchester, and many others who relied too much on their pride and arrogance, instead of listening in their natural gift of intuition that could have forewarned them to fight or not.
The alleged ‘egocentric’ Floyd has done the right thing. He actually ‘swallowed his ego’ and listen to his natural gift of intuition. In fact his intuitive power to foresee the possible outcome is very sharp. He exactly knows at this point how much Pacquiao brings to the table. We know for sure that Floyd Mayweather Jr. has already detected something ‘danger’.. yeah, real danger for sure that Manny brings. Hence, being a thinking fighter, he must not go rushing to fight for the sake of his hyperbolic pride. He does not want to end like Barrera , Dela Hoya, and Hatton.
Mayweather is really a great fighter both of skills and brain. No matter of how many ‘coward’ and ‘chicken’ that has been thrown unto his name, still, he has to rely into his sharp intuition whether he’ll fight or not the great fighter of the Philippines. For now, his journey in boxing career with unblemished record of 0 loss must be remained.
For now, Floyd Mayweather’s sharp intuition has detected something in the crossroad while going closer towards the Pacman. It warns him loud and clear: “Please, Detour! Cliff Ahead.”
This time, he has to eat his pride… or else, he’s taking a suicide!
Source: 8countnews.com
Kelly Pavlik Discussed as Potential Undercard to Margarito-Pacquiao -- FanHouse
By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
Kelly Pavlik, the former WBC and WBO middleweight (160 pounds) titlist, could return to the ring on the November 13 undercard of the proposed Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito fight at Cowboys Stadium, according to Top Rank Promotions CEO, Bob Arum.
In a move that was first reported by BoxingScene.com, the 28-year-old Pavlik (36-2, 32 knockouts) would return to action for the first time since April, when he was dethroned by 35-year-old Sergio Martinez (45-2-2, 24 KOs) in a 12-round unanimous decision.
Pavlik, of Youngstown, Ohio, would compete at a maximum weight of 164 pounds against a quality opponent.
"That's being discussed now, yes, by (Top Rank president) Todd duBoef, and (Pavlik's manager) Cameron Dunkin, and the Pavlik camp," said Arum. "There's nothing definite, but, yes, it's definitely being discussed."
Prior to his loss to Martinez, Pavlik made what Arum called "a good impression" on Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, who took a liking to him when Pavlik attended Pacquiao's fight against Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium in March.
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
Kelly Pavlik, the former WBC and WBO middleweight (160 pounds) titlist, could return to the ring on the November 13 undercard of the proposed Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito fight at Cowboys Stadium, according to Top Rank Promotions CEO, Bob Arum.
In a move that was first reported by BoxingScene.com, the 28-year-old Pavlik (36-2, 32 knockouts) would return to action for the first time since April, when he was dethroned by 35-year-old Sergio Martinez (45-2-2, 24 KOs) in a 12-round unanimous decision.
Pavlik, of Youngstown, Ohio, would compete at a maximum weight of 164 pounds against a quality opponent.
"That's being discussed now, yes, by (Top Rank president) Todd duBoef, and (Pavlik's manager) Cameron Dunkin, and the Pavlik camp," said Arum. "There's nothing definite, but, yes, it's definitely being discussed." Prior to his loss to Martinez, Pavlik made what Arum called "a good impression" on Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, who took a liking to him when Pavlik attended Pacquiao's fight against Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium in March."When we were in Dallas, we had a press conference with Pavlik and Martinez. And Kelly, his trainer, Jack Loew, and Kelly's father were at our Manny Pacquiao fight. And before the fight, they were brought up to Jerry Jones' box," said Arum. "Pavlik made a really good impression on Jerry, who mentioned to me that if Pavlik won his next fight, he could headline, in the fall, at Cowboys Stadium."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
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