Featherweight Challenger and Undefeated Super Middleweight on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights

Boxing News World

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights will originate from Tulsa, Okla. on February 25 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 with a 10-round main event featuring featherweight contender Juan Carlos “Mini” Burgos (25-1, 18 KO’s, WBC #4), battling Frankie Archuleta (27-7-1, 14 KO’s). Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside at the Osega Million Dollar Elm Casino describing the action.

Mexico’s Burgos, is coming off his first loss, a November title shot against WBC featherweight champ Hozumi Hasegawa, considered by many to be one of Japan’s best fighters of the last decade. ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael wrote, “They produced a surprisingly outstanding fight, battling tooth and nail as both men had big moments. Hasegawa led early, but Burgos mounted a comeback and staggered Hasegawa with a left uppercut in the seventh round, just one of several rounds that featured tons of furious punching and back and forth action. Burgos relentlessly pressured Hasegawa over the final four rounds and had him in trouble, but Hasegawa hung on for the unanimous decision.”

In June, Burgos TKO’d Ricardo Castillo, the younger brother of former world champion Jose Luis Castillo.

Friday’s card will also feature an 8-round bout between undefeated super middleweight Maxim Vlasov (19-0, 10 KO’s) and South Africa’s Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba (15-1-1, 8 KO’s). Russia’s Vlasov is coming off a September seventh-round TKO win over Mikhail Krinstin. In his previous fight, he scored one of his career-best wins- a third round TKO against Jerson Ravelo on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights in June.

“Vlasov was imposing himself on Ravelo through the first two rounds and then put him away with a massive right hand in the third round,” ESPN.com’s Rafael reported. “The blow landed flush and stopped Ravelo in his tracks before he fell face first with his arms draped over the bottom ring rope.”

Friday’s show will also feature Ring Magazine’s #1 ranked light heavyweight and future hall of famer Bernard Hopkins in studio with host Brian Kenny. Hopkins will discuss his upcoming rematch with Ring Magazine’s light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal, with whom he fought a controversial majority draw in December. Hopkins, age 46, will attempt to become the oldest fighter ever to win a significant title (besting George Foreman who beat Michael Moorer for the heavyweight title at age 45).

Media Contact: Stephen McDonald (860) 766-0523; stephen.mcdonald@espn.com

Floyd Mayweather JR Vs Manny Pacquiao: The Shocking Reason it Did Not Happen -- Ringside Report

By Geno McGahee, Ringside Report

It was the fight that we all wanted to see and that many of us still do, but failed negotiations on two separate occasions sent the fighters in different directions. Floyd Mayweather, JR., 41-0, 25 KO’s, would face Shane Mosley and then, presumably, retire from the sport, while Manny Pacquiao, 52-3-2, 38 KO’s, would take on Joshua Clottey. Hope would arise after the victory over Margarito, but Floyd didn’t come knocking and RSR may have been informed as to why.

On Monday, February 21st, we received an email from a boxer that wishes to remain anonymous but claimed to have had a discussion with Floyd Mayweather, JR., during the preparation for Mosley. Here is part of the email:

“…and we spoke about Pacquiao and he (Floyd) said that he was not even thinking about him. Then he said that he would fight him on his own terms only and that he needed him to ‘calm down’ a little. He was worried about Manny’s speed.”

RSR attempted to arrange an interview with the man making these claims but it was declined, so it is up for debate as to whether or not this statement was made by Floyd. The man that has contacted RSR has stood by the statement and we hope in the future to be able to reveal his identity and get him to sit down and speak more thoroughly about the situation.

The Pacquiao fans have stated for a long time that Floyd was afraid of Manny Pacquiao, which is met typically by skepticism by the Mayweather fans, but his behavior may lend that theory some validity, and the way to beat Floyd is smart aggression and speed, both of which Manny has.

It makes a lot of sense that Floyd would feel this way, if what we were told was true. Zab Judah, a speedy and powerful southpaw gave Floyd the most trouble he’s ever had and Floyd only won that fight because of the lack of focus of his challenger. Zab could never maintain his focus and Floyd was able to get him down the stretch. Pacquiao would not tire, or at least not nearly as much as Zab did, which means that there may not be enough time for Floyd to catch up if they should fight.

On May 7th, Manny Pacquiao will face Shane Mosley in a pay per view where the result isn’t really in doubt. Mosley is far too old and slow on the comeback to stop a near prime Pacquiao. Floyd Mayweather, JR., is retired. He will not fight Manny and will not fight Sergio Martinez. Whether it is because of fear or his life’s turmoil, we don’t know, but whatever the case may be, he is not lacing up the gloves.

The super fight that never was is a headline we may see ten years from now, unless Floyd comes forward and Pacquiao remains in the game. It’s a long shot, but let’s be optimistic and hope for the fight to materialize.

Source: ringsidereport.com