By Norm Frauenheim, 15Rounds.com
To say that Olympic-style drug testing is the right thing to do is the equivalent of a beauty-pageant contestant saying she believes in world peace. Between believing in it and doing it, however, there are arguments about procedure, ego and potential rancor, otherwise known as devils in the details. If it was so obvious and so righteous, we already would have seen Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
We haven’t, of course.
I couldn’t help but wonder if we ever will after listening to Mayweather advisor Leonard Ellerbe, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, Shane Mosley attorney Judd Burstein and Travis Tygart of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) talk Thursday in a conference call about an agreement for blood-testing before the Mayweather-Mosley fight on May 1 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.
USADA officials met with both fighters and their camps last weekend. According to a Golden Boy release, the random testing can begin on Monday.
“If you’re clean, you have no reason not to be part of this program,’’ Tygart said. “In fact, you demand it.’’
Fact is, however, demand for the procedure, from sport to sport, is not exactly universal. Perhaps it was just coincidence, but as Tygart talked, World Anti-Doping Agency President John Fahey took some pointed shots Thursday at Major League Baseball and the Players Association. In a story from Montreal, Fahey urged baseball to do what Mayweather and Mosley will, Mark McGuire didn’t and Pacquiao wouldn’t.
In boxing, the blood-testing demand has only been heard from Mayweather, whose insistence killed the deal for a March 13 bout with Pacquiao, the Filipino icon who just said no to the comprehensive process and instead battered Joshua Clottey around like a blocking dummy last Saturday at Cowboys Stadium.
There’s a part of me that wants to admire Mayweather. It’s the same part that wants to agree with Ellerbe when he says that Mayweather is exercising some overdue leadership in a forever fractured business.
“Obviously with Floyd being the face of boxing, he wanted to clean up the sport,’’ Ellerbe said
I’m not sure what kind of face Tygart’s lieutenants will see when they show up, unannounced with test tubes and needles in hand, at the Big Boy Mansion in Las Vegas for a random test. The face of boxing might look at them as though they were Filipino journalists and throw them out onto the Strip. There’s another part of me that is wary of Mayweather, whose many faces can make him as hard to read as he is to hit.
To wit: Weight-gate. Before he humiliated Juan Manuel Marquez in a one-sided September decision, he willingly paid him $600,000 — $300,000 per pound – for being two over the catch-weight in their contract.
Then, he refused to step on Home Box Office’s unofficial scale the next night before opening bell. When asked why, he said it was nobody’s business.
Perhaps, it is an apples-to-oranges comparison, but the weight flap provides a glimpse at Mayweather’s unpredictable nature. He has taken the high-ground with the blood-testing demand. But the demand is nothing more than a beauty contestant’s prayer for world peace if he isn’t compliant with a process that Olympic athletes have called inconvenient, if not intrusive.
USADA enforcement power is another issue altogether. If an Olympic athlete tests positive for a banned performance-enhancer, the penalty can be a suspension for as long as two years. That punishment is part of an agreement with the International Olympic Committee. In boxing, however, the sport still is regulated by state commissions, which for Mosley-Mayweather means Nevada.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission has the power to license fighters. It also has the final say-so in whether to revoke or suspend a license. USADA can poke, prod, draw and recommend. But it can’t suspend. Mayweather’s blood-testing demand looms as another argument for a federal commission, which Arizona Senator John McCain has tried to put into place for years.
According to news reports this week, the New York State Athletic Commission will consider Olympic-style testing after a study by its medical board. Ellerbe said he hopes the New York study will create momentum that will result in more vigilant testing in other states.
Mosley-Mayweather, Tygart says, “shows it is affordable at the right level. I always say it (a sport) can’t afford not to do it.’’
With legislative budgets in crisis during a lousy economy, however, chances of uniform blood testing from state-to-state appear slim.
Maybe, the fighters themselves can change that, although the nature of the beast is conflict, which precludes cooperation and fosters suspicion that whatever is done or said — including Mayweather’s blood-testing demand in the abortive Pacquiao talks — is driven by a personal agenda.
Nevertheless, Mosley, more than Mayweather, could be the real face of that movement. By now, it’s no secret that Mosley was tied to the BALCO scandal. He said he inadvertently took performance enhancers before a victory is 2003 over Oscar De La Hoya. He has a defamation suit against BALCO founder Victor Conte, who says he knowingly took performance-enhancers. Burstein says Mosley was misled.
“Shane would not be doing this is if there were any doubt in his mind that he is a clean athlete,’’ Burstein said.
Let’s just say that Mayweather gets Mosley and then other fighters to join him in a chorus for blood-testing. Maybe, then it works. Mosley has said he would fight Pacquiao without the testing he will undergo before and after the Mayweather bout. But let’s say that Mosley changes his mind. Let’s say he, like Mayweather, demands that blood-testing would have to continue against Pacquiao.
Something tells me we’ve already said too much for Pacquiao and his promoter, Bob Arum. In Dallas, Arum already has plans for Pacquiao to fight Edwin Valero, or Marquez, or even Antonio Margarito, who can re-apply for a license revoked in California more than a year ago for tampered hand-wraps.
In a prepared release Thursday, Mayweather and Mosley asked other fighters to follow them
But it sounded as if Arum had something else to say, something like: See ya.’
NOTES, QUOTES
· In talking to the media a week ago in Dallas for the first time since his gloves were found to be loaded with a plaster-like substance before a loss to Mosley in January, 2009, Margarito took an initial step toward convincing the public that he deserves a second chance in the United States. But he needs to say more. Again, Margarito said that he didn’t know disgraced trainer Javier Capetillo had tampered with the wraps. Okay, but he also needs to say “Sorry, I should have known.’’
· After a long absence, boxing might return to Phoenix under the Showdown Promotions banner, which also represents Margarito. Showdown has reserved two dates, July 17 and July 31, at Wild Horse Pass Casino in the Phoenix suburbs.
· The more Top Rank watches 17-year-old Jose Benavidez Jr., a junior-welterweight from Phoenix, the more it sees an emerging star. Benavidez is 3-0, including a third-round stoppage of Bobby Hill on March 12 in Dallas on the eve of Pacquiao’s decision over a passive Clottey. Although hard to judge, Benavidez’ performance was solid. More significant, perhaps, there were young fans surrounding him after the bout. They stood in line to get his autograph. He has charisma, which is almost as fundamental to stardom as a jab.
· And Arum, on whether Pacquiao would have enough time to continue his boxing career if he wins a seat in the Filipino Congress: “If Filipino Congressmen are the same as U.S. Congressmen, they sit around and do nothing most of the year. So why wouldn’t he be able to fight?’’
Source: 15rounds.com
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Call him Lady Gago but Malignaggi plays horn like Miles Davis -- The Examiner
By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
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Anecdotal evidence: It's about 9:30 on a warm March Friday. I walk past the health food store at 98th and Broadway. Filipino guy who works there is entering.
"Hey, what's with this Malignaggi guy," the man said to me. "What's his problem?"
So this is why I submit to those of you residing in Deepest Pacland that, in the oft-used Muhammad Ali phrase, Paulie Malignaggi (aka Lady Gago) is not as dumb as he looks.
A guy who peddles soy milk and whole grain bread knows who Malignaggi is, he's on this Manny Pacquiao fan's radar.
I seriously doubt that Yo Paulie even knows who journalist Jimmy Breslin is but Paulie has adopted Breslin's famous line that "if you don't blow your own horn, there is no music."
Malignaggi's mouth is so active, his Facebook forays so plentiful, he is not a single horn, he's more like a One Boxer Philharmonic.
Malignaggi wails on his horn in a Miles Davis virtuoso style.
I once heard Celtics great Bill Russell speak and he described some situation as "an ant attacking an elephant with rape on its mind."
You may think Malignaggi's continual he's a drug cheater rips on Pacquiao are about the same as Russell's simile but I disagree.
Malignaggi is abrasive, loud and confrontational which is perfect for a fighter who is the face of New York boxing. A generation before, we had another chipmunk, Hector "Macho" Camacho straight out of Spanish Harlem, now we have the Kid from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.
This isn't Omaha or Cleveland, we can't have our top boxer be some aw shucks guy.
No Modest Mouse ever gets heard in the deafening din of the Big Town.
We all know guys who can talk their way out of fights but Malignaggi talks his way into lucrative bouts.
Without his nonstop verbiage, he never would've got that HBO rematch against Baby Bull Juan Diaz. But he fillibustered preptually and he got the rematch in neutral Chicago. He delivered with his best career performance.
Now, on May 15, he'll go in as undedog to Amir Khan. Khan is chinny but, with all his hand surgeries and his speed and finesse style, Paulie is unlikely to flatten the Bolton Wanderer.
But what if he shocks, what if he outpoints the taller Khan?
What if, on May 15, it's Malignaggi who runs this town?
Then, he puts himself in the Pacman Lottery, having beaten Khan and Coach Freddie Roach.
He won't go to the top of Pacquiao's possible foe list but he will be on it.
Silence is supposed to be golden, they say whoever "they" are, but you couldn't prove it by Malignaggi.
This madcap fighter brings in the do-re-mi with his flapping lips.
I would love to put a silencer on Lou DiBella. It makes sense as Malignaggi doesn't need a ventriloquist or an organ grinder behind him.
It's Paulie who makes the music which brings in the moolah.
A gavonne, he's not.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
.jpg)
"Hey, what's with this Malignaggi guy," the man said to me. "What's his problem?"
So this is why I submit to those of you residing in Deepest Pacland that, in the oft-used Muhammad Ali phrase, Paulie Malignaggi (aka Lady Gago) is not as dumb as he looks.
A guy who peddles soy milk and whole grain bread knows who Malignaggi is, he's on this Manny Pacquiao fan's radar.
I seriously doubt that Yo Paulie even knows who journalist Jimmy Breslin is but Paulie has adopted Breslin's famous line that "if you don't blow your own horn, there is no music."
Malignaggi's mouth is so active, his Facebook forays so plentiful, he is not a single horn, he's more like a One Boxer Philharmonic.
Malignaggi wails on his horn in a Miles Davis virtuoso style.
I once heard Celtics great Bill Russell speak and he described some situation as "an ant attacking an elephant with rape on its mind."
You may think Malignaggi's continual he's a drug cheater rips on Pacquiao are about the same as Russell's simile but I disagree.
Malignaggi is abrasive, loud and confrontational which is perfect for a fighter who is the face of New York boxing. A generation before, we had another chipmunk, Hector "Macho" Camacho straight out of Spanish Harlem, now we have the Kid from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.
This isn't Omaha or Cleveland, we can't have our top boxer be some aw shucks guy.
No Modest Mouse ever gets heard in the deafening din of the Big Town.
We all know guys who can talk their way out of fights but Malignaggi talks his way into lucrative bouts.
Without his nonstop verbiage, he never would've got that HBO rematch against Baby Bull Juan Diaz. But he fillibustered preptually and he got the rematch in neutral Chicago. He delivered with his best career performance.
Now, on May 15, he'll go in as undedog to Amir Khan. Khan is chinny but, with all his hand surgeries and his speed and finesse style, Paulie is unlikely to flatten the Bolton Wanderer.
But what if he shocks, what if he outpoints the taller Khan?
What if, on May 15, it's Malignaggi who runs this town?
Then, he puts himself in the Pacman Lottery, having beaten Khan and Coach Freddie Roach.
He won't go to the top of Pacquiao's possible foe list but he will be on it.
Silence is supposed to be golden, they say whoever "they" are, but you couldn't prove it by Malignaggi.
This madcap fighter brings in the do-re-mi with his flapping lips.
I would love to put a silencer on Lou DiBella. It makes sense as Malignaggi doesn't need a ventriloquist or an organ grinder behind him.
It's Paulie who makes the music which brings in the moolah.
A gavonne, he's not.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
Mayweather-Mosley representatives lay out drug-testing plan -- The Ring
By Michael Rosenthal, The Ring
Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley are about to become the most-tested boxers in the history of the sport.
The fighters representatives on Thursday discussed the Olympic-style drug-testing procedure that will be employed for their May 1 fight in Las Vegas, including random urine and blood screening anywhere and anytime leading up to the event.
The testing will be conducted by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which is responsible for implementing the drug-testing code of the World Anti-Doping Agency. State commissions typically oversee any testing in boxing.
Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions; Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather’s advisor; and USADA Executive Director Travis Tygart said they hope those who oversee boxing worldwide will adopt the same system.
“It takes certain events to trigger better things,” Schaefer said. “With this fight, one of the biggest fights ever, we’re introducing the gold standard of blood testing. … This isn’t a guy hitting a ball or cycling up a hill. It’s two guys standing in the middle of the ring hitting each other in the head.
“They deserve the highest level of protection.”
Mayweather triggered the new phase of drug testing when he demanded that Manny Pacquiao agree to Olympic-style protocol for a tentative super fight this month in Las Vegas.
However, Pacquiao, stung by the suggestion he might’ve used PEDs and convinced giving blood weakens him, would not agree to Mayweather’s terms and negotiations fell apart. Pacquiao’s handlers were more pointed, saying their fighter would not acquiesce to another fighter’s random demands.
They said it was the responsibility of the governing body, in this case the Nevada State Athletic Commission, not Mayweather, to determine drug-testing protocol.
Keith Kizer, executive director of the NSAC, questioned the motivation behind Mayweather’s sudden emphasis on drug testing but said his organization welcomes any practical steps to improving detection.
“I wonder how much of this is gamesmanship with regard to Mr. Pacquiao,” Kizer said. “When Mr. Mayweather fought here the last time, he didn’t request additional drug testing. This came out of the blue to all of us. Is it a fighter trying to get an edge over another fighter? I don’t know.
“Sometimes the right thing occurs for the wrong reason, though. Either way, it’s good.”
Nevada conducts only urine tests before and immediately after fights, which some believe allows them to use difficult-to-detect PEDs during training and then flush it from their system. The USADA can test athletes anywhere and anytime. Tygart said Mayweather and Mosley already have indicated where they’ll be at all times until the fight.
Also, contrary to the opinion of some, Tygart said relying solely on urine tests is inadequate. He provided examples of PEDs – including HGH (Human Growth Hormone) – that can be detected only by blood tests.
In other words, boxing is entering the big leagues of drug testing with this fight even if no system is fool proof.
“You can’t just test at events,” Tygart said. “Athletes can use things like steroids, HGH and EPO and test negative at events even though they received significant performance from drugs they used during training. You have to do out-of-competition testing without notice.
“They’re [the boxing commissions] are just far below the world standard.”
Ironically, Mosley is an example of a PED user who went undetected in Nevada. He admitted to taking steroids before his fight against Oscar De La Hoya in 2003, saying he was tricked by BALCO’s Victor Conte into cheating. However, to be fair, testing in that state has evolved considerably since then.
Judd Burstein, Mosley’s attorney, said the fact the fighter agreed to the testing protocol says a great deal.
“Shane wouldn’t be doing this if he had any doubt in his mind that he’s a clean athlete,” he said. “We’re talking about something that happened six years ago. Shane never denied it right from the start. He made a mistake in trusting Conte.
“… Floyd should be congratulated for really being at the forefront here. Shane didn’t hesitate to take part. He knows he’s clean.”
Of course, only those athletes and organizations that subscribe to Olympic-style testing can benefit from it. Individual states and international sanctioning bodies will have to decide for themselves whether to adopt WADA procedures.
Tygart is among those who hope those who regulate boxing will follow Mayweather’s lead – no matter his reasons – and decide they have no choice but to implement change.
“Our interests are the same as theirs … drug-free, safe boxing, which people can believe in” said Tygart, referring to the states and sanctioning bodies. “We’re looking forward to working together with them. If they’re truly interested in having a clean sport, they’ll be partners in this effort.”
Michael Rosenthal can be reached at RingTVeditor@yahoo.com
Source: ringtv.com
Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley are about to become the most-tested boxers in the history of the sport.
The fighters representatives on Thursday discussed the Olympic-style drug-testing procedure that will be employed for their May 1 fight in Las Vegas, including random urine and blood screening anywhere and anytime leading up to the event.
The testing will be conducted by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which is responsible for implementing the drug-testing code of the World Anti-Doping Agency. State commissions typically oversee any testing in boxing.
Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions; Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather’s advisor; and USADA Executive Director Travis Tygart said they hope those who oversee boxing worldwide will adopt the same system.
“It takes certain events to trigger better things,” Schaefer said. “With this fight, one of the biggest fights ever, we’re introducing the gold standard of blood testing. … This isn’t a guy hitting a ball or cycling up a hill. It’s two guys standing in the middle of the ring hitting each other in the head.
“They deserve the highest level of protection.”
Mayweather triggered the new phase of drug testing when he demanded that Manny Pacquiao agree to Olympic-style protocol for a tentative super fight this month in Las Vegas.
However, Pacquiao, stung by the suggestion he might’ve used PEDs and convinced giving blood weakens him, would not agree to Mayweather’s terms and negotiations fell apart. Pacquiao’s handlers were more pointed, saying their fighter would not acquiesce to another fighter’s random demands.
They said it was the responsibility of the governing body, in this case the Nevada State Athletic Commission, not Mayweather, to determine drug-testing protocol.
Keith Kizer, executive director of the NSAC, questioned the motivation behind Mayweather’s sudden emphasis on drug testing but said his organization welcomes any practical steps to improving detection.
“I wonder how much of this is gamesmanship with regard to Mr. Pacquiao,” Kizer said. “When Mr. Mayweather fought here the last time, he didn’t request additional drug testing. This came out of the blue to all of us. Is it a fighter trying to get an edge over another fighter? I don’t know.
“Sometimes the right thing occurs for the wrong reason, though. Either way, it’s good.”
Nevada conducts only urine tests before and immediately after fights, which some believe allows them to use difficult-to-detect PEDs during training and then flush it from their system. The USADA can test athletes anywhere and anytime. Tygart said Mayweather and Mosley already have indicated where they’ll be at all times until the fight.
Also, contrary to the opinion of some, Tygart said relying solely on urine tests is inadequate. He provided examples of PEDs – including HGH (Human Growth Hormone) – that can be detected only by blood tests.
In other words, boxing is entering the big leagues of drug testing with this fight even if no system is fool proof.
“You can’t just test at events,” Tygart said. “Athletes can use things like steroids, HGH and EPO and test negative at events even though they received significant performance from drugs they used during training. You have to do out-of-competition testing without notice.
“They’re [the boxing commissions] are just far below the world standard.”
Ironically, Mosley is an example of a PED user who went undetected in Nevada. He admitted to taking steroids before his fight against Oscar De La Hoya in 2003, saying he was tricked by BALCO’s Victor Conte into cheating. However, to be fair, testing in that state has evolved considerably since then.
Judd Burstein, Mosley’s attorney, said the fact the fighter agreed to the testing protocol says a great deal.
“Shane wouldn’t be doing this if he had any doubt in his mind that he’s a clean athlete,” he said. “We’re talking about something that happened six years ago. Shane never denied it right from the start. He made a mistake in trusting Conte.
“… Floyd should be congratulated for really being at the forefront here. Shane didn’t hesitate to take part. He knows he’s clean.”
Of course, only those athletes and organizations that subscribe to Olympic-style testing can benefit from it. Individual states and international sanctioning bodies will have to decide for themselves whether to adopt WADA procedures.
Tygart is among those who hope those who regulate boxing will follow Mayweather’s lead – no matter his reasons – and decide they have no choice but to implement change.
“Our interests are the same as theirs … drug-free, safe boxing, which people can believe in” said Tygart, referring to the states and sanctioning bodies. “We’re looking forward to working together with them. If they’re truly interested in having a clean sport, they’ll be partners in this effort.”
Michael Rosenthal can be reached at RingTVeditor@yahoo.com
Source: ringtv.com
Klitschkos hoping for David Haye win against John Ruiz -- Telegraph
By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk
Wladimir Klitschko weighed in at the Karstadt store in the centre of Düsseldorf with hundreds of shoppers and supporters packed in and rubbernecking in the clothing department, jostling for space as if it were the January sales.
The only difference was it was not the cash-registers making the noise, but ring MC Michael Buffer’s bass tones booming through the building.
Tickets for Klitschko’s defence of the World Boxing Organisation and International Boxing Federation titles, against Eddie Chambers, America’s No 1 heavyweight, have been hot property, but then the Klitschkos are established Box Office stars here. For now, Haye can only dream of such widespread acclaim.
The Klitschko brothers, mainstream sports personalities in their own right in Germany, command between 50 to 60 per cent of the German terrestrial television audience when they fight.
Last year, Vitali Klitschko’s World Boxing Council heavyweight defence against American Kevin Johnson was the second most-viewed live sports event in the entire year of sport, surpassed only by Germany’s Fifa World Cup qualifying match against Russia.
Upwards of 47,000 seats have been sold for the event at the Esprit Stadium, home of Fortuna Düsseldorf in the second division of the German Bundesliga. The stadium holds 51,500 and has a closable roof. It is expected to be full to capacity when the two fighters take to the ring at 10pm UK time on Saturday.
The Klitschko brothers are contemplating heading for ringside seats in Manchester for Haye-Ruiz, and the mere mention of Haye’s name to either brother brings vitriolic opinion, both voluble and pointed.
Vitali, 38, the elder of the Klitschko brothers, told Telegraph Sport: “Yes, of course I’ll be watching David Haye’s title defence against John Ruiz, and I wish him good luck. I have my fingers crossed for him. I want him to win – not because I like the guy, but because I want to fight him, and I want to shut his mouth.”
Haye will be in for a testing time against Ruiz at the MEN Arena on April 3, according to Klitschko, in spite of the British fighter having insisted on Thursday that he possesses the armoury of power, speed and youth to break the American down.
“It will be a difficult fight for Haye,” said Vitali. “Ruiz is a good fighter, strong, who has a good punch. But Ruiz does not have the speed to stop Haye, and Haye does not have the power to knock out Ruiz. It will be a points decision for Haye."
But Vitali wants Haye's head before he retires. "If the fight with Haye comes through, I would be happy to fight in England. I am ready to fight in any part of the world.”
The two brothers have even been arguing over who will face Haye first. For now, though, Chambers stands in the way.
The American has lost only once in 36 contests – on a unanimous points decision against highly-rated Russian Alexander Povetkin – and will have his work cut out against Wladimir K.
Chambers has insisted all this week that he is going “to shock the world”. We’ve heard that before. Klitschko on points, or by a late stoppage.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
Wladimir Klitschko weighed in at the Karstadt store in the centre of Düsseldorf with hundreds of shoppers and supporters packed in and rubbernecking in the clothing department, jostling for space as if it were the January sales.
The only difference was it was not the cash-registers making the noise, but ring MC Michael Buffer’s bass tones booming through the building.
Tickets for Klitschko’s defence of the World Boxing Organisation and International Boxing Federation titles, against Eddie Chambers, America’s No 1 heavyweight, have been hot property, but then the Klitschkos are established Box Office stars here. For now, Haye can only dream of such widespread acclaim.
The Klitschko brothers, mainstream sports personalities in their own right in Germany, command between 50 to 60 per cent of the German terrestrial television audience when they fight.
Last year, Vitali Klitschko’s World Boxing Council heavyweight defence against American Kevin Johnson was the second most-viewed live sports event in the entire year of sport, surpassed only by Germany’s Fifa World Cup qualifying match against Russia.
Upwards of 47,000 seats have been sold for the event at the Esprit Stadium, home of Fortuna Düsseldorf in the second division of the German Bundesliga. The stadium holds 51,500 and has a closable roof. It is expected to be full to capacity when the two fighters take to the ring at 10pm UK time on Saturday.
The Klitschko brothers are contemplating heading for ringside seats in Manchester for Haye-Ruiz, and the mere mention of Haye’s name to either brother brings vitriolic opinion, both voluble and pointed.
Vitali, 38, the elder of the Klitschko brothers, told Telegraph Sport: “Yes, of course I’ll be watching David Haye’s title defence against John Ruiz, and I wish him good luck. I have my fingers crossed for him. I want him to win – not because I like the guy, but because I want to fight him, and I want to shut his mouth.”
Haye will be in for a testing time against Ruiz at the MEN Arena on April 3, according to Klitschko, in spite of the British fighter having insisted on Thursday that he possesses the armoury of power, speed and youth to break the American down.
“It will be a difficult fight for Haye,” said Vitali. “Ruiz is a good fighter, strong, who has a good punch. But Ruiz does not have the speed to stop Haye, and Haye does not have the power to knock out Ruiz. It will be a points decision for Haye."
But Vitali wants Haye's head before he retires. "If the fight with Haye comes through, I would be happy to fight in England. I am ready to fight in any part of the world.”
The two brothers have even been arguing over who will face Haye first. For now, though, Chambers stands in the way.
The American has lost only once in 36 contests – on a unanimous points decision against highly-rated Russian Alexander Povetkin – and will have his work cut out against Wladimir K.
Chambers has insisted all this week that he is going “to shock the world”. We’ve heard that before. Klitschko on points, or by a late stoppage.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
Why Pacquiao - Mayweather Is Important for Boxing -- Huffington Post
By Ryan Phillips, Huffington Post
After watching Manny Pacquiao utterly dominate Joshua Clottey last Saturday, the sports world has turned it's attention to the future for the Filipino sensation. Now that I've digested Pacquiao's performance - which more closely resembled a Class B Felony than a boxing match - I'm now convinced, more than ever, that he and Floyd Mayweather must enter the ring together sometime this fall. It just has to happen.
Right now, Mayweather is busy preparing for his May 1 bout with "Sugar" Shane Mosley, but he is never above discussing Pacquiao. If Mayweather bests Mosley - as virtually everyone agrees he will - the only fight of any magnitude left for either man is one that includes the other. Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach clearly want that fight, the sports world wants that fight and most importantly, boxing needs that fight.
Boxing currently lacks a wealth of marketable stars. A huge pay-per-view featuring its two biggest names and including an undercard stacked with a litany of young stars could expose the public to the best the sport has to offer. Plus, the matchup of "Money May" and "Pacman" is too irresistible not to happen.
The styles of the two fighters mesh perfectly. Mayweather has often been criticized for his tendency to run away and rely too much on his defensive ability and natural skill to out-point his opponents in decisions. Pacquiao on the other hand loves to fight. He takes the fight to his opponents and loves to brawl on the inside and push for knockouts. Pacquiao would force Mayweather to fight with him. He's fast enough that Floyd wouldn't be able to run away. On the other hand, Mayweather's incredible counter-punching ability would surely be the perfect antidote to Pacman's attacking style. It's almost too perfect.
A matchup of the two greatest fighters on the planet would be the biggest thing in boxing since Ali-Frazier I. It would also easily become the highest grossing fight in the history of the sport, would be watched by more people than any previous Pay-Per-View contest, make both men an enormous amount of money and quite possibly allow boxing to have the sporting event of the year for the first time in decades. The sport needs a pick-me-up and the matchup of two guys in their primes, who firmly sit among the top 25 fighters of all-time, would give the needed boost.
Unfortunately, to this point I'm not convinced Mayweather has any desire to step in the ring with Pacquiao. He tentatively agreed to the fight in December before he and his father began accusing Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs. His camp demanded Olympic-style testing of both fighters, with repeated, random blood tests despite the Nevada State Athletic Commission's already tough standards. Some feel Mayweather's camp was justified in its requests, others believe it was an excuse Floyd could use to get out of a fight he didn't really want. I'm firmly in the later camp.
When both sides met with a moderator to sort out their differences, Pacquiao's team gave considerable concessions on the drug testing front. They were willing to meet many of Mayweather's demands but Floyd wouldn't budge and the negotiations ended without a resolution.
Right now Pacquiao is the best fighter on the planet. He has emerged from the South Pacific like a typhoon to take the sport by storm over the past decade. He has wreaked havoc on the best boxing has had to offer, consistently fighting the biggest names available to him. I believe he sits among the top 10 men to ever put on gloves and enter a ring. If he were to beat Mayweather there is no doubt in my mind he would enter the top three, joining Henry Armstrong and Sugar Ray Robinson. For my money, Mayweather is currently in the top 25 of all-time, but a win over Pacquiao would put him firmly in the top 10 and assuredly make him the best of his generation.
I hope that type of motivation is enough for each man to put aside there differences and finally meet in the ring. Their fans, their critics, and their sport demand it.
Source: huffingtonpost.com
After watching Manny Pacquiao utterly dominate Joshua Clottey last Saturday, the sports world has turned it's attention to the future for the Filipino sensation. Now that I've digested Pacquiao's performance - which more closely resembled a Class B Felony than a boxing match - I'm now convinced, more than ever, that he and Floyd Mayweather must enter the ring together sometime this fall. It just has to happen.
Right now, Mayweather is busy preparing for his May 1 bout with "Sugar" Shane Mosley, but he is never above discussing Pacquiao. If Mayweather bests Mosley - as virtually everyone agrees he will - the only fight of any magnitude left for either man is one that includes the other. Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach clearly want that fight, the sports world wants that fight and most importantly, boxing needs that fight.
Boxing currently lacks a wealth of marketable stars. A huge pay-per-view featuring its two biggest names and including an undercard stacked with a litany of young stars could expose the public to the best the sport has to offer. Plus, the matchup of "Money May" and "Pacman" is too irresistible not to happen.
The styles of the two fighters mesh perfectly. Mayweather has often been criticized for his tendency to run away and rely too much on his defensive ability and natural skill to out-point his opponents in decisions. Pacquiao on the other hand loves to fight. He takes the fight to his opponents and loves to brawl on the inside and push for knockouts. Pacquiao would force Mayweather to fight with him. He's fast enough that Floyd wouldn't be able to run away. On the other hand, Mayweather's incredible counter-punching ability would surely be the perfect antidote to Pacman's attacking style. It's almost too perfect.
A matchup of the two greatest fighters on the planet would be the biggest thing in boxing since Ali-Frazier I. It would also easily become the highest grossing fight in the history of the sport, would be watched by more people than any previous Pay-Per-View contest, make both men an enormous amount of money and quite possibly allow boxing to have the sporting event of the year for the first time in decades. The sport needs a pick-me-up and the matchup of two guys in their primes, who firmly sit among the top 25 fighters of all-time, would give the needed boost.
Unfortunately, to this point I'm not convinced Mayweather has any desire to step in the ring with Pacquiao. He tentatively agreed to the fight in December before he and his father began accusing Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs. His camp demanded Olympic-style testing of both fighters, with repeated, random blood tests despite the Nevada State Athletic Commission's already tough standards. Some feel Mayweather's camp was justified in its requests, others believe it was an excuse Floyd could use to get out of a fight he didn't really want. I'm firmly in the later camp.
When both sides met with a moderator to sort out their differences, Pacquiao's team gave considerable concessions on the drug testing front. They were willing to meet many of Mayweather's demands but Floyd wouldn't budge and the negotiations ended without a resolution.
Right now Pacquiao is the best fighter on the planet. He has emerged from the South Pacific like a typhoon to take the sport by storm over the past decade. He has wreaked havoc on the best boxing has had to offer, consistently fighting the biggest names available to him. I believe he sits among the top 10 men to ever put on gloves and enter a ring. If he were to beat Mayweather there is no doubt in my mind he would enter the top three, joining Henry Armstrong and Sugar Ray Robinson. For my money, Mayweather is currently in the top 25 of all-time, but a win over Pacquiao would put him firmly in the top 10 and assuredly make him the best of his generation.
I hope that type of motivation is enough for each man to put aside there differences and finally meet in the ring. Their fans, their critics, and their sport demand it.
Source: huffingtonpost.com
Rooting For Chambers Is A Lot Different Than Picking Him To Beat Wlad -- The Sweet Science
By Frank Lotierzo, The Sweet Science
When American heavyweight contender Eddie Chambers 35-1 (18) tries to wrest the IBF/WBO titles from Wladimir Klitschko 53-3 (47) tomorrow, he'll be giving up nearly six inches in height and 30 pounds in weight. Size doesn't necessarily win fights (see Joshua Clottey), but it sure helps. Especially when the bigger guy is great at utilizing his size and reach to shut his smaller opponent down and can also really punch. Add that to Klitschko's huge advantage in experience and fighting in title bouts, it makes Chambers task that much taller if you will.
It's been suggested recently how Chambers has the advantage in hand and foot speed, is the better boxer and also carries some pop in his punch. It's also been said that Klitschko's chin is susceptible and he fights more so out of self preservation than with the intent to destroy and overwhelm his opponent. Although that's mostly true, it cannot be said as a blanket statement. Reaching Wladimir's chin is no easy task and two of the fighters who did get through to it and stopped him were both recognized as exceptional punchers.
Granted, Wladimir has been stopped by all three of the opponents who have defeated him. But the reality is he ran out of gas against Ross Puritty in the 11th round back in 1998 in only his second year fighting as a pro, despite being in control of the bout most of the way. Then in 2003 and 2004 he was stopped by Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster. Sanders stood 6"4" and was a southpaw who could really punch with his left cross. And he jumped on Wladimir early and got him out in the second round after dropping him four times. In his fight against Brewster 13 months later, he was beating Lamon from pillar to post and punched himself out. Thus setting himself up for Brewster to topple him with basically one big punch in the fifth round. Not to mention, Brewster can really hit if he catches you cleanly.
Since losing to Brewster six years ago, Klitschko has gone 11-0 and only two fighters have gone the distance with him. Yet he still has plenty of detractors and is seen by some factions as holding the division down. This contention is laughable. If he's so bad, why hasn't he been taken down by one of the other killers in the heavyweight division? Maybe because he's more formidable than he's perceived to be and is fighting in a division in which every fighter among the top-10 will be a week old ghost seven days after they retire. Most of the top contenders in the division share the sentiment that nobody has stepped up and seized the division from either Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko.
Rob Murray Sr. who is Chambers' manager-trainer said recently, “Klitschko cannot fight on the inside, and he won’t fight on the inside. When you get close to him, he grabs and clinches.
“He only wants to fight you at arm’s length. He’s able to get away with that because he really doesn’t jab; he paws at you, paws at you with that long left hand, trying to set you up for the overhand right.
“If you get inside those long arms, Klitschko will turn his back on you. He automatically goes to the ropes. It’s almost like he’s trying to get out of the ring.”
After hearing Murray's assessment of Wladimir Klitschko, it's amazing that's he has gone undefeated over the last six years and only lost perhaps four out of the 24 rounds he fought against the only two fighters that lasted the distance with him.
I'll give Murray this much, Wladimir may not be a life-taker on the inside, but the real issue is how do you get inside on him? And if you do, can a fighter six inches shorter than him really be effective with his uppercut on the inside? If you answer that, no, as it should be answered, that leaves the left hook as your fighter's primary weaponry inside. I'd like to think Chambers could win the battle of trading hooks with Wladimir Klitschko, but I'm more of a realist than an optimist.
Murray also says Klitschko only wants to fight you at arms length and can get away with it because he paws at you with his long left trying to set you up for the overhand right. Once again, he's right but over-simplistic and short sighted. If only he would've went a step or two further and explained exactly how you draw Klitschko out of his comfort zone if you can't initiate him to trade jabs. And for Eddie Chambers to do that he must step to Wladimir, something Klitschko would welcome because it would lessen the degree of difficulty for him to nail Chambers with that big overhand right on the way in.
Murray also adds when you get close to Klitschko he grabs and clinches. Another fair point. And again, exactly what can Eddie do about that? His only weapon to somewhat neutralize that is to have already sent his punches towards Klitschko's body while his arms are up looking to pull Chambers in. And even at that Chambers isn't a body puncher and Wladimir will take that tradeoff all night long.
“Opponents buy into that whole `Dr. Steelhammer’ bull, that his right hand is so devastating that they have to stay away from it. That allows Klitschko to stand back and have his way with most guys," said Murray.
I don't know what Mr. Murray has been watching, but the jury has already returned the verdict on whether or not Wladimir can really crack with his right hand. And it's unanimous. Those who have either fought or sparred with Klitschko all agree that his right hand is one of the biggest single weapons and punches in the division. It would serve Chambers well to assume that Wladimir is capable of altering the fight with one clean right hand at any time during the fight from round one through twelve.
Eddie Chambers is a breath of fresh air in the division and his confidence seems to be soaring at this time - and that can never be discounted in a fight. He's a very capable and skilled boxer who's easy to root for. And if he were to upset Wladimir it would be at the least a short term infusion into the heavyweight division. That said, Eddie not a big puncher and he doesn't really fight tall (although he was brilliant against Alexander Dimitrenko), so that leaves the question open as to whether or not he possesses the necessary tools needed for the execution.
It looks from here that Wladimir Klitschko is a little too big and holds too significant a significant style advantage to be taken down by a fighter who'll have to fight and engage him for 12-rounds to win. If that weren't enough for Eddie Chambers to overcome, Klitschko is going to get every conceivable break fighting in Germany. So in order for him to get a decision nod he'd have to beat Wladimir beyond recognition.
Frank Lotierzo can be contacted at GlovedFist@Gmail.com
Source: thesweetscience.com
When American heavyweight contender Eddie Chambers 35-1 (18) tries to wrest the IBF/WBO titles from Wladimir Klitschko 53-3 (47) tomorrow, he'll be giving up nearly six inches in height and 30 pounds in weight. Size doesn't necessarily win fights (see Joshua Clottey), but it sure helps. Especially when the bigger guy is great at utilizing his size and reach to shut his smaller opponent down and can also really punch. Add that to Klitschko's huge advantage in experience and fighting in title bouts, it makes Chambers task that much taller if you will.
It's been suggested recently how Chambers has the advantage in hand and foot speed, is the better boxer and also carries some pop in his punch. It's also been said that Klitschko's chin is susceptible and he fights more so out of self preservation than with the intent to destroy and overwhelm his opponent. Although that's mostly true, it cannot be said as a blanket statement. Reaching Wladimir's chin is no easy task and two of the fighters who did get through to it and stopped him were both recognized as exceptional punchers.
Granted, Wladimir has been stopped by all three of the opponents who have defeated him. But the reality is he ran out of gas against Ross Puritty in the 11th round back in 1998 in only his second year fighting as a pro, despite being in control of the bout most of the way. Then in 2003 and 2004 he was stopped by Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster. Sanders stood 6"4" and was a southpaw who could really punch with his left cross. And he jumped on Wladimir early and got him out in the second round after dropping him four times. In his fight against Brewster 13 months later, he was beating Lamon from pillar to post and punched himself out. Thus setting himself up for Brewster to topple him with basically one big punch in the fifth round. Not to mention, Brewster can really hit if he catches you cleanly.
Since losing to Brewster six years ago, Klitschko has gone 11-0 and only two fighters have gone the distance with him. Yet he still has plenty of detractors and is seen by some factions as holding the division down. This contention is laughable. If he's so bad, why hasn't he been taken down by one of the other killers in the heavyweight division? Maybe because he's more formidable than he's perceived to be and is fighting in a division in which every fighter among the top-10 will be a week old ghost seven days after they retire. Most of the top contenders in the division share the sentiment that nobody has stepped up and seized the division from either Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko.
Rob Murray Sr. who is Chambers' manager-trainer said recently, “Klitschko cannot fight on the inside, and he won’t fight on the inside. When you get close to him, he grabs and clinches.
“He only wants to fight you at arm’s length. He’s able to get away with that because he really doesn’t jab; he paws at you, paws at you with that long left hand, trying to set you up for the overhand right.
“If you get inside those long arms, Klitschko will turn his back on you. He automatically goes to the ropes. It’s almost like he’s trying to get out of the ring.”
After hearing Murray's assessment of Wladimir Klitschko, it's amazing that's he has gone undefeated over the last six years and only lost perhaps four out of the 24 rounds he fought against the only two fighters that lasted the distance with him.
I'll give Murray this much, Wladimir may not be a life-taker on the inside, but the real issue is how do you get inside on him? And if you do, can a fighter six inches shorter than him really be effective with his uppercut on the inside? If you answer that, no, as it should be answered, that leaves the left hook as your fighter's primary weaponry inside. I'd like to think Chambers could win the battle of trading hooks with Wladimir Klitschko, but I'm more of a realist than an optimist.
Murray also says Klitschko only wants to fight you at arms length and can get away with it because he paws at you with his long left trying to set you up for the overhand right. Once again, he's right but over-simplistic and short sighted. If only he would've went a step or two further and explained exactly how you draw Klitschko out of his comfort zone if you can't initiate him to trade jabs. And for Eddie Chambers to do that he must step to Wladimir, something Klitschko would welcome because it would lessen the degree of difficulty for him to nail Chambers with that big overhand right on the way in.
Murray also adds when you get close to Klitschko he grabs and clinches. Another fair point. And again, exactly what can Eddie do about that? His only weapon to somewhat neutralize that is to have already sent his punches towards Klitschko's body while his arms are up looking to pull Chambers in. And even at that Chambers isn't a body puncher and Wladimir will take that tradeoff all night long.
“Opponents buy into that whole `Dr. Steelhammer’ bull, that his right hand is so devastating that they have to stay away from it. That allows Klitschko to stand back and have his way with most guys," said Murray.
I don't know what Mr. Murray has been watching, but the jury has already returned the verdict on whether or not Wladimir can really crack with his right hand. And it's unanimous. Those who have either fought or sparred with Klitschko all agree that his right hand is one of the biggest single weapons and punches in the division. It would serve Chambers well to assume that Wladimir is capable of altering the fight with one clean right hand at any time during the fight from round one through twelve.
Eddie Chambers is a breath of fresh air in the division and his confidence seems to be soaring at this time - and that can never be discounted in a fight. He's a very capable and skilled boxer who's easy to root for. And if he were to upset Wladimir it would be at the least a short term infusion into the heavyweight division. That said, Eddie not a big puncher and he doesn't really fight tall (although he was brilliant against Alexander Dimitrenko), so that leaves the question open as to whether or not he possesses the necessary tools needed for the execution.
It looks from here that Wladimir Klitschko is a little too big and holds too significant a significant style advantage to be taken down by a fighter who'll have to fight and engage him for 12-rounds to win. If that weren't enough for Eddie Chambers to overcome, Klitschko is going to get every conceivable break fighting in Germany. So in order for him to get a decision nod he'd have to beat Wladimir beyond recognition.
Frank Lotierzo can be contacted at GlovedFist@Gmail.com
Source: thesweetscience.com
David Haye hits out at Klitschkos with 'boring German fans' jibe -- The Guardian
By Kevin Mitchell, Guardian.co.uk
David Haye and the Klitschko brothers, who between them hold the four world heavyweight titles, seem destined to annoy each other until they retire – or meet in the ring.
"Which one?" was Haye's response when reminded that one of his Ukrainian irritants has again accused him of having a glass jaw and no cachet in the US. "Wladimir?" he said, when provided with the answer. "Come on. How many times has he been knocked out? I've never been on the floor for more than eight seconds in my whole life. Ask him that same question."
Haye, unsurprisingly, gives the ordinary American "Fast" Eddie Chambers some chance when he challenges the younger Klitschko for his IBF and WBO versions of the title in Düsseldorf tomorrow. "I've only seen Chambers fight once," Haye said, "when he lost against Alexander Povetkin [widely, on points in 2008]. He looked OK. It was a close fight. He didn't get beaten up."
It was not that close, although Chambers got in some clean shots in the early rounds before tiring. He does not bring much to the ring but a respectable CV.
Haye added: "He seems like the typical Wladimir opponent. In that fight [an IBF title eliminator in Berlin], he threw a couple of nice, sharp punches but he's the same as all the others Wladimir picks: he walks in a straight line, hands up high, takes the punches.
"Whenever the Klitschkos pick opponents who punch back, things go pear-shaped for them. They've got enough experience now to know which opponents to pick. For instance, Vitali is fighting Albert Sosnowski [in defence of the WBC title in Gelsenkirchen on 29 May]. He's the ideal opponent for a Klitschko, someone small, hands high, tough and durable, makes him look good. But it's like hitting the heavy bag. The public aren't fooled by that."
As for Klitschko's criticism that Haye's second defence of his WBA title, against the 38-year-old American John Ruiz in Manchester on 3 April, is not being shown live in the US, Haye said: "He [Klitschko] is not the draw in the States that he thinks he is. When we negotiated [for their aborted fight last March], he said: 'You bring nothing to the table.' But, when the fight fell through, UK television only paid him a few thousand pounds. HBO pulled out completely. If he fights me, it's guaranteed to be on prime-time television everywhere in the world."
Will that fight happen? "First time round, I wasn't the champion. I'm the champion now. I'm just hoping that he recognises that, and doesn't come with the same mindset to the negotiating table because, if he does, it just won't happen."
Yet, however much Haye derides the Klitschkos, he knows they are his pension. And he could not resist a final dig.
"Ideally," he said, "I'd like to fight them in the UK, because everyone knows the German boxing atmosphere is crap. It's just dull. I'd hate to have one of my defining fights in front of a bunch of boring Germans." Over to you, Wladimir. Or Vitali.
Source: guardian.co.uk
David Haye and the Klitschko brothers, who between them hold the four world heavyweight titles, seem destined to annoy each other until they retire – or meet in the ring.
"Which one?" was Haye's response when reminded that one of his Ukrainian irritants has again accused him of having a glass jaw and no cachet in the US. "Wladimir?" he said, when provided with the answer. "Come on. How many times has he been knocked out? I've never been on the floor for more than eight seconds in my whole life. Ask him that same question."
Haye, unsurprisingly, gives the ordinary American "Fast" Eddie Chambers some chance when he challenges the younger Klitschko for his IBF and WBO versions of the title in Düsseldorf tomorrow. "I've only seen Chambers fight once," Haye said, "when he lost against Alexander Povetkin [widely, on points in 2008]. He looked OK. It was a close fight. He didn't get beaten up."
It was not that close, although Chambers got in some clean shots in the early rounds before tiring. He does not bring much to the ring but a respectable CV.
Haye added: "He seems like the typical Wladimir opponent. In that fight [an IBF title eliminator in Berlin], he threw a couple of nice, sharp punches but he's the same as all the others Wladimir picks: he walks in a straight line, hands up high, takes the punches.
"Whenever the Klitschkos pick opponents who punch back, things go pear-shaped for them. They've got enough experience now to know which opponents to pick. For instance, Vitali is fighting Albert Sosnowski [in defence of the WBC title in Gelsenkirchen on 29 May]. He's the ideal opponent for a Klitschko, someone small, hands high, tough and durable, makes him look good. But it's like hitting the heavy bag. The public aren't fooled by that."
As for Klitschko's criticism that Haye's second defence of his WBA title, against the 38-year-old American John Ruiz in Manchester on 3 April, is not being shown live in the US, Haye said: "He [Klitschko] is not the draw in the States that he thinks he is. When we negotiated [for their aborted fight last March], he said: 'You bring nothing to the table.' But, when the fight fell through, UK television only paid him a few thousand pounds. HBO pulled out completely. If he fights me, it's guaranteed to be on prime-time television everywhere in the world."
Will that fight happen? "First time round, I wasn't the champion. I'm the champion now. I'm just hoping that he recognises that, and doesn't come with the same mindset to the negotiating table because, if he does, it just won't happen."
Yet, however much Haye derides the Klitschkos, he knows they are his pension. And he could not resist a final dig.
"Ideally," he said, "I'd like to fight them in the UK, because everyone knows the German boxing atmosphere is crap. It's just dull. I'd hate to have one of my defining fights in front of a bunch of boring Germans." Over to you, Wladimir. Or Vitali.
Source: guardian.co.uk
Chambers confident ahead of Klitschko clash -- ESPN
By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com
Underdog or not, Eddie Chambers exudes confidence.
"This is a tremendous opportunity. I am so excited about it, and I can't wait to get into the ring on Saturday and shock the world," Chambers said this week from Germany.
The 27-year-old Philadelphia fighter was referring to what many view as an uphill battle when he challenges heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko at Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany, where a crowd of more than 50,000 is expected.
Virtually every one of them will be hoping to see another dominant performance from Klitschko, who is making his eighth defense and returning from a nine-month layoff following his domination of Ruslan Chagaev last summer and subsequent shoulder surgery that kept him on the shelf.
Chambers (35-1, 18 KOs), however, says he's in it to win it.
"I want people to see I am one of the better fighters in the world," Chambers said. "I'm excited to fight one of the best fighters of my time and to prove that I'm also one of the best. This is the culmination of all the hard work, and I just can't wait to get it done."
Whatever happens, it will take place without American television coverage, a shocker considering this is a heavyweight championship fight involving a legitimate American challenger. The fight is available in the U.S. only on a pay basis on Klitschko's Web site.
Dan Goossen, Chambers' promoter, said he wasn't upset there will be no television. He's just anxious for Chambers to get his opportunity.
"Eddie is on a mission to show the world he's capable of becoming the next great heavyweight champion," he said. "I can understand the reticence of the networks. Because of [how Klitschko fights], the networks have waned on their interest in Klitschko."
Said Chambers, "I use [no U.S. TV] as more motivation. I agree maybe they're a little tired of watching Klitschko and most people don't think I have a chance and that I don't look like I'm a real threat. I think they're making a huge mistake because this will be one of the best fights of the year. I am going to go in there and give it my all. He'll give it his all."
Chambers has paid his dues and earned his opportunity, regardless of the American networks' distaste for the fight. He's faced good opposition to emerge as a serious contender.
His most notable victories came in his past two fights, decisions against former titleholder Samuel Peter last March and Alexander Dimitrenko on July 4 in Germany, a win that secured him the mandatory shot against Klitschko (53-3, 47 KOs).
Although Chambers will be at a disadvantage in height (6-foot-1 to 6-6) and weight (approximately 210 pounds to 240), he said he isn't concerned. He has speed and plans to use it.
"Most people go in with Wladimir and think they have to adjust their style to coincide with his," Chambers said. "You have to find a way to implement your style. I have good speed. I'm a boxer by nature. I have to find a way to implement that. I plan to. I was able to do it with Dimitrenko."
Indeed, Dimitrenko, while not nearly as good as Klitschko, is almost a physical carbon copy.
Yet Chambers easily outboxed the favorite. He also pounded him to the body, hurt him with both hands and scored two knockdowns.
It's that experience -- fighting on the road against a much bigger man -- that Chambers hopes will pay dividends against Klitschko.
"It was like, 'How lucky are we?' Most people thought, 'Why would you fight this guy?' This is the best opponent we could possibly fight to get prepared for the best heavyweight in the world," Chambers said. "His style and a lot of things he did gave me the confidence that I could go in there and fight with any of the best fighters in the world."
"Eddie has grown tremendously in the last year, and it finally came to fruition in the Dimitrenko fight," said Goossen, who already has seen two of his heavyweights, Tony Thompson and Cris Arreola, get stopped in title fights against the Klitschko brothers -- Arreola by Vitali in September and Thompson by Wladimir in 2008. "He put it all together from an offensive end to with his talent defensively. That is why I believe we will shock the world, but it won't be a shock to us."
Klitschko has a different take.
"I am 33 years old and at the top of my athletic ability," he said. "I have never been so strong, fast and experienced. Eddie is a very talented fighter and has a very difficult style, but I am well prepared to defend my titles. My belts will stay in the Klitschko family."
Besides confidence, Chambers also is now a seasoned pro when it comes to fighting in Germany. This will be his third fight there. He beat Dimitrenko on trip No. 2 but lost an eliminator there to 2004 Olympic gold medalist Alexander Povetkin (the mandatory challenger for the winner of Saturday's fight) in 2008.
Even though Chambers lost in a competitive fight, it turned out to be an important lesson.
"The first time I went [to Germany], I wasn't prepared as mentally as I should have been," he said. "I didn't relax. I was a little on edge. It was my first big fight. It was just something in my mind; I was still kind a kid and not mentally as ready for it. I didn't have as much time to train and I was too uptight. I was just sitting in my room and worrying."
Chambers was much more comfortable when he went there and beat Dimitrenko.
"When I went the second time, I was more relaxed, laughing, enjoying myself and having a good time," he said. "I learned that throughout all the hoopla and pressure, you have to find a way to enjoy it. You have to find that happy medium where you know how serious and how big of a deal it is but also enjoy it. This is something that should be enjoyed. This is the big time, so you should be enjoying it."
"We have mapped out a game plan that will be the plan people will use and see how to beat bigger opponents," said Rob Murray Sr., Chambers' trainer and manager. "We feel very confident. We put the negativity behind us from our first trip here, and we will be up for the challenge and bring back the heavyweight championship of the world to the United States.
"Our plan is to win, and we will win handily. We will win without a doubt. There will be no doubt in anyone's mind."
Donaire-Darchinyan rematch?
The rivalry between junior bantamweight champ Vic Darchinyan and interim titlist Nonito Donaire is perhaps the most compelling in the smaller weight divisions. Ever since Donaire knocked Darchinyan out in the fifth round of a 2007 upset to win a flyweight title, there has been demand for a rematch between these two fighters with power and personality.
But when Donaire dumped promoter Gary Shaw, who also promotes Darchinyan, to sign with Top Rank, Shaw swore there would never be a rematch.
Donaire (23-1, 15 KOs) went about his business and is 5-0 since beating Darchinyan, including a move up in weight to claim an interim belt. Darchinyan (34-2-1, 27 KOs) has remained a regular on Showtime despite the loss and is 6-1-1 since then, including unifying three junior bantamweight belts but also losing to Joseph Agbeko in a bantamweight title shot. And Shaw has softened his stance; with no significant fights on the horizon for either man, Shaw and Top Rank's Bob Arum began talking seriously about a rematch this week, both told ESPN.com. It would take place in August on Showtime.
"I think we've made it, practically," Arum said. "Gary, for all his bluster, is not a hard guy to finalize a deal with. When you sit and talk to him, you can make a deal."
Said Shaw, "Hope we have enough money to make the fight. Not sure what each fighter thinks the fight is worth. My thoughts are, I make whatever fight Vic wants, and he wants revenge against Nonito."
Ahead of the rematch, Arum and Donaire manager Cameron Dunkin said he'll probably fight May 15 on "Top Rank Live" to prepare.
Unhappy Green
Super middleweight Allan Green, the alternate who replaced Jermain Taylor in the Super Six tournament, was upset when titleholder Andre Ward postponed their April 24 bout this week.
Ward, who has a bum right knee, is expected to return in six weeks. Green said he believes Ward is afraid to face him.
"I honestly don't think he will ever get in the ring with me," Green said. "I don't think this is a fight Andre Ward and his people ever wanted. If I had it my way, he'd take a cortisone shot and fight. I seriously doubt he's ever going to fight me. I hope [the injury is] valid, because there's been a lot put into this from everybody involved and there's no time to play games. If he were fighting Jermain Taylor or Sakio Bika, I'm sure he'd be good to go. I'm a fighter. I fight through bumps, bruises and injuries.
"I fought Tarvis Simms with a bad right shoulder. If your knee keeps getting hurt, it could be something chronic and you're probably not going to be ready in six weeks. If your knee is swollen, just take a cortisone shot, stop bitching and get your ass in the ring."
Showtime still will air the other half of the April 24 Super Six doubleheader on same-day tape, England's Carl Froch defending his 168-pound belt on Mikkel Kessler's turf in Denmark.
Dan Rafael covers boxing for ESPN.com.
Source: espn.go.com
Underdog or not, Eddie Chambers exudes confidence.
"This is a tremendous opportunity. I am so excited about it, and I can't wait to get into the ring on Saturday and shock the world," Chambers said this week from Germany.
The 27-year-old Philadelphia fighter was referring to what many view as an uphill battle when he challenges heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko at Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany, where a crowd of more than 50,000 is expected.
Virtually every one of them will be hoping to see another dominant performance from Klitschko, who is making his eighth defense and returning from a nine-month layoff following his domination of Ruslan Chagaev last summer and subsequent shoulder surgery that kept him on the shelf.
Chambers (35-1, 18 KOs), however, says he's in it to win it.
"I want people to see I am one of the better fighters in the world," Chambers said. "I'm excited to fight one of the best fighters of my time and to prove that I'm also one of the best. This is the culmination of all the hard work, and I just can't wait to get it done."
Whatever happens, it will take place without American television coverage, a shocker considering this is a heavyweight championship fight involving a legitimate American challenger. The fight is available in the U.S. only on a pay basis on Klitschko's Web site.
Dan Goossen, Chambers' promoter, said he wasn't upset there will be no television. He's just anxious for Chambers to get his opportunity.
"Eddie is on a mission to show the world he's capable of becoming the next great heavyweight champion," he said. "I can understand the reticence of the networks. Because of [how Klitschko fights], the networks have waned on their interest in Klitschko."
Said Chambers, "I use [no U.S. TV] as more motivation. I agree maybe they're a little tired of watching Klitschko and most people don't think I have a chance and that I don't look like I'm a real threat. I think they're making a huge mistake because this will be one of the best fights of the year. I am going to go in there and give it my all. He'll give it his all."
Chambers has paid his dues and earned his opportunity, regardless of the American networks' distaste for the fight. He's faced good opposition to emerge as a serious contender.
His most notable victories came in his past two fights, decisions against former titleholder Samuel Peter last March and Alexander Dimitrenko on July 4 in Germany, a win that secured him the mandatory shot against Klitschko (53-3, 47 KOs).
Although Chambers will be at a disadvantage in height (6-foot-1 to 6-6) and weight (approximately 210 pounds to 240), he said he isn't concerned. He has speed and plans to use it.
"Most people go in with Wladimir and think they have to adjust their style to coincide with his," Chambers said. "You have to find a way to implement your style. I have good speed. I'm a boxer by nature. I have to find a way to implement that. I plan to. I was able to do it with Dimitrenko."
Indeed, Dimitrenko, while not nearly as good as Klitschko, is almost a physical carbon copy.
Yet Chambers easily outboxed the favorite. He also pounded him to the body, hurt him with both hands and scored two knockdowns.
It's that experience -- fighting on the road against a much bigger man -- that Chambers hopes will pay dividends against Klitschko.
"It was like, 'How lucky are we?' Most people thought, 'Why would you fight this guy?' This is the best opponent we could possibly fight to get prepared for the best heavyweight in the world," Chambers said. "His style and a lot of things he did gave me the confidence that I could go in there and fight with any of the best fighters in the world."
"Eddie has grown tremendously in the last year, and it finally came to fruition in the Dimitrenko fight," said Goossen, who already has seen two of his heavyweights, Tony Thompson and Cris Arreola, get stopped in title fights against the Klitschko brothers -- Arreola by Vitali in September and Thompson by Wladimir in 2008. "He put it all together from an offensive end to with his talent defensively. That is why I believe we will shock the world, but it won't be a shock to us."
Klitschko has a different take.
"I am 33 years old and at the top of my athletic ability," he said. "I have never been so strong, fast and experienced. Eddie is a very talented fighter and has a very difficult style, but I am well prepared to defend my titles. My belts will stay in the Klitschko family."
Besides confidence, Chambers also is now a seasoned pro when it comes to fighting in Germany. This will be his third fight there. He beat Dimitrenko on trip No. 2 but lost an eliminator there to 2004 Olympic gold medalist Alexander Povetkin (the mandatory challenger for the winner of Saturday's fight) in 2008.
Even though Chambers lost in a competitive fight, it turned out to be an important lesson.
"The first time I went [to Germany], I wasn't prepared as mentally as I should have been," he said. "I didn't relax. I was a little on edge. It was my first big fight. It was just something in my mind; I was still kind a kid and not mentally as ready for it. I didn't have as much time to train and I was too uptight. I was just sitting in my room and worrying."
Chambers was much more comfortable when he went there and beat Dimitrenko.
"When I went the second time, I was more relaxed, laughing, enjoying myself and having a good time," he said. "I learned that throughout all the hoopla and pressure, you have to find a way to enjoy it. You have to find that happy medium where you know how serious and how big of a deal it is but also enjoy it. This is something that should be enjoyed. This is the big time, so you should be enjoying it."
"We have mapped out a game plan that will be the plan people will use and see how to beat bigger opponents," said Rob Murray Sr., Chambers' trainer and manager. "We feel very confident. We put the negativity behind us from our first trip here, and we will be up for the challenge and bring back the heavyweight championship of the world to the United States.
"Our plan is to win, and we will win handily. We will win without a doubt. There will be no doubt in anyone's mind."
Donaire-Darchinyan rematch?
The rivalry between junior bantamweight champ Vic Darchinyan and interim titlist Nonito Donaire is perhaps the most compelling in the smaller weight divisions. Ever since Donaire knocked Darchinyan out in the fifth round of a 2007 upset to win a flyweight title, there has been demand for a rematch between these two fighters with power and personality.
But when Donaire dumped promoter Gary Shaw, who also promotes Darchinyan, to sign with Top Rank, Shaw swore there would never be a rematch.
Donaire (23-1, 15 KOs) went about his business and is 5-0 since beating Darchinyan, including a move up in weight to claim an interim belt. Darchinyan (34-2-1, 27 KOs) has remained a regular on Showtime despite the loss and is 6-1-1 since then, including unifying three junior bantamweight belts but also losing to Joseph Agbeko in a bantamweight title shot. And Shaw has softened his stance; with no significant fights on the horizon for either man, Shaw and Top Rank's Bob Arum began talking seriously about a rematch this week, both told ESPN.com. It would take place in August on Showtime.
"I think we've made it, practically," Arum said. "Gary, for all his bluster, is not a hard guy to finalize a deal with. When you sit and talk to him, you can make a deal."
Said Shaw, "Hope we have enough money to make the fight. Not sure what each fighter thinks the fight is worth. My thoughts are, I make whatever fight Vic wants, and he wants revenge against Nonito."
Ahead of the rematch, Arum and Donaire manager Cameron Dunkin said he'll probably fight May 15 on "Top Rank Live" to prepare.
Unhappy Green
Super middleweight Allan Green, the alternate who replaced Jermain Taylor in the Super Six tournament, was upset when titleholder Andre Ward postponed their April 24 bout this week.
Ward, who has a bum right knee, is expected to return in six weeks. Green said he believes Ward is afraid to face him.
"I honestly don't think he will ever get in the ring with me," Green said. "I don't think this is a fight Andre Ward and his people ever wanted. If I had it my way, he'd take a cortisone shot and fight. I seriously doubt he's ever going to fight me. I hope [the injury is] valid, because there's been a lot put into this from everybody involved and there's no time to play games. If he were fighting Jermain Taylor or Sakio Bika, I'm sure he'd be good to go. I'm a fighter. I fight through bumps, bruises and injuries.
"I fought Tarvis Simms with a bad right shoulder. If your knee keeps getting hurt, it could be something chronic and you're probably not going to be ready in six weeks. If your knee is swollen, just take a cortisone shot, stop bitching and get your ass in the ring."
Showtime still will air the other half of the April 24 Super Six doubleheader on same-day tape, England's Carl Froch defending his 168-pound belt on Mikkel Kessler's turf in Denmark.
Dan Rafael covers boxing for ESPN.com.
Source: espn.go.com
Haye wants to retire in 2011 as unified champion -- ESPN
ESPN.co.uk
David Haye has confirmed that he intends to retire from boxing in 2011, ideally as the unified champion of the heavyweight division.
The WBA heavyweight champion Haye must defeat Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko, who together hold all bar one of the division's belts, if he is to become the unified title holder. Fortunately for Haye, both of the Ukrainian brothers have stated their willingness to fight him.
"I've always said I'd be out of boxing by the time I am 31 and that comes next year. It gives me enough time to unify the division and I see no reason why I should fight on after I've reached that age," Haye told The Sun.
Haye's next opponent is the veteran John Ruiz on April 3, as he makes his first defence of the WBA title he won in November. If he wins that bout, he is unconcerned which of the Klitschkos he fights first - as long as he can face-off against both of them eventually.
"After Ruiz - and not for one moment I am underestimating the experience, aggression and sheer will to win he brings to the ring - I don't care whether it's Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko next," Haye said.
"One thing's for sure, those future fights will almost certainly happen in England or Germany. The Klitschkos keep telling everyone they are big in Germany, where I won the title against Valuev last November."
Haye, who is never reluctant to take a verbal swipe at a potential future opponent, aimed some disparaging remarks towards Wladimir.
"I've heard Wladimir has been saying I've a glass jaw. It's a bit rich coming from him considering the number of times he's been battered."
Source: espn.co.uk
David Haye has confirmed that he intends to retire from boxing in 2011, ideally as the unified champion of the heavyweight division.
The WBA heavyweight champion Haye must defeat Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko, who together hold all bar one of the division's belts, if he is to become the unified title holder. Fortunately for Haye, both of the Ukrainian brothers have stated their willingness to fight him.
"I've always said I'd be out of boxing by the time I am 31 and that comes next year. It gives me enough time to unify the division and I see no reason why I should fight on after I've reached that age," Haye told The Sun.
Haye's next opponent is the veteran John Ruiz on April 3, as he makes his first defence of the WBA title he won in November. If he wins that bout, he is unconcerned which of the Klitschkos he fights first - as long as he can face-off against both of them eventually.
"After Ruiz - and not for one moment I am underestimating the experience, aggression and sheer will to win he brings to the ring - I don't care whether it's Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko next," Haye said.
"One thing's for sure, those future fights will almost certainly happen in England or Germany. The Klitschkos keep telling everyone they are big in Germany, where I won the title against Valuev last November."
Haye, who is never reluctant to take a verbal swipe at a potential future opponent, aimed some disparaging remarks towards Wladimir.
"I've heard Wladimir has been saying I've a glass jaw. It's a bit rich coming from him considering the number of times he's been battered."
Source: espn.co.uk
Chambers promises he won't pull a Clottey -- ESPN
By Don Steinberg, ESPN.com
Eddie Chambers has a rep for being too defensive, too cautious. That's how he lost a fight he was winning against Alexander Povetkin in Berlin in January 2008.
During a media call earlier this week, I asked Chambers and his trainer Rob Murray if they watched the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight, which seemed to be a perfect blueprint for how a great defensive fighter can strap on the protective earmuffs and not beat a big puncher. Other reporters seemed concerned, too, that Chambers might go into similar lockdown mode, blocking Wladimir Klitschko's punches without returning enough fire.
"Me and Eddie talked about that," Murray said. "We saw part of that fight. Everybody that you see fight that [defensive] style is landlocked. You're not going to be able to punch with any significance with your hands up in front of your face like that. That's a situation we learned in the Povetkin fight. If you've seen any of Eddie's fight after the Povetkin fight, you notice that he's not doing that anymore."
Chambers promised to find an offensive gear.
"I'm gonna have to find a way to kick the door in," he said. "Obviously, there are times I'm going to pick up the aggression, and other times I'm going to have to wait. This is a chess match, not checkers. You have to be patient or else you might get checkmated."
Translation: checkmated, against a Klitschko at least, means being punched really, really hard.
Source: espn.go.com
Eddie Chambers has a rep for being too defensive, too cautious. That's how he lost a fight he was winning against Alexander Povetkin in Berlin in January 2008.
During a media call earlier this week, I asked Chambers and his trainer Rob Murray if they watched the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight, which seemed to be a perfect blueprint for how a great defensive fighter can strap on the protective earmuffs and not beat a big puncher. Other reporters seemed concerned, too, that Chambers might go into similar lockdown mode, blocking Wladimir Klitschko's punches without returning enough fire.
"Me and Eddie talked about that," Murray said. "We saw part of that fight. Everybody that you see fight that [defensive] style is landlocked. You're not going to be able to punch with any significance with your hands up in front of your face like that. That's a situation we learned in the Povetkin fight. If you've seen any of Eddie's fight after the Povetkin fight, you notice that he's not doing that anymore."
Chambers promised to find an offensive gear.
"I'm gonna have to find a way to kick the door in," he said. "Obviously, there are times I'm going to pick up the aggression, and other times I'm going to have to wait. This is a chess match, not checkers. You have to be patient or else you might get checkmated."
Translation: checkmated, against a Klitschko at least, means being punched really, really hard.
Source: espn.go.com
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