Saturday, December 14, 2013
Why Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Vasyl Lomachenko Is a Boxing Purist's Dream Bout
Connoisseurs of subtlety, unite.
While a majority of fans, broadcasters and experts seem to wet their collective pants at the idea of a slugfest and spend sleepless nights pining for a redux of Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward I, II or III, it’s not as if the rest of the boxing world has nothing to live for beyond mindless rock ‘em, sock ‘em robots.
Though it’s true that the over-the-top brutality of James Kirkland vs. Glen Tapia transforms Jim Lampley and Max Kellerman into shrilling tweens at a One Direction show, it’s no less true that the guys at the top of most top-performer lists—Floyd Mayweather Jr., Andre Ward and Timothy Bradley—would sooner be masterful than maniacal when defending their pound-for-pound turfs.
And lest anyone forget, whenever signature purveyors of the technician and Tasmanian devil approaches mix, the results are often devastatingly predictable.
Mayweather obliterated Gatti. Ward whipped Carl Froch. Bradley schooled Juan Manuel Marquez.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Some realities simply do not change.
So, while the caveman world spins its beads in the hope that tough-guy Marcos Maidana scores one for its side against Adrien Broner this weekend (incidentally...he’s got no chance, short of an act of God), those in the civilized sect can look forward to their most recent superstar addition mixing it up with a newcomer who’s abruptly staked a claim to similarly lofty status.
Ready or not, it’s Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Vasyl Lomachenko.
And if you’re not excited about that, well...you should be.
While the network that proffered two seasons of Carnivale holds its nose at the sublime excellence of the 33-year-old Cuban with two Olympic golds and a satchel full of pro hardware, those not blinded to bloodsport only are fully aware of the broad scope of Rigo’s talents.
In 2013 alone, he won 24 of 36 scorecard rounds from reigning Boxing Writers Association of America fighter of the year Nonito Donaire. Then he controlled every second of a dreary encounter with two-time champ Joseph Agbeko, who quickly chose survival over shellacking.
He accomplished all this, incidentally, in just 13 pro fights.
No less an authority than Freddie Roach—a former fighter, current mentor of eight-division champ Manny Pacquiao and five-time winner of the BWAA trainer of the year award—pulled no punches when comparing “The Jackal” to fighters he’d encountered since turning pro in 1978.
Roach told ESPN’s Igor Guryashkin:
He's the best counterpuncher I've ever seen. When I did the pads with him, I simply could not get through his defense. I tried. I couldn't, though.On his first day in the gym, he wanted to spar with Manny Pacquiao. I didn't allow it. I don't want Manny getting that kind of work in sparring. Manny is a bit big for him, but he's an offensive guy and with countering like that, he was more work than I needed.He's one of the greatest talents I've ever seen. Probably the greatest talent.
And in an era when the best fight the best only when it makes business sense—and even then it’s no lock—Rigondeaux is bucking another trend. He’s calling out his highest-quality contemporaries.
His manager John Hyde told Michael Woods of TheSweetScience.com that either a rematch with Donaire or a full-on challenge of Lomachenko is on the agenda for the new year.
Either fight would be great, but the latter would be better.
Based simply on the to-and-fro of the first encounter eight months ago—at the time, the Filipino hadn’t lost in 11 years and was being cast by some for a fast-track bust in Canastota—there’s almost no way a subsequently shell-shocked version can reverse Rigo's level of dominance.
Rigondeaux is smarter and faster, and he punches sharply enough to discourage all-out aggression. Short of such all-in reckless abandon, Donaire has zero chance against the Cuban, which makes a second go-round a little less appealing than the alternative—Lomachenko.
In the 25-year-old Ukrainian, who already matches the Cuban’s dual Olympic pedigree, Rigondeaux would encounter one of the few fighters to reach world-elite status on a more sped-up schedule than his own, which yielded a title belt in fight No. 9 in 2012.
Lomachenko debuted with a clinically punishing fourth-round stoppage of fringe 28-fight contender Jose Ramirez on the Bradley vs. Marquez undercard. He immediately began mentioning other big names in the 122 to 126-lb corridor, including WBO featherweight champ Orlando Salido.
The Ramirez KO positioned him as Salido’s No. 5 contender after just one fight, and a defeat of the respected but limited 33-year-old Mexican, who’s lost 12 times in 55 fights and is teetering toward the brink of being shopworn, would frame a Rigondeaux match nicely for bout No. 3 for Lomachenko.
Skill versus skill. Technique versus technique. Competitive intellect versus competitive intellect. Check your testosterone at the door and may the most complete fighter win.
If you’re a fan of boxing, you’ll flock to whichever network has the smarts to broadcast it.
If it doesn’t reach your threshold for smash and bash, perhaps there’ll be a truck pull on, too.
Broner declares himself heir to Mayweather before Maidana bout
Adrien Broner declared himself the heir to Floyd Mayweather ahead of his WBA welterweight title defence against Marcos Maidana in Texas on Saturday.
Cincinnati native Broner, 24, is a three-weight world champion and won his latest title via a split decision victory over Paulie Malignaggi in June.
"I am going to take over boxing after Floyd Mayweather," said Broner.
"We've just got to get this stepping stone out of the way. Maidana is a good fighter but he's not on my level."
Broner is undefeated in 27 professional fights, with 22 knockouts, and is one of boxing's most outspoken and polarising characters.
And while comparisons have been made between Broner and pound-for-pound king Mayweather, Maidana believes he has the tools to relieve the pretender of his title.
"Everyone knows that Broner has a big mouth,'' said Maidana, 30, who has 34 wins (31 KOs) and three defeats from 37 fights.
"But that doesn't bother me, because his mouth can't fight for him. Whether he has the guts to stand in front of me or if he runs, I'll definitely go for the KO. Either way, I'm leaving the ring with the belt."
Maidana is a former light-welterweight world champion and came close to knocking out Britain's Amir Khan in 2010, only to lose on a unanimous decision.
And Broner, who fights Maidana at the Alamodome in San Antonio, did at least admit the heavy-hitting Argentine posed the biggest threat of his career so far.
"I'm not going to lie, this is the biggest fight of my career," said Broner, a former world champion at super-featherweight and lightweight.
"Maidana's going to try to come fight me, he's going to try to break my neck. So I'm ready, I'm focused.
"It's going to be a hell of a fight. I don't go for knockouts but I really feel I'm going to knock this guy out, I'm going to be his first stoppage.
"I don't even think I've shown all of my abilities yet. Maidana is a different type of fighter and he might bring something else out of Adrien Broner the world hasn't seen yet."
Broner is in theory a future opponent for five-weight world champion Mayweather, who is expected to defend his WBC welterweight title against Khan next May.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Leo Santa Cruz: I will go out there and leave it all in the ring
WBC Super bantamweight champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (25-0-1, 15 KOs) of Lincoln Heights, California by way of Michoacan, Mexico is ready for Saturday’s fight against Puerto Rico’s Cesar Seda (25-1, 17 KOs) at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas live on Showtime Championship Boxing.
“I feel good. I am in good condition. We are ready for December 14,” Santa Cruz told Fightnews.com when we caught up with him after an intense workout with his trainer and father Jose Santa Cruz at his training headquarters at the Who’s Next Boxing Academy in Industry, California.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Q&A: Juergen Braehmer
Several years ago when Juergen Braehmer was still under the Universum banner, he was dubbed “The thousand year talent” by his then-promoter, Klaus Peter Kohl. Such lofty praise was always going to be very difficult to live up to.
As things transpired, Braehmer, now 35 years old, made a run as WBO light heavyweight for 18 months, making two defenses. However, trouble outside the ring was never far away. He was incarcerated in the early 2000’s and out of boxing for 3 years before finding himself on the wrong side of the law again more recently.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Roy Jones Jr. to fight in Moscow on December 21
Square Ring Promotions and Hrunov Promotions announced today that Roy Jones Jr. (56-9, 40 KOs) would be back in the ring on December 21, 2013 in Moscow, Russia in a 12 round WBU Cruiserweight title fight against Frenchman Zine Eddine Benmakhlouf (17-3-1, 8 KOs).
“Roy is excited to be coming back to Russia to fight, and we are very happy that we were able to put this together so quickly with our good friend and partner Vlad Hrunov,” said John Wirt, CEO of Square Ring Promotions. “We are disappointed that the fight with Bobby Gunn didn’t happen, but there were just too many loose ends, and it was taking far too long. Vlad came forward and closed the deal on Monday. We have a longstanding relationship with him and his team and knew that he could make it happen.”
“I told Bobby that I would fight him. I meant it then and mean it now,” said Roy Jones. “On Saturday, John told me that they were still trying to make changes to the contract, but that he could make a deal with Vlad, so I told him that the first one to close a deal was where I was gonna go and Russia won. That’s why we’re calling this fight ‘Winner Take All.’”
“This is my early Christmas present to all Russian boxing fans,” said Vlad Hrunov. “Most Americans don’t realize how much Roy is loved here in Russia—he’s bigger than Ali or Tyson. Russian fans want to root for Roy—that’s why I picked a foreign opponent for him. December 21 is going to be a huge Christmas party and a great night of boxing.”
“I encouraged Roy to take the fight in Russia,” said McGee Wright, Jones’ longtime manager. “We have been developing the Russian market for the past couple of years and it was the perfect time for Roy to fight there again. It’s always a pleasure to visit, and we are looking forward to another RJJ classic!”
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
The challenge Malignaggi vs. Judah for the virtual title of "Champion of Brooklyn"
Two former world champions Zab Judah (42-8, 29 KO’s) and Paulie Malignaggi (32-5, 7 KO’s) will step inside the ring this Saturday night to face off on Showtime at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. There won’t be a major world title on the line for this fight, because both guys are coming off of close 12 round decision defeats in their previous fights. However, the vacant NABF welterweight title will be up for grabs for this one, but I’m not sure that’s an appealing belt for them because it doesn’t carry the same weight that the major title straps do.Judah has the speed, power and the boxing ability to beat Malignaggi. But Judah is going to have to show the same toughness that he did in his last fight against Danny Garcia for him to get the win, because Malignaggi will be fighting hard to win this fight because he realizes what’s at stake if he loses.
This is a crossroads fight for both Judah and Malignaggi, because both guys are getting up there in age in their 30s, and neither of arguably have the talent to compete against the best in their weight classes.
Malignaggi was the WBA welterweight title briefly after being WBA paper champion Vyacheslav Senchenko by a 9th round TKO last year in April to grab his WBA 147 lb. title. But Malignaggi looked terrible in his first defense of the belt in barely beating fringe contender Pablo Cesar Cano last year in October.
And then in Malignaggi’s second defense, he was beaten by Adrien Broner by a 12 round split decision last June. While it was definitely a close fight, it’s clear that Malignaggi lost the fight. Broner’s performance in that fight wasn’t impressive, and it’d difficult to picture him beating the better welterweights in the division like Keith Thurman, Devon Alexander or Kell Brook.
We’re not even talking about the top guys Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, because Broner is simply not in their class. But Malignaggi’s loss to Broner kind of put things in perspective as far as Malignaggi’s talent goes and what he has left in the tank at 33.
Judah just turned 36 last October, and he was beaten by WBA/WBC light welterweight champion Danny Garcia by a 12 round unanimous decision last April in a close fight. It was close, but Judah still lost, and he’s now been beaten in 2 out of his last 3 fights. With his hand speed and power, Judah probably has the talent to still hold down one of the world titles at 140.
I would favor him against IBF light welterweight champion Lamont Peterson if he could get a fight against him, but Judah doesn’t have a lot of time to wait a couple of years before he can face Peterson. At 36, Judah can’t be waiting around for long periods of time to face paper champions because it’s not worth it. He’s better off fighting the best fighters he can and ignoring the titles.
Malignaggi will need to do more than jabbing and throwing an occasional power shot in order to have a chance to beat Judah on Saturday. It’s going to take a lot more of a concerted effort from Malignaggi to win.
Vitali Klitschko defuses riot
WBC heavyweight titleholder Vitali Klitschko, a 42-year-old Ukrainian presidential candidate, defused a potentially violent demonstration between anti-government protesters and police on Sunday in Kiev,according to reports.
A video on YouTube.com shows the 6-foot-7 Klitschko, who is an opposition leader, using a bullhorn to quiet outraged crowd members who are demanding the resignation of president Viktor Yanukovich.
At one point, KIitschko is hoisted above the crowd by some of his supporters, bullhorn in hand.
"I am telling you, get back," said Klitschko, in part, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. "You have no business here. Don't fall into a trap."
In July of 2012, Klitschko was injured during a similar protest when the fighter suffered a gash on his left arm had to have his eyes treated after having been sprayed with teargas.
Having announced his presidential candidacy in October, Klitschko (45-2, 41 knockouts), who has not been in the ring since last September when he made the 10th defense of his belt with a fourth-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Manuel Charr, has been given until Dec. 15 to announce whether or not he will retire, according to the WBC secretary general Mauricio Sulaiman.
The WBC's three highest ranked contenders to Klitschko's title are, in order from 1-to-3, mandatory challenger Bermane Stiverne, Chris Arreola, and Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder, according to Sulaiman.
Chisora returns February 8, targets Price or Fury
Heavyweight star Dereck Chisora begins his 2014 world title campaign on Saturday 8th February at London’s Copper Box Arena and aims to end the year as world champion. Chisora finished off Czech Ondrej Pala inside three rounds at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday night to successfully defend his WBO Intercontinental belt and add the Vacant WBA International title to add to his European crown.
British Champion David Price is obligated to face Chisora on February 8th at the Copper Box Arena, as per the terms of the purse bid won by promoter Frank Warren, if Price withdraws from the fight then Chisora hopes he can entice rival Tyson Fury into the opposite corner next to avenge his July 2011 points loss.
“I’m happy with the win on Saturday night against Pala and now I’m focused on finally becoming world champion next year and bringing the world title back to Britain. Pala gave it a good go and did land some shots early on, but remember he was the third replacement opponent and then when I turned on the power in the third round I got him out of there. I’m pleased with the performance but there is still plenty of room for improvement.
“I started they year without a boxing license and through hard work and determination I’ve ended the year as the European, WBO Intercontinental and WBA International champion and now I’m in pole position for a world title shot next year,”
“I’ve got myself into fantastic condition and I’m doing the business in the ring, now it’s all steam ahead for the world title. I don’t care who’s in the opposite corner on February 8th, it can be David Price or Tyson Fury, I want that world title and if either of them are in my way they are getting knocked out.”
Also expected to feature on the next multi-title Copper Box Arena show will be Enfield super-middleweight star Frank Buglioni, who captured his first professional title on Saturday night when he destroyed Stepan Horvath with a devastating body shot in the eighth round, plus British and Commonwealth Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders and newly crowned English Welterweight Champion Bradley Skeete. An action-packed undercard with the best up-and-coming talent will also feature.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Jack Culcay returns Dec 14 with new trainer
Light middleweight Jack Culcay (15-1, 10 KOs) is the latest addition to the undercard for the vacant WBA world light heavyweight title clash between Juergen Braehmer and Marcus Oliveira on December 14. The 28-year-old, who regained the WBA Intercontinental Title in October, is set to defend against Dieudonne Belinga (11-3) at the Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg, Germany.
However, there has been one big change in “Golden Jack’s” team: Fritz Sdunek is no longer part of it, replaced by renowned British coach Gary Logan. Moritz Klatten, Culcay’s manager: “Fritz Sdunek is one of Germany’s most respected and successful coaches.
Though, due to commitments to other fighters, he could not focus enough on Culcay in the recent past. Therefore, we have split with him by mutual agreement.
” According to Klatten, Logan is the perfect replacement to Sdunek. “He has already trained and seconded world-class boxers such as George Groves and David Haye. We believe that Jack will progress under his tutelage.”
Nietes KOs Gutierrez in 3; Sabillo-Buitrago ends in thrilling draw
MANILA, Philippines – With bigger purses available elsewhere, it's rare that world title fights land in the Philippines, leaving Filipino boxing fans to admire their champions from afar.
Saturday night’s double world title bill was a rare treat for Filipino boxing fans, as two of their native titleholders were afforded the opportunity to make defenses on home soil.
In front of a sparse, yet passionate crowd at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines, WBO junior flyweight titleholder Donnie Nietes and WBO strawweight titleholder Merlito Sabillo – both of Bacolod City – retained their titles.
In the main event, Nietes (32-1-4, 18 knockouts) blasted out overmatched Mexican Sammy Gutierrez (33-10-2, 23 KOs) of Puebla, Mexico at 2:58 of round three, while Sabillo (23-0, 12 KOs) retained his title with a split-decision draw against mandatory challenger Carlos Buitrago (27-0-1, 16 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua.
Nietes, who has reigned as champion for six years across two divisions, dropped the overmatched Gutierrez twice in round one on right crosses before knocking him out with a picture-perfect counter right in the third.
Gutierrez, who hadn’t fought since being stopped in three rounds last December against Raul Garcia, was selected by ALA Promotions as a safe tuneup for a rematch between Nietes and Moises Fuentes, who held Nietes to a draw in their first meeting in March.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldageur says he has held talks with Top Rank boss Bob Arum about holding the rematch next year, either in Macau or Singapore in April or May.
"I feel there were times that he learned from their first fight," said Aldegeur of Nietes' upcoming rematch with Fuentes. "I think he fought the wrong fight in that fight. He wanted to knock the guy out. I think there will be a chance that he'll show more in the rematch because he has learned from those mistakes."
While the Nietes outcome was never in doubt from the moment the fight was signed, Sabillo and Buitrago was looked at as the real event of the night.
The two undefeated fighters didn’t disappoint.
For 12 rounds, the two passed the momentum back-and-forth, as Buitrago’s slick counterpunching and combinations clashed with Sabillo’s raw southpaw aggression and hard left crosses.
The bout took on the appearance of a poor man’s Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez I – minus three first round knockdowns.
Rounds eight and nine were instant classics as both Sabillo and Buitrago exchanged brutally, with Buitrago backing up and throwing counterpunches and Sabillo banging away relentlessly.
Sabillo was stunned badly by a Buitrago overhand right in the ninth, but after regaining his composure, raised his arms ala Pacquiao to the crowd's delight.
In the end, a draw was the only worthy outcome as neither deserved to lose. The scorecards were 115-113 for Sabillo, 115-113 for Buitrago and 114-114 even.
Afterwards, a despondent Buitrago wondered aloud whether the decision would’ve gone in his favor in another locale.
“A draw in his home country means I really won,” said Buitrago, THE RING’s no. 6 strawweight contender, despite the three judges being from the United States, Germany and Japan. The referee Jack Reiss was from the United States, as well.
Aldegeur said that he will await the WBO’s decision on ordering a rematch but conceded that one is usually in order when a mandatory challenger holds a champion to a draw. Still, he doesn't expect the rematch to be an immediate one.
"I feel that the decision was fair enough because you have to give credit to the world champion. [Sabillo] was the aggressor," said Aldegeur. "It depends on how you look at it. He brought the fight to the challenger.
"I think Sabillo will learn from this, he didn't have any amateur background and fought a guy like Buitrago. I think is something that will be big for him to learn from in the future."
Flyweight contender Milan Melindo (30-1, 12 KOs) showed no ill effects following his first career defeat, outboxing and outslugging former title challenger Jose Alfredo Rodriguez (29-3, 18 KOs) en route to a 12-round unanimous decision victory. The scores were 118-110, 118-109, 119-109.
Melindo, 25, of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines displayed a dominating jab and impressive counterpunching abilities, picking off Rodriguez, 24, of Mazatlan, Mexico continuously.
Melindo rocked Rodriguez repeatedly, particularly with a left hook in the third round, but was never able to drop his foe. Melindo was cut late in the fight on the bridge of the nose by a head clash.
The bout was Melindo's first fight back following a spirited, but losing effort to WBA/WBO flyweight titleholder Juan Estrada in July. Rodriguez's only prior defeats were against Alberto Rossel and Kazuto Ioka in world title fights.
Earlier in the night, two-time world title challenger AJ Banal (30-2-1, 21 KOs) won a unanimous decision over Manuel Gonzalez Garcia (16-8-2, 5 KOs) of the Dominican Republic. The scores were 98-92 on two cards and 100-90 on the third, which didn't reflect the competitive nature of the fight.
Banal has now won two straight since being stopped by Pungluang Sor Singyu last November in a vie for the vacant WBO bantamweight title.
Rigondeaux vs Agbeko this 7 November in Atlantic City
This Saturday night, WBA/WBO super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (12-0, 8 KO’s) will be defending his title against former IBF bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko (29-4, 22 KO’s) on HBO from the Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. Rigondeaux, 33, hasn’t fought since dominating Nonito Donaire in winning an easy 12 round unanimous decision last April in New York.Sunday, December 1, 2013
Zhong retains WBC belt in China
WBC minimumweight champion Xiong Zhao Zhong (22-4-1, 12 KOs) retained his title in a one-sided affair against late sub Lookrak Kiatmungmee (7-5, 4 KOs) on Saturday night in Maguan, China.
The fight ended in a fifth round KO for Zhong, who defended his belt for the second time.
The fight ended in a fifth round KO for Zhong, who defended his belt for the second time.
Another (Bizarre) Stoppage in the UK: Chisora Halts Pala
London, England: The United Kingdom is becoming to quick stoppages what Germany is to hometown decisions, which, needless to say, is not a good thing. Last weekend, Howard John Foster stopped a thrilling fight between George Groves and Carl Froch in what had to be one of the most inept and premature stoppages to a boxing match ever witnessed. It was Hasim Rahman-David Tua I level awful. And, not to be inconsistent, they managed to do it again, as referee Jan Christensen made another strange and early intervention in the third round of a bout between Derrick “Del Boy” Chisora and Ondrej Pala, which had been a thoroughly competitive affair through the first two and half rounds.Dereck Chisora stops Czech fighter Ondrej Pala in third round
Briton Dereck Chisora beat Ondrej Pala with a third-round stoppage at the Copper Box in London.
The referee stepped in after Chisora forced his Czech opponent to turn his back with a succession of fierce blows.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Carl Froch At The Crossroads
Boxing is a savage and fickle sport, and a fighter’s career can change dramatically in a matter of minutes between those four ropes. It can change with a single punch, or a hastily taken decision.
Although, officially Carl Froch retained his WBA and IBF world super-middleweight title belts last Saturday night (Nov 23rd) with a brave come from behind 9th round stoppage of challenger George Groves, he emerged from his victory battered and shaken, both physically and 
psychologically. In the days since, what was a marvellous shootout, the general consensus has been that the stoppage was woefully premature, and robbed Groves of a possible chance of victory. It is a view, which the 20,000 crowd in attendance voiced in no uncertain terms.
psychologically. In the days since, what was a marvellous shootout, the general consensus has been that the stoppage was woefully premature, and robbed Groves of a possible chance of victory. It is a view, which the 20,000 crowd in attendance voiced in no uncertain terms.
The crowd let its feelings be known very clearly in the moments after Howard Foster’s brutal interruption of what had been a classic contest. His actions provoked loud protests and derision, which at one point, threatened to spill over out of control. Froch also heard the protests and the anger, and as he raised his arms in victory as he heard the boos. It was a sound that must have hurt him more deeply than any Groves’ punch he took during the fight. Even the right hand, which laid him out on his back in the first round. The aftermath of the fight has been almost as brutal for Froch as the fight itself. The clamour has grown for him to grant an immediate rematch to his young tormentor, while the protests and anger at the stoppage (and the scoring of the fight) itself, have grown and grown. None more so than from Groves himself, who has left no doubt bout his feelings that Froch was favoured by both the referee and the judges on the night, and his defeat was nothing short of a robbery to save a high profile champion, who had big fights awaiting him in the future.
Froch has been left a man in turmoil. ’The Cobra’ finds himself at a crucial crossroads in his career. Always a proud man, who relishes his image as a warrior that has ducked no one during his career, Froch finds himself suddenly accused of doing just that, after his failure to follow up on his post-fight offer of a rematch to Groves. Although Froch publicly offered his brave challenger another shot at his title, in the heated moments following the match, when both men were being interviewed at ringside, in the days since, Froch has sought to distance himself from such a promise, and asked for time to reflect. The champion knows that the path he chooses from here will decide not only the conclusion of a career, which now seems destined to end sooner rather than later, but it will also have a massive impact upon his legacy as a fighter and a champion.
During the tense run up to their confrontation, Froch made it clear that to lose his world titles to a domestic opponent would represent the ultimate failure for him, and in his eyes at least, severely damage his legacy. Therefore, Saturday’s fight and its controversy and repercussions, must be no less than the ultimate nightmare for ’The Cobra’. Indeed, if anything could be worse than defeat for a fighter of Froch’s mentality, it would be to hold on to his titles with an ill-gotten, controversial victory.
With talk already from some sides about a possible Froch vs. Groves rematch taking place next summer at an open air venue such as Wembley Stadium, it would seem that the call of a second fight with Groves would be both too loud and too profitable for ’The Cobra’ to ignore. However, he has other options, which may pull him in a different direction than a Groves rematch.
Before the Groves fight, Froch was talking about a rematch with American Andre Ward, in order to reverse the defeat that Ward inflicted upon him in their super six-tournament final in late 2011. Ironically, since Saturdays fight, Ward seems more agreeable to meeting Froch in the ring again. Perhaps partly due to ’The Cobra’ now being open to travelling to Las Vegas, rather than holding out for Ward to come to England. In recent days, Froch has stated a preference to facing Ward in a rematch in Las Vegas, in what would be his finale. It seems that Froch is now looking at having one more fight and calling it a career, and that George Groves may not fit into this plan.
This option is not so clear-cut for Froch. With the inconclusiveness of Saturday’s fight still ringing in his ears, there are those who would accuse him of ducking Groves, if he were to opt for a swan song fight in Las Vegas against Ward. Though Ward is hardly an easier fight for Froch, the fact is that in fighting the American, Froch would have less to lose than if he were to grant Groves a rematch. If he lose’s to Ward again, it would be a loss to a man who is considered one of the best boxers in the world pound-for-pound. On the other hand, Groves is still a young fighter making his reputation, and a loss to Groves, a domestic rival, would be far more damaging. This is something that Froch dreads, to end his career losing his crown to Groves, would not carry the prestige of losing to a man already rated amongst the best of the world pound-for-pound.
Another option, which has been mooted these past few days, is a Froch vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight. This would be an even harder sell with the public for Froch. Other than his huge Mexican fan-base, Chavez brings little to the table, having failed to score a meaningful win at 168, and looked very poor in his last fight against Brian Vera. However, a Froch vs. Chavez Jr. bout would most likely still sell well in America, but there is little doubt that Froch’s British fans would be far from satisfied if he decided to go down the Chavez Jr. route. Indeed, it would look like a case of ’The Cobra’ taking the easiest option on his way out of the hardest game.
Perhaps one question should be whether Froch cares, as much now about how he is perceived by the fans, and the legacy that he leaves behind when he chooses to retire. It is possible that Saturday’s experience, and hearing himself booed by 20,000 people after he had just spent the best part of forty minutes fighting for his life, may well have changed the champion’s outlook. Could Froch really be blamed if he now took the easiest route available for him to have one more big payday and then get out while he is still in one piece? Especially when a second fight with Groves looks to be so potentially risky and damaging.
Froch has always had a rather fraught relationship with Britain’s boxing fans. Early on in his career ’The Cobra’ was largely ignored, despite winning the domestic championships, and steadily propelling himself up into the world rankings. When he did get attention, he was usually faulted for his low held left hand, lack of defence, and slow, rather clumsy style. It was only after Froch won the World super-middleweight title in 2008, after an epic fight with Jean Pascal, in what turned out to be the first of a five-year run of exciting world championship fights, that Froch began to gain the affection and recognition which he craved. In the five years since the Pascal fight, ‘The Cobra’ has taken part in a string of high quality world championship contests, which mark him out as one of Britain’s most exciting fighters of modern times. It is a reputation that Froch has coveted up until now.
Then came last Saturday, and the phrase ‘hero to zero’ may well have run through Froch’s head at some point in the past few days. While there is little doubt that the fight was stopped prematurely by referee Howard Foster, and that the judge’s score cards have poured fuel on the simmering sense of injustice, it is also true that the treatment of Carl Froch by the 20,000 spectators post fight, and by many in the days since, has been cruel and unfair.
While a win for Froch in a rematch against Groves would be a great asset for Froch, a loss to Groves would be potentially career ending and scupper ‘The Cobra’s’ ambitions of an Andre Ward rematch. ‘The Cobra’ must balance the risks of taking on Groves, against the long term risks of avoiding a rematch, and always having to live with that factor in his legacy. It depends what does Froch view as the worst scenario, a Groves’ win or Froch being accused of ducking him.
So now ‘The Cobra’ finds himself at the crossroads, as he seeks to end his career on his own terms. Should we blame him if he perhaps decides not to give the public what they want this time, but instead to do what is best for him? It is a puzzle to which only he will be able to find the true answer.
Source: the Boving Tribune
Friday, November 29, 2013
Former heavyweight champ Herbie Hide jailed
CAMBRIDGE, England (AP) -- Former heavyweight champion Herbie Hide has been sentenced to 22 months in jail for agreeing to sell cocaine in an undercover operation by a British newspaper.
The 42-year-old Briton's sentence was reduced at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday because of the entrapment tactics by the Sun on Sunday newspaper in meetings set up in January and February.
Hide has had previous convictions for criminal damage, battery, threatening behavior and carrying a knife.
His lawyer, Martin Budworth, said his client is a ''shy man and a vulnerable man and was ripe for the picking.''
Hide became WBO champion in 1994 and again in 1997.
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