The Neutral Corner

With few options available for Shane Mosely, Kermit Cintron believes now is the perfect time for the two to mix it up.

Cintron (31-2-1, 27 KOs) said as much in an attempt to call out Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs).

“I feel like right now it makes sense,” said Cintron, who scored a unanimous decision victory over Alfredo Anguno in May. “With Cotto fighting Pacquiao and Mayweather fighting Marquez, I don’t see why he wouldn’t take a fight with me.”

With Antonio Margarito, who Mosley took care of with a 9th-round knockout last January, stripped of his license, Cintron could be an option for Mosley.

“It would be a great fight between us. A tough fight between great fighters,” said Cintron. “It’s a big risk, I understand that. But it’s the one fight out there that is easily available for both of us.”

Cintron's promoter, Lou DiBella, concurred.

“Kermit is willing to fight anywhere from 147 to 154 pounds," DiBella said. "I don’t think we would have to spend significant time negotiating to make a fight between these two great warriors.”

Although some would argue fighing Cintron would be a step back for Mosley, it could be his only option. Speculation is rampant that the winners of Pacquiao-Cotto and Mayweather-Marquez would fight each other.

If that is indeed the case, Mosley would have to wait anywhere from 12 to 15 months for his turn. He could take on the loser of either fight, but its unlikely the loser would want to take a fighter of Mosley's caliber so quickly.

- MARCUS HENRY

FUTURE STARS LUIS RAMOS JR., CARLOS MOLINA & RONNY RIOS LATEST TO JOIN GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS' ALL-STAR ROSTER

Here's a press release from Golden Boy Promotions

Hailing from the same Southern California fight scene that launched the career of boxing superstar Oscar de la Hoya, former amateur standouts Luis Ramos Jr., Carlos Molina and Ronny Rios have started on their own roads to glory, already combining for a 23-0 professional record. Now they're teaming up with De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions to take on the world, as this standout trio has signed exclusive promotional agreements with Golden Boy Promotions.

"I followed Luis, Carlos and Ronny as they went through the amateur ranks, immediately recognized their talent and watched how they have gotten better and better with each fight," said De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. "I see a great future in this game for all three of them, both in and out of the ring. While Los Angeles area fans already know this, the rest of the world is going to find out about them very soon."

Frank Espinoza, manager of the Los Angeles area trio added, "I've been privileged to work with these fine young men for a while now and given their potential, Golden Boy Promotions was the only firm we considered teaming up with on our way to world championships. Oscar and his team are the gold standard when it comes to boxing promotion and we couldn't be in better hands."

Ramos Jr., Molina and Rios will make their debuts under the Golden Boy Promotions banner when they each see action on the July 30 "Fight Night Club" event at Club Nokia at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.

Continue reading "Golden Boy Inks three new fighters from Los Angeles" »

The dates for the Group 1 Stage of Showtime's Super Six World Boxing Classic were announced Tuesday by Showtime Sports Senior Vice President and General Manager Ken Hershman. According to a release, venues will be announced soon. The classic will take place in America and Europe.

On Oct. 17, Carl “The Cobra” Froch (25-0, 20 KOs) of Nottingham, England, will defend his WBC title against 2004 Olympic Games medalist Andre “The Matrix’’ Dirrell (18-0, 13 KOs) of Flint, Mich. On the same night, undefeated former middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham (30-0, 24 KOs) of Berlin, Germany, will face former undisputed middleweight titleholder Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor (28-3-1, 17 KOs) of Little Rock, Ark.

The third fight in Group Stage 1 will be Nov. 21 when Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler (41-1, 31 KOs) of Copenhagen, Denmark, defends his WBA title against unbeaten 2004 Olympic Games gold medalist Andre “S.O.G.” Ward (19-0, 12 KOs) of Oakland, Calif.

The tournament will continue in 2010 with Group Stages 2 and 3 with Semi-Finals and Finals in spring 2011. -- CASSIDY

It's the fight Bob Arum hoped for, the fight he had been preaching since Miguel Cotto beat Joshua Clottey. It looks like he's finally made it.

Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 27 KOs) and Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) will square off against each other on November 14 at the MGM Grand, according to ESPN.com.

"It's done," Top Rank's Bob Arum told ESPN.com. "While I was away [on vacation] I reached a verbal agreement with each side. Pacquiao committed to the fight this weekend and Cotto the week before while I was in Israel."

The two will meet at a catch weight of 145 pounds.

Cotto is fresh off a split decision win over Joshua Clotty at Madison Square Garden on June 13. Pacquiao scored an easy knockout over Ricky Hatton on May 2 at the MGM Grand.

Click here for more coverage of the Pacquiao-Cotto fight.

Freddie Roach, one of the more appealing characters to appear on HBO's "24/7" series, gets the spotlight to himself when he is featured on 'Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel' on July 21 on HBO.

Roach, the man who currently trains Manny Pacquiao, has also worked with the likes of Virgil Hill, Oscar De La Hoya, Michael Moorer and Mike Tyson. He is currently battling Parkinson's disease.

The segment on Roach, called, All the Right Moves, was produced by Lisa Bennett and reported by HBO correspondent and former tennis pro Mary Carillo. Here are some quotes from the show that were sent out by HBO:

Mary Carillo: "When he’s busy, which these days is most of the time, the 49-year-old Roach trains fighters 12 hours a day – six days a week. He says it’s all he’s ever known and the only thing he knows how to do. But training’s also become his lifeline…because Roach uses it to combat a debilitating, incurable disease from taking over his body."

She then asks, “This is keeping you healthy? You’re willing to say that?”

Freddie Roach: “100%”

Mary Carillo: “100%?”

Freddie Roach: “Yep. The day I quit this I’ll probably die.”

For more, tune in on July 21. -- CASSIDY

Roy Jones Jr. (left) and Jeff Lacy

Roy Jones Jr. was in full entertainment mode as he and Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy took part in a press conference to promote their bout "Hook City" set for August 15 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi.

"What can I say? I was chosen for the challenge," said Jones. "When you’re challenged, it’s simple. A lot of guys in boxing do a lot of talking...Jeff Lacy said he wants to fight Roy Jones and we’ll get it on."

Jones (53-5, 39 KOs) scored a fifth-round TKO against Omar Sheika in his last bout on March 21.

Jones tried his best not to look past Lacy (25-2, 17 KOs), but when pressed he admitted taking on Danny "Green Machine" Green, who is also on the card, and possibly stepping back into the heavyweight division, could be in his immediate future.

In the 12-round co-feature for the vacant IBO cruiserweight crown, the Australian Green (26-3, 23 KOs) fights in the United States for only the second time, taking on South American light heavyweight king Julio Cesar “La Furia” Dominguez (20-4-1, 14 KOs).

"Four me, I just do whatever is next," said Jones. "[But] it's definitely sounds intriguing to me to go to Australia. After [Green wins] it, then we'll cross that bridge."

As for his hint at making another appearance in the heavyweight division, Jones said he was disturbed at what's been going on. "I might just find myself back up there one more time," said Jones.

As for Lacy, who called out Jones, he thinks there is still plenty of time left for him to rebuild his career. "It's not a crossroads for me. This is just one of those challenges," said the 32-year-old, who one a majority decision over Otis Griffin last April. "I'm still young."

Lightweight contender Verquan “The Show” Kimbrough (21-1-2, 7 KOs) is also scheduled to fight on the PPV card in a 10-round bout

- MARCUS HENRY

Photo Credit: Tom Casino/Square Ring Promotions

The Long Island Amateur Boxing Championships and Charities, Inc., in association with Hempstead Boxing Club, will host a club show at Kennedy Memorial Park in Hempstead on Saturday July 18.

A team of 10 Irish fighters will compete against Long Island fighters. The Irish roster of fighters includes Michael Conlan, Tyrone McKenna, Stephen Donnelly, Patrick Gallagher, Mark Ginley, Niall McGinley, Michael Bustard, Connor Coyle, David Walsh and James Fryers.

In addition to the bouts, the Long Island Amateur Boxing Championship and Charities, Inc. will also announced the winner of its $1,000 scholarship. Eligible boxers who participated had to answer three questions in a 500-word essay format.

1. How can the sport of boxing help the communities that produce its athletes?
2. What can the applicant do to help boxing regain its popularity and acceptance among mainstream Americans?
3. How can the skills learned in your studies be used to make a difference in your
community?

Weigh-ins are at 4:00 PM, boxing begins at 5:30 PM. For information contact Michael Carryl at 917-945-3480, Ewart Chance at 347-661-6911, or Robin Taylor at 917-359-9446. Most bouts will be pre-matched so you may walk in and try to get a bout, but it is recommended that you contact the organizers in advance in order to secure a pre-matched bout.

Here's a release from HBO:

HBO SPORTS DOCUMENTARY ASSAULT IN THE RING REVISITS THE

ILL-FATED 1983 JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT FIGHT BETWEEN

BILLY COLLINS JR. AND LUIS RESTO WHEN IT DEBUTS AUG. 1 ON HBO

HBO Sports presents ASSAULT IN THE RING, a documentary about the ill-fated junior middleweight bout between Billy Collins Jr. and Luis Resto and its subsequent effect on both boxers. Debuting SATURDAY, AUG. 1 (10:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO, the special explores the events that profoundly impacted the New York sports landscape and the world of boxing, and changed the lives of two athletes.

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 1 (3:00 a.m.), 3 (11:00 a.m., 11:00 p.m.), 6 (12:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m.), 9 (10:00 a.m.), 12 (5:20 a.m.), 14 (6:30 p.m.), 18 (4:00 p.m., 12:30 a.m.), 22 (9:30 a.m.) and 29 (6:30 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Aug. 2 (10:00 p.m.), 7 (5:30 p.m.), 11 (2:10 a.m.), 15 (3:30 p.m.), 27 (6:30 p.m.) and 31 (11:00 a.m., 11:00 p.m.)

HBO On Demand availability: Aug. 3-31

“This film will revisit one of boxing’s saddest days,” says Rick Bernstein, executive producer, HBO Sports. “But it’s a compelling story that we feel needs to be told, because so many lives were changed forever on that night at Madison Square Garden. This is an in-depth, comprehensive examination of that tragic event.”

“There were so many unanswered questions surrounding what really happened and who, if anybody, was responsible. What we discovered was much worse than had ever been imagined,” says director and producer Eric Drath. “However, what we ultimately found was a story that went far beyond fact-finding; what unfolded before our cameras is a story of redemption.”

Continue reading "HBO to broadcast 'Assault in the Ring' documentary" »

Here's the latest on the Arturo Gatti story from the AP:

RIO DE JANEIRO — The Brazilian wife of Arturo Gatti asked to be released from jail, where she is held on accusations she strangled the former boxing champion with her purse strap as he drunkenly slept.

Her lawyer told The Associated Press on Tuesday he petitioned a court to release Amanda Rodrigues while the investigation continues. Celio Avelino expects the court in Recife to rule on Wednesday at the earliest.Rodrigues told investigators she awoke Saturday about 6 a.m. to find her husband's body in the apartment they rented in Porto de Galinhas, a seaside resort in Pernambuco state. She then called police, which Avelino said indicates her willingness to help authorities.But police said she was the only suspect and they are certain she killed Gatti in their apartment where they and their 10-month-old son arrived for a second honeymoon last week. The boy was unhurt and was in the care of Rodrigues' family.

Continue reading "Arturo Gatti's wife seeks release from prison" »

On a conference call to hype his Sept. 19 fight with Juan Manual Marquez, Floyd Mayweather Jr. says that Bob Arum is being greedy by suggesting that he and Manny Pacquiao split their purse 50-50 and he says that fight will never happen if it's a 50-50 split.

He also says this about Pac Man: "I feel Manny Pacquiao is a good fighter, he does his job to the best of his ability. Many people forget that Manny Pacquiao got beat by Erik Morales. I am still at the top of my game and I have never been beat. He hasn't done anything that I haven't done."

"I don't really have anything bad to say about Pacquaio. He never called me out. Everyone knows it's not hard to find me."

Floyd also rates Juan Manual Marquez over Manny. He believes Marquez won both fights against Pacquiao and says we all know Bob Arum has a trick up his sleeve.

And more time, Floyd repeats that Pacquiao will never get 50-50 in a fight with Floyd Mayweather. - CASSIDY