The Neutral Corner

What happens when you have two boxers who no one wants to fight? Simple, have those boxers fight each other. That’s what’s going to happen on April 11 on HBO when Paul Williams (36-1, 27 KOs) takes on Ronald “Winky” Wright (51-4-1, 25 KOs) at the Mandalay Bay.

Talk about two underappreciated fighters. Wright hasn’t fought since suffering a unanimous decision loss to Hopkins in July of 2007, while Williams hasn’t had a big name opponent since beating Antonio Margarito in 2007.

Both fighters spoke to the frustration of not being able to land the top fights during a recent pre-fight conference call.

“It's tough when nobody wants to fight you and you see all these other fighters getting fights,” Wright said. “You can't get the fight just because nobody wants to fight you. It isn’t because you ain't good enough. It's just they don't want to fight you.”

Dan Goossen presented a list of six fighters who avoided Wright during his near two-year layoff, which, at least in part, was the reason for his time off. Arthur Abraham, Vernon Forrest, Mikkel Kessler and Jermain Taylor were among the names.

“He even made it clear to me that he would go over to Europe to fight these guys,” Goossen said.

Wright did admit that he had been caring for his 22-month old son during his time off.

Williams has faced the same problems as Wright. For Williams, though, fighters have avoided him out of fear, while Wright’s ugly style has made him unattractive.

Williams’ height and long reach has scared off most of the top welterweights. “One of the reasons we're coming up to 160 pounds is because the guys that should be fighting Paul at 147 obviously are looking to fight someone else,” Goossen said.

Williams added: "Well, it's always frustrating when you can't get a fight, you know. I mean especially when you see the best fighters out there that are around your weight class avoiding you like the plague. They're avoiding you by any means necessary."

It's unclear where either fighter will go after their bout, but it's certainly clear that both want more.

- MARCUS HENRY

Photo credit: AP

Open Letter from Irish Ropes

After reading some derogatory stories unfairly criticizing Irish Ropes Promotions for canceling its March 16th scheduled “Erin Go Brawl II” pro boxing show at WaMu Theater in Madison Square Garden, I am compelled to set the record straight about why we pulled the plug 10 days out and to explain what really happened leading up to the final decision.

First, though, I’d like to offer my condolences to Liam Neeson, and his family, for the loss of his wife. He attended several of the shows we promoted and I met him at many Irish benefits. Liam is a great man.

Continue reading "Irish Ropes president Eddie McLoughlin speaks" »

Anyone looking for boxing's next great super middleweight, check out Andre Dirrell. Dirrell was brilliant as he dominated Derrick Findley (13-3, 8 KOs), who didn't answer the bell for the seventh round at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma on Saturday.

Dirrell, a 2004 Olympic Bronze Medalist, ran his record to 18-0 with 13 knockouts.

Dirrell is a powerful supermiddleweight with great quickness. He uses several different stances and styles, including southpaw. Does that sound familiar? Some would say this is a reach, but his body type and flare for the dramatic is a little reminiscent of a young Roy Jones Jr.

Dirrell still has a long way to go, but it won't be long before he gets off the ShoBox cards and lands in some big money fights. Like Jones, Dirrell was brash and confident after his win.

“I’ll fight any of the champions right now,’’ Dirrell said during his TV interview after the fight. “It doesn’t matter which one. I’m greedy. I want all the belts.’’

The other main event of the ShoBox card featured Harry Joe Yorgey (22-0-1, 10 KOs) stopping Ronald Hearns (21-1, 17 KOs) with a ninth-round knockout.

Yorgey scored three knockdowns in the fight.

- MARCUS HENRY

Photo Courtesy: ShoBox

The hand wraps confiscated from Antonio Margarito on the eve of his welterweight title fight with Shane Mosley in January had two elements of plaster of Paris (calcium and sulfur), according to a Los Angeles Times report.

Tests of the wraps were conducted by the Department of Justice laboratory.

Margarito and his trainer Javier Capetillo had their licenses revoked by the California State Athletic Commission on February 10. Neither can partcipate in boxing for at least a year and must reapply for their licenses.

So where does this leave Margarito? Although Margarito is promoted by Bob Arum, who also promotes Miguel Cotto, it's hard to see him getting a big-money fight anytime in the near future. Stranger things have happened, but Margarito is damaged goods. If he could've defeated Mosely without the illegal substance, it would be a different story.

Margarito's promoter Arum, who said last month that he'd like to have his fighter resurface in Mexico later this year, wouldn't comment on the LA Times report other than to say "I'd have to see [the report]."

The current issue of The Ring magazine has 21 pages dedicated to coverage of the upcoming fight between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton. One of the features has 20 experts predicting the winner of the fight and 17 have picked Pacquiao. The three experts who have selected Hatton are Steve Bunch (television commentator) by late-round stoppage; Mark Collings (Esquire UK) mid- to late-round stoppage and Stuart Brennan (Manchester Evening News), possibly late-round stoppage.

Interestingly, two men who have fought Hatton -- Paulie Malignaggi and Luis Collazo -- both pick Pacquiao to win. And David Diaz, who fought Pac Man, also picks Manny by TKO.

Jack Hirsch, president of the Boxing Writers Association of America, has announced the names of the 2008 BWAA award winners. Here's the release:

For the second time, Manny Pacquiao has been voted the BWAA's Edward J. Neil award for "Fighter of the Year." Pacquiao also won it in 2006. Joining Pacquiao in the winner's circle is his trainer Freddie Roach, who took home the Futch-Condon award for "Trainer of the Year." Roach previously won this award in both 2003 and 2006.

Joe Calzaghe was runner-up to Pacquiao in "Fighter of the Year" honors, but did not end up empty-handed. The Welshman who retired undefeated earlier this year won the Al Buck award for "Manager of the Year." Calzaghe's victory is not without precedent. Two other self-managed world champions have had this honor bestowed upon them: George Foreman in 1994 and Bernard Hopkins in 2004.

ShoBox commentator Steve Farhood won the prestigious Walker Award for "Long and Meritorious Service." For Farhood this is the second major award he has won. In 2002 he was voted the Sam Taub Award for "Excellence in Broadcast Journalism." This year's Taub recipient is HBO's Harold Lederman. Lederman, known as boxing's unofficial judge, was a 2005 award winner in the "Good Guy" category.

The "Good Guy" Award, named after Marvin Kohn, will be bestowed upon Alan Hopper of Don King Productions. The closest race was for the Crawford Award, awarded for "perseverance in overcoming adversity." It was a tie between world renowned journalist George Kimball and former world champion Genaro Hernandez. Both will be honored.

The "Fight of the Year" was the rubber-match barnburner between Israel Vazquez and Raul Marquez. It was 12 rounds of sustained fury in which Vazquez won a close decision. -- CASSIDY

Roy Jones Jr. promoted a mixed boxing-MAA card Saturday night in his hometown of Pensacola, Florida. Jones beat Omar Sheika in the main event. Here is a fight report courtesy of boxing PR man Bob Trieger:

Continue reading "Roy Jones Jr. stops Sheika; Lashley beats Guida in MMA bout" »

Here's an interesting item from the AP -- The 14-year-old son of rock singer John Mellencamp has won his first bout in the Indiana Golden Gloves boxing tournament. Hud Mellencamp earned a 4-1 decision over Tate Sturgeon of Lafayette, Indiana, on Thursday night in a 132-pound bout at Tyndall Armory in Indianapolis.

Mellencamp boxes for the Indy Police Athletic League. His next fight will be April 16 against Cody Bennett of the Southpaw Boxing Club of Owensboro, Kentucky.

Vitali Klitschko scored a ninth-round TKO of Juan Carlos Gomez to retain his WBC heavyweight title in Stuttgart, Germany.

Klitschko dominated the fight, wearing down Gomez, a former cruiserweight champion, with pawing, yet hard, left jabs, and slashing right hands. Gomez was cut over both eyes. Klitschko suffered a cut high on the right side of his scalp. Several times throughout the contest it appeared that Gomez, a Cuban defector, had turned his back in an attempt to quit. But each time, he fought on.

There is something about both Klitschkos -- Wladimir and Vitali -- that no matter who they fight, they leave you wanting for more. Even in a dominant performance such as today's, this corner is often left wondering, is that it? Perhaps those are the expectations that come along with being over 6-5 and over 240 pounds. Perhaps the expectations shouldn't be that high.

ESPN broadcast the fight on ESPN Classic. It will be replayed at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2. -- CASSIDY

For the first time in its history, ESPN will broadcast a heavyweight championship fight live. It happens today at 6 p.m. ET when Vitali Klitschko defends his WBC title against Juan Carlos Gomez from Stuttgart, Germany. The fight will on ESPN Classic.

Klitschko weighed in at 249 pounds while Gomez scaled 230.

Said Klitschko at the weigh-in: "We have been talking enough. Now, I will let my fists do the talking."

Added Gomez: "I will embarrass Vitali in a way that he will quit boxing. I am sure to win the belt."

ESPN2 will re-air the fight 7 p.m. ET. -- CASSIDY

At the final press conference in Pensacola, to hype the upcoming Roy Jones Jr.-MMA card, Bobby Lashley read some excerpts at the podium of what Jason Guida had been saying in the press. At that time, Guida shot back with, "This is a real fight. Not what you have been used to. This is not fake - these are real punches."

When it was time to do the "face-off" photo, the matter escalated to the point where Guida grabbed Lashley by the throat. "Promoter" Roy Jones, Jr. had to get between them to break it up. Here is the video courtesy of YouTube:

Photo courtesy EMC

Yes. Roy Jones Jr. is fighting Omar Sheika on Saturday night. But yesterday was St. Patrick's Day, a time for celebration and revelry. What did Roy do to celebrate? He was a judge at the Spring Break Green Bikini Contest at Pensacola Beach. -- CASSIDY

Photo by Gary Morgan

Duddy, 26-0, will be facing Billy Lyell, who is 18-7. Should Duddy remain unbeaten, and there's a pretty good chance he will at this point (why take any serious risks?), the Derry Destroyer could be in line for a title fight against Kelly Pavlik or Arthur Abraham.

"Kelly is the main man, if you want to be the best you got to fight the best," said Duddy. "He is the champion, he's the guy who has the belt."

So what did the rest of St. Paddy's Day have in store for Duddy? Not much fun. After the presser he was to board a plane to start training camp in Miami. -- CASSIDY

Here is an internet report that says Kimbo Slice wants to box.

The report says that Kimbo will honor his contract with Showtime's EliteXC, which includes two more MMA bouts. Then he will switch to boxing. According to the story, no dates have been set for the MMA bouts.

Kimbo was also quoted saying, "Boxing is really my first desire. I have a lot of love for it and believe I can do pretty well. [The sport of] MMA is somewhat of a project for me. Boxing is one dimensional while there are a lot of dimensions in MMA. I don't think it would be a hard transition from MMA to stand-up boxing because of my fighting style."

Considering the type of punch with which Kimbo was knocked out from in his last MMA fight, we're not so sure he has much of a future in pro boxing. -- CASSIDY

The man training Juan Carlos Gomez for his WBC heavyweight title fight against Vitali Klitschko on Saturday is familiar with upset.

Orlando Cuellar has prepared Gomez for this fight and has been talking a lot about his track record in orchestrating upsets.

Cuellar was the man who led Glen Johnson to knockout win over Roy Jones Jr. Johnson was a 71- underdog. He also trained Ricardo Mayorga to his upset win over Fernando Vargas last year.

"You can call me the spoiler," said Cuellar. "I come to spoil the big boys’ parties... I can make fighters win bouts that they are supposed to lose. I have proven it and I will do it again. The good thing is that most people haven’t recognized it yet. After Gomez beat Klitschko the mask will fall and everybody will know who I am and what I do.” -- CASSIDY

A press release sent out by the promoter of Juan Carlos Gomez states that WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has rejected the referee and one judge assigned to the fight by the WBC. The fight takes place Saturday.

More to come as that story develops.

At the press conference in Stuttgart, Germany, Klitschko said, "He says he has had the hardest training camp of his career and I can promise him the hardest fight of his life. I think he is a very good boxer, with technical skill, and he showed it all in the cruiserweight. But heavyweight is something else. I will show him. It will be a lesson, but it won't last long."

Gomez, a Cuban defector, is a former world cruiserweight champion.

“It’s funny”, said Gomez. “If Vitali thinks that he will knock me out why does he even care about the judges at all? I don’t care who will be judging the fight. I will beat up ‘Dr. Sissi’ so bad that there will be no doubt that the ‘Black Panther’ will be world champion again this coming Saturday. It’s Showtime!” -- CASSIDY

Lou DiBella has increased his light heavyweight roster by signing contender Yusaf Mack.

Mack (27-2-2, 16 KOs), a 29-year-old Philadelphia native, now fighting out of New York City, is rated No. 6 by the WBC, No. 7 by the WBA and No. 11 by the IBF. He recently scored the most significant victory of his career - outpointing fellow contender Chris Henry on February 6 in Salisbury, Maryland, on ESPN2.

“I’m thrilled to now be promoting Yusaf Mack - one of the hottest light heavyweights in the world, whose beaten Daniel Judah, Omar Pittman and Chris Henry in succession in less than ten months! Yusaf has earned the accolades and deserves his shot at a world championship,” said DBE president Lou DiBella.

With Mack now on board, DBE boasts a ultra-talented trio of light heavyweight contenders that also includes WBC No. 8, IBF No. 9 and WBA No. 13 contender Shaun George and legendary “Road Warrior” Glen Johnson (co-promoted by Seminole Warriors Boxing and DBE). All three DBE fighters are ready and willing to challenge the top reigning American light heavyweight world champion, Chad Dawson (WBC). -- CASSIDY

Amir Khan, the former British Olympic silver medalist, scored a 5th-round technical decision over Marco Antonio Berrara on Saturday at the MEN Arena in Manchester. It will likely be the last fight for the Mexican legend.

An accidental clash of heads produced a cut on Berrara's left temple in the first round. It was surely problematic, but Khan used superior handspeed and boxing ability to bewilder Berrara until the fight was stopped. Khan was a head on all three scorecards when it was halted. Last September, Khan suffered his first loss a pro, getting knocked out in one round by Breidis Prescott.

In April, Khan will return to Los Angeles where he will serve as sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao. Khan and Pacquiao are both trainer by Freddie Roach. Khan served as one of Pac Man's sparring partners for his fight with Oscar De La Hoya. -- CASSIDY

Perhaps this is the end for Roy Jones Jr. Why else get sentimental and bring his dad back to work his corner?

When Roy fights Omar Sheika at the Pensacola Civic Center on Saturday, March 21, 2009, his father will be in his corner for the first time since 1999.

Ed Keenan, who never gets enough credit for everything he deals with on fight night, sent us this QnA regarding the return of Big Roy.

Continue reading "Roy Jones Sr. back in Roy Jones Jr.'s corner" »

ESPN announced today in a press release that Max Kellerman is leaving his 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. show on 1050 ESPN Radio.

There is speculation in a report by the Daily News that Kellerman will join Mike Francesa at WFAN. We contacted HBO to see if there was a change in his status, or if a new job could potentially change his boxing schedule and an HBO spokesman said in an e-mail that he has not heard anything and that Kellerman's previous radio work did not impact his boxing work at HBO.

That's a good thing.

Max is a grassroots boxing guy, and by that I mean, he appeals to New York's hard-core fan base because those are also his own roots. He's a city kid who grew up a huge fan of boxing. For those of you who don't know, or don't remember, Kellerman did a cable-access show called "Max on Boxing" when he was just a kid. He was as passionate then as he is now.

The man knows boxing. I once attended a Ring 8 (Veteran Boxers Association) meeting with Max at Tony Mazzarella's Waterfront Crab House. He was talking about classic New York fights. When the topic of the controversial Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay)-Doug Jones fight came up, Max flatly said he didn't think there was any controversy. He felt Ali won easily. When Doug Jones' manager (Rollie Hackmer) rose from the crowd to dispute him, he and Max verbally went toe-to-toe. It was great stuff. -- CASSIDY

This story about Floyd Mayweather Jr. back in the gym and sparring was written by David Avila over at TheSweetScience.com

-- CASSIDY

There were few rivalries in the world of sports like that between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. HBO explores that rivalry and their epic third fight in a documentary called, "Thrilla in Manila." It airs on April 11, at 8:00 p.m.

According to a release, "Thrilla in Manila," tells the previously unknown story of their final fight in the searing heat of the Philippines through the eyes of the “other man” in the ring.

The documentary is part of an incredible night of boxing, which also includes the first installment of Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 and followed by the 12-round “World Championship Boxing” middleweight bout between Winky Wright and Paul Williams.

Here's the lineup for HBO that night:

8:00 -- Premiere “Thrilla in Manila” documentary.

9:30 -- First installment of "Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7"

10:00 -- Winky Wright vs Paul Williams, middleweight title fight, live from Las Vegas.

-- CASSIDY

The Emmy Award-winning reality series "24/7" returns for the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton junior welterweight title fight, HBO announced today.

There will be four episodes, with the first one airing Saturday April 11 at 9:30 p.m. The series will follow Pacquiao and Hatton as they prepare for their May 2 fight in Las Vegas. Expect trainers Freddie Roach and Floyd Mayweather Sr. to make this one of the more memorable series in the 24/7 franchise.

Continue reading "HBO announces start of Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7" »

A St. Paddy's eve boxing card inside Madison Square Garden's WaMu theater has been canceled, according to the Associated Press.

Continue reading "Boxing card at Madison Square Garden canceled" »

Main Events' junior middleweight prospect Joel “The Love Child” Julio meets James Kirkland on HBO Boxing After Dark this Saturday night and according to his camp, he's ready to make a statement on national television.

Continue reading "Joel Julio ready for HBO showdown against Kirkland" »

Roy Jones Jr. is promoting a combination of boxing and Mixed Martial Arts on his March 21 card at the Pensacola Civic Center. We reported about it here when the card was announced.

Jones fights Omar Sheika in the main event. But today he has announced that Ken “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” Shamrock will meet Bobby Lashley in an MMA fight.

"I am very excited to be fighting, and promoting, this card that includes Ken Shamrock," said Jones, in a press release. "I love doing something different. I was the fist middleweight champion in over 100 years to win the heavyweight title. Then I became the first EVER to then go back down to regain the light heavyweight title. Now I’m the first to promote and fight on a boxing and MMA card of this magnitude.”

Added Shamrock: “I’ve done a lot of firsts. I was the first heavyweight champ of MMA and first foreign champ in Japan. This is the first time two champions (Jones and Shamrock) in their individual sports, at this level, will be fighting on the same card – boxing and MMA. I think it’s the way of the future and it’s happening now." -- CASSIDY

A pair of solid contenders have passed this week.

The BBC has reported that former Olympic boxing champion Chris Finnegan, of England, died Monday after a short illness. He was 64. Finnegan won the gold medal in the middleweight division at the Mexico Olympics in 1968 and as a pro he challenged hall-of-famer Bob Foster for the light heavyweight title. He lost that bout.

Mickey Goodwin, 51, was one of the first world-rated fighters to emerge from Detroit's Kronk Gym. The Detroit Free Press is reporting that he died of a stroke on Tuesday.

Goodwin had a 40-2-1 record and retired in 1994. He was to challenge Marvin Hagler for the middleweight title in 1982 but broke his hand and had to pull out of the fight. -- CASSIDY

(AP Photo)

Ricky Hatton and his trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. had a conference call with the media today to talk about Ricky's May 2nd fight against Manny Pacquiao. (Click here to read our live blog of the call.)

According to Floyd Sr., there is no doubt that Hatton will win and that, yes, he is a better trainer than Freddie Roach.

Continue reading "Floyd Mayweather Sr. says Hatton will 'whup' Manny Pacquiao" »

OK folks. We're going to "live blog" the Ricky Hatton conference call. He will be on the phone talking about his upcoming fight against Manny Pacquiao. I will be here to give you the highlights.

Right now. No highlights. Just the boring music you hear when you are on hold.

Continue reading "Live Blog: Ricky Hatton conference call" »

Former WBC bantamweight champion and 1992 Olympic silver medalist, Wayne McCullough will fight in the co-feature at the WaMu Theater inside Madison Square Garden on March 16, St. Patrick's Day eve.

Limerick’s 2004 Irish Olympian Andy Lee (16-1, 13 KOs), 14 years younger than his 38-year-old hero, McCullough, headlines in the 10-round main event against 3-time world title challenger Antwun “Kid Dynamite” Echols (31-9-4, 27 KOs).

Continue reading "Wayne McCullough, Andy Lee on St. Patrick's Day card at the Garden" »

It's been reported here and everywhere else before, but now that Top Rank and Golden Boy have sent out their respective press releases, the Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton fight is official for May 2 at the MGM in Las Vegas.

"I always like new challenges and this is why I am anxious to fight Ricky Hatton," said Pacquiao in the release. "My trainer Freddie Roach will put together a new game plan which will be much different than the one we used against Oscar (de la Hoya). Hatton is a very strong puncher so I must deal with that in the ring. I promise I will be completely prepared and will do my best for all of my fans in the Philippines and around the world."

"We are very excited that this fight has been made, as it is the fight fans wanted and the one I look forward to seeing myself," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions, which is promoting Hatton. "This fight has all the makings of a "Fight of the Year" candidate and I think Hatton will dethrone Pacquiao and become boxing's pound-for-pound king."

Anyone surprised that Oscar is picking Hatton? -- CASSIDY

Juan Manuel Marquez has essentially said, "Who needs Manny Pacquiao?'

While Marquez and Pacquiao have waged a pair of compelling fights, Pac Man has moved on to bigger and better things. And while pundits try to line up Pacquiao's fight schedule, few have been calling for a third match with Marquez.

That may change now.

Continue reading "Juan Manuel Marquez looks past Pacquiao for Mayweather" »

Juan Manuel Marquez gave away 10 years in age and fought in hostile territory on Saturday night. But none of that mattered. Marquez overcame a slow start and knocked out 25-year-old Juan Diaz in the ninth-round in an old-fashioned shootout on HBO.

Marquez, 35, captured the lightweight title and became a world champion in three weight classes (featherweight and super featherweight are the other two.). The fight could have been waged in a phone booth, that's how close the fighters battled. But it was held at the Toyota Center in Diaz's hometown of Houston.

The action in this fight was every bit as good as Castillo-Corrales, Morales-Barrera or Chavez-Taylor (I). Who says boxing's dead? On Friday, Showtime broadcast the Tomasz Adamek-Johnathon Banks slugfest and HBO followed up with this one. A great weekend for boxing fans.