BY: Diane Bennett

Were has boxing gone it’s missing, I could not find any on television this weekend nor could I find any in the  Sports Museum of America on Sunday. Well I really should be honest and say I mean very little boxing was displayed at the Sports Museum of America which is located in downtown Manhattan, NYC. The museum actually had more volleyball’s than it had boxing gloves.

If you love or even like sports a trip to the museum should be in your plans it has great displays of the Heisman Trophy, Olympics and all of the mainstream sports. There are several interactive activities from broadcasting a game like situation to changing a tire on a racing car. However if you are looking for boxing the only displays you will find is a picture of Ali and a small screen next to the display which shows you several clips of famous boxing events. Even the gift shop did not have one boxing relating thing for sale no key chains with a boxing glove on it, sure they had ones with tennis balls, footballs, soccer balls and of course baseballs.

By now you get my point that us fans who love boxing and desire to see it on a regular basis are deprived. Let me tell you when I left the museum I wanted to call every single boxer, every promoter and every trainer I know just to say what the heck or you doing to promote this sport. There should be larger displays of boxing memorabilia at the museum we had great Olympic memories Leonard, De La Hoya and Breland. What happened to the living legends Forman, Frazier, Norton and Holmes none of these great heavyweights had items on display either. Actually, the Sports Museum of America is located in Breland’s home city and I could not find one artifact of the great boxer. It gets better there are several racks that have brochures of all the sports hall of fames and yes the IBHOF is not represented.

So I hope that one day soon all of the boxing greats will realize that they need to do every thing in their power to promote their sport and keep its greatness going. They need to keep the sport in the spotlight, they need to get out there and promote the heck out of it.

Khan lands uppercut

BY: Diane Bennett

BY: Robert Epstein

The hottest boxing news today was the breakdown of the Oscar De La Hoya –Manny Pacquiao negotiations for a December 6th bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Apparently the two sides could not reach an agreement on the percentage of the purse split. With De La Hoya only willing to give Pacquiao 30 percent of the purse and Manny wanting 40 percent a compromise could not be reached.

Pacquiao through his lawyer today informed the public that he is going to move on and seek another opponent for his next battle. Bob Arum head of Top Rank Pacquiao’s promoter will now try to lock in a November fight with Humberto Soto (44- 7, 28 KOs) of Mexico. Soto is coming off a controversial disqualification in a bout against Francisco Lorenzo In that bout which was part of the Pacquiao –David Diaz card at the Mandalay Bay on June 28. Soto knocked out Lorenzo, however, he was disqualified by referee Joe Cortez for hitting Lorenzo while he was down. The hit after the bell caused a cut on Lorenzo’s head to open and blood soaked the canvas. So it appears that Pacquiao will settle for the Soto bout which he will make several millions less dollars than if he faced De LA Hoya.

While team Golden Boy will huddle up next week to plan their next move and I believe they only have one move and it’s a move they may fear. They must dial up Antonio Margarito this is the only opponent left that will draw fan interest. Forget about Berto, Cotto and Clottey the fans will cheer a De La Hoya – Margarito slug fest. Yes De La Hoya will be an underdog in this bout but what a way to go out against the hottest boxer in the sport right now. Margarito coming off his scorching victory over Cotto is exactly what boxing requires. A De La Hoya – Margarito bout can break all pay per view records and will sell out in hours.

De La Hoya may lose actually he may get knocked out however if he pulls off the upset he will go out as a super legend. Oscar will go out on top of the boxing world beating the best in the sport right now. Why face anyone else when you can face the best, there is serious risk, however, in this sport that is all you do is put yourself at risk every single bout. Why not Oscar give the fans what they want to see a legend facing the most feared boxers in the game. If you win De LA Hoya you will be a super legend so forget the rest and have Richard Schaefer dial up Margarito.

BY: Diane Bennett

Tonight on ESPN Friday night fights in the main event Tavoris Cloud punished former world champion Julio Gonzalez for 10 rounds. Cloud finally scored a TKO victory when the referee stopped the fight at the 2:50 mark of the 10th round. Cloud has impressed with terrific knockout power winning 18 of his 19 professional fights by knockout. Tonight Cloud was devastating again bruising Gonzalez for 10 rounds. This was the first time Cloud went past 5 rounds and passing the stamina test. The way Cloud is going for sure he is going to make waves in the light heavyweight division. Keep your eyes open for the 26 year old Cloud who’s next fight should be for the IBF title

Manny Pacquiao

BY: Diane Bennett

The latest news on the Manny Pacquiao – Oscar De La Hoya potential clash is that both Top Rank who represents Pacquiao and De La Hoya’s Golden Boy met on Wednesday for two hours. However, there are still several details that need to be worked out according to sources this may take several more days. They sides are still discussing the weight limits, type of gloves and the split of the purse money. If this fight deal is completed it most likely will be in Vegas at the MGM on December 6th.

Also announced today was the rescheduling of the Joe Calzaghe – Roy Jones Jr. extravaganza which will be held at the Mecca of Boxing Madison Square Garden on November 8th. The fight will be shown on HBO PPV.

Ticket notice tomorrow Friday August 8th: Ricky Hatton – Paulie Malignaggi will go on sale at www.ticketmaster.com starting at 1pm EST. Bernard Hopkins – Kelly Pavlik tickets will go on sale at www.ticketmaster.com starting at 12pm EST

Andre Berto

BY: Diane Bennett

Today we caught up with Andre Berto the undefeated (22-0, 19KOs) WBC welterweight champion at BB Kings in New York City prior to Lou DiBella’s Broadway Boxing event. Berto who will begin his training camp in about a week’s time as he starts to get ready for his first title defense against Steve Forbes.

You will remember Forbes who lost his last bout to Golden Boy’s Oscar De La Hoya. In that bout Forbes lost by unanimous decision to the bigger De La Hoya. Berto recently captured the WBC belt by way of a 7th round TKO over Miguel Rodriguez was greeting fans and signing autographs prior to taking in a evening of boxing. Berto as always looked in great shape and informed us that he has been running and soon will be sparring. At this point Berto has not selected his sparring partners but is looking at some of the same sparring partners used by De La Hoya in his preparation for Forbes.

After the victory over Judah last weekend Joshua Clottey mentioned that he would like to take on Berto in his next bout. When we asked Berto what he thought of a bout against Clotty he dismissed the thought perhaps seeking a bigger name. Berto is really not trying to think past Forbes at this point. Look for Berto with his extreme knockout power to take out Forbes unlike De La Hoya.

Broadway Boxing at BB Kings NYC In the main event today at the sold BB Kings in Manhattan former world champion Randall Bailey (37-6, 34 KOs) took out Dairo Esalas (31-14, 25 KOs) in a junior welterweight bout. Right from the opening bell Bailey took out Esalas in the first round. 

 Heavyweight Vinny Maddalone (30-4, 21 KOs) from Flushing, New York destroyed Joe Stofle (11-14-2, 9 KOs) dropping Stofle twice in round before the bout was stopped.

Local junior middleweight James Moore scored a unanimous decision victory over Christian Lloyd Joseph. All three judges scored the fight for Moore 78-74, 78-74, 79-73.

Will Rosinsky in a light heavyweight clash Knocked out Valentine Fontanelly in the first round.

Dat Nguyen (13-1, 6 KOs) recorded a six round majority decision over Juan Cruz (5-3, 1 KO). Scores were 57-57, 59-55, 60-54. Dat is viewed as an up and coming featherweight prospect.

Ryan Kielczweski known as the Polish Prince all decked out in his crown and white shades made a successful professional debut beating Raphael Luna by unanimous decision 40-36 on all of the judge’s cards.

In the opening bout Jonathan Nelson won a unanimous decision over Rondu Campbell.

August 5, 2008

Bernard Hopkins and Nazim Richardson

Today we attended the Kelly Pavlik – Bernard Hopkins press conference held at BB Kings in New York City. This was the kickoff for their up coming October 18th battle in Atlantic City. Upon entering the press room it only took Hopkins a few minutes to expose his six pack. Yes in matter of minutes Hopkins lifted his shirt showing all the media who gathered around him his six pack. Even at the age of 43 Hopkins sports a six pack most twenty year olds dream about.

Hopkins today was not his normal self he actually spoke nicely about Pavlik and referred to himself as a Pavlik fan. The line of the day however, goes to Richard Schaefer who in his opening remarks called Hopkins “The Ghost Buster”. Along with Schaefer, team Hopkins was represented by long time trainer Nazim Richardson and his lawyer Arnold Joseph. Hopkins in his presentation said that he had nothing bad to say about Pavlik. With that statement Pavlik broke out with a big smile and wiped his forehead. Hopkins went on to say that Pavlik has a big heart and a lot of determination. Hopkins who acknowledges this fight as the blue collar fight and even lobbied to officially name the fight as “The Blue Collar Battle”. Two blue collar fighters who will train anywhere, in prison, in basements or in their kitchens Hopkins went on to say.

Team Pavlik was represented by Kelly’s father Mike, manager Cameron Dunkin and his trainer Jack Loew. The confident Pavlik who is stepping up in weight to the 170 pound level stated that he will not have to struggle to make weight two fights in row. Pavlik’s last fight against Gary Lockett was at 160 pounds. The humble Pavlik in his presentation referred to Hopkins as a legend and said Hopkins was the biggest name out there for him. Pavlik ended by promising that the October 18th clash will be a good one.

After the press conference we caught up to Hopkins and asked him if he enjoyed the fights Friday night in Brooklyn and if he was impressed by lightweight Jorge Teron. Bernard actually brightened up and asked who has him. So maybe Teron has a Golden future to look foward to.

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