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Peter wraps up training
Cirillo World
Immediately following the Sept. 4 press conference in Berlin to announce his Oct. 11 heavyweight title showdown with Vitali Klitschko, WBC champion Samuel Peter (30-1, 23 KOs) set up training camp in Freiburg, Germany.
The "Nigerian Nightmare" has enjoyed a wonderful month-long camp and is in tremendous shape as he winds down and readies to depart for Berlin. Peter is thrilled to have had the opportunity to train in the southern German town found in the middle of the Black Forest.
"I love it here in Germany. The people and the scenery have been beautiful," said Peter. "I intend on beating Vitali in his own back yard, and to show that I am the true champion I decided to train in his back yard. No matter where this fight is, I will not be defeated. I hope his brother Wladimir is in attendance to watch him get knocked out.
"I've been chopping down trees in the Black Forest in preparation for Vitali Klitschko," Peter added. "On Oct. 11, I am going to chop down a Ukrainian tree named Vitali."
"Sam knows this is the toughest fight of his career, and I have never seen him more focused on a fight. He wanted to train in Klitschko's back yard to make a real statement," said Peter's promoter, Dino Duva, president of Duva Boxing.
Peter is joined in Germany by his training team and sparring partners.
Top trainers in preparation mode
Golden Boy Promotions
Punches in bunches, stay off the ropes, move your head, hands up.
These are the words four of boxing's best trainers - Roger Bloodworth, Ignacio Beristain, Dean Campos and Buddy McGirt - are saying these days as they prepare their respective fighters - Joel Casamayor, Juan Manuel Marquez, Sergio Mora and Vernon Forrest - for their upcoming bouts.
Casamayor vs. Marquez - "The Challenge," a 12-round bout for Casamayor's Ring Magazine world lightweight championship, and Mora-Forrest II, a 12-round co-featured bout, will take place Sept. 13 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View.
Here's a look at the four trainers and their thoughts about the upcoming fights while bunkered down in daily training camp life:
* Bloodworth (head trainer and camp chef for Casamayor)
Bloodworth followed Casamayor (36-3-1, 22 KOs) to Phoenix for training camp almost seven weeks ago where they set up shop at the MD Systems Boxing Gym, the same gym they used for Casamayor's past four fights. Deep into camp, Bloodworth has Casamayor spending hours in the gym and sparring three to four times a week with several different partners.
The two are back together for Casamayor's second consecutive fight since they reunited for Casamayor's impressive performance on March 22 - a knockout of previously undefeated and then world champion Michael Katsidis. Bloodworth, who trained Casamayor when he defeated Lamont Pearson and Diego Corrales in 2006, not only serves as Casamayor's trainer but as his personal chef as well.
Bloodworth is one of the most experienced trainers in boxing today, training some of the best fighters out there, including Casamayor, Jeff Lacy and David Tua. Previous clients have included former world champions Eddie Hopson, John John Molina, Raul Marquez, Fernando Vargas, Robbie Peden, Evander Holyfield and Pernell Whitaker. Bloodworth has been a professional trainer since 1989, having started 10 years earlier in the amateur ranks before moving up to the pros.
"This camp has been a little bit different for Joel," Bloodworth said. "He is a little more intense and focused than past camps. He's been a pro for a long time, so he trains the same way every time, but this camp he is more dedicated, more intense and training really hard for Marquez."
Bloodworth spends most of his time going from training camp to training camp, hardly ever making it home to Illinois, but he enjoys the challenge of participating in big fights with experienced fighters like Casamayor's test against Marquez. He works with Casamayor to keep him calm and focused at the task at hand.
"Joel has fought guys that were as good and well-proven as Marquez in the past. Marquez is a great fighter, but so is Joel," Bloodworth said. "He is preparing like he normally does against a great fighter. He doesn't get nervous or over excited or anxious; it's just a fight for him. This is his job and he is doing what he has to do to be prepared for Sept. 13."
Although training in the gym, running and watching films is the normal key to success, Bloodworth has taken his job a step further, by not only acting as Casamayor's head trainer, but also as the camp chef.
"The trick is to eat, but not over eat, so you have to control portions," Bloodworth said. "Joel eats very well, three maybe four times a day. I don't believe in starving fighters. I started cooking at training camp because it was cheaper for me to cook than to hire a chef. I don't cook really fancy. I just cook simple meals that are healthy. Joel really likes chicken, salmon, steamed vegetables and once in a while I make pasta, but I only use whole wheat or brown rice pasta. We don't eat any junk food, just a clean diet because he has to burn more calories than he takes in."
While Bloodworth is busy with the time spent training in the gym and maintaining Joel's weight with a healthy diet in the kitchen, he also spends time watching films of Marquez's past fights in order to develop a strategy for a victory on Sept. 13.
"We've been watching films, and Marquez is an excellent fighter," Bloodworth said. "I think it's going to be a great fight. Joel's weight is good, training is good, but we don't want to be on weight too soon, because I like to have my fighters be able to eat right up until the time of the weigh-in and bring them down slowly."
* Beristain (head trainer for Marquez)
Beristain has been training Marquez (48-4-1, 35 KOs) for nearly 25 years, well before Marquez began his impressive professional career at 19. The duo is once again training in Mexico City at the Romanza Gym. On Friday afternoon, Marquez travels to Nevado de Toluca where he is tucked away in a no-frills cabin, free from interruption from the outside world (as well as plumbing). Beristain watches over Marquez every day with a careful eye. Here is how the long-standing duo handles the rigors of camp and preparing for another battle.
When one looks at Beristain's 47-year professional career, it is easy to see why he is considered one of the best trainers to ever emerge from Mexico. He has trained current and former world champions Rafael Marquez, Ricardo "Finito" Lopez, Daniel "Chato" Zaragoza, Humberto "Chiquita" Gonzalez, Gilberto Roman, Jose Luis Bueno, Melchor Cob Castro, Gustavo "Guty" Espadas, Guadalupe Pintor, Eric Ortiz, Victor Manuel Rabanales, Enrique Sanchez, Vicente Saldivar and many more.
The 69-year-old trainer has described this camp as a change of pace for the experienced Marquez because he is going up a weight class and has had to alter some of Marquez's routine to accommodate the weight difference.
"We have been working really hard in the gym," Beristain said. "Juan has been lifting more weights to focus on gaining strength and muscle. We have changed his diet as well. He has been eating more carbohydrates to gain the extra weight. Moving up in weight is a very difficult process for Juan because he is a natural 126-pound fighter and normally fights at 130 pounds, so he is going up even more. The weight is definitely an advantage for Casamayor because after the weigh-in, Juan will not gain that much weight. He will probably fight around 142 pounds at the most and Casamayor will definitely go up more than that."
Beristain and Marquez have a different relationship than most trainer/fighter duos. They have been working together for over 25 years and have developed a special bond that extends outside the gym.
"We have a different relationship than I have with my other fighters," Beristain said. "It is more than just fighter and trainer. He is more than just my fighter; Juan is one of my best friends. My job is to prevent mistakes for Juan, so I am being very careful with his diet and his training to make sure he is 100 percent ready so that nothing will go wrong on Sept. 13."
* Campos (head trainer for Mora)
Mora (21-0-1, 5 KOs) is deep into training camp in his hometown of East Los Angeles. As the champion of the first season of NBC's "The Contender," Mora moved on to bigger and better professional fights, finally reaching his world title dream by defeating Forrest for the WBC world super welterweight crown in June 2008.
Training Mora for the rematch are Campos and John Montelongo, who have been with him since the age of 15. Mora's training regimen includes sparring three times a week, focusing on strength and conditioning and eating a balanced diet of certain fats, carbohydrates and proteins that his nutritionist, Robert Ferguson, has created for him in order to keep him performing his best during the training process.
Campos, who has been training Mora since he was an amateur fighter, is preparing Mora for his upcoming bout from the comforts of their Los Angeles-based training camp just as they have done throughout their 15-year relationship. The team prefers to stay close to home to alleviate pressures of being away from family and friends, which gives them the ability to focus on training camp.
"Camp is going well and he is working hard as usual," Campos said. "We're always confident that we will be successful in a fight because we put so much into our preparation and know it will pay off in the end. We like to cover the bases so that there's nothing left for us to be surprised with when we get into the ring with our opponent."
Due to their longstanding relationship and their shared journey throughout Mora's career, Campos has opted to focus on training only Mora at this stage. Being that Mora has reached his lifelong dream of winning a world title, Campos has left his other athletes in order to give his full support and dedication to Mora. With the extra time to prepare and the first bout behind them, Campos has a clear game plan of what he needs to do to prepare Mora in this rematch.
"Basically, we are doing some of the things we worked on in preparation for the first fight, only this time around, with a lot of practice we're able to do them better," Campos said. "I think Vernon will bring more pressure, so we're definitely going to be pulling out some new moves."
Campos discussed the importance of their entire camp's participation in Mora's success, stating that assistant trainer Montelongo is a crucial piece to the puzzle.
"Our relationship is like a triangle," Campos said. "We all have our own strengths, so each one of us takes care of our own corner and it just works. We're like a pyramid."
* McGirt (head trainer for Forrest)
McGirt, arguably one of the best trainers in the world, is training former two-division world champion Forrest (40-3, 29 KOs) for a fifth consecutive fight. The duo started working together when Forrest beat former world champion Ike Quartey in August 2006 and have continued to do so since, including Forrest's wins against Carlos Baldomir and Michele Piccirillo. Forrest chose to remain in his hometown of Atlanta to train for this fight and asked McGirt if he would mind traveling from his usual training locale in Vero Beach, Fla., for camp. McGirt is making a sacrifice for Forrest, as he is not a big fan of traveling to train fighters, but he believes it is what the pugilist needs to be victorious.
"I don't mind coming to Atlanta because that is what Vernon wanted and it fit my schedule," McGirt said. "I think psychologically it's good for Vernon too as he was away from home too long for his last camp and probably suffered from some emotional burnout. Besides, it's not too far from Florida and I go home on the weekends. It sure beats going to California, which I absolutely will never do again. My comfort zone is the East Coast."
Since his official retirement as a fighter in 1997, McGirt, who is joined in Forrest's camp by longtime Forrest coach Al Mitchell and conditioning specialist Charles Watson, has successfully trained countless fighters and 10 world champions.
"I turned pro on Jan. 17, 1976, and on Jan. 18 I knew I wanted to be a trainer," McGirt said. "Even when I was fighting I was always in the gym helping amateurs. When people ask me if I think I was a better fighter or trainer, I lean towards trainer because I love teaching and helping people. Working with fighters is my passion. It gives me great satisfaction watching them succeed."
Team Forrest has set up accommodations in one of Forrest's homes - secluded in the woods away from much of anything. While this is peaceful for Forrest, it is much less so for McGirt.
"Listen. The fighters say there is nothing to do in Vero, but Vernon's got me out here in the middle of nowhere," said McGirt. "It is so dark at night that I am afraid of being outside by myself - I have to ride around in my car if I want to smoke a cigar."
Forrest's upset loss to Mora last June has helped to keep both McGirt and Forrest focused mentally on the fight. McGirt sees his primary role at Forrest's camp to help keep him calm and stress-free during their six-week training period, not to teach the veteran fighter new moves.
"The most devastating thing for a fighter is to lose to a guy you know you should never have lost to in the first place," said McGirt. "That alone lights a fire inside of you. My job is to maintain that fire inside of Vernon and make sure that it doesn't ignite to a five-alarm disaster or on the flip side, burn out entirely. We don't talk much about the first fight - if he brings it up cool, but it is not necessary to dwell on what happened. I just have to get him ready to not let it happen again. And for Vernon, whose boxing skills and experience have proven themselves to be superior to Mora's skills, it is keeping him mentally relaxed up until fight time that counts the most.
"For his first fight against Mora, Vernon was in camp too long, almost three months," McGirt added. "He over trained and peaked early. There were days when he should have taken off and he did something anyway, whether running an extra mile or shadow boxing a few rounds. When Vernon beat Piccirillo and Baldomir, he had six-week camps for both fights and he looked great. We have a set plan and schedule now and he is sticking to it, which makes my job that much easier."
McGirt is the father of eight kids (seven are girls), ranging in age from 6 to 25. He already has three grandchildren and is steadily watching the progress of his only son, 20-year-old James Jr., as he continues his professional career.
"I get a different kind of nervous feeling when my son fights than when the other fighters I work with get in the ring," McGirt said. "With my son it's as if I am getting in the ring with him and I almost get the same feeling as when I was fighting. But whether it is fighting, training or training my son, the same thing happens every time. Once the bell rings, the nervousness is gone and it is time to fight."
Williams wants Margarito rematch
Goossen Tutor Promotions
Could there be a "Pride and Punishment II" in the near future? That is the question promoter Bob Arum and his promotional firm Top Rank must ponder following a written offer presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions' Dan Goossen in the wake of Antonio Margarito's recent destruction of unbeaten Miguel Cotto.
Last July, the Mexican hero - ignoring conventional wisdom of accepting a million-dollar-plus fight with then WBA welterweight champion Cotto - risked his WBO welterweight title against mandatory challenger Paul "The Punisher" Williams (34-1, 25 KOs). In what was an epic battle in front of a sold-out Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., the gallant Mexican lost a close but unanimous decision - and his title - to Williams, a native of Aiken, S.C.
"The offer to Top Rank for the Williams-Margarito rematch is quite simple," Goossen said. "Goossen Tutor would guarantee $4 million to Top Rank/Margarito against a 50 percent split of net revenues. This is a major fight for our sport and one that would draw tremendous fan and media interest.
"Williams shows his confidence in being the most feared fighter in the world today by his willingness to fight the man he beat a little over a year ago. There's nothing for Williams to prove against Margarito; he already did that on July 14, 2007, in the ring. But Paul is always about the biggest and most compelling fights. It's Margarito's turn this time to do his best to change the verdict and Paul is saying 'you gave me the chance, and now I'll be happy to give you the same opportunity.'"
"When Margarito said he wanted a rematch right after our fight on July 14, I said I was happy to give him one, so of course I'd be just as happy to give him a rematch in November," Williams stated.
When asked about the possibility of the rematch not happening, Williams said, "His promoter knows that if me and Margarito get in the ring again, I would win. They know I know how to fight him and I'm as tough. Of course, he has a chance to upset me, but the chance is slim."
Since that 2007 summer night when Williams defeated Margarito by outworking and outlanding him with a constant onslaught of head and body shots, fans of both champions have been clamoring for an encore.
"I'm sure Margarito's fans want to see him redeem himself against Williams," observed Goossen, "and I know fans of Paul Williams want to see him put Margarito in his place again while unifying the WBO and WBA welterweight titles.
"For this fight, it's winner-take-all in my eyes. Our sport thrives with compelling fights, and it's hard to imagine that their second fight would be better than the first, but I believe it would break all records for actual number of big-time punches thrown in a fight," Goossen said.
If the rematch isn't made, Williams plans to continue toward every conceivable meaningful challenge.
"I'm top heavy, so it's easy for me to get down to 147 when I start training. I walk around about 160 so I can go up and down between 147 and 168," Williams said. "I just want to fight. I want to fight people who are on the same level with me or on a higher level than me in their mind. That's what boxing is all about - risk. My fans always tell me they love that about me."
Pavlik prepares for legend
Top Rank/Golden Boy Promotions
When a powerful young champion and devastating knockout artist meets a future Hall of Fame boxing legend and two-division world champion who has never been knocked out, there will be plenty of debate and speculation as to who will win. That will be the case when Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik faces Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins in a light heavyweight battle Oct. 18 at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall. The fight will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.
Pavlik, the current undefeated middleweight world champion, who is moving up in weight to face Hopkins at 170 pounds, has been compared to an express train as he continues to thrill boxing fans with his aggressive ring style, devastating power and 90 percent knockout ratio. Will Pavlik be derailed when he faces Hopkins, already comfortable at light heavyweight and whose gritty, defensive brilliance usually frustrates opponents?
Ranked Nos. 5 and 6 consecutively on ESPN.com's boxing pound-for-pound list, this intriguing matchup pits a young lion against a polished veteran, a devastating offense against an impenetrable defense and current world champion against a legendary former world champion in what looks to be an epic battle of grit and determination.
"I am preparing to fight a legend and take him down in his own back yard," said Pavlik. "Even though I am younger, I know Hopkins is a slick veteran with a bunch of boxing tricks in his bag. I refuse to underestimate him, and I know on Oct. 18, he will be ready to fight. I am treating this as if it were a championship match, with my plan being to remain undefeated and show the world that I am able to take on any fighter regardless of age, weight or record."
"Kelly Pavlik has a heart of a lion, but he has no idea what he is in for on Oct. 18," said Hopkins. "Pavlik might be the latest thing on a fast track to fame, but I am a sure thing and will take this kid to school that night and teach him a lesson he will never forget."
Pavlik (34-0, 30 KOs), the reigning WBC, WBO and Ring Magazine middleweight world champion from Youngstown, Ohio, has already proved to the boxing world why he is one of the most popular stars in the sport today. Pavlik had a stellar year in 2007 when he arrived on the championship scene, scoring devastating wins over Edison Miranda in a title eliminator and Jermain Taylor, in which he was stunned badly before coming back and annihilating Taylor in the seventh round to capture the first middleweight title of his career.
Pavlik has been unstoppable since with a dominating performance over Taylor in their rematch and most recently a third-round knockout over Gary Lockett. Those performances, along with a 90 percent knockout ratio, have cemented his place among the middleweight championship division. Pavlik will now move up 10 pounds to make his light heavyweight debut in what will be a meaningful and career-defining fight against the much-heralded Hopkins.
Known as one of the greatest middleweights of all time, the future Hall-of-Famer Hopkins (48-5-1, 32 KOs) held a world title as a middleweight or light heavyweight every year since 1995. In 2006, Philadelphia's Hopkins moved up to light heavyweight for the first time in his career to defeat Antonio Tarver, winning The Ring Magazine world championship, and then dominated Winky Wright at 170 pounds to continue to prove his ring supremacy.
This year, on April 19, Hopkins fought the undefeated Welshman Joe Calzaghe, knocking him down in the first round before losing his light heavyweight title by a narrow split decision that left many boxing fans dissatisfied with the verdict.
Never shunning stiff opposition, Hopkins now prepares to meet Pavlik and prove to boxing fans around the world that it is not over yet for one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in the sport's history.
Hatton, Malignaggi to light up Vegas
Golden Boy Promotions
Fans may call it "Manchester Muscle vs. New York Flash," "England vs. The United States" or "Brawler vs. Boxer." Regardless of how it is described, the junior welterweight world championship unification bout between England's Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton and New York's Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi on Nov. 22 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas will be a clash between the two best 140-pound fighters in the world and one of the most intriguing and exciting fights of 2008.
"I am looking forward to returning to America, fighting again at the MGM Grand and challenging Malignaggi for his title," said Hatton. "Las Vegas is like a second home to me. The fans treat me like gold, and I promise them another exciting value-for-money fight."
Malignaggi said, "I am thrilled to be involved in the biggest 140-pound fight of '08. This will be my first fight in Las Vegas, which makes it all the more exciting. Las Vegas' nickname is the 'City of Lights,' so it is only fitting that on Nov. 22 'The Magic Man' will be lighting 'The Hitman' up all over the MGM Grand Garden Arena."
Hatton vs. Malignaggi will be a 12-round junior welterweight world title unification bout for Hatton's Ring Magazine junior welterweight world championship and Malignaggi's IBF junior welterweight world championship.
An international superstar hailing from Manchester, England, the storied career of Hatton (44-1, 31 KOs) began in 1997 and for the last 11 years he has been thrilling fight fans around the world with his aggressive style in the ring and down-to-earth attitude outside it. Owner of wins over Kostya Tszyu, Vince Phillips, Luis Collazo, Jose Luis Castillo and Juan Urango, Hatton - a two-division world champion - fell short of the pound-for-pound and world welterweight championships in his 2007 super fight against Floyd Mayweather. However, the 29-year-old bounced back at his natural weight of 140 pounds in May as he scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Juan Lazcano.
Known for his flashy style and pound-for-pound ability to out-talk any fighter in the world, Brooklyn's Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KOs) also has developed a positive reputation for his heart and determination to overcome adversity throughout his seven-year pro career.
A dazzling boxer with a stiff jab, lightning speed and quick combinations, the 27-year-old gained a legion of fans for his gutsy effort in a 12-round defeat at the hands of Miguel Cotto in 2006, and even more followers jumped on his bandwagon when he nearly shut out Lovemore N'dou in 2007 to win the IBF junior welterweight world crown. Malignaggi has since defended his title against Herman Ngoudjo and in a rematch against N'dou, but a victory over Hatton is what this New Yorker is truly seeking.
Mora-Forrest rematch set
Golden Boy Promotions
Mexican Independence Day weekend will be celebrated this year with the rematch of one of 2008's most hotly contested world title fights when former world champion Vernon Forrest looks for redemption against a young world champion, Sergio Mora, who is looking to solidify his spot among the top junior middleweights in the world.
On Sept. 13, Sergio "The Latin Snake" Mora takes on the man he won his first world title from, former two-division world champion Vernon "The Viper" Forrest, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Mora-Forrest II is the 12-round co-featured bout to the highly anticipated Joel Casamayor vs. Juan Manuel Marquez showdown.
Casamayor vs. Marquez - "The Challenge" will be a 12-round bout for Casamayor's Ring Magazine world lightweight championship. The world title bout will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be televised live by HBO pay-per-view.
A native of East Los Angeles, Calif., Mora (21-0-1, 5 KOs) was just 12-0 when he was selected to compete on the first season of the reality series "The Contender" on NBC. Four wins later, Mora was not only the champion of the series, he was a household name to millions of fans. The next step for him was winning a world championship, and after five fights (4-0-1) he got his shot on June 7 and made the most of it, scoring a 12-round decision over Forrest.
"Even though I won the championship from Vernon in June, I know that my claim as a champion will not be solidified until I beat him again, so I'm very excited about this fight," said Mora. "I will leave no doubts as to who the best 154-pound fighter in the world is on Sept. 13, and if Vernon thinks he can beat me on Mexican Independence Day weekend, then I obviously hit him even harder than I thought in our first fight."
Atlanta native Forrest (40-3, 29 KOs) has been near or at the top of the fight game since he turned pro after the 1992 Olympics. Owner of two wins over Sugar Shane Mosley (whom Forrest defeated for the WBC welterweight crown in 2002), "The Viper" made an amazing comeback from shoulder surgery in 2005, eventually defeating Argentinean Carlos "Tata" Baldomir for the WBC super welterweight world title in 2007.
"I respect Mora and give him all the credit in the world for his win in our first fight, but on Sept. 13 he will see the real Vernon Forrest," said Forrest. "I'm gonna warn him now that I will win this fight and I'm not leaving it up to the judges this time."
Klitschko defends again
By Brian Richesson
While America continues to search for its next great heavyweight, Wladimir Klitschko continues to dominate the division. He scored the fifth successful defense of his titles July 12 in Hamburg, Germany, against American Tony Thompson.
Klitschko, the IBF, WBO and IBO champion, rocked Thompson with a strong right hand in the 11th round, sending the challenger sprawling to the canvas and ending the fight with 1:22 remaining.
Thompson (31-2, 19 KOs), who lives in Washington, D.C., provided a formidable challenge for much of the physical fight, but he tired near the end and wasn't as busy. The southpaw held up well against many of Klitschko's powerful right hands and always looked to counter his Ukrainian opponent. The big momentum-swinging counter shot never came.
Meanwhile, behind thousands of his fans, Klitschko (51-3, 45 KOs) became stronger as the fight progressed. Sensing that Thompson was fading fast in the 11th round, the champion sought to end the fight by knockout - and he succeeded.
"I didn't want to disappoint my fans," Klitschko told HBO commentator Larry Merchant afterward. "You are judged on your last performance. My last performance was good for me, but it wasn't good with the knockout [failing to get one in his victory over Sultan Ibragimov]. I'm very happy with this fight."
HBO analyzed future Klitschko opponents, naming WBC champion Samuel Peter, 7-foot giant Nikolay Valuev, IBF mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin and American Chris Arreola as possibilities.
The long vision quest
HBO.com
For the longest time, Antonio Margarito must have felt like the flip side of Rodney Dangerfield: He got too much respect. His promoter, Bob Arum, smartly exploited this problem by coining a mantra he would repeat whenever somebody seemingly ducked his fighter: "Antonio Margarito is the most feared fighter on the planet today."
Arum's words transformed Margarito's public image from a champion who had fought nobody of great consequence to a de facto elite fighter. Margarito wasn't the first fighter nobody seemed to want to face, and he certainly won't be the last. Winky Wright knows a thing or two about being avoided. But in Wright's case, his defensive style of fighting was hard to sell, and it was difficult to look good against him. The opposite is true with Margarito.
His manager, Sergio Diaz Jr., knew he had a Mexican fighter with a crowd-pleasing, all-action attack. It seemed like a natural sell, and that's what made all the years waiting in the wings for a big show so difficult.
"It's been frustrating to myself and Antonio because of the type of fighter he is," said Diaz, who has been with Margarito for 12 years. "He likes to fight for the fans, to put on a show. He's always thinking about the fans, so struggling to get a lucrative offer against a top fighter has bothered him because he wants to please the fans with the best fight possible."
Margarito found himself stuck in the worst kind of boxing Catch-22: He was a high-risk, low-yield fighter, meaning he hadn't fought any big-name boxers, so he didn't bring much money to the table. But how could Margarito get an elite boxer on his resume if none of them wanted to fight him?
Even more perplexing was that Margarito wasn't some wannabe contender. He won his welterweight title in 2002 by beating Antonio Diaz and then successfully defended it eight straight times. But not one of those opponents could remotely have been called elite, and as a result, Margarito continued to fly under the money radar despite being a long-reigning champion. The closest Margarito came to facing a big name was in Kermit Cintron, a red-hot contender in 2005 whom he knocked out in five rounds.
What did that important victory bring Margarito? How about a title defense against one Manuel Gomez, who had a very undistinguished record of 28-10-2. It was obvious that by laying some serious hurt on the highly regarded Cintron, Margarito had only wedged himself deeper into his Catch-22 box. He looked riskier than ever.
Shane Mosley was on the same card with Margarito-Cintron, beating David Estrada in the co-main event. Diaz and Top Rank thought the pairing of the two winners would be a natural, so Diaz says Top Rank made Mosley a lucrative offer. Instead of taking it, Mosley chose Jose Luis Cruz for his next fight, a boxer with a record of 33-0-2, heavily padded with non-entities in Mexico. How did Margarito stay focused through all those tough years? "We kept telling him your time will come, keep winning and let people see your face," Diaz said.
The manager discovered Margarito by accident. In 1996, Diaz went to watch a rising contender and future world title challenger named Rodney Jones, who was fighting Margarito. At the time, Margarito was an unknown boxer fresh out of Mexico with two losses in just 11 fights. Jones must have figured it would be a soft fight - and he did win by unanimous decision - but it was a hard-fought bout. Diaz was impressed more with Margarito than Jones. "I didn't even know who Tony was," Diaz said. "But after the fight I said, 'Wow, this guy can really punch and has a chin.'"
Diaz checked out Margarito's record more closely, and it became apparent why he had two losses. "They came before he was 19," Diaz said. "He was a child fighting men."
In his sixth fight at age 16, Margarito lost to Victor Lozoya, who was three years older. When Margarito was 18, his second loss was handed to him by an unbeaten 28-year-old named Larry Dixon. Jones, who was also 28, gave Margarito his third loss. At 9-3, Margarito did not look like a top prospect.
"Having those three losses made it much more difficult for us to find a promoter," Diaz said. "We begged people. Finally I talked to (Top Rank President) Todd DuBoef, and he said to bring him down to his office and we would get a deal done."
Part of Margarito's past problems in landing an elite fighter could be blamed on him simply being in the right place at the wrong time. Margarito was still a rising prospect when the welterweight division had names like Oscar De La Hoya, Mosley, Felix Trinidad, Vernon Forrest and Ricardo Mayorga. By the time Margarito had established himself, all of them except Mosley had moved up to junior middleweight. Mosley actually had already been fighting at 154 and had only dropped down for two welterweight fights before going back up.
Margarito was so desperate for a big fight that he moved up to 154 pounds to challenge title holder Daniel Santos. It proved to be a disaster. In the 10th round of a close fight, Margarito suffered a gash over his right eye from an accidental head butt, and it was bad enough for referee Luis Pabon to halt the fight and go to the scorecards. Margarito was ahead on one card, 86-85, but Santos had the edge on two others, 86-85 and 87-84. As a result Margarito suffered his first loss in eight years, breaking a string of 20 straight victories.
"After losing to Santos, our team was all down, but not Tony. He smiled and told us to keep our heads up and he'll become champion again," Diaz said.
Margarito moved back to welterweight and immediately won a championship. The division, meanwhile, was starting to look up again as both Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Zab Judah moved up from junior welterweight.
Both of those fighters, however, avoided Margarito like the proverbial plague. Judah was a champion in 2006, but rather than fight Margarito and unify titles, he chose a little-known Colombian who was on a long winning streak, Carlos Baldomir. When Baldomir upset Judah, he too chose to bypass the high-risk, low-yield Margarito, fighting instead Arturo Gatti, who was guaranteed to bring in a full house in Atlantic City.
As for Mayweather, it has been well chronicled that he turned down an offer of $8 million from Top Rank to face Margarito. Arum tried every trick in the book to lure Mayweather into the ring, carrying on a year-long campaign. Instead, Mayweather took fights less challenging and for smaller money against Sharmba Mitchell, Judah and Baldomir before he hit the jackpot last year with De La Hoya, and then again with blown-up junior welterweight Ricky Hatton.
The long ordeal for Margarito was made harder to swallow as he watched Top Rank turn Miguel Cotto into a star. Diaz has frequently inferred that part of the blame for Margarito's problems could be laid at Top Rank's doorstep, although it should be noted he re-signed with them last year.
While Cotto has been kept busy earning money for himself and Top Rank, Margarito has barely been active in comparison. Starting in 2001, Margarito has fought only twice in every year through 2007. In contrast, when Cotto won his first championship in 2004, he fought four times that year, and three times each in 2005-2007.
Margarito seemed poised to finally get his big fight when Arum penciled him in to face Cotto in June of 2006. But to do so, Margarito would have had to give up his championship belt because he had a mandatory ordered with Paul Williams. But Margarito is one of those increasingly rare fighters who actually cherish their belts, so he chose to fight Williams for what was then his highest purse, $1 million, but several hundred thousand dollars less than he would have gotten against Cotto that June.
The result was that Margarito lost his belt to Williams in a tight unanimous decision, 113-115 twice, and 112-116. "Tony started too slow," Diaz said. "But I'm not making any excuses. Williams won because he threw more punches, although those punches didn't land that much and they weren't as hard as the ones Tony was throwing and connecting with. Once Tony got inside, the fight turned around, but it was too late."
Fate, which has never been all that kind to Margarito, also conspired against him in the Williams fight. Diaz was told Margarito would have 40 minutes to warm up, but two preliminary fights resulted in quick knockouts. Margarito was still wrapping his hands when he was informed to get ready, just 10 minutes from the opening bell. "Tony never got a chance to really warm up, which is why he had that slow start," Diaz said.
The resilient, ever-optimistic Margarito won a tune-up against Golden Johnson and then knocked out Cintron again, who was by now a reigning champion. With his impressive victory over Cintron, and his belt back, Cotto-Margarito became a viable fight again for Top Rank. They will fight on July 26 on HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m.
Diaz and Margarito are well aware of the stakes in this fight with Cotto, a universally recognized elite boxer. "I believe Tony will beat Cotto," Diaz said. "If he does, then people will start calling him out."
With Mayweather having retired, if Margarito wins, Arum could narrow his mantra and call him "the most feared welterweight on the planet." The only difference this time is he won't be the most avoided.
Ward gains new inspiration
Goossen Tutor Promotions
After seeing the birth of his daughter, Amira Lecian Ward, Andre Ward declared himself to be on a mission. The undefeated 2004 Olympic gold medallist, Ward (15-0, 10 KOs) is in the Cayman Islands where he will compete June 20 for his first title as a professional, against former "Contender" competitor Jerson Ravelo (18-2, 12 KOs).
"My wife Tiffiney is doing well, and we are proud to tell you that our daughter is born, weighing in at a fit 6 pounds, 14 ounces. She is so precious," Ward said before he left. "I have never been so inspired to visit the Cayman Islands and win. I just can't wait to come back and hold my baby girl. I wish I could take my family out there with me, but it is too soon for them to travel.
"I am extremely excited to go to the amazing Cayman Islands to try and win my first title as a pro," said the Oakland, Calif., native, who will be seeking to capture the NABO super middleweight title in the main event to be televised on Showtime.
"A win would be a major step toward my mission of becoming a world champion and to continue to establish myself as the eventual best fighter in the world.
"My training camp went exceptionally well, and I know I have to be ready because Jerson Ravelo is a world class fighter who has knocked out eight of his opponents in the first round. As always, my trainer, Virgil Hunter, has prepared me well and provided me with great sparring and a sound game plan, which I will look to follow."
Ward is coming off a seventh-round stoppage of rugged veteran Rubin Williams back in March - his fifth consecutive knockout victory.
"I am coming in in great shape and expect to emerge as the new NABO super middleweight champion when all is said and done."
Hunter added, "The work has been done, and Andre is ready to send a message to Ravelo and all the other world contenders."
Pavlik grounds 'Rocket'
By Brian Richesson
Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik has long maintained his love for boxing. In a sport where participants sometimes duck dangerous opponents, Pavlik has yet to run and hide from any match-up and any chance to fight. He's becoming more known - after every victory - for his offering to face Godzilla.
As the Kelly Pavlik phenomenon continues to unfold, HBO boxing analyst Max Kellerman may have put it best after another impressive win by Pavlik, telling him: "YOU are Godzilla."
And Pavlik has become that dangerous opponent.
In what Kellerman called "a big commercial for Kelly Pavlik" that will bring bigger and better opportunities, the Youngstown, Ohio, native didn't disappoint. He defended his WBO and WBC belts for the first time since winning them against Jermain Taylor last September - and he did so successfully and in quick order.
Gary "The Rocket" Lockett came into his first title fight - all the way from Wales - as a huge underdog, and the 7,000 fans at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City discovered why. Pavlik so pummeled Lockett with combinations to the head, several vicious body shots and his never-ending jab that Lockett trainer Enzo Calzaghe stopped the fight with 1:23 remaining in the third round.
Pavlik's onslaught of punches wore Lockett (30-2, 21 KOs) down to the point that the challenger purposely took to his knee twice in the second round and again in the third before the end came. Lockett's face revealed the punishment from Pavlik - a banged-up forehead and a bloodied nose and left eye.
In 2 1/2 rounds, Pavlik landed 43 percent of his 214 total punches, including 55 percent of his 119 power shots. His 6-2 1/2 frame and long reach overwhelmed the 5-10 Lockett, who still couldn't protect himself despite keeping his gloves around his head.
Pavlik was especially dominant in the second round when he easily levied shots to Lockett's head. In Lockett's corner after the round, Calzaghe yelled at his fighter for not throwing punches in return and allowing the champion to "tee off on you."
Pavlik (34-0, 30 KOs) now will wait for promoter Bob Arum and Top Rank to negotiate the details of his next fight. A number of names is being mentioned, including super middleweight and light heavyweight champion Joe Calzaghe, IBF champion Arthur Abraham, WBA champion Felix Sturm, Mexican middleweight Marco Antonio Rubio and Irish brawler John Duddy.
Mayweather Jr. retires
Mayweather Promotions
Dear Media:
It is with a heavy heart that I write you this message today. I have decided to permanently retire from boxing. This decision was not an easy one for me to make as boxing is all I have done since I was a child. However, these past few years have been extremely difficult for me to find the desire and joy to continue in the sport.
I have said numerous times and after several of my fights over the past two years that I might not fight again. At the same time, I loved competing and winning and also wanted to continue my career for the fans, knowing they were there for me and enjoyed watching me fight. However, after many sleepless nights and intense soul-searching I realized I could no longer base my decision on anything but my own personal happiness, which I no longer could find. So I have finally made up my mind, spoken to my family, particularly my mother, and made my decision.
I am sorry I have to leave the sport at this time, knowing I still have my God-given abilities to succeed and future multi-million dollar paydays ahead, including the one right around the corner. But there comes a time when money doesn't matter. I just can't do it anymore. I have found a peace with my decision that I have not felt in a long time.
Finally, I want to personally thank all of my fans for their loyalty and dedication as my career comes to a close. I always believed that their enthusiasm and support helped carry me to victory with every fight I ever had.
It was a great joy to have fought for all of you. Now I hope you understand my decision and wish me well with the rest of my life.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Quintana works harder for respect
411mania.com
After dominating Paul Williams for 12 rounds and capturing the WBO welterweight title in convincing fashion, Carlos Quintana believes he is still getting no respect.
Going into their June 7 rematch for Quintana's title on Showtime Championship Boxing (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast), most industry experts have the champion as the underdog to Williams.
In the second fight of the world championship doubleheader at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., Vernon Forrest will defend his WBC super welterweight title against Sergio Mora, winner of the inaugural season of The Contender.
"I feel like the respect people give me is not the respect I deserve," Quintana said. "I feel like I have to go out and prove myself on June 7 once again."
Going into their first bout on Feb. 9, Quintana (25-1, 19 KOs) was a significant underdog. He understands that he needs a great performance on Showtime to quiet the naysayers once and for all.
"Last time I was a 6-1 underdog, and this time I am the underdog again," said the 31-year-old Quintana. "It doesn't matter. It can be 20-1 for all I care.
"I am stronger, and my training has been more intense than it was for the first fight. I know he took me lightly our first time around, so I am training harder and smarter than ever before."
The result of their first fight was a shock for Williams, who came in with the confidence of an undefeated fighter, and perhaps he overlooked Quintana.
Quintana, of Puerto Rico, is 25-1 with 19 knockouts. The only blemish on his record came in a hard-fought bout against Miguel Cotto for the WBA welterweight title on Dec. 2, 2006, on Showtime.
Williams (33-1, 24 KOs), of Augusta, Ga., captured the belt with a close decision over Antonio Margarito, who had made seven successful defenses, on July 14, 2007.
"In the first fight, I just couldn't get my rhythm," Williams said. "It prevented me from fighting how I normally fight.
"I just have to get in there and take my title back from him. I'm going in with the mindset of the underdog looking to upset the champion."
Fired-up Calzaghe arrives in New York
411mania.com
Trainer of the Year Enzo Calzaghe has again rapped the knuckles of Jack Loew, the trainer of undefeated world middleweight champion Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik. Calzaghe is incensed that Loew is dismissing Gary "The Rocket" Lockett, Pavlik's No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger for the WBO belt, by looking ahead at a showdown against his son Joe, the undefeated two-division world champion.
Loew has already incurred the wrath of the fiery Sardinian by saying that Calzaghe can teach Lockett to slap like a girl - just like Joe.
The hammer-fisted Lockett (30-1, 21 KOs), from Cwmbran, Wales, intends to mete out a "mandatory sentence" to the top-10, pound-for-pound Pavlik (33-0, 29 KOs), from Youngstown, Ohio.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Frank Warren's Sports Network and Caesars Atlantic City, the Pavlik-Lockett world middleweight championship fight will take place on June 7 at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall. It will be broadcast live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET.
Calzaghe Sr., who arrived in New York with Lockett on June 1, firmly believes his man will cause a big upset.
"Joe's my son and I'm also his trainer, but this is Gary's fight this Saturday, not Joe's," said Calzaghe. "Loew's big ego and mouth seem to be going in a different direction than his brain, and he is getting carried away talking about fighting Joe. Let's see what happens on Saturday night first. This is where Loew is showing his inexperience as a trainer, and it will cost him dearly. Lesson No. 1, Jack, is don't count your chickens before they've hatched.
"I find it disrespectful that they are talking as if Gary is just a stepping stone for Pavlik, but Gary is going to have them eating their words. Loew has already insulted my training methods by saying that I teach my fighters to slap, and now they are ignoring Gary's credentials. Well, on Sunday morning they are going to be wondering where it all went wrong."
Opening the HBO broadcast will be WBO junior featherweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon (34-1, 30 KOs), from Huntington Park, Calif., defending his title for the seventh time, against No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger Juan Manuel Lopez (21-0, 19 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico. Combined, this quartet of sluggers boasts an incredible record of 118-2 (99 KOs), a winning margin of over 98 percent and a victory-by-knockout ratio of 84 percent.
Remaining tickets, priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50, can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Preview: Pavlik puts titles on line
By Brian Richesson
Kelly Pavlik takes a break from boxing's big names when he defends his middleweight titles for the first time. "The Ghost" from Youngstown, Ohio, steps into the ring against little-known Gary Lockett of Wales on June 7 in Atlantic City, N.J. (10:05 p.m., HBO).
Lockett has landed the opportunity of a lifetime as he crosses the Atlantic Ocean to face the WBC and WBO champion. The mandatory challenger for Pavlik's WBO belt, Lockett will fight for the first time in the United States. He'll be reminded of that on fight night as thousands of Pavlik fans are expected to make the six-hour drive to Boardwalk Hall.
Last September, Pavlik became the middleweight champion of the world when he floored Jermain Taylor at the same venue, in front of a frenzied, pro-Pavlik crowd. Taylor faced an onslaught of boos when he walked to the ring and seemed at a disadvantage in such a hostile environment. Pavlik will look to have the advantage again when he puts his belts on the line.
The question remains: How much of an advantage will Pavlik (33-0, 29 KOs) even need against Lockett? As the challenger, Lockett seems inferior because of his height (5-10 to Pavlik's 6-2 1/2), his lack of quality opponents and his fighting as the "visitor" in the States for the first time. Meanwhile, Pavlik is coming off a string of victories that have included former Olympian Jose Luis Zertuche, the power-punching Edison Miranda and previous champion Taylor (twice).
Or is Lockett the one holding the advantage? He has nothing to lose and everything to gain. His record (30-1, 21 KOs) indicates power potential against a fighter who still leaves himself open to dangerous punches. And he has displayed an intensity and intelligence in pre-fight interviews, seemingly calm and grounded for the situation. This is a fight that Pavlik could easily overlook with such bigger possibilities in sight.
In fact, there's already talk that Pavlik could meet Joe Calzaghe, the super middleweight and light heavyweight king, later this year or early next year. Here's the interesting twist for June 7 - Lockett is trained by Enzo Calzaghe, Joe's father and trainer who already has exchanged verbal jabs with Pavlik-trainer Jack Loew. Could we assume this is the appetizer for something much, much bigger?
Let's move a little closer to the dinner table.
Prediction: Few knew about underdog Kelly Pavlik when he faced Jermain Taylor for the middleweight championship, and we all know how that fight ended. Gary Lockett finds himself in the same underdog role, in the same arena where the division was turned upside down. Is history repeating itself? Not quite. Pavlik is too smart and too focused to allow this upset to happen. He understands what this win - even against the unknown Lockett - means for his career and his future. That's why he's prepared himself for this fight, to the point it will end by knockout in Round 7 - after they bang each other up for a bit - further fueling talk of Pavlik-Calzaghe in a mega fight.
Forrest has new edge
By Anthony Ivey
WBC light middleweight champion Vernon Forrest has always carried himself with a laid-back demeanor while displaying a soft-spoken tone when speaking of opponents. Even against the brash Ricardo Mayorga, Forrest refrained from the kind of trash talk that the Nicaragua native has made famous.
Now, ladies and gentleman, meet the new Vernon Forrest.
"I'm no Arturo Gatti, I'm no Andy Lee. There will be no upset come next Saturday - you can forget about that s***," stated Forrest in response to Sergio Mora's managers' comparison of previous "Contender" opponents pulling off upsets.
This was just one of Forrest's many bold statements during a teleconference May 28 promoting the Forrest-Mora and Carlos Quintana vs. Paul Williams doubleheader June 7 on Showtime Championship Boxing.
"I hope you come to fight," stated Forrest (40-2, 29 KOs) in a challenge to Mora. "If you do, they'll take you out on a stretcher, guaranteed."
When asked to describe Mora's style, he flatly stated, "Garbage, total garbage. When I sparred with him, I beat him up with one arm. I was laughing - ask his trainer."
Mora did his best to remain composed during the teleconference.
"This is my time," stated Mora (20-0-1, 5 KOs). "I am ready and I am prepared."
Forrest, however, continued the verbal assault.
"I am setting my legacy; every fight is personal. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Nice guys finish last. On June 7, I am knockin' your motherf***** a** out."
Hatton decisions 'demons'
By Brian Richesson
Ricky Hatton admitted to the "demons" that existed following his knockout loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. five months ago. He needed the help of 55,000 roaring fans in his hometown of Manchester, England, to move past the first setback of his career.
Despite a couple of harrowing moments in which he was wobbled and stunned, Hatton rebounded from the Mayweather defeat by easily outpointing Juan Lazcano for a 12-round unanimous decision on May 24 at City of Manchester Stadium.
"The first time you get knocked out, you have demons to deal with," Hatton told the Versus network afterward, his right eye badly blackened. "The hardest one is out of the way."
Fighting in his hometown for the first time in 2 1/2 years, Hatton showed his good nature on his way to the ring. He wore an inflated body suit sporting the name "Fatton," a reference to his lifestyle out of the ring and his liking for pints of beer.
But when the opening bell rang, Hatton was all business. He was the usual blue-collar, aggressive fighter his fans love to watch. That style, however, puts him at risk of dangerous counter shots. Lazcano landed a number of those counters, most notably in the eighth and 10th rounds when Hatton came close to hitting the canvas.
Hatton rallied in the eighth after his legs buckled from a Lazcano left hook. Something curious, however, happened in the 10th. After Hatton was staggered again by a series of left hooks, the referee interrupted the action and began warning Lazcano. Hatton, meanwhile, rested and recovered in the opposite corner. Then, as Lazcano was ready to continue the fight, Hatton asked for more time to have his shoe tied. The series of events gave Hatton about a minute to bounce back from the beating that nearly dropped him.
Hatton, whose nose was bloodied in the first round upon walking into a punch, admitted to being hurt during the fight.
"I know I have the talent and the boxing skills to make things easier for myself, but sometimes I never do," he told Versus. "I make it exciting - put it that way."
Lazcano (37-5-1, 27 KOs) of Sacramento, Calif., hadn't fought in 15 months, but he seemed determined to test Hatton. As close as Lazcano came to scoring two knockdowns - and maybe even a knockout - the scores were lopsided in Hatton's favor (120-110, 118-110, 120-108).
Hatton (44-1, 31 KOs), meanwhile, retained the IBO junior welterweight title and remained The Ring magazine's junior welterweight champion. On the backside of his career, he plans to fight about six more times before entering the promotional business.
"I promise you," he told the thousands of fans, "I'll continue to do you proud."
Also on the card, Paul Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KOs) retained the IBF junior welterweight title in a split decision over Lovemore N'dou (46-10-1, 31 KOs).
De La Hoya's mission accomplished
By Brian Richesson
Oscar De La Hoya and Steve Forbes were a perfect match for each other.
Their 150-pound bout May 3 at an outdoor soccer stadium south of Los Angeles attracted 27,000 fans and a number of celebrities, a healthy payday and 12 rounds that amounted to a sparring session. De La Hoya looked good against his smaller opponent, nearly cementing a September rematch against Floyd Mayweather Jr., which had been his goal from the outset. Forbes, the former junior lightweight champion who hasn't been knocked down in a 12-year professional career, bettered his reputation by hanging tough against one of the biggest names in boxing - but he never appeared set on winning. In fact, he spent a couple of rounds strutting around the ring in entertaining fashion while it was obvious he was behind.
Many in the crowd had hoped for a De La Hoya knockout of his overmatched opponent and began booing as the bout came to a close and Forbes (33-6, 9 KOs) was still standing.
"I had hoped I would I knock him out, but I knew because he's never been knocked out before, he would be a tough customer," De La Hoya told HBO's Larry Merchant afterward. "He's not 2-Pound Forbes, but 800-Pound Forbes."
The 35-year-old De La Hoya (39-5, 30 KOs) controlled the bout with a consistent jab and effective combinations. He bloodied Forbes' right eye midway through the fight but never came close to knocking him down. Despite a swelled right eye, the Golden Boy dominated, winning 119-109 (twice) and 120-108.
It was the first of three fights De La Hoya has planned this year before retiring. The second is a rematch against Mayweather Jr., who won a split decision last year in one of the biggest boxing events ever staged. The two see the obvious monetary value in meeting again.
"Now I feel sharp after 12 hard rounds, and I feel sharp after a one-year layoff," De La Hoya said. "I've accomplished my goal in the first of three fights."
Calzaghe dethrones Hopkins; Barnett on card
Staff reports
Joe Calzaghe's first fight on American soil went exactly as planned. He returned home to Wales as the light heavyweight champion.
Calzaghe ended months of buildup with a split decision victory that had Bernard Hopkins denying the outcome minutes after the fight April 19 in Las Vegas.
"The fans are the real judges," Hopkins told HBO analyst Max Kellerman in the post-fight interview.
Maybe they were. The nearly 15,000 in attendance at the Thomas & Mack Center, most of whom crossed the Atlantic to see Calzaghe, roared in approval of the outcome. Hopkins was booed from the time he walked into the ring to the comments he made afterward.
The crowd reaction wasn't surprising. In addition to Calzaghe's boisterous fan backing, Hopkins chose to play the "villain's" role in the pre-fight buildup. His controversial statement that he would never allow "a white boy" to beat him became a popular sound bite.
Meanwhile, Calzaghe (45-0, 32 KOs), the dominant super middleweight champion, didn't appear bothered by Hopkins' psychological ploys and instead focused on keeping his undefeated record and reputation intact.
Calzaghe was forced to weather 12 physical, frustrating rounds. For part of the fight, Hopkins executed a strategy that nullified Calzaghe's busy attack - smart for a 43-year-old fighter - but it became unpleasing to the eye. Instead of engaging Calzaghe, Hopkins routinely threw quick punches and stopped the action by clinching.
The fight started slowly for Calzaghe, who walked into a Hopkins right hand in the first round and found the canvas. Blood spurted from the super middleweight champion's nose after two rounds, as the matchup unfolded in Hopkins' favor.
Calzaghe slowly adjusted to the tempo and began finding slight openings for his attack. Over the course of 12 rounds, it paid off. The Welshman landed the most punches of any Hopkins opponent, HBO reported afterward, supporting the final decision (114-113 for Hopkins; 115-112 and 116-111 for Calzaghe).
The fight also had its controversies. Calzaghe landed a punch below Hopkins' belt in the 10th round that floored the American. Replays showed, however, that Hopkins may have overreacted to the punch and needed the extra time to rest. Calzaghe, meanwhile, played to the crowd, shaking his hips and pumping his fists.
Hopkins (48-5-1, 32 KOs) reacted again in the 11th round to another low punch, but referee Joe Cortez disregarded the claims, telling the fighters to continue.
Calzaghe, the aggressor throughout the fight, pressed forward at the emphatic urging of Enzo Calzaghe, his trainer and father, to finish Hopkins.
With Joe Calzaghe having answered the critics who said he needed to win outside the United Kingdom to supplant his legacy, what's next? When asked, the champion seemed intrigued by a possible matchup with another American boxing staple in Roy Jones Jr., who was in attendance.
Barnett faces gold medallist: In undercard action, local heavyweight Jason Barnett (10-7, 4 KOs) took on 2000 Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison.
Barnett fought well for the first four rounds, even rattling Harrison with a right hand in the fifth. Harrison responded with a right-left combo to the body that dropped Barnett. Barnett beat the count, but the referee waived the fight off despite protests from Barnett.
"Jason put on a good fight," said trainer Jim McLoughlin. "He just got caught with a tremendous body shot by Harrison. Under the circumstances of fighting on four days' notice, it was a tremendous performance. Golden Boy Promotions wants to have him back."
Preview: Hopkins' hype machine
By Brian Richesson
Give Bernard Hopkins credit for understanding the business side of boxing.
After his decision over Winky Wright last July in Las Vegas, Hopkins took the microphone and called out super middleweight king Joe Calzaghe - because Hopkins finally had the leverage to do so.
Back-to-back losses to Jermain Taylor had halted Hopkins' decade of dominance over the middleweight division. Instead, he was being replaced by a younger, faster, more athletic boxer in Taylor.
But six months removed from his second loss to Taylor, Hopkins reestablished himself - this time in the light heavyweight division - with a decision over Antonio Tarver that garnered the IBO and NBA titles and The Ring magazine's No. 1 ranking. A year later he gained the victory over another of boxing's most recognizable figures in Wright.
At age 43, Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs) hasn't given up the fight. On the contrary, his rebound from the Taylor defeats and his ability to successfully sell himself in the sport has earned him an April 19 bout with one of boxing's all-time best in Wales' Calzaghe.
Much like Floyd Mayweather has assumed the villain's role in recent high-profile fights against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, Hopkins has been loud in lamenting Calzaghe. His controversial statement that he would never allow a white boy to beat him has drawn attention while building momentum for the bout in Las Vegas.
Don't forget, Hopkins works in the promotional side of boxing and knows how to run the hype machine. The focus is on selling tickets - and if he happens to intimidate Calzaghe along the way, well, that's fine too.
But can Calzaghe be intimidated? The WBC, WBA and WBO champion is undefeated in 44 bouts, 32 by knockout, and has silenced critics in recent victories over Mikkel Kessler and St. Petersburg's Jeff Lacy.
For Calzaghe, though, this fight may be different. The 36-year-old will be out of his element, fighting for the first time in the United States and at the light heavyweight limit of 175 pounds. Will these factors finally force him to crack under a new kind of pressure, to a future Hall of Fame fighter?
Prediction: Certainly, Calzaghe won't have the backing of tens of thousands of United Kingdom fans. But the Pride of Wales has proven to be too tough, too focused and too quick for any of his opponents. Soft-spoken outside the ring, Calzaghe uses animal-like aggression when the bell rings to overwhelm the opposition. Expect much of the same April 19. A well-fit Hopkins will do everything in his power to disrupt Calzaghe's game plan, but it won't be enough. Calzaghe will adapt and earn a decision that will build his reputation even more.
Haye unifies cruiserweight belts
By Brian Richesson
More than 20,000 fans waited until 2 in the morning to see a second-round knockout. David Haye sent them home quickly.
Fighting a mile from where he grew up, London's Haye made short work of Wales' Enzo Maccarinelli in a cruiserweight unification title bout. Haye used his thunderous right hand to hurt Maccarinelli in the corner, unleashed a barrage to bring the finish closer and whipped another right hand into his opponent. By then, Maccarinelli looked lifeless, and the referee knew it, stopping the bout at 2:04 of the second round.
Although the fight matched two big punchers, many didn't expect the end to come so soon. The back-and-forth action fans had hoped to see never materialized.
Haye (21-1, 20 KOs) grouped Maccarinelli's WBO belt with his WBA and WBC belts. The chiseled British fighter has talked about taking his big-punch ability to the heavyweight division next.
Joe Calzaghe, the pride of Wales, walked into the ring with Maccarinelli, carrying the country's flag. Maccarinelli, who is trained by Calzaghe's father, Enzo, falls to 28-2, 21 KOs.
Klitschko pairs title belts
By Brian Richesson
Wladimir Klitschko was less than stellar in his 12-round decision victory over Sultan Ibragimov on Feb. 23 at Madison Square Garden in New York. In the end, that didn't matter. Boxing's most recognizable heavyweight finally unified the title, pairing his IBF belt with Ibragimov's WBO crown.
The accomplishment was met by a spattering of boos during and after the bout. Both fighters spent most of their time pawing at each other, waiting for that perfect opportunity to strike. Klitschko slowly took control of the fight and controlled much of the action with his left jab, but he rarely unleashed his potent right hand.
When Klitschko did throw the right, it usually worked. Two rights in the ninth round sent Ibragimov into the ropes, and that result could have been ruled a knockdown - although it wasn't.
As the fight wore on, Ibragimov wore down. He got rough with Klitschko and seemed to wrestle instead of box. Ibragimov's momentum in the 10th round forced both fighters to the canvas, as if one were tackling the other.
There was no drama as the scores were read. Klitschko (50-3, 44 KOs) won convincingly, 119-110, 117-111 and 118-110. Ibragimov, who had won his title by beating Shannon Briggs, suffered his first loss and now stands at 22-1-1, 18 KOs.
Pavlik overcomes improved Taylor
By Brian Richesson
Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor provided thrilling back-to-back ring battles. They provided class and sportsmanship and a new middleweight champion. They provided a positive influence for the sport. But a trilogy will have to wait.
Less than five months after winning Taylor's middleweight titles by knockout, Pavlik followed through with another victory, this time by decision, on Feb. 16 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pavlik won a unanimous 12-round decision, 117-111, 115-113 and 116-112, in a bout that appeared much closer.
Both fighters were floored in their first meeting, with Taylor staying down in Pavlik's seventh-round knockout. The non-title rematch, held at a catch weight of 166 pounds, turned into a boxing match and a thinking man's game as both fighters stayed on their feet. "Tonight I actually had to use my brain," Pavlik (33-0, 29 KOs) said in the postfight press conference.
Taylor (27-2-1, 17 KOs) showed marked improvement from the first fight. This time he stayed off the ropes and avoided becoming a target for Pavlik's powerful right hand. He kept his gloves up, countered Pavlik's punches and ripped off effective combinations.
But Pavlik was the busier fighter, throwing 845 punches to Taylor's 456, and he continually backed his opponent up. Pavlik failed to land his right hand with much consistency, but he thrived on his left jab that kept Taylor at bay and swelled his eyes.
While Taylor thought he won the fight, he was gracious in defeat. He congratulated Pavlik in the ring afterward and chose not to dispute the decision in his postfight press conference.
Taylor will now shift his career to the super middleweight division, where plenty of intriguing opponents can be found.
Former world champion Mikkel Kessler, coming off his defeat to Joe Calzaghe, said he intended to fight the loser of Pavlik-Taylor. Taylor promoter Lou DiBella also mentioned former world champion Jeff Lacy as a possible opponent. It's also easy to ponder a meeting between Taylor and Edison Miranda; both have sparred verbally in the past.
Whomever the opponent, HBO has plans to broadcast Taylor's next fight, DiBella said.
For Pavlik, it's back to the middleweight division where he will defend his titles in June against Irishman John Duddy or Puerto Rican icon Felix Trinidad. Because Trinidad is unlikely to make the 160-pound limit, Pavlik-Duddy seems more like a reality.
Preview: Pavlik, Taylor draw closer to rematch
By Brian Richesson
The boos grew louder and louder as the middleweight champion of the world became visible to the 10,000 fans in Atlantic City.
Jermain Taylor could not have expected a warm reception from this crowd, not from the 5,000-plus fans who made the six-hour drive from Youngstown, Ohio, to support their unbeaten fighter, Kelly Pavlik.
Pavlik toiled for years dominating no-name opponents and, along with his camp, fending off criticism that his professional career was progressing too slowly. The Ring magazine once called him the "most-protected" fighter in the middleweight division.
Soaking in the atmosphere, Pavlik's fans had to think - this wasn't the Metroplex, this wasn't Cafaro Field and this wasn't Struthers Fieldhouse, all Youngstown-area venues in which Pavlik fought en route to his special night, Sept. 29, 2007.
This was Boardwalk Hall, and this was the middleweight championship of the world.
Taylor, of Little Rock, Ark., was no stranger to criticism either. Although he took the middleweight titles from Bernard Hopkins and then successfully defended them against him, the fights were close and Taylor was far from dominating.
Taylor fought to a draw against Winky Wright and won lackluster decisions over Kassim Ouma and Cory Spinks, smaller opponents who moved up from the junior middleweight division and still presented problems for the champion.
With Pavlik, Taylor and his camp claimed they finally had an opponent who could allow the champion to show his best skills. They claimed Pavlik's conventional style and willingness to stand toe-to-toe with his opponent would give the athletic Taylor an opportunity to jab his way to victory.
Pavlik's power proved too much to handle. The 25-year-old challenger rallied from a second-round knockdown to batter Taylor to the canvas in the seventh round - and Taylor never got up. Pavlik had earned the sport's respect by overpowering Jose Luis Zertuche and Edison Miranda along the way, but with the knockout of Taylor, Pavlik had earned the middleweight championship of the world.
Now they will do it all over again, this time on Feb. 16 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Now the boxing world wonders whether Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs) can duplicate his performance from nearly five months ago and whether Taylor (27-1-1, 17 KOs) learned anything from a second round in which he appeared to have won the fight. After a flurry of shots to the head, Pavlik dropped to the canvas. He pulled himself up and Taylor punched himself out.
Pavlik used the momentum of recovering from Taylor's best shots to propel him to victory. Pavlik used his patented, powerful right hand to stun his opponent and calculated follow-up shots to finish him.
Since that September night in Atlantic City, Taylor has changed trainers - leaving Emanuel Steward for father figure Ozell Nelson, the man responsible for instilling a love for boxing in Taylor. Their focus has been on Taylor's stamina and boxing skills.
The venue also has changed. The rematch will take place in Las Vegas, a city for which Pavlik has admitted a lack of fondness. He won't have the same hometown support as he enjoyed in Atlantic City, where his animated fans from Youngstown could be seen all over.
While Taylor has renewed his focus, Pavlik has had to strengthen his. The middleweight champion has become an even greater celebrity in Youngstown. Many have demanded his time, and while the humble Pavlik always has obliged, trainer Jack Loew had to limit his fighter's appearances as training has intensified.
No matter what happens on Feb. 16, Pavlik will remain the WBC and WBO middleweight champion. A clause that Taylor exercised from the first fight called for a rematch at a catch weight of 166 pounds. Taylor intends on continuing his progression to the super middleweight division.
Pavlik's first title defense instead may come in early June in New York against Irishman John Duddy, the 10th-ranked middleweight by The Ring magazine. The fight could match blue-collar sluggers with passionate-fan followings - a promoter's dream scenario.
Heavyweight Povetkin becomes No. 1 challenger
By Brian Richesson
Alexander Povetkin needed only 15 fights to reach the top of the heavyweight division. His next step? Winning the IBF championship.
Russia's former Olympic gold medallist outworked American Eddie Chambers down the stretch of their elimination bout in Berlin, Germany, to become the No. 1 contender for Wladimir Klitschko's title.
Walking through a number of crushing right hands early in the fight that produced a swollen and black left eye, Povetkin (15-0, 11-0 KOs) stayed busier and acted hungrier in beating Philadelphia's Chambers, 117-111, 119-109, 116-112, in their 12-round bout.
"What's wrong, man?" Chambers' trainer and father asked the fighter as the match moved into its later stages.
Whether it was fatigue or a lack of confidence against the unwavering Russian, the previously unbeaten Chambers (30-1, 16 KOs) faded late with an uninspiring performance, which had his corner yelling between rounds. Chambers threw only 15 punches in the 11th round and 16 more in the 12th round when he needed a knockout.
Klitschko is scheduled to face Sultan Ibragimov on Feb. 23 in New York and, with a victory, would have to make a mandatory title defense against Povetkin.
