EXCESSIVE BRUTALITY VIOLENT THE ASTONISHING STORY BEHIND THE FIGHT THAT WAS TOO THE AWARD-WINNING WORLD’S BEST FIGHT MAGAZINE EST. 1909

JANUARY 24 2019 Every week

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ITV OUR VERDICT ON THEIR RETURN GOLDEN OLDIE But is running out of time

+ ANDY LEE CARL FRAMPTONFRAMPTON + KATIE TAYLORTAYLOR + TOM BELLBELL + ANDY LEE TRI-BLEND T-SHIRTS IN STOCK ONLY £24.99 EACH BOXINGNEWSSHOP.COM ContentsJanuary 24, 2019

VETERAN’S DAY 14 Even at 40 years old, Pacquiao is too good for Broner Photos: CHRIS FARINA/MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS & STEPHANIE TRAPP/TGB PROMOTIONS UNMISSABLE HIGHLIGHTS

>> 12 NEXT ON THE AGENDA >> 4 EDITOR’S LETTER After a disappointing end to 2018, The pros and cons of MayPac II Frampton is looking to the future >> 5 GUEST COLUMN >> 20 LOTS TO DISCUSS Why Pacquiao is a freak of nature Reporting on a pair of incident- packed shows in state >> 10 BRING THEM ALL ON Taylor is determined to test herself >> 22 EVASIVE ACTION against fellow elite-level fighters A history of the fights that got away in the division >> 26 BACK ON OUR SCREENS After a near-two-year absence, >> 28 EXCESSIVE BRUTALITY The Thurman Show is returning Remembering the oft-forgotten 26 contest that was simply too violent >> 34 BOOK REVIEW Hauser delves into the life story of an Irishman who travelled the world DOWNLOAD OUR APP TODAY >> 43 AMATEURS For more details visit Our official Four Nations ratings WWW.BOXINGNEWSONLINE.NET/SUBSCRIPTIONS >> 46 60-SECOND INTERVIEW ‘MY FAVOURITE FIGHTER HAS TO BE CANELO ALVAREZ. I EVEN NAMED MY DOG AFTER HIM!’ Chris Jenkinson

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 3 EDITOR’S LETTER

Photo: CHRIS FARINA/MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS

YOU TEASE: Coming Mayweather is nding next time it hard to stay out of the limelight O is staring the end of his career in the face following a loss to Eleider Alvarez in 2018. Cover photography We preview the JOE CAMPOREALE/ USA TODAY SPORTS rematch and talk in detail to the Russian’s trainer, Buddy McGirt.

OWE’RE ringside in New York to watch Keith Thurman make his return after ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD a long hiatus from the sport The merits and pitfalls of Mayweather-Pacquiao II with injury.

OJUST because HERE was hoopla, and all the expectation, there shared a ring. If Mayweather-Pacquiao we want to see something quite were moments of seriously impressive II happens at the expense of something Deontay Wilder- sweet about the boxing on show from both, at least to like Anthony Joshua-Deontay Wilder or II footage released of the educated eye. They are the best of Canelo Alvarez- III, doesn’t mean it T Floyd Mayweather their era, after all. Or, more accurately, you can stick it. No thanks, we’ve had will definitely and Manny they were the best of their era. That was enough already. happen. We Pacquiao clunking yesterday and today, the reason we’re Because the sport has to keep examine some fists like old not desperate for a sequel is simply evolving and showcasing new talent bouts that were drinking buddies at because things have moved on. with the future in mind. It should not crying out for a basketball game Mayweather, if you ignore the be shouting from the rooftops about a rematches but on Monday night. tasteless exhibitions, is no longer an proverbial dead end that will probably never got them. For context, there active fighter. Pacquiao – as impressive not be exciting nor crown a new king. was something as he looked for a 40-year-old man If we treat it like the seniors tour in golf, OAVAILABLE positively against Adrien Broner on Saturday fine. But do not be fooled into thinking to download Matt via iTunes and Christie exhilarating about night – is a Top 5 welterweight. Indeed, it’s the Masters. the pair meeting if they were to box again, it wouldn’t But this is not all about us. Put Google Play @MattCBoxingNews back in January even be for a renowned title (Pacquiao’s yourself in the shoes of Mayweather from January Editor 2015, also at an spurious WBA strap does not count) and and Pacquiao. Both are clinging to the 29 and the print NBA game, when nor should it be. So, if it happens, take it last of what made them so great in the edition is in they embarked on discussions that for what it is. Try not to get too enraged first place. Let them have their farewell stores on would lead to their record-breaking by it all. Or, for that matter, too excited. party and collect their retirement January 31. fight four months later. It will only lead to disappointment. bonuses. One more drink for the road, Yes, it’s different now. But those who are trying to market if you will. They certainly deserve it. On the And that’s where a lot of boxing this contest certainly have some spin And if the expressions on their faces website fans are with the latest round of at their disposal. There’s Pacquiao’s and their body language at the LA Mayweather-Pacquiao ‘talks’. It’s not shoulder injury from fight one. That’s Lakers game on Monday night said OFOR all the particularly exciting, it’s not offensive, healed now. Pacquiao is driven by a anything, it said mutual respect. It was news updates, it just is. If they fight again, okay, we’ll desire for revenge while Mayweather a nod to the that road well travelled. told in the likely watch and be a little bit intrigued is only in it for the money. There’s Mayweather-Pacquiao, in the year right way, read about what happens. If they don’t, no Mayweather’s inactivity and age. He 2019, is not the fight it was. We’ve all Boxing News At problem. Probably no need anyway could be ripe for the pickin’. So, yes, consumed enough of May and Pac. Five. Every day. because we’ve seen it all before. there are just enough ‘what ifs’ to sell We remember the last party, and we The reason for the blasé attitude this all over again. can still feel the hangover. But it wasn’t is not solely down to the first fight A note of caution to those spin all bad, was it? There was a bit of fun being something of an anti-climax. For doctors: Do not try and tell us this is the to be had. We could probably manage many observers, that contest played most important fight in boxing. Do not one more. But only if you’re going to out almost exactly as they expected. use this rematch to blow TV budgets the bar… Tentative start, some spirited Pacquiao for the year and, in turn, halt the Follow us and keep up to date attacks, Mayweather firmly in control. In impressive progress the sport has made fact, if you take away the hype and the since Mayweather and Pacquiao last @BoxingNewsED BoxingNewsOnline

4 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net GUEST COLUMN

A SPECIAL GUY Photo: CHRIS FARINA/MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS

TAKE THAT: Pacquiao’s left loops into the chin of Broner

What Pacquiao is doing at the age of 40 is not normal

T is a rare able to sustain. I fought professionally until I was takes much more mental strength thing for a That some boxers are able to 33, and I still spar numerous rounds and desire to compete at a high professional perform well in advanced years, each year at age 51. There is a very professional level when you boxer who while others cannot, could come clear and gradual process that your are older because your life has I has been in down to a certain degree of luck. body and mind goes through. changed, your priorities have the game as Every physical body is different and There are different levels changed, your view of the sport long as Manny even the best doctors would have of regression as time goes on. changes. When you are younger Pacquiao to a tough time explaining why some I’ve definitely noticed a virtual you feel invincible, you desire to be excelling men live to be over 100 years old disconnect between the mind and fight the toughest guys available. as he is at his while others expire naturally before the body. When you are younger You want to reach a high level to age. In recent turning 70. your body reacts almost instantly be remembered for as a boxer. You years guys From my experience, though, to the commands you give it, but reach a certain age, though, and like Bernard I would say that one thing that men I notice, on a regular basis as I’ve you’re in the gym with guys who Hopkins like Manny, Floyd Mayweather, aged, that sometimes it’s as if the weren’t even born when you started John and Floyd Archie Moore and Bernard Hopkins body isn’t even connected to the boxing. You’re sparring with guys Scully Mayweather have in common is that they brain anymore. who are younger than your own Ex-light-heavy were able minimised or removed any out Sometimes your desire depends kids. You find yourself wondering contender to do it, and of the ring vices. Clean living and on the moment or the time of the when the bottom will drop out. You further back, a healthy respect for their bodies day. You go to bed planning on know it happened to the best of we’ve seen greats like Willie Pep must be taken into account. having a tremendous workout the the best, from Robinson, Louis and and Archie Moore fight very well When I was 16 years old the following morning only to wake up Pep to Leonard, Benitez and De into advanced years. But the simple great Moore closed out a letter eight hours later with no desire at La Hoya. You reach a certain age fact is that many, many more to me with a quote from him that all to even put sweat clothes on. where, no matter how great you legends were very clearly ‘washed I’ve never forgotten and I always Sometimes I’ll be on the way to the feel, no matter how slim and trim up’ at an age where “Pacman” was recall when I see men like Pacquiao gym to box with one of the guys you are, no matter how strong you and is still going strong. Joe Louis, in action: “Treat your body as a but by the time I arrive to the ring feel, you wonder, “Is today the day Ray Leonard, , champion should, for it is the one I don’t even feel like shadowboxing I lose it all?” Tommy Hearns, Wilfred Benitez, you will have until death calls you anymore let alone trading punches It takes a special guy to ward all and Oscar De La Hoya for example, home.” with someone. of those doubts off and still be able all fell short of showing the skills, However clean you live, though, Yet the next day I’ll go 12 strong to compete favourably at similar speed, punch output and leg fighting on until your 40s, at world rounds with no trouble at all. levels to what they did so many strength that Paquiao has been level, is exceptionally difficult. It is very clear to me that it years earlier.

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LETTER OF THE WEEK JARRETT HANGS ‘EM UP

I RETIRED as Northern Area I believe Donovan “Razor” Ruddock, AMENDMENT TO THE SYSTEM secretary on December 31, 2018 for example, who is ranked at 100 in I’D like to suggest a small amendment after 40 years in the job. I would your list, would just be too much for to the 10-point must system. At present, like to express my sincere thanks and the likes of Gene Tunney and James J. a very close round won narrowly by appreciation to the Council members Corbett, who are ranked considerably a punch or two is scored 10-9, which and licence-holders who contributed higher. My initial concerns, however, is also usually the score for a clearly to my very generous leaving present, turned to agreement and respect for your won round where the loser is not as well as a certificate of gratitude, rankings when I came to realise that, knocked down. Over the course of a suitably framed. I have worked with when ranking the greatest championship fight, Fighter A could four general secretaries in Ray Clarke of all time, it is not about considering conceivably edge six rounds. Fighter OBE, John Morris, Simon Block and who would beat who. It is rather about B could clearly win the other six. The Robert Smith, and wish to thank them considering and comparing the legacies resultant draw would no doubt lead to and the boys and girls at head office for of these great fighters, what they controversy, as the overall impression their invaluable assistance in easing my achieved in the sport and the status they would be that Fighter B has won. journey through the years. held in the public eye. Jack Dempsey Allowing judges the leeway to award John Jarrett probably would not be able to beat 10-9.5 rounds to indicate a closely Earnie Shavers or Mike Weaver (although won round would allow the scores to HEAVYWEIGHTS THROUGH TIME some may point to his destruction of the more accurately reflect the action and I FOUND the Boxing News 100 Greatest much larger Jess Willard as evidence to hopefully avoid controversial endings. Boxers bookazine a prove otherwise). But when you compare Andy Sayer fascinating read, but also found myself the legacies and the standing they held screaming in disbelief at some of the with the sporting public, and compare MAKING A SAVING rankings. A boxing fanatic for close to the legend of Dempsey in his day to the I AGREE with Tom O’Toole’s letter 50 years, I have great admiration for the legend of Shavers or Weaver at their (January 10 issue) regarding the poor old-time legends, but am of the opinion peak, then you can understand the shows now being shown on BoxNation. that the sport has evolved to such an reasoning behind so many of the older I am also disappointed with , extent over the years that many of the generation of boxers being ranked higher who keep putting fights on pay-per-view. stars of yesteryear just would not be able than many of the bigger, more powerful I have cancelled my subscriptions to both to cope with the size, speed, power and modern heavyweights. A thoroughly BoxNation and Sky Sports, which has superior conditioning of the modern enjoyable read. saved me £42 a month. heavyweight. Stephen Reed Mike Richards Photo: MPS/USA TODAY SPORTS MATTER OF OPINION: Our reader believes Ruddock, pictured here ­ring a left uppercut at Mike Tyson, would have beaten the likes of Tunney and Corbett

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10 COUNT

THE PANEL WELTER BELTERS

There are several intriguing fights WHO, IN 2019, WILL PROVE TO BE THE to be made in the 147lb division BEST WELTERWEIGHT ON THE PLANET? 1. vs ERROL SPENCE A meeting of Crawford, the WBO champion, and Spence, the IBF champion, is not only the best fight you can hope for at welterweight, it’s also arguably the best fight that can be made in boxing today.

2. TERENCE CRAWFORD vs KEITH THURMAN Both Crawford and Thurman can mix up boxing with banging and for that reason this clash of champions would be one of the most eagerly anticipated fights of 2019 were it to get made. Michael Gareth A. Nigel Andy 3. ERROL SPENCE vs KERMAN LEJARRAGA Conlan Davies Wright Clarke What Spain’s Lejarraga lacks in finesse he more than Boxing Retired Boxing makes up for with power and robustness. He would prospect journalist super- commentator need to show new dimensions, though, if paired with For me, it’s If we have a They’re all Crawford or the smooth all-rounder Spence. between Spence two-year timeline, great fighters, Garcia, who I’m and Crawford. it will be Spence. but I would go picking to beat 4. TERENCE CRAWFORD vs MANNY PACQUIAO Crawford is rated Spence vs with Spence. Spence in March. Pacquiao, in beating the likes of Adrien Broner and up near the top, Crawford would I just think he has I think Thurman’s , is proving he’s not ready to exit the , be a great fight more ability than moment has gone. sport just yet. However, a fight against former Top but he has only involving two the others and is He’s been unlucky Rank stablemate Crawford could be the passing of the moved up to 147 elite fighters. I’ve naturally bigger with injuries and torch he has long been avoiding. recently and isn’t said split draw and younger. This his peak years that big physically, in the past, but fight with Mikey have been wasted. 5. KEITH THURMAN vs ALEXANDER BESPUTIN so I’d give the Spence would be Garcia will answer Having said that, Besputin, a former Russian amateur star, is undefeated advantage to favourite. Making some questions. Crawford, Spence in 12 fights as a pro and is stepping up in class at an Spence. I feel he’s it happen? That It’s a great and Garcia aren’t alarming rate. Ranked at one by the WBA, he is closing a huge welter needs Bob Arum matchup and I’m fighting enough quickly on heavy-handed Thurman and his WBA crown. and is also very and Al Haymon to excited for it. either. 6. ERROL SPENCE vs DANNY GARCIA talented, like co-operate. But it’s Former champ Garcia has lost to both Porter and Crawford. a super division. Thurman in recent times but is always good value and would still represent a stern test of Spence’s WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE credentials. 7. vs EGIDIJUS KAVALIAUSKAS MOMENT IN THE CAREER OF ANDY LEE? Porter is a champion all over again, having won the WBC crown from Danny Garcia, and US-based Michael Gareth A. Nigel Andy Lithuanian Kavaliauskas is one of the scarier punchers Conlan Davies Wright Clarke on the planet right now. A fight between them would The John Jackson Predictable, but I had the privilege I’ll go for the make for a hell of a clash of styles. KO was the best it’s the stoppage of to be joint top of obvious: the right for me. It looked Matvey Korobov. the bill with Andy hand that stunned 8. ERROL SPENCE vs KUDRATILLO ABDUKAKHOROV like Andy was Korobov was Lee in Ireland Korobov and led Uzbek prospect Abdukakhorov is known as “The on the way to unbeaten – this when I fought to the stoppage Punisher” and is rising fast up the IBF welterweight being stopped was the first world Paul McCloskey that won him rankings. In winning 15 fights in a row, he isn’t too far – he was under title victory on in 2008 and the his world title. off a shot against champion Spence. serious pressure US soil by an atmosphere I remember 9. KELL BROOK vs to pull something Irishman since was electric. My it so clearly. It’s been a long time coming, and probably won’t ever out the bag – 1934 – and it was favourite Lee I remember seeing arrive, but a British stadium fight between Amir Khan but he landed a joy to interview moment, though, Korobov standing and Kell Brook remains high on some UK fans’ wish list there, his feet that beautiful Andy when he would have to be for 2019. right hook touched down when he knocked stuck, frozen in and it literally in Ireland as out John Jackson time almost, and 10. JEFF HORN vs put Jackson to the new WBO after being in screaming at the It might not set the world alight – on paper at least – sleep! One of serious trouble TV for Andy to but the pairing of former WBO title-holders Horn and the best walk-off champion. himself. He pile in and close Vargas would be a fan-friendly scrap featuring plenty I’ve Nothing but a knocked him out the show. of exchanges and combination-punching. seen. pleasure working cold. Boom! with Mr Lee.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 7 Highlighting the best NEWS of the week’s stories WWW.BOXINGNEWSONLINE.NET WHAT A DREADFUL WASTE

Promising HE close-knit South Club in Lindholme for over three years. has been taken away from him! This guy Yorkshire boxing He was managed by Steve Wood. was a massive part of my world title win! ghter Tom community was “It’s a tragedy and such a devastating Thoughts prayers and love go out to his Bell shot rocked last week by loss,” Harrington told Boxing News. family! #RIP.” T the shocking death “What fantastic human being. He lit up In 2008, Bell’s brother, Andy, beat the dead in of Tom Bell, one of a room with his infectious smile and his tough Chris Edwards to win the British the area’s brightest charisma. He was a real character. super- title before surrendering Doncaster, hopes for the future. “Tom had all the tools. He just it to future IBF champion, Lee Haskins. writes John At around 8.30pm on Thursday needed to be guided and taught how Tom was determined to follow in his January 17, the unbeaten 21-year- to use them. He could have reached the footsteps. Due to problems outside the Evans old was shot in the back as he stood stratosphere. He was destined for the ring - which included a brief stint in with friends in the Maple Tree pub on very, very top. He was the most naturally prison last year for driving offences – Bell the Woodfield Plantation in the quiet gifted talent I’ve ever seen and worked had not fought for 18 months, but he Doncaster suburb of Balby. According with. was slated to return to the ring in March to all available reports, the shots were “Tom was a six-fight novice but people and begin a sustained climb through fired through the pub window. Bell who know the sport and knew Tom will the British rankings. Horribly, nobody was treated at the scene and rushed to always remember him.” will ever know just what he could have hospital but sadly passed away from his At 5ft 8in tall and blessed with achieved. injuries before midnight. outstanding technical ability and a “Tom got into trouble in the past for Situations like this tend to develop sharp boxing brain, Bell possessed all little bits of stupidity, but he always held quickly. By Sunday evening a 29-year-old of the characteristics needed to reach his hands up and took responsibility and man had been arrested in South Cave, the top. During the course of his career, I taught him never to hide behind his East Yorkshire, on suspicion of murder, Bell - who would likely have eventually mistakes,” Harrington continued. “The while a 21-year-old woman was also contested titles at and British Boxing Board of Control and the being held on suspicion of assisting an super-bantamweight - had already Area Council knew what Tom was going offender. taken two unbeaten through and fully backed Detectives believe Bell was targeted records. In just his him to get back in the and the people involved knew each second professional fight ‘HE LIT UP ring when he had all his other. Police previously said they had he beat the then 4-0 licences in order. He was discovered a burnt-out white BMW 1 Scott McCormack and A ROOM focused again and back in Series in Doncaster and forensic tests he followed that up by the gym sparring talented were carried out on the vehicle. beating future English WITH HIS kids and keeping himself A former member of the Doncaster title challenger Razaq INFECTIOUS nice and fit.” SO MUCH MORE Plantworks club, Bell Najib in his very next Boxing may have lost TO DO: a talented young fighter Bell’s career had only turned over to at just outing. SMILE AND just got started 18 years old and has been working with Bell last fought in but, far more importantly, Photo: RYAN MARSDEN Jimmy Harrington at the Freedom Boxing September 2017 when CHARISMA’ a family has had an he outpointed Dmitrijs unrepairable hole torn Gutmans over four rounds inside the in it. Bell - whose mother, Tracy, was his Doncaster Dome. His record will forever biggest fan - leaves behind a girlfriend, stand at 6-0. Chloe, and a large extended family. “That In the wake of “Bellie’s” shocking includes everybody at the Freedom death, messages of condolence poured Boxing Club,” Harrington concluded. in from those who had either witnessed “I can promise that Tom’s memory and his ability or were taken in by his lively legacy will continue to live on through personality. the boxing club.” IBF featherweight champion Josh Bell’s parents said: “We would please Warrington has close ties to the ask that our privacy is respected so that Lindholme gym on the outskirts of we are able to grieve in private. Doncaster and took to Twitter to say “We want to ask any witnesses or how saddened he was to hear about the anyone with information to contact the incident. Warrington added that Bell was, police and help with their inquiries – it’s “Such a naturally talented boxer who had so important that we get justice for Tom the potential to go very far in the sport. and the police are able to find out who is A massive shame at such a young age. responsible for the death of our son.” RIP pal.” Anyone with information, or who may Bell recently provided Charlie have dashcam footage from the area, Edwards with plenty of work ahead of should call 101 or Crimestoppers on his outstanding world title victory over 0800 555111. Cristofer Rosales. On Friday morning Plans are in place for a fund-raising the WBC flyweight champion tweeted, evening of amateur boxing in Bell’s “Woke up to absolutely devistating [sic] memory and Boxing News will publish news this morning @TomBell120 life details as and when they are available.

8 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net Photo: RYAN MARSDEN

REST IN PEACE: Bell is already sorely missed

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Photos: ED MULHOLLAND/MATCHROOM

MAKING STRIDES: Taylor ‘s exceptional form in 2018 made her BN’s inaugural Female Fighter of the Year

THE ULTIMATE GOAL

Katie Taylor ATIE TAYLOR game not wanting to be that kind of at and fight on wasn’t indulging in boxer. I want to fight them all. I want to these big bills. How could she not? What is here to trash talk, but the take the risks,” she told Boxing News. has she been doing all her life if that take over, normally impeccably Her manager Brian Peters was more doesn’t get her going and get her up for a K polite Irish star was forthright. “It’s tough to get some of fight?” Peters asked. writes about as close as she these fighters in the ring. That’s probably But change does happen quickly John gets to it. Already what I’ve seen has been a problem with in this sport. Hours after voicing their the unified WBA and IBF lightweight female boxing. They haven’t been fighting frustration, they had their breakthrough. Dennen champion, Taylor wants the other belts in each other,” he said. “For a long time The WBO champion, Rose Volante the division and she wants them as soon they’ve fought on small shows in front of agreed to take on Taylor in Philadelphia as possible. small crowds for small money on small on March 15. Victory would put Taylor “You definitely do have to take risks platforms. They’re getting opportunities one step close to winning every title in in this sport. I hate the fact that in now.” her division. “That was the ultimate goal. professional boxing itself overall that He pointed the finger at Delfine I wanted to be undisputed champion,” the big fights aren’t being made in Persoon, the WBC titlist. “She’s got to be Katie said. “I want to fight them all.” each division. That’s what I hate about a prouder champion than that. She’s got “Delfine Persoon is a long reigning professional boxing. I came into this to want to come to America and fight world champion, she’s considered one

10 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net of the best,” Taylor continued. “That’s a definitely changed on women’s boxing I didn’t know how much interest there fight I would absolutely love, two top over the years. That’s the most special part was. Now I’m boxing on these big stages,” quality that’s a fight that about the whole thing for me,” she said. she said. people would really be excited about. That story is being told in a new high And as far as Taylor is concerned “the Rose Volante is a very, very strong fighter profile documentary, Katie, which after a best is yet to come”. as well. They’re both huge fights for me. run in cinemas is now released on home She is improving as a pro fighter. The ultimate goal for me this year is entertainment. Taylor herself isn’t yet “I feel I’m getting better and better in to become the undisputed champion ready to sit back and review her entire each fight,” Katie said. “I think gradually and hopefully set up a huge fight later career. In her mindset there is still more I am adapting into a solid professional… with either Amanda Serrano or Cecilia to accomplish. “I haven’t actually watched This is a huge challenge for me, the pro Braekhus or one of the other bigger it. I couldn’t watch myself on the big game, it’s a great challenge that I’m really names.” screen but I know the story,” she laughed. enjoying, which makes the performances That is a big dream. Braekhus is “I don’t really like looking back on things. even better.” currently the undisputed I’m all about the here She’d spent years in the amateur welterweight champion. and now when it comes sport, winning an Olympic gold medal, Taylor wants to win all ‘I HATE to my boxing career. All five World championships and six the belts at lightweight I’m focused on now is the European titles. All that time and all those and meet Braekhus at an THAT THE next fight really. I don’t achievements will have engrained habits 140lbs catchweight. “Katie BIG FIGHTS want to think about what in her. But to go pro, Taylor needed to moving up, and Cecilia, happened in the past. change. “Everyone needs a bit of time to very good fighter that she AREN’T BEING “I just want to stay adapt,” she continued. “I had over 250 is, moving down,” Peters focused on the next amateur fights, boxing as an amateur for speculated. “That’s very MADE IN EACH fight. I might watch the so long there’s a lot of things I had to get significant, it’s historical DIVISION’ documentary when I rid of going into the pro game. That takes and that’s what people retire.” time as well.” really want. That’s what She is competing in “The power shots, as an amateur you want to give to people.” high profile events, defending her titles fighter I was up on my toes, you just can’t It would be the culmination a at Madison Square Garden in December do it in the pro game, especially over 10 remarkable career. For someone who last time out. “I was delighted. Madison rounds,” she explained. “Just being a bit started when women’s boxing wasn’t Square Garden is such an iconic venue. meaner in the ring as well, being a bit even permitted in Ireland, Taylor has Every boxer dreams of fighting there, it’s more ruthless in there was something I come an awfully long way. “When I the Mecca of boxing really. To be fighting had to adapt to.” started boxing as a 10-year-old there on a Canelo undercard as well that was “It’s a different mindset when you are ON TARGET: Taylor owns two of were no other female boxers at all in the fantastic. Sitting in Eddie Hearn’s office in the pro game,” Taylor notes. “I think it the four major belts country. I’m just looking at all the female two years ago I didn’t really know how comes quite natural. at lightweight and boxing, practically in every single club this was going to turn out. As a female “It’s really only the start. I feel like I’m can make it three in the country, it’s absolutely incredible. professional boxer I didn’t know how getting better and better and stronger next time out Even perceptions of people. Minds have much money there was to be made, and stronger.”

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REFLECTIVE: If the right opportunity arises, Frampton will ght again

12 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net Q & A

‘WARRINGTON IS STRONGER THAN SANTA CRUZ’ reects on his upset loss and looks to the future with Declan Warrington

N the immediate aftermath of his surprise at super-bantamweight I’d maybe have a crack. defeat to Josh Warrington in December, Carl You said you decided to retire after that fight – how long did Frampton indicated he was going to retire. But, that last? five weeks later, the Northern Irishman insists After the fight, I was done. But my opinion’s changed. The fight I he’s not ready to walk away just yet. wasn’t how it was meant to go – I didn’t carry the game plan. If I’d been What are your reflections on what was an getting beaten up in sparring that may have been time, but I sparred unexpected defeat, by Josh Warrington? well and was in good shape. We spoke a bit about our plans and I told Jamie [Moore, my trainer] I started to think and people were saying ‘You’ve a lot more left’; ‘I was s**t’ and he said ‘It wasn’t one of your better performances but boxing people, who wouldn’t have any financial benefit from it. It was there were things you done well’, but I’ll have to watch it because it a f**king bad night, that’s all. didn’t feel like I did anything f**king well. You’ve spoken of wanting a third fight with Leo Santa Cruz – People were surprised it went 12 rounds after the opening two so what about a rematch with Warrington? I suppose that’s some sort of positive. I’m still disappointed, it’ll take a I don’t want to be one of those, going on and on, but if I perform while to get over it, but credit to Josh. The tactics were very right I can still beat someone like Josh. He fought brilliantly, is good, as they were against [Lee] Selby. They’ve a tactical fit, physically very strong – looked two f**king divisions genius in there somewhere. above me on the night, he’s f**king huge. A big, big Maybe I was getting carried away with my featherweight, and his punching power definitely power, which I don’t have any right to do surprised me. because I haven’t knocked too many out at At some point [I’d like a rematch] but featherweight. You talk to anyone I spar; I understand I’m in no position to start they’ll tell you I punch very hard, but blowing about rematches. If I get another the knockouts aren’t coming. I thought big win then I’d like to right a wrong. I was Warrington would be busy, but I’d hit him comprehensively beaten but the scorecards hard, and he wouldn’t be as ready to come weren’t that wide. forward. He’s physically stronger [than Santa Cruz]. So what needs to change for you to Santa Cruz is physical and in your face; they’re recover? very similar but Warrington’s stronger, and Sometimes I can be a bit lazy in fights, and not punches harder, which is surprising if you look use my feet as much. Go back as far as the Chris at his record. Santa Cruz never really buzzed me at Avalos fight [w rsf 5 in 2015] when I was really up on all; Warrington buzzed me a number of times. They’re my toes; I used to love watching Manny evenly matched. INJURY: Frampton believes a stray knee caused this Pacquiao who was always on his toes. bruising to his thigh during the Warrington loss So what’s next? A return to Belfast? I have to get back to that, so it’s something Belfast to get a win again, and get back I’ll have to sit down with Jamie and Nigel on track, may happen. It needs to be the [Travis] about. right opponent before I make any decisions. This is a self-diagnosis – it was from an ‘WARRINGTON I know my wife [Christine], in particular, [accidental] knee in the first round – when would like me to jack it in. She’d never ask I went back to the corner I had a dead leg, HAS A TACTICAL but I know she would. If I don’t get the right and it was a bad round. I remember it hurt fight, I’ll call it a day. I’ve 18 months, two when I came back to the corner, and I didn’t years max left. want to say ‘I’ve a dead leg’ because after GENIUS IN THERE The Leo fight’s always still there because the first round it looks like you’re looking there’s one [victory] each. I still believe for a way out. I didn’t want to make an SOMEWHERE’ there’s big fights out there, that I can win excuse but I couldn’t move my feet as world titles and beat big names. There’s only I wanted. After one round I remember limping and thinking ‘He’s going so many of those [tough fights] you can have. Whatever happens I’m to think I’m hurt’, but I wasn’t. The game plan was to get up and box hoping there’s not too many like that again. and move, and if I’d done that then I still may have won. What I should I’ve got a court case [with the McGuigans] in May – it’s nothing I’m have done when I got buzzed in the first was f**king hold onto him worried about, I’m sleeping easy. It’s a timely distraction because it’s for dear life and get a better recovery. I just didn’t know how to fight, the most active I’ve been since probably f**king 2012, so I’m going to a bit of machismo when you get hurt and it went from bad to worse. have a bit of a break. Jamie doesn’t want me anywhere near a boxing The weight thing – I wouldn’t go up. Featherweight isn’t easy for me to gym until at least April, but I’m running and lifting weights and ticking make, but I want to stay in this division. Though if something appeared over, so we’ll see what gets offered.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 13 Reports from the best fights ACTION around the world

+++++ OUTSTANDING ++++ GOOD +++ FAIR ++ DISAPPOINTING + RUBBISH

Reporters’ star ratings for main events and undercards are based on in-ring entertainment, competitiveness and whether overall expectation was met

Photos: JOE CAMPOREALE/USA TODAY SPORTS

IMPRESSIVE: Pacquiao dominates Broner but Mayweather, Pacquiao continues to defy his age but one typically aloof, refuses to commit to senses time is speculated return, writes Elliot Worsell running out

ECHOES OF THE PAST

14 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net , NV of insight. He didn’t nod his head, nor shake it. He ignored his buzzer. He JANUARY 19 certainly didn’t rush the ring as many had expected. ++ MAIN EVENT Instead, Mayweather, in appearing +++ UNDERCARD so nonplussed by it all, managed to somehow make a fight, Pacquiao vs. HE Sin City meeting Broner, seem an even more pointless of exercise than it had seemed for its Manny Pacquiao 36-minute duration. By not entertaining T and Adrien Broner the idea of fighting Pacquiao again, wasn’t so much a Mayweather had everybody wondering fight as a karaoke why there was any need at all to have contest between two watched what had just unfolded – men struggling to sing in tune. essentially, a dress rehearsal. For 12 rounds, Broner mimicked his Pre-fight, of course, we were told all heroes, striking all the right poses and roads led to Mayweather. We were given performing some of the right moves, the impression a win for Pacquiao would but nothing that came out of his mouth land him the rematch he has desired for made much sense, while Pacquiao, the nearly four years and that in choosing to dwindling superstar, occasionally rolled box Broner, a Mayweather clone whose the opposition and the authenticity of back the years to deliver the odd classic programming went awry, he was gearing the fight, the less appealing the idea of JUST PLEASED or two but mostly fell short of hitting up for his ‘Money’ fight in the best seeing them reunite, all in the name of TO BE HERE: notes of old. The result was a unanimous way possible. It sounded more or less money, becomes. In fighting terms, these Pacquiao beats up signed, sealed and delivered; ready to be are old men, and we are reminded of the disappointing decision (117-111, 116-112, 116-112) Broner while in favour of Pacquiao. There was no announced to a universal groan. But then this every time we see them perform. Mayweather demand for an encore. Mayweather saw value in the tease and They are shadows of the fighters who watches on In many ways, this fight, one nobody did what he does best. combined for an overdue showdown in saw coming nor craved, was an audition, Chances are, Mayweather’s non- 2015, much less the fighters who stormed and Floyd Mayweather, the Simon response in the aftermath of Pacquiao through the weight classes in the years Cowell of the piece, was ringside in Las vs. Broner owed more to his need for prior to that. For now, the idea of them Vegas casting an eye over it all. Sitting control, and for the announcement to boxing again is just cynical. It’s a cash metres from an old rival, he did the usual be on his terms, than any sudden doubt grab. Wait any longer, though, and it Floyd Mayweather thing throughout: that making millions of dollars against becomes a little sad. he called Manny Pacquiao a hell of a Pacquiao is the right business move to That’s not to say Pacquiao performed fighter; he said Adrien Broner needed make. He may well just be biding his time poorly against Broner at the MGM Grand. to do more; he looked simultaneously and Mayweather vs. Pacquiao II could Far from it. The Filipino legend, typically gripped and disinterested. Then, at the soon become a reality. feverish in his approach, pulled all the fight’s conclusion, when asked if he However, one thing we can be sure right faces, rushed when it was time to fancied coming out of retirement to of is this: the more we see Mayweather rush, and maintained his energy levels fight Pacquiao, he revealed not a shred and Pacquiao in the ring, regardless of from round one to 12. He rocked ³

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 15 ACTION

Frankly, it is tough to second-guess the game plan of a man who seems ignorant to them, but it was misguided of Broner and his team to think they could get the job done with single shots and some movement. Such an approach made it easy for Pacquiao. It allowed him to find his groove. Indeed, even when struggling with his timing, which he did, Pacquiao was still moving his hands, missing as many as he landed, and therefore doing more than Broner. Sometimes, that alone, the motion of moving hands, was enough to win him rounds, which says all you need to know about the quality of the American’s output. It’s worth considering, too, that although Juan Manuel Marquez famously switched out Pacquiao’s lights with a single right hand in 2012, he had laid the groundwork previously with three 12-rounders featuring combination after combination. He knew, as any intelligent fighter would, that single shots wouldn’t get it done against a whirlwind like Pacquiao; the Mexican, after all, had slower hands and feet, and was without the one-punch power. Throw in sequence, however, and Marquez discovered he could catch Pacquiao on his way in and expose his technical deficiencies and ³ Broner on several occasions, most and did so with a straight face. defensive holes. He found success this IN POSITION: notably in rounds seven and nine, and Some would call it arrogance. Others way. He established the blueprint this way. Broner is edged to was never once disturbed by anything might say he’s delusional. Whatever Admittedly, just as nobody, least of the ropes and coming back the other way, despite the root of Adrien Broner’s problem, all Adrien Broner, can box like Floyd clouted by a left Broner’s pre-fight prediction of a check- though, eventually we must accept the Mayweather, very few fighters boast Photos: JOE CAMPOREALE/ hook win. For a man of 40, he fact this 29-year-old, who, as a super- Marquez’s poise, counterpunching ability USA TODAY SPORTS looked surprisingly fast and fresh. featherweight and lightweight, seemed so or combinations. But the idea of being Then again, just as there was good full of promise, simply isn’t good enough. busy and throwing more than single shots stuff, there were also reminders of the He isn’t good enough to throw more than is at least a starting point for anyone fact this was Pacquiao’s 70th professional a handful of punches a round and take a looking to defuse Pacquiao at 40. Or it fight and that he has now been a pro for fight by the scruff of its neck. He isn’t good should be anyway. 24 years. He took a few rounds to find enough to score knockouts in fights in His remaining fans say Adrien Broner, his timing, for instance, and many of his which he needs a knockout. And he isn’t 33-4-1 (24), would be a different animal flurries, especially early, were more akin to good enough, we now realise, to deliver a if he just let his hands go. Yet there’s an a man grabbing for something in the dark performance he needed – and promised – argument to be made that the reason than the purposeful bursts of violence he against a 40-year-old Manny Pacquiao. he refuses to pull the trigger is because delivered in his younger and smaller days. Broner wasn’t the right man to capitalise on Pacquiao’s slide, no, but there are other welterweights, certainly, who will surely now fancy their chances of adding the scalp of a modern great to their record. Broner had his chance – not that you would have known it. Too busy pouting and posturing to produce, he placed unrealistic expectations on a single counter right hand and the threat of the check-hook without ever thinking to throw combinations or simply get busier. Broner, it seemed, had an image of the fight in his mind that differed greatly from the reality and from what everyone else was watching. It was why he changed not a thing throughout. It was why he FAMILIAR POSE: instigated a victory lap at the end and Pacquiao celebrates vaulted a ring post. It was why, though his 61st professional appearing to lose all but one or two victory rounds, he cried robbery in the aftermath

16 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net Browne’s body, was a step or two behind FULL the New Yorker throughout and enjoyed RESULTS very little success. He was then put back together and sent on his way. Manny Pacquiao Browne, seven years Jack’s junior at 28, (146lbs), 61-7-2 (39), was considered protected and untested w pts 12 Adrien Broner before Saturday’s bout but has now well (146 1/2lbs), 33-4-1 and truly arrived on the light-heavyweight (24); scene. Assured, heavy-handed, and a (175lbs), 23-0 (16), nightmare for most, stylistically, Browne, w pts 12 Badou Jack 23-0 (16), speared Jack early, gaining his (175lbs), 22-2-3 (13); respect, and then showed he was just as Nordine Oubaali (118lbs), 15-0 (11), adept at moving and outboxing his foe w pts 12 Rau’shee the longer the fight went. Warren (116 1/2lbs), In the aftermath, Browne, a winner by 16-3 (4); Hugo Ruiz scores of 119-108, 117-110 and 116-111, (125lbs), 39-4 (33), called out new WBC champion Oleksandr w pts 10 Alberto NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART: Gvozdyk and meant every word of it. And, Guevara (126lbs), 27-4 Jack’s face threatens to (12); George Kambosos unpeel after a performance like the one produced against Jack, why not? Jnr (135 1/2lbs), 16-0 Disproving the theory that all-southpaw (9), w pts 10 Rey Perez (137lbs), 24-11 (8); matchups are a cure for insomnia was Jonathan Steele (145 when he does it leaves him susceptible it have spiked after watching Pacquiao the vacant WBC bantamweight title fight 1/2lbs), 9-2-1 (6), to any riposte. Straight up, and prone to have his way with Broner and Broner between Frenchman Nordine Oubaali w pts 8 Jayar Inson pulling back, Broner has run into trouble happily let him. and American Rau’shee Warren. To (147 1/2lbs), 18-2 before against aggressive punchers, and Chief among the talking points on the the relief of the crowd, these two men, (12); Desmond Jarmon it seemed as though he would suffer the MGM Grand undercard was an almighty who first met as amateurs at the 2012 (129 1/2lbs), 8-0 (4), same fate whenever Pacquiao landed vertical gash Badou Jack received down Olympics, wasted no time getting down to w pts 6 Canton Miller anything clean on Saturday. the centre of his forehead in business and worked in perfect harmony (131lbs), 3-2-1 (1); His chin is solid enough, round seven of a gutsy but for every one of the 12 rounds they Destyne Butler (145 THINK 1/2lbs), 5-0 (3), w pts so that’s something, disappointing decision loss shared. ABOUT IT 4 David Payne (145lbs), but the Ohio native to Marcus Browne. Warren, 16-3 (4), started the fight well 3-2-1 (1); Viddal Riley is no doubt hittable PERHAPS it’s time to give The 35-year-old enough, tapping away with his southpaw (199lbs), 5-0 (3), and, to compound Mayweather some credit for “Ripper”, a notoriously jab and instigating the odd exchange, w rsf 1 Mitchell matters, Pacquiao was beating Pacquiao in 2015, rather than slow starter, was but it was Oubaali, 15-0 (11), who took Spangler (194lbs), 0-1. throwing the kind of moaning the fight came too late. The unable to get to grips over in the middle rounds and found a combinations Broner Filipino has since beaten Tim Bradley, with Browne’s languid regular home for his right hook. Stocky Jessie Vargas, Lucas Matthysse and neglected. When this and dangerous left- and robust, he was a worthy unanimous Broner. Not exactly the stuff happened, Broner, shot fighters are handed style in the first decision (117-111, 116-112 and 115-113) unlike Mayweather, wasn’t made of. half of the fight and was winner and successfully repeated his equipped to deal with it. then cruelly ripped apart victory over Warren at the 2012 Games. He couldn’t block or parry, nor by a headbutt in the seventh. It Better yet, Oubaali, a very watchable escape, like his hero. Stuck on the ropes, made a comeback all but impossible fighter, became France’s first world trying to remember his master’s moves, and should have led to the fight being champion for 11 years. bn Broner invariably found himself in a stopped. blender with no means of turning it off. Only it wasn’t. Jack, 22-2-3 (13), despite THE VERDICT Pacquiao, even at 40, BETTER THAN EXPECTED: In the end, save for having to swallow a brave effort to make something happen, is much too good for Broner. He Oubaali hurls his the odd eye-catching pot-shot from including a few spirited attempts to attack probably will be at 50, too. left at Warren Broner, it’s fair to say Pacquiao won’t have had many easier tasks in his 24-year career. He initiated the action when it needed to be initiated. He let hands fly on a static target. And he got to beat up someone who, even in the tiniest of cameos, might have reminded him of Floyd Mayweather, his nemesis sitting ringside. As for what it all meant, Pacquiao, 61-7-2 (39), retained a bogus WBA secondary welterweight title in a non- event, Broner did what Broner tends to do these days, and was well-paid for an opportunity he didn’t deserve, while Floyd Mayweather, the architect of it all, basically led every one of us to the dentist and then didn’t even bother giving us a lolly for our troubles. It will probably happen, a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao rematch, but this was no way to sell it, nor will anyone’s excitement for

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 17 COMMENT

THE RETURN OF ITV

Matt HRISTMAS came ahead. When the likes of Jim Rosenthal Manny Pacquiao’s 12-round victory early for many or Gary Newbon would welcome us over Adrien Broner as Saturday drifted Christie boxing fans when into the impending excitement, and into Sunday. C ITV announced commentators Reg Gutteridge and Jim First off was the choice of theme tune. reviews they had signed Watt were poised and ready for action. Instead of that aforementioned The Big the latest a three-year deal Oh, to be young again. Fight Live theme, we had Bishop Briggs’ with Al Haymon’s So where are we now, one month Church of Scars. A perfectly pleasant coverage Premier Boxing Champions and would on from ITV’s announcement, not to tune but, within the opening moments, and looks be broadcasting a minimum of 15 live mention many years older than we once ITV had missed the chance to win over events a year. were? Well, it’s not quite the stuff that a chunk of a notoriously hard to please ahead to Those of a certain age closed their 1987 was made of. Not yet, anyway. audience. eyes and drifted back to the 1980s With boxing fans of 2019 having “We did look at the old theme the sport’s and ‘90s when the channel would more platforms than ever before for tune and it’s something that might future on regularly churn out coverage from their voices to be heard – forums, social be considered again in the future,” home and abroad. When the opening media and the like – discontentment ITV Boxing told Boxing News, “but no the channel bars of the gloriously cheesy theme was aired during and following ITV’s immediate plans to change.” tune would alert viewers to what was most recent offering, which showcased The most common complaint,

18 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net to recordings on some viewers grumbled that sound was SUPERSTAR: platforms cutting off cut when “The Problem” let rip about Having the likes of but not on others,” ITV the decision in his own pathetic way. Pacquiao on free explained. Frankly, ITV should be commended TV is welcomed Quite how much of for taking the insufferable idiot off the this is down to ITV is up air at a time when young children are for debate. Perhaps they getting out of bed. Even if it was within can take some blame for scheduling watershed, such language – more the broadcast for not nearly long fitting for a Quentin Tarantino flick – enough. But even then, if the issued was bad form from Broner. information about the time slot and This was not an impassioned trainer potential extension was incorrect, the encouraging his fighter in the midst responsibility should lie with PBC for of a contest (and in those cases, their management of the event. commentators have no choice but In truth, this issue is nothing to apologise for the language even new. Numerous shows in the UK though they know you’re probably continue to overrun, with main events not offended), this was a 29-year-old starting exceptionally late into the man who was dropping F-bombs for fun. evening. Boxing, after all, is the most While the coverage was crisp and unpredictable of sports and a logistical clear and the analysis solid – Showtime, nightmare for even the most organised. with Al Bernstein and co behind the Furthermore, taking a live feed from an mic, have a good team – the hope is international sporting event – which that ITV can stamp more of an identity ITV did here – is not as simple as it on future broadcasts. Ron McIntosh may seem. Anyone who has worked at was the sole ITV voice on Saturday BoxNation in recent years, or even just night, as he introduced the show at watched their international coverage, the top, occasionally drew attention to can certainly vouch for that. We can’t February 23’s pay-per-view between expect ITV, or James DeGale and any broadcaster Chris Eubank Jnr, at the mercy of WE CAN’T and apologised for an international EXPECT ITV Broner’s mouth at

Photo: RYAN HAFEY/PREMIER BOXINGCHAMPIONSRYANHAFEY/PREMIER Photo: feed, to have any the end. In truth, influence on the TO HAVE ANY it was some way start and finish behind the work times. All we can INFLUENCE ON that went into Sky do is set recordings Sports’ and BT to last an extra THE START Sport’s recent US two hours or be AND FINISH offerings. prepared to brew It’s completely some coffee if we set TIMES understood that the our alarms too early. cost of sending a A grumble team out to America where ITV can be held accountable is simply too expensive, but it would is the amount of advert breaks, and still have been nice to hear some ITV- the timing of them. The problem with sourced punditry between fights in a commercial stations is their commercial similar way that BoxNation used to. nature, and adverts provide a crucial Half the fun of those early morning source of income. The format of broadcasts was watching Steve Bunce boxing means – from a commercial and Steve Lillis trying to keep us awake perspective – that every three minutes while they battled for consciousness there is a one-minute window to themselves. make as much money as possible from On the whole, though, the return and a more worthwhile one, was the advertisements. Unfortunately, the of free-to-air live international boxing main event starting much later than needs of boxing fans to hear the advice should be championed. So too ITV advertised. People who had hauled from trainers in the corners, watch for bringing it back. The channel is themselves out of bed at 2am for the replays and hear the views of analysts, committed to their latest venture; their start of the show were, if they managed often comes second to such financial sporadic output in 2017 and 2018 were to stay awake, forced to wait almost demands. merely baby steps towards the regular four hours before Pacquiao and Broner However, while there were ad coverage we can now enjoy and look came into the ring. Worse still, those breaks after rounds two, three and forward to; all the noises coming from who set their TV boxes to record the four of Pacquiao-Broner, we were – ITV about their desire to deliver top action were disappointed to find their bar a clumsy edit during the interval boxing programming are encouraging. coverage abruptly concluding before between rounds eight and nine – privy It’s true that the pay-per-view model the opening bell. Even those with the to all the rest. In 2019, ITV not cutting is not at the top of any fan’s wish list, foresight to add an extra hour to their to commercials for eight of the 11 but when fighters of Pacquiao’s calibre recordings were unable to watch one-minute breaks must be seen as a are regular attractions at no extra cost, the final round and all-important positive. not even a subscription fee, ITV Boxing announcement of the winner. So too must their decision to shut could turn out to be the best value for “We’re still establishing what led Adrien Broner up at the end. Some money out there.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 19 ACTION TOO HASTY

The referee NEW YORK, NY no such assistance, broke free and That remains to be seen, but it is without walked back to his corner in disgust, a doubt one of the best matches that can halts JANUARY 18 with Mercante in pursuit. Akavov kept be made in the 160lb division. turning away but was being provoked This year’s first major upset happened proceedings ++ MAIN EVENT by Mercante, who kept trying to console when Mexican super-lightweight Pablo prematurely +++ UNDERCARD him. Fortunately, Akavov showed restraint Cesar Cano stopped at while his emotions were running high. 2-48 of the first round of a scheduled +++ ATMOSPHERE in the Until the premature stoppage, 12. Considering the tough fight that the Andrade- Andrade, from Rhode Island, was headed Venezuelan had given EMETRIUS to a comfortable points win. He forced last year, there will be those who might Akavov ght ANDRADE’S the action, exhibiting his hand speed attribute this shocking defeat to having first successful while jabbing overtime and landing been caught cold. That would be unfair defence of his WBO thudding body blows, but Akavov was to Cano, though, who went from a D middleweight title defensively adept. Akavov did not mount gatekeeper to a contender overnight. was marred by a significant attack until the ninth round, Simply put, Cano looked physically controversy when when a two-punch combination jolted stronger than Linares, dropping him with referee Arthur Mercante Jnr needlessly Andrade, who quickly retreated. a right shortly after it started and having halted matters with a mere 24 seconds However, any thoughts of him him down three times in all. The last left in the contest. Artur Akavov had mounting a late rally were put to rest in knockdown came from a left hook, and stepped back after blocking a right hook, the 10th, when Andrade cut his fellow the former three-division world champ then much to his dismay, and that of the southpaw over the right eye with a barely beat the count. Linares briefly crowd at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu slashing blow. Akavov, who lost a close exchanged punches when the action Theater (Matchroom Boxing), Mercante decision to Billy Joe Saunders two years resumed, but when he stumbled back called it off. The Russian challenger was ago for the same WBO title, regrouped referee Ricky Gonzalez called a halt. understandably incredulous, shouting at and was on his way to going the distance Southpaw TJ Doheny impressively the official, “What are you doing?” until Mercante deprived him of that. ground down Japan’s Ryohei Takahashi While Mercante doubtless meant Pleased with his performance, two- in the initial defence of his IBF super- well, his actions following the stoppage weight world titlist Andrade dismissed bantamweight title, stopping him at 2-18 Jack were unprofessional. Mercante grabbed the idea of rescheduling his fight with of the 11th round. Takahashi was more Hirsch Akavov, who was on completely steady Saunders and instead called out Gennady exhausted than hurt when referee Mike RINGSIDE legs, and held him. Akavov, who needed Golovkin, who he promised to destroy. Ortega stepped in. Takahashi willingly

GOING DOWNSTAIRS: Andrade targets Akavov’s midsection

20 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net Photos: ED MULHOLLAND/MATCHROOM Lee tolled the 10-count. Serrano is now FULL THE UPSETTER: a seven-weight world champion. The RESULTS The unfancied Cano Puerto Rican portsider called out Katie causes a huge stir Taylor afterwards. There is no better fight by stopping Linares Demetrius Andrade that can be made in women’s boxing at (159 3/4lbs), 27-0 the present time. (17), w rsf 12 Artur As stablemates under the Star Boxing Akavov (160lbs), 16-3 promotional banner, New Yorkers (8); Pablo Cesar Cano Chris Algieri and Daniel Gonzalez (139 1/2lbs), 32-7-1 had sparred many rounds together. On (22), w rsf 1 Jorge this night they did it for real, with Algieri Linares (139 coming away with a 1/4lbs), 45-5 (28); TJ Doheny (121 which was tainted by the wide margins 3/4lbs), 21-0 (15), given. The crowd booed the verdict, and w rsf 11 Ryohei opinion was split at ringside as to who Takahashi (121 won. I had them level at 95-95. James 3/4lbs), 16-4-1 (6); Pierce’s 98-92 margin was distasteful. Amanda Serrano John Madfis at 97-93 was on the wide (114 1/4lbs), w ko 1 side. Even Mark Consentino’s 96-94 score Eva Voraberger (114 deserves examination when you consider 3/4lbs), 24-6 (11); he gave the last round to Algieri, who Chris Algieri (140lbs), 23-3 (8), w pts 10 spent it in full retreat. Tony Chiarantano Daniel Gonzalez (139 refereed. 1/4lbs), 17-2 (7); Gonzalez was lackadaisical in the Reshat Mati (145 met Doheny head on, but lacked the for the vacant WBO female super- early going and it cost him. It allowed 1/4lbs), 3-0 (2), w rsf power to hurt him. flyweight title is comparable to Manny the former WBO super-lightweight belt- 1 Benjamin Borteye Doheny was cut from a butt in the Pacquiao challenging for a world holder to score points by jabbing and (143 1/2lbs), 4-4 second, but came back strongly in bantamweight belt in his next fight. As going to the body. Gonzalez came on (4); Julian Sosa (147 the third, landing a right to the jaw unadvisable as it is, the resident well in the second half and cut Algieri in 3/4lbs), 13-0-1 (5), followed by three quick lefts that floored not only pulled off the feat but did it in the seventh. It was Algieri’s second fight w rsf 4 Dieumerci Nzau (146lbs), 11-7 back after a couple of years away from Takahashi. The Sydney-based Irishman style, taking care of business in a mere 35 (8); Nkosi Solomon is a quality operator who alternated his seconds of the opening round of a slated the ring. He looked good in intervals, (227 1/4lbs), 1-1, assaults superbly between head and 10-twos. but his timing was off. An Algieri-Cano w pts 4 Rodriguez body. Takahashi’s effort was admirable, Serrano came out firing. Voraberger, matchup would be intriguing. Cade (293 1/4lbs), being that he had taken the fight on just from Vienna, tried to fight back but was 2-4 (2); Cornell two weeks’ notice. hit with a pair of fierce body punches. THE VERDICT A premature stoppage, Hines, 4-0 (2), w pts 4 Amanda Serrano moving down six She went down, the pain etched on her a major upset and some debatable Farhad Fatulla 1-3. weight divisions to box Eva Voraberger face for all to see, as referee Sparkle scorecards.

Photo: MIKEY WILLIAMS/ SLAMMER: A Rivas right hand crashes into OSCAR WINNER Jennings’ jaw Rivas makes a name for himself, Ortiz eight months later. He had writes Kenneth Bouhairie won five straight prior to this Top Rank headliner at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino. VERONA, NY Rivas, a Colombian fighting JANUARY 18 out of Montreal, entered the ring with an undefeated record that ++ MAIN EVENT didn’t include a single notable ++ UNDERCARD name. Experience aside, 6ft 3in Philadelphian Jennings also had a Unbeaten featherweight prospect IF the end justifies the means, near-three-inch height and seven- Shakur Stevenson is beginning FULL RESULTS then fans can overlook the first 11 and-a-half-inch reach advantage. to flash serious power. The 2016 Oscar Rivas (234lbs), 26-0 (18), w rsf 12 rounds of the Bryant Jennings- He used both to keep Rivas on Olympic silver medallist made Bryant Jennings (225 1/4lbs), 24-3 (14); Oscar Rivas heavyweight the outside, but offered little in an short work of Filipino Jessie Cris Shakur Stevenson (125 1/2lbs), 10-0 (6), bout. Rivas compensated for an attacking sense. Rosales, stopping him at 1-29 of w rsf 4 Jessie Cris Rosales (124 1/2lbs), otherwise dull affair with a thrilling Action was scarce during the the fourth (set for 10). The Newark- 22-2-1 (10); Jason Sosa (131lbs), 22-3-4 finish, scoring a mild upset over first six frames. Rivas picked up the born southpaw was too fast and (15), w pts 10 Moises Delgadillo (133lbs), Jennings via 12th-round stoppage. pace in the seventh, working his skilled. A searing left cross dropped 17-19-2 (9); Robson Conceição (130 Rivas is now a player in the way inside. He was ahead on two of Rosales midway through the fourth. 1/2lbs), 11-0 (5), w pts 8 Hector Ruben division. Jennings entered the three cards heading into the 12th He made it to his feet but referee Ambriz Suarez (130 1/2lbs), 12-9-2 (6); (156lbs), 16-0 (13), bout with only two defeats, and decided to let it all hang out. Charlie Fitch had seen enough. Carlos Adames w ko 3 Juan Ruiz (155 1/2lbs), 21-4 (13); an April 2015 decision loss to Three flush rights drove Jennings to Fazliddin Gaibnazarov (141 1/2lbs), 7-0 THE VERDICT then-heavyweight king Wladimir the canvas. He rose on shaky legs. There’s a new (4), w rtd 4 Ricardo Garcia (142lbs), 14-5-1 Klitschko, and a seven-round A follow-up flurry convinced ref heavyweight contender in the (9); Vikas Krishan (152lbs), 1-0 (1), w rsf 2 drubbing administered by Luis Gary Rosato to step in at 0-54. mix. Steven Andrade (151 3/4lbs), 3-4 (2).

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 21 WELTER

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YOU’RE blowing it, son!” yelled WBA ruler, was 32-0; Leonard had had six previous an impassioned Angelo Dundee world title fights at welterweight, and Hearns had had before sending “Sugar” Ray four. Essentially, they had done enough to cement Leonard out to meet Thomas their positions in the division but had not laboured “Hitman” Hearns for round 13 the point or caused fans to become bored of seeing of what is perhaps the greatest their names attached without a pay-off. They built, welterweight fight of all time. they teased, and then they delivered. They delivered “You’re blowing it.” boxing utopia and lessons. They showed that getting Leonard sorted himself out in the end, then did the the timing right can lead to reverence: The Four Kings same to Hearns, but it was a long time coming and (Leonard, Hearns, Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler), he tested the patience of Dundee and many of his three of whom met as welterweights, all needed each supporters that night at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. other, found each other, and fought each other. Of course, Leonard might say, just as the fight Eager not to blow it today, 37 years on from happened at the right time, so, in his mind, did the Leonard vs. Hearns, are the latest gaggle of finish. He used his legs early, drew the sting from welterweights, some of whom seem content to string Hearns’ punches, mastered the unusual range at out the crowning of a single champion for as long as BALLSY: which the contest was fought, and eventually cut “The possible. Among them you have WBA champion Keith POTENTIAL: Porter is Motor City Cobra” down to size in the penultimate Thurman, IBF champion Errol Spence, WBO champion Crawford is always willing regarded as WRȴJKWWKH round as he started to slow and fade. The victor might Terence Crawford, and WBC champion Shawn Porter. RQHRIWKH best yet conclude it owed everything to timing: Hearns got his They are all American, they all offer contrasting VSRUWȇVȴQHVW XQLȴFDWLRQ wrong; Leonard got his right. styles and personalities, and they all need to unite in EXWKDVKH ȴJKWVKDYHVR Boxing, the big winner that night, also got its order for one to have a chance of being elevated to beaten a true IDUHOXGHGKLP A-lister? timing – in terms of putting these two together on superstar status. Photo: Photo: AMANDA WESTCOTT/ September 16, 1981 – spot on. Back then, Leonard, They will also argue there is no need to rush. They MIKEY WILLIAMS/ SHOWTIME the WBC champion, was 30-1, with a sole blemish will say they are all young men – not one of them is TOP RANK against Roberto Duran avenged, while Hearns, the even 32 – and that time is very much on their side. ³

22 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net THE GOOD OLD DAYS: Leonard and Hearns recognised the LPSRUWDQFHRIȴJKWLQJ each other in 1981 Photo: JOHN IACONO/GETTY IMAGES HOW TO +BE GREAT + BN OPINION WAIT

JANUARY 17, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 13 ³ They wouldn’t be wrong, either. Crawford, 31, probably do without. has been WBO champion less than eight months, To make matters worse, or at least more confusing, following his June 2018 stoppage of Jeff Horn, Spence, you then ponder how good a Crawford vs. Spence 29, has defended his IBF belt just twice since nabbing unification clash might be, and how important it would it from Kell Brook in May 2017, Porter, 31, won his be, and how, when the pair met backstage at Maurice vacant WBC crown only in September, despite having Hooker’s fight with last November, previously been a champion, and Thurman, 30, has it seemed like the most obvious thing in the world held his WBA title the longest – three years – and so for them to follow up the altercation with an actual, far done the most with it. proper boxing match. When taking all this into account, it is clear there is “When I stop him, they’ll say he was too small,” said no panic for these four men to get together and sort Spence, while kitted out in a garish red hoody. out some order. Thurman, in fact, will point to wins “When I stop him, you’ll say he was too weak and over Porter, in 2016, and Danny Garcia, in 2017, as that he stayed at 147 [pounds] too long,” replied examples of him already doing his bit to bring some Crawford, in a similarly garish black and gold one. clarity to the situation. And he would be right to do so. It sounded like a couple of fighters talking But, equally, because there is so much more to themselves into and then just as quickly out of a be done, and so much potential in this foursome, it future fight. It wasn’t so much banging the drum as feels a shame to have to wait any longer to see them disassembling the kit and putting it back in its box. It settle things in the ring. It’s a shame, for instance, served to both excite and frustrate. when Crawford signs to fight Amir Khan, a former “I’m a way better fighter than Crawford,” Spence super-lightweight champion whose recent scalps had earlier said at a press conference following include the unheralded Phil Lo Greco and Samuel Shawn Porter’s WBC title win over Danny Garcia in Vargas, and some might say it’s disappointing when September. “We’re on different sides of the street, Spence agrees to fight Mikey Garcia, an undefeated though. How many fights does he have? The guy champion at super-featherweight, lightweight and [Julius Indongo] he just fought for the undisputed super-lightweight, and then towers over him in the light-welterweight championship of the world, Regis initial face-off photos. Prograis stopped earlier than he did. Rather than bad fights, per se, they are simply “A lot of stuff is smoke and mirrors with Terence pointless. Khan is forever exciting, irrespective of the Crawford.” opponent and his chances of winning, and Garcia is Taking to social media, Crawford replied: “You’re as gifted as anyone in the sport. On another day, in talking about who I beat, [but] everyone you beat I’ll another fight, you would want to watch them both. smash, boy. How many titles and different weight But what you don’t necessarily want – or need – is classes have you won? I’ll wait.” to see Khan fight one of the premier pound-for- Chances are, we will all end up having to wait. As pound talents on the planet and Garcia move out well as the egos of Crawford and Spence, we are also BIG TALK: But Spence Jnr of his natural weight-class, thus ignoring a potential at the mercy of Top Rank (Crawford) and Al Haymon is still waiting fight against, say, Vasyl Lomachenko, to attempt (Spence), two opposing forces in the business, and to truly back the unthinkable and conquer a strong and fresh ESPN (Bob Arum) and PBC (Al Haymon). In short, it’s up his boasts welterweight like Spence. They are fights we could do convoluted, there are numerous moving parts, and Photo: AMANDA WESTCOTT/ without. They are fights the challengers involved could Crawford and Spence would be fighting for more than SHOWTIME

I’M WAY BETTER THAN CRAWFORD. WE’RE ON DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE STREET, THOUGH”

24 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net Photo: ACTION IMAGES/REUTERS just two titles and the number one spot. “There’s no reason to do any fights for Terence or THRILLER: for Spence unless they fight each other,” promoter De La Hoya defeats Bob Arum recently told Fight Hub TV. “But again, it Quartey takes two to tango. I really mean that. I’m not playing games. If they want to make that fight, they can make it. It’ll take probably three hours to do a Crawford- Spence fight.” Or years. Rest assured, it won’t be an easy fight to make, nor one made in a hurry. Crawford and Spence, as brilliant as they might be inside a boxing ring, are not big stars away from it and aren’t yet able to generate the kind of money required to deem a fight, and risk, like the one being discussed worthwhile. If they were, egos would be downsized in the name of making ungodly amounts of money. If they were, we would be spared the wait and tune-up fights. It isn’t just the welterweight champions getting a kick out of teasing future super-fights, either. The contenders are seemingly inclined to do the same. Take Amir Khan and Kell Brook, for example, who continue dragging their heels over a potential UK stadium fight despite the fact it has gone beyond its WILLING: Trinidad on the use-by date, lost much of its lustre, and neither man receiving end but he currently hold a world title. Promoter Eddie Hearn was will nab decision all set to make 2019 the year of Brook-Khan, or Khan- Brook, but Khan, we recently discovered, had other ideas. Thinking only of himself and his own career, he has capitalised on his bigger profile Stateside to land a plum WBO shot against Crawford and apparently feels no way about it. “The decision as to whether I fight Kell Brook or Terence Crawford has been one of the most difficult of my career,” Khan, 33-4 (20), said last week. “Clearly, the UK fans want to see Khan vs. Brook, but I could not turn down the opportunity to fight for the WBO title. That is not to say that the Brook fight won’t happen, as I want that fight to happen as soon as possible. Crawford is beatable, and I want that WBO title. It’s going to be one hell of a fight.” So far, Crawford hasn’t shown too many signs he retirement, as well as Pryor’s early decline, meant we is beatable, nor do many feel a fight between the never got the chance to see the pair share a ring. American and Khan will be a hell of a fight. In fact, Meanwhile, back in the nineties, Felix Trinidad and the majority believe it is a mismatch, one Khan has Ike Quartey would boast common opponents but little chance of winning, and go so far as to suggest never actually got around to fighting each other. When the main reason the Brit has taken the opportunity is Ghana’s Quartey was WBA welterweight champion, to further delay the Brook showdown and hopefully circa 1996, and ’s Trinidad held the IBF double-up on paydays (Crawford first, then version, it would have been an obvious next Brook later in the year). That remains to step for the two vulnerable punchers to be seen. hook up and unify. Yet, regrettably, Brook, for his part, has been left it never materialised. Instead, for scouring the globe for former both, all roads led to Oscar De La champions he can use to secure Hoya, the undisputed money a fight of significance, one that man of the division, and they soothes the pain of missing forgot all about the need to out on a Khan payday. To this meet each other en route. end, there has been talk of a If fortunate enough to May date against Jeff Horn, as have a “Golden Boy” in their well as an April date against midst, it makes perfect sense Jessie Vargas. Both fights for a fighter to bide their time appeal – to fans and to Brook and view them as the pot at – but still pale into insignificance the end of the rainbow. But the when measured against the dream current set of welterweights are of Brook fighting Khan. without that luxury, nor do they The welter wait is hardly exclusive have an equivalent. In this era, the to this current crop, mind. Over the years, post-Floyd Mayweather one, an era in which there have been plenty of examples of boxers from Manny Pacquiao is a 40-year-old politician and still ON THE WAY the weight-class nearly meeting but, for one reason or the division’s most recognisable star, relevance and BACK: Thurman’s another, ultimately not doing so. greatness will be found only in combination and the progress was Sticking with Leonard, there was always a hope he sooner four champions realise that, the quicker we thwarted by would one day meet, at welterweight, fellow American can say a star is born. They need to brush up on their injury Aaron Pryor, the WBA and IBF super-lightweight history and go from four to one. They need to not Photo: bn AMANDA WESTCOTT/ champion. However, Sugar Ray’s injuries and blow it. SHOWTIME

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 25 Previewing the best upcoming fights PREVIEWS around the world

+++++ OUTSTANDING ++++ GOOD +++ FAIR ++ DISAPPOINTING + RUBBISH

The star ratings indicate how well the writer believes the fighters match up, the fight(s)’ contextual significance, and how good the fight(s) will be

live on ITV4 (UK) and FOX (US). DiBella The 34-year-old has not been hugely Paul ++ THURMAN-LOPEZ Entertainment and TGB co-promote. active of late, having only competed Wheeler IN 2016 and 2017, Keith Thurman’s Thurman’s challenger will be once a year since 2015. previews nickname was very apt. “One Time” only ’s Josesito Lopez, 36-7 (19) Despite being a massive outsider in fought the one time in each of these 1NC, who is no stranger to coming this fight, Lopez does possess advantages Thurman’s years. In June 2016, he earned a close up against big names as a significant in height and experience over Thurman, unanimous points victory over fellow underdog. “The Riverside Rocky” has 28-0 (22) 1NC. With his rugged, all- rst ght world-class welterweight Shawn Porter put in brave but ultimately losing efforts action approach, he will look to capitalise for nearly to retain his WBA crown. Just over eight against the likes of Jessie Vargas, on any potential rustiness from months later, he added the WBC belt Canelo Alvarez, Marcos the favourite. The versatile two years to his collection by edging past the Maidana and Andre Thurman, 30, may well previously unbeaten Danny Garcia on Berto. He is arguably be lacking some of his a split verdict. Unfortunately for the best known, usual sharpness, but Clearwater, Florida native, elbow and though, for his heavy-handed hand injuries would keep him out of breaking Victor assaults will be action for the entirety of 2018, resulting Ortiz’s jaw en too much for his in him having to relinquish his WBC title. route to pulling game opponent The WBA strap remains around his waist, off a shock to take. The however, and it is this championship ninth-round champion can that he will defend on Saturday (January retirement win retain inside the 26) inside Brooklyn’s , in June 2012. distance. Photos: STEPHANIE TRAPP/TGB PROMOTIONS & ANDY SAMUELSON/PBC

INFREQUENT: Both Thurman and Lopez’s [above, on right] activity levels have been sporadic in recent years

BACK IN THE GAME

26 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net TUG OF WAR ON A ROLL Munguia is looking to pick up from where he left off in 2018

+++ HOUSTON, TX LAST year was a highly productive one for ’s Jaime Munguia, 31-0 (26). The super-welterweight won all five of his bouts, including a fourth-round stoppage of Miguel Cotto conqueror Sadam Ali in May. This breakout victory – secured as a late substitute – saw Munguia crowned the WBO king. Successful defences against former WBO titlist Liam Smith (ud 12) and the outgunned Brandon Cook (rsf 3) followed before the end of 2018. This Saturday (January 26), at the Toyota Center in Houston, , Munguia will put his title on the line for a third time, with Golden Boy promoting the show and DAZN televising in America. Opposing Munguia will be Takeshi Inoue (no relation to pound-for-pound star Naoya Inoue). The 13-0-1 (7) Tokyo resident is positioned at number three in the WBO rankings, but has yet to fight outside of Asia. Like Munguia, Inoue is strong, aggressive and well-conditioned. However, he doesn’t have the size or punch power of his Mexican rival. The Japanese battler will give it all that he’s got, but won’t trouble Munguia on the scorecards. In the 12-round featherweight co-feature, Jesus M. Rojas, 26-2-2 (19) 1NC, of Caguas, Puerto Rico, faces Can Xu, 15-2 (2), from Kunming, China. Xu is fast, busy and accurate, but the warmongering Rojas’ relentless attacks DECORATED: should see him through on points. Nyambayar has an impressive Photo: TOM HOGAN/HOGAN PHOTOS/GOLDEN BOY amateur pedigree

Nyambayar clashes with Marrero on the Thurman-Lopez bill

+++ BROOKLYN UNDERCARD surprise if both men hit the deck at some stage, before Nyambayar emerges with a THE number-four-ranked boxer in the points success. WBC featherweight ratings meets the Also on the Thurman-Lopez man three places below him when undercard, rising heavyweight fringe Dominican Republic southpaw contender Adam Kownacki, , 23-2 18-0 (14) – born in Poland (17), takes on Mongolian TALKING and based in Brooklyn Tugstsogt Nyambayar, POINT – collides with Vallejo, California’s Gerald 10-0 (9), in an NOT only will Gary Russell Jnr eliminator for that have an eye on the Nyambayar- Washington, 19-2- organisation’s title, Marrero fight, but he will also 1 (12). Washington currently held by be watching two of his brothers was stopped twice in Gary Russell Jnr. Both compete on the card – bantam 2017, although both men enjoyed successful Gary Antonio Russell and losses came against amateur careers, super-lightweight Gary undefeated opposition especially Nyambayar, Antuanne Russell. in Deontay Wilder and who garnered silver medals Jarrell Miller. He is taller at the 2012 Olympic Games than his upcoming foe and also and the 2009 World Championships. boasts a longer reach, but Kownacki is NO SWEAT: Only ve people Santo Domingo’s Marrero is a dangerous the fresher and more energetic fighter. have managed to puncher, while Nyambayar, who fights These attributes can see the Pole work take Munguia the out of Carson in California, has a 90 per his way to a deserved decision over 10 distance so far cent KO ratio. It therefore wouldn’t be a rounds.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 27 On January 13, 1995, ‘Prince’ Charles Williams and Merqui Sosa engaged in a slugfest so savage it had to be stopped and called a draw due to ‘excessive brutality’. John Evans tracks down some of the key protagonists from a forgotten but truly incredible story WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

I CALLED THE FIGHTERS INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE RING. I GAVE THEM FINAL INSTRUCTIONS THAT ARE UNIQUELY MINE, ‘I REMIND YOU BOTH NOW, RESPECT EACH OTHER, OBEY MY COMMANDS AND WE ARE GOING TO KEEP THIS STRICTLY PROFESSIONAL.’ “WE ARE STILL IN MID-RING AND SOSA GROWLS AT WILLIAMS, ‘AQUI JUNGLE.’ I ASKED HIM LATER WHAT HE SPECIFICALLY MEANT AND MERQUI SAID, ‘I WAS TELLING HIM, NOW, HERE IS GOING TO BE A JUNGLE’.” Ron Lipton, Referee

+SOSA+ vs WILLIAMS SPECIAL FEATURE

28 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net HAPPY NOW: Sosa is content in retirement and still involved in the sport

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 29 HE jungle is one of the most another coach. hostile and inhospitable places “I called my amateur coach in the Dominican to wage war. Fighting humidity, Republic [Rudy Zapata] and I flew him to New York to disease and uncompromising help me. He knew me very well. I always did my best T terrain, while under constant in the ring. I never needed anybody to push me in the threat of ambush from an ring or force me to do what I loved to do. enemy skilled in the art of “It had been five or six years since I’d seen Rudy. concealment and camouflage, I listened to my coach and he had been with me all takes a special type of mindset. over the world fighting. I needed somebody I could It is 24 years since Merqui Sosa welcomed “Prince” trust. It was the best answer for me.” Charles Williams to the jungle but once the opening Sosa is one of boxing’s nearly men. An exciting bell sounded, the pair dispensed with tactics and brawler good enough to get himself into position, stealth and engaged in their own form of hand- just slightly too crude to capitalise. He is the type to-hand combat. With nowhere to hide, the light- of fighter who gave more to boxing than the sport heavyweights stood in front of each other and fought. gave back to him. After a bid for the WBA super- After seven cruel rounds, those charged middleweight title ended in defeat at the with protecting the fighters from each hands of Michael Nunn in 1993, Sosa decided other and themselves negotiated a peace on a final run at light-heavyweight. Williams treaty and brought would welcome him to a temporary end to the 175lb division. hostilities. On January 13, “I was ready for him. 1995 – a Friday – Sosa THEY WERE THROWING In 1991 they wanted me and Williams fought BRICKS. IT WAS ONLY to fight him. My friend at each other to a literal the time said no because standstill. A MATTER OF TIME I’d just lost two fights and he said if I lost one more *** BEFORE SOMEONE’S fight it was probably BODY GAVE OUT” going to be like this The balmy baseball always. I listened to him diamonds of San Pedro and told the matchmaker. de Macorís in the Dominican Republic are “In 1991 I was fighting at middleweight a world away from the frigid January air and he was a light-heavyweight. A few of the Atlantic City boardwalk but that is years later they gave me the fight and exactly where Merqui Sosa found help we told the matchmaker that I was when he needed it most. ready for him now. “I had a coach from Brooklyn at that “I told him that if he beat me I would time. I knew I had a tough fight ahead change my name. I won’t be Merqui of me so my wife’s parents had a house Sosa anymore.” in Brooklyn, just by the ‘R’ train across If Sosa was fully aware of what lay from Church Avenue and I would use it for ahead, a solemn look crossed Prince Charles my training camp,” Sosa – born in the Dominican Williams’ face as he sat on his stool after finally Republic but raised in the Bronx – told Boxing News. spending three minutes trading punches with Merqui “My coach either didn’t want to go or maybe he Sosa. Boxers often operate on instinct in the heat of thought I would lose but he failed to come for a week. battle but Williams seemed suddenly aware of the I told him it was an important fight for me and it was situation he found himself in. More naturally gifted his job. If he couldn’t do it I told him I needed to find than Sosa, Williams had spent six years defending the IBF title before Henry Maske outboxed him and James RELENTLESS: Toney made him pay for an ill-advised drop to super- Battered and middleweight. To get back into world title contention, bruised, the he would need to demonstrate his quality once again. ȴJKWHUVUHIXVH to stop PDUFKLQJ *** IRUZDUG Ron Lipton [inset] always loved getting his teeth into a fight. During his days as a heavy-handed amateur he was a friend and sparring partner of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter and became one of the leading figures in the battle to overturn his wrongful murder conviction. Rather than having his enthusiasm for the sport beaten out of him during years spent working alongside world class operators like Dick Tiger, the experience only increased his admiration for the fighters and, eager to remain as close to the action as he possibly could, Lipton became a professional referee. “I started in 1991 and I found out that a lot of referees don’t study the fighters when they take on an assignment,” Lipton told BN. “Some do, some don’t. Sometimes you don’t know what bout you’re going to be assigned so what I do is look at the entire card and study every single one of them. I read everything I can and study film to look for their tendencies, just like a good coach would. I did it for that fight and it helped me a lot.

30 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net “Merqui Sosa was what we call a ‘bricklayer.’ Every END OF THE SXQFKLVDERPEDQGKHȇVWKURZLQJEULFNVLQWKHUH FIGHT: The moment Williams was more of a boxer-puncher and it was the when Lipton SHUIHFWPHOGLQJRIVW\OHVIRUDJUHDWILJKWΖNQHZWKH\ calls the could handle themselves in there. slugfest a Ȋ7KHUHZDVKDUGO\DFOLQFKLQWKHZKROHILJKW7KH\ draw ZHUHWKURZLQJEULFNVDQGLWZDVRQO\DPDWWHURI WLPHEHIRUHVRPHRQHȇVERG\MXVWJDYHRXWIURPWKH punishment.” /LSWRQZRXOGJRRQWRGHVLJQILJKWVHTXHQFHVIRU VRPHPDMRUER[LQJSURMHFWVDQGSOD\VȊ5RQ/LSWRQLV WKHILQHVWILJKWFKRUHRJUDSKHULQWKHZRUOGȋ'U)HUGLH 3DFKHFRVDLGLQ-XO\EXWRQ-DQXDU\ Lipton found himself with a key role in a drama not HYHQKHFRXOGKDYHSLHFHGWRJHWKHUΖI:LOOLDPVKDG EHHQWDNHQDEDFNE\6RVDȇVLQLWLDODJJUHVVLYHQHVVLW KDGQȇWWDNHKLPORQJWRUHFLSURFDWH7KHEDWWOHOLQHV had been drawn.

***

7KHIROORZLQJHYHQLQJMXVWDILYHPLQXWH VWUROODORQJWKHIUHH]LQJERDUGZDONIURP %DOO\ȇV9LQQ\3D]LHQ]DDQG5REHUWR 'XUDQZRXOGPHHWDWWKHFLW\ȇVPRUH SUHVWLJLRXV&RQYHQWLRQ&HQWUH7ZR PRUHDJHLQJILJKWHUVVHDUFKLQJIRURQH ILQDORSSRUWXQLW\DQGWKHDFFRPSDQ\LQJ SD\FKHTXH%XWIRU&RPPLVVLRQHURI SLFWXUHRIWKHVDYDJHU\RISURIHVVLRQDO WKH1HZ-HUVH\6WDWH$WKOHWLF&RQWURO ER[LQJ%RWKPHQHQWHUHGWKHULQJ %RDUG/DUU\+D]]DUG6QU>inset@ȇV H[SHFWLQJWRILJKWIRUWKHLUFDUHHUVEXWLQ VFKHGXOHEHJDQZLWKWKHORZHUSURILOHFDUG IURQWRIVSHFWDWRUVUHFOLQLQJLQWKHUHGYHOYHW headlined by Sosa and Williams. VHDWVRIDKRWHOFRQIHUHQFHURRP6RVDDQG ȊΖGLGQȇWH[SHFWLWΖJHQHUDOO\GRQȇWH[SHFW :LOOLDPVZHUHVXGGHQO\ILJKWLQJIRUWKHLUOLYHV DILJKWWREHRYHUO\ ȊΖDOZD\VVDLGΖGRQȇW YLROHQWȋ+D]]DUGWROGBN. ZDQWP\IDQVWRJRWRWR ȊΖH[SHFWHGWKDWLWȇGEH WKHWRLOHWWRSHHΖGRQȇW DYHU\FRPSHWLWLYHILJKW I WAS RAISING ZDQWP\IDQVWRJRDQG based on the history of QUESTIONS TO THE EX\SRSFRUQΖZDQWP\ WKHVHJX\V fans to stand up and call Ȋ3ULQFH&KDUOHV DOCTOR AS WELL AS P\QDPHȋ6RVDVDLG :LOOLDPVRIFRXUVHZDV Ȋ$VDQDPDWHXUΖZDV a boxer-puncher type of HIM RAISING HIS DOZD\VOLNHWKDWΖZRQD ILJKWHUDQG0HUTXL6RVD ORWRIWURSKLHVIRUKDYLQJ RQWKHRWKHUKDQGZDV OWN CONCERNS” WKHEHVWILJKWDWWKH YHU\DJJUHVVLYHEUDZOHU HYHQWΖORYHWKDWNLQGRI W\SH7KH\VD\WKDWVW\OHVPDNHILJKWV7KHVHWZR ILJKW ILJKWHUVKDGWKHVLJQDWXUHW\SHVW\OHVWKDWZRXOG ȊΖI\RXGRQȇWHQMR\ZKDW\RXȇUHGRLQJ\RXVKRXOGQȇW PDNHIRUDJRRGILJKWȋ EHWKHUH

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 31 AFTER THE SECOND ROUND THE FIGHT BECAME TOUGH FOR HIM AND HE WAS MAYBE FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL”

³ a baseball player but I like action more so I became a fighter. I enjoyed boxing because there was always action. I don’t wait for my opponent to bring the action. I put the action on him. “After the second round the fight became tough for him and he was maybe fighting for survival. I hurt him very well. I fought like that all of my career. I was doing what I loved doing so it wasn’t difficult for me.” Sosa might have been in his element but the sheer intensity of the fight was beginning to create a problem for the officials. The war showed no sign of abating. If anything, the give and take nature of the fight had ratcheted up the ferocity. Officially, only the referee can stop a fight but suddenly the condition of the fighters became the topic of a three- way discussion between Lipton, Hazzard and chief physician, Dr Frank Doggett. Between them, they HEALTHY: decided to take matters out of Sosa and Williams’ added Hazzard. “It was the only time in my entire But BN could hands. career - as a referee and as a commissioner - that a not track “I remember at the end of the seventh round fight had to be stopped because both fighters were down Charles I called the doctor up and told him I was concerned basically declared by the ringside physician as being Williams about Sosa’s cheekbone and Williams’ cut because it unable to continue. That’s rare. I haven’t seen that was inside the orbital bone. I’d called him up before happen again anywhere. that to check the guys but the hellacious facial “We have seen brutal battles before. The most damage was getting worse so at that juncture, I asked brutal fight that I’ve ever seen was the ‘Thrilla in him to come up to the ring to examine both guys.” Manila’ with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. This fight remembered Lipton. doesn’t come close to Ali v Frazier but in terms of “My whole thing is the welfare of the fighter. punishment being meated out at that level, in many I was concerned about the amount of punishment they ways there are comparisons. It certainly reaches that were taking. Not just the facial injuries but the brutality point.” of the fight. They both wanted to continue. If I hadn’t Sosa, ahead on all three scorecards (69-63 and two stopped it, they’d both still be fighting right now.” scores of 69-64), rose from his stool and somehow “That’s the thing that makes this fight stand out,” mustered the energy to raise his arms in celebration. Within minutes, Williams also had his hand raised. The judges had been rendered useless. With neither fighter deemed to be in any position to continue, the fight was declared a technical draw. DADDY’S GIRL “The fight was tough,” Sosa admits when he thinks back. “I think I was winning and I thought that they Sosa explains why he wore a pink tag around his neck should have given the fight to me because I was ahead when they stopped it. I know that Prince IF Sosa needed any extra motivation, his daughter, Scandinavia, was Charles didn’t want to give up so maybe it was a good born during the week of the fight. decision that they decided to give us a draw. “I was happy at the time. I couldn’t be there when my daughter was “Michael Buffer didn’t like that he had to announce born but I went to see her the day after she came. I was very excited. a draw but the commissioner said that it was a I fight for the people who cared about me. I was happy to have had my doctor’s decision and that was it. I was screaming, ‘I daughter. I couldn’t wait to finish the fight so I could go see her but I won, I won!’ but I didn’t.” never like the fans to be bored. The events of January 13, 1995, are seldom “She [Scandanavia] isn’t into watching boxing that much. Well, now mentioned and its combatants are rarely celebrated. I don’t have good communication with her. I split up with her mum. Apart from the respect of all who witnessed the fight When we spoke about boxing she was very happy that her name was and a place in the history books, the only thing either mentioned [on television]. I wore a pink thing around my neck. That man left Atlantic City with was the promise of a few was for her. Maybe she remembers.” extra dollars for an inevitable rematch which took Sosa is now living in Las Vegas but while he doesn’t have regular place just six months later, when Sosa knocked out contact with his daughter, Scandanavia, now 23, must think of her Williams in round 10. father when she reads about his accomplishments. “I enjoyed both fights,” laughed Sosa. “I enjoyed the “Yes,” Sosa sighed. “She told me that once.” second one better. I won.” bn

32 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net Est. 1909 WHERE DOES YOUR FAVOURITE BRITISH BOXER RANK?

Order today at www.boxingnewsonline.net/shop quoting GBB17 Also available at local newsagents or via the Boxing News app Retail price £7.99 LITERARY NOTES FIGHTER: ANDY LEE

Thomas Hauser nds much YRIAD books are without his help, and they’re as welcome as published each year the best fighter in the world.” to enjoy in the affable former by and about fighters But Steward was often overextended. At WBO champ’s autobiography who’ve won minor any given time, he had commitments to M championships. dozens of fighters, a lucrative high-profile Many of these books commentating job with HBO, and an active are hagiographies social life. Inevitably, Lee took a back seat to and not particularly Emanuel’s big-money fighters, most notably well-written. One learns to approach them Wladimir Klitschko. That’s boxing and that’s with a jaundiced eye. Fighter, written by life. But Andy was unhappy about it. Andy Lee with Niall Kelly and published by Writing of his loss to Vera, Lee recalls, Gill Books, is worthy of note. “We didn’t take the little things seriously at Lee represented Ireland at the 2004 all in our preparations, and Emanuel was as Olympics. He turned pro in 2006 under responsible for that as anyone. He was doing the guidance of Emanuel Steward, backed a great job of promoting me and getting by a group of investors my name out there, but who paid Lee a $250,000 the nitty gritty of the work signing bonus and a wasn’t being done. When monthly stipend. Two years we got to fight night and later, Andy was a 15-and-0 I could sense that he was fighter on the rise. But on a bit worried, it annoyed March 23, 2008, he was me. There’s no point in knocked out by Brian Vera your being worried now, in what was supposed to I thought to myself. The be his coming-out party time for that has passed.” on ESPN. That fed into the After Lee lost to Vera, view of critics who said he Steward - by Andy’s was nothing more than an reckoning - became Emanuel Steward hype job. “a little bit disinterested.” Thirteen more victories There was a comeback followed, including a victory over Willie Gibbs. lopsided unanimous- But Emanuel was less of a Photo: WOJTEK URBANEK decision triumph in a presence then than before. rematch against Vera. Then “I’m in the gym every Lee challenged Julio Cesar ‘IN A FIGHT day,” Lee writes, recounting Chavez Jnr in a WBC 160- YOU ARE his preparation for the pound title bout and failed Gibbs bout. “But I can’t get to survive the seventh round. MAKING LIFE Emanuel’s attention at all. Four months later - on He becomes less and less October 25, 2012 - Steward DECISIONS involved in my training died of cancer. Adam Booth until, by the end of the oversaw the rest of Andy’s WITH EVERY year, he’s barely working career. PUNCH’ with me. Emanuel does Lee was a supportive the pre-fight media. He’s presence in Steward’s there in my corner on fight final days, but they had a complicated night. But none of that is any use to me relationship. Andy trained under Emanuel if I don’t have his undivided attention in and lived in his home for years. Fighter the gym. Sugar Hill [a Stewart protege] scratches the surface of Steward’s character, effectively takes over as my head trainer. acknowledging his “flamboyant lifestyle” of I didn’t turn pro to be trained by Sugar Hill. “good food, sharp clothes, fast cars” and “the I turned pro to be trained by Emanuel.” entourage that seems to attach itself to him Steward became active again during everywhere he goes and expects him to open negotiations for a 2011 fight between Lee his wallet every time.” and Craig McEwan on HBO (which Lee won Lee also recreates the brotherhood at the on a late KO). But by then, Emanuel no Kronk Gym and what it meant to Emanuel, longer had his fighter’s full trust. Thomas writing, “The Knonk is not just a talent factory “Once upon a time,” Lee notes, “I would to him. It’s a community, a family. He knows have taken Emanuel’s word as gospel. But that some people come through that door I know him now, and I know that he’s more and they will never be the stars of the show. than capable of a few sleights of hand, HAUSER ³ But they couldn’t get by from day to day a white lie or two, if it’s in his interest.”

34 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net DIFFERENT: Lee is not like your average ghter Photo: JOE CAMPOREALE/USA TODAY SPORTS

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 35 LITERARY NOTES

POTENTIAL REALISED: Lee celebrates his stunning victory over Korobov in December, 2014 Photo: JOE CAMPOREALE/USA TODAY SPORTS

³ Their last fight together was Lee’s final ring record was 35-3-1 with 24 KOs and ‘YOU HAVE TO challenge to Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr. For 2 KOs by. most of Lee’s training camp, Steward was Fighter is a thoughtful, self-revelatory FORGET ALL OF otherwise engaged, working with Wladimir memoir. There’s some interesting material Klitschko for a July 7 title defence against about Lee’s gypsy heritage and other aspects YOUR BEST, MOST Tony Thompson. of his personal life. There are also places “I remember how Emanuel promised me where it delves knowingly into the essence COMPASSIONATE that I would be his world champion,” Lee of boxing: writes. “Now we’re a few days away from INSTINCTS. that moment and he’s on the other side of O “You have to forget all of your best, most the world. This wasn’t what we agreed. This compassionate instincts. Abandon yourself ABANDON wasn’t the plan. to the transformation and be this entirely Lee won a belt in 2014 with Adam Booth different person. Nasty, spiteful, brutal. There YOURSELF TO THE in his corner when he knocked out Matt are times when I have been cruel. I don’t regret Korobov to claim the vacant WBO 160- anything I’ve ever done in the ring - no pain TRANSFORMATION pound title. But the real middleweight I’ve ever inflicted, no punch I’ve thrown that champion by then was Miguel Cotto (who’d I wish I could take back. When we sign the AND BE THIS dethroned Sergio Martinez). In two title contract [to fight], when we shake hands at defences, Lee battled to a draw against Peter the press conference, we both understand that ENTIRELY Quillin and then lost his belt when he was I’m going to try to hurt you and you’re going outpointed by Billy Joe Saunders. He fought to try to hurt me, and we’re both okay with DIFFERENT PERSON’ once more before retiring from boxing. His that. I don’t hate you. I probably don’t even

36 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net Photo: ED MULHOLLAND/USA TODAY SPORTS

THE EARLY DAYS: Carl Daniels is out cold in 2007 after feeling the extent of young Lee’s power

dislike you. But I’m there and this is my job. boxing record from now until the day you will live. Some people dream of fame and It’s your job too.” die, the fight will be there. It will be a part of fortune. Some people dream of family and O “When you’re in a fight, you are making history and it will be a part of you. You have to friends. Those dreams, the possibility that huge life decisions every second with every live with the consequences tied to your name they might someday come true, make you punch you throw, with every move you make. and tied to your identity in neat tidy numbers.” happy. As you grow up, your dreams move One head movement, one punch, a moment O“I see fighters who can lose a fight and from tomorrow to today. They stop being too early or a moment too late, can change brush it off like it means nothing to them. I ambitions that exist in the distant future and the course of your life.” don’t know if i admire them or if I think they’re become more present, more urgent. They O “They live in a different world, the idiots.” will either happen in the here and now or journeymen. They don’t come to win. They never. And if they don’t happen, you slowly come to survive. They know each other, united So where does Lee come out at the end of have to accept that you didn’t make it. You in the camaraderie of grim acceptance, all this? In a pretty good place, I’d say. settle into the life that you do have and make bonded by the same bleak fate. Fed to a young “Memory should be a teacher,” he writes, peace with it.” bn prospect so he can get rounds under his belt “not a torment. It should remind you of and a win on his record. Or fed to each other the mistakes that you’ve made so that you O Thomas Hauser’s new email address by heartless promoters with no concern other learn from them.” And he puts things in is [email protected]. His than how they are going to pad out space on perspective nicely, observing, “When you most recent book – Protect Yourself at All the card. I hear them talking about the last start out in life, when you’re young, you Times – was published by the University of fight. The last beating. I wonder if they loved have dreams. You look thirty or forty years Arkansas Press. In 2004, the Boxing Writers it once, if this was their dream.” down the road and project. You imagine Association of America honored Hauser with O “Once a fight happens, it exists forever. the things that you will achieve, the type the Nat Fleischer Award for career excellence Every time you look at your professional of person that you will be, and the life you in boxing journalism.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 37 RANKINGS

HEAVYWEIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHT LIGHTWEIGHT SUPER-FLYWEIGHT over 200lbs/14st 4lbs 160lbs/11st 6lbs 135lbs/9st 9lbs 115lbs/8st 3lbs 1. ANTHONY JOSHUA 22-0 (ENG) 1. GENNADY GOLOVKIN 38-1-1 (KAZ) 1. VASYL LOMACHENKO 12-1 (UKR) 1. SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI 47-4-1 (THA) 2. TYSON FURY 27-0-1 (ENG) 2. 35-2 (USA) 2. MIKEY GARCIA 39-0 (USA) 2. ROMAN GONZALEZ 47-2 (NIC) 3. DEONTAY WILDER 40-0-1 (USA) 3. JERMALL CHARLO 28-0 (USA) 3. ROBERT EASTER JNR 21-1 (USA) 3. JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA 38-3 (MEX) 4. DILLIAN WHYTE 25-1 (ENG) 4. 40-4 (CAN) 4. LUKE CAMPBELL 19-2 (ENG) 4. DONNIE NIETES 42-1-5 (PHL) [above] 5. KUBRAT PULEV 26-1 (BGR) 5. 24-1 (USA) 5. 34-6-3 (ENG) 5. KAZUTO IOKA 23-2 (JPN) 6. JOSEPH PARKER 25-2 (NZL) 6. SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO 12-1 (UKR) 6. JOSE PEDRAZA 25-2 (PRI) 6. KAL YAFAI 25-0 (ENG) 7. DERECK CHISORA 29-9 (ENG) 7. DEMETRIUS ANDRADE 27-0 (USA) 7. YVAN MENDY 40-5-1 (FRA) 7. JERWIN ANCAJAS 30-1-2 (PHL) 8. DOMINIC BREAZEALE 20-1 (USA) 8. WILLIE MONROE JNR 23-3 (USA) 8. RAYMUNDO BELTRAN 35-8-1 (MEX) 8. ALEJANDRO SANTIAGO 16-2-5 (MEX) 9. JARRELL MILLER 23-0-1 (USA) 9. MACIEJ SULECKI 27-1 (POL) 9. RICHARD COMMEY 27-2 (GHA) 9. McWILLIAMS ARROYO 17-4 (PRI) 10. OSCAR RIVAS 26-0 (COL) [above] 10. MATVEY KOROBOV 28-2 (RUS) 10. EMMANUEL TAGOE 29-1 (GHA) 10. JONAS SULTAN 15-4 (PHL)

CRUISERWEIGHT SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT FLYWEIGHT 200lbs/14st 4lbs 154lbs/11st 130lbs/9st 4lbs 112lbs/8st 1. OLEKSANDR USYK 16-0 (UKR) 1. JARRETT HURD 23-0 (USA) 1. ALBERTO MACHADO 21-0 (PRI) 1. CHARLIE EDWARDS 14-1 (ENG) 2. MURAT GASSIEV 26-1 (RUS) 2. ERISLANDY LARA 25-3-2 (CUB) 2. MIGUEL BERCHELT 35-1 (MEX) 2. CRISTOFER ROSALES 28-4 (NIC) 3. MAIRIS BRIEDIS 25-1 (LVA) 3. TONY HARRISON 28-2 (USA) 3. FRANCISCO VARGAS 25-1-2 (MEX) 3. ARTEM DALAKIAN 18-0 (UKR) 4. KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI 31-1 (POL) 4. JERMELL CHARLO 31-1 (USA) 4. GERVONTA DAVIS 20-0 (USA) 4. KOSEI TANAKA 12-0 (JPN) 5. DENIS LEBEDEV 32-2 (RUS) 5. JAIME MUNGUIA 31-0 (MEX) 5. MASAYUKI ITO 25-1-1 (JPN) 5. SHO KIMURA 17-2-2 (JPN) 6. KRZYSZTOF WLODARCZYK 56-4-1 (POL) 6. LIAM SMITH 26-2-1 (ENG) 6. TEVIN FARMER 28-4-1 (USA) 6. MORUTI MTHALANE 37-2 (RSA) 7. ILUNGA MAKABU 23-2 (COD) 7. BRIAN CASTANO 15-0 (ARG) 7. SHAVKATDZHON RAKHIMOV 13-0 (RUS) 7. JUAN CARLOS REVECO 39-4 (ARG) 8. YUNIER DORTICOS 23-1 (CUB) 8. AUSTIN TROUT 31-5 (USA) 8. JASON SOSA 22-3-4 (USA) 8. VINCENT LEGRAND 29-0 (FRA) 9. ANDREW TABITI 17-0 (USA) 9. JULIAN WILLIAMS 26-1-1 (USA) 9. RENE ALVARADO 30-8 (NIC) 9. ANDREW SELBY 11-0 (WAL) 10. NOEL GEVOR 23-2 (GER) 10. KELL BROOK 38-2 (ENG) 10. MIGUEL ROMAN 60-13 (MEX) 10. MUHAMMAD WASEEM 8-1 (KOR)

LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT WELTERWEIGHT FEATHERWEIGHT LIGHT-FLYWEIGHT 175lbs/12st 7lbs 147lbs/10st 7lbs 126lbs/9st 108lbs/7st 10lbs 1. ELEIDER ALVAREZ 24-0 (COL) 1. ERROL SPENCE JNR 24-0 (USA) 1. GARY RUSSELL JNR 29-1 (USA) 1. KEN SHIRO 15-0 (JPN) 2. OLEKSANDR GVOZDYK 16-0 (UKR) 2. TERENCE CRAWFORD 34-0 (USA) 2. LEO SANTA CRUZ 35-1-1 (MEX) 2. 12-0 (JPN) 3. MARCUS BROWNE 23-0 (USA) 3. SHAWN PORTER 29-2-1 (USA) 3. JOSH WARRINGTON 28-0 (ENG) 3. HEKKIE BUDLER 32-4 (RSA) 4. DMITRY BIVOL 15-0 (RUS) 4. DANNY GARCIA 34-2 (USA) 4. CARL FRAMPTON 26-2 (NIR) 4. RYOICHI TAGUCHI 27-3-2 (JPN) 5. ARTUR BETERBIEV 13-0 (RUS) 5. MANNY PACQUIAO 61-7-2 (PHL) 5. LEE SELBY 26-2 (WAL) 5. CARLOS CANIZALES 21-0-1 (VEN) 6. BADOU JACK 22-2-3 (SWE) 6. JESSIE VARGAS 28-2-2 (USA) 6. OSCAR VALDEZ 24-0 (MEX) 6. ANGEL ACOSTA 19-1 (PRI) 7. SERGEY KOVALEV 32-3-1 (RUS) 7. EGIDIJUS KAVALIAUSKAS 21-0 (LTU) 7. ABNER MARES 31-3-1 (MEX) 7. FELIX ALVARADO 34-2 (NIC) 8. SULLIVAN BARRERA 22-2 (CUB) 8. YORDENIS UGAS 23-3 (CUB) 8. JOSEPH DIAZ 27-1 (USA) 8. EDWARD HENO 13-0-5 (PHL) 9. JOE SMITH JNR 24-2 (USA) 9. ADRIEN BRONER 33-4-1 (USA) 9. JESUS M. ROJAS 26-2-2 (PRI) 9. MILAN MELINDO 37-4 (PHL) 10. CALLUM JOHNSON 17-1 (ENG) 10. THOMAS DULORME 24-3-1 (PRI) 10. LERATO DLAMINI 12-1 (RSA) 10. REIYA KONISHI 17-1 (JPN)

SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT SUPER-BANTAMWEIGHT STRAWWEIGHT 168lbs/12st 140lbs/10st 122lbs/8st 10lbs 105lbs/7st 7lbs 1. CALLUM SMITH 25-0 (ENG) 1. JOSH TAYLOR 14-0 (SCO) 1. EMANUEL NAVARRETE 26-1 (MEX) 1. KNOCKOUT CP FRESHMART 19-0 (THA) 2. GEORGE GROVES 28-4 (ENG) 2. VIKTOR POSTOL 30-2 (UKR) 2. ISAAC DOGBOE 20-1 (GHA) 2. WANHENG MEENAYOTHIN 52-0 (THA) 3. GILBERTO RAMIREZ 39-0 (MEX) 3. REGIS PROGRAIS 23-0 (USA) 3. REY VARGAS 32-0 (MEX) 3. BYRON ROJAS 25-4-3 (NIC) 4. CANELO ALVAREZ 51-1-2 (MEX) 4. 25-0-3 (USA) 4. DANIEL ROMAN 26-2-1 (USA) 4. VIC SALUDAR 18-3 (PHL) 5. JAMES DeGALE 25-2-1 (ENG) 5. KIRYL RELIKH 23-2 (BLR) 5. JESSIE MAGDALENO 25-1 (USA) 5. SIMPHIWE KHONCO 19-5 (RSA) 6. CALEB PLANT 18-0 (USA) 6. JOSE RAMIREZ 23-0 (USA) 6. TJ DOHENY 21-0 (IRL) 6. JOEY CANOY 15-3-1 (PHL) 7. JOSE UZCATEGUI 28-3 (VEN) 7. IVAN BARANCHYK 19-0 (BLR) 7. BRANDON FIGUEROA 18-0 (USA) 7. CARLOS LICONA 14-0 (USA) 8. ANTHONY DIRRELL 32-1-1 (USA) 8. PABLO CESAR CANO 32-7-1 (MEX) [above] 8. RYOSUKE IWASA 25-3 (JPN) 8. CHAOZHONG XIONG 27-8-1 (CHN) 9. CHRIS EUBANK JNR 27-2 (ENG) 9. RANCES BARTHELEMY 27-1 (CUB) 9. DIEGO DE LA HOYA 21-0 (MEX) 9. 14-1-1 (RSA) 10. DAVID BENAVIDEZ 20-0 (USA) 10. ANTONIO OROZCO 27-1 (MEX) 10. FRANKLIN MANZANILLA 18-4 (VEN) 10. TSUBASA KOURA 14-0 (JPN)

O BANTAMWEIGHT POUND-FOR-POUND If a fighter has been inactive for over a year, he will be removed from the 118lbs/8st 6lbs The best of the best rankings, unless he has a fight officially scheduled. Once removed due to inactivity, 1. NAOYA INOUE 17-0 (JPN) 1. VASYL LOMACHENKO 12-1 (UKR) a fighter cannot be reinstated until he has fought again. 2. NONITO DONAIRE 39-5 (PHL) 2. CANELO ALVAREZ 51-1-2 (MEX) OEach fighter is ranked on the results they have achieved in their own 3. RYAN BURNETT 19-1 (NIR) 3. GENNADY GOLOVKIN 38-1-1 (KAZ) specific weight division (excluding the pound-for-pound list). 4. ZOLANI TETE 28-3 (RSA) 4. TERENCE CRAWFORD 34-0 (USA) EMMANUEL RODRIGUEZ OLEKSANDR USYK O Each fighter is ranked in the division in which their most recent significant fight 5. 19-0 (PRI) 5. 16-0 (UKR) JASON MOLONEY 6. SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI 47-4-1 (THA) took place. With regards to catchweight fights, common sense will (hopefully) prevail. 6. 17-1 (AUS) 7. NORDINE OUBAALI 15-0 (FRA) [above] 7. MIKEY GARCIA 39-0 (USA) OIf a fighter is suspended for failing a drug test, he will be removed from 8. LUIS NERY 28-0 (MEX) 8. LEO SANTA CRUZ 35-1-1 (MEX) the rankings. He will be eligible for reinstation after completing a ban, 9. TAKUMA INOUE 13-0 (JPN) 9. NAOYA INOUE 17-0 (JPN) but will be removed indefinitely if he reoffends. 10. MARK JOHN YAP 29-13 (PHL) 10. ANTHONY JOSHUA 22-0 (ENG)

38 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net DIARY

Photo: ACTION IMAGES JANUARY THURSDAY 24 Millennium Gloucester Hotel, Kensington Daniel Khan v s/o. (Promoter: Mickey Helliet).

FRIDAY 25 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow Stefan Sanderson (holder) v Craig Kelly (Scottish Area super-welterweight title); Hannah Rankin v Eva Bajic; Ahmed Ibrahim v s/o; Neil McCubbin v Gary Reeve. (Promoter: Kynoch Boxing).

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Strathclyde, Bellshill Eddie Doyle v Michael Mooney; David Jamieson v s/o; Barrie Mcrorie v Dean Jones; Tony Nellins v s/o; John McCallum v Casey Blair (Promoter: Paul Graham).

Club Atlético Sportivo Matienzo, Pujato, Evelyn Bermudez (holder) v Luisana Bolivar (IBF female light-flyweight title). (Promoter: O.R. Promotions).

SATURDAY 26 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York (ITV4 1am & FOX) Keith Thurman (holder) v Josesito Lopez (WBA welterweight title); Tugstsogt Nyambayar v Claudio Marrero; Adam Kownacki v Gerald Washington; Antonio Russell v Lucas Baez; Chordale Booker v Juan De Angel; Chris Colbert v Josh Hernandez; Miguel Cruz v Gabor Gorbics; Gary Antuanne Russell v Roberto Almazan; Martin Harkin v Tony Dixon (vacant Celtic Charles Frankham v s/o. (Promoter: Lewis van Poetsch v s/o. (Promoter: Marsellos Wilder v Will Florentino. welterweight title); Ryan Collins v Ahmed Matchroom Boxing). Tommy Owens Promotions). (Promoter: DiBella Entertainment & TGB Ibrahim (vacant Celtic lightweight title). Promotions). (Promoter: St Andrew's Sporting Club). York Hall, Bethnal Green The Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, Philip Bowes v Benson Nyilawila (vacant Texas (BoxNation & ESPN) Toyota Center, Houston, Texas (DAZN) Viejas Casino and Resort, Alpine, Commonwealth super-lightweight title); Eleider Alvarez (holder) v Sergey Kovalev Jaime Munguia (holder) v Takeshi Inoue California John Brennan v Jan Balog; Jordan Blake (WBO light-heavyweight title); Oscar (WBO super-welterweight title); Jesus M. Aston Palicte v Jose Martinez. (Promoter: v s/o; Michael Ibrahim v s/o; Daniel Khan Valdez (holder) v Carmine Tommasone Rojas v Can Xu; Alberto Melian v Edgar Roy Jones Jr Boxing Promotions & v s/o; Sohail Ahmad v s/o; Frank Arnold v (WBO featherweight title); Richard Ortega; Vergil Ortiz Jnr v Jesus A. Valdez Promociones Miguel Cotto). s/o. (Promoter: Mickey Helliet). Commey v Isa Chaniev (vacant IBF Barrayan; James Wilson v Sylvester lightweight title); Teofimo Lopez v Diego Barron; Alex Rincon v Jeremy Ramos; FEBRUARY The Neon, Newport Magdaleno; Patrick Day v Ismail Iliev; George Rincon v Emmanuel Valadez; FRIDAY 1 Kieran Gething v Henry Janes (vacant Bakhram Murtazaliev v Elvin Ayala; John Rincon v Alex Santana. (Promoter: Main Street Armory, Rochester, Welsh Area super-lightweight title); Craig Janibek Alimkhanuly v Steven Martinez; Golden Boy Promotions). New York (Showtime) Woodruff v s/o; Maredudd Thomas v s/o; Enriko Gogokhia v Vitor Jones; Jason Dominic Wade v Martin Rios; Ronald Ellis v Angelo Dragone v s/o; Rhys Edwards v Sanchez v Daniel Olea. (Promoter: Ufgauhalle, Karlsruhe, Germany DeAndre Ware; Thomas Mattice v Exequiel s/o. (Promoter: British Warrior Boxing Top Rank & Main Events). Vincent Feigenbutz [pictured] v Przemyslaw Lozano; Logan Yoon v Richard Zamora. Promotion). Opalach. (Promoter: Sauerland Event). (Promoter: GH3 Promotions & Greg Cohen FRIDAY 8 Promotions). Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra, Ghana Monty Ogilvie v Jay Carney; Ross Murray v Tim Tszyu v Denton Vassell. (Promoter: Emmanuel Tagoe v Vyacheslav Gusev. SATURDAY 2 s/o; Marc Kerr v s/o; Aston Brown v s/o; No Limit Boxing Promotions). (Promoter: Baby Jet Promotions). O2 Arena, Greenwich (Sky Sports Callen McAulay v s/o; Jay McFarlane v s/o; Arena/Main Event & DAZN) Dean Sutherland v s/o. (Promoter: Kynoch SATURDAY 9 Baco Discoteca, , Sergio Garcia (holder) v Ted Cheeseman Boxing). Ulster Hall, Belfast Hanna Gabriels (holder) v Sarah Dwyer (European super-welterweight title); James Tennyson v Garry Neale; Paul (WBA female super-welterweight title). Felix Cash v Rasheed Abolaji (vacant Holte Suite, Villa Park, Birmingham Hyland Jnr v Miroslav Serban; Feargal (Promoter: Nica Boxing). Commonwealth middleweight title); Sam Eggington v s/o; Matt Sen v s/o; McCrory v Karl Kelly (vacant Irish Lawrence Okolie v s/o; Jake Ball v Craig Kaisee Benjamin v s/o; Anthony Manning lightweight title); Tommy McCarthy v THURSDAY 31 Richards; Scott Fitzgerald v s/o; John v s/o; Nathan Bendon v s/o; Mohammed Jiri Svacina; Luke Wilton v Patrik Bartos. Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow Docherty v s/o; Fabio Wardley v s/o; Waqas v s/o; Shaun Cooper v s/o; (Promoter: Mark H. Dunlop).

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 39 AMATEURS

Meet the personalities VESTED at the heart of the sport INTEREST With JOHN DENNEN BUILDING UP

Super- ELICIOUS ORIE had someone like Chez and still lose on a split, mentally, physically, everything. a year to remember I feel like I did do alright. After that I was “I did feel a bit of pressure [for the heavyweight in 2018. Only 22 very, very active. I entered about three or final]. I just genuinely believed in myself. Delicious bouts into his four different tournaments, like Haringey, I thought, ‘I will win this.’” Orie is D amateur career he East Midlands, NABGCs Orie was a successful won the Haringey and I just won them all.” basketball player before developing Box Cup, building He had three good ‘THE HARINGEY directing his energies well on a previous bouts at the Haringey into boxing, against his Development Box Cup, beating Gideon BOX CUP WAS own father’s wishes. championships Antwi in a well-supported “I played basketball ever victory. “I had 12 final. “Haringey was, THE BEST since I was about 10. I’ve fights last year, I think, the best EXPERIENCE come from a basketball winning 11. I lost in experience I’ve ever got background. I’ve played the ABAs to Chez from amateur boxing. The I’VE EVER GOT for Albion, we played at John Nihell. I lost in the whole three days, it felt quite a high level. I’ve Dennen quarter-finals to him like I was fighting on the FROM BOXING’ played for West Midlands, @BoxingNewsJD on a split,” he tells international stage,” Orie played nationally as well. Amateur Editor Boxing News. “Chez said. “It was big, the people I fought It got to a point when I was 16, 17, my won it overall, I lost were very recognisable… I felt like I was friend got a scholarship to go to America on a split, it was decent. boxing real professional amateur boxers. and I thought if I don’t go to America “After only 12 fights to get in there with I gained a lot of experience from it, with this now I can’t really make a real career out of it in the UK. I’ve always been interested in boxing but my dad never allowed me to train or compete growing up. But when I turned 17 I thought I’m just going to do it because I can do what I want to do,” he explained. “Growing up I was never a violent person, he [his father] has never seen me as a fighter. I never threw a punch at anybody growing up. He thought of me as more academic, not a violent person. But Orie said, “You don’t have to be violent to be a boxer, you’ve just got to be hard working and consistent. I’ve changed his mind now.” “When I started I had THE PLAN: a different impression, Orie has diligently been developing I thought you’ve got to go himself as a in there and be a savage. super-heavyweight. It’s not like that, you His progress will be need to be controlled. It’s interesting to watch over the year ahead controlled aggression,” he adds. “Through time I started realising this.” The Jewellery Quarter super-heavyweight has been bulking up gradually, his six-foot-five frame filling out from 101 to 107kgs, working on his skill and physical development. “I feel like all the training, everything I’ve done definitely paid off in 2018 and it showed. That training and the consistency paid off in 2018,” he said. “I will be fighting in the ABAs, in the Elites, which will be in March. That’s my main priority. I have to win that. “That’s the next milestone, I would say. That’s the competition I have to win to be able to progress higher. So that’s the aim.”

40 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net MISSION ON TWITTER ON FACEBOOK ONLINE 2019 @BoxingNewsJD www.facebook.com/boxingnewsonline www.boxingnewsonline.net JORDAN REYNOLDS

FROM England STANCE Orthodox TITLES England Boxing Elite

KHAN DO IT’S an interesting time for British . With Ben Whittaker WINNING TEAM: Khan celebrates his moving up to light- latest victory in a heavy and John round robin Docherty turning tournament staged professional there by the Army is everything to play for when it comes to trying to secure the number one spot on the GB squad. Carl Fail, who has moved up from welterweight, is in the mix and Jordan Reynolds is the reigning English Elite champion (he actually beat Carl’s twin brother, Ben Fail, in the final). The proud Luton boxer has had injuries to contend with but is back in training and has been with one of the GB squads on a training camp in Belarus. “I’m a different animal this year,” he warns.

QUICK-FIRE Q&A after the cut. It was good. What are your goals? You’ve been around for a long time? We have to win the Combined At 34 years old, Army veteran Why give up something that you Services, that’s like winning the county really enjoy? It’s about 12 years now I’ve for us. Get that one out the way and Shamim is still going strong been non-stop boxing. The wear and you’ve into the ABAs. tear has been alright; my style’s hit and Just win every bout for me really and HAVE you been boxing recently? move. carry on enjoying it. [December] 17 and 18 we had a That’s the art of boxing Last year was the first round robin in our gym. so I try and do that. time we [the Army] had Ukraine came over, Merseyside and Obviously with the new ‘IT’S BEEN 12 lost in 33 or 34 years. Cheshire, we had Southern Counties. rules you have to change So this year it’s about It was three days, even if you won or it up. But I don’t really YEARS NOW winning it back. There is lost [you boxed]. So that was our last get tagged a lot. a bit of pressure. competition. Who have been the THAT I’VE BEEN We have to get it back. At 56kgs, I boxed Nathan Grey, he best people you’ve BOXING NON- Ever since I’ve been on represented Southern Counties. Jake boxed? the team we’ve always Harrison, the ABA finalist last year at I’ve boxed quite a few STOP. WHY won it, sometimes 52kgs, he stepped up to 56kgs, so of the GB lads actually. whitewashes. I boxed him. He was a good lad, luckily Probably the best has GIVE UP?’ Was that the worst I got the win. actually just one the moment in your Then we had Ukraine on the Sunday. world title, Charlie Edwards. career so far? They’re quite good. Him and people like Reece I’ve not really thought of it like that He [Evgen Pilipchyk] was game. McFadden, Commonwealth Games but yes, probably. Probably. Nothing that I didn’t expect. We were bronze medallist 2014, which was a That was the only year I didn’t go into both cut. But I got the win in that one as close bout between me and him. Will the ABAs, I normally go into the quarters well, unanimous. I stood there for a bit, Cawley who’s on GB now. or semis. That was a hard pill to swallow I changed it up and just hit and moved They’re all class lads. last year, definitely.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 41 AMATEURS

The very best action, previews and news from Olympic-style boxing AMATEURSCENE With JOHN DENNEN | @BoxingNewsJD SEND us your club's news, results or upcoming events to [email protected] or 020 7618 3478

SILVER STAR: McNaul reached the nal of the Commonwealth Games last year

ULSTER CHAMPS

Commonwealth Games medallists McNaul and McGivern victorious at Ulster Hall, writes John Dennen

NORTHERN IRELAND’S I don’t care,” he said. Dominic Bradley. He said, “It RESULTS Commonwealth Games veterans Super-heavyweight Stephen was a very close contest. I thought Finals: 48: CHLOE FLECK (Canal) outpd Donna James McGivern, Carly McNaul McMonagle technically took his title I nicked the first two [rounds]. Barr (Illies GG) split. 49: Roy Baird (Ederney) and Stephen McMonagle all by walkover, but did get to box in an I boxed well. Maybe the last he outpd by JACK O’NEILL (Corpus Christi) split. triumphed at the 2019 Ulster exhibition against Dean Scullion, a could have got, so it was a very 51: Caitlin Fryers (Immaculata) outpd by CARLY championships. bout which he won on a unanimous good fight. It’s a great start to the McNAUL (Holy Family GG) unan. 57: JOHN PAUL McGivern [inset] and McNaul both decision. McMonagle had booked year. I’ve been training hard for two HALE (Star) outpd Colm Murphy (St.Georges) won medals at last year’s Gold Coast his passage to the finals earlier this or three months non-stop, I didn’t split. 60: Dominic Bradley (Errigal) outpd by Commonwealth Games, the former month, when he outscored Denis have much of a Christmas.” BARRY McREYNOLDS (Holy Trinity) unan. 63: bronze, the latter silver. They both Borskins in the semi-finals at the There were stoppage victories, JAMES McGIVERN (St. George’s) outpd Dylan made sure of their Ulster titles in the Dockworkers Club Belfast on as welterweight Eugene Duffy (Pegasus) split. 69: EUGENE McKEEVER championship finals on Saturday January 8. McKeever halted (Holy Family Drogheda) stpd Tiernan Duffy (January 19) at Ulster Hall in Belfast. John Paul Hale Tiernan Duffy and (Clonard) 1st. 75: FERGUS QUINN (Camlough) Holy Family’s McNaul and Colm Murphy light-heavyweight outpd Brett McGinty (Oakleaf) split, Caroline unanimously outpointed engaged in a Paul McCullagh Connelly (Mourne) w/o. 81: PAUL McCULLAGH Immaculata’s Caitlin Fryers at thriller at 57kgs. stopped Noel (St.John Bosco) stpd Noel Donnelly (Holy Family 51kgs. “It was a brilliant. It was a Star’s Hale lined Donnelly, both Drogheda) 1st. 91: Michael Erpelding (Holy good tough fight at a good pace up straight back in the first round. Family GG) outpd by KARL DLUGOSZ (Scorpion) and I’m just glad to get the win. hand punches. McKeever wobbled split. 91&: Stephen McMonagle (Holy Trinity) Now it’s time to move on,” McNaul A flush right Duffy with a right unan w/o. said, eyeing Olympic qualification dropped Murphy then, as the round Semi-finals: 48: DONNA BARR (Illies GG) later this year. “This is a great start in the first round. progressed, landed his outpd Emma Feeney (Virginia) split. 49: JACK to this year and I’ll continue to keep St. George’s Murphy was cross fully on Duffy’s chin, O’NEILL (Corpus Christi) outpd Diarmuid Toland winning and I’ll go on and smash undeterred, rising and battling letting him drop face first to the (Holy Family) split. 57: JOHN PAUL HALE the All Irelands.” back, but he couldn’t stop a split canvas. McCullagh overwhelmed (Star) outpd Eamon McNally (St. Michael’s) At 63kgs James McGivern decision going Hale’s way. Donnelly, cuffing him off his feet unan, COLM MURPHY (St.Georges) outpd Conor controlled his final with Pegasus’ “It was an amazing fight,” with a right hook to end it. Kerr (Monkstown) unan. 63: DYLAN DUFFY Dylan Duffy, a fellow southpaw. Hale said. “I didn’t even know he At 91kgs Karl Dlugosz edged (Pegasus) outpd Ben Ferran (Clonard) unan, McGivern flicked out jabs. was going to get up [from the out Michael Erpelding on a JAMES McGIVERN (St. George’s) outpd Rory Remaining mobile he selected knockdown]. I thought anything split decision. “I needed to put Lavery (Holy Family) unan. 75: BRETT McGINTY his shots to steer himself to a could happen. I thought it was on a performance, I needed to (Oakleaf) outpd Eraid Muihai (Dockers) unan. points win. McGivern was relaxed going to be a tough fight.” put on a show. I have a lot of 91: KARL DLUGOSZ (Scorpion) stpd Cathal Moore about the split decision. “He was Holy Trinity lightweight Barry respect for this guy. I’m looking to (Ballykelly) 1st. 91&: STEPHEN McMONAGLE going forward all the time, I was McReynolds also impressed as improve,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of (Holy Trinity) outpd Denis Borskins (Sacred counter-punching, as long as I win he unanimously outscored Errigal’s work to do.” Heart Newry) split.

42 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net AMATEURS

FOUR NATIONS RATINGS As at January 21. Compiled by Malcolm Meredith and Daniel Herbert

SUPER-HEAVYWEIGHT 91& kgs 4 MARK DICKINSON (Birtley) 8 CALLUM THOMPSON (Tower Hill) 1 FRAZER CLARKE (Burton) 5 LEWIS RICHARDSON (Essex University) 9 RORY LAVERY (Salisbury) 2 DEAN GARDINER (Clonmel) 6 GABRIEL DOSSEN (Olympic) 10 MACAULEY OWEN (Coventry University) 3 SOLOMON DACRES (Warley) 7 RAMTIN MUSAH (Beartown) 4 MARTIN KEENAN (Rathkeale) 8 STAN STANNARD (Clifton) BANTAMWEIGHT 56 kgs 5 COURTNEY BENNETT (Churchills) 9 JACK STRINGER (Royal Navy) 1 KURT WALKER (Canal) 6 DELICIOUS ORIE (Jewellery Quarter) 10 JERMAINE WILLIAMS (Boxing Academy) 2 PETER McGRAIL (Everton Red Triangle) 7 NICK CAMPBELL (Denniston) 3 NIALL FARRELL (Second City) 8 GIDEON ANTWI (Hoddesdon) WELTERWEIGHT 69 kgs 4 CONNOR BURTON (Middleton Select) 9 HOSEA STEWART (Firewalker) 1 PAT McCORMACK (Birtley) 5 BRAD STRAND (Everton Red Triangle) 10 MITCHELL BARTON (Bronx) 2 CYRUS PATTINSON (Birtley) 6 TOMMY McCARTHY (Setanta) 3 KIERAN MOLLOY (Oughterard) 7 MYLES CASEY (St Francis) HEAVYWEIGHT 91 kgs 4 HARRIS AKBAR (Bradford Police) 8 LEWIS SOUTHGATE (St Marys) 1 KIRILL AFANASEV (Smithfield) 5 TYLER JOLLY (Bravehearts) 9 TOMMY CASEY (St Francis) 2 CHEAVON CLARKE (Gravesham) 6 BRAD INGRAM (Gloucester) 10 NATHAN BROWN (Hooks) 3 SCOTT FORREST (Springhill Boys) 7 HARVEY LAMBERT (St Pauls) 4 LEWIS WILLIAMS (Clearys) 8 AARON FAIL (Far Cotton) FLYWEIGHT 52 kgs 5 KEVIN SHEEHY (St Francis) 9 ROMARIO WALLACE (Repton) 1 BRENDAN IRVINE (St Paul’s) 6 NATTY NGWENYA (Army) 10 TRAVIS WATERS (Sunderland) 2 GALAL YAFAI (Birmingham City) 7 ANTHONY BROWNE (St Michaels, Dublin) 3 WILL CAWLEY (Oldham) 8 MICHAEL WEBSTER (Empire SOB) LIGHT-WELTERWEIGHT 64 kgs 4 HAMZA MEHMOOD (Hoddesdon) 9 DANNY WILLIAMS (Woking) 1 LUKE McCORMACK (Birtley) 5 BLANE HYLAND (Salisbury) 10 THOMAS POGSON (Imps) 2 DALTON SMITH (Steel City) 6 KIARAN McDONALD (Sunderland) 3 CONOR LOFTUS (Burmantofts) 7 MATTHEW McHALE (Lochend) LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT 81 kgs 4 WAYNE KELLY (Portlaoise) 8 MUZZI FUYANA (Middlesbrough) 1 JOE WARD (Moate) 5 SEAN SPENCE (Lochend) 9 CONOR QUINN (Clonard) 2 SAMMY LEE (Premier) 6 ELLIOT WHALE (Nemesis) 10 LIAM ETHERIDGE (Pleck) 3 BEN WHITTAKER (Firewalker) 7 ISAAC MILBURN (Birtley) 4 SEAN LAZZERINI (Bellahouston) 8 JAMES McGIVERN (St George’s) LIGHT-FLYWEIGHT 49 kgs 5 BEN REES (Birtley) 9 JACK McKINLEY (Everton Red Triangle) 1 AQEEL AHMED (Keir Hardie) 6 GEORGE CROTTY (Royal Navy) 10 ROBBIE McKECHNIE (Greenock) 2 REGAN BUCKLEY (St Teresa’s) 7 JOHN MARVIN (Army) 3 CONNOR KELSALL (Tom Hill) 8 PAT ALLEN CRIPPS (Harwich) LIGHTWEIGHT 60 kgs 4 BENN NORMAN (Braunstone) 9 OMAR AUGUSTINE (Earlsfield) 1 CALUM FRENCH (Birtley) 5 ANDREW WINTER (Shildon) 10 TOMMY HYDE (Mayfield) 2 MICKEY McDONAGH (Merlins Bridge) 6 SCOTT WOTHERSPOON (Cleland) 3 GEORGE BATES (St Mary’s Dublin) 7 CONNOR JORDAN (St Aidan’s) MIDDLEWEIGHT 75 kgs 4 PATRICK MONGAN (Olympic) No other light- available for ratings 1 CARL FAIL (Far Cotton) 5 TOM HODGSON (Birtley) purposes 2 MICHAEL NEVIN (Portlaoise) 6 AKASH TUQIR (Kings Heath) 3 JORDAN REYNOLDS (Hoddesdon) 7 JAKE SLATER (Birtley)

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 43 YESTERDAY’S HEROES MULTITASKER SUPREME

Harry ‘Kid’ RING career is not There were two sides to Furness’ for a set of exhibitions. In the first of a prerequisite for business activities: promoting and these, Harry boxed with Carnera and got Furness was success on the matchmaking in the halls and his the audience laughing by jumping with a man of business side of fairground booth. An early disaster an outstretched glove in a feigned effort many talents A boxing, but first- threatened his livelihood when his booth to land one on Carnera’s chin. hand experience in was being moved on a railway truck. Furness was influential, well-connected the roped square Sparks caused a fire that burnt the booth and a great publicist. At the fairgrounds must help. Not only was Harry “Kid” to a cinder, and although his booth was he’d hand out handbills for his hall Furness an experienced boxer, he also insured his claim was rejected for what promotions, and he would travel to held licences as a manager, MC, referee, the insurer deemed an ‘Act of God’. France and Germany to ask fighters to timekeeper, matchmaker and promoter. But Harry bounced back and come to England to box for him. He had a more rounded knowledge of eventually owned four booths, though With Harry’s promotional the game than most. This and a gift for only one travelled at any one time. commitments, his wife Jessie often had publicity helped him become one of the These included a deluxe booth that to run the booths, with Furness’ associate leading British small hall promoters and held 1,200 people, had electrical lights, Bob Jones ‘spieling’ (acting as MC). By all booth owners of the inter-war years. galleries at each end and tip-up seats accounts Jessie did an excellent job. Furness, of Manchester, was born numbered and reserved for ringsiders. In his 1986 book, The Manchester around 1880. He started booth boxing His booths became a means of spotting Fighters, Denis Fleming wrote: “Furness for “Professor” Bill Burnett at age 14 using raw talent and then developing potential was irrepressible. Even in this age of the name Kid Furness. Later, while boxing champions to appear on his hall shows. hyperbole, he would have eaten any for another self-styled fistic professor, One early Furness discovery was future modern-day promoter for breakfast. Billy Le Neve, he was tutored by the British bantam champ Johnny King, and He retained astonishing self-confidence former English champion Jem Mace. he also promoted early fights for future throughout his career... The little man Poverty had forced Mace to become a world flyweight titlist Jackie Brown. is still remembered and for old-time lecturer on the booth circuit and Furness Harry worked as a promoter and fighters of the ‘30s his wheeling and benefitted immeasurably from Jem’s matchmaker throughout the North dealing were an essential part of the experience. West and often further afield. He ran golden tapestry of their days in the ring.” Boxing out of Salford, Harry had the Adelphi Club in Salford, which was One of British boxing’s most plenty of official fights and many more dubbed the “blood tub”, and in the 1930s memorable characters, Harry died in unofficial booth bouts, but quickly teamed up with the Broadhead family to 1958, aged 77. Alex realised that his route to success lay put on fight shows at its chain of theatres. Three complete years of Alex Daley’s Daley outside the ring. He started promoting In January 1931, Furness pulled off a Yesterday’s Heroes articles have been @thealexdaley fights before he was 20, and despite coup by bringing the giant future world republished in a new hardback book, Historian being only 4ft 10ins, had a larger-than- heavyweight king Primo Carnera to the Boxing Nostalgia: The Good, the Bad and & author life personality and an indomitable spirit. Broadheads’ Morecambe Winter Gardens the Weird (Pitch Publishing). Price £16.99. STRANGE BUT TRUE

Who knew that THERE’S plenty to read in the current He also has a pro trainer’s licence, and him taking part in (and winning) 11 the developer crop of EBA newsletters. Both Brighton trains unbeaten prospect Kane Gardner. bouts prior to World War I. When war of Pilates was and Manchester mention their highly As a pro, Ian boxed at lightweight broke out Pilates was in this country (he successful Christmas parties, and thank between 1983 and 1986, winning five belonged to a travelling circus) and was a pro boxer! members of other Associations who took and drawing one of eight outings. I wish therefore interned. He looked after other the trouble to attend. As I’ve said before, both Ian and Kate every success. internees and prisoners of war, helping this support between Associations is vital One regular feature of the Manchester them with his ideas on keeping fit, even in keeping the EBA movement going. newsletter is Lawrence Yearsley’s articles in the most cramped and unhealthy Both newsletters have new editors. on yesteryear, and this month he conditions. It’s a great read. As I mentioned last month, Kate Ballard recounts the life and career of Joseph There’s an interesting article, too, in the has taken over at Brighton. “I love being Hubertus Pilates, the German who Scottish EBA’s newsletter, on Edinburgh’s part of this wonderful family,” Kate says developed the physical fitness system former world lightweight champion in her editorial. She goes on to invite that bears his name. He had a fascinating MBE. During his career readers to send in any interesting stories life, but why should he be featured in an Buchanan scored 61 wins against eight or reminiscences they may have. If you’ve EBA newsletter? Because for a time he losses, and five of those defeats came got a story to tell, why not email Kate at boxed professionally, as a middleweight! when financial pressures forced him to [email protected]. BoxRec shows just four bouts for him, make a comeback in 1979, nearly four Simon Manchester’s new editor is Ian in 1922 – one win (by disqualification) years after announcing his retirement. Euan-Smith Harrison, a man of many parts. A former and two draws. But by then Pilates was In fact, I covered both the first fight of EBA amateur and pro boxer, he currently runs 38 and, says Yearsley, had been out of his comeback – a clear points win over correspondent the Droylsden boxing club in Manchester. the ring for several years. Yearsley has American Benny Benitez in Denmark –

44 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net Photos: LARRY BRAYSHER

CHARACTER: The changing faces of Furness

and the last, a points loss to future British Both Ali and Ken won, in contrasting champion George Feeney at the National styles. Ali struggled before halting Sporting Club. Bonavena in the 15th and last round, The article focuses on an interesting while Ken put on a masterclass against (and sometimes overlooked) contest in Paduano, a full welterweight who had December 1970, less than three months a big weight advantage. But Buchanan after Buchanan shocked the world by played with him, earning a lopsided dethroning world lightweight champion 10-round verdict. Big things had been Ismael Laguna in San Juan. Former predicted for Paduano – he had won 22 undefeated world heavyweight champ in a row going in – but he was never the Muhammad Ali had finally got his licence same after that. back (he forfeited it, and was stripped of The newsletter also mentions plans his title, when he refused to serve with for a day out to Oban. Other EBAs are the American army in Vietnam) and had planning trips – and what a good idea. won his first comeback bout – a third- To keep the movement going, it’s vital to round cuts stoppage of Jerry Quarry. come up with new ideas, and this looks He was now due to top the bill at New a good one. I’ll publish more details as York’s Madison Square Garden against I get them. Argentina’s Oscar Bonavena, and in the chief support Buchanan was matched EMAIL [email protected] with Canadian Donato Paduano. FOUNDER: Pilates is not regularly remembered for his time in the ring with your ex-boxer association news.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 45 SIXTY SECONDS

CHRIS JENKINSON Paul Wheeler talks to a man who is on a quest to reach 100 Ÿghts

Photo: ACTION IMAGES/CRAIG BROUGH When and why you started ‘DE LA HOYA boxing: I followed my mate to the gym at WALKED PAST US 20 and have been hooked ever since. IN THE CHANGING Favourite all-time fighter: ROOM AND GAVE Oscar De La Hoya is up there, but my favourite has to be Canelo US A THUMBS UP’ Alvarez. I even named my dog after him! Lewis Hamilton. I’m a massive Best fight you’ve seen: motor racing fan. My dad left me I was at Jamie Moore vs Matthew and my brother an F4 car when he Macklin. What a fight that was! died. We’ll be racing that this year. Personal career highlight: Last film/TV show you saw: Boxing at Manchester Arena and 2 Guns, the film with Denzel becoming an ambassador for the Washington and Mark Wahlberg in Amelia-Mae Foundation, which it. I’ve seen it about 100 times! supports families affected by Who would play you in a film of neuroblastoma. your life: Toughest opponent: My fiancée would say Jon Bernthal The Adam Little fight [l pts 6 – out of the series, The Punisher. April 2012] taught me the most, Probably because she fancies him! as it was early in my career. His Have you ever been starstruck: jab was world class! Other tough When I boxed at Manchester opponents were Ted Cheeseman Arena, De La Hoya walked past me [l ko 6 – September 2016], Dylan and Alex in the changing room and Moran [l pts 4 – May 2017] and gave us a thumbs up. Freddie Turner [l pts 12 – March Last time you cried: 2014]. When my dad sadly passed away of Best and worst attributes as a prostate cancer in July. boxer: Best advice received: My main strength is my mental Take each round as it comes. toughness. I’ve been told I can Worst rumour about yourself: punch hard, too. My weakness is I don’t listen to rumours. that I get drawn in too easily. Something not many people Training tip: know about you: Don’t forget the fundamentals of Even though I box orthodox, I’m boxing. Never think that you’re too actually a lefty. good to go back to basics. Favourite meal/restaurant: I love a good, greasy burger from Gourmet Burger Kitchen! Age: 35 Twitter: @chrisjenkinson2 Nickname: ‘Twinny’ Height: Best friends in boxing: 5ft 9ins Nationality: English From: Bolton Stance: Orthodox Record: [Trainer] Alex Matvienko and all the 11-61-3 (4) Division: Super-welterweight Titles: n/a Next fight: Jenkinson lads at Elite Boxing, plus [former opposes Mitchell Frearson over six rounds in Brentwood on Saturday March 9. manager] Jon Pegg. FACTS FAST Other sportsman you would like to be:

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