Vitali Klitschko Ukrainian Presidential Candidate Is Entering a Rough Arena

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BEST I’VE FACED: GEORGE FOREMAN REVEALS HIS TOUGHEST OPPONENTS

THE BIBLE OF BOXING

THE RING MAKES ITS PREDICTIONS FOR 2014

MANNY VS. MONEY? DEONTAY WILDER PACQUIAO’S VICTORY OVER RIOS RESURRECTS BOXING’S BIGGEST QUESTION VITALI KLITSCHKO UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IS ENTERING A ROUGH ARENA

BERMANE STIVERNE FEBRUARY 2014 FEBRUARY CANADIAN HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER $8.95 MUST WAIT TO LEARN HIS FATE

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4 RINGSIDE 44 5 OPENING SHOTS 10 COME OUT WRITING 13

13 ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES Jabs and Straight Writes by Thomas Hauser 18 BEST I’VE FACED: GEORGE FOREMAN By Anson Wainwright 21 RING CARD GIRL 25 READY TO GRUMBLE By David Greisman 28 OUTSIDE THE ROPES COVER STORY By Brian Harty 38 A BIG YEAR 64 WAITING GAME 30 RING RATINGS PACKAGE THE SPORT THRIVED IN 2013 BERMANE STIVERNE IS DUE A SHOT AT 90 LETTERS FROM EUROPE IN PART BECAUSE OF YOUNG STARS VITALI KLITSCHKO BUT REMAINS IDLE By Gareth A Davies By Gareth A Davies By Ron Borges 95 SWEET SCIENCE By Scott LaFee 44 YOU READ IT HERE 70 CONFIDENT FIGHTER 98 NEW FACES: KHALID YAFAI 10 THINGS TO EXPECT IN THE SLUGGER KEITH THURMAN DRAWS By Mike Coppinger SPORT – AND 10 NOT TO – IN 2014 STRENGTH FROM HIS LATE TRAINER 100 WOMEN’S BOXING By David Greisman By Keith Idec By Thomas Gerbasi 103 RINGSIDE REPORTS 50 WISH LIST SPECIAL PACKAGE: By Norm Frauenheim RING WRITERS REVEAL THE FIGHTS DOUBLE TRAGEDY 108 WORLDWIDE RESULTS THEY DO AND DON’T WANT TO SEE 76 FRANCISCO LEAL: 110 COMING UP 1986-2013 112 FROM THE ARCHIVE 52 STILL HOPE? SHOULD LEAL HAVE BEEN 114 AT THE FIGHTS MANY OBSTACLES STAND IN THE WAY ALLOWED TO FIGHT AFTER A OF PACQUIAO VS. MAYWEATHER PREVIOUS BRAIN INJURY? AT RINGTV.COM By Bernard Fernandez By Bart Barry Q&A: GEORGE GROVES THE BRITISH FIGHTER SAYS CARL FROCH HAS TWO 56 PRESIDENT KLITSCHKO? 81 MAGOMED ABDUSALAMOV CHOICES, FIGHT HIM AGAIN VITALI KLITSCHKO FACES A TOUGH RUSSIAN HEAVYWEIGHT SHOULD’VE OR RETIRE. GO TO: http://bit.ly/196TKs8 FIGHT IN UKRAINIAN POLITICS BEEN SAVED FROM TAKING A BEATING or scan the QR Code. By Robert G. Rodriguez, Ph.D. By Gordon Marino ‘UNDISPUTED TRUTH’ MIKE TYSON’S NEW 62 U.S. PRESIDENTS 84 A DIFFERENT PATH AUTOBIOGRAPHY IS A AND BOXING RYOTA MURATA OF JAPAN MUST FIGHT GRAPHIC LOOK AT THE A NUMBER OF CHIEF EXECS HAVE BEEN ABROAD BECAUSE OF HIS SIZE FIGHTER’S LIFE. GO TO: http://bit.ly/1cgmNhx TOUCHED BY THE SWEET SCIENCE By Norm Frauenheim or scan the QR Code.

BRONER: JEFF BOTTARI/GOLDEN BOY/GOLDEN BOY VIA GETTY IMAGES; NO MAS: THE RING MAGAZINE VIA GETTY IMAGES; NO MAS: BOY BOY/GOLDEN JEFF BOTTARI/GOLDEN BRONER: By Robert G. Rodriguez, Ph.D.

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COVER PHOTO BY WILDER: ANDREW YATES AFP GETTY; KOVALEV: SCOTT HEAVEY-GETTY; STEVENSON- RICHARD WOLOWICZ GETTY 2.14 / RINGTV.COM 3 RINGSIDE By Michael Rosenthal PREMATURELY DISMISSED VOLUME 93, NO. 2 | FEBRUARY 2014

ometimes we’re very Mexican changed everything in FOUNDER Squick to write off a the sixth round. Nathaniel Fleischer fghter as faded or even Once-Great Manny Pacquiao (1888-1972) shot, including ones who only instantly became the Once-great recently ruled the sport. Manny Pacquiao, as he tumbled EDITOR Michael Rosenthal Manny Pacquiao is an example. down everyone’s pound-for- The Filipino icon was perceived pound lists. ASSOCIATE EDITOR as one of the two or three best That brings us to Pacquiao’s Douglass Fischer fghters in the world as recently fght against Brandon Rios as 2012, when he was still in the on Nov. 23 in Macau, China. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Brian Harty midst of a career-defning winning Pacquiao was never destined streak that began in 2005. to reclaim his pound-for-pound Then, after consecutive losses to supremacy with a victory over ART DIRECTOR Timothy Bradley and rival Juan Rios, a tough, but predictable Lamar Clark Manuel Marquez, he became a brawler. RING CARD GIRLS COORDINATOR virtual has-been. The hand and At the same time, many Heather Shanholtz foot speed had diminished, the believed the fght would provide critics said. He could no longer a reasonable gauge as to how CONTROLLER throw as many punches as he much Pacquiao had slipped. The Deborah L. Harrison once could. He was easier to hit. conclusion? The Pacquiao we CIRCULATION DIRECTOR And, of course, there was saw on Nov. 23 looked a lot like Kenneth J. Gudaitis reason to feel that way. Great the Pacquiao who won titles in fighters don’t lose fights. And a record eight divisions – quick, Pacquiao lost two in a row. active, passionate, dominating. ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Let’s look at those fights, Again, Rios doesn’t have the Robert Gasparri 213-233-2952 though. Pacquiao might not athletic ability to compete with [email protected] have been at his best against Pacquiao, but he’s extremely Bradley – something was durable and relentless, the type SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES missing – but almost everyone of fghter who would give almost SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT believes he won convincingly anyone some degree of trouble. PUBLICATIONS P.O. BOX 433122 in spite of the judges, who gave Which is the point here: Palm Coast, FL 32164-3122 Bradley a split-decision victory. Pacquiao, even at 34 and with 1-800-846-6438 That’s saying something given many miles on his odometer, isn’t [email protected] Bradley’s perfect record and anyone. He might be a tad slower unquestioned ability. than he once was and perhaps BACK ISSUES 215-643-3087 OR ONLINE AT In his fourth fight against a bit less dynamic, but he is still RINGTV.COM Marquez, Pacquiao fought better than almost anyone else. with a purpose and ferocity he As one knowledgeable observer DIGITAL EDITION INQUIRIES hadn’t demonstrated in recent aptly put it: “Hey, (Floyd) [email protected] fights. He took his licks but Mayweather couldn’t have SEND EDITORIAL COMMENTS TO: appeared to have Marquez in beaten Rios any more thoroughly [email protected] trouble when one shot from the than Pacquiao did.” or P.O. BOX 251753, Los Angeles CA, 90025

THE RING (ISSN: 0035-5410), Vol. 93, NO. 2 (FEBRUARY 2014), is published monthly by Sports and Entertainment Publications, LLC, PO Box 90254 Brooklyn, NY 11209. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY 11209 and additional post offces. Postmasters: Send change of address notices to: THE RING, P.O. Box 433122, Palm Coast, FL 32164-3122. Single copy price $8.95 in U.S. and Canada (£4.95 in the UK). Subscription price $58.70 in the U.S., $127.10 in Canada and Mexico, $143.70 in remaining countries. Not responsible for the loss or non-return of unsolicited articles or photographs, which will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed envelope bearing the proper amount of postage. The entire contents of this magazine are copyright ©2013 Sports and Entertainment Publications, LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of the content of advertisements appearing in this magazine, nor the delivery or quality of merchandise or services offered. No endorsement of any such advertisement is intended or implied. Advertisers and agencies assume liability for claims arising from the content of their advertisements. FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRES AND RATES: (213) 233-2952. U.S. and Canadian distribution by Kable Distribution Services Inc., 14 Wall Street, Suite 4C, New York, NY 10022. International distribution by Worldwide Media Service Inc., 115 East 23rd St., New York, NY 10010, UK distribution by Comag Tavistock Rd., West Drayton, Middlesex UB77QE, England. Printed in U.S.A. OPENING SHOTS

Manny Pacquiao’s one-sided decision over Brandon Rios was his frst victory since 2011 and gave his countrymen, reeling from a typhoon, something to

CHRIS FARINA PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS FARINA cheer about. 2.14 / RINGTV.COM 5 NAOKI FUKUDA

6 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 Gennady Golovkin (right) seems to collect knockouts and fans every time he fghts. The middleweight titleholder put Curtis Stevens away in eight rounds. 8 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 Naoki Fukuda middleweight title. to retain hisRINGsuper outpointing EdwinRodriguez his shouldersurgery, easily up where heleftoff before Andre Ward (right)picked COME OUT WRITING

PACQUIAO PACQUIAO SHOT? GOLOVKIN vs. vs. RIOS I honestly think Pacman is a shot WARD? A TRUE HERO fghter. He looked good, though much I think that it’s premature to start I have just returned from the festivities more cautious than usual against drumming for Gennady Golovkin vs. in Macau, where I was lucky enough Rios. But when he steps inside the Andre Ward. The fghts everyone should to witness Pacman’s return to form. ring with fghters who are just as be clamoring for are Golovkin vs. Sergio The atmosphere in the stadium was fast and experienced as him – the Martinez at middleweight and Ward vs. unreal! I’ve attended a few world ones who will give him angles and Adonis Stevenson at light heavyweight. class sporting events, including the counters like Juan Manuel Marquez – After all, Ward has thoroughly cleaned Olympics in Sydney. However, I he’s in trouble. out the super middleweight division. haven’t experienced anything that Jerry Nicolas I think it’s time he move up to light compares to the atmosphere in Cotai heavyweight rather than stick around to Stadium once Manny made his DISGUSTED wait for guys to move up and fght him. entrance. It might be hard for a lot of I love what Manny Paquiao said Let Ward move up, and Golovkin can people to understand just how much during his post fght interview: “We try to do at 160 pounds what Ward has of a national hero and icon Pacquiao are not here to kill each other.” I love so successfully done at 168. is to the Filipino people. He isn’t boxing, but I’m extremely saddened John Sylvester adored by them just because of his by all the boxers who have gotten Seattle wealth and fame. He’s adored because hurt in the past month. I’m also very his success (as both a politician and a disappointed with these bloodthirsty MAYWEATHER boxer) represents hope, change and a announcers who keep calling for DOESN’T BELONG reversal of a country that lives largely boxers to try to kill each other in the I only have one problem with the article in poverty. In their time of need, ring and then offer their “sympathy” “The Greatest Modern Welterweight?” after the recent devastating typhoon, the following weekend after one (November 2013): Pretty Boy Floyd he was able to bounce back from a boxer ends up on life support or in does not belong with the great 15-round career threatening defeat and notch a coma. I’m disgusted with these champions listed. Marvin Hagler, Sugar arguably one of the most important shameless hypocrites. Ray Robinson and Aaron Pryor would victories in his career. At the same Ray Mack without a doubt have caught up with time, he inspired an entire nation to Brooklyn, N.Y. Floyd by the 13th-15th rounds. In emerge from a horrifc natural disaster those championship rounds everyone and fnd the strength to push forward. was forced to fght. They were called Craig Brewer TIME IS NOW “no man’s land.” In my opinion, the Singapore It’s time for Manny Pacquiao to fght only reason Marvin Hagler didn’t win Floyd Mayweather Jr. This is getting the Ray Leonard fght was due to the PREDICTABLE ridiculous, where the best don’t fght 12-round pre-condition for the fght. I was more than bemused by the the best. If the UFC does it really The 12-round championship fght is chorus of accolades for Miguel easily, why can’t boxing? For Floyd, one of the downfalls of boxing, along Cotto after his recent demolition of money at this point shouldn’t be the with the corruption. The case for Delvin Rodriguez. I feel that the same argument as he has plenty. Boxing Manny Pacquiao is better, for the simple can be said of Manny Pacquiao’s fans like myself are waiting for this reason that he is an old school type of performance versus Brandon Rios on and everyone who says this argument fghter who will stand toe to toe and Nov. 23. Anyone with the dimmest is dead is wrong. let the chips fall where they may, like memories of Pacman vs. Antonio Maynor Garrido Thomas Hearns. As Eric “Butterbean” Margarito would have foreseen what Chicago Esch was the king of the three-rounder, the outcome was going to be. In fact, “Money” Mayweather is the king of the at one stage in the fght, I thought 12-rounder. Freddie Roach with a body pad Rick Hensel would have been more competitive Pahoa, Hawaii than the Mexican-American. If the boxing community really wants to know whether Pacquiao or Cotto is WRITE TO THE RING! back, I believe they should just fght Come Out Writing, The Ring, P.O. Box 251753, Los Angeles, CA 90025 each other again. [email protected] Brian Han Emailed letters will include a writer’s email address unless a city and state of origin is pro- Sydney vided. Letters may be edited for reasons of space and clarity.

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THE LIGHTER SIDE OF A SERIOUS SPORT

The flm No Mas, about the second Sugar Ray Leonard-Roberto Duran fght (pictured here), isn’t as good as the director’s previous documentaries. LEONARD-DURAN FILM NEEDED MAS

Eric Drath is a fne flmmaker. – focuses on the frst two fghts JABS & His credits include Cornered: between Sugar Ray Leonard and STRAIGHT A Life Caught in the Ring (a Roberto Duran and is part of WRITES 2008 documentary about the ESPN’s 30 for 30 series. BY THOMAS HAUSER fght between Billy Collins Leonard, in 1980, was well and Luis Resto, which became on his way to becoming infamous because of trainer boxing’s premiere attraction. Panama Lewis’s doctoring of After winning a gold medal Resto’s gloves) and Renee (a wat the 1976 Olympics, he’d riveting 2011 documentary about won 27 consecutive pro fights the transformation of Richard and knocked out Wilfred Raskin into Renee Richards). Benitez to claim the WBC

THE RING MAGAZINE Drath’s latest venture – No Mas welterweight crown.

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 13 ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES

Duran had compiled a record Leonard and Duran interspersed NO BACKGROUND of 71-1 and was on the short with talking heads. The best of CHECK NEEDED? list of greatest lightweights the latter are Mike Tyson (who of all time, having earned describes Leonard as “a pitbull oxing has been under fre since recognition as the 1970s with a pretty face”) and the B – well, since forever – for biased “Fighter of the Decade.” always reliable Steve Farhood. and incompetent judging. People often Among the adjectives applied There is also some good ask, “Who are these judges?” frequently to Duran were archival footage, including One of them is Ted Gimza. “savage,” “relentless,” “brutal” action from both fights and The WBA appointed Gimza as a and “demonic.” At a press a wonderful scene where Ray judge for the title fght between conference prior to Leonard- Charles (whom Ray Charles Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Duran I, he flashed his middle Leonard was named after) sings Povetkin on Oct. 5 in Moscow. finger in the direction of “America the Beautiful” in the Povetkin was so hopelessly outclassed Ray’s wife and offered to have ring before the second Leonard- that each judge had him losing all 12 sexual relations (although he Duran bout. But the film rounds. Still, Gimza’s credentials were expressed it in cruder terms) doesn’t capture the underlying of special note. with Ray’s mother. personal drama that Drath so Leonard told Drath, “I’d never adroitly conveyed in his earlier One judge for faced anyone who was so nasty sports documentaries. this fght had an and angry.” There’s some transparently interesting past. Leonard-Duran I featured two manipulative footage of Leonard great fighters with contrasting and Duran together in a boxing ring styles who were in their ring that was shot earlier this prime. Duran won by a razor- year. But Leonard is never thin margin when Leonard asked on camera for a nuanced unadvisedly chose to brawl explanation of why he thinks Reporting on Gimza in April 2013, rather than box with him. Duran quit. And Duran says the Fox News website in Chicago Five months later, they simply, “I don’t regret anything.” wrote, “Gimza, a two-time felon who met in the ring again. Duran One of the sad things has a long criminal history dating was not in the best of shape, about the “no mas” fight is back to 1975, had his most recent which meant that he fought that people forget how good run-in with the law in February of at a slower pace. In Round 7, Leonard was that night. All they 2012. He was pulled over in Buffalo Leonard began showboating remember is Duran’s surrender. Grove for speeding and subsequently and taunting. Trailing by a The headline was “Duran charged with DUI, unlawful possession slender margin on each of the Quits,” not “Leonard Wins.” of a .38-caliber handgun, no frearm judges’ scorecards, Duran quit That leaves a frustrated Ray identifcation card, as well as in the eighth. He might not have Leonard telling Drath, “It was possession of a switchblade. This spoken the words “no mas” as all about why he quit. And I’m while also being on probation for a legend has it. But by waving saying, ‘Because of me.’” previous DUI in 2010.” his hand, turning his back and Meanwhile, the question of On July 29, Gimza pleaded guilty walking away from the action, what motivated Duran’s actions to a felony weapons charge and was he clearly told referee Octavio that night remains unanswered. sentenced to two years probation, Meyran, “This fight is over. I’ve Was he suffering from stomach which included home confnement had enough.” cramps? Did Leonard’s and the requirement that he wear an “This is the most inexplicable showboating humiliate him to electronic ankle bracelet for 160 days. thing I have ever seen in the point of wanting out? Did Gimza then applied to the court for the ring,” blow-by-blow he say to himself, “This guy special permission to leave the United commentator Howard Cosell told is making me look silly. I’m States and travel to Moscow “for a national television audience. physically depleted. I’m not employment purposes” to judge the The boxing community and beating him tonight. F--- it.”? Klitschko-Povetkin fght. Permission fight fans everywhere agreed Duran has never conclusively was granted. with him. answered that question. One These are not good credentials for a No Mas features wonders if he even knows the judge. H contemporary interviews with answer. H

14 RINGTV.COM / 2.14

15 2.14 / RINGTV.COM / 2.14

lished by the University of Arkansas Press. Arkansas of University the by lished gone. gone. lot of green here.” green of lot ALI: DONMORLEY/GETTY IMAGES;LEONARD-DURAN: THE RINGMAGAZINE H

Inside Look at Another Year in Boxing in Year Another at Look Inside ) has just been pub- been just has ) Kimball, who are now now are who Kimball, a there’s that is know I All

Straight Writes and Jabs: An An Jabs: and Writes Straight com. His most recent book ( book recent most His com.

know much about Ireland. Ireland. about much know Harold Conrad and George George and Conrad Harold

Thomas Hauser can be reached by email at thauser@rcn. at email by reached be can Hauser Thomas

like Angelo Dundee, Dundee, Angelo like don’t “I announced, he Isle,

surrounded by people people by surrounded Emerald the on arrived

was healthy and young, young, and healthy was

QUICK QUIZ the bout 115-113 in 3. Tom Kaczmarek scored Ali when said, That

in seeing Ali when he he when Ali seeing in ANSWERS: Whitaker’s favor. Vann and Mayweather’s May 5, woman.” colored

Marti called it 115-115 for 2007, fght against Oscar

the census rolls as a “free “free a as rolls census the

1. They were the judges a majority draw. De La Hoya 115-113 poignancy there’s And

tale. It’s an engaging look. look. engaging an It’s tale. for the Sept. 10, 1993, for De La Hoya. But he on listed woman a married

talking heads to tell the the tell to heads talking fght between Pernell 2. Leonard lost the last was overruled by Chuck and War Civil the after soon

Whitaker and Julio Cesar two fghts of his career to Giampa (116-112) and

States from County Clare Clare County from States

Chavez. Most observers Terry Norris in 1991 and Jerry Roth (115-113), with mixed is States)

commercially in the United United the in commercially thought Whitaker won Hector Camacho in 1997. both of whom favored United the to emigrated

of it not previously seen seen previously not it of decisively. Woodruff scored Mayweather. Grady, Abe grandparents,

Vintage footage (some (some footage Vintage great- maternal his of One

JUDGE?

on one fight in one locale. locale. one in fight one on him. in blood Irish has Ali

WHICH FIGHT AND WHICH WHICH AND FIGHT WHICH

out of the ring. It focuses focuses It ring. the of out fight. that during and

FIGHT FOR HIS OPPONENT. OPPONENT. HIS FOR FIGHT the events leading up to to up leading events the picture of Ali’s life in or or in life Ali’s of picture

HAS A JUDGE SCORED A A SCORED JUDGE A HAS doesn’t explore the big big the explore doesn’t recounts that documentary

MAYWEATHER JR.’S CAREER CAREER JR.’S MAYWEATHER is a 50-minute 50-minute a is When Ali Came to Ireland Ireland to Came Ali When Ireland

ONLY ONCE IN FLOYD FLOYD IN ONCE ONLY 11th round. 11th When Ali Came to to Came Ali When 3.

but was knocked out in the the in out knocked was but 1972. 19, July

gave it his all against Ali Ali against all his it gave on Lewis “Blue” Al fought

HIM?

been held hostage. Lewis Lewis hostage. held been he where Ireland, was

DURAN. WHO ELSE BEAT BEAT ELSE WHO DURAN.

which the warden had had warden the which tour his on stops the of

LOSS WAS TO ROBERTO ROBERTO TO WAS LOSS

end to a prison riot during during riot prison a to end One throne. heavyweight

HIS PRO CAREER. HIS FIRST FIRST HIS CAREER. PRO HIS for helping to mediate an an mediate to helping for the reclaim to Zaire to

LOST THREE TIMES DURING DURING TIMES THREE LOST he was given early parole parole early given was he journeying before States

SUGAR RAY LEONARD LEONARD RAY SUGAR bars and, after 5½ years, years, 5½ after and, bars United the in cities dozen 2.

learned to box behind behind box to learned half a and Indonesia

street robbery. He had had He robbery. street Japan, Switzerland,

man to death in a Detroit Detroit a in death to man Canada, in fight him saw

prison for beating a a beating for prison that tour a on embarked

sentenced to 30 years in in years 30 to sentenced Ali Muhammad 1971,

Lewis had been been had Lewis 8, March on Frazier

their tickets. their fter losing to Joe Joe to losing fter

gates rather than pay for for pay than rather gates

YOUNG ALI YOUNG of spectators crashed the the crashed spectators of

day of the fight, thousands thousands fight, the of day

A HEALTHY, A

obligations. Then, on the the on Then, obligations.

A GLIMPSE AT GLIMPSE A his pre-fight financial financial pre-fight his

found it difficult to meet meet to difficult it found

was strapped for cash and and cash for strapped was

former circus strongman) strongman) circus former

Sugrue (a pub owner and and owner pub (a Sugrue

the start. Promoter Butty Butty Promoter start. the

Lewis was chaotic from from chaotic was Lewis

The promotion of Ali- of promotion The

MARTI JUDGE? JUDGE? MARTI

MICKEY VANN AND FRANZ FRANZ AND VANN MICKEY

FIGHT DID JACK WOODRUFF, WOODRUFF, JACK DID FIGHT

BOXING. WHICH HISTORIC HISTORIC WHICH BOXING. Muhammad Ali’s life. Ali’s Muhammad

REGRETTABLE PART OF OF PART REGRETTABLE a single event in in event single a

engaging look at at look engaging

BAD DECISIONS ARE A A ARE DECISIONS BAD

is an an is to Ireland to

AS NOTED EARLIER, EARLIER, NOTED AS 1.

When Ali Came Came Ali When

The documentary documentary The QUICK QUIZ QUICK ROLLROLL WITHWITH THETHE PUNCHESPUNCHES ADVANCED WHAT BOXERS ARE INTO OUTSIDE THE SPORT DEGREES By Anson Wainwright Degrees of separation between fghters of the past and their counterparts today. This month, we introduce our frst chain submitted EVGENY by a reader. David Krizan of Kirkland, Wash., GRADOVICH linked legendary heavyweight champion IBF FEATHERWEIGHT TITLEHOLDER John L. Sullivan to another, more unusual MUSIC: “Different music, but my heavyweight who also became a household favorite is probably 50 Cent.” name – Eric “Butterbean” Esch. CAR: “Ferrari, Bentley or Aston Martin. Mercedes aren’t bad, too. (Laughs.)” FOOD: “Italian cuisine.” JOHN L. SULLIVAN TATTOOS: “I don’t like tattoos.” fought … ATHLETE OUTSIDE BOXING: “Probably Michael Jordan.” MOVIE: “Knocking on Heaven’s Door.” JAMES J. VIDEO GAME: “FIFA.” CORBETT, who fought … JAMES J. JEFFRIES, OMAR who fought … NARVAEZ JACK JOHNSON, WBO JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT who fought … TITLEHOLDER BEARCAT WRIGHT, MUSIC: “Bachata, Romeo Santos.” who fought … CAR: “I have a BMW 135i.” FOOD: “Asado, Argentine Barbecue.” PRIMO CARNERA, TATTOOS: “I don´t like them and don´t have any.” who fought … ATHLETE OUTSIDE BOXING: “Usain Bolt.” MOVIE: “Fast & Furious 6.” JOE LOUIS, who fought … VIDEO GAME: “I´m not into it, so I have no favorite.” JIMMY BIVINS, who fought … ARCHIE MOORE, who fought … DANIEL MUHAMMAD ALI, who fought … ESTRADA LIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER FROM MEXICO LARRY HOLMES, who fought … MUSIC: “I like Mexican music. Northern, the band.” BUTTERBEAN CAR: “I have an Ibiza, and I desire a Land Rover. I want an SUV to transport my family.” FOOD: “I like seafood. I don’t like a particular type of cuisine. I like all cuisine types provided they have seafood.” TATTOOS: “No, none.” ATHLETE OUTSIDE BOXING: “Usain Bolt.” MOVIE: “La Vida es Bella (Life is Beautiful). Also, all the Rocky movies and all boxing flms.” VIDEO GAME: “None.” SULLIVAN: THE RING MAGAZINE; BUTTERBEAN: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES; GRADOVICH: JEFF GROSS; NARVAEZ: JOSE LUIS LAZARTE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES; ESTRADA: ANNEL GUZMAN ALCANTARA ANNEL GUZMAN IMAGES; ESTRADA: JOSE LUIS LAZARTE/AFP/GETTY JEFF GROSS; NARVAEZ: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES; GRADOVICH: THE RING MAGAZINE; BUTTERBEAN: SULLIVAN:

16 RINGTV.COM / 1.142.14 EMAIL YOUR ADVANCED DEGREES TO [email protected]. A MONTHLY BOXING LIST:

This month: 10 words THE BEST AND WORST IN BOXING FROM THE PAST MONTH or phrases associated By Michael Rosenthal with boxing that are also used in other contexts. This is our second such list. The previous one is Good below the main list here. Manny Pacquiao’s one-sided victory over Brandon Rios on Nov. 23 in Macau, China, was a boon to his career. The Filipino star had lost 10 1. Body blow: A very damaging event. consecutive fghts, prompting many to wonder whether he was in decline. He proved against Rios that he is far from fnished. The 2. Down but not out: In trouble but surviving. victory also was important to the people in the Philippines, whose pride in Pacquiao seems boundless. Only a few weeks earlier, 3. Getting beat to the punch: Typhoon Haiyan had swept through the country. More than Losing an opportunity to someone else. 5,000 people were killed and millions more were uprooted from 4. Hat in the ring: Announcement of candidacy. their homes. Still, those who could did what they always do when Pacquiao fghts: They found a place to watch it on TV. Of course, 5. Heavyweight: Pacquiao’s performance didn’t substantially change the lives of An infuential person in any endeavor. those suffering. At the very least, it was a positive distraction. And 6. Jab: Deliver a verbal shot. perhaps the proud moment his hand was raised in victory offered some hope that the Filipino people could pick up the pieces and 7. Puncher’s chance: Faint hope of winning. go on with their lives. 8. Roll with the punches: Take it as it comes. 9. Take a dive: Intentionally lose. Bad 10. Toe to toe: Going at it; a debate perhaps. Edwin Rodriguez did well from a business standpoint in his fght against RING and WBA titleholder Andre Ward on Nov. 16, earning a The previous 10: Not pulling punches, knock out, career-high purse of $800,000. It takes the average American around punchy, boxers, below the belt, down for the count, on 17 years to make that kind of money. Otherwise, the promotion the ropes, throw in the towel, count out and infghting. was a disaster for Rodriguez. He failed to make weight by two pounds, which cost him 20 percent of his original $1 million purse and made the matchup a non-title fght. And he was embarrassed Note: Fighters of the distant past would throw their hat inside the ropes, losing a near-shutout decision. He ate hard into the ring to announce their willingness to fght. punches all night and couldn’t fnd Ward to land his own. The only thing about which he can boast is that Ward never really hurt him, which is a tribute to his chin but might also have had something to do with his size advantage. It’s a good thing Rodriguez made good money. I doubt TV executives are going to be clamoring for him to appear on their networks again anytime soon.

A MONTHLY POLL OF OUR RINGTV.COM READERS Worse Immediately after Manny Pacquiao’s one-sided victory over Brandon Rios on Nov. 23, which reaffrmed the Howard Foster shouldn’t be branded a bad referee based on one Filipino’s place among the sport’s elite, the boxing high-profle gaffe. This was a doozy, though. Quick background: world began to look forward. Thus, we asked: What’s George Groves was giving the performance of his life against Carl the most realistic big fght available to Manny Froch when Froch landed a few hard punches in the ninth round, prompting Foster to end the fght prematurely. In doing so, he Pacquiao in 2014? Here is how you responded. inficted damage to a number of parties. Froch wasn’t allowed to complete a remarkable comeback, Groves was denied the chance THE PERCENTAGES: to survive and possibly emerge with a career-changing victory, the Timothy Bradley II 69.3 fans were cheated out of what might’ve been 3½ unforgettable Juan Manuel Marquez V 18.0 rounds and British boxing – and the sport in general – took a Ruslan Provodnikov 9.1 nasty hit. I understand that the referee’s duty is to protect the fghters. Still, he must have justifable cause to end a fght. It didn’t Kell Brook 3.6 exist in this case, at least not at the moment he stopped it. The outrage expressed by fans afterward WAS justifed. Note: 9,781 readers voted

11.13 / THE2.14 RING / RINGTV.COM MAGAZINE 17 BEST I’VE FACED GEORGE FOREMAN

eorge Foreman had to Jimmy Young three years later, two boxing careers, immediately after which he said G one as a brooding he had a religious experience that knockout machine compelled him to become a minister. and another as a lovable It seemed we’d seen the last of grandfather-type who shocked George Foreman in the ring. the world. “Big George” was However, 10 years later, in hopes special in both incarnations. of raising money for his ministry, he Foreman won gold at the 1968 returned to boxing. Foreman, pudgy Olympics in Mexico City and then but still immensely strong, didn’t proved he could also succeed as a jump into major fghts immediately. pro, winning his frst 40 fghts (37 Instead, he worked his way back into by knockout) and stopping then- fghting shape one bout at a time. unbeaten Joe Frazier to win the Thus, he was ready when true heavyweight championship during the challenges presented themselves. division’s Golden Era. He stopped Gerry Cooney in a Muhammad Ali proved to be celebrated matchup but fell short Foreman’s undoing in the famous in world title bids against the much “Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974 in younger Evander Holyfeld and then Zaire (now the Democratic Republic Tommy Morrison. of the Congo), which ended with Foreman didn’t squander his third Foreman on his back in the eighth chance to regain the championship. round. Foreman lost a decision He was far behind on the cards

George Foreman (left) listed Muhammad Ali as the best he faced in a number of categories.

18 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 The Ring Magazine though Iwasstaggering. Itwasn’t threw anelbowtomakeitlookas he didn’t doanythingtome, he don’t know–25, 30times. When One timeEvanderhitme–I damage, they’dswaythejudges. knew that[even]iftheydidn’t do throw combinations. Imeanhe wait foranopening, andhe’d give ittoEvanderHolyfeld. He’d him andJimmy Young, butI’d was agoodboxer. It’s between EVANDER HOLYFIELD: BEST BOXER couldn’t believeit. nightmare. Isawithappenbut It waslikesomethingoutofa go with Ali becauseofhisjab. Holyfeld orMuhammad Ali. I’ll MUHAMMAD ALI: BEST OVERALL best hefacedin10keycategories. speak to THE RINGaboutthe in 2003. International BoxingHallofFame named George. partnership withhisfvesonsalso enjoying lifeasabusinessmanin Now 64, Foremansayshe’s than hedidinhisboxingcareer. far moremoneysellinggrills knockouts), afterwhichhemade with arecordof76-5(68 heavyweight title. the oldestevertowin lost itto Ali. almost exactly20yearsafterhe gave Foremanthechampionship relieved Moorerofhissensesand moment, asinglerighthand Moorer when, inanunforgettable against IBFtitleholderMichael ALI: BEST JAB to swaythejudges. but it’s boxing, andhe knewhow even ashot. crude, Itwasrudeand Foreman graciouslyagreedto He wasinductedintothe He retiredforgoodin1997 Foreman was45atthetime, Inthegym, we’d say “spin It’s Evander He He I’m notgoingdown!” Ionlywish “Noooooo. Itdidn’t killme, so down.” And helookedatmelike, I waslike, “I knowyou’regoing I hithimwithagoodshot, and He lookedatmeonetimeafter I’ve neverseenanythinglikethat. Ali. Ihithimwitheverything. ALI: BEST CHIN like Ihithim. Nobody shouldbeabletogethit throwing punchesuntilIgottired. the ropesandlikeadopeIkept invented it, becausehelaidon a defenseatall. Rope-a-dope, I took punishment, whichisnot just backeduptotheropesand and Igottiredofhittinghim. He to hithimwith. Hejusttookit, him witheverythingIwanted I can’t giveitto Ali becauseIhit the way. Hehadthebestdefense. covering upandsteppingoutof him prettygood. Hewasgreatat HOLYFIELD: BEST DEFENSE on me. best jabI’veseen, anditwasused it again. That wasabsolutelythe trying tocounterhimandhedid Then hesteppedtotheside. Iwas ring withhimandhespunthejab. and youspinitout. Iwasinthe from thetopanditcomesdown like aspinningtop. You throwit that jab.” That meansturnitover stayed onthecanvas. Iwaslike, I hadreallybeenhurt, I’dhave had nopoweroverit. Ithink if someone wasabusingme, and I it didn’t evenhurt. Itwaslike RON LYLE: BEST PUNCHER I evermetinmylife. more pridethananyhumanbeing strongest chininboxing. Hehad just didn’t knowthat. Hehadthe nobody hadknockedhimout. I a bittooegotisticaltounderstand I’d watchedallofhisflm. Iwas Hands down, Muhammad Hehitmesohard A fewtimesIhit FASTEST FEET Evander Holyfeldwasfullofit. But handspeedandcombinations, hit withwasbyMuhammad Ali. The fastestrighthandIevergot where itcamefrom. Itwasfast. right hand. Idon’t knowhowand ever beenhit. Itwasastraight at me, anditwasthefastestI’ve remember Ali threwarighthand them likeamiddleweight. I by EvanderHolyfeld, hethrew HOLYFIELD: FASTEST HANDS ever faced. me.” HehadthehardestpunchI “This couldn’t behappeningto strong andtough asyouare.” me back. Hewaslike, “I’m asbig, started tolookforawayhit or gettingoutoftheway. (Lyle) when Ihitguys, theystartedfying LYLE: STRONGEST much ashedid. Hewassmart. embarrassed tohavehungonas hurt me, I’dprobablyhavebeen if hegothurt. Ifyouhitmeand wasn’t embarrassedtohangon he knewwashurt, andhe his cool, hekepthisheart, and was thesmartestman. Hekept never gotanotherchance. That and heputhishandsup, andI don’t tradewiththesucker,” (from hiscorner), “Muhammad, his brainsout. ButthenIheard to gethim, I’mgoingtoknock confdent, andIthoughtI’mgoing point ofthefght, hereallygot an exchangewithyou.” At one but Iamnotgoingtogetinto “You’re doingallofthistome, me nomatterwhat. Hewaslike, He wouldnottradepuncheswith ALI: SMARTEST himself, inandout. really knewhowtoposition JIMMY YOUNG: IthinkitwasMuhammad. IthinkRonLyle. Generally The combinations The 2.14/ RINGTV.COM Jimmy Young

CARDCARD GIRL GIRL OF OFTHE MONTH BY HEATHERTHE MONTH SHANHOLTZ BY HEATHER SHANHOLTZ

Daniyka Waldner Height: 5 feet 1 inch Weight: 90 pounds Measurements: 32-23-32 Stance: Orthodox Reach: 24 inches Favorite Boxer: Scotty Olson, since he’s Canadian and also from Edmonton Hometown: Toronto Current Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Where you’ve seen her: American Curves Magazine, Ultimate MMA Magazine, Construction Chicks calendar, Bizsu Magazine, B.A.D.D. Magazine, and Chulo Magazine Dave Alan

THE RING MAGAZINE1.141.14/ / AUGUST / RINGTV.COM 2013 212121 Daniyka Waldner Dave Alan

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 23 Dave Alan

THE RING CARD GIRL OF THE MONTH BY: HEATHER SHANHOLTZ

WWW.HEATHERSHANHOLTZ.COM | WWW.TWITTER.COM/HSHANHOLTZ | WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MODELHEATHER DO YOU WANT TO BE A RING CARD GIRL OF THE MONTH? 24submitRINGTV.COM photos and / 1.14 bio to [email protected] READY TO GRUMBLE

t’s too early to say that Donaire is done, that Nonito Iis fnito. What’s clear, however, is that if Nonito Donaire cannot perform to his full potential, then “The Filipino Flash” might as well fush these past few years down the toilet. It wouldn’t be Guillermo Rigondeaux who ruined him. Instead, it would be Donaire himself, a man who has physical gifts but has lost the mental grit. We root for fghters who give their all despite their limitations. We fnd it harder to forgive those who are truly talented but fnd ways to fail themselves. Donaire’s speed and power made him formidable. His dearth of desire made his 2013 forgettable. Donaire hasn’t failed himself yet. He’s not doing himself any favors, though. He had plenty of excuses for his April loss to Rigondeaux. He was injured, unfocused and had lost his competitive fre at a time when he was facing his most competitive foe. He returned in November against Vic Darchinyan, a rematch that was supposed to allow Donaire to rebound, rather Nonito Donaire knocked out Vic than providing a referendum on Darchinyan in the his career. ninth round to win a Donaire had knocked out fght he was losing Darchinyan in 2007 and was on the cards. expected to do so again. It proved to be much more diffcult this time. Darchinyan was determined and disciplined. Donaire has been distracted WHERE’S and disinterested, and he was in danger of losing a decision before he rallied to score a late technical knockout. THE FIRE? Donaire should be commended for stepping into the ring NONITO DONAIRE RALLIED TO STOP VIC DARCHINYAN IN despite being sick and while his THEIR REMATCH BUT SOMETHING WAS MISSING homeland, the Philippines, was By David Greisman reeling from a massive typhoon.

SCOTT HALLERAN/GETTY IMAGES He still must be criticized for his

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 25 READY TO GRUMBLE

admitted lack of motivation. together instead of seeking Bernard Hopkins Until and unless Donaire fnds single shots, combinations (left) gave an the fre to go with his frepower, far more captivating than the entertaining the wise decision will be to keep double whammy of movement performance him as far away as possible from and mauling. against Karo Murat, which isn’t a rematch with Rigondeaux. The concern is that Hopkins typical of him. Then again, it would have been has a pattern: He’ll entertain wise to keep Donaire away from when his career is most in need Rigondeaux to begin with. of it, then defantly return to winning ugly. He got caught clean H by Murat. He won’t be willing to have the same thing happen The best thing about Bernard against punchers such as Adonis Hopkins’ win over Karo Murat is Stevenson or Sergey Kovalev. that it made us want to see him Hopkins has spent his adult again. And the worst thing about life proving his doubters wrong. Hopkins’ win over Murat is that Hopefully he will do the same by it made us want to see him again. continuing to entertain. It’s one It’s a setup for another letdown. thing to be an ageless wonder. It’s Hopkins landed more punches another to be a joyless winner. on Murat than in any other of his fghts over the past 12 years, H the most since his 2001 win over Felix Trinidad, according Too many of us view fghters to CompuBox. That says three as replaceable, as temporary things about Hopkins: members of an always-changing 1. He had long heard the cast of characters. call for his fghts to be more We’re failing them. entertaining, but fnally he We failed Frankie Leal, a heeded it. junior featherweight who never 2. He knew he could be should have been allowed to more offensively lovable and box again after being taken out defensively liable against an on a stretcher, hospitalized and opponent the caliber of Murat. suspended indefnitely following 3. The CompuBox statistic only his March 2012 loss to Evgeny accentuates how excruciating Gradovich. And yet Leal, who Hopkins fghts can be. probably had no better way of We’ve long put up with him making money, was allowed to because of the small handful of return to the ring fve times in victories in which we get vintage Mexico. He died days after his virtuoso Hopkins. The dreadful fnal loss. bouts outnumber the delightful The athletic commissions ones, though. A rare few were shouldn’t have ignored his worth watching again. Many of medical history. The promoter $40,000, which is about as much them we wish we didn’t have should’ve known better. His as Floyd Mayweather Jr. earned to sit through in the frst place. team should’ve looked past the in just two seconds against That we continue to subject paychecks and seen the potential Canelo Alvarez. Abdusalamov ourselves to the potential for cost of Leal taking more punches. went from the ring to the pain is because Hopkins remains We failed Magomed hospital, where he was diagnosed a compelling fgure, though not Abdusalamov, a heavyweight with a blood clot and later always a compelling fghter. who knew that quitting against suffered a stroke. The Murat fight was fun, Mike Perez could mean that he We judge losers so harshly that Naoki Fukuda thankfully, and that was would never get another shot. it’s no wonder that prospects are because Hopkins put punches Abdusalamov was paid just now brought along so cautiously.

26 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 We want Deontay Wilder to face Antonio Margarito, when that contenders don’t often get better heavyweight opponents, was absolutely the right choice that chance. yet there would be fewer people to make. We didn’t tear into It’s unfortunate that it on his bandwagon, and less of a Margarito for deciding to stay often takes tragedy to give chance of a title shot, had he lost the distance and take his lumps us perspective. There are a test before he was truly ready against Manny Pacquiao, and many changes that need to to take it. that left Margarito with a badly be made, by everyone from Quitters are seen as even injured eye. the commissions to the worse than losers. We tore Cotto has since been welcomed promoters to us fans. The into Miguel Cotto for taking back and embraced by boxing more we do for boxers, the a knee in his frst fght with fans. Lesser-known prospects and more we do for boxing.

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 27 OUTSIDE THE ROPES By Brian Harty

to sour grapes. machete. Rodriguez needed surgery It should be noted that Golovkin’s to repair the damage to his right arm. sparring partners have frequently (Who even has a machete?) come out of camp with horror stories about the Kazakhstani’s power. David Two real tragedies took place over Imoesiri, who sparred with Golovkin the past month. Junior featherweight in 2012, said he hit harder than Francisco Leal died three days heavyweight Alexander Povetkin. after being taken from the ring on So, what Rosado calls “suspect as a stretcher in Mexico. And in New s—t” may simply be what others call York, heavyweight Magomed “GGG.” Abdusalamov suffered a stroke and was placed in an induced coma Jimrex Jaca’s fght against following a hellacious ring war at Australian Chad Bennett was Madison Square Garden. At press The suggestions canceled along with the rest of the time Abdusalamov was thought to be Gabriel Rosado Oct. 23 Anthony Mundine-Shane improving and was awakened, but he (above) made about Gennady Golovkin’s Mosely card in Sydney, but not went back on life support after a rise gloves don’t seem before Bennett tried to pay him $3,500 in temperature. Full stories on both to wash. to take a dive, said the Filipino junior men can be found in this issue. welterweight. Bennett disputed the allegation and said the actual issue Two others were a bit more was that Jaca wanted to get paid for fortunate: Light heavyweight Daniel CONSPIRACY the fght that didn’t happen. MacKinnon underwent emergency brain surgery following a TKO loss in THEORIES Promoter Bob Arum voiced his own New Zealand, and featherweight Jose conspiracy theory based on his time Carmona had a similar experience uring a roundtable discussion as a lawyer in the John F. Kennedy following a bout against Jorge Arce before his Nov. 26 fght administration and the subsequent in Mexico. Both fghters appeared to Dagainst Peter Quillin, research he did for the Warren be in stable condition at press time. middleweight Gabriel Rosado Commission report. He told Yahoo! refected on his seventh-round TKO Sports he believes that “Kennedy was Plans to erect a statue in Philadelphia loss to Gennady Golovkin nine assassinated by (Lee Harvey) Oswald honoring heavyweight legend Joe months earlier. He had a theory about and Oswald alone, but that he was Frazier were interrupted when the the fght, which had left ringside acting as an agent for (Fidel) Castro” original artist, Lawrence J. Nowlan, photographers struggling to squeegee as revenge for numerous failed plots died in August of heart disease at the the blood from their lenses. to kill the Cuban leader. age of 48. Local sculptor Stephen “When he hit me in the frst round, Layne has now stepped in, and the it felt different,” said Rosado. He Cuban Olympian and former project is back on track. expanded on that, saying Golovkin’s lightweight titleholder Yuriorkis jab “felt like a bat hitting the top of Gamboa was arrested in Florida The licensing rights to Muhammad my dome” and that he could feel his and charged with two counts of Ali’s image were sold to Authentic opponent’s wraps with each punch misdemeanor domestic violence. Brands Group, the same group – something that doesn’t normally Gamboa was brought in for similar that owns the rights for Elvis happen until the championship allegations by the same woman Presley and Marilyn Monroe, for JEFF BOTTARI/GOLDEN BOY/GOLDEN BOY VIA GETTY IMAGES rounds. He also said Golovkin’s Grant (his ex-wife) in 2011, but was not an undisclosed price. The portfolio gloves looked “skinny” [Rosado also convicted. includes photos, videos and the wore Grants] and suggested they had phrase “foat like a butterfy, sting like less cushioning across the knuckles. Also in Florida, the story of two friends a bee,” among others. Golovkin’s promoter, Tom – Pedro Rodriguez and Inocente Loeffer, dismissed the idea and said Fiss – sharing an apartment: They And fnally, Adrien Broner will also Rosado’s team had even been offered were both Cuban prospects tagged to now be mentioned. He apparently a pair of Gennady’s gloves to use, fght on a Nov. 26 Golden Boy card. (yawn) had sex with two women at the but they refused. Grant CEO Elvis And then, Rodriguez claims, Fiss same time and ... (yaaawwn) ... the Phillips called the claim “insulting to came home drunk and an argument video somehow leaked from his phone me and my company” and attributed it over money led to an attack by to a website and ... (zzzzzzzzz).

28 RINGTV.COM / 2.14

FOR PERIOD ENDING RATINGS PACKAGE NOV. 24 FIGHTER OF THE MONTH | RATINGS ANALYSIS | POUND-FOR-POUND | THE RING RATINGS

FIGHTER OF THE MONTH MANNY PACQUIAO By Michael Rosenthal

Manny Pacquiao outclassed Brandon Rios to reclaim some lost luster. DALE de la REY/AFP/Getty Images

30 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 Manny Pacquiao’s one-sided POUND FOR POUND: No change. knockout of Rocky Martinez (No. 2 victory over Brandon Rios last month). Juan Carlos Salgado (No. will not be remembered as one HEAVYWEIGHTS: David Haye (No. 3 last 7 last month) was dropped from the of his greatest. month) had shoulder surgery, which list after losing by TKO to gatekeeper Rios is a good, extremely tough resulted in the second cancelation of his Miguel Roman (unrated), and No. 8-rated fghter but nowhere near Pacquiao’s date with No. 6 Tyson Fury. Haye left the Takahiro Ao rose a notch after stopping level, even at this stage of the list (and possibly boxing), and everyone unrated Edgar Lomeli in the frst round. Filipino’s career. The near-shutout below moved up a notch. Deontay Wilder decision was pretty much what arrived at No. 10, 30-fght knockout FEATHERWEIGHTS: Garcia vacated the people expected, although some streak in hand. championship spot, while Nonito predicted a knockout. Donaire (No. 1 junior featherweight The victory on Nov. 23 in Macau, CRUISERWEIGHTS: No change. last month) gave 126 pounds a try and China, was important for a number entered at No. 10 after pulling out a of reasons, though. LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS: Karo Murat earned ninth-round knockout of Vic Darchinyan Pacquiao is 34 and has been in his diploma from the Bernard Hopkins (No. 5 junior featherweight). Evgeny many demanding fghts, which takes School of Boxing with a unanimous- Gradovich (No. 6 last month) rose a spot a toll on the body. He probably is decision loss and fell from No. 6 to No. after delivering a ninth-round knockout beyond his prime physically. And he 8. The 48-year-old Hopkins stayed put against Billy Dib, who dropped from No. was coming off a brutal, one-punch at No. 1. 7 to No. 8. knockout loss against rival Juan Manuel Marquez. No one knows SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS: Edwin Rodriguez JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHTS: With Donaire’s how a fghter will respond to that. (No. 7 last month) was dropped from the departure, everyone gained a rank, and Indeed, there was reason to ratings after failing to make weight for mainstay Fernando Montiel reappeared wonder whether Pacquiao would his unanimous-decision loss to division at No. 10. remain a major player in the sport champ Andre Ward. Andre Dirrell entered going into the fght against Rios. at No. 10. BANTAMWEIGHTS: No change. No reason to wonder any longer. The eight-division titleholder MIDDLEWEIGHTS: Peter Quillin (No. 5 JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHTS: No change. demonstrated that he can still last month) moved up a notch after a dominate a good opponent, looking 10th-round stoppage of Gabriel Rosado FLYWEIGHTS: Giovani Segura, who very much like the dynamo who (unrated). Gennady Golovkin (No. 1 last pretty much ended Ivan Calderon’s became a superstar in the last decade month) was in the second-longest fght career with a pair of knockouts at 108 even if he has slipped just a bit. of his career but knocked out Curtis pounds a couple years ago, entered the Rios had no clue how to cope with Stevens in Round 8. Stevens fell from 112-pound list with a 12th-round KO Pacquiao’s speed, movement and No. 9 to No. 10. of former titleholder Hernan Marquez, all-around ability, which allowed who tumbled from No. 3 to No. 8. Pacquiao to pick him apart while JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS: Demetrius Edgar Sosa and Juan Carlos Reveco taking very few punches himself. Andrade (No. 8 last month) defeated each rose two spots, to Nos. 3 and Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 knockouts) Vanes Martirosyan (No. 5 at the time) by 5, respectively, on the strength of couldn’t fnish the job by stopping a split decision for the vacant WBO title. past wins. Roman Gonzalez (No. 1 jr. Rios (31-2-1, 23 KOs) but that’s no Andrade rose to No. 6, Martirosyan fell fyweight last month) scored a second- great surprise given Rios’ ability to to No. 7, and undefeated Texan Jermell round TKO over tough cookie Oscar take a punch. Charlo entered at No. 10 after Zaurbek Blanquet (unrated) and entered at No. In the end, it was an excellent Baysangurov (No. 7 last month) exited 1 over Juan Francisco Estrada, who he performance that confrmed due to inactivity. beat in November 2012. Everyone was Pacquiao still has the ability to fght pushed down a spot, and No. 10 Luis at a very high level. And, of course, WELTERWEIGHTS: No change. Concepcion was ejected from the list. it’s clear now that he has more big- money fghts in his near future. JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS: No change. JUNIOR FLYWEIGHTS: Gonzalez exited the There was even some chatter top spot, lifting everyone up a notch afterward that a mega-fght between LIGHTWEIGHTS: No change. and creating space for undefeated Thai Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather fghter Paipharob Kokietgym at the Jr. might yet happen. Ah, it’s nice JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS: Former bottom. to have Pacquiao around at least a featherweight champ Mikey Garcia little longer. debuted at No. 2 after an eighth-round STRAWWEIGHTS: No change.

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 31 AS OF NOV. 24 FOR WEEKLY UPDATED RING RATINGS, GO TO RINGTV.COM

RING cruiserweight champ Yoan Pablo Hernandez (right) stopped Alexander Alekseev in 10 rounds to retain his title.

HEAVYWEIGHTS CRUISERWEIGHTS LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS WEIGHT UNLIMITED WEIGHT LIMIT: 200 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 175 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 168 LBS

32 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 MIDDLEWEIGHTS JR. MIDDLEWEIGHTS WELTERWEIGHTS JR. WELTERWEIGHTS WEIGHT LIMIT: 160 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 154 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 147 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 140 LBS

LIGHTWEIGHTS JR. LIGHTWEIGHTS FEATHERWEIGHTS JR. FEATHERWEIGHTS WEIGHT LIMIT: 135 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 130 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 126 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 122 LBS

HOW OUR RATINGS ARE COMPILED

Championship vacancies can be f lled in the following two ways: Champion does not schedule a f ght at his championship weight 1. THE RING’s Nos. 1 and 2 contenders f ght one another; 2. If for 18 months (even if he f ghts at another weight); 5. The Cham- the Nos. 1 and 2 contenders chose not to f ght one another and pion does not schedule a f ght with a Top-5 contender from any either of them f ghts No. 3, No. 4 or No. 5, the winner may be weight class for two years; 6. The Champion retires. awarded THE RING belt if the Editorial Board deems the con- THE RING Ratings Chairman Chuck Giampa considers input tenders worthy. from the Ratings Panel of boxing journalists from around the A champion can lose his belt in six situations: 1. The Champion world but has f nal say on all changes. That applies to both the loses a f ght in the weight class in which he is champion; 2. The pound-for-pound and divisional ratings. Champion moves to another weight class; 3. The Champion does not schedule a f ght in any weight class for 18 months; 4. The Records provided by boxrec.com

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 33 BANTAMWEIGHTS JR. BANTAMWEIGHTS FLYWEIGHTS JR. FLYWEIGHTS WEIGHT LIMIT: 118 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 115 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 112 LBS WEIGHT LIMIT: 108 LBS

C VACANT C VACANT C AKIRA YAEGASHI C VACANT Japan | 18-3-0 (9 KOs) 1. ANSELMO MORENO 1. OMAR NARVAEZ 1. ROMAN GONZALEZ 1. DONNIE NIETES Panama | 34-2-1 (12 KOs) Argentina | 40-1-2 (21 KOs) Nicaragua | 37-0-0 (31 KOs) Philippines | 31-1-4 (17 KOs) 2. SHINSUKE YAMANAKA 2. JUAN CARLOS SANCHEZ JR. 2. JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA 2. MOISES FUENTES Japan | 19-0-2 (14 KOs) Mexico | 17-1-1 (9 KOs) Mexico | 25-2-0 (18 KOs) Mexico | 19-1-1 (10 KOs) 3. KOKI KAMEDA 3. CARLOS CUADRAS 3. BRIAN VILORIA 3. KAZUTO IOKA Japan | 32-1-0 (17 KOs) Mexico | 28-0-0 (23 KOs) U.S. | 32-4-0 (19 KOs) Japan | 13-0-0 (9 KOs) 4. MALCOLM TUNACAO 4. SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI 4. EDGAR SOSA 4. ADRIAN HERNANDEZ Philippines | 33-3-3 (20 KOs) Thailand | 23-3-1 (21 KOs) Mexico | 49-7-0 (29 KOs) Mexico | 28-2-1 (17 KOs) 5. HUGO RUIZ 5. TEPPARITH SINGWANCHA 5. MORUTI MTHALANE 5. JOHNRIEL CASIMERO Mexico | 33-2-0 (29 KOs) Thailand | 24-3-0 (14 KOs) S. Africa | 29-2-0 (20 KOs) Philippines | 19-2-0 (11 KOs) 6. JOSEPH AGBEKO 6. RYO AKAHO 6. JUAN CARLOS REVECO 6. PEDRO GUEVARA Ghana | 29-4-0 (22 KOs) Japan | 21-1-2 (14 KOs) Argentina | 32-1-0 (17 KOs) Mexico | 20-1-1 (13 KOs) 7. JAMIE MCDONNELL 7. ARTHUR VILLANUEVA 7. TOSHIYUKI IGARASHI 7. FELIX ALVARADO U.K. | 22-2-1 (10 KOs) Philippines | 24-0-0 (14 KOs) Japan | 18-2-1 (11 KOs) Nicaragua | 18-0-0 (15 KOs) 8. JULIO CEJA 8. OLEYDONG SITHSAMERCHAI 8. GIOVANI SEGURA 8. ALBERTO ROSSEL Mexico | 25-1-0 (23 KOs) Thailand | 51-1-1 (17 KOs) Mexico | 31-3-1 (27 KOs) Peru | 31-8-0 (13 KOs) 9. TOMOKI KAMEDA 9. FELIPE ORUCUTA 9. HERNAN MARQUEZ 9. NAOYA INOUE Japan | 28-0-0 (18 KOs) Mexico | 28-2-0 (23 KOs) Mexico | 36-4-0 (26 KOs) Japan | 4-0-0 (3 KOs) 10. PAULUS AMBUNDA 10. DAIKI KAMEDA 10. MILAN MELINDO 10. PAIPHAROB KOKIETGYM Namibia | 20-1-0 (10 KOs) Japan | 29-3-0 (18 KOs) Philippines | 29-1-0 (12 KOs) Thailand | 21-0-0 (16 KOs)

STRAWWEIGHTS WEIGHT LIMIT: 105 LBS

THE RING POLICY ON RATED BOXERS WHO TEST tests positive and he waives his right to have the “B” sample tested then the POSITIVE FOR PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUGS boxer shall immediately be removed from the ratings. A boxer whose “A” sample tested positive and is awaiting the results of his THE RING will remove from its ratings any rated boxer — including a cham- “B” sample will not be allowed to f ght for a championship or rise in the ratings. pion — if such boxer at some point undergoes drug testing (Olympic-style or A boxer who is removed because of a positive test will have the opportunity otherwise) and that boxer tests positive for a performance-enhancing drug. to earn his way back into the ratings after any suspension period is completed. In the event that a boxer has undergone testing in which the boxer pro- A boxer who is dropped also may be reinstated if the testing agency vides two samples (“A” and “B”) and the boxer’s “A” and subsequent “B” subsequently reverses its decision or a court of competent jurisdiction f nds samples test positive for a performance-enhancing drug or if his “A” sample that the test result was invalid. WARD: NAOKI FUKUDA; GEALE: ELSA/GETTY IMAGES BY COUNTRY RATED FIGHTERS UZBEKISTAN UGANDA SPAIN ROMANIA PERU PANAMA NAMIBIA MALAWI KAZAKHSTAN JAMAICA INDONESIA GHANA FINLAND DENMARK CONGO COLOMBIA CHINA CAMEROON BULGARIA 2 PUERTO RICO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ARMENIA POLAND NICARAGUA AUSTRALIA UKRAINE CANADA THAILAND SOUTH AFRICA GERMANY CUBA ARGENTINA RUSSIA PHILIPPINES JAPAN UNITED KINGDOM MEXICO UNITED STATES (welterweight andlightweight). and welterweight) Adrien Broner Mayweather Jr. (juniormiddleweight * Includestwo ratings forFloyd 34 * 15 17 30 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 8 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 rated intwo divisions. Note: VS. MEXICO/ASIA EUROPE VS.U.S. UIRWLEWIHS 4 JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS 0 WELTERWEIGHTS JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS MIDDLEWEIGHTS SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS CRUISERWEIGHTS HEAVYWEIGHTS DIVISION Group 3.Here’s how itbreaks down. the U.S. Group2andtheMexicans and Asians different places. The EuropeanscontrolGroup1, islooselydominatedby fghtersfrom category heaviest, middleandlightest–weseethateach If webreak down thedivisionsintothree parts– TOTAL STRAWWEIGHTS JUNIOR FLYWEIGHTS FLYWEIGHTS JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT BANTAMWEIGHTS 3 JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHTS FEATHERWEIGHTS JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS LIGHTWEIGHTS 30 ORMORE UNITED STATES Floyd MayweatherJr. and Adrien Bronerare each NICARAGUA CANADA MEXICO ARGENTINA 20 -29 UOE US MEXICO/ASIA U.S. EUROPE 42 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 5 6 5 8 6 CUBA UNITED KINGDOM PUERTO RICO 34 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 2 5 7 7 2 2 3 1 0 2 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC GERMANY SOUTH AFRICA 10 -19 65 8 8 7 9 6 4 6 5 4 0 2 2 2 1 0 0 of thischart. majority oftheirpopulationlivesforthe purposes They were placedinthecontinentwhich the Note: CONTINENT RATINGS BY by THE RING. Here’s how itbreaks down. exception of Antarctica, hasfghtersrated continent,Every withtheobvious 3 7 11 35 42 82 AUSTRALIA SOUTH AMERICA AFRICA ASIA EUROPE NORTH AMERICA POLAND Several countriesstraddle two continents. 5 -9 THAILAND UKRAINE ARMENIA rated byTHERING. three Australians Geale isoneof Middleweight Daniel AUSTRAILIA 2.14 /RINGTV.COM RUSSIA 2 -4 PHILIPPINES JAPAN 35 THROUGH FIGHTS OF NOV. 24

FOCUS ON …

MIDDLEWEIGHTS THE RING staff members’ current A breakdown of THE RING Top 10 in one division each month, champions in the original eight plus a list of f ghters on the cusp of breaking through. This weight classes. month: the 160-pounders. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is on everyone’s list, old school and new.

MICHAEL ROSENTHAL RING MAGAZINE EDITOR HEAVYWEIGHT: WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT: ANDRE WARD MIDDLEWEIGHT: SERGIO MARTINEZ WELTERWEIGHT: FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. LIGHTWEIGHT: MIKEY GARCIA FEATHERWEIGHT: GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX BANTAMWEIGHT: ANSELMO MORENO FLYWEIGHT: ROMAN GONZALEZ

DOUG FISCHER RINGTV.COM EDITOR HEAVYWEIGHT: WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO Peter Quillin has LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT: ANDRE WARD the longest winning MIDDLEWEIGHT: GENNADY GOLOVKIN streak (30) of any WELTERWEIGHT: FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. middleweight rated by THE RING. LIGHTWEIGHT: MIGUEL VAZQUEZ FEATHERWEIGHT: CHRIS JOHN BANTAMWEIGHT: ANSELMO MORENO MOST WEEKS RATED: FELIX STURM 533 FLYWEIGHT: ROMAN GONZALEZ FEWEST WEEKS RATED: MAX BURSAK 5 OLDEST: SERGIO MARTINEZ 38 LEM SATTERFIELD STAFF WRITER YOUNGEST: CURTIS STEVENS 28 HEAVYWEIGHT: WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO MOST FIGHTS: MARCO ANTONIO RUBIO 65 LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT: ANDRE WARD FEWEST FIGHTS: (TIE) DARREN BARKER, MARTIN MURRAY 27 MIDDLEWEIGHT: SERGIO MARTINEZ HIGHEST WINNING PERCENTAGE: (TIE) GENNADY GOLOVKIN, PETER QUILLIN 100 PERCENT WELTERWEIGHT: FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. LOWEST WINNING PERCENTAGE: MATTHEW MACKLIN 85.3 PERCENT LIGHTWEIGHT: MIKEY GARCIA MOST KOS: RUBIO 50 FEATHERWEIGHT: CHRIS JOHN FEWEST KOS: MURRAY 11 BANTAMWEIGHT: ANSELMO MORENO LONGEST WINNING STREAK: QUILLIN 30 FIGHTS FLYWEIGHT: ROMAN GONZALEZ ON THE POUND-FOR-POUND LIST: MARTINEZ NO. 5 Note: This is how the weights break down: Heavy- TITLEHOLDERS IN THE TOP 10: MARTINEZ (RING, WBC), GOLOVKIN (WBA), BARKER (IBF) AND weight includes cruiserweight, light heavyweight QUILLIN (WBO) Naoki Fukuda includes super middleweight, all divisions mid- ON THE CUSP (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER): DANNY JACOBS, MATT KOROBOV, GILBERTO RAMIREZ, dleweight through f yweight include the “junior” GABRIEL ROSADO AND BILLY JOE SAUNDERS. versions, and f yweight also includes strawweight.

36 RINGTV.COM / 2.14

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38 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 ON A ROLL 2013 WAS AN EXCELLENT YEAR FOR BOXING. EXPECT THE SAME FOR 2014, PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF SO MANY PROMISING YOUNG FIGHTERS. By Gareth A Davies

Few would question the our sights, there is much to enjoy assertion that 2013 was a banner in a group of emerging talents at year for boxing, with the rise of the elite level: Mikey and Danny several young, highly promising Garcia (not related, of course); f ghters and the emergence of Canelo Alvarez; Juan Francisco a group of Eastern European Estrada; Adrien Broner and a standouts plying their trade in latecomer to wider attention, the United States. George Groves. They are the next Moreover, the last 12 months generation. The early to mid-20s were underpinned by a trail pack, the division changers. of thrillers from London to Young in prominence, though Manchester, Las Vegas to Macau. not all young in age, three What emerged in the bigger Eastern Europeans commanded picture was the rivalry between our attention: Kazakhstani U.S. broadcasting giants HBO Gennady Golovkin, Ukrainian and Showtime, the latter having Vasyl Lomachenko and Russian Boxing fans saw it all in 2013 – emerged as a force again through Sergey Kovalev. A triumvirate to big events, great f ghts, great the signing of pound-for-pound watch and consider closely. performances, stunning upsets, king Floyd Mayweather Jr. for a 2013 was a good year for exciting knockouts and the rise of many next-generation stars. half dozen f ghts. Olympians, too. You might reason that the There was a time when television war has been one of Olympic success ran parallel the reasons for the success in with professional prowess later 2013. Next year, though, could on. That dipped for some time, be the acid test if we are to see but it’s beginning to return. the best face the best. Lomachenko looks like a Yes, two words: Pacquiao and world beater already. There’s Mayweather. The latter was also Guillermo Rigondeaux, peerless in 2013. whose triumph of hit-but-don’t- More on ‘Money’ himself later, be-hit boxing over Nonito but the rivalry between the ‘Big Donaire could be argued as the Two’ promoters – Golden Boy performance of the year. And Promotions with Showtime and Zou Shiming is set to ignite a Top Rank with HBO – could be new market. a political and business minef eld AIBA, the world governing after Manny Pacquiao’s late, late body for amateur sport, adopted show against Brandon Rios. a policy of removing the But casting the net back over headgear from its athletes, and the last year, while peering into in doing so aligned its code more

Naoki Fukuda the crystal ball with the future in closely with that of the pros – a

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 39 Guillermo Rigondeaux (upper left, on left) surprised Nonito Donaire, KO artist Marcos Maidana (upper right, on left) made Josesito Lopez another victim, and Brandon Rios (below left) and Mike Alvarado gave fans another entertaining brawl.

40 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 ON A ROLL

move to be applauded. Bringing to step in with Mayweather. We closing Matthysse’s right eye in headgear in the f rst place was pray together. Because those and emerging with a convincing a big mistake. f ghts could take place in 2014. unanimous-decision win. It But in real terms, 2013 was As could a second meeting for was impressive. He was clean, a banner year for actual f ghts. Pacquiao-Bradley. clinical and raised his stock. He Thrillers. All action show- also moved closer to a shot at stoppers. They came thick and Mayweather. fast. And brutal, too. EMERGING TALENT A case could be made for Juan Timothy Bradley’s 12-round In America, there are rising Francisco Estrada. In 2012, unanimous decision against stars. Mikey Garcia – steeped in at junior f yweight, he lost to Ruslan Provodnikov, Mike family boxing history – started WBA champ Roman Gonzalez. Alvarado’s result in the same 2013 with a perfect record. He It was a closer f ght than most fashion against Brandon Rios, ended it with one, too. challengers have given Gonzalez two f ghts involving Carl Froch Victory in January, f ooring but still a fairly one-sided loss. – the British f ghter’s unanimous WBO featherweight champion Struggling to make weight, decision in the rematch with Orlando Salido three times, Estrada moved up to f yweight in Mikkel Kessler and the contest saw him complete a one-sided 2013 and has looked astounding. with Groves until it was technical decision win. Job In April he went to China and prematurely stopped by referee done. Five months later, Garcia beat veteran WBO and WBA Howard Foster in the ninth took out Juan Manuel Lopez in champion Brian Viloria. It round – Marcos Maidana’s sixth- four rounds. A highly polished was scored a split decision. In round TKO victory over Josesito demolition. reality, he won it comfortably. Lopez, and seemingly most f ghts Yet Garcia was arguably even In July, Estrada handed top- involving the aforementioned more impressive in November, rated contender Milan Melindo Eastern European stars. moving up to 130 pounds to the f rst loss of his career, a Some members of the old defeat WBO junior lightweight one-sided unanimous decision. guard also remain for 2014. champion Roman Martinez. Right now, Estrada is the top Sitting alongside Mayweather Down late in the f rst round, 112-pound f ghter in the world. and Pacquiao on the pound-for- the 25-year-old showed he can It will be fascinating to see how pound list are Bradley and Juan overcome adversity to TKO the 23-year-old develops as an Manuel Marquez. the Puerto Rican in Round 8. elite talent in 2014. The names we knew as the Unbeaten in 33 contests, and Then there’s the granite men greats in the sport in this era lost with two world titles in two from the East. no momentum in 2013. Indeed, divisions inside a calendar year, Golovkin had an astounding Mayweather was without equal, he sits at the top table heading 2013. GGG is on the tip of his two contests with Robert into 2014. every tongue. Most want to see Guerrero and Canelo Alvarez So, too, Danny Garcia. him in against Sergio Martinez, marking him out, clearly, as Considered one of the 2012 with alacrity. boxing’s No. 1 practitioner in the contenders, 2013 was another But what a year for the Sweet Science. stellar year for the 25-year- middleweight, 4-0. In January, The second of those f ghts, old junior welterweight. Gabriel Rosado, TKO Round 7. on Sept. 13, was a spectacular He maintained his standing In March, he destroyed Nobuhiro success as a promotion. Even the with RING, WBC and WBA Ishida by the third round. In weigh-in def ed belief, with the 140-pound titles. June, he blew away Matthew MGM Grand Garden Arena full He ventured into the ring Macklin with a body shot, and and alive with song and emotion. twice in 2013. After beating Zab remember how Macklin fared The next night, Mayweather’s Judah comfortably on points, he against Martinez? Then, in performance was in keeping with took on Lucas Matthysse, one November, he took Curtis Stevens his promises. of the world’s most concussive on in the power department, and Pacquiao returned with punchers, as chief support to the busted him up, too. aplomb, and as stated earlier, Mayweather vs. Alvarez pay-per- Light heavyweight Kovalev only he and Bradley – in the view event. In a f ght worthy of f nished 2013 as one of the Top 10 pound for pound, in the a headliner in itself, Garcia out- most feared punchers in boxing.

Naoki Fukuda same weight division – have yet boxed the dangerous Argentine, Bing, bang, boom, against

2.142.141.14 // RINGTV.COMRINGTV.COM 41 At left, George Groves (in the blue and white trunks) gave Carl Froch all he could handle before their f ght was stopped prematurely. At right, Vasyl Lomachenko (left) poses with Jose Ramirez before the Russian’s impressive coming-out victory.

former world champion Gabriel ON TV (17) than any country other than Campillo – Round 3 TKO – then The last 12 months were also powerhouses United States (34) Cornelius White in the same highly signif cant in Europe with and Mexico (30). fashion. In August, the same the solidifying of Eddie Hearn’s So, to the Showtime and HBO result, as Kovalev came to Wales Matchroom Sport stable in the rivalry. Those who go back that and took the WBO title from U.K. with Sky Sports. They have far will recall it has been both Nathan Cleverly. This time in created a powerful alliance. long and f erce. HBO announced Round 4. The promotional tussle for its “divorce” from Golden Boy The third of the former Soviet Matchroom Sports is with the in 2013. That was precipitated, Bloc f ghters, Lomachenko, evergreen Frank Warren. But of course, by Mayweather’s could yet surpass the view of Hearn has titleholders in Froch, move, plus his promotional many that Rigondeaux is the Ricky Burns, Darren Barker (at aff liation with Oscar De La best Olympic boxer to cross to time of going to press) and Scott Hoya’s company. the paid ranks in the modern Quigg, with Kell Brook lining It meant a move, too, for other era. It was mesmerizing to watch up for a welterweight world title f ghters – Bernard Hopkins, Amir the Ukrainian at the London challenge in 2014. Khan, Alvarez, Broner. Lock Olympics in 2012, yet his debut Then there are the fast- stock and two smokin’ barrels. in 2013, against a boxer with emerging Olympic gold medalists But it was Mayweather who 28 f ghts to his name in Jose – lightweight Luke Campbell and made Showtime a force once Ramirez, def ed logic. It was heavyweight Anthony Joshua. more in its up-and-down history just incredible – poise, balance, Campbell already looks fairly in boxing TV. It’s worth recalling movement, conf dence. It’s accomplished; Joshua is still raw, that the rivalry between HBO diff cult to f nd the words to do yet soaking up knowledge like a Boxing and Showtime began the young man justice. sponge. in the ’80s and went ballistic We are genuinely blessed at Indeed, Britain has more in the ’90s before HBO gained

present with emerging talent. f ghters in the RING’s ratings complete dominance. ETHAN MILLER/GETTY IMAGES IMAGES; RIGHT: SCOTT HEAVEY/GETTY LEFT:

42 RINGTV.COM / 1.142.14 ON A ROLL

The competition between the But leaf ng through Jack per-view. But there are around 15 networks has been a f llip for Solomons’ International Boxing to 20 X-factor f ghters out there television viewers of boxing. Annual of 1953 – written 60 right now. HBO has thus spread its net to years ago – in my library is a This was RING contributor other promoters, but the key is small editorial about boxing on Thomas Hauser’s take on whether great contests between television. Solomons was the SecondsOut.com in 2010, a time the best boxers signed to the foremost promoter in Europe at when HBO was struggling with rival networks will materialize. the time. The annual carried Nat its boxing strategy: “Boxing is The test in 2014 is whether Fleischer’s world ratings from growing increasingly popular an agreement can be reached to THE RING Magazine every year. in other parts of the world. But bring Mayweather and Pacquiao The editorial spoke of the in the United States, it’s being together. Public demand and differences of television coverage strangled by a bottleneck in the the prospect of raising money of boxing in the U.K. and the pipeline that’s supposed to bring for Typhoon Haiyan in the U.S.: “Sponsored television in the sport’s most compelling Philippines could make the bout this country has not yet arrived f ghts to its followers but a reality, which would be the and the fees paid by The British doesn’t. cause of much rejoicing. Broadcasting Corporation are “By way of analogy, Howard Organizers faced the same very small compared with those Stern lost much of his audience scenario with the desire to bring in America. when he left terrestrial radio for Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson “Television of boxing Sirius. The move isolated him together in a ring in 2002. They championships in this country from the general public. Boxing got there. Showtime and HBO is sure to come. Television is yet has lost much of its relevance for collaborated. And it became, in its infancy, but it is making the same reason.” of course, the highest-grossing good progress within the limits Hauser had reasoned then, and event in pay-per-view history of its income, and the time will I agree with the sentiment, that at the time, generating $106.9 come, I think, when boxing will in the long run – now, in essence million from 1.95 million buys need television. – HBO’s “disengagement might in the U.S. “Television is said to be actually be good for boxing. It Grudges need to be put on killing boxing in America, but would force promoters to be hold, enmities set to one side for it is a fact that f ve of the seven promoters again, spur ingenuity perhaps three months. If they can reigning champions as the year in the marketplace, and maybe do it, ker-ching for the casino, closes come from that part even get the sport back on the f ghters, the promoters, the of the world, if one includes broadcast television.” television companies, and maybe Kid Gavilan, the welterweight Well, that is what we even some typhoon victims. champion who although coming saw develop in 2013: a new Win-win-win-win-win, with from Cuba has done most of his landscape; competition one loser. f ghting in the States.” within promotional ranks to Outside the United States, the You see, nothing has really have “meaningful” f ghts, model is different. Subscription changed. The same concerns, in and competition between is king, with perhaps a handful a different guise. Boxing isn’t the two broadcasting houses. of pay-per-view events. Sky Box dying. It was in a trough. We are That’s business. Off ce returned to pay-per-view out of it. And there are always And this is never the boxing in 2013, for two Carl new issues to contend with. boxing game. It’s the boxing Froch f ghts. Both were a success. Ask the octogenarian promoter business. We’ve seen these two The second event, Froch vs. Don Chargin, who spotted heavyweight juggernauts go to Groves, now begs a return next Canelo Alvarez, what he thinks. war. But we’ve seen them do summer, probably in a football “It has always been about business before. There is a lot stadium, promoter Hearn is personalities,” he told me with out there to go around. And the thinking. And he’s right. It’s also that voice of his like crushed prospects for trade in 2014, in a f ght which could gain leverage coal. “It wasn’t always the best and out of the ring, look better with any of the major U.S. boxers, it was those with an than ever. On so many fronts. broadcasters. Had it gone on, and X-factor that put butts in seats.” not been stopped prematurely, Today, substitute butts for Gareth A Davies is Boxing Froch-Groves could have been a thumbs on buttons or credit Correspondent for The London Fight of the Year contender. cards into phone lines for pay- Telegraph.

2.141.14 / RINGTV.COM 43 44 AND 10AND WEWON’T SEE IN2014… 10 RINGTV.COM /2.14 COMING YEAR THINGS WE’LL THINGSWE’LL By THE RING’S FORECAST David Greisman FOR THE into thefuture. is abletosee David Greisman contributor RING next month forthewinninglotto numbers. Stay tunedforgood news andbad, andcomeback for whatwillandwon’t happeninboxing2014. that, it isonpaperthatweputforthourpredictions why theysaythatf ghts aren’t wononpaper. Despite or whenaboutsurprisinglyturnsinto brawl. That’s I — notwhenunderdogsunexpectedlyscore upsets of boxing, itwouldn’t beanywherenearasfun sport the in come f wekneweverythingthatwill

SEE PAGES 46-49 FOR CREDITS 1.14 / RINGTV.COM 45 10 THINGS WE’LL SEE IN 2014... THE RETIREMENT OF VITALI KLITSCHKO

Admittedly, this very same prediction ran in these pages last year. But while Klitschko didn’t f ght at all in 2013, it cannot be said that he has already hung up his gloves. That moment is expected to come soon, however. The 42-year-old heavyweight titleholder has been sidelined by a hand injury and is focused on politics in Ukraine. It’s expected that 2014 will be his last year in the ring, paving the way for his run for president in his country’s 2015 election.

THE END OF A MONTREAL FRANCHISE

The biggest boxing star in Quebec the past few years has been former super middleweight titleholder Lucian Bute, who has drawn the largest and loudest of crowds. Second to Bute has been former light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal. Both have seen better days; Bute was knocked out by Carl Froch in 2012, while Pascal has fought only twice since his May 2011 loss to Bernard Hopkins. That means there’ll be less fanfare when Bute and Pascal f ght each other in January 2014, and it means that the loser will likely fade away.

DEONTAY WILDER WILL FINALLY GET TESTED

Sure, no other heavyweight prospect has knocked out all 30 of his foes. But these f ve years of Wilder’s development have brought plenty of sizzle without much steak. It’s time for Wilder to step up his level of opposition. And it sounds as if his team will make that happen in 2014, placing him in a bout against someone toward the top of his division’s rankings. Finally, we should get more of a clue as to whether Wilder will be the next big thing or yet another big bust.

ADONIS STEVENSON VS. SERGEY KOVALEV IN A LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WAR It’s tempting to believe that Stevenson-Kovalev won’t happen in 2014, considering that both men have spoken of facing Bernard Hopkins and how marketable a f ght in Quebec between Stevenson and the winner of the Jean Pascal-Lucian Bute f ght would be. Yet boxing seems to have learned its lesson with waiting too long to make the big f ghts. HBO put its spotlight on Stevenson and Kovalev in 2013. The network will want to cash in on that investment soon.

AMIR KHAN CASHING IN BY CRASHING OUT

If Khan ends up f ghting Floyd Mayweather Jr., then he’ll receive millions for the privilege of once again having his shaky chin shattered, though this time he would at least have the excuse that he was stopped by the best boxer of this generation. That might as well be the end of Khan, whose formidable hand speed could never fully make up for his glaring weakness. It’s one thing to be wobbled by Marcos Maidana and stopped by Danny Garcia. It’s another to go life and death with

Julio Diaz. IMAGES; GOLOVKIN/BOXING YATES/AFP/GETTY ANDREW VINCENT ETHIER/GYM; KHAN: IMAGES; STEVENSON: SCOTT HEAVEY/GETTY SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/GETTY IMAGES; BUTE/WILDER: KLITSCHKO: VIA GETTY IMAGES BOY BOY/GOLDEN JEFF BOTTARI/GOLDEN TROTMAN/GETTY IMAGES; BRONER: CHRIS OF SHOWTIME; MOSLEY: COURTESY NAOKI FUKUDA; MAYWEATHER/CANELO: STARS:

46 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 THINGS WE’LL SEE IN 2014 ...

MORE RIDERS ON THE GENNADY GOLOVKIN BANDWAGON The ratings for Golovkin are rising at the same rate that GGG’s foes are falling. It helps that he’s f ghting often, appearing four times in 2013. His next date will come just three months after his last one, so 2014 could bring more of the same from the active middleweight titleholder. It also helps that Golovkin continues to impress; he’s knocked out 15 in a row and hasn’t had a bout go to the scorecards in 5½ years. People will want to watch Golovkin as he’s being moved toward a big f ght in 2014.

TOO MANY FIGHTS ON PAY-PER-VIEW Set aside two dates and $150 for Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2014. Add another two Saturdays and another chunk of change for Manny Pacquiao’s main event appearances. Then there’s Canelo Alvarez, who says he’ll be f ghting on pay- per-view three times in 2014. That’s seven pay-per-view purchases, and that’s not even including the likelihood that Adrien Broner will test the pay-per-view market in 2014.

THE END, FINALLY, FOR BOXING’S AGING FORMER STARS Very few of the big names in boxing from 10 years ago are still competing in the ring. A majority of those who remain should’ve left the sport a long time ago, including the light heavyweight trinity of Roy Jones Jr., Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson, as well as Jose Luis Castillo, Erik Morales, Shane Mosley and James Toney. They’ve had to settle for appearing on smaller shows or traveling to far- f ung places. 2014 should be their last year. The sooner they say farewell, the sooner that some of them can be welcomed into the Hall of Fame.

THE EMERGENCE OF BOXING’S NEXT STARS Showtime is airing more triple- and quadruple-header broadcasts. HBO is investing in its next generation of featured attractions. Promoters are signing and spotlighting top talent from around the world. And all of this is going on at a time when most of the current generation of stars are getting up in age or nearing the end of their careers. It’s time for the next generation to step up, and if 2013 was any indication of what’s to come in 2014, they’ll have their opportunities.

ADRIEN BRONER INVOLVED IN ANOTHER SCANDAL OR TWO Broner’s in-ring successes have been accompanied by extracurricular excesses. He has seemingly courted controversy, what with a history of legal problems, a habit of questionable postings on social media sites and a tendency to insert himself into various incidents. The fact that Broner hasn’t lost yet means he hasn’t been scared straight. Rather, his behavior has been rewarded, probably because his personality feeds into his popularity.

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 47 10 THINGS WE WON’T SEE FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. VS. BERNARD HOPKINS

It doesn’t matter how often Hopkins has claimed that he could drop down to middleweight to face Mayweather. It’s not going to happen, not so long as Mayweather has other options to choose from among the 140-, 147- and 154-pound ranks for the remaining four f ghts of his deal with Showtime. As interesting as it would be to have two of this generation’s best and smartest American boxers face each other, it is not the kind of style matchup that Mayweather wants.

RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV AS THE A-SIDE TO A FIGHT

And Provodnikov will be OK with that, given that there are plenty of potential matchups available for him against other top f ghters. It’s more benef cial for Provodnikov (both in terms of f nances and reputation) to step in with more established stars. Instead of defending his world title against an anonymous assortment of challengers, he can aim for rematches with Timothy Bradley and Mike Alvarado, bouts against Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios, or, should he decide to burn bridges with HBO, against many of the junior welterweights and welterweights that Golden Boy has been featuring on Showtime.

A TIMOTHY BRADLEY-MANNY PACQUIAO REMATCH

Bradley boldly predicted before he fought Pacquiao the f rst time that there would be a rematch. He ended up defeating Pacquiao, but the way that he won ended up preventing a sequel from occurring. Bradley took a highly controversial split decision, and their f ght wasn’t highly entertaining. Since then, Pacquiao has had more potentially combustible pairings, a fourth match with Juan Manuel Marquez and a bout with Brandon Rios. Bradley has still been in main events, but he will not get a chance to beat Pacquiao without controversy.

A SERGIO MARTINEZ-JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. REMATCH Last year’s prediction of a Martinez-Chavez sequel failed to come true. Martinez’s injuries sidelined him after one f ght, and Chavez returned from his suspension for marijuana use and had just one bout, a controversial win over Bryan Vera. That Vera f ght showed that Chavez has grown out of the middleweight division, thanks in part to his lack of discipline in training camps. Expect Chavez to seek the big names at 168, while Martinez returns to competition at 160.

FLYWEIGHTS GET THE ATTENTION THEY DESERVE

There’s incredible depth in the 112-pound division, but only the most hardcore of fans in the United States are following it. That’s because these little warriors hail from (and f ght in) Asian and Latin American countries, and so they aren’t getting the widespread attention bef tting their entertainment value. The same can also be said for many of the other lighter divisions. HOPKINS/ RIGONDEAUX/VERA/CHAVEZ, JR.: NAOKI FUKUDA; PROVODNIKOV: DOUG PENSINGER/GETTY IMAGES; BRADLEY: JOE KLAMAR/AFP/GETTYIMAGES; CHAVEZ, JR./MARTINEZ: JR./MARTINEZ: JOE KLAMAR/AFP/GETTYIMAGES; CHAVEZ, DOUG PENSINGER/GETTY IMAGES; BRADLEY: NAOKI FUKUDA; PROVODNIKOV: JR.: HOPKINS/ RIGONDEAUX/VERA/CHAVEZ, VINCENT ETHIER/GYM ETHAN MILLER/GETTY IMAGES; DAWSON: ARUM/DE LA HOYA/TYSON: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES; YAEGASHI: JOHN GURZINSKI/AFP/GETTYIMAGES;

48 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 THINGS WE WON’T SEE THE END OF BOXING’S COLD WAR

Now that we’ve f nally gotten over fantasizing about Floyd Mayweather Jr. facing Manny Pacquiao, we can recognize that there are other major matchups that likely will never be made because of the “cold war” between Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions. Barring a couple of their “lesser” f ghters facing each other, we’ll continue to see their respective stars separated by business deals — with opposing television networks in America and Mexico, as well as with competing commercial sponsors.

A CUBAN CROSSOVER STAR

The closest we’ve come in recent years was Yuriorkis Gamboa, who was heavily featured until he sabotaged his own career. Gamboa has lost all of that momentum and has long since been eclipsed by other contenders and titleholders. Meanwhile, Guillermo Rigondeaux scored the biggest win of his pro career in 2013 when he defeated Nonito Donaire, yet he had to wait until the end of the year to get back on television. And Erislandy Lara is still quite low on his promoter’s list of priorities in the 154-pound division.

MIKE TYSON STEP AWAY FROM THE SPOTLIGHT

Tyson remains the most famous boxer alive not named Muhammad Ali, even though his last f ght was more than eight years ago. That’s good for Tyson, who still needs money after squandering the tens of millions he earned over the course of his career. We’ve continued to see Tyson tackle multimedia programming, from movies to television shows to theater productions to an autobiography. He’s now involved with boxing promoting as well.

CHAD DAWSON ONCE AGAIN BECOME A FORCE AT 175

Little has been heard from the former light heavyweight champion since his f rst-round, one-punch knockout loss to Adonis Stevenson. We wonder whether he’ll f ght again, and even if he does, it’s hard to believe that he’ll regain the throne. It’s not that Dawson doesn’t have the physical tools, but mentally he seems to sabotage himself. He’s never put it all together, has changed trainers as often as he changes underwear, has won just twice in three years and he is now able to spend plenty of time with his family. If he doesn’t need the money, and if he doesn’t have the hunger, then staying home might not be a bad idea.

BETTER JUDGING

Don’t kid yourself. You do remember that this is boxing, right?

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 49 DREAMS AND

VS. VS.

Andre Ward Gennady Golovkin Floyd Mayweather Jr. Manny Pacquiao

THE RING asked its contributors to would he counter? There would be more wins, provided the other guy doesn’t action in the stands than in the ring. climb off the deck to land something even reveal the f ghts bigger. ★ Don’t want to see: FLOYD they most want to MIKE COPPINGER MAYWEATHER JR. VS. JUST ANY SEMI- Want to see: DANNY GARCIA VS. ADRIEN WARM BODY. ★ Why: Given his current see — and those BRONER ★ Why: Garcia had a banner level of domination, “Money’s” f ghts are they most dread — year in 2013 and has expressed interest beginning to resemble the days when a in moving up to 147. Broner now is a prime Roy Jones Jr. casually disposed in 2014. This is how full-f edged welterweight and his blend of moonlighting cops, school teachers, they responded. of power, speed and athleticism would sanitation workers and other assorted no- make for an explosive matchup between hopers. Is there anyone out there (and, no, two big punchers. ★ Don’t want to see: Floyd-Manny Pacquiao isn’t likely to ever FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. VS. AMIR KHAN happen) in or around Mayweather’s weight BART BARRY ★ Why: Khan has done nothing to earn class who can be at least competitive with Want to see: ANDRE WARD VS. GENNADY a mega-f ght with Mayweather, as he the man? GOLOVKIN ★ Why: While a match between struggled against Julio Diaz in his last Sergio Martinez and Floyd Mayweather outing. Khan has one of the worst chins in NORM FRAUENHEIM Jr. remains a compelling chance for the sport and probably would be starched Want to see: GENNADY GOLOVKIN VS. Mayweather to do something historic, by Mayweather in a walkover. Hey, at least ANDRE WARD ★ Why: Age, punishment Ward-Golovkin would be the better f ght. It “Money” would f nally score a KO. and immaturity are cleaning out the would test both, and Ward would prevail, middleweight division before Golovkin recalibrating pound-for-pound lists for a GARETH A DAVIES can. Sergio Martinez is too beat-up. year or two. ★ Don’t want to see: FLOYD Want to see: CARL FROCH VS. GENNADY Fading Miguel Cotto is too small. Julio MAYWEATHER JR. VS. MANNY PACQUIAO GOLOVKIN ★ Why: Power-punchers Cesar Chavez Jr. is too busy eating. Let’s ★ Why: This match, four years too late, who do not take a backward step. Bing, go straight to Golovkin-Ward. It makes would mark a new level of cynicism in bang, boom. This matchup could not fail sense. Dollars, too. ★ Don’t want to boxing. Mayweather-Pacquiao in 2014 to deliver. And, with the f ght at super see: JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. VS. BRYAN would be a concession that Pacquiao middleweight, it would be a huge test for VERA ★ Why: Haven’t we seen this needs money and Mayweather needs Golovkin against a bigger man. ★ Don’t already? Yeah, Vera was robbed. But a opponents. And worse yet, if the f ght were want to see: WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS. rematch won’t win justice. It’ll just be a somehow good, it would remind us how BRYANT JENNINGS ★ Why: Jennings repeat of Chavez never growing up and much was once squandered. may have earned a shot at Klitschko. never having to. A mature Chavez is like a He is undefeated in 17 f ghts and is modest Lady Gaga. Won’t happen, not now RON BORGES highly ranked in three of the four major and not in a rematch. Want to see: FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. VS. sanctioning bodies. Yet Jennings is barely MANNY PACQUIAO ★ Why: Because if it known outside Philadelphia. It says it all THOMAS GERBASI doesn’t happen in 2014 there is absolutely about the heavyweight division at present. Want to see: ADONIS STEVENSON VS. no point in it ever happening. It’s still the Klitschko vs. AN OTHER ... again. SERGEY KOVALEV ★ Why: I was torn f ght fans most want to see and without between this matchup and a Sergio it each will have a hole in his resume of BERNARD FERNANDEZ Martinez-Gennady Golovkin bout, but their own making. With both slipping, it Want to see: ADONIS STEVENSON I’ll have to give in to the bloodthirsty probably makes for a more compelling VS. SERGEY KOVALEV ★ Why: Figure part of my being and hope to see a light f ght, as Ali-Frazier III was, because each the Vegas odds on this one going the heavyweight unif cation f ght that can’t is more vulnerable now to what the other distance at 100-1, minimum. The greater help but be an explosive – and likely does best. ★ Don’t want to see: FLOYD likelihood is for a George Foreman vs. quick – showdown. ★ Don’t want to MAYWEATHER JR. VS. DEVON ALEXANDER Ron Lyle-type slugfest for however long see: WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS. ANYONE ★ Why: Why would you want to watch a it lasts. Whichever power-puncher gets ★ Why: This is not an indictment of counterpuncher face a non-puncher? What there f rst with a really big shot probably Klitschko, it’s simply the realization

50 THERINGTV.COM RING MAGAZINE / 2.14 / 11.13 NIGHTMARES

VS. VS.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Bryan Vera Danny Garcia Robert Guerrero

that there is no one out there who I give Wilder can do against someone who can HOPKINS VS. FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. ★ even an iota of a chance of beating the take and deliver punches. That is Chris Why: Apart from the fact that Hopkins, king of the heavyweight division. Not Arreola. A former basketball standout, who is nearing 50, would have to come Deontay Wilder, not Bermane Stiverne, not Wilder has good footwork, a snapping down to 160 pounds – a weight he hasn’t Tyson Fury. jab and an explosive right hand that has made since 2005 – to make it happen, left his many KO victims twitching on this f ght would be the antithesis of DAVID GREISMAN the canvas. I am eager to see how he Stevenson-Kovalev. A cagey old technician Want to see: ADONIS STEVENSON VS. fares against someone like Arreola, who who employs roughhouse tactics vs. a SERGEY KOVALEV ★ Why: Putting power can tussle inside and who will test his lightning-quick defensive genius will not punchers together can bring combustible whiskers. ★ Don’t want to see: FLOYD make for compelling viewing. Even fans fun. A f ght featuring Stevenson and MAYWEATHER JR. VS. AMIR KHAN ★ Why: who enjoy watching Wladimir Klitschko Kovalev could be the light heavyweight Khan does not have the power or boxing will boo this one. version of the 2011 battle between junior skills to make this f ght competitive. middleweights James Kirkland and Alfredo TIM SMITH Angulo. ★ Don’t want to see: DANNY ROBERT RODRIGUEZ Want to see: FLOYD MAYWEATHER GARCIA VS. ROBERT GUERRERO ★ Why: Want to see: SERGIO MARTINEZ VS. JR. VS. TIMOTHY BRADLEY ★ Why: The bout in and of itself wouldn’t be bad, FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. ★ Why: Sure, Mayweather is running out of legitimate as it could serve as a gauge for whether Martinez is bigger and stronger, but as opponents, and Bradley is a natural – an Garcia might belong in the welterweight Martin Murray and two knee surgeries undefeated, welterweight champion who division. But the sideshow involving Garcia have demonstrated, he is also vulnerable. is the ultimate survivor. The feud between and Guerrero’s trash-talking fathers would For “Money,” winning the legitimate rival promoters will keep this from get old long before the f ght came. world middleweight title would be yet happening, which is a shame for Bradley. another major feat, while Sergio would He deserves this shot as much as anyone KEITH IDEC get substantial “buck” for Mayweather’s Mayweather has fought in the last three Want to see: GENNADY GOLOVKIN “bang” to cap off his storied career. ★ years. ★ Don’t want to see: GUILLERMO VS. ANDRE WARD ★ Why: There Don’t want to see: BERNARD HOPKINS RIGONDEAUX VS. NONITO DONAIRE II ★ aren’t any attractive opponents left at VS. ANYONE ★ Why: Hopkins’ body may Why: I know Donaire wants some “get super middleweight for Ward. Most be the envy of 48-year-old men around back’’ in a rematch, but I can hardly see middleweights who might have a shot the world, but what does he contribute to how anything changes in a second match. against Golovkin probably won’t f ght the sport by beating up on younger-but- They say styles make f ghts, and their him. Ward would at least show us how inferior-no-name opponents? His legacy respective styles when matched in the ring the aggressive Golovkin fares against an has long been cemented and he will enter make for a stinker. elite talent, especially someone so smart the IBHOF upon becoming eligible. He and sound defensively. ★ Don’t want to doesn’t need the money or the additional ANSON WAINWRIGHT see: FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. VS. AMIR punches to the head. Want to see: ADONIS STEVENSON VS. KHAN ★ Why: Danny Garcia can’t beat SERGEY KOVALEV ★ Why: If both win Mayweather either, but at least Garcia DOUG FISCHER interim bouts on Nov. 30, this could well has earned that huge payday. How could Want to see: ADONIS STEVENSON be on HBO’s schedule for the f rst quarter anyone defend instead granting that VS. SERGEY KOVALEV ★ Why: It’s not of 2014. How could this meeting between chance to a guy Garcia knocked out? While only a light heavyweight championship two such devastating punchers for the skilled, this is the same guy who almost between the two most powerful and RING and two sanctioning-body belts be got knocked out by Julio Diaz in his last feared 175-pounders, but a matchup of anything other than exciting? ★ Don’t f ght, right? two of the hardest punchers in boxing. want to see: RICHAR ABRIL VS. MIGUEL However, it’s not just the sadistic promise VAZQUEZ ★ Why: With the greatest GORDON MARINO of concussive violence that attracts me to respect to each guy, neither has a fan- Want to see: DEONTAY WILDER VS. CHRIS this f ght, it’s also their craft. Both guys friendly style. If these two lightweights ARREOLA ★ Why: At 28 and with 30 KOs are world-class boxers with contrasting met, it would be agony to watch with more in 30 f ghts, it is time to f nd out what styles. ★ Don’t want to see: BERNARD wrestling than boxing. Naoki Fukuda

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 51 STILL A LONGSHO

MANNY PACQUIAO’S And wait … and wait. We are prepared to dumb down EASY VICTORY OVER In the days preceding the rhetoric. Pacquiao’s eff cient dispatching “There is no real impediment BRANDON RIOS of Rios, Pacquiao’s hard-line to having that f ght happen. REVIVED TALK OF promoter, Bob Arum, had Whether it will or not depends PACQUIAO VS. dropped hints that a matchup completely on the Mayweather of Pacquiao and Mayweather, side. But it takes two to tango.” MAYWEATHER BUT so obviously desired by nearly For Arum, who turned 83 on HUGE OBSTACLES all and yet so obviously blocked Dec. 8, to extend a figurative REMAIN IN THE WAY by the harsh feelings the various olive branch to “that Swiss principals have for one another, banker” – his long-preferred By Bernard Fernandez might actually be made. and clearly derogatory “On our side, the answer designation for Schaefer – is is yes,” Arum said in Macau akin to Devil Anse Hatfield ike Count Dracula when the thorny question of going all Rodney King and rising from his a Mayweather-Pacquiao f ght asking Randolph McCoy, coff n at sunset, the arose for, oh, the millionth time. “Can’t we all just get along?” L possibility that a “We’re very open to it. There Only four weeks prior to Floyd Mayweather are ways it can get done. They Pacquiao-Rios, when ageless Jr.-Manny Pacquiao f ght might [Mayweather and his support Golden Boy f ghter Bernard f nally be staged was again team, which includes Golden Hopkins retained his IBF light resurrected immediately after Boy CEO Richard Schaefer] heavyweight title against Karo Pacquiao’s impressive points have to dumb down the rhetoric. Murat in Atlantic City, N.J., victory over Brandon Rios on Nov. 23 in Macau, China. Had Pacquiao lost for the third Will we ever see this consecutive time, it might have actually happen? permanently driven a stake into the heart of whatever remains of his boxing career, regardless of whether the recalcitrant Mayweather ever warmed to the idea of their throwing down in the ring. OK, so maybe the vampire analogy is inaccurate. Because of the signif cant time differences between China and the United States, the Filipino superstar’s prestige-restoring performance – televised in the U.S. on Saturday night – actually was achieved with the sun shining brightly outside the Venetian Macao on Sunday morning, Nov. 24. But however impatient and frustrated f ght fans might want to characterize it, fresh life had been restored to a dated concept that many had given up as gone forever. Maybe good things really do come to those who wait.

52 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 LONGSHOT

MAYWEATHER: NAOKI FUKUDA; PACQUIAO: JOE KLAMAR/AFP/GETTYIMAGES ready toletbygonesbebygones. sound asifhewassuddenly peace offering, Schaeferdidnot his responseto Arum’s purported have tobewithout Top Rank.” Alvarez), noproblem. Butitwill to fght(onShowtimeandagainst meeting. IfMiguelCottowants going tobesittinginonthat nobody with Top Rankthat’s anything butconciliatory. HBO, Schaefer’s reactionwas Cotto, whoiswith Top Rankand fghter, wouldnextfaceMiguel a GoldenBoyandShowtime rumored, thatCanelo Alvarez, whether itwastrue, ashadbeen bitter rival. Asked byareporter make nicewith Arum, hismost someone notinclinedtoever Schaefer soundedverymuchlike Contacted by THE RINGtoget “No,” hesaidfatly. “There’s to somedegreebyPacquiaoand which seemstobesharedatleast Schaefer haveforoneanother, working with Top Rank.” Mayweather hasanyinterestin to happen. Nobodywith Team with Arum, it’s notevergoing can happen. Butaslonghe’s Pacquiao isafreeagent, thefght himself saiditbest. Hesaidif Mayweather, IthinkFloyd victory overRios)relatesto anything todowithhim. book, andIdon’t wanttohave He hasbecomeirrelevantinmy working withthisguyeveragain. s--t,” Schaefersaid. “I gaveupon claims he’s tryingtosell. he’s stillnotbuyingwhat Arum He’s hearditallbefore, and The mutualloathing Arum and “As faras(Pacquiao’s “Forget Arum. Arum isfullof upwards of$200millionifthe which alltoldcouldpayhim he signedwithCBS/Showtime, the gargantuan, six-fghtcontract still hasfourboutsremainingon is notgoodbusiness. probably hastothawbecauseit game’s ultimateCold Warriors relationship betweenthefght apparent thatthereallyfrigid compromise, anditisbecoming But necessityisthemotherofall negotiations.in Alvarez-Cotto anything thatmightcomeup greater dividetobebridgedthan Mayweather, hasmadeforafar pounds) –save one. at whichhefghts(146to151 fghters inoraroundtheweight 1 favoriteovereveryoneof the oddsmakers asatleasta10-to- 36, would likelybeinstalledby erosion, Mayweather, evenat he showsmorevisiblesignsof glorifed sparringsession?Until pay $60or$70toseeanother grinder, andwhowantsto to befedintotheMayweather seen asjustanotherslabofmeat 14, 2012. Khan will bewidely champion DannyGarciaonJuly to RINGjuniorwelterweight to afourth-round TKO setback dropped threetimesenroute remember astheguywhowas (28-3, 19KOs ), whomany Vegas, isEngland’s Amir Khan payday, setforMay3inLas Mayweather’s nextmammoth notwithstanding. his schoolingof Alvarez scorecard submittedfollowing C.J. Ross’ridiculous114-114 out therecantrulytesthim, judge convince thepublicthatanyone far tooeasilytocontinue Mayweather hasbeenwinning lies theproblem: “Money” projections aremet. Buttherein more optimisticofpay-per-view Mayweather (45-0, 26KOs) The likelyopponentfor 2.14 /RINGTV.COM 53 STILL A LONGSHOT

That would be Pacquiao (55- each other,” Pacquiao said of “I think of negotiating as a 5-2, 38 KOs), who celebrated his his late easing up on the gas kind of dominance in which 35th birthday 23 days after his pedal. “It’s about entertaining both sides are trying to show near-shutout of Rios (31-2-1, 23 people. The people, from that they’re ‘The Man,’ they’re KOs). In winning just three of Rounds 1 through 12, were stronger than the other guy, 36 scored rounds on the offcial satisfied with my performance. they’re the one who can impose scorecards, Rios’ boasts that I was trying to be careful his will on the other guy, and constant pressure would cause because of what happened in that will somehow show up in the Philippine national hero to my last fight with Marquez.” the ring,” longtime HBO fght crumble proved as hollow as a Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie analyst Larry Merchant said in drinking straw. Roach, was among those who January 2010, when talk of a “He was faster than I thought,” gave a high grade to the victor. Mayweather-Pacquiao pairing Rios lamented. “He’s very fast. “That’s more of the Manny was at a fever pitch. Power-wise, I didn’t feel that that we remember,” Roach said. Rock Newman, who oversaw much. But I’m good, man. I “Manny Pacquiao’s back, but I the career of former heavyweight fought one of the greatest boxers never really had the thought he champion Riddick Bowe, knows in the world besides Mayweather. went anywhere.” a thing or two about superfghts I stuck to my game plan, but the A differing opinion was that fail to get made since speed got me a little bit.” offered by Floyd Mayweather his guy never got around to More than a little bit, actually. Sr., who trains his son and is swapping shots as a pro with “This is still my time. My time is just as caustic in suggesting that his Brooklyn homeboy, Mike not over,” Pacquiao said of the Pacquiao, past or present, has Tyson, or with Lennox Lewis, kind of dominating performance any more chance of actually who defeated Bowe for the super he needed to remind people of winning a showdown with Floyd heavyweight gold medal at the just how good he was when Jr. than Robert Guerrero had or 1988 Seoul Olympics. he won fve of his record eight Khan will have. “There are circumstances why world titles in different weight “Brandon Rios can’t fght, and fghts that make sense don’t classes between 2008 and 2011. that’s my honest opinion based happen,” Newman said around That Pacquiao was thought to on what I just saw from him,” the same time Merchant weighed have vanished, possibly forever, the elder Mayweather sneered. “I in on the subject. “Nothing is in the wake of his disputed loss don’t see no skills, I don’t see no automatic in boxing. Sometimes to Timothy Bradley and one- knowledge of boxing. I do think you wind up on a bridge to punch knockout by Juan Manuel Manny looked very, very good nowhere, and that bridge never Marquez last year. against him. Manny moved how gets crossed. Despite the pall hanging he wanted to. He touched him “Bob Arum, who can be over his head in the form of when he wanted to. Manny was maddening to deal with, is a Typhoon Haiyan, which killed doing everything, moving side fnancially practical person. His over 5,000 of his countrymen, to side, giving him angles and regard for the bottom line would Pacquiao showed fashes of cracking him. But come on, man, supersede any of that other stuff his former brilliance against it was a comedy act (by Rios). with Mayweather. Sure, there’d Rios, connecting on 281 of 790 The dude didn’t win a round. It be a lot of posturing back and punches (36 percent), according was a total shutout.” forth, but at the end of the day to CompuBox, to just 138 of Truth be told, the main both sides are too sensible to let 502 (27 percent) for Rios. He obstacle to making Mayweather- past squabbles get in the way of seemingly had Rios in deep Pacquiao has never been about doing what needs to be done.” enough trouble in the 12th and how competitive or fnancially Of a similar mind is Art Pelullo, fnal round to close the show lucrative it would be. Both the American promoter of WBO with an exclamation point, but he fghters are already wealthy. junior welterweight champion didn’t press his already-signifcant It’s more about their egos, a Ruslan Provodnikov (23-2, 16 advantage, perhaps because he condition that extends to their KOs), who, along with Bradley was leery of getting tagged with management and promotional (31-0, 12 KOs), are the most the same sort of bolt from the teams. Neither side has been likely candidates for Pacquiao’s blue that had put him down and willing to budge when it comes next bout, which is set for April out a year ago against Marquez. to divvying up the huge monetary 12. Mayweather-Pacquiao, if it “Boxing is not about killing swag. were to happen, likely would be

54 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 Arum to ascertain whether there actually is wiggle room that could be suffciently widened to arrive at an arrangement acceptable to all parties. “This is an enticing enough opportunity to do it,” a perhaps unduly optimistic Espinoza said. The Lewis-Tyson fght of Manny Pacquiao (right) made June 8, 2002, took place and it clear against Brandon Rios was made available on both that he remains a major force HBO and Showtime pay-per- in boxing. view because, as Lewis noted, “Anywhere Lennox Lewis would go, people would say, ‘When are you gonna fght Mike Tyson?’ So it was something we both really couldn’t run away from.” in September. numbers, the foreign TV If they insisted upon it, “I’ve known Arum for 26 years, numbers. Look at (who has) the Mayweather and Pacquiao and we get along very well, even leverage. It’s all on Floyd’s side. probably could make all the when we disagree,” Pelullo said Floyd is going to say who, what, bickering cease and strike a deal. recently. “We usually fnd a way when, where and how. I think he They would do it because they’d to make things work. It’s possible deserves that.” want to settle the question of to disagree with someone and But, in boxing, there’s always who really is the better fghter still get along. It starts with being at least a little wiggle room. where it counts, in the ring, and able to talk with one another. I When fnal push gets down to because they really have no place don’t always get what I want, fnal shove, does it really matter as compelling to go but toward and neither does Arum, but you that Mayweather once called each other. meet somewhere in the middle. Pacquiao “a little yellow chump” “Mayweather has a contract, What good does it do to get who “probably is on something,” and he has four fghts left on it,” crazy and always be at odds with meaning performance-enhancing Roach noted in an interview with one another? If you insist on all- drugs? That Pacquiao then sued Boxingscene.com. “They can’t or-nothing, you’re never going to Mayweather for defamation? fulfll (the fnancial terms) of that fnd that middle ground.” That Mayweather would prefer contract without fghting Manny Schaefer, for his part, doesn’t that any prefght drug-monitoring Pacquiao. To make the money to believe there even ought to be done by the U.S. Anti-Doping pay the contract, that’s why they be a middle ground. He said Agency, while Pacquiao would had to go with Canelo so quick, Mayweather is the one dealing insist on the Voluntary Anti- because the frst fght (of the from a position of strength, and Doping Association, which tested contract, with Guerrero) lost so as such he gets to call the tune him six times [he passed them all] much money. that Pacquiao must dance to, in advance of the Rios fght? That “We need this fght for the or else. Arum hates Mayweather, Schaefer sport and we need it now. That’s “Top Rank doesn’t know how and Golden Boy president De La the fght the world wants to see.” to do pay-per-views anymore,” Hoya even more than he hated The world has wanted to see Schaefer said. “If you look at Don King, and vice versa? Or that Mayweather-Pacquiao for years, their recent buys, they’re getting Mayweather is under contract and the likelihood of it ever less and less and less. If you to Showtime while Pacquiao, coming into clear, sharp focus look at Pacquiao’s pay-per-view although not technically obligated seems as distant as ever. All numbers, certainly for his last to appear solely on HBO, has that may be left in the not-too- three fghts, if you added them almost always done so? distant future, as their respective together they don’t amount to Showtime executive vice windows of opportunity begin what Mayweather did in one president Stephen Espinoza to close, is regret, remorse and fght (with Alvarez). Look at the said he would at least exercise recriminations. gate numbers, the sponsorship some due diligence and contact So what else is new?

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 55 FIGHTING FOR UKRAINE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE VITALI KLITSCHKO IS ENTERING A POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT THAT IS MUCH ROUGHER THAN ANYTHING HE HAS ENCOUNTERED IN THE RING By Robert G. Rodriguez, Ph.D.

56 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 he fastest way for an Ukrainian politics and history. iconic boxer to lose For the time it takes you to read popularity among his this article, forget everything T countrymen is not you know about politics and by suffering a loss in how democracy works, and the ring. As Vitali Klitschko brace yourself for the reality that has demonstrated in Ukraine, the current WBC heavyweight entering politics will lose you fans champ will have to navigate to much faster. “Before I became become president of his country. a politician,” he said in an For most of the 20th century, interview with Forbes magazine, Ukraine was one of the 15 “everybody liked me. Now, at republics of the Soviet Union. least half regard me warily.” After a series of reforms known as Perestroika (restructuring) and Glasnost (openness) implemented by then-General Secretary (President) Mikhail Gorbachev, the emboldened republics – including Ukraine – declared their independence from the Soviet Union between 1990 and 1991. Klitschko, the son of a Soviet Air Force off cer, was born in the Soviet republic of Kyrgyz but moved to the republic of Ukraine as a boy. When Ukraine declared itself an independent state on August 24, 1991, Klitschko and all citizens of the former Soviet Union who resided permanently in the republic became Ukrainian citizens. Klitschko addressed his Ukrainian citizenship as early as 1992 in an interview featured in the 2011 Klitschko documentary. “I was born in Central Asia in the summer of 1971,” he said, Vitali Klitschko has In case you haven’t heard, “but I am Ukrainian. I come been an important “Dr. Ironf st” announced in from a military family stationed f gure in boxing. October his candidacy to become in different places all over the Now he wants to change his country. the president of Ukraine. If Soviet Union.” you’re wondering how a WBC In 1991, virtually overnight, heavyweight title belt qualif es the entire socioeconomic way someone to become president of life in Ukraine shifted from a of anything, you are not alone. paternalistic communist system Sure, being a popular world to a capitalist, fragile democracy champion athlete in a sports- that would now have to develop crazed country like Ukraine and take charge of its own provides you with universal institutions and destiny. Vitali name recognition. But is it recalled the period in Klitschko, enough to win the presidency? saying, “There were a lot of To answer that question you problems. The economy had need to know a little about failed. The Soviet system had

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 57 Klitschko looms large in Ukrainian politics. He hopes to become president of the Eastern European nation. KLITSCHKO FOR PRESIDENT Vitali Klitschko has announced he will run for the presidency of Ukraine in 2015. Here is some background:

UKRAINE: The country, which has the largest PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: The next Europe and U.S. It emphasizes western land area of any nation located entirely presidential election is scheduled for Feb. democratic principles, anti-corruption efforts in Europe, is nestled between Poland and 26, 2015. The winner is determined on the and judicial reform. The party favors the Russia. The population is approximately 44.5 basis of a majority electoral system: If none Association Agreement between Ukraine and million. The average annual income is $8,232 of the candidates gain 50 pecent-plus-one- the European Union, a wide-ranging econom- (compared to $39,156 in the U.S.), according vote, a run-off election between the two top ic, social and political partnership. It seeks to the UN International Labour Organization. candidates will be scheduled. cooperation between Ukraine and NATO, and supports Tymoshenko’s release from prison. GOVERNMENT: A former republic of the PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS: Seven can- Soviet Union, Ukraine became independent didates are likely to split the vote. According ODDS OF A KLITSCHKO VICTORY: Klitschko in 1991. Ukraine has a semi-proportional to an October 2013 poll, the top three candi- has a decent chance of making it to the run- electoral system for legislative bodies, dates are the incumbent, Viktor Yanukovych off election. He is currently in second place, meaning political parties win half of total (leading with 19 percent), Vitali Klitschko according to polls, but the election is over a seats based on their share of the vote while (15.5) and currently imprisoned former Prime year away. The two big intangibles are the the other half are won by individual candi- Minister Yulia Tymoshenko (13.2). determination of Klitschko’s eligibility to run, dates in each district. The president serves because he reportedly holds German residen- a fve-year term (with eligibility for a second KLITSCHKO’S PARTY PLATFORM: The cy, and the legal fate of Tymoshenko. consecutive term). Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR) of Vitali Klitschko is pro-Western — Robert G. Rodriguez, Ph.D.

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collapsed with no replacement at enough votes for him and knew whereby a popularly elected the time. There were no laws, no about the theft of $100 million president appoints a prime rules, nothing at all.” of government revenue.” minister approved by the Although some sectors of Klitschko’s foray into this parliament.) In fact, when Vitali society were complacent with political environment began defended his title against Danny their centrally managed lives, nearly a decade ago, as a Williams on Dec. 11, 2004, both the unleashing of the democracy participant in the so-called Klitschkos wore orange hats, genie produced euphoric Orange Revolution that swept Vitali’s trunks were adorned celebrations throughout the Ukraine in the winter of 2004. with an orange cloth and his former Soviet Union. The Ukrainian presidential entourage carried a Yushchenko Ukraine quickly became a contest that year pitted Western- campaign sign into the ring. cesspool of corruption. The style democratic reformer The protests proved to be cheers celebrating the Soviet Viktor Yushchenko against successful, as Ukraine’s Supreme Union’s demise were soon met Kuchma’s prime minister, Viktor Court ordered a re-vote. The with the realities of engaging in Yanukovych, and several minor new election was held on a capitalist system without any candidates. About six weeks Dec. 26, 2004, and this time frsthand knowledge on how to before the elections were to Yushchenko won with 52 do so. Entrenched Ukrainian take place, it was widely percent of the votes and was politicians and industrial reported that Yushchenko inaugurated on Jan. 23, 2005. executives who happened to be was poisoned with dioxin, a Yushchenko’s presidency in the right place at the right carcinogen found in Agent turned out to be fairly disastrous time made off like bandits Orange, that produced chloracne even though some pro-Western through the privatization of (a severe acne-like appearance) reforms were enacted, notably state-owned industries and on Yushchenko’s face. efforts to join NATO, eliminating became “New Ukrainians,” a tiny Yushchenko won a plurality tourist visa requirements for cohort of oligarchs positioned to of the vote (he received more U.S. citizens and appointing capitalize on their political clout votes than any of the other Tymoshenko prime minister. and newly found wealth. candidates) in the October 2004 By 2006, Tymoshenko was For example, Leonid elections. However, Ukraine dismissed, and replaced as Kravchuk, who became the has a majority-vote system for prime minister by none other frst democratically elected president (the winner must than Viktor Yanukovych, president of newly-independent receive at least 50 percent of Yushchenko’s presidential rival. Ukraine, had spent the previous the votes). A run-off election Allegations of corruption in two decades as the Head of was held in November 2004, the Yushchenko regime were the Division of Agitation and and amid widespread evidence rampant, and he contributed Propaganda for the Central of corruption, Yanukovych to the perception by dissolving Committee of the Communist won the offcial tally by a parliament on two occasions and Party of Ukraine, among other 3 percent margin. This set dismissing members of Ukraine’s related positions. His term in off the widespread Orange Constitutional Court. offce was marked by rampant Revolution protests across During his frst “retirement” hyperinfation and fraudulent Ukraine, punctuated by a “tent from boxing in 2006, Klitschko business deals. city” erected by thousands of formally entered politics by Kravchuk’s successor, Leonid protesters on the main avenue unsuccessfully running for mayor Kuchma, was a two-term that runs across Independence of Kiev. He campaigned as part president, in a reign that could Square in Kiev, Ukraine’s capital. of a coalition of reform parties be characterized as anything During the Orange Revolution, called PORA-ROP and fnished but a liberal democracy. A 2001 Vitali and his brother Wladimir the election in second place, Washington Post article states, made multiple appearances with about 24 percent of the “[Kuchma’s] opponents allege on behalf of the pro-west vote. Ukraine has a proportional he ordered the abduction and presidential candidate, representation system for murder of a crusading journalist, Yushchenko, and the woman he city councils and parliament, condoned a grenade attack on a would appoint Prime Minister, meaning political parties win political opponent, threatened to Yulia Tymoshenko. (Ukraine seats in a legislative body on the

SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/GettyImages jail offcials who didn’t produce has a semi-presidential system basis of their share of the vote.

2.142.141.14 // RINGTV.COMRINGTV.COM 59 U.S. ATHLETE TO POLITICIAN Many U.S. athletes have made the transition from sports to politics. Here are 10 who experienced success. DAVE BING TOM OSBORNE Athlete: NBA player Athlete: NFL player, Politician: Mayor of college coach Detroit Politician: U.S. BILL BRADLEY Congressman Athlete: NBA player ARNOLD Politician: U.S. Senator SCHWARZENEGGER JIM BUNNING Athlete: Bodybuilder Politician: Athlete: MLB player Governor of Politician: U.S. Senator California HEATH SHULER KEVIN JOHNSON Athlete: Athlete: NBA player NFL player Politician: Politician: Mayor of U.S. Sacramento Congressman JACK KEMP JESSE VENTURA Athlete: Athlete: NFL player Pro wrestler Politician: Politician: U.S. Governor of Minnesota Congressman, U.S. Secretary of HUD, vice J.C. WATTS presidential candidate Athlete: CFL player STEVE LARGENT Politician: U.S. Congressman Athlete: NFL player Politician: U.S. Congressman

Klitschko’s coalition party won became his successor as years in prison and transferred enough votes to enable him to president. In April of that year, to a penal colony in Kharkiv, become one of the 120 members Klitschko formed a new political Ukraine. A BBC News article of the Kiev City Council. party: the Ukrainian Democratic reporting on the verdict With strategic assistance from Alliance for Reform (UDAR) stated, “The EU said it was former New York City mayor of Vitali Klitschko. UDAR disappointed with the verdict, Rudy Giuliani, Klitschko again has a double-meaning, as it and that Kiev’s handling of the ran for mayor of Kiev in May translates to “punch” or “blow” case risked deep implications for 2008, this time under the Vitali in Ukrainian. And in May 2010, its hopes of EU integration.” Klitschko Bloc party. He came Ukraine’s General Prosecutor’s The United States Senate in third place (behind winner Off ce (perhaps under the passed a resolution condemning Leonid Chernovetskyi and direction of Yanukovych) had the “selective and politically Tymoshenko) and held onto criminal charges of trying motivated prosecution and his seat in the city council. to bribe Supreme Court imprisonment of Yulia Klitschko returned to the ring judges reopened against Yulia Tymoshenko” and called for in October that year, once again Tymoshenko. Additional charges her immediate release. Most winning the WBC title, against of misuse of funds, corruption, recently, in November 2013, the Samuel Peter. He has made nine abuse of power and tax evasion Senate passed another resolution successful defenses. were issued between December calling for Tymoshenko’s release By 2010, a thoroughly 2010 and October 2011. highlighting an April 2013 ruling discredited Yushchenko won On Oct. 11, 2011, by the European Court of Human only 5 percent of the vote in his Tymoshenko was found guilty Rights that determined her “pre- reelection bid and left off ce in of abuse of power for her role trial detention had been arbitrary; disgrace. In the ultimate political in a 2009 gas supply deal with that the lawfulness of her pre-trial

twist, Viktor Yanukovych Russia, sentenced to seven detention had not been properly Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images

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reviewed; that her right to liberty their main goal. In Vitali’s case European Union, leading had been restricted; and, that it’s completely the opposite.” more than 100,000 people to she had no possibility to seek UDAR’s platform, as stated on protest on the streets of Kiev compensation for her unlawful its webpage, is very favorable to on Nov. 24, 2013. These were deprivation of liberty.” Western Europe and the United the largest protests in Ukraine In October 2012, Klitschko’s States. It is based upon the since the Orange Revolution. UDAR party won a suff cient general planks of anti-corruption BBC News reported, “World percentage of the votes to and judicial reform. Specif cally, heavyweight boxing champion garner 42 parliamentary seats. UDAR favors entering into the Vitali Klitschko, who leads the As the party leader, Klitschko Association Agreement between UDAR movement, addressed the became one of the 450 members Ukraine and the European rally in Kiev saying Ukrainians elected to a f ve-year term Union (a formal process to would not tolerate what in the Verkhovna Rada of integrate European countries President Yanukovych had done Ukraine (parliament). In so into the EU), cooperation to the country’s prospects for doing, Klitschko followed in between Ukraine and NATO, integrating with the EU. ‘We will the footsteps of fellow world and it supports Tymoshenko’s f ght in order for the association champion boxers Manny release from prison. agreement to be signed,’ Pacquiao, who was elected to The next step for Klitschko (Klitschko) said.” Congress in the Philippines is a run at the presidency, If Klitschko can get past in 2010, and Nikolai Valuev, although he already faces a the roadblocks Yanukovych who entered the Russian Duma problem. Article 103 of the has placed in his path, can he (parliament) in 2011. Ukrainian Constitution states actually win? The Ukrainian To put UDAR’s political power that a candidate for president presidential elections are in perspective, the party is the must “reside in Ukraine for scheduled for Feb. 26, 2015. If third largest in the Ukrainian the past 10 years prior to none of the candidates earn at parliament. Yanukovych’s Party the day of elections.” The least 50 percent – which current of Regions is the dominant Ukrainian parliament passed a polls indicate will likely be the force, holding 207 seats, bill amending the Tax Code of case – then a run-off election followed by Yulia Tymoshenko’s Ukraine on On Oct. 24, 2013. will be held among the top two Batkivshchyna (All Ukrainian It states: “If a person has the candidates. An October 2013 Union “Fatherland”) party right to permanent residence in public opinion poll taken by the with 90 seats. UDAR is closely a foreign country, such a person Razumkov Centre, a Ukrainian followed by the right-wing is considered to be one who non-governmental think-tank nationalist Svoboda (Freedom) does not live in Ukraine.” This that The Washington Post has party (36 seats), the Communist part of the law, now known as characterized as a “top research Party of Ukraine (yes, they’re the “Klitschko Amendment,” institute in Kiev,” indicates still around, and they hold 32 was clearly intended to dash that Klitschko would garner parliamentary seats), and 35 Vitali Klitschko’s presidential the second highest tally in the non-aff liated members. aspirations, since he reportedly f rst round of voting (15.5 So what do Vitali Klitschko has residence status in Germany. percent), behind Yanukovych and UDAR stand for? In Klitschko responded to passage (19 percent). Thus, Klitschko Klitschko, while he was still of the bill with his presidential def nitely has a f ghting chance a member of the Kiev City bid announcement, while to pull off the upset. If he wins, Council, Vitali said, “Ukraine President Yanukovych signed Ukrainian politics and history has huge potential. But sadly, the legislation into law on Nov. tells us that his greatest f ghts it’s not really being developed. 8, 2013. Klitschko vowed to will have just begun. Corruption continues to hold continue his presidential run, the country back.” Anna though it is unclear whether Law Dr. Robert G. Rodriguez is Starostenko, a UDAR member of No. 657-VII will ultimately keep a political science professor the Kiev City council, explained him off the ballot. at Texas A&M University- in the documentary that In addition to trying to ward Commerce. He is the author Klitschko formed his own party off Klitschko’s challenge, of The Regulation of Boxing: based on western principles. She President Yanukovych reneged A History and Comparative said, “Here people often go into on the Association Agreement Analysis of Policies among politics to make money. That’s between Ukraine and the American States.

2.141.14 / RINGTV.COM 61 BOXING FANS IN THE WHITE HOUSE OUR CORRESPONDENT COULDN’T FIND EVIDENCE OF A SITTING PRESIDENT ATTENDING A PRO FIGHT BUT CAME UP WITH SOME OTHER INTERESTING FACTS By Robert G. Rodriguez, Ph.D.

GROVER CLEVELAND met with the last bare-knuck- le/frst gloved heavyweight n the June 2013 issue of THE RING, columnist Thomas champion John L. Sullivan in Hauser posed an intriguing question: Has a sitting or past 1887, making Sullivan the frst boxing U.S. president ever attended a pro fight? champion to meet with a sitting U.S. Although several U.S. presidents were amateur boxers President at the White House. (such as James A. Garfield, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin I D. Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower) and others invited WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT professional boxers to the White House (including John was asked by promoter Tex F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Rickard to referee the historic George W. Bush), evidence could not be found that any sitting or Jack Johnson-Jim Jeffries past president ever attended a pro fight. However, photographs and bout in 1910. news reports reveal that Harry Truman and George W. Bush attended professional fights before becoming president, and Truman attended WARREN G. HARDING military amateur bouts as a sitting president. gave his endorsement to Then-Vice President Truman attended the Rocky Graziano vs. revive the Army, Navy and Ci- Billy Arnold fight at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 1945, vilian Board of Boxing Control just one month before he would become president upon Franklin D. (an entity to regulate boxing) under the Roosevelt’s death on April 12. There is also photographic evidence guidance of the International Sporting of Truman attending boxing matches onboard Navy ships while Club in 1921. president: the USS Augusta, returning to the U.S. from the Potsdam Conference (where he met with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin) CALVIN COOLIDGE in August 1945, and the USS Missouri, returning from the Rio legalized boxing in U.S. territo- Conference (where the U.S. became a signatory to the Inter-American ries in 1929, thereby sanction- Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance) in September 1947. In fact, on the ing boxing in Hawaii, which very day that President Truman was informed that the atomic bomb formed a boxing commission and held its was dropped on Hiroshima, he sat at ringside enjoying the fights. frst matches that year. Nevertheless, these events do not meet Mr. Hauser’s criteria because the bouts held on these ships did not involve professional boxers. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT The only other president who conclusively attended professional boxing personally encouraged Joe matches was George W. Bush, who was present at the Real Estate Council Louis prior to his rematch Foundation Fight Night charity event held at the Dallas Fairmont Hotel with Max Schmeling in 1938, on March 7, 1991. Five professional bouts were held that evening, and a saying that the U.S. needed muscles photograph exists of the future president at the event. like his to beat Germany. It was another In the vain attempt to find a credible report of a sitting or past U.S. heavyweight champ, Jack Dempsey, who president having attended a boxing match, the following interesting said that FDR had “the most impressive tidbits about presidents and boxing emerged: shoulder muscles” he had ever seen.

62 THERINGTV.COM RING MAGAZINE / 2.14 / 11.13 HARRY TRUMAN JIMMY CARTER BILL CLINTON signed an Executive Order watched the Muhammad signed into law the Profes- allowing boxing and sparring Ali-Leon Spinks rematch with sional Boxing Safety Act of in the Panama Canal Zone. He Egypt’s Anwar El Sadat two 1996 and the Muhammad Ali also was given tickets by Jersey Joe Wal- days before the Camp David Accords Boxing Reform Act of 2000. Today, Clinton cott to his fourth fght with Ezzard Charles were signed with Israel’s Menachem is friendly with both Manny Pacquiao and in a White House visit on May 26, 1952, Begin in September 1978. Carter also Timothy Bradley. though Truman evidently did not attend met with WBC light heavyweight titlist the bout held on June 5 of that year. Matthew Saad Muhammad at the White GEORGE W. BUSH House in 1980. received John Ruiz, the frst JOHN F. KENNEDY, Latino world heavyweight who enjoyed listening to boxing RONALD REAGAN champion, in 2001 and pre- on the radio, invited fellow reportedly covered boxing sented Muhammad Ali with the Presiden- Catholic Floyd Patterson to the during his sports broadcast- tial Medal of Freedom in 2005. White House and reportedly encouraged ing days, but information of him not to fght Sonny Liston in 1962. him attending a specifc boxing event BARACK OBAMA could not be found. As president, he described in his memoirs box- LYNDON JOHNSON waived the requirements for Joe Louis to ing lessons given to him by his created the Job Corps program be buried at Arlington National Cemetery stepfather as a child growing in 1964, which notably count- and famously quoted Jack Dempsey after up in Indonesia. But he has yet to give a ed a young George Foreman being shot in an assassination attempt posthumous pardon to Jack Johnson, even among its participants. In 1983, Foreman (“Honey, I forgot to duck”) in 1981. He though the U.S. Senate voted to encourage donated his RING championship belt to the promised to call Gerry Cooney if he him to do so in April 2013. LBJ Presidential Library, where it contin- had lifted the title from Larry Holmes in ues to be displayed to this day. 1982, and was photographed alongside Dr. Robert G. Rodriguez is a political champions George Foreman, Sugar Ray science professor at Texas A&M GERALD FORD Leonard and Floyd Patterson among University-Commerce. He is the was an assistant boxing coach several other boxing luminaries. author of The Regulation of Boxing: at Yale University in 1935. A History and Comparative Analysis of Policies among American States.

President George W. Bush is pictured with the 2008 U.S. Olympic boxing team.

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 63 64 I READY AND RINGTV.COM /2.14 about boxing, Bermane f youknowanything voice shouldecho know whyEttaJames’ for sometimenow), you has beenforcedtosing blues (whichStiverne Stiverne orsingingthe WAITING the WBC heavyweighttitle. into theringnextyeartof ght for walks downtheaisleandsteps through thearenawhenhef nally By PLOTS HISFUTURE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO SITTIGHTWHILETHEUKRAINIAN CHALLENGER, HASHAD VITALI KLITSCHKO’SMANDATORY BERMANE STIVERNE “And lifeis like asong “My lonelydaysareover “My lovehascomealong “At last RonBorges , never known” my cheekto my own could speakto “A thrillthatIhave “I foundathrilltopress “A dreamthatIcancall “I foundadream, thatI

Scott Heavey/Getty Images Bermane Stiverne (left) has done his part to earn a shot at Vitali Klitschko’s title by winning f ghts, including a second-round knockout of Kertson Manswell.

What words could better Stiverne’s quest for a shot at might have put it: “Have you explain the Haitian-born, Klitschko and, more importantly, fought for the WBC heavyweight Canadian-raised, Las Vegas- the belt has been a series of trials. title? Well neither has Bermane.” based f ghter’s odyssey to a He twice won WBC elimination Now – “At Last’’ – it seems well-earned shot at the WBC f ghts to become the mandatory his dream has come along. His belt Vitali Klitschko f rst won a challenger, the f rst time on June lonely life is over, and sometime decade ago and last defended on 25, 2011, and the second nearly before the end of next spring Sept. 8, 2012? a year later. But, as my mother life will be a song. A concussive

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 65 READY AND WAITING

song to be sure, that being the music of heavyweight boxing, but sometime before spring has sprung he should fnally get what he frst earned more than three years ago. He’ll get to fght for the title. It might not be against Klitschko, the noble 42-year-old champion who is planning to run for the presidency of Ukraine in 2015. Klitschko informed the WBC at its annual convention in Thailand in early November that he would make a decision within 30 days whether to defend his title or abdicate the throne. Instead, Stiverne might face a man he has already handily beaten, the shopworn but still leather-tough American Chris Arreola, or maybe the U.S.’ slowly rising new hope, 6-foot- 7 Olympic bronze medalist Deontay Wilder. Stiverne (23-1-1, 20 KO) would prefer to share his moment with Klitschko, who he has been pursuing for years, but if Klitschko hears a higher calling, so be it. Whoever it is, wherever it is, it will seem no less unlikely to a man who once wanted nothing to do with heavyweight champions. “When I frst began to box, I can remember watching Klitschko on television and thinking, ‘No way I’ll fght those heavyweights,’” Stiverne recalled while in Bangkok at the WBC convention. “I remember thinking, ‘I’m a cruiserweight. He’s too big.’” Actually, when Stiverne frst put on boxing gloves, he wasn’t actually thinking about boxing at all. The only belt he was thinking about was the expansive one around his waist. By then a fractured former football player once successful enough in Canada and Florida to be offered a scholarship to Michigan State, Stiverne had left

66 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 the sport behind to earn a living Stiverne (here fghting as a telemarketer hustling cell Manswell) is one victory away from phones in Miami. A sedentary realizing a dream. job led to a sedentary lifestyle and fnally a waistline Stiverne found burdensome. One day a friend made a suggestion, one that has taken him farther than he ever thought possible. “I’d gained a lot of weight selling calling plans, and a friend told me he’d lost a lot of weight after taking boxing classes, so I went to the gym with him to try it,” Stiverne said as he recalled a moment that changed his life. “I never thought I would do this in my life. Everything had been football up to then. “Boxing is the best workout. Because I was a big guy, people kept bugging me to fght. I trained for about a year. Then I accepted a fght. Even as an amateur I never thought I’d become a professional, but here I am today. I’ve accomplished more than I ever thought I could.” Indeed so, although the road, his manager Camille Estephan says, has been neither smooth nor ever downhill. “We’ve developed crocodile skin,” Estephan said of a long quest that included Stiverne becoming six-time Quebec Golden Gloves champion (1999- 2005) as well as a Canadian National Team member for three years before missing the 2004 Olympics. “Bermane put a stone on top of a stone on top of a stone. You keep doing that, you can build a cathedral. That’s what he has been doing.” That cathedral cracked a bit in 2004 when Stiverne lost a disputed decision to someone named George Garcia at an amateur tournament in Mexico. That defeat derailed his chances to make the Canadian Olympic team and led to his turning pro the next year, initially in dusty

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 67 68 candidate inUkraine. of apresidential future isinthehands Stiverne’s immediate RINGTV.COM /2.14

Jeff Gross/Getty Images READY AND WAITING

boxing venues like The Frosted showed me against a big guy like cut him off from Stiverne. Mug in Morgantown, W.Va. him I was capable of throwing Klitschko declared his Eventually he would join forces 700 punches in a fght.” long-threatened candidacy with promoter Don King, whom Even after that victory and a insisting that while he holds he is now suing, claiming King second turn as the mandatory residency rights in Germany, violated the Ali Act by forcing challenger, Stiverne was unsure where he trains and lives for him to sign a promotional deal what Klitschko would do. long stretches, “this does not to land his frst WBC elimination Between battles with injuries and contravene Ukrainian law or fght against Ray Austin three his political rise, the longtime annul my citizenship.” An ally years ago. However that is titleholder has been absent from of jailed opposition leader and adjudicated, Stiverne ended up the ring for over a year and hasn’t former Prime Minister Yulia on the right side of the fght’s made a mandatory defense since Tymoshenko, Klitschko is resolution, stopping Austin in the Sept. 10, 2011. During all that doing very well in most polls in 10th round. time, the WBC appeared reluctant the country of 45 million in a Although he never got the title to push their champion too hard showdown with Yanukovych. shot he’d been promised earlier in Stiverne’s direction, and so The anti-corruption party UDAR this year, he reasserted his claim he and Estephan fnally went to Klitschko helped form in 2010 and elevated his reputation Thailand in pursuit of him. continues to grow in popularity within the division with a one- “If you want something, you at a time when the European sided beating of Arreola in April. have to get up and go get it,” Union is pressuring Yanukovych That night began with Stiverne Stiverne said. “That’s what we to release Tymoshenko, who was a heavy underdog but ended with did, literally. It was better to go jailed on abuse of power charges him breaking Arreola’s nose, to Thailand and get answers than many believe were trumped up. knocking him down in the third to stay home with no answers.’’ Where this leaves Klitschko’s round and beating him backward Although it remains unclear long reign remains to be seen. for 12 hard rounds to earn the whether the fnal answer will It would appear unlikely a decision by a wide margin. It was, be a night with Klitschko, a man can run for president of at the time, considered an upset rematch with Arreola, who is his country while training for but not to Stiverne or Estephan, presently rated No. 2 by the Stiverne, but then again Klitschko true believers that a cathedral WBC, or a move orchestrated successfully defended the WBC can be built by anyone with a to elevate Wilder, Stiverne is title twice in the same year he willingness to keep putting down unconcerned. His real goal helped start UDAR. In total, stones and improving their trade. was never simply to fght Vitali Klitschko has won 14 consecutive “Instead of getting frustrated Klitschko. His goal was to win a WBC heavyweight title fghts, when I didn’t get my chance world championship from him, but his latest layoff led Stiverne to fght for the championship, something politics of the real to demand the WBC force the I stayed focused and took my sort rather than the boxing kind titleholder to face him or be frustrations out in the ring,” said might now preclude. stripped. We’ll soon learn what Stiverne. “At times I thought I “In order to put an end to Klitschko decided. If it ultimately might not get what I’d earned, various rumors and attempts is to fght Stiverne, his challenger but you can’t give up. I won a to fnish me off as a potential will welcome the opportunity. title shot once, and they took it candidate, I would like to “I’d love to fght Vitali,” from me. I won a second one, announce the following: I am Stiverne said. “He’s been and they made me wait. If they running for president,” Klitschko champion for so long. I’d like to wanted me to take a longer road, told a session of the Ukraine test myself against him. I’d like I took it. It paid off. parliament in late October. That to put on my record I fought “I was unhappy sometimes, but decision was a response to a Vitali Klitschko. It would be an I was happy with the outcome of maneuver by the government of honor to fght a guy like him, the the Arreola fght. I’ve seen myself President Viktor Yanukovych legitimate champion of the past getting better. This time I’ve had to cut the ring off on him by 10 years. But if it’s not him, I to wait has actually been helpful. passing a bill barring people have to move on.” I’m a bit more mature in the with permanent resident status in Indeed he would. After all, ring and more comfortable there another country from seeking the there’s a cathedral to fnish now. Those rounds with Arreola presidency, but it also may have building.

11.13 / THE2.14 RING / RINGTV.COM MAGAZINE 69 ‘I FEARAN’ NO M

The belief Keith Thurman (left, against Diego Chaves) has in himself comes in part from the encouraging words of his late trainer.

70 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 NAOKI FUKUDA SPARRING PARTNERS, HAS WITH SELF-CONFIDENCE WITH SELF-CONFIDENCE LATE TRAINERANDHIS SET HISSIGHTSHIGH GLEANED FROM HIS GLEANED FROMHIS KEITH THURMAN By KeithIdec , Thurman said. “Or he’dsay, This iswhatyoutrainedfor,’” right. Here wego, boy. It’s time. nights hef ghts, too. from Getty’s adviceonthe Clearwater drawsgreatstrength sessions withvigor. f nishes workoutsorsparring yelled tomotivatehimand Fla., heremembersthingsGetty during traininginSt. Petersburg, powerful welterweighttires destined tobecome. When the got Thurman tobelieveheis prepare likethesuperstarGetty words stillinspire Thurman to demonstrative Vietnamveteran’s Getty’s death, thedemanding, Pete BoxingClub. K “He wouldsaythingslike, ‘All The nativeofnearby Nearly f ve yearsafterBen he trainsinsideSt. his lifeeverydayas trainer whoshaped voice ofthelate the authoritative hears eith Thurman 2.14 /RINGTV.COM 1.14 /RINGTV.COM 71 71 ‘I FEAR NO MAN’

‘First things first. Show them complications from diabetes in of them.” your power. They’re scared of May 2009. By then, Birmingham Thurman, now 25, treasures your power. Nobody wants knew Thurman was a potential those experiences and is certain your power.’” world champion because he wouldn’t have developed Thurman demonstrated Thurman’s development included into the professional fghter he abnormal power as early as trips to training camps with has become without working 7 years old, after he began Winky Wright, Jeff Lacy and alongside Wright, Lacy and learning to box at the makeshift Chad Dawson, the three best Dawson. Wright was especially gym Getty constructed at the boxers Birmingham trained helpful because the skilled elementary school where he when he was an assistant trainer southpaw’s trademark jab taught was head janitor and Thurman for Thurman. Thurman how important that was a student. At 9, he won Dawson is a former punch is in the evolution of a his first amateur fight by first- undisputed light heavyweight well-rounded fghter. round knockout. champion. Lacy was a hard- He didn’t understand at By the time he was 14, hitting ex-super middleweight frst what was so special everyone around him began titleholder. And Wright, a about Wright’s jab, whether taking notice of Thurman’s former junior middleweight watching from ringside or heavy hands. champion, was once regarded on TV as Wright threw it at “I was watching him knock as one of the top five fighters sparring partners and legendary grown men down when he was pound-for-pound in boxing. opponents. It wasn’t until 14, 15 years old,” trainer Dan “It was very benefcial,” Thurman sparred with Wright Birmingham said. “They were Birmingham said. “He was for the frst time that he realized professional fghters. Keith sparring with Chad Dawson why Wright’s jab was far always had power.” when he was 16 years old and he different from most. Wright hit Birmingham became was three or four weight classes Thurman three times with his Thurman’s head trainer when lower. And he was holding his jab in the same combination, Getty, 63, succumbed to own against Winky and Jeff, all which led Thurman to study

Chaves (left) probably understood at the weigh-in staredown that Thurman meant to do him harm.

72 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 Jan Zaveck (left) was one of only two opponents to go the distance against Thurman.

Wright’s technique and I was going toe to toe and blow Thurman a mix between Wright appreciate that one of the old for blow with them, it just raised and Lacy because Thurman pro’s sharpest skills was that my confdence tremendously. At is intelligent and patient, yet he didn’t telegraph his punches, the age of 16, I also was working possesses power that has helped especially that jarring jab. with Chad Dawson, prior to him him produce one of boxing’s “That’s one of the main winning a world title. Just to best knockout ratios. reasons why I don’t stress about have acquaintances, close friends Birmingham was particularly any of these fghts, and I have no and gymmates that have made pleased with Thurman’s fear of anybody in the Top 10,” it, and knowing that you’ve performance against Argentina’s Thurman said. “Ever since I was worked with them, sweated with Diego Chaves on July 27. A NAOKI FUKUDA; ABOVE: ELSA/GOLDEN BOY/GOLDEN BOY VIA GETTY IMAGES 16 years old, I was in the ring them and been in the ring with methodical Thurman took with fghters like Winky Wright, them, it just really raises my his time and broke down a Jeff Lacy and Antwun Echols, confdence. dangerous, previously unbeaten who fought Bernard Hopkins “Because I know I’ve been in opponent on his way to a 10th- and was a tremendous puncher. I the ring with multiple world round knockout that accounted learned a lot from them, growing champions and I’ve always held for his 21st win and 19th inside up in that gym. Andre Berto, my own with them … I fear no the distance. Beating Chaves we used to be sparring partners man in the ring.” helped Thurman secure a fight every other weekend when I was Thurman dropped out of against Mexico’s Jesus Soto growing up here in Florida. Clearwater High School when Karass for the interim WBA “Seeing fghters like (Berto) he was 15, but the studious welterweight title Dec. 14 in develop and go to the Olympics approach he has taken to San Antonio. and become world champions, his boxing career impresses Thurman’s thorough victory and knowing that at an early age Birmingham. He considers over Chaves confrmed

2.141.14 / RINGTV.COM 73 ‘I FEAR NO MAN’ LOSERS BECOME WINNERS WBO junior middleweight titleholder Demetrius Andrade, undefeated featherweight Gary Russell Jr. and unbeaten heavyweight Deontay Wilder were among the winners six years ago at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Some of the losers have succeeded as pros, too. Among them:

DANNY GARCIA Record: 27-0, 16 KOs Status: RING/WBA/WBC junior welterweight champion

DANNY JACOBS Record: 26-1, 23 KOs Status: middleweight contender

ROBERT MARROQUIN Record: 23-3, 16 KOs Status: featherweight contender

KEITH THURMAN Record: 21-0, 19 KOs Status: welterweight contender

HYLON WILLIAMS JR. Record: 16-1, 3 KOs Status: lightweight prospect

Birmingham’s belief that major turnaround. I think he’s a f ghter when he was an amateur. his f ghter is ready for any hundred percent better now. He reached the 152-pound f nal welterweight in boxing, “He uses feints more, he uses at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team including pound-for-pound movement more. My theory in Trials in Houston, but he failed king Floyd Mayweather Jr. boxing is, and I tell all my guys, to make the team when he lost Birmingham envisions Thurman don’t go f ve seconds without a decision to recently crowned becoming “a major superstar” throwing at least a jab. Great WBO junior middleweight now that he is a craftier f ghter, f ghters are very offensive, so titleholder Demetrius Andrade, as well as a punishing puncher. he’s working diligently on his who defeated Thurman in three “When I took over, I knew approach to his opponent and of their four amateur meetings. he could punch, but I knew he setting up his jab, working off Thurman turned pro two needed more boxing skills,” his movement.” months after Andrade defeated said Birmingham, who won the While Birmingham has helped him at the Trials in August 2007. Boxing Writers Association of Thurman improve from a He won his f rst eight pro bouts America’s “Trainer of the Year” technical standpoint, Thurman’s by f rst-round knockout. Getty award in 2004 and 2005. “So strong mental makeup was died after Thurman’s ninth I started emphasizing the jab established by Getty, who worked professional f ght, and although and movement, and he’s worked with Ray Leonard and Roy Thurman took it hard, he hard on that. He’s now become Jones Jr. in their training camps. remained active, improved and more of a complete f ghter. Thurman’s mentor made him eventually signed contracts with I think he has experienced a believe he could become a great inf uential advisor Al Haymon

74 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 contract with Showtime expires late in the summer of 2015. The 5-foot-9 Thurman fgures beating Adrien Broner, who considers himself the heir to Mayweather’s throne, would put him on the fast track to challenging Mayweather’s supremacy. He wants to battle Broner more than any boxer other than Mayweather, the only opponent Thurman gives a “50-percent chance of beating me.” The mere thought of fghting Mayweather motivates Thurman every day he trains. As long as he keeps winning and continues to provide fan-friendly performances, Thurman expects that he’ll get a shot at Mayweather before the undefeated fve-division champion retires. “That, to be honest, is the fght of my dreams,” Thurman said. “Floyd Mayweather, in my own Thurman (right) mind, is my only competition. fnished off Chaves So with that said, every day in in 10 rounds in July. It the gym now I’m trying to beat was Thurman’s 19th ‘Money.’ Because, at the end of knockout in 21 fghts. the day, if I step in the ring with him and if I take away his ‘0,’ one legend will die out and another and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden said. “I want to climb all the legend will be born. Boy Promotions. way to the top. I tell people all “Whatever happens, if you A fracture and bone bruises the time that not every fghter see Keith Thurman and Floyd to his right hand kept Thurman wants to be the best fghter in the Mayweather go at it, you will out of the ring from November world. Some fghters do, though. see Floyd Mayweather in the 2010 to February 2012, but And I’m one of those fghters. So toughest fght of Mayweather’s he regained momentum with every day in the gym, I’m trying career. It’ll be tougher than his wins over former welterweight to be faster, I’m trying to be fght with Cotto. It’ll be tougher champions Carlos Quintana (29- sharper, I’m trying to be smarter, than any of his fghts at 135, 4, 23 KOs) and Jan Zaveck (33-3, so that I can become one of the 140. Win, lose or draw, I can 18 KOs), and later Chaves (22-1, legends in the sport of boxing.” guarantee you I will be the 18 KOs). Attaining the superstar status toughest opponent of his career.” THE RING ranks Thurman as he seeks could require Thurman If that career-changing evening the No. 8 welterweight in boxing, to beat Mayweather (45-0, 26 ever arrives, Thurman will close but the young knockout artist is KOs). Thurman understands that his eyes that night and draw sure he’ll eventually occupy the a fght against Mayweather isn’t motivation from the authoritative top spot on that list. imminent, but it isn’t impossible, voice of the late trainer that made “My passion, my desire and either. He’ll probably need to win it all possible. everything that Ben Getty a few high-profle fghts in 2014 instilled into me, I don’t just want to become a viable option before Keith Idec covers boxing for The

Naoki Fukuda to climb the ladder,” Thurman Mayweather’s six-fght, 30-month Record, of Woodland Park, N.J.

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 75 SPECIAL PACKAGE FATEFUL BLOWS The sport was FRANKIE rocked recently by two tragic events, the death LEAL: of Mexican Francisco Leal from punches he DEATH took in the ring and the beating of Magomed AND A Abdusalamov that left the HAUNTING Russian in a coma. In a special package, QUESTION THE RING looks back at SHOULD THE ‘LITTLE SOLDIER’ HAVE both fights FOUGHT AGAIN AFTER SUFFERING A BRAIN BLEED IN A PREVIOUS FIGHT? and raises the By Bart Barry question: Could these tragedies exican junior after he was knocked out by have been featherweight his friend and former Olympic avoided? Bart Francisco “Frankie” teammate Raul Hirales in Los MLeal, who went Cabos, Mexico. Barry writes by the moniker The events that led to “Little Soldier” and often wore Leal’s death are not easily about Leal while camouf age trunks in his f ghts, compartmentalized. There is no died three days before his 27th innocent victim in Leal’s tragic Gordon Marino birthday on Oct. 22, 2013, at UC tale or symmetrically located cast San Diego Medical Center. Leal of villains. Leal died, f nally, from gives his take on was removed from an artif cial the trauma of being struck in the Abdusalamov. respiratory system three days head repeatedly with gloved f sts.

76 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 dropped Leal on the blue mat, where he rolled awkwardly. Leal rose before referee Arturo Cota Sandoval counted seven and lurched forward into his corner’s turnbuckle. He took a deep breath, reached for the top rope with his right glove, spun around and faced Cota Sandoval, who immediately stopped the match with Leal on his feet. Leal then crumpled against the red and white lettering of his corner’s Tecate logo. A scramble to revive him ensued, a scramble that included Dr. Adolfo Rodriguez, head of medical services for the Boxing Commission of Los Cabos. “It was very diffcult, as I was so close to the ring. I saw how he fell, and I shouted, ‘Frankie, get up!’” Leal’s widow, Laura Coronel, recounted to the Mexico City daily El Universal six days after her husband’s burial in his hometown of Mexicali. “After that, I saw how he slumped in the corner and how his eyes went white. And in that moment, I thought ... it’s over.” Three minutes and 41 seconds after Leal crumpled in his corner, his limp body, without a cervical collar or oxygen mask Frankie Leal was in distress moments in place, was hauled onto a after his fght against Raul Hirales ended. stretcher, set atop a gurney and wheeled from ringside. Sports’ oddest tradition ensued, as those gathered at Auditorio Municipal applauded the removal of an unconscious athlete from his feld While there is not one person Hirales, his frst fght in Baja of competition. uniquely culpable for Leal’s death, California Sur since 2008. It was “He knows,” Coronel said of the event of his passing raises a competitive eight-round match the couple’s 4-year-old son. “He questions about prizefghting’s that Hirales led after seven. It saw him in the hospital, and by obligations to its practitioners was not a fght that saw either himself he said, ‘My daddy is and prizefghters’ obligations to man genuinely imperiled until sick, now he died.’ So, yes, he their sport and fans. Leal backpedaled from Hirales says that his daddy fought and The match between Leal and with fewer than 15 seconds lost and died, but he does not Hirales, the co-main event of a to go. A fnal right hand from understand very well the concept card that featured Julio Cesar Hirales, one that landed to the of death. He still tells me that he Chavez Sr.’s son Omar, was back of Leal’s bowed head and wants to see him and asks when billed as a homecoming for followed a fush right uppercut, he will return.”

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 77 SPECIAL PACKAGE FATEFUL BLOWS

The scene at ringside in Los completed his stay at Cabos was not unlike what Metropolitan Methodist transpired in San Antonio 18½ Hospital in downtown months earlier in the main San Antonio, the event of a Top Rank card that Texas Department Leal had been featured the return of former of Licensing and competitive middleweight champion Kelly Regulation suspended against Hirales until the fnal Pavlik. On March 31, 2012, Leal him indefnitely. Fewer moments. was knocked out by Russian than six months later, on featherweight Evgeny Gradovich Sept. 12, 2012, Leal took in the fnal 45 seconds of their the magnetic resonance 10-round match. Then, too, imaging (MRI) test used Leal went down and rolled to detect bleeding in the brain. It hemorrhage, they should never awkwardly, rose before the count showed no lasting effects from fght again,” said Dr. Margaret of seven and had his fght waved his fght with Gradovich. And on Goodman, former head of off immediately by referee Rafael Nov. 29, 2012, after Leal passed the Nevada Medical Advisory Ramos, an offcial needing no a neurological examination, Board and Nevada State Athletic more than a glance to know Leal Texas removed his suspension. Commission (NSAC) chief could not continue. “They took care of his blood ringside physician. “So few “His body basically clot with medicine, they didn’t fghters suffer bleeds that they collapsed,” said Brad Goodman, have to operate on him, and that must have some predisposition. the Top Rank matchmaker was great,” said Leija. “But then So to put them in harm’s way who made Leal’s fight with to hear he fought again?” again, whether they fought one Gradovich. “He was hurt real, Forty-four days after his Texas more time or fve more times, is real bad in San Antonio.” suspension was lifted, Leal took just playing Russian roulette with Then, too, Leal slumped part in his frst of fve post- their life.” on a stool near his corner, suspension fghts in Mexico, On April 4, 2013, having did not respond properly scoring a fourth-round knockout received a standard application to a ringside doctor and over junior lightweight Gilberto from Leal that included an MRI, was promptly removed on a Perez in the state of Hidalgo. a physical, blood work and an gurney from Illusions Theater, Forty-two days after that, Leal eye examination, the Nevada a makeshift stage festooned returned to Hidalgo and stopped State Athletic Commission with pastel-lighted bunting Mexican lightweight Tomas licensed him to fght in Nevada along the northern edge of the Sierra in three rounds. during the calendar year 2013. Alamodome. That night marked “I’m of the philosophy that if “Medicine has improved to the the debut of Leija-Battah a fghter has suffered a cerebral point where it doesn’t have to be Promotions, former junior lightweight titlist Jesse James MORTALITY RATE: A STUDY Leija’s frst show as a promoter. The University of California, San Diego, Department of Neurosurgery conducted a “Just a brutal, brutal fght,” study of boxing fatalities between 1950 and 2007 using data from the Velasquez said Leija. “(Frankie) got in Boxing Fatality Collection. Here are some fndings: trouble, went to the hospital. We • 339 professional boxers died in the ring between 1950 and 2007. saw him the next day, or two • The average age of the deceased among professionals was 24. days later, and he seemed (to be) • 79 percent of those who died lost by knockout (64 by KO and 15 by TKO). in great spirits. He told us he • A higher percentage of deaths occurred in the lower weight classes. had a 2-year-old, and I was like, • 61 percent of the preterminal events that led to death took place in the ring, 17 percent ‘Man, you really want to keep in the locker room and 22 percent outside the fght venue. doing this? It’s dangerous.’ • The mortality rate declined signifcantly after 1983, the year title bouts were reduced from 15 to 12 rounds. 219 occurred between 1950 and 1983 and only 120 after 1983. “He goes, ‘Yeah, … I don’t However, the study found no relation between the decline in mortality to reduced rounds think I’m going to do this per fght. Instead, it is attributed to modern fghters’ fewer number of total bouts, as anymore.’ And I don’t know if well as more stringent safety measures. he meant it, or was just saying it • 15 to 40 percent of retired fghters have symptoms of chronic brain injury. that day.” • Another study equated a punch with being hit by a bowling ball swung at 20 mph. Even before Leal had

78 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 FRANKIE LEAL RING DEATHS Boxers (in bold) who have died after a professional so prohibitive,” said Keith bout since the beginning of 2011, including opponent, But in my conscience, I just date of fght, country in which the fght took place, Kizer, executive director of weight division, result, age at death and nationality of couldn’t do it. I didn’t want NSAC. “There’s always brain the deceased. Note: The chart does not include deaths to go through that whole trauma. Every fghter suffers resulting from training, sparring, amateur fghts or episode again because I some form of brain trauma. other activities connected to boxing. really, really thought he was That’s the nature of the sport. going to die in San Antonio. The question is: Should any FRANCISCO LEAL Division: Lightweight “I was shaken up. For type of bleed by itself be an Opponent: Raul Hirales Result: Tehei KO 1 weeks.” automatic disqualifcation Date: Oct. 19, 2013 Age: 29 Should Leal have been Site: Mexico Nationality: Peru (lived in of a fghter’s career? And Division: Junior New Zealand) allowed to fght again? the answer is no. Medically Texas suspended him, and featherweight MUHAMMAD AFRIZAL Result: Hirales KO 8 speaking, it is no.” Opponent: Irvan Marbun he took a half-year off, felt Age: 26 Leal never did fight in Date: March 31, 2012 good enough to return and Nationality: Mexico Nevada, and that marked Site: Indonesia had those feelings both an important distinction: MICHAEL NORGROVE Division: Junior scientifcally and medically Licensing a fighter is not Opponent: Tom Bowen lightweight confrmed by an MRI and the same as approving him Date: March 28, 2013 Result: Marbun UD 12 a neurologist. If American Site: U.K. (London) Age: 30 to fight. Division: Middleweight Nationality: Indonesia matchmakers were rightly “We do not check a fghter’s hesitant about putting him Result: No contest KARLO MAQUINTO record and suspensions Age: 31 in another fght, Mexican Opponent: Mark Joseph Nationality: Zambia (lived until he is scheduled to fght Costa matchmakers just as rightly in London) here,” explained NSAC’s Date: Jan. 28, 2012 saw one of their own – a Deisi Negron. TUGABUS SAKTI Site: Philippines rugged, affable and well- Fifteen days after receiving Opponent: Ichal Tobido Division: Junior liked southpaw in his his Nevada license, Leal Date: Jan. 26, 2013 bantamweight physical prime – asking for Site: Indonesia Result: Draw 8 fought in Mexico City and Division: Junior fyweight Age: 21 an opportunity to continue lost an eight-round split Result: Tobido TKO 8 Nationality: Philippines in his livelihood. Texas and decision to Mexican junior Nevada could have been Age: 17 ROMAN SIMAKOV Nationality: Indonesia featherweight Cesar Juarez. Opponent: Sergey Kovalev more stringent in their Two months later, Leal OKSON PALUE Date: Dec. 5, 2011 suspension and licensing returned to his home state Opponent: Gerry Dio Site: Russia procedures, but it is unlikely of Baja California and won Toisuta Division: Light a Mexican prizefghter an eight-round unanimous Date: Nov. 16, 2012 heavyweight like Leal, having passed Site: Indonesia Result: Kovalev KO 7 decision over experienced Division: Flyweight Age: 27 a battery of tests in 2012 Mexican bantamweight Result: Draw 6 Nationality: Russia and built a record of 3-1 German Meraz in the city of (2 KOs) in 2013, would Age: 19 ANELE MAKHWELO Nationality: Indonesia Rosarito. With four months’ Opponent: Themba Ntsele have been denied a spot on rest and a full training camp ERMELITO ALIM JR. Date: Oct. 7, 2011 a Baja California Sur card, behind him, Leal then made Opponent: Ahl Grumo Site: South Africa regardless of what Texas or his fatal last match with Date: June 19, 2012 Division: Flyweight Nevada opined. Hirales on Oct. 19. Site: Philippines Result: Ntsele TKO 9 Should Leal have allowed No one who saw Leal Division: Junior Age: 22 himself to fght again? featherwreight Nationality: South Africa wheeled from ringside in San “You can’t stop yourself as Result: Alim UD 10 ANTHONY JONES Antonio expected to see him Age: 21 a fghter,” said Leija. “You Opponent: Quincy Palmer Nationality: Philippines fght again, and promoter Date: Jan 29, 2011 tell me I can’t fght? Heck Top Rank did not put him on WILLMAN RODRIGUEZ Site: U.S. (Arkansas) yeah, I can fght, and I’m another of its cards, despite GOMEZ Division: Heavyweight going to show you! You have Leal’s subsequently clean tests Opponent: Karihi Tehei Result: Palmer KO 2 to have someone there who and unfagging enthusiasm. Date: May 4, 2012 Age: 27 loves you to tell you, ‘No, “I would see him at Site: French Polynesia Nationality: U.S. that’s enough.’” the fghts in Vegas,” said Boxing is what Leal did Goodman, the Top Rank Source: Courtesy of Joseph Svinth, who maintains the for a living. If his fnal, Manuel Velazquez Collection of boxing injuries at http:// matchmaker. “And he was ejmas.com/jcs/velazquez. Velazquez, reportedly an anti- $5,000 purse was not within

Naoki Fukuda always looking for a fght. boxing activist, spent much of life chronicling ring fatalities. the same compensation

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universe as Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s or Manny Pacquiao’s, it nevertheless represented an hourly wage far greater than what most of Leal’s countrymen make on either side of the U.S.- Mexico border. What obligations do the sport of boxing and its fans have to boxing’s practitioners? Immediately following news of Leal’s hospitalization, the usual recriminations began in earnest, both in the United States and Mexico. And Leal’s manager, Miguel Barraza, has initiated legal proceedings in Mexico against the Boxing Commission of Los Cabos, Dr. Adolfo Rodriguez and the local chapter of the Red Cross, for alleged medical negligence. But fnally and just as importantly, if not as frequently asked, what obligations do boxing’s practitioners have to their sport and fans? No one gathered in Los Cabos on a Saturday night in October or at home watching the fght on TV Azteca expected or wished to see Leal sagging lifelessly on a stool, unable to raise his head or eyelids. An athlete has no more right to give his life in a sporting event than fans have to ask it of him. To the coming litany of prohibitions some will use Leal’s death to demand, add one more: Fighters expressing a willingness to die in the ring. “I always cringe when I hear that expression, ‘I’m willing to die in the ring’ or ‘I’m willing to leave it all in the ring,’” said Las Vegas matchmaker Sean Gibbons. “I really wish guys would come up with something different to say.” Tempering the language that has accrued to boxing’s warrior ethic would be a good tribute indeed to Frankie “Little Soldier” Leal.

80 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 Naoki Fukuda THE FATE OF OFFICIALS — AS WELL AS THE FIGHTERS OFFICIALS —ASWELLTHEFIGHTERS SUGGESTS THAT CORNERMENAND KNOW WHENTOCALLITANIGHT MAGOMED ABDUSALAMOV MAGOMED ABDUSALAMOV THEMSELVES —STILLDON’T ENOUGH? WHEN IS WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH back. and neverstoppedf ghting Mike Perez threw athim (right) tookeverything Magomed Abdusalamov By Gordon Marino OPINION be hisorbitalbone(eyesocket) HBO teamsuggesteditmight swollen andcontortedthatthe then, thesideofhisfacewasso eyelid wascutintheseventh. By was bustedinthesecond. His hand inthef rst round. Hisnose got theworstofit. Hebrokehis 18 knockoutsinasmanyf ghts, Abdusalamov, whohadboasted the orderofGattivs. Ward, but City. Itwasapitchedbattleon clashed onNov. 2inNew York M doctors brought himoutofthe coma. Late inNovember, the and wasplacedintoaninduced suffered astrokethenextday to makeanewlifeintheStates, a fatherofthreewhowastrying surgery. Verysadly, Abdusalamov, on hisbrainandtookhiminto doctors detectedabloodclot of headachesanddizziness. The patched up. There hecomplained to RooseveltHospitalget eventually madehiswaybycab complimented hisopponentand announced, Abdusalamov unanimous decision. nearly enough. Perezearneda reel off31punches. Itwasnot kept pressingandmanagedto minutes, theinjuredf ghter end. Eveninthef nal three continued attackingtothevery of agargoyle, Abdusalamov of painandhisfacelikethat apron. With hishandanode looked inathimoverthering In thelaterrounds, twodoctors never beenpastthef fth round. from Abdusalamov, whohad Perez hadstartedtopullaway my faceallright?” Bymid-f ght, f ghter askedwithconcern, “Is broken. At onepoint, theRussian rather thanhisnosethatwas After thedecisionwas 2.14 /RINGTV.COM 1.14 /RINGTV.COM contenders, heavyweight two undefeated Mike Perez, and Abdusalamov agomed 81 81 SPECIAL PACKAGE FATEFUL BLOWS

coma but he began running about the sharp shots that he said, “was responding to a high fever and he was put Abdusalamov absorbed, but everything we were saying. He back under. His life hung in the did the ringside physicians miss never told us about the hand. We balance at press time. something? Nathan Lewkowicz, never felt like we had to ask him “All we can do is pray that he Abdusalamov’s promoter, hinted if he wanted to continue. He’s survives, pray that he can come that the fact that Abdusalamov such a warrior. He was coming out of this and lead a normal was speaking Russian might forward. He is a big puncher. life,” Boris Grinburg, his grief have made it diff cult for the … When I jumped in the ring, I stricken manager, told me. doctors and referee to gauge touched his nose and he didn’t Abdusalamov never visited the Abdusalamov’s level of distress. f inch. Didn’t seem to be in canvas and attacked relentlessly But there were interpreters in the terrible pain.” throughout the battle. So while corner. Lampley observed that Should this tragedy have been the New York State Athletic when such punishment is being averted? I think so, but it would Commission was reviewing the dished out, the ring doctors ought have required overriding at bout, there is no obvious reason to come through the ropes and least one criterion that exists to believe that Benjy Esteves, the get a good, close-up look at the in the public mind for halting a referee, was wrong to allow the boxers they are trying to protect. contest. Boxing fans and not a contest to continue. It would be useful to know how few off cials seem to believe that “I have seen six deaths in the frequently state commissions as long as a distressed f ghter is ring,” HBO commentator Jim reprimand or dismiss ring responsive to questions and still Lampley said a few days after doctors, but one thing is certain: mounting an offense, the bout the bout, “and almost all of After the beating Abdusalamov should be allowed to continue. those tragic deaths involved at endured, he should have been And yet, just because a boxer least one of two things: one rushed by ambulance directly to continues to push leather, it does guy continually getting hit with the emergency room. not mean that he or she is not in sharp punches that are not in I was unable to reach John dire danger. There are levels of and of themselves enough for David Jackson, Abdusalamov’s risk that are unacceptable. a knockout, and the doctors trainer. However, his deeply I recently spoke with two of missing something.” saddened cutman, Melvin Rivas, the most respected third men There can be no doubt was willing to speak. “Mago,” in boxing, Jack Reiss and Joe

Abdusalamov might not have ended up in a coma if off cials used different criteria to determine when a f ght should be stopped.

AN EXPERT’S VIEW Dr. Charles Bernick, who leads the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, said f ghters rely wholly on ringside off cials for their safety during f ghts. • Bernick said: “The ability to recognize when a f ghter may be in danger of a serious brain injury during a f ght requires a heightened level of awareness and common sense. There often is no single indicator that would reveal whether a f ghter is developing a deadly bleed in the brain versus a severe concussion. Ringside personnel need to err on the side of protecting the f ghter, particularly if potential warning signs are present: the f ghter is taking a large number of blows to the head; their ability to protect themselves is waning; their reaction time is slowing, or there is some impairment of their ability to focus; being dazed or stunned. Until we can develop a ringside means to image the brain, the decision is in the hands of those the f ghter has entrusted: his corner, the ringside physician and the referee.”

82 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 MAGOMED ABDUSALAMOV

Cortez. “When I start to worry Hall-of-fame referee Joe Cortez order to have their hand raised. that a fghter is looking like said ringside offcials must act Indeed, even with all we know he might be in trouble,” Reiss quickly and decisively. about head injuries, we lavish said, “there is a set of criteria “Time is of the essence where more praise on the boxer who that I immediately begin going possible brain injuries are recklessly puts his brain cells through in my head. 1. Can he concerned,” he said. “… There at risk than on a pure sweet win it mathematically? 2. Does are procedural changes that scientist such as Guillermo he have a puncher’s chance ? would save some ticks off the Rigondeaux. As Bob Dylan 3. Does he really want to go clock, like waving the count crooned in “Who Killed Davey on? 4. What is best for boxing? off in an obvious KO situation, Moore”: “We just wanted to see 5. Does the fghter have any not permitting interviews after a good old fashioned fght,” not a noticeable physical damage?” knockouts and taking KO boxing exhibition. Trainers should have a similar, victims directly to the emergency After his recent decision victory well-rehearsed checklist in their room.” (Something that clearly over Canelo Alvarez, Floyd minds, a list that will help them should have happened with Mayweather Jr. said, “I truly keep their priorities in order in Abdusalamov.) Cortez also believe I could have banged with the white heat of the moment. suggests that referees not be Canelo and eventually knocked One of the criteria that can lead required to pick up the score him out in probably the eighth to problems is “the puncher’s cards from judges between round. But I could have taken chance.” Doubtless this hope rounds, “since that costs us 15- a lot of punishment also, which was fashing like a neon sign 20 seconds that could be spent could have messed my career in the minds of Abdusalamov’s better determining what kind of a up to where I wouldn’t have cornermen. After all, their condition a boxer is in.” been able to fght four more man had sleeping powder in his Cortez and Reiss concur that fghts. … It hurts my feelings mitts. But puncher’s chance or trainers are the ones who should to look at (Muhammad) Ali’s no, the ref and corner must focus know better than anyone else situation. He fought for the on the punches absorbed and the when their fghter is getting to people, to please them. You’ve havoc those punches can bring to that place in which, Reiss said, got to fght to please yourself the brain. “the boxer cannot intelligently frst. Self-preservation.” Many In the middleweight title bout protect him or herself.” After all, boxing fends will roll their eyes that followed the Abdusalamov trainers understand best what at Mayweather’s admission. One vs. Perez tussle, Curtis Stevens kind of condition their fghter commented: “And that’s why was getting hammered by is in and what their baseline of I will never pay 60 bucks to Gennady Golovkin’s hands of responsiveness is when healthy. watch Mayweather fght!” But stone. After the eighth round, Of course, the cornerman who Mayweather is adamant, saying Stevens’s corner wisely ran puts the health of his fghter “I don’t see anything cool about up the white fag. They said above all else has to be willing taking punishment.” Yet boxing “enough” even though it was a – a la Eddie Futch in Ali-Frazier audiences seem to, as long as we title fght and it would have been III – to face the ire of the boxer are not the ones getting our eye reasonable for them to think that when that white towel fies sockets smashed in. the powerful Stevens would carry over the ropes. But at least that Boxers are adults, and when a “puncher’s chance” into the fghter will be healthy enough the gatekeepers fall asleep at later rounds. to campaign again. And as Mike their station, fghters have to All it takes is one punch, right? Tyson once told me, “You will have the mettle to “tap out.” Right. And all it takes is one also save his confdence, because Though it goes against their punch to add one more name to in a few weeks he’ll start thinking deeply ingrained instincts and all the long, sad ledger of boxing that he could have won if it the rhetoric that has been ringing fatalities and fghters suffering weren’t for his wimpy trainer in their ears for years about from brain injury. Indeed, over a stopping the fght.” never quitting, fghters must be six-week period, we lost Frankie As the recent Gatti-Ward HBO able to say what the dauntless Leal after a bout in Mexico and documentary attests, American Mike Alvarado whispered in his Naoki Fukuda three boxers have had brain audiences swoon over two men battle with Ruslan Provodikov: surgery as a result of beatings who are willing to absorb a “That’s enough” – at least for taken in the ring. It is too much. lifetime’s worth of punishment in tonight.

2.141.14 / RINGTV.COM 83 RYOTA MURATA:

Ryota Murata stands out among Japanese A BRIGHT fghters for a number of TOMORROW? reasons. JAPANESE MIDDLEWEIGHT GOLD MEDALIST IS TAKING AN UNUSUAL ROUTE IN HIS PURSUIT OF STARDOM By Norm Frauenheim

84 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 apan’s boxing history includes an entertaining fantasy, a pulp-fction J character with more incarnations than Rocky has sequels. Joe Yabuki, the protaganist of a comic book series frst published in 1968 called Ashita no Joe, went on to appear in a TV series, movies, and video games. There was even a real-life imitation in Joichiro “Joe” Tatsuyoshi, a bantamweight who was wildly popular in Japan in the 1990s. As a story, it’s about as believable as Sylvester Stallone’s Balboa in his blood- and-guts fantasy against Apollo Creed. Yet you don’t need to read the subtitles to know Joe Yabuki. He’s that familiar kid, poor and alone, with no chance at a tomorrow until he steps into the ring. In English or Japanese, from Philadelphia to Tokyo, it’s a boxing theme repeated often enough to be understood in any language and on any street corner. It’s even in the title, Ashita no Joe. Translation: Tomorrow’s Joe. It’s the tomorrow part that applies to Ryoto Murata. So far, Murata is no ordinary Joe. He has a Top Rank contract and a 2012 Olympic gold medal – Japan’s second boxing gold ever and the nation’s frst since 1964. He’s also the frst Japanese middleweight to win gold. The frst of anything is news, of course. But Murata’s gold takes on some added signifcance for reasons that have transformed him into an athlete who promoter Bob Arum says is as popular as any in Japan. “He’s a huge celebrity,” said Arum, who signed Murata in early June and will work with Teiken as his co-promoter. Arum has never resisted an opportunity to exaggerate. It’s

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part of his job defnition. But Chinese market from the ground Championships to South Korea. huge sports celebrities in Japan up. It’s a little bit like trying to Nobody knows how Murata will are either sumo wrestlers or fnd the next Michael Phelps in fare as a pro, but his manager baseball players. It’s where Texas a country without a swimming is a proven commodity. Murata Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish pool. Compare that to what is the prospect, but his alliance learned how to throw a slider Murata brings to the table. He with Dentsu is the piece that and New York Yankees outfelder already has a fan base, which made it a no-brainer for Arum Ichiro Suzuki learned how to hit Top Rank says has multiplied and his Asian enterprise. just about everything. with casual fans excited about a In what also appears to be a If, however, Murata can rare gold medal for Japan. good ft, Murata shares Arum’s even begin to approach their “More people watch the global perspective. That’s a popularity, Arum has found a Olympics than boxing,” Murata departure from many of the best key prospect in a sophisticated said through an interpreter while Japanese boxers before him. market important to Top Rank’s training in Las Vegas at the Top For the most part, they stayed emerging business plan. It’s Rank Gym. “If you win a gold in Japan and fought within a global. Arum is signing prospects medal, many people in Japan system that contractually ties the way the U.K. once collected know you, maybe more for that boxers to gyms and is strictly colonies. He already had gold medal than what sport you won regulated by the Japanese medalists from Russia (Egor it in. An Olympic medal, it’s for Boxing Commission (JBC). Mekhontsev) and Ukraine all of the people.” In part, that explains why (Vasyl Lomachenko), and a few An alliance with Japan’s biggest the International Boxing Hall months after signing Murata, advertising and media company, of Fame in Canastota, N.Y., Arum signed Esquiva Falcao, a Dentsu, is a sure sign of Murata’s includes only one Japanese boxer Brazilian who lost to Murata for widespread popularity. Dentsu – Masahiko “Fighting” Harada, the gold medal at the London signed on to manage Murata. a world bantamweight champion Olympics. At this rate, the sun The corporate giant already in the 1960s and the only man will never set on the old British has some heavyweight clients, to beat Brazil’s Eder Jofre, one of Empire or Top Rank. including Kraft, Verizon, Pfzer, the greatest bantamweights ever. Murata is another potential JP Morgan Chase and The Wall Harada beat Jofre twice, frst in way for Arum to sell the sport Street Journal. There’s not a loser Nagoya and then in Tokyo. throughout Asia, where Top on that list. In Murata, Dentsu In a 62-bout career, Harada Rank has already staged three must see a way to extend its (55-7, 22 KOs) fought outside cards, including the Nov. 23 pay- reach into sports marketing. of Japan only three times – per-view show featuring Filipino According to the Asian edition Bangkok, Los Angeles and Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon of The Economist, Dentsu Sydney. The great Harada might Rios in Macau, China’s version purchased the broadcast rights have remained anonymous of the Las Vegas strip. Unlike for the 2014 Sochi Winter if the greater Jofre had not Chinese junior fyweight Zou Games and the 2016 Rio de been willing to travel. Imagine Shiming, a three-time Olympian Janeiro Summer Games for a Gennady Golovkin. If he were a and two-time gold medalist (also large swath of Asia. The deal Japanese fghter, Golovkin might signed with Top Rank), Murata with the International Olympic just be a name in Asia with an comes from a country with a Committee (IOC) includes unbeaten record and a closet full boxing history and infrastructure. Afghanistan, Brunei, Burma, of acronym-sanctioned title belts. At one level or another, the Cambodia, East Timor, Hong But the well-traveled Kazakhstani Japanese have been answering Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, probably wouldn’t be the an opening bell ever since Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua middleweight known and feared watching American sailors box New Guinea, the Philippines, by so many, including Murata. on the decks of Navy ships Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand “He is the best,” Murata when Admiral Matthew Perry’s and Vietnam. quickly said in English. feet landed in 1854. Only four Dentsu was reported to have In any language, it’s understood decades ago, boxing in China been a major player in bringing that Golovkin and Pacquiao have was still against a law enforced the last World Swimming become the model for what an by Mao Zedong. Championships to Shanghai and international generation hopes to Top Rank is trying to create the the last World Track & Field accomplish. There will always be

86 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 Murata was only the second Japanese boxer to win an Olympic gold medal.

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hometown decisions, but the real ‘I’M NOT THINKING more like road kill. money and fame are only there Right or wrong, tradition is for those willing to take a risk THAT IT’S FINE TO sometimes worth a few points and travel. from amateur judges infuenced “I’m not thinking that it’s fne BE DOING WELL by what they hear. In London, to be doing well just in Japan,” JUST IN JAPAN. some of those judges heard the Murata told Japanese reporters Japanese anthem for the frst when he announced in April that I THINK THAT time when Murata stepped he was going pro. “I think that onto the podium’s top pedestal you’d be considered a real deal YOU’D BE after a 14-13 decision over by doing it on the world stage.” CONSIDERED A Falcao. In 1964, Japan’s gold Murata has already proven his was a hometown victory for a road readiness. Wins are hard REAL DEAL BY bantamweight named Takao enough away from home for any Sakurai at the Tokyo Games, fghter, regardless of nationality. DOING IT ON THE where an American heavyweight For an amateur from a country WORLD STAGE.’ named Joe Frazier also won gold. with a national anthem seldom In part, Murata has no choice. heard during medal ceremonies — RYOTA MURATA He has to travel if he hopes to

at the Olympic boxing venue, it’s carve out a boxing career. His Naoki Fukuda

88 RINGTV.COM / 1.142.14 he wins one, he’d be only the the Olympics.” Murata has no choice but to second Japanese middleweight to Arum believes it won’t be long train and fght do so. Shinji Takehara was the before Murata gets his title shot. abroad because frst, winning the World Boxing “Sure, he needs some of his size. Association’s version in 1995. seasoning,” said Arum, who “This is a worldwide weight mentioned Golovkin, Sergio class,” Murata said. “And there Martinez and Julio Cesar are so many superstars. I’m Chavez Jr. as possible Murata training hard in order to be one foes. “But in maybe a year and of those.” half, he could be ready to fght It’s also why he trained in for a world title. He’s a cut Las Vegas with well-traveled above most young fghters.” cornerman Miguel Diaz for his As for his style, Murata says second scheduled bout on Dec. 6 he was inspired by his childhood in Tokyo against Dave Peterson favorite, Puerto Rican great (13-1, 8 KOs), a left-handed Felix Trinidad. He laughs when American who had fought all asked if was born with an BIG HAUL Top Rank of his bouts in Minnesota, aggressive streak. strikes gold by Wisconsin, South Dakota and “No, no, no,” he said. “My signing four Pennsylvania. In Las Vegas, there mother (Kazuko) is an educator. 2012 Olympic are more sparring partners who My dad (Seiji) is a government champions. To read the story, are similar in size to the 6-foot, employee, a social worker for go to http://bit. 160-pound Murata. people who have been abused. ly/1bdPYBz or “Yes, there is just a limit to My parents are gentle people. scan the QR how many partners I can fnd But when I was young and just code. in Japan,” said Murata, who starting to box, I loved Trinidad also is seeking to put an edge and I would try to watch as on an aggressive style he says he many of his fghts as I could. prefers. “He was exciting and went It’s that aggressiveness, after that knockout. In the combined with maturity, that gym, I tried to be like him. gives Murata an advantage over Unfortunately, I don’t have the most of the Olympians who left hand that he had.” have just embarked on their pro But he does appear to have careers, Arum says. Murata, a potent right. In his debut, weight dictates it. There are few reportedly 119-19 as an amateur, Murata’s aggressiveness was middleweights in Japan. The JBC is 27. On average, he’s about immediately evident. Successive has its own ratings and Murata fve years older than most of the right hands knocked down is already No. 1 after winning boxers who fought at the 2012 Shibata in the opening round. his pro debut, a second-round Olympics. And he has what Arum Late in the second, Murata stoppage of journeyman Akio sees as an element that sells these threw the right behind an Shibata on Aug. 25 in Tokyo. days: He goes for knockouts. accurate jab, knocking him But Murata is among only “He’s exciting and, according into the ropes. A dazed eight middleweights ranked in to the people who know, he’s Shibata slumped and appeared the JBC’s 160-pound category. ready for the pros,” said Arum, defenseless. The referee ended it There are no light heavyweights, who plans for Murata to also at 2:24 of the round. no cruiserweights and a only a fght in Macau on Feb. 22. “He The crowd, including a jubilant handful of heavyweights. Most fought like a professional when Arum, celebrated and presented of the ranked fghters are in the he was an amateur. He had that gifts to Murata. It was as if the smallest divisions – from 108 style. He bangs. audience wanted to thank him pounds to 126. “He really can fght. Most for the gold they hadn’t seen in To pursue a major Olympic athletes, because of the such a long time. middleweight title, Murata says scoring system, fght defensively. Maybe it was the beginning of he has to go international. If But Murata fought like a pro in a real Tomorrow.

2.141.14 / RINGTV.COM 89 LETTERS FROM EUROPE DAVID HAYE: A CAREER TO CELEBRATE THE BRASH BRITON HAS BEEN ON A ROLLERCOASTER, BUT IF IT REALLY IS OVER THIS TIME, IT WAS A GOOD RIDE

By Gareth A Davies

So it really does look over (33) and his physical health isn’t now for David Haye, who perfect, but he is generally f ne. underwent surgery to reconstruct I’ve covered Haye’s career his right shoulder in November. from small hall shows to his Largely, he succeeded and should poor showing against Wladimir be celebrated. Klitschko in Hamburg. The issue Haye had three aims: 1. for him late in his career is that Win as many genuine titles as he has been judged by fans who possible; 2. Generate as much don’t follow boxing closely on money as possible to secure his that performance and the one future f nancially; and 3. Get against Audley Harrison, which out of boxing in his prime, aged was a huge mismatch. Those 30, and in perfect physical and were the two most watched mental health. f ghts of his career. He won the European Haye has also handled his cruiserweight title and defended PR poorly at times. Fans are it three times, defeating two f ckle, though. The opinions unbeaten contenders in the on internet forums and social process. networking sites are often harsh In France, he took the RING, and unsubstantiated. WBC and WBA cruiserweight Haye was a f ne and decorated titles from Jean-Marc Mormeck, cruiserweight world champion. I the consensus No. 1 200-pound have always held the belief that f ghter in the world in 2007. He whatever he was to achieve at later added the WBO 200-pound heavyweight should always be title to the collection with a win seen as a bonus. Given his size in over Enzo Maccarinelli, unifying an era dominated by the super- the division in the process. heavyweight Klitschkos, he is not He then moved up to a natural heavyweight. Still, he heavyweight and took the WBA also was hoping for a rematch heavyweight title from Nikolay with the younger Klitschko. Valuev and twice successfully “When I retired after losing defended it, against John Ruiz to Wladimir a year ago, it left and Audley Harrison. a bitter taste in my mouth,” he He achieved goals Nos. 1 and said after he knocked out Dereck 2. As for No. 3, he is beyond 30 Chisora in June 2012 in London,

90 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 2.14 / RINGTV.COM 90 Scott Heavey/Getty Images boxing career. end ofDavidHaye’s could signalthe shoulder surgery Reconstructive maverick andlargelyself- puncher. Hewasalwaysa a dangerous, fast, concussive his gloves. advised bydoctorstohangup fve hoursofsurgeryandbeing retirement afterundergoing Fury andmightfacepermanent all-British clashwith Tyson from hismuch-anticipated of Hayeinthering. Hewithdrew I’m veryproudandhappyof.” my face. fans, itreallydidputasmileon London infrontof30,000my time ‘round, afterfghtingin his mostrecentfght. “But this Sauerland Promotions. David Price, whohassignedwith will nowturnhisattentionto venture. up mygloves,” hesaid. and thatit’s timetofnallyhang that maybeenoughis celebrate. knockouts, isclearlyacareerto do ittheirownway. Hedid. promoted. Fewhavemanagedto THROUGH FIGHTS OFNOV. 24 Murray andBillyJoeSaunders. Macklin, JamieMcDonnell, Martin order): Five more (inalphabetical 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. U.K. TOP 10 Haye willberememberedas That couldbethelastwesee “If that’s mylastfght, it’s one Haye’s trainer, Adam Booth, Good lucktohiminhisnext “The boxinggodskeephinting A recordof26-2, with24 GEORGEGROVES DAVID HAYE SCOTT QUIGG TYSON FURY RICKY BURNS CARL FRAMPTON KELL BROOK AMIR KHAN CARL FROCH DARREN BARKER Paul Butler, Matthew 2.14 /RINGTV.COM

91 LETTERS FROM EUROPE

James DeGale is on the cusp of his f rst world title shot after beating Dyah Davis. Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

92 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 JAMES DEGALE feeling with DeGale that when H James DeGale moved closer he reaches double the age he left to a super middleweight world school, next year, a world title title shot with a unanimous will be his. decision over the American Ambition burns bright as Dyah Davis, son of Olympic DeGale remains intent on gold medalist Howard Davis, in becoming the frst British Kent, England, in November. Olympic gold medalist ever to DeGale, 27 and maturing, won win a world title. It is one of the 118-110 on all three cards to enduring negative statistics to take his career run to 17 wins in blight British boxing. 18 fghts. George Groves, whom “I’m in a very good position,” he is certain to meet again, is the said DeGale. “I’m ranked highly only blemish. by all the governing bodies, and DeGale admitted that he was I’m hoping my promoter, Mick “lazy and switched off a couple Hennessy, gets me a world title of times” against Davis, but the fght. I’m ready to fght anyone.” win could earn the 2008 Olympic champion a title eliminator against Mexico’s Marco Antonio MIKE TYSON Periban. The winner could H Mike Tyson’s warts-and-all face WBC super middleweight autobiography, The Undisputed titleholder Sakio Bika. Truth – described by one of my DeGale, No. 5 in the WBC colleagues at The Telegraph rankings, told me the week of the as “the one thing left to sell: fght that he is pushing promoter his own survival, against Mick Hennessy for a world title all odds” – might face legal shot. He also told me about action in the U.K. from Frank his youth during fght week, Warren following the former explaining how he had been heavyweight champion’s expelled from school. He never admission that he was “high” went back. “I was expelled from when he fought there. school when I was 14,” he said. Warren’s solicitors are studying “I went to Barbara Speake Stage the book forensically. Tyson School and learnt dancing – tap, confessed in his autobiography, modern, street dancing – but I released in the United States did used to hide my ballet shoes in mid-November, that he when those classes came up.” spent a signifcant stretch of “Naomi Campbell (the his career addicted to cocaine supermodel) and Phil Collins and marijuana and used his (the musician) went there. “Whizzer” – a fake penis flled I did a bit of television as a with another person’s urine – to child on a show with Floella evade detection. Benjamin. So I didn’t fnish my Warren’s solicitors may schooling. All I remember is explore the possibility that Tyson boxing. I was mischievous. I did was in breach of his contract just stupid things in class, acting for the Lou Saverese and Julius like a clown.” Francis fghts, which took place He was also growing up in in Glasgow and Manchester, an area of London which at the respectively. Warren promoted time had the worst gun crime both fghts. in Europe. Those days are over. “I haven’t seen the book yet,” Luckily he managed to stay away Warren told The Telegraph from the dark corners. I have a when the book came out, “but

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 93 94 LETTERS FROMEUROPE won Olympic goldin2000. for Audley Harrisonwhenhe into hiscareer.” Gary Mason, threeorfouryears particularly gooduntilheboxed Lennox Lewisdidn’t reallylook fghts. Let’s look atitlogically: and betterfghtstougher you, demandingmoreofyou on youandpeoplequestioning chasing you, allthepressure given thetime. You havepeople get tothetop. Itdependsifheis about threeyearshardworkto “He’s very, veryraw. Heneeds clearly hungry,” Hardingtoldme. link asJoshua. Boxing Club, thesameamateur hails fromFinchley Amateur with promoterBarryHearn, the rightbackingtosucceed. believes Anthony Joshuahasall British heavyweighttitlein1989, challenger toGaryMasonforthe H JOSHUA ANTHONY is handlingthelisting. The stockbroker Allenby Capital defnition versionofthestation. more eventsandcreateahigh- overseas, buytherightsto Market listingtofundexpansion from an Alternative Investment about 5millionBritishpounds parent company, hopestoraise ago, ontheStockExchange. boxing thathesetuptwoyears television stationdevotedto to foatBoxNation, thecable that toourlawyers.” if itisthecase, we’llbeputting obviously veryconcerning. And We willwaitandsee, butitis and otherthingsinthebook. solicitors arelookingatthat once Igetacopyofit, our JessHarding, theformer Harding wasaquasi-promoter “I likehisattributes. He’s Harding, whonowworks Nation Media, thechannel’s Interestingly, Warrenplans RINGTV.COM /2.14

fnd success. it takestimeto understands that Harrison) (with Audley Anthony Joshua does goingforward.” every successwitheverything he you canspeakto. Iwishhim with himself, andhe’s someone cool guy, he’s reallyconfdent heavyweights. his takeontheotherBritish to experiencethat.” like armybootcamp, andI’dlike would sayaboutit. I’veheardit’s It dependsonwhatmycoach spar with Wladimir Klitschko. he toldme. “I’d liketogoand important thingIhavetolearn,” taking sillyshotsisthemost cycle” wouldbeperfect. “Not need anotherFrankBruno.” would begreatforthesport. We genuine, bonafdeathlete, andit can seehim. He’s anathlete. A to dothat, becauseifheis, you time. Ihopehe’s allowedtime to putthepressureon. Ittakes to putthepressureon, whennot With experience, youknowwhen nuances, yougetyourability. … head aroundit, yougetyour that whenyoustarttogetyour you’ve had20profghts. And you don’t lookanygooduntil on hisplate. believes Harrisonhadtoomuch aspirations wentawry. Harding promoter, andfromtherehis Harrison wantedtobehisown David Haye: “He’s areally Joshua hasalsooffered Joshua agreesthat “a fouryear “I’ve alwaysprofessedthat emotional. What hesayson an intelligentmanandalso are twopersonalities. He’s Telegraph Correspondent for Gareth A DaviesisBoxing wait.” a ringwithallbarHaye. Can’t he’ll probablyfndhimself in progress. Inthenextfouryears, of changesmentallyandhe’ll He justneedstomakeacouple a massiveunitandhecanbang. get himselfbackupthere. Heis to competewiththem. Pricecan as me, wouldIhavebeenable on thesquadatsametime Harrison andDavidPrice]were wonder iftheseguys[Audley Britain tolookupto. Ialways heavyweight medalistforGreat center]. He’s agreatsuper national amateurtraining is upthereinSheffeld[atthe has gotthetools. Hispicture back attheclickofafnger. He straight upcharacter.” like coolpeople. Tyson’s a is.” Vitali confdent how showed did wellnottoslaphimback. It been inthatposition. Klitschko but whoamItosay?haven’t he did[slapping Vitali Klitschko] off camera. Itwasn’t rightwhat camera isdifferenttowhatIsee Dereck Chisora: “There Dereck David Price: “He cancome Tyson Fury: “The Furysseem , London. The

JOSHUA: JACK GUEZ/AFP/GETTYIMAGES SWEET SCIENCE

One ring doctor believes an in- depth study of much become standard whether mouth equipment among professional guards protect pugilists. Some believe the the brain will be conducted within 1927 rematch between Gene a few years. Tunney and Jack Dempsey (the “long count” f ght) was the last between heavyweights not wearing mouthguards. The protective value of a mouthguard seems obvious. A well-constructed and f tted piece, Las Vegas-based orthodontist Timothy Reardon wrote in a column for SecondsOut.com, not only protects teeth from fracture and avulsion (a fancy way of saying “getting knocked out”) but also helps prevent or minimize injury to surrounding soft tissues. A good mouthguard, asserts Reardon, is also “the only defense that a professional boxer has against injuries to the brain during the course of a bout.” Maybe, maybe not. DO The physics – and physical consequences – of a f ying f st to the jaw are simple enough. MOUTHGUARDS When a blow is delivered, the contained energy is immediately transferred to the recipient’s jaw, PROTECT where tissue and bone absorb what they can and pass along the rest. A concussion occurs THE BRAIN? when that excess force snaps back the head, causing the brain to suddenly mash against the MAYBE, MAYBE NOT. DATA ARE TOO SCARCE TO hard inner surface of the skull, MAKE A DETERMINATION, BUT THAT COULD CHANGE. resulting in bruising or tearing of soft neurological tissues. By Scott LaFee The damage can be delivered in a single, devastating blow or n 1892, a London dentist also a dentist (and an amateur in repeated, smaller hits. In the named Woolf Krause created boxer), subsequently ref ned the short term, concussions cause a “gum shield” to protect gum shield’s design, using tougher symptoms like dizziness and I local boxers from lip lac- and more durable vella rubber. temporary loss of memory; in the erations caused by blows to the The junior Krause generally long-term, repeated concussions mouth and jaw. The shield con- gets credit for creating the f rst can result in permanent, severe sisted of strips of gutta-percha, reusable mouthguard. neurodegeneration. a rubbery sap from the tropical Over time, mouthguards grew In theory, an effective tree of the same name, applied in popularity among boxers, with mouthguard absorbs and over the teeth and held there by multiple makers laying claim to distributes some of the clenching them. their invention and improvement. energy that would otherwise Krause’s son, Philip, who was By the 1930s, they had pretty be transferred through the

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 95 SWEET SCIENCE

temporomandibular joint (the athletic groups (the International jaw’s “hinge”) and result in shock Olympics Committee, FIFA, to the skull or neck vertebrae. etc.) couldn’t fnd it. Earlier this Thus the covering helps protect year, the panel published its the brain from the worst of blows. fourth “Consensus Statement on For years, advocates have Concussion in Sport.” The experts claimed as much, often declared that while protective asserting that science proves devices like mouthguards can help their contentions. In 2001, an prevent some kinds of serious Australian neurologist and sports head and facial injuries, there physician named Paul McCrory continues to be no good evidence published a review of that that they prevent concussions. scientifc evidence in the British In fact, the panel concluded Journal of Sports Medicine. that wearing a mouthguard He was not impressed. The might make some athletes more claim that mouthguards prevent aggressive and reckless, increasing concussions, he said, appeared the risk of injury. to be based entirely upon a pair Joe Estwanik is a veteran boxing of studies: one that evaluated doctor and current president of the injuries occurring during the Association of Ringside Physicians 1964 Notre Dame football (ARP). He believes mouthguards season and the other, published protect “from concussion from a few years later, that used a below” but concedes convincing, cadaver to assess the damaging empirical proof is scant. effects of blows to the chin. The problem, he says, is that The frst study included less nobody has been motivated than a dozen anecdotal football enough to try to fnd it. Suitable injuries related to wear. The models are lacking. Attention data was too minimal to be has been focused elsewhere. statistically relevant. McCrory did But Estwanik insists things are not even attempt to point out the changing. The risk of concussion additional confounding factors of in boxing is as great, probably trying to compare football players greater, than in any other with boxers. sport. Scores of boxers suffer The second study employed concussions each year, diagnosed mechanistic measurements – linear and undiagnosed. The actual acceleration rates, intracranial number is unknown. pressure after impact – to deduce At a recent ARP conference, likely brain injury, but the fact Estwanik said concussion risk and that the model was, well, dead the role of mouthguards were a suggested its fndings were at major topic of conversation, if not the very least debatable. Indeed, immediate action. McCrory notes the study authors “I think you’re going to see the scrupulously refrained from needed studies done within the drawing any conclusions. They next couple of years, perhaps just reported their observations. by the military,” Estwanik said. “The ability of mouthguards “Then the debate won’t be to protect against head and whether it’s custom mouthguard spinal injuries in sport falls into versus boiled (referring to the the realm of ‘neuromythology’ practice of softening a guard in rather than hard science,” hot water and then biting down McCrory concluded. to mold it), but whether a smart It’s been more than a decade boxer wears a single arch or a since McCrory’s review. Is there double arch, which cover both more and better evidence now? sets of teeth and provides greater A panel of 32 experts protection to the jaw joint. That 96 THE RING MAGAZINE / 12.13 representing a consortium of will be progress.” © HOWARD SCHATZ © HOWARD

December 31, 2014 NEW FACES

KHALID Khalid Yafai is having trouble fnding boxers willing to YAFAI fght him, an indication of By Tom Gray what he brings to the ring. THE ESSENTIALS Age: 24 Weight class: Junior bantamweight Height: 5 feet 4 inches Stance: Orthodox Hometown: Birmingham, England Record: 9-0 (6 knockouts) Biggest strengths: Technically superb boxer-puncher H spiteful body attack H bags of international experience. Biggest question marks: Tends to switch off if not being tested H sometimes too reliant on the big punch H recent injury woes.

It is clear that British star Khalid (Kal) Yafai has a sense of himself even in the embryonic stages of his professional journey, as his bold swagger in and out of the ring would suggest. One is quick to recognize why this rapid-fre junior bantamweight is being touted by Matchroom Promotions as something very special. As a 19-year-old, Yafai represented Great Britain in the 2008 Olympics but, four years later, he was bitterly disappointed not to make the team for the London Games. Despite the setback, his voyage into the pro ranks was eagerly anticipated. “I knew Kal when he was part of Team G.B., and he was very likeable,” said Eddie Hearn, Matchroom’s managing director. “He was cocky but very talented, and his amateur pedigree made me confdent that he would get to where he needed to be very quickly.” Yafai entered the paid ranks in July 2012 and is unbeaten in nine fghts, with six knockouts. His impressive blend of speed and power, coupled with vast international experience, has led to

virtuoso performances over reluctant Clive Brunskill/Getty Images; (Right) Scott Heavey/Getty Images

98 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 3 MORE TO WATCH we’re ready to get back to full throttle. I just enjoyed wearing those little gloves again, and it’s always fun to make my entrance CALLUM JOHNSON, to my own music and get the job done.” LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT Many critics feel that the super (6-0, 3 KOS) confdent Yafai is more suited to Johnson, from Lincolnshire the professional game because he county in England, is a powerful has bursting power in both hands, and compact 175-pounder opponents. That has made it but those who mentor him are with quick hands. The 28-year- diffcult on matchmakers. keen for the former Olympian to old, known as “The One,” is a “It’s almost impossible to secure rely on fnesse and economy. former Commonwealth gold opponents,” said Hearn. “There “The speed and power are medalist. He is guided by are fghters who will take Kal on natural attributes,” co-trainer acclaimed Manchester coach for domestic titles, because that Peter Sims said. “Kal has worked Joe Gallagher. Only serious involves decent money, but there so hard on perfecting the basics, issue is inactivity. is zero interest in six-rounders. In but he does have the tendency to his most recent fght, he was lined get a bit wild at times, because up to meet a Spanish kid who had his punching power can end FRANK BUGLIONI, one look at Kal the day before fghts dramatically. and pulled out.” “We want him to take his SUPER When opponents have been time, relax in the ring, and pick MIDDLEWEIGHT found, Yafai has impressed. his shots. He needs to work on But he did encounter serious his patience, but that will come (10-0, 7 KOS) adversity during a March bout with time.” Buglioni is one of the biggest against Michael Ramabeletsa: He The immediate goal is for punchers in British boxing tore his left biceps badly in the Yafai to secure a meaningful today. During the Londoner’s frst round. He managed to win assignment as soon as possible. days in the amateur ranks, he comfortably on points, but the He is desperate to make up for was notorious for chasing the injury was initially thought to be lost time. knockout and, to the delight career threatening. “Kal loves the professional of the fans, absolutely nothing “I kept cool during a disaster. game because he knows what has changed. He is handled by To have an injury like that and he wants,” said Hearn. “Sure he Queensberry Promotions. keep calm showed just how was motivated to win medals in professional I can be, even at this the amateurs, but now it’s about early stage,” Yafai said. winning titles and earning money. HAROON KHAN, Surgery was successful and, That is what Kal is about, and following a seven-month layoff, he’s very hungry for those things.” JUNIOR the popular Brit returned in Professional boxing is a BANTAMWEIGHT October with a six-round decision dangerous business. One cannot victory over late replacement blame a fghter for wanting to be (2-0, 1 KO) Santiago Bustos. fnancially compensated for the You guessed it, Haroon “It felt great being back,” Yafai risks he takes. Yafai is not unique Khan is the younger brother said. “I just took my time, got in that regard, but he is a diligent of former world titleholder my jab working and things fell athlete who is willing to dedicate Amir. Baby brother captured into place. He did manage to himself when it matters most. Commonwealth bronze in land a big shot in the last round “Kal enjoys the hard work 2010 but was prevented from but, as my trainer says, if you and lives the life,” said Sims. representing Pakistan in the dip your toe in water, you’re “He is always first in the gym London Olympics because gonna get wet. and the last to leave. He lives he had fought for England “Things are coming together well, eats well, doesn’t drink as a junior. Trained by Oliver nicely. We just wanted to fght, and conducts himself like a true Harrison, he is adapting well to lose some ring rust, and now professional.” the pro ranks.

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 99 WOMEN’S BOXING

omen’s boxing has Ann Wolfe produced many cemented her place W great fghters over in women’s the years, but this boxing lore side of the sport isn’t known with one for spectacular knockouts, overhand right that put Vonda which we believe makes this list Ward to sleep. particularly compelling. Here are the 10 greatest knockouts in women’s boxing history.

Christy Martin KO 1 Bethany Payne 10 Nov. 9, 1996 On the night Evander Holyfeld upset Mike Tyson, the undercard saw women’s boxing pioneer Christy Martin make short work of an overmatched Bethany Payne. And while Payne had no business being in the ring with “The Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Martin was at her fearsome best, delivering a vicious left-right that literally knocked her foe out on her feet. That prompted referee Kenny Bayless to stop the fght.

Ava Knight KO 2 Arely Mucino 9 Oct. 29, 2011 Ava Knight, who was on THE RING’s pound-for-pound list, traveled all the way to Mexico to pin the frst loss on the record of home-country favorite Arely 10 Mucino. Knight unloaded a combination to the body before going upstairs with a left hook that put Mucino on the deck with an eerie, wide-eyed look on GREATEST her face as the bout was halted.

Lucia Rijker KO 5 Marcela Eliana Acuna KO’S EVER 8 Sept. 25, 1998 How good was Lucia Rijker? THE WOMEN HAVE DELIVERED THEIR Just look at Marcela Eliana Acuna’s pound-for-pound resume SHARE OF HELLACIOUS STOPPAGES. since this 1998 bout, which saw HERE ARE THE 10 MOST SPECTACULAR. Rijker break down the Argentina Thomas Gerbasi By native with thudding hook after Scott Heavey/Getty Images

100100 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 POUND FOR POUND thudding hook. A left to the body mat as if she were shot. A count ended this masterpiece in the ffth wasn’t necessary. 1. CECILIA BRAEKHUS, Norway round. Bridgett Riley KO 9 23-0 (7 KOs) Jelena Mrdjenovich KO 6 Aicha Lahsen Welterweight Franchesca Alcanter 3 June 26, 1998 7 Nov. 18, 2005 Not only one of the top 2. ANNE SOPHIE MATHIS, Arguably the sport’s premier knockouts of all time, this was France knockout artist, Canadian also one of the best female fghts 27-3 (23 KOs) Jelena Mrdjenovich stopped ever. Dropped and hurt in the Junior middleweight Franchesca Alcanter in their frst round, Bridgett “Babydoll” two championship bouts. In Riley roared back and fnished 3. JELENA MRDJENOVICH, the frst, a vicious left hook matters in the ninth with a Canada from Mrdjenovich nearly spun looping left hook that sent Aicha 30-9-1 (15 KOS) Alcanter 360 degrees. Lahsen down and out, thrilling Featherweight fans watching on ESPN. Alejandra Marina Oliveras 4. AVA KNIGHT, U.S. KO 8 Jackie Nava Anne Sophie Mathis 12-2-3 (5 KOs) 6 May 20, 2006 KO 7 Holly Holm Flyweight Already down twice early in 2 Dec. 2, 2011 their 122-pound title fght, Jackie Riding a 24-fght streak 5. YESICA YOLANDA BOPP, Nava, of Mexico, battled back blemished only by a draw, Argentina against Argentina’s Alejandra pound-for-pound queen Holly 25-1 (11 KOs), Marina Oliveras. But in the Holm seemed to be unbeatable Junior fyweight eighth round, Nava walked into when she faced off with a left hook that planted her on France’s Anne Sophie Mathis 6. ERICA ANABELLA FARIAS, her face, prompting an immediate in Albuquerque. But Mathis stoppage. took the fght to Holm from the Argentina opening bell, and in the seventh 18-0 (9 KOs) Ijeoma Egbunine KO 2 she lowered the boom with two Lightweight Valerie Mahfood right hands that dropped the 5 Feb. 18, 2006 battered Holm and ended the 7. JESSICA CHAVEZ, Mexico If Valerie Mahfood was known fght. 19-3-3 (4 KOs) for one thing in her career, it was Junior fyweight her iron chin. Ijeoma Egbunine Ann Wolfe KO 1 of Nigeria proved Mahfood was Vonda Ward 8. MELISSA HERNANDEZ, human, though, using a straight 1 May 8, 2004 Puerto Rico right followed by a left hook to Poor Vonda Ward. Despite 18-5-3 (6 KOs) drop Mahfood to her knees in a putting together a 23-1 record Featherweight truly shocking fnish. over the course of her career, the 6-foot-6 former college 9. DIANA PRAZAK, Australia Jelena Mrdjenovich KO 9 basketball star will always be 12-2 (8 KOs) Olivia Gerula remembered for her starring Junior lightweight 4 Dec. 9, 2011 role in Ann Wolfe’s highlight After losing a 2009 bout to reel. An overhand right crashed 10. MARCELA ELIANA ACUNA, fellow Canadian Olivia Gerula, on Ward’s chin like a hand Argentina Jelena Mrdjenovich had grenade, instantly knocking 40-6-1 (17 KOs) payback on her mind in their her out after just 68 seconds. Junior featherweight 2011 rematch. She got it. And The win added to Wolfe’s then some. One of the scariest legend, making it even more Through fghts of Nov. 24. knockouts on this list, Gerula got disappointing that she never had Note: Layla McCarter was removed caught with a crushing left hook the opportunity to exchange because of inactivity. She has not and dropped face frst to the punches with Laila Ali. fought since Sept. 30, 2012.

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RINGSIDE REPORTS

That Bernard Hopkins (left) beat Karo Murat was no surprise. The fact he did it in an entertaining way was.

BERNARD HOPKINS KOs) continued to look as if he found were included in the punch count. UD 12 KARO MURAT the fountain of youth that eluded Only a knockout eluded Hopkins, Date: Oct. 26 Ponce de Leon with a unanimous who hasn’t enjoyed a stoppage Site: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, N.J. decision that made Karo Murat, 30, since a 2004 victory over Oscar Division: Light heavyweight look old. De La Hoya. Nine years without Weights: Hopkins 172.5 pounds; It was entertaining because a stoppage is a long time, but not Murat 174 Hopkins suddenly decided there’s nearly as long as Hopkins’ career, Ring rating (going into the fght): more to boxing than conditioning which started in 1988. Hopkins No. 1; Murat No. 6 and skill. Showmanship is as The immediate question: Against Network: Showtime fundamental as a jab. Hopkins whom will it continue? Hopkins put it all together with another mentioned welterweight and pound- H A few days before Halloween, performance in boxing’s longest- for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. Bernard Hopkins stepped through running act. No word from Mayweather on that the ropes wearing a mask. It was In defending a 175-pound title he one. Don’t expect one. lime-green ugly, ugly enough to scare took from Tavoris Cloud in March, More realistic possibilities include a real alien. Hopkins threw more punches than feared Adonis Stevenson, Sergey “Aliens don’t have years, months, the younger Murat, 565-486. He Kovalev, Lucian Bute and a rematch days or minutes,” Hopkins said. landed more, 247-140, and at a with Jean Pascal. Then there’s a Don’t have much in the way of higher rate, 44 percent to 30 percent. potential biggie against RING super challengers to his reign as boxing’s In the seventh round, he hurt Murat middleweight champion Andre Ward, No. 1 senior citizen, either. (25-2-1, 15 KOs) with a combo who re-asserted his claim on a spot There’s no costume that disguises followed by a body shot. In the among the pound-for-pound’s Top 5 or emphasizes his long career. Maybe eighth, he bloodied Murat over the with a victory over Edwin Rodriguez. the infnity sign would do it. It’s more left eye with lefts. And just to make But television affliations stand in the appropriate than the X he fashed sure there were some laughs en route way. Stevenson, Kovalev, Bute and in pre-Alien days, when he called to a 119-108, 119-108, 117-110 Ward are tied to HBO. Hopkins is a himself The Executioner. Let’s just decision, Hopkins turned Murat Showtime fghter. call him amazing. around in the ffth and kissed him, “Showtime has the best light Nearly three months before his frst on the neck and then on the heavyweight in the world, but I’m

ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images 49th birthday, Hopkins (54-6-2, 32 head. No word on whether the kisses game to fght anybody,” Hopkins

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 103 RINGSIDE REPORTS

told ringside reporters. “Fans need on his right shoulder. At issue was Perhaps he’s been under-promoted. to protest.” whether he still possessed pound- He tried to break away from For one night, at least, they got for-pound credentials convincing promoter Dan Goossen, but an to cheer. enough to keep him at No. 2 behind arbitrator ruled for Goossen. More — Norm Frauenheim Floyd Mayweather Jr. Check, and problematic might be the lack of a check. The shoulder and credentials real challenge at 168 pounds. After ANDRE WARD UD 12 appeared to be as healthy as ever winning the super middleweight EDWIN RODRIGUEZ throughout a 12-round display of tournament and beating Chad Date: Nov. 16 Ward’s consummate skill set. Dawson, Ward has searched for Site: Citizens Business Bank Arena, From jabs to body shots, Ward a marketable name that might Ontario, Calif. (27-0, 14 KOs) seemed to land transform critical acclaim into Division: Super middleweight everything and then some in scoring commercial success. Kelly Pavlik Weights: Ward 167.8 pounds; a 118-106, 117-107, 116-108 offered him that potential. As soon as Rodriguez 170 victory. The judges were too kind. an agreement with Pavlik was struck, Ring rating (going into the fght): Ward unloaded an arsenal the left however, that opportunity was gone. Ward Champion; Rodriguez No. 7 Rodriguez (24-1, 16 KOs) confused Pavlik retired. Network: HBO and shut out of any way to retaliate. Now he could turn to aging light “Edwin was not trying to win heavyweight Bernard Hopkins, H It was another clinic from a fghter rounds,” said Ward, who boosted his unreliable Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and whose textbook ability had not purse to $2 million with $100,000 Gennady Golovkin. Hopkins has a been seen for more than a year. The he collected from Rodriguez for a legacy, but he might be 50 before result was no surprise. Andre Ward is failure to make weight, 168 pounds. Ward gets a shot at him. Chavez expected to be fawless and he was in “He was just trying to get lucky.” might create a Ward following a decision more one-sided than even Again and again, luck has proved among Mexican fans, boxing’s the overwhelming advantage on the to be a fool’s tactic against Ward. biggest demographic. But at what cards over Edwin Rodriquez, who Yet luck hasn’t exactly been kind to weight? Sumo? Chavez has a serious didn’t have a chance and never acted him, either. Since winning America’s name, but a cavalier work ethic. as if he thought he had one. last Olympic gold medal in boxing Golovkin is a feared middleweight, This was only about Ward and at the 2004 Athens Games, Ward but 168 pounds might be eight more where he stood in the resumption has remained unbeaten and mostly than he can go. of his career. A lot was made unappreciated. Thus far, the big “I got no problem fghting about how he would react after 14 money, Mayweather and Pacquiao anybody, anytime,” Ward said. months on the shelf after surgery money, has eluded him. “I’m at this stage of my career

RING super middleweight champ Andre Ward (left) had his way with Edwin Rodriguez in a near- shutout victory. George Groves (right) was devastated when his fght against Carl Froch was stopped prematurely.

where it’s whatever.” happened then, however, is a debate by the ninth. The referee made the Which makes the whoever more that won’t go away for a long time, wrong decision.” important than ever. or at least not until U.K. fans get Froch, of Nottingham, had — Norm Frauenheim some resolution in a rematch. a different take, of course. The Going into the ninth, Froch (32-2, morning after the bedlam, Froch CARL FROCH TKO 9 23 KOs) was gaining momentum yet told the BBC that Foster “saved” GEORGE GROVES still trailed 78-73, 76-75 and 76-75 Groves’ career. Date: Nov. 23 on the cards when referee Howard “Groves turned his back on me Site: Phones 4U Arena, Manchester, Foster suddenly stepped in, put and was slumping down to the foor, England Groves (19-1, 15 KOs) in a headlock his arms were collapsed and his Division: Super middleweight and ended it in favor of Froch at head was hanging, and he wasn’t Weights: Carl Froch 167.75 pounds; 1:32 of the round. defending himself,” said Froch, George Groves 166.8 A crowd of about 20,000 roared who took the pre-fght trash talk Ring rating (going into the fght): in disapproval. It booed Groves up a few decibels by calling Groves Froch No. 1; Groves No. 5 when he entered the ring, yet embarrassing, childish and just Network: Sky Sports, AWE cheered him when he left. David about everything but dangerous. Haye and Amir Khan, analysts for “So I don’t think the referee had any H If controversy produces Sky Sports, expressed outrage at choice. Now if the referee did not rematches, Carl Froch-George what they argued was a premature jump in, who would be to blame?” Groves II is a lock. stoppage. Fans and commentators There was agreement only on That’s probably not what Froch alike thought Groves, of London, a rematch, possibly in the spring had in mind for 2014. By all had earned the right to fght on of 2014. accounts, Froch was thinking more despite a Froch right that turned “I’d love a rematch,” Groves said. about a rematch with Andre Ward, him to one side and left him “It’s just a shame that it might come which might have been a perspective unsteady. Foster apparently judged about with me as the challenger. that blinded him to the here and that Groves was also defenseless. It should happen with me as the now. He could have been looking No, said Groves, who was champion.” ahead instead of at a right hand from left with a nasty bruise under his OK, said Froch, who retained the Groves that knocked him down in left eye. IBF 168-pound title. the frst round. “This fight should never have “Let’s have a rematch and sort it It was a wake-up call, early enough been stopped,” Groves told out,” he said. for Froch to focus on the immediate reporters at ringside. “I was There’ll be no stoppage of the and time enough for him to take dictating the fight, winning the jab controversy if they don’t. — Norm Frauenheim

LEFT: NAOKI FUKUDA; RIGHT: SCOTT HEAVEY/GETTY IMAGES SCOTT HEAVEY/GETTY NAOKI FUKUDA; RIGHT: LEFT: the fght into later rounds. What exchanges, and his tank was empty

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NO. 5 PETER DEONTAY NO. 4 KELL NO. 1 GIOVANI QUILLIN WILDER BROOK KO 4 GENNADY SEGURA TKO 10 KO 4 NICOLAI VYACHESLAV GOLOVKIN KO 12 GABRIEL FIRTHA SENCHENKO TKO 8 NO. 3 ROSADO Oct. 26, Atlantic City, Oct. 26, Sheffeld, NO. 9 HERNAN Oct. 26, Atlantic City, N.J. (Showtime) England (AWE) CURTIS MARQUEZ N.J. (Showtime) STEVENS Nov. 2, Hermosillo, H H It’s beginning to The next stop for Kell Nov. 2, New York City Mexico (UniMas) H Peter Quillin resemble target practice: Brook could be his frst (HBO) kept himself in the Thirty fghts, thirty opportunity to fght for a H Winning, losing or knockouts. major world title. middleweight hunt. H Gennady Golovkin somewhere in between, Deontay Wilder’s run Brook (31-0, 21 KOs) But it wasn’t easy, beat Curtis Stevens, Giovani Segura knows continued against Nicolai had little trouble with and it wasn’t without forcing the New Yorker to only one way to fght: Firtha, who lasted longer former welterweight controversy. It never quit after eight rounds. with vicious intent. than Audley Harrison titleholder Vyacheslav is against the tough But forget Stevens. Segura, the former and Sergei Liakhovich Senchenko (34-2, 23 and hard-luck Gabriel Golovkin’s real victory junior fyweight but not by much. Wilder KOs) at Motorpoint Rosado. was measured by the titleholder from Mexico, took care of those two Arena, putting the The powerful size of HBO’s audience. seemed to be winning within one round. Firtha Ukrainian down once in Quillin (30-0, 22 KOs) According to Nielsen, handily going into the was gone within fve. But the third and again with scored a second-round 1.41 million tuned in fnal round of a brutal who’s counting? a vicious combination knockdown. But Rosado to see Golovkin (28-0, battle with one-time Wilder’s evident that ended the fght 2:57 (21-7, 13 KOs) kept 25 KOs) batter and fyweight champ power, which dropped into the fourth. coming and began to silence the trash-talking Hernan Marquez (36-4, Firtha (21-11, 8 KOs) Senchenko, whose give Quillin some trouble Stevens (25-4, 18 26 KOs) in Marquez’s twice before a right hand only loss had been a in the middle rounds, KOs). The beatdown home region in Sonora. ended it at 1:26 of the ninth-round TKO against especially the fourth. was another example Marquez went down in fourth, has sent a buzz Paulie Malignaggi, boxed In the ninth, however, of why Golovkin is the Rounds 4 and 11. through the heavyweight well early in the fght, Quillin cut Rosado world’s most feared If Segura had any division. It has also but the quicker, stronger above the left eye. Forty middleweight, who now thoughts of holding back generated inevitable Brook quickly closed seconds into the 10th, has found some power in the fnal three minutes, skepticism about the the distance to infict ringside physician Dr. at the negotiating table though, he didn’t follow quality of Wilder’s debilitating damage. Blair Bergen ended it in with a growing fan base. through. Segura (31-3-1, opponents. Wilder’s 30- The fght was billed spite of angry complaints “I want to fght Sergio 27 KOs) and Marquez for-30 is also creating as an IBF title eliminator, from Rosado. Martinez,” Golovkin engaged in a thrilling inevitable talk about meaning Brook is now in “This is the story of said of the RING extended exchange until Wladimir Klitschko, who line to fght the winner my life,” said Rosado, middleweight champ. Segura caught Marquez moves more and hits of the Dec. 7 matchup whose chances against The aging Argentine with a left that put the harder than any target. between beltholder Gennady Golovkin came might be more inclined to hometown boy down and But the next step Devon Alexander and to an abrupt end nine take on Miguel Cotto. But out with one second to for Wilder might be a Shawn Porter for that months earlier when the numbers are making go in the fght. prudent decision to face sanctioning body’s that fght was stopped in it harder to say no to And Segura should be Tyson Fury or another 147-pound title. the seventh because of Golovkin, who plans to rewarded: He is now the contender before any talk If Brook, 27, gets cuts. “I’m the real Rocky stay busy with a Feb. 1 mandatory challenger of Klitschko. his title shot, it will Balboa.” bout in Monte Carlo. for the belt of WBA/WBO have been a long time fyweight titleholder Juan coming. He has fought Francisco Estrada. professionally since 2004.

106 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 MIKEY NONITO NO. 8 NO. 2 CHAMPION GARCIA KO 8 DONAIRE DEMETRIUS SHINSUKE YOAN PABLO NO. 2 KO 9 VIC ANDRADE YAMANAKA HERNANDEZ ROCKY DARCHINYAN SD 12 KO 9 KO 10 MARTINEZ Nov. 9, Corpus Christi, NO. 5 VANES ALBERTO ALEXANDER Nov. 9, Corpus Christi, Texas (HBO) MARTIROSYAN GUEVARA ALEKSEEV Texas (HBO) Nov. 9, Corpus Christi, Nov. 10, Tokyo Nov. 23, Bamberg, H There is nothing Texas (HBO) Germany H Mikey Garcia fortunate about a H Shinsuke Yamanaka demonstrated again that knockout. Nonito Donaire H Demetrius Andrade plies his trade within H RING cruiserweight no young boxing star earned his victory over did his job. Judge Javier view of only the most champion Yoan Pablo has much – if anything – Vic Darchinyan on the Alvarez didn’t, although hardcore boxing fans Hernandez picked up over him. Mikey Garcia-Rocky his incompetence had no in the west. Those in where he left off, more Garcia, taking part in Martinez card, stopping bearing on whose hand Japan know, though. And or less. his frst junior lightweight his rival in brutal fashion was raised. now Alberto Guevara The Cuban-German bout, dismantled in the ninth round. Andrade (20-0, does, too. hadn’t fought in 14 tough, experienced That doesn’t erase 13 KOs) used a busy Yamanaka (20-0-2, months because of Rocky Martinez to what happened in the jab to outclass fellow 15 KOs), a 31-year-old a hand injury but he take Martinez’s WBO previous eight rounds, U.S. Olympian Vanes southpaw who holds looked reasonably 130-pound title in though. Darchinyan Martirosyan (33-1-1, 21 the WBC bantamweight sharp against a capable a manner that is (39-6-1, 28 KOs), the KOs) and win the vacant title, put Guevara (18- opponent in Alexander becoming his trademark. aging fghter Donaire WBO junior middleweight 2, 6 KOs) down twice Alekseev, at least until He patiently and stopped in fve rounds title on the Mikey Garcia- in the eighth and once the late rounds. methodically broke in 2007, was winning Rocky Martinez card, his more with a big left in Hernandez (28-1, down Martinez – starting 78-74 on two cards frst major belt. the ninth. The capable 14 KOs) had built a slowly, fnding his range, after eight rounds of Andrade also Mexican, who had comfortable lead after hurting the Puerto Rican a scheduled 10-round landed many more gone the distance with nine rounds – 87-82 on repeatedly in the sixth featherweight fght. power punches than Leo Santa Cruz 11 all three cards – but was and seventh rounds No one saw that Martirosyan did (219-97, months earlier, was battling both Alekseev and then taking him coming. The Filipino- according to CompuBox) counted out 25 seconds and fatigue when a big out in the eighth with American had been to win at least eight into the round. right ended the fght at what appeared to be a dominating before he rounds. Still, Alvarez It was Yamanaka’s 1:35 of the 10th. paralyzing punch to the was outpointed by scored it 115-112 for ffth successful defense The victory was liver. Guillermo Rigondeaux Martirosyan, whose only and 13th knockout in his Hernandez’s second Another masterpiece in his previous fght, a signifcant success was last 14 fghts. And there successful defense of for one of the sport’s setback attributed to the a fash knockdown in the were few pushovers in the RING 200-pound most talented artists. Cuban’s unusual ability second round. Judges the bunch. title, which he won The only thing Garcia and Donaire’s apparent Jesse Reyes (117-110) His six title-fght by outpointing Steve (33-0, 28 KOs) lacks is lack of focus. and Don Griffn (114-113) opponents: Christian Cunningham in February a substantial resume. Donaire (32-2, 21 had the correct winner, Esquivel (to win the 2012. He has 14 Opponents like Orlando KOs) was expected although Griffn’s score belt), Vic Darchinyan, consecutive victories Salido and Martinez (27- by many to steamroll also was suspect. Tomas Rojas, Malcolm since he was stopped in 2-2, 16 KOs) are good. Darchinyan and Andrade left the ring a Tunacao, Jose Nieves the third round by Wayne Garcia will have to beat resurrect his credentials happy man, though. Only and now Guevara. That’s Braithwaite in 2008. fghters on the next level as one of the best fve years after taking a gauntlet of some of to become one of the two fghters in the world. part in the Beijing Games, the best 118-pounders or three best fghters in Instead, he looked lost the Rhode Islander had in the world. And only the world. for all but the fnal won a world title. Darchinyan went the If what we’ve seen is moments. distance. an indication, that might To his credit, Donaire In other words, they only be a matter of time. won. He had to rally to do don’t come much better it, though, which might than Yamanaka. not be a good sign.

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 107 FIGHT RESULTS THROUGH FIGHTS OF NOV. 24 (CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER)

HEAVYWEIGHTS Paul Mendez D 10 Louis Rose Deontay Wilder KO 4 Nicolai Firtha Karim Achour UD 10 Julien Marie Sainte Alexander Petkovic KO 4 Chupaki Chipindi Gennady Golovkin TKO 8 Curtis Stevens Lucas Browne TKO 5 Richard Towers Andrey Meryasev UD 10 Sergio Jose Sanders Mike Perez UD 10 Magomed Abdusalamov Dennis Hogan UD 10 Nathan Carroll Hughie Fury TKO 4 David Gegeshidze Maciej Sulecki UD 10 Lukasz Wawrzyczek Erkan Teper KO 1 Martin Rogan Fernando Guerrero UD 10 Raymond Gatica Mark de Mori UD 12 Ivica Perkovic Alex Teran UD 11 Javier Carrera Alexander Ustinov UD 12 David Tua Fedor Chudinov UD 10 Jimmy Colas Vyacheslav Glazkov UD 10 Garrett Wilson Patrick Nielsen TKO 5 Jose Pinzon Alex Leapai UD 10 Denis Boytsov Nuhu Lawal KO 3 Hassan Saku Andy Ruiz Jr. TKO 3 Tor Hamer Sergio Mora TKO 5 Milton Nunez Damian Jonak UD 10 Kris Carslaw CRUISERWEIGHTS Felix Cora Jr. KO 11 Laudelino Jose Barros JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS Dmitry Kudryashov KO 2 Shawn Cox Jack Culcay UD 12 Guido Nicolas Pitto Jordan Shimmell UD 10 Galen Brown David Zegarra TKO 9 Basilio Silva Olanrewaju Durodola TKO 6 Mitch Williams Brian Rose SD 12 Javier Francisco Maciel Santander Silgado TKO 2 Steve Herelius Purnell Gates SD 10 Angel Hernandez Ola Afolabi MD 12 Lukasz Janik Janer Gonzalez MD 10 Devis Caceres William Bezerra KO 2 Eduardo Rojas Michel Soro UD 10 Jean Michel Hamilcaro Oleksandr Usyk TKO 5 Felipe Romero Demetrius Andrade SD 12 Vanes Martirosyan Mirko Larghetti UD 12 Stjepan Vugdelija Norberto Gonzalez UD 10 Michael Oliveira Mairis Briedis TKO 5 Lubos Suda Yuri Foreman KO 1 Javier Gomez Pawel Kolodziej TKO 7 Prince Anthony Ikeji Patrick Teixeira TKO 5 Alejandro Falliga Yoan Pablo Hernandez KO 10 Alexander Alekseev Sergey Rabchenko UD 12 Bradley Pryce King Davidson TKO 4 Michael Mahoney LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS Ronald Cruz KO 3 Hector Munoz Anatoliy Dudchenko UD 12 Robert Woge Akinori Watanabe TKO 4 Kyung-Suk Kwak Bernard Hopkins UD 12 Karo Murat Luciano Cuello KO 4 Juan Jose Dias Alejandro Berrio UD 10 Fulgencio Zuniga Vyacheslav Uzelkov TKO 6 Jaidon Codrington WELTERWEIGHTS Yunieski Gonzalez KO 8 Jinner Guerrero Kell Brook TKO 4 Vyacheslav Senchenko Roberto Bolonti KO 5 Manuel Banquez (F) Victoria Cisneros TKO 3 Paty Ramirez Robert Berridge TKO 10 Daniel MacKinnon Dusty Hernandez-Harrison UD 10 Josh Torres Isaac Chilemba UD 8 Michael Gbenga David Avanesyan KO 2 Carlos Herrera Dmitry Sukhotsky TKO 5 Eduard Gutknecht (F) Tori Nelson UD 10 Kali Reis Sebastian Lujan TKO 2 Carlos Chumbita SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS Fernando Ferreira da Silva UD 11 Leandro Pinto Arthur Abraham UD 12 Giovanni De Carolis Gabriel Bracero UD 10 Dmitriy Salita Callum Smith KO 6 Ruben Acosta Timo Schwarzkopf MD 10 Junior Witter Adam Etches TKO 1 Alexandre Mendes Randall Bailey DQ 8 Humberto Toledo Alexander Brand KO 3 Wilmer Mejia Manny Pacquiao UD 12 Brandon Rios Maxim Vlasov TKO 6 Artem Redko Tomas Oosthuizen MD 12 Ezequiel Maderna JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS Mateo Veron TKO 7 Ricardo Ramallo Adones Cabalquinto UD 12 RJ Ano-os Balazs Kelemen UD 10 Attila Baran Johnny Garcia TKO 3 Blake Franklin James DeGale UD 12 Dyah Davis Zahir Raheem TKO 2 Tim Coleman Brandon Gonzales UD 10 Jonathan Nelson Cesar David Inalef UD 10 Martin Antonio Coggi Andre Ward UD 12 Edwin Rodriguez Fidel Maldonado Jr. TKO 7 Luis Ramos Jr. Peter Manfredo Jr. TKO 8 Richard Gingras Armando Robles UD 10 Alvaro Aguilar Rocky Fielding TKO 1 Luke Blackledge Solomon Bogere SD 12 Osgood Kayuni Carl Froch TKO 9 George Groves John Molina TKO 2 Jorge Pimentel Edgar Santana KO 1 Michael Clark MIDDLEWEIGHTS Walter Castillo KO 2 Oscar Arenas Marcos Nader TKO 7 Luis Crespo Ricardo Flores UD 12 Oscar Esquivel Peter Quillin TKO 10 Gabriel Rosado

108 RINGTV.COM / 2.14 LIGHTWEIGHTS Andres Gutierrez UD 12 Ernie Sanchez Ismael Barroso KO 4 Winston Campos Ali Hallab UD 12 Angel Lorente Ty Barnett UD 10 Carlos Velasquez Qiu Xiao Jun KO 2 Lizandro de Los Santos Tommy Coyle TKO 7 John Simpson Jonathan Arrellano MD 8 Charles Huerta Fedor Papazov UD 10 Sergio Escobar Chris Avalos KO 3 Rolly Lunas Brett William Smith KO 9 Joey Williams Scott Quigg TKO 2 Diego Oscar Silva Miguel Roman TKO 11 Juan Carlos Salgado Takahiro Ao KO 1 Edgar Alejandro Lomeli BANTAMWEIGHTS Jorge Linares KO 1 Francisco Contreras Petch Sor Chitpattana TKO 4 Mokhtar Tarighatranah Eduard Troyanovsky KO 2 Michael Odhiambo Tiger Tor Buamas KO 5 Alvin Bais Robert Manzanarez TKO 3 Alejandro Barrera Diego Santillan TKO 4 Manuel Neculhueque Jairo Lopez KO 1 Oscar Badillo Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat TKO 6 Edison Berwela Abdiel Ramirez TKO 6 Guadalupe Rosales Ryo Akaho TKO 6 Jecker Buhawe Roman Andreev TD 7 Ramadhani Shauri (F) Irma Garcia MD 10 Magali Rodriguez Karl Dargan UD 10 Michael Brooks (F) Jessica Gonzalez SD 10 Yazmin Rivas Yvan Mendy TKO 8 Sebastien Benito Lee Haskins UD 12 Jason Booth Anthony Crolla TKO 6 Stephen Foster Shinsuke Yamanaka KO 9 Alberto Guevara Jonathan Ramos UD 12 Ricardo Roman JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS Koki Kameda SD 12 Jung-Oh Son Satoshi Hosono KO 1 Yuta Matsuda Jamie McDonnell TKO 7 Bernard Inom Floriano Pagliara UD 10 Angelo Ardito Bryan Vasquez TD 5 Rene Gonzalez JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHTS Michael Farenas KO 2 Kosol Sor Vorapin Arthur Villanueva KO 1 Edgar Martinez Jose Pedraza KO 3 Alejandro Rodriguez Froilan Saludar UD 10 Tawanrung Eausampan Padjai Yongyuthgym KO 1 Ricardo Roa Mark Anthony Geraldo TKO 2 Inthanon Sithchamuang Miguel Berchelt KO 5 Omar Estrella Oleydong Sithsamerchai UD 12 Giovanni Escaner Alejandro Perez TKO 2 Miguel Zamudio Breilor Teran TKO 6 Cesar Canchila Mikey Garcia KO 8 Roman Martinez David Sanchez KO 1 Jean Piero Perez Daniel Ponce De Leon UD 10 Joksan Hernandez (F) Naoko Fujioka UD 10 Naoko Yamaguchi Troy James TKO 1 Chris Male Srisaket Sor Rungvisai TKO 9 Hirofumi Mukai Jose Felix Jr. TKO 3 Santos Benavides (F) Claudia Lopez SD 10 Betiana Vinas FLYWEIGHTS Adrian Estrella KO 3 Jose Maxian Masayuki Kuroda D 5 Hyobu Nakagama Nery Saguilan SD 12 Sergio Puente (F) Gabriela Bouvier UD 10 Florencia Canteros Stephen Smith KO 8 Sergio Manuel Medina Andrea Sarritzu D 12 Valery Yanchi Espinos Sabu TKO 7 Frans Damur Palue FEATHERWEIGHTS Giovani Segura KO 12 Hernan Marquez (F) Lindsay Garbatt MD 10 Jackie Trivilino Martin Tecuapetla UD 10 Gilberto Parra Mark Bernaldez TKO 5 Khunkhiri Wor Wisaruth Roman Gonzalez TKO 2 Oscar Blanquet Josh Warrington TKO 12 Samir Mouneimne Redouane Asloum TKO 5 Gianpietro Marceddu Nicholas Walters TKO 4 Alberto Garza Moises Fuentes TKO 7 Omar Salado Nonito Donaire TKO 9 Vic Darchinyan Julian Rivera SD 12 Ulises Lara Gabino Cota TKO 6 Jesus Laguna Leonilo Miranda TKO 1 Roberto Tamayo JUNIOR FLYWEIGHTS Jorge Arce KO 8 Jose Carmona (F) Ibeth Zamora Silva UD 10 Ava Knight Jimmy Paypa KO 6 Jovill Marayan Johnriel Casimero TKO 11 Felipe Salguero Evgeny Gradovich TKO 9 Billy Dib Randy Petalcorin KO 3 Samransak Singmanasak (F) Jessica Chavez D 10 Arely Mucino JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHTS (F) Naoko Shibata UD 10 Alondra Garcia (F) Alicia Ashley TKO 5 Zenny Sotomayor (F) Marcela Eliana Acuna UD 10 Halanna Dos Santos STRAWWEIGHTS Daniel Rosas UD 10 Juan Alberto Rosas Ryuji Hara UD 10 Takashi Kunishige Rey Vargas UD 10 Yuki Murai Cris Alfante UD 12 Oliver Gregorio Genesis Servania TKO 2 Rafael Concepcion Wanheng Menayothin W 10 Jack Amisa Roli Gasca TKO 2 Lande Olin Hekkie Budler TKO 4 Hugo Hernan Verchelli Jaesung Lee D 12 Akihiko Katagiri (F atomweight) Momo Koseki UD 10 Nora Cardoza Manuel Avila TKO 2 Jose Angel Cota (F) Anabel Ortiz UD 10 Hye-Soo Park Hugo Partida TKO 7 Isaac Torres

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 109 PREDICTIONS ARE MADE BY RING STAFF MEMBERS COMING UP MICHAEL ROSENTHAL, DOUG FISCHER AND LEM SATTERFIELD.

DECEMBER LAMONT PETERSON vs. DIERRY JEAN DEC. 31 – Takashi Uchiyama vs. Daiki Kaneko, junior Date: Jan. 25 lightweights (for Uchiyama’s WBA title), Tokyo Location: DC Armory, Washington, D.C. DEC. 31 – Takashi Miura vs. Dante Jardon, junior lightweights Division: Junior welterweights (for Peterson’s IBF title) (for Miura’s WBC title), Tokyo TV: Showtime DEC. 31 – Ryo Miyazaki vs. Fahlan Sakkreerin Jr., Watchability rating (up to fve stars): H H H strawweights (for Miyazaki’s WBA title), Osaka, Japan Signifcance: Peterson (31-2-1, 16 KOs) will defend his title but DEC. 31 – Kazuto Ioka vs. Felix Alvarado, junior fyweights (for is in rebuilding mode after he was brutally KO’d by Lucas Matthysse in Ioka’s WBA title), Osaka, Japan an over-the-weight bout in May. Jean (25-0, 17 KOs) is unbeaten and talented but is moving up in class to face Peterson, who will be fghting at home. JANUARY Prediction: Rosenthal – Peterson UD; Fischer – Peterson UD; Satterfeld – Peterson SD. JEAN PASCAL vs. LUCIAN BUTE Date: Jan. 18 MARCO HUCK vs. FIRAT ARSLAN II Location: Bell Centre, Montreal Date: Jan. 25 Division: Light heavyweights Location: Hanns-Martin-Schleyer Halle, Stuttgart, Germany TV: HBO Division: Cruiserweights (for Huck’s WBO title) Watchability rating (up to fve stars): H H H H TV: None in U.S. Signifcance: This fght would’ve been a lot bigger a few Watchability rating (up to fve stars): H H H H years ago, before Pascal (28-2-1, 17 KOS) drew and lost to Signifcance: Huck (36-2-1, 25 KOs) is 2-0 since losing to Bernard Hopkins and Bute (31-1, 24 KOs) was stopped by Carl Alexander Povetkin and drawing with Ola Afolabi. That includes Froch. Still, it’s an attractive matchup between two capable competitive decisions over Arslan (in November 2012) and in a rematch fghters hungry to regain prominence. with Afolabi. Arslan (33-6-2, 21 KOs) has been a contender since 2005. Prediction: Rosenthal – Pascal SD; Fischer – Pascal MD; Prediction: Rosenthal – Huck UD; Fischer – Huck UD; Satterfeld – Satterfeld – Pascal KO 10. Huck KO 10.

Jean Pascal (left) and Lucian Bute face one another on Jan. 18 in Montreal. Victor Ortiz (left) returns to the ring against Luis Visit THE RING’s Collazo on Jan. 30 new YouTube channel ... in Brooklyn, N.Y. TheRingDigital VICTOR ORTIZ vs. LUIS COLLAZO

PASCAL: ROGERIO BARBOSA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES; BUTE: SCOTT HEAVEY/GETTY IMAGES; ORTIZ: JEFF GROSS/GETTY IMAGES FOR GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS; COLLAZO: ETHAN MILLER/GETTY IMAGES Date: Jan. 30 Location: Brooklyn, N.Y. Division: Welterweights TV: Fox Sports 1 Watchability rating (up to f ve stars): ★ ★ ★ ★ Signif cance: Ortiz (29-4-2, 22 KOs) will have been out of the IZING COM AN M ring for 19 months after back-to-back losses to Floyd Mayweather G IT R T O E Jr. and Josesito Lopez, as well as an appearance on Dancing with E S R ( the Stars. Collazo (34-5, 17 KOs) also is rebuilding his career after B E

two long layoffs. X C

O ) Prediction: Rosenthal – Ortiz KO 9; Fischer – Draw; Satterf eld B BOC – Collazo SD. • •

JAN. 3 – Aregenis Mendez vs. Rances Barthelemy, junior F O 8 lightweights (for Mendez’s IBF title), Minneapolis (ESPN2/ESPN 8 U N 1 9 Deportes) D E D JAN. 18 – Moruti Mthalane vs. Amnat Ruenroeng, f yweights (for Mthalane’s IBF title), Bangkok, Thailand Boxers Organizing Committee (BOC)

Paul Johnson Executive Director

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“Boxers must be part of the equation.” — BOC Member José Chegüi Torres FROM THE ARCHIVE SECOND TIME A CHARM Joe Louis was always tougher the second time an opponent fought him, as Chilean Arturo Godoy found out on June 20, 1940, at Yankee Stadium. Four months earlier, at Madison Square Garden, Louis had to work hard to earn a split-decision victory over his mauling foe. In the rematch, Louis, obviously inspired, put Godoy down three times en route to an eighth-round knockout. Louis would continue to destroy one opponent after another until, in 1950, Ezzard Charles fnally ended the greatest run in heavyweight boxing history. The manager and trainer of Godoy – Al Weill and Charley Goldman, respectively – would go on to work with Rocky Marciano. Godoy’s last fght was in 1951.

THE RING will select a photo from its vast archive each month to publish in the magazine. For more archive photos, go to our website — RingTV.com — or scan the QR code. The Ring Magazine

2.14 / RINGTV.COM 113 AT THE FIGHTS 1.

2. 3.

1. Donovin Aldana (left) with former two-division titleholder Acelino Freitas at the Mike Alvarado-Ruslan Provodnikov fght in Denver. 2. Matthew Becher (right) with WBO light heavyweight titleholder Sergey Kovalev after the Gennady Golovkin-Curtis Stevens fght in New York City. 3. Dustin Flores (left) with Miguel Cotto at the Timothy Bradley-Juan Manuel Marquez fght in Las Vegas . 4. Rudy Rodriguez (left) with Lucas Matthysse at an open workout before Matthysse fought Danny Garcia in Las Vegas. 5. Salvador Valentino (right) with Nonito Donaire in Las Vegas. 6. Bill Murphy (left) with Ivan Calderon (center) and Mike Oliver at the Wilfredo Gomez Boxing Gym in Puerto Rico. 4.

6. WANT TO SEE YOURSELF IN RING MAGAZINE? Send us your photos from a fght with you posing next to a celebrity, athlete, or other famous person and we will consider it for publication in the magazine. Send photos to [email protected]. Make sure to include your name(s), celebrity name(s), the fght attended, and your contact information. See you at the fghts!

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THE RING MAGAZINE HAPPY NEW YEAR? FEBRUARY 2014