EXCESSIVE BRUTALITY THE ASTONISHING STORY BEHIND THE FIGHT THAT WAS TOO VIOLENT JANUARY 24 2019 Every week THE AWARD-WINNING WORLD’S BEST FIGHT MAGAZINE EST. 1909 WWW.BOXINGNEWSONLINE.NET WWW.BOXINGNEWSONLINE.NET 4 NO. 75 VOL. £3.99 ITV BOXING OUR VERDICT ON THEIR RETURN GOLDEN OLDIE But MANNY PACQUIAO is running out of time CARL FRAMPTON + KATIE TAYLOR + TOM BELL + ANDY LEE TRI-BLEND T-SHIRTS IN STOCK ONLY £24.99 EACH BOXINGNEWSSHOP.COM ContentsJanuary 24, 2019 VETERAN’S DAY 14 Even at 40 years old, Pacquiao is too good for Broner Photos: CHRIS FARINA/MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS & STEPHANIE TRAPP/TGB PROMOTIONS UNMISSABLE HIGHLIGHTS >> 12 NEXT ON THE AGENDA >> 4 EDITOR’S LETTER After a disappointing end to 2018, The pros and cons of MayPac II Frampton is looking to the future >> 5 GUEST COLUMN >> 20 LOTS TO DISCUSS Why Pacquiao is a freak of nature Reporting on a pair of incident- packed shows in New York state >> 10 BRING THEM ALL ON Taylor is determined to test herself >> 22 EVASIVE ACTION against fellow elite-level fighters A history of the fights that got away in the welterweight division >> 26 BACK ON OUR SCREENS After a near-two-year absence, >> 28 EXCESSIVE BRUTALITY The Thurman Show is returning Remembering the oft-forgotten 26 contest that was simply too violent >> 34 BOOK REVIEW Hauser delves into the life story of an Irishman who travelled the world DOWNLOAD OUR APP TODAY >> 43 AMATEURS For more details visit Our official Four Nations ratings WWW.BOXINGNEWSONLINE.NET/SUBSCRIPTIONS >> 46 60-SECOND INTERVIEW ‘MY FAVOURITE FIGHTER HAS TO BE CANELO ALVAREZ. I EVEN NAMED MY DOG AFTER HIM!’ Chris Jenkinson www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 24, 2019 O BOXING NEWS O 3 EDITOR’S LETTER Photo: CHRIS FARINA/MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS YOU TEASE: Coming Mayweather is nding next time it hard to stay out of the limelight O SERGEY KOVALEV is staring the end of his career in the face following a loss to Eleider Alvarez in 2018. Cover photography We preview the JOE CAMPOREALE/ USA TODAY SPORTS rematch and talk in detail to the Russian’s trainer, Buddy McGirt. OWE’RE ringside in New York to watch Keith Thurman make his return after ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD a long hiatus from the sport The merits and pitfalls of Mayweather-Pacquiao II with injury. OJUST because HERE was hoopla, and all the expectation, there shared a ring. If Mayweather-Pacquiao we want to see something quite were moments of seriously impressive II happens at the expense of something Deontay Wilder- sweet about the boxing on show from both, at least to like Anthony Joshua-Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury II footage released of the educated eye. They are the best of Canelo Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin III, doesn’t mean it T Floyd Mayweather their era, after all. Or, more accurately, you can stick it. No thanks, we’ve had will definitely and Manny they were the best of their era. That was enough already. happen. We Pacquiao clunking yesterday and today, the reason we’re Because the sport has to keep examine some fists like old not desperate for a sequel is simply evolving and showcasing new talent bouts that were drinking buddies at because things have moved on. with the future in mind. It should not crying out for a basketball game Mayweather, if you ignore the be shouting from the rooftops about a rematches but on Monday night. tasteless exhibitions, is no longer an proverbial dead end that will probably never got them. For context, there active fighter. Pacquiao – as impressive not be exciting nor crown a new king. was something as he looked for a 40-year-old man If we treat it like the seniors tour in golf, OAVAILABLE positively against Adrien Broner on Saturday fine. But do not be fooled into thinking to download Matt via iTunes and Christie exhilarating about night – is a Top 5 welterweight. Indeed, it’s the Masters. the pair meeting if they were to box again, it wouldn’t But this is not all about us. Put Google Play @MattCBoxingNews back in January even be for a renowned title (Pacquiao’s yourself in the shoes of Mayweather from January Editor 2015, also at an spurious WBA strap does not count) and and Pacquiao. Both are clinging to the 29 and the print NBA game, when nor should it be. So, if it happens, take it last of what made them so great in the edition is in they embarked on discussions that for what it is. Try not to get too enraged first place. Let them have their farewell stores on would lead to their record-breaking by it all. Or, for that matter, too excited. party and collect their retirement January 31. fight four months later. It will only lead to disappointment. bonuses. One more drink for the road, Yes, it’s different now. But those who are trying to market if you will. They certainly deserve it. On the And that’s where a lot of boxing this contest certainly have some spin And if the expressions on their faces website fans are with the latest round of at their disposal. There’s Pacquiao’s and their body language at the LA Mayweather-Pacquiao ‘talks’. It’s not shoulder injury from fight one. That’s Lakers game on Monday night said OFOR all the particularly exciting, it’s not offensive, healed now. Pacquiao is driven by a anything, it said mutual respect. It was news updates, it just is. If they fight again, okay, we’ll desire for revenge while Mayweather a nod to the that road well travelled. told in the likely watch and be a little bit intrigued is only in it for the money. There’s Mayweather-Pacquiao, in the year right way, read about what happens. If they don’t, no Mayweather’s inactivity and age. He 2019, is not the fight it was. We’ve all Boxing News At problem. Probably no need anyway could be ripe for the pickin’. So, yes, consumed enough of May and Pac. Five. Every day. because we’ve seen it all before. there are just enough ‘what ifs’ to sell We remember the last party, and we The reason for the blasé attitude this all over again. can still feel the hangover. But it wasn’t is not solely down to the first fight A note of caution to those spin all bad, was it? There was a bit of fun being something of an anti-climax. For doctors: Do not try and tell us this is the to be had. We could probably manage many observers, that contest played most important fight in boxing. Do not one more. But only if you’re going to out almost exactly as they expected. use this rematch to blow TV budgets the bar… Tentative start, some spirited Pacquiao for the year and, in turn, halt the Follow us and keep up to date attacks, Mayweather firmly in control. In impressive progress the sport has made fact, if you take away the hype and the since Mayweather and Pacquiao last @BoxingNewsED BoxingNewsOnline 4 O BOXING NEWS O JANUARY 24, 2019 www.boxingnewsonline.net GUEST COLUMN A SPECIAL GUY Photo: CHRIS FARINA/MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS TAKE THAT: Pacquiao’s left loops into the chin of Broner What Pacquiao is doing at the age of 40 is not normal T is a rare able to sustain. I fought professionally until I was takes much more mental strength thing for a That some boxers are able to 33, and I still spar numerous rounds and desire to compete at a high professional perform well in advanced years, each year at age 51. There is a very professional level when you boxer who while others cannot, could come clear and gradual process that your are older because your life has I has been in down to a certain degree of luck. body and mind goes through. changed, your priorities have the game as Every physical body is different and There are different levels changed, your view of the sport long as Manny even the best doctors would have of regression as time goes on. changes. When you are younger Pacquiao to a tough time explaining why some I’ve definitely noticed a virtual you feel invincible, you desire to be excelling men live to be over 100 years old disconnect between the mind and fight the toughest guys available. as he is at his while others expire naturally before the body. When you are younger You want to reach a high level to age. In recent turning 70. your body reacts almost instantly be remembered for as a boxer. You years guys From my experience, though, to the commands you give it, but reach a certain age, though, and like Bernard I would say that one thing that men I notice, on a regular basis as I’ve you’re in the gym with guys who Hopkins like Manny, Floyd Mayweather, aged, that sometimes it’s as if the weren’t even born when you started John and Floyd Archie Moore and Bernard Hopkins body isn’t even connected to the boxing. You’re sparring with guys Scully Mayweather have in common is that they brain anymore. who are younger than your own Ex-light-heavy were able minimised or removed any out Sometimes your desire depends kids. You find yourself wondering contender to do it, and of the ring vices. Clean living and on the moment or the time of the when the bottom will drop out.