dimanche 08 juin

PAVLIK VAINQUEUR DE LOCKETT

en trois rounds et trois Knock Down...

LU POUR VOUS DANS "ELLE"

samedi 07 juin

NGOUDJO VAINQUEUR "LOGIQUE" DE SOULEYMAN...

Ngoudjo Out-Points M'Baye

   

Last night, at The Uniprix Stadium in Montreal, Canada, 28-year-old Herman Ngoudjo unanimously out-pointed former WBA light-welterweight champion Souleymane M'baye over twelve rounds in an IBF 140 pound final elimination bout. Ngoudjo, who was born in Cameroon but now lives in Montreal, won by scores of 117-111, 116-112, 115-113. Ngoudjo improved his record to 17-2(9). While the beaten Frenchman in M'baye fell to 36-3-1(25).

The win, which earned Ngoudjo a title fight with IBF 140 pound champion Paulie Malignaggi ( a rematch, actually, as the two men fought this past January) was a tough one. Ngoudjo boxed well in the first two rounds, looking sharp and accurate. But then in the 3rd, his left eye began to swell up badly. By the 5th round, the eye was almost completely closed and the ringside doctor was called to inspect the damage. Deemed okay to carry on, "The Black Panther" showed heart and bravely fought the 33-year-old M'baye on the inside..

M'baye won the middle rounds clearly, as he roughed Ngoudjo up and it seemed the older man would win the fight. But the Canadian resident fought back well in the late rounds, getting the better of things whenever the two men fought in close. M'baye felt he'd won at the final bell, as did the man who was awarded the victory in Ngoudjo. Now the official IBF number one contender at light-welterweight, the 28-year-old will be looking forward to a return meeting with the man who beat him on points in a close contest back in January of this year.

A good fighter who is both determined and physically strong, Ngoudjo surprised a lot of people in his fight with "The Magic Man." Although on paper he lost by a clear margin, with one judge scoring the fight 117-111 in favour of Malignaggi, the fight was actually much closer. Indeed, some observers only had the defending champion winning by a single point. A rematch would likely result in another hard fight for both men. However, with Malignaggi scheduled to meet Ricky Hatton in November it seems Ngoudjo will have to wait his turn for another go at the flashy and fast talking New Yorker.

Ngoudjo has never been stopped, with both of his losses coming via somewhat controversial decisions that went against him (the other one being against Mexican warrior Jose Luis Castillo) and it is unlikely the tough 28-year-old will be at all worried about fighting any of his rivals at 140 pounds.  Ngoudjo has now earned himself a second crack at Malignaggi's world title, let's see if the fight actually happens. source_Eastsideboxing

 

PAVLIK-GARY : LE GHOST EST DE RETOUR

C'es ce soir...The Ghost Kelly Pavlik remet son titre mondial en jeu.

Kelly Pavlik-Gary Lockett Weigh-in Open to the Public

   

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (June 6, 2008) – P-Day, the sixth of June. Battalions of Kelly Pavlik fans will be invading the beaches of Atlantic City to witness the public weigh-in for Pavlik's first defense of his world middleweight title. Thousands and thousands of fans from the Pavlik Nation, traveling Coast-to-Ghost, by car, boat, buses, and planes, will be lending their moral and vocal support to Youngstown's favorite son as he steps on the scale at the Circus Maximus Theatre at Caesars Atlantic City. Open to the public, doors open at 4:30 p.m., with the undercard weigh-in at 5:00 p.m., followed by the two main events at 6:00 p.m.

KELLY "The Ghost" PAVLIK (33-0, 29 KOs), from Youngstown, Ohio, returns to Atlantic City, where he won the middleweight championship, defending his title against No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger GARY "The Rocket" LOCKETT (30-1, 21 KOs), from Cwbran, Wales, This Saturday!
June 7, at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Frank Warren’s Sports Network and Caesars Atlantic City, the 12-round Pavlik-Lockett world middleweight championship will be broadcast live on HBO World Championship Boxing, beginning at 10:05 p.m. EDT / 7:05 p.m. PDT. source_EastSideBoxing

mardi 03 juin

DANNY WILLIAMS: DROLE DE PERSONNAGE

mais comme il est ecrit dans cet article, un boxeur courageux. A 34ans, Danny Williams tente un retour dans la categorie reine et enchaine les succes. Pas toujours de facon evidente, mais toujours avec force, courage et cet incroyable refus de "se coucher". Son seul ennemi semble lui-meme, a savoir son "mood" ce qui le rend tres permeable aux jours avec et aux jours sans.

Ce week-end, en Espagne, il est alle 3 fois au tapis avant d'infliger a son opposant sa premiere defaite pro, le stoppant au 7me round. En 2000, contre son compatriote Mark Potter, il avait l'epaule droite demise, hors de son logement et...gagne en stoppant Potter au 6me round!

Peut-etre n'est ce que le retour d'une comete...mais dans les mois qui viennent, il faudra surveiller ce boxeur, a la reconquete d'une reconnaissance chez les Heavyweigths...comme son compatriote anglais David Haye. Et oui, le temps des boxeurs du grand Est est peut-etre compte ; voici que les anglais "tirent les premiers"...

lundi 02 juin

MUGABI HONORE PAR LA WBC

John "The Beast" Mugabi gets another championship belt   

John Mugabi’s house is sparsely furnished. For such a distinguished professional athlete, there is a distinct lack of a trophy cabinet. Mugabi said he dispensed with all of his boxing memorabilia after he finished his boxing career almost ten years ago. “When it’s over, it’s over.  It’s in the past”, he says.. 

Now the matter-of-fact man formerly known as “The Beast” has one special piece of boxing memorabilia to remind him of his days laying out men for a living: a much-prized green belt from the World Boxing Council.
Mugabi was presented with the belt by the President of the Australian National Boxing Federation Alan Moore on 01 June in a special ceremony in Brisbane, Australia.

The original belt he won in blasting out Frenchman Rene Jacquot in one round in 1989 had been stolen years previously when a boxing promoter offered to frame his new belt for him. He never saw it again.

Mugabi’s friends in Brisbane arranged the new belt. Francis Ssebbale, a friend from Brisbane’s Ugandan community, emailed the WBC website, asking how a former champion could obtain a new belt. President Jose Sulaiman replied personally, and asked the identity of the boxer. When told it was Mugabi, Sulaiman immediately agreed to send another belt to the former champion, and extended his warmest wishes and offers for further assistance.

Bernie McFadden trained Mugabi when he arrived in Australia for the second phase of his career. At the time, he weighed over 90 kgs. McFadden recalled that he contacted Mickey Duff, Mugabi’s old trainer in the UK, who had some words of advice.

“Mickey said I’d be lucky to get John in the ring again, he said he’s eating too well.”
Within six months the Beast had trimmed down to his fighting weight, necessitating another call to Duff, who told McFadden his scales must be wrong.

Thomas Hearns called and proposed a fight card at The Forum in Los Angeles in January 1997. Hearns and Mugabi would feature in separate bouts, Tommy against Ed Dalton and John against Kenny Lopez. Should they both win as expected, they would finally fight each other. Hearns and Mugabi were on track to meet more than ten years earlier, but Hearns had asked Mugabi to step aside so that he could fight Hagler first. Unfortunately, the bout never eventuated this time either.

“John was a nice bloke, but he loved partying and he found it hard to say no to the generosity of others. He was easily led astray,” said McFadden.

Mugabi has a plan for his new belt. In 2010 he will return to Uganda with his championship spoils. He’ll get himself into fighting shape first, and fight a few exhibitions. Mugabi thinks there’ll be good money in it, given he’s practically a deity in Uganda, everyone knows him. Even the President’s brother.

This time, he’ll be hanging on to his belt.   “It’s nice to be recognised,” he said.  “I think I’ll put this one in the bank.” source_EastSideBoxing  

 

mercredi 28 mai

COMME UN SIGNE...

et pas des moindres...David Hayes vient d'etre signe par Oscar de la Hoya, pardon par Golden Boy Promotions (GBP)! comme son "tourneur" exclusif aux USA. Et quand on regarde la Team de GBP, quand on realise le sens du business de son PDG, on se dit qu'effectivement, The Hayemaker est promis a un bel avenir.
Avec en point de mire Klitschko...le temps de prouver qu'il est bien le challenger qu'on attend dans cette categorie moribonde des Heavyweights.

Allez, patience, c'est pour bientot...

David Haye Signs With GBP

One of the most charismatic athletes to hit boxing in recent memory, London’s David Haye not only packs a huge punch and outstanding boxing skills, but also possesses the willingness to take on all comers and the ability to capture the imagination of fight fans around the world - traits that have led him to 20 knockouts in his 21 victories and the undisputed cruiserweight world championship. As he now embarks on a quest to become Heavyweight Champion of the World, “The Hayemaker” has signed with Golden Boy Promotions, the premier promotional company in boxing, as his exclusive promoter in the United States ..

   

Golden Boy will also enter into a strategic alliance with Haye’s newly formed promotional company, Hayemaker Promotions, in similar fashion to past alliances with fighter-promoters it has worked with.

“Golden Boy Promotions is a powerful and forward-thinking company that is in this sport to protect the well-being of boxers,” said David Haye. “One of their main goals is to empower the boxer which is something I believe in too. Golden Boy is the perfect company for me to sign with in order to advance my career in and at the same time help to improve the state of boxing with my own promotional company. That is my ultimate intention as both a world champion boxer and a promoter.”

“Golden Boy Promotions has been waiting a long time for the right opportunity to get involved with the heavyweight division and in signing David Haye, that time has come,” stated Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar de la Hoya. “David is not only a great champion but with his personality and charisma, I know that he will take the heavyweight division by storm. He will give this once glorious division a much needed facelift and give fight fans around the world heavyweight fights to look forward to just like the great Muhammad Ali once did. All heavyweights out there should beware as there is a new sheriff in town.”

“David and I have always strived to progress his career with the control that independence gives and to form this alliance with Golden Boy is a dream relationship that needed no thought,” said Haye’s manager and trainer Adam Booth. “The support, professionalism and penetrating insight into the top levels of boxing that Golden Boy possesses is exactly what David's career needs now. We are so excited about this relationship and can't wait to get started.”

“I am delighted to have David Haye as part of our team and our alliance with him and his promotional company will help to expand our presence globally,” said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer . “We are happy that David has formed his own promotional company as, like him, we at Golden Boy believe in the empowerment of fighters.”

After winning the WBC, WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles with stirring knockouts of Jean-Marc Mormeck (TKO7) and Enzo Maccarinelli (TKO2), the 27-year-old Haye (21-1, 20 KOs) has even loftier goals in mind. He relinquished his cruiserweight titles earlier this year in order to move up in weight and take on the best the heavyweight division has to offer. Haye, whose heavyweight debut in April of 2007 resulted in a one minute and 45 second stoppage of top 15 contender Tomasz Bonin, has set his sights on World Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko, and with the heavyweight division in dire need of a superstar on a level with the greats of the past, “The Hayemaker” is eager to give the fans and media what they’ve been asking for. Haye’s first fight under this new promotional contract will be announced at a later date. Source_EastSideBoxing  

 

lundi 26 mai

ANTONIO MARGARITO/MIGUEL COTTO: THE CLAH OF SLAM

Every now and then a fight is made and you get an electric feeling of anticipation. You can envision the fight taking on so many different scenarios that you have trouble projecting a winner. There is almost one certainty. This fight should keep you glued to the edge of your seat. No Calzaghe - Hopkins let down here.

These are two warriors staking claim, bragging rights if you will to being the best fighter today in the historic welterweight division. The winner of this fight will be mentioned in the same breath as the past greats who graced the division and rightfully so. Miguel Cotto has carried on the great dominance of fellow countryman Felix Trinidad and this bout could be Miguel's defining moment. He has put himself in to superstar status with wins over Zab Judah and Shane Mosley.

By defeating Margarito he can cement his legend and begin looking for new worlds to conquer. The fight everyone wants to see at some near future point is Cotto versus Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Mr. Margarito may have some say in this matter. Although Cotto and Floyd would be a highly anticipated showdown, from a fan's perspective I believe Cotto - Margarito will be the much more entertaining contest.

Looking at the big picture Cotto is the more talented of the two. He can box a bit and he's one of the best body punchers I 've seen in years. Margarito is a swarming boxer that throws punches from all angles and he has a chin of granite. My question is, how well will Margarito survive the body assault of Cotto. ? This could be the key to the confrontation along with Cotto's under rated jab. If Cotto is unable to keep Margarito off of him, we may be looking at a real donnybrook. Cotto's uppercut could also be a valuable tool is discouraging the forward march of Margarito.

Please do not count Margarito out. He is a solid puncher, a real banger and the Cotto chin could very well be Miguel 's Achilles heel. By all rights of reason the edge has to be given to Cotto but Margarito will be dangerous until the end. All I know is that I can't wait for the bout to begin.

dimanche 25 mai

HATTON WINS A CLEAR UD OVER BRAVE LAZCANO

Tonight, at The City of Manchester Stadium, Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton won a virtual shut-out against the incredibly brave Juan Lazcano. Capturing a UD win by scores of 120-108, 120-110 and 118-110, Hatton looked as sharp as he ever has. Hatton, 29, dominated the four years older man from Sacramento in impressive style. Indeed, this writer, despite Lazcano's gameness, was never able to give the visiting fighter a single round. With his win, Ricky got back on track after losing for the very first time to Floyd Mayweather by KO in ten rounds last December. Hatton improved to 44-1(31). The 33-year-old Lazcano, who has not won a fight now since October of 2006, fell to 37-5-1(27).. Hatton looked sharp throughout and on a number of occasions appeared to be on the verge of a stoppage. Lazcano landed a few of his own shots from time to time, but his lack of punch-power prevented him from getting on top for more than a fleeting period. Both guys came out and went at it right from the opening bell, but Hatton's body shots, head shots, and advantage in speed and youth proved to be decisive. There appeared to be one scare for Hatton in round number eight, as Ricky seemed to be hurt by a Lazcano head shot, but "The Hitman" came back at the end of the round in an exciting three minutes. Hatton really began to rake his challenger from the 4th round on. Lazcano showed amazing heart, but he took a beating that may well end his career up at the top level. The fight was never dull, and at the end both men showed signs of battle. Ricky had a swollen right eye, and Lazcano looked all but exhausted at the final bell. With future rival Paulie Malignaggi looking less than spectacular on tonight's chief support - as he won a hard-fought split decision over the capable Lovemore N'dou - a Hatton-Malignaggi showdown later this year looks like a winnable fight for Hatton. Both of tonight's title fights were more entertaining than expected, and now all eyes are on a fight between "The Hitman" and "The Magic Man." Ricky Hatton looked as though he has a few fights in him yet, but Paulie Malignaggi, in getting hit more than he has in some time, may not be in the same position.Source_EastSideBoxing.com

TYSON IN CANNES...THE FILM GETTING ACCLAIM

Les Palmes seront decernees ce soir...aucune chance pour celui la d'etre dans la guest list, par contre il a de toute evidence marque les esprits.

The Cannes film festival in France may seem like an odd place for former heavyweight champion of the world Mike Tyson to be hanging out, but right now Tyson is there getting a receptive reception due to the new film to be released on his life.

The documentary, "Tyson," directed by U.S film maker James Toback, is an all-out revelation of "Iron" Mike's turbulent life - both in and out of the boxing ring. Toback has selected hours upon hours of footage of Tyson, both of fights and interviews, and has used it all to give an accurate account of Mike Tyson's life - from his early days in Brooklyn to his days at the top of the sporting world. The movie then goes on to show Tyson's almost unbelievable fall from grace.

Film maker Toback has known Tyson for years, and it was due to this trust that Mike opened up and spoke about everything and anything regarding his quite incredible life. As such the film is almost certainly going to be un-missable viewing. Tyson himself was somewhat overwhelmed as the film got its cheers in Cannes.

"I had no idea this thing was ever going to make it to this grand scale here," Tyson said. "I feel totally overwhelmed. I've lived a wild and strange life. I've used drugs, I've had physical altercations with dangerous people, people were angry. I've slept with guys' wives, they wanted to kill me. I'm just happy to be here. It's just a miracle. I feel good about being here with you."

There is no doubt Mike Tyson's life has enough material in it to make a full length film, and as such "Tyson" will surely be gripping viewing once it is released to the general public. Sure to be a box office triumph, the documentary has been getting good reviews from credible sources.

Trade paper Variety, in its review of the film, had the following things to say:

"In the course of the film, Tyson moves from someone you might think you'd want to steer well clear of to a man you might actually want to meet and speak with, which is a significant accomplishment."

Apparently, the film treats Tyson as a tragic but also noble figure. The film focuses (among other things) on the youngest ever heavyweight champion's ascension to the world title, his subsequent conviction for rape, his regaining of the world title, and his biting of Evander Holyfield's ear.

"I've always analysed my life," said Tyson. Now we fans have a chance to do the same  _source_EastSideBoxing.com