By Daniel Hughes: #13 WBO Chris Algieri (20-0, (8 KO’s), overcame not just a torrid first round to claim the WBO light-welterweight title from champion Ruslan Provodnikov (23-3, 16 KO’s) by beating him by a 12 round split decision in Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center on Saturday night.
The Algieri story is a fascinating one with him being a former kick boxer turned pro boxer. He’s really has bucked the system in many, many ways.
(Photo credit: Ed Mulholland/HBO) By Daniel Hughes: Brian Rose (27-1-1, 7 KO’s) has a really tough ask ahead of him to claim the WBO light-middleweight title tonight from Demetrius Andrade (20-0, 13 KO’s) at the Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, New York. Boxing is about levels and this is a real step up away from home for the Blackpool fighter from the UK.
Andrade is the decorated amateur, who won the world amateur championships in 2007 at welterweight. Andrade’s career as a pro has proved to be a smooth ride generally baring the knockdown he suffered in the 1st round against Vanes Martirosyan in his last fight.
(Photo credit: Naoki Fakuda) By Daniel Hughes: The last trait of many a fighter to go is his ability to punch. It’s often been said that the punch resistance and the reflexes of a fighter can go overnight, especially in fighters that has come off a long layoff such as 39-year-old Sergio Martinez (51-3-2, 28 KO’s).
The credit has to be given to the 33-year-old Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KO’s) becoming the new WBC middleweight champion at Madison Square Garden in New York last Saturday night. He proved a lot of critics wrong and delighted his legions of fans in the process. A vintage Cotto took the fight to Martinez from the start, pressuring him constantly. Cotto, doing what he does so well, showed the ability to test the will and heart of his opponent. He did this to great effect against Martinez.
By Daniel Hughes: This weekend in New York sees Joe Calzaghe, the retired, unbeaten 46-0(32ko) super-middleweight champion from Wales rightly inducted into the boxing hall of fame.
The Newbridge born fighter reigned unbeaten at 168lbs for over 11 years now rewarded for his career that certainly excited the fans in the UK. He becomes only the 4th Welsh fighter to join the IBHOF joining esteemed Welsh fighters Jimmy Wilde, Jim Driscoll and Freddie Welsh some achievement.
By Daniel Hughes: The reported decline of boxing as a sport that could be described as out of the spotlight in the UK was firmly put back into focus last night at Wembley stadium, in London, England. The WBA/IBF title fight between champion Carl Froch (33-2, 24 KO’s), and George Groves (19-2, 15 KO’s), certainly captured the nations imagination.
By Daniel Hughes: Evgeny Gradovich 19-0(9ko) scored a UD win over the outclassed Alexander Miskirtchian 24-3-1(9ko) to retain his IBF feather weight title tonight in Macao, China. The Russian Mexican as he is known more renowned for his normal tactics of wearing down opponents simply out boxed Miskirtchian from the start.
By Daniel Hughes: The boxing family lost another great son today with the passing of Matthew Saad Muhammad (49-16-3, 35 KO’s) at the young age of 59. A real warrior whose life was a fight from start to finish. Born Maxwell Loach and grew up on the tough streets of Philadelphia a real life fight story unfolded the stuff of movie legends, fictional or real get produced.
By Daniel Hughes: Whatever happens with George Groves (19-0, 15 KO’s) fight against IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KO’s) on May 31st at Wembley Stadium, he has a very exciting road ahead of him. The announcement this week of Groves signing with Sauerland promotions certainly raised a few eyebrows in British boxing circles.
Groves 27, admitted earlier in the week that it could be viewed as a gamble. If that is the case it could prove to be a calculated one from the Hammersmith born fighter and his new German promoters. It could well turn out to be a very shrewd signing the German public love their boxing. The fans enjoy supporting German based boxers regardless of their nationality it will open up a new fanbase for Groves. The financial muscle of the German promoters not to be underestimated or the love for boxing the German public has.
By Daniel Hughes: I will be the first to hold my hand up and admit the fighters I have always followed and enjoyed watching are pressure fighters. I also enjoy those with heavy hands, the fighters that can turn a fight on one shot. The divisions I believe that will currently throw up great fights, the fights the fans want are both the light welterweight and welterweight categories.
The names in both divisions you can make your minds up on who will provide the best fights. Many potential fights out there we would all like to see. These divisions have the potential to on a worldwide scale produce the kind of excitement that will showcase boxing a sport that hinders itself by the politics of who you are signed to.
(Photo credit: Sumio Yamada: By Daniel Hughes: The fallout from last night’s 147lb unification fight between WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr (46-0, 26 KO’s) WBA champion Marcos Maidana (35-4, 31 KO’s), will continue to be a subject for all fight fans to debate in the months ahead. The subject of judges’ scoring, once again be the main focus and of much head shaking.
The card that Burt A. Clements scored 117-111 to Mayweather certainly doesn’t reflect what the attending fans, commentators and pretty much anyone with a unbiased opinion witnessed. To score that fight 9-3 in rounds to Mayweather reflects that some judges really are judging on reputation, not reality.