Froch-Groves 2: The verbal sparring resumes

04/28/2014 by makingweight

froch6 By Daniel Hughes: This coming Thursday on the UK boxing show Sky Ringside see’s the coming together of IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KO’s) and challenger George Groves (19-1, 15 KO’s) ahead of their much anticipated rematch next month on May 31st at the Wembley stadium, in London, UK.

This is a chance once again for the 26-year-old Groves to do what in my opinion he did so well first time around by getting into Froch’s head in the build up to the controversial first meeting last November. It surprised many how easy Groves was able to rile Froch last year, and you could see how uncomfortable the WBA and IBF 168lb champion looked the last time the verbal sparring was taken up a notch.

Bernard Hopkins – Not of this world

04/26/2014 by makingweight

By Daniel Hughes: When Bernard Hopkins (55-6-2, 32 KO’s) was having his hand wraps removed after losing on his pro debut against Clinton Mitchell in 1988, he was back at square one. The time he had spent getting himself prepared for a life in professional boxing, through incarceration, had taught him that any boxing road he was to travel would not be straightforward.

The debut in 1988 lead to him going away and not rushing his next move in boxing. He looked at what he was doing wrong and vowed the same mistakes would not happen again. Bernard Hopkins, a consummate professional as his career would show, took over a year to return to the ring, beating Greg Paige on points. The rest you could certainly say is history.

Porter is all wrong for Kell Brook

04/21/2014 by makingweight

By Daniel Hughes: Over here in the UK the Shawn Porter-Paulie Malignaggi fight drew a lot of media attention for several reasons. Malignaggi is very popular here, because his analytical boxing breakdown of fights as much as his technical skills admired. He’s a fantastic talker a big career ahead in the media world awaits.

The fact Kell Brook was awaiting the winner added to the intrigue. We now know who he will face. Brook speaking in the build up to Saturday night’s fight made no real secret of who he wanted to face ‘The Magic Man’, for many reasons now apparent to those who saw the dismantling of Malignaggi in Washington.

Wladimir Klitschko turns 38 today: Styles make fighters

03/25/2014 by makingweight

By Daniel Hughes: IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko celebrates his 38th birthday today. He also can celebrate nearly 10 years unbeaten as a pro as a heavyweight champion. The old saying styles make fights; styles also make fighters. Klitschko should know this full well, as he reinvented his career 10 years ago. You can cast your mind back to March 2003, when the late game southpaw Corrie Sanders pulled off a shock 2nd round stoppage in Germany.

The question’s asked of Klitschko after losing his WBO strap, he didn’t find the answers straight away. The same critics already bringing up his 1998 fight against Ross Purrity, a fight that really was a major upset when Wladimir’s 24-0 record went with a shock 11th round TKO loss to Purrity.

The numbers don’t lie

03/21/2014 by makingweight

By Daniel Hughes: There is a growing concern that the issue of fighters missing weight is now becoming all too common. The boxing world has certainly argued about the rehydration issue. Fighters draining themselves hitting the stipulated weight, then putting back 20 plus pounds by fight time.

The argument being well they made weight, unless you have an agreed limit or a second weigh in the fighter has done little wrong. The old days of the same day weigh-in, has left a window to exploit, many do some to great affect others not so. It is something that derives mixed views but the scales don’t lie you make it or miss it.

Hype and hope the poker of the heavyweight scene

03/04/2014 by makingweight

By Daniel Hughes: The heavyweight picture is soon about to change with former WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko fighting a political career that may turn out to be tougher even than what he experienced during his ring career. So we are left with Wladimir Klitschko. The 37 year old may not be too long in following his elder brother into retirement, as he openly admits the motivation to keep going is probably harder than the challenges in front of him.

Callum Smith: The next British generation of the 168lb division

02/26/2014 by makingweight

By Daniel Hughes: Fight fans the world over always look out for the next fighter they believe can make waves in their respective divisions here in the UK we have a real talent on our hands in Callum Smith.

The UK has always been blessed with competitive world level operators at either middle or super-middleweight Froch obviously has been our best in the 168lb division for some time.

Chavez Jr-Vera: Behind the main event

02/24/2014 by makingweight

This Saturday night in San Antonio,Texas, we have the opportunity of seeing the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. – Brian Vera rematch, and the exciting support fight of Orlando Salido v Vasyl Lomachenko. The prospect of seeing Lomachenko possibly winning the WBO 126lb title in only his 2nd pro fight will catch most peoples attention the most and rightly so. For fight fans these cards also always throw up the chance to see the start of young fighters developing their craft in front of a larger than normal audience.