By Adam Lialo: Stepping up from safe and mediocre territory into a world class zone is a massive gap to bridge. But it’s also a very fine line between the two. Fighters on the outskirts of the top level, through choice, poor management or lack of pulling power or in some cases all three, have to make the decision whether they’re happy with what they’ve achieved or have the hunger and drive to be greater. These are the five fighters that should be believing that this is their year.
Boxing News
Is DeGale Another Bust?
By Sean McDaniel: After his first fight as a professional, former 2008 middleweight Gold Medalist for Britain James DeGale (1-0) finds himself already facing a tremendous amount of criticism after fighting poorly in his four-round defeat of Vepkhia Tchilaia (9-9, 5 KOs) at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, West Midlands. DeGale, 23, won all four rounds of the fight and ended up winning by a commanding 40-36 score on the referee’s decision, but he ended up fighting much worse than the other British Olympians on the same card Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders.
Could Rogan Beat Haye?
By Chris Williams: I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade about David Haye, but after seeing the new heavyweight Commonwealth (British Empire) champion Martin Rogan (12-0, 6 KOs) dismantle the normally iron-chinned Matt Skelton last weekend, I’d have to say that Rogan would wipe the deck with Haye and stop him well inside the distance.
Fury and Sexton Come Face To Face; Murray Scouts Out Thaxton; Kirkland – News
Tyson Fury and Sam Sexton finally came face to face in Norwich yesterday but a heavyweight showdown between the two still doesn’t seem to be any closer to reality. Fury was in Sexton’s hometown for a press conference ahead of his fight with Daniel Peret at the Norfolk Showground on Saturday night.
When Is Kessler Going To Step It Up?
By Scott Gilfoid: After 11 years of fighting as a pro, super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler (41-1, 31 KOs) has fought frighteningly mediocre competition consisting of a whole slew of fighters that I’ve frankly never heard of in my life. I had hopes that Kessler would start stepping it up after his fighting with Joe Calzaghe in 2007, but since then Kessler has continued fighting soft opponents and failed to step it up against a quality fighter like IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson.
Is Mayweather In Danger of Losing His Skills If He Stays Out Much Longer?
By Chris Williams: It’s now approaching a year and a half since Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0, 25 KOs) last stepped in the ring and at present it doesn’t look as if he’s going to be getting back into boxing anytime soon from the sounds of it. At 32, Mayweather may be pressing his luck by not getting back before it’s too late. Most smaller fighters like him are usually past their prime by their 30s, and though he’s a special case, the time off is most certainly not helping him stay sharp.
Fury: “In a Couple of Years David Haye Won’t Stand a Chance”
By Scott Gilfoid: I hate to see a fighter with tremendous talent underestimate himself, which is why I felt that the outstanding heavyweight prospect Tyson Fury (2-0, 2 KOs) was terribly underestimating himself by saying that he felt that David Haye wouldn’t stand a chance against him in a couple of years. I think the 6’8″ Fury is badly underselling his own ability, because from what I’ve seen of him and Haye, I think he could easily stop Haye right now without having to wait two long years to take him out.
Cotto Being More Vocal Over Top Rank’s Bringing Margarito Back
By Sam Gregory: The only lose on Miguel Cotto’s otherwise unblemished record came at the hands of Antonio Margarito in an eleventh round stoppage July 26th of 08’. That lose seemed to take on a completely different meaning after the so called “Wrapegate” controversy that sprang up when Margarito’s hand-wraps were found to be illegal prior to his January 24th bout with Shane Mosley.
Cotto vs. Berto or Clottey?
By Matt Stein: after dismantling challenger Michael Jennings on Saturday night in an easy 5th round TKO victory, the question in the minds of many boxing fans is who will Miguel Cotto be facing next? Although many would love nothing better than to see Cotto face Paul Williams or fight a rematch with Antonio Margarito, it’s extremely doubtful that Cotto’s promotional team would want to risk putting him with such tough fighters like these.
De La Hoya Pondering Retirement
By Chris Williams: Two months after being beaten nearly senseless by Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya is reportedly kicking around the idea of retiring from boxing. De La Hoya, 36, is still not sure what to do, seemingly confused about whether he should retire or continue on. Watching the success of his fellow Golden Boy Promotions coworkers Bernard Hopkins and Shane Mosley still fighting with a lot of success is something that is keeping De La Hoya still considering staying on a little longer.