By Nate Anderson: The heavyweight division’s newest start is looking to get ahead in 2009 and wanting to move quickly with his budding pro career. At 6’8″ 250 pounds, Fury has the power of a young George Foreman and the movement of Wladimir Klitschko earlier in his career. Last week, Fury, 20, stopped German Marcel Zeller in a 3rd round TKO. Showing power, combinations and a punch variety that is seldom seen nowadays in the heavyweight division, Fury hurt Zeller with big shots to the body and head throughout the bout culminating with a blur of punches in the 3rd causing the fight to be stopped by the referee.
Boxing News
Jeffries, Huck-Battelo, Rodriguez, Salita Open Letter To Hatton – News
European Cruiserweight Champion Marco Huck (23-1, 18 KOs) is determined to get the new year off to a winning start as he defends his title against Geoffrey Battelo (18-0, 15 KOs) on Saturday night. “If you want to reach the top, you have to defeat the best fighters out there,” Huck said. “It will be a tough fight but I know that I am better than him and that is why I will leave the ring as the winner.”
Where Does Pacquiao Go Now?
By Dave Lahr: With Ricky Hatton walking away from a fight with Manny Pacquiao due to a disagreement over the purse split, where does Manny go from here? The Hatton fight was a perfect fight after Manny’s fight with De La Hoya, which netted Pacquiao a big payday. Manny would have received another big day if he had settled for 50% split with Hatton instead of asking for 60.
Roy Jones Jr. Turns 40 Today!
By Jim Dower: Roy Jones Jr. (52-5, 38 KOs) turns 40 today, a ripe age for a fighter that many boxing fans thought would have retired a long time ago. Given his record in his last seven fights, three wins and four losses, perhaps Jones should have. However, what can you say to a person that loves the sport enough to stay on well past their prime, even when they don’t need the money?
News: Woodhall tips Edwards for DeGale reunion, More
Former super-middleweight boxer Richie Woodhall claims he turned down the role of head boxing coach at the British Amateur Boxing Association. Woodhall would have replaced Terry Edwards, whose contract will not be renewed by BABA despite his success at the Beijing Olympics.
Could David Haye Defeat a Prime George Foreman?
By Scott Gilfoid: With David Haye (22-1, 21 KOs) looking as if he’s possibly on the verge of taking on IBF/WBC heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko at some point in 2009, I wondered what Haye might have done if he had fought one of the heavyweight divisions’ greatest knockout threats, George Foreman, in the prime of his career around the time that he took out Joe Frazier in a 2nd round TKO on January 22nd, 1973.
What Does Calzaghe Have To Do To Surpass Jones & Hopkins?
By Scott Gilfoid: Okay, Joe Calzaghe (46-0, 32 KOs) has somehow stayed unbeaten his entire career up until now, that’s something we all can agree on right off the bat. But what Calzaghe do to surpass boxing greats like Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr., if at all possible at this late stage in Calzaghe’s career. For me, I don’t that it’s possible now. The biggest problem for Calzaghe is that he has a large gap between 1993 and 1997 where he fought exclusively mediocre opponents.
Vitali Still Wants Fight With Lewis
By Eric Thomas: Believe it or not, Vitali Klitschko (36-2, 35 KOs) still is longing for a bout with former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in the future. After now almost six years since Vitali was stopped in the 6th round by Lewis in 2003, Klitschko is still seeking revenge against him. In a recent interview, Vitali had this to say about Lewis: “With Lewis, as usually happens, there is bargaining. One side, in this case Lewis, asks for the maximum amount but we referred to the minimum. Ideally, we’d find a compromise somewhere in the middle.”
Mayweather vs. The Welterweight Division
By Daniel Poland: Everybody in boxing is now talking about the possible ring return of Floyd Mayweather Jr., who hasn’t fought since his 10th round knockout of Ricky Hatton in December 2007. It has taken a year without Mayweather for the rumors to start, and I personally believe the sport of boxing needs Mayweather at this point. The talk is Mayweather is lining up a mega fight with the current Pound for Pound king Manny Pacquiao. That is if Pacquiao can get past his next opponent Ricky Hatton in May, which a lot of boxing experts are predicting he should do.
If Calzaghe Retires Now, Does He Deserve To Be In The HOF?
By Dan Ambrose: Joe Calzaghe (46-0, 32 KOs) faithfully defended his WBO super middleweight belt for 10 years, beating every mandatory challenger that was set in front of him and doing his part in creating a lasting legacy that you would think would put him in the boxing Hall of Fame. Yet while defending the WBO, which arguably wasn’t thought as highly by fans as the other belts, he fought few fighters that could be considered quality opponents – at least until the past two years of his career.