Bronx, NY – The year 2009 is finally here and if it is anything like 2008, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing is in for yet another extremely busy year in the boxing world. Whether it was exciting sold out shows, major signings, or watching our fighters climb the ladder in the world ratings, Star Boxing had it all, including having two of its top fighters being named to Dan Rafael’s ESPN.com, Top Prospects of 2008 list. Below is a brief break down of the Star Boxing Roster and what they accomplished this past year.
Boxing News
The Legend Of Charley Burley
By Adam Laiolo: Greatness isn’t always about how talented you are. Sometimes greatness is achieved just by doing the right things at the right time, and a lack of ability can be substituted for others traits such as determination and heart. Sometimes it just isn’t meant to be you, no matter how you strive and aspire to be the best. A name heard in big circles, a career known to smaller ones, Charley Burley may be the fighter we’ve all missed when we compile our own Top 10 etc.
Calzaghe Needs To Retire Already
By Scott Gilfoid: I got to say I’m positively sick of hearing about whether Joe Calzaghe has made up his mind or not about retiring from boxing. I was hoping that he would man up and show some courage and fight a live opponent for a change like Carl Froch, Chad Dawson or Jermain Taylor but it looks like that isn’t going to be happening.
Why Haye Has As Much Chance As Any Other Serious Heavyweight
By Simon Hirst: There’s currently a lot of speculation as to whom David Haye is actually going to fight next. Most reports indicate it will be for a World title against one of the Klitschko brothers. I’m personally not sure if he has enough experience in the Heavyweight division to challenge just yet and would like to see him have a tune up fight.
However, should the opportunity come along to fight for a World Title, most fighters see it as a once in a lifetime opportunity and don’t take it for granted. They may not be ready, they may not be good enough, but if the chance is there, you have to grasp it because you may never see it again.
Where Does Mayweather Jr. Go Now?
By Jim Dower: Now that Ricky Hatton is planning on fighting Manny Pacquiao on May 2nd in Las Vegas, Nevada, unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0, 25 KOs) finds himself without a dance partner in the 1st half of 2009. Recently, Mayweather had made some noises about wanting to make a comeback for a fight against Ricky Hatton, but with Ricky now taking on Pacquiao, it looks as if Mayweather is going to have to come up with some other options for a fight.
Amonsot Cleared To Continue Fighting
By Jason Kim: In a bit of good news for lightweight boxer Czar Amonsot (18-3-1, 10 KOs), he’s been reportedly given the okay to continue his boxing career. Previously, Amonsot, 23, was examined after his grueling 12-round decision loss to knockout artist Michael Katsidis on July 21st, 2007, in which the medical examination showed a small amount of blood outside his brain. That result of the tests kept Amonsot out of boxing for the past year and a half.
Options For De La Hoya in 2009
By Dan Ambrose: Okay, Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs) clearly had an off night in his last fight against Manny Pacquiao on December 6th, maybe because of his diet leading up to the fight as well as some age issues as well. But just because De La Hoya suffered a major spanking at the hands of Pacquiao doesn’t mean that he needs to retire from the sport.
News – Cunningham, Chambers, Fonfara, Berto
World Boxing Council Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto Featured in ESPN the Magazine
(MIAMI, FLA.) – Undefeated Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto (Winter Haven, Fla.) (23-0, 19 Kos) is featured in the January 12 issue of ESPN the Magazine. The six-page article highlights Berto’s road from an accomplished amateur to his second title defense on January 17, 2009.
Prescott – Who’s Next For Breidis?
By Nate Anderson: In less than a minute, the hard-punching knockout artist Breidis Prescott (20-0, 18 KOs) destroyed the highly touted lightweight Amir Khan in the 1st round in September 2008, taking him out with powerful left hooks and exposing Khan’s weak chin in the process. The win elevated the 25 year-old Colombian to the 5th spot in the WBO while also moving him up to the #12 position in the IBF and #13 in the WBA rankings.
Arreola, Chagaev, Haye & Povetkin – Who’s The Best?
By Dave Lahr: As we survey the heavyweight scene one has to wonder who will be the top heavyweight in the future after the Klitschko brothers retire. As if now, there’s no one heavyweight that stands out above the rest. There’s currently four heavyweights that stand out from the rest of the division and look like one of them may have the talent to be good enough to dominate for awhile. With that said, all of the current crop of heavyweights is badly flawed and hardly the type of fighters that will make much of a lasting mark. Below I’ve listed the heavyweights that have the best chance of taking over after the Klitschkos retire.