Anticipation Growing...

It should be a great fight. Check out this art from Guy on East Side Boxing.

Classy Klitschko but Haye...not so much

Something tells me an angry Klitschko might be a bad thing for opponents, but we'll see...

Former Champ Page Passes On

Former heavyweight champion Greg Page passed away this week. Page, who won the WBA title in 1984 with a stunning upset of Gerrie Coetzee, died on Monday, April 27, 2009 after complications arose from brain damage he most likely suffered from after fighting on too long. Page was injured in 2001 in a fight against Dale Crowe.

Page is pictured on the left when he made the cover of The Ring magazine after knocking out Coetzee.

Say a prayer for Page's family today.

Quick Hits

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Who the heck is Carl Froch? Oh, he's the guy that just put a nail in Jermaine Taylor's career coffin. Ok, maybe not quite that, but he did KO the favored Taylor in dramatic fashion to bang his way onto the American boxing scene.

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Speaking of the American vs UK boxing scene, I recenlty polled some knowledgable UK fans about who was a better fighter all time, Roy Jones, Jr. or Joe Calzaghe? I am always interested to see if I let my personal biases get in the way of calling it like it is. Turns out I was correct it having RJJ way ahead of his English counterpart. One person said "RJJ was better by such a large margain that it can be seen from space..."! I guess you can't really ever go by head-to-head match-ups without considering when they took place (ie Jones-Calzaghe, Marciano- Louis, Holyfield-Lewis, etc.)

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Still no word on Mayweather-Marquez . Latest gossip says Marquez isn't returning until Septemeber. Mayweather is supposed to fight in July. Hmmmm...


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Juan Manuel Lopez is a great young talent, but Gerry Penalosa is one tough dude. If he had enough power, methinks he could have bested the young phenom.


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This is the last week boxing fans have to endure before the Hatton-Pacquiao fight. I can't wait. I'm leaning towards picking Hatton, but Pacman is one guy it is really, really hard to bet against. He's such a warrior.

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I rescored the second Holyfield-Lewis fight from 1999. When I originally saw it, I was sure Holy did enough for the win (as did many), but I rescored the fight for Lewis 116-115. It was a tough, close fight. Holy was a bit too old by then to really get in and get his work done, but he had a good fight plan by going to the body. On the other hand, it's always funny to see a much bigger fighter like Lewis back up the whole time and not want to engage the smaller fighter. Still, he was a truly great champion who used his height and ability to it's fullest.

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I'm starting to read Larry Holmes' autobiography. It looks like a good read and you can even order it from Larry himself. He'll even autograph it for you (not a bad deal at all).

Best Fight of the 90s

After some pretty exhausting research, I'm proud to present the best boxing match of the 1990s. This fight, while not as important as Tyson-Holyfield I or as meaningful as Jones, Jr.-Hopkins, really captures all that is right about boxing.



Have a nice weekend. And for the record, I'm taking Taylor over Froch.

"We'll break him down slowly and then he'll feel the strength of a full heavyweight."

Emmanuel Steward had this to say in regards to what he thinks will go down when his fighter, Wlad Klitschko, gets into the ring with trash talking David Haye:

"We'll break him down slowly and then he'll feel the strength of a full heavyweight."

That about sums up what I think will happen. In case you don't know, here is basically how any fight against a Klitschko goes:

1. Klitschko breaks you down with jabs that feel like roundhouses.

2. Klitschko does this some more.

3. Klitschko uses his right hand and you feel the real power.

Once this occurs, you either:

a. run away like a child
b. get hit hard
c. a combination of both

Still, fun for fight fans to have an exciting heavyweight fight finally.

In other news, it's sad to see one of my favorite up and coming fighters get into trouble with the law. If you haven't heard, James Kirkland has been arrested for carrying a loaded weapon. Kirkland, a convicted felon out on parole, was caught outside of a gun show in Austin by Police running some sort of federal sting operation. We really need to get rid of gun shows. What's the use of having laws if anyone can get a gun at a freakin' gun show? It's dumb.

Here's hoping Kirkland gets his life straightened out regardless of if he ever gets to fight again.

When Trash Talking Goes Really, Really Wrong

Sure, Wladimir Klitschko may pummell trash talking wonderkid David Haye in the ring, but it looks like the former cruiserweight champ is ALOT better at trashtalking. Haye, who has repeatedly insisted he will decapitate the KO bros (see shirt above), is probably left less than speechless at Wlad's recent attempts at talking some noise.

In an interview with Alexey Potapov, Wlad had this to say:

"In the ring with this boy I will teach him good manners and how to conduct himself..."

"The strength of my opponent is his mouth which in the ring I'll make much less."

"I'll make a pizza and a chop of this person."

That last one is my personal favorite.

Speaking of trash talking, after watching HBO's documentary "Thrilla in Manilla", I like legendary champ Muhammad Ali much, much less. On the other hand, Joe Frazier has moved up to my second favorite heavyweight ever. Check it out if you haven't already.

Mayweather beats up on school kid, Marquez is next...

Floyd Mayweather beat up a 15 year old kid, taunting him the whole time.

George Guest, 15, was on his PlayStation 3 when he came up against an anonymous opponent who knew all the moves.

The boxing-mad lad was knocked to the canvas three times in one round — prompting him to send the message: “Who do you think you are, Ricky Hatton?”

His foe replied: “Actually I’m Floyd Mayweather.”

Pretty funny stuff.

Three Pounds

According to mindless message board gossip, three pounds is all that separates Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather from reaching a deal for a July 18 megafight. Mayweather's people had wanted Marquez to come all the way from 135-147 while Marquez wanted to fight at a catch weight of 140. Sides are now negotiating a 143 lb catch weight.

Just sign the fight, Marquez. You called out Floyd Mayweather after your last fight and you knew his last few fights were at welterweight (147).

Mayweather vs Marquez is set...maybe

According to various Internet rumors and just good common sense, Floyd Mayweather will be facing off against Mexican superstar Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18. The best I can guess, is that someone in Mayweather's camp took note of my article and made the deal happen.

Right now it looks like camps are in serious negotiations. According to more baseless Internet rumors, Mayweather wants Marquez to move up to 147 while Marquez wants Floyd to meet in the middle at 140.

Funnier still are the folks that think it matters.

Marv Dumom says this in his blog:

At 140 lbs., however, Mayweather vs. Marquez would indeed be a bona fide mega-fight. At this weight, we would have to consider Marquez as having a "solid chance" at defeating Mayweather, who would have to drain his body below an otherwise more normal weight of 147 - 154 lbs. Secondly, if the fight takes place in September, Floyd will have been away from boxing for close to two years. Floyd's ring rust would translate to an advantage for the presumably sharper Marquez.

Um, what? Look, Mayweather could fight Marquez at any weight and be the favorite. It's funny how all of a sudden people start to consider Floyd the natural welter when indeed 140 would probably be his best weight.

In any event, it's good news for fight fans. The Mayweather haters will have someone to root for and the Mayweather fans will have something exciting too look forward to instead of your run of the mill tune-up most fighters would take.

But remember, this fight IS a tune-up.

Dumbest Man Alive

So Davide Haye is either very brave or very dumb. For his sake, I hope he knows something we don't. Here's the lowdown in case you don't know.

David Haye goes into a restaurant where the Klitschko brothers are having dinner. He throws a magazine down on their table with a picture of himself holding Wladimir Klitschko's severed head. Vitali goes after David, yada yada yada.

At the press conference for his fight against Wlad, Haye shows up with a shirt on that has himself holding both Klitschko brothers severed heads.

Yada, yada, yada, David Haye is going to get knocked out. I'd feel better about the whole thing if he had ever beaten a legit heavyweight contender, but as it stands Haye has exactly ONE win at the weight (over journeyman Monte Barret).

Still, I'm excited about the fight. Watch this video and you will be too.

Remembering Tyson-Holyfield 1

It's easy for the first Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield fight to to get lost in time. After all, it was the second fight where fight fans witnessed some of the most disturbing behavior ever displayed inside the ring (and that's saying a lot).

Still, it was the first encounter between the two legends that stands the test of time. It was a fight that was supposed to happen twice before. The first scheduled fight was derailed because Tyson suffered an injury during training. The second fight couldn't happen because Tyson went to prison.

While Tyson watched the ascension and descension of Evander Holyfield from prison, boxing went right along with some of the greatest heavyweight fights ever. George Foreman dethroned Michael Moorer to become the oldest person to win the crown. Holyfield and Bowe completed one of the best trilogies of all time. Guys like Ray Mercer, Oliver McCall, Bert Cooper and Michael Moorer rounded out a solid and deep pool of contenders.

When Tyson came out of jail, he went back to being the menace fans loved. He tore through his first three opponents like they were warm butter. Meanwhile, Evander Holyfield was supposed to be finished. He'd lost tough fights against Michael Moorer and Riddick Bowe. It seemed all the ring wars he'd been in finally caught up to him.

Holyfield opened as a 25-1 underdog. When the third round came to an end, the announcers were shocked it had gone on that long. Shocked.

Of course, they were more shocked when Tyson was floored later in the fight. Even more shocked when he was saved by the bell in the tenth. And when the referree called off the fight as Mike struggled to stay up against the ropes with glassy eyed confusion (out on his feet again) in the next round, they were amazed at what they had witnessed.

It truly was a gritty battle. Tyson threw powerful bombs as he buried is head and pushed forward against the taller Holyfield. Evander stood his ground. The two warriors fiercly struggled the entire fight. It was one champions will against the other. Muscle against muscle. Two warriors who seemed to throw every punch like it'd be their last.

No one should question these men were all time greats. They, the best of their generation, duked it out face to face. There were no pitty pat jabs. No running around in circles. Just two heavyweight greats giving it their all.

It was a fight to be remembered. One of the best fights of the 1990's and perhaps Evander Holyfield's greatest victory. Let's hope the heavyweight champions of today can give us at least half that kind of show in the future. Let's hope David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko know someone with a copy of the fight. And let's hope that the first fight Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield fought isn't overshadowed by the second forever.

De La Hoya Retires

Oscar De La Hoya has decided to retire with a 39-6 record. He was a immensely popular fighter that brought a lot of attention to the sport and had a lot of very big fights.

He fought Floyd Mayweather very well and had a good fight plan for Hopkins. His fights with Shane Mosley were outstanding. He won titles in 6 different weight classes and always fought the best fighters he could fight.

Oscar made a very nice living and has built Golden Boy Promotions into one of the top promotional company in the business. He even made some albums and sold some records.

I went to a press conference for one of his fights once and he signed his autograph for me.

So here is to Oscar De La Hoya, a certain hall of famer calling it a career. Keep swingin' Oscar.

P4P Shakeup: Paul Williams is moving on up the ranks

Paul Williams' destruction of Winky Wright has vaulted him up The Boxing Stop's Pound for Pound List. I've got a good mind to move him to number one, but he hasn't done quite enough yet to warrant that. Still, in my opinion, Paul Williams could be anyone in the world if all fighters were a size that would allow them in the same weight class.

He's that good.

1. Manny Pacquiao (48-3-2)

Pacman has a big showdown with Ricky Hatton May 2. I'm leaning towards picking Hatton, but even if Pacman loses, he won't fall far.

2. Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1)
Marquez is a great fighter and could move to the top of this list, provided he either beats Manny Pacquiao or the returning Floyd Mayweather.

3. Paul Williams (36-1)

Williams has the potential to be an all time great. I'm talking P4P top ten ALL TIME. He's a freakishly gifted athlete with a tremendous work rate. I'd favor him over anybody from 147-160. ANYBODY.

4. Ricky Hatton (45-1)

Hatton's new trainter Floyd Mayweather, Sr. has Hatton leaner, meaner and better defensively. Can "The Hitman" knock off the P4P king? He couldn't before (Mayweather, Jr.) but I think he will this time (Pacquiao).

5. Bernard Hopkins (49-5-1)

Hopkins balked at giving cruiserweight champ Tomas Adamek any real money for a fight. Word on the street is that B-Hop is looking for a farewell fight in Philly against a beatable opponent if he can't coax Joe Calzaghe out of retirement.

6. Ivan Calderon (32-0)

He's the best fighter nobody has ever heard of, and he'll stay that way until he moves up in weight to challenge himself. Still, Calderon is a pure boxer with great gifts.

7. Shane Mosley (46-5)

While Sugar Shane is a great champion and the welterweight king, he'd be wise to wait on a Cotto rematch instead of jumping in the ring with Paul Williams. Still, minus Williams, Mosley is the best of a solid welterweight bunch.

8. Kelly Pavlik (35-1)

No shame in losing to B-Hop. There is shame in defending the middlweight title against hapless Sergio Mora, though. C'mon, Kelly...you're better than that. It'd be different if there wasn't a slew of better opposition out there.

9. Chad Dawson (27-0)

A rematch with Antonio Tarver on HBO should get Tarver the attention he deserves, but a bout against Tomas Adamek would be better for hardcore fight fans and a rematch with Glenn Johnson would be even better. Still, this guy is a beast and could be headed to greatness.

10. Miguel Cotto (33-1)

"El Cheato" Margarito may have beaten Cotto into submission with plaster of paris, but nobody else has with just gloves. I had Mosley winning their first encounter, but it was close so let's have a rematch. Mosley (who lost according to the real judges) needs a shot a redemtion, and Cotto deserves a big pay day. He'll have to get past Joshua Clottey first though. Clottey is a very live dog.

In: Dawson, Cotto
Out: Rafael Marquez and Israel Vazquez (inactivity)

Happy Easter!!!

First Things First
While seldom any one's favorite holiday, it is important to note that Easter is the most important holiday. No, not because Cadbury makes those delicious chocolate eggs.

Nope, Easter is the day the Big Man knocked out the Devil. It wasn't in a ring but on a cross and while Satan may not think its over, trust me, its over.

Yes. This weekend is special because of what Jesus did at the cross. If you don't have a relationship with the Big Guy or if you have questions, please don't hesitate to email me a theboxingstop@gmail.com.

Is the Punisher ready for Winky?
Paul Williams is the most feared man in boxing. Need I remind you what he did to El Cheato Margarito? Still, Winky Wright is no slouch. In fact, he's a bonafide hall-of-famer who people don't run off to face either.

So what are two fighters who nobody wants to fight to do? Well, these guys are just going to fight each other. Williams, who is freakishly able to fight at 147, is moving all the way up to 160 to face Wright. Still, I don't think that will come into play as Williams has a longer reach then most heavyweights do (he's a freak).

I can't wait to see the fight and this is one of the few fights I really could see go either way. Winky is a great fighter with a tough style for anyone. But Williams is a hardnosed, fast-punching bruiser who swarms his opponents with zeal.

I'll go out on a limb and pick Williams by decision, but like I said it could go either way. No matter what, though, fans will enjoy this one.

Heavyweight Contender
Based on his skill set, I've always thought that the first time Chirs Arreola fights a top notch fighter who can throw a punch (and take one) he is going to go down.

That played out in part when Arreola went to the deck against journeyman Travis Walker. However, Big Chris did get off the deck to pull out the win (by kayo).

Still, McCline is a true gatekeeper. He's been in with the best and usually beats guys he should beat. Should he beat Arreola? I'm not so sure. Look, I don't think Chris Arreola is the future of the division like some say, but I don't think McCline is the guy to beat him.

Prediction: Arreola by kayo in round 7.

Haye is for horses

David "The Hayemaker" Haye is getting his wish. Haye, the first unified cruiserweight champion since Evander Holyfield, is trying to become the heavyweight champion of the world.

Everyone knows who the heavyweight champion of the world is right now. Well, actually there's two. Lucky for David Haye, he'll get a shot a both (maybe). Let me explain...

So, part of the contract (that took forever to sign) states that if Haye upsets Wladimir Klitschko on June 20, he has to do the following:

Fight an immediate rematch with Wlad (if he wins that one, he gets to fight Vitali)

or

Fight Vitali (if he wins against Vitali, then he has to beat Wladimir again)

There is no truth to the rumor that if Haye wins all three fights he immedatley has to face both Klitschkos at once.

Did I mention David Haye has only fought one other fight at heavyweight? Did I mention he was once knocked out by a fighter named Carl Thompson? Did I mention Wladimir Klitschko has won 10 fights in a row?

Okay, so you know which way I'm leaning. Still, I'm excited about this fight. It has the potential to be the biggest heavyweight fight in years. And, if David Haye can land a haymaker or two on Wlad's chin, then things could start to get real interesting real soon.

In fact, I could see Haye getting past Wlad (maybe), but could he really beat Vitali? And then beat Wlad again?

I say NO. Like them or hate them (because you think they're robots), the KO brothers are the best heavyweights in the world now and for the forseeable future, at least in my eyes. Sure, compared to other fighters, David Haye is a formidable opponent, but Wladimir and Vitali Klitchkos are champions. Compared to everyone else, they are giant championship race horses racing burros; and David Haye is -- well -- he's David Haye, and Haye is for horses.

Hey Mr. President, It's time for Johnson to receive a pardon

As you know, Jack Johnson is one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time. He was a boisterous braggart who defied the times with his refusal to not date white women and his promise to whip any man on the planet, including white men.

You can see a picture of Johnson in the top right photo above that is part of The Boxing Stop header. In the picture, Johnson is facing Tommy Burns for the world heavyweight title.

Jack Johnson was such a menace that after he finally gave up the heavyweight crown in 1915 (after a six year reign), the powers that be didn't let another black fighter fight for the heavyweight title until 1936 when Joe Louis knocked out "the Cinderella Man" James J. Braddock.

16 years.

Senator John McCain has asked President Barack Obama to grant this posthumous pardon.

Jack Johnson was convicted and sentenced to jail under the Mann Act for having a consensual relationship with a white woman across state lines. Really.

"We need to erase this act of racism," McCain said.

John McCain is correct. Jack Johnson should be pardoned and honored for the true heavyweight champion he was. His family should at least be righted of this injustice. The conviction was wrong. Racism is wrong. And anyone who doesn't agree is equally wrong.

Former President George W. Bush (in fact every other president since Johnson was convicted) had a chance to pardon Jack Johnson. Mr. President, it's time to step up and really be the change you promised. It's time to pardon Jack Johnson.

Keep Swingin'