IF ANYONE NEEDS TO STOP TALKING, IT'S FREDDIE ROACH

IF ANYONE NEEDS TO STOP TALKING, IT'S FREDDIE ROACH
BY STEPHEN S. JOHNSON

(IB-February 22, 2010) The scheduled fight between Amir Khan and Paulie Malignaggi may not come off if Malignaggi continues his insinuations of illegal drug use regarding Freddie Roach trained boxers.

In a recent conversation on the "Leave-It-In-The Ring" boxing radio show, Roach became quite upset when the Malignaggi comments were mentioned.

In a prior interview on the LIITR show, Malignaggi stated that "I'd be lying if I said the thought hadn't crossed my mind. I'm not saying Khan is on anything but yeah, it has crossed my mind". (more)

ROBERT GUERRERO: A MAN AMONGST BOYS

ROBERT GUERRERO: A MAN AMONGST BOYS
BY STEPHEN S. JOHNSON

(IB-February 18, 2010) The news that IBF junior lightweight champion Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero (25-1-1-2, 17 KO's) was vacating that title to care for his sick wife Casey, was the most heart wrenching decision  released by a professional boxer in quite some time.

The just 26 years old now former IBF junior lightweight champion, Guerrero has been grief stricken since November of 2007 when Casey Guerrero was first diagnosed with leukemia. Just prior to Robert being scheduled to fight Martin Hinorio (then 24-3-1) in his first defense of the IBF featherweight title, is when this story began to take it's unfortunate turn. (more)

UNFORGIVEABLE?

UNFORGIVEABLE?

BY STEPHEN S.JOHNSON Photo: Eric VanDyke/Insideboxing.com

(IB-February 15, 2010) The word came down just a few days ago that former World Welterweight Champion 31 years old Antonio Margarito (37-6-0-1, 27 KO's) would not be allowed to fight on the March 13, 2010 undercard of the featured Manny Pacquiao vs Joshua Clottey mega-match.

For most, arriving at the decision to exclude Margarito from being allowed to fight on this card went much further than him returning from a 1 year suspension. In the vocal "court of public opinion", Antonio Margarito has committed the crime of cheating in one of the most reprehensible ways possible in the sport.

Boxing is considered by outsiders as animalistic in that the main objective is for one man to beat the other either senseless or unable to continue fighting. Having anything foreign that could enhance the power delivered by a punch is not only unfair, but dangerous. (more)

"YOU BE THE JUDGE"

"YOU BE THE JUDGE"
BY STEPHEN S. JOHNSON

(IB-February 7, 2010) Ricardo Lois of THE BOXING TRUTH.com interviewed Mario Margossian (who represents junior welterweight contender Marcos Maidana) by telephone in Argentina last night.

Ricardo Lois pulled no punches and immediately "cut to the chase" in what turned out to be a revealing conversation...one that all boxing fans should pay close attention to.

As you are all probably aware, there have been many questions, and until now even fewer answers, regarding the rumors of Maidana being offered money to hold off on a mandatory title defense due him by the current WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan.

Amir Khan just recently signed a 3-fight promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions who is on record as saying that they would deliver the "big fights" that British promoter Frank Warren (allegedly) could not deliver for Khan.(more)

SMART MONEY…IS ON “MONEY”

SMART MONEY…IS ON “MONEY”
By Ron Brashear
Inside Boxing Writer/Columnist

 (IB) – February 03, 2010 – Now that both fighters; Mosley and Mayweather, have signed to fight each other on May 1st at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV, We can actually begin to take a closer look at this fight.

For me, I will have to say that the SMART MONEY…IS ON “MONEY”, Floyd “Money” Mayweather.  While I have a lot of respect for all that Shane has achieved in his stellar career, I don't see him prevailing against Floyd in this fight. In my humble opinion, there is actually only ONE real threat in the Welterweight Division to defeat Floyd. It’s not Shane or the Pac Man. It’s actually Berto. Had Mosley and Berto fought last weekend, we would have all witnessed exactly what I have just stated. It’s something about a skillful champion with a ZERO in the lost column. He doesn't know how to lose. That is the case with "Money" Mayweather. Mosley and Pac Man have experience in losing fights...Floyd doesn't and that will be the difference maker. By the way, Berto doesn't know how to lose either. (more)

"THE MORE THINGS CHANGE,THE MORE THEY REMAIN THE SAME"

"THE MORE THINGS CHANGE,THE MORE THEY REMAIN THE SAME"
BY STEPHEN S. JOHNSON

(IB-February 2, 2010) "A fight against Juan Manuel Marquez is a breakthrough as he is one of the best and Mexico's most active fighter. Once he wins against Marquez, there is the possibility of a fight against Zab Judah and then a super fight against Floyd Mayweather, Jr."...Richard Schaefer, CEO Golden Boy Promotions.

This statement is in regards to the newly signed latest "cash cow" of the Golden Boy Entertainment empire, Amir Khan. It would not seem such a weird statement coming from your promoter if it were not for the fact that CEO Schaefer and Golden Boy Promotions also promote Khan's opponent, Juan Manuel Marquez. 

I'm sure there will soon be Oscar de la hoya himself saying something to the effect of "We already have talks being initiated for fights after Juan Marquez defeats Amir Khan"... (more)

"NOTHING LIKE OLD FACES"

"NOTHING LIKE OLD FACES"
BY STEPHEN S. JOHNSON

(IB-February 1, 2010) The collapse of the Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather, Jr. bout that was scheduled to take place on March 13, 2010 was deemed by some to be a "nail in the coffin" of boxing. (more)

Nick Charles Return

Nick Charles Return By Tom Donelson

This past Friday night, what happened outside the ring was the bigger story that what happened in the ring. (more)