Ringside Report

“Zute” for Thought: Boxing Edition

May 27th, 2019

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By Anthony “Zute” George

It appears that Bob Arum did not take my advice. Not one hundred percent, anyway. Part of my suggestion was executed, as Vasyl Lomachenko will indeed face Luke Campbell for the vacant WBC lightweight title. Good fight.

However, Top Rank Boxing has extended the other side of the lightweight round robin. Ray Beltran will face IBF lightweight champion Richard Commey, and Teofimo Lopez is slated to take on Masayoshi Nakatani for an IBF light title eliminator, with the winner to face the winner of the Commey Vs Beltran fight. The hope is the winner of this mini IBF round robin takes on the winner of the Lomachenko Vs Campbell fight. At least I think that is what the plan is.

Ringside Report Looks Back At Baseball Movies

May 27th, 2019

Bad Brad

By Geoffrey Huchel

“Take me out to the ballgame; take me out to the crowd…” OK, I know you know the song, but I felt it was apropos considering baseball season is underway. Whatever your favorite team is, like my World Series Champions Boston Red Sox, it can be said there have been some really terrific baseball films through the years. So, grab your cracker jacks and let’s look back at some of the movies that celebrate America’s favorite pastime.

With A Song In My Heart: Mario Lanza – Ringside Report Music Video of the Day

May 27th, 2019

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Looking Back At Legendary Las Vegas Fights

May 24th, 2019

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By “Bad” Brad Berkwitt

Las Vegas for decades has been a gamblers and boxing fan’s paradise where some of the biggest fights in boxing history have taken place. For this article, we are going to look at three such fights.

Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas, NV (September 16, 1981)

Promoted as “The Showdown”. Sugar Ray Leonard 30-1, 21 KO’s was the WBC Welterweight Champion a title he held from 1979 – 1980 when he lost to Roberto Duran in a 15 round unanimous decision on June 20, 1980, only to win it back a little over 5 months later when Duran echoed the words “No Mas” in the 8th round that would haunt him for years to come.

Fantasy: Aldo Nova – Ringside Report Music Video of the Day

May 23rd, 2019

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Vinny Pazienza Vs Harry Arroyo: Ringside Report Classic Fight of the Day

May 23rd, 2019

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BJ Flores Follows Suit Like So Many Other Boxers & Is Coming Out of Retirement to Lace Up the Gloves Again! – Boxing News

May 23rd, 2019

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Las Vegas based heavyweight contender BJ Flores (34-4-1) has been quietly enjoying retirement life. Between managing his real estate properties in Scottsdale AZ and his occasional commentary duties for the WBSS in 2018 and 2019, Flores felt like he had laced up the gloves for the final time.

Then the phone rang with an offer he couldn’t refuse. He was presented with an opportunity to face a world rated, undefeated, up and coming heavyweight on Showtime.

The former two-time world title challenger will return to the ring on July 12th in Seattle, WA when he faces unbeaten heavyweight contender Otto Wallin (20-0) in a bout that will serve as a ShoBox main event on Showtime.

Flores was last in action in August when he came up short against Trevor Bryan in a bout for the vacant interim WBA world heavyweight title. With the way that fight went, Flores knows there will be doubters and rightfully so.

Two Deaths, Three Days, One Mansion – ID Investigates Mysterious Deaths in “REBECCA ZAHAU: AN ID MURDER MYSTERY”

May 23rd, 2019

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On July 11, 2011, 6-year-old Max Shacknai suffers a fatal fall in his father’s Coronado home while under the watch of his father’s girlfriend, Rebecca Zahau. Tragedy strikes a second time when just two days later, Rebecca’s body is found naked, bound and gagged, hanging from a balcony of the same mansion. Police suspect guilt over Max’s death drove Rebecca to take her own life, but a myriad of peculiar clues and troubling evidence suggest a more sinister possibility. Was Rebecca Zahau murdered? Leading true crime network Investigation Discovery (ID) examines the troubling case from top to bottom in REBECCA ZAHAU: AN ID MURDER MYSTERY. The latest installment from the network’s breakout hit MURDER MYSTERY franchise, REBECCA ZAHAU dissects each piece of evidence to decipher the truth behind Rebecca’s mysterious death. The two-hour special event premieres Monday, May 27 at 9/8c, only on ID.

Xcite Fight Night 4 Card Information Announced – Boxing News

May 23rd, 2019

Bad Brad

The undercard for Xcite Fight Night 4 at Parx Casino® on June 15 is packed with undefeated prospects and an entertaining rematch.

In the semifinal contest, Jerome Conquest (10-3-0 1 K0) faces off against Frank Trader (12-2-1 3 K0s) in an all-Philadelphia matchup for the USBF continental championship. That will serve as a prelude to the main event, which features homegrown flyweight Miguel Cartagena (15-5-1 6 K0s). Cartagena looks to return to his winning ways against Jesus Solar (10-1-1 5K0s), who is making just his second stateside appearance in what has become the Puerto Rican fighter’s adopted second home.

The undercard features a welterweight bout with one of Philly’s most exciting unbeaten prospects in Marcel Rivers (7-0 4 K0s). He promises an entertaining fight with Lancaster-based Evincii Dixon (7-23-2 2 K0s).

Doctor Curmudgeon®: To Mall or Not To Mall!

May 23rd, 2019

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By Diane Batshaw Eisman, M.D. FAAP

No!

Doctor Curmudgeon’s® special Wolf Blend coffee found itself sputtered all over the front page of her beloved hometown newspaper where It obscured the troublesome headline.

Her immediate reaction to this banner was one of anxiety.

She recalled the dim days of the past when her ten minute distance by car from home to office actually took ten minutes; when she could visit friends in the adjacent county who were twenty minutes from her; but now had to allow an hour, even on weekends and not during “rush hours.”

Perhaps, it was time for another visit to the Council of Curmudgeons. It has been many years since this particular curmudgeon had been called to the council for not being curmudgeon enough. However, special dispensation had been given to her as, after all, it was decided, she was really a physician. And she had sworn to the Oath of Hippocrates and to the Oath of Maimonides.

Ringside Report Looks Back at Harold Volbrecht

May 23rd, 2019

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By Donald “Braveheart” Stewart

The 1970’s and 1980’s caused a lot of concern for anyone in politics in the United Kingdom when it came to South Africa. Whilst other nations had wars to rally against and conflicts on foreign fields we were dealing with a growing threat of terrorism from within and our legacy as left in colonies and formerly UK ruled countries that were now causing international concern.

One of those was South Africa. As Rhodesia imploded into Zimbabwe and the apologists for colonial rule were forced to concede that our influence in Africa was not a “wholly” positive one, South Africa clung on to the idea of racial superiority like a long past his sell by date and battered boxer after the third round, hoping to hear the final bell.

The Politics and Pitfalls of Becoming Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World

May 23rd, 2019

Bad Brad

Heavyweight boxing is stronger now than it has been at any other point in the past 20 years.

In Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, boxing’s flagship division finally has a trio comparable to Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, who competed for titles in the late 1990s. There’s one problem, though: they aren’t fighting each other. When Joshua, 22-0, 21 KO’s – the WBA, WBO and IBF champion – defends his belts against Andy Ruiz, JR., 32-1, 21 KO’s at Madison Square Garden on 1 June, much of the focus will be on a bout that isn’t even happening.

A meeting with WBC champion Wilder would provide Joshua – who is the 1/33 favorite in the boxing betting to beat Ruiz, JR. – a chance to fulfil his long-term goal of becoming the undisputed world champion.

Chasing the final belt has proven extremely difficult for the 2012 Olympic gold medallist, though. That’s because there are now more obstacles involved in winning multiple titles and organising mega-fights than ever before. For a fight between Joshua and Wilder to be made, their respective promoters must come to an agreement. Negotiations between Eddie Hearn and Shelley Finkel – who manages Wilder – have become public and personal over the past two years, with Hearn referring derogatively to his counterpart as ‘Shirley Winkel on several occasions.

Anthony Joshua: Pride of the UK

May 22nd, 2019

Bad Brad

By Anthony “Zute” George

Since Anthony Joshua has turned professional, he has had 22 fought, fought 83 rounds, is undefeated and has had only one of those victories decided by the judges. Impressive.

What is even more impressive about AJ is the large crowds he has fought in front of. Indeed, whether it is the O2 Arena, Principality Stadium, or Wembley Stadium, the eyeballs come in abundance to watch AJ fight. Making him the Pride of the UK.

But Joshua knows he must move his act to the United States if he really wants to be relevant. Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn is aware of this as well. Bottom line, if the Pride of the UK can make it in America, he will make some serious coin and build a lasting legacy.

Ringside Report Reviews Game Of Thrones Finale: (Spoiler Alert)

May 22nd, 2019

Bad Brad

By Anthony “Zute” George

Yes, there will be spoilers. And perhaps an insult or two.

The popular HBO series Game of Thrones aired its final episode Sunday night. Whenever a longstanding, gargantuanly popular, series like GOT has a send off it is an event, before, during and after its airing. GOT’s sendoff, however, was a little bit different than other television giants such as Seinfeld, Breaking Bad, NYPD Blue, The Cosby Show and M*A*S*H*, in the sense that there has been a significant layoff since the last season of Thrones.

During that painfully long layoff, anticipation and theories grew aplenty, so much so that there was no possible way this shortened finale season of six episodes was going to satisfy the fans and quench the insatiable thirst of the buildup they created in their minds. Having said that, I felt that under the circumstances, this last season was very satisfying, and the series finale was splendid.

Vinny’s Views: Anthony Joshua Vs Andy Ruiz: The Stats, The Facts & The Ringside Report Fight Prediction is In!

May 21st, 2019

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By Vinny “Glory Days” Lucci

Some fights are easier to promote by media than others with the rare commodity of an excellent match up needing no build up at all as fans buzz by word of mouth gets the job done free. Rarer still are the fights that are just fights or as my Father used to say, “It is what it is.”

The Event:

On June 1st Match room Sport presents Anthony Joshua defending his WBA, (super) WBO and IBF heavyweight belt collection against “available” contender Andy Ruiz. Promoter Eddie Hearn had to maneuver from behind the 8 ball to preserve the event at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Ruiz replaces Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller who came up dirty two weeks ago on steroid use by VADA, (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.)

Scarred And Scared: Rod Stewart – Ringside Report Music Video of the Day

May 21st, 2019

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Pound-For-Pound: Canelo Alvarez Is The Best Fighter In The World

May 21st, 2019

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By Rich “Lite It Up” Lopez

Within the last month there has been much debate on who the best fighter in the world is pound for pound. The top three fighters in the discussion are Canelo Alvarez, Terrance Crawford, and Vasyl Lomachenko. These same fighters are in the top three in most of the pound-for-pound lists. If you saw Crawford and Lomachenko’s recent fights on ESPN, there was only a debate between those two fighters on who was the best. That’s because Canelo is not a Top Rank fighter. The pound-for-pound debate is subjective, but overall, most hardcore fans will place the same fighters in their top pound for pound lists. I admit, it’s a very close race between Alvarez, Lomachenko, and Crawford, but after Alvarez’s win over Daniel Jacobs this recently, he gets the nod in my list.

Investigation Discovery’s Fourth Annual IDCON Delivered News & Surprises to Stunned Audience – TV News

May 21st, 2019

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On Saturday, May 18, 550 devoted ID Addicts journeyed to Center 415 in New York City to be immersed in a day of true crime fandom created just for them. Before taking the stage at the fourth annual IDCON, ON THE CASE’s Paula Zahn and emcee Tony Harris surprised fans by greeting them in the lobby to kick off the star-studded event. After Zahn delivered welcome remarks, Group President of Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, American Heroes Channel and Destination America’s Henry Schleiff took the stage to present IDCON’s largest donation yet to the Silver Shield Foundation, an organization providing educational support for the families of fallen New York police officers and firefighters. Accepting for Silver Shield was their COO, K.C. Fuchs, as well as supporter and beneficiary of the organization, Lisa Tuozzolo, who is the wife of an NYPD sergeant who was killed in a Bronx shooting in 2016.

Ivan Baranchyk Loses his IBF Super Lightweight Title in his First Defense Against Josh Taylor by Unanimous Decision!

May 20th, 2019

Bad Brad

Scotland’s ‘Tartan Tornado’ Josh Taylor earned his first world title after producing a career-best performance against the tough Belarusian, ‘The Beast’ Baranchyk, and the unanimous decision verdict via scores of 117-109 and two times 115-111 means he is on to face WBA titleholder Regis Prograis in the super-lightweight final of the WBSS.

“I took more risks than I should have,” said Taylor. “And I could have made it easier on myself. If I had more time in the sixth round I would have stopped him. It was easy peasy.

“I’m so delighted of winning a world title and I can’t wait for the final now. I think I’m the best, Regis Prograis thinks he is the best. I am confident of going all the way.”

Green Green Grass Of Home: Tom Jones – Ringside Report Music Video of the Day

May 20th, 2019

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Metrofail and Trifail: Oy What a Mess! Part I

May 20th, 2019

Bad Brad

By Seth H. Bramson

First, I must express my personal mea culpa to Mr. Berkwitt as well as to all of you.

I considered it a great honor to have been asked by Mr. B. to write a regular column and for some weeks was able to maintain the twice-a-week schedule. Unhappily (don’t want to use the term “unfortunately”) “time and the tides” managed to intercede and threw me off, much to my dismay.

It is important that you all understand that Brad Berkwitt, an honored military veteran, is a total gentleman and, if I may use the expression (which I may!) a “real and true stand-up guy,” who not only takes “no crap” from anybody but who is a man who, like my beloved brother, Bennett (or, yes, Bennett’s nearly lifetime friend, Gerry Goldstein) a person who I would be honored to “have my back.” That is the kind of persons Brad, Bennett and Gerry are.

Move Over Godzilla…There Is A New Monster From Japan and His Name Is Naoya Inoue

May 20th, 2019

Bad Brad

By Rich “Lite It Up” Lopez

While a lot of buzz was focused on Deontay Wilder’s crushing knockout over Dominic Breazeale on Saturday night, there was another spectacular performance that took place on the same day as well. On Saturday afternoon in Glasgow, Scotland, the World Boxing Super Series continued with their tournament in the semi-finals. While the main event was between Josh Taylor and Ivan Baranchyk in the Junior Welterweight division, the co-feature stole the show due to one fighter’s performance.

The fighter is from Japan and his name is Naoya Inoue. He is known as the Monster and the nickname fits well.

Naoya Inoue: Fight! Monster Fight!

May 20th, 2019

Bad Brad

By Anthony “Zute” George

Godzilla, King of the Monsters, returns to the cinema in just a few short weeks. But, Naoya Inoue, Japan’s other monster, terrorized and thrilled the boxing world last weekend.

Inoue, the WBA bantamweight champion, faced Emmanuel Rodriguez, the IBF 118-pound champion. The bout was also the semifinal of the World Boxing Super Series bantamweight tournament, with the winner to face the other WBA champion, veteran Nonito Donaire; yes, the WBA has two champions. The winner of that fight takes home The Muhammad Ali Trophy, a bunch of belts, and a whole lot of prestige.