Ringside Report

The Canadian Rule: Lucian Bute & David Limieux

November 4th, 2010

Bad Brad

By Geno McGahee

In the super middleweight division, there are many vying for the top spot. Showtime put together a tournament featuring many of those with a claim, and through the chaos that is boxing, it has fallen apart to a great degree. Mikkel Kessler left the tournament with an injury, Jermain Taylor left for safety reasons, and Andre Dirrell left as well, citing medical problems. That leaves only three of the original six in Carl Froch, Arthur Abraham, and Andre Ward. The replacements in Glen Johnson and Allan Green are considered mediocrities by comparison to the original six.

The Canadian Rule: Lucian Bute & David Limieux

November 4th, 2010

Bad Brad

By Geno McGahee

In the super middleweight division, there are many vying for the top spot. Showtime put together a tournament featuring many of those with a claim, and through the chaos that is boxing, it has fallen apart to a great degree. Mikkel Kessler left the tournament with an injury, Jermain Taylor left for safety reasons, and Andre Dirrell left as well, citing medical problems. That leaves only three of the original six in Carl Froch, Arthur Abraham, and Andre Ward. The replacements in Glen Johnson and Allan Green are considered mediocrities by comparison to the original six.

Geno’s Boxing Corner: Manny Pacquiao Unfocused

November 4th, 2010

Bad Brad

By Geno McGahee

Unfocused

November 13th is quickly approaching and the PPV bout featuring “Hands of Plaster” Antonio Margarito and Manny Pacquiao has picked up momentum. That is in large part due to the subpar training camp of Pacquiao.

There have been those in the media that have claimed that Pacquiao’s training was fine and that this is some sort of hype job to create a buzz around a fight that had very little, but the rumors are legitimate. RSR first reported the sparring session with Amir Khan that proved to be a disaster for the Filipino fighter and Freddie Roach has gotten so frustrated that he has gone out publicly against his own fighter, in some attempt to refocus him.

Audley Harrison: A No Win Situation for David Haye

November 4th, 2010

Bad Brad

By Damien Norman

London’s David Haye defends his WBA World Heavyweight Title against Audley Harrison on Saturday, November 13th at Manchester’s M.E.N. arena, UK.

Haye, who comes in to this fight on the back of a successful title defense against John Ruiz promises to “Brutally” knock out Harrison and embarrass him in the process. This is one of many outrageous claims Haye has made as well as riling a number of activists by claiming the fight will be as ‘one sided as a gang rape’. Although this comment is taking it slightly too far it clearly shows the hatred between the two boxers.

The Collapse of the Super Six: Boxing Faces Murphy’s Law

November 4th, 2010

Bad Brad

By Delroy Hill

For me, the Super 6 Boxing Classic was doomed from the very beginning. Boxing is one of the most brutal sports known to mankind. In fact, this is one of the rare sports that you don’t play, and could be a matter of life and death.

Fighters that climb the canvas, or even spar for that matter, take on a high risk of injury, along with mental and physical deterioration. Let’s be honest about it, not everyone can be a boxer.

The Boxing Weekend: Juan Manuel Lopez Vs Rafael Marquez Headlines

November 4th, 2010

Bad Brad

By Geno McGahee

Friday

SHOBOX
Fargo, North Dakota

This Friday on Showtime’s hit series SHOBOX, we will see rising super middleweight Edwin Rodriguez, 16-0, 12 KO’s, as he takes on James McGirt, JR., 22-2-1, 11 KO’s, in a 10 round contest.

Rodriguez is out of Worcester, Massachusetts, and has fought a great deal of his fights there. The majority of his early career has been the trampling of mediocrities and that term is a kind one. He recently fought a 17-2, Kevin Engel, and won, but Engel’s record was deceptive as well, as he built his career on no-hopers. This Friday, Rodriguez takes on a real threat.

Zab Judah: Boxing’s Superman Takes on Lucas Matthysse this Saturday

November 3rd, 2010

Bad Brad

By Delroy Hill

“Right now my job is to go out and beat Matthysse. After that, whatever doors will open, we will walk through them. I’m not lookin’ for any of these guys.” – Zab “Super” Judah

After years of fighting in a division above his ideal weight class, Zab Judah, 39-6-2, 27 KO’s, decided to move back down to the junior welterweight division.

The former undisputed welterweight champion, former IBF and WBO junior welterweight champion made his return to the ring on July 16, 2010, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Brooklyn native faced Mexico’s Jose Armando Santa Cruz and scored an impressive third round TKO. The difference in hand speed was apparent from the start as Zab worked off a fast jab. After throwing a few combinations to start what would be the final round, Judah landed a beautiful left uppercut sending Santa Cruz to the canvas, ending the fight at 2:33 of round three.

Gonzo’s Gems: From Mack The Knife to Beyond The Sea, “The Legendary Bobby Darin”

November 3rd, 2010

Bad Brad

By Sam “Gonzo” Gonzales

I distinctly remember playing my aunt’s “Oldies But Goodies” collection, volumes 1 through 8. I was about 11 years old and I knew being entrusted with those vinyl platters and stereo console was a very big deal. I played through all 8 volumes on a pretty regular basis, always stopping at key tracks, lingering on them a little longer than others, really giving them a good listening to. “Splish Splash” by Bobby Darin was one of those tracks. It became an “Oldie But Goodie” favorite of mine then and continues to be so to this day.

The Manny Pacquiao – Mike Tyson Comparison: A Lesson to be Learned

November 2nd, 2010

Bad Brad

By Geno McGahee

The year is 1990 and the undefeated, undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the world, Iron Mike Tyson heads to Tokyo to defend his title against the 42-1 underdog, James “Buster” Douglas, a fighter seen as a no-hoper and so bad that they could not find a home for the fight in the states. Tokyo elected to buy it and bring over the monster that was walking over his competition with ease.

Amir Khan’s Moment of Truth: The Marcos Maidana Showdown

November 2nd, 2010

Bad Brad

By Delroy Hill

On December 11, Amir Khan, 23-1, 17 KO’s, will defend his WBA Light Welterweight Title against Marcos Rene Maidana, 29-1, 27 KO’s, at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort in Las Vegas.

Fans have been anticipating a fight between Khan and Maidana as the two have engaged in a war of words over the past year on Twitter and in the press. The bout presents an interesting clash of styles as Khan is a fast, technical boxer facing a come forward, power puncher in Maidana.

Lucian Bute: Bring on Kelly Pavlik or Anyone Else in Boxing

November 1st, 2010

Bad Brad

By Gina L. Caliboso

I was so close in my prediction – I predicted an 8th round KO and French Canadian fighter (by way of Romania) Lucian “Le Tombeur” Bute defeated Brinkley with a 9th round KO.

Do I know my favorite fighter or what?

Could it be this combat sports reporter may actually have some insight into the 168-lb division that has had more drama than my love life? There isn’t much happening by the way – so it wouldn’t be too difficult. Nonetheless, as I faithfully look at the rankings within the super middleweight division, I am excited. Once the drama and curse of the Super 6 completes itself going into 2011, Bute will and should have his pick of fighters.

Twilight Zone: Living Doll

October 31st, 2010

Bad Brad

Reviewed by Geno McGahee

“I’m not your daddy!”– Enrich Streator (Telly Savalas)

Telly Savalas…need I go any farther? You cannot beat anything with Kojak himself as the star and when you add an evil talking doll to the mix, you have yourself a winner.

Enrich Streator (Savalas) plays a new addition to the family, marrying Annabelle (Mary LaRoche), and has unwillingly taken the role of daddy for young Christie (Tracy Stratford). Being a stepfather isn’t easy and especially when you aren’t even sharing the same bed as your new wife. What was up with that? Or, maybe I should say, what wasn’t up with that? I can only imagine Annabelle saying to her man: “You’re jerking off again tonight Kojak!” It’s no wonder why he was such an angry guy.

RSR Looks Back at the Unlikely Career of Three-Division Champion Barney Ross

October 30th, 2010

Bad Brad

By Mike “Rubber Warrior” Plunkett

Barney Ross was a rugged, hungry fighter whose unmatched physical fitness and superior stamina made him a three-division champion in a time when there were far less world titles in existence. He won world titles in the lightweight, junior welterweight and welterweight divisions. Born Dov-Ber Rasofsky, Ross grew up in Chicago where he was raised by strict Orthodox Jewish parents that had an eye towards his becoming a Rabbi. Opposed to his ambition of becoming a practitioner of the sweet science, his family relented after his father was mercilessly killed during a hold-up.

The Klitschko Rule: A Look at the Heavyweight Division

October 29th, 2010

Bad Brad

By Geno McGahee

At this point, the heavyweight division is Klitschko. There aren’t any fighters out there currently generating any interest with the public and very few are given a chance to be competitive with either Klitschko, let alone defeat them. When you look at the long line of decent boxers that both men have easily destroyed, it’s hard to imagine them losing. They have momentum on their side and are continually improving.

Fres Oquendo Faces Oliver McCall

October 28th, 2010

Bad Brad

Former NABA heavyweight champion, ‘Fast’ Fres Qquendo, steps into the ring on December 7th against former world heavyweight champion Oliver McCall, for a 12 round IBF inter-continental title clash, at the world famous Hard Rock Casino, in Hollywood, Florida.

Manny Pacquiao Vs Will Ferrell – A Sing Off

October 28th, 2010

Bad Brad

Tune in this Monday night, November 1 as Manny Pacquiao returns to ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” at 12:05 a.m. Following in the tradition of Pacquiao’s previous visits, he will be performing a musical number – this time with the help of fellow guest, actor Will Ferrell. Pacquiao is currently in training in Los Angeles for his November 13 WBC junior middleweight championship match with Antonio Margarito in Texas. Last year Pacquiao serenaded the live studio audience with a rendition of the love song, “Sometimes When We Touch.”

Oscar De La Hoya: The Return of the Golden Boy

October 28th, 2010

Bad Brad

By Stuart Gracey

In a recent interview, the Detroit warrior Cornelius “K-9” Bundrage called for “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya to come out of retirement and meet him in the ring.

In recent months Bundrage has called out a lot of fighters in and around his weight class including Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto but in calling out Oscar De La Hoya, I have to ask myself, does he know something we don’t?

Manny Pacquiao: The Antonio Margarito Challenge

October 28th, 2010

Bad Brad

By Hermilando “Ingming” Duque Aberia

The world’s pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, 51-3-2, 38 KO’s, of the Philippines threads another unfamiliar course when he fights former World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight titlist Antonio Margarito, 38-6, 27 KO’s, of Mexico on November 13th 2010 at Dallas, Texas, USA.

RSR Breaking News: Amir Khan Stops Manny Pacquiao in Sparring Session

October 27th, 2010

Bad Brad

By Geno McGahee

RSR has just been informed that the training camp of Manny Pacquiao had a slight scare recently during a sparring session with Amir Khan. There has been recurring talk from members of the team as well as trainer Freddie Roach that Pacquiao is not as focused on this fight as he has been in the past and that he is not performing well in the gym.

According to an inside source, Pacquiao was controlled and stunned so badly by Amir Khan in training that the sparring session was halted after just three rounds. Roach had a heated discussion with his prize fighter where he reportedly told him that he was “going to lose” if he didn’t get his head together.

Floyd Mayweather, JR: Bring On Manny Pacquiao Next!

October 27th, 2010

Bad Brad

By “Bad” Brad Berkwitt

2010 will go down as a year in boxing when sadly the biggest fight that even had non-boxing fans talking not happening between P4P best Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, JR. The fight should have been made, but let’s take a closer look to see if Floyd Mayweather, JR was a PR Guru or all around joke for not making it happen.

Floyd Mayweather, JR. – PR Guru

Floyd was on the WWE and Dancing With The Stars. That was brilliant marketing by him along with his team to get his mug and name out to the masses that would not turn on a boxing match if you glued the clicker to their hands. But now that they saw the million dollar smile, they were interested in seeing him fight. Well, he did that against a smaller man in Juan Manuel Marquez who over 12 rounds, he beat pillar to post. Then this past May, he once again, took on someone this time his own size, but a very faded former star in Sugar Shane Mosley. In the second round, Mosley wobbled “Pretty Boy”, but that was his moment and he could not capitalize on it to save his life. After that, he held and mugged for 12 rounds while being outgunned by Mayweather.

IBF Middleweight Champion Sebastian Sylvester Talks About His Upcoming Defense

October 27th, 2010

Bad Brad

IBF Middleweight Champion Sebastian Sylvester (33-3-1, 16 KOs) and challenger Mahir Oral (28-2-2, 11 KOs) expect a similar kind of fight on Saturday night – only the outcome will be different. Both fighters have prepared for 12 hard rounds. “I expect it to go the distance,” Sylvester said. “Mahir has prepared well and will be a difficult opponent. But if I hit his chin or his liver, it could be over soon for him. With the support of my home fans, I will defend my title.” Oral does not believe the “Hurricane” has the power to knock him out. “He can hit my chin or my liver as often as he likes – it will not help him,” Oral stated. “He can waste his energy doing that.

Gonzo’s Gems: “On The Edge With The Babys”

October 27th, 2010

Bad Brad

By Sam “Gonzo” Gonzales

By accident, I stumbled across the The Babys in 1982, one year after the band had broken up. It was a bright sunny day and I was at a yard sale rummaging through cassette tapes in a big box marked “$2 each”. I picked up a cassette by “The Babys“ entitled “On The Edge” and though I wasn’t familiar with the group, I added it to my stack of cassettes. I paid $10 dollars for my handful of cassette tapes and headed home. “Not bad“, I thought, after listening to half the tracks. The Babys had a very distinctive sound. It wasn’t until I got to the cut, “Too Far Gone” that I was floored! It had my immediate attention. There was no denying the hard rocking attitude of the track. I decided to find out what else these “Babys” were about.

RSR Breaking News: Lucian Bute Vs Kelly Pavlik on March 12th

October 26th, 2010

Bad Brad

RSR has just been informed that IBF Super Middleweight Champion, Lucian Bute, 27-0, 22 KO’s, will be facing former Middleweight Champion, Kelly Pavlik, 36-2, 32 KO’s, in Canada on March 12th. We have been told that the official announcement will be made by November 20th and will depend on Pavlik getting beyond Bryan Vera on November 13th.

Floyd Mayweather JR’s Challenge to Manny Pacquiao: November 13th Awaits

October 26th, 2010

Bad Brad

By Geno McGahee

On November 13th, the boxing world will be treated to a sham pay per view featuring one of the best fighters in the game today, Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao, 51-3-2, 38 KO’s, taking on one of the biggest scumbags to ever lace up the gloves, Antonio Margarito, 38-6, 27 KO’s. There was a time when people went to prison for tampering with a sporting event, but now we reward them and Margarito, a man that unquestionably loaded his hand wraps with plaster of Paris will be getting one of the biggest paydays of his career as he takes on Pacquiao.

Much of the emphasis should be placed on the “good guy,” Manny Pacquiao for taking this fight. Some say that “he’s just a fighter and he fights who ever they put in front of him,” but when you reach the stature of a Pacquiao, you have options. He could have taken on just about anyone and the public would have accepted it, but he took on the in house opponent of Bob Arum’s liking and now we have this disgusting campaign to make the Mexican challenger look like a good guy.

Ray Austin vs. Odlanier Solis is Set for December 17th

October 26th, 2010

Bad Brad

Promoters Don King and Ahmet Oner will host a press conference on Wednesday to officially announce a WBC heavyweight final elimination bout between WBC #1-ranked heavyweight Ray Austin and undefeated WBC #2-ranked (and Cuban 2004 Olympic heavyweight champion) Odlanier Solis to be held at AmericanAirlines Arena on December 17. The winner earns the right to next face WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko.

Undefeated IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud will also be featured making the second defense of his title against and opponent to be named.