Connect with us

Featured Articles

Steward is the Primary Reason Klitschko will Outclass Thompson by Phil Woolever

Published

on

WK-JUNE-2012-TT-WORKOUT MG 9259NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN, HOPING TO KICK YOUR BUTT – The two words that best sum up why Wladimir Klitschko is so justifiable as an overwhelming favorite to defend his multiple heavyweight baubles and belts Saturday night against Tony “The Tiger” Thompson are not left cross, right uppercut, or even unseen speed. The words are a name : Emanuel Steward.

How much further Steward will propel and refine Klitschko as a boxing machine is a wide open question. If Klitschko retains his present form for a few more fights, it's not only another accolade in the Detroit professor's portfolio. It could be Steward's most impressive achievement as a trainer, no small matter when considering Steward's unsurpassed career.

Steward is probably one of the primary guiding forces in the K2 empire.

It's been almost four years exactly since Klitschko, who weighed in at 249 1/4, stopped Thompson, 244 3/4, in the 11th round of their initial encounter. How much the 40 year old Thompson has gained or lost in his skill set remains to be seen, but there's no doubt that Klitschko is vastly improved since that first go in Hamburg. Even under the unlikely possibility Thompson somehow became twice as good, he's still a big underdog.

The fighters have maintained formal interactions during fight week functions, with no unnecessary drama. Thompson flipped off a fan who yelled “You Lose” at the weigh in and that's as wild as things have been. One gets the sense the boxers are, appropriately, saving issues for the ring.

K2 has employed Thompson as a sparring partner, and he appeared on the undercard of Vitali's fight against Juan Carlos Gomez. If the Thompson who pounded durable Adrian Serin into a harsh 5th round stoppage that night shows up in Switzerland, Klitschko will have his hands full, but only for a while.

Both fighters look like they have a bit a grudge about something to prove.

If Thompson's claims of knee problems during the first meeting are accurate, we may see that 50% improvement in his performance, but we will not see much difference in the result. Alpine odds should be around 4-1 Klitschko.

The contest in Bern is very likely to resemble the first bout, except that Thompson will likely try to establish something early and there could be some heavy exchanges. That scenario is really Thompson's only chance, to put Klitschko into a shell, then control enough infrequent exchanges to get the nod.

Won't happen. Klitschko's awesome jab is getting even better, but the most noteworthy thing visible at this week's public workout was speed. Klitschko looks like he is operating in another gear these days, behind shifting shoulder leverage that has turned leather gloves into laser beams. The improvement in Klitschko's flow of defensive leg movement into stationary punching power is even more apparent than it was during Steward's work with Lennox Lewis.

Watching Steward's general daily interactions, he appears to think in levels like a three dimensional chess master and such cognitives are multiplied in a boxing ring. It seems almost impossible that Steward would have observed the southpaw Thompson around K2 camp and not have developed formulas to use against him, just in case. In this case that was the case, and Klitschko should see everything coming well in advance.

What we should see coming is another version of the Klitschko – Jean Marc Mormeck affair. The challenger tries as hard as he can but it's a water balloon against a brick situation.

What we should see coming is another early night.

What we should see coming is that if Steward admitted some adjustments had to be made in the first fight, they have been made, and further adjustments have been prepared.

What Thompson probably won't see coming is the straight shot that pastes him to the canvas.

Steward and Klitschko have emerged as one of the most interesting fighter/trainer combos in many a moon.

If Steward says the battle will end within five rounds, placing a wager that direction isn't an unwise move.

If there's a way to improve the already formidable Klitschko even more, it's also a pretty safe bet Emanuel Steward will find a way to do it.

Photo: http://michaelsterlingeaton.com

Comment on this article

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Featured Articles

WBA Feather Champ Nick Ball Chops Down Rugged Ronny Rios in Liverpool

Published

on

WBA-Feather-Champ-Nick-Ball-Chops-Down-Rugged-Ronny-Rios-in-Liverpool

In his first fight in his native Liverpool since February of 2020, Nick Ball successfully defended his WBA title with a 10th-round stoppage of SoCal veteran Ronny Rios. The five-foot-two “Wrecking Ball” was making the first defense of a world featherweight strap he won in his second stab at it, taking the belt from Raymond Ford on a split decision after previously fighting Rey Vargas to a draw in a match that many thought Ball had won.

This fight looked like it was going to be over early. Ball strafed Rios with an assortment of punches in the first two rounds, and likely came within a punch or two of ending the match in the third when he put Rios on the canvas with a short left hook and then tore after him relentlessly. But Rios, a glutton for punishment, weathered the storm and actually had some good moments in round four and five.

The brother of welterweight contender Alexis Rocha and a two-time world title challenger at 122 pounds, Rios returned  to the ring in April on a ProBox card in Florida and this was his second start after being out of the ring for 28 months. He would be on the canvas twice more before the bout was halted. The punch that knocked him off his pins in round seven wasn’t a clean shot, but he would be in dire straits three rounds later when he was hammered onto the ring apron with a barrage of punches. He managed to maneuver his way back into the ring, but his corner sensibly threw in the towel when it seemed as if referee Bob Williams would let the match continue.

The official time was 2:06 of round ten. Ball improved to 21-0-1 (12 KOs). Rios, 34, declined to 34-5.

Semi-wind-up

A bout contested for a multiplicity of regional 140-pound titles produced a mild upset when Jack Rafferty wore down and eventually stopped Henry Turner whose corner pulled him out after the ninth frame.

Both fighters were undefeated coming in. Turner, now 13-1, was the better boxer and had the best of the early rounds. However, he used up a lot of energy moving side-to-side as he fought off his back foot, and Rafferty, who improved to 24-0 (15 KOs), never wavered as he continued to press forward.

The tide turned dramatically in round eight. One could see Turner’s legs getting loggy and the confidence draining from his face. The ninth round was all Rafferty. Turner was a cooked goose when Rafferty collapsed him with four unanswered body punches, but he made it to the final bell before his corner wisely pulled him out. Through the completed rounds, two of the judges had it even and the third had the vanquished Turner up by 4 points.

Other Bouts of Note

In a lightweight affair, Jadier Herrera, a highly-touted 22-year-old Cuban who had been campaigning in Dubai, advanced to 16-0 (14 KOs) with a third-round stoppage of Oliver Flores (31-6-2) a Nicaraguan southpaw making his UK debut. After two even rounds, Herrera put Flores on the deck with a left to the solar plexus. Flores spit out his mouthpiece as he lay there in obvious distress and referee Steve Gray waived the fight off as he was attempting to rise. The end came 30 seconds into round three.

In a bantamweight contest slated for 10, Liverpool’s Andrew Cain (13-1, 12 KOs) dismissed Colombia’s Lazaro Casseres at the 1:48 mark of the second round.

A stablemate and sparring partner of Nick Ball, Cain knocked Casseres to the canvas in the second round with a short uppercut and forced the stoppage later in the round when he knocked the Colombian into the ropes with a double left hook. Casseres. 27, brought an 11-1 record but had defeated only two opponents with winning records.

In a contest between super welterweights, Walter Fury pitched a 4-round shutout over Dale Arrowsmith. This was the second pro fight for the 27-year-old Fury who had his famous cousin Tyson Fury rooting him on from ringside. Stylistically, Walter resembles Tyson, but his defense is hardly as tight; he was clipped a few times.

Arrowsmith is a weekend warrior and a professional loser, a species indigenous to the British Isles. This was his twenty-fourth fight this year and his 186th pro fight overall! His record is “illuminated” by nine wins and 10 draws.

A Queensberry Promotion, the Ball vs Rios card aired in the UK on TNT Sports and in the US on ESPN+.

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

 

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading

Featured Articles

Alimkhanuly TKOs Mikhailovich and Motu TKOs O’Connell in Sydney

Published

on

Alimkhanuly-TKOs-Mikhailovich-and-Motu-TKOs-O'Connell-in-Sydney

IBF/WBO world middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, generally regarded as the best of the current crop of middleweights, retained his IBF title today in Sydney, Australia, with a ninth-round stoppage of game but overmatched Andrei Mikhailovich. The end came at the 2:45 mark of round nine.

Favored in the 8/1 range although he was in a hostile environment, Alimkhanuly (16-0, 11 KOs) beat Mikhailovich to a pulp in the second round and knocked him down with one second remaining in the frame, but Mikhailovich survived the onslaught and had several good moments in the ensuing rounds as he pressed the action. However, Alimkhanuly’s punches were cleaner and one could sense that it was only a matter of time before the referee would rescue Mikhailovich from further punishment. When a short left deposited Mikhailovich on the seat of his pants on the lower strand of rope, the ref had seen enough.

Alimkhanuly, a 2016 Olympian for Kazakhstan, was making his first start since October of last year. He and Mikhailovich were slated to fight in Las Vegas in July, but the bout fell apart after the weigh-in when the Kazakh fainted from dehydration.

Owing to a technicality, Alimkhanuly’s WBO belt wasn’t at stake today. Although he has expressed an interest in unifying the title –Eislandy Lara (WBA) and Carlos Adames (WBC) are the other middleweight belt-holders — Alimkhanuly is big for the weight class and it’s a fair assumption that this was his final fight at 160.

The brave Mikhailovich, who was born in Russia but grew up in New Zealand after he and his twin brother were adopted, suffered his first pro loss, declining to 21-1.

Semi-wind-up

Topping the flimsy undercard was a scheduled 8-rounder between Mikhailovich’s stablemate Mea Motu, a 34-year-old Maori, and veteran Australian campaigner Shannon O’Connell, 41. The ladies share eight children between them (Motu, trained by her mother in her amateur days, has five).

A clash of heads in the opening round left O’Connell with a bad gash on her forehead. She had a big lump developing over her right eye when her corner threw in the towel at the 1:06 mark of round four.

Motu (20-0, 8 KOs) was set to challenge IBF/WBO world featherweight champion Ellie Scotney later this month in Manchester, England, underneath Catterall-Prograis, but that match was postponed when Scotney suffered an injury in training. Motu took this fight, which was contested at the catchweight of 125 pounds, to stay busy. O’Connell, 29-8-1, previously had a cup of coffee as a WBA world champion (haven’t we all).

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

 

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading

Featured Articles

Avila Perspective, Chap. 299: Golden Boy in Saudi Arabia and More

Published

on

Avila-Perspective-Chap-299-Golden-Boy-in-Saudi-Arabia-and-More

Avila Perspective, Chap. 299: Golden Boy in Saudi Arabia and More

A small brigade of Mexican and Latino-American fighters gathered at the beautiful Mayan Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Their mission: to export Mexican style fighting to the Saudi Arabia desert.

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez defends the WBA cruiserweight title against WBO cruiserweight titlist Chris Billam-Smith and they will be joined by several other top Golden Boy Promotion fighters on Nov. 16 at the Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

DAZN will stream the Golden Boy and BOXXER promotions card called “The Venue Riyadh Season.”

Mexican fighters are known worldwide for their ferocity and durability. Ramirez, a former super middleweight champion, surprised many with his convincing win over former champion Arsen Goulamirian last March.

Now Ramirez seeks to unify the cruiserweight titles against United Kingdom’s Smith who has never fought outside of his native country.

“I will become the first Mexican cruiserweight unified champion. It’s exciting because my dream will come true this November 16,” said Ramirez.

Smith has a similar goal.

“This opportunity for me is huge,” said Smith. “I’ve been written off many times before.”

The cruiserweights will be joined by two top super lightweight warriors who’ve been itching to face each other like a pair of fighting roosters.

Arnold Barboza, an undefeated super lightweight contender from Los Angeles, has been chasing top contenders and world champions for the past six years. Former super lightweight champion Jose Ramirez simply wants action and a return to elite status.

“I’ve been wanting this fight since 2019 for whatever reason it never happened,” said Barboza. “I want to give credit and thanks to Oscar, he’s a man of his word. When I signed to Golden Boy, he said he was going to give me this fight.”

“It’s honorable Barboza saying he’s been chasing the fight since 2019. Now that he stands in the way for me to reclaim my titles it’s time to get that fight on,” said Ramirez.

Others on the Riyadh fight card include Puerto Rico’s WBO minimumweight world titlist Oscar Collazo defending against Thailand’s Thammanoon Niyomtrong, along with Oscar Duarte and lightweight contenders William Zepeda and Tevin Farmer.

One fighter missing from the card is Charles Conwell, the super welterweight contender they recently signed earlier in the year. He last performed on the Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Serhii Bohachuk clash in Las Vegas.

Conwell has similar talent to those two.

And what about the women fighters”

Yokasta Valle recently re-signed with Golden Boy Promotions. What is her next scheduled fight? She was spotted facing up against Australia’s Lulu “Bang, Bang” Hawton at a fight card. Is that on the horizon?

West Coast venues

Speaking of the Mayan Theater in downtown Los Angeles, its just a few buildings north of the Belasco Theater where Golden Boy was staging its club shows for several years.

A majority of the boxing media favored that location for its cozy atmosphere and proximity to LA Live. A number of prospects that developed into contenders and world champions fought there including Vergil Ortiz Jr., Ryan Garcia, Joshua Franco, and Oscar Duarte.

On any given fight night celebrities like Mario Lopez, George Lopez and others would show up in the small venue that held several hundred fans in its ornate theater setting.

The Mayan Theater and Belasco Theater are still open for business. According to one source, LA Laker owner Jeannie Buss stages a pro wrestling show at one of those theaters.

World title fight

England’s Nick Ball (20-0-1, 11 KOs) defends the WBA featherweight world title against Southern California’s Ronny Rios (34-4, 17 KOs) on Saturday Oct. 5, at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England. Starting time for the Queensberry and Top Rank promotion card is 11 a.m. PT.

Ball was last seen nearly toppling WBC featherweight titlist Rey Vargas but lost last March. He then defeated Ray Ford for the WBA title

Fights to Watch

Fri. ESPN+ 2 a.m. PT Janibek Alimkhanuly (15-0) vs Andrei Mikhailovich (21-0)

Sat. ESPN+ 11 a.m. PT Nick Ball (20-0-1) vs Ronny Rios (34-4)

Photo credit: Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

 

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Mikaelian-vs-Rozicki-Postponed-Amidst-Rumors-that Promoter-Don-King-is-Ailing
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mikaelian vs Rozicki POSTPONED Amidst Rumors that Promoter Don King is Ailing

Canelo-Ptoves-too-Canny-and-Tough-for-Edgar-Berlanga-in-Las-Vegas
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Canelo Proves Too Canny and Tough for Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas

I-Still-Think-Anthony-Joshua-Should-Retire-from-Boxing
Featured Articles1 week ago

I Still Think That Anthony Joshua Should Retire From Boxing

Niyomtrong-Proves-a-Bridge-Too-Far-for-Alex-Winwood-in-Australia
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Niyomtrong Proves a Bridge Too Far for Alex Winwood in Australia

Canelo-vs-Berlanga-Battles-the-UFC-Hopefully-No-Repeat-of-the-2019-Fiasco
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Canelo vs Berlanga Battles the UFC: Hopefully No Repeat of the 2019 Fiasco

Notes-on-the-Atlantic-City-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-The-Return-of-;Boots'-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Notes on the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame, the Return of ‘Boots’ and More

Avila-Perspective-Chap-296-Canelo-vs-Berlanga-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 296: Canelo vs Berlanga and More

Daniel-Dubois-Demplishes-Anthony-Joshua
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Daniel Dubois Demolishes Anthony Joshua

Avila-Perspective-Chap-295-Callum-Walsh-Pechanga-Casino-Fights-and-More
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 295: Callum Walsh, Pechanga Casino Fights and More

Mike-Tyson-and-his-Conqueror-Danny-Williams-Then-and-Now-A-Study-in-Contrasts
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mike Tyson and his Conqueror Danny Williams: Then and Now, a Study in Contrasts

Canelo-Berlanga-Postscript
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Canelo – Berlanga Postscript

Reflections-on-Yoenli-Hernandez-and-the-New-Wave-of-Outstanding-Cuban-Boxers
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Reflections on Yoenli Hernandez and the New Wave of Outstanding Cuban Boxers

Rocky-Hernandez-Improves-to-36-2-with-a-Controversial-TD-in-Hermosillo
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Rocky Hernandez Improves to 36-2 with a Controversial TD in Hermosillo

The-Hauser-Report-James-Earl-Jones-and-More
Featured Articles7 days ago

The Hauser Report: James Earl Jones and More

Jaime-Munguia-Stops-Erik-Bazinyan-on-a-Show-with-a-Shocking-Upset-on-the-Undercard
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jaime Munguia Stops Erik Bazinyan on a Show with a Shocking Upset on the Undercard

Stephen-Fulton-Nips-Carlos-Castro-in-a-Prelude-to-Canelo-vs-Berlanga
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Stephen Fulton Nips Carlos Castro in a Prelude to Canelo vs Berlanga

Alycia-Baumgardner-os-Legit-but-her-Title-Defense-vs-Persoon-was-a-Weird-Artifice
Featured Articles5 days ago

Alycia Baumgardner is Legit, but her Title Defense vs Persoon was a Weird Artifice

IResults-and-Recaps-from-London-where-Callu,m-Walsh-had-a-Sensational-Homecoming
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Dublin where Callum Walsh had a Sensational Homecoming

Boxing-Odds-and-Ends-Paint-Gate-the-Haney-Garcia-lawsuit-and-More
Featured Articles3 days ago

Boxing Odds and Ends: ‘Paint-Gate,’ the Haney-Garcia lawsuit and More

Mikaela-Mayer-Wins-WBO-World-Title-in-Firefight-with-0Sandy-Ryan
Featured Articles1 week ago

Mikaela Mayer Wins WBO World Title in Firefight with Sandy Ryan

WBA-Feather-Champ-Nick-Ball-Chops-Down-Rugged-Ronny-Rios-in-Liverpool
Featured Articles1 hour ago

WBA Feather Champ Nick Ball Chops Down Rugged Ronny Rios in Liverpool

Alimkhanuly-TKOs-Mikhailovich-and-Motu-TKOs-O'Connell-in-Sydney
Featured Articles1 day ago

Alimkhanuly TKOs Mikhailovich and Motu TKOs O’Connell in Sydney

Avila-Perspective-Chap-299-Golden-Boy-in-Saudi-Arabia-and-More
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 299: Golden Boy in Saudi Arabia and More

Boxing-Odds-and-Ends-Paint-Gate-the-Haney-Garcia-lawsuit-and-More
Featured Articles3 days ago

Boxing Odds and Ends: ‘Paint-Gate,’ the Haney-Garcia lawsuit and More

Alycia-Baumgardner-os-Legit-but-her-Title-Defense-vs-Persoon-was-a-Weird-Artifice
Featured Articles5 days ago

Alycia Baumgardner is Legit, but her Title Defense vs Persoon was a Weird Artifice

The-Hauser-Report-James-Earl-Jones-and-More
Featured Articles7 days ago

The Hauser Report: James Earl Jones and More

Terri-Harper-Wins-Third-Division-World-Title
Featured Articles1 week ago

Terri Harper Wins Third Division World Title

Mikaela-Mayer-Wins-WBO-World-Title-in-Firefight-with-0Sandy-Ryan
Featured Articles1 week ago

Mikaela Mayer Wins WBO World Title in Firefight with Sandy Ryan

Notes-on-the-Atlantic-City-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-The-Return-of-;Boots'-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Notes on the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame, the Return of ‘Boots’ and More

Avila-Perspective-Chap-298-Female-World Title-Fights-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 298: Female World Title Fights and More

I-Still-Think-Anthony-Joshua-Should-Retire-from-Boxing
Featured Articles1 week ago

I Still Think That Anthony Joshua Should Retire From Boxing

Esteemed-Boxing-Writer-Nigel-Collins-Keeps-On-Punching-the-keys-on-his-keyboard
Featured Articles1 week ago

Esteemed Boxing Writer Nigel Collins Keeps on Punching (the keys on his keyboard)

Mike-Tyson-and-his-Conqueror-Danny-Williams-Then-and-Now-A-Study-in-Contrasts
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mike Tyson and his Conqueror Danny Williams: Then and Now, a Study in Contrasts

Daniel-Dubois-Demplishes-Anthony-Joshua
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Daniel Dubois Demolishes Anthony Joshua

Undercard-Results-from-London-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-Made-Short-Work-of-Tyler-Denny
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Undercard Results from London where Hamzah Sheeraz Made Short Work of Tyler Denny

Jaime-Munguia-Stops-Erik-Bazinyan-on-a-Show-with-a-Shocking-Upset-on-the-Undercard
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jaime Munguia Stops Erik Bazinyan on a Show with a Shocking Upset on the Undercard

IResults-and-Recaps-from-London-where-Callu,m-Walsh-had-a-Sensational-Homecoming
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Dublin where Callum Walsh had a Sensational Homecoming

Avila-Perspective-Chap-297-Callum-Walsh-in-Dublin-Anthony-Joshua-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 297: Callum Walsh in Dublin, Anthony Joshua and More

Mikaelian-vs-Rozicki-Postponed-Amidst-Rumors-that Promoter-Don-King-is-Ailing
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mikaelian vs Rozicki POSTPONED Amidst Rumors that Promoter Don King is Ailing

Reflections-on-Yoenli-Hernandez-and-the-New-Wave-of-Outstanding-Cuban-Boxers
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Reflections on Yoenli Hernandez and the New Wave of Outstanding Cuban Boxers

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending

Advertisement