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Floyd in South Africa: “Mr. Mayweather, You Did Your Brand Proud”

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MONEY BOMAYE ? – Muhammad Ali heard the since iconic chants from African fans in Zaire. It appears that Floyd Mayweather Jr. enjoyed a similarly meaningful chorus in Johannesburg last week from this generation’s sports fans, even though the most pronounced repetition came from his own “Hard Work, Dedication” team. A beaming Mayweather appeared in typical prime condition and proved worthy of the distinction, representing himself, his brand, and his country with class and charisma. He certainly wasn’t shy in accepting his well earned accolades. “It took 36 years, but I’m here,” announced Mayweather after touching down on the great continent. “I just don’t represent the red, white and blue, I represent all of humanity. I look forward to coming back and fighting. I’ve been getting some awesome offers, hopefully it can happen someday.”

“Ali was the greatest,” Mayweather told the press, before taking another opportunity to expand The Money Team brand. “I’m TBE. The best ever. I didn’t give the sport my whole life to say there’s another fighter better than me. First off, I wanna thank my team because without them all this wouldn’t be possible.” The SA media ate it up at a “press briefing” that played more like a fan club convention. “This should have happened long ago. It is great to host you while you are still a champ, because we do not host mediocrity, we only host champions,” said Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula upon Mayweather’s arrival, drawing a wide and constant grin from his guest. “We will roll out the red carpet for you, for the rest to see, because humanity has given you to us. You no longer belong to America (only). Our kids look up to you. The people that you see here do not sleep when you fight.”

Reporter Sifiso Ramara of SABC News summed up Mayweather’s impact thusly, “In the past we’ve hosted the likes of Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield, but one should say it doesn’t get bigger and better than this.” Of course, the subject of a Manny Pacquiao fight came up immediately. Mayweather addressed the current situation, and Pacquiao’s recent comments about pursuing a fight. “He’s really saying ‘Floyd, can you help me solve my tax problems, get me out of debt?” offered Mayweather with minimal mockery. It’s not unrealistic to consider the truth in that.

Mayweather praised South African Phillip Ndou, against whom he scored a 7th round stoppage while defending the WBC lightweight belt in 2003, and was complimentary as he assessed the sport in general, offering a revealing personal preference.“There’s a lot of great fighters out there. You guys had Azumah Nelson. At one time I thought we were gonna fight. I admire what a lot of fighters, and entertainers, have done. I’m thankful to those that paved the way. A lot of fighters are looking to be known as the best. I just want to be known as the smartest fighter, as far as businesswise, outside the ring.” As a corporate executive, Mayweather achieved a substantial PR boost, indeed.

According to SA media and the Sports Ministry, Mayweather covered his own travel expenses after scheduling conflicts kept him from attending a ceremony he was invited to last year. Maybe karma is paying off already. As for the future, Mayweather declared that he’d know in a week or so whether his next opponent is Amir Khan or someone else. Unless it’s a smokescreen, there could be some maneuvering that gives Marcos Maidana the call. Don’t be shocked if that occurs, or if a brave, strong, but quickly exposed Maidana falls by Mayweather TKO. Just as Maidana may accomplish much less effective aggression than hoped for, Khan could well defensively outperform relatively low predictions about his chances. Either way, anybody who bets against Mayweather these days looks crazy.

Mayweather demonstrated additional business savvy simply by mentioning a significant, yet often neglected partner during discussions on his future. “Don’t forget CBS,” reminded Mayweather. “Everybody always talks about Showtime, but I’m with both companies.” As for that future, Mayweather said, “Four more and I’m through. September 2015 will be my last fight.” Pac-man was a flag left to dangle in the Capetown breeze.

Still, Mayweather impressed with dignified restraint during interviews and press briefings, giving thoughtful responses to a press gatherings that apparently worshipped him but asked few softball questions. When topics like Pacquiao or Bob Arum came up, Mayweather remained diplomatic and respectful.

After an apparent “they’re all the same to me” slight in forgetting former rival Saul Alvarez’s name, Mayweather gave the Mexican star serious, solitary props, saying, “Canelo is a solid competitor and he’s one guy that will be the future of boxing.” When asked about potentially intriguing opponents like Bernard Hopkins or Gennady Golovkin, Mayweather gave The Alien faint praise and didn’t even acknowledge GGG. “Bernard Hopkins has done a lot, but I don’t think he has a voice or the will to win like me. But I take my hat off to the guy.” Mayweather didn’t reveal any secrets or drop any bombshells. He simply did exactly what the Ministry of Sport and Recreation were hoping for. He ignited interest in boxing.How well everything launches the “Awaken the Giant” boxing campaign remains to be seen. There were certainly enough sparks for a powerful liftoff.

An actual bout in Africa might not be the longshot it currently sounds like.

In fact, it could be the perfect scenario for a Pacquiao fight. It could be the perfect location for Floyd’s farewell. For now, in honor of what certainly seemed a more successful, considerate appearance than many supposedly higher pedigreed US diplomats, administrators or celebrities have achieved around the globe these days, we’ll refer to TBE’s preference on how to be remembered well.

Mr. Mayweather, you did your brand proud.

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

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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+.

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Alimkhanuly TKOs Mikhailovich and Motu TKOs O’Connell in Sydney

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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).

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

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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

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