Boston College Pays Tribute to Great Irish Boxers

ESPN - Eclectic exhibit takes intimate look at Irish fighters - BoxingNot to take away from the great accomplishments of Irish boxers, then and now, but the article seems to ignore the fact that boxing was segregated "back in the day." African-American fighters weren't allowed to fight white boxers and so the champions were always Caucasian. It was the volatile Jack Johnson who first broke through the color barrier of boxing, and he did it with great style and disdain for his many failed opponents. The truth must be told. On the other hand, I'd surely attend the exhibit if I could--great pictures and a bit of history are always worth the time. Word up, Boston! Click on the headline link and read the story.

Boxing: Hatton rumbles on but is fat lady warming up? - Others, More Sports - The Independent

Boxing: Hatton rumbles on but is fat lady warming up? - Others, More Sports - The IndependentI watched the fight on Versus and this account, by a London newspaper presents a fairly accurate account of the fight. Hatton did win almost every round on points but he got hurt a couple of times in the process. Lazcano was picked, as the writer says, for his lack of big punching power and his inactivity but also for his heart and his refusal to lay down. I don't think Hatton was as bad as all that, however, and his requiem may be a bit premature. Whle he was unsuccessful against the creme-de-la creme boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Hatton is still an active force. His boxing style was always frontal--he's always been there to hit--and that's why Mayweather knocked him out with a check hook as Hatton surged forward. Lazcano is a pretty good fighter withall and it was an interesting contest.

The real stinker of the evening was Paul Malignaggi's fight with N'dou. It wasn't only Malignaggi who took a haircut in the middle rounds--the fight fans who watched Malignaggi did, too. N'dou battered him with big right hands and left Malignaggi wobbling and unsure of himself. Yet, N'dou seemed happy to be in the Big Limelight and was content to display his amiable personality rather than to close the show. If the fight were scored on punch and aggression, it should have been given it to N'dou. Had there been a mean streak in N'dou's sweet character, Malignaggi wouldn't have survived to fight Hatton, which is a match based on box office atraction rather than skill. I'd rather watch Lazcano-Malignaggi and let Hatton find someone more interesting than "Paulie", the fancy boy from Brooklyn.

ESPN - Fight posters still getting the job done - Boxing

ESPN - Fight posters still getting the job done - Boxing

Sky Sports | Home | Don't miss these | 10 rounds with Ricky

Sky Sports | Home | Don't miss these | 10 rounds with RickyHere's the beat on Ricky Hatton who is trying to get back into the picture after his TKO by Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Lazcano can bring it so this can be interesting and worth watching. If you don't have enough gas money to drive to the fight (or take your motorboat), I think you can watch it for free on Versus. Hatton's a lively "bloke" and worth watching. And you've got to love it when a guy like Lazcano gets a chance to shock the world.

British Give Up Some Love for Larry Holmes, Heavyweight Champ of Great Era

Swindon news, information, leisure, sport, classifieds from the Swindon AdvertiserHolmes lived and boxed in the era when the heavyweight division of boxing was thick with talent. With great heart and a pulverizing left jab, Holmes remains one of the premier boxers of the era between Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. Click on the headline to read the story from a British newspaper.

Just click on the title to read the story.

AFP: Mike Tyson film comes out swinging in Cannes

AFP: Mike Tyson film comes out swinging in Cannes

Mike Tyson hits the French film crowd with a KO Punch... Click on the title to read the story.

ESPN - Cotto to face Margarito on July 26 at MGM Grand in Vegas - Boxing

ESPN - Cotto to face Margarito on July 26 at MGM Grand in Vegas - Boxing

Bob Arum’s manner of speaking kills me, but he does get it right. This is the one to watch. I like the part about “two real men fighting.” From wuss to wuss, WTF are the rest of us? 

"That's why we're calling it 'The Battle.' It's a tough-ass fight. Two real men fighting. There won't be any playing around. No ducking or dodging. These are two guys who will go at it. That is their style. And don't forget the element that it is Mexico vs. Puerto Rico, which is the great rivalry in boxing."

Said Bob Arum.

Arum is also on the mark with his mention of the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico riff. If ever there was blood ethnicity angst embedded in a boxing match, it’s with this one. You have to see it to believe it. My brother-in-law is of Mexican descent and I’ve heard the slant many times over.

I’m down with Cotto, hermanos, but that’s not to deride Margarito. Both these boys will be bringin’ it and it’s likely that the referee could even get hurt from watching. Click on the title headline and read about it from ESPN’s account.

ESPN - Remembering Joey DeJohn - Boxing

ESPN - Remembering Joey DeJohn - Boxing

ESPN boxing coming to Scranton

The Times-Tribune - Breaking Sports News: ESPN boxing coming to Scranton 3:20 p.m. If you've never seen a professional boxing match because you didn't want to drive to New York or Philly, here's your chance to save gas and mug the ESPN cameras. Who really does that any more?

AFP: Nigeria's Peter to face Vitali but looking for Klitschko double

AFP: Nigeria's Peter to face Vitali but looking for Klitschko double There are lots of practical reasons to like Sam Peter in the just signed bout against Vitali Klitscho, but if there were none, I'd like Sam Peter anyway. The "Nigerian Nightmare" lived up to his name by dispatching a game Oleg Maskaev and has now signed to fight the brother of the Klitchko who won a UD against Sam Peter a while back. That's the way I tell the Klitchko brothers apart. There's Vladimir or Wladimir, the one who decisioned Sam Peter, and then there's Vitali, the one who quit while ahead and now wants a comeback. The comeback is likely to be short-lived. Sam Peter's been thwarted by boxing's many frustrations but now looks good to collect another title. Vitali gets tuned up and KO'd and then the stage is set for a rematch with Wladimir. Sam Peter deserves it. He's suffered in silence long enough, and the bout with Maskaev was long delayed when Maskaev claimed a back injury. Sam's a lot smarter than when he lost to Klitchscho the first time; he's always been strong, and a fairly quick heavyweight. Look for Sam Peter to collect the titles he deserves. He's the baddest heavyweight out there as of this moment. Too bad we have to wait until October for Vitali. And who knows how long before Wladimir? Maybe Sam Peter will be on Social Security by the time he gets a chance.

Pedone's Heavy Hitters - The Heavy Hitters

Pedone's Heavy Hitters - The Heavy Hitters There are some interesting clips on the web pages of Pedone's Heavy Hitters. Here are just a few. At the top, in the red shorts, is the guy called "the Ninja". He's tall and interesting because he comes to boxing from the white-collar world. Below that is the clip of Danny Sandoz winning the 106 lb. Pennsylvania Mid-Atlantic region championships in Allentown, PA. Lucas Robinson didn't make it to the end but earned a great deal of respect in a closely-timed series of battles. Click on the headline--that should get you there. On the other hand, you might think you could manage a round or two. Go to Brian's home page and sign up. There's also a link from there to the USA Boxing National Organization.