Boxing
Ezra Arenyeka: It’s not about Ben Whittaker, it’s about me
Published
6 months agoon
By
J. HumzaEzra Arenyeka’s time was impeccable.
Just two days before his fight with Leon Willings, Ben Whittaker was holding a hearing on the punishment of those who call him out when an unknown but undefeated lightweight heavyweight rushed forward and interrupted him mid-attack with a tirade of insults.
Yes, Arenyeka’s decision to interrupt his press conference and start fighting the Olympic silver medalist was bold, risky and speculative, but it was also calculated and the culmination of a long plan. The two will fight on Saturday evening at Selhurst Park.
“The thing is, Ben has been on my mind for two or three years. I actually made a video two years ago after one of my fights where I challenged Ben,” Arenyeka, 12-0 (10 KO), told BoxingScene. “We were just starting out as professionals and in the film I said, ‘Let’s build our careers and then we can make it happen.’ I never posted it. When I saw him gain so much popularity after the Khalid Gradia fight, I thought it was the perfect time to do it and that’s why I did it.
Arenyeka’s trip was a success. He went to London as another unknown hope. By the time he returned north to his home in Sale, Greater Manchester, video of his invasion was circulating on social media, providing manna from heaven to Whittaker’s promoter, Boxxer and Sky Sports News.
Nevertheless, Whittaker (7-0 (5 KO)) is a top-class prospect whom observers expect to be strengthened. Arenyeka could reveal himself, but he would have to wait to find out if his outburst was enough to thwart previously established plans and give him a chance.
“Did I expect this? Yes. Because of my records and the theatrics when I go out there and call him out. Promoters love it. It’s uncomplicated for them to sell the fight. My ranking is good, my record is good and the title fight is great. We are now fighting for WBA gold. Part of me – 80 percent – thought it would happen immediately. The remaining 20 percent were not sure,” he said.
“When I started boxing, this was what I dreamed about. Boxing on the biggest stage and getting my name out there. It’s about me. This isn’t about Ben. It’s about Ezra Aranyenko.
“I’m going to find out who I am. I will find out if this sport is for me. I trained difficult. I did everything necessary. God’s will, I will go up. “
God’s will has brought Arenyeka to this point.
At the age of 14 he left Nigeria for America, where he lived in Georgia before moving to the UK at the age of 17. He studied at the University of East Anglia and obtained a PhD in business administration and management. He took up boxing to earn money for charity and fought as an amateur for a compact period, becoming the Elite Counties Elite Champion.
Now 28, Arenyeka has been a fixture at Manchester boxing clubs for years, but has spent his professional career traveling around the world. Arenyeka has boxed in Nigeria, England, the Netherlands, Ghana and Colombia.
Britain has a wealth of talented lightweight heavyweights, but Arenyeka kept his eyes on Whittaker throughout his travels. The plan he implemented two years ago has come to fruition.
“Why not someone else? Because Ben is one of the best prospects in the world right now. He is one of the most popular fighters and currently one of the most celebrated for his performances in the ring,” he said. “People know him. If you can fight it and make contact with it, you will gain some attention for yourself. It’s not just about Ben. It’s about Ezra. It’s about my professional career.”
Arenyeka is a wise man. Although only three of his opponents have lasted longer than four rounds, he knows that to break Whittaker physically this weekend, he must first break him mentally.
It will not be uncomplicated. The years the 27-year-old spent flying around the world fighting in elite international amateur tournaments obviously sharpened his boxing skills to the point where he was able to win an Olympic silver medal, but also gave him bulletproof self-confidence and the highest quality confidence. Whittaker’s performances make headlines, but he is also an extremely difficult worker.
Arenyeka’s unwavering faith may come from a variety of sources, but his life experiences have provided him with ample evidence that maintaining desire and determination can assist him achieve his goals.
The chances of him getting to this stage were infinitesimal, but he did it. He won’t stop believing now.
“As Mike Tyson says, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. I’m only going there to win. I’m going there to take him. That’s the plan,” he said.
“I will be a professional. The best man – – will win. I have the power, so half the fight is already behind me.
“I think there are some gigantic differences. There is one power. Will is different. Determination is another thing. These three things put together put me at the top.
“At the end of the day, it’s a fight. Skills can only take you so far and are dependent on will. I have a heart. Does he have a heart? I don’t know. We’ll find out on June 15vol.
“Winning means a lot to me. It’s changing my life and putting me on the map. It gives me better opportunities. The world will know me. For me everything is on track. That’s why I gave it my all and that’s why there will be no let-up on fight night. I’ll be on it.
“I’m betting on victory and knockout. I won’t leave it to the judges. On that day everything will be decided.”
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Boxing
The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena
Published
16 hours agoon
November 23, 2024In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).
The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00
“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”
Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.
“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.
Boxing
George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team
Published
1 day agoon
November 23, 2024Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.
Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.
The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.
Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.
The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.
“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.
“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.
“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”
Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.
“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].
Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.
“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.
Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.
“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.
Boxing
Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul
Published
3 days agoon
November 21, 2024One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.
WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.
Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.
“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.
“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”
Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.
Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.
Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.
‘MIKE TYSON WON’T FIGHT EVER AGAIN!’ – Gareth A Davies
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