Interviews
Canelo Assesses Billy Joe Saunders and Caleb Plant’s Threat
Published
3 months agoon
By
J. HumzaCanelo Alvarez is aiming to become the undisputed super middleweight world champion by the end of 2021, and his hit list includes Billy Joe Saunders and Caleb Plant.
Canelo, who won the WBA ‘Super’, WBC and Ring Magazine belts from Callum Smith in December, needed just ten weeks to make his first defence against mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim at Miami’s Challenging Rock Stadium on Saturday night, live on DAZN.
A win over Yildirim would set up a unification first with WBO champion Saunders, with whom he reportedly has a deal in place to fight on Cinco De Mayo weekend in May as part of a two-fight pact with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, and the fight is expected to take place in Las Vegas.
Many believe undefeated southpaw Saunders has the style to trouble the four-time world heavyweight champion, and Alvarez insists that while the Briton would be a tough challenge, he believes he has seen every style in his 15-plus year career.
“His style is very complex” Alvarez told Ring magazine.
“He’s a leftist. That makes it even harder.
“But I’m a fighter who’s fought all styles. I’m ready for any style. I just have to work.
“I always look at that. I always look to the future and that’s what motivates me to keep winning fights.
“I really want [to fight Saunders] in Las Vegas.
“I would really like to go back to Las Vegas. Hopefully, with the pandemic, things will go back to normal and we can go back to Las Vegas.”
If the fight with Saunders happens on Cinco De Mayo weekend in May, the 30-year-old will likely face the other 168-pound titleholder, IBF champion Plant.
The 28-year-old, who is also undefeated, defended his belt for the third time with a victory over Caleb Truax, and Alvarez has high praise for “Sweethands.”
“He’s a great fighter,” Alvarez said when asked about the American.
“He’s a player who has a lot of skills and of course, if he becomes champion, he’ll be in my path and I’m going to go for him.”
When asked about his opinion on his rival’s victory over Truax, the Mexican replied: “I watched two or three rounds and fell asleep.”
The delicate heavyweight star moved up to delicate heavyweight in November 2019, dethroning Sergey Kovalev to become WBO champion, before vacating the belt and returning to 168 pounds to defeat Smith.
However, Canelo, who began his career at 154lbs, has ruled out a future return to the 175lbs division, where Artur Beterbiev (IBF/WBC) and Dmitry Bivol (WBA) reign supreme, but says a return to middleweight is also an option, where a trilogy with IBF holder Gennady Golovkin would be lying.
“All right, [trainer and manager] Eddie [Reynoso] he doesn’t want me to fight at 175 pounds anymore because it’s too gigantic of an advantage [for the opponent]– Alvarez added.
“I really feel good at 168, but I can go down to 160. I don’t know.
“I’m open to anything. And like I said, I want the best fights for the people, for the fans.
“My goal right now is unification. If this fight [with Golovkin comes up] so why not?”
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Janibek Alimkhanuly successfully defended his IBF middleweight crown in Sydney, systematically defeating the brave Andrei Mikhailovich, stopping him in the ninth round at The Star.
Janibek came close to stopping Mikhailovich in the second round, but had to wait before crushing him in the ninth round.
Originally, the two teams were supposed to meet in July in Las Vegas, but the undefeated Kazakh could not allow it make weight safelyand the fight had to be postponed one day until fight night.
After a delayed dispute over the WBO belt, only the IBF crown was at stake.
Janibek (16-0, 11 KO) quickly found his advantage, landing paws and body shots in the first minute, and Mikhailovich (21-1, 13 KO) tried to finish the champion.
‘Qazaq Style’ waited patiently for his debut which came in the second half when a perfectly timed shot put the challenger on unsteady feet and as the maestro applied surgical pressure he began to play with the Novel Zealander who was wobbly until another powerful left hand threw it backwards and finally onto the canvas.
It was just right and the minute’s rest came at the right time as Mikhailovich fought brilliantly in the third and fourth quarters, constantly coming forward.
Janibek largely toyed with his opponent and his rival had restricted success, but in round seven he stepped on the gas, landing sturdy combinations.
However, the 26-year-old showed courage, had miniature displays of joy after clubbing, but his race came to an end in the ninth, when Janibek uncorked his customary left uppercut and Mikhailovich moved backwards towards the ropes, the referee rightly stopped the ball contest.
The 31-year-old was frustrated in trying to secure a unification fight, but once again called up WBC champion Carlos Adames and WBA champion Erislandy Lara.
“Adames or Lara, I’m ready anytime,” he told Fox Sports after the fight.
“Send me the document and I will sign it anytime.”
Motu flows from O’Connell
Another undefeated Kiwi got into action as Mea Motu (20-0, 8 KO) warmed up for a shot at the IBF and WBO super bantamweight titles before forcing Shannon O’Connell to withdraw from a corner kick at the end three rounds of their catchweight fight.
The current IBO champion will face Ellie Scotney on October 26 in Manchester, who proved ruthless in several hefty attacks with two fists that broke the bloody O’Connell (24-8-1, 12 KO).
With the Australian having a huge cut and massive swelling on her head, her corner wisely threw in the towel.
Statement made by Mea Motu 😲#nolimitboxing #nolimitfox #janibekmichajłowicz pic.twitter.com/R5fvGVrlrE
— No Limit Boxing (@NoLimit_Boxing) October 4, 2024
Undercard remaining
Lightweight prospect Charlie Kazzi (7-0, 3 KO) won the WBC silver title in Australia, defeating Lui Magaiva (4-7, 1 KO) in the penultimate round of their eight-man bout.
Ahmed Reda (3-0, 3 KO) opened the card and scored his third straight early victory, defeating Joe Kara (5-7-1, 5 KO) in the second of a scheduled six-round lightweight bout.
Interviews
Janibek vs Andrei Mikhailovich – preview and predictions for the huge fight
Published
3 days agoon
October 2, 2024Unified middleweight world champion Janibek Alimkhanuly goes to Australia next Friday, to The Star in Sydney, where he will risk winning the IBF title in a fight with undefeated Up-to-date Zealander Andrei Mikhailovich, although his WBO crown is not at stake.
ESPN+ TV Janibek vs Mikhajłowicz live in the USA, however Heavenly sports broadcast the fight in the UK.
This match was originally scheduled to take place in July in Las Vegas, but the champion was reportedly hospitalized after trying to gain weight and the fight had to be canceled after a delay.
Janibek (15-0, KO10) was promoted from WBO interim champion in 2022 and defeated Denzel Bentley in his first defense.
After knocking out Steven Butler in two rounds, the Kazakhstan added the IBF title to his collection by defeating Vincenzo Gualtieri in six rounds last October.
“Qazaq Style” will now face undefeated Aucklander Mikhailovich (21-0, 13 KO), his country’s top amateur who has won multiple free titles but has no professional victories.
The 26-year-old, who holds the IBF Pan Pacific title, has not faced anyone in the Kazakhstan class, and last April he fell before scoring to stop Edison Saltarin in the fifth round.
Mikhailovich was last seen stopping Less Sherrington in the round in April.
Prediction: This could be a miniature night for Janibek, and the guy seems to be out of his league. I think the champion can hold on through a stoppage in the first half of the fight.
Motu meets O’Connell
The undercard features another undefeated Kiwi in action, with Mea Motu taking on Shannon O’Connell in a scheduled top ten super bantamweight bout.
Motu (19-0, 7 KO) is scheduled to win the IBF and WBO titles in three weeks against defending champion Ellie Scotney and cannot afford to slip up in this fight.
“The Night” will bring her IBO title to England, which she won last April on points over Tania Walters.
The 34-year-old defended twice, and in her only fight in 2024 in April, she defeated Noppaket Srisawas in two rounds.
Former Commonwealth champion O’Connell (24-7-1, 12 KO) has fought for two world titles, most recently losing an eighth-round fight for the IBF bantamweight crown against Ebana Bridges in December 2022.
The 41-year-old was last sidelined in May, defeating Siriphon Chanbuala in the second round.
Prediction: Motu’s safety will likely be paramount with such a huge fight on the horizon, and she may score points in this one.
Undercard remaining
Prospective lightweight competitor Charlie Kazzi (6-0, 2 KO) fights for eight rounds for the second time in his career and should have already defeated Lui Magaiva (4-6, 1 KO), and the fighter from Papua Up-to-date Guinea was suspended five times in six defeats.
Wayne Telepe (1-0, 1 KO) can claim his second straight stoppage victory, this time in a scheduled four-round lightweight fight against Bashir Nassir (0-1-1).
Interviews
Gervonta Davis’ opponent has been leaked and it is not Shakur Stevenson
Published
5 days agoon
September 30, 2024Gervonta Davis appears ready for a December return against WBA super featherweight world champion Lamont Roach Jr
Roach Jr will move up in weight to challenge Davis for the WBA lightweight world title after Washington’s request to fight his compatriot was approved.
The WBA announced December 14 as the date for the Davis-Roach fight, although the location of the fight is unknown.
AND statement on the WBA website read: “The World Boxing Championships (WBA) Committee has granted special permission to super featherweight world champion Lamont Roach Jr. move up in class and face Gervonta Davis for the lightweight championship on December 14.
“NoXcuse Boxing Promotions submitted a formal request on September 13, which was accepted by the committee for consideration and consultation with Albert Batyrgaziev’s team, which has a mandatory 130 pounds. pretender.
“After appropriate consideration and based on the organization’s internal policies, it has been decided to grant Roach’s request, subject to certain conditions.”
If Roach dethrones Davis, he will have five days to decide which belt he will keep.
If “The Reaper” loses to the undefeated knockout fighter in Baltimore, he will have to drop down to 130 pounds to defend his belt against mandatory challenger Batyrgaziev.
The 29-year-old has won six straight fights since his lone professional loss to Jamel Herring for the WBO super featherweight world championship in 2019.
Roach once defended his WBA crown, stopping Feargal McCrory in eight rounds in June, and won the belt via split decision. Hector Luis Garciawhom “Tank” stopped in nine rounds.
Davis (29) defended his belt after a stunning knockout in the eighth round Frank Martin in Las Vegas in June and is heavily linked to a unification fight with WBC champion Shakur Stevenson.
The 27-year-old is sidelined with a hand injury and is expected to go straight into a fight with William Zepeda upon his return, ahead of a potential blockbuster against Davis.
The biggest chins in boxing – part one
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