Boxing
Canelo Alvarez Is Not Afraid Of Or Avoiding David Benavidez, Says Trevor McCumby
Published
4 months agoon
By
J. HumzaCount Trevor McCumby is one of the few people who believe that undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is avoiding David Benavidez.
Arizona’s McCumby (28-0, 21 KOs), a rising undefeated super middleweight, says Alvarez won’t shy away from the 168-pound weight class. That view contrasts with what many fight fans and fighters, including Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, Andre Ward, Daniel Jacobs and Paulie Malignaggi, have said about a potential Canelo-Benavidez fight — all of whom have said Canelo is avoiding the undefeated two-time super middleweight champion, who has criticized the Mexican champion for years.
“I don’t know. I don’t think Canelo is afraid of anyone,” McCumby told Boxingscene. “Canelo’s been in the ring with a lot of guys. I’ve heard a lot of people say he’s afraid of ‘GGG’ (Gennady Golovkin), but he’s fought him three times. I don’t think he’s afraid of Benavidez. It might be more of an ego thing, where David was rude to him and Canelo doesn’t think he needs to face him, but personally I don’t think he’s afraid.
“We are all boxers, we are not afraid of anyone. We are fighters. We put our hearts on the line, we train for the fight, so none of us are afraid. I don’t believe in that, although there may be a few.”
McCumby could soon have his hands full, as a potential showdown with former 168-pound champion Caleb Plant looms on the horizon. Plant has fought both Alvarez and Benavidez, suffering 11t-stopped the fight in November 2021 and lost by unanimous decision to Benavidez in March 2023.
Alvarez, arguably the biggest star in boxing and a future Hall of Famer, ignored calls for a fight with Benavidez, a fight that could be the biggest in boxing. Canelo chose to fight Jaime Munguia in May, defeating the former world champion on points in 12 rounds. The move forced Benavidez to make his lithe heavyweight debut, where he won a unanimous decision over former WBC champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
On Thursday, the WBC gave David Benavidez an extra week’s extension to decide which of the two mandatory spots he wants to keep, either at 168 or 175. A move back to 168 makes sense if Canelo is willing to face him. However, the super middleweight king is rumored to be in negotiations with Edgar Berlanga and Chris Eubank Jr. for a potential fight in September.
“I think Canelo will knock him (Berlanga) out in six rounds,” McCumby said. “I don’t think Berlanga has the experience or the ring intelligence to take it, but I’m content he’s potentially getting that chance.
“I saw the headlines for that fight (Eubank Jr.) and I wasn’t really excited about it, but it could still be a good fight. I think Canelo will stop him a little bit later. I think Eubank can move pretty well and he’s definitely got the skills, but I doubt he’ll keep up with someone like Canelo.”
While McCumby believes Benavidez poses a much tougher challenge for Canelo, he is not ready to pick a four-division champion to lose to. Benavidez
“If I had to put money on it, it’s a little tough, man,” McCumby said. “David doesn’t have the spring and footwork, but David has a high work rate and he can’t stand in front of you, so maybe it’s tough to say.
“I would probably go with Canelo, but then again, you never know how ancient he is.”
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Boxing
The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena
Published
1 day 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
2 days 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.
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