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Joe Frazier’s place among Philadelphia’s greatest boxers

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Image: Joe Frazier’s Place Among Philadelphia’s Greatest Boxers

Frazier’s Olympic path has been extraordinary. He lost to Buster Mathis at the US trials, but later replaced Mathis at the Tokyo Games after Mathis was injured. Frazier won gold by stopping three opponents before taking a decision in the final. Eight months later he turned professional and quickly rose through the heavyweight ranks.

After winning his first 22 professional fights, Frazier faced Oscar Bonavena in a split decision win at Madison Square Garden, during which he was knocked down twice. He later defeated Mathis in a rematch to win the Recent York State Athletic Commission’s heavyweight title. In 1970, he stopped Jimmy Ellis to win the WBC heavyweight championship, and later defended it against Bob Foster before facing Ali in 1971. Frazier dropped Ali in the final round and won a unanimous decision.

His championship reign, however, was relatively compact. Frazier lost the title to George Foreman and later suffered two additional losses to Ali before retiring.

Another Philadelphia fighter often mentioned in these discussions is Tommy Loughran, the former world lightweight heavyweight champion known as the “Phantom of Philly.” Loughran competed in the 1920s and 1930s and built a long career against opponents from a variety of weight classes. His recorded totals vary depending on the source, but his career included over 100 professional fights.

Loughran won the world lightweight heavyweight title in 1929, defeating Mickey Walker. He later defeated future heavyweight champions Jim Braddock and Max Baer. Despite regularly sacrificing size and weight, he remained competitive throughout his career. His only defeat after the break came against heavyweight champion Primo Carnera, who significantly outmatched him.

Frazier and Loughran’s comparison reflects different measures of success. Frazier’s legacy is built on major titles and historic nights. Loughran relies on longevity, adaptability and consistent results against a wide range of opponents.

Which player best represents Philadelphia depends largely on how greatness is defined. Both careers remain central to the city’s boxing history, and both are still cited whenever the question arises.

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Canelo Camp announces Resendiz-Munguia as the winner next

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Image: Canelo Alvarez Camp Signals Resendiz-Munguia Winner as Next Move

Eddy Reynoso may have said more than he intended when discussing Canelo Alvarez’s next move, as his comments pointed less to Christian Mbilli and more to the winner of next week’s Jaime Munguia-Armando Resendiz fight

Canelo is expected to return to Riyadh for the season in September after recovering from surgery on his left elbow. Reynoso told Ring magazine that the plan remains super middleweight and named several possible opponents, including Mbilli. However, the strongest language in the interview was the conversation about the May 2 fight between Munguia and Resendiz for the WBA title.


“This time it’s Munguia against Resendiz in a pan-Mexico fight on a pan-Mexico card,” Reynoso told Ring Magazine, discussing Cinco de Mayo weekend. “This is going to be an amazing fight and we are prepared to win. This fight is going to be so good that it will steal the show. They have the ingredients to distract from the main event.”

This was unique because Reynoso trains Munguia and has a direct stake in the outcome, but it also sounded like early preparation for what comes next. If Munguia wins, a rematch with Canelo will be an straightforward sell to the Mexican crowd and an straightforward one to build to. If Resendiz wins, he will arrive with the belt and fresh momentum.

After his recent victory over Lester Martinez, Reynoso mentioned Mbilli as a “massive challenge,” but the tone was different. This sounded like one option on the list as the Munguia-Resendiz fight gained full popularity.

Canelo’s team has also ruled out other routes. Reynoso said the David Benavidez fight is now over and suggested there is little chance of seeing it again. Staying at 168 pounds also reduces the likelihood of a rematch with Dmitry Bivol.

This leaves less room than it initially seemed. When camps start praising one fight with such a hard month ahead of time, it’s usually worth paying attention to.

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Categories Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia

Last updated: 25/04/2026 at 13:22

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Victor Ortiz was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather, but names an opponent who was ‘much better’

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Victor Ortiz got knocked out by Floyd Mayweather but names the opponent who was ‘much better’

Floyd Mayweather’s last knockout victory over a legal opponent came in 2011 against Victor Ortiz, but despite the stoppage loss, the fighter known as “Vicious” claims he once fought a much better opponent.

It was a highly controversial moment when Mayweather knocked out Ortiz for the WBC welterweight title more than a decade ago, and the fourth round of their fight turned out to be full of drama.

Ortiz threw combinations on the ropes against Mayweather, but then got reckless and led with his head, prompting the referee to deduct a point.

With Ortiz paying no attention to the resumption of the fight, Mayweather fired a tough shot that knocked down and then knocked out his opponent, proving the elderly adage to always protect yourself.

Mayweather is undoubtedly the biggest name Ortiz has ever adopted, but while the boxing legend can be considered one of the best of all time, Ortiz told TalkSport that Andre Berto was better.

“He (Mayweather) is not the best opponent I’ve faced. Without a doubt, not. The best opponent I’ve faced was Andre Berto; he was much better. Andre Berto is a top-shelf pound-for-pound king. He knocked me down, I knocked him down, he got up, he knocked me down again.”

“This man showed everything: quality, heart, skill. Whatever, he’s got it. Someone like Floyd has what? Counter, running? That same year, I bought him some sprint shots at a press conference. My brother also bought him a box of tampons.

“But Andre Berto is special. I have the utmost respect for him. He has power in both hands; he is the total package. Someone with Floyd can’t compete with that.”

Ortiz defeated Berto to win the WBC welterweight title in a fight before facing Mayweather, which would be the first defeat of Berto’s professional career.

Berto’s final record was 32 wins and 6 losses, and during their meeting in September 2015, he suffered a one-sided defeat to Mayweather himself.

Mayweather competed just once again after the Berto fight, when he knocked out MMA fighter Conor McGregor in August 2017, although he is scheduled to return to fight former opponent Manny Pacquiao in September provided that the current problems can be solved.

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Jarrell Miller tries to break into Joshua’s plans

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Image: Jarrell Miller tries to force way into Joshua plans

Many fans on social media suspect that Miller is once again chasing Joshua just to secure a huge payday, which he threw away when failed drug tests canceled their 2019 fight.

Joshua wants a tune-up before he finally meets Tyson Fury. The plan is to shake off the rust and keep his record pristine before this huge event happens. This gap in the schedule gives other heavyweights a chance to make their voices heard, and Miller takes advantage of the moment.

Miller is still a controversial name, but he knows how to cause offense. Beating Pero would aid him prove that he still belongs in this conversation.

“Your whooping cough will come sooner or later. You can run, but you can’t hide,” Jarrell Miller said on Matchroom.

From a business perspective, Joshua’s team is focused on the Tyson Fury event. Facing an aggressive, volume hitter like Miller in a comeback fight would be risky. If Joshua wins, critics may view it as defeating a challenger who has spent years outside the elite mix. If he loses, Fury’s payout and his position will take damage.

Miller has built much of his reputation on noise and confrontation, but he’s still trying to fight his way into the majors. A victory over Pero won’t put him in a fight with Joshua right away, but it will keep him in the wider discussion.

Joshua’s team may still choose the safer and more controlled option of a return, especially if negotiations with Fury progress behind the scenes. Risking that payday against a hazardous or inconvenient opponent wouldn’t make much sense.

Still, Miller continues to cling to the story whenever Joshua’s name resurfaces in the headlines. Heavyweight boxing has a long memory, and some unfinished fights remain useful long after the first fall.

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