Boxing
Deontay Wilder’s career may be over, but Zhilei Zhang is still doing great at 41 years elderly
Published
6 months agoon
By
J. HumzaDeontay Wilder uncorked a right hand but lost the exchange as the former heavyweight champion spun around in a daze.
Zhilei Zhang’s right hand connected first and Wilder was now defenseless. Zhang (27-2-1, 21 KO) quickly took advantage of the opportunity: he sprinted and landed another right hand that sent Wilder to the canvas.
The American somehow beat the referee’s count but was unable to continue as the fight was stopped in the fifth round on Saturday night in Riyad, Saudi Arabia. And after his fourth loss in five fights, Wilder’s latest defeat could have spelled the end of his career.
Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KO) was feared due to his threatening right hand during his long title fight, but at the age of 38, he no longer had the stubbornness or willingness to part with his best weapon. Without the ability to unleash his money punch, Wilder is just another heavyweight.
Before his latest defeat – his third by KO – Wilder said that if he fails, “it could be the final goodbye, goodbye to Deontay Wilder.”
If this is indeed the end, Wilder will be remembered as one of the most threatening boxers in the history of boxing’s glamor division. The superfight with Anthony Joshua never materialized, which is a shame, but Wilder still delivered an epic heavyweight championship trilogy with Tyson Fury.
Wilder didn’t defeat Fury in any of those three fights, but he did score four knockdowns in the first and third meetings. The latter fight was named the 2021 Fight of the Year and KO of the Year by ESPN.
Despite his 6-foot-7-inch height, Wilder was routinely outmatched by his opponents. It was the same on Saturday, when Wilder weighed 214.6 pounds, 68.2 pounds less than Zhang, who weighed 282.8. (Zhang won the silver medal in the super heavyweight division at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, while Wilder won the bronze medal in the heavyweight division.)
Wilder was never the most polished fighter, but his wicked right hand usually saved him. But inactivity, age and, perhaps most of all, Fury’s grueling trilogy seemed to rob Wilder of his best, even if his fighting spirit remained.
Wilder showed great courage by getting back on his feet on Saturday – just as he did in the second and third fights against Fury – but his time as a title challenger has clearly come to an end. He was scheduled to face undefeated challenger Jared Anderson on August 3 on the Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov Riyadh Season card, but that potential fight certainly won’t happen now.
While Anderson is looking for a fresh opponent, Zhang resumed his career at the age of 41 after a disheartening defeat to former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, who defeated Wilder in December.
During that March meeting, Zhang knocked down Parker twice, but still lost. In the match against Wilder, Zhang was much sharper and more energetic. He is still looking for his first chance to become the first heavyweight champion from China.
Zhang, who entered the fight ranked No. 6 in the heavyweight division according to ESPN, should now have plenty of options in the resurgent heavyweight division. With Oleksandr Usyk heading towards a championship rematch with Fury on December 21 in Riyad, Zhang could perhaps move on to fight Anderson.
Or he could consider a rematch with Parker, who was at ringside for the fight. Another option for Zhang: a fight on September 21 with Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium, although such a chance could have been given to Daniel Dubois, who stopped Filip Hrgovic on the undercard.
Whoever Zhang meets next, his career is as relevant as ever after his biggest win ever. Meanwhile, Wilder’s career may be coming to an end.
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Boxing
The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena
Published
9 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
2 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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