Boxing
“I don’t think Pitbull will lose his title anytime soon.”
Published
6 months agoon
By
J. HumzaIsaac Cruz, the WBA super lightweight world champion, won his title in emphatic fashion when he defeated Rolly Romero in March in Las Vegas.
Cruz’s stock then skyrocketed, and manager Sean Gibbons said he hadn’t seen anyone’s popularity rise that much in a long time.
Cruz makes his first defense on August 3 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles in a massive event co-hosted by TGB, Matchroom, Golden Boy, Warriors Boxing and Salita Boxing, and Gibbons sees Cruz steal the show.
“I guarantee this guy [Cruz] in Los Angeles, they won’t be able to walk anywhere,” Gibbons said. “When we’re in Vegas and it’s fight week, we get stopped a lot and trying to get from the elevator to the restaurant is impossible. Last time there was almost a riot, people pushing and shoving.
“I’ve worked with guys like Orlando Salido and in some ways he reminds me of him in the same weight class. I also worked with the best, i.e. Chavez and these players. But right now “Pitbull” is the hottest guy I’ve ever worked with, and I’ve been doing it for a long time.
“If there’s going to be a card in Los Angeles, you’re going to have to fill it with Mexicans. Thank God I am lucky to work [heavyweight] Andy Ruiz Jr. and the hottest Mexican outside of Canelo, “Pitbull.” There are some good fights there [Tim] Tszyu i [Vergil] Ortiz, Andy and his man [Jarrell Miller]but Isaac can’t fight a bad fight, and it’s kind of a perilous fight because my man [Jose] Valenzuela, this style will not be popular in the California arena.
Gibbons also believes there is still a lot left for Cruz, who is only 25 and 26-2-1 (18 KOs). First, Gibbons believes that having the title will improve Cruz as a fighter.
“It’s like they say, mentally you improve by X [by holding a title]especially him since his father was basically used as an opponent, Isaac Cruz Sr. he’s not a bad fighter, you can see on BoxRec, he’s about 14-6, he fought with Vernon Forrest, Ivan Robinson, a kid’s dream, his father’s dream, his father’s dream, that belt was there.
“So I see a guy who was in la-la-land before his opportunity at Rolly’s. He was in space. We had nothing, we didn’t know what we were doing, he was huge, he was fat, now physically and mentally he looks like the Mexican Mike Tyson, he fights for his children and wife, and they are with us all the time when he is at the camp and at the fight . So I see a guy who won’t lose the belt any time soon.”
There are substantial fights ahead for Cruz, but August 3 should assist build his brand and maybe another nice fight, but Gibbons admits there are two opponents who will assist Cruz’s star shine even brighter. One of them is a rematch with Gervonta “Tank” Davis and the other with Ryan Garcia, who has become one of the most controversial figures in sports. In 2021, Tank scored a hard-fought and narrow decision victory over Cruz.
“It’s not like we’re chasing him, our little friend Gervonta. We’re done trying to fight this fight unless someone says, ‘Here’s the contract,'” added Gibbons. “We wasted two years waiting for another chance. Ryan would be another great fight and unfortunately we have to wait and see for his situation now, but the two mega fights for “Pitbull” are the Gervonta and Ryan Garcia rematch. These are the substantial guys. Besides, if all goes well, on the third one [of August]created his own brand.
“It’s the craziest thing. His [Cruz’s] on social media, the number increased from 814,000 to 1.4 million per week. . This is bullshit to me. But they recognize him everywhere. The Gervonta fight put him on the map, and the Rolly fight really put him there.
“And his personality and who he is, he’s the most humble guy. This is like [Miguel] Cotto, but Isaac has more personality. Cotto was a silent, silent guy, didn’t like doing many interviews and didn’t like being around a lot of people. Isaac has a personality that some people in sports have and just like. I call it Pitbull mania.”
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Boxing
“Mike Tyson knocking out Jake Paul is an ‘all-time backfire’
Published
2 days agoon
November 14, 2024Mike Tyson may not win at all even if he knocks out Jake Paul on Friday.
Tyson is approaching a comeback fight that many believe will not end with anyone winning.
Tyson was told that winning at the age of 58 in boxing was an empty joke. Tyson can’t really win either way if he crushes Paul or gets knocked out himself.
The former UFC star turned analyst weighed in on the Tyson debate as Daniel Cormier offered his views on the controversial fight.
Tyson will wear his professional gloves on November 15, nineteen years and more since his last appearance. Despite “Iron” Mike losing his previous two contests by knockout, YouTuber Paul sees Tyson as a cash opportunity to gain some recognition.
However, Cormier joins many voices who believe that both men have no chance of winning this fight. The only advantage of the entire Netflix event is money, which is no reason to create such an antagonist, since both men are already millionaires.
On his “Funky and the Champ” show, Cormier discussed Tyson’s smokescreen training videos, saying, “I understand that [he looks good at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels great].
“I agree when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro. It looks like there’s still something left there. But then I see Jake Paul fighting 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 operate the backup tank to stay and compete with this juvenile kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
“What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over,” Cormier added. “Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like this has ever happened in the history of sports.”
Paul has eight two-minute rounds to get the job done, while the consensus is that Tyson only has 30 seconds before he’s blowing tough and having difficulty keeping up.
The only comparison fight fans have made to the Paul vs. Tyson fight is when Evander Holyfield returned to action at the same age as Tyson in 2021. Facing Vitor Belfort, who was twenty years older than Paul at the time, Holyfield lasted only 109 seconds.
Mike is in deep crisis and must get out of the fight or destroy his opponent to gain any recognition. Senior Tyson would have beaten that opponent in a matter of seconds. Therefore, he must prove that money is not the only thing that counts.
In a recent workout, Tyson’s muscle mass remains off the charts for a man his age. The only problems will be its resistance to attacks and movement. If Mike can’t move around the ring, he’ll be chosen at his discretion by a guy three decades younger, with a much more significant engine.
Paul clearly doesn’t have skills comparable to Tyson. However, Mike has shown on numerous occasions, even in his thirties, that he is prone to impoverished performances and falling out of the game.
An audience of millions will watch to decide his ultimate legacy.
If Paul knocks Tyson out, it will be a disaster.
Boxing
Ardreal Holmes Jr. is the leader of Large Time Boxing on December 12 in Flint, Michigan
Published
3 days agoon
November 13, 2024Salita Promotions returns to Flint, Michigan on Thursday, December 12 with another edition of BIG TIME BOXING USA, the leading talent development series in the sport, featuring a fight card packed with some of boxing’s top prospects, including Michigan Jr.’s Ardreal “Bossman” Holmes. , Joey Spencer, Da’Velle “Hitman 2.0” Smith and Leon Lawson III.
This will be the sixth BIG TIME BOXING USA card since the series premiered in February, and it is without a doubt the series’ strongest lineup yet, from top to bottom. All the action takes place at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, and the top four fights are broadcast live on DAZN, the undisputed home of boxing worldwide. Tickets for the event go on sale Wednesday at 11 a.m. EST and can be purchased online HERE or in person at the Dort Financial Center box office.
After successfully defending his USBA junior middleweight title in September, Flint native Holmes (16-0, 6 KO) returns to his hometown to once again put his title on the line in the main event against an experienced challenger, French veteran Ahmed El Mousaoui ( 35-6-1, 9 KOs).
Fan favorite Spencer (18-1, 11 KO), from nearby Fenton, Michigan, will fight in a 10-round 160-pound fight. Spencer has bounced back with two wins since his lone loss to undefeated, highly-rated Jesus Ramos in March 2023.
Spencer will fight as a professional for the second time in his home state of Michigan. “Fighting in front of fans and friends from all over the state was the best experience,” Spencer said. “I grew up fighting alongside Ardreal Holmes and Leon Lawson – training and traveling to tournaments together and even sparring with each other as we grew into the same weight class.
“Large Time Boxing is a very cold series and Dmitriy Salita does a lot for boxing in Michigan. I can’t wait for December 12th and I’ll be ready to put on a show.
“My team and I are proud to announce the strongest BIG TIME BOXING USA fight card to date,” Salita said. “Since the series launched in February, we have been building and evolving it to become the premier talent development platform for newborn fighters, and this fight card is the best yet. Thank you to DAZN for providing a global platform for these fighters to shine and earn a shot at a world title. We would also like to thank Flint fans for supporting their hometown heroes and the entire sport of boxing. We had a great performance at the Dort Financial Center in September and this fight card is even more packed with incredible talent.”
Smith, touted as Detroit’s best undefeated middleweight prospect since Tommy Hearns, scored an impressive victory over Gilberto Pereira dos Santos last month in Puerto Rico. Smith has a record of 10-0 and 8 knockouts, and his momentum will be even greater when he returns to the ring against William Townsel (8-1, 6 KO) from Virginia Beach. This matchup represents the first major test for Smith, who is considered the second coming of the legendary Hearns due to his combination of speed, power and physique. Townsel previously upset Nadim Salloum, who had a 12-1 record heading into the fight, during the March edition of BIG TIME BOXING USA.
Flint native Lawson (16-1, 9 KO), cousin of Anthony and Andre Dirrell, returns after an impressive performance in September when he dominated Argentine Luis Alberto Veron and scored his second straight TKO. Lawson’s super welterweight opponent will not be announced. Additionally, former world title contender Byron Rojas (28-4-3, 11 KO) will fight on the fight card.
Rising star Samantha Worthington (9-0, 7 KO) of Lexington, Kentucky, will compete for the third time in 2024, defending her undefeated record in women’s super lightweight fighting. Worthington is ranked No. 2 by the IBF, No. 4 by the WBO and No. 6 by the WBC and WBA at 140 pounds. Worthington is promoted by “GWOAT,” unified women’s world champion and Flint native Claressa Shields and T-Rex Promotions. Shields and Worthington were members of the 2016 U.S. Olympic team.
Shields added that Worthington is a player that Flint fans won’t want to miss. “Samantha will showcase the relentless work ethic and tremendous skill that first caught my eye and has seen her rise through the ranks,” Shields said. “Samantha is well on her way to challenging the top competitors in the sport, with future world title fights against the likes of Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano well within her reach. Michigan fans, get ready to watch a rising women’s boxing star in your own backyard.
Boxing
Deontay Wilder returns, inspired by the work of Sylvester Stallone
Published
3 days agoon
November 13, 2024Deontay Wilder revealed his intentions to fight again in an address to his supporters, inspired by a quote from Rocky star Sylvester Stallone.
The “Brown Bomber” tries to leave behind two devastating defeats and the decline of personal relationships, starting a comeback with a novel attitude. Wilder has sought professional support for his mentality and intends to return to the ring to give himself one last chance.
In a video post on Instagram, Wilder said: “Listen, everyone is going to have an opinion about you, but those opinions don’t matter. Life will hit you and knock you down. It’s a mindset to keep moving forward.
“I experienced failures long before boxing. I faced challenges long before I stepped into the ring. I was punched and knocked down long before I even put on boxing gloves. I’m still here because my attitude is to get up and keep going…
“So over the last few months I have been building the protocol with mentality [strength]. I always say that we all have greatness within us, but greatness is only defined in service, so I wake up every day trying to serve. To teach other men how to move forward and support other men improve their mindset because mental health is my primary mission.
“The next critical mission is to get in the ring and do what I was supposed to do,” Wilder added.
Deontay Wilder is not finished yet.
🎥 @BronzeBomber #Bombzquad pic.twitter.com/OLiOB8RcsE
— Boxing News (@WorldBoxingNews) November 13, 2024
Responding to those who believe his career is over, Wilder stated: “If any of you have negative opinions, look at your mindset and step back from that negative bull****. How about this?
“To all my fans and supporters and those who have never left me, I love you all very much and thank you very much. Because no matter how many losses and how many challenges, no matter how many times life hits you and knocks you down, you better get up and keep going. That is the power of thinking.”
Wilder was inspired by Rocky’s original quote from the movie “Rocky Balboa.”
Stallone’s quote reads: “Let me tell you something you already know. The world is not all sunshine and rainbows. This is a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are. It will bring you to your knees and keep you there forever if you let it.
“You, me or no one will hit as tough as life. But it’s not about how tough you hit. It’s about how tough you can get hit and keep going.
“As much as you can take and keep going. That’s how you win!”
Whether Deontay Wilder can win again will depend on his choice of opponent.
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