Boxing
LARRY HOLMES AT THE MAY 11 PERFORMANCE IN TROPICANA
Published
6 months agoon
By
J. HumzaBoxing Insider Promotions brings the former heavyweight champion back to the Boardwalk
Watch our live broadcast here >>> movies.BoxingInsider.com
Very few champions in boxing history have been able to take control of a fight so well Larry Holmes. And it earned him fame, fortune and a place among the all-time heavyweight champions.
Boxing Promotions Insider he cares deeply about the history of this sport and brings professional boxing to the arena Tropicana Hotel and Casino for the first time in seven years. It also brings Holmes back, as the “Easton Assassin” makes a special appearance in the Trop living room Saturday evening (MAY 11).
The champion will be watching some of the best talent on the East Coast, including someone who will certainly be a part of the future of the heavyweight division, as undefeated (3-0) Pryce Taylor will fight Lawrence King Jr. in a four-round fight. with Rochester (2-1) in one of the more anticipated fights.
Holmes’ story is a classic depiction of a player rising from the ground up.
A native of Cuthbert, Georgia, Holmes grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania. He spent part of his early years working to assist his family and part of it in the amateur boxing ranks.
Holmes was a good amateur, but suffered an embarrassing fate at the 1972 Olympic trials: first, he was stopped by Nick Wells in the first round and then disqualified for hanging too demanding on Duane Bobick. Apparently he had to redeem himself in the professional ranks. And apparently he did.
Holmes stepped out of the spotlight professionally and struggled quite a bit in Don King’s appearances. He was also a sparring partner of many eminent heavyweight fighters, most notably Muhammad Ali. He continued to fight and continued to win. Larry posted a 26-0 record against Earnie Shavers in March 1978 in what would be the biggest test of his career to that point. He dominated Shavers, establishing himself as the top contender for heavyweight honors.
In 1978, there were changes in the heavyweight division. Leon Spinks upset Ali to win the title and a rematch was scheduled for September (which Ali won). During all this, Spinks defied the WBC, which demanded that he fight top contender Ken Norton.
So the WBC stripped Spinks of the title and retroactively awarded the title to Norton, who had previously defeated Jimmy Youthful in a title eliminator. Norton faced Holmes in a title defense and it turned out to be a thriller. The 15th round will go down in history as one of the best rounds in heavyweight history. Norton won by one point on one scorecard, while Holmes won by one point on the other two cards and took the title with him. There was still a long way to go before Bobick’s disqualification.
Holmes went on to win twenty more fights, defending both the WBC and (after a dispute with that sanctioning body) the IBF. In two of those fights – against Shavers and Renaldo Snipes – he had to get off the floor to win.
Then, of course, there was the intense megafight with Gerry Cooney, which looked like it might have ended early with Cooney being eliminated in the second round, but then became more dramatic when Cooney landed more than his fair share of punches. On the 13th, Cooney, who was tired and hit by Holmes’s sharper punches, went down and was saved by cornerman Victor Valle, ending it.
Another of these fights was painful in a different way, as Holmes punched his former sparring buddy Ali for ten rounds before the fight was stopped. In post-fight interviews, Holmes expressed how tough it was to go through the process.
With a record of 48-0, Holmes came close to breaking Rocky Marciano’s record of 49 wins without a defeat for the heavyweight champion. But Michael Spinks, who had bulked up after moving up from the delicate heavyweight division, shocked him and the boxing world with a 15-round decision. In the rematch, in the eyes of many, Holmes defeated Spinks, but he was eliminated after 15 rounds of an inconclusive verdict.
Then came other title opportunities – against Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Oliver McCall. Holmes fought well into his 40s, and in his 50s, he defeated Mike Weaver and Eric “Butterbean” Esch.
Most people don’t remember all this. What they remember is his great jab – one of the most powerful the heavyweight division has ever seen – and his willingness to fight any challenger put in front of him.
Fans attending Saturday’s fight card at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino will be treated to history as Holmes will be on hand to meet and greet patrons. And they get to see a local favorite Justin Figueroa (8-0, 6 KO) returns to Atlantic City, where he will face Antonio Armas (13-7, 8 KO) in a six-round junior middleweight fight.
Here is the current lineup of the Boxing Insider Promotions program that will take place on May 11:
8 rounds – Featherweights
JAN LEONARD (10-1-1, 4 KO), Manalapan Township, Novel Jersey vs. FRANK GONZALEZ (12-5, 6 KO), Tampa, Florida
8 rounds – welterweights
GREAT GRIFFIN (13-0, 12 KO), Chattanooga, TN vs. LESTHER ESPINO (8-5, 6 KO), Nicaragua
6 rounds – junior middleweight
JUSTIN FIGUEROA (8-0, 6 KO), Atlantic City, Novel Jersey vs. ANTONIO ARMAS (13-7, 8 KO), Venezuela
6 rounds – Jr. medium weight
DWYKE FLEMINGS (6-0, 6 KO), Paterson, Novel Jersey vs. JONATHAN HAMPTON (3-4, 1 KO), Gary, IN
4 rounds – heavyweight
PRYCE TAYLOR (3-0, 2 KO), Brooklyn, NY vs. LAWRENCE KING JR. (2-1.1 KO), Rochester, Novel York
4 rounds – middleweight
JACOB SOLIS (3-0, 3 KO), Novel York, NY vs. BRANDOON MARTINEZ (1-3, 1 KO), Tucson, Arizona
4 rounds – lightweights
KOBY WILLIAMS (professional debut), Brooklyn, NY vs. KEVIN HICKS (1-2, 1 KO), Taswell, West Virginia
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“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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