Boxing
Meet the Class of 2024 entering the International Boxing Hall of Fame
Published
6 months agoon
By
J. HumzaThe International Boxing Hall of Fame inducts the Class of 2024 this weekend in Canastota, Up-to-date York, and there are some massive names on the list.
The American Boxing Writers Association and an international panel of boxing historians have voted for the latest crop of champions, both in and out of the ring, to join the greatest names in boxing history.
Boxers Ricky Hatton, Michael Moorer, Ana Maria Torres, Jane Couch, Ivan Calderon and the delayed Diego Corrales will be inducted into the Up-to-date Boxers category.
Boxing writer Wallace Matthews and sports commentator Nick Charles will compete in the Observer category. Coach Kenny Adams, publicist Fred Sternburg and publicist and manager Jackie Kallen join the Non-Participant category. Boxer Luis Angel Firpo will compete in the Aged Timer category, while Teresa Kibby will join in the Women Trailblazer category.
Here’s a look at each competitor in the Up-to-date Boxer Briefs category and what makes them so special.
Diego Corrales
“Chico” Corrales will be best remembered for the incredible round 10 of his epic first encounter with Jose Luis Castillo in May 2005. This round featured nonstop action, knockdowns, and a barely believable twist.
Two years after the ESPN Fight of the Year, Corrales died in a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas at the age of 29.
Corrales (40-5, 33 KO), of Sacramento, Calif., was at his most hazardous when injured, and at key points in his career he won fights after visiting the canvas. He had courage and fought instinctively, which made his fights thrilling.
Corrales was knocked down twice in round 10 by Castillo during their lightweight title unification fight. Castillo, a two-time WBC Mexican champion, seemed poised to win. Corrales could barely see Castillo throwing punches in front of him due to his severely swollen eyes, so he intelligently spit out his mouthguard to buy himself a few seconds to recover from the second knockdown. And then Corrales hit a challenging right shot that hurt Castillo and sealed the victory.
There were more than two fights with Castillo in Corrales. In 1999, he defeated Roberto Garcia by seventh-round TKO to win the IBF junior lightweight title. Corrales defended three times before facing Floyd Mayweather and was stopped in round 10 after being knocked to the ground five times during a 2001 fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
After losing to Mayweather, Corrales served 14 months in prison allegation of domestic abuse before resuming his career.
Corrales’ illustrious career earned him revenge for his loss to Joel Casamayor when he climbed into the ring and won the WBO title in 2004. Later that year, Corrales moved up a weight class to stop Acelino Freitas in the 10th round, one of the best wins of his career, ending Freitas’ undefeated record. Corrales won the WBO lightweight belt in that fight and put the title on the line when he faced Castillo for the first time.
The tough fight with Castillo exhausted Corrales greatly and he was never the same fighter again. Castillo knocked out Corrales in four rounds five months after their first fight (but Corrales retained the WBO and WBC belts because Castillo failed to gain weight) before Corrales suffered two more decision losses to Casamayor and Joshua Clottey.
Ana Maria Torres
“La Guerrera” Torres was a two-time WBC junior bantamweight champion who boxed twice in North Korea.
Mexico’s Torres (28-3-3, 16 KOs) dominated the women’s junior bantamweight division from her first bantamweight win in 2007 until her last fight in 2012.
In 2006, she lost a split decision to Kwang Ok Kim for the WBC bantamweight title in North Korea. Later that year, she defeated Mayela Perez to win the interim WBC junior bantamweight title, which she held until she lost a split decision on another trip to North Korea, this time to Myung Ok Ryu in 2007.
However, Torres regained the title in 2008 and defended it 11 times before retiring. In total, Torres made 12 saves over two reigns, engaging in several epic battles with Jackie Nava and Mariana Juarez.
Michael Moorer
What do Moorer, James Toney, Roy Jones Jr., Michael Spinks and Bob Fitzsimmons have in common? They are all part of a tiny club that has won featherlight heavyweight and heavyweight world titles.
Moorer, 56, is also one of three fighters (along with Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis) to win the heavyweight title three times.
Moorer (52-4-1, 40 KO) was just 21 years ancient when he won the inaugural WBO featherlight heavyweight title in his 12th professional fight, stopping Ramzi Hassan in December 1988. He made nine defenses, all won by KO, before making two jumps in the heavyweight class to heavyweight.
After last defending his WBO featherlight heavyweight title in 1990, the American returned as heavyweight. Seven fights later, Moorer recovered from two early knockdowns to defeat Bert Cooper in Round 5 to win the 1992 WBO heavyweight title. The victory was significant as Moorer became the first southern midfielder to win the world heavyweight title.
Moorer then defeated Evander Holyfield for the IBF and WBA titles at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1994, when he recovered from a second-round knockout to win by majority decision. However, Moorer lost the titles six months later to George Foreman, who was trailing on points when he knocked out Moorer with a right hand in round 10, becoming the oldest-ever world heavyweight champion at the age of 45.
Moorer traveled to Germany in 1996 and defeated Axel Schulz by split decision to become a four-time world heavyweight champion. He made two defenses before Holyfield defeated him in a title unification rematch at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas in 1997. Moorer visited the canvas five times before his corner stopped the fight in round 8.
Moorer, born in Brooklyn, Up-to-date York and raised in Monessen, Pennsylvania, ended his 20-year boxing career in 2008.
Ricky Hatton
Hatton, a two-division world champion, is one of the most popular British boxers of the last 30 years.
Hatton (45-3, 32 KO), of Manchester, England, won the junior welterweight and welterweight world titles, unified the junior welterweight world titles and fought (and lost) against the best of his era in Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
However, his greatest achievement is perhaps the popularity and support he has generated. It was reported that Hatton attracted 20,000 spectators from UK shores to Las Vegas following his 10th round KO loss to Mayweather in 2007, and his fan base extended beyond just the UK hardcore boxing scene
Hatton’s career was transformed when he won the IBF junior welterweight title from Kostya Tszyu in Manchester in June 2005, after his pressure prompted the Australian Russian to withdraw from Tszyu at the end of the 11th round. Tszyu was ranked 3rd in the pound weight. -for-pound and No. 1 in the division at the time, and Hatton’s victory (the best of his career) confirmed his status as a truly elite boxer.
After this breakthrough victory, Hatton campaigned mainly in the US. After a stunning victory over Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas in June 2007, Hatton faced the sport’s biggest star in Mayweather in December 2007. It was a huge event, but it ended in a knockout in the 10th round.
Pacquiao knocked out Hatton in two rounds in May 2009, and Hatton did not return to the ring until three years later against Vyacheslav Senchenko, amid depression and drug and alcohol addiction. At the age of 34, Hatton announced he was retiring following his loss to Senchenko and has not fought since.
Jane Couch
Perhaps Couch’s greatest achievement was the fight she won outside the ring. The Englishwoman sued the British boxing authorities for the right to fight professionally. She won by forcing the British Boxing Board of Control to grant her a boxing license in 1998, ending the ban on women fighting professionally in the UK
Couch (55), of Fleetwood, England, was a pioneer of the sport and opened the door to current champions Savannah Marshall, Natasha Jonas, Terri Harper and many other U.K. fighters Couch (28-11, 9 KOs), whose last fight was in 2007 after winning the junior welterweight and lightweight world titles.
Ivan Calderon
“Iron Boy” Calderon was the strawweight (2003-2007) and junior flyweight (2007-2010) world champion, making a total of a staggering 17 world title defenses. The Puerto Rican had a great fight against Giovani Segura in 2010, which he lost by KO in the eighth round, ending his undefeated record.
Calderon (35-3-1, 6 KO), whose last fight was in 2012, was so good that he faced bigger fighters like Oscar De La Hoya and “Sugar” Shane Mosley due to his technique and elusiveness . He dominated the lightest divisions with outstanding wins over Alex Sanchez, Edgar Cardenas, Roberto Leyva, Daniel Reyes and Isaac Bustos.
You may like
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
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.
Dave Allen: Why I WON’T GO TO MARBELLA for David Price camp (but I FEEL FANTASTIC)
Canelo Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia Preview | #52
Greg Hackett ARGUES with DRUNK fan about Jaron Ennis BEATING Chukhadzhian & RUNS INTO Blair Cobbs
Trending
-
MMA6 months ago
Max Holloway is on a mission at UFC 212
-
Interviews1 month ago
Carl Froch predicts that Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
-
Interviews1 month ago
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
-
MMA6 months ago
Cris Cyborg ready to add a UFC title to her collection
-
MMA6 months ago
The Irish showed up in droves at the Mayweather-McGregor weigh-in
-
Boxing4 months ago
Lucas Bahdi ready to test his skills against Ashton Sylve
-
Interviews6 months ago
I fell in love with boxing again
-
Opinions & Features2 months ago
Dmitry Bivol: The story so far