Boxing Buzz: News & Notes

by Boxerharris86 - On June 26, 1959, 18,215 fans watched the heavyweight title change hands in a stunning upset at Yankee Stadium. Floyd Patterson had been knocked down seven times in one round, and the first Swedish heavyweight champion had been crowned. Ingemar Johansson passed away January 30, 2009, and boxing lost one of its more colorful champions. The man who claimed he carried “Thor’s Hammer” in his right hand was one of the best punchers of all time and was a class act in and out of the ring. He will be missed…

The Buzz

HBO is desperately trying to lure Floyd Mayweather back to the ring to take part in a 4 fighter super tournament.

The first fight would of course be Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton, the next would be Shane Mosley vs Floyd Mayweather. The winners would do battle at the end of the year for likely the P4P championship.

Two fights have been added to the Pavlik and Cotto twin bill on PPV. “Irish” John Duddy will be facing Matt “The Predator” Vanda in a middleweight contest. Duddy was due to fight Ronald Hearns last month, but the match up fell apart. He now finds himself taking on Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. rival Matt Vanda. “The Predator” fought Chavez Jr. to a controversial split decision in July of last year, but lost a wide decision to Chavez Jr. in November. If anything this fight should be entertaining. The other fight features rising lightweight star Anthony Peterson. The younger of the Peterson brothers has put together a 28-0 (19) record and will be taking on his toughest challenge yet, Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry. The always game Cherry has speed and power, but has come up short in his big fights. Peterson has amazing athletic ability and should get the test he needs to move along his promising career.

Jermain Taylor vs Alen Green has been signed, sealed, and delivered for a super middleweight contest on March 28 on Showtime.

Andre Ward vs Glen Johnson is being explored by both sides. This would be a seriously considerable step up for Ward. Andre is now in preparations for his next opponent who has the most terrifying nickname in boxing, Henry “Sugar Poo” Buchanan.

As you may already know, Juan Manuel Lopez will be defending his WBO Junior Featherweight championship against WBO Bantamweight champion and Philippines favorite, Gary Penalosa. With this fight taking place on April 25th, an interim bantamweight title bout will take place involving Eric Morel vs Fernando Montiel.

Zab Judah’s next fight may be against Carlos Quintana. Just when it seems Judah has left the welterweight division to fight at a more comfortable 140 pound weight, he may revisit the welterweight ranks.

With his latest win, Michael Katsidis now eyes a match up with Julio Diaz at Morongo Casino in California on April 10.

Top Rank is very close to a deal with Edwin Valero. The undefeated knock out artist would be a step closer to chasing down his dream of facing Manny Pacquiao by signing with Bob Arum.

*JABS*

ESPN Friday Night Fights will have a stellar card on Feb 20. Cuban sensation Yuriorkis Gamboa, (Amir Khan Conqueror) Breidis Prescott, Richard Gutierrez, and Cuban prospect Erislandy Lara will all be featured.

“Chris Byrd destroyer” Shaun George returns against Jeffa Ballogou Feb 25

Nonito Donaire defends vs Raul Martinez on March 22.

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Comments (7) >>

fatdaddy said:

Nice job. A very interesting and well written column. Keep them coming.

02 February, 2009

Swodogg said:

Man, is Andre Ward ready for Glen Johnson? The dude is a Vet that can still bang and come forward for 15 rounds if he had to. It would be a great test that's for sure.

02 February, 2009

dipsta said:

good week to all! so it seems like we have a bunch of good things coming our way huh!? fuck mma! haha! jk! looking forward to the rest of the year! i think cherry is going to shit on peterson's party! if its the same peterson i saw last year on one of the uc's that boy needs work! fighting cherry is only going to get him worked! i like Ward but Johnson is bad fkn medicine! it sgoing to be good watching my man Indio get back on the scene, and katsidis is always fun to watch!! im also anxious to see more of prescott! im going to attempt to throw yall off by saying with extreme sincerity that although i am a fan of Yuriorkis Gamboa, i think Erislandy Lara is going to better than him!! smilies/shocked.gif

peace and blessings to yall!

02 February, 2009

socalboxer said:

they went from moving andre ward from too slow...to hyper-speed!

johnson gave chad dawson all he could handle. this is a big mistake for andre ward.

Mayweather wont enter a tournament, he fights for money and no other reason.

02 February, 2009