Listen Now:  

Boxing Insider Notebook: MGM vs. Top Rank, Donaire, Pacquiao, Pascal, Klitschko, and more

Posted on 04/23/2014

By: William Holmes

The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of April 15th to April 22nd, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.

MGM and Top Rank Might Sever Ties

Bob Arum was loudly voicing his displeasure with MGM over the way they handled the advertising for the Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley fight on April 12th. Posters for the May 3rd bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Marcos Maidana could be seen everywhere inside the MGM Grand, and Bob Arum was not happy about it.

MGM Resorts seems to have struck back. Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, has strongly hinted that his company’s relationship with Bob Arum might be over. Murren sent a newsletter to his employees and stated, “Bullying will not be tolerated” and “your company will not associate with abusive individuals.

Donaire-Vetyeka Title Fight on HBO on May 31st

Top Rank Promotions will present three featherweight world title fights on HBO on May 31st from the Cotai Arena at The Venetian Macao. The main event will be for the WBA Featherweight World Championship between Nonito Donaire (32-2) and Simpiwe Vetyeka (26-2). Vetyeka is coming off an upset victory over the legendary Chris John. Nicholas Walters (23-0) will also be defending his title against Vic Darchinyan (39-6-1). IBF champion Evgeny Gradovich (18-0) will be making his third title defense against Alexander Miskirtchian (24-2-1).

The card will begin at 4:00 p.m. ET on HBO. The telecast will also include the super middleweight title fight between Carl Froch and George Groves, which will take place at Wembley Stadium in London.

ESPN to Showcase Two World Heavyweight Championship Fights in Two Weeks Live

ESPN has been increasing their influence in boxing and has recently announced their decision to televise two world heavyweight championship fights. On April 26th ESPN will be broadcasting the Wladimir Klitschko (61-3) and Alex Leapai (30-4-3) bout. On May 10th ESPN will broadcast the Bermane Stiverne (23-1-1) and Chris Arreola (36-3) heavyweight championship bout.
The Klitschko bout will air at 5:00 p.m. ET and the Stiverne and Arreola bout will air at 8:00 p.m. ET.

“We are thrilled to have ESPN televise this great one-two combination of World Heavyweight title fights,” ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions Brian Kweder said. “The winners of these two fights will be on a collision course for the potential unification of the Heavyweight title. With fighters like Deontay Wilder, Mike Perez, Bryant Jennings and Tyson Fury all waiting in the wings, the Heavyweight division is poised for a major comeback.”

Jennings vs. Perez and Geale vs. Macklin to Take Place on May 24th in Corpus Christi

Gary Shaw Productions has announced that Bryant Jennings (18-0) and Mike Perez (20-0-1) will clash in a WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator on May 24th at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Opening the telecast will be a middleweight bout between Daniel “The Real Deal” Geale and Matthew “Mack the Knife” Macklin.

This card will be broadcast on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET.

Kassim Ouma Arrested for Battery

TMZ Sports has recently reported that former pro boxing champ Kassim Ouma was arrested for batter in Los Angeles on Friday. He allegedly knocked out a man who was making advances towards him. Ouma was arrested for felony battery causing great bodily harm.

More information can be found at http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/22/ex-boxing-champ-kassim-ouma-arrested-battery-gay-advances/

Iron Mike Productions Returns April 24th to Sands Bethlehem

Mike Tyson’s promotional company Iron Mike Productions returns Thursday night to Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with another installment of “KO Kings of Tomorrow.” The main event will be between light heavyweight Rowland Bryant (17-3) and Rayco Saunders (23-22-2) in an eight round main event. Bryant is a late replacement for Lenin Castillo (11-0).

2004 Puerto Rican Olympian Alex DeJesus (20-1) returns to the ring against Gerardo Pipino Cuevas, Jr. (17-11). Miguel Cartagena (12-0) will also be on the card and will take on TImur Shailezov (16-7) in a six round bout. Tickets can be purchased at the Sans Event Center Bethlehem Box Office.

Jean Pascal Reaches and Agreement with GYM and InterBox

Jean Pascal and Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and InterBox have announced that they have reached an agreement to ensure the services of the NABF and WBC Diamond Belt Light Heavyweight Champion Jean Pascal (29-2-1). The multi fight agreement was signed on April 12th and announced on April 16th.

Pascal plans on fighting again in September of 2014.

Manny Pacquiao Bloody Trunks Sell for $40k

TMZ Sports reported that the bloody boxing trunks that Manny Pacquiao wore during his victory over Timothy Bradley sold at a charity auction for $40,000. The auction was designed to help raise money for the victims of January’s super typhoon in the Philippines.

Sanchez and Spence Victorious on Fox Sports 1

Three separate networks televised boxing cards on Friday night, and Fox Sports 1 showcased a Golden Boy Card from San Antonio, Texas.

2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. (12-0) quickly dispatched Raymond Charles (12-3-2) in the welterweight division. Spence knocked Charles down once in the first round with a body shot, and followed it up with a combination near the ropes that sent Charles to the mat again. The referee waived off he fight at 2:52 of the first round.

Alan Sanchez (13-3-1) stopped Jorge Silva (20-6-2) in the main event. A right hand dropped Silva in the sixth round and he was on shaky legs when he got back to his feet. The referee stopped the bout at 0:42 of the sixth round.

DiBella Entertainment Announces Exclusive Partnership with NY Golden Gloves

This past Wednesday and Thursday, the famed New York Golden Gloves finals took place before a packed house at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Following the completion of the finals, it was officially announced that the New York Daily News and DiBella Entertainment have entered into an exclusive joint partnership. The broadcasts of the finals will be shown on SNY as well as Comcast affiliations as part of DBE’s popular Broadway Boxing series.

“DBE is thrilled to forge this partnership with the New York Golden Gloves. The Gloves are one of the preeminent amateur tournaments in the world and a New York institution. Broadway Boxing has become the home for many former New York Golden Glovers. It is natural for DBE and Broadway Boxing to join forces with the Golden Gloves to bring this exciting action to our viewers,” said Lou DiBella.

Title Boxing Club Breaks Top 10 on Entrepreneur’s New Franchise List

Title Boxing Club recently announced its prestigious rankings with Entrepreneur Magazine. The company is now ranked no. 9 on the Top New Franchise list and No. 36 for the Fastest Growing Franchise. They also claimed No. 235 on the 2014 Franchise 500.
“Our success and growth over the past few years is much more than just a flash-in-the-pan, but rather a solid trend,” said John Rotche, President of TITLE Boxing club. “We have had 23 consecutive quarters of double digit sales growth and are continuing to open clubs at a pace of one per week, further validating that people are drawn to both the fitness and business benefits of the franchise.” More information can be found at www.titleboxingclub.com

Anthony Caputo Smith to meet Pedro Martinez on May 9th for Pennsylvania Heavyweight Title

On Friday, May 9th, Anthony Caputo Smith (15-2) will take on Pedro Martinez (7-7) in a ten round bout for the Pennsylvania Heavyweight Title. This card is being promoted by Joey Eye Boxing Promotions. Smith is a former state title holder on both the light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions. Both Caputo Smith and Martinez are coming off of victories over Tony Ferrante at Harrahs in Philadelphia on separate dates.
The bout will be held at Harrah’s in Philadelphia, and tickets can be purchased online at www.webtix.net

Leave a Comment

More Headlines

Listen to my podcast
WHAT'S
Trending

Sorry. No data so far.


FOLLOW
BoxingInsider
ABOUT

Established in 1997 as a premier boxing destination. The staff of BoxingInsider.com love hearing from people all over the world.

© 2024 BOXINGINSIDER LLC
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


SUBSCRIBE TODAY