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By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of May 20th to May 27th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
TMZ Reports on T.I. vs. Floyd Mayweather
TMZ has reported that that they have spoken to sources close to both T.I. and Floyd Mayweather and that each side is telling a very different version of events surrounding the fight. Everyone agrees that it was over T.I.’s wife Tiny, but there is a debate over who hit who.
T.I.’s Side: TMZ’s T.I. sources say the rapper swung and hit Floyd…which is what sparked the brawl at Fatburger in Las Vegas. T.I. even hinted at the punch in an Instagram video he posted the next day.
Floyd’s side: The champ is telling friends T.I. never hit him with any punch…he only tussled with members of Floyd’s security team.
More can be found at http://www.tmz.com/2014/05/27/t-i-floyd-mayweather-fight-who-hit-who/
Harold Lederman Discusses Nonito Donaire and Froch vs. Groves
On Saturday HBO will be broadcasting international fights from Macau, China and Wembley Stadium in London, England. HBO’s unofficial scorer, Harold Lederman, offers his take on Nonito Donaire’s career, Froch vs. Groves 2, and Donaire’s bout with Vetyeka. His thoughts on these bouts can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/embed/WYsAwHSduBA
Nielsen vs. Chudinov Set for June 1st
Patrick Nielsen (20-0) has arrived in Moscow, Russia to challenge Dmitry Chudinov (12-0-2) for the interim WBA World Middleweight Title on Sunday, June 1st at the Mytishchi Arena. Both boxers took part in a public workout in front of boxing fans at the Atrium Shopping Mall.
“It’s great to finally be here in Moscow,” said Nielsen. “My preparations have gone well and now I am ready to take Chudinov’s title. I showed the fans some of what I am capable of at today’s public workout but the rest I will save for Sunday night.”
Korobov vs. Uzcategui Added to Crawford vs. Gamboa Card
Top Rank has announced that undefeated Top-Five contenders Matt Korobov (23-0) and Jose Uzcategui (22-0) will battle in a ten round bout in the co-main event to WBO Lightweight Champion Terrence Crawford’s world title defense against three division world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa. This bout will also be televised live from the CenturyLink Center in Omaha on Saturday, June 28th on HBO Boxing After Dark.
All four boxers on the HBO telecast will sport a combined record of 91-0, 63 Kos.
Verdejo, Lopez & Ortiz June 7th Bouts to be Televised Live on Boxeo Boricua
Three of the undercard bouts on the Miguel Cotto vs. Sergio Martinez on Saturday, June 7th at Madison Square Garden in New York. Undefeated Puerto Rican prospects Felix “Diamante” Verdejo, Ricky “Wonder Boy” Lopez and the professional debut of Puerto Rican Olympian Jantony Ortiz.
Verdejo (12-0) will take on Engelberto Venezuela (9-1) in a six round lightweight bout. Lopez (12-0) will take on Raul Higaldo (21-10) in an eight round bout. Ortiz will make his debut against Elio Ruiz in a four round flyweight bout.
“We are very happy to present these bouts, which will feature some of the top prospects from Puerto Rico, on Boxeo Boricua on WAPA 2 Deportes in Puerto Rico and WAPA America in the United States. This historic telecast will be enjoyed by all Puerto Rican fans,” said three-division world champion Miguel Cotto.
“Top Rank is delighted that together with Cotto Promotions we can arrange for WAPA to televise the fights leading up to the Pay-Per-View telecast at 9 p.m. on June 7. The Puerto Rico audience for the first time will be able to see on WAPA the young stars of Puerto Rico,” said Bob Arum founder and CEO of Top Rank Inc.
Tickets on Sale for Dudchenko-Mohammedi
Tickets are on sale for the IBF Light Heavyweight Eliminator between Anatoliy “The Gladiator” Dudchenko (19-2) and Nadjib Mohammedi (34-3) on June 21st at the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The winner will be the mandatory for IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard Hopkins as the mandatory opponent for the IBF Light Heavyweight Title.
This bout will be the main event on NBCSN Fight Night telecast starting at 8:00 PM ET. The co-feature will include a ten round Philly vs. Philly match-up between Karl Dynamite Dargas (15-0) and Anthony Flores (11-3-1) for the USBA Atlantic Coast Region Lightweight Title.
Tickets are available on www.ticketmaster.com.
Maduma Motivated as Underdog for Saturday’s IBF Title Eliminator
World lightweight contender Ghislain Maduma (16-0) has embraced the underdog role for this Saturday’s IBF Title eliminator against Kevin Mitchell (37-2) on the Carl Froch-George Groves card at Wembley Stadium in London.
Maduma is rated No. 3 by the WBC and No. 4 by the IBF. The winner of Mitchell and Maduma will become the mandatory challenger for IBF Lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez.
“We had a very, very good training camp to prepare for this big fight,” Maduma said before departing for London. “I’m excited to be fighting in this big event.”
The largest crowd Maduma has fought in front of has been 8,000 at Bell Centre (Montreal) earlier in his professional career. He’s ready to play the underdog role in front of up to 80,000 fans at Wembley Arena supporting his British opponent.
“A lot of things will be different over there for me but I’m fully focused on doing my job,” Maduma added. “I’m bringing my ‘A’ game to prove I’m one of the best lightweights in the world.
