Tag Archives: anthony

Posted on 12/06/2019

By: Sean Crose

What has turned out to be the most anticipated fight of the year is set to go down this Saturday in Saudi Arabia, at a sparkling new arena designed specifically for the event and set to seat a full 15,00 fans. It’s a unique location (some are arguing it’s sinister due to Saudi Arabia’s reputation as a human right violator) for a matchup no one could have imagined just a year ago. Yet here we are, with the – Andy Ruiz set to defend the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles against the man he won them from in stunning fashion last June – the 22-1 Anthony Joshua.

Joshua was considered a star’s star up until the point where Ruiz stopped him in the seventh round at Madison Square Garden on June 1st of last spring. He had the power, the record, the physique and the personality of someone who might actually go from sport’s celebrity to household name. Yet the unassuming, pudgy Ruiz proved to be the all around better fighter that night. What’s more, some – many perhaps – think the Californian will prove to be the better fighter again this weekend. That’s what makes this matchup so interesting – no one is quite sure how it will go down.

The defending champion, at 6’2 is actually rather small in this era of super heavyweights. He’s also rather, well, heavy, with trainer Manny Robles assuming his man will enter the ring at around 268 pounds. Don’t let the size fool anyone, though, the Mexican American can box extremely well and has serious power. Perhaps most importantly, Ruiz has proven he can be cool under fire, a fact he demonstrated after being dropped by Joshua in the third round of their first go round. Getting himself together, Ruiz got to his feet, composed himself, then knocked Joshua down a total of four times on his way to the shocking 7th round win.

As for Joshua – fans may see a different fighter than they did the last time the man was in the ring. Much taller than Ruiz, the 6’6 Englishman still undoubtedly has power for days, but after what happened in June, it’s easy to imagine him trying to avoid Ruiz all night. In a strange sense, Joshua may make this fight like Leonard-Hearns 2, where the power punching Hearns boxed smart and played it safe. It’s also worth noting that Wladimir Klitschko, that safest of all heavyweight champions, has been giving Joshua advice leading up to his second battle with Ruiz.

Saturday’s card will also feature the 18-1 heavyweight Michael Hunter, as he hopes to make his name by earning a win over well known and regarded contender Alexander Povetkin, 35-2. Hunter has won six in a row since being bested as cruiserweight by Oleksandr Usyk back in 2017. Povetkin, on the other hand, can count Joshua and Klitschko as the only two men who have bested him in the ring. Povetkin won a unanimous decision over Hughie Fury (Tyson’s cousin) last August and is looking to keep on the comeback trail.

Dillan Whyte, whose single loss came at the gloved fists of Joshua almost a full four years ago, will also be on the card, hoping to improve his record to 27-1 as he faces the 35-5 Mariusz Wach in another heavyweight throwdown. Whyte, who has gone on to win 10 in a row since being stopped by Joshua, has been hanging tough in the heavyweight division for a while now, hoping for another chance at glory (which he deserves). Frankly, Wach shouldn’t prove much of a challenge, as he’s previously lost to the likes of Martin Bakole, Artur Szpilka, Jarrell Miller, Klitschko, and Povetkin. This being boxing, however, anything is possible.

The DAZN streaming service will air the card starting at 12 noon Eastern Time on Saturday. The main event is expected to go down around 4 PM Eastern Time.

Posted on 12/05/2019

By: Hans Themistode

Anthony Joshua has a chance to be apart of history. This time, for the reason that he wants.

When the former Heavyweight champ crossed over the Atlantic to take on Andy Ruiz Jr, at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, it was supposed to be the beginning of his take over. Instead, it turned into the end.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

As you know by now, Ruiz stopped the former champ in the seventh round of their contest. They are now set to do it again. Saying that his June 1st, matchup against Ruiz was the end is a little hyperbole but if he loses this rematch this weekend in Saudi Arabia, it certainly will.

Needless to say, this is a must win for Joshua. If he can take a break from his busy day and read these keys to victory, he will be able to call himself a champion once again.

Throw The Jab

With a four inch height advantage and a ridiculous eight inches in reach on his side as well, Joshua has a few physical features in his favor. For Ruiz to come out with this victory, he will need to come in close. Joshua on the other hand needs to keep him back.

When the fight is at long distance, Joshua should be able to make it a cake walk. When Ruiz finds his way inside however, it’s a whole different ball game. Ruiz is going to put the pressure on him but Joshua needs to make him pay every time he comes in.

No Slugging

The first contest between the two should be the fight of the year. This time around, Joshua should turn it into a boring matchup. When it comes to simply meeting in the center of the ring and slugging it out, Joshua is great at it, but Ruiz is on a whole other level.

“I just love to bang it out, so if that’s what he wants to do I’m cool with that.” Said Ruiz during a recent interview. “Banging it out” is not something that Joshua wants to do. Joshua is better than Ruiz in every category but when things are in close, Joshua enters the world of Ruiz.

Be Prepared Mentally

Listen, we can sit here and dissect Joshua all we want. The fact of the matter is that he is a great fighter. He doesn’t necessarily need to change his entire game plan in order to win this fight. He simply needs to show some mental toughness.

Joshua may have sported an undefeated record for over six years, but he has never been a perfect fighter. He has been hurt against Wladimir Klitschko, Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin. In each of those fights however, he simply bit down on his mouthpiece and dug deep. Against Ruiz, he didn’t do that. If Joshua can simply come to grips with the fact that this will be the most difficult fight of his career, than he can overcome his mental issues and bring home his titles.

Posted on 12/05/2019

By: Hans Themistode

It’s just about time for the rematch that many never saw coming. Andy Ruiz Jr may have walked out of Madison Square Garden, in New York City, on June 1st with the Heavyweight titles around his waist, but you have to believe in order for him to do it the second time around, it will take a lot of grit on his part.

Anthony Joshua seems more motivated than ever, but so does the current champion. Yet, for some reason, Ruiz is heavily doubted yet again. It isn’t hyperbole to call his first win one of the biggest upsets of all-time. It’s safe to say that if he pulls it off again, that it won’t be that much of a shock. What Ruiz wants at this point, is validation. One more win over Joshua will give him just that.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Nobody is expecting a cake walk but if Ruiz is who he says he is, then he can do it again.

Let’s take a look at his keys to victory.

Pressure

Andy Ruiz Jr is a natural pressure fighter. He’s great in everything else as well, but he truly excels in the pressure department. In the first contest, Joshua really didn’t enjoy the constant duress he was under at all times.

With Joshua losing a ton of weight for the rematch, Ruiz believes he will try to out box him this time around. If that truly is the case, then Ruiz needs to ramp up his pressure on Joshua. The former champ has already proven that he can’t deal with it. If Ruiz can stay in his face all night, then he is most likely to walk out of there with another victory.

Combinations Up Top

Just about every fighter tries to land combinations, but they aren’t always successful. When Ruiz lets his hands go, he looks like a blur out there. Don’t let his big belly fool you, he’s much faster than you would think. In the first encounter whenever Ruiz got in striking distance, he didn’t waste his time with slow one twos. Instead, he pressed on the gas and hit Joshua with four or five shots at a time.

It’s clear that Ruiz has the edge in that department. Ruiz can’t get cute here. Get in close and let your hands go. Let’s see if Joshua will crumble underneath the pressure yet again.

Attack The Body

For as big and strong as Joshua may look, he sure does move around the ring a lot. There’s nothing wrong with it, but with the sort of hulking body that he has, you would think that he simply walks up to his opponents and pummels them into the ground. Nope, Joshua is much more of a boxer than you might think. With the former champion shedding a lot of those huge muscles, what makes you believe that he will simply walk to the center of the ring and bang with Ruiz?

It isn’t likely. If Ruiz finds himself having difficulty catching up to his on the move opponent, then he needs to go down to the body. It won’t win him any style points but it will certainly wear Joshua down and lead him to another victory.

Posted on 12/05/2019

By: Sean Crose

“The plan,” promoter Eddie Hearn says via the Guardian “is to make Saudi Arabia the home of mega boxing. All due respect to Las Vegas, but this place has the ability to bring any fight they want here. We had a great meeting with them (Saudi officials) last night.” Such braggadocio is raising a few eyebrows on the eve of Saturday’s highly anticipated matchup between defending WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titlist Andy Ruiz, and the man he defeated last spring, the popular and thunderous punching Anthony Joshua. Although the Saudi Arabian location for the much hyped rematch is seen by some as unique and even exotic, there are those who strongly feel Saudi Arabia’s reputation for human rights abuses is problematic.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Yet Hearn, who represents Joshua, is quick to point out that he’s not the only Westerner doing business in the controversial kingdom. “I was driving up and down the road last night,” the Guardian quotes the promoter as saying, “thinking of all the criticism I’ve been getting. And I passed Gucci, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Versace and Ralph Lauren.” Hearn also claims that, in a sense, none of this is anyone’s business other than the people involved. “Although it is easy for us to also say Formula E, the tennis Super Cup, and the PGA Tour is here too,” he argues, “I also believe that no one has the right to tell a fighter how and where they can earn their money.”

For it’s own part, Saudi Arabia has gone out of it’s way to come across as just the kind of place promoters would want to turn to for big money, high profile events. A glistening arena that can sit fifteen thousand people has been erected just outside capital of Diriyah. The entire facility, which was essentially built in a matter of weeks, has drawn much attention from the media. Hearn has done his part to put a smiling face on the matter, being quoted in the Independant as saying he thinks this weekend’s fight can “break down barriers.”

Human rights organization Amnesty International, on the other hand, is clearly displeased with the bout’s unique location. “Despite the hype over supposed reforms,” Amnesty’s Felix Jakens told The Guardian last September, “Saudi Arabia is actually in the midst of a sweeping human rights crackdown, with women’s rights activists, lawyers and members of the Shia minority community being targeted.” Although Saudi Arabia stands accused of having such things as torture and beheadings allowed within its borders, Hearn claims the country is changing for the better. “The Saudis want to show they are changing,” Hearn claims, via the Guardian. “And they want a more positive image worldwide by bringing in events.”

Although it’s being accused of “sportswashing” it’s unsavory elements, the Saudi government may well be handsomely rewarded by it’s foray into high level boxing. Then again, no one can be certain how things will eventually work out. On Wednesday the Sun reported that “tickets for Anthony Joshua’s rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr has thought to have only sold around 75 per cent, with just over 11,000 fans expected at the arena in Saudi Arabia.”

Posted on 12/04/2019

By: Hans Themistode

Since losing his Heavyweight world titles, Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs) has been given plenty of time to reflect. Six months to be exact. He has assessed what went wrong on June 1st, earlier this year against Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KOs) and looks forward to righting what he believes should never have happened in the first place.

Joshua was given one final time before the weigh in and subsequent fight, to take a look at Andy Ruiz Jr as they hosted a press conference in Saudi Arabia.

It was your typical presser but yet, something looked odd. That peculiar image came from Joshua as he sat in his seat at the presser with no titles in front of him. It was the first time since 2016 that Joshua no longer had a championship title placed in front of him.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

It’s an unfamiliar sight, but one that he knows very well.

“It’s interesting to be on this side of the table but I’m used to this position,” said Joshua. “Even when you are champion you have to have a challenger mindset. It feels like my 16th fight so I go back to that and I’m hungry, determined and focused on the goal.”

When a once proud champion tastes defeat for the first time in his or her career, the questions always seem to surface regarding whether or not they have lost a piece of themselves in the ring. Is their desire and will to win still as prevalent as it was before? In this case, the answer is an emphatic yes.

“I didn’t lose any heart, I didn’t lose any fire in my belly. I’m actually really looking forward to it. There’s no fear in my heart, no fear in my eyes, no fear in my mind. I’m just looking forward to putting on a show and I’m confident. The focus has always been there.”

Naturally, with such a massive event, it needed a venue to match. The city of Diriyah located in Saudi Arabia has played its part in delivering on a platform that is well suited for this level of a contest.

“This is the real Mecca of boxing. We are going to turn this into something special. I went to the venue and it is perfectly designed. I said my prayers and I took the time to really embrace what is going to happen on Saturday night.”

Everything about this moment just screams special. This is after all, a Heavyweight contest between two of the best that the division has to offer with the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles up for grabs. The winner of this bout will remember being apart of history. That might be your take on it, but not for the former champion.

“It won’t be a special moment because I know I belong here. When I regain those belts, I’m going to keep calm and remain focused. It’s not a time to celebrate. I have to keep a challenger mindset and move on to the next target.”

The former champion might speak of his challenger mindset, however, make no mistake about it. He wants nothing more than to regain his spot on the Heavyweight throne.

“I never came to take part I came to take over. I’m not here to put on a show. I’m here to win.”

Posted on 12/02/2019

By: Sean Crose

It looks to have been something of an old school training camp. Tall and fit, the former heavyweight mutlititlist can be see throughout YouTube going about running, engaging in other calisthenics, and tossing punches at the bag with a degree of fluidity. He no longer seems to be symbolic of the future or the promised “next big thing.” To contrary, Anthony Joshua looks like a man solely focused on the very serious art of boxing. “It’s good that I lost,” he says of his stunning defeat at the gloved hands of Andy Ruiz in New York last June, “because all the sparring partners have come out now. No one wanted to spar me before.” This, of course, has proven to be a plus for Joshua, as he needs to be in prime form if he’s to win his rematch against Ruiz this Saturday in Saudi Arabia. Still, it’s clear the experience of being defeated on as grand a scale as Joshua was last spring profoundly impacted the man. “I remember,” Joshua says ruefully, “when Klitschko…lost he said he had everyone coming to spar him.”

It wasn’t always this way. In fact, up until the first Ruiz fight, things were quite different. “I don’t think they want the fight,” former Olympic Gold Medalist and World Welterweight champion Mark Breland said of team Joshua back in the summer of 2018. Breland, a co-trainer of WBC heavyweight titlist Deontay Wilder, had simply been around the boxing business for too long not to see things for what he felt they were. Joshua was the fighter the spotlight was on. A fight with Wilder would come – at some point – but it was Joshua’s world, and everyone knew it. “Eventually,” he told me, “they’re going to have to fight.” When that day would come, however, was anyone’s guess. “He doesn’t need Deontay,” Breland said of Joshua, who at the time held the WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles, “Deontay needs him.”

Less than a year and a half after those words were uttered by the soft spoken Breland, it’s Joshua who has found himself the one in need. No superfight, no comfort zone, no wildly anticipated matchup will be found if the London native loses again this Saturday. Make no mistake about it, the 6’6, 22-1 Joshua NEEDS to win this rematch against Ruiz. The brilliant future that once appeared to be all his depends on it. Yet, should Joshua indeed best Ruiz in their second go round, it’s unlikely that he will forget about the hard earned lessons he received leading up to his ring redemption. “When I win,” he declares, as if victory over Ruiz is already a forgone conclusion, “I will be like, ‘fuck everybody.”

Defeat is a bitter pill to swallow, as is the shallowness of others. And boxing fans can be particularly shallow – outrageously so, even. Perhaps if he looked into the sport’s history, Joshua would take some comfort from the words of Jim Corbett, who noted the tastelessness of the fans who suddenly started cheering him after he knocked out John L Sullivan – the man who appeared to be everyone’s hero just a few short hours earlier. Corbett knew well, even in his moment of glory, that the fans would have been cheering that night regardless of who had ended up being counted out. The Corbett-Sullivan bout went down in 1892. As the world prepares to enter the 2020s, it appears little has changed.

“What do people think this is?” the Sun quotes Joshua as saying about the naysayers that have popped up in the wake of his June defeat. “This is fighting. One loss doesn’t take the spots off a cheetah.” Except, sadly, to some, perhaps many, it does. “Now,” Joshua adds, “I listen to what people say about us and think they should put some respect by our name.” Should he step out of the ring in Saudi Arabia next weekend a two time champion, there’s little doubt that Joshua will be celebrated and feted once more. One suspects, however, that it might be a different Joshua who receives the applause and accolades this time around, even if Joshua himself would disagree.

“You see the cars, the chains,” the Independent quotes Joshua as saying, “but I was this guy way before I had a belt round my waist. I’m the same person, through and through. With and without the belts it’s a championship mindset and a championship spirit.” True enough, but even champions have the continued need to live and learn. While he appears to be genuinely good natured (don’t actually expect to see extended middle fingers should Joshua win the rematch), the former champion comes across as keen enough to have absorbed the lessons of the past few months. He may not necessarily be a sadder man than he was before that night last June, but one suspects – to paraphrase Coleridge – that Joshua is now a wiser one nonetheless.

Posted on 12/02/2019

By: Hans Themistode

Andy Ruiz Jr (33-1, 22 KOs) is currently all the way across the world in Saudi Arabia. On December 7th, he’ll be looking to prove that his June 1st contest against Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs) was no fluke.

Ruiz pulled off the unthinkable when he stopped Joshua in the seventh round of their contest at Madison Square Garden, in New York City. In doing so, he lifted the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO Heavyweight titles.

Since winning, Ruiz has been seen wearing flashy jewelry, riding around in expensive cars and even upgraded to a much bigger home due to the payday he had received. Whispers has since circulated that maybe the fame and fortune has gotten to his head. Ruiz on the other hand has assured everyone that he hasn’t changed in the slightest.

“I’m still the same Andy Ruiz,” said Ruiz. “I’m still the same chubby little fat kid with the big dream. I’m still that person”.

It’s a bit difficult to visualize Ruiz as the Heavyweight champion wouldn’t you agree?

It isn’t because of his skill set as Ruiz is easily one of, if not the best boxer in the entire division. It also is not because of his appearance. Too much is being made of his tubby and stout body.

The reason why it is difficult to envision Ruiz as the Heavyweight champion of the world is because of his demeanor. Former champion Anthony Joshua had a mean streak in him that was apparent time and time again. Current WBC belt holder Deontay Wilder symbolizes fear more than anyone else. Ruiz on the other hand, is just about the nicest young man you will ever meet in your life.

With that being said however, don’t take his mr. nice guy attitude for weakness. Not only is he a cold blooded killer once he steps foot in the ring, but fight fans can expect him to be the same ferocious fighter come fight night.

“Inside the ring, I’m the champion of the world. I’m Mr Hulk in there and I’ve still got a lot to accomplish. This journey now is what I’ve been dreaming about all my life. I accomplished my dreams on June 1 and I’ve still got a lot to prove on Dec 7. Fight fans are going to see the same thing [in Saudi Arabia] they saw on June 1. The guy with big dreams going in there to dominate and to be heavyweight champion. Of course, they’re going to see a lot of fireworks. If he knocks me down, I’m going to get up and knock him down. I know he’ll try to do the same if I knock him down. The main thing is to stay focused and disciplined.”

With one of the biggest upsets in boxing history already in his possession, don’t expect Ruiz to simply walk in with the same game plan. Anthony Joshua was a proud champion and is as motivated as ever to regain his championship glory.

“He is going to try to make adjustments,” said Ruiz. “I don’t know if he wants to exchange punches, but I’d love for him to do that because I’m the more skilled boxer. He’ll try to box me round and use his jab. But for how long? How long can he keep me away from hunting him down? That’s what we’ve been working on most of all right now, heading into the fight. I want to impose myself in this fight, but I don’t want to overlook him. He’s still a dangerous fighter. I respect him and all the fighters who risk their lives inside the ring. He’s going to have some tricks up his sleeve and it’s my job to not let that affect me. The main thing is pressure, throw combinations and use my speed. I can’t let him grow balls in there.”

It’s an interesting choice of words from Ruiz. If Joshua intends to reclaim his titles, he will have to do the one thing that Ruiz hopes does not happen, and that is to grow some balls in the ring.

Posted on 12/02/2019

By: Sean Crose

Anthony Joshua has turned to an old foe to help him train for his rematch with Andy Ruiz this Saturday in Saudi Arabia. “He said loads of stuff to me,” England’s the Daily Sun quotes Joshua as saying of former heavyweight kingpin – and opponent – Wladimir Klitschko. “Wlad was definitely ahead of the game.” Fans and analysts have noticed that Joshua’s physique has changed somewhat in the leadup to this weekend’s heavyweight title matchup. The Londoner thinks that may be the result of taking Klitschko’s advice. “He was giving me dietary and training advice,” Joshua is quoted as saying, “and that is maybe what people are talking about now when they see a difference in my body.”

It makes sense that Joshua would turn to Klitschko – or accept an offer from the Ukrainian for help. For starters, both men are extremely tall and extremely fit. In other words, they fit the bill of the modern “supersized” heavyweight. On top of that, they’re now both famous for being destructible. Ruiz’ stunning stoppage win over Joshua last June at Madison Square Garden in New York showed that, appearances aside, Joshua can be stopped. Klitschko, on the other hand, was stopped numerous times earlier in his career.

Now, it looks as if Joshua may change things up a bit, as Klitschko did before him. Under the tutelage of famed trainer Emanuel Steward, Klitschko went from a power puncher with a glass jaw to a methodical, hard hitting, not always exciting heavyweight force that dominated his division for years. The question, of course, is how much Joshua is willing to change his style in the ring. A frequent criticism of Klitschko during the second half of his career was that the heavyweight kingpin played it too safe, using his enormous size, long reach, and consistent holding tactics, to keep opponents at bay.

Although fans may not be too eager to see Joshua change from the knockout artist who rose to his feet and stopped an aging Klitschko in a 2017 thriller to a safety-first technician in line with the man he once defeated, some are suggesting that might be a smart strategy. For Joshua was done in by going for the kill against Ruiz after he dropped his opponent last spring at Madison Square Garden. Rather than crumble, Ruiz chose to aggressively engage – and it was all downhill for Joshua from there. A more conservative ring strategy might end up serving Joshua well.

If one thing is certain, it’s the fact that Joshua was enormously impacted by the loss to Ruiz. Feeling betrayed by fair weather fans and analysts who proved all too quick to write him off, the 22-1 fighter clearly feels he has a lot to prove when he slips in between the ropes to face the 33-1 Ruiz for a second time. Admitting that Klitschko is “more disciplined” than himself, the 30 year old looks eager to take things up a notch. “I now have things to prove to myself,” the Daily Star quotes him as saying. “I want to take it more seriously because I’m going to that next level.”

Posted on 11/25/2019

By Hans Themisode

First they love you, then they quickly forget about you.

In just a few months time, former unified Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has become a forgotten man.

Just before he stepped into the ring with Andy Ruiz Jr on June 1st, at Madison Square Garden, Joshua was viewed as the best Heavyweight on the planet. He had the best resume and credentials to back it up as well.

Joshua only turned pro in 2013, but he was quickly running through the division. In a timespan of four years, Joshua knocked out long reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko, Dillian Whyte, Dominic Breazeale and Charles Martin. In short, he was the man to beat in the division.

Wins over Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin and Carlos Takam only strengthened this claim.

There was only one issue with what Joshua was doing. Every single one of his wins were taking place in the United Kingdom. Sure they were impressive, but who really cares? He was a virtual unknown in America and seemed hesitant to make the trek over here.

Everything changed when Joshua decided it was time to head over to America. The previously mentioned thought of Joshua not being a star in America weren’t exactly true as fans came in droves to see him take on little known Andy Ruiz Jr.

By now you have heard of it. The upset that literally shock the entire sports world. Ruiz would go on to climb off the deck in the third round to drop Joshua twice in the same round. He would repeat the same process again in the seventh en route to a stoppage win.

Before the contest, Ruiz was viewed as just a stepping stone. Joshua would receive minimal credit at best for defeating him. Now that Ruiz has pulled off the upset in their encounter, Joshua wants a whole new level of respect when he defeats him in their rematch will take place on December 7th, in Saudi Arabia.

“I’m fighting the best man in the world now. I’m going to whup him. I’ll show how great I am,” said Joshua. “They think he’s so great. So when I beat him I want everybody to bow to my feet and tell me how great I am.”

It makes a ton of sense doesn’t it?

Let’s be honest here. If Joshua was to do what was expected of him the first time around, no one would have batted an eye. Now that Ruiz is widely viewed by many to be the best in the division, he wants his respect.

“I couldn’t beat Ruiz Jr before and get the credit I deserved. Apparently I’m fighting the quickest hands. The best fighter in the division. So once I beat him I want everybody to bow to me.”

In order for Joshua to gain this other worldly amount of respect he is looking for, he will need to get past Andy Ruiz Jr on December 7th. If the first fight was any indication however, that task won’t be an easy one for Joshua.

Posted on 11/14/2019

By: Hans Themistode

The biggest fight left on the boxing calendar for 2019 will take place in less than one month when former unified champion Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs) takes on the man who stripped him of his titles in Andy Ruiz (33-1, 22 KOs). The match will take place in Saudi Arabia on December 7th, and the entire boxing world has been buzzing.

Both fighters have been fully focused on the other as they close out their training camps shortly.

Although this contest holds plenty of significance, the winner will have no shortage of options for their next fight.

As it currently stands the WBO, WBA and IBF titles will be on the line in this bout. IBF Mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs) has been waiting for his crack at the title for well over a year now. He was originally scheduled to face Joshua in 2017 but was forced to withdraw due to an injury.

His unfortunate setback hasn’t slowed him down one bit however as he has won three straight contests. Pulev now waits patiently for the results of December 7th, but he isn’t the only one standing in a mandatory position.

The former undisputed Cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) made his long awaited debut at the Heavyweight division after completely clearing out the Cruiserweight weight class. Usyk stopped late replacement opponent Chazz Witherspoon in the seventh round back in October at the Wintrust Arena, in Chicago, Illinois. He is now waiting in line as the next challenger to the December 7th contest as the WBO mandatory.

Who exactly will get the next shot is where the confusion lies.

For those who are unaware, each sanctioning body is given an order in which a mandatory fight must happen. With the winner of the December 7th, bout possessing three titles, the IBF mandatory is set to be the first in line.

“Kubrat Pulev’s next fight will be for the IBF world heavyweight title,” said Pulev’s promoter. “If the Joshua-Ruiz winner decides not to fight Pulev, his next fight will be for the vacant IBF title.”

Waiting for not only the December 7th, rematch but also for another contest between Pulev and the winner might not sit well with Usyk.

“We’re going to have a problem where Usyk and Pulev both say you’ve got to fight me next,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Some belt could become vacant, because the IBF and the WBO are both going to order their mandatories after Joshua-Ruiz Jr. Unless a deal can be done with someone, you’ve either got to do that, or vacate.”

This would be a nightmarish situation for fans. Finding an undisputed Heavyweight champion hasn’t been done since Lenox Lewis accomplished the feat two decades ago with his victory over fellow hall of famer Evander Holyfield in 1999. If the the WBO or IBF belt is indeed vacated, then it will leave boxing fans waiting even longer before they can see an undisputed Heavyweight titlist.

The thought of sitting back and waiting his turn could be a frustrating one for Usyk. However, he could choose to take on another fighter in the meantime.

There have been rumbles from numerous sources that a showdown between Usyk and Dereck Chisora could take place. The aforementioned Chisora has long been critical of the fighting style of Usyk and believes he would hand him his first defeat.

A bout against Chisora could be a risky one for Usyk. He is already in a mandatory position and Chisora would provide a much sterner test than the one he received from Chazz Witherspoon. Chisora is also on a roll at the moment, winning his past three contest with two of those wins coming via stoppage.

A showdown between them might be viewed as a high risk-low reward type scenario, but Usyk’s team isn’t opposed to the contest taking place.

“We don’t know what happens on December 7,” said Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas. “But if it is possible to fight in between and not to wait for another six months, I think Chisora will be a good fight for Usyk”

As much as Usyk would hate to admit it, he has his hands tied. Pulev will receive his title shot first, which will force the former Cruiserweight champion to wait a bit longer. With that being said, there is a good chance that the winner of the December 7th rematch opts to just vacate the belt. In that scenario, we could see him and Chisora face off for the newly vacated title.

Whether a contest between Usyk and Chisora is for a belt or not, it seems as though we are heading towards a showdown between them in 2020 regardless.

Posted on 11/02/2019

By: Ste Rowen

Stepping into the ring for the final time as a professional boxer, Manchester’s current favourite boxing son, and former world champion, Anthony Crolla, bowed out of the sport at the same venue he began and the one he won the lightweight world championship in. At the Manchester Arena, ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla took on the inexperienced, Frank Urquiaga, scoring an unjustly wide majority decision over ten rounds.

After an uneventful opening round, the Spaniard seemed to want to out of there as soon as possible as he complained of rabbit punches and then in a strange moment at the end of the second when in a clinch, appeared to throw himself down, much to the annoyance of the crowd. In the third, after throwing some decent body shots, Urquiaga, 13-1-1 (1KO) also landed a left hook below the belt that brought another scrappy round to an end.

But it seemed to bring the fire out of the Spaniard after a slow start as the fight headed past the halfway mark of a scheduled ten-rounds, Crolla stalked and tried to remain on top of his opponent, but Frank was looking more efficient and keeping the Mancunian’s best work at bay. Neither man looked like a legitimate contender but having seen the best version of Crolla, it’s easy to see why this was his final night in the ring. His shots liked the venom and effect they used to, especially considering the standard of opponent picked for his last ever bout.

Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing Twitter Account

A lack of movement, that has rarely been Anthony’s strong point, was seriously harming his chances of a winning end as the final round began. And more of the same occurred as Urquiaga attempted to pin the Englishman to the ropes. Crolla was struggling to fire off more than single shots now as the clock ticked down on the end of his 45-fight pro career, and then the final bell struck. The two men went the distance and waited for the judge’s scorecards; 95-95, 98-92, 97-93 all for the home-fighter. Last fight or not, those were some truly dreadful scorecards.

‘‘I definitely thought I’d done enough (tonight) but time’s up now. I’ve had a great career, loved every minute of it but it’s time to go now…I enjoyed the fight, but I knew that’s it now. It’s great to go out with a win and there’s no better place to do it than Manchester.
My proudest achievement is this crowd, this support.’’

Crolla, 35-7-3 (13KOs) doesn’t finish his career with a hall of fame worthy resume but he does leave behind a legacy and a lesson in boxing comebacks. His story has been told and retold many times, but any man who can survive a concrete slab to the head and still go on to win a world title and then face likely future hall of famers Jorge Linares (twice) and Vasyl Lomachenko, is good enough to use as inspiration for any sportsman or woman who faces adversity.

Fighting for the first time up at super-lightweight, former undisputed lightweight world champion, Katie Taylor became a two-weight champion with a unanimous decision over the now former WBO super-lightweight champion, Christine Linardatou.

It was an edgy opening through the first few rounds including a moment in the 3rd where it appeared Taylor had knocked down Linardatou, but it was ruled a slip. The Greek national, 12-1 (6KOs) recovered well to put Taylor on the back foot in the immediate round though, without establishing anything solid to really put the fear into her Irish challenger. Christine continued to set the pace as the fight drew into round eight of ten, with Taylor only sparingly throwing counter-shots.

Taylor continued her stick and move tactics for the final two rounds. Linardatou’s aggressiveness was struggling to pay off now and though her energy wasn’t wavering; her accuracy was right until the final bell. The final scorecards came back as, 96-94, 97-93 (x2) all for the new WBO world 140lb and two-weight champion, Katie Taylor.

Now 15-0 (6KOs), Taylor spoke post-fight,

‘‘Making history, breaking boundaries and the best is yet to come.
We knew it was gonna be a tough ten rounds, but I boxed smart for a change instead of getting stuck in a fight…I can’t wait for the rematch with Delfine Persoon and the fight with Amanda Serrano.’’

Felix Cash and Jack Cullen fought out an entertaining brawl that ended with Cash taking a stoppage victory inside eight rounds. Cash, now 12-0 (8KOs) was defending his middleweight Commonwealth belt for the first time and he dropped Cullen once in the 1st and again towards the end of the 7th. However the finisher came in the following round as Felix consistently, sloppily, but those that landed were heavy enough to stop Cullen firing back and force the referee to step in and end the bout.

Posted on 09/26/2019

By: William Holmes

On Saturday Night the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California will be the host site for a pay per view offering by Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions.

The main event of the evening will be a highly anticipated welterweight title fight between Errol Spence Jr. and Shawn Porter. The co-main event of the evening will be between Anthony Dirrell and David Bennavidez for Dirrell’s WBC Super Middleweight Title.

The undercard is also stocked, and it is headlined by a WBA Junior Welterweight Title Fight between Mario Barrios and Bartyr Akhmedov. Other fighters on the undercard include Josesito Lopez, John Molina Jr., Robert Guerrero, and Joey Spencer.

Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions Twitter Account

The following is a preview of the co-main event and main event of the evening.

Anthony Dirrell (33-1) vs. David Benavidez (21-0); WBC Super Middleweight Title

The co-main event is a title fight between a thirty four year old Anthony Dirrell and a twenty two year old David Benavidez. It’s an intriguing fight in that one fighter appears to be on an upward trajectory in his career while the other fighter may be near his downslide.

Dirrell will have a slight ½ inch height advantage on Benavidez but will be giving up two and a half inches in reach. Dirrell has twenty four stoppages on his resume while Benavidez has eighteen stoppage wins, but Benavidez has less fights than Dirrell.

Both boxers haven’t been very active. Dirrell fought once in 2019, once in 2018, and twice in 2017. Benavidez fought once in 2019, once in 2018, and three times in 2017.

Dirrell does have an edge in amateur experience. He was a PAL champ as an amateur and came in third place in the US Olympic trials. Benavidez only had fifteen fights as an amateur.

Benavidez has beaten the likes of J’Leon Love, Ronald Gavril, Rogelio Medina, Denis Douglin, and Francy Ntet. Dirrell has to be given the edge in defeated opponents as a professional. He has defeated the likes of Avni Yildirim, Abraham Han, Denis Douglin, Caleb Truax, Marco Antonio Rubio, and Sakio Bika. His lone loss was to Badou Jack.

This is an intriguing fight, but Benavidez looked spectacular in his win against J’Leon Love and he has a significant reach and age advantage. Dirrell’s experience may carry him through the day, but Benavidez has to be considered a slight favorite.

Errol Spence Jr. (25-0) vs. Shawn Porter (30-2-1); IBF/WBC Welterweight Titles

Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. is considered by many to be the best welterweight fighter in the world.

But he will be facing the toughest test of his career on Saturday; a hard charging, relentless, in his prime champion by the name of Shawn Porter.

Both Spence and Porter are still in the middle of their athletic prime, with Spence being twenty nine years old and Porter being thirty one years old. Spence will have about a two and a half inch height advantage and a two and a half inch reach advantage.

Spence also appears to have an edge in power. He has stopped twenty one of his opponents while Porter has only stopped seventeen. Spence fought once in 2019, twice in 2018, and once in 2017. Porter has fought once in 2019, once in 2018, and twice in 2017.

Spence has never tasted defeat as a professional. He thoroughly outclassed Mikey Garcia in his pay per view headlining debut. He has also defeated the likes of Carlos Ocampo, Lamont Peterson, Kell Brook, Leonard Bundu, Chris Algieri, Chris Van Heerden, Phil Lo Greco, Samuel Vargas, and Ronald Cruz.

Porter has two losses on his record, but they were close losses to Keith Thurman and Kell Brook. He has defeated the likes of Yordenis Ugas, Danny Garcia, Andre Berto, Adrien Broner, Paul Malignaggi, Devon Alexander, Phil Lo Greco, and Alfonso Gomez.

Spence had a decorated amateur career. He was a former US National Champ and a National Golden Gloves Champion as an amateur. He also competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics. Porter also had a decorated amateur career, but not on the level of Spence. He was a US National Silver Medalist in the amateurs and a Golden Gloves Gold Medalist.

If Porter can keep the fight tight he can rough Spence up on the inside. However, Spence’s reach, height, and speed advantage will come into play and Spence will likely be able to keep Porter at bay.

Porter will have his moments, but this writer expects Spence to win rather convincingly on Saturday.

Posted on 09/20/2019

By: Hans Themistode

With all of the attention on IBF Welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr and WBC belt holder Shawn Porter there is another fight on this card that is being overlooked. WBC Super Middleweight champion Anthony Dirrell (33-1-1, 24 KOs) and former champion David Benavidez (21-0, 18 KOs) will be going head to head on the co feature.

Benavidez might be considered a former champion, but he has never officially lost his title in the ring. Since his suspension due to cocaine use, he has had one comeback fight where he knocked out J’Leon Love in the second round. Before his lay off, Benavidez was running through the division. His opponent that will be standing across the ring from him on September 28th, at the Staples Center, current champion Anthony Dirrell is in a precarious situation.

The talent that he possesses is not in question. Even at the age of 34, Dirrell continues to be one of the better fighters in the division. The problem he could be facing in this contest is his passion. Dirrell has gone on the record several times stating that 2019 will be his last year in the sport of boxing. Now that this contest is less than two weeks away he has been mum on the retirement talk as he has placed all of his focus on Benavidez.

“Right now I’m focused on David Benavidez,” said Dirrell. “I’m not focused on retirement or who’s next. My only focus is David Benavidez.”

With Benavidez coming in with a 12 year youth advantage, Dirrell is wise to keep his focus on his opponent. For as good as the former champion has looked in his brief career, he has faced no one of note. Dirrell on the other hand has shared the ring with former champions such as Badou Jack and Caleb Truax.

“He’s young minded. Who has he fought? Everyone that he has fought he was supposed to knockout. He hasn’t seen anybody with the grit, grind and determination that I have. I just don’t think he is everything that everyone is saying. He’s a warrior don’t get me wrong but I have all the tools to beat him.”

The odds aren’t in the favor of Dirrell to say the least but that has no indication on how this contest will go.

“That’s just people’s opinion’s. It doesn’t bother me at all. At the end of the day I know what I’m capable of doing and I’ll show it on fight night.”

The main event of this September 28th, card is sure to give fans their money’s worth, but the co main event could headline any card on its own.

The early signs point to Benavidez getting his hands on the title that was once his but, Dirrell’s nickname is “The Dog” so it’s sure to be a rough and rugged fight all night.

Posted on 09/09/2019

By: Hans Themistode

No matter how much we try to avoid it, defeat is inevitable. It’s a painful feeling. Whether it’s a game of ping pong, basketball, video games or in this case boxing, it is a feeling that no one wants to go through. As much as we hate it, defeat is necessary. It allows us all to become better.

Could Floyd Mayweather have gone on to have a career that consisted of 50 wins without a single defeat had he won gold in the olympics? The bronze medal he brung home fueled him to never lose again. How about Muhammad Ali? His losses to Joe Frazier, Ken Norton and Leon Spinks allowed him to dig deep and prove that when he gets knocked down, he can just as easily get back up.

When former unified Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua lost his titles to Andy Ruiz via seventh round stoppage, it was completely jaw dropping. Immediately following the fight, Joshua said all of the right things.

“No excuses,” said Joshua during his post fight interview. “The better man won, this is Andy’s night. I simply got beat.”

Humility and poise are the traits that Joshua showed that night. It may have been devastating to lose in his debut across the pond but he showed great character in admitting his defeat and taking nothing away from his opponent. Like the other great champions that came before him, Joshua seemed destined to learn from his defeat and place the loss on his own shoulders.

Now that the rematch between Ruiz and Joshua has officially been signed and set for December 7th in Saudi Arabia, the former champion is now singing a completely different tune.

“It was a punch from the Gods,” said Joshua when describing the blow that began his downward spiral in their first encounter. “Andy is the same person. He will come game and I’ve got to change some of my bibs and bobs.”

To Joshua, that famed punch which came in the third round, was something that should have never connected in the first place. It isn’t just that single punch which Joshua believe was some what lucky, but he also believes that the referee didn’t quite give him a fair shake.

“So, the mouthpiece comes out, you go to the corner,” Joshua explained before a press conference in Manhattan to promote their rematch December 7 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. “You know, I think the referee had already done his [eight] count. So, I’m in the corner now and then they put the mouthguard in. Or you rinse it, and they say, ‘Are you ready to fight?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ So, before my mouthpiece was even in my mouth, he had called off the fight. So, I’m like looking at him. ‘You haven’t even put my mouthpiece in? What you want me to do? Yeah, I’m ready,’ and walk out without my mouthpiece in. So, me and him had a miscommunication.”

Let’s not take anything away from Joshua. He has proven to be a great fighter thoroughout his career. He has also proven that he can deal with adversity and rise from it.

With that being said however, things feel a little bit different don’t they? ‘A punch from the Gods,” and “miscommunication” with the referee might all be true but in order for him to win this rematch he must look himself in the mirror, because if he doesn’t, he could be headed toward yet another defeat.

Posted on 09/08/2019

By: Hans Themistode

Before Anthony Joshua was defeated by Andy Ruiz on June 1st, at Madison Square Garden, he was the consensus best Heavyweight on the planet. With a gold medal around his neck and three titles around his waist, it wasn’t hard to see why. Joshua had the goods.

Now that he has tasted defeat for the first time in his career, other big name Heavyweights have moved ahead of him, at least in the eyes of the public. WBC belt holder Deontay Wilder and Lineal champion Tyson Fury are the first two that come to mind.

They are after all, undefeated and have mowed down the competition. Whether its Fury or Wilder is a matter of preference. There is no doubt that they are the best in the division. That might be the overwhelming sentiment shared by many in the sport, but don’t count Joshua amongst those believe those words. He doesn’t believe that he is the best either. Instead, he believes his December 7th, in Saudi Arabia, Andy Ruiz is the best man at this current moment.

“We can’t overlook Andy and his talent and his success in the ring as I’m fighting the best out there right now,” said Joshua. “In my opinion Andy Ruiz is the best heavyweight out there.”

Ruiz is a terrific fighter and has been for a long time. Before his upset of Joshua he was given no chance in that contest. Since then he has seen his stock rise and his popularity soar, but is he truly the best fighter in the division?

The new unified champion has been underrated his entire career. As an amateur he won 105 of his 110 fights. As a pro he won his first 29 contest until he lost a close and some what disputed decision against Joseph Parker in his first crack at a world title. He would go on to win his next three fights in a row before ultimately unseating Joshua.

Even with the skills that Ruiz possesses, no one outside of Joshua would consider him the best Heavyweight in the division. Wilder would seemingly land something concussive while Fury could box circles around him. That isn’t to say that Ruiz couldn’t win either of those fights because he could but it also seems unlikely.

So what was the thought process behind the words spouted by Joshua? That’s simple. It wasn’t hyperbole nor was it a way for Ruiz to let his guard down.

Joshua viewed himself as the best Heavyweight fighter before losing to Ruiz. No one, not even Klitschko gave him a more difficult contest than Ruiz. The former champion is simply acknowledging the greatness of his opponent.

It may not seem true to anyone else but to Joshua he certainly does believe that Andy Ruiz is the best fighter in the Heavyweight division.