Tag Archives: gerald

Posted on 07/15/2019

By: Shane Willoughby

The American heavyweight may have rejuvenated his career after stopping the very game Robert Helenius in the 8th round.

Any fight involving Helenius never seems to go to plan. Not saying a Washington victory is that much of a surprise, but the way the fight panned out could never have been predicted before the bout.

The Finnish fighter came out very convincing dominating the centre of the ring and keeping Washington at the end of a very accurate and strong jab.

As the fight got in the Nordic Nightmare really started to dominate; picking up rounds and Washington appeared as if he was tiring and losing confidence.

However, as stated before fight involving Helenius never goes to the script, He somehow found a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

In the 8th round, the American looked like he really ran out of ideas and he probably didn’t have much left. However, he through one of the most primitive one-twos which looked like it had nothing behind it.

But in landed flush on Helenius and he was out on his feet. Washington managed to put together a few more hopeful combinations to drop the Finn who wasn’t able to return to his feet.

Well, what’s next for Washington. Hopefully, not much. Whilst it was a victory over a credible campaigner, there were enough signs in that fight that he really isn’t cut out for this sport.

The Ex-college Football player doesn’t have a great amount of options going forward but his future is much brighter than it was before that bout.

Posted on 07/19/2017

By: Sean Crose

If you were a boxing fan in or around Springfield, Massachusetts in the late 80s-early 90s, you knew exactly who John Scully was. Hailing from right down the road, across the Connecticut border, Scully was known to train in Springfield and was the shining star of the area scene. Scully wasn’t just a local fighter, he was a local fighter with a bright future. Back then, such things meant something – just as they do now. Sure enough, Scully went on to quite the successful career at light heavyweight. Nowadays, Scully, also known as “Iceman,” is a trainer of high note, yet he’s also known for something that’s perhaps even more important…helping out former fighters in need.

On August 5th, Scully will be hosting a benefit for Gerald McClellan, an amazing middleweight champion from the 90s who suffered permanent brain damage after a brutal fight with Britain’s Nigel Benn in 1995. “Gerald and I were amateurs together back in the 80s,” says Scully. “I’ve been in touch with his sister(s) and they take care of him at home all on their own.” Sure enough, McClellan’s siblings have taken responsibility for their bother’s well being. Needless to say, such an endeavor can be quite costly.

Hall of Fame Broadcaster Steve Farhood puts it succinctly: there’s no financial safety nets in boxing. “In team sports,” Farhood points out, “there are pensions.” Unfortunately, there are no pensions for fighters. Farhood rightly argues that short term memories can make things all the more unacceptable. “There’s an initial outcry,” he states, referring to times when fighters get severely hurt – or even killed. Yet “the person’s problems and issues don’t fade.” Farhood also adds that “there are financial concerns, as well.”

Cue Scully and the fundraiser he’s hosting for McClellan on August 5th at Moniques Lounge 108 in New York City. The event is free to the public and will feature “raffles and signatures of gloves.” To Scully, the whole thing has come about organically. “Basically I’ve always done these amateur boxing reunions,” he says. “I have former amateur boxers get together and hang out.” To Scully, using these events to help out former peers like McClellan only made sense. “It’s come to that – where I can raise money and help these guys out,” he says. “I decided to do a fundraiser for him (McClellan) in conjunction with a reunion.”

Stories like McClellan’s have been of great personal interest to Farhood, who is quick to praise Scully for his charitable work. “John is great,” says the popular Showtime analyst. For Farhood, who; as an expert, has witnessed more than his fair share of ring related tragedies, the case of McClellan has been something of a personal crusade over the years. “I didn’t know him well,” he says of the former champ, admitting that he was inspired by famed fight photographer Teddy Blackburn to help McClellan and his family out. “Blackburn,” says Farhood, “championed the cause early.”

Boxing is the greatest sport on earth, not only for the brilliance that can be seen regularly in the ring, but oftentimes for what transpires outside of it. Thanks to men like Scully, fans will be able to take part in some of the brilliance that takes place outside of it this summer. The Fundraiser on the fifth of August won’t only be fun, it will be for an absolutely terrific cause.

Here’s the info:

Fundraiser for Gerald McClellan

Hosted by John “Iceman” Scully
August 5th, 2017
Monique’s Lounge 108
181 East 108th St.
Spanish Harlem, NYC
Doors open at 1 PM
Free Admission

Private donations may be sent to:
Gerald McClellan Trust

839 E. Wyandotte
Freeport, Illinois
61032

Posted on 02/25/2017

PBC on Fox Results: Breazeale, Hurd, and Deontay Wilder Win by Stoppage
By: William Holmes

Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions series was televised live from the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.

Two world title fights were televised tonight as Deontay Wilder defended his WBC World Heavyweight Title against challenger Gerald Washington, and Tony Harrison faced Jarrett Hurd for the vacant IBF Junior Middleweight Title.

This was the third straight fight that Wilder fought in Birmingham, Alabama.

The opening bout of the night was between Izuagbe Ugonoh (17-0) and Dominic Breazeale (17-1) in the heavyweight division.

Ugonoh was giving up several inches in height to Breazeale, but looked like he was in incredible shape.

Ugonoh circled Breazeale in the opening round and attacked the body with an occasional combination to the head. Breazeale seemed bothered by the speed of Ugonoh early on.

Ugonoh continued with the good body work in the third round and Breazeale was missing wildly with his punches. Breazeale had difficulty catching up to Ugonoh, and when he did he was hit with a low blow. Ugonoh ended the second round with a good two punch combination.

The third round was action packed and Breazeale turned the tide of the fight in his favor with a right hand that sent Ugonoh to the mat. Ugonoh was able to get back to his feet and survive an onslaught from Breazeale; before answering back with hard thudding right hands that had Breazeale wobbly on his feet. Both boxers were throwing and landing heavy blows as the third round came to an end.

Breazeale pressed the pace in the fourth round and was walking Ugonoh down early on. Ugonoh was able to hurt Breazeale with a right hand to the temple that sent Breazeale falling forward in a failed attempt to hold onto Ugonoh. Breazeale was wobbly when he got back to his feet but was able to survive the round.

Breazeale was recovered by the beginning of the third round and landed two heavy straight right hands to the temple of Ugonoh that forced him to take a knee. Ugonoh looked badly shaken when he got to his feet and was met with several more hard right hands to the temple that sent him crashing outside the ring.

The referee had seen enough and jumped in to stop the fight at 0:50 of the fifth round.

Breazeale showed incredible heart in a highly entertaining fight to get the TKO victory.

The next bout was between Tony Harrison (24-1) and Jarrett Hurd (19-0) for the IBF Junior Middleweight Title.

The opening round was a feeling out round with both boxers throwing their jab in an attempt to find their range. Harrison did look like he had the quicker hands and wider variety of punches.

Hurd was chasing Harrison in the second round and was eating a steady stream of jabs. Hurd kept up the pressure in the third round but Harrison landed several good counters and check left hooks.

Harrison continued to display the quicker hands in the fourth round while Hurd appeared to do little but walk into the jabs of Harrison. Hurd was able to land a good right uppercut in the fifth round but was still out landed by his opponent.

Harrison picked up the pace again in the sixth round and at one point hard Hurd hurt and backed into a corner; but Hurd turned the tide of the fight back in his favor in the seventh round when he had Harrison badly hurt with good body shots and chopping right hooks.

Hurd kept up the pressure in the eighth round and appeared to be physically hurting Harrison with every punch that he landed. Hurd finally scored a thudding knockdown in the ninth round when he connected with a clean straight right hand that sent him crashing backwards to the mat.

Harrison got back up at the count of nine, but spit out his mouthpiece as the referee was talking with him. The referee immediately waived off the fight, despite the protest of Tony Harrison.

Jarrett Hurd wins by TKO at 2:24 of the ninth round.

The main event was between Deontay Wilder (37-0) and Gerald Washington (18-01) for the WBC Heavyweight Title.

Washington established his jab in the opening round and was causing Wilder some problems early on. Wilder was not used to facing boxers as tall as Washington and he had difficulty finding his openings in the second round and at times was moving backwards.

Washington landed some heavy body shots in the third round and was able to avoid the power shots of Wilder and had a good round. Washington was able to land some combinations in the fourth round and it looked like he had Wilder confused.

Wilder opened up the fifth round with a long reaching jab and a looping left hook, before he cracked a straight right hand to the head of Washington that sent him falling backwards on his butt onto the mat.

Washington was able to get up at the count of eight, but Wilder unloaded several hard shots to the head of a cowering Washington before the referee waived the fight off.

Deontay Wilder retains his WBC Heavyweight Title with a TKO victory at 1:45 of the fifth round.

After the fight, Deontay Wilder acknowledged the presence of WBO Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker and stated he’s ready to fight him next and unify the titles.

Posted on 02/24/2017

PBC on Fox Preview: Tony Harrison vs. Jarrett Hurd, Deontay Wilder vs. Gerald Washington
By: William Holmes

On Saturday night WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder will return to his home state at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama to defend his title against top rated and unbeaten heavyweight contender Gerald Washington live on the Fox network.

The co-main event of the night will be between Jarrett Hurd and Tony Harrison for the IBF Junior Middleweight Title. Fox Sports 1 will also feature some of the undercard bouts, which include a heavyweight fight between Dominic Breazeale and Izuagbe Ugonoh as well as rising prospect Caleb Plant.

The following is a preview of the two title fights set to be televised on Saturday night.

Tony Harrison (24-1) vs. Jarrett Hurd (19-0); IBF Junior Middleweight Title

The first world title fight to be televised will be a very competitive one and is a tough bout to pick.

Harrison and Hurd have very similar physical characteristics. Surprisingly, both boxers are 6’1” tall and both fighters have a reach of 76 ½”. Both boxers are also the same age and are in the midst of their athletic prime at twenty six years old.

Harrison, a Detroit, Michigan native, has a slight edge in amateur experience and success and comes from a boxing family. Both his Father Ali Salaam and Grandfather Henry Hank competed professionally with moderate to good success as a boxer. Harrison was also previously trained by the late, great, Emmanuel Steward.

Both boxers have also been very active in the past two years. Harrison fought two times in 2016 and four times in 2015. Hurd fought three times in 2015 and twice in 2016.

Hurd has never tasted defeat. He has defeated the likes of Ionut Dan Ion, Oscar Molina, Frank Galarza, and Jeff Lentz. He has won his past five fights by knockout.

Harrison has defeated the likes of Siarhei Rabchanka, Fernando Guerrero, Antwone Smith, Tyrone Brunson, Bronco McKart, and Grady Brewer. His lone loss was to Willie Nelson.

This is a tough bout to pick, but when Harrison fought someone at the level of Jarret Hurd he came up short. Hurd’s power is at least equal to that of Willie Nelson, and Harrison’s confidence may not be where it’s needed to defeat someone like Jarrett Hurd since his knockout loss.

This writer has to give Jarrett Hurd a slight edge over Tony Harrison.

Deontay Wilder (37-0) vs. Gerald Washington (18-0-1); WBC Heavyweight Title

Deontay Wilder was originally scheduled to fight Andrzej Wawrzyk, and received heavy criticism for his choice of opponents, but that bout was cancelled due to Wawrzyk failing a pre-fight drug test.

Gerald Washington was chosen as a replacement opponent despite the fact other well known heavyweights such as Louis Ortiz offered to fight Wilder as a replacement.

Wilder is three years younger than his opponent and will have a one inch height advantage and a one inch reach advantage. Wilder also has a much deeper amateur background. Wilder won the bronze medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics for the United States. Washington has no amateur accomplishments to speak of. However, Washington does have an athletic background as he played tight end and defense end for the University of Southern California and played on the practice squad for the Seattle Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills.

Washington started boxing late and made his pro debut at the age of thirty. He has stopped twelve of his opponents. Wilder has stopped thirty six of his opponents and the only man to last all twelve rounds with him was former world title holder Bermane Stiverne. Wilder has stopped four of his past five opponents while Washington has only stopped two of his past five opponents.

Both boxers have been fairly active recently. Washington fought twice in 2016 and in 2015. Wilder fought three times in 2015 and twice in 2016.

Wilder clearly has the better professional resume. He has beaten the likes of Chris Arreola, Artur Szpilka, Johan Suhaupas, Eric Molina, Bermane Stiverne, Malik Scott, and Siarhei Liakhovich. Washington has defeated the likes of Ray Austin and Eddie Chambers and had a controversial draw with Amir Mansour.

Washington is a tremendous athlete, but he is not on the level of World Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder. Wilder is fighting in front of his hometown fans and will likely put on another exciting stoppage victory for them to enjoy.

Posted on 02/09/2017

Gerald Washington: Year of the Rooster
By: Francisco Martinez

After Alexander Povetkin & Andrzej Wawrzyk tested positive for performing enhancing drugs the WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder was left without a dancing partner until Gerald Washington quickly stepped up and claimed the empty slot for a shot at the green belt. Now setting up a February 25th showdown between himself & The Bronze Bomber Deontay Wilder at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama where Wilder has made 3 of his successful 4 title defenses. Last one coming against veteran Chris Arreola who Wilder stopped in 8 severe punishing rounds. However in the process of handing Arreola a brutal beatdown Wilder suffered a torn bicep and a broken hand.

Since having surgery to repair the damage & recovering Deontay Wilder is now set to defend his title against Gerald Washington who is aware of Wilder’s surgically repaired hand but insists that’s not in his focus whatsoever “I’m expecting the best Deontay Wilder there is. It’s gonna be the best. He’s the smartest that he’s ever been at this moment because he’s got most experience he’s ever had right now. I know he’s a dangerous fighter I just have to prepare for the best and I gotta be able to let my guns go too. I just can’t let him walk up on me and think he can fire for free. You gotta pay every time you come over here and I’m a be stepping to him too”

Gerald Washington’s Trainer John Pullman added this to the conversation of Deontay Wilder’s surgically repaired hand “I know he had surgery on his hand & bicep after his last fight but as far as me worrying about that being an issue in the fight, to me, I’m preparing for the best Deontay Wilder. We’re preparing for the best Deontay Wilder. We’re not preparing for a hurt Deontay Wilder cause we’re not banking on any of that. As far as I know he’s throwing his right hand as good as new as best as it’s ever been. We’re ready for the best Deontay Wilder that’s who we’re preparing for”

Upon laying your eyes on Gerald Washington you can quickly see he’s a naturally athletic individual standing 6 ft 5 in, about 240lbs the former U.S. Navy & USC college football star has made his transition into boxing a seamless one and his journey to a world title a well traveled one coming from Northern California the city of Vallejo joined by his long time trainer John Pullman who hails from Connecticut. Bouncing around from gym to gym until trainer John Pullman decided to open up his own in the city of Burbank in Southern California. Pullmans Gym is now home to both and have found great rhythm to their cohesive partnership which has lead to this point of their careers, a WBC heavyweight title opportunity an opportunity that Washington describes as a “blessing from God” as he goes on to say

“Its an amazing opportunity. We come here everyday, we work hard everyday right here, he opened up this gym, Pullmans gym in Burbank, California. We got the opportunity to bring the heavyweight championship of the world here to Burbank, Pullmans Gym. It means the world to us. He came all the way from Connecticut and I’m from Vallejo, California the Bay Area. I was in the military I went to USC I played football and I pursued my lifelong dream as a kid. I’m seeing my passion as being a boxer and look where I’m at now? I got the opportunity to take the bull by the horns and grasp the day and put my name on that list of great champions. That’s an amazing feeling for me and my family. It’s a proud moment for me and it’s something that I really want to capture so I’m a give it all I got”

John Pullman share the same passionate feelings and emotions as Gerald Washington as Pullman expresses “This is it right here. This is what you get into the business of boxing for. For opportunities like this. Gerald is very excited. We’re happy, we’re grateful. We’re excited for this opportunity but there’s a difference between being grateful and excited and satisfied. A lot of people get the chance for a world title and be happy to be there. That’s not how it really goes over here. We’re grateful for the opportunity but we’re not just happy for that. We’re not just happy to be there. We’re coming to do a job”

With 37 wins and 36 of those coming via knockout for Deontay Wilder obviously the clear & present danger is his devastating power. Gerald Washington unlike most heavyweights Wilder has faced utilizes a skillful footwork that only found in most fighters about two divisions below their weight. A skill Washington plans on using against the powerful knockout puncher Wilder “He has all the tools. He’s a big long guy. He’s strong. He’s got knockout power. He’s a big scary dude I got to go in there respecting him and everything he can do. I gotta be prepared for everything. I gotta be my best that night to capture the night. So I’m just working on sharpening my tools and be the best I can be”

BoxingInsider.com: “You have defense. You have good movement for a heavyweight, unnatural movement but you’ve seen how he’s landed on some of the guys and how he has put them down is that a concern for you stepping in there with a guy who has that kind power?”

Gerald Washington: “Every guy that I step into the ring with has power. I treat every guy like they’re Mike Tyson. In my mind I don’t want to get hit with anything. I’m an intellectual fighter. I like guys like Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins and Andre Ward. Those type of fighters who like to be smart and tactfully in the ring. That’s the type of fighter I gotta be man and use all those tools. If Hopkins can survive Kovalev than I can just be smart and I’m a be offensive too. I gotta mix everything together and put it all together”

February 25th at The Legacy Arena, the home of the Bronze Bomber, Deontay Wilder vs Gerald Washington is set for the heavyweight WBC championship of the world in a classic heavyweight match up where one punch can end it all. So tune in for this PBC on FOX telecast you won’t want to miss it.

Follow coverage of the fight by using #WilderWashington

Posted on 01/31/2017

Gerald Washington Gets A Crack At Deontay Wilder
By: Sean Crose

“Right now we don’t deserve the heavyweight title,” Gerald Washington said to me a while back. “It’s not easy to be the champion. You have to live right and work hard.” Now, several years later, Washington is apparently ready for his big chance. For the former pro footballer will now be facing WBC champ Deontay Wilder on February 25th in Wilder’s home state of Alabama. To be sure, Washington is something of a last minute replacement for Andrzej Wawrzyk, who was nailed for PEDs not so long ago. “This is a good fight,” the LA Times quotes promoter Lou DiBella as saying, “and a better fight now with Washington than it was with Wawrzyk.”

In fact, the hard hitting, undefeated Wilder has been having a hard time landing an opponent as of late. First, Alexander Povetkin tested dirty, now Wawrzyk has followed suit. Fellow Al Haymon fighter Washington, however, has been eager to step up to the plate. Like Wilder, Washington is a super sized heavyweight. Unlike Wilder, however, Washington has yet to hit the truly big time. His moment, however, is now. Indeed, it might be the perfect time for Washington to get a title shot.

For, with Anthony Joshua engaging in a heavyweight superbout with former kingpin Wladimir Klitschko in England this spring, Wilder has made it clear his eye is on the winner. And, even though few are probably giving Washington much of a chance against KO king Wilder, heavily favored fighters have taken their eyes off the ball before. Needless to say, the consequences have been disastrous. Wilder may need to be mindful of this fact, lest his promising career be cut short by the man who calls himself “El Gallo Negro.” The road to glory, after all, is loaded with some deep potholes.

Indeed, the heavyweight division has entered a new – and some would say quite fresh – era. Besides Wilder and Joshua, names like Ortiz, Parker and Miller are making the rounds in fight circles. The reality is that Tyson Fury shook things up in a huge way when he shocked Klitschko back in late 2015 for heavyweight supremacy. Fury has fallen victim to his demons since that time, however, so there’s no figurative “big man on campus” at heavyweight right now. Once the dust settles, however, one or two men will undoubtedly be standing tall. Few have said Washington will be one of the last men standing.

No doubt, Washington now aims to surprise a great many people.