Tag Archives: tmt

Posted on 09/23/2018

By: Sean Crose

Cameron Krael may have been viewed as a stepping stone opponent for for the 14-2 Jose Berrego, but the 14-13-3 super lightweight surprised quite a few people Saturday night at Sam’s Town in Las Vegas. After engaging in an exciting sea saw affair for ten straight rounds, the judges decided that the Las Vegas based Krael, by way of Hawaii, was worthy of the decision. And so the man who is considered a seasoned vet at the young age of 24, walked out of the ring on Saturday a surprise winner. Borrego’s camp was clearly unhappy, feeling their man had done enough to earn the victory.

Photo of Xavier Martinez-Credit: Mayweather Promotions Twitter Account

Krael, whose previous ring battle had been a split decision loss to the well known Erik Bone, credited his new trainer for helping his career reverse course. “My boxing,” Krael is quoted as saying afterward, “was on point tonight, that’s what I showed new to my game, thanks to my new coach Otis.” He taught me how to box, how to jab, and just stay in the outside pretty much.” Krael also said he was prepared for what his opponent had to offer. “I knew he was going to bring the pressure and I just tried to stay on the outside as much as possible.” After besting a man known as a legitimate up and comer, Krael was ready to move forward. “I’m ready for bigger things,” he claimed. “Whatever they got coming up for me, I’m ready.”

The card also saw Linell Bellows, 18-2-3, get bested by the 14-6 Christopher Booker, who walked away with the decision win. Bellows was coming off an impressive win over Lamar Harris last July. Ava Knight, the “Lady of Boxing,” fared better than Bellows, besting the 17-13-3 Nancy Franco by decision. Knight’s record now stands at 16-2-4.

Worthy of note – and of eyeballs – is the undefeated super featherweight Xavier Martinez, who notched up another victory, this one against the 22-9 Oscar Bravo. Martinez, who is only 20 years old, has already earned a record of 12-0 and is certainly worth keeping an eye on. Saturday’s card at Sam’s Town was the product of Mayweather Promotions, which oversees and guides the careers of many of the fighters who appeared in the ring, including the victorious Krael, the victor of the night’s main event. Sam’s Town is known to host Mayweather Promotions cards, as is a friendly venue to the sport of boxing.

Posted on 09/20/2018

By: Sean Crose

Mayweather Promotions will host a card at Sam’s Club in Vegas this Saturday night featuring the 13-13-3 Cameron Krael as he takes on the 14-1 Jose Berrego in a ten round super lightweight affair. Krael, who goes by the nickname of “Suave,” will be coming back after suffering a split decision loss to Erik Bone last May at Sam’s Town. Originally from Hawaii, Krael grew up rough before honing himself into an action fighter and a part of the famed Mayweather stable. Only 24 years of age, the man is considered one of the gutsier fighters one can find in Vegas. With only three knockouts to his name, he’s not known as a heavy hitter, but he’s earned the reputation of bringing intense determination to the ring.

As for Berrego, the rising Mexican fighter has a single loss on his resume, a decision defeat to undefeated Juan Heraldez last year. Since that time he’s fought and bested Carlos Velasquez by stoppage in Louisiana. This will be Borrego’s second fight this year (the Velasquez bout was in May). If he’s able to get past the gritty Krael, Berrego will be one step closer to major fights and one step further away from his lone defeat.

Also on the card this Saturday will be Ava Knight. Known as “The Lady of Boxing,” Knight boasts a 15-2-4 record. Her opponent this weekend will be the 17-13-2 Nancy Franco. King, who has held the WBC world female light flyweight title, hasn’t lost since 2013. Her opponent, Franco, who lost a battle for the WBA World Minimunweight Female Title to Anabel Ortiz last year, is hoping to break a three fight losing streak. The fight will be six rounds and will go down in the flyweight division.

Lionell Thompson and Linell Bellows will appear on Saturday’s card, as well. Thompson, 19-5, is looking to come back from a unanimous decision loss to Edwin Rodriguez that he suffered in February of this past year. His opponent will be the 28-23-1 Derrick Findley. Their bout is scheduled for ten rounds in the super middleweight division. As for the 18-2-2 Bellows, he’ll be facing the 13-6 Christopher Booker in a ten round super middleweight affair. It will be Bellows first fight since besting Lamar Harris by TKO last July in Memphis.

Fans looking to see Saturday’s fights live will also have a chance to do a good deed. As Mayweather Promotions states: “We will be collecting non-perishable food items at the fight, in support of the Floyd Mayweather Foundation’s Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway.”We

Posted on 08/02/2018

By: William Holmes

Floyd Mayweather’s TMT Promotions will televise a card on Bounce TV live from Sam’s Town in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The main event of the evening will be between Ladarius Miller and Dennis Galarza in the lightweight division, and the co-main event of the evening will be between Juan Heraldez and Kevin Watts in the junior welterweight division.

The undercard will feature several solid contenders and up and coming boxers, including Sharif Bogere, Omar Douglas, Kevin Newman, and others.

Photo Credit: Mayweather Promotions

The following is a preview of the two main fights of the night.

Juan Heraldez (13-0) vs. Kevin Watts (12-2); Junior Welterweights

Both Heraldez and Watts are in the middle of their athletic prime and have under fifteen fights under their belts. Watts is twenty six years old and Heraldez is twenty nine years old. Watts is a little tall for the junior welterweight division, he stands at 5’10” with a 70 ½” reach.

Watts’ activity has been ok. He’s fought once in 2018, once in 2017, and twice in 2016. Heraldez hasn’t fought yet in 2018, but fought twice in 2017 and twice in 2016.

Neither boxer has a notable amateur career to write of.

Watts has gone 1-2 in his past three fights. He has losses on his resume to Jose Miguel Borrego and Eddie Ramirez. He had an impressive win over Ryan Karl in his last match, and also has defeated the likes of Michael Chuedcki, and Manuel Damairias Lopez.

Heraldez has already defeated on opponent that Watts has lost to, and that’s Jose Miguel Borrego. He has also defeated the likes of Alfonso Alvera, Reyes Sanchez, and Adam Mate.

Watts length and reach could be an issue for Heraldez, but Watts’ two losses were by stoppage and they came recently. Heraldez has a decent amount of power with eight stoppage wins, so it seems like he should be the favorite going into their bout on Friday night.

Ladarius Miller (16-1) vs. Dennis Galarza (16-3); Lightweights

The main event is between two contenders that are twenty five years old and are gunning for title shots in the near future.

Miller’s is one of Floyd Mayweather’s better fighters in his stable. He’s been fairly active and fought twice already in 2018, twice in 2017, and four times in 2016. He’s been on a solid seven fight win streak and is looking to make it eight in a row against Galarza.

Galarza has also been fairly active. He fought once already in 2018 and three times in 2017. However, he’s gone 3-2 in his last five fights and struggles against good competition.

Neither boxer has a notable amateur career. Miller will be giving up about one inch in height to Galarza but will have a two inch reach advantage.

Miller’s lone loss was to Rolando Chinea early on in his career. He has beaten the likes of Carlos Padilla, Jesus Gutierrez, and most impressively he beat Jamel Herring.

Galarza has losses to Edner Cherry, Cesar Alan Valenzuela, and Vincent Jennings His notable victories include Omar Tienda, Jonathan Perez, and Bernado Gomez.

Mayweather seems high on Miller, perhaps because Miller reminds him of himself. Miller only have five stoppage wins on his resume, but he’s known as an excellent defensive fighter.

Galarza has some power, as he has stopped nine of his opponents, but on paper it looks like he’ll need a knockout to win against Miller, because Miller is the better technical fighter.

Posted on 05/10/2018

Sugar Ray Leonard, the iconic fighter of the 70s through the 90s, suffered his first defeat at the gloved hands of another iconic fighter, Roberto Duran, up in Montreal, Canada back in 1980. It was a tough loss for Leonard, who had been tricked by Duran into engaging in a slugging contest. Leonard learned from his mistakes, however. After coming back to beat Duran less than six months later, the legendary American boxer went on to several more decades of success. As Leonard himself once claimed, he wouldn’t have become the fighter be became had he not lost to Duran all those years earlier up in Montreal. It’s was the kind of lesson Ledarius “Memphis” Miller has learned from, as well.

“It takes you to a different mindset,” the Floyd Mayweather protege tells me of his lone loss, a UD defeat to Rolando Chinea back in 2016. “You realize the world doesn’t revolve around you.” Mayweather may famously boast a perfect record, but he and his company, Mayweather Promotions, weren’t willing to let a promising fighter go by the wayside because of a single defeat. “They still supported me,” Miller says of his team. “You learn a lot from the people who pull back from you and the people who pull close to you.”

Photo Credit: Chris Farina/Mayweather Promotions

It’s easy for people to pull close to Miller at the moment. The lightweight has earned six impressive wins since that defeat, most of them via stoppage. And now he’s set to face the 10-7-2 Jose Marrufo this Friday evening in Las Vegas on the undercard of the Tony Harrison-Ishe Smith bout, which will be aired live on Bounce TV. “He’s a pretty tough veteran,” Miller, now 15-1, says of his opponent. “Camp’s been great. I probably had a good 8-9 weeks.” Miller claims he “had a chance to get some great sparring” in with the likes of Ashley Theophane.

“May 11th,” he says, “I’m just going to shine.”

A product of Memphis, Tennessee, Miller eventually decided to head west to Vegas in order to pursue his dream. “I had an uncle who was already out here,” he says, “and he was a fan of boxing.” Miller had a solid amateur pedigree, but knew he had to make a change. “I was just training and I wasn’t fighting,” he says of the amateur experience, where so much can depend on funding. “I ended up getting out to Vegas and the rest was history.” Yet, unlike many ambitious fighters, Miller ended up becoming a member of Team Mayweather.

“He’s been handling my career,” Miller says of Floyd Mayweather. “I see him frequently. Sometimes he stops by the gym.” Unlike some fighters on the rise, Miller has nothing bad to say of the promotional company behind him. “I’m happy with Mayweather Promotions,” he says. “They’re one of the best promotions out there…they’re always behind me, supporting me through good and bad.” To be sure, Miller is happy with his development in the pro ranks.

“I had a pretty decent amateur background,” says Miller. The truth, though, is that he was meant to fight in the professional realm. “The pros were meant for me,” he states, adding that people would tell him: “You got a pro style,” back when he was younger. “You’re really going to show your stuff when you get into a 10-12 round fight,” Miller also recalls people saying. Now that he’s back on track, however, the fighter isn’t about to forget the lessons of the past.

“I learned,” he says, “that you cannot underestimate anyone in this game.” It’s a lesson far too many fighters have neglected to learn over time. “It humbles you,” he says of his lone loss. “It angers you, it motivates you.” Yet, as many a fighter has learned, a pitfall can be a wonderful teacher. “You keep saying ‘I can’t let this happen again,’” Miller ads. Which perhaps is why Miller now aims to treat each bout like it’s for a championship. Many may not know who Marrufo is, but Miller is well aware of the fact that Marrufo undoubtedly would like to change all that. “Every fight,” Miller says, “is my most important fight.” Although the lightweight clearly has plans for the future his “main plan,” at the moment, “is May 11th” in Vegas.

Although he’s yet to start a family (“My main focus is to stay in the gym”) Miller intends to use his career to help those he will one day have to support. “I want to be able to take care of myself and my family,” he says of the future. If all continues to go as planned, it will be a future of some note. Having a supportive team can lead to big things, after all.

Posted on 05/09/2018

By:Bryant Romero

Lanell Bellows is confident his bumpy ride to the top will reach the final destination of his hand being raised in victory.

Lanell Bellows roller coaster boxing career continues this Friday as he’s still very hungry to rise in the rankings of the super middleweight division and inch closer towards title contention in the strong 168 pound ranks. His next step towards that journey is a matchup with Naim Terbunja (10-2, 1 KO) of Sweden at the Sam’s Town Hotel on May 11 in Las Vegas. Bellows(17-2-1, 10 KOs) is very aware that his next opponent has never been stopped and not only is he confident in handing Terbunja the third loss of his career, but he would also like to be the first to bless Terbunja with his first knockout loss this Friday.

“His record (Terbuja) is (10-2) something like that, but its (10-3) come Friday,” Bellows said. “He hasn’t been stopped and it’ll be nice to bless him with a nice stoppage, since his career has been flawless as far as being stopped.

“It’d be definitely a nice a little attribute to add under my belt and give me a nice notch, but a victory is good enough for me and it will happen on Friday,” he said.

Despite a couple of setbacks in his career, Bellows is as hungry as ever and though he’s not specifically gunning for anybody at the top to fight, he will do whatever is necessary to get him closer to title contention and eventually get a shot at one of the four recognized straps in his division.

“I have no names to call out in particular at this moment, but I definitely want positive progression to my career as far reaching and attaining a belt,” Bellows told me.

“I definitely want to take any necessary steps that are going to get me to achieving that belt. I need it, I want it, I thirst for it, I hunger for it, I train for it. That’s my only thing on my to do list, to do whatever it takes to get me closer to getting that belt,” he said.

Bellows didn’t always have this passion for the sport of boxing; there was a time in his life where he didn’t even think about becoming a professional prize fighter. But growing up in the rough streets of Cali, Bellows had to stay sharp with his hands as he had numerous street fights growing up that not only earned him his nickname “KO” Bellows, but made him realize he had a passion for fighting.

“I was raised in Cali from Compton all the way to Palmdale. I fought in the streets a lot but I never really got into boxing,” Bellows said. “Me and my homeboys we used to put on the gloves and box in the street just to stay sharp, for any possible endeavors with any trouble, just trying to survive the Cali streets.

“KO came from the streets, beating people up. I was knocking people out in the streets and it just got transferred over to boxing since that was already my name,” he said.

Bellows was earning a living as a barber until one day he stumbled across a gym in Las Vegas and that’s where he decided he would pursue this endeavor in boxing. He would have 33 bouts in the unpaid ranks before eventually going pro.

“I stumbled across a boxing gym when I was out here in Las Vegas. Professional wasn’t even in my plans, but I love to fight period,” Bellows told me. “As I got good, I almost qualified for the Olympic trials for the 2012 games and I was like ‘Well I done put all this time and energy and effort into it, maybe I can try and giving pro a shot and it worked out, thank god,” Bellows said.

Just two fights into his professional career, Bellows got a rare opportunity as a young prospect to spar the considered best fighter in the world P4P at the time in Floyd Mayweather. Bellows showed no hesitation in entering the doghouse at the Mayweather boxing club or “stop at home” as Bellows would like to call it. They would spar a number of rounds much longer than the usual three minutes in duration and Mayweather came away impressed with the ability of Bellows, which prompted Mayweather to sign him to a promotional agreement not long after their sparring session.

“From there it’s been going down in history, I was part of his Miguel Cotto camp and then I sign my contract a little bit later that year and I’m a TMT boxer and I’m here now,” Bellows said.

The 32-year-old is no defensive boxer counterpuncher like his current promoter was in his heyday. Bellows considers himself to be a puncher boxer and likes to land devastating shots to his opponents that have produced some crushing knockouts in his career. In the two losses he’s received in the ring, Bellows has avenged one of those defeats and though he would like to avenge his split-decision loss to Decarlo Perez, there has to be an incentive for Bellows to fight him again, since Perez has since been stopped by Bellows teammate Ronald Gavril.

“I definitely didn’t feel I lost that fight. I do want that fight back for my pride, but since he’s been knocked out by teammate Ronald Gavril.

“At this point, it becomes pointless; it would become egotistical if I took the fight. It wouldn’t be career changing or career helping. Career wise it would do nothing for me,” Bellows explained.

Bellows wants the fans that follow him that despite his road in reaching the top being a bumpy ride, he’s confident he will reach that final destination of his hand being raised in victory.

“Follow me on facebook @Lanell Bellows or on twitter, snapchat, and instagram @KOBellows. And just follow me on my ride to the top, it’s a bumpy ride, strap your seatbelts up and enjoy the ride because it’s definitely going to be eventful.

“It’s definitely going to be productive and it’s definitely going to get to the destination with our hands being raised,” Bellows said.

Posted on 05/08/2018

By: Sean Crose

“Training camp was great,” says Kevin Newman , who will be showcasing his skills this Friday evening on the undercard of the Tony Harrison-Ishe Smith card in Vegas (which will be aired on Bounce TV). The 7-1-1 Floyd Mayweather protégé will be coming back after his first loss, which occurred on the undercard of last year’s Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor superfight. In an era where a “perfect record” is vastly over-rated (aside from Mayweather and Rocky Marciano, how many all time greats retired undefeated?), Newman looks at things with an insight many seem to be lacking in today’s fight game. After all, boxers from Ali to Dempsey, from Leonard to Duran to Jack Johnson, all had L’s on their resumes – some before they were titlists.

“It was tough at first,” the 26 year old admits. Before the fight, the Vegas native had been placed on antibiotics. “They actually made me sick,” he says. Not that Newman is in the excuse making business. “I tried to have a Michael Jordan flu game moment and just came up short,” he explains. Honesty can be a refreshing thing in the fight game. So can dedication. Unlike many former and current fighters of talent who have wasted their careers on the wild life, Newman comes across as a particularly dedicated individual.

“It’s not hard to fight temptation at all,” he says, making it clear that drinking, clubbing, and the night life simply aren’t this thing. “That stuff doesn’t entice me at all,” he adds. What does entice Newman, however, is the thought of providing for his family. A father of two, he speaks openly and with pleasure about his children. “He’s special,” Newman says of his son. “He loves boxing – he’s a different breed.” And his daughter? “She’ll be two,” he claims. “She’s my sweetheart.” Not that Newman necessarily wants his kids in the family business. “I’m not going to push my kids on anything,” he states.

Boxing, however, has most certainly been a part of the Newman family throughout the years. His grandfather was in the fight game. What’s more, his mother gave him a pair of boxing gloves when he was three. After a certain point, Newman says: “My dad just kind of put it (boxing) out there.” It was love at first sight. “I’ve been addicted,” he says of the sport he’s enthralled with. “I’ve watched Rocky a hundred million times.” Such genuine engrossment in all things boxing catches the eyes of people like the Mayweather family, who have the clout to send a career into the stratosphere.

“I’ve been here since I was nine,” Newman says of the Mayweather boxing gym. “It’s a cool place.” A longtime friend of Jeff Mayweather, Newman is now a part of the esteemed Mayweather Promotions roster. “It’s a great company,” says Newman. “They’ve been very, very good to me.” Newman has kind words for the most famous member of the Mayweather clan, as well. “Floyd Mayweather has always been extra generous to me,” he adds.

As for the future, Newman takes a mature, productive view of things. “In this game…you have small goals and big goals,” he says. A win Friday is a must, of course, but after that, there’s more mountains for the man to climb. “I was going to campaign at middleweight,” says Newman. “I always fought at catch weight.” Now, however, it looks like the super middleweight division will be in the man’s future. Perhaps most tellingly, Newman admits openly that he’s a work in progress, that he has room to grow.

For instance, when asked who throughout history he’d most like to fight, Newman answers in direct relation to where he currently resides on his journey. When he answers, for instance, that his dream opponents would be “guys like a James Toney and a Roy Jones,” Newman makes it clear that it would have to be “at this (same) point in their careers.” Such self awareness is unique for a young, hungry fighter. Unique but impressive. “I’m not even in my prime yet,” he says. When speaking of the boxing process, Newman is a sharp study. Names like Ali and Mayweather dot the landscape of his mind.

“I just tend to take things from those guys,” he says, speaking of their distinctive styles, making it clear that each fighter has to employ what works for him or her individually. “Some things work and some things don’t,” for each particular individual, he claims. Studying high end fighters has taught the man a particularly invaluable lesson, “that discipline is key.” Yet when it comes to the modern boxing game, a winning personality helps, as well.

I ask Newman if he feels his easily engaging personality can help him along in his career. He argues that “when you’re easy to work with,” things do indeed go smoothly. That rule applies both inside and outside the ring. “You’ve got to be accessible to people,” he says, bringing up Ali. “He was always accessible to people…I never turn down an autograph or picture.” The fighter may end up signing more than a few photographs if things turn out as planned this week in his hometown. “I don’t mind traveling, but I love fighting at home,” Newman says of Vegas.

“Just tune in…just look to see me back in that win column on Friday. “

Posted on 05/18/2017

Is Floyd Mayweather Jr. going ALL IN with Gervonta Davis?
By: Matthew N. Becher

​Ever since the beginning of boxing the future stars of the sport are always compared to their counterparts of the past. Who is the next Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, etc., etc. It is something that goes hand in hand with the history of the sport, the same as “WHO” of this era could beat “WHO” of that era. It is a fictional dialogue that will never cease to exist.

Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/Showtime

The interesting part about one of the fights coming up this weekend is, has a fighter ever been mentored by who they are being compared to, and if so, have they ever been managed and promoted by their past comparisons?

​This Saturday undefeated, IBF Super featherweight champion, Gervonta Davis will be defending his title for the first time against Liam Walsh. Davis, who is only 22 years old with an unblemished record of 17 wins with 16 coming by way of Knockout , is one of the fastest, flashiest and well poised champions around today. For a 22 year old, he is years beyond his skill and looks to have the potential of an all-time great. Now here is the kicker, “Flashy”, “Fast”, “Young”, all these words were also used to describe Gervonta’s promoter, Floyd Mayweather Jr. And the question has certainly come up, is Davis the next “Money” Mayweather?

​From watching Davis train in front of him at the Mayweather Boxing Club, to going on late night runs side by side through the Las Vegas streets, Floyd Mayweather seems much more hands on with Gervonta Davis then he has been with any other of his TMT fighters.

“It’s not just one performance. It takes more than just one performance. We truly believe that he can be a great fighter, but he came in his last fight with only 16 fights and beat the champion. We know he’s not going to lay down. This kid has dynamite in both hands. If he keeps going out there beating great fighters he cannot be denied.” Floyd said of Davis. “’ I told him, ‘if you listen to me and continue to work hard I truly believe you can be world champion within 24 months.’ And that’s just one stepping stone.”

​Floyd seems to be 100% Gervonta Davis at the moment. Taking time from speaking about his fight with Connor McGregor to fly across the pond and work with Davis.

Gervonta is not only a young champion like Floyd was, but Davis is doing something that Floyd never did in his illustrious career and that is fight on foreign soil. We will see how Davis does this weekend against Liam Walsh, and if the kid from Baltimore can continue his own historical rise.

Posted on 02/02/2017

Mayweather, McGregor, Money
By: Kirk Jackson

It seems it’s more than just a hypothetical, more than just what if? This is more than fantasy talk now.
Boxing meets MMA. The polarizing, retired,boxing legend Floyd Mayweather vs. the budding, active, mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor.

It appears there has been an ongoing feel out process for more than a year now and with recent public discussions from each party (Mayweather, McGregor), we inch closer to a deal between the two.

What was originally thought of as a circus attraction may actually come into fruition.

Mayweather is familiar with stepping outside the boundaries of boxing and branching out to expand his brand across various out and audiences.

Think Dancing with the Stars, WrestleMania and Justin Beiber. This would be another instance in “The Money Team” mantra and another chance to reel in the big money.

“I believe the fight could happen. He’s a tough competitor and has proved throughout the years in the UFC that he can fight standing up,” Mayweather told Showtime in Las Vegas this past Saturday, where he was attending the championshipfight between Leo Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton.

“So we’ll just have to see what the future holds. Hopefully we can make the fight happen.”

The commentary from Mayweather is in response to the recent remarks made from McGregor, when interviewed by MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani.

“That fight is being more than explored. That fight has been in the works for a while now,” McGregor said. “It’s a fight the people want. It’s the fight I want.”

Based on these recent interviews, both fighters are open to the fight. Both fighters realize the amount of money they can make based on the perceptions of what can actually happen, even though in reality, this looks like a lopsided mismatch.

Mayweather hit the nail on the head regarding this potential match-up. “The fans want this fight. The fans have been asking for this fight,” Mayweather said.

“It’s all about entertainment. He’s [McGregor] very entertaining. He’s very outspoken like myself. So let’s give the fans what they want to see.”

McGregor is the UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, but said his current focus is on a fight with Mayweather.

“The next time I fight, I will step through the ropes with gloves on,” McGregor said. “I got my eyes on one thing and that’s Floyd Mayweather.”

This quote from McGregor underlines his motivation and intentions. McGregor is highly intelligent and wants to make the most money possible; which brings into question the validity regarding McGregor’s warrior spirit.

Because the perceptionis he is some kind of ultimate warrior. McGregor is a fighter who will face anyone, in any setting, under any circumstance. He is the definition of a true fighter; he brings the fight to his opponent, he’s out for blood, insert any cliché here, etc.

Which is fine and dandy, but there are a few things to acknowledge.

McGregor is simply trying to get the most money possible; this isn’t about testing his might against the best opposition per say.

Guys like Tony Ferguson and KhabibNurmagomedov await McGregor at lightweight if he decides to return and defend his title in the UFC.

Or if you’re McGregor, why not fight a few boxers while building up to a match against Mayweather?

As he discovered sparring welterweight contender and regional champion Chris Van Heerden, boxing is a different league regarding the stand-up striking he is accustomed to in the UFC.

If he fights a world-level class boxer en route to Mayweather, he will not make it to Mayweather. Like Ronda Rousey, McGregor may be in for a rude awakening.

This leads to an important variable that should not be overlooked, Dana White.White is the president and mascot of the UFC.

White also views and treats his fighters as investments. And McGregor is clearly White’s most valuable investment and why ruin that by feeding McGregor to the wolves of the boxing arena?

McGregor is under contract with the UFC, so a fight featuring Mayweather and McGregor has to include White in some capacity.

Which lends to the question of whether if this fight talk is just posturing from both sides; especially McGregor’s, in the sense of maintaining relevance and gaining some form of leverage regarding his financial status with the UFC.

McGregor made it clear in recent months he wants a bigger piece of the pie when it comes to earning more money while fighting under the UFC banner.

White discussed the earnings of a UFC fighter in comparison to other athletes across sports with reporter Graham Bensinger.

“If I told you what the top salaries were with our stars, you’d be blown away. You’d be blown away!” White said.

“Here’s the difference. We negotiate a contract with the guy, weeks, sometimes months, whatever it is, and you end up with a deal. Now, if you’re the champion, or a big star, usually is your deal is to be cut in on the PPV. You’re a partner with us on the PPV. What we’ve done, is we’ve revolutionized the fight industry. Boxing is dying for many many reasons, okay? Many reasons. So we come in, we cut a deal with the guy. The guy gets cut in the piece of the PPV.”

UFC is a privately ownedcompany;there is always a question of validity of the numbers speculated.

According to White, if McGregor’s earnings in the UFC are so significant and if boxing is dying as he suggests, why is McGregor so eager to enter this realm of boxing?

It’s either White is not completely honest with numbers his fighters and the numbers the company earns or he’s not paying McGregor the money he deserves.

More than likely it’s the latter. McGregor is not getting paid his worth and wants capitalize off his stardom and earning potential by fighting Mayweather.

This makes the offer of $25 million White offered to pay Mayweather and McGregor disingenuous and like an offer to save face.

We can compare pay-per-view numbers, the figures calculated from lives gates between boxing and mma or between Mayweather and McGregor.

The numbers lean towards Mayweather’s favor is that regard and his team holds leverage in regards to the split of money generated from a potential fight.

The Sports Daily has McGregor at almost $10 million earned for his entire career. Multiple sources including Forbes, has Mayweather’s earnings at more than $700 million.

McGregor’s Earnings

Mayweather’s Earnings

The hypothetical match would more than likely take place in Nevada and if we compare the money generated from live gates according to the Nevada State Athletic Commission website, Mayweather holds the edge as well.

Top Boxing Gates

Top MMA Gates

Back to the most important variable, Dana White. McGregor is viewed as an investment, co-promoting an event with Mayweather seems unlikely.

Because McGregor is a product, a product that has the potential to look bad in the boxing ring against an elite boxer. The question is what good is the return of the product after a potential bad outing?
There are still questions to the legitimacy of the fight.

Right now, we’re still at the stage of garnering interest, keeping names relevant, stirring up controversy, creating discussion, build up and eventually generating money. That’s what it’s about ladies and gentlemen.

This will be a topic of discussion throughout the course of the year.There is an audience for the fight no matter how egregious this match-up sounds.

This is all for show. Mayweather and McGregor are literally banking on their personalities and the perceptions of each character.

As the circus continues, we’ll see what happens.

Posted on 01/12/2017

Showtime World Championship Boxing Preview: Jose Pedraza vs. Gervonta Davis, James DeGale vs. Badou Jack
By: William Holmes

On Saturday night the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York will host a WBC/IBF Super Middleweight Unification Title fight between Badou Jack and James DeGale to be televised live on the Showtime Cable Network.

This bout will help determine who the true number one boxer is in the super middleweight division since Andre Ward bumped up to the light heavyweight division.

Another bout scheduled for Saturday will be between Jose Pedraza and Floyd Mayweather Jr. promoted Gervonta Davis for Pedraza’s IBF Junior Lightweight Title. This bout should open up the Showtime broadcast.

The following is a preview of Saturday’s card.

Jose Pedraza (22-0) vs. Gervonta Davis (16-0); IBF Junior Lightweight Title

This is an intriguing matchup between two young upcoming stars in boxing with a bright future ahead of them. It’s also interesting because both boxers have had some much publicized issues with their management teams in the months coming into this fight. It’s been alleged that Pedraza wasn’t completely pleased with his lack of activity underneath the management of Al Haymon, and it’s also been alleged that there was some friction between Gervonta Davis and his promoter, Floyd Mayweather Jr.

However, those issues appear to have been resolved to allow this matchup to take place.

The most noticeable difference between the two boxers on Saturday will be the difference in size. Pedraza will have a two and a half inch height advantage over Davis and will also have about an inch and a half reach advantage. Pedraza is also five years older than Davis, and is experienced enough to deal with the southpaw style that troubles many boxers.

Pedraza does have an edge in amateur experience. Davis did well on the national level; he was a 2012 National Golden Gloves Champion, a three time National Silver Gloves Champion, and a two time PAL Champion. But, Pedraza competed on the international stage as an amateur and represented Puerto Rico in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Valuable international experience that Davis does not appear to have.

Davis has been the more active boxer between the two. He fought five times in 2015 and twice in 2016. Pedraza only fought twice in 2015 and once in 2016.

Davis is also the more powerful puncher/knockout artist. He has stopped fifteen of his opponents. He has defeated the likes of Marco Antonio Macias, Guillermo Avila, Luis Sanchez, and Cristobal Cruz.

Pedraza only has twelve stoppages on his resume. He has defeated the likes of Stephen Smith, Edner Cherry, Andrey Klimov, Michael Farenas, and Tevin Farmer.

This will be an entertaining bout between power and technique, and it should be a close one. But Pedraza has faced better opposition both as an amateur and a professional, and that experience alone gives him a slight edge going into their fight on Saturday.

Badou Jack (20-1-2) vs. James DeGale (23-1) WBC/IBF Super Middleweight Titles

This is one of the best bouts that could be made in the super middleweight division, and the winner should be considered by most to be the best super middleweight.

Both boxers are beginning to leave their prime ages as Jack is thirty three years old and DeGale is thirty years old. Neither boxer is known for their power, as Jack only has twelve stoppage victories and DeGale has fourteen stoppage victories.

Even though both boxers are at the top of their weight division, neither fighter has been very active. Jack fought once in 2016 and twice in 2015, and DeGale also fought once in 2016 and twice in 2015.

Both boxers have a deep amateur background. Jack represented Gambia in the 2008 Summer Olympics and DeGale represented Great Britain in the 2008 Summer Olympics. However, only DeGale medaled as he won the gold medal.

Jack has defeated the likes of Lucian Bute, George Groves, Anthony Dirrell, Rogelio Medina, Marco Antonio Periban, and Farah Ennis. His lone loss was an upset loss to Derek Edwards which he lost by TKO.

DeGale has defeated the likes of Rogelio Medina, Lucian Bute, Andre Dirrell, Marco Antonio Periban, Gevorg Khatchikian, and Dyah Davis. His lone loss was the George Groves.

Even though this is a good matchup, it will likely not be a fan pleasing fight as both boxers are technically skilled fighters that are not known for their power. DeGale has experienced more success as an amateur than Jack, and that indicates that he’s the better technical boxer.

DeGale should win by a close decision on Saturday night.