REAL COMBAT MEDIA WEEKLY BOXING REPORT – “Split Decision Edition“ ( July 7th, 2015)
By Zo Crooks,Real Combat Media Chicago Boxing Correspondent
Welcome to another weekly edition of the Real Combat Media Weekly Boxing Report, “Split Decision”. I hope you all enjoyed the holiday weekend! No major fights inside the ring this weekend but enough outside of it. We have major news concerning Bob Arum and Al Haymon, Mayweather and his strap, Carl Froch and Dan Rafael, Thurman-Collazo fight week and more. Let’s get it!
Top Rank Inc. has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against Al Haymon and his investors for $100 Million! Damn! The lawsuit states that Al Haymon and his investors are allegedly violating federal laws and preventing competition. In the 50 page document it alleges that Haymon and co. has blocked promoters access to certain venues and television networks, violating the Muhammad Ali act, paying boxers not to spar with Top Rank, and having an unfair advantage by acting as both manager and promoter…just to name a few.
Just a couple of months ago Golden Boy Promotions sued Al Haymon and his related companies for $300 Million in damages alleging repeated violations of antitrust laws and the Muhammad Ali Reform Boxing Act. That case was also filed in federal court.
Oscar De La Hoya released a statement: “I applaud Bob Arum and Top Rank Boxing for stepping up on behalf of fighters not only in their own stable, but all across the sport. Those like Bob and myself who have spent the bulk of their lives around boxing understand that the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act is a crucial piece of legislation that serves to protect boxers and enhance the sport. Golden Boy Promotions will continue to push forward with our own lawsuit to ensure our wonderful sport continues to grow in a competitive, just manner.”
Man I dont know! I don’t really have a comment on all the legal stuff but I will say this. Al Haymon has done something that needed to be done in my opinion. He brought boxing back to network television with the PBC bouts. He is putting together good shows with some of the best matchups that people want to see. I grew up watching Sugar Ray Leonard, Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler, Aaron Pryor, Thomas Hearns and more on network television. Say what you want but the man is handling his business and boxers are getting paid. Please keep in mind that boxing is one of the only sports that doesn’t have a governing body to regulate things. Boxers have been getting raped for years by this lack of structure. Not to mention the shady practices of promoters and more. From my understanding the lawsuits don’t hold much merit but know that Al Haymon is a Harvard grad, an intelligent and savvy businessman and his pockets are longer than train smoke. #FREEBOXING4ALL
Awww snap! Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares might finally happen! According to multiple sources a deal has been reached between Santa Cruz and Mares for August 29th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. This fight has been talked about for a while. Another PBC bout, #ThankyouAlHaymon, that is set to be on ESPN or NBC. I can’t wait to see this matchup. Many have been calling for Santa Cruz to step up the level of competition and this will be a great response to that.
Nonito Donaire is set for action on July 18. The Filipino Flash will take on France’s Anthony Settoul in a ten round super bantamweight bout. The card is stacked with talent that night. In the co main feature 2012 Olympian and undefeated super lightweight contender Jose’ Ramirez will take on Ryusei Yoshida of Japan in an eight round bout. Also on the card is undefeated No. 1 contender, Cesar “El Distinto” Cuenca taking on the No. 2 contender in China’s Lian Hui Yang for the vacant IBF junior welterweight title. Now that’s a stacked card. The bouts will not be televised. Instead they will be steamed live on www.toprank.tv. Maybe that’s why he is suing Al Haymon…no television slots…lol. I’m sorry but I had to get that one in!
It’s fight week for Keith “One Time” Thurman and Luis Collazo. This PBC matchup is scheduled for Saturday July 11th on ESPN. My man Thurman is looking to put on a spectacular show but Collazo is game! I got Thurman by stoppage but every boxer has a chance! #FREEBOXING4ALL
It’s getting close to that time for Money Mayweather to announce his opponent. I can’t wait for him to do so. Then we can finally move on from the Manny Pacquiao b.s. Then again this week Floyd made headlines when he made a video poking at Pacquiao while slapping a dummy. Pacquiao responded harshly with talks of Mayweather and his family being ex-convicts. Money May hurt his feelings I guess.
Mayweather was stripped of his WBO title for not complying with the organizations rules. He was stripped Monday at 4:30 pm ET to pay the sanctioning fee of $200 K from the May 2nd fight with Pacquiao. The WBO rules state that boxers can’t hold world titles in multiple weight classes. Now I wonder if Kell Brook will be a possible opponent now that Mayweather is stripped of the WBO.
Speaking of Kell Brook…Robert Garcia, trainer of Brandon Rios, stated that a possible bout between Brook and Rios is not happening. It has been discussed for some time that a bout between the two would be scheduled in September. Bob Arum who promotes Rios has recently stated that the bout was almost done for September 12th on HBO in England. Rios hasn’t fought since his January bout with Mike Alvarado.
This weekend the biggest bout took place between Carl Froch and Dan Rafael of ESPN. It started when Froch tweeted a pic with the caption stating, “Too big and too strong for GGG (Gennady Golovkin)”. Rafael responded to the tweet stating, “If Carl Froch thinks he’s too big and strong for GGGBoxing wonderful. Then fight the guy and prove it. Simple as that. Otherwise, silence”. Froch didn’t like that and responded, “You shold know as much as anyone, boxing is never that “simple”. So say something constructive, otherwise silence”. Rafael then responded back with “Calzaghe would have fought GGG”. It was funny as hell but realistically will a fight between Froch and GGG happen? I hope so.
Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) comes to Bounce TV on Sunday, August 2 at 9:00 p.m. (ET), with the debut of the new monthly series, PBC – The Next Round, which will showcase the sport’s future stars and potential champions. The main event will feature two undefeated Olympians in a 12 round World Bantamweight Championship featuring Rau’shee “Nuke” Warren (13-0, 4 KOs) vs Juan Carlos “Baby Pacquiao” Payano (16-0, 8 KOs). Payano hails from the Dominican Republic and Warren is a Cincinnati native. Warren was a 3 time Olympian for the United States.
The co-feature is a two-fight, WBC Tournament in the Junior Middleweight division: A 10-round match of Olympic Silver Medalist Yudel Johnson (17-1, 9 KOs) taking on the knockout machine Jorge Cota (24-1, 22 KOs), plus 10 rounds of Olympian John Jackson (19-2, 15 KOs) battling Dennis Laurente (49-5, 30 KOs). The winners of the two bouts will face-off on a date to be announced soon.
Well this covers this week’s edition of Split Decision. Catch me next week for more news updates and fight coverage.
Rau’shee “Nuke” Warren vs Juan Carlos “Baby Pacquiao” Payano. Payano hails from the Dominican Republic and Warren is a Cincinnati native. Warren was a 3 time Olympian for the United States.
This concludes my weekly edition of Split Decision. Please email me your questions or comments to [email protected]. Every week I will answer a few questions in this column. Thank you…follow me on Twitter @Zomanystylez.
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