For Immediate Release & Publish
REAL COMBAT MEDIA WEEKLY BOXING REPORT
By Jason Gonzalez,Real Combat Media Arizona Boxing Correspondent
Welcome back to another edition of the Real Combat Media Boxing Weekly Report “Boxing Blaze Edition” where we cover all the top news stories in boxing each week!
Monday (February 6, 2017)
The two time gold medalist Claressa Shields (1-0) is making her professional television debut against Szilvia “Sunset” Szabados (15-8, 6 KOs). The fight will be shown on Showtime on Friday February 10, 2017 and it will be taking place in Detroit, Michigan down the road from Shields’ hometown Flint. Shield’s is the only female boxer to win gold back to back in two olympics making her one of the most accomplished female boxers to date. Do you think Shields can become a superstar and bring attention to women’s boxing?
Tuesday (February 7, 2017)
Last time boxing fans saw Heather Hardy she beat Shelly Vincent (18-0) for the WBC International Female Featherweight title on the undercard of Spence Jr vs Bundu. Now Hardy will be returning on March 4 ,2017 on the undercard of Thurman vs Garcia to defend her title against Helen Joseph (13-3). Hardy was suppose to make her MMA debut early in January but her opponent suffered an injury during training so the fight was canceled. Hardy has now returned her focus onto boxing and she will defending her title for the first time on the undercard in March.
“I’m grateful and excited to be back in the ring at Barclays Center next month,” said Hardy. “It will be my first fight since August. I’ve had to hustle extra hard these past few months since the insurance issue shut down the New York boxing scene for the last quarter of 2016. I even decided to take an MM fight in January to help supplement my income and pay some bills. However, my opponent dropped out the day before I was flying to Kansas City for the event. It’s been one disappointment after the next, so I am truly happy to be back at home where I belong, doing what I love.”
Wednesday (February 8, 2017)
IBF World Lightweight Champion Robert Easter Jr. (18-0) will be making his second title defense against Luis Cruz (22-4-1). The two will be fighting Friday February 10, 2017 on Premier Boxing Champions on Bounce. Currently Easter Jr is one the best name at 135 lbs and it looks like this fight might be a walk in the park. If Easter Jr does in fact beats his opponent with no trouble how much longer before he fights one of the other champions at 135 lbs? If Easter want’s a big money fight he can definitely look for a fight with Mikey Garcia the WBC Champion. Who would you like to see Easter Jr fight next?
Thursday ( February 9, 2017)
Broner vs Granados Weight Change
During a media call this week Adrien Broner said he wouldn’t have trouble making weight for his fight against Adrian Granados. According to Granados this is because the weight limit was changed from a catch weight of 142 lbs up to 147 lbs. Granados revealed that Broner at some point in his camp had gotten sick and was going to have trouble making 142 lbs and therefore changed the weight limit.
“We’ll see where my body tapers off at,” Granados said. “I was hearing – I believe he got sick and that’s what kind of threw off his camp. I mean, I was sick, too, as well. I was still planning on making 142, but he just made it easier on both of us. And I still expect a competitive and even fight, and it’s gonna be a great fight.”
The fight is set to take place on Saturday February 18, 2017 on Showtime in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Friday (February 10, 2017)
Shakur Stevenson Signs with Top Rank
Olympic silver medalist Shakur Stevenson officially signed with Top Rank on Friday. Many thought Stevenson was going to sign under Floyd Mayweather’s promotional company but the young fighter says Mayweather was all talk.
“Mayweather, to be honest, he basically hyped me up to think I was on his list, and when the time came they didn’t really send no paperwork or nothing, so he was never really an option,” Stevenson told RingTV.com. “He was all talk. It was very disappointing because of the fact that I looked up to him and I felt he was one of the greatest boxers that ever lived. So it really was disappointing. But it is what it is and everything happens for a reason. I’m ready to turn the page.”
It looks like Stevenson is happy with the decision he made and looks forward to fighting for Top Rank. “Top Rank is the best there is in boxing,” said Stevenson. “Look at their champions — great champions — like Terence Crawford and Vasyl Lomachenko. This is where I want to be.”
Saturday (February 11, 2017)
Robert Easter Jr Continues Undefeated
On Friday night Robert Easter Jr (19-0) successfully defended his IBF Lightweight title against Luis Cruz (22-5-1) in front of nearly 10,000 fans at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. Cruz was knocked down twice in the tenth round and then again once more in the eleventh round for a total of 3 knockdowns; Easter Jr won the fight by unanimous decision. One of the best fights for Easter Jr would be a fight against Mikey Garcia (36-0) the undefeated WBC lightweight champion. Garcia has been the center of attention after his comeback. A fight between Easter Jr and Garcia would be quit the show.
Sunday (February 12, 2016)
For a while it looked like Manny Pacquiao was surely going to fight Jeff Horn in April but it looks like the Champion might be looking at other options. Pacquiao’s next fight was suppose to take place in Australia but according to a recent Twitter post from Pacquiao his fight will now be in the UAE which is home to Dubai. Then on Sunday Pacquiao posted a Twitter poll asking who he should fight next. The names on the poll are as follow: Amir Khan, Jeff Horn, Terence Crawford, Kell Brook. Do you think Pacquiao will really fight the winner of the poll?
UPDATE: Amir Khan won the poll with 46% of 44,815 people voting for him.
Monday (February 13, 2016)
Deontay Wilder was scheduled to fight Alexander Povetkin earlier this year but Povetkin tested positive for a banned drug named Meldonium. After Wilder found out Povetkin had tested positive the fight between the two was canceled and Wilder sued Povetkin. A U.S. court ruled on Monday in favor of Wilder who will now be receiving $4.5 million that was set apart for the fight between the two. Povetkin does have the ability to appeal the decision.
Tuesday (February 14, 2017)
This week Kell Brook’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed that Brook and Errol Spence Jr. have come to terms and have agreed to fight each other. Hearn announced this via a twitter post that said “Terms agreed for @SpecialKBrook v @ErrolSpenceJr -full announcement coming soon -fight will take place in the UK. Best fight in the division.” Fans and critics alike thought Brook was not going to fight Spence Jr and instead drop his belt to go up a division or go for an easier fight at 147 lbs. The two should be in the ring by May but no date nor venue has been announced. Who do you have your money on?
Mayweather vs McGregor Unconfirmed Reports
Over the last few months there has been talks about a possible fight between former boxing champion Floyd Mayweather and current UFC champion Conor McGregor but now it looks like the fight might actually happen. The Irish Sun reports that the two fighters have made a deal to fight. According to the Sun’s source, “The contract hasn’t officially been signed yet because of a third party hold-up but all the details have all been agreed on… The fight could even be announced within two weeks.” No official announcement of the fight has been made. It looks like the only thing that might be standing in the way of the fight is McGregor’s promoter Dana White.
Dana White said “It will never happen; that’s not even possible,” he told the Irish Mirror. “He’s under contract with us. You have a contract for a reason.
“Let me tell you what, there are a lot of contracts out there, no matter what business you are in – UFC or whatever – and it’s pretty tough to get out of a contract.
“And if that’s what Conor wants to do (fight Mayweather), he’s got four fights left. He’s got four fights left with the UFC. Fight your four fights and, you know, go out and do what you want to do.”
Wednesday (February 15, 2017)
Mayweather vs McGregor Unconfirmed Reports UPDATE
Both the Nevada State Athletic Commission and Floyd Mayweather have come out with statements after rumors of a possible Mayweather vs Conor McGregor fight started floating around. The problem is that the two are saying two different things. On Tuesday Anthony Marnell, a chairman on the Nevada State Athletic Commission, confirmed talks a between Mayweather and McGregor.
“There is a lot of real stuff going on,” Marnell told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. “It still seems like a long shot, but when there is a lot of money involved, people tend to figure it out. There are a lot of cooks in the kitchen, but I’m not sure if we’re going to eat.”
“The Nevada Athletic Commission, in my experience, has always been well briefed by all parties on an event or potential event that may take place in Las Vegas. We are aware of conversations and information that has been disclosed and not disclosed in the media. Whether these conversations will get to a point that a fight happens, I can’t tell you.”
On the same day that the Nevada State Athletic Commission came out with that statement, Mayweather posted a picture on instagram with a caption that said “Although there has been several rumors circulating thru media suggesting that I will have an upcoming fight, I’d like to set that record straight and state that there has been no deals made on my behalf in regards to a bout with any fighter at this time. I am happily retired and enjoying my life! Rest assured that if any changes come about, I will be the first to let the world know!”
Thursday (February 16, 2017)
WBC Unveils New Belts
The WBC is known for being one of the most prestigious belts in boxing and also one of the most aesthetically pleasing. The boxing organization has unveiled new designs for the belt. The newly designed belts will be given to WBC champions who fight on May 5th or September 9th which are both Mexican holidays. The winner of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will get to choose which of these new designs they want on their belt. Take a look at these new belts here.
Friday (February 17, 2017)
Roy Jones Jr. beat Bobby Gunn by TKO making Jones Jr the WBF champion at Cruiserweight. Jones Jr had clearly out classed Gunn for seven rounds. Before Gunn had a chance to go out and fight the eighth round the referee stopped the fight because Gunn was bleeding profusely from his nose. Even though Jones Jr shows he can still fight there has been concern for him. Jones Jr is now 48-years-old and only getting older. Do you think he should retire?
Saturday (February 18, 2017)
Adrien Broner vs Adrian Granados
Adrien Broner beat Adrian Granados via split decision in a controversial fight. Before the fight most people would have said that Broner was going to dispose Granados easily but it was quite the contrary. Broner and Granados were toe to toe most of the fight very similar to Broner’s fight against Marcos Maidana and Shawn Porter. These are types of styles that give Broner trouble in the ring. Two judges had it going for Broner and one had it for Granados but a lot of fans were upset with the decision. After this performance one might ask if Broner is an elite fighter or not. During the post fight interview Granados called out Broner for a rematch. Given how close the fight was, a rematch between the two is not out of the question. Who do you think Broner should fight next?
UNDERCARD
Peterson vs Avanesyan
Lamont Peterson beat David Avanesyan by unanimous making Peterson the regular WBA champion at 147 lbs. The fight was close but Peterson was the smarter boxer. Peterson had been on a long layoff since the fight but he proved himself victorious.
“I was expecting to pick up where I left off,” Peterson said of his 16-month layoff. “That may seem like a long time, but if you’re in the gym it’s not a long time. I took some steps forward tonight. We’re looking to get back in camp and keep moving.”
“I expected to put pressure on him the way he did. I didn’t think he would fight back as hard as he did. He showed he’s a champion and shows he’s at this level. I want to fight anyone in the welterweight division now.”
Now Peterson is in line to fight against the winner of Keith Thurman vs Danny Garcia which takes place on March 4th. Does Peterson have what it takes to beat either of those fighters?
Browne vs Williams
Marcus Browne knocked out Thomas Williams in the sixth round of the fight. Williams did look like the stronger fighter but his lack of defense costed him dearly. Browne knocked down Williams a total of three times throughout the fight. During the post fight interview Browne went as far as to call out Adonis Stevenson the WBC Champion for a fight. If you saw the fight do you think Browne can beat Stevenson?
Sunday (February 19, 2017)
This past Saturday Adrien Broner defeated Adrian Granados in a controversial fight. After the fight Broner said he talked to Bob Arum, Manny Pacquiao’s promoter, about a possible fight with Pacquiao. This is good timing for Broner because Pacquiao has been looking for an opponent. The two fighters were in negotiations last year but the fight never pulled through. As of now Arum has not confirmed the talks between the two nor has he mentioned it. If the fight comes to fruition do you think it will be an easy night for Pacquiao?
Please stay tuned every week for news and updates. If you have any questions that you want answered in the weekly report please email me at [email protected] or follow me on Twitter @boxingblaze or on Facebook at Jason Gonzalez.
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