Boxing FanHouse

Freddie Roach's Brother, Pepper, on Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Buildup

Elie Seckbach — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Pepper Roach, brother of Manny Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie, expressed his thoughts on a potential Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather bout, Floyd's uncle and trainer, Roger Mayweather, and described the atmosphere in his brother's Wild Card Boxing Club in the days following Pacquiao's historic victory over Miguel Cotto.

Pepper also breaks down the war of words between the Pacquiao and Mayweather camps in this video after the jump.

Freddie Roach's Brother, Pepper, on Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Buildup originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bert Sugar on Yuri Foreman, John McCain and Living Next to Bill Clinton

Elie Seckbach — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Boxing historian Bert Sugar's versatile appeal includes having sparred with ex-presidential candidate, John McCain, living next to former president Bill Clinton and once being known as "The Great White Hopeless."

Sugar tells why he loves the sport's international diversity, and comments on newly-crowned Israeli, Yuri Foreman, boxing's Jewish legacy, and why his favorite boxer all-time is Sugar Ray Robinson among many other things.

Check out the video after the jump.

Bert Sugar on Yuri Foreman, John McCain and Living Next to Bill Clinton originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ex-Champ Oleg Maskaev: 'I Stopped Vitali Klitschko in the First Round'

Lem Satterfield — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:10:00 EST

Filed under: WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, HBO, Showtime, FanHouse Exclusive

For Oleg Maskaev to be in contention for a heavyweight world title is incredible considering the obstacles he has overcome both in and out of the ring.

There was his near-death experience as a 16-year-old coal miner in his native Zhambul, Kazakhstan, and the fact that only his budding, amateur boxing career saved the former Soviet leutenant from being sent into the war in Afganistan.

Knocked out in all of his six losses, Maskaev overcame a suspect chin to earn his biggest career wins -- two knockouts of former world champ, Hasim Rahman, with the second earning him a brief stint as WBC champion.

Maskaev says that he suffered a broken right elbow during the rematch with Rahman, an injury he endured during a subsequent win over Peter Okhello, as well as in a loss to Samuel Peter.

But now, Maskaev (36-6, 27 knockouts), who turns 41 in March, finds himself, yet again, on the verge of title contention.

For with a Dec. 11 victory over Dominican-born, Nagy Aguilera (14-2, nine KOs), Maskaev would earn a matchup with 39-year-old Ray Austin (28-4-4, 18 KOs). The winner of Maskaev-Austin positions himself for a shot at WBC king, Vitali Klitschko (38-2, 37 KOs), whom Maskaev knocked out in the first round as an amateur.

FanHouse caught up recently with Maskaev, who has dual citizenship in America and the United States.

FanHouse: So, you're still at it, trying to win a title?

Oleg Maskaev: You know what happened? I had a couple of injuries when I lost the title. I wasn't at full health or strength when I was trying to defend it against Samuel Peter.

That's why I wasn't able to successfully defend it -- because of the injuries. And now, I'm healthy, and I feel strong. I want to win it back. I feel that the belt belongs to me. That's my goal. That's what I'm going for.

FH: What answer do you have for people who might say that you're a little too old?

Maskaev: I would say that it's not about age, but it's about training. It's about how hard you want to train, and how disciplined you are in training. If you stay in shape, you have a good schedule, and you don't do stupid things, then it doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter if you're 40, 41 or, 44 -- like Bernard Hopkins is 44. That's a guy who has served as a good example for me.

FH: How big were the wins over Hasim Rahman at the points in your career when they were accomplished?

Maskaev: I was very happy when I beat Rahman the first time. Rahman was sure that he was going to stop me and knock me out the first time. And that didn't happen.

Even the second time, which was harder than the first time. After that fight, he wasn't the same -- believe me. I believe that I destroyed him. Totally. And everybody has looked at him, and he hasn't had the same stamina or shown the same heart after that.

Because of his training, because of his weight, because of his mental problems -- who knows.

FH: Given your knockout losses, can you blame people for doubting you and counting you out so much?

Maskaev: What I think about people, and what I'm not happy about is that they don't know Oleg. They don't know who is Oleg.

I have to be strong and healthy, mentally strong, with good preparation, no physical problems, and I can do a lot of things. I've proven that before, and I'm going to prove that again.

FH: What do you know about your next opponent, Nagy Aguilera?

Maskaev: I know enough. He has a good background. A solid amateur background. He likes to bring good pressure. He's going to give me a good fight, which is what I'm looking for. And I'm going to be ready for a good, tough fight, and I'm going to whip this guy.

FH: What are you looking forward to after Nagy Aguilera?

Maskaev: I've got to win this fight to get a shot at Ray Austin. That's the title eliminator for another championship fight. The main goal is to fight Vitali Klitschko. He's running away from me, but I know why, and he's given me some problems.

He's been like, 'I don't want to fight you this time.' I've been looking for the fight against this guy for six years, and hopefully, one way or the other, it will happen.

FH: Didn't you fight one of the Klitschkos as an amateur?

Maskaev: Yeah, Vitali. I fought Vitali in the amateurs and I stopped him in the first round, and he doesn't want to admit that. He'll say, 'Oh, hey, I hurt my hand, and I couldn't continue.'

But I remember that I hurt him three times, and when his trainer saw that Vitali couldn't handle it, and didn't have a chance to beat me, he stopped the fight.

FH: Do you believe that a meeting like that, years later, will help you, mentally, and, hurt Vitali, mentally?

Maskaev: I think, yes.

FH: Do you believe that you will eventually get that title shot?

Maskaev: It's boxing, so it's hard to predict what's going to happen. But I'm willing to fight him. I'm strong, confident and ready.

FH: Do you think that there is anything to the fact that five of your six knockout loses came during the first half of the year -- one in February, one in April and three in March around your birthday?

Maskaev: Yeah, who knows? Only God knows why. March, March, March. Somebody mentioned that same thing to me, but I don't believe in that. I don't believe in that, I believe in God, that's all.

FH: Why do you believe that you are more deserving of a title shot than some others?

Maskaev: Because I was a champion once, and, after that second victory over Rahman, I got the bad news that I had broken my elbow.

FH: So which elbow did this happen to?

Maskaev: It happened to the right elbow, and I broke it against Rahman the second time. And then, I was supposed to get a surgery operation, but then, I received an offer to fight Peter Okhello in Moscow.

So I said, 'No, I'm going to wait, I'm going to fight.' Because I thought that I would lose the chance to defend my title for the first time, and I wanted the chance to defend the WBC title in Moscow.

So then, I beat Okhello in Moscow, and I fought against him with a broken elbow. I was able to beat this guy the whole 12 rounds. I knocked him down once with an uppercut because I couldn't straighten out my right hand -- it was so bad.

And after that fight, I came home, and I went to a hospital in Manhattan, New York. And I had a surgery operation. The doctor said that rehabilitation would take about three years.

And then, I was supposed to fight Samuel Peter. I wasn't ready for that. I pulled out once. But then, I had some back injuries, and they ordered me to fight or I would lose the belt, and that's about it.

FH: So that's how you went into the fight with Samuel Peter, when you were knocked out in the sixth round?

Maskaev: Oleg, for that fight with Samuel Peter, wasn't the same Oleg.

FH: So over the course of the Rahman fight in August, 2006, the Peter Okhello fight in December of 2006, and the Samuel Peter fight in March of 2008, has your general health improved?

Maskaev: The right elbow is totally healed. And it's like it used to be. I can punch. I've shown that against my sparring partners. It's back. Mentally, I'm strong, and I want to do it. I've missed it. I'm going to bring it back.

FH: Were you feeling 100 percent for the 10-round decision over Robert Hawkins in December of 2008?

Maskaev: That was a good fight. Robert was a very smart guy, a slick guy. But I beat him all of the way. I wasn't 100 percent, but I'd say, 65-, 70-percent. That was a year or so after the surgery.

FH: How were you feeling for your last fight -- the first-round knockout of Rich Boruff -- when you weighed a career-high 252 pounds?

Maskaev: I felt great. Finally, my elbow was good. I was able to work out in a fitness club, lift weights, do a lot of pullups and pushups. I felt strong. I didn't leave the guy a chance.

FH: What do you need to do againts Nagy Aguilera to feel good about your performance?

Maskaev: What I need to do in this fight is to just get into the ring, relax, and do my job. Nice and relaxed. I don't need to overdo anything, I just need to push myself and not try to create something unbelievable.

I have everything. I just need to relax and do my job. The first time I get to hurt this guy, though, I'm going to do it. I want to see how well I can perform, and this fight is going to show exactly who Oleg is.

FH: Wasn't your present trainer, Chuck McGregor, in Rahman's corner when Rahman fought you the first time?

Maskaev: Yes, Yes. We talk about that, yeah. This, coming up, against Nagy Aguilera, is going to be the first fight working with Chuck. It's been a couple of months we've been together.

We just talked about the Rahman fight. He said, 'Oleg, do you remember that I was in the corner against you?' I said, 'Yes, I remember.' That was a great fight. We were killing each other. And he said the same thing.

FH: How do you want your career to come to a close?

Maskaev: I think differently. Boxing is my health. It's what I do. If I stop boxing, I'm going to gain weight and lose my health. Some people think boxing is dangerous for health. I don't think the same way.

I'm trying to work on my fitness, which is a lot of work. I expend energy and burn calories -- that's the way I am, that's who I am, that's my life, that's my character. Oleg wants to fight.

I have a trainer, a manager and a promoter. If they say to me, 'Oleg, you're old, and you're going to get beat up every time,' then, of course, I have to stop. I can do nothing.

But when you start thinking about your limitations, then exactly what you're thinking is going to happen. You're going to be afraid, and this and that. But there's no reason for me to think like that right now.

Why? I can run like I used to run. I spar with the guys. I can punch, I can fight, I can box the same way. I'm trying to learn, and I have a great trainer, Chuck McGregor, who is teaching me right now. I'm willing to learn, and that's great.

Ex-Champ Oleg Maskaev: 'I Stopped Vitali Klitschko in the First Round' originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mikkel Kessler vs. Andre Ward: Live Round-by-Round Updates

Lem Satterfield — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: WBA, Showtime, FanHouse Exclusive

FanHouse has a Mikkel Kessler vs. Andre Ward live blog for round-by-round updates for one of the Showtime Super Six Super Middleweight World Boxing Classic bouts.

The 168-pound main event will start a little after 10PM ET. The live blog begins below.

Kessler (42-1, 32 knockouts) vs. Ward (20-0, 13 KOs) live blog: Refresh this page often for minute-by-minute updates.

Pre-fight: Ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. introduced Ward, who entered the ring waving a small American flag, and wearing a mostly-white robe with two red stripes down the middle, two blue ones starting from the shoulder and going down, and with JESUS CHRIST on the back. He also wore red, white and blue trunks.

Kessler entered the arena wearing a white and red T-shirt, and was booed. Behind him, a member of his entourage carried his WBA belt overhead. His trunks were the color of the Danish flag -- red and white.

Among the fight's rules: No standing eight, no three knockdowns, only the referee can stop the fight, and a fighter can't be saved by the bell.

Round 1: The fighters met at ring center, and Ward threw the first three jabs. Ward circled, jabbed to the body. Neither fighter has broken a sweat. Kessler has thrown two left hooks. Ward has thrown and landed two hooks as well. Ward has switched to southpaw, but is pawing with the right jab. Cornered, Ward twice escaped harm, the second time, by tying up the champion. Ward jabs to the chest and body as well as the head. Ward -- the crowd chanting, "USA, USA" -- appears to be encouraged. Kessler fails to take advantage of Ward's back being against the ropes a third time. Ward closes by landing a lead left hand. Ward's round, 10-9.

Round 2: The busier fighter, Ward counters with a left hook. He appears to have found a home for it. Kessler follows Ward to the corner and digs to the body, but as Ward circles off, misses with two right hands. Ward continues to circle and jab -- going left and right. Kessler misses again with a right. Ward is in and out and clinching. Kessler's rhythm is off, but he regains it long enough to jab twice to the body in a corner. Ward switches back to southpaw, and, during a clinch, is the busier fighter. When the clinch breaks, Ward closes with a double-jab, a lead left and a fourth punch. Ward's round, 10-9.

Round 3: The combinations and the hand-speed of Ward have been the difference so far, as the usually fluid Kessler appears stiff and surprisingly flat-footed. Ward, back to his orthodox style, wins the early battle of jabs in the round. Kessler has problems getting set for the big punch. Ward is following his jabs with straight rights. And then, he clinches. Kessler's jab is absent. His right hand misses. Ward drives home a left-, right-, left combination and clinches. After the break, Ward nails Kessler with a right hand. Ward closes with a right and two more lead lefts. Ward's round, 10-9.

Round 4: A tell-tale mouse has developed under Kessler's right eye, as Ward continues to out-box him. Ward stands before Kessler and digs a three-punch combination to the midsection, starting with his left, and then dances away. Kessler continues to allow Ward to get in and out and beat him to the punch, without making him pay. Kessler manages to nail a ducking Ward with a left hook, but during the break of a clinch, Ward digs lefts and rights to the head and body of a covering-up Kessler. Kessler is bleeding under his right eye, and takes a huge right hand. Encouraged, Ward follows with seven unanswered blows. Kessler -- bleeding from beneath his right eye -- backs off the entire time. Ward's round, 10-9.

Round 5: It appears that a right hand opened the cut under Kessler's eye, but that the mouse was started by a head-butt. Nevertheless, Ward siezes the early part of the round, jabbing and firing overhand rights. Kessler appears to be bleeding from his mouth, and takes a hard right. Kessler's left hook has landed twice, but he is blocked by Ward on the third attempt. Kessler lands a jab, but takes a right and a subsequent jab from Ward. Kessler lands a jab, but takes a straight left out of Ward's southpaw stance. Kessler, who did not spar with left-handers, appears confused when Ward fights as a leftie. Kessler returns to his corner with blood streaming from beneath his right eye. Ward's round, 10-9.

Round 6: The challenger's circling continues, but Ward badly misses with a left and a right. Ward attacks with long lefts and rights, landing about three of them. Another overhand right is delivered on a holding Kessler, who then takes an uppercut. Ward is a step too quick, and is simply faster than the champion. Ward throws a lead-right, and a left jab from his orthodox stance -- the latter jolting back the champion's head. Kessler lands an overhand right, and then a left, but takes a punch in between. Ward pursues behind his jab and misses with a right. A straight right hand nails Kessler on the chin with about 10 seconds left. Ward's round, 10-9

Round 7: Ward continues forward and Kessler backs up. Kessler drives a left hook to the body. The crowd gets behind Ward, who jabs and follows up with a left to the body. Kessler, who looks flat, "is tired," Ward's corner told him between the sixth and seventh round. Kessler lands two of three jabs, but Ward, his hands dropping, counters well. Kessler misses with a wild left hook, but catches Ward with a right uppercut. Three straight jabs, and then a right all pop Kessler's head back. Ward jabs to the body and then to the head and body to close the round. Ward's round, 10-9.

Round 8: Kessler tells his corner "I can't see," between rounds. Kessler lands a short right early, and lands a left to the body. But Ward nails him with a counter right hand. Kessler appears to be fading. Ward comes on as Kessler clinches. Ward drives a right to the body and jabs to the head. Kessler's hands are dropping, and his defense appears to be weakening. Ward lands two long punches -- a right and a left. Ward takes a short left hook as he jumps forward into a clinch, but he takes it well. Ward lands two left jabs, a right, and then a left. Kessler landa a left and a right, but Ward closes with a three-punch combination that appears to have Kessler cowering. Ward's round, 10-9.

Round 9: There was desparation in Kessler's corner after the eighth round. Severely cut over his left eye -- from an apparent head-butt -- and below the right, Kessler repeatedly complained of not being able to see. He was told by his cornerman, Richard Olson, that he needs a knockout. Kessler simply backs off as Ward steps up the pressure behind his left jab, lead-left and followup right hands. Kessler holds, and when not in a clinch, appears unable to defend himself. Ward drives a left to the body that causes Kessler to wince. Ward takes a left uppercut during a late surge by Kessler, but his early activity won him the round. Ward's round, 10-9.

Round 10: Ward starts by jabbing twice to the head and once to the body. And then, Ward fires a fourth, and then, a fifth, very stiff, piston-like jab into Kessler's face. Another head-butt causes another cut to Kessler -- this time, above the right eye. Ward drives in a right and a left and then a double-lead-right, followed by a left. Kessler lands a right against the on-rusing Ward, but Ward pops back Kessler's head with a shot of his own. Ward lands a right, a left, and then, later, repeats that sequence -- all to the head of Kessler. Ward, as he has all night, works the free hands during clinches. Ward's versatility has Kessler completely untracked as it has all night, and Kessler's corner appears to be in disarray. Ward's round, 10-9.

Round 11: Asked if he can contiinue by his corner between rounds, Kessler answers to the affirmative. Yet he continues to be victimized by Ward's general activity -- the jab, the right hand, and the busier blows during clinches. Finally, referee Jack Reiss calls time to have Kessler's facial injuries examined. And on the advice of a ringside doctor, Reiss stops the fight.

Although they will go to the cards, due to the injuries caused by head-butt, it is apparent that Andre Ward will be the new WBA super middleweight champion.

Sweden's Mikael Hook had it 97-93, and both South Africa's Stanley Christodoulou and California's Steve Morrow had it, 98-92, all for Ward.

FanHouse scored it, 100-90, for Ward.

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Mikkel Kessler, from Denmark, right, punches Andre Ward during the 10th round of their WBA Super Middleweight championship boxing fight in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Ward won by unanimous technical decision. A ringside doctor stopped the fight in the 11th round after checking on Kessler. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Jose Celaya (L) in action against Tony Hirsch during their bout at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 21, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jose Celaya;Tony Hirsch

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Mikkel Kessler, from Denmark, is checked after losing to Andre Ward in an WBA Super Middleweight championship boxing fight in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Ward won by unanimous technical decision. A ringside doctor stopped the fight in the 11th round after checking on Kessler. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Rodel Mayol (C) of Philippines celebrates after beating Mexican Edgar Sosa, during their fight at the World Boxing Council (WBC) Light Flyweight championships in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas State, Mexico, on November 21, 2009. Mayol won by knock out. AFP PHOTO/Ronaldo SCHEMIDT (Photo credit should read Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images)

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WBC Light Flyweight title holder Edgar Sosa (L) of Mexico fights with Rodel Mayol (R) of Philippines, during their professional boxing bout in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas State, Mexico, on November 21, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Ronaldo SCHEMIDT (Photo credit should read Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images)

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Andre Ward, second from left, celebrates after beating Mikkel Kessler, from Denmark, during their WBA Super Middleweight championship boxing fight in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Ward won by unanimous technical decision. A ringside doctor stopped the fight in the 11th round after checking on Kessler. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Mikkel Kessler, from Denmark, left, punches Andre Ward during the 10th round of their WBA Super Middleweight championship boxing fight in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Ward won by unanimous technical decision. A ringside doctor stopped the fight in the 11th round after checking on Kessler. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Andre Ward, left, punches Mikkel Kessler, from Denmark, during the second round of their WBA Super Middleweight championship boxing fight in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Ward won by unanimous technical decision. A ringside doctor stopped the fight in the 11th round after checking on Kessler. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Andre Ward, right, punches Mikkel Kessler, from Denmark, during the second round of their WBA Super Middleweight championship boxing fight in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Ward won by unanimous technical decision. A ringside doctor stopped the fight in the 11th round after checking on Kessler. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Mikkel Kessler vs. Andre Ward: Live Round-by-Round Updates originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maskaev Eyes Vitali Klitschko Rematch

Lem Satterfield — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:05:00 EST

Filed under: WBC, HBO, Showtime, FanHouse Exclusive

Oleg Maskaev had won two of five fights and been stopped three times when promoter, Dennis Rappaport, met him in 2002 -- not long after the 33-year-old Russian-American had suffered an eighth-round knockout loss to journeyman, Corey Sanders.

Since then, however, Maskaev is 14-1 with 10 knockouts -- a run that began with six straight KOs. The first stoppage was a one-rounder against Erroll Sadikovski in February of 2003.

"Oleg, in the ring, is now doing something that he's never done before -- and that's being relaxed," Rappaport said of Maskaev, who is coming off of a first-round knockout of Rich Boruff in March -- his second straight win since being dethroned as WBC champ a year earlier by Samuel Peter in six rounds.

"A relaxed fighter is the most dangerous fighter in the world. Oleg's boxing beautifully, he's devastating to the body," said Rappaport. "Even at his age, he's learning new things, and, more importantly, he's got the desire to continue learning."

On Dec. 11 at Sacramento's Memorial Auditorium, the 40-year-old Maskaev (36-6, 27 KOs) takes on Dominican-born, Nagy Aguilera (14-2, nine KOs). A win earns a berth against 39-year-old Ray Austin (28-4-4, 18 KOs), with the winner of that matchup earning the chance to face WBC champ, Vitali Klitschko (38-2, 37 KOs).

"The main goal is to fight Vitali Klitschko. He's running away from me, and I don't know why," said Maskaev, who lives in Sacramento with his wife, Svetlana, and four daughters.

"I've been looking to fight this guy for six years, and, hopefully, one way or the other, it will happen. Maybe he's running because I beat him once."

Maskaev said that he fought Klitschko as an amateur in 1992, and contends that a left hook led to Klitschko's corner throwing in the towel.

"Vitali has never admitted that. It's always, 'Oh, I hurt my hand, and then, I couldn't continue,'" said Maskaev, who decisioned Peter Okhello in February 2006 for his lone title defense. "But I remember I hurt him, three times, and when his trainer saw that he couldn't handle it, they stopped the fight."

As a professional, Maskaev is most known for his two victories over former WBC champ, Hasim Rahman, whom he stopped in eight rounds, in November of 1999, before dethroning him in the 12th round of their August, 2006 rematch.

I was very happy when I beat him the first time, because Rahman was sure that he was going to knock me out," said Maskaev, named Ring Magazine's "Comeback Fighter Of The Year" in 2006.

"The second time against Rahman, it was much harder. But after that fight, Rahman wasn't the same -- believe me," said Maskaev. "I believe that I destroyed him. Totally."

Ironically, Maskaev is also defined by his losses -- all by knockout -- including those against Sanders and journeymen, Lance Whitaker and Kirk Johnson, respectively, in two and four rounds.

The loss to Johnson, in October of 2000, ended Maskaev's run of 10 consecutive wins, nine of them by knockout. It also began the skid of three losses over his next five fights.

Maskaev was stopped, back-to-back, by Johnson and Whitaker, the latter, in March of 2001.

"Oleg looks better right now, training for [Aguilera,] then I think he's looked since we've been together," said Rappaport. "No one has a crystal ball, but as long as he's got the speed, he's sharp, and he's successful, we'll continue."

Born in Zhambul, Kazakhstan, Maskaev grew up farming cows and sheep and escaped a near-death experience as a 16-year-old coal miner - the age at which he also became a father.

While "hauling wagons full of coal weighing as much as 6,000 pounds," Maskaev was nearly crushed.

"Sometimes, the supporting ropes would break," said Maskaev, whose father was his foreman. "I once noticed a breaking rope. I jumped out of the way as it hit a wall. I was lucky. My father found out and said, 'That's it for you.'"

Still 16 when he left home with Svetlana, Maskaev enrolled in a Russian sports academy to learn to box. At 18, Maskaev joined the army, and remained until he was 25.

While enlisted, Maskaev fathered two more girls before marrying Svetlana at age 22. He nearly went to war in Afghanistan, "but being a boxer for my country, my trainer arranged for me to be pulled out," Maskaev said.

Maskaev turned pro in his hometown of Zhambul in April of 1993, against 6-foot-4 Alexander Miroshnichenko, who was 21-0 with 15 knockouts.

Maskaev stopped him in three rounds.

Just 23 months later, Maskaev's second pro fight was against journeyman Jimmy Harrison, a veteran of 44 bouts, even though he was only 6-33-5.

Maskeav ended that one in four rounds.

Maskaev was then matched against Joe Thomas, who entered the ring with a record of 23-1-1, and who was coming off of his 19th knockout victory.

Maskaev went the distance for only the second time in his career, earning a decision over six rounds.

Neither Miroshnichenko, nor Thomas, has been in the ring since losing to Maskaev, whose early accomplishments were as admirable as Rappaport found the matchmaking to be deplorable.

"Here was a kid, who, in his first professional fight, they put him in with somebody who had beaten Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe in the amateurs. And he goes ahead and knocks the guy out," said Rappaport. "In Oleg's fourth fight, they put him in with Joe Thomas, whom people thought was going to be a heavyweight champion. Good thing Oleg won that one also."

Maskaev had earned three of his first six victories by knockout in February of 1996, when he was stopped in one round by Oliver McCall.

Not only had McCall just been dethroned as WBC champ by Frank Bruno, but he already had decisioned former world champ, Larry Holmes, and had knocked out Lewis, Bruce Seldon and Francesco Damiani -- all three of whom were former world champs at the time.

Maskaev was 10-1, with six knockouts when he was matched against David Tua, whose 22 stops among 26 victories without a loss had included a 19-second win over future world champion, John Ruiz.

"It seemed like Oleg was going in against some of the toughest veterans they could find," said Rappaport. "To me, that's inconceivable."

Still, Maskaev persevered, reeling off four straight knockouts, and six stoppages among seven consecutive wins.

At 17-2, with 12 KOs, Maskaev was matched against Rahman for the first time.

Trailing by three points on two judges' cards, and, by seven, on the third, Maskaev literally knocked Rahman out of the ring, into the lap of HBO's ringside analyst, Jim Lampley, and, eventually, onto the arena floor.

"People don't know the real Oleg," said Maskaev. "When I'm mentally strong, physically strong, healthy, with no problems -- I can do a lot of things. I've proven that before, and I'm going to prove it again."

Maskaev Eyes Vitali Klitschko Rematch originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Manny Pacquiao Heads Back Home

Elie Seckbach — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:08:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Boxing star Manny Pacquiao is on top of the world. His following is reaching new heights. Watch how it takes a dozen cops to get the Pacman from his car to the airport terminal as Manny heads back to the Philippines. We also join the media crush that tries to get Manny to talk about potentially facing Floyd Mayweather.

Check out the video after the jump.

Manny Pacquiao Heads Back Home originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daniel Dawson Can't Compare Kickboxing to Boxing, but He Loves Both

Elie Seckbach — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Daniel 'The Rock' Dawson is a renaissance fighting star. He is not only a kickboxing world champion, but also a highly rated boxer with the impressive record of 34-and-1 (20 KOs) in the boxing ring.

In this FanHouse video, we caught up with Daniel and his trainer Justin Fortune. Find out what Daniel would do if he wasn't a fighter and whether he prefers kickboxing or boxing more.

Check out the video after the jump.

Daniel Dawson Can't Compare Kickboxing to Boxing, but He Loves Both originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boxing Is More Than Sport for Winchester

Elie Seckbach — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

As a teen, Jamie "Shotgun" Winchester was sent to prison for attempted murder. Now, he's using boxing to keep his life on the right track.

We caught up with him moments after his fight at the MGM in Vegas. Winchester was one of the undercards for the Pacquiao-Cotto fight. He faced Middleweight prospect Matt Korobov (8-0, 6 KOs) in a match that Korobov won.

Winchester shares some of the crazy things he witnessed in prison and has a message for those still locked up.

Check out the video after the jump.

Boxing Is More Than Sport for Winchester originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pacquiao-Cotto PPV Numbers Rolling in, Nearing 1.5M Buys

Lem Satterfield — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:09:00 EST

Filed under: WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, HBO, FanHouse Exclusive

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said that the early pay-per-view numbers released on Manny Pacquiao's victory over Miguel Cotto are "over a million and under 1.5 million buys -- and that's without all of the precincts being reported."

"They're not really accurate yet, but all that we can say with absolute certainty is that Pacquiao-Cotto was the biggest, revenue-producing event on pay-per-view for the entire year," said Arum. "And that surpasses all of the UFC. Everything. Any event. It's the biggest event of the year from the standpoint of revenue being generated."

Arum, who promotes Pacquiao (50-3-2, 37 knockouts), said that he met with officials at HBO on Thursday concerning the numbers.

Arum said that he expects Mark Taffet, HBO's senior vice president of pay-per-view, to release a statement on Friday when all of the numbers are totaled up.

"That's without Washington, D.C., being reported, Baltimore, California -- a lot of Comcast Systems," said Arum. "But based on what we have, we can make that statement -- that Pacquiao-Cotto was the biggest revenue-generating pay-per-view event of the year."

Arum had hoped to begin negotiating with Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions concerning a potential Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) matchup when the numbers were released, but would not elaborate on whether or not that had taken place.

However, according to sources with knowledge of their intentions, Arum and Schaefer could meet as early as next week to begin working on a deal to make Mayweather-Pacquiao.

"They said I will be representing them, so I am going to give Bob [Arum] a call [Friday] and see when we can meet. There are a whole list of things to discuss and then to take them back to Team Mayweather," Schaefer told ESPN.com's Dan Rafael.

"I've had conversations with [Mayweather advisers] Al Haymon and Leonard Ellerbe. Floyd wants to see if the fight can be made, so that's what I am going to do," said Schaefer.

"I am going to put my best effort forward to see that a fair deal can be structured so sports fans can get what they want," said Schaefer. "How often in any sport do you have the two best of an entire generation in their prime and able to challenge each other?"

During an Oct. 6 interview with FanHouse, Taffet said September's Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez bout produced more than a million pay-per-view buys -- only the fifth non-heavyweight fight to reach seven figures.

So with Pacquiao-Cotto and Mayweather-Marquez, boxing history was made, for their pay-per-view numbers marked the first time since 1999 that two fights generated more than a million pay-per-view buys in the same year, joining Felix Trinidad-Oscar De La Hoya and Lennox Lewis-Evander Holyfield.

Pacquiao-Cotto PPV Numbers Rolling in, Nearing 1.5M Buys originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Espino to Pavlik: 'I'm Coming to Fight'

Elie Seckbach — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Miguel Espino said he believes Kelly Pavlik "thinks I'm a pushover," adding, "He turns down a fight with Paul Williams on Dec. 5 to fight me on Dec. 19? That doesn't make any sense."

Also, Espino's trainer John Bray tells us what workout partners at Los Angeles' Fortune Gym say the fighter's punching power does to their dental features.

Check out the video after the jump.

Espino to Pavlik: 'I'm Coming to Fight' originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bert Sugar: Mayweather-Pacquiao Would Be 'Fight Of The Century'

Lem Satterfield — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:43:00 EST

Filed under: WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, Golden Boy Promotions, HBO, FanHouse Exclusive

Noted boxing historian Bert Sugar believes that a clash between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao would rival Sugar Ray Leonard's comeback 14th-round knockout of Thomas Hearns in September 1981, when the victor trailed by four, three and two points, respectively, on the three judges' cards.

Calling it "today's Super Bowl of boxing," Sugar said the demand and scope of Mayweather-Pacquio "easily passes" Felix Trinidad's controversial September 1999, 12-round majority decision over Oscar De La Hoya, even as theirs was a clash of a Puerto Rican icon in Trinidad and a cross-over Mexican-American star in De La Hoya.

"[Mayweather-Pacquiao] has international appeal, particularly in Asia. And you've got HBO, which will be pumping it with their 24/7 series. It will be the fight of the century," said Sugar, who, as then-editor of Ring Magazine, named Leonard-Hearns "Fight Of The Year."

"Even though with Leonard-Hearns boxing was more in the mainstream within the framework of sports in the 1980's -- with football, baseball and basketball -- the hype for [Mayweather-Pacquiao] will be off the charts."

Mayweather (40-0, 25 knockouts) "has proven to be the No. 1 attraction in urban markets across America," HBO's senior vice president of pay-per-view, Mark Taffet, told FanHouse during an exclusive interview last month.

A five-division champion, Mayweather has participated in "Dancing With The Stars" and defeated professional wrestling's "Big Show" in a highly-viewed match.

In his most recent effort in September, Mayweather dominated Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez, nearly shutting out a fighter who endured a draw and a loss to Pacquiao in disputed bouts.

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 37 KOs), meanwhile, is coming off of a historic 12th-round knockout of Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), against whom he earned his record seventh crown in as many different weight classes.

Pacquiao is considered a hero in his native Philippines as well as a cross-over star in America, where he has graced the cover of the Asian edition of Time Magazine and been featured in ESPN's Body Issue, among other things.

"The whole thing is these are two [professed pound-for-pound fighters] who would be meeting together celestial plane. They're on the same off-ramp, trying to get off of the exit first," said Sugar.

"With Trinidad-De La Hoya, that was also in the welterweight division," said Sugar. "But Mayweather-Pacquiao is Leonard-Hearns in the fact that there is more of a major public demand" for both fighters in America.

In addition to their personalities beyond the ring, Mayweather and Pacquiao are known as much for their work ethics in preparation for bouts as for their skills on fight night.

The always chiseled Mayweather is known for being a gym rat to the point where, at the end of his workouts, the Las Vegas resident throws more than a thousand punches at the heavybag or mits held by trainer and uncle Roger Mayweather.

Pacquiao's daily training regimen is known to last for four hours, ending with a technique during which parts of his body are pounded by a long, thick stick to deaden the nerves against the pain of being punched.

Similarly, Leonard always was known for his spartan techniques and Hearns for closing workouts with push-ups while supporting his feet high on a table and clapping in between repetitions.

The sheer energy-level of the Leonard-Hearns battle over the course of their 14 rounds remains unmatched by virtually any fight of that caliber since then.

"I covered Leonard-Hearns, and going in, there wasn't the same energy-level ascribed to Hearns as to Leonard. That's because it was more about Hearns' punching ability. Hearns was knocking everybody out, so there was very little said about Hearns' stamina because he hadn't been around to see much action in decisions," said Sugar.

"They had been in exciting fights before, with Leonard having been in against Roberto Duran," and Hearns against Pipino Cuevas, said Sugar, noting how the roles of Hearns and Leonard changed over the course of their classic confrontation.

"And as it turned out, there were many ebbs and flows, and some back-and-forth. There were some rounds where there was some maneuvering. In the sixth round, after Leonard knocked down Hearns with a beautiful left hook. Hearns went to jabbing," said Sugar.

"Leonard, the boxer with the shorter arms, was able to get inside and to become the puncher. And Hearns, the puncher, became the boxer," said Sugar. "It was a great tactical battle, and Hearns just turned the tables and was winning it."

In a matchup with Mayweather, a defensive specialist, Pacquiao is expected to be the aggressor, similar to how Hearns was opposite Leonard.

Pacquiao out-landed Cotto, 276-to-93, in power-punches, or, nearly, three-to-one.

But can the action of Mayweather-Pacquiao live up to hype?

"With Leonard-Hearns, you sort of went in knowing that you were going to get what you got. But you have a different set of equations with Mayweather-Pacquiao. Pacquiao's always in exciting fights, and Floyd Mayweather has hardly ever been in an exciting fight," said Sugar.

"So there could be some question," said Sugar. "If Floyd is so much better than Manny, and he fights his fight, and controls it in his own way, it could be considered a boring fight. There was never that concern for Leonard-Hearns."

Bert Sugar's top three welterweight fights:

Sugar Ray Leonard-Thomas Hearns 1 (Leonard, W TKO 14)

Carmen Basilio-Tony DeMarco I (Basilio, W TKO 12)

Carmen Basilio-Tony DeMarco II (Basilio, W TKO 12)

Bert Sugar: Mayweather-Pacquiao Would Be 'Fight Of The Century' originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Zeus' Mazyck Sizes Up Klitschko Brothers

Elie Seckbach — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Ernest 'Zeus' Mazyck (7-and-0 record) is one of the world's biggest fighters. He is 7-feet-tall and tips the scales at 349 pounds.

In this FanHouse exclusive, we catch up with the giant fighter at Joe Goossen's Gym in Van Nuys, Calif. Zeus tells us why he likes boxing more that his first sport, basketball, and what he likes doing when he's not fighting.

Check out the video after the jump.

'Zeus' Mazyck Sizes Up Klitschko Brothers originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why Floyd Mayweather Sr. Chose Boxing

Elie Seckbach — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

The Mayweather family is to boxing what the Kennedys are to politics. In this video, Floyd Mayweather Sr. tells us about how it came down to boxing or the "slammer."

Floyd also tells us where his son gets his swagger from.

Check out the video after the jump.

Why Floyd Mayweather Sr. Chose Boxing originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bob Arum: 'Manny Pacquiao Is the Best Fighter I've Ever Seen'

Elie Seckbach — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

It's no secret that Bob Arum is a promoter of legendary skills. Having worked with Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns, he knows talent when he sees it.

In this FanHouse video, Arum ranks Manny Pacquiao above boxing's all time greats. He also discusses the Filipino fighter's impact on the sport of boxing, his analysis of Cotto's defeat and where boxing falls in the American sports hierarchy.

Check out the video after the jump.

Bob Arum: 'Manny Pacquiao Is the Best Fighter I've Ever Seen' originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Freddie Roach Opens Up After the Fight

Elie Seckbach — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Trainer Freddie Roach was so confident in his preparation of Manny Pacquiao, that he knew Miguel Cotto was done "when we were warming up in the dressing room." Pacquiao stopped Cotto in the 12th round.

In this FanHouse video, we caught up with Roach in his post-fight press conference, where the legendary trainer claims Manny Pacquiao is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the history of boxing. He also talks about how he plans to celebrate the victory, what he thinks about Floyd Mayweather Sr. and delivers a message to his fans.

Check out the video after the jump.

Freddie Roach Opens Up After the Fight originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Floyd Mayweather Sr. Calls Out Pacquaio

Elie Seckbach — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

It seems that Floyd Mayweather Sr. never is done talking.

In this FanHouse exclusive, we caught up with Mayweather Sr. to find out what he thinks of Manny Pacquiao's chances against his son. Mayweather also takes a few shots at Pacquaio's trainer, Freddie Roach, and claims his unbeaten son, Floyd Mayweather Jr., is the toughest competition around.

Check out the video after the jump.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. Calls Out Pacquaio originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Manny Gives Fans Night to Remember

Elie Seckbach — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Manny Pacquiao celebrated his Nov. 14 12th-round knockout of Miguel Cotto by singing at his own concert less than two hours later. On Tuesday, the newly-crowned, seven-time champion sang, yet again, at a victory party at The Highlands in Hollywood.

Pacquiao belted out "La Bamba" for his fans, who long for a matchup between their Filipino hero and Floyd Mayweather.

Check out the video after the jump.

Manny Gives Fans Night to Remember originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mikkel Kessler or Andre Ward? Boxing Experts Weigh In

Lem Satterfield — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:10:00 EST

Filed under: WBA, WBC, Showtime, FanHouse Exclusive

Denmark's WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler will meet former Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward on Saturday night in what shapes up as a clash of similar styles, even as it is a battle of Ward's youth against Kessler's experience.

Both the 30-year-old Kessler (42-1, 32 knockouts) and the 25-year-old Ward (20-0, 13 KOs) are considered excellent athletes whose arsenals include comparable speed as well as solid chins, stamina and general boxing skills.

FanHouse sought the opinions of 10 boxing experts for their predictions on the 168-pound matchup. See the results after the jump.

Steve Farhood, Showtime boxing analyst
Andre Ward by decision: I'm picking Andre Ward in an upset. I believe that the tiger will come out in him. Being aggressive and making it an inside fight will be his ticket to victory. I'm going with Ward, to win in 12.

Doug Fischer, co-editor of RingTV.com
Mikkel Kessler by decision: Based on experience, Mikkel Kessler's just been in with a higher quality of opponent. And Kessler's been involved with more big fights, fighting, more or less, for 12 rounds since Andre Ward has been a professional boxer.

Kessler's been in with Anthony Mundine and Librado Andrade. He's fought on the road against Joe Calzaghe in Wales, and, Mundine in Austrailia. And now, he's fighting in Andre Ward's hometown of Oakland, Calif.

Kessler won at least four rounds against Calzaghe, and looked pretty good doing it. Andre Ward's fakes and his footwork should make it competitive for the first half of the fight, but I think Kessler's straight right hand should buzz him a couple of times.

I don't think Kessler will get Andre Ward out of there, but I see him winning a 116-112, or a 115-113 type of decision.

Nancy Gay, FanHouse.com
Andre Ward by decision: Andre Ward's skillset as a complete boxer has improved steadily since his Olympic gold medal days as a amateur. After too many sub-par opponents, the 25-year-old Ward is facing a true test against super middleweight Mikkel Kessler, who is 30.

Kessler hasn't lost since dropping a 12-round decision to Joe Calzaghe in 2007. This fight could look a lot like that one. Ward's speed is now as impressive as any fighter in his division.

Ward's footwork is superb, and he's shown he can take punishment and still deliver power punches that do damage. This is a tough call. I could see a Kessler knockout in the third round or a 12-round decision. If this fight goes 12 rounds, it will belong to Ward.

Kevin Iole, Yahoo! Sports Boxing
Andre Ward by decision: Ward is my pick to win the Super Six. He's a star in waiting, and this is going to be his stage to show the world his talent. Ward's quickness, defensive savvy and work rate will lead him to a tough win.

Robert Morales, Los Angeles Daily News
Andre Ward by decision: No. 1, I think that this is certainly going to be Andre Ward's best opponent. And I just believe that Andre Ward is one of those guys, who, with an opponent like Kessler, that is going to bring out the best in Andre Ward.

I don't think that we've seen Andre's best yet because he hasn't fought a lot of top-10 guys. But this guy is so talented, and he is so confident, and he is so focused and hungry.

If you've talked to this guy for any amount of time at all -- and I have -- you will know how hungry Andre Ward is and how focused he is. That determination that he has is even more than I've seen with most fighters.

Andre Ward seems to have that Manny Pacquiao-like determination, and that means a lot. I see why a lot of people are picking Mikkel Kessler to win the tournament, because he's an outstanding fighter.

But I don't think that Mikkel Kessler is going to land a whole lot of clean punches on Andre Ward, and I think Andre hits hard enough to keep Kessler at bay. Andre is not a killer, but he won't have to be to win.

Kieran Mulvaney, ESPN.boxing and Reuters
Andre Ward by decision: I think that if Mikkel Kessler still is Mikkel Kessler, then he's got a pretty good shot at winning this whole thing. But in his only loss, Joe Calzaghe whipped him pretty bad in the second half of that fight -- and Mikkel Kessler's hardly been seen since.

I just have this kind of sneaking suspicion that, faced with another fast-handed, slightly unorthodox fighter, Kessler might just come unglued a little bit. And so, I'm kind of leaning toward Andre Ward to pull of the upset.

It will go the distance, because Kessler's a tough guy. But I just have a feeling that Andre Ward can do it. I wouldn't be surprised if Ward comes out pretty strong, and maybe Kessler pulls himself together and comes back into it.

Maybe Kessler's a little stronger down the stretch, but I just have this sneaky feeling that Ward's going to pull this one out.

Joe Santoliquito, Managing Editor, Ring Magazine
Mikkel Kessler, ninth-round knockout: Kessler has too much experience for Ward, at this stage in Ward's career. Kessler has been in with Joe Calzaghe, Librado Andrade and Anthony Mundine.

Ward's been in with what? A faded, and easy-to-hit Edison Miranda? Kessler wears down Ward and finishes him in the ninth. It's too soon for Ward to be facing someone like Kessler.

Michael David Smith, FanHouse.com
Mikkel Kessler by unanimous decision: Kessler has looked focused and motivated in his three fights since losing to Joe Calzaghe, and I think he's going to look even better against Ward.

Ward is an undeniable talent, but he hasn't faced opponents of Kessler's caliber. And I think Kessler will give Ward his first loss. So I pick Kessler by unanimous decision.

Tim Smith, New York Daily News
Andre Ward by decision: Andre Ward discovered just how good he can be when he fought Edison Miranda. He didn't push as hard as he should have to get Miranda out of there.

But I think Andre Ward now knows what it takes to get the job done. I think he'll take the next step against Kessler, though I think Kessler is a tougher guy. So I'm picking Ward by decision.

Bert Sugar, noted boxing historian
Mikkel Kessler by decision: My pick is Kessler. I think that Mikkel Kessler is a complete fighter, and that Andre Ward is still learning and still improving. Mikkel is a complete fighter already.

I thought against Calzaghe, Mikkel Kessler looked good, but that Calzaghe was faster. Kessler can hit, and I think that he's technically better than Ward. I think Ward, who is excellent, is not there yet.

The boxing experts give the younger Ward an edge, 6-4. I'll make my analysis and prediction on Friday.

Mikkel Kessler or Andre Ward? Boxing Experts Weigh In originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trainer Nazim Richardson Busts Gloves

Elie Seckbach — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Trainer Nazim Richardson talks about revealing the "blocks" in Antonio Margarito's hand-wraps prior to Shane Mosley's 11th-round knockout of Margarito. The discovery of the illegal padding, which led to a year-long suspension for Margarito, was actually the second time Richardson has discovered illegal padding in an opponent's glove.

Prior to Bernard Hopkins' 12th-round knockout of Felix Trinidad in September of 2001, Richardson found illicit hand-wraps in Trinidad's gloves.

Check out the video after the jump.

Trainer Nazim Richardson Busts Gloves originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chris Davis Dunks Basketball for Boxing

Elie Seckbach — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

A former basketball player at California State University--Northridge, Chris Davis, stands out at 6-foot-7 in the boxing ring, where he's attempting to transition from a hoopster into a pro brawler.

FanHouse caught up to Davis at The Fortune Gym in Los Angeles, where former Manny Pacquiao trainer, Justin Fortune, is preparing him for his pro debut.

Check out the video after the jump.

Chris Davis Dunks Basketball for Boxing originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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