Boxing FanHouse

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."

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Kessler vs. Ward: Weigh-In Video

Bryan Tucker — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:48:00 EST

by Bryan Tucker

ESPN carried the live broadcast of Friday's weigh-in featuring WBA super middleweight champion, Mikkel Kessler, and, challenger, Andre Ward.

And the competitors' bodies did not disappoint.

Both looked as if they were cut from diamond as the qualified for the 168-pound limit -- Kessler at a chisled, 167, and, Ward, at a ripped, 166.5.

Each struck a body-builders' double-biceps pose, and there was some talking between them, as they stood, face-to-face, for photos.

From the early indications, Kessler (42-1, 32 knockouts) vs. Ward (20-0, 13 KOs) will be an appealing display of speed, athleticism and boxing skills waged before an enthusiastic crowd at the Oracle Arena in Ward's hometown of Oakland, Calif.

Kessler vs. Ward: Weigh-In Video originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Manny Pacquiao Heads Back Home

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

by Elie Seckbach

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Kessler Has Edge in Experience vs. Ward

Lem Satterfield — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST

by Lem Satterfield

Filed under: WBA, WBC, Showtime

Denmark's WBA champion, Mikkel Kessler, is considered boxing's premier 168-pounder -- and for good reason.

And it is among those same reasons why the 30-year-old "Viking Warrior" is favored to take down 25-year-old former Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward in defense of his title on Saturday night at Oracle Arena.

"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," said Doug Fischer, co-editor of RingTV.com. "And now he's fighting in Andre Ward's hometown of Oakland, Calif., which is going to be nothing new to him."

Kessler Has Edge in Experience vs. Ward originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Pacquiao-Cotto PPV at 1.25 Million Buys; Mayweather-Pacquiao Next?

Lem Satterfield — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:07:00 EST

by Lem Satterfield

Filed under: WBA, Golden Boy Promotions, HBO

Manny Pacquiao's historic, 12th-round knockout of Miguel Cotto, whom he dethroned as WBO welterweight champ for a record, seventh title in as many weight classes on Saturday night, has generated 1.25 million buys, according to official records released to FanHouse by Mark Taffet, HBO's senior vice president of pay per view.

Along with Floyd Mayweather's Sept. 19, unanimous decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez, which resulted in 1.05 million buys, this year represents the first time HBO pay per view has ever recorded back-to-back fights exceeding a million buys, Taffet indicated in Friday's e-mail.

Pacquiao-Cotto also marks the first time since 1999 that two, pay per view boxing events have totaled more than a million purchases, joining Felix Trinidad's controversial decision over Oscar De La Hoya, and, Lennox Lewis' disputed draw with Evander Holyfield.

Pacquiao-Cotto PPV at 1.25 Million Buys; Mayweather-Pacquiao Next? originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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

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

by Elie Seckbach

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Boxing Is More Than Sport For Winchester

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

by Elie Seckbach

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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

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

by Lem Satterfield

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.

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Kessler-Ward Officials' Conflict Resolved

Lem Satterfield — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:55:00 EST

by Lem Satterfield

Filed under: WBA, Showtime

One of the two California judges initially chosen to work Saturday night's 168-pound bout between Denmark's WBA king Mikkel Kessler and challenger Andre Ward has been replaced with a Swedish official, quelling a controversy that had threatened the fight's championship status.

Kessler's promoter, Wilfried Sauerland, said on Wednesday that the WBA had threatened not to sanction Kessler-Ward as a super middleweight title matchup because the referee, Jack Riesse, and at least two of the three judges assigned were from California.

That was in violation of the rules regarding the matchup -- part of Showtime's Super Six Super Middleweight World Boxing Classic -- wherein, at least two judges and the referee were to be from neutral territories, in accordance with contracts signed by each of the tournament's six fighters regarding the nationalities of the officials.

But Ward's promoter, Dan Goossen, said the commission has removed one California judge in favor of Sweden's Mikael Hook, who will work the fight along with South Africa's Stanley Christodoulou and California's Steve Morrow.

Kessler-Ward Officials' Conflict Resolved originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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

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

by Elie Seckbach

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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

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

by Lem Satterfield

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."

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

'Zeus' Mazyck Sizes Up Klitschko Brothers

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

by Elie Seckbach

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Why Floyd Mayweather Sr. Chose Boxing

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

by Elie Seckbach

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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

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

by Elie Seckbach

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Freddie Roach Opens Up After the Fight

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

by Elie Seckbach

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Kessler-Ward Officials' Controversy

Lem Satterfield — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:58:00 EST

by Lem Satterfield

Filed under: WBA, WBC, Showtime

A problem has developed concerning Saturday's 168-pound WBA title fight between champion Mikkel Kessler of Denmark and Andre Ward, the third bout of Showtime's Super Six Super Middleweight World Boxing Classic that is being fought at the Oracle Arena in the challenger's hometown of Oakland, Calif.

At least two judges and the referee for each matchup are to be from neutral territories, in accordance with contracts signed by each of the tournament's six fighters regarding the nationalities of the officials.

But during a press conference yesterday at Oakland's City Hall, Kessler's promoter, Wilfried Sauerland, said that the referee, Jack Riesse, and at least two of the three judges selected for the fight are from California, along with South African judge, Stanley Christodoulou, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Kessler-Ward Officials' Controversy originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Floyd Mayweather Sr. Calls Out Pacquaio

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

by Elie Seckbach

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Bernard Hopkins' Ring Life Continues

Lem Satterfield — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:43:00 EST

by Lem Satterfield

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

Don't wish Bernard Hopkins success, wish him failure.

Specifically, tell the 44-year-old boxer that he's so far past his prime, that you believe he'll lose on Dec. 2 to unheralded 29-year-old Enrique Ornelas, the man he will meet in a non-title, 12-round light heavyweight (175 pounds) bout at Temple University's Liacouras Center in Hopkins' hometown of Philadelphia.

"People have written me off a lot of times in my life, and that's been my biggest motivation. I've always needed people to be rooting against me," said Hopkins, a former Philadelphia street criminal who survived three stabbings, was imprisoned at age 18 for five years, and released in 1988.

"I did not let the street life destroy me. I'm that throwback Philadephia fighter who just happened to take care of himself, and that's why I'm still here," said Hopkins, who is 49-5, with 32 knockouts.

Bernard Hopkins' Ring Life Continues originally appeared on Boxing FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Manny Gives Fans Night to Remember

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

by Elie Seckbach

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Mikkel Kessler or Andre Ward? Boxing Experts Weigh In

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

by Lem Satterfield

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.

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.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments