Archive | Exclusive RSS feed for this section

Exclusive: Katsidis has been in too many hard fights, Skeete picks Burns to win

5 Nov

Alan Dawson – London

Ricky Burns is the man to end the run of ‘Brit Basher’ Michael Katsidis; 2-0-0, 2ko record against UK pugilists as he is “fresher” and, providing he boxes and does not stand and trade with the fist-swinging brawler from Australia, then he can emerge with a points victory. That is the opinion of future welterweight star Bradley Skeete, who fights on the undercard of Burns and Katsidis’ WBO interim lightweight title clash on November 5 at Wembley Arena in London.

Direct link to article.

Burns is 'fresher' than Katsidis, says Skeete. Credit: Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro.

Katsidis (28-4-0, 23ko) commands a considerable profile within Britain as he has twice come to the UK and trounced British boxers. His first successful trip was in 2007, the first time he had fought on foreign canvas, and he did so in scintillating fashion as both fighters exchanged knockdowns yet it was Michael ‘The Great’ who emerged with the fifth round technical knockout victory.

Three years later, Katsidis returned to Britain but one-upped his previous performance by blasting Kevin Mitchell away in just three one-sided rounds. And now, one year on from Katsidis’ 2010 trumping of the Dagenham Destroyer in Mitchell’s home town stadium – the Boleyn Ground – Michael is back to challenge Burns (32-2-0, 9ko) for the vacant WBO belt.

For Skeete, a 24-year-old fast-rising welterweight from south London who takes on Jay Morris on the undercard, it will be third time lucky for the British as Burns can out-box Katsidis. He exclusively told On The Beak this week: “I think if Ricky sticks to his boxing and keeps it long and doesn’t get involved in a tear up he will win on points.”

A potential byproduct of Katsidis’ all-out slugging style is the eventual wear-and-tear from his war-like displays. Against Earl, Juan Diaz, Joel Casamayor, Juan Manuel Marquez and also Robert Guerrero he took great punishment. Burns, conversely, entered his hardest fight when he took on consensus number one super featherweight at the time – Rocky Roman Martinez – in 2010 and left the ring in Scotland with the Puerto Rican’s WBO world title.

His three subsequent defences were rather straight-forward for the resilient fighter and Katsidis no doubt represents his toughest fight since Martinez, however, Skeete (4-0-0, 1ko) believes this will play into the advantage of Burns: “I think Katsidis has been in too many hard fights so Ricky is the fresher of the two,” he concluded.

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Exclusive: Groves to pip Smith by narrow points decision in 12 round war – Skeete

5 Nov

Alan Dawson – London

Rising British prospect Bradley Skeete expects British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion George Groves to successfully defend his belts against challenger and former champion Paul Smith at Wembley Arena, London on Saturday, November 5 by “close points decision“. Skeete, a stablemate of both fighters as the trident all operate under Frank Warren’s Sports Network banner, said Saint George is still “buzzing” following his victory over James DeGale.

Direct link to article.

Credit: Stacey Verbeek - Maple Avenue Boxing Gym, Dallas

Smith (31-2-0, 17ko) won the Lonsdale belt when he edged Tony Quigley in 2009. Despite suffering bloody cuts he made a successful defence against Tony Dodson, before succumbing to a ninth round referee’s stoppage nine months later when he came up against mandatory challenger DeGale. Since the loss he has amassed two first round knockout wins and has vowed to reclaim the British championship, however, as welterweight sensation ‘Super’ Skeete explains, Groves (13-0-0, 10ko) is still “buzzing coming off his own win over DeGale,” in May and will thus put up a motivated fight.

Bookmakers’ favourite DeGale was regarded to be the more talented prizefighter out of the two yet Groves’ game-plan negated anything DeGale attempted during the first half of the fight and Groves was able to cling on in the latter stages of the contest to seal the majority decision win. Skeete believes Groves’ victory over DeGale and Smith’s loss provides the Saint with a psychological advantage: “He’s got one up on Smith knowing how well DeGale beat him,” Bradley exclusively told On The Beak.

However, Skeete (4-0-0, 1ko) was swift to add: “Boxing isn’t like that though and no two fights are the same. Smith said he wasn’t himself in the Degale fight,” the 24-year-old noted, before making his prediction: “He’s had two very good wins since so I think this one is gonna be a 12 round war with Groves winning a close points decision.”

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , ,

Exclusive: Super Skeete on training routines, weekend dustup and Robin van Persie

4 Nov

Alan Dawson – London

Lauded by his peers as one to watch, Bradley ‘Super’ Skeete boxes for the fourth time of the year (his fifth overall) on Saturday, November 5 as he collides with Jay Morris at Wembley Arena, west London on the Gladiators fight card. On The Beak caught up with Bradley and talked amateur boxing, professional prizefighting, upping the training workload and the North London football rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Direct link to article.

“I’m down to box Jay Morris,” confirmed Skeete exclusively to On The Beak editor Alan Dawson this week.

Heralded as one of British boxing’s brightest prospects, Skeete – despite only competing in four professional scraps – has already won the backing of big-time promoter Frank Warren and Sports Network stablemate and occasional sparring partner James DeGale due to his tall welterweight frame, rangy style, sprightly foot-work, accuracy of punching, shot selection and the variety of punches he dispenses.

A combination-puncher, Skeete (4-0-0, 1ko) often works behind a clinical jab and, when on the defensive, he maintains a sturdy guard where he tucks his elbows in to thwart body-punches whilst also has showing intuitive head movement in order to evade attempted shots to the bonce.

Skeete only began fighting for pay a little over a year ago. As an amateur he was based at Earlsfield ABA – the same club former heavyweight world champion Frank Bruno learned his trade – and amassed numerous honours on the amateur circuit.

“The hardest thing from going from the amateurs to the pros is running around selling tickets!” Quipped the likeable lad when asked if he had any difficulties making the jump from amateur to pro. “In the amateurs I never had to do that. As for the boxing I’ve not really found the change hard its a lot tougher being a pro having to do the longer rounds but I think I’ve settled in well.”

Skeete, 24-years-old, makes a step-up on Saturday evening. Not only in terms of stage (his debut at Wembley Arena), competition (Morris is an improved kind of trial-horse/journeyman that Bradley has been aligned with thus far) but also because it’ll be the first time he’s due to box a six-rounder: “I’m up to six rounds now,” said Skeete.

How then, has training for this contest differed when compared to getting ready for a bout scheduled for four threes? “A typical day in the gym will be: 18 minutes skipping, six/eight rounds shadow boxing, six/eight rounds on the bag or pads and ground work for core strength.”

He continued: “I spar on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Now I’m doing six rounds, I spar for six/eight rounds. On Sundays I do strength and conditioning, and sprints on the running track with my strength coach Bob McDonald. Now I’ve stepped up to six rounds my training has got more intense.”

Each fighter I’ve spoken to responds differently when pressed as to which aspect of training they prefer. Some love roadwork, being outside and jogging down a beach, up a mountain or in the woods. Not for Bradley… he relishes the fistic rehearsal: “My favorite aspect of training is sparring. I like to get good sparring and doing the rounds in the gym because that’s the closest thing to fight night.”

Regarding the change in venue, he said: “My four professional fights have all been at York Hall. It feels like my second home when I box there now! In May, I was meant to fight at the [London] 02 Arena on the undercard to James DeGale versus George Groves. I was really excited to get a chance to box at such a big arena in what was gonna be my fourth fight. I was gonna box just before the main event so it was a sell out crowd as well. Unfortunately I didn’t get to box because the venue had a curfew.”

The chance to fight in a high-profile setting on a strong card is now just one day away for the popular south London lad: “I’m really pleased to get another chance to box at a big arena on November 5 at Wembley Arena. I’ve sold over 200 tickets and I’m sure I’ll have plenty more support there on the night.”

Knowing Skeete was an Arsenal fan I couldn’t help but chat red-and-white and we agreed on one thing straight away: “We had a shocking start to the season! Hopefully we can sort it out now and start winning games,” Bradley told me.

Van Persie about to nail a penalty against Stoke City. Credit: Ronnie MacDonald

For Arsenal fans, the season’s low-point thus far was the 2-1 defeat to long-time rivals Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane at the beginning of October, however, it was perhaps offset by the stunning 5-3 triumph over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at the end of the month. Have Tottenham surpassed Arsenal in the battle of local bragging rights? “No! [I] don’t think Spurs will ever be able to take over our North London supremacy,” Skeete said.

One of the Gunners’ greatest assets continues to be the relentless goal-scoring form of false-nine, Robin van Persie. In Premier League duty alone, the Dutch star has netted ten times and assisted twice in 814 minutes worth of action which ensures a rate of contribution once every 67 minutes he’s on the pitch. The stat is even more impressive when the only elite players in top-level leagues who surpass that figure are the consensus two top footballers on the planet: Real Madrid’s power forward Cristiano Ronaldo (one goal/assist every 56 minutes) and Barcelona’s diminutive artist Lionel Messi (one goal/assist every 41 minutes).

In the past, van Persie’s injury troubles have inhibited his ability to complete a full season. If he continues at this rate and stays out of the physio’s room, can he rival the aforementioned duo? “I think like you say if he can stay injury free and he keeps playing well and scoring goals there’s no reason why he can’t have the same goals/assists productivity like Ronaldo.”

Back to boxing, how’s Bradley going to do come fight night: “I predict I’m gonna win!” And, in a message to his fans, he said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to all my fans and to everyone who buys tickets off me to come and support me when I fight. I really appreciate all the support I get – I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without it. Thank you.”

Fight fans can follow Bradley Skeete’s ascent up the domestic and global ranks on Twitter.

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Exclusive: Harold Lederman on the issue of reforming the judging system

5 Oct

Alan Dawson – London

Questionable judging has long dogged boxing. It is almost common to see at least one high-profile contentious decision a month; one that arouses the ire of the defeated fighter, the boxing industry and fight fans in general. Last weekend was no different as Steve Cunningham and Gabriel Campillo were dubiously out-pointed by Yoan Pablo Hernandez and Karo Murat. On The Beak caught up with renowned boxing judge Harold Lederman to debate the issue of reform.

Direct link to article.

HBO's ringside judge Lederman at the Khan - Judah bout in Vegas. Credit: S. Verbeek - Maple Avenue Boxing Gym, Dallas

In an official capacity, Lederman has provided the scoring for world title fights involving Vitali Klitschko, Marco Antonio Barrera, Nigel Benn, Evander Holyfield, Julio Cesar Chavez, Larry Holmes, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali. In 1999 he retired yet continues to work for HBO where, for over 575 televised prizefights, he has broadcast his score and take on the night’s action speaking in his distinctive New York accent that was made to air.

What are the main things Lederman, an experienced amateur and professional judge, looks for in any fight?

“You want to see who landed the clean punches – that’s 90 percent of scoring,” he said, concisely. “If you can punch you have an advantage over a boxer. Paul Malignaggi is a boxer, Yuri Foreman is a boxer… they have to win decisively and not get hit to win a fight against a guy who is a big banger. You want to see who is the more effective aggressor, who showed better ring generalship and defence, who blocks more punches and who slips more punches, but clean punching is 90 percent.”

Easy to talk to, I got the impression that Harold could have chatted boxing all night with me. A clear lover of the sport, Lederman had no qualms on providing me with an education on why it is not the judging system that needs to be reformed but, rather, the actual appointment of scorers at ringside.

“I don’t see how much more they can do, except… it’s the appointment of officials that is very important,” the World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee said exclusively to On The Beak. “When you have a high profile fight whether that’s Dereck Chisora and Tyson Fury or Victor Ortiz and Floyd Mayweather, you take the best three judges. In boxing, they do the opposite! They sometimes have inexperienced guys [at world championship fights].

“They need to be more careful about who you put in. You can give new guys a chance but you have to work your way up. Inexperience can lead to bad decisions. If they watch the appointments more carefully, they’re made because the sanctioning bodies [WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO] want to use their people. With high profile fights, like Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye, you have the three best judges regardless of sanctioning bodies they are affiliated with and that’s the end of the story. Controversial fights are scored because of the appointments.”

Controversial scoring is not exclusive to one country. While Cunningham and Campillo appeared to be duped out of a deserved win in Germany, there have been just as questionable decisions scored in England (Obodai Sai versus Jamie Cox), Northern Ireland (Breidis Prescott against Paul McCloskey) and the United States (Lucas Matthysse versus Devon Alexander and, most infamously of late, Erislandy Lara against Paul Williams).

Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Lara 22/47 17/39 20/47 13/44 21/50 23/48 26/50 15/38 14/27 19/48
 18/48 16/44
Williams
 12/57 13/68 17/80 21/96 23/97 24/108 17/93 17/93 14/77 19/104 13/89 10/85

Key – Total punches landed/thrown per round. Source: Compubox


 Total Punches Jabs Power Punches
Lara
 224/530 

42%

 46/167

28%

 178/363 

49%
Williams 200/1047

19%

 39/281 

14%

 161/766

21%

Key – Final Compubox stats.

In each of those cases, it was the home fighter who benefited from the decision. I asked Harold whether factors such as crowd noise can affect the judging: “Let me tell you something… judges are human,” he said. “There’s no doubt that judges hear the crowd. Any judge that says they don’t hear it – they’re lying!

“You’re always going to hear the yelling and the screaming, it’s close, they might lean toward the home name… it’s part of the game. Judges try like heck to be honest but the truth of the matter is you’re always subject to what’s going on in the background and it may take some effect but will they effect the judge to make a really bad decision, you follow what I’m saying? [Regardless of the noise level it] shouldn’t sway the judging from making a good decision to a bad decision.”

In the cases of the aforementioned contests, despite winning by a tight or sometimes just an inaccurate score, the victor is elevated to a healthy position in the global rankings while the recorded loser has to go back to a position where they are, effectively, pushed back one year, perhaps two. In that space of time they have to take a fight, two fights, maybe three, taking 200, 400 or 600 clean punches in the face or body in order to get back to the position they were in – that high profile fight.

The fact that incompetent judging can send a fighter through an unnecessary physically grueling schedule is one of the main catalysts for the calls of reform and, with the rise of technology, scoring systems like Compubox have become increasingly popular as a way of determining who was the more effective puncher in terms of punches thrown, landed and accuracy – but not in terms of damage.

“Let me tell you something… HBO uses Compubox,” began Lederman in response to whether boxing would miss the human element of judging if it was replaced with technology. “It’s fun for fans watching the fight at home but it shouldn’t effect the scoring of the fight.

“Paul Williams is gonna throw 100 punches every round but the question is: do his punches really mean that much? Do they do that much damage? Against Lara without question, anyone at ringside or at home could tell that Lara was landing the cleaner, more effective and the more solid shots. He did more damage for nine out of the 12 rounds and, at the end of the day, that’s what you’re there to judge – who hurt who more in that round? And that’s who you give the score to.

“Compubox systems are fun but their statistic doesn’t necessarily provide you with who won that round,” warned Lederman.

“I don’t see Compubox numbers until the start of the next round,” added Harold. “It’s a tremendous addition to the sport, though. Everyone can appreciate them but, you gotta remember, the guys who count the punches are subject to the same thing the judges are. The ref may get in the way and the guy might have his back to you. The aggressor… you can’t count what you can’t see. You have to take that into consideration. Compubox is really good but it shouldn’t replace the judge.”

Harold was equally opposed to a compromise of two human judges and a computer: “I like what we have now,” he maintained. “Three human judges.”

He concluded: “The situation is… the way we have it now is the best way.”

The three judges' scorecards for Williams/Lara. Credit: Mariano A. Agmi

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Exclusive: Barker’s undefeated status adds element to Martinez fight – Harold Lederman

2 Oct

Alan Dawson – London

Darren Barker was an unknown quality to fight fans, analysts and commentators earlier this year but now, with his challenge to lineal middleweight champion Sergio Martinez mere hours away, he is the talk of Atlantic City as he attempts to dethrone the pound-for-pound contender at the historic Boardwalk Hall. Iconic judge Harold Lederman believes Barker’s undefeated tag carries an element of intrigue.

Direct link to article.

Lederman has been a part of HBO’s world championship broadcasting team since 1986. As a former ringside judge, he – in his distinctive New York brogue – offers his take on a fight after rounds three, six, nine and following the fight’s conclusion should the bout last the distance.

Depending on your bookmaker, odds of Barker causing the upset can be seen as little as 7-1 or as great as 25-1, however, Lederman recently told On The Beak editor Alan Dawson that “Barker being undefeated adds an element [to the fight].”

Barker (23-0-0, 14ko) is yet to mix with the world’s elite and, if he manages to do the unfathomable and trump the slick and swift Martinez then it would rank alongside Breidis Prescott’s first round knockout of Amir Khan in 2008 and Lloyd Honeyghan’s retiring of Donald Curry in 1986 as one of the biggest upsets in boxing history that involved a British fighter.

“To tell you the truth, I’m waiting to see what he’s got on October 1. I really hadn’t seen the guy before the fight was made,” Lederman added, alluding to Barker’s no-name value in the US.

Martinez (47-2-2, 26ko) was the 2010 recipient of the fighter of the year award for his bludgeoning of Kelly Pavlik over the 12-round distance and his highlight reel second round knockout over Paul Williams.

Martinez, a 36-year-old southpaw, was then aligned with Serhiy Dzinziruk, a fighter who was an unbeaten professional and had never been dropped in a career that included 300+ amateur bouts. Then he met Martinez. The Ukrainian was knocked down five times en route to a mid-bout stoppage earlier this year.

The unforgiving Argentinean will no doubt be looking to take another unbeaten fighter’s zero away from them come fight time. “Sergio Martinez is a really good fighter,” Lederman told me. “He’s on top of his game right now and he’s the third best fighter in the world. It’s an interesting fight and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Lederman will be ringside for HBO acting as the broadcast behemoth’s unofficial scorer.

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Exclusive: Charging fighters for their sweat, blood and tears is plain wrong – IBS

20 Sep

Petra Kirsch – Gelsenkirchen

It is no secret that major sanctioning bodies in boxing charge their champions for the privilege of fighting under their organisation. Some alphabet championships are splintered, split between: super champions, regular belt holders and interim titlists… with more belts, comes more sanctioning fees. The Independent Boxing Syndicate (IBS) is, yes, another sanctioning body, but their president David Gardner told On The Beak how they differ…

Direct link to article.

What the IBS award their champion. Credit: Exclusiveaccess.net

“The IBS is very new and we are recognized by the ABC [association of boxing commissions], Andworldboxing and also Boxrec,” Gardner exclusively explained to On The Beak assistant editor Petra Kirsch. It is hard not to give Gardner his dues… the man has set up a body within boxing and, after just 13 months of operations, can brag three notable champions. This, while he still serves in the US military.

“We have attracted a few names such as – Melissa Hernandez, Travis Walker and Hank Lundy who wore an IBS belt into the ring on Friday Night Fights against David Diaz (the red leather belt),” Gardner told me. Walker (pictured above), won the IBS US National Heavyweight title for his majority decision trumping of Alonzo Butler in May. Travis, dubbed Freight Train, has a 38-6-1, 30ko record, lost his most notable fights – Ruslan Chagaev (UD), Alex Leapai (4th Rd TKO) and Chris Arreola (3rd Rd TKO) – but scalped quality domestic level opposition like Jason Estrada, Jason Gavern and Butler.

Hernandez (15-2-3, 5ko) is one of the top female super bantamweights in the world and a worthy titlist. She avenged one of her losses, to Layla McCarter, while tying Lindsay Garbatt in a rematch. It is Hammerin’ Hank Lundy (21-1-1, 11ko), though, who is arguably the marquee IBS name.

His motor-mouthing attracts headlines while his boxer-puncher fight style satisfies a crowd’s desire for blood. In the dust-up with Diaz that Gardner mentioned, Lundy’s patient and methodical jabbing, uppercutting and hooking eventually opened up a horrendous cut over his opponent’s right eye that, by the sixth round was deemed to have jeopardised his vision. It was a grisly climax and an appropriate conclusion to the FNF series on ESPN.

Gardner fully intends on adding to their stable of champions. He said: “We have a few other fighters and they will also be televised. We have eight fighters at this time waiting on belts – but we’re having trouble with the belt maker producing them fast enough!”

Close-up of the IBS buckle

Considering the current taste of alphabet soup, the glaring question was whether the IBS are able to separate themselves in order to justify adding further stock to a soup-bowl already rich in flavour. Gardner and the IBS have two notable selling points to fight fans, though: no corruption when it comes to rankings, and no sanctioning fees imposed on fighters.

“The way we separate ourselves is we rank the other organisations’ champions and outsource our rankings, we believe you can’t have a true champion if you don’t count all the fighters in that weightclass,” he reasoned.

“Also, we outsource our rankings through The Boxing Tribune and have no input so we cannot push a fighter based on they’re earning potential or favoritism.

“We also believe that a fighter has already paid by reaching a point in their career where they can fight for a belt, so why should we make them pay again? It’s their sweat, blood and tears and charging them is just plain wrong. The idea of a sanctioning body charging a fighter is a blatant display of disrespect for the fighters and what they have done to get there, all the current sanctioning bodies want is money, that is why they keep creating new belts,” said Gardner, nodding to the saturation of the WBA, WBO and WBC championships.

It is only a matter of time before the IBS venture into multiple nations, On The Beak have been told, and they welcome feedback on anything boxing fans feel they did wrong, or on any improvements they can make to the sport in general.

The IBS can be contacted via a forum at The Boxing Tribune. They can also be reached on their Facebook group, or their Facebook page.

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Exclusive: Despite recent defeats, Roy Jones Jr is still sharp – spar partner and cruiserweight prospect Taylor

20 Sep

Alan Dawson – London

Roy Jones Jr remains sharp, fast and strong despite his recent run of elite level defeats, according to the former pound-for-pound mainstay’s sparring partner; Andres “Taylor Made” Taylor – a Pennsylvanian prospect who is fast climbing the global cruiserweight ranks. Taylor spoke exclusively with On The Beak about his regard of Jones Jr, the level of ability the former heavyweight champ retains and their sparring sessions together.

Direct link to article.

Can't Be Stopped: Jones Jr (left) and Taylor (right)

“I met Roy Jones last year when he co-promoted his first show in the Pittsburgh area,” Taylor reflected when speaking with On The Beak editor Alan Dawson. “My most recent fight on August 15 was the third time I fought on one of his shows. Roy obviously spends a lot of time in Pittsburgh, so he also trains while he is here at my gym.”

Known for his forceful hook shot with either fist, head-bound hookercuts cannon-balled from his right hand, his ability to out-work opponents together with his fun entrances that have – in the past – consisted of his own rendition of Michael Jackson’s Thriller (complete with a dance team splattered with ghoulish make-up)… likable American prospect Taylor (19-1-2, 7ko) is certainly one to keep an eye on.

He receives his boxing education at the World Class Gym in Ambridge – a town north-west of Pittsburgh – and can also rely on Jones Jr (54-8-0, 40ko) imparting his wisdom and ring nous as the two regularly spar.

We chatted about Jones Jr’s ascent in the 90′s: “I grew up watching Roy, like yourself. I remember watching the Jones [versus John] Ruiz heavyweight title fight in 2003,” Dres said, before admitting that it was the unorthodox and athletic Floridian fighter who gave him the motivation and inspiration required to dedicate himself to boxing.

“At that time I was 24 and only had five amateur fights over a period of three years. I was in and out of the game and unsure which direction to go. I had no trainer and there was no boxing gym in my area. Watching Roy dominate that fight, coming up from middleweight and win put things into perspective for me… I realised if you want something out of life you have to take it!”

Taylor Made was no slouch in the amateur scene for the Johnstown native won the PA Golden Gloves, was ranked number three by 2007 and represented Team USA – all in just 32 fights (or three years). He fought for pay for the first time in April, 2008, not long after Jones Jr rewound the years to retire Jeff Lacy in the tenth round where he was completely dominant throughout.

Prior to Jones Jr’s fight with Lacy, much had been said in and outside of the industry, about Junior fighting on. Oscar de la Hoya sent a message to Roy in The Ring at the time, stating: “I say win this fight and then call it a day because you’ve accomplished everything you wanted to accomplish.”

Taylor, though, insists that, having sparred with Jones Jr, it is clear he still has key attributes: “I feel like Roy didn’t lose a beat [when we sparred], hes fast and sharp. Roy was blessed with extraordinary gifts that made him who he was. Roy never had to worry about his defence because he was so fast and had cat-like reflexes. Now at 42 hes just adding to his arsenal.”

I pointed to Jones Jr’s three recent losses (Danny Green – 1rd ko, Bernard Hopkins – UD and Denis Lebedev – 10rd ko) acting as fuel for critics to feel vindicated in their assessment that he should call the curtain down on his career: “Yes, Roy had some recent loses. This game is rough, its basically every man for himself – this isn’t the NFL,” Taylor riposted. “A Professional Boxer doesn’t come with health insurance, a salary and a retirement plan. You gotta fight for everything you have.

“Who’s to say what his situation was in the last couple of fights he lost. Without putting Roy’s plan out there, I believe in the very near future you will see Roy’s comeback. To all the armchair “haters”, I’m sure they will be watching Roy’s next fight from that same armchair.”

You're Cruising For A Bruising: Dres with WBF belt he won in '09

On how sparring with Jones Jr has specifically enhanced his own fighting style, Taylor said: “It’s good work sparring with Roy – he makes you respect his speed. When I’m in the ring with him I’m not a fan, we are both fighters.”

Dres rarely takes a break from training camp because, at 32-years-old, he is determined to pack as much action into his career – like he has done since turning professional. He explained: “I’ve had 22 pro fights over the past three years so for the most part I don’t take too much of a break form training. We do spar often. You need to put all your training to practice and you need to have a variety of style of fighters to spar with to prepare you for different styles in the ring.”

Taylor, who has turned the sport-proud city of Pittsburgh into his fighting home of late, is tentatively slated to return to the AE Stage in November, either before or after Thanksgiving.

You can follow Andres “Taylor Made” Taylor either on his Twitter or his Facebook.

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , ,

Exclusive: Chavez on Mayweather Jr’s mindset, inside game and Ortiz preparing for elbows

15 Sep

Alan Dawson – London

Like he has done throughout his 41-fight professional career, Floyd Mayweather Jr will prevail – by way of decision – over a game Victor Ortiz despite his so-called problems outside the ring, according to trainer Jesus Chavez, who fought Mayweather Jr in a 2001 war. Speaking exclusively to On The Beak, Chavez talked tactics ahead of Ortiz’s first defence of his WBC welterweight world championship against challenger Mayweather Jr on Saturday, September 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas.

Direct link to article.

Jesus today. Credit: S. Verbeek

Much has been made of Floyd Mayweather Jr’s mentality. He acts bonkers and irrationally, according to his former promoter Bob Arum – founder of Top Rank. He’s got some well-documented legal problems and a now highly-publicised strained relationship with his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr, who is alleged to have attempted to use a one-year-old baby Floyd as a shield when he was shot in the 1970s. Those who opine that Mayweather Jr’s apparent questionable mental state will affect him this weekend against Ortiz need look no further than his unwavering dedication to training, inspirational work-rate and his determination to protect his zero.

“If it seems for some reason that he is not 100 percent focused on the fight or he is taking Ortiz lightly then that’s counter-productive,” top trainer Jesus Chavez exclusively told On The Beak editor Alan Dawson. Chavez (44-8-0, 30ko) is a master of his craft. A champion of the sport having won major world honours in the super featherweight and lightweight division, the 38-year-old now spends six days a week passing on his wisdom to students of the sport at the flourishing Maple Avenue Boxing Gym in Dallas, Texas. Chavez also knows Mayweather Jr. Both as an athlete and as a man.

In 2001, Chavez dropped a ninth round retirement to Mayweather Jr (41-0-0, 25ko). It was Chavez’s first shot at a world championship having long reigned over the NABF title in the 130lb weight class. Because of Chavez’s battling display – his aggression in the opening three rounds ensured he won two of the first three on HBO broadcaster Harold Lederman’s scorecard – Mayweather Jr’s come-from-behind triumph over Chavez is still, to this day, considered to be one of Floyd’s most exciting. Ten years on, Mayweather Jr and Chavez still keep in touch, with the former making sure to call his friend Jesus whenever he is to make a stop in the Lone Star State.

“Quite honestly, Mayweather has always been very flamboyant,” continued Chavez. “He has always been the same Floyd Mayweather who hangs out around 5am and does what he does, but he pulls the work together and comes up with the win. It’s quite amazing,” he paused, and the three-word sentence lingered in my mind. “There’s a lot of good and bad being said about him but at the end of the day he’s winning his fights!”

Something I had noticed during Mayweather Jr’s numerous open media workouts was that he had a keen focus on the midsection of the heavy bag, as well as beating-up Leonard Ellerbe’s body protector. I asked Chavez that even though Ortiz (29-2-2, 22ko) has mainly been knocked down by a focus to his chin, would there be merit in attacking Victor’s body in order to sap him of energy, quieten his pressure and perhaps secure a late stoppage when Floyd then pays full attention to the chin and temples.

“The bodywork could work against Ortiz,” said Chavez. “Ortiz can’t really play into what Mayweather is doing. Ortiz should be focusing only on how he’s going to fight Mayweather. You train your hardest and you train to expect something in return. Ortiz won’t underestimate Floyd by any chance as he’s a wrecking force. He surprised me when he fought Ricky Hatton and knocked him out… up until that point I never thought he had the power to knock him out. I gave him more respect.

“Against Ortiz… he’s a very good fighter and he’s been stopped, he’s been cut in the past and I think the times when Ortiz sees blood he kinda shies out of the fight,” he added, referring to his notorious stoppage loss to Marcos Maidana. “If he sees blood coming out of a small cut or his nose, I think that might turn the fight for Floyd Mayweather. Mayweather will box and fight the way he regularly boxes until his opponents get frustrated and bite the bullet at the end.”

When Hatton returned home to England after losing a technical knockout to Mayweather Jr in 2007, he commented on how surprised he was at Mayweather Jr’s ability to fight effectively on the inside. Two of the punches that Floyd utilised well whilst fighting from close range with both Hatton and Chavez were the left hook, but also the right uppercut.

“The uppercut was one of the things I kept on getting caught with [against Mayweather Jr],” Chavez said. “I remember because I was there. I was not hurt but they caught me by surprise. My head was getting knocked back and you’re like oh my god this guy [me] is getting nailed.”

He continued: “One of Mayweather’s best attributes is his defensive skill… he’s going to make you throw and make you miss. Missing takes a lot more out of the opponent than it does to hit a glove or connect the punch. The offensive fighter who misses the punch has to reposition himself, his body and then think what punches he’s going to throw next.

“[The key to] Fighting Floyd Mayweather is to make him fight,” Chavez stressed onto me. “Mayweather doesn’t like to fight, you have to make him, to push him. Mayweather is going to have to respect Ortiz. Ortiz is going to have to try to beat him, not be shy about getting hit, getting cut and make it a dirty fight in order to have a good chance to win.”

Speaking of dirty… it’s been one of the things Ortiz’s trainer Danny Garcia has accused Mayweather Jr of being, of using his elbow illegally to gain an edge, particularly against Hatton in 07. Were cheap shots something Chavez had ever experienced when fighting Floyd? “No,” he answered swiftly.

“If they think his elbow is his biggest weapon then they’re in trouble! Every fight is different. If pulling off his elbow was going to be a mechanism… if Ricky Hatton is crashing into it, that’s just that fight. That’s not his only defensive move or dangerous move, if you’re training for that then you have to worry about if it’s going to be the left or right elbow, but don’t forget he also has two punching gloves!”

One of Ortiz’s main advantages going into Star Power will be that he is naturally the bigger man. Despite being relatively inexperienced as a welterweight fighter, he showed against Andre Berto – himself a cut and athletic 147lb campaigner – that it was he who was the bigger man as he looked, on fight night, a strong junior middleweight. With that added mass he had the upper hand when he and Berto attempted to out-bully the other during their fight of the year nominee earlier this year. Ortiz was the successor, won the WBC title and now a shot at Floyd.

How important will fight night weight be against Mayweather Jr? “I think he should come into the fight feeling comfortable with the weight,” Chavez said, implying that there should not be too big a focus on Garcia striving for Ortiz to rehydrate to, say, 157lbs. “He should feel good physically, only he knows, we can say that he can have more weight so he’ll be better off but it’s him who needs to feel comfortable. First of all and foremost he has to feel good about himself. He does not need to worry about the weight, just go in there and do the job.”

Artwork used to promote Chavez and Mayweather Jr's dust-up

In Mayweather Jr’s most recent outing, a 2010 decisioning over Shane Mosley, Sugar had Floyd staggered (but not down) with a right handed power punch early on, however, Mayweather Jr recovered sufficiently and went on to win a landslide victory. Against Ortiz, the ability to absorb a punch when they do connect will be crucial. Because many commentators focus on Mayweather’s pure defensive skills, is his courage something that is perhaps under-rated? “I think his courage is under-rated,” Chavez said in agreement.

“I underestimated Mayweather up until the point he fought Hatton. Not when I fought him, I didn’t have that mentality. I go into fights with the mentality of giving it my all, my best. I don’t think either fighter will get underestimated [on Saturday].”

Considering the skills on display, respective training camps, championship level experience, how did Chavez envisage the match-up between Mayweather Jr and Ortiz panning out? “Mayweather will win, probably by decision.”

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , ,

Exclusive: Chavez tips old dog Morales to prevail over Cano in battle of experience and youth

14 Sep

Alan Dawson – London

Decorated warhorse Erik Morales returns to the battlefield on Saturday, September 17 against a late addition to the Star Power line-up; unheralded and undefeated Mexican prizefighter Pablo Cesar Cano. Lucas Matthysse was initially slated to box Morales for the WBC super lightweight championship, but even though replacement Cano is a largely unknown quality to a US audience, former two-weight world titlist Jesus Chavez has warned that the hunger of youth cannot be under-estimated.

Direct link to article.

Picture: Two tough Texans; Chavez (right) with Marroquin. Credit: Stacey Verbeek - Maple Avenue Boxing Gym, Dallas

“Cano is the kind of fighter who has fought in Mexico all his career, never been outside of Mexico,” Chavez, a former champion of the WBC super featherweight crown and the IBF lightweight title, explained exclusively to On The Beak editor Alan Dawson.

A 21-year-old with a domestic belt already wrapped around his waist, El Demoledor (The Demolition Man) has thus far lived up to his moniker as he has stopped three out of every four opponents thus far in his fledgling career. Chavez said that taking his game to the States, in boxing’s capital – Las Vegas – no less, could be both a blessing and a damnation.

Cano could retreat inside himself under the bright lights, but it’s a step his management may have decided upon in order to take him out of his comfort zone, Chavez said. “Fighting in Vegas will be a bit more intimidating, but that may have been the reason for taking him out of his element. He’s an unknown fighter, he’s fought lesser calibre opponent than Morales,” he noted.

A 38-year-old currently coaching boxers at the Maple Avenue Boxing Gym in Dallas, Chavez (44-8-0, 30ko) enjoyed an illustrious professional career that saw him attract multiple accolades as well as sharing the ring with a number of boxing’s most well-known names. One of those, was Morales (51-7-0, 35ko).

In a spirited performance from both fighters where punches were traded within the space of a phone box for the lion’s share of a 2004 distance ruckus, Morales won a unanimous decision over Chavez and became a three-weight world champion by wresting the WBC super featherweight title away from Jesus’ tight grip. Chavez said that Morales’ best chances of victory against Cano (22-0-1, 17ko) will be to maintain that fan-friendly style: “Morales will have to use his experience, his ring generalship and possibly take the kid into deep waters and take him apart there.”

With experience, can come wear-and-tear. In Morales’ last fight – a blood and guts battle fought in the trenches against tough Argentine, Marcos Maidana – Erik had to complete the contest with one eye as a grotesque tennis ball-sized swelling sealed his right eye shut. I asked Chavez if those swellings are freak occurrences or if there is a possibility of a repeat incident against Cano, himself a big-hitter.

“As we age, we tend to mark up a lot faster [and our] reflexes are a lot slower,” Jesus, a composed and articulate talker, told me. “Morales is definitely going to have to be on his game. He trains at high altitude, around the best facilities in Mexico City. I don’t think his opponent is going to have the same quality of training regimen, or quality of opponents/sparring partners [but] he does tend to be dangerous because he’s younger than Morales.”

On the Maidana and Morales fight itself, a bout that On The Beak scored a 114-114 draw in April, Chavez said: “Maidana and Morales was a very interesting fight. I was actually surprised at how Morales did in that fight. I think, I’m trying to think… Maidana beat him on points, it could have been a draw, I would not have disputed a draw at all. I’m just being a fan now but having that knowledge on the field, I would not have disputed a decision draw, but I’m not disputing the outcome of the fight either – it was very close.

“It’s going to be interesting on Saturday as his opponent is a lot younger, definitely hungrier and we are going to see youth versus experience. Not to be disrespectful to Morales, but age… it’s beauty and the beast, that’s the contrast between the two. His opponent has been given a shot of a lifetime to fight Morales and fight for the championship of the world. It’s a shot of a lifetime for the kid.”

Putting Chavez on the spot, I asked him for his prediction come fight night: “This is difficult to actually say because of Morales’ age, his fights, the youth of Cano but I’m going to have to stick with the old dog! I’ll stick with Morales,” asserted El Matador, before sending the fighters his well wishes: “I wish them both well and wish them both safety.”

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Exclusive: Adamek’s corner will stop the fight says Vitali Klitschko spar partner

9 Sep

Alan Dawson – London

Reigning WBC heavyweight world champion Vitali Klitschko will enhance his knockout ratio on September 10 at the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw, Poland, according to sparring partner Ola Afolabi, who claims that Tomasz Adamek’s desire to “fight and not run” will ensure his trainer, Roger Bloodworth, will have to throw in the towel to “save him from himself“. Afolabi competes on the undercard against Lukasz Rusiewicz in an eight round cruiserweight fight.

Direct link to article.

Vitali (far right) with spar partner and cruiserweight Afolabi (right) and Sdunek

Afolabi (17-2-3, 8ko), a seasoned campaigner in the 200lb (14 stones 4) weight division, has solid defensive capabilities, good head and upper body movement and deceptive power in his right hand.

Born in London, raised in England and Nigeria before making a pit-stop to train out of Los Angeles, Afolabi embarked on a voyage he’s made a number of times before (for Vitali and Wladimir) as he headed to Klitschko’s main training base in Austria (pictured left) to link up with Vitali and trainer Fritz Sdunek.

For four weeks he provided long-reigning WBC titlist Klitschko (42-2-0, 39ko) with his main preparation for the Ukrainian’s upcoming defence against former two-weight world champion Tomasz Adamek (44-1-0, 28ko).

“I don’t remember how many rounds [we boxed],” 31-year-old Afolabi exclusively told On The Beak. “But four days a week for four weeks, and he’s looking sharp,” Ola added, issuing a warning to Adamek.

The Pole, who fights in front of an estimated 42,000 of his own fans in Wroclaw come Saturday night, has previously indicated that he expects his scrap with Vitali to escalate into a war – unlike David Haye’s tentative performance against Wladimir.

Afolabi, though, opined that this will play into Vitali’s advantages and that a fighter as proud as Adamek will refuse to quit. His corner, headed by Roger Bloodworth, will therefore have to throw in the towel. Afolabi said: “I think Adamek will fight [and] not run. Vitali will stop him but I think Adamek’s corner will have to stop the fight because Adamek doesn’t know how to quit – they’ll have to save him from himself.”

Related Story – Exclusive: Afolabi on Saturday’s fight, KO’ing Huck in 2012 and repping UK from abroad

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , ,

← Older Entries

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 26 other followers