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Written by Michael Woods
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Wednesday, 28 December 2011 11:49
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 This flap could turn positive. Sulaiman (right, next to Canelo in center) could renounce his opinion, and visit domestic violence shelters with Sergio Martinez to learn why domestic violence is a sin and true crime. (Hogan) The sanctioning bodies exist with a “Kick Me” sign perpetually attached to their tush. At times I tend to think they get a tad more grief than they deserve, and some fightwriters expend most of their outrage at the alphabet boys when it could be argued it would be wiser to spread it around more. But by and large, the sanctioning bodies deserve the scorn they receive. I mean, Hasim Rahman ranked No. 1 by the WBA, Hasim Rahman who hasn’t beaten anyone in the top ten since 2006. Hasim Rahman who is 39 and whose last semi-meaningful win came back in 2005, even in this dreadful era of heavyweights, really shouldn’t be within sniffing distance of... Read more...
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Written by The Sweet Science
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Tuesday, 27 December 2011 13:05
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 Amir Khan is Good…But Not Great There was a lot of talk as to whether Amir Khan’s pairing with Freddie Roach would prove to be the first step toward true greatness. The verdict appears to be in: no. Sure, against fighters who allow him to be a combination-punching prodigy, Khan can really look impressive, as he demonstrated against Malignaggi and Judah. But against fighters who are unwilling to be accomplices, Khan doesn’t look anything like an all-time great. Marcos Maidana made him look pretty vulnerable, and Lamont Peterson made him look pretty ordinary. A great fighter shouldn’t get walked down as easily as Khan can be. A great fighter shouldn’t hit the panic button when Plan A stops working. Maybe I’m wrong, and perhaps the youthful Khan will learn and develop, but it’s hard to see a guy who might not be the best in his division end up being one of... Read more...
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Written by The Sweet Science
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Monday, 26 December 2011 10:19
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 As you may have noticed, I haven’t had a byline here within the TSS universe in about three weeks. Time to come clean: I did 21 days in county for beating up one of Floyd Mayweather’s ex-girlfriends. For what it’s worth, she had her hands up and wasn’t looking at Joe Cortez at the time. I feel good about that part, at least. Anyway, I’m back now, finding time for a final “Rants” column of 2011, except it doesn’t feature the usual bullet-pointed random Rants. Instead, I’ll do a one-email mailbag and then bust out a few year-end awards, since that’s what us boxing writers do in late-December. (And since Editor Mike specifically asked all of his contributors to do something awardsy.) But first, the mini-mailbag, which in this case functions as an excuse for me to comment on the Andre Ward-Carl Froch fight that I haven’t yet written about: Hey Eric, What did you think... Read more...
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Written by Michael Woods
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Saturday, 24 December 2011 00:35
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 It is supposed to, if you go by those commercials on TV, a time of constant cheer, a short span where the American man suspends all animosities and instead luxuriates in vibes of harmony and amiability. If you are a particularly lucky soul, you have placed a four-foot red bow on the luxury auto you purchased for your significant other, and will be rewarded with a look of adoration as intense as has ever been bestowed, and perhaps a lush lip lock under the mistletoe a l'il later. Yes, the Christmas season, or holiday season, if you prefer, is a time of joviality, of convening with family and friends, and toasting the year's bounty. Supposed to be. The holidays are not, sometimes, all Hollywood or Madison Ave. cracks them up to be. You may be trying to scrounge up money for your mortgage payment, or lamenting the forthcoming cutoff of your unemployment check. Hey,... Read more...
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Written by David A. Avila
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Friday, 23 December 2011 17:39
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 A few generations have passed with scant knowledge about Howard Cosell who was one of the most eclectic if not magnetic personalities of the sports world in the past 100 years. “Howard Cosell: The Man, The Myth and the Transformation of American Sports” was written by Mark Ribowsky and gives an accurate look at the impact the late sportscaster had on not just boxing, baseball, football, basketball, the Olympics, but the world of sports and how journalists cover them. Ribowsky used various sources including prior publications regarding Cosell to convey the life of America’s broadcasting icon and what he meant to not just sports audiences, but the entire television audience. Need convincing? Cosell was one of the very first to transform sports reporting from an adulating one-sided style that kept sports figures on a pedestal to a news-breaking politicizing impact first seen with Muhammad Ali. During... Read more...
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Written by Raymond Markarian
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Friday, 23 December 2011 11:04
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 When meeting the five other original participants of the Super Six Tournament for the first time during a press conference in Germany, Andre Ward glanced at the opposition and liked his chances. At that point he knew he’d win. Now, two years later, Ward sits on top of the 168 pound division and near the top of many boxing pound for pound lists. Ward says getting to this point didn’t happen by accident and without anxiety. There was plenty of pressure and he hears the doubters, yet stays focused. In part two of our interview with Andre Ward, the champ reveals how he can improve, when he expects to get back in the ring, and chats about his mental make-up before a fight. RM: Before a fight with Kessler, Bute, or any other top fighter, would you want to take a tune up at either 168 or 175? AW: I think in the next few weeks we will have a better idea or direction... Read more...
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Written by Raymond Markarian
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Thursday, 22 December 2011 12:56
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 “Onward and upward, turn not back nor sheath thy sword. He it is who now commands thee.” Fanny Crosby might have had super middleweight champion Andre Ward in mind when she wrote those lyrics in 1876. Because since he laced up gloves for the first time and won almost every tournament in amateur boxing then continued his dominance as an undefeated professional at 25-0, with 13 knockouts, Ward has looked forward to the next challenge. No reflection on past performances. For him, in the midst of a promising career and the boxing world seemingly at his mercy for the time being, mental preparation for the next battle is constant. Fresh off of the victory over Carl Froch on Saturday night to win the Super Six Tournament and stake his claim as one of the best fighters in the world, Andre Ward sat with me late Monday night to discuss... Read more...
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Written by Michael Woods
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Wednesday, 21 December 2011 18:31
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 Money talks, in many circumstances, but it, and fame, won't keep Floyd Mayweather from doing some time. The 34-year-old boxer made a plea deal with Clark County (Nevada) prosecutors, and was today sentenced to 90 days in jail for domestic violence battery and harassment charges, the LA Times reports. He must also complete 100 hours of community service and pay a $2,500 fine. The article said he must report for jail on Jan. 6. He will not have to face trial for the altercation with his children's mother, ex galpal Josie Harris. The fighter had a dustup with her at her residence in Sept. 2010, and authorities responded. His kids told cops that he threatened them. Fans hope that this clarity in Mayweather's life--he now faces only some civil suits stemming from altercations involving his bodyguards--will pave the way forthe 42-0 Floyd to meet Manny... Read more...
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Written by Michael Woods
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Wednesday, 21 December 2011 16:39
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 There will be a boxing card promoted by Lou DiBella unfolding at the theater at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, March 17, for St. Patrick's Day. Irishman Matthew Macklin will be fighting on the show, this we know. What we do not know is who he will be fighting. Chances are better than good his foe will be Sergio Martinez, who was in NYC Tuesday to do some charitable outreach and attend a press gathering put together by DiBella to talk about that march 17 date. But Martinez is involved in some sanctioning body silliness, so things are up in the air as of today. Lest I risk your eyes glazing over, let me boil this down semi-quickly. Martinez became the WBC middleweight champion when he beat champ Kelly Pavlik in April 2010, but when he chose last March not to fight the man the WBC said was his mandatory challenger, interim WBC champ Sebastian Zbik, he gave up the... Read more...
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Written by David A. Avila
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Wednesday, 21 December 2011 13:18
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.jpg) Mariana “Barbie” Juarez and Andre Ward are my pick for this year’s Fighters of the Year. A number of prizefighters, especially in the female professional ranks, deserve consideration but canceled each other out when they clashed. Ana Maria Torres, Jackie Nava, Kaliesha West and Ava Knight were those who fought each other to a draw. Among the male boxers Manny Pacquiao had a stranglehold until he met Juan Manuel Marquez. Though Pacman was deemed the winner many saw it otherwise. Other categories below were relatively easy to decide. Fighter of the year Mexico’s Mariana “Barbie” Juarez (32-5-3, 15 KOs) spent six years in pursuit of a world title opportunity after getting robbed of the junior bantamweight title in North Korea back in 2005. Finally, last March, Juarez was granted a shot at Italy’s Simona Galassi for the WBC flyweight... Read more...
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