Boxing News: Pacquiao-Marquez, Andre Berto, James Kirkland and more

By Peter Wells

Image Credit Flickr User audiovisualjunkie

Juan Manuel Marquez was once again left to leave the ring after a bout with Manny Pacquiao with nothing to show for his performance. In parts 1 and 2 of the trilogy the fights were close and ultimately decided on knockdowns. This time though there were no knockdowns and in most people’s eyes, Marquez was the winner.

Manny Pacquiao again got the nod by majority decision, by scores of 115-113 and 116-112 while the final judge couldn’t separate the two scoring 114-114. It was a relatively close fight and many rounds were hard to score, but as the fight dragged on it seemed as though Marquez was taking command and he was even starting to force the exchanges. It could come down to Pacquiao’s sublime speed which worked quite effectively in the first half of the fight.

I watched the fight on YouTube the next morning and can’t give you my exact score, though I definitely said to myself while watching the fight, “That was Marquez’s round”, more than I said “That was Manny’s round”. I will have to watch the fight again to be able to give my exact scorecard.

For many it was a surprise that it was so close but I believed that the fight would be close as both styles will always make for a close fight. It was another super fight that has ended on a bad note, but it wasn’t exactly a robbery, just a controversial decision.

Berto vacates title to get revenge on Ortiz

Something that was less of a surprise is that Andre Berto has vacated his IBF Welterweight title that he’d just won off Jan Zaveck. Andre would have been forced into a pointless defence against fading tough man Randall Bailey. Andre though isn’t interested in titles if he can’t get revenge on rival Victor Ortiz. The fight will likely happen early next year and the fans are hoping for more fireworks, while Berto hopes for a different result.

Both fighters know that defeat is not an option, even though the loser won’t exactly be pushed out of contention for titles but super fights with Mayweather, Pacquiao, Marquez or Khan would seem a long way away. Victor Ortiz has already had one chance but knows another win against Berto may put him back in line – and with the way the Mayweather-Ortiz fight ended, not many people would begrudge Ortiz his second shot.

Berto though is extremely bitter as Ortiz took the opportunity that he felt was his and i’m sure the way it ended was as frustrating for him as it was for everyone who payed to watch it. This is his perfect chance at redemption and I believe this time he’ll be the one on his way to fight one of the superpowers.

James Kirkland to be rewarded for fine performance

After James Kirkland magnificent brawl with Alfredo Angulo, it looks like the Texan will get his long awaited shot at a world title. Cornelius Bundrage, the IBF Light Middleweight champion has taken notice and is very much up for defending against Kirkland. The fight is not yet official, but it could be a very attractive fight for early next year, to add to the list of potential crackers.

Other Boxing News

Also I was very impressed with Chris Eubank Jr last weekend, he boxed very well in his professional debut, throwing his jab with authority and did well to stop his negative opponent. Eubank Sr gave his son a few tips during rounds, telling his son to go downstairs which he did well, landing some crunching body shots. Eubank clearly has a bright future to add to the ever growing list of British prospects.

Tyson Fury on the same show showed more weaknesses in his defence, getting floored by Canadian Nevan Pajkic. But to his credit he got up to rally home a stoppage in the next round to prove he was still out of his opponents league. His tendency to get caught by the overhand right is becoming increasingly worrying if he’s to step up to world level.

Finally Julio Cesar Chavez Jr takes on Peter Manfredo Jr on Saturday night. It won’t be the most exciting fight but Manfredo should offer Chavez a decent challenge, but will be on the wrong end of a one sided decision.

Amir Khan Hopeful On Facing Floyd Mayweather

Amir Khan is on course to face Floyd Mayweather next year after beating Zab Judah last night, knocking him out in the fifth round with a body shot.

The Bolton fighter dominated the American in all the five rounds to claim Judah’s IBF light-welterweight crown and now Amir Khan will be looking to move upto welterweight division where he could face Floyd Mayweather.

Khan looks likely to have one more fight before stepping upto 147lbs where he could fight against Kell Brook in an all English encouter,  Khan who now has a 26-1 record as a professional also hinted that he would like rematch against Breidis Prescott to revenge his only defeat in the ring.

“Amir will move up to 147 after December,” said Khan’s business manager Asif Vali.

“That is something that he is looking to do in December or early next year.

“And what we’ll be looking to do is maybe have one more fight in the UK. Kell Brook is there at 147 – that’s a fight that interests the British fans.

“After that, the summer, Mayweather is there. Yesterday he (Mayweather) came out and made a statement – he wants to fight Amir in the UK, so I hope he sticks by it.”

Khan is a confident fighter and is willing to face anyone out there.

“I’ll fight anyone and there are some big names out there for me. I’ll take a look at the short list,” he said.

“My aim is to move up the pound-for-pound rankings and to one day be pound-for-pound champion. I want to be the best fighter in the world.

“I’m still a fight or two away from there yet. At 25 I’ll fight at 147 pounds and see where we go from there.
“We just keep on collecting titles, that’s what we want to do. I’m only 24 and there’s a lot of improvement to come.”

Speaking about a possible mouth-watering clash with Mayweather in the future, Kahn said; “The Mayweather fight is something I’m looking at the for the future and it would be huge for me. It would drive me on.

“I’ve got the speed and the skills and with (trainer) Freddie Roach polishing me up a little more, it’s a fight we can win.”

Ricky Hatton Retires From Boxing

Ricky Hatton has today officially retired from Boxing after 14 years in the business, although the Manchester-born fighter hasn’t fought since 2009 after losing to Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas the Hitman hasn’t officially came out and declared his retirement until today.

Hatton’s retirement is the end of a dramatic career which saw him achieve success at welterweight and light-welterweight level.

Hatton enjoyed a successful career in Boxing with his most notable achievement coming from his win against Kostya Tszyu in 2005 where he won the IBF and Ring Light Welterweight titles in a comfortable victory for Hatton.

Ricky Hatton earned a reputation as one of Britain’s most popular sportsmen and one of Britain’s greatest boxers, the Hitman went on to challenge WBC kingpin Mayweather in Las Vegas losing by knockout in the 10th round.

After his first loss in boxing, Hatton returned ring with victories over Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi before facing pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao.

The two met at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in May 2009, Hatton was knocked out in the second round to leave the Mancunian with a 45-2, 32KOs record.

Roger Mayweather: Floyd Needs More Fights

Floyd Mayweather’s trainer and Uncle Roger Mayweather has insisted that his nephew will not fight Manny Pacquiao after facing Victor Ortiz, Roger has said Floyd will need more fights after Ortiz to regain his sharpness after being out of the ring for sixteen months.

The former two-weight champion suggests that Floyd will need to be more active in the ring before he faces the Filipino in order to be on Manny’s level,  Mayweather may suffer from ring rust having not fought for a while.

“It would be crazy for Floyd to go in the ring with Pacquiao after fighting Victor Ortiz. Floyd needs fights. He needs to be active,” Roger said.

“Floyd needs tune-ups like anybody else. It’s no different than any other fighter, if you are going to compete with a guy who has been active all the time.”

Mayweather, 34, is due to face Victor Ortiz in September and Pretty Boy Floyd will hope to take the Californian’s title and go on to dominate the welterweight division once again.

“Floyd is the greatest fighter out there, period.”

“He’s the most skilled fighter out there. All Floyd has got to do is prepare and do the work that he does,” added Roger.