Roach is honest in admitting Marquez deserves another chance

Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach has been one of the first to come out and say Juan Manuel Marquez deserves a rematch following his contentious loss last night in Vegas. Pacquiao himself has said he is willing for it to happen but Roach went one further and admitted it was a harder fight than they had anticipated and Marquez should get another chance.

“I was very surprised,” Roach said. “I had predicted my fighter would win in six rounds and I was way off. It was a very competitive fight and it could have gone either way.

“I thought Manny edged it out in the last two rounds. It was the kind of fight I don’t want to do again but I think we have to.

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It was never clear what happened to Arturo ‘Thunder’ Gatti on the night he was found dead in Brazil at an apartment he and his family had rented in the seaside resort of Porto de Galihnas in June 2009.

Today, Quebec coroner Jean Brochu released a report stating that because of the way Brazilian authorities handled the evidence following the incident it makes it difficult to conclude with absolute certainty what happened when Gatti died.

At first Brazilian police arrested Gatti’s widow Amanda Rodrigues on suspicion of murdering her husband, but later ruled the death a suicide. Oddly the death was listed as an asphyxiation by neck constriction, which implies Gatti somehow choked himself to death. Brochu concluded that Gatti died a “violent death” but not at someone else’s hands.

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Marco Huck will surely get to the Klitschko's with a stunt like this

Last night WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck (34-1, 25KO’s) publicly called out both Klitschko brothers on one of Germany’s biggest TV shows. Huck had a special present for presenter Stefan Raab; a life-size picture of himself holding baby-versions of the Klitschko’s in his arms.

“I don’t care which brother I can get my hands on, I would fight both of them right away,” said Huck.

Raab, who hosts a platform diving event this weekend featuring Marco Huck as one of the guest stars answered: “If you win our diving event I will talk to Wladimir and make the fight happen!”

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Pacquiao (left) says he isn't getting fooled by Marquez

Manny Pacquiao has sent a clear warning to Juan Manuel Marquez ahead of their third fight this Saturday in Las Vegas. The Filipino legend has said he believes Marquez’s friendly, laid-back attitude in the build-up to the fight is all part of a master plan designed to coax him into a false sense of security, but Pacquiao is having none of it and has vowed to KO his Mexican rival.

“Marquez is the smartest guy I have fought recently,” Pacquiao said. “He is a genius. You know why? It is because he is trying to use my personality. He knows I am a nice person, so he thinks that if he is very nice and respectful to me before the fight then I will go easy on him and will not knock him out.

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'Smokin' Joe at his home in 2009

Legendary heavyweight ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier has passed away at the age of 67. The former champion was battling liver cancer it emerged only a few days ago, and this latest terrible news comes as a shock to everyone. Manager Leslie Wolff said the champ passed away Monday night in Philadelphia, and had been battling the disease since late September when he was first diagnosed.

Leading the tributes was former arch-rival Muhammad Ali, who released a statement saying “The world has lost a great champion. My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones.”

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Joe Frazier in his prime was a ferocious fighter

When you mention the name ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier it conjures up images of a ferocious heavyweight that steamrolled opponents with a left hook from the heavens but today’s 67-year-old version is fighting a very different fight, against advanced liver cancer.

“He’s in serious shape, we’re looking for a miracle,’’ said a source close to the former heavyweight champ. “They’re only giving him a short time to live. We need to have as many people as possible praying for Joe right now.’’

It’s incredibly sad news about the man who took Muhammad Ali to what he described as the brink of death during the first of their three brutal bouts but Frazier will always be known as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.

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Top Rank president Todd DuBouef has recently spread the word that he would love to match Cuban phenomenon Yuriorkis Gamboa (21-0, 16 kos) with hard-hitting WBA lightweight champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (29-0-1, 21 kos) sooner or later.

“I have seen some tapes of Rios and all I can say is that Gamboa is ready for him anytime, anyplace”, says promoter Ahmet Oner. “Rios is an aggressive guy but I see nothing in his game to really shock Gamboa. It should be a good fight though so I say: Let’s get it on!”

In September Gamboa beat former world champion Daniel Ponce de Leon in a one-sided affair at 127 lbs. There were rumours about the Cuban 2004 Olympic gold medalist taking an interim bout at 130 lbs. before moving up to 135 lbs. for a possible showdown with Rios who is scheduled to defend his WBA title against John Murray on December 3rd in New York.

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Mayweather has some difficult times ahead outside the ring

Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather (42-0, 26KO’s) is to face a charge of harassment in a Las Vegas courtroom over allegations that the multiple weight World champion threatened two security guards in front of his Vegas mansion last October. If found guilty of the charge Mayweather could face up to a one year prison sentence.

Homeowner association security guards Aaron Ryan and Miguel Burgos accuse the 5-foot-8 welterweight of threatening them after they ticketed several of Mayweather’s vehicles parked near his house in violation of association rules, according to a Las Vegas police report.

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Kell Brook is finally set to make his US debut

Undefeated English welterweight Kell Brook (25-0, 17KO’s) looks well on his way to stardom and it’s little surprise that he is finally set to make his American debut on the Carl Froch-Andre Ward undercard in Atlantic City, New Jersey on December 17.

The opponent has yet to be announced but it is expected to be against a decent name fighter over ten rounds. This will be a big opportunity for the Ingle trained Brook to showcase his considerable skill and the Sheffield fighter is excited at the prospect.

“It’s the best Christmas present I could have,” said Brook. “I’ve been dreaming of fighting on a massive show in America and I plan to put on a great performance. The pressure will be on to dazzle the American fans and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”

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Alfredo "El Perro" Angulo

Big-hitting, exciting junior-middleweight contender’s Alfredo Angulo (20-1, 17KO’s)  and James Kirkland (29-1, 26KO’s) will face each other in a WBC title eliminator in Cancun, Mexico on November 5 it has been announced. Both fighters are hungry and fans could be in for an explosive match-up between two true warriors of our sport.

This will be Angulo’s first fight for new promoters Golden Boy and will feature on HBO’s Boxing After Dark series in the US. Both fighters have suffered damaging defeats and long layoffs and a lot will be at stake for both men’s careers.

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Hopkins may not look like the winner but he's still champ

Bernard Hopkins is once again the WBC light-heavyweight champion after the WBC went back on their word and ruled his fight with Chad Dawson a technical draw. The Mexican-based commission overruled the referee’s decision, claiming referee Pat Russell made the wrong call awarding the fight to Dawson on a TKO after Hopkins suffered a second round shoulder injury rendering him unable to continue..

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Hopkins has said he will be World champion again before he retires and strongly disputes his loss

Bernard Hopkins has insisted that his controversial loss to Chad Dawson at the Staples Center in L.A on Saturday night will not be the last fight of his career and that he will once again be World champion.

The 46-year-old told reporters that not only did he intend to fight again but wants both the WBC and Ring Magazine to continue to recognize him as champion, and a formal complaint will be lodged to the California Athletic State Commission by Golden Boy disputing the result of the bout, although the Commission themselves have already publicly backed the decision and look unlikely to alter it. As they are the only ones with the power to do so it looks unlikely that Hopkins will get his wish.

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Is this the end for Haye?

According to various reports, former cruiserweight and heavyweight World champion David Haye has informed the British Boxing Board Of Control that he will not be renewing his license and has no plans to fight again.

Despite a rumoured fight with WBC champ Vitali Klitschko in the pipeline, which would have given him a chance for redemption after losing so convincingly after a lacklustre performance to brother Wladimir, it appears as if Haye has decided to call it a day, according to BBBofC secretary Robert Smith.

“I received an email on Monday advising me Haye would not be carrying on.” Smith said. ”The board will discuss it on Wednesday but there is no way we could go against his wish not to renew his boxing licence. Without it, he can’t fight.”

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Khan (left) and Peterson come face to face in Washington

IBF/WBA super-lightweight champion Amir Khan (26-1, 18KO’s) flew into Washington on Thursday evening to formally announce his Dec.12 fight at the Walter E. Washington Center in DC against hometown boy Lamont Peterson (29-1-1, 15KO’s).

The chosen venue means Khan will give his opponent more of a chance than if the fight were to take place in say Manchester, England, but Khan and his handlers Golden Boy want to raise his reputation in the States. Khan, however, doesn’t really have any solid explanation.

“It makes sense (to fight in D.C.),” said Khan. “When you talk about America, the first name you mention is New York. … But I want to bring a bit of life to Washington, because Washington is a city of America.”

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Despite a firm denial from undefeated World junior-welterweight champion Timothy Bradley’s camp that signing a contract with Top Rank has nothing to do with a potential fight with Manny Pacquiao, who is also promoted by Top Rank, rumours will be abound that the pair are set to face next year. The fact that Bradley has been added as the chief support against Cuban veteran Joel Casamayor to the Nov. 12 Las Vegas card being headlined by Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez will do nothing but fan the flames further.

Of course both men must get through their respective bouts, but neither will be expected to lose and if both victorious is seems highly likely that they will meet sometime next year. Although Bradley is one of the highest level champions in the sport right now his profile is low and some amount of PR will be required of new promoters Top Rank to sell the fight. True boxing fans will appreciate the significance of this match but the greater public may need some persuading to part with their pay-per-view fees.

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