This is some good footage courtesy of HBO of Wladimir & his brother Vitali Klitschko before the Jamell McCline match back in 2002. Talks about how they both got into boxing, and their lives in and outside the ring leading up to 2002.
Here's a video showing off the Klitschko brothers new mobile video game Klitschko Boxing.
Watch highlights of Wladimir Klitschko's exciting career courtesy of HBO. Klitschko takes on Hasim Rahman Saturday, December 13th on HBO.
David Haye had a few words recently about the potential match up with current WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko after defeating Monte Barrett.
"I watched that fight [Vitali against Samuel Peter] and I thought to myself ‘is this it?’ Is this the mountain I’ve got to climb? I can do it, I know I can. There are so many things he did that I can exploit with my speed and power. Even the punches he throws I can see coming! I think I’m the best and I’m willing to fight the best to prove it. Just like at cruiserweight. A lot of people said you haven’t got a chance of beating Mormeck; you haven’t got a chance of beating Maccarinelli. Those are the guys I went after. Now everyone’s saying you haven’t got a chance against Vitali, so I’m going after the guy who’s solid as a rock."
After David "Hayemaker" Haye's recent 5th round victory over heavyweight contender Monte Barrett, Haye's manager Adam Booth had a couple words about which Klitschko might be the one to face his fighter while speaking to Setanta Sports News.
"At first they were talking about Wladimir, now they pull Wladimir out and offer me Vitali." Booth added that it was a case of either fighting the brother "with better punches and a weaker chin or the one with the better chin but who has slowed considerably over the last few years."
Looks like the former champion Riddick Bowe will fight an opponent yet to be named on the under card of the Wladimir Klitschko vs. Hasim Rahman title fight this December 13th. Here's what "Big Daddy" Bowe said about his latest comeback:
"I'm glad to box professionally again. I feel that I have some big fights left in me and I wanna get one more shot at a world title."
Former world title challenger Michael Grant(45-3, 33 KOs), who's on his way to getting a title shot, got the decision over a game challenger Paul Marinaccio (24-4-3, 11 KOs) on Saturday night at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls, New York.
Although it went to decision, the action did intesify in the 7th when Grant knocked down Marinaccio twice. He went on to win the decision with the scores 119-107, 119-107, 117-107.
Making an impressive statement to the heavyweight scene former cruiser weight champion turned heavyweight David "Hayemaker" Haye (22-1, 21 KOs) easily defeated 2 time title challenger and heavyweight contender Monte "Two Gunz" Barrett(34-7, 20 KOs) tonight at the O2 Arena in London.
Haye knocked Barrett down a total of 5 times in route to a 5Th round TKO win at the 1:28 minute mark of the round.
Vitali Klitschko was at the match, and was interested in a potential showdown with Haye in the future, but didn't rule out that his brother may take his shot against him as well.
I personally was surprised at how easily Haye handled Barrett. I thought that Haye would get popped a few times and his chin would be in question, but he seems to have made the transition quite well to heavyweight. Look for a mega fight between Haye and 1 of the Klitschko's in the coming year.
Check out the Haye/Barrett fight video below:
Tonight, WBO #1 ranked heavyweight Alexander "Sascha" Dimitrenko (29-0, 19 KOs) easily put away former world title challenger Luan Krasniqi (30-4-1, 14 KOs) via a 3rd round KO when Alexander landed a impressive left hook to the body that ended it all. The time was 2:54, and the 26 year old Dimitrenko retained his WBO Intercontinental belt and is next in line for current WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir "Steelhammer" Klitschko as a mandatory. Stay tuned here for more information on this potential Dimitrenko/Klitschko match-up in the future.
With both Wladimir & Vitali Klitschko sitting on top of the Heavyweight World right now, Tom Loeffler the Managing Director of K2 Promotions took some time out of his day to chat with us about his fighters next moves. There is no doubt that there are plenty of options for the brothers and Loeffler gave us an idea of what will be up next for the Champs and his company.
Who's going to win tomorrows fight between Monte Barrett & David Haye? A few top dogs in the boxing world share their opinion.
David Haye talks with Steve Bunce about his amateur & professional career ahead of this weekend's heavyweight fight against Monte Barrett.
Today, heavyweight contender Monte "Two Gunz" Barrett & former cruiserweight champion turned heavyweight David "Hayemaker" Haye had a weigh-in for their upcoming duel tomorrow. Barrett weight in at 16 stone 2 lbs or 226 lbs, and Haye weighed in at 15 stone 5 lbs, or 215 lbs.
This is a 3 part video of a preview show for the upcoming fight tomorrow night between up-and-coming heavyweight and former cruiserweight champion David "Hayemaker" Haye vs. Monte "Two Gunz" Barrett.
Ahead of his step up fight in heavyweight with Monte "Two Gunz" Barrett tommorrow night at the O2 Arena (Millenium Dome), in Greenwich, London, David Haye had a few words about the fight. This is a new video with his opinions.
Hall of Fame boxing trainer Emanuel Steward, talked recently on a radio show from Boxingscene.com called KO Cafe and spoke about Wladimir Klitschko's upcoming fight on December 13 in Germany with Hasim Rahamn, and also talks about a possible showdown with David Haye for next summer.
The IBF #1 mandatory Alexander Povetkin was supposed to face current WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitchko this December 13. Instead, he he unfortunately got an ankle injury and had to pull out of the fight.
Hasim Rahman, who is the highest ranking available opponent in the IBF, will now face Klitschko on December 13th, and will count as a IBF mandatory for Klitschko. However, the IBF president Marian W. Muhammad confirmed via an official letter to Sauerland Event managing director Chris Meyer that the 29-year-old will remain the IBF #1 mandatory and will face the winner of Klitschko´s fight with Hasim Rahman next year. This is what Marian Muhammad had to say:
“Mr. Povetkin will remain in the No. 1 position in the heavyweight rankings. As Wladimir Klitschko has elected to fight the next leading available contender to complete his mandatory, Mr. Povetkin will be designated the next mandatory for the winner of the bout between Wladimir Klitschko vs. Hasim Rahman. If Klitschko retains the title on December 13, Povetkin should fight in a mandatory within the next nine months. If Rahman wins, he would have one year to make his mandatory defence against the White Lion."
Povetkin´s co-manager, Vlad Hrunov had a few words in response to the IBF presidents latest words..
“We are happy that Alexander will be given the chance to fight the winner next year. Alexander will take his time to recover from the injury and then get back in shape. I have no doubts he will be the new heavyweight champion in 2009.”
I think this a good thing for Povetkin. I don't think he was anywhere near ready to face Klitschko, but within a years time he should be able to face a couple more opponents to get some added experience he needs before he faces Klitschko(or Rahman,which I doubt will be the case) next year.
James Slater had a interview recently with "The Rain Man" Ray Austin 26-4-4(17) after his 1st round blow out of Andrew Golota on November 7th in China. This is how it went:
James Slater: Congratulations on the win over Andrew Golota. You must be very happy with the quick win?
Ray Austin: Oh, yes, I'm pretty happy right now..
J.S: Do you feel you shut up a few critics with the win?
R.A: Definitely. I was the underdog going into the fight, but I knew I had to go in there and handle my business.
J.S: You sure did that. Were you surprised yourself when Golota went down so fast in the opening round?
R.A: Yes, I was as surprised as everybody else when that happened. We had our game-plan - to see what he had and then take it from there. I knew I was going to attack him in the 1st round and then see whether or not he could take it. If he had taken it I would've boxed him from then on in.
J.S: Is there any word yet on what's next for you. Will there be any kind of title shot by way of a reward for your good win?
R.A: You have to ask Don [King] about that. But anything is possible.
J.S: You have a number of draws on your record, were they bad decisions?
R.A: Those draws were really wins. The one with Sultan Ibragimov was a great win for me but they took it from me and called it a draw. It's really a no-brainer that I won that fight when they called it a draw in his home-town and when the fight was held in his promoter's casino. They felt they were going to blow me out of the water in that fight, but I was in shape and I was ready.
J.S: Am I right in saying you weighed your lowest ever at 228 pounds for the Golota fight?
R.A: That's right, the lowest ever. That weight is ideal for me. That's the game-plan now, to stay at that weight. I'm strong there, I'm fast there and I'm flexible there.
J.S: Just talking about your 2nd round loss to Wladimir Klitschko last year. Was it a mental thing or was he just a huge puncher?
R.A: It was a mental thing. I was inexperienced and some other fighters have told me they think I froze in there. I wish I could tell you what happened, but that just wasn't me in there. I'm a much better fighter than I looked in that fight.
J.S: Would you like a rematch?
R.A: Definitely.
J.S: When do you plan to fight again? When will you get back in training?
R.A: I sparred four rounds today. I want to get back in the ring soon. I'd fight again tomorrow if I could, I'd fight again next month. I'm on a roll at the moment and you definitely want to keep that going. The flight to and from China was like a break for me (laughs). That was a very long flight.
J.S: Do you think Don King will promote more shows in China?
R.A: It's possible, yes. The people over there were real hospitable and supportive. That's what we fighters need from the fans, support. Without the fans we wouldn't be boxing.
J.S: Golota was reportedly in the frame for a shot at WBA champion Nikolai Valuev if he'd beaten you, but now it looks like Evander Holyfield will fight Valuev. What do you think about that, has Holyfield got any chance?
R.A: You never know with Holyfield, he's so unpredictable. He looks like he's finished and then he pulls something out of the blue (laughs). I thought Hasim Rahman was going to beat him and you know what happened there, he beat him instead. So now I never doubt him.
J.S: Do you wish it were you going in there against Valuev though?
R.A: Of course, but it is what it is. Don's [King] got some other plan in mind for me. After over 30 years in the sport he knows what he's doing (laughs). I have faith in Don.
J.S: Just a quick word about our guy in Britain, David Haye. What do you think of him as a fighter?
R.A: Well, I know Monte Barrett personally but I've only heard about Haye. I've heard that he's a good fighter and a force to be reckoned with. But Monte is coming to fight (on November 15th). I know he's not coming to lie down. So if Haye can beat him he'll have proven he is a real force.
J.S: It's been great speaking with you, Ray. For my final question, how did you get the nickname "Rain Man?"
R.A: It's because I always throw lots of punches in a fight, like I did in the 1st round against Golota. Back when I was fighting one time a commentator made the remark that I was throwing so many punches I was raining down punches on my opponent. So ever since then I've been "The Rain Man!"
J.S: Thank you for talking to me, Ray. We look forward to your next fight.
R.A: Okay, thank you.
Source
This Saturday night at the Burg-Wächter Castello in Düsseldorf unbeaten WBO #1 heavyweight Alexander Dimitrenko (28-0, 18 KOs) will take on 37-year-old long time contender Luan Krasniqi (30-3-1, 14 KOs).
Here are some quotes from the different parties at the final press conference which took place at "Uerige," a local Düsseldorf brewery:
Ahmet Öner, who is the CEO of the new promotional compan ARENA, recently fought to make sure his fighter #1 rated heavyweight Juan Carlos Gomez got a crack at current WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko at the 46th annual WBC Convention in Chengdu (China). He got his wish, because the WBC has made it mandatory for Vitali to challenge Gomez as a mandatory title defense immediately.
Here's how the interview went....
How do you feel after this decision, Mr. Öner?
Ahmet Öner: “I feel great, of course! I am looking forward to this big fight – not only as promoter but as a boxing fan. Like it or not – this is definitely one of the best possible match-ups in heavyweight boxing today!”
What does this fight mean for you personally and for the boxing world in general?
Ahmet Öner: “For ARENA this is the result of two years of very hard work. When I started this business I wanted the world heavyweight championship. Now we got it and, of course, now we want the big green belt as well. For the boxing world first of all it means that the champion – whoever he may be – has no chance to sneak out of mandatory defenses. We know that Vitali tried all he can to get a voluntary first. But he has to stick to the rules and defend his belt against the No. 1 contender. I want to thank the WBC for this great decision as I believe that it is very important for the reliability in our sport. In addition to that I truly believe that this will be a good fight. Recently we have seen some boring heavyweight championships because there seem to be very few worthy challengers for the Klitschkos.”
Who would you call a “worthy challenger”?
Ahmet Öner: “Most great professional champions have had an outstanding amateur career. Hence Olympic gold medallist Alexander Povetkin is definitely one of the candidates. Alexander Dimitrenko had a great amateur career in the juniors as well but he turned pro quite early so we still have to see whether he got what it takes. Odlanier Solis will certainly be one of the great champions of the future. But at the moment I think Juan is the one fighter with the best chances to actually beat Vitali.”
Why do you think Gomez is good enough to beat Klitschko?
Ahmet Öner: “Juan has proven in his most recent fights against Oliver McCall and Vladimir Virchis that he is in great physical condition and also more focused than he has been through most of his career. Right now we see the best possible Juan Carlos Gomez. He earned the #1 spot and the title shot with hard work. Technically and tactically he is one of the best fighters of his generation. He got great movement, great speed and the experience of ten title defences as cruiserweight champion. Also being a very slick southpaw he is dangerous for every fighter in the world.”
What do you expect from the fight?
Ahmet Öner: “It will definitely be a close and exciting fight. It is hard for me to make any predictions. But right now I got the impression that Vitali might underestimate Juan. And this might be our big chance because Juan will definitely not underestimate Vitali and be very well prepared for a true war.”
The Klitschko management stated that nobody cares about this fight. Do you agree?
Ahmet Öner: Certainly not. I understand that US TV isn’t too happy about the heavyweight scene in general at the moment but that has certainly nothing to do with Gomez vs. Klitschko. I don’t see many much better or bigger fights around at the moment. In addition to that this championship will definitely be huge in Germany because both men are based in Hamburg. The biggest German TV station RTL already stated that they want it. And I believe that this fight might even draw more attention to the heavyweight division internationally because it will be a tough and close fight and none of those one-sided boring mismatches we have seen in the recent past. But I understand why the Kltschkos aren’t interested in the fight. Vitali knows that he could lose to Gomez. So he tries to avoid him. But as a champion he has the responsibility to fight the best challengers in the world.”
Gomez and Klitschko have met before while sparring at the Universum gym. Vitali says that he knocked out the “Black Panther” in one of their sessions…
Ahmet Öner: “In fact I remember those times quite well because I have been a fighter myself at Universum at that time. I don’t think Vitali ever knocked down Juan. But I can recall some sessions where Vitali went out with a bloody nose after getting a good spanking from Gomez. You should not forget that Juan was already world champion when the Klitschko’s just kicked off their careers.”
What do you think when and where the fight might take place? How will you go into the negotiations with K2?
Ahmet Öner: Both Vitali and Wladimir have my number. They can call me and we can meet for discussions. I have no problem with them. If we can’t reach an agreement I will not be afraid to go into a purse bid. I know what a world heavyweight championship is worth and we would be honoured to hold the fight if the Klitschkos think it’s not interesting enough for them. Hamburg is probably the best place for the fight as both men spend lots of time here. But still this is a fight that could be staged everywhere around the world.”
The following are pictures from the 1st press conference on Friday, November 7th at the SAP Aerna in Mannheim, Germany for the December 13th title fight between WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champ Wladimir "Steelhammer" Klitschko & and former 2 time heavyweight champion Hasim "The Rock" Rahman. Enjoy!
On Friday, November 7th at the SAP Aerna in Mannheim, Germany there was the 1st press conference for the December 13th title fight between WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champ Wladimir "Steelhammer" Klitschko & and former 2 time heavyweight champion Hasim "The Rock" Rahman.
By fighting Rahman, who is the highest available IBF opponent ranking #5, he satisfies his mandatory obligation through the IBF as a replacement to the #1 mandatory Alexander Povetkin who recently had to pull out of their fight due to a injury to his ankle during training.
Here's a video of the press conference.
On the night of Friday, November 7th at the Adamsville Recreation Center in Atlanta, Georgia, new heavyweight boxing prospect and son of the legendary hall of fame NBA basketball star Julius Erving II(a.k.a. Dr. J), Julius Erving III won via KO at 2:59 of the 1st round against Kantrell Cameron.
Erving's skills are reportedely improving a lot under the guidance of former fighter Yahya McClain, but much remains to be seen since this was his 1st fight.
Since Golota is now out of the picture, and there are rumors that a fight between former 4 time heavyweight champion Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield and "The Beast From The East" Nicolai Valuev are in the works, WBA #15, WBO #11 Brian "The Beast" Minto's (32-2 21 KOs) manager Pat Nelson has strongly voiced his opinion that he would be a far better choice of opponents for Valuev to fight against for his voluntary title defense this December 20th in Zurich. He disagrees with Valuev's manager Boris Dimitrov that Evander is the best choice of opponents. Here's what Pat Nelson had to say in regards to Evander being the best choice of opponents:
"That's nonsense. There's a list of 15 ranked contenders by the WBA to choose from, and one, Minto is not only a free agent but is also well known in Germany and the U.S. Opportunities should be offered to boxers of the present generation, while they are in their primes. Networks, sanctioning bodies and promoters should take responsibility to ensure equal and fair opportunity. Mr. Dimitrov, there is a viable challenger, and his name is Brian Minto."
According to recent news there may be a voluntary defense from "The Beast From The East" Nicolai Valuev against 4-time heavyweight champion "The Real Deal" Holyfield. The fight if is signed will occur on December 20th of this year in Zürich. Since Golota just lost and was considered an alternate opponent choice, this will most likely be signed unless of course they decide to go with Golota's conqueror Ray Austin.
Here's what Valuev's manager Boris Dimitrov had to say:
"The Valuev–Holyfield fight will take place on December 20th in Zürich. Why Holyfield? Because we do not have other viable options. Golota can't get in a ring against Valuev. The fight contract is not signed yet, but in two weeks we will agree. Yesterday Nikolay has arrived from Japan. Until November 16th he will prepare for the fight in Russia, and the closing stages of his preparation will take place in Germany."
Source
Undefeated, up-and-coming, and WBA #5 ranked heavyweight Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson (20-0-1, 7KO) had an interview ahead of his fight tonight with Matthew Greer (12-3,11KO). The fight tonight will take place at the Bally's Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.
Q: Kingpin, how are you doing?
KJ: I am doing good, real good. I had a great training camp, and everything is absolutely beautiful.
Q: You just fought two months ago, do you like this busy schedule you are on right now?
KJ: Oh yeah, I love it. I love staying busy. I am a fighter, this is what I do. I just want to keep getting fights and keep showing the boxing world my abilities and keep racking up these wins.
Q: I am going to throw a name out at you, without thinking what's the first word that comes to mind, David Haye?
KJ: B*tch, with an English accent. The guy is a joke. He calls me out, I answered his call and then he punks out. His people tried to say I asked for too much money. That is an out and out lie. I told them I would fight for less then what they offered me. Money was not an issue, because I know once I knocked him out I would walk out of there a very rich man. My fights after destroying him would have brought me tons of money. I would have fought him for free, that's how confident I was I would have knocked him out cold. He is susceptible to left hooks, and I have a great left hook and the minute I hit him he would have went. The real story of what happened was after he called me out and I accepted, he watched some video footage of me and then said no way will I fight that guy. I can't be too mad at him though because he is just like the rest of the heavyweights out there, none of them want to fight me. I wouldn't want to have to fight me either
Q: In your last fight, you knocked out former heavyweight champion of the world Bruce Seldon. Prior to that fight you adamantly stated you would knock him out and silence your critics that you are more then just a gifted boxer with a terrific jab. Which is the Kevin Johnson we will see from here on out, the gifted boxer, or the come straight forward banger?
KJ: From here on out you are going to see the new and improved Kevin Johnson. You are going to see a boxer who has the total package. Boxer, banger, it doesn't matter. Every fight, it doesn't matter who it is, I am going to put on an exciting show, and look spectacular doing it. Truthfully I still have not shown the boxing world the best Kevin Johnson yet, but I promise you, he is coming.
Q: You recently were moved up to number 5 in the WBA. What's your take on all of the top guys and champions out there? Do you think anyone is going to step up and give you a shot, or are you just going to have to keep winning until they can not avoid you any longer?
KJ: Yeah basically that's it. I know none of these guys want to face me, and it's no secret. On my worst day they don't want to see me in the ring. But as long as I keep fighting and keep winning there is going to come a time when they are either going to have to fight me or they will have to just hand their belts over to me. I just try to not let it bother me or effect me. I know my time is coming. I have a great promoter in Joe DeGuardia and Star Boxing and he promises me the time is coming very soon. That's what I love about Joe, when he tells me something he delivers. My man is on point.
Q: Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali Klitschko , Nikolay Valuev and Ruslan Chagaev. Give me your hit list in order of champions.
KJ: First I will take out Valuev. He is the easiest and I am ranked highest in the WBA so he has to go first. Then after him I will want to take a step up so Wladimir will have to be next. Then after I destroy his younger brother Vitali will have no choice but to fight me so I will fight him and gladly take his belt too. Vitali will be my hardest task, but that's all it is, a task. Not one of those guys stands a chance with me. Oh yeah I almost forgot Chagaev. Sorry I have to leave him off my list I don't consider him a world class fighter. I didn't even know he was still boxing until you just mentioned his name.
Q: Kevin thank you for taking time out and sitting down with us. Anything you want to say in closing?
KJ: To all my beautiful ladies out there, I am still single, I am still tall, dark and handsome, sweet and sexy come out to the fight and see me in action I look good (laughs Johnson). On a more serious note, I want to thank my promoter Joe DeGuardia and Star Boxing for putting this fight together. I also want to thank Bally's for bringing me back to this great venue. Lastly, to all those so-called heavyweight contenders and champions out there, I am coming for you, for all of you.
Source
Today in Chengdu, China Jameel McCline defeated Mike Mollo in a plodding 12 round fight by decision. The final scores of the fight were 114-113, 116-111, and 116-112 for the unanimous decision victory.
In today's boxing event in Chengdu, China the underdog Ray "The Rain Man" Austin easily handled Andrew Golota over the course of the 1st round and sent him to the canvas several times even in the opening seconds. Golota complained about his left arm between rounds and didn't come out for the second. This gives the 38 year old Austin a much needed 1st round TKO victory.
This adds some credibility to Austin after losing handily to Wladimir Klitschko last year, but this win does show how much of another level Wladimir is over the rest in the division(excluding his brother).
At the 46th annual WBC Convention in Chengdu, China, it was declared that newly crowned WBC heavyweight champion "Dr. Ironfist" Vitali Klitschko must take on WBC #1 mandatory challenger Juan Carlos Gomez as his next opponent.
Vitali had requested to do a voluntary defense, but it has been decided that Gomez will be his next opponent. No dates or locations have been set yet, but if a decision can't be made soon, there will be a purse bid on December 19th at the WBC’s headquarters in Mexico City between K2 promotions and ARENA which will decide this.
Ahead of their fight this Friday, November the 5th, Jameel "Big Time" McCline (38-9-1, 23 KOs), from New York, and "Merciless" Mike Mollo (19-2, 12 KOs) had a weigh-in today for their upcoming fight which will co-feature Andrew Golota vs. Ray Austin.
Mike Mollo weighed-in at 227 lbs, while Jameel McCline weighed in at 272 lbs. This fight is a WBC heavyweight elimination bout.
Ahead of their fight this Friday, November the 5th, Andrew Golota(41-6-1, 33 KOs), from Warsaw, Poland, and Ray "The Rainman" Austin(24-4-4, 16 KOs), from Cleveland, Ohio, had a weigh-in today for their upcoming fight which will co-feature Miko Mollo vs. Jameel McCline.
Golota weighed in at 242 lbs, while Austin weighed-in at 228 lbs. The fight is for the WBC USNBC International heavyweight championship.
Tony "The Tiger" Thompson 31-2(19) recently sat down with James Slater and talked about his upcoming fight with multi-divisional champ turned heavyweight "Lights Out" James Toney. Their fight takes place on December 13th, which is the same night Wladimir Klitshcko will face Hasim Rahman for the WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight championship.
James Slater: Thanks for your time, Tony. Here at Eastside Boxing, we've got James Toney's take on December's fight, now we want yours. Firstly, how's training been going for the fight?
Tony Thompson: What's up Eastside Boxing!? It's been going fine. I'm only in the early stages right now, but everything's been going just fine..
J.S: Who have you been/who will you be sparring with to get ready for Toney's quick and cute moves?
T.T: I've a whole bunch of guys in mind, but mostly I'll be working with a buddy of mine, Eddie Chambers.
J.S: What do you think of James Toney as a heavyweight? He was a great middleweight, a great super-middleweight and a great cruiserweight. What do you think of him as a heavyweight today?
T.T: You said it! He's a great fighter. I can't see why he can't be a great heavyweight. He is a great fighter, that's the way I look at it. He's a future Hall of Famer, and I'll be ready for him.
J.S: You will be the biggest and tallest fighter he will ever have faced. Has he bitten off more than he can chew taking you on? Is he crazy taking a fight with you?
T.T: No, I don't think he's crazy. There have been great small fighters at heavyweight in the past. Joe Frazier was only 5'11", if he was even that, Mike Tyson the same. So I think Toney can still be effective at my weight.
J.S: Will your southpaw right jab be your main weapon in this fight?
T.T: It's my main weapon in any fight. Possibly more so in this fight, but at the same time I won't over-use it. I don't want to use it so much that he can time it and counter it.
J.S: Not to make you angry, but Toney says he'll KO you. Your thoughts?
T.T: It don't make me angry, we're heavyweights and we are always looking to get a KO. I mean, why is he even in there if he's not predicting a KO?
J.S: What do you hope a win against Toney will lead to for you?
T.T: I want it to get me back up as one of the world's top heavyweights. I've got to get back at [Wladimir] Klitschko. No-one knew it, but I wasn't totally healthy for that fight. I had only one healthy leg, I had a torn knee. That affected me a whole lot - my roadwork and my overall fitness. Don't get me wrong, he's a great champion and I'm not making an excuse. But I've had surgery on the knee now and I'm running hard and will be in much better shape from now on. Please understand I'm not taking anything away from Klitschko.
J.S: If you fought him again, would you fight the same style? I know you'd be in better health with your knee.
T.T: I'd definitely fight the same style, but I'd be more effective. I'd be able to carry my game-plan for the full 12 rounds. I wanted to come on in the late rounds with pressure, to get the stoppage after being ahead early on. But I was exhausted after the 3rd of 4th round to be honest with you. I had no strength in my legs.
J.S: Is it Wladimir you want again, or would you take a fight with Vitali Klitschko if it was offered to you?
T.T: I want Wladmir, I really have to get another shot at him before my career is over with. But if it took a win over his brother Vitali to get a rematch with him, I would do that if I needed to.
J.S: Getting back to the Toney fight. Most people think it will be a definite distance fight. Do you agree?
T.T: I don't agree, no. I think Toney will try and come to knock me out. With his pedigree, he'll come looking to get the stoppage. But I won't take one single backward step against Toney. I think it will make for a good action fight. People say Toney can't give action fights, but I think he can - look at his fights with John Ruiz and the first fight with Samuel Peter. That's the Toney I'm looking for, the one that fought Peter the first time - I thought he won that fight. I'm looking for that vintage James Toney. I'm sure he'll be well prepared for this fight. But as I say, I won't take a backwards step against him.
J.S: It's been great speaking with you, Tony. What is your final prediction? He says he'll get a KO, is that what you say too?
T.T: I'll get a win, that's all I'll say.
Source
Technorati Tags: interviews, Other Boxing News, Other Heavyweight Boxing News
This is the final bout in the 1996 summer Olympics in Atlanta, GA between current WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir "Steelhammer" Klitschko and Paea Wolfgram. This was competitive up until the final round where Wladimir picked up the pace. As a pro Wladimir faced Paea and knocked him out easily.
As a recent replacement of IBF mandatory Alexander Povetkin, Hasim Rahman has said that current IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion will regret choosing him as a substitute for Povetkin for the title fight on December 13 at the SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany.
It seems like all over the internet a lot of people are complaining that former 2 time heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman is getting a shot at the heavyweight title again. Rahman is scheduled to face current WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir "Steelhammer" Klitschko this December 13th as a replacement for the injured Alexander Povetkin.
Alexander Povetkin was guaranteed the IBF mandatory by winning a mini-tournament put together by the IBF organization where Povetkin defeated former heavyweight champion Chris Byrd and "Fast" Eddie Chambers to warrant his mandatory status.
So why are the vast majority of people complaining about Rahman getting a shot? Well mainly because they feel that Wladimir isn't trying to unify, or is purposely choosing a weak opponent when there are other greater fighters he could be fighting.
In Wladimir's defense, this will be his 3rd fight in less than a year. He plans on fighting in early 2009, so potentially 4 fights in a years time. That's very active for any heavyweight, and extremely active for a champion. What does this guy have to do? The sole reason he is taking this fight is because it satisfies his mandatory challenge through the IBF organization. Let's take a look at the current IBF heavyweight rankings:
CHAMPION Wladimir Klitschko Ukraine
1 Alexander Povetkin Russian Federation --------------------> out with injury
2 NOT RATED -----------------------------------------------------------> self explanatory here
3 Alexander Dimitrenko Ukraine -----------------------------------> Has fight with Luan Krasniqi on Nov 15th
4 Chris Arreola United States --------------------------------------> Has fight with Travis Walker on Nov 29th
5 Hasim Rahman United States -----------------------------------> Available opponent
6 Oleg Maskaev Kazakhstan
7 Sultan Ibragimov United States
8 Eddie Chambers United States
9 Andrew Golota United States
10 James Toney United States
11 Kali Meehan Australia
12 Sinan Samil Sam Turkey
13 Travis Walker United States
14 Cedric Boswell United States
15 Shane Cameron New Zealand
So, Wladimir is covered by the IBF by fighting the the 1st highest available opponent, which is Rahman. Wladimir spent a long time to earn these belts he just doesn't want to lose them especially since he is A) The most active champion out there as it is, B) Will make a lot of money off the Rahman fight, C) Will have a great name on his record, and D) revenge the negative talk Rahman gave his brother Vitali.
If your just talking fights I'd rather see. I'd rather see Wladimir fight Nicolai Valuev, but this fight with Rahman is to protect his IBF belt. He just fought his WBO mandatory not too long ago so by fighting Rahman he's covered from any mandatory obligations for a long while which means this opens him up to fight other guys as a voluntary defense including Valuev.
This is the semi-final match-up between current WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir "Steelhammer" Klitschko and Alexei Lezin back in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, GA. Wladimir went on to win Gold in the super heavyweight division at the Olympics, while Lezin captured the Bronze medal.
WBA heavyweight champion Nicolai Valuev is looking for an opponent for December 20th of this year. His manager Boris Dimitrov recently gave some information regarding possible opponents.
"Nikolai, I and Don King, as before, we oppose a Valuev-Holyfield fight. This is the initiative of Sauerland Event. They wish to make this fight because of money. I wish to find a worthy contender for the boxer. I can inform you that Nikolai will fight on December 20th this year in the Swiss city Zürich. As far as I know, there are restrictions on age for professional boxers in Switzerland. The fight will not be in Germany. Don King and I want a fight with Andrew Golota. Yes, on November 7th Golota will box against Ray Austin, but Don King considers that in one and a half months he can be ready to fight with Valuev. If Golota refuses, we will agree on a fight against Holyfield."
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