Pascal-Cloud officially cancelled! Cloud Vs Murat is next...

The anticipated light-heavyweight showdown between Tavoris Cloud and Jean Pascal will not take place in 2012. The fight has been on and off for a few weeks now but it has now been confirmed that it will not happen this year.

The fight was initially scheduled for August 11th but was postponed due to a hand injury suffered by Pascal. The teams and promoters were then desperately trying to make the fight happen in any of the later months of this year but too many problems arose meaning that it was almost impossible to make the fight happen in 2012. Pascal will now return in December against an opponent that is yet to be announced. Cloud will now defend his IBF world title against the mandatory challenger Karo Murat. A date for this fight hasn't been confirmed but it will most likely take place in November. The fight between Pascal and Cloud will no doubt happen, just not this year.

"We wanted to make the fight in 2012, but it was too early to do it in October and it was impossible to book the Bell Centre in November with Lucian Bute fighting and Georges St-Pierre. December was a possibility, but Murat felt the delay was too long and he knew that his outlandish requests were rejected. I do not blame him, he has been waiting for a while," said Pascal's promoter Yvon Michel.

"Cloud will simply meet his obligations as a champion. I believe that Cloud should not have any difficulties with Murat. If all goes well, we will keep the same agreement, with Cloud and Showtime, and make the fight in the spring [of 2013]."

Hatton comeback rumours continue to escalate!

The rumours that former two-weight world champion and British fan-favourite Ricky Hatton will return to the ring later this year are forever growing stronger. Numerous sources claim that the 33-year old Mancunian will announce a two-fight comeback in the very near future.

Hatton last fought in 2009 when he was knocked out in just two rounds by Manny Pacquiao and at that time he insisted that he was retired for good. However, he has been back in the gym and training a lot recently. Those close to Hatton claim that he is the best shape he has been in for a very long time.

At first the most likely fight for Hatton was against Paulie Malignaggi in November but his old rival is already scheduled to fight on October 20th against Pablo Cesar Cano. This would mean that Malignaggi would have only a month to prepare for one of the biggest fights of his career. So I think its almost certain that this fight will not happen in November.

However, I do think that if Hatton does make a comeback, he will definitely fight Malignaggi. Whether its his first or second fight, he will end up fighting him. Both men want the fight and it would be an easy bout to sell and make. The most likely outcome is that Hatton will face Malignaggi at the start of 2013 and if he is victorious he will move onto an even bigger challenge. You never know... Maybe even Manny Pacquiao?

Fury could face either Chagaez, Liakhovich or Mormeck...



British heavyweight giant Tyson Fury has a bout set for November and he would like it to be against a former world champion. And at the moment, that looks like exactly what's going to happen.

The three fighters that are being considered at this current time are Siarhel Liakhovich, Ruslan Chagaez and Jean Marc-Mormeck. Now, I know all of these are nowhere near the level of fighters we want to see Fury face, e.g. Price, Haye, Maybe even Klitschko?, but it is a slight step up from the opponents he has been facing so far.

Jean Marc Mormeck.

Out of the three, if I had to chose one for Fury to face, it would have to be Mormeck. He might not be the best out of the three proposed opponents and he certainly isn't the biggest, however he is definitely the most well-known man out of the three. So this means that with the amount of fans Fury brings in and the small draw that Mormeck brings then it shouldn't be hard to sell tickets or promote this fight.

We will have more on Fury's opponent in the near future, as you never know these days... It could end up being another journeyman again.

The event will take place in either one of two venues. Before yesterday, it was looking certain to be in Las Vegas but in the last 24 hours Dublin has been added as a potential alternative.

Juan Manuel Lopez to return in November!

Former super-bantamweight and featherweight world champion Juan Manuel Lopez is hoping to return to the ring and possibly at a higher weight. The Puerto Rican may be moving up to 130lb as he feels it may be easier for him to make the weight.

"My team and I are going to talk that over soon. It would be a lot easier to make weight at 130 but if the right fight presents itself then I definitely have to look at going back down to 126," said Lopez.

JuanMa's last fight was a loss to Mexican rival Orlando Salido in what many people believe was the Fight Of The Year. There was controversy surrounding him after the fight as he criticised the referee for stopping him in the 10th round, suggesting that he had gambling problems.

Even if you don't like Lopez, you will have to admit that he is one of the most exciting fighters in the sport today. He has a 'fight to the death' style and is sometimes to brave for his own good, as shown his only two losses which both came to Orlando Salido. He may never return to the top level of the sport, especially if he keeps taking as many punches as he sometimes does. But, one thing that is for sure is that the Puerto Rican will always provide entertainment for the fans.

A move up to 130lb may suit the former world champ as even he must realise that featherweight is one of the toughest divisions at this current time and he may not be able to compete with the top guys at the weight.

I am really looking forward to seeing in action again. I just hope that it is against a half-decent opponent so we get to see his usual fighting style that attracts so many fans.