The Fans Have Voted: Who should Broner face next?

By Jack Price - @BoxingOpinions1

In the aftermath of another top night of boxing, one man is still on everybody's mind, Adrien 'The Problem' Broner. The brash youngster became a 3-weight world champion at the age of 23, stepping up two weight divisions and winning the WBA welterweight title via split decision against Paulie Malignaggi.

Adrien Broner Vs Paulie Malignaggi - Post-Fight Report

http://www.youtube.com/user/PriceysBoxinThoughts

Adrien Broner vs Paulie Malignaggi - Fight Preview

By Jack Sumner @Jack_Sumner_

After their heated press conference, weeks of bickering and exchanging profanity-laden insults via social networking sites and media calls, Paulie Malignaggi and Adrien Broner will have to do their talking in the ring when they meet at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Saturday night. Malignaggi defends his WBA welterweight title against the current WBC lightweight titleholder Broner, who is jumping two weight classes in an attempt to become a three-division champion at the age of 23.

Hey Paulie, you got a problem to deal with!

By James McKnight @JamesMcKnight83

"Are you talking to me?...I said, are you talking to meeee?....Get the F##k outta here!" This has been the type of response from the 'Magic Man' whenever 'The Problem' opens his mouth and says his name.

Paulie 'Magic Man' Malignaggi and Adrien 'The Problem' Broner have trash-talked a fair bit ahead of their WBA World welterweight title bout showdown. As we all know though, you don't win fights with your mouth you win them with your fists!

'Expert From The Armchair' - Promoting The Brand

By David Johnson @mrdaj.

The ever-growing stable at Matchroom Sport.

Are we witnessing a change in the way we choose who we follow on the boxing scene?

In years gone by we've tended to follow the boxer who is local to us, has a cultural fit to our views on life or in many cases the kind of personalities the boxers have (I don't think I need to touch on our love for a warrior or explosive fighter)...

For example:

The Tony Bellew's / Paul Smith's / David Price's have all spoken about their pride of representing the city of Liverpool and the fans love it, but their appeal reaches so much further than that great city, the nation loves them and their fellow liverpudlian fighters - Many people follow their local hero, and long may it continue.

James McKnight's Monthly Review - February

JamesMcKnight reviews the biggest boxing events to take place in February 2013.

You can follow James McKnight on Twitter: @JamesMcknight83.

"A-FORCE" SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT!  

On the night of February 23, at York Hall in Bethnal Green, the 29th edition of prizefighter served up a treat, with Audley Harrison topping the night off by creating prizefighter history! 

In the lead up to the International Heavyweights III prizefighter tournament, Harrison was in an extremely confident and positive frame of mind. The 41-year-old has the gift of the gab of course, and, as always, was in full flow! He had every right to be confident of his chances to win the trophy though, because he won prizefighter back in 2009 and he looked in fantastic shape as he weighed in at under 17 stones. But, coming in to the tournament, Harrison had been on the receiving end of a vicious knockout to David Price. which ended in just 1 round only 4 months earlier. Many interpreted Harrison's confidence as fear, but many interpreted it as assurance, that he would put the defeat to Price to the back of his mind and would win the trophy for a second time. Of course, there was only one way to find out, and that was to see Harrison back in the ring backing his words up!  

Gavin Rees could return to the US in the early summer!

By Jack Price @PriceyJ97.

British lightweight Gavin Rees gained a lot of new fans in America on Saturday night, despite being stopped in five rounds by unbeaten superstar and WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner. The 32-year old showed true courage and gave his best effort but just simply wasn't good enough to compete with the man in front him. But this event as a whole has seen him go from an unknown Brit to a popular contender in the US. His promoter Eddie Hearn claims that we could see 'The Rock' return to the States for a fight later this year.

"Gavin's performance won him many admirers in America. He is a true warrior and we have already been approached about further fights for Gavin in the US in early summer," Hearn told BoxingScene.com

"His stock however has also been raised significantly in the UK and there are still some big domestic opportunities available to him here. All in all the future is very bright for Gavin and the plan is to pick up another world title shot before the end of 2013."

Predictably Unpredictable

By David Johnson @MrDaj. 

Predictably unpredictable....

Can Rees provide the next big upset in the world of boxing?

I’m not going to sit here spouting stats and predictions; I’m just going to get something off my chest... I love boxing..!!

My no.1 sport from childhood is Football (Soccer for my US friends), it won’t change. But one thing I’ve never been able to hide is an undying love and appreciation for the noble art of Boxing.

My memory stretches back to the Naz, Tyson, Benn / Eubank era and the rise and domination of Lennox Lewis... (There are hundreds of other fighters / fights not mentioned I know – in addition to some UK bias).

Being 12 years of age and staying up until 5am to watch Tyson demolish someone, or indeed an ear simply has to be experienced.

Maccarinelli picks Rees to stop Broner!

By Jack Price @PriceyJ97.

Maccarinelli & Rees back in 2007.

Former cruiserweight world champion Enzo Maccarinelli has backed fellow Welshman Gavin Rees to get the victory over highly-rated two-weight world champion Adrien Broner this Saturday night at the Boardwalk Hall.

Rees can become a two-weight world champ himself this weekend if he beats Broner as the WBC lightweight world title is on the line. However, the chances of this happening are very slim. The 32-year old is a massive underdog and has never shared the ring with someone of Broner's talent before. Despite this, Maccarinelli believes Rees can solve 'The Problem' and even stop him in the late stages of the fight.

"I see Gavin stopping him in the later rounds," Enzo told World Boxing News. "Broner is underestimating Gavin's conditioning, both physically and mentally."

"Gavin is the most mentally tough guy I've ever met and I am certain he will cement himself as a true world beater come Saturday night."

'The Rock' is no joke when it comes to boxing achievements and experience. But it is the young man that stands in front of him that make the odds so heavily stacked against him. The 25-0 loud-mouthed youngster has tons of talent to back his charisma and this is usually extremely intimidating to the opponents he beats up and out-classes. But, like Maccarinelli said, there isn't much that can phase Rees. He may not win the fight, he may not even last the distance, but he will give absolutely 100% for as long as the fight lasts. This match-up may be a little more exciting than some people think.

Adrien Broner Vs Gavin Rees - Fight Preview

By James McKnight @Jamesmcknight83.

Gavin Rees will face Adrien Broner in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on February 16 for the WBC lightweight title.  

Rees, 37(18)-1-1, last fought in July when he took on Derry Mathews in a rematch from 2011 which had ended in a draw. He beat Mathews after the fight was stopped during the 9th round. With that win. the Welshman not only regained the European title but he also claimed the British title too. Rees, 32, is aiming to win a World title at a second weight after he claimed the WBA World light-welterweight title back in July 2007. On that night he beat Frenchman, Souleymane M'baye on points. In his first defense of the title against Ukranian, Andriy Kotelnik in February 2012, he was stopped in the 12th round despite putting up a valiant effort throughout the fight, Rees simply had absorbed too much punishment. 

Broner, 25(21)-0-0, is currently 23 years of age and he is one of boxing's finest upcoming prospects. When he faces Rees. he will be aiming to defend the WBC lightweight title. In November, he made his lightweight debut after stepping up from super-featherweight. In the opposite corner to him that night was Mexico's, Antonio DeMarco who was aiming to defend the WBC title. Before the fight, many people had their own interpretation of how they believed the fight would unfold and many people expected DeMarco to give Broner problems of his own to deal with. But, this proved to not be the case. Broner was in excellent form, and landed many big shots throughout the contest, in particular some lethal uppercuts. The fight was eventually stopped during the 8th round. 

What could be the real dawning of the 140lb division?

By Jack Sumner @ Jack_Sumner_

http://southpawjacks.wordpress.com/

A couple of years ago, many boxing fans and analysts were proclaiming the light welterweight division as the best in the sport. The quartet of Amir Khan, Timothy Bradley, Devon Alexander and Marcos Maidana headed the pack at 140lbs with mouth-watering unification bouts on offer and the possibility of thrilling match ups between any of the protagonists. However, not everything is always as it seems. 

Khan and Maidana did thrill in their December 2010 clash that scooped fight of the year honours and after surviving a late onslaught, Khan emerged victorious to set up a clash with the winner of Bradley-Alexander a month later. The fight between the unbeaten young Americans was billed as the ‘Perfect Match Up’ with some comparing the magnitude of the event to Hagler-Hearns, but it was an anticlimax and ultimately an ugly spectacle, with Bradley winning via tenth-round technical decision after Alexander claimed lack of vision following a clash of heads. 

Bradley remained undefeated however and on course for a huge summer date with Khan to unify WBO, WBC and WBA titles. But as often is the case in this sport, the fight didn’t materialise. Bradley was stripped of his WBC strap for refusing to fight Khan and eventually moved up to welterweight to defeat Manny Pacquiao, a result that remarkably halted progress in his career due to its controversial and widely contested scoring. Khan meanwhile would go on to lose back-to-back fights against Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia, whilst Alexander and Maidana would eventually have an uninspiring clash at welterweight over ten rounds.

The hype at that time failed to deliver. Early in 2013, the buzz around the light welterweight division has now returned.

Ricky Burns talks about facing Miguel Vasquez!

@iFILMLONDON

WBO lightweight world champion Ricky Burns discusses his upcoming unification bout with the IBF's Miguel Vasquez on March 16th. He also discusses the situation with Adrien Broner and his plans for the future. 

Ricky Burns Vs Jose Ocampo - Fight Preview

By James McKnight (@mckjimbo).

WBO World lightweight champion Ricky Burns, was due to face commonwealth junior lightweight champion Liam Walsh on December 15 at the ExCel arena in London. Walsh though was involved in a car accident last month and consequently hurt his back forcing him to withdraw his challenge. Burns, 29, is now set to face late Filipino replacement, Jose Ocampo. 

Ocampo, 23, has a record of 17-5-1, 12 KO's and is rated at 14 in the World by the WBO. ''The bomber'' which is his alias, is relishing his meeting with Burns in the ring and believes he has what it takes to cause an upset. 

''I'll be coming to London with only one thing on my mind and that is to win the title.'' said the Filipino boxer. He added, "It's disrespectful that Burns is looking ahead of me next Saturday when i'll give him the hardest fight of his life,'' 

Who is the greatest of this era barring the 'Top 2'?

Nowadays when you ask the question "Who is the greatest boxer of this era?," you only really get two answers... Floyd 'Money' Mayweather and Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao'. For so long these have been the boxers that have been dominating most of the media coverage, debates and most importantly the money in the sport. What I want to know is.. Who would take the top spot if these two guys were around?

Now, this isn't just about who would become pound-for-pound No.1, its also about who would be considered the greatest. And in my opinion to be the greatest you have to be more than just technically skilled. You have to have something special about you. The ability to impact people, change their lives and most importantly let the world know who you are and make people want to watch you fight.

As always when I ask a question like this I want to know what the boxing public think or in Twitter terms the '#BoxingHeads'. So I posted the debate on Twitter and just expected replies regarding mostly the same couple of fighters. But it didn't turn out like that. There was at least twenty to twenty five different boxers mentioned and only a few were mentioned more than once.

Another thing that shocked me was that even up and coming prospects were getting mentioned. Boxers such as Adrien Broner, Kell Brook and even Chris Eubank Jr who has had no more that six fights. Now why I don't agree that these fighters should be considered great already, I took the thought into consideration and realised that these fighters are destined for greatness they're just not there yet.

Of course there were the obvious ones such as Miguel Cotto, Andre Ward and Juan Manuel Marquez (surprisingly nobody actually said the Klitschko's), and yes, these fighters are all great.. But who is the greatest? There was no clear verdict which made me realise one thing:

There is no real cemented definition for great. Greatness means something different to every single person in the world. Everyone has there own perception on who is great, especially in boxing. A sport where everything is debatable.

If I had to chose one fighter from this era to call 'the greatest' it would without a doubt be Floyd Mayweather. But seeing as he is excluded from this argument there is only really one other man out there... Juan Manuel Marquez.

Even at his current age (39-years old) he is still up there as a serious pound-for-pound contender and I think he is the only other fighter out there that you can put in the same bracket as Floyd and Manny.
The one thing I love about the Mexican is that he never fails to provide excitement and entertainment which is why the fans love him so much. I don't think there is anyone out there that can say they're not a fan of Marquez. He's not the stereotypical Mexican that you see powering through taking shots on the chin, he out-boxes and most of the time out-classes his opponents with ease. The guy has been in so many wars over the years but hasn't slowed down at all, he still fights like a fresh mid-twenties boxing technician.

Yep that's it really.. I consider Juan Manuel Marquez as the greatest of fighter of this era (except for Mayweather & Pacquiao). I'm sure there's a lot of you out there that disagree but that's what boxing's all about... OPINIONS! And I suppose every boxer that steps between those ropes are great in their own way.

By Jack Price @PriceyJ97.

Burns proves he is a class above!

Burns sends Mitchell crashing to the canvas.

Last night (September 22nd), WBO lightweight world champion Ricky Burns stopped the No.1 ranked contender and domestic rival Kevin Mitchell in just 4 rounds.

Burns was the slight favourite going into this fight but almost every boxing fan out there thought this was going to be a very, very close fight. How wrong we were... Burns proved to us and all of his doubters (if he actually had any) that he can not only box at the highest level of the sport, he can bang as well. Mitchell was considered as the dangerous puncher going into this fight, but it was him that ended up in the referee's arms at the end of the fight.

In the first three rounds it looked like it was going to be an action-packed 12-round slugfest as both men started strong and did not ease off. Mitchell did just enough to win the first round but then Burns came on stronger and nicked the second and third. Nobody expected what happened in the fourth, I don't even think Burns did. He threw a left-hook as Mitchell was coming in and it landed so sweetly that it was almost inevitable that Mitchell was going to hit the canvas. The 27-year old rose to his feet bravely but opted to fight back instead of doing the sensible thing which was to hold on. Ten seconds later he was down again and it was clear at this point that the fight was going to be over in this round. The referee did let Mitchell continue but Burns put the pressure on again and the ref was forced to step in with just a few seconds left of round 4.

Both men showed true sportsmanship after the fight and embraced each other almost straight away. Burns showed respect to Mitchell's bravery and Mitchell realised that he had been beaten by the better man. It was a great moment for British boxing.

It is onwards and upwards now for Ricky Burns. Personally, I would love to see him in with Adrien Broner and I think it would be between the two best lightweights in the world. If it was a few weeks ago I would have picked Broner to win without a doubt but after witnessing what happened tonight I would have to think long and hard before I made a prediction for that fight. Burns is up there with the best without a doubt.

For Mitchell, I think its back to the drawing board. There was nothing he could have done tonight, he was just beaten by the better man. A fight with Gavin Rees for the British title would be a good comeback fight for him and it would be a huge ticket seller for a domestic fight.

 

By Jack Price @PriceyJ97.

Broner could face Mitchell-Burns winner!

Broner celebrates after his fifth round stoppage over Vincente Escobedo.

Former super-featherweight king Adrien Broner has revealed that he is now leaving the 130lb division and moving up to lightweight. The 22-year old American will no doubt become the No.1 contender for Ricky Burns' WBO lightweight title which means that things could get really interesting.

Burns (left), Mitchell  (right).

Burns takes on Kevin Mitchell on September 22nd in one of the most highly anticipated domestic fights of the year. However, the winner of the clash may not stay champion for long. If Broner is made the No.1 contender, the winner will likely be forced to defend the title against him at the end of the year.

The only way out for the Brit pair would be if 'The Problem' turned his attention to the WBA lightweight title which was vacated by Brandon Rios earlier this year. But, it is looking likely that Richard Abril and Gavin Rees will be fighting for that title.

It's not a certainty that Broner would beat either Burns or Mitchell but from what we've see from the three fighters so far, Broner has looked by far the best. He is regarded by many as the next superstar in boxing and he certainly lived up to his reputation last night (July 21st) against Vincente Escobedo. Broner put on a boxing masterclass and stopped Escobedo in just five rounds.

Ricky Burns, 29, was set to face Broner last year but instead chose to move up to lightweight, leading many people to believe that he was ducking the young superstar. It has always seemed like these two are destined to face each other. So later this year we could be seeing a fight that we have all wanted to see for a very long time.

Maidana Vs Thurman added to HBO event on July 21st...

Marcos Maidana.

On July 21st 2012, young superstar Adrien Broner takes on Vincente Escobedo in the main event of the HBO Boxing After Dark show in Cincinnati. And now, another fight has been added to the show. Argentinian welterweight Marcos Maidana takes on up and coming prospect Keith Thurman.

Thurman after his second round KO of Travis Hartman.

This isn't a great fight, as many people have already portrayed it to be, but it is a decent fight. I've heard some people moaning about it and saying it's not even worth watching but I don't think it's that bad.

It's actually good to see an undefeated prospect taking on a tough fighter for once. Thurman (17-0, 16 KO's) has not faced anyone of any note yet but now, unlike many other young prospects in the world right now, he is taking on a fighter who will actually provide him with a tough test. Maidana (31-3, 28 KO's) is definitely past his best but he is still a tough fighter to beat. He has showed the ring with many great boxers that are around today, including a close loss to Amir Khan and wins over Victor Ortiz and Erik Morales. At one point, he looked as though could have gone on to be one of the best in the world. However, recently he has been on a slight decline.

The former world title challenger lost a wide points decision to Devon Alexander back in February which lead many people to think that his run as a top level fighter was over.

This will be a relatively close fight and if Thurman manages to get the victory it could give his career a huge boost and help him a hell of a lot in the future.

Adrien Broner returns on July 21st...

22-year old boxing superstar Adrien Broner had his May 19th fight with Gary Sykes cancelled along with Amir Khan Vs Lamont Peterson II. I won't go into detail as you will all surely no the reason for this. The WBO super-featherweight champion will now return to the ring on July 21st, headlining a Boxing After Dark card on HBO.

To be honest, I don't think many people will be bothered about the fight between Broner and Sykes being cancelled as it was going to be a massively one-sided fight in favour of Broner and many people were shocked that Sykes was even chosen to share the ring with the future pound-for-pound contender. I'm not taking anything away from Sykes, he will be massively affected by this and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for him but in reality he is a domestic fighter at most.

One possible opponent for July 21st is Vincente Escobedo, who was slated to fight Broner in August. He does have a fight this weekend, but if he wins, a two month break should easily be enough for him. Another fighter that everyone wants to see Broner face is WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns as many people believe that Broner needs to move up a weight division to prove himself. However, this fight is becoming less likely by the day as Burns has been rumoured to be facing domestic rival Kevin Mitchell on July 14th on the undercard of David Haye Vs Dereck Chisora.

Broner's and Khan's opponents are likely to be announced very soon. We'll have more info on what's next for the two young talents very soon.

Orlando Salido challenges Adrien Broner!

Orlando Salido.

WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido is coming off a fantastic stoppage win over Juan Manuel Lopez and he is currently feeling on top of the world. He's looking to move up 130lb and has gone straight in and called out pound-for-pound contender and WBO super-featherweight champion Adrien Broner.

Adrien Broner.

Broner is considered to be one of the most talented prospects in the world and has even been described as a younger version of Floyd Mayweather. But, this won't phase Salido, he is a fighter that never gives up and I know for a fact that he wants to prove himself against the best in the world.

This is what he had to say on the situation: "I would love to fight Broner at 130, but with one condition. After the fight, after I knock out Broner, I want his father to brush my own hair... He's always cocky because he never really fought anybody. He fought finished fighters or nobodies and he's so arrogant that I want to shut his mouth. The only thing I'm thinking of now is Broner. He has a big mouth and he likes to dance but I want to break his jaw... I will do exactly the same thing to him that I did to Lopez."

Broner, who is set to fight Gary Sykes on May 19th, was quick to reply to the Mexican fan-favourite.

"He's fighting on Showtime and he's a Showtime fighter. He's trying to get to where I'm at. He beat Lopez twice. To me, that's a B+, B- fighter with no chin. I don't knock him down, I congratulate him on that but they need to stay in their lane. I'm just on a different level... I'm not a promoter, I'm a professional boxer and I'll fight anybody they put in front of me. I don't care who it is. It could be Sykes, it could be Koo-Wan, it could be HuHan, I'm ready!"

If this was fight was to happen... I along with most of the boxing fans out there would be very happy as this would definitely have the potential to be one of the best fights in recent years.

Perez tests positive for cocaine!

Eloy Perez left on the canvas in fight with Broner.

Things have gone from bad to worse for super-featherweight Eloy Perez. He was knocked out in the 4th round on February 25th against young prospect Adrien Broner and now it has been announced that he reportedly tested positive for cocaine after the fight.

To make matters even worse, he has been released by his management team (Team Garcia) which will damage his career massively along with his reputation.

A few weeks ago Perez was considered to be one of the best super featherweights in the world but that all changed when he was walked over by Adrien Broner who had showed so much class it was unreal and now obviously this drug incident will drop him even lower in the rankings. That is if he is even allowed to continue boxing as he will soon have to attend a hearing in Missouri.

So is this the end for Eloy Perez?.. We will just have to wait and find out.