BoxingOpinions Interview Anthony Ogogo!

By Jack Price @PriceyJ97 - @BoxingOpinions1

Jack Price of BoxingOpinions interviews British Olympian and professional middleweight prospect Anthony Ogogo.

You’re 3 fights into your professional career.. How have you found the transition from the amateurs to the pro game so far?

Its been great. I'm loving it. I feel in my last fight I'm now finally starting to adjust and can't wait to progress. 

Luke Campbell Pro Debut - Post-Fight Report

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

Barry McGuigan Boxing Academy

As a result of the huge success that the Ireland boxing team achieved at the London 2012 Olympics, the amount of interest in the sport has risen massively over the past few weeks.

In an attempt to enhance the opportunities for the Irish youth, a new eight-week training programme has been set up for young aspiring boxers. The programme has been described as the "Barry McGuigan Boxing Academy" and will be split between the towns of Monaghan and Carrickmacross.

It hasn't actually been confirmed whether Barry McGuigan will play a huge part in the academy but even having the legends name will help to promote the academy. McGuigan was a very successful pro and is no doubt one of the greatest Irish boxers of all time, so he would be a great role model for young athletes, whether they want to box or not.

The programme is funded under the EU peace III Partnership and is aimed at all members of the community. Their main aim is to be able to successfully combine education and sport.

Irish Olympian Michael Conlan targeted by thieves!

Conlan with his bronze medal.

London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Michael Conlan hasn't had life as easy and as peaceful as you would think after returning home from this year's games. He has been conned on two occasions in just the few weeks that the games have been over.

The first incident involved Conlan's iPhone being stolen outside a nightclub in Dublin on his first night back from the Olympics. This was especially upsetting for the 20-year old as he had pictures of himself with many Olympic heroes including Usain Bolt and Lennox Lewis on the phone.

And then to make things even worse, Conlan has just returned home from a holiday in Ibiza only to find that his bank account has been hacked. It is very likely that the two incidents could be linked as Conlan had his bank details on the phone that was stolen from him.

Conlan commented on the incident on his Facebook page: "Ok so just found out that someone's buying things and using my bank details online! Seems I have been frauded! Some scumbags out there!"

Cammarelle disgusted by loss to Joshua, Plans to turn pro...

Joshua awarded the victory over Cammarelle in a very close fight.

Former super-heavyweight Olympic champion Roberto Cammarelle claims that he was disgusted with amateur boxing after not being given the decision against Britain's Anthony Joshua in the final at the London Olympics on Sunday.

Cammarelle was looking to make history by defending the super-heavyweight title he won in Beijing back in 2008. The Italian won two out of the three rounds but Joshua put on a fantastic performance in the last round to bring the fight to a draw. Joshua, 22 was awarded the fight on countback and Cammarelle was left with a silver medal, which is still a great achievement but not what he was looking for.

The 32-year old's coach Francesco Damiani protested the result to the AIBA but was unsuccessful. Cammarelle also spoke out about the Olympic judging:

"It's not Joshua's fault, but the Olympics were held in London and here evidently somebody likes to win in this manner," said the Italian. "This type of boxing no longer represents me and I don't like it."

He also added that he will not be attempting to regain his Olympic title at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, he will now go into the pro ranks and start punching for pay.

Personally, I don't think the decision was actually that bad. The Italian was rightfully ahead by three points at the end of the second round, but Joshua did more than enough to level the score. Some of the decisions at London 2012 have been terrible, but this one wasn't.

I'm sure that a lot of people are really looking forward to see Cammarelle turn pro as he does have a good solid style that would be affective in the professional game and there's also a lot of good fights out there for him. The main one being a rematch with David Price. Cammarelle defeated Price in the semi-final of the 2008 Olympics meaning Price was left with bronze and the Italian went on to win gold. This fight would probably be way down the line in both of these men's career, probably after Cammarelle has eased into the pro ranks and Price has already fought some of the big guys (Either Klitschko, Haye, Fury, Povetkin). However, there are a lot of good match-ups in the near future; Rematch with Joshua, Dereck Chisora, Alexander Povetkin, Seth Mitchell, just to name a few.

Adams gets gold!... By @Danemicus

Inspired by Amir Khan's Olympic success and with childhood heroes such as Muhammad Ali, Nicola Adams proved to any remaining doubters that women can be just as technically sound a pugility as their male counterparts. Unphased by the occasion in the first ever Olympic final for women's boxing, Adams' performance will have issued a statement. Not only is women's boxing here to stay, but it may yet throw the ailing sport a lifeline with what is a new and unfamiliar dimension for many. It became evident in the opening round just why Adams considered her opponent, China's Ren Canan, to be her nemesis.

It was the Chinese southpaw who was victorious in their previous meeting and early indications were that this would be a competitive encounter when an impetuous Adams found her left root inside the right southpaw's lead, walking square on to a stern left cross. Canan had moderate success on the frontfoot, thanks in part to Adams not moving quickly enough to her own left in order to negate the angles for Canan's left hand. Alas, it wasn't long before Adams talent came into play when she started to land good, clean counter shots towards the end of the round, punishhing Canan for whenever she came came forward in straight lines. In truth, the score of 4-2 seemed flattering score for what seemed a very even round overall, but there would be no such room for debate in round 2 on wards. Canan plodded forward with intent, but her efforts to reduce the deficit were in vain with Adams' lateral movement opening up good angles for which to land her combinations. The left hook and straight right are the classic counters against the southpaw, and Nicola was able to land plenty of both. Indeed, it was a right cross followed by a left hook which floored Canana towards the end of the round, opening up a 9-4 lead.

With an ever-increasing deficit in the scores, Canan had no choice but to take risks and it soon became clear that just like many southpaws, Canan is much more comfortable on the backfoot and at holding the center of the ring than she is at coming forward. Adams was able to keep her opponent off-balance with her superior handspeed and accuracy, controlling range seemingly at will, as well as working much more effectively on the inside. With a score of 14-6, Adams commanded what would proved to be an insurmountable lead going into the fourth, but rather than remain on the backfoot, Adams, was even content to trade in the second half of what proved to be another dominant round.

An excellent overall performance for Nicola Adams, the first ever Olympic gold medalist in women's boxing, and such a worthy winner on the night!

Does Olympic Gold = World Champion?

By Gary Alder (@garyalder321).

With Team GB well within the medal hunt in the boxing not only for the men but now the women as well, I take a look at some of the greats throughout history and does this mean our possible gold medallists have a bright future?

One thing is for sure, it will certainly attract the attention of some keen promoters. If we look as recent as the Beijing games for Great Britain, we see the rise of stars such as David Price, a heavyweight fighter already being lined up for a potential title fight with Wladmir Klitschko. Another name of note is James Degale, a gold medallist in Beijing remaining undefeated until that fateful night with George Groves, a rivalry which I’m sure will re-new itself at world title level. Then we have the unfortunate likes of Bronze medallist Tony Jeffries, plagued by injuries, cuts and poor performances against low opposition. He has always been that draw in Sunderland but like other fighters struggle to find the TV and arena audiences outside home town fights. Even the likes of David Price are resided to the fact that his Liverpool fan base is what is going to keep money going into his pocket, whilst creating an exciting atmosphere for himself and the viewing public.


History shows us every weight division has a special name to list:
Sugar Ray Leonard – Light Welterweight
Cassius Clay – Light Heavyweight
Michael Spinks – Middleweight
Joe Frazier – Heavyweight
Oscar De La Hoya - Bantamweight
George Foreman – Heavyweight
Lennox Lewis – Super Heavyweight
Wladmir Klitschko – Super Heavyweight

All these great names went on to transcend the sport.

So does the Olympics prepare you for life after amateur boxing? I think it definitely provides the goal and determination to achieve that gold medal, which takes a similar kind of drive to achieve that world title. It’s no coincidence that so many medallists go on to achieve a world title, the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Amir Khan who did not get that all illusive gold medal still go on to become unified world champions.


However it cannot prepare you for the lows of professional boxing. It is so rare to see an amateur fight dominated in the way a professional bout is, eventually ending with the career ruining knock out.

The gold medal is a step to stardom, the likes of which Andre Ward has recently felt, a tournament like the super six is built for an athlete such as Ward to compete against the best. Of course Andre has superior skills but that experience of going all the way to that gold medal match can only give you confidence.


Britain has much more of a tendency to celebrate our gold medallists and throw them into the fire and if they don’t come up smelling of roses, we lose patience. One name being Audley Harrison. Audley was one of our biggest successes post Olympics. He went on a few years undefeated but as soon as the real challenges came his way he folded. All culminating in that poor show against David Haye, and now the calls are for him to retire.

A gold medal can get you noticed, it can give a boxer that platform. That connection to the wider audience who watched the games in some foreign land. This time it is different. The games are in London. If a boxer can shine on this stage, they are setting their careers up for a nice pay day when they turn professional. Does this mean they will be world champion within 6 years? No it certainly doesn’t, but if they win the gold, keep that same drive and ambition that won them the gold, there is certainly no reason why they can’t become world champions (and millionaires in the process).

One thing is for sure though, With our recent history of turning medals into titles, Britain expects……

Ogogo!

That's right, I don't even need a title. I just need that one word; 'Ogogo!'







If you haven't heard already; Team GB's Olympic hopeful Anthony Ogogo put on the performance of his life in the middleweight round of 16 and upset the reigning world champion Ievgen Khytrov. 

Going into the fight, Ogogo was expected to put up a good fight but just not have enough skill or strength to compete with the Ukrainian knockout machine Ievgen Khytrov who was stood in front of him. However, right from the off Ogogo came out fast and through a lot of accurate combinations. We all knew that this would be his key to victory if there was an upset on the cards but we didn't expect it to be as effective as it was. 

Ogogo won the first round pretty comfortably and the judges gave a score of 5-3. But in the second round Khytrov came on very strong and gave Ogogo two eight counts. However, one of them was for no apparent reason. The first one was definitely legitimate but when you watch the second one in slow motion the referee jumps in when the punches clearly land on Ogogo's gloves. Despite all of this, the Brit just did enough to make it a close round. He lost the round 7-6 which meant he was still one point up (11-10).  

Ogogo now had two options. No.1: Run away for the whole round and try to defend his small lead or No.2: Come out all guns blazing in attempt to increase his lead and secure the victory. He chose the second one. The 23-year old rushed out of his corner and landed a few quick shots on Khytrov but unfortunately from that point the momentum switched and Khytrov controlled most of the action in the third and final round. Ogogo still managed to get a few scoring shots through but Khytrov was landing plenty too.  

When the fight ended, nobody was quite sure who had won. I thought Ogogo had just done enough but like everyone else, I wasn't sure.  

After a long and tense wait the scores finally came in. The two men had drawn 18-18 and then 52-52 on countback which meant the judges had to pick the boxer that they felt did better. And they all chose Mr. Anthony Ogogo, and I don't blame them. He showed so much heart, courage and passion to not only get through the fight but also do enough to win it. He was a huge underdog to get into the tournament but he got through, he was a huge underdog going into the fight but he upset the odds once again. 

After eliminating the tournament favourite, a huge door has opened up for Ogogo. As long as he stays focused and doesn't lose his head he can definitely become British boxing's next gold medallist.

Brazil's Conceicao claims London 2012 judges are biased!

Brazilian lightweight amateur Robson Conceicao claims that he was the victim of biased judging yesterday (July 30th) after he went out in the first round of the London 2012 Olympics against Great Britain's Josh Taylor.  

Conceicao gave world champion Vasyl Lomachenko the hardest fight he's had in years at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, and this year he was determined to get a medal. But now this is not possible, after he lost 13-9 to European champion Taylor in a fight that he claims he won every round.

"They were very malicious. It's not fair because I think the judges favoured him because of the crowd and that shouldn't happen in a competition like this," said Conceicao. 

"It hurts a lot, I was fighting really well, making the points and the referee didn't give it. I'm sad." 

Taylor made it three out of three Team GB in the first round of the tournament. Anthony Ogogo, Fred Evans and Josh Taylor are all through and Anthony Joshua and Natasha Jonas are still left to fight. Savanna Marshall, Andrew Selby, Thomas Stalker, Nicola Adams and Luke Campbell all received byes through to the second round. 

When asked if it was possible to beat a British boxer in this tournament, Conceicao claimed "it will be very difficult."  

Taylor, who is Scotland's first lightweight representative in over 30 years, claims it was brilliant having the crowd behind every punch he threw and he thanked them for making it the best experience of his life.

Belfast boxer Paddy Barnes gains over 3000 followers from opening ceremony stunt!

Irish boxing Olympic hopeful Paddy Barnes has gained over 3000 extra followers on his Twitter account after he advertised after he advertised it during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics on Friday. 

The 2008 Olympic bronze medallist held aloft a sign that read: "Open for sponsors... @paddyb_ireland (Twitter)"
Later on that night he also tweeted numerous pictures of himself alongside Usain Bolt and other famous stars. 

An estimated audience of one billion people watched the opening ceremony on Friday which explains why the talented Irishman gained so many followers in such a short time. 

Barnes' Irish teammate Darren O'Neill praised the Belfast man's bravado. 

"Paddy showed me the sign before he went but I didn't think he'd dare go through with it," said middleweight O'Neill. "Paddy is always a character and I think he's got a sky-rocketing number of followers overnight so fair play to him."  

John Joe Nevin of Team Ireland also commented on the stunt after his impressive victory over Denmark's Dennis Ceylan in the opening round of the Olympic boxing. 

"What Paddy did at the opening ceremony was brilliant... I had an idea he was going to do that. It was great to watch." 

Barnes will not actually be in action until next Saturday as the light-flyweight received a bye through the first round.

Anthony Joshua set a tough challenge in Olympic opener...

Team GB hopeful Anthony Joshua.

British super-heavyweight hopeful Anthony Joshua has been dealt with a tough challenge in his first fight at the London 2012 Olympics. The 22-year old was handed a first round bout with tough and talented Cuban Erislandy Savon in yesterday's draw at the Excel Arena. 

This will make Joshua's dreams of winning a medal at this Olympic games a lot harder in reality. But as the saying goes.. 'You have to beat the best to be the best.' If Joshua manages to come through the first round without too many problems, it will make a huge statement. Savon, 22, is a former world junior gold medallist and is the nephew of the famous Felix Savon who won heavyweight gold medals in 1992, 1996 and 2000. 

Team GB manager Matt Holt believes that Joshua will be able to deal with the tough challenge. 

"Anthony had a fantastic World Championship and he is ready for this fight," said Holt. "It is always tough against the Cubans, but we know we have got a super-heavyweight who can mix it with the best." 

In other Olympic boxing news.. Middleweight contender Anthony Ogogo was drawn against Junior Castillo of the Dominican Republic and five Team GB boxers (Andrew Selby, Luke Campbell, Thomas Stalker, Nicola Adams and Savannah Marshall) were all given first round byes.

Lomachenko looking to turn pro after London 2012!

Vasyl Lomachenko, who is regarded by many as one of the greatest amateur boxers of all time, is considering moving in to the paid ranks and fighting in America right after the London 2012 Olympics. The Ukrainian has achieved all that there is to achieve as an amateur and is eager to achieve even more as a pro.

"I'm thinking about turning pro after these Olympics are finished. I'm thinking of a U.S. debut," told Lomachenko to the 2X2 Ukrainian TV channel. "The real prizefighting is in the States. It's level, the best fighters - all of this can be found only in America. Frankly speaking, I see no professional boxing in both my native Ukraine and in Europe."

Lomachenko is still only 24-years of age but he has already achieved so much. He jumped to stardom after his fantastic performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he won his first Olympic gold medal. He has also won two gold medals at the world championships in 2009 and 2011 and he also became European champion in 2008. He will no doubt add to this collection of trophies and medals at this years Olympics. If your passionate about amateur and Olympic boxing... Vasyl Lomachenko is the man to watch out for!

Beyond Sport!

Matiullah Haidar shows off his award next to Muhammad Ali and David Beckham.

Snoop Dogg changing his name to Snoop Lion won't be the only reason for people to remember July 24th. It will also be remembered as an iconic day for sport all around the world. An organisation named Beyond Sport brought sporting personalities and delegates from all around the world together in an attempt to find ways to improve the sporting opportunities available for young people. 


Just to quickly explain what Beyond Sport is and what they aim to do.. They are global organisation that promote, develop and support the use of sport to create social positive change all around the world.

It was a three-day event and I had the privilege to attend yesterday's part which was the award ceremony where a youngster that had gone 'beyond sport' and achieved something great was awarded with the Generation Ali Award. The winner of the award was Matiullah Haidar, a young refugee from Afghanistan who came to the country four years ago with no knowledge of English or any sport. He now teaches Cricket to young children that are from deprived or socially-isolated areas. To present the award to the young man was two huge sporting icons.. One is actually regarded by most as the greatest athlete of all time. These two men were David Beckham and of course Muhammad Ali. You could see the delight on Haidar's face when he won the award and got the opportunity to be in touching distance of two of the most famous athletes of all time.

However, amongst all of the cheers, delight and joy there was one thing that was playing on the back of most people's minds and was probably the main talking point when everybody left the function room to go the open bar afterwards... The poor and frail condition of Muhammad Ali.
Now, don't get me wrong... It was still a huge honour to even be in the same room as the 'greatest human being of all time', but it was very sad to see the once smart, young, handsome and witty man in the condition he is in now. He had to be shuffled by two of his carers on and off of the stage and when he was sat down on the chair in the centre of the stage there was just a vacant look on his face and I don't think he really knew where he was. This has lead me and a lot of other people to realise that now maybe he should just be left alone. After the London 2012 Olympics, I think we should all just let the 70-year old American live the remainder of his life in peace. That way we can remember him as the great and powerful man he once was when he was at the prime of his career and his life.

Overall, the Beyond Sport event was a huge success and I believe that sport really did benefit from the three-day event. Young people were given the opportunities to do something with their life and this will continue to happen in the future.

Warren hoping for third time lucky...

American amateur boxer Rau'shee Warren is praying that it will be third time lucky for him at the London 2012 Olympics that start next week. The 25-year old flyweight will make history by becoming the first American boxer to compete in three Olympic games. However, he believes that this is not enough. So far he has not won a medal at the tournament and he wants one before he starts punching for pay and moves into the pro ranks.

He has considered turning pro in the past, especially after his early exit from the Beijing tournament in 2008, but he believes that this time nothing will go wrong. With the tournament just a week away, the American certainly doesn't lack confidence.

"I'm happy that I have achieved this, being the first American boxer to go to a third Olympics," said Warren. "That is making history, but now I have to put a medal on top of it."

"After London, I'm looking forward to going professional... I feel I have made my mark by being the first American to go to the Olympics three times, but I am giving up the amateurs. After the 2008 Olympics I wanted to go professional, but I decided to stick around and go back for the third."

"I had lost and I didn't want to go professional having lost out twice at an Olympics - I want to do it as a medallist."

Warren believes that the experience he has picked up over the last eight years could be his key to victory at this tournament.

"I'm taking advantage of the first two times for this third time. I will take my experience and the mental side and put everything into one,and when it is time for competition, that has got to show."

Muhammad Ali heading to London!

Ali with the Olympic torch in 1996.

Popular sports charity 'Sport For Peace' have revealed that boxing great Muhammad Ali will be heading to London prior to the Olympics held there this year. The London gala benefit he is attending is in his honour and it  takes place two days before the Olympics start.

Ali is by far the most popular boxer of all time, and he is regarded by many as the greatest athlete that ever lived. The fact that the charity have got such a big star to attend , especially in his poor and unfortunate condition, is just simply amazing. It also shows what a great man Ali really is. Willing to attend an event like this even though he is struggling at this moment in time. Sport For Peace have also realised this and they will honour the American's humanitarian work and status as a "role model on civil rights, humanity and opposing war."

The 70-year old participated in the Rome Olympics just over 50 years ago. In 1960, he won the light-heavyweight gold medal. At the time, he was still known as Cassius Clay.

The event takes place on July 25th at the Victoria & Albert Museum. It will raise money for the Muhammad Ali Education Centre and research into Parkinson's disease, something Ali has battled for over 30 years.

Also attending the A-list dinner will be famous couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Jolie is a patron of Sport For Peace, which urges people to promote fair play and understanding.

Billy Joe Saunders ready to rock the Royal Albert Hall!

Middleweight prospect Billy Joe Saunders.

Former Olympian Billy Joe Saunders intends to continue with his undefeated record at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday night. He will headline the show against Tony Hill for the vacant Commonwealth middleweight crown.

Saunders was only 18-years old when he took part in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 but he insists that he has no regrets about turning pro and missing London 2012.

"Of course in the Olympic year, you do think what might have been," said Saunders.

"I had a good chance when I went to Beijing and the guy who beat me, I'd beaten him three weeks before and he went on to win silver... I was only 18 and I'd be 22 if I was competing at London. I'm stronger and more experienced and I know I would have won gold."

"But as an amateur, the highest level you can box at is the Olympics. I did that at 18 and felt it was time to move onto other challenges and turn professional... "I'm fighting for the Commonwealth title on Saturday and I believe I'll be ready for a world title shot in the next 18 months."

Saunders is thrilled to be topping the bill at the first professional boxing show at the Royal Albert Hall in 13 years. He was originally meant to be the chief support but light-heavyweight Nathan Cleverly was forced to pull out of his world title fight.

"When I heard the news, it was a really really good feeling... When you think of the names who have boxed there, it's a privilege... It's the best feeling I've had since turning pro!"

Anthony Ogogo makes it into Olympic squad...

23-year old Anthony Ogogo has become the seventh British boxer to qualify for the Olympic games. The middleweight from Lowestoft has only recently recovered from a shoulder injury that he suffered in last year's world championships. He made a dramatic return by beating Vitali Banderenka of Belarus 14-7.

Ogogo said "I always knew if I got myself fully fit and free from injury then I could compete with the best in the world. It will be a dream come true to represent Great Britain in a home Olympics."

He is the second British boxer to get through in Trabzon. Lightweight Josh Taylor was the first when he qualified earlier this week. The other fighters that have already qualified are Andrew Selby, Luke Campbell, Thomas Stalker, Fred Evans and Anthony Joshua.

Great Britain could still match the 8 qualifiers they had four years ago in Beijing if Callum Smith manages to qualify. But, the light-heavyweight cannot do anything about it, he just has to hope that luck is on his side. He was beaten by Vatan Huseynli of Azerbaijan but with three qualifying places left in his category he can still qualify if Huseynli beats Turkey's Bahram Muzzafher in the final today. It will be an anxious weight for the British hopeful.

This one of the strongest British teams I have seen in a very long while so our boxing team will hopefully be bringing home a lot of medals for our country.

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