Monthly Archives: March 2014

Jesse James Leija reveals what Bernard Hopkins told him while watching Beibut Shumenov’s last fight

HustleBoss.com’s Rod Green speaks with former world champion and current day promoter Jesse James Leija about the latest on the San Antonio boxing circuit as well as his insight into the April 26 Bernard Hopkins vs. Beibut Shumenov matchup on Showtime Championship Boxing.
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Juan Manuel Marquez explains why he passed on a showdown with Provodnikov; unsure about 5th Pacquiao fight

Juan Manuel Marquez and Mike Alvarado in Los Angeles (Photo: Chris Farina – Top Rank)

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By Chris Robinson

On May 17, one of this generation’s great technicians steps back into the ring when Juan Manuel Marquez meets up with Mike Alvarado in an HBO showcase from the revamped Forum in Los Angeles.

Having just turned 40, Marquez is coming off of a bitter split-decision loss to Tim Bradley this past October 12 in which he performed relatively well outside of being outhustled in certain rounds.

One week after that bout, Alvarado was stopped in brutal fashion by Ruslan Provodnikov in another wild encounter.

Marquez had nothing but nice things to say about Alvarado, calling the Denver native a “great fighter” and emphasizing how hard he is going to have to train for this tussle.

As for Provodnikov, Marquez again noted why he decided to pass on an opportunity to face the affable Russian slugger.

“Provodnikov is a great fighter,” Marquez explained. “He’s a champion. I was the champion in super lightweight. I don’t want to champion in the same weight. I want to be champion in welterweight. I don’t fight with Provodnikov because Provodnikov is a super lightweight champion.”

If Marquez finds a way to beat Alvarado, he could very well be in line for a crack at the winner of the April 12 Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley rematch.

Marquez knows each man very well, having faced Pacquiao four times already, yet he doesn’t want to look too far ahead at this point.

“I don’t know what [will] happen in the future,” said Marquez. “I can’t say nothing right now.”

*** FOR  A  VISIT back in Pacquiao’s career in photos, check the thumbnails below…

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Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com

 

Jeff Mayweather touts Tim Bradley’s improvement as a fighter while claiming Pacquiao to be far past his best

Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley facing off (Photo: Chris Farina – Top Rank)

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By Chris Robinson

As seen with recent “Face Off” and “24/7” airings on HBO’s airwaves, the April 12 Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley rematch is starting to pick up some serious buzz.

Insider predictions on the match have produced varying results and in the coming weeks we will look to give you more thoughts from the boxing world on boxing’s latest pay per view showcase.

A recent visit though the Mayweather Boxing Club saw trainer Jeff Mayweather share his thoughts on the fight.

Check below for Jeff’s take on Bradley’s improvement since his controversial split-decision over Pacquiao in their first fight, his reason for siding with Pacquiao in the rematch, and more.

Better and better…
“I think that it’s going to be a good fight. I think that Bradley has shown himself to become a much better fighter. In all honesty I thought he lost first fight big. But since then, he’s shown that he’s gotten better and better in each fight. Pacquiao has just been knocked out as well. I expect it to be a good fight. Probably a lot closer than it was last time.”

Favoring Pacquiao slightly…
“At this point, I guess I still got to learn towards Pacquiao. He won the fight too big to not get the decision. I still think Bradley is going to give a great performance but I won’t be surprised if he pulls off the upset.”

Performing on a high level…
“I guess the one thing is that he showed me he’s got heart, he’s got will, and determination. And don’t get me wrong, I like Bradley as a fighter. Because he always seems to find a way, no matter what type of adversity he’s going through, he someone finds a way to still perform on a high level. The fight with Provodnikov, in that fight he showed tremendous heart, tremendous will. That was another fight that was very, very close. Could have went either way I thought.”

Growing as a fighter…
“But the Marquez fight, he actually showed that he has grown into a fighter that isn’t not ready for big fights. He’s ready for the big stage and he realizes that it’s no longer about Manny Pacquiao. It’s no longer about Marquez. Those guys are past their prime and he believes in his heart that he’s the guy now. Mentally I think he’s a much better fighter.”

How close Pacquiao is to the fighter who stopped Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto in successive fights five years ago…
“To be honest, he’s not even close to that fighter anymore. It shows. When was the last time he knocked out anyone? It also seems like his killer instinct is gone. He’s not the same fighter.”

*** FOR  A  VISIT back in Pacquiao’s career in photos, check the thumbnails below…

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Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com

Bob Arum knew Juan Manuel Marquez wouldn’t retire following his bitter loss to Tim Bradley

Bob Arum discussing the Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Mike Alvarado matchup (Photo: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com / Naoki Fukuda)

By Chris Robinson

Following his tough loss to Tim Bradley this past October, there was some uncertainty regarding the future of Mexico City’s Juan Manuel Marquez.

Having turned 40 this past August, Marquez insisted that a rematch with Bradley, and a chance to win a title in a fifth weight class, was the only interest to him.

Months went by and it seemed more and more likely that Marquez would indeed end up fighting. Earlier this month an interesting clash with former junior welterweight titlist Mike Alvarado was officially announced, as Marquez will meet up with the Denver native on HBO on May 17 from the The Forum in Los Angeles.

Catching up with Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, who will be staging the Marquez-Alvarado matchup, he was quick to point to the historical significance of Marquez returning to a refurbished venue that he is so familiar with.

“I think it’s an interesting fight because of the styles of the fighters,” Arum noted. “I think that Alvarado is going to give Marquez a hell of a fight and very well could beat him. I just think it’s a tough fight for Marquez and I’m thrilled that Marquez is going back to the Forum, where he made his bones, so to speak. Now he’s coming back opening up the new Forum. It’s very exciting.”

Marquez fought a spirited battle against Bradley but he was simply outworked and out slicked at key spots in the match.

And while the disappointment that followed was obvious to spot in Marquez, Arum knew his pride would carry him on.

“No,” Arum answered when asked whether he ever thought Marquez might walk away. “He was disappointed. He always thinks [he won] close fights. He’s very competitive and that’s the first thing he says is ‘I’m going to retire.’ I never thought he was serious.”

There is already another opportunity on the table for Marquez, as a victory over Alvarado could lead towards the winner of the April 12 rematch between Bradley and Manny Pacquiao.

“If he beats Alvarado he wants the winner of Pacquiao-Bradley,” Arum stated. “That will give him another chance to win the welterweight title and that’s what he’s looking for.”

*** FOR  A  VISIT back in Pacquiao’s career in photos, check the thumbnails below…

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Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com

 

Joel Diaz says he is ready for Freddie Roach’s bullsh*t; expects the critics to emerge after Bradley beats Pacquiao again

Trainer Joel Diaz breaking down the Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley rematch (Photos: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com / Naoki Fukuda)

By Chris Robinson

Having been linked to WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley dating back to his amateur days, trainer Joel Diaz has over ten years in the bank with one of the world’s best fighters.

Bradley will look for a third successful defense of his crown when he faces off with eight-division world titlist Manny Pacquiao on April 12 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada in a huge rematch.

Bradley upset Pacquiao via a controversial split-decision nearly two years ago and Diaz insists that his fighter is better honed for the second encounter.

“No complaining; everything is going good,” Diaz told me recently. “Preparation is better than the first one. Tim could fight this weekend. Tim has been training really, really hard. He’s excited and most of all he wants to prove that he’s going to beat Manny Pacquiao no doubt.”

Diaz is anticipating more backlash once again following the rematch, and referenced Bradley’s October split-decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez as a possible precursor to how he may operate vs. Pacquiao.

“Even if he beats Manny Pacquiao, regardless of how he beats him, [they] aren’t going to give credit, because there’s always a hypocrite who says ‘Manny Pacquiao is no longer the same after Marquez knocked him out,’” Diaz said.

“All we’re going to do is beat him the way we did to Marquez,” Diaz added. “Marquez, we were not in there to please anybody. We were just in there to take care of business and win.”

Bradley had a banner 2013 that started off with a gutsy victory over Ruslan Provodnikov in a wild brawl before he returned to outfox Marquez over twelve rounds.

Bradley seems to be hitting his stride as a prizefighter and Diaz insists he will be good to go next month.

“Our confidence level is so high,” Diaz explained. “After fighting Ruslan Provodnikov, who hits a lot harder than Manny Pacquiao, and [he] took his punches and finished the fight. And then fighting Juan Manuel Marquez, who knocked out Manny Pacquiao, and just cruised and beat him. The confidence level is high. We know what Manny Pacquiao brings to the table and we’re ready for it.”

*** FOR  A  VISIT back in Pacquiao’s career in photos, check the thumbnails below…

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Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com