Monthly Archives: December 2014

Remembering the 52nd Annual WBC Convention in Las Vegas

Legends on stage during the 52nd Annual WBC Convention in Las Vegas

Floyd speaks

By Chris Robinson

Earlier this month in Las Vegas, inside of the Mirage, the 52nd Annual WBC Convention was held.

It is hard to understate the amount of legendary fighters, trainers, and overall great boxing people who came through town throughout the convention’s duration and there was no shortage of emotions in the building.
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Musawwir’s Mittwork Challenge sweeping over the boxing community

Abdul Musawwir Muhammed putting in work with upcoming amateur prospect Tavorrye Whitaker (Photo: Chris Robinson)

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By Chris Robinson

Having been around Abdul Musawwir Muhammed for a few years now, I can attest that he has had several ideas and visions that are outside of the box.

And that can often be a good thing.
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Rajon Rondo getting into form as the Mavericks beat the Lakers; eyes Jan. 2 return to Boston

Rajon Rondo has been adjusting to life as a member of the Dallas Mavericks (Photo: Hookem3434)

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By Kyle Hutchison

Following the big trade that sent Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics to the Dallas Mavericks, all eyes have been on the All Star point guard.

Rondo was traded to Dallas in exchange for small forward Jae Crowder, power forward Brandan Wright, point guard Jameer Nelson, a 2015 1st round pick and a 2016 2nd round pick.
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Gennady Golovkin pushing hard through the holidays as Martin Murray showdown nears

Gennady Golovkin pushing hard in Big Bear, Calif. (Photo: Abel Sanchez)

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By Chris Robinson

You will be hard-pressed to find many prizefighters in the sport of boxing who put in the rigorous work that WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin does.

With a second-round knockout over formidable Marco Antonio Rubio just a few months removed, Golovkin has already turned his focus towards his next ring assignment.
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Trainer Javan ‘Sugar’ Hill reflects back on the chance encounter between Adonis Stevenson and Sergey Kovalev in Las Vegas

Sergey Kovalev and Adonis Stevenson in Las Vegas in October of 2013 at the Top Rank Gym 

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By Chris Robinson

On Oct. 12 of last year, two-division world champion Tim Bradley produced perhaps his most complete performance as a professional in edging future Hall-of-Famer Juan Manuel Marquez via split-decision over 12 tense and tactical rounds inside of the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

While the fight was a nice chess battle, there was actually plenty of news and developments taking place outside of the squared circle that week. During any notable fight week in Las Vegas, you are always sure to find your share of boxing notables around town and there were no shortage of luminaries on hand.
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Live exhibition sparring set to once again go down at Johnny Tocco’s on Friday, Jan. 2

Johnny Tocco’s Boxing Gym will be hosting more exhibition sparring sessions on Jan. 2

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By Chris Robinson

I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped into Johnny Tocco’s Boxing Gym in early November for the first edition of their Exhibition Sparring series inside of their famed facility.

For anyone who has kept up with HustleBoss.com over the past few years, you know all too well that raw, all-access sparring footage is a big part of the boxing coverage featured on the site and that’s why Tocco’s latest revival is right up our alley.
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VIDEO: Jodeci reunites for new track ‘Nobody Wins’ featuring B.O.B.

Jodeci is back

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By Chris Robinson

At the 2014 Soul Train Awards in Las Vegas on Nov. 7 (Aired via BET and Centric on Nov. 30), 90’s R&B group Jodeci reunited for their first on-stage performance in eight years.

It was definitely big for hardcore fans of the group and music aficionados in general to catch Jodeci on stage and their performance preceded the release of their new single “Nobody Wins” featuring special guest B.O.B.
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Adrien Broner calls for a second shot at Marcos Maidana: ‘It’s only right that I get a rematch’

Adrien Broner and Marcos Maidana (Photo: Instagram)

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By Chris Robinson

You are never quite sure what to expect when you stumble upon any of Adrien Broner’s social media platforms.

The outspoken former three-division champion rarely disappoints when inside of the squared circle yet Broner still hasn’t seemed to have fully gotten over his sole professional loss from a year ago.
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Former champ Beibut Shumenov looking to bounce back in the cruiserweight division under respected trainer Ismael Salas

Former light heavyweight champ Beibut Shumenov is back in the win column (Photo: Ed de la Vega)

SHUMENOV back

By Chris Robinson

There was no shortage of boxing in Las Vegas on Dec. 13, as the MGM Grand and nearby Cosmopolitan both held nationally-televised events featuring some of the top names in the sport.

Amir Khan thoroughly handled Devon Alexander in Las Vegas over 12 rounds on Showtime inside of the MGM Grand while Tim Bradley and Diego Chaves scrapped to a debated draw on HBO’s airwaves across the street. Also scoring victories that evening were such notables as Abner Mares, Keith Thurman, Jose Benavidez Jr., Andy Lee, Victor Ortiz, Errol Spence Jr., and the fighting Charlo brothers from Houston, Tex.
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Jeff Mayweather not impressed by Amir Khan: ‘Floyd will knock him out too!’

Amir Khan in the ring (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

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By Chris Robinson

As Floyd Mayweather eyes his 48th professional bout, there is still speculation as to who his dance partner will be when he returns, likely in May.

Mayweather is coming off of a pair of decision victories of Argnetina’s Marcos Maidana this year and the two most formidable names out there are Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao.
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Robert Garcia high on Jesus Cuellar following Tamayo knockout; Abner Mares showdown brewing for 2015?

Argentina’s Jesus Cuellar won his ninth in a row last night (Photo: Stephane Trapp – Showtime)

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By Chris Robinson

Last night, from the Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Wash., interim WBA featherweight champion Jesus “El Jinte” Cuellar (26-1, 20 KO’s) won his ninth in a row by stopping Mexico’s Ruben Tamayo (23-5-4, 17 KO’s) in the fifth round. The bout was part of a four-fight Showtime Extreme telecast.

“I’m happy with my performance tonight,’’ said Cuellar, who is one of the busiest fighters in his division. “My team and I worked very hard in training camp and it showed. I corrected mistakes from my last fight. Sometimes, I get too anxious in there and I come out too strong. I feel that this time I was a little bit more patient.”
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Andy Ruiz marches forward in Phoenix, wins 10-round unanimous decision over Sergei Liakhovich

Andy Ruiz Jr. continues to climb the heavyweight ladder (Photo: Mikey Williams – Top Rank)

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By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, in Phoenix, Az., heavyweight hopeful Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz Jr. improved to 21-0 with 15 knockouts after scoring a ten-round unanimoud decision over former champion Sergei Liakhovich.

Scores of 99-91, 98-92, and 96-94 were read across the board for the Las Vegas transplant, who scores his third victory of the year. With the clear-cut win, Ruiz defends his NABF and WBO intercontinental titles and will likely be in some kind of high-profile matchup next year.
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Roy Jones Jr. rips Floyd Mayweather; claims a Pacquiao fight ‘doesn’t mean anything’

Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

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By Chris Robinson

I’ve always found it interesting to hear what boxing greats think of one another.

Boxing is a sport full of brazen individuals and strong personalities, so respect is something that isn’t always dished out.
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Floyd Mayweather Sr. sounds off on Amir Khan, Paulie Malignaggi, and Manny Pacquiao

The affable Floyd Mayweather Sr. in Las Vegas (Photo: Chris Robinson)

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By Chris Robinson

Amir Khan’s stock is as high as ever following his dominant unanimous decision victory over Devon Alexander this past weekend in Las Vegas.

Khan was razor sharp, picking Alexander apart with precise shots inside of the MGM Grand, nabbing his 30th victory as a professional while also paving the way for a possible dream fight vs. Floyd Mayweather in 2015.
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Junior middleweight prospect Julian Williams looks to close out 2014 strong this weekend on Showtime

Julian Williams and other inside of Undisputed Boxing Gym in San Carlos (Photo: Facebook)

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By Chris Robinson

One of the game’s top junior middleweights, Julian Williams, seems poised for a career breakthrough in 2015.

Led by the astute Stephen “Breadman” Edwards, Williams has been a good character to keep tabs with these past couple years.
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Floyd Mayweather Sr. on prospect Bryce Fraser: ‘He’s one of the young up and coming fighters that is going to be very, very good’

Young prospect Bryce Fraser in Las Vegas training with Floyd Mayweather Sr. (Photo: Chris Robinson – Hustle Boss)

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By Chris Robinson

There are a pleothora of emerging prospects in the Las Vegas boxing community.

Trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. is always open to working with somebody new, but it’s very rare that a fighter can catch his eye.
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Evander Holyfield talks Bermane Stiverne vs. Deontay Wilder at the 52nd annual WBC convention

Heavyweight great Evander Holyfield at the 52nd Annual WBC Convention in Las Vegas (Photo: Chris Robinson)

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By Chris Robinson

The 52nd Annual WBC Convention in Las Vegas has been stacked with boxing luminaries from across the globe.

Former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield always attracts his share of fans and he took a minute to break bread with the media following Monday’s opening ceremony at the Mirage Hotel & Casino.
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Sugar Ray Leonard says a Floyd Mayweather fight is a different horizon for Amir Khan

Living legend Sugar Ray Leonard in Las Vegas (Photo: Chris Robinson)

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By Chris Robinson

Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard is one of the most beloved characters in the sport of boxing.

While at the 52nd Annual WBC Convention inside of the Mirage  Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, the former five-division titlist was once again greeted with adoration by fans and insiders alike.
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Ricky Hatton on Amir Khan ‘I think he’s got the style to beat Floyd; he’s quicker than Floyd’

Amir Khan prior to his match vs. Devon Alexander this past weekend in Vegas (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

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By Chris Robinson

At the 52nd annual WBC Convention from the Mirage in Las Vegas on Monday afternoon, former two-division world champion and British idol Ricky Hatton could be found taking in the ceremonies.

Hatton had a great run as a champion at 140 pounds and has been turning his energy towards promoting in recent times. Wherever he goes, the 36-year old is adored and thronged by fans and always up for some good boxing talk.
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