Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez making a grand arrival to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinson
Throughout his time covering boxing, award-winning photographer Naoki Fukuda has captured some of the best figures in the sport, both in and outside of the ring.
In 2014, Fukuda was once again embedded around special moments in the sport, and was kind enough to share with HustleBoss.com some of his favorite images throughout the year.
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Floyd Mayweather facing off with Marcos Maidana this past September in Las Vegas (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinson
For revered trainer Robert Garcia, he knows all too well the difficulty of preparing for a match with either Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao, the two men regarded as the best of this generation.
Garcia led Marcos Maidana into battle twice last year vs. Manyweather, as the Argentinean lost decision verdicts to the Grand Rapids native in May and September despite spirited efforts. And in November of 2013, Garcia was in the corner of Brandon Rios in Macau, China as Pacquiao won a whitewash decision against the former lightweight titlist.
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Tim Bradley and Diego Chaves following their match in Las Vegas last month (Photo: Chris Farina – Top Rank)
By Chris Robinson
Following his 12-round split-draw with Argentina’s Diego Chaves on Dec. 13, former two-division titlist Tim Bradley still stands as one of the game’s most talented and marketable attractions heading into the New Year.
After all, the Chaves fight was widely-viewed as a Bradley victory despite the officials scorecards reading otherwise. Speaking with Bradley’s trainer Joel Diaz, he didn’t seem to set back with the official verdict.
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Manny Pacquiao following his victory over Chris Algieri this past November (Photo: Chris Farina – Top Rank)
By Chris Robinson
These days much of the talk in the boxing world is again revolving around the potential dream fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
After over five years of fans and insiders pondering the matchup, there seems to be genuine hope floating around that we could be seeing the two best from this generation lacing up sometime this year.
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Chris Paul driving vs. Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night (Photo: Instagram)
By Chris Robinson
Given their 11-25 record this 2014-2015 NBA season, it’s not surprising to expect some frustration coming from the Los Angeles Lakers’ organization.
On Wednesday night the Lakers suffered a one-sided 114-89 loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers, marking their fifth straight defeat to their hometown rival.
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Carl Froch is itching for a Las Vegas duel with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (Photo: Tom Casino/Showtime)
By Chris Robinson
Brash Nottingham star Carl Froch is savoring the chance to lock horns with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. this Spring in Las Vegas.
Froch, 37, last saw action this past May when he stopped George Groves in the eighth round of a highly-anticipated rematch.
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St. Louis native Darwin Price spotted with trainer Ronnie Shields and the fighting Charlo Twins in Houston, Tex. (Photo: Instagram)
By Chris Robinson
When I first spotted Darwin Price, I could tell instantly that the kid had high ambitions with his career.
At that time, Price was on the verge of turning professional and has since reeled off a 5-0 mark with 3 knockouts. The brash St. Louis native gained respect after showcasing his skills all over the California area, including Abel Sanchez’ Summit Gym in Big Bear as well as Robert Garcia’s personal gym in Oxnard, Ca.
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Amir Khan facing off with Devon Alexander last month in Las Vegas (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinosn
There is no denying the ambition of British star and two-division world titlist Amir Khan.
Despite having suffered some setbacks while performing under the bright lights, the 28-year old Khan has never seemed to lose his confidence and his status in the sport is as high as ever. His 2014 campaign highlighted his talents, as he racked up dominating and impressive unanimous decision victories over Luis Collazo and Devon Alexander.
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Bermane Stiverne in action this past May vs. Chris Arreola (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinson
WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne (24-1, 21 KOs) seem as focused and calm as ever heading into his big showdown with top-ranked contender Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs).
The Stiverne-Wilder matchup takes place on Showtime Championship Boxing from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on Jan. 17.
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Maricela Cornejo is one to watch out for (Photo: Instagram)
By Chris Robinson
One thing I will always respect is someone who pushes towards a goal with hard work and passion.
If you pay a visit to Maricela Cornejo’s Instagram Page you will see what I am talking about. An aspiring professional female boxer who made her bones on the West Coast, Cornejo has been soaking up life in Miami, Fl. in recent months.
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Will we see Floyd Mayweather face Manny Pacquiao in 2015? (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinson
The buzz for a super fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao is once again high, as several people took notice to BoxRec.com’s update about the matchup being official for May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
While the post has since been removed, it was a simple update that seemed to turn heads.
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A screenshot of BoxRec.com listing Manny Pacquiao as Floyd Mayweather’s opponent for 5/2 in Las Vegas. The post has since been removed.
By Chris Robinson
On Monday evening, Jan. 5, buzz spread like wildfire after it was revealed that reputable site BoxRec.com had Manny Pacquiao listed as the official opponent for Floyd Mayweather, for a match set for May 2 inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Boxing fans, both of the hardcore and mainstream variety, have been dying to see the fight for well over five years now and the demand for the match has again picked up with Pacquiao having bounced back soundly following his knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez over two years ago.
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Sharif Bogere speaking from Johnny Tocco’s Gym in Las Vegas, Nevada during Live Sparring Exhibitions (Photo: Chris Robinson)
By Chris Robinson
The first time I recall seeing Chris Algieri in person was sometime in late 2013 or early 2014 ahead of his victory over Emmanuel Taylor.
I knew right off hand that the Huntington native was a tough guy simply because of who he was in the ring with, as Algieri could be found slugging it out with rock solid Ugandan contender Sharif Bogere inside of the Long Life Fit Gym (now called ‘Long Life Fighter Gym‘).
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Young prospect Thomas Hill, far right, with Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and Todd Harlib prior to his professional debut this past August (Photo: Chris Robinson)
By Chris Robinson
2014 was definitely a breakout year for Thomas Hill in several ways.
Having moved to Las Vegas from Milwaukee in Summer 2013, Hill wasn’t sure what his exact career path would be, yet he always seemed to have faith that things would figure themselves out.
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Jon Jones defeated Daniel Cormier last night in Las Vegas (Photo: Instagram)
By Chris Robinson
Last night, inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones successfully defended his title inside of the Octagon with a five-round unanimous decision over Daniel Cormier in a fight that was better than many expected.
While the commanding victory helps Jones’ to keep his name thrust in the MMA headlines, there has definitely been some feedback to the way Jones has acted following his 20th professional victory. There definitely was no shortage of emotions coming from Jones, 27, and Cormier, 35, prior to their match, as it was apparent that some genuine disdain was in the air.
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Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier weighing in (Photo: Instagram)
By Kyle Hutchison
Unpredictability will be in the air as two expertly-trained fighters come face to face one last time before their fight tonight as UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones meets up with challenger Daniel Cormier.
Jones will attempt to defend his title for the 8th straight time against undefeated challenger Cormier from within the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The build-up to their contest has turned UFC 182 into one of the most highly anticipated events in the company’s history.
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J’Leon Love always has a way of standing out (Photo: Chris Robinson)
By Chris Robinson
For Inkster, Mich. native J’Leon Love, there will always be some form of positivity to take in.
At least that’s the type of aura you sense when speaking with the brash 27-year old super middleweight prospect.
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Leo Santa Cruz gets back to work on Jan. 17 (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinson
Looks like always-exciting WBC junior featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz will be returning to the ring in a few weeks’ time out in Las Vegas.
Santa Cruz (28-0-1, 16 KO’s) will be looking for fourth successful defenses of his title on Jan. 17, as he will be facing off with Jesus “Estrella” Ruiz (33-5-5, 22 KO’s) on the Showtime-televised “Return To Glory” undercard headlined by WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne vs. power-punching contender Deontay Wilder at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
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Taking in 2015 in Las Vegas with some familiar heads (Photo: Chris Robinson – Hustle Boss)
By Chris Robinson
Happy New Year’s to everyone across the globe.
However you brought in 2015, whether with or without resolutions, it can be an exciting and challenging prospect to eye a new calendar year and set new goals.
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Legends on stage during the 52nd Annual WBC Convention in Las Vegas
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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