Category Archives: Boxing

PHOTOS: Canelo Alvarez and Amir Khan make their grand arrivals to Las Vegas

Canelo Alvarez making his grand arrival to Las Vegas (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

By Chris Robinson

On Tuesday, May 3, WBC middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and former junior welterweight champion Amir Khan made their grand arrival to Las Vegas ahead of their HBO pay per view clash this Saturday night from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

Canelo (46-1-1, 32 KO’s) and Khan (31-3, 19 KO’s) are both exuding extreme confidence ahead of this matchup, although Alvarez is the clear betting favorite to his obvious advantage in size. Canelo is coming off of one of his most complete performances to date, as he defeated Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto over 12 rounds this past November.
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Photos: Badou Jack and Lucian Bute fight to draw in Washington, D.C.

Badou Jack appeared to do enough to defeat Lucian Bute on Saturday night (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, April 30, WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack retained his title as he settled for a draw with former longtime IBF titlist Lucian Bute inside of the Armory in Washington, D.C.

Jack (20-1-2, 12 KO’s) appeared to do enough to secure a victory, with one judge giving him a 117-111 edge. That tally was overruled by two 114-114 scorecards, however, as Jack retains his title and could be meeting IBF champion James DeGale later this year in a unification match.
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Local prospect Cameron Kreal resurfaces for top-notch sparring vs. top amateur Daijon Carter at Tocco’s

Cameron Kreal was recently spotted at Johnny Tocco’s Boxing Gym earlier this month (Photo: Jabber)

By Chris Robinson

You should never let a record in boxing deceive you.

When taking a look at junior lightweight prospect Cameron Kreal, who fights out of Las Vegas, it may be easy to dismiss to his 8-9-2 record (1 KO) as being average but there is far more to his record than meets the eye.
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PHOTOS: Naoki Fukuda covers Gennady Golovkin’s crushing stoppage of Dominic Wade

Gennady Golovkin was too much for Dominic Wade on Saturday night (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, April 23, WBA/IBF middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (35-0, 32 KO’s) overpowered contender Dominic Wade (18-1, 12 KO’s) for an easy second round knockout.

Golovkin registered a knockdown in the first round off of a big right hand and the writing was on the wall. Two more knockdowns followed in round two, and referee Jack Reiss called a halt to the match.
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PHOTOS: Gennady Golovkin tears through Dominic Wade in two rounds

Gennady Golovkin was too much for Dominic Wade on Saturday night (Photo: Chris Farina – K2 Promotions)

By Chris Robinson

It was business as usual for Gennady Golovkin on Saturday night, April 23, as he faced off with contender Dominic Wade inside of the Forum in Inglewood, Calif.

Golovkin (35-0, 32 KO’s) was on another level than his Maryland-born opponent, as he dropped him in the first round with a right cross. Two more knockdowns followed in round two, with referee Jack Reiss wisely waiving the match off after the second.
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Steve Forbes reflects on Pac-Bradley III; says he always believed Mayweather had edge over Manny

Manny Pacquiao defeated Tim Bradley in their third encounter (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

By Chris Robinson

On Saturday, April 9, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao produced a commanding victory in defeating Tim Bradley in their trilogy matchup at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Pacquiao (57-8-2, 38 KO’s) dropped Bradley (33-2-1, 13 KO’s) twice in the second half of the fight and may indeed be retiring after this victory.
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Promoter Lou Dibella feels that Kell Brook wants ‘no piece’ of Errol Spence Jr.

Errol Spence was dominant vs. Chris Algieri on Saturday night (Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)

By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, April 16, inside of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, undefeated welterweight contender Errol Spence Jr. scored the biggest and perhaps the most electrifying victory of his career in stopping former champion Chris Algieri in the fifth.

Spence (20-0, 17 KO’s) was simply to precise and powerful for Algieri (21-3, 8 KO’s), who never could get into the fight. Spence dropped Algieri in the fourth and twice in the fifth before referee Benjy Esteves Jr. waived the contest off.
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Steve Claggett returns this weekend in Las Vegas in high-stakes showdown vs. Chris Van Heerden at the D

Steve Claggett faces off with Chris Van Heerden on Saturday (Photo: Manny Murillo)

By Chris Robinson

This weekend in Las Vegas, a familiar face will return to the ring when Steve “The Dragon” Claggett faces off with Chris “The Heat” Van Heerden on Saturday night, April 16.

Taking place at the D Hotel and Casino as a headlining act to the new “Knockout Night at the D” series, Claggett (23-3-1, 16 KO’s) will be looking for a benchmark victory as he goes in tough against South Africa’s Van Heerden (23-2-1, 12 KO’s).
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PHOTOS: Manny Pacquiao emerges victorious over Tim Bradley in trilogy showdown at the MGM

Manny Pacquiao may have fought his last bout as a professional (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao defeated former two-division titlist Timothy Bradley in clear fashion.

There were several close rounds, yet Pacquiao (57-8-2, 38 KO’s) again dominated key spots over the second half of the match, dropping Bradley (33-2-1, 13 KO’s) in rounds seven and nine. Nothing is for certain regarding Pacquiao’s future, yet the Filipino icon appears to be hinting towards retirement.
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Manny Pacquiao drops Bradley twice, takes decision; Tim eyeing retirement?

Manny Pacquiao defeated Tim Bradley on Saturday night (Photo: Instagram)

By Chris Robinson

Moments ago, from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev., eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao captued a clear unanimous decision victory against friendly rival Tim Bradley.

Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KO’s) started cautiously against Bradley (33-2-1, 13 KO’s), as the two men appeared to trade the early rounds. Pacquiao’s class began to show in the middle rounds, as he began picking Bradley off with sharp counters.
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Pacquiao Sparring Partner Lydell Rhodes thinks Manny ‘can and will’ keep fighting after Bradley

Manny Pacquiao faces Tim Bradley later tonight in Las Vegas (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

By Chris Robinson

Later tonight, inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., Manny Pacquiao will face Tim Bradley for the third time in a welterweight attraction on HBO pay per view.

For this particular camp, Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KO’s) again worked with lightweight contender Lydell Rhodes, both in the Philippines and in Los Angeles. Hustle Boss caught up with Rhodes following yesterday’s weigh-in and he seems to feel his friend will find a way to perform under pressure.
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VIDEO: Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley III Official Weigh-In

Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley will meet for a third time later tonight in Las Vegas (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

By Chris Robinson

Later tonight, inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao will meet two-division titlist Tim Bradley in a trilogy showdown on HBO pay per view.

At yesterday’s weigh-in, Bradley (33-1-1, 13 KO’s) hit the scales at 146.5 pounds while Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KO’s) came in weighing 145.5 pounds. Pacquiao, the beloved Filipino icon, claims this will be his last official fight but there is a lingering sense that he will keep competing after this.
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PHOTOS: On The Scene With Naoki Fukuda During Pacquiao-Bradley III Fight Week in Las Vegas

It’s Fight Week In Las Vegas (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

By Chris Robinson

During any fight week in Las Vegas you are sure to run into your usual cast of characters. There are a lot of good people in the sport, both in the media and pugilistic field, and it’s good to catch up with everyone during these times.

Manny Pacquiao faces Tim Bradley on Saturday night, from the MGM Grand here in Las Vegas, and those in press row have been busy as usual. Our friend Naoki Fukuda has been kind enough to share some of his images through the early fight week days.
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PHOTOS: Looking back at Adrien Broner’s TKO victory over Ashley Theophane

Adrien Broner halted Ashley Theophane in the ninth round on Friday night (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

By Chris Robinson

This past Friday night, inside of the DC Armory in Washington, D.C., four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner halted a game Ashley Theophane in under nine rounds of action.

Broner (32-2, 24 KO’s) established early command of the fight against Theophane (39-7-1, 11 KO’s) and appeared to stun his UK foe a few times in the early rounds. Theophane, to his credit, fought valiantly and attempted to rally in the middle rounds.
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Norway’s Alexander Hagen invades Las Vegas; set for First Friday Exhibition Sparring at Johnny Tocco’s on 4/1

Alexander Hagen, left, listening to trainer Luis Monda, far right, inside of Johnny Tocco’s in Las Vegas

By Chris Robinson

There is a special synergy and connection that takes place between aspiring pugilists and trainers in the sport of boxing.

Being a trainer in boxing requires a lot of patience and communication from the get-go, as the revolving cast of fighters they work with come with so many different levels of talent, experiences, history, and ability.
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It’s Showtime for Damien ‘Sugar’ Vasquez; Fight poster for 5/7 return in Colorado revealed

Damien Vasquez returns to Colorado on March 29 (Photo: Facebook)

By Chris Robinson

On Tuesday, Mar. 29, Damien “Sugar” Vasquez took to his personal Facebook Page to update his fans with some news.

As reported by Hustle Boss earlier this month, Vasquez will be facing off with tough veteran Lorenzo Trejo on May 7 in Longmont, Color. in a stacked card. Vasquez (8-0, 3 KO’s) captued the NABF junior flyweight belt in just his sixth pro bout and will be putting his strap on the line against Trejo (35-31-1, 22 KO’s) in a matchup that has been long overdue.
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Donte Strayhorn gets back on track in Tijuana; successful return with new team

Donte Strayhorn, seen with trainer Chris Bentchavtchav and Tron Larkins, following his recent win in Tijuana (Photo: Instagram)

By Chris Robinson

It’s been more than a few years now since we have been covering prospect Donte Strayhorn out here in Las Vegas.

A native of Cincinnati, Oh., Strayhorn, 25, was an amateur when he first came to the city nearly five years ago and it has been quite the ride for him to endure.
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Damien ‘Sugar’ Vasquez headlines ‘Returning Home: A Night To Remember’ on May 7 in Longmont, Colorado

Damien ‘Sugar’ Vegas during a recent workout in Las Vegas ahead of his May 7 return in Colorado (Photo: Chris Robinson)

By Chris Robinson

When I caught up with Damien “Sugar” Vasquez recently in Las Vegas, he was putting in some tough work with top contender Joebert Alvarez from the Philippines.

At the time I was unsure of any set return date for Vasquez, but it appears now that the 18-year old NABF junior flyweight champion has something lined up.
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1st Annual High School Las Vegas Basketball Classic goes down March 15

The first annual High School Las Vegas Basketball Classic is on its way to Las Vegas

By Chris Robinson

For the past few months, we have been hearing rumors of a possible new event coming to the Las Vegas area.

Now we can make it official, as the 1st Annual High School Las Vegas Basketball Classic will be coming to Spring Valley High School on Tuesday, March 15.
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PHOTOS: Terence Crawford beats down Hank Lundy in five rounds

Terence Crawford was too much for Hank Lundy on Saturday night (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

By Chris Robinson

It was business as usual for WBO junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford this past Saturday night, as he stopped a brave but outgunned Hank Lundy inside of five rounds in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,092 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.

On HBO’s airwaves, Crawford was calm and calculated as always, as he brushed off a strong start by Lundy before breaking him down in the fifth with a knockdown and a barrage of punches soon afterwards that prompted referee Steve Willis to call a halt to the action.
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