Posts Tagged ‘Interview’

[Interview] Chad Dawson Looks to Reestablish His Brand Against Stevenson

Posted: June 7, 2013 in Fight Interviews
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ChadDawson

You are only as good as your last fight. The titles, Pound 4 Pound accolades and even your resume will be slandered after one bad performance. Look no further than Chad Dawson, who despite being the linear champion at light-heavyweight, has been all but forgotten after being taken to the woodshed by super-middleweight kingpin Andre Ward last September.

Sure, there was a valid excuse for the performance. Dawson had to boil down to a weight limit he hadn’t been at in years, and the warnings signs were evident when rumors came out of his training camp that he was knocked out in sparring and noticeably weaker. But this is the cold world of boxing, where the results in the ring trump any of the circumstances behind it, and Chad Dawson finds not only his 175 WBC title at stake, but his marketability as an elite fighter on the line when he faces limited by dangerous slugger Adonis Stevenson in Montreal Saturday night (June 8) on HBO. A few years ago following Dawon’s disappointing first career loss to Jean Pascal, Bernard Hopkins told this writer that Dawson’s career was a “failed stock” that HBO brought into. Since then, Dawson has gone on to hand Hopkins one of the few uncontroversial losses of his career. This weekend, we find out if Dawson can truly resurrect his name after the biggest setback of his career.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: You’ve become infamous for running through trainers. In fact, you’ve changed trainers 10 times in 11 years. With that said, a few have been trainers you’ve gone back to more than once like Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. What renewed your faith in him?

Dawson: If you really think about it, Eddie is the one who got me to my highest [career] point. When I was up, Eddie was there. And even when I lost to Pascal, Eddie still called and was there for me. He’s a great man and great trainer and the one I’m the most comfortable with.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Hindsight is 20/20, but what was your mindset in taking that Andre Ward fight?

Dawson: I was a tremendous mistake on my part. I took the fight – no one else is to blame on my team. I’m the boss and they followed my lead. The weight took a toll on me. I can’t blame anyone but myself.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Quiet as it’s kept, you’re always taking tough fights. Why another dangerous fight after coming off a KO loss?

Dawson: I’ve got to give the fans something. I can to show the world that I’m still one of the best Pound 4 Pound fighters in the world. I took the fight because he’s a big puncher. I checked him out and watched his tapes. The most that people say about him is he’s a big puncher.

I’ve been in the ring with big punchers, but I’ve survived. That being said, he’s never faced anyone liked me. I know I can deal with a fighter like him. We’ll see if he can handle me.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: What else can be done at 175 if you get by Stevenson? You’ve already beat Hopkins…

Dawson: I’m interested in a Ward rematch, but he’ll have to come to me this time. I’m not interested in catchweights. I did what was asked of me last time. But I doubt he’s interested in doing the same thing at 175. That will be the reason the fight won’t happen.

Far as a Bernard Hopkins [trilogy], Bernard doesn’t want anymore parts of me. I think the people can see that. That won’t happen again. But I do want any potential big fights. Carl Froch is one of those guys who might move up to light-heavyweight. Whatever would interest the fans is what I want.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: I know he’s tied up for the rest of the year, but have you given up on getting revenge on Jean Pascal?

I’m always definitely interested in that fight. I know he’s wrapped up with Bute. After I dust Stevenson off, I’m sure he won’t want any parts of me either. On the 8th, they’ll see something from Chad Dawson they’ve never seen before. We’ll try to make the Pascal fight for early 2014, but he has to get by Bute and that’s a tough fight for him.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Why should we believe you about a “new Chad Dawson?” We’ve heard this before.

Simple, I have no doubts in my mind. It’s different when you go into a fight with doubts. Did I do enough? Did I not do enough? I know I did enough in training this time. When I fought Antonio Tarver the first time, I let my hands go. I was in such great shape that everything flowed and came that night. I’m in the same situation with this camp. I worked very hard. My weight is perfect and I’m leaving the gym at 110%.

The great camp showed me how much of a mistake I made going down to 168 pounds for the Andre Ward fight. Believe it or not, it’s been a big confidence booster to be back. I’m looking forward to showing everyone I’m still one of the best.

It’s funny because I always joked about moving up to heavyweight one day. Honestly, I’m 30 years old and this is the division where I’ll probably end my career. I can’t see myself fighting at cruiserweight. I have make light-heavyweight easy and it’s my natural weight.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: If you’re staying at 175, the division looks to be going international with UK guys like Nathan Cleverly, George Groves and James DeGeale trying to build their names. Could you be enticed to take a risk and go overseas?

I definitely think they have to come over to the States and make a name for themselves. I’m through with going to people’s backyards. My years of doing that are over. If they want a title shot, they have to come to me.

 

Chad Dawson vs. Adonis Stevenson airs live on HBO “Boxing After Dark” on June 8 at 10 p.m. ET. On the undercard, Yuriorkis Gamboa returns to the ring to face Darleys Perez.

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Hot 97′s Nicki Minaj Interview 5/28/13: “”I’m choosing to get back to my essence and feed the core Hip-Hop fans…”

Posted: May 28, 2013 in Music News
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Nicki Minaj made her first appearance on Hot 97′s “Morning Show’ since the infamous Peter Rosenberg diss to “Starships” at last year’s Summer Jam. As usual, this supposed “issue” was the result of a misunderstanding. Rosenberg had every right not to like the “Starships” track, but picked the wrong time to bash it. On the under hand, Minaj admitted it was a very poor decision to throw a tantrum and not perform.

The biggest news from this clip is Minaj revealing that musically she’ll be returning to her core Hip-Hop roots. While the pop songs have brought her great success, I still stand by the notion they stunted her musical quality and the cohesiveness of her albums. We’ll see if she can right the ship on her next project.

Minaj also discusses her third album, why she considers her second album a sophomore slump and the diva accusations.

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Floyd Mayweather’s Power 105 Breakfast Club Interview

Posted: May 9, 2013 in Fight News
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Floyd Mayweather made a recent appearance on Power 105′s The Breakfast Club to discuss his recent victory over Robert Guerrero, potential future opponents and 50 Cent among other topics. The big news for hardcore boxing fans is that Mayweather confirmed he will be returning to the ring on September 14 since x-rays revealed no extensive damage to his right hand. In regards to an opponent, Mayweather as usual didn’t name anyone but stated an announcement will be made by next month.

PART 2

[Video] Holly “Lil’ Bear” Lawson: Brawn, Beauty & Brains

Posted: April 23, 2013 in Fight News
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Longtime readers will recall welterweight Holly Lawson as one of the few female boxers that have been featured on this site. After scoring a split decision win over Sarah Kuhn in September, Holly has been waiting patiently to secure her first fight of 2013. In the meantime, those unfamiliar with her background can catch up via this appropriately titled video short. Holly’s a riot on Twitter, so be sure to check her out there and on Instagram @lilbearlawson.

[Interview] Bernard Hopkins On Making History (Again) and Using Tavoris Cloud to “Retire” Don King

Posted: March 8, 2013 in Fight Interviews
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Bernard Hopkins

For the last five years, every Bernard Hopkins bout has been viewed as a potential “retirement fight.” You had a 40-something Hopkins who we all expected at some point to “get old” in the ring. Although he showed signs that the end is near in losses to Joe Calzaghe and Chad Dawson, the Executioner was “right more than he was wrong,” as evidenced by definitive victories over the likes of Kelly Pavlik and Jean Pascal.

That brings us to this Saturday night, where Hopkins dares to test fate yet again when he steps in the ring with a slugger 18 years his junior in IBF light-heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud. Promoted by Don King, Hopkins has the distinction of running through every top middlweight King had in the late 90s-early 2000s, the most famous scalp being that of Felix Trinidad. Read why this time it’s not just Cloud, but Don King’s head that Hopkins is gunning for.

How to Continue Training at Age 48 Without “Leaving It All in the Gym”

That’s a great question because I see it happen to young fighters a lot who aren’t acumstomed to keepignt hat focus between major fights. I look at it the same as if I was an entertainer. If I was a rapper, I’d try to stay in the booth as much as I can. I try to keep that same mentality even at the highest or lowest. If you train yourself that way early and know how beneficial that is later on, you will be one of those guys that stay around and relevant when most aren’t anymore.

It would’ve been too late if I got that mentality 5-10 years ago. I conditioned myself early on in my career to have that mentality. What may be hard for others, which I can understand to a point, is very easy to me. I love staying in shape and working out, looking good in my clothes. I’m proud of the discipline it takes. This is how I make a living.

Why Tavoris Cloud Was Picked and Removing Don King From Boxing

He (Cloud) reminds me of a young rapper that’s good coming at Jay-Z saying he’s better. He figures I ought to be out and it’s his time. I’m sure a lot of entertainers can relate to that. So seeing a guy that I think is credible, having beaten everyone put in his path, it’s a whole ‘nother thing to do it at this level where you want to fight the Bernard Hopkins of the world.

What motivated more than Cloud and the title was Don King. He’s always been a motivation since my early career when I made a great living beating his fighters up to when I beat Felix Trinidad after 9/11. It might be shocking that I’m talking about Don. I’m saying it to make you understand that I have a chance to do what Cloud is trying to do to me, and that’s retire Don King by beating Cloud.

What do I mean? Name five top fighters Don has that you would pay to see. I’m sorry that’s not fair, name three. You can’t. I sat back and did some thinking. I don’t sound like a punch-drunk fighter to you — I’ve had over 70 fights since 1988 fresh out of the penitentiary. That’s a testimony to my lifestyle and my genetics, my ancestors. I look at everything logically. I never thought I’d have a chance to retire one of the most influential promoters in boxing history.

Love him or hate him, only in America with the same jacket for the last 30 years. I get the chance to retire Don King by beating the only horse (Tavoris Cloud) he has left to ride. I said it at the press conference. I’m saying it right now that I get the opportunity to retire one of the greatest promoters of many generations before me. Who would have ever thought? A bullet didn’t do it. A bad steak at a dinner didn’t do it. A car crash didn’t do it. I am undefeated against Don King fighters and there’s 15 of them, from William Joppy to Simon Brown.

How many athletes or entertainers get a chance to break their own record? [Writer's Note: Hopkins established a record as the oldest fighter ever to win a major title in 2011 when he defeated Jean Pascal at age 46.] Most artists don’t get to break their sales records in music. How many artists have gone diamond? I’ve gone diamond many times in the boxing game. That means a lot to me. Why not build on it while I can? That’s my whole case on my future in boxing.

Seven years I’ve been with Golden Boy Promotions. Now we’re seeing Golden Boy growing on the East Coast with guys like Adrien Broner and Danny Garcia. I’m doing a lot more than just throwing punches. It’s the hustler’s mentality that goes beyond the Hip-Hop game. You live and die by what you create.

Come March 9, I’m going to be glad to be at the Barclays Center to send a message. I left my DNA in Madison Square Garden in 2001 and made history. Now I’ll make history in the new Mecca of boxing in New York. It used to be the hood. Now it’s “Hello Brooklyn.” It will become a part of my legacy. I’m honored and I’ve earned that. I earned that respect but I still have to go in the ring and take what is mine, and that’s victory.

If Floyd Mayweather’s Network Switch Will Change Boxing

That’s going to happen whether we like it or not. Again, I can tell I’m talking to someone with knowledge of that era. Someone is going to have to answer to why Floyd Mayweather is at Showtime and not HBO. Someone’s head is gonna roll. They have a boss; it’s no different from the music business. If Jay-Z wants someone on Roc Nation, and he’s making strong efforts to make sure someone gets him, and that person doesn’t do it, he has to answer for it.

That important piece [Mayweather] is now at your rival. The ratings will shift. The game is gonna change. Competition has always been healthy, but if you can get rid of it in business, you do it. You always want the block locked down in the streets or the market in corporate America. So now that Mayweather is at Showtime, someone at HBO didn’t do their job.

I have a degree from the streets, not corporate America. I’m not trying to act like I have credentials there, but I think I know what I’m talking about.

Hopkins vs. Cloud, a 12-round fight for Cloud’s IBF Light Heavyweight World Championship will take place Saturday, March 9 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.  The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Don King Productions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T, Ford and Rocawear.  The HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.  The co-main event will be a 12-round fight between top rated undefeated contender Keith Thurman and former World Champion Jan Zaveck for Zaveck’s WBO Inter-Continental Welterweight Championship.

Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $85, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are available for purchase at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

[Interview] Tavoris Cloud: Take It in Blood

Posted: March 7, 2013 in Fight Interviews
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Tavoris Cloud dominates Clinton Woods for IBF 175 belt!

Time is money when it comes to mine, take it in blood… – Nas

Beating a legend doesn’t make you one, but it damn sure brings notoriety. Tavoris Cloud is in desperate need of that as he appears on HBO this Saturday to face the ageless Bernard Hopkins for the IBF light-heavyweight title. Cloud’s breakthrough fight was supposed to have been in 2010, when he dug out a tough decision win over the then still-formidable Glen Johnson. Instead, Cloud’s career stalled due to a sporadic fighting schedule and a disasterous February 2012 performance against Gabriel Campillo. Cloud won the fight via a highly controversial split decision that unfortunately for him, is the fight that most casual fans remember his name for.

An emphatic victory over Hopkins erases the stain of the Campillo debacle and puts him in line to unify the IBF strap with the winner of WBC title rematch between Chad Dawson and Jean Pascal.

At 29 years old, there’s no further time to waste.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Hopkins has traditionally done well with sluggers like yourself. What can you bring to the table to prevent ending up like Kelly Pavlik and Jean Pascal?

Cloud: Everyone knows Bernard Hopkins is a dirty fighter and more than likely he’ll come out the bag with some of those tricks in the fight. For the head butts, y’know, one thing you don’t do is let you head hit the heavy bag when you hit the heavy bag. [laughs] I trained at a higher altitude over here at Big Bear so I can be more elusive and block more shots. I’m not concerned with what Bernard Hopkins is gonna bring. I think he’s gonna have a hard time keeping me off of him.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Having last fought in February 2012, this is the longest layoff of your career. How did you deal with it, especially with the last fight being the bad one against Campillo?

Cloud: The thing with the layoff, I was in camp all of last year, pretty much. With the [canceled] Jean Pascal fight I was in camp four months. I even stayed in a little longer after they canceled the fight to see if anything popped up. I had a lot of sparring that I didn’t get a chance to use. I had another training camp for a fight in Venazuela that didn’t take place. I was right back in camp in Big Bear in January. I’ve been mentally ready to fight even with these fights not happening.

I’ve had a lot of sparring — I’m still sparring right now. My mind has been focused on fighting so I don’t think [the layoff] will bother me.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: After the Campillo fight the scouting report is now that you’re susceptible to being outboxed. Why was that fight such a struggle after you nearly ended it in the first?

Cloud: The fight with Campillo, I didn’t train like I was supposed to. I was bullshittin’. I still think the fight should’ve been over in the first round. I’ve never seen a referee grab a fighter’s hand and stuff like that. One of the reasons I wasn’t in the best shape was because after another fighter had pulled out, I was just like the hell with it, fuck boxing. I actually became depressed and I wasn’t there mentally. I was tired of that happening. I went into that fight and my [weak] training showed.

I learned from that Campillo fight to stay ready, don’t lose your patience, be ready for a dirty game and pray out there. Had I still been patient, the fight would’nt have been so damn ugly if I was motivated in camp. I had no business fighting with that man for 12 rounds. I won’t get caught like that ever again.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Hopkins has prided himself on representing that tough Philly mentality in boxing. Tell me about the Florida mentality that you bring to the ring.

Cloud: I feel like I’m definitely representing and I’m gonna carry the torch for the state of Florida. It’s a Florida thing, a Florida mentality — we don’t go away easy. We’re men — everything they get from us they got to get with blood. I’m definitely proud to hold this torch and fight Bernard Hopkins with Florida on my back.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Given any thought to any final Hopkins mind games, like maybe a mush at the weigh-in or a stunt like the push-ups between rounds?

Cloud: He might try it but I’m ready for anything. I’m not really caring about what he’s gonna do. If he wants to make an ass out of himself, let him do it. More power to him.

 

Hopkins vs. Cloud, a 12-round fight for Cloud’s IBF Light Heavyweight World Championship will take place Saturday, March 9 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.  The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Don King Productions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T, Ford and Rocawear.  The HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.  The co-main event will be a 12-round fight between top rated undefeated contender Keith Thurman and former World Champion Jan Zaveck for Zaveck’s WBO Inter-Continental Welterweight Championship.

[Interview] Orlando Salido vs. Mikey Garcia: Trial By Fire

Posted: January 18, 2013 in Fight Interviews
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The age-old storyline in boxing is the young up and coming contender meeting the challenge of the old, grizzled champion. You hear it many times these days phased as the young lion seeking to dethrone the “lion in winter.” Well, take one look at WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido and see if “old lion” is the first phrase that pops in your head.

What Mikey Garcia faces tomorrow night (January 19) on HBO Boxing After Dark is not an older fighter ready for the taking, but a renewed veteran on one of the best run of his career. Since dropping a decision to Yuriorkis Gamboa in 2010, Salido has been a five-fight win streak that includes brutal beatdown stoppages over the likes of Juan Manuel Lopez (2X), Weng Haya, Kenichi Yamaguchi, Moises Gutierrez. And to compound the formidable obstacle in front of him, Garcia as a finesse boxer-puncher is facing a style-clash with the in your chest, bruising pressure game plan that Salido brings every fight.

With a little over 24 hours left before the ring reveals the truth of who is the better man, Garcia and Salido give their last thoughts on what could be the first Fight of the Year contender for 2013.

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Getting Ready for Salido

We worked a lot of speed, agility and footwork because we feel that’s our advantage over him. We have a better chance of beating him by outboxing him and outspeeding him every round of the fight. I also worked on strengthening my legs and training my core body. We know he’s a very tough fighter and we may have to be stronger than previous fights to sustain his aggressive attacks and the pressure he applies.

 

How to Not End Up Like Juan Manuel Lopez If He Has to Fight Inside

I will do that if I have to — if I hurt him and I see him breaking down or getting tired. If so, I’ll put the pressure on him. If not I plan on moving around the entire night.

 

The Importance of Strength and Conditioning Coach Darryl Hudson for This Fight

It does count. It’s extra work but you feel stronger afterward. And that translates to speed and stamina. We did a great job on this.

 

What Salido may be underestimating.

Because of my power, he may not see the super fast hands or the overall speed (of my punches). I have speed in my hands, good footwork, and good defense, a little bit of everything. Those are my advantages over him.

 

Salido Compared to Past Opponents.

He’s very different from anyone I’ve faced. He’s very aggressive but can box too. Past guys like Concepcion and Barros had the ability to pressure me but decided to stay on the outside and change the way the fight went. They didn’t show up to brawl. With Salido, I have to prepare for the possibility of that as well.

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Mentality-wise as a fighter, do you resemble your father or your brother more?

[Laughs] I don’t know. My Dad focuses on defense a lot. During the fight he wants more aggression and my brother gets excited like that as well, maybe a little more. It takes a round or two more for me to step on the gas, usually. I’m honestly not sure; I take things from both.

 

Using a Particular Salido loss for your blueprint.

He lost to the best in the division so there’s not one that stands out as the game plan for me. All of them were a few years back. I prefer to look at his recent big fight wins for strategy. Although he has 11 defeats, a lot of them were very early in his career.

 

The Perfect 2013

Become world champion Saturday night. It’s up to the promoters, but I want to unify the titles and give opportunities to the up and coming fighters.

 

As a Boardwalk Empire fan, which character would sum up your style in the ring?

[Laughs] On Boardwalk? It would be hard since they’re a lot of characters trying to come up. But I don’t want to say one because a lot of them end up being killed!

 

Juan Manuel Lopez, Orlando Salido

Why Garcia can’t handle his pressure.

I’ve seen lots of his fights and he doesn’t like up close, pressure fighting. He’s a very good fighter when you stay on the outside and don’t pressure him. But this fight I’m going to come right at him and get right in his face. He’ll have to try and do something about it.

What he learned from the Gamboa loss that’s driven his five fight win streak.

I didn’t feel I was really well-prepared for that Gamboa fight. The last few fights I’ve completely matured as a fighter. I’ve learned how to eat properly and keep the weight off. This is key as I’m not fighting to make the weight.

 

If Garcia Can Last as Long as JuanMa Lopez did in a Slugfest.

I’ll make him fight that way to find out. It’s up to me to cut off the ring, keep him in front of me, and see to it he fights that way. I’ll find out.

 

The importance of body shots to beating Garcia.

The body punches will be what slows him down. We going to focus a lot on the body. Once he slows down I’ll take advantage of that by going upstairs for the finish.

 

ORLANDO “Siri” SALIDO will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title against  undefeated No. 1 contender MIKEY GARCIA; undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) / International Boxing Organization (IBO) middleweight champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN will look to extend his reign into its third year against world-rated contender “King” GABRIEL ROSADO; and two-time WBO junior lightweight champion ROMAN “Rocky” MARTINEZ will put it all on the line when he goes mano a mano with No. 1 contender JUAN CARLOS “Mini” BURGOS.  All three fights will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, Saturday, January 19, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

 

 

 

[Interview] Gennady Golovkin on Rosado and Bringing Action to American Fans: “I have what they want.”

Posted: January 16, 2013 in Fight Interviews
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For better or worse, boxing in America is a culture bred of the beautiful brutality of the knockout. It doesn’t matter much how deficient you are in other areas of the Sweet Science – if you have power and left a few bodies in your wake, someone will see to it that you get an opportunity at the big time. Enter Kazakhstan-born Gennady Golovkin, who’s become a sensation on the internet and amongst boxing writers after his September HBO debut and five-round razing of Grzegorz Proksa.

Although that was the second defense of Golovkin’s WBA middleweight title, we’ve seen this story before with aggressive power punchers getting overhyped and subsequently destroyed. Remember Jeff Lacy’s run until the Omar Sheika fight and then his ruin at the hands of Joe Calzaghe? Can you recall the hype around James Kirkland until he got bounced off the canvas by Nobuhiro Ishida? That’s not to say that Golovkin hasn’t been trying to prove his worth. For one reason or another, the past 12-18 months have seen potential fights against Sergio Martinez, Dmitry Pirog and Felix Sturm get turned down or canceled.

With that said, the man Golovkin faces this Saturday on HBO is Gabriel “King” Rosado, who’s currently on a seven-fight win streak dating back to 2010 with stoppage wins over names like Jesus Soto Karass and Sechew Powell. Can Rosado be the one who tempers or completely halts the Golovkin hype? In his own words, Gennady Golovkin explains why he is the one that will bring the excitement and drama that boxing fans love.

[Writer’s Note: Golovkin is not a native English speaker, resulting in some of his answers being in broken form and syntax. For authenticity’s sake, his words remain here unaltered.]

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: How has training been for you these last few months in the United States?

Golovkin: I train hard every day with my sparring partners. I feel great right now. This will be a great fight.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: There are rumors going around that Gabriel Rosado is betting his whole purse that he’ll beat you [Writer’s Note: Rosado’s team declined to comment for this story.]. He is on record saying he won’t run and plans to dominate you. Does that surprise you since he’s smaller than you?

Golovkin: Maybe, maybe… probably. Rosado? He doesn’t want to run from me? Why not?! Yes! I’m here, let’s get it on. He’s a strong man. I’m a strong man. I’m ready.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: A lot of fans seem to like you in America because you don’t have the typical “European style” of fighting. But what do you define as the “American style” of boxing?

Golovkin: Uh, y’know I like American style because American people like power and a hard punch. It’s much aggressive. I like that style. American people want drama and the knockout. Europe, not as much. I have what they want.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Where is your best weight between 154-168?

Golovkin: No, I feel great! After sparring I lost weight and I’m 152 pounds. So 154 to middleweight is fine. Right now this is perfect for me. I like middleweight; I am fit and small for a middleweight. Maybe, probably next one is 154 or maybe 158.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: When people criticize you, they point to the Kassim Ouma fight as proof. You knocked him out, but had some issues. What was the problem?

Golovkin: That fight was different. We fought, not boxing, but street fighting. That’s fine. After five rounds I knew I had him. It was a great fight for me and [my] career. I don’t know why so tough before, maybe [Ouma’s] southpaw.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Who are your favorite fighters to watch, past and present?

Golovkin: Oh y’know I like old-time fighters. My favorite is Sugar Ray Robinson. And right now, too? Ohh, Floyd [Mayweather] and [Manny] Pacquiao. I like [Nonito] Donaire style. He’s good. Favorite in the world right now… Pacquiao.

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: What were the biggest cultural changes coming to America from Germany and Kazakhstan?

Golovkin: Yeah, American style… people are great. There is so much…different words and foods. I love Madison Square Garden!

 

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: [Laughs] Thank you very much for your time, Gennady. Any closing thoughts?

Golovkin: I thank my fans. Great fight, thanks to HBO. Yes, I’m ready. Yeah, it’ll be a great fight. I appreciate it, yeah, thanks so much.

 

ORLANDO ”Siri” SALIDO will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO)  featherweight title against  undefeated No. 1 contender MIKEY GARCIA; undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) / International Boxing Organization (IBO) middleweight champion GENNADY ”GGG” GOLOVKIN will look to extend his reign into its third year against world-rated contender “King” GABRIEL ROSADO; and two-time WBO junior lightweight champion ROMAN “Rocky” MARTINEZ will put it all on the line when he goes mano a mano with No. 1 contender JUAN CARLOS ”Mini” BURGOS. All three fights will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, Saturday, January 19, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

Promoted by Top Rank® and K2 Promotions, in association with Tecate and Madison Square Garden, remaining tickets, priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, are currently available for purchase at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com.

[VIDEO] 50 Cent On Mayweather “Beef” and Why TMT Promotions Failed

Posted: November 29, 2012 in Fight News, Music News
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50 Cent made a recent appearance on Big Boy’s Neighborhood and offered some insight into the dissolution of his business relationship with Floyd Mayweather and their now defunct TMT Promotions. Although we’ll likely never hear Mayweather give his side, 50 sounds very believable in stating Floyd’s business and financial requirements weren’t in order. We’ll see how 50 does standing alone with SMS Promotions.

[Interview] Robert Guerrero Plans No Mercy for Andre Berto: “When I’ve got that foot on his neck I’m gonna break it!”

Posted: November 24, 2012 in Fight Interviews
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The title quote may be a little shocking to some fans of Roberto “The Ghost” Guerrero. Long viewed as one of the sport’s all-around “good guys,” Guerrero’s wholesome family image and devotion to his wife through her battle to overcome cancer has made a walking feel-good story, but not the marquee TV and PPV star he desires..

Over the last year, Guerrero has been much more vocal in press releases and interviews, claiming superstars as high as Floyd Mayweather are ducking him and his willingness to face all challengers. While the former point was ridiculous to many, Guerrero made good on the second with a July victory over Selcuk Aydin, a win where Guerrero jump two weight classes from lightweight to welterweight. The high-caliber fight is here this Saturday on HBO World Championship Boxing when Guerrero faces Andre Berto, a fighter most expect to bigger, stronger and quite possibly faster than him. Though a clear underdog, Guerrero remains confident that he’ll not only get the victory, but deliver a masterclass performance that puts the boxing world on notice.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: You’ve been very amused by some of Berto’s claims that he’ll run over you. What do you think he’s underestimating about you?

Guerrero: Probably my punching power and thinking I’m too small for the welterweight division. In the press conference, I think he saw how big I am. Far as height I’m about an inch or two taller than him.

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Most people have been correctly critical of Berto’s defense or lack thereof. As a fighter scouting him, do you think he’s improved or regressed in let’s say he’s past 2-3 fights?

Guerrero: Not at all on improvements. I think at this stage Berto is who he is. He’s comes in great shape, is strong and has power in that right hand. But after that I don’t see him changing his style any [for me]. He’ll do what he’s comfortable doing and I’ll take advantage.

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: In your last fight with Selchuk Aydin, I noticed in the last few rounds you got tired but continued trading rather than holding for breathers. Was that conscious effort to help dispel that boring tag some critics have put on you?

Guerrero: Yeah, I like to exchange punches with guys. Was there fatigue down the stretch? Yes. You look at the punch output, it was close to 1000 punches. After being off for a year and a half there was some ring rust and not being able to relax the way I should have been and usually do. But, when you move up two weight classes you have to get used to the size and a different kind of pressure. I have to chop them down.

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Has it been hard for you not to get resentful of the opportunties other Golden Boy fighters in and around your weight class have gotten over the last year while you waited on the shelf?

Guerrero: Oh no, not resentful at all. I don’t look at what the next man is doing. I’m going to do what I gotta to get where I’m at. I’ll keep trucking into it falls into place and now, it’s falling into motion with Berto.

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: What can you give me about the strategy you took into training camp for Berto?

Guerrero: I’ll have everything when it comes to inside and outside fighting. I’ll change it up when I have to. Because I cover everything, I’m able to adjust to anything in the ring.

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Both you guys have fast hands but it’s open to debate who’s faster now that you’ve jumped two weight classes. Do you feel you’ve kept an advantage there?

Guerrero: I think we match up pretty good there. Berto does have naturally fast hands. But the thing is I can keep up that speed for 12 rounds.

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: What did you learn from the Aydin fight that will help you against Berto?

Guerrero: You have to be ready for all different types of styles. Berto’s a completely different fighter from Aydin; he’s got more speed and is more versatile in the ring. Aydin was just a tough, strong guy who came forward who was just going to try to break you down like a wrecking ball.

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: It’s rare to have to prepare for a fight Thanksgiving weekend. How did you deal with it being a family man?

Guerrero: My thoughts going into the fight is yes it’s the holiday season, but if I beat Berto it leads to bigger things so my family would have a better Thanksgiving [next year].

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: I thought you were joking before, but you sounded very serious today in saying you’d move up to 154 if need be. What makes you so confident you can keep scaling these weight classes? Is it the sparring with bigger guys?

Guerrero: Oh yeah definitely, I’m always sparring guys bigger than me even going back to my days at 122 and 126 pounds. Recently I’ve sparred guys who were 160 pounds. Being a naturally strong and tall guy with good reach and all that, plus being confident in my skill set let’s me know I can do it.

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Over the last year your team was very heavy with press releases trying to drum interest in a Floyd Mayweather fight. Floyd didn’t bite and he may not fight any time soon. So who’s some of the other big names you feel are realistic options should you defeat Berto?

Guerrero: There’s guys a lot of guys like Pacquiao, Marquez and Timothy Bradley. Most definitely the guy still on my radar is Mayweather. As soon as he’s ready to make a fight we’re ready to do it. But we have to keep 100% focus on beating Berto decisively to get that opportunity.

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: I’ve seen you tired, but never hurt in the ring unless I’m mistaken…

Guerrero: No, I’ve never been hurt or buzzed in the ring. I enjoy it when I get hit hard because it makes me want to hit the guy back even harder.

Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: You haven’t got a knockout in the last two fights but you’ve put a lot of leather on your opponents. With Berto, can you land enough to not only hurt him, but finish him unlike Victor Ortiz?

Guerrero: Oh, you don’t want anyone to get injured where it’s life-threatening. But my motto is, when I’ve got that foot on his neck I’m gonna break it! I’m gonna go all out until it’s over. That’s the mentality I have going into the ring. If I don’t knock Berto out, that’s unfortunate for him because he’s gonna take a beating for 12 rounds.

Robert Guerero vs. Andre Berto airs live tonight on HBO World Championship Boxing at 10 p.m. ET

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