World Boxing News 2010-2013

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor As reported by WBN in December, Robert Guerrero looks set to earn a shot at WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 4th, beating Saul Alvarez for the privilege of challenging the greatest fighter of his generation. The 29 year-old has been slated to be the 44th foe to attempt to overthrow Mayweather in his sixteen-year career and could conceivably be formally announced next week. Rumours are now circulating that Saul Alvarez will be next in line for 'Money' once he makes a successful appearance as chief support. The card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is to be named ‘Cinco de Mayweather’ as it takes place on the same weekend as the Mexican holiday and will hold significance for both Guerrero and Jalisco-born Alvarez. The bout will be the first for Mayweather, 35, since his incarceration between June and August last year, with the touted second fight against 'Canelo' planned for September as the American looks to ce...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Ghost’ set to earn WBC title chance Although unconfirmed, Robert Guerrero looks set to earn a shot at Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 4th, beating light-middleweight king Saul Alvarez for the privilege of challenging the greatest fighter of his generation. The 29 year-old has been slated to be the 44th foe to attempt to overthrow Mayweather in his sixteen-year career by several sources, including statistics website Boxrec, and could conceivably be formally announced before the New Year. The card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is to be named ‘Cinco de Mayweather’ as it takes place on the same weekend as the Mexican holiday and will hold significance for Guerrero, who is of Latino descent. The bout will be the first for Mayweather, 35, since his incarceration between June and August this year, with a second fight planned for September as the American looks to cement his place as the pound for pound best. The impending contest sho...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Money’ comments on crushing defeat Pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. has insisted that he does ‘feel bad’ for now former nemesis Manny Pacquiao after the Filipino was knocked unconscious by Juan Manuel Marquez at the weekend. Mayweather, 35, has been linked to a fight with Pacquiao for three years or more and could now ultimately miss out of what would have certainly been the most lucrative clash in history if the two could have agreed to terms. In a recent conversation with the only website that ‘Money’ gives interviews to - Fighthype.com , the current two-weight world title holder was giving nothing away after losing out on a reported $100million dollars. "I feel bad for him, honestly. I really feel bad for him,"   Mayweather told editor Ben Thompson . "There's a difference in the ways you can get knocked out. When you gotta wake a guy up with smelling salt and he got a concussion and he gotta go to the hos...

Rapper digs as ex-friend Floyd Mayweather…again Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson has kept the heat on his beef with former best friend Floyd Mayweather by calling the pound for pound star a fool for losing out on a multi-million dollar fight with Manny Pacquiao. Jackson, who acrimoniously split from Mayweather earlier this year to begin his own SMS Promotions, tweeted the message after Juan Manuel Marquez laid out Pacquiao with a shuddering right hook on Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The hip-hop star’s own fighter Yuriorkis Gamboa picked up the interim WBA super-featherweight in an entertaining Fight of the Year contender against Michael Farenas on the same bill and Jackson in not against the Cuban fighting Mayweather in the near future. Floyd, 35, is pencilled in to fight next on May 4, most probably in Las Vegas on his ‘Cinco de Mayweather’ promotion, but will most likely face Saul Alvarez or Robert Guerrero in what will be his 44th professional fight. A...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Pound for pound king to fend for himself WBA light-middleweight and WBC welterweight title holder Floyd Mayweather Jr. is set to be relieved of any pressure to face rival Manny Pacquiao following the Filipino’s stunning loss to Juan Manuel Marquez. Mayweather, 35, has been linked to a money-spinning and career-defining clash with the Congressman for as long as fight fans can remember and will now be able plough on with his own targets after Pacquiao’s second successive loss. Eight-weight champion Pacquiao, 33, was laid out flat on his back by a super right hand that may well have done the same to Mayweather himself, and a fifth fight between the two is set to be screamed for after a Fight of the Year favourite. ‘Money’ returns on May 4 th on his ‘Cinco de Mayweather’ promotion against either Robert Guerrero or Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, but may well find himself overshadowed by the build up to further dose of last nights enthralling slug-fe...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Saul Alvarez early favourite for 154lb unification Floyd Mayweather’s recent announcement of a May 4 return to the ring could now mean that Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez gets his wish to challenge for the pound for pound crown in the coming year. WBA light-middleweight champion Mayweather, through his advisor Leonard Ellerbe, has already named his next outing ‘Cino de Mayweather’ – a slant on the Mexican holiday ‘Cinco de Mayo’ and with Alvarez the current superstar of Mexican boxing, it seems a no brainer. Jalisco-born ‘Canelo’ currently holds the WBC version at 154lbs and has been eager to face the sport’s figurehead for some time after racking up an impressive 42-fight unbeaten record at the age of just 22. There is now a strong possibility that the unification bout could become a reality for the young pretender as both fighters have strong ties to Golden Boy, meaning the fight would be relatively straightforward to make. The only other ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Advisor says Floyd offering two lottery chances in the New Year Current two-weight world champion and pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. is lining up two ‘gigantic’ fights in the coming year after participating in just one outing through a troubled 2012. Boxing’s biggest star made a successful foray up to the 154lb division against Miguel Cotto in May, but then reported to Clark County Jail for a two-month stint in a contrasting year that will soon be behind him. Advisor Leonard Ellerbe has confided in  Dan Rafael of ESPN.com that Mayweather has announced that he wants to fight twice in 2013 as he looks to extend his perfect 43-0 record and rubberstamp his place at the pinnacle of the sport. "Floyd has told us that he is fighting twice in 2013 with the first date being May 4 - Cinco De Mayweather, and the second date being Sept. 14," Ellerbe told Rafael. "Mayweather Promotions is looking forward to t...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Double champion expected to make announcement soon WBA light-middleweight and WBC welterweight title holder Floyd Mayweather is set to choose from a three or four-man shortlist for his next outing and is expected to make his next fight date public in the near future. The 35 year-old pound for pound king has been out of the ring since scoring a unanimous points win over Miguel Cotto in May and has served a two-month prison sentence during his time away from the sport. Cotto, 32, who returns himself this Saturday night in a bid to regain the world title against Austin Trout, is said to be one of those names, although Manny Pacquiao seemingly does not figure in Mayweather’s immediate plans. The rugged Puerto Rican is joined by interim title holder to Mayweather’s belt Robert Guerrero, WBC 154lb champion Saul Alvarez and Timothy Bradley as potential names for a spring showdown with the ‘Money’ man. Guerrero would seem the more likely as ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Interim belt manufactured for Guerrero v Aydin clash WBC President Jose Sulaiman has revealed his reasons to WBN why Floyd Mayweather was allowed to retain his welterweight title, even when facing a two-month prison sentence earlier this year. Some in the sport, including myself, automatically thought that the pound for pound king would be stripped of his title as he served his time at Clark County Detention Centre from June 1st to August 3rd, which failed to materialize. As mandatory challengers Selcuk Aydin and Robert Guerrero waited in the wings, Sulaiman took a different route and created an interim title, which the WBC only use in exceptional circumstances, in order to keep Mayweather as champion. “The WBC has not had an interim champion for a couple of years at lea st, but we were committed to do it with Guerrero because Floyd Mayweather went to jail and Aydin had been waiting for a longer time than the rules call for,” Sulaiman to...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor WBC President astounded as super-fight remains  illusive Jose Suliaman has  told World Boxing News that the WBC will do all they can to help an agreement to be reached between welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather and Filipino rival Manny Pacquiao. The President of the WBC is willing to talk to the camps of both fighters, without finances being involved in the negotiations - in the hope that the two pound for pound stars come to the realisation that the fight has to happen for the good of the sport. “We all have been very preoccupied in making that fight happen as it is the fight that the world wants. I am really very surprised that it hasn't been able to happen,” Sulaiman told World Boxing News. “The WBC will try very hard to have it made as it would be very good for the sport in general. I am sure that the promoters have tried. Perhaps a convincing effort not involved with the business could help.” The two fighters ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Smith rides with Mayweather to the end Prominent member of ‘The Money Team’ Ishe Smith is one hundred per cent in the corner of his friend and promoter Floyd Mayweather Jr. as the pound for pound star distances himself from estranged partner Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson. Smith, 34, was signed up by Mayweather after struggling to seal a reliable promotional team, and has watch on as his mentor became embroiled in an ugly public feud with rapper Jackson, which the American has refused to be drawn on. “I dont know enough about the situation to comment on it, especially publicly,” Smith told World Boxing News. “I have heard some things and I know what’s going on to some point, but as I said, I wouldn’t comment on it publicly. Things like this you keep in house. It could turn a ugly situation uglier if I was to comment on it. “I have never spoken to 50 Cent outside of the boxing gym, even then it was just in passing - just like what’s up and ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Pacman’ under huge pressure for stoppage Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao goes into his upcoming fourth instalment with Juan Manuel Marquez knowing that nothing less than a knockout victory will keep his hopes of a super-fight with Floyd Mayweather alive. Another performance like their last meeting and Mayweather will undoubtedly be turned off a contest with the eight-weight champion as their will be a unified feeling that Pacquiao may now be way past his best. The 33 year-old’s last two fights have been in question, although one through no fault of his own against Timothy Bradley - but even that maybe should have been put right before attempting to score convincing win over Marquez on the back of three failures. The pressure on Pacquiao for this fight is intense, and he isn't hiding the fact that he is feeling it himself. Trainer Freddie Roach has constantly been giving out statements of intent for the December 8 bout at the MG...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Rapper accepts challenge against former friend In the wake of Billionaire Alki David offering $5million a piece for ex-partners Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson and Floyd Mayweather to fight a three round exhibition bout, Jackson has become the first to publicly accept the fight. Jackson, who fell out with Mayweather over a promotional venture earlier this year, is now the CEO of his own ‘SMS Promotions’ and has been embroiled in a Twitter war with the high-profile fighter for the past few weeks. Businessman David, who runs ‘Celebrity Boxing,’ has now come up with the idea of a three round fight, consisting of two-minute sessions, with head-gear on December 14 in Las Vegas and Jackson is willing - if given appropriate time to get fit. “I'll fight Him, (but) December 14th is too soon. I would need time to get in shape. I'm 204 right now I hit that boy he will see a white light,” explained the rapper. Mayweather seems to be taking stock o...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Celebrity Boxing make tongue-in-cheek offer Billionaire Alki David and partner Damon Feldman of Celebrity Boxing have reportedly offered $5 million dollars each to Floyd Mayweather and former friend 50 Cent to settle their differences in the ring. A three two minute-rounds bout has been cheekily proposed by the businessmen, who would allow both to wear protective head-guards for the fight, which would take place on December 14 in Las Vegas. The pair have been embroiled in an ugly Twitter war over the past few weeks, which 50 Cent tried to dampen down earlier in the week by claiming the arguments were staged. Now the two have the opportunity to end the feud once and for all with $10 million at stake for the winner. The fee seems like a small amount considering Mayweather’s recent mammoth pay-checks and it does seem like an opportunist move by the double-act, as they attempt to gain their own notoriety from the public fall-out.

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Rapper says ‘Floyd is like a brother to him’ Actor and Hip Hop star Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson has taken to his Twitter account once again to stir up some more attention for himself and Floyd Mayweather by stating their recent spat on the social networking site was fake. Jackson, who is said to be rivalling Mayweather with his own promotional company ‘SMS Promotions,’ claims that the pair we just aiming for ‘shock-value’ when slating each other with some torrid insults recently. “I'm sick of all this nonsense,” said Jackson. “Floyd asked me to act like were fighting cause no one was paying any attention after his 60 days (incarceration). “I know some of the things we do in hip hop for shock value are wrong. He just wanted some attention - Floyd is like a brother to me.” Mayweather himself is yet to speak on the statement by Jackson and both are still not following each other on the site where they boast over three million and eight mil...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Rapper throws ultimate insult at one-time friend SMS boss Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson has sensationally claimed that former friend Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather blows all his cash between fights and is running from nemesis Manny Pacquiao. Jackson, who has been pictured with Pacquiao following his spat with Mayweather, made the statements a few hours ago via his Twitter account as his heated argument with the pound for pound king reached fever pitch. “I can’t hang out with Floyd no more, I’m tired of running from Pacquiao,” said Jackson. Followed up by a dig at Mayweather’s claim that rapper Jackson was ‘holding his money’ as the two posed for a picture at his home.  "Floyd, you know I have more money than you. Al Haymon got you no an allowance. You go broke every fight stupid,” he quipped. The amazing comments are yet another slur between the two promoters as they continue their dislike for one another on the back of a failed promotiona...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor P4P champion stoops to low insults at former friend WBC welterweight and WBA light-middleweight title holder Floyd Mayweather has cranked up his beef with 50 Cent another notch with his latest outburst on social networking site Twitter. The 35 year-old, who boasts almost 3.5million followers on the site, has retaliated to several posts by the rapper, calling him out for a high-profile battle with one of his own SMS Promotions fighters, Yuriorkis Gamboa. Mayweather, who is not known for holding his tongue against his critics, fired back with some unrepeatable posts to his one-time best friend with one, referring to 50 Cent being shot in the past, seemingly overstepping the mark. The row between the two is escalating by the day as the two attempt to sling mud in the others direction, although there is some sceptics that believe that the whole falling out is just a publicity stunt. Some of the words being thrown around would suggest not...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor SMS v TMT row continues Former friend of Floyd Mayweather, 50 Cent has stepped up his row with his one-time partner by stating that his SMS fighter Yuriorkis Gamboa wants to step up to welterweight and challenge the WBC champion. 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, has publicly fallen out with 'Money' Mayweather over their failed business venture TMT Promotions and now wants to set up a showdown against his now promotional rival. “Gamboa wants to fight Floyd,” stated Jackson. “I will put up an extra $20 million for the winner. He don’t like it that Floyd pulled out,” he added, referring to Mayweather withdrawing from their joint business partnership. The tit-for-tat row between the two is threatening to get out of hand as both use their social networking accounts to play out their public spat to their millions of respective followers. Whether Floyd would deal with fledging promoter Jackson and agree to a deal after their fallout i...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Mayweather wants random testing Floyd Mayweather is attempting to bring in mandatory random blood and urine tests into boxing in the near future as the negotiations for his potential bout with Manny Pacquiao remain dead-locked. The WBC welterweight champion, who faces Miguel Cotto on May 5 th in Las Vegas, has continually locked horns with the Filipino over drug-testing and more recently the purse split, as the fight the whole of boxing wants to see continues to stall. “Everyone should be on an even playing field,” Mayweather stated at a recent conference call. “Pacquiao has done a lot for the sport but he should be standing with me (on drug-testing). Manny should be saying 'I'm a clean athlete and if I want to be the best I will take the test' but he's not. "Health is more important than money. I want every fighter to go into the ring & know the fighter across from him is clean. Eventually random blood and ur...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Money’ digs at Pacquiao and Margarito at conference call Floyd Mayweather Jr. took part in a media conference call yesterday and in his usual style, made some controversial points as he clarified his position as the number one fighter on the planet. The five-weight world champion is aiming for a tenth world title on May 5 th when he faces WBA light-middleweight title holder Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and is confident in cementing his place at the top of the sport once again. "I'm the reason they don't talk about heavyweights anymore. I'm doing record breaking numbers. I'm the face of the sport,” emphasised Mayweather. "When I go into an arena if the fans cheer: great. If they boo: great. They're keeping me relevant. They know me.” ‘Money’ also took the opportunity to mention the fact that rival Manny Pacquiao would only face Cotto at a catch-weight when the pair met in 2009 and gave Cotto’...