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Welterweight: 2013, Jul 22-28

Posted in Rankings, Welterweight with tags , , , , , , , on July 25, 2013 by danboxing
No fights of note to report from last week in the division.
 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (169-201-201)
Last Fight: 5/4/2013- UD12 #6 Robert Guerrero
Next Fight: 9/14/2013- vs. #2 JMW Saul Alvarez (at JMW)
Shane Mosley was the legit champ after beating Margarito, and thus Mayweather has been the legit champ since beating him in 2010.
1) Juan Manuel Marquez (89-89-89)
Last Fight: 12/8/2012- KO6 #2 Manny Pacquiao
Next Fight: 10/12/2013- vs. #18 Timothy Bradley
With Mayweather apparently wanting to stay busy, a hard-earned rematch with the Champ might not be out of the question over the next year or two.  For now, it’s all about Tim Bradley.
2) Manny Pacquiao (89-242-242)
Last Fight: 12/8/2012- L (KO6) vs. #1 Juan Manuel Marquez
Next Fight: 11/23/2013- vs. #? JWW Brandon Rios (UNR)
Pac Man needs to prove he can still get it done when he tries to rebound from a devastating knockout against former top lightweight Brandon Rios in China.
3) Shane Mosley (10-10-10)
Last Fight: 5/18/2013- UD12 Pablo Cesar Cano (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
A junior middleweight contest against Anthony Mundine in Australia sounds very likely for the Fall.
4) Devon Alexander (6-74-74)
Last Fight: 5/18/2013- RTD7 Lee Purdy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
It looks likely that Alexander will fight Khan on December 7, but no contract yet.
5) Marcos Maidana (7-7-7)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- TKO6 #4 Josesito Lopez
Next Fight: Unknown
Maidana is the subject of speculation regarding a possible fight with Adrien Broner in November.
6) Robert Guerrero (10-35-52)
Last Fight: 5/4/2013- L (UD12) vs. Champ Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: Unknown
Guerrero appears to be the top candidate for a fall fight with Victor Ortiz.
7) Andre Berto (10-35-35)
Last Fight: 11/24/2012- L (UD12) vs. #13? Robert Guerrero
Next Fight: 7/27/2013- vs. #11 Jesus Soto Karass
Berto will look to get back on track against tough measuring stick Jesus Soto Karass.
8) Kell Brook (10-117-117)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- TKO8 Carson Jones (UNR) (at JMW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Brook’s promoter plans to get him a significant fight in September.
9) Randall Bailey (10-59-59)
Last Fight: 10/20/2012- L (UD12) vs. #? Devon Alexander
Next Fight: Unknown
I haven’t heard any buzz about an upcoming Bailey fight since he was comfortably outpointed by Alexander in October.
10) Josesito Lopez (7-57-57)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- L (TKO6) vs. #11 Marcos Maidana
Next Fight: Unknown
Lopez will likely return on September 6 in Carson, California.
11) Jesus Soto Karass (5-26)
Last Fight: 2/26/2013- MD10 #5 Selcuk Aydin (at 149)
Next Fight: 7/27/2013- vs. #7 Andre Berto
Soto Karass will (and practically does) fight anyone and everyone.  Next up: Andre Berto.
12) Chris van Heerden (5-58)
Last Fight: 3/2/2012- UD12 Matthew Hatton (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Van Heerden recently moved his home base to Southern California from his native South Africa in search of better sparring and bigger fights.  He is likley to work with Brandon Rios in the coming months, and hopes to make his US debut in October.
13) Luis Carlos Abregu (5-13)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- UD10 Antonin Decarie (UNR)
Next Fight: 8/2/2013- vs. Unknown Opponent
Abregu will kick off the telecast of Chavez-Vera on September 7, with undefeated prospect Brad Solomon being a possible opponent.  It appears he’ll be fighting in Oklahoma in early August, as well.
14) Alfonso Gomez (5-52)
Last Fight: 7/28/2012- L* (UD10) vs. Shawn Porter (UNR) (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Gomez now sounds like the frontrunner for an early-September fight with Victor Ortiz.  He’s scheduled for removal for inactivity next week, however.  I’ll have to wait to see where the situation sits next week before I will commit to a course of action, though.
15) Keith Thurman (5-20)
Last Fight: 3/9/2013- UD12 #? Jan Zaveck
Next Fight: 7/27/2013- vs. Diego Chaves (UNR)
Thurman is now ranked in two divisions.
16) Jan Zaveck (5-189)
Last Fight: 3/9/2013- L (UD12) vs. #15 JMW Keith Thurman
Next Fight: Unknown
17) Selcuk Aydin (5-223)
Last Fight: 3/22/2013- UD10 Giuseppe Lauri (UNR) (at JWW)
Next Fight: 7/27/2013- vs. Aaron Herrera (UNR) (at JWW)
Aydin appears to be looking for a new lease on his career at 140. 
18) Timothy Bradley (5-59)
Last Fight: 3/16/2013- W* (UD12) vs. Ruslan Provodnikov (UNR) (should be draw)
Next Fight: 10/12/2013- vs. #1 Juan Manuel Marquez
Bradley will look for redemption after very nearly losing to an inconsistent prospect.  It’ll be a tall order.
19) Ruslan Provodnikov (5-19)
Last Fight: 3/16/2013- L* (UD12) vs. #11? Timothy Bradley (should be draw)
Next Fight: 10/19/2013- vs. JWW#? Mike Alvarado (at JWW)
Alvarado-Provodnikov is done for 10/19 in Denver, at 140, with HBO to televise. 
20) Leonard Bundu (5-5)
Last Fight: 4/6/2013- KO11 Rafal Jackiewicz (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown

 

The Week Ahead: #17 Selcuk Aydin will be in action Saturday in Cuxhaven, Germany against journeyman Aaron Herrera, in what appears to be a junior welterweight fight.

 

In San Antonio later that night, #7 Andre Berto headlines against #11 Jesus Soto Karass in a fight that obviously has top 10 implications.  Showtime will televise.

 

On the undercard, #15 Keith Thurman faces a stiff test in undefeated Argentine prospect Diego Chaves.

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Junior Middleweight: 2013, Jul 22-28

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on July 25, 2013 by danboxing
In a non-title fight on Tuesday in Minsk, #10 Sergey Rabchenko stopped low-level Georgian Gari Abajian in three rounds after coming in a 2.75 pounds over the divisional limit.  No changes to the rankings this week.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: None
1) Carlos Molina (25-107-122)
Last Fight: 2/1/2013- UD12 #11 Cory Spinks
Next Fight: 9/14/2013- vs. #5 Ishe Smith
September 14 looks like junior middleweight D-Day.  #1 vs. #5 (as of this writing), and it’s probably not even the most important fight in the division on that card.  
2) Saul Alvarez (25-125-140)
Last Fight: 4/20/2013- W* (UD12) vs. #3 Austin Trout
Next Fight: 9/14/2013- vs. WW Champ Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Floyd-Canelo on September 14 appeared to be made way back in February, but then appeared to be a distant memory for months.  Now it’s back on, for the exact same date.  The only difference is that Floyd got dropped for inactivity because the fight wasn’t signed when his 1-year anniversary at 154 came around.  There will be a 152-pound catchweight.
3) Austin Trout (22-60-129)
Last Fight: 4/20/2013- L* (UD12) vs. #2 Saul Alvarez
Next Fight: Unknown
Trout wants a rematch of his very dubious loss to Alvarez.  He certainly deserves it.  He’ll have to wait until 2014 at the earliest, though, as Canelo is fighting Mayweather.  Rumors of Lara-Trout on the Mayweather-Canelo undercard appear to be false according to Leonard Ellerbe.
4) Erislandy Lara (22-107-129)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- TKO10 #8 Alfredo Angulo
Next Fight: Unknown
See Trout’s notes, above.
5) Ishe Smith (22-22-22)
Last Fight: 2/23/2013- W (MD12) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: 9/14/2013- vs. #1 Carlos Molina
See Molina’s notes, above.
6) Miguel Cotto (12-164-164)
Last Fight: 12/1/2012- L (UD12) vs. #8 Austin Trout
Next Fight: 10/5/2013- vs. #11 Delvin Rodriguez
After a proposed fight with Bundrage was scrapped by the networks, and a brief flirtation with Carlos Molina, Cotto will now be fighting Delvin Rodriguez on HBO on October 5.
7) Cornelius Bundrage (12-155-155)
Last Fight: 2/23/2013- L (MD12) vs. Ishe Smith (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
8) Alfredo Angulo (12-200-200)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- L (TKO10) vs. #4 Erislandy Lara
Next Fight: Unknown
Angulo has shared the good news that there are no broken bones in his face after the devastating Lara combination that forced him to submit.  On one hand, it demystifies Angulo’s warrior image, but it does give him a better outlook for his career going forward, as well.
9) Gabriel Rosado (12-18-129)
Last Fight: 5/4/2013- NC vs. J’Leon Love (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
With his already-questionable loss to Love overturned due to a positive drug test, Rosado now wants Cotto, Lara, or Trout.  Love wants a rematch after his suspension is over.  While Cotto is otherwise occupied, the last three seem to be realistic possibilities.  
10) Sergey Rabchenko (12-12-58)
Last Fight: 7/16/2013- TKO3 Gari Abajian (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
After two other mandatories failed to answer the bell for a shot at Rabchenko’s European title, Cedric Vitu is now the guy, with purse bids scheduled for August 20.  This will give the Belorussian an opportunity to answer some questions, as he barely squeaked by Vitu in 2012.
11) Delvin Rodriguez (12-106)
Last Fight: 5/24/2013- TKO8 Freddy Hernandez (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/5/2013- vs. #6 Miguel Cotto
See Cotto’s notes, above.
12) Lukas Konecny (12-102)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- UD12 Moez Fhima (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Konecny took care of business against Fhima at 160.  We’ll have to see whether he stays at that weight or not.  My guess would be yes, since he’s fighting for minor titles up there at this point.
13) Keith Thurman (12-35)
Last Fight: 3/9/2013- UD12 #? WW Jan Zaveck (at WW)
Next Fight: 7/27/2013- vs. Diego Chaves (UNR) (at WW)
Thurman will be back on July 27 against undefeated Argentine prospect Diego Chaves, again at Welterweight.  The fight will be in San Antonio.
14) Vanes Martirosyan (12-112)
Last Fight: 6/15/2013- TKO2 Ryan Davis (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
It appears likely that Martirosyan will fight Demetrius Andrade for a vacant belt on the Pacquiao-Rios undercard in China.
15) Yuri Foreman (12-26)
Last Fight: 4/6/2013- UD6 Gundrick King (UNR)
Next Fight: 7/24/2013- vs. Jamaal Davis (UNR)
Foreman will be up against a slightly better class of journeyman on July 24 when he meets Jamaal Davis.  Still, he’s apparently not exactly in a hurry to get back in the title picture.
16) Willie Nelson (8-21)
Last Fight: 6/29/2013- UD10 Luciano Cuello (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/28/2013- vs. Unknown Opponent
Nelson survived some scares against the rugged Cuello, but managed to stay on his feet and pull out the victory.  He’s back in late September in Ohio.
17) Brian Rose (8-18)
Last Fight: 6/29/2013- W (PTS10) vs. Alexey Ribchev (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rose reportedly overcame a back injury to defeat Ribchev.
18) Jermell Charlo (7-7)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- UD12 Demetrius Hopkins (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Charlo didn’t exactly build his fan base with the Hopkins snoozer, but he satisfied the “win today, look good tomorrow” equation, and earned a ranking for his trouble.
19) Guido Pitto (7-13)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- W* (SD12) vs. Jack Culcay (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
It took an “upset” over highly-touted prospect Culcay for Pitto to get the recognition he earned but was denied against Veron.
20) Kell Brook (2-2)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- TKO8 Carson Jones (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Brook says he has no intention of moving up from 147 permanently at this point, but he’ll have this tenuous ranking to hang on to if he changes his mind within the next year.

 

The Week Ahead:  #15 Yuri Foreman continues his hike on the comeback trail on Wednesday, throwing hands with journeyman Jamaal Davis in NYC.

 

#13 Keith Thurman will also see action this week, as he takes on fellow prospect Diego Chaves in San Antonio, but that fight is expected to happen at 147 and will be discussed there.

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Middleweight: 2013, Jul 22-28

Posted in Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on July 24, 2013 by danboxing
One-loss Argentine prospect (who would be undefeated if my scores carried the day) Billi Godoy won a pretty average 12-round decision over gatekeeper and countryman Mateo Veron in Neuquen, Argentina on Friday by margins of 4, 4, and 6 points.  Last week I billed Veron as a journeyman, which is normally my shorthand for a non-top-50 fighter.  I was in error, as Veron had revenged his earlier loss to Jorge Heiland last month in a fight that apparently didn’t make it to boxrec in time to catch my eye, and in doing so earned top 50 status once again.  As such, Godoy’s victory over him gained a level of significance that I hadn’t anticipated.  More on that below.

 

In last week’s preview, I billed recently-ranked Dmitry Chudinov’s fight with Patrick Mendy as a walkover for the Russian, and called the battle of undefeated prospects between Englishman Billy Joe Saunders and Irishman Gary O’Sullivan as a competitive battle.  It seems I was mistaken yet again.

 

Saunders pretty much dominated O’Sullivan, losing a total of one round among the three cards.  Meanwhile, on the same card, Chudinov struggled mightily with the lowly Patrick Mendy, a mid-level Gambian journeyman.  With no title at stake, the referee doubled as sole judge as happens in the UK, and he had it dead even at 76-76.  I can’t really criticize that.  I had Chudinov winning 77-75, but it could reasonably have gone anywhere between 79-73 Chudinov and 77-75 Mendy.  A draw is a pretty fair result, and a very unexpected one.  Mendy fought like a pure boxer for the most part, trying to potshot off the back foot.  He threw mostly arm punches, but outworked Chudinov enough to give himself an argument anyhow.  Chudinov came forward and mostly kept Mendy with his back more or less to the ropes, but didn’t cut the distance quickly enough to impose his will consistently or land squarely with any regularity.  He made a strategic error by headhunting way too often, and noticeably faded in the last couple rounds- perhaps as a consequence of so many whiffs.

 

Godoy’s win pays off for him, as he regains a ranking at #20 for the first time since October.  With that, Nobuhiro Ishida’s 72-week stint as a top-20 middleweight comes to an end.  Chudinov’s draw might end up as a blip on the radar, but for now it moves him back just a couple places further from a ranking that he held just a few weeks ago.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: Sergio Martinez (171-171-171)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- UD12* #9 Martin Murray (Robbery- draw at best)
Next Fight: Unknown
Martinez is now making noise to the effect that he intends to fight Gennady Golovkin in 2014, but more recently stated that he wants the Mayweather-Canelo winner.
1) Martin Murray (13-86-86)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- L* (UD12) vs. Champ Sergio Martinez (Robbery- D at worst)
Next Fight: Unknown
Murray looks like a good bet to fight Golovkin on November 2, in what would be the best matchup at 160 of 2013.
2) Gennady Golovkin (4-47-110)
Last Fight: 6/29/2013- KO3 #5 Matthew Macklin
Next Fight: Unknown
See Murray’s notes above.
3) Daniel Geale (4-214-214)
Last Fight: 1/30/2013- UD12 #11 Anthony Mundine
Next Fight: 8/17/2013- vs. #15 Darren Barker
Geale will get back to action on August 17, making his US debut in just his 3rd fight outside Australia when he takes on Darren Barker at the Turning Stone in New York state.
4) Felix Sturm (4-514-514)
Last Fight: 7/6/2013- TKO4 Predrag Radosevic (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Sturm wants to fight Geale by the end of the year if the Australian gets by Barker.
5) Matthew Macklin (13-109-200)
Last Fight: 6/29/2013- L (KO3) vs. #4 Gennady Golovkin
Next Fight: Unknown
Macklin has now suffered his 2nd knockout loss at the top level, but still has plenty of cred against anyone not in the top 5.
6) Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (13-112-130)
Last Fight: 9/15/2012- L (UD12) vs. Champ Sergio Martinez
Next Fight: 9/7/2013- vs. #18 Bryan Vera (at SMW)
Bob Arum confirms Chavez-Vera, but on a new date of September 7, at Staples Center.  Apparently it will be at a contract weight “a few pounds” over the middleweight limit.  This is potentially problematic for Chavez’s continued ranking here.
7) Peter Quillin (13-40-61)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- TKO7 Fernando Guerrero (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Golden Boy intends to put Quillin on an October card in Brooklyn.  There are signs that his opponent might be Danny Jacobs.  If so, that’s a ridiculous match-up.  Jacobs has fought only ham-and-eggers since being knocked out by Pirog in 2010 and winning a fight with cancer.  A fight with Golovkin has been discussed, but that is complicated by the opposing network loyalties of the two fighters.
8) Dmitry Pirog (13-156-156)
Last Fight: 5/1/2012- UD12 #20 Nobuhiro Ishida
Next Fight: Unknown
A recent interview with Pirog seemed to reveal underlying doubts as to his ability to return in August as planned and/or hoped for, but he says that return is still possible.  He says he won’t know until he puts a “heavy load” (ie fight camp) on his back if it will respond adequately or not.  If we don’t have positive news, at least, by the end of August, I’ll remove him, as it’s really been too long to keep hoping for a return.
9) Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (4-21-143)
Last Fight: 10/20/2012- L (UD12) vs. #20 Peter Quillin
Next Fight: Unknown
10) Sergio Mora (4-4-4)
Last Fight: 6/28/2013- UD10 #9 Grzegorz Proksa
Next Fight: Unknown
Mora is hoping for a shot at Golovkin off the Proksa win.
11) Marco Antonio Rubio (19-130)
Last Fight: 3/23/2013- UD12 Marcus Upshaw (UNR)
Next Fight: 7/27/2013- vs. Dionisio Miranda (UNR)
Rubio will stay busy against Colombian journeyman Dionisio Miranda on July 27.
12) Anthony Mundine (19-130)
Last Fight: 1/30/2013- L (UD12) vs. #1 Daniel Geale
Next Fight: Unknown
There is serious discussion of a fight with Shane Mosley in Australia, likely in October.
13) Osumanu Adama (19-122)
Last Fight: 3/16/2012- W(SD10) vs. Grady Brewer (UNR)
Next Fight: 7/26/2013- vs. Doel Carasquillo (UNR)
Adama is back in action 7/26 against Puerto Rican journeyman and late replacement Doel Carasquillo.
14) Akio Shibata (12-12)
Last Fight: W (TD9) vs. #18 Makoto Fuchigami
Next Fight: 8/25/2013- vs. Ryota Murata (UNR)
This is a bit stunning.  After proving himself the best Asian middleweight against Fuchigami, Shibata will follow up with a high-risk, no reward fight against Ryota Murata, a fighter making his pro debut, but an Olympic Gold Medalist, as well.
15) Darren Barker (12-93)
Last Fight: 3/9/2013- RTD4 Simone Rotolo (UNR)
Next Fight: 8/17/2013- vs. #3 Daniel Geale
Barker will get his second big opportunity to rise to the top, as he takes on #2 Daniel Geale in New York state August 17.
16) Max Bursak (12-130)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- UD12 Prince Arron (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Bursak may be back in September, and his EBU-mandated opponent will likely be Domenico Spada.
17) Demetrius Andrade (12-101)
Last Fight: 1/25/2013- UD10 Freddy Hernandez (UNR) (at JMW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Gatekeeper and (technically) titlist Zaurbek Baysangurov hurt his back and had to withdraw from the “title defense” against Andrade.  It looks like Andrade might fight for the vacant or interim version against Vanes Martirosyan, all of this being at 154, and likely on the Pacquiao-Rios undercard.
18) Bryan Vera (12-40)
Last Fight: 3/29/2013- TKO7* Donatas Bondorovas (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/7/2013- vs. #6 Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.
Vera’s fight with Chavez has been delayed to September 7.
19) Grzegorz Proksa (4-119)
Last Fight: 6/28/2013- L (UD10) vs. Sergio Mora (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Proksa is an enigma.  He looked like the next big thing against Sylvester, but did practically nothing against Mora. 
20) Billi Godoy (1-1)
Last Fight: 7/19/2013- UD12 Mateo Veron (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
So Veron is a naturally smaller domestic trial horse.  But Godoy has piled up wins of that kind, and the Argentine scene isn’t half bad overall.  His volume of wins like this are enough in my view to offset his debatable loss to Sanders.

 

The Week Ahead: Friday in Cicero, Illinois, #13 Osumanu Adama looks to rebound from his nearly disastrous performance in March against Grady Brewer.  He’ll fight low-level Puerto Rican journeyman Doel “Amish Guy” Carasquillo, a late replacement for the somewhat better Elco Garcia.

 

In Chihuahua, Mexico the following evening, #11 Marco Antonio Rubio stays busy against decent Colombian journeyman Dionisio Miranda. 

 

On the undercard, Mexican prospect Marcos Reyes looks to avenge the only loss of his career, from 2010, against otherwise unremarkable Argentine journeyman Amilcar Funes.  Funes has incidentally trimmed down since that fight and enters as the naturally smaller man, having contested his last bout at welterweight.

 

The Minneapolis fight between Derrick Findley and Phil Williams is between two guys who are probably reasonably capable of making 160, so there’s a small possibility- in the absence of specific information on the contract weight- that they might decide to make it a middleweight contest, and I will mention it here if it becomes relevant.

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Super Middleweight: 2013, Jul 22-28

Posted in Rankings, Super Middleweight with tags , , , , , , , on July 24, 2013 by danboxing
In Friday’s ShoBox co-feature in Vegas, undefeated prospect Badou Jack did exactly what he had to do, staying disciplined behind the jab and arguably winning every round against fellow prospect Farah Ennis, who was unfortunately far too passive to make a fight of it.

 

Jack had never before beaten a top-50 opponent, and had a bit of a gray mark on his record, having gotten a split decision win in a very close fight (I had it a draw) with then-unproven Alexander Brand.  Brand has since beaten William Gare, who is a shade more impressive than Ennis, making him an example of a guy that theoretically could be ranked ahead of Jack despite being unranked.  Another would be Brian Magee.  But Jack has a bit of a hidden trump card, in that he did beat a currently-ranked contender while that man- Don Mouton- was on a bit of a downswing in his career and was viewed as a journeyman.

 

Journeyman or not, it makes less sense to rank Mouton ahead of Jack now that Jack has a qualifying win than it would does to rank Jack ahead of Brand.  As a result, Jack checks in at #19 behind Glen Johnson and ahead of Mouton.  This forces out Don George after a brief two-week stint.

 

Dan’s Top 20
Champ: Andre Ward (84-218-218)
Last Fight: 9/8/2012- TKO10 LHW Champ Chad Dawson
Next Fight: Unknown
Ward has fights on the table with Stevenson and Froch.  He is trying to separate himself from promoter Dan Goossen, though, which might complicate matters.  Goossen has also said Ward wouldn’t take the Froch fight immediately, since he has been laid up with injury for the better part of a year.
1) Carl Froch (61-371-371)
Last Fight: 5/25/2013- UD12 #3 Mikkel Kessler
Next Fight: Unknown Date- vs. #8 George Groves
Froch-Groves is official, but the date and location are still being worked out.  Looks like November or December.
2) Robert Stieglitz (18-204-204)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- TKO10 Yuzo Kiyota (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
After wasting a perfectly good fight on a scrub like Kiyota, let’s hope Stieglitz finally takes his shiny ranking out for a spin.
3) Mikkel Kessler (32-450-450)
Last Fight: 5/25/2013- L (UD12) vs. #1 Carl Froch
Next Fight: Unknown
Froch is interested in a trilogy on neutral ground, perhaps even more so than a Ward rematch.  But it’s not even clear that Kessler will fight again, after saying pre-fight he might retire.
4) Arthur Abraham (10-196-196)
Last Fight: 3/23/2013- L (TKO3) vs. #5 Robert Stieglitz
Next Fight: 8/24/2013- vs. Wilbeforce Shihepo (UNR)
Abraham is slated to fight Namibian journeyman Wilbeforce Shihepo on 8/24, and has now struck a deal to keep fighting until at least 2015.
5) Brandon Gonzales (4-4-4)
Last Fight: 6/29/2013- D* vs. #5 Thomas Oosthuizen
Next Fight: Unknown
Gonzales at least earned a draw ith Oosthuizen despite fading late.  I had it a win, and I give him credit for that.
6) Adonis Stevenson (10-85-85)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- TKO1 LHW#1 Chad Dawson (at LHW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Purse bids have been ordered for Stevenson to fight Tony Bellew at 175, but it sounds like he’s close to a deal to fight Tavoris Cloud.  Either fight may signal the end of Stevenson’s ranking at 168, since his last fight here was in October.
7) Thomas Oosthuizen (4-112-160)
Last Fight: 6/29/2013- D* vs. Brandon Gonzales (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Oosthuizen laid a complete, fully-formed goose egg in the first half of his fight with deserved underdog Brandon Gonzales, and was extremely lucky to escape with a draw.
8) George Groves (4-32-54)
Last Fight: 5/25/2013- TKO5 Noe Gonzalez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown Date- vs. #1 Carl Froch
Groves-Froch is a go for probably November or December, though the date and location are still being sorted out.
9) Sakio Bika (4-23-329)
Last Fight: 6/22/2013- MD12 Marco Antonio Periban (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Bika seems to consider an Andre Ward rematch his top priority.  The two fought a very close fight the first time around.
10) James DeGale (4-7-93)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- RTD4 Stjepan Bozic (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
DeGale badly wants a big-money fight with Froch.
11) Christopher Rebrasse (4-7)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- Robbery Draw (W) vs. #10 Mouhamed Ali Ndiaye
Next Fight: Unknown
Rebrasse was so blatantly robbed against Ndiaye that I have to remember to point it out.  It’s so clearly a win that I almost forget the judges world-class crookedness. The EBU has ordered a rematch, as if one were needed.
12) Maxim Vlasov (3-37)
Last Fight: 7/12/2013- UD8 Mark Suarez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
13) Edwin Rodriguez (3-27)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- TKO1 #16 LHW Denis Grachev (at LHW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rodriguez named Bika as someone he’d like to fight next.  Both are talented fighters who care little about technique as they wing wild punches.  Could be fun if it happens.
14) Ezequiel Maderna (3-30)
Last Fight: 3/30/2013- L* (UD10) vs. #17 Edwin Rodriguez
Next Fight: Unknown
Maderna, despite arguably deserving a win against Rodriguez, did himself few favors in dropping the decision, especially considering how ugly the fight was.  I don’t imagine he’ll be getting too many international suitors anytime soon since he seems difficult to look good against.
15) Andy Lee (3-10)
Last Fight: 5/15/2013- TKO1 Darryl Cunningham (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Yes, I know.  Andy Lee is not a Super Middleweight.  The only problem is he almost exclusively fights as one, if only barely.
16) Caleb Truax (3-5)
Last Fight: 6/21/2013- KO6 #15 Don George
Next Fight: Unknown
Truax says that his immediate future is at middleweight, though he doesn’t like to lose the extra 2-3 pounds unless necessary.
17) Hadillah Mohoumadi (3-21)
Last Fight: 6/29/2013- TKO7 #20 CW Pawel Glazewski (at LHW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Mohoumadi cancelled his long-scheduled fight with Giovanni De Carolis in favor of an opportunity with Pawel Glazewki at light heavyweight, it would appear.
18) Glen Johnson (3-12)
Last Fight: 4/19/2013- TKO2 Junior Ramos (UNR) (at CW)
Next Fight: 8/23/2013- vs. Isiah Thomas (UNR) (at LHW)
Johnson is being used as a stepping stone for undefeated Detroit light heavyweight prospect Isiah Thomas in August.
19) Badou Jack (1-1)
Last Fight: 7/19/2013- UD10 Farah Ennis (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Jack didn’t light the world on fire, but got the job done against Ennis.  With his earlier win over a more lightly-regarded version of the now-ranked Mouton, he’s earned his top 20 berth in a roundabout way.
20) Don Mouton (1-10)
Last Fight: 5/3/2013- L* (UD8) vs. #10 Anthony Dirrell (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Mouton deserved to beat Dirrell, whom he also spotted nearly a full weight class.  Mouton was also a short-notice opponent.

 

The Week Ahead: Cameroonian gatekeeper Serge Yannick will seek the national title of his adopted Australia Thursday in Flemington against local undefeated prospect Jake Carr, a relative novice at 4-0.

 

Gatekeepers Derrick Findley and Phil Williams meet up in Williams’ hometown of Minneapolis on Friday in an intriguing (if low-profile) match. 

 

And Saturday, in what will doubtless be a Showtime Extreme undercard broadcast from San Antonio, Anthony Dirrell looks to come back from a motorcycle accident and the misfire of a performance that followed when he meets decent journeyman Anthony Hanshaw.

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Light Heavyweight: 2013, Jul 22-28

Posted in Light Heavyweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on July 23, 2013 by danboxing
Nothing going on at 175 this week.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: Andre Ward (46-46-46)
Last Fight: 9/8/2012- TKO10 Champ Chad Dawson (at SMW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Ward has offers more or less on the table to fight Froch or Stevenson.  He is trying to split with promoter Dan Goossen, though, which could conceivably complicate matters.
1) Adonis Stevenson (7-7-7)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- TKO1 #1 Chad Dawson
Next Fight: Unknown
Stevenson and Hopkins reportedly wanted to fight each other, but HBO threw a tantrum and won’t do business with Hopkins because he’s a Golden Boy fighter.  Way to hurt the sport, HBO.  We really needed more of that.  In the meantime, the WBC has scheduled a purse bid for Stevenson-Bellew on July 26, while Stevenson’s promoter says a volunatary defense against Tavoris Cloud is likely for the fall.
2) Bernard Hopkins (46-372-372)
Last Fight: 3/9/2012- UD12 #6 Tavoris Cloud
Next Fight: 10/19/2013- vs. Karo Murat (UNR)
Golden Boy says the fight with Murat is made for 10/19, though they are still working on an agreement with Showtime to televised the fight.
3) Sergey Kovalev (6-27-27)
Last Fight: 6/14/2013- TKO3 #10 Cornelius White
Next Fight: 8/17/2013- vs. #8 Nathan Cleverly
Kovalev had the inside track to fight Hopkins, but instead opted for a sure thing against Cleverly.
4) Chad Dawson (6-373-373)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- L(TKO1) vs. SMW #6 Adonis Stevenson
Next Fight: Unknown
Dawson’s career is suddenly in an all-out tailspin just 2 fights after winning the lineal title from Hopkins.
5) Tony Bellew (6-93-93)
Last Fight: 5/25/2013- UD12 #7 Isaac Chilemba
Next Fight: Unknown
Bellew’s ultimate triumph over Chilemba has now set him up with a mandatory shot at Stevenson, which would continue the trend of the best fighting the best at 175.  Purse bids are scheduled for July 26, but it sounds like Stevenson is looking at Cloud, instead.
6) Gabriel Campillo (7-161-161)
Last Fight: 6/14/2013- TKO2 Ionut Trandafir Ilie (UNR)
Next Fight: 8/16/2013- vs. #14 Andrzej Fonfara
Campillo will fight Fonfara in an interesting crossroads fight at Comiskey Park in Chicago.
7) Tavoris Cloud (7-204-207)
Last Fight: 3/9/2013- L (UD12) vs. #2 Bernard Hopkins
Next Fight: Unknown
See Stevenson’s notes, above.
8) Nathan Cleverly (7-181-181)
Last Fight: 4/20/2013- UD12 Robin Krasniqi (UNR)
Next Fight: 8/17/2013- vs. #3 Sergey Kovalev
Kovalev-Cleverly is done for 8/17 in Cardiff, with HBO to televise in the states.
9) Isaac Chilemba (7-17-77)
Last Fight: 5/25/2013- L (UD12) vs. #9 Tony Bellew
Next Fight: Unknown
Chilemba may have lost the second fight to Bellew in his opponent’s back yard, but between the two fights, he’s managed to elevate himself somewhat.
10) Cornelius White (7-54-84)
Last Fight: 6/14/2013- L (TKO3) vs. #5 Sergey Kovalev
Next Fight: Unknown
White was blasted out by Kovalev, but at least he has good company in that regard.
11) Cedric Agnew (7-15)
Last Fight: 4/12/2013- UD12 #14 Yusaf Mack
Next Fight: Unknown
Agnew may have caught a fading Yusaf Mack at the right time, but he’s clearly a climber, having now beaten both Mack and Otis Griffin.
12) Jürgen Brähmer (7-66)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- TKO2 Tony Averlant (UNR)
Next Fight: 8/24/2013- vs. Stefano Abatangelo (UNR)
Braehmer will take on low-level Italian gatekeeper Abatangelo on August 24, while awaiting a title shot.
13) Edwin Rodriguez (2-2)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- TKO1 #16 Denis Grachev
Next Fight: Unknown
Rodriguez turned in a career-best performance against Grachev, and thus has earned a ranking in a division he has no intention of continuing in.  He wants Ward or Bika next.
14) Andrzej Fonfara (2-54)
Last Fight: 11/16/2012- TKO7 Tommy Karpency (UNR)
Next Fight: 8/16/2013- vs. #6 Gabriel Campillo
Fonfara will get a huge opportunity to launch himself into the top 5 when he takes on Gabriel Campillo in Chicago.
15) Lucian Bute (2-38)
Last Fight: 11/3/2012- UD12 #16 Denis Grachev
Next Fight: 12/7/2013- vs. Jean Pascal (UNR)
Bute-Pascal has been rescheduled tentatively for December 7 after Bute suffered a hand injury.  They’ve also reserved January 25 as a back-up plan.  Either way, it will be in Montreal.
16) Hadillah Mohoumadi (2-4)
Last Fight: 6/29/2013- TKO7 CW #20 Pawel Glazewski
Next Fight: Unknown
Often robbed at 168, Mohoumadi took matters into his hands in his first major outing at 175 by stopping the local favorite.
17) Denis Grachev (2-65)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- L (TKO1) vs. #13 SMW Edwin Rodriguez
Next Fight: Unknown
18) Dmitry Sukhotsky (2-143)
Last Fight: 6/4/2013- KO3 Mikhail Krinitsin (UNR) (at SMW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Sukhotsky may be sticking around at 168 from now on, but only time will tell.  He has until December to schedule a fight at 175 if he wants to keep his ranking.
19) Eleider Alvarez (2-26)
Last Fight: 3/22/2013- TKO3 Nicholson Poulard (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Alvarez was ready to tolerate Allan Green’s almost comical failure to make weight, but the fight was scrapped anyway due to Green’s hospitalization with what the Green camp claims was food poisoning.  No word yet on Alvarez’s next move.
20) Yunieski Gonzalez (2-19)
Last Fight: 6/15/2013- KO7 Emiliano Cayetano (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Gonzalez snuck in a very low-profile knockout over low-level journeyman Emiliano Cayetano in the Dominican Republic.   Strictly stay-busy material.

 

The Week Ahead: Thursday in Flemington, Australia, local undefeated prospect Blake Caparello locks horns with Kiwi gatekeeper Daniel MacKinnon.  MacKinnon may or may not be the best opponent Caparello has faced so far, and this one bears watching.

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Cruiserweight: 2013: Jul 22-28

Posted in Cruiserweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on July 23, 2013 by danboxing
No fights to report from last week.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: None
1) Guillermo Jones (10-10-10)
Last Fight: 5/17/2013- TKO11 #1 Denis Lebedev
Next Fight: Unknown
Jones wants to fight Wladimir Klitschko (he said the same a couple years ago), while Lebedev is asking for a rematch.
2) Yoan Pablo Hernandez (45-161-161)
Last Fight: 9/15/2012- W*(UD12) vs. #20 Troy Ross
Next Fight: Unknown
Hernandez pulled out of his scheduled 2/2 fight with Eric Fields with a fractured hand.
3) Troy Ross (45-45-77)
Last Fight: 9/15/2012- L*(UD12) vs. #1 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Next Fight: Unknown
Quote from Ross’s Twitter: “If the right opportunity arises I will fight again.”  That sounds more like a semi-retired fighter than the guy that just outfought the division’s #1 contender.  Here’s hoping he starts hunting for good fights like a starving mountain man any second now.
4) Denis Lebedev (10-181-181)
Last Fight: 5/17/2013- L (TKO11) vs. Guillermo Jones (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Lebedev hopes to return on the Klitschko-Povetkin undercard in early October, which seems a bit quick given how ugly his eye looked after his last fight.  He is hoping for a rematch with Jones, too.  He has also parted from his promoter.
5) Marco Huck (7-346-346)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- W (MD12) vs. #5 Ola Afolabi
Next Fight: 9/14/2013- vs. #7 Firat Arslan
Huck will make a mandatory defense in a rematch against Firat Arslan on September 14.
6) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (10-422-422)
Last Fight: 6/21/2013- TKO8 Rakhim Chakhkiev (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Wlodarczyk showed tremendous determination in first weathering a storm, and then rapidly breaking down a strong young challenger in his own backyard in Chakhkiev.  He indicated interest in moving up to fight Adamek, but Adamek isn’t for it.  His mandatory is Giacobbe Fragomeni, who would have little chance after struggling to practical stalemates with 46-47 year old Silvio Branco.
7) Firat Arslan (10-63-106)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- UD10 Varol Vekiloglu (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/14/2013- vs. #5 Marco Huck
See Huck’s notes, above.
8) Ola Afolabi (7-228-228)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- L (MD12) vs. #8 Marco Huck
Next Fight: Unknown
9) Danny Green (8-37-190)
Last Fight: 11/21/2012- UD12 Shane Cameron (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Green is leaning toward retirement at last check.
10) B.J. Flores (8-8-161)
Last Fight: 10/6/2012- TKO2 David McNemar (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Flores’ fight with Nuri Seferi appears to have been off very quickly after it was apparently made.  No word on his next move.
11) Giacobbe Fragomeni (8-245)
Last Fight: 12/15/2012- W*(SD12) vs. #13 Silvio Branco
Next Fight: Unknown
There is some speculation that Masternak might try to lure Fragomeni out of his mandatory shot at Wlodarczyk with a higher monetary offer that might put Masternak in the same position with a victory.
12) Silvio Branco (8-71)
Last Fight: 7/6/2013- W (TD10) vs. Juho Haapoja (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Branco continues to chug along at 47 years young.  He’s like a lower-level Hopkins.
13) Alexander Alekseev (8-132)
Last Fight: 2/22/2013- UD12* Garrett Wilson (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Alekseev barely squeaked by after building an early lead against Wilson, but it’s still an improvement from his previous fight.
14) Mateusz Masternak (8-69)
Last Fight: 4/13/2013- TKO9 Sean Corbin (UNR)
Next Fight: 8/24/2013- vs. Unknown Opponent
Masternak returns on August 24.  His opponent was to be Jeremy Ouanna, but Ouanna lost to Latvian prospect Mairis Briedis soon after.  Perhaps Briedis is the new man for the job.
15) Francisco Palacios (8-121)
Last Fight: 9/22/2012- L(U12) vs. #7 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
Next Fight: Unknown
Palacios very likely will not fight until after his contract with Don King expires in September.
16) Ilunga Makabu (2-2)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- W (MD12) vs. #17 Dmytro Kucher
Next Fight: Unknown
Makabu impressed against Kucher, gassing a little bit at the end, but showing his quality for the majority of the fight.
17) Thabiso Mchunu (2-37)
Last Fight: 11/10/2012- TKO5 #20 Danie Venter
Next Fight: 8/3/2013- vs. Eddie Chambers (UNR)
Mchunu is being treated as a stepping stone f0r the cruiserweight ambitions of recent heavyweight contender Eddie Chambers, and the two will do battle in that context on NBC Sports Network come August 3.
18) Enad Licina (8-161)
Last Fight: 6/15/2013- KO3 Marcel Zeller (UNR) (at HW)
Next Fight: 7/27/2013- vs. Unknown Opponent
Licina has now fought two generic weak opponents in a row.  No idea if he plans to be a serious contender ever again or not.  His only significant win in the last 5 years is now roughly 4 1/2 years old.  That means he’ll fade to obscurity if he doesn’t beat someone worth beating in the next half-year or so.
19) Grigory Drozd (8-37)
Last Fight: 12/17/2012- UD12 Jean-Marc Monrose (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/5/2013- vs. Unknown Opponent
Drozd will be back in action on the Klitschko-Povetkin undercard.
20) Dmytro Kucher (2-56)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- L (MD12) vs. Ilunga Makabu (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kucher is practically back to square one after falling short against Makabu.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD: #18 Enad Licina will be in action Saturday in Cuxhaven, Germany.  As of press time, no opponent has been announced.  It’s also possible that the fight might creep over into heavyweight territory, since Licina’s last couple fights have done so.

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Heavyweight: 2013, Jul 22-28

Posted in Heavyweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on July 23, 2013 by danboxing
In a disappointing result from London, #8 Dereck Chisora stopped #17 Malik Scott in 6, but it wasn’t as good as it sounded.  First of all, the fight was very grabby and lacking in action, with Scott mainly playing the spoiler.  But most importantly- with the fight very much up in the air due to most rounds being toss-ups to that point- Chisora caught Scott with an equilibrium shot behind his left ear on the ropes, and Scott went down to a knee in the corner.  He rose immediately upon hearing the referee reach the count of 9, and yet that referee- Phil Edwards- stopped the fight as if he’d reached 10, at which point Scott was off the canvas.  It’s not like he wasn’t ready to continue- he was fine.  Edwards apparently just thinks that the time between 9 and 10 is insignificant.  The BoxNation commentators thought Scott was up at the time of the knockdown.  I disagree, having scored it 48-47 Chisora to that point. 

 

Typically, when a fight is stopped due to clear referee error, I treat it as if it had been stopped by an accidental headbutt.  That is, I go to the cards as of the time of the stoppage.  After scoring the last round, I had it 58-55 Chisora.  Really the difference in methods just amounts to the difference between a stoppage and a decision, which is fairly marginal in terms of my rankings techniques.

 

Chisora moves up, swapping places with last week’s #7 Kubrat Pulev, who has been rather inactive lately.  Scott stays put at #17.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko (213-426-426)
Last Fight: 5/4/2013- TKO6 Francesco Pianeta
Next Fight: 10/5/2013- vs. #4 Alexander Povetkin
Klitschko-Povetkin is now officially signed for 10/5 in Moscow.
1) Vitali Klitschko (250-250-250)
Last Fight: 9/8/2012- TKO4 Manuel Charr (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Vitali-Stiverne is rumored for December, though I can’t find any news on the result of the purse bid scheduled for Monday the 22nd.
2) Tyson Fury (14-105-105)
Last Fight: 4/20/2013- KO7 #3 Steve Cunningham
Next Fight: 9/28/2013- vs. #3 David Haye
Fury-Haye is a done deal for September 28 in Manchester.
3) David Haye (14-54-54)
Last Fight: 7/14/2012- TKO5 #6 Dereck Chisora
Next Fight: 9/28/2013- vs. #2 Tyson Fury
See Fury’s notes, above.
4) Alexander Povetkin (54-300-300)
Last Fight: 5/17/2013- TKO3 Andrzej Wawryzk (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/5/2013- vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
See Wlad’s notes, above.
5) Steve Cunningham (14-31-31)
Last Fight: 4/20/2013- L (KO7) vs. #6 Tyson Fury
Next Fight: Unknown
Only time will tell where Cunningham goes form here.  His hopes for a title shot are dashed at least for awhile.  Perhaps a trilogy with Adamek would make sense at this point.
6) Tomasz Adamek (14-170-170)
Last Fight: 12/22/2012- W (SD12)* vs. CW #4 Steve Cunningham (Robbery)
Next Fight: 8/3/2013- vs. Dominick Guinn (UNR)
Adamek has replaced high-level journeyman Tony Grano with high-level journeyman Dominick Guinn for August 3.
7) Dereck Chisora (1-86-149)
Last Fight: 7/20/2013- KO6* #17 Malik Scott
Next Fight: 9/21/2013- vs. Unknown Opponent
Frank Warren has Chisora scheduled again already for 9/21, promising a big name.  Kubrat Pulev has been proposed.
8) Kubrat Pulev (1-64-141)
Last Fight: 9/29/2012- KO11 Alexander Ustinov (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Dimitrenko decided against a mandated rematch, and now Pulev is rumored for a Chisora fight.
9) Odlanier Solis (7-18-165)
Last Fight: 3/22/2013- UD12 Leif Larsen (UNR)
Next Fight: 7/27/2013- vs. Yakup Saglam (UNR)
Solis has signed on to fight in a planned WBC “World Cup” tournament, but for now is set for a tune-up type fight against Turkish journeyman Yakup Saglam.
10) Bermane Stiverne (5-5-21)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- UD12 #15 Chris Arreola
Next Fight: Unknown
There were purse bids scheduled for 7/22, and there are now rumors of a December fight even though I can’t find any purse bid results.
11) Tony Thompson (5-165)
Last Fight: 7/6/2013- TKO5 David Price (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
After twice conquering arguably Britain’s greatest heavyweight hope, Thompson suggested he is interested in getting a British promoter, and would like to fight Tyson Fury, as well as Vitali Klitschko.
12) Seth Mitchell (5-7)
Last Fight: 6/22/2013- UD12 #10 Johnathon Banks
Next Fight: Unknown
Mitchell is in discussions with Chris Arreola for September.
13) Deontay Wilder (7-13)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- TKO1 Audley Harrison (UNR)
Next Fight: 8/9/2013- vs. Sergei Liakhovich (UNR)
Wilder will fight Sergei Liakhovich in Indio, California on August 9.
14) Robert Helenius (7-165)
Last Fight: 3/23/2013- W*(UD10) vs. Michael Sprott (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
If Helenius’ team was accurate on the severity of his hand injury, it should be healed by about now, although there were immediate rumors that the injury was more serious.
15) Alexander Dimitrenko (7-132)
Last Fight: 3/9/2013- UD8 Ivica Perkovic (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Dimitrenko turned down a Pulev rematch.
16) Vyacheslav Glazkov (7-31)
Last Fight: 2/23/2013- Draw* (SD10) vs. Malik Scott (UNR)
Next Fight: 8/3/2013- vs. Byron Polley (UNR)
Glazkov will be back in action for the Main Events/NBC Sports card on August 3 in Connecticut against weak and overweight Missouri journeyman Byron Polley.
17) Malik Scott (7-22)
Last Fight: 7/20/2013- L (KO6*) vs. #8 Dereck Chisora
Next Fight: Unknown
Scott was up at 9.5 and ready to go, but Phil Edwards called the fight off in an unfortunate SNAFU.  That being said, Chisora was coming on and I already had him ahead.  Scott probably would have gone on to lose anyway.
18) Johnathon Banks (5-36)
Last Fight: 6/22/2013- L (UD12) vs. #20 Seth Mitchell
Next Fight: Unknown
19) Denis Boytsov (5-214)
Last Fight: 6/15/2013- KO3 Alexander Nesterenko (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Boytsov is now a promotional free agent after breaking with Universum, who had him mostly on the shelf since it declared bankruptcy.  There is speculation that the Russian might now sign with Sauerland.
20) Franklin Lawrence (5-21)
Last Fight: 1/25/2013- Mark Brown (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown

 

THE WEEK AHEAD: Thursday in Flemington, Australia, aging (34) but undefeated Australian Lucas Browne takes on veteran American journeyman Travis Walker.

 

The next night in Macao, China, it’s a battle of promising undefeated prospects as 23 year-old Mexican Andy Ruiz meets Newark, New Jersey’s Joe Hanks.  I’m assuming HBO2 will televise, as this is much better than their main event- a Zou Shiming showcase.

 

A few hours later in Cuxhaven, Germany, #9 Odlanier Solis fights Turkish journeyman Yakup Saglam.

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Welterweight: 2013, Jul 15-21

Posted in Rankings, Welterweight with tags , , , , , , , on July 20, 2013 by danboxing
#8 Kell Brook dominated pretty much every second of his TKO8 rematch with Oklahoma gatekeeper Carson Jones in England last weekend, more than making up for his very shaky win in their first encounter.  The only problem is that it was at 154, and will only affect the rankings there.  It also means that he now has only until October to schedule a fight at 147 to stay ranked here.  No changes this week.
 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (168-200-200)
Last Fight: 5/4/2013- UD12 #6 Robert Guerrero
Next Fight: 9/14/2013- vs. #2 JMW Saul Alvarez (at JMW)
Shane Mosley was the legit champ after beating Margarito, and thus Mayweather has been the legit champ since beating him in 2010.
1) Juan Manuel Marquez (88-88-88)
Last Fight: 12/8/2012- KO6 #2 Manny Pacquiao
Next Fight: 10/12/2013- vs. #18 Timothy Bradley
With Mayweather apparently wanting to stay busy, a hard-earned rematch with the Champ might not be out of the question over the next year or two.  For now, it’s all about Tim Bradley.
2) Manny Pacquiao (88-241-241)
Last Fight: 12/8/2012- L (KO6) vs. #1 Juan Manuel Marquez
Next Fight: 11/23/2013- vs. #? JWW Brandon Rios (UNR)
Pac Man needs to prove he can still get it done when he tries to rebound from a devastating knockout against former top lightweight Brandon Rios in China.
3) Shane Mosley (9-9-9)
Last Fight: 5/18/2013- UD12 Pablo Cesar Cano (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
A junior middleweight contest against Anthony Mundine in Australia sounds very likely for the Fall.
4) Devon Alexander (5-73-7)
Last Fight: 5/18/2013- RTD7 Lee Purdy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
It looks likely that Alexander will fight Khan on December 7, but no contract yet.
5) Marcos Maidana (6-6-6)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- TKO6 #4 Josesito Lopez
Next Fight: Unknown
Maidana is the subject of speculation regarding a possible fight with Adrien Broner in December.
6) Robert Guerrero (9-34-51)
Last Fight: 5/4/2013- L (UD12) vs. Champ Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: Unknown
Guerrero appears to be the top candidate for a fall fight with Victor Ortiz.
7) Andre Berto (9-34-34)
Last Fight: 11/24/2012- L (UD12) vs. #13? Robert Guerrero
Next Fight: 7/27/2013- vs. #11 Jesus Soto Karass
Berto will look to get back on track against tough measuring stick Jesus Soto Karass.
8) Kell Brook (9-116-116)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- TKO8 Carson Jones (UNR) (at JMW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Brook’s promoter plans to get him a significant fight in September.
9) Randall Bailey (9-58-58)
Last Fight: 10/20/2012- L (UD12) vs. #? Devon Alexander
Next Fight: Unknown
I haven’t heard any buzz about an upcoming Bailey fight since he was comfortably outpointed by Alexander in October.
10) Josesito Lopez (6-56-56)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- L (TKO6) vs. #11 Marcos Maidana
Next Fight: Unknown
Lopez has had a tough diet to chew on since moving up from 140.
11) Jesus Soto Karass (4-25)
Last Fight: 2/26/2013- MD10 #5 Selcuk Aydin (at 149)
Next Fight: 7/27/2013- vs. #7 Andre Berto
Soto Karass will (and practically does) fight anyone and everyone.  Next up: Andre Berto.
12) Chris van Heerden (4-57)
Last Fight: 3/2/2012- UD12 Matthew Hatton (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Van Heerden is expected to fight Ashley Theophane in either New York or the UK later this summer.
13) Luis Carlos Abregu (4-12)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- UD10 Antonin Decarie (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/7/2013- vs. Unknown Opponent
Abregu will kick off the telecast of Chavez-Vera on September 7, with undefeated prospect Brad Solomon being a possible opponent.
14) Alfonso Gomez (4-51)
Last Fight: 7/28/2012- L* (UD10) vs. Shawn Porter (UNR) (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
Gomez now sounds like the frontrunner for an early-September fight with Victor Ortiz.
15) Keith Thurman (4-19)
Last Fight: 3/9/2013- UD12 #? Jan Zaveck
Next Fight: 7/27/2013- vs. Diego Chaves (UNR)
Thurman is now ranked in two divisions.
16) Jan Zaveck (4-188)
Last Fight: 3/9/2013- L (UD12) vs. #15 JMW Keith Thurman
Next Fight: Unknown
17) Selcuk Aydin (4-222)
Last Fight: 3/22/2013- UD10 Giuseppe Lauri (UNR) (at JWW)
Next Fight: 7/27/2013- vs. Aaron Herrera (UNR) (at JWW)
Aydin appears to be looking for a new lease on his career at 140. 
18) Timothy Bradley (4-58)
Last Fight: 3/16/2013- W* (UD12) vs. Ruslan Provodnikov (UNR) (should be draw)
Next Fight: 10/12/2013- vs. #1 Juan Manuel Marquez
Bradley will look for redemption after very nearly losing to an inconsistent prospect.  It’ll be a tall order.
19) Ruslan Provodnikov (4-18)
Last Fight: 3/16/2013- L* (UD12) vs. #11? Timothy Bradley (should be draw)
Next Fight: Unknown
Nothing solid, but there is some talk of an all-action encounter with Mike Alvarado.
20) Leonard Bundu (4-4)
Last Fight: 4/6/2013- KO11 Rafal Jackiewicz (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown

 

The Week Ahead: Nothing going on this week.

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Junior Middleweight: 2013, Jul 15-21

Posted in Junior Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on July 20, 2013 by danboxing
In a fight that I listed as a welterweight fight last week, #8 welterweight Kell Brook dominated and stopped gatekeeper Carson Jones in what turned out to be an unambiguously junior middleweight affair, at a 152 contract weight.  Granted, Brook says he wants to stay at 147 going forward, but despite being primarily a welterweight as well, Jones has enough credibility at 154 to earn Brook a dual ranking- just barely.  He checks in at #20, which forces Jack Culcay out for the first time in 3 months.

 

See the middleweight update for information on #12 Lukas Konecny’s fight at that weight.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: None
1) Carlos Molina (24-106-121)
Last Fight: 2/1/2013- UD12 #11 Cory Spinks
Next Fight: 9/14/2013- vs. #5 Ishe Smith
September 14 looks like junior middleweight D-Day.  #1 vs. #5 (as of this writing), and it’s probably not even the most important fight in the division on that card.  
2) Saul Alvarez (24-124-139)
Last Fight: 4/20/2013- W* (UD12) vs. #3 Austin Trout
Next Fight: 9/14/2013- vs. WW Champ Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Floyd-Canelo on September 14 appeared to be made way back in February, but then appeared to be a distant memory for months.  Now it’s back on, for the exact same date.  The only difference is that Floyd got dropped for inactivity because the fight wasn’t signed when his 1-year anniversary at 154 came around.  There will be a 152-pound catchweight.
3) Austin Trout (21-59-128)
Last Fight: 4/20/2013- L* (UD12) vs. #2 Saul Alvarez
Next Fight: Unknown
Trout wants a rematch of his very dubious loss to Alvarez.  He certainly deserves it.  He’ll have to wait until 2014 at the earliest, though, as Canelo is fighting Mayweather.
4) Erislandy Lara (21-106-128)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- TKO10 #8 Alfredo Angulo
Next Fight: Unknown
5) Ishe Smith (21-21-21)
Last Fight: 2/23/2013- W (MD12) vs. #3 Cornelius Bundrage
Next Fight: 9/14/2013- vs. #1 Carlos Molina
See Molina’s notes, above.
6) Miguel Cotto (11-163-163)
Last Fight: 12/1/2012- L (UD12) vs. #8 Austin Trout
Next Fight: 10/5/2013- vs. #11 Delvin Rodriguez
After a proposed fight with Bundrage was scrapped by the networks, and a brief flirtation with Carlos Molina, Cotto will now be fighting Delvin Rodriguez on HBO on October 5.
7) Cornelius Bundrage (11-154-154)
Last Fight: 2/23/2013- L (MD12) vs. Ishe Smith (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
8) Alfredo Angulo (11-199-199)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- L (TKO10) vs. #4 Erislandy Lara
Next Fight: Unknown
Angulo has shared the good news that there are no broken bones in his face after the devastating Lara combination that forced him to submit.  On one hand, it demystifies Angulo’s warrior image, but it does give him a better outlook for his career going forward, as well.
9) Gabriel Rosado (11-17-128)
Last Fight: 5/4/2013- NC vs. J’Leon Love (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
With his already-questionable loss to Love overturned due to a positive drug test, Rosado now wants Cotto, Lara, or Trout.  Love wants a rematch after his suspension is over.  While Cotto is otherwise occupied, the last three seem to be realistic possibilities.  
10) Sergey Rabchenko (11-11-57)
Last Fight: 3/30/2013- KO2 Adriano Nicchi (UNR)
Next Fight: 7/16/2013- vs. Gari Abajian (UNR)
Rabchenko has been ordered to fight new EBU mandatory challenger Ruben Varon after it appears Emanuele Della Rosa didn’t want the fight too badly. He’ll keep busy on July 16 against a journeyman in Minsk while waiting for that fight to be finalized.
11) Delvin Rodriguez (11-105)
Last Fight: 5/24/2013- TKO8 Freddy Hernandez (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/5/2013- vs. #6 Miguel Cotto
See Cotto’s notes, above.
12) Lukas Konecny (11-101)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- UD12 Moez Fhima (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Konecny took care of business against Fhima at 160.  We’ll have to see whether he stays at that weight or not.  My guess would be yes, since he’s fighting for minor titles up there at this point.
13) Keith Thurman (11-34)
Last Fight: 3/9/2013- UD12 #? WW Jan Zaveck (at WW)
Next Fight: 7/27/2013- vs. Diego Chaves (UNR) (at WW)
Thurman will be back on July 27 against undefeated Argentine prospect Diego Chaves, again at Welterweight.  The fight will be in San Antonio.
14) Vanes Martirosyan (11-111)
Last Fight: 6/15/2013- TKO2 Ryan Davis (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
It appears likely that Martirosyan will fight Demetrius Andrade for a vacant belt on the Pacquiao-Rios undercard in China.
15) Yuri Foreman (11-25)
Last Fight: 4/6/2013- UD6 Gundrick King (UNR)
Next Fight: 7/24/2013- vs. Jamaal Davis (UNR)
Foreman will be up against a slightly better class of journeyman on July 24 when he meets Jamaal Davis.  Still, he’s apparently not exactly in a hurry to get back in the title picture.
16) Willie Nelson (7-20)
Last Fight: 6/29/2013- UD10 Luciano Cuello (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/28/2013- vs. Unknown Opponent
Nelson survived some scares against the rugged Cuello, but managed to stay on his feet and pull out the victory.  He’s back in late September in Ohio.
17) Brian Rose (7-17)
Last Fight: 6/29/2013- W (PTS10) vs. Alexey Ribchev (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rose reportedly overcame a back injury to defeat Ribchev.
18) Jermell Charlo (6-6)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- UD12 Demetrius Hopkins (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Charlo didn’t exactly build his fan base with the Hopkins snoozer, but he satisfied the “win today, look good tomorrow” equation, and earned a ranking for his trouble.
19) Guido Pitto (6-12)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- W* (SD12) vs. Jack Culcay (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
It took an “upset” over highly-touted prospect Culcay for Pitto to get the recognition he earned but was denied against Veron.
20) Kell Brook (0-0)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- TKO8 Carson Jones (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Brook says he has no intention of moving up from 147 permanently at this point, but he’ll have this tenuous ranking to hang on to if he changes his mind within the next year.

 

The Week Ahead:  Tuesday in Minsk, #10 Sergey Rabchenko stays busy against weak and aging Georgian Gari Abajian.

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Middleweight: 2013, Jul 15-21

Posted in Middleweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on July 20, 2013 by danboxing
#12 Junior Middleweight Lukas Konecny won a average-to-solid 12-round decision over mid-level Tunisian journeyman Moez Fhima in Dresden on Saturday in his second consecutive fight at middleweight.

 

#16 Max Bursak also saw action on Saturday, easily outpointing a tough, very big-looking, but relatively limited Prince Arron in Monaco.  Arron was once the British champ and a top 10 contender at 154, but has fallen off drastically since losing in dominant decision to unheralded prospect Brian Rose in 2011.

 

No changes this week.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: Sergio Martinez (170-170-170)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- UD12* #9 Martin Murray (Robbery- draw at best)
Next Fight: Unknown
Martinez is now making noise to the effect that he intends to fight Gennady Golovkin in 2014.
1) Martin Murray (12-85-85)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- L* (UD12) vs. Champ Sergio Martinez (Robbery- D at worst)
Next Fight: Unknown
Murray looks like a good bet to fight Golovkin on November 2, in what would be the best matchup at 160 of 2013.
2) Gennady Golovkin (3-46-109)
Last Fight: 6/29/2013- KO3 #5 Matthew Macklin
Next Fight: Unknown
See Murray’s notes above.
3) Daniel Geale (3-213-213)
Last Fight: 1/30/2013- UD12 #11 Anthony Mundine
Next Fight: 8/17/2013- vs. #15 Darren Barker
Geale will get back to action on August 17, making his US debut in just his 3rd fight outside Australia when he takes on Darren Barker at the Turning Stone in New York state.
4) Felix Sturm (3-513-513)
Last Fight: 7/6/2013- TKO4 Predrag Radosevic (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Sturm wants to fight Geale by the end of the year if the Australian gets by Barker.
5) Matthew Macklin (12-108-199)
Last Fight: 6/29/2013- L (KO3) vs. #4 Gennady Golovkin
Next Fight: Unknown
Macklin has now suffered his 2nd knockout loss at the top level, but still has plenty of cred against anyone not in the top 5.
6) Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (12-111-129)
Last Fight: 9/15/2012- L (UD12) vs. Champ Sergio Martinez
Next Fight: 9/7/2013- vs. #18 Bryan Vera (at SMW)
Bob Arum confirms Chavez-Vera, but on a new date of September 7, at Staples Center.  Apparently it will be at a contract weight “a few pounds” over the middleweight limit.  This is potentially problematic for Chavez’s continued ranking here.
7) Peter Quillin (12-39-60)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- TKO7 Fernando Guerrero (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Golden Boy intends to put Quillin on an October card in Brooklyn.  There are signs that his opponent might be Danny Jacobs.  If so, that’s a ridiculous match-up.  Jacobs has fought only ham-and-eggers since being knocked out by Pirog in 2010 and winning a fight with cancer.  A fight with Golovkin has been discussed, but that is complicated by the opposing network loyalties of the two fighters.
8) Dmitry Pirog (12-155-155)
Last Fight: 5/1/2012- UD12 #20 Nobuhiro Ishida
Next Fight: Unknown
A recent interview with Pirog seemed to reveal underlying doubts as to his ability to return in August as planned and/or hoped for, but he says that return is still possible.  He says he won’t know until he puts a “heavy load” (ie fight camp) on his back if it will respond adequately or not.  If we don’t have positive news, at least, by the end of August, I’ll remove him, as it’s really been too long to keep hoping for a return.
9) Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (3-20-142)
Last Fight: 10/20/2012- L (UD12) vs. #20 Peter Quillin
Next Fight: Unknown
10) Sergio Mora (3-3-3)
Last Fight: 6/28/2013- UD10 #9 Grzegorz Proksa
Next Fight: Unknown
Mora is hoping for a shot at Golovkin off the Proksa win.
11) Marco Antonio Rubio (18-129)
Last Fight: 3/23/2013- UD12 Marcus Upshaw (UNR)
Next Fight: 7/27/2013- vs. Dionisio Miranda (UNR)
Rubio will stay busy against Colombian journeyman Dionisio Miranda on July 27.
12) Anthony Mundine (18-129)
Last Fight: 1/30/2013- L (UD12) vs. #1 Daniel Geale
Next Fight: Unknown
There is serious discussion of a fight with Shane Mosley in Australia, likely in October.
13) Osumanu Adama (18-121)
Last Fight: 3/16/2012- W(SD10) vs. Grady Brewer (UNR)
Next Fight: 7/26/2013- vs. Elco Garcia (UNR)
Adama is back in action 7/26 against Mexican journeyman Elco Garcia.
14) Akio Shibata (11-11)
Last Fight: W (TD9) vs. #18 Makoto Fuchigami
Next Fight: 8/25/2013- vs. Ryota Murata (UNR)
This is a bit stunning.  After proving himself the best Asian middleweight against Fuchigami, Shibata will follow up with a high-risk, no reward fight against Ryota Murata, a fighter making his pro debut, but an Olympic Gold Medalist, as well.
15) Darren Barker (11-92)
Last Fight: 3/9/2013- RTD4 Simone Rotolo (UNR)
Next Fight: 8/17/2013- vs. #3 Daniel Geale
Barker will get his second big opportunity to rise to the top, as he takes on #2 Daniel Geale in New York state August 17.
16) Max Bursak (11-129)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- UD12 Prince Arron (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Bursak had a decent night in his first European title defense against Arron.
17) Demetrius Andrade (11-100)
Last Fight: 1/25/2013- UD10 Freddy Hernandez (UNR) (at JMW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Gatekeeper and (technically) titlist Zaurbek Baysangurov hurt his back and had to withdraw from the “title defense” against Andrade.  It looks like Andrade might fight for the vacant or interim version against Vanes Martirosyan, all of this being at 154, and likely on the Pacquiao-Rios undercard.
18) Bryan Vera (11-39)
Last Fight: 3/29/2013- TKO7* Donatas Bondorovas (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/7/2013- vs. #6 Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.
Vera’s fight with Chavez has been delayed to September 7.
19) Grzegorz Proksa (3-118)
Last Fight: 6/28/2013- L (UD10) vs. Sergio Mora (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Proksa is an enigma.  He looked like the next big thing against Sylvester, but did practically nothing against Mora. 
20) Nobuhiro Ishida (3-72)
Last Fight: 3/30/2013- L (KO3) vs. #3 Gennady Golovkin
Next Fight: 8/4/2013- vs. Elly Pangaribuan (UNR)
Ishida said before the Golovkin fight that he would retire if the lost.  Having not heard post-fight confirmation, I decided to leave him ranked until I found out he was indeed finished.  Turns out I made the right decision, as Ishida is already scheduled to be back in the ring on August 4 in Osaka, against Indonesian novice Elly Pangaribuan.

 

The Week Ahead: Friday in Neuquen, Argentina, prospect Billi Godoy and high-level journeyman Mateo Veron do battle.  Godoy always seems to fight to the level of his opposition and produce close entertaining fights, and I have little doubt this will fit that mold.

 

The Chisora-Scott undercard in London features a couple worthwhile middleweight fights.  Recently ousted #20 contender Dmitry Chudinov looks to keep his unbeaten record intact against mid-range Gambian journeyman Patrick Mendy. 

 

The more competitive of the two features England’s Billy Joe Saunders against fellow undefeated prospect Gary O’Sullivan of Ireland in a very interesting rivalry scrap.

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