: Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:48 am  

Pavlik v Taylor is at catchweight, so Pavlik's titles are not at stake, and even if he loses he will defend against Northern Ireland's John Duddy in the summer by the way.

Pacquaio is fighting JM Marquez, who he famously knocked down 3 times in the opening round last time they fought, but Marquez came back to earn a draw.

There is also a Heavyweight unification fight between Wladimir Klitcho and Ibragimov in a couple of weeks.

Still think Haye v Maccarinelli the most exciting prospect of all of those.

: Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:41 am  

wolfhound13 wrote:

Pavlik v Taylor is at catchweight, so Pavlik's titles are not at stake, and even if he loses he will defend against Northern Ireland's John Duddy in the summer by the way.

Pacquaio is fighting JM Marquez, who he famously knocked down 3 times in the opening round last time they fought, but Marquez came back to earn a draw.

There is also a Heavyweight unification fight between Wladimir Klitcho and Ibragimov in a couple of weeks.

Still think Haye v Maccarinelli the most exciting prospect of all of those.

Don't think that will make the slightest difference to the quality of the fight. IIRC Diego Corrales and Jose Castillo II was a none title fight after Castillo didn't bother trying to make the weight and it was still brutal.

As for the heavyweight division. Who cares

: Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:45 am  

Wasn't saying Pavlik v Taylor would not be a quality fight, was adding the information that Pavlik would, whatever happens, be fighting John Duddy next.

I actually think David Haye will make a huge impact in the Heavyweights in the next couple of years, even if Maccarinelli beats him in his starved state at Cruiser. Povetkin and Solis also look like decent Heavies on the up, so I think the division will improve soon.

: Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:32 am  

wolfhound13 wrote:

Wasn't saying Pavlik v Taylor would not be a quality fight, was adding the information that Pavlik would, whatever happens, be fighting John Duddy next.

I actually think David Haye will make a huge impact in the Heavyweights in the next couple of years, even if Maccarinelli beats him in his starved state at Cruiser. Povetkin and Solis also look like decent Heavies on the up, so I think the division will improve soon.

It's about time.

: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:27 am  

Personally looking forward to the Macranelli and Haye fight in March, it will be a decent fight which involves 2 of the biggest punchers in British boxing at this time. I'm hoping for a Macranelli win. If Haye steps up to the heavyweight division he should be challenging for titles, but I just hope they don't take to long bedding him in and putting him in the ring with bum's like they are doing with other fighters at the moment.

Also the Hopkins and Calzaghe fight promises to be good fight also, Calzaghe is coming to the end of his career and Hopkins has retired more times than a Williams F1 car. I just hope that if Calzaghe beats him he doesn't go on to fight Jones Jr, not because he may lose but because it would prove nothing if he was to beat him as everyone would just say he was at the end of his career.

Heard a rumour that Ricky Hatton may be fighting sometime around May against Gavin Rees (think he holds the british title or something similar).

And when are they going to put Khan in a fight with someone that will actually hit him, he looked lost after 6 rounds at the weekend.

: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:44 am  

Gavin Rees is the WBA light-welterweight world champion, but Hatton's people have said they won't be fighting him (to do so they would have to deal with Frank Warren apart from anything else).

David Haye has already knocked out a top 15 rated heavyweight within a round (Bonin) and had he not accepted the Maccarinelli match they had him lined up to fight Hasim Rahman, so doesn't look like they will be feather bedding him too much.

: Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:38 am  

Now announced that Gavin Rees is to fight the Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik (on orders of the WBA). Kotelnik is a very decent European level fighter, although Junior Witter has already beaten him.

: Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:45 pm  

Was reading something earlier today that said that Hatton's next fight should be finalised by the end of next week, but there is no mention of who against only that he is hoping it will be at City of Manchester stadium.

I have also been keeping track of the press coverage that the Woods and Tarver fight is getting, this is looking like it is going to be a decent fight, this is a great quote from Woods also,
"I've always wanted him since I become world champion, I've always hated him and I can't stand the guy even more now,"

Woods is a good fighter and can take a few punches, he is also a genuinely (sp?) nice bloke, met him in Portugal a couple of years ago and had a few beers with him.

: Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:59 pm  

Sthelens RLFC wrote:

2008 is a huge year for Paul Smith. Went into the Contender as one of the favourites and didn't really impress in his win over David Banks. In saying that he must have impressed Buddy McGirt enough as he has took Smith on full time.

IF he is to realise his potential, he needs to step up in class this year. a record of 22-0 means nothing if he is only fighting bums. He needs to secure a British title this year and by the end of the year be knocking on the door of a world title shot.

Looked average to me in the contender.

Think we'll see more of Alfonso Gomez this year.

: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:07 am  

Apparently Tarver through a Spinal Tap sized hissy fit because Woods' promoter didn't send a limo for him for the press conference, but just told him to get a taxi, and also because he wasn't given a hotel room for his "stay", which was from 9.30am to 1.30pm on the same day.

Hollywood must have gone to his head.