Pawn or Party Pooper? The Curious Case of Tony Harrison

 

 

Tony Harrison comes into Sunday’s showdown against Australia’s Tim Tszyu with opportunity knocking firmly at his door.

(29-3-1) ‘Super Bad’ Tony Harrison has stood on top of the Super Welterweight division previously, and victory on Sunday will hand him an unlikely opportunity to do it again.

Tim Tszyu had his own shot at the Super Welterweight crown secured, with a fight against current undisputed champion Jermell Charlo scheduled for January.

But plans came unstuck when Charlo was injured in training camp, a hand injury seeing a postponement until the second half of 2023.

It left Tim Tszyu and his team with a decision. Sit on his opportunity at the undisputed crown and wait for Charlo at some point later this year. Or remain active, earning another significant payday in the meantime, and put the Charlo fight on the line.

The Tszyu camp has chosen the latter, with the Australian scheduled to face former world champion Harrison on Sunday, for the interim WBO Super Welterweight Title.

Boxing is Risk vs Reward. There is plenty of both in Tony Harrison.

The 32-year old Harrison is the ideal opponent in the eyes of the Tszyu team. A fighter who has been largely inactive in recent times and is in the backend of his career. They see him as beatable.

He’s a marketable name, an opponent sufficient to earn the fight interim world title status – and a big payday for all involved.

The fight has sold plenty of tickets and pay-per-views. A win for Tszyu makes the eventual Charlo showdown even bigger. There’s the reward.

Harrison is a fighter who has defeated Charlo previously, and who can provide the needed seasoning to Tszyu ahead of his eventual showdown at the undisputed champion. Tough rounds against an elite level fighter.

The risk in all of it, is Harrison remains the most credentialed opponent Tszyu has ever faced.

You can argue Tim Tszyu is still to be properly tested. The marketing machine is firmly behind him, but good judges agree question marks are there.

Tszyu has been fairly emphatic on his way to a 21-0 career record. Wins over Terrell Guasha, Takeshi Inoue, Jeff Horn, and Dennis Hogan are the standouts on the Tszyu resume - but delve a little deeper and some cracks begin to appear.

Terrell Guasha has never quite reached the elite level in boxing. Losses to Erickson Lubin and Erislandy Lara, plus a draw with Austin Trout highlight this.

Guasha dropped Tszyu in the opening round and had his moments throughout their showdown.

Some experts came away chalking the performance up as an ‘off night’. The fight proving terrific education for Tszyu – his first on American soil. Others suggested advancing towards a Charlo showdown next was a mistake.

The glowing highlight of Harrison’s fight record is a unanimous victory over the division’s current undisputed king Jermell Charlo, where Harrison claimed the WBC World Super Welterweight Title – handing Charlo his only career defeat to date.

Harrison would go on to lose the title in the rematch, after Charlo dropped him in the second round, and finished him in the 11th.

Since that defeat in December 2019, Harrison has been inactive, fighting just twice since.

April 2021 saw him fight to a majority draw with the (17-3) Bryant Perrella – a fight that finished with a ridiculously lopsided scorecard (114-114, 116-112, 111-117).

In April 2022, Harrison responded with a comfortable unanimous decision victory over (33-1) Sergio Garcia, where Harrison claimed the WBC Silver Super Welterweight Title.

But is Harrison the fighter that defeated Charlo? Or is he the one that clung to a draw against Perrella, or the one knocked out on three occasions – by Charlo, Jarrett Hurd and Willie Nelson?.

Harrison is an enigma at times in the boxing ring. He’s beaten the very best in the division, but he’s flailed against lesser fighters.

There’s no denying though that he has more experience, he’s the more hardened fighter. Sunday will be his sixth world title fight.

Conversely it will be Tszyu’s first world title encounter, and alarmingly the Australian has only gone twelve rounds twice before in his 21-fight career.

This is where Harrison believes he has the edge. The American feels he can take Tszyu to the deep water – and drown him.

“You’ve got to dig in your bag (in boxing). He doesn’t have a bag to dig in, because he’s never had to dig in one. This time, he’s got to dig in that bag and find that. He’s got to find that this time,” Harrison told Fox Sports.

Many experts see Tszyu’s damaging body shots and fight changing power as an X-Factor that will cover any perceived flaws. Tszyu has habitually broken-down fighters with ease, standing in front of his opponents and unleashing at will. No one has withstood it as yet.

But Tszyu has not fought a fighter with the credentials of Harrison. Harrison will not let Tszyu unload when he wants, and every round will be hard won. How will Tszyu react when things aren’t going his way?

It’s exactly the test Tim Tszyu needs before his showdown with Jermell Charlo. But in securing it, he’s opened the door to a dangerous Tony Harrison who is eyeing a career defining third fight with the same man.

The Charlo carrot is motivation for both. Sunday’s fight is a chance for Tszyu to again prove he belongs on the elite level of boxing, whilst Harrison looks to prove he isn’t the doorman to that very place.

ADAM SANTAROSSA

 

Kambosos ready to lead Aussie world title charge

He’s done over 250 rounds with Manny Pacquaio and fought in some of the biggest arenas in boxing, now ‘Ferocious’ George Kambosos is ready for Australia to take notice.

George Kambosos goes into the famed Madison Square Garden on Sunday, knowing that his world title dreams and a place in the top tier of professional boxing lay in wait.

Promoted by the legendary Lou DiBella andbeing the main training partner to boxing legend Manny Pacquaio, Kambosos is primed for the big stage.

But first he must find a way past former IBF world champion Mickey Bey (23-2).

Despite the fact a world title shot is seemingly lying at the Australian’s doorstep, the number three ranked Kambosos had no hesitation in agreeing the fight the dangerous American.

“Bey has been in some really big fights and he’s been at the top of boxing, where I’m going,” Kambosos said.

“That’s why we picked him. We wanted a name like this. This is his make or break fight, as it is mine. This is my acid test.

“Whatever he brings to the table, we’re ready for. This is my American coming out party, and this will be his retirement party.

“There is a lot on the line.”

While he is not prepared to look past Bey, an impressive display from the Australian in New York, could just land him the opportunity of a lifetime.

Top Rank kingpin Bob Arum has discussed bringing boxing superstar Vasily Lomachenko out to Australia, and handing Kambosos his mega fight.

Lomachenko will be in attendance on Sunday, and Kambosos knows he must bring the fireworks to grab the Ukrainian’s attention.

“Bob Arum is Lomachenko’s promotor and he is the promotor of Sunday’s fight, so it all hinges on the statement we make,” Kambosos explained.

“We’re on this card for a reason. Everything has been put here to create even more interest and those opportunities could be there, if we do the business against Bey and look great.

“I’m ready to bring real boxing back to Australia. They know I’m a real fighter, a real contender.”

Current IBF lightweight champion Richard Commey will defend his title against Teofimo Lopez on the same card as Kambosos.

If Lopez was to dethrone Commey, number three ranked Kambosos will likely be lined up as the next challenger. 

“If Commey is to win, I’ll probably go to Lomanchenko, but if Commey is to lose, there’s a big chance me and Lopez get it on next,” Kambosos said.

“There’s a big chance Bob moves his fighters around, he either says he’s going to take Lomachenko to Australia or I fight Lopez. Either way, a world title will be next.”

A new generation of Australian fighters have come to the forefront in recent months, with Tim Tszyu, the Moloney brothers and Michael Zerafa grabbing the countries attention.

But Kambosos says he will be the one to lead boxing forward in Australia.

“I’m the leader of the pack,” Kambosos said.

“Out of all those guys, I’m here fighting at Madison Square Garden, against a former world champion. They are in Australia, fighting in front of 2000-3000 people.

“Australian boxing is in a really good position. I’m not going to sit and knock different fighters and say they’re doing something wrong.But I’m happy to be the leader of the pack.

“I’m the guy over here and those back home need to look at the Kambosos blueprint.

“I’m a 26-year-old, and ranked number three in the world. I’m ready to bring the entertainment back to Australian boxing.

“We have never had the easy road, and I’ve never wanted the easy road. 

“I’m a fight away from cracking the big, big time and world title fights.”

ADAM SANTAROSSA

Horn vs Crawford : The Fight for Respect

People have been writing Jeff Horn off his entire career, and it’s about time he was given some respect.

Every step he has made in his fight career, has come with doubters.

The Manny Pacquiao camp tried to discredit his famous victory over the Filipino legend at Suncorp Stadium to save their marketability.

Roy Jones did the same when he was crushed by Danny Green.

It’s what you do when you underestimate your opponent and pay the price.

Both Jones and Pacquiao cried foul, blaming those “corrupt Aussies”, when the only unjust thing was the way both prepared for the fight.

They overlooked the man in front of them and it cost them.

The Pacquiao fight was a close fight, but not a robbery. Good judges had no complaints, even Pacquiao agreed, at least in the ring, following the decision.

Since his victory, Horn has unjustly had an asterix placed against him and his title win has been considered a nuisance, rather than the unearthing of a genuine star.

Horn’s win disrupted grand plans and future fights for Pacquiao and other Bob Arum managed stars.

As champion, rather than dictate terms, Horn has been toyed with.

The Pacquiao rematch was next on the cards, and then it wasn’t. It was going to be held in Brisbane, then it wasn’t.

Then it was the Philippines’, then the United States, then Pacquiao was going to be on the undercard, and hopefully fight the Horn-Crawford winner next. It’s hard to keep up sometimes.

All the while Horn kept his head down and jumped when Bob Arum and Top Rank told him too.

Horn had every right to have put his feet up, and spend time with his first child, Isabelle, born in December. Instead he’s been training and has had almost two full fights camps in preparation for Crawford.

Originally scheduled for April 14, the fight was postponed after Crawford suffered a hand injury.

In a further sign of disrespect, the two will fight for Horn’s WBO Welterweight title this Sunday, a date that clashes with UFC 225, headlined by Australian Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.

That decision will vastly hurt the pay packet of Horn, with Australian pay-per view sales to take a significant hit. That’s not to say Horn isn’t a draw but asking the public to shell out $50 for both fights, only the most ardent fans will do so.

The Queenslander had every right to say the date didn’t work for him. But he didn’t.

Horn doesn’t make excuses. He just gets back to work. Another obstacle to overcome.

Crawford will be the toughest fight of his career, tougher than Pacquiao. At 32-0, his resume is impressive, but lacking any real big names.

Crawford is now Top Rank’s Golden Goose, a man who will lead their new TV deal with ESPN and is earmarked for the top of the pound for pound tree.

A future fight with Errol Spence Jr is already being widely discussed, as if victory over Horn is a sure thing.

Just like Pacquaio, the Horn fight is considered step one, on a wider, long term plan.

Crawford has moved up a division, handed a world title shot and looks set for big fights to come.

Few Stateside see Horn pulling off another upset. Many still can’t get his name right. Most credit the Pacquiao victory as “right place, right time” against an ageing champion.

But it’s time people give Horn the credit he deserves.

Jeff Horn won a Queensland amateur title, after just one fight, and an unofficial one at that.

He followed it up with an Australian title. Went to the Olympics, and followed that with a legit World Title win, over a Hall of Famer, at the first time of asking.

Jeff Horn has made a habit of proving people wrong.

Since defeating Pacquiao, he has silently gone about his work. The Crawford fight will be his third in a 11-month period.

Horn is sharp, supremely fit and rightfully has a chip on his shoulder. He’s big for a welterweight, has great endurance and has power in his shots. The most remarkable asset though is his composure on the big stage.

The world of boxing, and the Australian public may not appreciate him for the world class fighter he is. But come Sunday, win or lose, they will respect him.

The thing is, Horn is a winner, even when no one gives him a hope, he finds a way.

A win on Sunday is no guarantee, but should his hand get raised in Las Vegas, it's time the boxing world recognise his talent.

Then things can get done on Jeff Horn's terms.

ADAM SANTAROSSA

Mundine-Green 2: 11 years on, but same old story

Normally on the eve of a big fight like Anthony Mundine-Danny Green I'd file a preview.

In it I'd pick the fight apart, highlighting areas I think it will be won and lost and then give a prediction.

This is very much the same, but probably harder to write. If you’ve followed this blog back since its inception, you know the names Mundine and Green feature significantly.

In fact, they permeate through it. Both have shaped my love for the fight game, which is ultimately why this blog exists.

I'm cornered for this fight, in that my prediction was made long ago. I always said they'd fight again. No one leaves good money on the table – especially not Mr Mundine and Green. 

Read through my previous blog posts on the pair and you'll find my thoughts haven't really changed.

But all those articles that discussed a future rematch came with a ready made prediction.

I've said for several years, Mundine would win , just like the first fight, because I feel he is a better boxer.

I can't really back away from that statement now.

That prediction wasn't made because I'm a 'Mundine super fan' as some on social media suggest, but more due to the fact I think 'The Man' just matches well stylistically.

Danny Green is what’s considered a ‘come forward’ fighter. They like to press the action, but as a consequence are pretty easy to find.

Mundine is the opposite. He uses range well. Gets punches off and then gets out of the way. Works well on the outside and his jab, is unbelievable.

He can score at will and frustrate you for 12 rounds- as he did to Green in their first fight.

Mundine has great footwork and great hand speed. He’s slowed a bit in his later years, but he’s still got some silky skills. He has good defence and solid head movement also.

But Mundine is his own worst enemy. He's lazy at times and he often says he struggles to get up for fights. A big fight, world titles, yet lacks motivation.

You just never know sometimes what you're going to get. That's the biggest factor with this fight.

He can get lazy in the ring as well. Mundine is often caught up against the ropes, in corners or just standing straight in front of a guy.

Joshua Clottey knocked him down five times because Mundine stood in front and didn’t use angles. Charles Hatley did similar.

If he stands in front of Green he'll get knocked out.

Markus Beyer was destroyed by Danny Green if their first fight in Germany doing exactly that.

But in the return fight Beyer boxed and was far too good. Speed, movement and angles have exposed Green in the past. 

To be fair though, Green has added a dimension as well since the pair last fought. 

Fighting against bigger cruiserweights forced him to box. His performance against Krystof Wlodarczyk (which ended in a savage KO) I consider the best of his career.

He out boxed a highly rated cruiserweight world champion and was winning comfortably. Until he made one mistake and paid for it! 

But I wasn’t impressed by Green in his last fight against Kane Watts. He looked sluggish and should really have handled the 34-year-old more comfortably than he did. 

The biggest factor people look at in this fight is the weight difference. I don’t see it as being that significant.

It’s something Mundine has encountered before as a super-middleweight. For example in his fight with Mikkel Kessler, the Danish star was able to rehydrate so he resembled more of a light-heavyweight. Having a similiar advantage to what Green will have.

He had a much bigger frame and far heavier punch than Mundine. It’s not ideal, but not necessarily insurmountable. Mundine prefers to be lighter anyway and his style is suited to it.

As long as he can absorb the heavier punch at the weight, it’s really all that matters. The main thing is he looks much healthier at this weight.

Mundine hasn’t really troubled anyone with his power in a while, but with a bit more weight behind him, you just never know. He used to throw a lovely check hook as a super middleweight and Green will have to watch its return. Mundine has caught many a guy coming forward with it.

Looking at recent fights in the fight game where guys have moved up in weight and the heavier guy has benefited. Andre Ward and Conor McGregor both struggled against bigger bodies and the pair do generally like to fight on the outside, like Mundine.

It remains to be seen whether Mundine-Green 2 follows that trend. But as I've always said, I think Mundine will win.

The 'experts' don't think so and the odds suggest punters don't either.

But I remember they all said the same before the first Mundine-Green fight as well.

I think it will be a very similar outcome, with Mundine bringing an identical game plan. Not much will change. Mundine will be looking to simply bank rounds and win over the distance – his jab dictating throughout.

It’s hard to really know what to expect in the fight game. Stories coming out of camps are always largely creative. You hear the clichés, ‘best camp ever’ and all that and we’ve heard similar stories in the lead up to this.

My prediction was made many years ago, but I’m standing by it.

The rivalry has dominated the sport in Australia over the last 15 years. As much has time has changed, both have stayed the same.

Polar opposites, two different styles, appealing to two different crowds.

Do they have a surprise up their sleeve? – Only time will tell.

Who knows, we may even see them throw down a third time.

PREDICTION: Mundine by decision 

Canelo-Khan: Speed kills, but brute force the difference

The fight the boxing world wants to see is Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez against Gennady Golovkin.

It's the only realistic 'super fight' boxing has left, despite the heavyweight scene currently seeing a resurgence.

The only problem is, once again, politics and promoters get in the way.

Last week Golovkin fought Dominic Wade, and annihilated him, as everyone expected.

Canelo will fight Amir Khan this Sunday.

When Golovkin vanquished David Lemieux in October last year, most thought GGG would next fight the winner of Cotto-Canelo.

But here we are, and no progress has been made.

Canelo is the heir apparent, destined to take over the throne of Boxing's King.

It's hard to believe he is still only 25-years-old.

Already he's taken on Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and co.

He should be fighting Golovkin.

In the fight game matchups are made using the risk/reward formula, and Khan looks like a good fight for Canelo with this in mind.

Khan is a financial draw. He's built his name as an exciting fighter and has a diverse fan base from both Britain and parts of Asia, given his heritage.

But, his best work has been done as a Lightweight and Light Welterweight. It was only in December 2014 that he stepped up to the Welterweight limit. Now he steps up almost three divisions to take on Canelo.

On the face of it, Khan seems like a safe bet for Canelo. He's a name fighter, with a suspect chin, not known for his knockout power and someone fighting way out of his weight class.

But Khan's best asset is speed and it's the very asset that has shown to be Canelo's Achilles heel.

We saw Canelo exposed somewhat in the Floyd Mayweather fight, with the Mexican unable to deal with Mayweather’s hand speed and movement. He struggled to close the distance and looked sluggish, without throwing anything of note.

Even most recently against Miguel Cotto, the Puerto Rican won the early rounds using his jab and speed to fight on the outside. It wasn't until Cotto tired did the fight come back to the Mexican.

There’s a multimillion dollar carrot dangling for Canelo after this fight, with pressure to make a Golovkin fight mounting, but he risks that substantial pay day against Amir Khan.

The fact Khan is fighting at Middleweight for the 160 pound title* is ludicrous.

The fight itself will be fought at an agreed weight of 155 pounds, given Canelo's ( and Miguel Cotto's) appetite for not fighting at Middleweight, despite being a Middleweight World Champion.

Canelo has always been marked as an elite fighter, with the potential to go to the next level. We've all been waiting for him to assume the mantle and it seems like he's finally comfortable wearing it.

He gave us some doubts in his performance against Mayweather, but to be fair - he was only 23 at the time.

Canelo showed he had matured is his fight with Cotto and had he pressed a bit more, he could have got Cotto out of there earlier than a decision victory.

Khan’s only hope of winning would have to be a decision victory and I expect him to fight on the outside, score and then stay out of range. If he gets caught on the inside, and Canelo lands, it could be a very short night.

The Khan fight will do reasonable business. But it's not the fight boxing fans want to see.

It's time boxing learnt that if you don't give fans what they want, they'll go somewhere where they can get it. Namely, the UFC.

I expect Canelo to win on Sunday, but should he come unstuck, plans to tackle Golovkin will take a massive nose dive.

Not good news for Canelo or the sport of Boxing.

ADAM SANTAROSSA

The reason Conor McGregor is 'retiring'

Conor McGregor shocked the world this week when he announced his ‘retirement’ at just 27.

But why the sudden move? Particularly when you’re set to headline the biggest UFC pay-per-view in history, in UFC200.

We’re yet to hear the reasons behind the move, but I think the reasons why are fairly clear.

McGregor failed to return to the United States for promotional duties ahead of UFC200, instead choosing to remain at his training camp in Iceland.

Conor is clearly aggrieved at the fact he has to do more promoting, when you can argue he’s been the only one doing so for the last twelve months.

It’s worth remembering that Conor McGregor’s last year in the sport was unprecedented.

In fact, he hasn’t stopped since September 2014 – when you consider each fight is generally preceded by a three month training camp.

Following his September 2014 win over Dustin Poirer, he rolled straight into a January 18 fight with Denis Siver.

This is also around the time that the UFC launched their partnership with Reebok, with McGregor front and centre as part of the deal. The Irishman also walked away with a tidy side deal, as one of a few UFC stars to hold a separate sponsorship deal with the company.

From there it was onto a lengthy multinational press tour to promote his fight with Jose Aldo.

Of course, that was set down for July 11, only for Aldo to withdraw, sighting a broken rib.

Chad Mendes had to be called up as a late injury replacement and although McGregor won the fight, he was taken down numerous times, all by a guy that took the fight on two weeks notice.

There were claims following the fight that McGregor carried a significant knee injury into the event, and also reports he had stopped training, anticipating a postponement, which then made cutting to the Featherweight limit harder than it needed to be – affecting performance.

Following his scratchy win over Mendes he’d go on to take part in The Ultimate Fighter series against Urijah Faber. This meant more weeks away from home.

Reports at the time suggested McGregor was close to walking away from his TUF commitment; however he came to a financial deal with the UFC which prevented this.

Strangely the McGregor-Faber series saw no fight between rival coaches, as is generally the case.

From there it was a December 12 fight with Aldo, which again was coupled with a lengthy press tour.

He then went straight back into camp, then scheduled for a March 5 fight for the Lightweight Title against Rafael Dos Anjos.

Yet again the fight would fall apart, with Dos Anjos pulling out with a fractured foot.

The UFC would draft in Nate Diaz as the replacement - who promptly arrives, spits out a few swear words and walks out with a million dollars, after submitting McGregor early in the second round- putting a large dent in future plans of the UFC and Conor McGregor.

2015 was a good year for McGregor and so far 2016 has followed suit, at least financially.

No one has made more money, no one has brought the UFC more pay-per-view dollars.

 But whilst McGregor continues to break records, it’s the UFC who take the lion’s share of revenue - grossing over $600 million in revenue for the past year – which is another sore point for the Irishman.

 

For the McGregor-Aldo fight, the UFC made over $10 million off the live gate alone, not to mention the 1.2 million pay-per-views buys at around $50 a pop.

For the McGregor-Diaz fight, the UFC made over $8 million off the gate, with 1.6 million pay-per-view sales, according to UFC President Dana White.

UFC don’t release the figures, but you’d be looking at somewhere between $60-$80 million profit for the Zuffa owned organisation off each event.

It’s estimated that McGregor made around $8 million dollars for his fight with Jose Aldo at UFC194, and closer to $10 million against Nate Diaz at UFC196, including an unprecedented $1 million show purse. This is total revenue, fight purse and pay-per-view money combined.  

Most would consider these earnings to be pretty good and they are to the everyman, but they don’t stack quite as well when placed up against other combat sports.

Miguel Cotto walked away with $15 million for his Middleweight World Title fight with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, who made $7 million, and all this before pay-per-view revenue was included.

That fight sold over 900,000 pay-per-view sales, ensuring both men would have earned substantially more.  

Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather had a ‘minimum guarantee’ of $32 million for his fight with Andre Berto, his lowest performing pay-per-view in some years. Berto, the challenger, earned $4 million, before his slice of pay-per-view.

Mayweather is Mayweather, but you could argue Cotto and Canelo are not as well known on the world scene as Conor McGregor.

 But if you factor in Cotto’s $15 million dollar purse, plus expected pay-per-view slice, he would have earned more money for one fight, than Conor McGregor did in two events.

Two events mind you that generated the second and third most pay-per-view sales in UFC history, and set a new gate receipt record.  

So simply put. Conor McGregor is doing all the promotion, and generating all the revenue, but it’s the UFC who’s taking home the largest slice of the pie.

Hence our current predicament.

McGregor played his card by no showing UFC200, so Dana White yanked him from the event. 

It's a ploy at negotiating a larger slice of the financial pie, that McGregor feels he deserves. 

Let’s hope they find some common ground soon enough, because things could get very interesting if they don’t.

ADAM SANTAROSSA 

The huge test awaiting Lucas Browne

If Lucas ‘Big Daddy’ Browne ( 23-0) becomes the first Australian to win a World Heavyweight Boxing crown on Sunday, it will be some feat.

Not just for the fact that the fight is being held in the heart of Chechnya, or that his opponent, Ruslan Chagaev hasn’t lost since 2011.

When Lucas Browne first entered a boxing ring for his professional debut in 2009, Chagaev was going toe to toe with Wladimir Klitschko, attempting to defend the same title he'll carry to the ring on Sunday. 

Browne's story is inspiring and its greatest chapter may yet be written. But he'll have to bridge a huge gap in experience to do so. 

Browne has had to play a patient game waiting for the World Boxing Association to honour his position as mandatory challenger to the Uzbek champion.

The 36-year-old Australian doesn’t want to miss his opportunity and has thrown himself into training.

He hasn’t been fitter and he’s hardly missed a day in the gym.

Sparring has looked sharp and Browne doesn’t seem rattled by the big stage that awaits him.

Physically he holds the edge, standing seven inches taller than Chagaev and with a three inch reach advantage.

Chagaev may hold the nickname ‘White Tyson’, but it’s Browne who adopts that fighting style, with an 87% knockout percentage.

A knockout is probably what he’ll need on Sunday if he is to take the title, with the Uzbek firmly in home territory, albeit the Russian city of Grozny, where he’s won previously.

But whilst the Australian holds the advantage in the key stats, the biggest difference in this fight won’t be physical. 

A look at the champions resume only highlights this.

Chagaev most recently knocked out Fransesco Pianeta (31-1) in explosive fashion, needing just one round and the 37-year-old has victories over Nicolay Valuev and Kali Meehan.

Only two men have ever beaten Chagaev, World Champions Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin.

The WBA Champion is the more seasoned - Chagaev has been in wars. 

Whilst Browne has never tasted defeat, you can’t help but question his preparation and the lack of big names on his resume.

His most recent opponent was Julius Long, a man who came in with 16 wins and 18 losses.

It was expected to be an easy night, only it wasn’t.

A broken hand early on made it tough for Browne and the prime time viewing audience throughout Australia would have been questioning his world title chances.

Before Long, it was a fight with Chauncey Welliver (55-8), who had lost three of his last five going in.

A routine knockout victory followed for Browne, but it did little to grow his mystique.

Both fights are hardly ideal world title preparation and do little to equip Browne for the challenge that awaits in Chechnya.

Criticism has come as Browne has battled promotional difficulties, with the fighter himself taking to social media to voice his frustration at handlers, Hatton Boxing.

The Australian has also bounced around trainers in recent times as well, with Ricky Hatton, Jeff Fenech and now Nigel Benn holding the reigns.

 But criticism aside, Browne has shown he’s willing to do whatever takes to claim the title.

He moved to the other side of the world and that dedication saw him improve in the ring and quickly climb the rankings.

Browne has his shot; it’s now up to him to take it.

 There are plenty of reasons to write him off, but his knockout power means he’s always in the fight.

One punch can change everything and Browne won’t die wondering.

Both Daniel Geale and Sam Soliman have shown how to win world titles in hostile European environments in recent years, with work rate and sheer will being the difference on those occasions.

The Heavyweight scene was rocked when Tyson Fury downed Wladimir Klitschko, and new hope Anthony Joshua has a world title shot, with Joseph Parker also waiting in the wings.

Change is upon us and Browne will not just create history on Sunday with victory; he can have his pick of some of the biggest names in the division.

Many may see it as mission impossible, but good luck telling Lucas Browne that.

PREDICTION: Ruslan Chagaev by decision 

Lucas Browne vs Ruslan Chagaev, WBA Heavyweight Boxing Title, Sunday 8am MAIN EVENT Pay Per View

Cotto v Canelo: The big fight that will live up to the hype

Sunday’s fight between Miguel Cotto (40-4-0) and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (47-1-1) is what boxing is all about.

Two of the best fighters in the world clashing in a fight mostly devoid of the usual politics that comes along with the sport.

Boxing generally has a habit of getting in its own way and we saw an example of that this week, with Cotto stripped of the WBC Middleweight Title for failing to pay $300,000 in sanctioning fees.  

Canelo can still claim the title should he win the fight, but the lack of the WBC strap doesn’t take the shine off this fight whatsoever.

With the Mayweather-Pacquiao sideshow almost gone, Cotto and Canelo have stepped up in their absence.

The only fight in boxing today that is bigger is probably Gennady Golovkin against the winner, that’s if Cotto and Canelo actually have interest in fighting him.

Had you sold me a Cotto-Alvarez fight three years ago, it would have looked very different.

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez was the next king of boxing, whilst Miguel Cotto was slowly losing the race against father time, seemingly destined to embark on a career trajectory similar to Mosley, Maragrito and Co.

But strangely in the last two years, the tables have turned.

Miguel Cotto has sparked new life into his career, in a new division, whilst Canelo has still yet to really show he is capable of carrying boxing’s crown, with the doubters growing all the time.

It all looked so promising for Canelo. As a 23-year-old he was undefeated in 44 career fights, and landed the biggest prize in the game, a shot at Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather. 

The Mayweather fight came a little too soon for Canelo. He was fed to the wolves in a way.

Mayweather was running out of options to fight and Canelo was next in line. Golden Boy (Canelo’s promotional company) accepted the risk, knowing that if Canelo did pull off a victory, well they’d have the goose with the golden egg.

But of course we now know that Canelo wasn’t good enough to beat Mayweather and in fact the fight showed he probably wasn’t ready for it either.

The fight left you feeling that Canelo was still morphing from potential star to superstar and left you thinking, ‘what a fighter he’ll be in a few years time’.

But here we are now a few years down the line and in my opinion Canelo still hasn’t become that fighter, yet. There’s no denying he is a star, but he’s yet to become the star he was touted to be.

His fight with Miguel Cotto could be that coming out party, and there’s big pressure on the Mexican fighter to ensure it is.   

Canelo has had 47 fights, but he doesn’t fight like someone with that many rounds under his belt. Looking at his record, he’s only really had a few high profile fights. Cotto on the other hand has toiled at the elite level for years.

Canelo fought Shane Mosley back in 2012, when it is safe to say Mosley had seen better days. Austin Trout was an up and comer, but Canelo showed he was in a different class. The loss to Mayweather followed, and since then it’s been a rebuild of the Alvarez brand.

Sure, Erislandy Lara and James Kirkland are no pushovers, but they are not Miguel Cotto.

Cotto on the other hand has been in the ring with everyone. Mosley, Margarito, Pacquiao, Mayorga, Mayweather, Trout and Martinez.

It is this experience that his trainer Freddie Roach says will be the difference, and I tend to agree.

Cotto has been in wars. He’s had to dig deep and find something within himself in the championship rounds. We can’t yet say the same for Canelo.

Of Cotto’s four career losses, two have been to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, the third was to Antonio Margarito, who was later found to be using loaded gloves.

The loss to Austin Trout was a major shock and led to Cotto linking with Roach at the Wildcard Gym.  That decision has revived the Puerto Rican fighter.

This most recent incarnation of Cotto is some fighter. Moving up a division* has reinvigorated the 35-year-old.

He is back to his destructive best, with three stoppage wins in his last three fights.

Some will punch holes in those fights. Delvin Rodriguez and Daniel Geale aren’t elite level fighters, whilst Sergio Martinez was not as his best, with injury playing his part.

But Cotto can only beat what’s in front of him and he has done so in devastating fashion.

Freddie Roach’s training has seen Cotto resemble the killer of the late 2000’s with the famed punching power back.

Floyd Mayweather came out recently and said Cotto was the only fighter to ever hurt him. If Cotto brings the intense style he has shown in the last three fights, I don’t think Canelo can handle it.

One thing that can be guaranteed is that Cotto-Canelo will live up to the hype. Both fighters bring action, both won't die wondering.

It's must see on Sunday.  

PREDICTION: I think Cotto wins. I just haven’t seen Canelo go to that next level. Some betting companies in Australia have Cotto at $8.80 to win via TKO, its handy odds!

Miguel Cotto v Saul Alvarez, Sunday 1pm AEST on MAIN EVENT PPV

Mundine v Green: Sliding Doors

Despite the fact that the continued debate around an Anthony Mundine-Danny Green rematch makes boxing purists in Australia cringe, the clash is still the biggest fight in the country.

It will happen eventually, and it’s what I’ve been saying ever since they squared off last time.

The rematch is a money fight. It captures the public’s interest, and it will do good business for all involved. 

Whether it goes above and beyond the first encounter, it’s hard to say, but given the experience of Mundine-Green in selling a fight, they’ll make enough noise to fill the seats.

When the fight will happen is the biggest unknown. It could happen as soon as early 2016 or it could be this time next year. 

It’s a true case of sliding doors, with one fighter’s movements directly affecting the other, and crucially in the sport of boxing, timing is everything.

In terms of how the fight will go – I still think Anthony Mundine is the winner. He’s just a better fighter, as was shown in the first fight.

That’s not to be disrespectful to Danny Green, because I think he has a better chance of winning the rematch than he ever did in the initial encounter.

Weight is the biggest obstacle to overcome. Mundine is currently fighting as a Junior Middleweight and Green is several weight classes away at Cruiserweight.

The light-heavyweight mark, or at least a catch weight around that territory, is the likely outcome the fighters will arrive at.

Green hasn’t seemed interested in getting near that mark mind you in his most recent comeback, and if he wants to place pressure on Mundine and seize control in their continued PR battle, hitting the light-heavyweight limit would be a good start.

Obviously Green will want to fight as heavy as possible, given the added weight favours him. He’s a bigger puncher and has the bigger frame, but it’s not the only way he’ll benefit.

The higher the weight class, the more Mundine will lose in speed - his biggest asset - as a consequence of carrying more. Sure he’ll probably bring increased punching power, going up in weight, but when was the last time The Man knocked someone out.

I also think Danny Green has become a better boxer since moving from the Super Middleweight division.

He was known for his come forward approach, and he would just go through guys - case in point, his first fight with Markus Beyer.

But moving up the weights, he didn’t have the advantage in power or size anymore. This has meant he’s had to pick his shots, go to the outside increasingly and he's become a better boxer and more rounded. 

His fight with Krystof Wlodarczyk is the best example of that, despite the way it ended.  

So I really think the pair are more closely matched now as fighters than they were in the first fight.

Anthony Mundine fights Charles Hatley on November 11, whilst Danny Green fights Konni Konrad on December 2.

If Mundine loses to Hatley, I think the next fight he signs is the Green rematch.

But the big fight that the Mundine camp will have their eye on will be the highly anticipated clash between Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez on November 22.

The Mundine camp are no doubt eyeing off the loser, with the winner likely to move on to either a mega fight with Gennady Golovkin or the ‘retired’ Floyd Mayweather.

Mundine’s camp has also said they’d be willing to jump in with Golovkin, as ridiculous as that sounds. But if Daniel Geale can score a fight with Golovkin, there’s no reason Mundine can’t deal his way into an opportunity.

Golovkin could even use such a fight to test the waters in the junior middleweight ranks, with the likelihood of both Cotto and Canelo making him come down in weight to face them. The Golovkin camp would see Mundine as a name fighter, who to them doesn’t really bring considerable risk at upsetting future plans.

*Cotto-Canelo fighting for Middleweight title, but will fight closer to Junior Middleweight as contracted. 

Many see hand speed and slickness as to the Golovkin kryptonite, and maybe that’s where Mundine fancies his chances. But I think people are mad to underestimate Golovkin’s boxing ability. Eastern European fighters are skilled in the fundamental elements of boxing – a good jab and tight defence – it’s why they are great Amateurs.

 Golovkin has superb head movement and when he makes you miss, he truly makes you pay.

So there are some potential options for Mundine, depending on how other fights go around him, but there are also cards for Danny Green to play.

I think Green is picking opponents to test himself, but not hamper his marketability.

Domestically he’s not short of people calling him out. Whilst there are some tasty fights there, Green knows a loss will hurt the appeal of the Mundine fight. So he’s not taking the risk, given the financial reward will be much less.

A potential fight with Sakio Bika would be worth watching, but that would only be a possibility if Mundine continued to drag his heels well into next year.

Interestingly though for Green, Roy Jones announced he’ll fight for the WBA Super World Cruiserweight Title against Enzo Maccarinelli in Moscow on December 12.

There’s money in a Jones-Green rematch and if it’s for a ‘World Title’, it’s even easier to sell. Roy Jones just may want some redemption after his KO defeat to Green back in 2009. It could soon loom on the radar, if the cards fall a particular way.

Mundine and Green will fight before they hang up the gloves, there’s no question of that. When it happens, well there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge yet.

It could all change at any moment. If you’re one of those people that wishes the column inches devoted to the match up would just end, well strap yourself in, because it’s only going to ramp up in the coming months.

Some will say it's time to move on, others will say it's time to throw down. 

Whatever our opinion, we'll all be watching, whether we like it or not. 

ADAM SANTAROSSA

Mayweather fights for his place in history

* MAYWEATHER/PACQUIAO: FIGHT OF THE CENTURY - PREVIEW

Floyd Mayweather says he's the best ever. He’s even got the clothing line to prove it.

Some consider such a claim to be trademark Mayweather brashness, another act in ‘Being the Bad Guy 101’ or an attempt to generate publicity and subsequently ticket sales and pay-per-view buys.

Many are content to waive such claims away, but honestly, why isn't he at least in the conversation.

Mayweather is 47-0, his record reads like a Hall of Fame class – Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Diego Corrales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Arturo Gatti, Saul Alvarez and Zab Judah have all been vanquished.

Almost all were comprehensive, with only De La Hoya giving him a significant test.

It is a record matched only by Rocky Marciano, who went 49-0 as a heavyweight.

Now, records aren’t everything, and you can punch holes in the records of many big names, but why should Mayweather not be considered amongst the greats, such as Joe Louis, Floyd Patterson, Marciano and Muhammad Ali?

The reason people don’t consider him in that calibre is because simply, he's disliked.

He’s considered too flashy, an egomaniac, only in it for the money.

They are just a few of the reasons. Not to mention his domestic violence charges and other misconduct.

This week he came out claiming he was better than Muhammad Ali and people scoffed - How are you better than our champion?

But you have to remember there was a time when Muhammad Ali was public enemy number one, in the same way Mayweather is today.

Many people hated him simply because of his background. Some labelled him ‘champ’ and many more labelled him by the colour of his skin.

Others called him a coward and a draft dodger, for being a conscientious objector when conscripted to fight for the United States in the Vietnam War.

Some simply hated him because he was a Muslim or because he walked to the beat of his own drum.

But with the grace of time his public image has softened. 

These days he is loved by all. The days of public hatred are long gone and he is simply judged on his legacy.

That's where Mayweather is lacking.

Ali is most remembered for his epics with George Foreman and Joe Frazier.

‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ and ‘Thriller in Manilla’ is gospel in the sport.

They are forever intertwined with boxing, and for many it’s their first taste of the sweet science.

At this moment Mayweather doesn't have a fight of such magnitude on his record.

Yes, he's fought future hall of famers, but up until now there's been an asterix next to his name.

He's beaten them all, but there's one name left to beat.

To be truly considered a great he needs to beat the other man with any real claims, Manny Pacquiao, the only man to ever win a world title in eight different weight divisions.

The fight may be long overdue, but I’m glad it’s happening, the final box on each mans application to the legendary tier of boxing will be complete.

I’d argue there is greatness in seeking greatness. Sometimes only the legend is willing to lay it all on the line to prove he is the better man.

It is important to consider too, that as much as you are judged on what you have done, you'll also be judged on what happens after you're gone.

Ali is remembered for his charisma, more so now in a time when the Heavyweight division is crying out for some. 

The swiftness of his movements around the boxing ring, the footwork, the showmanship, all remembered now more fondly in a time of robotic beasts.

Will anyone come and do what Mayweather has done in this modern era of the sport?

Only time will tell.

Watching Mayweather in the lead up to this fight you can see he is very different.

He's quiet. He knows the fight will define his career and the legacy he will leave.

Many years down the line, they won’t remember the box office records, the clothing line, the lack of endorsements and public popularity; they’ll judge Mayweather the fighter, the skills, the victories, the performances on those big Vegas night’s when the entire world was watching.

Mayweather has been subdued in the lead up because he can feel the pressure. He has everything to lose. The undefeated record. The crowd as boxing’s pound for pound king.

Comparing fighters across eras is a hard thing to do. There are new weight classes, time limits, titles, purses, rules and hundreds of years of evolution.

But when judging the greats there is always that one fight for which they’ll forever be remembered. When they took on the best and beat them.

Now it is Mayweather’s turn.

When history looks back on the career of Floyd Mayweather Jr, who knows if he’ll ever one day be considered the greatest, but a win on Sunday may just put him in the conversation.

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In the last chance saloon, Billy Dib hopes to rise again

Copyright: Lonsdale London

* MAYWEATHER-PACQUIAO PREVIEW/ANALYSIS

Billy 'The Kid’ Dib may have just arrived at the last chance saloon.

If he fails in his opportunity at a world title on Friday night, who knows if he'll get another.

That may make him a desperate man, but he shouldn't be.

Desperation is what has cost him in the past.

Dib has a huge heart and that sometimes is his problem. He uses it more than his head on occasion.

At the end of the day it isn't the toughest fighter who reins supreme, it's often the smartest.

Previously in Dib's opportunities at a world title he has been too desperate to impress.

Many wrote him off after his comprehensive points defeat at the hands of Steven Leuvano in 2008. 

The loss saw him dropped by Golden Boy Promotions and forced back home to Australia and the drawing board.

To his credit, he did the work, made the changes and took the long road back to the top.

The IBF Featherweight World Title signaled his return to the big stage in July 2011.

He was snapped up by SMS Promotions, with Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson calling the shots.

The US market is notoriously tough to break and Billy had been granted a second opportunity at it.

A big world title defence against Evgeny Gradovich, beamed around the globe on ESPN, and Dib wanted to make up for lost time.

He wanted to show he was an action packed fighter made for the USA that would get TV sets and turnstiles spinning. He traded shots with Gradovich willingly, only to lose the title.

He showed us his heart and his underappreciated chin and won admirers, but at the end of the day he lost the fight and his title, because he went away from his strengths.

Dib’s best asset is his speed, silky boxing skills and his ringmanship. He used angles well and is hard to hit, yet in the Gradovich fights he was more focused on putting on a show by trading bombs.

Hearing Dib speak in the lead up to this fight it's good to hear he's learnt those lessons. He’s returned home, worked on his skills and waited for the next opportunity at redemption.

It's a credit to his team for getting this fight as I think it's a very winnable one.

That's not to say it will be easy.

Takashi Miura has lost just once in six years, twice in his entire career.

He’s heavy handed and can finish a fight within the distance, which he’s managed in over 65% of his fights.

Miura is also quite good technically, and he’s a southpaw, making him an awkward opponent for Dib.

The champion has just fought once outside Japan in his career, highlighting his comfort on home soil.

Dib’s shot at the title will be available all around Australia on free-to-air television. It’s an opportunity many fighters will be envious of. It is the first world title fight on Channel 9 in 25 years and harks back to the days of a man close to Dib, Jeff Fenech.

It was Fenech who made himself a household name back in 1985 when we won the IBF World Bantamweight Title against Japanese fighter, Satoshi Shingaki, as an underdog.

Dib has the same opportunity against another Japanese champion on Friday evening in Tokyo.

Dib also has the opportunity to do something Fenech never did, claim the WBC Super Featherweight Title, after Fenech was robbed of the green belt following a controversial draw against Azumah Nelson in 1991.

Dib has the chance to right the wrong and finally bring it back to Australia for his close friend.

Going to Japan and getting a decision will be difficult and Dib will have to be at his best. He will have to dominate the fight and win close to every round. 

He’s the underdog, but some will say it’s been that way his entire career. 

Many write him off, expecting him to fall short. 

But often fighters at the last chance saloon bring their very best, and in the land of the rising sun, Billy Dib may yet rise again.

The Fight of the Century: MAYWEATHER-PACQUIAO PREVIEW

Floyd Mayweather meets Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sunday (EST time) in the ‘Fight of the Century’, with the mantle of the best fighter on the planet up for grabs.

Personal vendettas, legal troubles, contractual disputes and the sizeable ego’s of all involved have been overcome. The pair will finally go toe to toe in front of the world.

I’ve written over 30 articles on this fight over the journey and now that it is finally here it’s hard to find something that hasn’t already been said.

All along I’ve tipped a Mayweather victory and I will not waiver from that ahead of the fight. I just believe he is a superior fighter.

He’s yet to taste defeat in 47 fights and he has been in there with the very best.

His resume reads like a list of a Hall of Fame class. Corrales, Gatti, Judah, De La Hoya, Hatton, Marquez, Mosley, Cotto, Alvarez. It is some record.  

Many fighters have been touted as the one to stop ‘Money’ Mayweather, but up until now no one has managed to find a way. It’s hard to find a Mayweather fight in recent years that wasn’t mostly one sided, with a split decision win over Oscar De La Hoya the only exception. 

Cotto and Maidana put him under pressure to an extent, but his victories over Hatton, Marquez, Mosley and Alvarez were comprehensive.

    

Some say his biggest weakness is against pressure fighters, others say he struggles with southpaws.  Well, Manny Pacquiao is both, but it doesn’t guarantee him victory.

Pacquiao is expected to bring an all action style. But so did Cotto, Marquez and Alvarez. Mayweather was too slick for all of them.

Mayweather recently defeated Marcos Maidana, a relentlessly come forward fighter, often at his detriment.  Maidana certainly brought the pressure, but Mayweather never lost his composure. He let rounds slip, and fell behind on the scorecard, but as soon as Maidana tired, he picked him to pieces.

Whilst Mayweather is coming off back to back wins over Maidana, Pacquiao is coming off a one sided win over Chris Algieri. So one sided that Pacquiao scored six knockdowns over the 12 rounds. 

He looked very good, but was it really a test.

Pacquiao has knock out power in both hands and we’ve seen him flick the switch on some of the sport’s biggest names. Knockout is his best chance of victory, but he needs to be careful himself. 

Whilst Mayweather is undefeated, Pacquiao has lost three times in his career. The Filipino suffered back to back losses in 2012, which shows there are chinks in his armour.

He loves to let his hands go, but as a result he can be a little reckless. We saw him knocked out at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez in that fashion. Mayweather doesn’t regularly end a fight early, but he’ll latch onto even the slightest opening. Pacquiao needs to pick his moments and establish his jab before looking for the big shots.

It’s Pacquiao’s fights with Marquez that are the most telling and give us the best indication of what can trouble the Filipino. The pair has met four times across their careers, the fights almost all close and controversial decisions.

Marquez has power and uses angles well, he gives as good as he gets, and has shown us that Pacquiao can struggle when he is not able to force the pressure as he likes and when beaten to the punch.

Mayweather has never been knocked out in his 47 fight career, and has only ever been knocked down on one occasion, a flash knockdown against Carlos Hernandez back in 2001. It was the only round Mayweather lost that night.

In more recent times, we’ve seen him rocked by Shane Mosley in the opening round of their fight in 2010. This time, Mayweather didn’t go down, but similarly he won ever ensuing round of the fight.

Knockout may be Pacquiao’s best method of victory, and he is certainly capable, but finding Mayweather’s chin is another story entirely.    

I expect Mayweather to fight, as he normally does, on the outside. He’ll use his defensive skills to keep the Filipino at range and counter punch. He won’t risk coming forward and into the clutches of Pacquiao.   

Mayweather must match the intensity of Pacquiao early. Pacquiao likes to dictate and Mayweather can’t allow that to happen right off the bat. Mayweather can’t start slow like he did in the first fight with Maidana. He was caught behind early on the scorecards and only managed to wrestle control back in the back end of the fight. Pacquiao won’t afford him the same luxury.

Mayweather must bank rounds early and not let it slip. He finishes well and always comes homes stronger in the final rounds. On the flip side Pacquiao will look to start fast and seize control. He'll look for a big punch early. 

If he wins the early rounds that will force Mayweather to chance his arm as the fight progresses. This is exactly what the Filipino wants. It means Floyd has to let his hands go and press the fight and that brings a knockout into the equation.

This could be a fight for the ages and I hope it lives up to the hype. Styles make fights and this one will hopefully be a fight we remember for a long time.

Pacquiao is the biggest test Mayweather has had in his career. But I think its a test he passes, just. 

PREDICTION: MAYWEATHER by decision