The Bob Arum Circus rolls on as Pacquiao-Bradley collide

For a sport that thrives in the gambling capital of the world, Las Vegas, Boxing is known for displaying the odd card trick or two, but for Top Rank Boss, Bob Arum he has made it into an art form.

Arum possesses an arsenal of tricks that would make a Las Vegas dealer blush. It’s the ability to waive one hand in front of everyone and hit them over the head with the other, and he has shown it again with the scheduling of the Pacquiao-Bradley fight this weekend. On the face of it, the fight looks like a blockbuster, The Mega Power that is Pacquiao against the undefeated, Tim Bradley.

But if you look beneath the surface a few cracks appear.

Bob Arum is the head of the promotional company, Top Rank, which promotes Manny Pacquiao along with a plethora of big names in the sport. Arum has become a master at keeping his fights in house and almost refusing to do business with rival promotional company, Golden Boy Promotions headed by Oscar De La Hoya.

Golden Boy house perhaps the biggest fish in Boxing, Floyd Mayweather and two fighters touted as the next generation, Saul Alvarez and Amir Khan. Floyd Mayweather points the blame squarely at Bob Arum for why a fight between he and Manny Pacquiao continues to elude fight fans, given Arum’s hesitance to risk his cash cow, despite it no doubt being the biggest earning fight of all time.

There are many in Boxing who see Pacquiao as a protected species, who Arum closely matches up with Top Rank fighters. It’s smart business in one way, as Arum takes a cut of both fighters purse and see’s his future earnings rise no matter what the result. Four of Pacquiao’s last six opponents have been Top Rank fighters with Joshua Clottey, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito and Tim Bradley all under Arum, with Pacquiao venturing away from the stable against the over the hill, “Sugar” Shane Mosley, formerly managed by Arum, and Juan Manuel Marquez, who many considered to be in a similar state to Mosley at the time.

The Marquez fight was a war, with the ageing Mexican turning back the clock to shatter the “Superman” image that Pacquiao has created, only for Pacquiao to be awarded a dubious points decision victory, which I liken to daylight robbery.  Pacquiao then looked at his next conquest and hype began to build towards a mega-fight with Mayweather.

Once again, the talk from both camps amounted to nothing and both looked at other opponents. Mayweather went after the next best thing and lined up a Super fight with Miguel Cotto. Most assumed Pacquiao would welcome Marquez again for a historic fourth fight, but instead he turned to Tim Bradley.

Bradley will walk into the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday with a chance to pull off one of the biggest upsets of all time. Whilst it wont be as surprising as that win by James “Buster” Douglas, most people expect Pacquiao to make light work of the young American.

Sure Bradley is undefeated, but he has spent the last twelve months ducking the biggest name in the Light-Welterweight division, Amir Khan. Before that it took him an age to have him meet Devon Alexander.

On Sunday he moves up to Welterweight to meet Pacquiao for the WBO Welterweight Title. Whilst it’s a weight Bradley has fought at previously, he has spent his career campaigning in lighter weight classes. Bradley is unproven at the elite level and has shown a genuine lack of desire to meet the biggest names until now.

Sure he has been in the ring with opponents like Junior Witter, Nate Campbell, Lamont Petersen, Devon Alexander and Joel Casamayor, but none are anywhere near the level of Pacquiao.

His last fight was on the Pacquiao-Marquez undercard and Bradley promptly dispatched Casamayor in eight rounds. An impressive performance no doubt, but Casamayor has always done his best work at Lightweight, not Welterweight.

Bradley could luck out on Sunday and find himself winning the jackpot. Not only does he claim his highest ever pay day in meeting Pacquiao (touted as $7.5 million), but would most probably find himself walking into a fight with Floyd Mayweather that would command him almost triple the earnings.

But I can’t see Bradley getting the job done.

Whilst Pacquiao is heavy favorite and until now I am yet to hear anyone of note predict otherwise, debate is starting to stir around Arum and his prized fighter. The fight with Marquez showed Pacquiao might not be the star he has been hyped to be. An inability to offer a rematch to Marquez, or Cotto and a refusal by Arum to do business with Golden Boy at times, means questions are being asked off Team Pacquiao. For so long Mayweather has been cast as the man responsible for a delay in the mega-fight being made, but Mayweather won a substantial public relations hold in taking the dangerous fight with Miguel Cotto, shining a large spotlight now on Pacquiao.

Come Sunday Pacquiao will take home his substantial pay and look good in the process when he hands Bradley his first loss, but like everything in Vegas, the bright lights will again mask a dark undertow….

And another Bob Arum card trick that pays full dividends.

Follow Adam on Twitter - @adamsantarossa

Cotto's last chance to become a legend

What made Michael Jordan truly great was that his career defining moments were performances on the biggest stage, when pressure was at its highest point and the eyes of the world were on him.

As good as Jordan was, it was his ability to perform on the big stage that made him a legend, and it's from similar feats that Floyd "Money" Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao share similar stature in Boxing.

Miguel Cotto walks into the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, with numerous question marks next to his name, and the eyes of the world watching, and a chance to finally cement his name alongside the greats having missed the opportunity when previously afforded.

He steps in the ring against the No.1 ranked fighter in the world, a man that is the most outspoken and most charismatic fighter on the planet, Floyd Mayweather, who in 42 fights is yet to taste defeat.

As good as Miguel Cotto has been, he has never truly made the leap to that elite level that Mayweather and Pacquiao exist on. There is no denying Cotto is destined for the Hall of Fame, but questions still linger over the Puerto Rican.

Whenever the hype starts to build about Cotto, he falls short.

It first happened in 2008 with Cotto undefeated on the back of a 32-0 record. Boxing pundits had Cotto ready as the sports next big star, ready to join Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in a Hagler-Hearns-Leonard-Duran type rivalry.

What followed was a stunning knockout loss to Antonio Margarito, who battered Cotto from pillar to post in a way never seen before. It was eventually revealed that Margarito fought with “loaded gloves” with plaster apparel found in his hand wraps in a later fight, which was justification for some for Cotto’s loss, but many believe Cotto has never been the same since. His beating at the hands of Margarito changed him, as if he left a piece of him with the blood, sweat and tears he shed that night.

From the loss to Margarito, Cotto bounced back with back to back victories over Michael Jennings and the tough, Joshua Clottey. Hype began rising again. Hype that the Margarito loss was merely a blip on the radar and Cotto was back to take his place amongst the elite.

Up next was a clash with Manny Pacquiao and a chance for Cotto to finally prove his capabilities. What followed was a crushing 12^th round TKO defeat after being sent to the canvas on four occasions in the fight.

The one sided result showed the world that Cotto was not yet elite, and for all the hype truly lacked what it took to compete with the best in the world, which confined him to no man’s land between Mayweather and Pacquiao and the rest.

Cotto did not give up however and quickly moved to Super Welterweight in which he promptly disposed of Yuri Foreman and Ricardo Mayorga. Tongues began to wag again.

Cotto looked revitalized at his new weight and a change in trainer showed the one dimensional brawler of the past had more than the odd trick up his sleeve.

In December of 2011, Cotto jumped back in the ring with the man that took his undefeated streak away, Antonio Margarito. The Mexican had served his suspension for the loaded wraps and returned to the ring against Manny Pacquiao. Margarito was no match for Pacquiao, with Margarito taking so much punishment that he suffered a detached retina which took Margarito out of the ring for almost one year.

Miguel Cotto enacted his revenge as he impressed all with his boxing ability with a ninth round stoppage after doctors refused to let Margarito continue due to further damage to his eye.

The performance was so emphatic that the whispers started once more. A Pacquiao rematch was touted before talk of a Mayweather- Pacquiao fight gained momentum, only to be delayed again.

This led to Floyd Mayweather signing a fight with the next best fighter in Cotto, which gives Cotto his final chance to prove to the world just how good he can be.

Mayweather however, is no ordinary man. He is the best fighter on the planet with 42 wins from 42 fights. He has beaten the who’s who of boxing with a roll call of legends holding place on his resume.

Names such as Hatton, Mosley, Marquez, De La Hoya, Judah, Gatti, Ortiz, Castillo and Corrales to name a few, all of which that will be instilled in the Hall of Fame at some point in time.

What is equally impressive is Mayweather’s ability to move between weight classes and still have success. He will do so again, by moving to Super Welterweight to meet for Cotto’s WBA World Title.

Fans of the HBO Boxing Series “24/7 Mayweather-Cotto” would have witnessed the bizarre training techniques of “Money” Mayweather. Whether it is trips to Burger King or El Pollo Loco both before and after training, to shopping for $11,000 shoes or completing his bag work whilst talking on a mobile phone, Floyd Mayweather just does things differently.

But despite his shenanigans on camera, he has met ever challenge ever presented to it and crushed it. As the great man says “42 men have come with a plan and they have all come up short”.

Many, including myself expect Mayweather to add Cotto to the list of names vanquished and move onto 43-0, before taking a short vacation to serve a jail sentence before trying once more to make a fight with Pacquiao for late 2012.

The experts point to Cotto’s loss to Margarito and Cotto’s loss to Pacquaio as justification as to why Cotto just doesn’t have what it takes to stop a legend  this Sunday.

But Cotto is desperate. Sunday’s  fight with Mayweather is a must win for Cotto for many reasons.

A victory will finally see him make the leap to the true elite standing in boxing , and it will also allow him to generate massive pay days with fights with Pacquiao and Mayweather.

A loss will see him lose relevance, as Cotto has beaten almost every fighter relevant below him but would have come up short against the top two in Mayweather and Pacquiao, leaving him further stricken in a promotional no-man’s land.

A loss for Cotto on Sunday confines him to the realm of sportsmen who had a Hall of Fame career, who won championships and found fame in the process. But when the pressure was on and the blowtorch applied simply came up short. A win for Cotto however will see the questions that have plagued experts for years finally answered.

But just how to beat Floyd “Money” Mayweather  is the biggest question of them all, and so far no man has found the secret.

Cotto must find it on Sunday otherwise he will be confined to the history books as another What If?

PREDICTION – MAYWEATHER BY DECISION

****

An interesting aside from the main event is the main support fight which sees’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez take on “Sugar” Shane Mosley for the WBC Light-Middleweight title.

Alvarez is considered the man that will step into the void left by Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao once they both call it a day, and is even touted to meet Mayweather in the ring should both be successful in their respective fights this weekend, and the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight continues to fall through.

Mosley has a lot of doubters and many feel his gloves should have been hung up quite some time ago.  He looked promising early against Mayweather before fading  and was miserable in his fight with Pacquiao.

Juan Manuel Marquez and Eric Morales have shown that you should write off a warrior too soon, but it would be hard to see Mosley’s career continuing if he is beaten comprehensively again against the rising star.

Time for Billy "The Kid" to show he is "The Man"

His following is growing by the day, yet there remains a significant number of detractors.

Billy “The Kid” Dib rubbed many a boxing fan early on in his career, much of it was not even his own doing.

The silky skills were awash with a sense of arrogance and a plethora of hangers on and then there was what some considered an armchair ride to the big time, riding the coattails of Golden Boy Promotions, “Sugar” Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya.

At least that was the perception from the outside looking in.

But when you meet the man, you understand the perception paints a very different picture.

I had the opportunity to work with Billy “The Kid” in the lead up to his fight for the vacant IBF Featherweight World Title against Jorge Lacierva last year, and the perception couldn’t be further from the truth.

What I encountered was a down to earth and humble young man, who is tremendously respectful and a credit to his family.

I remember a time when I had completed some MC work for Billy at a shopping centre appearance promoting the Lacierva fight. Upon completing my work, Billy came up to me, shook my hand, thanked me and then gave me a Billy “The Kid” T-shirt for my troubles.

He remains the only “celebrity” to personally thank me after any such event.

If only more people knew that Billy Dib.

In days past, Dib was riding in style with Mosley, De La Hoya and other big names fighting on undercards on some of the biggest fights of the year at places like the MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Madison Square Garden.

He was moving in the right circles and opportunities arose. An IBO Super-Featherweight Title came as well and Dib had it made, all at the age of 23.

What followed was a fight with Steven Leuvano for the WBO Featherweight Title, in the bright lights of Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and a crushing defeat.

It was a crushing defeat not on the scorecards, but due to the events which followed the fight.

Dib was panned mercifully by US commentators for being outclassed and in some eyes out willed by the classy Leuvano. Leuvano won the fight comfortably yet the margins of 115-113, 116-112, and 117-111 show it was by no means a cakewalk.

Yet following the fight Dib’s cards were stamped and he was sent back home labelled “NOT GOOD ENOUGH”.

Golden Boy Promotions dropped him like a bad habit and “Sugar” Shane Mosley suddenly stopped coming around for visits.

But Dib kept believing. He didn’t fold when the experts were saying he didn’t have what it took to mix it with the best and that he had had a good run.

Dib talks honestly when questioned about getting ahead of himself in the past, and says that mistakes made then make him more determined to make the most of opportunities now.

“The biggest lesson I have learnt is I was so caught up in the hype before; I was caught up in the hype of being with the superstars and everything like that. Now I have settled down and realised at the end of the day, no one in the sport of boxing is going to be able to help you unless you help yourself.”

Dib certainly has helped himself.

In early 2009 he aligned himself with Billy Hussein and has not looked back.

He has swapped the superstar mates for a stable of boxers reliant on hard work, dedication and a belief to be the best.

He has swapped the casinos of Las Vegas and Atlantic City for venues such as Sydney’s Croatian Club and Le Montage Events Centre.

He has even had to do it all away from the spotlight and eyes of his fans.

Not one Australian Television stations was interested in showing his IBF Featherweight Title shot against Jorge Lacierva, although it was eventually shown a week later on tape delay. The late finish of the fight meant Dib didn’t even grace the following day’s paper.

His following fight and first World title defence against Alberto Servidei was shown live on Foxsports, and many witnessed Dib destroy his previously undefeated opponent inside the first minute of the fight.

But even this result was met with pessimism.

Most saw Servidei as handpicked, and pointed to his undefeated record that included a victory over the same fighter on six different occasions.

Most said it was Team Dib making the most of the opportunity whilst they could, knowing eventually there man would be found out against tougher opposition.

A call was put out to WBA Super Featherweight Champion, Chris John only for nothing to arise, which did nothing to silence the voices.

Yet on Wednesday night, Dib shares the marquee with another Australian World Champion, Daniel Geale when he defends his IBF Featherweight World Title against mandatory challenger, Eduardo Escobedo.

With a record of 32-3, Escobedo is certainly no mug and is coming off an eleven fight winning streak. If Team Dib wanted to hand pick their opponents than Escobedo would not even appear on such a list.

He is a dangerous fighter who has an impressive resume. He has knockout power and can find nice angles from the outside.

This fight is the biggest of Dib’s career.

Win and he may finally get the credit he deserves. Lose and those voices will rise again saying “I told you so”.

It’s a shame amid all the mismatches that Australian Boxing has thrown up in the past few years that a fight such as this isn’t on the lips of every Australian sportsfan.

As a punter, I went looking for the odds on this fight and at Sportingbet, Sportsbet and TAB Sportsbet they were nowhere to be seen.

Is this a sign that the betting agencies aren’t prepared to take the hit, given the expected closeness of the fight, or is it more that they feel given the way Dib polarizes opinion that no one would seem to care.

Come Wednesday evening, Billy “The Kid” Dib has the chance to silence the critics once and for all.

No longer will he be sharing the bill with other fighters, or fighting in local RSL clubs.

He will return to the stage he was told he was never good enough for after losing to Leuvano in 2008.

It’s hard to believe that Dib is still only 26. Anthony Mundine only began his boxing career around the same age.

To see what Mundine has achieved in the time since highlights the possibilities that exist for Billy Dib.

At 26, he is no longer “The Kid” with all the promise, but a fighter with the skills and desire to show the world he is indeed “The Main Man”.

It's time for Mayweather and Pacquiao to shutup and fight!

Well Mayweather v Pacquiao is back on the wish list yet again, if only I had $1 for every time I have written that opening line.

You are probably wondering like many of us why the biggest fight ever held and one that is set to break all financial records is so hard to make.

The Mayweather v Pacquiao fight is the easiest sell known to man, well at least to everyone but the two men that will do battle in centre ring.

It has taken five years, yet we are still locked in a firestorm of political and egotistical struggle between the two, in which somewhere along the line the good of the sport that made both men millionaires was lost.

Both camps look at the potential millions on offer to them, but with only the winner taking the spoils, for some reason for both Mayweather and Pacquiao that isn’t quite enough.

Never mind the fact that each man is set to take away $100 million dollars minimum for just lacing up his gloves, what concerns both parties is what will happen to the loser.

There is an old adage used in the world of sports marketing, ‘Win on Sunday, sell on Monday’, and it’s the reason why New York Giants jerseys are the hardest to find right now.

The winner of the biggest fight ever will take home millions through endorsements and media coverage generated from their victory alone, and the loser will see a sizeable chunk come out of their future box office revenue.

For so long the narrative of Mayweather-Pacquiao has had us all tuned in to witness the next twist in the tale, with millions of us paying for the privilege and thus lining the pockets of both men from our pay per view buys. When the final chapter is written, and we finally have a winner, one man will see those pay per view buys skyrocket, whilst the loser becomes second best.

Despite the chance for both men to be validated as No.1 pound for pound and hold multiple world titles, and finally "officially" have the ability to call themselves the best fighter in the world, to Mayweather and Pacquiao that just isn’t enough, and that sadly epitomises what Boxing has become.

Since the dawn of time, two men have been able to settle their differences with their fists, devoid of colour, creed, science or societies labels, where a man's heart mattered more than training, income, education or opportunity.

It's a sport where a black man who couldn't get service at his local restaurant became the most loved fighter of all time.

It's a sport where a street kid lost to society fought his way to a heavyweight title and the millions that came along the way.

The Boxing ring is the ultimate proving ground and one that takes no prisoners, some leave with less than they arrived and others leave with much more than their wildest dreams, and it all started with two men lacing up their gloves with a desire to see who the better man was.

It's ironic for a sport that has lived and breathed out of the gambling capital of the world, under the bright lights of Las Vegas; both men are not willing to take the gamble.

What is even more ironic and harder to comprehend is that it's a gamble were strangely everybody wins.

Follow me on Twitter at @adamsantarossa

Aussie Boxing: 2012 Preview

In 2011, Australian Boxing witnessed somewhat of a changing of the guard.

For a sport which recently has relied so heavily on the likes of Anthony Mundine and Danny Green for media exposure and box office appeal, 2011 saw those fighters who had been confined to the peripheral make some giant strides to centre stage.

2011 saw the crowning of new World Champions in Daniel Geale, Billy Dib and Will Tomlinson, along with many others springing into World Title contention.

Anthony Mundine, Danny Green, Vic Darchinyan, Michael Katsidis and Lenny Zappavinga also flew the flag high for Australia in some high profile bouts, but it was the young brigade who shone brightest.

So it’s time to take a look at what is in store for some of the country’s biggest fighters in 2012.

2012 is a big year for:

IBF Middleweight Champion, Daniel Geale- After defeating Sebastian Sylvester for the IBF Middleweight Title in May, 2011 and defending his title against Eromosele Albert in August, a broken hand prevented Geale from any further fights in 2011. He is scheduled to defend his title for the second time against a yet to be announced opponent on March 7 in Hobart, on an impressive card featuring Billy Dib and Kali Meehan. The opponent is likely to be IBF Middleweight No.1 contender, Osumanu Adama, who won the right to be Geale’s mandatory challenger following his defeat of Roman Karmazin last October.

Geale has shown his desire to tackle the other Middleweight World champions in Sergio Martinez, Felix Sturm and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, however with Geale not being the biggest name in the overseas markets; he may find the going tough in securing a big name fight.

Don’t be surprised to see him in the ring with Anthony “The Man” Mundine at some point in 2012. After their highly controversial first fight there will be a lot of money made in a rematch. With Geale and Mundine struggling to secure big name overseas fights, both may be eager to step in the ring against each other once more. The Geale camp had pitched the concept to the Mundine camp following Geale’s World Title win back in July of last year, and the fight would certainly do good business for Geale, instead of a lesser known fighter like the rumoured fight with WBO Champion, Dmitry Pirog.

IBF Featherweight Champion, Billy Dib-  After winning the vacant IBF Featherweight Title against Jorge Lacierva last July, he defended his title against the very unimpressive, Alberto Servidei, who Dib destroyed inside one round. Despite his impressive recent form there still seems to be many who doubt Dib’s World Title credentials and there is no better chance for Dib to dispel those doubts once and for all then in his next fight.

Dib meets the tough; Eduardo Escobedo in Hobart on March 7, in a fight which I believe will be the toughest of his career. Escobedo is undefeated since 2007 and has put away some impressive names in the Featherweight division.  Dib has big plans going forward and is looking to return to the USA and re-link with Golden Boy Promotions. A Fight with Indonesian Superstar, Chris John still remains an option, and it seems so much is starting to happen for the young featherweight. It is amazing to believe he is still only 26.

Anthony Mundine- It seems like finally the penny has dropped for “The Man”. For so long he has been derided for fighting lesser known opponents rather than cashing in on his enormous talent and potential and fighting the biggest names in the World. Whilst Mundine has spoken of his wish to do this for a while, it seems now though that he is finally putting those plans into action. He has developed a relationship with once sworn enemy, Jeff Fenech who is acting on Mundine’s behalf in the United States and looking to secure fights against the likes of Julio Cesar Chavez, Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto. Whilst it seems not a lot has come from initial negotiations, Mundine still has a shot at interim WBA Junior-Middleweight Champion; Austin Trout guaranteed, which if victorious could springboard him into a shot at the big names that he seeks. If unsuccessful in his plans, he still has some big fights to fall back on back home. Fights with Daniel Geale and Danny Green are still available for a rainy day should his American plans come unstuck.

Danny Green- The big question going into 2012 is whether or not we will see Danny Green back in the boxing ring. Although Green did say he would not retire following his recent knockout loss to Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, he did not indicate any firm ideas as to his next step. Green will have to put a number of wins together following back to back knockout defeats to Tarver and Wlodarczyk it would seem before securing another World Title shot. A fight with New Zealand cruiserweight Shane Cameron was all but signed before his crushing defeat to Tarver and that fight may be the ideal tune-up to a bigger fish later down the line. Rematches against Wlodarczyk and Tarver could be possible, and there was even some talk on social media recently about a rematch with BJ Flores, despite Green's comfortable victory over the American in their 2010 fight. I wouldn’t rule out a drop to Light-Heavyweight, given Green is considered a small cruiserweight and has suffered against the bigger hitting bodies of late. A fight with Anthony Mundine can also not be discounted if Mundine’s US plans come unstuck. I have always felt that fight has been left for a rainy day and with Mundine talking in the press last week about moving to Cruiserweight in the future to tackle Wlodarczyk himself, maybe that offers a little glimpse of a Green-Mundine rematch in the future to send both into retirement with a nice substantial payday.

Vic Darchinyan- Looked as though age was catching up to him in his one sides defeat to Anselmo Moreno in December and is really stuck in no man’s land in terms of the world title picture. Darchinyan is still within the top ten in the division, but has shown an inability to get the job done against the division’s elite. He has touted a move into Mixed Martial Arts, given his wrestling background in Armenia as a youth and with the UFC debuting a new Flyweight division we may yet see the “Raging Bull” enter the Octagon in 2011.

Michael Katsidis- After a disappointing 2011, Katsidis will be looking to rebuild in 2012 and work his way towards another world title shot. Having tasted defeat in three of his last four fights he needs to get back into the winners circle soon. He has made the decision to move to the US and has recruited the legendary Jeff Fenech and former Kostya Tzsyu manager, Vlad Warton after parting ways with long time trainer, Brendan Smith.  With Katsidis game plan focussing heavily on his ability to cut off the ring and being an all action fighter, Jeff Fenech is a great choice given he was the best exponent of that very game plan. A make or break year for “The Great” Katsidis.

Sam Soliman- Very much in the twilight of his career, Sam “King” Soliman takes on Garth Wood in Sydney on February 19 to determine the No.2 ranked challenger in the IBF Middleweight Rankings, with the winner looking to secure a world title shot against fellow Aussie, Daniel Geale. Solimon has been largely inactive in recent years and is running out of time to win that elusive world title.

Garth Wood- Fights against Sam Soliman on February 19 for the IBF No.2 ranking, which could lead to a shot at Daniel Geale. Wood was largely inactive for 2011, with Wood only chalking up a highly competitive loss against Anthony Mundine in April. A fight with Johannes Mwetupunga in August had to be cancelled after Wood received a cut following a head clash in sparring, as cuts seem to continually prove problematic for the Contender Australia winner.  Wood has built a sizeable following after his reality show win and surprise knockout of Mundine, but a defeat against Soliman may see him fall back into the pack and lose his relevance.

IBO Super-Featherweight Champion, Will Tomlinson- “Wild” Will Tomlinson is in line for a huge 2012. After rounding out an exciting 2011 by capturing the IBO Super-Featherweight Title in Perth on the Wlodarczyk- Green undercard, bigger things await the impressive youngster. An exciting fighter, who shirks no challenge, has even called out fellow Aussie, Michael Katsidis. With the Australian public  at odds with the Mundine-Green sideshow, Tomlinson no nonsense approach and all action style may yet usher in the new era of Australian boxing.

Lenny Zappavinga- Much is unknown of Zappavinga’s future plan and there are some doubts over the youngsters continued interest in the sport. After a disappointing 2011, which saw him defeated by Miguel Vasquez in their IBF Lightweight World Title fight, before being knocked out by journeyman, Ameth Diaz, who going into the fight had only won ten of his twenty nine fights. Last reports were that Zappavinga was training to enter the MMA scene. Zappavinga does not possess the background other than Boxing and would have to cut his teeth in local promotions such as CFC, before trying his luck overseas.

Keep an eye on -

Paul Fleming- With a 13-0 record and already under contract to Bob Arum’s promotional company Top Rank, big things are expected of the former Olympian. He is one of the most exciting prospects to come out of Australia in some time, and his exciting style is sure to catch fans attention. He made his US debut last July with a Round One knockout of Juan Jose Beltran in California, and with Billy Hussein and Mike Altamura working their magic behind the scenes he is in good hands. The excitement surrounding Fleming reminds me of “Cool” Willy Kickett whose early career was met with similar excitement, but never seemed to hit the heights projected. But from what he has shown us so far, I don’t think that will be an issue. A fight with fellow Super-Featherweight, Will Tomlinson would be simply mouth watering.

Barry Hall- After retiring from the AFL, Hall announced that he would enter the boxing ring and attempt to cash in on the potential that saw him win the Victorian Bantamweight Title as a youth. After almost making the move three years ago after falling out with the Sydney Swans and seeing Danny Green’s promotional company, “Green Machine Promotions” offer Hall an alleged half a million dollar contract, Hall feels 2012 is now the right time. At age 34, it is unlikely that a World Title is in Hall’s future but there are several domestic fights that can make some good business for “Big Bad” Barry Hall. We can only hope he makes a better fist of things than other footballers who have made the move such as Carl Webb, John Hopoate, Solomon Haumono, Les Mason and Monty Betham.

Follow me on Twitter at - @adamsantarossa

Danny Green is back where it all began

As Danny Green prepares to step into the ring with Krysztof Wlodarczyk on Wednesday night, it presents a chance for the Australian to finally capture a title which has long eluded him.

The WBC title is one that has eluded Green his entire career. Sure he tasted the WBC interim title, but that’s like saying you got with Danni Minogue instead of Kylie. “The Green belt” as the WBC title is affectionately known, is seen by many as the true measure of a fighter given the titles history and the distinction in which it is held. It’s a title which was once ripped from his grasp just as the champagne was ready to flow, in an event that kick started a public love affair with the Green Machine.

In August of 2003, Danny Green was fighting for his first World title, against a highly credentialed European opponent, Markus Beyer for the WBC Super Middleweight Title, in just his seventeenth professional fight.

After dropping the champion in round one and two, and clearly winning rounds three and four, Green was disqualified in round five, for what the referee saw as an intentional head butt. Some called it justice, some controversy and corruption, but nonetheless the country fell in love with the Green Machine, and his chase for that green belt.

It was a time when Green was hungry, literally. It was a time when he lived beside a train line at Bankstown and struggled to make ends meet.

Fast forward to 2011, and a lot has changed.

Green no longer lives beside the train line at Bankstown, he has swapped those digs for a plush base at The Star Casino, as well as a swank residence in Perth, and the millions of dollars that his fights generate ensure he no longer struggles to make ends meet.

Whilst Green still commands a legion of fans, it would be fair to say that his public following has diminished. Many were stung by the farce that was his clash with Paul “Hurricane” Briggs, as well as a continued procession of “easy” fights after his destruction of Roy Jones.

Headlines of cage fights with UFC Champion, Brock Lesnar, chasing a fight with Bernard Hopkins, and having the ability to knock heavyweights senseless, were met with opponents that were largely overmatched, inactive or within their best interests financially to come in under the Cruiserweight limit.

But whilst so much has changed, come Wednesday night, two things remain.

Danny Green is hungry again...and he is still chasing that green belt.

Danny Green enters the ring on Wednesday night a man with a point to prove. In his last fight with Antonio Tarver he was stopped for the first time ever in his career, with his trainer Angelo Hyder having to throw in the towel at the conclusion of the ninth round. The fight not only stripped Green of the distinction of never losing by knockout, but also leaving was the IBO Cruiserweight Title.

Following the fight there was a plethora of names telling Green that he was washed up and that recent fights against lacklustre opponents had made him vulnerable when stepping it up against marquee names like Tarver.

Green following his knockout loss to Tarver

                                                                                   

Following the defeat, Green simply could have retired and settled in with his young children and wife Nina and continued promoting, something he has dabbled in the last twelve months. Or better still taken some easy fights and furthered his retirement nest egg.

He doesn’t need the money, and as a former multiple time world champion, his career will sit alongside some of the greats of Australian boxing.

The easy option for Danny Green would have been to walk away. But Danny Green has never done things the easy way.

Instead he will line up against the WBC Cruiserweight World Champion, Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, a man who posesses 45 career wins, with only two defeats and a very impressive resume.

Danny Green is not going to die wondering. He will throw everything but the kitchen sink at Wlodarczyk. In his 42 wins, Wlodarczyk has knocked out his opponent on 32 occasions. For Green, he was 31 wins for 27 knockouts. So expect some fireworks.

Going into the fight there are many questions that remain unanswered. Questions such as those surrounding the reports of Wlodarczyk allegedly attempting suicide following a row with his wife. Reports state Wlodarczyk was rushed to hospital and placed in a coma while he had his stomach pumped. Team Wlodarczyk has been rather coy in attempting to dispel the rumours since arriving in the country.

There are questions also around the ability of Danny Green. Is he washed up? Has age finally caught up to him? Or was it simply an off night?

People continue to question the reasons why Green continues to fight as a Cruiserweight. Prior to the Tarver fight, Green was seen as a Cruiserweight Champion, but had continually fought at a catch weight closer to the Light Heavyweight division.

Against Tarver, Green weighed in as a true cruiserweight, and the heaviest he had ever fought in his career. This takes some getting used to, and maybe contributed to his sluggishness in the ring.

There is no denying he cut a strong and imposing figure, which pales in comparison to the weight drained fighter he was at Super Middleweight.

Green and his trainer, Angelo Hyder would have gone away and made some changes. The biggest change that Green has made so far in preparation for this fight is that all the talk and all the headlines are strangely absent.

The build-up to the fight has been quite soft. There have been no outlandish statements and no attention seeking.

Danny Green will do his talking in the ring on Wednesday night.

Following his defeat to Tarver many called Green washed up, and no longer world title calibre. I remember similar calls following his one sided defeat at the hands of Anthony Mundine.

Green came back bigger and better, and is capable of doing it again here.

Win or lose, this could be the last time Danny Green ever steps foot inside the ring. He has always worn his heart on his sleeve, and we have all ridden the rollercoaster with him.

Come Wednesday night, Danny Green finds himself in a familiar setting. He enters the ring just like that fateful day in Germany.

He is hungry, He has a point to prove, and he is chasing that elusive WBC title.

Count him out at your own peril.



Boxing's biggest enemy is now itself



Yesterday the UFC strode onto network TV for the first time, and saw over 150 million people tune into the event worldwide, giving the organization’s push into the mainstream a massive shot in the arm.

A few short hours later, that push got stronger, as the same number of people witnessed the sport of boxing give itself yet another low blow, and gave those 150 million people a reason to give up on the sport for good.

It was a daylight robbery that Jesse James would have been proud of.

As hard as it is to believe that Juan Manuel Marquez wasn’t unanimously awarded the decision by the judges, what is even harder to believe is that not a single judge ruled in his favour.

It’s often said that watching a fight at ringside and at home, shows two different fights, but that argument doesn’t stick here.

Most commentators at ringside had Marquez ahead, as did myself, most of those that frequent social networking sites and certainly by the resounding boo’s that were heard around the MGM Grand Garden Arena when the decision was announced, plenty of the people in the stands certainly had him the winner.

The biggest indication though was the sight of Pacquiao walking despondently to his corner upon hearing the final bell, whilst Marquez celebrated jubilantly.

Even betting organization Sportingbet decided to refund those who bet on Marquez, given their disbelief at the decision.

The sad thing is that this is not the first time it has happened in the sport, and it sure as hell won’t be the last.

Questions need to be asked.

Greed and corruption continues to kill the sport, and fans continue to turn away.

For so long fans simply put up with it, shrugged their shoulders and said “That’s Boxing”. But that was before the emergence of an alternative.

The biggest problem with Boxing is that the biggest names are held accountable to no one, and are available to the highest bidder. They have the ability to choose who they fight, when they fight and in some cases who is judging.

It is not an uncommon occurrence for a fighter to protest over the selection of a judge and have a more favourable one put in their place, as the governing bodies do not want to jeopardise their slice of the fighter’s salary they receive through sanctioning fees, and with the likes of Mayweather and Pacquiao...that’s big money.

The fighters have all the control, and their promotional companies have just as much sway.

The big promotional companies wheel and deal, and have enough money and enough pull to keep certain fighters down and allow certain fighters to become protected species.

Not for a second am I saying that corruption was involved in yesterday’s decision, but history has shown a long list of occasions when it has reared its ugly head in Boxing.

The biggest example that Australian fans will be familiar with is the controversial decision in the first Jeff Fenech- Azumah Nelson fight. Fenech himself has said in interviews when questioned on the decision- “Well, Nelson was a Don King fighter, on a Don King promotion”.

Referees and Judges have often found themselves being wined and dined; received significant hotel upgrades and numerous other “sweeteners” by promoters to ensure their fighters get the ample consideration when tallying the numbers at the end of a fight.

Pacquiao earnt a cool $22 million dollars for the fight, whilst Marquez walked away with $5 million.

The success that Pacquiao has, extensively lines the pockets of many, and with a $100 Million dollar fight with Floyd Mayweather on the radar, you can certainly see why I am asking the question...and I am not the only one.

A fourth fight between Pacquiao and Marquez will see significant increases to both of those figures, but the question has to be asked, whether Juan Manuel Marquez wants to go around again, after he has been given the rough end of the stick on three occasions now.

The fight showed that Marquez has a hell of a lot of fight left in him, and that Manny Pacquiao is very beatable.

Whilst there are many that say Pacquiao is the pound for pound king and some even say he should be called the greatest of all time, there are as many who see him as simply overhyped.

Wins over Top Rank stablemates Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey, have been coupled with victories over Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley, all of which who had been beaten by Floyd “Money” Mayweather previously before stepping into the ring with the Pacman.

Whilst Pacquiao has managed two highly controversial wins over Marquez, and another highly controversial draw.

Floyd Mayweather defeated Marquez so convincingly in 2009, that none of the judges’ scorecards even had Marquez winning a round.

 One positive to come out of the decision is that a Pacquiao victory may finally push the “super fight” with Mayweather closer to reality. Mayweather may now see some significant chinks in the Pacquiao armour, and move in to not only cash in significantly but permanently erase any conjecture over who is the best in the world.

A Pacquiao loss to Marquez would have certainly dented the box office appeal in the fight, as well as made negotiations in relation to a 50-50 split of revenue difficult, considering Pacquiao would have then been coming of a loss.

But while the circus that is boxing moves onto the next city, the question remains whether the hardcore fans will continue to walk through the turnstiles.

Pay per view sales are down, and numerous fight cards recently in Las Vegas have seen embarrassingly poor ticket sales.

On the other hand, the UFC continues to grow, with record numbers in almost every business area. They have a highly lucrative network television deal, and continue to expand to more and more countries all over the globe.

Boxing’s two biggest drawcards have left Boxing with two bitter blows in a matter of months. First, it was the controversial end to the Mayweather- Ortiz fight, and now this.

I wrote last year that the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight is the one that could save boxing.

Now, it may simply be too late.