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DISGUSTING DUCK
He could’ve used the WBO belt to become the mandatory for CoolBoy
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DISGUSTING DUCK
He could’ve used the WBO belt to become the mandatory for CoolBoy
Gary Russell Jr. Says Goodbye To The Featherweight Division: "There's No Need To Stay At 26"
BY HANS THEMISTODE
Published Fri Jan 13, 2023, 07:24 AM EST
Gary Russell Jr. has thoroughly enjoyed his time near the top of the featherweight division. Before suffering a shoulder injury in his most recent trip to the ring, Russell presided over the boxing world as the longest-reigning champion.
Yet, with Mark Magsayo truncating his championship run, Russell (31-2, 18 KOs) is just about done competing at 126 pounds. As the 34-year-old continues his rehab stint, he recently revealed that he’s washing his hands of the lone division he’s ever known.
“There’s no need to stay at 26,” said Russell to BoxingScene.com when asked what he plans to do next.
Since losing his WBC world title, his championship trinket has begun to make the rounds. Magsayo, in his very next fight, proved to be nothing more than a transient titlist, losing his newly won belt at the hands of Rey Vargas.
While Russell could push the envelope and work his way back into the upper echelon of the division, he remains uninterested in doing so. Instead, the 34-year-old believes that it would be sagacious to continue his career at a higher weight class.
Over the years, the speedy former champion has perpetually called out the likes of Terence Crawford, Devin Haney, and Leo Santa Cruz, all of which preside in different weight classes.
By and large, the norm for fighters who opt to move up in weight would be to do so at a reserved pace of one singular division. Russell, however, isn’t exactly sure that fighting the best fighters at 130 pounds would truly get his engine going. Rather, the Maryland native reveals that he’s vacillating between a pair of options. Although he hasn't officially made up his mind, the former WBC belt holder acknowledges that sooner than later, he’ll pick one particular weight class to compete in for the foreseeable future.
“To be honest, 30, 35, I don’t know, we’ll see.”
BY HANS THEMISTODE
Published Fri Jan 13, 2023, 07:24 AM EST
Gary Russell Jr. has thoroughly enjoyed his time near the top of the featherweight division. Before suffering a shoulder injury in his most recent trip to the ring, Russell presided over the boxing world as the longest-reigning champion.
Yet, with Mark Magsayo truncating his championship run, Russell (31-2, 18 KOs) is just about done competing at 126 pounds. As the 34-year-old continues his rehab stint, he recently revealed that he’s washing his hands of the lone division he’s ever known.
“There’s no need to stay at 26,” said Russell to BoxingScene.com when asked what he plans to do next.
Since losing his WBC world title, his championship trinket has begun to make the rounds. Magsayo, in his very next fight, proved to be nothing more than a transient titlist, losing his newly won belt at the hands of Rey Vargas.
While Russell could push the envelope and work his way back into the upper echelon of the division, he remains uninterested in doing so. Instead, the 34-year-old believes that it would be sagacious to continue his career at a higher weight class.
Over the years, the speedy former champion has perpetually called out the likes of Terence Crawford, Devin Haney, and Leo Santa Cruz, all of which preside in different weight classes.
By and large, the norm for fighters who opt to move up in weight would be to do so at a reserved pace of one singular division. Russell, however, isn’t exactly sure that fighting the best fighters at 130 pounds would truly get his engine going. Rather, the Maryland native reveals that he’s vacillating between a pair of options. Although he hasn't officially made up his mind, the former WBC belt holder acknowledges that sooner than later, he’ll pick one particular weight class to compete in for the foreseeable future.
“To be honest, 30, 35, I don’t know, we’ll see.”
Tanahashi Coates
Superstar
DISGUSTING DUCK
He could’ve used the WBO belt to become the mandatory for CoolBoy
Ain't Fulton fighting Figueroa next month for the interim 126 belt?
I wouldn't consider that a duck when Fulton was rumored to fight at 126 before Inoue went undisputed
Naoya Inoue Confirms Plans To Vacate Undisputed Bantamweight Crown, Campaign In 122-Pound Divisions
BY JAKE DONOVAN
Published Fri Jan 13, 2023, 04:05 AM EST
Naoya Inoue has paved the way to usher in a new era of top bantamweights as he sets his sights on becoming a four-division champion.
The unbeaten pound-for-pound entrant confirmed that he is prepared to relinquish his undisputed bantamweight championship. News of the development came during a press conference held Friday in his hometown of Yokohama, Japan, where he formally revealed his intentions of next conquering the 122-pound division.
"I would like to inform you that I will return the belts of the four [sanctioning bodies]," Inoue revealed to the assembled media at a Yokohama hotel conference room. “Each belt is a memorable one for me.
“In 2023, I would like to move up one weight class and challenge the super bantamweight division. It's the perfect match, but there's nothing left to do in this bantamweight division, and there's no opponent I want to fight.”
The news comes exactly one month after Inoue made history as the first Japanese—and Asian—boxer to become undisputed champion in the multi-belt era. The feat was accomplished with his eleventh-round knockout of England’s Paul Butler, adding the WBO belt to his collection of lineal, WBC, WBA and IBF titles on December 13 in Tokyo.
Inoue revealed even after his repeat win over Nonito Donaire last June 9 to unify three titles that he would only stay at bantamweight long enough to collect the last belt. Making history for Japan was his only motivation in remaining at 118 pounds, with the plan always to move up in weight—a move he was prepared to make had the Butler fight failed to materialize.
Friday’s announcement formally ends a title reign extending back to his May 2019 two-round annihilation of then-unbeaten IBF champion Emmanuel Rodriguez.
From there, Inoue upgraded his WBA ‘Regular’ title with a twelve-round decision win over WBA ‘Super’ champion Nonito Donaire in their November 2019 unification bout and World Boxing Super Series bantamweight tournament final in Saitama, Japan. Inoue was far more emphatic in his rematch with Donaire, who brought the WBC title to their June 9 clash in Saitama only to suffer a second-round knockout to the Japanese superstar.
Following the win over Butler, it was a matter of time before Inoue would eventually relinquish all of the titles and set his sights on becoming a four-division champion.
“I have decided to compete in the super bantamweight division and challenge fighters who are bigger than me,” noted Inoue. “From here on out, it’s a real thing. I’m really excited about it—I think it could be the final chapter.”
Such a move could lead to an eventual showdown with Stephen Fulton (21-0, 8KOs), the reigning WBC/WBO 122-pound king and fellow pound-for-pound who does not have a fight scheduled and is free from mandatory obligation. The 28-year-old Philadelphia native soundly outclassed Daniel Roman, a former IBF/WBA champ who entered their June 4 clash as a double mandatory. Fulton won a landslide decision to defend his titles, his first fight after edging Brandon Figueroa to unify their belts in their terrific November 2021 clash in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, it’s the dawning of a new day for a bantamweight division with several fights previously left in limbo.
The WBC previously ordered a fight between Donaire (42-7, 18KOs) and its number-one ranked contender, two-time title challenger Jason Moloney (25-2, 19KOs). The bout was approved for at least an interim title to be at stake, with the likelihood of it coming with a vacant title by the time it would make its way to the schedule. Talks have remained at a standstill, with the two promoters—Bob Arum (Top Rank) for Moloney and Richard Schaefer (Probellum) for Donaire—long at odds with one another and with Top Rank no longer willing to do business with Probellum. Arum’s long-running feud with Schaefer dates back more than a decade during the heart of Schaefer’s stint as head of Golden Boy Promotions.
Arum upped the ante last spring, alleging that Probellum is affiliated with Daniel Kinahan, co-founder of the now-defunct MTK Global and accused Irish crimelord who was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury last April. Schaefer and other Probellum staff have vehemently denied any ties to Kinahan.
Nevertheless, it’s clearly a problem for the WBC to resolve. With its bantamweight title now up for grabs, the easiest resolution would be to send the bout to a purse bid hearing.
The greatest benefactor of Inoue’s announcement could come within his own family. Younger brother Takuma Inoue (17-1, 4KOs) is the highest ranked contender in the WBA bantamweight rankings, with Melvin Lopez (29-1, 19KOs)—a Nicaraguan knockout artist based out of Miami—ranked number-three.
Currently on hold in the IBF is the final leg of a four-man tournament, as the Philippines’ Vincent Astrolabio (18-3, 13KOs) and former champ Rodriguez (21-2, 13KOs) now hope to vie for the vacant title. Both won separate semi-final eliminators and were prepared to fight for the interim title but will now likely meet for the real thing.
Who gets to compete for the WBO title could depend on how things shake out with the WBC. Four of the top five contenders—Moloney, Rodriguez, Astrolabio and Lopez—could be removed from the mix should the pursue their aforementioned options. That would leave Butler to challenge for his old title versus number-four-ranked Reymart Gaballo, barring a massive ratings shakeup prior to the next ordered title fight.
Meanwhile, Inoue is now focused on bigger opposition—literally.
“The challenge of fighting at super bantamweight is not just a problem for me—everyone’s support really helps me,” stated Inoue. “Please continue to support us in 2023.”
a monster vs aleem fight id fully welcome it
Julian Williams Believes He'll Eventually Earn Middleweight Shot, Views GGG As The Man To Beat
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BY HANS THEMISTODE
Published Fri Jan 13, 2023, 01:23 PM EST
Although he’s won and lost some big fights, for Julian Williams, the biggest battle has always been the scales.
Since turning pro in 2010, the Philadelphia native drained himself to make the 154-pound junior middleweight limit. At the peak of his powers, Williams emerged as the man to beat following his lopsided victory over former unified champion, Jarrett Hurd.
With things seemingly falling into place, Williams attempted to make a homecoming title defense of his newly won IBF and WBA championships against Jeison Rosario. But while Williams’ supporters cheered at the top of their lungs initially, they were left speechless as Rosario would go on to starch the 32-year-old via fifth-round knockout.
From there, the career of Williams spiraled out of control, resulting in yet another defeat, this time at the hands of journeymen Vladimir Hernandez.
Having recharged his batteries, Williams opted to try his hand six pounds north. So far so good as Williams went on to outpoint Rolando Mansilla in his middleweight debut on November 5th. Prior to officially dipping his toe in the middleweight pool, Williams admits that he knew fighting at a higher weight class would do his body justice.
“I knew it would be comfortable,” said Williams to BoxingScene.com. “It’s easier to make the weight. I knew it would be comfortable. An extra six pounds is a big deal, I feel a lot better.”
Next up for the former unified champion at 154 pounds will be to continue acclimating himself to life against bigger men. Much like his time at the junior middleweight limit, Williams has his eyes set on facing the best that the middleweight division has to offer.
Currently, with the likes of Janibek Alimkhanuly and former rival, Jermall Charlo, clutching two of the four major world titles in the division, Williams (28-3-1, 16 KOs) would welcome showdowns against them. Nevertheless, even if Williams eventually dethrones both Charlo and Alimkhanuly, he won’t feel a complete sense of accomplishment. According to the newly instated middleweight contender, until he knocks a certain future Hall of Famer off his high horse, he won't be considered the king of the middleweight jungle.
“I’m not sure how far I am but I do think I’m gonna get a shot. I’m not sure against who but I’ll get a shot against somebody. GGG (Gennadiy Golovkin) is the top guy. He’s got the most belts, he got the biggest name, he got all the legacy that comes with him. I think he’s still the top guy.”
While the light at the end of his boxing tunnel draws near, Golovkin, 40, still holds both the WBA and IBF world titles. In his most recent outing, the hard-hitting star attempted to avenge his previous defeat at the hands of Canelo Alvarez by audaciously moving up to 168 pounds. Still, despite his ambitions, Alvarez easily outpointed a listless Golovkin.
Although his best days could be far behind him, Williams isn’t willing to summarily dismiss Golovkin’s greatness. In his view, while age has ostensibly caught up to him, Williams still considers him an all-timer.
“I don’t wanna say he slipped. I think he just got older. Father Time beats everybody but he’s a Hall of Famer, he’s a great fighter and I got a lot of respect for him.”
Why?
He said it was never agreed to, Rafael was the one that reported that it was done so he gotta take the L this time if he's wrong
Tanahashi Coates
Superstar
That's bullshyt. Boxing reporters looking like the wrestling reporters jumping the gun on WWE being sold to the Saudis