Forty-three years ago, undefeated Davey Moore was scheduled to defend his WBA junior middleweight title against legendary former lightweight and welterweight champ Roberto Duran on May 27, 1983, in South Africa. It was to be the co-main event of a supercard that also included Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini defending his lightweight title vs. Kenny “Bang […]
Terence Crawford revealed anew what past generations have known for a long time: the WBC (World Boxing Council) is a terrible organization. Consider, it’s been 35 years since then-WBC President Jose Sulaiman tried to deny the heavyweight title from James “Buster” Douglas after the underdog’s shocking knockout victory over Mike Tyson. Yet, the WBC continued
The WBC has Always Been A Scourge on Boxing Read More »
In 1987, world middleweight champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler fought Sugar Ray Leonard in a superfight that was expected to be an easy win for Hagler. Considered the longtime best fighter in boxing, the ferocious Hagler was making his 13th defense against Leonard, a retired former welterweight and junior middleweight champ coming off retinal surgery who hadn’t
Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford: Legacies On The Line Read More »
Al Bernstein was a few years into his career as a boxing broadcaster when he received the assignment of a lifetime. He had been calling ESPN’s weekly Top Rank Boxing series and had worked one other superfight. But this was different. This was Marvelous Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas “Hitman” Hearns. “It was quite an event
Al Bernstein Recalls Hagler-Hearns 40 Years Later: ‘This Felt Like Another Level’ Read More »
Going into the biggest fight of his life, Livingstone Bramble was seen as a tough challenge for WBA lightweight champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, if not a little run-of-the-mill. He had banged out many a 10-round decision over solid competition on cable television but didn’t do so with any particular flair. He was simply a
Livingstone Bramble Wasn’t Great; But For 27 Months-He Was Damn Good Read More »
Great eras and great fights are often born in the most unexpected of ways. In trying to fill the void left by Sugar Ray Leonard’s retirement, Marvelous Marvin Hagler performed cautiously against Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns did so ferociously a few months later. The result was Hagler and Hearns fighting each other in 1985
Differing Paths Have Led The Two Davids (Benavidez & Morrell) To A Battle For Legacy Read More »
When Mike Tyson came onto the scene in 1985, he was a teenage phenom- a tank of a human with a neck the size of a highway and hands as fast as a Lamborghini. With his menacing scowl, all-black outfit, and highlight-reel power, he went from boxer to celebrity almost instantly. But as soon as
Just Like The Ringling Bros., Mike Tyson’s Circus Act Has Evolved With Time Read More »
For much of the early 2000s, one of the most desired fights in boxing was a rematch between Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins. Their 1993 original, which Jones won by dull decision, seemed to happen before Hopkins hit his peak. The “Executioner” ultimately made the most defenses in middleweight history, 20. And so the
Lara & Garcia Hope To Turn Back Time In Past-Due To-Do Read More »
You never know what might come from desperation. People writing you off, dismissing you, making you feel irrelevant. It can have a profound psychological effect on a fighter that could either light a fire in his belly – or make him timid and self-conscious. Last week, desperation gave us the former, as old warhorse Derek
Partners In History & Legal Woes, Ruiz And Miller Finally Cross Paths Read More »
Life is short. Take advantage of your time here on earth because you never know. Richie Sandoval (29-1, 17 KOs) did. For him, it wasn’t about the length of time he spent here. But what he did when he was here. Forty years ago, the young undefeated contender shocked the boxing world with a 15th-round
Farewell, Richie Sandoval, A Gentleman And A Role Model Read More »
