8 stories on BoxingScene are published under the Michael Coppinger byline.
Every story follows our editorial policy. To report a mistake, use our corrections form; for anything else, contact us.
Future hall of famer James Toney is seeking to write another chapter in his storied career, as he looks to do what Roy Jones couldn't earlier this year -- defeat cruiserweight Denis Lebedev in his native Russia.
BoxingScene.com has been advised by manager Frank Espinoza that his fighter, unbeaten junior welterweight Carlos Molina (14-0-1, 7 KOs), will be facing Manuel Leyva (18-3, 10 KOs) on December 3rd.
In the opening bout of the untelevised undercard to Yuriorkis Gamboa-Daniel Ponce de Leon, Terrance Crawford (15-0, 11 KOs) laid an eight round beating on Angel Rios (9-7, 6 KOs) in super lightweight action. Crawford of Omaha, Neb. prevailed by scores of 80-72 twice and 80-71 for the unanimous decision.
Junior welterweight prospect Danny Garcia will be taking by far the sternest test of his career, when he takes on power-punching Kendall Holt on Oct. 15, as part of the HBO PPV televised undercard to the Bernard Hopkins-Chad Dawson light heavyweight championship fight. And the Philadelphia native expects a great action fight.
Steve Cunningham, regarded as the No. 1 cruiserweight in the world by The Ring, is looking for the big fights that have long eluded, and in doing called out Antonio Tarver, who made his entrance into the cruiser division with a knockout last month of Danny Green.
BoxingScene.com has learned that the IBF Final Eliminator between cruiserweights Troy Ross (24-2, 16 KOs) and Garrett Wilson (10-5-1, 4 KOs) will take place Nov. 19 at Bally's Atlantic City in New Jersey. The winner will become the mandatory challenger to titlist Steve Cunningham. No word as of yet on a television outlet.
Tony Thompson (36-2, 24 KOs) is slated to face good friend and fellow contender Eddie Chambers (36-2, 18 KOs) in an intriguing matchup of top 10 heavyweights, both of which are southpaws.
By Michael Coppinger - Over the past two weeks, two highly anticipated fights have gone by the wayside, like so many other fights before them. First it was the Wladimir Klitschko-David Haye heavyweight clash being cancelled, after Haye pulled out, citing an injury suffered in training. Then came word that Floyd “Money” Mayweather would be postponing his July 18 comeback fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, after injuring his ribs. The sport of boxing is unique in many facets. Chief among them is that when fights are cancelled, they aren’t always rescheduled. Over the years, many high profile marquee fights have been outright cancelled due to various issues. A fighter can’t make weight; he suffers an injury in training; petty disputes over the choice of referee, etc. Following the telecast of this past weekend’s excellent Miguel Cotto-Joshua Clottey fight, HBO ran a preview for the upcoming installment of “24/7”, featuring Mayweather and Marquez. The short vignette surely got the juices flowing of boxing fans everywhere in anticipation of “Money’s” return to the ring. It was to be short-lived, when word came the next day that Mayweather was postponing the fight due to injury. As always, the promoter, in this case Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, says that the fight will be rescheduled. But as we’ve learned time and time again, don’t hold our breath waiting for a new date.