Oscar was in a no win situation in this fight.
Its HBO, so there isnt enough money to lure a bigger name and that's also the reason why it's on HBO - because they dont want a bigger name.
There was no way anyone was going to risk ruining the rematch between Mayweather and De La Hoya in September by putting De La Hoya in too tough in May.
Oscar knew that going a year without fighting did not give him the best chance of winning the rematch with Floyd. So he wanted to get some work in so voila ... they put it on HBO, get a former world titlist, who is moving up in weight.
I don't think this fight is as much as mismatch as some think. This isn't a shootout - but its also not a shutout.
Mike
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You mean 10 times.
Just trying to stress that its not like last week when people were reporting that it was done, only to have Golden Boy and The Contender calling everyone up in the middle of the night with the old, 'Its not done, why are people saying its done?'.
Now - its done. Both contracts are signed and in the commissions hands.
Mike
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Oh shit, Jorge Barrios? That guy still boxes? Where'd he go? Completely forgot about him. I thought he was moving up to 135lb division.
There's apparently more money in signing for bouts at 130 and just not making the weight. LOLOLOLOL
Mike
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Sounds like they're keeping both options open for as long as possible. Thanks Mike.
I think both dates were certainly in play. But I was told by someone in the know this morning that the date was May 31. So I posted in on the Blog and on some Forums.
Eric Gomez from Golden Boy will be on the show this Sunday. If there is not an official announcement by then - I'll beat it out of him on the show. LOL
Mike
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B-talk.com claimed it was May 17, but I guess I should consider the source.
BTW, is our Katsidis-Casamayor bet still on? I don't see it in your sig anymore.
Scott
I couldnt figure it out myself. Gary Shaw told us on the show last week that James Kirkland-Eromosele Albert was on HBO May 17 and he kept sticking to his guns.
I kept asking my buddies over at Golden Boy about the conflicting schedules and they were holding strong that it was either the 17th or the 31st but the 17th was the most likely.
But thenI was told this morning that Rocky Juarez was fighting Jorge Barrios on May 31 at (I think) Mandalay Bay in Vegas and it would the co-feature underneath Mosley-Judah.
Mike
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Mesi is likely fighting Terry Smith on ESPN2 on April 4. The bout will headline ESPN2's 'Friday Night Fights' from Twin River in Linclon, RI.
I like Mesi and was impressed with the way that he burried Shannon Miller in his last bout.
The big question for Mesi is, for him to get a big shot at someone, he needs to get licensed in more places than Rhode Island.
Twin River is fine for ESPN2 but you probably arent bringing a huge fight there - there just arent enough seats to make it work financially.
He is not licensed in Nevada, Jersey, New York or either of the Casinos in Connecticut.
Mike
Host, 'Toe2Toe'
www.TheKnockoutNetwork.com
Ice
There wasnt anything funny about why Mike wasnt made the mandatory challenger for Molitor. When he fought the 'eliminator' that was for the No. 2 spot - not the No. 1 spot.
So Mike was installed as No. 2. The IBF's rules are that if you fight for No. 2 - you still then have to fight for No. 1.
Obviously, these arent cemented as I'm sure they have 'forgotten' these rules in the past - but I told them to Richie before Mike's fight for the No. 2 spot. Neither he nor the opponent were rated high enough to fight for No. 1.
And the thing about Molitor making the opponents go up to Casino Rama ... you will make a lot more money fighting up there than you would if Richie brought a title fight to Mohegan or Foxwoods.
Molitor sells probably 10 times as many tickets as Mike does.
Mike
Host, 'Toe2Toe'
www.TheKnockoutNetwork.com
Ice
You know I love ya but .... he isnt forcing anyone to go North of the Border. Castillo didnt have to go up there, neither does Beltran. They could have said 'no' to the fight.
If they are paying the opponents what they want to get them up there ... best of luck to Molitor and Casino Rama.
Let them bang the place out time and time again ... thats more money when Mike Mike gets the call. LOL
Mike
Host, 'Toe2Toe'
www.TheKnockoutNetwork.com
Thursday: Kermit Cintron, Gary Shaw and World Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik!!!!
There are those that still wonder whether he will actually be there on April 19... but a deal was reached today between the two promoters.
There was supposed to be a purse bid today, which was postponed because they were getting close to a deal.
Mike
Host, 'Toe2Toe'
www.theknockoutnetwork.com
Thursday - Gary Shaw and Alfonso Gomez
Agreed that I would have liked it to be on TV over here ... I guess there is always a chance, someway, somehow ....
Mike
Host, 'Toe2Toe'
www.TheKnockoutNetwork.com
Thursday - Gary Shaw and Alfonso Gomez
Julio is absolutely fighting at 154 now. We had matchmaker Brian Little on the show the other night and he broke the news about Joel's next fight and that he is staying at 154.
Mike
Host, 'Toe2Toe'
www.theknockoutnetwork.com
I agree with the life-changing beating ... over a million bucks would change my life. LOL
Mike
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You may have misunderstood me. I don't have a problem with the opponent, just Arum putting this on a PPV. If people buy this and feel ripped off, the well may be dry when Arum finally does match him with a more significant challenge. I have no problem with them bringing the kid along slowly. He looked pretty green against Celaya.
Arum went with the PPV route because he couldnt get JCC, Jr. a date on either HBO or Showtime and now the kid is developing a fan base.
Now, we're in trouble ..... LOL
The other thing with bringing in Orlando is I'm sure there will be some kinda deal where Top Rank gets paid by Italian TV to air it over there as well.
It makes sense business-wise to put this on PPV.
Again, The goal for Top Rank is like 70,000 buys for these shows and they have exceeded them with the first two.
Mike
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No Pavlik-Duddy in June
After days of negotiating that were going so bad that talks had already been started to match Kelly Pavlik and Giovanni Lorenzo in June, a financial deal was reached late last night to match Pavlik and John Duddy.
However, very early on Sunday morning, the cut that Duddy suffered in his bout against Walid Smichet was deemed too deep and severe and he will not be fighting against Pavlik in June, according to Team Duddy.
The likely opponent is Giovanni Lorenzo, according to Team Pavlik.
The bout also might not be held at Madison Square Garden. With Lorenzo the likely opponent and not Duddy, the bout might be moved to Ohio or at least closer to Pavlik's hometown of Youngstown, Ohio.
Mike
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It must be tough on Duddy to wake up this morning thinking that, if not for a bad cut, that you would be making over $1.4 million on June 7 though.
Mike
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Check out the Knockout Blog for Updated Boxing News
The negotiations appear to be done, Dan Rafael reports that a deal has been reached between WBC junior middleweight champion Vernon Forrest (40-2, 29KOs) and Sergio Mora (20-0-1, 5KOs), who won the first season of the "Contender" reality series. The bout will take place on May 10, on Showtime, with a venue to be announced at a later date. details]
Dan is a class guy ... I'm sure somewhere in there it says, 'But this is old news because it was reported on TheKnockoutNetwork.com last week'.
Doesn't it??? LOL
Mike
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Check out the Knockout Blog for Updated Boxing News!
In case no one was listening to the show last night ... Gamboa is now facing Baudel Cardenas in an eight round bout on next Friday's ESPN2 opening bout.
That came straight from the promoter as we going on the air.
Mike
Host, 'Toe2Toe'
www.theknockoutnetwork.com
Last Night - Dan Goossen and Vernon Forrest
It might be a downgrade from ESPN but the fact that the show will remain on TV is good news, imo.
I liked Season 1 (mostly because of Peter Manfredo, who I have known since he turned pro), they kinda lost me in Season 2 but I thought last season was great.
Looking forward to the official word that it's been picked up.
Mike
Humberto Toledo was supposedly in against Gamboa on the 8th but informed the promoters this week that he was suddenly not interested.
Thats why there is no opponent yet for Gamboa on the 8th in Delaware.
Mike
Host, 'Toe2Toe'
www.theknockoutnetwork.com
Thursday Night - Vernon Forrest and Dan Goossen
Honestly, they are so intent on getting him a title fight by the end of the year that they dont seem interested in fighting a lesser opponent. So if the opponent is weak - I dont think it will from Gamboa's side.
Mike
Host, 'Toe2Toe'
www.theknockoutnetwork.com
Thursday - Vernon Forrest and Dan Goossen