Forever Fighting

  • Boxing 2.0

    Boxing 2.0

    Growing up I loved watching old reruns on ESPN classic. Ali vs Frazier, Tyson vs Spinks , Hagler vs Hearns and many others captivated me. In 2021 we had “The Kings” mini series which featured Hagler, Hearns, Duran and Leonard which reminded us of some of the best years of boxing.

    In today’s boxing scene we certainly have great talent and have been blessed with icons of our own in Mayweather, Fury and Canelo to name a few. However, has the sport progressed as far as skill level? Has it even regressed as a whole? What makes this question so interesting to me is that Boxing is possibly the only sport where this could be the case. You take a current NBA star and place them in an era from 50 years ago and they would look like an alien. NFL star of today take them back to the era of Vince Lombardi and people wouldn’t know what they are even seeing. My point is in Boxing you cannot necessarily say the same.

    Imagine any of the for-mentioned fighters in todays scene. All of them would be contenders if not champions once again. Why is this? Is it a lack of quality trainers? Is it because Boxing isn’t attracting the same level of athletes it once did? These are all questions I don’t know the answer to, but it baffles me to this day. Perhaps that is the charm of the sport, the ability to imagine greats across all eras being competitive under the markets of queensburry rules.

  • Stars of Tomorrow

    Stars of Tomorrow

    USA boxing announced today the team that will be representing the country in multiple international events this year. See roster below..

    Men’s Elite Team Roster:

    • 55 kg: Orlando Zamora | Turlock, California
    • 60 kg: Thomas Covington | Westland, Michigan
    • 65 kg: Dustin Jimenez | Rochester, New York
    • 70 kg: Carlos Flowers | Dover, Delaware
    • 80 kg: Robby “Rahim” Gonzales | Las Vegas, Nevada
    • 90 kg: Malachi Georges | Teaneck, New Jersey
    • 90+ kg: Kelvin Watts | Chesapeake, Virginia

    These seven athletes were selected following an intensive Elite Selection Camp held at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from January 20 to February 18, 2025.

    usaboxing.org

    Women’s Elite Team Roster:

    • 51 kg: Jennifer Lozano | Laredo, Texas
    • 54 kg: Yoseline Perez | Houston, Texas
    • 57 kg: Alyssa Mendoza | Caldwell, Idaho
    • 60 kg: Jajaira Gonzalez | Glendora, California
    • 65 kg: Morelle McCane | Cleveland, Ohio
    • 70 kg: Isabella Winkler | Seattle, Washington

    The Women’s team roster was announced on February 17, 2025, following their Elite Selection Camp, which also took place at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center from January 20 to February 19, 2025.

    usaboxing.org

    Both teams are under the guidance of Head Coach Billy Walsh and National Resident Coach Timothy Nolan.

    These fighters will represent Team USA in upcoming international competitions, including the World Boxing Cup events and the inaugural 2025 World Boxing Elite World Championships in Liverpool, England.

  • All Roads Lead to Canelo

    All Roads Lead to Canelo

    The highly anticipated rematch between Beterbiev and Bivol, scheduled for February 22nd, is certain to provide boxing fans with a high-level chess match. The first fight, which was highly competitive and technical, ended with Beterbiev getting his hand raised. I expect another razor-close fight in the rematch, which would lead you to believe a trilogy is imminent. However, I do not believe an immediate third fight is at all what will happen.

    David Benavidez must face the winner to keep the division moving and provide casual fans with a new face in championship fights. Ultimately, the promotional minds behind boxing must be planning for an eventual blockbuster fight with Canelo reentering the shark tank at 175. In the near future, Canelo will be busy with a chance to become undisputed again at super middleweight against William Scull on May 3rd. Not long after that, Canelo is scheduled to fight Terence Crawford in September, which will complete two fights under his four-fight deal with Riyadh Season.

    Who will his final two fights be under the Riyadh Season contract, you may ask? I am willing to bet Turki Al Alshikh is envisioning a 175 lb undisputed fight involving Canelo in 2026—an opportunity to become the first to unify at 168 and 175 in the four-belt era, further cementing his legacy.

  • One more war for “Del Boy”

    Derek Chisora put on a classic performance against Otto Wallin, extending his win streak to three in a row. The 41 year olds efforts have earned him the right of being the mandatory for the IBF title.

    Time for Chisora to kick his feet up and watch closely as Dubois and Joseph Parker fight for the IBF title on February 22nd. As the IBF title eliminator winner, Chisora should, in theory, challenge the winner for the championship. However, the current heavyweight king, Oleksandr Usyk, will also be standing by, watching as he analyzes the next challenger to his throne. Unfortunately for Derek, I cannot see a world in which the winner of Dubois vs. Parker fights anyone other than Usyk for the undisputed title.

    This leads me to believe that logical match up for Chisora is Anthony Joshua. Two British boxing stars collide in this fight, giving Joshua a chance to rebound after his defeat to Dubois while also providing Chisora with one last blockbuster payday—and with a win, just maybe one more war for Del Boy, for all the marbles.

  • Return of the Samurai

    Return of the Samurai

    Soon to arrive on American soil is Japan’s Naoya Inoue. The 5-foot-5 pugilist with pop star looks is proof that great things can come in small packages.

    What’s special about Inoue, other than his undefeated record and masterful boxing ability, is the country that he represents. Japan, a country renowned for its legendary samurai warriors, has produced many talented fighters and has shown, despite its polite and respectful nature, an immense passion for combat sports as a whole. However, arguably none of Japan’s former stars have Inoue’s ability to transcend language.

    To become a global star, speaking English is a necessity—but when it comes to Inoue, things could be different. Being a warrior from Japan who delivers the violent finishes fans desire while remaining emotionless provides an authentic character, an embodiment of Japan’s legendary samurai of old.

    When the foreign warrior makes his USA debut, targeted for June 14th, and puts some of the sport’s biggest names on notice, Japan’s top warrior will have global conquest in his sights.

  • Rocket To Mars

    Rocket To Mars

    Will we land on Mars? The recent rocket propulsion administered by His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh, has us boxing fans feeling that way. However, it isn’t purely powered by this generation’s obsession with cheap thrills and gimmicks.

    The preservation of boxing’s charm via The Ring magazine’s revitalization and black-tie events accompanying the sport’s biggest matchups brings us nostalgia of some of boxing’s brightest days of old. However, the brightest days seem to be ahead.

    The valuable preservation of old traditions has been masterfully paired with innovations in promoting tactics and storytelling. The desired matchups are happening, the heavyweight division is alive and well, and the complexity and politics preventing cross-promotional fights seem to be at least temporarily quelled.

    But again, it begs the question—will we land on Mars someday? A world with one champion per weight class, clear rankings, all under one promotional umbrella? Money talks, and it’s talking loudly at the moment. Mars certainly remains an unlikely destination, but we have certainly left Earth.