The Neutral Corner

Yes, he's still fighting. No, we're not sure why. Roy Jones Jr., who has nothing to prove in the ring, will fight a man who ultimately did not prove too much.

Jones Jr. meets Jeff Lacy in "Hook City," on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center in Biloxi, MS. “Hook City” will be presented by Square Ring Promotions, Inc. and broadcast live on pay-per-view.

Jones Jr. (53-5, 39 KOs) is from Pensacola, Florida, while Lacy (25-2, 17 KOs) is from St. Petersburg, Florida. Not sure why the fight isn't in the Sunshine State.

Don King will announce plans for a special Michael Jackson tribute at his next scheduled event, a boxing card on July 11 at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla.

According to a release sent out by the promoter's office, King promoted the historic Jackson’s Victory Tour in 1984 and brokered a colossal sponsorship deal between Michael Jackson and Pepsi. -- CASSIDY

According to a report in the Manila Standard, Manny Pacquiao will star in a movie with WWE wrestler, Batista. The name of the movie is Wapakman. It's also being reported that Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Szcheringer will be in the movie.

Oscar de la Hoya shared several fond memories of Alexis Arguello through a release from Golden Boy Promotions. Here they are:

"I felt sad receiving the news and still find it hard to believe," said Oscar. "Alexis [Arguello] was my idol. When I was young, I heard so much about him and his fights and loved his style in the ring. In my opinion he was of the biggest and most influential fighters boxing has ever produced."

"I remember he came to my fight against Steve Forbes and we shared some great moments together before and after the fight. Arguello was definitely a legend in the boxing world because of all the joy he brought to his fans with his unforgettable career and amazing personality."

Alexis Arguello, a three-division world champion and a boxing hall-of-famer, has died at the age of 57 in Managua, Nicaragua.

The Associated Press and La Prensa newspaper are reporting that he was found with a gunshot wound to his chest and that it appears to be a suicide. Aside from being an elegant ring technician, with a ferocity that belied his easy demeanor, Arguello was one of the most likeable ring personalities.

He was always approachable when it came to the media and he always seemed accomodating when it came to his fans -- of which there were many.

Continue reading "Hall-of-Famer Alexis Arguello found dead" »

I never thought I would miss Floyd Mayweather Jr. But I am looking forward to his return to HBO's 24/7. Let's face it, he's often more entertaining on 24/7 than he is in the ring. Floyd's fights are usually one-sided (he usually wins easily) and dull (not a lot of give-and-take). Such is the price he pays for immense talent.

But wait, there's more ...

Continue reading "Random Thoughts: Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao, Angelo Que, Marcos Maidana and MMA" »

The following is from HBO:

With the intriguing showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Juan Manuel Marquez rescheduled for Sept. 19 in Las Vegas, HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured seven Sports Emmy® Awards, will premiere MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 on Saturday, August 29 (10:15-10:45 p.m. ET/PT).

The all-new, four-episode, all-access series spotlights a host of intriguing storylines, with Floyd Mayweather, the sport’s most irrepressible superstar, returning after a year-and-a-half absence to face Juan Manuel Marquez, one of boxing’s most accomplished performers, as they prepare for their September pay-per-view showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Ross Greenburg said: “Now that the fight has been rescheduled, we are excited to resume production. This latest edition of ‘24/7’ features all the ingredients that we look for in greenlighting the ‘24/7’ franchise: big-time boxing stars, engaging storylines and in Floyd’s case, a larger-than-life personality that is tailor-made for reality television.”

Continue reading "Mayweather / Marquez 24/7 series to debut Saturday August 29 on HBO" »

With Bob Arum negotiating a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto for November 14 and the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Juan Manuel Marquez fight back on for September 19, A Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is now a realistic option for early 2010.

Had Floyd fought JMM on July 18, as originally planned, the two best fighters in the world would have been on different schedules for quite some time. But now with both men fighting in the fall, it's much easier to make that fight in 2010. Should both men win, here are the questions: Does Floyd really want to take the chance and fight Pacquiao? And if he does, will Arum actually make the fight? Here's a funny video bit by Arum talking about Floyd after the Cotto-Clottey fight:

The following is a statement from Golden Boy Promotions:

Floyd Mayweather and Juan Manuel Marquez has been officially rescheduled for September 19, after Mayweather, who suffered a rib injury while training for the originally scheduled July 18 date, received clearance from his doctor to participate on the new date.

Mayweather vs. Marquez: "Number One/Numero Uno," which will still take place at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View, will now take place on what on what is historically considered boxing's biggest weekend, and falling on the time-honored tradition of Mexican Independence Day.

"I am relieved to be cleared to fight as I was already looking forward to getting back in the ring," said Mayweather. "Trust me, September 19 is a great weekend for boxing, and all of my fans, of which there are many Mexicans too, can certainly hold on to their hats and sombreros when I get back in to the ring and show them what they have been missing these past 18 months. I will destroy Marquez and reclaim my rightful place as boxing's pound-for-pound king all in one night. Don't miss it."

Marquez, who has also agreed to fight on the new date, is excited about appearing yet again on the time-honored tradition of El Grito de Independence.

"I am happy that Mayweather has been cleared to fight and we can get down to business on September 19," said Marquez. "This weekend is not just an important weekend for boxing, but even more so for all of the Mexican and Mexican-American people I will be fighting for who will have a great reason to celebrate my win over Mayweather, which will be for all of the people and for the entire country of Mexico that night. I am sure of victory and si se puede- yes we can and yes we will!"

Bradley (left) and Campbell posing

Timothy Bradley (24-0, 11 KOs) will attempt to defend his WBO belt against former lightweight champ Nate “The Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KOs) on SHOWTIME's Championship Boxing on August 1.

In an intriguing twist, Junior Witter, who Bradley beat for the WBO title, will take on Devon Alexander in the co-main event for the WBC super lightweight title that Bradley relinquished.

“I didn’t have to take this. But I didn’t feel (Devon) Alexander had done enough to deserve a shot," said Bradley. "Now, he’s fighting a guy I beat to win my first title, Junior Witter, on the undercard."

That only makes this card better. I have to beat a highly regarded, determined, tough guy like Nate. I need his name on my resume to help get me where I want to go and am going to be.’’

Photo courtesy: SHOWTIME