?Freddie Roach is on the phone for you? yelled my teenage daughter. It was Saturday morning and my daughter was obviously upset that the phone had interrupted her beauty sleep. Freddie was returning my call about a Tyson and Pacquiao update. The conversation inspired me to check additional sources and see what other fighters had on their schedules.
Let?s do the Heavyweights first. Mike Tyson is with Freddie in Arizona training for a July 30th encounter with Danny Williams. Freddie assures me that Iron Mike is in great shape. He has not missed a day in the gym and currently weighs 226 lbs. His goal is to fight at 220 lbs. so it does appear that Mr. Tyson is serious about his comeback.
Antonio Tarver would like to be next on the menu for Iron Mike. Mr. Tarver has been ringing the phone off the hook at Camp Tyson pleading for a shot at the former champ by year?s end.
The Klitschko Twins, Vitali and Wladimir, will have to wait until the courts resolve their dispute with former promoters at Universum Boxing. This could take some time so don?t look for either brother on HBO this year. There were serious talks about a rematch between Jameel McCline and Wladimir but the talk now is Chris Byrd and Jameel McCline hooking up in the near future.
James Toney has been medically cleared to start training: we already know that his mouth started without him. Look for James to make a big splash in the heavyweight division. The heavyweights are also where Vassiliy Jirov is hanging out these days. James and Vassiliy have been discussing a rematch of their historic 2003 match at Cruiserweight. This time they will both be heavyweights.
Bernard Hopkins is back in the gym doing light workouts in preparation for his Sept. 18 showdown against Oscar De La Hoya, and Oscar plays host to the fifth Celebrity Golf Classic to benefit the Oscar De La Hoya Foundation on Monday at North Ranch Country Club in the City of Angeles. Hopkins should easily win the fight. It?s sad that the top Middleweight, Felix Strum, is not the one fighting Hopkins for his titles.
Fernando Vargas is out of action due to a continuing medical problem with his back. We may have seen the last of that big puncher. Sugar Shane Mosley is trying his best to work out the details for a rematch with Winky Wright. Don?t see Sugar Shane winning the rematch but who else is he going to fight?
Erik Morales and Carlos Hernandez ?get it on? July 31st. This promises to be a battle with the winner fighting Arturo Gatti or Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Sept. 4th, finds Cory Spinks will defend his Welterweight title against Miguel Angel Gonzalez, and Heavy weight titlist Lamon Brewster Faces Kali Meehan. This rumble will take place in Las Vegas? Mandalay Bay.
Felix Trinidad and Ricardo Mayorga are in preparation for a fight this October 2nd. Lots of talk about this one. Many a fight fan believes that Felix is taking too big a chance with Mayorga as his first opponent on the comeback trail. Oh yes, Kostya Tszyu is still scheduled to fight Sharmba Mitchell sometime in November. Fans must have thought that the great Tszyu had retired. This aging warrior has been out of action for many months. The Mitchell fight now has a different look with Tszyu? inactivity. Fans are quick to forget a great champ when he has been out of the limelight for so long.
J.M. Marquez has opted to fight a ?tune up? fight before he entertains any thoughts of a rematch with Manny Pacquiao. Freddie says ?Manny is ready to give M.A. Barrera a rematch.? Both camps are working on the details which would be one last big payday for Barrera as he will be knocked out in the fifth or sixth round. Bet the farm on that one.
Saturday night and no HBO boxing? What gives? Oh well, guess I can read Bill Clinton?s book or watch Michael Moore?s movie. No, politics is crooked and corrupt: too many dishonest judges. I will opt to watch my tapes of the J.M. Marquez/Pacquiao and the Strum/Oscar fights.
Ciao, and thanks for visiting Ringsports.com!
