Heading into June of 2010 it was assumed by many that it was going to be a slow month in the sport. With no huge bouts slated and nothing finalized in the ongoing Pacquiao-Mayweather negotiations the news at first seemed to be sparse but when all was said and done the first month of the summer had something to offer.
Miguel Cotto?s comeback win against Yuri Foreman, Andre Ward?s battering of Allan Green in their Stage Two Super Six bout, and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. defeating John Duddy in a thrilling battle were all performances that stood out. And in the Las Vegas area there was much talk going on at Floyd Mayweather?s personal gym, from ?Money? flirting with the idea of retirement to Mark Melligen training in the facility for his July 3rd bout and Uncle Roger giving his take on all areas of the sport.
Read below to look at some of the more telling images from the month of June?
Photo: Miguel Cotto celebrating after defeating Yuri Foreman at Yankee Stadium Credit: Associated Press/Frank Franklin II Related galleries: Miguel Cotto defeats Yuri Foreman, Foreman and Cotto media work out
Heading into his June 5th bout with WBA Jr. Middleweight champion Yuri Foreman it was thought that perhaps Miguel Cotto had seen his best days and many were considering him an underdog against the Belarus native. What Cotto showed in front of nearly 30,000 partisans at Yankee Stadium was that he still has a lot left in the tank as he controlled the action with his stiff jab and body punching. A left hook to the liver ended matters in the 9th and Cotto officially stormed back on the scene.
Photo: Devon Alexander and Andriy Kotelnik come face to face in St. Louis Credit: DM Warr/Don King Productions Related galleries: Team Alexander in St. Louis, Devon Alexander image gallery
For months Devon Alexander and his trainer Kevin Cunningham have been clamoring for a matchup with WBO champion Timothy Bradley but it has yet to come to fruition, with Bradley?s side seeming less than interested at the moment. The St. Louis tandem instead have their sights set on former champion Andriy Kotelnik, who Alexander will face this coming August 7th at the Savvis Center in St. Louis in an attempt to defend his IBF and WBC titles. The two men faced off earlier this month and Alexander has been spotted training in Las Vegas for the clash.
Photo: Roger Mayweather checking out the news in Las Vegas Credit: Chris Robinson Related galleries: Floyd Mayweather decisions Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand
Roger Mayweather is an individual who isn?t easily swayed yet he seemed particularly interested a few weeks back when checking out some of the printed news that had been featured on him at the Examiner. Roger had discussed such future foes as Manny Pacquiao, Andre Berto, and Sergio Martinez for his nephew and seemed to get a kick out of seeing how his thoughts came across on paper. Later in the day Mayweather would elaborate on the ongoing drama surrounding his nephew and state simply ?Floyd has to do what makes him happy?.
Photo: Mark Melligen spotted training at Floyd Mayweather?s personal gym Credit: Chris Robinson Related galleries: Mark Melligen spotted training at Mayweather?s gym in Nevada
July 3rd is a big night in the career of Bacolod City?s Mark Melligen, who will be facing off with Benin, West Africa?s Anges Adjaho at the Grand Sierra Resoort in Reno, Nevada. Melligen was originally slated for a chance at redemption against Michel Rosales, who he lost to via split decision last November, but the Mexican fighter withdrew from the contest. Regardless of the change in opponents Melligen appears to be putting his all into training and will likely be a handful to deal with on the 3rd.
Photo: Andre Ward batters Allan Green Credit: Tom Casino/Showtime Related galleries: Andre Ward dominates and bullies Allan Green
In the past seven months Andre Ward has stamped himself as one of the rising stars in the sport with back to back victories of Mikkel Kessler and Allan Green. Both bouts were part of the Super Six Classic on Showtime and the Oakland, California fighter was dominant each time out. On June 19th Ward shut out trash-talking Green over twelve one-sided rounds, controlling the contest with his aggression and pinpoint punching in close. Up next for Ward is a September date with good friend Andre Dirrell.
Photo: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. cracks John Duddy Credit: Rafael Soto/Top Rank Related galleries: Chavez Jr. wins decision over Duddy in thrilling battle
The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas was the host of one of this year?s finest fights when Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. decisioned John Duddy over twelve fast paced rounds on June 26th. Chavez was coming off of a lackluster performance against Troy Rowland this past November at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and he realized that a change was in order. The Sinaloa, Mexico fighter ended up hooking up with trainer Freddie Roach in late April and put in some serious work at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. The tandem?s first outing was a definite success.
Photo: Bernabe Concepcion preparing for Juan Manuel Lopez Credit: Chris Robinson Related galleries: Bernabe Concepcion trains at the Wild Card Gym
Newly minted WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez is regarded by many as one of the rising champions in the sport but he appears to be in for a tough night when he defends his belt against Filipino fighter Bernabe Concepcion on July 10th. Concepcion was seen training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles in late June and appears to be in excellent shape. Following his workout Concepcion stated that he believes he can break the Puerto Rican fighter down and capture his first world title.
