While nothing overwhelming was booked for the month of the July in the boxing world it was still a pretty eventful 31 days in and out of the ring. Bantamweights Nonito Donaire and Fernando Montiel scored stoppage victories a week apart from one another, setting up the possibility of a huge showdown in November. Mark Melligen, Fernando Guerrero, and Dmitry Pirog all scored victories to further enhance their careers with Pirog standing out due to the picturesque beauty of the right hand that iced Danny Jacobs and netted him the WBO middleweight belt.
Juan Manuel Marquez closed the month out with an impressive decision win over Juan Diaz in their anticipated rematch and called out Manny Pacquiao soon there after. Jr. Welterweight champion Devon Alexander was also spotted in Las Vegas early in the month preparing for his bout with Ukrainian Andriy Kotelnik. But perhaps the most shocking image of the month was that of undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. as he was seen hanging out with promoter Don King, leaving many to speculate on the future between the two men.
Scroll down to check out all the images from July?
Photo: Devon Alexander trains for Andriy Kotelnik Credit: Chris Robinson Related galleries: Devon Alexander?s deep desires of Bradley and Khan
Devon Alexander was spotted on the East side of Las Vegas training at Barry?s Boxing for his then-upcoming clash with Andriy Kotelnik. While putting their focus on the capable Ukrainian, both Alexander and his trainer Kevin Cunningham couldn?t help but take a look at future foes such as Timothy Bradley and Amir Khan.
Photo: Mark Melligen cracks Anges Adjaho Credit: Rafael Soto Related galleries: Melligen defeats Adjaho and eyes the future
In one of July?s early fights Mark Melligen won a hard-fought decision over Benin, West African Anges Adjaho in Reno, Nevada. Before the fight Adjaho said he was going to take Melligen into deep waters and drown him but the younger fighter was simply too busy and too committed to this attack to be denied.
Photo: Floyd Mayweather Sr. spotted in Las Vegas Credit: Chris Robinson Related galleries: Images of Mayweather Sr.
Floyd Mayweather Sr. made a pit stop at a local Subway to discuss a myriad of topics, including his love and agony towards his son Floyd, his thoughts on Oscar De La Hoya, and what exactly went wrong with Ricky Hatton in his fight against Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather Sr. was animated and didn?t pull any punches.
Photo: Nonito Donaire electrifies in Puerto Rico Credit: Rafael Soto-Top Rank Related galleries: Donaire stops Marquez
One of the sport?s most talented fighters put his skill on display in stopping rugged Mexican Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez in the 8th round on July 10th. It was a workmanlike performance at first before Donaire exploded in the 8th and dropped Marquez with a beautiful left uppercut.
Photo: Ishe Smith and Fernando Guerrero go to war on ShoBox Credit: Tom Casino-Showtime Related Galleries: Images of Smith, Guerrero, and Shawn Porter
In a tough and gritty battle, undefeated middleweight Fernando Guerrero pulled out a decision over battle-tested Ishe Smith. On the undercard Shawn Porter overcame a game effort from Ray Robinson.
Photo: Fernando Montiel destroys Rafael Concepcion Credit: Rafael Soto Related galleries: Montiel paves way for clash with Nonito Donaire
One of the world?s deadliest Bantamweights, Fernando Montiel, defended his titles with a brutal beating of Rafael Concepcion in Chiapas, Mexico. By scoring the 3rd round stoppage, Montiel has cleared the way for a huge showdown with Donaire in November. Let?s just hope it happens.
Photo: Floyd Mayweather hangs out with Don King Credit: Floyd Mayweather personal Twitter picture Related Galleries: Mayweather rocks Gucci
Updating the world from his personal Twitter account, Floyd Mayweather Jr. said ?I?m chilling with Don King?. Seeing the two millionaires hanging in the South Florida area added speculation as to the superstar?s future.
Photo: Dmitry Pirog knockouts out Danny Jacobs to win WBO middleweight title Credit: Naoki Fukuda-Ring Magazine Related galleries: Images of Dmitry Pirog
In one of the year?s most telling knockouts, Dmitry Pirog halted Brooklyn?s Danny Jacobs with a beautiful right hand. With the victory the Russian captured the WBO middleweight crown and has called out the likes of Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams, and Sergio Martinez as future foes.
Photo: Juan Manuel Marquez defeats Juan Diaz in their rematch Credit: Ethan Miller-Getty Images Related galleries: The continued excellence of Juan Manuel Marquez
Juan Manuel Marquez bounced back from his September whitewash defeat to Mayweather by soundly defeating Juan ?Baby Bull? Diaz at the Mandalay Bay. At 36 years old Marquez is still a phenomenal talent and appears headed for a December 11th showdown with Amir Khan.
In the news
Floyd Mayweather spotted in St. Louis but doesn?t speak to HBO
The superstar fighter had everyone on pins and needles earlier this year when it looked as though he and Manny Pacquiao were possibly on a collision course for November 13th. But the negotiations again would take a sour turn and the fight doesn?t appear to be on its way anytime soon and Mayweather?s continued silence has only added to the frustration… (Click for more)
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at [email protected]
