Bob Velin
249 articles · USA Today
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Unlikely champion Caleb Truax looks to retain belt in James DeGale rematch Saturday
By Bob Velin
There are plenty of reasons why Caleb Truax should not be a world champion. --He was knocked out in the first round by Anthony Dirrell less than two years ago. --He works…
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Deontay Wilder KOs Luis Ortiz in the 10th round
By Bob Velin
Deontay Wilder, the 6-foot-7 inch heavyweight champion from Tuscaloosa, Ala., finally gets his shot at Luis Ortiz, the Cuban fighter who was supposed to fight Wilder in November but tested positive for…
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Sor Rungvisai retains super flyweight title with majority decision over Estrada
By Bob Velin
It was a classic matchup of puncher vs. counterpuncher. This time, the puncher prevailed. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, the puncher who came out of nowhere -- Thailand, actually -- nearly a year ago…
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Ramirez stops Ahmed in sixth round to retain super middleweight title and stay unbeaten
By Bob Velin
Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez overcame a cut over his left eye to stop Habib Ahmed in the sixth round Saturday to remain undefeated and defend his WBO super middleweight title at the Bank…
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Vasyl Lomachenko retains title as Guillermo Rigondeaux quits on his stool after 6th round
By Bob Velin
Guillermo Rigondeaux quit after the sixth round Saturday night, ending the historic fight against Vasyl Lomachenko early as the Ukrainian champion retained his WBO super featherweight title on ESPN at the Theater…
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Lomachenko vs. Rigondeaux: Historic fight with great expectations
By Bob Velin
When Bob Arum?s Top Rank Inc. signed two-time Olympic gold medalist Vasyl Lomachenko out of Ukraine in 2013, the outspoken promoter did not mince words, calling Lomachenko the best fighter he?s seen…
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Weekend roundup: Linares retains lightweight titles with split decision win over Campbell
By Bob Velin
Jorge Linares successfully defended his WBA, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine lightweight titles with a split decision victory against British southpaw Luke Campbell Saturday night at the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, Calif.…
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Hall of Fame promoter: Canelo Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin most anticipated fight in years
By Bob Velin
LAS VEGAS ? Hall of Famer Don Chargin has been a fixture on the boxing scene as a promoter and matchmaker for an incredible 66 years and he?s been a fan of…
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‘Chocolatito’ looks to avenge shocking loss against Sor Rungvisai
By Bob Velin
With blood streaming down his face, Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez was fighting for his WBC super flyweight title, his perfect record, his No. 1 pound-for-pound ranking and, most of all, for the respect…
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Vasyl Lomachenko will stop at nothing to rise to top of boxing’s pound-for-pound list
By Bob Velin
His nickname is ?Hi-Tech,? surely not your standard boxing moniker. But it should tell you all you need to know about the inimitable style of Vasyl Lomachenko. The two-time Olympic gold medalist…
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Manny Pacquiao’s title bout Saturday vs. Jeff Horn Down Under is truly a free-for-all
By Bob Velin
Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao has long been a global phenomenon, with his worldwide popularity being one of the hallmarks of his Hall of Fame boxing career. That will become abundantly clear Saturday…
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Andre Ward riding high after winning fight against Sergey Kovalev
By Bob Velin
LAS VEGAS ? Perseverance, faith and composure have been Andre Ward?s constant companions since he was a kid in Oakland growing up in a one-parent family. And those were among the qualities…
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Sergey Kovalev brings anger and fury into rematch with Ward
By Bob Velin
LAS VEGAS -- There's not a soul who can convince Sergey Kovalev that those three light heavyweight belts currently in the possession of rival Andre Ward belong to anyone but him. Besides,…
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Muhammad Ali: Amazing anecdotes on the boxing legend a year after his passing
By Bob Velin
It sure doesn?t seem like it?s been a year since the passing of ?The Greatest,? but it is. Muhammad Ali was 74 when he breathed last on June 3rd, 2016, leaving behind…
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Manny Pacquiao may attract up to 55,000 for July 2 fight in Australia
By Bob Velin
The fighting senator from the Philippines is 38 years old now, and he's a lawmaker first and fighter second. But Manny Pacquiao still has it when it comes to global popularity and…
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Irish rising star Michael Conlan is primed for second fight in Second City
By Bob Velin
Michael Conlan?s second professional fight will not live up to his amazing debut on St. Patrick?s Day. You can take that to the bank. It won't come close to what happened on…
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Terence Crawford hopes Garden Party can build on his name, popularity
By Bob Velin
Terence Crawford is one of the most skillful boxers on the planet. No argument there. The undefeated, unified 140-pound champion has proved it time after time, most recently with his dismantling of…
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Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Alvarez: The right fight at the right time
By Bob Velin
LAS VEGAS ? For long-suffering boxing fans, it was a sight to behold late Saturday at T-Mobile Arena: Canelo and Triple G in the ring together. Not to fight, but to announce…
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Canelo Alvarez dominates Julio Chavez Jr., gets Gennady Golovkin next on Sept. 16
By Bob Velin
LAS VEGAS -- The animosity between Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has been palpable for weeks leading up to Saturday night's big Cinco de Mayo showdown at the T-Mobile Center…
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Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. facing biggest test against Canelo Alvarez
By Bob Velin
Not long ago, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was the subject of ridicule in boxing circles. Photos of the four-time middleweight champion ballooning in weight between fights circulated on social media. He gained…