Dan Rafael
1,538 articles · USA Today
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Roach, Mayweather Sr. in war of words
LAS VEGAS -- Respectfully. That is how junior welterweight world champion Ricky Hatton and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao have conducted themselves toward each other during the buildup to their super fight. Their…
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Kirkland scratched from fight
Junior middleweight contender James Kirkland, who remains in federal custody on a weapons charge, was scratched Friday from the Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao HBO PPV undercard in Las Vegas, Golden Boy Promotions CEO…
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Hopkins-Trinidad II? Say it ain’t so
Your weekly random thoughts ? ? I've been hearing rumblings of a Bernard Hopkins-Felix Trinidad rematch at 168 pounds being discussed for the fall. What a bad, bad joke of a fight…
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Thanks for the memories, Oscar
Your weekly random thoughts ? ? I have said and written many times that we should enjoy Oscar De La Hoya because someday he would be gone from the ring. Now he…
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Margarito, Capetillo tainted for life
Your weekly random thoughts ? ? So now what do we do with Antonio Margarito and trainer Javier Capetillo in the wake of the disclosure that the hand wraps seized by the…
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Oscar’s retirement decision due April 14
Oscar De La Hoya, the former 10-time titleholder in six weight classes and a boxing icon, has reached a decision about his ring future. He is just not going to tell anyone…
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Luevano suffers training camp injury, fight with Concepcion cancelled
Featherweight titlist Steven Luevano suffered a training injury late last week and withdrew Tuesday from his May 2 fight against Bernabe Concepcion, manager Cameron Dunkin told ESPN.com. Luevano was scheduled to make…
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Khan options include Valero, Diaz and Barrera
Lightweight Amir Khan is a wanted man. You know why? Because he's viewed as vulnerable in the wake of a first-round knockout loss to Breidis Prescott in September and because he brings…
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Sources: Mayweather Jr. close to return
Floyd Mayweather Jr., who hasn't fought since December 2007 and retired as the undefeated pound-for-pound king in June, is planning to fight again -- possibly as soon as July 11 -- two…
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John merely the latest victim of WBA
Your weekly random thoughts ? ? More insanity from the represensible WBA: Chris John is the WBA featherweight titleholder. He is an outstanding fighter. He is not injured. He defended his title…
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Casamayor withdraws from fight
Former lightweight champ Joel Casamayor, suffering from a sprained lower back, withdrew Wednesday from his April 4 fight against former titlist Julio Diaz. "He's not going to be able to fight," manager…
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Busy day for the boxing powers that be
Even though it's raining here in Northern Virginia, it's still a great day. Earlier this afternoon, I watched with great pride as my alma mater, Binghamton University, handily defeated the University of…
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Barrera-Khan will be must-see TV
Your random thoughts ? ? I know times are tough economically, but I believe Saturday afternoon's Integrated Sports pay-per-view card (4 ET) from Manchester, England, is worth the $24.95 asking price. The…
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Mayweather primed for return to the ring?
There are few who believe that former pound-for-pound king and welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. is permanently retired. Among the nonbelievers is his estranged father, Floyd Mayweather Sr. Mayweather Sr. believes not…
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When picking fights, HBO finally getting it right
Some media members seem to enjoy taking shots at HBO and distorting the facts just for fun, then refuse to acknowledge when things are going well. Sure, I've taken my cuts from…
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Ramblings before the rumble in Houston
HOUSTON -- Your weekly random thoughts ? ? Just when you thought a sanctioning body could get no more repulsive or obscene, the WBA has exceeded even my brutally low expectations. Simply…
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Cotto victory an important first step
NEW YORK -- Miguel Cotto was a prohibitive favorite against Michael Jennings and did what he was supposed to do -- storm to a dominant victory. But what did the win prove…
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Margarito, trainer banned in U.S.
The California State Athletic Commission revoked the licenses of former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito and trainer Javier Capetillo on Tuesday after a foreign plaster-like substance was discovered inside the boxer's hand wraps…
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Promoter denying Darchinyan his revenge
After watching junior bantamweight champion Vic Darchinyan ravage Jorge Arce last week for 11 lopsided rounds, which followed Darchinyan's destruction of Cristian Mijares in November, every fight fan I know wants to…
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HBO bests Showtime in bid for bout
Although there was a month of drama during the topsy-turvy negotiations between junior welterweight champ Ricky Hatton and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, eventually both fighters signed in late January for the biggest…
