#featherweight marvin for the win

[fruitycasket]

Pot Roast! (Sunspell)

I don't know how to write people being happy... So I made a compromise with myself and had Marvin be sick, so then Moira (first) and Sunday (second) can come to his aid and make him a bit happier. Also Higgins is there being (un)helpful.

Also. I made myself hungry. Pot roast is good (and it cooks itself!). :>

(Also up on Ao3 under RottenFruitz)

“You should've called me, you're burning up!” Moira shook her head at the unseen but undoubtedly high number displayed on her thermometer.

Wow, I had no idea. Had it been anyone else, Marvin would have said that aloud. For Moira, he mumbled, "You didn't have to come over."

To that, she snorted. "Not like it's my job or anything. Can you stand?"

No. No he could not. "I'm a man, I can get m'own medicine."

"And end up crawling back to your bed?"

"Ah��� well…" That was an accurate assessment of how Marvin handled debilitating sickness. Grumbling half-legible rebuttals, he sank further into bed. Perched on his chest as he had been since daylight broke, Higgins purred, the noise going steady like the hum of a generator. The cat seemed to think he was helping but the extra body heat was the last thing Marvin wanted.

He was scalding hot, sweaty, and mouthbreathing as he lay on top of his duvet. Every now and then be broke into a fit of wet, choking coughs or was seized by several sneezes in a row. What had been the sniffles yesterday was now a full-blown, disabling flu. Or something like that. Maybe Moira had told him otherwise and he hadn't heard or forgotten.

“You need is rest,” Moira chided him, "Which means you stay in this bed until you're feeling better."

"All day? I'll go mad."

"You will be if I find out you've not listened to me."

Marvin hesitated. "Yeah, I will be."

He'd only told Sunday he was ill, and had only meant for Sunday and his friends to know, but he must have sounded seconds from keeling over if the news had gotten to Moira anyway. Did one of them have her phone number? That was a little disconcerting for a reason he couldn't place. That, or they'd just gone to his mum's house, and he didn't feel better about that, either.

Moira said something about getting him medicine and water. Marvin wasn't really listening. His brain, currently cooking in its own immune response, was struggling to keep up its usual activities, and he had all but used up its computing space with that single conversation and the following bit of thinking. Moira left and she could have been gone for a minute or an hour, but when she returned, she spooned Marvin two different medicines, set a glass of cool water on his nightstand, and kissed him on the forehead.

(Then, at the cat's insistence, she gave Higgins a kiss, too.)

“You should feel less shitty in a little while,” Moira stood, "I'll be on my way, now. You get some rest like I said."

“M'kay…” Marvin said. “Thanks.”

“That’s what parents are for." She squeezed his hand, stood, and left him with one more message: "A friend is coming over to check on you later, so if you've been getting out of bed"—she narrowed her eyes—"I'll know."

Marvin sighed, then all but coughed up a lung. When he was finished, he whispered through a sore throat, "Yes ma'am."

Whatever Moira had given him, it knocked him out within the hour. With Higgins as his mildly weighted blanket, he drifted in and out of sleep for all the morning and a good chunk of the afternoon. Once or twice a noise roused him, but he was never cognizant enough to register that he was awake, or that someone might be pressing a hand against his forehead and asking him how we was doing, or that he was answering in deeply slurred words. It all felt like one long, lurid dream where his bedroom sometimes spontaneously appeared.

(It would take hindsight for him to realize it wasn't all a dream, and to realize who some of those dreams were about.)

It wasn't until mid-afternoon when his medicine wore off that Marvin started staying up for more than a few minutes at a time.

By the time he was wide awake, able to push himself up in bed, Higgins was gone.

Coughing and wheezing, he fumbled for the bottles Moira had left for him beside his bed and gave himself what seemed like an appropriate dose from both. The bitter taste was washed down with a cup of water. With that done, he tried to follow his orders—don't get up, except to take a piss or eat—but he was stir crazy and wanted to get away from the cocoon of sweat he'd made for himself. He had to move around, wander, cast a spell, something. It was one thing to be curled up with a book, snug in his bed of his own free will, but the second someone or something forced stillness upon him he got twitchy.

So, when he got sick, he usually slept as much as he could get away with, but his oppressive body heat and inflamed nose yet to be quelled by his second medicine dose. That wasn't an option.

Well, the thermostat wasn't in his bedroom, that was a good enough excuse to get up. And he could top off Higgins' food and water while he was at it.

It took a while for Marvin to peel himself off his bed. Once he was up, he meandered out to his living room. He opened his mouth to call for Higgins, and instead ended up sputtering: “Sunday?”

Sunday was in his kitchen. A pot of beef stew was boiling strong, an electric kettle was just beginning to heat up, and he was rifling through the cabinets. Higgins was up on the counter, curled into a loaf and watching the pot with hungry eyes. Sometimes the cat gave Sunday a quick glance, like he was weighing up how likely it was that he could get the lid off, steal a bite, and dart under the couch before he was caught.

Upon hearing his name, Sunday stopped his search to give Marvin a disapproving frown. “You’re supposed to be in bed.”

“Oh, so you were—I just—I expected you'd check in and leave.”

“I have been, but I thought you'd want dinner, and…" Sunday gestured at Higgins, "…he was hungry. I can leave now, though. Stew beef basically cooks itself and it's almost done."

Marvin considered that. "No I'm—I'm fine. With you staying, I mean."

“Alright. Well, sorry if I woke you up coming through the front door,” Sunday continued speaking, “Your spice cabinet didn't have what I needed, for one thing. Had to pop out and get some things.”

“I don't have a spice cabinet.” What he had was salt and pepper.

Sunday grimaced. “Exactly.” He paused. "You headed for the living room?”

"Yeah." It was only then Marvin realized he was winded. Ugh. He'd rather not have Moira coming around and spooning him medicine like he was five years old, but she'd at least seen (almost) all the rough edges he had to offer. It was different with Sunday.

"Figured as much. Let me get you before you keel over." Sunday came closer, and rather than offer a shoulder to lean on like Marvin expected he would, put on hand on his back. "Hold on to me."

"Why?" Marvin realized what was happening too late. Not that he could have done anything about it anyway, he'd had the build and muscle mass of a stickbug before this, now he must be even lighter from sweating all his water weight into his bed. It was an (embarassingly) proven fact that, whether with magic or by physical force, he was not a hard man to lift clear off the floor. “Don’t you dare”—

“Too late!” Sunday swept Marvin's feet out from under him, lifted him up bridal style.

Marvin, foreseeing himself plummet to the floor and break a bone, clung on to Sunday as he'd been asked. “Put me down!”

“And let you fall? That'd only embarrass you more.”

Marvin prayed his face wasn't as red as it felt. “The second I get better Sunday, I”—

“As long as you wait until you’re better first.” Sunday set him down on the couch and grinned. "Wasn't so bad, was it?"

Marvin harrumphed at him.

Someone had anticipated Marvin would go nuts in his room, because there were pillows and a blanket arranged neatly on the couch already. As Marvin set about ruining it (i.e. getting comfortable), Higgins jumped onto his lap the moment the space was available, crushing his stomach beneath his soft paws in a quest to get comfortable. With Higgins help, the blankets became a cushion-y, wrinkled pile hanging halfway off the couch.

Should I say thanks? He didn't feel particularly thankful. But he also didn't feel horrible, even though he was warmer than before and also no closer to his thermostat.

“When’s lunch done?” he asked instead.

“Soon. Sooner if you don't mind tough beef. I can make you a little hot cocoa while you wait, if you’re hungry, though.”

“Sure,” Marvin said. He shrank into the couch, suddenly aware of how sore he was.

A deep ache wormed through his muscles, down to his bones, and trying to hobble into the kitchen hadn’t helped matters. Half of him wanted to pace to distract himself from it, the other half said to sink into the couch and never resurface. At least his medicine was slowly working its way through him. (Or he'd placebo-effected himself into thinking that was the case.)

Every time he recovered from an illness he was quick to forget how miserable being sick was.

It felt like this would be his life now.

Forever.

“Oi. I see you wallowing over there,” Sunday chided him as he set down a steaming cup of chocolate milk on the couchside table.

“M'not wallowing,” Marvin said.

“Suuure.” Sunday gestured towards the drink. “Drink up.”

The heat of the cup eased his soreness a little. He sat with it in his hands, relishing its warmth for a while before taking a sip. “It’s good,” he said, “And I… I was wallowing. A little.”

“Only a little?” Sunday asked as he retreated into the kitchen.

Marvin didn’t reply to that. “How long have you been here? Coming in and out, I mean?”

“Only been in a few times.”

“Oh. Well, thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

The sound of the pot lid being removed drifted from the kitchen alongside a mouthwatering smell. "Yeah this is almost good. Let me know if you need anything else."

Marvin asked for the heat to be turned down, and with that finished, silence settled over them, filled only by Higgins purring, then by the TV after Marvin couldn’t bear the quiet. Marvin wondered whether Sunday found it uncomfortable.

Should he have asked him to stay? Surely he had better things to do than keeping Marvin from going stir crazy. And, as it stood, Marvin was a health hazard. There had to be reasons Sunday had spent most of his time coming and going instead of here, and it felt odd to override those. Higgins had needed to be fed though and Marvin definitely couldn't have done that as he was.

One episode of some crime drama passed by surprisingly fast, and dinner was done.

Higgins knew it before Marvin did. He'd been watching Sunday every time he got up for signs he was going to the kitchen, and once he started taking out bowls for the stew, the cat darted across the floor to circle the man's ankles, begging for food as he came out of the kitchen with two bowls. Successfully charmed by his fuzzy round face, Sunday flung him a strip of beef after setting the food down on little couchside table.

Marvin shook his head. “You're spoiling him. Now he'll be insufferable."

Higgins inhaled the entire chunk of stew beef, tenderized by six hours of boiling in soup. When he was done, he licked his chops and sat by Sunday again, this time looking up at him with dinner plate-sized, I would die for you (so please feed me again!) eyes.

Marvin took a bite of his stew.

Damn, and so would I.

“Good, right?” Sunday was back on the armchair, attention split between Marvin and Higgins, who was poised to jump into his lap.

“It’s great, yeah.” Marvin paused. It went on for too long, and a little embarrassed that he didn’t say it before, hurried to add, “Thanks.”

"Of course it is, that's my mum's recipe."

They returned to silence, and Marvin alternated between being convinced it was awkward and thinking it was companionable. Sometimes they burst into fits of vibrant conversation for however long that lasted before drifting into quiet. Together, they burned through one third of a TV show they'd been meaning to watch, a few video essays, and a few bowls of stew beef, at which point it was getting dark, and Sunday wanted to go home. It was one of the first times Marvin had blown through a sick day so fast without the use of sleep.

It was nice.

A sick day—nice. What an oxymoron.

"Well…" Sunday stood and made a show of stretching, "It's about time I take my leave. Will you be alright here?"

I will be if you can carry me back to bed.

Marvin opened his mouth and hesitated. "I can get to bed on my own. But, yeah, I appreciate you for feeding the cat and all that."

Sunday grinned at him. "That's what friends are for. I'll see you around."

He watched Marvin head to his room, then started leaving when it seemed like he'd make it safely.

Marvin was left to crawl into bed, top off his medicine, and get as cozy as he could manage as he listened for the sound of Sunday leaving and locking the door behind him.

Once the other magician was gone, some little thrill that'd wormed into his heart died, and left behind a ghost—a notion that he'd messed something up.

Hm.

Being sick wouldn't be so bad if Sunday came over every time.

[blackkudos]

Sugar Ray Leonard

Ray Charles Leonard (born May 17, 1956), best known as "Sugar" Ray Leonard, is an American former professional boxer, motivational speaker, and occasional actor. Often regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, he competed from 1977 to 1997, winning world titles in five weight divisions; the lineal championship in three weight divisions; as well as the undisputed welterweight title. Leonard was part of "The Fabulous Four", a group of boxers who all fought each other throughout the 1980s, consisting of Leonard, Roberto Durán, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler.

"The Fabulous Four" created a wave of popularity in the lower weight classes that kept boxing relevant in the post-Muhammad Ali era, during which Leonard defeated future fellow International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees Hearns, Durán, Hagler, and Wilfred Benítez. Leonard was also the first boxer to earn more than $100 million in purses, and was named "Boxer of the Decade" in the 1980s. The Ring magazine named him Fighter of the Year in 1979 and 1981, while the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him Fighter of the Year in 1976, 1979, and 1981. In 2002, Leonard was voted by The Ring as the ninth greatest fighter of the last 80 years; BoxRec ranks him as the 14th greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound.

Early life

Leonard, the fifth of seven children of Cicero and Getha Leonard, was born in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was named after Ray Charles, his mother's favorite singer. The family moved to Washington, D.C., when he was three, and they settled permanently in Palmer Park, Maryland when he was ten. His father worked as a supermarket night manager and his mother was a nurse. He attended Parkdale High School, Leonard was a shy child, and aside from the time he nearly drowned in a creek during a flood in Seat Pleasant, Maryland, his childhood was uneventful. He stayed home a lot, reading comic books and playing with his dog. His mother said: "He never did talk too much. We never could tell what he was thinking. But I never had any problems with him. I never had to go to school once because of him."

Amateur career

Leonard started boxing at the Palmer Park Recreation Center in 1969. His older brother, Roger, started boxing first. Roger helped start the boxing program, urging the center's director, Ollie Dunlap, to form a team. Dave Jacobs, a former boxer, and Janks Morton volunteered as boxing coaches. Roger won some trophies and showed them off in front of Ray, goading him to start boxing.

In 1972, Leonard boxed in the featherweight quarterfinals of the National AAU Tournament, losing by decision to Jerome Artis. It was his first defeat. Later that year, he boxed in the Eastern Olympic Trials. The rules stated that a boxer had to be seventeen to box in international competition, so Leonard, only sixteen, lied about his age. He made it to the lightweight semifinals, losing a disputed decision to Greg Whaley, who took such a beating that he wasn't allowed to continue in the trials and never boxed again.

Sarge Johnson, assistant coach of the US Olympic Boxing Team, said to Dave Jacobs, "That kid you got is sweet as sugar". The nickname stuck. However, given his style and first name, it was probably only a matter of time before people started calling him Sugar Ray, after the man many consider to be the best boxer of all time, Sugar Ray Robinson.

In 1973, Leonard won the National Golden Gloves Lightweight Championship, but lost to Randy Shields in the lightweight final of the National AAU Tournament. The following year, Leonard won the National Golden Gloves and National AAU Lightweight Championships. Leonard suffered his last two losses as an amateur in 1974. He lost a disputed decision to Anatoli Kamnev in Moscow, after which, Kamnev gave the winner's trophy to Leonard. In Poland, Kazimierz Szczerba was given a decision victory over Leonard, even though he was dominated in the first two rounds and dropped three times in the third.

Leonard won the National Golden Gloves and National AAU Light Welterweight Championships in 1974. The following year, he again won the National AAU Light Welterweight Championship, as well as the Light Welterweight Championship at the Pan American Games.

In 1976, Leonard made the U.S. Olympic Team as the light welterweight representative. The team also included Leon and Michael Spinks, Howard Davis Jr., Leo Randolph, Charles Mooney, and John Tate. Many consider the 1976 U.S. team to be the greatest boxing team in the history of the Olympics. Leonard won his first four Olympic bouts by 5–0 decisions. He faced Kazimierz Szczerba in the semifinals and won by a 5–0 decision, avenging his last amateur loss.

In the final, Leonard boxed the great Cuban knockout artist Andrés Aldama, who scored five straight knockouts to reach the final. Leonard landed several good left hooks in the first round. In the second, he dropped Aldama with a left to the chin. Late in the final round, he again hurt Aldama, which brought a standing eight count from the referee.

With only a few seconds left in the fight, a Leonard combination forced another standing eight count. Leonard was awarded a 5–0 decision and the Olympic Gold Medal. Afterward, Leonard announced, "I'm finished...I've fought my last fight. My journey has ended, my dream is fulfilled. Now I want to go to school." He was given a scholarship to the University of Maryland, a gift from the citizens of Glenarden, Maryland. He planned to study business administration and communications. He finished his amateur career with a record of 165–5 and 75 KOs.

Achievements

1973 National Golden Gloves Lightweight Champion, defeating Hilmer Kenty

1973 National AAU Light Welterweight Championship runner-up, losing to Randy Shields

1974 National Golden Gloves Light Welterweight Champion, defeating Jeff Lemeir

1974 National AAU Light Welterweight Champion, defeating Paul Sherry

1974 North American Championships Gold Medalist, defeating Robert Proulx

1975 National AAU Light Welterweight Champion, defeating Milton Seward

1975 North American Championships Gold Medalist, defeating Michel Briere

1975 Pan American Games Light Welterweight Gold Medalist, defeating Victor Corona

1976 Olympic Light Welterweight Gold Medalist, defeating Andrés Aldama

Olympic Results

1/32: Defeated Ulf Carlsson (Sweden) by unanimous decision, 5–0

1/16: Defeated Valery Limasov (Soviet Union) by unanimous decision, 5–0

1/8: Defeated Clinton McKenzie (Great Britain) by unanimous decision, 5–0

1/4: Defeated Ulrich Beyer (East Germany) by unanimous decision, 5–0

1/2: Defeated Kazimierz Szczerba (Poland) by unanimous decision, 5–0

Finals: Defeated Andrés Aldama (Cuba) by unanimous decision, 5–0

Change in plans

Juanita Wilkinson, Leonard's high school girlfriend, told him she was pregnant in the summer of 1973. They decided to have the baby but marriage would be put off until after the Olympics in 1976. Leonard would continue to pursue his Olympic dream while she and the baby, Ray Charles Leonard Jr., lived with her parents. When Leonard boxed in the Olympics, he had a picture of Wilkinson taped to his sock.

Shortly before the Olympics, Wilkinson had filed an application to receive $156 a month in child support payments from Prince George's County, Maryland. She named Leonard as the father and the county's state attorney's office filed a civil suit against Leonard to establish paternity and get support payments for the child. Leonard learned of the suit several days after returning home from the Olympics. The headline in the Washington Star read, "Sugar Ray Leonard Named in Welfare Dept. Paternity Suit".

Wilkinson went to the Olympics to watch Leonard box, but she did not tell him about the suit and never asked him for any money. "I didn't feel like being bothered by all those complications by asking him for any money for support", she said. Leonard pledged he would support his son, even if he had to scrap plans to attend college.

Leonard had hoped to get lucrative endorsements following his gold medal win, but the negative publicity from the paternity suit chased off any big commercial possibilities. To make matters worse, his father was hospitalized with meningitis and his mother suffered a heart attack. With neither parent able to work, with his child and the mother of his child to support, and without any endorsement opportunities, Leonard decided to become a professional boxer.

Professional career

Early professional career

When Leonard decided to turn professional, Janks Morton introduced him to Mike Trainer, a friend of his who was an attorney. Trainer talked 24 of his friends and clients into underwriting Leonard's career with an investment of $21,000 to be repaid within four years at 8% interest. Trainer then made Leonard the sole stockholder in Sugar Ray Leonard, Inc. Angelo Dundee, Muhammad Ali's trainer, was brought in to be Leonard's trainer and manager. Many of the people being considered wanted absolute control and a cut somewhere near the manager's traditional 33%. Dundee had a different proposition. Although he would prescribe the training procedures, he would leave the day-to-day work to Dave Jacobs and Janks Morton. He would also choose Leonard's opponents. For his services, Dundee would get 15% of Leonard's purse.

Leonard made his professional debut on February 5, 1977 before a crowd of 10,270 at the Civic Center in Baltimore. He was paid $40,044 for the fight. His opponent was Luis "The Bull" Vega, whom he defeated by a six-round unanimous decision. After the fight, Leonard paid back his $21,000 loan to the investors.

In his fourteenth professional fight, Leonard fought his first world-ranked opponent, Floyd Mayweather, who was ranked seventeenth. The fight took place on September 9, 1978. Leonard won by a tenth-round knockout. A month later, Leonard defeated his old amateur nemesis Randy Shields by a ten-round unanimous decision.

On August 12, 1979, Leonard knocked out Pete Ranzany in four rounds to win the NABF Welterweight Championship. The following month, he made his first title defense against Andy Price. Price, an up-and-coming contender who was sponsored by Marvin Gaye, had a reputation for prolonged bouts in earlier fights and was believed by sports reporters to defeat or give a long fight to Leonard. Although Price landed multiple good blows, Leonard knocked him out in the first round, advancing his record to 25–0 with 16 knockouts.

First world titleLeonard vs. Benitez

Leonard fought Wilfred Benítez for the WBC Welterweight Championship on November 30, 1979, at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. There was a capacity crowd of about 4,600. Leonard received $1 million and Benitez, a two-division champion with a record of 38–0–1, received $1.2 million.

It was a highly competitive and tactical battle. In the first round, Leonard rocked Benitez with a left hook that came off a jab and right cross. Late in the third, Leonard dropped Benitez on the seat of his pants with a stiff left jab. More embarrassed than hurt, Benitez got up quickly. Benitez started improving in the fourth, slipping numerous punches and finding the range with his right hand. "I wasn't aware I was in a championship early because I hit him so easy", Leonard said. "But then he adjusted to my style. It was like looking in a mirror".

In the sixth, there was an accidental clash of heads, which opened a cut on the forehead of Benitez. Blood flowed down his forehead and the bridge of his nose but stayed out of his eyes.

Leonard landed the harder punches and had Benitez hurt several times late in the fight, but Leonard couldn't put him away. Benitez was very slick. "No one, I mean no one, can make me miss punches like that", Leonard said.

Going into the final round, Leonard led by scores of 137–130, 137–133, and 136–134. The two went toe-to-toe in the fifteenth. Late in the round, Leonard dropped Benitez with a left. He got up, but after a few more punches, the referee stopped the fight. The time was 2:54 of round fifteen.

The Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring named Leonard "Fighter of the Year" for 1979.

Leonard vs. Green

Leonard made his first title defense in Landover, Maryland, on March 31, 1980. His opponent was Dave "Boy" Green. The British challenger had a record of 33–2. In the fourth round, Leonard knocked Green out with a devastating left hook. Leonard called it "the hardest single punch I ever threw."

The Brawl in Montreal

On June 20, 1980, Leonard returned to the Olympic Stadium in Montreal to defend his title against Roberto Durán before a crowd of 46,317. Durán, the former Undisputed World Lightweight Champion for 6 1/2 years, had a record of 71–1 and was the #1 welterweight contender and considered the best "Pound for Pound" fighter in the world. Durán received $1.5 million and Leonard, working for a percentage of the closed-circuit gate as well as a guarantee, received over $9 million.

Angelo Dundee counseled Leonard to box, to move side to side and not to get caught on the ropes. However, Leonard decided to fight Durán's way. "Flat-footed", he said. "I will not run."

Durán forced the issue and took the fight to Leonard, cutting off the ring and denying Leonard space to fight his fight. Durán attacked at almost every turn. Leonard battled back again and again, but he had to work just to find room to breathe and swing, at times simply to survive. In the second, Durán rocked Leonard with a left hook, sending him into the ropes. Leonard started to do better by the fifth round, finding some punching room and throwing numerous multi-punch combinations. The two fought with great intensity throughout the fight. According to Bill Nack:

It was, from almost the opening salvo, a fight that belonged to Durán. The Panamanian seized the evening and gave it what shape and momentum it had. He took control, attacking and driving Leonard against the ropes, bulling him back, hitting him with lefts and rights to the body as he maneuvered the champion against the ropes from corner to corner. Always moving forward, he mauled and wrestled Leonard, scoring inside with hooks and rights. For three rounds Durán drove at Sugar Ray with a fury, and there were moments when it seemed the fight could not last five. Unable to get away, unable to counter and unable to slide away to open up the ring, Leonard seemed almost helpless under the assault. Now and then he got loose and countered—left-right-left to Durán's bobbing head—but he missed punches and could not work inside, could not jab, could not mount an offense to keep Durán at bay.

Durán was awarded a unanimous decision, although it was mistakenly read as a majority decision in the ring. The scorecard of judge Angelo Poletti was incorrectly added and announced as 147–147. He actually scored it 148–147. In rounds, he had it three for Durán, two for Leonard, and ten even. Sports Illustrated called his scorecard "a monument to indecision." Judges Raymond Baldeyrou and Harry Gibbs scored the fight 146–144 and 145–144, respectively. Associated Press had it 144–141 for Durán, while The New York Times had Leonard ahead 144–142.

"I did the best I could", Leonard said. "I think I pretty much fought from the heart." Asked if Leonard was the best he ever fought, Durán thought for a moment and then answered, "Si, si." Durán said. "He does have a heart. That's why he's living."

"No Más"

in New Orleans

The rematch, billed as "Stone vs. Sugar.. Once Again", took place November 25, 1980 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans in front of 25,038 fans. Leonard received $7 million and Durán received $8 million.

Dave Jacobs disagreed with the decision to have an immediate rematch with Durán and terminated his relationship with Leonard when the rematch was made. "My idea is that he should have a tuneup fight before he fights with Roberto again", Jacobs said. "I think he won the fight with Durán, but I don't think it is healthy for him to be fighting Durán right away".

After the Montreal fight Durán went on a partying binge and ballooned in weight. Leonard was aware of this, and in an interview for Beyond the Glory he said: "My intention was to fight Durán ASAP because I knew Durán's habits. I knew he would indulge himself, he'd gain 40–50 lbs and then sweat it off to make 147." Unlike the fight in Montreal, Leonard used his superior speed and movement to outbox and befuddle Durán. "The whole fight, I was moving, I was moving", Leonard said. "And Voom! I snapped his head back with a jab. Voom! I snapped it back again. He tried to get me against the ropes, I'd pivot, spin off and Pow! Come under with a punch."

In round seven, Leonard started to taunt Durán. Leonard's most memorable punch came late in the round. Winding up his right hand, as if to throw a bolo punch, Leonard snapped out a left jab and caught Durán flush in the face. "It made his eyes water", Leonard said. He continued to taunt Durán mercilessly. He stuck out his chin, inviting Durán to hit it. Durán hesitated. Leonard kept it up, continuing to move, stop, and mug.

In the closing seconds of the eighth round, Durán turned his back to Leonard and quit, saying to referee Octavio Meyran, "No Más" (English: "No more"). Leonard was the winner by a technical knockout at 2:44 of round eight, regaining the WBC Welterweight Championship. Leonard led by scores of 68–66, 68–66 and 67–66.

Durán said he quit because of stomach cramps, caused by overeating after the weigh-in. "At the end of the fifth round, I got cramps in my stomach and it kept getting worse and worse", Duran later said. "I felt weaker and weaker in my body and arms." He then announced, "I am retiring from boxing right now." During the night Durán was admitted to a hospital with stomach pains, and discharged the following day.

Everyone was surprised by Durán's actions, none more so than his veteran trainers, Freddie Brown and Ray Arcel. "I was shocked", Brown said. "There was no indication that he was in pain or getting weak." Arcel was angry. "That's it", he said. "I've had it. This is terrible. I've handled thousands of fighters and never had anyone quit on me. I think he needs a psychiatrist more than he needs anything else." Durán's manager, Carlos Eleta, said, "Durán didn't quit because of stomach cramps. He quit because he was embarrassed. I know this." According to Randy Gordon, who witnessed Durán's antics beforehand and was in his dressing room immediately afterwards, Durán quit because of his huge eating binge prior to the fight.

"I made him quit", Leonard said. "To make a man quit, to make Roberto Durán quit, was better than knocking him out."

Second world titleLeonard vs. Bonds

On March 28, 1981, Leonard defended his title against Larry Bonds, the WBC sixth-ranked contender, at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. Bonds was a southpaw, which made him a good opponent for Leonard, given that his next opponent was scheduled to be the WBA Light Middleweight Champion Ayub Kalule, a southpaw.

Leonard was the aggressor throughout, with Bonds circling the ring. He staggered Bonds with a right in the fourth round and dropped him with a follow-up combination. Bonds got up and continued to move, with Leonard in pursuit. Leonard dropped him again in the tenth. Bonds rose but Leonard didn't let him off the hook. The referee stopped the fight with Bonds taking punishment in a corner.

Leonard vs. Kalule

Leonard moved up to the junior middleweight division and faced Kalule on June 25, 1981 at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas. Kalule, who was 36–0, had been the WBA Light Middleweight Champion for two years.

Kalule and his handlers had expected Leonard to use lateral movement against him, but Leonard chose to fight inside instead. After eight tough rounds, Leonard was ahead although Kalule appeared to be coming on strong in the eight and ninth. Leonard finally hurt him with a right to the head. Shortly afterward, Leonard dropped him with a flurry of punches. Kalule got up but the referee waved it off. Leonard celebrated his victory with a full 360-degree, no-hands flip. Despite an official stoppage time of 2.59, the fight was actually stopped at 3.06 into the round, meaning Kalule should have been saved by the bell.

The Showdown

Promoted as "The Showdown", Leonard fought Thomas Hearns on September 16, 1981 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to unify the World Welterweight Championship in a scheduled fifteen-rounder. They fought before a live crowd of 23,618. Hearns was paid $5.1 million, and Leonard made over $11 million. The fight grossed over $35 million. The live gate was $5.9 million, and the revenue from pay-per-view was $7.5 million.

Hearns, 32–0 with 30 knockouts, won the WBA Welterweight Championship in 1980, scoring a second-round knockout of José "Pipino" Cuevas in Detroit, Michigan. He made three successful title defenses, stopping Luis Primera, Randy Shields, and Pablo Baez.

The fight began as expected, Leonard boxing from a distance and Hearns stalking. Leonard had difficulty with Hearns' long reach and sharp jab. By the end of round five, Leonard had a growing swelling under his left eye, and Hearns had built a considerable lead on the scorecards. Leonard, becoming more aggressive, hurt Hearns in the sixth with a left hook to the chin. Leonard battered Hearns in rounds six and seven, but Hearns regrouped. Hearns started to stick and move, and he started to pile up points again. The roles reversed: Leonard became the stalker and Hearns became the boxer. The fight billed as a classic showdown between a powerful knockout artist and the best boxer/puncher the welterweight division had seen in decades devolved into a tactical and boring fight.

Hearns won rounds nine through twelve on all three scorecards. Between rounds twelve and thirteen, Angelo Dundee told Leonard, "You're blowing it, son! You're blowing it!".

Leonard, with a badly swollen left eye, came out roaring for the thirteenth round. After hurting Hearns with a right, Leonard exploded with a combination of punches. Hearns' legs were clearly gone and after more pressure from Leonard he was bundled through the ropes, no knockdown was given as it wasn't a punch that sent him there. Hearns managed to rise, but was dropped by a flurry of hard punches near the end of the round.

In round fourteen, after staggering Hearns with an overhand right, Leonard pinned Hearns against the ropes, where he unleashed another furious combination, prompting referee Davey Pearl to stop the contest and award Sugar Ray Leonard the Unified World Welterweight Championship. Hearns was leading by scores of 124–122, 125–122, and 125–121.

After the fight, there was controversy due to the scoring of rounds six and seven. Even though Leonard dominated, hurting Hearns and battering him, all three judges gave both rounds to Leonard by a 10–9 margin. Many felt that the ten-point must scoring system was not properly used and those rounds should have been scored 10–8. Some also considered the stoppage premature. Veteran ringside commentator Don Dunphy said "They're stopping the fight. I don't believe it. Hearns was ahead on points." However, Emanuel Steward, Hearns' manager and trainer, said, "I felt that the referee was justified in stopping the fight ... Tommy did not have enough energy to make it through the fight."

The fight was named "Fight of the Year" by The Ring. Leonard was named "Fighter of the Year" by The Ring and The Boxing Writers Association of America. He was also named "Athlete of the Year" by ABC's Wide World of Sports and "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated.

Retirement and return

On February 15, 1982, Leonard defended the unified title against Bruce Finch, the WBC fourth-ranked contender, in a bout at Reno, NV. Leonard knocked him out in the third round. Leonard's next fight was scheduled to be against Roger Stafford on May 14, 1982, in Buffalo, New York. While training, Leonard started to see floaters. He went to a doctor and discovered that he had a detached retina. The fight was cancelled, and Leonard had surgery to repair the retina on May 9, 1982.

On November 9, 1982, Leonard invited Marvin Hagler and other boxing dignitaries to a charity event in Baltimore, Maryland to hear him announce whether he would continue his career. Standing in a boxing ring with Howard Cosell, the master of ceremonies, Leonard announced his retirement, saying a bout with Hagler would unfortunately never happen. Leonard maintained his eye was fully healed, but that he just didn't want to box anymore.

Missing the limelight and the competition, Leonard announced in December 1983 that he was returning to the ring. Leonard boasted that he would have a couple of ten-round bouts and then take on Milton McCrory, Donald Curry, Durán, Hearns and finally Hagler. This decision was met with a torrent of criticism from fans and the media, who felt Leonard was taking unnecessary risks with his surgically repaired eye.

A bout with Philadelphia's Kevin Howard, who was 20–4–1, was scheduled for February 25, 1984. The fight was postponed when Leonard had minor surgery on his right eye to fix a loose retina. This latest eye problem further fueled the flames of those who opposed Leonard's comeback.

Before the fight with Howard, Dave Jacobs rejoined Leonard's team in a limited role. Jacobs had quit in 1980, disagreeing with Leonard's decision to have an immediate rematch with Durán.

Leonard and Howard fought on May 11, 1984, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Howard knocked Leonard flat on his back in the fourth round. It was the first knockdown of Leonard's professional career. Leonard came back to stop Howard in the ninth round, but the stoppage was disputed, with some feeling that the referee stopped the fight prematurely. Leonard was ahead on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage. At the post-fight press conference, Leonard surprised everyone by announcing his retirement again, saying he just didn't have it anymore.

Leonard vs. Hagler

On March 10, 1986, Marvin Hagler knocked out John Mugabi in eleven rounds to retain the Undisputed World Middleweight Championship for the twelfth time and advance his record to 62–2–2. "I was ringside", Leonard said. "I'm watching John 'The Beast' Mugabi outbox Hagler. Of all people, John 'The Beast' Mugabi." It was then that Leonard decided to come back and fight Hagler. He called Mike Trainer and said, "I can beat Hagler".

On May 1, 1986, Leonard announced on a Washington, D.C. talk show that he would return to the ring to fight Hagler. The announcement generated a lot of controversy because of Leonard's inactivity and eye injuries, yet it also excited many sports fans who had hoped to see them fight years earlier. Hagler took a few months to decide, then agreed to the match.

The fight, promoted as "The Super Fight" and "The King of the Ring", was scheduled for April 6, 1987, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Leonard was guaranteed $11 million, and Hagler was guaranteed $12 million. Hagler was a heavy favorite. The odds started at 4–1, then settled at 3–1. A paying crowd 12,379 generated a live gate of $6.2 million. According to Bob Arum, the fight grossed $78 million (which equates to $170 million in 2016).

The original fight plan for Leonard was to go toe-to-toe with Hagler and try to cut him, but the plan changed about five days before the fight. Leonard got hit by sparring partner Quincy Taylor and was badly buckled. "He almost knocked me out", Leonard said. After that, Leonard decided to box Hagler.

Many were surprised that Hagler, a natural southpaw, opened the fight boxing out of an orthodox stance. After the quick and slick Leonard won the first two rounds on all three scorecards, Hagler started the third round as a southpaw. Hagler did better, but Leonard's superior speed and boxing skill still allowed him to control the fight. Hagler looked stiff and mechanical and missed the speedy Leonard time and again prompting CBS ringside commentator Gil Clancy to remark "...and is he ever missing...Leonard isn't doing anything to make him miss, he's just missing!"

By the fifth, Leonard, who was moving a lot, began to tire and Hagler started to get closer. Hagler buckled Leonard's knees with a right uppercut near the end of the round, which finished with Leonard on the ropes. Hagler continued to score somewhat effectively in round six. Leonard, having slowed down, was obliged to fight more and move less. However, he was able to outpunch Hagler along the ropes and got the better of several bristling exchanges. Hagler never seized total control of the fight as he had against Thomas Hearns two years earlier, when he brutalized Hearns and scored a third-round knockout. Hagler's punches lacked snap and, although he was scoring solidly to the body, he looked nothing like the powerful fighter who had dominated the middleweight division for the previous five years. Leonard's observation that the Hagler who beat John Mugabi was older and slower proved to be spot on. In rounds seven and eight, Hagler's southpaw jab was landing solidly and Leonard's counter flurries were less frequent.

Round nine was the most exciting round of the fight. Hagler hurt Leonard with a left cross and pinned him in a corner. Leonard looked to be in trouble, but he furiously fought his way out of the corner. The action see-sawed back and forth for the rest of the round, with each man having his moments. However, Hagler's moments were more spectacular and one of Hagler's cornermen: Roger Perron (in an interview that took place on an episode of HBO's Legendary Nights episode segments in 2003) later stated that: "the ninth round was probably Marvin (Hagler)'s, best round".

Round ten was tame by comparison, as the pace slowed after the furious action of the previous round but with Hagler having more spectacular moments. Despite Leonard's obvious fatigue, he boxed well in the eleventh. Every time Hagler scored, Leonard came back with something flashier and more eye-catching, if not as effective. But at that point in the fight, Hagler appeared to be slightly more ring-general and clearly more aggressive. Between rounds eleven and twelve, Leonard's trainer: Angelo Dundee, implored Sugar Ray to get up off his stool yelling "We got three minutes...new champ...new champ!" Leonard yelled "Yeah!" and played to the screaming crowd. Hagler's corner was much more reserved prompting Clancy to comment: "They're talking to him like it's an IBM meeting or something...no emotion." In the final round, Hagler continued to chase Leonard. He hit Leonard with a big left hand and backed him into a corner. Leonard responded with a furious flurry, landing few punches but whipping the upset-hoping crowd into a frenzy. Hagler backed off, and Leonard danced away with Hagler in pursuit. The fight ended with Hagler and Leonard exchanging along the ropes. At the final bell, even uniformed ringside security rushed into the ring applauding and lauding Leonard's effort.

Leonard threw 629 punches and landed 306, while Hagler threw 792 and landed 291.

Leonard was awarded a controversial split-decision. Judge Dave Moretti scored it 115–113 for Leonard, while judge Lou Filippo had it 115–113 for Hagler. Judge José Guerra scored the fight 118–110 for Leonard. Many felt that Hagler deserved the decision because he was the aggressor and landed the harder punches. Scottish boxing journalist Hugh McIlvanney wrote that Leonard's plan was to "steal rounds with a few flashy and carefully timed flurries...he was happy to exaggerate hand speed at the expense of power, and neither he nor two of the scorers seemed bothered by the fact that many of the punches landed on the champion's gloves and arms."

Many others felt that Leonard deservedly got the decision, arguing that Leonard landed more punches and showed better defense and ring generalship. Jim Murray, long-time sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times, wrote, "It wasn't even close...He didn't just outpoint Hagler, he exposed him. He made him look like a guy chasing a bus. In snowshoes...Leonard repeatedly beat Hagler to the punch. When he did, he hit harder. He hit more often...He made Hagler into what he perceived him to be throughout his career—a brawler, a swarmer, a man who could club you to death only if you stood there and let him. If you moved, he was lost."

The scorecards from the ringside press and broadcast media attest to the polarizing views and opinions of the fight:

The fight was named "Fight of the Year" and "Upset of the Year" by The Ring.

Despite requests from the Hagler camp, Leonard was uninterested in a rematch and retired on May 27, 1987. "I'll try, I'll give it a shot", Leonard said of his latest retirement. "But you guys know me." A month after Hagler's formal retirement in June 1988, Leonard would announce another comeback.

Another comebackLeonard vs. Lalonde

On November 7, 1988, Leonard made another comeback, facing Donny Lalonde at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. They fought for Lalonde's WBC Light Heavyweight Championship and the newly created WBC Super Middleweight Championship, which meant that Lalonde had to make 168 lbs. Many were critical of the fact that Lalonde's light heavyweight title was on the line when the weight limit of the fight with Leonard was at 168 pounds, and critical of Leonard for stipulating that his opponent—a natural 175 pounder—should weigh less than his usual fighting weight, which could possibly weaken him. However, Lalonde later told HBO's Larry Merchant that he didn't have any trouble making weight.

Lalonde, 31–2 with 26 knockouts, was guaranteed at least $6 million and Leonard was guaranteed over $10 million.

This would be Leonard's first professional fight without Angelo Dundee. For Leonard's fight with Hagler, Dundee worked without a contract and received $175,000, which was less than 2% of Leonard's purse. Dundee was unhappy with that amount. He requested a contract for the Lalonde fight and Leonard refused. "I don't have contracts. My word is my bond", Leonard said. Janks Morton and Dave Jacobs trained Leonard for the Lalonde fight.

Lalonde's size and awkwardness troubled Leonard. In the fourth round, a right hand to the top of Leonard's head dropped him for just the second time in his career. Early in the ninth, Lalonde hurt Leonard with a right to the chin. Leonard fired back and hurt Lalonde with a right. He drove him to the ropes and unleashed a furious assault. Lalonde tried to tie up Leonard, but got dropped with a powerful left hook. He rose but was soon down again, and the fight was stopped. Judges Chuck Giampa and Franz Marti had Leonard ahead by scores of 77–74 and 77–75, respectively. Judge Stuart Kirshenbaum had Lalonde ahead 76–75.

After the fight, Leonard vacated the light heavyweight title, but kept the super middleweight title. Also, Leonard and Janks Morton split because of personal differences. Morton was replaced as co-trainer by Pepe Correa, who had worked with Leonard for most of the previous fifteen years.

Leonard vs. Hearns

On June 12, 1989, Leonard defended the WBC Super Middleweight Championship in a rematch with Thomas Hearns at Caesar's Palace. It was promoted as "The War." Hearns was guaranteed $11 million and Leonard was guaranteed $14 million.

Hearns dropped Leonard with a right cross in the third round, but Leonard came back and battered Hearns around the ring in the fifth. Early in the seventh round, Hearns hurt Leonard but punched himself out going for the knockout. With Hearns fatigued, Leonard came back and had a strong finish to the round. Rounds nine and ten were good rounds for Leonard, but he ran into trouble in the eleventh round. Three booming rights from Hearns sent Leonard down for the second time in the fight. Knowing he needed a big finish, Leonard fought furiously and had a big final round.

The judges scored the fight a draw and Leonard retained the title. Judge Jerry Roth scored the fight 113–112 for Hearns, Judge Tom Kazmarek scored it 113–112 for Leonard, and Judge Dalby Shirley scored it 112–112. Shirley was the only judge to give Leonard a 10–8 margin in the twelfth. If he had scored it 10–9, as his two colleagues did, Hearns would have won by a split decision. Eventually, Leonard admitted that Hearns deserved the decision.

Leonard vs. Durán III – Uno Más

On December 7, 1989, Leonard defended the title against Roberto Durán, who was the reigning WBC Middleweight Champion. Durán was guaranteed $7.6 million and Leonard's arrangement guaranteed him over $13 million.

For the Durán fight, Leonard cut his entourage from twenty-one to six. Dave Jacobs was one of the people let go, leaving Correa as the sole trainer. Correa was instructed not to spare the whip. "For the first time in a long time, I allowed someone to push me", Leonard said.

The fight took place at the new Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. Leonard used constant lateral movement and won by a lopsided twelve-round unanimous decision over a listless Durán. The scores were 120–110, 119–109, and 116–111. In a fight that many considered to be very boring, both fighters were booed often by the fans and many left the arena before the decision was announced. Pat Putnam of Sports Illustrated wrote, "Leonard gave them artistic perfection when they wanted heated battle, and they booed lustily. Most fight fans would not spend a dime to watch Van Gogh paint Sunflowers, but they would fill Yankee Stadium to see him cut off his ear." Although Leonard dominated the fight, he suffered several cuts. His lower lip was cut from a headbutt in the fourth round, his left eye was cut in the eleventh round, and his right eye was cut in the twelfth round. The cuts required a total of 60 stitches.

In January 1990, Leonard relinquished the WBC Super Middleweight Championship, saying that he was unsure whether he would fight again. When Leonard decided to continue his career, he offered Hagler a rematch, but Hagler decided to stay retired. He then offered Hearns a third fight, but Hearns said he could no longer make the weight and moved up to the light heavyweight division.

Leonard vs. Norris

On February 9, 1991, Leonard went down to 154 lbs and fought WBC Light Middleweight Champion Terry Norris at Madison Square Garden. Leonard entered the bout as a 3-1 favorite but Norris dominated the fight, giving Leonard a heavy beating. He knocked Leonard down with a left hook in the second round, and in the seventh, he dropped Leonard again with a short right. Leonard had no answer for the skillful, younger, faster man. Leonard went the distance but lost by a lopsided decision. The scores were 120–104, 119–103, and 116–110. After the verdict was announced, Leonard announced his retirement. "It took this fight to show me it is no longer my time", Leonard said. "Tonight was my last fight. I know how Hagler felt now."

Final comeback

In October 1996, the 40-year-old Leonard announced that he was coming out of retirement to fight 34-year-old Héctor Camacho for the lightly regarded International Boxing Council (IBC) Middleweight Championship. Camacho, a light-hitting southpaw, was a three-time world champion with a record of 62–3–1. However, Camacho was also considered to be past his prime. Leonard decided to fight Camacho after commentating on Camacho's fight with the 45-year-old Roberto Durán the previous year, describing the disputed unanimous decision as "an early Christmas gift".

Leonard blamed his poor performance against Norris on lack of motivation, a rib injury, moving down in weight, and divorce, which was being litigated while he was in training. "It was stupid for me to fight Norris at 154 lbs", Leonard said. "This is different. I'm in the best shape possible."

For the Camacho fight, Leonard had a new trainer, Adrian Davis. "He's a great trainer, a throwback", Leonard said. "He has really helped me get ready."

In January 1997, it was announced that Leonard had been voted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in Canastota, New York. The rules state that a boxer must be retired for five years before being eligible for induction. When the vote took place, Leonard had been retired for more than five years, therefore, he was eligible, even though he had a fight scheduled. The induction ceremony was on June 15, 1997.

The fight with Camacho took place on March 1, 1997, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Camacho applied pressure from the opening bell and started to score well in the third. He continued to score well in the fourth and opened a cut above Leonard's right eye. In the fifth, Camacho dropped Leonard with a right followed by two left uppercuts. Leonard got up, but was unable to ward off Camacho. The referee stopped the fight with Camacho teeing off on a defenseless Leonard on the ropes. It was the only time in Leonard's career that he was knocked out.

Afterward, Leonard retired again, saying, "For sure, my career is definitely over for me in the ring." However, less than a week after the fight, Leonard said he planned to fight again. He blamed his loss on a torn right calf muscle. His doctor suggested that he cancel the fight, but Leonard wanted to go through with it. Before the fight, he was given a shot of novocaine.

Leonard said he planned to have a series of tuneup fights before fighting a champion. He was scheduled to fight Tony Menefee on February 15, 1998, in Australia, but he pulled out of the fight, saying that he didn't have the motivation. The Camacho fight was Leonard's last. He finished his career with a record of 36–3–1 with 25 knockouts.

Media appearances

Leonard has worked as a boxing analyst for ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, HBO and EPIX. His relationship with HBO lasted for more than a decade. It ended in 1990, after HBO was not offered an opportunity to bid on the telecast rights to Leonard's fight with Terry Norris. HBO believed it would be inappropriate for Leonard to continue with them if they couldn't bid on his fights. Leonard's attorney, Mike Trainer, said, "There never has been a linkage between his broadcasting and his fighting."

Leonard has provided commercial endorsements for companies including Coca-Cola, EA Sports, Ford, Nabisco, Revlon and 7 Up. His most famous commercial was a 7 Up ad he did with his son, Ray Jr., Roberto Durán and Durán's son Roberto Jr. in the early 1980s. Leonard is among the most sought-after motivational/inspirational speakers in the world today. His speech, entitled "Power" (Prepare, Overcome and Win Every Round), is consistently booked with major Fortune 500 companies throughout the United States and abroad.

Leonard has also worked as an actor. He has appeared in numerous television shows, including Half & Half, L.A. Heat, Married... with Children, Renegade and Tales From The Crypt. He has also appeared in several movies, including I Spy and most recently The Fighter (2010), starring Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg. This movie brought back memories of his fight with Dicky Eklund. He also worked as an adviser in the 2011 robot boxing film Real Steel. Leonard served as host and mentor to the aspiring fighters on The Contender. Sylvester Stallone, who co-hosted during the first season, was one of the executive producers, along with Mark Burnett. When Leonard left the show, he was replaced as host by Tony Danza for the final season.

In 2001, Leonard launched Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Inc., a boxing promotional company, and announced the company's strategic partnership with ESPN. Together, Leonard and ESPN would produce and promote "Sugar Ray Leonard and ESPN II Presents Friday Night Fights", which would air the first Friday of every month for twelve months. Leonard's boxing promotional company was dissolved in 2004. He had a falling out with partner Bjorn Rebney, whom he called "a cancer in my company." Speaking of his promotional company, Leonard said, "We did some great shows with evenly matched fights. I took great pride in it. But the TV show came about and made my decision a lot easier. I already had it in the back of my mind to dissolve the company. The working environment was not healthy."

Leonard competed on season 12 of Dancing with the Stars, which premiered on Monday, March 21, 2011, on ABC. His partner was Anna Trebunskaya. He was voted off in Week 4 of the show. During his appearance on The Colbert Report in 2011, Leonard was defeated by host Stephen Colbert in a thumb wrestling contest. He appeared as a guest at the chef's table, along with Tito Ortiz, during the tenth season of Hell's Kitchen. He is the celebrity spokesperson for the Atlanta law firm John Foy and Associates, PC.

Leonard was also the subject of a Seinfeld episode (season 6, episode 21) where George tries to flatter his boss by saying he looks like Sugar Ray Leonard. The real Leonard (a Seinfeld fan) mentioned that he was told about the episode by friends and family, but had never seen it for himself until a friend gave him the DVD set for a gift.

Personal life

Family

Leonard married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Wilkinson, in January 1980. Their six-year-old son, Ray Jr., served as the ring bearer. In 1984, they had another son, Jarrell. They were divorced in 1990. During divorce proceedings, Juanita Leonard testified that her husband physically abused her while under the influence of alcohol. She also said he was an occasional cocaine user. In his testimony, Leonard confirmed his wife's claims and went on to reveal that the problems of their marriage were not due to drug and alcohol use.

After the Los Angeles Times broke the story, Leonard held a press conference and publicly acknowledged that the accusations were true. He said he started using after he retired in 1982, following surgery to repair a detached retina. "I wanted more", Leonard said. "I wanted that arena. I didn't want anyone to tell me my career had to end." "I decided to search for a substitute...I resorted to cocaine. I used when I felt bad, I used when I missed competing at that level", he said. "It was a crutch, something that enabled me to forget." He said he quit using drugs in early 1986, when he woke up one morning and "what I saw in the mirror was scary." "I can never erase the pain or the scars I have made through my stupidity, my selfishness", Leonard said. "All I can do is say I'm sorry, but that is not enough." In 2011, Leonard revealed in an NPR interview that he had been free of alcohol since July 2006.

In 1989, Leonard was introduced to Bernadette Robi by Kenny G at a Luther Vandross concert. Robi is the daughter of Paul Robi, one of the original Platters, and she is the ex-wife of Lynn Swann. Leonard and Robi were married at Leonard's $8.7 million estate in Pacific Palisades, California in August 1993. At the wedding ceremony, the grounds were converted into a garden with 10,000 roses and blossoms of other flowers flown in from the Netherlands.

Leonard is also the godfather of Khloé Kardashian and has appeared on many episodes of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

Charity work

For many years, Leonard has been the International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Walk for a Cure and is actively involved in raising both awareness and funds.

Leonard testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs in 2009. The Senate hearing was titled "Type 1 Diabetes Research: Real Progress and Real Hope for a Cure". He testified about the burden of diabetes and the need for continued research funding to find a cure.

Leonard and his wife, Bernadette, founded the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and its annual Walk for a Cure. In 2009, the foundation expanded to support programs that help people rebuild their communities in ten cities across the United States. It supports accessible housing, healthcare services, and educational services and job training.

In 2007 he was awarded The Ambassador Award of Excellence by the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission at the Riviera Country Club for his continued community involvement.

Advocacy against child molestation

In his autobiography The Big Fight: My Life in and out of the Ring, published in June 2011, Leonard reveals that as a young boxer he was the victim of sexual abuse from an Olympic trainer as well as another man, a benefactor. He has since made public appearances to bring attention to the issue of child sex abuse, declaring himself a "poster child" for the cause and encouraging victims to report their abuse.

[thesportssoundoff]

“Low on Canadians, high on good fights” UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs Cerrone Preview

Joey

September 8th

So on main event and co-main event alone, this card is an easy win. The main event pits two of the UFC's best action fighters in a battle for LW action fighter dominance with subtle title fight implications. At the very least, the winner of this fight could find themselves comfortably resting inside the holiest of holy grounds aka "The elite top 5 lightweight" territory that's currently occupied by Khabib, Tony Ferguson, Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. The co-main event pits an aging LHW grappler in the midst of a career renaissance vs one of 205 lbs wackiest fighters around. I shouldn't have to try too hard to sell you a main event/co-main tandem of Gaethje/Cerrone and Glover Teix/Krylov. Beyond that? There's still some pretty good stuff although the action fight quotient begins to sway here. We've got some good well put together fights at 185 lbs with Uriah Hall taking on Antonio Carlos Junior and Andrew Sanchez vs Marvin Vettori in a fight that could be shittastic or pretty fun. The HWs are back with some interesting filler action although Marcin Tybura vs Agusto Sakai could be violent in doses. There's your standard glut of Canadian fighters nobody cares about on an international level yet as well. The main card is interesting and pseudo deep while the prelims are littered with unknowns at 135 lbs and 145 lbs. It's a solid late Summer/early Autumn card worth your time with two big fights at the top of the bill to suck you in.

Fights: 12

Debuts: Miles Johns, Hunter Azure

Fight Changes/Injury Cancellations: 2 (David Branch OUT, Marvin Vettori IN vs Andrew Sanchez/Sergey Khandozhko vs Michel Pereira CANCELLED)

Headliners (fighters who have either main evented or co-main evented shows in the UFC): 9 (Glover Teixeira, Nikita Krylov, Uriah Hall, Justin Gaethje, Donald Cerrone, Misha Cirkunov, Todd Duffee, Marcin Tybura, Louis Smolka)

Fighters On Losing Streaks in the UFC: 1 (Chas Skelly)

Fighters On Winning Streaks in the UFC: 4 (Augusto Sakai, Justin Gaethje, Glover Teixeira, Jimmy Crute)

Main Card Record Since Jan 1st 2017 (in the UFC):  25-18

Justin Gaethje- 3-2 Donald Cerrone- 4-5 Glover Teixeira- 4-2 Nikita Krylov- 1-1 Antonio Carlos Junior- 3-1 Uriah Hall- 2-1 Misha Cirkunov- 1-3 Jimmy Crute- 2-0 Marcin Tybura- 3-3 Augusto Sakai- 2-0

Fights By Weight Class (yearly number here):

Bantamweight- 3 (48) Middleweight-  2 (32) Heavyweight- 2 (27) Light Heavyweight- 2 (34) Featherweight-  2 (44) Lightweight- 1 (59)

Welterweight-  (51) Women’s Bantamweight-  (15) Women’s Flyweight- (29) Women’s Strawweight- (22) Flyweight-   (12) Women’s Featherweight- (7)

2019 Number Tracker

Debuting Fighters (25-49-1)- Miles Johns, Hunter Azure

Short Notice Fighters (24-32)- Marvin Vettori

Second Fight (49-24)- Jeff Hughes, Jordan Griffin, Ryan MacDonald, Cole Smith, Austin Hubbard, Kyle Propeleck

Cage Corrosion (Fighters who have not fought within a year of the date of the fight) (19-32-1)-   Todd Duffee

Undefeated Fighters (30-33-1)- Cole Smith, Jimmy Crute, Hunter Azure, Miles Johns

Fighters with at least four fights in the UFC with 0 wins over competition still in the organization (11-8)- Todd Duffee

Weight Class Jumpers (Fighters competing outside of the weight class of their last fight even if they’re returning BACK to their “normal weight class”) (25-17)- Kyle Prepolec

Twelve Precarious Ponderings

1-  So Donald Cerrone and Justin Gaethje attempting to make history and become the first UFC fighter to have four Fight Of The Night awards in a row. Thus far a casual perusal of about 50 of the usual suspects (Diego Sanchez, Jim Miller, Joe Lauzon, Nate Diaz, Edson Barboza, Dan Hooker, Kelvin Gastelum etc) have revealed that most of them top out at around 3 in a row. Just a fun factoid.

2- Is Cerrone  about to FINALLY become overworked? In November, he subbed Mike Perry in the first round of a pretty wild fight. In January, he beat Alexander Hernandez in a pretty tough fight where he got out of there early but not without damage. He fought Al Iaquinta in May in a five round fight where he took some damage but won at a relatively solid safe pace. He spun around real quick in June vs Tony Ferguson and got his face broken up for two rounds en route to a doctor stoppage loss. NOW Cerrone is back in August with a seemingly healed up eye to fight Justin Gaethje on short notice. Is this all a bit too much and a bit too soon for Cerrone or is the fact that it's short-ish notice and another fight in a busy schedule a benefit to him?

3- I think it's fair to say that Edson Barboza was the best kicker but is Donald Cerrone the best head kicker that Gaethje has ever faced?

4- What does the winner of this fight do? With Ferguson vs Khabib almost locked up and the McGregor spectre looming, is this just high level elite busy work for both guys?

5- Glover Teix vs Jon Jones II is coming, right?

6- This co-main event is pretty damn fun. This fight is the sort of guy Glover has traditionally had no problems with while Nikita has been consistently bested by Glover types. For Nikita, Glover is a big strong guy who isn't athletic but technically sound and experienced. Guys who can clinch with Krylov more often than not do well to get him to the ground, poke at the holes in his game and snag a submission win. For Glover, he's fighting his third straight guy who is more athletic, younger, wild and aggressive than him. Thus far Glover's plan seems to be to hold on, weather the storm, wait for the chance to get on top and then try to end the fight from there. Glover's turned into more of a grappler than he was on the regional scene and as his boxing and his reflexes have betrayed him, the return to BJJ Glover has made him as versatile as ever. If he can get a dude down, he normally finds a way to get things done. That's been the Krylov weakness.

7- If you remove adopted Canadian Misha Cirkunov, the earliest we see a Canadian on this card is the FOURTH fight. Is this the worst card in Canada in terms of Canadian fighter representation? The best fighter might be currently undefeated BW Cole Smith.

8- So speaking of Cirkunov, is his UFC run a success or a failure? Cirkunov came into the UFC's 205 lb scene as pretty much an heir apparent to the title picture and he was catered to and fed some so-so competition on his way up the ranks. The likes of debuting talents like Daniel Jolly, Alex Nicholson and Ion Cutelaba are on his resume as well as an impressive enough stoppage over Nikita Krylov. He had a contentious contract negotiation with the UFC before coming back with a brand new deal and losing 3 of his next 4 fights. His only win since 2017 is Pat Cummins which clearly doesn't hold much power these days. That said, he's got a 5-3 record in the UFC and occupies space in their top 15 so isn't that in theory a success? Cirkunov gets Aussie Jimmy Crute in a fight that Cirkunov SHOULD win assuming the Johnny Walker flying knee didn't shatter him irreparably as Crute is super green and stylistically the kind of guy that Cirkunov has beaten up on. This sort of feels like the UFC making the decision that Cirkunov is a gatekeeper now.

9- The last time we saw Todd Duffee, he was throwing a punch so horrendous that a dude on here started an award winning series on bad punches. Todd's had a lot of injuries apparently, some so bad that he was heading PI entirely just to get treatment on them. Duffee's return isn't an easy one either as he gets former LFA champ and solid prospect Jeff Hughes. Hughes lost his UFC debut to Maurice Green in a pretty wild fight and as we've seen, fighters who are in their second fight are very successful. Conversely fighters who haven't fought within a calendar year have a pretty damn poor record.

10- Chas Skelly vs Jordan Griffin is far too good of a fight to be the show opener.

11- Is Augusto Sakai any good or are we wasting our time here?

12- Uriah Hall vs Antonio Carlos Junior is a sneaky good fight between two polar opposite poor fight IQ dudes.

[frontproofmedia]

Oscar De La Hoya LA Live Workout Quotes & Photos

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Published: August 26, 2021

Los Angeles, CA - Boxing Legend, ‘The Golden Boy’ Oscar De La Hoya, hit the XBOX Plaza at LA LIVE on Tuesday evening, August 24 to host an open workout for a huge crowd of adoring fans and a massive contingent of local and international media. Looking in exceptional form, De La Hoya worked the mitts for the cheering crowd and brought a couple of fans into the ring to join him during the entertaining event.

Presented by Triller Fight Club, De La Hoya will battle former UFC Superstar Vitor ‘The Phenom’ Belfort in the main event of LEGENDS II set for Saturday, September 11 at STAPLES Center.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA

“Call me crazy but I just miss it, I missed getting hit and doing the hitting. I wasn’t ready to retire after I lost to Manny Pacquiao. I never felt like I was in wars so in boxing you’re just as old as how you feel.”

“I went through hell and back treating my body wrong but these last six months I feel amazing. I refocused myself and rededicated myself and I’m actually doing this for me, I can’t wait.”

“The weight limit is 185 but I’m going to come in at 175, strong like an ox. I’m at 180 right now. I’m the underdog because the bettors don’t believe in me but I finally put the train back on the rails.”

“I’m not a betting man or a gambler but I would put a lot of money on me. I’m going to surprise people on how I do it. I’ve been training smart, I’ve been very motivated in training since we opened camp.”

“I’m going to give the fans a war. I’ve been studying Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns for a reason. I want a fight, a war. I have a good chin and I can take the punch.”

“I know Vitor Belfort has the same mentality. He was a boxer first before he became the UFC Heavyweight Champion. I have to be calculating with my attack and stay away from his big left hand.”

“There will be a knockout, my inspiration for this fight is Arturo Gatti. I want one of those types of fights.”

Remaining tickets starting at $75 are now on-sale and may be purchased through AXS.com or at this Ticket Link. Doors will open on the day of the event at 3:00 p.m. PT. The STAPLES Center is located at 1111 S. Figueroa St. in Los Angeles, CA 90015. Very-limited VIP packages as well as Super-Exclusive behind the scenes packages will be available too.

The FREE Preview will start at 11:00 p.m. BST / 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT with the Triller Fight Club Pay-Per-View commencing at 12:00 a.m. BST / 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT as the HAYE vs. FOURNIER eight-round heavyweight battle opens the broadcast. The Pay-Per-View is priced at $49.99 in North America and £9.99 ($13.99) in the UK.

Boxing’s biggest international star for over 15 years, De La Hoya was an 11-time world champion in six different weight classes while captivating fans all over the world and setting the standard by generating over $700 million dollars in pay-per-view income.

De La Hoya’s first world championship fight with then-rival Shane Mosley was the inaugural event held at STAPLES Center on June 17, 2000. Among the sold-out crowd of 20,744 in attendance were a wealth of celebrities from the sports and entertainment world.

Known throughout his career for fighting the best competition and ‘taking on all comers’, included among the victories during De La Hoya’s Hall of Fame career are world champions; Julio Cesar Chavez, Pernell Whitaker, Ike Quartey, Fernando Vargas, Hector Camacho, Arturo Gatti, Yori Boy Campas, Ricardo Mayorga, Wilfredo Rivera, and Felix Sturm.

Co-featured at LEGENDS II, UFC Legends, ANDERSON ‘THE SPIDER’ SILVA from Sao Paolo, Brazil, and ‘THE HUNTINGTON BEACH BAD BOY’ TITO ORTIZ will clash in an eight-round cruiserweight boxing match for combat sports supremacy.

Also, at LEGENDS II, Former Heavyweight, and Cruiserweight World Champion DAVID ‘THE HAYEMAKER’ HAYE will face off against JOE FOURNIER in a scheduled eight-round heavyweight battle.

Additionally, in a highly anticipated 10-rounder, ANDY ‘El TIBURON’ VENCES, (23-2-1, 12 KOs), of San Jose, CA will challenge Ireland’s JONO ‘KING KONG’ CARROLL, (19-2-1, 5 KOs), for the vacant WBC International Silver Super-Featherweight Title.

The entire LEGENDS II event is produced by Triller Fight Club visionary NIGEL LYTHGOE, award-winning producer of American Idol and the executive producer and creator of ‘So You Think You Can Dance and will be hosted by SNOOP DOGG.

Musical acts announced for the extraordinary event include a Once-In-A-Lifetime Performance by SNOOP DOGG with The One and Only MARVIN GAYE, plus ANITTA, LUNAY, and GENTE DE ZONA, and others.

(Featured Photo: Triller Fight Club)

[freenewstoday]

New Post has been published on https://freenews.today/2021/03/14/middleweight-legend-hagler-dies-aged-66/

Middleweight legend Hagler dies aged 66

Hagler celebrates after defeating Roberto Duran for the WBA, WBC and IBF middleweight titles in 1983 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas

Former undisputed middleweight world champion ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler has died at the age of 66.

The American dominated the middleweight division from 1979 until his controversial defeat by Sugar Ray Leonard in April 1987.

“Today, unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire,” his wife Kay Hagler said.external-link

Hagler fought 67 times during his 14-year professional career, winning 62.

He triumphed on 52 occasions by knockout, while he drew two and lost three times.

In September 1980, Hagler fought Britain’s Alan Minter at Wembley Stadium to claim his first world titles, winning the WBA and WBC belts.

His most famous fight came in April 1985 when he fought Thomas ‘Hit Man’ Hearns over three brutal rounds – a classic known as ‘The War’.

Hagler made 12 successful title defences until his defeat by Leonard by a split decision and he retired a year later.

Boxing world pays tribute

Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis tweeted:external-link “The world is one great man less today.

“This one hits so hard also because he was the one I emulated my own training camps after when I saw how seriously he took his training camps. “

He added: “Not only was he a living legend, but I was proud to call him my friend. He was so full of life, energy and positivity in our conversations that you would never guess what a wrecking machine he was in the ring.

“Our wives would speak on the phone to connect us and I’ll miss his voice saying ‘It’s Marvelous’ on the other end of the line.”

“Boxing lost an all-time great today,” said boxing promoter Frank Warren.

Former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan said he was “shocked and deeply saddened” to hear of the “incredible” Hagler’s death.

The Irishman added: “I’m honoured to have spent some amazing times with him. My heartfelt sympathies to his wife Kay and his family. Rest in Peace Champ.”

British heavyweight Derek Chisora said Hagler was “one of the greatest”.

Before the world super flyweight unification fight between Juan Estrada and Roman Gonzalez in Dallas on Saturday night, a “memorial count of 10” was led by ring announcer Michael Buffer, with the bell rung 10 times in Hagler’s memory.

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[morningnews24h]

UFC Vegas 16 predictions

Marvin Vettori is on the cusp of capping off a productive 2020.

Fighting for just the second time this year, Vettori enters his first UFC headliner against top-5 contender Jack Hermansson this Saturday at UFC Vegas 16. His other win in 2020 was a thrilling submission victory over Karl Roberson, a rival who rubbed Vettori the wrong way for a variety of reasons before they finally settled things in the octagon.

A win over Hermansson would be a gigantic step towards a title shot and possibly a rematch with middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.

Beating Hermansson is no easy task though. “The Joker” has won seven of his past nine fights, with his only losses coming to top opposition in Jared Cannonier and Thiago Santos. He’s also proven himself to be one of the best finishers at 185 pounds and could be the first to stop Vettori. Just ask Kelvin Gastelum, who was caught by a Hermansson heel hook in just 78 seconds.

Vettori isn’t the only one who could seriously shake up next week’s rankings. Contender Series standout Jamahal Hill has lived up to the hype in two UFC appearances so far and for his third octagon assignment he’s drawn veteran light heavyweight Ovince Saint Preux. Hill can break out from the pack in a major way if he can topple Saint Preux, who missed weight by a pound and a half on Friday.

In other main card action, Gabriel Benitez hunts for his first UFC win as a lightweight when he faces Justin Jaynes, Montana De La Rosa steps in to halt the hype train of Taila Santos in a flyweight bout, light heavyweights Roman Dolidze and John Allan look to add to their impressive finishing tallies, and Movsar Evloev and Nate Landwehr meet in a battle of former M-1 Global champions.

What: UFC Vegas 16

Where: UFC APEX in Las Vegas

When: Saturday, Dec. 5. The five-fight preliminary card begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and ESPN2, with the six-fight main card starting at 10 p.m. ET also on ESPN+ and ESPN2.

Jack Hermansson vs. Marvin Vettori

I should probably stop picking against Jack Hermansson, right? Despite his prodigious finishing ability and wins over high-level competition like Kelvin Gastelum, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and David Branch, I always seem to find a reason not to pick him. No more!

Marvin Vettori is just entering his prime and his best days are ahead of him. Fast forward to a year from now and we could be talking about a legitimate top-5 contender at 185 pounds. Like a lot of fighters at this stage of his career though, there are defensive deficiencies that put a ceiling on his potential for now. Defensive deficiencies could be costly when standing across from someone as lethal as Hermansson.

He’s going to learn from this fight, just as Hermansson has learned from his battles with the middleweight division’s best. Unfortunately for Vettori, I think that lesson will come in the form of a humbling defeat. Vettori’s standup and athleticism will keep him competitive in the early going, but Hermansson should get this one to the ground at some point and find a submission finish late in the first or in the second.

Pick: Hermansson

Ovince Saint Preux vs. Jamahal Hill

Unlike the main event, I do think this is a bridge too far for the younger fighter. Jamahal Hill is eight years younger than Ovince Saint Preux, but more importantly he’s 20 UFC fights younger than “OSP.” That’s a huge experience gap to overcome, especially when you consider the luminaries that Saint Preux has beaten or gone the distance with.

Even if you view Saint Preux as being on the outside looking in when it comes to the 205 elite, Hill is even further out right now. At 6-foot-4, Hill has made the most of his natural gifts and fighting instinct, but Saint Preux can match his measurements and certainly has more ways to win this fight on paper.

Speed kills and Hill’s agility is going to give Saint Preux a lot of problems. He’ll have to force Hill to fight at his pace, lest he become Hill’s next knockout victim. You love to see a guy with Hill’s finishing ability, but Saint Preux’s chin is solid and it should hold up here.

Saint Preux has to get this one to the ground to minimize risk, then attack with submissions until Hill has no choice left but to tap.

Pick: Saint Preux

Gabriel Benitez vs. Justin Jaynes

Gabriel Benitez has always been a talented all-rounder who lacks that one spectacular skill to put him over the top. Occasionally, he’s also shown a reluctance to pull the trigger, which shouldn’t be an issue with the aggressive Jaynes. Benitez’s boxing will be his best weapon if he hopes to stifle Jaynes on the feet.

One thing to watch is whether Jaynes changes up his game plan, which is usually comprised of him rapidly closing the distance rather than trying to win a range-striking duel. If he steps too far into Benitez’s range, Benitez will chew him up with fast hands. That said, Jaynes has an affinity for first-round finishes and if he wants another one he may have to get right in Benitez’s face.

This has the potential to be a wild one, which means it could be Benitez who lands a surprising haymaker to end the fight. I’m leaning towards Jaynes testing Benitez’s chin though and taking this one out of the hands of the judges.

Pick: Jaynes

Montana De La Rosa vs. Taila Santos

Don’t let Taila Santos’ 16-1 record fool you, there’s some generous matchmaking in there to put it nicely. The five opponents she faced before appearing on Dana White’s Contender Series had a combined record of 3-4, and three of those wins all belonged to one fighter. If you are liking Santos’ chances, it would be because of the poise she showed in her previous win over the gritty Molly McCann. She looked comfortable standing with McCann and showed rare poise for someone in just their second UFC fight. It’s not a stretch to say that Santos is already one of the best standup fighters at 125 pounds.

The challenge for Montana De La Rosa is to not be completely outclassed on the feet and to make Santos respect her enough there so that she creates openings for takedowns. On the mat is where De La Rosa can steal this one. She has better jiu jitsu and she’s aggressive going for submissions. Santos has to be careful pursuing De La Rosa to the ground if she scores a knockdown or manages to get De La Rosa down some other way.

I’ll probably regret this, but I feel that De La Rosa is being overlooked and I predict she either catches Santos with a submission off of her back or out of a scramble.

Pick: De La Rosa

Roman Dolidze vs. John Allan

Roman Dolidze has got style. He’s part of an influx of talent that the light heavyweight division has seen in the last couple of years and he’s got the kind of standup game that is going to make him popular. He’s not going to wow anyone with his volume, rather he’ll bide his time until he can unleash a high-voltage strike, possibly of the spinning variety.

He’ll have a willing dancer partner in John Allan, another striker comfortable fighting from both southpaw and orthodox stances. Allan may want to test Dolidze’s ground game, but this has the makings of a tactical standup battle with both wary of the other’s power. It’s possible that Allan will look to push the pace from the opening bell and take Dolidze out of his comfort zone.

I give Dolidze the edge for his more unpredictable approach and I see him catching Allan with something out of nowhere for the knockout.

Pick: Dolidze

Nate Landwehr vs. Movsar Evloev

Blue-chipper Movsar Evloev is the most heavily-favored fighter on this card and for good reason. He combines solid technical striking with explosive takedowns, which has been the formula for many a champion. He’s still hunting for his first UFC finish, but he may want taking too many risks against Nate Landwehr.

“The Train” joined the UFC with a reputation as a disciplined brawler and he showed that in his fight with Darren Elkins, putting it on Elkins in a brutal and bloody three-round scrap. With his power and durability, he’s not a name anyone at featherweight should want to see on a fight contract. Unless you have the wrestling of Evloev, of course.

In all likelihood, Evloev will go out with something to prove and invite standup exchanges with Landwehr. He has the skill to win them too, but he has to avoid being dragged into a dogfight. It’s not one big bomb that Evloev has to be wary of, it’s the constant pressure of Landwehr that could lead to his first defeat.

Evloev’s team should be well-prepared for this one with both fighters coming from M-1 Global, so Landwehr probably won’t be able to keep this one standing for long. As long as Evloev mixes it up, he should cruise to a decision or a late finish on the ground.

Pick: Evloev

Preliminaries

Louis Smolka def. Jose Quinonez

Jordan Leavitt def. Matt Wiman

Jimmy Flick def. Cody Durden

Ilia Topuria def. Damon Jackson

Gian Villante def. Jake Collier

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[thisdaynews]

Vasyl Lomachenko beats Luke Campbell to retain lightweight world titles

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/vasyl-lomachenko-beats-luke-campbell-to-retain-lightweight-world-titles/

Vasyl Lomachenko beats Luke Campbell to retain lightweight world titles

Lomachenko was taken the distance for only the fifth time as a professional

Vasyl Lomachenko produced a battling display to beat Britain’s Luke Campbell on points and add the WBC lightweight title to his WBA and WBO belts.

Lomachenko, 31, regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers, was made to work hard for the thrilling win.

Campbell, also 31, was aiming to become a world champion for the first time but was floored in the 11th as the Ukrainian’s class proved decisive.

Lomachenko got the verdict 119-108, 119-108, 118-108 at London’s O2 Arena.

Campbell v Lomachenko reaction & analysis

Costello & Bunce podcast: Frampton, Hearn, Lomachenko post-fight reaction

Edwards title fight declared no contest after late punch

Latest boxing results & schedule

Campbell, an Olympic gold medallist in 2012, suffered the third loss of his 23-fight professional career but deserves huge praise for the way he fought back to hear the final bell.

“He is so good, he adapts to any plans,” said Campbell. “Tonight was not the jackpot but my time will come.”

The Hull man was in trouble at the end of the fifth when he was caught by a crushing left hook and then a barrage of body and head shots, but was saved by the bell.

Campbell took more punishment in the sixth, but had success of his own later in that round and the next in a captivating contest.

He was floored in the 11th after a barrage of body shots and then a jab. But he got up to finish the fight, although two of the three judges did not give him a round, only a share of one.

Campbell was later taken to hospital but promoter Eddie Hearn said it was only a precautionary measure.

Lomachenko’s powerful work to the body repeatedly caused Campbell problems

Lomachenko lives up to the hype

A sold-out crowd at the O2 Arena witnessed another fantastic, dominant performance from Lomachenko, a three-weight world champion.

This latest victory – in only his 15th fight as a professional – means he now holds three of the main four belts in the lightweight division – Ghana’s Richard Commey, the IBF champion, is the man standing between him and being undisputed champion.

Lomachenko has also held world titles at featherweight and super-featherweight after an incredible amateur career that saw him win 396 out of 397 bouts and also win Olympic gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and in London four years later.

Now, less than five miles from where he won that second gold medal and in his first professional fight in Europe, Lomachenko dazzled from the off.

Before the fight, Hearn said it was an “honour” to get the Ukrainian to fight in the UK – and he did not disappoint.

The right jab proved a constant menace and the left was dangerous, twice rocking Campbell’s head back as early as the third round.

He also provided some brutal body shots, leaving Campbell wincing in pain in the fourth.

Lomachenko told BBC Radio 5 Live: “He has big amateur experience, he’s a smart fighter, a technical fighter and you saw his reach so of course it was hard for me.

“He gave me a good experience and a good fight. I want a unification fight for the four belts.”

Campbell leaves with his head held high

In the build-up to this fight, legendary promoter Bob Arum said Lomachenko was the greatest technical fighter in boxing since Muhammad Ali and afterwards also compared him to other greats including Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Floyd Mayweather, Oscar de la Hoya and Manny Pacquiao.

So to go the distance shows what a gutsy effort it was from Campbell.

This was his second world title shot after he lost on a controversial split decision against Jorge Linares in the US in September 2017.

On that occasion, Campbell, whose father died two weeks before the fight, was knocked down in the second but fought back, and later insisted he won the fight by a two-round margin.

But against Lomachenko it never looked likely that Campbell, a 10-1 underdog, would get the victory, as the Ukrainian was too good, despite the Briton being two inches taller and having a five-inch reach advantage.

Lomachenko was fighting a British opponent for only the second time, after knocking out former world champion Anthony Crolla in the fourth round in the US earlier this year.

Campbell managed to go the distance, but a shock win was not to happen.

Lomachenko wants to become undisputed world champion

Analysis – ‘Campbell made the magician look normal’

Former world champion Carl Frampton:“I never expected that. It was down to Luke Campbell who showed such skill alongside grit and determination. His stock has risen dramatically tonight even though he is the loser. I think Lomachenko underplayed how hard that was. I think it’s the toughest fight he has had as a professional.”

BBC Sport boxing correspondent Mike Costello:“Three of the four versions of the title now rest with Vasyl Lomachenko. But people who haven’t seen it won’t realise how hard he has had to work for it.”

BBC Radio 5 Live boxing expert Steve Bunce:“We came for sorcery and were given a display of old-fashioned grit, determination and heart and desire. Such bravery, such guts. The points mean nothing. Luke Campbell made the magician look normal.”

Read More

[blackkudos]

Sugar Ray Leonard

Ray Charles Leonard (born May 17, 1956), best known as Sugar Ray Leonard, is an American former professional boxer, motivational speaker, and occasional actor. Often regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, he competed from 1977 to 1997, winning world titles in five weight divisions; the lineal championship in three weight divisions; as well as the undisputed welterweight title. Leonard was part of "The Fabulous Four", a group of boxers who all fought each other throughout the 1980s, consisting of himself, Roberto Durán, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler.

"The Fabulous Four" created a wave of popularity in the lower weight classes that kept boxing relevant in the post-Muhammad Ali era, during which Leonard defeated future fellow International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees Hearns, Durán, Hagler, and Wilfred Benítez. Leonard was also the first boxer to earn more than $100 million in purses, and was named "Boxer of the Decade" in the 1980s. The Ring magazine named him Fighter of the Year in 1979 and 1981, while the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him Fighter of the Year in 1976, 1979, and 1981.

Early life

Leonard, the fifth of seven children of Cicero and Getha Leonard, was born in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was named after Ray Charles, his mother's favorite singer. The family moved to Washington, D.C., when he was three, and they settled permanently in Palmer Park, Maryland when he was ten. His father worked as a supermarket night manager and his mother was a nurse. He attended Parkdale High School, Leonard was a shy child, and aside from the time he nearly drowned in a creek during a flood in Seat Pleasant, Maryland, his childhood was uneventful. He stayed home a lot, reading comic books and playing with his dog. His mother said: "He never did talk too much. We never could tell what he was thinking. But I never had any problems with him. I never had to go to school once because of him."

Amateur career

Leonard started boxing at the Palmer Park Recreation Center in 1969. His older brother, Roger, started boxing first. Roger helped start the boxing program, urging the center's director, Ollie Dunlap, to form a team. Dave Jacobs, a former boxer, and Janks Morton volunteered as boxing coaches. Roger won some trophies and showed them off in front of Ray, goading him to start boxing.

In 1972, Leonard boxed in the featherweight quarterfinals of the National AAU Tournament, losing by decision to Jerome Artis. It was his first defeat. Later that year, he boxed in the Eastern Olympic Trials. The rules stated that a boxer had to be seventeen to box in international competition, so Leonard, only sixteen, lied about his age. He made it to the lightweight semifinals, losing a disputed decision to Greg Whaley, who took such a beating that he wasn't allowed to continue in the trials and never boxed again.

Sarge Johnson, assistant coach of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, said to Dave Jacobs, "That kid you got is sweet as sugar". The nickname stuck. However, given his style and first name, it was probably only a matter of time before people started calling him Sugar Ray, after the man many consider to be the best boxer of all time, Sugar Ray Robinson.

In 1973, Leonard won the National Golden Gloves Lightweight Championship, but lost to Randy Shields in the lightweight final of the National AAU Tournament. The following year, Leonard won the National Golden Gloves and National AAU Lightweight Championships. Leonard suffered his last two losses as an amateur in 1974. He lost a disputed decision to Anatoli Kamnev in Moscow, after which, Kamnev gave the winner's trophy to Leonard. In Poland, Kazimierz Szczerba was given a decision victory over Leonard, even though he was dominated in the first two rounds and dropped three times in the third.

Leonard won the National Golden Gloves and National AAU Light Welterweight Championships in 1974. The following year, he again won the National AAU Light Welterweight Championship, as well as the Light Welterweight Championship at the Pan American Games.

In 1976, Leonard made the U.S. Olympic Team as the light welterweight representative. The team also included Leon and Michael Spinks, Howard Davis, Jr., Leo Randolph, Charles Mooney, and John Tate. Many consider the 1976 U.S. team to be the greatest boxing team in the history of the Olympics. Leonard won his first four Olympic bouts by 5–0 decisions. He faced Kazimierz Szczerba in the semifinals and won by a 5–0 decision, avenging his last amateur loss.

In the final, Leonard boxed the great Cuban knockout artist Andrés Aldama, who scored five straight knockouts to reach the final. Leonard landed several good left hooks in the first round. In the second, he dropped Aldama with a left to the chin. Late in the final round, he again hurt Aldama, which brought a standing eight count from the referee.

With only a few seconds left in the fight, a Leonard combination forced another standing eight count. Leonard was awarded a 5–0 decision and the Olympic Gold Medal. Afterward, Leonard announced, "I'm finished...I've fought my last fight. My journey has ended, my dream is fulfilled. Now I want to go to school." He was given a scholarship to the University of Maryland, a gift from the citizens of Glenarden, Maryland. He planned to study business administration and communications. He finished his amateur career with a record of 145–5 and 75 KO's.

Achievements

1973 National Golden Gloves Lightweight Champion, defeating Hilmer Kenty.

1973 National AAU Light Welterweight Championship runner-up, losing to Randy Shields.

1974 National Golden Gloves Light Welterweight Champion, defeating Jeff Lemeir.

1974 National AAU Light Welterweight Champion, defeating Paul Sherry.

1974 North American Championships Gold Medalist, defeating Robert Proulx.

1975 National AAU Light Welterweight Champion, defeating Milton Seward.

1975 North American Championships Gold Medalist, defeating Michel Briere.

1975 Pan American Games Light Welterweight Gold Medalist, defeating Victor Corona.

1976 Olympic Light Welterweight Gold Medalist, defeating Andrés Aldama.

Olympic Results

Defeated Ulf Carlsson (Sweden) points 5–0

Defeated Valery Limassov (Soviet Union) points 5–0

Defeated Clinton McKenzie (Great Britain) points 5–0

Defeated Ulrich Beyer (East Germany) points 5–0

Defeated Kazimierz Szczerba (Poland) points 5–0

Defeated Andrés Aldama (Cuba) points 5–0

Change in plans

Juanita Wilkinson, Leonard's high school girlfriend, told him she was pregnant in the summer of 1973. They decided to have the baby but marriage would be put off until after the Olympics in 1976. Leonard would continue to pursue his Olympic dream while she and the baby, Ray Charles Leonard, Jr., lived with her parents. When Leonard boxed in the Olympics, he had a picture of Wilkinson taped to his sock.

Shortly before the Olympics, Wilkinson had filed an application to receive $156 a month in child support payments from Prince George's County. She named Leonard as the father and the county's state attorney's office filed a civil suit against Leonard to establish paternity and get support payments for the child. Leonard learned of the suit several days after returning home from the Olympics. The headline in the Washington Star read, "Sugar Ray Leonard Named in Welfare Dept. Paternity Suit".

Wilkinson went to the Olympics to watch Leonard box, but she did not tell him about the suit and never asked him for any money. "I didn't feel like being bothered by all those complications by asking him for any money for support", she said. Leonard pledged he would support his son, even if he had to scrap plans to attend college.

Leonard had hoped to get lucrative endorsements following his gold medal win, but the negative publicity from the paternity suit chased off any big commercial possibilities. To make matters worse, his father was hospitalized with meningitis and his mother suffered a heart attack. With neither parent able to work, with his child and the mother of his child to support, and without any endorsement opportunities, Leonard decided to become a professional boxer.

Professional career

Early professional career

When Leonard decided to turn professional, Janks Morton introduced him to Mike Trainer, a friend of his who was an attorney. Trainer talked 24 of his friends and clients into underwriting Leonard's career with an investment of $21,000 to be repaid within four years at 8% interest. Trainer then made Leonard the sole stockholder in Sugar Ray Leonard, Inc. Angelo Dundee, Muhammad Ali's trainer, was brought in to be Leonard's trainer and manager. Many of the people being considered wanted absolute control and a cut somewhere near the manager's traditional 33%. Dundee had a different proposition. Although he would prescribe the training procedures, he would leave the day-to-day work to Dave Jacobs and Janks Morton. He would also choose Leonard's opponents. For his services, Dundee would get 15% of Leonard's purse.

Leonard made his professional debut on February 5, 1977 before a crowd of 10,270 at the Civic Center in Baltimore. He was paid $40,044 for the fight. His opponent was Luis "The Bull" Vega, whom he defeated by a six-round unanimous decision. After the fight, Leonard paid back his $21,000 loan to the investors.

In his fourteenth professional fight, Leonard fought his first world-ranked opponent, Floyd Mayweather, who was ranked seventeenth. The fight took place on September 9, 1978. Leonard won by a tenth-round knockout. A month later, Leonard defeated his old amateur nemesis Randy Shields by a ten-round unanimous decision.

On August 12, 1979, Leonard knocked out Pete Ranzany in four rounds to win the NABF Welterweight Championship. The following month, he made his first title defense against Andy Price. Many felt that Price would give Leonard a tough fight, but Leonard took him out in the first round, advancing his record to 25–0 with 16 knockouts.

First world titleLeonard vs. Benitez

Leonard fought Wilfred Benítez for the WBC Welterweight Championship on November 30, 1979, at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. There was a capacity crowd of about 4,600. Leonard received $1 million and Benitez, a two-division champion with a record of 38–0–1, received $1.2 million.

It was a highly competitive and tactical battle. In the first round, Leonard rocked Benitez with a left hook that came off a jab and right cross. Late in the third, Leonard dropped Benitez on the seat of his pants with a stiff left jab. More embarrassed than hurt, Benitez got up quickly.

Benitez started to do better in the fourth, slipping numerous punches and finding the range with his right hand. "I wasn't aware I was in a championship early because I hit him so easy", Leonard said. "But then he adjusted to my style. It was like looking in a mirror".

In the sixth, there was an accidental clash of heads, which opened a cut on the forehead of Benitez. Blood flowed down his forehead and the bridge of his nose but stayed out of his eyes.

Leonard landed the harder punches and had Benitez hurt several times late in the fight, but Leonard couldn't put him away. Benitez was very slick. "No one, I mean no one, can make me miss punches like that", Leonard said.

Going into the final round, Leonard led by scores of 137–130, 137–133, and 136–134. The two went toe-to-toe in the fifteenth. Late in the round, Leonard dropped Benitez with a left. He got up, but after a few more punches, the referee stopped the fight. The time was 2:54 of round fifteen.

The Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring named Leonard "Fighter of the Year" for 1979.

Leonard vs. Green

Leonard made his first title defense in Landover, Maryland, on March 31, 1980. His opponent was Dave "Boy" Green. The British challenger had a record of 33–2. In the fourth round, Leonard knocked Green out with a devastating left hook. Leonard called it "the hardest single punch I ever threw."

The Brawl in Montreal

On June 20, 1980, Leonard returned to the Olympic Stadium in Montreal to defend his title against Roberto Durán before a crowd of 46,317. Durán, the former Undisputed World Lightweight Champion for 6 1/2 years, had a record of 71–1 and was the #1 welterweight contender and considered the best "Pound for Pound" fighter in the world. Durán received $1.5 million and Leonard, working for a percentage of the closed-circuit gate as well as a guarantee, received over $9 million.

Angelo Dundee counseled Leonard to box, to move side to side and not to get caught on the ropes. However, Leonard decided to fight Durán's way. "Flat-footed", he said. "I will not run."

Durán forced the issue and took the fight to Leonard, cutting off the ring and denying Leonard space to fight his fight. Durán attacked at almost every turn. Leonard battled back again and again, but he had to work just to find room to breathe and swing, at times simply to survive. In the second, Durán rocked Leonard with a left hook, sending him into the ropes. Leonard started to do better by the fifth round, finding some punching room and throwing numerous multi-punch combinations. The two fought with great intensity throughout the fight. According to Bill Nack:

It was, from almost the opening salvo, a fight that belonged to Durán. The Panamanian seized the evening and gave it what shape and momentum it had. He took control, attacking and driving Leonard against the ropes, bulling him back, hitting him with lefts and rights to the body as he maneuvered the champion against the ropes from corner to corner. Always moving forward, he mauled and wrestled Leonard, scoring inside with hooks and rights. For three rounds Durán drove at Sugar Ray with a fury, and there were moments when it seemed the fight could not last five. Unable to get away, unable to counter and unable to slide away to open up the ring, Leonard seemed almost helpless under the assault. Now and then he got loose and countered—left-right-left to Durán's bobbing head—but he missed punches and could not work inside, could not jab, could not mount an offense to keep Durán at bay.

Durán was awarded a unanimous decision, although it was mistakenly read as a majority decision in the ring. The scorecard of judge Angelo Poletti was incorrectly added and announced as 147–147. He actually scored it 148–147. In rounds, he had it three for Durán, two for Leonard, and ten even. Sports Illustrated called his scorecard "a monument to indecision." Judges Raymond Baldeyrou and Harry Gibbs scored the fight 146–144 and 145–144, respectively. Associated Press had it 144–141 for Durán, while The New York Times had Leonard ahead 144–142.

"I did the best I could", Leonard said. "I think I pretty much fought from the heart." Asked if Leonard was the best he ever fought, Durán thought for a moment and then answered, "Si, si." Durán said. "He does have a heart. That's why he's living."

Revenge in New Orleans

The rematch, billed as "Stone vs. Sugar.. Once Again", took place November 25, 1980 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans in front of 25,038 fans. Leonard received $7 million and Durán received $8 million.

Dave Jacobs disagreed with the decision to have an immediate rematch with Durán and terminated his relationship with Leonard when the rematch was made. "My idea is that he should have a tuneup fight before he fights with Roberto again", Jacobs said. "I think he won the fight with Durán, but I don't think it is healthy for him to be fighting Durán right away".

After the Montreal fight Durán went on a partying binge and ballooned in weight. Leonard was aware of this, and in an interview for Beyond the Glory he said: "My intention was to fight Durán ASAP because I knew Durán's habits. I knew he would indulge himself, he'd gain 40–50 lbs and then sweat it off to make 147." Unlike the fight in Montreal, Leonard used his superior speed and movement to outbox and befuddle Durán. "The whole fight, I was moving, I was moving", Leonard said. "And Voom! I snapped his head back with a jab. Voom! I snapped it back again. He tried to get me against the ropes, I'd pivot, spin off and Pow! Come under with a punch."

In round seven, Leonard started to taunt Durán. Leonard's most memorable punch came late in the round. Winding up his right hand, as if to throw a bolo punch, Leonard snapped out a left jab and caught Durán flush in the face. "It made his eyes water", Leonard said. He continued to taunt Durán mercilessly. He stuck out his chin, inviting Durán to hit it. Durán hesitated. Leonard kept it up, continuing to move, stop, and mug.

In the closing seconds of the eighth round, Durán turned his back to Leonard and quit, saying to referee Octavio Meyran, "No Mas." Leonard was the winner by a technical knockout at 2:44 of round eight, regaining the WBC Welterweight Championship. Leonard led by scores of 68–66, 68–66 and 67–66.

Durán said he quit because of stomach cramps, caused by overeating after the weigh-in. "At the end of the fifth round, I got cramps in my stomach and it kept getting worse and worse", Duran later said. "I felt weaker and weaker in my body and arms." He then announced, "I am retiring from boxing right now." During the night Durán was admitted to a hospital with stomach pains, and discharged the following day.

Everyone was surprised by Durán's actions, none more so than his veteran trainers, Freddie Brown and Ray Arcel. "I was shocked", Brown said. "There was no indication that he was in pain or getting weak." Arcel was angry. "That's it", he said. "I've had it. This is terrible. I've handled thousands of fighters and never had anyone quit on me. I think he needs a psychiatrist more than he needs anything else." Durán's manager, Carlos Eleta, said, "Durán didn't quit because of stomach cramps. He quit because he was embarrassed. I know this." According to Randy Gordon, who witnessed Durán's antics beforehand and was in his dressing room immediately afterwards, Durán quit because of his huge eating binge prior to the fight.

"I made him quit", Leonard said. "To make a man quit, to make Roberto Durán quit, was better than knocking him out."

Second world titleLeonard vs. Bonds

On March 28, 1981, Leonard defended his title against Larry Bonds, the WBC sixth-ranked contender, at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. Bonds was a southpaw, which made him a good opponent for Leonard, given that his next opponent was scheduled to be the WBA Light Middleweight Champion Ayub Kalule, a southpaw.

Leonard was the aggressor throughout, with Bonds circling the ring. He staggered Bonds with a right in the fourth round and dropped him with a follow-up combination. Bonds got up and continued to move, with Leonard in pursuit. Leonard dropped him again in the tenth. Bonds rose but Leonard didn't let him off the hook. The referee stopped the fight with Bonds taking punishment in a corner.

Leonard vs. Kalule

Leonard moved up to the junior middleweight division and faced Kalule on June 25, 1981 at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas. Kalule, who was 36–0, had been the WBA Light Middleweight Champion for two years.

Kalule and his handlers had expected Leonard to use lateral movement against him, but Leonard took the fight to Kalule. After eight tough rounds, Leonard was ahead although Kalule appeared to be coming on strong in the eight and ninth. Leonard finally hurt him with a right to the head. Shortly afterward, Leonard dropped him with a flurry of punches. Kalule got up but the referee waved it off. Leonard celebrated his victory with a full 360-degree, no-hands flip. Despite an official stoppage time of 2.59, the fight was actually stopped at 3.06 into the round, meaning Kalule should have been saved by the bell.

The Showdown

Promoted as "The Showdown", Leonard fought Thomas Hearns on September 16, 1981 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to unify the World Welterweight Championship in a scheduled fifteen-rounder. They fought before a live crowd of 23,618. Hearns was paid $5.1 million, and Leonard made over $11 million. The fight grossed over $35 million. The live gate was $5.9 million, and the revenue from pay-per-view was $7.5 million.

Hearns, 32–0 with 30 knockouts, won the WBA Welterweight Championship in 1980, scoring a second-round knockout of José "Pipino" Cuevas in Detroit, Michigan. He made three successful title defenses, stopping Luis Primera, Randy Shields, and Pablo Baez.

The fight began as expected, Leonard boxing from a distance and Hearns stalking. Leonard had difficulty with Hearns' long reach and sharp jab. By the end of round five, Leonard had a growing swelling under his left eye, and Hearns had built a considerable lead on the scorecards. Leonard, becoming more aggressive, hurt Hearns in the sixth with a left hook to the chin. Leonard battered Hearns in rounds six and seven, but Hearns regrouped. Hearns started to stick and move, and he started to pile up points again. The roles reversed: Leonard became the stalker and Hearns became the boxer. The fight billed as a classic showdown between a powerful knockout artist and the best boxer/puncher the welterweight division had seen in decades devolved into a tactical and boring fight.

Hearns won rounds nine through twelve on all three scorecards. Between rounds twelve and thirteen, Angelo Dundee told Leonard, "You're blowing it, son! You're blowing it!".

Leonard, with a badly swollen left eye, came out roaring for the thirteenth round. After hurting Hearns with a right, Leonard exploded with a combination of punches. Hearns' legs were clearly gone and after more pressure from Leonard he was bundled through the ropes, no knockdown was given as it wasn't a punch that sent him there. Hearns managed to rise, but was dropped by a flurry of hard punches near the end of the round.

In round fourteen, after staggering Hearns with an overhand right, Leonard pinned Hearns against the ropes, where he unleashed another furious combination, prompting referee Davey Pearl to stop the contest and award Sugar Ray Leonard the Unified World Welterweight Championship. Hearns was leading by scores of 124–122, 125–122, and 125–121.

After the fight, there was controversy due to the scoring of rounds six and seven. Even though Leonard dominated, hurting Hearns and battering him, all three judges gave both rounds to Leonard by a 10–9 margin. Many felt that the ten-point must scoring system was not properly used and those rounds should have been scored 10–8. Some also considered the stoppage premature. Veteran ringside commentator Don Dunphy said "They're stopping the fight. I don't believe it. Hearns was ahead on points." However, Emanuel Steward, Hearns' manager and trainer, said, "I felt that the referee was justified in stopping the fight ... Tommy did not have enough energy to make it through the fight."

The fight was named "Fight of the Year" by The Ring.

Leonard was named "Fighter of the Year" by The Ring and The Boxing Writers Association of America. He was also named "Athlete of the Year" by ABC's Wide World of Sports and "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated.

Retirement and return

On February 15, 1982, Leonard defended the unified title against Bruce Finch, the WBC fourth-ranked contender. Leonard knocked him out in the third round. Leonard's next fight was scheduled to be against Roger Stafford on May 14, 1982, in Buffalo, New York. While training, Leonard started to see floaters. He went to a doctor and discovered that he had a detached retina. The fight was cancelled, and Leonard had surgery to repair the retina on May 9, 1982.

On November 9, 1982, Leonard invited Marvin Hagler and other boxing dignitaries to a charity event in Baltimore, Maryland to hear him announce whether he would continue his career. Standing in a boxing ring with Howard Cosell, the master of ceremonies, Leonard announced his retirement, saying a bout with Hagler would unfortunately never happen. Leonard maintained his eye was fully healed, but that he just didn't want to box anymore.

Missing the limelight and the competition, Leonard announced in December 1983 that he was returning to the ring. Leonard boasted that he would have a couple of ten-round bouts and then take on Milton McCrory, Donald Curry, Durán, Hearns and finally Hagler. This decision was met with a torrent of criticism from fans and the media, who felt Leonard was taking unnecessary risks with his surgically repaired eye.

A bout with Philadelphia's Kevin Howard, who was 20–4–1, was scheduled for February 25, 1984. The fight was postponed when Leonard had minor surgery on his right eye to fix a loose retina. This latest eye problem further fueled the flames of those who opposed Leonard's comeback.

Before the fight with Howard, Dave Jacobs rejoined Leonard's team in a limited role. Jacobs had quit in 1980, disagreeing with Leonard's decision to have an immediate rematch with Durán.

Leonard and Howard fought on May 11, 1984, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Howard knocked Leonard flat on his back in the fourth round. It was the first knockdown of Leonard's professional career. Leonard came back to stop Howard in the ninth round, but the stoppage was disputed, with some feeling that the referee stopped the fight prematurely. Leonard was ahead on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage. At the post-fight press conference, Leonard surprised everyone by announcing his retirement again, saying he just didn't have it anymore.

The Super Fight

On March 10, 1986, Marvin Hagler knocked out John Mugabi in eleven rounds to retain the Undisputed World Middleweight Championship for the twelfth time and advance his record to 62–2–2. "I was ringside", Leonard said. "I'm watching John 'The Beast' Mugabi fight Hagler. Of all people, John 'The Beast' Mugabi." It was then that Leonard decided to come back and fight Hagler. He called Mike Trainer and said, "I can beat Hagler".

On May 1, 1986, Leonard announced on a Washington, D.C. talk show that he would return to the ring to fight Hagler. The announcement generated a lot of controversy because of Leonard's inactivity and eye injuries, yet it also excited many sports fans who had hoped to see them fight years earlier. Hagler took a few months to decide, then agreed to the match.

The fight, promoted as "The Super Fight" and "The King of the Ring", was scheduled for April 6, 1987, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Leonard was guaranteed $11 million, and Hagler was guaranteed $12 million. Hagler was a heavy favorite. The odds started at 4–1, then settled at 3–1. A paying crowd 12,379 generated a live gate of $6.2 million. According to Bob Arum, the fight grossed $78 million which would equates to $170m in 2016.

The original fight plan for Leonard was to go toe-to-toe with Hagler and try to cut him, but the plan changed about five days before the fight. Leonard got hit by sparring partner Quincy Taylor and was badly buckled. "He almost knocked me out", Leonard said. After that, Leonard decided to box Hagler.

Many were surprised that Hagler, a natural southpaw, opened the fight boxing out of an orthodox stance. After the quick and slick Leonard won the first two rounds on all three scorecards, Hagler started the third round as a southpaw. Hagler did better, but Leonard's superior speed and boxing skill still allowed him to control the fight. Hagler looked stiff and mechanical and missed the speedy Leonard time and again prompting ringside commentator for the NBC network re-broadcast Gil Clancy to remark "...and is he ever missing...Leonard isn't doing anything to make him miss, he's just missing!"

By the fifth, Leonard, who was moving a lot, began to tire and Hagler started to get closer. Hagler buckled Leonard's knees with a right uppercut near the end of the round, which finished with Leonard on the ropes. Hagler continued to score somewhat effectively in round six. Leonard, having slowed down, was obliged to fight more and move less. However, he was able to outpunch Hagler along the ropes and got the better of several bristling exchanges. Hagler never seized total control of the fight as he had against Thomas Hearns two years earlier, when he brutalized Hearns and scored a third-round knockout. Hagler's punches lacked snap and, although he was scoring solidly to the body, he looked nothing like the powerful fighter who had dominated the middleweight division for the previous five years. Leonard's observation that the Hagler who beat John Mugabi was older and slower proved to be spot on. In rounds seven and eight, Hagler's southpaw jab was landing solidly and Leonard's counter flurries were less frequent.

Round nine was the most exciting round of the fight. Hagler hurt Leonard with a left cross and pinned him in a corner. Leonard looked to be in trouble, but he furiously fought his way out of the corner. The action see-sawed back and forth for the rest of the round, with each man having his moments. However, Hagler's moments were more spectacular and one of Hagler's cornermen: Roger Perron (in an interview that took place on an episode of HBO's Legendary Nights episode segments in 2003) later stated that: "the ninth round was probably Marvin (Hagler)'s, best round".

Round ten was tame by comparison, as the pace slowed after the furious action of the previous round but with Hagler having more spectacular moments. Despite Leonard's obvious fatigue, he boxed well in the eleventh. Every time Hagler scored, Leonard came back with something flashier and more eye-catching, if not as effective. But at that point in the fight, Hagler appeared to be slightly more ring-general and clearly more aggressive. Between rounds eleven and twelve, Leonard's trainer: Angelo Dundee, implored Sugar Ray to get up off his stool yelling "We got three minutes...new champ...new champ!" Leonard yelled "Yeah!" and played to the screaming crowd. Hagler's corner was much more reserved prompting Clancy to comment: "They're talking to him like it's an IBM meeting or something...no emotion." In the final round, Hagler continued to chase Leonard. He hit Leonard with a big left hand and backed him into a corner. Leonard responded with a furious flurry, landing few punches but whipping the upset-hoping crowd into a frenzy. Hagler backed off, and Leonard danced away with Hagler in pursuit. The fight ended with Hagler and Leonard exchanging along the ropes. At the final bell, even uniformed ringside security rushed into the ring applauding and lauding Leonard's effort.

Leonard threw 629 punches and landed 306, while Hagler threw 792 and landed 291.

Leonard was awarded a controversial split-decision. Judge Dave Moretti scored it 115–113 for Leonard, while judge Lou Filippo had it 115–113 for Hagler. Judge José Guerra scored the fight 118–110 for Leonard. Many felt that Hagler deserved the decision because he was the aggressor and landed the harder punches. Scottish boxing journalist Hugh McIlvanney wrote that Leonard's plan was to "steal rounds with a few flashy and carefully timed flurries....he was happy to exaggerate hand speed at the expense of power, and neither he nor two of the scorers seemed bothered by the fact that many of the punches landed on the champion's gloves and arms."

Many others felt that Leonard deservedly got the decision, arguing that Leonard landed more punches and showed better defense and ring generalship. Jim Murray, long-time sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times, wrote, "It wasn't even close...He didn't just outpoint Hagler, he exposed him. He made him look like a guy chasing a bus. In snowshoes.... Leonard repeatedly beat Hagler to the punch. When he did, he hit harder. He hit more often.... He made Hagler into what he perceived him to be throughout his career—a brawler, a swarmer, a man who could club you to death only if you stood there and let him. If you moved, he was lost."

The fight was named "Fight of the Year" and "Upset of the Year" by The Ring.

Despite requests from the Hagler camp, Leonard was uninterested in a rematch and retired on May 27, 1987. "I'll try, I'll give it a shot", Leonard said of his latest retirement. "But you guys know me." A month after Hagler's formal retirement in June 1988 Leonard would announce another comeback.

Another comebackLeonard v Lalonde

On November 7, 1988, Leonard made another comeback, facing Don Lalonde at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. They fought for Lalonde's WBC Light Heavyweight Championship and the newly created WBC Super Middleweight Championship, which meant that Lalonde had to make 168 lbs. Many were critical of Leonard for stipulating that his opponent—a natural 175 pounder—should weigh less than his usual fighting weight, which could possibly weaken him. However, Lalonde later told HBO's Larry Merchant that he didn't have any trouble making weight.

Lalonde, 31–2 with 26 knockouts, was guaranteed at least $6 million and Leonard was guaranteed over $10 million.

This would be Leonard's first professional fight without Angelo Dundee. For Leonard's fight with Hagler, Dundee worked without a contract and received $175,000, which was less than 2% of Leonard's purse. Dundee was unhappy with that amount. He requested a contract for the Lalonde fight and Leonard refused. "I don't have contracts. My word is my bond", Leonard said. Janks Morton and Dave Jacobs trained Leonard for the Lalonde fight.

Lalonde's size and awkwardness troubled Leonard. In the fourth round, a right hand to the top of Leonard's head dropped him for just the second time in his career. Early in the ninth, Lalonde hurt Leonard with a right to the chin. Leonard fired back and hurt Lalonde with a right. He drove him to the ropes and unleashed a furious assault. Lalonde tried to tie up Leonard, but got dropped with a powerful left hook. He rose but was soon down again, and the fight was stopped. Judges Chuck Giampa and Franz Marti had Leonard ahead by scores of 77–74 and 77–75, respectively. Judge Stuart Kirshenbaum had Lalonde ahead 76–75.

After the fight, Leonard vacated the light heavyweight title, but kept the super middleweight title. Also, Leonard and Janks Morton split because of personal differences. Morton was replaced as co-trainer by Pepe Correa, who had worked with Leonard for most of the previous fifteen years.

Leonard v Hearns

On June 12, 1989, Leonard defended the WBC Super Middleweight Championship in a rematch with Thomas Hearns at Caesar's Palace. It was promoted as "The War." Hearns was guaranteed $11 million and Leonard was guaranteed $14 million.

Hearns dropped Leonard with a right cross in the third round, but Leonard came back and battered Hearns around the ring in the fifth. Early in the seventh round, Hearns hurt Leonard but punched himself out going for the knockout. With Hearns fatigued, Leonard came back and had a strong finish to the round. Rounds nine and ten were good rounds for Leonard, but he ran into trouble in the eleventh round. Three booming rights from Hearns sent Leonard down for the second time in the fight. Knowing he needed a big finish, Leonard fought furiously and had a big final round.

The judges scored the fight a draw and Leonard retained the title. Judge Jerry Roth scored the fight 113–112 for Hearns, Judge Tom Kazmarek scored it 113–112 for Leonard, and Judge Dalby Shirley scored it 112–112. Shirley was the only judge to give Leonard a 10–8 margin in the twelfth. If he had scored it 10–9, as his two colleagues did, Hearns would have won by a split decision. The decision was soundly booed, as most felt that Hearns had won. Eventually, Leonard admitted that Hearns deserved the decision.

Leonard v Duran

On December 7, 1989, Leonard defended the title against Roberto Durán, who was the reigning WBC Middleweight Champion. Durán was guaranteed $7.6 million and Leonard's arrangement guaranteed him over $13 million.

For the Durán fight, Leonard cut his entourage from twenty-one to six. Dave Jacobs was one of the people let go, leaving Correa as the sole trainer. Correa was instructed not to spare the whip. "For the first time in a long time, I allowed someone to push me", Leonard said.

The fight took place at the new Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. Leonard used constant lateral movement and won by a lopsided twelve-round unanimous decision over a listless Durán. The scores were 120–110, 119–109, and 116–111. In a fight that many considered to be very boring, both fighters were booed often by the fans and many left the arena before the decision was announced. Pat Putnam of Sports Illustrated wrote, "Leonard gave them artistic perfection when they wanted heated battle, and they booed lustily. Most fight fans would not spend a dime to watch Van Gogh paint Sunflowers, but they would fill Yankee Stadium to see him cut off his ear." Although Leonard dominated the fight, he suffered several cuts. His lower lip was cut from a headbutt in the fourth round, his left eye was cut in the eleventh round, and his right eye was cut in the twelfth round. The cuts required a total of sixty stitches.

In January 1990, Leonard relinquished the WBC Super Middleweight Championship, saying that he was unsure whether he would fight again. When Leonard decided to continue his career, he offered Hagler a rematch, but Hagler decided to stay retired. He then offered Hearns a third fight, but Hearns said he could no longer make the weight and moved up to the light heavyweight division.

Leonard v Norris

On February 9, 1991, Leonard went down to 154 lbs and fought WBC Light Middleweight Champion Terry Norris at Madison Square Garden. Leonard entered the bout as a 3-1 favorite but Norris dominated the fight, giving Leonard a heavy beating. He knocked Leonard down with a left hook in the second round, and in the seventh, he dropped Leonard again with a short right. Leonard had no answer for the skillful, younger, faster man. Leonard went the distance but lost by a lopsided decision. The scores were 120–104, 119–103, and 116–110. After the verdict was announced, Leonard announced his retirement. "It took this fight to show me it is no longer my time", Leonard said. "Tonight was my last fight. I know how Hagler felt now."

The last comeback

In October 1996, the 40-year-old Leonard announced that he was coming out of retirement to fight 34-year-old Héctor Camacho for the lightly regarded International Boxing Council (IBC) Middleweight Championship. Camacho, a light-hitting southpaw, was a three-time world champion with a record of 62–3–1. However, Camacho was also considered to be past his prime. Leonard decided to fight Camacho after commentating on his fight with the 45-year-old Roberto Durán the previous year. Camacho won by a disputed unanimous decision, which Leonard called "an early Christmas gift".

Leonard blamed his poor performance against Norris on lack of motivation, a rib injury, moving down in weight, and divorce, which was being litigated while he was in training. "It was stupid for me to fight Norris at 154 lbs", Leonard said. "This is different. I'm in the best shape possible."

For the Camacho fight, Leonard had a new trainer, Adrian Davis. "He's a great trainer, a throwback", Leonard said. "He has really helped me get ready."

In January 1997, it was announced that Leonard had been voted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in Canastota, New York. The rules state that a boxer must be retired for five years before being eligible for induction. When the vote took place, Leonard had been retired for more than five years, therefore, he was eligible, even though he had a fight scheduled. The induction ceremony was on June 15, 1997.

The fight with Camacho took place on March 1, 1997, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Camacho applied pressure from the opening bell and started to score well in the third. He continued to score well in the fourth and opened a cut above Leonard's right eye. In the fifth, Camacho dropped Leonard with a right followed by two left uppercuts. Leonard got up, but was unable to ward off Camacho. The referee stopped the fight with Camacho teeing off on a defenseless Leonard on the ropes. It was the only time in Leonard's career that he was knocked out.

Afterward, Leonard retired again, saying, "For sure, my career is definitely over for me in the ring." However, less than a week after the fight, Leonard said he planned to fight again. He blamed his loss on a torn right calf muscle. His doctor suggested that he cancel the fight, but Leonard wanted to go through with it. Before the fight, he was given a shot of novocaine.

Leonard said he planned to have a series of tuneup fights before fighting a champion. He was scheduled to fight Tony Menefee on February 15, 1998, in Australia, but he pulled out of the fight, saying that he didn't have the motivation. The Camacho fight was Leonard's last. He finished his career with a record of 36–3–1 with 25 knockouts.

Professional boxing record

Media appearances

Leonard has worked as a boxing analyst for ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, HBO and EPIX. His relationship with HBO lasted for more than a decade. It ended in 1990, after HBO was not offered an opportunity to bid on the telecast rights to Leonard's fight with Terry Norris. HBO believed it would be inappropriate for Leonard to continue with them if they couldn't bid on his fights. Leonard's attorney, Mike Trainer, said, "There never has been a linkage between his broadcasting and his fighting."

Leonard has provided commercial endorsements for companies including Coca-Cola, EA Sports, Ford, Nabisco, Revlon and 7 Up. His most famous commercial was a 7 Up ad he did with his son, Ray Jr., Roberto Durán and Durán's son Roberto Jr. in the early 1980s. Leonard is among the most sought-after motivational/inspirational speakers in the world today. His speech, entitled "Power" (Prepare, Overcome and Win Every Round), is consistently booked with major Fortune 500 companies throughout the United States and abroad.

Leonard has also worked as an actor. He has appeared in numerous television shows, including Half & Half, L.A. Heat, Married... with Children, Renegade and Tales From The Crypt. He has also appeared in several movies, including I Spy and most recently The Fighter (2010), starring Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg. This movie brought back memories of his fight with Dicky Eklund. He also worked as an adviser in the 2011 robot boxing film Real Steel. Leonard served as host and mentor to the aspiring fighters on The Contender. Sylvester Stallone, who co-hosted during the first season, was one of the executive producers, along with Mark Burnett. When Leonard left the show, he was replaced as host by Tony Danza for the final season.

In 2001, Leonard launched Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Inc., a boxing promotional company, and announced the company's strategic partnership with ESPN. Together, Leonard and ESPN would produce and promote "Sugar Ray Leonard and ESPN II Presents Friday Night Fights", which would air the first Friday of every month for twelve months. Leonard's boxing promotional company was dissolved in 2004. He had a falling out with partner Bjorn Rebney, whom he called "a cancer in my company." Speaking of his promotional company, Leonard said, "We did some great shows with evenly matched fights. I took great pride in it. But the TV show came about and made my decision a lot easier. I already had it in the back of my mind to dissolve the company. The working environment was not healthy."

Leonard competed on season 12 of Dancing with the Stars, which premiered on Monday, March 21, 2011, on ABC. His partner was Anna Trebunskaya. He was voted off in Week 4 of the show. During his appearance on The Colbert Report in 2011, Leonard was defeated by host Stephen Colbert in a thumb wrestling contest. He appeared as a guest at the chef's table, along with Tito Ortiz, during the tenth season of Hell's Kitchen. He is the celebrity spokesperson for the Atlanta law firm John Foy and Associates, PC.

Leonard was also the subject of a Seinfeld episode (season 6, episode 22) where George tries to flatter his boss by saying he looks like Sugar Ray Leonard. The real Leonard (a Seinfeld fan) mentioned that he was told about the episode by friends and family, but had never seen it for himself until a friend gave him the DVD set for a gift.

Personal life

Family

Leonard married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Wilkinson, in January 1980. Their six-year-old son, Ray Jr., served as the ring bearer. In 1984, they had another son, Jarrell.

They were divorced in 1990. During divorce proceedings, Juanita Leonard testified that her husband physically abused her while under the influence of alcohol. She also said he was an occasional cocaine user. In his testimony, Leonard confirmed his wife's claims and went on to reveal that the problems of their marriage were not due to drug and alcohol use.

After the Los Angeles Times broke the story, Leonard held a press conference and publicly acknowledged that the accusations were true. He said he started using after he retired in 1982, following surgery to repair a detached retina. "I wanted more", Leonard said. "I wanted that arena. I didn't want anyone to tell me my career had to end."

"I decided to search for a substitute...I resorted to cocaine. I used when I felt bad, I used when I missed competing at that level", he said. "It was a crutch, something that enabled me to forget."

He said he quit using drugs in early 1986, when he woke up one morning and "what I saw in the mirror was scary."

"I can never erase the pain or the scars I have made through my stupidity, my selfishness", Leonard said. "All I can do is say I'm sorry, but that is not enough."

In 2011, Sugar Ray revealed in an NPR broadcast that he had been free of alcohol since July 2006.

In 1989, Leonard was introduced to Bernadette Robi by Kenny G at a Luther Vandross concert. Robi is the daughter of Paul Robi, one of the original Platters and she is the ex-wife of Lynn Swann.

Leonard and Robi were married at Leonard's $8.7 million estate in Pacific Palisades, California in August 1993. At the wedding ceremony, the grounds were converted into a garden with 10,000 roses and blossoms of other flowers flown in from the Netherlands. They have two children, Camille and Daniel Ray.

Leonard is also the godfather of Khloé Kardashian and has appeared on many episodes of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

Charity work

For many years, Leonard has been the International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Walk for a Cure and is actively involved in raising both awareness and funds.

Leonard testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs in 2009. The Senate hearing was titled "Type 1 Diabetes Research: Real Progress and Real Hope for a Cure." He testified about the burden of diabetes and the need for continued research funding to find a cure.

Leonard and his wife, Bernadette, founded the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and its annual Walk for a Cure. In 2009, the foundation expanded to support programs that help people rebuild their communities in ten cities across the United States. It supports accessible housing, healthcare services, and educational services and job training.

In 2007 he was awarded The Ambassador Award of Excellence by the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission at the Riviera Country Club for his continued community involvement.

Molestation

In his autobiography The Big Fight: My Life in and out of the Ring, published in June 2011, Leonard reveals that as a young boxer he was the victim of sexual abuse from an Olympic trainer as well as another man, a benefactor. He has since made public appearances to bring attention to the issue of child sex abuse, declaring himself a "poster child" for the cause and encouraging victims to report their abuse.

Wikipedia

[thesportssoundoff]

“No point in a deceitful lead in, you’re gonna watch anyways” UFC in Greenville Preview

Joey

June 20th

How to describe this card. Hmm. Pointless feels almost too harsh. Inconsequential? Whatever word you choose to describe 12 fights of nothin' I'd suggest you use it to your hearts content. This card is a mix of pointless yet fun action fights and just plain pointless fights. This card by and large is just a collection of fighters either coming off a win or having snapped a losing streak all doing stuff. There's little to no name value and it's just a collection of fights. At the same time being fair TO the fights, some of these have big action quality on paper. The main and co-main event are great fights and beyond that you have a few interesting fights at women's flyweight, Luis Pena's return to 155 lbs against a returning Matt Wiman, a welterweight action fight throwdown and some interesting stuff at middleweight. It's a meaningless filler fight card but it's got potential to be worth your time should you sit in for it. Ready?

Fights: 12

Debuts: Deron Winn, Eric Spicely

Fight Changes/Injury Cancellations: 3 (Markus Perez OUT/Bruno Silva IN vs Deron Winn/Bruno Silva OUT, Eric Spicely IN vs Derron Winn/Cody Stamman OUT, John Lineker IN vs Rob Font)

Headliners (fighters who have either main evented or co-main evented shows in the UFC): 4 (Renato Moicano, John Lineker, Korean Zombie, Kevin Holland)

Fighters On Losing Streaks in the UFC: 1 (Syuri Kondo)

Fighters On Winning Streaks in the UFC: (Dan Ige, Kevin Aguilar, Montana De La Rosa, Andrea Lee)

Main Card Record Since Jan 1st 2017 (in the UFC): 23-17

Korean Zombie- 1-1 Renato Moicano- 3-2 Rob Font- 2-2 John Lineker- 3-2 Randy Brown- 1-2 Bryan Barberena- 2-2 Kevin Holland- 2-1 Alessio Di Chirico- 2-1 Montana De La Rosa- 3-0 Andrea Lee- 2-0 Ashley Yoder- 1-2 Syuri Kondo- 1-2

Fights By Weight Class (yearly number here):

Bantamweight-  2 (30) Featherweight- 2 (28)) Middleweight- 2 (20) Women’s Flyweight-  2 (18) Women’s Strawweight- 1 (16) Lightweight-  1 (39) Heavyweight- 1 (16) Welterweight- 1 (34)

Light Heavyweight- (22) Women’s Bantamweight- (8) Women’s Featherweight- (6)

Flyweight- (7)

2019 Number Tracker

Debuting Fighters (15-37)- Deron Winn, Eric Spicely

Short Notice Fighters (15-20)- Eric Spicely, John Lineker

Second Fight (36-9)- Anderson dos Santos, Ariane Lipski, Jair Rozenstruik

Cage Corrosion (Fighters who have not fought within a year of the date of the fight) (12-22)- Matt Wiman

Undefeated Fighters (21-25)- Deron  Winn, Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Fighters with at least four fights in the UFC with 0 wins over competition still in the organization (8-8)-

Weight Class Jumpers (Fighters competing outside of the weight class of their last fight even if they’re returning BACK to their “normal weight class”) (16-13)- Luis Pena

Twelve Precarious Ponderings

1- So who needs the win more in this main event? Both guys are coming off losses and both guys are giving ground in the 145 lbs division that's actually kinda sorta in need of some new faces. After Volkanovski and Zhabit, Max Holloway doesn't have much remaining and Frankie Edgar, should he win the title, probably isn't long for the MMA scene either. Both fighters were finished in their last fight but both have interesting in roads to the title. Renato Moicano has a low key solid resume with wins over the likes of Calvin Kattar, Jeremy Stephens, Zubair Tukhogov and Cub Swanson and as one of the rare young-ish upside-ish Brazilians with some steam, he may not be too far away from a title shot. Conversely the Korean Zombie remains a sneaky popular fighter (when FS1 numbers started tanking toward the end of the deal, the Korean Zombie vs Yair and Bermudez did reputable numbers) who is always in exciting fights. Injuries and a military assignment might've taken away his prime but he's probably still good enough to be in the mix as they say. It's worth remembering he probably beats Yair Rodriguez if he doesn't get hit with the hail mary elbow. That said, ya can't rewrite history so what we're left with is a really fun action fighter who has had two fights since 2013 and one of his wins was over a guy who wound up eventually retiring in 2018. Not exactly a resume for success in 2019. So who needs this more? The Brazilian fighter who has twice failed in his "step up" fight (subbed vs Ortega, TKO'd vs Aldo) or the Korean Zombie who may have seen his title window violently closed vs Yair Rodriguez?

2- Trying to think of how the featherweight fights down the stretch shake out, I wonder if the winner of this fight gets Zhabit in September and the runner up gets Ortega.

3-I've referred to this as a "Let's See Who's More Broken?" fight and while that may be harsh, I can't act like one of the bigger question marks about this fight isn't trying to figure out who is more cracked.

4- If Renato Moicano has a weakness; it's that he lulls defensively and tends to struggle when he's forced to handle pressure. Brian Ortega beat him by wrecking him to the body and never giving him space to breathe despite Brian Ortega eating a ton of shots. The Korean Zombie's career has been earmarked by wars upon wars and you'd have to assume that in terms of PRESSURE (not movement or footwork but just pressure), he can replicate Ortega's gameplan while hitting a lot harder. The question is whether he becomes too predictable offensively because Moicano's fight processor runs at high speed and he has great vision.

5- I feel like Rob Font is such a throwback to when bantamweight was kinda getting thicker and dudes like him were considered vital pieces to the developing puzzle. Now he's just a guy passed over by like ten other bantamweights. That year and change between debut and his second fight really put a stop to that.

6- Is the winner of Andrea Lee vs Montana De La Rosa the #1 contender? At the rate Valentina is fighting at, she could realistically fight the winner of this one in the fall.

7-  I'm not entirely sure what John Lineker's complaints were about regarding not fighting often enough. They tried to book him to fight in 2017 in December and he got yanked. They tried to book him in December of 2018 and Cruz got yanked and then HE was hurt so they rescheduled it for January and he got hurt (or never recovered) and so Lineker wound up fighting in April. It's not like they're not trying to get him fights, he's just having a tough time making it to them.

8- If it's true that Allen Crowder apparently asked for $100,000 for the Greg Hardy rematch, I wonder if he could be theoretically one loss away from getting sent out of the org. Makes his fight with Jair Rozenstruik a bit more intriguing.

9- Why is Ashley Yoder vs Syuri Kondo on the main card over Kevin Aguilar/Dan Ige, Luis Pena/Matt Wiman or Winn/Spicely? I know card placement is sort of irrelevant but this seems particularly egregious.

10- Alessio Di Chirico is 2-2 in the UFC and showcased some promise in his last two fights vs Oluwale Bangbose and Julian Marquez. I wonder if Di Cihrico is going to be what we all expected Marvin Vettori to be? Kevin Holland should be a good test for both guys since Alessio rarely makes mistakes and has the power to pop Holland if he decides to get momentarily stupid in there. Holland has pretty much every physical advantage and when guys at 185+ fight, cardio kinda doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

11- Cannot emphasize how great of a fight Kevin Aguilar vs Dan Ige figures to be.

12- The image of 5'5 Deron Winn fighting at MW in the UFC cage is going to make me pine for seeing Gustavo Balart in the UFC.

[phooll123]

New on Sports Illustrated: UFC Fight Night: Jessica Eye vs. Cynthia Calvillo - MMA Betting & DFS Preview

A women's flyweight bout between Jessica Eye and Cynthia Calvillo highlight this UFC Fight Night main card. MMA expert Casey Olson runs down the best bets & DFS plays.

In just a couple more weeks, we head to the much anticipated “Fight Island,” where the UFC will host four events live from Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The cards are already being announced, one of which includes UFC 251, which will feature not one, not two, but three title fights just on this one card alone.

Before we get too excited about the marathon on deck, we have fights to watch live from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas Saturday night! In the main event, No. 10 Cynthia Calvillo (8-1-1) will move up a weight class and take on former title challenger, and No. 1 ranked flyweight Jessica Eye (15-7). This is a match that experienced some scrutiny by being billed as a main event. Expect the ladies to bring some excitement though, as Eye looks for back-to-back wins in the octagon, but to do so, she must fend off the prospect Calvillo, who, as mentioned, will move up to the flyweight division for the first time in her pro career.

Small cage again, and you know what that means! Tons of action, along with the probability of more finishes than the norm.

The card gets underway at 6 pm ET and is scheduled for 11 matches in total, which will air live on ESPN/ESPN+ for the entire card.

UFC Fight Night Saskatoon Details

DATE: SATURDAY 06/13/2020 BROADCAST: ESPN+ VENUE: UFC APEX LOCATION: Las Vegas, Nevada # of MATCHES: 10

MAIN CARD

WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT, 125 LBS

#1 JESSICA EYE 15-7 VS #10 CYNTHIA CALVILLO 8-1-1

MIDDLEWEIGHT, 185 LBS

KARL ROBERSON 9-2 VS MARVIN VETTORI 14-3-1

BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT 135 LBS

MERAB DVALISHVILI 10-4 VS GUSTAVO LOPEZ 11-4

FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT 145 LBS

ANDRE FILI 20-7 VS CHARLES JOURDAIN 10-2

BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT 135 LBS

#13 JORDAN ESPINOSA 14-7 VS MARK DE LA ROSA 11-4

PRELIMS

LIGHTWEIGHT, 155 LBS

CHARLES ROSA 12-4 VS KEVIN AGUILAR 17-3

WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT, 125LBS

MARIYA AGAPOVA 8-1 VS HANNAH CIFERS 10-5

WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT, 135 LBS

JULIA AVILA 7-1 VS GINA MAZANY 6-3

FLYWEIGHT, 125 LBS

ZARRUKH ADASHEV 3-1 VS TYSON NAM 18-11-1

WELTERWEIGHT, 170 LBS

ANTHONY IVY 8-2 VS CHRISTIAN AGUILERA 13-6

Eye vs. Calvillo

Jessica Eye looks to continue the momentum as she welcomes Cynthia Calvillo to the women’s flyweight division Saturday night.

When it comes to Jessica Eye, unfortunately, the first thing that comes to mind for many is her wearing a bulletproof vest at faceoffs, only to be slept by Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko the next evening. Eye had been on a three-fight win streak until that nasty head kick put the breaks on her run. She followed up the loss with a decisive victory over Viviane Araujo last December, and will now look to make it two in a row against the prospect Cynthia Calvillo. Calvillo, who’s had some inconsistency making weight at 115, moves up to flyweight to take on the former title contender in the night’s main event. Oddsmakers have the match up almost a pick-em, and in my opinion rightfully so. I believe eliminating the tough cut to 115 will only help the crafty Calvillo. This test will validate if she can be a contender in the division moving forward, or if she should re-evaluate a move back to 115. 

Eye has faced more notable names (Tate, Correia, Kaufmann, McMann, Shevchenko) and has the experience in the main event spot, coupled with the size advantage. That said, on the feet, the two fighters will be both very active trading shots, with Eye the more technical, which will eventually cause Calvillo to look for the takedowns. This will be an advantage for Calvillo, and a chance to lock in a submission attempt or two if she can weather the size disparity. Eye weighed in at 126.25, just a ¼ pound over the limit, yet vocalized that she was done cutting and didn’t even think she could stand. With a fresh Calvillo at this new weight class, and her ability to display some of her craftiness on the mat and five rounds to work, I’ll take a shot with the smaller fighter moving up, in what would be the biggest win of her career.

PREDICTION: CYNTHIA CALVILLO -110

Other Wagers to Consider

Marvin Vettori has been chomping at the bit for this match up. This matchup has already been canceled twice in the past, once due to the pandemic, and then most recently in May, as Roberson fell ill after the weight cut. Friday morning, Vettori was the first fighter on the scale, ready to go, and just 10 minutes into the weigh-ins, Roberson came out to weigh in 4.5 lbs over the limit. An obvious tell that Roberson wouldn’t be cutting weight utilizing the weigh-in window. Expect Vettori to be even more heated than he already was back in May, when the two almost came to blows in the hotel lobby, after Roberson withdrew. As long as Vettori can keep his emotions in check, he should cruise.

PREDICTION: MARVIN VETTORI -200

Loser leaves town match? The loser could be seeing a pink slip after this one. Espinosa is the much better athlete and will have the wrestling advantage, along with power on the feet. As long as he can avoid the submissions, Espinosa should be able to take at least two of the three rounds and get back on track.

PREDICTION: JORDAN ESPINOSA -175

Quick Predictions

CYNTHIA CALVILLO defeats JESSICA EYE

MARVIN VETTORI defeats KARL ROBERSON

MERAB DVALISHVILI defeats GUSTAVO LOPEZ

ANDRE FILI defeats CHARLES JOURDAIN

JORDAN ESPINOSA defeats MARK DE LA ROSA

KEVIN AGUILAR defeats CHARLES ROSA

MARIYA AGAPOVA defeats HANNAH CIFERS

JULIA AVILA defeats GINA MAZANY

TYSON NAM defeats ZARRUKH ADASHEV

ANTHONY IVY defeats CHRISTIAN AGUILERA

Last event prediction recap: 6-6 Fight card predictions overall: 173-95-6 (65%) Targeted matchups (wagers): 62-26-2 (70%) Avg. odds -107

MMA DFS Plays & Strategies

Choose active fighters. Coupling an active fighter on his or her way to a unanimous decision will give you key points for your team. Just like any other DFS traditional sport, you want the active, offensive player that scores. Key metrics here are SLpM and TD AVG/15min.

Play the heavyweights. The approximate overall finish rate in the UFC is 54%. Most of the weight divisions range from 40%-60%, while the heavyweights push a 75% finish rate. You will receive bonus points for finishes inside the distance.

Try always to include the main event or title fights. Five round fights mean more time to rack up points if you pick the right fighter. In some cases, even if you have the loser, the points can be more than a three-round winner.

Don’t get excited and rush a pick based on stats, consider sample size. Some fighters have limited fights compared to their opponents when looking at metrics. Stats could be exaggerated. Do your research. Watch for spots with debuting fighters as well. Always check the records of the opponents they faced on their way to the UFC. Always pull fight tape as well. You’d be surprised at what you will find.

Review methods of victory. I supply the finish rates within this article, and as you dive in even more, you can compare method of victory to method of loss for the matchups. For example, you can find matchups where Fighter A has a high percentage of submission victories matched up with Fighter B, with a high percentage of submission losses.

Need to Know - APEX Venue

A narrative for DFS players to consider going into his card is the UFC's decision to roll with the use of its smaller, 25' octagon at the APEX, instead of the standard 30' cage. The use of the smaller octagon has historically increased fight finish rates, and shortened average fight times, due to the ability to create more action and engagement between the two fighters.

As mentioned in the tip sheet above, here’s my MMA DFS Heat Chart for UFC Fight Night. As you can see, the chart is ranked based on fight finish odds. Fight finishes are where the points are in MMA DFS. Take a glance at the stack, and we will break down the individual matchups below.

Two key offensive metrics are strikes and takedowns. They get off on their opponents and watch your points rack up quickly. Here's my Offensive Output Meter for the card. With this chart, you can compare historical fighter averages in these two key metrics as I rank all fighters participating Saturday.

Final Recommendations

Remember the smaller cage is being used. Fighters that typically press the action, land takedowns, and/or high finish rates matched up against those that get finished, roster. (see my charts above)

Take a look at the main event obviously with the five rounds and higher probability for a finish. I like CALVILLO and her salary.

DVALISHVILI and his average 7.8 takedowns per 15 minutes, against the very late replacement, should be huge. He’s already been bet up to -1000 in some spots.

I like AGAPOVA. Huge size advantage.

No disrespect, Gina Mazany probably should be on the roster. Julia AVILA all day.

Fights favored not to go the distance include IVY/AGUILERA (-230) and AVILA/MAZANY (-140).

Top-tier fighters to build around include DVALISHVILI and AVILA.

Mid-tier fighter considerations are FILI and AGUILAR.

Live dogs are CALVILLO AND JOURDAIN.

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[torentialtribute]

The baddest men on the planet: The 10 most infamous boxers of all time 

It takes a certain type of person to step into a boxing ring and risk his or her own life, and that of an opponent, for the sake of entertainment. It is therefore no wonder that the sport is full of remarkable characters – and many went looking for shame. Often their life stories are full of brutality and tragedy, with their careers in the ring reflecting the personal unrest outside. These are the boxers who will be remembered among the most notorious of them all.

<img id = "i-e75ba1bae4dbf6fb" src = "https://dailym.ai/318Izlx -6696463-image-a-33_1550579789020.jpg "height =" 475 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-e75ba1bae4dbf6fb" src = "https://dailym.ai/2CYdfvj 2019/02/19/12 / 9997346-6696463-image-a-33_1550579789020.jpg "height =" 475 "width =" 634 "alt =" The life of Mike Tyson is unmistakably filled with controversy, in and out of the ring Mike Tyson's undeniable life is filled with controversy, in and out of the ring.

The life of Mike Tyson is indisputably full of controversy, in and out of the ring

Edwin Valero

The Venezuelan Valero should never have boxed. He was involved in a motorcycle accident in 2002 and did not wear a helmet; I broke his skull and needed surgery to remove a blood clot.

As a result, I struggled to get a license in the US but fought 27 times globally and won each single by knockout, the WBA became super featherweight champion and held the WBC lightweight title.

He was arrested in September 2009 for attacking his sister and mother in a family feud in Venezuela, but his mother later claimed that no violence was involved.

Six months later, his wife again accused him of assault. She needed hospital treatment for a damaged lung, but despite being treated for similar injuries earlier, she changed her tone later to say she had fallen on the stairs. After her visit, Valero threatened the doctors and his mood was so wild that he was sentenced to rehabilitation by a Venezuelan court and participated in anger management classes.

A month later, his wife was stabbed to death and Valero was arrested, where he allegedly admitted the murder. A day later he was found hanged in his prison cell.

I asked the authorities not to let him out. I needed a lot of help. He was very bad in the head, & his manager Jose Castillo told reporters. & # 39; But they let him out. They were very tolerant with him and that is why we are now in the middle of this tragedy.

<img id = "i-8bbb6bae027595f4" src = "https://dailym.ai/2KnCg7T -38_1550580359366.jpg "height =" 395 "width =" 634 "alt =" Edwin Valero (left) hits Antonio DeMarco during Edwin Valero (left) hits Antonio DeMarco during his victory in February 2010. "[bewerken] [lijst toevoegen] Edwin Valero (left) hits Antonio DeMarco during his victory in February 2010.

<img id = "i-8a5166c6663b5aab" src = "https://dailym.ai/318IxtV" height = "459" width = "306" alt = "The Venezuelan was an aggressive hunter and became a super featherweight world champion.

Sonny Liston

He endured a tough upbringing – the 24th of 25 children in a household that was so poor that he went to work at the age of eight.

It was behind bars that he was introduced to boxing, with Reverend Alois Stevens suggesting that he enter the ring for a sparring session with heavyweight Thurman Wilson.

It took two rounds. & # 39; Get me out of this ring & # 39 ;, Wilson would have said. & # 39; He's going to kill me! & # 39;

Sonny Liston overcame a tough childhood to make a big mark on the history of heavyweight boxing "

Sonny Liston overcame a tough youth over a big stamping on the history of heavyweight boxing

Sonny Liston overcame a tough childhood to make a big mark on heavyweight boxing history

Liston turned professional in 1953 and continued with a remarkable career, becoming heavyweight champion of the world in 1962 with a first-round knockout of Floyd Patterson, an achievement he repeated a year later.

His career was interrupted by run-ins In 1956 he reacted by being stopped on the street by beating a police officer and stealing his gun, for which he served nine months.

But he brought it back again and brought it back to the ring. He was most famously defeated in 1964 by Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali).

The death of Liston, in December 1970, is shrouded in mystery. He was reportedly discovered near a balloon with heroin in it and his arm covered with needle stripes.

[bewerken] [lijst toevoegen] Do

<img id = "i-4946075da5d03cb" src = "https://dailym.ai/2KplWUf" height = " 449 "width =" 634 "alt =" He was a brutal puncher but his own KO of Ali gave boxing one of his most famous photo & # 39; s "class =" blkBorder img-

He was a brutal puncher but his own KO of Ali gave boxing one of his most famous photo & # 39; s

I was Mike Tyson before Mike Tyso n, Duran wrote in his autobiography. & # 39; Fighters would look at me and mess around in their pants. "The Devil", they called me "The Devil". & # 39;

Duran was a cruel lightweight, perhaps the best and most dangerous in the history of boxing, and moved on to welterweight, light middleweight and middleweight, with winning titles in each.

His most famous fights were three against Sugar Ray Leonard, he was not a member of the group. Duran won the first in Canada in 1980 but was defeated twice the next, the rematch known later in the boxing history as the & # 39; no mas & # 39; bolt.

The competition ended in the last moments of the eighth because Duran apparently & # 39; no mas & # 39; said to arbitrate Octavio Meyran – which means & # 39; no longer & # 39; in Spanish.

& # 39; I have let him stop &, said Leonard. & # 39; I have let him stop, & # 39; said Leonard. & # 39; To make Roberto Duran quit, he was better than knocking him out. & # 39;

Duran later said he quit because he was struggling with stomach cramps, but even his manager rejected that and said it was because he lost the fight so dramatically.

Duran lost the decision in 1989.

<img id = "i-402bd5fe92f79c71" src = "https://dailym.ai/2WPmxkZ /2019/02/25/12/10256254-6696463-image-m-19_1551097869264.jpg "height =" 416 "width =" 634 "alt =" Roberto Duran (right) is cracking the jaw of Iran Barkley during a fight in Atlantic City in 1989 (right) cracked the jaw of Iran Barkley during a fight in Atlantic City in 1989 "

Roberto Duran (right) cracked the jaw of Iran Barkley during a fight in Atlantic City in 1989

<img id = "i-894a4ec67b3c1a53" src = "https://dailym.ai/314GgA3 -34_1551101048886.jpg "height =" 632 "width =" 634 "alt =" He had famous fights against Marvin Hagler (above), Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns "

<img id =" i-894a4ec67b3c1a53 "src = "https://dailym.ai/2KnCiwx" height = "632" width = "634" alt = "He had famous fights against Marvin Hagler (above), Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns "class =" blkBorder img-share "

[Hoorzitting]

Nothing looked like Mike Tyson when he burst at the heavyweight scene in 1985 at the age of 18. Tyson boxed the youngest heavyweight champion at 20 when he defeated Trevor Berbick. He won 26 of his first 28 fights by knockout and out of his 50 career wins became 44 by KO.

Yet his nickname & # 39; The Baddest Man on & # 39 ;.

His aggression, speed and power left opponents afraid of Tyson before they even entered the ring – look at his fight with Michael Spinks in 1988 on the planet & # 39; was not just because of how powerful he was in the ring.

Tyson infamously bit off part of Evander Holyfield's ear in the third round of their second chance in 1997. He was disqualified after he had already deducted two points for biting the other ear of Holyfield.

Away from boxing, Tyson was sentenced to prison in 1992 for six years after he was found guilty of rape. Tyson claimed that his action was repeatedly a retribution to Holyfield without being sanctioned.

It was during his time in prison that Tyson discovered a way to own a tiger.

He explained on Joe Rogan's podcast in January: "I am in jail, I am talking to my car dealer at the time and have a number of cars belonging to [mutual friend]and he is discussing : "If he doesn't do that"

"I said," What, you can get horses? And trade horses for cars? "Because I had a lot of cars, I probably would also get some horses. And he said, "Yes, man, you can get cougars, lions, tigers …" I said, "You know? Can you get me some tigers?"

& # 39; And I am a young guy. I say to myself: "Wow, that would be cool."

<img id = "i-f127d2d658de0e15" src = "https://dailym.ai/313dyQ2 image-a-29_1550579767725.jpg "height =" 444 "width =" 634 "alt =" Tyson beats Trevor Berbick and becomes the youngest heavyweight world champion Tyson takes Trevor Berbick out to to become the youngest heavyweight world champion in history

His behavior from the ring was often strange – such as owning a pet tiger – and sometimes terrible "

<img id =" i-35339f120974a573 "src =" https: //i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/02/25/10/9997354-6696463-image-m-4_1551091729376.jpg "height =" 814 "width =" 634 "alt =" His behavior from the ring was often strange – such as owning a pet tiger – and sometimes horrible k "class = blkBorder img-share"

His behavior from the ring was often strange – such as owning a pet tiger – and sometimes terrible [1]

] <img id = "i-b11d9ec97721f2fd" src = "https://dailym.ai/2YQCYyp /25/10/9997438-6696463-image-m-5_1551091739700.jpg "height =" 464 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-b11d9ec97721f2fd" src = "https: //i.dailymail. co.uk/1s/2019/02/25/10/9997438-6696463-image-m-5_1551091739700.jpg "height =" 464 "width =" 634 "alt =" His shame in the ring was sealed when he (19459017 )

[Mexican-FemaleBoxerAntonioMargaritaboutLicenseLicensein2009tohishandwrapping-not-before-the-competition-inspectingforhisfightwithShaneMosley

They contain dust, gypsum, chemical, gypsum, gypsum, glue, dust used for making casts.

Later that year, the LA Times said spots on Margarito & # 39; s wraps were similar to those in his fight prior to Mosley, where he defeated Miguel Cotto. Cotto & # 39; s father was quoted as he says the photo & # 39; s of the wraps & # 39; overwhelming & # 39; proof that Margarito has beaten his son with full wraps.

Antonio Margarito's handwraps were despicably loaded with chemicals to harden them to harden them "

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He is also accused of beating Miguel Cotto in 2008 (above) with hardened wraps

Floyd M ayweather

Without a doubt one of the best ponders in history, Floyd Maywea's 50-0 record of Jnr is imperious.

In 2002 he received a six-month suspension for domestic violence and two years later was ordered to & # 39; impulse control & # 39; to undergo after two counts of felony battery against two women. In 2005, he received a 90-day suspended sentence for hitting and kicking a bouncer.

In 2012, Mayweather went to prison for attacking Josie Harris, the mother of his three children. He was released in August.

Mayweather did not have a linear upbringing.

& # 39; Boxing is easy, but life has never been easy. & # 39; Mayweather told the Independent in 2007. & I had a father who was a hustler and a mother who used drugs. I was the man in the house from 16. That is exactly as it was.

& # 39; We have never had Christmas at Christmas. My mother would go out and steal presents for me. "

Mayweather does not have to steal anything now. Nicknamed & # 39; Money Man & # 39 ;, he often throws some money on social media and has an estimated wealth of $ 560 million (£ 424 million) according to Forbes.

The flashy displays of Floyd Mayweather are rude – but have a lot of brag about "class =" blkBorder img-share "/>

The flashy displays of Floyd Mayweather are rude – but have enough to boast about

<img id = " i-a29f8e601ccd06a8 "src =" https://dailym.ai/31ftwXw "height =" 497 "width =" 634 "alt =" He finishes Ricky Hatton in 2007, only one of his 50 wins during an undefeated career "in 2007, only one of his 50 wins during an undefeated career"

He finishes Ricky Hatton in 2007, just one of his 50 wins during an undefeated career

A man whose life is determined by a murder sentence twice was destroyed in the midst of claims of racial prejudice. Rubin Carter served almost 20 years for a crime that he has always committed and has not committed.

Carter was sent to a reformational age of 11 for a man & # 39; everywhere but with his feet & # 39; to stab.

After a flood in the army, Carter was sentenced to assault an elderly woman.

Carter was sentenced to death in 1967 for a triple murder in a bar. in New Jersey, but always strongly protested against his innocence.

He was released for nine months in 1976 before returning behind bars to a new trial. At the time, it was the subject of a $ 1 million lawsuit by an employee, Carolyn Kelley, who helped him win a new trial.

She unknowingly described her as she tried to resolve a discrepancy over a bill for a hotel room.

: "You know how snake crawls on the floor and suddenly half of its body is in the air and its tongue sticks out, wobbles, wobbles, wobbles, and its eyes are closed almost closed?"

[19459002Carterwerdin1985weervrijgelatenenverhuisdenaarCanadawaarhijin2004stierfDemoordenindebarvanNewJerseyzijnnooitopgelostRubin'Hurricane'Carter(right)ontketentopHollyMimsinMadisonSquareGardenin1962"

<img id =" i-988342e9515bf912 "src =" https: //i.dailymail. co.uk/1s/2019/02/19/12/9996786-6696463-image-a-13_1550578815722.jpg "height =" 638 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-988342e9515bf912" src = "https://dailym.ai/2KnCmfL" height = "638" width = "634" alt = "Rubin & # 39; Hurricane & # 39; Carter (right) unleashes on Holly Mims in Madison Square Garden in 1962 "class =" blkBorder "on-the-road movie in New York, New York, NY, USA [bewerken] [lijst toevoegen] Purchase [bewerken] [lijst toevoegen] Purchase [bewerken] Carter was sentenced to death in 1967 for a triple murder in New Jersey "

<img id = "i-bb79c4eb3fad6f9d" sr c = "https://dailym.ai/312mp4p" height = "393" width = "306" alt = " He always has p. He has always committed his innocence – although he committed other serious crimes during his life.

Carter was sentenced to prison in 1967 for a triple murder in New York

<img id = "i-29cd8032254e08c2" src = "https: //i.dailymail. co.uk/1s/2019/02/19/12/9996810-6696463-image-a-12_1550578813225.jpg "height =" 622 "width =" 634 "alt =" Bob Dylan immortalized the story of Carter with his protest song & # 39; Hurricane & # 39 ;, released in 1975 "class =" blkBorder img-share "/ Bob Dylan immortalized Carter's story with his protest song & # 39; Hurricane & # 39 ;, released in 1975"

(19459009)

Andrew Golota

The Polish heavyweight is most remembered for his fight against Riddick Bowe in Madison Square Garden in 1996.

the early exchanges that Golota prevailed against Bowe, but his punches kept running low.In the seventh round, the Pole had deducted points for the third time (legal) combination nation had Bowe wiggle.

But then, inexplicably, Golota went low again and referee Wayne Kelly disqualified him, which led to a massive fight in Turn.

Police officer and spectators were injured in the next melee, while Golota himself left 11 stitches after being hit by a radio by one of Bowe & # 39; s entourage.

They had a rematch that same year and Golota was again disqualified for horrific low blows.

<img id = "i-2fdf73eb13580200" src = "https://dailym.ai/2KucHCh image-a-9_1550578669894.jpg "height =" 455 "width =" 634 "alt =" Polish heavyweight Andrew Golota was involved in two of the most notorious fights "class =" blkBorder img-share "Andrew Golota was involved in two of the most notorious fighting in boxing "

Polish heavyweight Andrew Golota was involved in two of the most notorious fighting in boxing Twice he was disqualified

Twice he was disqualified against Riddick Bowe because he struck him with nauseating low blows

He was disqualified twice against Riddick Bowe because he struck him with nauseating low blows

Johnny Tapia

Tapia had a tato eage about his stomach reads & # 39; My Life Loca & # 39; – my crazy Life. Tapia, born in New Mexico, had a difficult start. His father was killed before he was born and at the age of eight he saw his mother being abducted. She was raped, stabbed and left four days later.

Tapia was raised by his grandmother and found boxing at the age of nine, but turned to drugs as a teenager. He did not derail his career in his younger years. As an amateur, he had a wild record of 150 wins and 12 defeats.

He developed into a hugely talented pugilist and became a five-time world champion in three weight classes. He won the IBF and WBO super flyweight titles between 1994 and 1998, united the WBA and WBO bantamweight titles between 1998 and 2000 and in 2002 he claimed the IBF featherweight title.

His best-known rivalry was with Danny Romero – whose father had trained eleven both boxers.

But his boxing career – and life – was a bewilderment by addiction. In October 1990, he was banned for three years due to positive tests for cocaine.

In 2003, Tapia spent six months in rehabilitation after he collapsed at home and said he had become addicted to prescription pills.

Four years later, by the time he was a five-time world champion, he was admitted to the hospital after being found in his hotel room where cocaine coupons were found.

Boxing promoter Lou DiBella said in a boxing documentary about Tapia: & I knew he wasn't destined to be there long.

Poor children fight. Usually people fight themselves out somewhere. They fight their way through the streets. They fight their way out of gang life. They fight their way out of addiction. Johnny fought through all these things while winning the world championships. & # 39;

Johnny Tapia is a great guy and he's a great guy and he's a great guy.

<img id = "i-a779b21377cdfa53" src = "https://dailym.ai/31ftv5U -6696463-image-a-4_1550742578610.jpg "height =" 441 "width =" 634 "alt =" The flamboyant Tapia became fivefold featherweight world champion The flamboyant Tapia became fivefold featherweight world champion

LaMotta fought for money from the age of only eight.

He became a professional boxer in 1941 at the age of 19, after he had learned to pack in a reformation song after being sent there for an attempted theft. As a pro, I fought Sugar Ray Robinson five times, but only won once.

La Motta never worried that he was hit and learned to absorb an extraordinary amount of power and power from his opponents. He would often be within reach of his enemies to increase his own chances of a big battle. He was known for having one of the strongest chins in boxing.

But LaMotta's fight with Billy Fox got a more sinister tone.

LaMotta later admitted to throwing the fight because of the influence of the Mafia.

In his life after boxing, I owned bars and became a comedian. But in 1958 he was arrested for introducing men to underage women and sentenced to six months.

His memoir, Raging Bull, inspired the film of the same name directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro.

Jake La Motta was an extraordinary middleweight who went in search of broader fame <img id = "i-3c2146a089a530fd" src = "https: //i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/26/18/9996576-6696463-Jake_La_Motta_was_an_extraordinary_middleweight_who_went_on_to_f-a-2_1553623574910.jpg "height =" 428 "width =" 306 "alt =" <img id = " i-3c2146a089a530fd "src =" https://dailym.ai/2KnCnAl "height" = " "alt ="

<img id = "i-3c2146a089a530fd" src = "https://dailym.ai/318UOyO 9996576-6696463-Jake_La_Motta_was_an_extraordinary_middleweight_who_went_on_to_f-a-2_1553623574910.jpg "height =" 428 "width =" 306 "alt =" <img id = "i-3c2146a089a530fd" sic.dllsqc_sqc_sqc_sqc_sqc_sqc_sqc_sqc_sqc_sqc_sqc_sqc_sqc_sqc.sqc.sqc.sqc.sqc.sqc.g. / 2019/03/26/18 / 9996576-6696463-Jake_La_Motta_was_an_extraordinary_middleweight_who_went_on _to_f-a-2_1553623574910.jpg "height =" 428 "width =" 306 "alt =" <img id = "i-3c2146a089a530fd" src = "https://dailym.ai/2UKRut6 /26/18/9996576-6696463-Jake_La_Motta_was_an_extraordinary_middleweight_who_went_on_to_f-a-2_1553623574910.jpg "height =" 428 "width =" 306 "alt =" Jake La Motta was an extraordinary middleweight, which went on to find wide publicity. Robert De Niro played LaMotta in the famous movie about his life, Raging Bull "

<img id =" i-d4bedfba63175fe9 "src =" https://dailym.ai/2G1UBof 03/26/18 / 10253368-6696463-Robert_De_Niro_played_LaMotta_in_the_celebrated_film_about_his_l-a-3_1553623574910.jpg "height =" 428 "width =" 306 "alt =" Robert De Niro played LaMotta in the famous movie about his life9, Raging Bull [800]

Jake La Motta was an extraordinary middleweight who went on to find more prominence after Robert De Niro (right) played him in the celebrated film about his life, Raging Bull

LaMotta became known for its ability to resist an extraordinary amount of punishment; Hier tast hij naar de touwen in de laatste seconden van zijn verlies aan Sugar Ray Robinson in 1951

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New Post has been published on https://freenews.today/2021/01/05/alabama-receiver-smith-wins-heisman-trophy/

Alabama receiver Smith wins Heisman Trophy

For nearly three decades, wide receivers failed to win the Heisman Trophy. That ended on Tuesday night when Alabama senior DeVonta Smith was presented the award during a virtual ceremony on Tuesday night.

Smith became the third player from Alabama to claim college football’s most prestigious award, and the first receiver to win it since Michigan‘s Desmond Howard in 1991. Smith beat out three other finalists, all of whom were quarterbacks: Alabama’s Mac Jones, Clemson‘s Trevor Lawrence and Florida‘s Kyle Trask.

Smith won the award with 1,856 points. Lawrence was second (1,187), Jones was third (1,130) and Trask was fourth (737).

Smith called the award a blessing, thanking his parents, coaches and teammates during a short speech at Alabama’s football facility. Wearing a sharp burgundy blazer and bow tie, he spoke about the power of self-belief, reflecting on coming from the small town of Amite, Louisiana, and how he was doubted because of his size.

Player 1st Total DeVonta Smith, Alabama 447 1,856 Trevor Lawrence, Clemson 222 1,187 Mac Jones, Alabama 138 1,130 Kyle Trask, Florida 61 737

Despite standing a slight 6-foot-1 and weighing 175 pounds, Smith became the best wide receiver and the most accomplished player in college football. He leads the FBS in receptions (105), receiving yards (1,641) and receiving touchdowns (20). He’s dropped only two passes all season long.

And like the previous receiver to win the Heisman, Smith is more than just a pass-catcher. He rushed for one touchdown and returned a punt for another score this season. Along the way, he set an SEC record for career touchdowns and an Alabama record for career receiving yards.

Last week, Smith was named The Associated Press Player of the Year, becoming the first receiver to win the award.

Not bad for a skinny kid from Tangipahoa Parish, who in high school would drop to the floor and do pushups whenever he saw his reflection because he thought he was too small to play college football.

“Tay-Tay,” as he’s known back home, got stronger but remained a relative featherweight compared to other big-bodied receivers. Because of his slight build, strong hands and skill as a route runner, he’d draw comparisons to former Indianapolis Colts great Marvin Harrison.

At Alabama, coaches and players would call him simply “Smitty.” But he also picked up the nickname of the “Slim Reaper” along the way.

During his Heisman acceptance speech, Smith took a moment to address kids like him.

“To all the young kids out there that’s not the biggest, not the strongest, just keep pushing because I’m not the biggest,” he said. “I’ve been doubted a lot just because of my size. Really, it just comes down to you put your mind to it, you can do it. No job is too big.”

As a freshman, Smith achieved national recognition when he caught the game-winning pass in overtime of the 2018 College Football Playoff title game against Georgia. The iconic play — known forever as “2nd-and-26” — could have defined his career, but the reserved Smith shied away from reliving it whenever it was brought up. As he’d say later, “I don’t too much care about the catch no more. It’s a new year. We’re moving on.”

DeVonta Smith leads the FBS in receptions (105), receiving yards (1,641) and receiving touchdowns (20). He’s dropped only two passes all season long. UA Athletics/Collegiate Images/Getty Images

However, as a sophomore, injuries would hamper his development and he was largely overshadowed by the emergence of teammates and fellow star receivers Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Jaylen Waddle. Even after scoring 14 touchdowns as a junior, Smith managed to fly under the radar.

But this season changed all that. Jeudy and Ruggs departed for the NFL, and Waddle, who was one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football, was lost to an ankle injury four games into the season.

Smith wasn’t even on the Heisman odds board at Caesars Sportsbook until after Waddle was injured in late October, where he was posted at 60-1. But with Waddle sidelined, Smith became the focal point of the passing game, and excelled in the spotlight.

A week after Waddle’s injury, Smith scored four touchdowns in a win over Mississippi State. He’d score a pair of touchdowns in each of the next two games against Kentucky and Auburn, before returning home to Louisiana and scoring three times against LSU.

Smith has excelled in postseason play, finding the end zone twice against Florida in the SEC championship game and three more times against Notre Dame during the CFP semifinal at The Rose Bowl Game Presented by Capital One.

After the top-ranked Crimson Tide beating the Fighting Irish to advance to the CFP title game, Alabama coach Nick Saban called Smith a “talented guy” and a “hard worker.”

“He does everything exactly right,” Saban said. “He has a great understanding of what he needs to do to make plays, and he makes them every chance he gets. So we’re very fortunate to have him.”

2 Related

Saban, who is not prone to make comparisons, said that Smith has done “as much this year for our team as any player that we’ve ever had.”

Jones, who threw for 4,036 yards and 36 touchdowns this season, called Smith “the most electric player in college football.”

ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. lists Smith as the fourth-best player on his Big Board, and the No. 1-rated wide receiver.

“He means the most to us here at Alabama,” Jones said. “You can watch the games and see that, what type of person he is with how he plays. I’ve been real excited just to be able to get him the ball this year. He came back to try and win a national championship and improve his draft [stock], and I feel like he’s done exactly that because he’s just gotten open and made explosive plays.”

A reserved and often shy speaker, Smith said he never imagined that he’d win the Heisman. Friends and teammates would bring it up and he’d brush it off as a possibility. If anything, he said he felt relieved that it was over.

Smith’s acceptance speech was just under two minutes, and he spent much of it thanking others, whether it was his parents; mentor Vince Sanders; Saban; his position coach, Holmon Wiggins; or athletic trainer Jeff Allen. He even thanked athletic director Greg Byrne and Alabama president Stuart Bell.

“Thank my teammates,” Smith said. “With team success comes individual success. So without y’all, I wouldn’t be where I am today, winning this award.”

Heisman Trophy in hand, the only thing left to do now is for Smith to end his career the way it began: by competing for a national championship.

Smith is 1-1 in championship games in his career, and on Monday he’ll look to break that tie with a victory against Ohio State in the CFP title game.

“The two main reasons I came back was to get my degree and win a national championship,” he said. “I checked one box and I’m trying to check the other now.”

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[frontproofmedia]

February 10: Ray Beltran-Hiroki Okada Super Lightweight Clash Set for Ramirez-Zepeda Card

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Published: January 17, 2019

Ray Beltran’s road back to title contention begins Sunday, Feb. 10. The former lightweight world champion will face the unbeaten Hiroki Okada in a 10-round super lightweight fight as the co-feature to the Jose Ramirez-Jose Zepeda super lightweight championship bout at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. Ramirez-Zepeda and Beltran-Okada will headline a special Top Rank on ESPN card beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. The entire undercard, including the super bantamweight showdown between Genesis Servania and the undefeated Carlos Castro, will stream live beginning at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+ – the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. “I am excited about 2019, and this camp has been a great way to start my journey to another world title opportunity,” Beltran said. “If it’s at 140, then I will be a two-division world champion, and if it’s at 135, then I will be a two-time lightweight champion. I will leave that to Top Rank and my manager, Steven Feder. I made some changes and am now working with Marvin Somodio, who for many years learned from the great Freddie Roach. Marvin and my longtime strength coach, Bryan McComb, are bringing me back to the skills and basics that got me here. I’m a boxer, I’m a prizefighter, and that’s what my fans will see Feb. 10.” "To challenge for the world title, I’ve got to beat Beltran," Okada said. "As a former world champion, I know he’s highly skilled. I know he’s tough, so I’ll be prepared for a good fight. It’s an honor to be able to fight him, and I’m confident that I will win. I’ve watched his fights on video, and I believe in my power coming into this fight. Beltran (35-8-1, 21 KOs) fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2018 when he captured the WBO lightweight world title with a bruising unanimous decision over Paulus Moses in Reno, Nev. A seasoned pro who made his name as a sparring partner to the stars, Beltran began his career 5-2 and didn’t receive his first world title shot until Sept. 7, 2013. On that evening in Glasgow, Scotland, he was saddled with a highly controversial draw versus hometown favorite and WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns. Beltran lost a wide points decision to pound-for-pound great Terence “Bud” Crawford the following year but rebounded with a six-bout unbeaten streak heading into the Moses bout. Beltran’s world title reign ended on Aug. 25 of last year, as Jose “Sniper” Pedraza put forth a virtuoso boxing clinic to win the title via unanimous decision. After spending most of his career as a lightweight, Beltran will move up five pounds to face Okada (19-0, 13 KOs), a former Japanese super lightweight champion who is ranked in the top 10 at 140 pounds by all four major sanctioning organizations. Okada fought twice in 2018, most recently notching a well-earned split decision verdict against Cristian “El Zorro” Coria on Sept. 14 in Fresno. Headlining the ESPN+ stream will be Servania (32-1, 15 KOs), a 27-year-old Filipino who proved his world-class status during his 2017 featherweight world title challenge against Oscar Valdez. Servania and Valdez traded knockdowns in one of the year’s best fights, with Valdez retaining his title by unanimous decision. Servania has won three in a row since the Valdez war, including a third-round knockout over Carlos Carlson on Sept. 28 in Oakland, Calif. Castro (21-0, 9 KOs), a Phoenix native, is an all-action fighter who cut his teeth with nearly 200 bouts in the amateur ranks. In his last bout, Aug. 25 on the Pedraza-Beltran undercard, he got the better of a toe-to-toe battle against Diuhl “Elegante” Olguin to win a unanimous decision. “I’m really looking forward to my next fight in Fresno because my opponent is a good fighter. He is undefeated,” Servania said. “I want to fight tough opponents. I’m confident about this fight because I’ve been training hard and I know I will give my best.”   “It has been a tough road to get to 21-0, but it also has been a great experience,” Castro said. “This upcoming fight is another important step towards a world title fight. I know exactly who Servania is, and I will be ready for him.” The ESPN+ stream will also feature:   Gabriel Flores Jr. (11-0, 5 KOs), the 18-year-old phenom from Stockton, Calif., will take on Alex Torres Rynn (6-2, 3 KOs) in a six-round lightweight contest. Unbeaten super featherweight contender Andy “El Tiburon” Vences (21-0-1, 12 KOs) will continue his march toward a world title shot against Dardan Zenunaj (14-5, 11 KOs) in a bout scheduled for eight or 10 rounds. Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (1-0, 1 KO), the 6-foot-6 heavyweight puncher who represented Italy at the 2016 Rio Olympics, will face Andrew Satterfield (4-1, 2 KOs) in a scheduled six-rounder. Vianello trains with Hall of Famer Abel Sanchez in Big Bear Lake, Calif. Saul “Neno” Rodriguez (22-0-1, 16 KOs), in his second fight since returning from a nearly two-year layoff, will take on Aelio Mesquita (17-3, 15 KOs) in a lightweight fight scheduled for eight or 10 rounds. Fresno native and featherweight prospect Isidro Ochoa (6-0, 2 KOs) will make his fourth Save Mart Center appearance as a pro against Jesus Guzman (6-2, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder.

(Featured Photo: Top Rank Boxing)

[junker-town]

UFC 219 live results: Round-by-round updates and winners from Cyborg vs. Holm

We have live coverage of the UFC 219 main card, featuring a main event between Cris Cyborg and Holly Holm.

The final UFC card of 2017 is here with UFC 219: Cyborg vs. Holm, featuring a main event bout between Women’s Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg and the woman who handed Ronda Rousey her first career loss, Holly Holm. The card begins at 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view.

Cyborg is riding a big winning streak, while Holm recently recovered from three consecutive losses with a tough win over Bethe Correia in her last outing.

In the co-feature, Khabib Nurmagomedov will face Edson Barboza in what should be a matchup to determine the next challenger for the UFC Lightweight Championship, held by Conor McGregor (Tony Ferguson has the interim title, for what it’s worth). Nurmagomedov is undefeated and one of the most exciting fighters in the promotion, so it’s definitely one to watch.

We’ll have coverage of the full main card, with round-by-round coverage of each bout. The current round and fight will live at the top of this article, while previous bouts and a full list of results can be found below.

UFC 219 full card results

Women’s Featherweight: Cris Cyborg vs. Holly Holm Lightweight: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Edson Barboza Lightweight: Dan Hooker vs. Marc Diakiese Women’s Strawweight: Cynthia Calvillo vs. Carla Esparza Welterweight: Carlos Condit vs. Neil Magny Light Heavyweight: Khalil Rountree vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk Featherweight: Myles Jury def. Rick Glenn via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Middleweight: Marvin Vettori vs. Omari Akhmedov ends in majority draw (28-28, 29-28, 28-28) Flyweight: Matheus Nicolau def. Louis Smolka via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25) Bantamweight: Tim Elliott def. Mark De La Rosa via submission (anaconda choke) at 1:41 of Round 2

[thesportssoundoff]

“It’s not that bad and YET” UFC Fight Night: Sacramento Preview

Joey

July 9

The show AFTER the big July PPV always tends to have some sort of bad vibes attached to it and I guess this one isn't any different. In 2016, injuries took us from Michael Chiesa vs Tony Ferguson to John Lineker vs Michael McDonald (two guys no longer in the org). In 2017, the UFC loaded up their July PPV slate and gave us Gunnar Nelson vs Santiago Ponzinibbio the week after an injury (and sinus infection) cursed card from Vegas. Last year, the UFC gave us Blagoy Ivanov vs JDS and Sage Northcutt vs Zak Ottow after Miocic vs DC. This year's card after Vegas is either good or bad depending almost solely on how you feel about the main event. Fights 2-13 are your usual garden variety Fight Night mix of intriguing and irrelevant but the main event, a clash between Germaine de Randamie and Aspen Ladd, will likely determine whether it's the worst thing ever or a totally acceptable main event. I can kind of see the two sides at play here. WMMA title fights are acceptable main and co-main events but convincing MMA's audience that there's quality outside of the title fights is often met with chuckles, snickers and some derisiveness. MMA fans work in doses and drips and so foistering this main event upon the audience even years after the rise of WMMA requires some understanding that there's a chunk of fans who won't see this as a quality headliner. Aspen Ladd to my knowledge has never been on a main card and GDR has had one fight in two years. On the other hand if one had the ability to view both fighters objectively, this is a pretty damn good fight. Headline worthy? I mean why not. It's a pseudo #1 contender fight with a former champion and a rising prospect. Seems totally acceptable to me. Either way we got thirteen fights to talk about so let's just get on with it.

Fights: 13

Debuts: Brianna Van Buren, John Allan, Wellington Turman

Fight Changes/Injury Cancellations: 5 (John Phillips OUT, Wellington Turman IN vs Karl Roberson/Gian Villante OUT, John Allan IN vs Mike Rodriguez/Cynthia Calvillo OUT, Brianna Van Buren IN vs Livia Souza/Sara McMann OUT, Julianna Pena IN vs Nicco Montano/Martin Day OUT, Vince Morales IN vs Benito Lopez)

Headliners (fighters who have either main evented or co-main evented shows in the UFC): 8 (Urijah Faber, Josh Emmett, Beneil Dariush, Andre Fili, Julianna Pena, Nicco Montano, Darren Elkins, Cezar Mutante)

Fighters On Losing Streaks in the UFC: 1 (Darren Elkins)

Fighters On Winning Streaks in the UFC: 9 (Germaine De Randamie, Ricky Simon, Aspen Ladd, Beneil Dariush, Drakkar Klose, Mirsad Bektic, Livia Souza, Ryan Hall,Pingyuan Liu)

Main Card Record Since Jan 1st 2017 (in the UFC): 24-11-2

Aspen Ladd- 3-0 Germaine de Randamie- 2-0 Urijah Faber- 0-0 Ricky Simon- 3-0 Josh Emmett- 3-2 Mirsad Bektic- 2-1 Beneil Dariush- 2-2-1 Drakkar Klose- 4-1 Karl Roberson- 2-2 Wellington Turman- 0-0 Cezar Ferreira- 2-2 Marvin Vettori- 1-1-1

Fights By Weight Class (yearly number here):

Featherweight-  3 (33) Bantamweight- 3 (36) Women’s Bantamweight- 2 (12) Middleweight- 2 (23) Women’s Strawweight- 1 (19) Light Heavyweight- 1 (28) Lightweight- 1 (43)

Welterweight- (38) Heavyweight- (18) Flyweight- (8) Women’s Flyweight-  (18) Women’s Featherweight- (6)

2019 Number Tracker

Debuting Fighters (18-40)- Brianna Van Buren, John Allan, Wellington Turman

Short Notice Fighters (16-25)- Brianna Van Buren, John Allan, Wellington Turman, Julianna Pena, Vince Morales

Second Fight (38-15)- Nicco Montano

Cage Corrosion (Fighters who have not fought within a year of the date of the fight) (12-26)- Urijah Faber (I could/should put him in the debut category but Faber was never cut and so I figure he's better suited here?), Nicco Montano, Julianna Pena, Marvin Vettori, Mirsad Bektic

Undefeated Fighters (25-27)- Aspen Ladd

Fighters with at least four fights in the UFC with 0 wins over competition still in the organization (9-8)-

Weight Class Jumpers (Fighters competing outside of the weight class of their last fight even if they’re returning BACK to their “normal weight class”) (17-16)- Nicco Montano, Ryan Hall, Karl Roberson

Twelve Precarious Ponderings

1- It's only fair to start with what can only be described as an experiment of sorts by the UFC. We currently have on the calendar four WMMA main events and rumors of a 5th (I've heard some rumblings about Rose vs Nina Ansaroff in the late Fall) is out there. The UFC is clearly giving us more WMMA main events and taking some chances in the process. Part of this is clearly an ESPN design; you give them four shows a month more or less and you're less concerned about popping a number on a digital platform. The scheduling and the assembly line of "See UFC product, get UFC product" on ESPN+ allows you to be a bit more flexible. It's kinda cool that in a span of four weeks, we've gotten a massive HW fight, a big UFC PPV, this show with a credible WMMA main event and then a pretty solid San Antonio main event with RDA vs Leon Edwards. We get a little bit of everything and I'm glad Ladd vs GDR occupies a part of that. With less of an expectation to do a one off rating (Ladd vs GDR probably would've been the lowest rated show on FS1) then I hope we see more credible WMMA main events. In a vacuum, I'd rather see two top 5 fighters at strawweight headline an event than two big doughy guys at LHW or HW just because we're afraid the audience might not like it.

2- At the same time I have zero problems admitting GDR vs Aspen Ladd as a main event wasn't making me want to rush out and buy a ticket if it was in my town. The more I think about it though. the more intrigued I am about it. Maybe it's just the "it's coming to get excited!" aspect of an approaching card or what but I'm genuinely excited by this main event. Maybe it's because GDR could either be Amanda Nunes' next opponent or the ultimate 'Whatever happened to?" story.  Germaine de Randamie's title shot was somewhat circumstantial  at best but be it by hook or by crook, she DID win the UFC's first ever featherweight title. After pulling out of fights on and off for three straight years (and with wins over Anna Elmose and Larissa Pacheco of all people), Germaine was ushered into a fight with Holly Holm in a makeshift main event. She won the first three rounds in my estimation, lost the final two and in a fair and just world, probably loses the fight with points deducted for repeated shots after the bell in rounds 1 and 2. We don't live in an alternate universe, we live in a current reality and SO de Randamie beat Holm on points to become champ. What happened then? Well....de Randamie copped to a hand injury after the fact, hinting she wouldn't fight Cyborg. She came out a bit later and said she wouldn't fight Cyborg because Cyborg was a PED user. She was stripped of the belt, hinted at retiring, came back, got hurt, hinted at retirement some more and then finally returned in a one sided breeze vs Rocky Pennington. The point of all that is to say that GDR is either about to break out into the best version of herself with a dominant win over Aspen Ladd or she's going to just disappear for two years after this fight.

3- Is Aspen Ladd more or less rushed than when Sara McMann got a title shot off of beating Shayna Baszler and Sheila Gaff? Ladd's got some credible wins but she's still super green and like a lot of green WMMA prospects, she pretty much gets by on her ability to be aggressive and dogged in firefights. Offensively though she's so much fun to watch. This fight in tight with GDR's crisp powerful boxing vs Ladd's aggression, pressure and fearlessness could be a real treat. Also let's not forget that Ladd absolutely has the strength to just bowl over GDR the way Nunes did as well.

4- Fun question; would you prefer the winner of this fight vs Amanda Nunes at bantamweight or up 10 lbs at featherweight?

5- The total lack of hype from the UFC on the return of Urijah Faber almost makes it feel like they're embarrassed he's even trying this.

6- Karl Roberson's UFC run thus far has been pretty easy to figure out. He's had four fights and gone 2-2 with an easy enough pattern; guy gets him down? He gets subbed. Guy doesn't? He wins. He subbed Darren Stewart which is still a pretty impressive win in hindsight and beat up on Jack Marshman in November. He took a really short notice fight vs Glover Teixeira in January and was beating the shit out of him before Glover did as he do; got on top and subbed him out in the first round. Roberson gets the debuting Wellington Turman and it's going to be an interesting test to see if he can avoid getting taken down against a guy making his debut on short notice. I still think Roberson has high upside and is more or less a victim of some unfair rough matchmaking.

7- Julianna Pena is back after taking a year and change off and it's surprising just how little fanfare her return is getting. Pena's last fight was on Fox in the headline spot vs Valentina Shevchenko in a fight she lost by armbar in the second round. Before that though, she had beaten the likes of Jessica Eye and Cat Zingano and looked to be on her way to maybe becoming something in the post Rousey landscape. The fact she's sort of just slipped into the picture as a late notice replacement for a filler prelim fight is so weird. Pena is just 29 and even if her striking was really rough to watch, she's the sort of fighter who has enough in her arsenal as a strong (yet clunky) wrestler that I can't rule her out in what remains at 135 lbs. We've seen the likes of Rocky Pennington get title shots and Nunes is close to cleaning out the division so maybe Pena (or even her opponent Nicco Montano) has a shot at creeping back up in the title picture quickly.

8- Casual reminder that Nicco Montano was the first ever UFC women's flyweight champ. Kinda gets forgotten given how things played out with her.

9- So are we officially off the Mirsad Bektic hype train now?

10- Ryan Hall vs Darren Elkins is such a weirdo fight on paper that I can't help but want to see how it plays out. At the very least we know (hope) Elkins won't take any significant damage via strikes.

11- Sheymon Moraes vs Andre Fili is a really good fight that almost feels misplaced as a prelim fodder fight but will be worth your time if you search it out. A damn good fight between two solid mid level FWs.

12- Does any card better encapsulate the collapse of TAM like this one does?