Official 2016 Boxing Thread: 11/5/2016 - Vargas/Pacquiao Top Rank PPV.

[proshares]

November Schedule:

NOVEMBER

November 4

At Corona, Calif. (Showtime):

Taras Shelestyuk vs. Jaime Herrera, 10 rounds, welterweights

Constantin Bejenaru vs. Stivens Bujaj, 10 rounds, cruiserweights

Vitor Jones Freitas vs. Manuel Mendez, 8 rounds, lightweights

Xolisani Ndongeni vs. Juan Garcia Mendez, 10 rounds, lightweights

Ruben Villa vs. TBA, 4 rounds, featherweights

Danny Andujo vs. Joel Cano, 4 rounds, junior bantamweghts

Jonathan Esquivel vs. TBA, 4 rounds, middleweights

At Los Angeles (Estrella TV):

Manuel Avila vs. Jose Ramirez, 10 rounds, featherweights

Emilio Sanchez vs. Diuhl Olguin, 8 rounds, junior featherweights

Pablo Ruiz Jr. vs. Francisco Dominguez, 6 rounds, junior featherweights

Luis Coria vs. Jan Bryand, 4 rounds, featherweights

Tenochtitlan Nava vs. Ricky Vasquez, 4 rounds, junior lightweights

Francisco Esparza vs. TBA, 4 rounds, featherweights

At Las Vegas (UniMas):

Casey Ramos vs. Andy Vences, 10 rounds, junior lightweights

Alex Saucedo vs. Raymond Serrano, 8 rounds, welterweights

Jesse Hart vs. Andrew Hernandez, 10 rounds, super middleweights

Steve Nelson vs. Reyes Diaz, 4 rounds, light heavyweights

Joey Alday vs. Cesar Hernandez, 4 rounds, welterweights

Jose Gonzalez vs. Edgar Brito, 4 rounds, featherweights

November 5

At Las Vegas (Top Rank PPV):

Jessie Vargas vs. Manny Pacquiao, 12 rounds, for Vargas' WBO welterweight title

Oscar Valdez vs. Hiroshige Osawa, 12 rounds, for Valdez's WBO featherweight title

Nonito Donaire vs. Jessie Magdaleno, 12 rounds, for Donaire's WBO junior featherweight title

Zou Shiming vs. Prasitsak Papoem, 12 rounds, for vacant WBO flyweight title

Robson Conceicao vs. Clay Burns, 6 rounds, lightweights

Alexander Besputin vs. Azael Cosio, 8 rounds, junior middleweights

Teofimo Lopez Jr. vs. Ishwar Siqueiros, 4 rounds, lightweights

Xu Que vs. Fernando Fuentes, 6 rounds, featherweights

At Morristown, N.J.:

Joe Hanks vs. Nick Guivas, 8 rounds, heavyweights

Denis Douglin vs. TBA, 8 rounds, super middleweights

Delen Parsley vs. Henry Beckford, 6 rounds, middleweights

Jerson Ravelo vs. TBA, 6 rounds, super middleweights

Ian Green vs. TBA, 6 rounds, middleweights

Dustin Fleischer vs. TBA, 4 rounds, welterweights

Joshua Nichols vs. Tyree Arnold, 4 rounds, junior middleweights

Steven Moore vs. Luis Torres, 4 rounds, junior middleweights

Joshua Cook vs. Baldimir Pierre, 4 rounds, welterweights

Keon Ivory vs. Corey Weekly, 4 rounds, middleweights

Daniel Mansfield vs. William Castro, 4 rounds, heavyweights

Lovethpatra Ekufu vs. Unique Harris, 4 rounds, bantamweights

At Potsdam, Germany:

Giovanni De Carolis vs. Tyron Zeuge , rematch, 12 rounds, for De Carolis' WBA super middleweight title

Stefan Härtel vs. Adasat Rodriguez, 10 rounds, super middleweights

Deniz Ilbay vs. Paata Varduashvili, 12 rounds, welterweights

Burak Sahin vs. Ferenc Zsalek, 8 rounds, heavyweights

Artur Mann vs. Adam Gadajew, 8 rounds, cruiserweights

Patrick Wojcicki vs. Frane Radnic, 6 rounds, middleweights

Kai Robin Havnaa vs. Ihar Karavaeu, 6 rounds, cruiserweights

Arman Torosyan vs. TBA, 6 rounds, middleweights

At Krakow, Poland:

Krzysztof Włodarczyk vs. Olandrewaju Durodola, 12 rounds, cruiserweights

Adam Kownacki vs. Marcin Siwy, 8 or 10 rounds, heavyweights

At Belfast, Northern Ireland:

Jamie Conlan vs. TBA, 12 rounds, for Conlan's Commonwealth junior bantamweight title

Paddy Barnes vs. TBA, 4 rounds, flyweights

Con Sheehan vs. TBA, 6 or 8 rounds, heavyweights

Tyrone McKenna vs. Sean Creagh, 10 rounds, welterweights

Marco McCullogh vs. Luis Lugo, 10 rounds, junior lightweights

Phillip Sutcliffe Jr. vs. Chris Jenkins, 10 rounds, junior welterweights

At Pompano Beach, Fla.:

J.D. Martinez vs. TBA, 4 rounds, junior middleweights

Daniel Placeres vs. TBA, 4 rounds, lightweights

Chasity Martin vs. TBA, 4 rounds, female featherweights

Anthony Martinez vs. TBA, 4 rounds, lightweights

Robert Daniels Jr. vs. TBA, 4 rounds, super middleweights

At Fort Washington, Md.:

Mykal Fox vs. Juan Rodriguez, 8 rounds, junior welterweights

Luther Smith vs. Mike Marshall, 6 rounds, cruiserweights

Jordan White vs. Jose Elizondo, 6 rounds, junior featherweights

Kent Cruz vs. Darius Ervin, 6 rounds, junior welterweights

Marcus Bates vs. Franisco Muro, 4 rounds, junior featherweights

Greg Outlaw vs. Lamont White, 4 rounds, junior welterweights

Justin Hurd vs. Hector Mercado, 4 rounds, junior middleweights

Patrick Rivera vs. Jared James Wells, 4 rounds, middleweights

November 10

At Washington, D.C.:

Daniel Franco vs. Derrick Murray, 10 rounds, featherweights

Antoine Douglas vs. Ernesto Berrospe, 10 rounds, middleweights

At Levallois, Fance:

Cedric Vitu vs. Isaac Real, 12 rounds, for Vitu's European junior middleweight title

Guillaume Frenois vs. Samir Ziani, 12 rounds, for vacant European featherweight title

November 11

At Philadelphia (One World Sports):

Adam Lopez vs. Carlos Valcarcel, 8 rounds, junior featherweights

Ed Brown vs. Albert Mensah, 8 rounds, welterweights

Jerry Odom vs. Taneal Goyco, 8 rounds, super middleweights

Jaron Ennis vs. Chrisshawn Alexander, 6 rounds, junior welterweights

Derrick Webster vs. Salim Larbi, 6 rounds, middleweights

Keenan Smith vs. TBA, 6 rounds, welterweights

Kenneth Sims Jr. vs. TBA, 6 rounds, junior welterweights

Emmanuel Folly vs. TBA, 4 rounds, junior featherweights

Joshua Jones vs. Jahmal Dyer, 4 rounds, lightweights

LeRoy Davila vs. TBA, 4 rounds, bantamweights

At Chester, Pa.:

David Gonzales vs. Samuel Teah, 8 rounds, junior welterweights

Kyrone Davis vs. Chris Fitzpatrick, 8 rounds, middleweights

Carlos Rosario vs. Jerome Conquest, 6 rounds, lightweights

Tyrone Crawley Jr. vs. Victor Vasquez, 6 rounds, junior welterweights

Amir Shabazz vs. Gabriel Pham, 6 rounds, light heavyweights

Nicholas Hernandez vs. Anthony Prescott, 6 rounds, middleweights

Hafiz Montgomery vs. Julian Poole, 4 rounds, cruiserweights

Wesley Triplett vs. Randy Easton, 4 rounds, heavyweights

Luis Aponte vs. Darryl Bunting, 4 rounds, super middleweights

Roberto Irizarry vs. Jules Blackwell, 4 rounds, featherweights

Lamont McLaughlin vs. Waleem Felder, 4 rounds, cruiserweights

At Kobe, Japan:

Shun Kubo vs. Jin Wook Lim, 12 rounds, junior featherweights

Masayoshi Nakatani vs. Allan Tanada, 12 rounds, lightweights

Takahiro Yamamoto vs. Mark John Yap, 12 rounds, bantamweights

Ryuya Yamanaka vs. Merlito Sabill, 12 rounds, strawweights

November 12

At Philadelphia (PBC on Spike):

Danny Garcia vs. Samuel Vargas, 10 rounds, welterweights

Jarrett Hurd vs. Jo Jo Dan, 12 rounds, junior middleweights

Javier Fortuna vs. Omar Douglas, 10 rounds, lightweights

Milton Santiago vs. TBA, 8 rounds, junior welterweights

Kyrone Davis vs. Chris Fitzpatrick, 6 rounds, middleweights

Niam Nelson vs. TBA, 6 rounds, junior welterweights

Titus Williams vs. Antonio Dubose, 6 rounds, junior lightweights

Thomas Velasquez vs. Gerald Smith, 6 rounds, super middleweights

Jeffrey Torres vs. Joseph Serrano, 4 rounds, lightweights

At Monte Carlo (HBO):

Luis Ortiz vs. Malik Scott, 12 rounds, heavyweights

Jamie McDonnell vs. Liborio Solis, 12 rounds, for McDonnell's WBA "regular" bantamweight title

Jason Sosa vs. Stephen Smith, 12 rounds, for Sosa's WBA "regular" junior lightweight title

Martin Murray vs. Dmitry Chudinov, 12 rounds, super middleweights

At Hermosillo, Mexico (beIN Sports Espanol):

Zulina Munoza vs. Carolina Alvarez, 10 rounds, female junior bantamweights

At Ciudad Valles, Mexico:

Jose Argumedo vs. Jose Antonio Jimenez, 12 rounds, for Argumedo's IBF strawweight title

At Magdeburg, Germany:

Medhi Amar vs. Robert Stieglitz, 12 rounds, for Amar's European light heavyweight title

At Boulogne-sur-mer, France:

Thomas Masson vs. Valery Yanchy, 12 rounds, for Masson's European flyweight title

At Montpellier, France:

Hugo Berrio vs. Rafael Pujol, 12 rounds, junior featherweights

At Ponce, Puerto Rico:

Angel Acosta vs. Luis Armando Ceja, 10 rounds, strawweights

Jose Martinez vs. Alexandro Santiago, 8 rounds, junior bantamweights

Emanuel Rivera vs. Josean Figueroa, 8 rounds, junior featherweights

Danielito Zorrilla vs. TBA, 4 rounds, junior welterweights

Edgardo Ponce Laboy vs. Juan G. Cruz, 8 rounds, featherweights

Carlos Caraballo vs. Kelvin Julibe, 4 rounds, bantamweights

Joshuantony Ortiz vs. Juan Colon, 4 rounds, bantamweights

Juan Carlos Camacho vs. Alexis Diaz, 4 rounds, junior featherweights

Kelvin Nunez vs. Edgar Perez, 6 rounds, cruiserweights

At Detroit:

"Detroit Brawl"

At New Bedford, Mass.:

Vinnie Carita vs. Laszlo Hubert, 12 rounds, cruiserweights

Briam Granado vs. Zenon Herrera, 6 rounds, junior middleweights

Jonathan Perez vs. Malcolm Simms, 4 rounds, featherweights

Chris Boykins vs. Jesse Oltmanns, 6 rounds, heavyweights

Jean Pierre Augustin vs. TBA, 4 rounds, heavyweights

November 18

At Indio, Calif. (Estrella TV):

Mauricio Herrera vs. Pablo Cesar Cano, 10 rounds, welterweights

At Kissimmee, Fla. (UniMas):

Christopher Diaz vs. Fernando Vargas, 8 rounds, featherweights

Julian Rodriguez vs. Omar Tienda, 8 rounds, junior welterweights

At Las Vegas (CBS Sports Net):

Reynaldo Blanco vs. Demond Brock, 10 rounds, lightweights

Daniel Cruz vs. Norberto Gonzalez, 8 rounds, junior middleweights

Randy Moreno vs. Daniel Perales, 6 rounds, junior lightweights

Marina Ramirez vs. TBA, 4 rounds, female junior flyweights

Jason Beauchamp vs. TBA, 4 rounds, cruiserweights

At London:

George Groves vs. Eduard Gutknecht, 12 rounds, super middleweights

Conrad Cummings vs. Ronny Mittag, 10 or 12 rounds, middleweights

Andrew Selby vs. Jake Bornea, 12 rounds, flyweights

Paddy Gallagher vs. Tamuka Mucha, 10 rounds, welterweights

At TBA, Argentina:

Juan Carlos Reveco vs. Diego Liriano, 10 rounds, junior bantamweights

At Ekaterinburg, Russia:

Dmitry Mikhaylenko vs. Randall Bailey, 12 rounds, welterweights

November 19

At Las Vegas (HBO PPV):

Sergey Kovalev vs. Andre Ward, 12 rounds, for Kovalev's WBO/IBF/WBA light heavyweight title

Maurice Hooker vs. Darleys Perez, 10 rounds, junior welterweights

Isaac Chilemba vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk, 10 rounds, light heavyweights

Curtis Stevens vs. James De La Rosa, 10 rounds, middleweights

Darmani Rock vs. Bruce Ritani-Coe, 4 rounds, heavyweights

Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews, 4 rounds, female super middleweights

Tyler McCreary vs. Vincent Jennings, 6 rounds, featherweights

Sonny Fredrickson vs. Gabriel Deluc, 8 rounds, light heavyweights

Bakhram Murtazaliev vs. Kennth McNeil, 8 rounds, middleweights

Meirim Nursultanov vs. Monreco Goldston, 4 rounds, middleweights

At TBA, Mexico (beIN Sports Espanol):

Jorge Paez Jr vs. TBA, 10 rounds, junior middleweights

Antonio DeMarco vs. TBA, 10 rounds, junior middleweights

At Hanover, Germany:

Marco Huck vs. Dmytro Kucher, 12 rounds, cruiserweights

At Mashantucket, Conn.:

Ryosuke Iwasa vs. Luis Rosa, 12 rounds, IBF featherweight eliminator

Boyd Melson vs. TBA, 8 rounds, middleweights

Alexis Santos vs. TBA, 8 rounds, heavyweights

Mykquan Williams vs. TBA, 4 rounds, welterweights

Noel Murphy vs. TBA, 6 rounds, junior middleweights

Radzhab Butaev vs. TBA, 6 rounds, welterweights

Christopher Davis-Fogg vs. TBA, 4 rounds, middleweights

November 25

At Brentwood, England:

Bradley Skeete vs. John Thain, 12 rounds, for Skeete's British welterweight title

Lee Markham vs. Andrew Robinson, 10 rounds, middleweights

Boy Jones Jr. vs. Martin Hillman, 10 rounds, junior lightweights

Anthony Yarde vs. TBA, 6 rounds, light heavyweights

Harley Benn vs. TBA, 4 rounds, middleweight

At Toowoomba, Australia:

Cameron Hammond vs. Kris George, 12 rounds, for vacant Commonwealth welterweight title

At Flemington, Australia:

Zac Dunn vs. Liam Cameron, 12 rounds, for vacant Commonwealth super middleweight title

November 26

At Las Vegas (HBO):

Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Nicholas Walters, 12 rounds, for Lomachenko's WBO junior lightweight title

At Cardiff, Wales:

Billy Joe Saunders vs. Artur Akavov, 12 rounds, for Saunders' WBO middleweight title

Terry Flanagan vs. Orlando Cruz, 12 rounds, for Flanagan's WBO lightweight title

Liam Williams vs. Ahmet Patterson, 12 rounds, for Williams' British junior middleweight title

Tommy Langford vs. Sam Sheedy, 12 rounds, for vacant British middleweight title

Tom Stalker vs. Craig Evans, third fight, 10 rounds, lightweights

Jay Harris vs. TBA, 8 rounds, junior bantamweights

Nathaniel Wilson vs. TBA, 4 rounds, welterweights

Nathan Gorman vs. TBA, 4 or 6 rounds, heavyweights

Reuben Arrowsmith vs. TBA, 4 or 6 rounds, junior middleweights

At Cebu City, Philippines:

Fahlan Sakkreerin Jr. vs. Milan Melindo, 12 rounds, for vacant IBF interim junior flyweight title

Jason Pagara vs. Jose Alfaro, 10 rounds, welterweights

Albert Pagara vs. Raymond Commey, 10 rounds, featherweights

Jeo Santisima vs. TBA, 10 rounds, junior featherweights

Kevin Jake vs. TBA, 8 rounds, flyweights

Jimmy Paypa vs. TBA, 8 rounds, featherweights

Melvin Jerusalem vs. TBA, 6 rounds, junior flyweights

Jonas Sultan vs. TBA, 6 rounds, junior bantamweights

At Uncasville, Conn.:

Virgilijus Stapulionis vs. Patrick Day, 10 rounds, junior middleweights

Cassius Chaney vs. Carlos Sandoval, 4 rounds, heavyweights

Madiyar Ashkeyev vs. Marcus Beckford, 6 rounds, junior middleweights

Rafael Jastrzeski vs. Reinaldo Graceski, 4 rounds, light heavyweights

Vaughn Alexander vs. Antonio Fernandes, 6 rounds, middleweights

Ernesto Ornelas vs. Kevin Asmat, 4 rounds, featherweights

Enriko Gogokhia vs. Bruce Boyington, 6 rounds, junior middleweights

Lawrence Newton vs. TBA, 4 rounds, junior featherweights

Josh Crespo vs. Jhovany Colloado, 4 rounds, junior featherweights

Tracey Johnson vs. Kennedy Katende, 4 rounds, cruiserweights

At London:

Tommy Coyle vs. John Wayne Hibbert, 10 rounds, junior welterweights

Ohara Davies vs. Andrea Scarpa, 12 rounds, junior welterweights

Martin J. Ward vs. TBA, 12 rounds, for Ward's British junior lightweight title

Ben Hall vs. Carson Jones, 12 rounds, junior welterweights

Reece Bellotti vs. Ian Bailey, 10 rounds, featherweights

Conor Benn vs. TBA, 6 rounds, weltrweights

Jake Ball vs. TBA, 8 rounds, light heavyweights

Craig Richards vs. TBA, 6 rounds, middleweights

Ted Cheeseman vs. TBA, 6 rounds, welterweights

Katie Taylor vs. TBA, 4 rounds, female junior lightweights

November 27

At Seoul, South Korea:

Muhammad Waseem vs. Giemel Magramo, 12 rounds, flyweights

 

[proshares]

Nigel Collins: Fights we want to see in 2016.

Boxing attracts dreamers both in and outside the ring, so it's natural to fantasize about the fights we want to see. Unlike most dreams, however, boxing fantasies sometimes come true. Here then are five fights for 2016 that actually have a decent chance of becoming a reality and living up to expectations.

1.Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin


Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin Getty Images
There's virtually no matchup, including the others on this list, that would not elicit at least a few whiny complaints on social media. That's just the way most boxing fans are, bless their persnickety little hearts, habitually unhappy about something or another.

Alvarez-Golovkin could very well be the exception to the rule. It is the hottest fight in the sport, a showdown between ostensibly the world's two best middleweights, both pound-for-pound entrants at the peak of their powers. There are no guarantees in boxing, but this one is about as close as it gets.

A major selling point is that we can be reasonably certain there will be no pussyfooting around with these guys. Neither is going to play it safe or sit on an early lead and coast home. It's not in their nature.

Golovkin takes gleeful pride in giving fans the "big drama show" they've come to expect from him, and Alvarez is a product of Mexico's boxing culture and a code of combat that tolerates nothing less than maximum effort. Besides, there's an awful lot at stake.

To start, the fight should help sort out the pay-per-view pecking order in the post-Floyd Mayweather landscape. Currently Alvarez (along with Manny Pacquiao) is the sport's most reliable PPV attraction. His recent victory over Miguel Cotto purportedly sold approximately 900,000 PPV buys, but Cotto also had a lot to do with that number.

Golovkin, on the other hand, is a PPV neophyte. His debut, against David Lemieux, supposedly did about 150,000 buys, a decent start though it pales in comparison to the sort of numbers Canelo, Pacquiao and Cotto have generated. Nonetheless, if any of today's fighters can gain a lot of ground quickly it is "Triple-G." If, for instance, his mooted match with undefeated Billy Joe Saunders takes place during the lead-up to the Canelo bout and Golovkin prevails in good fashion, his PPV potential would be noticeably enhanced.

There's also the matter of the middleweight championship to be settled. Alvarez is the genuine champion, having beaten lineal champ Cotto. But many of Golovkin's supporters insist their man is the true champion, simply because they believe he's a better fighter.

That's fuzzy thinking. If the champion were always the best fighter in the division, the title would never change hands. This is an opportunity to end that nonsense by resolving the issue the proper way -- in the ring.

What's not to like?

2. Sergey Kovalev vs. Andre Ward


Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward Getty Images, AP Photo
No inane made-up name is needed for this fight. "The Krusher" vs. "Son of God" just about says it all. In one corner will be a profane destroyer of men and in the other boxing's presiding Goody Two-shoes.

You would be hard pressed to find two fighters with more diverse styles and personalities than this pair of undefeated light heavyweights. It's the sort of contrast that often produces a terrific fight, especially at this level. Moreover, it's also prime fodder for the endless debate between fans who favor Ward's exquisite craftsmanship and those who enjoy Kovalev's heavy-handed approach.

Outside the ring Ward's image is that of a church-going, clean-cut family man, which for many is welcome relief from the churlish behavior and trash talk we get from a lot of fighters, including Kovalev. Ward has never given an opponent the finger and is the last fighter whose name you expect to see on a police blotter.

Kovalev's supporters, on the other hand, love his uncompromising style, goofy grin and crude "I will crush you" pronouncements. He has the sort of frightening punching power that attracts even casual fans, always a plus.

His shutout decision over Bernard Hopkins demonstrated the 32-year-old Russian could also box judiciously. Despite "B-Hop's" advanced age, it was an eye-opening performance. Yes, "The Krusher" has skills.

Ward's lengthy layoff is another thing to take into consideration. His only fight since winning a decision over Edwin Rodriguez in November 2013 was against badly overmatched Paul Smith in June 2015. At this point nobody can say for sure how much the hiatus and recent lack of viable competition will affect him.

After such an extended period of inactivity, Ward wants to make sure all the rust has been shed before facing Kovalev, and is penciled in for a Feb. 26 tune-up. But with so much at stake don't expect the opponent to be very daunting. Kovalev also has the option to take another bout before the big-money fight and will probably do so.

Keep your fingers crossed. The marinating gambit has backfired before. Most of us wish they'd just get on with it.

3. Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder


Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury Getty Images
Fury's upset of Wladimir Klitschko to win the heavyweight championship was almost unwatchable. The combination of Fury's Jerry Lewis-inspired gamboling and Klitschko's dead-on impersonation of a petrified forest was enough to make your eyes bleed. It did, however, break the tedious Klitschko-monopolized logjam at the top of boxing's so-called glamour division. And for that, we should be grateful.

The current heavyweight field isn't exactly overrun with potential hall of famers, but now there's at least the possibility of some entertaining title fights. Provided Fury retains the title in his contractually mandated rematch with Klitschko, a bout with Wilder would be an opportune way to kick-start the revival of the heavyweight division.

At least the 6-foot-7 "Bronze Bomber" looks like the genuine article and talks almost as good a game as Fury. But despite a 97 percent knockout ratio, there are still plenty of questions regarding the pride and joy of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Why has Wilder fought two obscure challengers in Eric Molina and Johann Duhaupas since winning the WBC strap from Bermane Stiverne? And why is he defending against Artur Szpilka on Jan. 16, a guy who was stopped by Bryant Jennings?

Forget that bunkum about some alphabet mandatory. It's the Fury fight that matters. That's for the real heavyweight championship, the only one that counts. It's also time to stop underestimating Fury. The lad's a strange one, but he can fight.

Wilder is more aggressive than Klitschko, so it's doubtful it would turn into another game of ring-around-the-rosy (without anybody falling down). While you have to give Fury major props for his shrewd fight plan against "Dr. Steelhammer," it's unlikely the same approach would work against a hungry young lion like Wilder.

And if these two behemoths start trading bombs, somebody is going down. Maybe both.

4. Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez vs. Juan Francisco Estrada


Roman Gonzalez and Juan Francisco Estrada AP Photos, Getty Images
Gonzalez just might be the best fighter in the world right now. Pound-for-pound rankings are strictly a matter of opinion, but there was nothing subjective about his three-knockdown annihilation of Brian Viloria.

The capacity crowd at Madison Square Garden, the majority of which came to see Golovkin-Lemieux, went bonkers over the 112-pound dynamo from Nicaragua. As a result "Chocolatito" suddenly zoomed from relative obscurity to the pinnacle of many pound-for-pound lists.

Flyweights are a hard sell in the U.S., but a rematch with Mexican rival Estrada just might be the sort of fight that would help change the dynamic. To start with, it's a mistake to equate size with punching power. Gonzalez and Estrada have knockout ratios of 88 and 69 percent, respectively. These little guys can bang.

Estrada, an exceptional fighter in his own right, gave Gonzalez the toughest fight of his career back in November 2012 before losing a unanimous decision. Since then he has won seven straight and remains a serious threat.

A match between "Chocolatito" and "El Gallo" is for the purists who care more about the quality of the fighters than the weight at which they compete. With a little luck we should witness such a rare blend of exquisite craftsmanship and ferocity that even the most intransigent witness will forget what size they are.

5. Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter


Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter AP Photo
The match, tentatively scheduled for early 2016, is the result of Premier Boxing Champion's in-house policy and a meaningful test of PBC's business model. If it turns out to be as good as expected, it will muzzle the critics, at least temporarily, and hopefully lead to more of the same.

Thurman's "One Time" sobriquet is a bit of a misnomer. He's a good puncher but not a true knockout artist, as was demonstrated in decision wins over Leonard Bundu and Robert Guerrero, both of whom he decked but couldn't finish. It's the sort of thing that happens to a lot of prospects when they graduate to better-quality opposition. Still, Thurman's power, combined with above-average speed and sound boxing skills, makes him a dangerous contender with a substantial upside.

Overall Porter has fought marginally better opponents, including Kell Brook, who inflicted his lone defeat, via majority decision. He's a relentless swarmer who gets stuck in and sets a busy pace. Blasting Paulie Malignaggi through the ropes and temporarily into retirement was impressive, as was Porter's comprehensive decision over Devon Alexander.

Both Porter and Thurman have appeared vulnerable at times. Porter almost blew a fight he was winning handily when Adrian Broner floored him in the final round, while Thurman was rocked several times by Guerrero. Even so, vulnerability is not necessarily a bad thing. Talented but vulnerable fighters are frequently the most enjoyable to watch.

In the current ESPN.com welterweight ratings, Thurman is No. 3 behind Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley, and Porter is No. 6 behind Brook and Amir Khan. Pacquiao is close to retirement, and should he beat Bradley again in their April 9 rubber match and call it quits to concentrate on his political career, the winner of Thurman-Porter would be well positioned to compete for the top spot at 147 pounds.

 

[AZwildcats]

GGG va Canelo and Wilder vs Fury are my dream matchups for 2016. Still can't believe Fury beat Klitschko, I wanted Wilder to fight him

 

[captainsneakerhead23]

Thanks for starting a new thread P proshares

 

[illphillip]

Did I really just read "James Toney"?

Would like to see Rigo/Lomachenko.

 

[dedafyats]

#4 is a close second to #1.
#5 should be a good one, two solid 165 lb cats on fight night

 

[Bobby Layne]

1,2,and 4 would be my top 3. 

I'd like to see Crawford-Matthysse made sometime in 16.  Hopefully after Bud fights Lundy. 

 

[onlyjs]

In for 2016

 

[retiredkicks]

I'd love to see Thurman vs Garcia sometime this year.

 

[blackcease]

I'd love to see Thurman vs Garcia sometime this year.

Wayyyy better fight than Thurman vs Porter, would love to see that. But those are two of PBCs top attractions right now so of course I doubt it gets made

 

[freakydestroyer]

They left out Rigondeaux vs Lomachenko.

 

[jking0821]

In for 2016

All i want to see is Canelo vs GGG this year. Fury rematch will be a snooze fest. Manny vs Bradley 3 will be nothing i want to see.

Would like to see Rigo vs Lomanchenko and Ward vs a human being

 

[GTA 809]

This should be a good year for boxing.

 

[aepps20]

I just want Ward to get in at least two fights this year.

 

[mr highness]

Subbed.

 

[GTA 809]

I just want Ward to get in at least two fights this year decade.

Fixed

 

[dedafyats]

Fixed

Lmaoooooo got em

 

[Bobby Layne]

 Arash Markazi ‏@ArashMarkazi  34m34 minutes ago
The Las Vegas Arena, opening in April, will be called the T-Mobile Arena. 

 

[proshares]

Billy Joe Saunders has told Gennady Golovkin to improve his offer or cede home advantage.

Spoiler

Billy Joe Saunders has told world middleweight No.1 Gennady Golovkin he needs to make him a better offer or agree to fight him in England.

WBA-IBF champion Golovkin's team last week made Saunders an offer believed to be £2.2million to face the Kazakh knockout machine in a world title unification clash.

Saunders (23-0, 12 KOs), 26, won the WBO belt after flooring Irishman Andy Lee twice in the third round before earning a unanimous points decision last month.

Golovkin (34-0, 31 KOs), 33, is on a mission to hold all four world title belts and hopes to face Saunders on April 23 before another unification fight with Mexico's WBC champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) late this year.

But Saunders, from Hatfield, says he will only consider an improved offer or the concession of him getting home advantage.

"An offer has been made but people need to understand I don't have a loss on my record and it's not like Golovkin's last opponent David Lemieux who had lost twice before he fought him," Saunders told ESPN.

"I believe I'm a better champion than Lemieux was so deserve more. They [Golovkin's team] are not chucking peanuts around but I'm not going in there just to pick the money up.

"If I take the fight with Golovkin I genuinely believe I could beat him but they have got to put some proper money on the table and if they do that then I will do it.

"I could earn that money against someone else. They are offering life changing money but it's not just about that because it would be a big risk for me.

"They've got to pay me more money than I would get for the Chris Eubank Jr rematch.

"Now I'm world champion I've got options and I could make my money elsewhere. Most definitely the fight with Golovkin will happen at some point, most definitely. He wants to fight me because he wants to unify all the belts."

Saunders -- one of 12 world champions from Britain -- is confident the fight with Golovkin will happen, but is not certain yet it will be his next fight which he expects to be in March or April.

The Briton accepts he would be a big underdog should he face GGG in a first defence with the US-based Kazakh who is on a 21-fight knockout run with 15 consecutive title defences.

"I'm not ruling out fighting Golovkin next, I've got to talk to my manager and Frank Warren about it," Saunders said. "I will fight him but I would like it to be in England and if they can do that I would take a bit less, but they have to give me something.

"But there are other middleweights out there for me like [British champion] Nick Blackwell and unbeaten American fighters or even Lemieux.

"I would be a big underdog against Golovkin but I believe I could pull off the upset."

Saunders' promoter Frank Warren is planning more talks next week with K2 Promotions, who represent California-based Golovkin.

 

[proshares]

Judge denies Al Haymon bid to have Top Rank's $100M lawsuit tossed.

Spoiler

A federal judge denied Premier Boxing Champions creator Al Haymon's motion to dismiss Top Rank's $100 million lawsuit against him on Wednesday, allowing the case to proceed to discovery and, if it gets that far, a jury trial.

On July 1, Top Rank filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles contending Haymon's PBC series is monopolistic and violates federal antitrust laws as well as the federal Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act. Haymon has purchased tens of millions of dollars worth of time for the PBC series on a multitude of television networks, including ESPN, NBC/NBC Sports Net, CBS, Spike TV, Fox/Fox Sports 1 and Bounce TV.

The Ali Act makes it illegal to act as both a manager, who has a fiduciary duty to a boxer, and a promoter, who does not.

Top Rank has alleged that Haymon serves in both capacities for most of the 200-plus fighters in his stable and merely hires what the lawsuit calls "sham" promoters to do his bidding.

In late October, Top Rank's case was dealt a blow when Judge John F. Walter dismissed its antitrust claims, one of the core aspects of the suit, in a written order. Walter also granted co-defendant Waddell & Reed's motion to be dismissed from the suit.

Waddell & Reed is the Kansas City-based investment group that Haymon lined up to invest more than $400 million from its $40 billion hedge fund in order to bankroll the PBC, which launched last March and has since put on more than 40 cards, with dozens more planned for this year and next.

Walter also gave Top Rank the opportunity to file an amended complaint, minus Waddell and Reed, against Haymon. Top Rank did that shortly after the ruling, and, in a two-page ruling on Wednesday, Walter dismissed Haymon's motion to dismiss the case and said it could proceed based on the amended complaint.

Walter wrote in his ruling that "although the Haymon Defendants' arguments are very persuasive," he did not believe that Haymon had presented enough evidence to warrant a dismissal.

"The Court concludes that the issues raised by the Haymon Defendants with respect to Top Rank's federal antitrust claims are more appropriately resolved on a motion for summary judgment," Walter wrote.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said he was pleased by the ruling in Top Rank's favor. He has had a fierce rivalry with Haymon for years that was only briefly set aside last year in order to finalize the revenue-record-shattering mega fight between Arum's star fighter, Manny Pacquiao, and Haymon's top client, Floyd Mayweather.

"I'm delighted with the ruling, but I don't want to discuss it any further," Arum told ESPN.com.

Haymon does not speak with the media. A Haymon spokesman declined to comment.

Haymon also faces a $300 million lawsuit from Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions filed on similar grounds.

 

[captainsneakerhead23]

Billy Joe Saunders has told Gennady Golovkin to improve his offer or cede home advantage.

Spoiler

Billy Joe Saunders has told world middleweight No.1 Gennady Golovkin he needs to make him a better offer or agree to fight him in England.

WBA-IBF champion Golovkin's team last week made Saunders an offer believed to be £2.2million to face the Kazakh knockout machine in a world title unification clash.

Saunders (23-0, 12 KOs), 26, won the WBO belt after flooring Irishman Andy Lee twice in the third round before earning a unanimous points decision last month.

Golovkin (34-0, 31 KOs), 33, is on a mission to hold all four world title belts and hopes to face Saunders on April 23 before another unification fight with Mexico's WBC champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) late this year.

But Saunders, from Hatfield, says he will only consider an improved offer or the concession of him getting home advantage.

"An offer has been made but people need to understand I don't have a loss on my record and it's not like Golovkin's last opponent David Lemieux who had lost twice before he fought him," Saunders told ESPN.

"I believe I'm a better champion than Lemieux was so deserve more. They [Golovkin's team] are not chucking peanuts around but I'm not going in there just to pick the money up.

"If I take the fight with Golovkin I genuinely believe I could beat him but they have got to put some proper money on the table and if they do that then I will do it.

"I could earn that money against someone else. They are offering life changing money but it's not just about that because it would be a big risk for me.

"They've got to pay me more money than I would get for the Chris Eubank Jr rematch.

"Now I'm world champion I've got options and I could make my money elsewhere. Most definitely the fight with Golovkin will happen at some point, most definitely. He wants to fight me because he wants to unify all the belts."

Saunders -- one of 12 world champions from Britain -- is confident the fight with Golovkin will happen, but is not certain yet it will be his next fight which he expects to be in March or April.

The Briton accepts he would be a big underdog should he face GGG in a first defence with the US-based Kazakh who is on a 21-fight knockout run with 15 consecutive title defences.

"I'm not ruling out fighting Golovkin next, I've got to talk to my manager and Frank Warren about it," Saunders said. "I will fight him but I would like it to be in England and if they can do that I would take a bit less, but they have to give me something.

"But there are other middleweights out there for me like [British champion] Nick Blackwell and unbeaten American fighters or even Lemieux.

"I would be a big underdog against Golovkin but I believe I could pull off the upset."

Saunders' promoter Frank Warren is planning more talks next week with K2 Promotions, who represent California-based Golovkin.

I respect what he's saying and how he feels, especially if they're trying to low ball him.

Either give him some more money or fight him in England, not a bad proposal by Saunders.

 

[Bobby Layne]

 

[Bobby Layne]

 Lance Pugmire ‏@latimespugmire  4h4 hours ago
Was told earlier today the @KeithThurmanJr @ShowtimeShawnP fight would likely be moved to March 12 due to the fact McGregor going March 5

 

[freakydestroyer]

Billy Joe Saunders has told Gennady Golovkin to improve his offer or cede home advantage.

Spoiler

Billy Joe Saunders has told world middleweight No.1 Gennady Golovkin he needs to make him a better offer or agree to fight him in England.

WBA-IBF champion Golovkin's team last week made Saunders an offer believed to be £2.2million to face the Kazakh knockout machine in a world title unification clash.

Saunders (23-0, 12 KOs), 26, won the WBO belt after flooring Irishman Andy Lee twice in the third round before earning a unanimous points decision last month.

Golovkin (34-0, 31 KOs), 33, is on a mission to hold all four world title belts and hopes to face Saunders on April 23 before another unification fight with Mexico's WBC champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) late this year.

But Saunders, from Hatfield, says he will only consider an improved offer or the concession of him getting home advantage.

"An offer has been made but people need to understand I don't have a loss on my record and it's not like Golovkin's last opponent David Lemieux who had lost twice before he fought him," Saunders told ESPN.

"I believe I'm a better champion than Lemieux was so deserve more. They [Golovkin's team] are not chucking peanuts around but I'm not going in there just to pick the money up.

"If I take the fight with Golovkin I genuinely believe I could beat him but they have got to put some proper money on the table and if they do that then I will do it.

"I could earn that money against someone else. They are offering life changing money but it's not just about that because it would be a big risk for me.

"They've got to pay me more money than I would get for the Chris Eubank Jr rematch.

"Now I'm world champion I've got options and I could make my money elsewhere. Most definitely the fight with Golovkin will happen at some point, most definitely. He wants to fight me because he wants to unify all the belts."

Saunders -- one of 12 world champions from Britain -- is confident the fight with Golovkin will happen, but is not certain yet it will be his next fight which he expects to be in March or April.

The Briton accepts he would be a big underdog should he face GGG in a first defence with the US-based Kazakh who is on a 21-fight knockout run with 15 consecutive title defences.

"I'm not ruling out fighting Golovkin next, I've got to talk to my manager and Frank Warren about it," Saunders said. "I will fight him but I would like it to be in England and if they can do that I would take a bit less, but they have to give me something.

"But there are other middleweights out there for me like [British champion] Nick Blackwell and unbeaten American fighters or even Lemieux.

"I would be a big underdog against Golovkin but I believe I could pull off the upset."

Saunders' promoter Frank Warren is planning more talks next week with K2 Promotions, who represent California-based Golovkin.

I respect what he's saying and how he feels, especially if they're trying to low ball him.

Either give him some more money or fight him in England, not a bad proposal by Saunders.

Agreed. Especially since GGG vs Lemieux PPV numbers did not impress.

 

[retiredkicks]

Saunders ultimatum to GGG isn't going to phase him one bit. Pretty sure Golovkin would go to the North Pole and fight as long as Santa has a belt, I'm sure he'll gladly go to England.