The IBF Press Release & My View...

 The IBF Seek To Clarify Their Position On Tyson Fury.

The IBF Belt

Whilst many think the decision to strip Tyson Fury of his IBF belt only a week after winning it, the IBF make a pretty clear case for why they did -

 

 

IBF Press Release (December 9, 2015):  

"The IBF Heavyweight World Title, which was won by Tyson Fury on November 28, 2015 when he beat the reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko in an optional defense of this title, was vacated on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 by the IBF as Tyson Fury is unable to make the mandatory defense of the IBF title against challenger Vyacheslav Glaskov because he is contractually obligated to a rematch with Klitschko, which is in direct violation of the IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contests. 

On November 30, 2015, the IBF reminded Tyson Fury via an email in care of Hennessy Sports that the bout on November 28 was considered a mandatory defense of both the WBA and WBO Heavyweight titles and that his next bout was to be the IBF mandatory defense against Vyacheslav Glazkov, the #1 contender and the leading available contender for the IBF mandatory defense.  This bout was due next in the rotation of mandatory defenses of the titles.  Furthermore, Fury was informed that negotiations with Glazkov should commence immediately and be concluded by December 30, 2015. He was advised that if an agreement was not reached between the two parties by December 30, 2015, the IBF would call for a purse bid.  Glazkov’s promoter Main Events was copied on this letter.

On December 1, 2015, the IBF received a letter via email from Patrick C. English on behalf of Main Events indicating that Main Events was unwilling to negotiate and requested that the IBF order an immediate purse bid in accordance with Rule 10.A. of the IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contests.  Rule 10.A. cites in part: “If the camps are unable to come to an agreement as to the promotion of a title bout in the initial thirty (30) day negotiation period, or if one of the camps certifies in writing during the negotiation period that he is not willing to participate in negotiations, the President of the IBF/USBA shall notify each registered promoter that a purse offer will be held.”  Accordingly, the IBF ordered a purse bid to be held on December 11, 2015.

Following the title fight between Klitschko and Fury, the IBF became aware for the first time that there was a contractual agreement between both fighters for an immediate rematch. There were no provisions for any rematch in the contracts which were submitted to the IBF prior to the IBF agreeing to sanction the Klitschko vs. Fury bout.  Rule 3.B. of the IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contests states:  

“No contract for a Championship contest shall contain any clause or any provision, whatsoever, guaranteeing or in any way assuring or promising either contestant a return Championship contest where such clause or provision interferes with the mandatory defense of a title.”  

Had the IBF been aware of a clause in the contract that violated this rule, the parties would have been mandated to agree in writing to stage this rematch after the completion of the IBF mandatory defense.  If the parties did not agree, the title fight with Tyson Fury would not have been sanctioned by the IBF.

In a letter sent to the IBF by Harbottle & Lewis, the legal counsel retained by Hennessy Sports and Tyson Fury, the IBF was asked to consider and exercise their discretion under the IBF’s regulations and direct that an immediate rematch for the IBF Championship take place between Fury and Klitschko.  This rematch is in direct violation of an IBF rule and the IBF will not order a rematch under these circumstances.

Wladimir Klitschko has exercised his right to the contractual option agreed upon between himself and Tyson Fury for an immediate rematch, thus rendering Tyson Fury unable to make the mandatory defense of the IBF title next.  The direct rematch between Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury interferes with the mandatory defense of the IBF Heavyweight title and is in violation of  Rule 3.B. of the IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contests.  Consequently, the title has been vacated in accordance to Rule 3.C.2. of the IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contests which states: “Upon violation of this Rule, the Championship involved shall forthwith be declared vacant.”

On December 8, 2015 the IBF ordered #1, Vyacheslav Glazkov and #4, Charles Martin to begin negotiations for the vacant Heavyweight title.  The IBF received a written certification from Warriors Boxing who represents Martin, stating that he was not willing to participate in negotiations and therefore requested an immediate purse bid according to IBF Rule 10A.  The purse bid had been scheduled Friday, December 18, 2015 at 12 Noon."

 

 

Is the decision a stupid one? In my opinion, yes it is, however I see why the IBF have taken the action they have. Caught between a rock and a hard place, they could be waiting till late summer for their sanctioning fees, which I believe to be the real issue here. After all money talks...

 

 

So now we have the possibility of 3 "World Champions", however Tyson Fury is the lineal and that is what counts, isn't it?

 

 

 

 

Lucas Browne About To Make History Again..

"Big Daddy" Browne named mandatory for Ruslan Chagaev's belt.

Lucas Browne

It has been a long, painful and sometimes frustrating road for Browne, however now his faith in his own ability and destiny has been repaid after WBA chairman Gilberto Mendoza mandated on Wednesday that Chagaev’s representatives have 30 days to negotiate the fight with Browne.

Although Lucas is a very approachable and pleasant man outside the ring he looks like he'd eat your Granny in the ring.  

Lucas Browne is the former MMA fighter, who won his first boxing contest in 2009 by KO. That has become a familiar outcome for many of his fights since, his record now stands at 22 fights, 22 wins, 19 of which have come by KO or stoppage. Of those 19, only 18 have heard the bell for the start of the 6th round. Impressive stats by anyone's standards. Whilst he would agree himself he isn't Ali, he has tremendous ability, huge power, is trained by Jeff Fenech and promoted by Ricky Hatton via Hatton Promotions.

Fenech told Boxing News in July 2014 - 

"Browne hurts me on the pads more than Tyson, He can be world heavyweight champion" 

- his prophetic words may be about to come true.

Browne's promoter Ricky Hatton (himself no stranger to title fights), had this to say to The Courier-Mail - 

"I’m delighted that Lucas has been made the WBA’s mandatory challenger. 

Chagaev has shown that he’s one of best heavyweights around, but Lucas is a massive puncher and can knock him out. Australia has never had a world champion at heavyweight so this is a chance for Lucas to make history and he’s going to grab it with both hands. 

Lucas is a warrior who’ll fight anyone at any time and he’s been itching to get back in the ring. We’ve had a lot of people asking when they’ll see him fight again and I think the fans will be very pleased now we can reveal what we’ve been working on."

Whilst Hatton was obviously very happy with the announcement, he let his annoyance at fans get the better of him tweeting - @HitmanHatton world titles take time to work on, shame none of the pricks on here know. An army of keyboard promoting know it alls.

He got his man a shot and that is all a fan can ask of a promoter. So fair play...

Chagaev is a very decent fighter, winning the "Regular" belt against Fres Oquendo by majority decision in July last year. He has had 36 fights, winning 33, 20 by KO, with 1 draw. His 2 losses have come against quality opposition, namely Klitschko (in the 9th round) and Povetkin (points after 12 rounds). Whilst he is smaller than Browne he has had a lot of success against much bigger opposition, including getting a decision over the "Beast From The East", 7 foot Nicolay Valuev. Not sure he has met many with the power of Browne though...

A big part of the negotiations for this fight will revolve around where it actually happens. I'm sure Chageav wants the "home advantage", however this fight in Australia would make some serous dollars for both fighters and if promoted right could catch the imagination of many within boxing worldwide, especially in the UK where Lucas has a very strong and loyal backing. The UK would be the second best option for this fight or perhaps the better one in the long term as it would get more exposure being in Europe. A tie up with Warren/BoxNation could be a factor too.

Prediction?

I can see only one outcome and that is a Browne win, late stoppage or a points win would be my bets. He will have to go to places he hasn't been before as Chageav has been and seen it all, Browne will also need to be careful as his tendancy to cut means his defence needs to be spot on. 

On 26th April 2014, I had the great pleasure to meet Lucas Browne before his fight against Eric Martel Bahoeli when he made history becoming the first Australian to be Commonwealth Champ for 122 Years. I fully expect him to create history again by becoming Australia's first ever heavyweight champion.

I wish both fighters well...

   

Deontay Wilder Vs Nicolai Firtha. Stepping up???

Deontay Wilder Vs Nicolai Firtha.

 Will Wilder EVER Step UP?

It was announced this week that Wilder’s next fight will be on Oct 26^th on the undercard of the Hopkins Vs Furat against Nicolai Firtha (21-10-1, 8 KO’s).

As you can see from his record Firtha has TEN losses. Wilder will be having his 30^th pro fight against Firtha and is yet to step up to a level that could be classed anywhere near respectable.

Whilst Firtha is a tough cookie, he is just a journeyman and the level of fighter that Wilder should have fought two years ago, not now as he talks about taking control of the heavyweight scene. In fact Tyson Fury fought Firtha 2 years ago in his 15^th fight and beat him in the 5^th round. I take Wilder to win within 2 rounds.

I fail to see why his management have set this fight up. They have said that they couldn’t find any other opponent at this short notice, yet Kevin Johnson has said he would have taken the fight had he received a call. The call never came...

Wilder’s career and record is being carefully manufactured whilst it will and does look good on paper, if you look at the detail the quality of opponent has been awful. Biggest names on his CV are Harrison and Liakhovich. Not names that strike fear into any top 15 heavyweight in the world. However a record of 29 fights, 29 wins, 29 KOs will cause headlines and create a great deal of interest, meaning money and as well all know money talks!

Next year has to be the year that Wilder steps up. He has to start fighting top 20 ranked fighters, all these journeymen are OK when starting out but not after 30 fights and 5 years in the pro ranks. I’m pretty sure that the thought of beating Lamar Clarks record of 44 consecutive Kos has crossed his mind, but there is a bigger picture here. Wilder’s fans will tell you “BombSquad” is going to clean up in 2014, well not by fighting journeymen he won’t.

One possible opponent for Wilder could be David Price. Price told Ringside on SKY “I’d fight Deontay Wilder in a heartbeat. I know he’s a ferocious puncher, but so am I. I’m a big puncher, and I’d definitely fight Deontay Wilder.” Who would win is a debate for another time, it would raise the profile in Europe of Wilder, however I wonder how he’ll fair when he is eventually pushed past 4/5 rounds which he would be against a Chisora or an Adamek, would he have the stamina to continue or would he simply fade and get stopped?

If he doesn’t start to step it up then he may find his world crashing in around him leaving him nowhere to go.

I wish him well...

Chisora - Looking to the future.

Chisora – Hoping for another chance...

This evening at The Copper Box in London, Dereck Chisora can take a huge step towards having another shot at the world title when he fights Edmund Gerber in a 12 round fight for the vacant European Heavyweight Title. First he wants a rematch with the winner of the Haye Vs Fury fight – (he has fought them both).

Gerber is a 25 year old German with a record of 24 fights, 23 wins (14 KO) and 1 loss. His one loss coming to Michael Sprott in Dec last year. 

Despite his apparent lack of experience vs Chisora’s he is full of confidence - “Chisora only knows one gear. The key to beating him is simple: impress him with your punching power and looseness. Over the rounds, he then will run out of ideas. And when he starts risking too much, I will knock his lights out. I feel more than ready and want to take the next step in my career. This is the chance I have been waiting for. Now it is time to take this big opportunity. My whole team is confident that I will beat Chisora and so am I.” 

On the likely hostile atmosphere he is likely to feel from the London crowd - “I will take no notice of them. In fact, they can boo me as loud as they want. At the end of it all, it will be me who will be holding the European belt and it will be the crowd who will be stunned into silence.”

Chisora is the Jekyll and hyde character of world boxing the man that has spat at one Klitschko and slapped another, and was supposed to have fought Deontay Wilder back in June before Wilder’s past caught up with him and he was denied a visa. He has been to anger management classes while his British licence was suspended and as a result was given it back.

His record reads 21 fights, 17 wins (11 KOs) with 4 losses. He has been in the ring with Haye, Fury, Helenius, Vitali Klitschko and top contender Malik Scott. He has a whole wealth of experience and has fought some of the best heavyweights around, a lesson some others could learn if they want credibility.

Dereck Chisora: "Beating Gerber is another step closer to the Klitschko brothers and nothing is going to stop me winning the European title. I'm fit, lean and mean and ready to do the business against Gerber who is a good fighter, but not in my class. I really want to do a great job on him, really smash him up and show that I deserve a shot at the Klitschkos."

However the Klitschkos may have to wait. Chisora: "To be honest with you, and people shouldn't take this the wrong way, but I think there are better fights in Great Britain than us [Haye, Fury, Chisora] going to challenge for the world title, There's a good mix with Tyson Fury, David Haye and myself. It's alright boxing for the world title and everybody just trying to go and dance with the K2 promotions music. 

Let's do our own thing and when they're ready to give up the titles then people can fight for those world titles. Fighters are making money when they're not in world title fights. Why should I say I want to box for a world title when the Klitschkos are trying to slave you for the world titles you're fighting for. 

I don't like those guys the more I talk about them the more I get upset."

Whoever Chisora fights next, he must concentrate on tonight as the European Title is a sought after belt and is seen as one worth having by future title challengers. His previous attempt at winning this belt resulting in him being robbed by a hometown decision Vs Helenius, who doesn’t seem to have moved onwards with his career, although some injuries haven’t helped.

I hope the fighter that fought Klitschko turns up tonight and not the fighter who fought Avila at Rule Britannia in April. That fighter will lose tonight and another loss on Chisora’s record could result in him becoming another journeyman and never really fulfilling his ambition or utilising his immense talent.

My feelings are that he will have too much power and experience for Gerber and will grind him down to win by stoppage around the 6^th or 7^th round.

I wish them both well...

Exclusive Bryant Jennings Q&A.

 Bryant "By-BY" Jennings.

Jennings

Jennings may be a name new to some of those reading this, however he is a boxer very much on the up within the heavyweight division and possibly the best hope America has of regaining the heavyweight crown in the near future.

Bryant Jennings is a 28 year old heavyweight boxer with a record of 17 fights, 17 wins, 9 by KO and is currently ranked no 3 by the IBF. 

Bryant very kindly agreed to do a Q&A, here are his answers...

1. You have come a long way in a short time, currently being ranked 3rd in the world by the IBF. What is the plan going forward? Where do you expect to be career wise in 2 years time?
My plan is just to keep winning. And in the next two years I see myself either being the champ of the world or have already fought for the title going for it again. 

2. Your trainer Fred Jenkins said after your latest win against Andrey Fedosov that Klitschko was next. Which brother will you aim for?

It'll have to be Vlad

3. You don't generate the same headlines as Wilder, Scott, Tyson Fury or Haye, whilst Hughie Fury has only had 5 fights yet is being hailed by some in the UK as the next big superstar. Does this generate any resentment for you?

It's the politics in boxing. The truth will come out at the end. I ain't letting that get to me though I do notice it. 

4. In this age of super big/tall heavyweights do you think being a "smaller" 6" 2" is an advantage or do you have to work harder?

The bigger they are the harder they fall. Simple

5. Who, in your opinion are the top 5 HWs in the world at the moment?
No particular order Me, Malik Scott, Eddie Chambers, David Haye, Tyson Fury 

6. You had 17 fights as an amateur, do you feel that your "education" is lacking anything?
Nope I'm a master at life so I adjust to anything.   

 
7. Who wins Haye or Fury?
Whoever hits who first. Both their chins are suspect. But Haye has a much better chance. 

8. Who or what is your inspiration to keep going? Do you have any boxing "heroes"?
Motivated just from being broke. Keeping distance from failure and My son of course.

9. If you weren't a boxer what would you be?
I'd be something great. I'd probably be a few things like I am now. Boxing is only one of my many talents. 

 
10. Do you have any messages for your fans in the UK? Or for those that may not be so familiar with you?

Can't wait to debut there in the UK. Thanks for the support. I'm going to  continue to do well and to put my all in every fight. Follow me on twitter and Instagram @byjennings

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bryant for his time and I would urge you to follow him and his career.

I wish Bryant well...

Manuel Charr - Could He Be The Real Deal?

Can he back up his comments and claims?

Manuel Charr

Manuel Charr ranked 8th in the world by the WBC has a record of 22 fights, winning 21 of which 12 were by KO. His only loss was to Vitali Klitschko when he was stopped in the 4th round from a cut after being put on the canvas in 2nd round. That was 2 fights ago. He won his comeback fight Vs Konstantin Airich by a first round KO. A great way to bounce back from a loss by stoppage.

Charr stopping Airich

In recent weeks Charr has taken to twitter to "call out" some names including Fury and Haye for elimination fights so he can get another shot at Vitali. The loss to Vitali is something that clearly eats away at Charr and one which he truly belives he can avenge. 

There was mention of a possible fight with Chisora, but Charr has declined that offer saying he would only consider Haye. There was also a spat on twitter against "contender" (I use that description in it's loosest sense) Deontay Wilder, with Charr quite rightly dismissing Wilder's claims for a shot. 

Charr said about Wilder “I don’t even know who that guy is. I didn’t know he is a fighter. Nobody in Europe has ever heard about him. I checked his record and now I know why nobody knows or cares about Wilder. He should start fighting people with a pulse before calling me out. I want a rematch with Vitali Klitschko. I don’t think beating up a guy like Wilder will bring me any closer to that goal. But if he wants to come to Europe I might even give him a shot at my title. I am not ducking anybody and not running away.” Charr is right, Wilder has fought nobody and will get found out at some point this year I believe."

Wilder - Still some way to go.

Charr's next fight is against Yakup Saglam for Charr's WBC International Silver Heavyweight Title in Romania on Feb 22nd. How Charr believes this will take him nearer to another shot at Vitali I have no idea however, it is more than likely a case of keeping himself busy against a fighter with a good record as he tries to get a fight with one of the top 10 boxers. The problem for Charr and for many of the top heavyweights in the world at the moment is that they can sense the fall and/or possible retirement of Vitali and want to be in the best possible position to be able to claim his title, which means the big fights won't happen for a while sadly.

This may hinder Charr's chances of a rematch which is, as I've already said, really eating Manuel up. 

Charr Vs Vitali Klitschko

He said “Vitali knows how it feels when you are stopped by a cut in a world title fight. He also knows how it feels if the guy you want to beat retires and doesn’t give you a second chance. I hope that he doesn’t make the same mistake Lennox Lewis made some years ago. I really hope that he gives me another shot so I can prove to him, the world and myself that I am his legitimate successor. I want to be the best and I want to beat the best to get there.”

Could Charr be the real deal? In a word - YES. 

Very much so, he has power and can hit hard to the body. He needs to perhaps work on his combination shots in order to get some guys with better defences out quicker, but his body work is among the best in the division. I don't think he'll get his shot at Vitali anytime soon. There are others such as Haye and Fury already infront of him, but should the Heavyweight division splinter then he is more than capable of picking up a belt.

I wish Manuel well....

(EDIT:- Charr beat Saglam in the second round of their fight)

(Further Edit:- On 28th April it was confirmed that Manuel Charr will fight David Haye on 29th June at the MEN)

(Even further EDIT:- David Haye pulled out through "Injury")

David Haye - Fighter or Celebrity?

The question Haye must answer...

David Haye - Boxer

David Haye the charismatic, brash, hugely talented boxer has in recent months/weeks/days been calling out Vitali Klitschko for a shot at Vitali's WBC belt, but the question that needs to be asked is Haye still a fighter or is he some C list celebrity that used to be a boxer? 

In the last 18 months Haye has had 2 fights in a ring, a brawl outside it, has spent some time in a jungle reality show but has continued to call out Vitali for a fight.

Let's go into more detail. In July 2011 Haye fought Wladimir Klitschko for his world title belts (WBA, WBO, IBF), but lost a unanimous points after an extremely poor performance (considering the grandstanding before the fight), which he blamed on his toe being broken. Some months later in Feb 2012 Haye turns up at a post fight press conference between Derek Chisora and Vitali Klitschko. He ends up brawling with Chisora (after the initial pre-planed stunt went wrong), and the 2 men start a build up to a domestic fight. In July 2012 a full year after his last fight Haye beats Chisora by TKO in the 5th after a great display of boxing power and precision. Nov 2012 he enters the reality show I'm a Celebrity get me out of here, eventually coming 3rd.

This week Haye has said Vitali has until the end of the summer to agree to fight him or it's all off. What makes him think 2 fights (1 win, 1 loss) in 18 months make him able to call the shots?

Vitali Klitschko

Granted Haye is big business and his stint in the jungle has shown a different side to him and made him known to a much bigger audience, in much the same way Audley Harrison did when appearing on Come Dancing. Haye is also able to put "bums on seats" and could probably sell the fight on PPV himself, however a fighter needs to be active in order to gain a shot doesn't he? Manuel Charr has been busy calling Haye out to fight him with the winner getting a shot at Vitali. Charr has fought Vitali before when he was outclassed and battered by him before being stopped in the 4th round. In order to get a rematch Charr has to fight a "contender" and Haye is currently classed as not only a contender but also big business.

Charr after his 4th rd loss to Vitali

A fight against Charr is the way to go for Haye in my opinion if he is seriuos about his own legacy. Vitali (45-2, 41 KOs), has never been floored and is the owner of the second-highest heavyweight knockout percentage in history (87.76%), so no matter how good he thinks he is, Haye will need a warm up fight, Charr presents such an opportunity. The only other option is to fight Tyson Fury, but I doubt if either fighter would risk a shot at the belt knowing they could quite easily get KO'd by the other.

David Haye - Celebrity

Haye the supremely self confident man that he is will probably keep on calling out Vitali whilst passing judgements on Price, Fury and the rest of the division and also ignoring Charr's challenge.

I asked at the beginning - Is Haye still a fighter or is he some C list celebrity that used to be a boxer? We will see in the coming weeks/months but at the time of writing he was appearing on lunchtime housewives show Loose Women.

Whatever he decides to do, I wish him well...

(EDIT:- David Haye has now signed to fight Tyson Fury on 28th Sept in Manchester - Edit:- he has pulled out of fighting Fury through injury twice)

(Haye's last fight was 12th July 2012.).

My Top 15 Heavyweights In The World - Jan 2013.

My Top 15 Heavyweight Rankings.

1. Wladimir Klitschko

2. Alexander Povetkin

3. Vitali Kiltschko

4. Kubrat Pulev

5. Tomasz Adamek

6. Tyson Fury

7. Robert Helenius

8. Johnathon Banks

9. Denis Boytsov

10. Oldanier Solis

11. David Price

12. Magomed Abdusalamov

13. Tony Grano

14. Steve Cunningham

15. Chris Arreola

I wish them all well in 2013...