Heavyweight Schedule for 2018

[fceeviper]

Bermane Stiverne says he's not afraid of Chris Arreola:

I wonder if Bermane Stiverne can back that talk up, when in the ring.

[The Hammer]

Nicolay Valuev interview, he talks about Povetkin-Klitschko (use google translate):

[STEELHEAD]

say google translate is kool. thanks freedom.

[The Hammer]

Tyson Fury says he's ready and willing to fight Wladimir Klitschko on April 6.




Steve Cunningham says his management is in negotiations for a fight with Tyson Fury.

[The Hammer]

New WBO rankings here:

[The Hammer]

James Ali Bashir describes Wladimir Klitschko's sparring with Deontay Wilder:

Tha’ Boxing Voice spoke with James Ali Bashir, the longtime assistant of Emmanuel Steward and now the senior member of Stewards camp of fighters. Bashir was very forthright in his views of his camp and the current state of the Heavyweight division.

The always frank Bashir gave a candid view on the set rematch between Johnathon Banks and Seth Mitchell, in which Banks won via a dominant 2nd round TKO.

“Johnathon Banks is a steady professional; he’s going to do what Johnathon Banks does. He’s not going to change; he’s going to be the same guy he was in the first fight. He’s going to look to catch Seth in the mix somewhere and knock him out again.”

He went on to further downplay Mitchell’s prospects and question Golden boy’s decision to schedule the rematch. “As smart as that team is, I think it was a terrible mistake that they even chose Johnathon Banks, he’s a guy that has been boxing with the heavyweight champions of the world for 10 years,” he went on to add. He defiantly concluded, “They are going to get him knocked out again.”

Bashir explained his role in the Klitschko camp, clarifying he’s doesn’t have any direct training duties and eluded “I’m just there as the brain trust, I’m there for strategy side of things,” he detailed. “Johnathon Banks is the trainer and I just assume the position I’ve had all along.”

In addressing the rumors and declaration by American heavyweight, Deontay Wilder, that he got the better of Wladimir Klitschko during a sparring session in preparation for his last fight against Mariusz Wach, Bashir was quick to dispel the claims.

“I wouldn’t describe it like that. Because I was working with Deontay Wilder, he did better than expected. Of course I opened different doors for him to have some advantages,” Bashir said. “In fact Wladimir Klitschko hurt Deontay Wilder, on two, maybe three times in that sparring session.”

The topic then came up of the current crop of heavyweights and weather Bashir felt fighters were being protected in the current climate. Bashir commented that he felt times had changed from previous Heavyweight Generations, referencing Tim Witherspoon and Lennox Lewis as examples of fighters who took on significant challenges early in their careers.

“It’s a matter of timing, a matter of desire. Everybody is so careful nowadays that they would rather have a guy 30-0 fighting 30 cab drivers.”

Bashir’s frustration was aimed at up and coming heavyweights: Joe Hanks, Deontay Wilder and Malik Scott in comparison to Leotis Martin, Thad Spencer, Jerry Quarry, Ernie Shavers Ron Lyle: Heavyweights contemporaries of the past that competed against each other and the best fighters of their era.

In Conclusion, Bashir commented that he felt both Klitschko brothers would see out the remainder of their careers undefeated, but did single out two fighters he felt had the potential to cause some problems, Kubrat Pulev and David Price. In particular he focused on Pulev, commenting:

“I was impressed with Kubrat Pulev because he beat Alexander Ustinov, he didn’t just beat him, he knocked him out, I was impressed with that, I’m impressed with his mental attitude. He has that championship mentality and that’s a big part of boxing.”

[The Hammer]

Interview with Tyson Fury:




Bryant Jennings targets Helenius and the winner of Banks-Mitchell:




Steve Cunningham confirms negotiations for a fight with Tyson Fury, and thinks he can win:




Wladimir Klitschko vs. Alexander Povetkin goes to purse bid:

[The Hammer]

Although there have been internet rumors about a Klitschko-Solis fight on April 6, Wladimir is not going to be fighting Odlanier. As confirmed in Dan Rafael's chat today:

Klitschko-Solis isn't happening because of Solis' promotional issues and the problems between King and Oner.

Steve Cunningham says the reason the Klitschkos keep winning is not because of their size, it's because they are good fighters and because they work hard to stay in shape.




Wladimir Klitschko's hesitation to fight Alexander Povetkin before taking a voluntary opponent on April 6 has to do with their contract with TV network RTL which guarantees a fight this spring. Povetkin's promoter Sauerland have a similar contract with ARD.




Manuel Charr has been calling out Deontay Wilder:




Kubrat Pulev has begun training for his upcoming fight with Adamek (which is still being negotiated).

[Mikhnienko]

New WBO rankings here:

You mentioned the WBO eliminator in another thread. Did they say who Helenius will fight in it?

[The Hammer]

You mentioned the WBO eliminator in another thread. Did they say who Helenius will fight in it?

No, just that Helenius will be in it. The other fighter will be decided soon, has to to with ranking and willingness to do it - Haye, Arreola and Banks are highly ranked by the WBO, but have other plans.