By Kurt Ward

Boxing featured heavily on our TV screens this past Saturday night with Sky Sports, BoxNation and Channel 5 all broadcasting live action. While it's great to have so much live boxing content on our screens it is a real shame that all three cards lacked competitive match ups.  We all know boxing takes place in the ring and not on paper, but taking a look at the pre-fight odds on Saturday morning didn't exactly fill me with anticipation of a great night ahead.

Sky Sports' bill, dubbed 'Return of the Saint,' featured George Groves, back for the first time since being knocked out by his mate Carl Froch, challenging Christopher Rebrasse for the European title. On the undercard hot prospects Kal Yafai and Luke Campbell were in action. The odds on all three picking up victories?  Groves 1/18, Yafai 1/50, Luke Campbell 1/100.

Unsurprisingly, all three won comfortably.

The odds weren't any better at York Hall where Frank Buglioni (1/40), Bradley Skeete (1/25) and Romeo Romaeo (1/100) were all involved in bouts.

Channel 5 was in Sheffield and the main event saw Kid Galahad defeat Adeilson Dos Santos with a twelve round unanimous decision. Scores were 119-107, 120-105 and 117-109; a close fight this was not. But it wasn’t supposed to be judging by the 1/9 odds on favourite Galahad.  Undefeated Sam Etches was on the undercard and was 1/25 to win. And win he did, with a third round stoppage.

Boxing fans deserve better than this in my humble opinion. 

Notes:

The Wembley card was the first bill put on by Groves' promoter, German based Sauerland Event, in the U.K., and it was no surprise that the undercard was lacking. Michael Buffer, who reportedly earns anything from $25,000-$50,000 for his few minutes, was flown over to say his bit while Groves' entrance was accompanied by a lovely fireworks display. Sadly the coffers must have ran dry by the time it came to arranging the wonderful all-female violinist group that play at all Sauerland's German events. Damn you, Buffer!

One can question the stamina of George Groves, but one thing you cannot question is his ability to annoy Carl Froch. George is so good at getting under Froch's skin I'm surprised the WBC haven't handed him a title of some sorts because of it.

If Groves can get a WBC world title shot and win, a trilogy with Froch wouldn't be a shock. Adam Smith, head of Sky Sports boxing, will be rubbing his hands together at the thought.

Easily the best fight of Saturday came from Mexico as former Featherweight champion Orlando Salido and Terdsak Kokietgym waged war. Both men were knocked down many times during the bout and when the end came it was devastating. I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it, but, I must ask, what the hell are you waiting for? Go and watch it now. 

Victor Ortiz, knocked out in his last three fights, made an appeal to Floyd Mayweather Jr. this week. The man who made Marcos Maidana [his words] wants a chance to exact revenge on Floyd following his controversial ‘sucker punch’ loss to him in 2011, and is so desperate for the chance that he will fight for free.

“I deserve a second chance,” said Ortiz. “He gave Maidana a second chance and I disagreed with that.  He [Floyd] owes me a rematch and it's a free one, from me to him. I don't need his money.”

Victor should do stand-up comedy. He is hilarious, and, let's be honest, his comedy is so much better than his punch resistance.

Speaking of Mayweather, he has been in the headlines again this week after telling a reporter that he is unhappy with long-term adviser Leonard Ellerbe and that they have outgrown each other. Ellerbe, the master of holding Floyd's ankles during strenuous sit-up routines, has apparently angered Floyd by allowing Floyd's junior Middleweight title to also be on the line in his Welterweight rematch with Marcos Maidana, and also messing up seating arrangements for one of Floyd's relatives. 

This comes hot on the heels of Alex Ariza, known for working with Floyd's rival, Manny Pacquiao, apparently signing a deal to work with Floyd for the remainder of his career. What next, Ellerbe hooking up with team Pacquiao? Apparently Manny likes keeping his abs rock hard, so I wouldn't rule anything out.

Jerome Wilson, the boxer who suffered a serious head injury during a bout last weekend, and was given life saving surgery, is now breathing 90% independently. Jerome's promoter, Dave Coldwell, said: “It's been a horrific time but with Jerome making improvements I'm feeling far more positive.”

Coldwell and Jerome's mother have set up the 'Jerome Wilson Rehabilitation Fund,' and all donations are appreciated in helping Wilson win his biggest fight.

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Catch Kurt and his fellow panellists live on the Nuthouse boxing podcast every Sunday at 8.30pm BST/3.30pm EST