Heavyweight Schedule for 2018

[The Hammer]

Oleg Maskaev will come out of retirement to fight in Moscow:

[The Hammer]

Peter Fury: Johnson is the best Tyson has fought

Big-punching Tyson Fury is in the hunt for his 20th professional victory on December 1st when the number three ranked WBC title challenger meets Amercian veteran Kevin Johnson at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast.

Trainer and uncle Peter Fury has spoken to WBN to dismiss any criticism of the choice of opponent as Fury replaces undefeated Russian Denis Boytsov with the former Vitali Klitschko victim for his semi-final eliminator.

“I will tell you that this is a fight where Tyson arrives on the world scene as the opponent Kevin Johnson is a world class fighter,” Fury told World Boxing News.

We want to show people and bring something else to the heavyweights by taking on all comers and doing a job on them. We want to earn a world title shot by beating top fighters and not padding records, and this Includes December.

“This fight with Johnson is no warm up. it’s the best fighter Tyson has faced as he's fought twelve hard rounds with Vitali Klitschko, he’s a dangerous opponent.”

Peter Fury has been openly disappointed with some of the reaction to last week’s announcement, claiming that: ‘anyone who knew anything about heavyweight boxing would know what this fight means.’

If Tyson Fury can now go on and do what Vitali failed to and become the first to stop Johnson, that certainly would have some critics eating their words next month.

[BostonGuy]

Francesco Pianeta (WBO #9) vs. Nelson Dario Dominguez is coming up is an hour or two:

What's the scouting report on Pianeta? I've only seen the Sosnowski fight several years ago.

[John Åge]

Pianeta has done well since his cancer-break from boxing. This opponent is easier than his latest foes. He would be a could opponent for Wilder, Seth, Fury or Price in six months time.

[The Hammer]

What's the scouting report on Pianeta? I've only seen the Sosnowski fight several years ago.

He's not a top ten heavyweight but he's a decent fringe contender. I imagine he'll receive a voluntary title shot within a couple of years.

Pianeta has done well since his cancer-break from boxing. This opponent is easier than his latest foes. He would be a could opponent for Wilder, Seth, Fury or Price in six months time.

Possibly, or after Vitali retires he could be an opponent for a titleholder.

Pianeta won today by KO 1.

[The Hammer]

Jonathan Banks weighed in at 23 pounds (10.6 kg) less than Seth Mitchell.




Deontay Wilder says both Wladimir Klitschko and Mariusz Wach showed character in their fight.

[The Hammer]

Oleg Platov returns with a KO win

(from )

Ukrainian heavyweight contender Oleg Platov (29-1, 23 KOs) scored a second round KO over Harold Sconiers (18-25-2, 11 KOs). Time was 1:46. “It was great to be back after two years,” said Platov afterward. “I had promotional problems but that is over now and I thank Don King for becoming my new promoter. It was beautiful to fight outdoors in Florida. Harold Sconiers was good tonight. We had an accidental clash of head that caused the gash outside my left eye. But he gave me good work. My coach told me between the first and second round that I should throw the uppercut. I was throwing too wide. I threw the uppercut in the second round and my opponent walked right into it. It was great to come back with a knockout. Tell everyone Oleg Platov is back.”

[The Hammer]

Kronk fighter elevates status with shock win

Johnathon Banks is in line for some huge heavyweight fights in the near future after dropping highly regarded Seth Mitchell three times on the way to stunning upset win at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

‘Mr. Banks’ began the contest sluggishly and looked shaky early on as Mitchell loaded up with bombs from the off. The 30 year-old managed to get through with one of his own as a reminder to Mitchell though, and came out in the second with meaner intentions.

A clean uppercut early in the round had Mitchell in trouble, before Banks jumped all over him to score a first knockdown. ‘Mayhem’ looked far from ready to continue as referee Eddie Cotton waved Banks to fight on and he duly dropped Mitchell for a second time.

Cotton then warned Mitchell that if he hit the canvas again he would call it off and within seconds, Banks had put him down again, this time even heavier than previously and the fight was over.

Banks dedicated his victory to his former trainer Emanuel Steward who passed away late last month and now moves on to the unthinkable possibility of him facing world champion Wladimir Klitschko, whom Banks recently trained to a win over Mariusz Wach in the absence of Steward.

[The Hammer]

Banks heard Steward's voice say 'be first' against Mitchell

(from The Ring website)

What was this like for you?

Johnathon Banks: It was really emotional. A lot of people didn’t think I could win this fight, My mom is crying, she was really emotional. This time last week, I was working Wladimir Klitschko’s corner this time last week in Hamburg, Germany.

I heard Emanuel’s voice every second, same as last week in Hamburg, I heard his voice last week. Emanuel introduced me to all of this. I can’t help but to hear his voice.

How old were you when you first walked into Kronk?

JB: I was 15 when I first walked into Kronk. When I first saw Emanuel, I remember I first walked up to him to say something and just kept walking (laughs.) The next time I saw him, I was in the ring sparring. Emanuel stopped the sparring and said, 'Come over here for a minute.'

He told me what to do, '"Put the right here, put the left hand here," and then sent me back out to do it. I did it and I dropped the guy, and Emanuel turned around and said, "See."

How tough was this night for you?

JB: It was very tough. We were all representing Emanuel and keeping the Kronk legacy alive. We all had to keep our emotions bottled up until after the fight. It wasn't easy. But myself, my trainer, Sugar Hill, we had a job to do.

******: What did you hurt Mitchell with?

JB: I hit him with a right hand. I was shocked that I hurt him. I didn’t think it hurt him because he was ducking under. I saw his feet wobble, and I was trying to do what Witherspoon didn’t do.

I wanted to keep touching him, keep touching him. He was hurt real bad the first time. I wanted the fight to continue. I wanted to stretch him out.

Were you thinking of Emanuel?

JB: I was thinking of Emanuel all through the fight. I wouldn’t be where I am, right here, and in Hamburg, Germany, thanks to him. I’m showing my appreciation by working hard so I can continue in his name. I can still hear his words, "You can’t win unless you let your hands go. Be first. Be in control."

[The Hammer]

Vitali Klitschko: "Haye is trying to sell even his bare ass. Hopefully it won't be bitten by a venomous snake or insect."




Gary Shaw advises Seth Mitchell emulate Lennox Lewis