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Thanking you the daily readers for your continued support

President CEO

Tommy Mac

Los Angeles, CA - “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton are set to clash in a welterweight bout this December in a matchup of two undefeated stars of the sport.

The fight, announced on Wednesday, is slated for December 8, at a location to be determined. The trash talking began immediately.

“I am the best fighter in boxing today and I’m prepared for any challenge my team puts in front of me,” said Mayweather. “And with Ricky Hatton it’s already personal. He has talked and disrespected me so much in the past months that I can’t wait to get him in the ring and show him he is not even on my level. He’s definitely getting knocked out.”

Graffiti Wall reports that at a combined 81-0, this is the biggest matchup of two undefeated welterweights since Oscar De La Hoya took on Felix Trinidad in 1999.

The 30-year-old Mayweather will come out of his brief retirement to take on Hatton, the 28-year-old Englishman who has established himself as one of the best fighters in the world. Mayweather’s last fight was his highly publicized, and slightly controversial, 12-round unanimous decision over Oscar De La Hoya on May 5 that ran his record to 38-0, with 24 knockouts.

Hatton is coming off a fourth-round knockout of Jose Luis Castillo on June 23, a dominating performance that ran his record to 43-0, with 31 knockouts. About 10,000 of his British countrymen traveled to Las Vegas on June to support Hatton, and an even bigger crowd should be expected for the biggest fight of his career.

“It is a dream of every boxer to fight the best boxers in the world,” said Hatton. “I respect Floyd Mayweather immensely for his boxing ability and it will be an honor to share the same ring with him. He is rightly regarded as the best pound for pound boxer in the world. However, I am confident and determined that I will be the first boxer to beat him in the ring and I am looking forward to this fight.”

The highly anticipated bout between British born Ricky Hatton and American Floyd Mayweather is most likely going to take place December 8, though no firm commitment has been made at press time.

Graffiti Wall reports that while Hatton has expressed high regard for Mayweather, he did offer some fighting words.

“Floyd is a great fighter but if he thinks I’m going to turn up and just lie back and take what he has got to dish out then he has got another thing coming.”

Mayweather’s camp has been insulting Hatton ever since the later fight beat Jose Luis Castillo last month, a fighter who nearly defeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. at Lightweight in 2002.

Hatton is a two-time IBF and IBO Light Welterweight Champion, having relinquished the IBF belt, only to step back down to the weight class and beat Juan Urango. He was the WBA Welterweight Champion, but relinquished this title on 31 August 2006. Hatton is also the former WBU, WBA Light Welterweight Champion and WBA, WBO Inter-Continental Light Welterweight Champion. He is undefeated with a career record of 43 wins (31 by KO), 0 losses and 0 draws. Hatton is quite active in children’s charity work.

An official announcement was expected this week with BetCRIS.com preparing to place odds on the bout shortly.

By Lyle Fitzsimmons, Boxing Contributing Editor

Call it the “Oscar De La Hoya whipped my @$$” world tour.

When Ricardo Mayorga and Fernando Vargas finally close their mouths and actually get in the ring on September 8 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, it’ll end of one of the more contentious hype-generating press junkets in recent memory.

The ex-junior middleweight champs have been at their menacing and threatening bests in the early stages of the whirlwind trip, including a July 11 scrape in LA that resulted in an exchange of punches and a cut under Mayorga’s right eye.

The actual matchup — billed as “The Brawl” — will surely be fun to watch.

But boy, what I wouldn’t give to just fast-forward past all this nonsense and just get to fight night — because, quite frankly, it’s getting more than a little old.

Oh sure, Vargas looks scary when he says he’ll stop Mayorga. And Mayorga looks imposing when he says he’ll go one better and hurt Vargas. Problem is, it’s been a long time since either one of them came close to backing up the tough- guy chatter.

Vargas hasn’t done much more than bleed, swell and fall down since December 2000, when Felix Trinidad punched away his invincibility while scoring a 12th- round stoppage in a light middleweight unification bout.

“Ferocious” Fernando has come up short three more times since, including a conversation-filled 11th-round loss to De La Hoya in 2002 and consecutive TKO losses to Shane Mosley in February and July of last year.

He’s claiming this will be his last bout, regardless of result.

Meanwhile, Mayorga is one of Vargas’ few peers in terms of vitriol, though it’s been equally meaningless in recent days.

The chain-smoking Nicaraguan is just 2-2 since dropping his welterweight titles to Cory Spinks, including an eighth-round stoppage loss to Trinidad in October 2004 at Madison Square Garden and a sixth-round TKO at the hands of De La Hoya last May in Las Vegas.

That fight featured a particularly hatred-fueled lead-in tour, with Mayorga brandishing a sword and threatening damage to the former Olympic gold medalist until he tasted a thudding left hook in round one at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.

But, bless his heart. He’s at it again.

“I will do Vargas a favor by retiring him in this fight so his family doesn’t have to suffer every time he steps in the ring,” Mayorga said. “I’m going to do (his) wife a favor and not let her cry anymore after I disfigure (him).”

Hey, thanks anyway, Ricardo… if it’s all the same to you, I’ll wait for the movie.

It’s official. The maturation of Andre Berto has begun.

The 23-year-old welterweight will risk his “FitzHitz’s No. 1 prospect in boxing” status on Friday night when he meets former world title challenger Cosme Rivera in a scheduled 10-rounder at the City Center facility in Saratoga Springs, New York.

The bout with Rivera represents a significant rise in class for the 18-0 Berto, who’s won 14 in a row by knockout against the middling likes of James Crayton, Miguel Figueroa, Norberto Bravo and Martinus Clay.

Rivera was stopped in three rounds in a try for then-champion Zab Judah’s 147- pound belts in May 2005, and in his last fight scored a 12th-round knockdown while dropping a razor-thin split decision to Joel Julio in October 2006.

Berto’s last four foes had a combined record of 94-44-9 with zero title fights.

And with a win, it hardly gets easier.

The Miami native is penciled in for another tough 10-rounder just two months down the road, when he’ll tentatively face 20-3 fringe contender David Estrada on the undercard of Jermain Taylor’s 160-pound bout with Kelly Pavlik on September 29 in Atlantic City.

Estrada, a slick stylist who’s scored 11 KOs in 20 wins, was 18-1 before dropping a unanimous 10-round nod to the aforementioned Mosley in April 2005 in Las Vegas. He was TKO’d by Kermit Cintron one bout later, losing in the 10th round of an IBF title eliminator in Palm Beach, Florida.

Also a Miami native, the 28-year-old has fought twice since the two-bout skid, stopping 11-9-2 Clarence Taylor and 13-8 David Toribio in seven and four rounds, respectively, in September 2006 and April 2007.

Berto’s closest challenger in my budding superstar class — fellow welterweight Rock Allen — took his 11th step without a stumble last Saturday in Las Vegas, winning a unanimous six-round verdict over Ramiro Rivera on the Hopkins-Wright undercard at Mandalay Bay.

The 25-year-old Philadelphian turned pro in August 2005, stopping Damon Antoine at 2:27 of the first round at the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City. He won his first five bouts by TKO, then earned a pair of six-round decisions before splitting his four most recent outings between stoppages and unanimous scorecard verdicts.

Allen’s 11 opponents have a combined record of 41-43-4.

Round one in the 168-pound cold war goes to Joe Calzaghe.

The unbeaten Welshman adeptly countered Bernard Hopkins’ declaration of super middleweight conflict on Tuesday, claiming that his upcoming unification battle with fellow European Mikkel Kessler is a higher priority than the 42- year-old instigator.

“Hopkins can get in line and wait for me,” said Calzaghe, who’s defended his WBO strap 20 times since defeating Chris Eubank for the vacant title in October 1997.

“I was all set to fight him two years ago and he doubled his financial demands after first agreeing to the fight.”

Lovable Bernard reached the 20-defense plateau himself at 160, defeating Englishman Howard Eastman via 12-round decision in February 2005 before dropping consecutive nods to Jermain Taylor and heading to 175 for a successful date with Antonio Tarver.

He made it two straight upsets over the weekend, defeating Winky Wright at a catch-weight of 170 and immediately summoning Calzaghe to Yankee Stadium for a not-so-peaceful summit meeting later this year.

“Now people look at me and say, ‘Look at your shoulders. Look at your midsection. It’s like you’re a wide receiver for an NFL team,’” Hopkins said. “Why cheat myself and not be able to exploit the situation by continuing?

“I want Joe Calzaghe next. Tell him to come over here and I’m going to beat him, too.”

FitzHitz scored Saturday’s bout for Hopkins, 115-113.

Calzaghe and Kessler are scheduled to meet for the WBC, WBA and WBO super middleweight belts at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on November 3.

Kessler won the WBA crown with an eighth-round stoppage of Manny Siaca in November 2004, then added the WBC laurels to his collection with a third-round KO of Markus Beyer last October in Copenhagen, Denmark.

His last bout was a violent 12-round decision over Librado Andrade on March 24.

Calzaghe was last in action two weeks later, stopping Peter Manfredo Jr. in three rounds.

And now, a south-of-the-border weekend update…

Mexico City native Edgar Sosa travels to the seaside hamlet of Cancun on Saturday night, when he’ll make the first defense of his WBC light flyweight title against well-traveled Argentine veteran Luis Alberto Lazarte.

Sosa, who’ll turn 28 next month, claimed his room in the 108-pound penthouse back in April with an upset majority decision over Brian Viloria on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s wipeout of Jorge Solis at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

He is unbeaten in his last 15 fights since starting his career at 12-5.

The 36-year-old Lazarte has won 17 bouts in a row, including four in row in a busy 2007.

The championship chance will be the fourth of his career, but his first in nearly five years since a 12th-round disqualification loss to countryman Omar Andres Narvaes for the WBO flyweight title in September 2002 at home in Argentina.

He lost a 12-round split decision to Colombian incumbent Kermin Guardia while trying for the WBO’s minimumweight crown in October 1999, then was stopped in two rounds by Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in a grab at the WBC flyweight crown in December 2001 in Thailand.

The loss to Wonjongkam is the lone defeat by stoppage for Lazarte, who’s now 37-7-1.

Meanwhile, far away from the title-bout glare, it’s “Macho Time” in Nevada.

Hector Camacho Jr., the 28-year-old son of the former multi-division kingpin, takes another anonymous step toward respectability in a scheduled eight- rounder against St. Louis resident Don Juan Futrell.

A winner of 33 straight to begin his career, the younger Camacho has slumped to 9-2-1 in his last dozen outings, including a controversial eighth-round TKO loss to junior middleweight Andrey Tsurkan on the Hopkins-Tarver undercard last summer in Atlantic City.

Camacho complained vehemently when the bout was halted at 1:42 of the eighth by referee Randy Neumann, claiming he was unhurt after laying on the ropes and absorbing an extended combination from Tsurkan on his arms and sides.

He’s fought just once since, moving up 15 pounds to super middleweight for a third-round stoppage of George Klinesmith in September 2006.

Also on the Laughlin card is fellow championship progeny Carlos DeLeon Jr., the 28-year-old son of former cruiserweight title-holder Carlos “Sugar” DeLeon.

A 6-foot-2 super middleweight, “Baby Sugar” has won six times and drawn once since his lone career loss, a surprise fourth-round TKO at the hands of veteran Marcos Primera on the Corrales-Castillo undercard in May 2005.

DeLeon will face 8-17 journeyman William Gill on Saturday night, then has a 10-rounder with an as-yet-undetermined foe set for August 25 in Mississippi.

He beat Ted Muller — last seen falling at the fists of a comebacking Andrade on the Hopkins-Wright PPV show — by an eight-round decision in December 2006, then stopped Derek Andrews at 2:59 of round one in February.

Lyle Fitzsimmons can be reached at fitzbitz@msn.com

Bernard Hopkins win over Winky Wright Saturday night proved to be one of the biggest draws among gamblers for boxing in recent memory outside of an international oriented bout like that we saw with Ricky Hatton of Manchester, England a few weeks back.

“It was an amazing weekend in terms of traffic for this fight,” disclosed bet33.com’s Senior Manager, Zack Williams.

The Hopkins fight has topped all other bets this weekend including the British Open.

Bernard Hopkins came out of retirement at age 42 to put an end to Winky Wright’s 7½-year unbeaten streak.

Now the patient, defensive master who outboxed Wright for a unanimous decision at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Saturday night is looking to take on an undefeated Welshman for the next chapter in the twilight of his career.

“I want Joe Calzaghe next,” Hopkins said of the Welsh 168-pound champion. “Tell him to come over here, and I’m going to beat him, too.”

Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs) was triumphant after picking at a gash that opened over Wright’s left eye with a head-butt in the third round. Wright (51-4-1) scrambled and counterpunched, but couldn’t get away.

Wright grew frustrated and tired in the late rounds, and Hopkins stuck with a steady strategy in a light-heavyweight fight featuring more action than most expected from two guarded counterpunchers. Wright was active and resilient, but Hopkins usually was a half-step ahead.

Judges Glenn Trowbridge and Dave Moretti scored it 117-111 for Hopkins, and Glenn Hamada scored it 116-112. The Associated Press also gave it to Hopkins, 115-113.

The fight itself had fans frustrated also, wanting more fire despite Hopkins resiliency.

Outside of the Hatton bout, Mixed Martial Arts has taken center stage with gamblers in recent months, and it is not just exclusive to UFC events.

Bet33.com is offering a whole slew of betting odds on upcoming UFC bouts beginning in late August in addition to what has become one of the most anticipated Mixed Martial Arts events, Kimbo Slice vs Tank Abbott slated for September 28.

“Kimbo Slice’s bout with former boxer Frank Mercer drew massive interest here at Bet33.com,” commented Williams.

The later part of August right through September will be jam packed with UFC and other MMA events, creating a virtual betting frenzy for sports bettors and MMA fans alike.

Winky Wright Fight Verses Bernard Hopkins Proves Lucrative for bookies.

Who said boxing has lost its touch? The much anticipated Winky Wright vs. Bernard Hopkins bout scored big points with bookmakers who offered odds on the bout. Betting Odds - Graffiti Wall - realized heavy inquiries much of the day Saturday making the Hopkins - Wright Fight: “Hopkins, Wright set to trade blows in Vegas” Betting Odds article this site’s fourth most read on Saturday.

Our Boxing News & Results along with Boxing schedules around the world are updated every Monday morning.

Las Vegas, NV - Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins defeated Ronald “Winky” Wright in a unanimous, but controversial decision in their light heavyweight bout Saturday, in Hopkins’ return from retirement.

Hopkins and Wright, who engaged in a weigh-in scuffle that included shoves thrown by each fighter before they were predictably broken up, engaged in a mostly even-matched bout that was scored surprisingly heavily in Hopkins’ favor, 117-111, 117-111, and 116-112.

Hopkins opened a gash over Wright’s left eye with a head butt in the third round, and the referee Robert Byrd frequently had to warn the former middleweight champ to stop holding Wright, but in the end he came out on top, ending a 7 1/2 year undefeated span for Wright.

The fight was billed as light heavyweight, but the fighters set the weight at 170 pounds, five below the light-heavyweight usual of 175.

The 42-year-old Hopkins (48-4-1), based out of his hometown of Philadelphia, hadn’t fought since upsetting Antonio Tarver in a 12-round unanimous decision last June, a fight that had been billed as his last before retirement. A former middleweight champion, Hopkins moved up to light heavyweight for the Tarver fight.

The 35-year-old Wright (51-4-1, 25 KOs), based out of St. Petersburg, Florida, was coming off a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Ike Quartey last December. Wright, a southpaw, had not lost a bout since December 1999, when Fernando Vargas topped him in a controversial decision.

Las Vegas, NV - Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins will step out of retirement and into the ring Saturday night at Mandalay Bay, where he will take on Ronald “Winky” Wright in a light heavyweight bout.

The 42-year-old Hopkins (47-4-1, 32 KOs) hasn’t fought since beating Antonio Tarver in a 12-round unanimous decision last June, a fight that had been billed as Hopkins’ last before retirement. A former middleweight champion, Hopkins moved up to light heavyweight for the Tarver fight.

The 35-year-old Wright (51-3-1, 25 KOs) is coming off a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Ike Quartey last December. Although giving up some size to Hopkins, who, at six feet and one inch, is almost three inches taller than Wright, the younger fighter is well-known for his jab and good defense.

Wright, a southpaw, has not lost a bout since December 1999, when Fernando Vargas topped him in a controversial decision.

A common link between the fighters is trouble with current middleweight champ Jermain Taylor. Taylor ended Hopkins’ reign as champ at that division with a split-decision win in February 2005, and retained his belts by beating Hopkins in a unanimous decision in July that same year.

Taylor fought Wright to a 12-round draw in June 2006, the only fight Wright has not won in the past eight years.

Neither fighter is known as a knockout puncher, instead both are known as technically sound boxers, leading most experts to predict a decision, with Hopkins listed as the favorite. But few are overly confident in “The Executioner”, who is well beyond his prime as a fighter.

Retires after loss to Gomez; Malignaggi calls out the victor

By Matt Richardson

“All fighters are pig-headed some way or another: some part of them always thinks they know better than you about something. Truth is: even if they’re wrong, even if that one thing is going to be the ruin of them, if you can beat that last bit out of them… they ain’t fighters at all.” - Eddie “Scrap-Iron” Dupris, “Million Dollar Baby” (2004)

In the end, all Arturo Gatti had left was that “last bit” in him.

The “last bit” to keep punching.

To keep swinging.

To keep trying.

But it wasn’t enough; not even close. There would be no dramatic turnaround tonight. No big left hooks or crushing body blows or last minute rallies.

All that was left of Arturo Gatti on Saturday night in Atlantic City, New Jersey was that “last bit.” But it was no match for the younger, fresher Alfonso Gomez and so Gatti was soundly beaten for what he now says is the final fight of his career.

“His legend will live on forever. It was a hell of a run,” stated Kathy Duva of Main Events, Gatti’s long-time promoter, at the post-fight press conference. “I think we all wish it would have never ended but obviously all good things have to.”

As is customary for the majority of Gatti’s post fight press conferences, the now 40-9, 31 KO’s welterweight could not attend as he was promptly shipped off to the local hospital. Before heading to the ER however “Thunder” did announce his retirement on HBO.

“From 140 to 147 it’s just a different me,” Gatti said. “I wish I could make 140 but it’s impossible so I don’t see myself continuing at 147. I’m going to retire. I don’t think I can take this abuse anymore….that means ‘hasta la vista, baby.’”

Gomez, 17-3-2, 8 KO’s meanwhile may still have a way to go before he gets the credit he deserves. The majority of the media did not even attend the post-fight press conference, instead electing to watch the Paul Williams – Antonio Margarito encounter in the press room.

For Gomez, it is a slow but steady track to earn credibility.

“Ever since I was on ‘The Contender,’ the way I got in there was because I showed the producers that all I wanted was the opportunity to show everyone that I belonged…somewhere in the greats of names whether it be in boxing, TV, whatever it is,” he said.

“When I was a kid I knew I was going to become something of myself,” Gomez continued. “They gave me the opportunity and I took full advantage of it. I’m very grateful that HBO gave me the opportunity. I seized the moment and now I’m standing here.”

“I hope Gatti was here so I could hug him and tell him that I admire him. His whole career I was a fan of his.”

“He fought a controlled, tactical, tremendous fight,” Duva said. “He seized the opportunity in the best tradition of Arturo Gatti, I guess,” said Duva.

In the end it was fitting that Gatti went out against an opponent similar to himself; a fierce, gutsy warrior willing to take two to land one.

Gatti may only have that “last bit” in him. But Gomez certainly appears to have a lot more left in the tank. There wasn’t an actual passing of the torch inside the ropes, but there might as well have been.

JABZ

Lost in the midst of Paul Williams’ win over Antonio Margarito and Gatti retiring was the tremendous win by IBF Welterweight title-holder Kermit Cintron. Cintron, 28-1, 26 KO’s blew out Walter Mathysse inside two frames. “Walter Mathysse was supposed to be a tough fight,” Cintron said. “(But) it showed tonight that the fight against Antonio Margarito wasn’t the real Kermit Cintron. It was a fluke. You’ll see more of me in Atlantic City.” Duva, for her part, was eager to see her charge take on the best fighters at welterweight and above. “Bring on Shane Mosley, bring on the winner of (Vernon) Forrest – (Carlos) Baldomir, bring on Alfonso Gomez. Bring them all on!”

IBF junior welterweight title-holder Paulie Malignaggi took a seat in the first row at the post-fight press conference and promptly and cordially called out Gomez. “I’m very willing to fight Alfonso Gomez in the future,” said Malignaggi. “When you have world champions calling you out; that’s a great feeling,” Gomez responded. “That means I’m moving up there in fame.”

Post-fight punch statistics confirmed Gomez’ dominance. He landed over double the rate of punches Gatti did; 216 out of 471 for Gomez compared to a dismal 74 out of 358 for Gatti. Gomez landed an incredible 52 percent of his power punches; 40 out of 52 in the final round.

Attendance for the card was not nearly as robust as it has been for past Gatti appearances, suggesting that even Gatti’s loyal fans knew it was the end for their hero.