There may be trouble ahead for “The Problem” Adrien Broner

06/28/2013 by Robbie Bannatyne

broner55 By Robbie Bannatyne: The meteoric rise of Adrien Broner (27-0, 22KO’s) continues at an unprecedented rate of knots as he continues to confound his critics by winning a 3rd World Title, in a third different weight class, at the tender age of 23.

The Cincinnati native added the WBA welterweight strap to his impressive and growing haul of titles, which also boast the WBO super featherweight and WBC lightweight championships. For his latest title, he jumped up two divisions to challenge for Paulie Malignaggi’s title in the New Yorkers backyard, the Barclays Center, Brooklyn. His audacity was awarded with a split decision victory.

Who’s next for Carl Froch?

06/26/201306/26/2013 by Robbie Bannatyne

By Robbie Bannatyne: Speculation abounds as to who will be the next opponent for IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (31-2, 22 KO’s). After his last fight, a brilliant unanimous victory in the rematch with Mikkel Kessler, the IBF champion expressed his desire to again revenge over the only other man who has beaten him- the undefeated Andre Ward.

A unification bout with Andre Ward and Carl Froch with the Super Middleweight IBF and WBA titles at stake is a mouth watering prospect, as is the possibility of a third epic with the Great Dane. There are certain parallels and similar merits about going into battle with both men again; they would both generate huge profits; they are the most viable fights in the division; and would both capture the imagination of the boxing public on both sides of the Atlantic.

Can Rios Handle the Heat in his Baptism of Fire?

05/24/2013 by Robbie Bannatyne

rios44 By Robbie Bannatyne: Top Rank’s rich vein of form for producing Fight of the Year candidates in 2013 looks certain to continue with the announcement that Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios will face off – in what is sure to be an explosive encounter – on the 23rd November, in Macau, China.

Stylistically – and financially – speaking the fight makes perfect sense, as the collision of these two forces of nature will surely attract more than the 1 million plus pay-per-viewers that usually tune in to see the “Fighting Pride of the Philippines”. The bout will provide the perfect platform for both men to release their inner warriors and engage in the type of give-and-take battle that has defined their careers.

Will Marquez rise to the Challenge and make History against Bradley?

05/24/2013 by Robbie Bannatyne

By Robbie Bannatyne: Juan Manuel Marquez, a future hall of famer, will face Timothy Bradley on September 14th in a bid to claim the WBO welterweight title and become the first Mexican boxer in history to claim 5 world titles in 5 different weight classes.

It seems fitting that Marquez will be aiming to write his name into Mexican history on the anniversary of a truly historic date in his country’s calendar- 14th September is Mexican Independence Day. The venue for his date with destiny – the Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas – will add yet more glamour to an occasion that’s already hotly anticipated in his boxing-obsessed homeland. The fiercely patriotic Marquez is acutely conscious of his standing in Mexican ring history and the chance to achieve something that has eluded a lengthy list of his illustrious compatriots has made him more motivated than ever before.

Burns must go back to the drawing board before any Unification Bout

05/24/2013 by Robbie Bannatyne

By Robbie Bannatyne: In the build up to his lightweight title bout against Jose Gonzalez, Ricky Burns bemoaned the fact that he didn’t get a proper chance to see his opponent in action. One thing that became apparent after their fight on Saturday was that the WBO Champion will hope he never sees this 29 year old Puerto Rican ever again.

Despite stating in the post-match interview that he thought – “some the rounds were close” – he will know in his heart of hearts that he would almost certainly have lost his title had Gonzalez not inexplicably retired on his stool, citing a dubious wrist injury – as opposed to his lack of heart and stamina – as the reason for his refusal to come out for round 10 at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow.

Matthysse looks for Danny Garcia

05/23/2013 by Robbie Bannatyne

By Robbie Bannatyne: After light welterweight Lucas Matthysse knocked Lamont Peterson’s lights out in the 3rd round of their encounter on Saturday night in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Paulie Malignaggi, Showtime analyst and current welterweight champion, gushed “It is literally like a bomb exploding every time he lands a punch.”

And much like his punches, Matthysse the man, is also like a bomb that has been waiting to go off.

It seems like the top light-welterweights signed an unofficial treaty to deny Matthysse the chance to take them on for their titles, as his two bouts with Zab Judah and Devon Alexander apart, he spent the vast majority of his career in the wilderness of his homeland, Argentina: boxing’s equivalent of Siberia.