The greatest fighter to grace the squared circle

By Kev Barnett @lefthookuk

Born 01-09-1923 Rocco Francis Marchegiano aka Rocky Marciano did not start life with the intention of stepping in the ring but soon became someone that has to be in my opinion the greatest fighter of all time. I know some people would disagree and say Ali was the greatest ever but I’m talking about a fighter, someone who never took a backwards step, someone willing to take 3 to land 1. Marciano started his life fighting as at 18 months old almost lost his life to pneumonia, he played baseball as a young man and had several jobs as a chute man for an ice and coal company, a shoe maker and even layed railroads before being drafted in to the US military here is where the love of boxing started. Whilst waiting discharge from the military in 1946 Rocky competed in the Armed Forces tournament which he won, from there he had a handful of amateur fights with s record of 8-4 before entering the pro ranks knocking out Lee Epperson in 3 rounds. Rocky then went straight back to the amateur ranks to compete in the Golden Gloves All East Tournament where he suffered a controversial loss to Coley Wallace. He continued to fight at amateur level until making a permanent move back to the pro ranks in July 1948. Marciano put a KO streak together knocking out his next 15 opponents. Rocky continued to KO his opponents including the former world champion Joe Louis stopping him in the eighth round in October 1951. The following year Rocky got his shot at the current champ in Jersey Joe Walcott knocking him out in the 13th round to become champion of the world, a year later the two were to meet again with Marciano cementing his dominance with a first round stoppage. Marciano went on to defend his title 5 more times with his last defence being Archie Moore in 1955 with another stoppage in the 9th. A year later Rocky Marciano announced his retirement at the young age of 31 wishing to spend more time with his family.

Fights - 49
KO,s. - 43
Losses- 0

Sadly in my opinion the most destructive boxer of all time tragically lost his life in a plane crash on August 31st 1969 but his legacy lived on for the next 48 years . His undefeated record was only surpassed by Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
Thanks for taking time to read my post and I will see you soon. Peace

The Truth makes first title defense

Image via Daily Mail

This Saturday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Errol "The Truth" Spence will defend his IBF welterweight title against Lamont Peterson. The co-main event will feature Robert Easter Jr. who will be facing off against Javier Fortuna to defend his IBF lightweight title. The fight will broadcast on Showtime at 9 p.m. ET.

Errol Spence

Spence is a Texas native who boasts an undefeated record of 22 victories with 19 ko's. As an amateur Spence has won multiple national titles and has quickly rose in the professional ranks .He is known for his southpaw stance, and frequently targets the body to deliver crushing shots that wear down his opponents. He holds key victories over Chris Algieri and Kell Brook. Spence also seems to have a great deal of respect for Peterson who he trained with as an amateur, in the press conference Spence had this to say about his opponent.

“Lamont can push me to even greater levels. I feel like he is a better fighter than Kell Brook and has even more heart than Kell Brook and he can bring out the best in me." - Errol Spence

Lamont Peterson

Peterson is a former 2x world champion he held titles in the 140lb and 147lb division. He most recently vacated his WBA (regular) welterweight title after defeating David Avanesyan by UD back in February. Peterson doesn't seem to be at all fazed about the outcome of his fight with Spence and has a relaxed demeanor stating

"I’m not worrying about it. At the end of the day we’re two men and two boxers, we’re fighting at the top level and we’re both coming in there to try and win the fight." - Lamont Peterson

Whatever the outcome of this fight its sure to be exciting with two very technical fighters, and an under card stacked with rising talent.

Prospects for 2018 both home and abroad

 By Kev Barnett @lefthookuk

I have been a boxing fan all my life and this is my first article, first of many. I am a little tired of every article being AJ this Golovkin-Canelo that, Eubank Junior blah blah blah!!!  Ok I’m not belittling them at all far from it as they are all great fighters but I cannot keep reading the same stuff all the time! Let’s take a brief look at some new blood!!!

Daniel Dubois

2017 gave a glimpse in to the future of our lovely sport with the emergence of some serious looking fighters. Huge punching Brit Daniel ‘DDD’ Dubois who is currently 6 fights 6 KO,s and looking as if he could hang with anyone in the division right now. I think by the end of 2018 DDD will have added another 4 or 5 victories to his record and will be knocking hard on the door of the top tier of the heavyweight division. I would back him against most British heavyweights right now and would love to see him setting his sights on the likes of Hughie Fury or David Price Asap. I really think Daniel can go all the way to the top and his style will never fail to excite the fans.


Anthony Yarde

Another Brit who will undoubtedly make a huge impact in 2018 is Anthony Yarde now this guy is another who looks the complete fighter right now, and with a record of 14 fights 13 KO,s  and now ranked in the top 5 by the WBO he has the attention of all the light heavyweight division and with the power he posses would be a dangerous fighter for anyone step in the ring with. I am not sure I can see too many guys in the light heavyweight division wanting to sign a contract to fight Yarde as he is a very good fighter.


Josh Kelly

 In the Welterweight division Josh ‘ Pretty Boy’ Kelly  my top British prospect as with an unbeaten record of  5 fights 4 KO,s he already looks like he has all the tools to emerge as a huge threat to the  current champions. I do not remember seeing a fighter look so self assured and talented this early in their career, so Josh is my top tip for 2018 and the one to watch from the UK.



Ryan Garcia

 I have to say though although I’m a very proud Brit at the moment as our little island is producing a constant chain of world class fighters but the one watch from the other side of the Atlantic this year for me is a young guy by the name of Ryan’ Kingry’ Garcia  with a record of 13 fights 12 KO,s in the Super Featherweight division the speed and power of this Californian fighter is unbelievable in patches and although this is one of boxing's hot divisions with the likes of Lomachenko holding the gold just keep an eye on this young man and at only 19 he is one of Golden boys hottest prospects and I really think he will become a legend in this sport. If you have not seen this boy please get on your phone, laptop, tablet or whatever and get searching.

These are my 4 prospects for 2018 let’s see how they fair! Well thank you for taking time to read my post and I will see you all soon! Peace

Wilder set to face biggest challenge of his career

With his WBC title on the line Deontay "the bronze bomber" Wilder will face the biggest challenge of his career on March 3rd.

His opponent is Cuban star Luis Ortiz.

Wilder and Ortiz were set to fight on November 4th but the fight was scrapped due to Ortiz failing his drug screen. This was not the first time Ortiz had trouble passing a drug screen, with as many as three other failures in the past.

Nevertheless, Ortiz is a dangerous opponent with a solid amateur and pro resume. He took the silver medal at the World Cup in Moscow back in 2005 and has over 350 amateur fights. As a professional he has compiled a record of 28-0 with 24 knockout's and 2 no contests.

Deontay Wilder who has struggled to maintain his image as a worthy heavyweight champion by facing sub par competition looks to validate himself against a quality opponent in Ortiz.  

With a win over Ortiz he may be able to secure a chance to unify his belts and earn an enormous payday by fighting Anthony Joshua of the UK. Joshua is also set to defend his title against Joseph Parker in March.

The fight will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and air on Showtime.

Shields Dominates in First Title Defense

Flint, MI native and two-time Olympic darling Claressa Shields (5-0, 2 KO's) has successfully defended her WBC and IBF super middleweight titles against Tori Nelson at the  Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY.

Nelson was the more aggressive fighter early on but her offense was quickly shut down once Shields established her jab. Nelson however gained a little momentum in the 7th round landing a hard shot to the body. By the 10th and final round Shields was clearly dominating the fight and Nelson was looking desperate for a knockout frequently missing her target.

Also in the crowd was undefeated middleweight champion Christina Hammer. Shields has stated that she is interested in a fight with Hammer and would be willing to drop in weight to make the fight happen. Although it is still early in her pro career it appears that Shields is going to be an unstoppable force in women's boxing.

All three judges scored the bout 100-90 in favor of Shields giving her a unanimous decision win.

Deontay Wilder Convicted of Drug Charge

WBC Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KO's) has been found guilty of misdemeanor marijuana possession on Thursday, and is ordered to serve a 60 hour community service program with the YMCA.

The Alabama native last fought a rematch against former WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne back in November and has his sights set on UK Heavyweight Anthony Joshua.

In the meantime, he is expected to face Cuba's Luis Ortiz on March 3rd for Premier Boxing Champions at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Wilder was initially supposed to fight Ortiz  in November but the fight was cancelled after Ortiz tested positive for a banned diuretic.

Matthysse vs Kiram

Lucas Matthysse (38-4) of Argentina is making his return to the ring January 27th. The Machine delivered a crushing defeat to Emmanuel Taylor back in May of last year on the Canelo vs Chavez Jr. undercard at the T-Mobile arena.

Matthysse who is known for his incredible knockout power has been working on refining his boxing ability and establishing confidence with world renown coach Joel Diaz. His opponent is Tewa Kiram (38-0) a native of Thailand, and ten years his junior. Although Kiram is not a household name in America he has trained with the legendary Manny Pacquiao and is known as a big puncher himself.

This fight should be an absolute thriller with Matthysse favored -925 to win with bookmakers.