Tag: Boxing

Rage against ‘The Machine’: Pacquiao puts career on line

by Daniel Hicks Agence France Presse KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AFP) — Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao challenges Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse for the World Boxing Association welterweight belt on Sunday knowing defeat could lower the curtain on one of the greatest careers in boxing history. Pacquiao, 39, faced calls to retire from friends, family and even his Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach when he lost the WBO belt to journeyman Australian Jeff Horn a year […]

Pacquiao says Matthysse bout to be ‘basis’ for retirement call

MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao says the outcome of his July bout against Argentine Lucas Matthysse will likely determine whether he will hang up his gloves after a storied career. After a one-year hiatus from the ring, the 39-year-old has started training two weeks earlier than usual to bring himself up to peak fighting condition. “I am not saying it will be the last, but it will be the basis for (me) […]

Mayweather legacy faces challenge from Thai ‘dwarf giant’

by Joe Freeman Agence France Presse BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — After a career laden with belts, cash, and kudos, boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr retired undefeated over 50 fights — but his flawless record faces an unlikely challenge from an obscure Thai fighter known as the “dwarf giant”. At 5ft 2in (1.57m) and weighing just 105lb (47.6kg), minimumweight Wanheng Menayothin is shorter, leaner and significantly less wealthy than Mayweather, who briefly emerged from retirement last […]

Frampton outpoints Donaire in battle of former champions

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Carl Frampton delighted his Belfast home crowd with a unanimous points win over fellow former multiple world champion Nonito Donaire. All that was at stake was the World Boxing Organisation’s interim featherweight belt, not a fully-fledged title. But by coming out on top by a margin of 117-111 on all three judges’ scorecards, the 31-year-old Frampton kept himself on course for a bout with the winner of next month’s International […]

Pacquiao says age no barrier to success

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AFP) — Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao insisted Friday that his advancing years were no barrier to success as he gears up for a showdown against world champion Lucas Matthysse. Pacquiao, 39, will fight the Argentine — four years his junior — for the World Boxing Association welterweight belt on July 15 in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur. The Filipino has won an unprecedented eight world titles in different weight classes but some have […]

Indian trail-blazer Kom finally bags Commonwealth gold

    by Peter Stebbings © Agence France-Presse GOLD COAST, Australia (AFP) — Indian boxing star Mary Kom opened up on the heartache she faced returning to competition after having children as she captured her first Commonwealth Games title on Saturday at the age of 35. Mother-of-three Kom, the subject of a Bollywood film in 2014, won a unanimous points decision over Northern Ireland’s Kristina O’Hara in their light-flyweight final on Australia’s Gold Coast. It is […]

Mayweather says Al Haymon is against a UFC fight

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Floyd Mayweather says if he fights again it will be in a mixed martial arts bout but added he’s not focused on getting in the ring again with Conor McGregor. “McGregor has other things to deal with,” Mayweather said Saturday. Mayweather told Showtime sports that if he comes out of retirement it would be against the wishes of his trusted adviser Al Haymon. He added it would have to be […]

Eager Pacquiao ‘can’t wait’ to take Matthysse world title

Manny Pacquiao said Tuesday he “can’t wait” for a crack at another world title as Lucas Matthysse’s promoter confirmed the Argentine will stake his belt against the Filipino in Kuala Lumpur in July. Promoter Oscar De La Hoya announced on Twitter in the US that the contest was now confirmed. “Signed, sealed, and delivered: Proud to officially announce that WBA welterweight world champion @MatthysseLucas will put his title on the line against @mannypacquiao in Kuala […]

De La Hoya confirms Pacquiao-Matthysse for Malaysia in July

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Boxing promoter Oscar De La Hoya confirmed Monday that Argentina’s World Boxing Association welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse will defend his title against Manny Pacquiao in Kuala Lumpur in July. Filipino icon Pacquiao had first announced plans for the fight in a statement last month, but details of the bout remained shrouded in uncertainty. In a statement on Twitter, De La Hoya said the contest was now confirmed. “Signed, sealed, […]

Joshua goes the distance before beating Parker in world heavyweight clash

by Julian Guyer  © Agence France-Presse CARDIFF, United Kingdom (AFP) — Anthony Joshua was taken the distance for the first time in his professional career before winning a unanimous points decision in his world heavyweight title unification fight with Joseph Parker in Cardiff on Saturday. After 12 rounds, Britain’s Joshua triumphed 118-110, 118-110, 119-109 on the three judges’ scorecards. Victory extended the London 2012 Olympic champion’ perfect professional record to 21 wins from as many bouts […]

Ramirez beats Imam, claims WBC super lightweight belt

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Jose Ramirez claimed the vacant World Boxing council super lightweight world title Saturday with a 12-round unanimous decision over fellow American Amir Imam. Ramirez, a 2012 Olympian, remained unbeaten, taking his record to 22-0 with 16 wins inside the distance as he captured the title vacated by Terence Crawford when he moved up to welterweight. “Man, it’s a dream come true,” said California’s Ramirez, who gained the decision by scores […]

Mayweather ready to start MMA training soon

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Former welterweight boxing king Floyd Mayweather has teased the possibility he may come out of retirement for a mixed martial arts bout, revealing that he plans to start training for the Octagon later this year. In remarks to TMZ.com, Mayweather said he planned to accept an offer from former UFC champion Tyron Woodley to train with him. “I’m going to start soon,” Mayweather said. “We’ve been texting back and […]