Let’s face it, people are busy, so everyone doesn’t always have time to be locked into every boxing story. There are numerous topics that both hardcore and casual fans, cannot keep up with. With all the things that have gone on in the past week, I’m here to help you catch up with all the big topics surrounding the sport of boxing. This week was filled packed with everything from failed drug tests to dropping belts. So without further ado, let’s get right into the boxing week in review.
Canelo Drops the Belt:
The biggest boxing fight that can be made right now is Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin. They were ordered to negotiate to make a fight, officially, as of last Monday the 9th. On Wednesday the 18th, Canelo Alvarez decided to drop the WBC Middleweight title. He did not want to be forced or constricted to the requirements of the WBC. The 2 sides will continue to negotiate a fight, one that most people will happen next year, but for now, social media has made it known, including from other boxers, that they definitely disapprove of what Alvarez has done.
Golovkin is now just 1 belt away from his goal of becoming the undisputed Middleweight champion. That belt that he is missing is the WBO, which is currently held by BJ Saunders, a fighter that said if you want him to get in the ring with Golovkin, give him 6 million. The events of yesterday may have gotten him closer to that goal.
Wilder vs. Povetkin is OFF…..or postponed:
One of the best fights on paper of this 1st half of the year was WBC Heavyweight Champions, Deontay Wilder vs. Alexander Povetkin. The fight was due to take place this Saturday, in Russia. However, Povetkin tested positive for meldonium, a drug that was recently placed on the boxing banned drug list, the same drug that famous tennis player Maria Sharapova tested positive for after it was recently put on their drug banned list.
Povetkin’s promoter says the fight is postponed while Wilder’s side is saying the fight is off completely. With 4.5 million on the line for Wilder, coming from Povetkin’s promoter’s pocket, this is a battle that will surely end in court and hopefully doesn’t keep Wilder out of the ring too much longer as he has been trying to fight since April.
Other Stories being talked about:
Miguel Cotto is nearing his return to the ring. He has not fought since November of last year, against Canelo Alvarez. It sounds like an agreement to find an opponent is near. The name being brought up the most is future hall of famer Juan Manuel Marquez, but the biggest issue would be the weight difference. An announcement should be officially made soon.
Cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Glowacki said he’s ready to fight former Olympic champion Oleksandr Usyk. The fight is probably the biggest one to be made in the cruiserweight division and it sounds like the fight would either be in Poland or the US.
Mikey Garcia has been out of the ring for 2 and half years. Since then he has been through legal battles trying to free himself from his Top Rank contract. Recently the 2 sides came to an agreement and Garcia is now a free agent. It has been rumored that Floyd Mayweather’s promotions, TMT, is the leader to sign him. Mikey, Floyd, and his brother Robert were recently photographed ringside at a fight in Vegas that featured TMT fighters. Robert Garcia said Mikey is looking to fight in July and then September.
Chris Eubanks Jr. recently re-upped his contract with Matchroom Sport and immediately is trying to make a splash. He is due to fight on the June 25th undercard involving Anthony Joshua and Dominic Breazeale, but he has instructed his promoter Eddie Hearn to pursue a fight with Gennady Golovkin. The fight would probably be targeted for either September or the end of the year in December.
And finally, I would like to congratulate all-time great, Manny Pacquiao, who has officially won a Philippine senate seat. The top 12 vote getters receive a seat and Manny is 7th, with 15.5 million votes, and over 96% of the precincts counted. This brings him 1 step closer to possibly making a run at the presidency in the Philippines.