Complete dullsville mismatch. st fight.

Vitaly - Haye?

Yes, I've got quite a bit of time for him but would like to see him pick up a belt at Cruiserweight before stepping up (if that's the direction he's looking to go). I think the problem for Afolabi is that he seems to fit into that 'who needs him' category. Dangerous, but not box office. Interestingly, he was wearing Union Jack shorts last night; maybe trying to establish himself as a British fighter to get something of a following over here so that he can bring a bit more to the negotiating table? Shrewd move if that's the case; despite signing to fight for the British Cruiserweight title, Enzo seems committed to having his last hurrah at Light-Heavy, and I think it will still be a while before the likes of Matty Askin is ready for the international stage, so that leaves a gap for Afolabi to step into as Britain's leading contender in the division.

Also, just wanted to say about last night, I think we might have witnessed one of the ugliest stoppages in the history of the sport...and no surprise it was the handiwork of Matt Skelton! Still, I do have a lot of respect for him - as was said earlier, came into the sport very late but has certainly made the most of his opportunities and what talent he has! I could actually see him being Price's final domestic level opponent (should he beat Sam Sexton) before moving on to Europe and beyond - someone capable of asking a question or two of him and with the credibility of being a former world title contender, but in reality not much of a threat...

Amir Khan has been reinstated WBA champion...

In theory, yes. However, Khan was adamant he would never fight for an IBF title again after what went on, so it's not necessarily the case that both will be on the line; especially as it is only the WBA who have ordered a re-match. Guess we'll find out soon enough!

I didn't realise this was in the pipeline!:

http://www.worldboxingnews.net/2012/03/stieglitz-v...

I'm pretty certain Groves was saying he was going to spend the next year/18 months developing before looking at the world title scene. There is obviously a good chance that Kessler will take the belt off Stieglitz anyway when they fight in a few weeks time...though as it has gone to purse bids, presumably it's a mandatory, so Groves would be first in line to face Kessler should he win (and Groves beat Anderson, which he ought to though that cannot be taken for granted).

Still, looks like another coup for Frank Warren (presuming he had some sway in the matter)...and maybe done as a bit of a two-fingers to De Gale?!?!

looking good news for groves then!! but i think anderson will run him very close you know.last night's ringside was pretty good wasn't it? good to see barrera looking so good considering all the hard nights he has endured over the years.
i like the behind the scenes stuff with hatton/brook and can't wait for the fight.i still think brook should win by ud.i can see hatton chugging forward but ultimately running out of ideas as the fight progresses with those wacky ingle induced combos coming his way.

Predictions on Ricky Burns?

I reckon Burns by UD

I think Burns has got this comfortably. His defence has been excellent, plus his combos have been very effective.

Like you say, if only he had more power.

Another excellent performance from Ricky Burns - roll on Kevin Mitchell!

Also, Salido v Lopez was another good fight - spoiled for me, having recorded it, by an email from Boxing News giving the result away, ffs. Still worth catching, plus had a good undercard

Kenny Anderson obviously thinks this is iffy, here's some of the remarks he made in a phone interview to Boxing Scene.

[i]"Article Link - http://www.boxingscene.com/anderson-furious-groves...
This is a legal waiver. By copying and using the material from this article, you agree to give full credit to BoxingScene.com or provide a link to the original article.[/i]


Anderson reacted with characteristic honesty when asked for his take on the day’s events.

“It is brutal because of all the effort we’ve put in,” said Anderson during a phone call to BoxingScene.com earlier this evening. “A lot of people sacrificed a lot of things. It is me that gets in there and fights, but everyone in my life makes sacrifices – I am gutted.”

“No, I heard that his arse fell out, eh?” growled the 29-year-old when asked if he has been told anything specific about Groves’ injury. “That is his official injury. Or maybe it is his little toe. He may have hurt his toe like David Haye did [against Wlad Klitschko]. I think it is very cowardly how they’ve done this. I think they’re going to have to look in the mirror and know that they’ve dodged me for no over reason than they don’t want to take the risk.

“I don’t believe in my heart that he’s injured. That is the feeling I’ve got. I don’t think they wanted to have this fight, it is too risky and they want this other fight [Stieglitz] because it is a bigger fish. If so then that is absolutely shocking, it is a terrible thing to do given the build-up and how much respect we’ve shown. If it happens then it is disgusting.”

Given Warren’s insistence that the fight will be moved to a later date, had Anderson called the veteran promoter to ask if he will definitely be Groves’ next opponent? “I can’t say something like that to Frank Warren,” he answered, “because it would mean fu** all.”

He added: “The promoters do what they like and don’t take anyone else’s views into consideration. Asking Frank something like that would be water off a duck’s back – I didn’t even get the courtesy of a phone call [his trainer] Kevin Maree told me about it. I’m at the back of a line when it comes to being notified about things like that, they don’t give a fu** about you. George and Adam don’t want it, it won’t happen, they’ll get Stieglitz and the only time I’ll get to fight Groves now is when I take the world title from him.

“It is pretty poor form. It seems to be that Kevin gets the job of doing the dirty work and hard stuff. All the sh*t falls on his shoulders, but he is a big enough man to take it. The people who are there for you when the sh*t hits the fan are the ones you stand with. The person who is always there for me is Kevin; it is just me and him.

“This won’t dampen my resolve – I’ll keep working hard. I knew this would happen all along. I knew I would smash the wee man to bits and I think the thought of that was too much for him. George has heard about how I’m doing, the condition I’m in, and he’s bottled it, and he was right to because I’d have destroyed him. The top and bottom of it is, Groves and Booth were forced to take this fight by the BBBoC, it wasn’t one they chose. Know they’ll come out with childish excuses for ducking it. I always knew their level, they’re showing it now by the way they’re acting.”