By Max Abbott, foxsports.com.au
Boxing legend Kostya Tszyu rates Vic Darchinyan as Australia's best pound-for-pound boxer, despite the recent success of Danny Green and Anthony Mundine.
Speaking on the Fox Sports News' Long Lunch, Tszyu said that Darchinyan had proven that he could fight on the world stage.
"He is fighting not in his territory," Tszyu said.
"He is fighting in the States on US television and I think from that point of view he is a bigger star than Danny or Anthony."
Tszyu also hinted that his decorated boxing career may not be over, suggesting that a big enough offer could lure him back into the ring.
"Something big, something (with) big interest that I would talk to my family and they will say ‘look Kostya you are not ready to retire, do it’ and then I will say yeah I will," he said.
"Maybe fight against big names, maybe, that can be exciting,"
"We’ll see this weekend Floyd Mayweather against Shane Mosely, this can be good challenge for me, you never know."
Despite Australia’s recent boxing success, Tszyu said more financial support was needed from the government to allow the sport to continue to flourish.
"We have to create a system where kids can train for free.
"If we do this then more kids come for boxing, more kids going to go away from the street
"It is important for us to do it."
Tszyu suggested maybe he might night need to push envelope in parliament to get the wheels in motion.
"Maybe one day I go and put the suit and tie on and go and do it," he said.
Source: foxsports.com.au
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Rabu, 21 April 2010
Selasa, 20 April 2010
Kostya Tszyu urges Anthony Mundine to take on Danny Green -- Daily Telegraph
By Nick Walshaw, The Daily Telegraph
AUSTRALIAN boxing legend Kostya Tszyu
has urged Anthony Mundine to forgo the scales and accept the one bout every Aussie sports fan wants to see - a rematch with Danny Green.
Among the most popular fighters this nation has ever produced, Tszyu yesterday told The Daily Telegraph Mundine should ignore the 10kg separating him from the IBO world cruiserweight champion.
"Because it would be a great fight, great for Australian boxing," Tszyu insisted.
"But to see what he did against Roy Jones, then the way he knocked out Manny Siaca ... it shows Danny Green is now capable of doing great things."
Asked about the obvious sticking point of weight, Tszyu added: "I don't want to see Danny lose weight because to drop weight as you get older, it's not natural. Not right.
"And I think they can still make the fight. Anthony needs to put some quality opposition against himself again.
"He's already fighting here in Australia and doing a good job for himself."
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the rival Green and Mundine camps have already spoken several times without success since the Perth brawler's comprehensive three-round win against Puerto Rican Siaca.
"Because it seems like Choc is content to keep chasing fights at light middleweight and middleweight," Green's manager Justin Manolikos conceded.
"To be honest I can't see why there would be any fuss about weight anyway.
"When Anthony played for the Dragons he was up around 95kg wasn't he?
"And after Dan beat Roy Jones Jr he came out to say he'd fight him at cruiserweight. Fight him at heavyweight.
"But if nothing changes, so be it. We'll keep chasing names like Roy Jones Jr while he keeps chasing cab drivers named Roy."
An undisputed junior welterweight champion in his prime, Tszyu now splits his year evenly between Australia and his homeland, Russia - where he boasts both a series of business interests and charity programs for underprivileged children.
The Thunder from Down Under was back in Sydney yesterday to help launch a limited edition Kostya Tszyu watch range - with each of his 270 limited edition pieces going for a cool $9900 each.
Source: dailytelegraph.com.au
AUSTRALIAN boxing legend Kostya Tszyu
has urged Anthony Mundine to forgo the scales and accept the one bout every Aussie sports fan wants to see - a rematch with Danny Green. Among the most popular fighters this nation has ever produced, Tszyu yesterday told The Daily Telegraph Mundine should ignore the 10kg separating him from the IBO world cruiserweight champion.
"Because it would be a great fight, great for Australian boxing," Tszyu insisted.
"We've always known Danny is big hitter. Has a strong punch.
"But to see what he did against Roy Jones, then the way he knocked out Manny Siaca ... it shows Danny Green is now capable of doing great things."
Asked about the obvious sticking point of weight, Tszyu added: "I don't want to see Danny lose weight because to drop weight as you get older, it's not natural. Not right.
"And I think they can still make the fight. Anthony needs to put some quality opposition against himself again.
"He's already fighting here in Australia and doing a good job for himself."
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the rival Green and Mundine camps have already spoken several times without success since the Perth brawler's comprehensive three-round win against Puerto Rican Siaca.
"Because it seems like Choc is content to keep chasing fights at light middleweight and middleweight," Green's manager Justin Manolikos conceded.
"To be honest I can't see why there would be any fuss about weight anyway.
"When Anthony played for the Dragons he was up around 95kg wasn't he?
"And after Dan beat Roy Jones Jr he came out to say he'd fight him at cruiserweight. Fight him at heavyweight.
"But if nothing changes, so be it. We'll keep chasing names like Roy Jones Jr while he keeps chasing cab drivers named Roy."
An undisputed junior welterweight champion in his prime, Tszyu now splits his year evenly between Australia and his homeland, Russia - where he boasts both a series of business interests and charity programs for underprivileged children.
The Thunder from Down Under was back in Sydney yesterday to help launch a limited edition Kostya Tszyu watch range - with each of his 270 limited edition pieces going for a cool $9900 each.
Source: dailytelegraph.com.au
Sabtu, 17 April 2010
B.J Flores Wants To Prove Danny Green And His Trainer Wrong, Is Willing To Face Green In Australia! -- Eastside Boxing
By James Slater, Eastside Boxing
Right after his recent 3rd-round win over Manny Siaca, Danny Green said how there are no cruiserweights out there capable of competing with him, and that any fighter from that weight class would be KO'd should they face him (at least Green's trainer Angelo Hyder made these comments). Well, one man who is eager to put it all on the line so as to prove "The Green Machine" wrong is unbeaten 200-pounder contender B.J Flores.
Very kindly giving me the following interview, in which he fired back at the Australian and his trainer's ultra-confident remarks, 31-year-old Flores, 24-0-1(15) made it clear he is more than willing to go over to Australia to call the 37-year-old's bluff..
James Slater: Thanks once again for speaking with me, B.J. Straight to business - you want to fight Danny Green and you disagree strongly with what his trainer had to say about how no cruisers can live with Green?
B.J. Flores: I think they're unbelievable comments, James (laughs). I mean, Green is a good light-heavyweight, but to say he will KO any cruiserweight he fights when he hasn't fought one yet! It's okay him having confidence if he believes this, but there are a lot of cruiserweights out there willing to prove him wrong, and I'm at the top of the list.
J.S: Did you see Green's win over Siaca?
B.J.F: Only on You Tube. Siaca is basically a gatekeeper; a guy who was never a great champion or a big name, with all due respect. I think he was brought in as the opponent. I've seen Green fight before - I saw his fight with [Julio Cesar] Dominguez in Mississippi, which was a tough fight for Green; very much back and forth until Green got the TKO (in the 5th-round). Green is a good fighter, like I say, but he's a good light-heavyweight - he has to face a young, hungry fighter at cruiserweight to prove he's the real deal at cruiserweight. And I'm totally willing to go to Australia to fight him.
J.S: Is this the fight you and your team will go after then?
B.J.F: Absolutely. I'll be back in the ring in June - I need to get myself back - and then, after that, in either July or August or September, it doesn't matter, I'll go over to fight Green. He has no fight coming up, we've been in touch with his team and they are interested, so this is the perfect fight for him. Green needs to make a statement at cruiserweight - not just fight old guys who have been on the shelf, like Roy Jones and Antonio Tarver - and he would make a big statement if he beat me. But I don't think he can do it. I'm willing to lay it all on the line to find out, though!
J.S: You'd have no problems going to Australia?
B.J.F: None at all. I don't care how he wraps his hands (in reference to the Roy Jones fight), he'll be fighting a 200-pound man and I think I'll be stronger than him. I think I'll be too strong and too skilled for him. It would be a big attraction in Australia, too. It wouldn't be so much of a big fight over here, but Danny Green is a big star in Australia and the fight would be a bid deal over there.
J.S: He's fought as high as 185-pounds, but no higher. Is that why you think you'd be stronger than him - what with you being a genuine 200-pounder?
B.J.F: Yeah, he's fought at 184, and if he'd fought guys who were 200-pounds that would have been okay, but he fought guys who were smaller [than full cruiser] also. I just don't see any time he'd be able to dominate the fight. He has more experience than me, but I've had 25 fights myself and I've fought guys who punch harder than Green does. Okay, Green is a more proven all-round fighter than the guys I've fought, but I have fought some good guys who hit harder than Green does.
J.S: Do you think you will get the fight, though? I mean, you were unable to get that fight with Marco Huck, and Green is talking Antonio Tarver, Evander Holyfield and even David Haye (at least his trainer did in a recent article)
B.J.F: Well, he can forget all about David Haye, David's not even thinking about Green, I can guarantee that! And Holyfield and Tarver, you know, I have respect for both guys - and in his prime Tarver beats Green or gives him problems - but Green needs to get off that whole Roy Jones, Antonio Tarver thing. We get it that he can defeat older guys who have been on the shelf - but what is that proving? Like I say, he needs to invite a young and hungry contender like me to his country if he's to make a statement.
J.S: Who will you fight in June, and how many rounds will you box?
B.J.F: I think it will be 8 or ten rounds as I don't like to box less than that. We've spoke to a couple of people but I'm not sure who it will be yet. It's just time to get back in the ring; to dig myself out of the hole I've been put in with me not having had a fight since August. I'm very excited about getting back. The priority for me now is to get the fight with Green and prove him wrong. I'm sure he can't beat me, and I'm willing to go to Australia to prove it. And I've been in camp all this time - don't think I haven't been getting good work! I've been working with some of the best heavyweights in the world.
J.S: Well, I hope you get the Green fight, B.J. For whatever reasons you were unable to get the fight with Huck; let's hope you have more luck here. One final question please - I read that you looked into going into MMA. Is that still a possibility?
B.J.F: It was a possibility. The thing is, I was so frustrated at not being able to get any fights in boxing and I did wrestle [as a youngster]. People were throwing ideas at me, saying I should do MMA. It's still something I would entertain, as I'm still young and I'm athletic. But the June tune-up and then the Green fight take precedent right now. And with regards to that [the Green fight], not too many guys would be willing to go to Australia. But I'm confident that whenever my big shot comes, I'll come though it with flying colours. And I must also say, Danny Green's a great guy. He's charming and funny and I liked him a lot when I met him. But that doesn't mean he beats me! Let's make the fight, in Australia, and let's lay it on the line!
Source: eastsideboxing.com
Right after his recent 3rd-round win over Manny Siaca, Danny Green said how there are no cruiserweights out there capable of competing with him, and that any fighter from that weight class would be KO'd should they face him (at least Green's trainer Angelo Hyder made these comments). Well, one man who is eager to put it all on the line so as to prove "The Green Machine" wrong is unbeaten 200-pounder contender B.J Flores.
Very kindly giving me the following interview, in which he fired back at the Australian and his trainer's ultra-confident remarks, 31-year-old Flores, 24-0-1(15) made it clear he is more than willing to go over to Australia to call the 37-year-old's bluff..
James Slater: Thanks once again for speaking with me, B.J. Straight to business - you want to fight Danny Green and you disagree strongly with what his trainer had to say about how no cruisers can live with Green?
B.J. Flores: I think they're unbelievable comments, James (laughs). I mean, Green is a good light-heavyweight, but to say he will KO any cruiserweight he fights when he hasn't fought one yet! It's okay him having confidence if he believes this, but there are a lot of cruiserweights out there willing to prove him wrong, and I'm at the top of the list.
J.S: Did you see Green's win over Siaca?
B.J.F: Only on You Tube. Siaca is basically a gatekeeper; a guy who was never a great champion or a big name, with all due respect. I think he was brought in as the opponent. I've seen Green fight before - I saw his fight with [Julio Cesar] Dominguez in Mississippi, which was a tough fight for Green; very much back and forth until Green got the TKO (in the 5th-round). Green is a good fighter, like I say, but he's a good light-heavyweight - he has to face a young, hungry fighter at cruiserweight to prove he's the real deal at cruiserweight. And I'm totally willing to go to Australia to fight him.
J.S: Is this the fight you and your team will go after then?
B.J.F: Absolutely. I'll be back in the ring in June - I need to get myself back - and then, after that, in either July or August or September, it doesn't matter, I'll go over to fight Green. He has no fight coming up, we've been in touch with his team and they are interested, so this is the perfect fight for him. Green needs to make a statement at cruiserweight - not just fight old guys who have been on the shelf, like Roy Jones and Antonio Tarver - and he would make a big statement if he beat me. But I don't think he can do it. I'm willing to lay it all on the line to find out, though!
J.S: You'd have no problems going to Australia?
B.J.F: None at all. I don't care how he wraps his hands (in reference to the Roy Jones fight), he'll be fighting a 200-pound man and I think I'll be stronger than him. I think I'll be too strong and too skilled for him. It would be a big attraction in Australia, too. It wouldn't be so much of a big fight over here, but Danny Green is a big star in Australia and the fight would be a bid deal over there.
J.S: He's fought as high as 185-pounds, but no higher. Is that why you think you'd be stronger than him - what with you being a genuine 200-pounder?
B.J.F: Yeah, he's fought at 184, and if he'd fought guys who were 200-pounds that would have been okay, but he fought guys who were smaller [than full cruiser] also. I just don't see any time he'd be able to dominate the fight. He has more experience than me, but I've had 25 fights myself and I've fought guys who punch harder than Green does. Okay, Green is a more proven all-round fighter than the guys I've fought, but I have fought some good guys who hit harder than Green does.
J.S: Do you think you will get the fight, though? I mean, you were unable to get that fight with Marco Huck, and Green is talking Antonio Tarver, Evander Holyfield and even David Haye (at least his trainer did in a recent article)
B.J.F: Well, he can forget all about David Haye, David's not even thinking about Green, I can guarantee that! And Holyfield and Tarver, you know, I have respect for both guys - and in his prime Tarver beats Green or gives him problems - but Green needs to get off that whole Roy Jones, Antonio Tarver thing. We get it that he can defeat older guys who have been on the shelf - but what is that proving? Like I say, he needs to invite a young and hungry contender like me to his country if he's to make a statement.
J.S: Who will you fight in June, and how many rounds will you box?
B.J.F: I think it will be 8 or ten rounds as I don't like to box less than that. We've spoke to a couple of people but I'm not sure who it will be yet. It's just time to get back in the ring; to dig myself out of the hole I've been put in with me not having had a fight since August. I'm very excited about getting back. The priority for me now is to get the fight with Green and prove him wrong. I'm sure he can't beat me, and I'm willing to go to Australia to prove it. And I've been in camp all this time - don't think I haven't been getting good work! I've been working with some of the best heavyweights in the world.
J.S: Well, I hope you get the Green fight, B.J. For whatever reasons you were unable to get the fight with Huck; let's hope you have more luck here. One final question please - I read that you looked into going into MMA. Is that still a possibility?
B.J.F: It was a possibility. The thing is, I was so frustrated at not being able to get any fights in boxing and I did wrestle [as a youngster]. People were throwing ideas at me, saying I should do MMA. It's still something I would entertain, as I'm still young and I'm athletic. But the June tune-up and then the Green fight take precedent right now. And with regards to that [the Green fight], not too many guys would be willing to go to Australia. But I'm confident that whenever my big shot comes, I'll come though it with flying colours. And I must also say, Danny Green's a great guy. He's charming and funny and I liked him a lot when I met him. But that doesn't mean he beats me! Let's make the fight, in Australia, and let's lay it on the line!
Source: eastsideboxing.com
Rabu, 14 April 2010
Danny Green roars on to defeat Manny Siaca -- Herald Sun
HeraldSun.com.au
DANNY Green has retained his IBO cruiserweight world title with a round three knockout of Puerto Rican Manny Siaca at Challenge Stadium in Perth on Wednesday night.
Green started the opening round strongly, landing some meaningful blows and continued in a similar fashion in the second, when he knocked Siaca down with a powerful right hook.
The 34-year-old stayed on one knee for several seconds and after getting to his feet, weathered a late flurry from Green before being saved by the bell.
But he couldn't keep out the West Australian's flurry of punches in the third round after being trapped in the corner.
Siaca wore three more right hooks from Green before hitting the deck once again with less than a minute remaining in the round.
Once again he stayed down for several seconds in a bid to regain his composure but was counted out by the referee.
Green has now defeated Anthony van Niekerk, Julio Cesar Dominguez, Roy Jones Jr and Siaca since coming out of retirement early last year.
It improved Green's record to 29 wins from 32 bouts, with 26 knockouts.
Siaca's win-loss record slipped to 22-7.
"I hit him early," Green said.
"He took about 20 or 30 uppercuts and he felt the power and was intimated by it.
"He didn't want to know about it.
"I'm stoked, I'm rapt.
"All I can do is defeat who's in front of me. Whoever feels my power is going to go.
"I'm frustrated because I wanted to go 12 rounds to punish Manny.
"I would have loved to have given you guys a better show but unfortunately when you have power like that you can't (make it last longer).
"It feels fantastic, I'm stoked."
It was just Siaca's seventh fight since defeating Anthony Mundine in 2004 to snare the WBA World super middleweight title.
Siaca complained several times about being hit on the top of the head but it fell on deaf ears.
Source: heraldsun.com.au
DANNY Green has retained his IBO cruiserweight world title with a round three knockout of Puerto Rican Manny Siaca at Challenge Stadium in Perth on Wednesday night.
Green started the opening round strongly, landing some meaningful blows and continued in a similar fashion in the second, when he knocked Siaca down with a powerful right hook.
The 34-year-old stayed on one knee for several seconds and after getting to his feet, weathered a late flurry from Green before being saved by the bell.
But he couldn't keep out the West Australian's flurry of punches in the third round after being trapped in the corner.
Siaca wore three more right hooks from Green before hitting the deck once again with less than a minute remaining in the round.
Once again he stayed down for several seconds in a bid to regain his composure but was counted out by the referee.
Green has now defeated Anthony van Niekerk, Julio Cesar Dominguez, Roy Jones Jr and Siaca since coming out of retirement early last year.
It improved Green's record to 29 wins from 32 bouts, with 26 knockouts.
Siaca's win-loss record slipped to 22-7.
"I hit him early," Green said.
"He took about 20 or 30 uppercuts and he felt the power and was intimated by it.
"He didn't want to know about it.
"I'm stoked, I'm rapt.
"All I can do is defeat who's in front of me. Whoever feels my power is going to go.
"I'm frustrated because I wanted to go 12 rounds to punish Manny.
"I would have loved to have given you guys a better show but unfortunately when you have power like that you can't (make it last longer).
"It feels fantastic, I'm stoked."
It was just Siaca's seventh fight since defeating Anthony Mundine in 2004 to snare the WBA World super middleweight title.
Siaca complained several times about being hit on the top of the head but it fell on deaf ears.
Source: heraldsun.com.au
Police to blitz Danny Green fight -- West Australian
By GABRIELLE KNOWLES, The West Australian
WA police have promised to blitz tonight's Danny Green-Manny Siaca IBO cruiserweight bout, with outlaw motorcycle gang members and other "persons of interest" expected among the sell out crowd.
The promoters of tonight's title fight at Challenge Stadium have given police access to the names of VIP ticket holders - every one of whom must pass through a metal detector or be refused entry.
Fans in regular seating in the stands will not automatically be subjected to walk-through metal detectors, but police may target individual fans with hand-held wands.
A "considerable" police presence will patrol crowds inside and outside the venue.
A security crackdown at Green's fight against Anthony van Niekerk at Challenge Stadium 12 months ago saw lengthy delays as patrons queued for hours to pass the security checkpoints.
Organisers and police hope to avoid a repeat by doubling the number of stadium entrances to six. No weapons were detected at last year's bout.
Acting Insp. Vic Hussey said police had identified bikie gang members and "people of interest" from the Eastern States among those who had bought tickets on the ringside VIP tables, but he refused to name them.
"They are the most likely people to be screened," he said.
Outlaw motocycle gang insignia is banned at the bout and Acting Insp. Hussey promised to refuse entry to anyone who wore bikie colours or refused a metal detector search.
Acting Insp. Hussey refused to say exactly how many officers would police the expected 5000-strong crowd but said "considerable police resources" had been allocated to the fight, including officers from the gang crime squad.
Rejecting claims from the Green camp that last years police operation was "overkill", Acting Insp. Hussey said police were taking precautions to ensure everybody could enjoy the fight.
"We're expecting tonight to go along peacefully. That's what we're hoping for, but we're planning for any eventualities," he said.
He said police had no information to suggest there would be any trouble and would not say which bikie gangs police believe will be present.
Source: au.news.yahoo.com
WA police have promised to blitz tonight's Danny Green-Manny Siaca IBO cruiserweight bout, with outlaw motorcycle gang members and other "persons of interest" expected among the sell out crowd.
The promoters of tonight's title fight at Challenge Stadium have given police access to the names of VIP ticket holders - every one of whom must pass through a metal detector or be refused entry.
Fans in regular seating in the stands will not automatically be subjected to walk-through metal detectors, but police may target individual fans with hand-held wands.
A "considerable" police presence will patrol crowds inside and outside the venue.
A security crackdown at Green's fight against Anthony van Niekerk at Challenge Stadium 12 months ago saw lengthy delays as patrons queued for hours to pass the security checkpoints.
Organisers and police hope to avoid a repeat by doubling the number of stadium entrances to six. No weapons were detected at last year's bout.
Acting Insp. Vic Hussey said police had identified bikie gang members and "people of interest" from the Eastern States among those who had bought tickets on the ringside VIP tables, but he refused to name them.
"They are the most likely people to be screened," he said.
Outlaw motocycle gang insignia is banned at the bout and Acting Insp. Hussey promised to refuse entry to anyone who wore bikie colours or refused a metal detector search.
Acting Insp. Hussey refused to say exactly how many officers would police the expected 5000-strong crowd but said "considerable police resources" had been allocated to the fight, including officers from the gang crime squad.
Rejecting claims from the Green camp that last years police operation was "overkill", Acting Insp. Hussey said police were taking precautions to ensure everybody could enjoy the fight.
"We're expecting tonight to go along peacefully. That's what we're hoping for, but we're planning for any eventualities," he said.
He said police had no information to suggest there would be any trouble and would not say which bikie gangs police believe will be present.
Source: au.news.yahoo.com
Selasa, 13 April 2010
Siaca to enter world of hurt against Green -- Sydney Morning Herald
By JAMIE PANDARAM, The Sydney Morning Herald
DANNY GREEN talked of his fight against Manny Siaca going the 12 rounds yesterday, but his hands tonight will likely be speaking a different language.
The mismatch in power and aggression puts Siaca at a great disadvantage, never mind his talk about dodgy home town decisions.
Green is riding the second wind of his career. Having retired for 14 months in 2008, he has returned fresher and sharper.
Green can see himself hurting Siaca at every turn. Conversely, Siaca must envisage an unlikely series of miscalculation and mistakes by Green to land the flooring blow that no other opponent has managed in the Australian's previous 31 bouts.
Siaca possesses a lengthy jab and looping right hand that has made it difficult for his opponents to get set at a comfortable distance, but he does not respond well to power.
As he showed in his seven-round loss to Mikkel Kessler, Siaca has a sturdy front-on defence but can be caught with a right hook.
Green dropped Roy Jones jnr with the right hook. Siaca may have prepared well to combat Green's hooks but like any fighter, he will revert to type when hurt. Green's aim will be to rough up the Puerto Rican early and claim the ring like a bully.
Green wants Siaca in the corners. Against Anthony Mundine, Siaca proved to be a wily customer, but he was allowed to move freely because Mundine is a stick-and-move artist. Green is less subtle.
Facing Green at cruiserweight, Siaca will be planning to test the body, a tactic that brought Markus Beyer success against Green in their super-middleweight world title rematch. Siaca is the taller man but must first play lumberjack to open Green's defence, and a rib assault is his best way of executing the two money shots against a heavy banger; the uppercut, and the overhand.
Siaca boasted of stopping Green inside two rounds, but that means he must be willing to stand and trade with the most powerful fighter he has faced. ''I don't anticipate this fight being stopped early, Manny might have other plans,'' Green said.
''I've practised for a 12-round fight for different styles. We've got a Manny for all occasions. If he goes on the back foot, if he wants to counter-punch, if he wants to come forward and be aggressive, we are ready to counter what he's going to bring.''
Green, 37, insists he has not overlooked Siaca, who has become a journeyman since his 2004 defeat of Mundine. ''I'm not really fussed with what the bookies and the people say is favourite and who's the underdog,'' Green said. ''I'm taking this as a very hard fight. I know it's going to be difficult because technically he's a gifted fighter and he's a proud guy, too.
''My job is to break this man down, my job is to defeat him, my job is to destroy him, that's his job, too.''
Because of bickering with his management, Siaca has been fairly inactive in the past five years. He has moved up and down in weight classes, which will hurt him.
Fighters can rarely be at their physical peak condition when the body is put through the trauma of losing and gaining weight rapidly, over and over.
Green is comfortable at cruiserweight, his speed has followed and his strength has grown.
When he returned from retirement, he wished for a fight against Jones jnr. Now that he has his scalp, he has bigger fish to fry than Siaca. This is an entree in anyone's language.
Source: smh.com.au
DANNY GREEN talked of his fight against Manny Siaca going the 12 rounds yesterday, but his hands tonight will likely be speaking a different language.
The mismatch in power and aggression puts Siaca at a great disadvantage, never mind his talk about dodgy home town decisions.
Green is riding the second wind of his career. Having retired for 14 months in 2008, he has returned fresher and sharper.
Green can see himself hurting Siaca at every turn. Conversely, Siaca must envisage an unlikely series of miscalculation and mistakes by Green to land the flooring blow that no other opponent has managed in the Australian's previous 31 bouts.
Siaca possesses a lengthy jab and looping right hand that has made it difficult for his opponents to get set at a comfortable distance, but he does not respond well to power.
As he showed in his seven-round loss to Mikkel Kessler, Siaca has a sturdy front-on defence but can be caught with a right hook.
Green dropped Roy Jones jnr with the right hook. Siaca may have prepared well to combat Green's hooks but like any fighter, he will revert to type when hurt. Green's aim will be to rough up the Puerto Rican early and claim the ring like a bully.
Green wants Siaca in the corners. Against Anthony Mundine, Siaca proved to be a wily customer, but he was allowed to move freely because Mundine is a stick-and-move artist. Green is less subtle.
Facing Green at cruiserweight, Siaca will be planning to test the body, a tactic that brought Markus Beyer success against Green in their super-middleweight world title rematch. Siaca is the taller man but must first play lumberjack to open Green's defence, and a rib assault is his best way of executing the two money shots against a heavy banger; the uppercut, and the overhand.
Siaca boasted of stopping Green inside two rounds, but that means he must be willing to stand and trade with the most powerful fighter he has faced. ''I don't anticipate this fight being stopped early, Manny might have other plans,'' Green said.
''I've practised for a 12-round fight for different styles. We've got a Manny for all occasions. If he goes on the back foot, if he wants to counter-punch, if he wants to come forward and be aggressive, we are ready to counter what he's going to bring.''
Green, 37, insists he has not overlooked Siaca, who has become a journeyman since his 2004 defeat of Mundine. ''I'm not really fussed with what the bookies and the people say is favourite and who's the underdog,'' Green said. ''I'm taking this as a very hard fight. I know it's going to be difficult because technically he's a gifted fighter and he's a proud guy, too.
''My job is to break this man down, my job is to defeat him, my job is to destroy him, that's his job, too.''
Because of bickering with his management, Siaca has been fairly inactive in the past five years. He has moved up and down in weight classes, which will hurt him.
Fighters can rarely be at their physical peak condition when the body is put through the trauma of losing and gaining weight rapidly, over and over.
Green is comfortable at cruiserweight, his speed has followed and his strength has grown.
When he returned from retirement, he wished for a fight against Jones jnr. Now that he has his scalp, he has bigger fish to fry than Siaca. This is an entree in anyone's language.
Source: smh.com.au
Senin, 12 April 2010
Green learns from bitter rival's mistake -- WA Today
WAToday.com.au
Danny Green insists he is treating tomorrow night's IBO cruiserweight world title fight against Manny Siaca in Perth with the same respect he took into his battle with legendary American Roy Jones Jr last December.
Green demolished Jones Jr in 122 brutal seconds but said he expected his bout with Siaca to go the full distance, even though the Puerto Rican has promised to win by knockout.
"I don't anticipate this fight being stopped early, Manny might have other plans," Green said.
"If it goes 12 hard rounds it will be a bonus for me because it will be a bonus for what happens in the future."
Green would not be drawn into making a prediction on the outcome.
"Everyone knows my style, my style is to go forward and to break my opponent down," he said.
"I've practised for a 12-round fight for different styles. We've got a Manny for all occasions.
"If he goes on the back foot, if he wants to counter punch, if he wants to come forward and be aggressive - we are ready to counter what he's going to bring."
Green said he wouldn't make the same mistake as Jones Jr, who was more focused on lining up a re-match with fellow American Bernard Hopkins when he took on Green in Sydney.
"I'm not looking past Manny Siaca - can't afford to do what Roy Jones did," Green said.
"He looked forward and he looked at Bernard Hopkins and he forgot about a guy that was in front of him.
"I've been very conscious of focusing only on Siaca.
"It's defending my world title, it doesn't matter who's in front of me. I'm going to prepare the same way.
"Roy Jones, Manny Siaca - same thing."
Green, 37, has been installed as a raging $1.14 favourite by TAB Sportsbet while Siaca, who has fought only a handful of times since defeating Anthony Mundine in 2004, is a $5.25 outsider.
"I'm not really fussed with what the bookies and the people say is favourite and who's the underdog," Green said.
"I'm taking this as a very hard fight. I know it's going to be difficult because technically he's a gifted fighter and he's a proud guy, too.
"My job is to break this man down, my job is to defeat him, my job is to destroy him. That's his job, too."
Green said he would not change the wrapping in his hands despite Jones Jr claiming his method was illegal.
"We'll be wrapping according to the rules," Green said.
"Whatever the rules say is how we'll wrap our hands, how we have done every fight and how we did with the Roy Jones fight, so it will be no different." -AAP
Source: watoday.com.au
Danny Green insists he is treating tomorrow night's IBO cruiserweight world title fight against Manny Siaca in Perth with the same respect he took into his battle with legendary American Roy Jones Jr last December.
Green demolished Jones Jr in 122 brutal seconds but said he expected his bout with Siaca to go the full distance, even though the Puerto Rican has promised to win by knockout.
"I don't anticipate this fight being stopped early, Manny might have other plans," Green said.
"If it goes 12 hard rounds it will be a bonus for me because it will be a bonus for what happens in the future."
Green would not be drawn into making a prediction on the outcome.
"Everyone knows my style, my style is to go forward and to break my opponent down," he said.
"I've practised for a 12-round fight for different styles. We've got a Manny for all occasions.
"If he goes on the back foot, if he wants to counter punch, if he wants to come forward and be aggressive - we are ready to counter what he's going to bring."
Green said he wouldn't make the same mistake as Jones Jr, who was more focused on lining up a re-match with fellow American Bernard Hopkins when he took on Green in Sydney.
"I'm not looking past Manny Siaca - can't afford to do what Roy Jones did," Green said.
"He looked forward and he looked at Bernard Hopkins and he forgot about a guy that was in front of him.
"I've been very conscious of focusing only on Siaca.
"It's defending my world title, it doesn't matter who's in front of me. I'm going to prepare the same way.
"Roy Jones, Manny Siaca - same thing."
Green, 37, has been installed as a raging $1.14 favourite by TAB Sportsbet while Siaca, who has fought only a handful of times since defeating Anthony Mundine in 2004, is a $5.25 outsider.
"I'm not really fussed with what the bookies and the people say is favourite and who's the underdog," Green said.
"I'm taking this as a very hard fight. I know it's going to be difficult because technically he's a gifted fighter and he's a proud guy, too.
"My job is to break this man down, my job is to defeat him, my job is to destroy him. That's his job, too."
Green said he would not change the wrapping in his hands despite Jones Jr claiming his method was illegal.
"We'll be wrapping according to the rules," Green said.
"Whatever the rules say is how we'll wrap our hands, how we have done every fight and how we did with the Roy Jones fight, so it will be no different." -AAP
Source: watoday.com.au
Danny Green power leaves trainer stunned -- Daily Telegraph
By Nick Walshaw, The Daily Telegraph
PROOF of the power is Angelo Hyder phoning a Perth chiropractor this week. Aching.
The Sydney fight trainer explaining down that phone line how an urgent house call is required for work on his shoulders, neck and back. On both elbows and wrists. "And can we please get it done this afternoon, mate ... Greeny wants me back on the focus pads tonight."
This is the reality of Danny Green's right hand. A frightening conglomeration all intent, intimidation and oversized knuckle. A fist that, Hyder insists, is Australia's most deadly. You see, while Green and his entourage fronted a large media contingent at Kings Park, Perth yesterday, the key statement had already been made almost 24 hours before. Announced inside a tiny Scarborough hotel gym where the space was cramped and the free weights paltry.
Its clientele compromising one wiry Indian guy on a treadmill.
Yep, this was the last place you'd expect a world champion to hold his final preparations. And the first all those cameras should've looked.
Because here, three storeys below the simple apartment Green's been sharing with Hyder since arriving last Thursday, you can watch the IBO cruiserweight champion saying everything with two gloved hands. Sweating, moving, whacking. More than once causing the experienced Hyder to wince in pain.
And later over dinner Green's trainer will quietly concede that, yes, he has been forced to see a Perth chiropractor. Soaking nightly in hot Painaway tubs too. As sore as you'd expect from a fella insisting Green's right could now challenge Great Whites and Eastern Browns as our most deadly Australian.
"Right now Greeny could knock those Klitschko brothers, the Russian heavyweights, cold," Hyder insists. "Honestly, I've held the pads for Aussie heavyweights like Bob Mirovic and Kali Meehan - none of them have his power. Right now, Dan's hitting harder than any fighter I've ever been involved with ... his left is harder than any Aussie heavyweight's right."
Green's conditioner Hayden Knowles agrees, adding: "You look at his birth certificate and this just shouldn't be happening ... but Danny Green's punches are getting stronger with age."
Of course, this close to his world title defence against Manny Siaca, Green himself has nought to say on the topic.
You want a quote, ask about Siaca.
You see, despite his $1.14 favouritism with TAB Sportsbet, Green knows the wiry Puerto Rican can prove an awkward opponent. A fella boasting reach, nous and one of those chins you could whack for weeks with a shovel and not dent. A fighter who, unlike Roy Jones Jr, will fire back.
It's why Green has sparred some 100 rounds for tomorrow night's fight. Why he's used six sparring partners, worked closely with cage fighters and trained with such intensity three noses have been broken. Why right now, in this tiny hotel gym, his combinations rip into those moving mitts like shotgun blasts.
Hyder wincing as he goes.
Source: dailytelegraph.com.au
PROOF of the power is Angelo Hyder phoning a Perth chiropractor this week. Aching.
The Sydney fight trainer explaining down that phone line how an urgent house call is required for work on his shoulders, neck and back. On both elbows and wrists. "And can we please get it done this afternoon, mate ... Greeny wants me back on the focus pads tonight."
This is the reality of Danny Green's right hand. A frightening conglomeration all intent, intimidation and oversized knuckle. A fist that, Hyder insists, is Australia's most deadly. You see, while Green and his entourage fronted a large media contingent at Kings Park, Perth yesterday, the key statement had already been made almost 24 hours before. Announced inside a tiny Scarborough hotel gym where the space was cramped and the free weights paltry.
Its clientele compromising one wiry Indian guy on a treadmill.
Yep, this was the last place you'd expect a world champion to hold his final preparations. And the first all those cameras should've looked.
Because here, three storeys below the simple apartment Green's been sharing with Hyder since arriving last Thursday, you can watch the IBO cruiserweight champion saying everything with two gloved hands. Sweating, moving, whacking. More than once causing the experienced Hyder to wince in pain.
And later over dinner Green's trainer will quietly concede that, yes, he has been forced to see a Perth chiropractor. Soaking nightly in hot Painaway tubs too. As sore as you'd expect from a fella insisting Green's right could now challenge Great Whites and Eastern Browns as our most deadly Australian.
"Right now Greeny could knock those Klitschko brothers, the Russian heavyweights, cold," Hyder insists. "Honestly, I've held the pads for Aussie heavyweights like Bob Mirovic and Kali Meehan - none of them have his power. Right now, Dan's hitting harder than any fighter I've ever been involved with ... his left is harder than any Aussie heavyweight's right."
Green's conditioner Hayden Knowles agrees, adding: "You look at his birth certificate and this just shouldn't be happening ... but Danny Green's punches are getting stronger with age."
Of course, this close to his world title defence against Manny Siaca, Green himself has nought to say on the topic.
You want a quote, ask about Siaca.
You see, despite his $1.14 favouritism with TAB Sportsbet, Green knows the wiry Puerto Rican can prove an awkward opponent. A fella boasting reach, nous and one of those chins you could whack for weeks with a shovel and not dent. A fighter who, unlike Roy Jones Jr, will fire back.
It's why Green has sparred some 100 rounds for tomorrow night's fight. Why he's used six sparring partners, worked closely with cage fighters and trained with such intensity three noses have been broken. Why right now, in this tiny hotel gym, his combinations rip into those moving mitts like shotgun blasts.
Hyder wincing as he goes.
Source: dailytelegraph.com.au
Minggu, 11 April 2010
Danny Green's cagey preparations for title fight -- Daily Telegraph
By Nick Walshaw, The Daily Telegraph
THEY were the secret weapon behind Parramatta's 2009 Grand Final charge, now cage fighting brothers Tama and James Te Huna are helping prepare Danny Green for his IBO world title defence.
Sport Confidential can reveal Green employed 130kg brawler Willie Felipe from the Te Hunas' gym as part of preparations for Wednesday night's bout with Puerto Rican Manny Siaca.
The emerging heavyweight is one of six sparring partners used by Team Green, who were keen for their man to take on some heavy artillery in training.
Blacktown fighter Dominic Vea can also consider himself unlucky after receiving a heap of press for having his nose broken by Green in one of their final sessions. Why?
He'd already done the same thing to another two sparring partners at previous sessions.
Source: dailytelegraph.com.au
THEY were the secret weapon behind Parramatta's 2009 Grand Final charge, now cage fighting brothers Tama and James Te Huna are helping prepare Danny Green for his IBO world title defence.
Sport Confidential can reveal Green employed 130kg brawler Willie Felipe from the Te Hunas' gym as part of preparations for Wednesday night's bout with Puerto Rican Manny Siaca.
The emerging heavyweight is one of six sparring partners used by Team Green, who were keen for their man to take on some heavy artillery in training.Blacktown fighter Dominic Vea can also consider himself unlucky after receiving a heap of press for having his nose broken by Green in one of their final sessions. Why?
He'd already done the same thing to another two sparring partners at previous sessions.
Source: dailytelegraph.com.au
Sabtu, 03 April 2010
Danny Green sees red on fight -- Herald Sun
By Tony Sheahan, Sunday Herald Sun
DANNY Green has come out swinging ahead of his bout with Puerto Rican Manny Siaca.
Green took a swipe at the sport's governing body as well as former trainer Jeff Fenech, and fired another shot at arch-enemy Anthony Mundine.
Green fights for the IBO cruiserweight title on Wednesday week in front of a home crowd at Perth's Challenge Stadium.
Opponent Siaca is the boxer who knocked down Green's great rival Mundine in 2004.
"He has 22 victories, 18 KOs and is a former world champion," Green said.
"His confidence is gone, his power has gone and I think he is well past his best. Mundine is going to try and cash in and milk the public of their money."
Green is desperate for revenge following his loss to Mundine in 2006 in front of 32,000 fans in Sydney.
There may be a new threat to Green's crown as the country's best boxer.
Dandenong fighter Jamie Bogovic is destined for stardom according to his new trainer, former world champion Fenech.
"He is Australia's next big thing," Fenech predicted.
"One day he will be world champion. And he will beat Danny Green in 12-18 months."
Green, 37, was more than happy to counter his former trainer's sparring.
"I'm glad Jeff is not coming out of retirement to fight again, because obviously boxing has affected his health," Green said.
Bogovic next fights on April 19, in Keysborough.
Green's camp turned to 34-year-old Siaca for his title defence after US veteran Bernard Hopkins turned down a deal to fight Green to instead stage a re-match with Jones in Las Vegas today.
Siaca has not fought since March last year.
Source: heraldsun.com.au
DANNY Green has come out swinging ahead of his bout with Puerto Rican Manny Siaca.
Green took a swipe at the sport's governing body as well as former trainer Jeff Fenech, and fired another shot at arch-enemy Anthony Mundine.
Green fights for the IBO cruiserweight title on Wednesday week in front of a home crowd at Perth's Challenge Stadium.
Opponent Siaca is the boxer who knocked down Green's great rival Mundine in 2004.Green said he faced a formidable fighter.
"He has 22 victories, 18 KOs and is a former world champion," Green said.The Australian public, however, is more interested in a rematch with Mundine.
"I don't want to look past my next fight, but why would the public want to wait any longer? You can't hype it up any more. It's ready to pop," Green said.
"His confidence is gone, his power has gone and I think he is well past his best. Mundine is going to try and cash in and milk the public of their money."
Green is desperate for revenge following his loss to Mundine in 2006 in front of 32,000 fans in Sydney.
There may be a new threat to Green's crown as the country's best boxer.
Dandenong fighter Jamie Bogovic is destined for stardom according to his new trainer, former world champion Fenech.
"He is Australia's next big thing," Fenech predicted.
"One day he will be world champion. And he will beat Danny Green in 12-18 months."
Green, 37, was more than happy to counter his former trainer's sparring.
"I'm glad Jeff is not coming out of retirement to fight again, because obviously boxing has affected his health," Green said.
Bogovic next fights on April 19, in Keysborough.
Green's camp turned to 34-year-old Siaca for his title defence after US veteran Bernard Hopkins turned down a deal to fight Green to instead stage a re-match with Jones in Las Vegas today.
Siaca has not fought since March last year.
Source: heraldsun.com.au
Jumat, 02 April 2010
Q&A: Danny Green -- FightNews
By Craig Watt, FightNews.com
IBO cruiserweight champion Danny Green (28-3, 25KO’s) is in the final stages of his training camp in Sydney for his upcoming title defence on April 14th. He takes on Manny Siaca (22-6, 19KO’s) from Puerto Rico in a bout that is sold out at the Challenge Stadium in Green’s hometown of Perth, Western Australia. This is a “homecoming” fight for the popular Australian who is a three weight world champion having previously won the WBA light-heavyweight and interim WBC 168 pound titles. The 5,500 capacity crowd was sold out in just two hours in his hometown city when tickets went on sale last month.
The 37 year old “Green Machine” comes off his most impressive win to date when he stopped future Hall of Famer Roy Jones Junior in 122 seconds in December which shocked the boxing world. After possible fights against Bernard Hopkins and Antonio Tarver fell through he turned his attention to a lucrative potential rematch with two time WBA super-middleweight champion Anthony Mundine.
Siaca holds a win over Mundine when he outpointed him for the WBA 168 pound title in May 2004 and Green is hoping an impressive win will “smoke” out the fellow Australian and ink a rematch. Their first fight in 2006 drew a live gate of over 30,000 and was the richest fight in Australian boxing history generating an estimated $8m.
In the background to Green’s preparation is the upcoming rematch between Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Junior this weekend in Las Vegas– a match up that Green feels lacks boxing credibility because of his personal 122 second destruction of Jones Jr at the Acer Arena last December. Danny spoke to Fightnews today from his camp in Sydney.
People keep asking me who I think is going to win but it is a difficult fight to call. People were so shocked when I knocked out Roy in just 122 seconds and in boxing you never know what will happen. Roy could fight out of his skin and pull off an upset win. The form book would see Hopkins as favourite but Jones is a boxing legend and could spring a surprise. I think Bernard Hopkins will win but it may not be much of a spectacle for the fans. We will see what happens at the weekend. It is just a shame that it is not me in there with Hopkins after I destroyed Roy Jones Jr.
Why are you so upset about the way Roy Jones Jr dealt with the defeat after that fight?
I thought that Roy Jones was just a bad loser and tried to take away my moment of glory by accusing me of cheating with my hand wraps. All the investigations exonerated me and everything was in order but the Jones camp tried to dishonour my win by accusation after accusation – all of which had no facts behind them. The bottom line was I knocked him out fair and square. He first said the referee stopped it too early but if you watch the replay he took 46 unanswered punches without throwing anything back – Is that too early ? He complained about the gloves which everyone needs to know he supplied himself. Now how can that be my fault ?
What about the issue of the hand wraps?
Again – excuses. These hand wraps were the same ones I used in five previous world title fights all over the world. I used them against Marcus Beyer in Germany, Eric Lucas in Canada and also in Mississippi when I won the IBO title. All were happy then and on December 2nd they were inspected by the NSW Combat Sports Commission – 3 independent people gave them the all clear. I think when Team Jones realised the magnitude of the loss in financial terms with a Hopkins re-match pencilled in the calendar and rushed to discredit my result and try and rescue the situation from a financial perspective. It wasn’t about boxing – he lost fair and square.
How close are you to a rematch with Anthony Mundine?
Mundine gives me a good payday but won’t really cement my legacy in the support. What people must remember is that he called me out of retirement for a rematch. I came out of retirement and accepted his challenge and he then runs off to the hills. I recently called his bluff again and challenged him to the rematch but he has gone into hiding and obviously is not man enough to accept my challenge and the multi-million dollar pay day it will bring him. I don’t need Mundine and if the answer is no then we will move on and I will go in a different direction. This silence cannot go on – Mundine must either decline or accept my offer. The clock is ticking and we will soon move on to pastures new and bring more big fights to Australia.
Would you like to fight the winner of the Jones-Hopkins rematch?
I would like to fight Hopkins as he is a respected fighter all over the world and a match in Australia would be another big fight and a big payday for Hopkins. If Jones Jr was to win then we would have to see. I do have a sour taste in my mouth after the last fight and after knocking him out so dominantly I don’t really think I have anything to prove.
How is training going for the Manny Siaca fight?
I just completed an open training session today and in my camp I have been in the best shape of my life. I have broken three noses in sparring and Angelo Hyder has built me up into great shape. I cannot wait to get back in the ring and knock Siaca out. Siaca dropped Mundine to the canvas and beat him on points and my job is to send a message to Mundine – I will knock him out.
How excited are you to be back in Perth for this fight?
After my win over Roy Jones in Sydney at the Acer Arena it was so good to be able to come back to see my hometown fans. They have supported me all the way in my journey and it is great to put some back and give them a good night. Amazingly all 5,500 tickets sold out in just two hours which gives me a fantastic lift to see than the people of Perth are still 100% behind me. I will put on a top performance for all my fans on April 14th.
* * *
Danny Green’s IBO title defence against Siaca will be shown in Australia on Main Events PPV on April 14th.
Source: fightnews.com
IBO cruiserweight champion Danny Green (28-3, 25KO’s) is in the final stages of his training camp in Sydney for his upcoming title defence on April 14th. He takes on Manny Siaca (22-6, 19KO’s) from Puerto Rico in a bout that is sold out at the Challenge Stadium in Green’s hometown of Perth, Western Australia. This is a “homecoming” fight for the popular Australian who is a three weight world champion having previously won the WBA light-heavyweight and interim WBC 168 pound titles. The 5,500 capacity crowd was sold out in just two hours in his hometown city when tickets went on sale last month.
The 37 year old “Green Machine” comes off his most impressive win to date when he stopped future Hall of Famer Roy Jones Junior in 122 seconds in December which shocked the boxing world. After possible fights against Bernard Hopkins and Antonio Tarver fell through he turned his attention to a lucrative potential rematch with two time WBA super-middleweight champion Anthony Mundine.
Siaca holds a win over Mundine when he outpointed him for the WBA 168 pound title in May 2004 and Green is hoping an impressive win will “smoke” out the fellow Australian and ink a rematch. Their first fight in 2006 drew a live gate of over 30,000 and was the richest fight in Australian boxing history generating an estimated $8m.
In the background to Green’s preparation is the upcoming rematch between Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Junior this weekend in Las Vegas– a match up that Green feels lacks boxing credibility because of his personal 122 second destruction of Jones Jr at the Acer Arena last December. Danny spoke to Fightnews today from his camp in Sydney. Danny, what are your thoughts on the upcoming fight between Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins this weekend?
Why are you so upset about the way Roy Jones Jr dealt with the defeat after that fight?
I thought that Roy Jones was just a bad loser and tried to take away my moment of glory by accusing me of cheating with my hand wraps. All the investigations exonerated me and everything was in order but the Jones camp tried to dishonour my win by accusation after accusation – all of which had no facts behind them. The bottom line was I knocked him out fair and square. He first said the referee stopped it too early but if you watch the replay he took 46 unanswered punches without throwing anything back – Is that too early ? He complained about the gloves which everyone needs to know he supplied himself. Now how can that be my fault ?
What about the issue of the hand wraps?
Again – excuses. These hand wraps were the same ones I used in five previous world title fights all over the world. I used them against Marcus Beyer in Germany, Eric Lucas in Canada and also in Mississippi when I won the IBO title. All were happy then and on December 2nd they were inspected by the NSW Combat Sports Commission – 3 independent people gave them the all clear. I think when Team Jones realised the magnitude of the loss in financial terms with a Hopkins re-match pencilled in the calendar and rushed to discredit my result and try and rescue the situation from a financial perspective. It wasn’t about boxing – he lost fair and square.
How close are you to a rematch with Anthony Mundine?
Mundine gives me a good payday but won’t really cement my legacy in the support. What people must remember is that he called me out of retirement for a rematch. I came out of retirement and accepted his challenge and he then runs off to the hills. I recently called his bluff again and challenged him to the rematch but he has gone into hiding and obviously is not man enough to accept my challenge and the multi-million dollar pay day it will bring him. I don’t need Mundine and if the answer is no then we will move on and I will go in a different direction. This silence cannot go on – Mundine must either decline or accept my offer. The clock is ticking and we will soon move on to pastures new and bring more big fights to Australia.
Would you like to fight the winner of the Jones-Hopkins rematch?
I would like to fight Hopkins as he is a respected fighter all over the world and a match in Australia would be another big fight and a big payday for Hopkins. If Jones Jr was to win then we would have to see. I do have a sour taste in my mouth after the last fight and after knocking him out so dominantly I don’t really think I have anything to prove.
How is training going for the Manny Siaca fight?
I just completed an open training session today and in my camp I have been in the best shape of my life. I have broken three noses in sparring and Angelo Hyder has built me up into great shape. I cannot wait to get back in the ring and knock Siaca out. Siaca dropped Mundine to the canvas and beat him on points and my job is to send a message to Mundine – I will knock him out.
How excited are you to be back in Perth for this fight?
After my win over Roy Jones in Sydney at the Acer Arena it was so good to be able to come back to see my hometown fans. They have supported me all the way in my journey and it is great to put some back and give them a good night. Amazingly all 5,500 tickets sold out in just two hours which gives me a fantastic lift to see than the people of Perth are still 100% behind me. I will put on a top performance for all my fans on April 14th.
* * *
Danny Green’s IBO title defence against Siaca will be shown in Australia on Main Events PPV on April 14th.
Source: fightnews.com
Ex-champ Jones says he's not finished yet -- Las Vegas Review-Journal
By STEVE CARP, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Bernard Hopkins talks about Saturday's light heavyweight fight against Roy Jones Jr
.
at Mandalay Bay -- a rematch 17 years in the making -- in terms of unfinished business.
But for Jones, it's more about being finished.
"This is about proving people wrong that I'm through," said Jones, who beat Hopkins by unanimous decision in a 1993 middleweight bout. "My beating him again ain't going to prove anything."
The reality is the 41-year-old Jones has a lot to prove.
He's coming off a first-round knockout loss to Danny Green in Australia on Dec. 2. Jones has lost five of his past 10 fights dating to 2004, when Antonio Tarver stopped him in the second round of their world light heavyweight title unification fight at Mandalay Bay.
Yet Jones (54-6, 40 knockouts), who has captured five world titles in four weight divisions (middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight), insists he's not through.
"After the (Green) fight, I asked (trainer Alton Merkerson), 'Do you think we should call it, or do you think we should keep going?' " Jones said. "And he said, 'I think you should keep going. You still got it. I don't see a problem with you right now. You have to tighten a few things, but you should continue to go.'
"People forget I got up in the Danny Green fight, and I was OK. I didn't have a problem with the punch he hit me with. My problem was his hand wraps were illegal and it should have been a no contest."
Despite Jones' insistence that he's fine, many fight fans don't appear to share his opinion. Only 5,000 tickets for the fight have been sold, but Richard Schaefer, chief executive officer of Golden Boy Promotions, said with walk-up sales Saturday he is expecting 7,500 tickets to be sold.
Jones weighed 174½ pounds Wednesday and said his training camp in Pensacola, Fla., went well.
"I feel the best I have felt in a long time," he said. "In past fights, I felt like I overtrained. I have a little more motivation. I worked on different parts of my game, and whatever he does, I'll be ready."
Jones and the 45-year-old Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs), who has won four of his past five fights, were supposed to meet in 2006 but couldn't agree on how to divvy up the money. This time, each fighter will earn an undisclosed percentage of the net revenues.
"The only reason he's fighting me now is because he feels like I'm done," Jones said. "He feels like I'm washed up. He feels like I'm old goods. He feels there's no way I can survive 12 rounds with him now. But he's wrong."
Jones, who took a year off in 2005 to work for HBO before returning to the ring, said he won't take any more impromptu breaks from boxing. He said he'll know when it's time to leave the ring for good, whether it's after Saturday's bout or five years from now.
"I want to do it until I can't anymore," Jones said. "Boxing is something I don't have to do; it's something I want to do. When I stopped, I had nothing to do. As long as I can still do it, why should I stop?"
■ NOTES -- Today's weigh-in is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Mandalay Bay and is open to the public. ... Hopkins is a minus-500 betting favorite at MGM Mirage's sports books with Jones at plus-350.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
Source: lvrj.com
Bernard Hopkins talks about Saturday's light heavyweight fight against Roy Jones Jr. at Mandalay Bay -- a rematch 17 years in the making -- in terms of unfinished business.But for Jones, it's more about being finished.
"This is about proving people wrong that I'm through," said Jones, who beat Hopkins by unanimous decision in a 1993 middleweight bout. "My beating him again ain't going to prove anything."
The reality is the 41-year-old Jones has a lot to prove.
He's coming off a first-round knockout loss to Danny Green in Australia on Dec. 2. Jones has lost five of his past 10 fights dating to 2004, when Antonio Tarver stopped him in the second round of their world light heavyweight title unification fight at Mandalay Bay.
Yet Jones (54-6, 40 knockouts), who has captured five world titles in four weight divisions (middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight), insists he's not through.
"After the (Green) fight, I asked (trainer Alton Merkerson), 'Do you think we should call it, or do you think we should keep going?' " Jones said. "And he said, 'I think you should keep going. You still got it. I don't see a problem with you right now. You have to tighten a few things, but you should continue to go.'
"People forget I got up in the Danny Green fight, and I was OK. I didn't have a problem with the punch he hit me with. My problem was his hand wraps were illegal and it should have been a no contest."
Despite Jones' insistence that he's fine, many fight fans don't appear to share his opinion. Only 5,000 tickets for the fight have been sold, but Richard Schaefer, chief executive officer of Golden Boy Promotions, said with walk-up sales Saturday he is expecting 7,500 tickets to be sold.
Jones weighed 174½ pounds Wednesday and said his training camp in Pensacola, Fla., went well.
"I feel the best I have felt in a long time," he said. "In past fights, I felt like I overtrained. I have a little more motivation. I worked on different parts of my game, and whatever he does, I'll be ready."
Jones and the 45-year-old Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs), who has won four of his past five fights, were supposed to meet in 2006 but couldn't agree on how to divvy up the money. This time, each fighter will earn an undisclosed percentage of the net revenues.
"The only reason he's fighting me now is because he feels like I'm done," Jones said. "He feels like I'm washed up. He feels like I'm old goods. He feels there's no way I can survive 12 rounds with him now. But he's wrong."
Jones, who took a year off in 2005 to work for HBO before returning to the ring, said he won't take any more impromptu breaks from boxing. He said he'll know when it's time to leave the ring for good, whether it's after Saturday's bout or five years from now.
"I want to do it until I can't anymore," Jones said. "Boxing is something I don't have to do; it's something I want to do. When I stopped, I had nothing to do. As long as I can still do it, why should I stop?"
■ NOTES -- Today's weigh-in is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Mandalay Bay and is open to the public. ... Hopkins is a minus-500 betting favorite at MGM Mirage's sports books with Jones at plus-350.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
Source: lvrj.com
Hopkins - Jones is desperate -- Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Bernard Hopkins says Roy Jones Jr is a 'desperate man' as the two ageing veterans try and settle an old score in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Jones defeated Hopkins to win the IBF middleweight title way back in 1993, and despite the bad blood between the two the rematch has taken 17 years to put together.
41-year-old Jones looks like he is in a rapid decline, whereas Hopkins, despite being 45, has won his last two fights on points against Enrique Ornelas and Kelly Pavlik.
'The Executioner' is still desperate to avenge his 1993 defeat in Washington at all costs, and he has labelled his opponent as a desperate man after his recent defeats.
"He's one up on me. It's a personal vendetta. I've got something legitimate to me personally in this fight."
Both men have blamed each other for the numerous failed attempts at a rematch, and Jones says that Hopkins has only now agreed to the fight as he thinks he is way past his best after recent defeats.
"He feels like I'm done. I'm washed up. I'm old goods," said Jones. "That's the only reason he's taking the fight now.
"I'm going to give him my secret punch, guaranteed to stop him. He's going to sleep by knockout. There's nothing he can do to win."
Rivalry
Hopkins, who believes he can challenge David Haye for the world heavyweight title, countered: "He didn't want to fight me again because after 1993 I got better and he didn't."
Jones has said he won their first fight with a unanimous points decisions despite having a hand injury, so is confident of the same result.
"I remember I beat him with one hand," said Jones. "My right hand was injured and I had to overcome that. I didn't have a right hand in that fight against him. So why should it be so hard now that I got two hands?
"He don't like me, and I'm glad he don't like me. He hates he couldn't beat Roy Jones in his prime, in his heyday, and he hates Roy Jones for that, he hates that I overshadowed him in his prime, and he has not liked me from that day forward. But that's too bad.
"After Saturday, he's gonna hate me twice as much as he does now."
Source: skysports.com
Bernard Hopkins says Roy Jones Jr is a 'desperate man' as the two ageing veterans try and settle an old score in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Jones defeated Hopkins to win the IBF middleweight title way back in 1993, and despite the bad blood between the two the rematch has taken 17 years to put together.
Many now say the time has passed and the two should not be fighting, especially Jones after he lost five of his last ten fights including a shock first-round stoppage by little-known Australian Danny Green.
41-year-old Jones looks like he is in a rapid decline, whereas Hopkins, despite being 45, has won his last two fights on points against Enrique Ornelas and Kelly Pavlik.'The Executioner' is still desperate to avenge his 1993 defeat in Washington at all costs, and he has labelled his opponent as a desperate man after his recent defeats.Desperate
"Roy Jones is a desperate man. A desperate man is a dangerous man," said Hopkins. "It's personal. It's definitely personal. I helped start his legacy and I'm going to end it.
"He's one up on me. It's a personal vendetta. I've got something legitimate to me personally in this fight."
Both men have blamed each other for the numerous failed attempts at a rematch, and Jones says that Hopkins has only now agreed to the fight as he thinks he is way past his best after recent defeats.
"He feels like I'm done. I'm washed up. I'm old goods," said Jones. "That's the only reason he's taking the fight now.
"I'm going to give him my secret punch, guaranteed to stop him. He's going to sleep by knockout. There's nothing he can do to win."
Rivalry
Hopkins, who believes he can challenge David Haye for the world heavyweight title, countered: "He didn't want to fight me again because after 1993 I got better and he didn't."
Jones has said he won their first fight with a unanimous points decisions despite having a hand injury, so is confident of the same result.
"I remember I beat him with one hand," said Jones. "My right hand was injured and I had to overcome that. I didn't have a right hand in that fight against him. So why should it be so hard now that I got two hands?
"He don't like me, and I'm glad he don't like me. He hates he couldn't beat Roy Jones in his prime, in his heyday, and he hates Roy Jones for that, he hates that I overshadowed him in his prime, and he has not liked me from that day forward. But that's too bad.
"After Saturday, he's gonna hate me twice as much as he does now."
Source: skysports.com
Roy Jones Jr. confident he’ll knockout Bernard Hopkins -- Las Vegas Sun
By Brett Okamoto, Las Vegas Sun
In 1993, Roy Jones Jr. stared his trainer Alton Merkerson in the eye and told him not to worry about the boxer's health. Jones had injured his right hand in preparing for Bernard Hopkins, but refused to even consider backing out of his first world-title fight.
"I tried to pull him out of the fight," Merkerson said. "I told him, 'Look, let's not take a chance. Let's pull out of the fight because you've got an injured right hand. We can do this later.'
"But he told me, 'You only get an opportunity like this once in a lifetime. I can beat him.' You know, if your athlete thinks he can do it, you can't try to pull him back and say he can't."
Jones went on to box beautifully and defeat Hopkins by unanimous decision for the vacant IBF middleweight belt.
Concerns are high for Jones considering the 41-year-old fighter has been stopped three times during the last six years, after having never been stopped in his career before that point.
When asked about his medical status for this fight, Jones played coy during the open workouts and said he remembered beating Hopkins with an injured hand the first time so this second fight should be a breeze.
"I remember I beat him with one hand," Jones said. "My right hand was injured and I had to overcome that. I didn't have a right hand in that fight against him. So why should it be so hard now that I got two hands?"
Whether it's true or not that Jones has lost a step competitively, he appears at least to be medically fit to step into the ring Saturday.
According to Chief Operating Officer of Square Ring Promotions Bobby Goodman, Jones passed a comprehensive physical laid out by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Even Merkerson, who says part of the reason he's still cornering Jones is because he's unafraid to stop a fight from the corner, says that medically, Jones is ready to go.
"Like I've stated before, yes, I'm concerned because Roy is like one of my own kids," Merkerson said. "But he has decided that he's going to fight and I'd rather be here with him than without him, because I'm always going to look out for his best interests.
"We have had brain scans. We have done everything that we're supposed to. He doesn't have any brain damage. He hasn't had any major injuries to him from the knockouts. Yes, it's getting close to the time where he'll have to give this thing up because you can't do it forever. But right now, from a medical standpoint, he's fine."
Jones recognizes that many people are still down on him given his performance in his last fight — a first-round TKO loss at the hands of the relatively unknown Danny Green in December in Australia.
The loss doesn't stick out as a red flag to Jones, however, as he says Green used illegal hand-wrapping procedures and never was asked to take a urinalysis test, despite the fact it was a championship fight.
"It's not a matter of what I said, it's the fact the that's what happened," Jones said. "It's not in my head, but the fact that he was able to do it and get away with it bothers me. How are you going to let him do that when you know he's wrapping his hands? It's not fair to me."
Merkerson says he regrets allowing his fighter to get in the ring that night, as he had been aware of both infractions. When Merkerson brought them up to commission officials, he was told Jones would forfeit the bout if he refused to fight.
Jones's camp has filed an appeal to get the result of the fight turned around.
Both fighter and trainer are aware that Jones opened as a 5-to-1 underdog to Hopkins for Saturday's fight and that time may be running out on his storied career.
But as history has shown with the two, the decision of hanging up his gloves will fall squarely on Jones's shoulders and Merkerson will support him no matter what.
"You know, a person has to make that decision on his own when it comes to that," Merkerson said. "It's like drugs and alcohol. All the counseling and all the rehab in the world, you're not going to stop doing drugs until you're ready to stop yourself. "
Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com. Also follow him on twitter: LVSunFighting.
Source: lasvegassun.com
In 1993, Roy Jones Jr. stared his trainer Alton Merkerson in the eye and told him not to worry about the boxer's health. Jones had injured his right hand in preparing for Bernard Hopkins, but refused to even consider backing out of his first world-title fight.
"I tried to pull him out of the fight," Merkerson said. "I told him, 'Look, let's not take a chance. Let's pull out of the fight because you've got an injured right hand. We can do this later.'
"But he told me, 'You only get an opportunity like this once in a lifetime. I can beat him.' You know, if your athlete thinks he can do it, you can't try to pull him back and say he can't."Jones went on to box beautifully and defeat Hopkins by unanimous decision for the vacant IBF middleweight belt.Seventeen years later, Jones (54-6, 40 KO) is again reassuring Merkerson that everything will be fine. The former champion will look to defeat Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KO) a second time Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Concerns are high for Jones considering the 41-year-old fighter has been stopped three times during the last six years, after having never been stopped in his career before that point.
When asked about his medical status for this fight, Jones played coy during the open workouts and said he remembered beating Hopkins with an injured hand the first time so this second fight should be a breeze.
"I remember I beat him with one hand," Jones said. "My right hand was injured and I had to overcome that. I didn't have a right hand in that fight against him. So why should it be so hard now that I got two hands?"
Whether it's true or not that Jones has lost a step competitively, he appears at least to be medically fit to step into the ring Saturday.
According to Chief Operating Officer of Square Ring Promotions Bobby Goodman, Jones passed a comprehensive physical laid out by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Even Merkerson, who says part of the reason he's still cornering Jones is because he's unafraid to stop a fight from the corner, says that medically, Jones is ready to go.
"Like I've stated before, yes, I'm concerned because Roy is like one of my own kids," Merkerson said. "But he has decided that he's going to fight and I'd rather be here with him than without him, because I'm always going to look out for his best interests.
"We have had brain scans. We have done everything that we're supposed to. He doesn't have any brain damage. He hasn't had any major injuries to him from the knockouts. Yes, it's getting close to the time where he'll have to give this thing up because you can't do it forever. But right now, from a medical standpoint, he's fine."
Jones recognizes that many people are still down on him given his performance in his last fight — a first-round TKO loss at the hands of the relatively unknown Danny Green in December in Australia.
The loss doesn't stick out as a red flag to Jones, however, as he says Green used illegal hand-wrapping procedures and never was asked to take a urinalysis test, despite the fact it was a championship fight.
"It's not a matter of what I said, it's the fact the that's what happened," Jones said. "It's not in my head, but the fact that he was able to do it and get away with it bothers me. How are you going to let him do that when you know he's wrapping his hands? It's not fair to me."
Merkerson says he regrets allowing his fighter to get in the ring that night, as he had been aware of both infractions. When Merkerson brought them up to commission officials, he was told Jones would forfeit the bout if he refused to fight.
Jones's camp has filed an appeal to get the result of the fight turned around.
Both fighter and trainer are aware that Jones opened as a 5-to-1 underdog to Hopkins for Saturday's fight and that time may be running out on his storied career.
But as history has shown with the two, the decision of hanging up his gloves will fall squarely on Jones's shoulders and Merkerson will support him no matter what.
"You know, a person has to make that decision on his own when it comes to that," Merkerson said. "It's like drugs and alcohol. All the counseling and all the rehab in the world, you're not going to stop doing drugs until you're ready to stop yourself. "
Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com. Also follow him on twitter: LVSunFighting.
Source: lasvegassun.com
Kamis, 01 April 2010
Executioner gives Green's reputation a pummelling -- Sydney Morning Herald
By DANIEL LANE, The Sydney Morning Herald
IF WORLD champion Danny Green needed proof his reputation has been tarnished by Roy Jones Jnr's 
claim he wore illegal wraps into the ring during the ''greatest victory in Australia's boxing history'', an online interview with Bernard Hopkins has provided it.
Green was initially angered by Jones's claim because it suggested he had cheated. Now he could argue Hopkins has proven the accusation has cost him professionally and financially after the fighter nicknamed ''The Executioner'' took a swipe at the Australian during an interview with Craven Online.
''The Danny Green thing to me was a fluke,'' said Hopkins of the win over Jones. ''The Danny Green thing - I mean I don't think you even knew who Danny Green was [before the fight].''
Hopkins then turned his attention to the issue of the hand wraps and also the action of the English referee, Howard Foster, who stepped in quickly to save Jones from further harm after he'd hit the canvas and took 46 unanswered punches.
''When I think of Danny Green and take the alleged hand wraps and all that stuff that Roy has protested, filed petitions,'' he said. ''[I've] seen YouTube. I've seen the clippings of it. My opinion, 'Should they let Roy Jones get killed?' - no. But they should have gave [sic] Roy Jones the benefit of the doubt and see if he gets knocked down again or takes some punches where he's not protecting himself. I didn't see that.''
Green stunned the boxing world with the ease in which he destroyed Jones. It took him 122 brutal seconds, and while the American said immediately after the bout he was beaten by the better man on the night he has since been far from gracious in defeat. Apart from alleging Green wore illegal wraps (strapping) under his gloves he has made other excuses, including that the gloves he wore against Green were substandard.
That claim amuses the Green camp as Jones provided his own gloves.
The local boxing authority, which approved the manner in which Green's fists were strapped, the NSW Combat Sports Authority, gave Jones's complaint about the hand wraps credence by proposing an inquiry into the matter.
Green has said that not only were his wraps inspected on two occasions before the bout, but they were wrapped the same way as his previous five world title bouts.
Source: smh.com.au
IF WORLD champion Danny Green needed proof his reputation has been tarnished by Roy Jones Jnr's claim he wore illegal wraps into the ring during the ''greatest victory in Australia's boxing history'', an online interview with Bernard Hopkins has provided it.Jones and Hopkins fight in Las Vegas on Sunday (Sydney time). It is Jones's first outing since he was stopped in the opening round of his International Boxing Organisation (IBO) cruiserweight challenge in Sydney last December.
After defeating Jones, a world champion in four divisions and an eight-time world champion, Green attempted to lure another all-time great, Hopkins, to Australia. While Hopkins initially said he liked the language Green spoke - a lot of money - he subsequently rejected the offer, deciding to fight a rematch with Jones, although that bout has failed to capture the public's attention.
Green was initially angered by Jones's claim because it suggested he had cheated. Now he could argue Hopkins has proven the accusation has cost him professionally and financially after the fighter nicknamed ''The Executioner'' took a swipe at the Australian during an interview with Craven Online.
''The Danny Green thing to me was a fluke,'' said Hopkins of the win over Jones. ''The Danny Green thing - I mean I don't think you even knew who Danny Green was [before the fight].''
Hopkins then turned his attention to the issue of the hand wraps and also the action of the English referee, Howard Foster, who stepped in quickly to save Jones from further harm after he'd hit the canvas and took 46 unanswered punches.
''When I think of Danny Green and take the alleged hand wraps and all that stuff that Roy has protested, filed petitions,'' he said. ''[I've] seen YouTube. I've seen the clippings of it. My opinion, 'Should they let Roy Jones get killed?' - no. But they should have gave [sic] Roy Jones the benefit of the doubt and see if he gets knocked down again or takes some punches where he's not protecting himself. I didn't see that.''
Green stunned the boxing world with the ease in which he destroyed Jones. It took him 122 brutal seconds, and while the American said immediately after the bout he was beaten by the better man on the night he has since been far from gracious in defeat. Apart from alleging Green wore illegal wraps (strapping) under his gloves he has made other excuses, including that the gloves he wore against Green were substandard.
That claim amuses the Green camp as Jones provided his own gloves.
The local boxing authority, which approved the manner in which Green's fists were strapped, the NSW Combat Sports Authority, gave Jones's complaint about the hand wraps credence by proposing an inquiry into the matter.
Green has said that not only were his wraps inspected on two occasions before the bout, but they were wrapped the same way as his previous five world title bouts.
Source: smh.com.au
Siaca flies in to fight Danny Green -- Sydney Morning Herald
By ADRIAN WARREN, AAP
Manny Siaca has beaten Australia's boxing kangaroo and now he is after a "crocodile", as he turns his attention from Anthony Mundine to Danny Green.
Puerto Rican Siaca arrived in Sydney on Thursday morning in preparation for his April 14 challenge to IBO cruiserweight champion Green in Perth.
While Siaca was settling into his hotel, Green was busting up Dominic Vea in a torrid sparring session across town.
Siaca, who beat Mundine on a split points decision in Sydney in 2004, was hoping to secure a rematch with "The Man" provided he could upset Green.
"It was one of the great moments of my life, I enjoyed it," Siaca told AAP regarding his win over Mundine.
"At the weigh-in I said to Mundine he is a kangaroo and I'm the hunter and I will be hunting him.
"Now I am going to hunt a crocodile (Green).
"When I win this fight, maybe I'm going to move down (in weight) and look forward to fighting Mundine again.
"We tried to fight him again but he didn't want to fight any good people, he fights only bums he can beat."
Ranked tenth in the WBC middleweight division, nine places below leading contender Mundine, Siaca (22-6, 19KOs) was adamant he couldn't defeat Green on points.
"I've come here to knock him out because they have Australian judges and an Australian referee, if I don't knock him out, I'm not going to get a decision in his backyard in Perth."
Green (28-3, 25KOs) said he felt fantastic and predicted Siaca would provide tougher opposition than American legend Roy Jones Jr, who he took just two minutes to destroy in his previous bout.
"I think this is going to be a much tougher fight for me because Siaca is going to be hungry," Green told reporters.
"It's a massive opportunity for him, if he takes my world title it opens up big doors for him worldwide.
"I'm preparing to be very impressive, I want to be devastating in there and give the fans a good show."
Green said he expected this weekend's fight in America between Jones and fellow American boxing legend Bernard Hopkins to be a fairly boring and tactical matchup.
He responded to Jones' complaints following their fight by declaring the multi-world title winner had damaged his own reputation and sullied his good name by showing a lack of graciousness in the aftermath of his defeat.
Jones had complained that the gauze under Green's fist wraps used during the fight was illegal and the decisive blow to win the fight was to the back of his head. Although a firm favourite against Siaca, Green said he would try and adopt an underdog mentality.
© 2010 AAP
Source: news.smh.com.au
Manny Siaca has beaten Australia's boxing kangaroo and now he is after a "crocodile", as he turns his attention from Anthony Mundine to Danny Green.
Puerto Rican Siaca arrived in Sydney on Thursday morning in preparation for his April 14 challenge to IBO cruiserweight champion Green in Perth.
While Siaca was settling into his hotel, Green was busting up Dominic Vea in a torrid sparring session across town.A sharp-looking Green pounded rising cruiserweight star Vea, who shed blood and possibly broke his nose under Green's fire.
Siaca, who beat Mundine on a split points decision in Sydney in 2004, was hoping to secure a rematch with "The Man" provided he could upset Green."At the weigh-in I said to Mundine he is a kangaroo and I'm the hunter and I will be hunting him.
"Now I am going to hunt a crocodile (Green).
"When I win this fight, maybe I'm going to move down (in weight) and look forward to fighting Mundine again.
"We tried to fight him again but he didn't want to fight any good people, he fights only bums he can beat."
Ranked tenth in the WBC middleweight division, nine places below leading contender Mundine, Siaca (22-6, 19KOs) was adamant he couldn't defeat Green on points.
"I've come here to knock him out because they have Australian judges and an Australian referee, if I don't knock him out, I'm not going to get a decision in his backyard in Perth."
Green (28-3, 25KOs) said he felt fantastic and predicted Siaca would provide tougher opposition than American legend Roy Jones Jr, who he took just two minutes to destroy in his previous bout.
"I think this is going to be a much tougher fight for me because Siaca is going to be hungry," Green told reporters.
"It's a massive opportunity for him, if he takes my world title it opens up big doors for him worldwide.
"I'm preparing to be very impressive, I want to be devastating in there and give the fans a good show."
Green said he expected this weekend's fight in America between Jones and fellow American boxing legend Bernard Hopkins to be a fairly boring and tactical matchup.
He responded to Jones' complaints following their fight by declaring the multi-world title winner had damaged his own reputation and sullied his good name by showing a lack of graciousness in the aftermath of his defeat.
Jones had complained that the gauze under Green's fist wraps used during the fight was illegal and the decisive blow to win the fight was to the back of his head. Although a firm favourite against Siaca, Green said he would try and adopt an underdog mentality.
© 2010 AAP
Source: news.smh.com.au
Rabu, 31 Maret 2010
Bernard Hopkins relishes chance to send Roy Jones Jr. into retirement -- Las Vegas Sun
By Brett Okamoto, Las Vegas Sun
When Roy Jones Jr. suffered a first-round TKO loss at the hands of Danny Green in December, there were some who believed it no longer made sense for him to take on the still highly dangerous Bernard Hopkins in 2010.
Among those with that line of thinking was Hopkins's head trainer, Naazim Richardson.
"I didn't think the fight (Hopkins vs. Jones) was going to happen," Richardson said. "I picked Danny Green by knockout, so I didn't think it was going to happen. Then when (the knockout) came to terms, I really didn't think it was going to go on."
But despite the quick loss to Green — which has become somewhat controversial after Jones's camp complained Green used illegal hand-wrapping procedures — Hopkins still saw value in fighting Jones, whom he lost to in 1993.
And even though his own trainer didn't agree with him, Hopkins made his stance clear — he wanted to fight Roy Jones Jr
.
"But I support Bernard. He's the man who put in all this work all those years, and if a man like him hasn't earned the right to pick a fight that he wants to fight, who has in this sport?"
With rumors of bad ticket sales and limited fan interest leading up to Saturday's main event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, it's become clear this fight possibly is more for the fighters than for the public.
For Jones (54-6, 40 KO), it's a (possibly) final chance to prove he still can compete at the highest level in the sport he once stood at the top of.
For Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KO), it's a chance to beat the guy who ruined his first world title shot 17 years ago.
"To me, in 17 years you learn to get immune to it. It doesn't get my blood pressure up high or anything like that," Hopkins said. "But that's because I'm a true veteran and I'm not trying to waste energy answering questions on whether I like him or not in the days before the fight.
"When you've been around the game, everything is controlled until that bell rings. But around Friday after the weigh-in, you'll start to see it bubbling up."
After losing to Jones in 1993, Hopkins went on to win a middleweight world title and successfully defend it 20 times, the most in boxing history.
He took out the likes of Glen Johnson, Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, Antonio Tarver, Winky Wright and Kelly Pavlik.
He got past the disappointment of losing his first shot at a world title.
But then the opportunity finally came to make a rematch that fell apart so many times in the past because of conflicts over financial splits and suddenly the loss became something Hopkins needed to vindicate before the end of his career.
"Bernard had really come to terms with the Roy Jones fight," Richardson said. "He really found peace in the fact that two of the guys that destroyed Roy (Tarver and Johnson), he destroyed them. So he was comfortable that, 'I can retire knowing that I put it to bed.'
"Then when the talk came up about it and started to line up, he went back into the fight and he was interested in it."
So, 17 years and 71 combined fights later, Hopkins will get his chance to write not only the final chapter to his rivalry with Jones but possibly also to his opponent's storied career.
If Hopkins does send Jones into retirement Saturday night, he says his emotions will be exactly how Jones' probably were in 1993 — no remorse.
"I've been brought up kind of different," Hopkins said. "Where I come from, I don't love my enemy. When you conquer your enemy based on him trying to conquer you, I can't have love for you. If you don't like me, I don't like you.
"If you try to do something to me and your gun jams and now you're asking me for mercy, not because you changed your mind but because your tools didn't work, I got to kill you right there. I got to lay you in the ground."
Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com. Also follow him on twitter: LVSunFighting.
Source: lasvegassun.com
When Roy Jones Jr. suffered a first-round TKO loss at the hands of Danny Green in December, there were some who believed it no longer made sense for him to take on the still highly dangerous Bernard Hopkins in 2010.
Among those with that line of thinking was Hopkins's head trainer, Naazim Richardson.
"I didn't think the fight (Hopkins vs. Jones) was going to happen," Richardson said. "I picked Danny Green by knockout, so I didn't think it was going to happen. Then when (the knockout) came to terms, I really didn't think it was going to go on."
But despite the quick loss to Green — which has become somewhat controversial after Jones's camp complained Green used illegal hand-wrapping procedures — Hopkins still saw value in fighting Jones, whom he lost to in 1993.
And even though his own trainer didn't agree with him, Hopkins made his stance clear — he wanted to fight Roy Jones Jr."He said, 'I'm going to fight Roy Jones,'" Richardson said. "And I was like, 'Why?' I'm telling people, and I told Bernard, I would not take this fight.
"But I support Bernard. He's the man who put in all this work all those years, and if a man like him hasn't earned the right to pick a fight that he wants to fight, who has in this sport?"
With rumors of bad ticket sales and limited fan interest leading up to Saturday's main event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, it's become clear this fight possibly is more for the fighters than for the public.
For Jones (54-6, 40 KO), it's a (possibly) final chance to prove he still can compete at the highest level in the sport he once stood at the top of.
For Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KO), it's a chance to beat the guy who ruined his first world title shot 17 years ago.
"To me, in 17 years you learn to get immune to it. It doesn't get my blood pressure up high or anything like that," Hopkins said. "But that's because I'm a true veteran and I'm not trying to waste energy answering questions on whether I like him or not in the days before the fight.
"When you've been around the game, everything is controlled until that bell rings. But around Friday after the weigh-in, you'll start to see it bubbling up."
After losing to Jones in 1993, Hopkins went on to win a middleweight world title and successfully defend it 20 times, the most in boxing history.
He took out the likes of Glen Johnson, Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, Antonio Tarver, Winky Wright and Kelly Pavlik.
He got past the disappointment of losing his first shot at a world title.
But then the opportunity finally came to make a rematch that fell apart so many times in the past because of conflicts over financial splits and suddenly the loss became something Hopkins needed to vindicate before the end of his career.
"Bernard had really come to terms with the Roy Jones fight," Richardson said. "He really found peace in the fact that two of the guys that destroyed Roy (Tarver and Johnson), he destroyed them. So he was comfortable that, 'I can retire knowing that I put it to bed.'
"Then when the talk came up about it and started to line up, he went back into the fight and he was interested in it."
So, 17 years and 71 combined fights later, Hopkins will get his chance to write not only the final chapter to his rivalry with Jones but possibly also to his opponent's storied career.
If Hopkins does send Jones into retirement Saturday night, he says his emotions will be exactly how Jones' probably were in 1993 — no remorse.
"I've been brought up kind of different," Hopkins said. "Where I come from, I don't love my enemy. When you conquer your enemy based on him trying to conquer you, I can't have love for you. If you don't like me, I don't like you.
"If you try to do something to me and your gun jams and now you're asking me for mercy, not because you changed your mind but because your tools didn't work, I got to kill you right there. I got to lay you in the ground."
Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com. Also follow him on twitter: LVSunFighting.
Source: lasvegassun.com
Selasa, 30 Maret 2010
Danny Green's open letter to Roy Jones Jr -- Daily Telegraph
By Danny Green, The Daily Telegraph
Hi Roy,
December 2, 2009, is a night in my life that cannot ever be tarnished.
It is a night that featured one of the greatest sporting upsets in my great country's proud history - one for the battler and the underdog.
I was a 5/1 outsider to lose to you Roy, so much so that you had begun counting your money from the upcoming Bernard Hopkins rematch you so arrogantly flaunted while on your seemingly "done-deal" trip Down Under to collect a payday against a sure thing.
Just like the title of one of your hip-hop albums Roy, "Y'all musta forgot" that I am not just an easybeat opponent with the power and hunger that I possess, and now you know that, mate. The smile still creases my face at the thought of those glorious 122 seconds that made a nation cheer.
You said immediately after the fight the better man won and held up my hand as the victor. But since that night you have offered one sorry excuse after another as to why I beat you, including to your eternal discredit falsely alleging that I cheated.
It's time for you to face the facts.
The day after the fight you complained the referee stopped it early.
C'mon Roy, did you want to leave the stadium in an ambulance?
The referee acted to protect you, as he was required to after 46 unanswered punches.
When you returned to America you complained that the gloves we gave you to use were not satisfactory.
Roy, it's time you looked hard at not getting hit in the head ever again mate - you supplied and used your own gloves.
You then alleged that my hand wraps were illegal, as I had wrapped them to make an illegal cast to hit you with. This is a low blow as you are saying that I cheated to beat you.
Given your lies it is time the facts came out:
* THE hand wraps were the same wraps I used in five previous world title fights, in Germany, Montreal, Australia and even in the fight in Mississippi that set our blockbuster bout up, under your own governing body's jurisdiction;
* MY hand wraps were personally inspected by three independent inspectors of the NSW Combat Sports Authority and they each certified that my wraps were legal and gave me no advantage whatsoever. They did this by visual inspection and by physical inspection to confirm that the bandaging was soft;
* IN an attempt to unsettle me before the fight, your representatives in my dressing room specifically complained to the independent inspectors about the hand wraps and the inspectors inspected them again and ruled that the wraps were fine;
* YOUR complaint that you have been denied due process is embarrassing. Your complaint was ruled upon before the fight by the independent inspectors and found to be baseless. You have no more right to challenge that decision after the fight than a decision of the referee;
* WE had expert opinion from international boxing icons coming to my defence, agreeing your complaint was nothing but sour grapes; and
* THE only people who are suggesting that there was any problem with my wraps are people in your camp, who would also profit from you continuing to fight.
Roy, you know how the age-old saying goes - the mark of a true champion is how they accept defeat.
When the time came for you to stand up and show the world what type of champion you were, well, let's just say, you sat down.
You then flew back to America and went into damage control in an attempt to salvage the Hopkins rematch that had now been derailed due to your annihilation.
It's obvious you were clutching at straws, but it was to my detriment. You got a lot of mileage out of those allegations, so much so that the Hopkins fight is going ahead. It is now time for you to stand up again and to stop the excuses, as it is damaging your reputation and spoiling your legacy. It is time for you to be a man and accept that the better man beat you on the night.
My coach and I dissected your game punch by punch, and I did a number on you that memorable night.
It is time for you to accept your defeat like a true champion rather than as a sore loser. You may have secured yourself another payday by carrying on, but one thing you can never do is erase the utter jubilation and cherished memories from the night an underdog took down a legend.
Thanks for the opportunity, Roy.
Regards, Danny
Source: dailytelegraph.com.au
Hi Roy, It's Danny here. I have for months listened to an endless series of excuses and false allegations that you and your camp have made in the media and on the internet as to the reasons why I beat you in our fight last December.
It is now time that I had my say and let the public know the truth about you and what went on in the fight.
It is a night that featured one of the greatest sporting upsets in my great country's proud history - one for the battler and the underdog.
I was a 5/1 outsider to lose to you Roy, so much so that you had begun counting your money from the upcoming Bernard Hopkins rematch you so arrogantly flaunted while on your seemingly "done-deal" trip Down Under to collect a payday against a sure thing.
Just like the title of one of your hip-hop albums Roy, "Y'all musta forgot" that I am not just an easybeat opponent with the power and hunger that I possess, and now you know that, mate. The smile still creases my face at the thought of those glorious 122 seconds that made a nation cheer.
You said immediately after the fight the better man won and held up my hand as the victor. But since that night you have offered one sorry excuse after another as to why I beat you, including to your eternal discredit falsely alleging that I cheated.
It's time for you to face the facts.
The day after the fight you complained the referee stopped it early.
C'mon Roy, did you want to leave the stadium in an ambulance?
The referee acted to protect you, as he was required to after 46 unanswered punches.
When you returned to America you complained that the gloves we gave you to use were not satisfactory.
Roy, it's time you looked hard at not getting hit in the head ever again mate - you supplied and used your own gloves.
You then alleged that my hand wraps were illegal, as I had wrapped them to make an illegal cast to hit you with. This is a low blow as you are saying that I cheated to beat you.
Given your lies it is time the facts came out:
* THE hand wraps were the same wraps I used in five previous world title fights, in Germany, Montreal, Australia and even in the fight in Mississippi that set our blockbuster bout up, under your own governing body's jurisdiction;
* MY hand wraps were personally inspected by three independent inspectors of the NSW Combat Sports Authority and they each certified that my wraps were legal and gave me no advantage whatsoever. They did this by visual inspection and by physical inspection to confirm that the bandaging was soft;
* IN an attempt to unsettle me before the fight, your representatives in my dressing room specifically complained to the independent inspectors about the hand wraps and the inspectors inspected them again and ruled that the wraps were fine;
* YOUR complaint that you have been denied due process is embarrassing. Your complaint was ruled upon before the fight by the independent inspectors and found to be baseless. You have no more right to challenge that decision after the fight than a decision of the referee;
* WE had expert opinion from international boxing icons coming to my defence, agreeing your complaint was nothing but sour grapes; and
* THE only people who are suggesting that there was any problem with my wraps are people in your camp, who would also profit from you continuing to fight.
Roy, you know how the age-old saying goes - the mark of a true champion is how they accept defeat.
When the time came for you to stand up and show the world what type of champion you were, well, let's just say, you sat down.
You then flew back to America and went into damage control in an attempt to salvage the Hopkins rematch that had now been derailed due to your annihilation.
It's obvious you were clutching at straws, but it was to my detriment. You got a lot of mileage out of those allegations, so much so that the Hopkins fight is going ahead. It is now time for you to stand up again and to stop the excuses, as it is damaging your reputation and spoiling your legacy. It is time for you to be a man and accept that the better man beat you on the night.
My coach and I dissected your game punch by punch, and I did a number on you that memorable night.
It is time for you to accept your defeat like a true champion rather than as a sore loser. You may have secured yourself another payday by carrying on, but one thing you can never do is erase the utter jubilation and cherished memories from the night an underdog took down a legend.
Thanks for the opportunity, Roy.
Regards, Danny
Source: dailytelegraph.com.au
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