The Boxing Truth®

The year 2013 in the sport of Boxing has produced several classics. It has also been a year for fighters who are best described as knockout artists. Fighters such as Gennady Golovkin and Deontay Wilder have not only established themselves in their respective weight classes but have also garnered significant attention due to their ability to knock opponents out. Another fighter who has quickly risen to become one of the sport’s hottest rising stars is undefeated Light-Heavyweight Sergey Kovalev. Much like Golovkin and Wilder, Kovalev has an extremely high career knockout percentage and has an exciting come forward seek and destroy mentality. One might argue that Kovalev’s first major test in the Light-Heavyweight division came in January this year when he faced former WBA Light-Heavyweight world champion Gabriel Campillo. Campillo entered into his fight with  Kovalev off a controversial decision loss to Tavoris Cloud in February 2012. Some including this observer, felt that if...

When the topic of current prospects turned contenders in the Heavyweight division is discussed and or, debated it is hard not to argue that fighters such as Tyson Fury, David Price, and Bryant Jennings have been at or near the top of the list. While Fury, Price, and Jennings have seen much attention shined on them; there is another hot rising prospect that has gradually been carving his own path through the Heavyweight division. The prospect’s name?   Deontay Wilder… Wilder, the 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist has been quietly building one of the more impressive records you are likely to ever see out of a prospect turned contender.   Undefeated in his professional career Wilder compiled twenty-eight wins from when he turned pro in November of 2008 to April of this year.   What makes Wilder’s record intimidating for any would be opponent is not one of those twenty-eight opponents have been able to go the distance with the 6’7 American Heavyweight. Perhaps more intimida...

Since the inception of the Marquess of Queensberry Rules in the 1800’s the concept of Bare-Knuckle Boxing, although rightfully regarded as the original form of the sport of Boxing, has long been in the past. As time has gone on although Boxing much like all combat sports remains dangerous, the innovation of gloved prizefighting has become the standard for the sport.   As a Boxing historian this observer frankly did not expect to see anything resembling a return to Bare-Knuckle Boxing in my lifetime.   In the past when asked my thoughts on a potential return of Bare-Knuckle Boxing I have always stated that I did not see it happening primarily due to safety concerns, regulations, and the dangers that already exist in the sport of Boxing as it is.   I have however said despite the dangers of the sport, the safety standards in Boxing have greatly improved over the years. Sometimes when many feel a bout was stopped prematurely feeling that a hurt fighter should have ...