Sad news in the boxing world today was announced. Angelo Dundee (born Angelo Mirena; August 30, 1921 – February 1, 2012) passed away today at the age of 90. He trained many great champions such as Carmen Basilio, Jimmy Ellis, Jose Napoles, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, and the “Greatest,” Muhammad Ali. I remember him the most from his corner work for all the Ali fights, most notably when Ali fought Ken Norton, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and Leon Spinks. In addition to these heavyweights, Dundee also trained Sugar Ray Leonard. Dundee was in his corner for the great fights Leonard had against Wilfred Benítez, Roberto Durán, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler. He will be remembered most for his training of Muhammad Ali and for his love of the sport of boxing.
Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (44-0, 33KO‘s), the reigning WBC middleweight champion puts his undefeated record on the line in San Antonio this weekend against Marco Antonio Rubio (53-5-1, 46KO‘s). He will be taking on a dangerous knockout puncher in Rubio and an experienced fighter in the ring. Chavez, the son of the great Mexican champion, Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr. has a lot on the line and is coming off his first defense of his belt, which was against Peter Manfredo, Jr. (37-7, 20KO’s). A win for Chavez could set up a possible fight for him against Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (48-2, 27KO’s), who is considered by many to be the real middleweight champion. The event is promoted by Top Rank and will be televised on HBO World Championship boxing.
On the undercard of this fight will be the exciting Nonito Donaire, the “Filipino Flash” (27-1-0, 18 KO’s) against Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr. (21-1-1, 18 Kos) for the WBO super bantamweight title. Donaire is coming off recent wins against Fernando Montiel (44-2-2) by a TKO in the 2d round and Omar Narvaez (35-1, 19KO’s) by decision, in defense of his WBC and WBO bantamweight titles. He is now stepping up to the super bantamweight division and it will be his first test at this weight. He will be tested against the tough Vasquez who has the same amount of knockouts as he does. So look for an all out war against Vasquez and the “Filipino Flash“!
Miguel Cotto (37-2, 30KO’s) will be taking on Floyd Mayweather Mayweather (42-0, 26KO‘s) for Cotto’s WBA title at 154 lbs. on May 5th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Cotto is coming into this fight after three successful wins against Yuri Foreman (28-0) [ for the WBA light middleweight title], Ricardo Mayorga (29-7-1) [for the WBA Super middleweight title], and his rematch win against Antonio Margarito (38-8,27KO’s). Mayweather will be moving up to the 154 lb. division, since his unconvincing win over Oscar DelaHoya in 2007. Golden Boy Promotions will help stage the event, which will be made available on pay-per-view.
Sources have said Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KO) has been offered a fight against Lamont Peterson (30-1, 15KO’s), the current WBA and IBF light welterweight champion. Peterson recently won a controversial decision over Amir Khan (26-1,18KO’s) back in December and a rematch of that fight is a possibility as well. Nevertheless, Bob Arum has been quoted as saying if this fight happens, it will be at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium somewhere in July of this year. If so, this will be a great boxing event for all the Texas boxing fans.
The word is Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (54-3, 38KO’s), the reigning pound for pound king of the ring may be having an upcoming fight against current WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley Jr. (28-0, 12KO’s). According to Top Rank, the fight could be held at the MGM Grand on June 9, 2012. Negotiations are being discussed for the possibility of this fight. Pacquiao’s adviser, Michael Koncz, has told sources that he was not happy that a Pacquiao fight against Mayweather has not been made. It was also said that the ducking Mayweather was offered $50 million to fight the Pacman back in May and that part of the deal was for the purse to be divided 55-45 with the majority share to the winner of the fight. It was also said that Mayweather declined the offer. Nevertheless, the Pacman will continue to take on any and all fighters that Bob Arum puts before him.
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