In what is already being considered a Fight of the Year candidate, Timothy Bradley and Ruslan Provodnikov gave fans at the Home Depot Center in Southern California a night they won’t soon forget. Bradley escaped with a Unanimous decision victory, but it was almost the end of Bradley’s reign as Champion.
Provodnikov managed to hurt Bradley in rounds 1 and 2 with Bradley looking visibly hurt and was dropped but was oddly ruled a slip by the ref. As the fight reached the 4th and 5th rounds Bradley managed to adjust and began Boxing while Provodnikov’s activity began to slow down. Once the fight reached the championship rounds Provodnikov began applying more pressure until the very end of the 12th round where Bradley took a knee after taking solid shots from the Russian. Two judges scored it 114-113 while the other had it 115-112 to give Bradley the Unanimous Decision. But after viewing replays of the previous knockdowns that weren’t called knockdowns, the scorecards indeed could’ve had it a Draw or Majority decision to Provodnikov. After the fight, Bradley was interviewed by HBO’s Max Kellerman who he told “I have a Concussion”. When Kellerman asked how he knew, Bradley admitted, “I’m still dizzy”. He did give Provodnikov lots of credit stating “He can take anyone out at 140 or 147″, which is something you don’t hear other fighters mention about a guy they just beat.
What’s next for both guys? Ummmm….A REMATCH?!?!?!? I’m already sold.
Bernard Hopkins doesn’t seem to have a good relationship with Father Time as he has been no where to be found when it comes to Philly legend. Hopkins broke his own record this past Saturday in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center as he beat undefeated Tavoris Cloud to capture the IBF Light Heavyweight title. Hopkins controlled much of the pace and didn’t allow Cloud to plant himself to land any bombs as Hopkins moved methodically in the ring not giving Cloud much of a chance. After the fight, Hopkins was asked about a potential fight with Undefeated Super Middleweight Champion and P4P #2 fighter in the world Andre Ward and immediately dismissed the fight by saying, “I wouldn’t fight him for $15 Million; He’s my protege”. Obviously, some would call that a duck, but I think even Bernard realizes there’s only so many hills you can climb. Hopkins is now looking at a fight with Nathan Cleverly for his WBO title.
On the undercard, rising star Keith Thurman stepped up in competition and defeated veteran and former champion Jan Zaveck to a 12 round unanimous decision. Thurman had never been 12 rounds as he’s only had 1 decision on his record with the rest ending in knock outs. Zaveck proved to be a tough opponent, but Thurman’s punches seemed to be the more effective and consistent (though Thurman did get hit frequent with Zaveck’s overhand right). During the press conference, Keith Thurman took it on his own to call out current WBA Champion Paulie Malignaggi. What transpired next was a war of words that could inevitably land these two in the ring sometime in the near future.
We’re here with another episode of Rob Report Radio!!! This time we got JD Cuellar filling in for co host Skripz as we discuss the NBA dunk contest, Meteors falling over Russia, and Lil Wayne’s rnt about the Miami Heat. We’re also in the month of February so it’s only fitting we do tribute mixes to J Dilla, Big Pun and Big L, and Bob Marley.
This is a fight I’ve been waiting to see! Nonito Donaire, who was voted as 2012′s Fighter of the Year, is starting off 2013 with a bang as he faces off with the undefeated Cuban and titleholder Guillermo Rigondeaux. Though this match up is very intriguing, most fans have been waiting for another title unification bout between Nonito Donaire and Abner Mares (who’s signed to Golden Boy). There was news that surfaced about Golden Boy sending a contract apparently worth $3 Million that would’ve had Donaire vs Mares set, but both Top Rank and Golden Boy have had issues working with one another for various reasons and both camps have made claims as to why the fight isn’t happening, but I’ll take the grain of salt approach.
Rigondeaux is regarded by many experts as one of the greatest amateur boxers of all time with a record of somewhere in the area of 400 fights with only 12 losses. He defected from Cuba in 2009 and has a record of 11-0 with 8 KO’s. The fight will take place in NY and could possibly take place at Radio City Music Hall.
Can we say…an end of an era?? As Boxing fans grow inpatient as to whom Floyd Mayweather’s next opponent will be, it’s just been announced that after over 10 years with HBO, Floyd Mayweather has now signed on to fight on Showtime Pay Per View. The contract states Floyd “Could” fight up to 6 times withing 30 months (which I don’t see happening). This of course is leading right into an expected announcement of Floyd Mayweather vs Robert Guerrero as well as a fight that was announced late last week pitting WBA Jr Middleweight champion Austin Trout, who’s coming off a solid win over Miguel Cotto, and WBC Jr Middleweight champ Saul Alvarez. If Both Canelo and Floyd win these fights, the inevitable would be Mayweather vs Alvarez for the Fall which could mean HUGE dollar signs.
Jay Z’s Life & Times takes a look at Boxing’s next big star Adrien Broner. He sets to face Gavin Rees this Saturday Live on HBO for his WBC Lightweight title.
In what for most has really come out of left field, rising star Omar Henry passed away after battling Cancer. He was 25 years old. This was written from his family on his Facebook page:
To all of Omar’s loyal fans and friends today Omar has made peace with our savior God and joined him in heaven. Thank you all for your prayers and support. And please let’s continue the name Omar Henry because that’s what he would want
2/8/1987-2/1/2013 R.I.P
Omar was signed to Don King Promotions after being with Top Rank for two years. He got a chance to spar Floyd Mayweather in preparation for Mayweather’s match with Miguel Cotto, who ironically was Henry’s idol.
Not that I’m overly heart broken, but the proposed fight in Brooklyn pitting Paulie Malignaggi and former champion Shane Mosley that was to take place sometime in April has been cancelled. Here’s what Paulie had to say.
Posted by Roberto Flack 
