It doesn't get bigger than Lennox Lewis in the sport of boxing. He'll be joining us tomorrow night from Jamaica to discuss his career and upcoming induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
I met Lennox this weekend at the Berto - Urango fight. He is enormous. His hands are the size of my head.
On the other end of the physical spectrum, we'll have 108 pound king Ivan Calderon.
Both fighters will be available for calls and emails.
Talk you to Thursday night.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Kermit and Clay
This week we've got Kermit Cintron and author Clay Moyle.
Cintron faces the very tough Alfredo Angulo Saturday night. Cintron may be one loss from being a stepping stone. Find out how he plans on beating the unbeaten El Perro.
History buffs will love hearing from Clay Moyle, author of "Sam Langford, Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion". I'm about halfway through the book and it's sensational. It is thoroughly researched but very readable. There are some who believe Langford may be one of the greatest fighters who ever lived. Tune in Thursday night to find out why.
Cintron faces the very tough Alfredo Angulo Saturday night. Cintron may be one loss from being a stepping stone. Find out how he plans on beating the unbeaten El Perro.
History buffs will love hearing from Clay Moyle, author of "Sam Langford, Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion". I'm about halfway through the book and it's sensational. It is thoroughly researched but very readable. There are some who believe Langford may be one of the greatest fighters who ever lived. Tune in Thursday night to find out why.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
New Friends
I'm glad to announce that Through the Ropes has a new title sponsor. While I would gladly take Budweiser's money, what makes me even happier is that the sponsor isn't a consumer product that promises to help you satisfy your partner, get more girls, look cool or get you drunk. Not that there's anything wrong with any of those things. Sounds like my typical Saturday night, circa 1991.
Rather it is a group that is genuinely trying to improve the world of boxing -- The International Boxing Organization. The IBO is the only sanctioning body that has unbiased computerized rankings. Champions aren't stripped because they refuse to fight a favored promoter's kid. Nor are there any interim, super or emeritus champions. I've been a fan of these guys for over a decade.
This week IBO President Ed Levine will be on the show to introduce his organization.
Later in the show we'll hear from promoter/manager Luis De Cubas, who has been instrumental in bringing over Cuban fighters such as Joel Casamayor, Diosbelys Hurtado and more recently Yuriorkis Gamboa and Guillermo Rigondiaux. You'll recall that last week Teddy Atlas said Rigondiaux was the best amateur he'd ever seen.
Considering the international intrigue that goes on in helping Cuban national heroes defect, I'm expecting the conversation with De Cubas to be fascinating.
Lastly, how can you not be a Paulie Malignaggi fan after watching this?
http://www.youtube.com/experiencewii
Rather it is a group that is genuinely trying to improve the world of boxing -- The International Boxing Organization. The IBO is the only sanctioning body that has unbiased computerized rankings. Champions aren't stripped because they refuse to fight a favored promoter's kid. Nor are there any interim, super or emeritus champions. I've been a fan of these guys for over a decade.
This week IBO President Ed Levine will be on the show to introduce his organization.
Later in the show we'll hear from promoter/manager Luis De Cubas, who has been instrumental in bringing over Cuban fighters such as Joel Casamayor, Diosbelys Hurtado and more recently Yuriorkis Gamboa and Guillermo Rigondiaux. You'll recall that last week Teddy Atlas said Rigondiaux was the best amateur he'd ever seen.
Considering the international intrigue that goes on in helping Cuban national heroes defect, I'm expecting the conversation with De Cubas to be fascinating.
Lastly, how can you not be a Paulie Malignaggi fan after watching this?
http://www.youtube.com/experiencewii
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Big Stars of the Little Screen
I was shocked when I realized it has been nearly a year since I've had Teddy Atlas on the show. I had to rectify that situation immediately, so he'll join us from Atlantic City where he'll be preparing to call a very good heavyweight fight on Friday Night Fights.
Also, Nick Charles will attempt to get back in my good graces after missing his scheduled appearance. He'll be in Oakland also getting ready to call a terrific fight in Ward - Miranda.
Talk to you Thursday night.
Also, Nick Charles will attempt to get back in my good graces after missing his scheduled appearance. He'll be in Oakland also getting ready to call a terrific fight in Ward - Miranda.
Talk to you Thursday night.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Greatest and the Baddest
This week we're going to focus on "The Greatest" and someone who was perhaps the last baddest man on the planet.
Author Michael Ezra, whose book "Muhammad Ali, The Making of an Idol" will be with us. We're also going to talk to filmmaker James Toback, whose documentary "Tyson" will be released nationwide on Friday.
We'll also discuss the PacMan's incredible performance last weekend.
On another note -- the inside scoop on my glamours life in the world of boxing:
I was hired to do color commentary on this weekend's Hector Camacho - Yory Boy Campas fight in Atlantic City. I would be working with the legendary Col. Bob Sheridan which would be a treat. On the other hand I'd have to call the Camacho - Campas fight.
It was scheduled to be on PPV. I can't imagine anyone and I do mean any one single person, shelling out money to see this fight.
Camacho is going to be 47 later this month. I saw him in February and he looked like he hadn't seen a gym in 3 years. Yory Boy has seen better days but he's still competitive at a fairly high level. The NJ boxing commission refused to sanction the fight after watching Camacho spar.
There's talk that the fight may wind up in Tampa but no word on if they'll still do TV. Although the money would be nice, I hope it doesn't happen. I'm not sure how to put enough lipstick on that pig.
Author Michael Ezra, whose book "Muhammad Ali, The Making of an Idol" will be with us. We're also going to talk to filmmaker James Toback, whose documentary "Tyson" will be released nationwide on Friday.
We'll also discuss the PacMan's incredible performance last weekend.
On another note -- the inside scoop on my glamours life in the world of boxing:
I was hired to do color commentary on this weekend's Hector Camacho - Yory Boy Campas fight in Atlantic City. I would be working with the legendary Col. Bob Sheridan which would be a treat. On the other hand I'd have to call the Camacho - Campas fight.
It was scheduled to be on PPV. I can't imagine anyone and I do mean any one single person, shelling out money to see this fight.
Camacho is going to be 47 later this month. I saw him in February and he looked like he hadn't seen a gym in 3 years. Yory Boy has seen better days but he's still competitive at a fairly high level. The NJ boxing commission refused to sanction the fight after watching Camacho spar.
There's talk that the fight may wind up in Tampa but no word on if they'll still do TV. Although the money would be nice, I hope it doesn't happen. I'm not sure how to put enough lipstick on that pig.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Scrambling
I always enter the week with a plan of who I'd like to have on the show. The list usually is 4 or 5 names deep. On weeks, such as this, where I can't get my A list names, I'm often left scrambling to find guests. Even when they're not the biggest stars in the sport, the guests are usually very good.
As of early Thursday afternoon, I still hadn't filled one of the slots with a top name guest. As I was going through my contact list, my phone rang. Could we put Bernard Hopkins on tonight? Umm, yeah I think I can squeeze him in.
So tonight we've got B-Hop and Fighnews/Fightwriter's Graham Houston.
Also, I'm going to talk about my harrowing experience announcing the Spinks - Latimore fight.
Tune in tonight.
As of early Thursday afternoon, I still hadn't filled one of the slots with a top name guest. As I was going through my contact list, my phone rang. Could we put Bernard Hopkins on tonight? Umm, yeah I think I can squeeze him in.
So tonight we've got B-Hop and Fighnews/Fightwriter's Graham Houston.
Also, I'm going to talk about my harrowing experience announcing the Spinks - Latimore fight.
Tune in tonight.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Some weeks I've got all my guests lined up by Monday afternoon. Others, like this week, I won't know who's on the show until Thursday afternoon (if I'm lucky).
Some weeks I put out two requests and get positive answers immediately. Others, like this week, I cast a wide net and get nothing.
I really should have someone booking guests for me but when the show first started 3 years ago, I had a booker and still ended up having to make calls on Wednesday nights and Thursday mornings to land guests, so I decided to do it my damn self.
This week, I requested interviews from the following people: Ricky Hatton, Wlad Klitshcko, David Haye, Jermain Taylor, Paulie Malignaggi, Carl Froch and Nick Charles. To make matters worse, Shane Mosley was pitched to me, I agreed and then it took an email and phone call from me to find out he couldn't make it.
I was told on Monday, we had a good shot at Hatton. Today I was told that Golden Boy booked interviews with him already on several radio stations. Yes, I can see why you'd want to talk to one market at a time when you can reach 75 stations plus the entire boxing community on Fightnews and iTunes in one 10 minute interview. Plus, let's face it, how many local radio sports talk hosts have a clue about boxing? OK, I'll stop being a sore loser. It's not becoming of a man of my stature.
I never heard back from Klitschko's, Haye's or Froch's people. Taylor doesn't like to do radio (which I knew). Paulie hasn't responded yet (3 days before the fight, he might not be checking voice or email). Showtime's Nick Charles graciously agreed to do the show despite the likelihood that he'll be in the middle of dinner. Nick is one of the nicest guys in the business (not because he's on the show). He truly loves boxing and always enjoys talking about it, whether to me or to a fan that approaches him after the fights.
Keep an eye on Fightnews tomorrow for the official lineup.
While today was frustrating, last Friday was a great day. I got the call from Don King Productions that I'll be ring announcing Friday''s ShoBox show in St. Louis. I like Cory Spinks and Devon Alexander. Plus, it's a world title fight. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't pumped for it. I'll be doing one off TV bout too. I always like to announce boxers that I'm friends with. While his star has fallen a bit, DaVarryl Williamson is also one of the nicest guys in the sport. I've known him for about 5 years now. He's good people. When I found out he was on the card, I requested his bout.
Lastly, I sparred on Friday. It was the first time in 5 years. I didn't get in too deep. I swapped leather with Lou Martinez, who runs Palm Beach Boxing. Because I know and completely trust Lou, I wasn't at all nervous. The fact that I was so relaxed definitely helped my game. I was able to think in the ring for probably the first time in 18 rounds that I've sparred.
I still took way too many punches, but left feeling pretty good about it. Especially for a guy old enough to remember watching Cory Spinks' dad on TV.
Talk to you tomorrow.
Some weeks I put out two requests and get positive answers immediately. Others, like this week, I cast a wide net and get nothing.
I really should have someone booking guests for me but when the show first started 3 years ago, I had a booker and still ended up having to make calls on Wednesday nights and Thursday mornings to land guests, so I decided to do it my damn self.
This week, I requested interviews from the following people: Ricky Hatton, Wlad Klitshcko, David Haye, Jermain Taylor, Paulie Malignaggi, Carl Froch and Nick Charles. To make matters worse, Shane Mosley was pitched to me, I agreed and then it took an email and phone call from me to find out he couldn't make it.
I was told on Monday, we had a good shot at Hatton. Today I was told that Golden Boy booked interviews with him already on several radio stations. Yes, I can see why you'd want to talk to one market at a time when you can reach 75 stations plus the entire boxing community on Fightnews and iTunes in one 10 minute interview. Plus, let's face it, how many local radio sports talk hosts have a clue about boxing? OK, I'll stop being a sore loser. It's not becoming of a man of my stature.
I never heard back from Klitschko's, Haye's or Froch's people. Taylor doesn't like to do radio (which I knew). Paulie hasn't responded yet (3 days before the fight, he might not be checking voice or email). Showtime's Nick Charles graciously agreed to do the show despite the likelihood that he'll be in the middle of dinner. Nick is one of the nicest guys in the business (not because he's on the show). He truly loves boxing and always enjoys talking about it, whether to me or to a fan that approaches him after the fights.
Keep an eye on Fightnews tomorrow for the official lineup.
While today was frustrating, last Friday was a great day. I got the call from Don King Productions that I'll be ring announcing Friday''s ShoBox show in St. Louis. I like Cory Spinks and Devon Alexander. Plus, it's a world title fight. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't pumped for it. I'll be doing one off TV bout too. I always like to announce boxers that I'm friends with. While his star has fallen a bit, DaVarryl Williamson is also one of the nicest guys in the sport. I've known him for about 5 years now. He's good people. When I found out he was on the card, I requested his bout.
Lastly, I sparred on Friday. It was the first time in 5 years. I didn't get in too deep. I swapped leather with Lou Martinez, who runs Palm Beach Boxing. Because I know and completely trust Lou, I wasn't at all nervous. The fact that I was so relaxed definitely helped my game. I was able to think in the ring for probably the first time in 18 rounds that I've sparred.
I still took way too many punches, but left feeling pretty good about it. Especially for a guy old enough to remember watching Cory Spinks' dad on TV.
Talk to you tomorrow.
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