Big Write Hook - August 2017

AUGUST 2017 EDITION

MAYWEATHER vs MCGREGOR M E E T

A N E S U

T W A L A

“We’re out of our comfort zones with depression. I certainly was and whenever I have bad days now I speak to someone to get it off my chest. I have no shame telling that and that’s why I’m here today.”

- Ricky Hatton -

www.depressionuk.org

CONTENTS 4.

Editor’s Letter

5.

Monthly Round Up

6.

Review: Broner v Garcia

8.

Preview: Crawford v Indongo

10.

Anesu “Bad News” Twala

12.

A Moment In Time: Mayweather

14.

The Making of McGregor

16.

Preview:MayweathervMcGregor

18.

Preview Cotto v Kamegai

20.

Golden Years

22.

Poets’ Corner

24.

Next Month’s Issue If you would like to get involved with Big Write Hook, please get in touch via email or Twitter. bigwritehook@gmail.com twitter.com/BigWriteHook

Whenever there is a big fight that captures the imagination of the general public, diehard boxing fans go into meltdown mode with the bulk of their criticism aimed at casual fans.

Sarcastic insults like “here come the experts” are blast into social sphere with almost palpable disdain. These phrases act as one big pat on the back for a person’s own knowledge whilst taking a cheap swipe at the less informed.

This negative attitude is often mirrors that shown by the people die hard fans idolise most; the boxers themselves. But whenever a boxer claims “if you have never fought, you have no right to criticise” aimed his mantra at a die hard fan this causes outrage. It is often met with “I used to be a fan of yours, but not any more” ect.

Nobody seems to mind when this approach is taken with bloggers, reporters or journalists, but we all have our own skills to be respected and a part to play in championing the sport.

The ultimate tribute must be paid towards the fighter as it is their hard work and dedication that brings us so much entertainment. Secondly, the fans must be respected too because they pay a boxer’s wages with ticket sales and viewing numbers. And lastly, the writers.

They provide a platform for the boxers to interact with their fans on a mass basis and will inform, educate and entertain (if they’re any good) in the process. We are all here to compliment each other.

As the hype around Mayweather versus McGregor reaches fever pitch, opinion between boxing fans and MMA fans seems to be split and that has turned into the same slanging match we seen during their four press conferences.

How different combat sports would be if writers, fighters and fans all moved towards an open discourse instead; where they inform, rather than insult, each other. Of course, it is easier said than done when the internet is full of trolls who abuse personal appearance, achievements and family members. It takes a bigger man or woman to show class and rise above such petty disrespect.

That is was underpins the sport: class and respect. Boxing is caught in a social limbo at the minute because major fights appeal to fat-cats and lager louts, the intelligentsia and the average man, yet our opinions differ on so much that the way we express our ideas is laden with insults for the other person.

In doing such things, we are all at risk of bringing boxing into disrepute in the eyes of people outside of the sport. So we must strive to make our points respectfully, insightfully and be ready to defend them as we should all be open to criticism. We do not have to agree on everything, but surely we can agree that this would be a much better approach than the current visceral the internet has had to offer in the lead up to the latest big fight.

Mo Rou Up

Monthly

Editor’s Letter .

Lewis Calvert Editor Twitter: @LewCalvert91 Email: bigwritehook@gmail.com

Agony And Ecstasy : In The P 4

@BigWriteHook

@Ryan_Designer

Round Up.....

onthly und p.....

July 8: Taylor (KO 7) v Davies Glasgow ’s Josh Taylor systematically beat the trash talking Ohara Davies in an impressive seven round display.

Taylor done well to avoid wild power punches and then fire back with speed and accuracy of his own. Davies was forced to take a knee at the end of the third round, before being knocked down fully in the seventh. Davies got to his feet, but when the referee instructed the two men fight on, he turned his back and signalled he did not wish to continue. It is widely accepted that Davies quit.

July 15: Eubank (UD) v Abraham Chris Eubank cemented his place in the World Boxing Super Series (which we will be covering extensively) with a solid 12 round performance over the tough but aging Arthur Abraham. He out worked the former world champion, who only served to act as a moving punchbag for the majority of the fight.

for the first two rounds. In the third Dallas was trapped in the corner and was put out of his misery with a heavy right hand.

Though it was uninspiring, it is the kind of fight Allan needs after being thrust into the limelight with much higher class opposition than someone at his level should be fighting.

July 29: Frampton v Guiterrez - Cancelled In a bizarre couple of days involving Cyclone promotions Carl Frampton failed to make the featherweight limit meaning his fight with Mexican Andres Gutierrez would not be classed as title eliminator.

Then, on the eve of the fight, Guiterrez was involved in a “freak accident” where he fell in the shower, gashing his chin and smashing his teeth.

Medical staff ruled that he was not fit to fight and the show was pulled. Conspiracy theories at the ready, but talks over a new date have already begun.

July 22: Allan (KO 3) v Dallas Likable heavyweight Dave Allen got back to winning ways with a run of the mill performance against lowly opposition Tom Dallas (2-10). Allan was confident, walking his prey down, but it was obvious Dallas didn’t really want any part of the fight as he circled the ring

Pursuit Of Greatness Some Will Trip And Some Will Triumph @BigWriteHook

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F I G H T R E V I E W Garcia v Broner

JULY 29

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The 140 pounder displayed such an impressive boxing lesson towards AB, it was a near shutout victory with scores of f 117-111 and two 116-112. A quarter of our readers predicted Garcia to win on points.

Broner, 28, took the first round in a what looked more

secured. Garcia’s clattering combinations were heavy on the arms of Broner, who by this stage didn’t have the heart or energy to go for the KO and was resigned to taking the defeat on the scorecards.

This is the third loss for Broner in a 33 fight career which delivered so much early on as a four weight world champion. A quarter of our readership even thought he would win the fight. Yet his

Round by round, the technical beat down continued against a solid Broner defence. like a scouting mission from Garcia, 29, but from there on in the victory was never in doubt. Garcia’s work ethic was noticeably higher as he applied relentless pressure throwing 783 punches to 400. He was constantly jabbing and on the attack, using superb technique to manoeuvre around the ring, creating nice angles to deliver thudding punches.

That being said, Broner never really seemed hurt, hiding behind his guard all night, smiling and shaking his head in defiance after receiving flurry after flurry of punches.

Written By: Lewis Calvert - @Lewcalvert91 - @BigWriteHook

How To Solve The Problem By Garcia

ikey Garcia continued his dominant return to boxing with a unanimous decision over Adrian Broner to claim the WBC diamond belt on July 29.

Round by round, the technical beat down continued against a solid Broner defence.

The Problem offered very little in the way of attack so much so he was booed and given a stern telling off from his corner. The fight had already ran away from the Cincinnati man by the seventh.

This repartition continued: Garcia slamming in shots against a tight Broner guard for three minutes at a time. Broner gave a final push in the tenth, which could have went his way, but it was Garcia who was looking to close the show going into the championship rounds, despite having the win already @BigWriteHook

career has stagnated in recent years and this is yet another bump in the road. It is tough to see what direction he can go in from here. His lack of punching is at odds with the all action fighter he talks himself up to be before a fight and he is at risk of becoming an easy money fight for special up and coming contenders.

For Garcia, his unblemished record stretches to 37-0 and if he is matched cautiously, he could catch Floyd Mayweather’s 49-0 record. But he doesn’t seem the cautious type.

The Mexican-American will now be looking for legacy fights to fulfil the void left by his two year absence from the sport.

He will target the surrounding division’s most deadly operators: Vasyl Lomachenko, Terence Crawford and Jorge Linares.

Garcia is not scared of those fights and his rallying cry was a simple one: “we’re ready for anybody.”

@Ryan_Designer

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AUGUST 19

F I G H T P R E V I E W Crawford v Indongo

All Four One Written By: Lewis Calvert - @Lewcalvert91 - @BigWriteHook

oxing will get its first undisputed champion in over 10 years when Terence Crawford takes on Julius Indongo to unify the super lightweight division on August 19.

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There are now calls from fans to keep the division unified for as long as possible in order to compete with UFC, who only have one recognised champion per weight class. Middleweight Jermain Taylor was the last boxer to be undisputed until he chose to drop the IBF belt in 2006 in order to rematch Bernard Hopkins (which Taylor won by UD) rather than face mandatory challenger Arthur Abraham instead.

Crawford is the man to beat in the 140lb division and critical acclaim has been increasingly lavished upon Bud as he has stacked up a plethora of impressive names on his unblemished CV. The 29-year-old crushed Thomas Dulorme with three knockdowns to claim the vacant WBO super lightweight belt, before moving on to sweep up Viktor Postol’s WBC belt. The list of victims (31-0) also extends to John Molina Jr and most recently Felix Diaz. But now he has somebody new in his scope: “It’s good for boxing to see champions trying to fight other champions,” said Crawford.

And thus all the remaining cards were in the strong hands of Indongo. Few could have 8

@BigWriteHook

predicted the incredible rise to prominence of 34-year-old before he stepped in the ring to face Eduard Troyanovsky (25-0) for the IBF belt last year.

All the more surprising with the unknown Namibian never having boxed outside of his home nation in 20 straight wins.

It took Indongo less than one minute to spectacularly poleaxe the Russian with a looping overhand left, rendering the former champion unconscious.

In that instant, Indongo shook up the boxing world and he had won his meal ticket to retirement.

“It’s good for boxing to see champions trying to fight other champions” Understandably, Eddie Hearn put that amazing win down to one lucky punch and the promoter quickly moved to arrange a unification fight with Ricky Burns. Probably thinking it would be an easy nights work to collect another world title.

But the mystery surrounding the African continued to work to his advantage, with little to no video footage available to study, he travelled to Glasgow and forced a complete shutout against the Scotsman, winning by unanimous decision. Burns the acid test here, as he was also convincingly beaten for the WBO lightweight belt back in 2013 by Crawford.

If you are only as good as your last fight, then the Namibian @Ryan_Designer

is a dominant fighter. He is very awkward and throws a powerful right hand jab all night long, without tiring as many suspected he would after his early pressure. He is rangy and is huge at the weight, which may be important in the clenches. And though not as technically gifted in terms of speed and footwork as his American counterpart, his power may be enough to cause a few problems.

Crawford though, is known boxing purist with an impeccable defence and the power in both hands he has will be like nothing Indongo has faced before.

For the third fight in a row, Indongo will travel to another country in order to fight for a world title.

“America we are coming. And we are strong,” Ingdongo said.

If he wins, he will no doubt return to Namibia as a national hero. If he loses, he may be forgotten by the boxing community even quicker than his miraculous three fight journey to fame stardom.

The spoils of greatness which Crawford has been touted to achieve may not come to fruition and he will be yet another fighter who fail to live up to the “Next Mayweather” monocle. Should he win, he is well on his way to becoming a Hall of Famer. This fight truly is then, all or nothing.

GOOD NEWS FOR

“Ba N

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INTERVIE

nyone who has attended a boxing event will be aware; some fights you watch and some you skip!

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Anesu Twala was one I’d planned on skipping. I’d never heard of him. It was early. I had scheduled an interview following the opening bout which clashed with Twala’s debut. However, watching him at the fighter’s ring-walk entrance in his camouflage balaclava draped in street-wise swagger, I changed my mind.

Twala is 24 years old and told me after the fight of his introduction to boxing, “It was me and my friend... We were hanging about the streets and we wanted to find out who would win in a fight. We ended up going to a boxing gym in Brixton (Miguel’s Gym) and I fell in love with it.”

Twala was 18 then and had

never taken an interest in the sweet science before, but to call him a natural would be an understatement. He started training at Double Jab in Forest Hill, a gym aimed at young people in some of London’s infamous boroughs, hoping to drag them off the streets and into a safer environment.

Following his mesmerizing debut, I couldn’t shake the performance of ‘Bad News’ from my memory. His defensive skills are unbelievably sharp.

He dips his head like a beautiful throwback fighter (think Sweet Pea Whittaker). He fires back with crunching right hands reminiscent of a young middleweight James Toney, who even commented on the highlight clip of Twala saying, ‘I thought I was watching myself for a minute there!’.

This left Twala almost speechless. ‘Lights Out’ was one of the many fighters he

ad News”

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W I T H A N E S U T WA L A Written By: Craig Scott - @craigscott209

had studied in those early days as a teenager trying desperately to avoid negative influences from his peers. “I would lock myself in my room and just study all the old fighters.

I would watch them all, guys like Pernell Whittaker, James Toney and Floyd Mayweather!”

Small Hall debut’s don’t generally garner a frenzy of attention, in fact they quite often pass with a whisper rather than a roar, but the clips of Anesu Twala’s debut have smashed any social media engagement figures we have seen before. At time of writing, the 60 second clip has over 75,000 engagements with the clip on FightTalk.net having over 10,000 views alone. He walked into the York Hall with sports shorts and no sponsors. This new found attention must be flattering for the Lewisham man?

“It’s nice... all the things that people have been saying about

me and my debut. I’m glad people enjoyed it. For me, it’s all just motivation. I want to, well, I know I can be much better (on September 9th). I’m in the gym working harder and all of this just motivates me, really.”

when spending five minutes in their company that the bond is deeper with Twala. They share an understanding, a common hardship. The fire burns between the pair, striving to achieve more than many thought they could.

A refreshing approach from the newly undefeated professional.

I’d heard rumors that Twala was around 30kg’s heavier than his current weight only fourteen months ago. Sitting in the 60kg range, I asked a short, slim ‘Bad News’ what the situation was;

“It was me and my friend...

We were hanging about the streets and we wanted to find out who would win in a fight.

Where many young fighters allow the coverage to build their ego, Twala seems determined to remain grounded. His coach, up-and-coming Daley Perales remains focused on their progression as a team.

Perales is working with several exciting prospects but it’s clear

“I guess this would all come out at some point so I may as well get it out there now... I had some issues. Legal issues. I was ending up with the wrong crowd and stuff. I was about 93kg, just over a year ago.”

Twala opened up on his issues, soon to be discussed in detail in a short documentary filmed by the guys at FightTalk. “I was looking at... a minimum of four-and-a-half years. Once I got the ‘not guilty’ verdict, I @BigWriteHook

started thinking to myself - I have a second chance at this!”

As he looks to capitalize on his second chance, ‘Bad News’ is training harder than ever, spurred on by the praise and appreciation he has received online. The man known to fellow fighters as ‘Butter’ has his eyes set on redemption. He is fixed on achieving what many had written off - success. Twala is in a good place with the backing of his coach Daley, his proud sponsors FightTalk.net and R8UND and he is now finally ready to grow into a sport he seems naturally blessed to excel in.

Catch him at the famous York Hall on September 9th, Goodwin Boxing.

Tw i t t e r : @ b a d n e w s b ox i n Instagram: @badnewsboxing

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A B R I E F H I STO RY O F

Floyd Joy Mayweather Floyd Joy Sinclair, a name you may or may not be familiar with. Born in Michigan in 1977, later to become Floyd Joy Mayweather. A life and career that has spanned four decades, he is ultimately regarded as one of the best fighters of this generation. But how was it that Floyd, who came from such humble beginnings, became one of the richest sportsman on the planet?

Boxing is a sport that runs in his blood, Mayweather has given absolutely everything to it. Coming before him was his father; Floyd Sr and two uncles; Roger and Jeff, who were all professional fighters - with Roger winning two world titles along the way. Boxing surrounded him since birth, so it seemed like the only serious profession for Floyd, who was seven years old when he first laced up.

The amateur honours came thick and fast as a teenager; along with winning multiple Golden Gloves titles he also competed for the USA at different junior competitions.

But it was in 1996 at the age of

nineteen when Floyds real break came. He won entry to his home Olympic Games in Atlanta, where he lost a very controversial decision in the semi-finals to a Bulgarian opponent. Coming home with the Bronze Medal, this was to be the last time Floyd would box as an amateur for the professional ranks awaited him with open gloves.

The next 18 months were to be huge for Floyd, he boxed to an impressive record of 17-0, being in the ring at least once a month, unheard of in today’s game. It was the next fight that would-be career defining. Not only was he about to box for his first professional title, it just so happened to be the WBC Super Featherweight title, up against three-time world champion Genaro Hernandez. Experience was not on Floyd’s side but youth prevailed as “Pretty Boy” forced Hernandez to retire in the corner at the end of the 8th round. The beginning of what was to be the unstoppable force of Mayweather and world titles.

Nearly a decade past of Floyd beating world champions and

elite level fighters, but he was still lacking the recognition he craved. It was 2007 when it finally happened, in came tentime World Champion Oscar De La Hoya. This was dubbed as fight of the decade, the best of the current era vs the best of the previous one. It turned out to be his toughest test to date, narrowly scraping the split decision victory. But this was the moment everyone realised that Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr is

Yet it is perhaps his final and next fight that is the most interesting, the fight that providing he wins will take him to 50-0. The crossover matchup against one of the UFC’s best fighters ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor.

arguably the best fighter to have ever graced the sport of boxing.

Floyd was now in his thirties and it was in this era that he really started to make the money which would set him aside from everyone else. He started ‘Mayweather Promotions’, which is now regarded as one of the top companies in the world for boxer development and he ushered in a new age for payper-view fighters. It was quickly obvious that people would pay a lot of money to watch Floyd fight, some of which wanted him to get beat because of his bold and brash trash talk. This meant bigger audiences, bigger names and ultimately bigger paydays.

The list of world champions and world title fights Mayweather has been in goes on: finishing with fifteen world titles, in five different weight classes and beating twenty-three current or former champions along the way.

There is no one in boxing history who has a resume like his. Just a few names on that list that stand out such as De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez, Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley.

the likes of it again. You have to go as far back as Mohammed Ali when he fought the Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki in 1976 to see something similar. The money for this fight is said to be upwards of $200m. So you can not blame either man for creating this spectacle. Even at 40-years-old, Floyd is still an absolute nightmare for any world level opponent, let alone someone who has never had a professional fight in their lives.

@BigWriteHook

Love this or hate this, it will attract audiences like never before. A one-time matchup that with two fighters who are the figureheads of their sport. We may never see

It will be hard to escape the media coverage in the run up to “The Money Fight” on August 26, in the gambling capital of the world Las Vegas. Many people will be banking their house on a Floyd win as he looks to roll the dice one last time. Floyd is the house and the house always wins, but who knows what can happen when you have the luck of the Irish on your side. Place your bets.

Written By: Canvas Boxing

@CanvasBoxing

@Ryan_Designer

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CONOR MCGREGOR

The Making of

McGr onor M c G re g o r has seen a rise to prominence in popular culture like no other combat fighter in history.

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In the space of four short years he signed for the UFC, took down the pound-forpound king Jose Aldo in 13 seconds, had a rip-roaring grudge match with Nate Diaz in which the Irishman received his first company loss but exacted revenge a few months later, he then went on to become the first two division champion beating Eddie Alvarez with an incredible four punch combination knockout.

All of this, you already know.

You’ve watched the fights or the highlights on Youtube. And why is that? It is because he is a brilliant fighter or because

He talks a good fight, walks like a parody of Vince McMahon and backs it up in the ring.

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he the best in the business at promoting his fights? Obviously, it is because he is that very rare combination of both.

Conor is a fighter who can captivate audiences in press conferences and interviews but actually back up his lofty claims of greatness with explosive, exciting and impressive displays in the octagon. However, because he has yet to do that in a boxing ring, we can not judge that fairly. Which leaves the small matter of his trash talk.

He talks a good fight, walks like a parody of Vince McMahon and backs it up in the ring.

Make no mistake about it, Conor’s mouth and brovado got him this mega money fight with Floyd Mayweather. Not his fists. In fact, it may have been the lack of action his first have had inside a boxing ring which got him this fight as well.

Floyd knows easy money when he sees it and McGregor is a PR dream.

He is soundbites by the dozens, every @Ryan_Designer

time the man grabs a mic: “you’ll do nuttin!”, “who the fuck is that guy?” and “we’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over” send the internet into meltdown and emblazon t-shirts in a matter of minutes every time he utters another arrogant phrase.

And that is part of his fighting strategy. He has tortured opponents when it comes to trash talk. Head of the UFC, Dana White said: “this psychological wa r fa re is as much a part of the fight as the fight itself.”

In truth it isn’t. This fight is different. The unflappable Floyd Mayweather will not flounder in a build up so heavily stacked in his favour.

TBE has heard it all before.

But, the talk, although cringe worthy at times, is all part of the journey. And there is nothing to say boxing fans and MMA fans alike cannot enjoy the journey for what it is, despite its believed the destination to be be l i tt l e m o re than underwhelming. It is both

entertaining a n d farcical in equal measure.

Never before have we seen swathes of media clamber around a man like they do

Written By: Lewis Calvert - @Lewcalvert91 - @BigWriteHook

regor guffaw at his answers and compliment his clothes. The his peacocking with fashion is even a subject matter in the run up to this fight, tells you something a little something about the eccentric McGregor.

Laughable though, has been the fact that fans have even “scored” the press conferences on the world tour. All four of them: L.A., Toronto, New York and London. It is ridiculous that people would actually do such a thing... Conor won 3-1, but that is not the point. McGregor’s charisma makes hypocrites of us all. The crowd will always be on the side of the plucky underdog and Mayweather has reverted back to the heel he plays so well.

Conor: Falling at his feet with their cameras, phones and recorders, as he strides up and down, arms flailing wildly.

They goad him with questions,

McGregor has fans who adore him by the bucket load. His beloved and staunch Irish following travel the Atlantic from the Holylands to see him ply his trade on foreign soil. They too, small in number but mighty

in voice, are surrounded by an ocean of Americans draped in the trídhathach na hÉireann, celebrating their faint heritage.

Hell, he is the pin-up boy for every ginger person on the planet. But none of that matters one iota when he steps into the boxing realm for the

From being on unemployment benefits in his home country, to Cage Warriors world champion . very first time against arguably the best boxer to ever lace up a pair of gloves. So why is a man who has never had a professional boxing match in his life, being touted by some people, albeit none of the boxing world, as having the ability to knock Mayweather out? So many accomplished boxers have tried and failed.

The truth is, it is because Mystic Mac isn’t a boxer. He does however, have some traits that, @BigWriteHook

on paper, cause Mayweather slightly more problems than his usual orthodox opponents.

More of that in the fight preview.

To wrap it up, The Notorious has carved out a tremendous career for himself: to go from being on unemployment benefits in his home country, to Cage Warriors world champion and to complete the same feat in UFC and then some. It is incredible. He embodies American dream.

Conor is coming off the back of a year hiatus after his last fight, he was able to enjoy the fruits of his labour and focus on the birth of his son, but now now it is time to go back to work.

McGregor has made a fight that nobody dreamed could be possible, a reality. The reality is now most people see him winning as impossible.

Yet they have said that about him before and whatever you make of the man, you can be sure of one thing: in Conor McGregor’s mind at least, he is not here to take part..

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It is hard to begin a preview a fight that so many readers of this magazine already deem a circus. A more ballsy editor than me would just say that Mayweather is going to win by absolutely schooling McGregor and then leave the rest of the page blank as there is nothing left to say. An even more ballsy editor would write a full page premonition of why McGregor is going to beat Mayweather, going against the logic of their entire sport. Frankly, the global intrigue in this fight demands something far less ballsy and a little more open-minded. At least for entertainments sake.

Let’s avoid the cliched list of “biggest boxing upsets” where every article will roll out Buster Douglas’ name amongst a host of other fighters who had trained their whole careers for opportunity of greatness which they were lucky enough to take.

What spoils the fun of watching any fight is the thought that it would be impossible, literally impossible, for one of the fighters to win. Any man who steps into the ring deserves the respect and courtesy of at least having a puncher’s chance; no matter how slim that percentage that may be. So let’s start with the premise that Conor McGregor is capable of victory. We must first examine the reasons why some people think the Irishman can win and couple that with the reasons why Mayweather could lose.

McGregor, 29, is a southpaw and they apparently cause Mayweather problems. His most recent escapades include fighting Zab Judah back in 16

@BigWriteHook

“The whole boxing world is gonna to eat their words!”

H o w e v e r, M c G r e g o r ’s unorthodox stance stretches further than just being a southpaw. It is wide and rangy.

It is a stance that is extremely useful in MMA for parrying shots with the small gloves. In boxing though, a tight defensive stance is amplified by the size of the gloves, which can act as a wall to protect the face. At 10 ounces and with a large thumb design, the choice of boxing gloves are yet another factor that play into Mayweather’s hands. Therefore it is down to McGregor’s punch power to break the guard of a fighter who has mastered the art of d efe n c e.

“The whole boxing world is gonna to eat their words!” proclaimed the Dubliner.

The Irishman’s speed and power is enough to put most people asleep in the UFC. @Ryan_Designer

Nate Diaz being the exception, although he was fighting at 170lb rather than the 145lb to 155lb weight class in which Notorious has been so devastating.

Whether these formidable MMA traits: style, stance, speed and power will have any effect in a boxing ring is another matter, but we know Mystic Mac can punch and he can fight. These positives also have to be linked with the negatives of Mayweather: who is 40-years-old and has been retired for two years.

TBE will not be the same fighter he was in his prime, he will be slower, but still extremely fast and his mind will be just as sharp. Though Money may party at strip clubs and live extravagantly, he doesn’t drink and still maintains his superhuman levels of fitness. Maybe the stress of his recent tax trouble will be playing on his mind and his focus may be compromised, but even that seems unlikely: “I’m the IRS and I’m gonna tax your ass!”

Mayweather ’s confident mentality has never resulted in complacency in the ring. Yet he is more confident about this fight than any other before.

Probably because the boxer boxer in a generation is boxing a man who isn’t a boxer. But for that very reason, Mayweather holds the whole sport on his back and risks losing his ruining his perfect legacy.

There is a strange honesty about this event. It is called the Money Fight and that is exactly what it is all about. As for many Mayweather fights, expect that he will use the same formula that has proved so successful thus far: classic counter punching, pot-shots and shoulder rolling, which will frustrate his aggressive and attacking foe. And as for McGregor, well, expect the unexpected.

Mayweather v McGregor

AUGUST 26

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2006, Money was caught with a counter right hand that resulted in him falling off balance and momentarily touching the canvas with one glove, a flash knockdown per chance, but was not deemed so by the referee.

In 2011, left hander Victor Ortiz only posed a problem with his head. After four rounds of attempted head-butts therein resulted one of the most controversial stoppages in history. Whilst Ortiz was being docked a point by the ref, who was not looking at the fighters, the two boxers had a brief “apologetic hug” and on the break of that exchange, Mayweather sucker punched Ortiz, knocking him clean out. Two lopsided victories against Robert Guerrero and an apparently injured Manny Pacquiao has seen Mayweather win all nine of his fights against southpaws.

So put that theory to bed.

Written By: Lewis Calvert - @Lewcalvert91 - @BigWriteHook

oll up, roll up, the ‘Financial State of Boxing’ circus is in town featuring ringmaster Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather fighting the ‘Notorious’ Conor McGregor, live from Las Vegas on August 26.

The Money Fight

FIGHT PREVIEW

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@Ryan_Designer

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F I G H T P R E V I E W Cotto v Kamegai

AUGUST 26

Campeón

iguel Cotto will h ave o n e f i n a l attempt at winning a world title when he faces Yoshihiro Kamegai for the vacant WBO super welterweight belt on August 26.

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It is one final stab at glory for the 36-year-old who has had such an illustrious career.

Though the world’s eyes may be fixed on the runaway hype train that is Mayweather v McGregor, two

men who will be watching this fight with great intent are the UK’s very own Liam Smith and Liam Walsh.

There are a few intertwining narratives which makes this fight for the WBO belt a little bit more interesting. Smith lost the title to Saul Canelo Alvarez last year, who in turn vacated the

weight fiasco and apparent head class. So the UK fighters will rematch in a bid to put all the controversy to bed and hope that they have the glorious carrot of Miguel Cotto and a world title shot to look forward to.

The five-time world champion has a huge following, his boxing CV reads like a who’s who of the sport’s most notable names, 40 wins include: Paulie Malignaggi, Zab Judah, Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito, Ricardo Mayorga and Sergio Martinez. His losses are to be respected also, they have only came at the hands of future Hall of Fame stars: Margarito, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Austin Trout and Saul Canelo Alvarez.

Cotto’s power is more than capable of damaging the man from Japan, but Kamegai has never been knocked out.

belt, which Cotto now fights for.

Added to that, Cotto’s last fight was a loss to Canelo two years ago. Should have been fighting Walsh in a title eliminator for the WBO strap, but he failed to make weight, the bout couldn’t be classed as such. Smith also took a the victory in controversial fashion, he was behind on the scorecards before Walsh was pulled out after a deep cut to the eyebrow. However, Smith fought through a very similar wound for the majority of the bout and didn’t get the full credit for the win because of the

This is much at odds to the little known Kamegai (27-32) who has had a patchy few years with only three wins in his last six fights including a loss in 2014 to the recently retired Robert Guerrero. Kamegai, 34, came close to world glory when he fought Johan Perez for the vacant WBA welterweight title in 2013 but lost a unanimous decision there too.

You can see this fight going the same way too. The proud Puerto Rican has “home” advantage in America and @BigWriteHook

should it go the distance you would think his reputation would precede him; crowd reaction to any of his successful punches could sway the judges, who will also be well aware of Cotto’s previous achievements and ringcraft. Cotto’s power is more than capable of damaging the man from Japan, but Kamegai has never been knocked out.

Cotto is a relentless come forward fighter though, who is vicious on the inside, despite slowing in recent years and possibly having some ring rust.

But the rougher the fight the better for Cotto. You have to feel for the Japanese Warrior, who is technically sound but likes to stick and move. Should the fight into close quarters Kamegai may not have the firepower to stay in the war.

Though it is expected by many that Cotto will get the job done, he is still facing an active fighter and will have to remain sharp.

This is nothing new to Cotto, it would merely act as the cherry on top for of one of the greatest fighters to ever grace the canvas.

Like all greats, Cotto looks likely to either bow out on top or bow out on his shield.

You would be as brave a man as he to bet on the latter.

Written By: Lewis Calvert @Lewcalvert91 @BigWriteHook

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Golden Years

Lou Ambers v Henry Armstrong Written By: Jim Marshall @BoxingTriviaGuy

1938 “I’ve studied him closely and you know I was pleased to discover he has only two fists. I’ve got two fists too.”

It would be easy to mistake Lou Ambers for a hopeful challenger instead of world lightweight champion but he knew he was going into the ring as the underdog.

history to hold world titles at three weights concurrently.

Henry was matched against 135lb champion Lou Ambers at New York’s Polo Grounds in August 1938 but when the rain washed every half interested spectator away, the fight was

After ending the 3-year reign of welterweight champion Barney Ross in May 1938, Armstrong had only one goal, to become the first boxer in

The sixth saw the champion floored again, but a low blow from Henry in the seventh cost him the round and by the eighth Ambers started to look more comfortable peppering Armstrong’s bloody mouth with stiff counters.

Come the ninth round, Armstrong’s mouthpiece was sent flying across the ring with a crashing right hand to the jaw.

The crowd was now behind the underdog champ. Again Henry’s low straying fists cost him the eleventh and twelfth on fouls.

After beginning his career with a loss and a return to the amateurs for a crack at the 1932 Olympic trials, Henry Armstrong learnt his craft quickly. In 1936 under new management, Homicide Hank as he was known due to the tremendous pressure he put on opponents with wave after wave of relentless punching, began to flourish.

Armstrong went an incredible 27-0 in 1937, 26 of his opponents didn’t make the final bell and that October he stopped featherweight champion Petey Sarron in six rounds to claim his first world title. But he wasn’t finished yet.

sat glassy-eyed on the canvas.

rescheduled for the following week at Madison Square Garden. The sudden heat wave meant if a walkover couldn’t incentivise fans then the Garden’s air conditioning could!

Rumours had spread that Armstrong had suffered a badly cut lip sparring Chalky Wright and it was a rumour Ambers was all too aware of.

In the first couple of rounds Ambers tried to stay out of range but Armstrong went straight for his man battering combinations into the champion’s body. In the second, the challenger emerged from an exchange on the inside with his lip pouring with blood.

Bad news for Armstrong fans but Henry continued.

Armstrong’s bleeding mouth nearly lost him the fight late on but he was allowed to continue and going into the 15th stanza, the fight was in the balance. A frantic end from both meant the rapturous crowd drowned out the final bell and the two men had to be pulled apart.

With the scores collected, announcer Harry Balogh picked up the microphone.

“The winner and new lightweight champion... Henry Armstrong!”

A chorus of boos rang out, the crowd believing Ambers had done enough although scarlet friction burns across his shoulders told the story of a fighter with his back to the ropes all night.

Ambers won the rematch in 1939 and had to settle for a draw After weathering Armstrong’s against middleweight champion vicious onslaught, in the fifth Ceferino Garcia the following Ambers tried to control the pace year. Armstrong went on to of the battle in the middle of the retire in 1945, incredibly having www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RyanTheDesignerArt ring but was caught flush as the knocked out 101 opponents. bell rang and ended the round

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Poets’ Corner THE FOUR KINGS Written By: Lewis Calvert

Each king could have ruled the world on his own But each had a claim to the other’s throne From the magnificent battler Marvellous Marvin Hagler And the crown earned

By Tommy The Hitman Hearns Sugar Ray Leonard Who boxed with such class To Hands of Stone Roberto Duran who uttered “no mas, no mas...”

These men went from paupers To princes to kings Applauded for their persistence When they graced the ring They could all stick and move And you could pick and choose Which heir deserved To rule the roost Using their fast fists to lead the charge Clashing with styles to cause complete anarchy Each fighter was the head of their monarchy Whilst we, the people, cheered on as their cavalry They were noble when they went to war One man’s glory, another’s agony For every victory there was a casualty Each win adding to their sheer majesty That was the true Golden Age When the sport was showed such loyalty They will be remember until they are old and grey And will go down in history as boxing royalty 22

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Big Write Hook Contacts: Editor & Writer: Lewis Calvert Twitter: @LewCalvert91 Email: bigwritehook@gmail.com Design & Layout: Ryan James Wilson Twitter: @Ryan_Designer Website: www.ryanthedesigner.uk Writer: On The Canvas Twitter: @CanvasBoxing Website: onthecanvasboxing.wordpress.com Chief Historian: Jim Marshall Twitter: @BoxingTriviaGuy

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Next Month’s Issue: September 4th

Next Month’s Issue: September 4th Preview: Canelo v Golovkin Callum Smith v Erik Skoglund Hughie Fury v Joseph Parker Review: Mayweather v McGregor

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