Former world welterweight title challenger Hedgemon Lewis passed away yesterday, March 31, at the age of 74. A fine fighter who became an accomplished trainer in his later years, Lewis of Alabama was one of the toughest 147 pound fighters during the 1970s. A standout amateur, Lewis winning the National Golden Gloves as a lightweight and as a welterweight, Hedgemon went pro in May of 1966 aged just 19.
Bob Arum started at the top, and he’s still here. A one-time practicing attorney who worked in the tax division for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, Arum promoted his first card on March 29, 1966. Muhammad Ali defended his heavyweight world title at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens against Canadian challenger George Chuvalo and won a 15-round unanimous decision.
It’s fair to say, it was never going to be an easy job selling a third fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. Now, with the contracted three-match postponed until at least October (according to promoting duo Bob Arum and Frank Warren), this due to you know what, it’s entirely possible those fans who did have an urge to see whether or not Wilder could possibly come back with a vengeance will have lost interest by then. Wilder, who was so comprehensively hammered in the second fight last month, is being given virtually no shot against Fury the next time around.
Wilder-Fury II streaming on demand on ESPN+ beginning Monday
Four-fight Wilder-Fury II card to air at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN following a special re-air of Wilder-Fury I (7 p.m. ET)
Encore presentation of “O.J.: Made in America” shifts to March 24-26
There is a forthcoming book on the life and times of the one and only Drew “Bundini” Brown (“Don’t* Believe The Hype – Bundini” by Todd D. Snyder – the book due for release in August – *the word Don’t crossed out in the clever title) – and what a fascinating read this promises to be.
Due to the publication of a number of misleading and misrepresentative statements and articles made by third parties relating to Tyson Fury, the following statement is made jointly by MTK Global, Top Rank and Queensberry Promotions.
Tyson Fury is the globally recognized No. 1 Heavyweight in the world and the current Lineal, WBC and Ring Magazine champion. Tyson is contracted to a third fight with former WBC world champion Deontay Wilder.
(March 16, 2020) — Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Top Rank has postponed all events scheduled for March and April. We are monitoring the situation closely and will reschedule the shows as soon as it’s safe and reasonable to do so.
Roger Mayweather, a former two-division world champion, accomplished trainer and uncle to boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr., has died at age 58, the Mayweather camp confirmed to TMZ Sports. Lance Pugmire of The Athletic also confirmed the news of Mayweather's death through a separate source.
Eddie Hearn has ruled out staging IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua’s title defense against IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev behind closed doors in order to guarantee the fight happens in 2020.
With the coronavirus potentially making it impossible to stage any fights involving large crowds for the remainder of the year, moving the Joshua-Pulev fight behind closed doors inside of a studio is an option that would seem to make sense. Hearn isn’t willing to entertain that idea. He says he’s ready to sit and wait until the fights involving large crowds can take place.
Matchroom has canceled their April 17 show headlined by the Regis Prograis vs. Maurice Hooker fight at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. This is a response to the COVID 19 pandemic. The promotional company is looking at alternative options, including switching the date and possibly moving the fight if need be.
Tyson Fury To Be Investigated By UKAD After Farmer Alleges He Was Offered Money To Lie Back In 2015
Fight fans may have read how, over the weekend, a story appeared in a UK tabloid in which a UK farmer has alleged he was offered the sum of £25,000 to lie about providing Tyson and Hughie Fury with the boar meat the two ate back in 2015. The two fighters later tested positive for nandrolone (in February of 2015), they claim as a result of digesting the meat. The farmer, who says he never received the £25,000, alleges he was told to make the story up, that he never in fact gave the Furys the boar meat.
NEW YORK (March 12, 2020) — Due to the coronavirus pandemic, and to ensure the health and safety of boxing fans and the fight participants, Top Rank announced today that the March 14 and March 17 events at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden will proceed without spectators. The only individuals granted access to the events will be essential production and support staff, in addition to fighters and necessary team members, and credentialed media. Both events will still be shown live on their respective ESPN platforms.
NEW YORK (March 12, 2020) — After close consultation with the New York State Athletic Commission, it has been determined that Saturday’s and Tuesday’s events cannot proceed in light of the ongoing Coronavirus crisis. Top Rank will work with the Commission to reschedule the events as soon as it is safe for all involved.
