Title for Malignaggi; Title Shot for Oliver McCall?
Malignaggi, who took a beating but never quit against Miguel Cotto in losing his only prior title fight last June, is now poised for a shot at the winner of next Saturday's title fight between Ricky Hatton and Jose Luis Castillo for the real junior welterweight title of the world.
Elsewhere: If you believe WBC President Jose Sulaiman (anyone?), 42-year-old Oliver McCall (51-8) may have actually earned himself a title shot by taking a unanimous decision from Sinan Samil Sam (27-4) in Ankara, Turkey. Yes, we're talking about the same guy who KO'd Lennox Lewis in two rounds to win the heavyweight title way back in 1994. McCall's win is being billed as a big upset despite the fact that Sam is nothing special. The real upset is that McCall was able to get a fair decision (115-112, 115-112, 114-113) on Sam's turf. Congrats to the judges for doing the right thing - as opposed to the popular thing - and rendering a fair verdict.
As this fight was billed as a 'WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator', McCall has Sulaiman's word that he's next in line for a shot at the WBC heavyweight title. Well, after Oleg Maskaev, Samuel Peter and Vitali Klitschko sort things out amongst themselves ... which shouldn't take more than another year ... or two ... or three ...
Comments
I could not believe the ease that Paul Malignaggi defeated Lovemore Ndou with. Rematch? Who would want to see it? I complained when he signed for the fight. I figured he didn’t earn it. The beating he took from Cotto was his ticket. I viewed McCall vs Bruno on tape and can’t believe McCall is still fighting. The Turk Sam is just in front of you and if he couldn’t win in Turkey what is the purpose for a rematch?
MSG Originals Mecca of Boxing
MSG will premiere the new original documentary “Mecca of Boxing” on Sunday, June 24 at 9:00 p.m. The one-hour special will look back at the countless heavyweight championships, world title bouts and epic boxing matches held at the Garden since the late 1800s. From John Sullivan winning the first heavyweight championship, to Marciano vs. Louis in 1951, to what many refer to as the ‘battle of the century’ Ali vs. Frazier in 1971, the Garden has been an integral part of the legacy of professional boxing in the United States. This documentary will take viewers through the unbelievable history of boxing matches at Madison Square Garden, considered the ‘Mecca of Boxing.’
several years ago I went to a boxing match where a young man named elijah obed had just returned from the Olympic..apparently he had won a fight. What ever happened to this handsome Bahamian? Is he training other youth in his country of the Bahamas?