Talk Tough 12-15-04

BWAA UPDATE

It’s that time of the year for the Boxing Writers Association Of America members to submit their nominations for the 2004 awards. I nominated the Trinidad vs. Mayorga bout as the “Fight of the Year”. It was an action packed battle that saw Mayorga hit the canvas for the first, second, and third time of his career. Trinidad also suffered a legitimate knockdown when his glove touched the canvas after getting rocked in the third round. He then came back to destroy the former WBC and WBA welterweight champ stopping him in the eighth round. After giving it a lot of consideration I chose Diego “Chico” Corrales (39-2) for the “Fighter of the Year” nomination. His explosive stoppage over previously unbeaten world champ, Acelino Freitas (35-1) and hard fought split decision victory over former world champ, Joel Cassamayor (31-3) were very impressive. I gave Corrales’ flamboyant trainer Joe Goosen the nod for “Trainer of the Year”. Gleason’s Gym owner, Bruce Silverglade gets my nomination for the “Good Guy Award”.

Mayweather in Training

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (32-0) is in Las Vegas training for his January 22 bout according to his advisor Leonard Ellerbe. He will face Henry Bruseles (21-2-1) in Miami on a HBO televised bout. Ellerbe also told me that the plan was for Mayweather and Arturo Gatti to defeat their opponents (Gatti is fighting Jesse James Leija a week later on the 29th) in January and then meet up in the summer for Gatti’s welterweight belt.

Clay Bey vs Valuev

Lawrence Clay Bey’s co-manager James Gogue informed me that the bout between the former US Olympian, Clay Bey (21-2) and the 7’ 330lb “Beast From the East” Nicolay Valuev (39-0) is tentative for January 22 in Germany. They should be wrapping up the deal any day now. Valuev’s WBA Intercontinental heavyweight title will be on the line.

Big Things For Cintron

Kermit Cintron’s (24-0) trainer, Marshall Kauffman told me they are looking forward to the February 18 bout against Sebastian Andres Lujan (22-1-1). The bout is for Cintron’s WBO interim welterweight belt. It is being held at Bally’s Atlantic City and will be televised on ESPN2. Kauffmann also said they are aware that Lujan is a tough durable opponent that can make any one look bad. (I find it quite amusing that the WBO welterweight champ, Antonio Margarito is fighting on the same card in the co-feature. It just goes to show that Cintron is the more exciting and popular fighter.) According to Kauffman the plan is for the two to beat their opponents and then fight each other in April on an ESPN pay per view card.

Ruiz Injured Neck

Norman “Stoney” Stone informed me his fighter WBA heavyweight champ, John Ruiz (41-5-1) is being treated by a chiropractor for injuries he sustained to his neck in the Golota fight on November 13. He said the therapy is coming along and they are looking for an opponent for a bout in April.

Another Shot For Hill?

Former 4x world champ Virgil Hill (49-5) informed me that he is in negotiations for a WBA championship bout against Valery Brudov (28-0). They are hoping for a February or March date. (Don’t let Brudov’s record fool you. Only 4 of his 28 opponents had a record above 500%.)