ESPN.com's Dan Rafael is reporting that the Feb. 22 televised bout featuring former world heavyweight champion Hasim "The Rock" Rahman may be scratched. It has been reported by Boxrec.com and Rafael that Rahman was scheduled to take on veteran Ray Mercer on the Feb. 22 card at the Mountaineer Race Track in Chester, WVA.
However, Rafael reports that Rahman's promoter, Bob Arum, is mulling over a more lucrative offer from the German promotional company, Universum to have Rahman fight Luan Krasniqi in Germany in March. Arum told Rafael that the remaining obstacle to finalizing the deal is for the Germans to agree to use neutral officials, which is probably a good idea considering how notoriously difficult it is for a foreign boxer to win a decision in Germany.
Ironically, this is the same Krasniqi who turned down an offer from his OWN company a few months ago to fight Tony Thompson in Germany.
Rafael also says that Rahman will enter his next bout -- whoever it is against -- with a new trainer. Reading, PA's Marshall Kauffman will replace Thell Torrance.
Kauffman has been known for his work with Kermit Cintron and is the father of undefeated heavyweight prospect Travis Kauffman, who made his pro debut at Michael's Eighth Avenue last January.
"Rock is no longer with Thell. This last run to the title is going to be with Marshall," Rahman's co-manager Steve Nelson told ESPN.com. "For the last run, it was decided to go with a fresh start. Marshall was in the camp helping us get ready for the Maskaev fight, and he and Rock developed a relationship. We think there is chemistry there."
Another Beltway Boxer returning to action -- according to Rafael -- will be Adelphi, MD junior middleweight Teddy "Two-Gun" Reid. Reid (23-8-2, 17 KO's) will face Richard Gutierrez (19-1,12 KO's) in a 10-round main event on Friday, January 26 from the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. The bout will be televised by ESPN2.
Reid is hoping for better fortune at this Connecticut resort than he had at the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket. Reid suffered a loss to Rodney Jones and a draw against J.C. Candelo in his last two outings.
One other interesting note: the Boxing Writers Association of America has passed out their ballots for the 2006 "Barney" Awards. Voting goes on until February 12. Two Beltway Boxers – Anthony and Lamont Peterson – are finalists for the Pat Putnam Award for Perseverance. By now, everyone should know that the Peterson Brothers came from homelessness to contenders for world titles. The award was named after one of the great boxing writers of all-time, Sports Illustrated's Pat Putnam, who survived 17 months in a Korean prisoner of war camp. Putnam died in 2005 after a lengthy illness.
The Petersons don’t have easy competition for this award. Among the other finalists are prospect Jason Litzau, referee Joe Cortez and Muhammad Ali.
Rahman-Krasniqi is an interesting fight, and a tough call. Krasniqi is definetly a good, solid, well-schooled fighter, however he does appear to lack a little bit of heart. (* I say a little/some, because any guy that gets in the ring without the big gloves and headgear definetly has 'heart'. Some -- just more so than others though.) Luan is 35, and Rahman not far away from that now himself. Simply put -- the winner here would take a step forward and be back into title/'trinket' contention, and the loser? Stick-a-fork-in-him DONE. At least at the top level of Boxing. These guys are running out of tommorrows, and about down to their last one.
ReplyDelete* I think 3 out of the current 4 'world titlists' are very vulnerable to defeat, and even the fourth one (Vlad) to a much lesser extent. I give all the credit in the world to Maskaev (he has shown persistance, come back from adversity, and in fact improved his skills at 35+) but he is very slow, and very beatable I.M.O. As a matter of fact, there is a young 10-0 or 12-0 hvy that fought on his undercard last month, that I think could beat him RIGHT NOW at this very point.
2004 Gold Medalist Alexander Povetkin.
P.S - Poor Tony Thompson and Ray Austin...What do these guys have to do to get at least a six-figure type fight/payday?
BTW - Both Peterson brothers looked good tonight. No doubt what the major/significant difference between the two is however.
ReplyDeletePUNCHING POWER.
You can just SEE that the one brother hits with much more force...
Yes the Petersons' fight made for a most enjoyable Friday evening! First time I had a chance to see them fight and Anthony is really exciting. I really liked the way he sent a shout out to Washington DC in the wrap up interview. Sure wish we could have our own great fight here. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteLinda