1. Mayweather and Pacquiao may never meet It’s remarkable to think that in a time when boxing needs a revival more than ever, the two most prolific winners in modern boxing refuse to meet in the ring. The media tends to pick stides but when it comes down to it its equal stubbornness. Though they may be matched blow for blow in that virtue, we will never know how an in the ring contest of wits might go.
2. The relative anonymity of the Klitchsko brothers Yes boxing fans know who they are, but can you rattle of both of their first names? Vitaly and Wladimir for those playing at home. The two extremely intelligent extremely talent Ukranian brothers have dominated the heavyweight division for some time now, but receive relatively little mainstream attention, especially strange considering the storied history of heavyweights in the limelight. Are most fans simply not drawn to intelligent athletes anymore? No story could be more newsworthy, they have Ph. D’s for crying outloud and Wladimir is dating Hayden Panattiere, for those who prefer soft news. (more…)

Amid dodging left and right hooks from law enforcement, at some point in the not too distant future Floyd Mayweather Jr. will step back into the ring. Love him or hate him, everyone has an opinion, but there is little disputing his status as one of the most talented and biggest drawing boxers in the game today. Most fans of the sport have resigned that a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao bout is only a pipe dream at this point leaving promoters to look around for the next best option. Drug testing standards (read: personal differences and egos) have kept the two top billed boxers in the world from touching gloves, but don’t sell the state of boxing short. There are still plenty of great fighters left to lace up their gloves.Perhaps the most intriguing potential Mayweather opponent is WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan. Khan will meet Marcos Maidana in December at Mandalay Bay, looking to defend title, but as soon as the new year rolls around look for Khan to eye bigger fish. At just 23 years old, Khan is still a relative rook on the big ticket scene, boasting an admirable professional record of 23 wins and just 1 loss, 17 by knockout. He has been steadily moving up in weight class over the last several years. (more…)

Ron Artest is many things. NBA champion, attempted hip hop artist, professional wrestler, social enigma, but when his basketball career finally comes to an end, he may try to add something else to his already extensive resume, boxer. Recently when asked about what he would do when days on the hardwood had seen their final chapter, Artest surprised reporters, well, at least to the point anyone can be surprised by an outlandish idea from Ron Artest, by indicating his interest in pursuing a career in both professional football and boxing. Obviously not simultaneously, though again knowing Ron Artest, we can only assume not simultaneously. Considering Artest will be 31 next month, 34 by the end of his current contract, is boxing a realistic option?Artest has actually been undergoing boxing training for the past 3 years now, though one has to question whether this training is on the same level as that of pro boxers. There is no disputing whether or not Artest is in shape. Basketball is arguably the most physically demanding sport of all the big 5, so endurance isn’t out of the question. What remains to be seen is whether Artest could hold up under the physical battery. There is a difference between a street fight and the sweet science, as gameplans and strategies are formulated with acute tactical precision. No matter how rough and tough your neighborhood was, besting a guy on the corner is far difference than toughing gloves with a calculating fighter in the ring. (more…)