Bob Arum’s Son is Missing

Bob Arum suddenly has a much more pressing matter than hyping the November showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito. The boxing promoter’s

son, a devoted hiker, was reported missing on Sunday after going on a trek in mountains near Seattle.

John Arum is an environmental lawyer. Top Rank VP Carl Moretti told the Daily News that a rescue party had found John’s tent, along with binoculars and sunglasses, at a camp area but had not located the hiker. Arum and wife Lovee departed by plane for Seattle right after Los Angeles presser.

The press tour is scheduled to land in New York today where Top Rank president Todd duBoef, who is Arum’s stepson, will preside over the proceedings in his absence.

Photo: Washington Environmental Council

Gary Shaw Inks Kimbo Slice

James Toney just switched from boxing to MMA and now Kimbo Slice, a former backyard brawler and MMA fighter, has decided to join the sweet science. Only if it wasn’t so but Gary Shaw has signed the over grown gorilla to debut sometime between October and December.

Shaw previously promoted Slice when he ran the now defunct MMA promotion Elite XC.

“He could easily be at the same level as the guys the Klitschkos have been fighting,” said Shaw. “Maybe I’m wrong, maybe he’s coming to boxing too late but I don’t think so. He’s not a beaten-up athlete. He’s a natural with that bob and weave like Mike Tyson.”

Alfredo Angulo’s trainer, Clemente Medina will be cross training this yahoo. If Kimbo couldn’t do well in MMA with 4oz. gloves, how is he going to do it in boxing?

I don’t know about you but we already got a 7-foot Russian giant, we don’t need to start a freak show.

Miguel Cotto Goes Under the Knife

Miguel Cotto underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in preparation for fighting Chavez Jr. According to Bob Arum and Cotto’s lawyer, Gabriel Penagaricano, they are both confident the fight against Chavez will not be postponed and will proceed as planned on December 4 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Cotto had reportedly told reporters at a recent Boxeo Boricua press conference in Puerto Rico that because of the shoulder surgery, he might not be able to start training until November. If Miguel Cotto loses to Chavez, I bet he will use that as an excuse as he only had one month to train.

Roberto Duran Dies of a Stroke

Before you start freaking out, the 59-year old “Manos de Piedra” is not dead but there were some rumor of his supposed death from a stroke. The rumor started through social networks and emails and was eventually reported on television in Panama. Though Duran does look like he might get a stroke with all that extra weight, he’s doing fine.

“I am happy that the people worry about me and my family,” said “Hands of Stone”. “I am fine but people shouldn’t be spreading that news.”

Earlier this year Roberto Duran had a nose operation but that was to help him breath normally and the operation was a success.

A famous quote from the Panamanian boxing legend:

“I am not an animal in my personal life. But in the ring there is an animal inside me. Sometimes it roars when the first bell rights. Sometimes it springs out later in a fight. But I can always feel it there, driving me and pushing me forward. It is what makes me win. It makes me enjoy fighting.” — Roberto Duran

Sergio Martinez Will Rematch Paul Williams on Nov 20

WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez of Argentina will take on Paul Williams on November 20th in a rematch. The two fighters engaged in an exciting back and forth action bout last year which ended in a controversial loss for Martinez.

Rumor was that Dan Goossen, Williams’ promoter, wasn’t interested in a rematch because Williams was planning returning to welterweight, but after no one wanted to fight Williams Goossen finally gave in. In April Martinez won a unanimous decision against Kelly Pavlik, Pavlik declined his option for an immediate rematch after Martinez beat him to claim the middleweight title, but Martinez was then stripped of his WBO title, due to one of the organization’s rules. Alfredo Angulo also turned down $750,000 to fight Martinez. While some fighters duck and dodge certain fights, Martinez doesn’t.

Though a venue hasn’t been determined Martinez is expected to begin training in mid September. Rumor is the fight will be on HBO B.A.D.

Texas Gives Antonio Margarito a License to Fight

Is official the state of Texas has grant Antonio Margarito a license to fight on November 13th at Cowboys Stadium against Manny Pacquiao. It was just a week ago today when the California State Athletic Commission denied Margarito a license. Unlike California, Texas has the opportunity to profit from Margarito’s next fight. Texas is poised to loosely reinstate Margarito without a hearing by the end of the week. According to sources close to the negotiation, Texas authorities have all the information they need to reinstate Margarito in the form of a letter the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s head of combat sports requested from the Assn. of Boxing Commissions. In the four-paragraph letter, ABC President Timothy Lueckenhoff and other board members advised to state commissions that “Margarito has fulfilled his obligations” to appear before California before seeking a license elsewhere “and thus he is now free to pursue licensure with any ABC member commission. There is nothing under the federal law that would prohibit consideration for licensure.”

Bernard Hopkins to fight again?

There are rumors that newly crowned light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal and Bernard Hopkins will soon enter negotiations to fight each other. Hopkins is willing to travel to Montreal for the fight.

Within two consecutive weekends, HBO has shown 4 of the top light heavyweights in the world. The two winners, Pascal and Tavouris Cloud, who beat seasoned warrior Glen Johnson, should face off. Two young, hungry and talented fighters who are HBO approved would be great. Pascal draws a crowd in Montreal and is an exciting fighter to watch. Cloud is young and has raw talent and also brings a lot of action.

This would be a high action fight that would put the best light heavyweight in the world against one of the best challengers.

Another entertaining fight at light heavy would be Glen Johnson against Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins, who had a mediocre performance against Roy Jones Jr., needs another fight to prove he is not old and done. His last two performances were not seen by many due to lack of interest. Hopkins needs a significant fight to prove he can still hang.

Yhonny Perez, Vic Darchiyan and more

Showtime is finalizing a doubleheader for November 6. IBF bantamweight champion Yohnny Perez (20-0-1, 14 KOs) will take on Joseph Agbeko (27-2, 22 KOs) in a rematch, and IBO bantamweight Vic Darchinyan (35-2-1, 27 KOs) will collided with unbeaten Abner Mares (20-0-1, 13 KOs).

Though a location hasn’t been determined, rumor is that the Staples Center in Los Angeles is in play.

In other boxing news

Don King and Gary Shaw have agreed on terms of a deal for Devon Alexander to fight Timothy Bradley on Jan. 29 on HBO.

That is one of the biggest fights which could be made in boxing. The fighters haven’t signed off on the bout yet, but that should come soon.

Oscar De La Hoya, You’re a Hypocrite!

When the California State Athletic Commission made it clear they don’t want Antonio Margarito to box in their jurisdiction, I was disappointed for the fact that Margarito had paid his dues and his still being denied for the second time after he first applied for a boxing license in Las Vegas. The Nevada State Athletic Commission also made clear their uneasiness with licensing Margarito.

Top Rank, Margarito’s promotional company, is desperately seeking a venue to license Margarito. They have applied in Texas already in hopes he’ll fight Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Bob Arum said Friday that he expects Margarito to be granted a license there next week without a hearing.

Everyone has mixed feelings on whatever Antonio Margarito should be allowed to box ever again and that’s ok but one thing I am not ok with is how a day after the California denial, Oscar De La Hoya called a conference call to talk about Margarito. During the call De La Hoya said he believed Margarito should have been banned for life for tampering with his gloves.

Update on Rafael Marquez – Juan Manuel Lopez

We recently reported that Rafael Marquez sustained an injury on his right thumb while getting out a public bus in Mexico. Now his highly anticipated fight against Juan Manuel Lopez is now in jeopardy.

The good news is that instead of canceling the fight or replacing Marquez, the fight will be rescheduled for October 16 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, four weeks after the original date.

“Naturally, we’re disappointed. Fortunately, Marquez’s injury isn’t too serious,” Top Rank president Todd duBoef said. “We have already discussed the situation with the MGM Grand and Showtime and they both are working with us to find a new mutually acceptable date.”

“I’m very disappointed, but I know that these things happen in boxing,” Lopez said in a statement issued by his promoter, Top Rank. “I hope the fight gets rescheduled soon and look forward to fighting Rafael Marquez.”

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