Fighters, Champions and Scribes Make Their "THE ONE: Mayweather vs. Canelo" Predictions This Saturday, Sept. 14, Live at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT on SHOWTIME PPV®

Fighters, Champions and Scribes Make Their "THE ONE: Mayweather vs. Canelo" Predictions

 This Saturday, Sept. 14, Live at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT on SHOWTIME PPV^®

Former world champions, current fighters and members of the boxing press have weighed in on who they believe will win "THE ONE: Mayweather vs. Canelo" this Saturday, Sept. 14 live on SHOWTIME PPV^® from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. 

So who is going to triumph?  Most experts expect a tough, close fight while giving Mayweather the edge, but it is safe to say that when it comes to these two boxing superstars, anything can happen in that ring on Saturday night.

Here's how the media and boxers, past and current see "The ONE":

FIGHTERS

Mike Tyson, Former World Heavyweight Champion (Mayweather): "I've only seen Canelo fight twice -- against [Josesito] Lopez and [Austin] Trout. Trout gave him some trouble and he isn't as experienced and as technically skilled as Floyd is. Floyd stays in tip-top shape and is a very relaxed fighter. He is at his peak. It's going to be hard for anybody to beat Floyd now unless he doesn't train. Floyd has transcended the game so much that the best fighters out there now try to emulate his style. Floyd wins by a decision.''

Lennox Lewis, Former World Heavyweight Champion, (Mayweather): "Mayweather will win because of his speed and experience. He's been at this level before so that will also be an advantage. He's the best until proven otherwise. Canelo is talented, young, strong and dangerous ... makes it all the more exciting.''

Bernard Hopkins, IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion: "This fight is 50/50. It can go either way. Floyd has speed and wisdom. Canelo is strong and big.  This is a massive fight and the outcome will impact both of their careers in a major way."

Paulie Malignaggi, Former World Welterweight Champion, (Mayweather): "You can't count Canelo out because he's a natural junior middleweight so he has a chance. But at the end of the day it's Mayweather winning on points.''

Carlos Molina [who is challenging Ishe Smith] (Mayweather): "At first it looks like Mayweather's experience and speed will be too much for Canelo.  But then you think about it and Canelo is young and strong.  This is boxing.  You just never know.  I would say at this point it is 60-40 Mayweather."

Chris Arreola, Heavyweight Contender (Mayweather): "He's got the experience and he's been in a lot of big fights before. That is not to say Canelo hasn't, but Mayweather has been in more and knows what to do in a fight of this magnitude.  I think Canelo took this fight two fights too soon. Mayweather by decision.''

Zab Judah, Former World Champion (Mayweather): "Mayweather is too fast and has great timing.  I just don't see Canelo hitting him.  I don't see Canelo being able to do anything to Floyd."

Seth Mitchell, Heavyweight Contender (Mayweather), "Floyd's boxing IQ is just too great. His offense, defense is just too good.''

Rafael Marquez, Former Two-Division World Champion, (Canelo): "The winner of this fight is the boxer with the most intelligence and power ... and I hope it is going to be Canelo.''

Gary Russell, Jr., Undefeated World-Ranked Featherweight: (Mayweather): "In order for Floyd to beat Canelo, he has to keep Canelo on the outside and outbox him and pot shot him. Floyd needs to make it clear that he's landing the cleaner and more effective punches. For Canelo to win, he needs to make the fight ugly and finish his combinations with a hook. He has to make it ugly and rough for Floyd. If Canelo makes it close, he will win.''

Rau'shee Warren, Three-time U.S. Olympian and Bantamweight Prospect, (Mayweather):"Floyd's a chameleon; he can adapt to any type of style in the ring. Canelo is a one-dimensional fighter; he wants to bang it out and brawl. He thinks that hitting Floyd in the arms will wear him down, and I think he needs a better strategy than that. It's going be a good fight though. Canelo is young and hungry, he's going to come to fight, but he's going to see that Floyd's a teacher in there. I have to go with Floyd, but I'm ready to see what Canelo brings to the table.''

Marcus Browne, 2012 U.S. Olympian and Light Heavyweight Prospect, (Mayweather): "I think Floyd wins the fight in 10 rounds because he has a huge edge in experience and he's a better all-around fighter than Canelo.''

Daniel Jacobs, Middleweight Contender,"I think the fans will be the real winners on this whole card. I don't really like making predictions but I know that in a card of this magnitude, the fans will come out on top. All of the fighters have to be at 100 percent because if at any given second a mistake is made that might be the deciding factor in both fights.''

Lucas Matthysse, Interim WBC Super Lightweight Champion, "If the fight goes the distance then Floyd Mayweather will win but if Canelo Alvarez fights intelligently he could win the fight.

Adrien Broner, Floyd Mayweather will win by KO in the late rounds.

MEDIA MEMBERS 

Tim Dahlberg, Associated Press, (Mayweather): "Floyd will benefit from the short layoff between fights. I think he will be sharper and stronger. Canelo will have trouble getting to 152 pounds, then have trouble catching Floyd all night. I see an easy unanimous decision and, of course, a huge payday for Floyd.''

Steve Carp, Las Vegas Review-Journal (Mayweather):  "Mayweather is too experienced and too sharp for Canelo. If they fought two years from now Canelo would probably win, but right now Mayweather is the superior boxer. Mayweather by unanimous decision.''

Bob Velin, USA Today, (Mayweather): "Experience will be the difference. Mayweather is used to being on the world's biggest stage; Canelo is not. And, of course, Mayweather is by far the superior boxer. And this will be a boxing match, not a slugfest. Mayweather wins a unanimous decision.''

Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times, (Mayweather): "Mayweather Jr. is very well facing the strongest fighter he's ever gone against in Mexico's 'Canelo' Alvarez. But to know Mayweather is to understand he reasons with perhaps the most astute boxing mind in the world. Whether it be Alvarez's youth, his recent stamina issues or the fact that Mayweather's sharpness is enhanced in taking his shortest layoff in more than a decade, believe he knows he'll win this one, too, likely by decision, and improve the number next to his cherished zero in the loss column to 45.''

George Willis, New York Post, (Mayweather): "Mayweather wins by decision based on his experience in the big moment. He's the master of adjustments which he'll likely need to do against the young and hungry Alvarez.  Alvarez has got to get to Mayweather's body to have a chance.  If he does, Floyd will have to protect his ribs, which could expose his chin.''

Kevin Iole, Yahoo, (Mayweather): "Mayweather will see all of Canelo's punches and Floyd rarely gets hit by punches he sees. As long as he doesn't get caught, I think Floyd easily outboxes Canelo and wins a big (unanimous) decision.''

Dan Rafael, ESPN, (Mayweather): "Mayweather will be super-sharp, having just fought in May, and that's bad news for Alvarez. Mayweather wins a convincing decision after a few tough early moments.''

Gordon Marino, Wall Street Journal, (Mayweather): "I don't think Alvarez will be able to cut the ring off on Mayweather. I also think Canelo will be an easy target for righthand counters. Mayweather wins by decision.''

Mark Whicker, Orange County Register, (Mayweather): "Mayweather by decision, because it's hard to see Canelo doing something no one else has ever done.''

Matt Breen, The Philadelphia Inquirer, (Mayweather): "Nope, Canelo is not the one. Until Floyd begins to show signs of slowing down, it's tough to pick against him. He'll outwit Canelo and force him into his fight, avoid his power and drag him to a decision. Floyd wins unanimously.''

Jose Luis Camarillo, Esto Newspaper, Mexico (Canelo): "In a very close fight,Canelo will win a split decision and Oscar will announce a rematch immediately. Canelo is fast and strong and will impose his strength on Mayweather by connecting with good shots to the body and to the head.''

Rene Umanzor, Record Newspaper, Mexico: "I think the fight will be a draw. Canelo has enough boxing skills to confuse and complicate matters for Mayweather. Youth and power are also on his side, However, Mayweather has all the experience, a very difficult style and a great, almost perfect defense. But I don't think he's going to have an easy night.''

Robert Morales, Los Angeles News Group, (Mayweather): "I'm going with Mayweather via decision because I believe he remains the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and I'm not convinced Alvarez will be the one to hand him his first loss. The combination of Mayweather's right cross and his sterling defense will get the job done.''

Oswaldo Príncipe, La Nacion, Argentina, (Mayweather): "Mayweather is getting old but he's very smart and still has his strength. Canelo is very young and hasn't incorporated a lot of new techniques to his style. Mayweather wins on points.''

Diego Martínez, Reforma Newspaper, México: "This is a fight where Canelo can surprise the whole world of boxing. I can see Canelo knocking Mayweather down and finishing him by knockout, but I can also see a controversial decision if the fight goes 12 rounds, probably a split decision for Floyd.''

Lem Satterfield, Ring Online, (Mayweather): "In what I believe will be his most difficult fight since the early rounds of Ricky Hatton, the entire Oscar De La Hoya fight and the first two rounds of Shane Mosley, I see Mayweather pocketing enough rounds to win a close but unanimous decision over Canelo Alvarez.''

Matthew Aguilar, El Paso Times, (Mayweather): "Look for Canelo to come out fast and try and hurt Mayweather early. He'll press the action, attempt to pin Mayweather on the ropes and attack to the body -- with moderate success. Mayweather will get caught a few times, but will otherwise escape unscathed. By round three, Mayweather will have found holes in Canelo's defense, and by round five, he will be landing clean, hard shots. He will win most of the remaining seven rounds with crisp counterpunching, speed and boxing skills, while exposing Canelo's inexperience. Mayweather takes a unanimous decision.''

Alberto Henriquez, Producer, CNN Latino, (Mayweather): "In my opinion, Floyd Mayweather will win the fight. Floyd has demonstrated that he is a master in the art of 'reading' his opponent and adapting to his style while being virtually untouchable. I don't think Canelo, although very good, has what is necessary to beat Maayweather. 'Money' will win the fight." 

Bernard Fernandez, The Ring/SweetScience.com, (Mayweather): "Mayweather Jr. might be the Lion in Winter -- OK, make that the Lion in autumn; he's still a kid compared to, say, Bernard Hopkins -- but at 36 he's a cagey, smart king of ring beasts. Canelo Alvarez has youth, size and strength on his side, but his relative lack of experience in bouts of this magnitude will prove the difference. 'Money' takes another victory to the bank, via unanimous decision.''

Damian Calhoun, Orange County Register, (Mayweather): "Mayweather is facing a bigger, younger fighter, who could have his moments in the ring. I don't expect this to be an easy night for Mayweather, but I do expect him to win by unanimous decision, by utilizing his speed and defense.''

Ron Lewis, The Times Of London, (Mayweather): "Alvarez has the size and strength to cause Floyd some problems, but Mayweather is smart enough to get through any awkward moments and pull clear in the second half of the fight to win a decision.''

Mike Rosenthal, Ring Online, (Mayweather): "The biggest fight of the year is also one of the easiest to predict. Canelo Alvarez is young, strong and improving, which should work in his favor when he fights Floyd Mayweather Jr. However, the Mexican has neither the skills (natural or learned) nor experience to beat a fighter of Mayweather's ilk. Alvarez will fight hard but leave the ring frustrated and the loser of a one-sided, unanimous decision.''

Carlos Gonzalez, Primera Hora, Puerto Rico, (Mayweather): "This is going to be a great, great fight for the fans from the opening rounds. Canelo can and will pressure Mayweather, but Mayweather will impose his speed and experience and win a unanimous decision''

Alfredo Berrios, ESPN Deportes, (Canelo): "The power and physique of the Mexican fighter will be among his keys to victory. Even though Mayweather has the experience and finesse advantage, Canelo will not allow him him to do his hit and run routine, and Canelo's youth will let him complete what Miguel Cotto couldn't  in 2012."

Kieran Mulvaney, ESPN.com, (Mayweather): "Mayweather is too fast, too skilled, too good. As usual, he may take a few rounds to size up Alvarez, but he'll be moving while he does it, not giving Alvarez a chance to land any telling blows. Once he starts to time him, don't be surprised to see Mayweather fire a few combinations from the pocket as he dominates the second half. Mayweather wins a unanimous decision.''

Lyle Fitzsimmons, CBSSports.com, (Mayweather): "Canelo is a big, strong kid who can punch and sell tickets. And I'm sure Oscar would like nothing better than to see him beat Mayweather into a fine dust. But I just don't see it. The kid barely got past Austin Trout (I had Trout winning by a point) and he'll find out fairly quickly that Mayweather is by no means Austin Trout. Mayweather by TKO 10.''

Doug Fischer, THE RING magazine, (Canelo): "Mayweather is hands down the best welterweight on the planet but on Sept. 14 he will fight a middleweight at a 152-pound catchweight. I don't think having to sweat off the extra two pounds will drain or slow down the 23-year-old junior middleweight champion, who has a higher ring IQ than he's given credit for. I think Alvarez will land the harder, more effective punches in a tit-for-tat boxing match. He might even score a knockdown. Alvarez takes a close unanimous decision.''

Claudia Trejos, ESPN Reporter, (Mayweather): "No easy fight and anything can happen. I do remember nobody gave credit to the young Oscar de la Hoya against the seasoned Julio Cesar Chavez in 1996. Everything is possible in boxing.''

Keith Idec, The Record, Woodland Park, NJ)/BoxingScene.com, (Mayweather): "Facing a younger, legitimate junior middleweight, Mayweather must stay off the ropes, keep a much slower Alvarez moving and use his legs the way he did to dominate Robert Guerrero. If he does those things, Mayweather is just too smart, too skilled and too effective defensively to lose this fight. Mayweather by unanimous decision.''

Leighton Ginn, Desert Sun, Palm Springs, Calif.: (Mayweather): "As good as Canelo is, and despite the major improvements he's made, it's a quantum leap when you face Mayweather. Experience counts, and Floyd is the best on the big stage. He wins a unanimous decision.''

Jake Donovan, BoxingScene.com, (Mayweather): "I'm going way against the grain on this pick, and will expect a version of Floyd similar to the one that faced and drilled Ricky Hatton into Bolivian. I don't see Alvarez being competitive for very long, with Floyd picking him apart in the second half before finishing him via attrition and/or cuts. Mayweather wins by TKO 11.''

Jose Luis Sánchez Pando, HOY Newspaper, Chicago (Mayweather): Mayweather will win a decision.''

Alejandro Rodríguez de la Cruz, El Universal Newspaper, Mexico: "I've got a split decision or a draw. Canelo Alvarez is looking better and better in every fight, and he's fighting in his own division. I know 'Money' Mayweather possesses speed and savvy even though he is 36 years old.  But to go up to 152 pounds is going to be tough for him.''

Armando Alvarez, Telemundo Network, (Mayweather) -- "THE ONE is one of the most highly anticipated fights in a long time.  When non-boxing fans are asking me about this bout, it speaks volumes as to the magnitude of this event. Canelo' is young, strong and determined. He has underrated boxing skills and will give Mayweather trouble early. Floyd's superb defense and speed should be the difference, but what if this is the night where his skills diminish just enough to give Canelo the opportunity of a lifetime?  That's one of the elements that makes this fight so intriguing. Still, the pick is Mayweather by decision, but it won't be easy.''

Constantino Viloria, El Diario, (Canelo):  "Canelo is a great fighter, and has appeal. Mayweather has more experience. This is a very interesting - and even -- fight. Canelo can win if he can keep his speed and energy up to par.''

Otniel Batista, La Makina Deportiva, (Canelo): "Mayweather has shown he is the best pound for pound. This is Canelo's fight to make himself a millionaire. He's going to have to study Mayweather and his every detail, but I think Canelo can do it and will win. I think there will not only be 1 more, but 2 or 3 more fights between them."    

Eduard Cauich, HOY Los Angeles (Mayweather) - "Mayweather will win by decision over Canelo, a 23-year old who has the potential for a huge upset, but it is unlikely to happen due to his lack of experience in a big scenario like the one. Mayweather will win a close fight but Alvarez will show that he can beat Mayweather in a couple of years as he gets better and Mayweather's career comes to an end."

Jorge Ebro, El Nuevo Herald (Mayweather) -- "I think Floyd is going to win -- not by KO, but by the volume of his combinations. Floyd hits more frequently and precisely than Canelo. Also, Alvarez's defense has too many holes and he will pay for this mistakes. I don't think that 'Money' has the power to erase Alvarez's anatomy, but the Mexican is not in the same class as  Mayweather.''

Alan Massengale, RINGTV.COM columnist/blow by blow announcer, (Mayweather): "I would love to predict a Canelo victory, which always makes a pundit look like a genius when it happens. But until I see a drop off in Mayweather's ethereal speed and quickness, which hasn't happened yet, he wins by unanimous decision."

Felipe Valenzuela, CBS Sports Radio Houston, (Mayweather):  "Canelo is more mature. He is focused and looks ready to be the best of the best. We have the biggest matchup in boxing in recent memory, two fighters with a combined record of 86-0-1. It would be marvelous for Mexican boxing if Canelo wins, but I think it will be difficult, 'Money'  is a warrior and a great fighter. We just have to wait and witness this amazing fight on Sept. 14."

Norm Frauenheim, The Ring/www.15rounds.com, (Mayweather): "Canelo Alvarez will keep it close with a body assault that figures to target Mayweather's shoulder roll. But Mayweather's speed will turn him into a moving target never seen by Canelo and his punches will land with precision that the young Mexican lacks in a narrow win via decision that sets up a rematch.''

Mike Coppinger, USA Today, (Mayweather): "I've never picked against Mayweather and I won't until I see some -- any -- decline. Mayweather looked marvelous Robert Guerrero in May, and his combinations and footwork were as crisp as ever. I expect Canelo Alvarez to press the fight and work the body, winning a few rounds, but Mayweather will come out on top once again, winning a comfortable but close unanimous decision.'' 

Ken Miller, Los Angeles Sentinel, (Mayweather): "I believe that Floyd will out-counter Canelo for the early part of the fight and bust him to the body frequently, setting up the stage for a stoppage in the latter part of the fight. The weight will be huge, those two pounds and the courage of the Mexican will do him in. Floyd takes it by TKO 9.''

Miguel Maravilla, Fightnews.com, (Mayweather): "I see this being another tough fight for Mayweather with Canelo being the bigger man jabbing and boxing very patiently.  At times he backs Floyd to the ropes and corners him with the jab and follows up landing big punches. My heart is with Canelo; however Mayweather's ability to adapt to a style and his experience is a plus which is what will make the difference en route to a tight split decision victory for  Floyd.''

Grant Gordon, Glendale News-Press/Los Angeles Times Community News, (Mayweather):  "Though Alvarez has improved with seemingly every fight and has proved he belongs on this stage, Mayweather is still Mayweather. 'Money's' defense and ring generalship will dictate the tempo and win the rounds and he'll survive a potential scare or two to win a clear unanimous decision.'' 

Karl Freitag, Fightnews.com, (Mayweather): "Mayweather wins by comfortable unanimous decision. Canelo had his hands full with Austin Trout. Floyd is at a whole other level''.

Miguel Angel Cebreros, ESPN Radio Spanish, (Mayweather): "My heart is with Canelo but my money is with Mayweather. There's only one fighter than can defeat Canelo in his weight class and that's Mayweather, who will win a decision.''

Ralph Gonzalez, The Sweet Science, (Mayweather): "Mayweather will be too fast, too crafty and too elusive for Canelo Alvarez and will win via unanimous decision.''

John DiSanto, PhillyBoxingHistory.com, (Mayweather): "Size and age advantages won't be enough for Canelo. He's good enough to put up a fight and may even give Mayweather a scare early on, but if Floyd is still Floyd, he will make the necessary adjustments and win a comfortable decision.''

Benny Henderson Jr. , Boxingtalk.com , (Mayweather): "Like him, love him or just plain look at him as an egotistical maniac, you cannot deny Mayweather's skills in the ring. Canelo is young and hungry, very aggressive and many would love to see him win. But, unless time has caught up with Floyd, I believe Mayweather will be too crafty, too fast and too experienced for the young lion. Mayweather wins a unanimous decision.''

Geno McGahee,  RingsideReport.com, (Canelo): "The youth, strength and body work will be a test for the older Mayweather and I'm not sure that he can deal with it. Canelo, unless he gets completely frustrated, will wear down Floyd and find the mark late in the fight to win by TKO 10.''

Ramon Aranda, 3MoreRounds.com, (Mayweather): "While Alvarez is bigger, younger and stronger, Mayweather has yet to show signs of slowing down and continues to show why he is the best fighter in the world.  I expect Alvarez to put immense pressure on Floyd early on until Mayweather establishes a rhythm and an appropriate distance.  While a difficult fight, I see Mayweather pulling away in the last third of the fight en route to a hard-fought, unanimous decision win.''

Barbara Pinnella, Leaveitinthering, (Mayweather): "Canelo doesn't have the ring smarts that Floyd has developed over the years. This is just too soon for Alvarez.''

Jerry Hoffman, ESPN Radio Central Coast, (Mayweather): "Floyd will control the pace, avoid big shots that will become flailing as the fight wears on and frustrate Canelo into making mistakes.  Floyd will take advantage late and stop Canelo in 8.  The bout will begin much like it did against Guerrero, but Mayweather will make Alvarez become brave and he will pay for it.''

Phil D. Jay, Worldboxingnews.net, (Mayweather): "I can see yet another virtuoso performance from Mayweather. Canelo may just be a little too raw at 23 and Mayweather should be far too experienced at the highest level for the young Mexican at this stage. Mayweather takes a wide decision -- with Alvarez reaching greater heights in the future.''

William Trillo, www.Pound4Pound.com , (Mayweather): "Coming off his dominant performance over Guerrero in May, Floyd will be a finely tuned machine. Although Canelo did show signs of improved defense against Trout he will have too big of a challenge. Look for Mayweather to triumph by late round stoppage.''.

Giancarlo Oquendo, Puerto Rico Sports News, (Mayweather): "Canelo will earn the respect from the fans and the media and may even embarrass Floyd on two or three occasions, but Mayweather should otherwise dominate and win a unanimous decision.''

"THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO," a 12-round fight for Canelo's WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Super Welterweight World Championships and Mayweather's WBA Super Welterweight Super World Championship taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O'Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T, Valvoline, Mexico Tourism, Fred Loya Insurance and Nature Nutrition.  In the 12-round co-featured attraction, WBC, WBA Super and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia and thunderous puncher WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse square off in a fight presented in association with Swift Promotions and Arano Box Promotions.  Also, Ishe Smith vs. Carlos Molina square off in a 12-round battle for Smith's IBF Junior Middleweight World Title which is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing.  The opening bout on SHOWTIME PPV features a 10-round welterweight showdown between Pablo Cesar Cano and Ashley Theophane.  The mega-event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.  The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). 

                                                                             

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

SKIP "STRICTLY BUSINESS" SCOTT Comments on July 2nd Heavyweight Championship fight between Klitschko vs Haye

Are you excited about the up coming fight between Klitschko and Haye?

I am excited. It is a very interesting fight and has been talked about for three years.

What were your thoughts when you saw the fight was finally made?

Exactly that, finally! But I do know it is a business and Haye did an incredible job promoting the fight and talking it up, so he not only has European fans interested but actually the World is going to be watching this fight. We haven't had that kind of excitement in the Heavyweight division in years.
Who do you think is happier that the fight is finally made Klitschko or Haye?

That is easy, Haye! He gets a chance to be the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World and his biggest pay day he has ever had. Not bad. Not bad at all!

Who do you think will win the fight and how will that fighter win?

Ouch...that is a million dollar question! I believe it will not go into round 7. You have two hard punchers with questionable chins. Both fighters have been knocked out. At the same time Klitschko's defense and the ability to avoid big punches has improved incredibly well with Emanuel Stewart working with him. Haye has fought tall fighters but none of them are the same as the jab and right hand he will face with Klitschko. I think you will see some interesting movement from both in the first three rounds......then we will see a dogfight...Haye's speed could be an advantage in a slugfest in close.

Do you think the outcome of fight will affect the Heavyweight division and why?

Only if Haye wins. Everyone is ready for a change in the Heavyweight division. It will open a lot of doors and bring some talking back to the division.

If you had to choose which guy you would rather fight?

I would love to fight either, especially Klitschko. He has been champion for the last few years and I think my style would give him problems. I can outjab him because I have a longer reach. He has more experience than me but my heart and desire to win would prevail. He is a great champion but it's getting close to my time to shine. America needs a heavyweight they can be proud of that can box and slug....I'm that guy.

So what if Haye wins would you fight him?

In a New York minute. Yes, he is fast and quick and packs a punch but so do I. I am just as fast as Haye if not faster. My speed is very deceptive because of my size. Not only can I fight at a distance but I can fight in close and when he tries to get close to me he will get hit with jaw breaking uppercuts. So yes I would love to fight Haye, and I wish him the best of luck against Klitschko cause win, lose or draw one of those guys will have to fight me if not both and I am up for the challenge.

Recently...in fact...this past weekend HBO featured a heavyweight fight.

What were your thoughts about the Stiverne vs Austin fight?

If anyone can bring the heavyweights back into the picture is Don King knows that arena well. Stiverne is a new upcoming prospect with a little 'pop' in his punches. Austin still has good experience. I would love to fight either one and sincerely believe I would stop both earlier than the 10th round.

Looking at your record you haven't fought an eight round fight yet.

Are you ready for 8 to 10 rounders?

Absolutely! I train and spar 10-12 rounds. Look ...I've taken my time to do this right so I can be the best heavyweight America can produce. I'm throwing 60 punches a round...every round. I'm jabbing like a heavyweight should. I am a fierce body puncher. I'm ready for television. My agent/promoter, Kerry Daigle, has two to three more fights lined up this year for me. From there...As Mills Lane would say, "Let's get it on"!!

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Macklin hoping Haye isn't KO'd by the scorecards

Macklin hoping Haye isn't KO'd by the scorecards

Matthew Macklin hopes that the uproar surrounding his controversial points defeat to WBA World Middleweight Champion Felix Sturm in Germany at the weekend will decrease the chances of David Haye suffering a similar fate against Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg this Saturday.

Macklin appeared to have done more than enough to rip Sturm's title away in front of a sell out crowd of almost 20,000 at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne only for two of the three scoring judges to deny him his World title dream.

The decision baffled many of those in attendance and the millions watching worldwide on SAT.1 in Germany, Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and on Epix in the U.S. A viewers poll on the SAT.1 website spoke volumes with 76% of German's polled believing that Macklin had won the fight as opposed to just 24% for Sturm.

The German media were equally outraged with headlines since the fight such as, "A Sturm of Indignation", "German Boxing Disgrace", "Miscarriage of Justice" and "Fluke Victory".

Macklin hopes that the uproar will benefit David Haye should his clash with Klitschko be decided on the scorecards. "I think David has the power and speed to knock Klitschko out anyway and take it out of the judges hands but if it goes to the scorecards then I think the spotlight will really be on the judges after my fight and hopefully David will get a fair shake," said Macklin.

"I got back from Germany yesterday but the fan's over there were coming up to me and apologising for the decision. I think they have been very embarrassed by it and the German media reports on the fight have reflected that. One of the papers even reported that Felix needed to have TV make up applied so that he would look a little better at the post fight press conference!

"I believe I was the better man on the night and it seems to me that almost everyone aside from those two judges who scored for Sturm saw it the same way. It was a tough fight but I thought I was a clear winner.

"After the fight I asked him for a rematch and he told me 'I'm a man, I will give you a rematch'.

He knows I beat him and he's embarrassed by that decision so if he's the fighter I think he is I'm sure he will want to put it right but if not then I won't lose any sleep over it and I will move on. In our hearts we both know that I won that fight hands down. I proved that I belong at the highest level and this has only made me more determined than ever to succeed."

Macklin's manager Brian Peters says that the support from the boxing community worldwide has been heartening. "A lot of very respected people within the sport have spoken out on the decision and it's been great to receive that kind of support. Thomas Hauser and Dan Rafael are among two of the most widely read commentators on the sport and they both had Matthew winning by scores of 117 - 111 and Lennox Lewis said it was 'highway robbery' and one of the worst decisions he'd seen. The former World Heavyweight title challenger Axel Schulz was commentating for German TV and he had Matthew winning by three rounds.

"We've been inundated with emails from German fans expressing their disgust at the decision and Felix's own Facebook page has been flooded with negative comments as well from Germans so that tells it's own story."

Team Macklin's views have been supported by some heavy hitters in the boxing world from those inside and outside the ropes via Twitter and other outlets. A selection of those include:

Lennox Lewis - Former undisputed World Heavyweight Champion

"Highway Robbery! One of the worst decisions I've seen. Macklin won that fight hands down."

Lou DiBella - Promoter of WBC Middleweight Champion, Sergio Martinez

"GREAT JOB Matthew Macklin. Team Martinez respects your performance and your heart, CHAMP. Sergio Martinez will not go to Germany for Sturm!"

Thomas Hauser - Muhammad Ali's biographer and award winning boxing writer

From Hauser's column on The Sweet Science: http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles-frontpage/12838-boxing-pure-vs-phony

"Sturm fought Matthew Macklin in the "champion's" hometown of Cologne, Germany. The bout was televised in the United States live on Epix. It was understood going in that, if there was an outrageous decision, it would be in Sturm's favor. Felix might be a better boxer than Matthew. But on Saturday, Macklin fought a better fight. He clearly won eight of the twelve rounds. Two more were close.

I scored the fight 117-111 for Macklin. Judge Levi Martinez scored it 115-113 for Matthew, which was a bit of a stretch in Sturm's favour.

Then came the obscenity. Judges Roberto Ramirez and Jose Ignacio Martinez each scored the bout for Sturm by a 116-112 margin.

The decision was unfair to Macklin, who has made every sacrifice necessary to get to the point in his career where he was positioned to win a belt."

Dan Rafael - ESPN.com boxing writer and television commentator

"Terrific fight too but bad decision. Macklin robbed. I had it 117-111 for Matthew on the EPIX broadcast.

Rafael's ESPN.com Fight Report excerpt: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=6708031

"Of course, Macklin was on Sturm's turf, and Germany is notorious for hometown decisions. This was one of them. Although Sturm said he thought he won in his postfight interview, he seemed almost embarrassed and offered Macklin a rematch. Macklin, who showed class after the outrageous decision, simply outfought Sturm the entire fight, and it did not even seem all that close. He should have won and can at least know that he made a big impression in his first major fight on the world stage. He made it exciting and proved he is one of the world's best middleweights, with or without an alphabet belt around his waist."

Carl Froch - Current WBC Super Middleweight champion and upcoming super six finalist

"Just got home & watched Macklin beat Sturm 116-112 at least. Jim WATT was you watching?!"

Joe Calzaghe - Former World Super Middleweight Champion

"Thought Macklin won! But not surprised he didn't get decision. Predictable home town decision!"

Chris Mannix - Sports Illustrated's Boxing Writer

"Welcome to boxing, everyone. 2 judges gave 8 rounds to Sturm, an absolutely disgusting scoring - home turf decision."

"Feel bad for Macklin. Worked hard for that opportunity. Hope the rematch is with better judges on EpixHD."

"This is why Felix Sturm rarely fights outside of Germany. How two judges can have that big a gap in the scoring is mind boggling. Matthew Macklin was the aggressor, landed cleaner shots and did phenomenal body work. Fought the best fight he possibly could. Sturm was sluggish and didn’t get it going until the later rounds. In any other country, this fight is a clear decision for Matthew Macklin."

Al Bernstein - Veteran Boxing analyst for Showtime in the US

"Just watched Sturm - Macklin on Epix. One of worst decisions I have ever seen - maybe THE worst."

"Macklin threw twice as many punches, landed at least twice as many and pushed Sturm back whole fight."

Jean-Marcel Nartz - Germany's European Boxing Union Council member

"The decision was a blatant miscarriage of justice."

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

“The Arc of Boxing: The Rise and Decline of the Sweet Science” by Mike Silver With a foreword by Budd Schulberg, Book review by Robert Mladinich

If you’ve ever wondered how boxing superstars like Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, Pernell Whitaker, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran would have done against their counterparts of decades past—wonder no more. Mike Silver has written the most definitive analyses of the classic “old school” vs. “new school” boxing debate I have ever read. This is a book that belongs on every fan’s bookshelf. It is an important work that reverberates with insight and wisdom, answering with startling clarity who deserves to be ranked among the greatest fighters of all time—and who does not.

Silver, a lifelong New Yorker, has carried on a love affair with the beleaguered sport since he trained as a youngster at the fabled Stillman’s Gym in the 1950s. Over the past few decades he’s been a promoter, as well as an inspector for the New York State Athletic Commission, and a renowned historian who has offered commentary on HBO, PBS and ESPN. Anyone who knows him will agree that when Silver talks boxing, you can’t help but listen.

In his new book, “The Arc of Boxing: The Rise and Decline of the Sweet Science,” (McFarland & Company, 229 pages, 50 photos), Silver offers compelling evidence of the ongoing regression of boxing skills. He explains how—and why—the top fighters of the past 20 years are not on the same level as those who came of age during the sport’s Golden Age of talent and activity, which he defines as the 1920s to the 1950s.

When he writes that “unlike their golden age counterparts, one rarely sees today’s fighters—from rank novice to multiple belt holders—duck, parry, slip, sidestep, ride, weave or roll to avoid punches,” the reader is given a crash course in the lost arts of infighting, feinting, body punching, footwork, and counter-punching skills that used to be part and parcel of a seasoned contender’s repertoire.

Silver utilizes his own vast knowledge, as well as the insights of a respected array of panelists that includes trainers Teddy Atlas, Freddie Roach, Emanuel Steward and former lightweight champion Carlos Ortiz. In addition, over a dozen other experts, some of whom are old enough to have personally witnessed the greatest fighters of the past 70 years, offer their discerning comments. This may be the last opportunity to delve into the wealth of information and knowledge they have to offer concerning these issues.

Dozens of champs, both past and present, are scrutinized and evaluated. Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s fights with De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton are deconstructed, revealing weaknesses in Mayweather’s style that, the experts claim, would have been exploited by the top lightweight and welterweight fighters from previous decades.

“If Floyd was born 50 years earlier his athleticism and natural ability would be the foundation—not the end product—for his development into a seasoned and technically proficient fighter,” opines Silver.

Silver does not blame the modern day fighters for their inadequacies. He sees them as a product of their time. Many possess the raw talent but have no chance of reaching their full potential because fighters no longer have to “pay their dues the old fashioned way.” By fighting just 3 or 4 times a year against mediocre opposition, there is simply no opportunity to acquire the kind of extensive experience and bout-to-bout education that empowered the great fighters of the golden age.

The book reveals how the current vacuum of expert teachers/trainers has created “a fertile breeding ground for gimmickry and artifice that is of little use to a fighter.” An entire chapter is devoted to the misuse of weight training and the effects of steroid use. Even the popular and ubiquitous “punch pad” workouts are taken to task.

“Old school trainers rarely, if ever, used them,” writes Silver. “They believed that hitting the pads with the same combinations over and over had limited teaching potential and emphasized a robotic ‘bang, bang’ style of boxing. Their use did not encourage a fighter to think…everything that is taught with the pads achieved better results using the heavy bag.” The extent to which punch pad workouts are used, he adds, “is just another indication of the dumbed down quality of today’s boxing instruction.”

As Silver makes abundantly clear, today’s fighters are also impeded by the pressure to maintain an undefeated record. Promoters, managers and television executives have magnified the cost of defeat to the point that many former amateur stars are carefully navigated to maintain an unbeaten record while waiting to secure a lucrative TV appearance. This “must win syndrome” hinders the fighter’s progress. Over the past 20 years it has fostered a “mismatch culture” that minimizes the number of competitive matches because no fighter with any promise wants to take a chance on losing. When boxing was in its heyday, a defeat did not carry the same stigma that it does today. It was considered a normal part of the learning process.

Silver also places Bernard Hopkins’ decade-long dominance of the middleweight division in historical context. He gives Hopkins his due as a talented and well-rounded professional “by today’s standards,” but considers his placement among the all-time greats as unwarranted. He explains, “Great middleweight champions such as Sugar Ray Robinson, Harry Greb, Freddie Steele, Mickey Walker, Marcel Cerdan and Jake La Motta could never have defended their titles 20 times over 10 years against the kind of brutal competition that populated the middleweight division from the 1920s to the 1950s. It is even more ridiculous to think any of these fighters—no matter how great—could have been ‘dominant’ in their respective eras as they approached their 40th birthday”. The conclusion reached is that Hopkins’ dominance of a division that was once considered the toughest in boxing is not proof of his greatness— it is proof of how far boxing has regressed.

Silver believes that if Hopkins campaigned 50 or more years ago his talents would be considered just average. He believes it would even be questionable if Hopkins would have been world-rated, let alone win a world championship. “Both Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins benefited from the worst assortment of challengers ever faced by a middleweight or light heavyweight champion since the advent of boxing gloves,” he asserts. “Is it any wonder they stood out as giants in a land of pygmies?”

Silver also exposes the fallacious nature of the absurdly high KO records of today’s fighters. Another eye-opening chapter debunks the myth that today’s 250-300 pound heavyweights (he calls them “dreadful dreadnoughts”) would have been too big for the “small” 190 to 210 pound heavyweight contenders and champions from the 1920s to the 1970s. He is particularly critical of media “faux experts” who, lacking both perspective and frame of reference, too often attribute greatness to ordinary fighters, thereby obfuscating the superior achievements and skills of the truly great fighters of the past.

“It is high time for boxing’s overused words ‘dominant’ and ‘great’ to be given a rest,” writes Silver. “Since the 1990s both words have been used to wretched excess. Let’s be perfectly clear: there are no great fighters today, and under the present circumstances it is impossible to produce one.”

Last, but certainly not least, he describes what he believes to be the severe damage done to boxing and boxers by what he calls the “alphabet-promoter cartels” who he says “have had a free hand in ruining the sport for the past 30 years.”

Although it might sound like it, Silver is not a curmudgeon or a knee-jerk believer in the myth that what’s old is always better than what’s new. He, as well as his panel of experts, persuasively state their cases while speaking with great authority and insight. After reading this entertaining treasure trove of boxing “insider” knowledge I felt like I had taken a graduate course in the finer points of the “sweet science.” The book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand what happened to boxing.

“The Arc of Boxing: The Rise and Decline of the Sweet Science” can be ordered online at Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com. It is also available at bookstores.

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©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved