Haye returns to new heavyweight scene

Shaun Brown
08/01/2016 11:57am

David Haye may be in fighting shape for his comeback on 16 January but his career and his relationship with certain corners of the boxing public isn’t in the condition that it used to be. A career threatening shoulder injury has been overcome, a new trainer (Shane McGuigan) is in place and ‘The Home of Witty Banter’ (Dave TV) has picked up the rights to his first fight in three-and-a-half years. Yes, ‘The Hayemaker’ is back. Three years older, the personality just as engaging and the confidence flowing as well as ever. Haye fights Mark De Mori at the O2 Arena, London, in the hope that he is still the wrecking ball he once was. Despite not wishing to look beyond the Croatian-based Aussie there is no doubt that something of a 12-month plan is in place at Haye HQ. “All I can do is focus on this one guy and not look too far into the future. It’s bad luck to do so, to plan out too far ahead,” Haye told Boxing Monthly. “If I stick to the schedule I’ve got in my head, I’ll have three fights, three spectacular wins and I’ll be knocking on the door for titles and eliminators."

Mayweather-Pacquiao revisited

Michael Montero & Tiffany Lam
07/01/2016 9:44am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukB6Vl8f0NA

Michael Montero revisits last year's Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown and highlights the many misconceptions reported to this day. He provides round-by-round analysis including corrections to the inaccurate punch stats compiled by CompuBox.

Bruce Silverglade and the legend of Gleason’s Gym

James Oddy
06/01/2016 10:06am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FughOMaREM

New York City holds a special place in the hearts of many boxing fans. It was at the centre of the sport during its golden age and Madison Square Garden is still a draw for many fans in itself. The city has always produced top quality boxers and one of boxing’s other famous names, Gleason’s Gym, has long been at the heart of that. “[The gym) started in 1937 and its first champions were Phil Terranova and Jake LaMotta,” current owner Bruce Silverglade told Boxing Monthly, during a hectic festive period. “The gym was hot from the beginning but really took off when the famed Stillman's Gym went out of business in 1954.”

Lockett and his rockets

Terry Dooley
05/01/2016 10:13am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erh7HVLNOWQ

There is a building in Cardiff that lies adjacent to an industrial estate. As you head through the doors and up the stairs, you will hear the rhythmic sounds of a busy boxing gym. The sound of skipping ropes sweeping across the floor, throwing dust and sweat into the air, gloves hitting bags and fighters grunting encouragement to each over as they go through their calisthenics. This gym is home to a pack: an alpha dog, his top dogs and a bunch of eager pups snapping at their heels. They are led by Gary Lockett, a former world middleweight title challenger who retired with a 30-2 (21 KOs) record after losing to then-champion Kelly Pavlik in 2008 (TKO 3); he told Boxing Monthly that this particular pack is pushing each other towards success.

Stephen Smith: Adding up at last

Mark Butcher
04/01/2016 8:35am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN-vyErD3EQ

Stephen ‘Swifty’ Smith is quite possibly the toughest accountant in the world. The IBF’s No.1 contender at 130lbs is equally adept at crunching numbers as he is crippling left hooks to the body. There were times the Liverpool man, a qualified accountant, pondered his future in the fight game after suffering a succession of injuries and a debilitating double dose of kidney stones, but he never stopped believing.

Latest World and British Ratings (January 2016)

Colin Harris
03/01/2016 10:18am

Boxing Monthly’s World and British rankings for January 2016 are explained by Colin Harris, our in-house ratings statistician. Trainer, fighter, manager and promoter queries are welcome.

Chris Eubank Jr: Chip off the old block

John A. MacDonald
02/01/2016 10:06am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeDYM64nH-E

With similar chiselled physiques, some mannerisms and - of course - the same name, it is simple to draw comparisons between Chris Eubank and his son, Chris Eubank Jr. Despite the commonalities, there are also many differences between father and son; both in and out of the ring. While some would feel the weight of expectation at being measured against one the best boxers this country has produced, Eubank Jr takes it in his stride. With a steely determination, an unwavering self-belief and clear direction, Jr is very much his own man and believes in time he will be judged on his own merit. “People will always compare us as we have the same name, in the same sport,” Eubank Jr told Boxing Monthly. “I will never be able to escape people comparing us so I let them do what they want to do, say what they want to say and I just get on with business. I’m my own man, I know what I am, my fans know who I am and that’s good enough for me."

Hughie Fury: Rumours of a hidden king

Terry Dooley
01/01/2016 1:07pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-aVi2zPcbo

During October’s interview with Boxing Monthly, Tyson Fury outlined his plans for world domination before declaring that he will retire relatively early. When asked what comes next, he pointed to Hughie Fury (18-0, 10 early) - his cousin and a fellow heavyweight contender - and said: “Him. As I said, I don’t care about the titles, he’s the man for the titles - he’ll reign as champion for a very long time.”