http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/archie_moore/73560 Recent articles about Archie Moore en-us Poor Floyd Patterson. Everyone loves him but not everyone respects him as a fighter or champion. You rarely here his name tossed about when the topic of all time great heavyweights is brought up. What a shame! Who is to blame for the heartbreaking oversight? People tend to forget that Patterson thrashed Archie Moore much more impressively then Marciano did the night he became the youngest man ever to win the heavyweight crown. Still when a ” Dream Match ” between Marciano and Patterson is talked about, Floyd is quickly dismissed… Simply put, Rocky had the PUNCH and Floyd did not have the whiskers. After the Moore victory, Floyd would make ” safe ” defenses against guys like Pete Rademacher, and Tommy ” Hurricane ” Jackson. Floyd then had his chin exposed by Ingemar Johansson. To Floyd’s credit he became the first heavyweight champion to regain the title by halting Ingo not once but twice. Finally Floyd fell to the ham like fists of Charles ” Sonny ” Liston in one round. Sonny repeat... Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:32:52 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/why_the_post_title_patterson_was_better/13400692 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/why_the_post_title_patterson_was_better/13400692 WHY THE POST TITLE PATTERSON WAS BETTER http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/why_the_post_title_patterson_was_better/13400692 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/d/bdbd4e82280c92746be3dd45dded98143c3ce9a9/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f1527516.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d1BBE775AD53EC92B6E27F7C9F00C4AA2.jpg The Top 5 "Over 40" Fighters of All-Time Bernard Hopkins’ technical schooling of Tavoris Cloud, a reigning titleholder who was more than 17 years his junior, was significant.  I was among those who figured Cloud, with Father Time in his corner vs. B-Hop, would be too much for the ageless “Executioner”. However, it appears Father Time apparently has as much trouble getting to Hopkins as Cloud did. At the age of 48, he has once again set a new standard in boxing as the oldest champion ever, another impressive performance that will go down in the annals of boxing history. But does this latest historic win by Hopkins make him the greatest ‘Over 40’ boxer of all-time?  Here are my top 5 boxers over the age of 40 in history. 5. Roberto Duran (Over 40 record: 18-7-0 w/ 9ko’s) Duran was mainly a bloated version of his iconic self after he turned 40.  He fell short when facing upper-echelon fighters of the time.  He dropped two fights to Vinnie Pazienza and Hector Camacho and oneto... Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:09:13 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_5_boxers_over_the_age_of_40_in_history/13129099 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_5_boxers_over_the_age_of_40_in_history/13129099 Top 5 boxers over the age of 40 in history http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_5_boxers_over_the_age_of_40_in_history/13129099 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Tavoris Cloud escape a harsh upbringing and the pitfalls of a rough Tallahassee, Florida neighborhood, to become the current IBF Light Heavyweight Champion of the world. Cloud turned those early misfortunes into fuel for his future.  Cloud entered the boxing gym at the age of 17, and hasn’t looked back since.  Tavoris won the IBF Light Heavyweight title on August 28, 2009 by defeating Clinton Woods, and has defended that belt  four times since then. On March 9, 2013 at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, Tavoris Cloud will get a look at his past and his future, when he takes on the legend himself, Philadelphia’s own Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins.   Tavoris sat down with BSO to talk Hopkins, his past, his future, Don King, and if he’ll ever fight at Heavyweight. *** BSO: What got you interested in boxing? TC: Boxing at the time in 1998, was the only outlet for me.  You didn’t have to try out for or make anybody’s team, you could basically walk in the gym and start training. I started boxing Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:25:32 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/bso_interview_ibf_light_heavyweight_champion_tavoris_cloud/13056301 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/bso_interview_ibf_light_heavyweight_champion_tavoris_cloud/13056301 BSO Interview: IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Tavoris Cloud http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/bso_interview_ibf_light_heavyweight_champion_tavoris_cloud/13056301 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Boxing gets another dose of light heavyweight action on March 9 in Brooklyn, when hard-hitting Tavoris Cloud defends his IBF title against the ageless wonder, Bernard Hopkins. Cloud vs. Hopkins (and since he has the title, Cloud comes first in that billing) will hopefully answer two questions that have been on the lips of many fight fans for at least a couple of years. First, just how good is Tavoris Cloud? Second, how much does Hopkins have left after his two sub-par showings against Chad Dawson? Bernard Hopkins (52-6-2, 32 KOs) 6'1" tall, 75" reach, 48 years old Former Undisputed World Middleweight Champion; former WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Credit: Rich Kane - Hoganphotos / GBP Hopkins, a.k.a B-Hop, The Executioner, the Ageless Wonder, the Modern Day Archie Moore, has been in professional boxing for almost a quarter century now. Rather than review who the grand old man of the sport was, I want to focus here on who he is right now. B-Hop has aged beautifully, ... Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:06:09 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/tavoris_cloud_vs_bernard_hopkins_preview_prediction/12715831 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/tavoris_cloud_vs_bernard_hopkins_preview_prediction/12715831 Tavoris Cloud vs. Bernard Hopkins preview & prediction http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/tavoris_cloud_vs_bernard_hopkins_preview_prediction/12715831 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Rocky Marciano retired 49-0 in April 1956, the only heavyweight champion to hang up the gloves with both the title around his waist and a perfect record. In the decades that followed, many revisionist critics would deride Marciano as a crude slugger who fought only old guys and little guys. The latter point ignores the undeniable fact that Marciano himself never tipped the scales above 190 lbs, and in general it can be said that the Rock fought the best guys who were available at the time. One way Marciano could have headed off the critique that he fought only those who were past their best (Louis, Charles, Walcott, Moore) was to have stayed in the game just one year longer, and taken on the rising young lion who would stand center stage in the heavyweight division from the mid-1950s to the early 1960s: Floyd Patterson. [Also See: Rocky Marciano vs. Muhammad Ali Fantasy Fight] The Backstory Credit: Estate of Rocky Marciano - c/o CMG Worldwide Instead of retiring, Rocky ... Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:45:07 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/rocky_marciano_vs_floyd_patterson_fantasy_fight/12218785 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/rocky_marciano_vs_floyd_patterson_fantasy_fight/12218785 Rocky Marciano vs. Floyd Patterson fantasy fight http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/rocky_marciano_vs_floyd_patterson_fantasy_fight/12218785 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/7/b7333988125c87d28be14fb07c4dbbec6e4a9f93/mini/Ed_And_Rocky_6dfd.jpg Fifty-seven years ago today -- September 21, 1955 -- Heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano successfully defended his title for the sixth and final time by stopping Archie Moore in the ninth round. The only heavyweight champ to retire undefeated (49-0), the Brockton Blockbuster gained the coveted title at age 29 by defeating Jersey Joe Walcott on September 23, 1952, which coincidentally, occurred 60 years ago this coming Sunday. Credit: Estate of Rocky Marciano - c/o CMG Worldwide Marciano took the crown in the 13th round by delivering an up close and personal right (deemed one of the hardest hits in the history of the sport) to the hapless Walcott.  In the immortal words of boxing writer A.J. Liebling, Walcott "flowed down like flour out of a chute." The new champ first defended his title in 1953 by knocking out Jersey Joe in the first round of a rematch.  A few months later, Marciano defeated Roland LaStarza by technical knockout in the 11th.  The bones of LaSta... Fri, 21 Sep 2012 08:18:17 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/celebrating_the_60th_anniversary_of_rocky_marcianos_championship_win/11772403 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/celebrating_the_60th_anniversary_of_rocky_marcianos_championship_win/11772403 Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Rocky Marciano’s championship win http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/celebrating_the_60th_anniversary_of_rocky_marcianos_championship_win/11772403 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/3/93a71ac7067db457b0296b828a26a3074c816f3a/mini/Heavyweights_7f8e.jpg The hard-hitting weekly 3 punch combo is back, and boxing has been on a roll over the past few weeks, with a loaded calendar and multiple fight cards every weekend. This past weekend, we saw some confusing Compubox stats with the Nonito Donaire vs. Jeffrey Mathebula fight, the rise of heavyweight prospect Magomed "Mago" Abdusalamov on a Friday Night Fights appearance and more. But first, we start off with some sad news, the passing of Jimmy Bivins. The Passing of Jimmy Bivins Last week the sport of boxing lost Jimmy Bivins, who died at the age of 92 in Cleveland, OH.  Bivins was born in Georgia in 1919.  His family moved to Cleveland when he was three and he always considered himself as having been a native Clevelander. Bivins, nicknamed the “Cleveland Spider-Man”, turned pro at the famed Public Hall in Cleveland, OH on January 15, 1940 with a 2nd round TKO victory over Emory Morgan.  He would go on to fight for fifteen years and amassed a professional record of 86-25-1 f... Mon, 09 Jul 2012 22:34:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/3_punch_combo_rip_jimmy_bivins_misleading_punch_stats_for_donaire_vs_mathebula_more/11187412 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/3_punch_combo_rip_jimmy_bivins_misleading_punch_stats_for_donaire_vs_mathebula_more/11187412 3 punch combo: RIP Jimmy Bivins, misleading punch stats for Donaire vs. Mathebula & more http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/3_punch_combo_rip_jimmy_bivins_misleading_punch_stats_for_donaire_vs_mathebula_more/11187412 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png AGELESS QUESTION: WHO HAS THE ADVANTAGE WHEN YOUTH BATTLES EXPERIENCE? In addition to the amount of wins, losses or knockouts a fighter possesses, another number exists that is often discussed in the buildup to a prizefight: age. However, history reveals that neither 43-year-old former Undisputed Light Heavyweight World Champion Antonio “Magic Man’’ Tarver nor unbeaten 29-year-old top rated cruiserweight Lateef “Power” Kayode will have a clear advantage or be at a distinct disadvantage when they clash in the main event on Saturday, June 2 on Showtime. The same goes for the evening’s co-featured bout between 40-year-old former Undisputed Junior Middleweight World Champion Winky Wright and undefeated 28-year-old Brooklyn native Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin. Boxing’s history includes many instances of fighters in their 40's taking on 20-somethings, and SHOWTIME color commentator and boxing historian Steve Farhood assembled a list of marquee fights in w... Tue, 29 May 2012 16:11:24 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/does_experience_or_youth_have_the_edge_as_tarver_kayode_quillin_wright_prepare_for_battle/10897400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/does_experience_or_youth_have_the_edge_as_tarver_kayode_quillin_wright_prepare_for_battle/10897400 Does experience or youth have the edge as Tarver-Kayode & Quillin-Wright prepare for battle? http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/does_experience_or_youth_have_the_edge_as_tarver_kayode_quillin_wright_prepare_for_battle/10897400 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/4/24fc62d23d75529719fa40fdd66dd053a349614b/mini/Winky_Wright_v_7a36.jpg It's as though we can't get a solid chunk of good fights lately, and the up and down fluctuation plays hell with a fan's patience and emotions. A more consistent fight schedule would be nice. It's part of loving this game, though, and sometimes a hiatus from constant action makes the heart grow fonder. Indeed, there have been times when the the thirst for blood long since sated nudges us into viewing a bout in a more positive light than perhaps it really calls for. For instance, the one-sided (but solid) Hank Lundy vs. Dannie Williams bout from a few weeks back on Friday Night Fights wasn't bad at all. In fact, a few times the men traded and made for a very fun watch, and there was a knockdown. But it was a mostly one-sided fight, yet it still got a fair amount of attention, and still wound up making for good discussion. There will always be jubilant, adrenaline-driven peaks, and heavily depressing valleys. Just like there will always be clinching, as we&#3... Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:21:02 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/lullaby_league_the_12_hardest_swatters_of_the_last_dozen_years/10591399 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/lullaby_league_the_12_hardest_swatters_of_the_last_dozen_years/10591399 Lullaby League: The 12 Hardest Swatters Of The Last Dozen Years http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/lullaby_league_the_12_hardest_swatters_of_the_last_dozen_years/10591399 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png At age 43 and weighing in at a flabby 248 lbs, James Toney began his comeback by stopping Bobby Gunn in Southaven, Mississippi. Some bloggers and Toney supporters are already crowing that "Light's Out" is back and praising Toney's supposed knockout power, a highly questionable assertion at best. The truth is that the fight, just like all of Toney's recent outings, point straight to Toney's diminished capacity. Let's look at the facts. Bobby Gunn is a 38 year old cruiserweight tomato can who started as a junior middleweight, was retired between mid-1993 and late 2004, and retired again from 2009 until he was contracted to fight Toney. Gunn has lost big time in all three of his fights against major opponents (Toney included). I have no doubt Toney's handlers had to dig deep to find a guy with a reasonable record who was willing to come up to heavyweight to fight Toney, and yet was both so little threat and actually smaller than Toney to b... Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:28:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/james_toney_give_it_up_already/10514459 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/james_toney_give_it_up_already/10514459 James Toney: Give it up already! http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/james_toney_give_it_up_already/10514459 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/b/7ba50bfd0408fb9aad8bfd1535ceb9fb1b949e54/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f1782413.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1935BBE657AC86A96481B0B00E8C2751FB1.jpg The shake-up of the light heavyweight division will (hopefully) finally be settled on April 28 in Atlantic City, when the ageless wonder Bernard Hopkins meets a man who many thought would once dominate the 175-pound division for years, Chad Dawson. The first bout between these two men ended in controversy, as Dawson threw Hopkins to the canvas and (faked, according to some partisans) injured Hopkins left shoulder. The referee initially ruled it a TKO2, but that was changed to a No Contest. The two fighters are ranked #1 and #3 respectively by Proboxing-fans.com. Chad Dawson (30-1, 17 KOs) 6'1" tall; 76" reach; southpaw; 29 years old American Former light heavyweight world champion Credit: Damien Acevedo / AllCityBoxing Bad Chad is a well-rounded, talented boxer-puncher. He is a classic example of a fighter who isn't the best at anything, but does most things well. Dawson has good power and a crisp, two-fisted attack, but isn't a banger; he is fai... Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:38:27 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/chad_dawson_vs_bernard_hopkins_ii_preview_prediction/10434967 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/chad_dawson_vs_bernard_hopkins_ii_preview_prediction/10434967 Chad Dawson vs. Bernard Hopkins II preview & prediction http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/chad_dawson_vs_bernard_hopkins_ii_preview_prediction/10434967 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/b/abf34009e087be828a93c2b40ce1e6cc452da4c2/mini/Bernard_Hopkins_v_2f8c.jpg The recent passing of Hall of Fame trainer Angelo Dundee reminds us of just how important having the consistent services of a top notch coach can be in the career of a fighter. While boxing has many instances of fighters who clearly won a given fight because of their own determination or tactical judgement, the trainer is always in the background as the man who helped bring that fighter to his physical peak and sharpened his skills. In other instances, the trainer is decisive and makes the difference between victory and defeat, either by motivating their man, crafting the winning game plan or shrewd, unorthodox corner tactics. Angelo Dundee's storied career provides several examples of just what a world class trainer can do for a boxer, and also shows how such a trainer is often at least as influential on the history of the sport as any one of his charges. 1. Cassius Clay vs. Sonny Liston I - The story of this 1964 fight has been retold many times. The 22 year old... Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:29:30 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_fights_of_angelo_dundee/9806797 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_fights_of_angelo_dundee/9806797 Top 10 Fights of Angelo Dundee http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_fights_of_angelo_dundee/9806797 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Ten Greatest Light Heavyweights in Boxing History For many reasons, ranking light heavyweights is a tricky endeavor. Many of the greatest to ever do it at this weight were never officially champion. The issue of racism rears its head in this weight class, with many of the division’s top practitioners from the first half of the century being denied their rightful place. Many old-time greats fought in many divisions and it can be difficult to isolate their prime into one division. Without many of them having won titles at 175, it’s not always clear. Almost half of this top-ten is occupied by fighters who were never officially champions at this weight. In other words, coming up with a list takes a little more work in this division than some others. Here are the ten greatest light heavyweights who ever lived. 1. Archie Moore (1935-1963): Credit: Bettmann/ CORBIS Sure, it’s become en vogue to call Ezzard Charles the greatest light heavyweight of all time. While I won’t argue with ... Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:45:53 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_light_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9293252 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_light_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9293252 Top 10 Best Light Heavyweight Boxers of All-Time http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_best_light_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9293252 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Ten Greatest Heavyweights in Boxing History While one of the easiest lists to compile, with so many many hallmark names at the top, it is one of the more sticky rankings in the sport. The number one and two spots are easy enough, with an even argument on Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis. After that, it is an absolute free-for-all with some of the giants from the past. This division, more than any other, requires one to ignore the head-to-head fantasy component. Let’s face it, what a heavyweight really is has changed drastically over the years. Up to 4 of the people on this top-ten might not even be a heavyweight in today’s era of 250-pound cyborgs. This division really forces one to be mindful of the fact that a fighter can only really be judged against his era. There are so many different factors and who’s to say which ones should carry more weight? One can go off any number of things, like accomplishments, won-loss record, quality of opposition, or a ton of other factors. Not to mentio... Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:44:06 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9270806 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9270806 Top 10 Best Heavyweight Boxers of All-Time http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_best_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9270806 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png