http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/billy_conn/73657 Recent articles about Billy Conn en-us The Ten Greatest Irish-American Boxers in History There have been some great Irish-American fighters in boxing’s rich history. In the past 50-60 years, there have become steadily less Irish-American representatives in the sport. Boxing in America has always been a meter of how well different groups fare in a socioeconomic sense. For the first half of the 20th century, Italians, Jews and Irish were not given equal access to the American Dream, hence the fact that droves of members from those groups found pro boxing to be an acceptable occupation. People generally only fight when they have to. Here are some of the greatest Irish-American fighters of all-time, beginning with the earliest. John Sullivan (1879-1892) History hasn’t been terribly kind to Sullivan. When top heavyweight champs from the past are discussed, Sullivan’s name doesn’t come up very often. But he was the first champion of the modern era and a double-tough guy who dominated his era. Before he shockingly lost to Corbe... Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:45:01 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_irish_american_boxers_of_all_time/13435936 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_irish_american_boxers_of_all_time/13435936 Top 10 Irish-American boxers of all-time http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_irish_american_boxers_of_all_time/13435936 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Previously, I compiled a list of my top 10 favorite boxer-punchers. From Sugar Ray Robinson to Joe Louis to Marvin Hagler and others, these were some of the best fighters throughout the history of the Sweet Science. Now, it's time to look at my top 10 favorite outside boxers. Outside fighters spend most of their time at a safe distance from their opponents, creating space to avoid getting hit often, while allowing the fighter to establish a jab. Using the jab as a range finder and as a defensive tactic, it helps to create the fighter's position and pacing, set up additional attacks and combinations, keep his opponent playing his rules. Lastly, in order for an outside fighter to be effective, he must have good footwork and movement. There have been many great fighters throughout boxing history which have used this style. While some would associate the style of an outside fighter or a pure boxer with the word "boring", that's certainly not the case amongst true ... Mon, 18 Mar 2013 09:38:28 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_favorite_outside_boxers_in_history/13170550 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_favorite_outside_boxers_in_history/13170550 Top 10 favorite outside boxers in history http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_favorite_outside_boxers_in_history/13170550 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The schedule is headlined by a boxing video for once. Don’t get excited. It’s not because it’s going to be a great week of boxing. There will most likely be a very cool ring walk, but that’s all I can guarantee you, folks. That might be a bit harsh. There’s a decent lightweight fight on Showtime featuring the man in the video, Sharif Bogere, and a good junior flyweight bout that’s not on TV. Such is life. Sharif Bogere vs. Richard Abril, Saturday, Showtime, Las Vegas. This is an interesting lightweight fight, but one that fails to get me going in any serious way. Uganda’s Bogere (he of the impressive ring walk/cage carry) is a fighter who’s high on activity and low on refinement. He doesn’t have a huge fan base, probably because he’s Ugandan. Abril (17-3-1), of Cuba, doesn’t have  a huge fan base because he’s a bit of a spoiler. And because he’s from Cuba. He does have a fair bit of sympathy from hardcore fans, though, after being on the wrong end of a puzzling decision Tue, 26 Feb 2013 23:43:36 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/the_weeks_boxing_schedule_featuring_sharif_bogere_donnie_nietes_and_billy_dib/13000075 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/the_weeks_boxing_schedule_featuring_sharif_bogere_donnie_nietes_and_billy_dib/13000075 The Week's Boxing Schedule, Featuring Sharif Bogere, Donnie Nietes And Billy Dib http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/the_weeks_boxing_schedule_featuring_sharif_bogere_donnie_nietes_and_billy_dib/13000075 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Klitschko brothers have been so dominant, that perhaps we have been going out of our way to find new blood. The latest hopeful, England’s David Price, was on top of many people’s lists as a possible heir-apparent. Then this past Saturday, he was unceremoniously crushed in the second round by retrograde American contender--the 41-year old Tony Thompson. What the Future Holds for Price Credit: Michaelsterlingeaton.com A few words in defense of Price and those who fancied his future championship aspirations. He got caught early by a big right hand and couldn’t handle it. Then again, the man sitting on top of the division, younger brother Wladimir, had similar results on his way up the ladder and still managed to get to the top. Early-round knockouts, while the most decisive of results, are in fact one of the more misleading. It actually would have been worse to see Price lose every round to Thompson and get stopped late. As for the fans and media who are feeling bad about their abi... Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:54:46 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/david_prices_loss_and_what_it_says_for_the_heavyweight_division/12988054 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/david_prices_loss_and_what_it_says_for_the_heavyweight_division/12988054 David Price’s loss and what it says for the heavyweight division http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/david_prices_loss_and_what_it_says_for_the_heavyweight_division/12988054 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png In this week’s 3 punch combo, I will first discuss the fighter who, in my opinion, is the clear cut 2012 Fighter of the Year.  Next, I will take a closer look at two fighters who gained this weekend despite losing efforts. And finally, I will take a closer look at Shawn Porter’s career following his draw on Saturday against Julio Diaz. Nonito Donaire for Fighter of the Year Credit: Chris Farina - Top Rank It’s that time of year again to start handing out the yearly awards in various categories.  And no better way to start than with the fighter of the year award. This year’s fighter of the year is unquestionably Nonito Donaire.  He fits all the criteria necessary to win the award.  He was active with four fights in 2012.  All his fights were against top level foes and he was dominant in each one. Donaire started the year off with a decision win over Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.  It was a complete performance by Donaire that included a knockdown of Vazquez in the 9th round. He followed ... Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:22:36 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/3_punch_combo_donaire_for_fighter_of_the_year_guevara_silva_shine_in_defeat_dont_write_off_shawn_porter/12456526 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/3_punch_combo_donaire_for_fighter_of_the_year_guevara_silva_shine_in_defeat_dont_write_off_shawn_porter/12456526 3 punch combo: Donaire for Fighter of the Year, Guevara & Silva shine in defeat, don’t write off Shawn Porter http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/3_punch_combo_donaire_for_fighter_of_the_year_guevara_silva_shine_in_defeat_dont_write_off_shawn_porter/12456526 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Too many fans know Maxie Rosenbloom, if they remember him at all, as some ex-pug who made guest appearances on 1960s television as either punch-drunk or just plain drunk.  I myself fondly remember him from an episode of The Munsters as Big Louie, "some monster of a guy, who acts kind of punchy." But Rosenbloom was considerably more than a recurring TV character of modest comedic appeal -- he had been Light Heavyweight Champion of the World. Rosenbloom fought a remarkable 272 times -- 207-39-26, 19 KOs.  Note the proportionately insignificant number of knockouts.  Little girls have done more damage in pillow fights than Rosenbloom did with his fists.  But what he lacked in hitting power, he more than made up for in ring cleverness. A pro from 1923 to 1939, Rosenbloom fought, and almost always beat, the best light heavies and heavies of his day.  The list, a veritable Who's Who, features Lou Scozza, Tiger Flowers, Ted "Kid" Lewis, future heavyweight... Tue, 23 Oct 2012 21:07:07 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/remembering_slapsie_maxie_rosenbloom_one_of_the_best_jewish_boxers_in_history/12039884 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/remembering_slapsie_maxie_rosenbloom_one_of_the_best_jewish_boxers_in_history/12039884 Remembering ‘Slapsie Maxie’ Rosenbloom, one of the best Jewish boxers in history http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/remembering_slapsie_maxie_rosenbloom_one_of_the_best_jewish_boxers_in_history/12039884 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Boxing History Needs to Have a Greater Appreciation from Fans As boxing fans, we follow the careers of Andre Ward, Donovan George, Gennady Golovkin, or whoever our current favorites may be. And so we should. We care about who's fighting today just as our fathers and grandfathers cared about the boxers of their eras.  But I've noted an unfortunate trend in recent years -- the ignorance of or indifference to those who came before. I recently got into a rather acrimonious discussion with a fellow fan who had on his list of 10 best pound-for-pound boxers of all time George Foreman, Larry Holmes, and Evander Holyfield.  I understand holding those guys in regard, but among the best of all time?  Adding insult to ignorance, there was nary a mention of Willie Pep, Harry Greb, or Sam Langford.  Such omissions are beyond risible; they're anti-historical. And, indeed, that's the crux of the problem.  Some of today's boxing "aficionados" have little or no... Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:08:23 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/the_unbreakable_chain_boxing_history_past_to_present/11936983 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/the_unbreakable_chain_boxing_history_past_to_present/11936983 The unbreakable chain: Boxing history past to present http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/the_unbreakable_chain_boxing_history_past_to_present/11936983 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png When world championship boxing returns to Brooklyn, New York for the first time since 1931 at the brand new Barclays Center on Saturday, October 20, it will do so with one of its own.  Reigning WBA World Welterweight Champion Paulie "Magic Man" Malignaggi, fresh off of a masterful championship capturing upset of undefeated Ukrainian Vyacheslav Senchenko in Senchenko's hometown of Donetsk, will attempt to defend his title for the first time in his home borough against rugged Mexican Pablo Cesar Cano.Malignaggi, sure to be the hometown favorite, is part of a long legacy in the squared circle.  Brooklyn has been the birthplace of some of the biggest and most storied names in the history of boxing.  As Malignaggi prepares for Cano, a reflection on the shadows hovering over his homecoming reminds us just how much glory there is in the Brooklyn boxing tradition.  No shadow extends farther than that of Brooklyn's most famous fistic son.Kid Dynamite . . . Ir... Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:24:19 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/look_back_at_top_boxing_champions_from_brooklyn_as_rich_history_in_borough_is_restored/11927206 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/look_back_at_top_boxing_champions_from_brooklyn_as_rich_history_in_borough_is_restored/11927206 Look back at top boxing champions from Brooklyn as rich history in borough is restored http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/look_back_at_top_boxing_champions_from_brooklyn_as_rich_history_in_borough_is_restored/11927206 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Heavyweight champion WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO (56-3, 49 KOs), of Kiev, Ukraine, his Hall of Fame trainer EMANUEL STEWARD, hosted an international media conference call on Wednesday discussing Klitschko’s March 3rd world title defense against two-time cruiserweight champion Jean-Marc Mormeck (36-4, 22 KOs), of Pantin, France.  Right here, you can take a look at the entire transcript to see what Klitschko and Steward have to say abotu the upcoming fight against Mormeck, and more. Tom Loeffler:       After Vitali's fight and all the fireworks that happened with Chisora, both in the ring and outside the ring, there was about 5,000 tickets left for this fight with Wladimir against Mormeck, and in the last two weeks, those have all been pretty much sold.  We have some single tickets left, but it'll be a complete sellout by Saturday night, at 50,000 people in the Esprit Arena here in Düsseldorf.  It's a soccer stadium, and it's one of the nicest stadiums out here in Europe.  An... Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:30:20 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/klitschko_steward_conference_call_transcript/10204429 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/klitschko_steward_conference_call_transcript/10204429 Klitschko & Steward conference call transcript http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/klitschko_steward_conference_call_transcript/10204429 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/1/012bab003288416d5d944aba43b3b8c8a4087a2c/mini/Boxen_WBA_internationale_a2bb.jpg (Photo via)As an evangelical boxing writer and fan, I'm often looking for gateway points wherein people might perk up their interest in their sport, and there's at least a chance -- based on the mainstream news coverage it's been getting -- that the boxing card being put on by Snooki (of "Jersey Shore" fame) this weekend is drawing eyes to the sport that might not otherwise be paying attention.Within boxing circles, the response to "Team Snooki Boxing" has been largely as a jumping-off point for jokes, and it's hard to blame anyone for that approach. Snooki is kinda silly.BUT. I thought it was still worth writing a blog post about the quality of the card she's putting on, for those who aren't as familiar with the boxers involved. Consider this something of a preview, written for boxing outsiders. The headliners are the Hyland brothers, from Ireland, which is cool and all. I thought Snooki was Italian, and that the Jersey Shore was very ... Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:44:21 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/taking_that_team_snooki_boxing_card_this_weekend_seriously_for_a_second/9593489 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/taking_that_team_snooki_boxing_card_this_weekend_seriously_for_a_second/9593489 Taking That Team Snooki Boxing Card This Weekend Seriously For A Second http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/taking_that_team_snooki_boxing_card_this_weekend_seriously_for_a_second/9593489 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 By Jim Donaldson PITTSBURGH -- It was here in the Steel City, almost 40 years ago to the day, that I attended my first NFL game. The date was Nov. 7, 1971, and I'd driven to Pittsburgh from South Bend that weekend with college friend Terry Shields to see Notre Dame take on the Pitt Panthers. Terry, for many years now an editor with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, had been Sports Editor of The Observer -- "serving the Notre Dame-St. Mary's Community" five days a week -- in 1970, and had passed the job along to me that spring, when I was a sophomore. He lived in Munhall, near the Homestead Works of the Carnegie Steel Company, on the Monongahela River, just a few miles upstream from where the Monongahela and Allegheny meet to form the mighty Ohio River. So there never was the slightest question that we'd be making the trip to Pittsburgh to see the Fighting Irish play in the old Pitt Stadium. We celebrated our arrival on Fr... Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:44:19 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/forty_years_of_football_in_pittsburgh/7752334 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/forty_years_of_football_in_pittsburgh/7752334 Forty years of football in Pittsburgh http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/forty_years_of_football_in_pittsburgh/7752334 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png