It has been a big day in the boxing world, with the sport still reeling from the tremors of two earth-shattering pieces of news after the death of legendary trainer Angelo Dundee, and Floyd Mayweather announcing his next opponent.
Angelo Dundee dies at age 90
Angelo Dundee, the man who trained Muhammad Ali throughout his professional career, has passed away at the age of 90.
He died surrounded by family in his home in Tampa, Florida. His last major public appearance was at his famous charge’s 70th birthday party last month in Louisville, Kentucky.
Dundee was also renowned for his association with Sugar Ray Leonard. It was Dundee who motivated Leonard, as the latter trailed behind Thomas Hearns on the scorecards in their 1981 bout, with the legendary “You’re blowing it, son!” pep talk.
Dundee began his career under the tutelage of his older brother Chris, a promoter in New York. The younger Dundee paid his dues under such legendary trainers as Chickie Ferrara, Ray Arcel and Charlie Goldman.
After living in Miami for decades, Dundee moved to Tampa to be closer to his family after his wife of over 50 years, Helen, died in 2007.
Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992, Dundee trained 15 world champions including Ali, Leonard, George Foreman and Willie Pastrano. Dundee also trained actor Russell Crowe for his role as former heavyweight champion James J. Braddock in 2005’s Cinderella Man.
Floyd Mayweather Jr announces May 5 bout with Miguel Cotto
After much publicity, legal battles, secret meetings and Twitter-bashing, the mega fight between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao has been shelved once again.
Mayweather has officially announced that he will be fighting Miguel Cotto on May fifth. The bout will be for Cotto’s WBA super welterweight crown.
Cotto previously lost via 12th round TKO to Pacquiao back in 2009. His last fight was a 10th round TKO victory over Antonio Margarito.
Mayweather, whose last fight was in September against Victor Ortiz, is on a special one-fight licence from the Nevada State Athletic Commission after he was served a deferred 90-day jail sentence set to begin on June 1. He was originally slated to begin his sentence on January 6.
Negotiations with Pacquiao broke down once again, this time over the contention of splitting the fight purse in what was expected to be the most lucrative bout in history.
Mayweather said in a tweet after his licence hearing, “I’m fighting Miguel Cotto on May fifth because Miss Pac Man is ducking me.”
Pacquiao is set to announce his next opponent in the coming week, with most pundits placing their bets on current WBO junior welterweight champ Timothy Bradley.
The fight will be televised via pay-per-view, though the network hosting the event has yet to be announced.
Miscellaneous thoughts
• Angelo Dundee is a legend and will go down (if not already) as one of the greatest trainers in the sport’s history. He was as genial as he was witty and was a great ambassador to the sport. Rest in peace.
• Though I had my doubts of it ever happening, the naïve fan inside of me still hoped for the Mayweather – Pacquiao bout. It’s the only fight that makes sense, especially with both men possibly close to retirement.
• Pacquiao advisor Michael Koncz reportedly had a solution to the problem: a guaranteed US $50 million each with the pay-per-view revenue split at 45/55, the winner getting the larger split. I’ve often questioned Koncz’s usefulness in the Pacquiao camp but I think this is the best solution thus far.
• First it was drug testing, and now money. Both men are already wealthy beyond imagination and are set to make even more by fighting one another. This fight isn’t one for moral causes or fat paycheques; it’s a battle for their legacies. In short, the fans who’ve paid for their cars and houses have had enough male cow manure to last a lifetime. Before long, either fighter could lose and this fight would be worthless on all fronts.
• While we saw a renewed Cotto emerge victorious last December, it was against a slower and possibly damaged brawler. He’ll be soundly outboxed if he tries the same approach against Mayweather.
• Two bits of bad news in one day won’t be good for boxing’s morale.
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