In recent news, the Contender returns, as does a season one World Boxing Super Series, Top Rank makes a signing, and the IBF has a purse bid for an eliminator. None of this is Earth shattering stuff, but it is all important in the sport.
- WBSS Cruiserweights 2 – The World Boxing Super Series confirmed that the third tournament in season two would be a return to the cruiserweight division. Oleksandr Usyk won season one and unified all four titles in the process, so it isn’t entirely clear whether or not any world titles will be on the line here. It would take him being stripped of a belt between then and now, or I guess Usyk re-entering. I don’t know why he’d do that though. The organizers of the tournament have said some fighters will be returning, but they’ll need to be careful with that. As much as everyone did enjoy the first go around, having similar matchups throughout the tournament will have rapidly diminishing returns. We won’t have to wait long to find out at least as the eight combatants are set to be announced over the next few days.
- Eliminator – The IBF ordered bantamweight title eliminator between former belt holder Lee Haskins (35-4, 14 KOs) and little known Filipino fighter Kenny Demecillo (14-4-2, 8 KOs) has gone to purse bid and been won by Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions. There isn’t much money in this, however, so it remains to be seen if Haskins is all that interested, especially given where Pacquiao’s team could put this fight. Neither man would break $16,000 with the purse split as ordered. Also, this is a really terrible title eliminator. I’d kind of roll my eyes at Lee Haskins as a Manny Rodriguez opponent at this point, let alone Kenny Demecillo. Come on, IBF. Do better.
- The Contender – Boxing’s reality competition show returns on EPIX Friday night. This was announced a while back, but the date has snuck up at least on me so I figured I’d share. 16 middleweights will be competing for the season championship. There are a few known names among them too like Ieven Khrytov, John Jackson, John Thompson, Shane Mosley Jr, Tyrone Brunson, and many others. Obviously we are not talking the handful of world class guys at 160 or even the fighters a level or two below them, but these are competent pros capable of putting on good fights. We’ll see if they make a good show out of it.
- Top Rank Signing – Finally, multiple time ShoBox veteran and emerging contender Joshua Greer Jr (17-1, 9 KOs) has been signed up by promotional giant Top Rank. This deal makes sense for both parties too, as all deals should. Greer has really shined as a fighter and a character on Showtime’s prospect series with stoppage wins punctuated by quite the gimmick. Greer’s people bring a pillow to the ring for the downed opponent to sleep on. Greer can punch too. Despite his middling KO percentage, the 24 year old has slept six of his last seven wins. Greer’s loss and draw came very early in his career too with the loss coming against still unbeaten PBC prospect Stephen Fulton by four round majority decision.
