Boxer Tyson Fury Relinquishes His WBA And WBO Title After Testing Positive For Cocaine

Champ Gives Up Title Rather Than Being Stripped Of Them Due To Positive Cocaine Test

Tyson Fury

British boxing champ, Tyson Fury, has relinquished his WBO and WBA boxing titles, after testing positive for cocaine. Months prior, Fury lost his IBF title, due to a rematch clause with boxer Wladimir Klitschko, the former world champion he defeated in a rousing November 2015 match. The fight was amazing. However, Fury has fallen into the cocaine trap other champions have such as his namesake, Mike Tyson and fellow Brit, Ricky Hatton.

Boxers take punishment in the ring and it can result in depression. In failed attempts at escaping the pain, boxers have turned to cocaine. However, cocaine only makes their problems worse. While I do not encourage boxers to take cocaine, I am not going to judge them either, as they are clearly in pain and suffering from concussive issues that can lead to depression. I covered this subject almost three years ago on January 22, 2014 in How To Reap The Benefits Of Boxing While Avoiding The Pitfalls and again on February 27, 2016 in Boxers And Brain Injuries.

Tyson Fury (left) and Wladimir Klitschko (right)

I've often wondered about the pain boxers endure in the ring. Boxers don't publicly cry when they are hurt, but they must be in pain. Punches to the face and body shots are humanly painful. However, more has to be done regarding creating awareness for boxers on the dangerous of drugs, how to properly address health problems from the ring and pain management, as due to the strength and stamina they possess, boxers often think they are invincible. 

It is a part of their job title to think, train and fight like they are invincible. It helps them win. However, at the end of the day, boxers must remember they are human and need proper care. Don't shrug off health concerns, believing you are too tough to be wounded. At some point or another, everyone is hurt in life. It's called being human. Take care of yourselves, both mentally and physically. I wish you good mental and physical health.   

RELATED ARTICLES 

Sports Articles

Are Rematches And Back To Back Title Fights A Good Idea In Boxing When A Fighter Is Coming Off A Loss

Boxing
 

To rematch or not to rematch, that is the question. Are back to back title shots a good idea after a loss, that is also another question. If you have a boxer who has been soundly beaten in the ring by an opponent, arranging a rematch that could result in a similar loss, will be devastating to a fighter's confidence and career. Sometimes a rematch is simply not the best idea. However, you have to judge it based on certain factors, such as the probability of avenging the loss in the ring via a rematch, the current fitness of your fighter against that of the opponent who prevailed in the first outing and the point your fighter is at in their career. 

 

If it was a bad beating, a rematch is not a good idea. Cut your losses and move on. If your fighter is at an early stage in their career, somewhere between fight 1-15, a rematch and a second loss to the same fighter can prove very problematic wreaking havoc on the boxer's confidence, endorsement deals and earning potential, the caliber of fights you can make and general press regarding what will be stated by critics and fans. It's much easier to recover from back to back losses later in a career, as opposed to the early stages of it.

Back to back title shots after a loss is also a bit risky. To receive a title shot and lose happens. However, to get another title shot as the next fight and lose that one as well, it difficult. After losing a title shot, it is best to make a come back with a few warm up fights you know you can win, because if you lose two back to back title shots, it puts a major dent in one's career. Sometimes it is best to work one's way back up to another title shot, via a series of wins that rebuilds the confidence and improves one's skills.

 

RELATED ARTICLES

Sports Articles

Thurman v. Porter Scores Big With Boxing Fans

Keith Thurman Jr vs. Shawn Porter

Thurman v. Porter lit up the boxing world on Saturday night in New York. Keith Thurman Jr. ("One Time") squared off against Shawn Porter ("Showtime"). Two great welterweight boxers went to war. Thurman won in a unanimous victory during the slugfest with a score of 115-113, 115-113, 115-113. Many on social networking are branding it the fight of the year. The reviews from fans are overwhelmingly positive. Ironically, though it was slugfest, the two men are friends. However, it was all business in the ring.

Thurman should fight boxer Adrien Broner, who can box, but is trouble prone outside the ring. Broner is a big puncher for his weight class and would bring a significant amount of publicity from fight fans and casual observers. Broner is currently fighting a criminal case for knocking out a man in a Ohio bowling alley parking lot, after he lost a $10,000 bet.

I need to stop making jokes about Broner, due to what I have written in past columns. He might sic his baby mama on me. You guys would just see it on the news “And on tonight's news, blogger knocked out cold in parking lot by Adrien Broner’s baby mama” (LOL).

RELATED ARTICLE

Adrien Broner Scores Controversial Win Over Ashley Theophane

Boxers Determining The Right Weight Class

Adrien Broner looked like he was dreaming about a cheeseburger at the weigh-in after not eating for days

 

Boxers choose the weight class they feel is right for them for various reason. There are 17 standard weight classes. Among them are light flyweight, flyweight, bantamweight, lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, middleweight, cruiserweight, heavyweight, super heavyweight ect. Some feel more comfortable fighting at the weight class closest to their natural weight, while others struggle by choosing a weight class well below their natural size. Some even choose their weight class based on their favorite boxer growing up.

However, what happens when a boxer struggles to maintain that weight (especially in the lighter weight classes). What happens when it becomes an issue for a boxer to make weight/reach the catchweight for their fight. Boxers are fined for not making weight, losing tens of thousands of dollars, as being heavier than the stipulated catchweight provides an undue advantage over an opponent, which can turn dangerous.

Some boxers like their food more than others, indulging in pork chops, steaks, ribs, French fries, hot dogs, cake and ice cream (*looks at Adrien Broner*). Broner famously had a problem making weight this year for his fight against challenger, Ashley Theophane. It resulted in Broner being stripped of the belt and being fined $50,000 which he had to pay to Theophane. Broner now states he has outgrown the lightweight division and will move up to welterweight - translation: he’s not giving up the pork chops.

Broner and Theophane were not overweight prior to training camp, but they don’t seem to be fighting at their natural weight. Translation: those two looked hungry at the weigh-in like they were having fantasy type visions of cheeseburgers (LOL). They looked exhausted and below their natural weight for the fight, due to intense training and trimming down to make the catchweight. Theophane only had a few pounds to lose. Broner had roughly 25-pounds to lose after indulging in his favorite foods between fights and missed it by a small margin at the weigh-in. Hence the fine.

Some boxers really appear to be naturally thin due to their metabolism (Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, Guillermo Rigondeaux). However, others clearly make a disciplined effort to lose weight for the catchweight, as they don't maintain the stipulated weight for their weight class between fights.
If Broner feels he can comfortably fight in a new weight class, this should not pose a problem for him and may as well, as he is clearly unhappy trying to maintain his weight in the lightweight division. To go for days without eating, while running for hours days in a row, mentally and physically draining one’s self for each fight, will take its toll after a while.

Being a welterweight will not pose a risk to Broner’s health (provided he doesn‘t develop cholesterol problems from the pork chops and hot dogs). Therefore, he may as well leave the lightweight division. It can’t be worth the distress of slimming down with a hungry look in your eyes like a zombie. Looking like you’re about to raid a donut shop and jump into a pile of donuts face first.

Some boxing trainers insist, if you aren’t use to fighting in a different weight class, it can cause a problem. Therefore, boxers will have to weight the risks (*looks at Amir Khan*). This year, Amir Khan famously went up two weight classes to fight Canelo Alvarez, who is like a bull and strong as an ox. It worked for a little bit, but the moment Canelo correctly cut off the ring he knocked out Khan in a KO that is very uncomfortable to watch.

Khan was laid out on the canvas, looking like he was going. After a few minutes, medical staff were able to revive him and take the boxer to the hospital. As much as Khan had gained weight and some muscle, successfully hitting the catchweight, he was not use to fighting as a middleweight or facing one. It was an intense knockout. Thus far, the knockout of the year. Khan was not used to being hit with that type of force and could have paid for it with his health. It was too much of a jump in weight class.

RELATED ARTICLE

Adrien Broner Scores Controversial Win Over Ashley TheophaneAdrien Broner Scores Controversial Win Over Ashley Theophane

Are There Too Many Weight Classes And Boxing Organizations

Are there too many boxing organizations (WBC, WBO, WBA, IBF) and weight divisions? No. I think it gives many boxers a chance to really shine and the opportunity to get a belt/title. It creates more opportunities, jobs and boxing matches for audiences via a plethora of competition.

To the boxers who reach the top of their ranks, they can choose to fight for all the belts within their weight class, in an attempt to unify the division, which is not easy, but history has proven it is achievable (light flyweight, flyweight, bantamweight, lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, middleweight, cruiserweight, heavyweight, super heavyweight ect). Therefore, the system works and is beneficial to the sport. It gives many athletes the chance to ear a decent, honest living doing what they love.

RELATED ARTICLES

'Rocky IV' Highlights The Advantages Of Contrasting Training Methods

How To Reap The Benefits Of Boxing While Avoiding The Pitfalls

In Boxing The Right Trainer Will Make A Big Difference

 

Preparing For Every Eventuality In The Boxing Ring

The Bigger Boxer Doesn't Always Win (Video)

Maximize Your Career Opportunities

Partying Your Career Away

Boxers And Brain Injuries

Sports Articles

Showing Up Too Late To The Fight (Boxing)

A Question Of Pace And Endurance

Adrien Broner's fight against Shawn Porter (LOL)

Sometimes, for whatever reason, some boxers show up too late to the fight. No, not late for the ring walk. I'm referring to some boxers saving everything energy-wise for the last couple rounds of the fight, then failing to get the knockout and losing on points. This was the case in the Adrien Broner v. Shawn Porter fight. Broner, who is a very talented boxer, waited until the last two rounds to really go at Porter, who had boxed steadily and consistently throughout the bout, registering and accumulating vital points. 

Towards the end of the fight, Broner was able to register a punch that resulted in a knockdown, but not knockout. Porter ended up winning on points. I've seen some boxers pace themselves this way and it can cost the fight, as an opposing pugilist who recognizes this early on will outpoint or knock them out. 

Adrien Broner's next fight is against British boxer, Ashley Theophane, on April 1, 2016 at the DC Armory in Washington, DC. Tickets are available online. The fight will be televised on Spike in the U.S. (9PM Eastern Time). Theophane will likely be studying Broner's fights against prevailing boxers Maidana and Porter as a blueprint, in the hope of taking Broner's WBA Junior Welterweight belt.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, some boxers "throw the kitchen sink" at their opponent from the opening bell. Sometimes they get the knockout in the first couple rounds, but other times their opponent proves durable, causing them to run out of steam early, due to expelling so much effort straight out of the gate. Do not use all your strength in the opening rounds or save it all for the closing rounds. Aim for an even keel.

Pace and endurance are important for this reason. Boxers need proper conditioning and strength training to go the distance under any circumstances. Proper conditioning improves stamina, creating an even distribution of strength and durability, resulting in endurance throughout the fight. Build up your strength to the point that you can fight with evenness and the constant application of pressure. 

RELATED ARTICLES

Floyd Mayweather Protégé Adrien Broner Loses Fight To Shawn Porter

Why Do Boxers Grow Out Their Beards During Training Camp

 

Sports Articles

Is Cherry Picking Opponents In Boxing Wrong

Some have criticized promoters and boxers for "cherry picking" their opponents to increase the chances of victory. Some dislike it. Most boxers will tell you they will fight anyone, anytime and anywhere. However, is it a good idea in the early stages of one's career (and towards the end of it if one has hit advanced years). Let's face it, some boxers are further in their development than others. The fight will not be well matched and could put you at a great disadvantage.

If I were a promoter I would have qualms about putting a boxer in with someone they are not ready for in the ring. It is not a lack of confidence, just practicality. There are many things you will not learn in the gym, that require the experience of the ring in a live setting. How you react to truly being hit, going the distance, the noise of the crowd.

Newly pro boxers usually look green in the ring for about their first 10 fights. They land fewer punches and make more mistakes than a pugilist with at least 20 fights under their belt. Boxers with more experience turn into sharks smelling blood in the water when a promoter sends in a rival for something they are not ready for. The rival boxer knows and it ends up looking like this: 

(Photo credit and caption: ICanHasCheezburger site)

Therefore, why would you want someone to punch a hole in your boxer or knock him into the next solar system, by signing him up for a fight he wasn't ready for in any measure. What do you do if you sign your fighter up for a fight he wasn't ready for yet, only to see him take the most restful nap of his life in the middle of the ring, until the medical team wakes him up from the knock out.

If you lose too early in your boxing career, it will cause problems with the type of fights you can get, how much you are paid in purse money and your sponsors, which helps to pay your bills as a boxer. It's better to pace it, choosing a natural and steady progression, rather than rush into a confidence battering defeat that could be avoided had you simply waited until your development was at a greater stage.

RELATED ARTICLES

Tyson Fury Defeats Wladimir Klitschko To Become Heavyweight Boxing Champion Of The World

In Sports Focus Can Make The Difference Between Winning And Losing

The Negative Effects Of Drinking, Smoking And Drugs On Athletes

How To Reap The Benefits Of Boxing While Avoiding The Pitfalls

Sports Legends Agree On What It Takes To Be Champion

In Boxing The Right Trainer Will Make A Big Difference

Preparing For Every Eventuality In The Boxing Ring

The Bigger Boxer Doesn't Always Win (Video)

Maximize Your Career Opportunities

In Boxing There Is A Pecking Order

Sports Requires Nerves Of Steel

Partying Your Career Away

Fighting Fear In Sports

Heavyweight Boxing Champ Wladimir Klitschko Wants To Beat ‘Big Mouth’ Tyson Fury On Home Turf In Britain

Wlad Wants To Beat Tyson Bad

Wladimir Klitschko

WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Wladmimir Klitschko, is keen on fighting mandatory, undefeated British champ, Tyson Fury. The Brit with Irish roots has come far from his days as a gypsy boxer, to the top rated pugilist in Britain. Fury, who is quite the character, is known for giving incendiary interviews and for losing his cool at press conferences. Klitschko is the long running world champ from the Ukraine, who is more reserved, but very potent in the ring.

Tyson Fury

Fresh off his win against tough American boxer, Bryant Jennings, a fighter very familiar to boxing fans, Klitschko's advisor, Shelly Finkel stated of Fury, "There's a very good chance of it taking place in the UK. I'm sure Wlad is going to fight Fury in September or October. There's a very good chance of Wembley stadium or Manchester. It's that big a fight, we believe. Two weeks ago Wladimir fought at Madison Square Garden and nobody knows Bryant Jennings but it was the highest rated HBO fight in three years. That gives you some idea. And Tyson is the big-mouth from England...of course he'd love to shut him up once and for all. He would love to have a fight in the UK. It's a great fight area and Wlad has a big ,big fan base there."

Wladimir Klitschko in his win over Bryant Jennings

There you have it. The trash talk has begun. Klitschko's camp just called Fury "big mouth" and stated they want to beat him in his own country. Let the games begin. It would be great if the fight was held at iconic Wembley stadium in London. It's a great, world class venue.

STORY SOURCE

Wladimir Klitschko determined to fight Tyson Fury in the UK - and shut the Briton up on his home turf

5:20PM BST 08 May 2015 - Wladimir Klitschko is intent on defending his world heavyweight titles in the UK against Tyson Fury in September or October, according to his American adviser Shelly Finkel and promoter Frank Warren. "There's a very good chance (of it taking place) in the UK," Finkel told Telegraph Sport. "I'm sure Wlad is going to fight Fury in September or October. There's a very good chance of Wembley Stadium or Manchester. It's that big a fight, we believe.

"Two weeks ago Wladimir fought at Madison Square Garden and nobody knows Bryant Jennings but it was the highest-rated HBO fight in three years. That gives you some idea. And Tyson is the big-mouth from England." Finkel is insistent that Klitschko intends to end Fury's goading of the Ukrainian, who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF titles. "That goes with the territory. Of course he'd love to shut him up once and for all. He would love to have a fight in the UK. It's a great fight area and Wlad has a big, big fan base there."...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

RELATED ARTICLES

 

Wladimir Klitschko Retains His World Titles After Win Over Bryant Jennings (Video)

 

Tyson Fury Wins Fight Against Dereck Chisora And Is The New British And European Heavyweight Champion In Line To Fight Wladimir Klitschko

Amir Khan Dodging Boxers Kell Brook And Timothy Bradley

Amir Khan

The IBF declared American pugilist, Timothy Bradley, the mandatory Amir Khan must fight in an eliminator bout, where the winner would take on undefeated welterweight titleholder, Kell Brook. Khan declined the fight in a move that has tongues wagging. Bradley beat Filipino legend, Manny Pacquiao, due to controversial scoring, but was defeated in the subsequent rematch.

Fellow British boxer, Kell Brook, has been requesting a fight against Khan, but he has repeatedly dodged him at every turn. Brook and his team offered Khan $7,500,000 for a May 2015 title fight at London’s famed Wembley stadium, but he declined. Last week, Khan announced he would instead fight American boxer, Chris Algieri, who was recently defeated by Pacquiao.

How Amir Khan is looking at Kell Brook and his team (LOL)

Brook became angry at the announcement stating, "If someone said to me you can get five million quid, a world title, fight at Wembley with a fight that every fan wants to see, it's a no-brainer for me. He's fighting Algieri who didn't win a round against Pacquiao, a feather puncher, not a big puncher. It doesn't make sense to me. I'm world champion, I'm calling him out, we want the fight, there's a word title and a bagful of money and it doesn't make sense that he's fighting this guy who's bringing nothing to the table."

Brook believes Khan's declination of the fight against him does not make sense. However, to Khan it does and for this reason. Khan wants to fight top dogs Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, as they are the most famous in the division, guaranteeing the biggest payday as well. In boxing it is a big deal to be able to state you fought Mayweather and or Pacquiao. Those are historic bragging rights. If Khan loses to undefeated Brook, his chances of fighting the retiring Mayweather or resurgent Pacquiao are greatly diminished. They will seek to fight Brook instead.

Kell Brook

Fighting formerly undefeated Algieri is less of a risk. Pacquiao gave a road map on how to beat Algieri in his recent win against him and Khan will use that blueprint. There is no blueprint for beating Brook, as he is undefeated. There exists too much risk for Khan to fight Brook at this time due to these facts (even though the Judiciary Report is of the belief Brook vs. Khan in London this summer would be a fantastic fight that deserves to be made).

As stated in past articles, in boxing all it takes is one punch to mess up a career (then comes the arduous but workable rebuilding after such a defeat). Brook needs to focus on getting an audience with Mayweather and or Pacquiao and not wait around for Khan. Try to get a fight with the legends as well.

STORY SOURCE

Kell Brook vents frustration: Khan-Algieri makes no sense

By Wil Esco on Apr 3, 2015, 10:49a 151- Kell Brook admits he's frustrated with the whole Amir Khan situation, and thinks the Algieri fight isn't worth a damn. The back and forth between Kell Brook and Amir Khan seems to be a never-ending saga that has gone on for years now. Ever since Brook picked up the IBF welterweight title, thinking that would give him the standing to demand a Khan fight, the war of words started heating up. When Amir Khan announced yesterday that he would be fighting Chris Algieri next, Brook wasn't at all pleased.

"If someone said to me you can get five million quid, a world title, fight at Wembley with a fight that every fan wants to see, it's a no-brainer for me," 28-year-old Brook told BBC 5 Live."

"He's fighting Algieri who didn't win a round against [Manny] Pacquiao, a feather puncher, not a big puncher. It doesn't make sense to me. I'm world champion, I'm calling him out, we want the fight, there's a word title and a bagful of money and it doesn't make sense that he's fighting this guy who's bringing nothing to the table."...

 

http://www.badlefthook.com

IBF Confirms Khan Turned Down Bradley Title Eliminator

Amir Khan, 30-3 (19 KOs), has turned down an eliminator against Tim Bradley that would have determined who became the mandatory for the IBF welterweight title, currently held by Kell Brook. Khan, 28, had previously reached out to Boxing Scene to categorically refute the claims. However, the IBF Championships Chairman confirmed that Khan had indeed been offered the fight with Bradley and that it had been rejected on his behalf by his team. "Amir Khan’s people turned down the fight. Bradley accepted"... 

 

http://www.boxingscene.com
 

RELATED ARTICLES

The Knife Attack On Boxer Kell Brook Is More Proof You Can’t Trust People You Don’t Know

 
Britain's Kell Brook Is The New IBF Welterweight Champion Of The World