| |
|
|
Groves Too Good For Smith
George Groves blew away Paul Smith inside two rounds to successfully defend his British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles and enhance his growing reputation as one of Britains finest prospects.
The 23-year-old, who entered the contest at Wembley Arena on the back of 13 straight wins, was in no mood to hang around as he ripped through Smiths defences, prompting referee Victor Loughlin to step in and stop the fight.
Fighting for the first time since relieving James DeGale of his British title in May - a belt DeGale claimed with victory over Smith last year - Groves began cautiously as both men looked to settle their way into the contest. After a cagey beginning, the pair traded shots before Smith breached Groves defences with a late flurry before the bell.
Visibly angered by his defensive lapse, a fired up Groves tore into his opponent in the second and sent Smith to the canvas with a chopping right hand. Smith beat the count but he was all over the place and the referee rightly stepped in after Groves dished out more punishment.
It was about using my sharp, front foot and my jab, Groves said. I am maturing and hitting harder. These guys are getting bashed up pretty quick.
Former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye, Groves former stablemate and training partner, was ringside for the fight and liked what he saw. He said: I was over the moon, ecstatic. Hes starting to do what he does in the gym in the ring. Paul Smith is a durable fighter but you saw how he was despatched.
Earlier in the night, Billy Joe Saunders picked up his first title as a professional in only his 11th fight, beating Gary Boulden on points to become the Southern Area middleweight champion.
Saunders, a 2008 Olympian, was made to work hard throughout his first 10-rounder before prevailing 99-92 on the referees scorecard to maintain his unbeaten record. The 22-year-old had the better of the earlier rounds and threatened to knock his opponent out in the fourth, only for Boulden to respond with a rally of his own in the fifth.
Saunders regrouped, however, coming back strongly to rock Boulden with a shuddering left hook in the ninth - which Boulden somehow withstood - and he closed out the contest as he had started it, putting Boulden onto the back foot with some eye-catching combinations.
Its something Ive been missing my whole career - a good 10 rounds under my belt, Saunders said. Money cant buy that. Its better than all the knockouts. Now I know Ive got to go back into the gym and learn how to deal with that.
|
|
|
Added:
06/11/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joe Frazier Battles Cancer
Frazier, who earned boxing immortality after three epic fights with Muhammad Ali, is in hospice care with liver cancer, his manager Leslie Wolf said.
We have medical experts looking into all the options that are out there, said Mr Wolf.
There are very few. But that doesnt mean were going to stop looking. Well just keep our fingers crossed and hope for a miracle.
Frazier, 67, won the Olympic heavyweight boxing gold medal for the United States in 1964 in Tokyo and held the world heavyweight boxing crown from 1970 to 1973.
He won the first of three classic bouts with Muhammad Ali, the so-called Fight of the Century, in New York in 1971.
Ali won the next two including the epic Thriller in Manila bout in 1975.
Their was no love lost between the pair, with Ali branding Frazier a clumsy fighter, a coward and an Uncle Tom.
However despite the animosity, the man known as The Greatest later paid Frazier the ultimate compliment by declaring the clash in the Philippines his toughest ever contest.
Ill tell the world right now, he brings out the best in me, Ali said.
Im gonna tell ya, thats one helluva man. God bless him.
Frazier retired from boxing in 1981.
Mr Wolff said Frazier, who has 11 children, was diagnosed with cancer about a month ago after meeting with more than one doctor. He is in a hospice in Philadelphia.
We are doing everything we can ... but I would be a liar if I did not tell you it is very serious, Mr Wolff said.
He said Frazier is in a very painful and serious situation but added Joe is a fighter. Joe doesnt give up.
|
|
|
Added:
06/11/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
Smokin Joe Dies At 67
Boxing great Joe Frazier died late Monday night in Philadelphia after a brief battle with liver cancer.
Frazier, 67, was most famous for a series of classic fights vs. the great Muhammad Ali, who was his rival in and out of the ring for most of his career and after it came to an end.
The pair came to have a grudging respect for each other over the years, and Frazier even indicated he forgave Ali for hurtful comments he made about Smokin Joe in an apparent effort to hype their fights.
His family asked to be able to grieve on its own and would have more on our fathers homecoming celebration at a later time.
HBO fight analyst Larry Merchant, who became friendly with the ex-champ, said Frazier will be dearly missed.
This is a body blow to me because I knew him personally as well as professionally, Merchant told ESPN.coms Dan Rafael. I thought he was as honest and as real a fighter as there ever was. He followed in a tradition of (Jack) Dempsey and (Rocky) Marciano as the Warrior King.
Frazier, who hailed from Beaufort, South Carolina but lived mostly in Philly, was 32-4-1 with 27 knockouts in an outstanding career.
|
|
|
Added:
08/11/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conrad Murray Found Guilty
Los Angeles (CNN)-- A two-year legal battle over who was responsible for Michael Jacksons sudden death came to a dramatic close Monday as a California jury found Dr. Conrad Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
Dr. Murray appeared to show no emotion as the verdict was read by court clerk Sammi Benson, but La Toya Jackson, the late pop icons sister, let out a loud, but short, scream.
A loud celebration erupted among Jackson fans outside of the downtown Los Angeles County courthouse, where emotions ran so high at least one woman fainted.
Murray was immediately handcuffed and taken away by deputies after Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor denied bail.
This is not a crime involving a mistake of judgment. ... This was a crime where the end result was the death of a human being, Pastor said in explaining his decision to remand Murray to police custody. That factor demonstrates rather dramatically that the public should be protected.
Sentencing was set for November 29, with Murray facing up to four years in prison on the conviction.
Defense attorney Ed Chernoff told CNN the defense teams main job right now is to prepare for sentencing and limit the amount of time that Murray spends in jail.
What matters most right now is trying to keep Dr. Murray from taking up a prison cell in this community, Chernoff said. Thats what were focusing on right now and well deal with an appeal after that.
When asked if he was shocked by the verdict, Chernoff said, No.
Another of Murrays lawyers, Nareg Gourjian, told CNN on Monday night the outcome may have been different had the defense been able to introduce additional evidence -- like on Jacksons past drug use and financial condition.
Gourjian described his client as devastated by the verdict, adding Murray is trying to stay positive with more legal options ahead of him.
Were hoping that the appeals court will have something to say about this, the lawyer said.
Murray served as Jacksons personal physician as Jackson prepared for his comeback concerts, with Murray giving him the surgical anesthetic propofol to help him sleep nearly every night for the last two months of his life, according to testimony.
Jacksons death on June 25, 2009, was caused by acute propofol intoxication in combination with two sedatives, the Los Angeles County coroner ruled.
The verdict followed about nine hours of jury deliberations, which began Friday morning in the downtown Los Angeles County courthouse.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley thanked jurors for their hard work and thoughtful deliberation, and expressed gratitude that they recognized the overwhelming evidence against Murray in finding him guilty.
Prosecutor Michael Walgren personally expressed his sympathies to the Jackson family who he said lost not a pop icon, but a son and brother.
Fans gathered outside of the courthouse ahead of the verdict with signs of support for Jackson including one banner that read, We miss Michael. The crowd began celebrating once word of the guilty verdict reached them, chanting Rest in peace. Passing cars honked their horns, as people nearby hugged, cried and yelled out in joy.
An emotional La Toya Jackson on Monday thanked all those involved in the trial, calling the decision a victory.
Everybody was wonderful, La Toya Jackson told HLNs Jane Velez-Mitchell as she left the Los Angeles courthouse.
Crowd outside erupts in jubilations
The seven men and five women on the jury heard 49 witnesses over 23 days, including Murrays girlfriends and patients, Jacksons former employees, investigators and medical experts for each side.
A statement released by Jacksons estate Monday said that justice has been served.
Defense lawyers contended the matter was a negligence case that should instead be heard by the state medical board.
If it were anybody else but Michael Jackson, would this doctor be here today? lead defense lawyer Ed Chernoff asked in his closing.
Jurors were left to decide if the propofol overdose was infused into Jacksons blood by a steady intravenous drip, as the prosecution contended, or if Jackson injected himself using a syringe left nearby by Murray, as the defense argued.
He was just a little fish in a big, dirty pond, Chernoff said, pointing the finger at other doctors who treated Jackson, and Jackson himself.
Deputy District Attorney David Walgren attacked the defense for trying to blame everybody but Conrad Murray, poor Conrad Murray.
If allowed more time to argue, I am sure they would find a way to blame Michaels son, Prince, Walgren said in his closing rebuttal.
Walgren painted Murray as a selfish doctor who agreed to take $150,000 a month to give Jackson nightly infusions of propofol in his home, something prosecutors argued an ethical doctor would never do because of the dangers.
Murrays license to practice medicine is now suspended, according to the Medical Board of California, which decides if a doctor can legally work in the state.
In the light of the conviction, the board now will open an investigation to determine whether or not to fully revoke Murrays right to practice medicine in the state, spokeswoman Jennifer Simoes said.
The main criteria in deciding whether to revoke, suspend or take other action against any doctor is assessing how substantial a crime is related to the practice of medicine. There is no timeline as to when the board might act regarding Murray, said Simoes.
|
|
|
Added:
08/11/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|