It seems that HBO's commitment to excellence is taking a turn for the odd as we begin 2011. The network is wanting to make more meaningful fights this year than it did last and they're stepping on as many toes as it takes to get it that way. Unfortunately, middleweight champion Sergio Martinez has been picked to be made an example of for his reserved March 12th date. Martinez's list of opponents ranged from unknowns like Matthew Macklin and Sebastian Zbik to pushovers like Andy Lee, but HBO has turned down all of those opponents in favor of WBO jr. middleweight champion Sergei Dzinziruk.
From what I've heard, making this fight has been like pulling teeth for the Martinez camp, who has no choice but to give in to the high purse demands of Dzinziruk, a fighter who is largely unknown in the US and fought for the first time in two years last August in a KO victory over Daniel Dawson. Dzinziruk is asking for $1 million of the $2.4 million purse, which Martinez must accommodate or else he'll lose his HBO date. Why they're doing this to Martinez is beyond me, especially when they've flushed so much money down the toliet for Andre Berto over the years.
Wladmir Klitschko Affirms David Haye Clash In July
This is definitely an example of "I'll believe it when I see it," but Wladmir Klitschko is facing off against Derek Chisora this April and then heading right into a heavily anticipated fight with European Heavyweight champion and world-class sprinter David Haye. Haye has managed to avoid the Klitschkos for over three years and it seems that there are no more bums or frauds in Britain that he can feast on. Pressure from his American promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, is causing this fight to happen much to Haye's dismay.
Eventually Richard Schaefer had to have stepped in. The more Haye fights in Europe, the less money he makes for their company, who needs to have a dazzling year to remain relevant. Despite the fact that Haye has never been on U.S. television, and the last Klitschko fight to air on HBO was Vitali Klitschko vs. Kevin Johnson, well over a year ago, expect the networks to snatch this up if, and I do mean if, it gets official
Ronnie Shields To Co-Train the Human Lava Lamp
Cristobal Arreola is in danger of going from prospect to gatekeeper and as a result, Ronnie Shields has been brought into his training camp to aid in his impending downgrade status as he prepares to fight Joey Abell this month on ESPN2. Shields has trained a lot of great fighters over the years, but hasn't done too good of a job lately with losses by Kermit Cintron coupled with a string of losses from Juan Diaz, who always looked flabby with Shields as his coach.
While I'm sure Shields can teach Arreola's trainer and presumed drinking buddy Henry Ramirez a thing or two, unless Arreola gets his weight down to around 245 or so, he'll never make it to the big leagues. Discipline and drive has always been Arreola's problem. Shields may be acting more of a consultant than a trainer, but Arreola is best suited to listen to everything he has to say should he want to consider being a relevant fighter.