http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/36080289- Blackwell looks to have ruled himself out of a return to the ring, it's a shame for the lad in some ways but at least he's still here!

Was happy to hear this yesterday. Real shame but glad he has pulled through and on the mend, think there has been quite a bit of money raised for him too which is good.

I disagree about Haye, the mans all hype as we saw when he fought Klitschko, but I agree its an interesting domestic division on the world stage if you get my drift.

Joshua could dominate the division for years to come if his career is managed correctly, interesting division domestically for sure.

I just watched a short documentary about Joe Calzaghe, what a champion he was, heart, dedication, boxing skill and craft, just the real deal, a credit to the sport of boxing.

I understand why Haye gets stick, but AJ's footwork and movement is not good enough for me. I think Haye would expose that and it would just be a matter of time. AJ's chin not been properly tested but Whyte had him reeling from what wasn't what you would call a great shot. I hope the fight happens as will be a great one to watch and find out how Joshua copes with a tricky, fast fighter.

Was that the 'Mr Calzaghe' documentary? Absolutely brilliant story, he's one of my favourites of all time.

Haye is a blown up cruiserweight, with not many top level wins at heavyweight. Ruiz I would still class as credible even though if it was the end of his career. You can only fight who is around at the time though I suppose. But he does have the speed and the ring savvy I believe to take a fight with Joshua into the later rounds, still don't think he would win like but it would be interesting to see how Joshua's cardio holds up in the later rounds with all that muscle. This is assuming of course if he can avoid getting caught flush in the early rounds.

I think Haye uses that weight difference to his advantage though, and he does still carry big power. In his comeback fight he looked like a different animal size wise, think he was 17 stone plus if I remember right. Obviously the guy he was fighting was a joke, but if Haye still has the good speed and movement at 17 stone plus then things could get interesting.

If Fury does Wlad again then the next few years could be great in the heavyweight division, especially in the UK. Matter of time before Wilder gets found out as well. David Haye must be licking his lips, would fancy him doing the job on AJ, Wilder and Fury.

Reading earlier that Rigo has been training in Russia for his fight with Jazza Dickens and it now turns out that the promotion company has left sorting his UK visa a bit late.

http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/guillermo-rigondeaux-visa-update/

That's true. But, he's also been fending for himself since 13 and been on the streets hasn't he? So I don't think he's had a chance to be the most educated or enlightened...

Yeah that's a fair point but he's got an entourage of about 20 odd people around him and managers etc, surely one of them must be responsible for him keeping his mouth shut about the mickey mouse religion nonsense. That one stupid remark has probably cost him millions of dollars.

On the other hand as well, I know a lot of people that I'd class as well educated who still believe in god and religion. Sometimes it just comes down to how weak mentally someone is, brainwashing from an early age can be a lot more powerful than a good education.

But even if AJ wins, what's the plan thereafter? If he wants to keep the belt he'll have to defend against IBF mandatories. And I'm worried that's too big a jump for him right now. I'm not saying he wouldn't win, but I wouldn't bet my house on him against the likes of Stiverne or Pulev if they fought tomorrow. It's easy to forget that David Price looked similarly terrifying before Tony Thompson found him out. I don't think Dillian Whyte is the proving ground for world-level fighters.

So yeah - can't help wondering whether this is misguided short-term thinking. If he wins, the likes of Haye and Fury will be all over him looking for the belt and a pile of cash. Real dangerous fights for him.

But then again, maybe the way I'm looking at this is symptomatic of what boxing has become - all strategising and career mapping to protect reputations and unbeaten records - and instead we should just let them all get on with it!

I agree with you on both parts. He is taking a big risk in terms of him having to step up for mandatories assuming he does beat Martin. Martin may prove to be a bit awkward for him being southpaw, but he's not overly quick on his feet and mobile, which is what sort of fighters I think Joshua will struggle with (Haye being prime example).

He should be left to get on with it though. He's had his UK tour of blowing out nobodies and has been built up. He's got to face the music now and see what he is made of. If he can win the world title and get a few good defences under his belt then he may go on to rule for years. If he gets found out then he can always rebuild, he's still more than young enough.

Pacquiao not being seen as such a great guy these days. Nike have dropped his sponsorship due to these comments.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/6938620/Manny-Pacquiao-is-dropped-by-sponsors-Nike-after-describing-gay-couples-as-worse-than-animals.html

He was also sued earlier this year (not sure of the outcome whatever it was) for failing to disclose an injury. Pacquiao topped Mayweather in a televised poll the night of their fight but clearly popularity isn't always the same as ability.

At least Mayweather has never pretended to be a "great guy" unlike Pacquiao.

Disappointing from Pacquiao but at the same time not surprised. He's deeply religious so his head is full of nonsense. It's not until the religious nuts spout their crap out loud in public that it becomes a problem for them, I thought he would've known better.

Good start securing the win but will have to get out of second gear going forward. Italy will be a test, thought they should've put France away but the French were poor by their usual standards as well. The Italians will definitely have gained some confidence from the performance though.

Once you've done Making A Murderer watch "the jinx" and "whitey".

Thought The Jinx was even better than Making A Murderer but not watched Whitey yet. After googling it I see it's about the guy Black Mass was based on, will give it a go tomorrow night.

It's a win-win for Khan really. If he loses the fight, he can still come crawling back to England for the Brook stadium fight and take down millions in the process.

If he wins then he can pretty much fight whoever he wants. If he chooses Brook then he'll probably want a 95/5 purse in his favour or something obscene like that.

Id still pay good money to see Benn vs Eubank Snr 3 though..

They'd put on a better fight than 99% of the current top champions would if they faced each other. Would happily pay my 15 to 20 quid PPV to watch them do it a third time.

http://www.boxingscene.com/roy-jones-jr-financial-issues-explained-by-promoter--99885

To me that sounds like his Russian promoter has played a blinder. He's came in and guaranteed his $3 million debt, which will have x amount of fight deals attached to it no doubt.

Jones is happy because he has been relieved of the debt, and probably getting a pay out for each fight on top of that too. The agent is happy with take Jones to Russia and has even managed to get Putin to give him citizenship.

America will probably be he biggest loser, good luck getting the $3 million from Jones' Russian promoter.

Yeah, would take something major to change the current state of affairs and I don't see it happening any time soon.

It is a great period for British boxing. But I get the impression Eddie hearn is very good at his job and a lot of these fighters would really come undone on the world stage. We seem to be producing a few very slick fighters who really look the part. Kell brook is a great example. I watch him and always think he looks very good. But after the event his opponent doesn't look bruised and battered like he's just taken a good hiding. It makes me wonder when push comes to shove if these guys have got the power to really trouble the elite.

Think that's one of the problems caused by there being the 4 world championship belts. We have 12 world champions in Britain just now, and I think realistically maybe 2 or 3 of them at the most could be considered as being genuine elite level fighters who would give the best in their division a real fight.

Think all the world champs are great for British boxing and encouraging kids to get in to the sport, but at the same it's frustrating from a fan's point of view as all the belts and politics prevents the fights from being made that everyone wants to see, which is a big shame.

Hi lads,

Just joined the forum today. Long time lurker and long time rover, looking forward to getting involved in the forum when I have the time. Ta.