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Showing posts with label Boxing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boxing. Show all posts

March 11, 2024

Muhammad Ali to Be Inducted Into WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024




Muhammad Ali will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024, Variety has learned exclusively.

Ali will be inducted during the Hall of Fame ceremony taking place on April 5 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He will be inducted by his widow, Lonnie Ali. The ceremony will be livestreamed on Peacock beginning at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT.

Ali dabbled in professional wrestling at different times in his career. He famously fought an exhibition match against Japanese pro wrestling legend Antonio Inoki in Tokyo in 1976. In the leadup to that matchup, he appeared at a WWWF (now WWE) show, where he entered the ring and challenged Gorilla Monsoon. Ali would go on to appear as a special guest referee for the main event of WrestleMania I in 1985, which saw Hulk Hogan and Mr. T face off against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. Ali also appeared as the guest of honor at the infamous “Collision in Korea” pay-per-view event held in North Korea in 1995.

Widely considered to be one of the best, if not the best, boxers of all time, Ali won an Olympic gold medal for the United States in boxing in 1960 and went on to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion. He holds notable wins over opponents such as Sonny Liston, Ken Norton, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman among many others. His final professional boxing match came in 1981. He finished his career with 56 wins, 5 losses, with 37 knockouts.

He was also noted for his social activism, including refusing to be drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. His refusal led to him being stripped of his heavyweight championships and being largely forced out of boxing for years.

He passed away in 2016 at the age of 74.

source:  varity.com

March 23, 2020

Triple H Cleverly Trolls Deontay Wilder During ‘WrestleMania 30’ Rerun

Well played, Hunter

I usually don’t like to lead this column by writing about just a single tweet, but look: there are no sports going on and this is a really good tweet.

ESPN is filling some of the gaps in its programming schedule over the next few Sundays by airing old WrestleManias, starting with WrestleMania 30 yesterday. It’s a smart move for ESPN. The network gets to fill four hours of the schedule with well-liked, pre-made, eye-catching programming. WWE and ESPN have also been rumored to be in discussions to air new pay-per-views on ESPN+, so this is a way to whet the audience’s appetite for wrestling.

If you’re trying to get people interested in current-day WWE, there’s no better place to start than with 2014’s WrestleMania 30. The show is most memorable for the match where Brock Lesnar snapped The Undertaker’s 21-match WrestleMania winning streak, a good John Cena-Bray Wyatt match and the crowning of lovable underdog Daniel Bryan as World Heavyweight Champion.

The event also featured an all-time great entrance by Triple H before his show-opening match against Bryan.



If it looks a bit familiar, maybe you’re thinking of heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder’s entrance before last month’s rematch against Tyson Fury. The music was different but Wilder’s costume was awfully similar.


Wilder ended up losing that fight and said part of the reason was because the costume, which was made of steel and fitted with LED lights, weighed 45 pounds and made his legs weak by the time he actually got to the ring.

Like Wilder, Triple H also lost his fight and he had a cheeky explanation for it during ESPN’s re-air.

When I first saw Triple H’s tweet, I thought, “Wow, that’s a good reference to something that happened a long time ago.” But the Wilder fight was only a month ago! It’s impossible to keep track of time these days. It’s still a great reference, though.

source: si.com/extra-mustard

September 1, 2017

Triple H On Ronda Rousey Being Interested In WWE, What WWE Can Learn From Mayweather Vs. McGre

WWE's Triple H recently made an appearance on ESPN's First Take to promote the Mae Young Classic Tournament. You can check out the highlights from "The Game's" interview here below:

What WWE can learn from the promotion behind Mayweather vs. McGregor:
"I think from a promotional standpoint they did a lot of things right. They found two personalities and that's really what this is all about. Floyd will be the first guy to tell you that it's personalities that sells fights, it's what he does, he changed himself from 'Pretty Boy Floyd' to 'Money Mayweather' and that was based around WWE and the culture of changing Hulk Hogan to 'Hollywood Hulk Hogan,' and reinventing yourself. He invented that persona. McGregor created a persona, a lot of it having to do around what, kind of, WWE does and also what Mayweather does.

"When you have personalities like that and you put them in a ring with that type of conflict - it's what we do no a daily basis. But they did it very well. It was a moment in time that I don't think you can replicate. The great things is, I think what people where afraid of was that it wouldn't deliver. I think it did deliver. I think people got an entertaining 10 round fight, it ended up where the educated person would imagine that it'd end up, but I think it was entertaining and it delivered on a lot of levels."

Who he thinks would have the biggest potential for WWE Superstardom: LaVar Ball or Rob Gronkowski:

"LaVar Ball certainly has a pension for winding people up and wanting to see people beat him. I think that's an important factor, but you never know what's going to connect to people. Those personalities - when you look at McGregor, you look at Ronda Rousey, you look at Gronk, you look at LaVar Ball - all those people, what connects them is personalities. Whether you love them or hate them, those personalities drive people. They create a connection and that's really what people pay to see. They're a very few pure boxing fans in the world, there are very few pure MMA aficionados in the world, there are very few pure WWE or NBA or NFL that really admire the intricacies of all that stuff. The personalities drive them, whether that be the team or the individuals."

What are the chances Ronda Rousey could end up in WWE and what could she bring to the table:

"Ronda has been a huge fan of WWE her whole life, she has been very adamant about that. She has done plenty of stuff with us before, I think you're watching a clip of her throwing me that I don't know why you're showing, but yeah she tends to throw me around when I see her - but she's a huge fan. I think she's a huge fan and I think it's something she's definitely interested - I'll throw it out right now, if she's interested I'll give her the opportunity. But we're all about personalities and that's what she brings to the table. I think she has shown it, and you have seen, she has shown it in Hollywood, she has shown it everywhere. Her personality would drive fan interest."

June 20, 2017

Triple H Extends Invitation For Conor MacGregor And Floyd Mayweather To Appear On Raw



If Triple H has things his way, we could see an in-ring confrontation between Conor MacGregor and Floyd Mayweather on a future episode of Raw

It's no secret everyone is paying attention to the upcoming fight which is scheduled to take place on August 26 and everyone includes the WWE who is attempting to capitalize on this hype train. Triple H discussed the bout in a recent interview with Sky Sports

“Can a world-class boxer, probably the best ever, can he stand in the ring with an MMA guy? And can that MMA guy bring his striking skills up to the level of somebody like Floyd Mayweather?”

Triple H then extended the invitation for both men to make an appearance on an episode of Raw

“You say it is sports entertainment and, if they want to really showcase what they can do, I would invite both guys to come to Monday Night Raw. There is no bigger platform that they could have to show the world and tell the world, who they are, and why they are the man.”

June 4, 2016

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali dies at 74


Muhammad Ali, widely hailed as the greatest heavyweight boxer in the sport’s history, died late Friday night after being hospitalized in Arizona a day earlier with a respiratory issue.

Ali, 74, had suffered from Parkinson’s disease since the 1980s.

“After a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening,” family spokesperson Bob Gunnell said in a statement.
story from Tourism Australia and Virgin Australia

Ali died at Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, where the scene outside was quiet. Law enforcement sealed off entrances and news media was station across the street. Earlier Friday family members arrived at the hospital.

"I don't get it yet. I don't think it's hit me yet," Khalilah Camacho-Ali, one of Ali's ex-wives, told USA TODAY Sports.

Camacho-Ali had four children with Ali, with whom she was married for 10 years. "The only thing I'm worried about right now is my children. I wish I was there with them (in Scottsdale) to support them because I know they're taking this very hard."

Ali's prowess in the ring and his personality and social activism make him one of the most recognizable sports figures of the last century.

He secured an Olympic gold medal in the 1960 Summer Games and became one of the youngest heavyweight champions of all time, stunning the boxing world with a knockout of Sonny Liston to claim the title in 1964 at 22.

It marked the first of three times Ali would win the heavyweight title.

By the end of Muhammad Ali's legendary boxing career, he had become the first three-time heavyweight champion. See his most iconic moments from inside the ring.

Shortly after the native of Louisville defeated Liston, Ali became a cog in both the civil rights and anti-war movement. Ali changed his name from Cassius Clay after he joined the Nation of Islam, and he was convicted of draft evasion in 1967 after he refused to fight in the Vietnam War because of religious beliefs.

His opposition to the Vietnam War cost him the belt and led to a three-year ban from boxing. His conviction for dodging the Vietnam War draft was overturned by the Supreme Court in 1971.

Ali's death is “sad, and yet, here was a person who probably did more to transform what people thought about race and religion and about peace, both in the United States and the world," Bob Arum, who promoted Ali in the 1960s and 1970s, told USA TODAY Sports. "I really believe that he even had more of an impact, because he had been this great boxer, and because he had made this tremendous sacrifice, giving up his career for what he believed in for 3½ years, that he had more of an impact than even Martin Luther King. I really believe that.”

Ali returned to the ring in 1970 and suffered his first pro loss a year later in a title bout against Joe Frazier, who won via unanimous decision.

It was the first of three memorable fights against Frazier — with Ali winning the last two.

Ali reclaimed the heavyweight belt against George Foreman in one of the most storied events in sports history, "The Rumble in the Jungle" in 1974. Ali employed the "rope-a-dope," in which he allowed Foreman to tire himself out as Ali absorbed punch after punch, before he claimed the bout in Zaire — now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo — with a knockout.

In 1978, a clearly overweight Ali lost his title to Leon Spinks but won it back in a rematch six months later, making him the first fighter to win the heavyweight title three times.

Ali retired from boxing in 1981 with a 56-5 record, three of the losses coming in his final four fights. He had 37 knockouts.

Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease three years after his retirement. Family members believed his years of boxing contributed to the disease.

After his retirement, he concentrated on philanthropy and social activism.

He was admitted for medical treatment several times in recent years, including to treat pneumonia in December 2014.

WWE also issued a statement which says in part:

Ali also made history for his historic boxer vs. wrestler match against WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki in Tokyo on June 26, 1976. The fight is regarded as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts.

In 1985, Ali made his mark in WWE history when he was one of the special guest referees for the main event of the first WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden. The bout featured WWE Champion Hulk Hogan and pop culture icon Mr. T against “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. During the contest, Ali climbed up onto the ring apron and took a swing at Piper.

December 13, 2015

NJPW On AXS Announcer Heading Up WWE SmackDown Announce Team In January


In a pretty big WWE announcing move, highly regarded play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo will be introduced as the new Smackdown lead announcer, according to Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated, who first reported the news.

In his column, Deitsch says that WWE play-by-play announcer Michael Cole is the one who helped get Mauro Ranallo the gig.

In an interview with SI.com on Friday, Ranallo said Cole, who handles broadcast talent development for the WWE in addition to on-air work, emailed him about a month ago to inquire about his interest in working with the company. Ranallo then sent the WWE some of his broadcast work, including a promotional vehicle he did for Berkshire Hathaway shareholders where Ranallo called a mock fight between billionaire Warren Buffett and Floyd Mayweather. (This was no low-end production: The video was directed by Animal House director John Landis.) The WWE brass, including chairman Vince McMahon, (were) impressed. "This was an opportunity I did not think I would get at this point of my career and I jumped on it," Ranallo said. "I have been a lifelong fan of the product. Michael said that when Vince saw the Warren Buffet video, it seemed to cinch it. They believed I could sell the entertainment part."

Ranallo has been praised for his work in pro wrestling, MMA, boxing and kickboxing, widely regarded as one of the best announcers in the business. He'll be taking over when Smackdown moves to USA on January 7. He'll retain his roles with GLORY Kickboxing and Showtime Boxing.

June 2, 2015

Kentucky Arenas Fighting Regulation Of Pro Wrestling In The State, WWE Declines To Comment


Insider Louisville posted a story today which revealed that major Kentucky arenas such as Lexington's Rupp Arena and Louisville's KFC Yum! Center are hoping that the state's athletic commission abandons professional wrestling regulation or severely reduces the amount of restrictions.

Kentucky is among the roughly half of states in which pro wrestling is regulated, and the state is widely considered the most strict. If a competitor bleeds in a match, the contest has to be stopped until the bleeding subsides. Also, blading is considered illegal. The same rules don't apply for MMA and boxing bouts in the state. Also, oddly enough, one license allows you to promote MMA, boxing or pro wrestling despite the vast differences in the three. The issue is costing the state millions in missed revenue due to the fact that companies like WWE and TNA pass up the state in favor of nearby Cincinnati and Indianapolis. MMA fights aren't stopped due to blood, as all amateurs and pros must have blood screenings submitted prior to the fight and are required to update them annually.

The Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Authority sent a letter following a 2010 WWE event containing blood, saying they would only be permitted to return if KBWA officials were there to stop any match with bleeding. Yum! Center GM Dennis Petrullo says this is the reason that televised events don't often happen in the state anymore.

"The live TV events with WWE are very large and they draw a lot of people and viewers, so there's too much money involved to allow someone to stop one of the bouts," Petrullo told Insider Louisville. "It's insane. I mean, look at Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, or mixed martial arts, there's blood all over the place. And for some reason they have stopped them from coming into Kentucky because of blood in the ring."

The situation also affects independent wrestlers and promotions, who are required to pay fees to run events in the state. There have been instances where the KBWA also doesn't have enough staff to handle all of the events in the state.

I reached out to the Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Authority, who refused to comment on the matter further, but board administrator Angela Robinson. did tell the Insider "wrestling is a real sport, Even though the outcome might be choreographed, it's still a real sport. People still do get injured." By that same notion the KBWA should also seek regulating film fight scenes in the area. Ultimately, it comes down to the commission wanting their cut of profits.

WWE's spokeswoman declined to comment to Insider on the story, but it was also revealed that WWE's Damien Sandow has also worked in the past on trying to get the situation sorted out.

May 3, 2015

ESPN Reporter Michelle Beadle Banned From Mayweather/Pacquiao Fight; Blasts Triple H & WWE For Supporting a “Serial Abuser”


ESPN reporter Michelle Beadle – who has been a huge supporter of pro wrestling over the years, and was the host of all kinds of WWE mainstream press during this year’s WrestleMania week blitz – has apparently turned in her fan card following Saturday’s big Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight in Las Vegas.

Beadle, who was in Vegas all weekend doing promotion for the fight through ESPN and HBO (a co-producer of the event) had her press credentials revoked by Team Mayweather/SHOWTIME, effectively banning her from the super fight. Along with CNN reporter Rachel Nichols (who was also banned), the duo has been outspoken against Mayweather’s history of violence against women, which spans over a decade and includes multiple convictions.

Michelle, who wrestling fans may remember was the ESPN host that sat down with Brock Lesnar for his shocking announcement prior to WrestleMania, has apparently had enough with WWE and Triple H’s public support of a “serial abuser”. She posted the following on her Twitter:

"I've loved @WWE for a long time. But @TripleH and his love for a serial abuser is too much. I'm turning in my fan card. #WasFunWhileItLasted"

August 25, 2013

WWE Star Triple H to Wife Stephanie McMahon LET'S BOX


WWE superstar Triple H and his wife Stephanie McMahon got all Million Dollar Baby this week in NYC -- training with the guy who taught Hilary Swank how to box for the Oscar winning movie ... and TMZ has the footage.



WWE superstar Triple H and his wife Stephanie McMahon got all Million Dollar Baby this week in NYC -- training with the guy who taught Hilary Swank how to box for the Oscar winning movie ... and TMZ has the footage.

It all went down at Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn, where the couple strapped on the gloves for “Protein Fight Club” – a campaign to promote milk.

The guy putting them through the paces is Hector Roca – who famously trained celebs like Wesley Snipes, John Leguizamo and Jennifer Lopez.

Roca tells TMZ … HHH and SM trained for about an hour doing basic training techniques – with Stephanie showing some real flashes of promise in the ring.

As for HHH -- "Boxing is not really his sport."

source: tmz.com

Let's think about this. The man doesn't want to punch his wife in the face and that means he isn't good at boxing. Ok......

May 4, 2013

Photo: Triple H & Stephanie in Las Vegas to see the Mayweather Fight

December 30, 2012

This Day In Wrestling History


The Masked Marvel goes to a draw with Wladek Zbyszko in the International Tournament at the Manhattan Opera House.
December 30, 1915

Ed Strangler Lewis challenges boxing champion Jack Dempsey and puts up a reported $10,000 to do so.
December 30, 1922

Steve "Dr. Death" Williams died at the age of 49 after a long battle with cancer. Williams held numerous wrestling titles in North America and Japan throughout his career. He achieved All-American status as a football player at the University of Oklahoma.
December 30, 2009

December 11, 2012

This Day In Wrestling History


Roderick Jess McMahon, along with Tex Rickard, begin promoting regular boxing matches at Madison Square Garden with a light-heavyweight championship match between Jack Delaney Paul Berlenbach.
December 11, 1925

Triple H defeated Shawn Michaels for the WWF(E) European Title. HBK intentionally lost the title after he was ordered to defend it against Hunter by Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter
December 11, 1997

December 9, 2012

50 Cent: Boxing Could Benefit From WWE-Style Theatrics


Boxing has myriad issues. There are too many champions. The heavyweight division has been in the doldrums for years. There are too many weight classes. You have to subscribe to a premium network to be a fan.

50 Cent, whose first foray into boxing promotion comes to fruition Saturday when his exciting young fighter, Yuriorkis Gamboa, fights on the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez IV pay-per-view telecast, thinks a major issue with the fistic sport is that there is too much emphasis on the main event and not enough focus on the show as a whole. The music mogul, whose real name is Curtis Jackon, believes that integrating music and entertainment with the show would be a boon to the sport, not to mention better undercard fights.

"You have to merge music culture with (boxing) and develop cards that are exciting for more than 36 minutes maximum," said 50 Cent. "We should take away the main event, say the whole show is the main event. They should make cards that are exciting enough for us to watch the entire show. You see arenas that you sit down and you feel like it probably didn't sell out until 36 minutes before it's over, then the whole place is full.

"(We should) use some of the theatrics that you see in WWE and bringing them into a sport that doesn't have a question mark -- we know boxing is real. We don't say 'is that real?' like wrestling. If you add those different elements to it you can offer something that would be entertaining enough to watch the entire show."

source: usatoday.com

August 22, 2012

GFL Announces TV Distribution; Indy Promotion Included in Rotation


Go Fight Live announced Wednesday a TV distribution agreement with Comcast SportsNet to air MMA, boxing, and pro wrestling programming in the Northeast market. The wrestling content will be provided by IZW, which previewed today's announcement earlier this month.

GFL's content will air on Saturday nights and replay on Sundays, with a rotation of programming each weekend. IZW is slotted for the weekend of October 6 & 7.

source: gfl.tv

May 6, 2012

Triple H accompanies Floyd Mayweather Jr. to the ring in Las Vegas


Floyd Mayweather Jr. had a little extra muscle in his corner this past Saturday in Las Vegas when WWE COO Triple H – sporting a brace and a small sling over his broken left arm – accompanied the undefeated boxing champion to the ring for his highly anticipated bout against Miguel Cotto.

The practice isn’t exactly new for the prizefighter known as “Money,” who can often be seen with rapper 50 Cent at his side when the takes the long walk from the training room to the squared circle. But his entourage expanded considerably at the MGM Grand Garden Arena this past Saturday, when The King of Kings and singer Justin Bieber joined 50 Cent in backing WrestleMania XXIV veteran Mayweather as he took to the ring. "I've been friends with Floyd since [WrestleMania XXIV]," The Game told WWE.com reporters. "Quite frankly, I was just going to see fight, and then he sent word that he wanted to see me before the fight and asked if I wanted to walk down to the ring with him."

The Game was part of an impromptu entourage of sorts that included 50 Cent and Bieber, who is one of Mayweather's daughter's pop idols and was in town for the fight.

"It was quite the interesting trio," the WWE COO conceded.

Though The Game was showing the effects of an attack by Brock Lesnar this past week on Raw SuperShow, it didn’t stop him from enjoying the pulse-pounding bout. The multiple-time World Champion addressed his injuries and speculation within the locker room and across the WWE Universe.

“It wasn’t just one thing that was broken," said Triple H of damage sustained almost a week ago. "It's complex and that's why there's misinformation."

The Game thus finds himself toting a mechanical brace that offers various ranges of motion and, fortunately, versatile enough to remove for media photo opportunities while in attendance for the major boxing event.

"I have to be able to take the brace on and off [to rehab]," he said. "Trust me, it was the last thing I wanted to wear while I was in Vegas trying to have a good time."

Mayweather ultimately won the tightly-scored fight, capturing Cotto’s junior middleweight title in the process.

"I thought it was a phenomenal fight," The Game said, describing his friend's victory. "I think Floyd rises to the occasion of every fighter he fights."

source: wwe.com

Photo: Triple H at the Mayweather vs. Cotto Fight

April 5, 2012

This Day in Wrestling History


Rodrick James "Jess" McMahon, grandfather of wrestling mogul Vince McMahon, promotes a boxing match between Jess Willard and Jack Johnson in Havana, Cuba.
April 5, 1915

Happy Birthday to Diamond Dallas Page
April 5, 1949

Andy Kaufman met Jerry Lawler in a Grudge Match at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis Tennessee.
April 5, 1982

March 14, 2012

Oklahoma Suspends Combat Sports & Pro Wrestling as of March 31st


MMAValor.com is reporting that The Oklahoma State Athletic Commission has suspended all "combat sports," including MMA, boxing and professional wrestling effective as of 3/31/12. The report notes:

Effective right now the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission has halted approving event permits for all combative sports (MMA, Boxing, etc.) the Commission regulates for events after March 31st, this according to the Director of Oklahoma State Athletic Commission, Joe Miller who talked with MMAValor regarding the matter.

The report goes on to note that although the OSAC is claiming that the reason for the suspension is due to lack of funding, the more specific reason is that a pending UFC lawsuit is threatening the funds the commission currently has. You can read more, including the letter of suspension by the OSAC, by clicking on the above link.

It should be noted that WWE has an event scheduled to take place in Oklahoma on October 1st, however there has been no word as of this writing as to whether or not it has been canceled.

WWE takes no issue with Oklahoma's PPV tax

February 26, 2012

Q&A with Mike Tyson

January 21, 2012

Video: Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki - 1976

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Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear