The boxing world is in mourning following the death of former world champion Ricky Hatton at the age of 46. The British fighter, nicknamed “The Hitman”, held titles in the light welterweight and welterweight divisions during his professional career between 1997 and 2012, achieving 45 victories and only 3 defeats. Hatton was known for his down-to-earth attitude and had many fans around the world. He had recently announced a comeback fight for December, after years of retirement, and struggled with personal issues after 2009.
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Tragedy struck at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall when two Japanese boxers, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts on the same card. Kotari died on Friday after suffering a subdural hematoma during a 12-round draw, while Urakawa succumbed to the same injury following a knockout loss on Saturday. In response to these devastating events, the Japanese Boxing Commission has mandated that all OPBF title bouts will be shortened from 12 to 10 rounds.
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Federal officials announced that former middleweight boxing champion Julio César Chávez Jr. was arrested for overstaying his visa and providing false information on a green card application, leading to his deportation to Mexico. The arrest occurred days after his recent match against Jake Paul, despite the Department of Homeland Security determining he should have been arrested before the fight. Chávez also faces an active arrest warrant in Mexico related to organized crime, specifically the trafficking of firearms, ammunition, and explosives, with alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. The boxer’s attorney has stated the allegations are outrageous.
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George Foreman, the legendary two-time heavyweight boxing champion, passed away at age 76. His remarkable career spanned decades, featuring an Olympic gold medal, numerous title belts, and a record of 76 wins with 68 knockouts. Beyond boxing, Foreman achieved significant success as a businessman and was known for his unwavering faith and charitable work. The family announced his death, highlighting his lasting impact as a humanitarian, athlete, and devoted family man.
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IOC President Thomas Bach attributed the controversy surrounding two female boxers at the Paris 2024 Olympics to a Russian disinformation campaign, dismissing it as a “fake news” crisis. The dispute, fueled by the IBA’s criticism of the IOC’s decision to allow the athletes’ participation, stemmed from the IBA’s prior ban based on a chromosome test—a decision Bach deemed irrelevant given the boxers’ long history of competing as women. Bach further emphasized the IOC’s lack of a universal transgender athlete policy, leaving it to individual federations. Finally, Bach expressed confidence in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics’ preparations, citing President Trump’s support and the potential reinstatement of boxing.
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As I read the heartbreaking news about boxer Sherif Lawal’s tragic death after being knocked out in his professional debut in London, I couldn’t help but be overcome with a sense of sorrow and contemplation. The sports world is no stranger to the dangers and risks associated with combat sports, but each time a tragedy like this occurs, it serves as a stark reminder of the grim realities that can unfold in the ring.
The life of a boxer is filled with passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of greatness. However, it is also a life fraught with risks and uncertainties, where one fateful punch or one wrong move can have catastrophic consequences.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker