Vitali Klitschko defends his WBC heavyweight title Saturday against Kevin Johnson. (Photo by Jacob de Golish / Getty Images)

View full size photo »

Bad era, good genetics, whatever. We all know by now that the modern heavyweight division is ruled by two brothers, Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko. The only real question is which of them is better.

The elder brother, Vitali, returns to action on Saturday, less than three months after battering then-unbeaten American contender Cristobal Arreola in Los Angeles. Some actually expected Arreola could be competitive. Personally, I thought Arreola had a chance if Vitali (38-2, 37 KO) was stiff. Injuries forced him into an early retirement in 2005, and when he fought Juan Carlos Gomez in March 2009, he came out very immobile. Gomez failed to take advantage of it, and fought much of the bout with what seemed an obvious fear of mixing it up with the powerful Klitschko. Once Vitali loosened up, Gomez's fears were proven to be well-founded, as Klitschko stopped him in nine.

It took ten rounds with Arreola, but while it may not have been the most graceful-looking footwork you'll ever see, stiffness was no problem for Vitali on that September evening. While lumbering, he moved around easily, peppering the strong young American from the outside, busting up his face and forcing his corner to call an end to it after ten one-sided rounds.

Klitschko, 38, seems to want to clean out the division as much as he possibly can before his inevitable, long-term retirement, which likely isn't too far down the road. Both Klitschko brothers are educated men with out-of-the-ring ambitions aplenty, and both have made it clear that overstaying their welcome in boxing isn't part of their plans.

So now he meets Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson (22-0-1, 9 KO), another unbeaten, younger American. But don't go thinking Johnson is some young stud on the rise, either. At 30, it's kind of a now-or-never deal for him, and I think he and his team know that. With his 82-inch reach and good technical skills, he's as much a danger to the brothers as just about anybody. At 6'3", Klitschko (at about 6'8") towers over him. And Johnson will likely get no favors in Switzerland, so he'll have to put on quite an exhibition, proving he is clearly the better man.

Can he do it?

In a word, no. Johnson is an intriguing fighter. Sure, his window to be a top heavyweight may be small given his already-advanced age, but he is in no way ready for a boxer of Klitschko's strength, skill and wisdom. Vitali is an immeasurable leap in class from the guys Johnson has beaten thus far. Earlier this year, when Johnson faced Devin Vargas, we had an interesting matchup of unbeaten American prospects. Johnson came out the clear victor.

He needed a few more steps up in class, though. He didn't take them. Perhaps because the chance (or money) was too good to pass up, or perhaps because he genuinely feels he can dethrone Vitali, he's in there with the wolves now.

If Kevin Johnson upsets Vitali Klitschko, put it on the list of great heavyweight upsets. The Klitschkos right now look near as untouchable given their surroundings as anyone ever has, and Johnson was not on the radar before this fight was quickly announced.

I don't say this to try and question Johnson's abilities, or to be a doubter. But if Johnson does win, I want it to be framed properly. He's not just an underdog in this fight, he essentially cannot beat this man. Klitschko TKO-8

Los Angeles' Staples Center has come in with a $20 million bid for Mayweather-Pacquiao.

View full size photo »

Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Staples Center in Los Angeles has come forward with a $20 million offer to host the March 13 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"This is the biggest boxing event ever, and we're prepared to step up in a big way," said Dan Beckerman, chief financial officer for AEG, which runs Staples Center.

...

"We know there's interest in this fight across the world, but we're very interested and honored to make the most impressive offer possible," Beckerman said. "It's our biggest guarantee ever, and we hope it wins the day. We wanted to push as far and as hard as we could."

Richard Schaefer, who previously was said to have nixed the idea of hosting the fight at Cowboys Stadium in Texas, says that idea isn't dead, and attempts to explain why he canceled his trip to Dallas with Bob Arum to meet with Jerry Jones:

"I don't need to tour any facilities. I'm a numbers guy. Numbers transmit over the fax machine as well as they do in person, and I've yet to see any numbers from them. I'm told things are bigger in Texas, but Staples has stepped up and presented us the numbers. Money talks," he said.

As best we know, Staples has made the first firm offer, and it's a good one. I don't think $20 million can beat whatever the MGM in Vegas will offer. Pacquiao himself is getting a rumored $25 million guarantee for the fight.

Plus, the big deterrent will be the income taxes that California levies against the fighters. New York and New Jersey are totally out of the running because of their taxes. Nevada and Texas don't have them, and Louisiana would have to waive theirs, which James Carville proposes.

But it's never over 'til it's over, either. Staples may well be prepared to go even higher. All I know is this is getting very interesting.

Cowboys Stadium won't be the venue for the March 13 fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. (Photo by Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

View full size photo »

In a somewhat strange story, Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer has decided to pull the plug on any possible offers from Jerry Jones and Cowboys Stadium in Texas. That's what Bob Arum told ESPN.com today.

Arum, Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who will co-promote the nearly finalized fight, and HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg were supposed to meet with Cowboys officials at the stadium on Wednesday for a tour of the facility and to talk with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about a site fee for the fight.

...

"Richard called me last night and said he won't go to Texas," Arum said. "And I told him to call Ross and tell him. And then I called Ross and said, 'You don't want me to go if he's not going. If Jerry Jones offers me money for the fight what is Pacquiao going to do? Go in the ring alone?' Schaefer just said, 'I'm not going to Texas. I'm not going to do the fight in Texas. I'm not going to waste my time.' That's the explanation."

Arum said he asked why and Schaefer's response was, "'The fight is March 13 and there isn't enough time to do a fight at an outdoor stadium.' It's bizarre, but that's what he said. I reminded him [that the stadium has a retractable roof]. He said it doesn't matter. I am not going to theorize. I'm just telling you what happened."

If Schaefer is serious about no outdoor stadium, that would also take out Miami, as the Dolphins just made Land Shark Stadium a possibility by stating interest, and the 30,000-seat outdoor stadium that was potentially being built in Las Vegas.

That would leave the obvious front-runner as the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, which was probably always going to be the home of the fight anyway. New Orleans' Superdome and Atlanta's Georgia Dome are also interested.

Carl Froch is helping lead the way for a new era of British boxing on the world level. (Photo by John Gichigi / Getty Images)

View full size photo »

No matter how you slice it, 2009 was a pretty fantastic year for British boxing. David Haye won a world heavyweight title, Carl Froch defended his super middleweight belt twice, and Amir Khan got his feet firmly in the Freddie Roach pool, going 3-0 and winning a title at 140 pounds.

Froch has won three awards: British Boxing Board of Control Fighter of the Year, BBBofC Fight of the Year (v. Jean Pascal, December 2008) and BBC East Midlands Sports Personality of the Year.

Haye, meanwhile, is up for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and is disappointed that Froch and Khan are not up for the same award.

"Carl and Amir were probably both unfortunate to miss out on being nominated as they've both also been fantastic this year. I was delighted to be nominated. I can remember Lennox [Lewis] lifting the trophy, and it is an event I've always watched closely.

... "[Froch is] flying the flag for Britain on the world stage and is tackling the best fighters in his division. Carl is a great ambassador for boxing in this country because he always looks to fight the best guys out there.

... "[Khan has] completely changed his career around and has scored three big wins this year, against Marco Antonio Barrera, Andreas Kotelnik and Dmitriy Salita. A little over a year ago, everybody had wrongly written him off."

Though doubts linger on the world stage about all three fighters (many question the chins of Haye and Khan, Haye's guts, Froch's ability, Froch's win over Andre Dirrell, etc.), they have delighted UK fans with pretty spectacular years, and the three are leading the charge for UK boxing after the retirement of Joe Calzaghe and the inevitability of Ricky Hatton joining him soon enough; and even if he doesn't, everyone worldwide is aware that Hatton's best days are now behind him.

Still, not everything is so rosy. Carl Froch had words about Amir Khan in a recent interview with LiveFight.com, and it was a strange read. At times Froch seemed like he wanted to be clear he was misunderstood, but then he'd take cheapshots at Khan to go along with that, so I'm guessing the animosity is a little more real than he might want to let on.

"He's gotten upset because I gave a little feedback on his Prescott defeat and reported that I'd heard that the Kotelinik win was a little dull from reports off my friends who'd paid for the show and were disappointed. He's just a bit young and fragile and probably just needs a hug from the rest of Team Khan or his personal chauffeur or whatever.

... "Khan took [Salita] out with some fast, clean shots. But without wanting to upset King Khan again - who is this Salita fella? I'm not being derogatory but honestly, I've never heard of the bloke. I'd want to see an opponent at least take a shot and throw some back. I suppose it's down to the mandatory situation that he fought Amir. Maybe I don't follow enough boxing, but correct me if wrong, Salita was never regarded as a hot prospect. If he was any good we'd have all heard about him before he'd got to the No. 1 spot wouldn't we?"

While that is just boxing talk with a bit of trash talk thrown in at the end of the first bit, later he takes what appear to be genuine swipes:

"I know it's my boxing that brought me here. The boxing will never be overshadowed by the fame. ... That’s what boxing fans identify with. They know that when I get inside the ring I put it all on the line, testing myself against the very best. I don’t want people remembering me for being rich or running people over in my Lamborghini."

They may be the three leaders of the New Wave of British Boxing (I like to think it's similar to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal), but it doesn't appear they'll all be going out for dinner any time soon.

Zab Judah could be a perfect sparring partner to prepare Floyd Mayweather Jr. for Manny Pacquiao.

View full size photo »

As we seem to be rapidly approaching an announcement that will make a March 13 fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao an official reality, both men are potentially lining up some great sparring, and some of it could result in a really intriguing fight to boot.

There have been some mild rumblings that former Mayweather opponent Zab Judah may help Mayweather in training -- if the price is right. Judah, for all his flaws and faults and annoyances, is a very proud guy and still sees himself as a top fighter, and not a sparring partner. But his on-again, off-again friendship with Mayweather and his excellent style comparison would make him a wonderful sparring partner for Floyd.

And then there's Amir Khan, who will apparently be the chief sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao in the upcoming training camp in Baguio City. Khan just blew past Dmitriy Salita in 76 seconds on December 5, and with his speed, is about as good as a sparring partner could get for Pacquiao outside of Shane Mosley, who obviously is busy.

Although on that last point, Freddie Roach is now saying they'll try to get Andre Berto (Mosley's Jan. 30 opponent) in for some sparring if possible. If Berto loses to Mosley, it's unlikely he'd want to get back into sparring with a guy like Pacquiao that quickly (if he wanted to at all), and if he wins, frankly he might be in line to fight the Pacquiao-Mayweather winner later in 2010, so that'd probably shut that down, too.

There's also talk of Khan fighting Judah, which could be a magnificent undercard bout with plenty of story behind it on the March 13 PPV. For now take it with a 140-pound grain of salt, because Judah is constantly looking here, there and everywhere for someone to fight. He's called out Juan Urango, Berto and Khan in recent months, among others, and all he did in 2009 was sit around, duck Matthew Hatton, and fight a bum who hadn't fought in years on a tiny PPV.

Khan-Judah is a compelling matchup even without the potential backdrop that both served as main sparring partners for Mayweather and Pacquiao, because Khan, while impressive when he wins, still has never beaten anyone as good as Judah can be when Judah feels like being that guy. Khan is among the fastest guys in the sport, but so is Judah, even aged. And Judah has years of experience and has fought guys like Mayweather that can at least meet Khan's speed.

Also for Khan and promoter Frank Warren, this situation would be one you could not pass up. They want to get him introduced to American audiences. What better way than to stick him on the show that might potentially break all the records? Khan-Judah would wind up being an impressive performance for the winner no matter who it was, just because that's how it would seem it has to play out. Someone's speed is overwhelming the other guy at some point, and good action is bound to come out before then. It's a potentially explosive matchup.

I wouldn't expect any of this to happen besides Khan sparring with Pacquiao, because Khan has done that for a while now. But doesn't it just sound like a lot of fun?

Miguel Cotto is facing charges of sexual harassment. (Photo by Al Bello / Getty Images)

View full size photo »

Miguel Cotto is set to appear in U.S. district court in Puerto Rico this January, as he, his father, Cotto's wife Melissa Guzman, brother Jose Cotto and cousin Carlos Cotto are all being sued for sexual harassment by Martha L. Chacon Acevedo, who worked for the fighter on a residential property he owned.

The case against Cotto can be read here.

Chacon is seeking about $500,000 total. $250,000 for pain and mental anguish, $250,000 for punitive damages, and $11,000 for services rendered to the corporate partners also being sued.

The AP was able to contact Cotto, who gave the following statement:

"We are going to leave everything in our lawyers' hands and everything will be resolved in court," Miguel Cotto Carrasquillo, the fighter's father, said in a written statement late Monday.

The lawsuit was actually filed on August 24, but just became known this week. The Cotto family issued a statement calling the suit, "frivolous, empty and a total fabrication."

Part of the suit I found, uh, "interesting" was a bit that TMZ picked up on:

[A]ccording to the lawsuit, he used the show "Nip/Tuck" in an attempt to score below the belt.

The woman behind the suit claims she worked for Cotto at a residential complex he owned in Puerto Rico -- but soon after Cotto hired her, he offered "money and other benefits in exchange for sustaining a sexual relationship with him."

As for the "other benefits" -- according to the lawsuit, Cotto offered the woman lingerie, body creams, lotions, champagne, and DVDs of "Sex and the City" and "Nip/Tuck" ... which the accuser calls "pornographic material."

Chacon also admits she eventually did sleep with Cotto after so many "unwanted" advances. After she decided she "could not cope" with the situation any longer, she ended the relationship, at which point she alleges she was fired.

Former featherweight champ Danny "Little Red" Lopez headlines the 2010 International Boxing Hall of Fame class, with 12 more headed to Canastota with him.

Lopez (42-6, 39 KO) is of Ute Indian, Mexican and Irish heritage, and became extremely popular in Southern California, building his name in Los Angeles when his pro career started in 1971. After winning his first 21 fights, he lost to Bobby Chacon in 1974, and lost a couple of fights to Shig Fukayama ('74) and Octavio Gomez (1975).

The loss to Gomez was the only one of his career that went the distance.

After the loss to Gomez, he really hit his stride. He stopped Chucho Castillo and Ruben Olivares, then beat Oklahoma tomato can buster Sean O'Grady so badly that O'Grady's corner stopped it after four rounds. He avenged his loss to Gomez (KO-3), and then in 1976 outpointed David Kotey to win the WBC featherweight strap.

He would defend the title against Jose Torres, Kotey, Jose Francisco de Paula, Juan Domingo Malvarez, Fel Clemente, Roberto Castanon, Mike Ayala (1979 Fight of the Year) and Jose Caba before losing it to the great Salvador Sanchez in February 1980. Four months later, the two rematched, and Sanchez beat Lopez again.

Lopez retired after the second loss to Sanchez, but talked of coming back in 1985. It didn't happen, but he did give it a go at age 40 in 1992. Lopez was knocked out in two by Jorge Rodriguez, who would go on to lose his next ten fights and retire with a record of 11-35-2 (4 KO).

On June 13, 2010, "Little Red" will take his rightful place in the Canastota Hall.

Joining Lopez this year:

• Junior flyweight champion Jung-Koo Chang, the first South Korean in the Hall
• Manager Shelly Finkel
• Referee/commissioner Larry Hazzard
• Promoter Wilfried Sauerland
• Matchmaker Bruce Trampler
• Boxing writer Ed Schuyler Jr.
• Light heavyweight Lloyd Marshall
• Featherweight champion Young Corbett II
• Lightweight champion Rocky Kansas
• Heavyweight Billy Miske
• Broadcaster Howard Cosell
• Pioneer Paddington Tom Jones

Juan Diaz and Paulie Malignaggi meet again this Saturday. (Photo via Golden Boy Promotions)

View full size photo »

Judge dread: Will external factors influence the scoring of Diaz-Malignaggi II? (The Ring)
Eric Raskin wonders if judging will again be a factor in Saturday's Diaz-Malignaggi rematch, though in a different manner this time around: "Call it the "rematch sympathy" element. The judges in Chicago will be aware of what happened in Houston. They’ll know Malignaggi predicted a screwing and they’ll know their officiating brethren made his prophecy come true. They can be the most fair, unbiased judges on the planet, and human nature will still dictate that, even if only on a subconscious level, they’ll be susceptible to scoring close rounds for Malignaggi because they don’t want to see the same fighter get jobbed twice."

'Desert Storm' Faces a Tough Mandatory (Max Boxing)
Somewhat ignored on Saturday is Showtime's doubleheader, featuring Timothy Bradley going up against another young, hungry and talented fighter, Lamont Peterson. It's a very interesting fight on paper. Steve Kim talks about the matchup.

Kevin Johnson Promises To Stop Vitali Cold (The Sweet Science)
It's either extreme confidence, a distraction, or just plain arrogance from Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson: "I'll shock the whole world in nine rounds. The only people who could have beat me are Muhammad Ali or Larry Holmes."

Carl Froch lines up title defence against Denmark's Mikkel Kessler (The Guardian)
Froch-Kessler will be in Denmark on April 17, says Froch's promoter Mick Hennessy.

Pavlik enters the home stretch (The Vindicator)
Jack Loew compares upcoming Kelly Pavlik opponent Miguel Espino to a pre-Jermain Taylor Pavlik, which doesn't speak too kindly of Pavlik or Taylor. He also weighs in on the Williams-Martinez fight.

Eddie Mustafa Muhammad: "When I See Bernard, The First Thing I Do Is Laugh" (FightHype)
Chad Dawson's trainer Eddie Mustafa Muhammad talks Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr., and his fighter.

Good Friends Collide: Victor Ortiz & Antonio Diaz (The Sweet Science)
When Victor Ortiz lost to Marcos Maidana in June, one of the first to call him and offer encouragement was Antonio Diaz. Now Ortiz and Diaz fight in Chicago on Saturday.

Raging Bull to `fight smarter' (The Australian)
Vic Darchinyan worked with Zab Judah to prepare for Tomas Rojas on Saturday. He also admits that he fought "a stupid fight" against Joseph Agbeko this summer.