Larry Merchant has had problems with everyone. The boxer's primary job is to protect himself at all times. The entertainment aspect is important but it's secondary. To me Merchant often comes across as that irritating boss or teacher who has to find something negative to say even when faced with a job well done.

It's his schtick and works for him but I don't care for it.

Why, did you want to see an 80 year old man beaten to death?

Merchant is a bombastic douchebag. He was a bombastic douchebag at 50, and he's still a jerk at 80. HBO should have fired his ass a long time ago.

Ortiz should have kept his hands up. End of story.

I just don't like Mayweather PB, not that I particularly like Merchant. I hate the way Mayweather ducks and dives certain opponents! Kosta Tszu, Pacquiao, Cotto etc

That's cool, Nicky. I'm not particluarly a fan of Mayweather's, but I never could take Larry Merchant and his condescending demeanor.

Yeah i know what you mean...luckily in Australia we don't have to hear much of his commentary!

Well said PB, saves me saying the same thing!

Sergio Martinez ko'd Darren Barker in the 11th round last night. Barker was tough (as I knew he would be) and made Martinez look average at times, but Sergio pulled out the win.
There's talk of a potential Mayweather-Martinez fight which would do huge huge business, Before last night most thought Mayweather would avoid Sergio like the plague, but after last night...
Could it happen??

Barker put up a good show,he is a good fighter who can come again!!

Kell Brook. A name to watch out for and follow folks. An exciting, unbeaten young welter from the UK with big things in store. Already being lined up to fight Andre Berto with bigger things to follow....you heard it from me, watch this space

Yeah I know about Brook, a Sheffield guy, it looks like he has all the skills. He's already called Khan out but I think that's too soon and makes no business sense as Brook needs to build his name a little more.
He's in a pretty exciting division so hopefully we will see him in big fights soon.

They talking Brook v Khan for next year possibly????

Settling down to watch a good scrap in the light heavy div. Nathan Cleverly v scouse banger Tony Bellew. Should be a belter i reckon!!

Yeah there has been whispers of that happening next year as it would do well in the UK. Yes I too am looking forward to Cleverly v Bellew, Clev is class but you know what? He gets hit a little too much IMO.
Also we have Hopkins V Dawson tonight aswell, It will probably be a snooze fest as are all Hopkins fights but I give the man respect he is 47!

I forgot about B Hop

I know what you are saying about him but the man just keeps doing it. Incredible!!

Cleverly v Bellew was a great fight, a real humdinger!

Yeah much closer than I thought! Respect to Bellew for that display! As for the Hopkins fight, I'm not even going to go into that...

Yes it was all a bit strange. Funnily enough they are still lining up Hopkins to be Cleverlys next opponent!

I read today that the WBC gave Hopkins his title back. Boxing is self destructing right in front of us. What a shame, it seems everybody is into the MMA fights these days.

Yeah the biggest problem in boxing is all the stupid governing bodies, especially the WBC, bunch of crooks, good fights still happen but us fans have to put up with a lot of bullshit.

Not sure about the rest of the world but Britain has got a great domestic scene going just now. Lots of good young fighters coming through, all wanting to fight each other and more importantly many of them getting good TV exposure!

Yeah British boxing sure is booming, America is in some trouble, Mexico, Puerto Rico is still big into boxing.

Phillipines doing well also...they heve some guy fighting, Manny something or other....he seems quite popular

Mexicans boxers are tough ass nails.

Lets not get too excited yet but the word on the street is the MGM Grand has tentatively pencilled in the 5th May next year for a meeting between a certain unbeaten fighter and a Filipino icon... Yeah I know we have been through this before but I'm hopeful!

Sad news today. The New York Post is reporting that former heavyweight champ Joe Frazier has a short time left in which to live. Smokin' Joe has deadly liver cancer and is now in his final fight of his life.

Oh jeez this is a tragedy what a fighter, so brave and tough with a great hook, so many boxing memories, in a word, Legend.

Sad news. Smokin Joe one of my all time favourite fighters. A true warrior

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22Lur8x32sg


Well we had a great great fight at the weekend...Finally! A real slug fest between James Kirkland and Alfredo Angulo, here is the fight in full.

Farewell, Smokin' Joe.

Joe Frazier, the first pro to beat Muhammad Ali, and the former heavyweight champion, died today at age 67. He had cancer and it quickly beat him.

He was a good clean fighter and a decent man.

R.I.P. Joe