Boxing Rumors (Maybe Hidden Truths) 3/10/08

1. Jermain Taylor-Ricardo Mayorga maybe in the works for this summer with the winner facing Roy Jones Jr. in the fall. Mayorga, who beat Fernardo Vargas in November at a catchweight of 164, will not come down to 147 or 154 as previously stated if he fights Taylor. Taylor has said he will fight at Super Middleweight which is 168. Should be interesting because Mayorga did not look that good at 164 even though he beat a shot Vargas. This is a fight in my opinion that should never happen, but $$$$$ always talks.

2. Winky Wright must really think he can beat Kelly Pavlik.Wright's Winky Promotions along with Golden Boy Promotions are trying to offer Pavlik a purse that is more than what he made for both fights against Taylor. If that is not enough Winky will make the fight in Cleveland Ohio, in other words Pavlik's backyard. This should be very interesting because that would mean money and location is not an excuse for Pavlik. ****UPDATE**** I have heard that the offer is $4 million. What is not certain is if $4million is how much Pavlik would get or is $4 million for the whole fight. If it is for the whole fight and Winky is still agreeing to giving Pavlik a 60/40 split then, Pavlik would earn $2.4 million and Winky would get $1.6 million. I have heard Pavlik got about $2.5 million for his rematch with Jermain Taylor. Should be interesting to see how this turns out in the end.

3. Those of you who want to see Jorge Linares fight in the US, you may get your wish soon. He has stated he will be defending his WBC Featherweight title in the US in May. Time will tell if a fight happens for him in May in the US.

4. Promoter Gary Shaw has inked a deal with Ahmet Oner as a new joint venture where Gary Shaw's GSP Promotions will be Arena Box Promotions (Arena) exclusive US Promoter. Arena Box Promotions is based out of Hamburg, Germany. The first fight under this new joint venture will be the May 17 HBO Boxing After Dark card featuring Heavyweight Odlanier Solis (7-0;5KOs) and Super Featherweight Yuriokis Gamboa (9-0;8KOs).