Boxing Rumors (Maybe Hidden Truths) 7/14/08

1. Ricky Hatton may split from his long time trainer Billy Graham. Hatton's brother Matthew has already split and moved to another gym. Ricky has not commented on who will train him for his fight against Paulie Malignaggi. Whispers of the split have been on going since Hatton's loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December. Somebody has to take the blame, why not the trainer.

2. The WBC has declared the Humberto Soto-Francisco Lorenzo fight a no contest and ordered a rematch. The rematch is to take place after Lorenzo's medical suspension is over. The suspension will not be over until December 26, 2008. Lorenzo is being fined $2000 for his unsportsmanlike behavior to influence the referee and get the win. The money will be donated to a children's hospital in the Dominican Republic, the home of Lorenzo. In the meantime, Soto can fight for the title as long as it is before the end of October, two months before Lorenzo's suspension is over.

3. Manny Pacquiao has until July 28 to decide which belt he is going to keep, the WBC Super Featherweight title or Lightweight title. If Pacquiao decides to keep the Super Featherweight title he must fight Humberto Soto with the winner fighting Francisco Lorenzo.

4. Marco Antonio Barrera and Golden Boy Promotions have agreed to amicable split with Barrera getting his release from Golden Boy and agreeing to give up his position as a partner in Golden Boy.

5. Zahir Raheem, who got KTFO by Ali Funeka in South Africa last week, is filing a protest over the fight. Raheem claims the KO punch came after the bell. Raheem who had already been down four times said he heard the bell and took his eye off of Funeka when he got KOd. Raheem claims he thought the referee may have been afraid to penalize or disqualify Funeka because of the hostile environment. The fight was mandated by the IBF as a Lightweight eliminator. Raheem is looking for the result to be changed to a no decision and a rematch ordered within 60 days. Good luck.

6. Yoel Judah will return to Las Vegas to work the corner of his son Zab on August 2nd. Zab takes on Joshua Clottey for the vacant IBF Welterweight belt. Yoel had his license revoked after his participation in the brawl his son started in a fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on April 8, 2006.

7. Word has it that Kenny Bayless will be the referee for the Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito fight on July 26. Dave Moretti, Jerry Roth, and Glen Hamada will be the three judges for the fight.