Former Boxing Champion Jose Antonio Rivera Aspiring to Join Police Officer

Former boxing world champion Jose Antonio Rivera now wants to pursue his career at his state police department. However, the problem is that he is now 36 and according to Massachusetts state law, anybody applying for a job of police officer or firefighter must be 32 or less. However, Worcester city councilors are now trying to waiver the state law to give Jose Antonio Rivera a chance to start his second career at Police department. Currently working as a juvenile court officer in Worcester, Jose Antonio Rivera once held WBA welterweight and WBA world super welterweight titles during his career.

Even if he is granted a waiver, Jose Antonio Rivera would have to take the Civil Service test in his pursuit to be a police officer. This was revealed by Councilor-at-large Frederick Rushton who also added that it was less likely that Rivera would be able to join the police force very soon because the city was struggling with budget.

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usatoday

Antonio Margarito Pleads Innocence but no License for One Year

Antonio Margarito is now in big trouble because he has been suspended for one year and he will not be able to apply for any boxing license for the next one year. It means that he will be out of action for quite sometime and his fans will have to tolerate life without him.

LA Times wrote:

The California State Athletic Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to revoke former boxing welterweight world champion Antonio Margarito's license for one year, and that of his trainer, for having illegal plaster-like substances on his hand wraps before his title fight against Shane Mosley.

Margarito said that he did nothing more than hold up his fists for his trainer to wrap before the fight, but his argument failed to move the commissioners.

Antonio Margarito is not a superstar in boxing and very few people know about him outside of USA. However, it seems that boxing is quite popular in USA and people like Antonio Margarito can earn a lot of money.

Ricky Hatton: Joe Calzaghe is the Best Ever British Boxer

British boxer Ricky Hatton has said that recently retired Joe Calzaghe is the best boxer Britain has ever had. Joe Calzaghe, who did not lose any of his 46 professional bouts, announced his retirement from boxing on Thursday. The Welshman held the WBO super-middleweight title for more than record 11 years. During these years, he defended the title for 21 times. Towards the end of his career, he rose to light-heavyweight weight division and became the The Ring' light-heavyweight champion defeating American boxer Bernard Hopkins.

BBC reported:

Hatton told BBC Radio Wales: "To hold the title for as long as he did is an absolutely phenomenal achievement."

"I was delighted with the way he finished his career," addded former light-welterweight champion Hatton.

"To be perfectly honest, with everything that Joe had achieved in his career, if he didn't get the chance to top the bill in Vegas and Madison Square Garden, I think it would have been a crying shame."

Well, there are some who believe that Calzaghe did not face strong and quality opponents during his career. However, Hatton dismissed all these talks, stating that Calzaghe outclassed all the opponents whoever was put in front of him. Indicating his victories against Roy Jones Jr and Hopkins, Hatton said that Calzaghe successfully faced some of the undefeated and ambitious opponents like Lacy and Kessler. So, people should not question about the quality of players Calzaghe faced during his career.

Vic Darchinyan Defeated Jorge Arce to Win WBC, WBA and IBF Super Flyweight Titles

Vic Darchinyan has clinched WBC, WBA and IBF Super Flyweight titles after defeating Mexican boxer Jorge Arce. The bout was held at the Pond in Anaheim, CA. Darchinyan dominated over Arce throughout the fight, giving him very few chances. Arce’s defense fell short to Darchinyan’s punches and got knocked out after 11 rounds.

Jorge Arce tried his best, but Darchinyan was at the top of his form and Arce looked simply helpless. This is perhaps the best victory for Darchinyan in his professional career. Now, let us see if Jorge Arce can bounce back in the ring and make a strong shot to retain the titles.

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saddoboxing

Great Boxer Joe Calzaghe Retired from Boxing

Boxing legend Joe Calzaghe has decided to hang on his gloves as the Welshman decided to quit from boxing ring today (5 February 2009). The 36-year-old boxer has finished his professional career undefeated with a career record of 46 wins including 32 knockouts without losing any fight. Joe Calzaghe is the reigning Ring Magazine light heavyweight champion, and he formerly held WBO, WBA, WBC, IBF, The Ring Magazine titles at super middleweight division. Holding WBO super middleweight title for over 10 years, Calzaghe made a record for the longest reigning world champion in professional boxing.

Joe Calzaghe admitted that it was not easy decision to retire from boxing, but he felt that he had nothing left to achieve in boxing. That is why, he decided to retire from ring.

Times Online reported:

“It was a difficult decision but I have achieved everything I wanted to achieve in boxing,” he said. “I’ve been world champion for 11 years. I’ve got no other goals to go for. That’s why I am calling it a day.

"My decision is to retire. I’ve been boxing for 25 years and, like I said, I’ve achieved everything I want to achieve,” he said. “You can never say never in this game, but I can’t see myself boxing again. There’s loads of things I want to do. I’m proud to be one of only a few fighters in history to retire undefeated.”

Joe Calzaghe’s last fight came November last year in Madison Square Garden where he outclassed American boxer Roy Jones Jr. comfortably. The ease with which he won the fight, it is obvious that he could continue his career for couple of years more.

Shane Mosley Wins WBA Welterweight Title Defeating Antonio Margarito

Shane Mosley created an upset as he won the WBA welterweight title defeating Antonio Margarito emphatically. Mosley knocked out his Mexican opponent in the ninth round of the fight. In fact, it was the first ever knock out victory for the California based boxer Shane Mosley who now has won three world titles in three different weight divisions. Margarito went into the fight on the back of an excellent victory against Miguel Cotto who was unbeaten before the fight held six months back. Following that victory, people started consider Margarito as one of the best pound for pound boxers in world boxing.

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Seattletimes

Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton: A Super-Fight on May 2, 2009?

The boxing world is expecting a possible super-fight between British boxer Ricky Hatton and Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao on May 2 at 140 pounds. However, the proposed fight is not yet confirmed as Pacquiao has not confirmed the deal yet. Hatton is ready to sign the deal, but Pacquiao is yet to confirm it. Golden Boy Promotions will promote the fight and the two parties have also agreed on a 50/50 split of the total money. Golden Boy Promotions even also ensured that it would provide Pacquiao a percentage of the promotional profits. Still, Manny Pacquiao has not sent a signed contract to his promoter Bob Arum.

So, Ricky Hatton, his father come manager, Ray Hatton, and Ricky’s attorney have already asked Golden Boy Promotions to look for new opponents, if Pacquiao does not ensure the fight by Wednesday midnight. Bob Arum, the promoter of Manny Pacquiao, sounded helpless in this regard as he said that he had tried his best to make the fight so far, but still, it was not confirmed.

Both the boxers are very popular in boxing world and boxing fans are eagerly waiting to see an encounter between Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao.

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Los Angles Times