UCN Week in Review – Merchant’s Couch and Arum’s Revenge
It was a busy week for boxing’s favorite octogenarians. Top Rank’s Bob Arum is taking his highest draw, Manny Pacquiao, under his own pay-per-view production after HBO passed on Pac-Man’s upcoming fight against Jessie Vargas. Arum also made news when tweeting “Amateur hour is over” when he gave Michael Conlan the biggest contract ever for an Irish boxer turning professional.
Meanwhile, back in sunny Santa Monica, CA, Steve Kim sat with another boxing legend, Larry Merchant, for a wide-ranging interview that covered Canelo and GGG, the PBC, and the heavyweight division.
Speaking of heavyweights, a UCN imposter made news in the UK when announcing that Klitschko will fight Anthony Joshua this year (which was denied by Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn). They do say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Breaking News It’s official @anthonyfjoshua Will fight @Klitschko on 26/11. An agreement has been reached. Expect the confirmation soon
— UKUCN LIVE (@UKUCNLIVE) September 28, 2016
Here is the week that was at the Undisputed Champion Network.
Articles of the Week
The proud men: Sergey Kovalev vs. Andre Ward – The President is back on UCN with a long read on the men that make the fighters before they step into the ring next month.
Bob Arum to ‘take back business’ – Steve Kim on Top Rank’s CEO Bob Arum taking Pacquiao vs Vargas back from HBO, producing his own PPV for the event in November.
Michael Conlan’s (and Top Rank’s) Irish eyes are smiling – Bill Tibbs on how Michael Conlan’s Olympic nightmare turned into a pro career under Bob Arum’s watchful eye.
Beasts from the East: Prospects in action last weekend – Rian Scalia on several impressive prospects from the ex-Soviet countries.
New York, New York? – Steve Kim on rising insurance costs for promoters who want to take fights to The Empire State.
Videos of the Week
K9 and Merchant Part 1
K9 and Merchant Part 2
K9 and Merchant Part 3
10 Count – State of Lightweight Division
10 Count – Pacquiao vs Vargas on Top Rank PPV
Tweets of the Week
#Tysonmontana pic.twitter.com/ccaTHpVuRY
— TYSONMONTANA (@Tyson_Fury) October 1, 2016
Watch The Throne 👑 #AJBoxing #TBT pic.twitter.com/iuPEKlAzw7
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) September 29, 2016
15 years ago today: Bernard Hopkins TKO12 Felix Trinidad (WBA/WBC/IBF 160). #TBT #boxing pic.twitter.com/QuwifgiECN
— UCN (@UCNlive) September 29, 2016
You know boxing is heading the right direction when @trboxing makes a good fight and Al Haymon cant afford Sam Eggington
— Joshua #FearTheHat (@Studhardt22) September 27, 2016
