– Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was arrested Friday morning in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was cited for a DUI as well as possession of narcotics. The narcotics were said to be of the “white powder” variety. Tyson stated he is an addict and has a problem. This guy has lots of problems and drug abuse isn’t a surprising vice of Iron Mike. Tyson was released from jail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on January 16.
– Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr officially announced the venue for their May 5th fight as the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Ringside tickets are outrageously priced at $2,000 a piece. This is the most anticipated fight of 2007 and the promoters are hoping the demand for tickets will warrant the high price tag.
– James Toney has hired Tae Bo guru Billy Blanks to aid in Toney’s conditioning for his upcoming rematch with Samuel Peter. Toney gained notoriety as a middleweight in the early 90’s but weighed in at a doughy 233 pounds in his last fight with Peter. Toney feels an immediate impact in his new training regimen but won’t reveal his current weight.
– Bernard Hopkins will be coming out of retirement even if he does not get his title bout with Oleg Maskaev. Hopkins previously expressed interest in returning to the ring if he could get a shot at Maskaev’s heavyweight title. Now Hopkins is considering a multitude of opponents. HBO has cleared a July 14th PPV date for Hopkins, who will be 42 when that date comes around.
– Also returning to the ring is Fernando Vargas. Vargas never officially announced a retirement but considered it after losing two consecutive bouts to Shane Mosley. Vargas just turned 29 but has been fighting professionally for ten years. He did not want to retire from boxing on the heels of two losses. No date has been set for Vargas’ return to the ring but he has been training with former trainer Eduardo Garcia.
– Juan Manuel Marquez has been elevated from WBO interim Featherweight Champion to full-time champion. The belt had been left in limbo due to Scott Harrison’s legal and personal issues that kept him out of the ring.
– January Fight Schedule
Jan 5 – Anthony Hanshaw vs. Jean Paul Mendy IBO Super Middleweight Title (Showtime)
Jan 6 – Samuel Peter vs. James Toney (Showtime)
Jan 20 – Juan Urango vs. Ricky Hatton IBF/IBO Light Welterweight Title (HBO)
Jan 20 – Jose Luis Castillo vs. Herman Ngoudjo (HBO)
Jan 20 – Nicolai Valuev vs. Jameel McCline WBA Heavyweight Title
Jan 20 – Junior Witter vs. Arturo Morua WBC Light Welterweight Title
Jan 27 – Jorge Arce vs. Julio David Roque (HBO)
Jan 27 – Kelly Pavlik vs. Jose Luis Zertuche (HBO)
