Book Review by Robert L. Seltzer "MY MOTHER and me" by Thomas Hauser “MY MOTHER and me” is one of those books that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. The book has a narrow focus — the relationship between a son and his mother. But there is nothing narrow or parochial in the approach. Like all talented writers, Thomas Hauser captures the universal by portraying the specific. A slender book — only 140 pages — the memoir is no less substantial for its brevity. The writing is clear and lucid with gentle flights of poetry that reflect the emotions that motivated the son t ..read more

By: Sean Crose "If you want to go to a Mets game, let me know because I'm throwing the first pitch." So said Ryan Garcia on social media Tuesday. Things apparently didn't go as planned. "The Mets just wasted three hours of our life," Garcia posted later, "to say at the end we can't throw the pitch for whatever reason. There was no reason and they kicked us out for no reason. I'm personally going to say "f--k the Mets! Don't ever go to a f-----g Mets' game again. F--k the Mets!" In truth, both Garcia and Devin Haney - the junior welterweight kingpin Garcia is set to fight this weekend at Brook ..read more

By: Sean Crose Some people feel there's far too many belts in professional boxing. It's hard to argue against the WBC's new belt, however, which has been made to commemorate the 18th of May's undisputed heavyweight championship fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. Why? Because the new belt has literally received a Papal Blessing. That's right, Pope Francis himself has personally blessed the commemorative belt after it was presented to him by WBC honcho Mauricio Suleiman. This isn't the first time His Holiness has gotten involved with the sweet science. Back in 2019, Pope Francis named ..read more

By: Sean Crose "My father was a professional," rising bantamweight John Leonardo tells me, "so I just followed in his steps pretty much." Sure enough, New Jersey's Leonardo comes from boxing stock, his father having been a professional middleweight. Indeed, the senior Leonardo also gave his son the nickname the junior Leonardo now goes by - Body Shot. "My dad was a body puncher," Leonardo says, "one of the best body punchers. That was something that was instilled in my mind." The senior Leonardo also seems to have helped instill a quality style for his son. Fighting behind a high guard and an ..read more

By: Sean Crose Speaking to Fight Hub, Canelo Alvarez made it perfectly clear that he's not going to break under any amount of pressure. In other words, those who want the undisputed super middleweight titlist to face ferocious contender David Benavidez aren't going to bend the man's will. "They always have something to say about me," Canelo said of his critics. "If you see my resume, I fought with everybody, so I don’t have anything to say to those people. They’re never going to understand that." While it's true, a fight between Canelo and Benavidez would be wonderful for fans, as well as for ..read more

By: Sean Crose "I think he’s underestimating me," Jake Paul told Fox News' Jesse Watters Wednesday night." Paul was referring to the legendary Mike Tyson, of course, the former heavyweight great he's to do battle with July 20th in Texas. Although this can be seen as the ultimate novelty fight, both Paul and Tyson appear to be taking preparations seriously. "It’s a heavyweight fight so he's the bigger man," said Paul, "but I'm the faster man...It’s a really interesting matchup." Indeed, "interesting" may be the perfect word to describe Tyson-Paul. The matchup is so interesting. in fact, that i ..read more

By: Sean Crose “Wow - What a signing!” says Matchroom honcho Eddie Hearn now that IBF welterweight champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis has signed with his promotional outlet. “I’ve watched this young man for many years, and I always believed he would become a pound-for-pound great, and I have no doubt he is already the greatest fighter in the division. To win the race to sign Jaron is a massive coup for Matchroom Boxing and DAZN." Sure enough, the 31-0 Ennis is rightfully seen as representing the future of the sport. “Holding the IBF title," Hearn continues, "in one of boxing’s glamour division ..read more

By: Sean Crose "You’re going to see an ass whipping," Ryan Garcia told Golden Boy Boxing before a public workout on Tuesday. Garcia, of course, was referring to his impending April 20th bout against lightweight king Devin Haney at Brooklyn's Barclay's Center. "It’s going to be light work for me," Garcia continued, "another day at the office." Devin Haney? Light work? Another day at the office? "He’s not on my level," Garcia said. "He’s never going to be at my level." Although most fans and analysts might disagree, the popular Garcia came across as confident when he uttered those words on Tues ..read more

By: Sean Crose "I’m closing out my career," former WBO featherweight titlist Heather Hardy tells me over the phone. "I really wanted to make the most of my last year of fighting." Hardy, who has been at the forefront of women's boxing for a decade now, is certainly finding new worlds for herself to conquer. For this May the Brooklynite will be making her debut with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) . Her opponent? None other than undefeated flyweight champion Christine Ferea. "I reached out to Christine," Hardy continues. "She’s always been really supportive throughout my career ..read more

By: Sean Crose Undefeated Brooklynite Richardson Hitchins took on Gustavo Lemos in a scheduled twelve round IBF junior welterweight title eliminator Saturday night in Las Vegas. The fight was the main event of a DAZN broadcast card. First, however, super middleweights David Pacheco and Shawn McCalman battled in a match scheduled for ten. It was supposed to be an easy fight for Pacheco, but that did not prove to be the case. McCalman appeared determined and sharp throughout much of the match. Clearly, no one had informed the man that he was supposed to lose. Not that Pacheco didn't have moment ..read more