Top Rank is planning to announce that the clash between super featherweight stars Oscar Valdez and Shakur Stevenson will take place on April 30. Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum has commented about Valdez-Stevenson going head-to-head with the women’s clash between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano on the same night.
“People don’t particularly pay attention to the women’s fights,” Arum told IFL.tv. “ESPN made the schedule and they couldn’t care less. I don’t want to denigrate fights. I don’t want to be accused of being anti-women in sports, but I’m telling you, this is like the Premier league vs. women football.”
Somewhat of an uproar over Arum’s comments on social media.
Arum is right. Women’s boxing sucks.
Taylor Serrano should have been in UK really. That would avoid a clash and the fight would actually sell out in UK. Doubt MSG will sell out. I consider myself a pretty big boxing fan, and I honestly wasn’t even 100% sure what Serrano looked like, despite being aware of her for a few years. Hearn has done a decent job building Taylor up by keeping her on big cards but I don’t think that’s the case with serrano. Even Clarissa shields seems to be getting fed up with lack of recognition.
Sucks is a strong word but i agree that the level of boxing skills needs to complete his progression like it is the case these last 10 years.. Female boxers are capable of getting at the skill level of the best male fighters in terms of footwork, gesture etc but that’s not the case with the speed or power. We need to accept that and appreciate them for their work ethic, own skills, endurance etc..
I can’t wait for the Shakur Stevenson fight!!!! Said no one ever.
Stevenson will run like the little bitch he is to probably win in 12 boring rounds.
Valdez in 2! if Shuk trades
Stevenson will batter Valdez worse than that Brazilian did, leaving the likes of you crying in your beer. I bet you would not call him a bitch to his face “bitch”, At least he has the guts to get in the ring, crap like you are sidelining cowards.
I’m watching Taylor vs Serrano
Arum is spot on. I agree with Roy’s assessment of Stevenson v Valdez.
That fight will be in April. In May or June, literally a few weeks later, Mikaela Mayer will fight and Bob Arum will IMMEDIATELY began telling us all how popular she is and how much everyone just loves to watch her fight.
Agreed. Let’s remember that Bob also gave the viewing audience Evel Knievel vs The Snake River Canyon and Ali vs Inoki. He also tried to sell us a Scuba Diver vs Great White Shark but conservationists intervened.
I have seen Serrano fight and she is talented. Definitely worth watching.
Don’t forget Arum selling the public Mia St John and Butterbean
Not to mention Nico Ali Walsh and Salvador Sanchez II.
I’m surprised Walsh wasn’t on the main card. Was Sanchez worse then any of the other junior and family members that we have seen?
Nico Walsh should quit boxing, he is horrible, and is just tarnishing the Ali name.
You mean Mia St. Yawn vs Butterbutt right?
Mia was fine!
I’m going to watch the women’s fight over the men’s. It’s a way more interesting fight.
Women’s Boxing sucks when Jessica McCaskill fights! Otherwise it’s ok….. Love watching Amanda Serrano and Seniesa Estrada!!!!! Oh and Arum is just speaking what he believes to be true?? Unfortunately for Mayer whom is another one of my favs to watch
CasKILLA lol
I’ll be watching Valdez vs Stevenson on April 30th without question.
Roy, $100.00 says Shakur wins. Funny, I’ve never seen him run in a fight.
Arum is being sued for making racial bias and now he goes and make this dumb comment? There might be some truth overall, but I’m excited about Taylor Serrano. Also whats with all the counter programming? I’m sure other dates are available. I just hope they don’t put the women’s fight on PPV. Huge mistake
I’ll totally watch if it’s not PPV. If it’s PPV, not sure how motivated I’ll be. I don’t have a lot of love for Shakur Stevenson though. Probably the same deal, I’ll watch if it’s on network TV. But if I had to choose, I’d watch Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.
Well, Shakur fights like a chic as well, so it just depends on which girl fight you want to watch.
Good point!
Amanda Serrano is actually a pretty good fighter. There have been a few over the years. Its getting better but Bob Arum is right: it just doesn’t generate the same interest.
Well as soon as Stevenson feel the power he will run like chickenweather
Stevenson is like the new Floyd, he takes over the Mantel of beating up those “border worms”.
Julian: “border worms” serious man??. U gotta find a way to throw a racist remark in the mix but as soon as someone else does about a black person ur yelling, screaming and crying B.L.M.. petty…get over it dude, u want racism to end, well, it needs to start with you first!
Arum’s probably right….he’d be in position to know….but it was a bad idea for a promoter, especially one as well known as him, to say that out loud. That doesn’t exactly help women’s boxing along when one of the sport’s best known promoters is announcing that nobody cares.
This isn’t the first time Arum has made comments like this. I remember a fight on ABC years back, forget which fight, but there was a controversial decision, and one of the judges was female. In the post-fight interview, Arum pointed out that there shouldn’t be female judges, for any fight, period. Alex Wallau cut him off and said “Bob, stop”. Arum continued, and Wallau again cut him off, “Bob, Bob, stop”. It was almost unreal that Arum didn’t know any better.
Dana White said the same thing…. A long time ago. Women can sell tickets, and that’s been proven.
A famous boxing writer once said he preferred bottomless go-go over women’s boxing, because he’d rather see her box than watch her box!
He’s a silly old coot. Why would someone that supposedly loves the game degrade this clash. Taylor takes more risks and is braver than 99% of male fighters. She doesn’t possess that one punch ko shot but goes for the kill every fight. She fights to win – half his guys only fight not to lose. He’s a dick.
change “womens boxing” to “womens jelly wrestling” and the crowds will come
Should have been the co main Event
Women’s boxing is in progress and way better each year in my opinion. I can name plenty of female fighters who were skilled and great to watch like, L. Rijkers, C. Braekhus, Holly Holm, AS Mathis, L. Ali, R. Halmich, N. Ragosina etc.. But the level of competition isn’t there for the moment, too much unfair fights because of that but it’s getting better.. We need to be patient..
Regis: agreed man. I fought along side Holly in the Ammy circuit. Chic was and is still a beast. Truth be told, she hit harder than some dudes, no joke. But yes, im glad to see more women taking this serious. Taylor and Serrano is gonna be a damn good scrap. Thats just my opinion though..
If you know then you know the Taylor Vs Serrano is a big fight. The only thing that I dislike about women’s fights are they are 2 minute rounds when the should be 3 mins. Other then that it’s going to be-a good fight.
Agreed. Shld be 3 min. They dont have enough time to work inside of 2 minutes. Turns it into an ammy slugfest rather then a well thought out game plan
Some of the online comments are pretty harsh. The BobFather is candid and tells it like it is, or at least, how he sees it. I don’t agree with those comments and love women boxing but no need to crucify him over a misspeak.