Don King Tries To Drum Up City’s Support For Silverdome Fight » Chewing on an unlit cigar, an American flag in his hand, boxing showman extraordinaire Don King on Thursday called on leaders of the Detroit Three automakers, Gov. Rick Snyder and Detroit mayor Dave Bing to be at Saturday night’s Super Fight at the Silverdome… MIKE BRUDENELL , www.freep.com

For Timothy Bradley Jr., This Fight Is Worth The Waiting » When the desert winds blow fiercest in the Coachella Valley, most scramble for cover from the blinding sands or torrid heat. • Not Timothy Bradley Jr. The Palm Springs boxer refuses to yield to such discomfort, letting nothing distract him from the work at hand: to train. And if that includes a solitary eight-mile run through conditions that would break almost everyone else, well, that’s what this is all about…  Lance Pugmire, www.latimes.com

Alexander, Bradley Represent New Breed » American boxing superstars are few and far between these days. • Sure there are some. Bernard Hopkins has a mainstream name, but he is 46 and must be close to the end, even though he continually defies Father Time. Shane Mosley, who is 39, is limping toward the finish line of a brilliant career. • Floyd Mayweather Jr. is clearly the biggest name in American boxing, but at 33, he’s not getting any younger. Besides, he rarely fights anymore and faces several serious criminal charges stemming from an alleged domestic incident in September. • So who else is there?… Dan Rafael, sports.espn.go.com

Don King © TIME/LIFE; Bradley/Alexander photo by Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Nick Diaz, the consensus mixed martial arts #7 welterweight (USA Today/SB Nation) in the world, shocked many on Jan. 25 when trainer Cesar Gracie revealed a boxing match clause in his new contract.

Although Diaz re-signed with California-based organization Strikeforce, the welterweight champion added a clause that will allow him to compete in a boxing match this year.

Diaz, who defends his title this weekend against challenger Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos, is expected to exercise that clause against a recognizable name, potentially earning what he and his trainer feel he deserves.

“In boxing, when you’re a superstar, you get millions of dollars,” Gracie told ESPN.com. “In MMA you’re not making that kind of money.”

“We’re in negotiations right now with [boxing promoter] Don Chargin,” Gracie disclosed, adding that, “It would probably be at super middleweight [168 pounds].”

In a recent conference call for his upcoming title fight, Diaz expressed his displeasure in fight compensation.

“I just want to get paid. [Boxing champion Manny] Pacquiao’s making $40 million…I’m over here driving a Honda because my [car] is breaking down.”

Diaz, who currently sports a record of 23-7 (12 [T]KO’s, 7 Submissions), has already had his name thrown around with potential opponents.

“There have been a few names kicked around. One of them is Fernando Vargas; another is Ricardo Mayorga.”

Vargas, who has been the object of comeback rumors over the past few months, is now 33 and has not been seen in the ring since November 2007, when Mayorga defeated him by majority decision.

Mayorga, whose foray into MMA in May 2010 was subjugated by boxing promoter Don King due to contractual limitations, is a definite possibility. However, the two-time champ is competing on March 12 with WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. Director of Public Relations for Don King Productions, Alan Hopper appears to be keeping his options open.

“As long as the combatants can adhere the particular rules of the game they are participating in – in this case a boxing match – we’d be perfectly OK with that,” Hopper told ESPN.com.

“Now, obviously, we hope [Mayorga] beats Cotto and will have bigger fish to fry in the boxing world. But you never know, you never know.”

Although the Stockton native, Diaz, is not looking past his title defense this weekend, we as fans can not help but imagine the potential for what could inevitably be the one of the most marquee pugilistic leaps.

— Alex Neely

Illustration by  Chris Williams

Manny Pacquiao Trainer Freddie Roach Preferred Juan Manuel Márquez Over Shane Mosley » There is no shortage of boxers who want to take down the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. • But if Manny Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, had his way, the Filipino superstar would be taking on Mexican Juan Manuel Márquez. Instead, Pacquiao is scheduled to fight against Shane Mosley on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas… Wil Cruz, latino.foxnews.com

Promoters For Alexander-Bradley: Why Not Detroit? » The greater Detroit area, smack in the middle of one of the USA’s most economically depressed regions, is not usually high on the list of destinations for major sporting events these days. • Which is precisely why boxing promoters Gary Shaw and Don King insist that it is the most desirable venue for staging their Jan. 29 “Superfight” — a matchup of undefeated junior welterweight fighters Devon Alexander (21-0, 13 KOs) and Timothy Bradley (26-0, 11 KOs)… Bob Velin, www.usatoday.com

Tim Bradley Won’t Let Flu Slow Him For Devon Alexander » FanHouse spoke to 27-year-old WBO junior welterweight (140 pounds) king Tim Bradley in this Q&A as he prepares for an HBO televised, Jan. 29 clash opposite 23-year-old southpaw WBC titlist Devon Alexander that is slated for the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich. • Nicknamed, “The Desert Storm,” Bradley (26-0, 11 knockouts) told FanHouse that he will not allow a recent bout with the flu interfere with his training for Alexander (21-0, 13 KOs), who is called, “The Great.”… Lem Satterfield, boxing.fanhouse.com

Promotional Rivals Bob Arum, Don King Unite » The differences between the two boxing sages are seemingly as endless as are their similarities. • Top Rank Promotions CEO, Bob Arum, graduated from Harvard with a degree in law, while rival promoter, Don King, a once-jailed, former criminal, will tell you that “I graduated from the University of The Ghetto.”… Lem Satterfield, boxing.fanhouse.com

No End In Sight To Golden Boy-Top Rank Divide » One of the haunting criticisms of boxing is that the best fights don’t get made. • Outside the obstacles that have kept the sport’s super-fight — Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather Jr. — on hold, there is a devastating cold war that exists in the silence between the sport’s top two promoters, Bob Arum’s Top Rank and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions… Lance Pugmire, latimesblogs.latimes.com

BORGES: It’s Time For Boxing To Create New Heroes » In boxing, as in life, timing is everything. Timothy Bradley figured that out a long time ago. • After being stripped of the WBC light welterweight title for allegedly ducking Devon Alexander 18 months ago, Bradley was accused of refusing to risk his future. Alexander went on to lay claim to the belt Bradley once wore while Bradley cited business considerations and Alexander’s low profile as the reason he opted out to pursue what he hoped would be bigger paydays… Ron Borges, www.thesweetscience.com

So, Is Floyd Mayweather Scared? » What other possible explanation could there be for his unwillingness to fight Manny Pacquiao, even after Pacquiao has agreed to the stricter-than-necessary drug testing that derailed a potential March bout?… Source: deadspin.com

Floyd Mayweather’s Refusal To Acknowledge Manny Pacquiao Negotiations Casts Doubt In Fight » Here’s the funny thing about the recent Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao negotiations, which now are a scant 48 hours away from a decision deadline: The Mayweather side never even has acknowledged they happened… David Mayo, www.mlive.com

Spinks Creates Title Tripleheader In St. Louis » Don King is putting on a title triple-header in St. Louis. • The Hall of Fame promoter will have IBF junior middleweight champion Cory Spinks defend his belt against Cornelius Bundrage on Aug. 7 at the Scottrade Center, on possibly the deepest card that King has staged in years… DAVE SKRETTA (AP)

Haye Promises Historic Knockout » David Haye has vowed to produce “one of the most jaw-dropping knockouts of all-time” when he attempts to win Nikolai Valuev’s WBA heavyweight title on Saturday. • Londoner Haye is aiming to secure a portion of the so-called “richest prize in sport”, but to do that he must beat a man who stands nearly a foot taller than him at 7ft 2ins and who has never been down on the canvas in his 16-year professional career… Source: The Press Association, www.google.com

Don King And Mike Tyson Make Nice At Las Vegas Boxing Event: Boxing Insider » No one promotes a fight like Don King. • His Hairness returned to Las Vegas on Saturday — Halloween — for the first time in four years to put on the inaugural boxing card at Treasure Island. While the nationally televised show had its share of action in the ring, the real news was King making nice with Mike Tyson, a surprise commentator for the Showtime telecast… Source: www.cleveland.com

Manny Pacquiao Vs. Miguel Cotto: The Next Super-Fight » On Nov. 14th, two of the biggest stars in boxing will face-off for a PPV super-fight.  Super-fights are something special in boxing; they are the types of fights that get the general public to pay attention to the sport of boxing. • I go through a few different phases for super-fights: • PHASE 1: Going into a big fight like this I always envision an epic battle between two gladiators, blood and guts warriors, grit, sweat, anger, and any other adjectives that sound tough and manly! I blog about what an amazing ballsy, kick-butt fight it will be. I talk to whoever will listen about my expectations, scientific analysis, and true gut feelings.  This is a great phase to be in… Bryan Brennan, www.nesn.com

Tyson photo by Time/Life ©

Williams Vs. Wright: Defensive Prowess Or Offensive Mastery? » Saturday night’s fight between Paul Williams and Winky Wright offers a contrast of styles that looks intriguing. Plus, a heavyweight scrap that’s got excitement written all over it with title fight implications between Chris Arreola and Jameel McCline • July 2007 – that was the last time we saw Winky Wright, a former junior middleweight champ who had just lost a tough decision to Bernard Hopkins – the first decisive one of his career. In the months that followed, many wondered when Winky would fight again, at what weight (he fought Bernard at light heavy) and against whom… Ramon Aranda, www.411mania.com

Taylor Hoping For Another Breakthrough » LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — For a few years, Jermain Taylor had Arkansas buzzing about boxing. After beating Bernard Hopkins in 2005 for the middleweight title, Taylor’s home state greeted him with the type of adulation often reserved for its college football and basketball teams. • Now, Taylor’s no longer a champion, and it’s been a while since his hometown of Little Rock had a chance to celebrate one of his big victories. The 30-year-old hopes to change that when he fights Britain’s Carl Froch on April 25 in Mashantucket, Conn., for Froch’s WBC super middleweight belt… Noah Trister, AP Sports Writer, www.usatoday.com

Top St. Louis Boxers Headline Don King Card April 24 » ST. LOUIS—The three best boxers in St. Louis will be showcased on the same Don King-promoted fight card at Scottrade Center on Friday, April 24. • The main event will feature the long-awaited hometown showdown for the vacant International Boxing Federation junior middleweight championship between former four-time world champion Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks (36-5, 11 KOs) taking on IBF No. 6-ranked contender Deandre “The Bull” Latimore (19-1, 16 KOs). The co-feature showcases the Gateway City’s fastest-rising star, undefeated World Boxing Council No. 1-ranked super lightweight Devon Alexander “The Great” (17-0, 10 KOs) meeting an opponent to be announced… Source: www.boxinginsider.com

(Photo: Williams/Wright by Gene Blevins- Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions.)

Don King Boxing: Wii Review by Brian Browne » 2K Sports and Don King have teamed up to bring us Don King Boxing. This game takes advantage of the Wii remote/nunchuck and the balance board. However, the balance board is optional for this game. This installment features a lineup of boxers including: Joe Louis • Rocky Marciano • Joe Calzaghe • Kelly Pavilik • James Braddock

>> KING FOR A DAY? WELL, SORT OF In case you overlooked it: Yesterday was Don King Day in Washington, complete with an official resolution from the D.C. Council. Only one thing was missing—the honoree. —Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts, www.washingtonpost.com

>> When Katie Bernt steps into the ring at Grand Island’s Golden Gloves competition this Saturday, she’ll be hearing it from all sides literally. • At least seven of her siblings will surround the ring, strategically placed by Dad to shout encouragement. • And when she gets done, she’ll do the same for them, helping create the Bernt family’s signature wall of sound. —Mark Coddington, theindependent.com

>> Feb. 28 (Bloomberg) — Evander Holyfield said he and Mike Tyson are discussing the possibility of fighting each other for a third time, the Guardian newspaper reported, citing an interview with the four-time heavyweight boxing champion. —Dan Baynes, www.bloomberg.com

(King Photo by Michel Comte)