Paul Magno’s Daily Grind: Thursday, June 24th

Grinding through the week….

* Manager, Shelly Finkel, is retiring from the boxing game to focus on music promotion. Finkel has been a force in boxing for more than 30 years and currently manages over 20 boxers, including: Robert Guerrero, Victor Ortiz, Rocky Juarez, Vanes Martirosyan, Erislandy Lara, Danny Garcia and Deontay Wilder. Over the years, he’s been involved with such stars as Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Manny Pacquiao, Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor, Michael Moorer and Fernando Vargas among many others. Finkel cited the difficulty in navigating around modern boxing politics as the main reason for his full-time migration to music promotion.

* Irish Boxer Eamonn Magee, best known for being the first to knock down Ricky Hatton in a losing effort back in 2002, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for assaulting his girlfriend by attempting to throw her down a flight of stairs after an argument. Magee was released on bail, pending appeal, but ordered to remain at his current address and avoid all contact with the victim. He was also ordered to refrain from alcohol intake.

* Promoter Bob Arum has confirmed that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.’s future is in the 154 lb. division, not at 160, despite his 160 lb. fight with John Duddy this Saturday. The reason for this was confirmed here: Why Jose Sulaiman is Pushing Sergio Martinez Out the Door.

* Fallen fighter and former Lightweight World Champion, Leavander Johnson, will be honored with a statue in his native Atlantic City. Johnson was very active with local youth organizations and community groups and the statue is a tribute to his years of hard work in making the city a better place. Johnson passed away from fight-provoked brain injuries, five days after his bout with Jesus Chavez in 2005.

See y’all tomorrow for more Grind…