Saying that his character and person has been questioned, maligned, damaged and tarnished by baseless and false accusations, pound-for-pound boxing king Manny Pacquiao and promoter Top Rank Inc. announced today the filing of a lawsuit within the next few days against the Mayweathers, Floyd Sr. and Jr., et al, and Golden Boy Promotions. “Enough is enough. These people, Mayweather Sr., Jr., and Golden Boy Promotions, think it is a joke and a right to accuse someone wrongly of using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs. I have tried to just brush it off as a mere pre-fight ploy but I think they have gone overboard,” said Pacquiao in Tagalog while celebrating Christmas with his family here in Sarangani, Philippines. Continued »

Osiris Mendez Cruz/Boxnoticias.net

By Robert Coster

His nose still bandaged, former WBC light flyweight champion Edgar Sosa is recuperating, spending a quiet Christmas at his home in Mexico City with his wife and two children. The Christmas tree is shining bright and there is an atmosphere of peace. And Edgar Sosa seems to, indeed, have found peace after the traumatic loss of his title. A violent headbutt of Filipino challenger Rodel Mayol not only led to Sosa losing his crown last November 29th but wounded his spirit as well. “Mentally, it was difficult to overcome the realization that I was no longer a world champion and the way it happened,” confides Edgar, “I lost the title without actually losing the fight.” But, the always gracious Sosa assures that the worst moments have been overcome. “God knows why things happen. I’m recovering and will be back in the ring in 2010–like a champion.” As to his specific plans, the former monarch explains, “I will be going for a vacation to Haiti to discuss our plans with my manager Jacques Deschamps. There is a distinct possibility that I will move up to the flyweight division and challenge for the crown.” As for Rodel Mayol, the man who inflicted such physical and mental pain to him, Sosa commented, “Me and Mayol will meet in the ring again. Right now, I just wish a Merry Christmas to all my fans.”

Photo: Evgueny Solodov

By Alexey Sukachev (ringside)

Boxing can sometimes be shockingly wonderful only to hit you on the break a single moment later. It’s a cruel sport; one that is borderline legal in terms of humaneness. This axiom has once again been proved – by mischance – tonight at “Krilya Sovetov” sports arena in Moscow, Russia, leaving everybody in fear and illogical disbelief. For more details and photos click here…

David Green

By David Greene

The Morris Park Boxing Club, a community fixture in the Bronx, NY for over 40-years was gutted after an early morning fire on Tuesday. The fire reportedly started in the gym and quickly spread to a pair of apartments above the gym, leaving two families and dozens of fighters preparing for the New York Golden Gloves, without a home for the holidays. FightNews was at the gym on Wednesday morning as trainer and co-owner Aaron “Superman” Davis surveyed the damage and removed anything salvageable. The gym was home to over a 100 professional and amateur fighters, including two-time world title challenger Lou Del Valle and Elvir “Kosovo Kid” Muriqui. Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing and owner of the building has estimated the damage at $1 million. DeGuardia has vowed to rebuild the gym and he is working on establishing a trust fund for the victims of fire and for the gym. More photos…

As of now, the proposed March 13 super fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather is off due to the much publicized impasse over random prefight blood testing. Top Rank has now made an offer to former world champion Paulie Malignaggi, who confirmed the offer with Marc Lichtenfeld of the popular “Through The Ropes” radio show.
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Pictured above are 2-0 junior welterweight prospect Christian Martinez, newly crowned NABO champion Paulie Malignaggi, and advisor to the two fighters, Anthony Catanzaro. They spent Wednesday afternoon at the Drew Hamilton Learning Center in Harlem passing out toys to children who might not get to otherwise experience Christmas.

Undefeated WBO junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley is ready to step in against Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Manny Pacquiao should their fight against each other fall through. “Timothy is happy to defend his world title or move up to welterweight to challenge Pacquiao or Mayweather should their fight fall through,” stated Gary Shaw, Bradley’s co-promoter with Thompson Boxing Promotions. “There isn’t an active world champion who has been seen more on premium TV than Timothy. Since the day he won his first world title he has proven he is the goods. The shellacking he gave undefeated interim champion Lamont Peterson earlier this month proved Timothy is one of boxing’s elite fighters and a Top-10 pound for pounder. He’s ready, willing and able to fill the breach.” Bradley (25-0, 11 KOs) said he’s willing to take any random drug tests and is ready to fight in March, April or May next year.

Fightnews.com has obtained a copy of the letter sent by Square Ring on behalf of Roy Jones Jr. to the NSW Combat Sports Authority in Sydney, Australia, outlining alleged violations involving IBO cruiserweight champion Danny Green’s handwraps and formally requesting an independent investigation and a hearing so that the fight result can be changed to a Jones victory by disqualification. Continued »

Former world champon Ricky Hatton has resumed training. “The Hitman” has been out of the ring since being demolished by Manny Pacquiao in May. After taking a cruise over Christmas, Hatton is expected to make an official comeback announcement in February. Accoreding to the Manchester Evening News, talks have begun for a fight against Juan Manuel Marquez at the City of Manchester Stadium.

By Ron Jackson

In a year that produced a number of highs and a good many lows for SA boxers, Simphiwe Nongqayi and Mlungisi Dlamini were the leading lights. They will be at the front of the queue when votes are counted for the SA boxer of the year 2009. SA boxers won no fewer than ten “world titles” in 2009 but not many of them can be considered for a top-ten rating in the world. The exceptions are IBF champions Nongqayi and Moruti Mthalane, who could be ranked in the top ten of any of the organisations that run boxing. Some of the SA “world champions” did not hold on to their belts for long during a year in which there were fewer SA title and “world title” fights than in 2008. Only 24 national title fights were presented in 2009 after the 29 in the previous year. South Africans were involved in 22 “world title” fights in 2009 after appearing in 27 in 2008. There were no SA title fights in the heavyweight, light-heavyweight and middleweight divisions. Continued »

Boxing fans, get ready to climb “Through the Ropes” with the #1 boxing news radio show hosted by award winning boxing writer Marc Lichtenfeld! This week’s guests are Sugar Shane Mosley and Karl Freitag. Call or email your questions to ttropes@earthlink.net. Through The Ropes airs live coast to coast on Thursday nights from 9:00 – 10:00 ET on 75 affiliates of the Sports Byline USA Broadcast Network, including great radio stations like KSHP 1400 AM in Las Vegas and WNSR 560 AM in Nashville. The one-hour show will also be heard on American Forces Network, Sportsbyline.com and Fightnews.com. Fightnews readers can listen live by clicking here tonight at 9PM ET.

Roy Jones Jr. is seeking to have his first round TKO loss to IBO cruiserweight champion Danny Green reversed. The Jones Camp is asking the NSW Combat Sports Authority to disqualify Green, alleging that Green’s handwraps contained “an adhesive (polyamide substrate with latex coating) that allows the wrapping to be stretched and secured tightly with a hardening effect.” An appeal will also be made to the IBO. The Green Camp has already dismissed these allegations in a December 18 interview with Fightnews.com’s Craig Watt. “I have heard these allegations and to be honest its just sour grapes,” said Justin Manolikos the CEO of Green Machine Promotions. “Danny stopped him fair and square.” Green added, “I must have hit Roy harder than I had thought.”

Photo: José Pérez/PR Best Boxing Promotions

WBO junior featherweight champion Juan Manuel ‘Juanma’ Lopez (27-0, 24 KOs) easily made the 30 day weight limit today at el Gimnasio José ‘Cheo’ Aponte in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Lopez weighed in at 139 pounds. The maximum weight limit allowed was 146.9. Lopez will challenge WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano (37-1-1, 15 KOs) January 23rd at the Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York with HBO televising. The PR Best Boxing (Ivan & Peter Rivera) and Top Rank promoted Lopez is thrilled about moving up 4 pounds north to the featherweight division and is feeling stronger than ever. ” My weight is very good. I haven’t had to diet or anything. I had breakfast and lunch today and look at what I weighed in at today. I don’t have to sacrifice anywhere near as much to make 126 as I did 122 pounds. I’m feeling as strong as I’ve ever felt.”

After achieving his fifth successful defense on December 4th against Frederic Patrac in France, WBA bantamweight champion Anselmo ‘Chemito’ Moreno (28-1-1, 10 KOs) was honored in a ceremony today by WBA executives. WBA interim bantamweight champion Antonio Cermeño (19-0, 11 KOs) , who himself s defended his title successfully last Saturday with a dramatic 11th round TKO over challenger Alejandro Valdez in Mexico was also in attendance. Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, Executive Vice President of the World Boxing Association, stated it was only the second time the WBA gave the honor of bantamweight super champion, which is given to a champion who makes five successful defenses. Former WBA bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidorenko , whom Moreno took the title from was the other. Continued »

In response to the release sent out Tuesday by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions which stated that Mayweather vs. Pacquiao was “in jeopardy,” Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank, the promoter of seven-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, had the following to say: “Let’s be very clear on the real issues we differ on. It’s not about being tested. Manny is onboard with that since it’s such a major concern of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. It’s about who does the testing and the scheduling of the procedures. Manny will submit to as many random urine tests requested. Regarding the blood tests, he will subject himself to three tests; one given in January during the week the fight is formally announced, one thirty days from the fight, no later than February 13, and the final one immediately following the fight, in Manny’s locker room. The major issue related to the testing rests with which independent agency will administer these tests. The United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA) cannot do it because they will not amend its procedures to accommodate the blood testing schedule we have outlined. USADA, under its guidelines, would have the right to administer random blood tests as many times as they want up to weigh-in day and that is ludicrous. Continued »

Four of boxing’s finest prospects closed the year with terrific performances this past Saturday night at Cotton Eyed Joe in Knoxville, Tennessee. Fighting under the TKO Boxing Promotions banner, Matt “THE SHARP SHOOTER” Remillard, Mickey Bey Jr., Francisco “THE PHENOM” Contreras and Terance Crawford all posted huge wins as they stayed undefeated heading into the New Year. Said Chet Koerner, President of TKO Boxing Promotions, “These four young prospects are amongst the most highly regarded in boxing. For each of them, 2010 should be a terrific year with great opportunities as they continue their ascent in the sport.” Continued »

WBA #3 jr welterweight Victor “Mermelada” Cayo (25-0, 16 KOs) easily destroyed previously unbeaten countrymen Julio Reyes (14-1, 8 KOs) in the third round at the Coliseo Carlos Teo Cruz in Santo Domingo on Monday night. Cayo who should be the highest rated 140lb contender in the next WBA rankings, has targeted WBA interim champion Marcos Maidana. “Maidana can run but he can’t hide,” said Cayo. “Hopefully the WBA will force him to fight me so I can bring the title home to the Dominican Republic where it belongs and where it will stay.” Co-Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing added “Amir Khan will not fight Maidana, and will give up his title making this fight between Maidana and Cayo mandatory. Every time he fights I am more and more amazed at how good he is. I really believe he is something special and when he is champion, he will remain Champion for a very long time.”

By Przemyslaw Osiak (www.bokser.org)

HBO has apparently decided not to wait for the result of the fight between Tomasz Adamek (39-1, 27 KOs) and Jason Estrada (16-2, 4 KOs) and has proposed to the Pole’s manager Ziggy Rozalski that the next opponent for his fighter be Chris Arreola (28-1, 25 KOs). The battle will probably take place at one of the Southern California casinos on April 24. The bout will select a serious candidate for a heavyweight title. Continued »

By Ray Wheatley–World of Boxing

IBF #8 Billy Dib has held the IBO 130 pound title, but says he is now chasing IBF 126 pound champ Cristobel Cruz and also has IBO champ Jackson Asiku in his sight. He rates Rogers Mtagwa among his best wins and also treasures the relationship with Shane Mosley who was at ringside in Sydney, Australia to watch Billy fight in 2009. Continued »

By Francisco Salazar

Freddie Roach is as humble as any person in the sport of boxing. So even on a day that was supposed to honor his achievements in the sport, Roach decided to give out of his pocket to a worthy cause. Renowned trainer Freddie Roach received a certificate of recognition and a WBC belt for his accomplishments in the sport on Sunday at Rudy’s Baja Grill in Los Angeles. The presentation of awards to Roach and other boxing dignitaries coincided with a toy drive, which was sponsored by World Boxing Cares. Continued »

The American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians (AAPRP) announced today new medical recommendations for professional ringside referees. Given the unfortunate events surrounding referee Jimmy Villers recent collapse and possible heart attack immediately after a boxing contest, the AAPRP now recommends that all referees over the age of 50 obtain yearly physical examinations and cardiac stress tests (every five years) in order to prevent future possible catastrophes. Continued »

IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko wants his next title defense to again take place before a big crowd at a soccer stadium. “I want my next fight at the end of March against mandatory challenger Eddie Chambers in a soccer stadium in Dusseldorf,” Klitschko told Bild. “My fight against Chagaev at Schalke was a great feeling.” A massive crowd of 61,000 fight fans attended Klitschko’s most recent fight against Ruslan Chagaev at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Ray Wheatley

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

IBO welterweight champion Lovemore Ndou has responded to comments that former world champion Ricky Hatton made when he visited Australia as a guest of the Grange Gym and stated on Australian television that Ndou is on his short list of possible opponents to fight in 2010. Ndou says that he is happy to not only fighting Ricky Hatton but would be happy to give his brother Mathew a rematch but not in England.

“I will be happy to take on Ricky Hatton at any given day,” said Ndou. “He was recently in Australia and told the Australian media that he does not rule out taking me on as an opponent should he decide to make a comeback next year. He also mentioned that he would also like to get a rematch for his brother, Matthew. Well I already said in the past and will say it again, I am open for a rematch with Matthew but I’m not going back to England to fight him. If he seriously needs a rematch he will have to come to me this time.” Continued »

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The issue threatening to torpedo the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather welterweight superfight is the Mayweather Camp’s insistence on Olympic-style drug testing as opposed the normal drug testing procedures used by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which consists of a urine test immediately before and after the fight. Olympic style testing requires multiple random drug tests. The fighters can be expected to experience eight to ten random urine tests and five to six random blood tests in the ten weeks leading up to the fight. The Mayweather Camp has alleged that Pacquiao is taking illegal substances, although Pacman has never previously failed a drug test. The Pacquiao Camp has agreed to take a blood test before the kickoff press conference and after the fight, but the Mayweather Camp is standing firm that the random Olympic testing is non-negotiable.

Should the parties work out their differences, the fight will land on March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The Mayweather Camp has agreed to a $10 million penalty per pound or fraction thereof if either fighter comes in overweight.

Golden Boy Promotions has issued a statement announcing that the mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao is in jeopardy because Manny Pacquiao is refusing to comply with Olympic style drug testing as requested by Mayweather’s management. Early today Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions (representing Mayweather Promotions), was contacted by Top Rank President Todd duBoef, who informed Schaefer that Pacquiao would not agree to have his blood taken within 30-days of the bout. Schaefer commented, “Todd told me that Pacquiao has difficulty with taking blood and doesn’t want to do it so close to the fight. He, Pacquiao, would only agree to have blood drawn before the kick-off press conference and after the fight.” Continued »

Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

The two entities that pioneered the marriage between professional boxing and Las Vegas casinos are reuniting to present a special edition of “Latin Fury 13 / Pinoy Power 3.” The Las Vegas Hilton, then known as The International, presented the first professional boxing card ever held at a Las Vegas casino forty years ago on December 6, 1969, with a card headlined by former world champion Sonny Liston and featuring a 20-year-old George Foreman, one year removed from winning an Olympic gold medal, on the undercard. Nine years later, Top Rank promoted the first world championship fight to ever take place in a Las Vegas casino venue, also at the Las Vegas Hilton, where Leon Spinks upset heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali on February 15, 1978.

Nearly thirty-two years later to the day, Top Rank and the Las Vegas Hilton are going back to the future with a world championship doubleheader, on Saturday, February 13, featuring former world champions and current top contenders Eric “Little Hands Of Stone” Morel and Gerry “Fearless” Peñalosa, battling in a WBO bantamweight title elimination bout; two-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire defending his WBA interim super flyweight title against knockout artist Gerson “El Nene” Guerrero; WBO bantamweight champion Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel defending his crown against wunderkind Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales; and world title challengers Mario Santiago and Bernabe Concepcion battling in a 10-round featherweight rumble. For more details and photos click here…

By Nick Giongco

For fear of being outsmarted by Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao, by way of his lawyer Franklin Gacal, said in a text message late Tuesday night in the Philippines that the Filipino fighter will be “demanding a penalty of $10 million per pound or a fraction thereof over and above 147 lbs during the weighin” in relation to the March 13, 2010 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Gacal, however, made it clear that the “penalty applies to both fighters”, meaning if Pacquiao fails to make weight, he will also be forced to cough out the same amount.

Against Juan Manuel Marquez last September, Mayweather was compelled to pay Marquez a total of $600,000 for coming in at 146 lbs. The agreed weight was 144 lbs. Mayweather went on to beat the overpowered Mexican on a lopsided 12-round decision. It is unclear if Mayweather will agree to what appears to be an over-the-top demand by Team Pacquiao. Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions are staging the fight and a formal annoucement is being awaited anytime this week. Both fighters are guaranteed a purse of $25 million each and their total earnings can go up to as high as $40 million apiece.

Universum

Trainer of world champions Michael Timm says he never considered stopping the fight between WBO light heavyweight world champion Jürgen Brähmer and unbeaten Dmitry Sukhotsky, when Brähmer was under heavy sustained fire in round ten of their world title fight Saturday in Schwerin, Germany. Timm also spoke about the performances of Olympic gold medalist Rachim Tchachkijew and amateur world champion Jack Culcay, as well as Ina Menzer’s upcoming fight on January 9th. Continued »

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* UFC.com – Ten Best – The Submissions of 2009 Continued »

Two time super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez wanted to extend his warmest holiday wishes to boxing fans everywhere. The holidays will be twice as special to “El Magnifico” since he’ll also be turning 32 years old on Christmas day. Vazquez will be fighting Rafael Marquez on May 22nd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for a fourth time. He answered some questions before starting his Christmas break: Continued »

By Gabriel F. Cordero

A WBC super bantamweight eliminator between Mexican star Víctor “Viking” Terrazas (34-1, 20 KOs) and British contender Randall Munroe (20-1, 8 KOs) could be in the works. Promoter HG Boxing is trying to arrange the fight for February or March of 2010. A negotiating period between the camps is set to expire January 14 and in the event no deal is reached, a purse bid will be carried out. The winner of Terrazas-Munroe should be obligatory challenger of WBC super bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka.

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Mexican boxer Alejandro Valdez, who was knocked out by WBA interim bantamweight champion Nehomar Cermeno on Saturday night’s PPV telecast from Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, is doing well but remains under observation at the San José Clinic in Cuidad Obregón. He was taken from the arena on a stretcher and at the hospital doctors found a blood clot on his brain. He did not require surgery and the condition will be treated with medication.

Negotiations are set to begin for an IBF jr middleweight eliminator for the #1 ranking and mandatory challenger status between Deandre Latimore and Sechew Powell, which will be a much anticipated rematch. The Powell camp informed IBF Championship Chairman Lindsay Tucker of Powell’s availability today. “I am thrilled to have this opportunity,” said Powell. “The loss to Deandre has been a thorn in my side for a year and a half, and this is the chance I’ve been hoping for, to redeem myself from the loss, and get back to the place I was before it. You’ll see the real Sechew Powell in the ring this time.”
Manager Mark Vaz added, “We are very happy to have this fight come along. Sechew was terribly disappointed that his scheduled fight last week in Vegas fell through at the last minute, he had trained hard and was in fantastic shape. This is the best way we could think of to start the new year.”

The IBF has informed SES Promotions that jr. middleweight contender Lukas Konecny has lost the opportunity to face Deandre Latimore in an IBF eliminator for the #1 ranking and mandatory challenger status. Konecny, who fought Sergey Khomitski last Saturday in Ekaterinburg, Russia, was dropped for breaking IBF rules by taking an interim fight after agreeing to participate in an IBF ordered eliminator. In addition to losing the eliminator, Konecny’s ranking will be dropped to below #10 for at least six months.
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Latimore will now face the highest ranked available contender in the IBF rankings, which would be #6 Sechew Powell. The Powell Camp has until 5PM ET on December 24 to inform the IBF of his availability.

With the pivotal light heavyweight war between Rashad Evans and Thiago Silva already slated to headline the card, The Ultimate Fighting Championship®(UFC®) confirms the remaining bouts for UFC 108: EVANS VS. SILVA, which is presented by “Bayonetta” on Saturday, January 2, 2010 and live on pay-per-view from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Starting off the New Year in style, UFC 108 will feature a card stacked with explosive battles such as Dustin Hazelett vs. Paul Daley, Joe Lauzon vs. Sam Stout, Jim Miller vs. Duane Ludwig, Junior Dos Santos vs. Gilbert Yvel, Martin Kampmann vs. Jacob Volkmann, Cole Miller vs. Dan Lauzon, Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Steve Cantwell, Mark Munoz vs. Ryan Jensen, Mike Pyle vs. Jake Ellenberger and Rafaello Oliveira vs. John Gunderson. Continued »

Former world heavyweight champion Samuel Peter says he’s ready to rumble for the world title. “Doesn’t matter who — either of the Klitschko’s for starters,” said Peter, the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ who now lives and trains in Las Vegas. He has won three straight fights while boxing for Top Rank. Peter, 29, has a record of 33-3-0. He is ranked WBC #10. On Saturday, Peter stopped 363-pound Gabe Brown, knocking him down and stopping him in four rounds, on the Kelly Pavlik-Miguel Espino title card in Youngstown, Ohio. “Peter is a former world champion. He’s been at the top. He hits hard and he’s ready for a crack for the title,” said Bruce Trampler, chief matchmaker for Top Rank.

Eroll Popova

Former world title challenger Alexander Alexseev (19-1, 17 KOs), continued his reign of terror in the cruiserweight division with a brutal second round knockout over Australian Daniel Ammann (18-3-1, 4 KOs) on Saturday night in Schwerin, Germany. A former Olympian and amateur world champion, Alekseev is seeking the fastest possible route to another world title shot. Continued »

Here’s a chance for all the last minute shoppers to meet former two-division world champion and current heavyweight contender Tomasz ‘Goral’ Adamek (37-1, 27 KO). Adamek will host a “Meet and Greet” at Jersey Gardens Mall, 651 Kapkowski Road, Elizabeth, NJ 07201 Lower Level Center Court, this Wednesday (12/23) from 6:30pm-7:30pm. On February 6th at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, Adamek will take on Jason “Big Six” Estrada (16-2, 4 KOs) in a 12 rounder. Also on hand Wednesday will be three undefeated boxers who will also be featured on the February 6th show: Patrick Farrell (4-0 3 KOs); Olympian Sadam Ali (4-0 2 KOs), and Denis Douglin (6-0 3 KOs). Tickets for the fight will be available for purchase. The fighters will sign an official fight poster for each person who purchases tickets during the Meet and Greet.

Heavyweight hitters Derek Chisora (11-0, 6 KOs) and Matt Skelton (22-4, 19 KOs) are both promising explosive performances when they meet in a crossroads fight on February 13 at Wembley Arena. The pair will slug it out on Frank Warren’s first show of 2010 featuring British Champions Kevin Mitchell and Kell Brook, more heavyweight action with Sam Sexton versus Danny Williams, plus The Olympians James DeGale, Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders. Chisora vs Skelton will also double as an eliminator for the British title. Continued »

Chris Cozzone runs down the year’s action in New Mexico and El Paso: Who were the top fighters? The best cards? The worst fights? Who was the ‘Fighter of the Year?’  Click here for 2009 in review

Victor Aquilina

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

WBC female middleweight champion Wang Ya Nan (8-0, 3 KOs) of China defended the title successfully by clearly outpointing Charity Mukami (4-3-1) of Nairobi, Kenya at Malvern Town Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on Sunday. The 5′9 champion used her superior height and reach advantage effectively and outworked her 5′4 opponent in most of the rounds. At the conclusion scores were Andrew Campbell 98-92, Aneeka Williams 99-91 and Allan McColl 98-92. Continued »

Photo: Olivier Monserrat

by Robert Coster

Not too many European boxers come over to the American continent nowadays to pursue their career. But French/Haitian junior middleweight Jimmy “Pitbull”Colas (28-6, 12 KOs) has decided to do just that. Colas, a two-times European Union champion and three-times French champion, won yet another belt last Friday in Haiti (his birthplace) with a two round blowout of Dominican Junior Ramos, adding the WBC Latino interim title to his collection. The stocky 29 year-old Jimmy, signed up by Haitian promoter Jacques Deschamps, dreams of big fights in Las Vegas, the Madison Square Garden and Montreal while promoter Deschamps predicts that Colas will become a favorite of US television stations because of his non-stop action style. Fightnews caught up with Jimmy Colas, proudly harboring his newest belt with the purpose of knowing more about him and to discuss his plans for the future. Continued »

Cageside by Anthony Springer Jr.

When the WEC announced a December event in Las Vegas featuring a bout between Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Ed “9MM” Ratcliff, hardcore MMA fans knew they were in for a treat. Both fighters are known for their respective striking skills and both have a reputation for finishing fights.

Despite coming off a loss in an interim lightweight title bout to Benson Henderson, Cerrone’s record stood at an impressive 10-2 (1NC). On the other end, Ratcliff boasted a 7-1 record with six of those wins coming by stoppage . . . Click here for more

Ringside by Brady Crytzer and Antonio Castro
Photography by Gary Sarti

In a phone booth affair, WBC and WBO world middleweight Champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik (36-1, 32 KOs) battered challenger Miguel Espino (20-3-1, 9 KOs) for five rounds until the challenger’s corner threw in the towel giving Pavlik the TKO victory. In front of a supportive hometown crowd Pavlik dropped the challenger three times, each with a ripping right uppercut, en route to earning the TKO victory.

Despite being just six days before Christmas, the loyal followers of Pavlik came out in stride to support their hometown hero in the quaint basketball gymnasium that is the Beeghley Center on the campus of Youngstown State University. With 3,409 spectators in attendance, numbers paled in comparison to Pavlik’s February defense against Marco Antonio Rubio, but one would never know the difference judging by the vocal crowd support given to “The Ghost.” With the snow flurrying outside, fans were giddy with excitement . . . click here for more

Gene Blevins - Hoganphotos/Golden Boy

(From left to right) Former junior featherweight world champion Daniel Ponce De Leon, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former two-time junior featherweight world champion Israel Vazquez pose on Saturday at the 28th Annual Miracle On 1st Street Toy Giveaway in East Los Angeles, California.

Team Valero

By Gabriel F. Cordero

WBC lightweight champion Edwin Valero (26-0, 26 KOs) retained his title by sixth round TKO against Héctor Velázquez (51-14-2, 35 KOs) on Saturday night at the Polideportivo Jose Maria Vargas in La Guaira, Caracas, Venezuela. Valero battered Velázquez throughout the fight and the challenger did not come out for the seventh round. Valero suffered small cuts on the bridge of the nose and over the left eye, both caused by unintentional headbutts in the first round. “It was a little frustrating,” Valero said of the cuts, “but gradually I realized that the fight was mine.” The cuts aren’t expected to cause any problems with his scheduled February 6th fight against Antonio DeMarco scheduled to take place at a site in Mexico. It was Valero’s first fight in his homeland in nearly four years. “This is a gift for all of Venezuela,” he said after the fight. More photos…

Report by Anthony Springer Jr.

WEC 46: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff contained no title fights, and none of the superstars the WEC has been known for.

Yet, after “Cowboy” and “9MM” slugged it out for three hard fought rounds, WEC general manager Reed Harris couldn’t have been happier . . . Click here for more

Chris Farina/Top Rank

“It felt great to get back in there,” said WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik after his fifth round stoppage of very game WBC #3 Miguel Espino on Saturday night. “There was a little rust in there, but I tip my hat to the kid. He came to fight.” The champion said his injured left hand came through the bout in good shape. “It’s a little tender right now but no problems in the fight tonight. We threw hooks, we threw jabs, we threw body shots and it held up.”

Pavlik was originally slated to fight Paul Williams, first on October 3rd, then on December 5th, however when a lingering staph infection on Pavlik’s left hand would have postponed the fight a second time, the Williams Camp would agree to no more delays and chose to fight Sergio Martinez instead. Pavlik now wants to take care of unfinished business with Williams. “That’s the top name in the division and I want him,” stated ‘The Ghost.’ Continued »

Unbeaten light flyweight Johnriel Casimiro (13-0, 8 KOs) won the vacant WBO interim light flyweight belt on Saturday night with an eleventh round KO over former WBA interim beltholder César Canchila (28-3, 22 KOs) on Saturday night at Denis Martínez Stadium in Managua, Nicaragua. Casimiro dropped Canchila twice in the eleventh round and referee Jose H. Rivera stopped the fight after the second knockdown. Time was 1:40. The bout headlined a fight card dedicated to the memory of ring legend Alexis Arguello.

Photo: K2 East

By Alexey Sukachev and K2 East

WBA I/C light middleweight titlist Zaurbek Baysangurov (23-1, 17 KOs) retained his title by the fifth round TKO over Frank (Faruk) Shabani (18-2-0, 6 КОs) on Saturday night at the Yunost Sport Palace in Zaporizhya, Ukraine. Baysangurov against Shabani headlined a huge boxing fight card, billed the “Champions league” and held by the K2 East Promotions company of the Klitschko brothers in this Ukrainian city in the southeast of Ukraine. Shabani suffered a left hand injury, forcing referee Jose Ignacio Martinez to wave the contest off and to declare Kiev-based Russian the winner during the break before round six. Continued »