ESPN lays off hundreds

ESPN reportedly laid off as many as 400 employees on Tuesday despite record profits. Apparently due to the huge sums paid in some sports to secure broadcast rights, parent company Disney ordered the network to cut costs. No word yet on if or how these layoffs will affect ESPN’s boxing coverage.

Kessler hits London, says Froch will definitely not get his revenge

Photos: Lawrence Lustig

WBA Super-Middleweight Champion Mikkel Kessler (46-2, 35 KOs) has arrived in London prior to his unification rematch with IBF champion Carl Froch (30-2, 22 KOs). The Viking Warrior held a media training session at the Hayemaker gym today. “The hard work has been done, Jimmy Montoya has put me through some very exhausting sessions,” Kessler said. “I´ve had the best sparring of my career against top guys like Nathan Cleverly, George Groves and Erik Skoglund. I am in fantastic shape and I am ready to beat Froch again. Bring it on!

“Carl has put himself under a lot of pressure. That can make you do stupid things and mistakes. I am in great shape, I couldn´t be more ready, I feel very comfortable. Froch will definitely not get his revenge.” photos

Orucuta plans to rough up Narvaez

Early Tuesday WBO #1 Felipe Orucuta (27-1, 23 KOs) traveled from Mexico to Argentina with plans to pull off one of the biggest upsets when he faces WBO super flyweight world champion Omar Narvaez (38-1-2, 20 KOs) on Saturday at the famed Luna Park in Buenos Aires. “I’ll push Narvaez around the ring from the first round and we will win this fight. I will beat him so clearly, I’m not afraid of the judges if the fight goes the distance,” said Orucuta. “We have studied Narvaez very well and we have the proper strategy to beat him. I am well prepared and from the first second of the fight I’m going to go out to win round by round. It doesn’t intimidate me at all being in Narvaez’ homeland. It’ll be just him and me in the ring.”

Narvaez defended the WBO flyweight title 16 times and this will be his seventh defense of the WBO super flyweight belt.

Golovkin-Macklin undercard bouts announced

DiBella Entertainment has officially announced the undercard bouts for the much-anticipated middleweight championship showdown between defending WBA/IBO champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (26-0, 23KOs) and Matthew “Mack The Knife” Macklin (29-4, 20KOs). In the co-feature bout, red-hot super middleweight contender and IBO Champion Thomas “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen (21-0-1, 13KOs) puts his undefeated record on the line against fellow undefeated contender Brandon “Flawless” Gonzales (17-0, 10KOs) while top-rated junior middleweight NABF champion Willie “The Great” Nelson (20-1-1, 12KOs) squares off against Luciano Cuello (32-2, 16KOs) in the televised opener. Both bouts are scheduled for 10 rounds. The card will take place on June 29th at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Audley Harrison set for yet another comeback! “A-Force” has change of heart just three weeks after loss to Wilder

By James Slater

It looks like fight fans will have to brace themselves for yet another ring return by none other than Audley Harrison. Less than a month after his swift, 1st-round stoppage loss to unbeaten KO King Deontay Wilder, and just 20 days after announcing his retirement from the sport that saw him win an Olympic gold medal in 2000, “A-Force” has announced on his official website that we can expect to see him in a ring “real soon.”

Harrison, 31-7(23) and coming off two 1st-round KO defeats, wrote how he feels the loss to Wilder came about due to a premature stoppage on the part of the referee, and that he could not walk away now lest he regret it for the rest of his life.

“When I made the tough decision to walk away from boxing, I knew it was not going to be easy,” Audley’s statement reads. “As the days passed, I knew I would not be able to live with the decision. I wrestled with it for a few weeks, and spoke to everyone from the Boxing Board, to Lennox Lewis, David Haye, my dad, wife and many others…….ultimately, seeing my son born [on Thursday] crystallised my decision. (more…)

Paez Jr-Urango clash in the works

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Looks like Jorge “Maromerito” Paez (34-4-1, 20 KOs) will face former IBF world champion Juan Urango (24-3-1, 19 KOs) on June 8 at the the Palenque Fex in Mexicali. Also unbeaten Jose Zepeda (14-0, 12 KOs) is lined up to face former title world challenger Urbano Antillon (29-3. 21 KOs).

Anselmo Moreno no longer with Golden Boy?

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Sources in Panama have made it known that it looks like WBA bantamweight world super champion Anselmo ‘Chemito’ Moreno is no longer promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. Moreno fought three times under the Golden Boy banner against Vic Darchinyan. David de la Mora and Abner Mares, but word is he signed for four fights plus a two-fight extension. Although there is no exact information on the situation, apparently there is currently no commercial or promotional relationship at the moment and Moreno could defend his crown in Panama on July 20 without Golden Boy’s involvement.

Interview: Mikey Garcia

By Jeff Zimmerman
Photo by Robert Hughes

Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion Mikey Garcia (31-0, 26 KOs) of Oxnard, California discusses his June 15 showdown with former WBO junior featherweight and WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez (33-2, 30 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico. Their HBO-televised collision will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Any concerns on fighting Juanma
Not a concern but the most thing you have to watch out for is his power, heavy handed, both hands. He is very powerful and strong so that is something you have to watch out for.

Confidence from beating Salido so easily while Juanma lost twice
Not necessarily, because styles make fights and he’s a different style than Salido, I have to prepare for Juanma not Salido this time, so I have to make sure I am in the best shape possible. (more…)

Kessler doesn’t see much change in Froch

WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler, who takes on IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch on Saturday in London, England’s O2 Arena, was asked on a conference call last week whether Froch has changed much from when Kessler defeated him in the Super Six three years ago. “You know, I really don’t think so,” said Kessler. “He’s maybe, yes, a lot I say it – a lot – a confidence side and he has a lot of – he trusts himself a lot, you know, what he’s doing and he’s basically strong and even in the loss to me and he still worked on it and came back. So that’s good. I don’t think he really has changed anything in his boxing style. He’s still got the same mistakes and he’s still awkward and, in his way, you know, that’s his sparring style. But yet he’s still got some flaws that I would say that – very bad ones. So you can’t say it’s a new style. It’s just a more confident style.”

Michael Grant returns against Carlos Takam

Former heavyweight title challenger Michael Grant (48-4, 36 KOs) will face 2004 Olympian Carlos Takam (27-1, 21 KOs) on May 24 at the Gymnase du Clos de l’Arche in Takam’s hometown of Noisy-le-Grand, France. The 40-year-old Grant has been on the sidelines waiting for a chance to defend his WBF belt since winning it against Francois Botha in South Africa in November 2011.

Yorgey-Kennedy rematch set for June 15th

On June 15th, Marshall Kauffman’s Kings Boxing Promotions will returns to the Valley Forge Casino and Resort with an intriguing rematch between local favorite Harry Joe Yorgey (26-2-1, 12 KPOs) and Julius Kennedy (7-5-1, 3 KOs) in a jr middleweight bout scheduled for 10 rounds. On March 15th, Yorgey and Kennedy battled to a disputed six round split decision for which Yorgey’s hands were raised in victory. Many in the crowd disagreed. This will be Yorgey’s first fight since facing Kennedy, however after losing to Yorgey, Kennedy was stopped by DeCarlo Perez in five rounds on April 19th.

The eight round co-feature, it will be a lightweight Philadelphia turf war between Tevin Farmer (10-4-1, 1 KO) and Victor Vasquez (16-7-1, 7 KOs). (more…)

Boxing Buzz

With Brandon Rios on the horizon for his comeback fight, Manny Pacquiao is brushing up on chess moves . . . More

“I feel invincible,” IBF Supermiddleweight Champ Carl Froch is saying about his upcoming showdown with Mikkel Kessler. More

Who’s the latest to join the stable of Al Haymon? None other than Deontay Wilder . . . More

Johnny Bos Tribute this Tuesday at Ring 8 meeting

Ring 8 will pay tribute to the late, great matchmaker Johnny Bos tomorrow night (Tuesday, May 21st starting at 7p ET) at historic Waterfront Crabhouse, in Long Island City, New York.

Many of Bos’ friends, family and associates have been invited to attend tomorrow’s Ring 8 monthly meeting in an effort to raise funds to help defray the costs of the funeral. One-hundred percent of all proceeds raised Tuesday from new Ring 8 membership fees ($30.00 per year entitles each member to a buffet dinner at Ring 8 monthly meetings), as well as any group or individual donations, will go directly towards the funeral expenses. (more…)

Garcia vs. Garcia showdown in San Diego

By Felipe Leon

The stage is set at the Bing Crosby Hall located inside the spacious confines of the legendary Del Mar Fairgrounds for “San Diego Fights” presented by California Hall of Fame promoter Bobby DePhilippis and his company Bobby D Presents. The five-fight bout card is slated for Friday, May 24th, featuring in the main event San Diego’s own Aaron “Gavilan” Garcia (10-3-2, 2KOs) when he battles Ensenada, Mexico’s Cesar “Mayu” Garcia (8-13-1, 4KOs) in a six round super featherweight showdown. Also featured on the card will be undefeated lightweight Leon Spinks III (4-0-1, 3KOs) and the U.S. debut of Anecito “DonDon” Gesta Jr (2-1), the younger brother of world title challenger Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta. As an added bonus, fight fans will receive one free 2013 San Diego County Fair admission ticket with every boxing ticket purchased, a value of $14. (more…)

New Friday night boxing series in Tijuana

By Felipe Leon

Guillermo “Memo” Mayen of Mayen Promotions has decided to leave the comfortable confines of Las Pulgas nightclub on Revolution Ave. in the heart of downtown Tijuana, Mexico, for the Tecate Box Tour tent presently being built at the parking lot of the Caliente Racetrack. Originally set for Wednesday, May 29th, Mayen along with Zanfer Promotions have pushed up the fight card for this Friday, the 24th, and according to a source at Zanfer, the tent will be used every Friday for at least the summer. (more…)

Soto returns June 8 in Tijuana

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Mexican three-time world champion Humberto “Zorrita” Soto (60-8-2, 34 KOs) will return to the ring on June 8 in Tijuana, Mexico to defend his WBC International silver belt against Japanese Hiroshi Nakamori (33-5-1, 20 KOs) in the main event of the event organized by Promociones del Pueblo and Erik “Terrible” Morales’ Box Latino at the Monumental Villa Charra Carlos Bowser Gonzalez.

In another fight, light flyweight Luis “Pollito” Ceja (23-3-3, 19 KOs) makes the first defense of his WBC International slver title against Jose Alfredo Zuniga (10-4-1, 5 KOs).

Also, unbeaten super featherweight Adrian Estrella (11-0, 11 KOs) defends his WBC Fecarbox super lightweight crown against Colombian Luis Carlos “Bam Bam” Martinez and undefeated WBC super bantanweight silver Youth champion Rey Vargas (14-0, 13 KOs) faces an opponent to be announced.

Boxing Returns to Essington on June 20

By Rick Scharmberg

Damon Feldman announced his return to pro boxing with an anti-bullying and autism awareness show at The Deck in Essington, PA on Thursday, June 20. Billed as “Champions of Tomorrow”, the show will feature a host of local fighters including unbeaten heavyweight banger John Mercurio (6-0, 4 KOs), exciting Delaware lightweight Joey Tiberi (9-1, 5 KOs), super bantamweight Alex Barbosa (4-1, 1 KO), as well as two sons of former heavyweight world champions, welterweight Tim Witherspoon Jr. (9-3-1, 2 KOs) and unbeaten super middleweight Isiah Seldon (7-0, 3 KOs). “This is not a charity show, but a show to promote anti-bullying and autism awareness. We have Dr. Claudio Cerullo of Teach Anti-Bullying and Mike Squillacioti of Boxing against Bullying on board with us,” stated Feldman. (more…)

Alarcon vs Carrillo Headline In Denver

By Chris Morris/Rocky Mountain Boxing

Steve Mestas and Air Tight Boxing present ‘War: Battle for Legacy’ Friday, May 24th at the Red & Jerry’s event center in Sheridan, Colorado, just south of Denver.

In the 8 round main event Corey ‘Wolf Dawg’ Alarcon (17-18-1, 4 KOs) takes on Raul ‘El Chino’ Carrillo (11-1, 6KOs). Alarcon has been away from boxing for over year, his last bout a decision win over Terry Buterbaugh in February of 2012. Carrillo’s last bout was in February of this year when he won a majority decision over Cesar Holguin in a very exciting fight. Carrillo will look to prove he can overcome the experience of Alarcon showing he is ready for the next level of competition. (more…)

Statement from Andre Ward on the WBC World Champion Emeritus Title

By Andre Ward

After careful thought and consideration with my family and team, I have decided to relinquish my WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Emeritus Title. As has been recently reported, the WBC elected to strip me of my world title belt, making the upcoming bout between Sakio Bika and Marco Antonio Periban for the vacant super middleweight title. After consultation with my manager James Prince and attorney Josh Dubin, it is my belief that the WBC did not have the right to strip me of my world title and name me champion emeritus. We voiced our position to the WBC, and after several discussions, have agreed to disagree with their interpretation of the facts and rules. In our opinion, we feel strongly that I did not violate the rules in any manner whatsoever.

When I fought Chad Dawson, there was no mandatory contender. Subsequent to my victory, I injured my shoulder but have remained ready, willing and able to defend my title within the period specified by the WBC’s rules. Nonetheless, without what we feel was appropriate due process, the WBC elected to strip me of my world title. I think my track record in fighting the best opponents available speaks for itself. I worked extremely hard and dedicated my entire career to win and defend my WBC belt. As a matter of principle, I have chosen to stand up for what I believe is right. I think the fans know and appreciate that I am the super middleweight champion of the world, and I trust that I will continue to be recognized assuch. I am back in training again, feeling great, and excited about my return to the ring.

Zahir Raheem returns June 1 against Justin Juuko

Welterweight “King” Zahir Raheem (32-3, 19 KOs) is once again headed to Tacoma, WA to fight in the main event for Halquist Productions’ Battle at the Boat 92 at the Emerald Queen Casino on June 1. Raheem’s next opponent will be 40-year-old Ugandan Justin Juuko (45-11-1, 30 KOs), who has previously fought for the WBC and WBA world titles. Raheem is com ing off a second round KO of Santos Pakau after a two year layoff. Tickets for the event are still available and can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com and at the Emerald Queen Casino box office.

Carl Froch Has Open Workout in Nottingham, Predicts a “Vicious and Barbaric” Fight on Saturday

By James Slater

Carl Froch participated in a short open workout in his hometown of Nottingham earlier today, with a few hundred or so fans turning up to see “The Cobra” shadowbox and do pad work in the that was ring erected in the middle of the city. With just five days to go until Froch’s massive rematch with Mikkel Kessler, the 35-year-old also managed to find the time to sign autographs for his adoring fans. Sky Sports cameras were on hand to speak with Froch, and the 30-2(22) warrior, his IBF belt slung over his shoulder, predicted a savage fight at The O2 in London.

“If I’m totally honest, this fight is a 50-50 fight,” Froch stated. “It’s there for me to win and it’s there for me to lose as well. I know it’s going to be very, very tough, it’s going to be brutal, it could be quite vicious and barbaric. But the both of us are in there to do a job, we’re both real tough, strong warriors at the top of our game so it’s a pick ‘em fight.”

Despite the closeness of this one, arguably the best match-up of the year so far, Froch is sure he will get the revenge win in the end. “I just need to make sure I’m focused and concentrated this last week and I’ll get the job done in style,” he vowed. Froch leaves for London tomorrow.

Miguel Flores signs with Luis Decubas Jr. and Bob Santos

Undefeated Houston featherweight Miguel “El Michoacano” Flores (11-0, 6 KOs) has signed with managers Luis DeCubas Jr. and Bob Santos, who plan to have the 20-year-old fighting in the very near future. The duo has signed Flores with promotional powerhouse Golden Boy Promotions, who will promote Miguel’s bouts moving forward.

Flores, who was born in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico is excited about his career being guided by the same team that guides multi-division world champion Robert ‘The Ghost’ Guerrero. “Bob and Luis are great guys with a lot of experience managing fighters at the elite level.” said Flores. “I knew right away when I met them that they were the right fit for me. When they told me Golden Boy was going to be my promoter I was very pleased. Now that I’ve signed with DeCubas Jr. and Santos, I feel very confident that my career is going to take off.”

Shindo dethrones Szebeledi

Report by Joe Koizumi
Photos by Boxing Beat

Japanese girl Go Shindo (12-2, 8 KOs), 112, became the first boxer that seized a world championship out of Wakayama Prefecture as she impressively captured the WBC female flyweight belt by a shutout decision (all 100-90) over defending titlist Renata Szebeledi (16-10, 10 KOs), 110.75, from Hungary, over ten hard-fought rounds on Sunday in Wakayama, Japan.

Shindo, OPBF 112-pound ruler, took the initiative all the way despite the 19-year-old champ Szebeledi’s occasional retaliations.

All the cards were identical: Hubert Minn (US), Dong-Ahn Park (Korea) and Masahiro Noda (Japan) 100-90, all in favor of the Japanese challenger. The female referee was Kyoung-Ha Shin (Korea), a university professor.

Do you remember a skinny heroine Olive Oil in the comic strip of Popeye? Go Shindo was as skinny as Olive Oil when she started her boxing career in 2008. She used to be a basketball player, and has become a Popeye-punching Olive Oil in boxing. (more…)

Zimnoch and McCall talk about their battle in Poland

By Przemek Garczarczyk in Legionowo, Poland
Photos: Piotr Duszczczyk/Ringpolska

“There’s no doubt that I learned more in this fight with McCall than in my first fourteen wins as a pro,” said Krzysztof Zimnoch (15-0, 11 KOs), who on Saturday night in Legionowo near Warsaw earned a hard fought win against former WBC heavyweight champion Oliver McCall (56-13, 37 KOs). Two first judges scored it close at 77-76, 77-75 for Zimnoch. The third judge must have seen a different fight than almost 4,000 fans and all of the ringside reporters, giving the 29-year old Polish fighter a 79-75 win. (more…)

Shane Mosley and Guillermo Jones: A great weekend for the fortysomethings

By Graham Houston

Ever noticed that the best fights are seldom the PPV main events? Last weekend saw three compelling contests, each tense and dramatic in its own way.

First, let’s take a look at Sugar Shane Mosley, who gave almost a vintage performance in outpointing Pablo Cesar Cano on his opponent’s home ground in Cancun, Mexico, on Saturday night (Fox Deportes).

You’ll sometimes hear older people say “Age is just a number” but fighters such as Mosley, Bernard Hopkins of course and Guillermo Jones (more on Jones later) make you start believing it. (more…)

Greg Cohen Promotions signs Arash Usmanee

Greg Cohen Promotions announced the signing of Afghani-Canadian super featherweight contender Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs) to a promotional contract. 31-year-old Usmanee, rated #14 by the IBF, has already won the NABA and WBC Continental Americas Championships as a professional. As an amateur he was a five-time National Canadian Champion. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, Usmanee and his family moved to Alberta, Canada, when he was three years old. He now resides in Montreal.

Matthysse-Peterson: Full Report

Ringside Report: Kurt Wolfheimer
Photos: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

WBC interim super lightweight champion Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse (34-2, 32 KOs) pushed himself even further into elite status with a destructive third round knockout of IBF junior welterweight champion Lamont Peterson in a unique twelve round non-title contest Saturday night at the famed Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. In the co-main event, IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander (25-1, 14 KOs) proved he is more than just an exquisite boxer with a seven round pummeling of Lee “Lights Out” Purdy (20-4-1 13 KOs). (More)