By Alexey Sukachev

In an interesting second semifinal, Colin Lynes (33-6, 12 KOs) scored an important, yet rather dubious knockdown over Young Mutley (27-5, 13 KOs) in the third to acquire a split decision with the scores 30-27 (twice) and 28-29 over his foe. The fight was even, however, but was scored 29-28 by Fightnews, based on the late decking of Mutley. The final is yet coming.
—–
Gavin Rees (now 30-1, 14 KOs) advanced to the finals of junior welterweight Prizefighter with a dominant win over fellow Welshman Jason Cook (26-3, 13 KOs). Rees controlled the rhythm of the fight and dropped Cook with a nice left hook in the second. 34-year old veteran had some success late on but it was indeed ‘too late’. Scores were 29-26, 29-27 (Same with the Fightnews) and 29-28 – for Rees.
—–
In a hard-fought but not so exciting three-rounder, Colin Lynes (32-6, 12 KOs) scored a thin split decision over David Barnes (24-2-1, 11 KOs). Both fighters did little boxing but more grumping and clinching. Scores were 29-28 – twice for Lynes and once – for Barnes.
—–
Another Welshman Barrie Jones (16-4, 7 KOs) failed to advance furhter after a loss to Young Mutley (27-4, 13 KOs) over three. Mutley took the first two rounds with his precision and he also wasn’t credited a legitimate knockdown in the first. In the third, Jones tried to turn back the tide but it was too late. All three judges had it unanimously 30-27 and 29-28 – for Young Mutley. Fightnews had it 29-28 for him as well.
—–
Former world champion Gavin Rees (29-1, 14 KOs) advanced into the semifinal with a quality win over Ted Bami (26-6, 13 KOs) in the second quarterfinal. All three scores were 30-27 – for the light- but busypunching Welshman, who got the better of Bami with his activity. Fightnews saw it 29-28 – also for Rees.

By Graham Houston

Last weekend on ShoBox we saw a heavy handed puncher lose his unbeaten record when John Molina was outpointed by Martin Honorio. On Friday, another undefeated young banger, the junior middleweight Tyrone Brunson, appears on ShoBox in a 10-rounder against the experienced Carson Jones. Will lightning strike twice? It will be fun finding out. Continued »

Save $10 On Pants At Everlast.com + Save $25 on Pro Leather Fight Style Bag Gloves Click here…

By Johnny B’

Devin Zugic makes his debut as a boxing promoter tonight as Finest Promotions features professional boxing from Cicero Stadium in Cicero Illinois. The main-event features The Contender’s Rudy Cisneros 11-2 taking on journeyman Pat ‘The Cat’ Coleman in a light-middleweight contest. Also featured on the six bout card’s schedule is undefeated Illinois heavyweight David Latoria 3–0 versus Michigan veteran Cleophris Glover 3–11. Derek Zugic makes his professional debut against fellow light-heavy Cesar Martinez 1–0. Bouts start at 7:30pm. Cicero Stadium 1909 S. Laramie, Cicero IL

Houston Alexander knows a little something about making the most of an opportunity. When the 37-year-old Omaha, Nebraska resident debuted in the Ultimate Fighting Championship® in 2007, he needed just one minute and 49 seconds combined to dispatch of both Keith Jardine and Alessio Sakara in devastating, knockout fashion. Continued »

Amir Khan 139.5 vs Dmitriy Salita 140
(WBA super lightweight championship)
Kevin Mitchell 134 vs Breidis Prescott 135
Note: Both Salita and Prescott were forced to shed their clothes to make weight.
Venue: Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, England
Promoter: Frank Warren
TV: SKY PPV

Be sure to visit the NEW Fight Glove Friday page for your chance to win an authentic pair of autographed Paul ‘The Punisher’ Williams gloves. These are the same gloves The Punisher will wear Saturday night on HBO against Sergio Martinez.

Photo: Sauerland Event/Photo Wende

Marco Huck 196 vs Ola Afolabi 196.4
(WBO cruiserweight championship)
Alexander Povetkin 221.6 vs Leo Nolan 230.4
Dominik Britsch 159.6 vs Cleber Argente Alves 159.8
(IBF Youth middleweight title)
Venue: Ludwigsburg Arena, Ludwigsburg, Germany
Promoter: Sauerland Event
TV: ARD (Germany)
More photos…

Take one step inside the brand-new, 38,000-square-foot UFC® GYM™ in Concord, Calif. and you’ll quickly learn that this is no ordinary fitness facility. As music pumps through the gym, an enthusiastic teenager swings heavy ropes, visions of Randy Couture dancing in his head. In another corner of the sprawling exercise center, a forty-something businessman channels his inner-Machida during karate class. And inside the UFC Gym’s renowned Octagon™, a mother of three fresh off the treadmill eagerly kicks Thai pads held by a dedicated instructor. Continued »

Story by Anthony Springer Jr.

From the moment the promos began to run for the highly anticipated tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter, the rumors began to fly. In addition to a pair of coaches who have next to no love for each other in “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans, all eyes were on one particular fighter.

That man was Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson . . . Click here for more

World ranked flyweight Rayonta Whitfield will don the colors of black and red of his home state Atlanta Falcons this Sunday as he is honored with their 2009 Community Quarterback Award. The award will be presented at halftime of the Falcons NFC showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles . . . . Click here for more

* Tomorrow Night – The Ultimate Fighter® Heavyweights Finale - Roy Nelson and Brendan Schaub go head-to-head in the finals of the Heavyweight Tournament, Matt Hamill and Jon Jones meet in a light heavyweight battle, and Kimbo Slice and Houston Alexander collide in the Octagon! LIVE at 9pm ET/PT on SPIKE
* UFC.com – The Ultimate Fighter® Finale Cheat Sheet Continued »

The WBC has named the officials for the Vitali Klitschko vs. Kevin Johnson heavyweight championship fight on December 12 in Berne, Switzerland. The referee will be Kenny Bayless (USA). Judges are Omar Mintun (Mexico), Guido Cavalleri (Italy) and Fabian Kaj Guggenheim (Switzerland)

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (38-2-0, 37 KOs ) will defend his title against challenger Kevin Johnson (22-0-1, 9 KOs) at PostFinance-Arena. This will be Klitschko’s third defense of his WBC title this year. In March, he beat #1 rated Juan Carlos Gomez in Stuttgart, Germany, by TKO 9 and then he dominated #1 ranked Cristobal Arreola in September winning by TKO in the 10th round in Los Angeles. The fight will be broadcast in over 100 countries including RTL in Germany and HBO in the US.

Dennis Principe

By Dennis Principe

Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao has agreed in principle to battle Floyd Mayweather, Jr. on March 13. This was confirmed by Pacquiao’s lawyer Jeng Gacal in an interview with Fightnews moments ago. Friday night, Pacquiao went on air via GMA-7’s “24 Oras” newscast and said he is willing to fight Pacquiao on the said date. “He’s been trash talking too much and I want to put a stop to it. I don’t want kids who are watching us to emulate him,” said Pacquiao. Continued »

Universum Box-Promotion

Eduard Gutknecht 167.8 vs Karoly Balzsay 167.6
(WBO Intercontinental super middleweight championship)
Zsolt Bedak 120.6 vs. Ramie Laput 121.5
(WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight championship)
Arthur Matern 153.9 vs. Jozsef Molnar 155.6
Venue: Freizeit Arena, Sölden/Tirol, Austria
Promoter: Universum Box-Promotion
More photos…

By Nick Giongco

Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. has forged a partnership with giant Filipino TV station ABS-CBN. The deal was formally announced on Friday afternoon at the ABS-CBN headquarters in Quezon City in the Philippines with the Hall of Fame promoter sealing the partnership with ABS-CBN chairman Gabby Lopez and key officials of the network. Several Filipino fighters showcase their wares under the Top Rank banner and their exploits would be beamed live by ABS-CBN worldwide by way of The Filipino Channel. Expected to be given exposure here and abroad are Nonito Donaire, Brian Viloria, Bernabe Concepcion and several other rising punchers. But Manny Pacquiao fights would still be shown by Solar Sports and GMA 7, a rival of ABS-CBN.

Premium Boxing Promotions put on another competitive and exciting fight night at the Fantastic Casino “La Doña” in Panamá. In the main event, bantamweight Humberto “El Chino” Peña (7-0-2, 1 KO) remained unbeaten with an eight round unanimous decision over Javier Coronado. The scores were 79-73 twice and 80-74. In other action, featherweight Jonathan Arenas defeated José Aguirre by TKO in the third round. The card’s best fight was an exciting six round draw between lightweights Gabriel “El Piolo” Dorado and Leovigildo Siris. Also lightweight Ricauter Torrero stopped Luis González in round two.

Peter Lim

By Peter Lim at ringside

In an intriguing matchup between two friends and and sparring partners, former two time junior middleweight world title challenger JC Candelo, 29-10-4 (20 KOs), stopped Chase Shields,29-2-1 (14 KOs), in the seventh round at the Houston Club. Shields floored Candelo with a left-right-left hook in the third round and seemed on his way to victory. But once Candelo round the range for his long, rapier-like straight right, the momentum of the fight shifted and the writing was on the wall. Candelo decked Shields with a series of rights in the seventh round and proceeded to tee off almost at will. Shields survived the round but trainer Bobby Benton would not let Shields off his stool for the eighth. Candelo immediately challenged Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. to a JCC vs. JCC duel. Continued »

mpsportimages.com

Cosme “Chino” Rivera 147 vs. Euri “Millon” Gonzalez 147
Yoelvis “El Cicloncito” Gamboa 135 vs. Karl Garcia 135
William Silva 138 vs. Jorge Ruiz 137
Christopher De La Paz 164 vs. Oriol Martinez 164
Sherali Dostiev 121.75 vs. Alexis Baez 120.5
Roberto Lopez 140.5 vs. Devarise Crayton 142
Luis Rueda 182.5 vs. Joel Lopez 184
Juan Aguirre 145.5 vs. Michael Mendez 146.5
Venue: Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida
Promoter: All Star Boxing/Felix “Tuto” Zabala, Jr.
TV: Telemundo
Doors Open @ 7PM/First Fight 8:30PM

For nearly 30 years the driving force in Juarez, Mexico, promotion company Promociones del Pueblo, have been branching off to other areas of Mexico in the last couple years. In the upcoming year, they plan to spread their promotions even wider, beginning with a show in Mexico City on Dec. 16 with their top fighter Jhonny Gonzalez. Continued »

Playing the role of the experienced, veteran boxer, “Kid” Carson Jones said moments after he weighed in at 154 ¼ pounds that it was his plan to start to talking in Tyrone “The One” Brunson’s ear as soon as he saw him on Thursday. “Yeah, I started trash-talking because I want to get into his head and obviously it worked and I got into his head because he’s still jawing at me,” said Jones, who sat back and smiled while he listened to Brunson scream something else at him as he walked out of the room. I just needed him to hear that I’m not impressed by his fake, fraud 19-0 world record he holds for first-round knockouts.” Continued »

Marty Rosengarten/RingsidePhotos.com

By Matt Richardson at ringside

Jr welterweight Tim “Pit Bull” Coleman (17-1-1, 4 KOs) won a controversial twelve round split decision over “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (22-4-2, 10 KOs) to claim the vacant USBA title on Thursday night at New York City’s famous Manhattan Center. Scores were 115-113, 115-113 for Coleman, 116-112 for Arnaoutis, who seemed to do more in the bout.
—–
Former heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs (49-5-1, 43 KOs) knocked out Marcus McGee (22-18, 11 KOs) with a shot to the ribs at 2:01 of round one.
—–
In a battle of unbeaten welterweights, former three-time National Golden Gloves champion Brad Solomon (9-0, 3 KOs) won an eight round majority decision over “The New” Ray Robinson (11-1, 4 KOs). Scores were 79-73, 79-73, 76-76.

Photo by Star Boxing

Diary entry Thursday, Dec. 3

“It’s Day 2 in Switzerland and so far, so good. The weather is a lot colder than what I am used to in Georgia but it’s okay. I love challenges.

“I started my day here with a 5k run at 6:00AM in the morning.  I’m trying something new for this fight.  Moving to two-a-day sparring.  After my run and some calisthenics, I got in 12 rounds of tip-top sparring.  I’m starting to scare myself.

“I’m punching a lot harder and crisper that I ever have in my life.  If Vitali thinks that he’s getting the Kevin Johnson that he’s studied on tape, he’s sadly mistaken.   Continued »

Courtesy of Jim Jenkins, Sacramento Bee

Could what happened to Roy Jones Jr. in Australia on Wednesday happen to Oleg Maskaev? Both are 40-year-old former champions versus younger opponents. In Jones’ case, he was up against IBO cruiserweight title-holder Danny Green, 36, whereas the foe ex-heavyweight champ Maskaev is meeting is little-regarded Nagy Aguilera on Dec. 11 in Sacramento. Aguilera is 23 and once was a topflight amateur boxer, but is without ring distinction as a pro. The bout between Maskaev (36-6, 27 KOs), the WBC’s No. 2 contender, and Aguilera (14-2, 9 KOs) will take place at Memorial Auditorium in downtown Sacramento, the Russian-American’s first local fight. Continued »

Photo: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

Tyrone Brunson 154.2 vs Carson Jones 154.5
Mauricio Herrera 143 vs Mike Achondo 144
Venue: Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, California
Promoter: Gary Shaw Productions
TV: SHOWTIME
Click here for more photos…

Photo: Jesse Kelley

Jesse Kelley at the scale

Joey Abell 241 vs Raphael Butler 259
Zach Walters 170 vs Larry Sharpe 169
Ronnie Peterson 127 vs Tomi Archambault 133
(Archambault needs to lose 3 pounds)
Gary Eyer 133.5 vs Levi Cortes 136
Dave Peterson 157 vs Silas Ortley 158
Tony Lee 135 vs Hector Orozco 135
Boris Shishporenok 280 vs Will Gillette 232
Savarino Garcia 155 vs Jacob Dobbe 154
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Promoter: Bill Borea

Jeremy Bryan 144 vs Darren Fallen 146
Denis Douglin 159.5 vs Joshua Snyder 152
Antonio Espinosa 131 vs Floriano Pagliara 131.5
Juan Rodiques 151 vs Bobby Bynum 149.5
Eddie Edmond 156 vs Mario Fisher 157.5
Tyre Roberts 152 vs Tyrone Miles 152
Joseliz Cepada 123 vs Alex Mendez 124
Venue: Essex County College, Newark, Maryland
Promoter: Edmonds Promotions

Jan Sanders/Goossen Tutor

By Mariano A. Agmi

Two of the most avoided boxers in the world collide on Saturday, December 5th, when Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez meets Paul “The Punisher” Williams at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The bout will be televised live on HBO Championship Boxing beginning at 9:30pm EST. In an age where multiple alphabet titles virtually ensure that the best fighters in each division avoid facing one another, this twelve round non-title middleweight affair is a bout between two of the best, most avoided fighters in the world. The bout, which promoter Dan Goossen said may as well be for the unofficial title of “Most Feared Fighter in Boxing,” is set to produce a legitimate threat to Kelly Pavlik’s supremacy in the middleweight division. Continued »

Jose Santiago

By Jose E. Santiago at the scales

A fight card originally scheduled for November 13th but postponed due to last minute cancellations has been rescheduled for Friday night as Absoloot Boxing presents Professional Boxing at The Pit. Featured in the main event is the return of former two time WBU cruiserweight champ Yahya McClain.

Yahya McClain 196 vs. Shane Steele 184
Fred Tukes 154 vs. Tommy Davis 148
Dante Woods 174 vs. Brandon Wilcox 174
John Willoughby 130.5 vs. Rohan Wilson 134

By Gabriel F. Cordero

American referee Marck Nelson will be the third man in the ring when Panamanian WBA bantamweight world champion Anselmo Moreno and challenger Frédéric Patrac from France meet at the Palais des Sports, Agde, Héraultn, France December 4. The three judges are Pasqual Procopio (Canadá), Pierluigi Poppi (Italia) y Francisco Martinez (Nueva Zelanda). WBA Supervisor: George Martinez (Canadá).

At the weigh-in today, Moreno weighed 117.25 while Patrac scaled in at 116.5.
More photos…

Ringside Report: Rick Scharmberg and Kurt Wolfheimer
Photos: Ed Mulholland

Ageless wonder, Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs), returned to his hometown of Philadelphia last night, and won a twelve round unanimous decision over Enrique Ornales (25-6, 19 KOs) at Temple University’s Liacouras Center. In the co-feature, hot hometown prospect “Sweet” Danny Garcia (15-0, 10 KOs), was expected to be tested by normally durable Enrique Colin (23-5-3, 19 KOs), but instead blew him out in impression fashion at :55 seconds of the second round of a scheduled 10 round junior welterweight bout. Both bouts were televised on the Versus network. The card was promoted by Golden Boy East in conjunction with MGM Grand. (More)

Integrated Sports Media, North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events, delivered 15 action-packed events this year from around the globe to sports fans in the United States and Canada. “With cutbacks in boxing coverage by cable networks and the disappearance of boxing from broadcast television,” Integrated Sports Media President Doug Jacobs commented, “I am proud that we were able to provide consumers with the opportunity to watch major boxing events that they otherwise would not have been able to view in North America and to give soccer fans the opportunity to watch many of the most important matches on home television.” Continued »

Photo by Chris Cozzone

From the Isleta Casino & Resort for tomorrow night’s Fresquez-promoted “Bad Blood” card:

Holly Holm 139.4 vs. Melissa Hernandez 134.75
* For the WIBA world welterweight title. Holm originally 140.5
Jodie Esquibel 101.8 vs. Suzannah Warner 101.5
* For the NABF minimumweight title. Esquibel originally 102.5
David Proa 122.25 vs. Robert Guillen 122.75
Amanda Crespin 124.5 vs. Jessica Sanchez 128.25
Michael Brooks 177 vs. Christian Bruffy Holmes 176.5

Continued »

World champions Timothy Bradley, (24-0-1 NC, 11 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif., and Lamont Peterson (27-0, 13 KOs), of Washington, D.C., participated in a national media conference call to discuss their upcoming world title mega-matchup on Saturday, Dec. 12 live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). In an excellent battle of unbeatens, Bradley will defend his WBO 140-pound title against interim champ Peterson at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The telecast will open with WBC/WBA Super Flyweight Champion Vic Darchinyan (32-2-1, 26 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, defending his belts against WBC interim titlist Tomas Rojas (31-11-1, 22 KOs) of Mexico. Continued »

Photo: Ed Mulholland

World champions Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez, Steven Luevano and Yuriorkis Gamboa, and Top-10 contender Rogers Mtagwa will kickoff the new decade in separate world featherweight title fights on January 23, in the WaMu Theater in the “Mecca of Boxing,” Madison Square Garden. Lopez, the WBO junior featherweight champion, will be moving up to challenge WBO featherweight titlist Luevano, while Gamboa defends his WBA championship belt against Mtagwa. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Arena Boxing U.S. and PR Best Boxing, tickets, priced at $200, $100, $75 and $50, went on sale today at the Madison Square Garden box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, and online at www.thegarden.com. Click here for more photos

By Gabriel F. Cordero

The three-time world champion Miguel Cotto, has declared in Puerto Rico that he expects to retire from boxing when he turns 30 on October 29, 2010. “Ten months will fly by, so one, maybe two more fights, and I will completely retire from boxing,” he said. “I’ve been champion three times and I’m satisfied with what I’ve done. I’ll be very satisfied with whatever God gives me the opportunity to achieve during the ten months remaining.” Cotto is expected back in the ring in June against an opponent to be named.

Guillermo Rigondeaux, one of the most decorated fighters in the history of the amateur boxing system, is headed to the only city big enough to house his considerable talent. Rigondeaux, it was announced today, will headline the December 16 edition of the DiBella Entertainment (“DBE”) Broadway Boxing Series from B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in the heart of Times Square in New York City. Continued »

Anyway you look at it, Tyrone “The One” Brunson’s world record of 19 first-round knockouts in his first 19 professional fights is impressive. Friday night on ShoBox: The New Generation, live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast), fight fans will finally get a chance to see the heralded young, undefeated Philadelphia fighter in action as he takes on “Kid” Carson Jones in a 10-round junior middleweight affair from the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif. The 24-year-old Brunson (21-0-1, 20 KO) is exactly the kind of fighter ShoBox has so successfully highlighted since its inception in 2001, says executive producer Gordon Hall. “Tyrone Brunson is your typical ShoBox fighter: young and untested,” he said. “It’s time for him to step up and be tested. Not all (21-0) fighters are what they appear to be. We’ll find out exactly what kind of fighter Brunson is when he steps in against a very match-tough competitor like Carson Jones.” Continued »

The Austrian winter sports mecca of Sölden will host a high voltage super middleweight bout on Friday when unbeaten Spotlight fighter Eduard “Eddy” Gutknecht (17-0, 7 KOs) defends his WBO Inter-Continental belt against former WBO world champion Karoly Balzsay (21-1, 15 KOs). It will be Balzsay’s first fight since losing his title to Robert Stieglitz in August. Also scheduled is a WBO Inter-Continental super bantamweight clash between Spotlight’s Zsolt Bedak (14-0, 4 KOs), rated WBO #3 and WBO #4 Ramie Laput (38-3, 18 KOs).

Eduard Gutknecht: “We know each other from Hamburg, but we’re in different training groups. I’m with Magomed Schaburow. Karoly is with Fritz Sdunek and Artur Grigorian. One of us is going fade out [of the title picture], so for us this is about everything!”

Karoly Balzsay: “Naturally it was very disappointing in Budapest to lose in front of all my relatives and friends. It’s good that I’m now returning to the ring quickly to show my strength.”

Photo: Tim Barry/www.timbarry.wetpaint.com

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Photos are in from IBO cruiserweight champion Danny Green’s stunning first round TKO over ring legend Roy Jones Jr. Click here for more photos

Alexander Povetkin (17-0, 12 KOs) will return to the ring this weekend when he takes a tune-up fight against Leo Nolan (27-1, 10 KOs). The top-ranked IBF challenger, who is slated to face heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, will make his first fight under the guidance of star coach Teddy Atlas. He also needs to stay in shape for the Klitschko showdown next year. “It is great to be working with Teddy Atlas,” Povetkin said. “I have already learned so many things from him. Of course it will take a while until I can show that in the ring but I look forward to Saturday.” The bout against Nolan will be a good first test. “The training in the last couple of weeks – first in New Jersey and then in my home city of Tschechow – has been very motivating,” Povetkin added. “I have lost weight but still added pounds of muscle. My style has also changed a little. So the fact that I still have to wait for the Klitschko fight is not too bad at all because it gives me the chance to test myself against Nolan and stabilise my performance.” Continued »

Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton (5-1-1, 1 KO), who’s done her part to keep the San Francisco Bay Area boxing title wave alive, defends her IBA junior featherweight title against Donna “Nature Girl” Biggers (19-8-1, 16 KOs) on Friday in San Jose, Calif., in the co-main event of Fight Night at the Tank. Julaton, who recently joined area residents Andre Ward, Robert Guerrero, Nonito Donaire Jr., and Carina Moreno as world champions, will fight for the vacant WBO junior featherweight title in the first defense of the IBA belt she won in September in a unanimous decision over Kelsey Jeffries. Continued »

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

IBO middleweight champion Anthony Mundine has refused to give a rematch to IBF #8 Daniel Geale. Mundine scored a hotly disputed decision over Geale to win IBO title on May 27 at the Brisbane Entertainment Center, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Most boxing writers at ringside had Geale winning a clear decision. “We tried hard to make the rematch between Mundine and Geale happen but they were not interested,” said Bill Treacy who is the manager of Geale. “IBF middleweight champion Sebastian Sylvester is on our radar and hopefully we can get a shot at the world title within twelve months.”

Chris Farina/Top Rank

WBO jr. featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez arrives in New York City late Wednesday night for a press conference Thursday to announce his upcoming world championship fight against WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano on HBO January 23 at Madison Square Garden. Also on this world title doubleheader card, WBA featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa will defend his title against Rogers Mtagwa. Top Rank promotes this event in association with Arena Box-Promotion and PR Best Boxing.

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 Paulie Malignaggi and Champions Forever filmmaker Craig Glazer. 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.

Photo: Ed Mulholland

Former world champion Bernard Hopkins (50-5, 32 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over Enrique Ornelas (29-6, 19 KOs) in a light heavyweight bout on Wednesday night at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA. It was a typical Hopkins performance with lots of clinching as the nifty 44-year-old won the in-fighting and wore out his opponent. Scores were 118-110, 120-109, 119-109.
—–
Unbeaten junior welterweight Danny Garcia (15-0, 10 KOs) scored a brutal second round KO over Enrique Colin (23-5-3, 19 KOs). Garcia dropped Colin at the end of round one, and finished him in the following stanza. Time was :55.
—–
In an upset, Guadalupe De Leon (8-9, 4 KOs) won a four round split decision over previously unbeaten Derrick Wilson (5-1-1, 2 KOs). Scores were 39-37, 39-37 De Leon, 39-37 Wilson.

Click Here for More Photos

By Peter Lim

In an interesting junior middleweight matchup, Chase “The White Tiger” Shields, 29-2-1 (14 KOs), takes on former two-time world-title challenger Juan Carlos Candelo, 28-10-4 (19 KOs), over eight rounds on Dec. 3 at the Houston Club. Shields is a once-promising prospect who never made it past the four- and six-round club scene, while JC Candelo had beaten some decent opponents but has lost more than he’s won since his two failed attempts at the IBF belt. Continued »

Chris Farina/Top Rank

WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano arrives in New York City for a press conference Thursday to announce his upcoming world championship fight against WBO jr. featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez live on HBO January 23 at Madison Square Garden. Also on this world title doubleheader card, WBA featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa of Cuba will defend his title against Rogers Mtagwa. Top Rank promotes this event in association with Arena Box-Promotion and PR Best Boxing.

Star Boxing

Mike Arnaoutis 140 vs. Tim Coleman 140
(USBA light welterweight championship)
Shannon Briggs 272.25 vs. Marcus McGee 223.5
Ray Robinson 142.25 vs. Brad Solomon 143.25
Jaywon Woods 198 vs. Josh Harris 200
Hajro Sujak 168 vs. Todd Eriksson 167
Venue: Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center, NYC
Promoter: Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing
TV: Versus
—–
NOTE: The Maureen Shea vs. Jenna Shiver bout for the interim WBA female super bantamweight championship was cancelled due to medical issues with Shiver.

Photo: Héctor Villarreal

Javier “Golden Boy” Corondo 118 vs Humberto Peña 116
Gabriel “El Piolo” Dorado 131 vs Leovigildo Siris 132
Jonathan “El Terrible” Arenas 124 vs Jose Aguirre 122.5
Addir Sanchez 144 vs Pablo Espinoza 147
Manuel Vides 115 vs Bolivar Osorio115
Luis Gonzalez 134 vs Ricauter Torrero 136
Venue: Fantastic Casino “La Doña” in Panamá
Promoter: Premium Boxing Promotions Inc.