By Francisco Salazar at ringside

2008 U.S. Olympian Javier Molina remained unbeaten with a second round stoppage victory over Miguel Garcia (0-2) in a scheduled four round bout. Molina (3-0, 3 KO’s) was the aggressor throughout the bout, landing the harder punches that drew blood from the nose of Garcia in the first round. The tough Garcia fought back, but could not match Molina’s firepower. To prevent their fighter from receiving further punishment, Garcia’s corner threw in the towel, prompting referee Dr. Lou Moret to stop the fight at 2:42 of the round.

Welterweight Charles Whitaker (35-12-2, 23 KOs) stopped Chad Greenleaf in the third round of a scheduled eight round fight. Whitaker, who was recently signed by Goossen Tutor Promotions, dropped Greenleaf (11-14-1, 5 KOs) with a right hand in the second round. He dropped Greenleaf twice in the third round, the final time with an accumulation of punches to the head. After the second knockdown, Greenleaf’s cornerman stood on the canvas and asked for the bout to be stopped, which referee Dr. James Jen-Kin did at 2:28. Continued »

By Dave Spencer and John Robbins / Fightnews Canada

In a clash for the vacant IBF lightweight, Ali Funeka (30-2-2, 25 KOs) battered and busted up previously unbeaten former two-division world champion Joan Guzman (29-0, 17 KOs) over twelve rounds but only came away with a draw. Scores were 116-112, 114-114, 114-114. The title remains vacant.

Pier-Olivier Cote made his true hometown debut when he stepped through the ropes to face the tough kid from Newfoundland, Jason Hayward for the vacant Canadian Super Featherweight Title. Cote absolutely owned the entire fight as Hayward simply stuck behind his peek-a-boo guard, taking the few and far between opportunities to let his hands go, while a relentless “Apou” didn’t waste any time in racking up an early lead; and Cote never did let up. Hayward deserves full credit for his heart as the much more refined, and extremely superior skilled Cote, laid an absolute beating on the Newfoundlander. But even though he had many opportunities to do so, Hayward never did quit. The impressive performance was reflected on the score cards as 100-90 (x2) and 99-91, the New Canadian Super Featherweight Champion, Pier-Olivier Cote extends his record to 9-0 (6KO). Hayward slides to 6-8-1 in defeat. Continued »

By Graham Houston

Every so often a prospect comes along who has the punching power and aggressive style that gets fans excited, and John Molina, the unbeaten lightweight from Covina, CA, fits the mould. Molina’s trainer, Joe Goossen, says he sees something of Rafael Ruelas and Diego Corrales — world champions he trained — in Molina. “He’s tall like they were and a natural puncher,” Goossen said from his Los Angeles gym on Thursday. “I’ve had him starting faster. The way we train, he’s ready to go as soon as that bell rings. In the gym he’s been hurting welterweights and junior welterweights, and I’ve had him wearing 16-ounce gloves because even with 14-ounce gloves he’s been wrecking guys.” Continued »

In the final three weeks leading up to his showdown with WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko (38-2, 37 KOs), televised on HBO Dec. 12, undefeated contender Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (22-0-1, 9 KOs) will be posting his diary online, exclusive to Fightnews.com readers.

Diary entry Saturday, Nov. 28

“Started my day at 7:00 a.m. with a 6K run. I was surprised by the number fans who honked their horns or waved while I was running in downtown Douglasville, Georgia.  This fight has made me recognizable everywhere.  I ended up signing autographs in the parking lot of a local supermarket at 8:30 in the morning.

“As I do every Saturday that I am in Douglasville, I spoke at the Youth Against Violence program this morning and encouraged at-risk youth to change their circumstances by focusing on getting an education.  A lot of the young boys in the group reminded me of myself when I was their age; they have a lot of potential, but lack focus and direction. Continued »

Unbeaten lightweight prospect John Molina Jr. hopes to do what Andre Ward and 39 other boxers have done before him: graduate from competing on ShoBox: The New Generation to becoming a world champion. But first, Molina (18-0, 14 KOs), of Covina, Calif., will have to get past veteran Martin “El Brochas” Honorio (26-4-1, 14 KOs) of Mexico in order to continue his ascension through the 135-pound ranks. Molina will take on Honorio in a 10-rounder for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight championship on a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation, this Saturday, Nov. 28 live on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). Continued »

By Alexey Sukachev

Former IBF light middleweight champion Roman “Made in Hell” Karmazin (39-3-1, 25 KOs), now ranked highly (IBF #3 and WBC #5) at middleweight division, will be back to the ring on January 8 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium in Glendale, CA, to take on dangerous Columbian puncher and IBF #9 160lber Dionisio “Mister Knockout” Miranda (20-4-2, 18 KOs) in the final IBF middleweight eliminator. The fight has been confirmed today by Karmazin’s promoter Steven Bash. Roman Karmazin is 3-0, 2 KOs, since officially moving up in weight last year with the wins over ex-champion Bronco McCart and former world title challenger Antwun Echols among others. Miranda, who has been dispatched in two rounds by Giovanni Lorenzo this February, holds an upset win over Canadian Sebastian Demers in the recent past.

By Alexey Sukachev

“Dazzling” Darren Barker (21-0, 14 KOs) of London, UK, added the vacant British middleweight crown to already owned Commonwealth 160lb title moments ago at Brentwood Center in Brentwood, also UK, with a dominant stoppage of hugely overmatched late sub Danny “The Boy” Butler (18-3, 3 KOs). Continued »

By Alexey Sukachev

Jab Promotions, Saint Petersburg based promotional group, led by Vitaly Supichenko and Alexander Yagupov, came back in style yesterday at Typhoon Club in the second-to-Moscow biggest Russian metropolis with a tiny show, which featured, however, a bunch of various prospects. Competing in the main event, welterweight Daniil “Master” Utenkov moved up to 8-0, 6 KOs, with a brutal kayo of Thai journeyman Yodmongkol Singmanasak (11-9-1, 7 KOs) in the second round of scheduled ten. Also, former Tajik amateur standout Sherali “Lion” Mamadaliev (9-0, 5 KOs) stopped Latvian no-hoper Sergejs Volodins (6-9, 5 KOs) after the third round. Volodins was down in the first stanza and quit after the end of the third one, citing a hand injury. Continued »

By Dave Spencer / Fightnews Canada

Tonight’s officials for the Librado Andrade versus Lucian Bute IBF championship rematch will feature Philadelphia referee Benjy Esteves. Judging at ringside will be Pasquale Procopio and Richard DeCarufel of Montreal and American Joseph Pasquale.
—–
In the other IBF title bout featuring lightweights Joan Guzman and Ali Funeka, Jean-Guy Brousseau of Montreal will be the referee with American Joseph Pasquale, Quebecer Benoit Roussel and Allan Davis of Toronto doing the judging.

Michael Franco 123.2 vs Kermin Guardia 121.5
Venue: Spotlight 29 Casino, Coachella, CA
Promoter: Steve Quinonez Champion Promotions.
Fights start at 6:00 PM tomorrow. Tickets still available.

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Australian based Nigerian welterweight Oyewale Omotoso (14-0, 2 KOs) captured the vacant OPBF title when he scored a knockout in three rounds over Hwan -Young Park (22-4, 20 KOs) of South Korea at the Knox Netball Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on Friday. Referee Bruce McTavish crowned Omotoso, 24 years, at 2:33. Omotoso scored his best win in August when he stopped American Emanuel Augustus in nine rounds. Augustus had been in the ring with with sevral world rated boxer including Floyd Mayweather and holds wins over Ray Olivera and Courtney Burton. Promoter Murray Thompson.

By Ron Jackson

Unbeaten heavyweight Johnny Muller scored a unanimous six round points decision over Mongezi Ndzamela in a mauling and untidy affair at the Wembley Indoor Arena in Johannesburg on Friday night. Continued »

By Dave Spencer

Middleweight Craig McEwan will be putting his perfect 17-0 (9KO) record on the line as he battles fellow undefeated fighter James Parison (12-0 3KO) as part of the undercard of the Golden Boy promoted card Saturday night in Quebec City featuring headliners Lucian Bute and Librado Andrade. The Scottish born southpaw has broken from the usual tradition of U.K. fighters who slowly build their careers through a series of regional titles including British, Commonwealth, European before hitting the world stage. Such recent names as Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton and Carl Froch all took the route the Beatles did decades before of establishing themselves in England before venturing across the pond with world title belt in tow in an attempt to make it big in America. Continued »

WBA interim flyweight champion Luis ‘El Nica’ Concepcion (19-1, 14 KOs) scored a brutal fourth round KO over former world champion Roberto ‘Mako’ Leyva (26-10-1, 21 KOs) on Friday night at the Arena Roberto Duran in Panama City, Panama. It was a vicious one-two combination from Concepcion that put Leyva down for the count. Time was 2:11. Leyva was game but never in the fight as Concepcion simply outgunned him and beat him down in impressive fashion.

Talented, promising lightweight prospect John Molina Jr. (18-0, 14 KOs) of Covina, Calif., will make his main event debut and face his toughest test when he meets veteran Martin “El Brochas” Honorio (26-4-1, 14 KOs) of Mexico in what will be a solid 10-round bout for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight championship in a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation, tomorrow/Saturday, Nov. 28 live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). In the co-feature, undefeated Rico “Suavecito” Ramos (13-0, 8 KOs) of Los Angeles will take on Alejandro “El Alacran” Perez (14-1-1, 9 KOs) of Salinas, Calif. in an eight-round junior bantamweight bout. The event is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions and will emanate from the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif. Continued »

By Ray Wheatley–World of Boxing

WBA #15 super middleweight Les Sherrington (25-5, 15 KOs) scored the best win of his career when he stopped former two time world challenger Shannan Taylor (49-7-3, 35 KOs) on Friday at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia. Sherrington found the range early in round one as he delivered accurate head and body punches over his shorter opponent. Taylor was cut over the right eye by an accidental head clash in round two. Referee Phil Austin had the doctor inspect the cut but he ruled it okay to continue. Taylor was deducted a point in round four for use of the head. Continued »

By Paolo Consiglio

2004 Olympian Malik Bouziane (13-1, 1 KOs), a Frenchman of Algerian origin, caused one of the big upsets of the year in March when he soundly outpointed Ian Napa in London to win the European bantamweight title. After a narrow but well-deserved victory against Carmelo Ballone, he defended his crown for the second time on Thursday evening at Les Pennes-Mirabeau, Bouches-du-Rhône, France, by scoring a dominant twelve-round unanimous decision over Italian champion Emiliano Salvini (13-9-1, 2 KOs). Bouziane gave another good display of boxing skills moving smoothly side to side, switching his stance back and forth and piling up points with nifty-jabbing and counter right hands. Salvini was able to get into some middle rounds on sheer effort but overall seemed to have no answer for the champion’s superior speed and footwork. The Italian gamely kept coming forward throughout the twelve rounds but looked out of his depth for long stretches of the bout even if there was a frustrating sense in his corner that he was allowing himself to be outworked. With Salvini increasingly discouraged, Bouziane easily cruised to a wide points victory on two scorecards (119- 109 and 118-111) while the third judge someway had it much closer (115-113). Continued »

By Alexey Sukachev

Polish welterweight Rafal Jackiewicz (35-8-1, 18 KOs) made a leapfrog move from European scene to the world one with a controversial unanimous decision over Dominican Delvin Rodriguez (24-4-2, 14 KOs) in the IBF final eliminator moments ago at Hala MOSiR in Elk, Poland. Fighting in front of a roaring crowd, the Polish boxer started the fight behind a tight guard with the successful use of the crouching style. Rodriguez, however, was able to adjust himself to the awkward boxing style of his foe and started to pepper him with the jab. Jackiewicz, on the other hand, found a hole in Dominican’s defense for his right hand and scored frequently with it all fight long. In round five, the local hero wobbled Rodriguez with a short right once again, but in the sixth Rodriguez paid back in painful style, dropping Jackiewicz (WBA/IBF #4, WBO #6, WBC #11) on an accumulation of punches. The Pole was very lucky to survive the rest of that stanza. After the seventh round, also in Rodriguez’ favor, Jackiewicz caught a second wind and turned back the tide. Both fighters gave their all at the end of the contest with the Dominican (IBF #3) being more effective and more active of two. That, however, didn’t prevent him from losing his second fight in a row, as all three judges saw it in favor of the Polish contender: 114-112, 115-112 and an astonishing 117-116. Fightnews saw the fight differently, as a close 113-114 victory for Delvin Rodriguez. Continued »

Photo: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

John Molina, Jr. 134 vs. Martin Honorio 133
(NABF/NABO lightweight championship)
Rico Ramos 121.8 vs. Alejandro Perez 124
Charles Whitaker 155 vs. Chad Greenleaf 153.5
Javier Molina 148 vs. Miguel Garcia 147.5
Ernest Mazyck 324.5 vs. Ethan Cox 239
Malcolm Franklin 111 vs. Ludwin Mondragon 112
Venue: Pechanga Resort, Temecula, CA
Promoter: Goossen Tutor
TV: SHOWTIME (11PM ET/PT)
Click here for more photos…

Junior middleweight Anthony Small (23-1, 16 KOs) won a messy and uneventful twelve round unanimous decision over Thomas McDonagh (34-3-3, 7 KOs) to retain his British and Commonwealth belts on Friday night at the Robin Park Centre in Wigan, Lancashire, England. The bout was full of wrestling and clinching, but the heavily favored Small turned it on to outwork McDonagh over the last few rounds. Scores were 115-114, 116-113, 115-114.
—–
Super featherweight Anthony Crolla (15-2, 6 KOs) scored a third round knockout over 35-year-old former British, Commonwealth and European champion Michael Brodie (36-4-1, 24 KOs).

Photo: Mike Greenhill

By Dave Spancer / Fightnews Canada

Lucian Bute 166.8 vs. Librado Andrade 166.71
(IBF super middleweight championship)
Joan Guzman 134.4 vs. Ali Funeka 133.9
(IBF lightweight championship)
Pier-Olivier Cote 129.8 vs. Jason Hayward 129.8
(Canadian super featherweight title)
Kevin Bizier 145.7 vs. Patrick Cape 145.5
Craig McEwan 160.9 vs. James Parison 160.9
Leonardo Rojas 149.2 vs. Keith Thurman 147.3
Venue: Quebec Colisee, Quebec City, Quebec
Promoter: Golden Boy/INTERBOX
Television: HBO, PPV(Canada)
Click here for more photos…

By Pasi Taavitsainen

Unbeaten Jarno Rosberg (9-0, 4 KOs) dethroned Finnish heavyweight champion Juho Haapoja (10-3-1, 7 KOs) by ten round split decision on Friday night in Tampere, Finland. Scores were 96-94 Rosberg, 97-94 Haapoja and 96-95 Rosberg.
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A clash for the Finnish light welterweight title between Ville Piispanen (13-1-2, 4 KOs) and Jaakko Myllylä (9-0-1, 3 KOs) ended in a ten round draw. Scores were 95-95, 96-95 Piispanen, and 95-95.
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FeatherWeight Andreas Evensen (11-1, 3 KOs) scored a second round TKO over Mihaly Telekfi (6-8-1, 2 KOs)
—–
Heavyweight Attila Levin (34-3, 27 KOs) blew away Edgars Kalnars 20-20, 11 KOs) in round one.

Photo: Sroi Mungmee

By Damrong Simakajornboon

Oleydong Sithsamerchai (33-0,12 KOs) won a majority decision over Juan Palacios (26-3, 21 KOs) to unify the WBC strawweight title on Friday at Tesco-Lotus Superstore in Rungsit, Pathumthani, Thailand. During the first four rounds, the Thai fighter effectively displayed his counter-attack tactic to frustrate the Nicaraguan’s aggression and dominated 40-36, 40-36, 39-36 as the score announcement. The uncut Palacios was also deducted a point from an accidental headclash in round three. Then, it was a close affair as Palacios speeded his assault but the better man was Oleydong who still lead 79-74, 78-74, 77-75 after round eight from his effective counterpunches. From round nine, the show little by little turned to the Nicaraguan who tirelessly stalked the local hero and obviously gained back the score but it was too late for him to capture the WBC crown. Scores were Franz Marti: 115-114, Jae-bong Kim: 116-114 and Benjamin Rendon: 114-114. Oleydong successfully unified the WBC 105lb title and kept his crown for the fourth time. Click here for more photos…

Photo: Johnny Chaitchotchuang

By Ray Wheatley–World of Boxing

IBF #12 Tantong Kiattaweesuk (15-0, 9 KOs) successfully defended the IBF Pan Pacific bantamweight championship when he scored a shutout twelve round decision over Filipino Anthony Esmedina (6-9-2) at the I-Karoake Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday. Southpaw Kiattaweesuk kept the shorter import off balance continually as he connected with rapid fast combinations from round one to control the action in all the rounds. The aggressive challenger came to fight but had no answer to the superior boxing skills of the champion. At the conclusion, scores were: 120-108 on all of the score cards of the judges. Click here for more photos…

In the final three weeks leading up to his showdown with WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko (38-2, 37 KOs), televised on HBO Dec. 12, undefeated contender Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (22-0-1, 9 KOs) will be posting his diary online, exclusive to Fightnews.com readers.

Diary entry Friday, Nov. 27

“I am so focused on winning the world title that I am sacrificing everything.

“Yesterday was Thanksgiving day and, for the first time in my life, I had to give up having dinner with my family so that I can train instead.  I started the day with a 5K run and finished it by going to war with my sparring partners.  I’m ruining my Thanksgiving so that I can ruin Vitali Klitschko’s Christmas.  My team and I are focused and are ready to get this fight over with. Continued »

Former world champ Jhonny Gonzalez (41-7, 35 KOs) will fight on home turf for the first time in eight years when he headlines a Promociones del Pueblo card in Mexico City on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at the Auditorio Plaza Condena. It’ll be Mexico vs. Nicaragua for the rebounding champion when he takes on Marlon “La Rata” Aguilar (21-8-1, 16 KOs) for the WBC International featherweight title. The card, televised on Cadena Tres (Canal 28), will co-feature a WBC Fecombox superflyweight title fight between Oscar “Cebiche” Ibarra (18-4, 10 KOs), of Mexico City, and Francisco “Trompito” Marquez (13-13, 11 KOs), of Guadalajara. Also scheduled: In a battle of Mexico City cruisers, Charly “El Cubano” Duarte (9-1, 7 KOs) takes on Carlos Castillo; Chihuahuan Victor Zaleta (11-1, 6 KOs) takes on Juarez’s Alejandro “Apachito” Moreno (21-26-3, 10 KOs) in a flyweight bout; flyweight Odilon Zaleta (1-0), brother to Victor, takes on TBA; and Chihuahua welter Mario Lozano (9-2, 8 KOs) fights Ernesto Reyna.  – Chris Cozzone

By Francisco Salazar

When John Molina made his professional debut inside a crowded basketball gymnasium over three and a half years ago, fight fans paid little attention to the hard-hitting fighter from Covina, CA. Sure he can hit hard, but can he box? If he gets knocked down, will he get back up? Will he be able to make adjustments when facing fighters of higher caliber? So far, the answers are a resounding yes. The unbeaten Molina knows that he has a long way to go to become a world champion. However, he is willing to step up in class and achieve his short and long term goals. He will aim high as he squares off against his most challenging fighter to date, hard-hitting Martin Honorio in a 10 round Lightweight bout tomorrow night at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA. Continued »

By Dave Spencer / Fightnews Canada

While technically the visitor, Librado Andrade will certainly not be a stranger to fans at a sold-out Quebec Colisee when he enters the ring in the anticipated rematch between the hard-hitting Mexican warrior and IBF super-middleweight champion Lucian Bute. Over 16,000 fans our expected to squeeze into the former home of the National Hockey League’s Quebec Nordiques that sold out in less than hour to welcome Andrade who makes his fourth trip to Quebec to meet adopted hero Lucian Bute who remains undefeated but not exactly unscathed thanks to the pair’s first meeting. Continued »

Photo: Rafael Soto/Promociones Zanfer

Thursday in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, Promociones Zanfer officially announced the big Saturday, December 19 world championship card that will be part of Top Rank’s split-site pay-per-view card that is headlined by world middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik defending his belts against Miguel Angel Espino. Two-time world champion Humberto Soto and local hero Alex “Finito” Valdez were present at the press conference. Soto will take on Jesus “Matador” Chavez in a 10 round welterweight bout and Valdez will challenge Nehomar Cermeno for the WBA Interim bantamweight world championship. It will be the third world title tilt in Ciudad Obregon and the first time a native of Ciudad Obregon, Valdez will fight for a world title in his own hometown.

Click Here for More Photos

Photo: Eroll Popova

WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz (36-2, 22 KOs) is confident that he has the tools to defeat hard-punching Edison Miranda (33-4, 29 KOs) when they collide on January 9 at the Bördelandhalle in Magdeburg, Germany. “I’ve already had a look at Edison Miranda,” said Stieglitz at a Thursday press conference to announce the fight. “I already know how I can box him. He’s a strong man. I think we’ll have a thrilling fight. I’m already in top form, already at my fight weight, and could box immediately.”

Stieglitz’ trainer Torsten Schmitz added “We know that Miranda can punch very hard. Everyone could see that in the fight against Arthur Abraham. I think Robert and Miranda will have an action-packed fight.” Continued »

By Ron Jackson

Heavyweight Johnny Muller hopes to make it five knockouts in a row when he faces Mongezi Ndzamela at the Wembley Indoor Arena in Johannesburg on Friday night. The 19-year-old Muller from the West Rand comes off a sensational first round knockout over Sean Santana who ended the career of former WBU and IBO junior heavyweight champion Sebastiaan Rothmann. In his four fights he has only had six rounds of boxing and should add Ndzamela from East London to his knockout record. Ndzamela has only a single victory in six fights and all his losses have come inside the distance. Continued »

Photo: Sugei de Grimaldo

By Gabriel F. Cordero

WBA bantamweight champion Anselmo Moreno (27-1-1, 9 KOs) has resumed training in France for his December 4 defense against local challenger Frederic Patrac (26-7-1, 13 KOs) in Agde, Hérault, France. Moreno is training in the company of former world champion Ricardo Cordoba from Panama. They ran in the morning in the outskirts of the hotel and in the afternoon they trained in the boxing gym located at the City Hall of Adge. From Saturday on, they will train in a private gym. Moreno will be making the fifth defense of his WBA belt. Click here for more photos…

WBA interim flyweight champion Luis ‘El Nica’ Concepcion (18-1, 13 KOs) and former world champion Roberto ‘Mako’ Leyva (26-9-1, 21 KOs) both successfully made the 112 pound flyweight limit for their scheduled for 12 round world title fight on Friday at the Arena Roberto Duran in Panama City, Panama. Concepion weighed in at 111 pounds while Levya intially weighed in at 112 1/4. Leyva weighed in at 112 pounds on his second attempt about an hour later.

WBA Fedecentro light heavy titleholder Tommy Karpency (19-1-1, 12 KOs) knocked out normally durable veteran Mike McFail in the third round Wednesday night in Morgantown, West Virginia. A vicious Karpency left hook to the body dropped McFail to the canvas, and referee Mike Napple halted the contest after McFail was unable to survive the count. Highlighting the undercard, local welterweight prospect Matt Bershire (9-1-1, 4 KOs) looked impressive in stopping trialhorse Eric Burke in the fifth of their scheduled six rounder. In addition, local middleweight Paul Pindroh (1-0) won a four round unanimous decision over Francisco Portillo in a battle of debut boxers. All scores were 38-37. Simons’ Promotions next scheduled card in Morgantown will take place January 29th at the Waterfront Place Hotel and the main event will feature Tommy Karpency defending his WBA Fedecentro title against light heavy Dallas Vargas (22-4).

By Dave Spencer / Fightnews Canada

Undefeated welterweight Keith Thurman (11-0 9KO) of Clearwater Florida has been added to this weekend’s undercard featuring Lucian Bute defending his IBF Super-middleweight title in a rematch versus mandatory challenger Librado Andrade. in Quebec City. Thurman will be taking on local product Leonardo Rojas (8-9-3 2KO). The Peruvian born Rojas has proven to be a durable opponent in the past but was stopped in the first round last time out by Interbox prospect Pier-Olivier Cote. The proposed Hector Sanchez versus Cleotis Pendarvis bout has been scratched.

Promoter Nick Garone of X-Cel Worldwide has signed newly crowned NABA lightweight beltholder “Dangerous” Dorin Spivey (36-6, 29 KOs) from Portsmouth, Virginia, to a promotional agreement. “”Dorin has been mostly inactive in the past couple years and he’s been fluctuating his weight all the way up to welterweight at times,” said Garone. “He and I have come to an agreement that he’s a lightweight. That’s where his power and his chin are at their most ‘Dangerous.’”

Michael Acri Boxing Promotions in association with Budweiser presented the 25th Annual Erie Boxing Classic on Wednesday night at the Avalon Hotel in Erie PA. In the main event, Philadelphia light heavyweight Garrett Wilson 6-2 won a hard fought decision over late sub Otgonbayer Daivii 3-3-1. The fight was even going into the fifth round with Garrett then taking control of the fight. There were heavy exchanges of punches throughout which kept the crowd on their feet. Scores were 58-56, 58-56, 58-55.
Other Results:
Paul Zalus KO1 Damian Richardson (heavyweight)
Jason Massie TKO1 Justin Novaria (heavyweight)
Andy Mejias W4 Dave Cook (light heavyweight)
Brian Cook W4 Robert Clay (heavyweight)

Photo: Sroi Mungmee

Damrong Simakajornboon at the scale

Oleydong Sithsamerchai 105 vs Juan Palacios 105
(WBC strawweight championship)
Venue: Tesco-Lotus Superstore, Rungssit, Pathumthani, Thailand
Promoter: Virat Wachirarattanawongsi of Petchyindee Boxing
TV: Thailand Channel 7
Click here for more photos…

It was announced today that WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz (36-2, 22 KOs) will face power punching fan favorite Edison Miranda (33-4, 29 KOs) on January 9th at the Bördelandhalle in Magdeburg, Germany. It will be the first defense for Stieglitz, who dethroned Karoly Balzsay in August. Miranda is no stranger to Germany, having broken Arthur Abraham’s jaw in an epic showdown in September 2006. Also on the card will be WBC/WIBF/WBO female featherweight champion Ina Menzer defending her belts against WIBF super featherweight champion Ramona Kühne. The card was officially announced today. (More to come)

Undefeated mandatory World Boxing Association No. 1 contender Damitriy “Star of David” Salita arrived today in Newcastle where he challenges super lightweight champion Amir Khan at the Metro Radio Arena on Saturday, Dec. 5. The bout is available in the U.K.via pay-per-view telecast and is being promoted by Frank Warren Promotions in association with Square Ring Promotions and is being distributed by Sky Sports. Salita, 30-0-1 (14 KOs), stayed and trained yesterday in London and was anxious to continue his training at the site. Khan, 21-1 (15 KOs), will be making the first defense of the crown he captured by defeating Andriy Kotelnik over the distance on July 18 in Manchester. “I’m happy to be in the United Kingdom and arriving in Newcastle on Thanksgiving,” said the 27-year old Salita. “I’ve been patient but it’s my chance to shine and bring the title back to the States. I’ve had a long hard camp and am well prepared.”

By Gary “Digital” Williams at ringside

Maryland State Super Featherweight champion Tyrell “Da Show Shock A” Samuel of Baltimore won by fifth-round technical decision over Gustavo “The Pit Bull” Dailey of Philadelphia during the main event at Du Burns Arena in Baltimore. Continued »

Unbeaten prospect Michael Franco (15-0, 10 KOs) will headline this Saturday at the Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella, California, on a card promoted by Steve Quinonez Jr.’s Champion Promotions. Franco will take on former world champion Kermin Guardia in an eight round super bantamweight main event. Franco enters the bout coming off of six months of inactivity something he expects to change with his recent signing with legendary promoter Don Chargin. Fightnews caught up with Franco as he closed out his training camp at the Apple Valley PAL Boxing gym. Franco spoke on his signing with Chargin, his new business venture, and his looking forward to a busy 2010 of activity in the ring. Continued »

Jeff Fusco - Hoganphotos/Golden Boy

Former Two Division World Champion Bernard Hopkins passes out turkeys on Wednesday at a Turkey Giveaway at the 35th District Police Station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hopkins is in training camp in Philadelphia in preparation for his December 2, 2009 fight against Enrique Ornelas at The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia which will be televised live on VERSUS. More photos…

Photo: Eroll Popova

The final “Universum Champions Night” will take place December 19 in Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, when homegrown world champions Jürgen Brähmer und Sebastian Zbik defend their belts in a world title twinbill. Jürgen Brähmer (34-2, 28 KOs) will be defending his WBO light heavyweight belt against unbeaten WBO #10 Dmitry Sukhotsky (14-0, 9 KOs). “It couldn’t be better,” said Brähmer at today’s press conference. “My first title defense in my city of Schwerin. To box here was always a big wish of mine. With Sukhotsky I have an offensive opponent I don’t have to look for – and that should suit me!” Continued »

Sauerland Event

WBO cruiserweight champion Marco “Käpt’n” Huck (26-1, 20 KOs) is wrapping up the last few days at his training camp in Kienbaum before heading to Ludwigsburg on Sunday for his December 5 showdown against WBO interim cruiserweight titleholder Ola Afolabi (14-1-3, 6 KOs). Continued »

By Ray Wheatley–World of Boxing

World rated super middleweight Shannan Taylor will clash with WBA #15 Les Sherrington on November 27 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia. Taylor said: “I have trained very hard and Les Sherrington has shown me no respect for my career in what he said in his local newspaper. I will now make him pay by knocking him out. I dislike him that much-I might knock him out at next Wednesday’s press conference. He is an egg and I will be cracking him like the cheeky bastard he is.” Continued »

Photo: Mike Greenhill

By Mike Greenhill

Paul “The Punisher” Williams is hard at work in Team Williams training camp in Arlington, Virginia, as his world middleweight title defense against Argentina’s Sergio Martinez in Atlantic City December 5th fast approaches. “We’re going to have Paul peaking at the right time,” said his trainer George Peterson. Carlos Quintana, who split two bouts with Williams, has been one of the sparring partners in camp. “We brought Carlos in from Puerto Rico because his style is similar to Martinez’s style,” explained Peterson. Click here for more, plus photos galore…

Former WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev hits the big bag as his 8-year-old daughter Victoria, the camp’s official timekeeper, monitors the training segments. Maskaev goes against Nagy Aguilera (14-2, 9 KOs) in a scheduled 10-rounder at downtown Sacramento’s historic Memorial Auditorium on December 11th.

By Gabriel F. Cordero

The president of the WBC José Sulaimán, announced today that Édgar Sosa has been named a WBC emeritus champion, while the Filipino Rodel Mayol is recognized as WBC light flyweight world champion. The “emeritus” designation gives Sosa the right to immediately go to the front of the line to fight for a WBC title in any weight division. (More to come)

It has been announced that HBO will televise the upcoming bout between undefeated heavyweight contender, Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (22-0-1, 9 KOs) and Vitali Klitschko (38-2, 37 KOs) for the WBC heavyweight championship on December 12th. In addition to Johnson vs. Klitschko, which will take place at the PostFinance Arena in Bern, Switzerland, HBO will also be airing Victor Ortiz vs. Antonio Diaz and the rematch between Juan Diaz and Paulie Malignaggi from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago on HBO’s Boxing After Dark. The special duel site, triple header, will kick off at 10:15 PM with Oritz vs. Diaz, followed by Diaz vs. Malignaggi II. Immediately following Diaz vs. Malignaggi, HBO will air the WBC Title fight from Switzerland, tape delayed. Continued »