Mikkel Kessler 167 vs Andre Ward 166.5
(WBA super middleweight champonship)
Venue: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
TV: SHOWTIME

By Boxing Bob Newman

Day four of the 88th WBA annual convention in Medellin, Colombia started off with a Rules session conducted by WBA legal counsel Robert Mack. Several revisions were made regarding rules language. Areas where language changes were made included interim and provisional championships and champions in recess, definition of the fighter’s “purse,” and definition of Super champion. Also, clarification of rules regarding notification of highest available contenders fighting for interim titles, or mandatory challenger status, unauthorized drug use, and the policy when equal winning purse bids are submitted. Continued »

Photo: Brock Ellis

By Ray Wheatley–World of Boxing

Australian welterweight Heath Ellis (11-1-1, 6 KOs) won every round against Thai import Jakkrit Suwunnalirt (15-12-1, 6 KOs) over twelve rounds to capture the interim WBC-ABC welterweight title at the Malvern Town Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on Friday. Ellis controlled the bout in all of the contested rounds as he consistently connected with accurate head and body punches. A solid combination dropped Suwunnalirt in round three. Suwannalirt had boxed in Australia previously losing a twelve round points decision to current IBO 147 pound champion Lovemore Ndou in 2006. He lost inside the distance to Michael Katsidis and Emanuel Augustus in 2008. Ellis is the nephew of 1985 IBF 130 pound champion Lester Ellis. For more details and photos click here…

By Alexey Sukachev

Saint Petersburg’s top boxing company Jab Promotions is finishing this year strongly as usual. The next coming Friday, November 27, Vitaly Supichenko and Alexander Yagupov will stage another local show at “Typhoon” club in Northern Palmira, featuring a number of rising talent. In the main event of the evening, welterweight Daniil Utenkov (7-0, 5 KOs) is set to face Belgian light-hitter Nicolas Guisset (20-15-1, no KOs) in a scheduled ten-rounder. Continued »

By Alexey Sukachev

Russian junior welterweight hope Ruslan Provodnikov (13-0, 8 KOs), who has just come back after a lengthy academic hiatus with an easy stoppage of Uzbek trialhorse Mahsud Jumaev in October, will most probably face Argentinean fringe contender Victor Hugo Castro (29-6, 12 KOs) in a bid for a vacant WBO Intercontinental 140lbs title, headlining a five-bout event, which is set for Nov. 28 in Samara, Russia. Provodnikov, 25, was earlier scheduled to collide with Columbian power hitter Breidis “Khanqueror” Prescott (21-1, 18 KOs) but that fight was scratched after Team Prescott had received a much more lucrative offer to clash against another undefeated Brit Kevin Mitchell in the WBO lightweight eliminator. Replacing Prescott was former world champion Freddie “Lil’ Hagler” Norwood (43-3-1, 23 KOs) but this fight was also called off later for yet undisclosed reasons. All four preliminary bouts remain intact, including a much anticipated ten-round showdown between 2009 International Kostya Tszyu Cup winner and 140lb national champion Fariz Kazimov (10-1-1, 3 KOs) and ex-WBO titleholder DeMarcus “Chop-Chop” Corley (36-11-1, 21 KOs).

HBO Sports reported today that 1.25 million pay-per-view buys were generated from last Saturday’s welterweight title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto at the sold-out MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The fight was promoted by Top Rank, Inc.. The 1.25 million buy total represents the highest performing boxing pay-per-view event in 2009, generating $70 million in pay-per-view revenue. The figure includes 650,000 buys from cable homes and 600,000 from satellite and telco homes. A record 110,000 buys from Puerto Rico, Cotto’s home market, are included. It is the second time that an event featuring Manny Pacquiao, a worldwide superstar, has passed the one million mark in pay-per-view buys.

Everlast Worldwide is giving away one (1) pair of the Andre Ward’s custom Everlast gloves that he will wear in his Super Six fight on Saturday in Oakland, CA. The custom color scheme of red, white and blue, was designed by Ward and represents his patriotic side when he squares off against Mikkel Kessler of Denmark. To enter, visit Facebook.com/Everlast and post your prediction for Saturday’s fight. Regardless of the prediction, one lucky fan will be selected at random.

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Australian middleweight contender Jason Hartman (7-2, 5 KOs) scored a six round points victory over Aswin Cabuy (11-12-1, 4 KOs) of Indonesia at the Mansfield Tavern, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on Friday. This was a good win for Hartman as the importation holds a win over WBO #15 Samuel Columban. Continued »

By Graham Houston

Once the United States ruled boxing’s heavier weight divisions. Those days are just a fading memory. Showtime’s Super Six tournament in the 168-pound division has demonstrated the rise of European fighters. Undefeated Olympic bronze medallist Andre Dirrell lost a split decision to Carl Froch in the U.K., former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor, another Olympic bronze medallist, was knocked spark out in the closing seconds of his fight with Arthur Abraham in Germany and his career is in doubt. Will it be more of the same in the closing stage of the tournament’s opening-bracket bouts when Andre Ward, the Olympic gold medallist, challenges Denmark’s WBA champion Mikkel Kessler in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, CA, on Saturday? . . . click here for more

Photo: Boxing Bob Newman

By Boxing Bob Newman

The Events Center at the Plaza Mayor in Medellin, Colombia played host to the ten bout card headlined by the battle for the vacant WBA Interim Super Featherweight title. Several WBA regional titles were also scheduled as part of the 88th WBA annual convention festivities. A crowd of approximately 500 locals and convention delegates were on hand to enjoy the fisticuffs. Local hero Likar Ramos took on Venezuelan veteran Angel Granados for the vacant WBA Interim Super Featherweight title. The shorter Ramos caught the 35 year old Granados quickly in the opening moments or a flash knockdown. For more details and photos click here…

Photo: Peter Lim

By Peter Lim

A Russian version of Mike Tyson was unveiled in the form of 22-year-old power punching cruiserweight Medziah, who goes by just one name, at the Stafford Center on the outskirts of Houston. Trained by 1984 Olympic gold medalist and former two-division world titleholder Frank Tate, Medziah made a successful pro debut by knocking out Louis Webster, (0-1), at 1:12 of the third round. Although Tate was one of the best exponents of the left jab in his hey-day, it is a weapon thus far absent from Medziah’s arsenal. Instead, Medziah’s preference is to hide behind a peekaboo defense and dip under incoming blows before unloading explosive punches with both fists, a mode of combat uncannily reminiscent of Tyson in his destructive prime. Continued »

Photo: Bob Caico

By Bob Caico

Rising star Edwin Rodriguez of Worchester, MA, recorded a 5th round TKO over Brian Norman of Decatur, GA in Rochester, NY Thursday night. Rodriguez scored a knockdown in the second round with a left hook and shook Norman with a big right hand at the end of round three. At the start of round five, Rodriguez landed a right hand to the body followed by a hook to the head that marked the beginning of the end for Norman. A flurry of combinations had Norman reeling and the referee felt he had no choice but to stop the contest at 1:16. Continued »

Photo: Emily Harney

Joey McCreedy 165 vs Otis Griffin
Danny O’Connor 141 vs James Hope 142
Jaime Clampit 140.5 vs Rachel Clark 143.5
Vladine Biosse 168 vs Jeffrey Osbourne 169
Joe Smith, Jr. 179 vs Brandon McGowen TBA
Rashad Minor 294 vs Lance Gauch 259
Maceo Crowder 168 vs Duane King 167
Venue: Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island
Promoter: Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.

Photo: Sebastian Andrzejczyk/Bullit KnockOut Promotions

by Pawel Rydzewski, Michal Koper

On 27 November, former EBU titlist Rafal “Braveheart” Jackiewicz (34-8-1, 18 KOs) will fight against Delvin Rodriguez (24-3-2, 14 KOs) in an IBF welterweight title eliminator. The encounter, scheduled for 12 rounds, will take place in Elk (Poland) and will be promoted by Andrew Wasilewski’s Bullit Knockout Promotions in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing. 32-year-old Jackiewicz appears convinced, that not only the win in the next bout belongs to him, but also the IBF title in the nearest future. Continued »

Teon Kennedy 121 vs Francisco Rodriguez 121
(vacant USBA super bantamweight title)
Jason Barnett 223 vs John Poore 217
Venue: Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Promoter: Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc.

Photo: Universum Box-Promotion

Fight fans at the Sophienhof in Kiel, Germany, were thrilled this week when world champion fighters and top contenders participating on Saturday’s world title tripleheader engaged in a spirited public workout. On hand were WBC cruiserweight champion Giocabbe Fragomeni and his challenger, long-standing WBO light heavyweight champion Zsolt Erdei; WBC interim super featherweight champion Humberto Mauro Gutierrez and his challenger Vitali Tajbert; plus super middlewight contenders Dimitri Sartison and Stjepan Bozic, who meet for the vacant WBA belt. Click for more photos…

Southern California fight fans will once again be treated to world class professional boxing as TKO Boxing Promotions presents “Fight Night at the Commerce” on Thursday, December 17th at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles.

Featured at “Fight Night at the Commerce” will be former world title challengers Demetrius Hopkins and Edner Cherry in addition to world ranked lightweight Rolando Reyes in separate bouts.. . . . Click here for more

The two Europeans boxers – victorious over their American opponents in the first round of the Super Six World Boxing Classic – are predicting Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler will beat Andre “S.O.G.” Ward in the final Group Stage 1 matchup this Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). One of the two Americans – Andre Dirrell – likes Ward while Jermain Taylor calls Saturday’s showdown a “toss-up.” Continued »

By Boxing Bob Newman

After much haggling, and transcontinental communications, the debate over the officials for Saturday’s WBA Super Middleweight title fight between champion Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward, the final fight of round one of the Super Six Boxing Classic in Oakland, California has been settled. Judge Micheal Hook of Sweden and judge Stanley Christodoulou of South Africa will leave the WBA convention in Medellin, Colombia on Friday morning and will arrive at the airport in San Francisco that same evening. This will be in time to join California judge Steve Morrow and California referee Jack Riess at ringside Saturday night for the main event. There had been much consternation from the Kessler camp over a proposed all-California team of officials. The Super Six Boxing Classic contract, which was signed by all the participants involved called for two neutral officials at each fight in the tournament. WBA sanctioning of the fight as a title fight was in jeopardy, but is now restored.

By Boxing Bob Newman

Day 3 of the 88th annual WBA convention in Medellin, Colombia opened today with a lecture entitled “Motivation and Leadership,” by WBA Directorate member Miguel Prada. Prada is also a presiding faculty member at University of Panama, as a professor of Public Administration. The goal of the lecture was to provide tools and tactics in improving organizational leadership, and motivating members of any organization to improves performance. Prada expressed how former champs Ricardo Lopez and Fidel Bassa were examples of boxers how applied these principles to succeed not only in the ring, but in business and in life itself. Continued »

Photo: Chris Farina-Top Rank

Yuri Foreman, the new WBA world super welterweight champ, celebrates with Hall of Fame Top Rank promoter Bob Arum at a press luncheon Thursday in New York. Foreman is the first Orthodox Jew in nearly 70 years to win a world boxing championship. “I am proud to carry the flag for Israel,” said Foreman who upset Daniel Santos on Top Rank’s “FIREPOWER” event last weekend, which featured Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto. Click here for more photos…

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 heavyweight title challenger Kevin Johnson and super middleweight prospect Dyah Ali Davis (16-1, 7 KOs, son of Olympic gold medalist Howard Davis, Jr.). 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.

The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame has selected unbeaten world light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson of New Haven as its 2009 Pro Fighter of the Year. It is the third time in the last four years Dawson has won the award. Manchester featherweight Matt Remillard won the award in 2008. Dawson (29-0) won a decision over Glen Johnson on Nov. 7 to keep his IBO light heavyweight title while adding the WBC interim title to his collection. The CBHOF achievement award will be presented to Paul Cichon of East Hartford, the former director of the Manchester Police Athletic League boxing program. The CBHOF Amateur Fighter of the Year is Luis Rosa of New Haven. Phyllis Roy of Glastonbury, who is affiliated with USA Boxing in Connecticut, is the Official of the Year. John Scully, Vito Tallarita, Danny Cosgrove, Julie Kogon, Sal DiMartino and Jack Delaney comprise the 2009 induction class. CBHOF’s annual dinner will take place on Nov. 21 at the Mohegan Sun. Showtime boxing analyst Steve Farhood will be the master of ceremonies. Tickets can be obtained by calling Sherman Cain at 860-646-0500 (extension 321) or Mike Murtha at 860 862-7586.

Fightnews is happy to report that professional medical opinion is that fomer world title challenger Z Gorres is expected to have a functional life. For now, he will need to rehabilitate his left side which may need time but he is no longer in critical condition although still in a serious situation. Gorres may be removed from the ventilator in the next 48 hours. According to Dr. Casey (Trauma Surgeon), the progress of Gorres is remarkable and is normally seen in two weeks but because Gorres who is young and in great health responded well in only five days. “Z has dramatically improved, I am happy with his developement” said Casey.

“We are pleased to hear the news and would like to thank everyone for all the prayers that we know that have helped Z recover from the biggest fight of his life. Thank you,” said Michael Aldeguer President of ALA Promotions. (Gorres’ Promoter in the Philippines). Gorres won a unanimous decision over Luis Melendez on Friday night in Las Vegas. Moments later he collapsed to the canvas and was taken on a stretcher to University Medical Center’s trauma unit where he underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler of Denmark (left) and undefeated Andre “S.O.G” Ward of Oakland pose and face off at a packed, free public final press conference Wednesday at downtown Oakland City Hall. On Saturday, Kessler (42-1, 32 KOs) and Ward (20-0, 13 KOs) will clash for Kessler’s WBA 168-pound title in the the first Super Six World Boxing Classic Group Stage 1 bout for each boxer this Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

The International Boxing Federation/United States Boxing Association received the top score in an analysis conducted recently by a panel of experts arranged by the Wall Street Journal on Drug Testing policies of sports organizations throughout the world. “I am extremely pleased that we received the highest score among so many notable sporting organizations,” noted Marian Muhammad, IBF President. The IBF/ USBA came in number one with a score of 94.75 and scoring significantly higher than other major organizations such as the NFL (72.5), NBA (57.5), NHL (57.5) and MLB (56.2). The score was based on the presence of a policy, public accessibility to the policy and its administration, as well as the severity of the sanctions on the code’s offenders. Continued »

Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

By David Robinett

On a clear, brisk afternoon in downtown Oakland, California, WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler and 2004 U.S. Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward held court before an international press corp and a smattering of fans to announce their Super Six World Boxing Classic Group Stage 1 bout this Saturday at Oracle Arena in Oakland. But all was not well as the participants took their turns at the dais. Prior to the press conference, word had broken that Kessler’s promoter Sauerland Event was objecting to the selection of the referee and judges for Saturday’s championship fight. Promoter Wilfried Sauerland used his opportunity to speak to address the issue. “The one thick cloud hanging over us in this beautiful blue sky is the referee and judges,” said Sauerland. “Andre has the home advantage and Dan Goossen has done a great job of securing home advantage for all three fights while all the other guys have to travel around the world. But one thing we do not accept is that the referee and all the judges come from California.” Continued »

When boxing fans last saw WBA super featherweight champion Vicente ‘El Loco’ Mosquera (24-2-1, 12 KOs) he was defending his title in an exciting shoot out with then contender and now world champion Edwin Valero in August 2006. The bout was a thriller that saw both fighters knocking the other down. In the end it was Valero winning and taking Mosquera’s title. However, Mosquera’s effort left many fans wanting to see more of him and his exciting fight style. Sadly the Valero fight would be Mosquera’s last fight as not too long after that he was implicated in an unclear situation that resulted in the death of a person (which Mosquera to this date stands by his innoncence) and was sent to prison. Fast forward three years and Mosquera recently released from prison still has aspirations in the ring. Continued »

Prize Fight Boxing showcases a slew of young talent on “Boxing’s Future Champions III” Saturday Night at Fitzgeralds Casino in Tunica, MS. The main event of the evening features highly touted junior middleweight Shawn “Showtime” Porter (10-0, 8 KOs) against Jerome “Boomer” Ellis. A 2008 United States Olympic Alternate, Porter served as Manny Pacquiao’s primary sparring partner leading up to his fight with Miguel Cotto. The Akron, OH native also appeared on HBO’s famed 24-7 series and received kudos from three time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach for pushing the pound for pound king to the max. Continued »

Universum Box-Promotion

Three days before his big world championship challenge against the Italian WBC cruiserweight world champion Giacobbe Fragomeni, long-standing WBO light heavyweight world championZsolt Erdei had time for a short interview. “The Firebird” spoke about the fight, revealed the reason he presented Fragomeni with packages of noodles at the press conference, and explained why he is sporting a black eye. Continued »

Photo: Ricardo Conde

By Ricardo Conde

“Vicious” Victor Ortiz (24-2-1, 19 KOs), from Oxnard, CA by way of Garden City, Kansas will return to the ring on December 12th at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, IL. This will be Ortiz’s first fight after his devastating loss to Marcos Maidana for the interim WBA light welterweight title back in June. Ortiz will face Antonio “Tono” Diaz (46-5-1, 29 KOs), which will be the co-feature on Diaz-Malignaggi II and will be shown live on HBO B.A.D. Click here for more photos…

By Peter Lim

Undefeated light heavyweight prospect Alfonso “El Tigre” Lopez looks to extend his undefeated record of 17-0 (14 KOs) when he takes on Tiwon Taylor, 26-17-1 (19 KOs) on Nov. 19 at the Stafford Center on the outskirts of Houston. A former two-time Texas Golden Gloves champion, Lopez, 27, has fought predominantly in the Houston area, where he has gained a modest fan base, since turnng pro in 2007. A self-described “boxer-brawler,” Lopez’ primamry weapon is the left jab which he uses to set up combinations and power punches. Alao undefeated at light heavyweight, Terrence Woods, 6-0 (4 KOs), takes on Brandon Singleton, 2-3 (1 KO), in a four-round bout. Fernando Casteneda, 4-4 (1 KO), faces Josh Burns, 3-7-5 (1 KO) in a junior middleweight bout. And Ivan Casteneda, 1-1 (1 KO), will take on Deshaun Williams (debut) in a bantamweight bout. Billed Evening of Boxing, the fights will be staged by Calm Before the Storm Promotions.

Day two of the 88th annual WBA convention in Medellin, Colombia kicked off this morning with a motivational talk and video hilights by former WBA flyweight champion from Colombia, Fidel Bassa. After lunch, the ratings committee heard requests from several assembled promoters and fighter representatives to consider ranking requests for their respective fighters. The following is a compilation of the representatives followed by the fighters for whom they lobbied for higher rankings or a top fifteen consideration… Continued »

Photo: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

By David Robinett

Andre Ward: “I don’t have much to say about the fight, I feel like a quiet storm right now….I’ve been doing everything I need to do, not just for the last 6 to 8 weeks, but I’ve been preparing for this night since I was 9 years old. I want that [WBA] belt really, really, really bad….I’m in tremendous condition. You know I always seem to be the underdog but I embrace that.”

Mikkel Kessler: “I’ve come all the way over here to Oakland and I’m 150 percent ready for the fight. I’ve had good preparation and I am in unbelievable shape….This is the best preparation I’ve had. I had a loss against Joe Calzaghe and it still tears me up today, so I’m not thinking about losing anymore.”

Note: Kessler Promoter Wilfried Sauerland announced that his team was objecting to the referee and judges, stating that they were all based in California and that neutral judges are required by the terms of the Super Six tournament. Sauerland said if the WBA does not assign any neutral judges for Saturday, Kessler will not put his WBA super middleweight title on the line and that the fight would be a non-title bout. More details to come…

By Boxing Bob Newman

Boxing Bob Newman

In the annals of boxing history, there are far more stories of boxer despair and heartbreak than those of success, especially after their ring career is over. The story of celebrated former WBA flyweight champion Fidel “El Pescador” Bassa is one of those rarities- a heartwarming tale of success and adulation for the diminutive boxer. Following the intriguing talk of Ricardo Lopez the day prior, Fidel Bassa entranced the audience with his life story, from the streets of El Reten, to the boxing rings around the world, to the top of the business world in Colombia. Continued »

44-year-old former world champion Bernard Hopkins said today he still has more history to make, starting with Enrique Ornelas on December 2 at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. “I will win and I will be impressive,” vowed ‘The Executioner’ who is lined up to face Roy Jones Jr. in his next match. He also hinted at a possible heavyweight title shot later in the year. “December 2 starts a marathon of super greatness for me,” he stated.

7-foot former heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev has commented on quotes attributed to WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and former WBO heavyweight champion Sultan Ibragimov implying Valuev may have been set up by his co-promoters, Sauerland Event and Don King Productions, into taking a fight against David Haye that was not in his best interests. It was also revealed that there was a rematch clause in the Valuev-Haye deal, so expect a rematch after Haye’s mandated bout with John Ruiz. Continued »

By Craig Watt

Speculation is growing that former two weight world champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton is contemplating a return to the ring in 2010 in a major outdoor event against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez. In 2008, the popular fighter from Manchester broke the post war live crowd record in the UK with 56,000 at the City of Manchester Stadium when he outpointed Juan Lazcano over twelve rounds. The speculation was heightened today when Hatton Promotions chief executive, Gareth Williams told the Daily Express in the UK: “If Ricky does carry on it would be an ideal fight for him to take on Marquez. He is an elite fighter, just like Ricky, who will want to challenge the best. It makes far more sense to fight Marquez than some of the other names that have been bandied about.” Continued »

All Star Boxing, Inc “The New Generation”, Tuto Zabala, Jr and Boxeo Telemundo will close its 2009 season on December 4 at the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming in Miami. In the main event, veteran Cosme “Chino” Rivera of Culiacan, Mexico will make his 5th Miccosukee and Telemundo appearance when he faces hot prospect Euri “Million” Gonzalez of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in a bout scheduled for 12 Rounds with the WBO Latin Welterweight vacant title at stake. Continued »

Photo: Jeff Fusco - Hoganphotos/Golden Boy

Philadelphia hero Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins hosted an open media workout Tuesday at the Joe Hand Boxing Gym where he is preparing for “The Broad Street Brawl”, his December 2 bout against Enrique Ornelas at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA which will be broadcast live on VERSUS. “Enrique Ornelas is a Mexican fighter. They fight with guts; it’s in their DNA and Enrique has a lot to gain and nothing to lose,” stated Hopkins. “He wants to come make a name off of me on December 2nd. Continued »

By Rick Scharmberg

“The Boxing Prince”, Prince Badi Ajamu (27-3-1, 15 KOs), of Camden, New Jersey will defend his NBA light heavyweight title at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City this Friday against Daniel Judah (23-4-3, 10 KOs), of Brooklyn, New York. Judah is stepping for Otis Griffin, who pulled out of the fight. “Griffin wanted more money. It seems he priced himself out after accepting the fight. I have no problem with changing opponents,” said Ajamu. “Daniel Judah has a good name, and he feels his chances are excellent. That makes for a good fight.” Continued »

Rey Colón of the ´El Vocero´ of Puerto Rico reported that the welterweight mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto generated approximately 2 million pay-per-view buys generating at least $120 million. No word on what Pacquiao´s cut will be but Cotto was mentioned to be making at least $10 million minimum.

Unbeaten world-ranked Mike Jones, of Philadelphia, one of the hottest prospects in the talent-laden welterweight division, has signed a new multi-year contract with Hall-of-Fame promoter J Russell Peltz, of Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc. Jones, 26, who has been with Peltz since his pro debut in 2005, is the reigning NABA champion and he is ranked #7 by the WBA and well as ranked by the IBF and the WBC. Continued »

Hall of Fame Showtime Broadcaster Al Bernstein calls the November 21st Mikkel Kessler-Andre Ward Super Six World Boxing Classic match, “potentially one of the best of the tournament.” Bernstein, who will be at ringside with Gus Johnson and Antonio Tarver to call the action on Showtime, believes that this first round Super Six match-up features the two best ring technicians in the tourney. “Mikkel Kessler is close to a textbook boxer and he has power added into that mix. Andre Ward has a vast amateur background and has moved carefully through the pro ranks, so he has fully developed as a fighter. They both have a high skill level and I believe they will produce a terrific fight,” Bernstein said.
—–
This match concludes the first stage of the Super Six World Boxing Classic. In round one Carl Froch won a decision over Andre Dirrell to gain two points in the standings and Arthur Abraham stopped Jermain Taylor in the 12th to put three points up on the scoreboard. The Ward-Kessler match can be seen on Saturday on Showtime.

New world champion Yuri Foreman will be honored at a Top Rank press function on Thursday in New York City. “It’s more of a celebration than a press conference,” said Bob Arum of Top Rank. “All of us at Top Rank are excited for Yuri and what he accomplished in the ring on Saturday night.” Foreman, saying he fought ‘the best fight fight of my life,’ scored knockdowns in the second and 12th rounds to win a decision over Daniel Santos of Puerto Rico on Top Rank’s ‘Firepower’ PPV which featured Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto. Foreman won by scores of 117-109, 117-109, 116-110 to win the WBA Super Welterweight Championship title belt. “I’m going see my rabbi,” Foreman said in the ring Saturday night. He is the first Orthodox Jew to win a world championship in nearly 70 years. Murray Wilson, co-manager of Foreman, said he was “awestruck” while watching Foreman put pressure and heat on Santos to capture the world title. “This is what we all dreamed about for such a long time,” Wilson said.

Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. and Genaro “Poblanito” Garcia have arrived fit and ready for their battle on Friday at the popular Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida. WBO Latin champion Vazquez Jr. will defend his title for the third time against hard punching veteran Garcia in a bout scheduled for 12 rounds and being billed “Youth Vs. Experience.” Continued »

By Ron Jackson

At a press conference held in Johannesburg on Tuesday Branco Milenkovic of Branco Sports Productions presented his final bill for the bumper tournament to be held at the Wembley Indoor Arena in Johannesburg on Friday night. In the main event, South African flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane (23-2, 16 KOs) meets the experienced Mexican Julio Cesar Miranda (30-4-1, 23 KOs) in a fight for the vacant IBF flyweight belt. Continued »

See the “Tale of the Tape” for Saturday’s SUPER SIX showdown between WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler and unbeaten 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward. Click here…

Boxing Bob Newman

By Boxing Bob Newman

The 88th Annual World Boxing Association Convention got underway today at the luxurious Dann Carlton Hotel in beautiful Medellin, Colombia. Some 256 delegates from over 20 countries are in attendance. The opening commenced with introductions of the WBA Board of Directors by WBA Executive Vice President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza. Following the national anthem of the host country Colombia, a ten count was then given to several boxing luminaries who have passed in the last year- Promoter Luis Spada, past WBA president Dr. Elias Cordoba, legendary champions Alexis Arguello, Jose Torres, Ingemar Johansson, Raul Macias, Alfredo Marcano, Greg Page, and more recent fighters of note, female unified champion Jisselle Salandy and WBA Fedelatin champion Jose Arboleda. Continued »

By Ron Jackson

Ali Funeka will have his second crack at the IBF lightweight belt when he meets Joan Guzman from the Dominican Republic for the vacant belt in Quebec, Canada on November 28. In February this year, the 31-year-old Funeka (30-2-2, 25 KOs) was outpointed by Nate Campbell when challenging for the IBF and WBO belts. Funeka who is now managed by Butityi Konki and trained by Vuyani and Dudu Bungu faces possibly the toughest fight of his career against Guzman, 33, who fights out of Brooklyn, New York and is unbeaten in 20 fights with 17 wins inside the distance. Continued »