McCall prepping Molina for Arreola

By John Cannon
Photo: Rolando Salazar

Currently, Lyford native Eric Molina is training for the fight of his life as he will face Chris Arreola (34-2, 29 KOs), the number one ranked Heavyweight in the world in a 10-round title eliminator on February 18th as a part of the Paul Williams card on Showtime Championship Boxing in Corpus Christi. While many skeptics don’t think Molina (18-1, 14 KOs) stands a chance, there is one former Heavyweight champion who is doing everything possible to try and help the young Heavyweight pull off the upset. Oliver McCall (56-11, 37 KOs) came into town early this week and has been Molina’s primary sparring partner as well as assisting trainer James Gogue as a co-trainer. (more…)

World Series of Boxing Update

Host team Moscow Dynamo shutout and visiting Los Angeles Matadors last Friday night in Russia, 5-0, to move into a three-way tie with Dolce & Gabbana Milano Thunder and Astana Arlans, all sporting 6-2 records and 19 points, on top of Group A in the innovative World Series of Boxing (“WSB”). The Moscow vs. Los Angeles, distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media, replaced an originally scheduled Mexico City vs. Beijing match that was cancelled due to visa problems for members of the Chinese team.

The next WSB PPV will air Friday night, February 17, pitting host Mexico City Guerreros against unbeaten Group B leader Baku Fires, and also distributed by the undisputed King of combat sports PPV – Integrated Sports Media – for live viewing at 10:00 PM/ET – 7:00 PM/PT on satellite pay-per-view via DirecTV, DISH Network, iN DEMAND and Avail-TVN, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. Mexico City vs. Baku will again be available via on-line PPV on Ustream.tv at http://www.ustream.tv/integratedsportsppv. (more…)

Chavez-Rubio/Donaire-Vazquez Presser

By Karl Freitag
Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Undefeated WBC middleweight champion and the Son of the Legend Julio César Chávez, Jr. (44-0-1, 31 KOs), pound-for-pound superstar and three-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire (27-1, 18 KOs), #1 middleweight contender Marco Antonio Rubio (53-5-1, 47 KOs), former junior featherweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (21-1-1, 18 KOs) and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum spoke today at the final news conference for Saturday’s fights at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.: This fight will leave no doubts that I am the top middleweight in the world.

Marco Antonio Rubio: “I want to thank and give respect to Julio Cesar Chavez. I’m gonna give all my heart in the ring.”

Nonito Donaire: “What I’ve heard so far is music to my ears. What they’ve said has really fired me up.”

Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. “I’m happy to here. I’m well-prepared. And you’re gonna have a new champion on Saturday.” (more…)

Moscow Dynamo-L.A. Matadors ‘World Series of Boxing’ PPV Replaces Postponed Mexico vs. Beijing match Friday Night

Friday night’s scheduled broadcast of the World Series of Boxing (“WSB”) event featuring Mexico City vs. Beijing has been postponed due to visa problems for members of the Chinese team. A WSB “Group A” match between the Moscow Dynamo and Los Angeles Matadors and will now been shown in place of Mexico vs. Beijing.

The Moscow vs. Los Angeles, airing this Friday (Feb. 3) from Moscow, will be distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 10:00 PM/ET – 7:00 PM/PT on satellite pay-per-view via DirecTV, DISH Network, iN DEMAND and Avail-TVN, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. Both shows will also be available via on-line PPV on Ustream.tv at http://www.ustream.tv/integratedsportsppv. Another WSB match on Friday, Feb. 17, pitting the Mexico City Guerreros and Baku Fires, will also be available for viewing (Fri., Feb. 17) on the same PPV basis. (more…)

Happy 25th Birthday Victor Ortiz

By Miguel Maravilla

“Vicious” Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KOs) celebrated his 25th Birthday on Tuesday with members of the media and the Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Ventura County at Knuckleheadz Gym in Ventura. Ortiz was also scheduled to have a media workout in preparation for his rematch with Andre Berto (28-1, 22 KOs), which is now off. “I feel good. I am 25 years old now and a year older,” Ortiz commented on his Birthday.

However the other news of the day was disappointing, as Andre Berto suffered a torn bicep injury during training. Ortiz received the news Monday evening as his fight with Andre Berto had been postponed. “I was devastated when my manager Rolando Arellano told me. ‘I have some bad news,’ he explained to me, ‘Berto has injured himself,’” said Ortiz. (more…)

World title twinbill in Japan

By Joe Koizumi | Photo: Boxing Beat

Should you be the promoter/manager of a newly crowned world champ, will you book such a dangerously hard-punching challenger in your boy’s voluntary first defense as Vic Darchinyan? Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions seems to love such an adventurous mathup as will greatly stun and attract our aficionados. We attended a deluxe press conference in Tokyo yesterday (Monday). Unbeaten WBC bantam champ Shinsuke Yamanaka (15-0-2, 11 KOs), with a knockout streak of last nine wins, will risk his belt against Darchinyan (37-4-1, 27 KOs), an Armenian “Raging Bull” residing in Australia, in Tokyo, Japan, on April 6. Yamanaka seized the vacant belt renounced by Nonito Donaire when he dispatched Mexican Christian Esquivel in eleven furious rounds last November.

The headliner is WBC super-feather titlist Takahiro Aoh (22-21, 10 KOs), a Japanese southpaw, will also put his throne on the line against WBC top ranked contender Terdsak Jandaen (46-3-1, 31 KOs), a hard-hitting Thailander, in the main event. (more…)

Berman announces bumper bill for Emperors Palace

By Ron Jackson

Sipho Taliwe/Joey Stiglingh. Photo: Yolande van der Stoep

At a press conference held on Thursday, Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotions announced a bumper bill to be held at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on March 3 which will be headed by Thomas Oosthuizen in defense of his IBO super middleweight belt against Serge Yannick. The southpaw Oosthuizen (17-0-1, 12 KOs), who celebrates his 24th birthday on April 2, will be making the fourth defence of his belt against the 28-year-old Yannick (14-1, 7 KOs) who was born in the Cameroon but who now fights out of Australia. Yannick the current PABA super middleweight champion suffered his only loss in December 2009 when he was outpointed by Michael Bolling. Oosthuizen must impress in this fight as there are plans for him to feature in the United States this year under the guidance of promoter Lou DiBella.

The 30-year-old Kaizer Mabuza (23-8-3, 14 KOs) a former South African, WBA Pan African and IBF Intercontinental junior welterweight champion will be having his third crack at winning a “world” title when faces Australian Steve Wills (16-0-2, 9 KOs) in a clash for the vacant IBO junior welterweight belt. (more…)

Minto moving back to heavyweight

By Bob Caico

Professional boxing returns to the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY on Saturday night. The main event will be a NABF heavyweight title eliminator when Brian Minto (35-4, 22 KOs) of Pennsylvania goes against Connecticut’s Tony Grano (18-2-1). The main preliminary will be an eight-round heavyweight contest between Eric Fields (19-1, 15 KOs) of Oklahoma and Derrick Brown (13-6-3, 11 KOs) of Utica, NY. (more…)

Polish “Little Tyson” headlines in Tunica

By Przemek Garczarczyk

Prize Fight and Global Boxing return on January 28th with the latest installment of “Fights at the Fitz” from the Grand Ballroom at Fitzgerald’s Hotel & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi. In the headliner, undefeated rising prospect Kamil Laszczyk (6-0, 5 KOs) from North Bergen, NJ meets Texas champion Samuel Sanchez (7-2, 5 KOs) for the vacant Mid-South Featherweight Championship.

Laszczyk, who just couple of days ago celebrated his 21th birthday, rose to prominence in his homeland, Poland as he was a multiple Polish national champion. “I call Kamil a Little Tyson, because he has the same tenacity and mental strength as the legendary heavyweight,” said Laszczyk’s promoter and Global Boxing CEO, Mariusz Kolodziej. “He’s a great talent and even though his pro career is a short one, people who know about the boxing business are already recognizing his skills and lightning fast reflexes.” (more…)

Berto says he’s ready for Ortiz

By Miguel Maravilla
Photos: Gene Blevins – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

Andre Berto (28-1, 22KOs) is only two weeks from the rematch against “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22KOs). Berto continued his preparation Tuesday at the Ten Goose Boxing Gym in Van Nuys, California. As he will get the shot to redeem himself, after suffering the first defeat of his career against Ortiz in one of the best fights of 2011. Now Andre Berto, is ready for to redeem himself against Victor Ortiz come February 11 in a Welterweight showdown scheduled for 12 rounds at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“Training camp has been pretty good for this fight the most important thing is to make sure my health is good,” Berto told Fightnews.com

Berto began preparing for the rematch in Winter Haven, Florida and relocated training camp to Southern California where he has been training at the Ten Goose Boxing Gym. (more…)

Santana headlines Feb 24 in Dover

By Rick Scharmberg

WBA #12-ranked Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana (26-3, 17 KOs) will defend his NABA light welterweight title against Manuel Perez (16-7-1, 4 KOs) in the ten round main event on Friday, February 24 at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in Dover, Delaware. In the co-feature, “Mighty” Mike Tiberi (18-1, 7 KOs) will take part in an eight round bout for the vacant WBF intercontinental super middleweight title against an opponent to be announced shortly. Santana, who is riding a 5-bout win streak, owns a win over world-rated Josesito Lopez, while Perez once fought recent world champion Brandon Rios to a ten round majority draw. Dover Downs Hotel & Casino is the show’s promoter.

The 33-year-old Santana will be fighting for the second time at the venue’s Rollins Center. (more…)

Fonfara will go for USBO belt March 17

By Przemek Garczarczyk
Photo: Justine Jachna/Team Fonfara

Undefeated as a light heavyweight (eight fights, eight KOs) Andrzej ‘Polish Prince’ Fonfara (20-2, 11 KOs) has promised that 2012 will be a breakthrough year. Fonfara, currently #9 in the WBO rankings, also wants to have chance to fight for the vacant IBO light heavyweight title. “There’s a real chance for Andrew to fight for the IBO title this year,” said Marek Fonfara, Andrzej’s brother, who is also the Polish 24-year-old’s manager. “This is why we decided to upgrade our next event. On March 17 in the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Andrzej will be fighting for IBO/USBO title. In the next couple of days, we will make an announcement about his opponent. March 17 is the most important fight in Andrzej’s young career. He understands that very well.” (more…)

Full Report: Ponce De Leon-Estrella

Story and photos by Felipe Leon

Golden Boy Promotions in association with Erik Morales’ Box Latino presented an exciting night of action last Saturday night in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, as former super bantamweight world champion Daniel Ponce de Leon (42-4, 35KOs) brutally battered over matched Omar “Dinamita” Estrella (15-4-2, 10KOs) en route to a sixth round knock out win in the main event of the “Batalla En La Bahia (Battle at the Bay)” held at the brand new venue “Bodega del Boxeo”. With the win, Ponce de Leon captured the vacant WBC USNBC featherweight title. Over fifteen hundred fight fans filled the restored where house to the brink as they enjoyed a nine bout fight card. The event was televised live in Mexico by Televisa. (more…)

Inside the Kelly Pavlik camp

Report and photos by Francisco Salazar

Former unified middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik, who has battled personal problems within the last year, hopes a change of scenery will allow him to focus on boxing again and hopefully pursue another shot at a world title belt. That change of scenery is far away from the familiar surroundings of his hometown of Youngstown, OH, where some say have contributed to his recent troubles. Instead, he traveled westward to Oxnard, CA, where he has been training at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy since last Monday.

Unlike Youngstown, OH, Pavlik could blend in with the almost 200,000 people that call Oxnard home. Whereas Pavlik may be the main sports story in his hometown, he could take a back seat to other well-known fighters in Ventura County, such as Sergio Martinez, Brandon Rios, and Victor Ortiz. Not to mention the top high school soccer programs in Oxnard, which have dominated the local sports pages in recent weeks.

Pavlik (37-2, 32 KOs) can live with that. (more…)

Report/gallery: Rigondeaux vs. Ramos

Ringside by Andreas Hale and Anthony Springer Jr.
Photos by Chris Cozzone

Cuban boxing sensation and two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux may have lulled fight fans at The Palms to sleep with several painfully tentative rounds against Rico Ramos, but he woke them up with a sensational sixth round knockout to claim the WBA super bantamweight title. The previously undefeated Ramos was overmatched from the outset as a cool, calm and calculated Rigondeaux waited for Ramos to over commit and drilled him with a straight left hand that stunned his foe and followed up with another left hand that sent Ramos tumbling to the canvas. Fortunately for Ramos there were only seconds on the clock . . . Click here for more

Miguel Cotto will choose the best deal

By Rey Colón -The Sport Press

The free agent status of WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto (37-2, 30 KOs) will allow him to choose the best offer from Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Manny Pacquiao, who continue to publicly discuss through their advisors and promoter Bob Arum whether or not they will face off May 5 or June 9. Given the refusal of Mayweather Jr. to accept a 50-50 purse split while Pacquiao insists on this condition, all roads lead to Cotto, who after them is the biggest ‘pay per view’ seller in the division, therefore his name is the first option.

Cotto will listen to the offer of the Mayweather Jr. group and then give an opportunity to Arum, who was his promoter since he debuted ten years ago and whose contract expired on December 31. He will then evaluate the bids and choose the most attractive and lucrative. (more…)

Omar Sheika returns to the ring tonight

By Flattop

Former title challenger Omar Sheika is back in action tonight as he goes toe-to-toe with durable Charles Hayward in the main event of “Saturday Night Fights at the Hamilton Manor” in Hamilton, NJ. Also in action is exciting undefeated super middleweight Derrick “Take it to the Bank” Webster (11-0, 6 KOs) facing upset-minded Brian Bernard (10-10-2, 6 KOs). (more…)

Chavez almost ready for Feb 4

Photos: German Villasenor/Top Rank

The undefeated WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. is putting the final touches in his preparations for #1 contender Marco Antonio Rubio on February 4 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The “Son of the Legend” had this to say Friday at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood. “Being a world champion is a big responsibility and that why I have work so hard during this camp. This fight is very important to me and I need to be at my best”

On Rubio

“He’s a very experienced fighter and very strong, but not the overall boxer that Sebastian Zbik is. I know this is a very tough fight and a great challenge for me, but I feel that I am not only ready for these types of fights, but to also win them.” (more…)

Pacquiao insists on 50-50 sharing

By Nick Giongco
Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Having drawn 1.4 million pay-per-view buys the last time, Manny Pacquiao said on Friday night that it is just fair and square that he and Floyd Mayweather equally share the revenue of a planned fight in May. Pacquiao’s rubber match with Juan Manuel Marquez generated that hefty number of buys, while Mayweather’s controversial kayo of Victor Ortiz only posted 1.25 million. “It’s just right that we share equally,” said Pacquiao. “Floyd has to look at the PPV numbers to understand why it be fair for us to split it in half,” added Pacquiao.

Mayweather spoke on the phone with Pacquiao on Thursday and the Filipino clearly told his caller that it has to be 50-50. If Mayweather doesn’t agree, Pacquiao said he will have no choice but to fight somebody else possibly on June 9.

Jennings-Byarm Philadelphia Presser

Report and photos by Rich Hundley III

North Philly takes on South Philly in the main event of the inaugural edition of NBC Sports Network’s “Fight Night” Boxing Series. The final press conference was held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA today. Heavyweights Maurice Byarm (13-0-1, 9 KOs) of North Philly and Bryant Jennings (11-0, 5 KOs) of South Philly will vie for the Pennsylvania State Heavyweight Championship according to Greg Sirb, Pennsylvania Boxing Commissioner. In the co-feature, welterweights Jesus Soto-Karass (24-6-3, 16 KOs) and Gabriel Rosado (18-5, 10 KOs) face off.

Bryant Jennings: “I think this is the opportunity for both of us to prove ourselves and make it better for the sport of boxing. You’re going to know who both of us are. Everybody’s gonna be watching, and me and this guy standing to my left are the future.”

Maurice Byarm: “This is going to be a great fight for me and Bryant, win lose or draw, it’s going to catapult us to higher elevation in our career. I think we’re going to bring out the best in each-other. At the end of this fight they’re gonna know who Maurice Byarm and Bryant Jennings, they’re going to know us both. Hats off to both of us for putting our undefeated records on the line for Philadelphia, we’re both fighting for the pride of Philadelphia. For more details and photos click here…

Q&A: Andy Lee

Photo: DiBella Entertainment/Ed Diller

By Mike Bernier

Irish world-rated middleweight contender Andy Lee (27-1, 19 KOs) returns on DiBella Entertainment’s St. Patrick’s Day card (March 17th) that will take place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Lee’s opponent has yet to be named. Headlining the show will be middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (48-2-2, 27 KOs) defending his crown against top-rated Irish middleweight contender, Matthew “Mack The Knife” Macklin (28-3, 19 KOs). Lee, who has won twelve straight, avenged his only loss against Brian Vera in his last fight. He is rated WBO #1, WBA #3 and WBC #6, and hopes to face the winner of Martinez-Macklin. (more…)

Exclusive interview with Siarhei Liakhovich

By David Finger
Photo: Ed Mulholland

It’s been called the theater of the absurd, and never has the title fit more aptly then in recent years. The Heavyweight division, the lifeblood of the sweet science, seemed to be sinking in quicksand. With every passing year it seemed like the major players in boxing’s most prestigious division were slipping further and further in obscurity in the eyes of casual sports fans. Suddenly, finding heavyweight fights on American TV became a rare occurrence, and often they profiled mismatches between young prospects on their way up. In fact, if you happened to have turned on the TV and watched a major heavyweight fight between a well established top rank contender and a dangerous former heavyweight champion, odds were you either had a great satellite package or you lived in Europe. But all that was suppose to change this week, when the highest rated American heavyweight, Eddie Chambers, was to face the dangerous former heavyweight champion Siarhei Liakhovich on January 21 in the inaugural main event of NBC Sports Network’s “Fight Night” card at the Asylum Arena in Philadelphia. It was a fight that promised more exposure with American fight fans as any in the last five years. But, as is often the case in heavyweight boxing, the worst case scenario was realized. With days before the fight was scheduled to occur, Eddie Chambers pulled out of the fight citing injured ribs. It was a move that infuriated the Belarussian, who saw his biggest opportunity to shine in front of American fight fans disappear in an instance. (more…)

Uchiyama lectures students

By Joe Koizumi

When Fighting Harada was our one and only world champion, everyone knew him. Haraada was a household name. The world championship had a special rarity value. But now we, in Japan, have had eight male champs and six female titlists. Even boxing fans sometimes fail to remember all names, missing some. Whether you like it or not, almost every month there are world title bouts, boxing losing the said rarity value here.

The number of our world titlists might increase more should we count interim champ, champion in recess, champ emeritus etc. in addition. Japan has affiliated with only the WBC and the WBA for quality control or for anti-proliferation, but should we recognize the WBO and the IBF, our world champs would easily become more than twenty in total. Such a phenomenon may occur that even hardcore fight fans won’t be able to mention all our world champs in the future. (more…)

IBF set for Khan-Peterson Appeal

The IBF will hear the appeal filed by the Amir Khan camp on Wednesday at the Gateway Holton in Newark, NJ. IBF panel members will be Jack Reiss (referee, California), Samuel Viruet (referee, New York) and Glenn Feldman (judge, Connecticut).

The basis of the appeal is as follows:

1. Miscalculation of the score. It is alleged that George Hill’s scoring of the 7th round was originally 10-10 and was changed to 10-8 in favor of Peterson.

2. Inappropriate conduct/misconduct of the referee. It is alleged that the knockdown of Peterson in Round 1 that was ruled a slip by referee Joe Cooper should have been ruled a knockdown.

3. Inappropriate conduct/misconduct of the referee. The referee warned Peterson about leading with his head but did not deduct any points from Peterson. It is alleged that had the referee deducted a point or two from Peterson, the result would have been a draw or a win for Khan.

4. Violation of IBF Rules with detrimental effect on Khan. The allegation is that Mustafa Ameen was communicating with a “Judge who was scoring the bout.” (more…)

Andre Ward knows the score

By Robert Hough
Photos: Alma Montiel

It’s a numbers game for Andre Ward — winning the Super Six, a second belt, a slew of fighter-of-the-year awards, three kids with another on the way and a wife to provide for, retirement when he has a certain amount of money, taking dozens of blows to his head every time he fights.

So much is unknown, the WBA and WBC super middleweight champion said recently: Why are some athletes severely affected by getting hit in the head and not others? Why are some people who aren’t athletes mentally sharp at 90 and beyond and some are severely impaired when they’re decades younger?

“It’s a concern,” Ward (25-0, 13 KOs) said after a press conference in San Francisco with one of his sons at his side, holding on to his leg. “It’s definitely a concern. I have a family.” (more…)

Stieglitz: Bring on Kessler

Photos: Eroll Popova

WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz (41-2, 23 KOs) retained his title with a points victory over game challenger Henry Weber (15-1-1, 3 KOs) in Offenburg, Germany, to set up a showdown with Mikkel Kessler on April 14 in Copenhagen. “My goal was to defend the title, I was geared up for 12 rounds and wanted to have a good performance, which I did,” said Stieglitz at the post fight press conference. “It was a hard-earned victory. Henry Weber is young and gave everything, but he still lacks the last class. Nevertheless, my respect and compliments to him. My physical condition is optimal and in the fight against Kessler I can deliver even more boxing potential. I’ll win the fight in Copenhagen!” (more…)

Abraham: It’s good to be back

Photo: Photo Wende

King Arthur Abraham (33-3, 27 KOs) celebrated a successful ring return on Saturday night when he knocked out Pablo Farias (19-2, 11 KOs) in the fifth round of their clash in Offenburg, Germany. Fighting in front of a sell-out crowd of 4,000 fans and more than five million fans on German public TV giant ARD, Abraham punished his opponent with his trademark power punches. He knocked him down three times before the referee waved the bout off after two minutes in round five. “It´s good to be back,” King Arthur said. “This was a good start, nothing more and nothing less. I am pleased with my performance and will keep working hard to get back to the very top. I want to be world champion again in 2012.” (more…)

Anthony Johnson ready for Vitor Belfort at UFC RIO

Story by Anthony Springer Jr.

Rumors of Anthony Johnson’s weight cut are greatly exaggerated.

Ok, so maybe they aren’t. In order to make the 170 pound limit, “Rumble” was cutting as much as 50 pounds between training camp and weigh in day. Simply put, Johnson, a former welterweight is about as big as light heavyweight champion Jon Jones when he’s not in training camp. (more…)

Vitali Klitschko open work-out

By Alexey “Oscar” Potapov
Photos: Team Klitschko

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (43-2, 40 KOs) and his trainer Fritz Sdunek have begun preparing for the February 18th fight at the Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany against Derek Chisora (15-2, 9 KOs). The first week of training was held at the “Concha Zaspa” Olympic base in Kiev, Ukraine. During this time there are a number of political events Vitali is involved with. The champion held an open training session for media where he showed footwork, hit the bag and jumped rope. (more…)

Q&A: IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez

Story by Boxing Bob Newman
Photo: Ricardo Conde

IBF Lightweight king Miguel Angel Vazquez, “El Titere” (The Puppet), makes the fourth defense of his crown on January 21 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. His opponent, Panama’s hard hitting Ameth Diaz will bring a 30-10, 21 KOs record into the Coliseo Olimpico, matching his skills against Vazquez, with a 29-3, 13 KOs mark. Vazquez took time out of his training wrap-up before leaving for Mexico on Saturday morning to talk with Fightnews about his upcoming defense, his rocky start in the boxing game and where his future may lie… (more…)