Gradovich-Dib Report/Gallery

Ringside Report by Scott Ploof
Photogallery by Emily Harney

An all out war ensued this past Friday in the main event of ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights from the MGM Grand Arena at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, CT as a new world champion was crowned. Former IBF #11 world rated contender, Evgeny Gradovich (16-0, 8 KOs) became the new IBF featherweight champion as he defeated the now former title holder, Billy “The Kid” Dib (35-2-1NC, 21 KOs) in a very close and hard fought twelve round split decision victory. Judges Don Trella and Glenn Feldman both scored the bout 114-112 for Gradovich, while judge Don Ackerman scored the bout 114-112 for Dib. The seven bout fight card was co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions. Click here for the ringside report and action packed photogallery.

Mitchell ready to cause “Mayhem” to Banks

Photos by Tri Nguyen/GeorgetownProductions.com

Undefeated NABO heavyweight Champion Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell held an open workout at The Dream Team Boxing Gym in Clinton, Maryland this past week in preparation for his clash with top contender Johnathon Banks this Saturday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.

Mitchell stated to the press: “It would mean a lot to become heavyweight world champion. It remains to be seen, but I am definitely working hard toward that goal. I’m not trying to underestimate anybody, but I am just trying to stay focused and have tunnel vision toward that goal. (more…)

Workout gallery: Josesito Lopez

Photos by Gene Blevins – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

Breakout super welterweight star Josesito Lopez worked out before speaking to the press today in Los Angeles in preparation for his September 15, 2012 world title fight against WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada which will be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing. For more photos . . . .  (more…)

Workout gallery: Matthysse, Ajose, Love

Photos by Tom Casino/Showtime

Number 1 rated World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight contender Olusegun Ajose and one of the hardest hitters in the world, Number 2 rated WBC super lightweight contender Lucas Matthysse, worked out for the media on Wednesday at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, just three days before they square off for the vacant WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Championship, on Saturday, Sept. 8, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME®. (more…)

Photos from the Pacquiao-Bradley undercard presser

Photos by Chris Cozzone

All the shots from today’s presser at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, featuring the co-main and undercard fighters on Saturday night’s Pacquiao-Bradley card: Mike Jones, Teon Kennedy, Jorge Arce, Jesus Rojas, Guillermo Rigondeaux and Randall Bailey and Jessie Hart.  More photos and story to follow . . .  (more…)

Photos: Pacquiao-Bradley presser

Photos by Chris Cozzone
Quotes by Andreas Hale 

All the shots from today’s final presser at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley. Stay tuned for a full report.

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Pacquiao, Bradley hit Vegas!

Photo gallery by Chris Cozzone

Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley made their “Grand Arrival” to hundreds of fans at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Tuesday today, for his upcoming World Welterweight title mega-fight. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, AT&T and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs Bradley will take place, Saturday, June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on HBO Pay Per View. For more photos . . . (more…)

Workout gallery: Timothy Bradley

Story and photos by Robert Hughes

Timothy ‘The Desert Storm’ Bradley recently worked out for fans and media in his hometown, in a place he feels at home, The Boys and Girls Club deep down in the California desert.

“It’s always great to come home, this is my home,” Bradley said as he quickly moves from the ring to a punching bag, towing along about a dozen reporters and even more fans . . . click here for more

Gallery: Chavez Jr. sets up Vegas camp

Photos by Chris Cozzone/Top Rank

Undefeated World Middleweight Champion and the Son of the Legend, Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. landed in Las Vegas to set up training camp at the Top Rank Gym in preparation of his next fight. On June 16, Chavez will headline “Viva Chávez!” on Saturday, June 16, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, when he defends his WBC title against No. 2 world-rated contender Andy Lee, marking the first world championship fight to be held in the Sun Bowl Stadium since June 13, 1998 when Oscar De La Hoya knocked out Patrick Charpentier in the second round to retain his welterweight crown. The Chávez Jr. vs. Lee world championship rumble will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET. “Viva Chavez” is presented by the University of Texas at El Paso and Promoted by Top Rank in association with Zanfer Promotions, DiBella Entertainment, The City of El Paso, AT&T and Tecate. (more…)

Quotes, shots from today’s “Ring Kings” presser

By Andreas Hale
Photos by Chris Cozzone

Floyd Mayweather: Miguel is a true warrior a tough champion and will go down as one of the best. But to be the best, you have to face the top opposition out there. This fight had to happen.

Miguel Cotto: You know me, I don’t like to talk, I like to talk in the ring. I had a tremendous camp and I feel pretty good. i trust everyone on my team and I trust myself even more to get the victory. (more…)

“Mayhem” ready for “The Gentleman”

Photos by Tri Nguyen/TriNguyenPhotography.com

FightNews was privileged to photograph undefeated heavyweight contender Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (24-0-1, 18 KOs) at The Dream Team Boxing Gym in Clinton, Maryland as he prepared for his showdown this Saturday against “The Gentleman” Chazz Witherspoon (30-2, 22 KOs) for the vacant NABO title at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Mitchell and Witherspoon go toe-to-toe tonight in the HBO televised ten- round co-main event of the “Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson: Once And For All” world championship showdown. (more…)

Gallery: Media Day at the Mayweather Gym

Photos by Chris Cozzone

All the shots from today’s Media Day at the Mayweather Gym, with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Jessie Vargas, Fifty Cents and DeAndre Latimore.

On May 5, seven-time, five-division world champion Mayweather takes on WBA Super Welterweight champ Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas which will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®. (more…)

Vera-Washington: Photo Report

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside
Photos by Stacey Verbeek

Middleweight contender Brian Vera (20-6, 12 KOs) got back to his winning ways with a workmanlike 8 round unanimous decision against the tough and durable Taronze Washington (14-17, 7 KOs) for the WPBF International middleweight title on Saturday night at the Fort Worth Convention Center Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. After only 3 weeks with new trainer Ronnie Shields, Vera got back to basics to score the one-sided victory. The scores read 79-73 twice and 80-72.

Vera was happy to get out of his former hometown with a win although he was not completely satisfied with his performance.

“I feel like I did alright, it’s a work in progress, I got hit too much overall. I am doing things I am supposed to be doing, so it’s a work in progress so far,” Vera stated after the fight. (more…)

Gallery: Taylor vs. Truax

Photos by Scott Foster

Jermain Taylor found himself in a very familiar place late in his fight – the canvas – but unlike in the past, Taylor returned to his feet and took home the victory. Taylor controlled a large majority of the 10-round middleweight bout before Caleb Truax floored him with a right hand early in the ninth. Taylor won the second straight fight of his comeback campaign via unanimous decision by the scores of 98-91, 97-92 and 97-94 in the main event of tonight’s ShoBox: The New Generation doubleheader. In the SHOWTIME®-televised co-feature, Erislandy Lara demolished Ronald Hearns via TKO at 1:34 of round one in a scheduled 10-round junior middleweight bout from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss. (more…)

Rios, Abril, Herrera, Gesta, Alvarado work out

Photos by Chris Cozzone

All the shots and quotes from today’s workout at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas, featuring Brandon Rios, Richard Abril, Mike Alvarado, Mercito Gesta and Mauricio Herrera.

BRANDON RIOS: “I’m not letting this unknown coming in and ruining eight years of hard work I put into building my professional boxing career. I beat Miguel Acosta when he was in his prime unlike Abril who beat him on his way down on short notice. (more…)

Pacquiao arrives in Vegas

Photos by Chris Cozzone

Superstar Manny Pacquiao makes his “Grand Arrival” aboard his special Team Paquiao bus at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Tuesday for his upcoming third mega-fight against three-division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions,Marquez Boxing,Tecate and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs Marquez III will take place, Saturday, Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and be produced and distributed by HBO Pay Per View. For more photos . . . .

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Marquez hits Vegas

Photos by Chris Cozzone

Three-division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez makes his “Grand Arrival” aboard his special Team Marquez bus at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Monday for his upcoming third mega-fight against superstar Manny Pacquiao. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions,Marquez Boxing,Tecate and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs Marquez III will take place, Saturday, Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and be produced and distributed by HBO Pay Per View.  (more…)

Slideshow: ShoBox workouts

Photo by Chris Cozzone

All the shots from yesterday’s media workouts at Bones Adams’ Gym in Las Vegas, featuring the headliners of Friday night’s ShoBox card at Texas Station: Sharif “The Lion” Bogere, Francisco Contreras, Jermell Charlo and Francisco Santana . . . Click here to view

Slideshow: Nishioka-Marquez weigh-in

Photos by Chris Cozzone

All the shots from today’s weigh-in at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas: Toshiaki Nishioka, Rafael Marquez, Roman Gonzalez, Omar Soto and more . . . Click here to view

Slideshow: Mayweather-Ortiz weigh-in

Photos by Chris Cozzone

Slideshow: All the shots from today’s dramatic weigh-in at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Victor Ortiz. Click here to view

Slideshow: ‘Star Power’ final presser

Photos by Chris Cozzone

Slideshow: All the shots from today’s presser at the MGM in Vegas featuring Floyd Mayweather, Victor Ortiz, Oscar De La Hoya, Jessie Vargas, Erik Morales and more . . . Click here for more

Slideshow: “Star Power” arrivals

Photos by Chris Cozzone

Slideshow: All the shots from today’s “Star Power” grand arrivals at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, featuring Floyd Mayweather, Victor Ortiz, Jessie Vargas, Erik Morales and Pablo Cesar Cano . . . Click here to view

Mayweather, Vargas workout

Photos by Chris Cozzone

Slideshow of shots from today’s media workout at the Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas, featuring Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Jessie Vargas . .  Click here to view

Rodriguez-Traietti: Full Report

Ringside Report by Scott Ploof and Daniel Mercurio
Photography by Emily Harney

Worcester, MA’s own undefeated super middleweight Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (19-0, 14 KOs), who is ranked in all four major boxing organizations (IBF #8, WBA #9, WBC #12, WBO #13) outclassed his opponent Quincy, MA native Chris Traietti (10-3, 6 KOs) stopping him after two rounds in the main event of Dibella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing series on Saturday night at Mechanics Hall in downtown Worcester, MA. Click here for the entire ringside report and action packed photogallery.

Slideshow: Mares-Agbeko presser

Photos by Chris Cozzone

All the shots from today’s final press conference for Showtime’s “The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All,” headlining  Joseph King Kong Agbeko vs. Abner Mares  . . . Click here for more

Hasegawa decides to go on

By Joe Koizumi

Formerly two-class WBC champ Hozumi Hasegawa (29-4, 12 KOs), a Japanese southpaw, had been contemplating whether or not he would go on fighting after his shocking forfeiture of the newly acquired WBC feather belt via annihilation by Jhonny Gonzalez this April. Hasegawa, 30, declared he would return to ring warfare to pursue his fistic career once again at press conference on Monday at Shinsei Gym in Kobe, Japan. The Japanese lefty speedster registered ten defenses of the WBC bantam throne to his credit, but saw a nightmare when he coped with WBO ruler Fernando Montiel, succumbing by a fourth round TKO in April of the previous year. Having had a severe weight problem, Hasegawa jumped up two divisions and impressively acquired the vacant WBC feather belt by outhustling unbeaten Mexican Juan Carlos Burgos on points last November. Hasegawa, however, engaged in a mandated initial defense with the official challenger Gonzalez, whom he outpunched with quick combinations to be leading on points but whose pulverizing right dramatically turned the tide midway in the fourth canto. Hasegawa said, “I’d like to prove my power in the feather class and hope to enjoy fighting from now on.” Hasegawa had been originally a speedster dependent on his strategy of hitting without getting hit, but his KO streak in five title defenses gradually changed him into a puncher that loved to mix it up. His reckless tendency might cause a couple of stoppages by Montiel and Gonzalez, so he had better return to his previously favorite hit-and-run tactics, if possible. If so, he may be successful again even in the 126-pound category.

Slideshow: Khan-Judah weigh-in

Photos by Chris Cozzone

All the shots from today’s Khan vs. Judah weigh-in at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. CLICK HERE

Slideshow: Mayweather workout

Photos by Chris Cozzone

Photos from today’s Floyd “Money” Mayweather workout in Las Vegas: click here

Slideshow: Khan, Judah workouts

All the shots from today’s public workouts with Amir “King” Khan and Zab “Super” Judah at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Click here

Slideshow: Judah workout

Zab “Super” Judah trains at the Hit Factory in Las Vegas for next week’s showdown with Amir “King” Khan: Click here for slideshow with photos by Chris Cozzone