Krasniqi-Heyman Presser

Photos: SES Boxing

WBO #1 and mandatory light heavyweight challenger Robin Krasniqi will be back in action Friday night at the Maritim Hotel in Magdeburg, Germany. Krasniqi (38-2, 14 KOs) will take on Max Heyman (25-11-4, 14 KOs) in a scheduled twelve round duel. Also seeing action will be unbeaten WBO #8 heavyweight Francesco Pianeta (27-0-1, 14 KOs) against Nelson Dario Dominguez (14-1-1, 7 KOs) in a ten-rounder.

Here’s what they had to say at the preflight press conference.

Robin Krasniqi: “I am really looking forward to this next fight. For me, every fight is now like a championship fight….when I fought in January, I’ve gained a lot of experience and I have the best trainer in Germany, Dirk Dzemski, – so I have the best conditions to win the next fight and then to become world champion.”

Max Heyman: “Robin Krasniqi is a young, strong boxer. I was well informed about him. This is a tough fight and I have to do my best.”

Francesco Pianeta: “I’m not that far away from the Klitschkos. I know that now. But I have every time in the ring again get the best performance. I will also be on Friday. ”

Nelson Dario Dominguez: “I see it as an opportunity to fight against someone like Pianeta. He is a southpaw. I can gather a lot of experience. I am impressed with his success against Oliver McCall and Francois Botha, but he’d better study the video and not underestimate me.”

(more…)

Farewell to Emanuel Steward, A Boxing Icon

By Damian McCann (former Secretary of Belfast Kronk Gym, Ireland)
Photo: Teddy B. Blackburn

Legendary boxing icon, Emanuel Steward’s memorial service took place today at the Greater Grace Temple, Detroit. Family, friends and members the boxing fraternity including Thomas Hearns, Hilmer Kenty, Waldimir Klitschko, Roy Jones Jr. Lennox Lewis, Andy Lee, Evander Holyfield, Sugar Leonard and Michael Moorer arrive to pay tribute and their last farewell to Emanuel. Around the world boxing fans will pause to remember not only a boxing superstar but also a prince amongst men.

During his lifetime Emanuel amassed a vast wealth of experience and knowledge of the sweet science. He had many roles in the sport as a commentator, manager and promoter, but it will be as a trainer that he will be most remembered in the history of boxing. (more…)

Trout: I’m upping the intensity

Holed away in his new, higher-elevation training camp in Ruidoso, New Mexico, WBA super welterweight world champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout (25-0, 14 KO’s) says he’s not necessarily doing anything different in preparation for the fourth defense of his WBA title on December 1 against four-time and three-division world champion Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden… he’s just doing more of it.

“I haven’t changed anything; it’s just a more intense camp,” Trout said. “I’m expecting a hard 12 rounds in an intense fight. Cardio is very important because I’ve never known him to show up unprepared. He’s still a very hungry fighter and I’m flattered he chose me as his opponent. That shows how hungry he still is, so I’m upping everything that I normally do. We had to acclimate to the high altitude, but now we’re continuing to work harder than ever.” (more…)

Huck: Firat Arslan deserves a rematch

Looking back at his most recent title defense against Firat Arslan on November 3rd in Halle (Germany), WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck feels that he owes his challenger another shot at the title.

“It was one of the toughest fights in my life”, Huck admits. “I respected Firat before the fight and I respect him even more now. He really fought his heart out. I am not happy and not satisfied with my own performance. I know I could and should have done better. I was a little distracted and thought about fighting the Klitschkos. So I lost my focus. Firat was at his best that night. He made me work hard for my money. It was a very close fight and I think he deserves a rematch. But I can promise him that I won’t make the same mistakes again. If we fight again I will leave no doubt that I am the better man. I promise that I will stop him.” (more…)

16th Teddy Dinner this Thursday

For the past 16 years, boxing trainer and ESPN television fights analyst Teddy Atlas has endeavored to fight the good fight in memory of his late father. This year’s 16th annual Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation Dinner (affectionately nicknamed the “Teddy Dinner” by boxing scribes) on Thursday, November 15th at the Hilton Garden Inn on Staten Island will be dedicated to helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy throughout the New York area from Staten Island to Rockaway. (more…)

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…)

Sal Sanchez II vs Jayson Velez?

By Gabriel F. Cordero

There is a possibility that Mexican prospect Salvador Sanchez II (30-4-3, 18 KOs) could face undefeated Puerto Rican featherweight Jayson Velez (19-0, 14 KOs) on the December 1 Cotto-Trout card at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Sanchez has been training for the last two months in New York and is looking to campaign in the U.S. in order to get a title shot.

Burns trainer analyzes Broner-DeMarco

Cincinnati’s Adrien ‘The Problem’ Broner is being touted as the ‘Next Big Thing’ in US boxing. A serial smack talker who insists that his father or his girlfriend brushes his hair prior to conducting his post fight ring interview, the 23-year-old ex WBO super-feather boss makes a formal rise to lightweight this Saturday when he challenges grizzled Mexican Antonio DeMarco for the WBC title at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

With Scottish star Ricky Burns defending his title against Liam Walsh on the big December 15th card at London’s ExCeL, there’s a strong possibility that whoever prevails will be pitched with the winner of Broner-DeMarco in the New Year and, consequently, the ever improving two-weight WBO champion’s head coach Billy Nelson has been scrutinising DeMarco and Broner intensely .

Here he provides boxing writer Glynn Evans with an in depth analysis of Saturday’s fight and explains why neither would present an insurmountable problem for his ward if and when a unification match is made. (more…)

Pacman shoots hoops with NBA legends

From TMZ

Manny Pacquiao stepped out of the ring Monday and on to the blacktop … where he took on TWO basketball legends at the same time. TMZ obtained a photo of Manny shooting hoops with NBA gods Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller. We’re told the guys had been training all day long — including a trail run in Griffith Park — before they decided to hit a local court for a shootaround session. Sources tell us cameras documented the entire thing for an upcoming special on TNT. We called Reggie Miller about the workout … who told us Manny definitely got game — “Not only is he the man in the ring, but he’s got an awesome jump shot too.”

Tuto Zabala Jr inks Miguel Cruz

On the outskirts of Orlando, Florida there is a small town called Kissimmee, Florida where former and current world champions have made their bones through the Telemundo circuit. Last champion to have graduated from the so called Kissimmee University of boxing was Wilfredo Vazquez Jr, where he left a huge void in the hearts and mind of so many locals when he became world champion and was called up to the big leagues. Zabala Jr started his quest for his next pupil to fill in the void. After two years, the search has come to an end with the signing of Puerto Rican welterweight Miguel Alejandro Cruz of Kissimmee, Florida. (more…)

Australia braces for Mike Tyson

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Hall of Famer Mike Tyson will be in Sydney on Saturday for his show named “Mike Tyson’s Day of The Champions” in the Bayside Auditorium at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour Sydney, NSW, Australia. Tickets for exclusive dinner with Mike in his VIP suite for only 20 guests are priced at $3,000 which you will engage in conversation and have a photo taken. There is also opportunity to have lunch with Mike in a private function room for $1000 with a limit of 100 guests. Other tickets available will be the “Meet and Greet Mike Tyson Cocktail Party” valued at $195.00. Photos with Mike Tyson are $295.00. General admission tickets available for $69.00. Mike will take his show to Melbourne on Sunday November 18th, Adelaide on November 20th with a final show on Wednesday November 21st in Perth. The promoter is Markson Sparks Pty Ltd.

Seth Mitchell-Jonathan Banks Conference Call

By Jeff Reiners for Fightnews.com

The unfortunate passing of Emanuel Steward briefly created a vacuum in the corner of heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. A vacuum that was ultimately filled by Johnathon Banks, the same Johnathon Banks who fights Seth Mitchell Saturday night in Atlantic City. That’s right, an active boxer about to fight on a major undercard doubles as the chief second for the heavyweight champion of the world. It’s something that’s rarely, if ever seen in the sport. Banks spoke from his hometown of Detroit during a Monday afternoon conference call, describing an intensive “Four-a-day” training regime which saw him train Klitschko by day and himself at night. (more…)

Report/gallery: Mares vs. Moreno

Ringside by Felipe Leon and Rocco Morales
Photos by “Big” Joe Miranda

In front of a little over six thousand zealous boxing fans, WBC super bantamweight champion Abner Mares (25-0-1, 13 KOs) remained undefeated and proved to be unstoppable in defending his title for the against valiant challenger Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno (33-2-1, 12 KOs) of Panama, at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.

The Showtime-televised card, promoted by Golden Boy, also showcased IBF bantamweight Leo Santa Cruz and the return of super welterweight contender Alfredo “Perro” Angulo . . . Click here for more

Injury KOs Bogere-Abril clash

A partial tear of the left Achilles tendon has forced unbeaten lightweight contender Sharif “The Lion” Bogere out of his scheduled November 24 fight against Richard Abril for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Title at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif. Luckily, there was no evidence of a rupture in the 24-year-old Bogere’s tendon and he is expected to be cleared to resume training in approximately four to six weeks. Talks are ongoing with respect to a date on which to reschedule this championship bout.

The HBO World Championship Boxing event, which is headlined by Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero vs. Andre Berto for the WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship, will proceed as scheduled with the junior middleweight clash between Keith Thurman and Carlos Quintana as the co-featured bout.

Chris Martin headlines Friday

In their last fight card of 2012, Thompson Boxing is coming with Christopher Martin and Artemio Reyes Jr. on November 16 at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California. Newly signed Martin (24-2-3, 7 KOs), who scored a nice knockout over Roberto Castaneda in his last fight, will take on Robert Guillen (6-9-3, 1 KO) in an 8-round super bantamweight main event. In the co-main event, Reyes Jr. (17-2, 13 KOs) returns to fight Gerardo “Pipino” Cuevas Jr (15-8, 13 KOs) in a welterweight 8-rounder. Also seeing action is the colorful lightweight Derrick “Whoop Dat Ass” Murray (4-0-1, 3 KOs). Tickets are $75, $45, and $30. Call 714-935-0900.

Silveira earns shot at a jr welter contender

By Matt Thompson at Ringside

In an all-out war, New England welterweight champ Derek Silveira (8-0, 4 KOs) not only successfully defended his title for the second time but earned the opportunity to face jr welterweight contender Danny O’Connor at the Boston Garden in the main event of a December 14th show. Mixing boxing and aggression, Silveira, from Salem, MA, often remained in harm’s way against the big punching William Correa (9-8, 8 KOs), frequently exchanging power punches much to the delight of a sell-out crowd. (more…)

Maddalone returns December 8

Boxing returns to the beautiful Resorts World Casino New York City in Queens, NY on December 8th. The card promoted by New Legend Boxing, Old World Boxing and W.O.N. Promotions will be headlined by fan favorite Heavyweight Vinny Maddalone (35-8, 26 KOs), who hails from nearby Flushing. Maddalone’s opponent in the ten round bout will be announced shortly. In the co-feature, jr middleweight Frank Galarza (7-0-1, 4 KOs) will see action in an eight rounder for the NYS Title. (more…)

Yusaf Mack: My time is past due

By John DiSanto – Philly Boxing History (.com)

West Philly’s Yusaf Mack has been at the boxing game for a long time. He started out like so many others, as kid in the amateurs dreaming of one day fighting for a professional world championship. He had his first pro bout on November 17, 2000. He was 20 years old. This Saturday, November 17, 2012, 12 years to the day after his first fight, the now 32-year old boxer will step into the biggest fight of his career, a world title fight against international star Carl Froch.

Mack is a heavy underdog in the fight (various on-line betting sites list him as a 9-1 underdog), but he has prepared for this opportunity like never before, and says he is ready to finally achieve the goal he set as a 12 year old dreamer.

“I always wanted to be here,” Mack said before his workout at the Shuler Memorial Boxing Gym in West Philadelphia. “I’ve been here before, but I failed the test… but I’m supposed to be here.” (more…)

Jamaica gearing up for mega card

Photo courtesy of SportsMax TV

By Robert Coster

The beautiful island of Jamaica is buzzing with excitement as big time boxing will be returning in less than a month to its sunny shores after decades of being quasi-dormant in the Caribbean tourist paradise. On December 8th at the National Indoor Sports Center in the capital city of Kingston, the WBA will hold one of its gala “KO to Drugs” boxing extravaganzas with three WBA world championships at stake. Headlining the mega-card will be a clash for the vacant WBA featherweight title between the WBA’s #1 contender and Jamaican idol Nicholas “The Axeman” Walters (21-0, 17 KOs) against WBA #5 contender Daulis Prescott (26-1, 19 KOs) of Colombia. The boxers met for the first time in Kingston last week in a press conference at the Wyndham Hotel and both young men exuded confidence.

Daulis Prescott: Fighting Walters in his backyard does not intimidate me. My older brother Breidis destroyed Amir Khan in front of his home crowd in England. In the ring it will just be me and Walters, not the crowd.

Nicholas Walters: I want to be the first Jamaican to win a world title on the island itself. This will be my present to my homeland for its 50th independence anniversary. Prescott will not stand in my way. (more…)

Q&A: Seth Mitchell

Video: Juan Marshall

Heavyweight contender Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell talks Gary “Digital” Williams about being ready for his next fight with Johnathon Banks on Saturday and more.

Shimmell still unbeaten

By Jeff Reiners

The Quad Cities’ biggest professional boxing event in years was held Saturday night at historic Danceland Ballroom in Davenport. Fans were treated to a 7 bout card featuring local prospects looking to build their record and gain valuable pro experience. The aptly termed “Downtown Showdown” kicked off with Grand Rapids, MI heavyweight Jordan Shimmell (6-0, 6 KO’s) stopping 46 year old Clinton Boldridge (10-19-1, 8 KO’s). Shimmell, a veteran of 165 amateur bouts, out classed the slower Boldridge before dropping him for the 10 count in round two. (more…)

Fonfara ready for IBO title shot

By Przemek Garczarczyk
Video: Luke Buras/Team Fonfara

“I’m ready to fight Karpency now, but I have to wait until November 16 to actually do it.” said Andrew Fonfara (22-2, 12 KOs) during open media training at Chicago’s “8 Count Gym.” Fonfara will battle Tommy Karpency (21-3, 14 KO) for the vacant IBO title in Chicago’s UIC Pavilion and hopes to extend his ten-fight undefeated run well into the foreseeable future. “Beating Karpency will be a great birthday present. Hopefully this belt will be just a beginning,” said the Polish fighter who just couple of days ago celebrated his 25th birthday.