Bute vs. Pascal update: Entire May 25 card cancelled

After internal discussions, InterBox and Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) have jointly decided against promoting a boxing event on Saturday, May 25th at the Montreal Bell Centre. Preferring to wait until Lucian Bute recovers from surgery to his hand, HBO has confirmed interest in broadcasting the Bute vs. Pascal bout when the new date is known.

InterBox and the GYM Group will now focus their efforts on the Stevenson vs. Dawson WBC Light Heavyweight event on June 8th. Certain undercard bouts signed for May 25th will be presented on the June 8th card. More details to follow shortly.

Jean, Pendarvis ready for war

In what will be a hard-fought, high-stakes matchup for the #1 spot in the IBF’s 140-pound division, undefeated Dierry “Dougy Style” Jean (24-0, 16 KOs), of Quebec, Canada, will face southpaw Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis (17-3-1, 6 KOs), of Los Angeles, Calif., in the 10-round main event on Friday at the Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Oklahoma. Jean and Pendarvis are ranked #3 and #7, respectively, in the IBF and their fight will be televised on Showtime.

Dierry Jean: “Except for the one week I took off after my last fight, I’ve been in the gym training for this fight. I’ve been sparring with a few left-handed fighters. I don’t like fighting lefthanders, but I’m pretty comfortable with them. I’ve fought two or three of them as a pro. My first fight was against a lefthander.

“Pendarvis is a pretty good fighter. He’s quick, but he makes many mistakes. I’ll make him pay for every mistake he makes.”

Cleotis Pendarvis: “I’m ready. This is my chance and I will go out and perform. It’s going to be entertainment, and the world will know who I am. I stay in the gym. I’ve been preparing for this fight for almost two months. To be honest, they’ve been disrespecting me with some of the articles they’ve been putting out. So I don’t really think much of Jean or his team. I just want to go out, prove myself and do what I’ve got to do.

“I will beat him. I know I’m going to beat him. That’s what I do – go out and upset fighters. I get stronger and better every day. I’m just ready for war. That’s all I think about every day, going to war.”

Ceja camp protests officials in England

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Promociones del Pueblo, promoter of Julio Ceja, will file a formal protest to the IBF over the judges and referee assigned to his IBF world bantamweight title showdown with Jamie McDonnell in Doncaster, England. The referee will be Howard Foster (England) and judges are Holger Wiemann (Germany), Dave Parris (England) and Alfredo Polanco (Mexico). The supervisor is Lindsey Tucker from U.S. The Ceja camp is upset that two British officials are assigned compared to only one Mexican official and wants the officiating geographically neutral.

Thinus Strydom is back

By Ron Jackson

Well known boxing promoter Thinus Strydom of World Sport Promotions will return to boxing after a long absence when he announced at a press conference held at the Killarney Golf Club near Johannesburg on Wednesday that he will be presenting a double world title bill at the Graceland Casino in Secunda on June 29.

Heading the bill will be a clash between Tshifiwe Munyai 22-2-1; 10, who has held the Commonwealth bantamweight, IBO junior featherweight and WBA Pan African junior featherweight titles in an illustrious against Arturo Santos Reyes 13-3 from Nuevo, Mexico for the vacant WBF junior featherweight belt.

In the main supporting bout for the vacant women’s WBF featherweight belt Gabisile Tshabalala of South Africa takes on Shannon O’Connell from Australia. (more…)

Vasquez-Gonzalez for WBA interim belt on July 20?

By Gabriel F. Cordero

A source has informed to fightnews.com that former WBA world champion Bryan “Tiquito” Vasquez of Costa Rica and Nicaraguan René “Superchirizo” Gonzalez will face off for the interim WBA super featherweight on July 20, possibly at the Foro Polanco in Mexico City and broadcast of Televisa. The source also indicated that Vasquez could return June 15 in Liberia, Guanacaste in Costa Rica against Mexican Cesar Soriano.

Ioka retains WBA 108lb belt

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten Japanese star Kazuto Ioka (12-0, 8 KOs), 108, impressively scored the first defense of his second world throne when he dispatched Thai veteran Wisanu Kokietgym (43-9-2, 11 KOs), 108, with a wicked body shot at 2:51 of the ninth round on Wednesday in Osaka, Japan. Ioka, still 24, had acquired the WBC 105-pound belt in his seventh pro bout, and won the WBA 108-pound diadem in his eleventh. Ioka was patient against the more experienced Thailander, steadily piling up points before he exploded a very well-timed right uppercut to the midsection, which sent him flat on the deck for minutes. (More to come)

Miyazaki keeps WBA 105lb belt

By Joe Koizumi

The first of the WBA world title twinbill is just over. WBA minimumweight champ, unbeaten Japanese Ryo Miyazaki (19-0-3, 11 KOs), 105, kept his belt in his initial defense as he dropped Mexican challenger Carlos Velarde (22-3-1, 13 KOs), 104.75, with a vicious left hook to prompt the referee’s intervention at 2:22 of the fifth round on Wednesday in Osaka, Japan. (More to come)

WBO #8 Alex Leapai returns to action Thursday

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

In a Foxtel nationally televised promotion, WBO#8 Alex ” Lion Heart” Leapai (27-4-3, 22 KOs) will return to ring action on Thursday when he will clash with John Napri (18-0, 12 KOs) of Ghana over twelve rounds with the WBO Asia Pacific title up for grabs at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Leapai coming off KO wins over Matt Hicks and Akmal Asianov. He also holds wins over former world rated Travis Walker and Owen Beck in 2010 but suffered a loss to Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson in 2012. Alex is chasing a fight with Ray Helenius for the opportunity to challenge Waldimir Klitschko for the world title.

In the main support WBA #5 middleweight Jarrod Fletcher (15-1, 9KOs) will meet Philip Kotey (28-6-2, 21 KOs) over ten rounds. London 2012 Olympic representatives light heavyweight Damien Hooper and welterweight Jeff Horn will also be in action in undercard bouts. Promoter Noel Thornberry.

Oquendo headlines June 8 in Hammond, Indiana

On Tuesday Bobby Hitz announced that the next installment of “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” will feature four of Chicago’s most exciting boxers as WBA Latin American Heavyweight Champion “Fast” Fres Oqendo (35-7, 23 KOs), super middleweight Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez (10-0, 7 KOs), cruiserweight Dimar “Strongman” Ortuz (9-0, 6 KOs), lightweight Frankie “Time Bomb” Scalise (6-1, 6 KO’s) take to the ring at The Venue inside of Hammond, Indiana’s Horseshoe Casino on Saturday, June 8. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the actions begins at 7:30 PM. Tickets start at $40.00 and are available at ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or The Venue box office. (more…)

Uchiyama-Parra: Full Report

Report by Joe Koizumi
Photo by Boxing Beat

Unbeaten Japanese Takashi Uchiyama (20-0-1, 17 KOs), 130, kept his WBA super-featherweight belt as he sank previously undefeated challenger Jaider Parra (20-1-1 10 KOs), 129.75, a Venezuelan jabber, in agony with a single body shot at 2:15 of the fifth round on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. It was Uchiyama’s seventh successful defense with six within the distance.

Jaider, the younger brother of ex-WBA flyweight champ Lorenzo Parra, cautiously started action as he paid his respect to the champ’s vaunted power punching. Uchiyama, three years his senior at 33, looked a little stiff than usual, but threw more punches to the tight-guarded Venezuelan. The champ, in round two, positively threw solid left-right combinations followed by strong left hooks, which were averted by Parra’s good defense. Uchiyama maintained the pressure regardless of precision, winning the second round. (more…)

Two Fecarbox title bouts highlight May 11 card in Millersville, MD

By Gary “Digital” Williams

Two 10-round WBC Fecarbox (Central American Federation) title bouts are the main events on the Saturday, May 11 Jeter Promotions card at Club One Fitness in Millersville, MD.

One title bout will include the promoter himself – Stevensville, MD middleweight Tony “Mo Better” Jeter – who will defend his WBC Fecarbox Middleweight title against Victor Hugo “Magnifico” Correa of Mexico City, Mexico. Jeter (15-3-1, 10 KO’s) is coming off a very successful 2012 in which he was undefeated in three bouts, captured the WBC Fecarbox title with a fifth-round TKO over Tyrel Brown in September and won an all-Beltway showdown via 10-round split decision against fellow local fan favorite Jimmy Lange in October. The success earned Jeter the Beltway Boxer of the Year for 2012. (more…)

Jabu Malinga dies

By Ron Jackson

One of South Africa’s best known trainers Jabulani Malinga known as “Jabu” passed away at his home in Katlehong on the East Rand on Monday night after a long illness. Jabu a former fighter who fought as a lightweight and was trained by Norman Hlabane was better known for managing and training his three sons Peter, Patrick and Vusi. He also trained Nkululeko Mhlongo the current South African junior middleweight champion.

The eldest son Peter was a top class fighter who fought from 1991 to 2006 and won the South African welterweight title in April 1996 when he beat Aaron Kabi. He also went on to win the WBU welterweight title in June of the same year when he knocked Alessandro Duran in the third round. (more…)

Boxing Buzz

A month after losing his first pro fight, Diego Magdaleno is cutting ties with longtime manager and trainer, Pat Barry. Steve Carp has more in the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Four Houston boxers are making waves. More in the Houston Chronicle

Getting floored by Julio Diaz was (yet another) wake-up call Amir Khan insists he needed. Khan talks to The Sun

Artist Thompson looking to put opponent on canvas

As a painter and artist in his spare time, Newark, New Jersey, boxer John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson IV (11-0, 4 KOs) has created many satisfying works of art. But Thompson will be looking to put his finest work yet on canvas this Friday, May 10, when he takes on Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico’s also-undefeated Giovany Rodriguez (8-0, 5 KOs). The two middleweights will clash over eight rounds in the co-feature of a ShoBox doubleheader Friday at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma.

In the main event, Montreal, Quebec, Canada’s undefeated IBF #3-ranked Dierry “Dougy Style” Jean (24-0, 16 KOs) will take on Los Angeles’ IBF #7-rated southpaw Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis (17-3-2, 6 KOs) in a 12-round IBF eliminator for the mandatory #1 spot at 140 lbs. (more…)

McGee looking for a Holm run in Albuquerque

Story and photos by Jose Leon Castillo III

“Nothing can sour this moment,” states “Merciless” Mary McGee, of Gary, Indiana.

“To be in this fight is a dream come true.”

On Saturday, McGee, 20-1, 11 Kos, will face long-time champion Holly Holm, 32-2-3, 9 Kos, at Route 66 Casino west of Albuquerque. The Fresquez-promoted card will feature Holm in her final boxing bout, for a pair of minor titles at welterweight, as well as Holm’s pound-for-pound supremacy . . . Click here for more

Boxing Buzz

According to arrest records, unbeaten heavyweight contender Deontay Wilder was arrested May 4th in Las Vegas and released on $15,000 bail. The charge: one count of domestic battery by strangulation.

Waldemar Kluch, head of former German boxing powerhouse Universum Box-Promotion, has been arrested on charges of allegedly orchestrating the beating of an unnamed boxing manager according to the Hamburg Abendblatt.

Undefeated jr. welterweight prospect Cletus “The Hebrew Hammer” Seldin (11-0, 9 KOs) is recovering well from surgery on his right shoulder to repair his rotator cuff and labrum. Seldin is in physical therapy, and is scheduled to be back at the Paramount this September. Seldin will attend the next Star Boxing event, “ROCKIN FIGHTS 8″ at The Paramount on Saturday in support of his fellow local boxers. Fans will be able to take photos with him then.

Less than a million buys for Mayweather-Guerrero?

We are hearing rumors that Saturday’s Mayweather-Guerrero fight is projected to have less than one million buys, which would translate to a big financial loss for Showtime with Floyd’s astronomical 30 million+ guarantee. Often when a PPV bombs no official numbers are released, so we’ll see if Showtime issues a press release. In the meantime, Showtime Sports executive vice president and general manager Stephen Espinoza and Showtime Sports Vice President Communications Chris DeBlasio have been hitting the twittersphere to do spin control while neither confirming or denying.

Updated: Bute injury postpones Pascal fight

Lucian Bute suffered an injury to his left hand that has forced the postponement of his May 25th bout vs. Jean Pascal. Lucian will undergo surgery this week to remove bone fragments from his hand and recovery is anticipated to take a few weeks.

Motivated like never before, Lucian Bute was in the middle of the best training camp of his career. “I am very disappointed by this injury. I have never been in better shape. My preparation was ahead of schedule until late last week. The fans that paid high ticket prices to see me in action against Pascal deserve to see both boxers at their best. Unfortunately I would be far from my best in my present state. For my own good, I have to take the advice of my doctor and undergo this operation. I feel very sad for the fans,” declared Bute. (more…)

Andy Lee added to Broadway Boxing card

Next Wednesday, May 15, DiBella Entertainment returns to BB King Blues Club in NYC for the latest edition of its Broadway Boxing series. Moving into the main event slot, in what was already a stacked card, will be WBA and WBC #8-rated middleweight contender “Irish” Andy Lee (29-2, 20KO’s) as he takes on Daryl Cunningham (28-4, 11KO’s) in a 10-round middleweight contest.

As already announced, the fast-rising undefeated middleweight Lamar Russ (12-0, 7KO’s), fellow undefeated middleweight prospect Delen Parsley (10-0, 3KO’s) and heavyweight contender Tor Hamer (19-2, 12KO’s) will appear on the card. All three bouts are scheduled for eight rounds.

The bout against Cunningham will be the former Olympian Lee’s second since his defeat to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in his first crack at the middleweight world championship last summer. In the fight versus Chavez, Lee got off to a great start and was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards before being stopped on his feet in the seventh frame. (more…)

Jamie McDonnell-Julio Ceja “Making History” Press Conference

By James Slater
Photos: Scott J. Raven

Doncaster’s Jamie McDonnell, 20-2-1(9) will face unbeaten Mexican banger Julio Ceja, 24-0(22) at the Keepmoat Stadium this Saturday night. The Vacant IBF bantamweight title will be on the line in the fight that will go out live on Primetime pay-per-view in the U.K and on Mexico Televisa in Ceja’s homeland.

Trained by the legendary Nacho Beristain, 20-year-old Ceja is being looked at as the next big star to come out of Mexico. 27-year-old McDonnell, who has already won the British/Commonwealth and European titles, has the job of taking away Ceja’s unbeaten record and the IBF crown.

Today at The Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, the two fighters met face-to-face. (more…)

Book review: “Boxing in New Mexico”

Book review by David Finger

Book Review: Boxing in New Mexico 1868-1940
By: Chris Cozzone and Jim Boggio
Publisher: McFarland
Pages: 440 Pages

Boxing fans can be forgiven if the idea of another regional boxing history book doesn’t excite them right off the bat. Most tend to fall into two categories: an over glossed pamphlet that rehashes well known boxing stories or a book long on facts but short on drama. A book that people buy only to look in the index to find what page “Uncle Charlie” appears on. But to lump the newest regional boxing book in that category would be a tremendous mistake. Boxing in New Mexico 1868-1940 isn’t just the best regional boxing history book to come out this century…it may very well be the best boxing history book period. (more…)

Super sparring for Kessler

WBA super-middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler (46-2, 35 KOs) will get the most competitive sparring of his career prior to his May 25 showdown with IBF Champion Carl Froch. The Viking Warrior will train with no less than three unbeaten fighters in his Copenhagen gym this week: WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly (26-0, 12 KOs), WBO #1 super middleweight contender George Groves (18-0, 14 KOs) and WBC youth light heavyweight beltholder Erik Skoglund (16-0, 9 KOs). “It´s great to have them in Copenhagen,” Kessler said. “This is the best preparation I could have asked for. To have three guys like that – a world champion, a youth world champion and a top-ranked contender – is probably as good as it gets in terms of sparring. They are young, hungry and unbeaten and they will push me to the limit. That´s exactly the kind of warm-up I need to beat Carl Froch again.”

Anselmo Moreno update

By Gabriel F. Cordero

A source revealed that Panamanian WBA bantamweight super world champion Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno could be reappearing in the coming months in Panama City possibly in the month of July. The same source indicates that Moreno may owe Golden Boy another fight under his promotional agreement and two more fights under an alleged new contract. However, there are rumors of uncertainty regarding Moreno’s relationship with Golden Boy. More information will be known this week.

Rigondeaux targets Mares

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Guillermo ‘El Chacal’ Rigondeaux is looking forward to defending his WBA and WBO 122lb world titles in September. Rigondeaux is hoping that his promoters Top Rank and Caribe Promotions can make a fight with Golden Boy’s WBC featherweight champion Abner Mares. Golden Boy, according to the Nevada Athletic Commission, paid Mares $350,000 for his victory over Ponce de Leon on the undercard of Mayweather/Guerrero. “It was an easy night’s work beating the 2012 fighter of the year Nonito Donaire on April 13th but beating Mares will be even easier,” said Rigondeaux. “I have already beaten Mares in the Pan American Games by a wide points margin of 17-7 but with the headgear off and these small gloves I will knock him out. However, if he wants to step up to the big time he should take this challenge. I’m sure my promoters can make it financially worthwhile for him and for Golden Boy. Of course, if he simply wants to be an undercard fighter and not rise to this challenge, that is his right but all will know then that he is afraid to fight me.”

Q&A: Oxandia Castillo

By Robert Coster
Photo: Dario Figueredo

When Dominican Oxandia Castillo won the female WBO jr midlleweight title by stopping favored Hanna Gabriel in Costa Rica on February 28th of this year, she became at 18 boxing’s youngest current world titleholder, male or female. The previously unknown Castillo (12-0-2, 9 KOs) was given a hero’s welcome in her homeland. Many Dominican boxing fans identified with Oxandia, a young girl that overcame poverty and a difficult family situation through effort and determination. Says manager Jose Rafael Lantigua, “There are other girls here that have won world titles but Oxandia, in particular, touched a soft spot with the fans.” Fightnews caught up with the teenage champion flanked by her manager and trainer Alcibiades to know more about her and her Cinderella story. (more…)

Undercard for Monte Carlo “Super Four” announced

The bill for the “Monte Carlo Million Dollar Super Four” final, a partnership between South Africa’s Golden Gloves and the Monte-Carlo SBM Group, was announced in Monaco this morning. The tournament takes place at the glittering Salle des Etoiles on the Monte Carlo beachfront on July 13. Highly-rated Edwin Rodriguez (23-0, 15 KOs) of the US and Denis Grachev (13-1-1, 8 KOs) of Russia will meet in the “Super Four” final for a US $1-million purse, to be split 60/40.

Co-headlining this international event will be a world championship fight between WBA and IBO light-welterweight holder Khalid Allakhverdiev (18-0, 8 KOs) and former champion Suleymane M’Baye (40-4-1, 22 KOs).

On the undercard, highly-rated European middleweight champion Max Bursak (26-1-1, 12 KOs) will defend his crown against the UK’s Prince Arron (23-4-1, 5 KOs), while big punchers Ilunga “Junior” Makabu (13-1, 13 KOs) and undefeated Dmytro Kucher (21-0, 15 KOs) will fight for Kucher’s WBC International cruiserweight belt. (more…)