Super 8 Final at Emperors Palace

By Ron Jackson

Championship boxing returns to Emperors Palace, Kempton Park on Saturday night with two world title fights, an IBO All Africa title fight and the eagerly waited cruiserweight Super 8 final. Heading the bill is the final of the Super 8 which will also be for the vacant African Boxing Union cruiserweight title, between Danie Venter and Thabiso Mchunu. The 33-year-old Venter (14-5, 10 KOs) and the 24-year-old Mchunu (12-1, 10 KOs) both former South African champions will be meeting in a return match. In June 2011 Mchunu outpointed Venter over eight rounds but he will be facing a different and more motivated Venter this time. (more…)

Martirosyan, Lara media workout

By Butch Gottlieb/Boxinginlasvegas.com
Photos: Mary Ann Owen

Knockout artists and top-rated super welterweight contenders Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan (32-0, 20 KOs), a native of Armenia who fights out of Glendale, Calif., and Erislandy “El Oro Del Guantanamo” Lara (17-1-1, 11 KOs), a native of Cuba, who now fights out of Houston, along with undefeated #1 featherweight contender Miguel “Mikey” Garcia, (29-0, 25 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., former world featherweight champion Jonathan “Yoni” Barros (34-3-1, 17 KOs), of Mendoza, Argentina, and undefeated super bantamweight contender and Las Vegas native Jessie Magdaleno (11-0, 8 KOs), of Las Vegas, Nev., hosted a Las Vegas Media Day Workout at the Top Rank Gym. All five fighters are in their final days of training before they step into the ring for the biggest battles of their lives on Saturday in the Lafite Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas. Martirosyan vs. Lara and Garcia vs. Barros will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast.)

Martirosyan said that he has been sparring 3 days a week at the Wild Card Gym and Freddie (Roach) has helped him with his mental outlook more then anything. He said that Roach is a master strategist and that he has spotted a lot of flaws in Lara’s game. He went on to say that Lara’s people have been mouthing off on Twitter and if they think this fight will be a walk in the park Lara will get knocked out. “I have also heard that the winner of our fight will get a shot at Canelo Alvarez for the WBC title and I want that shot.”

Lara said that he has learned a lot from his trainer Ronnie Shields and that they have also devised a game plan and that he is very happy that this fight is finally going to happen because Martirosyan had turned down this fight twice before. (more…)

Wach trainer rips into Wladimir

Mariusz Wach trainer Juan De Leon talks about his relationship with Emanuel Steward and how he feels heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko used and disrespected him.

Chambers inks with Main Events; headed to cruiser

Heavyweight contender “Fast” Eddie Chambers, 36-3, 18 KOs, Philadelphia, has decided to campaign as a cruiserweight. It is a move that he believes will bring him a world title belt. “The cruiserweight division is better because I’ll be fighting guys my size,” Chambers said. “I may have had some advantages at heavyweight, but imagine me at cruiser, fighting against someone my own size.”

Chambers hasn’t weighed over 210 pounds for a fight in more than three years, and feels that the move down to the 200-pound cruiserweight limit will make him more competitive and offer greater opportunity for him to become champion. “I want to be a world champion,” Chambers said. “That’s what you set out to do when you start boxing. That’s what I want to be, and I’ve worked my entire boxing career, and most of my life, at that. I want to achieve it. I see that title (belt) wrapped around my waist.” (more…)

Manfredo Jr. comes out of retirement

Last November, Peter Manfredo Jr. stood in the middle of the ring at Reliant Arena in Houston following a knockout loss to world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and announced his retirement. Times have changed. Almost a year has passed since he challenged for the WBC middleweight title. Now Manfredo Jr. is back in Rhode Island – back home where it all began 12 years ago – preparing for his latest comeback attempt under the guidance of his longtime promoter, Jimmy Burchfield Sr.

“The Pride Of Providence” Manfredo Jr. (37-7, 20 KOs) will return to the ring Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 at Twin River Casino against Rayco Saunders (22-18-2, 9 KOs) of Pittsburgh, Pa., in the 10-round main event of “The Pride Is Back,” presented by Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports.

“I didn’t want to go out with the loss I had,” said Manfredo Jr., who returned home this week following six weeks in California with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, who, coincidentally, trained Chavez Jr. in his win over Manfredo Jr. “I want to end my career with a win. My dad [Peter Manfredo Sr.] ended with a loss. My uncle ended with a loss. I want to change that.” (more…)

Klitschko officially names Banks as new trainer

Photo: Public Address

By Karl Freitag

Following the tragic death of legendary trainer Emanuel Steward, WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has officially named Johnathon Banks as his new head trainer. “Everyone has been wondering who is going to be my next coach, and my first thought about who is going to be the main guy in the corner I knew from the beginning was going to be Johnathon Banks,” Wlad said today during an international conference call. “The man has learned a lot from Emanuel Steward. I met Johnathon the same day I met Emanuel Steward. It was over nine years ago and Johnathon has been learning a lot from the Kronk Gym and Enamuel Steward, everything he got to know about boxing he got to know through Emanuel Steward and through the Kronk Gym. Of course, Johnathon Banks is not Emanuel Steward, he’s Johnathon Banks, so everyone has his own way of doing things.”

In addition to training Wladimir, Banks (28-1-1, 18 KOs) remains an active heavyweight. Just one week after Klitschko’s fight, Banks will face Seth Mitchell in an HBO bout from Atlantic City.

Boxing back in Reading, PA

The complete lineup has been finalized for the Saturday night’s boxing event at the Riveredge in Reading, PA. The show is promoted by Kings Boxing Promotions. In the main event, Grayson Blake (5-0, 2 KOs) will take on Robert Sockwell (4-2-1, 4 KOs) of East Stroudsburg, PA in a six round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Yordenis Ugas (11-1, 6 KOs) of Miami, FL via Cuba fights Dedrick Bell (7-15, 6 KOs) of Memphis, TN in a six round Jr. Welterweight affair. (more…)

WBO names officials

WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel announced today the officials who will work this Saturday’s world title bouts to be held in Germany and United States.

At the O2 World Arena in Altona, Hamburg, Germany, the referee for the Wladimir Klitschko-Mariusz Wach heavyweight title clash will be Eddie Cotton (USA). Judges are Adalaide Byrd (USA), Mike Ancona (USA) and Pasquale Procopio (Canada). WBO supervisor will be John Duggan.

At the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the referee for the Nathan Cleverly-Shawn Hawk light heavyweight championship bout will be Tony Crebs (USA). Judges are Raul Caiz Sr., Patricia Morse Jarman and Pat Russell (all from the USA). WBO supervisor will be Richard De Cuir.

Kentikian, Chagaev headline December 1

Photo: Team Sturm

Three-time middleweight world champion Felix Sturm presents the “ran Boxen: Die Super Fight Night” boxing event on December 1 at the Castello in Dusseldorf, Germany. Featuring on the card will be former world champion Susi Kentikian in a bid for another world title as she faces the experienced American Carina Moreno for the vacant WBA flyweight championship. The co-feature will pitch former heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev in a grudge match on his way back to the top against Cuban prospect Mike Perez, unbeaten in 18 professional fights. Chagaev-Perez is regarded by many as “too close to call,” with some experts favoring Perez. On the undercard, German LIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION Maurice Weber (31) will defend his title against the tough and durable Andreas Reimer (32) in a ten-round bout. Weber is regarded as the better pure boxer, while Reimer is known for firing out of all cannons.

Carmen Basilio passes at 85

Sad to report that ring legend Carmen Basilio passed away today at the age of 85 in Rochester, NY. Basilio, who was the first world champion trained by Angelo Dundee, held the welterweight and middleweight world titles and defeated Sugar Ray Robinson, Tony DeMarco and Art Aragon among others in compiling a 56-16-7 career record with 27 KOs. Hailing from Canastota, New York, he was a regular at activities taking place at the International Boxing Hall of Fame every year.

Video: Klitschko-Wach workout

Wladimir Klitschko and Mariusz Wach held their open work out at the Mercedes Benz dealership in Hamburg, Germany. Over 300 fans showed up to watch both fighters showing off their boxing skills in preparation for their heavyweight championship fight this Saturday, November 10. IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO Champion Klitschko and his contender Mariusz Wach will face off at the o2 World Arena.

New opponent for Omar Henry

Don King’s Omar “El Boricua” Henry (12-0-1, 9 KOs), from Oakland, Calif., will fight at 160 pounds when he faces WBA #15-ranked middleweight Juan Ubaldo Cabrera (20-0, 14 KOs), from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in a main event battle of unbeatens on ShoBox set for Friday, Nov. 16 from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Henry was originally slated to face “King” James de la Rosa in a junior middleweight bout, but will instead move up to middleweight

The four fighters appearing on SHOWTIME-televised doubleheader are currently undefeated. In the co-featured main event, lightweight Angelo “La Cobra” Santana (13-0, 10 KOs), from Miami, will face Juan “Johnny” Garcia (13-0, 8 KOs), from Holland, Mich. Both matches are scheduled for 10 rounds. (more…)

Murray-Navarro for WBA interim middleweight belt

Martin Murray’s patience has been rewarded by getting a crack at the WBA interim middleweight title. The St Helens star will meet unbeaten Venezuelan Jorge Navarro (12-0) for the vacant crown at Manchester Arena on Saturday November 24, on the bill topped by Ricky Hatton’s comeback fight against Vyacheslav Senchenko. Murray (24-0-1) has been waiting for another big fight since drawing against then WBA super champion Felix Sturm last December. His manager Neil Marsh said: “Our team could not have worked any harder to secure a very important contest against a hard hitting unbeaten fighter ranked seventh by the WBA. “We have tried many big names and for whatever reason, whether it be Martin being avoided or boxing politics we can’t make the fights Martin and the public want. In the end Navarro was the only one willing to face Martin on November 24.”

Video: Helenius, Williams Workout

By Pasi Taavitsainen

Heavyweights Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius (17-0, 11 KOs) and Sherman “Tank” Williams (35-11-2, 19 KOs) work out at the P3 Gym in Espoo, Finland. They collide Saturday at the Ice Hall in Helsinki, Finland.

Mosquera-M’Baye for WBA interim title?

By Gabriel F. Cordero

A source informed Fightnews.com about the possibility that former WBA super featherweight world champion Vicente “El Loco” Mosquera (31-2-1, 17 KOs) could face former WBA 140lb champion Souleymane M’Baye (39-4-1, 21 KO) for the WBA interim super lightweight world title. Rogelio Espiño, representing Mosquera reported that Souleymane’s people are in negotiations with promoter Felix “Tuto” Zabala Jr. in search of a fight for the WBA interim title currently held by Pablo Cesar Cano. According to WBA regulations Cano must fight the winner of the clash between Joan Guzman and Khabib Allakhverdiev for the vacant full WBA world championship on November 30 at the BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida.

Dragon Fire Final Presser

Photos and story by Brett Bonetti

WBA Fighter of the Decade Chris “The Dragon” John (47-0-2, 22 KOs) faced off with Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (44-0, 27 KOs) at the Dragon Fire final presser at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore today. The presser was hosted by legendary ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr and also featured Hall of Famer Colonel Bob Sheridan.

Marina Bay Sands Senior Vice President of Marketing Mark Juliano was first welcomed to the stage. Mr Juliano thanked the media for attending the press conference and announced that he was very happy to have Dragon Fire World Championship Boxing back at Marina Bay Sands and following a fantastic first event in May this year, looked forward to another successful night this Friday. (more…)

Betting favorites: Klitschko, Lara, Mares

Lots of big TV fights on Saturday. Below are the current odds according to Bet365.com:

Not surprisingly, WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko is a prohibitive -3300 betting favorite to beat Mariusz Wach on Saturday in Hamburg, Germany. Wach backers can get +900.

In the big WBC super welterweight eliminator in Las Vegas between Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan, Lara is a -700 pick to beat Martirosyan, who is at +450.

The WBC super bantamweight clash in Los Angeles between champion Abner Mares and Anselmo Moreno has the closest spread. Mares is a slight favorite at -163 and Moreno is at +125.

Hawk: I’ll shock the world

Native American Shawn Hawk intends to shock the world when he faces Nathan Cleverly this weekend. It would be one of boxing’s biggest upsets of recent times if the Sioux Warrior snatched the unbeaten Welshman’s WBO World Light-Heavyweight crown at the Staples Center, Los Angeles on Saturday night.

Hawk who was approached as a late replacement for Ryan Coyne just last week, but only got confirmed as Cleverly’s latest challenger on Sunday. But, he promised: “I have been preparing like the fight was going to happen and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I would win. I stay in shape and never weigh more than 180lb so I am always ready to go if the phone rings for a fight. I knew plenty about Nathan and watched tapes of him long before I knew I was going to fight him. He is a good champion. He is fast, tall, throws a lot of punches and reminds me a lot of another great fighter Joe Calzaghe.”

Hawk has won 23 of his 26 professional contests, but the community in the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe make sure he can box full time. Hawk, 30, added: “Right now there are no Native American boxers successful at the highest level and I want to make my community proud on Saturday night.”

Stevenson, T. Douglas Headline Thursday Night

By Gary “Digital” Williams

Undefeated Baltimore, MD welterweight James “Keep ‘Em Sleepin’” Stevenson and DC female flyweight Tyrieshia “Baby Girl” Douglas are the feature attractions for the seventh annual “An Evening Ringside” at the Jonathan Ogden Foundation benefit card at Martin’s Valley Mansion in Cockeysville, MD.

Stevenson (17-0, 11 KOs) will face tough veteran Damon Antoine of Akron, OH (11-42-2, five KOs) in a four-round contest. Both men are coming off recent victories. Stevenson won a six-round unanimous decision over Angel Rios on October 20 in Winchester, VA. One week later on October 27, Antoine won a four-round unanimous decision over Shakur Ashanti at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA.

Douglas (1-0, one KO) will battle Sherine “Rosie” Thomas of Ottawa, Canada (2-0) in a four-round contest. Douglas made her pro debut on August 4 and scored a first-round TKO over Ashley Langston at the Renaissance Hotel in DC. Thomas makes her US debut after winning two four-round decisions in Canada. (more…)

Esquival, Santos set for Japan fights

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Former WBC title challenger Cristian Esquivel (25-3, 18 KOs) of Mexico could be facing Filipino Malcolm Tunacao (31-2-3, 19 KOs) in a WBC world title eliminator on December 22 at the Central Gym in Kobe, Japan. Initially former WBA/WBO world champion Hugo Cazarez was mentioned to be facing Tunacao.

On the same date former Mexican Olympian Arturo Santos is lined up to face former two-division world champion Hosegumi Hasegawa.

Dib ready for Velez

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing
Photos: Emaid Dib

IBF featherweight champion Billy “The Kid” Dib (35-1, 21 KOs) will make third defense of the title when he will clash with undefeated Jayson Velez (19-0, 14 KOs) on December 1st in Madison Square Garden, New York on the undercard of Miguel Cotto vs Austin Trout. Dib captured the title by scoring a twelve round decision over Jorge Lacierva in 2011 and followed with a 1st round KO of Alberto Servidei then a six round stoppage of Eduardo Escobedo in 2012. This will be the second appearance in Madison Square Garden for Dib as back in 2007 he scored a shutout over Rogers Mtagwa. Billy has been having excellent sparring from former WBO lightweight champion Michael Katsidis. Dib said “I have been away in camp working really hard preparing myself for my Dec 1st bout against Jason Velez. Durning camp I managed to get some work In with the warrior himself Michael Katsidis. I’m ready and looking forward to destroying Velez andmaking a statement in American shores.” more photos

Opponents named for 5 USA Olympians

2012 United States Olympians Dominic Breazeale, Marcus Browne, Terrell Gausha, Errol Spence and Rau’Shee Warren will turn professional this Friday at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., on a special edition of ShoBox. Breazeale will face Curtis Tate of Oakland, TN (4-3, 4 KOs), Browne will face Codale Ford of Ford Gibson, OK (2-0, 0 KOs), Gausha will face Dustin Caplinger of Chillicothe, OH (2-3, 1 KO), Spence will face Jonathan Garcia of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (3-3, 1 KO) and Warren will face Luis Rivera of Ponce, Puerto Rico (1-2, 0 KOs). In the evening’s main event, unbeaten featherweight contender and 2008 United States Olympian Gary Russell Jr. will battle Roberto Castaneda in a 10-round fight.

Helenius hits Helsinki

Photo: Team Sauerland

Robert Helenius (17-0, 11 KOs) and star coach Ulli Wegner have arrived in Finland. They landed at Helsinki airport shortly before 22:00 on Tuesday night. Ten hours earlier, Sherman “The Tank” Williams (35-11-2, 19 KOs) had touched ground. “It´s great to be back home,” the Nordic Nightmare said. “We worked out at the Max-Schmeling-Gym in Berlin in the afternoon and then went straight to the airport. Now it´s about keeping up the shape and getting ready. It´s going to be an exciting fight on Saturday. I´ll defeat Williams.”

Both Helenius and Williams will conduct a media work-out tomorrow at the P3 Ringside Gym in Espoo (noon).

John Joe Nevin stays amateur

Irish Olympian John Joe Nevin has reversed his decision to turn professional opting instead to remain in the amateur circuit. Super Fight Promotions, headed by Amir Khan, who had announced an agreement with Nevin, was made aware of this late last night by Nevin’s representative Lynn Hunter who stated Nevin would be competing in the semi-pro World Series of Boxing league. “It’s disappointing that John Joe will be staying amateur as I firmly believe that he has the potential to make big waves in the professional scene,” said Khan.” Nevertheless, I respect his decision to represent the British Lionhearts in the World Series of Boxing and do not rule out the possibility of working with him in the future.”

Dragon Fire open training session

Report and photos by Brett Bonetti

Fighters preparing for the Dragon Fire card at Marina Bay Sands this Friday night put on an open training session in front the media today at the Fightworks Gym at East Coast Parkway in Singapore today. Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (44-0, 27 KOs), who will face Chris “The Dragon” John (47-0-2, 22 KOs) for the WBA world featherweight title, put on a light training session. Next, Choijiljavyn “Choi” Tseveenpüre (36-5, 24 KOs) was very friendly with the media while shadow boxing and working the pads with Spencer Fearon before warming down by doing some legs kicks on the bag.

“Choi” then ran into his opponent for Friday, and IBO world featherweight champion Daud “Cino” Yordan (29-2, 23 KOs), who arrived at Fightworks with “The Dragon” Chris John. Both “Choi” and Yordan were friendly and respectful and posed for a photo with each other before “Choi” left the gym. The Indonesian world champions John and Yordan both put on light training sessions for the media. (more…)

Nethra destroys Nacionales in two

By Damrong Simakajornboon
Photos: Phisit Juajan

WBC #13/WBA #6 lightfly Nethra Sasiprapa (33-2, 15 KOs) successfully retained his WBC Asian Boxing Council 108lb title as he stopped ABCO #13 Bimbo Nacionales (11-6-1, 2 KOs) on Tuesday at Municipality of Klongplu in Nongyai, Chonburi, Thailand. The Thai fighter who previously challenged for WBA title twice, rapidly dropped the Filipino in the opening round with a vicious bodyshot. The show easily ended when the local hero speeded his assault and destroyed his foe with a right bodyshot, scoring a TKO at 1:13 of round two. (more…)

Ticket Alert: Donaire-Arce

Top-Five pound for pound fighter and four-division world champion Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire and five-division world titlist Jorge “Travieso” Arce will host a Houston news conference this Thursday beginning at 11:30 a.m. CT at Toyota Center. Donaire (30-1, 19 KOs) will risk his WBO junior featherweight crown against Arce (61-6-2, 46 KOs) one of boxing’s most exciting and popular fighters on December 15 at Toyota Center, home of the Houston Rockets, and televised live on HBO. The news conference will be open to the public. Fans can enter through the Rockets Team Shop Lobby (street level on the Polk Street side of the Toyota Center), beginning at 11:00 a.m. Joining Donaire and Arce at the news conference will be Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, Arce’s promoter Fernando Beltran Donaire’s manager Cameron Dunkin and University of Notre Dame champion and light heavyweight prospect Mike Lee, who trains in Houston, and will risk his undefeated record on the Donaire vs. Arce undercard.

Tickets to the Donaire vs. Arce World Junior Featherweight Championship event will go on sale Friday at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are priced at $200, $100, $60, and $30, plus additional fees, and can be purchased at the Toyota Center box office (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), online at www.HoustonToyotaCenter.com, by phone at 866- 4HOU-TIX (866-446-8849) and select Houston area Randalls stores.

San Diego/Tijuana Fight Scene

By Felipe Leon

With an overwhelming number of professional boxers in the San Diego/Tijuana region, there is no rest for the fighters on both sides of the border. In the next couple of weeks before the end of the year, many pugilists from the region have career defining fights on their doorstep.

In boxing, nothing is official until a contract is signed. For Filipino southpaw lightweight Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (26-0-1, 14KOs) of San Diego by way of Cebu, Philippines, things just got serious as he has signed his side of the deal that will put him in a ring across IBF lightweight champion Miguel “Titere” Vazquez (32-3, 13KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico, on Saturday, December8th, on the under card of Pacquiao-Marquez IV in Las Vegas, NV. To get ready, Gesta has traveled with his team to Big Bear, CA, to take advantage of the high altitude to get the conditioning he must more certainly need to cut the ring for the running Vazquez. Vazquez is coming off a more than an uninspired performance versus another local fighter, Marvin “Cachorro” Quintero late last month. (more…)

Mares, Moreno Public Workout

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

WBC super bantamweight champion Abner Mares (24-0-1, 13 KOs) and WBA bantamweight super world champion Panama’s Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno (32-1-1, 12 KOs) kicked off fight week Monday afternoon for their showdown on Showtime Championship Boxing Saturday night at Staples Center during an open media workout at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles.

“Training camp was great, I added more carbs to my nutrition, we did more sand work, cross training, along with the work in the gym. I feel so energized I am ready expect a well prepared Amselmo Moreno,” said Mares of nearby Hawaiian Gardens, California.

Moreno, who just got in from Panama, told us “I feel great. I’ve trained really hard. I know it’s a tough fight. The key to victory is hard work at the gym and I have prepared myself for Abner.” (more…)