Weights from Montreal!

By Dave Spencer / Fightnews Canada

Sebastien Demers 168.4 vs. Martin Berthiaume 168.7
Walid Smichet 163.1 vs. Joshua Snyder 163.4.
David Lemieux 160 vs. Luis Roberto Reyes 159.1
Julien Marie Sainte 159.2 vs. Tyan Booth 160.3
Tony Luis 139.15 vs. Carlos Martinez 139.15
Logan McGuinness 134 vs. Jean Charlemagne 133.5
Venue: Casino de Montreal
Promoter: Group Yvon Michel (GYM)
Television: SRC Radio Canada
First Bell: 12pm (noon)

Alcazar to train Valero!

Robert Alcazar, who years ago trained Oscar de la Hoya, is the new chief trainer of hard-punching undefeated lightweight Edwin Valero. Jose Castillo, the manager of Valero, made the announcement today. Alcazar replaces former USA Olympic boxing coach Kenny Adams. Valero is in heavy training getting set to take on Antonio Pitalua for the vacant WBC Lightweight Championship on April 4 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. “I’ve known Robert for a long time,” said Castillo. “We just don’t want Edwin to get involved in those wild, crazy exchanges anymore. Robert has a new game plan. He is going to work on Edwin’s footwork, control his distance and instruct him to use his jab more.” (more…)

Khan in great shape!

Amir Khan showed all the benefits of a lengthy training camp in California today as he wowed the press during a media workout in Bolton. . . . Click here for more

Integrated Sports will distribute a world-class pay-per-view card, headlined by Amir Khan versus “The Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera, Saturday, March 14 live from The M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom . . . Click here for more

Aydin destroys Hernandez!

By Alexey Sukachev

WBC #5 welterweight Selcuk Aydin (17-0, 14 KOs) scored a devastating first-round knockout of Newark-based Equadorian Luis Hernandez (22-4, 15 KOs). Hernandez started the fight aggressively throwing numerous body punches against calm Turkish fighter. Aydin waited a bit with his return fire but once he unleashed it, the fight was over. Aydin (also WBA #12 and IBF #14) landed a short but powerful right hook to send Hernandez to the canvas starting the third minute of the opening round. The Equadorian rose up on shaky legs and was immediately dropped for the second time after a huge Aydin’s combo. Brave Hernandez barely beat the count but was too dazed to continue and it was waved off by referee Guido Cavalleri. Time was 2:32. Aydin retained his WBC International belt during the process.
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In a ten-round main event of the show, young Czech heavyweight Ondrej Pala (23-2, 18 KOs), 24, used his superior physical stature and punching power to outpoint German Konstantin Airich (11-2-1, 9 KOs) over ten heated rounds with the scores 96-94 and 99-92 and a draw 95-95 on the third scorecard. Airich started the bout in his favor but towering Pala, who scored a points win over Henry Akinwande last year in Turkey, used his sharp jab and hard left hook to take middle rounds of the match. Airich, 30, tried to catch his second wind in later rounds but it was Pala, who was close to stopping his fatigued opponent in the last stanza.
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Former two-time WBO heavyweight champion of the world Herbie Hide (47-4, 42 KOs) easily outboxed his Georgian opponent Sandro Siproshvili (15-5-1, 5 KOs) in a non-title eight-rounder. Using a safety-first approach, Hide (WBC #2, WBO #3 and IBF #14) controlled his foe with the sharp left jab and added a right uppercut and right cross on rare occasions. Rugged Siproshvili marched forward without any success, eating punches in bunches and throwing almost nothing in return. All three judges score the bout in favor of the “Dancing Destroyer” from England: 80-72, 80-72 and 79-73. next for Hide is a WBC eliminator against Matt Godfrey in May.

Prospects pepper BAD undercard!

Before six of boxing’s rising stars take to the ring at the HP Pavilion in San Jose on Saturday night, fight fans in attendance will see heavyweight prospects Ashanti Jordan (7-0, 6 KOs and Seth Mitchell (9-0-1, 6 KOs) plus featherweight Charles Huerta (8-0, 5 KOs) look to take the next step in their careers. (more…)

Alvarado ready for Clottey!

Hard-punching contender Mike Alvarado of Denver is expecting a lot of heat and pressure from Emannuel Clottey of Ghana on Saturday night. Alvarado vs. Clottey is the featured bout on a Top Rank/Azteca America boxing card at the Mile High Event Center in Commerce City, Colorado. “Clottey is a pressure fighter,” Alvarado told fight writer Nick Groke of the Denver Post. “Hands up, steps to you. We’ll see how he handles my pressure.” Seven of Alvarado’s last eight bouts have been stoppages. Azteca America’s telecast will be broadcast 10 pm eastern, 9 pm central and 8 pm pacific.

NYC St Paddy card cancelled!

Irish Ropes Promotions announced today that its scheduled March 16th “Erin Go Brawl II” pro boxing show at WaMu Theater in Madison Square Garden had been cancelled due to poor advance ticket sales. 2004 Irish Olympian Andy Lee (16-1, 13 KOs) was slated to fight 3-time world title challenger Antwun “Kid Dynamite” Echols (31-9-4, 27 KOs) in the main event, while 1992 Olympic silver medalist and former WBC bantamweight champion Wayne “Pocket Rocket” McCullough (27-7, 18 KOs) had been matched against Alex “El Diablo” Becerra (19-7, 9 KOs) in the 10 round co-feature. “This was a very difficult decision to make but ticket sales were way off compared to two years ago when the economy was much better here and back in Ireland,” Irish Ropes Promotions president Eddie McLoughlin explained. “We apologize for any inconveniences, especially to all of the boxers who worked so hard to prepare for their fights.” Tickets will be reimbursed in full at points of purchase.

Weights from Philly!

Mike Jones 144 vs Dairo Esalas 145.5
Teon Kennedy 121 vs Andre Wilson 118.5
Kaseem Wilson 146.5 vs Martnus Clay 146.5
Jamaal Davis 153.5 vs Clarence Taylor 153
Derrick Bivins 125 vs Luis Esquilin 128.5
Garrett Wilson 169 vs Dennis Hasson 170.5
Rod Salka 136.5 vs Victor Vasquez 135
Venue: Blue Horizon, Philadelphia
Promoter: Peltz Boxing/Joe Hand

WBA names Cermeño-Mijares judges!

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Panamanian Guillermo Perez Pineda will be the referee for the March 14th WBA interim bantamweight clash between Venezuelan Nehomar Cermeño and Mexican Cristian Mijares. The judges will be Glenn Feldman (Connecticut), Nelson Vázquez (Puerto Rico) and Raúl Caiz (California). The WBA supervisor will be the Argentine José Graglia. The event is the 20th WBA KO to Drugs Festival and will take palce in the Centennial Theater of Torreon, Mexico. The designation of the Panamanian referee Pineda was objected to by the promoter of the event and manager of Cristian Mijares, Nacho Huízar, since Cermeño resides and trains in Panama, where he has been based for all his professional career. Pineda has been the referee in four of Cermeño’s fights.

King Davidson scores KO!

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Australian based Nigerian King Davidson (7-0, 5 KOs) scored a knockout in round one over Thailand’s Faipaniang Kiatworawit (7-4, 3 KOs) at the Croation club, Punchbowl, Sydney, NSW, Australia Friday. Davidson also holds a win over former Australian welterweight champion Frank La Porto. Davidson is managed by former Australian flyweight champion Peter Mitevski and trained by Aussie Hall of Famer Johnny Lewis. Mitrevski said, “I am confident Davidson will be international star… Johnny Lewis feels he has the ability to go all the way also.”

Cameron returns Saturday!

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

World rated heavyweight Shane Cameron (22-1, (19 KOs) will be back in action on Saturday when he defends the IBF Pan Pacific crown over twelve rounds against American Robert Davis (32-9, 20 KOs) at the Rugby Park, Gisborne, New Zealand. Cameron looked impressive in stopping American heavyweights Kevin Monity in five rounds and Jonathan Haggler in seven rounds in 2008. Cameron outscored Terry Smith of the USA in one of the best heavyweight bouts ever contested in New Zealand in 2008. Cameron will clash with David Tua on June 6 at the Waikoto Stadium, Hamilton New Zealand. Cameron manager Ken Reinsfield said, “Shane has had the perfect lead up to the David Tua bout. He has been in with good American heavyweights during 2008. I am confident Shane will defeat David Tua on June 6th.”

Brähmer, Kanfouah make weight!

Photos: Lutz Hentschel

Jürgen Brähmer 174.8 vs Rachid Kanfouah 173.7
(European light heavyweight championship)
Thomas Ulrich 174.8 vs Mariano Nicolas Plotinsky 173.7
(WBO InterContinental light heavyweight title)
Alesia Graf 114.1 vs Magdalena Dahlen 114.8
(WIBF/GBU super flyweight world title)
Aleksy Kuziemski 174.8 vs Armin Dollinger 173.9
(EBA Europa light heavyweight title)
Zsolt Bedak 120.5 vs Franklin Teran TBA
(WBO Europa super bantamweight title)
Igor Michalkin 174.8 vs DeAndrey Abron 175.9
Pal Bedak 111.9 vs Kemal Plavci 110.6
Venue: Freiberger Arena, Dresden, Germany
Promoter: Universum Box-Promotion
TV: ZDF (Germany)

Bell retains PABA belt!

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

WBA #15 light heavyweight Tim Bell (14-5-1, 12 KOs) defended the PABA 175 pound title successfully against Sonni Michael Angelo (15-6-2, 5 KOs) of the Congo when he was awarded a twelve round points decision at the Dallas Brooks Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Friday. Bell scored a major upset in 2008 when he stopped Daniel Porky Lovett that launched him into the world ratings. Promoter former world IBF 130 pound champion Barry Michael and Brian Amatruda.

Vea to defend OPBF belt!

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

OPBF cruiserweight champion Dominic Vea (10-1, 8 KOs) will defend the championship against Daniel Ammann (14-2-1, 3 KOs) over twelve rounds at the Newcastle Panthers Club, Newcastle, NSW, Australia on Saturday. This will be there third time they have clashed, both scoring a win each. Vea captured the title in Japan. Promoter is Tony Butterfield.

Unbeaten Stevenson returns!

By Gary “Digital” Williams

Undefeated Baltimore junior middleweight James “Keep ‘Em Sleepin” Stevenson will headline the Thursday, March 19 Baltimore Pro Boxing card at Martin’s West in Woodlawn, MD. Stevenson will risk his perfect record (6-0, six KO’s) by participating in his first scheduled eight-round contest against Charlotte, NC’s Ken Dunham (5-7, three KO’s). Stevenson was successful in his last visit to Martin’s West, scoring a second-round TKO over Darrett Crockett on January 23. Dunham, meanwhile, lost a close four-round majority decision to Lenwood Dozier on February 20 in Westminster, MD. (more…)

Arena inks Diaz!

By Robert Coster

The 2008 Olympic boxing champion in Beijing at 64 kilos (junior welterweight) Felix Diaz has reportedly been signed to a promotional contract by Arena Box-Promotion. The 25-year-old, Dominican born Diaz was the only representative of the American continent to win gold at Beijing. A national hero in his country, Diaz hesitated to turn pro and put forward one condition to sign up with Arena, namely that his trainer should be Pedro Luis Diaz, the Cuban technician that guided him to his unexpected triumph at the Olympics. Arena’s stable has specialized in Caribbean boxers, mainly Cuban Olympic gold medalists like Yuriorkis Gamboa, Odlanier Solis and most recently Guillermo Rigondeaux.

Pacquiao to be honored in LA!

Boxing’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter and 2008 Fighter of the Year Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao will be honored and celebrated by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the southern California Filipino community This Saturday! March 7 in Historic Filipino Town (3200 Temple Street, Los Angeles, Calif. 90026 – at Temple and Robinson Streets), beginning at 10 a.m. PT. Pacquiao, the first Asian fighter to win four sanctioned world titles, will be honored as “The People’s Champion” for his historic achievements inside the ring and for his philanthropic contributions outside the ring. Pacquiao and Mayor Villaraigosa will also be planting a tree as part of the Day of Service where hundreds of volunteers will be on hand all day working to beautify and improve Historic Filipinotown. (more…)

BAD in San Jose!

Photo: Laura De La Torre - Hoganphotos/Golden Boy

By David Robinett

Boxing’s next generation took center stage Thursday at the final press conference before Saturday night’s HBO Boxing After Dark tripleheader at HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. The televised portion of the card, presented by Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, features three bouts designated as co-main events, beginning with local star Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, (23-1-1, 16 KOs), taking on undefeated Indonesian prospect Daud Yordan, (17-0, 12 KOs), in a ten-round junior lightweight bout for the vacant NABO title. Southern California’s “Vicious” Victor Ortiz, (23-1-1, 18 KOs), looks to extend his run of impressive performances, defending his NABO and USBA junior welterweight titles against durable Greek veteran “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis, (21-2-1, 10 KOs), in the middle bout, while hard-hitting junior middleweights James Kirkland, (24-0, 21 KOs), and Joel Julio, (34-2, 31 KOs), tangle over ten rounds in the evening’s featured matchup. (more…)

Olympian returns to the ring!

Photo: Scott Foster

By Scott Foster

USA 2009 Bronze medalist Deontay Wilder (1-0, 1 KO) resumes his march up the heavyweight ladder with his second professional bout this Friday night in Columbus, Mississippi at the Trotter Convention Center. Wilder is slated to face Shannon Gray (1-0) and will headline an eight-bout card which includes Mississippi’s own Billy Cunningham (3-1) and Shannon Miller (23-42). Promoted by Oliver Miller and O-1 Productions, tickets are now on sale at the Trotter Convention Center or they can be purchased by phone (662) 364-3443 or (662) 328-4164. Ticket prices range from $25 for general admission to $300 for a ringside table. Doors open at 6:00pm and the 1st bout will begin at 7:00pm. (more…)

Inside FNF!

By Lee Bates

Hardcore boxing fans take to ESPN2′s “Friday Night Fights” as pro football fans do to the NFL’s Monday Night Football series. Over the years, the long-running Friday Night Fights series has offered a steady stream of prospects, contenders and world champions. Director of ESPN Programming and Acquisitions Doug Loughrey is key in making the final decisions on approving the televised fights on the series. Loughrey spoke on his role with Friday night fights, the ESPN network airing live its first heavyweight world title in network history, and ESPN’s simulcast with ESPN Deportes. (more…)

Bradley ready for Holt!

Photo: Carlos Baeza/Thompson Boxing

“Mayflower Madness” Weights From Plymouth, MA!

Photo: Emily Harney

By Mark Vaz

Below are the official weights of the fighters:

Jason Pires 143 ½ vs. Louie Leija 147*
*(Leija initially weighed 148; he made the weight on his second try)
Paul Delgado 146 vs. Sebastian Hamel 146 1/2
Manuel Lopes 165 vs. Eric Clinton 167 1/2
Mical Weisberg 171 1/2 vs. Pete Guthy 172
Kali Reis 150 vs. Alexsandra Magdziak Lopes 148 1/2
Andrey Nevsky 163 vs. William Deets 165

It’s “Mayflower Madness” as promoter Jimmy Burchfield of Classic Entertainment Sports brings boxing this Friday to the Memorial Hall in the historic city of Plymouth, Massachusetts. The show is scheduled to begin at 7:15pm and the doors open at 6:15pm. Tickets are available at the door or call Classic Entertainment and Sports at 401 724-2253. (more…)

Khan-Barrera in the news!

Khan: ‘I’ll be the last to face Barrera!’: Khan is full of confidence ahead of his lightweight clash with the Mexican legend at Manchester’s MEN Arena. . . Click here for more by The Sun

Barrera vs. Khan – Too soon or too late?: UK correspondent Russell Hanley wonders if it’s too late for Barrera or too soon for Khan as they head into their March 14 bout . . Click here for more by 411mania.com

Integrated Sports will distribute a world-class pay-per-view card, headlined by Amir Khan versus “The Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera, Saturday, March 14 live from The M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom . . . Click here for more

Campbell to sign with Oscar!

By Flattop

Former unified lightweight champion Nate Campbell is close to signing a promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions. Campbell spoke exclusively to FightNews regarding this matter:

“It’s absolutely true Flattop. We’re close. VERY close. I have to do what’s best for my family and my legacy. People think I’m mad with Don, but I’m really not. It’s just in my best interests to move on. Nobody wants to work with Don anymore, and he can’t get me the kind of fights I need at this point in my career, and Golden Boy can. It’s that simple. Remember, I was already the #1 mandatory to Diaz when we signed with Don in the first place, so it isn’t like he moved me into that spot or anything. Terry made those moves, not Don. And since the Diaz fight, all Don has brought was the Guzman nightmare and the Funeka fight (both mandatories), who’s names would only be recognized by about 15 people in the US combined. It’s not my fault that nobody wants to work with Don, and I cant fight that battle for him. He’s got to deal with that on his own. I had to move on. And Golden Boy is really the perfect fit for me right now. They have the names I want to fight, like Marquez and Hatton, and they can get the TV dates, plus other promoters will work with them, and they really can get things done. My signing bonus will be more than I made the entire time I was with King, you feel me? Richard and Eric can get me the Marquez fight, meanwhile Don is talking about Devon Alexander, who ain’t never fought nobody. Come on brother. Be serious. It ain’t even a debate anymore. Look, this deal with Golden Boy will put me in the fights that can secure the future for my family, and establish my legacy. And honestly, that’s all I’ve ever wanted from this game. So hopefully Terry and Golden Boy can get this thing wrapped up quick, because I’m dying to get back in the gym.”