Underdog Sasaki dethrones Yuba

By Joe Koizumi
Photo: Boxing Beat

35-year-old Tadashi Yuba is our national hero in Japan, though he doesn’t belong to the international level any longer. Yuba, a southpaw six-footer, lately registered a great achievement of acquiring four national belts from the lightweight to the middleweight categories. When Yuba announced to defend his 160-pound belt against a novice named Sanosuke Sasaki months ago, it logically looked a terrible mismatch since the challenger would engage in his very first ten rounder. Why is the goddess of victory so cynical and capricious? The unheralded Sasaki (11-1, 5 KOs), 159.75, a former ping-pong player, produced an unexpected and stunning upset by showing a clean knockout over the prohibitive favorite Yuba (41-8-2, 31 KOs), 158.75, with a single right shot at 2:15 of the fourth session on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. (more…)

Walters-Prescott for WBA title?

By Gabriel F. Cordero

A source has informed Fightnews.com that Jamaican Nicholas Walters (21-0, 17 KOs) could face Colombian Daulis Prescott (26-1, 19 KOs) for the vacant WBA featherweight title after the Panamanian Celestino “Pelenchin” Caballero relinquished the title due to a controversial situation involving his mandatory defense. Walters is currently rated #1 and Prescott is #5. A mandatory fight between Walters and Caballero was slated for December 1 in Kingston, Jamaica after Canelo Promotions won a purse bid.

The WBA executive vice president Gilberto J. Mendoza said, “Let’s respect Caballero’s decision and the doors of the WBA will always be open for Caballero.” One source indicated that WBA might be making a public statement on the Caballero resignation. Today there are plans for a video conference in which Caballero will further explain his decision to the WBA, so the Caballero-WBA story may not be over yet.

IBF champ Vasquez working hard as always

By Miguel Maravilla
Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

IBF world lightweight champion Miguel Angel “Titere” Vasquez (31-3, 13 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico looked sharp working out today at the Azteca Boxing Gym in Bell, California for his upcoming title defense later this month against fellow countryman Tijuana’s Marvin Quintero (25-3, 21 KOs). “We are doing a great job preparing for this fight. I am good with my weight and we are working hard as always. We know it’s a tough hard fight,” Vasquez told Fightnews.com. (more…)

Malinga meets McDonnell in IBF title eliminator

By Ron Jackson

Former South African bantamweight champion Vusi Malinga will once again challenge for world honours when he meets Jamie McDonnell in an IBF bantamweight title eliminator at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, England on October 20. The southpaw Malinga (20-4-1, 12 KOs), who will be 33 on October 28, lost to Mexican Leo Santa Cruz of Mexico on June 2 this year in a clash for the vacant IBF bantamweight belt. (more…)

Giacon visits Haye Gym in London

Photo: OPI 2000

European lightweight official challenger, WBC #9 and WBA #12 Luca “Black Mamba” Giacon (20-0, 18 KOs) with his manager Christian Cherchi visits David Haye’s gym in London to train with trainer Adam Booth.

Donaire hits LA

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

WBO/IBF Jr. Featherweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire shadow boxes after arriving in Los Angeles for his upcoming championship fight against WBC Diamond Champion Toshiaki Nishioka of Japan, Saturday, October 13 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Ca. Promoted by Top Rank in association with Teiken Promotions and Tecete, this sensational night of boxing will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark.

(more…)

Ortiz, Kameda and Thompson in action Oct 27

By Gabriel F. Cordero

On October 27, Sergio “Yeyo” Thompson, Roberto “Massa” Ortiz and Tomoki “Mexicanito” Kameda will headline a silver belt tripleheader in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico at the Chetumal International Business and Convention Center. Local hero Thompson (24-2, 22 KOs) will defend his WBC super featherweight silver title against Luis Armando “Tucu” Juarez (16-5-2, 4 KOs). WBC bantamweight silver titlist Kameda (24-0, 15 KOs) will face Javier Franco (21-9-1, 10 KOs) in a ten rounder and Ortiz (26-0, 22 KO) will defend his WBC silver super lightweight belt against an opponent to be named. The event is presented by Cancun Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions with broadcast on Televisa and Fox Sports in the USA.

Abraham Faces Bouadla on December 15

By Wolfgang Schiffbauer

WBO super middleweight champion and former Super-Six participant Arthur Abraham, 32, will make the first defense of his belt on December 15 in Nuremberg, Germany, against Frenchman Mehdi Bouadla, 30.

Abraham (35-3, 27 KOs) won the title by unanimous decision from Robert Stieglitz on August 25. The German once held the IBF belt at 160 pounds, relinquishing that title to enter the Super-Six tournament. After winning his first bout against former undisputed middleweight champ Jermain Taylor, Abraham suffered three defeats against Andre Dirrell, Carl Froch and Andre Ward. Earlier this year, he won two tune-up bouts before challenging and beating Stieglitz for the WBO crown.

Bouadla (26-4, 11 KOs) is best known for a sixth round knockout loss at the hands of former world champion Mikkel Kessler. He is also the first fighter who went the distance with current WBA middleweight belt holder Gennady Golovkin, losing an eight-round decision in 2007. Since his defeat to Kessler, Bouadla won four straight and captured the WBA International title at 160 pounds. He will be a huge underdog against Abraham on December 15.

Vivian Harris retires

Photo: Chris Cozzone

After nearly four years without a win, former WBA jr welterweight champion Vivian Harris (29-9,-2, 19 KOs) has announced his retirement at the age of 34. His most recent fight was a third round TKO loss to Brian Rose on Friday night in Blackpool, England.

On his Facebook page, Harris wrote, “I would like to thank God and Jesus Christ for a great boxing career that I achieved the world title and defended it four times. After my fight last night I realize that I do not have the desire and hunger anymore because I am no longer performing in the ring to the best of my abilities that I have been blessed with. I wanna thank my family and friends that stayed with throughout my career and still believe in me and support me in my decision. I wanna thank everybody in the boxing world that have gave me the opportunities to become champion of the world and to have some greats fights that my fans will remember about me. I will be helping the next generation of boxers that have the desire to be the next champions of the world. God bless all of you and cheers as they say in England.”

Trout: It’s My Time

Listening to former four-time and three-division world champion Miguel Cotto guarantee a victory against him, Austin “No Doubt” Trout had mixed emotions. The pair will meet for Trout’s WBA super welterweight world championship on December 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. “I know this fight will be a changing of the guard. I’m going to use my victory over him as an announcement that boxing has a new superstar,” said Trout. “But even though boxing is a game where the strongest survive and it’s my time, I still feel a little bad for him and his fans. I’ve been a Cotto fan and he’s had a great career, but I hope they all know this is 2012. They’re not going there to watch their hero win. They’re going there to watch him pass the torch.” (more…)

New foe for Pedraza; highlights only for Jermain

Allan Benitez has suffered an injury to his elbowin training that has forced him to pull out of his main event bout this Friday on ShoBox against blue-chip prospect Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (10-0, 6 KOs). Stepping into replace Benitez in the eight-round lightweight matchup is Philadelphia’s Tevin Farmer (7-3-1, 1 KO). The card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Rumble Time Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Universal Promotions and will take place at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, MO. In the televised co-feature, undefeated up-and-coming prospects Jonathan Cepeda (12-0, 11 KOs) and Lamar Russ (10-0, 6 KOs) will square off in an eight-round middleweight bout.

Also featured on the telecast will be highlights of former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor (30-4-1, 18 KOs) in his bout versus Raul Munoz (21-15-1, 16 KOs), a 10-round middleweight matchup taking place earlier in the evening.

Monaghan headlines next Broadway Boxing

On Wednesday, October 24, DiBella Entertainment returns to the Roseland Ballroom in NYC with the latest installment of the ever-popular Broadway Boxing series. Headlining the card will be Long Beach, New York’s undefeated light heavyweight prospect Seanie Monaghan (15-0, 10 KOs) defending his WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title against Rayco “War” Saunders (22-17-2, 9 KOs) . In the co-feature bout of the evening, Brooklyn’s Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (19-1, 3 KOs) squares off against hard-hitting Eric Cruz (13-10, 13 KOs) in an eight-round junior welterweight matchup. The card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment.

Top Rank Signs Felix Verdejo

Photos: Peter Amador/Top Rank

Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank, announced that 2012 Puerto Rico Olympian Felix Verdejo has inked a long term promotional agreement with Top Rank. “Felix is a young, exciting athlete who won many gold medals as an amateur. Between his pedigree and our expertise in developing champions, we anticipate the evolution of Puerto Rico’s next future star,” said Top Rank President Todd duBoef. The 19-year-old Felix Verdejo, a lightweight, won two fights at the Olympic Games in London before losing to eventual Gold Medal winner, and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Vasyl Lomachenko of Ukraine.

“My wish is to become a good professional fighter and make my country proud of my accomplishments. I know that Top Rank is the right company to take me where I want to go,” said Verdejo, who is represented by manager Ricky Marquez and will train in Puerto Rico. The date and place of his professional debut will be announced soon. (more…)

Chakhkiev to face Mendoza now

WBC #5 cruiserweight Rakhim “The Machine” Chakhkiev (14-0, 11 KOs) will now face Epifanio Mendoza (34-14-1, 30 KOs) on Friday in Hamburg, Germany. Chakhkiev was originally slated to face Alejandro Valori (9-3, 6 KOs) who pulled out with a sparring injury. Mendoza has been losing more than winning lately, but he did stop unbeaten Olympian Carlos Negron last year in Puerto Rico. “Obviously it’s not ideal if an opponent pulls out at such short notice. I prepared for at least two months prior to this fight. Nevertheless, I am very pleased that our chief found a replacement so quickly and I can still get in the ring…and the fans can look forward to a knockout,” said Chakhkiev. The goal for the Chakhkiev Team is a championship fight by end of the year against WBC cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.

Also in action Friday will be unbeaten world rated heavyweight Denis Boytsov (31-0, 25 KOs) against the “Sandmann” Konstantin Airich (23-7-2, 17 KOs) in what should be an excellent scrap.

Pontillas demolishes Tokunaga in one

By Joe Koizumi

OPBF top ranked ex-OPBF super-feather champ, Filipino southpaw Ronald Pontillas (15-4-3, 7 KOs), 134.5, displayed a furious demolition of elongated local prospect Kota Tokunaga (8-2, 7 KOs), 135, at 2:34 of the opening session on Sunday in Kyoto, Japan. For Pontillas, Japan may be located in a good direction as he thus scored three good victories to his credit. The lanky southpaw Filipino once captured the OPBF belt by an upset first round stoppage of defending champ Masao Nakamura in May 2011. He lost the regional belt to Donghyuk Kim on a technical decision in his second defense this January, and Kim yielded it to lefty Thailander Jomthong Chuwattana via ninth round TKO last May. The OPBF 130-pound belt changed hands very busily, and Pontillas is willing to have a mandatory shot at the newly crowned Jomthong, a vastly talented Thai youngster and ex-Muaythai superstar. Pontillas, 22, tonight caught the taller Japanese local prospect with a vicious southpaw left, dropping him twice and for the count. Pontillas, a Japanese killer, looked very impressive. Promoter: Woz Promotions.

Cleverly to defend against Coyne

Nathan Cleverly aims to be a big hit across the Atlantic when he takes on unbeaten Ryan Coyne, subject to WBO approval, next month in his American world championship title debut. The Welsh star will co-headline on a big triple world title card promoted by Golden Boy Promotions at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on November 10th. He hopes a top performance against Coyne will lead to unification fights against WBA king Beibut Shumenov and IBF title-holder Tavoris Cloud. Coyne, known as the Irish Outlaw, is undefeated in 21 fights and holds a number two ranking with the WBA and is at number ten with the WBC. (more…)

Daud Yordan: I am Ready

Report/photo by Jeffrey Pamungkas

IBO featherweight champion Daud Cino Yordan (29-2, 23 KOs) says “I am ready” when asked about his scheduled Nov. 9 clash against Manchester-based Mongolian, Choi Tseveenpurev (36-5, 24 KOs) at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. This would be Yordan’s first title defense since he grabbed the vacant belt with a second round knockout over Filipino KO artist Lorenzo Villanueva, also at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. “I’m ready, and as a pro, I must be always ready anytime,” says Yordan who’s training at OSO Sports Center, one of the world’s largest sports center and Karate dojo in Bekasi City, Indonesia.

Besides Yordan, the long reigning WBA featherweight super champion Chris John (47-02, 22 KOs) will also defend his title in the main event against a dangerous and undefeated contender from Thailand, Cholantarn Piriyapinyo (44-0, 27 KOs).

Caballero relinquishes WBA title

By Gabriel F. Cordero

In a letter sent to fightnews.com and International Media, Panamanian two-division world champion Celestino “Pelenchin” Caballero has announced his formal decision to vacate his WBA featherweight world crown after many months of controversial situations with WBA.

“I have more to do in boxing and in my career. The WBA has their dark interests with my crown. I have respected their decisions at all times and only now have to say many thanks to the WBA who gave me a chance. I resign their crown with pride and dignity,” said Caballero.

Mobley remains undefeated

By Gary “Digital” Williams at ringside

Heavyweight Duane Mobley of Upper Marlboro, MD remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Dennis Benson Saturday night at the Smith Gymnasium on the campus of the Fort Myer/Henderson Hall Joint Military Base in Arlington, VA. Mobley came very close to knocking Benson out in the third and sixth rounds but Benson managed to hang on and stay upright. Mobley won by scores of 59-55 (twice) and 58-56. Mobley is now 6-0, four KO’s while Benson loses for the second time to Mobley and is now 1-4, one KO. Mobley defeated Benson by four-round unanimous decision in his pro debut in February of this year. (more…)

WBC #13 Kiyota keeps OPBF 168lb belt

By Joe Koizumi
Photo: Boxing Beat

Muscular Japanese, WBC#13 super-middle Yuzo Kiyota (23-3-1, 21 KOs), 168, celebrated his twenty-ninth birthday as he impressively kept his OPBF 168-pound belt by dispatching previously unbeaten JBC top contender Hiromitsu Miura (9-1, 4 KOs), 168, at 2:00 of the sixth session on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.

Kiyota seemed to forget a nightmare of his first-round stoppage by Jameson Bostic in an ambitious quest for the OPBF light heavy throne a year ago with his fourth stoppage since. Miura, formerly a MMA battler with good physical power, showed an opening attack in the first session, but the more experienced champ defended himself with his tight guard and began to throw stinging lefts to the face of the willing mixer from the second on. After the fourth, the open scoring system indicated the game challenger was leading on points: 39-37 twice and 38-38. Encouraged by the interim score, Miura turned loose with a flurry of punches in round five, when the champ cautiously waited for an opening, which eventually visited in the next frame. (more…)

Bualuang keeps ABCO crown

By Damrong Simakajornboon
Photos: Onesongchai Boxing Promotion

WBC Asia 126lb titleholder Bualuang Sor Singyu (7-0, 2 KOs) successfully kept his title as he won a unanimous decision over ABCO #13 Selsius Romilus (reportedly 12-4) on Friday at Bangkok-Thonburi University in Bangkok, Thailand. A hot Thai prospect mostly controlled the show, displaying vicious combinations on his Indonesian foe who also showed good counterpunches. From round ten, it seemed Romilus dominated a little when he landed many tough bodyshots which weakened the champion but it was too late for him to grab the victory. Scored 118-110, 118-110, 116-112. (more…)

Konecny camp comments on one-sided scoring

The camp of Lukas Konecny is disappointed in the one-sided scoring of Konecny’s seemingly close fight against WBO jr middleweight champion Zaur Baysangurov on sturdy in Kiev. Scores were Matteo Montella 117-111, Lahcen Oumghar 118-110 and Mickey Vann 119-109.

Lukas Konecny: “It was expected to be a hard and difficult fight. Unfortunately, from the first round I had problems with my eyes. Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t look for excuses for a defeat, but this bothered me in my fight plan and I couldn’t properly implement our tactics. It really bothered me! I’m just hugely disappointed. But, no matter the cause of the defeat today our analysis is needed. I’ll go on from here and I will never abandon my dream of winning a world championship.” (more…)

Khan-Molina at the LA Sports Arena

By Miguel Maravilla

Los Angeles has hosted many great fights throughout the years and will continue its tradition of great fights when former world champion Amir “King” Khan (26-3, 18 KOs) takes on the undefeated Carlos Molina (17-0-1, 7 KOs) of Norwalk, California at the legendary Los Angeles Sports Arena. The bout will take place on December 15.

The Los Angeles Sports Arena hosted its first fight card on July 8, 1959, when Joe Becerra of Guadalajara, Mexico knocked out France’s Alphonse Halimi for the world bantamweight title. Sugar Ray Robinson and Gene Fullmer fought to draw in December of 1960. Muhammad Ali and Archie Moore squared off in 1962. Other notable fights at the LA Sports Arena include Bobby Chacon vs. Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Roberto Duran vs. Pipino Cuevas. Roger Mayweather began his stint as the “Mexicutioner” in the 80′s with wins over Mexican’s Mauricio Aceves and Rodolfo Gonzalez at the Sports Arena. The last time boxing took place at the LA Sports Arena was in August of 2008 on the card that Karim Mayfield scored a first round TKO. The last championship fight to take place at the Sports Arena was a slugfest between Mexican sluggers Jose Luis Lopez and Yori Boy Campas as Lopez went on to win a fifth round TKO.

Flores destroys McNemar

Cruiserweight contender BJ Flores (28-1-1. 18 KOs) scored a second round KO over David McNemar (13-2, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at the Shrine Mosque in Springfield, Missouri. Flores easily defended his NABO belt and added the NABA belt as he seemingly hurt McNemar every time he touched him. There were a total of three knockdowns in the fight. Time was 2:14.

“I was excited to fight in fromnt of my home town fans,” said Flores. “I know I need to get better and keep improving if I want to fight against the best and tonight was just another small step in that direction. I feel fine and ready to move forward. I have to dominate guys like this if I am to challenge for a world title. I want to continue to prove myself to the public and to my fans.”

Vazquez Jr KOs Oquendo; Fuentes KOs Calderon

Photos: Peter Amador/Top Rank

In a war, former WBO 122lb world champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (22-2-1, 19 KOs) scored a seventh round KO over Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (22-3, 15 KOs) on Saturday night at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. After a strong start by Oquendo, “WV2″ took control and battered Oquendo to the deck for the count with a barrage of punches. Time was 2:33.

WBO mimimumweight champion Moises “Moi” Fuentes (16-1, 8 KOs) retained his title with a fifth round KO over former two division world champion Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon (35-3-1, 6 KOs). The 37-year-old Calderon turned back the clock for the first three rounds as he outboxed the much larger Fuentes, but Fuentes finally trapped “The Iron Boy” in the corner and punished him in round four. Fuentes battered Calderon to the deck three times in round five to end it. Time was 1:22. (more…)