6 bouts added to the Pascal vs. Bute Card on May 25th; Alvarez, Bizier and Zewski to see action

InterBox and Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) announced all six undercard bouts that will support the historic fight between Lucian Bute (31-1-0 24 KO) and Jean Pascal (27-2-1 16 KO) on Saturday, May 25th 2013 at the Montreal Bell Centre. 4 title belts will be on the line for this Mega Card that has already convinced over 17,000 fans to purchase their tickets. Several new good tickets have been placed into circulation for the general public on Monday.

In the co-feature, undefeated #5 rated WBA light heavyweight contender Eleider Alvarez (12-0-0 8 KO) will be looking to score a 4th consecutive knockout at the Bell Centre against Allan Green (32-4-0, 22 KO), a former Super 6 contestant. This bout is scheduled for 10 rounds. (more…)

Q&A: Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera

Photo: Carlos Baeza/Thompson Boxing Promotions

This Thursday, May 2nd, Thompson Boxing Promotions and Banner Promotions will present a card in Corona, California which will be televised on ESPN “Friday Night Fights”. The special edition of boxing will feature Riverside’s Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (18-3, 7KOs) versus South Korea’s Ji-Hoon “The Volcano” Kim (24-8, 18KOs) in a 10-round junior welterweight bout.

Herrera, whose record recently suffered two losses in a row, looks to set the record straight as it relates to his boxing abilities. Here’s what Mauricio Herrera had to say about his upcoming match against Ji-Hoon Kim. (more…)

Oliveira back in action vs Cordero

By Robert Coster
Photo: MO Productions

WBC #12 jr middleweight Michael “The Brazilian Rocky” Oliveira (20-1, 15 KOs) will be defending his WBC Fecarbox title on May 10th against Francisco “Volcan” Cordero (28-1, 20 KOs) of Colombia in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The 21-year-old Brazilian prospect is training hard in Miami to repel the challenge of the upset-minded Cordero in what should be an action fight between the two hard-punching youngsters. On the undercard, Julio De Jesus (17-1, 16 KOs) will face Kendal Mena (18-0, 9 KOs) in a clash between top Dominican jr welterweight prospects that has captured the interest of local boxing fans and divided them into two camps. Another interesting bout will see rising WBA #6, WBC #11 bantamweight Juan Carlos Payano (12-0, 6 KOs), a former two-time Dominican Olympian, cross gloves with Jhon Molina of Colombia. The 10 bout card will be held at the 8,000 seat Coliseo Carlos-Teo-Cruz and is co-promoted by MO Productions (Carlos Oliveira) and Miguel Cotto Promotions. The card will be televised by TVGlobo of Brazil and Telecentro in the Dominican Republic.

George Foreman’s CNN interview

Two-time heavyweight champion George Foreman did a wonderful interview with CNN while he was at The Venetian Macao for China’s two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Zou Shiming’s professional debut, which was promoted by Top Rank and televised in the U.S. on HBO 2.

Part I – George Talks About His Boxing Career and Muhammad Ali
Part 2 – George Talks About His Childhood
Part 3 – George Talks About Business and Macao

Klitschko-Pianeta officials

WBO Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel announced today the referee and judges who will work this Saturday’s world title fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Francesco Pianeta to be held at the SAP-Arena in Mannheim, Germany in a K2 Promotions presentation. The referee will be Ernest Sharif from United States. Judges will be Patricia Morse Jarman and John Lawson, both from United States, and Roberto Ramirez Sr., from Puerto Rico. The WBO supervisor will be Paco Valcarcel himself.

Ceja vows to KO McDonnell on May 11th

By James Slater

Unbeaten 20-year-old Mexican banger Julio Ceja is confident he will win by KO on May 11th when he faces Britain’s Jamie McDonnell in McDonnell’s hometown of Doncaster. The fight will contest the vacant IBF super-bantamweight title, and Ceja has watched McDonnell on You Tube to get himself prepared. “I’ve seen videos [of McDonnell] and I respect him,” Ceja informed Hatton TV. “But he’s never fought one single durable opponent. I’m used to fighting in different parts of Mexico. In the ring it’s only me and Jamie, the people won’t help to defend him from my power. I’m very confident I can knock him out.” (more…)

Hopkins-Murat set for July 13 in Brooklyn

Sauerland Event has announced that IBF light heavyweight mandatory contender Karo Murat will challenge IBF champion Bernard Hopkins on July 13 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. “Golden Boy Promotions, the promoter of IBF champion Bernard Hopkins, proposed this date at an early stage and we have accepted,” said Chris Meyer, Managing Director of Sauerland Event. “Karo has waited a long wait for this opportunity. We’re sure that he’ll do everything to take away Hopkins’ championship belt!”

Karo Murat stated: “My dream is becoming reality! After Jully 13 the IBF light heavyweight world champion will be Karo Murat!”

Mayweather planning ‘big, big event’ in the U.K.

By James Slater

Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr has never boxed outside of America as a pro, yet the unbeaten great is reportedly planning on leaving the glittering lights of Las Vegas behind for one fight at least – in the U.K. “Money’s” advisor Leonard Ellerbe spoke on The Steve Bunce Boxing Hour on BoxNation T.V last night, and he said there is “definitely a very strong possibility that Floyd will fight in the U.K.”

Already, there are rumours suggesting that if Mayweather does indeed box in England, his opponent could be Amir Khan. Khan, as fans may recall, was recently elevated to the number-two position in the WBC welterweight rankings, making the former 140-pound champion more than eligible to challenge for Mayweather’s WBC welterweight crown. (more…)

Sturm: There is no room in this sport for drug takers

Three-time world middleweight champion Felix Sturm has commented on the suspension by the German Boxing Federation of Sam Soliman. “I’m glad that this has finally come to an end and that the right decision for a clean sport of boxing was made. In all my years in boxing, I’ve never met anyone as unfair as Soliman and his team. That loomed in the days leading up to the fight and was confirmed by the doping results. There is no room in this sport for drug takers. I can now focus on the preparation for my next fight. It’s time to become champion again!”

Soliman was was suspended by the Bund Deutscher Berufsboxer (BDB) after he failed a post-fight doping test following his February 1 fight against Sturm in Dusseldorf, Germany. The official result was changed from a unanimous decision win for Soliman to a “No Contest.” (more…)

Gabriel Rosado moves on at middleweight against J’Leon Love

Story by John DiSanto – PhillyBoxingHistory.com
Photos by T. Miranda

After being turned back in his first title challenge against Gennady Golovkin, North Philly’s Gabriel Rosado, 21-6, 13 KOs, planned to return to 154 pounds and resume his assault on the junior middleweight division, where all of his previous fights had taken place. But in boxing, things don’t always play out the way you plan.

With all of the major 154-pound stars tied up with other bouts, Rosado accepted a fight with middleweight J’Leon Love, 15-0, 8 KOs, for his next assignment. Rosado and Love face off Saturday night in Las Vegas as part of the big Floyd Mayweather PPV show. (more…)

Murray: No way I’ll get a rematch with Martinez

Middleweight Martin Murray doesn’t feel he’ll get another shot at Sergio Martinez despite giving the Argentinian southpaw the fight of his life on Saturday night. Murray would like an immediate rematch, but accepts that is unlikely despite Martinez himself managing to secure a return with Paul Williams after losing a similarly contentious verdict back in late 2009.

“I’d love the chance to fight Martinez again, but there’s no way I’ll get the opportunity,” Murray said. “Martinez is amongst the top five pound-for-pound fighters in the world and I had him down twice, bossed him and lost a very close debatable decision in his own backyard so I think I’ve proven I belong at world level.

“I’m obviously gutted that I’m not taking that belt home with me but I’m happy and proud that I can leave Argentina with my head held high knowing that I represented St. Helens and Great Britain. If it was fair scoring then I would have got the decision but it was always going to be an uphill battle in Argentina and I knew that when I accepted the fight.”

Vitali: I will fight Stiverne, let’s agree on a date

In an interview with “Today,” 41-year-old WBC world heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko said he will return to the ring. “There is an official challenger – Bermain Stiverne,” Klitschko stated. “The fight will take place. Now it’s necessary to determine the date. After that, all the rumors (of his retirement) will be dispelled by themselves.” Big thanks to Andre for the heads up.

Klitschko, Pianeta trainers speak

Photos: Team SES/U. Koch

Trainers Johnathon Banks (Wladimir Klitschko) and Dirk Dzemski (Francesco Pianeta) weighed in on their respective fighter’s preparations for Saturday’s IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO heavyweight championship fight on Saturday at the SAP arena Mannheim, Germany.

Dirk Dzemski: We’ve developed a very good plan and hope it works. Francesco is very well prepared and we’re ready for a super, super fight.

Johnathon Banks: Our preparation is always the same. We’re ready to fight. On Sunday Wladimir will wake up still the heavyweight champion of the world. He’s going in the arena as heavyweight champion, he will leave as heavyweight champion. I’m not Emanuel Steward. I’m not gonna try to be. I was raised up by him. I learned a lot from him, I’m tremendously thankful for him, but what will remain the same is Wladimir Klitschko will retain his titles as heavyweight champion of the world.

Ponce de Leon: Mares will feel the weight difference

Daniel Ponce de Leon and Abner Mares spoke to reporters on Monday about Saturday’s showdown for the WBC featherweight title. The fight will be the main undercard bout on the Mayweather-Guerrero PPV extravaganza in Las Vegas. Mares has relinquished his WBC super bantamweight belt to move up in weight and campaign in the featherweight ranks. Ponce de Leon is the reigning champion.

Abner Mares: I’m stepping into a bigger, heavier weight class and already going against a heavy puncher. It’s hard, but I think it’s all mental. I’m weighing the same, he’s weighing the same and I think I’m going to recuperate (after the weigh-in) and be six to ten pounds heavier the next day. That night I want to let it be known that skills and smartness kills power and pressure any day.

Daniel Ponce de Leon: (Moving up in weight) is going be a difference and he’ll have to take that into account. I’ve done it before in my career. I’ve fought as high as 130 and I noticed a difference in size and in power. I’m sure he’s going to feel the difference, as well. It’s hard to jump up in another weight class and fight for the world title. It’s very, very tough.

(Comparing Mares to Yuriorkas Gamboa, Adrien Broner and Jhonny Gonzalez) Abner is similar to them. He’s a good technician, he has a very good style but the difference is that he’s smaller. I fought both Gamboa and Broner at 130, they’re bigger guys. I fought Jhonny Gonzalez at 126, he’s a good technician and that was a tough fight, as well. The difference is Abner is a smaller guy.

Boxing Buzz

Fllint, Michigan’s Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (24-0, 21 KOs) is ready to resume his career after a long lay-off, this Friday in Las Vegas. More

Former champ Ricky Hatton says he’s “baffled” why Martin Murray isn’t returning home to the U.K. a world champ after a close, controversial loss to Sergio Martinez last weekend. More

Ready for “Rocky” the musical? More

Browne not getting carried away after Toney victory

Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne moved a few more rungs up the heavyweight ladder by defeating legendary American veteran James Toney in Melbourne on Sunday. Browne, 34, controlled the contest from the first bell until the last and was rewarded with a wide unanimous decision as well as the WBF title. But Browne isn’t getting too excited just yet.

He said: “I wasn’t really pleased overall with my performance. I won and I’m very happy, but there’s more work that needs to be done. Toney was slick and avoided my right hand, but had no answer to my nice crisp jab, which left him with 30 stitches in his mouth to sort out.” (more…)

Pendarvis training with Mosley

Photo: Warren Wilkerson/Team Pendarvis

IBF #7-rated southpaw Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis (17-3-2, 6 KOs) has been training and sparring with future Hall of Famer Sugar Shane Mosley in Big Bear, California, as he prepares for his May 10 IBF eliminator against #3-ranked Dierry “Dougy Style” Jean (24-0, 16 KOs) at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma. That bout will be televised on Showtime. Mosley will return on May 18 against highly regarded welterweight contender Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano in a temporary venue which will be set up on the beach in front of The Grand Oasis in Cancun, Mexico. That fight will air on FOX Deportes.

Garcia-Judah: Full Report & Photo Gallery

Ringside Report: Mariano A. Agmi and Arvin Nundloll
Photos: Marty Rosengarten

Before 13,048 cheering fans at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday, unified Ring, WBA and WBC junior welterweight champion Danny “Swift” Garcia (26-0, 16 KOs) won a unanimous twelve round decision over an inspired Zab “Super” Judah (42-8, 29 KOs). The fight was a highly entertaining slugfest with many ebbs and flows, as Garcia seemed to take the early rounds while Judah won the later ones. Click here…

Klitschko-Pianeta presser

Photos: Team Klitschko

Wladimir Klitschko (59-3, 51 KOs) and Francesco Pianeta (28-0, 15 KOs) participated today in the fight week press conference at the SAP arena in Mannheim to talk about their fight on May 4. IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO and “The Ring Magazine” Heavyweight Champion Klitschko and his undefeated Italian contender Pianeta will face off next Saturday at the SAP arena Mannheim, Germany.

Wladimir Klitschko: “I know that Francesco Pianeta will have a fight plan but there is the famous quote by Mike Tyson that says: ‘Everyone has a plan until he gets hit’. Pianeta will be super motivated and wants to use his big chance but I am very experienced and will show him his limits.”

Francesco Pianeta: “I had a very good preparation and am highly motivated. It will be my son’s birthday four days after the fight and I would like to give him the belts on this day.” (more…)

100 rounds: The Royal Belgian Boxing Federation

The Royal Belgian Boxing Federation will celebrate her 100 years later this year and for the occasion a book called 100 rounds will be issued. The start of those centenial festivities are set for May 17. The book will cover the 100 years history of Belgian boxing, mostly with pictures. The issue is scheduled for November and will cost 39,95 € or ordered now at a price of 29,95 €. Email: livre100rounds@gmail.com or write to the National President Mr Willy Bosch @ Gospertstrasse 86A, B-4700 Eupen, Belgium.

Sergio Martinez Update

By Gabriel F. Cordero

WBC middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez will likely be out of action for the rest of the year and could need surgery to repair a broken left hand suffered last Saturday in his defense against Martin Murray. For now “Maravilla” will wear a splint for a month and a half and then begin 60 days of rehabilitation and therapy. Advisor Sampson Lewkovicz said the 38-year-old Martinez would like to retire in Argentina and perhaps 2014 will be his last year.

Mayweather-Guerrero ‘Grand Arrival’ info

Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero will make their Grand Arrivals on Tuesday afternoon at the MGM Grand Hotel Lobby. This event is open to the public.

Below is the schedule:

2:00 p.m. – Alexander Munoz & Gabriel Rosado
2:10 p.m. – J’Leon Love & Mayweather Promotions Rising Stars
2:20 p.m. – Leo Santa Cruz
2:30 p.m. – Abner Mares
2:40 p.m. – Daniel Ponce de Leon
2:50 p.m. – Robert Guerrero
3:00 p.m. – Floyd Mayweather

Hatton: Murray should be world middleweight champ

Promoter Ricky Hatton says he cannot understand how Martin Murray didn’t emerge victorious against Sergio Martinez on the weekend in front of more than 40,000 fans in Buenos Aires. The Englishman scored a knockdown in the eighth round and had the Martinez on the canvas again in the tenth only to see it ruled a slip. Despite this, and punch stats leaning in Murray’s favour, all three judges posted scores of 115-112 for the home boxer.

“I think Martin should be the middleweight champion of the world,” a dejected Hatton said. “It was a good competitive fight but there was only one winner for me. When you go into the lion’s den you have to rip the title from the champion and although he couldn’t finish as strong as he we would have liked, Martin was the aggressor. He also scored a knockdown and it should have been two in my opinion.” (more…)

Leo Santa Cruz ready for May Day

By Miguel Maravilla
Photo: Big Joe Miranda

Undefeated former IBF bantamweight champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (23-0-1, 13 KOs) of Lincoln Heights, California is days weeks away from his fight Saturday with former world champion Alexander ” El Explosivo” Munoz (36-4, 28KOs). Santa Cruz has been looking sharp in the final phases of training camp at the Who’s Next Boxing Gym in the City of Industry, about 20 miles east of Los Angeles.

“I am in great shape and ready!” Santa Cruz told Fightnews.com. “Training camp has been great for this fight. I can’t wait.” (more…)

Perez dethrones FECARBOX champ Robles

Photos: Alex Roman/Miguel Cotto Promotions

Felix “La Ardilla” Pérez won the most important fight of his career when he topped the super flyweight contender Miguel “El Loco” Robles by unanimous decision in the main event of Boxeo Boricua WAPA 2 Deportes presented by Miguel Cotto Promotions and H2 Entertainment at the Coliseo Roger L. Mendoza in Caguas, Puerto Rico. “La Ardilla” established his game plan from the very first round landing some great shots on Robles who was looking out of it and not too sharp with his punches. In the third round a flashy right hand dropped Robles to the canvas but Robles got back on feet to continue the bout. Felix Perez had the most exciting moments during the fight and convinced the judges to his favor. (more…)

Staal dominates Molina

By Lindy Lindell
Photos: Bob Ryder

Toledo, Ohio—The Grand Plaza Hotel rocked last night. In an evening of boxing promoted by Purgatory Fight Series (Joe Bridenbaugh, Fred Vallejo, Marty McManus) that began with few folks in the peanut gallery (“No one is here,” remarked one ringsider), ended with fans standing and yelling with an almost deafening hubbub: local super-middle Nune Molina fans cheered on their man with a fervor of college football loyalists.

Canton, Michigan’s Lane Staal spoiled the party. In one of the more skillful displays of the manly art by a area boxer, Staal frustrated, outsped, and outwitted his determined but slower foe and swept through the first seven rounds of their eight-rounder. (more…)

Huck vs. Afolabi III in Berlin

The fight between WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25 KOs) and interim titlist Ola Afolabi (33 years, 19-2-4, 9 KOs) will take place on June 8th at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin on June 8. “This will be a home game for me,” said Huck who is looking forward to his third encounter with Afolabi. Huck won a close decision in their first fight in December 2009 and their May 2012 rematch ended in a draw. “Ola Afolabi is indeed a tough one,” added Huck. “But he will not make my life so difficult again. In Berlin, I will set the record straight!”

Haye signs with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sport

By Wolfgang Schiffbauer

The speculation about the next opponent for former WBA heavyweight titlelist and undisputed cruiserweight world champion David Haye (32) has come to an end. After he was initially ruled out as an opponent, it has now been confirmed that former WBC title challenger Manuel Charr (28) from Germany will indeed land the June 29 fight in Manchester, England.

Haye’s PR man Elliott Worsell first indicated this in a recent post on Twitter. He wrote: “It’s confirmed: Haye opponent is a real Charrmer.” The German-based Charr has also posted pictures of himself in London, where an official press conference to announce the bout will take place Wednesday, and posted “David you are next!” on his Facebook page. Shortly afterwards, Eddie Hearn, managing director of Matchroom Sport, announced on Twitter that he signed Haye to a long-term promotional contract and confirmed that the former champ will face Charr in Manchester. (more…)

Haye to face Charr on June 29 in Manchester

By Malte Müller-Michaelis

Former WBA heavyweight und unified cruiserweight champion David Haye will take on former WBC heavyweight championship contender Manuel Charr on June 29th in Manchester. The fight will officially be announced at a press conference to be held at the Manchester Arena on Wednesday (May 1st).

Charr has been calling out David Haye for the last twelve months and promised to donate half of his purse for peace projects in his home country Syria should the bout actually take place. The 28-year-old “Diamond Boy” who lives and trains in Cologne, Germany, has won 23 of his 24 pro-bouts with his sole loss coming in the world title fight against Vitali Klitschko last September in Moscow when Charr was controversially stopped by a cut in the fourth. However, Charr came back with two quick stoppage wins over Konstantin Airich and Yakup Saglam to regain his WBC Silver International championship.

David Haye on the other hand is looking for another world title shot and thinks that a victory over WBC no. 8 rated Charr will get him one step closer to this goal. The hard-hitting “Hayemaker” has won 26 of his 28 pro-bouts so far including 24 knockouts.