Chauke challenges for SA flyweight title

By Ron Jackson

Nearly five years after fighting at the Olympic Games, Jackson Chauke has a chance of winning a national professional title this weekend. Chauke gets his long-awaited shot at a title when he challenges SA flyweight champion Lwandile Sityatha at the Orient Theatre in East London on Sunday afternoon.

Chauke was an outstanding amateur who won the flyweight division at the SA championships in 2004 and 2005. He won a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and also represented South Africa at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he lost his first fight. (more…)

McDonnell: I’ll stop Ceja to win the world title

Bantamweight Jamie McDonnell believes his army of supporters, and opponent Julio Ceja’s lack of a well-stamped passport, will be crucial in sweeping him to world title victory when the pair clash in his hometown’s Keepmoat Stadium on May 11. They go head-to-head for the vacant IBF crown on the pitch at the home of Doncaster Rovers Football Club, and Jamie is convinced Ceja’s first experience of fighting outside of his native Mexico will be a painful one.

“It’s a massive factor,” stated the 27-year-old. “It’s probably what will make me win the fight, having that home support behind me, cheering me on. He’s always had that in his favour and he’s not used to being out of his comfort zone, it’s all new to him. Having 9000 ‘Donny’ people screaming for me, it’s going to be intimidating for him. (more…)

Video: Fists of Gold weigh-in

By Dennis Principe

Showpony Promotions presents a development tournament

By Ron Jackson

Damian Michael of Showpony Promotions presents a development tournament on Monday, April 22 at the Barnyard Theatre in the Cresta Centre, Randburg. The six bout show will be headed by featherweights Prince Ndlovu and Sibusiso Khumalo in a scheduled six rounder. This is a rematch with their first fight ending in draw. In a super bantamweight clash over six rounds Morne Bothma takes on Gert Aries and in a four rounder lightweight Oumpie Stiven faces Brandon Bocking who will be making his debut. Cruiserweight Paul Anderson meets Duzela Sithole over four rounds. Both will be making their debuts. Also having their first fights as professionals will be middleweights Leron Myles against Andile Nomlala and heavyweights George Tshimanga against Devan Beckham. Both bouts are scheduled for four rounds.

Meanwhile Siphato Handi of Mamli Promotions has announced that Simphiwe Khonco (11-4, 6 KOs) of Mthatha, the South African minimumweight champion, and Khanyakude Mukansi from the Limpopo province, who has a reported record of 6-8-2, 1 KO will meet for the vacant WBA Pan African minmumweight title over 12 rounds at the OR Tambo Hall in Mthatha on April 14.

Quick Quotes from Macao

Brian Viloria: “I don’t see this as an easy fight. Estrada has the ability to be a champion. He’s very good. My edge over him in this fight will be my experience and the patience that comes from it. I never thought I’d be the last of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team still fighting but now that I am I think it’s very cool. I’m representing my teammates – my Olympic homies.

“Zou is quick-handed and has great foot movement. He does not have that pop yet. Freddie [Roach] is teaching him to sit on his punches. He’s got a good chin. He can take a punch.”

Juan Francisco Estrada: “I can go toe-to-toe with Viloria. It’s an easier style for me to fight against. My youth could be an advantage. I’ll be fresher. I’ll have to box more to avoid Viloria’s explosiveness. Juan Manuel Márquez’s victory over Manny Pacquiao has inspired me and all of México. It made me so happy.”

Diego Magdaleno: “Martinez only has an ‘A Plan.’ He looks to land that big right hand. He loads up and presses it. I will win and make this fight easy by outboxing him and outthinking him. I have scouted him in-person, attending his fights and watching loads of tape. My style has matured. Las Vegas needs someone like me to represent the city.”

Eleazar Valenzuela: “I never heard of Zou Shiming before taking this fight against him. I only had nine amateur fights. The biggest purse I’ve fought for so far is $400. I’m here to win. The crowd makes no difference to me. I’m not fighting the crowd. I’m fighting Zou. Will he be shocked when he is hit by a professional fighter for the first time? He’ll be shocked when he’s hit by this professional fighter.”

Marquez-Esquer collide April 19

Photos: Zanfer Promotions

Hernan “Tyson” Marquez (34-3-0, 25 ko’s) is confident about returning to where he was until his most recent fight, a world champion and Mexican boxing idol. The first step is a ten round clash against Juan “Panterita” Esquer (29-11-2, 22 ko’s) on April 19 in the Gimnasio del Estado in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.

Marquez: “I’m very excited about my return,” said Marquez. “I’ll give my people a great fight and regain my winning ways. There are many plans for me in 2013, but this is the first win on the 19th against a warrior like Esquer, experienced and with international exposure…we are prepared to go to war! I have 7 weeks of preparation with a lot of motivation.”

Esquer: “This fight will be another war and it will not come to a decision as before (July 2009, when ‘Tyson’ won by unanimous decision). This fight is a great opportunity against ‘Tyson’, a great ex-world champion and an elite fighter. I’m sure I’ll win, but the biggest winner will be the people going to see this fight.”

More photos…

Boxing back in San Diego

By Felipe Leon

San Diego’s premier boxing promoter, Bobby DePhilippi’s and his promotional outfit Bobby D Presents, return on Friday, April 19th, to the long-reigning home of Southern California boxing, the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in San Diego, CA, with his much anticipated “Champions of Tomorrow” fight card. San Diego fight fans are in for a treat in the main event when local super lightweight Emmanuel “Renegade” Robles (7-0, 3KOs) of Imperial Beach, puts his undefeated record as collateral when he faces knock out artist Joshua “Superman” Marks (8-4, 8KOs) of El Centro, CA. (more…)

Pendarvis vs. Jean lands in Oklahoma

The big IBF jr. welterweight eliminator clash between Cleotis Pendarvis and Dierry Jean has found a home in Oklahoma…Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK.

Canelo: I’m ready for Trout

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

WBC jr. middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (41-0-1, 30KOs) is just three weeks away from his title unification showdown with WBA jr. middleweight champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout (26-0, 14KOs). The two will meet later this month on April 20 in San Antonio, Texas. Canelo worked out Thursday afternoon for media at the Wild Card West Gym in Santa Monica, California.

“It’s going very well,” Canelo told Fightnews.com. “I’m ready with a little more than two weeks to away. I’m ready to go.” The Mexican superstar began his preparation in his hometown of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico before coming to Santa Monica as he continues his preparation in the beach city located west of Los Angeles. He has been training here for the last six weeks working with his longtime team and father/son duo of manager Jose “Chepo” Reynoso and trainer Eddie Reynoso. (more…)

Garcia ready for Judah 110%

By John DiSanto – PhillyBoxingHistory.com
Photos: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

Jr. welterweight world champion, Danny “Swift” Garcia, 25-0, 16 KOs, held an open workout for the media on Thursday as he prepared for his upcoming title defense against former champion Zab Judah, 42-7, 29 KOs, scheduled for April 27th at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, NY. The fight was originally scheduled for February, but a rib injury forced Garcia to postpone the fight against the Brooklyn-born Judah.

“I got hurt in sparring,” Garcia said. It’s a contact sport. It happens. It was my first injury ever in the professionals. I feel like there should be no questions. I’m the champion. Why would I back out of a championship fight? I don’t have to explain myself. I know what happened. Me and my team made the right decision (in postponing), and the fight’s around the corner. We’re on a perfect schedule for April 27th.” Garcia is taking the highly anticipated fight in stride, keeping his head down and his focus up for the well-seasoned southpaw who looked renewed in his last fight, a TKO of Vernon Paris one year ago. (more…)

Viloria, Estrada, Martinez, Magdaleno make weight

Photos: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Brian Viloria 111.2 vs. Juan Francisco Estrada 112
(WBA/WBO flyweight titles)

Rocky Martinez 130 vs. Diego Magdaleno 130
(WBO jr lightweight title)

Zou Shiming 111 vs. Eleazar Valenzuela 111.6
Wilfredo Vazquez Jr 122 vs. Yasutaka Ishimoto 121.8

Venue: Cotai Arena, Macao, China
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: HBO2
More weights and photos…

Joel Diaz stops Victor Sanchez in 5

Hard punching unbeaten prospect Joel Diaz (12-0, 11 KOs) of Palmdale, California went on the road and stopped Victor Sanchez (4-6-1, 1 KO) in Sanchez’ hometown of Houston, Texas. The bout was a featured eight round super featherweight attraction with Lou Savarese promoting. Sanchez’ record is very deceiving having fought and beaten unbeaten prospects. He even entered this bout coming off of his first round KO upset of Ramon Valdes (11-3) last month near Valdes’ Southern California hometown. This time Sanchez was fighting in front of his hometown fans who saw Diaz become the first to stop Sanchez inside the distance. (more…)

The WBC strongly objects the steps taken by AIBA

PRESS RELEASE
The World Boxing Council (WBC) and its President José Sulaimán strongly object to the steps taken by the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) to organize professional boxing tournaments under the name WSB. According to AIBA/WSB, only boxers registered in their tournament will be eligible to compete at the Olympic Games to the exclusion of any boxers affiliated with any other organization. All boxers worldwide eligible under current Olympic Games’ requirements, regardless of their country of origin or the organization with which they are affiliated, should have the same opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games. The WBC says AIBA/WSB’s actions clearly constitute an attempt to establish a monopoly and a restraint of trade. (more…)

Boxing Buzz

The Philadelphia Inquirer looks at Danny “Swift” Garcia and his title defense April 27 against former champ Zab Judah . . . More

Is former champ Scott Harrison a changed man? That’s what Harrison’s father and trainer are telling the Herald Scotland.

This weekend’s Top Rank card in Macau, China is making a big noise in China, according to The Wall Street Journal. 

Weights from Melbourne

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing
Photos: Werner Kalin

Jarrod Fletcher 159.8 vs Randy Suico 154.3
PABA middleweight title

Tim Hunt 146.4 vs Robert Whaley. 146.9
PABA welterweight title

photos

Tyson Fury speaks

Story and photos by David Baggs

Tyson Fury (20-0, 14 KOs) opened his training camp to the media today, putting on a brief display of shadow boxing and pad work before making himself available to the press for questions. Fury, who now calls Montreal his new home, has setup training at a small gym (The Final Round) in Ottawa, Ontario which is home to some young budding Canadian pros in Andrew Gardiner (7-0, 3 KOs) and Pascal Villeneuve (1-0, 1 KO). The 24 yr old brash talking heavyweight is only 19 days away from his upcoming showdown with 2 time world cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham (25-5, 12 KOs), in a 12 round IBF Heavyweight elimination bout which will take place in the mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden in New York City. (more…)

Weights from Monterrey

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Adrián Estrella 130 vs Arturo Camargo 129.3
WBC Fecarbox super featherweght title
Marcos Villasana Jr. 139.4 vs Jairo López 137.5
Antonio “KÑS” Lozada 146.5 vs Jorge Pimentel 145.20

Venue: Teatro Obrero, Monterrey
Promoter: Promociones del Pueblo
TV: Televisa

photos

Boxing Buzz

Junior middleweight prospect KeAndrae “Lightning” Leatherwood (12-2-1, 8 KOs) has been added to the undercard of Saul Alvarez and Austin Trout’s unification bout at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas which takes place April 20th. Leatherwood will compete in a 10-round bout against undefeated Julian Williams (11-0-1, 6 KOs) from Philadelphia.

If Zou Shiming wants to break the record for the boxer winning a world championship the fastest, he will have to win the title in his NEXT fight. A number of readers pointed out that Thailand’s Saensak Muangsuring won the WBC super lightweight title in his third professional fight back in 1975. How about an all-China superfight between Zou and WBC minimumweight champion Xiong Zhao Zhong?

Cunningham holds open workout for media in Philly

Report and photos by John DiSanto – PhillyBoxingHistory.com

Heavyweight contender Steve “USS” Cunningham, who is preparing for his April 20th 12-rounder with Tyson Fury, held an open workout for the press at the Rock Ministries Gym in the Kensington section of Philadelphia on Wednesday. Cunningham, 25-5, 12 KOs, looked fit and ready to fight as he went through a variety of drills with his trainer Brother Naazim Richardson.

The hotly anticipated fight against Fury, 20-0, 14 KOs, will be nationally broadcast by NBC from Madison Square Garden in New York.

Interest in the heavyweight showdown has increased sharply since Fury exploded at the pre-fight press conference with promises to KO Cunningham. “He’s a hot-headed young guy, like a lot of young guys,” Cunningham said. “I think his youth is going to get him in trouble. But we’re getting ready for the best Tyson Fury that the world has ever seen.” photos

Narvaez-Rosas collide May 25 in Luna Park

By Gabriel F. Cordero

WBO super flyweight world champion Omar Narvaez (38-1-2, 20 KOs) will make the seventh defense of his crown against unbeaten mandatory challenger Daniel Rosas (15-0-1. 10 KOs) on May 25 at Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Narvaez was training in Mendoza, Argentina with former world champion and now trainer Pablo Chacon but has now shifted his camp back to Trelew. The 37-year-old champion previously made 16 defenses of his WBO flyweight belt before moving up to superfly.

Results from Australia

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

In a nationally televised bout, Samuel Colomban (21-6, 10 KOs) outscored Leti Leti (8-1, 8 KOs) over twelve rounds at the Southport RSL Club at Southport, Queensland Australia on Thursday to capture the WBF welterweight crown. Leti was born in Samoa but has been based in Australia since 2011. He has boxed in the USA and New Zealand.

In the main support Brent Elliott (9-3-3, 3 KOs) stopped Emanuel Micallef (2-10-3) in five rounds to win the Queensland state super featherweight title of a scheduled eight round bout.

In other action, welterweight Rivan Cesaire (11-3, 3 KOs) clearly outscored Alex Ahtong (8-19-5) over eight rounds.

Promoter Jamie Myer. Televised throughout Australia on Foxtel television network.

Explosive Tim Witherspoon biography on the way – “Terrible” Tim to finally tell his side of the story

By James Slater

Former two-time heavyweight ruler Tim Witherspoon has some story to tell – in and out of the ring – and the 55-year-old is about to get his side of the story across for the very first time via what promises to be an explosive biography due out later this year.

Currently juggling with prospective titles for the book that has been co-written with Ryan Danes and Kevin Baker, Witherspoon promises a “crazy” read.

“It should be out late this year or maybe early next year,” “Terrible” Tim said exclusively to Fightnews.com.

“It’s my life story, my family, my upbringing, my boxing career, my times with Don King – everything. This is the first time I’ve been able to tell my side of the story and it’s been long overdue. It’s taken so long, partly because some of the people involved are serious people, and some of them are still alive. I had to wait, so that nobody would get hurt by what’s in the book. During my boxing career, which really began in 1976, a long time ago, I had to deal with some serious people. I was told to my face a number of times, ‘you’re gonna fight or else!’ (more…)

Quillin-Guerrero conference call erupts

Here’s some of the dialog from a recent teleconference discussing the April 27th fight between WBO middleweight champion Peter Quillin and Fernando Guerrero.

Quillin: Like I hear Fernando talking about he’s doing it for the fans and he’s doing it for everybody. But to be able to do it for somebody else, you have to be able to do it for yourself first to be able to prove to other people that, you know what I’m saying, you’re doing it for yourself; and that’s what the fans are going to support, you doing it for yourself.

So, me doing this, it’s more than just like for Cuba and my father, who came over here with just a pair of pants and a shirt with no shoes on and come over here to make a-

Guerrero: I’m sorry to cut you off, Peter.

Quillin: I didn’t cut you off.

(Overlapping voices)

Guerrero: I could never do it for somebody else.

Quillin: I respect what you’re doing. I respect what you’re doing, but when I gave the opportunity to talk and you gave your long answers, I respect that, but now it’s my turn to talk. I’m the champion; respect the champ. (more…)

Dulorme vs. Ankrah this Saturday in Carolina, PR

Puerto Rican jr welterweight Thomas Dulorme faces the dangerous African Ben Ankrah at the Coliseo Guillermo Angulo Carolina on Saturday. Dulorme (17-1, 13 KO’s) is ranked number eight by the WBC at 140 pounds. Ankrah (17-12, 8 KO’s) has lasted the distance in exciting fights against former world title contenders Mike Arnaoutis, Patrick Allotey (27-0, 21 KO), and the renewed Antwone Smith.

Javier Bustillo, president of Universal Promotion, said: “We are back in Carolina, with great fights from start to finish. Dulorme’s rival had changed, but Ankrah is stronger and is very motivated.”

Jose Bonilla, Thomas Dulorme’s trainer, said: “I am very grateful for this event in Carolina because there is a lots of talent here and it is good that the boys continue to have television exposure. Dulorme is ready, officially campaigning at 140 pounds, where Dulorme will soon be a world champion. We were training for Ivan Hernandez, but this was changed and we understand that Ankrah is stronger and dangerous.” (more…)

Viloria, Estrada, Martinez and Magdaleno ready to wage war in Macao

By Karl Freitag
Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

The final press conference for Saturday’s big world championship twinbill in Macao, China, took place Thursday in Macao, China. WBA/WBO flyweight champion Brian “hawaiian Punch” Viloria defends his unified titles against Juan Francisco Estrada in one of two world title bouts.

Estrada stated that he is ready and happy to be fighting in his true weight class. “They are already telling Viloria that he’s going to get the opportunity to fight Shiming and they are saying the next fight of Shiming is probably Viloria. I think the next fight for Shiming can be Estrada,” said the challenger.

Viloria responded, “I’m taking everything that Estrada is saying and I’m going to have to beg to differ. I trained really hard for this fight. I came a long way from fighting in a parking lot. A couple of years ago eveyone said I was done after my third loss, but after putting together all these wins against these great, tough Mexican fighters, thank God I stuck to the sport.” (more…)

Santana ready for Gasparyan

Story and photos by Ricardo Conde

Francisco ‘Chia’ Santana (15-3-1, 8 KOs) of Santa Barbara, California finished preparations today at the KnuckleHeadz Boxing Gym, under the guidance of trainer ‘Hoss’ Joseph Janik, as he is ready to step into the ring and take on Vito ‘Casper’ Gasparyan (14-3-5, 8 KOs) of Glendale, California, by way of Armenia, in an 8-round welterweight bout, this Friday April 5th on the next edition of ESPN2’s ‘Friday Night Fights’ at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California.

“Camp went really good, we had a long training camp, we were getting ready for a fight in February but my opponent fell through but I feel great right now and I’m ready.” said Santana. “I know my opponent is a tough fighter and he comes to fight so we’re expecting fireworks. I want to put on a great show for everyone that’s coming out to show their support, for all my friends and family.” continued Santana. (more…)

Boxing Buzz

Eighty-one-year-old longtime boxing trainer Johnny Hoyne, of Australia, passed away on March 31. Hoyne’s list of fighters include Australian champs Ross Moody and Shane Brock.

“My fried @senatorreid has had an amazing journey from Searchlight to the White House. Read his memoir it’s compelling and funny.” So goes a tweet from Mike Tyson, who is backing up Senator Harry Reid and the movement to pardon past champ Jack Johnson.

“I have to prove I’m the better man no matter what size,” says Steve Cunningham of his upcoming showdown with Tyson Fury. More at Philly.com.