Boxing Buzz

Ring Legend Muhammad Ali was named “King of Boxing” during the WBC’s 50th anniversary celebration at its last convention held in Cancun, Mexico. To continue with the 50th anniversary celebrations, the WBC Board of Governors has unanimously chosen Nelson Mandela as “King of Human Equality.”

FightNews New York City feature writer Mariano A. Agmi and Katey Darago are the proud parents of Helena Agmi. Helena entered the ring at midnight on Sunday morning, weighing in at 8 lbs, 2 oz with a height of 21 inches. The FightNews family extends our congratulations to Mariano and Katey!

WBO President Paco Valcarcel and WBO Ratings Chairman Luis Perez arrived tonight at The Venitian in Macau for the WBO super featherweight championship fight between champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez and Diego Magdaleno on Saturday. They were greeted in the lobby by Zanfer’s Sean Gibbons. The card promoted, by Top Rank, Inc., features the debut of former Olympic Champion Zou Shiming and “The Hawaiian Punch” Brian Viloria who meets Mexico’s Juan Francisco Estrada for the WBA and WBO belts. Puerto Rico’s Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. takes on Yasutaka Ishimoto for the WBO International Super Bantamweight Title as well. (Photo: Pete Susens)

Fury repeats vow to KO Cunningham

“You can’t put the Klitschkos in the same category as me,” proclaimed unbeaten heavyweight contender Tyson Fury (20-0, 14 KOs) from his Canadian training camp at Casino Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec. “Nobody outside of the Ukraine and Germany care anything about them. They fought a few times in America. Wladimir fought a real stinker in Madison Square Garden.”

The 6’9 Fury will face two-time world champion Steve “USS” Cunningham (25-5, 12 KOs) on NBC in a Saturday afternoon fight at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

“Cunningham is a good boxer and world champion who fought in different countries,” Fury added. “He’s a small heavyweight who will come in with a good game plan and strategy. I anticipate him running but, sooner or later, I will catch him and knock him out. If he runs, I hope the fans boo him out of the arena. He’s going to have to fight me. I’m coming to fight and put on a show.”

Segura-Sosa on May 25th

Story and photo by Ricardo Conde

Former junior flyweight champion ‘El Guerrero Azteca’ Giovani Segura (29-2-1, 25 KOs) of Mexico, but now residing in Southern California, is training for his upcoming bout as it looks like he is set to face fellow countryman and former world champion Edgar Sosa (48-7, 29 KOs) on May 25th.

I caught up with Segura as he was finishing up his training in Montebello, California this past weekend. “We’re going to be fighting Edgar Sosa on May 25th.” said Segura. “I’m training very hard right now and I’m working my way back to the top, I feel very motivated for this fight.” continued Segura.

In his last outing, Giovanni Segura defeated Omar Salado (23-6-2, 14 KOs) via ninth round technical knockout this past February at the Gimnasio del Estado in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, while Sosa is coming off a second round knockout over former world champion Ulises ‘Archie’ Solis (35-3-3, 22 KOs) this past March in which he claimed the WBC silver flyweight title.

Rico Ramos returns April 12

Former world champion Rico “Suave” Ramos takes on Mexico’s Oscar “Fantasma” Gonzalez in the featherweight main event broadcast on ESPN “Friday Night Fights” April 12 at the beautiful Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, WA. Ramos (21-2, 11 KOs) lost his WBA junior featherweight world title to Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux and then was defeated by Ronny Rios, now faces upset minded Gonzalez (17-2, 13 KOs). In the semi-main bout, Farah Ennis (20-1, 12 KOs) will challenge the heavy-handed Francisco Sierra (25-7-1, 22 KOs) of Mexico in a super middleweight clash.

“I can’t wait to get back into the ring and get back to my boxing style and winning ways,” said Ramos. “I was very disappointed with my last performance and have made that commitment of ‘whatever it takes’ attitude to turn things around. I know I have the skills, talent and determination to take my career back to the world championship level. I am really grateful that I have the ESPN platform to showcase all of the hard work that I have put into the gym. My dedication will be evident to all of those fans that are ringside and watching me on ESPN on fight night.” (more…)

Vargas ready for Aguiniga

Story and photos by Ricardo Conde

Unbeaten 2008 Mexican Olympian and fast-rising prospect ‘El Bandido’ Francisco Vargas (15-0-1, 12 KOs) of Mexico, but now fighting out of Los Angeles, California, continues his preparation under the watchful eye of trainer Rodrigo Mosquera, as he is set to take on Jose Aguiniga (33-0, 15 KOs) of Oxnard, California, in a battle of undefeated fighters, in the main event on Friday, May 3rd at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada in a 10-round bout for the vacant NABF super featherweight title which will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Networks, FOX Deportes and FUEL TV.

“Training camp is going really good for us, I feel great right now, and I feel very strong and we’re going to be ready for Aguiniga on May 3rd because I know the challenge that is ahead of me. This is a great opportunity for me and my team and we’re going for the victory.” said Vargas. (more…)

Ruslan Provodnikov Interview

By Boxing Bob Newman

Recent WBO welterweight title challenger Ruslan Provodnikov speaks to Fightnews.com at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino on 3-29-13. Provodnikov, fresh off his epic performance in almost wresting the belt from champion Timothy Bradley two weeks prior, was on hand for the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights broadcast in Verona, NY, as a guest of his and the show’s promoter Artie Pelullo/Banner Promotions. Provodnikov talks about coming to terms with his near miss against Bradley, whether or not he’ll stay at welterweight and his thoughts on a rematch with “Desert Storm.”

Takayama-Rodriguez: Full Report

Report and photos by Felipe Leon

The reign of the first and only champion out of Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico, Mario “Drangoncito” Rodriguez (15-7-4, 11KOs) was a short one as Japanese kamikaze Katsunary Takayama (25-6, 10KOs) of Osaka outworked, out and plainly out hustled the hometown hero over twelve rounds for the IBF minimumweight tile. More than eight thousand rabid Guasave fight fans packed into the Francisco Carranza Limon baseball stadium to take in the packed fight card presented by Box Latino, Branco Sports, Promociones del Pueblo and Goosen Tutor. The fight was broadcast live in Mexico by Televisa. (more…)

Report/Gallery: Munoz shocked in Albuquerque

Ringside report by Gerardo Martinez
Photos by Jose Leon Castillo III

The idiom that states you can’t teach an old dog new tricks seems fitting with the result of Saturday night’s main event in the Johhny Tapia Presents card at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. El Paso’s Bernardo “Tuff Enough” Guereca (17-17-1, 4 KO’s) had the same tricks up his sleeve he’s had for the last few years in giving a slew of New Mexico and Colorado fighters tough fights. “Hurricane” Hector Muñoz got caught up in one of those old tricks and history repeated itself in the same city, but different venue, when Guereca sneaked a powerful left uppercut to the chin of Muñoz, dropping him in the center of the ring. Muñoz was able to stand up on spaghetti legs and claim he was good to go, but experienced referee Rocky Burke knew better and called a halt to the bout at 2:59 of the first round . . . Click here for more

Arreola-Stiverne: The wait is almost over

By Miguel Maravilla

Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (35-2, 30 KOs) and Bermane “B-Ware” Stiverne (22-1-1, 20 KOs) met with the media Saturday afternoon at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas to hype their April 27 showdown on a special edition of HBO Boxing Before Dark. The bout will take place at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

“We respect each other but come fight time we will beat the shit out of each other. I feel with Bermaine’s skills and my skills it will be a Riddick Bowe-Evander Holyfield type of fight,” said Arreola.

Stiverne commented, “There is not much to say. Personally I am not much of a talker. I have been waiting for this a long time…I just want to get it done. I am frustrated but gracious if I have to wait a year. Chris is Chris, whatever he brings mine is better.” (more…)

Cunningham Still Fighting for Respect

Story and photos by John DiSanto - PhillyBoxingHistory.com

Steve Cunningham has been in the professional boxing game for 12 years and has accomplished a lot. He’s won the world cruiserweight title twice. He’s fought all over the globe. He’s built a solid record of 25-5 with 12 KOs against top-flight competition. He’s proven himself over and over again. Yet still after an already full career, he finds himself still fighting for respect.

For Cunningham, the list of snubs, slights, short-ends, and raw deals is a long one.

However he keeps rolling forward, waiting and working to prove himself enough to finally earn that respect. (more…)

Spadafora-Frankel headline Saturday night

Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in Chester, West Virginia, in association with multi-division world champion Roy Jones Jr. and TNT Promotions presents “Boxing at The Harv” on Saturday night. In the main event, the vacant NABF super lightweight championship will be on the line when undefeated former IBF lightweight champion Paul “The Pittsburgh Kid” Spadafora (47-0-1, 19 KOs) steps into the ring with “Red Hot” Rob Frankel (32-12-1, 6 KOs) of Denver, Colorado. Spadafora looks to claim his 48th victory without a loss, the longest undefeated streak among any active boxer in the world today. (more…)

Crawford, Ramirez lit up Alvarado-Rios undercard

By Miguel Maravilla

While most the buzz is about Saturday night’s instant classic between super lightweight stars Mike Alvarado and Brandon Rios at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, there were two other significant bouts on the undercard featuring fighters in the same weight division.

Unbeaten Terrance Crawford was victorious in his first big HBO-televised test, scoring a one-sided unanimous decision against the always tough Columbian slugger Breidis Prescott (who gave Mike Alvarado all he could handle 16 months ago). Crawford took the fight on just two week’s notice, moving up in weight as he normally fights at 130.

“When they called me I was like let’s go and I was all for it,” said Crawford at the post fight press conference. (more…)

Full report: Alvarado vs. Rios II

Ringside report and gallery by Chris Cozzone

War can be so ugly, it’s beautiful.

Ask any boxing fan who watched last night’s epic, and, for once, you won’t hear about snoozefests or robberies, politics or the UFC. You’ll hear about blood and guts warfare and the names of two youngsters who just may keep the sport going once the obvious elders have called it a day.

You’ll also hear satisfaction.

Bypassing both last year’s original epic and the recent Bradley-Provodnikov war, Saturday night’s rematch between Mike “Mile High” Alvarado and Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios was a classic battle that will leave fight fans remembering 2013 as the year they began mumbling, “Manny who? ‘Money’ what?” . . . More

Arum on what’s next for Alvarado and Rios

Photo: Mary Ann Owen

By Miguel Maravilla

Mike Alvarado and Brandon Rios were taken to a local hospital immediately after their brutal war on Saturday night at the Mandalay Events Center in Las Vegas. That left Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum to handle the post fight press conference solo.

Arum discussed the fight and future for Alvarado and Rios, as well as Top Rank’s recent streak of great fights. He also took the opportunity to rip into Showtime, boxing advisor Al Haymon and rival promoter Oscar de la Hoya.

On what’s next for Alvarado and Rios:

“My first inclination was that they should each fight another fight. No tune-up fights. Real fights, because these two fights were classics that they had. You don’t have to do it right away. You could wait, they could each fight somebody and earn great purses. They’re both big stars now. Nobody lost tonight…eventually one thing that you know, as much as you know the sun is coming up tomorrow morning, is they will fight again. That being said, when they’ll fight again, interim fights and so forth, we’ll be deciding that.” (more…)

Billy Chams passes in Colombia

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Sources from Colombia have reported Colombian boxing promoter and agent Billy Chams passed away Sunday in Barranquilla at the age of 63. Chams was admitted to a clinic three days ago with health complications from cancer. Chams was an important part to the Colombia boxing landscape promoting 17 world champions through his company Cuadrilatero, including Rafael Pineda, Ricardo Torres, Fidel Bassa and Tomas Molinares among others. Chams recently was part of the conquest of the IBF world title by Jonathan Romero last February. Services will be held Monday.

Boxing Buzz

Hot ticket: More than 31,000 tickets have been sold for Alvarez-Trout in San Antonio. Promoters are looking to add room at the Alamodome . . . More

The Ohio Athletic Commission is talking safety: More

The “Baby Bull,” Juan Diaz talks to the San Antonio Express News about his April 13 comeback against Pipino Cuevas Jr. More

David Haye says he’ll tone down his trash talk after reality check in the “I’m a Celebrity” jungle. More in The Telegraph.

Rocky Martinez hits China

WBO junior lightweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez traveled today to China, where he will be facing undefeated Diego Magdaleno on Saturday at the Venetian Casino & Resort in Macao, China in a Top Rank presentation to be broadcasted on HBO2. Martinez (26-1-2, 16 KOs), who is going to defend his belt for the second time, was joined by trainers Raul “Papo” Torres and Dennis Pantoja, also Ivan and Peter Rivera, PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) President and Vice-President, respectively. The group left Puerto Rico this morning for a stopover in New York and from there to Hong Kong to get then to Macao. Magdaleno (23-0, 9 KOs) is the #1 ranked by the WBO in the junior lightweight division.

Alvarado-Rios Scorecard Analysis

By Jeff Reiners

New WBO interim jr welterweight champion Mike Alvarado swept the last four rounds on the card of Bill Lerch (115-113) and took three of the final four rounds on the cards of Dave Moretti (115-113) and Duane Ford (114-113). Alvarado entered the final round ahead by one point on the cards of Lerch and Moretti, while Ford’s card was even. “Mile High” Mike won the last round on all cards to win the fight.

Note: Ford scored round two 10-8 for Brandon Rios.

Former WBO Featherweight Champ Scott Harrison To Face Unbeaten Liam Walsh For WBO European Lightweight Belt

By James Slater

Troubled Scot, Scott Harrison has one more chance to revive his career. The 35-year-old, who served time in jail for assault, and has fought just twice in the last eight years as a result, will meet unbeaten 26-year-old southpaw Liam Walsh for the WBO European lightweight title on April 20th. The intriguing fight will go ahead on the Nathan Cleverly-RobinKrasniqi card set for Wembley Arena.

Harrison, who ultimately wants a shot at fellow Scot, reigning WBO lightweight ruler Ricky Burns, feels a win over Walsh, 13-0(10) will prove he has what it takes:

“Walsh is a good young fighter, he’s fast and he’s ambitious and this is the fight that will show all the doubters that I’m back and I mean business,” Harrison said in a statement released by promoter Frank Warren. (more…)

Roach, Shiming share training tips with students

Two-time Olympic Gold Medallist and three-time World Amateur Champion Zou Shiming and his Top Rank trainer Freddie Roach spent the Sunday afternoon interacting with students from various Macau youth boxing training centers in the gym specially set up for “Fists of Gold” boxers at the Venetian Theatre.

Shiming will make his professional debut as a Top Rank fighter on HBO2 on April 6 at the CotaiArena, on a fight card that includes two world championship fights.

Takayama dethrones Dragoncito

Japan’s Katsunari Takayama (25-6, 10 KOs) claimed the IBF strawweight championship by taking a twelve round unanimous decision over reigning titleholder Mario “Dragoncito” Rodriguez (15-7-4, 11 KOs) on Saturday night, disappointing fans at the Estadio Francisco Carranza Limon in ​​Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico. Scores were 117-111, 119-109 and 115-113.

In the co-feature, Pedro Guevara (19-1-1, 13 KOs) won a split decision against former champion Raul “Rayito” Garcia (33-2-1, 21 KOs) to claim the vacant WBC silver light flyweight belt.

photos

Alvarado defeats Rios in another classic

By Miguel Maravilla and Jeff Reiners at ringside
Photos: Chris Cozzone

In the second classic between them, Mike Alvarado (34-1, 23 KOs) won a scintillating twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten former WBA lightweight champion Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 22 KOs) to claim the vacant WBO interim jr welterweight title on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 5,418 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

It took about half-a-round before the war was on. Rios rocked Alvarado in round two and had him staggered, but Alvarado returned the favor and rocked Rios in round three. Alvarado shaded the fourth, and Rios had the advantage in the fifth. Alvarado’s face showed plenty of damage entering round six, while Rios was relatively unmarked. Rios had the upper hand in rounds six and seven, but Alvarado landed huge bombs to stagger Rios in the eighth. Alvarado’s movement somewhat neutralized Rios’ pressure in the late rounds, but Rios began to connect again in the eleventh. Alvarado boxed beautifully in the twelfth. Scores were 115-113, 115-113, 114-113.

Rios, who won the first fight by seventh round TKO, immediately called for a third fight. Alvarado said let’s do it, this time in Colorado. Both fighters were taken directly to the hospital after the fight.

Impressive win for unbeaten jr welterweight Terence Crawford (20-0, 15 KOs), who dominated Breidis Prescott (27-4, 20 KOs) over ten rounds. Crawford boxed beautifully to earn a 99-91, 97-93, 100-90 unanimous decision. Crawford took the fight on two weeks notice and moved up a division. (more…)

Akhundov wins WBF featherweight title

By Alex Potapov at ringside

WBF featherweight champion Timur Akhundov (15-2-1, 5 KOs) won by unanimous decision in a spectacular battle against Khavazhy Khatsyhau (10-2, 6 KOs) on Saturday night at the AKKO International in Kiev, Ukraine. Throughout the fight, Akhundov was very fast, working behind a great jab and was always aggressive. Khatsyhau looked to counterpunch and was less mobile in the ring. Scores were 117-111, 117-112 and 119-109 for Akhundov. (more…)

Golovkin demolishes Ishida in three

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Unbeaten WBA/IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (26-0, 23 KOs) scored a spectaular third round KO over Nobuhiro Ishida (24-9-2, 9 KOs) on Saturday night at the Salle d’Etoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco. 50:1 betting favorite Golovkin took over in round two and knocked out Ishida cold with a massive right hand in round three. Time was 2:20. It was the first time Ishida has ever been stopped.

In a clash of unbeaten super middleweights, Edwin Rodriguez (23-0, 15 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (19-1, 13 KOs). It was a close fight (with a lot of clinching). Rodriguez was deducted a point in round eight for a low blow and another point for a punch behind the head in round nine, however Rodriguez also knocked down Maderna at the end of round nine. Scores were 96-92, 96-92, 95-92. Rodriguez will now face Denis Grachev on July 13 in the “Super 4″ final.

In a light heavyweight bout, Denis Grachev (13-1-1, 8 KOs) won a ten round split decision over previously unbeaten two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-1, 18 KOs). The 38-year-old Erdei schooled Grachev early, but Grachev increased the pressure and came on over the second half of the bout. Scores were 96-94 twice for Grachev, 96-94 for Erdei. (more…)

Report/gallery: Torres stops Sanchez

Ringside report by Chris Cozzone and Gerardo Martinez
Photos by Chris Cozzone

Mark Twain once wrote, “A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.”

So went the lesson learned last night at the Wool Warehouse in Albuquerque, N.M., where big hearts and big appetites did not, alas, equate to chomping away at more than one can chew.

Faltering for the first time in their budding careers, young guns Jose Luis Sanchez and Matthew Baca received more than a few scratches, bumps and bruises in their untimely showdowns. With school bells clanging away the rounds, professors “Pittbull” and Hernandez Perez dished out hard-learned lessons before a capacity crowd . . . Click here for more

Walters training for title fight

By Robert Coster
Photo: Premium Boxing Promotions

WBA world featherweight champion Nicholas “The Axeman” Walters ran six miles in the mountains of Port-au-Prince, Haiti this morning following a hard eight-mile hill run yesterday on Good Friday. Walters has been running under the watchful eyes of his manager/promoter Jacques Deschamps for the past week and will return to Panama next week to continue with his training for the first defense of his title on May 11th in Kingston, Jamaica. The name of Walter’s opponent has yet to be known.

Happy Birthday Gilberto Mendoza

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Today is the 70th birthday of Dr. Gilberto Mendoza, president of the World Boxing Association since 1982. The WBA, previously previously known as the National Boxing Association (NBA) is the oldest sanctioning institution in boxing. Many hope that Mendoza can be inducted into the Hall of Fame Boxing in Canastota, New York in the near future. He is a champion in life after having beaten cancer in recent years.