Audley Harrison Offered April 27th Date With Unbeaten Deontay Wilder

By James Slater

Veteran Audley Harrison, who bounced back yet again in claiming the “Prizefighter” tournament for a second time last month, has reportedly been offered a big opportunity of a fight with unbeaten “Bronze Bomber” Deontay Wilder.

According to Pat Sheehan of U.K tabloid The Sun, 2000 Olympic gold medallist Harrison, 31-6(23) is “mulling over the offer.” The fight would go ahead on the under-card of the April 27th showdown between Amir Khan and Julio Diaz in Sheffield. (more…)

Unbeaten light heavies collide

Team Sauerland has announced that Erik Skoglund (15-0, 9 KOs) will take on fellow unbeaten youngster Luke Blackledge (13-0-1, 5 KOs) for the WBC Youth light heavyweight title in Frederikshavn on April 13. Blackledge came to fame last June when he knocked out Danish star Mads Larsen in the fourth round. He was originally slated to face Rudy Markussen, but a neck injury forced Markussen to pull out of the fight. In the main event, WBA, WBC & WBO female welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus will be defending her titles against Mia St. John.

Haro, Rolls extend unbeaten records

Friday night at the Ogden, Utah, Marriott Hotel Ballroom, undefeated West Jordan, Utah super-featherweight Jose Haro moved to 7-0 with a six-round decision over journeyman Juan Jaramillo, of Keziah, Ore. Haro’s movement and hand speed gave him a close edge in every round against the plodding Jaramillo 8-12-2, who attempted cut off the ring.

In the co-feature, undefeated Steve Rolls, a super-middleweight from Toronto, Canada, moved to 4-0 by stopping Simon Rucalvaba, South Lake Tahoe, Calif., in the fourth round. Rolls used a strong body attack to wear down Ruvalcaba 4-11-2. (more…)

Statement of Sam Soliman Camp

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

The following was posted on Sam Soliman’s web page regarding the doping allegations against him:

Doping rules exist to prevent unfairness in sports, including boxing. We applaud them. However, when organizations violate their own anti-doping rules and procedures, as has happened in this case, honest boxers like Sam Soliman can be falsely accused and suffer serious reputational harm. Mr. Soliman did not commit any doping offense whatsoever. He did not consume any substance outside the IBF rules of his bout, and conducted himself honorably, diligently, and in full compliance with the relevant IBF anti-doping provisions. The A-Sample did not test positive for any substance identified under the relevant rules, and testing of the B-Sample, as yet unopened, with identical results will in no way change that truth. The B-Sample should be opened by a licensed, trusted, and impartial laboratory in the United States and tested for the relevant, agreed-upon substances under the proper conditions. We look forward to Mr. Soliman’s full exoneration and the continuation of his career as an athlete of integrity.

Team Soliman Management. March 23, 2013.

Mr. Sam Soliman is represented by an international team of sports-law experts: Michael Bates Esq. Melbourne, Kurt Emhoff, Brooklyn, New York, Rick Collins, Esq. Mineola, New York, and Prof. Dr. Rainer Cherkeh, Hanover, Germany.

Paris returns with KO win

Report and photos by Bob Ryder

It’s a common and accepted practice that after a young fighter like Vernon Paris has been out of the ring for a year after suffering his first loss, that you allow him an easy one in his return. Saturday night at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, MI, promoter Greg Ahrens and matchmaker Carlos Llinas took the concept to the max as they put former top ten contender Paris in with perennial opponent Guy Packer from Battle Creek. As expected, Detroit’s Paris fighting at welterweight had an easy time of it in stopping Packer at 1:29 of round three. Guy tried as always, and is game, but the skill discrepancy between the two was significant. Paris took a couple of minutes to warm up in the first before scoring a knockdown near the end of the round. Vernon would score two more knockdowns in the second as he unloaded with his whole arsenal, landing body shots and uppercuts at will. Paris now (27-1,16 KO’s) scored yet another knockdown in the third and when he had Packer slumping and in distress along the ropes referee Steve Daher mercifully came in and stopped the slaughter. Packer falls to (4-39-2,1 KO). (more…)

Sibiya wins Gauteng junior lightweight title

By Ron Jackson

Koos Sibiya won the Gauteng junior lightweight title when he beat defending champion Nkosinathi Ntshangase on a majority points decision in an entertaining and fast paced ten round bout at the Orlando Community Centre in Soweto on Sunday afternoon. Judges Jaap van Nieuwenhuizen and Simon Mokadi scored it 97-93 and 96-94 whilst judge Joseph Chaane had it 95-95. However, the fight was closer than reflected on the scorecards. Using his height and reach advantages the 29-year-old Ntshangase (8-4-1, 6 KOs) jabbed his way to an early lead. The 30-year-old Sibiya who improved his record to (17-9-2, 1 KO) came on strong in the later rounds which possibly influenced two of the judges. Ntshangase weighed in at 58.70kg and Sibiya at 58.10kg. The referee was Simon Xamlashe. (more…)

Mathebula wins IBF jr featherweight eliminator

By Ron Jackson

In an IBF junior featherweight title eliminator Jeffrey Mathebula won on a unanimous 12 rounds points decision over Takalani Ndlovu in a closely fought contest at the Carnival City Gambling Resort in Brakpan on Saturday night. The scores were 116-112 on all three judges scorecards.

In the co-feature Vusi Malinga outscored Filipino Diarh Gabuton over 12 rounds in an IBF bantamweight title eliminator. The scores were 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113. (more…)

Boxing Buzz

Robert Guerrero will be a guest on “The 700 Club” hosted by Pat Robertson on Monday, March 25, with his wife, Casey, to talk about their faith and journey.

Filipino boxers Dayer Gabutan and Eduard Penerio didn’t fare too well in Johannesburg, South Africa, over the weekend. More

Worcester’s top pro, Edwin Rodrigue, and top amateur, Owen Minor, both have a big week ahead. More in their hometown paper.

Chonlatarn stops Bolcio

By Damrong Simakajornboon
Photos: Onesongchai Boxing Promotion

WBO#8/WBA#13 feather Chonlatarn Or Piriyapinyo (46-1,29 KOs) impressively stopped PABA#13 Nathan Bolcio (11-5-2, 4 KOs) in round five on Friday at the OTOP Center of Khueangnai in Ubonrachathani, Thailand. This bout was the vacant PABA championship match of 126lb division in which Chonlatarn has also been the WBO Asia-Pacific title holder.

Filipino Bolcio made a good start when he surprisingly attacked Thai fighter, dominating at least two of the first three rounds. The tide was changed when experienced Chonlatarn weakened his foe with his vicious bodyshots and he almost floored his opponent with his tough left hooks at the last minute of round four. Finally, the bout was ended when the local hero speeded his assault, dropping the Filipino with his tough combinations. Although Bolcio could stand to break the count but he was not in a good condition, so referee Prommase Chaksuraka decided to stop the contest at 1:16 of round five. (more…)

Hayman wins in Frederick, MD

By Gary “Digital” Williams at ringside

Fighting in front of his home crowd for the first time in his young pro career, Frederick, MD junior middleweight Dillon “The Stalker” Hayman entertained a packed house at the Frederick Fight Club in and out of the ring.

The 19-year-old Hayman walked to the ring in total darkness with gothic-sounding chants playing over the PA system while wearing a black shroud. Once he entered the ring, Hayman entertained the crowd again as he fought and won a four-round majority decision in a very competitive bout against a very tough Stanley “The New Chinchecker” Harvey of San Diego, CA. (more…)

Trainer Adam Booth clarifies David Haye ring return situation: “He will make a decision very soon”

By James Slater

Last night in Germany, after his fighter George Groves had dealt with Baker Barakat inside two-rounds, trainer Adam Booth clarified the situation regarding his most famous charge: heavyweight David Haye. Last week, news broke stating how the former cruiserweight and WBA heavyweight ruler would fight on July 6th, but Booth referred to this news as “shoddy journalism.” Booth gave a far more accurate take on what Haye might do next: “David is definitely doing some serious thinking,” he said yesterday. “He will make a decision very soon – in the next ten days or so.”

Booth did state that Haye has been in recent training. Still a big name in the heavyweight division, Haye, at age 32, is young enough and talented enough to engage in, and win, some big match-ups. Already, promoter Mick Hennessey has spoken of his fighter, unbeaten giant Tyson Fury, and his desire to face Haye in a big stadium fight this summer. Haye’s name has also been linked to Johnathon Banks, Alexander Povetkin and Manuel Charr.

Let’s wait for Haye’s forthcoming announcement.

Remembering Sixto Escobar 100 years later

By Gabriel F. Cordero

On March 23, 1913 in Palmas Altas Barrio Barceloneta, Sixto ¨El Gallito¨ Escobar the first Puerto Rican world boxing champion and the third in Latin America was born. Escobar was raised in San Juan and was still close to being a child when he started boxing, even though boxing was illegal in Puerto Rico at the time, and houses were used as a clandestine boxing gyms and arenas. Boxing in Puerto Rico was legalized February 16, 1927. (more…)

Chavez, Dominguez, Roman victorious

Photos: Rafael Soto/Zanfer

Jr middleweight Omar “Businessman” Chavez (29-2, 22 KOs) returned with a second round knockout over Pablo “Talentoso” Vazquez (22-5, 19 KOs) on Saturday night at the Foro Tecate in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. Chavez dropped Vazquez three times in round two before the carnage was halted at 1:03. It was Chavez’ first fight since his second loss to Jorge “Maromerito” Páez in July 2012.

In the co-feature, lightweight Ricardo “Pelon” Dominguez (37-9-2, 22 KOs) scored a controversial ten round unanimous decision over Filipino Al Sabaupan (20-3-1, 15 KOs) by scores of 97-92, 98-90 and 97-91.

The fight of the night was between jr middleweights Saul Roman (37-9, 30 KOs) stopped Jose Pinzon (22-5, 14 KOs) in round nine. It was a give and take battle with Roman down three times and Pinzon down twice. The first knockdown occurred in round one when Roman kissed the canvas. He was down again in round four. Pinzon was rocked in round six and dropped in round seven, but ten seconds later he put Roman on the deck for the third time with a jab. Roman, who’s right eye was badly cut, dropped Pinzon again in round eight and got the stoppage with a barrage of punches in round nine. photos

Rubio defeats Upshaw

By Gabriel F. Cordero

WBC mandatory middleweight challenger Marco Antonio “Veneno” Rubio (57-6-1, 49 KOs) won by unanimous twelve round decision over Marcus Upshaw (15-9-2, 7 KOs) on Saturday night at “La Macarena” Center in Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico. Scores were 120-107, 117-110 and 117-110.

In the co-feature, super lightweight Jose “Piston” Lopez (18-3-1, 10 KOs) scored an eighth round TKO against Mahonri “Ruso” Montes.

Also former female world champion Arely Muciño won a ten round unanimous decision over Sury Tapia in a flyweight clash.

Boxing Buzz

Good piece on Showtime as home to Golden Boy fighters, by George Wills of the New York Post.  Speaking of Golden Boy and Showtime, the Press of Atlantic City writes about two big cards landing in Atlantic City: Lamont Peterson vs. Lucas Matthysse and Devon Alexander vs. Kell Brook. More

Meanwhile, on the HBO & Top Rank front, Manny Pacquiao is busy fighting battles outside the ring. More in the Manila Standard Today. Outside battles or no, Bob Arum tells ABS-CBN that he’s busy mulling over a possible tourney revolving around the recently-fallen Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez, Brandon Rios and Timothy Bradley. More

Raheem runs over Pakau

By Shamus Young at ringside
Photos: Brian Halquist Productions

After a 30-month layoff, welterweight Zahir “King” Raheem (32-3, 19 KOs) is back in the ring in pursuit of a world title. Raheem scored a spectacular second round TKO over Santos Pakau (28-8-2, 11 KOs) on Saturday night in the main event of Battle at the Boat 91 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington. After a feeling out first round, Raheem came out in the second and smothered Pakau with blistering combinations. A minute in, Pakau stumbled backwards and fell to a knee. Pakau complained of a rabbit punch. Replays showed that it was a right cross to the temple that stunned Pakau, with a follow up left hook grazing the top of the head as Pakau staggered. After Pakau beat the count, Raheem pinned him on the ropes and sent him down again with a left hook to the body. The third knockdown came when Raheem caught Pakau on the ropes again and landed a right uppercut. Referee Louis Jackvony waved off the count. The time of stoppage was 2:20. (more…)

Gonzalez, Verdejo blow away foes

Photos: Joel Colon / PR Best

Unbeaten super flyweight Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez (12-0, 11 KOs) stopped Joseph Rios (13-8-2, 4 KOs) in three one-sided rounds on Saturday night at the Coliseo Ruben Zayas in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. Gonzalez won by TKO at 1:01 of the third round when the doctor stopped the fight after checking an injury on the left eye of Rios. Gonzalez dominated the fight with his best boxing and a his hard right hook, opening the left eye of Rios with his shots.

Jr lightweight prospect and PR Olympian Felix “Diamante” Verdejo (4-0, 3 KOs) scored an impressive second round KO over Martin Quezada (2-4, 2 KOs). Verdejo won by TKO at :51 seconds of the second round when he sent Quezada to the floor with a hard right shot and the referee stopped the bout when Quezada got up. Verdejo previously dropped Quezada in round one. (more…)

Chiquiro Martinez annihilates Cedeno

Photos: Promociones Miguel Cotto

Hot super flyweight prospect Jose “Chiquiro” Martinez added a spectacular KO win to his record when he annihilate Ramon E. Cedeno with a powerful body shot in round 4. “I feel really happy with this win. I learned a lot from his experience. This victory goes to my people from Las Marías,” Chiquiro said.

Unbeaten hot light flyweight Israel “El Heredero” Vázquez (8-0-2, 6KOs) scored a brutal body shot over Juan Guzman that end the fight at the very first round. In other results Pedro Vicente and Orlando Vázquez won unanimous decisions.

photos

Boschiero KOs Kasmi in tenth

European super featherweight champion Devis Boschiero (33-1-1, 15 KOs) retained his title by KO in round 10 against tough French Samir Kasmi. For Boschiero, ranked #2 by the WBC, #3 by the IBF, #4 by the WBO and #12 by the WBA, it was the second defense of the title.

On the undercard Mouhamed Ali Ndiaye (23-1, 13 KO’s) won a six round decision against Latvian Jevgenijs Andrejevs. Next for Ali Ndiaye is a shot at the vacant European super middleweight title against Christophe Rebrasse in May in Italy.

Super lightweight Gaetano Putrone and middleweight Vadim Gurau won a six round decisions against Nandor Seres and Aron Csipak.

OPI 2000 (Salvatore and Christian Cherchi) promoted the show with Rai Sport televised the main event live.

Stieglitz, Abraham quotes

Robert Stieglitz: It was a pretty quick process. I would have thought that it would take longer. I worked hard on my right hand. It paid off. [On a possible rubber match] I always enjoy boxing against Arthur Abraham. I hope the managers agree. I’m ready.

Arthur Abraham: My eye is closed and the referee stopped the fight. I was fair and had allowed him a rematch. Now it’s at 1-1. I hope that he is fair and there will be a rematch.

Stieglitz stops Abraham after three

By Karl Freitag
Photo: Peter Gercke/SES

In a rematch, Robert Stieglitz (44-3, 27 KOs) regained the WBO super middleweight title by dethroning champion Arthur Abraham (36-4, 28 KOs) via TKO after round three on Saturday night at the GETEC Arena in Magdeburg, Germany. The first round was all Stieglitz as Abraham pretty much just covered up. Things heated up in round two. Stieglitz often led with his head, while Abraham responded with shots to the back of the head. Abraham’s left eye was closing after round two. Good round for Stieglitz again in round three, plus Abraham was deducted a point by referee Michael Ortega for punching behind the head. The fight was stopped after round three due to the condition of Abraham’s eye. Officially a TKO4.

WBO #1 heavyweight contender Robert Helenius (19-0, 11 KOs) won a workmanlike ten round unanimous decision over Michael Sprott (37-20, 17 KOs). Very much a sparing session as “The Nordic Nightmare” won by scores of 98-93, 97-93, 98-92. (more…)

Meryasev and Tikhonov score wins in Saint Petersburg, Russia

Andrey Meryasev won a hard fought wide points decision to retain his WBC Baltic Middleweight title against Bulgarian Alexander Ribchev. It was scored 100-90 (Artemiev, Russia), 100-91 (Tamm, Estonia) and an unacceptable wide 100-86 (Dubouvsky, Belarus) with no knockdowns. Fightnews scored it 99-91.

Vladimir Tikhonov stopped Mexican Uriel Cauich Frias when the visitor was unable to come out for round 5. Heads bumped in round 2 and Frias forehead was swelling so much that his corner wisely didn’t let him come out for round 5. Until then it was a good even fight and Frias deserves a rematch.

Venue: Phoenix Club, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Promoter: Igor Shafer (Neva Glove)

George-Lopez: Full Report/Photo Gallery

By Sam Geraci at ringside
Photos: Joey Hill/joeyhill.com

In the main event of the evening on Friday night at the UIC Pavilion, Chicago’s Donovan “Da Bomb” George (24-3-2, 21 KOs) fought to an unpopular draw with Mexico’s David “The Destroyer” Lopez (41-13-1, 23 KOs) in a competitive bout that many at ringside believed he won. Official scores were 96-94 for Lopez, 97-94 for George and 95-95; Fightnews scored the bout 98-92 for George.

In the first, George pawed with his jab looking to set up his right hand as he stalked the much taller Lopez. Within the first thirty seconds, George’s advantage in hand speed became apparent. Other than landing a solid left hook towards the middle of the round that didn’t phase George, Lopez was inactive and outworked by George, who landed failed to cause any damage with the few solid right hands that he landed. (more…)

Four-Round Contests Highlight Card in Frederick, MD

By Gary “Digital” Williams

Young prospects in the Washington, DC area get a new showcase Saturday when Hardwork Promotions has their debut card at the Frederick Fight Club in Frederick, MD. Hardwork Promotions is the brainchild of still-active Beltway Boxer Venroy “Hardwork” July who also is a corporate lawyer. The card will contain all four-round contests with emerging local prospects.

In the main event, undefeated Rockville, MD junior middleweight Dillon “The Stalker” Heyman will take on Stanley Harvey of Norfolk, VA by way of San Diego, CA. Heyman (3-0, two KO’s) is coming off a tough four-round unanimous decision win over Ervin Fuller on December 8 at the Washington Convention Center in DC. Harvey (1-3, one KO) was stopped by Antoine Douglas in the first round on January 10 in Woodhaven, NY. (more…)

Weights From Dominican Republic

Photo: Miguel Cotto Promotions

Hard hitting super flyweight prospect José “Chiquiro” Martinez (6-0, 4 KOs) is ready to shine against Ramón Cedeno tonight at the Teo Cruz Coliseum in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. “Chiquiro is coming from a great victory this past February against Eduardo Meléndez. He is a great boxer with explosives abilities,” promoter and businessman Hector Soto said. Also in action is light flyweight prospect Israel “El Heredero” Vázquez (7-0-2, 5 KOs), son of Puerto Rican ring lengend Wilfredo Vazquez, who will face Juan Guzmán and Pedro Vicente who will clash with Julio C. Paniagua.

José “Chiquiro” Martinez 117lbs vs. Ramón Cedeno 117lbs
Israel “El Heredero” Vazquez 109lbs vs.Juan Guzmán 117lbs
Pedro Vicente 128lbs vs. Julio C. Paniagua 127lbs
Orlando Vázquez 137.7lbs vs. Aneudy Mesa 135lbs

Promoter: Miguel Cotto Promotions and H2 Entertainment
Venue: Teo Cruz Coliseum, Santo Domingo Dominican Republic

Legal issues KO Cruz-Trumble

By Rey Colón -The Sport Press

A scheduled fight tonight between Luis ‘El Artesano’ Cruz (20-2, 16 KO’s) and Steve Trumble (12-25, 8 KOs) on the PR Best Boxing Promotions card in Trujillo Alto was cancelled at the last minute due to “legal problems.” Apparently the fight was dropped because Cruz, who was released by Top Rank after two losses, is still under contract locally to Miguel Cotto Promotions.

Boxing Buzz

In the big fight of the day, WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham is a -400 favorite over Robert Stieglitz +275 at bet365.com. Also heavyweight Robert Helenius is -1200 against Michael Sprott +600.

Florida’s famous SJC Boxing Club will be celebrating its 21st birthday today with an Open House and Fundraiser from 12:00 noon until 5:00 PM. The gym, founded by Florida Boxing Hall of Fame trainer Steve Canton, is located at 1929 Winkler Ave, Fort Myers, Florida. Everyone is invited.

No more headgear in the Olympics, at least for the men. No headgear will be used in the world amateur championships either. In addition, the AIBA will also be moving to the 10-point must system and junking computerized punch-count scoring.