Purdy: Devon has underestimated my power; Brit vows to pour the pressure on ‘boring’ champion

Lee Purdy has warned Devon Alexander that he will put on an explosive show in Atlantic City as he bids to rip the IBF welterweight title from his grasp on Saturday night. Purdy tackles the St. Louis man at the famous Boardwalk Hall and said he’s far from a fan of the St. Louis champ, but believes the pressure is all on the American to impress on home soil.

“I’ve watched a lot of his fights since we got the fight and he’s not looked great recently,” said Purdy. “He’s been holding a lot in recent fights which is why I mentioned that. His style doesn’t impress me which is why I don’t watch him. I think I can land big shots on him and make him fight my fight, and if I connect cleanly on him there’s only one place he’s going to go and that’s to the canvas. He says he wants to fight the biggest names in the game, no-one here has heard of me so he has to look good against me and he’s not going to if he’s just going to hold. (more…)

Boxing Buzz: Love, Masternak, de Mori

Middleweight prospect J’Leon Love tested positive for the banned diuretic “Hydrochlorothiazide” after his controversial 10-round split decision win over Gabriel Rosado on the May 4 Mayweather-Guerrero card in Las Vegas. Love is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, whose namesake Floyd Mayweather is highly critical of any fighter using banned substances. He is facing a fine and suspension from the NSAC plus the wrath of Floyd. Love-Rosado will likely be changed to a no-decision.

Sauerland Event is looking to work out a deal with OPI 2000 for unbeaten WBC #4 Mateusz Masternak (30-0, 22 KOs) to face WBC #1 Giacobbe Fragomeni (30-3-2, 12 KOs) in a final eliminator for the WBC cruiserweight title currently held by Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.

Heavyweight KO artist Mark de Mori (23-1-2, 21 KOs) faces journeyman Adnan Buharalija (26-16-2, 18 KOs) for the WBU world heavyweight championship tomorrow night at the Sport Hall Grabrik in Pozega, Croatia. The WBU approved Buharalija despite the fact that he has been knocked out in eight of his last ten fights. Advantage de Mori.

Full Report: Lee-Cunningham

By Matt Richardson
Photos: Thomas Casulli

Middleweight contender Andy Lee hardly broke a sweat on Wednesday night at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in Times Square, NYC, stopping journeyman Darryl Cunningham in just 87 seconds in the main event of promoter Lou DiBella’s local “Broadway Boxing” series.

Lee (30-2, 21 KO’s), only two fights removed from a stoppage loss to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. last June, came out aggressively and quickly stunned Cunningham in the corner. Cunningham (28-5, 11 KO’s) was clearly hurt but not terribly so. Lee then threw a series of punches, many of which were blocked by Cunningham. A brief ending seemed inevitable but it was made so by a seemingly early stoppage by referee Benji Esteves. Cunningham had not touched the canvas in the two minutes of boxing. But he wasn’t exactly winging shots back, so the stoppage was understandable. (more…)

Harrison has eight-round bout in DC

By Gary “Digital” Williams

Undefeated DC welterweight Dusty Hernandez-Harrison will face his most accomplished foe to date when he headlines the Saturday, May 18 “Champion Class” card at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Sports Complex in Washington, DC.

UDC will be an interesting location for Harrison, who will turn 19 shortly after this card. Harrison (14-0, eight KO’s) will begin taking classes at the university in June. Harrison will face Eddie Soto of Pawtucket, RI by way of Puerto Rico in a scheduled eight-round encounter. (more…)

Boxing back in San Diego May 24

By Felipe Leon

With two mega fight cards under its belt this year, San Diego’s premier boxing promoter, Bobby D Presents, will now stage its biggest event to date this year on Friday, May 24th, when “San Diego Fights” makes its debut at the historic Bing Crosby Hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Bobby D Presents boss Bobby DePhilippis guarantees that the upcoming card, the first of seven monthly shows scheduled at the fairgrounds this year, will be no different. As an added bonus, fight fans will receive one FREE 2013 San Diego County Fair admission ticket with every boxing ticket purchased, a value of $14.

Featured in the main event will be Vista’s Aaron “Gavilan“ Garcia (10-3-2, 2KOs) as he returns to his hometown in a featured featherweight six rounder. A rising pro, Garcia is best known as one of the most decorated amateur fighters to come out of San Diego with more than 150 fights, multiple Golden Gloves titles, a silver medal at the Pan-Am Games and a spot on the 2004 U.S. Olympic team as an alternate. Garcia is coming off a closely disputed and controversial split decision loss to Manny Pacquiao-backed Bernabe Concepcion but now with Bobby D Presents as his promoter, he is ready to make a run for the title. (more…)

Matthysse arrives in the USA

Looks like we have a fight. After missing yesterday’s press conference in New York City, WBC interim super lightweight champion Lucas Matthysse (33-2, 31 KOs) and his team have finally arrived in the USA and made their appearance in the press room at Caesars Atlantic City. Matthysse was held up several days in his native Argentina due to problems with his travel documents. His fight with IBF jr welterweight champion Lamont Peterson (31-1-1, 16 KOs) will be a non-title affair at a catch weight of 141, rather than a unification fight because the IBF doesn’t allow unifications with interim champions and Matthysse wouldn’t give up his WBC interim title.

The weigh-in for Saturday’s fight card at Boardwalk Hall will be open to the public and take place at 3:30PM in the Caesars Atlantic City lobby.

Canelo Alvarez to receive WBA belt in Panama?

By Gabriel F. Cordero

A source informed Fightnews.com that WBA executive vice president Gilberto Mendoza Jr. is awaiting confirmation of the date to formally present the WBA belt to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in Panama City. “We respect the WBC decision in relation to unification fights but these fights are accepted and WBA will continue doing them and accepting them,” said Mendoza Jr.

The WBA the super welterweight “super” world champion is Floyd Mayweather Jr. Alvarez is the WBA “regular” super welterweight world champion.

Weights from Moscow: Povetkin 228.3, Wawrzyk 232.5, Lebedev 199.5, Jones 198.8

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Alexander Povetkin 228.3 vs. Andrzej Wawrzyk 232.5
(WBA “regular” heavyweight title)

Denis Lebedev 199.5 vs. Guillermo Jones 198.8
(WBA cruiserweight title)

Venue: Crocus City Hall, Moscow, Russia
Promoter: Hrunov Promotions

Sirimongkol retains ABCO belt

By Damrong Simakajornboon
Photos: Kazuto Harada

Two-time WBC champion Sirimongkol Singwancha (71-2,43 KOs) successfully kept his ABCO continental 147lb title when he stopped ABCO#15 Mohamadreza Hamze on Tuesday at Rangsit International Stadium in Pathumthani, Thailand. Sirimongkol mostly controlled the show, dropping his opponent twice with his tough right hooks in round three. The show was finally ended when the Thai fighter landed a big right hook which floored the Irani again, forcing referee Udom Deekrajang to stop the bout at 1:37 of round six. Sirimongkol is a former WBC bantam and superfeather title holder. With his victory today, he would like to take a chance to challenge a world title again although he is now 36 years old.

This event also had five more Muaythai undercards, promoted by Naris Singhawungcha of Naris Boxing Promotion. photos

Sportsbooks tap Matthysse to defeat Peterson on Saturday. Povetkin, Alexander, Lebedev all heavy favorites

Lucas Matthysse is a -225 favorite to defeat IBF jr welterweight champion Lamont Peterson (+175) on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City according to the latest boxing odds from bet365.com. In the co-feature IBF welterweight champ Devon Alexander is a whopping -2500 pick to retain his belt against Lee Purdy (+1000).

WBA heavyweight “regular” champion Alexander Povetkin (-3300) is expected to have NO trouble against unheralded Andrezej Wawrzyk (+900). If Wawrzyk somehow springs the upset, it would torpedo the $23 million Klitschko-Povetkin showdown slated for later this year. WBA cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev is a solid -600 pick to see off 41-year-old “champion in recess” Guillermo Jones (+350)

Berto, Thurman top July 27 tripleheader

Golden Boy has announced “Knockout Kings II” at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas on July 27 featuring former two-time welterweight world champion Andre Berto (28-2, 22 KOs) against Jesus Soto Karass (27-8-3, 17 KOs), unbeaten Keith Thurman (20-0, 18 KOs) vs. unbeaten Diego Gabriel Chaves (22-0, 18 KOs) for Chaves’ WBA interim welterweight title, and undefeated Omar Figueroa Jr. (21-0-1, 17 KOs) against Nihito Arakawa (24-2-1, 16 KOs) for the vacant WBC interim lightweight belt.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50, $25 and $10 go on sale Friday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. CT and will be available for purchase at the AT&T Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.ATTCenter.com, all Ticketmaster locations.

Andy Lee post fight interview

Andy Lee destroys Daryl Cunningham

Photos: Thomas Casulli

Former middleweight world title challenger Andy Lee (30-2, 20 KOs) scored a first round knockout against Daryl Cunningham (28-5, 11 KOs) on Wednesday night at the BB King Blues Club & Grill in New York City. Lee landed a right hand that rocked Cunningham then battered him to the deck just as referee Benjy Estavez was stopping the bout. Time was 1:27.

“Onward and upward from here,” said Lee after the fight. “I feel like I am at the top of my game right now and obviously the number one guy in the middleweight division is Sergio Martinez and that is the fight I want. We have the same promoter in Lou DiBella, so I feel like it is an easy fight to make and one that is very attractive for the middleweight division. I know that Sergio is taking some time off, but I’ll be ready for him once he is ready to go.” (more…)

Weights from Melbourne

Photos: Werner Kalin

Will Tomlinson 129.1 vs Malcolm Klassen 129.4
IBO jr lightweight championship

Garth Wood 159 vs Virgil Kalkoda 159.3
Matt Garlett 129.6 vs Sipho Taliwe 129.3

Melbourne Pavillion, Melbourne Victoria, Australia

photos

Peterson-Matthysse NYC Presser

Photos: Tom Casino/Showtime

The pre-fight press conference for Saturday’s non-title clash between world titleholders Lamont Peterson and Lucas Matthysse at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City took place Wednesday at Lucille’s Bar & Grill inside B.B. King’s Blues Club in New York City. The card also features International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion Devon Alexander “The Great” defending against against Kell Brook-replacement Lee Purdy.

Golden Boy’s David Itskowitch announced that Matthysse “had a title travel delay while leaving Argentina” and will be leaving for the states tonight. Reportedly Matthysse’s passport was damaged during a break-in at his home and he had to get another one issued.

Lamont Peterson: This was the first time I was was gonna talk trash at a press conference against my opponent, but he didn’t even show up. I’m looking forward to a great fight this weekend.

Devon Alexander: I didn’t understand a word this guy just said when he was talking about holding or whatever…I’m ready. Been ready. It doesn’t matter what Lee Purdy’s gonna do, because I’m at the peak of my career where ain’t nobody gonna beat me. He’s in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m just ready to fight.

Lee Purdy: Of late he hasn’t been “great,” he was holding. I wanna put on a good show for the fans. You pay hard earned money to watch decent fights and not people to hold for twelve rounds. Yeah I’m a big underdog, but I believe I can bring a big upset.

photos

Verdejo back in action Saturday

Photos: Joel Colon/PR Best

Hot sensation Felix “Diamante” Verdejo will fight for his first time in a six round bout this Saturday, May 18 in another installment of UniMas Solo Boxeo Tecate, to be held at the Ruben Zayas Montanez Coliseum in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, in a PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) presentation in association with Top Rank.

“We are back in Trujillo Alto, where we had a great show in March with Felix Verdejo in one of the main fights. Now, we have Verdejo in his first six rounds fight, and a card with good fights as the Gamalier Rodriguez vs Alicio Castaneda clash for the WBO NABO featherweight title, and other prospects like unbeaten John Karl Sosa in action”, said the PRBBP President, Ivan Rivera. “On March 23 was a successful show and we expecting a great fan support again.” (more…)

Povetkin focused on last hurdle

Photos: Viktor Sokolov

There is only one stepping-stone left between Alexander Povetkin (25-0, 17 KOs) and the World Championship bout with Wladimir Klitschko (59-3, 50 KOs). The current WBA Champion takes on Andrzej Wawrzyk (27-0, 13 KOs) this Friday, a must-win situation for Povetkin. Defeat is not an option or the hotly anticipated fight against the Ukrainian is over before it has even begun. The champion met up with his challenger for the very first time during today´s press conference. This is what they had to say:

Alexander Povetkin (WBA Heavyweight Champion): “I am putting my belt on the line, so this is a very important fight for me. I promise to give it all I have. My opponent’s name on Friday is Wawrzyk and not Klitschko. I am fully focused on him and want to give the fans inside the Arena a great show.”

Andrzej Wawrzyk (Challenger): “As soon as they offered me to fight Povetkin, I accepted. This could be the chance of a lifetime. I have been in training anyways so I was ready from the get-go and I will try everything possible to burst the bubble that is the fight between Povetkin and Klitschko.”

Kostya Tszyu (Coach Alexander Povetkin): “Alexander has developed a lot during our time together. His punches become more powerful every time we step into the gym and I can feel them through the pads. I am glad that he does not hit me anywhere else. Wawrzyk should better be careful because Alexander´s strength will make the difference on May 17.”

But not only the heavyweight championship, which Vitali Klitschko will be attending, will keep the fans on the edge. Also WBA Cruiserweight Champion Denis Lebedev (25-1, 19 KOs) takes on “Champion in Recess” Guillermo Jones photos

Kell Brook-Carson Jones II Set For July 13th, Luke Campbell Pro Debut Also On Card

By James Slater

Unbeaten welterweight contender Kell Brook will face the man who has thus far given him the toughest fight of his pro career, when “The Special One” will engage in a return fight with Carson Jones, 35-9-3(25) on July 13th. Sheffield’s Brook, 29-0(19) will face the man from Oklahoma at Craven Park in Hull, Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn has announced. (more…)

Official statement from David Haye:

Just a quick message to again express how sorry I am for postponing my return to the ring because of injury. It was a tough decision to make, as I didn’t want to let anybody down, but was one made easier by the pain I experienced. In the end, I had no choice but to postpone the fight.

The injury occurred on Sunday evening, when I was hitting the heavy bag as ferociously as I always do. After landing a punch, I instantly felt a shooting pain in my left wrist. The pain never stopped.

I went and got it checked out immediately and was told I’d suffered a subluxation of the wrist, and that the pain in the wrist was due to the intercarpal ligaments around the capitate being damaged. The specialist then told me the wrist would take a minimum of four weeks to heal and that I should avoid punching, of any kind, during this period. (more…)

Mayweather is highest earning pro athlete

Galvanized by an unprecedented deal with Showtime that guarantees him at least $32 million per fight, Boxing’s Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. sits atop the 10th annual Sports Illustrated Fortunate 50, which ranks the 50 highest-earning professional athletes in the U.S. With $90 million in projected earnings for 2013, and that’s with $0 in endorsement income. Mayweather tops the list for the second consecutive year.

Floyd sat down with executive editor Jon Wertheim for a Q&A, featured in this week’s SI, before his victory over Robert Guerrero on May 4. He says, “Surround yourself with the right team. It takes brains to make the money.” When asked how his time in prison affected his view about money, Mayweather adds: “I got offers and huge deals when I was locked up, with CEOs writing me, wanting to do business with me, Fortune 500 companies wanting to do business with me. But my main focus was just coming home and being free. You can have all the money in the world, but if you’re not free, it’s like being poor, because you can’t do anything.”

Mayweather is the only boxer in the top 50 earners.

Boesel to defend WBO Youth belt

Photos: Team SES

WBO Youth light heavyweight champion Dominic Boesel (11-0-0, 4 KOs) returns June 14 to defend his belt against Chris Mafuta (12-3, 6 KOs) at the Stadthalle in Weißenfels, Germany. Also on the card are Boesel’s teammates from SES Boxing’s new “Team Germany” consisting of up-and-coming German hopefuls.

Dominic Boesel: “It’s a huge thing to be able to box in this area. The atmosphere will be crazy. I’m very proud of my title and I won’t give it away. I respect my opponent. Chris as a good boxer, but I don’t need to talk much. I feel very sure.”

Chris Mafuta: “I take the fight very seriously. Dominic will be surprised how fit I will be.” (more…)

Melendez, Vidal headline June 7

Miguel Cotto Promotions and H2 Entertainment will present a ShoBox card on June 7th at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, headlined by rising stars and power punchers Jorge “Destroyer” Melendez (26-2-1, 25 KOs) and undefeated Jonathan “Pitbull” Vidal (17-0, 9 KOs). WBO Super welterweight Latino champion Melendez will face Mexican puncher Luis Grajeda (14-1, 10KO’s) in a 10-round bout main event. Unbeaten bantamweight Vidal also will face undefeated Mexican Mario Muñoz (13-0, 10 KOs) in an eight round fight co-main event. (more…)

Interview: George Foreman

By Jeff Zimmerman
Photo: Robert Hughes

Fightnews.com caught up with legendary former heavyweight world champion George Foreman and his son George Foreman IV (aka Big Wheel) at the recent Mikey Garcia vs. Juanma Lopez press conference in Dallas.

On getting his boys in the business
It’s my boys getting ready to form Foreman Boys Productions and getting a little guidance from someone that has been doing it forever. Can you believe I remember when he was just a rookie himself, Bob Arum and now all of sudden he is the expert. He was the one that would go around asking what to do, now he’s the one that everyone follows around on what to do, I am happy if I can align my boys with him and myself to put on some good quality boxing.

Comparing winning a world title or Olympic gold to working with his boys
It’s family business and there is no pleasure like doing work in the family business, greatest pleasure. (more…)

Gavronski Headlines May 18

By Sam DiTusa

Middleweight prospect Mike Gavronski headlines on May 18th as Roy Englebrecht Promotions presents its second installment of “Fight Club Northwest” at the Little Creek Casino & Resort in Shelton, Washington. Gavronski (11-0-1, 8 KOs) faces Tyrone Selders (8-5, 5 KOs) in the scheduled main event. Gavronski has been racking up wins in Washington and his adopted home of Chicago in the past year and he sees this fight as a real barometer in his progress. (more…)

Tomlinson-Klassen officials

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Pete Podgorski from Chicago will be the third man in the ring when IBO 130 pound champion Will Tomlinson defends against South African Malcolm Klassen on Thursday at The Melbourne Pavillion in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Judges are Robert Hoyle (USA), Steve Scott (New Zealand) and Gary Dean (Australia). Supervisor is Phil Austin (Australia).