Braehmer-Averlant public workout

Photo: Team Sauerland

The tension keeps building. The European light heavyweight title clash between Juergen Braehmer (39-2, 30 KOs) and Tony Averlant (18-7-2, 4 KOs) is just days away. Before the pair steps into the ring at the Sporthalle Hamburg, Germany this Saturday, they met during today’s public workout. However, both contestants were keen on not giving away too much and kept the fans guessing in what kind of shape they are in. (more…)

Marvin Mabait to invade the US Market

Jr. Featherweight prospect Marvin “Chavacano Disaster” Mabait of Zamboanga City, Philippines will invade the United States market. Mabait, 25, who resides in Manila has a record of 18-1-2-12 KO’s and just signed a promotional contract with All Star Boxing, Inc of Tuto Zabala, Jr. “We are happy to add Marvin Mabait to our stable, he is a good young prospect and we are ready to start working with him towards a world title shot,” said Zabala.

“I’m ready for my US debut. I will demomonstrate to the world that I’m ready to be a champion. Thanks to Mr. Zabala for the opportunity,” said Mabait, who is managed by former world champion Gerry Penalosa and Vinny Scolpino of the US. His first fight under the All Star Boxing banner is schedule for June 28 at the Kissimmee Civic Center.

Jhonny Gonzalez ready to return Saturday

By Gabriel F. Cordero

This Saturday at the Arena Mexico, former world champions Jhonny Gonzalez and Mariana Juarez return to action. Gonzalez has has concluded his workouts on the Romanza Gym in Mexico City with his Hall of Fame trainer Nacho Beristain. “I’m ready for this Saturday to face Japan’s Akihiko Katahiri. It’s an elimination bout and I hope to be confirmed as official challenger for the WBC featherweight world championship of Daniel Ponce de Leon.”

In the co-feature, Mariana Juarez will face the Japan’s Riyo Togo in an WBC official eliminator which make a official challenger for the current super flyweight world champion Zulima Muñoz.

Danny Garcia must tackle Judah to continue living dream

Story & Photos by John DiSanto - PhillyBoxingHistory.com

Junior welterweight champion Danny “Swift” Garcia, 25-0, 16 KOs, has been a world champion for a little more than one year now. He took his first share of the title in March 2012 by defeating legend Erik Morales, and saw his life permanently change as a result.

In beating Morales, Garcia achieved the dream he had set for himself many, many years before when he was a skinny little amateur boxer working hard at the Harrowgate Boxing Club in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. Before long, his dream didn’t seem that farfetched. (more…)

Martinez: I’ll KO Murray in eight

Sergio Martinez insists Martin Murray will not hear the final bell when they clash on Saturday night. Murray takes a big step up in class when he faces the WBC middleweight champion in front of more than 40,000 fans in Buenos Aires. Martinez vows that the British puncher will be flying back home empty handed – after he’s been knocked out.

“We have watched tapes of Martin Murray’s past fights, he is a come forward boxer and will give me a good challenge in the ring, but it will not be enough,” said Martinez, who is boxing on home soil for the first time in over a decade. “The way I see this fight playing out in my mind, I will KO Murray in the eighth round. Some people have said Murray is facing me at the right time. Well, those people are in for a surprise on April 27. I might be 38 years old of age, but my body does not feel like it. I take care of myself mentally and physically. I am constantly in the gym working out even when I do not have a fight lined up in order to keep my body in shape. Also my fighting style has allowed me to not age in the boxing ring. My goal is to be the number one pound for pound boxer in the world and I will not stop until I reach that goal.”

Stiverne’s power on display against Arreola

By David Finger
Photos: Mary Ann Owen

With the recent completion of Saul Alvarez’s impressive title unification fight against Austin Trout, and the upcoming Floyd Mayweather versus Robert Guerrero fight, it almost feels like the heavyweight division just doesn’t matter anymore. When was the last time that American boxing fans purchased a $50 PPV headlined by a heavyweight champion? But there’s an old adage in boxing: things can change with just one punch. And if there is ever a fighter who can change everything with one punch, it is heavyweight Bermane Stiverne. (more…)

Alex Leapai spars Kevin Johnson in Brisbane

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Former world heavyweight challenger Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson was in the gym Monday sparring with WBO #9 Alex Leapai ahead of next Sunday’s clash with Solimon Haumono in Melbourne on the undercard of the James” Lights Out ” Toney vs Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne. Johnson said, “I’m in good shape for my bout on Sunday against Haumono and would like to say hello to the girls on Virgin Airlines – Kristy, Kendall and Shaynon who were on my flight from the USA to Australia.”

Ndlovu wins rematch

By Ron Jackson

Prince Ndlovu beat Sbusiso Khumalo on a unanimous eight round points decision in a featherweight bout at the Barnyard Theatre in the Cresta Centre, Randburg on Monday night. The fought to a six round draw in June last year. In rather scrappy affair both fighters spent most of the time punching from too far out and the shorter Ndlovu (56.90kg) would have been better advised to step in closer before throwing punches against the lesser skilled Khumalo (57.14kg). Judges Simon Mokadi and Neville Hotz scored the fight 77-75 and judge Alf Buqwana had it 79-73. Ndlovu who is trained by Alan Toweel Jr. improved his record to (7-1, 3 KOs) and Khumalo dropped to (2-7-1, 0 KOs). (more…)

Matchroom inks Olympic gold medalist

Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport have announced that 2012 Olympic Gold medallist Luke Campbell MBE has signed a promotional deal with the company. Campbell will be officially unveiled at a press conference in central London today (April 23) where the plans for his debut will be revealed. Campbell’s gold was in the bantamweight division.

Dunkin inks Reyes

Top boxing manager Cameron Dunkin has signed promising welterweight prospect Artemio Reyes (19-2, 15 KOs) to a management contract. Reyes from Southern California met with Dunkin this past Friday in Las Vegas, Nevada where Dunkin resides, to sign the contract. For years the hardworking Dunkin has been a major driving force behind his managed fighters getting the best possible opportunities. Currently Nonito Donire and unbeaten world champion Timothy Bradley, to name a few, are managed by Dunkin. Capital Punishment Managment, who formerly managed Reyes, will remain on as his trainers. Reyes opened eyes with his upset of then unbeaten olympian Javier Molina in a bout televised on Shobox in October of 2011. His goals are quite simple and he’s confident that signing with Dunkin he can attain them. “I want to advance ahead in my career to the maximum and make sure I’m properly compensated for all my fights,” said Reyes.

Former contender Luis Molina passes

Bay Area boxer legend Luis Molina, who was San Jose native recently passed away. Molina was the cousin of Bob Santos who manages six-time and four-division world champion Robert Guerrero. Molina was close to Guerrero and was the person who stamped the approval for Bob Santos to the young phenom in the amateurs. Having competed many times in the South Bay as a professional, Molina is the only boxer from San Jose to have fought in the Olympics (1956).

In an era where there was only one champion in a total of eight weight classes, Molina worked his way to the #1 spot, but didn’t get a title shot against Carlos Ortiz who was considered one of the best fighters of that time. (more…)

Tyson Fury-Steve Cunningham wrap-up

By Arvin Nundloll

Tyson Fury (21-0, 15 KOs) delivered a crowd thrilling performance against Steve Cunningham (25-6, 12 KOs) with his American heavyweight debut this past Saturday at the Theater in MSG. Fury promised entertainment and excitement in the pre-match buildup and didn’t disappoint.

After the fight, Fury had the following to say:

“It was a gun sling again, something similar to the Neven Pajkic fight, not a good boxing display but I showed heart and excitement on national television in America and I showed everything that you need to do win.”

Asked about the controversial knockdown:

“Controversial? He couldn’t get back up never mind anything else.”

Fury also commented on his debut in America.

“It’s been lovely, the American people showed me a great reception, they got behind me and I’d love to box here again.” (more…)

Boxing Buzz

Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista has decided to retire. Bautista lost a split decision to Mexico’s Jose Ramirez last Saturday in Davao City, Philippines.

In preparation of his rematch with Carl Froch, Mikkel Kessler is calling upon British supermiddleweight George Groves for sparring.

South Boston trainer Peter Welch is hoping to revive boxing in his hometown. More

British Olympian Luke Campbrell has inked a deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sport to turn pro. More

Darchinyan poised for Top Rank debut

Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Former two-division world champion Vic Darchinyan, will make his Top Rank debut on May 11 at the Uni-Trade Stadium in Laredo,Texas on the “Solo Boxeo Tecate” show, live on UniMas at 12 a.m. ET/11p.m. PT. Darchinyan (38-5-1, 27 KOs), of Armenia, takes on Javier Gallo (18-5-1, 10 KOs), of Sonora, Mexico, in a 10-round jr featherweight bout.

Also on the card is two-time Mexican Olympian Oscar Valdez (3-0, 3 KOs) against an opponent to be announced.

Verdejo returns May 18 on UniMas

Hot prospect Felix “Diamante” Verdejo will fight again in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, on May 18 when he faces Corben Page in a six round fight at the Ruben Zayas Coliseum in a new edition of the UniMas Solo Boxeo Tecate show, in a PR Best Boxing Promotions presentation in association with Top Rank. The 2012 Olympian, Diamante Verdejo (5-0, 4 KOs), who comes off a spectacular first round win by KO on April 13 in New York over Steve Gutierrez, will fight for the first time at six rounds against Page (4-5-1) headlining the card in the junior lightweight division. (more…)

Lou DiBella: No Way Out

Promoter Lou DiBella has devoted his professional life to boxing. He loves the sport, and it may be the reason why he is desperate to get out of boxing.

Jacobs heads into fight with a clean bill of health

Middleweight Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (Brooklyn, N.Y.) is heading in to his third fight back from cancer on Saturday at the Barclays Center, and he will be able to do so with his mind solely focused on boxing. The 26-year-old is wrapping up a successful training camp in the New York area, and great news at a recent doctors visit ensured that he will enter the April 27th bout with his mind clear.

Jacobs’ doctor, Dr. Hartl, one of the outstanding physicians that helped save his life during his harrowing battle with Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, gave him the fantastic news that his current tests are cancer free. The positive results came at the end of a grueling training camp to prepare him for a middleweight showdown with Keenan Collins on the undercard of the Danny Garcia-Zab Judah contest. (more…)

Fury-Cunningham: Full Report & Giant Photo Gallery

Ringside Report: Matt Richardson and Arvin Nundloll
Photos: Ed Mulholland

In an entertaining heavyweight contest, Englishman Tyson Fury made his U.S. debut a shaky but successful one with a seventh round knockout of former cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham. Fury (21-0, 15 KOs) was dropped by a flush right onto the seat of his trunks in the second but he slowly worked his way back into the fight. He hurt Cunningham (25-6, 12 KOs) along the ropes with body punches in the seventh and after backing his opponent into a corner, finished him off with a right that dropped Cunningham along the ropes for a full ten-count. Time of the stoppage was 2:55. More

Fortuna will stay at featherweight

Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (22-0, 16 KOs) lost his WBA interim featherweight belt on the scale last Thursday when he was unable to make the 126-lb featherweight limit before his first-round KO over Miguel Zamudio. Fortuna’s promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, however, says Fortuna will continue to campaign at featherweight and he will be looking to help him regain his championship as quickly as possible in a high-profile fight. “Javier was only .6 overweight,” said Lewkowicz, “and it’s possible he could have lost the weight, but even though it cost me money I would not let him risk his health. My fighters are like my children. He will make the weight next time.”

Mikkel Kessler Media Day

Photo: Team Sauerland

WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler (46-2, 35 KOs) today conducted a media work-out in his gym in Copenhagen, Denmark. On May 25, the Viking Warrior will collide with IBF champion Carl Froch (30-2, 22 KOs) in front of a sell-out crowd at the O2 Arena in London. “I defeated him in the first fight and I will defeat him again,” Kessler said. “I don´t mind fighting him in his backyard, true champions fight all over the world. I have fought in Wales, Australia, Germany and the USA, no crowd can intimidate me. I know what I have to do to leave the ring victorious.”

Kessler has been working hard with coach Jimmy Montoya, who has been in Denmark since March. “Mikkel´s in great shape,” Montoya said. “This will be a good, a very hard fight. Carl Froch is a hell of a fighter, but so is Mikkel. You can´t predict knock-outs, they just happen, but let me tell you one thing, Mikkel will win by knock-out!”

George Groves To Face Noe Gonzalez Alcoba On May 25th Froch-Kessler Card

By James Slater

George Groves, the highly ranked super-middleweight who has already captured the British and Commonwealth titles, will move one step closer to a shot at a major world title on May 25th. 25-year-old Groves, 18-0(14) will face Uruguay’s Noe Gonzalez Alcoba on May 25th at The O2 in London. Groves’ fight will be chief support to Mikkel Kessler’s epic rematch with Carl Froch.

Groves’ trainer, Adam Booth, told West London Sport that a win over Alcona will get Groves in a position to be able to get some kind of mandatory title shot.

“If Carl [Froch] beats Kessler, I think he will have his eyes set on people like Andre Ward,” Booth said. “But winning will make George 19-0. He is already really highly ranked and it’s about consolidating those rankings and getting a mandatory shot – whoever that’s against.” (more…)

Canelo Alvarez: Outboxing the Boxer

By Graham Houston
Photos: Sumio Yamada

One thing that I don’t think very many people expected was Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to outbox Austin Trout in Saturday’s junior middleweight title fight on Showtime. Once Canelo came out and started slipping Trout’s jab in the opening round it set the tone for the fight.

Trout was supposed to be the smarter, slicker boxer here, but Canelo was the fighter showing the superior head and upper-body movement. In the fifth round he had had Trout missing with four consecutive punches and seemed to give a little smile of satisfaction.

While the unanimous scoring in Canelo’s favour seemed a bit on the wide side, there was no question about who won the fight. Canelo’s knockdown of Trout in the seventh round was the punctuation mark on a very impressive display of boxing and fighting by the redheaded Mexican superstar. (more…)

Belasco ready for Ocasio

By Rick Scharmberg
Photos: Rick Scharmberg and Juan Marshall/JM Photography

Wilmington, Delaware’s “Rockin” Ryan Belasco has paid his dues, quietly working at his craft while compiling an 18-5-3, 3 KOs record fighting mostly in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philly is where the action is, and that’s where Ryan made his pro debut on June 16, 2006. This Friday, Belasco returns to Philadelphia, where he will fight in the main event against unbeaten former amateur standout Angel Luis Ocasio (7-0-2, 2 KOs) at the National Guard Armory in North Philly. They will fight eight rounds for the USBC lightweight belt. The bout, which has generated much regional interest, is promoted by Greg Robinson’s Power Productions.

This crossroads-type fight contains considerable risks, which both men should be commended for taking, especially Ocasio, who is putting his unbeaten record on the line against a fighter who has worked so hard to improve his game. (more…)

Holyfield and Tyson reunite

By Jose E. Santiago
Photos: Robert Tapales for Action Fighter Media

On Saturday afternoon in Kennesaw GA, Delgado Boxing Promotions presented “The Future Series 5″. Aside from promoting professional boxing in the southeast, Delgado Boxing also features amateur boxing in different venues throughout the greater Atlanta area. On the card was Evan Holyfield son of Evander as he looks to follow in his father’s footsteps. Naturally, Evander was expected to be in attendance, but the surprise came when he walked into the venue with former nemesis, now friend Mike Tyson. (more…)