Cano-Perez collide Saturday

Welterweight contenders collide at the Grand Oasis Resort in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico on Saturday when Mexico’s own Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano (25-2-1, 19 KOs) and Manuel Perez (19-8-1, 4 KOs) square off in a 10-round battle that will be broadcast on FOX Deportes in the United States and Televisa in Mexico. The co-featured attraction will be a 10 round fight for the vacant NABF Super Middleweight Championship between unbeaten Marco Antonio Periban (19-0, 12 KOs) of Mexico City and Colombian power-puncher Samuel Miller (25-6, 22 KOs).

Plus, recent world title challenger Alberto Guevara battles Jesus Jimenez in a fight to also be televised by Televisa. In non-televised undercard action, Jorge “El Nino De Oro” Linares takes on “Dangerous” David Rodela, while rising stars Julian “El Camaron” Ramirez and Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. enter the ring eager to add victories to their records.

Kessler in London

WBA Super-Middleweight Champion Mikkel Kessler (46-2, 35 KOs) is in London today, visiting the Sky Sports studios for promo shoots and interviews ahead of his May 25 showdown with IBF Champion Carl Froch (30-2, 22 KOs). “The interest in this fight is amazing,” the Viking Warrior said. “That´s great because the rematch will really be special. Carl is warming up already, I saw he posed as God of War on Facebook. I thought he was going to a wrestling match. Anyway, he better be ready for Thor´s hammer on May 25.” (more…)

Bradley-Provodnikov Presser Quotes

By Miguel Maravilla
Photos: Chris Farina/Top Rank

WBO welterweight Champion Timothy Bradley and challenger Ruslan Provodnikov spoke to the press today before their showdown on Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Other than the normal ‘thank yous,’ Provodnikov was brief in his statements, while Bradley started by saying he appreciated his introduction by Top Rank President Todd duBoef.

Timothy Bradley: “Thank you very much for believing in me and saying all those nice things about me, because not all the time people say nice things about me, but when they do I really appreciate it.

“Ruslan Provodnikov is a tough opponent. A lot of you are saying ‘aaaah he’s tough but he’s not well known, yadayada.’ It’s a tough challenge I’m facing Saturday night. I trained like no other. This has been one of my best camps. This camp was actually better than the Pacquiao camp. I feel strong, I feel fast, I feel like I’m ready to take on anybody.

“I learned a lot from the past, what happened this past June has built me into a stronger character and a force to be reckoned with. At this given time I might not be given credit for the smart style and what I’ve accomplished in the ring, but let me tell you this. I will get respect and everybody in this room will respect me.

“This is going to be a fight to remember. Toe-to-toe, however long it lasts, I’m gonna get the job done. That’s what I do. I win. That’s one thing you can always write about me: This kid is undefeated and he can fight and he can win. So that’s a good thing you can write about.”

Ruslan Provodnikov: I don’t want to say too much. During training for this fight a lot has been said already. photos

Statement from Bernard Hopkins

“There are numerous champions that have been calling me out after my historic victory on Saturday Night….I am aware that I have a mandatory obligation under the IBF guidelines to fight Karo Murat, the mandatory challenger. Out of respect to the IBF, it is my intention to honor my commitment to the mandatory challenger at this stage of the game just as I have done throughout my twenty-five year career, namely, through twenty straight defenses of the middleweight title….However, the fans, including, my supporters, have made it very clear that at this point of my career, they want the Executioner in big fights. In fact, 12,300 fans in Brooklyn have sent that message very loud and clear across the boxing world….I look forward to getting back in the ring and continuing my legacy.”

Yuri Foreman, Jo Jo Dan headline April 4

On Thursday, April 4, DiBella Entertainment (DBE) will return to Roseland Ballroom for the latest installment of its Broadway Boxing series. The 11-bout card will feature a number of DBE’s top young prospects and contenders including former WBA junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman, 29-2, 8KOs, Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (16-1, 11KOs) and WBC #6-rated welterweight Ionut “Jo Jo” Dan Ion (30-2, 17KOs). Also appearing on the card in separate bouts will be two of 50 Cent’s fighters out of his SMS Promotions stable, Luis Olivares and Donte Strayhorn. (more…)

Bradley-Provodnikov Officials

WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, announced today the referee and judges who will work this Saturday’s world title bout between welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (29-0, 12 KOs) and Ruslan Provodnikov (22-1, 14 KOs) to be held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, in a Top Rank presentation.

For the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) champion, Bradley’s first defense of his belt against the #3 ranked Ruslan Provodnikov, the referee will be Patrick Russell. The judges are Raul Caiz Sr., Marty Denkin and Pat Connolly, all three from California. The WBO supervisor for this fight will be Richard de Cuir.

Tyson Fury training in Quebec

Before making his much anticipated United States debut, undefeated heavyweight contender Tyson Fury (20-0, 14 KOs) has set-up training camp to sink two-time world champion Steve “USS” Cunningham (25-5, 13 KOs), north of the border at beautiful Casino Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. Team Fury’s home-base is far from the home of this massive Irish-Manchurian but Lac-Leamy has quickly become Tyson’s second home. The gorgeous facility is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering a premium gaming experience in Canada. On the premises is the stunning Hilton Lac-Leamy Hotel, providing five-star accommodations fit for a boxing superstar such as Fury.

Fury vs. Cunningham headlines an exciting event, co-promoted by Hennessy Sports and Main Events, on Saturday afternoon, April 20, airing live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Their 12-round main event is an official IBF heavyweight voluntary eliminator for the #2 position, pitting #8 rated Fury against the #12 ranked Cunningham. Also rated #4 by the WBC and #6 by the WBO, Fury is the reigning Irish heavyweight champion. (more…)

Felix Verdejo has rival for March 23

Hot prospect and 2012 Olympian Felix “Diamante” Verdejo will face Andre Ramos in one of the principal fights for the next edition of the UniMas Solo Boxeo Tecate show on March 23, to be held at the Ruben Zayas Montañez Coliseum in Trujillo Alto, in a PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) presentation in association with Top Rank. (more…)

Uchiyama, Kono to defend against Venezuelans

Report and Photo by Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten WBA super-feather champ Takashi Uchiyama (19-0-1, 16 KOs), Japan, will make his seventh defense against also unbeaten Venezuelan Jaider Parra (20-0-1, 10 KOs) in Tokyo, Japan, on May 6. Uchiyama, fresh from his impressive stoppage of WBA interim champ Bryan Vazquez last December, said, “I wish to keep winning until my ultimate confrontation with another interim titlist Yuriorkis Gamboa.” Jaider is the younger brother of ex-WBA flyweight kingpin Lorenzo Parra, having once acquired the WBA Fedelatin 130-pound belt by defeating Joel Cerrud on points in 2010. We often see a world title doubleheader here, but it is the very first time that the challengers are both Venezuelans.

In a companion title go, Uchiyama’s stablemate and newly crowned WBA super-flyweight ruler Kohei Kono (28-7, 11 KOs) will risk his belt against interim champ Liborio Solis (14-3-1, 7 KOs), also from Venezuela, over twelve rounds. Kono, making his initial defense since dethroning Tepparith Kokietgym via upset fourth-round knockout last December, said, “I hope to fight as if I’m a challenger. I’ll definitely show my very best.” Solis, two years his junior at 30, gained the WBA interim belt by eking out a split verdict over Jose Salgado in December 2011 and kept it once last year. Since both are aggressive punchers, we may see their hot toe-to-toe confrontation. (more…)

Extensive book on New Mexico boxing’s history out

Decades in the making, “Boxing in New Mexico: A History 1868-1940,” by longtime Fightnews.com writer and photographer Chris Cozzone & Jim Boggio, with a foreword by Bruce Trampler, is now shipping.

In what is believed to be the most extensive history ever written on a region, the book chronicles the state of New Mexico’s golden eras – the 10s, 20s and 30s – dating back to bareknuckle fights in the late 1800s. The careers of forgotten warriors Benny Chavez, Eddie Mack,  Benny Cordova, Abie Chavez, Emilio Martinez and many more are highlighted in this chronological tome dating back to 1868.
(more…)

Ponce de Leon begins preparation for May 4

By Miguel Maravilla
Photo: Pepe Rodriguez

WBC featherweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon (44-4, 35 KOs) has begun preparation for his May 4 showdown against former bantamweight and super bantamweight champion Abner Mares (25-0-1, 13 KOs) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I never thought I would fight against Abner,” Ponce de Leon told Fightnews.com. “His trainer Clemente Medina has been here a few times to watch me train and Abner has been here also to train. However the fight is on and like I said I never thought I would fight him. I’m ready. I’ve begun to train once again. I was training for another fight but we stopped and now we are back at it beginning preparations.” (more…)

Boxing Buzz +

After inking George Groves and Ricky Burns in recent days, Matchroom Sport will unveil another signing today. Promoter Eddie Hearn won’t reveal the fighter and says only that “I guarantee this kid will be a World champ!” It’s believed the fighter is featherweight Lee Selby (14-1, 5 KOs).

As previously announced, the WBC heavyweight eliminator between Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola is back on for April 27. The location has now been announced as the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

Looks like David Haye will now work toward becoming mandatory challenger to force a Klitschko fight.

A little over 1,000 tickets left for Mayweather-Guerrero on May 4 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

WBC World Cup Update

By Gabriel F. Cordero

“We hope to inaugurate the Boxing World Cup in Mexico City on July 5 and hope it’ll be in the Zocalo (the main square in the center of Mexico City) and chances are that one of the events will be held in Red Square in Moscow, Russia on the first Friday of September. All the revenues we collect will be turned over to the retired fighters pension fund to help with their economic problems,” said WBC President Jose Sulaiman. Plans call for the World Cup to be hosted by the WBC with the participation of 48 fighters in four weight divisions: featherweight, lightweight, welterweight and heavyweight, involving titleholders of the ten federations affiliated to the WBC along with silver beltholders.

Lucas takes on Van Dieman

By Brett Bonetti

MMA star Xavier “X Man” Lucas will step back into the boxing ring this Friday night to take on knock out artist Jeremy Van Diemen (4-0, 3 KO’s) in the co-main event of Thunderdome at Metro City in Perth, Australia. Lucas represented Team Australia in the recent UFC Ultimate Fighter series “The Smashes: Australia vs UK” where he made it to the semi-finals before losing to eventual winner Robert Whittaker.

The “X-Man” is confident for this fight with Van Dieman and says he has been working on a good game plan with trainer Grady Stewart. “It’s gonna be the Angel taming the Demon” Lucas said. “Van Dieman is a good come forward fighter, we have done the work now it’s time to put it to play.” (more…)

Team Bradley hits LA

Photos: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Undefeated WBO World Welterweight champion Timothy “The Desert Storm” Bradley Jr.(2nd R) arrives in Los Angeles with his team: (L-R) James Rougery, father Tim ‘Big Ray’ Bradley Sr. and trainer Joel Diaz for his upcoming World Welterweight Championship against top-rated contender Ruslan Provodnikov of Russia.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Banner Promotions, Tecate, Bradley-Provodnikov will take place, Saturday, March 16 at The Home Depot Center in Carson,Calif. and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing. (more…)

Boxing Buzz

Looks like WBA 154-pound champ Austin “No Doubt” Trout will be taking a tune-up, of sorts, before he steps into the ring with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in April. More

Two of Frank Warren’s fighters, George Groves and Ricky Burns, have joined rival promoter Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sports, but WBO Light-heavyweight champ Nathan Cleverly says he’ll stay loyal. More

Speaking of Frank Warren, Bob Arum has something to say to Burns and Groves: “Write off Frank Warren at your peril!” More

Curtis Woodhouse Update

The day after his legendary trackdown and visit to a Twitter troll, which was followed by thousands on social media in real time, former British super lightweight champion Curtis Woodhouse was enjoying his worldwide internet celebrity status. Articles on his exploit appeared in media all over the world including The Guardian, The Mirror, Huffington Post, New York Daily News, USA Today, Daily Mail and dozens of others. He was applauded by boxers Lennox Lewis, Kell Brook, Ryan Rhodes and many others.

Apparently this troll, who has now deleted his Twitter posts, has been targeting other athletes and celebrities. The Mirror tracked him down again.

The header for Woodhouse’s Tweeter feed (which now has thousands of new followers) reads: Former pro footballer retired at 26 to try my luck in the boxing ring, in my spare time I get in my car and track down trolls!

Quote of the Day

WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham on the punching power of Robert Stieglitz, whom he faces March 23 in Magdeburg, Germany:

“I can assure you first-hand that he isn’t feather-fisted but Stieglitz doesn’t have the power to threaten me.”

Terrazas shifts camp to Mexico City

Photos: Rene Perez/Primero Box

After 4 weeks training in his native Guadalajara, Victor “Vikingo” Terrazas (36-2-1, 21 KOs) has moved his training camp to Mexico City, where he will be supported by the team of Juan Manuel Marquez as he prepares to take on Cristian Mijares (47-6-2, 22 KOs) at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico on April 20. “I am currently at sixty percent of my ability and I want you to know that we all have the full intentions to bring this belt to Guadalajara. I want my people to know we won’t squander this title shot,” said Terrazas. “We will climb into the ring at one hundred percent. We are going to beat Mijares and fulfill our dream of being world champion!” (more…)

Gary Russell, Jr. passes on offer from SMS Promotions

Gary Russell, Jr. and his team, led by his father and trainer Gary Russell, Sr., are committed to their game plan for the undefeated featherweight’s career. Russell has recently been courted by 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions, but the 24-year-old has no plans to make changes to his team.

“Over the last few days, we’ve been getting a number of phone calls from 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions. They want us to sign with their camp. I don’t have anything against his team; but we are not interested…I’m not interested,” Russell said. “Like I’ve said before Team Russell is not signed to any promotions team. I have a manager, Al Haymon, and he is the only person I’m signed with.” (more…)

Brinson-Medina headlines ARES Fight Night X

Report and photos by Boxing Bob Newman

Ares Promotions will launch it’s 2013 campaign with Fight Night X on Thursday, April 25th. Headlining the show will be a battle of stablemates for the New York State Middleweight title. Champion Nick Brinson (13-1-2, 6 KOs) will defend his belt against experienced upset king, Jose “Stinger” Medina (17-12-1, 7 KOs) over ten rounds.

Brinson is on a seven fight unbeaten streak after suffering his lone defeat to Lennox Allen in trynog to seize the New York Super Middleweight belt back on November 12, 2010. This will be Brinson’s second defense of the middleweight belt which he won in a thriller via eight round majority decision over Michael Walchuk on June 6, 2011.

Medina for his part is looking to bounce back big from a three bout losing streak, all suffered in hostile territory against former champ Bronco McKart (MD12), Fernando Guerrero (UD10) and Lamar Russ (UD8). Medina joined ARES stable after dispatching two of their house fighters in Chris Fitzpatrick, then 14-0 and Marcus Williams, then 7-1, both in 2011. (more…)

Fonfara has succesful surgery

By Przemek Garczarczyk
Photo: Max Fonfara

IBO light heavyweight champion, 25-year old Andrzej Fonfara (23-2, 13 KO) had successful surgery of fracture of the base of the middle metacarpal in his right hand. Doctors predicting that “Polish Prince” will be able to resume training in the next 4-5 weeks. Fonfara re-injured his right hand in the second round of his last fight, the IBO championship battle against Tommy Karpency in November of last year.

Wilder-Thompson in the making?

By Wolfgang Schiffbauer

According to Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, an exciting heavyweight matchup between unbeaten knockout artist Deontay Wilder (27-0, 27 KOs) and IBF #9 Tony Thompson (37-3, 25 KOs) could happen in the next couple months. Schaefer apparently wants to match the two Americans in a CBS televised boxing event in order to showcase Wilder in front of a national audience against the toughest opponent of his young career. In regard to CBS, Schaefer said to the New York Fight Blog at ESPN: “We want to expose boxing to sports fans who haven’t really watched boxing.” (more…)

Hopkins’ Master Class

By Graham Houston

I think that HBO’s Jim Lampley got it right when comparing Bernard Hopkins with Archie Moore — these are the type of fighters who come along every 50 years. Moore, at the age of 44, outclassed a rugged but limited Italian fighter named Giulio Rinaldi to retain his light-heavyweight title. Reporter Jesse Abramson referred to Moore as a “ring antique” in that 1961 fight.

Now we have Hopkins, at the age of 48, having things pretty much all his own way against a tough but surpsingly subdued Tavoris Cloud to capture the IBF light-heavy title.

Hopkins, having becoming the oldest fighter in history to win a major world title by defeating Jean Pascal for the WBC title at the age of 46, has now beaten his own record.

Cloud was the slight betting favourite but proved to be a woeful disappointment to his backers. Watching Cloud’s cautious advance made me think of a strong young fellow from a rural area arriving in one of the tougher neighbourhoods of a big city, eyeing the locals and thinking to himself: “I’ve got to tread carefully here.” That, to me, was Cloud’s approach to this fight: I’ve got to tread carefully — and that’s not the way to beat a strategic master such as Hopkins. (more…)

Martinez focused on defeating Cruz

Mexico’s Aalan Martinez (14-1-1, 10 KOs) is a days away from the biggest opportunity of his career and a chance to jump up dramatically in the ranks as he squares off with the WBO’s #2 ranked featherweight in the world Orlando Cruz (19-2-1, 9 KOs). The 12 round contest is scheduled to be the main event of a Telemundo telecast, from the Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida.

The undertone of this fight will be the WBO Latino featherweight title on the line as well as the Puerto Rico-Mexico rivalry, which is one of the richest rivalries in all of boxing. (more…)

Jhonny Gonzalez returns April 27

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Former two-division world champion Jhonny Gonzalez will return at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City on April 27 in a mega event billed as “Mexico vs Japan” presented by Promociones del Pueblo and broadcast in Mexico by Televisa. Gonzalez (53-8, 45 KOs) will face Shota Hagashi (18-5, 11 KOs) by the WBC USNBC championship. Also former WBC female world champion Mariana Juarez (36-6-3, 16 KOS) will face Riyo Togo (9-4-1, 8 KOs) in a WBC eliminator, super featherweight prospect Dante “Crazy” Jardon (22-3, 18 KOs) will face Akinori Kanai (25-7 22 KOs), and unbeaten super bantamweight prospect Rey Vargas (13-0, 12 KOs) will face Seizo Kono (13-4-1, 8 KOs) for the WBC international title.