Lara stuns Soto in two

Photos: All Star Boxing

In a shocker, WBC CABOFE titleholder Ulises “El Ratoncito” Lara (13-12-2, 7 KOs) scored a second round KO against WBO #4/WBA #3 flyweight Omar “El Lobito” Soto (23-10-2, 15 KOs) on Friday night at the Foro Polanco in Mexico City. Lara dropped Soto three times in round two to claim the Mexican domestic flyweight title.

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Gradovich wins IBF featherweight crown

Ringside Results by Scott Ploof
Photo: Emily Harney

Unbeaten Evgeny Gradovich (16-0, 8 KOs) dethroned IBF featherweight champion Billy Dib (35-2, 21 KOs) by twelve round split decision on Friday night at the MGM Grand Theater located in the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut. It was a rugged fight with Dib getting off to a good start, but the relentless pressure of Gradovich began to pay dividends as the fight progressed. Referee Eddie Claudio deducted a point from both fighters in round eight. Gradovich, who took the fight on one-month notice after Cuban Olympian Luis Franco pulled out of the title shot over the size of an ESPN purse, came on strong down the stretch to win by scores of 114-112, 114-112 on two cards. Dib was up 114-112 on the third card.
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NABF junior middleweight title holder Willie Nelson (20-1-1, 12 KO’s) retained his title as he knocked his opponent Michael Medina (26-4-2, 19 KO’s) down twice in the first round, which prompted referee Arthur Mercante to stop the bout. The first knockdown Nelson landed a straight right, and the second came a few seconds later after a huge right hook. Time of the stoppage was 2:00 of the first round. (more…)

Salgado-Mendez still on

As previously reported, the WBC heavyweight eliminator scheduled for March 9 at “The Hangar” in Costa Mesa, California, between Chris Arreola and Bermane Stiverne has been postponed to a later date due to a bronchial infection sustained by Arreola. Goossen Tutor officially announced Friday that the rest of the card remains intact with the IBF junior lightweight championship rematch between Mexican world champion Juan Carlos Salgado (26-1-1, 16 KOs) against #1 contender and mandatory challenger Argenis Mendez (20-2, 10 KOs) of the Dominican Republic moving to the main event. The co-semi-main bouts, will feature twin brothers, Javier and Oscar Molina. HBO Latino will telecast the Salgado-Mendez bout. (more…)

“Canelo” Alvarez arrives in L.A.

By Gabriel F. Cordero

On Friday afternoon, WBC super welterweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and his manager Eddy Reynoso arrived at Los Angeles International Airport and reported that they are ready to resume workouts. Canelo also confirmed his fight against WBA super welterweight champ Austin Trout on April 20 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Abril, Bogere make weight

Richar Abril 134.5 vs. Sharif Bogere 134
(WBA lightweight championship)
Gary Russell Jr. 127 vs. Vyacheslav Gusev 126.5
Jorge Melendez 156.5 vs. Ryan Davis 158
Thomas Williams Jr. 175 vs. Kevin Engel 174.5
Jeffrey Fontanez 134.5 vs. Daniel Attah 135
Luis Arias 166.5 vs. Arsenio Terraza 168
Sammy Vasquez 147.5 vs. Leandro Albornoz 146

Venue: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: Showtime

Daley fights Monday for NABF belt

By Dave Spencer / Fightnews Canada

Undefeated Denton Daley (8-0 5KO) continues his ascent in the cruiserweight ranks in a rare Monday night card at the Ritz Carlton ballroom in Toronto Ontario. The 30 year-old Daley will be competing for his first title belt as he battles veteran former WBA (interim) champion Richard Hall for the vacant NABF title. The four bout card will be the second annual show put on by Bullion Boxing that helps raise money for “Right to Play”, a charity that supports children in third world countries and gives them the chance to enjoy and participate in sports. click here to continue reading

Husband wins but wife loses in Costa Rica

By Robert Coster

Yet another one for the record books. It happened yesterday at the Ricardo Saprissa Stadium in San Jose , Costa Rica. Local boy and former WBA super featherweight champion Bryan “Tiquito” Vasquez (30-1, 16 KOs) made a succesful return to ring action with a one round knockout of Dominican visitor Luis Ernesto Jose (31-11-2, 26 KOs). However, things didn’t turn out so well for his wife, WBO female jr middlweight champion Hana Gabriel (13-1-1, 9 KOs) who, as previously reported, lost her title being shockingly knocked out in just two rounds by unknown 18-year-old challenger Oxandia Castillo (12-0-2, 9 KOs) of the Dominican Republic. Vasquez and Gabriel have been married for over a year and at one point in 2012 both were simultaneously world titleholders. Gabriel is, by the way, the more popular of the two among boxing fans in the Central American nation and was the main event of the card on Thursday.

Boxing back in North Bergen, NJ on April 13

Andre Kut’s KEA Boxing Promotions returns home to North Jersey with a fight card on Saturday night April 13th at Schuetzen Park in North Bergen. KEA Boxing has become known throughout the northeast for putting on exciting shows that have fans yearning for more. New Jersey fans and fighters want Kut back and he has decided to begin 2013 with a splash at Schuetzen Park. Andre Kut’s KEA Boxing, together with Mariusz Kolodziej’s Global Boxing are set to put on a night of boxing featuring some of the best local and international stars in the surrounding region.

Headlining the show will be KEA Boxing’s own undefeated welterweight sensation Juan “The Beast” Rodriguez (10-0, 4 KOs), who is ready to grab the spotlight in the six round contest. (more…)

Mike Mollo talks about fighting in Poland

By Przemek Garczarczyk

Mike Mollo (20-4, 12 KO) whose exciting fight against Poland’s new heavyweight star Artur Szpilka (13-0, 10 KO) beat all the ESPN3 boxing records and made ESPN’s “Top Ten” sports clips, talks about fighting in Poland. “I deserve rematch with Szpilka, everybody knows that. But if Szpilka doesn’t want to fight me again, I will fight Zimnoch, the guy he was supposed to fight after me, but I did make this impossible,” said Mollo, who works in his hometown of Chicago with another Chi-Town legend – former heavyweight contender Danell “Doc” Nicholson.

There is also a possibility that Mollo could fight practically in his backyard – the Chicago White Sox’ Cellular Field stadium. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, there’s strong possibility that on August 16 “The Cell” will be hosting a boxing event – first one in White Sox stadium since Sonny Liston knocked out Floyd Patterson in 1962.

Cayo: I have to beat this guy and look good

Dominican super lightweight Victor “Mermelada” Cayo (31-3, 22 KOs) hopes to log his fifth straight win against Emmanuel “The Tranzforma” Taylor (16-1, 11 KOs) on a March 8 ESPN2 fight at the Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. Once rated as high as #3 in the world, the 28-year-old Cayo lost by KO to Lamont Peterson in July 2011 and then dropped a shock TKO to shopworn former champion Nate Campbell in March 2012.

“I have to beat this guy and look good if I’m going to fight for a world title,” said Cayo. “I have trained like everything I worked for is on the line in this fight and in many ways it is…I have worked my whole life for a shot at a title. I have been very close a couple times and things went wrong. I cannot let Taylor take away my chance for another try. Every fight I fight from now on, I will treat as though it is my world championship fight because if I lose I may never get one. I’m not coming to Atlantic City to do anything but show the world Victor Cayo is one of the world’s best.” (more…)

Flores Stops Sconiers in 1st, Goes to 12-0

Costa Mesa, CA.; Before a sold out Fight Club OC crowd of 1,341, undefeated heavyweight prospect Alexander Flores made short work of his fight with veteran Harold Sconiers, stunning Sconiers late in the first round, and after seven unanswered punches referee Raul Caiz Jr jumped in to put an end to the inevitable at 2:49 of the first round. With the win, Flores, who is promoted by Roy Englebrecht Promotions upped his record to 12-0 and has scored eight straight KO wins. (more…)

Nietes, Fuentes make weight

Report and photo by Dennis Principe

Filipino world light flyweight champion Donnie Ahas Nietes and challenger Moises Fuentes of Mexico easily made the limit of their official weigh-in Friday morning held at the SM mall in Cebu. Both Nietes and Fuentes tallied a fit 108-lbs, signifying that this 12-round title fight would be a battle between two superbly conditioned fighter.

According to Nietes, he is not bothered by nearly two-inch height advantage of Fuentes, noting that his last opponent Felipe Salguero also from Mexico was even taller than his latest challenger. Fuentes on the other hand was more cautious with his statement but has guaranteed he is here to snatch the title away from Nietes. (more…)

Andre Ward back in the gym

Super middleweight champion Andre Ward hit an important milestone in his recovery from shoulder surgery yesterday, making his return to his boxing gym. Ward has been doing intensive physical therapy three times a week to get his shoulder back in to fighting shape, and he is happy with his progress and thrilled to get back in to the gym. “It was amazing to be able to say that I was going to a boxing gym and not physical therapy. I just have to respect the markers I’ve been given from the doctor; I couldn’t go crazy. That’s where I have to be careful,” Ward said. “I felt great, I felt fast, and my wind felt great. It was an amazing feeling to be able to work out in my gym.”

Ward received clearance from his physical therapist and his doctor to return to the boxing gym and start shadowboxing and cardio exercise on Thursday. “I definitely had to hold myself back. I could throw my right arm but I can’t over do it. Each week I can do more and more, but I have to respect the markers that my doctor set. In next couple months, I’ll be cleared to do everything, but for now I have to respect the boundaries that are in place.” (more…)

Abril-Bogere Erupts at Final Presser

By Andreas Hale
Photos: Mary Ann Owen/Boxinginlasvegas.com

On Saturday night at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, Richard “The Tiger” Abril and Sharif “The Lion” Bogere will let their fists fly in an effort to prove who is the king of boxing’s four sided jungle. But on Thursday it was their respective trainers that set off fireworks. When Bogere (23-0, 15 KOs) took to the podium, it was all pleasantries as the Ugandan fighter spoke with the usual bravado.

“On Saturday night, I’m going to take care of business,” Bogere said. “I’m 100 percent prepared and ready to go. On Saturday, I’ll become champion of the world.”

It was your usual peaceful press conference until Bogere’s trainer Ken Adams became seemingly annoyed when Richard Abril took to the podium. There were no signs of either side having animosity towards the other but something set Adams off and he launched into a tirade that caught everyone by surprise. (more…)

Rubio returns against Upshaw March 23

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Former world title challenger Marco Antonio “Veneno” Rubio (56-6-1, 49 KOs) will face Floridian Marcus Upshaw (15-8-2, 7 KOs) on March 23 at the Palenque de Uruapan vying for the WBC middleweight Continental Americas belt headlining an event presented by Promociones del Pueblo and broadcast in Mexico by Televisa. Rubio is training in Oxnard, California with renowned trainer Robert Garcia. “I’ll get the victory and take a step closer to a title fight with “Maravillita” or whoever,” says Rubio.

SES Boxing inks two Americans

WBO/WIBF female flyweight champion Melissa McMorrow (8-3-3, 1 KOs) has signed with the SES boxing stable in Magdeburg, Germany. McMorrow, who lives in San Francisco, is in great demand since dethroning Susi Kentikian in May 2012 in Frankfurt (Oder). Most recently, she successfully defended her WBO title against Yahaira Martinez in Kissimmee, Florida. On March 23 McMorrow will be back on the German boxing stage on the undercard of the rematch between Arthur Abraham and Robert Stieglitz. “Germany has brought me good luck. This is a great country for my career,” said Melissa.

SES has also signed another American in super middleweight Dario Bredicean. German heavyweight icon Axel Schulz discovered Bredicean in Florida and brought him back to Germany where he will make his pro debut in Potsdam on Saturday on the card headlined by Ramona Kühne.

Castillo dethrones Hanna Gabriel

By Gabriel F. Cordero

18-year-old Dominican challenger Oxandia “La Loba” Castillo (12-0-2, 9 KOs) claimed the WBO female super welterweight crown on Thursday night with a second round TKO over previously unbeaten Costa Rican champion Hanna Gabriel (13-1-1, 9 KOs). A huge right hand left Gabriel wobbly and unable to continue, stunning the partisan crowd at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in San Jose, Costa Rica. Gabriel, a huge star in Costa Rica, was returning to the ring after nearly 14 months of inactivity due to back surgery.

Boxing Buzz

“I expect the crowd to be on my side,” says Robert Guerrero on his May 4 showdown with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. “There are so many fans who want to see Floyd lose.” More in the San Jose Mercury News

For the first time in 50 years, boxing will return to Chicago’s White Sox ballpark on August 16. More in the Chicago Sun-Times

Brian Viloria (32-3, 19 Kos) will defend his WBO and WBA flyweight titles April 6 on the Top Rank Macau, China card. Viloria takes on Juan Francisco Estrada (22-2, 18 Kos.)

San Antonio, Texas, is already gearing up for the April 20 showdown between Austin Trout and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. More

Weights from Mexico City

Omar Soto 111 vs. Ulises Lara 112
(Mexican flyweight title)
Carlos Barraza 112 vs. Jesus Flores 110
Pedro Melo 116 vs. Gabriel Aguillon 117
Omar Gonzalez 124 vs. Oscar Gonzalez 126
Jose Zuniga 139 vs. Pablo Arias 138
Nancy Vazquez 116 vs. Guadalupe Guzman 117

Venue: Foro Polanco, Mexico DF, Mexico
Promoter: All Star Boxing, Inc., “The New Generation” & Felix “Tuto” Zabala, Jr., in association with Producciones Deportivas and RB Producciones.
TV: Telemundo

Dib, Gradovich make weight

Billy Dib 125 vs. Evgeny Gradovich 125
(IBF Featherweight Championship)
Willie Nelson 152 vs. Michael Medina 154
(NABF super welterweight title)
Ryan Kielczweski 127 vs. Gil Garcia 129
Luis Rosa Jr. 124 vs. Jhovany Collado 123
Luis Oliveras 140 vs. Rafael Munoz 140
Shelly Vincent 124 vs. Mikayla Nevel 122
Jimmy Williams 146 vs. Raynard Younger 147

Venue: MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods, Ledyard, CT
Promoter: SMS Promotions and DiBella Entertainment
TV: ESPN2

Macau supercard to be televised on HBO2

U.S. boxing fans will be able to witness the premiere of world championship boxing in Macau with Zou Shiming: Fists of Gold, featuring two world title fights and the professional debut of the Peoples Republic of China’s two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and three-time World Amateur Champion Zou Shiming. This brilliant event will be televised to the U.S. on Saturday, April 6, beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO2. Calling the action from ringside from the CotaiArena, The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel will be broadcasting icons Tim Ryan and Larry Merchant and two-time heavyweight champion Big George Foreman.

The telecast will also feature two-time WBO junior lightweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez defending his title against undefeated #1 contender Diego Magdaleno and WBA/WBO flyweight champion Brian “hawaiian Punch” Viloria defending his unified titles against Top-10- contender Juan Francisco Estrada.

“We are delighted that HBO recognizes as we do the historic nature of the Macau event and is making it available on a same-day basis to its subscribers on HBO 2,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. (more…)

MacKinnon upsets world rated Flanagan

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

New Zealand light heavyweight Daniel MacKinnon (21-6-1, 9 KOs) outpointed WBO #15 Mark Flanagan (11-4,6KOs) by split decision over twelve rounds at the Greek Club, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on Thursday. Scores Phil Austin 116-111, Cyril Cairns 111-115 and Allan Burford 116-111. The Kiwi 175 pounder displayed good skills to outwork the bigger Australian opponent in most of the rounds. (MacKinnon dropped a decision the current IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale in 2009.) (more…)

Khan-Diaz quotes

Below are quotes from the official press release announcing the April 27 fight at Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, England between British superstar Amir “King” Khan and former world champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz, which will be fought at a 143 pound catch-weight.

Amir Khan: Julio Diaz is a former world champion and a very dangerous opponent who is coming off of an impressive performance in his last fight. I know he will be coming with guns blazing and I’m ready for whatever he has to throw at me. With my speed and boxing skills, and his power and experience, it makes for a really exciting matchup. He may have other ideas but I’m adamant that my return to the British shores is going to be a very successful one.”

Julio Diaz: “I’m not going to England for the fight to go to the scorecards. I’m fighting for the knockout. I know the knockout is the only thing that will get me the win, so I’m training extra hard already in order to get a victory on Khan’s home turf. I’m a heavy hitter and he can’t take a punch, so to me, that is the perfect combination.”

Chavez Jr. fined and suspended by NSAC

Photo: Robert Hughes

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has suspended Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for nine months and fined him $900,000 for testing positive for marijuana after his fight with Sergio Martinez in September. The commission members grilled Chavez, who was speaking by telephone from Mexico due to visa problems, before deciding on the punishment. The suspension is retroactive to September, when he fought Martinez, so Junior is out until June 15. The fine is 30% of his $3 million purse. He must also test clean before his next fight.

Branco Jr. keeps EU title

Last Friday night in Montalto di Castro, Italy OPI 2000 (Salvatore and Christian Cherchi) promoted their first show of the year. In the main event former 2 time European champion and world title challenger Gianluca Branco (47-3-1, 23 KOs) keep his European Union welterweight title by unanimous decision against Polish Lukasz Maciec (17-2-1, 3 KOs). On the undercard undefeated middleweight Emanuele Blandamura (19-0, 5 KOs) won by TKO (cut) in round 4 against Zoltan Surman (13-10-1, 6 KOs), former WBC female flyweight champion and IBF female super flyweight champion Simona Galassi (18-2-1, 4 KOs) defeated in round 2 overmatched Gabriella Vicze and lightweight Carel Sandon (15-1, 5 KOs) after almost 2 years layoff won a six round decision against Zoltan Horvath. Sportitalia televised the show live in Italy.