Giant Boxing Buzz

50-year-old German heavyweight Andreas Sidon (41-11, 34 KOs) avenged a 2009 loss to Sheldon Hinton (11-9-1, 4 KOs) by knocking out Hinton in the third round last Saturday night at the Hessenhalle in Giessen, Germany. Sidon defended his WBU world heavyweight championship belt. There is talk of a rubber match.

On the same card, world rated heavyweight Mark de Mori (21-1-2, 19 KOs) won when journeyman Jonathan Pasi (22-27-2, 8 KOs) called it quits after round four citing an injury.

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Legendary trainer Fritz Sdunek is now training unbeaten jr middleweight Jack Culcay (14-0, 10 KOs). The 65-year Sdunek also trains WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko. Culcay will defend his WBA Intercontinental title against Guido Nicolas Pitto (17-1, 7 KO’s) on April 27at the Sporthalle Hamburg.

Former WBO light heavyweight Champion Jürgen Brähmer (39-2, 30 KO’s) defends his Euro belt against Tony Averlant (18-7-2, 4 KOs) in the main event. Also light heavyweight Dustin Dirks (27-0, 20 KOs) faces Oleksandr Cherviak (10-2-1, 3 KOs).

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Middleweight Marcos Nader (16-0-1, 2 KOs) faces Roberto Santos (18-6-3, 10 KOs) in a rematch Saturday for the Spaniard’s EU crown. Back in November of last year, their first clash ended in a draw. The fight takes place at the Multiversum in Schwechat, Austria.

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In the 33 year history of the 115lb super flyweight division, Britain is yet to produce a world champion. However, Paul Butler could be the man to break the mold. A two-time national junior champion and 2010 ABA flyweight king, the 24-year-old has raced to 10 straight wins in the paid ranks and looked devastating when blowing away John Donnelly inside a round to win the British title last November. He’ll be seeking to add the Commonwealth belt when he challenges Nigerian Yaqub Kareem on the April 20 Wembley Arena card headlined by WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly vs. mandatory challenger Robin Krasniqi.

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This past Thursday, the state of the art McGirt Training Facility had its grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony. The main trainer will be former world champion James “Buddy” McGirt, who will train not only professionals but some of the best amateurs in the country. The McGirt Training Facility is an extension of the Elite Heat Boxing Gym that is located at 75 Franklin Avenue in Nutley, New Jersey. (Photo: Tom Casino)

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Following his debacle in the Prizefighter Heavyweight tournament in February, “Die Deutsche Eiche” Timo Hoffmann (40-8-2, 23 KOs) returns on May 11 to face Alexander Petkovic (46-4-4, 25 KOs) at the Ufgauhalle in Karlsruhe, Germany. The bout will be for the GBU heavyweight title.

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Looks like the next installment of the Prizefighter tournament will be in the cruiserweight division on May 18th at York Hall in London. One name mentioned as being in the lineup is 7-7 Hari Miles.

McCall fighting while under medical suspension

Former WBC heavyweight champion Oliver McCall (56-12, 37 KOs) is scheduled to face Polish heavyweight Krzysztof Zimnoch (14-0, 11 KOs) in Poland on May 18, despite the fact that McCall is currently on indefinite suspension from the Mohegan Sun Athletic Commission and can’t fight in the United States.

Greg Sirb, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission and former Association of Boxing Commissions President has informed Polish officials, but as of now the fight is going on as planned. This will be the second time McCall, who turns 48 later this month, has fought in Europe where U.S. suspensions are not honored.

In contrast, there had been a request for heavyweight Mariusz Wach to fight at the Mohegan Sun on April 26, however Michael Mazzulli, Director of the Mohegan Tribe’s Department of Athletic Regulation, declined that request due to Wach’s current suspension in Germany.

Weights from Tijuana

Weights and photo by Felipe Leon

Kenia Enriquez 114 vs. Rosa Diaz 114
Victor Ruiz 111 vs. Sergio Frias 114
Leon Spinks III 134.5 vs. Leobardo Laguna 134.5
Julio Castillo 120 vs. Jose Pech 120
Alvaro Aguilar 151 vs. Alejandro Alonso 143
Erick Martinez 129 vs. Antonio Villa 129
Brenda Flores 116 vs. Laura Gomez ***
Roberto Ramirez 135 vs. Julio Paz 135
Alejandro Santiago 112 vs. Pablo Lopez 113
Jorge De Alba 124.5 vs. Diego Enriquez 126
Jose Torres 151 vs. Edgar Galvan ***

***Will weigh-in day of fight

When: Wednesday, April 10th
Promoter: Mayen Promotions
Venue: Las Pulgas Nightclub

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Boxing back in Tijuana tonight

By Felipe Leon

The relentless Guillermo Mayen of Mayen Promotions is at it again with an attractive top to bottom endless fight card tonight at the new home for Tijuana club fights, Las Pulgas night club, located in the heart of the legendary Avenida Revolucion in downtown Tijuana, Mexico. In the main event, the popular undefeated rookie sensation Kenia Enriquez (5-0, 2KOs) takes on her toughest test yet when she faces fellow unbeaten Rosa “Vaquerita” Diaz (4-0, 3KO) of Agua Prieta, Mexico, in a flyweight six. (more…)

Donaire-Rigondeaux Conference Call Transcript

FRED STERNBURG: This is Top Rank’s fourth great boxing event in the span of five weeks. This Saturday it’s 2012 Fighter of the Year and WBO junior featherweight champn Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire taking on undefeated WBA Super Bantamweight Champion and former two-time Cuban Olympic Gold Medalist Guillermo “El Chacol” Rigondeaux in one of the most anticipated fights in many years in a terrific title unification bout for the 122 lb. title.

BOB ARUM: Thank you. If I talk in Mandarin, will there be anyone to translate? Anyway, it’s good to be back in the United States and good to be back in my native New York and it’s even better that on Saturday we have a classic match-up to present at Radio City Music Hall. The buzz for this fight has been absolutely tremendous and in the next couple of days we will be able to announce a complete sellout. We have been inundated with requests for tickets. I know that many of the New York Knicks players, who are off on Saturday night will be coming to the fight as well as many of the players from the New York Football Giants. The entire community, and sports community, is focusing on this particular battle which takes place at Radio City Music Hall between Nonito Donaire and Guillermo Rigondeaux. So it’s a real pleasure and honor for us to promote this event and I also want to take this opportunity to welcome our co-promoters Caribe Promotions, who are co-promoting this event with Top Rank. (more…)

Boxing Buzz

Former middleweight world title contender John Duddy is making the transition from ring to stage, Madison Square Garden to Broadway . . . More

Is it time for boxing to get serious about fighting PEDs? Nonito Donaire thinks so . . . More.  Speaking of the “Filipino Flash,” Donaire foresees a tactical fight Saturday night against Guillermo Rigondeaux. More

Hosono arrives in Jakarta for John

Report and photo by Brett Bonetti

Satoshi “Bazooka” Hosono (23-2, 17 KOs) has arrived in Jakarta ahead of his world title opportunity with WBA World Featherweight Champion Chris “The Dragon” John (48-0-2, 22 KOs) this Sunday at the Senayan Indoor Tennis Stadium. The “Bazooka” says he has the power to stop Chris John and hand the Dragon his first professional loss. “This is my third time of challenging for a world title and I’m very determined to win the WBA title this time,” Hosono said. Hosono’s only two defeats came in his world title fights when he lost to Celestino Caballero by unanimous decision and a close Majority points decision loss to Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym. “I am a big puncher and Chris John will struggle with my power when I fight him this Sunday,”

Hosono said. Chris John, The WBA Fighter of the Decade will be defending his title for an incredible 18th time on this Dragon Fire Promotions event. (more…)

Fury-Cunningham undercard

Before Tyson Fury and Steve Cunningham go at it in the heavyweight showdown of the year on NBC network television, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in the afternoon of April 20th, a five bout undercard has been announced, topped by the previously announced eight-round middleweight clash between all-action Curtis “Showtime” Stevens (23-3, 17 KOs) and Derrick “Superman” Findley (20-9, 13 KOs).

Undefeated lightweight Karl “Dynamite” Dargan (12-0, 6 KOs) is in a six-rounder against journeyman Sergi Ganjelashvili (4-5-1, 0 KOs).

6’6 heavyweight Hughie Fury, the cousin of main eventer Tyson Fury, will make his American debut in a 4-round fight. His opponent has not yet been confirmed

Undefeated Brooklyn-based but Poland-born heavyweight Adam Kownacki (4-0, 4 KOs) takes on Calbert Lewis (0-2) in a 4 round preliminary bout.

Cruiserweights Sevdail “The Illyrian” Sherifi (9-1-2, 8 KOs) and Josh “The Juice” Harris, (8-6-1, 6 KOs) will clash in a six-rounder.

Belmontes opponent named

Before former World Champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz steps into the ring for his highly-anticipated comeback fight against Pipino Cuevas Jr. on Saturday, fans at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas will be treated to a full slate of undercard action featuring local junior lightweight prospect Jerry Belmontes (17-1, 5 KOs) in an eight round bout against former bantamweight title challenger Daniel Diaz (19-4-1, 14 KOs) in the evening’s co-main event that will be televised on FOX Sports and FOX Deportes.

“The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes looks to bounce back from the lone loss of his career against Eric Hunter last December. Diaz is moving up to 130 pounds for the first time. (more…)

Mosley-Cano Mexico City Presser

By Gabriel F. Cordero
Photos: Pepe Rodriguez & Alma Montiel

On Tuesday in Mexico City, the official kickoff press conference for the bout between former three-division world champion and future Hall of Famer Sugar Shane Mosley (46-8-1, 39 KOs) and Mexican warrior Pablo Cesar Cano (25-2-1, 19 KOs). They will collide May 18 in a ten round welterweight bout at the Grand Oasis in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions along with Cancun Boxing and will be broadcast live in the USA by FOX Sports and in Mexico by Televisa. more photos

Donaire, Rigondeaux conference call quotes

WBO jr featherweight champion Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire, undefeated WBA super bantamweight champion and former two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Guillermo “el Chacal” Rigondeaux and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum hosted an international media conference call on Tuesday, discussing their upcoming world title unification battle which will take place Saturday in New York’s Radio City Music Hall.

Bob Arum: The buzz for this fight has been absolutely tremendous. In the next couple of days we’ll be able to announce a complete sellout of the Radio City Music Hall venue.

Nonito Donaire: It’s going to be an excellent fight. May the best man win, of course. I owe New York a good fight (his last fight in NYC was against Omar Narvaez) and I want to make this a good fight!

Guillermo Rigondeaux: In this fight I will try to engage more than I have in the past. I want to give the fans what they want to see. He’s an aggressive boxer. I will be very aggressive and I’m coming for him.

Rigondeaux media day

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Undefeated WBA World Super Bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux hits the mitts during a jam-packed media day in New York City Tuesday for his upcoming world championship battle against 2012 Fighter of the Year and WBO World Jr. Featherweight champion Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire , Saturday, April 13 at the historic Radio City Music Hall in New York City and televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Caribe Promotions, Tecate and Madison Square Garden, tickets priced at $300, $150, $75 and $35, are available for purchase at the Radio City Music Hall Box Office, Madison Square Garden Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com, www.radiocity.com and www.thegarden.com. more photos

Donaire media day

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

2012 Fighter of the Year and WBO World Jr. Featherweight champion Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire shadow boxes during a jam-packed media day in New York City Tuesday for his upcoming world championship battle against undefeated WBA World Super Bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux , Saturday, April 13 at the historic Radio City Music Hall in New York City and televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Caribe Promotions, Tecate and Madison Square Garden, tickets priced at $300, $150, $75 and $35, are available for purchase at the Radio City Music Hall Box Office, Madison Square Garden Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com, www.radiocity.com and www.thegarden.com.

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Ramirez outpoints Gomez

By Felipe Leon
Photos: Renzo Novara

With a modest but rowdy crowd of about 400, new Tijuana promoter Maya Batel put on their first professional boxing fight card last night at the historic El Foro Theatre located on Revolution Avenue. With a cast of mostly first timers who were looking for their first wins, no real drama was present during the quick night with many of the bouts ending early. One fight that didn’t was the lightweight four round main event between Tijuana’s Daniel “Huracan” Ramirez (6-0, 3KOs) with a widely scored unanimous decision over the game Martin “Zurdo” Gomez (0-2) of Guadalajara, Mexico. (more…)

Yamanaka-Tunacao: Full Report

Report by Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten WBC bantam champ, hard-hitting Japanese southpaw Shinsuke Yamanaka (18-0, 13 KOs), 118, beautifully kept his title as he finally caught ex-WBC flyweight ruler Malcolm Tunacao (32-3-3, 20 KOs), 117.5, a Japan-based Filipino lefty, and dropped him for the third time to have the referee halt the affair at 1:57 of the twelfth and final round on Monday in Tokyo, Japan.

Yamanaka, making his third defense, quickly decked Tunacao with a sharp short southpaw left and dropped him again with quick follow-up combinations midway in round three. After the fourth, the open scoring system announced that the champ was widely leading on points: 40-35, 39-36 and 38-36. But it—ironically—didn’t become an easy fight for the champ. (more…)

Porpramook-Perez for WBA interim fly belt

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Former WBA world champion Jean Piero Perez (20-5-1, 14 KOs) will face former WBC world champion Kompayak Porpramook (49-4, 34 KOs) the WBA interim flyweight world title in Khon Kaen, Thailand on April 26 or May 8. The WBA interim title is currently vacant. The regular champion is Juan Carlos Reveco and the super champion is Juan Francisco Estrada.

Q&A: Timur Shailezov

By Jeff Zimmerman

Well traveled Timur Shailezov (16-6-1, 3 KOs) fights for the first time in the United States when he takes on former U.S. Olympian Luis Yanez (6-0-1, 1 KO) for the WBC U.S. Super Flyweight Championship on April 19th at the Cendera Center in Fort Worth, Texas. This will be the main event of former World Champion Paulie Ayala’s Friday Night Fight Series.

Although Shailezov may not be a household name, he has a track record of fighting top talent on their home turf and has been quite successful. He has picked up a myriad of titles along the way including the NABA bantamweight championship, NABA super-flyweight championship, WBA intercontinental super-flyweight championship and Russian bantamweight championship. Fightnews caught up with Timur to discuss his upcoming fight and his plans for the future. (more…)

Peterson-Matthysse a non-title bout

No world titles will be on the line when IBF junior welterweight champion Lamont Peterson (31-1-1, 16 KOs) faces WBC interim junior welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse (33-2, 31 KOs) on May 18 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The bout will be fought at a 141 lb. catch weight, one pound over the division limit.

In the co-feature, IBF welterweight title will be on the line when reigning champion Devon Alexander “The Great” (24-1, 13 KOs) defends against undefeated #1 contender Kell “The Special One” Brook (29-0, 19 KOs).

Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25 go on sale on Wednesday at noon ET and will be available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Jean-Pendarvis at Buffalo Run Casino in Oklahoma

The 12-round IBF eliminator clash between undefeated IBF #3-ranked Dierry “Dougy Style” Jean (24-0, 16 KOs) and IBF #7-rated southpaw Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis (17-3-2, 6 KOs) will take place on May 10 at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma. The Showtime-televised bout will be for the mandatory #1 spot at 140 lbs and the right to face the winner of the upcoming Lamont Peterson vs. Lucas Matthysse world title fight on May 18 in Atlantic City. In his most recent fight, NABF champion Jean stopped Mexican Juan Jesus Rivera in the second round last February in Gatineau, Québec. Pendarvis was last seen beating long-time top contender Michael Clark by five-round technical decision last December in Los Angeles.

In the televised co-feature, undefeated middleweight John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson (11-0, 4 KOs) will face fellow undefeated Taureano Johnson (14-0, 10 KOs) in an eight-rounder between up-and-coming prospects. (more…)

8th bout added: Biggest Fight Club OC show ever

Heavyweight prospect Jonathan Hamm has been added to this Thursday’s Fight Club OC Show, and this new bout will now make Thursday’s show the biggest Fight Club OC show in its short three year history in The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center, with eight pro bouts for fans in attendance. Hamm, who is promoted by King Sports Enterprises, will face Alabama’s Kevin Howard, and Hamm will be looking for his 6th pro win against only one loss.

Plus, with Thursday’s temperature to be close to 80 degrees, the Fight Club OC Cigar Lounge will be open for business and the smoking lamp will be lit. Happy Hour starts at 5:30pm in Baja Blues right next to The Hangar, with Hangar doors opening at 6:30pm and the first bout at 7:30pm. All tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at www.fightcluboc.com.

Soto Karass begins gearing up for Berto

By Miguel Maravilla

Jesus “El Renuente” Soto-Karass (27-8-3, 17 KOs) of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico has begun his preparations for his summer showdown this July against former welterweight champion Andre Berto (28-2, 22 KOs). Soto-Karass is in the opening phases of training as he will begin at the Ponce de Leon Boxing gym in Montebello, California before heading over to the high altitude mountain community of Big Bear, California to resume his training.

“We have begun our preparation for our next fight against Berto. Right now we’re working on all the basic stuff here in the gym, strength and conditioning. Then come May we’ll head out to Big Bear to hopefully train for about 8 weeks,” Soto Karass said. (more…)

Donaire NY workout

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

2012 Fighter of the Year and WBO World Jr. Featherweight champion Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire shadow boxes during an intense training session in New York City Monday night to prepare for his upcoming world championship battle against undefeated WBA World Super Bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux, Saturday, April 13 at the historic Radio City Music Hall in New York City and televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Caribe Promotions, Tecate and Madison Square Garden, tickets priced at $300, $150, $75 and $35, are available for purchase at the Radio City Music Hall Box Office, Madison Square Garden Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com, www.radiocity.com and www.thegarden.com. more photos