Hopkins says he’ll shut down DKP

By Karl Freitag

Former two-division world champion Bernard Hopkins said today on a conference call that when he dethrones IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud on March 9 in Brooklyn, Hall of Fame promoter Don King will have no more notable fighters in his stable and King will have to shut down his famed promotional company. “Who ever thought that Bernard Hopkins, out of anybody, not the mob, not the street people, not the fighters who have threatened him over the years, not the other promoters, all the other people Don King faced, he can tell you better than I can, whoever thought that it would be ME that would shut him down?” asked Hopkins. He advised longtime DKP employees to start looking for another job.

King responded, “Listen, my company has been here for 45 years. I’m helping Tavoris, and Tavoris is dedicated and committed to helping himself. You do not have to run out and find anyone to go out and give me whatever they do at other companies. When I get where I can tell my side of the story indicatively with backup, everyone will want to emulate and imitate. You’ve got to be able to understand that I’m working because America gave me the opportunity to work. I love this country, I love what it stands for and we’re going to make what it stands for come back. My company will not be out of business if Tavoris does anything…”

Cloud indicated King has nothing to worry about from the 48-year-old Hopkins. “I don’t think any fighter can stay young forever no matter how hard they try and it’s evident that he’s slowed down in the last couple years, he’s definitely slowing down.”

50 Cent-Lou DiBella Press Conference Quick Quotes

By Matt Richardson
Photos: Thomas Casulli

50 Cent: To bring that energy back to boxing is exciting for me to be a part of. There are new things we can inject to make it interesting and I look forward to it. This is the first event I’ve been involved in for the entire process.

Billy Dib: March 1st is going to be a great event. This is my second coming now. I’m a completely different fighter and I’m a completely different animal and when the bell rings you’re going to see that.

Lou DiBella: We’re not doing this to make money. We’re doing this to give the public the chance to see boxing at an affordable price and to give Billy Dib exposure.

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Berto parts with long-time trainer Tony Morgan

Former two-time World Champion Andre Berto (Winter Haven, Fla.) has chosen to part ways with his long-time trainer Tony Morgan, ending a nearly 20-year partnership that resulted in two world titles and a berth on the 2004 Haitian Olympic Team. The 29-year-old Berto has worked with Morgan since his time as a young amateur in central Floria, but has made the very difficult decision to move in another direction in his training. “Tony and I had a great ride together from the amateurs to two professional world championships, and he will always be a very important person in my life,” Berto said. “He taught me a lot and I am grateful to him for that, but this is a decision I had to make at this point in my career.”

Berto is currently in the process of selecting a new trainer to guide him as he and team identify a timeframe for his next fight. He is currently residing in the Los Angeles area and looks forward to stepping back in to the ring and entertaining his fans with the unique blend of excitement and explosive power that he became famous for earlier in his career. (more…)

Kuehne-Dos Santos Presser

Photos: Team SES

WBO/WIBF/WBF super featherweight Champion Ramona Kühne (19-1, 6 KOs) will defend her belts against Halanna Dos Santos (14-4, 9 KOs) on Saturday at the MBS Arena in Potsdam, Germany. Below are quotes from the press conference at the Congress Hotel Potsdam:

Ramona Kühne: “Obviously I’m a little excited, but there is this special rush. After a long injury lay-off, it can’t happen quickly enough. I wish today was Saturday. Dos Santos is tall, but not quite as much as I would have thought or how she acted in the videos. She has a high knockout ratio, but with my good defense I’m not too worried. (more…)

Chambers offers to step in for Arreola

In the wake of Cristobal Arreola’s withdrawl from the March 9th HBO show, Eddie Chambers (36-3, 18 KOs) has offered to step up to fight Bermane Stiverne (22-1-1, 20 KOs). Chambers has been in the gym and says he is ready to take Stiverne on. “I am always in the gym,” Chambers said. “I was training anyway. It would be very easy for me to take the March 9th fight against Stiverne. I think this is a great opportunity, just too good to pass up.”

WBA calls purse bid for Malignaggi-Chaves

By Gabriel F. Cordero

The WBA Championships Committee has made a call for a purse bid for the mandatory fight between WBA regular welterweight champion Paul Malignaggi and Argentinian interim titleholder Diego Chaves. The minimum bid will be $150,000 with the purse distributed 75% to the champion and 25% for the interim titlist. The purse bid will take place on March 11 at WBA Headquarters in Panama. WBA Executive Vice President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza will preside.

Guzman-Mosquera to meet May 31

Acquinity Sports has announced that an agreement has been reached regarding an “interim” WBA super lightweight title fight, featuring a pair of past world champions, Joan “Little Tyson and Vincente “El Loco” Mosquera, tentatively scheduled for May 31 at a venue to be determined. Guzman (33-1-1, 20 KOs), a 1996 Dominican Republic Olympian now living in Miami, suffered his first loss as a professional this past November, dropping an eighth-round technical decision to Khabib Allakhverdiev for the WBA championship (Danny Garcia is the WBA Super 140-pound champion). Guzman suffered a knee injury when he was tossed to the canvas, leading to the fight being halted by the referee Luis Pabon. Guzman’s promoter, Acquinity Sports, requested an immediate rematch with Allakhverdiev, based on the mishandling of the event by Pabon. Instead, the WBA granted an interim title fight between WBA #5 Guzman and WBA #9 Mosquera, and the winner earning a regular WBA title shot with Allakhverdiev.

Canelo-Trout in doubt

WBC super welterweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez says he may not fight on the May 4 Mayweather-Guerrero card in Las Vegas if Mayweather doesn’t sign to face him on September 14th. “We are waiting for the signing of Mayweather, and if he doesn’t, I won’t fight May 4 on his card,” Canelo said Tuesday night on Mexican network Televisa. Canelo said he and his representatives Jose and Edison Reynoso will arrive in Los Angeles on Thursday to resolve the issue. If Mayweather won’t sign, Canelo says he might fight on April 20 or another date. He plans to start training for his next fight, whenever and wherever it ends up, in Santa Monica, California on Friday.

Cotto says he’ll have three more fights

32-year-old future Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto says he will have three more fights, then retire from boxing and devote himself to his children. As far as future plans, he has a rematch clause with Austin Trout if he chooses to exercise it.

Amir Khan will face Julio Diaz next

Former jr welterweight world champion Amir Khan (27-3, 19 KOs) will next face former lightweight champ Julio Diaz (40-7-1, 29 KOs) on April 27 in at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, England. Also featured will be the pro debut of Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo. It will be Khan’s first fight in the UK in two years after four straight fights in the USA.

Maloney says ‘no regrets’ to taking Thompson fight

Miyao keeps WBA Female 102lb Belt

Report by Joe Koizumi
Photos by Boxing Beat

In a contest ballyhooed as “Battle of Beauties”, newly crowned WBA light-minimumweight champ Ayaka Miyao (10-1, 1 KO), 99.75, kept her belt as he floored grudge rival Masae Akitaya (8-4-2, 3 KOs), 101.75, in the sixth session and pounded out a unanimous decision (98-91, 98-92, 96-93) over ten give-and-take rounds on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. The pretty girls kept swapping hot and fast rallies all night, but Miyao proved a little more accurate in catching the moving target. Miyao, who had dethroned Mari Ando in her previous bout, may respond to the ex-champ’s demand of a rematch in the next defense. (more…)

Reveco keeps WBA 112lb belt

By Joe Koizumi

Short but swift Juan Carlos Reveco (30-1, 16 KOs), 112, Argentina, kept his WBA flyweight belt as he pounded out a unanimous decision (117-111 twice and 116-112) over taller Japanese Masayuki Kuroda (21-4-2, 13 KOs), 111.75, over twelve lopsided rounds on Wednesday in Kawasaki, Japan. There were no knockdowns, but Reveco was the aggressor all the way. (More to come)

Chavez Jr. may not attend NSAC Meeting

By Gabriel F. Cordero

A source revealed to Fightnews.com that former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr may not attend the Nevada State Athletic Commission hearing scheduled for Thursday, at which sanctions are expected to be made after Junior tested positive for marijuana after his September 2012 fight against Sergio Martinez in Las Vegas. According to the source, Chavez Jr can’t travel because he has no American Visa and instead must “attend” the hearing by telephone to have the opportunity to answer the charges. Top Rank President Todd duBoef and Zanfer Promotions President Fernando Beltran are expected to be present at the hearing.

Chris van Heerden set to defend IBO belt

South Africa’s Chris van Heerden possibly faces the toughest fight of his career when he defends his IBO welterweight belt against Matthew Hatton from Manchester, England at the Sandton Convention Centre near Johannesburg on Saturday night. The 25-year-old Van Heerden from Meyerton, Gauteng who has a record of 18-1-1 with 10 wins inside the distance made his professional debut in September 2006. (more…)

Soto faces Lara this Friday in Mexico City

After a successful season opener last Friday, Boxeo TELEMUNDO Ford returns this Friday, March 1st from Foro Polanco in Mexico City, Mexico. In the main event #4 WBO, #3 WBA flyweight Omar “El Lobito” Soto (23-9-2, 15 KOs) of Hidalgo, Mexico faces WBC CABOFE champion Ulises “El Ratoncito” Lara (12-12-2, 6 KOs) of Mexico City in a clash scheduled for 12 rounds with the National Mexican flyweight title at stake. Also in action is former world title challenger Alejandro “Payasito” Hernandez (24-9-2, 13 KOs) who returns after a year layoff to face compatriot Jesus “Che-Che” Santillan in a bout scheduled for 8 rounds in the jr. featherweight division.

Five mores fights are scheduled, first fight at 8 PM. Telemundo will televise the main event at 11:35 pm. Tickets are already on sale at Foro Polanco and ticketmaster.com.mx Tel 53259000. The show is being presented by Tuto Zabala Jr, All Star Boxing, Inc in association with Producciones Deportivas and RB Producciones.

The Big Three win in Washington

By Sam DiTusa at ringside

Saturday night at the Little Creek Casino in Shelton, Washington, three of the Northwest’s brightest prospects showcased their talents in front of a wild, near sellout crowd in promoter Roy Englebrecht’s inaugural show. Headlining was heavyweight Vince Thompson, who improved to 13-0 with a six round unanimous decision over the very game Geovanni Sarran from Palmdale, California. (more…)

Muriqi opponent named

On March 15th, light heavyweight contender Elvir “The KOsovo Kid” Muriqi (39-5, 24 KOs) returns to the ring when he takes on Paul Vazquez (9-2-1, 3 KOs) in a scheduled eight round bout at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany, New Jersey. In the six round co-feature, John Thompson (10-0, 3 KOs) will take on Calvin Odom in a jr. middleweight bout. Also heavyweight Patrick Farrell (8-1-1, 4 KOs) collides with John Lennox (10-2, 5 KOs). The event is promoted by Vito Mielnicki’s GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions.

Bradley visits ESPN

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Undefeated WBO World Welterweight champion Timothy “The Desert Storm” Bradley Jr. and trainer Joel Diaz make a special guest appearance on “ESPN Nacion” with host David Faitelson at the ESPN studios in downtown Los Angeles Monday. Bradley is in intense preparations 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.

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Boxing Buzz

The Sheffield Telegraph says there’s a good chance that Amir Khan vs. Julio Diaz, pencilled in for April 20 or 27, may land in Sheffield. More

The IBF is back in court, this time, for allegedly taking money from a promoter in return for a fighter’s top ten rating. More

Rapper 50 Cent talks about boxing, drug scandals and Yuriorkis Gamboa with the New York Daily News. More

The Cleveland Plain Dealer takes a look at local hopeful Willie Nelson More

Timothy Bradley interview

By Miguel Maravilla
Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Undefeated WBO welterweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley Jr. (29-0, 12 KOs) held a media workout Tuesday afternoon at the Fortune Gym in Hollywood, California as he prepared for his upcoming title defense against Russia’s Ruslan Provodnikov (22-1, 15 KOs). Bradley vs. Provodnikov will take place Saturday March 16 live on HBO from the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. “Training camp is good, unbelievable, working on the technique. Just trying to sit on my punches, trying to punch harder. My speed is always there. I have been sparring with Omar Figueroa and Dashon Johnson. We are working together good,” Bradley told Fightnews.com. “Figueroa has prepared me very well. He brings so much pressure he is annoying,” Bradley of his sparring partner. (more…)

Acquinity inks Hylon Williams

Photo: Reynaldo Sanchez

Acquinity Sports has inked featherweight prospect Hylon Williams Jr. (16-1, 3 KOs). Acquiity’s Henry Rivalta, along with the lead trainer of the team, German Caicedomade the announcement Monday at Caicedo’s Sports Gym in Miami. “Very quickly we’ll be announcing the début of Hylon Williams under the Acquinity Sports banner. We’re looking for a fight for him and in the coming weeks we’ll have all the information about his next fight.” Rivalta said.

Abril-Bogere WBA Officials

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Referee Russell Mora will be the third man in the ring when Cuban WBA “interim” lightweight champion Richard Abril (17-3, 8 KOs) faces Sharif Bogere (23-0, 15 KOs) for the vacant “regular” lightweight title on Saturday night at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas. The three judges are Chris Wilson (U.S.), Robert Hoyle (U.S.) and Patricia Morse Jarman (U.S.). The fight supervisor is Renzo Bagnariol from Nicaragua.

Claggett headlines in Edmonton

Fast rising Chinese-Canadian welterweight prospect Steve ‘The Dragon’ Claggett (15-1-1, 10 KOs) will fight in his home province of Alberta, Canada for the first time in nearly a year this Saturday, March 2nd when he faces once beaten Alexandre Lepelley (10-1-1, 3 KOs) of France. The bout will take place at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton as the main event of KO Boxing’s “Triple Threat” card. It will mark the 2013 debut for 23-year old Claggett who has spent a year as a permanent fixture at Las Vegas’s renowned Mayweather Boxing Club. (more…)

Freddie Roach: “Bradley is going to run from Ruslan just like he did against Manny.”

Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach and #3 world-rated welterweight contender Ruslan Provodnikov took time out of training camp, at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, to discuss their upcoming challenge of undefeated WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, Jr. “We are having an outstanding camp,” said Roach. “Ruslan has given me everything I have asked for in training. The fact that Ruslan has been Manny Pacquiao’s lead sparring partner his past two camps has given Ruslan an outstanding foundation from which to work. When Manny was preparing to defend his title against Bradley last spring I said any of Manny’s sparring partners could beat Bradley. Ruslan will to prove that on March 16. (more…)

Don King wins purse bid for Huck vs. Afolabi III

By Malte Müller-Michaelis

Don King shocked Sauerland Event and K2 Promotions by not only surprisingly showing up for the purse bid for the WBO cruiserweight championship between Marco Huck and Ola Afolabi in Miami on Tuesday morning but winning the bid by a wide margin. King’s 1,500,000.- US$ easily outpriced Huck’s promoter Sauerland (914,000.- US$) and Afolabi’s promoter K2 (375,000.- US$). Apparently, DK is planning to stage the world title fight in Huck’s home country Germany on May 25th.