Boxing Buzz

Why is Nonito Donaire making plans for the future, beyond boxing? Check out the Philippine Star

Former champ Scott Harrison has parted ways with manager Alex Morrison. More in the Daily Record

Former greats Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield recently met again . . . more

The Press of Atlantic City’s take on last night’s Broner-Rees fight in Atlantic City: more

Broner: Rees tougher than a well done steak

“I knew he [Rees] was going to come to fight. He’s a world-class fighter,” said WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner after his five round demolition of former WBA 140lb titleholder Gavin Rees on Saturday night in Atlantic City. “He kept coming. He threw every shot like it was his best shot. I knew he would hang. When you have two world-class fighters going toe-to-toe, it’s going to be a great fight. Thanks to everyone who came out. It’s [NBA] All-Star Weekend and you came to see an All-Star. He’s [Rees] tougher than a steak that’s been well done. If I fought Ricky Burns, he would get burnt out. I want to fight him, but if he doesn’t want to fight me. Oh well. There are high expectations for me to take boxing over after [Floyd] Mayweather and [Manny] Pacquiao hang up their gloves.

“Tonight was a nice fight. I have to go back and watch it. Overall I felt pretty. I just looked in the mirror and I still look good. I would fight 10 times a year if I could.” (more…)

Hekkie Budler retains IBO strawweight belt

By Ron Jackson

Hekkie Budler of South Africa retained his IBO strawweight belt when he beat Filipino Renan Trongco on a unanimous 12 round points decision in an entertaining fight at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Saturday night. Boxing from behind a close defence Budler was in control throughout as judge Tony Nyangiwe (SA) scored it 117-111 and judges Bruce McTavish (Philippines) and Terry O’Connar (England) both scored it 118-111. (more…)

Maldonado Jr. KOs Romero

By Gabriel F. Cordero

New Mexico lightweight Fidel Maldonado Jr. (15-2, 12 KOs) scored a spectacular third round knockout of reigning beltholder Jorge “Koky” Romero (24-5, 21 KOs) to claim Romero’s WBC Silver title on Saturday night at the Domo Deportivo del parque “Dos Aguas” in Tulum, Mexico. Maldonado laid out Romero with a straight left to the chin 35 seconds into the third round.

World rated super lightweight contender Roberto “Massa” Ortiz (28-0-1, 22 KOs) moved up a division and won a five round majority technical decision over Fidel Monterrosa (29-7, 23 KOs) in a bout for the vacant WBC Silver welterweight title. Monterrosa was deemed unable to continue due to a cut over his left eye caused by an unintentional headbutt and the bout went to the scorecards. Judges had it 56-56, 58-54, 58-54 for Ortiz. (more…)

Estrella, Echeverria victorious

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Unbeaten super featherweight Adrian “Diamante” Estrella (10-0, 10 KOs) battered game Juan Carlos “Nene” Santillan (9-4, 5 KOs) until Santillan’s corner kept their man on the stool at the start of the seventh round on Saturday night in the Gimnasio Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico.

Also, ¿Quien Pinta para la Corona? champion Daniel “Tokado” Echeverria (6-0, 6 KOs) blew away Geronimo “Torito” Hernandez (15-24-2, 7 KOs) in the first round. (more…)

WBO arrives in Japan

WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel arrived in Tokyo today for a press conference to be held on Monday where together with the Japanese Boxing Commission they will announce the official entrance of the organization to Japan. The delegation included WBO Ratings Chairman Luis Perez, WBO Asia Vice President Leon Panoncillo and promoter Felix “Tutico” Zabala. Upon his arrival, Valcarcel declared “I’m very happy and delighted to have been able to get our organization into such a great country. This is history in the making. I want to thank the JBC, Mr. Akihiko Honda and Felix “Tutico” Zabala who have work very hard for the past three years to make this happen.” (more…)

Romero edges Lopez for IBF 122lb world title

Photos: Rafael Soto / Zanfer

Unbeaten Colombian super bantamweight Jonathan Romero (23-0, 12 KOs) won a twelve round split decision over local hero Alejandro Lopez (24-3, 7 KOs) to claim the vacant IBF super bantamweight title on Saturday night at the Auditorio Municpal in Tijuana, Mexico. Scores were 116-111, 115-112 for Romero, 115-112 for Lopez.

In a clash of unbeaten bantamweights, Alejandro “Cobrita” Gonzalez Jr. (16-0-2, 11 KOs) scored a spectacular second round KO over Hanzel “Tornadito” Martinez (19-1, 15 KOs). Gonzalez Jr. is the son of former world champion Alejandro “Cobrita” Gonzalez. Martinez is the nephew of Antonio Margarito.

Unbeaten middleweight Jose “Bolivita” Uzcategui (18-0, 13 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Rogelio “Porky” Medina (30-3, 24 KOs). Scores were 96-93, 97-92, 97-92.

Unbeaten 2008 Olympian middleweight Matt Korobov (19-0, 10 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO over Arturo “Caballo” Rodriguez (13-13, 8 KOs) photos

Broner punishes Rees as expected

By Sam Geraci and Kurt Wolfheimer at ringside
Photos: Ed Mulholland

WBC lightweight champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner (25-0, 21 KOs) outclassed former WBA 140lb titleholder Gavin Rees (37-1-1, 19 KOs) with an impressive fifth round TKO on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Rees got off to a good start, but 33:1 favorite Broner took over in round three and floored Rees with a huge right uppercut in round four. A body shot in round five put Rees down again before Rees’ corner called it off. Time was 2:59.

In a WBC super middleweight title eliminator, number two rated contender Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika (31-5-2, 21 KOs) took a one-sided twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten and number one rated Nikola Sjekloca (25-1, 7 KOs). Scores were 119-109, 118-112, 120-108. Bika is now mandatory challenger for WBC champion Andre Ward.

In a bout for the USBA junior middleweight title, Charles Whittaker (39-14-2, 23 KOs) of Miami, FL, retired in his corner after the sixth to Demetrius “The Gladiator” Hopkins (33-2-1, 13 KOs) of Philadelphia, PA, because he was unable to see out his left eye. Hopkins scored consistently with his overhand right and scored a knockdown with it in the fourth. The official time of the TKO was 3:00 of the sixth.

In his first bout since losing by fifth round TKO to Adrien Broner in July, junior lightweight Vicente Escobedo (26-5, 15 KOs) of Woodland, CA, was stopped by Edner “The Cherry Bomb” Cherry (31-6-2, 17 KOs) of Miami, FL, in the sixth round by TKO at 3:00. Cherry controlled every round and scored a knockdown in the second and two knockdowns in the sixth. (more…)

Ruenroeng defeats Rodriguez

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing
Photos: Johnny Chaichotchuang

Beijing Olympian Amnat Ruenroeng (8-0) scored a clear twelve round decision over Filipino journeyman Michael Rodriguez (13-35-1) on Friday to capture the vacant IBF Asia flyweight title at Wat Promthannimit, Ratchaburi, Thailand. Ruenroeng displayed outstanding skills and controlled most of the rounds Scores 118-110, 118-110, 117-111.

In the main supporting contest hot 108 pound prospect Fahlan “Junior” Sakkreerin (17-2,12KO’s) stopped Toncer Manufoe ( 5-2) in round one.

Promoter Jimmy Chaichotchuang said, “Amnat Ruenroeng was impressive today with win over Michael Rodriguez who extended WBA 105 pound champion Pornsawan Porpramook in 2012 losing by decision. I am proud that Amnat Ruenroeng has become the first IBF Asia champion and I am confident he will be a future world champion. Fahlan Sakkreerin Jr has now won 17 fights with 12 KO’s and showed he could follow in his father’s footsteps and be a world champion. His father, Fahlan Sakkreerin Sr., was IBF world champion in 1990.” (more…)

Warriors Conquest II in Longmont tonight

By Chris Morris – Rocky Mountain Boxing

Raul ‘Ro’ Utajara and Ghost Town Promotions have put together a well matched lineup for their ‘Warriors Conquest II’ show tonight in Longmont, Colorado. Jr welterweight Raul ‘El Chino’ Carrillo faces Cesar Holguin in the main event with welterweight Ryan Grimaldo taking on Juan Santiago in the co main. (more…)

Ioka-Gonzalez Update

By Gabriel F. Cordero

A source has informed Fightnews that representatives of WBA light flyweight super champion Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, (34-0, 28 KOs) and WBA regular light flyweight world champion Kazuto Ioka, (11-0, 7 KOs) came to an agreement not to do an immediate mandatory fight and instead allow make Ioka optional fights. According to the source Gonzalez will receive compensation for this agreement and it seems that this year we won’t see a Gonzalez-Ioka fight. Japan’s Teiken Boxing Promotions have the promotional contract of both fighters. The Gonzalez camp plans to continue to defend his championship in the United States and Mexico. The agreement must be approved by the WBA.

Wood stops Letoa

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing
Photos: Peter McDermott

Former world rated middleweight Garth “Woodsy from the Hood” Wood (11-3-1, 7 KOs) stopped Togasilimai Letoa (12-10-1, 7 KOs) in nine rounds to capture PABA light heavyweight title at the All Sports Arena, Alexandria, Sydney, NSW, Australia on Friday. Wood outmuscled Letoa throughout the bout and referee Brad Griffiths crowned Wood the winner in round nine. Garth Wood was the 2010 winner of the Australian Super Middleweight “Contender Series” and also in 2010 caused a major upset in stopping former WBA 168 pound champion Anthony “The Man” Mundine in five rounds by KO. In 2012 he dropped a twelve round decision to IBF #1 Sam Soliman.

photos

Yamaguchi to defend WBA female 115lb belt

Report and photo by Joe Koizumi

Japanese southpaw Yoko Gushiken, ex-WBA junior fly champ who registered thirteen defenses to his credit for four years and a half from 1976, recently produced his first world champ as promoter/manager last year. That’s WBA female super-fly ruler Naoko Yamaguchi (20-3-3, 16 KOs), who will defend her belt against Italian challenger Loredana Piazza (9-1, 4 KOs) in Tokyo on April 10. It was announced by Gushiken at his gym, where plenty of press people gathered to listen to his eloquent speech. Yamaguchi, formerly a javelin thrower with strong shoulder, dethroned compatriot Tsunami Tenkai by a close decision last July and made her initial defense against Mexican Judith Rodriguez last November. Piazza tasted her only one setback when she failed to acquire the vacant WBO 115-pound belt, losing to Carolina Duer in 2010. The promoter Gushiken was so funny that he said, “I’ll prepare a big pizza and we’ll eat it with Piazza at the press conference.” Is there a pizza party after the weigh-in?

Japanese heavyweight Hidaka to face Tilman tomorrow

By Joe Koizumi
Photo: Joe Koizumi

Japanese heavyweight boxers are increasing by any reason, and unbeaten prospect Rio Hidaka (9-0, 8 KOs), 216.75, will square off against much taller and heavier Clarence Tilman (11-10-2, 6 KOs), 274, over eight rounds tomorrow (Sunday) in Osaka, Japan. Hidaka, a stocky 5’10”Japanese banger, made a pro debut by demolishing Junior Pati in two quick rounds in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2006. Having won three there, Hidaka had a tough time coping with suitable opponents here only to keep winning sporadically. Hidaka will engage in his third game from last August to stay busy by exchanging gloves with the rival some sixty pounds heavier and seven inches taller. The Japanese power-puncher says, “I’d like to pave the way to the US by myself and like forward to fighting stronger opposition.” Tilman, who suffered a third-round stoppage by ex-MMA battler Kyotaro Fujimoto last June, hopes to deck his first victory here in Japan. (more…)

Results from Hammond, Indiana

Photo by Scott Dray

Last night, promoter Bobby Hitz and Hitz Boxing held another of their popular “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” events at The Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, and the action did not disappoint.

In the night’s main-event rematch, Chicago middleweight Donatas Bondorovas (17-3-1, 6 KOs) removed any doubts of his superiority over “King” David Thomas (10-4-2, 8 KOs), and in turn won the UBF Middleweight title, with a TKO 2 (2:09). With a nearly helpless Thomas being battered against the ropes, Referee Curt Spivey decided he’d seen enough and waved it off. (more…)

Zhong making U.S. debut/first defense

WBC minimumweight world champion Xiong Zhao Zhong (20-4-1, 11 KOs) of China is scheduled to make his U.S. debut April 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Zhong, promoted by former Chinese Olympian Liu Gang, will be making his first world title defense against WBC world ranked Carlos Ortega (8-2, 4 KOs) of Panama. Ortega is promoted by Rogelio Espino (Promociones del Istmo). Both fighters’ teams and promoters agreed to terms on Friday. Zhong made history this past November becoming China’s first world champion boxer by decisioning Mexico´s Javier Martinez in China to win the vacant WBC minimumweight title. The venue for the Zhong-Ortega bout will be announced soon.

Broner-Rees Preview

By Graham Houston

Every so often a fighter comes along who is anointed by the media as boxing’s latest big thing. Adrien Broner is the man of the moment in this regard. Broner, who defends his WBC lightweight title against Welshman Gavin Rees in Atlantic City tonight, seems to have it all. He is undefeated, powerful, fast and flashy. Broner is also an entertainer. He has his father go through the motions of brushing his hair after a fight; he got down on one knee to make a mock marriage proposal to his girlfriend on HBO.

There seems little doubt, though, that Broner puts in the work in the gym. He will tell interviewers that it’s because he trains so hard that his fights look easy.

Broner is nothing if not ambitious. He said in one interview that he wants to become boxing’s first billion-dollar fighter. (“He already has five children, so he may need that billion dollars,” HBO sage Larry Merchant quipped during Broner’s ring walk for his fight with Antonio DeMarco.) (more…)

Rodriguez batters Tahdooahnippah

Photo: Emily Harney

Former jr middleweight and welterweight title challenger Delvin Rodriguez (27-6-3, 15 KOs) dominated previously undefeated jr middleweight George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah (31-1-1, 23 KOs) getting a TKO in round six on Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Rodriguez, who has been in with a higher level of competition, nearly had Tahdooahnippah out of there in round two and continued to punish him as the bout progressed. Referee Eddie Cotton had finally seen enough and waved it off as the game Tahdooahnippah took more heavy shots in the sixth. Time was 2:41.

Lightweight Chris “Hurricane” Howard (15-2-1, 7 KOs) scored a spectacular one-punch third round KO over “The Mongolian Mongoose” Bayan Jargal (17-4-3, 10 KOs). A clean right flush on the jaw dropped Jargal who was deemed unable to continue. Time was 1:46.

Omar Figueroa opponent named

Unbeaten jr welterweight Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (19-0-1, 15 KOs) will face Henry Aurad (14-6-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-rounder on March 2 at the Our Lady of the Lake University Wellness & Activities Center in San Antonio, Texas. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes. Also undefeated prospect Jermall Charlo (11-0, 7 KOs) and 2012 United States Olympian Errol Spence Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs) will fight in separate televised undercard bouts. The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions.

More details on Boytsov-Kurtagic

Tonight, only hours after a Hamburg Court released Denis Boytsov from his contract with Universum, he stepped back in the ring. German-based Boytsov faced Samir Kurtagic over 8 rounds on the small amateur show in Deinze, Belgium. Boytsov started very aggressive and active but most of his punches missed their target. Boytsov lacked precision but clearly wanted an early night. It was quite competitive for 3-4 rounds until the taller Kurtagic went into survival mode. The Russian didn’t like that and seemed quite frustrated in the fifth and tired in rounds six and seven. Kurtagic earned or shared some of those rounds on the judges’ cards. More due to the inactivity of Boytsov, then to the activity of Kurtagic. The fight was briefly stopped in the sixth for a low right from Kurtagic and Boytsov was on the canvas three times from wrestling tactics of Kurtagic. Boytsov went out for the last round still trying to get an inside the distance win but had to settle for a unanimous points decision by scores of 80-73, 79-74 and 78-74. Referee was Daniel Van de Wiele.

Surprise: Boytsov beats Kurtagic in Belgium

By Malte Müller-Michaelis

Unbeaten heavyweight contender Denis Boytsov (32-0, 25 KOs) surprisingly returned to the ring on Friday night in Gent (Belgium) to beat Samir Kurtagic (11-6, 8 KOs) by unanimous decision over eight rounds. Scores were 80-73, 79-74, 78-74. Boytsov was scheduled to make his comeback this Sunday in Schwerin (Germany) against Marcelo Luiz Nascimento from Brazil but decided last minute to change date, place and opponent. The main reason for the change is the ongoing controversy between Boytsov and promoter Waldemar Kluch who still claims to have an exclusive contract with the Russian fighter. Kluch bought Universum Box-Promotion two years ago and threatened to sue Boytsov and everybody involved in his fights for breach of contract. According to Kluch, Boytsov’s exclusive promotional deal is not affected by Universum’s bankruptcy which was filed last November. To avoid legal problems Boytsov and his new advisors obviously announced the fight in Schwerin as diversionary tactic and did the bout in Belgium instead.

Kovalev comments on Russian meteor

In the wake of the meteor that exploded over the hometown light heavyweight contender Sergey Kovalev earlier this morning, many people have called or sent messages asking about the welfare of the boxer’s family. Sergey wanted to express his thanks for their concern and give an update.

“I was shocked to find out what happened last night in my home town Chelyabinsk, the news shook not just Russia, but the whole world,” said Sergey Kovalev (20-0-1, 18 KOs). “I contacted my family and friends as soon I heard about it. Everyone was OK, just scared because they did not know what happened. In the Ural mountain region we never have any kind of Mother Nature disasters, when the meteor shower started exploding in the sky and hit, the earth start shaking. My family said people got very scared and did not know what to do. I am thankful no one was killed. I thank God my family and friends were safe. I am very sorry for the people in my home town who were injured and suffered distress from this natural disaster. I am grateful to all of the people who have contacted me and my promoters to express their concern.”

Davis aims for ‘big one’ against Majewski

Jamaal Davis, the hard-luck Philadelphian who never seems to win the big one, gets another chance Saturday evening, Feb. 23, when he boxes world-ranked middleweight Patrick Majewski in the scheduled 10-round main event at Bally’s Atlantic City. Davis, 31, a pro for nine years, has boxed mostly as a junior middleweight, but he steps up to middleweight for this one. The fight with Majewski marks the fifth time Davis has faced a world-rated opponent. He lost the previous four: Peter Quillen, of New York, Ossie Duran, of Paterson, NJ, Joel Julio, of Colombia, and Gabriel Rosado, of Philadelphia. (more…)