Weights from Obregon, Mexico

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Humberto “Zorrita” Soto 139 vs. Silverio Ortiz 139
(WBC super lightweight International silver title)
Julio “Pollito” Ceja 117 vs. Henry Maldonado 117
(WBC bantamweight FECARBOX title)
Luis “Gallito” Ceja 108 vs. Alejandro Morales 108
(WBC light flyweight international silver title)
Antonio “KÑS” Lozada 142 vs. José Luis Payán 142
Juan Pablo López 139 vs. Marcos Villasana Jr. 139

Venue: Arena Itson, Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
Promoter: Promociones del Pueblo
TV: Televisa

Bizier dominates Campbell

By Dave Spencer at ringside

Welterweight Kevin Bizier (20-0 14KO) pounded out a cautious yet sustained attack over Nate Campbell (36-10-1 26KO) finally forcing the former undisputed lightweight champion to throw in the towel at the end of the 8th round as the headline event at the Ball Centre in Montreal and broadcast on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Bizier was able to score to the body while keeping Campbell who took the fight on short notice on the ropes for most of the night. Bizier retains the NABA welterweight title and captures the IBF Intercontinental belt to go along with it. After the fight, Campbell said he’s going back to 140lbs in the future.

In a clash of undefeated Canadian lightweights, late sub Baha Laham (11-0-1, 4 KOs) won a razor-then majority decision over Tyler Asselstine (12-1, 7 KOs). Scores were 95-95, 96-94, 96-95 for the local fighter. Asselstine was originally to have met Joel Diaz who pulled out with an injury late last week.

Lightweight Michael Gadbois (9-0 3KO) fought a gutsy fight and managed to remain undefeated with a 56-56, 57-55 57-53 majority decision over Krysztof Rogowski (5-1) of Poland. (more…)

Boxing Buzz

Former heavyweight champ Chris Byrd is working for L.A. Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. More in the LA Times.

Top 130-pound contender Diego Magdaleno has gotten his title shot, though he’ll have to travel to China to get it. Magdaleno will face WBO Superfeatherweight Champ Roman Martinez in Macau, China, on a Top Rank card.

Nonito Donaire opens training camp next week for his April 13 fight, to take place at Madison Square Garden, New York City. Donaire’s opponent will be announced soon.

Weights from St. Paul, Minnesota

By Jesse Kelley

Phil Williams 167.4 vs. Shujaa El-Amin 167.4
(Vacant WBU super middleweight title)
Brad Patraw 122 vs. Vicente Alfaro 121.6
(Vacant Minnesota state jr. featherweight title)
Al Sands 200.2 vs. J.J. Corn 194.6
Wilton Hilario 128.6 vs. James Owens 128
Robert Brant 160.8 vs. Keith Collins 161.4
Dan Moret 160.6 vs. Brandon Abrego ??
Jonathan Perez 124 vs Ruben Elias 123.8

Venue: Crowne Plaza in Saint Paul, MN
Promoter: Diamond Gloves Promotions

Weights from Fort Worth

By Robert Hughes

Hector Vasquez 152.5 vs. Norman Allen 152
Ricardo Valencia 127.5 vs. Steve Guitierrez 127.5
Tony Lopez 121.5 vs. Manuel Rubalcava 121
Hector Garza 147.75 vs. Craig Callahan 146.25
Chap Huggins 154.75 vs. Josh Burns 156
Arthur Trevino 132.25 vs. Wilbert Mitchell 135.5
Ledez Jones 120.25 vs. Rigoberto Moreno 121.5

Venue: Hurst Conference Center in Hurst, Texas
Promoter: Standing 8 Promotions

Chris Martin back in action Feb 22

Photo: Carlos Baeza/Thompson Boxing

Thompson Boxing Promotions returns to the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California on February 22 with newly signed super bantamweight Christopher “Marvelous” Martin (25-2-3, 8 KOs) facing Mexican veteran Jose Angel Beranza (35-25-2, 27 KOs) in a fight set for eight rounds for the vacant WBC US title. For Martin it’s an opportunity for revenge as Beranza handed him his first career loss. “When Beranza and I last fought he surprised me with his timing. I expected him to come at me but I ended up having to chase him. He out boxed me and would hit and hold. I got frustrated. This time it’s going to be different. I have been working on sitting down on my punches. I got stoppages in my last two fights and feel confident in my ability to walk away with the win. We’re going to go hard for 8 rounds.”

In the co-main event the lanky welterweight Artemio “King” Reyes Jr. (18-2, 14 KOs) tangles with Rodolfo “Bam Bam” Armenta (12-9-1, 9 KOs) in a welterweight clash set for eight rounds. (more…)

Weights from Mexico City

Photos: Alma Montiel

Enrique Bernache 122 vs. Jonathan Lecona 121.5
Daniel Sandoval 149 vs. Martin Avila 152
Ramses Agaton 147 vs. Leonardo Ventura 146.5

Venue: Deportivo Trabajadores Del Metro, Mexico City
Promoter: Zanfer
TV: TV Azteca

(more…)

Botha: This was bullsh!t

Former heavyweight contender Frans Botha has cried foul after his bout with rugby star-turned-boxer Sonny Bill Williams was apparently changed from a twelve rounder to a ten rounder around the ninth round after local favorite Williams started unraveling after compiling a lead. Williams was out on his feet in round ten and it’s highly unlikely that Williams would have lasted two more rounds. “This shows that Australia is filled with match-fixing,” Botha said after the fight. “This was bullshit. It was supposed to be 12 rounds.”

In his dressing room, the 44-year-old Botha told AAP, “At the press conference it was 12 rounds, in the programs … you cannot change it. If it had gone 12 rounds I would have killed him…I got screwed. He was out on his feet. All I had to do was push him away and he would have fallen….everyone wants him to win, his management wants him to win but how can you go bend the rules? It’s unheard of. They can’t get away with it!”

Botha called on the WBA to order an immediate rematch as the bout was for the WBA International heavyweight title. Apparently there was no WBA Supervisor at ringside.

WBA champ Rosel to defend in Peru

By Gabriel F. Cordero

The Peruvian WBA light flyweight world champion, Alberto “Chiquito” Rossel (29.8, 13 KOs) will make his second title defense on March 16 in Callao against Panamanian challenger Walter Tello (18-6, 7 KOs). Rossel made his first defense last August 18 by winning a 12-round unanimous decision against Colombian Karluis Diaz at the Coliseo Miguel Grau, Callao, Peru.

Martinez, Frampton make weight

Carl Frampton has warned Kiko Martinez that he is in for a hot reception when they clash for the European super bantamweight title at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast Saturday night. The duo clashed at a fiery press conference yesterday and had to be separated at today’s weigh-in, as the Belfast fight fans crammed into the Europa Hotel penthouse suite roared their unbeaten hero to the scales before giving the Spaniard a hot reception. Frampton scaled 121.5 with Martinez just under that at 121 and as Martinez stepped off the scales, his cut-throat gesture to The Jackal sparked a ruckus on the stage and whipped the crowd up more.

“He mouthed off at the press conference and did that at the weigh-in today. I think he’s under a lot of pressure and he’s worried about it. I’m incredibly relaxed and I know that we have the right game-plan to take that title from him,” said Frampton.

Other weights:
Andy Lee 160.25 vs. Anthony Fitzgerald 158.75
Martin Rogan 233 vs. Ladislav Kovarik ??
Grzegorz Proksa ?? vs. Norbert Szekeres ??
Lee Selby 125.25 vs. Martin Lindsay 125.5

Krasniqi anticipating ‘very intensive fight’ with Cleverly

By James Slater

25-year-old Kosovo-born German Robin Krasniqi is convinced he will defeat reigning WBO light-heavyweight champ Nathan Cleverly when the two meet at Wembley Arena on March 16th, thus making his career-long dream a reality. At 6’1,” a half inch shorter than the unbeaten Welshman, Krasniqi has an impressive 39-2(15) record, during which he has never been stopped. However, the Cleverly fight will be Krasniqi’s biggest fight yet – as well as his first (aside from one bout in The Czech Republic) outside of Germany. Despite this, Krasniqi is utterly confident he will take “Clev’s” title.

“I’ve seen some of his fights on You-Tube and some on DVD,” Krasniqi says of Cleverly, as translated by Christof Hawerkamp. “He’s the champion and he also has a very intense and offensive style. I like that in a fighter. My own style? I too am very offensive. In fact, I’d say I’m offensive with no compromises! There is no doubt, this fight will be a very intensive, exciting fight. It has to be; we are both offensive fighters. This is what I will be prepared for physically. We should have fought a year ago (April of 2012) and I have only got stronger since then.” (more…)

Ticket Alert: Ponce De Leon-Velez

Tickets, priced at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25, go on sale tomorrow (Saturday) at noon for the March 2 WBC featherweight championship fight between champion Daniel Ponce De Leon (44-4, 35 KOs) against unbeaten Jayson Velez (20-0, 15 KOs) at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City. The vacant WBA lightweight title will be on the line when Richar Abril (17-3-1, 8 KOs) and Sharif Bogere (23-0, 15 KOs) square off in the co-main event which was originally scheduled for November, but was postponed when Bogere suffered an ankle injury. Also unbeaten featherweight phenom Gary Russell Jr. (21-0, 13 KOs) will meet Vyacheslav Gusev (20-2, 5 KOs) in a ten-rounder. The night of fights marks the first time in over 15 years that the Apollo has played host to professional boxing with the last fight taking place in November 1997. Showtime will televise.

Bizier unfazed by opponent change

By Matt Casavant / Fightnews Canada

Media and onlookers had the opportunity to witness a prime and ready Kevin Bizier (19-0, 13KOs) Tuesday, at the GYM public workout in preparation for tonight’s battle against former unified titleholder Nate Campbell (36-9-1, 26KOs). Bizier was expected to face awkward southpaw John O’Donnell up until about 2 weeks ago when O’Donnell withdrew due to a fractured hand forcing Campbell, an orthodox pressure fighter, to step in as a replacement.

Could the opponent switch on short notice create problems for Bizier? If so, the undefeated welterweight did not appear to be too bothered about the switch: “In a last minute situation, it’s easier to go from facing a left hander to a right hander. We have a boxing strategy similar to when we fought Tyner; strong defense, throw punches at the right time and be disciplined throughout the fight.” Click to read more

Williams survives late Botha rally

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

International rugby star-turned-heavyweight Sonny Bill Williams (6-0, 3 KOs) barely held on to defeat 44-year-old former contender Frans Botha (48-9-3, 29 KOs) by ten round unanimous decision on Friday night at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall, Queensland, Australia. Williams outboxed Botha over the first eight rounds, but was rocked in the ninth round. Botha continued to batter Williams in round ten, but it was too little, too late as Williams barely held on until the final bell. Scores were 97-91, 98-94, 97-91 as Williams claimed the vacant WBA International belt. There was controversy as the bout apparently was scheduled for twelve rounds, but suddenly changed to a ten rounder without notice.

Debuting rugby player/cruiserweight boxer Quade Cooper (1-0, 1 KO) scored a devastating first round KO over Barry Dunnett (1-2). Dunnett down twice. Cooper finished him with a right hand. Time was 2:59.

Heavyweight Alex Leapai (27-4-3, 21 KOs) scored a first round KO against Matt Hicks (13-9, 12 KOs). Time was 2:42.

Super middleweight Jarrod Fletcher (14-1, 7 KOs) scored a seventh round TKO over Kiatchai Singwancha (32-9, 21 KOs).

Omar Henry services today

Services for Omar Henry will take place today in Chicago at the Apostolic Church of God (6320 South Dorchester). Viewing from 10-11AM, funeral service from 11-3PM. Cemetery Mount Hope at 4PM (11500 South Fairfield). Omar Henry’s family is in desperate need for donations to help with his funeral and burial expenses. Click here if you can help.

Floyd sues New Orleans wine bar

By TMZ Staff

Floyd Mayweather says he’s no winer … and that’s why he’s suing a New Orleans wine bar that he claims used him and Justin Bieber to lure Super Bowl fans in for a pre-game blow-out. According to the federal lawsuit — obtained by TMZ — Mayweather claims The Wine Bistro heavily advertised that Floyd and The Money Team would be hosting the February 1 bash. Floyd — who in the lawsuit calls himself “the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and one of the greatest technical fighters of all time” — boasts he makes upwards of $100k for a club appearance. But here’s the deal … Floyd says he never agreed to appear at The Wine Bistro — nor did The Money Team — and the bar went crazy advertising on Facebook, YouTube and flyers. Floyd is upset that the bar profited off his name and worries his fans will be upset because he was a no-show. Floyd wants lots of money and wants the bar to stop using his name … STAT!

New beginning for Bence

By Matt Casavant / Fightnews Canada

The only other fighter present at the public workout in Montreal was GYM heavyweight prospect Didier Bence (6-0, 2KOs) who will be fighting American Joey Dawejko (7-1-2, 3KOs) in a six round battle. It was the first time the media got a glimpse of Bence since he started working with former Steve Molitor trainer Chris Johnson in Ontario.

Bence formerly known as “Big Daddy” made sure that the media was aware of his new alias by shouting confidently “I’m Big Body now”. A new found bravado in Bence was noticeable and the change of scenery appears to have revitalized him somewhat: “The training was awesome; I trained with Chris for a month. We watched tapes all day, I’m chilling with Chris, I’m going home with him watching tapes, studying,” detailed Bence. When asked about his reasoning for leaving his previous trainer Marc Ramsay in favour of Chris Johnson, Bence was quick to point out that the decision wasn’t personal and that he is still friends with Marc, “I need somebody who can push me hard to my limit, that’s why I went with Chris Johnson,” explained Bence. Click here for more

Q&A Frankie “The Freight Train” Filippone

By Rick Scharmberg

When Frankie Filippone (12-2-1, 2 KOs) got the call from matchmaker Nick Tiberi to take on Kevin “Hitman” Engel (20-6, 16 KOs) on Friday night at the Chase Center in Wilmington, DE with just a week’s notice, he accepted without hesitation. What makes that so rare in this day and age is, Frankie just fought and won a hard fought decision only two weeks ago. Plus, this is the second time in his 15-fight pro career that he accomplished that feat. Filippone possesses a rare throwback, relaxed style that allows him to stand in front of you and make you miss. He will take on Engel in the ten-round main event for the interim NABA light heavyweight title on a card promoted by Champs Management. Frankie sat down with FightNews at Thursday’s weigh-in at the Clarion Hotel. (more…)

Harvey added to Montreal card

By Dave Spencer / Fightnews Canada

With the late cancellation of the Joachim Alcine bout for Friday’s Fast and Furious card in Montreal, a late replacement fight featuring cruiserweight Steve Harvey (2-1) has been added to the bill. Harvey who has been out with an injury since suffering a split decision loss in August will be put in with trial-horse Stephane Tessier (3-29-2). Ironically the Alcine bout that was nixed because of a weight difference of less than 11 pounds will be replaced by a contest where the two combatants will likely differ between 35 to 40 pounds.

Standing 8 Promotions returns this Saturday

Welterweight Hector Vasquez (8-1-0, 2 KO) of Irving, Texas battles Norman Allen (6-6, 3 KOs) of Greenbelt, Maryland this Saturday in the main event of the Standing 8 Promotions card at the Hurst Conference Center in Hurst, Texas. As an amateur Vasquez was an alternate on Mexico’s 2008 Olympic team and beat two-time world champion Adrien Broner, the current WBC lightweight world champion. (more…)

Boxing Buzz

Is featherweight Tyler Asselstine the next big Canadian fighter? The Montreal Gazette looks at the undefeated southpaw who co-headlines this Friday’s ESPN2 card. |more|

“My dad wasn’t one to do homework with me, to help with school projects,” Hector Camacho, Jr. says of his late father, Hector “Macho” Camacho. “”But I loved him so much . . . ” Read more in The Wall Street Journal 

A boxing card set for downtown Albany, N.Y. has been canceled. |more|

Weights from Wilmington, DE

By Rick Scharmberg

Frankie Filippone 170 vs. Kevin Engel 173
(interim NABA light hwt title)
Ray Robinson 146.5 vs. Alberto Morales 146.5
(interim NABA welterweight title)
Ryan Belasco 135 vs. Bryne Green 134
Melissa St. Vil 136 vs. Natasha Spence 130
Joey Tiberi 137 vs. Moses Molina 134
Dusty Harrison 149 vs. Kelly Wright 143
Luis Hernandez 144 vs. Curtis Morton 143

Venue: Chase Center on the Riverfront
Promoter: Champs Management

Alcine bout scrapped for Friday

By Dave Spencer / Fightnews Canada

Dropping down in weight often proves costly to a fighter, Thursday in Montreal former world junior-middleweight champion Joachim Alcine (33-3-1 19KO) tipped the scales at 151.6 pounds, the lightest he’s been in over ten years and paid dearly with the cancelation of his scheduled eight round fight with David Toribio (19-14 12KO) who came in heavy at 162.4 pounds, well above the contract weight that had been adjusted upwards a couple of times to accommodate the Florida fighter.

Promoter Yvon Michel tweeted news of the cancelation Thursday evening stating that 10.8 pound weight differential exceeded the 10 pounds that is permitted by the Quebec Commission. ABC guidelines recommend 7 pounds but ABC President Tim Lueckenhoff told FightNews that it is only a guideline for Commissions governing the fight. Washington State for matters of comparison allows 11 pounds. Continue reading

DBE inks #1 U.S. amateur Patrick Day

Yesterday afternoon, former #1 rated 152-pound amateur in the U.S., Freeport, Long Island’s Patrick “All” Day (1-0, 1KO) signed an exclusive long-term promotional contract with DiBella Entertainment (DBE). Day successfully made his pro debut on the DBE-promoted card on January 23, at BB King Blues Club, annihilating his opponent in just 31 seconds of the very first round. The performance immediately impressed Lou DiBella, who had been eager to see the 20-year-old in action after following his amateur career over the past couple of years. Day will return to action on the upcoming DBE-promoted Broadway Boxing card, on Thursday, February 21, at Roseland Ballroom in NYC. (more…)

Elvir Muriqi headlines March 15

On Friday night, March 15th boxing returns to the Birchwood Manor in Whippany, New Jersey as a full night of professional boxing returns courtesy of GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions. In the main event, perennial light heavyweight contender Elvir “The KOsovo Kid” Muriqi headlines in the eight round main event. The thirty-three year old Muriqi has a record of 39-5 with 24 knockouts and is currently riding a four fight winning streak with wins over Daniel Judah and his most recent win over Chris Grays on December 10, 2011. Muriqi’s opponent will be announced shortly.

In the eight round co-feature, John Thompson (10-0, 3 KOs) will take on Calvin Odom (15-13, 11 KOs) in a Jr. Middleweight bout. Also, in a six round bout, undefeated Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (10-0, 6 KOs) of Millville, NJ takes on an opponent to be named in a Middleweight bout. (more…)

Carl Frampton-Kiko Martinez Exchange Barbs

By James Slater
Photos: Laurence Lustig

It was a lively, even heated press conference today as rival super-bantamweights Carl Frampton of Northern Ireland and Kiko Martinez of Spain came face to face. The pair will clash – finally, after two previously postponed bouts – this Saturday at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, and defending European champ Martinez vowed to make unbeaten Frampton pay for suggesting he is a coward for twice pulling out of facing him.

“I’ve come here because Frampton is too sacred to come to Spain,” 26-year-old Martinez stated. “I’ve come here to shut Frampton’s mouth once and for all!” Martinez, 27-3(19) and never stopped, urged 25-year-old Frampton, 15-0(10) to “come to fight and not run.”

For his part, Barry McGuigan protégé Frampton refereed to his opponent as “desperate” and “tight at the weight.”

“I think he’s a desperate man and he’s trying to force me into a fight,” Frampton said. (more…)

Weights from Montreal

By Dave Spencer

Kevin Bizier 146.6 vs.Nate Campbell 146.2
(NABA welterweight title)
Tyler Asselstine 131.4 vs. Baha Laham 134
Joachim Alcine 151.6 vs. David Toribio 162.4
Michael Gadbois 134.6 vs. Krzysztof Rogowski 130.2
Steve Rolls 168 vs. Ahmad Selemani 167.4
Didier Bence 219.4 vs. Joey Dawejko 249.2
Marc Pagcaliwangan 120.8 vs. Laszlo Fekete 121.4

Location: Bell Centre Montreal
Promoter: GYM Group Yvon Michel
First Bell: 7pm
Television: ESPN2

Xiong Zhao Zhong in Bangkok

Photo: Johnny Chaichotchuang

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

China’s WBC 105 pound world champion Xiong Zhao Zhong will arrive in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday with his manager Liu Gang to train at the Uprite Boxing Camp with Thailand’s world class boxers which include IBF #8 super featherweight Fahsai Sakkreerin also IBF #6 flyweight Rusalee Samor and IBF #15 light welterweight Patomsuk Pathompothong. “We are very proud to have WBC champion Xiong Zhao Zhong and his manager Liu Gang at the Uprite Gym,” said promoter Jimmy Chaichotchuang. “Zhong is China’s first world champion in professional boxing. He’ll help in sparring sessions with Thailand’s new boxing star Amnat Roenrong who was a Beijing Olympian and also a Bronze medal winner at world amateur championships in Chicago. Roenrong will be the main event on February 15 when he will contest the IBF Asia title bout on a nationally televised promotion.” Chaichotchuang is Asia’s top IBF Promoter.