New Faces: Evens Pierre

By Robert Coster

Boxers many time have compelling stories to tell. And such is certainly the case with Haitian-born, Panama-based lightweight prospect Evens Pierre (17-1, 13 KOs). In his short two-year career, Pierre has become the only boxer born and raised in Haiti to win a boxing belt: the WBA Fedecentro title last June, a first step he hopes will move him into the world rankings in this coming year. Winning a boxing title, albeit a regional one, was hailed as a feat by Evens’ supporters back in Haiti, particularly in “Sun City” (Cite Soleil), the commune where he was born, a misnomer since the area is in fact an extended, dreary slum on the outskirts of the Haitian capital of Port au Prince, one of the poorest, crime-ridden, disease-ridden places in the world. (more…)

Quezada replaces Gavern

Former WBC Caribbean champion, Manuel Quezada will attempt to win back that crown when he takes on Mike Mollo in the twelve round main event on January 29th at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY. Quezada was summoned for the fight after the man who defeated him; Jason Gavern had to pull out due to an injury. Quezada of Wasco, California has a record of 29-6 with eighteen knockouts.

Bennie Briscoe funeral info

Monday, January 10, 2011

Deliverance Evangelistic Church
2001 West Lehigh Avenue (site of the old Connie Mack Stadium)
Philadelphia, PA 19132
phone: 215-226-7600

Viewing 9-11am
Service begins at 11am.

Holyfield loves Boxing!

Living legend Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield returns to the ring January 22nd headlining the “Redemption In America: The Journey Begins Now” pay-per-view event, live from America’s resort, The Greenbrier, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs) will defend his World Boxing Federation heavyweight title against battled-tested veteran Sherman “Tank” Williams (34-11-2, 19 KOs) in the 12-round main event.

“Redemption In American” is presented by ARK Promotions in association with The Greenbrier and will be distributed by Integrated Sports Media on January 22nd LIVE at 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay per view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network as well as Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

Marquez-Morales in April?

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Sources have indicated that there is now a strong chance that three-time world champion and Mexican ring legend Erik ‘Terrible’ Morales will seek a world title in a fourth different weight division against his compatriot Juan Manuel Marquez, also a three-time world champion and currently WBA and WBO lightweight champion. The possible date mentioned is April 16 in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Morales reappeared in 2010 and defeated Jose Alfaro, Willie Limond and Francisco Lorenzo.

Cleverly plans homecoming

WBO interim light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly has revealed his New Year’s resolution – to fight in Wales for the first time in more than three years. He won his world title, as well as the British, Commonwealth and European crowns, on the road. He has thrilled fans in London, Swindon, Las Vegas, Birmingham and Liverpool since he fought on the undercard of Joe Calzaghe’s super-middleweight title clash with Mikkel Kessler in Cardiff as long ago as November 2007. (more…)

Interview: Antonio Margarito

By Felipe Leon
Photos: Felipe Leon

Nobody can deny that the twenty-eight months since his break through win over Miguel Cotto have been the toughest of Antonio Margarito’s sixteen-year career. Six months after his TKO of the Puerto Rican star in Las Vegas, Margarito found himself on the losing side of a ninth round knockout from Shane Mosley and in the middle of a controversy that would change his life forever. Accused of using illegal hand wraps prior to his championship bout against Mosley in which he lost the WBA welterweight title, Margarito was soon suspended for over a year beginning in February of ‘09. Furiously holding on to his innocence through out his hearing and the subsequent months after, Margarito (38-7, 27KOs) made his comeback to the ring once again last May and won a unanimous decision over Texas’ Robert “Amenaza” Garcia in Aguascalientes, MX.

Soon after, Margarito’s promoter Bob Arum announced that the “Tijuana Tornado” would be taking on the best fighter in the world, Manny Pacquiao in November. The much anticipated mega fight drew overforty thousand boxing fans to Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, TX, to watch Pacquiao win a lopsided decision for the vacant WBC super welterweight crown, his eight title in as many divisions. The never say die Margarito suffered a fractured right orbital bone caused by a punch in the fourth roundwhich impaired his vision until the end of the bout and forced him to visit the hospital soon after.

“The fight changed after the fourth round, he caught me with an uppercut and hurt my eye and after that, I couldn’t see,” Margarito stated as he sat ringside at a fight card in his hometown of Tijuana, MX, in one his first public appearances after the fight. “I was told that I hurt him in that round but I didn’t see it or else I would have finished him right there.” (more…)

Judah-Mabuza purse bid

Main Events won the rights to promote the fight for the vacant IBF Jr. Welterweight title between Zab Judah of Las Vegas, Nevada and Kaizer Mabuza of South Africa. Judah, promoted by Main Events is ranked number two in the organization’s rankings and Mabuza, promoted by Branco Milenkovic is ranked number one. The bout needs to take place within the next 90 days. Kathy Duva, Main Events CEO, announced that the fight will take place at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, late February or early March.

Ashley-Hoy collide in Brooklyn

Top-rated female super bantamweight contender Alicia “Slick” Ashley (15-9-1, 1 KO) of Brooklyn, NY will face the aggressive Crystal Hoy (5-3-3, 2 KOs) in the eight round main event of Maureen Shea’s Pandora Promotions in association with Global Boxing Promotions’ “Brooklyn Explosion” on January 13th at the Masonic Temple in Brooklyn, NY. The Jamaican-born Ashleywas recently named the mandatory contender for the WBC Super Bantamweight title. Also featured on the card will be Israeli fan favorite Eilon Kedem (11-4-4, 7 KOs) in a six-round super bantamweight matchuP. Only 10 ringside tickets remain. The Masonic Temple is located at 317 Clemont Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. Tickets, priced $75 and $50, can be purchased by contacting Amanda at Global Boxing Gym in North Bergen, NJ at 201.348.3149.

Kameda to vacate WBA fly title?

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Looks like Daiki Kameda will give up his WBA flyweight championship because of problems making the weight limit of the division. Sources say the official announcement should be made soon. Everything indicates that the interim champ Luis ‘El Nica’ Concepcion will be declared the regular flyweight monarch according to the WBA rules. Concepcion could fight next in Japan in February or March.

Antonio Margarito Update

By Rey Colon / The Sport Press

Antonio Margarito plans to go directly to a second showdown with Miguel Cotto in June in New York City, but first must receive the approval of his doctors next week and his plastic surgeon at the end of January according to Francisco Espinoza, one of the “Tijuana Tornado’s” handlers. Margarito suffered a dangerous injury to his right cheek in his clash with Manny Pacquiao, but Espinoza estimates that by May or June he would be in condition to fight Cotto, who is planning to defend his WBA junior middleweight belt against Ricardo Mayorga on March 12 in Las Vegas before moving to the grudge rematch with Margarito.

Williams to give Holyfield a beating

Battle-tested Sherman “Tank” Williams plans to give living legend Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield a beating January 22 when they headline “Redemption In America: The Journey Begins Now” Pay-Per-View Event, live from America’s resort, The Greenbrier’s Colonial Hall, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia . . . click here for more

Mustafa speaks on Dawson split

Moments ago Fightnews spoke with former world champion and world champion trainer Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. Mustafa spoke on his recent split with former world champion Chad Dawson and his new light heavyweight star, former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei (32-0, 17 KOs) of Hungary.

“It’s just the nature of the game,” said Muhammad. “Somebody has to take the blame. Its no secret that Dawson had major issues going on outside of the ring leading up to the Pascal fight. It wouldn’t have mattered who was training him that night nor would it have changed his performance. I had heard rumblings about the change in trainers for Dawson a few months back so I knew what the deal was. I will just keep it moving. My work as a boxing trainer does not depend on one fighter. My plate is always full. I just took on the role of trainer for former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei. We will begin training after the holidays here in Las Vegas where I reside. My only regret regarding the Dawson separation is that I taught him all he knew but didn’t get a chance to teach him all I knew. I have nothing personal at all against Chad Dawson. I’m not a negative person at all. That’s just not who I am. This is just part of the business. I wish him well in all his fights except when he’s fighting one of my fighters, of course.”

El Paso card set for 1.28

A card promoted by LA Boxing of El Paso will kick off the action in 2011 at the border when, on Jan. 28, “Bloodsport Championships” will be held at the El Paso Grand Ballroom, 3136 Trawood, El Paso. Six boxing bouts will comprise the card. In boxing: Joel Garcia vs. Jacob Armijo at flyweight; Yoel Gonzalez vs. Gabe Garcia at lightweight; Wesley Marquez vs. Leonardo Sanchez at super bantam; Ricardo Delgado vs. Edgar Zubia at super lightweight; Carlos Villa vs. Colbert Lozoya at welter; and Eric Reza vs. Christopher Simmons at heavyweight. For more info and to or Marriott der tickets, check out www.bloodsportchampionships.com.

Steward to train Dawson

Former WBC and IBF light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson will be trained by Emanuel Steward when he begins preparations for his rematch against WBC light heavyweight titlist Jean Pascal early next year. The Hall of Fame trainer has agreed to join Dawson’s corner as head trainer. “I have always been a big fan of Chad’s and I think he will bring excitement back to the light heavyweight division and to boxing,” said Steward. “I am not interested in winning decisions. I’m concussion crazy. I only want Chad to win by knockouts and I know that’s what he wants to do too. HBO’s investment in Chad is going to pay off big dividends and his stock will be a “strong buy” in 2011, especially after he destroys Pascal in their rematch. (more…)

Alexander dedicates fight

Undefeated WBC super lightweight champion Devon Alexander ‘The Great’ will dedicate his performance on Jan. 29 to his promoter’s wife of 50 years, Mrs. Henrietta King, who died earlier this month after a lengthy illness at age 87. Alexander (21-0, 13 KOs), from St. Louis, will face undefeated World Boxing Organization junior welterweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (26-0, 11 KOs), from North Palm Springs, Calif., at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., on Jan. 29 in a long-awaited world championship unification match at the 140-pound weight limit.

“Don King has promoted me since the beginning of my professional career in 2004,” Alexander said from his Las Vegas training camp. “Mrs. King was with Don for over 50 years. Don has always been there for me, and I want to dedicate my performance on Jan. 29 to Mrs. King for always being there for Don. Mrs. King was a great lady and I was honored to have met her. I will honor her with the best performance of my life at the Silverdome in Pontiac.”

TONIGHT: Through the Ropes!

Boxing fans, get ready to climb “Through the Ropes” with the #1 boxing news radio show hosted by award winning boxing writer Marc Lichtenfeld! This week’s guests are Junior Welterweight champ Devon Alexander and Fightnews Publisher Karl Freitag. Call in tonight or email your thoughts to ttropes@earthlink.net. Through The Ropes airs live coast to coast on Thursday nights from 9:00 – 10:00 ET on 75 affiliates of the Sports Byline USA Broadcast Network, including great radio stations like KSHP 1400 AM in Las Vegas and WNSR 560 AM in Nashville. The one-hour show will also be heard on American Forces Network, Sportsbyline.com and Fightnews.com. Fightnews readers can listen live by clicking here tonight at 9PM ET.

Boxing back in Harrisburg, PA

After nearly a decade, professional boxing makes its return to Harrisburg, PA on February 12 at the Zembo Shrine in the new fight series, “Capitol Punishment.” The series, presented by Payton Promotions, kicks off the inaugural show with WBA #12 light heavyweight Tommy Karpency (20-2, 13 KOs) from nearby Pittsburgh, PA in an eight-rounder against Dallas Vargas (22-6, 16 KOs). The co-main event showcases local phenom Stevie Weimer (5-0, 2 KOs) against Julias Edmonds (7-9, 0 KOs) in a six-round light welterweight matchup. Tickets are $35, $45, $60 and $550 for a VIP Table that seats eight. For tickets call 717-585-1993.

#2 Chonlatarn stops Wakimoto

Photo: Siamsport

By Damrong Simakajornboon

WBC/WBO#2 feather Chonlatarn Or Piriyapinyo (36-0,21 KOs) successfully kept his WBO Asia-Pacific 126lb title as he scored a fifth round TKO over Masayuki Wakimoto (15-3,6 KOs) on Wednesday at Wat Kaodin in Doembangnangbuat, Suphanburi, Thailand. This was the first WBO regional title defense of the Thai fighter who is also the 126lb champion of the WBC Asian Boxing Council. Wakimoto did well at the beginning as he displayed faster combinations and clearly gained the scores in the first two rounds. The show turned to Chonlatarn from round three when he speeded his aggression and successfully dropped the Japanese with a well-timed right straight. Then, the Thai fighter mostly controlled the show, dropping his foe twice more which forced referee to stop the bout at 1:21 of round five. (more…)

WV boxing scene heats up

Worldwide attention will be focused on the big January 22 PPV clash between ring legend Evander Holyfield and Sherman “The Tank” Williams at the Greenbrier America’s Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. But the “Mountain State” will also start the year off strong with no less than six boxing shows within the first three months of 2011 presented by WV boxing promoter Jerry Thomas.

The schedule kicks off on January 15 at the Big Sandy Arena in Huntington, West Virginia. The main event is a six round cruiserweight clash between Bobby Thomas Jr (7-1, 5 KOs) and Collin Rogers (10-28-2, 6 KOs). The co-feature is a battle between unbeaten heavyweights as Jason Pettawy (6-0, 3 KOs) meets Jason Pauley (5-0, 1 KO) in a scheduled six. (more…)