Boxing back in Allentown, PA

On Saturday night, February 9th Kings Boxing Promotions presents an eight round jr middleweight bout between Keenan Collins (14-7-3, 9 KOs) and George Rivera (13-7-1, 4 KOs) at the The Rodeway Inn in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

In a special six round co-feature, undefeated John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson (10-0, 3 KOs) risks his perfect ledger when he battles Grayson Blake (5-1, 2 KOs) in a jr middleweight bout. (more…)

Boxing Buzz

Conflicting reports about the great Muhammad Ali being near death has been laid to rest by Ali’s family who say “The Greatest” is alive and well.

GMA reports that Freddie Roach will be training Ruslan Provodnikov for his upcoming fight against Timothy Bradley. |more|

Nonito Donaire has been named “2012 Fighter of the Year” in the Flash Elorde Memorial Awards. The official ceremony is March 25.

Report/gallery: Gomez vs. Lane

Ringside by Anthony Springer Jr. & Andreas Hale
Photos by Mary Ann Owen / BoxinginLasVegas.com

It was like watching a lion play with the prey before the big kill – except the kill never happened. Frankie Gomez (15-0, 11 KOs) soundly out boxed Houston’s Lanard Lane (13-3, 8 KOs) en route to a one sided unanimous decision win in the welterweight main event.

The bout was fought in spurts, dictated by Gomez. Lane was hit with two and three punch combinations nearly every time he was close enough to land a blow of his own. This was the course of action for the ten round affair . . . Click here for more

Lyell cruises in tune-up

Former IBF world title challenger, Billy Lyell (25-11) outclassed journeyman Rahsaan Abdul Blackburn over four rounds Saturday night at the Boyd County Community Center in Ashland, Kentucky. Lyell was credited with a knockdown in round two and went on to win by scores of 40-35 on all judges’ scorecards. Lyell stated, “I wanted to get several rounds of work in order to stay sharp going into my showdown with Daniel Jacobs (24-1) on Showtime in Brooklyn, NY on April 27th.” (more…)

Marquez says no fifth fight with Pacman

Boxing superstar Juan Manuel Marquez says in no case he will fight Manny Pacquiao a fifth time. “I think for me there is no point. The business that we had pending is already settled, so then for what? I’ve also asked several people, several friends that I have around me and they tell me no, in no case a fifth fight,” Marquez stated on the popular “Golpe a Golpe” boxing show. He added, “…before that fourth bout, I said ‘regardless of how it this fight ends, there cannot be a fifth.’” A fifth fight between Marquez and Pacquiao is considered one of the biggest fights on the agenda for 2013.

Brown defeats Hill in St. Joe

By Jeff Reiners at ringside

Heavyweight Galen “Bad Boy” Brown (39-22-1, 23 KOs) won a six round majority decision over Sam Hill (17-12-1, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at the American Legion in St. Joseph, Missouri. Judges turned in scorecards of 59-55, 59-55 and 57-57.

Former USBC bantamweight champion Andre Wilson (13-5-1, 11 KOs) scored a third round knockout of Ryan Pederson (2-10, 2 KOs). A short left hand from Wilson sent Pederson face down to the canvas, forcing the stoppage.

Rickey Thompson (3-4-1, 2 KOs) went home with a unanimous decision win over Dakota Talbott (0-4) in a heavyweight battle. Thompson pitched a near shutout with only one judge awarding Talbott a round.

St. Joseph favorites Tristen Wagner, Colby Courter, Eric Fleischman and Alex De Leon all won by first round stoppage.

Mijares-Terrazas for WBC super bantam title?

By Gabriel F. Cordero

A source has informed Fightnews.com that Mexicans Cristian Mijares and Victor Terrazas could meet in an April 20 clash at a venue to be announced for the WBC super bantamweight championship left vacant by champion Abner Mares’ move up to featherweight. Terrazas is the current mandatory challenger. Mijares is recovering from an elbow injury that prevented him from fighting on February 9.

Boxing Buzz

Robert Morales has more on “Sugar” Shane Mosley’s not-so-sweet return to the ring. |more|

OnMilwaukee.com pays tribute to past great Harry Wills. |more|

Timothy Bradley is expected to make his return March 16 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. on an HBO card. Bradley, 29-0, 12 Kos, will face once-lost Russian Ruslan Provodnikov, 22-1, 15 Kos.

What happens when “Iron” Mike Tyson meets a comedy hypnotist Down Under? |more|

Bradley set to make first title defense

Undefeated WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, Jr. (29-0, 12 KOs) vs #2 contender Ruslan Provodnikov (22-1, 15 KOs) will take place Saturday, March 16, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing. It will be Bradley’s first defense of the title he won last year by defeating Manny Pacquiao. Former two-time Méxican Olympian Óscar Valdez (2-0, 2 KOs) will highlight the undercard in a six-round featherweight bout. Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum will host a news conference on Wednesday to make the official announcement.

Gomez dominates Lane; Bey destroys Rodriguez

By Anthony Springer at ringside
Photo: John Gurzinski/Retna

Unbeaten welterweight Frankie Gomez (15-0, 11 KOs) cruised to a one-sided decision unanimous win over Lanard Lane (13-3, 8 KOs) on Saturday night at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Gomez was never in danger and fought Lane in spurts throughout the ten round title tilt. The judges’ scores were 98-92, 100-90 and 100-90.

Undefeated lightweight Mickey Bey (19-0-1, 10 KOs) flattened Roberto Rodriguez with a devastating left hook to end the fight by knockout at 1:07 in the third round. Bey sent Rodriguez to the canvas early in the final round with the same punch. With the win, Bey looks to face Ricky Burns next.

2012 Olympian Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. (2-0, 1 KO) scored a second round KO over Jose Ruiz (2-3) in a bantamweight match-up. Ruiz was down twice. Time was 2:03.

Unbeaten Badou Jack used a big body shot to extend his record to 12-0 with 9 KOs, knocking out Jonuel Tapia (8-4-1, 5 KOs) in the night’s opening super middleweight bout.

Felix still unbeaten; Dirrell wins comeback fight

IBF #11 lightweight Jose Felix Jr (23-0-1, 18 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Gerardo Robles (18-10, 9 KOs) on Saturday night at the McAllen Convention Center in McAllen, Texas. Felix boxed well against the very strong and aggressive Robles, who constantly brought pressure. The scores of 98-91, 97-92, 96-93 seemed a little wide from this corner. Felix was deducted a point for a low blow in round seven.

In his first ring action in over a year, former Super Six participant Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell (21-1, 14 KOs) outclassed aggressive puncher Michael Gbenga (13-7, 13 KOs) over ten one-sided rounds. Dirrell was in command all the way, dropping Gbenga in round nine en route to a shutout 100-87, 100-87, 100-88 verdict. Gbenga was deducted a point for a low blow in round five. The bout was fought in the light heavyweight division. (more…)

Juanma wins by TKO in round nine

Photos: Joel Colon/PR Best

Now campaigning as a super featherweight, former 122lb and 126lb champion Juan Manuel Lopez (32-2, 29 KOs) scored a ninth round TKO over Aldimar Silva Santos (18-4, 9 KOs) on Saturday night at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. After a slow start, Juanma staggered Silva in round three and dropped him in rounds five and seven and nine. Referee Luis Pabon waved it off during Lopez’ follow up barrage in round nine. Time was 1:04.

Unbeaten WBO #1 lightweight Jose “Chelo” Gonzalez (22-0, 17 KOs) was victorious when Alejandro Rodriguez (18-9, 10 KOs) remained on his stool at the beginning of round six. It was a good fight with Gonzalez coming on as the bout progressed.

Unbeaten WBO #9 super flyweight McJoe Arroyo 12-0, 7 KOs) won by TKO in round four when the corner of Felipe Rivas (16-11-1, 9 KOs) indicated their fighter had taken enough punishment.

2012 Olympian and lightweight super prospect Felix Verdejo (3-0, 2 KOs) scored a third round TKO Jose Santiago (2-4, 2 KOs). Verdejo dropped Santiago in round one and finished him in the third. Time was :26.

Flyweight Olympian McWilliams Arroyo (14-1, 12 KOs) scored a fourth round KO against Miguel Tamayo (14-6-2, 12 KOs). (more…)

Bertino, Alms, Khattab win

By Alex Hermann

Saturday night in Ballerup, Denmark, heavyweight Claus Bertino (15-4, 8 KO) scored an eight round decision over Humberto Evora (4-10-2, 3 KO). This was a rematch, after Evora scored an upset third round KO against Bertino in 2007. Bertino was the better starter and the Dane won the early rounds, but Evora came back strong. In round five, Evora was deducted a point. The judges scored it 77-73 and 78-73 (twice) for Claus Bertino.

Two Danish prospects, Abdul Khattab and Stephan Alms, both scored KO wins against Hungarian opponents. Alms (4-0, 2 KO) dropped Antal Kubicsek (22-33-5, 6 KO) three times and stopped him in round three, while Khattab (4-0, 2 KO) stopped Janos Varga (13-15-1, 11 KO) in two. The show was promoted by Euro Event.

Braehmer defeats Gutknecht in WBO eliminator

By Karl Freitag
Photo: Photo Wende

In a very good action fight, former WBO light heavyweight world champion and German “100 Year Talent” Juergen Braehmer (39-2, 30 KOs) dethroned European light heavyweight titleholder Eduard “Eddy” Gutknecht (24-2, 9 KOs) by unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany. Gutknecht was very aggressive against the big punching Braehmer, but Braehmer landed the sharper shots. Braehmer cut over the right eye in round four and Gutknecht did well in rounds five and six, but Braehmer was back in command in the seventh. Gutknecht was deducted a point in round nine by referee Terry O’Connor for rough housing tactics, and both fought well down the stretch. Braehmer was clearly playing for another point deduction in the last round but O’Connor didn’t bite. Scores were 114-113, 116-111, 117-110. Fightnews had it 115-112 for Braehmer.

Braehmer, who never lost his world title in the ring, will now challenge for his old belt against reigning WBO champion Nathan Cleverly or Cleverly’s next opponent Robin Krasniqi. (more…)

Villanueva brothers KO foes in LA

It was a family affair Friday night at the luxurious Jonathan Club. The venue is a very high end exclusive private club in downtown Los Angeles, California. The unbeaten Villanueva Brothers Matthew and Jessie of Palmdale, California thrilled the local crowd by dispatching of their opponents in quick fashion. (more…)

Report/gallery: Torres vs. Guereca

Ringside report by Chris Cozzone and Gerardo Martinez
Photos by Jose Leon Castillo III

Undercard enthralls, “Pittbull” Torres galls Guereca, “Jet” Torres calls it a day vs. Munoz: If you joined the near-capacity crowd late, last night at Crowne Plaza in Albuquerque, you would’ve been served a sugar-coated dessert, having missed the meat of the evening’s menu.

As expected, Johnny Tapia Presents’ hometown boys Josh “Pittbull” Torres and “Hurricane” Hector Munoz picked up wins set up for them . . . Click here for more

De La Rosa-Sabillo Colombia Presser

Photos: All Star Boxing, Inc.

Yesterday at the Centro Cultural in Cerete, Colombia, a press conference was held to officially announce the March 9 All Star Boxing world championship fight to be held at the Mario de Leon Coliseum in the city of Cerete (10 miles away of the Department’s Capital of Monteria). In the main event, WBO #2 mini-flyweight contender Luis “Chino” De La Rosa (21-1-1, 12 KO’s) of Colombia, will face undefeated WBO #3 challenger Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo (21-0-10 KO’s) of the Philippines in a bout scheduled for 12 rounds with the interim WBO mini-flyweight title at stake.

De la Rosa was present and said, “I’m the champion without a belt. I feel I defeated Raul Garcia back in 2010, but the judges didn’t see it my way, this time I will stop Sabillo and won’t leave it in the judges hands. I would like to thank Mayor Francisco Padilla Petro for his support and will dedicate the victory to him and the Department of Cordoba.” (more…)

After the war: Mike Mollo speaks

By Przemek Garczarczyk

“Merciless” Mike Mollo (20-4, 12 KO) lost to Artur Szpilka (13-0, 10 KO) Friday night in Chicago, but he won all the fans’ hearts in a great, bloody battle with the Polish heavyweight prospect. Mollo lost by KO in sixth round but not before twice putting his 23-year-old rival on the canvas. Both fighters delivered on all their promises leading up to the fight, and Mollo, talking in the UIC Pavilion locker room minutes after the fight, does not hide his emotions.

Mollo’s trainer Danell “Doc” Nicholson also weighed in on the epic fight.

Weights from Missouri

By Jeff Reiners at the scale

Galen Brown 207 vs Sam Hill 205
Andre Wilson 130 vs Ryan Pederson 136
Tristan Waggoner 135 vs Tyler Poirier 134
Eric Fleischman 144 vs Tailor Schroff 141
Colby Courter 146 vs Devon Hostler 139
Alex De Leon 145 vs Tim Clayton 139
Rickey Thompson 204 vs Dakota Talbott 221

Venue: American Legion, St. Joseph’s, MO.
Promoter: W-KO Promotions

Juanma: I’m going to 130

Photo: Joel Colon/PR Best

By Rey Colón -The Sport Press

Former two-division world champion Juan Manuel Lopez weighed in at 128.4 pounds for his fight tonight at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, against Brazilian Adilmar Silva and yesterday formalized his ‘invasion’ into the junior lightweight division which he said was already planning for some time. Juanma has done 165 rounds of sparring and he expects his body will respond at 130 pounds with the same effectiveness as when he dominated at 122 and 126. “I’m going to 130 pounds. I already talked with Orlando Pinero and then after the fight we’ll sit with the company but it’s already a reality. I will stay at 130 pounds. I’m not going to make 126 anymore. I hope my body responds well but we’ll see when the bell rings. I did 165 rounds of sparring, the first time I’ve had so many, and we hope that everything goes well. I am strong and well-fed,” he said. (more…)

Boxing Buzz

“Vitali (Klitschko) needs to man up and fight me,” David Haye is telling The Sun. |more|

The Manila Standard Today explores the dirty world of PED in sports in regard to Las Vegas, Juan Manual Marquez and Manny Pacquiao with “Cleaning Up Sports.”

Robert Della Penna, a former Canadian boxing champ, has been sentenced to five years and five months in for distributing drugs. |more|

Molina, Smith, Szpilka, George triumph

By Sam Geraci at ringside

In the main event of ESPN 2 FNF in Chicago, IL, Carlos “King” Molina (21-5-2, 6 KOs) established himself as the mandatory challenger to the winner of the 154lb IBF title fight between Cornelius “K9″ Bundrage (32-4, 19 KOs) and Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (24-5, 11 KOs) on February 23rd by scoring an impressive one-sided decision over Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks (39-8, 11 KOs) with two scores of 119-106 and one score of 120-105 in front of his hometown crowd of more than 5,200 at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. Molina dominated nearly every second with his pressure, lead right hands, and left hooks to the body and head. Molina was credited with knockdowns in rounds ten and twelve that were more a result of an accumulation of shots than a single blow. Although Molina did not score the knockout that he was looking for, it was clear tonight that Molina made an effort to sit down on his shots and as a result caused damage. (more…)

Weights from Las Vegas

By Butch Gottlieb/Boxinginlasvegas.com
Photo: John Gurzinski/ Retna Images

Frankie Gomez 142.5 vs. Lanard Lane 143
Joseph Diaz Jr. 121 vs. Jose Ruiz 122
Mickey Bey 133.5 vs. Robert Rodriguez 134
Badou Jack 167 vs. Jonuel Tapia 167
Luis Arias 163.5 vs. Joshua Robertson 164
Lanell Bellows 167 vs. Roberto Young 164

Venue: The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: Fox Sports Net/Fox Deportes

Solo Boxeo on UniMas set for debut

UniMas (formerly Telefutura), Top Rank and Tecate announced today the launch of the latest incarnation of “Solo Boxeo.” The 90-minute broadcast will air 26 telecasts live on the UniMas network on Saturdays. The series will debut tomorrow night (Saturday) beginning at midnight ET/11PM PT, from the McCallen Convention Center in McCallen, Texas, with a show headlined by undefeated top-10 contender Jose Felix Jr. risking record and rating in a 10-round lightweight bout against battle-tested Geraldo Robles.

The Solo Boxeo series will not only offer boxing action, but will allow fans to follow these fighters as they return from victories, marching up the ratings toward world title shots. Former world champions, world-class contenders, and up-and-coming prospects are scheduled to appear in future shows. The February 2013 schedule includes telecasts on February 2, February 16 and February 23.

Soliman overcomes knockdown to edge Sturm

By Karl Freitag

In an IBF middleweight eliminator, perennial contender Sam Soliman (43-11, 17 KOs) won a controversial unanimous decision over longtime former WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm (37-4-2, 16 KOs) on Friday night at the ISS Dome in Duesseldorf, Germany. Sturm dropped Soliman with huge right hand in round two and had Soliman in big trouble. After a few rounds Soliman recovered upped his work rate, while Sturm continued to land the cleaner punches. Judge Benoit Roussel of Quebec, Canada turned in a ridiculous 116-111 score, while Mickey Vann (England) and Steve Weisfeld (Connecticut) scored it 114-113.

Ring announcer Michael Buffer initially announced the winner as being from Germany before resetting and declaring Soliman the winner. Soliman earned a mandatory shot against reigning IBF titleholder and fellow Aussie Daniel Geale. (more…)

Weights from McAllen, Texas

Photos: Top Rank

Jose Felix Jr 134 vs. Gerardo Robles 134
Andre Dirrell 171.5 vs. Michael Gbenga 171.5
Ivan Najera 132.5 vs. Larry Yanez 132.25
Rafael Reyes 136.5 vs. 132.5
David Rios 134.5 vs. Noe Santamaria 135.25
Joe Duron 236.25 vs. Juan Guajardo 208.25

Huge crowd following Dirrell’s promoter 50 Cent in the hotel.

Venue: McAllen Convention Center, McAllen, Texas
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: Unimas