Felix Jr. – Robles Press Conference

Photo: Pete Susens

Lightweights Jose Felix, Jr. and Gerardo “Lalo” Robles squared off at The McAllen Convention Center today at the final press conference before their 10 round bout Saturday here. “I am going into my biggest fight on Saturday night,” said Felix. “I like fighting in Texas and hear we are going to have a big crowd. I know all about Robles and I will be prepared. We are both from Mexico so it’s going to be an all-out war.”

Super middleweight star Andre Dirrell will arrive tomorrow and is pitted against power punching Michael Gbenga of Nigeria in a 10 round feature attraction. Dirrell’s promoter and rap star 50 Cent will also be attending the card Saturday.

Eight fights are scheduled.

Tickets are $75 and $50 for VIP table seating and $20 for general admission.Tickets are available at the McAllen Convention Center Box Office and at all Ticketmaster Outlets, including Ticketmaster.com, or 1-800-745-3000.

Boxing back in Lowell, Mass.

Chicago Fight Clubs Promotion is bringing professional boxing back to Lowell, Massachusetts – home of “Irish” Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund – on Saturday night, March 16 to kick-off St. Patrick’s Day weekend, at Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. “CFC Fight Night” will be a reunion, of sorts, for people involved in the award-winning movie, “The Fighter,” which portrayed the lives of the Ward and Eklund brothers. Lowell fan favorites “Irish” Joe McCreedy and Sean Eklund, whose uncles are Micky and Dicky, will be showcased at home in Lowell for the second time as professionals. Dicky trains both fighters.

McCreedy (13-6-2, 6 KOs) will be fighting for the vacant United States Boxing Organization (“USBO”) light heavyweight title against an opponent to be determined in the 10-round main event. Eklund (11-4, 2 KOs) will be fighting in the eight-round -co-feature.

Three other Lowell boxers — light heavyweight Ricky Sylvester, junior welterweight Noun Soriya and bantamweight Mike Martin – will all be making their pro debuts. (more…)

Tahdooahnippah-Rodriguez on Feb 15 FNF

George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah has mined his craft as a world-class middleweight away from the spotlight, fighting almost exclusively in his home state of Oklahoma while amassing an undefeated record of 31-0-1 (23KOs) over his nine-year career. On February 15, Tahdooahnippah will head to the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut for a ten round showdown with former world title challenger and East Coast fan favorite Delvin Rodriguez, 26-6-3 (14KOs), broadcast LIVE on ESPN Friday Night Fights.

“This is what I’ve been looking for and why I signed with Joe DeGuardia and Star Boxing. I’ve watched Delvin fight for a few years, it seems like all of his fights have been on TV” said Tahdooahnippah. “He’s always seemed like a classy, stand-up guy, very strong and skilled fighter. His first fight with Wolak was a terrific fight, seems like he’s never in a bad one.” (more…)

Golovkin jabs at other 160lb titleholders

WBA/IBO middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin has taken some jabs at other high profile middleweights in action this week. In a press release, the unbeaten Golovkin praised IBF champion Daniel Geale for his win over Anthony Mundine, then reminded everyone that Geale chose to fight Mundine and gave up the WBA middleweight ‘super’ title rather than face him as was ordered by the WBA. “Geale said after the fight that he wanted to fight in the US this year, look no further we can make a title unification bout this summer.”

Golovkin also wished former WBA middleweight ‘super’ champion Felix Sturm the best of luck in Friday’s IBF eliminator against Sam Soliman, then added “Felix avoided me as his mandatory for over two years when he was champion, but I will give him the opportunity to fight for his old title whenever he would like to.”

Golovkin also indicated he would welcome a unification fight with WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, but realizes that fight might be a long way away as Sergio’s promoter Lou DiBella is afraid to acknowledge him for fear that it might set up a Golovkin-Martinez showdown. (more…)

Dulorme returns February 21

On Thursday, February 21, Broadway Boxing returns to Roseland Ballroom in NYC featuring WBC #10 rated junior welterweight Thomas Dulorme (16-1, 12KOs) in an eight-round bout. Dulorme is looking to bounce back from his lone blemish as a professional to fellow top-rated contender Carlos Abregu (34-1, 28KOs) on HBO last October. Also scheduled to appear on the card in separate eight-round bouts will be red-hot lightweight prospect Ivan Redkach (13-0, 11KOs) and WBA #11 rated welterweight Charlie Ota (21-1-1, 15KOs). Additional bouts on the card will be announced shortly.

The 10-bout card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000. Tickets are priced at $125, $85, $65 and $45. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled for 7 p.m. ET

Sturm, Soliman Make Weight

Photos: Team Sturm

Felix Sturm 159.84 vs. Sam Soliman 159.84
(IBF World Middleweight Title Eliminator)

Susi Kentikian 111.33 vs. Sanae Jah* (TBA)
(WBA Interim Female Flyweight Title)
Maurice Weber 153.88 vs. Mariusz Biskupski 153.88
Patrick Dobroschi 174.61 vs. Lolenga Mock 174.17
Adnan Redzovic 229.28 vs. Nico Falin 211.64
Arman Torosyan 154.32 vs. Marcel Gierke* (TBA)
Magomed Jangubaev 139.99 vs. Suleyman Dug* (TBA)
Alex Born 168 vs. Rafal Raczynski 168

Venue: ISS Dome, Dusseldorf, Germany
Promoter: Sturm Box-Promotion
TV: SAT.1 (Germany), Main Event (Australia), BoxNation (UK)

*Sanae Jah, Marcel Gierke and Suleyman Dug will weigh-in later today.

Ticket Alert: Rios-Alvarado II

Undefeated former world champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios and top-rated contender “Mile High” Mike Alvarado will face each other in a rematch of their 2012 Fight of the Year-nominated fight on March 30 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The 12-round WBO interim junior welterweight championship rumble will be televised live on HBO.

In their first fight, last October 13, a battle of undefeated gladiators, Rios and Alvarado fought toe-to-toe and non-stop for seven thrilling rounds that saw dramatic momentum shifts throughout the action-packed bout. Two of the judges had the fight scored even before referee Pat Russell stopped the fight at 1:57 of the seventh round, awarding the TKO victory to Rios. Media and fans alike compared Rios-Alvarado to the great matches of the past 50 years, including Ali-Frazier III, Corrales -Castillo I and Hagler-Hearns, based on action and entertainment value. (more…)

Full Report: Geale-Mundine

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing
Photos: Peter McDermott

IBF middleweight champion Daniel “Real Deal” Geale (29-1,15 KOs) retained the title by outscoring Anthony “The Man” Mundine (44-5,26 KOs) over twelve rounds at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia on Wednesday. Ray Reed had it 117-111, Charlie Lucas 116-112, Tony Marretta 117-111. Geale controlled the action in most of the rounds as he boxed from the orthodox stance and connected consistently with accurate combinations to the head and body. Referee Robert Byrd cautioned Mundine twice in round three for use of the head and in round four for holding and hittindg and again in round six for use of the head. Mundine was warned in round seven for use of the elbow. Geale and Mundine were both warned for hitting on back of the head round eight. Mundine showed good power and fast hands, but was visibly hurt several times during the bout although he survived to hear the final bell. (more…)

Murray: I feel I can beat Martinez

WBA interim middleweight beltholder Martin Murray says he’s going to keep his feet on the ground even if he defeats Sergio Martinez in Argentina this spring. Murray faces the world’s best middleweight for his WBC crown at the home stadium of Velez Sarsfield on April 27. Martinez is widely regarded as one of the top three pound for pound fighters on the planet, so a victory for Murray would likely catapult him to superstar status. However, he has no real interest in glitz and glamour and just wants to secure the financial future of his family. (more…)

Felix Jr. looks sharp in workout

Photos: Pete Susens

Unbeaten world rated Jose Felix, Jr. (21-0-1, 17 KOs) worked out Wednesday at James Gogue’s Mission Boxing Club in Mission, Texas, going through final preparations for his fight this Saturday on a Top Rank boxing card at The McAllen Convention Center against rugged Gerardo Robles of Durango, Mexico. The 20-year-old Felix is ranked IBF #11 and has won 14 fights in a row, dating to a draw in June, 2010. He was born and raised in Los Mochis and comes from a fighting family as he is related to boxing star Fernando Montiel. Robles enters with a record of 18-10 with 9 KOs.

The fight is scheduled for 10 rounds and it will be Top Rank’s debut on the new UniMas Network (formerly Telefutura). First bell is 7:30 pm local time. The telecast will get underway at 10 pm local time. (more…)

Mundine won’t admit defeat

Megreno stops ex-kick-boxing champ Kubo in three

By Joe Koizumi

Wise men say slow and steady wins the race, but we cannot stop rushing our prospect to the top so quickly. Some prevail, but others fail. Former world kick-boxing champ Kenji Kubo (1-1), 118, engaged in his second international style fight, but was unfortunately battered and stopped by WBC#20 ranked WBC international flyweight titlist Rey Megreno (19-20-3, 17 KOs), 117.25, Philippines, at 2:00 of the third round in a six-round main event on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.

In this country there won’t be an Archie Moore having to wait so long to get his first world title crack. Any vastly talented prospect usually rush in to acquire a world championship as soon as possible to show his brilliance and excellence. Kubo, a 23-year-old baby face, decked his debut by defeating ex-world challenger and Indonesian veteran Nouldy Manakane (who lost to Koki Kameda in a quest for the WBA bantam belt here last April) by a nearly shutout six-round decision last November. He looked physically strong and proved he could punch. (more…)

Weights from Staten Island

Nicky DeMarco 134 vs. Travis Thompson 133
Denis Douglin 159 vs. Jose Angel Rodriguez 157
Susan Reno 112 vs. Vanessa Greco 114
Shakur Jackson 146 vs. Cornelius Whitlock 146
Dennis Sharpe 159 vs. Doel Carrasquillo 159
Anthony Gangemi. 154 vs. Willie Bryant 154

Venue: Hilton Garden Inn, Staten Island, New York
Promoter: Greg Cohen Promotions

Boxing Buzz

Looks like either Guillermo Rigondeaux or Vic Darchinyan for 2012 Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire, on April 13.

After several recent MMA workouts, Ricky Hatton is giving UFC the thumbs-up. “We have to raise the bar,” he recently told the Telegraph. |more|

A columnist for The Record makes a plea for random testing in boxing . . . more

Danny Green rolls his eyes at Anthony Mundine claiming he was robbed in his loss to Daniel Geale. Check out The Australian.

WBA allows Klitschko to make optional defense

By Gabriel F. Cordero

The World Boxing Association has decided to grant a special exception to heavyweight “super” world champion Wladimir Klitschko to take a voluntary defense before his mandatory fight with “regular” world champion Alexander Povetkin. Permission was granted under the condition of a Klitschko-Povetkin contract arriving at WBA Headquarters by February 28. The fight must take place before July 31. In the event no agreement is reached, a purse bid for Klitschko vs. Povetkin will take place March 18. Klitschko would make 75% and Povetkin 25%, unless Klitschko loses in his voluntary defense. In that even, the purse will be split 50/50.

Bundrage-Smith presser

By Lindy Lindell
Photos: Bob Ryder

The Last time Cornelius “K-9″ Bundrage showed up for a big fight in the Motown area, he was seen holding the ropes open for his then-promoter Don King. Many thought that it was a shame that Detroit’s only world champion (then as now) could only carry around his IBF Championship belt while King, who co-promoted the 2011 Silverdome show to principally put on his then-WBC Welterweight Champ Devon Alexander.

Bundrage was wearing a flamboyant fur coat that night, but he was left out in the brutal cold of that February show. Ironically, King promotes neither Alexander nor Bundrage any more. Golden Boy has got them both.

Golden Boy announced today in a Motown press conference held in the foyer of the Masonic Temple, a venerable building dating from the 1920s that has featured the biggest of rock groups in its 4500-capacity auditorium, but heretofore only small boxing cards in recent years in smaller auditorium. With the returning Alexander on top defending his recently won IBF World Title on top versus the undefeated Brit Kell Brook, Bundrage will get his wish to fight in his home town against a foe with whom he is very familiar. (more…)

Cory Spinks: They chose the wrong person

By Przemek Garczarczyk

Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks (39-7, 11 KO), former two-division, five-time and undisputed world champion, talks about fighting Carlos “King” Molina (20-5, 6 KO) in a 12-round IBF junior middleweight title eliminator headlining ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” coming this Friday from UIC Pavilion in Chicago.

WBC drops Martirosyan from eliminator

Official Statement: The WBC hereby confirms that it has removed Vanes Martirosyan from participating in the final elimination fight versus Erislandy Lara due to Mr. Martirosyan’s failure to agree to a bout date compliant with the WBC Rules & Regulations. The WBC will designate an alternative opponent to Mr. Lara in for the final elimination bout to determine the mandatory contender of the super welterweight division.

Historically the WBC has continuously supported Mr. Martirosyan’s career and development. This is the third time that Mr. Martirosyan has refused to fight in a WBC-ordered elimination. The first two were against James Kirkland and Alfredo Angulo.

Golden Boy Promotions earned the right to promote the elimination bout with a bid of $410,000 dollars against Top Rank’s $65,000 dollars, and set the bout’s date for February 23, 2013. After the WBC communicated to Mr. Martirosyan that the proposed bout date did not violate the WBC’s rules, and strongly recommended that he accept it, he failed to do so, claiming he would only fight on or after March the 1st. The WBC will update the status of this division in a near future.

Juanma: I’ll be a world champion again

Photo: Joel Colon/PR Best

Former two-division world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez (31-2, 28 KOs) said that he is ready to show the world that he will become world champion again and he wants to show it this Saturday, when he faces Aldimar Silva Santos (18-3, 9 KOs) at the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico in a PR Best Boxing Promotions presentation in association with Top Rank.

“I feel so good, in good condition for this return to the ring. I look forward to fighting again, but I’m focused on this fight because I know that this is an important fight for my future,” Lopez said. “I want to show that I’ll be a world champion again, but I don’t know the weight for my future. After this fight I’ll tell you if I’ll continue at 126 or 130 pounds.”

The fight against Silva will be fought at a catch weight of 128 pounds. Lopez is currently ranked #5 by the WBO in the featherweight division. It will be Juanma’s first fight since March 2012, when he lost by TKO against Orlando Salido and was then suspended for one year after accusing referee Roberto Ramirez Sr. of gambling on the bout. Puerto Rican Sports Secretary Henry Neumann later lifted the suspension allowing Lopez to get back in the ring sooner.

Simcic-Profichet rematch is on

Photo: SES Boxing

SES light heavyweight Denis Simcic’s rematch versus Jonathan Profichet is set. Simcic (28-2-0, 14 KOs) hopes to recapture his WBO Europe crown in the SES boxing gala on March 2 at the MBS arena in Potsdam, Germany. The 31-year-old Slovenian from Munich blames a “lucky punch” for his first round TKO loss to late sub Jonathan Profichet (14-8, 9 KOs) in September 2012. In the rematch the SES fighter wants to eradicate this harsh defeat. “It is everything for me! I want to get back my title,” said Simcic. Trainer Dirk Dzemski confirms that Simcic had a concentrated and engaged preparation. “Denis is diligent. The defeat in Mülheim was a gaffe. Such an accident can happen in our sport. He will take advantage of his chance,” stated Dzemski.

This is the second title fight in Potsdam. In the main event, triple world champion Ramona Kühne (19-1, 6 KOs) will defend her WBO, WIBF and WBF female super featherweight belts against Brazilian Halanna dos Santos (14-4, 9 KOs). The SES event will be broadcast live in Germany on SPORT1.

Smith: JL Castillo just a typical Mexican fighter

Antwone “The Truth” Smith (22-4-1, 12 KOs) will face two-time former world champion Jose Luis “EL Temible” Castillo (64-11-1, 55 KOs) in the 10-round welterweight co-main event for this Friday’s (February 1) ESPN Friday Night Fights-televised “King” Carlos Molina vs. Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks 12-round main event at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. “I feel like a lot of guys on TV try to be somebody different and I want to be myself and be the truth,” said Smith of his ring moniker. “What you see is what you get. I’m not one way on camera and one way off.”

So what does he think of his well-known and possible future hall-of-fame next opponent? “He (Castillo) has the best name of anyone I fought; I guess you could say that. But to be honest, before he passed, my favorite fighter was Diego Corrales, so I’m definitely not a fan of his. He’s just a typical Mexican fighter and I’m prepared for the best version of him there has ever been, so if anything less than that shows up, he’s going to have a problem.” (more…)

Gutknecht-Braehmer Presser

Photos: Team Sauerland

The Protagonists are on edge ahead of Saturday’s showdown. The all-German affair between Eduard Gutknecht (24-1, 9 KOs) and Juergen Braehmer (38-2, 30 KOs) for the European light heavyweight championship is just days away and it seemed like the nerves were finally kicking in at today’s press conference. Promoter Kalle Sauerland got straight to the point: “We are excited about this duel. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner. Whoever is on top after the bout will be in possession of the EBU Title and will get a crack at the WBO championship. Consequently there is a lot on the line for everyone involved.”

Both participants, Gutknecht as well as Braehmer, made it clear that they see themselves ahead of the respective opponent, without giving too much away. “I am looking forward to the fight,” said 30-year-old Gutknecht. “We will see in which manner I will win on Saturday. I will keep my belt.” The current champion is also counting on the knowledge of his coach Ulli Wegner. “Mister Wegner has a lot of experience. I am planning to follow the game plan he came up with. I am only thinking positive – a loss is not even a possibility in my mind.”

The same goes for Braehmer. “I will win because I am better,” said the former WBO champion. Asked about the duel between the two coaches, Ulli Wegner and Karsten Roewer, the 34-year-old only replied: “I don’t know why everybody keeps talking about that. This fight is between Eduard Gutknecht and myself – the coaches aren’t fighting each other, we are!” (more…)

Campbell to meet Bizier

By Dave Spencer / Fightnews Canada

With undefeated welterweight Kevin Bizier (19-0, 13 KOs) in need of an opponent for his headline fight next Friday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, it looks as if the name of former undisputed champion Nate Campbell (36-9-1, 26 KOs) has surfaced to the top of the heap. Veteran Montreal boxing writer Daniel Cloutier first broke the name and Fightnews was able to reach the Florida based boxer for confirmation this morning by text. Earlier this week original opponent John O’Donnell fell through with a reported hand injury leaving Bizier’s GYM promoters scurrying to find a suitable opponent for the ESPN Friday Night Fight headline slot. Forty year-old Campbell had a good 2012 as ‘The Galaxy Warrior’ became a ‘Road Warrior’ notching victories in the Dominican Republic and Poland against hometown fighters Victor Cayo and Kryzsztof Szot. Previous to that Campbell had lost four of five. The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds and will be for Bizier’s NABA welterweight belt.

Video: Juanma-Silva Press Conference

Video: Joel Colon

Presser for Saturday night’s clash at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico between former world champin Juanma Lopez (31-2, 28 KOs) and Aldimar Silva Santos (18-3, 2 KOs).

Late Results from Tunica, Mississippi

By Tracy Morin, Memphisboxing.com

On January 26, 2013, at the Fitz Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi, Fights at the Fitz kicked off the new year with an exciting and diverse card that featured undefeated prospects, local favorites and unexpected upsets. In the main event, junior welterweight Keandre Gibson (7-0-1, 3 KOs) won an eight round unanimous decision over Boyd Henley (10-1-1, 9 KOs). Read full report at Memphsiboxing.com.