Geale-Mundine heats up even more

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

At Monday’s press conference at the Star City Casino, former WBA super middleweight champion Anthony Mundine accused IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale of being a glorified amateur boxer and claimed that his USA promoter Gary Shaw used his influence with the IBF to help Geale in winning the IBF title against Sebastian Sylvester in 2011 and the WBA title against Felix Sturm in 2012 – ahead of there IBF middleweight title bout to be held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia on Wednesday.

“Because Sturm and Sylvester are robots,” Mundine said. “They haven’t got hands like me, haven’t got feet like me. I’ll hurt Daniel more in our fight than both those guys did. He’s a glorified amateur. This is not about how many punches you can throw, it’s about how you hit and be hit. It’s professional boxing and I’m gonna show him how it’s done. I’m gonna outbox him, outfox him and outfight him. Daniel Geale ain’t me. I told him he was going to be world champion if I wasn’t here. This boy ain’t on my level and I’m gonna take his belt again.”

Geale responded to say: “If this fight was about who talks the most, shit then, yeah, Anthony wins. When we went to Germany, everyone expected us to come back with nothing. But we went out there and did what no one else in Australia has done. So I know Anthony’s just trying to get into my head. You can see it a mile off. He’s just trying to distract me because that’s what he does.” (more…)

Q&A: Sakio Bika

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Fightnews talks to world rated super middleweight Sakio “Scorpion” Bika, who says he will defeat Nikola Sjekloca on February 16 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City for the WBC 168 pound interim title. He also said he will defeat Lucian Bute if they have a third fight and would also look forward to fights against Aussies Anthony Mundine and Danny Green and talks about his fights with Andre Ward and Joe Calzaghe.

How is training in the USA for your WBC super middleweight title bout on Feb 16 against Nikola Sjekloca? Who are your sparring partners and what’s the name of your gym?

The preparation is going great. Everyday just training hard, running hard focusing on what I have to do. Kevin Cunningham is training me again. My sparring partners are WBA #9 Ben McCulloch from Australia, Fara Ennis from Philadelphia and Sebastien Demers a super middleweight from Canada. St. Charles Boxing club. (more…)

It’s Official: Entire Barclay’s card postponed

Due to a rib injury sustained while training, Danny Garcia will be unable to compete in his scheduled February 9 world title defense against Zab Judah which was to be televised by Showtime from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. As a result, the event, and its undercard bouts, have been postponed until Saturday, April 27 at Barclays Center. All tickets purchased for the February 9 event will be honored on April 27.

Boxing Buzz

A rib injury has sidelined Danny Garcia from his Feb. 9th showdown with Zab Judah. April 27 is looking like the rescheduled date.

The Richard Steele Boxing Gym in Las Vegas may close its doors if a local fundraiser can’t generate donations to keep it open. Las Vegas’ KTNV has more.

An April tune-up for Manny Pacquiao in Manila has been declined by investors in the Philippines. The Manila Standard Today gives the total amount of the package. |more|

Chelsea Clinton recently visited Detroit’s Downtown Boxing Gym as part of “NBC Nightly News” |more|

Report/gallery: Matthysse vs. Dallas

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

Interim junior welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse literally punched his side of the ticket to a possible showdown with unified titlist Danny Garcia when he annihilated Mike Dallas Jr. in the first round at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The Argentinean’s last ten victories have been via stoppage and it was assumed that Dallas Jr. would be little more than cannon fodder for Matthysse (33-2, 31 KOs). Turns out that assumption was correct. It also didn’t help that a some mind games by Dallas (19-3-1) and trainer Virgil Hunter perhaps sped up the process. Prior to the first bell, Hunter accused Matthysse of taking a banned substance in his locker room. The Nevada State Athletic Commission got involved but found no issue and allowed the fight to go on. It was all downhill from there . . . click here for more

Sakti dies after fight in Indonesia

By Jeffrey Pamungkas

17-year-old Indoneasian boxer Tubagus Sakti (2-2-3, 1 KO) died yesterday (1/27) after a rough fight with Ichal Tobida. Sakti was retired in round eight of the scheduled twelve round bout for the national junior flyweight title on Saturday night at TVRI Studio, Jakarta. Sakti then fell unconscious and was soon rushed to the Indonesian Christian University Hospital, Jakarta, but the doctors couldn’t save his life. Sakti died at 2:30PM on Sunday due to a cerebral hemorrhage.

Garcia-Judah Postponment

By Gary “Digital” Williams

Fightnews.com is hearing word that the WBA/WBO Light Welterweight title bout between champion Danny Garcia and former champ Zab Judah slated for Saturday, February 9 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY will be called off. A source within the Garcia camp tells Fightnews that Garcia hurt his thumb in training. However, other reports list that Garcia may have suffered cracked ribs during training.

As of now no decision has been made on the status of the event, in which two Beltway Boxers are scheduled to appear. Salisbury, MD middleweight Fernando Guerrero was slated to challenge Peter Quillin for Quillin’s WBO Middleweight title in the co-feature bout. Also, Temple Hills, MD super middleweight D’Mitrius Ballard was set to make his pro debut on the card.

We’ll have more on this as it develops.

Sartison beats Solomko

By Malte Müller-Michaelis

Former WBA super middleweight champion Dimitri Sartison (30-2, 18 KOs) won a lopsided unanimous decision over six rounds against Belarussian journeyman Artem Solomko (11-21-1, 4 KOs) in Herleen (Netherlands) on Sunday night. It was Sartison’s first fight since losing in a WBA world championship bout to Karoly Balzsay (25-2, 12 KOs) in April 2012. “It was important for Dmitri to get back into the ring after a rather long lay-off”, manager Waldemar Kluch told German boxing website boxen-heute.de. “He showed an excellent performance and didn’t look rusty at all. We will keep him busy and try to get another title shot for him soon.”

Sartison is expected to return to action on March 9th to fight for the WBC Silver Baltic championship in his adopted hometown Hamburg.

Stieglitz wins; Abraham-Stieglitz II set

WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham (36-3, 28 KOs) is putting his title on the line in Magdeburg, Germany. The 32-year-old takes on Robert Stieglitz (43-3, 24 KOs) in a rematch of their August 25 bout at the o2 World Berlin. Back then Abraham won against Stieglitz by unanimous decision (116:112, 116:112 and 115:113) and consequently took Stieglitz’ WBO belt. Now the two will meet again on March 23 at the GETEC-Arena in Magdeburg.

“For me it is a question of honor”, said Abraham. “Robert was brave enough to face me in my backyard. Now I am travelling to Magdeburg and have to enter ‘the Lion’s Den’ to fight him.” This will be the second time that the current WBO-Champion steps into the ring of the arena, which has a capacity of 7,000 people. “The first time I fought in Magdeburg was only my ninth pro bout. I won against Branko Sobot by technical KO in round two. Back then the arena was still known as Boerderlandhalle and Sven Ottke won his farewell fight. The fans were fantastic.”

In order for the rematch to take place, the challenger, Robert Stieglitz, had to win his last test ahead of the title shot on Saturday night. The 31-year-old traveled to Barcelona, Spain where he won in convincing fashion against Michal Nieroda by KO in round three. After coming through the bout with no injuries he is now completely focussed on the project of wining back the title. Robert Stieglitz: “Somehow I wasn’t able to fight to my full potential during my first fight against Arthur. After I suffered cuts, I couldn’t get back into it. It just was not my day. But that will not happen again.”

Boxing Buzz

Former champ Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton will be hitting the dance floor on a new series in the UK entitled “Let’s Dance For Comic Relief.” Fifteen contestants will battle it out.

Five-time champ Evander Holyfield is in Vancouver, Canada, promoting an anti-bullying campaign.

Golden Boy has offered up $3 million to Top Rank, to arrange a super showdown between Abner Mares and Nonito Donaire, to take place in June.

Matthysse demolishes Dallas Jr. in one

By Andreas Hale and Anthony Springer Jr. at ringside
Photos: Mary Ann Owen/boxinginlasvegas.com

WBC interim super lightweight world champion Lucas Matthysse (33-2, 31 KOs) showed why he may be the most exciting fighter in boxing as he knocked Mike “The Silent Assassin” Dallas Jr. (19-2-1, 8 KOs) out cold in the very first round of their clash on Saturday night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Matthysse landed a crushing right hand that left Dallas Jr. motionless on the canvas. Time was 2:26.

In an entertaining battle between jr middleweight sluggers, Jesus Soto Karass (27-8-3, 17 KOs) pounded out a ten round majority decision over Selcuk Aydin (23-2, 17 KOs). Scores were 97-93, 97-93, 95-95.

Unbeaten super welterweight Jermell Charlo (20-0, 10 KOs) scored an eighth round TKO over Harry Joe Yorgey (25-2-1, 12 KOs). Charlo dropped Yorgey twice in round two and battered Yorgey until Harry Joe took a knee in round eight and referee Kenny Bayless waved it off. Time was 1:09. (more…)

Cazares edges Perez; Knight defeats Vazquez

Former two-division world champion Hugo “Increible” Cazares (38-7-2, 26 KOs) pounded out a narrow twelve round unanimous decision over Rey Perez (17-3, 3 KOs) in a super bantamweight bout on Saturday night at the Gimnasio Manuel Bernardo Aguirre, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. Scores were 114-113, 114-113 and 114-112. Cazares claimed the WBC silver belt with the win. (Big thanks to Edgar Amaya)

In the most entertaining fight of the evening, WBC female flyweight champion Ava Knight (11-1-3, 5 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Susana Vazquez (8-8-1, 3 KOs). (more…)

Yesica Bopp retains 108lb belt

Photos: Fabio Latorre

WBO/WBA female light flyweight champion Yesica “La Tuti” Bopp (23-0, 10 KOs) retained her titles via ten round unanimous technical decision over Marisa “La Piba” Portillo (13-7-2, 2 KOs) on Saturday night in the Gimnasio Polideportivo Municipal in Monte Hermoso, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The bout was sent to the scorecards when Portillo suffered a cut after an accidental headbutt. Bopp won by scores of 100-90, 100-90 and 98-91 as she successfully made her 11th defense.

In the co-feature, jr middleweight Brian Castano won a six round unanimous decision over Pablo Roldan.

The fight took place in Monte Hermoso due to the efforts of Mayor Marcos Fernandez and the event attracted more than a thousand spectators and well as a national TV audience and worldwide media attention.

(more…)

O’Connor Decisions Silveira

Ringside Report by Scott Ploof
Photography by Emily Harney

IBF #15 and WBC #22 ranked welterweight Danny “Bhoy” O’Connor (20-1, 7 KOs) fighting out of nearby Framingham, MA scored a very hard fought majority decision victory over the game challenge of New England title holder, Derek Silveira (8-1, 4 KOs) on Saturday night at the TD Bank Boston Garden, in Boston, MA. Scores of the bout were 100-89 and 97-93 for O’Connor while the third judge scored the bout a draw at 95-95. O’Connor dictated the pace of the fight with his strong punching power and ring generalship, while Silveira had a slight edge in speed. O’Connor was able to pick his spots late in the fight. Silveira was throwing wildly and landed some, but O’Connor was able to counter effectively with his power to capture the victory. The fight card was promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing.
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Unbeaten lightweight Ryan Kielczewski (15-0, 3 KOs) kept his perfect record in tact as he stopped Washington Hago (5-5, 3 KOs) at 48 seconds of round two. Kielczewski knocked Hago down twice in round two with body shots that prompted the corner of Hago to throw in the towel.
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Dorchester, MA’s own Billy Traft (3-0, 1 KO) put on a boxing clinic as he defeated Joe Powers (0-1) in his professional debut by unanimous decision in a light heavyweight matchup. Scores of the bout were 40-36 twice and 39-37. (more…)

Paez Jr. halts Fuentes

Photos: Rafael Soto / Zanfer

Welterweight contender Jorge “Maromerito” Paez Jr (34-4-1, 20 KOs) scored a ninth round KO over Francisco “Paco” Fuentes (16-3, 13 KOs) on Saturday night at the Auditorio Bicentenario de Morelia in Morelia, Michoacan de Ocampo, Mexico. Paez dropped Fuentes twice in round six and again in round nine when Fuentes did not beat the count.

Super flyweight Felipe Orucuta (27-1, 23 KOs) made quick work of Fernando Lumacad (27-6-3, 12 KOs). A Orucuta left hook in round one ended matters.

Jr flyweight prospect Francisco “Chihuas” Rodriguez (10-1, 8 KOs) scored a third round TKO over former world champion “Chango” Vargas (33-11-1, 17 KOs). The fight went on despite Vargas not making weight for the bout.

photos

Fort KOs Kolle

By Ray Kilgore
Photos: Jesse Kelley

“Sir” Cerresso Fort (15-0-1, 11 KOs) scored the biggest win of his career on Friday night at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Mn with a TKO victory in round five over Andy “Kaos” Kolle (25-4, 18 KOs) in a middleweight bout. Outside of Cerresso Fort’s avid supporters, few fans who were in attendance at the Grand Casino, in Hinckley Minnesota would have predicted that Fort, 26, would stop Andy Kolle, 29, inside of five rounds.

Fort turned in one of his best performances since turning professional in 2008. Leading up to the fight, both men faced questions. Kolle, whose ring alias is “Kaos,” hadn’t fought since April of last year after he suffered a broken hand against Michael Walker in taking a unanimous decision. Meanwhile, in November of last year, Fort was seriously rocked (the first time in his professional career) from a punch by Brandon Baue ( 12-9, 10 KOs), although Fort took an easy unanimous decision in the end. (more…)

Mansour-Alexander Report/Gallery

By Rick Scharmberg at ringside
Photos: Juan Marshall / JM Photography

Eighteen hundred hardcore boxing fans braved ice, snow, and temperatures in the teens to see perhaps the hardest hitting American heavyweight, Amir “Hardcore” Mansour score another devastating knockout at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in Dover, Delaware. Mansour (17-0, 13 KOs) gave them what they came for, taking just 24 seconds to crush veteran Dominique “Diamond” Alexander (23-16-1, 11 KOs). In the co-feature, much-avoided heavyweight Franklin “Yah Yah” Lawrence (19-2-2, 14 KOs) stopped Mark “Oak Tree” Brown (15-5, 7 KOs), after Brown’s corner would not let him answer the bell for the third round of the scheduled eight round bout. Dover Downs Hotel & Casino promoted the sold-out, seven bout card. (more…)

Vera-Dzinziruk post fight presser

By Boxing Bob Newman

After a scintillating ESPN2 Friday Night Fights in which both favored headliners lost via TKO, the post fight press conference took place in the Cypress Room at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York. Main event loser Sergiy Dzinziruk didn’t attend as he was being treated by the ringside physician in his dressing room. On hand were Dzinziruk’s conqueror Brian “The Warrior” Vera, upstart Antoine Douglas, Tony Luis, his victorious opponent Jose Hernandez, co-promoter Greg Cohen, Cohen’s champion guest Austin “No Doubt” Trout and undercard prospect Jose Saenz. All gave their thoughts on their performances and took questions from the gathered press.

Bermane Stiverne Ready For Chris Arreola – Predicts KO Win

By James Slater

34-year-old Haitian-born Canadian Bermane Stiverne faces proven contender Chris Arreola in a WBC heavyweight eliminator on March 9th, and the man known as “B.Ware” (who was a no-show at the official press conference last week) is convinced he will not only win, but win in style.

The 6’2, approx 240-pounder is itching to get at Arreola, feeling this fight should have happened “a long time ago.”

“Chris Arreola has already fought for the world title and you’ve gotta respect that, and yes, he is a good fighter, a tough cookie,” Stiverne says. “But he’s never faced anyone like me before. My speed will beat him, no doubt. The fight will definitely end with a KO – in my favour!” (more…)

Tilyard ready for Slice

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Australian heavyweight Shane Tilyard (6-6, 6 KOs) is confident of defeating Kimbo Slice (6-0, 5 KOs) when they clash over four rounds on the undercard of the Daniel Geale vs. Anthony Mundine IBF middleweight title bout at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Tilyard was impressive in sparring sessions with former world heavyweight challenger Kevin Johnson in 2011 when the American was in Australia, preparing for his bout against Alex Leapai. Tilyard is coming off a sensational second round knockout over former Australian champion Colin Wilson who had clashed with former world heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders and contenders Joe Bugner, Kali Meehan and Shane Cameron. (more…)

Chad Trahan Speaks On Training With WBO Middleweight Champ Peter Quillin

By James Slater

Southpaw middleweight prospect Chad Trahan has enjoyed the experience of working in a Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. camp in the recent past, and this past week, the unbeaten 33-year-old has been sparring hard with WBO middleweight champ Peter Quillin at the famous Wild Card gym in L.A.

“Kid Chocolate” Quillin (28-0, 20 KOs) is of course getting ready to defend his belt against Fernando Guerrero (25-1, 19 KOs) at the Barclay’s Centre in New York; while Trahan (6-0, 5 KOs) has his own fight coming up, and he used the valuable time at Freddie Roach’s gym to ready himself for a scheduled 8-rounder in Miami in March. (more…)

Abraham vs. Stieglitz II on March 23 in Magdeburg

By Malte Müller-Michaelis

According to different sources in Germany the re-match between WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham (36-3, 28 KOs) and former titlist Robert Stieglitz (42-3, 23 KOs) is set for March 23rd in Stieglitz’ adopted home Magdeburg. Promoters Sauerland Event and Sports Event Steinforth (SES) have not confirmed the date yet but Stieglitz has a re-match clause from their first fight which Abraham won by unanimous decision in August 2012 in Berlin. After winning the title Abraham made a voluntary title defense in December stopping Frenchman Mehdi Bouadla (26-4, 11 KOs) in 8. Stieglitz will have a tune-up bout for the re-match against “King Arthur” tonight in Barcelona against Michal Nieroda (10-2, 5 KOs). Assuming that Stieglitz beats Nieroda and doesn’t get injured, Sauerland and SES are expected to officially announce Abraham vs. Stieglitz II at a press conference next week.

Selcuk Aydin ready to shine

By Malte Müller-Michaelis

Turkish welterweight contender and former WBC Silver champion Selcuk Aydin reenters the big stage in the USA tonight against Mexican tough-guy Jesus Soto Karass in the co-feature of the WBC light welterweight championship between Lucas Mathyssee and Mike Dallas Jr. at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas. It will be Aydin’s second appearance on Showtime in a row. In his last fight in July 2012 the hard-hitting Turk lost by unanimous decision to Robert Guerrero but made “The Ghost” work hard for his money. “I will be a lot better than I was against Guerrero”, says Aydin. “I was unexperienced back then. I didn’t reach the top of my game. I feel stronger and more explosive now.”

After losing to Guerrero Aydin changed his coach. He is working with David Haye’s trainer and manager Adam Booth now and prepared for the fight against Soto Karass at the Hayemaker gym in London. “Adam Booth is an excellent trainer. It feels good to have him in my corner,” states Aydin. (more…)

Kimbo Slice poised for Aussie debut

Global icon fighter Kimbo Slice, aka Kevin Ferguson (6-0, 5 KOs) , who’s promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, is less than a week away from his highly anticipated 4-round bout against QLD Heavyweight champion Shane Tilyard. The bout takes place at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, on Wednesday, January 30, as the co-feature on the undercard of Mundine vs. Geale II.

Gary Shaw believes Kimbo Slice’s mass appeal to connect with fans is unique and he expects those watching on PPV will get their money’s worth. “Every time Kimbo Slice is about to fight the whole world waits in anticipation to see what he’s going to do against his opponent,” said Shaw. “One thing you can always count on is Kimbo going for the knockout. He throws with bad intentions.”

Morales stays unbeaten

On Friday night Gary Shaw Productions and the Chumash Resort Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif., enjoyed another cell out crowd for their show titled “Central Coast Championship Night.”
 
The main event featured undefeated super-bantamweight standout Roman Morales (14-0, 7 KOs) vs. Jose Iniguez (6-15, 1 KO).  Morales, known for his great body punching, used all his tools to come out victorious against Iniguez.  After five dominating rounds, Morales ended the bout with a vicious body shot.  With the win, Morales looks to march on toward a regional title, a shot he hopes to get by the end of the year. (more…)

Boxing Buzz

During the press conference for Saturday’s world title defense in Chihuahua, Mexico, IBF female flyweight champion Ava Knight challenged former male world champion Edgar Sosa to fight her in a four round exhibition.

Promoter Bob Arum says that Marquez-Pacquiao 5 could take place in Macao or Singapore.

Golden Boy has reportedly sent a $3 million offer to Top Rank to make a fight between Nonito Donaire and Abner Mares. No options or catch weights are involved and the fight would take place in May or June.

Heavyweight David Haye said Friday that he’s looking to unify all heavyweight belts, starting with WBC titleholder Vitali Klitschko, then a revenge fight against WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO king Wladimir Klitschko.