Ward replaces Bradley on ESPN announce team

Undefeated two-division world champion and 2004 Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward will join ESPN’s coverage of two of the year’s biggest boxing events: the August 19th Top Rank Boxing on ESPN Terence “Bud” Crawford vs Julius Indongo and the August 26th pay-per-view Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor.

Ward, the current Unified Light Heavyweight Champion of the World, will join ESPN’s Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas as a guest analyst for the August 19th Top Rank Boxing on ESPN “Unification” fight, replacing recently retired Timothy Bradley who had been in that role.

Undefeated two-division world champion and 2004 Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward will join ESPN’s coverage of two of the year’s biggest boxing events: the August 19th Top Rank Boxing on…
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Benavides-Gavril on Showtime

Unbeaten rising star David Benavidez and powerful contender Ronald Gavril will battle for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight World Championship on Friday, Sept. 8 live on SHOWTIME in the headlining attraction of a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas.

The SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION telecast will feature two additional showdowns in the super middleweight division. Once-beaten J’Leon Love (23-1, 13 KOs) will battle Texas-native Abraham Han (26-3, 16 KOs) in a 10-round bout while unbeaten prospect Caleb Plant (15-0, 10 KOs) takes on Mexico’s Alan Campa (16-3, 11 KOs) in 10 rounds of action.

Benavidez (18-0, 17 KOs) has a chance to make history – at just 20-years-old he is aiming to become the youngest super middleweight champion in history and the youngest reigning world champion in the sport today. Gavril (18-1, 14 KOs) will seek to keep the WBC 168-pound title in the Mayweather Promotions family after it was vacated by his stablemate, Badou Jack.

Unbeaten rising star David Benavidez and powerful contender Ronald Gavril will battle for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight World Championship on Friday, Sept. 8 live on SHOWTIME in the headlining…
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ESPN2 Weights from Puerto Rico

Alberto Machado 130 vs. Carlos Morales 130

Photo: Hector Santos Guia/ Miguel Cotto Promotions, LLC, Golden Boy Promotions

Emanuel Rivera 117 vs. Nate Green 117
Juan Carlos Camacho 114 vs. Edwin Rodriguez 114

Venue: Complejo Ferial De Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto Rico
Promoter Golden Boy
TV: ESPN2

Alberto Machado 130 vs. Carlos Morales 130 Emanuel Rivera 117 vs. Nate Green 117 Juan Carlos Camacho 114 vs. Edwin Rodriguez 114 Venue: Complejo Ferial De Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto…
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Crawford-Indongo Presser Quotes

By Bill Green

Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

In one of your championship fights you scored a one punch KO victory and in the next you outboxed Ricky Burns to capture your second title. So are you the puncher or the boxer in this fight?

Indongo: I’m just a boxer, you know. The Troyanovsky KO just happened, it came out of nowhere. I will just be me and let God take care of the rest. I’m excited and blessed for the opportunity to be on such a big stage.

Terence, when your critics said that Postol had a better jab, you took it away and showed yours, when they said Diaz was a pure slick boxer and Olympian…you outclassed and outboxed him. What do you feel Indongo does well and what will you do to neutralize it?

Crawford: I will do exactly that. I will take away what he is confident in doing. He does have good movement and is very confident. I want to test his body and cut off the ring at times. But, you all will have to show up and see how the fight will play out.

By Bill Green In one of your championship fights you scored a one punch KO victory and in the next you outboxed Ricky Burns to capture your second title. So…
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Shawn Porter pulls out of FOX fight

Former world champion and top welterweight contender “Showtime” Shawn Porter has pulled out of the welterweight battle against former title challenger Thomas Dulorme that headlines the Mayweather vs. McGregor preliminary bouts on FOX and FOX Deportes on August 26 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Porter withdrew from the match due to personal reasons, which included a death in his family. 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Yordenis Ugas (19-3, 9 KOs) will replace Porter and now take on Dulorme (24-2, 18 KOs) in the main preliminary bout on FOX. Continue reading “Shawn Porter pulls out of FOX fight”

Former world champion and top welterweight contender “Showtime” Shawn Porter has pulled out of the welterweight battle against former title challenger Thomas Dulorme that headlines the Mayweather vs. McGregor preliminary…
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Horn confident of beating Pacquiao again

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn is confident he will defeat Manny Pacquiao again in their rematch and says he will show his victory over the future Hall of Famer was no fluke.

“Just give us a date, a time and the place to show up so we can get it on,’’ Horn told the Townsville Bulletin. “There was so much backlash on that last fight with judging and then going to a recount. I think I’ll improve from the first time and when I beat him again it won’t be considered a fluke…I’m just happy to take the fight and my main concern is that it is in Australia.”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn is confident he will defeat Manny Pacquiao again in their rematch and says he will show his victory…
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Kopylenko-Scott added to Sept 15 card

Middleweights Vitaly Kopylenko (26-1-0, 14 KOs) and Travis Scott (19-3, 5 KOs) will clash in the eight round co-main event on September 15 at “The Dome at the Ballpark” in Rosemont, Illinois and telecast live on CBS Sports Network. The card is headlined by the 10-round main event featuring undefeated and world ranked Mike Lee (19-0, 10 KOs) defending his IBF-USBA light heavyweight title against Anthony “The Quiet Storm” Quattrocchi (10-1-1, 5 KOs).

Middleweights Vitaly Kopylenko (26-1-0, 14 KOs) and Travis Scott (19-3, 5 KOs) will clash in the eight round co-main event on September 15 at “The Dome at the Ballpark” in…
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WBA calls Zeuge-Ekpo purse bid

The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee summoned a purse bid for the super middleweight title fight between champion Tyron Zeuge and Nigerian Isaac Ekpo, on August 28th. They already fought on March 23 and Zeuge was given the victory by technical decision in the fifth round. However, it was an intense fight with the 49-46, 48-47 and 49-47 scorecards. The Championships Committee, upon request of team Ekpo, analyzed the fight and ordered a rematch giving them 30 days to negotiate, however, Zeuge was granted a special permit to fight Paul Smith with the condition that the winner of that bout should negotiate with Ekpo. The failure of the parties to reach an agreement forced the Championships Committee to summon the purse bid, which will take place in the WBA offices in Panamá City, presided over by Aurelio Fiengo.

The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee summoned a purse bid for the super middleweight title fight between champion Tyron Zeuge and Nigerian Isaac Ekpo, on August 28th. They already…
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Miguel Cotto Media Day

By Miguel Maravilla

Four-division world champion Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33 KOs) of Puerto Rico hosted a media workout Wednesday afternoon at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California ahead of his bout against Japan’s Yoshihiro “El Maestrito” Kamegai (27-3-2, 24 KOs). Cotto will take on Kamegai next Saturday, August 26 at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, California live on HBO World Championship Boxing. Cotto and his Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach had a full workout here is what they had to say.

Photo: Tom Hogan/Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions

“We are one week away from the Kamegai fight. Camp was good and I am ready,” Miguel Cotto told Fightnews.com®. “Kamegai is a tough, strong, fighter that comes forward. He will come ready to prove who he is. There is no doubt that I will come out with the victory.” Continue reading “Miguel Cotto Media Day”

By Miguel Maravilla Four-division world champion Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33 KOs) of Puerto Rico hosted a media workout Wednesday afternoon at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California ahead of…
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Funeka aims to get career back on track

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s Ali Funeka hopes to get his career back on track after his stoppage loss against Jeff Horn in December last year when he challenges Samuel Vargas from Colombia for the WBA/NABA welterweight title at the Brampton Powerade Centre in Toronto, Canada on Saturday. The 39-year-old Funeka (39-6-3, 30 KOs) was smashed to defeat in six rounds by Jeff Horn who won the WBO welterweight belt in his next fight when he outpointed Manny Pacquiao. However, Funeka had Horn on the canvas before the stoppage.

Vargas, 28, who fights out of Toronto made his pro debut in February 2010 and has racked up a record of 27-3-1, 14 KOs. Continue reading “Funeka aims to get career back on track”

By Ron Jackson South Africa’s Ali Funeka hopes to get his career back on track after his stoppage loss against Jeff Horn in December last year when he challenges Samuel…
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Menard inks new managerial pact

Shane Shapiro’s No Limits Mindset, LLC has signed lightweight contender, Mason Menard to an exclusive managerial contract. Menard of Rayne, Louisiana has a record of 33-2, 24 KOs. He suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery that has kept him out of action for the remainder of 2017. They are shooting for an early 2018 return, showcasing Memard in 1-2 fights locally in Louisiana before landing a big fight. Continue reading “Menard inks new managerial pact”

Shane Shapiro’s No Limits Mindset, LLC has signed lightweight contender, Mason Menard to an exclusive managerial contract. Menard of Rayne, Louisiana has a record of 33-2, 24 KOs. He suffered…
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LaManna-Sosa clash Saturday in AC

This Saturday night, Thomas LaManna will take on George Sosa in a ten-round bout for the WBC Silver Latino Welterweight bout that will headline a big 11 bout card at what is expected to be a sold out Calridge Hotel in Atlantic City.

The show, promoted by Rising Promotions, is the 9th card that will be staged before a capacity crowd. Continue reading “LaManna-Sosa clash Saturday in AC”

This Saturday night, Thomas LaManna will take on George Sosa in a ten-round bout for the WBC Silver Latino Welterweight bout that will headline a big 11 bout card at…
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Byrd to ref Mayweather-McGregor

Veteran referee Robert Byrd will be the third man in the ring for the August 26 Mayweather-McGregor PPV clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Judges will be Burt Clements, Dave Moretti and Guido Cavalleri.

Veteran referee Robert Byrd will be the third man in the ring for the August 26 Mayweather-McGregor PPV clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Judges will be Burt…
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NSAC OKs 8oz gloves for Mayweather-McGregor

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has unanimously approved the clash between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor to be fought with eight-ounce gloves, rather than the ten-ounce mitts normally required for the junior middleweight division and higher. The decision was a one-time exception for this bout only. McGregor normally uses four-ounce gloves in MMA competition.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has unanimously approved the clash between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor to be fought with eight-ounce gloves, rather than the ten-ounce mitts normally required for…
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Crawford, Indongo poised to unify

By Robert Hough

Light welterweights Terence Crawford and Julius Indongo are set to fight Saturday in an ultra-rare, four-belt unification bout. The match, in Lincoln, Nebraska, will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET and streamed live via the ESPN app.

Here’s what they had to say today:

Terence Crawford: “(Indongo) is at the end of his career. He doesn’t have a lot of choices. He can’t wait around for a long time…He has good legs. It seems like he can punch a bit. He doesn’t let his opponent get inside.”

Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Julius Indongo: “It’s something huge. It’s very big. It’s very meaningful…I am a humble guy but I don’t fear anybody. My focus, my game-plan, everything is in position…Although people never knew me, this is the right time to show the world.”

Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Continue reading “Crawford, Indongo poised to unify”

By Robert Hough Light welterweights Terence Crawford and Julius Indongo are set to fight Saturday in an ultra-rare, four-belt unification bout. The match, in Lincoln, Nebraska, will be televised live on ESPN…
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Dorticos-Kudryashov Ticket Alert

Tickets for the September 23 World Boxing Super Series clash between WBA cruiserweight champion Yunier Dorticos (21-0, 20 KOs) and Dmitry Kudryashov (21-1, 21 KOs) in a quarter-final bout at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas are now on sale. Prices are $250, $125, $100, $50, and $30.

“It’s a thrill to promote the first World Boxing Super Series fight in the United States,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman and CEO of Ringstar Sports. “This fight may very well turn out to be the best clash of the entire tournament. The WBSS is a first class organization and I am proud to be working with them to bring the best fighters in the world to the US competing for the Ali trophy. San Antonio is a great boxing town and the Alamodome is the perfect place to kick-off the US leg of the tournament.”

No U.S. television has been announced thus far for the $50 million tournament.

Tickets for the September 23 World Boxing Super Series clash between WBA cruiserweight champion Yunier Dorticos (21-0, 20 KOs) and Dmitry Kudryashov (21-1, 21 KOs) in a quarter-final bout at…
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Full Report: Nery dethrones WBC bantam champ Yamanaka

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten Mexican southpaw Luis Nery (24-0, 18 KOs), 118, surprisingly captured the WBC bantamweight belt when he swarmed over previously unbeaten champ Shinsuke Yamanaka (27-1-2, 19 KOs), 118, battered him to the punch and halted him with the towel thrown in from his corner at 2:29 of the fourth round on Tuesday in Kyoto, Japan. Yamanaka, a southpaw upright stylist, failed to score his thirteenth defense, which would have tied the Japanese mark of Yoko Gushiken’s as many defenses registered 37 years ago.

It’s a shocking defeat for a great many adherents in Kyoto city, where he had stayed in high school days and started to learn how to box—along with his younger alumni such as 2012 Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata and former world challenger Shohei Omori.

Prior to the quick stoppage Nery was leading on points: Oren Shellenberger (US), David Sutherland (US) both 29-28 for Nery, Joel Scobie (Canada) 29-28 for Yamanaka. The referee was Mike Griffin (Canada). Continue reading “Full Report: Nery dethrones WBC bantam champ Yamanaka”

By Joe Koizumi Photos by Naoki Fukuda Unbeaten Mexican southpaw Luis Nery (24-0, 18 KOs), 118, surprisingly captured the WBC bantamweight belt when he swarmed over previously unbeaten champ Shinsuke…
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Duran analyzes GGG vs. Canelo

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Boxing legend Roberto Duran expects the Gennady Golovkin versus Saul Alvarez contest on September 16 in Las Vegas to be a tough fight, but isn’t picking a winner.

“When Golovkin fought with the gringo Jacobs, he received a lot of punches. Golovkin had Jacobs in a bad situation several times, but he did not know how to finish him off. On the other hand, the Mexican is by nature a brave boxer and when you bring [a Mexican boxer] to fight, they give everything in the ring.

“It will be a very tough fight, because the two of them hit hard. In this fight, the one who will survive is the one who is capable of handling the other’s punch, and for me that will be the one who will take the victory.”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing Boxing legend Roberto Duran expects the Gennady Golovkin versus Saul Alvarez contest on September 16 in Las Vegas to be a tough fight,…
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Crawford a heavy favorite over Indongo

Local favorite Terence Crawford (31-0, 22 KOs) is a huge -2200 favorite to defeat Julius Indongo (22-0, 11 KOs) in their super clash for the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO super lightweight world titles televised live on ESPN Saturday from the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. Indongo backers can get +1100.

Indongo is no stranger to winning in his opponent’s backyard, however, having won the IBF title over Russian Eduard Troyanovsky in Moscow, then adding the WBA belt against Scotsman Ricky Burns in Glasgow.

The winner will be the first undisputed 4-belt champion since Bernard Hopkins in 2005.

Local favorite Terence Crawford (31-0, 22 KOs) is a huge -2200 favorite to defeat Julius Indongo (22-0, 11 KOs) in their super clash for the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and…
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Schwarz, Siwy both promise victory

Unbeaten heavyweights Tom Schwarz (19-0, 12 KOs) and Marcin Siwy (17-0, 6 KOs) faced off at the kickoff press conference for their September 30 showdown at the Maritim Hotel in Magdeburg, Germany. The WBO-Intercontinental belt will be at stake.

Photo: Team SES / P. Gercke

Tom Schwarz: I think you have never seen me so crass. My trainer Dirk Dzemski can already see and feel what good form I’m in. I’ll break Siwy into pieces!

Marcin Siwy: I’ve come to win. We’ll drive home with the belt. Tom Schwarz is a good boxer, but I’m better and I’ll defeat him!

Unbeaten heavyweights Tom Schwarz (19-0, 12 KOs) and Marcin Siwy (17-0, 6 KOs) faced off at the kickoff press conference for their September 30 showdown at the Maritim Hotel in…
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GGG, Canelo trainers agree on one thing

Trainers Abel Sanchez (Gennady Golovkin) and Eddy Reynoso (Canelo Alvarez) have very different opinions on what will happen in the ring when GGG and Canelo collide for the middleweight championship of the world on September 16 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. But, one thing they do agree on is a lack of interest in the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor clash taking place in the same ring at the same venue next week.

Abel Sanchez: What happens next week is irrelevant to me. I would just rather wait for the 16th and put the two best fighters in the ring.

Eddy Reynoso: Bravo, Bravo.

Trainers Abel Sanchez (Gennady Golovkin) and Eddy Reynoso (Canelo Alvarez) have very different opinions on what will happen in the ring when GGG and Canelo collide for the middleweight championship…
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Cotto: Kamegai is the best opponent for me

Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33 KOs) will look to capture his sixth world title when he takes on Yoshihiro “El Maestrito” Kamegai (27-3-2, 24 KOs) Aug. 26 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, for the WBO Junior Middleweight title. Cotto will make his return to the ring after a layoff of nearly two years and will appear on HBO for the 23rd time.

“Kamegai is the best opponent for me right now in my career — he is a warrior in the ring,” said Cotto in an exclusive Q&A session. “When we were looking through our options, he was one of the first names that popped up. I don’t really worry about what or how my opponent trains – all that matters is how well our team prepares. Freddie Roach has always been good to me, has been critical to my preparation over the years, and our team has always enjoyed working together like a family. I will be prepared for Kamegai on August 26 mentally and physically. It will be a great fight.” Continue reading “Cotto: Kamegai is the best opponent for me”

Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33 KOs) will look to capture his sixth world title when he takes on Yoshihiro “El Maestrito” Kamegai (27-3-2, 24 KOs) Aug. 26 at the StubHub Center…
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Machado-Morales Final Press Conference

NABO Super Featherweight champion Alberto “El Explosivo” Machado (17-0, 15 KOs) and NABA Super Featherweight champion Carlos “The Solution” Morales (16-1-3, 6 KOs) hosted a press conference today ahead of their 10-round super featherweight unification fight that will headline the Aug. 18 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN.

Photo: Hector Santos Guia/Miguel Cotto Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions

Alberto “Explosivo” Machado: I know that Morales has prepared well, and is ready to give a tough fight. I know he has had difficulties before in his career, and he has slowly come up the ranks. However, I had the great career opportunity to train with Miguel Cotto, and I have learned so much from his discipline so that I can one day become Puerto Rico’s next world champion.”

Carlos “The Solution” Morales: “I know Machado prepared very well, as he was training in Los Angeles with Miguel Cotto and Freddie Roach. I trained out of Los Angeles as well – the boxing world is a small one. We have come to take everyone by surprise – something that I have always done in my career in coming as the opponent and coming out victorious. We will be giving Machado “The Solution” come Friday, August 18.”

NABO Super Featherweight champion Alberto “El Explosivo” Machado (17-0, 15 KOs) and NABA Super Featherweight champion Carlos “The Solution” Morales (16-1-3, 6 KOs) hosted a press conference today ahead of…
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Wright-Fayfer IBF cruiser eliminator Friday

This Friday, August 18, in Krasnodar, Russia, IBF #14-rated cruiserweight “Hurricane” Junior Wright (16-2-1, 13 KOs) of Chicago will face hometown favorite and IBF #8-rated Ruslan Fayfer (20-0, 14 KOs) in an eliminator for the #2 contender spot.

Wright and his trainer Rick Wilson have spent eight weeks preparing for this fight, and believe that Junior is coming back to the U.S. with the victory. “Fighters come from the U.S. to fight in Russia they all come home with a bad story,” said Wright, “but we’re not. We’re coming out of Krasnodar with a beautiful gift.”

This Friday, August 18, in Krasnodar, Russia, IBF #14-rated cruiserweight “Hurricane” Junior Wright (16-2-1, 13 KOs) of Chicago will face hometown favorite and IBF #8-rated Ruslan Fayfer (20-0, 14 KOs)…
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