Shark eager for second bite

By Dave Spencer / Fightnews Canada

Former world champion Adrian ‘The Shark’ Diaconu is less than a week away from a chance to recapture the WBC light-heavyweight belt back from Jean Pascal, the man who took it from him, and he is already looking like he’s been in a fight. Diaconu was sporting quite the shiner under his right eye as he took a couple of minutes to talk to Fightnews in advance of this Friday’s highly anticipated rematch at the Bell Centre in Montreal versus his hometown rival Jean Pascal. “It’s a good sign,” says the heavy-handed Romanian slugger who is more than eager for a second shot at the man who wrestled away his belt back in June. “I worked so hard at training camp, I’m very prepared.” (more…)

Mundine to face Medley

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Former WBA super middleweight champion Anthony Mundine (37-3, 23 KOs) will challenge Robert Medley (27-2, 17 KOs) for the vacant IBO 154 pound championship on January 11 at the Entertainment Center, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Mundine has only made the middleweight limit of 160 pounds twice against Shannan Taylor and Daniel Geale, whom he won a disputed twelve round split decision on May 27 this year. Mundine weighed in at 167 1/4 pounds for his most recent bout in outpointing Alejandro Falliga after he had agreed to fight at middleweight. (more…)

Williams-Martinez Photo Report

By Kurt Wolfheimer and Rick Scharmberg
Photos: Ed Mulholland

Two-division champ Paul “The Punisher” Williams (38-1, 27 KOs), of Augusta, GA and reigning WBC Interim junior middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (44-2-2, 24 KOs), of Argentina and now Oxnard, CA met in a twelve round non-title bout Saturday night at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. When the dust cleared in the thrilling battle, it was Williams taking the majority decision. (More)

Ricky Hatton going down under

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Former world champion Ricky Hatton will be ringside in Sydney, Australia on Friday to attend Grange Gym Christmas Charity boxing promotion featuring Peter Mitrevski Jr (20-6-1, 9 KOs) vs Opeti Tagi (13-5, 6 KOs) with the IBF Pan Pacific super middleweight title up for grabs at the University of NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia and also have a discussion to feature Australian boxers in bouts in the United Kingdom and also Macau. Hatton said, “I’ve always wanted to travel down under and when I was given the opportunity to make the trip knowing it may benefit sick kids I could not say yes quick enough.” (more…)

Report: Coleman-Arnatouis

Ringside by Matt Richardson
Photos by Marty Rosengarten

In a minor upset in New York City, junior welterweight contender “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis lost his second fight this year when he dropped a 12-round split decision to Tim Coleman in the main event of a card promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing . . . Click here for more

Tada, Togashi draw

Rey Danseco

By Joe Koizumi

WBA female minimum champ Etsuko Tada (6-0-1, 2 KOs), 103.75, fought to a split draw with WBC light-fly titlist Naomi Togashi (6-0-1, 4 KOs), 104.75, over ten hard-fought rounds on Sunday in Osaka, Japan. Both belts were at stake as they tipped the beam under the 105-pound minimum limit, but now that neither didn’t win nor lose, they will hold their own belts as previously. Scored: Takeo Harada (Japan) 97-94 for Tada, Silvestre Abainza (Philippines) 96-94 for Togashi and Rey Danseco (Philippines) 95-95. The referee was Yuji Fukuchi (Japan). (more…)

Maravilla, Nightmare, Tiger speak

Photo: Ed Mulholland

By Mariano A. Agmi

The first spectacular boxing event in the post-Gatti era took place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday, as Goossen-Tutor Promotions and DiBella Entertainment collaborated to put on a quality fight card from top to bottom. In the main event, Paul “The Punisher” Williams (38-1, 27 KOs) escaped with a narrow majority decision over WBC jr. middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (44-2-2, 24 KOs) in a twelve round non-title middleweight war in which both fighters tasted the canvas in round one.  In the HBO co-feature, heavyweight contender Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (28-1, 25 KOs) recovered from his one sided loss at the hands of WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko only two months ago to score a fourth round technical knockout over Brian “The Beast” Minto (34-3, 21 KOs) in another slugfest.

Although the Punisher did not attend the post-fight press conference due to several nasty cuts he suffered around his eyes, Martinez, Arreola and Tony “The Tiger” Thompson were on hand to more than hold their own in an entertaining press conference. Click here for more photos…

More on Huck-Afolabi

Sauerland Event

Marco “Captain” Huck (27-1, 20 KOs) celebrated a successful first defence of his WBO Cruiserweight Title when he clinched a unanimous points victory over Ola Afolabi (14-2, 6 KOs). The 25-year-old German used his explosiveness and punching power to keep his opponent at bay. He was ahead 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 on the judges´ scorecards. “I am happy about my performance,” Huck said. “It was a tough fight against a very awkward opponent who moved a lot and was difficult to hit. I am delighted to have defended my title and now look forward to a great and relaxing Christmas time.” (more…)

Williams-Martinez Scorecard

Fightnews.com has obtained a copy of the master scoresheet for Saturday night’s war between Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez. Judges Lynne Carter (115-113 Williams), Julie Lederman (114-114) and Pierre Benoist (119-110 Williams) had to choose between Williams’ volume punching and Martinez’ more accurate and cleaner (but less frequent) shots. Curiously, both Carter and Lederman scored round one 10-9 for Williams, despite both fighters being down. The knockdown scored by Williams was a flash knockdown from a glancing blow, while the knockdown scored by Martinez was clean and left Williams hurt. Benoist scored the first round 10-10, but only credited Martinez with winning one round the entire fight! Click here to see the actual New Jersey State Athletic Control Board master scoresheet

Malpartida retains title

Photo: Mary Ann Owen

By Butch Gottlieb/Boxinginlasvegas.com

Saturday night at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California WBA super featherweight champion Kina Malpartida (11-3, 3 KOs) retained her title with a unanimous decision win over English challenger Lyndsey Scragg (10-2, 3 KOs). Malpartida made what seemed like it should be an easy fight hard by not utilizing her height and reach advantage. Scragg tried to get inside but continuously ate straight right hands from the champion. Scragg finally was able to land a counter left hook and dropped Malpartida in the sixth round but it was too little and the judges scored the fight 98-91, 98-91 ad 97-92 for Malpartida. (more…)

Alvarez defeats Tyner

19-year-old sensation Saul “El Canelo” Alvarez (30-0-1, 22 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico won a 12 round unanimous decision over tough Lanardo Tyner (21-3, 13 KOs) of Detroit, Michigan to retain his NABF welterweight title before a sold out crowd at el Meson de los Deportes in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico. Next for Alvarez will be to invade the US market and fight for a world title. The show was presented by Canelo’s promoter Tuto Zabala, Jr, of All Star Boxing, Inc in association with Ricardo Maldonado Jr. Producciones Deportivas and the Goverment of Tepic.

Alcine defeats Canclaux

By Dave Spencer / Fightnews Canada

Former junior-middleweight champion Joachim Alcine (32-1 19KO’s) took another step towards a shot at a second world title with a hard fought victory over Christophe Canclaux (40-3 25KO’s) of France, winning a unanimous decision that read 117-110 on both Montreal judge’s scorecards while Charles Chenouf of France had it a lot closer at 115-113 Saturday night at the Montreal Casino.

This was the second fight back for Alcine since losing his WBA title to Daniel Santos in July 2008 by way of sixth round knockout. Alcine has clearly knocked off some of the ring rust that so prevalent in his first fight back in September versus Eric Mitchell.

“It was an intense bout,” said the victor afterwards, “I’m very pleased with the result, I was happy compared to my performance in my last bout, but I feel I can be better than that.”
(more…)

Williams gets by Martinez

Photo: Ed Mulholland

By Rick Scharmberg & Kurt Wolfheimer at ringside

In a war, two-division world champion Paul Williams (38-1, 27 KOs) won a twelve round majority decision over WBC interim super middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (44-2-2, 24 KOs) in a non-title middleweight bout on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Both fighters were down in round one. Martinez’ trip to the deck was of the flash variety, while Williams went down hard. Martinez dominated rounds two and three. Williams got back into the fight from round four and won the middle rounds. It was a battle of attrition down the stretch and both fighters were spent at the end of twelve great rounds. Scores were 115-113, 119-110 and 114-114. (The extremely questionable 119-110 score was turned in by ring judge Pierre Benoist.) Click here for more photos…

Huck defeats Afolabi

Sauerland Event

By Alexey Sukachev

WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck (27-1, 20 KOs) scored a close twelve round unanimous decision over interim champ Ola Afolabi (14-2-3, 6 KOs) at the Ludwigsburg Arena, in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Scores were 115-113, 115-113, 116-112 for Huck who often hammered Afolabi on the ropes and was generally the aggressor.

In the co-feature, IBF mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin (18-0, 13 KOs) ripped apart Leo Nolan (27-2, 10 KOs) in an impressive three round demolition. (more…)

Khan annihilates Salita in 1

Frank Warren Promotions

By Alexey Sukachev

WBA super lightweight champion Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KOs) destroyed previously unbeaten Dmitiry Salita (30-1-1, 16 KOs) in the first round on Saturday night at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England. Khan decked Salita immediately with a right hand, and Salita was sent down again shortly after from a barrage of punches. The fight was finally stopped by referee Luis Pabon after the third knockdown. The fight lasted 76 seconds. It was Khan’s first defense of the belt. (more…)

Cisneros clobbers Coleman

By Johnny B’

Chicago light middleweight Rudy Cisneros (12-2) battered, beat and bested journeyman Pat “The Cat” Coleman, (29-15) until enough was enough. Coleman looked to be in reasonable shape at the start of the contest, and did show some of his cat like moves in the first round but Cisneros went after him in a work-man-like fashion. Cisneros beat Coleman’s body down rocking him several times. In the fifth round, after Coleman was pummeled into the ropes and took a few more combinations, the referee stepped in and called a halt to the carnage. (more…)

Full Report: Jones-Brunson

Photo: Marcus Lopez

By Francisco Salazar at ringside

While questions remained if Tyrone Brunson could succeed when stepping up in competition, Carson Jones is starting to make believers in him becoming a player in his weight division. Jones not only fought Brunson with words, but backed it up with his fists as he stopped Brunson in the third round of a scheduled 10 round bout before over 1,400 at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, CA. (more…)

“Rabbit Season” in Albuquerque

Ringside by Chris Cozzone & Gerardo Martinez
Photos by Chris Cozzone

It was 6:30 p.m. – a half-hour before first bell – when Melissa “Huracan” Hernandez blew into Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque, where a tiny 18-foot ring awaited her showdown with Holly Holm.

“How do you like the 18-foot ring?” this reporter asked Hernandez, who was testing out the canvas before heading backstage to prepare for what was easily the biggest fight – and payday – of her career.

“I love it,” said Hernandez, grinning. “It’ll keep the ‘Rabbit’ from running out of the ring. I won’t have to chase her.” . . .  Click here for full report and gallery

Everlast Holiday Savings

Save Up To $20 On Training Gear. (more…)

Chambers defeats Carrasquillo

In front of a near capacity house, Steve Upsher Chambers scored a very decisive unanimous decision over Doel Carrasquillo to cap off the 7th Annual Children’s Holiday at The Legendary Blue Horizon. Chambers, of Philadelphia mixed up his shots well as he featured hooks and crosses and jabbed very well but his punch of choice was the uppercut for which he used with precision and often during the fight. Carrasquillo pressed forward throughout the fight and even got through a few thunderous power punches that Chambers was able to shake off and get the victory by scores of 80-72, 80-72 and 78-74 to raise his record to 21-1-1. Carrasquillo falls under the .500 mark and is now 12-13-1. (more…)

Johnson on ‘Dr. Frankenstein’

Photo by Star Boxing

Diary entry Friday, Dec. 4

“It’s Friday here in Switzerland and things are starting to heat up.  I try to leave the politics too my management team but I’m starting to get a little annoyed.  Although the champ is supposed to be a heavy favorite over me, he seems to be trying to gain every advantage he can over me for this fight in and outside of the ring.

“From the announcement of today’s judges, to the selection of the ring size and rumors that I here from his sparring partner about some dirty tricks that he likes to engage in during fights, it looks like I’m going to have to be on my Ps & Qs for this fight.

“Dr. Frankenstein is trying to win this thing by hook or by crook.  I’m definitely going to have someone in his dressing room checking his gloves closely.

(more…)

Bryan demolishes Fallen

Jeremy “Hollywood” Bryan once again displayed why his moniker fits the bill after putting away Darren Fallen inside of two rounds last night in the main event of “The Brawl in Brick City” at Essex County College in Newark, NJ. Both men took their time in the opening moments of fight, with Bryan patiently throwing jabs while Fallen tried using his reach advantage from the outside. Near the end of the first, Bryan decked Fallen with a short left hook, but the Philadelphia native made it back to his feet to finish the round. Bryan picked up where he left off in the second, dropping The 18 fight veteran hard to the canvas with a huge right hand. (more…)

Julaton, Perez victorious

By Bob Hough and David Robinett at ringside

Ana Julaton (6-1-1, 1 KO) used her speed and what she called a substantially improved jab to dominate Donna Biggers (19-9-1, 16 KOs) on Friday in San Jose, Calif. Julaton, who added the WBO super-bantamweight title to her IBA belt, won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 99-91. Eloy “The Prince” Perez continued his impressive rise, picking up the vacant WBO NABO super-featherweight title with a fifth-round stoppage of overmatched Juan Santiago. (more…)

McClain crushes Steele

By Jose E. Santiago at ringside

Photo: Ozzie Santiago

Last night at a jam packed Absoloot Boxing’s The Pit in the heart of Atlanta Georgia, Yahya McClain (24-7-2, 17 KOs) dazzled the crowd as he dismantled the game but outclassed Shane “Superman” Steele (6-2, 5 KOs) of Kentucky over three one-sided rounds. Click here for more + photos

Matthews defeats Jolly

By Kurt Wolfheimer at ringside

Photo: Jeff Julian

Friday night at the Sovereign Center in Reading PA, fans were treated to a little bit of oddities as Kings Promotions put on a challenging six bout card (along with a twelve bouts of amateur MMA intertwined throughout the night) which included a no contest, a controversial decision and a fighter who clowned around on his way to a unanimous decision loss. However, the main event was not one of those oddities as Reading PA cruiserweight Julio Caesar Mathews (9-0, 5 KOs) proved he is one to reckoned with, by scoring an impressive six round unanimous decision victory over Adrian, Michigan’s Harvey “Candy Man” Jolly (10-12, 5KOs).

Click here for more + photos

Cunningham, Paris Notch KOs

By Bob Ryder at ringside

Photo: Bob Ryder

Detroit’s Darryl Cunningham and Vernon Paris won by convincing stoppages in the featured contests on Carlos Llinas International Productions (CLIP) and Ron Remus Productions latest promotion at the Royal Oak Music Theatre Friday night. Click here for more + photos