Chemito Moreno Update

Photo: Sugei de Grimaldo

By Gabriel F. Cordero

WBA bantamweight champion Anselmo Moreno (27-1-1, 9 KOs) has resumed training in France for his December 4 defense against local challenger Frederic Patrac (26-7-1, 13 KOs) in Agde, Hérault, France. Moreno is training in the company of former world champion Ricardo Cordoba from Panama. They ran in the morning in the outskirts of the hotel and in the afternoon they trained in the boxing gym located at the City Hall of Adge. From Saturday on, they will train in a private gym. Moreno will be making the fifth defense of his WBA belt. Click here for more photos…

Concepcion, Levya make weight

WBA interim flyweight champion Luis ‘El Nica’ Concepcion (18-1, 13 KOs) and former world champion Roberto ‘Mako’ Leyva (26-9-1, 21 KOs) both successfully made the 112 pound flyweight limit for their scheduled for 12 round world title fight on Friday at the Arena Roberto Duran in Panama City, Panama. Concepion weighed in at 111 pounds while Levya intially weighed in at 112 1/4. Leyva weighed in at 112 pounds on his second attempt about an hour later.

Karpency crushes McFail

WBA Fedecentro light heavy titleholder Tommy Karpency (19-1-1, 12 KOs) knocked out normally durable veteran Mike McFail in the third round Wednesday night in Morgantown, West Virginia. A vicious Karpency left hook to the body dropped McFail to the canvas, and referee Mike Napple halted the contest after McFail was unable to survive the count. Highlighting the undercard, local welterweight prospect Matt Bershire (9-1-1, 4 KOs) looked impressive in stopping trialhorse Eric Burke in the fifth of their scheduled six rounder. In addition, local middleweight Paul Pindroh (1-0) won a four round unanimous decision over Francisco Portillo in a battle of debut boxers. All scores were 38-37. Simons’ Promotions next scheduled card in Morgantown will take place January 29th at the Waterfront Place Hotel and the main event will feature Tommy Karpency defending his WBA Fedecentro title against light heavy Dallas Vargas (22-4).

Thurman added in Quebec City

By Dave Spencer / Fightnews Canada

Undefeated welterweight Keith Thurman (11-0 9KO) of Clearwater Florida has been added to this weekend’s undercard featuring Lucian Bute defending his IBF Super-middleweight title in a rematch versus mandatory challenger Librado Andrade. in Quebec City. Thurman will be taking on local product Leonardo Rojas (8-9-3 2KO). The Peruvian born Rojas has proven to be a durable opponent in the past but was stopped in the first round last time out by Interbox prospect Pier-Olivier Cote. The proposed Hector Sanchez versus Cleotis Pendarvis bout has been scratched.

X-Cel Worldwide inks Spivey

Promoter Nick Garone of X-Cel Worldwide has signed newly crowned NABA lightweight beltholder “Dangerous” Dorin Spivey (36-6, 29 KOs) from Portsmouth, Virginia, to a promotional agreement. “”Dorin has been mostly inactive in the past couple years and he’s been fluctuating his weight all the way up to welterweight at times,” said Garone. “He and I have come to an agreement that he’s a lightweight. That’s where his power and his chin are at their most ‘Dangerous.’”

25th Annual Erie Boxing Classic

Michael Acri Boxing Promotions in association with Budweiser presented the 25th Annual Erie Boxing Classic on Wednesday night at the Avalon Hotel in Erie PA. In the main event, Philadelphia light heavyweight Garrett Wilson 6-2 won a hard fought decision over late sub Otgonbayer Daivii 3-3-1. The fight was even going into the fifth round with Garrett then taking control of the fight. There were heavy exchanges of punches throughout which kept the crowd on their feet. Scores were 58-56, 58-56, 58-55.
Other Results:
Paul Zalus KO1 Damian Richardson (heavyweight)
Jason Massie TKO1 Justin Novaria (heavyweight)
Andy Mejias W4 Dave Cook (light heavyweight)
Brian Cook W4 Robert Clay (heavyweight)

Oleydong-Palacios make weight

Photo: Sroi Mungmee

Damrong Simakajornboon at the scale

Oleydong Sithsamerchai 105 vs Juan Palacios 105
(WBC strawweight championship)
Venue: Tesco-Lotus Superstore, Rungssit, Pathumthani, Thailand
Promoter: Virat Wachirarattanawongsi of Petchyindee Boxing
TV: Thailand Channel 7
Click here for more photos…

Stieglitz to face Miranda

It was announced today that WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz (36-2, 22 KOs) will face power punching fan favorite Edison Miranda (33-4, 29 KOs) on January 9th at the Bördelandhalle in Magdeburg, Germany. It will be the first defense for Stieglitz, who dethroned Karoly Balzsay in August. Miranda is no stranger to Germany, having broken Arthur Abraham’s jaw in an epic showdown in September 2006. Also on the card will be WBC/WIBF/WBO female featherweight champion Ina Menzer defending her belts against WIBF super featherweight champion Ramona Kühne. The card was officially announced today. (More to come)

Salita arrives in Newcastle

Undefeated mandatory World Boxing Association No. 1 contender Damitriy “Star of David” Salita arrived today in Newcastle where he challenges super lightweight champion Amir Khan at the Metro Radio Arena on Saturday, Dec. 5. The bout is available in the U.K.via pay-per-view telecast and is being promoted by Frank Warren Promotions in association with Square Ring Promotions and is being distributed by Sky Sports. Salita, 30-0-1 (14 KOs), stayed and trained yesterday in London and was anxious to continue his training at the site. Khan, 21-1 (15 KOs), will be making the first defense of the crown he captured by defeating Andriy Kotelnik over the distance on July 18 in Manchester. “I’m happy to be in the United Kingdom and arriving in Newcastle on Thanksgiving,” said the 27-year old Salita. “I’ve been patient but it’s my chance to shine and bring the title back to the States. I’ve had a long hard camp and am well prepared.”

Samuel wins in Baltimore

By Gary “Digital” Williams at ringside

Maryland State Super Featherweight champion Tyrell “Da Show Shock A” Samuel of Baltimore won by fifth-round technical decision over Gustavo “The Pit Bull” Dailey of Philadelphia during the main event at Du Burns Arena in Baltimore. (more…)

Q&A: Michael Franco

Unbeaten prospect Michael Franco (15-0, 10 KOs) will headline this Saturday at the Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella, California, on a card promoted by Steve Quinonez Jr.’s Champion Promotions. Franco will take on former world champion Kermin Guardia in an eight round super bantamweight main event. Franco enters the bout coming off of six months of inactivity something he expects to change with his recent signing with legendary promoter Don Chargin. Fightnews caught up with Franco as he closed out his training camp at the Apple Valley PAL Boxing gym. Franco spoke on his signing with Chargin, his new business venture, and his looking forward to a busy 2010 of activity in the ring. (more…)

Hopkins turkey giveaway

Jeff Fusco - Hoganphotos/Golden Boy

Former Two Division World Champion Bernard Hopkins passes out turkeys on Wednesday at a Turkey Giveaway at the 35th District Police Station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hopkins is in training camp in Philadelphia in preparation for his December 2, 2009 fight against Enrique Ornelas at The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia which will be televised live on VERSUS. More photos…

Brähmer, Zbik presser

Photo: Eroll Popova

The final “Universum Champions Night” will take place December 19 in Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, when homegrown world champions Jürgen Brähmer und Sebastian Zbik defend their belts in a world title twinbill. Jürgen Brähmer (34-2, 28 KOs) will be defending his WBO light heavyweight belt against unbeaten WBO #10 Dmitry Sukhotsky (14-0, 9 KOs). “It couldn’t be better,” said Brähmer at today’s press conference. “My first title defense in my city of Schwerin. To box here was always a big wish of mine. With Sukhotsky I have an offensive opponent I don’t have to look for – and that should suit me!” (more…)

Q&A: Marco Huck

Sauerland Event

WBO cruiserweight champion Marco “Käpt’n” Huck (26-1, 20 KOs) is wrapping up the last few days at his training camp in Kienbaum before heading to Ludwigsburg on Sunday for his December 5 showdown against WBO interim cruiserweight titleholder Ola Afolabi (14-1-3, 6 KOs). (more…)

Taylor-Sherrigton clash Friday

By Ray Wheatley–World of Boxing

World rated super middleweight Shannan Taylor will clash with WBA #15 Les Sherrington on November 27 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia. Taylor said: “I have trained very hard and Les Sherrington has shown me no respect for my career in what he said in his local newspaper. I will now make him pay by knocking him out. I dislike him that much-I might knock him out at next Wednesday’s press conference. He is an egg and I will be cracking him like the cheeky bastard he is.” (more…)

Inside “Camp Punisher”

Photo: Mike Greenhill

By Mike Greenhill

Paul “The Punisher” Williams is hard at work in Team Williams training camp in Arlington, Virginia, as his world middleweight title defense against Argentina’s Sergio Martinez in Atlantic City December 5th fast approaches. “We’re going to have Paul peaking at the right time,” said his trainer George Peterson. Carlos Quintana, who split two bouts with Williams, has been one of the sparring partners in camp. “We brought Carlos in from Puerto Rico because his style is similar to Martinez’s style,” explained Peterson. Click here for more, plus photos galore…

Shot of the Day

Former WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev hits the big bag as his 8-year-old daughter Victoria, the camp’s official timekeeper, monitors the training segments. Maskaev goes against Nagy Aguilera (14-2, 9 KOs) in a scheduled 10-rounder at downtown Sacramento’s historic Memorial Auditorium on December 11th.

WBC: Sosa emeritus champion

By Gabriel F. Cordero

The president of the WBC José Sulaimán, announced today that Édgar Sosa has been named a WBC emeritus champion, while the Filipino Rodel Mayol is recognized as WBC light flyweight world champion. The “emeritus” designation gives Sosa the right to immediately go to the front of the line to fight for a WBC title in any weight division. (More to come)

Klitschko-Johnson on U.S. TV

It has been announced that HBO will televise the upcoming bout between undefeated heavyweight contender, Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (22-0-1, 9 KOs) and Vitali Klitschko (38-2, 37 KOs) for the WBC heavyweight championship on December 12th. In addition to Johnson vs. Klitschko, which will take place at the PostFinance Arena in Bern, Switzerland, HBO will also be airing Victor Ortiz vs. Antonio Diaz and the rematch between Juan Diaz and Paulie Malignaggi from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago on HBO’s Boxing After Dark. The special duel site, triple header, will kick off at 10:15 PM with Oritz vs. Diaz, followed by Diaz vs. Malignaggi II. Immediately following Diaz vs. Malignaggi, HBO will air the WBC Title fight from Switzerland, tape delayed. (more…)

Cruz to defend against Castillo

IBF featherweight champion Cristobal “Lacandon” Cruz (39-11-1, 23 KOs) will make his third defense of the title against IBF #15 Ricardo “Piolo” Castillo (38-7, 25 KOs) on December 19 at El Palenque in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico. The undercard include in separate bouts jr. featherweight contender Alex De Oliveira (16-0, 12 KOs) in a 12 rounder for the WBC CABOFE super bantamweight title; Daniel Estrada (21-1-0, 17 KOs) challenging Emilio Bojorquez (15-1, 11 KOs) for the WBC lightweight Youth world title; and WBO #6 ranked jr. middleweight contender “Mean” Joe Greene (21-0, 14 KOs) against an opponent to be named.

Mares re-inks with Golden Boy

Bantamweight contender Abner Mares (19-0, 12 KOs) is gearing up for his first world title shot in 2010 and on Tuesday, he signed a new promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions for five years. The 23-year old Mares is currently ranked #2 by the WBC, #3 by the IBF, #4 by the WBO and #6 by the WBA. In his last bout, on August 27, Mares knocked out Carlos Fulgencio in the sixth round.

Shot of the Day

Eroll Popova

WBC interim middleweight champion Sebastian Zbik (left) and WBO light heavyweight champion Jürgen Brähmer pose during today’s press conference at the Schwerin Castle in Schwerin, Germany. Hometown favorites Zbik and Brähmer defend their titles on December 19 at the Schwerin Sport and Kongress Hall. (More to come)

Weights from Baltimore

By Gary “Digital” Williams

Tyrell Samuel 132 1/2 vs Gustavo Dailey 131 1/2
Mike Dietrich 224 1/2 vs. Kevin Johnson 214
Daniel Kooij 195 1/2 vs. William Bailey 189 1/2
Nick Kisner 195 vs. Glen Williams 195 1/2
Abodurin Akinyanju 284 vs. Octavius Davis 225 1/2
Venue: Du Burns Arena in Baltimore
Promoter: Baltimore Pro Boxing

25th Annual Erie Boxing Classic

Otgonbayer Daivii 178 vs Garrett Wilson 176.5
Paul Zalus 210 vs Damian Richardson 204
Brian Cook 208 vs Robert Clay 215
Andy Mejias 169 vs Dave Cook 166.5
Jason Massie 275 vs Justin Novaria 271
Venue: Avalon Hotel in Erie, PA
Promoter: Michael Acri Boxing Promotions

Concepcion-Leyva presser

Photo: Omar De La Cruz

WBA interim flyweight champion Luis ‘El Nica’ Concepcion (18-1, 13 KOs) faced off with former world champion Roberto ‘Mako’ Leyva (26-9-1, 21 KOs). The two had their press conference today at the Crown Casino in Panama City, Panama publicizing their scheduled for 12 rounds world title fight this Friday at the Arena Roberto Duran in Panama City, Panama. The two issued the following quotes.
Concepcion: “My preparation for this fight was excellent. There really isn’t much to say at this point. I’m just ready to successfully make my first title defense.”
Leyva: “I’ve prepared well for this fight and I’m coming to win. Everybody knows that true Mexican fighters are real warriors and that’s what you will see from me come Friday night.”

Molina headlines Saturday

Talented, promising lightweight prospect John Molina Jr. (18-0, 14 KOs) of Covina, Calif., will make his main event debut when he puts his unblemished record on the line against veteran Martin “El Brochas” Honorio (26-4-1, 14 KOs) of Mexico in a 10-rounder for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight championship in a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation, this Saturday, Nov. 28 live on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

In the co-feature, undefeated Los Angeles native Rico “Suavecito” Ramos (13-0, 8 KOs) will meet Los Angeles resident and World Boxing Council (WBC) USNBC super bantamweight belt-holder Alejandro “El Alacran” Perez (14-1-1, 9 KOs) in an eight-round junior bantamweight bout. (more…)

Upsher Chambers returns 12/4

On December 4th at The Legendary Blue Horizon in Philadelphia, welterweight Steve Upsher Chambers (20-1-1, 6 KOs) will take on the rugged veteran, Doel Carrasquillo (12-12-1, 10 KOs) in the eight round main event that will highlight the annual Children’s Holiday Show. The show is promoted by Vernoca L. Michael and Blue Horizon Boxing Inc. (more…)

Foreman “Turkey Giveaway”

Newly crowned WBA jr middleweight champion Yuri Foreman teamed with the Israeli Consulate and the Metropolitan Council to sponsor a “Turkey Giveaway” in Brooklyn, New York on Tuesday.

“The best way to celebrate is to share with others, I am humbled to give back to the community and share with those that are less fortune,” Foreman said.  Hundreds of turkeys were distributed to people in need Tuesday morning at the Met Council parking lot in Brooklyn.

(more…)

Timm praises Culcay

Photo: Universum Box-Promotion

Amateur world champion Jack Culcay is currently preparing with the trainer of champions Michael Timm at the Universum Gym in Hamburg as he gets ready for his pro debut. This month Universum Box-Promotion made a big investment in the 24-year-old junior middleweight’s boxing future by signing him to a three year deal with an option for three more years. (more…)

Rodriguez plans to dominate!

When Star Boxing’s IBF #3 rated welterweight Delvin Rodriguez (24-3-2, 14KO) steps into the ring against Poland’s IBF #4 rated Rafal “Braveheart” Jackiewicz (34-8-1, 18KO) for the #1 spot in the IBF World Ratings in an official IBF Welterweight Title eliminator in Elk, Poland on Friday November 27th, Rodriguez doesn’t intend to leave any questioning in the outcome of the fight. (more…)