Weights from Oakland

Laura de la Torre

By Bob Hough

Mikkel Kessler 167 vs Andre Ward 166.5
(WBA super middleweight champonship)
Karim Mayfield 151.5 vs Francisco Santana 150.5
Tony Hirsch 164 vs Jose Celeya 166
Mel Crossty 130 vs Carlos Herrera 130.5
Venue: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
TV: SHOWTIME

Khutsidze wins controversially

By Alexey Sukachev

WBA #4 middleweight Avtandil Khurtsidze (20-1-2, 13 KOs) was lucky to be awarded with a dubious eight-round TKO over Uzbek veteran Kuvanych Toygonbayev (30-6, 19 KOs) moments ago at Budivelnik sports arena in Cherkasy, Ukraine. Headlining a nice-packed little tournament, arranged there by K2 East Promotions, Kiev-based Georgian Khurtsidze, who spent the first part of his pro career overseas before being stopped by Tony Marshall in May 2005, retained both his WBA I/C (for the fourth time) and EBA (for the first time) titles simultaneously. (more…)

WBA Convention Closing Day

By Boxing Bob Newman

Day four of the 88th WBA annual convention in Medellin, Colombia started off with a Rules session conducted by WBA legal counsel Robert Mack. Several revisions were made regarding rules language. Areas where language changes were made included interim and provisional championships and champions in recess, definition of the fighter’s “purse,” and definition of Super champion. Also, clarification of rules regarding notification of highest available contenders fighting for interim titles, or mandatory challenger status, unauthorized drug use, and the policy when equal winning purse bids are submitted. (more…)

Munroe defeats Maludrottu

By Alexey Sukachev

In a two-way all-action brawl, Leicester native Rendall Munroe (now 20-1, 8 KOs) both retained his EBU super bantamweight title and won the final WBC 122lb title eliminator over Italian veteran and ex-world title challenger Simone Maludrottu (30-3, 11 KOs) moments ago at Harvey Hadden Leisure Center in Nottingham, UK. The contest was fought in close quarters with both combatants not giving a single inch to each other in toe-to-toe storm of light but rapidly fired punches. Maludrottu, WBC #12, took the first haf of the clash but Munroe, who was ranked WBC #2, WBA #4, IBF #11 and WBO #14, got stronger down the stretch. The Italian fighter tried to turn back the tide in the last round but it was too little from him and too late. All three judges saw it unanimously in Munroe’s favor: 116-112 (twice) and 115-113. Fightnews scored it 116-112 – also for the British fighter.

Ellis defeats Suwannalirt

Photo: Brock Ellis

By Ray Wheatley–World of Boxing

Australian welterweight Heath Ellis (11-1-1, 6 KOs) won every round against Thai import Jakkrit Suwunnalirt (15-12-1, 6 KOs) over twelve rounds to capture the interim WBC-ABC welterweight title at the Malvern Town Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on Friday. Ellis controlled the bout in all of the contested rounds as he consistently connected with accurate head and body punches. A solid combination dropped Suwunnalirt in round three. Suwannalirt had boxed in Australia previously losing a twelve round points decision to current IBO 147 pound champion Lovemore Ndou in 2006. He lost inside the distance to Michael Katsidis and Emanuel Augustus in 2008. Ellis is the nephew of 1985 IBF 130 pound champion Lester Ellis. For more details and photos click here…

Jab Promotions Update

By Alexey Sukachev

Saint Petersburg’s top boxing company Jab Promotions is finishing this year strongly as usual. The next coming Friday, November 27, Vitaly Supichenko and Alexander Yagupov will stage another local show at “Typhoon” club in Northern Palmira, featuring a number of rising talent. In the main event of the evening, welterweight Daniil Utenkov (7-0, 5 KOs) is set to face Belgian light-hitter Nicolas Guisset (20-15-1, no KOs) in a scheduled ten-rounder. (more…)

Provodnikov to face new foe

By Alexey Sukachev

Russian junior welterweight hope Ruslan Provodnikov (13-0, 8 KOs), who has just come back after a lengthy academic hiatus with an easy stoppage of Uzbek trialhorse Mahsud Jumaev in October, will most probably face Argentinean fringe contender Victor Hugo Castro (29-6, 12 KOs) in a bid for a vacant WBO Intercontinental 140lbs title, headlining a five-bout event, which is set for Nov. 28 in Samara, Russia. Provodnikov, 25, was earlier scheduled to collide with Columbian power hitter Breidis “Khanqueror” Prescott (21-1, 18 KOs) but that fight was scratched after Team Prescott had received a much more lucrative offer to clash against another undefeated Brit Kevin Mitchell in the WBO lightweight eliminator. Replacing Prescott was former world champion Freddie “Lil’ Hagler” Norwood (43-3-1, 23 KOs) but this fight was also called off later for yet undisclosed reasons. All four preliminary bouts remain intact, including a much anticipated ten-round showdown between 2009 International Kostya Tszyu Cup winner and 140lb national champion Fariz Kazimov (10-1-1, 3 KOs) and ex-WBO titleholder DeMarcus “Chop-Chop” Corley (36-11-1, 21 KOs).

Pacquiao-Cotto: 1.25 million buys

HBO Sports reported today that 1.25 million pay-per-view buys were generated from last Saturday’s welterweight title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto at the sold-out MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The fight was promoted by Top Rank, Inc.. The 1.25 million buy total represents the highest performing boxing pay-per-view event in 2009, generating $70 million in pay-per-view revenue. The figure includes 650,000 buys from cable homes and 600,000 from satellite and telco homes. A record 110,000 buys from Puerto Rico, Cotto’s home market, are included. It is the second time that an event featuring Manny Pacquiao, a worldwide superstar, has passed the one million mark in pay-per-view buys.

Win Andre Ward’s Gloves

Everlast Worldwide is giving away one (1) pair of the Andre Ward’s custom Everlast gloves that he will wear in his Super Six fight on Saturday in Oakland, CA. The custom color scheme of red, white and blue, was designed by Ward and represents his patriotic side when he squares off against Mikkel Kessler of Denmark. To enter, visit Facebook.com/Everlast and post your prediction for Saturday’s fight. Regardless of the prediction, one lucky fan will be selected at random.

Fragomeni, Erdei make weight

Photo: Eroll Popova

Giacobbe Fragomeni 195.8 vs. Zsolt Erdei 178.8
(WBC cruiserweight world championship)
Humberto Mauro Gutierrez 129 vs. Vitali Tajbert 129.9
(WBC interim super featherweight championship)
Dimitri Sartison 167.1 vs. Stjepan Bozic 166.4
(WBA super middleweight world championship)
Gennady Golovkin 159.6 vs. Mikhail Makarov 162.5
Rachim Tschachkijew 199.3 vs. Denis Solomko TBA
Christian Hammer 251vs. Hans Jörg Blasko 243.6
Wojciech Bartnik 200 vs. Marcel Erler TBA
Luca Messi 157.4 vs. Lajos Orsos 156.1
Venue: Sparkassen Arena in Kiel, Germany
Promoter: Universum Box-Promotion
TV: ZDF (Germany)
Click here for more photos…

Hartman defeats Cabuy

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Australian middleweight contender Jason Hartman (7-2, 5 KOs) scored a six round points victory over Aswin Cabuy (11-12-1, 4 KOs) of Indonesia at the Mansfield Tavern, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on Friday. This was a good win for Hartman as the importation holds a win over WBO #15 Samuel Columban. (more…)

Win a Trip to Ali’s hometown!

How has “The Greatest of All Time” Muhammad Ali™ inspired you to find your greatness within?  To kickoff the 100th Anniversary celebration of Everlast and to introduce the Everlast new line of Muhammad Ali™ replica products, Everlast is asking you to describe in 500 words or less how Muhammad Ali™ has inspired and influenced you to achieve greatness.  The Grand Prize is a trip for two (2) to Muhammad Ali’s hometown of Louisville, KY and a private tour of the Muhammad Ali™ Center.  The Grand Prize winner will also receive the entire Muhammad Ali™ Collection by Everlast.  Two (2) Runner-Ups will receive a special prize pack featuring the complete line of products from the Muhammad Ali™ Collection by Everlast.  To enter, please visit Muhammad Ali™ “The Greatest Inspire Greatness” contest site.* Contest ends today (Friday, November 20th) at midnight ET.

Fightwriter: Kessler-Ward

By Graham Houston

Once the United States ruled boxing’s heavier weight divisions. Those days are just a fading memory. Showtime’s Super Six tournament in the 168-pound division has demonstrated the rise of European fighters. Undefeated Olympic bronze medallist Andre Dirrell lost a split decision to Carl Froch in the U.K., former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor, another Olympic bronze medallist, was knocked spark out in the closing seconds of his fight with Arthur Abraham in Germany and his career is in doubt. Will it be more of the same in the closing stage of the tournament’s opening-bracket bouts when Andre Ward, the Olympic gold medallist, challenges Denmark’s WBA champion Mikkel Kessler in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, CA, on Saturday? . . . click here for more

Ramos wins WBA belt…

Photo: Boxing Bob Newman

By Boxing Bob Newman

The Events Center at the Plaza Mayor in Medellin, Colombia played host to the ten bout card headlined by the battle for the vacant WBA Interim Super Featherweight title. Several WBA regional titles were also scheduled as part of the 88th WBA annual convention festivities. A crowd of approximately 500 locals and convention delegates were on hand to enjoy the fisticuffs. Local hero Likar Ramos took on Venezuelan veteran Angel Granados for the vacant WBA Interim Super Featherweight title. The shorter Ramos caught the 35 year old Granados quickly in the opening moments or a flash knockdown. For more details and photos click here…

Medziah victorious

Photo: Peter Lim

By Peter Lim

A Russian version of Mike Tyson was unveiled in the form of 22-year-old power punching cruiserweight Medziah, who goes by just one name, at the Stafford Center on the outskirts of Houston. Trained by 1984 Olympic gold medalist and former two-division world titleholder Frank Tate, Medziah made a successful pro debut by knocking out Louis Webster, (0-1), at 1:12 of the third round. Although Tate was one of the best exponents of the left jab in his hey-day, it is a weapon thus far absent from Medziah’s arsenal. Instead, Medziah’s preference is to hide behind a peekaboo defense and dip under incoming blows before unloading explosive punches with both fists, a mode of combat uncannily reminiscent of Tyson in his destructive prime. (more…)

Weights from Minneapolis

By Jesse Kelley

Caleb Truax 168 vs Kerry Hope 168
(WBF International middleweight title)
Mohammed Kayongo vs 146 James Todd 146
(IBA Americas junior welterweight title)
Charles Meier 159 vs Marvin Rodriquez ??
Michael Faulk 154 vs Ryan Soft 154
Venue: Saint Paul Armory, Minnesota
Promotor: Seconds Out

Rodriguez stops Norman

Photo: Bob Caico

By Bob Caico

Rising star Edwin Rodriguez of Worchester, MA, recorded a 5th round TKO over Brian Norman of Decatur, GA in Rochester, NY Thursday night. Rodriguez scored a knockdown in the second round with a left hook and shook Norman with a big right hand at the end of round three. At the start of round five, Rodriguez landed a right hand to the body followed by a hook to the head that marked the beginning of the end for Norman. A flurry of combinations had Norman reeling and the referee felt he had no choice but to stop the contest at 1:16. (more…)

Weights from Lincoln, RI

Photo: Emily Harney

Joey McCreedy 165 vs Otis Griffin
Danny O’Connor 141 vs James Hope 142
Jaime Clampit 140.5 vs Rachel Clark 143.5
Vladine Biosse 168 vs Jeffrey Osbourne 169
Joe Smith, Jr. 179 vs Brandon McGowen TBA
Rashad Minor 294 vs Lance Gauch 259
Maceo Crowder 168 vs Duane King 167
Venue: Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island
Promoter: Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.

Jackiewicz to face Rodriguez

Photo: Sebastian Andrzejczyk/Bullit KnockOut Promotions

by Pawel Rydzewski, Michal Koper

On 27 November, former EBU titlist Rafal “Braveheart” Jackiewicz (34-8-1, 18 KOs) will fight against Delvin Rodriguez (24-3-2, 14 KOs) in an IBF welterweight title eliminator. The encounter, scheduled for 12 rounds, will take place in Elk (Poland) and will be promoted by Andrew Wasilewski’s Bullit Knockout Promotions in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing. 32-year-old Jackiewicz appears convinced, that not only the win in the next bout belongs to him, but also the IBF title in the nearest future. (more…)

Weights from Philadelphia

Teon Kennedy 121 vs Francisco Rodriguez 121
(vacant USBA super bantamweight title)
Jason Barnett 223 vs John Poore 217
Venue: Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Promoter: Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc.

Universum Triplebill Workout

Photo: Universum Box-Promotion

Fight fans at the Sophienhof in Kiel, Germany, were thrilled this week when world champion fighters and top contenders participating on Saturday’s world title tripleheader engaged in a spirited public workout. On hand were WBC cruiserweight champion Giocabbe Fragomeni and his challenger, long-standing WBO light heavyweight champion Zsolt Erdei; WBC interim super featherweight champion Humberto Mauro Gutierrez and his challenger Vitali Tajbert; plus super middlewight contenders Dimitri Sartison and Stjepan Bozic, who meet for the vacant WBA belt. Click for more photos…

Weights from St. Louis

Achour Esho 148 vs Yankton Sothern 143
Terry Martin 190 vs Jadell Wells 183
Virgil Yalbro 250 vs Kevin Jones 232
Dennis Obogo 172 vs David Thomas 172
Robbie Cannon 144 vs Brandon Baue 146
(WBF Americas title)
Venue: Lumiere Casino, St Louis Missouri
Promoter: Hitz Boxing Promotions

TKO goes all in at Commerce!

Southern California fight fans will once again be treated to world class professional boxing as TKO Boxing Promotions presents “Fight Night at the Commerce” on Thursday, December 17th at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles.

Featured at “Fight Night at the Commerce” will be former world title challengers Demetrius Hopkins and Edner Cherry in addition to world ranked lightweight Rolando Reyes in separate bouts.. . . . Click here for more

Johnson aims to bring back belt

When Star Boxing’s top rated undefeated heavyweight Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (22-0-1, 9KO) (WBC #6, WBA #6, WBO #8, IBF #12) steps into the ring on December 12th to challenge Vitali Klitschko (38-2, 37KO) for Klitschko’s coveted WBC Heavyweight Championship, he will not only be fighting for himself, but fighting for his entire country. (more…)

Escobedo to “Run to Feed the Hungry!”

For years, 2004 United States Olympian and current lightweight contender Vicente Escobedo has been fighting his way to the top of the boxing ranks, but on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, he begins a fight of a different sort as he captains Team Escobedo in the 10k “Run to Feed The Hungry” in Sacramento, California. (more…)

Super Six Predictions

The two Europeans boxers – victorious over their American opponents in the first round of the Super Six World Boxing Classic – are predicting Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler will beat Andre “S.O.G.” Ward in the final Group Stage 1 matchup this Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). One of the two Americans – Andre Dirrell – likes Ward while Jermain Taylor calls Saturday’s showdown a “toss-up.” (more…)