Q&A: Jürgen Brähmer

Photo by Eroll Papova

WBO light heavyweight world champion Jürgen Brähmer defends his title against Alejandro Lakatos on Saturday’s “Universum Champions Night” at the Sport And Kongresshalle in Schwerin, Germany. In this interview, the champion spoke about his future, his relationship with trainer Michael Timm and a showdown with his dream opponent: Bernard Hopkins!“ (more…)

Ahmedov added to 7/23 card

WBA #9 light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov (14-0-1, 9 KOs) faces his stiffest test as a pro on July 23 against Dallas “Deaf Pride” Vargas (22-4, 16 KOs) in a ten-round, non-title fight at Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. In the main event, WBA light heavyweight champion Beibut Shumenov (9-1, 6 KOs) defends against mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Uzelkov (22-0, 14 KOs). Unbeaten welterweight Ravshan Hudaynazarov (12-0, 10 KOs), is also scheduled to fight against an opponent to be determined in an eight-round bout.

Jacobs, Pirov ready for title fight

Neither Daniel Jacobs (20-0, 17 KOs), of Brooklyn, or Dmitry Pirog (16-0, 13 KOs), of Russia, feel their WBO world middleweight title fight on July 31 has been rushed. “It’s not like I’m ready for this situation,” said Jacobs, during a teleconference held today. “Initially, my choice would’ve been to fight for a title when I was 17-0, but that’s a boxer’s standpoint.”

“It’s not a problem at all,” agreed Pirov. “We both have a lot of amateur experience. Both of us have the skills and the right previous opposition.”

Showing mutual respect toward one another, both fighters claimed they would be victorious on the 31st. “I don’t see anything that can stop me,” said Jacobs. “He’s a good fighter, but he doesn’t represent the same skills or speed I have – he just doesn’t match up to me.”

“I may be an underdog, but I am not worried,” said Pirov. “American judges and fans are the most developed and if you give your best, and fight well, everything will be fair. Nothing is going to happen that will disappoint me.”

Stay tuned for a full report tomorrow.

Q&A: Fernando Guerrero

Photo by Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

Undefeated Fernando Guerrero will be gunning for his fourth win on ShoBox: The New Generation when he faces veteran Ishe Smith (21-4, 9 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight main event bout of a tripleheader telecast on Friday, July 16, live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). “I have to keep my winning streak on SHOWTIME going,” the 23-year-old Guerrero (18-0, 15 KOs) said. “I’ve had three wins on SHOWTIME and I think I belong there.” (more…)

“Gallito” Castillo primed for Arce

On Saturday July 31st, former super-flyweight world champion Martin “Gallito” Castillo (35-3, 18 KOs) will face off against popular Mexican fighter and three division world champion Jorge “Travieso” Arce (54-6, 44 KOs). “This is the fight I’ve always wanted and I plan to make the most of the opportunity,” Castillo said from his training base in Los Angeles. “Preparation is going great. The fans are going to see me faster and stronger than ever.” The fight will be televised on Fox en Espanol from Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico.

Weights from Philadelphia

Ran Nakash 204.5 vs Victor Barragan 198
Felix Diaz 146.5 vs Broderick Antoine 145.5
Vyacheslav Glazkov 219 vs Mark Brown 223.5
Rustam Nabeev 113.5 vs Alejandro Solorio 112.5
Maks Liminov 165.5 vs Julius Fogle 169
Imani Bell 282 vs Lee Thomas 283.5
Oz Goldenberg 129.5 vs Marcos Garcia 132
Venue: The Arena, S. Philsdelphia
1st Bell: 7:30 pm

Munroe-Nishioka set

Promoter Frank Maloney has announced that super bantamweight Rendall Munroe will challenge WBC world champion Toshiaki Nishioka in October. Maloney stated that the bout will take place in Tokyo toward the end of the month.

Thomson taps Omotoso

By Ray Wheatley–World of Boxing
Photo by Werner Kalin

Australian based Nigerian and world rated welterweight, Wale Omotoso (17-0, 15 KOs), has the skills and power to defeat the world IBF 147 pound champion Jan Zaveck, declared his trainer and manager Murray Thomson who talked with Fightnews today. “I have watched tapes of Zaveck in action and I am convinced Omotoso has the style to defeat the IBF champion,” said Thomson. “His short stature and aggressive tactics would be perfect for Omotoso to score a knockout.” (more…)

McEwen-Perez + undercard

Unbeaten middleweight Craig McEwan (18-0, 10 KOs) faces his toughest test in veteran Danny Perez (34-7, 17 KOs) on July 23 in the main event of TeleFutura’s “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California. McEwan vs. Perez replaces the originally scheduled main event of Sergio Mora vs. Juan Carlos Candelo, which was scrapped due to Mora’s September meeting with Sugar Shane Mosley. In the co-main event, featherweight Charles Huerta (13-1, 7 KOs) battles Jonathan Arias (15-5, 8 KOs). Also in action will be Florida knockout artist Keith Thurman (12-0, 11 KOs) who puts his perfect record on the line against fellow unbeaten Stalinn Lopez (7-0, 3 KOs).

Adamek workout

Tomasz Adamek works out with trainer Roger Bloodworth in advance of his August 21 fight against Michael Grant at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

Gamboa: I know I’ll beat Rojas

Looks like unbeaten WBA featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa (18-0, 15 KOs) will collide with WBC featherweight champion Elio Rojas (22-1, 13 KOs) on September 11, probably in Las Vegas. “He has a belt, I have a belt – and after the fight I’ll have two,” says Gamboa. “Of course, I won’t underestimate my opponents, but I know what I can do, and I know I’ll beat him.” In the long term, Gamboa has WBO champion Juan Manuel Lopez on the top of his hit list.

Farhood analyzes ShoBox card

This Friday, ShoBox: The New Generation will present a classic “ShoBox” fight card featuring ambitious young talent on the verge of greatness live at 11p ET/PT on SHOWTIME. The lineup includes Fernando Guerrero vs. Ishe Smith, plus Shawn Porter vs. Ray Robinson and Lanard Lane vs. Mike Dallas Jr. Here is expert analyst Steve Farhood.

Judah, Santa Cruz Quotes

Photo by Marty Rosengarten/RingsidePhotos.com

Former world champion Zab Judah (38-6, 26 KOs) and Jose Armando Santa Cruz (28-4, 17 KOs) faced off Tuesday in advance of Friday’s welterweight showdown at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Here are quotes from the prefight presser. (more…)

Escalante at critical stage

Photo by Chris Cozzone

Story by Felix Chavez

On Aug. 6 at the Don Haskins Center, Antonio Escalante faces his biggest challenge to date for a variety of reasons. For one, he’ll be facing a veteran in Edel Ruiz who owns 25 knockouts among his 34 wins and Escalante is fighting just his third fight where he’ll weigh 126 pounds or higher.

Also, Escalante will be fighting for the first time under the tutelage of trainer Louie Burke. Burke is a veteran trainer, who will lend Escalante his knowledge of the sport and help the 25-year-old fighter a foundation of boxing fundamentals . . . click here for more

Ibarra-Melo set for July 24

Oscar “Ceviche” Ibarra (22-4, 14 KOs), of Mexico City, and Carlos Melo (19-10-1, 2 KOs), of Panama City, will fight for the WBC Silver super flyweight belt on July 24, in Campeche, Mexico. The eight-bout card, promoted by Promociones del Pueblo, will co-feature former champ Jhonny Gonzalez (44-7, 38 KOs), of Mexico City, vs. Ira Terry (24-3, 14 KOs), of Memphis, Tenn. Gonzalez is on a four-bout win streak since his loss to WBC Super Bantam Champ Toshiaki Nishioka last year. Also on the card: undefeated super featherweight Didier Basulto (16-0, 9 KOs) vs. Eugenio Lopez (17-16-1, 13 KOs) in a ten-rounder. The card will be televised on Mexico Televisa.

Bradley, Angulo workout

By Big Joe Miranda

Undefeated WBO junior welterweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley and No. 1 junior middleweight contender Alfredo “Perro” Angulo hosted a Palm Springs Media Workout today at the Boys and Girls Club of America Gym in Indio, Calif. Undefeated Top-Five welterweight contender and Bradley opponent Carlos Abregu also paid a visit to the gym, choosing to observe Bradley’s training rather than give him a look at his own training. The fighters will be featured atop an all-action card, in separate 12-round bouts. Angulo will be facing former World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight champion Joachim Alcine in a World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight title elimination bout. Promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions, the Bradley-Abregu / Angulo-Alcine doubleheader will take place Saturday at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif. (more…)

Abell wants revenge

Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell was once a can’t miss heavyweight prospect. The 6’4 240 lb power punching phenom viciously stopped eight of his first nine victims inside of two rounds, emphatically stamping his ticket as one of boxing’s most exciting up and comers in the process. Abell, who literally knocked opponents out of the ring, was undoubtedly on the fast track to success; this was until he met Arron Lyons. Lyons was expected to be another opponent the Coon Rapids native would walk right through, but Abell’s night it wasn’t. The New Mexico product scored a shocking first round stoppage, leaving the crowd at Philadelphia’s Legendary Blue Horizon in disbelief. (more…)

Report/gallery: Findley-Marks

By Drew Amendola at ringside
Photos by Scott Foster

Middleweight Derrick “Superman” Findley (17-3, 11 KOs) scored a decisive knockout over popular Zane “The Train” Marks (17-6, 10 KOs) in the fourth round, Saturday night at the Hollywood Casino in the Gulf town of Bay St Louis, Mississippi. The card was promoted by Les Bonano . . . Click here for more

Heavybag evolution at Everlast!

Godfrey ready for Huck

By Bob Trieger

The 29-year-old former US amateur star who hails from Providence, Rhode Island, Matt Godfrey, has been training in Rhode Island and nearby Connecticut for the last seven months in preparation for his first world title shot. Matt originally was supposed to fight Steve Cunningham last March for the vacant IBF title, but a series of date changes and miscommunications led to that fight being canceled. Matt took a few days off and went right back into training for what turned out to be a showdown with Huck. Godfrey, rated No. 8 by the WBO and No. 10 by The Ring magazine, is a full-blooded Native American (Wampanoug). He had held a number of regional titles including, NABF, NABA, USNBC, WBA Continental Americas and Sovereign Nations Boxing Council. (more…)

Q&A: Teddy Atlas

By Ricardo Conde

Fight trainer and ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” commentator Teddy Atlas is preparing his fighter IBF/WBO #1 heavyweight contender Alexander Povetkin (19-0, 14 KOs) of Russia who returns to the ring to take on IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (54-3, 48 KOs) of Ukraine on Saturday, September 11th at the 55,000-seat Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany in a 12-round heavyweight bout which is being presented by K2 Promotions. We recently caught up with Teddy Atlas as he helps prepare Alexander Povetkin for his upcoming bout to get his take on the fight, the latest on his foundation, and more, here’s what he had to say. (more…)

Quick Quotes From Diaz/Shields

By Andreas Hale

Juan Diaz: “I didn’t think this fight would happen after the two fights with Malinaggi but here I am with this great opportunity….I’m taking full advantage of the situation and I’m training my butt off. My intensity is increasing and my sparring partners are feeling it….I know that the game plan I had in the 1st fight was working. It was really close and I had the edge but what I deviated from was when Ronnie said to apply the same amount of pressure. I kept up the pressure but I was leaving myself wide open to uppercuts. I was stubborn, kept pushing forward and squaring up. That’s what led to me losing the fight… What Marquez does well is that he thinks every second of the fight. What you hit him earlier with, you won’t catch him with later…I actually think that Marquez was slowing down in the later rounds. Once I got cut, it was like a lion who pounced on the prey. I think it energized Marquez and helped him out. If I didn’t get cut, I think it would be a different story.” (more…)

Rahman Returns Aug. 14

By Chris Perry

Former heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman returns to the ring Saturday night, Aug. 14 against tough veteran Damon Reed in Jack Fulton’s International Championship Boxing Series main event at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. With hopes of climbing back into the heavyweight title picture, Rahman (47-7-2, 38 KOs) is fighting for the third time this year after stopping his last two opponents within four rounds. Reed (45-13, 32 KOs) is no pushover with bouts against Herbie Hide, Kali Meehan and Monte Barrett during his 15-year career. The full card and ticket information will be announced soon.

Spinks-Bundrage added Aug 7

Don King has promoted many of the biggest main events and best undercards in boxing history, and he’s still building great shows as evidenced by the fact he has added another world championship to his “Gateway to Greatness” on Aug. 7 in St. Louis, which is now a world championship tripleheader. King had said he would move the IBF junior middleweight championship featuring titleholder Cory Spinks against IBF mandatory challenger Cornelius “K9″ Bundrage—originally scheduled for June 12— to Scottrade Center in St. Louis on Aug. 7. He made it official today.

In King’s other two world championship fights, WBC and IBF 140-pound champion Devon Alexander “The Great” (20-0, 13 KOs) will defend against former WBA junior welterweight champion Andriy Kotelnik (31-3-1, 13 KOs), and IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud (20-0, 18 KOs) will face the former holder of that belt, Glen Johnson (50-13-2, 34 KOs). (more…)

Arreola, Quezada speak

By Karl Freitag

For heavyweight Manny “El Toro” Quezada (29-5, 18 KOs) his August 13th fight against world rated Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola (28-2, 25 KOs) “means everything.” Arreola, on the other hand, dismissed Quezada as another opponent. “I’m just happy to be fighting again,” said Arreola. “I know this is Manny’s Super Bowl. This is his big fight and I’m sure he’s going to train his a– off to try and knock my block off, but I know what I have to do to win. I’m the only person who beats myself and I’ve done that two times already. I’m tired of beating myself.” The will be televised by ESPN2 and take place at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA.
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Promoter Dan Goossen announced today that local jr welterweight favorite Josesito Lopez (26-3, 15 KOs) will take on (21-1-1, 11 KOs) in the co-feature. Tickets are priced at $79, $59 and $29 (parking included with purchase).