Atlas fights the good fight!

The boxing community will gather en masse to support fight trainer and ESPN2 Friday Night Fights commentator Teddy Atlas to assist those in need at the 13th annual Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation Dinner on Thursday night, November 19, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Staten Island, New York.  The boxing “Who’s Who” list set to attend the gala includes former giants of the ring Emile Griffith, Iran Barkley, Gerry Cooney, Chuck Wepner, and Renaldo Snipes, not to mention Hall of Fame trainer Lou Duva, ESPN broadcaster Brian Kenny and historian Bert Sugar. (more…)

ALI Classic Gloves!

Train like the Champ! The greatest glove of all time – just as the Champ would like it. EverFresh™ materials guard against odor and microbes and Thumblok keeps thumb and fist positioned correctly to avoid injury.  He Believed. Do You?  Greatness Is Within.  Check out the ALI Classic Gloves, or to see the entire collection, visit  www.everlast.com/ali.

Everlast Worldwide has launched an interactive website dedicated to The Greatest Of All Time™.  Explore the interactive Everlast canvas to discover rare photos of ALI, classic ALI audio clips, replica products used by Muhammad Ali™ throughout his career, as well as printable cards featuring his training methods. Click here for more

Yorgey: Controlling his Destiny

By Rick Scharmberg

Keith McMenamin/PhillyKeith.com

This Saturday night at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, world-rated “Lightning” Harry Joe Yorgey (22-0-1, 10 KOs), of Bridgeport, Pennsylvania will face fellow contender Alfredo “Perro” Angulo (16-1, 13 KOs), of Mexicali, Mexico, and now Coachella, California. They will box twelve rounds for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental junior middleweight title. The winner will also establish himself as a top title contender in the wide-open junior middleweight division. Yorgey is coming off an impressive ninth-round knockout of Ronald Hearns, while Angulo most recently stopped Philadelphia’s Gabriel Rosado in two rounds. FightNews caught up with Harry at his training camp in Youngstown, Ohio. (more…)

WBC 47th Convention opens

Boxing Bob Newman

By Boxing Bob Newman

The opening ceremonies of the World Boxing Council 47th world convention were held this morning at the elegant Ramada Hotel in Jeju Island, South Korea this Monday morning, 10 a.m. local time.
On hand were the presidents of the ten continental confederation members of the WBC, board of directors, Korean government officials, several past world champions from Korea and nearly 500 delegates and media from around the world. (more…)

Valuev in Nuremberg!

Photo Wende

WBA world heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev arrived at the Nuremburg Airport late Sunday afternoon. “I’m looking forward to the fight on November 7th,” said Valuev. “My preparation was very intense and focused, and I want to defend the world title.” Normally airline flights aren’t so comfortable for the seven-foot heavyweight. “But this time was different,” he reported. “I got a place in the plane with plenty of extra legroom.” With that, the 36-year-old world champion and his trainer Alexander Zimin caught a VIP shuttle to the hotel where a visit to the sauna was quickly on the agenda.

Valuev’s challenger David Haye is expected in Nuremburg on Monday morning. On Tuesday, the two fighters and their trainers are scheduled to participate in a public workout at 1PM at the Mercado Mall (Carl-von-Linde-Strasse 5). Things could get interesting if they meet face to face, as Haye has rarely missed an opportunity to belittle the “Russian Giant.”

The Valuev-Haye fight is being distributed by Integrated Sports in the United States by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3PM ET/12PM PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, Viewer’s Choice and Bell TV for a suggested retail price of $24.95, A replay will be shown that same night at 9PM ET/6PM PT.

Rios to face Estrada

By Johnny B’

Professional boxing returns to the State of Kansas on Friday as undefeated lightweight Brandon Rios (22-0-1, 16 KOs) takes on Lorenzo Estrada (3-15-1) in what looks like a mismatch on paper. However, if you look closely at the record of Estrada, it tells a different story. In Estrada’s last bout, he went the distance with Frankie Archuleta 25-7-1 and as the underdog in a 2008 bout Estrada upset Willie Villanueva who was 9-0 at the time. In addition, one of Estrada’s three wins was a hard fought 12 round decision over tough Texan Jacobo Gomez. In the co-main event, light-middleweight Bernardo Guereca (15-8-1) of El Paso, Texas, takes on New Mexico’s Joseph Gomez (16-2-1). The show takes place at the Garden City Convention Center and is promoted by Robert Gonzalez & Bad Boyz Boxing.

Cotto in Vegas!

Photo: Chris Farina-Top Rank

Fans welcome three-time world champion and the pride of Puerto Rico, Miguel Cotto as he arrives in Las Vegas to prepare for his upcoming “FIREPOWER” world welterweight championship fight against six-time world champion pound-for-pound king Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. Pacquiao vs Cotto is promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Cotto Promotions, MGM Grand and Tecate, will take place, Saturday, November 14 at the sold out MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be available live on HBO Pay-Per-View. Click here for more photos…

Shibata wins OPBF 154lb belt

By Joe Koizumi

Unheralded Akio Shibata (13-5-1, 7 KOs), 154, surprisingly captured the OPBF and Japanese super-welter belt as he pounded out a close but well-received unanimous decision (116-114, 16-113 and 117-113) over defending titlist, southpaw veteran Yuki Nonaka (18-8-2, 7 KOs), 154, over twelve upset rounds on Sunday in Osaka, Japan. Nonaka had both his regional and national titles at stake, and Shibata took all with a single victory. Shibata was aggressive from the start, effectively throwing direct rights without leading lefts to the southpaw champ. Inexplicably the champ remained less aggressive only to yield the initiative to the willing mixer all the way. Promoter: Amagasaki Promotions.

The King of Kong

Ringside report and photos by Chris Cozzone

It might’ve been Halloween, but the only thing scary was the action between a Colombian cazadores in search of a title, and a bantamweight monster, who entered the ring in a gorilla suit, chained and led by a hot blonde, and left without his belt, a dozen whirlwind rounds later.

Yielding up this year’s gem, Treasure Island, in the first-ever fight card held there, saw one king toppled, one King return and another former king turn color commentator . . . Click here for more

Vazquez-Marquez IV?

According to Ernesto Castellanos of Esto.com.mx, former world champion Israel Vazquez (44-4, 32 KOs) and his manager Frank Espinoza have accepted terms by Vazquez’ promoter Golden Boy Promotions for a fourth bout with former world champion Rafael Marquez (38-5, 34 KOs). However, Golden Boy must now come to terms with Vazquez’ promoter Gary Shaw for the fight to happen. The bout is being proposed for February or March of 2010 with the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California and MGM Grand of Las Vegas, Nevada as possible sites for the fight. Marquez/Vazquez have had three epic bouts with Vazquez leading the series 2-1.

Potter opens Thailand gym

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Photo: Ray Wheatley

Thailand-based Australian promoter Daniel Potter has opened a world class gymnasium in Bangkok, Thailand that will be the training venue for his boxers which include former WBA 130 pound champion Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai (58-3-1, 47 KOs) and former world rated 140 pounder Saddam Kietyongyuth (18-0, 14 KOs) also recently signed world rated bantamweight Leon Moore (25-2, 22 KOs) of Georgetown, Guyana. The gymnasium features two full size boxing rings and the latest boxing equipment on the four floor venue. Boxers will have their own accommodation on the third floor of the four floor gym.

Potter said, “We are confident that Leon Moore who has signed with our promotional company, can win a world title and we will give him that opportunity as soon as possible. He defeated former IBF 108 pound champion Mauricio Pastrana in September which was a very good win.

“Our 140 pound boxer Saddam Kietyongyuth, 26 years, is a outstanding talent. He has been out of action for several months due to injury but he will be back in action soon. He also looks to be a future world champion.

“Former world WBA super featherweight champion Yodsanan Sor Nantachai is back training and will fight soon. He has had a great career defeating such outstanding boxers as Steve Forbes, Lamont Pearson and Lakva Sim in WBA title bouts. We will welcome boxers from around the world to train out our gym.”

Cotto hits Las Vegas today!

Three-time world champion Miguel Cotto breaks his Tampa training camp and heads to Las Vegas today (Nov 1). Cotto fans are invited to greet the champ at McCarran International Airport when he arrives at 3:55 p.m. PST on America Airlines #2249.

WBC Convention Update

Photo: Boxing Bob Newman

At the opening cocktail party of the 47th annual WBC Convention in Jeju Island, South Korea, WBC president Jose Sulaiman is greeted by some of Korea’s legendary former champions. From left to right are Jung Koo Chang (WBC Light Fly), Chan Hee Park (WBC Fly), Sung Kil Moon (WBC Super Fly & WBA Bantam), Chul Ho Kim (WBC Super Fly) and Myung Woo Yuh (WBA Light Fly). The official opening ceremony will get underway Monday morning at 10 a.m. local time.

This morning the World Boxing Council President, Jose Sulaiman Chagnon, gathered with all WBC Board of Governors in a meeting that took longer than expected. The leader addressed several topics that will also be discussed throughout the Convention which will be opened tomorrow at 9.30 a.m. (more…)

Marquez stops Zamora

Rafael Soto/Zanfer

Hernán “Tyson” Márquez scored a sixth round KO over Darwín “Finito” Zamora in Saturday night at the Deportivo Inalámbrica in Mérida, Yucatán. Referee Jesús Manuel Erosa waved it off after “Tyson” rocked Zamora with a huge left hook. Time was :56. Marquez improved his record to 26-0, 19 KOs, leaving Zamora at 16-3 with 11 KOs. (more…)

Dlamini wins vacant IBO 135 belt

By Ron Jackson

After three rounds of holding and mauling Mlungisi Dlamini landed the first decent punch of the fight to score a fourth round knockout over Zolani Marali to win the vacant IBO lightweight belt at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Saturday night. One punch, a short straight right to the jaw was all that Dlamini 61.18 kg needed to add the IBO belt to the WBF belt that he already holds. (more…)

Taylor defeats Bercier

TKO Boxing

Cruiserweight Andres “Taylor Made” Taylor won the highly anticipated eight round rematch against Leo Bercier before a huge hometown crowd at the War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on Saturday night. Controlling the action from the opening bell, Taylor weathered a late rush from Bercier to take a unanimous decision by scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 78-74 and retain his WBF Cruiserweight Title. In the first bout, Bercier won a six round unanimous decision over Taylor in an outstanding six round war on June 27, 2009 in Youngstown, Ohio. With the win, Taylor moves to 11-1-1 (6KO’s), while Bercier of Great Falls, Montana, falls to 8-11-1 (4KO’s). (more…)

Spina, Del Valle battle to a draw

Photo: Emily Harney

By Mark Vaz at ringside

Light heavyweight contender Joey Spina (25-1-2, 17 KOs), rated in the top 15 by all four sanctioning organizations, was held to a majority draw by former world champion “Honey Boy” Lou Del Valle (36-6-2, 22 KOs) on Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Spina had problems with the 41-year-old Del Valle’s southpaw style. Scores were 95-95, 95-95 and 97-93 for Del Valle. Fightnews scored it for Spina 97-95.
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Unbeaten lightweight Hammerin’ Hank Lundy (16-0-1, 10 KOs) annihilated Aldo “El Pato” Valtierra (25-12, 13 KOs) via KO at 2:21 of round one.
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Olympian welterweight Sadam Ali (4-0, 2 KOs) outpointed Osvaldo Rivera (2-2, 1 KO) over four by scores of 40-36, 39-37, 39-37. (more…)

Perez dethrones Agbeko

Photo by Chris Cozzone

In an all-action fight from the opening bell, Yonnhy Perez (20-0, 14 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over IBF bantamweight Joseph Agbeko (27-2, 22 KOs) to claim the 118lb world title on Saturday night at the Treasure Island Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas. Both fighters traded punches throughout. Perez was credited with a knockdown in round eleven when Agbeko turned his back after a clash of heads and Perez battered him to the ground. Scores were 116-111, 117-110, 117-110.

In a clash for the WBC interim lightweight belt, #1 rated Antonio DeMarco (23-1-1, 17 KOs) scored a ten round beatdown of #2 Jose Alfaro (23-5, 20 KOs). DeMarco was in command all the way, flooring Alfaro three times in round ten before referee Joe Cortez stopped the fight. Time was 2:07. DeMarco is now in line to challenge unbeaten WBC lightweight champion Edwin Valero.

Click here for FLASH QUOTES from all four fighters…

Davidson defeats Kaiakoda

Photo: Samuel Rajasuriar

Australian based Nigerian King Davidson (11-0, 6 KOs) clearly outscored Virgil Kaiakoda (25-5-1,16KO’s) of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa over twelve rounds to capture WBA Africa 154 pound title at the University of NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia on Friday. The skillful Davidson, 5’10″ connected with accurate combinations consistently on his more experienced opponent to edge most of the rounds to win by scores of 119-111, 119-107, 119-107. For more details and photos click here…

Martirosyan KOs Pena in thriller

By Alexey Sukachev

Russian middleweight slugger Gennady Martirosyan (19-2, 8 KOs) is expected to make a return to the world rankings following his all-action two-way knockout win over Spaniard Miguel Angel Pena (28-15-4, 9 KOs) several hours ago at the Gladiator Fight Club in St. Petersburg, Russia. Martirosyan vs. Pena for a vacant WBO European 160lb belt topped a huge local card, arranged by Jab Promotions. (more…)

Austin KOs Williamson

In an important WBC heavyweight eliminator, WBC #1 Ray “Rainman” Austin (28-4-4, 18 KOs) scored a fourth round stoppage of #9 DaVarryl “Touch of Sleep” Williamson (26-6, 22 KOs) on Saturday night on the non-televised undercard at the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Williamson rocked Austin in round one with a series of right hands. Austin, however, turned the tide in round four with a big right uppercut on the chin to knock down Williamson. Williamson barely beat the count, but referee Russell Mora waved it off.
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Unbeaten welterweight “King” James De La Rosa (20-0, 12 KOs) cruised to a ten round unanimous decision over Lenin “Volcano” Arroyo (20-11-1, 4 KOs). De La Rosa dropped Arroyo with a body shot in round six and was credited with a second knockdown in round eight by referee Jay Nady, although it was more of a trip. Arroyo showed a lot of heart to finish strong over the last two rounds. Scores were 100-88, 100-88, 99-94.
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Heavyweight Bermane Stiverne (18-1-1, 17 KOs) scored a seventh round TKO over 276lb Jerry Butler (8-7-1, 8 KOs). Referee Kenny Weeks stepped in to end it with Butler being battered on the ropes. Time was 1:34.
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WBA #3 welterweight Nelson Linares (19-0-1, 12 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO over Archak “Shark Attack” Termeliksetian (16-8, 13 KOs).
Click here for FLASH QUOTES…

K9: “Shane is my dream fight”

By Rick Scharmberg

Former reality show star Cornelius “K9″ Bundrage notified FightNews that he has been released from his promotional contract with “The Contender”, and is now a promotional free agent. Bundrage (29-4, 17 KOs), of Detroit, Michigan is the top contender in the IBF junior middleweight rankings. He is rated number two, but the number one spot is vacant. The champion is Cory Spinks. “I am the mandatory to fight Cory Spinks. I fought three title eliminators already. What do I have to do to get the fight?” asked Bundrage. “Now that The Contender gave me my release, I am ready for the world of boxing. Junior middleweights, even welterweights, I’m ready for any of those guys,” he said. (more…)

Shot of the Day

Chris Cozzone

Former junior middleweight champion Fernando Vargas (left) entered the ring and challenged Hector Camacho Jr last night after Camacho’s win over Yory Boy Campas. “El Feroz,” who looked to be quite a bit over his fighting weight, would be returning to the ring for the first time in over two years.

Fields victorious

By Tom Hebert, FightNews Canada

“Big Sky” Tye Fields upped his record to a 43-2 39 KO’S with a 2nd round stoppage of journeyman Galen “Bad Boy” Brown last night at the Palace Banquet hall in Edmonton, Alberta. With Galen taking a barrage of punching with both his hands down by his side, refereee Len Koivisto had little choice but to wave off the contest at the 1:32 mark on the third round. (more…)

Report/gallery: Camacho-Campas

Ringside report and gallery by Chris Cozzone & Ricardo Trujillo

It wasn’t the prettiest fight ever seen in El Paso. But it might be one of the more controversial ones held in recent years.

If you had told Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr. that going ten rounds with 108-fight Mexican veteran Ramon Luis “Yory Boy” Campas also meant going ten rounds with Texas, he might’ve talked promoter Zeferino Ramirez into a safer fight site . . . say, Afghanistan or across the border to the world’s murder capital, Juarez . . . Click here for more

Weights from Johnstown, PA

Photo: TKO Boxing

Andres Taylor 194.5 vs Leo Bercier 197.5
Jesse Lubash 147.5 vs James Wayka 148
Habib Allahverdiev 143 vs Francisco Rios Gil 149
Terence Crawford 147 vs Steve Marquez 147
Magomed Abdusalamov 249 vs Ryan Shay 239
Venue: War Memorial Arena, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Promoter: TKO Boxing Promotions

TKO Boxing inks D Hopkins

Demetrius Hopkins has signed an exclusive promotional agreement with TKO Boxing Promotions, it was announced today by its President, Chet Koerner. The 29 year old Hopkins, who has amassed a record of 28-1-1 (11KO’s) in his nine year professional career, will move up to the welterweight division in his next bout. “I know I’ll feel a multiple stronger by being able to fight at welterweight and I’m truly looking forward to starting this phase in my career with my new team at TKO Boxing Promotions” said Hopkins . “I won’t have to struggle to make weight and I’ll be much more comfortable at 147.” (more…)

Baloyi victorious in return

By Ron Jackson

Cassius Baloyi returned to action after losing his IBF junior lightweight belt in April to score a one-sided 12 round points decision over Roberto Arrieta from Argentina in an IBF eliminator at the Wembley Indoor Arena in Johannesburg on Friday night. Judges David Parris (England), Wally Snowball (South Africa) and Isaac Tshabalala (South Africa) all scored it 120-107. Baloyi is now in line to meet the winner of a fight between South Africa’s Mzonke Fana, and the champion, Robert Guerrero. (more…)

Fightwriter: Agbeko-Perez

By Graham Houston

After his impressive, upset win over Vic Darchinyan in July, Joseph Agbeko is back on Showtime on Saturday night to defend his IBF bantamweight title against mandatory contender Yonnhy Perez, and the fight should be a good one. I’m glad to see these talented and well-matched fighters getting the opportunity to top the bill on the first boxing event at the Treasure Island casino hotel, with Don King promoting. Agbeko, from Ghana in West Africa but now living in New York, was once one of boxing’s well-kept secrets. Now the secret’s out. The Ghanaian is a durable, crowd-pleasing boxer-fighter who seemed to handle Darchinyan much more easily than the scores suggested. (more…)

Three shows in six days

TKO Boxing Promotions is working tirelessly in the coming six days, promoting three world class events across the United States. Tonight TKO Boxing presents “FRIGHT NIGHT FIGHTS” at the War Memorial Arena in Johnstown , Pennsylvania , headlined by the cruiserweight rematch between local fan favorite Andres “TAYLORMADE” Taylor and Leo Bercier of Great Falls , Montana. Tuesday night, November 3rd, TKO Boxing presents the “Kardashian Charity Knock Out” at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles , California , featuring celebrity boxing matches between members of the Kardashian family in addition to five professional bouts including world class prospects Leo Santa Cruz, David Garcia, Hastings Bwalya, Fidel Maldonado and Ivan Redkach in separate bouts. Finally, on Thursday night, November 5th, TKO heads to the Baltimore , Maryland suburb of Cockneysville to present the Fourth Annual Jonathan Ogden Foundation Charity Boxing Event at Martins Valley Mansion . This year’s five bout card is headlined by a super middleweight bout between former world title challenger Peter Manfredo Jr. taking on New Orleans veteran Ronald Weaver.