Mendez training in the UK

130lb contender Argenis Mendez landed in the UK this past Saturday where he will prepare for his up and coming rematch against Juan Carlos Salgado in California on March 9th. The bout will take place on the undercard of the Chris Arreola vs. Bermane Stiverne fight and will be for the IBF super featherweight world championship which Salgado won when he defeated Mendez over 12 rounds in 2011 in Mexico. Mendez pictured here alongside his trainer Lee Beard, nutritionist Samir Kiami and stablemate Jack Catterall (2-0) stated. “I’m glad to be in the UK working with Lee again and this time I will make sure that the belt will be around my waist at the end. I let Salgado off the hook last fight and I won’t make the same mistake again. The people of the Dominican Republic will have a new champion come March 9th”

Interview: Juan Carlos Burgos

By Felipe Leon

We’ve heard it many times before. Boxing is not a game. Hands, gauze, tape, leather, foam or at times horse hair are the only weapons needed but unfortunately they can cause enough damage to take a fighter’s life. That almost took place a crisp dark Los Angeles night nearly six years ago when former light flyweight champion Victor Burgos challenged Vic Darchinyan for the IBF flyweight champion. The “Raging Bull” was in command the whole night as he stalked and battered the much smaller and older man.

After meeting the canvas in the second, Burgos survived the rest of the bout on heart and guts alone but at the mid way mark of the last round, everybody in the Home Depot Center had seen enough including the referee at the fight was stopped. As Burgos made his way back to his corner or more like was helped back to his corner, he collapsed and had to be carried out on a stretcher. Later it was known that a blood clot had to be removed from his brain in an emergency surgery.

As many watched in person and on TV, there wasn’t a more attentive onlooker than Victor’s nephew, super featherweight contender Juan Carlos Burgos. (more…)

Boxeo Telemundo returns to Palm Bay, FL

The popular series of “Boxeo TELEMUNDO Ford” will make its 2013 debut at Florida’s Space Coast with an exciting show, Friday, February 22nd at the Palm Bay Community Center in Palm Bay, FL. In the main event, WBO Intercontinental bantamweight champion and #5 contender Jose “Miau” Nieves (21-2-3-10 KO’s) of Carolina, Puerto Rico, will put his ranking and title on the line against former WBC Mundo Hispano Champion Danny “El Venado” Flores (14-2-8 KO’s) of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico in a bout scheduled for 12 rounds in another classic battle of Puerto Rico Vs. Mexico. (more…)

Anderson and Lartei Lartey collide

By Kurt Wolfheimer

Heavy handed Newark welterweight Michael “Slick” Anderson (12-1-1, 10KOs) is ready put it all on the line on Saturday night at the Luxurious Robert Treat Hotel, in Newark, New Jersey when he swaps punches with dangerous Ghanaian southpaw Emmanuel Lartei Lartey (13-0-1, 7KOs) in the ten round main event for the WCB regional title.

If that weren’t enough, Matchmaker Renee Aiken and All Out Promotions in association with Global Boxing Promotions has put together an a loaded undercard featuring some of the best up and coming fighters the region has to offer, including two can’t miss co-features. The first six round co-feature of the evening will showcase the return of undefeated Glassboro, New Jersey super middleweight Derek “Take to the Bank” Webster (13-0, 7KOs) as he takes on wily veteran Darnell Boone (19-19-3, 8KOs). The second co-feature will be a six round heavyweight slugfest as Newark’s own Tyabb Beale (7-3-1, 3KOs) swaps punches with Aaron “The Animal” Kinch (4-0-1, 1KO). (more…)

Mikey hits New York City

Photos: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Undefeated #1 contender Mikey Garcia arrived this evening in New York City for his upcoming world title fight against WBO World Featherweight champion Orlando Salido on Saturday at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, live on HBO Boxing After Dark, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

Promoted by Top Rank® and K2 Promotions, in association with Tecate and Madison Square Garden, remaining tickets, priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, are currently available for purchase at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com. (more…)

Former champ Chucho Castillo passes

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Former WBA/WBC bantamweight world champion Jesus “Chucho” Castillo passed away at the age of 68 on Tuesday afternoon in Mexico City after suffering a heart attack. Castillo had a career record of 47-18-2 with 22 KOs and fought the best of his era including Jose Medel, Bernardo Caraballo, Jesus Pimentel, Lionel Rose, Rafael Herrera, Ruben Olivares, Enrique Pinder, Bobby Chacon, Rafael Ortega and Danny Lopez among others. On October 16, 1970 at the Forum in Inglewood, California, he snatched the WBA and WBC bantamweight crowns from Ruben Olivares by TKO in 14 rounds. He was currently working at the Metro Workers Union in Mexico City and was known as a kind and decent man.

Boxing Buzz

WBA Featherweight Champion Nicholas “The Axeman” Walters (22-0, 18 KOs), of Jamaica, one month off his title win over Daulis Prescott (26-2, 19 KOs), when he became the first Jamaican boxer to win a world title on home turf, is on a tour of Kingston.

There’s a chance three of the four major ABC belts at lightweight will be unified by the end of the year. WBO champ Ricky Burns (35-2, 10 KOs) is hoping for a shot at undefeated WBC champ Adrien Broner (25-0, 21 KOs), if he gets past IBF champ Miguel Vazquez (33-3, 13 KOs) on March 16.

In a battle of 40-somethings, it’s looking like 44-year-old Roy Jones (56-8, 40 KOs) could be facing former Irish champ, 48-year-old Steve Collins (36-3, 21 KOs) in England this April. Collins hasn’t fought since 1997. Jones is on a two-bout win streak, following three losses.

WBA/WBO Flyweight Champion Brian Viloria (32-3, 19 KOs) is back in training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles with Freddie Roach. Viloria is eying Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzales (34-0, 28 KOs).

Hopkins-Cloud Quick Quotes

Photos: Rich Kane – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

Former two-division world champion Bernard Hopkins and undefeated IBF light heavyweight world champion Tavoris Cloud faced off at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York at the press conference to officially announce their March 9 world title fight at Barclays Center which will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing.

BERNARD HOPKINS, Three-Time And Two-Division World Champion & Oldest Fighter In History To Win A World Championship: “Age is not an enemy to me. The clock is not something to try to stop. The man upstairs can’t even do that. You can get the daylight to be earlier or the darkness to be later, but the clock has to move forward.

“People will always tell me, ‘You can’t do this. You can’t do that.’ When I hear that, it gives me motivation. I know there are some things in life that are out of reach. Some people are not capable of doing certain things. I have been doing this half of my life. I know what I am capable of.

“Some people are trying to write my destiny, but when you see a guy that has a track record that has proven to be more right than wrong over 28 years, Cloud has to say that he has a challenge. In reality, he is going to have to train harder than he ever has before.

“[To Cloud] If you ain’t ready now, seven or eight weeks out, then you’re in trouble. (more…)

Andre Ward starts rehab

WBA/WBC super middleweight champion Andre Ward began the physical therapy portion of his recovery from shoulder surgery on Monday at Activecare Physical Therapy in San Francisco. Both Ward and his physical therapist, Lisa Giannone, were pleased with his first session and look forward to the work ahead as he prepares to return to the ring. “I had a good first day of physical therapy on Monday. It was short and sweet, and I have a good range of motion one week out of surgery. During our first session, my physical therapist wanted to make sure that everything is healing properly and it is,” Ward said.

Ward had successful surgery to repair a small tear in his right shoulder capsule on Friday, January 4, and has been recovering at home with his wife Tiffiney and their four children since that time. (more…)

Late Result: Scott-Manswell

By James Slater

On Thursday night (Jan. 10th) in Houston, Texas, local heavyweight Skipp “Strictly Business” Scott overcame two knockdowns against Trinidad’s Kertson Manswell to win his first pro title. 6′ 8″ Scott, in his first scheduled ten-rounder, prevailed by unanimous decision – scores were 93-92 X3. Now the holder of the World Boxing Federation International belt, Scott improved to 16-1(10) with his gutsy effort. Manswell of Trinidad and Tobago, two years the older man at age 36, falls to 23-7(17). (more…)

Verdejo arrives in New York

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Puerto Rico Olympian Felix Verdejo arrives in New York for his upcoming 2nd pro fight on the undercard of Orlando Salido vs Mikey Garcia , Saturday, Jan 19 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York , live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

Promoted by Top Rank and K2 Promotions, in association with Tecate and Madison Square Garden, remaining tickets, priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, are currently available for purchase at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com. (more…)

Boxing Buzz

According to the IBF, the Froch/Kessler rematch is tentatively approved. They are working on the conditions now. If all parties agree, the fight should take place on April 27 in the UK according to Matchroom Sport, Froch’s promoter.
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WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi will reportedly face Shane Mosley on April 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Mosley is coming out of retirement for the fight.
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Golden Boy Promotions won the purse bid for the rematch between Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan during a purse bid held last week. The winner will be the mandatory challenger for the world super welterweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. The bout must take place within 90 days. –Gabriel F. Cordero

Salido-Garcia/Martinez-Burgos WBO officials

WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel announced today the referees and judges who will work this Saturday in the WBO world title bouts featuring featherweight champion Orlando “Siri” Salido vs. Miguel Angel “Mikey” Garcia and 130ln champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez vs. Juan Carlos “Mini” Burgos to be held at the Theater Madison Square Garden in New York.

The referee for Salido-Garcia will be Benjy Esteves, from United States. The judges for the Salido-Garcia fight are Julie Lederman, John Stewart and Don Ackerman, all from United States. WBO supervisor for this bout will be Valcarcel himself.

Meanwhile, for Martinez-Burgos the referee will be Eddie Claudio. The judges for this bout will be Waleska Roldan, Larry Hazzard Jr. and John Signorile, all from United States. The WBO supervisor for this fight will be Luis Perez, the WBO Ratings Committee Chairman.

Late Result: Greene-Odom

Last Thursday night, over 800 noisy fans at the Cordon Bleu Banquet Center in Woodhaven, New York, turned out to watch their hometown hero, junior middleweight contender “Mean” Joe Greene (25-1, 16 KOs) score a clear unanimous decision over capable veteran Calvin Odom of Inglewood, California. Fighting in the eight-round main event of a Greg Cohen Promotions night of boxing, Greene outworked and outscored the lanky Odom to win by scores of 79-73 and 77-75 (twice). (more…)

B-Hop Birthday Presser

A press conference is being held today on Bernard Hopkins’ 48th Birthday to officially announce his title bout against IBF light heavyweight world champion Tavoris Cloud.  Hopkins will attempt to break his own record as the oldest fighter in history to win a world championship when he faces the undefeated Cloud on March 9 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn live on HBO World Championship Boxing.

Video: I beat Mike Tyson

I BEAT MIKE TYSON, a 2012 film festival favorite, was released as a “staff pick” on the video sharing site Vimeo on Tuesday. The 13-minute film, which chronicles the story of famed Irish boxer Kevin McBride.

Froch-Kessler II is On!

By Wolfgang Schiffbauer

Long negotiations came to end last night, as Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing and Sauerland Event just announced that IBF Super Middleweight Champion Carl Froch and WBA Regular Super Middleweight Champion Mikkel Kessler will face each other in a long-awaited rematch this summer in Great Britain. An exact date and location are still to be determined, but The O2 in London seems to be the frontrunner as of now. A press conference to officially announce the bout and more details will happen soon, according to a Press Release by Matchroom Boxing.

“This is the fight that I want more than anything in the world,” Froch was quoted in the release. “I put Mikkel up there as one of the great warriors in boxing and I am so excited about this fight and the chance to set the record straight against him.”
“I promised Carl we would meet again and here we are, getting ready to leave it all in the ring for a second time,” Kessler offered. Froch promoter Eddie Hearn added: “This is one for the ages.” And Kalle Sauerland, promoter of the “Viking Warrior” promised an “even better” fight than their first encounter. (more…)

Rosado fighting to prove he’s the exception to the rule

Story and Photos by John DiSanto – Philly Boxing History (.com)

After seven years as a professional fighter, Gabriel Rosado has fought his way to the doorstep of his dream. On Saturday, he faces fierce fighting machine Gennady Golovkin at Madison Square Garden Theater for the WBA & IBO middleweight championship of the world.

“This is something that I always day dreamed about,” Rosado said. “It’s always played in my head, the big stage, HBO, the title, being the underdog. Exactly the situation that I’m in, is exactly what I’ve always dreamed about.”

He’s done the work and taken the risks. Now with a little luck and a disciplined performance on Saturday night, Rosado can make his dreams come true. (more…)

Gennady Golovkin Training Camp in Big Bear

By Przemek Garczarczyk
Video: Oliver Richardt

WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (24-0, 21 KOs) prepared in the snow of Big Bear, California. Along with trusted trainer Abel Sanchez, fans can see “GGG” hard at work in a special video prepared by K2 Promotions. On Saturday, the hard hitting man from Kazakhstan will defend his title against world ranked challenger “King” Gabriel Rosado (21-5, 13 KOa). The fight will take place at Madison Square Garden and will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT

Salido hits NYC

Photos: Chris Farina/Top Rank

WBO World Featherweight champion Orlando “Siri” Salido arrived late Monday night in New York City for his upcoming world title fight against undefeated #1 contender Mikey Garcia on Saturday at The Theater in Madison Square Garden, live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

Salido was accompanied by his team which includes manager Sean Gibbons, chief trainer Santos Moreno, an assistant trainers Victor Barron and Armando Castro. (more…)

Golden Boy, Canelo reach agreement

By Hesiquio Balderas

Canelo Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions have reached an agreement and form an alliance to present the best of boxing in an unique partnership that will gather the best up and coming talent from both entities,the result of this business union is a presentation of 17 boxing shows that’s will air on Mexican TV network Televisa and Fox Deportes during 2013. “We are extremely happy, we are ready and motivated to continue to work with De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions” said Edison Reynoso CEO of Canelo Promotions.

A few days ago executives from both promotional companies reached an agreement and came to terms regarding their business, also they confirm that Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will be fighting in September and May of 2013 defending his WBC Super Welterweight title belt. (more…)

Gutknecht-Braehmer a WBO eliminator

When Euro light heavyweight champion Eduard Gutknecht (24-1, 9 KOs) takes on 34-year-old former world champion Juergen Braehmer in Berlin on February 2, it won’t be just to keep his EBU Title but also to win the position as mandatory challenger for the WBO Champion, currently Britain’s Nathan Cleverly. “It is great to be that close to a potential shot at the world championship. I only have to take the next step. I will earn that chance by defeating Juergen Braehmer,” said “Eddy” about the all-German affair. Gutknecht and IBF cruiserweight champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez, both trained by Ulli Wegner, will spend the rest of their preparation time at the Olympic training facilities in Kienbaum near Berlin.

#3 Kwanpichit stops Morales

By Damrong Simakajornboon
Photos: Onesongchai Boxing Promotion

WBO#3 flyweight Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym (20-0-1,8 KOs) successfully kept his WBO Oriental 112lb title as he stopped ABCO#5 Noli Morales (reportedly 9-4,3 KOs) on Friday at the City Hall’s ground of Chacheongsao Province, Thailand. It was a close affair in the first three rounds when aggressor champion displayed vicious bodyshots on the Filipino who also responded well with his accurate counterpunches. Unexpectedly, the show was ended during a seesaw action in round four when Kwanpichit landed a right uppercut which hurt Morales’s eye, forcing the Filipino refused to continue at 2:53. (more…)