Lo Greco headlines in Sicily

On Friday night, OPI 2000, the Italian company led by Salvatore and Christian Cherchi, will stage a show in Siracusa on the Italian Island of Sicily. In the main event, Italian Canadian Phil Lo Greco (19-0, 10 KOs) will fight for the vacant WBC International welterweight title against Poland’s Slawomir Ziemlewicz (20-6-2, 4 KOs).

On the undercard OPI lightweight prospect Luca Giacon (10-0, 10 KOs) and cruiserweight Vincenzo Rossitto (38-6-2, 23 KOs). Giacon will fight on six rounds and Rossitto on eight rounds. Italian network Dahlia Sport 2 will broadcast the show live starting at 9PM.

Mayol-Nino Presser

Photo by Rafael Soto/Zanfer

WBC light flyweight champion Rodel Mayol (26-4-2, 20 KOs) and Omar Nino (28-3-2, 11 KOs) both promised victory before facing off at Wednesday’s final press conference in advance of Saturday’s highly charged rematch at the Plaza de Toros in San Juan del Rio, Queretaro, Mexico. Their first bout ended in a controversial three round draw. The return bout can be seen on FOX Sports in the United States and TV Azteca in Mexico. (more…)

Q&A: Omar Sheika

By Kurt Wolfheimer

On Friday night at the Cedar Gardens in Hamilton, New Jersey, light heavyweight sensation Omar Sheika (29-9, 20 KOs) will continue his quest for the elusive world title that has been just beyond his grasp. Sheika, The 2003 & 2004 ESPN fighter of the year will face the always dangerous Jim “Steel Chin” Strohl (27-8, 21 KOs). Fightnews had the opportunity to speak with Sheika as he prepared for his toughest fight of his comeback. (more…)

Former Vargas manager arrested

The former business manager of Fernando Vargas has been arrested on suspicion of stealing the former world champion’s fortune. According to the Ventura County Star, Joseph Louis Pecora was arrested Monday on charges of grand theft by embezzlement and forgery after a long investigation. Vargas’ attorney Greg Ramirez told the Star that Pecora allegedly pocketed about $400,000 and lost millions by mismanaging Vargas’ financial affairs. Ramirez also said the Vargas family had to move out of their home as a result and Vargas might have to start training to get back in the ring.

More Vargas news

Six pro bouts featuring five Tulare County and Central Valley future boxing stars highlight the inaugural Melee At McDermont boxing show set for Saturday night, June 19th and hosted by former world champion Fernando Vargas. This historic night of boxing, a first for the City of Lindsay, will see the multimillion dollar McDermont Field House transformed into a 1,800 seat fight arena, complete with a boxing ring, boxing lights, VIP Suites, and a pre fight concert, all hosted by champion turned promoter Fernando Vargas and Roy Englebrecht of Roy Englebrecht Promotions. (more…)

Linares-Juarez Confirmed

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Golden Boy Promotions has closed the deal on a fight between former WBA/WBC world champion Jorge Linares and five-time title challenger Ricardo “Rocky” Juarez on July 31 in Las Vegas. The bout will be the co-feature underneath the rematch between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz. Sources inform that the two contracts were signed by the boxers and the fight will be at a weight between the super featherweight and lightweight divisions. On March 27, Linares returned to the ring after losing the world title in 2009 and won a majority decision over Francisco Lorenzo.

Margossian responds to Maidana

Maidana’s former manager comments on allegations

As my name was mentioned, I am requesting you to include some of the comments related to the declarations of Marcos Maidana about me and our contractual relationship, so that boxing fans can have information in relation to this matter. In this regard, and taking into account the declarations of Maidana through this means and any other means in relation to his contractual situation, I want to strongly clarify that, during his stay in Las Vegas, and before his fight against Victor Cayo, Maidana had a commercial relationship with the firm Golden Boy Promotions, in accordance with the proposal of Maidana’s promoter, UNIVERSUM. He signed personally the corresponding agreements.

Afterward, the possibility of a fight against Timothy Bradley on July of this year was added to these options, with an important money offer, and Maidana had always been kept informed about these facts and personally approved the proposal. After the customary negotiations, he also approved the money offer. Then, we planned a trip to Los Angeles for a Press Conference where the event would be announced. (more…)

Helenius returns August 21

Robert Helenius (12-0, 7 KOs) will make his first-ever title fight on August 21 when he clashes with Gregory Tony (12-0, 10 KOs) for the vacant EU Heavyweight Title. The two unbeaten prospects will collide in Erfurt, Germany on the undercard of the WBO Cruiserweight Title Fight between Marco Huck and Matt Godfrey. “I am thrilled to make my first title fight,” Helenius said. “My hand injured has healed well and I have been working very hard in practice. Tony is unbeaten but this will change on August 21 when we meet in the ring. I want to be a world champion one day, so winning the prestigious EU title will get me one step closer to my big goal.” (more…)

Hallab, N’Jikam victorious

Last Saturday in the touristic Morrocan city of Marrakech a battle for the vacant European ‘EBA’ super bantamweight title took place between young, undefeated Olympic star Ali Hallab (8-0, 5 KOs) of France and Russian Alexander Vladimirov (9-4-1, 4 KOs). It was a very tough and even fight, but in the end, Frenchman Ali Hallab claimed the European laurels by points decision. Also on the card, WBA #3/WBO #4 middleweight Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (24-0, 17 KOs) scored an eight round KO over veteran Omar Gabriel Weis (40-10-3, 17 KOs). The promoter of the event was Sebastien Acaries with AMI Productions.

Bahari to undergo bypass surgery

By Jeffry Pamungkas

Famed Indonesian promoter Daniel Bahari will undergo heart bypass surgery on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. After feeling unfit, Bahari had a check-up in the nearest clinic to his home on Bali Island and the doctor immediately advised him to undergo the surgery. “The doctor was very surprised because with such poor condition of his heart, my father was still very active,” said Pino Bahari, Daniel Bahari’s son, a boxing manager and matchmaker. May God bless and the surgery go well.

Chinese boxing team @ WBC festival

The Chinese national boxing team will play a prominent role in this year’s WBC Night of Champions international boxing festival in Cardiff, 29-31 July. The provisional line-up for the Team GB v Rest of the World tournament has been released on the same day as it was announced that the Chinese team was coming to Wales for a pre-Olympic training camp. Leading members of the Chinese team will fight against British Olympic hopefuls, and, as part of the Rest of the World team, alongside Olympic medal-hopefuls from the Germany, Ireland, Kazakhstan and the United States. (more…)

Salvador Sanchez returns

SalvadorSanchez.com

If one were to take a quick glance at the photo above, you might think you were looking at a set of twins. In actuality it’s a picture of the late Hall of Famer and former WBC featherweight world champion Salvador Sanchez on the left and his nephew current featherweight prospect Salvador Sanchez II on the right. Sanchez II (19-3-2, 9 KOs) takes a major step up in competition as he takes on battle tested veteran Tomas Villa (22-7-4, 14 KOs) on June 26 on the Top Rank “La Furia De Mexico” fight card. The bout will be an 8 round featherweight attraction fought at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. (more…)

Ward-Green Presser Quotes

Photos by Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

Andre Ward and Allan Green met face-to-face at today’s final press conference in advance of their Super Six World Boxing Classic and WBA World Title tilt on Saturday, June 19—live on SHOWTIME, 10p ET/PT—from Oakland’s Oracle Arena. The event is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, TNT Boxing and Dibella Entertainment and sponsored by Corona, Oakland Tribune and River Rock Casino. While both men were respectful of one another, the tension in the room was nearly tangible. What’s at stake in the final Group Stage 2 bout: For more details and photos click here…

Briggs promises a war!

Photos and report by Craig Watt

Australian cruiserweight Paul “Hurricane” Briggs (26-3, 18 KOs) promised fans yesterday a boxing war when he meets fellow Aussie Danny Green (29-3, 26 KOs) in Sydney next month. The fight will be held at the Entertainment Centre in Sydney on July 21st and will be Green’s third defense of his IBO cruiserweight title. Briggs held a media training session at the Competitive Boxing Gym in Malaga, Perth, Western Australia yesterday and stated, “I will knock Danny Green unconscious on July 21st. I have been twenty-four rounds with Thomas Adamek who is one of the most dangerous fighters in the world so Danny Green doesn’t bother me. It will be a fight that Australian boxing fans have been waiting for and will be a great spectacle in Sydney. People who have seen my style and performances over the years will know I don’t take a backward step – it will be a great fight for the fans. I am ready for war.” For more details and photos click here…

Change on ESPN2 card

Kingsley Ikeke has reportedly sustained a broken jaw in training and had to withdraw from the co-featured bout against super middleweight prospect Maxim Vlasov on Friday in the Pend O’reille Pavillion at Northern Quest Casino in Airway Heights, Washington. Ikeke has been replaced by Jerson Ravelo, 20-4 with 12 knockouts, of Newark, New Jersey. The fight will be televised live on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fight.” The main event features jr. middleweight Sherzod Husanov (14-0-1, 7 KOs) against Jhon Berrio (15-6, 11 KOs).

Green: I’m Ready for Anything

By Robert Hough

Allan Green (29-1, 20 KOs) said Wednesday that if Andre Ward (21-0, 13 KOs) holds too much in their fight on Saturday, he’ll give up the point and “slam him on his face.” The super-middleweights spoke at an Oakland, Calif., press conference at Oracle Arena, site of the bout which concludes the second round of Showtime’s Super Six World Boxing Classic. Green acknowledged that fighting in California with a California referee—a point of contention for Lou DiBella, Green’s promoter—will give Ward, the WBA title-holder, a small advantage. “His style is to hit and hold and a good referee won’t let a fighter do that all the time, but I’m ready for anything,” said Green, who trained in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and arrived in the San Francisco Bay Area on Wednesday morning. “Whatever Ward wants to do, I’ll have something for him.”

Ward-Green: First Pics

Laura De la Torre

First images from today’s Andre Ward-Allan Green SUPER SIX press conference in Oakland.

Laura De la Torre

Super Six Picks

In the last of the Group Stage 2 matches this Saturday, June 19, on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast), undefeated Andre Ward (21-0, 13 KOs) will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) title against world-ranked Allan Green (29-1, 20 KOs) in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, Calif. If Ward is victorious, he cinches a berth in the semi-finals and goes to the top of the leader board with four or, potentially, five points. But if Green prevails the Super Six World Boxing Classic becomes a six-man, three-fight shootout with countless possible scenarios heading into Group Stage 3 action. So can Green, a replacement for Jermain Taylor who is making his tournament debut, make an immediate impact and become the third boxer in six fights to dethrone a defending champion? (more…)

Donaire to face Tyson Marquez

The ‘Filipino Flash’ Nonito Donaire returns to action July 10, taking on Hernan ‘Tyson’ Marquez of Mexico in Puerto Rico. “Chief trainer Robert Garcia is with Nonito right now in San Leandro (California) where Nonito is training,” said Cameron Dunkin, manager of Donaire. Donaire will defend his interim WBA super flyweight title against Marquez. The Donaire vs. Marquez title fight will be on the same card with world champion Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Bernabe Concepcion. Both fights will be televised by SHOWTIME. Donaire, 27, won the interim WBA super flyweight title in August, 2009, and has made one successful defense. He is unbeaten in world title bouts. Marquez, 21, said it was his grandfather who named him Tyson. “I was an amateur and Pops said I hit as hard as Mike Tyson,” Marquez said.

Melligan-Rosales rematch

Welterweight Mark Melligan of the Philippines is turning up his training in Las Vegas while getting wired in for a return bout against Michel Rosales on July 3 in Reno, Nevada. “Mark is totally focused. He wants to avenge his loss to Rosales from November of last year,” said chief trainer Tony Martin. “Today Mark is scheduled for 10 rounds of sparring, 4 rounds of mitts followed by strength and conditoning training. Yesterday he hit the mitts for 15 rounds. This is such an important fight.” Melligan vs. Rosales will be featured on the Top Rank Live! telecast from the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno.

10 Count for Duddy’s Uncle

There will be a 10 count in memory of John Duddy’s uncle Jack during Top Rank’s Latin Fury 15 on June 26 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. “It’s the right thing to do,” said Bob Arum. “This has been such a heart-breaking ordeal for John and the Irish people.” Duddy, who takes on Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, said his uncle was killed by British soldiers while in a civil rights march in Derry, Ireland in 1972. A tribunal report released this week announced that all Irish citizens killed while in the march were unarmed and that the British Parachute Regiment had lost control, firing weapons without warning. It has been described for years as Bloody Sunday. (more…)

Broner returns Saturday

Unbeaten Adrien “The Problem” Broner (15-0, 12 KOs) returns on Saturday night against Carlos Claudio (10-4, 3 KOs) at the Taft Theater in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The bout will be for the WBC Youth Intercontinental lightweight title. The co-feature is unbeaten lightweight Chris “Hurricane” Howard (10-0, 5 KOs) against Roberto Acevedo (9-9, 1 KO) in a six-rounder. (more…)

El Tigre Takes On Williams

By Peter Lim

Peter Lim

Light heavyweight prospect Alfonso “El Tigre” Lopez, 19-0 (14 KOs), takes on veteran Rubin Williams, 29-9-1 (16 KOs), on Thursday at the Humble Civic Center on the outskirts of Houston. The bout, scheduled for 10 rounds, will be staged by Rock Solid Promotions. Since turning pro in 2007, Lopez, 28, has averaged a fight every two months and gradually upped the caliber of his competition. Williams has faced some of the best fighters in the 168-175 range including Jeff Lacy, Andre Ward, Chris Henry, Allen Green and Antwun Echols. But having lost his last seven bouts, Williams,34, is more of a stepping stone than a fringe contender at this juncture. Still, he remains Lopez’ most experienced opponent to date. (more…)