Rosado rejects catch weight: “We’re fighting at 160″

World ranked challenger “King” Gabriel Rosado was incredulous when he discovered that his world championship bout against WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin set for January 19 at Madison Square Garden in New York City would be fought at a catch weight of 158. “The first I heard about the catch weight was at the media lunch on December 1, I never asked for it, that was my advisor Russell Peltz’s idea” said Rosado. “I’m happy Russell is looking out for my best interests but we’re fighting at 160.”

“Golovkin is the champion and out of respect to him and towards the sport of boxing we will fight at the middleweight limit of 160 pounds. When I beat him, I don’t want any excuses about the extra two pounds he had to lose. I will beat him at his best, fair and square.” Even though Rosado looks physically much bigger than Golovkin, he has fought the majority of his professional bouts at the junior middleweight limit of 154 pounds. “The old-timers didn’t need any catch weights, they were real men. Middleweight champions fight at 160 and that’s what I want.” (more…)

Hanks headlines Feb 2 in Albany

On February 2, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing will return to the Times Union Center in Albany, NY with “Battle Of The Undefeated Heavyweights” featuring a ten round showdown between Newark’s Joe “The Future” Hanks (21-0, 14 KOs) and Richard “Silverback” Carmack (12-0, 8 KOs) for the vacant NABA heavyweight title. Hanks is currently ranked #13 by the WBO. Local fighters Vincent Miranda and Shawn Miller see action in separate undercard bouts. Advance tickets priced at $75, $50, $35. Call 718-823-2000.

“Paper Tiger III”

Former NYSAC Commissioner and former CKP matchmaker Ron Scott Stevens, who is also a talented playwright, has written a new play titled “Paper Tiger III.” The play is a two-character dramedy about a former loan shark who has resumed the street life to the chagrin of his wife. The first reading of the play will take place January 15th at the Polaris North in New York City. “I am fortunate to have two wonderful actors, Diane Tyler and Robert Adrian along with director Leslie Lynn Meeker and technical director and discussion leader Walter Thinnes to help bring Paper Tiger III: Lady Luck to life for the first time,” said Stevens. Polaris North is located at 245 West 29th Street (between 7th & 8th), 4th floor. Seating is limited. For more information, call 718-875-9866.

Wilfredo Benitez back home

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Puerto Rican ring legend Wilfredo Benitez is back at home after spending several days at the Presbyterian Hospital in Condado, Puerto Rico. It was originally feared that the three-time world champion had suffered a stroke, but a raft of medical tests have ruled that out. Benitez apparently suffers from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a form of dementia pugilistica. Benitez fought as a pro from 1973 to 1990.

IBF Purse Bid Results

There were two purse bids held at IBF Headquarters today:

Alejandro Lopez vs. Jhonatan Romero for the vacant IBF jr. featherweight championship was won by Sampson Boxing with a bid of $132,000. Gary Shaw Productions bid $122,200. The split is 50% to 50%.

Johnriel Casimero’s mandatory defense of his IBF jr. flyweight world championship against Luis Rios was also won by Sampson Boxing with a bid of $132,000. Promociones Y Eventos Del Istmo bid $95,000. The split is 75% to 25% in favor of the champion.

The promoter has 90 days to put the fight on.

Orlando Cruz sets camp in Buffalo, NY

Featherweight contender Orlando “El Fenomeno” Cruz ranked #2 by the WBO has left the comfort of a tropical climate in San Juan, Puerto Rico for a sometimes unforgiving climate in Buffalo, New York. Cruz has started road work along with strength and conditioning under the watchful eyes of his trainers Juan De Leon and former cruiserweight world champion Carlos “Sugar” De Leon. Cruz is scheduled to return to the ring in March at the Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida. His promoter Tuto Zabala Jr. is looking to keep Cruz active until his title opportunity arises.

“I chose to train here in Buffalo because I want to focus and not have any distractions, I love being in Puerto Rico but at the same time I’m a professional and it’s time to get back into my office which is the ring,” said Cruz. (more…)

Silvestre featured in non-title clash

WBA interim minimumweight champion Jesus “Negrito” Silvestre (26-3, 19 KOs) is set to face southpaw Ganigan Lopez (21-5, 14 KOs) in a non-title ten-rounder in the flyweight division on Saturday as boxing returns to the Deportivo del Sindicato del Metro in Mexico City.

Also on the card, WBA female bantamweight titleholder Janeth Perez (17-0-2, 4 KOs) takes on Irma Garcia (5-0-1, 1 KO) and WBC silver super featherweight beltholder Edgar Puerta (20-4-1, 18 KOs) meets Abraham Rodriguez 24-13-4, 13 KOs).

Wladimir Klitschko Update

WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko’s New Year’s message. Klitschko is expected to next face WBA interim titlist Alexander Povetkin. The camps are still haggling over the details and if no agreement is reached the WBA has scheduled a purse bid for January 17.

Majewski-Davis clash on February 23

WBC #8 middleweight Patrick Majewski (20-1, 13 K0s) faces Jamaal Davis (14-8-1, 6 KOs) the 10-round main event on February 23 at Bally’s Atlantic City. Majewski-Davis tops a seven-bout card which begins at 7.30 pm. The fight is a contrast in styles. Majewski likes to walk forward and trade while Davis chooses to move a bit and pick his spots. Majewski has the edge in power, Davis in boxing ability. “This fight is a natural but it took some time to make,” said promoter J Russell Peltz. “It follows the three important steps: First, do the styles match up? Yes. Second, does it lead somewhere? Yes, the winner becomes a player at 160. Third, would I pay to see it? Absolutely!”

Majewski is managed by Arnold Robbins and trained by Robbins and Bill Johnson out of the Atlantic City PAL gym. Davis is self-managed and trained by Sharron Baker and Nazim Richardson. He works out of the James Shuler Memorial Gym in West Philadelphia.

Uchiyama-Vasquez: Full Report

By Joe Koizumi
Photo: Boxing Beat

Unbeaten WBA super-feather champ Takashi Uchiyama (19-0-1, 16 KOs), 129.75, Japan, impressively unified the 130-pound belts as he overwhelmed previously unbeaten interim titlist Bryan Vasquez (29-1, 15 KOs), 130, Costa Rica, all the way and finally halted him at 3:00 of the eighth session on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Uchiyama, 33, registered his sixth defense with five within the distance and displayed his career-best performance. (more…)

Sato-Akaho: Full Report

By Joe Koizumi
Photo: Boxing Beat

Slick-punching and swift-moving Japanese Yota Sato (26-2-1, 12 KOs), 115, kept his WBC super-flyweight belt as he pounded out a unanimous decision (117-112, 117-111 and 118-110) over previously unbeaten ex-OPBF ruler Ryo Akaho (19-1-2, 12 KOs), 115, over twelve hard-fought rounds on Monday in Tokyo, Japan.

Juan Carlos Pelayo (Mexico) scored the nearly lopsided affair 118-110, while Chansoo Kim (Korea) and Suehiro Tsuchiya (Japan) had it 117-112 and 117-111 respectively, all in favor of the defending titlist. The referee was Yuji Fukuchi (Japan), who handled the fast-moving contestants well. (more…)

Battle at the Boat Turns 90 this Saturday!

Brian Halquist thought his days as a boxing promoter would slow down after two of the most popular Northwest fighters of the 90′s – Native American heavyweight contender Joe “The Boss” Hipp and three-time world champion Greg Haugen – lost their respective high-profile bouts.

In his first world title challenge, Hipp was savagely beaten by then-WBA heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon (August 1995) until the fight was stopped during the tenth round due to cuts and excessive swelling around the fighter’s eyes. (more…)

Frankel-White collide at The Boat

“Battle at the Boat” returns to the Emerald Queen Casino for the 90th time Saturday night when Rob Frankel (31-12-1, 6 KOs) takes on Jermaine White (17-5, 9 KOs) in a bout contracted at 144 pounds. The undercard features six four-rounders, including the pro debut of Zachary Cooper, who trains out of the famous Mayweather Boxing Gym in Las Vegas. Danny Bonaduce will be the ring announcer.

Jeremy Williams to launch comeback

40-year-old former heavyweight contender Jeremy “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” Williams (42-5-1, 25 KOs) will reportedly return for his first fight since 2007 when he takes on Raphael Butler (35-12, 28 KOs) on February 9th at the Crown Plaza Hotel in St. Paul, Minnesota. The bout will be a ten-rounder for a WBU belt.

Q&A: Billy Dib

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing
Photo: Werner Kalin

IBF featherweight champion Billy Dib talks to Fightnews to say he is defending against Luis Franco soon and is also interested in moving up to 130 pounds later. He also talks about sparring session with Celestino Cabarello and picks Mikey Garcia to defeat Orlando Salido on January 19.

Your mandatory defense against Maurcio Munoz is due soon. Has any date been set?

Munoz declined a chance at a world title. Crazy. I’m now fighting next in line Luis Franco who lost in a controversial fight to Munoz. 50 Cent will be promoting the event.

Will this bout be in the USA or Australia?

Indications are that the fight will be held in the US. I’m just waiting on confirmation from my promoter. (more…)

Miyazaki-Pornsawan: Full Report

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Boxing Beat

Unbeaten Japanese Ryo Miyazaki (18-0-3, 10 KOs), 105, acquired the vacant WBA minimumweight belt as he earned a split but popular verdict (116-111, 116-112 and 113-114) over ex-WBA ruler Pornsawan Porpramook (27-5-1, 17 KOs), 104, Thailand, over twelve hard-fought rounds on Monday in Osaka, Japan.

Sergio Caiz (US) and Wansoo Yuh (Korea) saw the see-saw affair 116-111 and 116-112, both for Miyazaki, and Levi Martinez (US) had it 114-113 for Porpramook. The referee was Brad Vocale (Australia).

The belt had been renounced by his stablemate Kazuto Ioka who outgrew the division, and the OPBF (Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation) champ Miyazaki, ranked #2 by the WBA, was authorized to participate in an elimination bout to decide the new titlist. But his contestant was the durable and dangerous ex-champ nicknamed “Thai Terminator.” (more…)

Ioka-Rodriguez: Full Report

By Joe Koizumi
Photo: Boxing Beat

Unbeaten Kazuto Ioka (11-0, 7 KOs), 108, Japan, acquired the vacant WBA light-flyweight belt by scoring a fine TKO victory over Mexican Jose Rodriguez at 2:50 of the sixth round on Monday in Osaka, Japan. Ioka floored the Mexican three times—once in the first round and twice more in the fatal sixth to show his admirable sharpness. Ioka gained his second world belt in his only eleventh pro bout, which is the new record here in Japan.

His uncle Hiroki Ioka, now Kazuto’s manager, had also gained a couple of world belts, but it was in his twenty-second bout that Hiroki won the WBA junior fly throne—his second throne—from Myung-Woo Yuh, a new Hall of Famer elected this year, by an upset verdict in the same venue (Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium) in 1991. His brilliant nephew, still 23, did it in a half career of Hiroki’s. (more…)

WBA New Year’s Resolution

As 2012 draws to a close, it is time once again to reflect back over the eventful year that has passed, as well as look ahead to what is in store for the boxing world in 2013. As always, the World Boxing Association plans to be at the forefront of developments for the betterment of our sport in the new year.

2012 saw its share of ups and downs, good and bad that one would expect to endure within and family, job or endeavor. The WBA is no different. We have been in existence for 91 years, and as we count down toward the inevitable century mark, change is necessary for survival. We have adapted over these last nine decades, and will continue to do so with transparency, integrity and perseverance. 2012 began with personnel changes within our directorate. These changes served to streamline operations for more efficiency. As with any successful business model, when something isn’t working the best that it can, change is necessary to improve the business. The WBA has survived this long, not by resting on it’s laurels, but by striving to be the best we can be. (more…)

Uchiyama stops Vasquez to unify WBA 130lb belts

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten WBA super-feather champ Takashi Uchiyama (19-0-1, 16 KOs), 129.75, Japan, impressively unified the 130-pound belts as he overwhelmed previously unbeaten interim titlist Bryan Vasquez (29-1, 15 KOs), 130, Costa Rica, all the way and finally halted him at 3:00 of the eighth session on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Uchiyama, 33, registered his sixth defense with five within the distance and displayed his career-best performance. (More to come)

Ioka wins vacant WBA 108lb belt

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten Kazuto Ioka, Japan, acquired the vacant WBA light-flyweight belt by scoring a fine TKO victory over Mexican Jose Rodriguez at 2:50 of the sixth round on Monday in Osaka, Japan. Ioka floored the Mexican three times–once in the first round and twice more in the fatal sixth to show his sharpness. Ioka gained his second world belt in his only eleventh pro bout, which is the new record here in Japan. (More to come)

Sato defeats Akaho to keep WBC 115lb belt

By Joe Koizumi

Slick-punching and swift-moving Japanese Yota Sato (26-2-1, 12 KOs), 115, kept his WBC super-flyweight belt as he pounded out a unanimous decision (117-112, 117-111 and 118-110) over previously unbeaten compatriot, ex-OPBF titlist Ryo Akaho (19-1-2, 12 KOs), 115, over twelve hard-fought rounds on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. (More to come)

Miyazaki wins WBA 105lb belt

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten Japanese Ryo Miyazaki acquired the vacant WBA minimumweight belt as he earned a split but popular verdict (116-111, 116-112 and 113-114) over ex-WBA ruler Pornsawan Porpramook of Thailand over twelve hard-fought rounds on Monday in Osaka, Japan.

OPBF top ranked Australian Solomon Haumono (20-1-2, 18 KOs), 240.75, acquired the vacant OPBF heavyweight belt as he floored previously unbeaten WBC#14 Kyotaro Fujimoto (5-1, 3 KOs), 228.25, twice and stopped him at 0:57 of the fifth round.

(More to come)

Kono upsets Tepparith to win WBA 115lb belt

By Joe Koizumi
Photo: Boxing Beat

Japanese veteran Kohei Kono (28-7, 11 KOs), 115, stunned the crowd as he impressively captured the WBA super-flyweight belt by dropping defending champ Tepparith Kokietgym (21-3, 13 KOs), 114.25, three times en route to an upset automatic KO victory at 2:08 of the fourth round on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. It was a great surprise even for our aficionados since Tepparith was a prohibitive favorite thanks to his three previous defenses over Daiki Kameda (W12), Tomonobu Shimizu (TKO9) and Nobuo Nashiro (W12)–all out of Japan.

For Kono, it was really third time lucky since he had failed to win the 115-pound belt twice, losing to Nobuo Nashiro in a WBA elimination bout in 2008 and to WBC champ Tomas Rojas in 2010. Kono, eight years his senior at 32, was regarded as an obvious underdog as people here thought he would have little chance to wrest the belt from the formidable Thailander making his fourth defense. (more…)

Oleg Maskaev returns with a win

43-year-old former WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev (37-7, 28 KOs) returned to to the ring for the first time in three years on Sunday at the Sports Palace Quant in Moscow, Russia. “The Big O” handed Owen “What the Heck” Beck his ninth consecutive loss via third round TKO. Beck was down twice.

In other notable action, super middleweight Maxim Glasov (25-1, 12 KOs) outpointed Geard Ajetovic (21-8-1, 10 KOs) over ten and unbeaten middleweight Sherzod Husanov 16-0-1, 8 KOs) stopped previously undefeated Maxim Chemezov (6-1, 2 KOs) in round three.

Five world title belts at stake tomorrow

By Joe Koizumi

No one in the world but Japanese boxing people work on the last day of the year. The new year day is to Japan is what Christmas is to western countries. We truly wish to clean up our homes in the end of the year to welcome the prosperous-to-be 2013, but some television networks show great interests in providing nationwide TV audience with boxing bouts with world titles on the line. It’s like a war with three world title bouts in Tokyo to be broadcast by TV Tokyo, while a couple of world title goes in Osaka to be shown by TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System). Fortunately enough, our aficionados will be able to watch all bouts with the two in Osaka to finish on television before 9:30 pm and the three in Tokyo to start from 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm.

Let’s put things in order as this reporter’s head is greatly confused with too much information coming from the two cities. In Tokyo, our capital where some 12 million people reside, the headliner of tomorrow’s show is the WBA super-featherweight unification bout between full champ Takashi Uchiyama (18-0-1, 15 KOs), Japan, and interim titlist Bryan Vasquez (29-0, 15 KOs), Costa Rica. Uchiyama, making his sixth defense since his coronation with his final-round demolition of Juan Carlos Salgado in 2010, is a prefight favorite due to his superior experience and more advantageous physique. Vasquez, the very first male world champ from Costa Rica, acquired the interim belt by decisioning Santos Benavides last year and made his initial defense by halting veteran Jorge Lacierva this July. (more…)

Japan’s big day of boxing previewed

By Graham Houston

Japanese boxing fans have a fabulous day ahead of them on Dec. 31 with big fights taking place on major promotions in Tokyo and Osaka. I previewed the Takashi Uchiyama vs Bryan Vasquez fight for subscribers. (This is the only one of the Japanese fights that at time of writing has a wagering line available.) Here are my thoughts on the other fights that take place in Japan on Monday, and the odds I would consider appropriate. (more…)