Brähmer wins WBO interim title

Photo: Moritz Müller

By Wolfgang Schiffbauer

Jürgen Brähmer (34-2, 28 KOs) claimed the WBO interim light heavyweight championship with an eleventh round TKO over previously unbeaten Aleksy Kuziemski (17-1, 4 KOs) on Saturday night before 4500+ fans at the Syma Sport & Leisure Center in Budapest, Hungary. Brähmer dropped Kuziemski (17-1, 4 KOs) four times in the bout in claiming a world title just nine months after his defeat against then WBA champ Hugo Hernan Garay. He is now headed for a showdown with longtime WBO champion Zsolt Erdei. For more details and photos click here…

Diaz-Chavez Presser

Photo: John Booz

By John Booz

Ex-world champion David Diaz and fellow Chicagoan and ex-champ Jesus Chavez officially announced their upcoming September 26 showdown on Friday night in Chicago. The two champs faced off for the press and Chavez stated “I loved David as my friend since we came up together in the amateurs in Chicago. But when we enter the ring it is strictly business.” The all-Chicago bout is one of most intriguing matchups in Windy City history.

Adamek-Golota?

Photo: Grzegorz Lemiechowicz/bokser.org

By Mariusz Serafin/Tomasz S. Galazka

The names of Bernard Hopkins, Steve Cunningham and Andrew Golota have recently been mentioned as potential opponents for IBF cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek. Adamek has now said in an interview with the bokser.org website that he has a date lined up to face Andrew Golota in Lodz, Poland on October 24. “I’m glad I finally learned the date for this fight,” Adamek said. “I want to show some quality boxing. The spectators in Lodz will see that I am a true warrior when in the ring.” Facing the much heavier and much more experienced Andrew Golota will be a real challenge for Adamek. “I’m currently discussing the tactics for the fight against Andrew with my coach, Andrzej Gmitruk,” added the Gilowice-born, US-based Adamek. “I will do the training in the States, I’ll come to Poland with 12 to 14 days left to the fight.” A press conference concerning the Adamek-Golota fight is scheduled for this Tuesday in Warsaw.

Tada faces Yani tomorrow!

Photo: Joe Koizumi

By Joe Koizumi

WBA female 105-pound champ Etsuko Tada (5-0, 2 KOs), a Japanese lefty sharpshooter with a 47-3 amateur mark, will put her belt on the line against unbeaten Thai challenger Yani Kokietgym (6-0, no KO) tomorrow (Sunday) in Osaka, Japan. At the press conference prior to the weigh-in ceremony, the newly crowned champ Tada, 28, looked a little nervous, while Yani, 20, modest and quiet. Tada, known by her flamboyance and loud voice, seemed to be surprisingly humble, though she had been often called “manly” girl because of her big heart and mouth. Tada said, “I won’t exclusively look for a KO victory, but hope to win by a knockout. If I can do as usual, I’ll show a fine win before the crowd.” Yani, whose blood pulse was amazingly 47, may show her good stamina in her first world title shot. (more…)

Diaz: “I’m going to beat him!”

Interview by Byron Spurlock

“I’m not going to let him use his little tricks with tying me and trying to slip punches and throw some weird counter-punches; I’m going to bring the action to him, so this should make for a good fight.”—Juan Diaz

Former lightweight champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz (34-2, 17 KOs) spoke to FightNews earlier this week as he finished his preparations for his showdown against Brooklyn native and former junior welterweight champ Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi (26-2, 5 KOs) this Saturday. (more…)

Burchfield on Godfrey-Flores

Jimmy Burchfield, president of Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), has responded to comments made in last Saturday night’s post-fight conference in Biloxi (MS) by cruiserweight B. J. Flores and his promoter, 8-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. (Square Ring Promotions), about CES cruiserweight contender Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey.

(more…)

Onolunose a soldier ready for war

From a young age, undefeated junior middleweight contender Albert Onolunose knew what it meant to be a soldier preparing for war.  Starting at the tender age of 14, Onolunose was placed in active duty in his native Nigeria as part of that country’s standard plan of building its army. Now 28 years old, Onolunose has been an active member of his adopted homeland Canada’s military reserve for the last four years  . . . Click here for more

Diaz, Malignaggi confident

Photo: Tom Hogan, Hoganphotos/Golden Boy

By Byron Spurlock

A packed showing of local and national media attended the Diaz–Malignaggi press conference this week in advance of Saturday night’s HBO card at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 
 
In the main event, former unified lightweight world champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz (34-2, 17 KOs) takes on former IBF junior welterweight world champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi (26-2, 5 KOs) in a twelve round junior welterweight bout. The co-main event features a world title showdown from IBF junior Lightweight World Champion Malcolm Klassen (24-4-2, 14 KOs) putting his title on the line against former two-time IBF featherweight champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (24-1-1, 17 KOs) in a 12 round bout. The opening TV bout will showcase exciting middleweight prospect Danny “The Golden Child” Jacobs (17-0, 15KOs) facing off against tough ring veteran Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (21-3, 9KOs) in a 10 round bout for the NABO middleweight title. (more…)

Whitaker smashes Ellis

Photo: Big Joe Miranda

By Big Joe Miranda at ringside

Heavyweight contender Lance “Mount” Whitaker (34-5-1, 28 KOs) needed just 99 seconds to thoroughly demolish Matthew Ellis (20-9-2, 9 KOs) on Friday night at the Performing Arts Center in Redondo Beach, California. Ellis provided absolutely no opposition as he was sent to the deck four times before referee Jack Reiss waved it off. (more…)

Mashego outpoints Nyilawila

By Ron Jackson

Tshepo Mashego scored a unanimous ten round points decision over Tanzanian Karama Nyilawila at the Nasrec Indoor Arena near Johannesburg on Friday night. Judges Wally Snowball and Alfred Buqwana scored it 99-91 and judge Joseph Chaane had it 99-92.The 30-year-old SA junior middleweight champion boxing from behind his educated left jab made a slow start but picked up the pace from round three to outbox the shorter Nyilawila 70.18 kg. (more…)

Weights from Pala, CA!

Photo: TKO BOXING Promotions

Albert Onolunose, 154 vs Grady Brewer, 154
KJ Noons, 158.5 vs Randy Pogue, 159
Day Nguyen, 128 vs Noe Lopez, 128
Leo Santa Cruz, 116 vs Robert DaLuz, 118
Dmitry Chudinov, 162 vs Eddie Hunter, 161
Fedor Chudinov, 161 vs Mikhail Lyubarsky, 161
David Garcia, 150 vs Juan Carlos Diaz TBA
Venue: Pala Resort Casino and Spa, Pala, California
Promoter: TKO BOXING Promotions
Click here for more photos…

Karpency, Clark victorious

WBC#32 light heavy contender, Tommy Karpency (18-1-1 11kos) successfully defended his WBA Fedecentro Title Friday night in Morgantown, West Virginia via a ten round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Chuck Mussachio (13-1-2 5kos). Karpency, 22 years old, controlled the pace early by landing more punches and kept his opponent off balance with several harder shots. No knockdowns were recorded as Karpency prevailed comfortably on the cards, 100-90, 98-92 and 96-94.

In the co-feature, former WBC#1 lightweight contender, Michael “Cold Blood” Clark (39-5-1 18kos) looked impressive as he posted a six round shutout over durable vet Dezi Ford (24-27 9kos). Clark’s handspeed and overall superior skills enabled him to land effective combinations at will throughout the bout. All three judges scored the fight 60-54. (more…)

Estrada stops Gray

Photo: John Booz

By John Booz at ringside

It took former welterweight world title challenger David Estrada a few rounds to wear off his ring rust, but when he did he came on like a freight train and KO’d Chris Gray in the sixth round on Friday night at the UIC Pavilion in downtown Chicago. It was the first time Estrada had fought in his hometown in nine years as he improved to 23-6 with 14 KOs. Gray, who hails from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, dropped to 12-9 with 1 KO.

McCall edges Lawrence

Former WBC heavyweight champion Oliver McCall (53-9, 37 KOs) won a workmanlike ten round unanimous decision over Franklin “Yah-Yah” Lawrence (12-2-2, 7 KOs) on Friday night at the Orleans Hotel & Casino, in Las Vegas. The bout was fought at a deliberate pace with Lawrence the busier of the two. The 44-year-old McCall was never able to get untracked but he picked up the pace in the last two rounds to come away with a 97-93, 96-94, 96-94 win. Many at ringside felt Lawrence did enough to win the fight, and McCall said afterward that he’s open to a rematch.

Jiménez KOs Jiménez

Photo: PRBBP/Jose Perez

Super featherweight Daniel Jiménez (19-3-1, 11KOs) scored a KO at 2:55 of the 12th round against Marcos Jiménez (16-2, 10 KOs) on Friday night at the Pedrín Zorrilla Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. With the win, Jiménez claimed the vacant WBA Fedecentro title.

Unbeaten cruiserweight Carlos Negron (4-0, 4 KOs) won by TKO at 2:55 of the second round against Geovante Davis (3-4-1, 2 KOs) when referee Ramon Navedo stopped the fight. Negron was knocked down in the first round. (more…)

Lee stops Schuler in eight

By Jacob Chavez at ringside

Middleweight contender Andy Lee (19-1, 14 KOs) scored an impressive eighth round KO over Anthony Schuler (21-7-1, 14 KOs) on Friday night at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana. Lee dropped Shuler in rounds three and four, then floored him three times in round eight before the referee waved it off at 2:05.
—–
In a battle of former world title challengers, Angel “Toro” Hernandez (29-7, 16 KOs) punished Antwun Echols (31-11-4, 27 KOs), dropping Echols in round four and battering Echols until Echols’ corner called it quits after round six.
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Heavyweight Owen “What The Heck” Beck (29-3, 20 KOs) won a slow-paced eight round unanimous decision over Jermell Barnes (18-22-2, 4 KOs). Scores were 79-73, 77-75, 80-72.

Pacman-Cotto for new WBC belt

The WBC Board of Governors has approved by a unanimous vote that the November 14 welterweight clash between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto (contract weight 145lbs) will be the first ever for the WBC Diamond Belt. “The Diamond Belt has received a tremendous positive response from promoters and media around the world, and we at the WBC are very excited and proud that this important and historic fight will be the first for the Diamond Belt,” said WBC President Jose Sulaiman. “The WBC will not charge a sanction fee on this extraordinary occasion.”

Outdoor show in Sacramento

Courtesy, Jim Jenkins, Sacramento Bee

The Red Lion Hotel of Sacramento will go outdoors for the first time with its next show, Saturday, Sept. 12, pairing world-ranked cruiserweight Matt Godfrey (19-1, 10 KOs) of Providence, R.I., with local Michael Simms (20-11-2, 13 KOs). Godfrey was to defend his NABF title against the winner of a Red Lion main event Aug. 7, but Simms fought to a controversial six-round draw with former IBF cruiser champ Kelvin Davis, so there will be no Godfrey crown at stake. Matched in an eight-round semi-main is another hometowner, Otis Griffin (19-6-2, 7 KOs), opposing Rubin Williams (29-8-1, 16 KOs) of Detroit. Promoter Nasser Niavaroni and hotel owner Jeff Berger plan a five-bout card, coinciding with the Red Lion’s grand opening.

Omotoso stops Augustus!

Ray Wheatley–World of Boxing

Australian welterweight champion Oywale Omotoso (14-0, 12 KOs) was impressive as he stopped former world rated Emanuel Augustus (38-31-6, 20 KOs) in nine rounds at the Knox Netball Center in Ferntree Gully, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Friday. Omotoso, 24 years, controlled the action as he delivered accurate combinations consistently in most of the rounds on the highly regarded American. Augustus was dropped in round six and twice in round nine at which point the referee saved the game importation from further punishment. Leading Victorian promoter Murray Thompson said: “That was a very good performance by Omotoso. Augustus has been in the ring with some of the best boxers in the world in the past ten years including Floyd Mayweather. Augustus said this was the first time he had actually been knocked out which says a lot for Omotoso’s punching ability. I will bring out good imports for Omotoso – I have a good South American opponent next for him.” Augustus dropped a split decision to Francisco Figuero (19-2) in his last start in the USA in 2008. He defeated world class Courtney Burton in ten rounds in 2006 and also Ray Oliveira in eight rounds in 2005. He was stopped by Floyd Mayweather in nine rounds in 2000 who was unbeaten in twenty-three fights at the time. Omotoso is originally from Nigeria but has been based in Australia for all his professional fights.

Weights from Los Cabos!

Photo: Zanfer Boxing

Humberto Gutiérrez 129.5 vs Sergey Gulyakevich 129.5
(WBC Interim super featherweight championship)
Raúl García 105 vs Sammy Guty Gutierrez 105
(IBF minimumweight championship)
José Luis Castillo 147 vs Cristian Solano 150
Saul Roman 154 vs Martin Avila 154
Alex López 126 vs Eden Márquez 125.5
Juan Carlos Virgen 160 vs Roy Sánchez 160
Venue: Auditorio Municipal de Los Cabos, Mexico
Promoter: ZANFER and Gobierno del Estado de Bajacalifornia Sur
TV: TV Azteca/Azteca America

Photo: Zanfer Boxing

Weights from Houston!

Photo: Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

Juan Diaz 137.7 vs Paulie Malignaggi 138.2
(Vacant NABO junior welterweight title)
Malcolm Klassen 129.5 vs Robert Guerrero 130
(IBF junior lightweight title)
Daniel Jacobs 159.7 vs Ishe Smith 159
(Vacant NABO middleweight title)
Danny Garcia 141 vs Oscar Leon 139.7
Hylon Williams 134.7 vs Baudel Cardenas 134.2
Jermell Charlo 146.5 vs Vardan Gasparyan 147.5
Omar Figueroa 138 vs Jeremy Marts 137.7
Adrien Broner 131 vs Edgar Portillo 129.5
Rashad Ganaway 133.5 vs Mickey Bey 134
Marcus Johnson 170 vs Matt Gockel 169.5
Adam Richards 200 vs Harvey Jolly 198.5
Darlington Agha 252 vs Joseph Rabotte 264.5
Mike Perez 132.7 vs Jamie Rodriguez 133
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: HBO

Photo: Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

Grady seeks championship

Story by David L. Hudson

In a sport glutted with glitz, glamour and greed, he is a hardworking, humble and God-fearing family man. In a sport full of spoiled and pampered prospects, he came up the hard way in his 10-year professional boxing career. In a sport where preparation determines success, he often took fights on short notice. In a sport where fighters are judged by their glossy records, he lost several fights giving him a journeyman-like ledger. Though he had a fine amateur career and some natural ability, he lost bouts to future world champions Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik and an assortment of other future prospects . . . Click here for more

Ishida-Avendaño WBA officials!

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Panamanian Referee Guillermo Perez Pineda will be the third man in the ring when the Venezuelan challenger Marco A. Avendaño (27-6-1, 19 KOs) and Japans Challenger Nobuhiro Ishida (20-5-2, 7 KOs) fight for the WBA interim super wwlterweight title at the Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka, Japan on August 30. The three judges are: Chalerm Prayadsab (Thailand), Roberto Ramirez (Puerto Rico), and Rubén Garcia (USA). The fight supervisor is CYang Sup Shim (Korea).

Malignaggi: I’m back

By Matt Richardson

On Saturday, one of the most loquacious fighters in the sport, former junior welterweight title-holder Paul Malignaggi returns to the ring for just the second time since losing his belt last Fall against Ricky Hatton. Malignaggi will fight former lightweight champion Juan Diaz – at a catchweight of 138 1/2 – in Houston, Texas, the hometown of his opponent. As usual, Malignaggi had a lot to say. So, to let him tell it to the fans unfiltered, here’s what he had to say. (More)

Jones, Hopkins get into it

Bernard Hopkins was on the Calvin Murphy radio show last night and an associate of Roy Jones Jr. got hold of Roy so he called in to join the conversation that soon turned into a fight negotiation. Jones came to the conclusion that “Bernard is scared,” and here are some highlights…
Bernard Hopkins: Money has been the issue for the past ten years with us.
Roy Jones: How much will you give me
BH: I will make it a 60:40 split
RJ: How about 60 to the winner and 40 to the loser
BH: Now you want to make a contest out of it. I don’t need Roy Jones. It could wind up in the judges hands and you never know what will happen.
RJ: You pick the judges.
BH: If RJ will take 40, we can get it done before the year is out. But if not…
RJ: He already has an L on his record from me and he is trying to make me take 40 so he can prove that I am the lesser man. But if will make it 60 to the winner and 40 to the loser I will take my chances with that.
BH: Do you think I would make more money fighting Roy Jones than I would a young stud like Adamek or Dawson?
RJ: Bernard doesn’t want to fight me. Why would he want to fight me? He’s having fun now at this point in his career. He doesn’t want to take that gamble.
BH: Is Roy willing to go on record to take 40% win, lose or draw?
Show Producer: How about the winner-take-all?
RJ: That’s even better for me.
Show Producer: Bernard are you there?
RJ: No. When you said winner-take-all you ran him off the phone. He’s been doing that to me for 5 years now. He disappeared. That’s what happens to me. every time.

To listen to last night’s interviews on the Calvin Murphy show, click here.

Weights from Budapest

Photo: Balazs Czagany

Jürgen Brähmer 174.6 vs. Aleksy Kuziemski 173.7
(WBO interim light heavyweight world championship)
Karoly Balzsay 166.7 vs. Robert Stieglitz 167.1
(WBO super middleweight world championship)
Zsolt Bedak 120.6 vs. Yersin Jailauov 121.9
(WBO European jr. featherweight title)
Eduard Gutknecht 167.6 vs. Josival Lima Teixeira 164.7
(WBO Intercontinental Super Middleweight title)
Pal Bedak 110.2 vs. Ravil Mukhamadiarov 112.4
Dimitri Sartison 167.8 vs Michal Bilak 170.9
Phil Lo Greco 149.7 vs Sebastien Sprengler 148.2
Venue: Syma Arena, Budapest, Hungary
Promoter: Universum Box-Promotion
TV: ZDF (Germany)

Photo: Balazs Czagany

Narvaez-Zaleta Oct. 3 in Mexico

By Lee Bates

WBO flyweight champion Omar Narvaez (30-0-2, 19 KOs)) of Argentina will attempt to defend his title for the 17th time when he takes on Mexican native Victor Zaleta (9-1, 5 KOs) in Mexico October 3rd. Narvarez, promoted by Osvaldo Rivero has made several defenses of his title in his native Argentina but has shown that he is a true “world champion” defending his title in mulitiple countries since becoming champion in July of 2002. The list includes Italy, Spain, France, and now looks to add Mexico. Though the large gap in professional fights may indicate this bout as a mismatch on paper this is not the case. Zaleta will have a major height and reach advantage as he is extremely tall for a flyweight at 5’8½” to Narvaez who is 5’3″. Zaleta is also very advanced as a professional with his career being moved at the accelerated pace equivalent to that of WBA interim featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa and recent world title challenger Beibut Shumenov. In just his third professional bout Zaleta knocked out former world champion Eric Ortiz and in his sixth professional bout he easily decisioned former world champion Jose Antonio Aguirre. The only blemish on his record is a ten round majority decision loss to then (18-1) Faustino Cupul in Cupul´s hometown but he has since reeled off three consecutive wins heading in to his bout with Narvaez.