Mollo opponent named

Heavyweight Mike Mollo (19-3-1, 12 KOs) returns to action in his hometown of Chicago for the first time in two and half years to battle veteran Billy Zumbrun (23-11-1, 13 KOs) in the main event at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion on March 26th. Training for most of the winter months in West Palm Beach, Florida, Mollo is thrilled to be fighting in Chicago again. “It’s been like a breath of fresh air. My new team, manager Ed Gersh and trainers, Pete Brodsky and Dave Lewter are great to have on my side. I’ve been training in West Palm Beach for the last five months and I’m in the best shape of my life, physically and mentally,” said Mollo. (more…)

Q&A: Alex Ariza

Interview by Jeff Zimmerman

After the final press conference officially ended at Cowboys Stadium on Wednesday as the final build-up to The Event: Pacquiao vs. Clottey this weekend, and with the main attraction Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (50-3-2 38 KOs) long gone, there was still one guy hanging around the dais still chatting it up with whoever was interested: Alex Ariza, Manny’s strength and conditioning coach . . . . Click here for more

March Madness @ Schuetzen Park

Lightweight prospect Danny “Little Mac” McDermott (8-1, 3 KOs) of Jersey City, NJ battles unbeaten Brian Miller (7-0-3, 3 KOs) of Schenectady, NY for the vacant NABC title on Thursday, March 25 at Schuetzen Park in North Bergen, NJ.  The McDermott-Miller contest will headline the “March Badness” card promoted by John Lynch of Pound for Pound Promotions. (more…)

Dallas hometowner

Photo by Chris Cozzone

Photo: Undefeated prospect Robert Marroquin (12-0, 9 KOs) will be sporting the colors of the Dallas Cowboys when he steps into the ring in front of his hometown tomorrow night on the Pacquiao-Clottey undercard. “This fight has been my biggest challenge,” Marroquin said yesterday. “More so the media and all the interviews this time than my opponent, who I’m not looking past. I’m nervous about fighting in front of so many people but it feels great to be able to fight at home on such a big card.” Marroquin faces Samuel Sanchez (4-1-1) tomorrow night. “He’s taller than my previous opponents,” says Marroquin. “He’s a decent fighter, with good hand speed, but my experience should make the difference.”

Weights from Reseda

By Francisco Salazar

Anthony Hirsch 154 vs Mario Evangelista 153
Juan Alfonso Figueroa 138 3/4 vs Manuel Delcid 135
Enrique Lobatos 286 vs Ethan Cox 251
Katarina De La Cruz 108 1/2 vs Gloria Salas 108 3/4
Ernesto Ocon 146 vs David Garcia 146 3/4
Matthew Villanueva 114 3/4 vs Ludwin Mondragon 113 3/4
Oscar Chinchilla 130 vs Rene Torres 129
Venue: American Legion Hall, Reseda
Promoter: Fulton Street Fight Club Promotions
Tickets: $30 and $40, Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling (818) 383-7958.
Doors open at 6PM, First bell scheduled for 7:30PM.

Pacquiao-Clottey weigh-in webcast

Top Rank.com will provide a full coverage on a live stream broadcast of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey weigh-in at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday, March 12. The live broadcast will begin 6 pm eastern/3 pm pacific on Top Rank’s new, revamped website. Michael Buffer will be the host. Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank, made the announcement today. Pacquiao vs. Clottey ‘The Event’ is promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Tecate and will be available live on HBO Pay Per View on Saturday.

Weights from Yonkers, New York

By Kurt Wolfheimer

Darrel Madison 255.5 vs. Robert Wiggins 218
Ronson Frank 175 vs. Raynard Darden 173.25
Nydia Feliciano 126 vs. Jennifer Han 125
Hajro Sujak 177 vs. Ariel Espinal 180.25
Lambros Karaolides 153,5 vs. Ashantie Hendrickson 152
Chazz McDowell 131 vs. Filiberto Nieto 134
Raul Lopez 117.5 vs. Reinaldo Cintron 116.5
Venue: Pal Gym, Yonkers, NY
Promoter: O’Shea Boxing

“The Event” undercard presser

Story & photos by Chris Cozzone

Promising to steal the show Saturday night at the Dallas Cowboys’ Stadium, while putting aside a friendship for a dozen or less rounds, current WBC super featheweight champ Humberto Soto (50-7-2, 32 KOs), of Los Mochis, Mexico, and former champ David Diaz (35-2-1, 17 KOs), of Chicago, will battle for the vacant WBC lightweight belt.

It’s a familiar belt for Diaz.

“I want it back,” Diaz said today at a press conference held at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas . . . Click here for more

Rodriguez to face Arnaoutis

On Friday April 2nd, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing returns to the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, CT headlined by current USBA welterweight champion (IBF #5 world rated) Delvin Rodriguez (24-4-2, 14KO) against former USBA light welterweight champion, “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (22-4-2, 10KO). The card will be broadcast live on ESPN “Friday Night Fight” series. Both fighters are in need of a win. Rodriguez is coming off two close losses in an IBF title fight and an IBF eliminator. Arnaoutis has dropped two of his last three, the most recent being an upset loss to Tim Coleman. “This is a huge fight for both guys,” said promoter Joe DeGuardia, CEO of Star Boxing. “If Delvin wins, he reestablishes himself as one of the top welterweight contenders in the world. If Mike wins, he will show everyone that he is a true force to be reckoned with in the welterweight division.” Tickets are $75, $45 and $30. Call 718-823-2000.

Roach & DeJesus: Trainers talk

Story & photos by  Chris Cozzone

As the boxing cliché goes, styles make fights. On Saturday night, we’ll find out if that applies to trainers.

On paper it’s a mismatch. Freddie Roach, who pilots Manny Pacquiao, is, arguably the world’s best-known, best-paid trainer. Backed by a star-studded resume, Roach would be a 10-to-1 favorite over the experienced, albeit much lesser known Lenny DeJesus, chief trainer for Joshua Clottey, if the match-up made the betting lines . . . Click here for more

Weights from Foxwoods

Emily Harney

Tony Grano 222 vs Mark Brown 231
Mike Oliver 120 vs Kermin Guardia 120
Eris Quinteros 157 vs David Bauza 158
Sadam Ali 145 vs Jose Duran 145
Manny Lopes 166 vs Greg McCoy 166
Joe Smith, Jr. 175 vs Carlos Adams 177
Joey Ortega 141 vs Edwin Ortega 141
Venue: Fox Theater, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut
Promoter: Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.

Ticket Alert: Holyfield-Botha

Tickets have quietly gone on sale for the April 10 clash between former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and WBF titleholder Francois Botha at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. Seats are $25, $75, $150 and $250. The 47-year-old ring legend Holyfield has previously fought in Las Vegas 16 times, the most recent being his bout with James Toney in 2003.

Hirsch headlines in Reseda, CA

By Francisco Salazar

Boxing returns to the San Fernando Valley in Southern California with a card this Friday featuring local fighters in four and six round bouts. In the main event, Super Welterweight Anthony Hirsch will take on Mario Evangelista in a scheduled six round bout at the American Legion Hall in Reseda, CA. The bout will headline a seven-bout “Brawl At the Hall 1″ card, presented by Fulton Street Fight Club Promotions. Hirsch, (10-3-1, 5 KO’s) from Oakland, CA, won a four round bout over Jose Celaya in his last bout in November. (more…)

Marquez-Mepranum at the scales

Chris Cozzone at the scales
From the Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas for tomorrow night’s card on Fox Sports en Espanol, promoted by Top Rank.

Hernan ‘Tyson’ Marquez 113.5 vs. Richie Mepranum 112.25*
* Marquez has two hours to lose a half-pound. Originally, the fight was supposed to be for a minor WBC flyweight title.
Samuel Peter 237.5 vs. Nagy Aguilera 230.5*
* IBF heavyweight title elimination bout.

Anthony Peterson 137 vs. Juan Ramon Cruz 137
Ben Tackie 144.5 vs. Dennis Laurente 144.5
Omar Henry 153.75 vs. Francisco Reza 153.5
Jose Benavidez 136.5 vs. Bobby Hill 139.5
Francisco Vargas 131 vs. Daniel Calzada 132
Andy Ruiz Jr. 271.5 vs. Luke Vaughn 200

Boxing back in Reno

Let’s Get It On Promotions has a fight card set for March 19 at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno. In the headliner, unbeaten middleweight Brandon “Flawless” Gonzales (10-0, 9 KOs) takes on veteran upset artist Darnell Boone (16-14, 6 KOs). This will be Gonzales’ first scheduled eight rounder. Also on tap is unbeaten welter Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield (11-0, 7 KOs) against Mario Ramos (17-6). Tickets are $100, $75, $50 and $25. Call 1.800.648.3568.

TONIGHT: Through the Ropes!

Boxing fans, get ready to climb “Through the Ropes” with the #1 boxing news radio show hosted by award winning boxing writer Marc Lichtenfeld! This week’s guests are Cory and Michael Spinks plus former boxing judge Chuck Giampa. Call or email your questions to ttropes@earthlink.net. Through The Ropes airs live coast to coast on Thursday nights from 9:00 – 10:00 ET on 75 affiliates of the Sports Byline USA Broadcast Network, including great radio stations like KSHP 1400 AM in Las Vegas and WNSR 560 AM in Nashville. The one-hour show will also be heard on American Forces Network, Sportsbyline.com and Fightnews.com. Fightnews readers can listen live by clicking here tonight at 9PM ET.

WBC webcast Saturday

WBCBoxing.tv will present a live boxing webcast – free of charge – from Auditorio Plaza Condesa in Mexico City on Saturday, March 13, at 9:00 P.M. (21:00 hrs) Central Standard Time. Please note: the webcast is not available in Mexico. In the main event – a nontitle fight scheduled for 10 rounds – WBC Latino flyweight champion Jesus “Destroyer” Jimenez, 27-5 with 20 knockouts, of Guadalajara, will face Paulino “El Gato” Villalobos, 27-41-2 with 16 knockouts, of Veracruz. The fight will be televised live in Mexico on Cadena 3: Channel 28. (more…)

Soto, Diaz ready to steal show

Photo by Chris Cozzone

Photo: A final press conference highlighting Saturday night’s undercard for “The Event,” featuring Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey, was held today at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas. In the co-main event, a 12-rounder for the WBC lightweight title, former champ David Diaz (35-2-1, 17 KOs) will get the chance to regain the belt he lost to Pacquiao by taking on two-division champ Humberto Soto (50-7-2, 32 Kos). Although friends, Diaz and Soto said they would put aside friendship for 12 rounds in a fight they promised would steal the show. Stay tuned for a full report and more photos.

D. Hopkins returns to ring

Former world title challenger Demetrius “The Gladiator” Hopkins returns to the ring against former world champion Freddie “Lil Hagler” Norwood in the ten round main event at “Fight Night 2  at the Commerce Casino” on Thursday, March 25th in Los Angeles . . . .  (more…)

Katsidis-Mitchell London Presser

WBO #1 rated lightweight Kevin Mitchell has promised an old fashioned East End tear up when he faces WBO interim world beltholder Michael Katsidis on May 15 in London. The fight could go on at the 35,000-seat Upton Park stadium, home of Mitchell’s beloved West Ham United football club. Promoter Frank Warren is currently in negotiation with the venue, with the ExCeL Arena also under consideration. “It would be a dream come true to fight at Upton Park,” said unbeaten Mitchell at a press conference to officially announce the fight today. “The east end loves a nice little punch up and I’ll give them one when I fight Katsidis. He’s a great fighter but I’m confident I’ll knock him out. He better bring a good cutman because I’m planning on busting him up real bad. It will be a proper tear up on the night, then we’ll have a good old knees up afterwards.” (more…)

Galassi headlines Friday

OPI 2000

On Friday, OPI 2000 the Italian promotional company led by Salvatore and Christian Cherchi will stage a terrific show in Bertinoro, in the Emilia Romagna region. In the main event, WBC world flyweight champion Simona Galassi will defend her title against Mexico’s Esmeralda Moreno. It will be the 4th defense for Galassi who won the WBC crown on March 29, 2008 outpointing Stefania Bianchini, then defended it against “The Hawaiian Mongoose” Eileen Olszewski, former champion Bianchini and French tough girl Aziza Oubaita. (more…)

New items at Everlast on sale!

New items at Everlast are now on sale! Today’s special: Classic Pro Fight gloves. The choice of champions for 99 years!  Premium grade leather provides long-lasting durability and functionality; Individually hand inspected for quality; Conforms to the natural shape of the fist for maximum comfort. Click here to check out Classic Pro Fight Gloves or click here for all items on sale

Pacquiao-Clottey final presser

Report by Jeff Zimmerman
Photos by Robert Hughes

The final presser for Pacquiao vs. Clottey – The Event, at Cowboys Stadium this Saturday had everything and more, but that has come to be expected from this monumental promotion.

There was the #1 pound for pound fighter, Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2 38 KOs), his worthy opponent, Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs) with a similar storyline – whom, like Pacquiao, was raised in poverty . . . Click here for more

Zbik, Stieglitz Magdeburg Presser

Photo: Eroll Popova

A press conference was held Wednesday at the Rothenseer Autohaus in Magdeburg for the April 17 “Universum Champions Night” world title twinbill at the famous Bördelandhalle. On hand were WBC interim middleweight champion Sebastian Zbik (28-0, 10 KOs), WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz (37-2, 23 KOs) and Stieglitz’ unbeaten mandatory challenger Eduard “Eddy” Gutknecht (18-0, 7 KOs), along with their respective trainers. Zbik’s foe Domenico Spada (30-2, 15 KOs) was not present. Click here for quotes and more photos.