Boxing back in Tinsel Town Friday

Art of Boxing Promotions in association with Bash Boxing, Inc. and Pitbull Boxing Promotions will return on Friday to the Florentine Gardens in Hollywood, California, with an attractive USBA jr welterweight title clash between Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis (15-3-2, 5 KOs) and Michael “Cold Blood” Clark (43-7-1, 18 KOs).

Pendarvis, the much lauded local prospect who has been a regular sparring partner for future Hall of Famers Manny Pacquaio, Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito, and Ricky Hatton, stepped out of the shadows in his last bout by capturing the USBA belt against Robert Frenkel (31-12-1, 6 KOs). Clark, a veteran of the Contender TV show and former world title challenger, became mandatory challenger for Pendarvis’ USBA title with an upset of previously undefeated Jake Giuriceo (16-0-1) in his last bout.

Three more bouts were added today bringing the undercard to nine bouts. (more…)

Garcia-Gutierrez clash Saturday in Morelia

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Former world champions Samuel “Sammy Guty” Gutierrez (33-8-2, 23 KOs) and Raul “Rayito” Garcia (32-2-1, 20 KOs) will face off Saturday at the Bicentennial Gym in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico for the WBO Latino flyweight championship with the winner likely to face current WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes in the early months of 2013. Garcia-Gutierrez will meet for the fourth time with Garcia holding a 2-0-1 advantage. “It’s a great opportunity,” said Gutierrez. “I want to prove I’m still world champion and take revenge against Garcia, who has beaten me twice already very close. Supposedly the winner faces Nietes and I’m aware of what that means. I am fully committed well prepared.”

The main event is the WBF super middleweight battle between champion Marco Antonio “Veneno” Rubio and challenger Michel “Bravo” Rosales. Also, in a middleweight rematch Marco “Dorado” Reyes meets Julio Cesar “Baby Face” Garcia, and undefeated super bantamweight prospect Rey Vargas will face Marco Cardenas. The event is presented by Promociones del Pueblo.

“Chocolatito” awaits Ioka-Rodriguez winner

By Gabriel F. Cordero

WBA light flyweight super world champion, Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (34-0, 28 KOs) said he is ready to face the best fighters in 2013. “Chocolatito” vacated his WBA 108lb title to be named super champion, but seeks to face the new holder of that belt which will be determined on December 31 in Osaka, Japan, when Kazuto Ioka (10-0, 6 KOs) faces Jose Alfredo Rodriguez (28-1, 17 KOs) in a battle of former champions. The WBA has ordered that the winner of Ioka-Rodriguez must face Gonzalez within 90 days.

“I want to fight the best and I would like Ioka to win and to face him. I have a great desire to return to fight in Japan,” said Gonzalez, who will return to the gym in January to begin his preparation for his next fight. There is also a possibility that “Chocolatito” could move up to 112lbs to face flyweight champion Brian Viloria.

Pascal goes to rehab, Dawson is a go

By Matt Casavant / Fightnews Canada
Photo: Herby Whyne

Jean Pascal and his GYM promoters revealed the injury report from last Friday’s main event at Montreal’s Bell Centre where the former world champion was forced to fight with one arm for eight of ten rounds versus Aleksy Kuziemski. The diagnosis is that Pascal suffered a torn left biceps and a partially torn left rotator cuff injury. The good news is that no surgery is required and that the fighter will undergo a program of 3-4 weeks of rehab and that the proposed March 23 date with Chad Dawson is not in jeopardy.

“Everything is still a go for March,” assured promoter Yvon Michel. The bicep injury was described as similar to the one suffered by the fighter in 2008 when training for the Carl Froch fight in Arizona. According to all involved, including Pascal’s physician Dr Fontaine, neither injury is something they can operate on. Pascal who twice previous to Friday’s encounter was forced to fight with one arm and had injuries that kept the fighter on the shelf for 19 months before Friday and forced cancellation of the Tavoris Cloud fight. “The inactivity did not help,” answered Fontaine about Pascal’s most current injuries.

Cayo outpoints Baez

By Robert Coster
Photos: Martin Avilamaria

Dominican boxing fans flocked to the Dominican Fiesta Hotel in Santo Domingo see IBF#7 Victor Cayo continue on his path to rehabilitate his career with a well-earned unanimous decision over previously unbeaten but untested countryman Vladimir Baez with the IBF Latin and Dominican titles 140lbs at stake. Cayo (31-3, 22 KOs ) used a powerful jab and good body shots to pile up points against the inexperienced Baez (17-1-2, 15 KOs) who headhunted too much and lacked combination punching. Baez landed with some success at times but the more pedigreed Cayo just scored more often and with more eye-catching punches. All 3 judges had Cayo winning 98-91. Fightnews had it closer at 96-92. The fight was hard-fought and entertaining and both boxers received a good round of applause. (more…)

Lamont Peterson vs. Kendall Holt Purse Bid

A Purse Bid was held in the IBF Office today for the IBF Jr. Welterweight Championship mandatory defense between Champion Lamont Peterson and Kendall Holt. The was only one bidder. Gary Shaw Productions won with a bid of $50,000. The fight must take place within 90 days.

Anthony Morodi dies

By Ron Jackson

One of the legends of SA boxing, Athony Morodi, has died at the age of 69. Known as the Blue Jaguar, Morodi died on Monday in the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto where he had been treated for a month. Morodi was a triple SA champion who fought from 1964 to 1978 and compiled a record of 96-25-3, including 32 knockouts. He held the national bantamweight, junior lightweight and lightweight titles. In 1968 and 1969 Morodi took part in 29 fights; more than some boxers have in a career. In August 1968 he had four fights, winning them all. He also fought in Australia and Mexico, facing some of the best featherweight and lightweights of the time. (more…)

Adamek-Cunningham II: Too Late, Too Soon, Or Right On Time?

By John DiSanto – Philly Boxing History (.com)
Photos by Gary Purfield

When the long awaited rematch between Tomasz Adamek and Steve Cunningham was announced for December 22nd, it seemed that the issue of the fight’s timing flooded the internet and the chat rooms. For all of us Cunningham fans, the immediate reflex was a feeling of happiness that our man had finally landed the rematch he so wanted, and so deserved, after the their memorable December 2008 brawl at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

Call it an early Christmas present.

In that classic contest fight, Adamek took Cunningham’s IBF cruiserweight title with three knockdowns that proved insurmountable for “USS” Steve to overcome on the scorecards after twelve toe-to-toe great rounds. Although Cunningham made three trips to the canvas that night, he managed to battle back well enough to make the final verdict a split decision.

I remember thinking that if he had a little more time, Cunningham could have pulled out the win. Regardless, everyone left the Prudential Center thinking just how great the rematch would be. (more…)

DeGale vacates EBU title

After winning the WBC Silver title earlier this month against former world champion Fulgencio Zuniga, James DeGale MBE has decided to vacate his European title to concentrate on his quest for world honours. The 2008 Olympic Gold Medallist said. “It has been an real honour to be EBU champion and it’s a shame that I have had to choose between the two championship belts I hold. However, I feel my decision to relinquish the European belt is the right decision at this stage in my career. I’ve won it and defended it twice and I feel the best course of action is to defend my WBC belt on route to a world title. The WBC belt will give me a wider choice of world class opponents.” Details on James next fight will be released in the coming weeks.

JC Chavez Jr leave to Freddie Roach?

By Gabriel F. Cordero

A important source has informed Fightnews.com about the possibility that former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. could have ended his training relationship with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. According to the source, Chavez Jr has apparently been talking with another Hall of Famer Nacho Beristain as well as Robert Garcia. Chavez Jr has also been using Twitter to challenge current world champion Sergio ‘Maravilla’ Martinez to a rematch.

Fletcher and Dawson victorious

By Brett Bonetti
Photos: Damo Photography

Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Jarrod “Left Jab” Fletcher (13-1, 7 KOs) claimed the PABA Middleweight Title with a well-deserved unanimous points decision over Robbie “Bad Boy” Bryant (17-2-1, 8 KOs) at The WA Italian Club, North Perth Australia on Sunday night.

Fletcher was accurate with his left jab had good speed and footwork all night that had Bryant struggling for answers.

Bryant battled hard throughout the fight and did hurt Fletcher towards the end of round 6, but Fletcher recovered well and maintained his advantage over the remaining rounds. Scores after 12 rounds were 117-111, 118-109, 119-109 all for Fletcher. (more…)

Donaire-Arce: Final Wrap-up

By Jeff Reiners
Photo: Rafael Soto/Zanfer

Jorge Arce on retirement:
I promised my children that if I lost this would be my last fight.

Nonito Donaire on his TKO over Jorge Arce:
My left hook was damaging tonight. I felt I could land it whenever I wanted. I felt very strong in the ring. I first hit him in the neck before finishing him off. Arce is a great fighter. It was difficult for me to get him in the beginning, he was wary of that left hook. It was hard to hit him until I got him to open up. I made him comfortable to start throwing. That was the key. The reason why people survive is that they’re afraid to open up. Arce, I have a lot of respect for him, he opened up. He wasn’t afraid. (more…)

Charr-Airich collide Friday

In his first fight since unsuccessfully challenging WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in September, “Diamond Boy” Manuel Charr starts his campaign for a possible second title fight on Friday when he takes on hard-hitting Konstantin Airich for the WBC Baltic and WBC Mediterranean heavyweight belts at the Maritim Hotel in Cologne, Germany.

Charr posed as “Santa Claus” at today’s press conference and gave his Airich a green hat. “Airich is ‘The Grinch’ who wants to steal Christmas and all my presents,” said Charr. “But I won’t let him get away with that. I have to stop him in order to get another shot at the world title. This is what I live and fight for.”

Airich stated, “I have been waiting for a chance to fight Manuel Charr for a long time. I like and respect Manuel as a fighter and as a person but he chose the wrong guy for this fight. I came to Cologne to ruin his Christmas and that’s what I will do Friday night.”

The “X-MAS FIGHT NIGHT” with Airich vs. Charr will be streamed live online on www.wbcboxing.tv.

Glazkov planning to hammer Hamer on NBC

Ukrainian heavyweight puncher Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov, 13-0, 9 KOs, intends to school the already well-educated Tor Hamer, 19-1, 12 KOs, when they meet in the ring at Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, in PA, Saturday, December 22nd. The 8-round heavyweight contest is part of a big nationally televised doubleheader that will be broadcast on NBC, beginning at 4PM ET. The headline bout is a 12-round rematch between Tomasz “Goral” Adamek and Steve “USS” Cunningham for the IBF North American heavyweight title.

Lately New York-born Hamer has been making waves and getting ink as a promising prospect in the heavyweight division. He’s won eight in a row including a unanimous nod over title-challenger Kevin Johnson, and has been singled out as a future American hopeful for world championship honors. (more…)

Jean Pascal Update

By Dave Spencer / Fightnews Canada
Photo: Herby Whyne

Former world champion Jean Pascal underwent an MRI on his left arm Monday afternoon that he injured in the second round of Friday’s fight with Aleksy Kuziemski at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Results of the test and the future of a springtime match-up with Chad Dawson should be known tomorrow.

Lebedev KOs Silgado in 4

WBA cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev (25-1, 19 KOs) scored a spectacular fourth round knockout over previously unbeaten #8 rated challenger Santander Silgado (23-1, 18 KOs) to retain his title on Monday night at the Crocus City Hall in Myakinino, Russia (a suburb of Moscow). A competitive bout ended abruptly in round four when during a spirited exchange Lebedev landed a monster left upper uppercut that put Silgado face down on the canvas out cold.

Working Lebedev’s corner was former world champion Kostya Tszyu. Former multi-division world champion Roy Jones Jr. was at ringside. Prior to the bout, there was a performance by rapper Busta Rhymes, who is a friend of Silgado.

WBA #9 cruiserweight Grigory Drozd (36-1, 25 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over former Euro titleholder Jean Marc Monrose (25-6, 15 KOs) in a bout for the vacant WBA International belt. In a one-sided affair, Drozd put Monrose on the deck with body shots once in round three, and twice in round nine, however the game Monrose managed to make it to the final bell.

Lightweight Eduard Troyanovsky (13-0, 10 KOs) scored a second round KO over veteran Walter Estrada (42-16-1, 27 KOs) in a bout for the PABA lightweight title. Troyanovsky dropped Estrada three times in round two.

Anderson headlines Friday in Newark

Hard punching Newark welterweight Michael “Slick” Anderson (12-1-1, 10 KOs) headlines Friday night at the luxurious Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, New Jersey when he swaps punches with Mexico’s Sammy Ventura (27-23, 21 KOs) in the ten round main event of the evening for the USCB regional welterweight title. The co-feature will feature super featherweight Joselito Collado in an eight round contest. (more…)

Prizefighter Welterweights III on Jan 19

No big names among the first five fighters selected for the Prizefighter Welterweights III tournament at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton, England on January 19. Unbeaten trio Glenn Foot, Dale Evans and Chad Gaynor are joined by ‘Notorious’ Nasser Al Harbi and Karl Place in the 28th edition of Matchroom Sport’s eight-man, one night tournaments, with promoter Eddie Hearn still to select the final three fighters. Also on the card will be bantamweight prospect Kal Yafai vs. TBA.

Jamoye stops Haskins in 8

Bantamweight Stephane Jamoye (24-3, 14 KOs) of Belgium stopped Lee Haskins (26-3, 11 KOs) of England by TKO in round eight Friday night at the Hallo Omnisport La Préalle in Herstal, Liege, Belgium. With the win, Jamoye claimed the EBU (European) bantamweight title. The card was presented by Mirco Giuliani (Promotion B.C. GMG Visé).

Lemieux keeps mowing them down

By Dave Spencer

Another heat seeking missile delivered. Another seek and destroy mission completed. Middleweight David Lemieux may or may not end up being what his promoters say he is going to be, but there is no denying the excitement he brings each and every time he steps in to the ring. Naysayers will point to the lack of results when he is brought past, umm, let’s say about the second round at this point, but that would be like film critics who like to point out plot inaccuracies in a James Bond film, better to just go along for the ride and enjoy the show.

Right now fans are experiencing casino like excitement with the 23 year-old fighter, being asked to bet red or black each time he steps into the ring, but despite opponents being advertised as the one who might be able to be the one to finally give the Kamikaze Kid some vital rounds, Lemieux continues to bring the roulette wheel to a screeching halt long before anybody can make an accurate read on the powerhouse. Click here to read more

Seven fight novice wins SA featherweight title

By Ron Jackson

Seven-fight novice Aphiwe Mboyiya won the SA featherweight title by beating Sydney Maluleke in East London on Sunday. Mboyiya came back from two knockdowns in the seventh round to win the fight at a packed Orient Theatre on points. Judge Simphiwe Mbini scored it 115-112 and judges Andile Matika and Allen Matakane had it 117-113 and 116-113. (more…)

Doliguez stops Rapada, wants Yordan next

By Brett Bonetti

Following his sixth round KO victory over Eric Rapada (15-19-7) last Saturday night at Angoncillo, Batangas in the Philippines, undefeated featherweight Jun “Hercules” Doliguez (15-0-1, 11 KOs) has issued the challenge to Indonesian IBO world featherweight champion Daud “Cino” Yordan (30-2, 23 KO’s). “Anywhere, anytime Cino, let’s get it on, you bring the title and I’ll bring the pain,” Doliguez said. (more…)

Lebedev, Silgado make weight

Photo: Havoc Boxing

WBA cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev (24-1, 18 KOs) will take on unbeaten #8 rated challenger Santander Silgado (23-0, 18 KOs) from Brooklyn, NY by way of Colombia in a voluntary defense of his belt on Monday night at the Crocus City Hall in Myakinino, Russia (a suburb of Moscow).

Lebedev will be defending the full title for the first time since being elevated by the WBA from interim champion status. Lebedev weighed in at 197.5 and Silgado was 3.7 pounds lighter at 193.8. Silgado is promoted by Brooklyn-based Havoc Boxing.

Weights from Santo Domingo

By Robert Coster
Photo: Martin Avilamaria

Victor Cayo 140 vs Vladimir Baez 140
(IBF Latin/Dominican national titles)
Dahianna Santana 125 vs Helen Joseph ??
(IBF female featherweight title)
John Jackson 154 vs Alex Hernandez 155
Julius Jackson 167 vs Jonali Reyes 170
Samuel Rogers 154 vs Jose Vidal Soto 152

Venue: Dominican Fiesta Hotel
Promoter: Manguita Promotions/Sampson Promotions

Oliveira wins 2 titles

Photo: Team Oliveira

By Robert Coster

Brazilian Jr middleweight prospect WBC #15 Michael “The Brazilan Rocky” Oliveira (19-1, 14 KOs) won the WBC Fecarbox and WBA Fedebol titles yesterday in La Romana, Dominican Republic with a 4th round TKO over Dominican national champion David Toribio (19-14, 12 KOs). The fight started with the crafty Toribio fighting at a distance and using his jab against the shorter, stockier Oliveira. The Dominican veteran had some success in the first round but Oliveira was gradually able to cut the distance in the second and do some effective body work. Following the instructions of his trainer Orlando Cuellar, Oliveira kept on the pressure, pummeling his Dominican foe against the ropes. Toribio, who seemed ring-rusty and not in the best of shape, absorbed further punishment to the body in the fourth round and decided not to come out for the fifth round. (more…)

Smith defeats Eagle

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Former IBF fenale welterweight champion Daniela Smith (12-3) scored a close decision over Lauryn Eagle (5-3-1, 3 KOs) of Australia over six rounds at the Waitakere Trust Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday. Smith controlled the action in the early rounds as she connected with solid left jabs and power right crosses. Eagle stepped up a gear in rounds five and six but referee Lance Reville crowned Smith the winner by unanimous decision. Scores were 59-56, 58-57, 58-56.

Eagle will be challenging for the Australian title on the Daniel Geale vs. Anthony Mundine IBF middleweight promotion on January 30, 2013 in Sydney. (more…)