Bradley responds to WBC!

Current WBO 140lb champion and former WBC champion Tim Bradley’s email response to the WBC sent today after it was announced exclusively by Fightnews.com that Bradley had been stripped.

Don Jose:

Sincerely,
Timothy Bradley

Lyell eyes big fights!

Fresh off the biggest win of his career, Billy Lyell is looking toward bigger and better fights. After beating previously unbeaten WBO#2, WBC#3, IBF#6 “Irish” John Duddy (26-1) this past Friday, Team Lyell is exploring viable options for Lyell’s next middleweight bout which includes trying to land a fight with WBO and WBC middleweight champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik. Lyell’s manager, Pat Nelson, has been bombarded with offers since the fight with Duddy ended. Nelson states, “My phone was ringing before we left the ring. Most notably, we’ve been offered a rematch with Duddy this summer in Dublin, Ireland. Also, offers have come from Golden Boy Promotions and Sauerland Event, the German based company who promotes IBF middleweight champ Arthur Abraham. However, a fight with Pavlik seems to make the most sense.” (more…)

Valuev, Chagaev presser!

Photo: Eastpress

Both Nikolai Valuev and Ruslan Chagaev claimed to be the true WBA heavyweight champion when they met at a press conference in Helsinki today. Their May 30 showdown will be more than just the first-ever heavyweight title fight on Finnish soil. It will also be the chance for the Russian Giant to avenge the only loss of his career, which came in April 2007 when Chagaev shocked the boxing world by clinching a close majority decision. “I am coming to Helsinki to show that I am the real champion,” Valuev (50-1, 34 KOs) said. “I have made a lot of key changes since the defeat two years ago. I have appointed a new head coach, Alexander Zimin. He has changed my training routine completely and has made me a much better fighter. I have improved a lot. I have no doubts that I will leave the ring victorious this time out.” (more…)

Today: Pacquiao, Hatton arrivals!

Pound-for-pound king Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and IBO world junior welterweight champion Ricky “Hitman” Hatton will kick-off fight week today with their official red carpet grand arrivals! Both events are open to the public and fans are encouraged to come out and support their favorite fighter. Pacquiao, the five-division world champion from the Philippines, along with trainer world-famous Freddie Roach will arrive at the front entrance of Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino at noon. Hatton, the defending world champion from England, and his trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr., will arrive at the front entrance of the MGM Grand at 1:30 p.m.

Q&A: Sergiy Dzinziruk!

By Alexey Potapov

Unbeaten WBO light middleweight champion Sergiy Dzinziruk (36-0, 22 KOs) has given an exclusive interview to Fightnews.com in which he spoke about potential fights against James Kirkland, Paul Williams and more. (more…)

WBC strips Bradley!

By Boxing Bob Newman

Three weeks ago, WBC Super Lightweight Champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley scored the biggest win of his career as he came off the floor to unanimously outscore WBO champion Kendall Holt in the unification bout. In breaking developments, the WBC has contacted Fightnews exclusively to inform the boxing world that it is stripping Bradley for reneging on his promise to defend against #1 rated Devon Alexander after the Holt fight. Read on to see the explanation of WBC president Sulaiman as well as Bradley’s earlier communication to the WBC expressing his loyalty and requesting same from the organization. (more…)

Odds stacked against Mathebula!

By Ron Jackson

The odds are heavily stacked against South Africa’s Jeffrey Mathebula when he challenges Celestino Caballero of Panama for the IBF and WBA super bantamweight belts at the Arena Roberto Duran in Panama City on Thursday. The 32-year-old Caballero 31-2; 22 has just come off an outstanding victory over Steve Molitor in November last year when he added the IBF belt to his WBA belt that he won in October 2006 when he stopped Somsak Sitchatchawal in the third round. (more…)

Russo’s on the Bay weigh-in!

All participants for Star Boxing’s “VIP Boxing” show weighed-in today at the NYS commission’s office. Below are the listed weights for Tuesday night’s show which will take place at the elegant Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, NY.

Vinny Maddalone 233 vs. Benji Baker 232 1/2
Curtis Stevens 169 vs. Don Mouton 166 
Anthony Irons 152 1/4 vs. Rashad Bogar 152 3/4
Dominick DeSanto 144 1/4 vs. Ashanti Hendrickson 147
Jacques Louis 254 1/2 vs. Vernon Jenkins  273 1/2

Maddalone fights on!

When Star Boxing’s fan favorite heavyweight Vinny Maddalone (31-5, 22KO) steps into the ring this Tuesday, April 28th against Benji “Boom Boom” Baker (18-6, 9KO) at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, NY it will mark his ten year anniversary boxing in the professional ranks. Maddalone successfully turned pro on April 23, 1999, stopping Kinard Thomas at one minute twenty four seconds of the very first round. (more…)

VIP Boxing undercard set!

On April 28th, Joe DeGuardia’s premier installment of “VIP Boxing” gets underway at the elegant Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, NY with an intriguing double header featuring Star Boxing’s Vinny Maddalone (31-5, 22KO) and Curtis “Showtime” Stevens (19-2, 14KO). Maddalone will be taking on Benji Baker (18-6, 9KO) in an eight round heavyweight bout, while Steven’s squares off against Dan Mouton (9-3-1, 8KO) in an eight round super middleweight contest. (more…)

Asloum resurfaces, wins!

By Gabriel F. Cordero

WBA minimumweight champion Brahim Asloum defeated Humberto Pool by knockout in the third round on Monday night at La Palestre, Le Cannet, Alpes-Maritimes, in the southeast of France. The battle was the first appearance for Asloum since December of 2007. He has not been able to carry out a single defense after 17 months of reign. Asloum kept the fight at medium distance until the third round before landing some strong blows to the body of Pool that sent him down for the final count.

Abregu showcased Friday!

The knockout is always in the back of Carlos Abregu’s mind, and with an 80 percent KO track record, he knows he is more then capable. Abregu will put his stellar, unblemished 26-0 record, with 21 knockouts, on the line Friday, May 1, on ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). The Argentine will face Puerto Rico’s Irving Garcia (17-3-3, 8 KOs) in the 10-round welterweight main event at the Chumash Casino Resort at Santa Ynez, Calif. Garcia, 30, is the World Boxing Council (WBC) Latin American welterweight champion and is undefeated in his last five fights. In the co-feature, Marvin Quintero (15-1, 12 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico, will take on Wes Ferguson (20-3-1, 6 KOs) of Las Vegas in an eight-round lightweight bout. The event which will emanate from the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC. (more…)

Sidorenko-Moreno WBA officials!

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Referee Benji Estevez from US will be the third man on the ring when former world champion Wladimir Sidorenko and reigning champion Anselmo Moreno fight for the WBA bantamweight title at the Halle 7 in Bremen, Germany on Saturday. The three judges are Silvestre Abainza (Finland), Alfredo Polanco (Mexico) and Mikael Hook (Sweden). The fight supervisor is Renzo Bagnariol from Nicaragua.

Contenders victorious!

By Alexey Sukachev

Promoters German Titov, Cesar Moreira and Arturo Moral of Stock Eventos SL joined their efforts yesterday to stage a local show in Matosinos, Portugal. Several Eastern Europe-based fighters took their part in the show. WBO #13 junior middleweight Sherzod Husanov (13-0, 7 KOs) of Uzbekistan scored a workmanlike eight-round unanimous decision over Slovakian no-hoper Patrick Hruska (12-38, 4 KOs). Andrey Isaev of Belarus, who is ranked #4 by the WBO in featherweight division, is now 20-1 with 7 KOs following his TKO 6 victory over Araik Sachbazjan (12-6, 5 KOs). Also super middleweight Alexander Krasilov (6-0-1, 3 KOs) knocked out Latvian Ruslans Pojonishevs (4-3-1, 3 KOs) in the first round. Meanwhile, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, local super flyweight Timur Shailezov (WBA #10 and WBA I/C titleholder) is now 15-2-1, 3 KOs, after the third-round TKO over debutant Urmat Modubaev. Akyl Beckbolotov promoted.

Wach, Kauramaki win huge!

By Alexey Sukachev

In a battle of giants, big (6’7’’) Polish heavyweight Mariusz Wach extended his perfect record to 21-0 with 9 KOs after the seventh-round technical knockout over even more robust (7’1’’) American Julius Long (15-12, 13 KOs) this Friday night at MOSiR Hall in Jaroslaw, Poland. Long hit the deck in the third round and was totally outgunned, trailing 53-60 (twice) and 52-60 before the fight was mercifully stopped by the referee at 2:17 of the round seven. In a stunner, aging Finnish journeyman “Ironman” Kai Kauramaki (15-15, 9 KOs) scored the victory of the lifetime when his opponent Mariusz Cendrowski (17-2-1, 7 KOs) was forced to retire early in round eight (at 0:17) claiming an elbow injury. (more…)

Jacobs replaces Kirkland!

Rising middleweight star and one of boxing’s hottest prospects, Daniel “The Golden Child” Jacobs has been added to the much anticipated May 2nd pay-per-view undercard of Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton: “The Battle of East and West” at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The highly touted prospect will be featured in the third of four pay-per-view undercard bouts against former two-time world amateur champion Mike Walker, who was originally slated to face James Kirkland, before Kirkland was KO’d by legal problems.

Fragomeni-Krzysztof in Rome!

On Saturday, May 16, Rome will be back as the Italian capital of world boxing, thanks to OPI 2000 led by Salvatore and Christian Cherchi. At the prestigious Gran Teatro (3,040 seats), WBC world cruiserweight champion Giacobbe Fragomeni (26-1 with 10 KOs), will make his first defense against ‘El Diablo’ Krzysztof Wlodarczyk. (41-2 with 31 KOs). Born in Milan on August 13, 1969, Fragomeni is currently the most popular boxer in his country. On October 24, 2008, he won the vacant WBC crown defeating on points Rudolf Kraj. After eight action-packed rounds, the doctor stopped Fragomeni because of a cut; all the judges scored 77-74 in favor of Giacobbe who became champion in front of 3,500 screaming fans. It has to be noticed that Fragomeni sold-out the Palalido after 12 years. That’ s why a sell-out is expected in Rome too. (more…)

Anselmo, Sidorenko rematch!

Photo: Eroll Popova

WBA bantamweight champion Anselmo Moreno (24-1-1, 8 KOs) and former champion Wladimir Sidorenko (21-1-2, 7 KOs) faced off today in Bremen, Germany, in advance of Saturday’s rematch. Moreno won their first fight on points in a closely contested affair. Both fighters promised a clear result this time. (More to come)

Ndou vs Ndou!

Photo: Jeff Ellis

By Ron Jackson

Promoter Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotions has announced that Australian based former IBF junior welterweight champion Lovemore Ndou will meet South Africa’s Phillip Ndou on a bumper bill at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on July 11. On the undercard two of South Africa’s brightest young prospects Tommy Oosthuizen and Jared Lovett will clash over ten rounds for the vacant IBO Youth light heavyweight title. Also featured will be South African bantamweight champion Simphiwe Vetyeka who returns to action after a long lay-off against Eric Barcelona from the Philippines in a match for the vacant IBO bantamweight title. The Ndou vs. Ndou bout is a most exciting attraction that will pull in the fans. (more…)

Pacquiao, Hatton arrivals!

Pound-for-pound king Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and IBO world junior welterweight champion Ricky “Hitman” Hatton will kick-off fight week tomorrow with their official red carpet grand arrivals! Both events are open to the public and fans are encouraged to come out and support their favorite fighter. Pacquiao, the five-division world champion from the Philippines, along with trainer world-famous Freddie Roach will arrive at the front entrance of Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino at noon. Hatton, the defending world champion from England, and his trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr., will arrive at the front entrance of the MGM Grand at 1:30 p.m.

Greg Page passes

Former WBA heavyweight champion Greg Page has passed away at the age of 50 at his Louisville, Kentucky. In his final fight in 2001, Page suffered a a brain injury and during post-fight surgery suffered a stroke. Page’s wife told WHAS TV in Louisville that the ex-champ passed shortly after 5AM from multiple complications due to boxing injuries and paralysis. Page compiled a career record of 58 wins, 16 losses and one draw with 48 KOs.

Froch-Taylor Photo Gallery!

Ringside Report by Billy “Loops” Luppert and Alex Dombroff
Photography by Emily Harney

Coming into Saturday night’s fight against former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor, there were three things that Carl Froch (25-0, 20 KOs) had never accomplished in his career. He never headlined a card in America , never defended a world title, and had never tasted the canvas both as an amateur or professional. Now he can add all three of these to his resume. Froch got up from a third round knockdown to score the biggest win of his career with a late twelfth round technical knockout over Taylor (28-3-1, 17 KOs). in dramatic fashion. He needed a knockout going into the final round and got exactly that as Froch knocked Taylor down late. Froch then pinned him against the ropes to finish him off as referee Michael Ortega waived off the bout with just 14 seconds left. With the win, Froch defended his WBC 168 lb. title for the first time after he won the vacant belt back in December with a points win over Jean Pascal. “Sweetness” Allan Green (28-1, 20 KOs) knocked down Carlos DeLeon, Jr. (21-3-2, 14 KOs) four times in the second round before referee Joe Lupino had finally seen enough and called a halt to the bout. The sold out seven bout fight card at the MGM Grand Theater inside of the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, CT was promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Hennessy Sports. Click here for the entire ringside report and photo gallery.

‘Beatdown in H-Town’ set for May 28

Tickets are now on sale as Chet Koerner’s TKO BOXING Promotions, home of the nationally acclaimed “HOMETOWN HEROES TO WORLD CHAMPIONS” professional boxing series, presents the “THE BEATDOWN IN H-TOWN”, on Thursday, May 28th at the Arena Theatre in Houston, Texas  . . . Click here for more

Lyell-Duddy Photo Gallery!

Ringside Report by Andreas Hale and Kurt Wolfheimer
Photography by Ed Mulholland

Critics of John Duddy have been begging for the Irishman to take a step up in competition. Fighting an unknown fighter named Billy Lyell (19-7, 3 KOs) with a mediocre record and limited skill certainly doesn’t help the case. But perhaps there was a reason Duddy’s team never stepped up his competition. Unfortunately for Duddy, the reason reared its ugly head in front of an estimated 2,500 mostly Irish fans at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ this past Friday night. “The Derry Destroyer” watched his world title hopes go up in smoke as the unheralded Billy Lyell and his coach Jack Loew (who also trains Kelly Pavlik) employed a picture perfect game plan to upend Duddy via split decision in a ten round matchup of middleweights. Two judges saw it in Lyell’s favor with scores of 98-92 and 97-93 while the third gave Duddy (26-1, 17 KOs) the nod with a score of 96-94. Hard punching Philladelphia junior middleweight “King” Gabriel Rosado (12-3, 7 KOs) scored the biggest victory in his professional career with a close ten round split decision victory over Kassim “The Dream” Ouma (26-6-1, 16 KOs) in the co-feature of the evening. Click here for the ringside report and photo gallery.

OPI 2000 honored, #1 Spada wins!

On Saturday at Klass Hotel in Castelfidardo (Central Italy), the 9th edition of the Italian Boxing Oscars took place. OPI 2000 was the only company to get 4 awards. Salvatore Cherchi was named “Promoter of the year.” Christian Cherchi got the “Manager of the year” prize. WBC world cruiserweight champion Giacobbe Fragomeni and WBC world flyweight champion Simona Galassi were voted male and female fighters of the year. On the same day, at Palaveneto in Ancona (Central Italy), OPI 2000 staged a show with six professional Italian fighters, including WBC #1 middleweight contender Domenico Spada, who won by 5th round DQ over Slovakian Robert Blazo. Spada’s record ups to 29 wins (14 KOs) and one loss. Also WBC female world flyweight champion Simona Galassi outpointed French Isabelle Leonardi (now, 4-4-1) in six rounds, in a non-title match. Galssi moves up to 10 wins (3 kos), 1 draw and 1 no-contest. (more…)

Juan Manuel Marquez Update!

By Gabriel F. Cordero

WBA/WBO lightweight world champion Juan Manuel Márquez is now expected to return on September 12th or 19th, topping a major card in Las Vegas. Sources at Golden Boy Promotions indicate that Floyd Mayweather, Ricky Hatton, Manny Pacquiao, Érik “El Terrible” Morales and other names are in the mix as possible opponents. In any event, Marquez will return with “Nacho” Beristain to La Romanza Gym in the Federal District next week.

Chade passes

By Gerardo M. Avila-Planas

Cuban-born boxing manager Yamil Chade has died of complications from pneumonia and Alzheimer’s disease. Chade, was manager of Gerardo Gonzalez “Kid Gavilan” He also managed and contributed in the careers of such great champions as Wilfredo Gomez and Felix “Tito” Trinidad.

Sturm, Balzsay Full Report!

By Karl Freitag
Photos: Marianne Müller

WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm (32-2-1, 14 KOs) simply outclassed Koji Sato (14-1, 13 KOs) getting a seventh round referee’s stoppage after dealing Sato a brutal beating on Saturday night at the KönigPALAST in Krefeld, Germany. Sturm was extremely sharp with his jab early on while fending off Sato’s powerful attacks. As the bout progressed, it almost seemed Sturm couldn’t miss as he schooled the previously unbeaten challenger. Referee Luis Pabon finally steped in to stop the carnage at 2:46 of round seven. It was Sturm’s sixth title defense.
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WBO super middleweight champion Karoly Balzsay (21-0, 15 KOs) successfully defended his title with an eleventh round knockout over former middleweight champion Maselino Masoe (29-6, 27 KOs). It was a left-right combination that sent the 42-year-old Masoe to the deck where he was counted out by referee Mark Nelson. It was the unbeaten Balzsay’s first title defense. Time was 2:07.
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Unbeaten middleweight Gennady Golovkin (16-0, 13 KOs) dropped Anthony Greenidge (13-3-1, 5 KOs) twice in round one and finished him at :49 of round five.
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In a clash of unbeaten heavyweights, Manuel Charr (11-0, 5 KOs) stopped Gbenga Olouku (16-1, 10 KOs) in round seven. Time was 1:29.
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Light heavyweight Gregory Soszynski (14-0-1, 7 KOs) scored a second round TKO over Ralf Riemer (8-7-2, 4 KOs). Time was 1:00.
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Light heavyweight Patrick Dobroschi (9-0, 2 KOs) outpointed Mustapha Stini (6-34-1, 4 KOs) over six rounds by scores of 60-54, 60-54, 60-53.
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Lightweights Magomed Jangubaev (3-0-1) and Brahim Bouizem (8-15) battled to a four round draw. Scores were 38-38, 38-38, 39-37 Bouizem.

Night of knockouts!

Ringside by Jacob Chavez, photos by John Booz

Oscar De La Hoya’s, Golden Boy Promotions and Dominic Pesoli’s, 8 Count Production presented an explosive night of boxing action, Friday, at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. The fights were televised on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” and had fans in attendance enthralled with knockout action . . . Click here for more 

Garcia floors Gomez at Sky Ute!

Ringside report and photos by Chris Cozzone

In a showdown years in the works, between the top two names of the last dozen years in the Four Corners area, Elco “The Animal” Garcia, of Ignacio, Colo., staked his claim as the reigning local champion with a dominating kayo win over Joe “Ironman” Gomez, of Bloomfield, N.M.  . . . Click here for more