Boxing back in Tunica!

Prize Fight Promotions will be back to the Fitz Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi on Saturday with a five bout fight card. Historically, this boxing series “Fights at the Fitz” has been immensely popular with local fans, and every event is a sell out. In the main event, cruiserweight Adam “Swamp Donkey” Richards (21-2, 14 KOs) goes up against Gustavo Enriquez (15-8, 12 KOs) in an eight-rounder. This fight will be the first fight back for “Swamp Donkey” since his brutal slugfest between Chazz Witherspoon this past November on the Jermain Taylor-Jeff Lacy undercard. (more…)

Media picks Taylor!

Photos: Marty Rosengarten/RingsidePhotos.com

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Carl Froch is a supremely confident, unbeaten fighter who opted to come to America to defend his WBC 168-pound title against former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor this Saturday on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) for one sole reason – to make a name for himself in the United States. So, did Froch, of Nottingham, England, make the correct decision and will he defeat Taylor, of Little Rock, Ark., in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.? You’ll have to tune in to find out. Those who participated in a SHOWTIME Media Prediction Poll gave a clear edge to Taylor, who was tabbed to triumph on 29 of the 44 predictions. Few, if any, predicted a blowout, however, and almost all expect to see a close, hard-fought match. The major sports books and gambling websites agree with the media as Taylor is a slight favorite.

Weights from Newark, NJ!

Photo: Ed Mulholland

John Duddy 157 vs. Billy Lyell 155
Kassim Ouma 154 vs. Gabriel Rosado 154.5
Jason Cintron 137 vs. Henry Lundy 136
Przemyslaw Majewski 157 vs. James Lubash 157
Patrick Farrell 195.5 vs. Doug Bowling 195.5
Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
Promoter: Main Events

Quezada thumps late sub!

WBC CABOFE heavyweight champion, Manuel “El Toro” Quezada (27-4, 17 KO’s), continued his march in the heavyweight division with a first round TKO over late replacement, Jeff Brownfield on Thiursday night at the Tachi Palace in Lemoore, California. When the bell rang, Quezada went straight to the body and slowly broke down Brownfield who was coming forward throwing wild punches. Entering the final seconds of the round, Quezada battered Brownfield’s body for the last time, knocking him out of the ring. At the 2:59 mark, Brownfield’s corner seen enough and threw in the towel. Quezada was awarded a first round TKO and extends his winning streak to 16 in a row. Quezada, who is currently ranked # 15 by the WBC said, “The time is now for me to step up in competition. I’m looking to fight any of the top heavyweights in the world. I feel I’ve earned the right to get a shot at someone in the top ten. I’m ready for the next level.”
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Also, after giving birth to a baby boy and taking a one year layoff from boxing, former WBC lightweight champion, Jessica “The Ragin” Rakcozy (30-3, 10 KO’s), returned to the Tachi Palace Casino where she was victorious wining a unanimous decision against Belinda “Brown Sugar” Laracuente.

Morton gets Spinks-Latimore plum!

New Jersey referee Earl Morton will be the third man in the ring when Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks (36-5, 11 KOs) and Deandre “The Bull” Latimore (19-1, 16 KOs) meet for the vacant IBF junior middleweight championship tonight at the Scottrade Center in St Louis, Missouri. Judges die the bout will be Steve Weisfeld (New Jersey), Adalaide Byrd (Nevada) and Jerome Jakubco (Illinois). IBF Supervisor is Kato Muhammad. SHOWTIME’s Sho Box: The New Generation series will televise at 11PM ET/PT.

Sturm-Sato public workout!

Photos: Marianne Müller

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WBA middleweight world champion Felix Sturm and WBO super middleweight world champion Karoly Balzsay thrilled local fight fans during a public workout on Wednesday in advance of Saturday’s world title twinbill in Krefeld, Germany. Also on hand were challengers Koji Sato and Maselino Masoe, respectively, as well as heavyweights Gbenga Oloukun and Manuel Charr, who meet in a highly interesting battle of unbeatens.

Q&A: Lamont Peterson!

Photo: Jose Perez/PR Best Boxing

By Lee Bates

Unbeaten junior welterweight contender Lamont Peterson (26-0, 12 KOs) will attempt to win his first world title this Saturday when he takes on fellow unbeaten contender William Blain (20-0, 3 KOs) for the WBO interim junior welterweight title. Peterson spoke on his history with Blain, preparation for Blain, and his comfort and confidence with his trainer Barry Hunter. (more…)

DeLeon ready for Green!

Photo: Javiel Centeno

By Bob Caico

The co-feature for Saturday’s Carl Froch – Jermain Taylor fight looks to be an interesting match-up of two exciting super middleweights when WBC # 14 ranked Carlos DeLeon, Jr. (21-2-2, 14 KOs) takes on #15 WBC ranked Allen Green (27-1, 19 KO’s). The soon to be 30-year-old DeLeon is the son of 4-time cruiserweight champion Carlos ‘Sugar’ DeLeon. “My father was a big influence on my career, he is a legend and it’s great that I have a Dad like that”, said the proud son. (more…)

Motor City Action Heats Up!

By Bob Ryder

The Majestic Theatre on Friday, May 1 will be the venue for a program of eight scheduled pro fights presented by Carlos Llinas International Productions (CLIP) and Ron Remus Productions. Already running highly successful shows at the suburban Royal Oak Music Theatre, the promoters are planning on also using the downtown Detroit’s Majestic to run cards on alternate months giving fight fans in the Motor City a regular monthly series of shows. (more…)

St. Claire-Asiku collide Sunday!

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Former Commonwealth featherweight champion Jackson Asiku (23-3,12 KOs) will clash with former IBF jr lightweight champion Gairy St Claire on Sunday at the Challenge Stadium, Perth, Western Australia with the IBF Australasian jr lightweight title up for grabs. St Claire defeated Asiku in 2003 over eight rounds but since then Asiku has captured the Commonwealth featherweight crown in England in 2005 by stopping Marc Callaghan in round one. He defended the championship in England successfully by stopping Jamie McKiever also in round one. Asiku is trained and managed by Craig Christian who also trains WBA featherweight champion Chris John. St Claire captured the IBF 130 pound title in 2006 by outpointing Cassius Baloyi but lost to Malcolm Klassen via decision also in 2006. St Claire recently was in action against Aussie jr welterweight star Lenny Zappavigna in 2009 and English star Amir Khan in 2008. He lost to world champions Leonard Dorin, Vivian Harris and Diego Corrales all by decision.

German Titov update!

By Alexey Sukachev

After a short technical break, German Titov, 2008 Russian promoter of the year, is once again aiming at the future sound collisions for his fighters, which include many world rated contenders. (more…)

Kariuki in action Friday!

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Classy Kenyan-born 168 pounder Kariz Kariuki (17-7-2,16 KOs) will punch it out over twelve rounds with Sonni Michael Angelo ((15-7-2, 5 KOs) at the National Convention Center, Canberra, ACT, Australia with WBO Asia Pacific title up for grabs on Friday. (more…)

Gomez, Garcia ready for war!

Not only does Joe Gomez plan to win Saturday night, against rival Four Corners area headliner, Elco Garcia, but he plans to do it in a way no one would guess. “I’m going to bang it out with him,” says Gomez . . . Click here for more by Chris Cozzone

Longtime Durango, Colo. veteran Elco “The Animal” Garcia considered his fight with Joe “Ironman” Gomez, of Bloomfield, N.M., “just another fight.” Until heard about Gomez’s account of a sparring session two years ago . . . Click here for more by Cozzone

A Four Corners area showdown between Elco “The Animal” Garcia (20-7, 9 KOs), of Durango, Colo., and Joe “Ironman” Gomez (16-1-1, 8 KOs), of Bloomfield, N.M., will open up boxing season for the Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio, Colo. They will go ten rounds at 155 lbs on April 25. in the main event of a five-bout card.

Marquez foe named!

The full line-up has been announced for the May 23 “Combinacion Letal” card in Monterrey, Mexico headlining the return of Rafael Marquez and the WBC 122-pound title fight between Jhonny Gonzalez and champ Toshiaki Nishioka.

The co-main is a special ten-round bout at 122 featuring the return of Rafael Marquez (37-5, 33 KOs), who will take on Jose Francisco Mendoza (21-2-2, 17 KOs), of Bogota, Colombia. The fight will be a title eliminator. (more…)

Weights from Chicago!

Antonio Escalante, 122 vs. Gary Stark Jr., 121.5
Daniel Jacobs, 161 vs. Jose Varela, 161
Deontay Wilder, 215 vs. Joseph Rabotte, 264
Ivan Popoca, 142 vs. Sebastien Hamel, 143
Leo Martinez, 133 vs. Oscar De La Cruz, 135
Noe Perez, 127 vs. Ronnie Howell, 126
Ramiro Carrillo, 136 vs. Steve Hall, 132
Enobong Umohette, 230 vs. Theron Johnson, 233
Venue: UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL
Promoter: Golden Boy/8 Count
TV: ESPN2
Tickets: 312-226-5800 or at the door

Get set for ‘DynOmite’ Donatella!

Photo by Chris Cozzone

Swede amateur standout Donatella “DynOmite!” Hultin, now fighting out of Las Vegas under the Infinity Boxing banner, is set to make her pro debut May 9 on the Chad Dawson-Antonio Tarver II card at the Palms.

“We have a potential world champion here,” says Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, who trains Hultin at Johnny Tocco’s Gym. “She’s even at the gym before me-that shows you she wants to learn the game.” Born and raised in Sweden, Hultin began boxing at 13. While Vic Darchinyan was training in Vegas, Hultin was able to go a few rounds with the champ. The sparring was filmed for a promotional trailer. The angle was this: “Darchinyan is so ready for Arce, he’s sparring with a girl.”

Dawson hits new level

Story & photos by Chris Cozzone

If you’ve already beaten someone, if you got to do it again, do it with a knockout.

That’s the goal in mind for “Bad” Chad Dawson when he steps into the ring May 9 at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas. In what will be his HBO debut, Dawson, 27-0 (17 KOs), will be rematching Antonio Tarver, 27-4 (19 KOs) for a pair of light heavyweight belts . . . . Click here for more

Spinks, Latimore make weight!

Photos: David Martin Warr

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Cory Spinks 152.75 vs Deandre Latimore 153.5
(Vacant IBF Junior Middleweight Championship)
Devon Alexander 140 vs Jesus “Chuy” Rodriguez 141
DaVarryl Williamson 225 vs Carl Davis 238
Bermane Stiverne 254 vs Charles Davis 218
Mark De Mori 233 vs Jason Barnett 233
Evans Quinn 224 vs Harvey Jolly 206
Kahramon Arzykulov 117 vs Robert DaLuz 117
Dannie Williams 130 vs Ryan Pederson 132
Sharif Bogere 137 vs Courtney Landis 137
Venue: Scottrade Center, St Louis, Missouri
Promoter: DKPTV: SHOWTIME 11PM ET/PT
Click for quotes obtained today from Cory Spinks, Deandre Latimore, Devon Alexander and Jesus Rodriguez. (more…)

Shumenov targets Erdei!

Light heavyweight sensation Beibut Shumenov, arguably the most ambitious fighter in the world, has targeted WBO champion Zsolt “Firebird” Erdei after his May 9th clash against former IBF super middleweight champion Alejandro “Naco” Berrio, outdoors at Khadjimukan Stadium in Shumenov’s hometown of Chimkent, Kazakhstan. (more…)

Froch, Taylor pix!

These selected photos were taken by award-winning SHOWTIME photographer Tom Casino during a SHOWTIME feature shoot on Wednesday in New York City.

Carl “The Cobra” Froch will emerge from the shadows on Saturday.

Stewart-Santiago at Dover Downs!

By Rick Scharmberg

This Friday marks the return of former junior welterweight contender, and former Contender star Michael “No Joke” Stewart. He will face Luis Alberto Santiago (18-8-2, 11 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA at the Rollins Center inside Dover Downs Hotel and Casino in Dover, DE. Stewart (47-7-2, 23 KOs), of New Castle, DE, looks to return to the form that led him to the top of the IBF rankings where he faced the likes of Ricky Hatton in a title eliminator, and Sharmba Mitchell for the interim IBF light welterweight title in 2004. Stewart and Santiago will be fighting for the WBF intercontinental welterweight title. The promoter is Capital City Promotions. (more…)

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 Showtime’s Nick Charles climbs Through the Ropes. 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 9:00 p.m. ET.

Adams, Kid Diamond headline!

Former world champion Clarence “Bones” Adams (43-6-4, 19 KOs) and title contender Almazbek “Kid Diamond” Raiymkulov (27-2-1, 15 KOs) headline a “Sterling Night of Fights” presented by Sterling Promotions of Las Vegas Friday, June 12, in The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort. Adams meets Anthony Napunyi (14-4, 7 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight co-main event and Raiymkulov faces Joshua Allotey (16-7, 14 KOs) in the other co-main, a 10-round lightweight bout. Also on the six-bout card will be former heavyweight title challenger Charles Shufford (20-8-1, 9 KOs) and undefeated super lightweight Sharif Bogere, super lightweight Renell Griffin (6-0, 3 KOs) and super middleweight Thomas Rittenbaugh. The card June 12 starts at 6:30 p.m. with doors to The Pearl opening at 5:30. Tickets, priced at $25, $50 and $75, are available at The Pearl box office from noon to 7 p.m. daily; by calling The Pearl box office at 702-944-3200.

California Commission Update!

California State Athletic Commission Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas has accepted a position within the Department of Consumer Affairs (which CSAC falls under) in the Department’s Division of Legislative and Policy Review. He will begin May 18. This is a position he sought – he was in no way “terminated,” or removed, or asked to resign from his post. With the departure of Douglas, plus longtime Chief Inspector Dean Lohuis who was fired by Douglas effective April 21, and the state interviewing candidates for the Executive Officer position formerly held by Armando Garcia, there is currently a huge question mark on who will head the regulation of boxing in the Golden State, which the busiest state for boxing.

Goodman joins Square Ring!

One of the sport’s most highly respected executives, Bob Goodman, has agreed to join Square Ring Promotions as Chief Operating Officer, it was announced today by Chief Executive Officer John S. Wirt. Goodman will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y. on June 14, joining his legendary father Murray Goodman as a member. He has been a matchmaker, promoter, publicist and manager over his 50 some odd years in boxing. “We’re very proud to have Bob Goodman on our team,” said Square Ring President Roy Jones, Jr. “He’s a great addition and shows how serious we are about the future of our Company.” Goodman, who will turn 70 on June 8, was the Vice President of Boxing Operations and Public Relations for Don King Productions for many years at his last post. He was also the head at Madison Square Garden Boxing, where they developed many champions, including, James “Buddy” McGirt, Kevin Kelley, “Poison” Junior Jones, Aaron “Superman” Davis, Tom “Boom Boom” Johnson, Tracy Harris Patterson, Lonnie Bradley, Julio Cesar Green and Hector Acero Sanchez. “I’m happy to join Square Ring, headed by such a great champion as Roy,” said Goodman from his home in New Jersey. “This is a great opportunity and challenge for me to do what I love with people I like and respect. I’m excited about being with this young dynamic company and the prospects for the future.”

Heavyweight commitment!

With more boxing shows scheduled in 2009 than any other promoter in California and Nevada, promoter Roy Englebrecht announced today that he will now place at least one heavyweight bout on every show he promotes. “Boxing promoters need to be proactive and do everything they can to resurrect the heavyweight division for our sport, so I have decided to showcase a heavyweight bout on each and every show that we will promote in 2009,” said Englebrecht. “I want every young heavyweight out there to contact my matchmaker Arnold Berber so that we can start scheduling bouts, and with 20 shows in 2009 we can keep a lot of heavyweight boxers busy.” Englebrecht is the promoter of the highly successful Battle In The Ballroom series at the Irvine Marriott, the Worlds Collide series at Buffalo Bill’s Star of the Desert Arena in Primm, Nevada, and the new boxing series at HP Pavilion in San Jose. All 2009 shows are available at www.battleintheballroom.com. Interested heavyweight boxers or trainers can contact Roy Englebrecht Promotion’s Manager of Fighter Relations and Head Matchmaker Arnold Berber at marriottboxing@aol.com.

Quick Quotes: Klitschko-Haye!

By Alex Dombroff
Photos: David Greene

World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (52-3, 46 KOs) and David Haye (22-1, 21 KOs) were in NYC Thursday to discuss their June 20 title bout, which sold 30,000 tickets in the first day of sales in Germany. Once again Haye showed up wearing a shirt that depicted him in the middle of the ring holding up Wladamir’s and Vitali’s decapitated heads.
Haye: I came out from the first bell and I throw bombs. That’s exactly what you’re going to get on June 20th. Just look at the way the tickets have sold, 47,000 in under two days. It’s not because people want to come see Wladamir jab all night long, hell no. I’m healthy, I’m happy, and I’m in my prime. This is my time to shine.
Klitschko: To be honest, I love to perform. That’s why I have so many fights. He’s laughing about my jab. Keep laughing. He will get a pizza face from this jab. I will knock him out in the 12th. I hope and I wish it will be the 12th. I will enjoy the press conference. At the press conference after the fight, I will make you eat your words and your t-shirt.

Blain ready for Peterson!

By Lee Bates
Photos: Universum Box-Promotion

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Willy Blain (20-0,3 KOs) has traveled a long distance from Germany to Puerto Rico where he seeks to win the WBO interim title this Saturday. Blain will take on fellow contender unbeaten Lamont Peterson (26-0, 12 KOs). Fightnews caught up with Blain at his hotel in Puerto Rico. Blain commented on whether he needed to be the aggressor to win this fight, adjusting to the time difference from Germany to Puerto Rico, and making his U.S. debut on HBO. (more…)

Ouma: Past, Present, Future!

Photo: Kurt Freitag

By Marc Lichtenfeld

Former junior middleweight champion Kassim “The Dream” Ouma wants nothing more than to put the past away and look forward. His fight Friday night against Gabriel Rosado in Newark, New Jersey is a step in that direction. Yet he is constantly asked to revisit his past. By now Ouma’s story is well known. He was abducted at 7 years old by rebels in his native Uganda and forced under threat of death to witness and perform unspeakable acts. While his life hasn’t exactly been a fairy tale since defecting to the United States, he won a world title, put siblings through college, supported numerous family members in Africa and brought his mother and son to America. (more…)

Tucker-Thompson on Friday!

By Gary “Digital” Williams

Undefeated Eldersburg, MD light heavyweight prospect Mark “TNT” Tucker will face his most experienced opponent in the Friday, April 24 main event contest at the Shipley Arena in Westminster, MD. Tucker (8-0, seven KO’s) will take on veteran Ross “The Boss” Thompson (27-12-2, 17 KO’s) of Buffalo, NY in an eight-round contest. (more…)