Chelo Gonzalez heads to Scotland

World Boxing Organization (WBO) #1 lightweight ranked, Jose “Chelo” Gonzalez (22-0, 17 KOs) traveled today to Scotland, where he will challenge the WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns (35-2, 10 KOs) on May 11 at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow. Gonzalez will make a stopover in New York to go to London and then to Glasgow, where will arrive tomorrow morning.

Klassen to challenge for IBO jr lightweight belt

By Ron Jackson

Former South African featherweight and two-time IBF junior lightweight champion Malcolm Klassen travels to Melbourne, Australia where he will challenge unbeaten Will Tomlinson for the IBO junior lightweight belt on May 16. The 32-year-old Klassen who has a record of 27-5-2 with 14 wins coming inside the distance since joining the professional ranks in May 1999 won the vacant South African featherweight title on August 31, 2005 when he outpointed Edward Mpofu over 12 rounds. (more…)

Mayweather-Guerrero undercard presser quotes

Photos: Mary Ann Owen

The six fighters who will compete on the pay-per-view undercard portion of “MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero” this Saturday from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. participated in their final press conference on Thursday in front of a packed media center at MGM Grand. Daniel “Ponce” De Leon (44-4, 35 KOs) risks his WBC (World Boxing Council) featherweight championship against two-division world champion Abner Mares (25-0-1, 13 KOs), Leo Santa Cruz (23-0-1, 13 KOs) opposes Alexander Munoz (36-4, 28 KOs) in a 10-round bout for the vacant USBA jr featherweight title, and J’Leon Love (15-0, 8 KOs) faces Gabriel Rosado (21-6, 13 KOs) in a 10-round fight for the vacant NABF belt.

Daniel Ponce de Leon: “This is going to be a great fight. I’m very prepared. I’ve fought many times at MGM. Everyone wants to see a battle and that’s what I’m ready for. Don’t miss it.”

Abner Mares: “I want to thank Ponce for this opportunity. You guys know me. I’m ready. I’ll fight anyone as long as we give fans a good fight, I’m with it. I’ve dedicated this fight to my dad, who suffered a stroke a month ago. I’ve trained hard and I’m ready. I actually added something to my training; I call it Mexican judo: ‘ju’ don’t know if I’m going to box and ‘ju’ don’t know if I’m going slug, but ‘ju’ know I’m going to win.” More quotes and photos…

Klitschko 249, Pianeta 240

Photos: Marianne Mueller / Team SES

IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO World Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko and Italian contender Francesco Pianeta stepped on the scales today for their world title clash on Saturday night at the SAPP Arena in Mannhein, Germany. Klitschko weighed 249 lbs. and Pianeta weighed 240 lbs.

In the co-feature, Mike Perez (18-0, 12 KOs) weighed in at 234 for his scheduled ten round bout against Travis Walker (39-9-1, 31 KOs), who weighed 260. The international broadcast starts with Christina Hammer (13-0, 7 KOs) 162.5 lbs against Zita Zatyko (15-0-1, 11KOs) 166.5 in a WBO female super middleweight championship bout.

Hizni Altunkaya 205 vs. Gyuli Bozai 196
Moritz Stahl 169.7 vs. Oleg Fedotovs 169.7

The show will be broadcast live on RTL in Germany, on EPIX in the US, and in more than 150 countries worldwide. photos

Martin Murray, Spencer Oliver Pick Guerrero To Upset Mayweather

By James Slater

Last night on Sky Sports’ weekly Ringside show, three British stars/former champions – in recent world middleweight title challenger Martin Murray, former European super-bantamweight champ Spencer Oliver and upcoming IBF bantamweight title challenger Jamie McDonnell – gave their pre-fight predictions on tomorrow’s big Floyd Mayweather Junior-Robert Guerrero fight in Las Vegas.

And, quite surprisingly, Oliver and Murray pick “The Ghost” to upset “Money May.” (more…)

Boxing journalist killed in Venezuela

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Venezuelan boxing journalist and Fightnews.com friend Jhonny Gonzalez was killed at 1:55AM on Friday morning in Caracas, Venezuela when he went to home after he finished his work during the night at Venezuelan media company Cadena Capriles where he was responsible for boxing news. Jhonny was intercepted by three heavily armed men in other vehicles and was shot three times in an apparent robbery. He died inside his vehicle. Fightnews.com regrets an irreplaceable loss and extends condolences to his family and friends.

Bermane “Bware” Stiverne on Arreola, Klitschko and Mayweather

By Przemek Garczarczyk
Photo: Mary Ann Owen

“My prediction is Guerrero doing what he can, but being stopped in 10, maybe 11 rounds. Mayweather Jr just wears you out and breaks your soul,” says #1 WBC heavyweight contender Bermane Stiverne (23-1, 20 KO) in a Fightnews interview. Stiverne also talks about his last fight against Cris Arreola (35-3, 30 KO) and his upcoming challenge against WBC champion Vitali Klitchko (45-2, 41 KO).

Saying that fight with Cris Arreola was the most important fight of your life, would be an understatement.

It would. For nine years, for one reason or another, I was not on many people’s map. When fans, even boxing people were talking about potential champions, they were not talking about me. Long time of waiting for your moment, your chance. I knew that walking into ring against Cris. I knew, I had to prove to everybody, that I belong in the championship discussion. I knew it long time ago, but I have to show it to everybody. I wanted also to prove that I can be a boxer, not just a knockout artist who is looking for one lucky punch. Funny thing is – I’ve always been a boxer. In training camp, this is how I fight – I like to throw many punches, combinations. I was happy that I could be the same during the fight against Arreola. (more…)

Srisaket captures WBC super flyweight crown

By Damrong Simakajornboon
Photos: Nakornloung Boxing Promotion

WBC#8 and ABCO 115lb champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (19-3-1,18 KOs) impressively captured the WBC superfly crown when he scored an eighth round TKO over the now former champion Yota Sato (26-3-1,13 KOs) on friday at Khonmuangsri Boxing Stadium in Sisaket Province, Thailand.

The WBC ring officials were as follows; Referee: Guido Cavalleri (Italy), Judges: Jesse Reyes (Texas), Jose Juan Guerra (Mexico) and John McKaie (New York). The WBC supervisor was Mr. Alberto Leon (New Mexico). This was an impressive victory of the new Thai hero who exceeded the expectations of the crowd and others except his teamwork “Nakornloung,” as it was his first world title shot against a much more experienced Japanese warrior.

Srisaket started well when he pressured the champion with his aggression, landing more accurate punches and dominating in the opening round. The situation in round two looked so close as Sato, 171cm height, could troubled the 160cm Thai aggressor with his counter-attack tactic. Although the challenger landed more punches but Sato might has gained the score because of his excellent counterpunches. From round three to four, the ABCO champion speeded his aggression to get closer, forcing the Japanese to exchange toe-to-toe. This action belonged to the challenger who took advantage by landing plenty of vicious bodyshots which little by little weakened the 11cm-taller champion. Scoring after round four preferred the Thai challenger, leading on 39-37,39-37,40-36 scorecards. (more…)

Soliman feels vindicated, targets Geale

By Brett Bonetti

Sam Soliman (43-11, 17 KOs) is now pushing for the IBF to confirm his mandatory challenge to current IBF World Middleweight champion Daniel Geale (29-1, 15 KOs). Soliman says he is overwhelmed by news that his B sample drug test is negative. “I have been vindicated, after my reputation has been dragged through the mud by the boxer I defeated and the body responsible for boxing in Germany. The result shows that I am not a drug cheat” Soliman said. Soliman’s legal team have sent paperwork regarding the testing to the IBF as they sought to confirm his right to challenge Geale.

Soliman’s manager David Stanley said the BDB’s ban on Soliman and the change of result would be set aside because of their appeal to that organisation, but anticipated going to a German civil court if that was unsuccessful.

“I have little confidence in the BDB as an independent authority. The BDB’s latest act of desperation is an email advising us that the organisation has placed a nine month ban on Soliman fighting, without a hearing, and before the results of the US testing were in. We will appeal, for the sake of Sam Soliman’s reputation,” Stanley said. (more…)

Boxing Buzz

“Taken care of?” A Queens, N.Y. County District Attorney is disputing Robert Guerrero’s claim that his March 28th arrest and pending gun charges are no longer an issue. The case is still on . . . More

J’Leon Love has moved up to top prospect out of the Mayweather stable and on Saturday, he’ll face his toughest opponent to date in Gabriel Rosado . . . More

Paulie Malignaggi talks Mayweather, Canelo and Guerrero with The Fort Worth Star Telegram: More

Herrera defeats Kim, Gonzalez tops ex-champ Acosta

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (18-3, 7KOs) of Lake Elsinore dominated South Korea’s Ji-Hoon “Volcano” Kim (24-8, 18KOs) in the ten round junior welterweight main event from the Omega Products International. Herrera and Kim went the distance in what was an action packed fight. Herrera boxed and countered the aggressive Kim as judges Max Deluca and Pat Connolly had it 99-91, and Marty Denkin scored it 98-92.

In the lightweight co-main event, Cleveland, Ohio’s Miguel “Silky Smooth” Gonzalez (20-3, 15 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision against former WBA lightweight champion Miguel Acosta (29-6-2, 23 KOs). Good action fight with Gonzalez and Acosta trading knockdowns in going the distance. Gonzalez down in the second round and Acosta was down in the fifth. Judge Marty Denkin scored the bout 96-92, Pat Connolly 95-93 and Max DeLuca had it 97-91, all for Gonzalez. (more…)

Weights from Las Vegas

Photos: Erik Kabik/Retna Images

Antonio Orozco 142 vs. Jose Reynoso 142
Anthony Dirrell 172.5 vs. Don Mouton 167
Carlos Velasquez 126.5 vs. Giorgi Mtchedlishvili 127
Errol Spence 150 vs. Brandon Hoskins 149
Joseph Diaz vs. Eric Gotay 6
Dominic Breazeale 248 vs. Lance Gauch 282
Joet Gonzalez 121.5 vs. Alex Chavez 121

Venue: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: FOX Sports/Fox Deportes

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Weights from Melbourne, Australia

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing
Photos: Werner Kalin

Tim Hunt 152.8 vs Sapetch Sor Sakaorar 152.1

Dwight Ritchie 155.4 vs Kiat Singwangcha 152.7

Andrew Wallace 135.2 Robert Oyan 135.1

Luke Jackson 134.4 vs Baikon Lokromklao 125

Promoter: Adam Wilcock
Venue: Grand Star Hotel Melbourne

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Results from Tijuana

By Felipe Leon
Photos: Renzo Novara

Last night, Mayen Promotions in association with Zanfer presented a special fight card celebrating Mexico’s version of Labor Day. Returning to the new home of Tijuana club fights, the Las Pulgas nightclub, the twelve bout fight card failed to match the quality of the past year and a half offerings promoter Guillermo “Memo” Mayen has been able to put together. Despite of that, the hall was alive with more than twelve hundred fight fans supporting a cast of local fighters as well as some out-of-towners. One of them, Guadalajara, Mexico’s Joselyn Arroyo (13-0, 5KOs) made quick work of the game but over matched Karla “La Diosa” Mora (1-2-1) of Tepic, Mexico, in the second round of a scheduled super flyweight eight.

Arroyo, whose NABF flyweight strap was not in play, took control early as she was able to use superior boxing skills to keep the action from the outside. Mora matched the tall Arroyo’s height but not her record who despite being announced as undefeated at 8-0, a bit research revealed that her actual ledger was nowhere close to that. After a few seconds of the first round, Mora began to shoot her own set of counter punching attack on the straight punches coming from Arroyo. Near the end of the round, Mora was able to score with a hard left hook that got Arroyo’s attention. (more…)

New headliner at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Jose Aguiniga was forced to withdraw from his fight tomorrow night against Francisco Vargas at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas after he was rushed to the hospital this afternoon after collapsing in the gym apparently suffering from severe dehydration. The previously scheduled eight-round welterweight clash between Antonio Orozco and Jose Reynoso has been increased to a ten-round fight and moved up to the main event slot of tomorrow’s card which will be televised by FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes.

In previously announced bouts, Flint, Michigan’s Anthony Dirrell (24-0, 21 KOs) battles Houston’s Don Mouton (11-6-1, 9 KOs) in an eight-round light heavyweight co-feature and 2012 United States Olympians Joseph Diaz Jr. and Errol Spence Jr. return to the ring in a quest to remain perfect as professionals. Dallas’ Spence Jr. (4-0, 3 KOs) faces Brandon Hoskins (16-4-1, 8 KOs) Columbia, Missouri in a six-round junior middleweight bout while Joseph Diaz Jr. (3-0, 1 KO) of South El Monte, Calif. will take on Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico’s Eric Gotay (3-1, 1 KO) in a six-round junior featherweight battle.

In addition, the Cinco de Mayo weekend card will also feature 2012 United States Olympian Dominic Breazeale, Puerto Rico’s undefeated Carlos Velasquez and Los Angeles prospect Joet Gonzalez.

Chelo Gonzalez ready to dethrone Ricky Burns

Photos: Joel Colon/PR Best

A confident Jose “Chelo” Gonzalez, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight #1 ranked, made today his last training in Puerto Rico before his travel to Glasgow for his world title bout against the champion Ricky Burns on May 11, at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, in a Matchroom Boxing presentation.

Gonzalez (22-0, 17 KOs), who is also the WBO Latino champion worked today for the Puerto Rican media and showed his good condition to challenge Burns (35-2, 10 KOs) in his homeland.

“We are in the final stage of my training and I feel very good thanks to God”, Gonzalez, who is going to travel tomorrow to Scotland, said. “We have worked intensely, as always, for my fights, but with the focus in win the title.” (more…)

Sportsbooks would take a huge hit if Mayweather loses against Guerrero

Unbeaten boxing superstar Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. is a -750 favorite to defeat Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Guerrero backers can get +475. “As is the case in many of Mayweather’s recent fights, with him being such a big favorite we see a ton of dog money with bettors looking for the big payout,” said Kevin Bradley, Sportsbook Manager of Bovada.lv. “That’s once again the case this Saturday. The book can take a real hit if Guerrero can pull off the upset paying out at +475 and if he were to win by KO at 7/1, that would essentially ruin what has been a decent year for us in boxing.” (more…)

Hyland headlines May 18 in Poughkeepsie, NY

Irish featherweight contender Patrick “The Punisher” Hyland (27-1, 12 KOs), rated #11 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), faces an opponent to be determined in the eight-round main event on May 18 at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York. The 29-year-old Hyland, who lives in Marlboro, New York, is coming off his first pro loss. Last December in Las Vegas, he lost a 12-round decision to undefeated Javier Fortuna for the vacant Interim WBA featherweight title. (more…)

Weights from Thailand

By Damrong Simakajornboon
Photos : Nakornloung Boxing Promotion

Yota Sato 115 vs. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai 115
(WBC Super Flyweight title)

Nawapol Sor Rungvisai 114.4 vs. Rodel Tejares 113.3
Suriyan Sor Rungvisai 120.5 vs. Jiro Merlin 121.4
Yodchanchai Nakornloung 119.2 vs. Yodpichai Or Kittima 118.8
Kongfah Nakornloung 110 vs. Rungsak Por Siriwimol 110

Venue: Khonmuangsri Boxing Stadium, Sisaket, Thailand
Promoter: Thainchai Pisitwutthinan of Nakornloung Boxing Promotion
Broadcast: Thailand Channel 7, 14:00-17:00 (GMT+7)

More photos…

Felix Sturm Statement

Sam Soliman just announced that his B-sample came back clean. To us, this does not make sense at all. He confessed to drinking an energy drink containing the forbidden stimulant found in the A-sample. Again, they made a confession.

We do not know what they tested the B-sample for in the lab they have chosen. We know that the sample was split and one half is still at the NADA/WADA lab in Cologne, Germany. We are sure that this will confirm the result of the A-sample, if they elect to have it opened. From the beginning, Team Soliman insisted that the substance found was not forbidden by the IBF. But it is. Oxilofrine is regarded as a stimulant and all stimulants are banned by the IBF. Furthermore, both the BDB and the NADA/WADA list Oxilofrine on their list of banned substances.

We therefore believe that their part of the B-sample was not even tested for the substance found in the A-sample. Once again, they have confessed to taking said substance. We believe that the ban by the BDB will be upheld and the bout between Soliman and Felix Sturm will remain a “No Contest”. We also believe that the IBF will honor the BDB’s decision. We are shocked at the way Team Soliman is handling this situation, as we have never seen someone as unfair and unprofessional as they are presenting themselves. This is hurting our sport and should not be accepted.

Mayweather, Guerrero fathers almost go at it

Photos: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. and Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero won’t go at it for three days, but their trainers, who also are their fathers, Floyd Sr. and Ruben Guerrero were ready to throw down during a heated, intense verbal exchange at Wednesday’s press conference in Las Vegas. This time, Ruben was the instigator. Before he even made it to the podium to speak, he was hurling insults at Floyd Jr., who was seated at the dais. Later, it was Floyd Sr.’s turn. After the speaking portion of the press event had concluded, the fighters had already posed for photographs and Floyd Jr. was doing an interview with Showtime when Floyd Sr. approached the stage, screaming at Ruben every step of the way. Floyd Sr. had watched the proceedings from the media section (at Floyd Jr.’s insistence). Once he made it on the stage, the fathers were quickly separated and order was restored.

Ruben Guerrero (On the disagreement and Floyd Sr. not being on the dais): “I’ll hurt him, man. If I hit him one time, I don’t want to be responsible. He opened his mouth first. He opened the can of worms. If he’s going to talk, I’ll do it for real. They should’ve let him hang up here like a real man.”

Floyd Mayweather Sr. (Regarding his son prohibiting him from sitting at the dais): “He knows how I am. He knows I’m the kind of guy I am that I won’t be listening to that B.S. and that I’m gonna attack.”

“The head trainer is always supposed to be up there on the podium. I guess they didn’t want me up there. Why is his daddy up there and I’m down here?” (more…)

Boxing Buzz

Audley Harrison has announced to the British press a “final” retirement. “There are only so many times you can fall before it becomes foolhardy,” he tells The Sun. More

The champ may be gone but memories are strong at “Smokin’” Joe Frazier’s former gym in Phllly. More

Floyd Mayweather’s ex is opening up about the 2010 beating incident. Check out The New York Post or the New York Daily News

ESPN2 “Thursday” Night Fights weights

Photo: Carlos Baeza/Thompson Boxing

Mauricio Herrera 140 vs. Ji-Hoom Kim
Miguel Acosta 135 vs. Miguel Gonzalez
Taras Shelestyuk 151 vs. Brandon Adams 151
Richard Contreras 123 vs. Jose Iniguez 126.5
Joshua Conley 155 vs. Eric Prado 153
Fernando Fuentes 117.5 vs. Christian Lorenzo 117.5
Hector Serrano 144 vs. Michael Peralta 143

Venue: Omega Products in Corona, California
Promoter: Thompson Boxing/Banner Promotions
TV: ESPN2
Ticket prices: $100, $60, $40

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Mayweather-Guerrero presser: Floyd ignores Ruben Guerrero’s taunts

By Karl Freitag
Photos: Mary Ann Owen

The Mayweather-Guerrero press conference was a routine affair until Robert Guerrero’s father/trainer Ruben Guerrero got to the podium.

Ruben Guerrero: I don’t talk s__t man, I back it up. I back it up baby, anytime, anywhere, like I said and we’re going to beat-up that woman beater, the one who beat up his wife, man . . . his wife in front of his kids, you guys like that s__t? You like this guy? A woman beater? He must have learned that from his dad. Woman beater baby, we’re going to beat that woman beater. See how he’s going to like it, he’s going to get it from a real man. We’re going to beat that woman beater down! You guys hear me what I said baby!

Oscar de la Hoya tried to get Guerrero away from the mic.

Oscar: It’s okay, it’s okay.

Ruben: Beat up his wife in front of his kids. That’s bulls__t man! He talked about my son, how he’s a hypocrite, how about him? Woman beater! He beats up women and goes to jail!

Oscar: Thank you very much!

Robert Guerrero: I’m ready. You guys were talking about this is Mayweather’s home, we’re doing a home invasion and like Bob (Santos) said that ‘O’ has got to ‘go.’ Richard here saying ‘records are made to be broken,’ May 4th Floyd Mayweather’s record’s going to get broken. He’s going to have his first loss. You better believe that because I’m ready to go and I can’t wait! I’m excited for this fight, I’ve been working hard to be here and we’re going to get it.

Floyd Mayweather and Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe took the high road and didn’t acknowledge Ruben Guerrero’s tirade.

Floyd Mayweather: Robert Guerrero has obviously done something right to get to this level so at training camp I’m pushing myself to the limit, absolutely. My dad has done a tremendous job, my uncle Roger done a tremendous job, Team Mayweather has done a tremendous job and that’s what it’s about in this sport, matching the best with the best and to go down as a Hall-of-Famer some day you’ve got to fight the best fighters out there and at this particular time, he’s one of the best out there and the only thing I can do is to continue to go out there, rack up victories and be the best I can be and continue to give to you guys excitement and the only thing that I want to do like I said before, is be the best that we can be.

Mayweather’s father/trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. was strangely not on the dias or given a chance to speak, but he got into a heated argument with the Ruben Guerrero after the press conference ended and they had to be separated.

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Livramento Passes Away

By Jose E. Santiago

Fightnews is sad to report that Nathan “Coach Nate” Livramento has passed away after a tough battle with cancer. Livramento is best known for his work as a boxing coach in the New Bedford MA area, training and developing youth from challenging backgrounds. Utilizing his passion for boxing as a vehicle, he was able to mentor countless troubled youth and provided them with positive alternatives. In 2007, Livramento moved to Atlanta GA and continued with his passion in combat sports by training boxers and MMA fighters. In 2011 he was awarded “Georgia Pro Boxing Trainer of the Year”. Establishing countless friendships in the boxing community, his lasting positive impression and infectious smile will not be forgotten by those lives he impacted and helped over the years.

Klitschko-Pianeta public work out

Photos: U. Koch / SES Team

Wladimir Klitschko and Francesco Pianeta held their open work out at the Olympics Training Center in Heidelberg (Germany). Over 800 fans showed up to watch both fighters showing off their boxing skills in preparation for their heavyweight championship fight this Saturday, May 4. IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO and “Ring Magazine” Champion Klitschko and his contender Francesco Pianeta will face off at the SAP arena in Mannheim, Germany.

Remaining tickets for the fight night are available on www.saparena.de and via phone under +49-621-18190-333. photos