Joyi set for title challenge

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s Nkosinathi Joyi will challenge Raul Garcia of Mexico for his IBF mini flyweight belt in South Africa thanks to promoter Branco Milenkovic. Milenkovic of Branco Sports Promotions won the purse bid to promote the fight in South Africa when he pipped Bob Arum of Top Rank with a bid of R1166660. Top Rank put in a bid of R911455. (more…)

DeMarco’s birthday wish

Photo: Main Events Media

Interim WBC lightweight champion Antonio DeMarco (23-1-1, 17KO) spent his 24th birthday with well wishers and members of this team in the gym as he prepares for his biggest challenge to date, current WBC lightweight champion Edwin Valero (26-0, 26 KOs) on February 6th at the Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, MX. “I’ve made my wish and I hope it comes true on February 6th,” DeMarco stated as he blew out the candle regarding his birthday desire on Thursday. The Valero-DeMarco twelve round bout will be for Valero’s full fledged version of the title. It is rumored the bout will be televised by Showtime although no official announcement has been made.

Tom Kaczmarek retires

One of the best and most respected judges that has ever lived in the world of boxing, Tom Kaczmarek, has decided to retire as a judge, but has accepted the appointment by the WBC as the Chairman of the Ring Officials Review Committee. Tom has been married to Agnes Donovan for 55 years and the couple have three children, who are Nancy Budris, Tom Jr. and Mary Jean Coviello. They have 8 grandchildren. In the life of Tom, he has been a Second Lt. Armor in the US Army; a Mayor of Clark, NJ; Councilmen in the same county; Union County Freeholder; Commissioner on the New Jersey Violent Crimes Compensation Board, in all positions where he left an indelible mark of reform, honesty and service to the people. (more…)

Q&A: Denis Boytsov

Photo: UBP/Baering

Denis, 2009 was a successful year for you. Are you satisfied with yourself?

Yes, indeed. I won my three fights, all of them within the distance. I fought against a top 10 boxer with Taras Bidenko. I also secured an Intercontinental title and successfully defended it once. In all the sanctioning bodies I am positioned within the top 10. It’s a good perspective for 2010. I’m hoping to become the #1 rated contender. I would take a shot at a world title at any time. Let’s wait and see. I have trust in my promotor Universum. Mr. Kohl has already made a fantastic job with the Klitschko’s, Chagaev and Dimitrenko. He has a lot of experience with the heavyweight division.

You will start into 2010 this Saturday against Kevin Montiy in Magdeburg/Germany. Will this be the kick-off a successful year?

Yes, definitely. Montiy is 6’5! So much taller than me, but I’m not having any problems with taller opponents. I want to knock him out. I want to climb higher in the rankings so it’s important that I will win clearly.

How difficult was the change from Fritz Sdunek, who had cut down his training, to Arthur Grigorian?

Fritz Sdunek is always in my heart and on my mind. He had called me today although he is on holiday. Arthur is doing the hard work now but Fritz still writes my training plans. I’m looking forward to the future. 2010 will be an incredible year!

Mediator issues order

Judge Daniel Weinstein today issued an order in regard to statements from Top Rank and Manny Pacquiao’s representatives concerning what occurred at the mediation. The full text of the Judge’s statement is as follows. (more…)

Q&A: Roger Bloodworth

Photo: Mike Glabisz

By Przemek Garczarczyk

Roger Bloodworth, the man who stood in Andrew Golota corner when the Polish heavyweight lost inexplicably to Riddick Bowe and Michael Grant must love Poles. Just the day after Christmas, he joined the team of another Polish fighter but this time the one with completely different resume–former WBC light heavyweight champion, and current “Ring Magazine” cruiserweight champion with a big appetite for a heavyweight crown–32-year old Tomasz Adamek. This is what the one of the most respected man in business had to say about this decision. (more…)

Boxing Buzz

WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm is targeting WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik for a May/June unification showdown. Sturm, who hasn’t fought since July, says he is currently at walking around at 191.8 pounds, nearly 32 pounds over the middleweight limit.
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WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck will return on March 13 at the Max Schmeling Hall in Berlin. No opponent named at this point.
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Rumble Time Promotions light heavyweight Kevin Engel has suffered an injury while preparing for his fight on January 15 at the Pageant in The Delmar Loop in St Louis. The show will go on as scheduled.
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WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan is currently visiting Pakistan. The champion, who is of Pakistani descent, stated that he would someday like to box in the country.

Top Rank/FN Español update

Fox Sports en Español and Top Rank announced today the launch of an exciting new boxing series – “Top Rank Live.” The two-hour broadcast will air live on Fox Sports en Español on Saturdays, three times per month, beginning at 10 p.m. ET. The series will debut on Saturday, January 16, 2010, from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. At least one show per month will originate directly from Mexico. (more…)

Weight off Ennis’ shoulders

Junior middleweight contender Derek “Pooh” Ennis (19-2-1, 13 KOs), almost had his boxing career derailed on April 11th when he weighed in over the junior middleweight limit for his USBA title bout in Atlantic City against Ishmail Arvin. When an agreement between parties could not be made, the bout was canceled. It was the second time missing the limit for the rising prospect. The disappointment placed Derek Ennis at crossroads in his career on whether he could be trusted to make the junior middleweight limit in future fights. This all changed in recent months as Ennis has not only made the contracted weight in his last three bouts, but has even weighed in three pounds lighter than the junior middleweight limit. (more…)

Stieglitz-Acosta officials

Jose Rivera (Puerto Rico) will be the referee when WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz defends his belt against #11 ranked Ruben Acosta on Saturday night at the Bördelandhalle in Magdeburg, Germany. Judges will be Manfred Küchler (Germany), Manuel Oliver (Spain) and Eugenia Williams (USA). Supervisor is WBO President Francisco Valcarcel (Puerto Rico).
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Daniel Van de Wiele (Belgium) will be the third man in the ring for the WIBF/WBC/WBO female featherweight title fight between champion Ina Menzer and Ramona Kühne (the WIBF super featherweight champion). Judges are Esa Lehtosaari (Finland), Frank-Michael Maaß (Germany) and Sergio Silvi (Luxembourg). WIBF supervisor is Jürgen Lutz (Germany), WBC supervisor is Edward Pearson (USA), WBO supervisor is Francisco Valcárcel (Puerto Rico).

Karmazin in hot pursuit

By Alexey Sukachev

For the second consecutive time the New Year starts with a (sort of) Russian invasion. In January 2009 two Russian fighters took their parts in WBO title match-ups, opening the pugilistic year in Europe, namely in Magdeburg and Dusseldorf (both Germany). The invasion was anything but successful as both Denis Inkin (the WBO 168lb champion) and Alexander Alexeev (the notorious favorite in his bout versus Victor Ramirez) lost their title bids in decisive fashion, also starting the year of pain and disappointment for boxing fans in Russia.

This time another pair of fighters from the biggest country on the Earth will try to make a different opening of the season in the different place and under different circumstances. What is common in two those events is the fact that Russian pugilists will be presented in TV openers of the year to come. On January 8, the next day after the Christmas in Orthodox tradition, Roman Karmazin will try to make another step in his historical mission of becoming the first ever Russian champion in two weight classes, while promising heavyweight Andrey Fedosov faces the biggest test of his yet short pro career in savvy veteran Lionel Butler. Both fights will be a part of the “Glendale Glory 2”, which will be co-promoted by Art of Boxing Promotions and Bash Boxing with the assistance of M-1 Global and will be aired live by ESPN2. (more…)

Miranda Ready For Karmazin

By Jeremy Roseman

Dionisio “Mr. Knockout” Miranda (20-4-2, 18 KOs) arrived Wednesday afternoon at Los Angeles in anticipation of his IBF title eliminator this Friday with former World Champion and top-ranked middleweight contender Roman “Made in Hell” Karmazin (39-3-1, 25 KOs). The winner will receive a mandatory title shot against IBF middleweight champion Sebastian Sylvester. “Mr. Knockout” graciously granted FightNews an interview to discuss his showdown with Karmazin. (more…)

Arum: The fight’s off

Promoter Bob Arum said Wednesday night that the proposed super fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a no go. Arum stated that Pacquiao wanted the fight, but Mayweather didn’t. Pacquiao will now likely challenge WBA super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman in a bid for a world title in an unprecedented eighth weight class.

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 Andre Berto and Vanes Martirosyan. 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.

Boxing in Milwaukee

By Johnny B’

A full card with eleven scheduled bouts is lined up for Friday evening January 15th at Turner Hall in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Promoters Salomon Becerra & Bob Lynch are making an effort to keep boxing alive in the Dairy State of Wisconsin. Heading the card is Rockford Illinois 21-year-old Bazooka Joe Linenfelser (8-0-1) in the eight round main event against Milwaukee’s Alonzo Scott, a veteran of six bouts, who at 38 will need to draw on his life experience to meet this challenge. Other boxers on the card in four round bouts include, Kendall Gould, Alberto Mercedes and Milwaukee light welterweight Mike Gonzalez (10-7-1). The big boys on the card are heavyweights Enobong Umohette (3-1, 2 KOs) facing warhorse Donald Tucker a veteran of 48 professional contest. For tickets and information, telephone (231) 457-7636.

DeMarco ready for Valero

Photo: Main Events Media

Romulo Quirarte, head trainer and tactician for the careers of such remarkable world champions as Raul “Jibaro” Perez, Juan Jose “Dinamita” Estrada and the legend himself, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., among others, now is in charge of preparing the interim WBC lightweight champion Antonio DeMarco (23-1-1, 17 KOs) for his champion clash against the full-fledged WBC champ Edwin Valero of Venezuela on February 6th in Monterrey, MX. After guiding the southpaw DeMarco of Tijuana, MX, by way of Los Mochis, to the interim world title last October with a win over Jose Alfaro, Quirarte feels that this is the right moment for DeMarco to face his biggest test yet. (more…)

Adamek-Estrada Undercard

Brooklyn’s Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin takes on Ecuador’s Fernando Zuniga in what promises to be an electrifying Super Middleweight semi-final to the highly anticipated matchup between Heavyweights Tomasz Adamek of Jersey City and Jason Estrada of Providence, RI when Main Events’ Brick City Boxing Series returns to Newark’s Prudential Center on Feb. 6th. (more…)

Karmazin-Miranda in Glendale

By Francisco Salazar

Southern California fight fans were treated to exciting action throughout 2009. On Friday night, fight fans will ring in the New Year with another stellar card for their entertainment. Roman Karmazin will take on Dionisio Miranda in a Middleweight eliminator at the Civic Auditorium in Glendale, CA. The fight will headline a “Glendale Glory II” card, presented by Art of Boxing Promotions in association with Bash Boxing. The bouts will also commence the 2010 season series of ESPN’s popular “Friday Night Fights.” This will be the second time Art of Boxing Promotions will present a card in the city of Glendale. Up until June, the city had banned boxing from taking place within its city limits for 62 years. The city council repealed the ban, which has allowed promoter Karhen Harutyunyan to promote shows in his hometown. (more…)

Reynoso-Ambriz collide 1/21

Boxing returns on January 21 at the San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino in Highland, California when Patrick Ortiz of Ringside Tickets presents a card headlined by southpaw Jose ‘El Nino’ Reynoso (9-2-2) taking on undefeated Aris Ambriz (13-0, 8 KOs) for the vacant GBU jr. welterweight Americas championship. Also bantamweight Kaliesha West puts her 11-1-0 record on the line against TBA. Tickets are $30 and $40 available at Ticketmaster and at the San Manuel Box Office. A 21-and-older age requirement to enter the casino is strictly enforced.

Martinez-Burns to purse bid

The WBO has called a purse bid for the mandatory title defense of WBO junior lightweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez against #1 rated Ricky Burns. The purse bid will be held on January 13 at the WBO Headquarters in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The minimum bid is $150,000.

“The Cutting Den”

Former NYSAC Commissioner and former CKP matchmaker Ron Scott Stevens has a new off-Broadway play that will begin running in February 4th at the Soho Theater. The play is called “The Cutting Den” and it is about a Brooklyn barbershop that is fronting for a gambling parlor. One of the main characters is being played by former WBO middleweight champion Doug DeWitt. More info here.

Kassi-Polley January 23

Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, will host another live boxing event on January 23rd. This will be the fourth boxing card Hollywood Casino and promoter Leslie Bonano have brought together since bringing boxing back to Bay St. Louis last summer. The main event will be an eight-rounder between heavyweights “Big Fred” Kassi (14-1, 7 KOs) and Byron Polley (23-10-1, 11 KOs). Also in a heavyweight six-rounder, Bobby O’Bannon (7-2, 7 KOs) will face off with Wes Taylor (7-14). Tickets are $20, $50 and $100. Call 800-229-2683. Must be at least 21 to attend.

M Jones returns against Bruseles

Unbeaten Mike Jones, of Philadelphia, PA, makes the fourth defense of his NABA welterweight title when he faces Henry Bruseles, of Gurabo, Puerto Rico, in the scheduled 10-round main event on February 27 at Bally’s Atlantic City. The Jones-Bruseles fight will be part of a two-hour portion of the show which will be televised live by Fox Sports Espanol, Fox Sports Net (FSN) and its regional sports network affiliates, beginning at 10 p.m. This card, part of the Top Rank Live series on Fox Sports Espanol on Saturdays, three times a month. (more…)

Culcay set for quick return

Only 21 days after his professional debut, 2009 world amateur boxing champion Jack Culcay will return to the ring on Saturday in Magdeburg against Dmitrijus Sidorovicius. “To me it makes no difference who my opponent is,” says the highly regarded jr middleweight. “I’ll take on anybody in the ring.” Southpaw Sidorovicius (24) has won both of his pro fights in the Latvian capital of Riga. Culcay feels well prepared. “The sparring went well. My trainer Michael Timm was satisfied,” he said. Regarding his pro debut against Jindrich Kubin, Culcay stated “I’ve looked my first fight on video. The quickness was okay, I must still work on my defense.” Culcay also wants to pace himself better. “I can’t immediately go full throttle, I need to be a little calmer.”