PR Best inks Olympian Negron!

Left to right: Rocky Martinez, Jose Lopez, Juan Manuel Lopez, Ivan Calderon and Carlos Negron. Photo: Jose Perez.

By Lee Bates

PR Best Boxing Promotions led by Ivan and Peter Rivera have a busy early schedule as they begin 2009 with a splash in the international market. Already with two world champions in their stable Juan Manuel Lopez and Ivan Calderon, they hope to add two more champions by the end of March. Both Lopez and Calderon are set to defend their world championship early in the year, while Roman “Rocky” Martinez and Jose “Carita” Lopez will challenge for world titles on March 14 and 28 respectably. Ivan Rivera also announced today that they have sign Puerto Rican 2008 Olympian Carlos Negron to a promotional contract. (more…)

Pacquiao backing Khan!

Manny Pacquiao is backing stablemate Amir Khan to beat Marco Antonio Barrera. The Filipino phenomenon, in England to promote his May 2 showdown with Ricky Hatton, has been sparring with Khan at Freddie Roach’s Wildcard Gym in Hollywood . . . Click here for more from Sky Sports

Integrated Sports will distribute a world-class pay-per-view card, headlined by Amir Khan versus “The Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera, Saturday, March 14 live from The M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom . . . Click here for more

Sidorenko-Moreno rematch?

By Alexey Sukachev

According to various sources in both Ukrainian and Panamanian press, reigning WBA bantamweight champion Anselmo ‘Chemito’ Moreno (24-1-1, 8 KOs) of Panama will travel to Germany for the second time in his life to defend his title against its former owner Wladimir Sidorenko (21-1-2, 7 KOs) of Ukraine. The fight is scheduled to take place on May 2 in Bremen. Moreno acquired his belt with an upset unanimous decision over local favorite Sidorenko last May, also in Germany. He has retained his title twice since then, outpointing Filipino Rolly Lunas and Mexican Cecilio Santos. According to Moreno’s representative Robero Grimaldo, the champion has already started his preparation for the upcoming challenge in the gym. He will come to Germany not later than April 26th, confirmed Grimaldo.

Salita returns April 2!

Unbeaten WBA #1 rated jr welterweight Dmitriy Salita (29-0-1, 16 KOs) will return to the ring on April 2 against an opponent to be named at the Aviator Complex in Brooklyn. “I am thrilled to get back in the ring,” he said, “and excited about getting a title shot soon, as I became WBA #1 rated jr. welterwight in the world and a mandatory challenger for the world championship. I am focused on my next assignment on April 2nd. I have already begun my preparations at the training camp in the Poconos. I am in great shape and am working extremely hard to put on a great show on April 2.” Tickets are $50-$150. Call 718-730-4111.

Adamek: I can be heavyweight champ!

“I changed my tactic and began to land body punches that changed the fight,” said IBF cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek after his exciting knockout win over Johnathon Banks on Friday night in Newark, NJ. “ I have a lot of respect for the right hand of Johnathon Banks but my trainer (Andrzej Gmitruk) told me to be patient, not to rush in and my time will come.” Adamek, who moved to cruiserweight after a world title reign in the light heavyweight division, announced after the fight that he may not stay in the 200lb ranks for long. In his live, post-fight interview with ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood, Adamek announced, “Everything is possible in the United States. I believe I can be heavyweight world champion.” Click here to see out Adamek-Banks photo gallery.

Light heavy night in Dresden!

Photos: Eroll Popova

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“Universum Champions Night” returns to the Freiberger Arena in Dresden with five high quality title fights. Fighters appearing on the card took part in a press conference at the “Augustiner an der Frauenkirche.” In the main event, light heavyweight contender Jürgen Brähmer (31-2, 25 KOs) rebounds from his first world title shot against Rachid Kanfouah (29-6, 23 KOs) for the vacant European title. In all, the card will feature four notable light heavyweight bouts, a women’s world title rematch, plus the popular Bedak Brothers. (more…)

St. Paddy’s card in Dorchester!

Promoters Mark Porter and Packy Collins of Celtic Pride Promotions, in association with Mark Vaz Boxing, will present it’s second annual “St Patrick’s Day Boxing Show” at the Dorchester Armory on Saturday, March 14th. The main event will feature Dublin’s Patrick Hyland putting up his undefeated record against Nicaragua’s Carlos Guevara (12-8-1, 9 KOs) in a ten-round bout for the vacant jr lightweight title. Guevara lost a close decision to Orlando Cruz for the IBA title in Puerto Rico last year. (more…)

Cunningham-Braithwaite Update!

A purse bid for an IBF cruiserweight eliminator between Steve Cunningham and Wayne Braithwaite scheduled for tommorrow has been canceled. Don King Productions will promote this fight on April 19. A site is yet to be announced.

Bute-Zuniga first look!

Coming off one of the most controversial victories in years, undefeated Lucian Bute will return to SHOWTIME® to risk his IBF super middleweight crown against hard-hitting Fulgencio Zuniga on a special World Championship edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, March 13 (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) at the Bell Centre in Montreal. (more…)

New foe for Mike Jones!

Hard-hitting Dairo Esalas, a Colombian welterweight living in Miami, FL, replaces the injured Larry Mosley against unbeaten prospect Mike Jones in the scheduled 10-round main event Friday evening, March 6, at the Legendary Blue Horizon, 1314 North Broad Street. Mosley, 29, injured his back sparring Saturday in Los Angeles and will need several weeks to recover. Esalas, 35, who had been training in Miami, jumped at the chance when contacted Sunday evening. (more…)

Ballroom Boxing & TKO team up!

Scott Wagner’s Ballroom Boxing and Chet Koerner’s TKO BOXING Promotions, have teamed up for 2009 to present six world class professional boxing events this year at Baltimore’s Michael’s Eighth Avenue as part of the nationally known “HOMETOWN HEROES TO WORLD CHAMPIONS” series . . . Click here for more

Workouts open to the public!

The fighting pride of York, Pennsylvania, Carney Bowman, will host a public/media workout tomorrow, Tuesday, March 3rd at 5pm in advance of his headlining return to the Valencia Ballroom this Saturday night at the “BATTLE OF YORK 3″.
The open workout will take place at Bowman’s home gym, the Lincolnway Sportcenter, located at 2601 W. Market St. in York . . . Click here for more

Goossen inks Olympian Molina!

Promoter Dan Goossen has inked 2008 United States Olympian junior welterweight Javier Molina to an exclusive promotional contract with his company, Goossen Tutor Promotions, that begins with Molina’s professional debut on March 27th at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE. The 19-year-old Molina joins Olympic teammate Shawn Estrada on the Goossen Tutor roster, which also includes 2004 Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward. Headlining the March 27 card is former WBC heavyweight champion Samuel Peter against Eddie Chambers.

Barrera on historic mission!

The 12-round main event March 14th between 22-year-old lightweight prospect Amir Khan and Hall of Fame bound multiple world champion, “The Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera, shapes up as a potential classic at The M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom . . . Click here for more

Integrated Sports will distribute a world-class pay-per-view card, headlined by Amir Khan versus “The Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera, Saturday, March 14 live from The M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom . . . Click here for more

Alvarado looks to extend streak!

The pride of Denver, undefeated junior welterweight contender Mike Alvarado, returns to the ring on Saturday at the Mile High Event Center, located directly across from Mile High Racing Park in Commerce City, Colorado. The top-15 contender will be taking on crafty Emmanuel Clottey, in a 10-round rumble, headlining an action-packed eight-bout bout. Promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank in association with Delgado Promotions, the Alvarado-Clottey brawl will be televised nationally on Azteca America. Alvarado (24-0, 17 KOs), has knocked out seven of his last eight opponents. (more…)

Pacquiao London Update!

Photos: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Everywhere he goes pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao is surrounded by a swarm of Filipino fans who wave flags, take pictures, ask for autographs and who try to touch their national hero. “I never knew there were so many Filipino fans in London and in Manchester,” said Pacquiao after a very large, friendly crowd of fans surrounded his car when he arrived today at the Philippines Embassy. “I think we are all stunned about the number of Filipino fans here and their love for Manny,” said Bob Arum. “He really is a superstar, the national treasure of the Philippines.” (more…)

Vazquez Jr. tops Beranza!

Unbeaten jr featherweight prospect Wilfredo “WV2″ Vazquez, Jr. (15-0-1, 12 KOs) defended his WBO Latin and WBA Fedcentro titles against former WBC Continental Americas Champion Jose “Pepe” Beranza (31-15-2, 25 KOs) via twelve round unanimous decision on Friday night at the Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida. Scores were 118-109, 119-108, 120-107.

Brähmer-Kanfouah presser!

Photo: Eroll Popova

Light heavyweight contender Jürgen Brähmer (31-2, 25 KOs) and French champion Rachid Kanfouah (29-6, 23 KOs) faced off today at a press conference in Dresden, Germany,  in advance of Saturday’s showdown for the vacant European championship. Brähmer, who is returning less than three months from a decision loss in a world title shot, stated, “My goal remains: I want to become the next German world champion. The Euro title is a big step on the way!”  (More to come)

Hide: Nothing but Trouble!

Photo: ARENA Box-Promotion

Herbie Hide’s upcoming fight with Sandro Siproshvili in Cuxhaven on Friday wasn’t the only thing on Herbie Hide’s mind at the press conference today. The former two-time WBO heavyweight champion is also celebrating the release of his autobiography. The book, aptly titled “Nothing But Trouble” tells the story of his upbringing in Norwich and his time in boarding schools in Norfolk after arriving in England at the age of ten, before detailing his roller coaster boxing career and his numerous escapades outside of the ring. “My book tells it like it is,” says Herbie. “Lots of people bring out a book, but nobody has a story like mine. I’m the original bad boy. Everything is in there. You’ll laugh and cry when you read it. I’ve been through so much in my 37 years and my life really has been nothing but trouble, as the title says. But I haven’t finished yet because now I’m going to beat Siproshvili and then go on to be world champion for a third time.”

Arnaoutis, Ortiz battle it out!

On March 7th Star Boxing’s world rated light welterweight contender, The Pride of Greece, “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (21-2- 2,10KO) will meet ESPN.com’s 2008 prospect of the year “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (23-1- 1,18KO) in a 12 round light welterweight championship. The Arnaoutis vs. Ortiz battle will be part of that evening’s live triple header on HBO and will take place at The Tank in San Jose, CA. At stake will be both the USBA light welterweight title, held by Arnaoutis and the NABO light welterweight title, which is held by Ortiz . . . Click here for more

BWAA names Liebling awards

Leonard Gardner, Larry Merchant, and the late John Lardner have been named by the Boxing Writers Association of America as winners of the A.J. Liebling Awards. Bestowed since 1995 by the BWAA, the award honors the elegant New Yorker stylist, who chronicled the sport for decades and whose work was subsequently collected in the timeless boxing books The Sweet Science and A Neutral Corner. The Liebling Awards will be presented at the BWAA’s annual dinner in New York on June 12th.

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Rodriguez takes on Alvarez

On March 6th, Delvin Rodriguez (23-2-2, 14KO) will look to defend his USBA welterweight championship, and earn the number two ranking in the IBF world ratings when he takes on highly touted welterweight contender Shamone “The Truth” Alvarez (20- 1, 11KO). The bout will take place at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, CT and be broadcast live as that evening’s ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” main event. . . . Click here for more

Johnson wants Dawson now!

Friday night at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, former world light heavyweight champion Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson finally got his chance to put his controversial 2003 draw with Daniel Judah to rest, and he made the most of his opportunity, scoring a near shutout ten round decision over his opponent in the main event of ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. “It was great to get this victory and right a wrong from six years ago,” said Johnson, who improved to 49-12-2 (33 KOs) with the 99-90, 99-90, 99-89 win that included a first round knockdown of Judah. “Now I’m moving on to right one of the other wrongs of my career, the decision that was taken away from me against Chad Dawson.” (more…)

Froch-Taylor unraveling?

Is the camp of WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch may be having second thoughts about facing ex-middleweight champion Jermain Taylor? The Taylor camp has announced that Taylor will fight Froch on April 25 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is already onboard to televise the clash. The Froch camp, however, has denied that a deal is done. Froch had previously publicly called out Taylor and proclaimed that “they will need to drag Taylor to the ring kicking and screaming because I don’t think he wants any part of me,” and offered to come to the U.S. to fight him. Taylor warned over the weekend, “Froch has been running his mouth a lot, now it’s time to shut him up!” Stay tuned…