More on John-Marquez

By Jeff Pamungkas

“After the shocking result of Marquez vs Pacquiao IV, Craig (Craig Christian, trainer) and Angelo (Angelo Hyder, promoter) called me from Australia to discuss the possibility of me against Marquez 2 in Singapore,” John answered this writer when asked about confirmation of this news. “I replied to them, ‘why not?’,” John continued. If everybody agrees, the fight should be in the lightweight division.

Hyder told AFP, “Marquez and his team have always disputed the (2006) decision, even though all three judges gave it to Chris, and so boxing in a neutral place like Singapore could help make the fight happen….we will approach them and try and get the fight because this is unfinished business.”

Groves: I expect to stop Glen Johnson

To date, former world champion Glen Johnson has been stopped only once in 70 fights – by Bernard Hopkins 15 years ago – but former British super middleweight king George Groves (15-0, 12 KOs) hopes to kick-start his charge towards a world title in 2013 by doing an emphatic number on the 43-year-old ‘Road Warrior’ this Saturday at London’s ExCel Arena.

“Clearly Glencoffe knows how to survive, even if he doesn’t come to survive,” said Groves. “Stopping him would make a huge statement. I do expect to stop him but don’t expect him to just fall over.”

Johnson, who has dropped five of his last seven fights, was lured out of retirement for this fight. Word is he’s not being trained by Orlando Cuellar for this bout.

Back to the future of boxing

Book review by Chris Cozzone

Boxing historians are a crusty lot. We praise the past, protest the present and, regarding the future? F’get ’bout it.

Therefore, when the opportunity arose to review a book entitled “The Future of Boxing,” I skipped merrily to the kitchen to sharpen my knives. Future? Yeah, that’s a good one. What, but a suffocating death, could possibly loom on the horizon for a sport sinking deeper and deeper into the muck of an alphabet tar soup? A sport splintered with skeletal champions, whose bones are continually picked apart by promoters? . . . Click here for more

Aussie Boxing Update

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

It was a big weekend of boxing Down Under with fight cards in Brisbane, Southport, and Sydney.

It all started on Friday when Australian super middleweight prospect Bilal Akkaway (5-0, 5 KOs) scored a second round stoppage over over New Zealand’s, Fili Mailata (4-20-1, 2 KOs) in the main event at the Croation Club, Sydney, New South Wales. (more…)

Poll: Yea or Nay on a fifth fight?

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Postfight: Paquiao-Marquez IV

Postfight report by Andreas Hale

It’s almost as if time stopped when Manny Pacquiao lay motionless and face down on the canvas.

Unbelievable.

Seconds earlier in the 6th round, Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs) was shredding through Juan Manuel Marquez and settling into one of those scary rhythms. After being crushed and dropped with a sledgehammer right hand in the 3rd round, the Filipino had gathered himself and began raining down punishment. It appeared that the Mexican was getting ready to wilt; his nose broken and a maniacal Pacquiao coming at him smelling the blood in the water. One problem though, Marquez is as excellent of a counterpuncher as there is in the sport. Pacquiao rushed in with a swarm of punches and left himself wide open to a counter right hand. (more…)

Report from Roswell

Ringside report by David Finger

It can’t be easy to compete with an exciting PPV event like Pacquiao-Marquez 4, but for the roughly 300 boxing fans in Roswell, New Mexico who elected to support the local boxing scene last night, promoter Isidro Castillo made sure that their sacrifice was worth it with one of the best boxing card to hit the state of New Mexico this year.

In the main event, local journeyman John “Smiley” Herrera, 121.4, electrified the crowd with a devastating first round knockout over Amarillo, Texas’ Cristoval Larazolo, 119.8. (more…)

Report/gallery: Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV

Ringside by Andreas Hale and Anthony Springer Jr.
Photos by Chris Cozzone

After three inconclusive but thrilling showdowns, Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs) and Juan Manuel Marquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs) met up one final time to write the final chapter to their epic rivalry. In front of a sold out and electric MGM Grand Garden Arena, both men stepped in the ring with something to prove. Neither man wanted the bout to go to the judges and both proclaimed they were going for the knockout to end all doubts about who the better man was.

The judges wouldn’t be needed. (more…)

Report/gallery: Holm-Prazak

Ringside by Gerardo Martinez
Photos by Jose Leon Castillo

The highlight of the night was not the expected unanimous decision win for Holly “The Preachers Daughter” Holm (32-2-3, 9 KOs), over her undersized opponent Diana Prazak (11-2, 7 KOs), but rather the video played for the close to sellout crowd at the Legends Theater inside Route 66 Casino in the Fresquez Productions card.

That video was a call-out by WBO, WBA, WBA welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus to meet her in July of next year in Las Vegas to determine who is the best pound-for-pound female boxer in the world . . . click here for more

Gamboa camp calls out Adrien Broner

Story by Anthony Springer Jr.

Yuriorkis Gamboa didn’t have much to say after his unanimous decision win over Michael Farenas to claim the WBA Interim Super Featherweight Title, but his promoter, 50 Cent, sure did.

After more than a year off, Gamboa proved that he’s still a solid puncher, but got caught with a left hook that nearly changed the trajectory of the bout in the ninth frame. (more…)

Harrison Wins By First-Round TKO in DC

By Gary “Digital” Williams at ringside

Undefeated DC welterweight Dusty Harrison walked into the ring at the Washington Convention Center with a heavy heart. Earlier in the week, Harrison learned that his uncle passed away, reportedly as the result of a suicide. However, Harrison was extremely focused and scored a first-round TKO over Darrell “Prince” Jones of Jacksonville, FL. Harrison knocked Jones down twice with right hands before the bout was stopped at 2:30 of the round. After the bout, Harrison and his mother, Lynda shared a touching embrace and some tears. Harrison is now 11-0, seven KO’s while Jones is 3-10-1, one KO. (more…)

Seals wins USNBC cruiserweight belt

By Jose E. Santiago

Last night at the sold-out Grand Ball Room just Northeast of Atlanta GA, Sugar Bert Promotion delighted the Georgia boxing fans with a stellar show featuring great matchups leading up to a shocker in the co-main event and a new champion in the main event.

In the main event, cruiserweight Mike “CannonHandz” Seals (14-0 10KO) destroyed former two-time super-middleweight champ Byron Mitchell (29-11-1 22KO). It was evident at the sound of the opening bell that speed would be the obvious difference. As Mitchell prodded forward looking to land, it was Seals who used his brilliant hand speed and power to pick him apart. Half way through the first round, Seals began landing overhand rights at will, wobbling Mitchell numerous times. At the 2:35 mark one last right hand put Mitchell down. Although he was able to beat the count, referee Brian Stutts stopped the fight after seeing that Mitchell was still wobbly and had received an exuberant amount of hard shots. With the victory Seals won the cruiserweight WBC United States (USNBC) belt and continues to move up the world rankings. (more…)

Pacquiao: I am fine

Following his knockout loss to Juan Manuel Márquez, Manny Pacquiao made a precautionary visit to University Medical Center. “Manny was given a CT scan and the results were negative,” said Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s advisor. “We were in an out in just over an hour and Manny was in excellent spirits.” Pacquiao returned to his penthouse suite in THEhotel for a family dinner followed by a viewing of his fourth fight against Marquez. As the DVD played, Pacquiao announced “Spoiler alert. I don’t think you are going to like how this ends!”

Pacquiao then issued the following statement to his fans:

“First and foremost I would like to thank God for keeping Juan Manuel Márquez and me safe during our fight on Saturday night,” said Pacquiao. “I want to congratulate Juan Manuel. I have no excuses. It was a good fight and he deserved the victory. I think boxing fans who watched us were winners too. To all my fans, I would like to thank you for your prayers and assure you that I am fine. I am looking forward to a nice rest and then I will be back to fight. On behalf of Jinkee and our family we would like to wish everyone a joyous Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.”

Marquez: I don’t know what is coming in the future

By Andreas Hale

Manny Pacquiao was immediately taken to the hospital for a ct scan after suffering what appeared to be a concussion. Marquez also was rumored to be concussed and suffered a broken nose but still made it to the press conference after his shocking 6th round knockout over Manny Pacquiao.

“I put this fight with one of my best victories,” Marquez said while refusing to look to commit to another fight. “I don’t know what is coming in the future but I’m going to rest and celebrate with my fans in the future.”

Johnny Lira passes

By Johnny B’

Former world title challenger Johnny Lira, 61, from Chicago, died Saturday afternoon at 3pm at the Illinois Masonic hospital surrounded by family and friends. Details to come regarding the wake or funeral.

Lira also known as ‘World Class Pug’ was a former IBF/USBA Lightweight champion with his 1978 KO of then undefeated (25-0) Andy Ganigan. Lira’s 6th round KO of Ganigan earned him a world title shot at Ernesto Espana who halted Lira in the 9th round of a world title match held in Chicago in 1979. Lira ended his professional boxing career with a 29-6-1 mark (15 KOs). Lira also worked for a short time as a professional boxing judge and trainer.

Leatherwood/Hanshaw win in N.C.

In an eight round light heavyweight main event, combacking former world title challenger Anthony Hanshaw (23-2-1, 14 KOs) easily defeated journeyman William Gill. Scores were 80-72 across the board for Hanshaw. Hanshaw once challenged for the IBO super middleweight world title but came up short having to settle for a draw. However the biggest name he has shared the ring with to date was Roy Jones Jr years back where he lost by decision.

In a six-round featured attraction, Georgia resident Keandre Leatherwood (12-1-1, 8 KOs) beat 48 fight veteran Marcos Primera by way of unanimous decision. The ever improving Leatherwood, promoted by Boxing360, never let Primera in the fight. There were no knockdowns scored but Leatherwood stunned Primera multiple times mixed with completely outboxing him. All three judges scored the bout in favor of Leatherwood 59-53. The event took place at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Joyi wins in the first round

By Ron Jackson

Former IBF minimumweight champion Nkosinathi Joyi came back in style when he stopped Argentina’s Walter Rojas in 2 minutes and 13 seconds of the first round to win the WBA interim mini flyweight belt at the Orient Theatre in East London on Saturday night. The southpaw Joyi, 29, whose record improves to 23-1, 15 KOs suffered his first defeat when he was knocked out in the seventh round by Mario Rodriguez of Mexico on September 1 this year, to lose his IBF belt. The taller Joyi was in control from the first bell before sending Rojas 20-2-1; 18 down with a left hand to the body. The Argentinean managed to beat the count but the referee waved the fight off when his corner threw in the towel. (more…)

Marquez knocks Pacquiao out cold

By Andreas Hale and Anthony Springer at ringside
Photos: Chris Cozzone

The fourth battle in the series between future Hall of Famers Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs) and Juan Manuel Marquez (55-6-1, 39 KOs) was the best on Saturday night before 16,000+ at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Pacman got off to a good start, but Marquez dropped Pacquiao with a booming right hand in round three. Pacquiao came back to drop Marquez in the fifth and had him in trouble at the end of the round. Marquez’ face was a bloody mess as he was punished by Pacman in the sixth but the bout ended suddenly when Marquez caught Manny at the bell with a right hand that laid him out face down motionless! Time was 2:59. At the time of the knockout, Pacquiao was ahead by one point on all three cards.

In his first fight in 15 months, former featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa (22-0, 16 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over gutsy Michael Farenas (34-4-4, 26 KOs) to claim the vacant WBA interim super featherweight title. Gamboa put Farenas on the deck in rounds two and seven. But it wasn’t all one-way traffic as Farenas caught a wild-swinging Gamboa with a left hook in round nine and put him on the canvas. Scores were 117-109, 118-108, 117-108. (more…)

Walters axes Prescott to win WBA feather title

By Robert Coster, reporting ringside from Kingston
Photos: Olivier Monserrat-Robert (FFB)

Big time boxing returned to Jamaica as native son Nicholas “The Axeman” Walters (22-0, 18 KOs) put on a flawless performance in winning the vacant WBA featherweight title with a definitive seventh round TKO over Daulis Prescott (26-2, 19 KOs) of Colombia at the National Indoor Centre in Kingston. Working behind a lashing jab, Walters displayed a very complete array of skills, taking apart his opponent with combination punching to the body and the head, uppercuts and short right crosses. The “Axeman” knocked down his Colombian foe in the fourth and fifth rounds. Prescott, however, fought back bravely and tried to turn the fight into a street brawl. He did catch Walters with some good punches in the sixth round but the young Jamaican refused to fall into the trap and stuck to his fight plan. The end came at 39 seconds of the seventh with Walters catching Prescott with a vicious hook to the liver followed by a short right cross. Prescott fell heavily to the canvas but courageously got up to the count of 9. Referee Rafael Ramos, however, prevented the wobbly Colombian from receiving any more punishment, calling an end to the fight. The victory was all the sweeter for Walters as he became the first Jamaican to win a world title on Jamaican soil. (more…)

Jennings KOs Tupou in 5

By Kurt Wolfheimer at ringside
Photos: Chris Toney / Peltz Boxing

Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Bryant “Bye-Bye” Jennings (16-0, 8 KOs) scored a fifth round KO over Bowie Tupou (22-3, 16 KOs) in a clash for the USBA heavyweight title on Saturday night at Temple University’s McGonigle Hall in Philadelphia. Tupou seemingly floored Jennings with an overhand right in round three, but didn’t get credit for the knockdown. Jennings however settled matters by laying out Tupou with a right uppercut in the fifth to end it. Time was 1:37.

In an upset, Philly super featherweight Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (17-2, 9 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Jerry Belmontes (17-1, 5 KOs). Hunter dropped Belmontes in round two with a left hook and outworked Belmontes the whole way. Scores were 99-90, 97-92, 99-90

photos

Maddalone stops Polley

By Mariano A. Agmi at ringside

Queens brawler Vinny Maddalone (36-8, 27 KOs) was too much for Byron Polley (25-14-1, 11 KOs), knocking down the St. Joseph, MS fighter in rounds one, two and three with huge overhand rights in a heavyweight bout. A final combination dropped Polley for a second time in a round 3, convincing the referee to halt the bout at 1:11 of the round. (more…)

Williams upsets Ramos

2000 Olympic silver medalist Ricardo Williams Jr (21-3, 10 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO over previously unbeaten Luis Ramos Jr (23-1, 10 KOs) in a jr welterweight clash on Saturday night at the Business Expo Center in Anaheim, California. Ramos scored a knockdown against Williams in round two, but suffered cuts over both eyes in round five and the bout was stopped after the round. After the fight Ramos said the cuts were caused by head butts.

Three-time Olympian Rau’shee Warren (2-0, 0 KOs) outpointed David Reyes (2-3-1, 0 KOs) in a four round bantamweight bout. Scores were 40-36, 40-36, 39-37.

Middleweight Jermall Charlo (10-0, 6 KOs) won when Edgar Perez (5-2, 3 KOs) didn’t come out for round five.

Kessler annihilates Magee; regains WBA belt

Mikkel Kessler (46-2, 35 KOs) regained the WBA super middleweight with a third round demolition of reigning titleholder Brian Magee (36-5-1, 25 KOs) on Saturday night at the BOXEN Arena in Herning, Denmark. Kessler dropped Magee with a body shot in round two and after another body shot Magee turned his back and was counted again by referee Luis Pabon. Kessler then floored Magee at the beginning of the third and the carnage was halted. Time was :24. Kessler got a measure of Danish revenge against Magee, who had has previously knocked out Kessler’s countrymen Mads Larsen and Rudy Markussen.

“It feels great to be champion again,” Kessler said. “We planned to go to the body and it worked very well. I am back at the very top, I am ready for everybody out there at super-middleweight.” (more…)

Jonak stays unbeaten; tops Bonsu

Unbeaten jr middleweight Damien Jonak (35-0-1, 21 KOs) of Poland beat up Jackson Bonsu of Belgium (43-6-1, 29 KOs) for 10 rounds in route to a unanimous decision. Jonak established his dominance early in in the fight sending Bonsu to the canvas in round two with a stiff hard left jab. Jackson beat the count easily but the tone was now set of how the fight would go. In round five Jonak put Bonsu down once again with the same left jab. Jackson again beat the count but this time seemed more affected by the punch. Jackson showed a lot of heart but was unable to mount any serious offense throughout the fight as Jonak kept him in defensive mode staggering him several times throughout the bout through to the end. Scores were 99-91, 98-90, 99-91 for Jonak, who is rated WBC #3, WBA #2, WBO #8, IBF #14. The bout took place at Spodek, Katowice, Poland with Andrew Wasilewski (12 Round KnockOut Promotion/Piotr Werner (12 Round KnockOut Promotion) promoting.

Barker batters Hope

Former middleweight title challenger Darren Barker (24-1, 15 KOs) returned 14 months after his defeat against Sergio Martinez with a punishing fourth round TKO over light-punching former Euro titlist Kerry Hope (18-5, 1 KO) on Saturday night at the Olympia in London. Barker dropped Hope with a right hand in round four and Hope’s corner threw in the towel shortly after. Time was 1:05.

IBF #7 welterweight Carson Jones (34-9-3, 24 KOs), who was supposed to be in the main event before his opponent Lee Purdy was injured, instead had to settle for an eight round draw against unheralded Dean Byrne (16-2-1, 6 KOs).

In a clash of unbeaten middleweights, John Ryder (13-0, 8 KOs) stopped Eamonn O’Kane (8-1, 3 KOs) in round eight.

Torres stuns Cusumano

By Kurt Wolfheimer

Friday night at Genetti’s Manor, Chris Coyne’s Northeast Boxing brought an entertaining mix of professional boxing, amateur boxing and kickboxing together in one show for the fight fans of the Dickson City PA. A crowd of one thousand eighty came into in to see the long awaited return of popular Old Forge, PA super Anthony “Peanuts” Cusumano after a three year hiatus. Unfortunately for the local brethren, Anthony Cusumano (3-4-1, 2KO’s) never got on track in the main event as Edgardo Torres (2-1, 2KO’s) dropped him once en-route to a stunning first round stoppage. (more…)

Happy Birthday Bob Arum

Photo: Ed Keenan/Top Rank

Fightnews.com wishes Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum a happy 81st birthday! Bob is spending his big day doing what he does best, promoting a megafight in Las Vegas. The Top Rank CEO has been at the pinnacle of the sport ever since he got into it in 1966 by presenting a world heavyweight championship fight featuring ring legend Muhammad Ali in his promotional debut.

Since then, Top Rank, under Arum’s leadership, has promoted roughly 11,500 fight cards around the globe featuring the following fighters: Oscar De la Hoya, George Foreman, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes, Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, and of course, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.