Weights from Las Vegas

Jessie Vargas 149 vs. Vito Gasparyan 149
Lucky Boy Omotoso 147 vs. Irving Garcia 148
Oscar Gonzalez 125 vs. Raul Hirales 123
Andy Ruiz Jr 256 vs. Elijah McCall 224
Dennis Laurente 146 vs. Kenny Abril 146
Oscar Valdez 126 vs. Corben Page 126.5
Trevor McCumby 174 vs. Eric Watkins 173

Venue: Texas Station Gambling Hall, Las Vegas
TV: Azteca America
Promoter: Top Rank

Heavyweight contender Jennings ready to rumble

By Kurt Wolfheimer

Saturday night at the luxurious 4,500 seat McGonigle Hall at Temple University in Philadelphia PA, fast rising heavyweight Bryant Jennings (15-0, 7 KOs) is set to move one step closer to a world title shot when he defends his USBA heavyweight belt against tough Tongan Bernie Tupou (22-2, 16 KOs) in the main event on the NBC Sports Network “Fight Night” series. Promoter Russell Peltz, Jennings and Tupou spoke to FightNews at the Thursday’s final press conference at the Draught Horse Pub on Temple University’s campus. (more…)

Weights from Kissimmee, Florida

Photos: All Star Boxing

Jose Nieves 118 vs. Glenn Porras 117.4
(Vacant WBO Latino bantamweight title)
Cosme “Chino” Rivera 140.2 vs. Yordenis Ugas 140.4
Danny Pastrana 163.4 vs. Fadoul Louis 165
Miguel Cruz 147 vs. Andrew Jones 144.8
Carlos Lacayo 126 vs. Giovanni Vazquez 126.4
Robert Alfonso 232.4 vs. Robert Murray 262
Marvin Mcgowan 160 vs. Ludovic Tossuant 152

Venue: Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida
TV: Telemundo Main Event Live @ 11:35 PM (ET)
Promoter: All Star Boxing, Inc., “The New Generation” & Felix “Tuto” Zabala, Jr.
Matchmaker: Ruben De Jesus
Time: Doors Open @ 7:30 PM & First Fight 8:30 PM

photos

At the scales in Albuquerque

Weights & photos by Jose Leon Castillo

At Route 66 for tomorrow night’s Fresquez Productions’ “Fire and Ice”:

Holly Holm 138.8 vs Diana Prazak 138
Raymond “Hollewood” Montes 121.8 vs Tony Valdez 116**
** Montes six pounds overweight. Fight will go on though Montes was fined $200 per pound.

Victoria Cisneros 138 vs. Mary McGee 138.8
Matthew Baca 140.8 vs. Derek Perez 144
Jason Sanchez 126 vs. Gene Perez 125.2
Siju Shabazz 173.2 vs. Ricky Villafuerte 175

Joyi returns to action against Rojas

By Ron Jackson

Former IBF mini flyweight champion Nkosinathi Joyi returns to action for the first time since losing his belt in September this year, when he faces Walter Rojas from Argentina at the Orient Theatre in East London on Saturday night. Joyi (22-1, 15 KOs) who fights from the southpaw stance suffered his first defeat when he was knocked out in the seventh round by Mario Rodriguez of Mexico on September 1. The 29-year-old Joyi’s career has stuttered along since he won the IBF belt in March 2010 with a points win over Raul Garcia. He has only had three fights since then, one of which was a three round no contest against Katsunari Takayama. (more…)

Beltran defeats Kim

By Andreas Hale and Anthony Springer at ringside
Photo by Chris Cozzone 

In the evening’s main event, Raymundo Beltran (27-6, 17 KOs) retained his NABF lightweight strap in a back and forth, brawling decision win over Ji-Hoon Kim (24-8, 18 KOs). The judges scored the bout 98-92, 98-92 and 97-94. Both fighters traded knockdowns in round one before Beltran took over.

After representing Puerto Rico in the 2012 Olympics, Felix Verdejo made his professional debut with a unanimous decision victory over Leonardo Chavez in a four round super featherweight bout. Scores were 40-36 (twice) and (39-36).

Rising prospect Jesse Magdaleno (13-0, 9 KOs)continued his winning ways as he earned a unanimous decision victory over Jonathan Arellano (13-2-1) and became the NABO Youth Super Bantamweight champion. Magdaleno scored knockdowns in the 2nd and 6th rounds and cruised to a shutout despite getting nailed with a huge left hook that seemingly rocked the rising prospect in the 3rd round. Nevertheless, Magdaleno’s speed and ability was simply too much as he cruised with scores of 80-70 (twice) and 80-69.

Despite being dropped in the final round, Robert Osiobe (14-5-4, 6 KOs) handed Jesse Roman (14-1-1, 11 KOs) his first career loss by way of a razor thin split decision. The fighters went back and forth for the duration of the bout before Roman floored Osiobe with a right uppercut. The judges scored the contest 76-75, 74-77 and 76-75 for the Las Vegan.

In the night’s first bout, flyweight Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs) continued his winning ways with a one sided drubbing of William Villaueva (10-5-1, 2 KOs) Gradovich scored a knockdown in the sixth frame and blitzed the New Mexico fighter with a flurry of blows in the seventh that forced a halt to the bout. Time of stoppage was 2:03.

WBC 50th anniversary Day 4

Story and photos by Boxing Bob Newman

Day four of the 50th anniversary WBC convention in Cancun, Mexico was a multi-faceted one. After finalizing the heavyweight ratings from the day before, the path through the day wove it’s way through several other presentations, recognitions, and discussions, including the big topic of mandatory defenses.

2008 Olympic Gold medalist and current WBC #3 rated cruiserweight Rakhim Chakhkiev was recognized by president Sulaiman and lobbied for the right to follow the Fragomeni-Branco winner as next challenger to champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.

Former WBC Super Bantamweight champion Oscar Larios presented a plaque to former world bantamweight champion Jose Becerra. (more…)

Elijah McCall: Boxing is what the McCalls do

By Sam Geraci
Photos: JoeyHill.com for HITZ Boxing

At 6’2″ and nearly 230 pounds, twenty-four year-old Elijah McCall (11-1-1, 10 KOs), son of former heavyweight champion Oliver McCall, is a rising prospect with athleticism and dynamic punching power who is looking to make a name for himself on December 7th when he takes on top heavyweight prospect Andy Ruiz, Jr. (16-0, 10 KOs) at the Texas Station in Las Vegas, NV. McCall, a former division-1 defensive end at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, made the transition to professional boxing nearly five years ago after giving his father all he could handle in an impromptu sparring session. Since then, under the guidance of his father and with the training of Nate Jones, a 1996 heavyweight bronze medalist and member of the Mayweather training camp, McCall has risen in the ranks and developed into a legitimate prospect. Before the most important fight of his career, McCall discussed his growth as a fighter, the matchup, his transition to boxing, and his relationship with his father. (more…)

Weights from Fight Club OC

All 14 fighters made weigh on Wednesday afternoon’s official weigh-in at Hooters in Costa Mesa in anticipation of a huge Fight Club OC show tonight at the OC Fairgrounds starting at 7:30pm. Five boxing bouts including three undefeated heavyweights.

Joe Hanks 245 vs Maurenzo Smith 239.4
Alexander Flores 230.2 vs Matt Hicks 235.4
Vincent Thompson 236.4 vs Yohan Banks 266
Steffan Lugo 168.2 vs Lawrence Letuli 168.2
Ozzie Alvarez 171.4 vs Patrick Fitzgerald 173.2
Danny Martinez 130.1 vs Daniel Matinez 130
John Worthy 150.4 vs Javier Alboncia 148
Promoter: Roy Englebrecht Promotions (more…)

Leo Santa Cruz opponent named

Before British superstar Amir “King” Khan makes his ring return against Carlos Molina at the legendary Los Angeles Sports Arena on December 15, IBF bantamweight world champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz will face unbeaten Alberto “Metro” Guevara in a 12-round bout that will air on CBS beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT. U.S. Olympian Joseph “Jo-Jo” Diaz’s bout against an opponent to be named will also be broadcast live on CBS, the first live fight on CBS Television in 15 years. Rounding out the early portion of the fight card will be Olympians Errol Spence and Marcus Browne, who made their pro debuts one month ago on November 9, in separate bouts also against opponents to be named. (more…)

Quien Pinta para la Corona? Final on Saturday

By Gabriel F. Cordero

This Saturday will be the grand finale of the second “Quien Pinta para la Corona?” tournament taking place in the modern Centro Banamex in Mexico City, where future Mexican boxing stars take the first step toward their dream.

The lineup is as follows:

Daniel Evangelista vs Daniel Echeverria (lightweight)
Juan Jose Perez vs Diego Gonzalez (featherweight)
Giovanni Delgado vs Roberto Pucheta (bantamweight)
Josue Portales vs Oscar Trujillo (flyweight)

The event is presented by Promociones del Pueblo and broadcast on Cadena 3.

TD Garden fight card postponed

‘TD Garden Night at the Fights’, set for December 14 in downtown Boston, has been postponed due to Danny O’Connor suffering an injury during a sparring session this week. TD Garden Night at the Fights will now be held on Saturday, January 26, 2013. Fans should note their current tickets will be valid for the alternate date. At the chance fans cannot attend the event on this new date, a refund of the ticket purchase is possible via the point of purchase. To secure a refund, please contact the outlet where you purchased your tickets. Please note requests for a refund must be received by January 15, 2013.

Hunter faces Belmontes with career and reputation on the line

By John DiSanto – Philly Boxing History (.com)
Photos: PhillyBoxingHistory.com

West Philly enigma Eric “Outlaw” Hunter, 16-2, 9 KOs, has been riding his reputation as one of Philly’s best fighters for a long time now. He showed enormous promise both as an amateur (he was an Olympic alternate with a staggering 187-4 record), and as a young professional. However, his pro career has been marred by frequent layoffs and generally soft competition. He’s destroyed many of the boxers he’s faced and looked ready to make his statement as a pro, but then fell terribly short when he stepped up against Luis Franco in a 2010 battle of prospects on Showtime. It was a fight he thought he should have won.

“I took it hard,” Hunter said. “I think I really should have won that fight. But (if) you take fights on short notice and take opponents lightly, that’s what happens.” (more…)

Manfredo-Saunders Full Report/Photo Gallery

Ringside Report by Mark Vaz
Photography By Emily Harney

“The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr, made a successful return to the ring after a year-long absence, the longest of his career, delighting his fans with a clear unanimous decision over a determined Rayco Saunders. Click here

Trupish: Waiting out in Vegas

By Dave Spencer

Undefeated junior-middleweight prospect Adam Trupish is slowly getting things in order, new management, a new trainer and what he hopes will soon be a new contract with a new promoter. But with every new event, comes a period of adjustment for the two-time Olympian including a new training home. “Usually when I go for a run, it’s around 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning, I’m by myself, it’s peaceful. But I’ve never seen anything like this, it’s action packed. It’s different, a change of pace for sure, weird people out walkin’, talkin’, arguing, it’s a different scene to say the least.”

Welcome to Vegas baby!

Except this isn’t the Las Vegas most of us know from get-away vacations or junkets. No late nights at the poker tables. No gorging at all-you-can-eat buffets. No opulent suites overlooking the neon skyline. In fact Trupish found himself in staying a weekly rental when he first arrived and the facility was everything you could ever imagine. “I had the cops come to room two times banging on door,” Trupish tells FightNews explaining the boys in blue should have been at the same brand motel across the street. First order of business? Find a new place to stay. Click here for more

Franjic ready for Contender

By Dave Spencer

If light-heavyweight Steve Franjic (8-0-1 5KO) is going to establish himself as a contender, he is going to have to go through a Contender. Franjic faces Donny McCrary (24-10-2 13KO) of the original Contender series as a late substitute for Akinyemi Laleye, a semi-finalist of the last Contender series, as boxing returns to Edmonton this Friday night. FightNews caught up with the Orangeville Ontario fighter as he touched down in the Alberta Capital in advance of this Friday’s Sudden Impact card to be held at the Shaw Convention Centre and asked him what it would be like headlining for the first time and facing off against a fighter from the original Contender.

“I was a big fan of the show and I remember when it came out. All the guys like (Peter) Manfredo and Sergio Mora and all those guys became big names so it’s definitely cool so I’m looking forward to it.” The memory of McCrary on the show is slightly hazier than some of the others for Franjic as the Midwest fighter was eliminated in his first fight on the series that aired on NBC. “It was a while ago and I think I remember him, the name seems familiar. I’ve watched some tapes of him since and it definitely rings a bell having seen him.” Click here for more

Vinny Maddalone: Still Only a Fight Away

Photo: Ed Mulholland

By Mariano A. Agmi

Heavyweight gatekeeper Vinny Maddalone (35-8, 26 KOs) has always been one fight away from the big-time. As far back as 2004, a 21-1 Maddalone had to get by then undefeated Brian Minto to land a high profile opportunity. Things started off pretty well for the native of Flushing, Queens, as he quickly battered and dropped Minto in round one. However, the Pennsylvanian got up and engaged the Italian-American in a war of attrition for 10 rounds until Minto knocked Maddalone out in the final stanza. 8 years and 21 fights later, the 38-year-old Maddalone has been in the ring with a who’s who of former champions and contenders: Evander Holyfield, Denis Boytsov, Jean Marc Mormeck, Tomas Adamek and most recently, Tyson Fury.

“For the last three 3 fights, it’s like I’m one fight away,” asserts the New Yorker. “I fight Adamek, after that he fights Klitschko. I fight Mormeck, after that, he fights Klitschko. It’s like I have to beat that top 10 guy to get the call. And that’s it, we take these fights on local shows, hopefully win, perform well. It’s up to me to be in shape and ready to go, and just wait for that call.” (more…)

Provodnikov off Jan 25 Turning Stone card

Ruslan Provodnikov will not be fighting on January 25th ESPN2-televised card at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. Former WBO jr. middleweight world champion Sergiy Dzinziruk will now be in the main event. Ruslan has been tapped to fight for the WBO jr. welterweight world title in the first quarter of 2013.

Bailey targets Maidana and Thurman

Photo: Sumio Yamada

Despite being 38 and coming off the loss of his IBF welterweight title belt by decision to Devon Alexander (24-1, 13 KOs), three-time, two division world champion Randall “KO King” Bailey (43-8, 37 KOs) isn’t ready just yet to hang-up his gloves for good. To the contrary, the Floridian is looking for, as he calls it, a few real fights against the likes of fellow sluggers Marcos Rene Maidana or Keith Thurman.

Bailey is open to fighting past and present world champions, top contenders, or leading prospects but, what this feared one-punch threat would really like is a fan-friendly showdown against a straight forward, power puncher.

“World title fights aren’t always the best fights,” he explained. “I want to be in entertaining fights, the ones TV networks want to pay for, and fans love to watch. If I had my choice, right now, it would be against Maidana or Thurman, even (Vyacheslav) Senchenko. They come forward and fight, rather than run around in a boring fight. I don’t really like fighting 12 rounds, so I’d rather not fight guys moving around to just win on points. (more…)

Weights from Cancun, Mexico

Story and photos by Boxing Bob Newman

Wilberth Uicab 116 vs. Oscar Blanquet 111.5
(WBC Continental Americas flyweight title)
George “Monk” Foreman III 237 vs. David Ferraez 223
Humberto Morales 116.6 vs. Juan Kantun 114
(WBC Youth super flyweight title)
Juan Lopez N/A vs. Yaniel Rivera 103.75
(WBC silver strawweight title)
Rodolfo “Rudy” Lopez 135.4 vs. Moises Perez 135.2
More weights…

Tomiyama draws with Otsuka

By Joe Koizumi

It’s a night of upsets. Ex-OPBF super-fly champ Konosuke Tomiyama dropped overmatched opponent Ryuta Otsuka each once in the first two rounds, but hit the deck in round six and was held to an unexpected split draw (75-74 for Tomiyama, 75-75 and 74-74) over eight give-and-take rounds on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. Otsuka was penalized a point for holding the aggressor Tomiyama midway in the second. Despite having gained five points ahead in the first two sessions, the prefight favorite Tomiyama often absorbed his rival’s avenging right crosses and was floored in the sixth canto. Without the penalization Otsuka would have been a winner.

WBC#14 ex-world challenger, light-fly southpaw veteran Takashi Kunishige surprisingly dropped an upset unanimous nod (58-57, 58-56 and 59-56) to Go Ohira over six. (more…)

Manny on life after Marquez

Story by Andreas Hale
Photo by Chris Cozzone 

No matter what happens on Saturday night, Manny Pacquiao doesn’t want to see Juan Manuel Marquez inside of the squared circle ever again. This is the fourth time that Manny Pacquiao has come to Vegas and set his eyes on Marquez. Two times he has left victorious, one time he earned a draw. None of those fights have had a clear victor and Pacquiao looks to silence the critics when they meet on December 8th. But, win or lose, Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach insist that there will not be a Pacquiao-Marquez V or VI or VII or whatever Roman numeral that we have yet to see attached to a fight. In their eyes, after four fights and eight years, it’s time to move on. (more…)

Weights from Las Vegas

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Raymundo Beltran 134 vs. Ji-Hoon Kim 135
Jesse Magdaleno 122 vs. Jonathan Arrellano 122
Mike Maldonado 136.5 vs. Jesus Gutierrez 137
Jesus Garza 129.5 vs. Toka Kahn Clary 128
Evgeny Gradovich 127.5 vs. Willie Villanueva 127.5
Jose Roman 136.5 vs. Robert Osiobe 136.5
Felix Verdejo 130 vs. Leonardo Chavez 128

Venue: Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
TV: ESPN
Promoter: Top Rank

(more…)

Provodnikov returns Jan 25

Boxing returns to the Turning Stone Resort Casino Event Center with ESPN Friday Night Fights on January 25, 2013. In the 12 round main event, Ruslan Provodnikov (22-1, 15 KOs) of Russia defends his WBO jr. welterweight intercontinental title against Jason “El Nino” Pagara (30-2, 19 KOs) of the Philippines. in the co-feature, jr. welterweight Tony “Lightning” Luis (15-0, 7 KOs) of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada faces Miguel “Silky Smooth” Gonzalez (20-3, 15 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio. Promoters plan to announce the undercard at a later date. All bouts are subject to change. Tickets range from $25 to $70. Call the Turning Stone box office at (315) 361-7469 or visit www.Ticketmaster.com.

Gamboa, 50 Cent workout

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Undefeated former world champion Yuriokis Gamboa hits the mitts with artist and promoter Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson during a public workout in the lobby of the MGM Grand for his upcoming WBA Interim Super Featherweight Championship fight against Michael Farenas of the Philippines on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Zanfer Promotions, Márquez Boxing, Tecate, Wonderful Pistachios, Cinemax ‘Banshee,’ Smart Communications, Universal Pictures ‘Django Unchained’ and MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Pacquiao vs Marquez 4 will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay Per View from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 8.

(more…)

Boxing returns to Atlanta

By Jose E. Santiago

On Saturday, December 8, 2012, Sugar Bert Boxing Promotions will introduce itself to the Atlanta sports scene with the first edition of its “Saturday Night Lights Out” series. The professional card will be headlined by Mike “Cannonhandz” Seals in an eight-round WBC cruiserweight title bout at The Grand Ballroom on Jimmy Carter Blvd just outside of Atlanta. (more…)

Newark, NJ boxing card postponed

Due to unforeseen circumstances concerning the main event featuring Michael “Slick” Anderson and Alberto Salas, All Out Promotions has postponed Friday night’s professional boxing card until Friday December 21 in Newark, New Jersey. “We at All Out Promotions are committed to provide great fights and entertainment that is sure to satisfy even the most ardent boxing fan. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we felt that in the best interest of all parties involved and the fans, that the best thing to do would be to postpone the card until Friday, December 21st,” said Chief Operating Officer of All Out Promotions, Renee Aiken.

All tickets purchases for Friday night’s card will be honored for the December 21st show. More information to follow shortly.

WBC “50th” Day Three

Story and photos by Boxing Bob Newman

Day three of the 50th WBC convention resumed with the ratings meeting- promoters, managers, and advisors included. This year, the ratings committee opted to start from the Strawweights and move upward instead of starting at Heavyweight moving downward. Boxings power brokers on hand included, but were not limited to Rodney Berman, Gary Shaw, Sampson Lewkowicz, Ricardo Rizzo (Acquinity Sports & Dream Team), Tom Loeffler (K2 Promotions), Ron Rizzo (DiBella Entertainment), Leon Margules (Warriors Boxing), Chris Ganescu (Gangkor Promotions), Raul Jaimes (Golden Boy), Alex Camponovo (Thompson Boxing) and Philippe Fondu among many others. (more…)

Quick Quotes from Marquez-Pacquiao Final Presser

By Andreas Hale
Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Manny Pacquiao: He needs to prove something and I’m ready for that. I’m hoping for a good fight with more action do people will enjoy it. I will leave no more doubt in the mind of the fans.

Juan Manuel Marquez: This will be another war because I know Manny and Manny know me. I’ve prepared myself very hard because I know it will be a war.

Nacho Beristain: I think the two best pound for pound fighters in the world will face each other Saturday. You’re going to see a sensational fight like the previous three.

Freddie Roach: I love this rivalry. Winning this 4th fight will be the icing on the cake.

(more…)