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…)

Gutknecht confrontational, Braehmer relaxed

Photo: Team Sauerland

Eduard Gutknecht (24-1, 9 KOs) believes that Juergen Braehmer´s (38-2, 30 KOs) time is over. Today the current European Light Heavyweight Champion and his mandatory challenger met for the first time since the announcement of their upcoming clash in Berlin on February 2. The all-German affair will take place at the Max-Schmeling-Halle and the winner will not only be able to call himself the King of Europe but also gets a crack at the WBO World Championship.

It was the Champion himself who had the first word at today´s official press conference and he did not wait long to make his intentions clear. “I wanted to fight him years ago while we were still at Universum,” said Gutknecht. “Back then he was the European as well as the WBO World Champion. He was at the top of the game. But in my opinion he has already peaked a long time ago and his time in the spotlight is over. Of course, he wants another chance to get back to where he was. But I’m the champion now and I won’t give him that chance.” (more…)

Kessler-Magee final press conference

Photo: Team Sauerland

With three days to go until the Nordic Fight Night at Jyske Bank BOXEN in Herning, Mikkel Kessler (45-2, 34 KOs) and WBA Super-Middleweight Champion Brian Magee (36-4-1, 25 KOs) held a crowded final press conference at the venue to talk about Saturday’s showdown. Here is what the two camps had to say.

Mikkel Kessler: “It’s great to be fighting in Herning again. I got two great wins here, against Perdomo and against Froch. The atmosphere is going to be fantastic and I will beat Magee on Saturday. He has knocked out Markussen and Larsen, I have briefly spoken to both of them, but there is not much to say because I know what I have to do. My team has prepared a good plan and we will get the title on Saturday.”

Brian Magee: “It’s good to be in Denmark and I look forward to Saturday. I have a lot of respect for Mikkel, he is a great fighter, but I am here to defend my belt. I am as ready as I have ever been and can’t wait to get it on.” (more…)

Matthysse to defend in the US?

By Gabriel F. Cordero

WBC interim light welterweight world champion Lucas Matthysse (32-2, 30 KOs) could defend his crown in January and possibly in the United States. Initially it was known that Matthysse would defend on December 15 in Argentina and there was also talk of him fighting on the February 9 card featuring Danny Garcia (25-0, 16 KOs) against Zab Judah (42-7, 29 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Now Matthysse might land on the January 19 card topped by Devon Alexander (24-1-0, 13 KOs) and Kell Brook (29-0, 19 KOs) for the IBF welterweight title. Stay tuned…

IBO’s dynamite dozen provides banner 2012

For the 12 men entering December with the IBO-sanctioned world title, it’s already been a very good year. From the mammoth Wladimir Klitschko to the (comparatively) miniature Hekkie Budler, the group combined for six wins in fights in which championships changed hands in 2012, along with 14 successful defenses of either those belts or ones already held as of last Jan. 1.

Klitschko and super middleweight incumbent Thomas Oosthuizen were the busiest of a busy lot, each risking – and ultimately keeping – their championships three times over the year’s initial 11 months. (more…)

Canelo vs. Cotto still on the table

By Rey Colón -The Sport Press

Former three-division world champion Miguel Cotto, who has lost his last two fights against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Austin Trout, today traveled to Mexico with his legal adviser Gaby Peñagarícano where he will attend the WBC Convention that is dedicated Muhammad Ali. He will also meet with Golden Boy Promotions to allegedly finalize a May 4 fight against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the undefeated WBC 154-pound champion. Word is this bout was already agreed upon and both Alvarez and his promoter Oscar de la Hoya believe that Cotto is a much easier opponent than Trout.

Pacquiao workout

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Superstar Manny Pacquiao winds down training with trainer Freddie Roach Tuesday for the upcoming 4th fight of his historic rivalry against four-time world champion 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.

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Trout-Cotto Report/Photo Gallery

Ringside Report: Mariano A. Agmi and Kurt Wolfheimer
Photos: Ed Mulholland

WBA junior middleweight champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout had the breakout performance of his career this past Saturday in front of 13,096 mostly pro-Miguel Cotto fans at Madison Square Garden, giving the Puerto Rican icon his first defeat in eight fights at the Garden. Click here for giant recap and photos galore!

WBC 50th Convention Day 2

By Boxing Bob Newman

Official day two of the 50th annual WBC convention kicked off Tuesday morning in the Gran Arena of the Grand Oasis Hotel in Cancun, Mexico. More awards were the first order of the day as the awards ceremony from Monday evening’s opening banquet went unfinished due to time constraints.

Among the remaining awards handed out was the lifetime achievement award to ratings chairman Frank Quill for his lifetime dedication to the sport of boxing. Former referee Raymundo Solis was also bestowed with an award for his commitment to the sport of boxing. Among surprise boxing guests at last night’s opening banquet was the first ever female Olympic Gold Medal winner, Nicola Adams of Great Britain who is considering a pro career.

The awards table was then turned, so-to-speak, on WBC president Jose Sulaiman. Several personal awards and mementos were presented to the organization’s leader of the past thirty seven years. One such idol was a statue of a boxer presented by World Boxing Cares Stephen Blea and Rocky Marciano Jr., commemorating Sulaiman’s fighting spirit while at the helm of the WBC. Sulaiman also received a letter commemorating the 50th anniversary of the WBC from U.S. president Barack Obama, which was read by Paula McClellan, formerly of the Kentucky commission. (more…)

Pacquiao Grand Arrival

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Superstar Manny Pacquiao makes his “Grand Arrival” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Tuesday for the upcoming 4th fight of his historic rivalry against four-time world champion 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…)

Marquez Grand Arrival

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Four-time world champion Juan Manuel Marquez makes his “Grand Arrival” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Tuesday for the upcoming 4th fight of his historic rivalry against superstar Manny Pacquiao.

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…)

Hanks added to Fight Club OC show

With the addition of undefeated heavyweight contender Joe Hanks to Roy Englebrecht Promotions Fight Club OC show this Thursday, December 6th, boxing history will be made, as the show now will feature three undefeated heavyweights all with 10 or more wins, all on the same card, a first for the sport of boxing in California. Joining 20-0 Joe Hanks who will face 11-3 Maurenzo Smith from Houston, will be Seattle’s 11-0 Vince Thompson vs San Jose’s 5-7 Yohan Banks, and Rowland Heights 10-0 Alexander Flores faces 12-7 Matt Hicks from Las Vegas, all in six round bouts.

“When Joe Deguardia who is Joe Hank’s promoter called me on Thursday asking if I had room on my December 6th card for Joe, as his fight in Albany fall out, I said absolutely,” said Englebrecht. “Joe was becoming a fan favorite at the Battle In The Ballroom shows in 2008 and 2009, so I knew our fans would be glad to see him back in action in the OC.”

This eight bout card will take place in The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event in Costa Mesa, CA, and there is still about 100 tickets available and they can be purchased at www.fightcluboc.com

Full Report: Kameda unifies WBA bantam belts

Report and picture by Masayoshi Yamasaki
Translated by Joe Koizumi

WBA bantamweight champ, Japanese southpaw Koki Kameda (29-1, 17 KOs), 118, unified the belts as he was awarded a split verdict over interim titlist Hugo Ruiz (31-2, 28 KOs), 118, Mexico, over twelve close rounds in Osaka, Japan, on Tuesday. Official tallies were as follows: Michael Lee (Korea) 116-113, Lahcen Oumghar (Netherland) 115-113, both for Kameda, but Stanley Christodoulou (South Africa) had it 117-113 for Ruiz. The referee was Gustavo Padilla (Panama).

Kameda, making his fifth defense, kept circling to maintain his long distance and avoided mixing it up with the taller Mexican until he showed his last surge in the championship rounds.

The much shorter Kameda, in the first round, kept moving side-to-side and Ruiz also carefully probed the champ’s constant mobility. From the second on, Kameda cautiously took his distance, while Ruiz kept patiently stalking the moving target. Whenever Kameda attempted to come close to the interim champ, Ruiz threw so strong counterpunches that Kameda couldn’t recklessly exchange punches with the taller Mexican in the close range. (more…)

#2 Wanheng, #11 Srisaket keep WBC regional titles

By Damrong Simakajornboon
Photos: Petchyindee Boxing Promotion

WBC #2/WBO #3 strawweight Wanheng Menayothin (25-0, 8 KOs) successfully retained his WBC international 105lb title as he outpointed WBC #27 Rolio Golez (14-10,5 KOs) on Monday at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bangkok, Thailand. The local news reported that Wanheng mostly controlled the show with his aggression before he comfortably scored a 119-108, 117-110, 116-111 unanimous decision. Golez was also deducted a point for his continuous rabbit punches in the final round.

In other action, former WBC light flyweight champion Kompayak Porpramook (47-4, 32 KOs) displayed a one-sided attack on Indonesian Johan Wahyudi, forcing the referee to stop the bout at 1:18 of round six. (more…)

WBO Champion of the Decade belt unveiled

The winner of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas this weekend will be awarded an exclusively crafted and elaborately refined rendition of the WBO Championship belt. “This Champion of the Decade belt is a work of art,” Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, WBO President, said. “It’s a magnificent job by Master Craftsmen Ardash Sahaghian and Edward Majian who once more have demonstrated their unsurpassable creativity and originality.” Valcarcel will travel to Las Vegas Wednesday to attend the historic fourth bout between the two great champions and future Hall of Famers,. The belt will be officially unveiled tomorrow during the press conference for Pacquiao-Marquez 4.

New foe for Markussen

Rudy Markussen (37-3, 24 KOs) will face Daniel Regi (16-7, 8 KOs) in his comeback bout on Saturday night at Jyske Bank BOXEN. The Hardhitter was originally scheduled to take on Ferenc Hafner, but the Hungarian pulled out on short notice due to an eye injury. “I am ready to beat whoever steps into the ring with me,” said Markussen. I have a lot to prove. I´ve really had a good preparation, it has been a long one, since the summer, I am feeling really sharp and I´m ready to prove that I can still do it.”

Markussen said he was still upset about losing to Magee in their clash in February. “It´s sad for a boxer to lose like that,” he stated. “It was my dream fight and I still think I could have beaten Magee. I am very sad about how things turned out.” (more…)

Kameda unifies WBA bantam belts

By Joe Koizumi

WBA bantamweight champ, Japanese southpaw Koki Kameda (29-1, 17 KOs), 118, unified the belts as he was awarded a split verdict (116-113, 115-113 and 113-117) over interim titlist Hugo Ruiz (31-2, 28 KOs), 118, Mexico, over twelve rounds in Osaka, Japan, on Tuesday.
(More to come)

Argentinian president announces Martinez fight

It was officially announced last week that WBC Middleweight Champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (50-2-2, 28KOs), who will be presented with his new belt this week at the WBC Convention in Cancun, will defend his title next against England’s undefeated interim WBA Middleweight Champion Martin Murray (25-0-1, 11KOs) in Martinez’ home country of Argentina. In a historic move, the event was announced by the President of Argentina, Cristina Kirchner and will be held on April 27. The bout will be broadcast on HBO’s “World Championship Boxing”.

“I’m privileged and honored to take part in Argentinian history in the announcement of my homecoming fight in my homeland with President Cristina de Kirchner and I want to thank my fans for supporting me throughout my career and I promise to give them a show they will be proud of on April 27,” said Martinez. (more…)

Pacquiao trains with NBA legends

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Turner Sports and HBO Sports are teaming up to present “Charles & Reggie: Toe to Toe with Manny Pacquiao,” televised on TNT on Thursday, Dec. 6. The 30-minute show, airing immediately following the network’s NBA coverage, will feature TNT analysts and NBA Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller spending a day with Manny Pacquiao at the Wildcard Boxing Club in Hollywood, California, where he is training for his upcoming fight. Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KOs) will face archrival Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KOs) for the fourth time in a pay-per-view mega-fight on Saturda from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (more…)

Video: WBC Ali coronation ceremony

Video: Boxing Bob Newman

Fortuna ready for Hyland

Story and photos by Ricardo Conde

Hard-hitting featherweight and WBA #2 ranked contender Javier ‘El Abejon’ Fortuna (20-0, 15 KOs) of the Dominican Republic finishes training camp this week under the watchful eye of trainer Pablo Sarmiento at Extreme Boxing School in Santa Paula, California and is ready to take on Patrick Hyland (27-0, 12 KOs), of Dublin, Ireland, this Saturday December 8th live on HBO Pay-Per-View from the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada in a battle of undefeated fighters for the WBA interim featherweight title on the undercard of the fourth fight between multi-division world champion Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao and four-time world champion Juan Manuel ‘Dinamita’ Marquez.

In his last outing this past July, Fortuna scored a spectacular second round knockout over former IBF featherweight champion Cristobal ‘Lacandon’ Cruz (39-14-3, 23 KOs) of Mexico in Las Vegas, Nevada.

(more…)

Nkosi wins ABU title in first round

By Ron Jackson

Keith Nkosi caused a major upset when knocked out Warren Joubert at 2 minutes 15 seconds of the first round to win the vacant ABU lightweight title Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Monday night. Joubert, who weighed 60.90 kg, came out throwing punches in his normal busy style but the less experienced Nkosi (61.10 kg) weathered the storm and suddenly landed a short right to the jaw that sent Joubert crashing to the canvas. The pre-fight favourite beat the count but a classic uppercut sent him down soon afterwards and referee Tony Nyangiwe counted him out. Joubert’s record dropped to 16-3-4, with 11 knockouts. Nkosi’s improved to 7-1; 5.

In the main supporting bout, former two-time IBF and WBF junior lightweight champion Malcolm Klassen (58.25 kg) outpointed Bongani Mahlangu (58.25 kg) in a scrappy eight-rounder. (more…)

Walters headed to Jamaica

By Robert Coster

Jamaica’s newfound boxing idol and WBA #1 featherweight contender Nicholas “The Axeman” Walters (21-0, 17 KOs) flies today to his homeland from Panama where he has been training to fight Colombian Daulis Prescott (26-1, 19 KOs) for the vacant WBA featherweight title this coming Saturday in the island’s capital city of Kingston. Walters will headline a WBA “KO to Drugs” mega-card with seven fights and four WBA world titles on the line. The card is dubbed “The Wray and Nephew (a main sponsor) Rumble on the JamRocK” and promoted by Premium Boxing Promotions and SportsMax – which televises the event.

Walters, before leaving Panama, stated: “I’m in the best shape of my life. My stamina is great. I’ve been running uphill for weeks. I want to give Jamaica a Christmas gift for its 50th independence birthday by being the first Jamaican to win a world title on our native soil.”

In the other fights that will accompany the Walters-Prescott bout, Alyn Sanchez (Venezuela) battles Ana Maria Villalobos (Mexico) for the WBA interim female jr Bantamweight title; WBA super featherweight champion Kira Malpartida (Peru) defends her title vs Stacy Reile (USA); former Cuban amateur standout Innocente Fiz clashes with Texan Roberto Garcia for the vacant WBA interim jr middleweight crown. There will also be two WBA Fedelatin title fights as former WBA titleholder Ricardo Cordoba of Panama faces Onalvi Sierra (Colombia) in the featherweight class while Peruvian Mauricio Reynoso goes against Mauro Lucero (Mexico) for the 168lb belt.

Kameda to face Ruiz to unify WBA 118lb belts

By Joe Koizumi

WBA bantam champ Koki Kameda (28-1, 17 KOs), a Japanese southpaw, will attempt to unify the WBA belts with interim ruler Hugo Ruiz (31-1, 28 KOs), a Mexican hard-puncher, today (Tuesday) in Osaka, Japan. Kameda easily passed the weigh-in at the 118-pound class limit, but Ruiz was at first a half pound heavier and later shed the small poundage to make the weight also at 118. Both are twenty-six years of age, but Ruiz is some four inches taller than Kameda, the eldest of his brothers, and the Mexican’s reach is three inches longer than the Japanese champ. The referee will be Gustavo Padilla of Panama, while the judges are as follows: Stanley Christodoulou (South Africa), Lahcen Oumgher (Netherland) and Mihael Lee (Korea). The WBA supervisor is Alan Kim (Korea). It may be a competitive affair of the young champions.