Garcia vs. Judah on February 9

WBC/WBA super lightweight world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia and two-division World Champion Zab “Super” Judah will host a New York City press conference on Saturday to officially announce their February 9 world championship fight at Barclays Center in Brooklyn,
New York, which will be televised live on Showtime. Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, go on sale on Monday,
December 3 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Fight Promoter U IX To Add Extra Day and Extra Show To April Session

Fight Promoter University IX will now be a day longer and will feature two Fight Club OC shows, it was announced today by FPU founder and fight promoter Roy Englebrecht. The one of its kind fight promotions teaching seminar, that has already seen over 150 future fight promoters attend from all over the world, will include an extra teaching day and is set for April 10 – 14, 2013 at the Hilton Orange County Airport in Irvine, California. Plus all students attending FPU IX will get to work not one, but two Fight Club OC shows, featuring boxing, mixed martial arts, and muay thai action. (more…)

Video: Mendoza talks about the WBA’s future

By Gabriel F. Cordero
Video: WBAnews Team

In an exclusive Fightnews.com interview in Panama City, WBA Executive Vice-President, Gilberto J. Mendoza talks about WBA projects and the current state of world boxing. “After the last world convention we are looking to have a solid World Boxing Association organized to be integral to the future of the sport. We want to have more WBA KO drugs access activities and development and we are focused on that,” said Mendoza Jr.

New Burns opponent named

WBO World Lightweight Champion Ricky Burns says he will end the year with a bang against hard-hitting Filipino challenger Jose Ocampo. Scottish hero Burns makes the third defence of his title on promoter Frank Warren’s six-title extravaganza on December 15th at the ExCeL London. Burns is coming off a career best win destroying British rival Kevin Mitchell inside four rounds in September and is now in line for a huge unification showdown with American star Adrien Broner who won the WBC title earlier this month.

First he has to get through the heavy handed Ocampo, ranked number 14 by the WBO, who has stopped 12 out of 17 opponents early and although he has five losses and a draw, he has never been stopped. He replaces the original challenger Liam Walsh who was injured in a car crash two weeks ago forcing him to withdraw from the fight. The 23-year-old Ocampo comes from the Sarangani Province that is governed by Congressman Manny Pacquiao.

Spadafora vs. Egberime on Saturday

On Saturday night at The Harv at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in Chester, WV, undefeated former IBF lightweight champion Paul “The Pittsburgh Kid” Spadafora (46-0-1, 19 KOs) faces reigning WBO Oriental champion and former Olympian Solomon Egberime (22-3-1, 11 KOs). Spadafora, currently world ranked WBA #11, WBC #19, defeated Humberto Toledo in his last bout in August. Egberime, currently world ranked WBO #14, defeated Joel Dela Cruz in his last bout in July. Both fighters need the victory to catapult into world championship positions in 2013. The event is presented by 8-time world champion Roy Jones Jr. in association with TNT Promotions.

The evening also features a rematch of an entertaining back-&-forth battle in July between crowd-pleasing & former #1 world ranked contender Monty Meza-Clay (33-3, 21 KOs) and Emmanuel “El Carnicero” Lucero (26-12-1, 14 KOs) and Youngstown, OH’s Jake “The Bull” Giuriceo (16-1-1, 3 KOs) attempts his next step towards cracking the world rankings vs. former WBO African title challenger “Mr.” Peter Oluoch (11-6-2, 6 KOs). (more…)

“Mid-Cities Mayhem” this Friday

Promoter Dustin Haney of Standing 8 Promotions closes out the year this Friday with a knockout eight-bout “Mid-Cities Mayhem” card at the Hurst Conference Center in Hurst, Texas. The main event showcases local star Jose Rodriguez (6-0, 2 KOs) of Dallas against hard punching Pablo Torres (6-5, 5 KOs) of El Paso by way of Juarez, Mexico in an eight-round battle for the vacant Texas lightweight title. Fighting on the road is nothing new for the veteran Torres, who went ten tough rounds with former WBO bantamweight champion Cruz Carvajal back in October 2011.

“I expect a tough battle!” Rodriguez said when asked about his opponent’s experience. “I am excited for this fight and to fight for the State title. The belt is the same title that my trainer (Hector Pena) held when he was pro. It means a lot to me and I will do everything to get it!” (more…)

Manfredo launches comeback Thursday

Peter Manfredo Jr. has faced every challenge a professional boxer could deal with inside the ring, but there’s nothing that could motivate him more than what he’s facing as he begins his comeback. “I’m fighting for my family,” Manfredo Jr. said Wednesday on the eve of his 10-round super middleweight bout against Pittsburgh veteran Rayco Saunders, scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 at the Twin River Event Center. “When I was on “The Contender” I did it for my family and I’m still doing it for my family,” said the Providence, R.I., icon, who will end his brief retirement in the main of Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports’ “The Pride Is Back” boxing event, appropriately named for Manfredo Jr., “The Pride Of Providence.”

“My father [Peter Manfredo Sr.] thinks I’m doing it for all the wrong reasons, but I’m doing it for the right reasons. Boxing is about taking care of your family, and that’s what I’m doing. This is what I’ve been doing all my life. God gave me a gift and I’m going to use it.” Manfredo Jr. (37-7, 20 KOs) and his father have only worked together briefly in anticipation of Thursday’s bout. (more…)

Rosinsky opponent named

The December 19 bout between Will “Power” Rosinsky (16-2, 9 KOs) and Otis “Triple OG” Griffin (24-10, 10 KOs) has been changed from an eight to a ten round bout. The matchup, which was originally a special feature bout, now serves as the main event of the evening at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. There is a lot at stake for both fighters, with Rosinsky looking to rebound from a loss to Kelly Pavlik on HBO while Griffin hopes to shake off a string of controversial decision defeats.

“I’m glad it’s going to be the main event because that means everybody will be in the building to see the fight,” stated Rosinsky. “This adds additional inspiration to knock out Otis Griffin. December 19 is going to be a great night of boxing and there’s no better place for this fight than the Big Apple!”

Miranda-Alvarez is cancelled

By Dave Spencer / Fightnews Canada

The proposed all-Colombian clash between Edison Miranda and Eleider Alvarez set for December 14th in Montreal has been scratched. Alvarez (10-0 6KO) a former 2008 Olympian has been on the fast-track since turning pro in 2009 and capturing a North American title in just his seventh fight and was eager for the high profile fight with his fellow countryman and former world title challenger.

Apparently Miranda was having issues with his promoter Warriors Boxing and broke training camp. Yvon Michel, promoter for Alvarez, has been doing his best ever since trying to find a suitable opponent for Alvarez. “We’re looking for a substitute and hoping to find somebody by the weekend,” said Michel who thought he had found a suitable opponent last week in #7 ranked Gregory Soszynski. (more…)

Munguia-Pitalua presser

Photos: All Star Boxing

Today at La Chilanguita Restaurant in Mexico City a press conference was held to present the fighters that will be in action in All Star Boxing, “Boxeo TELEMUNDO Ford” show of this Friday, November 30th, 2012 at the Foro Polanco in Mexico City. WBC North American Welterweight Champion Pablo “Sepulturero” Munguia of Mexico City, Mexico (16-3, 12 KOs) will defend his belt against hard punching veteran Antonio Pitalua (53-6-1, 47 KOs) of Monteria, Colombia in a bout scheduled for 12 rounds. Both fighters showed up fit and ready for their anticipated encounter of this Friday.

Also WBO female jr. Welterweight Champion Fernanda “La Camionera” Alegre (14-1-1, 6 KOs) of Buenos Aires, Argentina will defend her world title against Diana “La Leona” Ayala (13-8-3, 8 KOs) of San Pelayo, Colombia in a rematch schedule for 10 rounds. (more…)

Pacman media day

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Fighter of the Decade and superstar Manny Pacquiao wraps his hands during a massive media day turnout Wednesday at the Wildcard Boxing Club as he prepares for the upcoming fourth fight of his historic rivalry against three-division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Zanfer Promotions, Marquez Boxing, Tecate and MGM Grand, 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…)

Cotto-Trout Presser

Photos: Ed Mulholland

Four-time and three-division world champion Miguel Cotto and undefeated WBA super welterweight world champion Austin Trout faced off Wednesday during at the final press conference for their showdown on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Miguel Cotto: “Trout mentioned he’s been all around the world winning but come Saturday night he is facing Miguel Cotto not anyone else.”

Austin Trout: “I’m going to make history Saturday night by being the first to beat Miguel Cotto in New York. The harder the hurdle, the greater the victory.

(more…)

#5 Sod stops Francisco

By Damrong Simakajornboon
Photos: Phisit Juajan

WBC#5/WBO#8 superbantam Sod Kokietgym (60-2-1, 28 KOs) successfully retained his ABCO 122lb title when he stopped ABCO #6 Elmer Francisco (16-16-2, 4 KOs) on Monday at Bungnongkhai in Nongkhai Province, Thailand. The local news reported that both fighters excitingly exchanged punches during a close-affair first two rounds. But in round three, the champion impressively grabbed a victory when he landed a well-timed left hook to Filipino’s jaw, scoring a one-punch KO at 1:29.

In the other co-main event, WBO #5 minifly Paipharob Kokietgym (21-0, 16 KOs) won a unanimous decision over Filipino Roque Lauro to capture the interim ABCO light flyweight title. (more…)

Viloria: Fight with Chocolatito is the Most Lucrative

By Chito Yu Katangkatang
Photos: Big Joe Miranda

Unified WBO and WBA Flyweight Champion Brian Viloria is in Manila to celebrate his recent victory over Hernan Marquez with his countrymen. This scribe caught the soft spoken Champ at the taping of GMA7 sitcom “Bubble Gang” where Viloria was a special guest. In an exclusive interview for Fightnews.com, Viloria shared some of his thoughts on his career next-steps.

With Milan Melindo as his next mandatory challenger for his WBO crown and Roman Gonzales who is moving up to challenge him for his newly acquired WBA belt, this scribe asked him who’s next in line. Viloria calmly told us, “As much as possible, I don’t want to face another Filipino but I worked so hard to get my WBO belt that I cannot imagine giving it away that easy. We will see how things progress about my WBO defense. Right now, the most lucrative fight is against Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzales. Chocolatito is undefeated, has a great KO ratio. It’s the fight that people would love to see. It will be a big big fight in the lower division.” (more…)

Cotto: Trout is just another opponent

Photos: Rich Kane – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy

Four-time and three-division world champion Miguel Cotto (37-3, 30 KOs) participated in a media workout on Monday at Gleason’s Gym in New York in preparation for his clash on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden against undefeated defending champion Austin Trout (25-0, 14 KOs) for the WBA super welterweight world championship.

Miguel Cotto: “I feel great. We had a great camp and I’m ready for 12 rounds. Trout is not the first young, hungry fighter I have faced in my career. We don’t see anything special in this opponent. He is just another opponent. I don’t know what Trout will bring on Saturday night, but I know that I will be ready for him. I trained at a high altitude during this camp and it was great. Everyone will see Miguel Cotto at his best. Fans here in New York have always given me a great reception and I really appreciate it. I will give them what they want to see.” (more…)

Manny Pacquiao workout

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Fighter of the Decade and superstar Manny Pacquiao worked out Tuesday at the Wildcard Boxing Club as he prepares for the upcoming fourth fight of his historic rivalry against three-division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Zanfer Promotions, Marquez Boxing, Tecate and MGM Grand, 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…)

Anderson ready to wage war in Newark

Hard punching Newark welterweight sensation Michael “Slick” Anderson (12-1-1, 10KO’s) is ready to put it all on the line Friday night, December 7th at the Essex County College, in Newark, New Jersey when he swaps punches with Mexico’s Alberto “Bombadero” Salas (12-7, 8KO’s) in the ten round main event of the evening for the WCB regional welterweight title. If that weren’t enough, Matchmaker Renee Aiken and All Out Promotions in association with Global Boxing Promotions have put together an explosive undercard featuring some of the top fighters the east coast has to offer. The co-feature of the evening will feature the return of exciting Jamaica Queens, New York Super featherweight Joselito Collado in an eight round contest. (more…)

Pacquiao-Marquez 4 Undercard (official announcement)

This information has been previously reported by Fightnews.com, but here’s Top Rank’s official announcement which was released today:

The Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez 4 pay-per-view undercard will feature three world championship battles, the professional debut of the gem of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, and a little Snooki on the side.

Promoted by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who will be making his promotional debut, undefeated former World Featherweight Champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, of Cuba, will take on Top-10 contender Michael Farenas, of the Philippines, for the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim super featherweight title; Javier Fortuna of the Dominican Republic will rumble with Snooki-promoted Patrick Hyland of Ireland, in a battle of undefeated contenders, with the WBA interim featherweight title at stake; International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez of Mexico will defend his crown against undefeated Top-Five contender Mercito Gesta of the Philippines; and the highly-decorated Mexican-American amateur sensation and 2012 U.S. Olympian Jose Ramirez, of Avenal, Calif, will be making his professional debut in a four-round lightweight bout. (more…)

Ward-Pavlik a go for January 26

According to multiple sources, WBC/WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward (26-0, 14 KOs) will be back in the ring on January 26 against former middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik (40-2, 34 KOs) in the 10,000+ seat Galen Center on the campus of USC in Los Angeles. The card will also feature the WBC heavyweight eliminator between sluggers Chris Arreola (35-2, 30 KOs) and Bermane Stiverne (22-1-1, 20 KOs) and possibly a defense by IBF super featherweight champion Juan Carlos Salgado (26-1-1, 16 KOs) against Argenis Mendez (20-2, 10 KOs) in a rematch of their controversial fight in September 2011.

Sherrington ready for Suico

Middleweight Les “Lock N Load” Sherrington (29-6, 17 KOs) today has wrapped up training ahead of his WBO Asia pacific title clash against Philippine star Randy Suico (30-7-1, 25 KOs) at the Townsville RSL Stadium in Townsville, Queensland, Australia this Friday night. Sherrington’s trainer Brendon Smith said that the WBF beltholder was looking “very sharp” at their final workout tonight and believes that Sherrington, who is coming off a win over “Yori Boy” Campas, can deliver the great performance that will be required to overcome Randy Suico. This fight will be the second of the year in Sherrington’s hometown of Townsville.

Arce: Donaire will know what hell is like

Photos: Rafael Soto/Zanfer

Multi-division world champion Jorge “Travieso” Arce is confident that he will defeat Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire on Dececember 15 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. “Thanks to those who criticize me and give me up for dead,” said Arce from his training camp in Mexico. “All of them are my main motivators. I will shut their mouths because I’m prepared to defeat Donaire.”

After training for four weeks in Mexico City in the gym of Nacho Beristain, Arce has spent the last three weeks in Los Mochis.

“I know that no one thinks I am going to win this fight,” admits Arce, “but I know that not only can I beat Donaire but that I can win by knockout. I believe that this will be a historical fight for Mexican boxing and Donaire will for the first time have an opponent that comes with everything to win and that after the fight he’ll know what it is to be in hell. I am going to fight my fight and he won’t know what to do. (more…)

Marquez looking for knockout first, friendship later

By Anthony Springer Jr.

For Juan Manuel Marquez, the fourth time is going to have to be the charm. After going 36 rounds with Manny Pacquiao, Marquez has emerged winless. Despite being 0-2-1 against “Pacman,” many fans feel Marquez has been the rightful winner of at least one, if not all three previous bouts. Come December 8, win, lose or draw, a fifth fight may not be in the cards. But let Marquez tell it, the judges won’t be needed. Like the previous bout, he’s training for a finish.

“Everybody knows Manny Pacquiao is a strong fighter,” Marquez said today on a media conference call. “In this fight, I’ve prepared myself for everything.”

Having punched a man in the face for the length of time Marquez and Pacquiao have, Marquez is hopeful the pair will be friends after the gloves are on the shelf. “I’ll sit down with him and I’ll probably start a friendship. After all the rivalries in the ring, like I said before I’m a professional. I’ve got nothing against him. I don’t see why I can’t have a personal relationship.”