"Many champions have passed through. Ricardo Torres, who is a great Colombian fighter, has passed through here and used this gym as well. This is a place where great fighters are made."

The body of the Serbia-born Austrian boxer was found around 6 a.m. on the sidewalk in front of the pub in a southern Vienna district, police said.

Secovic won the WAA super middleweight world title in 1988 and added a European title in the same category a year later. He was Austria's most successful boxer — winning 30 of his 40 professional fights before retiring in 2002.

Nicknamed the "Serbian Bull," Secovic was Serbia's junior champion before moving to Austria to start a professional career in 1980.

He won the 1983 Austrian middleweight title and became world champion five years later after beating Bryan Grant of the United States in a first-round knockout.

After retiring, Secovic worked as a boxing coach and opened The Champ's Pub in Vienna. The fight started inside this pub Tuesday and continued outside, police said. Secovic was stabbed four times in the chest and neck, with several witnesses reporting they saw two men fighting.

Police found a knife and later arrested a 26-year-old Russian national who had blood on his clothes. The man said he had been inside the pub but could not remember what happened, police said.

Secovic is survived by his wife, Mira, and their three children, Bernhard, Emir and Anita.

Jabir Herbert Muhammad the longtime manager Muhammad Ali died monday aged 79 following heart surgery.

Jabir managed Ali's boxing career from 1966 until 1991 and went on to a career in business. A Muslim prayer service will be held Wednesday with a memorial service planned for Saturday.

Golden Boy Vice President Eric Gomez yesterday told reporters that Paul "The Punisher" Williams is one of the possible opponents for Oscar De La Hoya's last bout if the matchup with Manny Pcquiao isnt resolved.

"Paul Williams name has come up and we’re definitely thinking of a match between him and Oscar, He’s definitely an alternative. If Sergio Mora wins [against Vernon Forrest on September 13] he’s another possibility."

Williams promoter Dan Goosen is understandably angling for a De La Hoya-Williams meeting.

ROGER BLOODWORTH (Head Trainer and Camp Chef - Joel Casamayor)

"This camp has been a little bit different for Joel.  He is a little more intense and focused than past camps.  He's been a pro for a long time, so he trains the same way every time, but this camp he is more dedicated, more intense and training really hard for Marquez. Joel has fought guys that were as good and well-proven as Marquez in the past.  Marquez is a great fighter, but so is Joel.  He is preparing like he normally does against a great fighter.  He doesn't get nervous or over excited or anxious, it's just a fight for him.  This is his job and he is doing what he has to do to be prepared for September 13th. The trick is to eat, but not over eat, so you have to control portions.  Joel eats very well, three maybe four times a day (and if I'm not looking maybe five the trainer said with a wink).  I don't believe in starving fighters.  I started cooking at training camp because it was cheaper for me to cook than to hire a chef.  I don't cook really fancy…I just cook simple meals that are healthy.  Joel really likes chicken, salmon, steamed vegetables and once in a while I make pasta, but I only use whole wheat or brown rice pasta.  We don't eat any junk food, just a clean diet because he has to burn more calories than he takes in."

 "We've been watching films and Marquez is an excellent fighter.  I think its going to be a great fight.  Joel's weight is good, training is good, but we don't want to be on weight too soon, because I like to have my fighters be able to eat right up until the time of the weigh in and bring them down slowly."

IGNACIO "NACHO" BERISTAIN (Head Trainer - Juan Manuel Marquez)

"We have been working really hard in the gym.  Juan has been lifting more weights to focus on gaining strength and muscle.  We have changed his diet as well.  He has been eating more carbohydrates to gain the extra weight.  Moving up in weight is a very difficult process for Juan because he is a natural 126 pound fighter and normally fights at 130 pounds, so he is going up even more.  The weight is definitely an advantage for Casamayor because after the weigh-in, Juan will not gain that much weight.  He will probably fight around 142 pounds at the most and Casamayor will definitely go up more than that."

"We have a different relationship than I have with my other fighters…it is more than just fighter and trainer.  He is more than just my fighter; Juan is one of my best friends.  My job is to prevent mistakes for Juan, so I am being very careful with his diet and his training to make sure he is 100 percent ready so that nothing will go wrong on September 13th."

Super Middleweight King Joe Calzaghe was yesterday asked how he would fair against he best the UK had to offer in a prime Chris Eubanks, Nigel Benn, Steve Collins and Herrol Graham.

"I honestly think I faced a lot more dangerous Chris Eubank, than the Eubank who fought Dan Sherry or [Ray] Close, Calzaghe told setantasports.com. Why? Because Eubank wasn't motivated. Eubank was dangerous when he fought Watson and dangerous when he fought Benn. When he was the underdog when his back was against the wall he was a different animal. When I fought him that time, people talk about him having problems making super middleweight but I've lost 14 pounds in a week to make the weight. We've all done that. He was a dangerous fighter, he gave me one hell of a fight, but people didn't give me the credit, they gave him the credit for coming back.

"That was my first 12 round fight. I'd done eight rounds twice and knocked everyone else out inside three, so on that aspect I don't think much would have been different if I'd fought Eubank [at his peak]. Don't forget I'm a lot better fighter now when I fought Eubank."

As for Benn and Collins, the Pride of Wales believes neither would have been able to deal with the speed coming at them from a southpaw stance. If I fought Benn, obviously he was a dangerous puncher but I think he'd have had a nightmare with my style," Calzaghe said. "The same with Collins. It would have been a difficult fight, but I'd have beat him. I'd have beat them all. Herol Graham was awkward, Calzaghe admitted. He'd probably have been the most awkward of all of them.

"At the end of the day, when push came to shove he lost and that's the difference between a great champion, to have your back against the wall and find a way to win. Maybe I'd have had a difficult time but I would have found a way to win."

NATE CAMPBELL:

”Guzman doesn’t know what is going to happen to him,” says Campbell. “He has no idea where I'm taking him on Sept. 13th. I love it when they feed me these guys with these big fat shiny "0's" in their records. Everyone thinks they are gods because they are undefeated. All being undefeated means is that you haven't fought anybody yet, or you’ve never had to deal with any adversity in or out of the ring ... I'm collecting all these ‘0's’, and changing them to ‘Nate's.’ Kid Diamond is 26 and Nate. Juan Diaz is 33 and Nate. And on Sept 13, Joan Guzman will be 28 and Nate. I fought too long and too hard to let anyone take these titles from me, especially Guzman. He just doesn’t know what he is in for."

JOAN GUZMAN:

“Campbell loves to talk. He likes to run his mouth about anything. He can say whatever he wants because it doesn’t change the fact that I will make him look foolish on Sept. 13 … Watching film and actually fighting me are two completely different things. If you thought I was fast and skilled on tape, wait until you try to hit me inside the ring. I’m a blur. It won’t happen.”

According to John Wirt, CEO of Square Ring."Tickets are selling like hot cakes and I would advise all the Calzaghe and Jones fans out there to buy soon if they don't want to pay a ticket broker a huge premium down the road".

Ringside seats at the box office are at $1,500, but are likely to increase tenfold as the celebrity fans join the entourages of two of the world's most celebrated fighters.

Despite reports and confirmations that Manny Pacquiao has called off the proposed December clash against Oscar de la Hoya, the Filipino ring icon's coach and trainer has insisted that his ward "is too much" for the Golden Boy at this time.

"Pacquiao’s style and the in-and-out motion and his speed is, I think, too much for Oscar at this time," Roach told 15rounds.com's Mario Ortega Jr.

Roach said that the de la Hoya now is not the boxer he trained before. "He is not what he once was. He has trouble pulling the trigger. He (de la Hoya) does have trouble with southpaws, which has nothing really to do with when I was training him."

With regard to de la Hoya's advantage in height and weight, Roach said he does not see this as a problem.

"On fight night, Oscar would outweigh Manny by about ten pounds. That doesn’t bother me whatsoever. Oscar has one advantage, his size, but Manny has speed, power, endurance and youth," he said.

Amir Khan has reiterated his desire to take on Ricky Hatton in an all-British super-fight.

The 21-year-old is currently preparing for next month's lightweight bout with Colombian Breidis Prescott in Manchester.

But he has already set his sights on a step up to light welterweight next year - which would bring with it the possibility of a fight with the 'Hitman'.

When asked whether he would like to take on Hatton, Khan told Sky Sports News: "Definitely. In 12 months' time I want to move up a weight, and that's definitely a fight of the future the British public want to see.

"I'd love the fight myself. Ricky's a great champion, he's done it the hard way and it would be great to share the same ring as him and put a great fight on for the British fans."

Joe Calzaghe yesterday admitted that he is gutted no to finish his career in Cardiff.

In recent years Calzaghe has often said he wanted to end his career with a big-money fight at the Millennium Stadium. But, after promising to retire following his bout with Jones, New York’s Madison Square Garden will now host what appears to be the final chapter in his illustrious career.

“It’s a big shame I couldn’t fight in Cardiff and, to be honest, my first choice would have been to fight at the Millennium Stadium,” he admitted.

“I’ve got so many good memories of fighting in Cardiff and some of the best nights of my career were at the CIA. But the powers-that-be want me to fight in America. HBO weren’t happy about running a pay-per-view show from outside the States and you have to go with what they say. My second choice was Madison Square Garden. But I probably would have made more money in Las Vegas. At least for the fans, it’s a lot easier, cheaper and quicker to get to New York. So hopefully they will see it as a good compromise. I wish I could have fought at the Millennium Stadium for them but that’s just the way it is. I’m just hoping they will come out like they did in Vegas. I’m confident the fans will come to Madison Square Garden. New York is a lot closer than Vegas and I’m sure there is plenty of Christmas shopping to be done after I kick Roy Jones’ butt!”

Joel Julio (34-1, 31 KOs) made a promise before the bout to knock out Jose Varela (23-4, 16 KOs) . Last night he made right his promise as he scored a brutal sixth round TKO on Wednesday night at the Seminole Hard Rock LIVE Arena in Hollywood, Florida.

Julio dropped the six-foot+ Varela six times throughout the six rounds but each time Varela showed great heart by getting from the canvas untill the six where the bout was then stopped by referee Telis Assimenios.

Joe Greene (20-0, 14 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Jose Miguel Torres (20-4, 18 KOs).

Jesus Pabon (13-1, 8 KOs) scored a sixth round unanimous decision over Bulmaro Solis (11-2, 11 KOs) scores were 59-54, 58-55, 58-55.

Kenny Galarza moved to 7-0 with 7 KOs) with a second round demolition of Devarise Crayton (4-5). Time was 2:57.

Jeremy Bryan (5-0, 2 KOs) scored a four round unanimous decision over Chris Hill (4-17-2, 2 KOs). Scores were 40-36, 40-35, 40-36.

TopClassBoxing is sad to report former junior middleweight contender Rhoshii Wells was killed on Monday while walking his son through a tough neighborhood in Las Vegas.

Wells was gunned down after an altercation with a man broke out that left Wells with a gunshot wound to the torso. Wells was transported to University Medical Centre where he later died from his injuries. His son was unhurt.

You may remember Wells for being a Bronze medallist at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

Our thoughts and prays go out to the family and the six children he left behind.

R.I.P - 30-12-1976 - RHOSHII WELLS - 11-08-08

Jr. middleweight contender Joel Julio promises to knock out Jose Varela on Wednesday when the two headline a “Heavy Hitters” fight card live from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL.

“I promise this will be a knockout on Wednesday night.”

The fight between Ricardo Mayorga and Shane Mosely is set for September 27th and will take place at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California but fight fans were given a taster of the fireworks that may be on show that night when the two fighter's attended a press conference at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles on Thusday.

The Brash and outspoken Ricardo Mayorga kicked off proceedings when he handed Mosely a pair of pink boxing gloves and told the reporters in attendance "I brought a gift for Shane today, a pair of Pink boxing gloves to match his Pink trunks he will be wearing on September 27, better yet he could be my little green-eye girlfriend,"

"I am not afraid of Mosley, I will show him I am the real man, I will stick my chin in the air for him to hit me just like I have done in the past to prove I'm the man."

Mayorga then lit a cigerette while stood at the podium and said "I took this fight because its an easy fight, I told Don King to get me an easy so I asked for Shane....I made it clear by beating Fernando Vargas at 170 pounds that I am not afraid of anyone. I'm so confident I will win against this pretty girl with green eyes that I want a rematch with Oscar De La Hoya in December. It's going to take me three rounds to beat Mosley and I will be ready for Oscar in December."

"Fernando Vargas and all of his boxing fans told me I couldn't back up my words in November but I did," Mayorga stated in reference to his domination of former two-time world champion "Ferocious" Fernando Vargas at the Staple Center on Nov. 23rd. "I will do to Mosley exactly what I did to Vargas or even worse. Mosley needs to prove to me he can stand up and fight the way Vargas tried to do, Mosley will come to the ring wearing his little pink trunks and his matching boxing gloves skating down the ring. Tn my country the men are in charge."

Mosely then never really raising to the bait told reporters "It's been eight years since I fought at home and I can't wait to fight at the Home Depot Center," Mosley said. "Mayorga is a big talker and I know things are going to heat up between us, but I've been down this road before. All the talking in the world isn't going to help him when we step into the ring, that's where Mayorga will have to eat his words."

Great Britain's Olympic boxing hopes have been hit by a hammer-blow with the news that world lightweight champion and gold medal favourite Frankie Gavin has been forced to withdraw from the competition.

Gavin has admitted defeat in his battle to boil down to the 60kg lightweight limit and has left the team's holding camp in Macau, where he had been left behind in order to make one final push.

Great Britain head coach Terry Edwards said: "Frankie has been working his whole boxing career towards the Olympic Games and he is obviously completely devastated."

He added: "Whilst the support staff down in Macau and I, have done everything we could, regrettably it is clear that Frankie will not make his weight before Friday morning's weigh-in."

A news conference for the October 18 light heavyweight bout between Kelly Pavlik and Bernard Hopkin was held today at Chickie and Pete’s sports bar in south Philadelphia.

Todd DuBoef, President of Top Rank Inc

"We are proud to bring to you a great fight featuring two great fighters, the young lion, undefeated middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik from Youngstown, Ohio, and a legend, your legend from Philadelphia, Bernard Hopkins.”

Mark Taffet, of HBO

“Kelly Pavlik is building the young fan base that the sport needs. Kelly always wants the biggest challenge out there, and he is taking on a legend. That is a heck of a test. I’d like to thank Kelly Pavlik. He didn’t have to take this fight, but he did.

“On the other side of the dais is a first ballot hall-of-famer, Bernard Hopkins. Like Kelly, Bernard always wants the biggest challenge. He is taking on an undefeated KO artist in Kelly Pavlik. This will be a great fight. Will Bernard Hopkins be the fighter to derail the man who is Kelly Pavlik?”

Hopkins’ longtime trainer, Nazim Richardson

I appreciate Kelly Pavlik’s stride, and how he has come along as a fighter. People think he is new to Philly, but I know he’s been here in Philadelphia as an amateur. Bernard was getting ready for Simon Brown. He is no surprise to us, and we know we have to work hard. People overlook his skills because of his power. We have our work cut out for us.”

Bernard Hopkins

“As I look at the TV, I see an old dog named Brett Favre, who, like me, still got swagger at 40. I am not the only one still standing. Don’t look for me to retire. I have a long distance deal with Brett Favre. I’ll retire when Brett Favre retires,” he joked. “Now let’s talk about boxing.”

“I this fight, we have two blue collar guys, two construction workers fighting for a sandwich after 9 hours of work. I respect what this guy [Pavlik] has done. He is my successor, and he got it [the middleweight title] the old fashioned way like I did. But I have to do my job. I am not afraid of a ghost,”

“This is a hurt business, and I’ve been successful at it for 20 years. I have confidence from my last fight. But I lost, you say. People just said I lost. I am coming in with a controlled anger and confidence. Yesterday is in the past. I am not showing my age. I am a seasoned veteran who has fought every style, and has a plan to take the other guy’s best weapon and use it against him.”

Hopkins then referred to his 2001 stoppage of then-undefeated Felix Trinidad as an example. “Everyone said I was in with a killer. They were saying “left hook, left hook, left hook”, but I showed him my right hand.”

He continued, “Pavlik is known for having a great right hand, but I have one of the best defenses in the sport. The name of the game is to take what he does best and use it against him. That’s what I do best.”

Bernard then made a brief hint at retirement. “Atlantic City has been good to me. If this is my last visit, on my terms – not Kelly Pavlik’s terms, I want to put on a great fight. I am looking for Kelly Pavlik to bring his A-game. I want to fight him at his best. At the end of the day, whoever has the best game plan will win the fight."

Kelly Pavlik trainer Jack Loew

“Bernard Hopkins didn’t have to take this fight, but he did. I expect him to be fully prepared. Bernard proved himself with slappy Joe [Calzaghe]. I thought he won. He has a win over Winky Wright, and has had two close fights with Jermain Taylor. We know he will be fully prepared.

Kelly Pavlik

“People asked me why I took this fight, and why fight at 170. I wanted to fight the best. I wanted to fight Calzaghe, supposedly the best fighter pound-for-pound, but there is no way we could get him. Then someone mentioned Bernard Hopkins. We train the same way for every fight. I need to be at my best, and I expect a tough fight. It is a pleasure to be in the ring with Bernard Hopkins,” he said.

“He came up the same way as me. We both fought our way up. I knocked out tough Jose Luis Zertuche and Edison Miranda. I took chances and beat Miranda. I fought Jermain Taylor with no tune-up fight, and then I fought him a second time. It was a hard road.”

Answering the question why he elected to take this fight at 170 pounds, Pavlik said, “There was no one else to fight. Calzaghe won’t fight. That [Hopkins] was the only fight I had. He couldn’t weight 160, so we’re fighting at 170. I’m 6’2” and I walk around at 176. I have to lose weight to make this weight. My punches have more snap on them at this weight, and I’m not drained.”

“A win is a win,” stated Pavlik, when asked about pressure to look good. “A win over Bernard Hopkins is great. There is no pressure on me no matter how it turns out. Boxing was down a little, and this fight is a great fight for boxing, like Margarito-Cotto was. This is what boxing needs.”

Beibut Shumenov (6-0, 5 KOs) last night easily outpointed former world champion Montell Griffin (49-8, 30 KOs) over twelve one sided rounds in Chimkent, Kazakhstan.

This was only the sixth fight of the Kazakh former Olympian's career but he made it look extremely easy at times with the former world champion Montell Griffin offering no answers to the skills on show. the scores after the twelve rounds were 120-108 twice and 120-107.

Shumenov is being tipped for very big things, with many boxing experts saying that the fighter is the hottest prospect in the sport. We here at TopClassBoxing would have to agree with these statements after seeing footage of the fight.

Joshua Clottey (35-3, 21 KOs) won a ninth round technical decision over former two-division world champion Zab Judah (36-6, 25 KOs) on Saturday night at the Palms Casino & Hotel in Las Vegas to claim the vacant IBF welterweight title formerly held by Antonio Margarito.

The fight went to the scorecards after a bad cut appeared over the right eye of Zab Judah in round nine. The cut was adjudged to have been caused by an accidental headbutt which on later replays seemed to have actually came from a great uppercut. Throughout the nine rounds Clottey was asserting pressure and getting stronger by every round. Scores at the stoppage were 86-85, 87-84, 86-85.

Anthony Peterson (28-0, 19 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over former world champion Javier Jauregui (53-15-2, 36 KOs). Scores were 99-91, 100-90, 100-90,

Omar Chavez (11-0-1, 9 KOs) knocked out Jeremy Marts (4-3, 3 KOs) at in the very first round. Omar is of course the son of legendary Julio Cesar Chavez.

Vic Darchinyan (30-1-1, 24 KOs) became a world champion for the second time on Saturday night, dethroning IBF super flyweight champion Dimitri "The Baby" Kirilov (29-3-1, 9 KOs) by fifth round knockout at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

From the opening bell the power of Darchinyan was evident. Finally Darchinyan scored two knockdowns in the fifth with the second one being for the full ten count.

Andre "The Matrix" Dirrell (16-0, 11 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over previously unbeaten Mike "The Persecutor" Paschall (17-1-1, 4 KOs)

WBC interim featherweight champion Oscar "Chololo" Larios (62-6-1, 39 KOs) scored a seventh round KO over Marlon "La Rata" Aguilar (17-5-1) to retain his title on Saturday night at the Benito Juarez Auditorium in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico.

Minimumweight Juan Palacios (24-2, 19 KOs) won the WBC interim 105lb title with a tenth round KO over Omar Soto (13-3-1) on Saturday night at the Auditorio Juan Pachin Vicens in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

David "The Detroyer" Lopez (36-12, 23 KOs) scored a fifth round KO over Billy Lyell (16-6, 3 KOs) on Friday night at the Desent Diamond Casino in Tucson, Arizona. A flush right hand ended proceedings.

Jhonny Gonzalez (39-6, 33 KOs) needed just one round to destroy Leivi Brea (16-7-3, 8 KOs). A left hook to the body ended the fight after just 2:47 of the first round.

Olympic gold medalist Yan Barthelemy (7-1, 0 KOs) was shocked last night when journeyman Ernie Marquez (7-4, 3 KOs) scored a unanimous decision with scores of 57-56, 57-56, 58-55.

Ishe "Sugar Shay" Smith (20-3, 9 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Pawel "Raging Bull" Wolak (21-1, 14 KOs) on Friday night at the Aviator Arena in Brooklyn, New York.

lightweight Jorge "The Truth" Teron (22-0-1, 15 KOs) scored an impressive sixth round KO over Michael Lozada (29-5-1, 22 KOs).

late sub Dionisio Miranda shocked all spectators when he scored a split decison over Sebastien Demers at Windsor Station. the scores were 95-94, 95-94, 94-95.

David Lemieux (10-0 10KO) scored a knockout over Ulises Duarte (16-17-1 15KO),