Timothy "Desert Storm" Bradley has officially been stripped of his WBC title after refusing to fight his mandatory challenger Devon Alexander.

Bradley still holds the WBO title he took from Kendall Holt a few weeks ago but his representatives told WBC president Jose Sulaiman the reason for not fighting Alexander was that Showtime wasn't interested in staging the fight which made it difficult.

The sanctioning body has now ordered the two highest contenders to begin negotiations for the vacant title. Devon Alexander is currently occupying the number one position while Junior Witter sits at number two. They have until May 21st to reach a deal.

Ricky Hatton says he will be too Big and too Strong for Manny Pacquiao come Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"Size is going to be a big factor, strength is going to be a big factor - when I stand next to Manny I can see it (my advantage) physically," Hatton said. "I'm hoping it's going to scare the life out of him, he's only had two fights above 130lbs.

"I understand I'm the underdog, he's the best pound-for-pound fighter and it's a new level for me. But it's also a new level for him, he's fighting a very big, strong man who is going to be all over him. He hasn't faced anyone as big, strong and with the style of Ricky Hatton.

"One thing that comes to mind when you think of Ricky Hatton is 'an absolute handful' - let's see if he can deal with it."

Former Heavyweight world champion Greg Page has died at his hime in Louisville. Payne has been in a wheelchair since suffering brain damage in a bout in 2001.

His wife, Patricia Page, says she found her husband in bed Monday morning and that he died of complications related to injuries he suffered in the fight of 2001. He was 50 years old.

Page told The Associated Press her husband "is in a better place now."

The March 9, 2001, fight against Dale Crowe in northern Kentucky left Page in a coma for nearly a week.

He then had a stroke during post-fight surgery, and was paralyzed on his left side and received intensive physical therapy.

Patricia Page says funeral arrangements were pending.

Former World champion Scott Harrison was detained by officers from the country's National Police as he touched down at Malaga Airport on Thursday night on a flight from Glasgow.

He is now expected to stand trial in a Spanish court on the assault and robbery charges from 2006. The former WBO featherweight champion spent time behind bars in Spain almost three years ago after being accused of the offences, which include an assault on a police officer. He was released on bail to return to the UK after five weeks and has not yet been called to account over the allegations.

A judge reportedly issued a fresh arrest order over the claims last month.

Harrison arrived in Malaga on Thursday night with his father Peter, mother Agnes and girlfriend Stacey Gardner.

Passengers described being asked to stay seated as Harrison was taken off and arrested.

A National Police spokeswoman confirmed Harrison was arrested. "I can confirm that they arrested him yesterday," she said. "They arrested him when he arrived at Malaga Airport from Glasgow."

The spokeswoman added that it is likely he will face trial soon.

Ricky Hatton says Manny Pacquiao's camp are underestimating him ahead of the big May 2 showdown.

He said: "A lot of people say I've struggled against southpaws. I'm only putting that down to the fact that against Luis Collazo it was a very tought fight but it was up at 147. Stand Collazo next to Manny Pacquiao - he was a big fast southpaw. If you stood him next to Manny it would be like David and Goliath to be honest. If that's struggling I'd say more of a weight than southpaw.

"And against Juan Urango it wasn't one of my best performances but if anybody remembers that fight, I came down with a virus before the fight. I was boxing the ears off him for six or seven rounds and then due to the illness I blew up and made it heavy weather.

"I just think the Pacquiao people have underestimated me full stop. If they think I struggle with southpaws, and they think Manny's going to knock me out in three rounds, brilliant. Bring it on. I think against Kostya Tszyu I started a 7-1 underdog.

"Just because Bob Arum says I struggle with southpaws, don't expect me to s**t myself. I know what I'm doing, I know what I'm capable of and there's no doubt in my mind what's going to happen on May 2.

"But saying is one thing, doing is another. But me Floyd, my camp, is very positvive. It is clutching at straws a little bit. Bob's probably hoping I struggle with southpaws rather than the true fact that I struggled with Collazo because he's a 147 fighter."

The war of words between Roach and Hatton's trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr has been the most entertaining sub-plot to a bout that has captivated the boxing world.

But while much of the hyperbole from the men in the corners washes over Hatton, he says some of it gives him extra confidence.

"I don't pay much attention to it and I'm not really bothered by it. Little things I do pay attention to. Floyd is a talker, Freddie not so much. Seems like Freddie has done more talking in this fight that any other. Maybe when you start acting a little bit out of character. Maybe he's not quite as confident as he says.

"He says Manny will win in three rounds. Maybe he's taken the bait from Floyd - I can't answer that. I don't doubt that Floyd respects Freddie - all it is is just Floyd being Floyd. I don't know if Freddie's taken it to heart. Freddie seems to have reacted to it. I let Floyd do the talking - I just know what I'm capable of doing. I'm a student of boxing, I know styles, I know games. I just feel really really confident about this fight.

"A lot of people will see what Floyd is saying as trash talk. He told me that he wouldn't publicly stick his neck on the line unless he firmly believed I could back it up. It's not my game, it's not Manny's game. Ultimately I believe the best man will win the fight. And I believe I'm the best man."

Ricky Hatton must prepare to face a complete fighter when he steps into a Las Vegas ring on May 2 to face Manny Pacquiao, according to the Filipino's trainer Freddie Roach.

"We've been working on that a long time and it's finally coming into play," said Roach. "He's boxing a lot smarter now.

"It started with the Diaz fight where he boxed a beautiful fight. His defence is much better, the Oscar fight was similar and the way things are going, the Hatton fight will be the same."

Roach also said he did not buy into the perception that Hatton had a size and strength advantage over Pacquiao.

"I disagree," he added. "Manny's really settled in the 140-pound weight division, he's really getting used to the weight and he's knocked out four sparring partners out of seven and in training camp he's been looking very strong.

"Ricky will be a little heavier by fight time but being heavier really doesn't make you stronger. I know I have the stronger fighter going into the fight, I guarantee that."

Mayweather Sr, however, believes his man is also fast improving and Roach is giving his man some futile advice.

"The name of the game is hit and don't be hit and that's what I've been getting Ricky to do and he's most definitely going to perfect that," Mayweather said.

"I heard Freddie Roach saying on TV (to Pacquiao) 'don't let him hit your body, don't let him hit your body.'

"Of course he's going to hit his body, it's just a matter of time. We've got 12 rounds in this fight and he's not going 12 rounds without his body being hit."

Ricky Hatton says Manny Pacquiao's speed won't be enough on May 2nd in Las Vegas.

He said: "Most people are looking at the fight as power and strength versus speed, but I don't see it that way. I'm not looking at it that way. I am the bigger man and I am the stronger man and I am the harder hitter, not to be disrespectful of Manny's punching power - he can knock anybody out. But I think I do have the advantage in that.

"But also I think my speed is underestimated. A lot of people thought Paulie Malignaggi would outspeed me and it was the opposite. Now I've had a longer training camp and I believe I'm even faster now."

"You can have the fastest hands in the world but if you don't throw them at the right time you don't get the desired effect. I think it's all about timing, making your opponent miss. One thing I've always been is very fast, very explosive and very quick to move in on my opponents. Kostya Tszyu tried to keep the fight at distance but he couldn't hold me off him, although Manny is quicker. As fast as Manny moves back I believe I'll be able to move in just as quick."

"I've got fast hands myself now, along with the power and the pressure, and there's no reason I shouldn't be confident of winning this fight," he said.

"But I am aware of the dangers - if Manny wins this fight, Ricky Hatton will be the first to walk over and shake his hand. But I just think I've got too much in my armoury now."

WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and former WBC/WBA/WBO cruiserweight champion David Haye continued their bitter feud at a press conference in London.

Haye again turned up at the press conference with a T-shirt showing an image where he holds the severed heads of both Klitschko Brothers.

Wladimir Klitschko: "When he tried to get this fight, the picture with my decapitated body was certainly below the belt but I swallowed it. But now he has the fight and I can’t understand why he continues these tricks. What example does it give children? This is shameful behaviour and I can’t understand it.

I chose David Haye not David Haye chose me. I have had three title defenses and I took this boy. Right now I see David Haye with a cut head of my brother (on a T-shirt). So I am asking what is going to be next? Are you going to cut my dad’s head or my mother’s head? Other family members? Maybe you will attack my religion, my race? This is over the edge. This is not about sport.

You listen to what I say, this guy is going to be punished. I will transform this person into a pizza face for 12 rounds, and in the 12th round I am going to knock him out. He will pay for it with pain in the ring, and after the fight at the press conference I’ll remind him of his words, and he will take back all the words and will apologize. I’m not going to use my energy on trash talk, it’s embarrassing. It casts a shadow on the sport."

David Haye: “I’ve received the reaction I wanted from him…All the shouting and screaming is necessary because people have to hear about the fight. I don’t care about good taste and I know some people may hate me. I’ll do what I have to do, including these silly little stunts. As long as people remember me as the best fighter in the world with bad taste I don’t care. In twenty years nobody will remember my T-shirt, everyone will remember that day when I knocked out Wladimir Klitschko.

“He doesn’t go in the ring to fight. He doesn’t give value for money. He’s embarrassing, everything he does in the ring is embarrassing. I want him to fight like a man, not run like a bitch. Stand and fight me Vladimir Bitchko! I’m going to smash his head in and he will be bleeding on the floor.

“He’s a big dude, has a decent jab and has a lot of physical tools but I will turn them against him. His jab, jab, grab tactics that he has been doing throughout his career, it’s not impressive, it won’t work against me. I will make him fight and he is a fighter who doesn’t like to fight.

“It’s going to be a changing of the guard on June 20…I’m faster and hungrier than any of the bums he has fought before. It will be a rude awakening for him. He will have to do the fight of his life or he’ll be leaving the ring on a stretcher.”

Photo: TEAM KLITSCHKO

Red hot Prospect James Kirkland was arrested on a weapons charge Sunday.

The Junior middleweight was scheduled to fight Michael Walker in a 10-round bout on May 2nd as the the undercard to Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, .

Kirkland, 25, who is on probation for a 2003 armed robbery that cost him 2½ years of his career, was arrested during a traffic stop in his hometown of Austin, Texas, and booked Sunday afternoon. He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to the Travis County Sherriff's Department Web site.

Whether Kirkland (25-0, 22 KOs) will be available to fight May 2 is still unclear.

"It appears that James is the victim of circumstance and we're waiting for the facts to come in before we make any comment," Cameron Dunkin, Kirkland's co-manager, told ESPN.com.

Nathan Cleverly is set to face Danny McIntosh for the British light-heavyweight title that has been vacated by Dean Francis.

Unbeaten Cefn Fforest fighter Cleverly already holds the Commonwealth crown and, at 22, is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in British boxing.

He has won all 15 of his fights, five of the victories by knock-out.

Norwich's McIntosh, 29, has only had 10 professional fights, but, like Cleverly, he boasts a 100% record.

The bout could go on the undercard of Amir Khan's challenge for Andreas Kotelnik's WBA light-welterweight title on 27 June.

Cleverly has long held Francis in his sights, but the Bristol-based fighter is looking to campaign at cruiserweight after difficulty boiling down to the light-heavyweight limit.

YURIORKIS GAMBOA

“Fighting for a world title in my 15th fight is very exciting, but I always had a dream, a goal, to fight for the title within two years of turning pro and it is almost two years exactly.

“I am very hungry for the belt. I’ve seen tapes of Rojas and know he is a veteran with a lot of experience. He has fought tough fighters. He is not coming here to lose. So there is no way I will look past him.

“But I am confident and extremely prepared. It could be an easy fight, or a difficult one. But a fight is a fight and I will try and finish him as fast as I can. I feel I am too fast and explosive for him.

“That he’s a left-hander doesn’t bother me at all. I had so many amateur fights. I have fought all sorts of fighters with all different styles.

“Expectations of me are very high, I understand that. So, yes, there is definitely pressure. But it is the kind of pressure that is almost an honor for me to have. I will give my best and try to live up or exceed what people already think of me. I know I have to prove myself.

“Since hooking up with trainer Ismael Salas, I feel I am much improved. He is one of the top trainers in the world and he has really helped me learn and understand the pro game.

“I know I hold my hands low – everybody knows that – but we continue to work on that. It’s just a bad habit I need to get rid of. Nobody likes to get knocked down but, bottom line is, I keep getting back up.

“I want to fight the best there is at 126 pounds. I am willing to fight any of the current world champions. This is a great opportunity for me. I am looking forward to winning the title on SHOWTIME.’’

JOSE ROJAS

“I am not here to be a stepping stone for anybody. I am happy to get another shot at the world title and I want to win it.

“I’ve never seen a tape of Gamboa. Nor do I care to. There is no way to compare him to the other fighters I’ve fought. He’s just coming up. Let’s see how he does on Friday. Then, maybe, I will have an opinion.’’

SELCUK AYDIN

“I plan to walk through this guy and knock him out. I want to put on a good show for the fans on SHOWTIME and in America.

“I’ve seen a couple of tapes of Ouali. But I never think too much about my opponents. It is all about me and my training. If my training is good, which it has been, I’m fine. I’m more focused and disciplined than ever.

“I had 380 amateur fights so I will be prepared for whatever he brings. I have never been knocked down as a pro or amateur. I’ve never been cut or really hurt.

“I hope he comes to fight and doesn’t just run or try and survive. I am willing to fight any of the fighters ahead of me in the rankings.

“I will do whatever it takes to get the world title.’’

SAID QUALI

“I have way too many skills for this guy. In fact, I’ve seen his fights and he has no skills. This may be an easy fight, although I didn’t prepare or train for one.

“Aydin is just aggressive. That’s it. He has short arms. I will own a big edge in reach and I will take advantage of that. I know I can outbox him, but I can probably outpunch him, too.

“He’s going to try and get inside, but if he gets too close I will make him pay big time. I’ll get his respect early, you can count on that.

“He’s never fought a fighter like me and it will show on Friday night.’’

Cuban featherweight Yuriorkis "El Ciclon de Guantánamo" Gamboa 14-0, 12 KO’s will be going for his first major world title this weekend which will see him go head to head for the interim WBA World featherweight title against the always tough and durable Venezuelan Jose Rojas 25-6-1, 17 KO's.

It will be nearly two years since the impressive Cuban made his debut which was on the 27th April 2007 and since that time he has blasted through the field of fourteen opponents only two of them actually making it to the final bell which has given him a knockout ratio of 85.71%. This is some achievement and is testament to the abundance of skill's Yuriorkis has to offer. From what I have written I know it is kind of hard to see where Gamboa can lose but his defence is very leaky which has resulted in "El Ciclon de Guantánamo" being put to the canvas on three separate occasions so you see how fascinating this bout becomes.

Jose “Cheo” Rojas will not be coming here to make up the numbers and will enter the fight with the greater experience of the two men, Jose has been in with a whole host of world champions such as Chris John x 2 and current WBA / IBF Super World super bantamweight champion Celeste Caballero to name a few. He goes about his business in a workmanlike way and is always ready to stand toe to toe with the best the division as to offer this is not a fight to be missed.

Also making an appearance this weekend is Selcuk Aydin 17-0-0 14 KO's, the man known to many as "Mini-Tyson" due to his aggressive style mixed with the fact he owns a knockout ratio of 82.35%. He will be going toe to toe with a decent opponent in Said Ouali 25-2-0, 17 KO's.

Plus there is much much more on a awesome weekend of boxing.

To see where our prediction's eventually went please either click this link.... or go to Predictions from the navigational bar at the top of this screen

Manny Pacquiao yesterday paid a big tribute to the Goldenboy Oscar De La Hoya, revealing the 'Golden Boy' is still his idol despite forcing him into retirement after he dismantled him last June in eight ferocious rounds.

Pacquiao said he thought it was a 'good decision'. 'Whatever happens people won't forget him as a good fighter, as a best fighter in the world. For me he's still my idol,'

When asked about his preparations are going Pacqaio said 'Right now we're in heavy training and I'm in 100% good condition,' although he admitted Hatton would be one of the toughest boxers he had faced in his career. 'He's a strong fighter and he's a good fighter too and he's a champion, so I don't want to underestimate him.'

But Pacquiao, 30, said the Briton's weaknesses included his 'body punch', saying: 'He doesn't like to hit the body. I won't tell you the other things!'

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach spoke confidently about the fight, saying: 'Manny has speed, power, boxing ability - so I think he will overwhelm Ricky in this fight.'

But he warned: 'Ricky's a tough guy, no doubt about that. He's very resilient; he's tough. He comes to fight. One thing we know is there will be a fight for sure.'

Newly crowned WBC lightweight champion Edwin Valero (25-0, 25 KOs) and Breidis Prescott (21-0, 18 KOs) are nearing an agreement which would see two of the best punchers in boxing go head to head in an exciting war to be held in Mexico on July 25th.

Valero, 27, defeated 39-year-old Antonio Pitalua in a 2nd round TKO on April 4th in Austin, Texas to capture the vacant WBC title. Valero is a power puncher with dynamite in both hands he holds a decent defence but you know what they say the best form of defence is attack and that's what he does best. Also to note is the fact the Venezuelan power puncher holds a knockout percentage of 100%.

Prescott, 25, is a well known figure amongst the British fight fans due to his September annihilation of Amir Khan. in the bout the British Golden boy was knocked out in just one round from a series of massive blows which left Khan on the canvas looking up at the lights. Breidis is a very aggressive power puncher who always looks to end bouts early. The Colombian hold an impressive knockout ratio of 85%.

The bout is thought to be a co-feature to the undefeated light middleweight contender Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (39-0-1, 29 KOs) who's opponent is yet to be named.

Vic “Raging Bull’’ Darchinyan will have to take on and beat the man known as King Kong if he is to become a world champion in a third weight class, but that is what the Armenian born Australian intends to do on Saturday, July 11.

The current Super flyweight signed a contract yesterday which will see two of the best power punchers in boxing when Darchinyan goes head to head with the IBF bantamweight champion Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko.

The event is being co-promoted by Don King Productions and Gary Shaw Productions, LLC.

Agbeko (26-1,22 KOs), of New York by way of Ghana, will be making the second defense of the 118-pound crown he won with a seventh-round TKO over Luis Perez in August 2007. A winner of five in a row, Agbeko is coming off a 12-round decision over William Gonzalez on Dec, 11, 2008.

Darchinyan (32-1, 26 KOs ) solidified his status as the No. 1 super flyweight in the world – and one of the top boxers pound-for-pound – with back-to-back impressive victories over Jorge Arce last Feb. 7 on SHOWTIME and Christian Mijares on Nov. 1, 2008, on SHOWTIME.

Agbeko, a relentless, aggressive-minded slugger, will be making his third start in the United States and he told reporters yesterday that his nickname is not really a nickname. “My name is Joseph King Kong Agbeko. That’s my real name,” he said. “It’s on my birth certificate and my passport.’’

This will be a very dangerous assignment for Darchinyan who as talked about moving up in weight for a number of years . “I’ll be ready and I’ll be stronger at 118,” he said. “Agbeko will feel my power, I promise you.”

Former WBC and WBA cruiserweight champion Jean-Marc Mormeck announced yesterday his intentions to move up a weight class while seeking a match up down the road with David Haye.

David Haye stopped Mormeck in the seventh round when the two went head to head in Paris on November of 2007.

"I would like to have revenge against him [Haye]," Mormeck said to French publication L'Equipe. "I am aware of the impact of his punch, I am not crazy. But I deeply believe I can beat Haye. It is my final target. I am not issuing a challenge, what I plan to do is things in the right way, achieve fights before I get to fight him again.

"Yes, I make the step up to heavyweight. I hope that I will be boxing at the start of the summer and then at the end of the year."

Mormeck then went on to claim he was offered a fight a while back with former heavyweight world champion John Ruiz but the time wasnt right at that time.

"Seven years ago, I was an unknown Frenchman, and then the Americans helped me become who I am today," Mormeck said. "This time, I make an offer to French people. But I cannot say who they are yet. A few years ago they offered me the chance to step [up] to heavyweight to fight John Ruiz, but it was not the moment. Right now, the time has come. I want it and I am excited about it."

WBC super-middleweight World champion Carl Froch will be facing the man he beat for the world title this time as a sparring partner.

Former Challenger Jean Pascal will act as chief sparring partner for Froch's match up with Jermain Taylor on April 25th .

Froch beat Canadian Pascal via decision at the Nottingham Arena in December 2008 to win the title.

The contest, at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, will be shown live by American broadcaster Showtime, although a British television broadcaster has yet to commit.

Reporters from all around the globe gathered in the HardKnox Gym yesterday to take a glimpse of WBO junior welterweight world champion Kendall Holt and WBC super lightweight champion Timothy Bradley in their open workouts before they collide this Saturday in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Also on the bill is another highly anticipated match up between Librado Adrade (27-2, 21 KOs) and Vitali Tsypko (22-2, 12 KOs) who will meet in an IBF super middleweight elimination

The bouts that will take place at the Bell Centre this Saturday which will mark one of the most important fight cards in Canadian boxing history

Photos: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

The WBO featherweight title fight between Steven Luevano and Bernabe Concepcion is off due to BOTH fighters being injured.

Luevano (36-1-1, 15 KO’s) reportedly started having pains in his torso while training several days ago according to his manager Cameron Dunkin. Luevano’s manager told boxing writer Dan Rafael of ESPN that Luevano was “a tough guy and was trying to continue and to work through it but he couldn’t continue.”

Even though Luevano sustained the injury the fight took an amazing twist of fate when Concepcion also suffered an injury to his shoulder.

Conditioning expert Alex Ariza said that Concepcion “hurt his shoulder a little bit” while working out at the Wild Card Gym on Tuesday.

Top Rank president Todd duBoef told Rafael they were disappointed for Luevano who was “looking forward to fighting on the show.” He added that Luevano was “probably the best featherweight in the world and he was in a very solid fight with Concepcion .” DuBeof added “hopefully we can re-schedule it for another day when he (Luevano) is health.”

Luevano successfully defended his title against Australia ’s Billy Dib on the Bernard Hopkins-Kelly Pavlik undercard last October 18