IBF cruiserweight world champion Tomasz Adamek (37-1, 25 KOs) retained his world title with an eighth round KO over previously unbeaten Johnathon Banks (20-1, 14 KOs) on Friday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Although it had been stated previously that Banks would be able to deal with the power of Adamek, due to his sparring with Wladimir Klitchko. In the eighth round that proved unsuccessful has Banks was dropped twice before referee Eddie Cotton waved off the bout. Time was 1:30.

In an IBF middleweight eliminator, Giovanni Lorenzo (27-1, 19 KOs) scored an impressive second round knockout of Dionisio Miranda (19-3-2, 17 KOs). The end came from a massive right hand that left Miranda on the canvas looking up at the lights.

Don Mouton (8-3-1, 7 KOs) scored an eighth round TKO over Jerson Ravelo (19-4, 12 KOs). Mouton dropped Ravelo in the eighth and got the stop with his follow-up barrage at the :49 mark.

Unbeaten welterweight Henry Crawford (21-0-1, 9 KOs) cruised to a six round unanimous nod over Keenan Collins (12-5-2, 8 KOs). Scores 60-54, 60-54, 60-53.

Junior welterweight Jeremy Bryan (9-0, 4 KOs) outpointed Osvaldo Rivera (2-1-1, 1 KO) over six by scores of 60-54, 60-54, 59-55.

Welterweight Jesse Lubash (10-0, 6 KOs) scored a second round TKO over veteran Chucky ‘T’ Tschorniawsky (25-10-1, 14 KOs). Time was 1:22.

Lightweight Anthony Flores (7-0, 4 KOs) outpointed previously unbeaten Ikem Orji (4-1, 1 KO) over six by scores of 58-56 on all cards.

Saturday night will see two of the best fighters from the lightweight division going head to head in a titanic bout which could potentially be a fight of the year contender between Juan Manuel Marquez and "The Baby Bull" Juan Diaz.

Both men are coming off impressive victories with Marquez beating former lightweight king Joel Casamayor via eleventh round stoppage and equally as impressive Juan Diaz scoring a split decision win over the hard hitting Aussie Michael Katsidis.

This is definitely NOT a fight to be missed

We have a whole host of great match ups this weekend. We get to see an intriguing match up in the featherweight division where the Indonesian WBA champion Chris John will make his long awaited US debut against the rugged Rocky Juarez.

In the cruiserweight division making the first defence of his crown will be Thomasz Adamek who will have a tricky match up with the dangerous opponent Jonathon Banks who is of course trained and managed by Emmanuel Stewart.

Last but not least don't miss the debut's this weekend from former British Amateur stand outs James DeGale, Billy Joe Sanders and Frankie Gavin

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

TOMASZ ADAMEK

“I am thankful to everyone who came out today and is supporting the fight. “I am the world champion and the best cruiserweight right now. After the fight with Johnathon on Friday, I will still be the champ and still be the best.”

JOHNATHON BANKS

“I want to thank my staff, Main Events and especially Tomasz for giving me this opportunity to fight him. “I don’t take a fight I don’t think I can win. I can box, I have the ability and I’m confident. He’s a dangerous fighter. We know that. I have the skills to win.”

EMANUEL STEWARD (Banks’ manager)

“Adamek is a big star. He’s created a great buzz and I enjoy watching him fight. It will be the Adamek show but come 11 p.m. (ET) it will become the Banks’ show. Banks will knock him out. I feel very confident. No matter what happens it will be a great fight. Both guys will be fighting for recognition. “Banks is the strong puncher but Adamek has heart. It will be exciting”

GIOVANNI LORENZO

“I am very well prepared mentally. Better then I have been before. Each fight you need to step up to a higher level. On Friday you will see why they call me a ‘Chico Malo.’ ”

ALFREDO MARCHIO (Miranda’s trainer)

“Dionisio has been training in Miami before coming here. Coming from Colombia where the average person earns between $500-600 a month, this is an amazing opportunity. He will show up and give it his best for ShoBox. “He is a contender, not just an opponent. I expect fireworks. His opponent is a top-10 contender. This is a situation where it is contender versus contender. We’ll be ready to fight (IBF middleweight champion Arthur) Abraham.”

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has filed a complaint against the WBC at the International Court of Arbitration for Sport to try to avoid making two mandatory defenses in a row.

The WBC want Klitschko to face mandatory challenger Juan Carlos Gomez on March 21, and then ex-champ Oleg Masklaev within 120 days. Klitscho stated that he would rather take a different route saying “the fight with Maskaev won’t be interesting for me or the spectators.”

Manny Pacquiao voluntarily relinquished his WBC lightweight world title Tuesday.

Pacquiao cited his desire to compete in the super lightweight division as his reason for vacating his crown. The Filipino is getting ready to face Britain’s Ricky Hatton on May 2 in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao (48-3-2, 26 KOs) firmly entrenched himself as a superstar and perhaps the sport’s best pound-for-pound fighter in December when he dominated Oscar De La Hoya with speed and accuracy from beginning to end, scoring an eighth-round technical knockout victory.

Beating De La Hoya was just one of a host of accomplishments in 2008 for Pacquiao, who also defeated Juan Manuel Marquez to win the WBC super featherweight title in March, then took down David Diaz to claim the WBC lightweight title in June.

Cuban boxer Guillermo Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic gold medalist has defected, a boxing promoter said on Monday.

Rigondeaux, the bantamweight champion at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, is in Miami and has signed a contract with ARENA Box-Promotion, the fight promoter said in a written statement.

Rigondeaux, 28, was dropped from the Cuban squad for the Beijing Olympics in August after running afoul of Cuban authorities when he and teammate Erislandy Lara failed to turn up for scheduled bouts at the Panamerican Games in Rio de Janeiro in July 2007.

The two were soon located by Brazilian police, who said the boxers regretted their decision and wanted to return to Cuba.

Then-Cuban leader Fidel Castro blamed the United States for the attempted defections, saying the two had betrayed their country for money.

Cuba is an Olympic boxing superpower and has produced great fighters like Teofilo Stevenson and Felix Savon, both of whom resisted rich offers from American promoters.

Cuba won five of 11 gold medals at the Athens Olympics in 2004 but was soon hammered by a string of defections, including those of former world welterweight champion Lara, who fled to Mexico last year, and Athens heavyweight champion Odlanier Solis. Both signed professional contracts with Germany-based ARENA Box-Promotion.

According to a news article in the Detroit Free Press, the all-time great that is Thomas hearns is preparing another comeback this time aged 50.

Long time trainer of Hearns, Emmanuel Stewart told reporters that he would not welcome another comeback by the hall of fame fighter but the fire still burns within for Hearns who told reporters he would be willing to go it alone.

"The more I think about it, the more I want to fight," Tommy said. "It's always on my mind. Manny [Steward] knows how I feel about boxing - to have one final bout."

"I want to do it - I will do it," Hearns went on. "I think people will support me, and I know what I'm capable of. I've had plenty of calls from Europe to come over there and fight. If Manny doesn't agree with me, I'll go around and make it happen myself. It's got to happen - to complete my career - to have one final title fight.

"I respect what Manny thinks, but I have my own thoughts. Everyone has a right to make a decision when he or she is finished. When God gives you a blessing, you have to use it through. God has this plan it's all in the plan."

"People will see I'm healthy," Tommy stated. "I really want to have this fight with Emanuel in my corner. We started together, and I want to end my career with him."

Before the fight many reporters claimed Miguel Cotto (33-1, 27 KOs) looked weight drained and thought an upset was very possible but come fight night Cotto looked stronger than ever as he scored a fifth round KO over Michael Jennings (34-2, 16 KOs) in a clash for the vacant WBO welterweight belt.

The fight took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City which witnessed Cotto stalk Jennings from the opening bell. The writting was on the wall for Jennings as he was dropped to the canvas twice in round four. Jennings showed heart to continue but the onslaught only lasted another round with Cotto finishing him in the fifth. Time was 2:36.

Irish contender John Duddy defeated Matt Vanda by unanimous decision over ten rounds

Matt Korobov continued his impressive record with a fourth round KO victory over Corey Jones.

Middleweight king Kelly Pavlik (35-1, 31 KOs) also came back in dominant fashion as he battered WBC mandatory challenger Marco Antonio Rubio (43-5-1, 37 KOs) over nine rounds on Saturday night at the Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown, Ohio.

Pavlik started the bout strong, finding his range while catching Rubio with some big shots. Rubio came back into the bout at the sixth round stage, but Pavlik had a massive round eight landing some big right hands and continued to punish Rubio in the ninth. Rubio quit on his stool before round ten began.

This weekend will witness the return of Miguel Cotto. For those of you dont remember, Last time out Cotto lost his title when he was sensationally stopped by the rugged Mexican Antonio Margarito in the eleventh round. This weekend will give him the chance to put that loss behind him when he goes head to head with a tricky fighter from England Michael Jennings.

If that fight was not enough to wet your appitite we will also get to see Kelly Pavlik who will be putting his Middleweight titles on the line against his number one mandatory Marco Antonio Rubio.

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

Miguel Cotto has told reporters he may be ready to leave Top Rank when his contract is up at the end of the year.

Cotto told The Los Angeles Times that he plans to explore his options at the end of the year. This marked the first time Cotto has spoken out about a possible jump to a new promoter.

"I`m just going to stay with them until my contract is finished, " Cotto said "after that we are going to sit with the company and talk"

When the paper asked Cotto if he seen himself with a different promoter in 2010, Cotto quickly responded with "Yes"

This will no doubt send shockwaves through the organisation who considers Cotto one of their prized possesions.

Mexico's Antonio Margarito, who last week had his boxing license revoked for one year by the California State Athletic Commission after an illegal plaster-like substance was found in his hand wraps hours before his January title fight with Shane Mosley at Staples Center.

Many of the commissioners, who voted unanimously to revoke Margarito's license and that of his trainer, Javier Capetillo, said Mosley could have sustained serious injury if Margarito has been allowed to fight with loaded gloves.

Arum roundly criticized the decision, saying Margarito wasn't aware his wraps had been tampered with, and vowed to circumvent the ruling by taking Margarito back to Mexico to fight.

Cotto, who lost his welterweight title to Margarito in July, fired back last week in the Puerto Rican press.

"I find it unbelievable that a company like Top Rank would put money ahead of the well-being of a human," Cotto told the San Juan newspaper Primera Hora. "[Top Rank] knows that Margarito and his group knew what they were putting on the hands. Boxers climb into the ring to demonstrate our physical and athletic abilities and it's a lack of consideration to play with the health of another."

Arum, reached by phone Wednesday in Youngstown, Ohio, where he is promoting Saturday's middleweight title fight between American Kelly Pavlik (34-1) and Mexican Marco Antonio Rubio (43-4-1), appeared unconcerned.

"We stand by our fighters," Arum said. "No amount of monetary gain can make me throw Antonio Margarito under the bus. I've explained it to [Cotto]. I've explained it to people around him.

"It will all work out. Don't worry about it. This controversy will pass."

The upcoming Super fight between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz could be for the WBA and/or WBO lightweight world titles.

The titles became vacant after reigning champion Nate Campbell couldn’t make weight for Saturday’s bout against IBF mandatory Ali Funeka.

Golden Boy Promotions has contacted both the WBA and WBO to explore options for sanctioning the February 28 clash in Houston. The WBA title was renounced by Campbell prior to the fight, but promoter Don King apparently patched things up with the WBA before Campbell’s problem at the scale.

David Haye may be looking for a Plan B after Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitchko decided to stop negotiations.

According to the Ukrainian language section of klitschko.com, Wladimir Klitschko stopped negotiations with David Haye with the main reason being a lack of professionalism on the part of Haye and his representatives.

Wlad says Haye can’t decide on his demands. “If Haye continues in the same spirit, it will be two more years before he get a chance to reach a championship fight.” In the event the fight with Haye is not resurrected, Wlad plans “to face Chris Arreola or find someone else. This will be determined later.”

Pound 4 Pound king Manny Pacquiao will receive a degree of Doctor of Human Kinetics (honoris causa) conferred on him by the Southwestern University of the Philippines in Cebu, today.

The honor recognizes Pacquiao’s contribution to sports, particularly boxing, where he has won world titles in four different weight divisions and a Ring Magazine title in a fifth making his Asia’s all-time greatest.

Human Kinetics is a study on sports fitness and health that supports academic excellence in sports that has grown considerably in recent years.

Southwestern University president Dr. Eldigario Gonzales justified the honor being conferred on Pacquiao by noting that his achievements in boxing validated the worthiness of his award.

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz that Pacquiao who was shooting his TV show on GMA Tuesday, would leave for Cebu on Wednesday morning to receive the doctorate degree and would then fly to Davao City “for some meetings over there.”

When told that Ricky “The Hitman”Hatton was beginning training Tuesday for his showdown with Pacquiao in Las Vegas on May 2, Koncz said Pacquiao has been “staying in shape physically by playing basketball over the last two weeks and also jogging.”

Although Pacquiao leaves for Los Angeles on February 24 before proceeding to England for promotional tour stops in London and Manchester , Koncz said Pacquiao woul not train at the Wild Card Gym during the couple of days prior to his departure for London .

Koncz said Pacquiao would “start training in earnest” on March 3 and indicated there was no need for concern over Pacquiao’s physical conditioning.

Miguel Cotto and Michael Jennings arrived in New York City yesterday to get set for their showdown at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

Both will be at a Top Rank media workout today at the Bronxchester Boxing Club, 225 Randall Ave., the Bronx,

Jennings will be there at 11:30 am, Cotto at 1 pm local time. Top Rank today moved the Matt Korobov vs. Cory Jones middleweight fight onto the live PPV telecast.

Anthony Peterson was injured while training last week in Washington, D.C. Peterson heard a clicking noise in his left knee area, did an eight-mile run and aggravated an area behind the kneecap. A MRI test was taken on Saturday.

“Anthony is very, very upset as he really wanted to fight at Madison Square Garden,” said Barry Hunter, manager and chief trainer. “He is physically unable to compete at this time.” Peterson has a record of 28-0. He was scheduled to take on contender Edner Cherry, 24-6-2.

Korobov is a tremendous puncher in the middleweight division. He is a Russian Olympian who strikes with power and is taking on Cory Jones of New York City in a four-round bout. Korobov has a record of 3-0 with three knockouts. He has been training in Florida and will be at the media workout with Cotto and Jennings on Tuesday.

Former world cruiserweight champion David Haye has offered to box in Germany in a bid to revive negotiations for a summer showdown with WBO and IBF world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.

The eagerly awaited duel with the Russian has hit a series of snags and now appears on the brink of collapse.The match was originally scheduled for June 20 at Stamford Bridge in London but Haye's trainer and manager Adam Booth is willing to sacrifice home territory in the hope of kick-starting the heavyweight showdown.

Booth said: "David will fight Wladimir anywhere they choose, and give them the two rematch options they have requested.

"In regards to the rematches clause, I am baffled as to why Bonte seems to have forgotten our last conversation about this.

"We said they could have the two rematches they wanted, which effectively means David's next three fights could be in Germany against either Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko."

Former lightweight king Nate Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KOs) won a twelve round majority decision over mandatory IBF contender Ali Funeka (30-2-2, 25 KOs) on Saturday night at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.

Campbell had a really good round two has he stalked Funeka dropping him to the canas in the process. This seemed to wake up the South African Funeka who recovered well and seemed to be getting back into the fights until Campbell dropped him again in the eleventh. Scores were 113-113, 115-111, 114-112. Funeka

WBC interim super welterweight champion Sergio Martinez (44-1-2, 24 KOs) and former IBF welterweight champion Kermit Cintron (30-2-1, 27 KOs) battled to a twelve round majority draw.

Martinez looked to outbox Kermit from the outside while avoiding exchanges. There was a cut to Cintron in round five by what was ruled a headbutt. Martinez dropped Cintron at the end of round seven with a big straight left and the bout seemed to be waved off by referee Frank Santore, however the bout continued. Cintron got back into the bout down the stretch and Martinez was deducted a point for a rabbit punch in round twelve which ultimately cost him the win. Scores were 116-110, 113-113, 113-113.

Red Hot prospect Alfredo Angulo (15-0, 12 KOs) stopped late sub and former IBF #1 rated welterweight Cosme Rivera (31-12-2, 23 KOs) in round five. Angulo came on strong and punished Rivera until the bout was finally stopped by referee Telis Assimenios at 2:38 of round five.

Cruiserweight Francisco Palacios (17-0, 10 KOs) knocked out Lawrence Chapman (19-6-2, 13 KOs) at 2:58 of round one to retain his WBA Fedelatin belt.

Gary Russell Jr. (2-0, 1 KO) won a four-round decision over John Wampash (1-0-1, 1 KO). Russell was credited with two knockdowns in round one and another in round four. No scores announced but it was later learned that Russell won 40-33 across the board.

lightweight Angelo Santana (5-0, 4 KOs), scored a second round TKO over Mario Garcia (7-9, 4 KOs). The fight was stopped after a knockdown in round two,. Time was 1:36.

Lightweight Anges Adjaho (25-1, 14 KOs) scored an eight round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Fernando Angulo (22-5, 14 KOs). Scores were 78-73, 79-72, 78-73.

Heavyweight Bermane Stiverne (17-1, 16 KOs) won a unanimous deciosn over Robert Hawkins (23-12, 7 KOs. Hawkins was dropped in rounds one and six, but he battled gamely to the end. Scores were 77-73, 77-73, 78-72,

Ray “The Rainman” Austin (27-4-4, 17 KOs) scored a an eight round unanimous decision over Julius Long (15-11, 13 KOs). Scores were 76-73 on all cards.

Russian super welterweight Ivan Kirpa (23-1, 15 KOs) stopped Frankie Santos (16-7-4, 8 KOs) in round six

Unbeaten super middleweight Anthony Dirrell (15-0, 12 KOs) decisioned Jose Medina (14-13, 10 KOs) over four rounds. Medina was down in round four and ended up on the wrong end of a 40-35 count on all three cards. Dirrell is the brother of Olympic medalist Andre Dirrell.

Junior lightweight John Jackson (14-1, 13 KOs) dropped journeyman Ricardo Medina (30-33-6, 17 KOs) in round three, but had to be content winning an eight round unanimous nod by scores of 79-72, 79-72, 80-71.

POST FIGHT QUOTES

Nate Campbell: “I had two knockdowns, of course I thought I won the fight. This guy was tough. He could punch, take a shot. He tried to keep me away with his jab, but body shots is how I win fights. His day will come….I felt fatigue from trying to make weight in rounds five, six and seven. I’m moving up to 140 pounds” (On lingering disappointment from failing to make weight) “I worked my whole life to be world champion, to be the best at what I do. Of course it hurts but the win feels good.”

Sergio Martinez: “The fight was over when I knocked him down the first time so I won twice. I didn’t think he made it up at the end of the seventh round.”

Kermit Cintron: “Hell yeah I did enough to win. I clearly won it. I thought he hit me with a headbutt in round seven. Nobody hits that hard.”

Referee Frank Santore: “I didn’t hear the bell, that’s why there was some confusion. Cintron got up at the count of nine so the fight was not over.”

Alfredo Angulo: “I felt a little slow but I was good. I felt better as the rounds went on. I’m ready for anyone. I’m not afraid of anyone in boxing.”

SATURDAY NIGHTS RESULTS

Former IBF light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods (42-4-1, 24 KOs) took a twelve round unanimous decision over ‘The Kosovo Kid’ Elvir Muriqi (35-5, 22 KOs) on Saturday night at the famous Hotel De France in Jersey, Channel Islands, England. Scores were 117-111 119-110 117-111.

IBF featherweight champion Cristobal Cruz (38-11-1, 23 KOs) scored a unanimous decision over Cyril Thomas (33-3-4, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at the Palais des Sportsin Saint-Quentin, France. Scores were 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113.

Manuel “Chango” Vargas won by twelve round unanimous decision over Walter Tello from Panamá and retained the WBO minimumweight title on Saturday night in Hermosillo, Sonora, México.

FRIDAY NIGHTS RESULTS

British boxing rising star, light heavyweight Nathan Cleverly (15-0, 5 KOs) retained his Commonwealth title at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon on Friday night, stopping challenger Samson Onyango (18-4, 12 KOs) of Kenya in less than three minutes. Cleverly was simply too strong for the African fighter, he started match very strongly and with a perfectly timed body shot dropped Onyango for the full count of referee Mark Green. The end came at 2:15 of the first round. It was the second title defense for the 22-year-old Welsh warrior once again looked impressive, he has the looks, the charisma, the size, the ability and the physical and mental toughness required to go all the way and who might now be ready for a top British title fight. Sports Network promoted, with Sky Sports televising.

Welterweight Carlos Molina (15-4-1, 5 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Alexis Camacho (17-2, 16 KOs) Friday night at New York City’s Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan. Molina outworked Camacho to take a 97-93, 98-92, 100-90 win.

Ray Robinson (10-0, 4 KOs) scored a third round TKO over Darnell Jiles (8-1-1, 3 KOs). Jiles remained on the stool at the end of the third round after receiving a one sided beating.

Light heavyweight Yathomas Riley (6-0, 3 KOs) scored a four round unanimous decision over Julius Jackson (2-3). Jackson was dropped twice in round one but went the route. Scores were 40-34 on all cards.

WBO/IBF lightweight champion Nate Campbell initially weighed in at 138 lbs. for Saturday’s bout against Ali Funeka. He was given two hours to lose 3 lbs., but arrived back at the scale slightly after the two hours had expired. Campbell weighed 137.5 upon his return, and thus loses both titles. The bout will still take place, and if Funeka wins, he will claim the vacant title. Funeka weighed in 133.5 on the first try. Ironically, Campbell’s previous fight with Joan Guzman was cancelled when Guzman didn’t make weight.

WBC interim super welterweight champion Sergio Martinez weighed 153.25 while Kermit Cintron had to go back to the scales 15 minutes later to lose around 4 pounds.

Alfred Angulo 153.5 and Cosme Rivera 151.5 both made weight for their bout.

Ray Austin 237.5 vs Julius Long 293.25
Bermane Stiverne 254.5 vs Robert Hawkins 250
Francisco Palacios 193.75 vs Lawrence Chapman 187.25
Ivan Kirpa 148.5 vs Frankie Santos 154.75
Anges Adjaho 142.5 vs Fernando Angulo 141.5
John Jackson 132 vs Ricardo Medina 129.5
Angelo Santana 134.5 vs Mario Garcia 136.5
Gary Russell Jr 126.5 vs John Wampash 126.5
Anthony Dirrell 166.5 vs Jose Medina 171.75

Venue: BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida
Promoter: DKP
TV: HBO

World Boxing Council President Jose Sulaiman, announced today that the Mexican Federation of Boxing Commissions, the Boxing Commission of Tijuana, and the WBC Offices in Mexico, have agreed to face up together the situation of Mexican fighter, Antonio Margarito, who has had his boxing license revoked (suspended) for a year by the California State Athletic Commission, and defend him; such Commission was one of the Commissions that founded the WBC back in February 1963, and is a Commission with which the organization has had excellent relations and reached agreements of mutual cooperation.

The WBC, founded 46 years ago and formed by people who have vast experience in boxing, can not conceive that a boxer is suspended because of a bandaging, as the only people responsible for it, are the managers, the ones who solely execute such an important responsibility without ever receiving instructions from their fighters on what to use in the bandaging or how to use it. The fighter always trusts his managers widely, and he only extends his hands and moves them the way the manager tells him to do it.

On June 16th, 1982, in the fight between Luis Resto and Billy Collins, in New York, just to give an example from many there are, some banned substance was found in the gloves worn by Resto, who won the fight, and due to that fact, manager Carl “Panama” Lewis was suspended for life, but Luis Resto was not involved at all, and not only that, his win was confirmed as such, without any modification.

WBC President, Jose Sulaiman, in order to confirm or modify his own experience regarding bandaging, as a fighter he used to be in his early youth, and after being in the locker rooms of thousands of bouts throughout his 60 years in boxing and 33 as WBC President, decided to personally call several great champions, being Vitali Klitschko, Larry Holmes, Tommy Hearns, Michael Spinks, Gerry Cooney, Julio Cesar Chavez, Erik Morales, Ruben Olivares, Carlos Zarate, Lupe Pintor, among many others, ALL of whom confirmed without exception, that during their careers they had nothing to do with their being bandaged, and that their managers were exclusively responsible for such action.

Based on the previous facts and many more pieces of evidence that will be obtained, the Mexican boxing authorities, in a very respectful and amicable way, will request the California State Athletic Commission to extend the courtesy of sending all the prescriptive documents of the case, to immediately proceed to submit a respectful but firm appeal against the suspension that Antonio Margarito, who is ABSOLUTELY INNOCENT without a doubt, was placed on; Margarito shall be restored his damaged prestige and dignity.

The World Boxing Council totally rejects the use of materials that illegally alter the bandaging, turning the fists of a fighter into dangerous weapons, as bandaging was instituted to protect the hands of the fighters, and not to hurt the opponent, as it was used in the roman Circus, centuries before Christ; that is why the WBC does hope that, provided such strange matter that the California State Commission (which we congratulate for their intervention) is accusing Margarito´s camp of having used is confirmed, a serious and strong penalty is placed on the one who is to blame, since these degrading stains can not be accepted in the sport of boxing, as they hurt a lot the integrity of the sport of boxing,,,,,,,,, but never placing such suspension on a fighter, Margarito in this case, as he is absolutely innocent, as all boxers throughout history have been.

The fight Margarito vs. Mosley was not sanctioned by the World Boxing Council, but by other organizations, and it could be thought that we are getting into something that is none of our business, but we have been required by the National Federation of Boxing Commissions of the Mexican Republic, also by the Boxing Commission of Tijuana, both affiliated with our organization, as well as by the honorable Mayor of Tijuana, Don Jorge Ramos Hernandez, who we join hoping that this case is addressed within a high-class level with no distinction or discrimination whatsoever, as the World Boxing Council has always solidly been on the fighters´ corner, since its creation 46 years ago. If Luis Resto and many other boxers were treated with justice, why shouldn´t Margarito be treated in the same way??

We hope and demand that a penalty is placed on the guilty one, that must be done, but the fighter, who is the least guilty one, must be totally lifted his suspension, concluded Jose Sulaiman, WBC President.

What a weekend of action we have in store. WBO, IBF and former WBA champion Nate Campbell will make the defence of his crown's against the tough South African Ali Funeka plus we have the red hot prospect of Alfredo Angulo who will look to continue his path to a world title against the steady veteran Cosme Rivera.

Our main prediction though was a fight we judged to be the most evenly matched. The facinating match up between the skilfull Argentine Sergio Gabriel Martinez and the power punching Puerto Rican Kermit Cintron.

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

Former five-time world champion Johnny Tapia has been arrested on a probation violation on felony drug charges.

Tapia was found by his parole officer in possession of a controlled substance at his home yesterday.

The original sentancing was back in April 2008 where Tapia pled guilty to felony drug charges and was sentenced to probation.

He is currently being held at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center until he appears before a judge

Anthony Mundine easily overcame Shannan Taylor in a scrappy bout in Wollongong and now has some important decisions to make as he tries to add some more lustre to his boxing career.

A two-time former super middleweight world champion, 33-year-old Mundine was fighting at middleweight for the first time and controlled the bout from the outset, throwing more punches and troubling Taylor with his renowned hand speed.

The Bulli Blaster did open a cut under Mundine's left eye in the eighth round, but the outclassed underdog lost every round and often reverted to head clashes, elbows, knees and low blows in search of an unlikely victory.

Mundine never really hurt Taylor, but he comfortably outboxed the 36-year-old, who was lucky not to be disqualified for some of his disappointing and desperate tactics.

Already the No.1-ranked WBA middleweight contender before the bout, Mundine showed he can make the lower weight class and is in the perfect position to tackle world champion Felix Sturm in his native Germany later this year.

But Mundine's manager Khoder Nasser strongly hinted just prior to the fight against Taylor a re-match with Danny Green is foremost in their thoughts.

That would surely be a step backwards for Mundine, who would have to pack weight on to take on light heavyweight Green, although it would result in another hefty pay day for one of the most controversial figures in Australian sport.

Having done the work to get to middleweight, it would have to be in Mundine's favour to stay there.

“I worked hard to get to middleweight,'' he said. “I didn't know how I would hold up but the longer I stay at middleweight, the better I'll get. “Shannan was a tough and worthy opponent.''

Fans and critics alike have grown tired of waiting for Mundine to stop lining his bank account against lower-ranked opponents and back up his stated desire to head overseas to test himself against some better credentialled pugilists.

In 38 fights, Mundine has fought outside Australia just three times and not since 2003.
If he is to ever prove he can be the man internationally, Mundine must fight Sturm and try to add a third world belt to his collection.

He had far too much class for Taylor, a former world title contender who is well past his prime, to improve his record to 35-3.

It was a spiteful fight but Taylor, who fell to 48-7 with three draws, is clearly a fan of the maligned Mundine.

“He's slick,'' he said. “I hope he uses me for sparring. It's not the Mundine circus, it's the Mundine show and I was glad to be part of it.''

This will obviously send shockwaves around the boxing world with Margarito's whole career being tarnished.

Former world champion Danny Green told reporters yesterday that it was his desire to square his record against arch-rival Anthony Mundine - and not the millions of dollars he will get for trying.

The fight between the two fighters is one of the biggest in Australian boxing history, with Green saying today he intended to get into the ring with Mundine within 12 months in Perth.

"When I retired the feeling was that was it for me, it felt so right … but ever since that day it has played on my mind the rematch with Anthony Mundine," Green said"The day I retired (Mundine's manager) Khoder Nasser was on the phone to me saying what have you done. But money has not been the motivation for this comeback, obviously that is the question everyone is going to ask. If it was about money I would have signed on then and there eight months ago. This is about pride; this is about squaring up the ledger.

"I lost that fight, now it is time to even up the score."

The annoucment for Green's return came yesterday with the former champion saying he planned two or possibly even three warm up fights before a rematch.

"I have not been fighting, but I have been keeping very fit. I am not going into this fight just to have a fight with Anthony Mundine, I am going into be victorious," Green said "For the next 12 months my life is going to be focused on beating this bloke."

A rematch with Mundine would earn both fighters millions, although Green would today go nowhere questions about how much he would earn - although he was adamant the fight would be in WA.

"It is non-negotiable where this fight takes place, it takes place in WA," Green said.

"I plan to repay the (fans') loyalty and square the ledger against a bloke who is not well liked in our community."

IBF, WBC and WBA unified champion Vic Darchinyan  (32-1-1, 26 KOs) scored a one sided eleventh round TKO over WBA interim champ Jorge Arce  (51-5-1, 39 KOs) on Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Darchinyan started the stronger in round one rocking Arce with clean accurate punches. The second round continued in the same fashion as Darchinyan dominated. Arce turned things around in round three landing some shots that bloodied the champion. Arce was rocked again in the fourth. Rounds five and six was competetive but Darchinyan wobbled Arce again in the seventh. Round eight was maybe the most dominante for the champion as Arce looked like a beaten man. Arce was cut in the eleventh over his right eye. The ringside doctor stopped the bout after the round with scores from the judges reading at 109-100 on all cards.

“He surprised me. I didn’t expect a fight from him like this,” said Darchinyan afterward. “He was tough. He is a good fighter. I hit him with some good shots, but he kept coming back. I would have liked to knock him out cold, but this is OK. I am happy. I feel great. Maybe if it goes another round, I knock him out. Arce hit me with some good shots, but I was too strong. I think my speed was a difference. I am ready to fight anybody!”

Lightweight Antonio DeMarco (20-1-1, 14 KOs) scored a very impressive ninth round TKO over “Kid Diamond” Almazbek Raiymkulov (27-2-1, 15 KOs) to claim the vacant NABO title.

Vanes Martirosyan (23-0, 14 KOs) remained unbeaten with a eightH round unanimous decision victory over Billy Lyell. All three judges scored the bout for Martirosyan, 79-73, 78-74, and 80-72.

Chris Avalos (9-0, 7 KOs) stopped Torrance Daniels (12-9-1, 5 KOs) after the seventh round.

Travis Kauffman (16-0, 13 KOs) stopped “Twin Tyson” Cliff Couser at 2:41 of the first round in a scheduled six round bout.

SATURDAY NIGHTS RESULTS

WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan “White Tyson” Chagaev (27-0-1, 20 KOs) won a six-round technical decision over previously unbeaten Carl Davis Drumond (26-1, 20 KOs) on Saturday night at the Stadthalle in Rostock, Germany.

Chagaev was cut over the left eye by an unintentional headbutt in round three, which bled heavily from that point on. Referee Gustavo Padilla wanted to stop the bout at the beginning of round six but let it go one more round. At the end of six rounds, the bout was sent to the scorecards, which read 60-54, 58-56, 58-56.

WBA super middleweight champion Andreas Kotelnik (31-3-1, 13 KOs) defended his title tonight with a split decision victory over previously unbeaten mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana (25-1, 24 KOs).

Maidana took command from the opening bell but the champion Kotelnik adjusted and seemed to take command after three rounds. Maidana had a very good round nine but Kotelnik again made the adjustment and seemed to take rounds ten and eleven. Both fighters landed bombs in a very exciting twelfth round. Scores were 115-113, 115-114 Kotelnik, 115-113 Maidana.

WBA #11 heavyweight Denis Boystov (24-0, 19 KOs) stopped Israel Garcia (19-3, 11 KOs) in less than two rounds. Time was 1:17.

Super middleweight Eduard Guttknecht (16-0, 7 KOs) scored a fifth-round stoppage of former world title challenger Rubin Williams (29-6-1, 16 KOs).

Featherweight prospect Marcel Meyerdircks (11-0, 4 KOs) scored a an eight-round unanimous decision over Vitaly Shivanov (3-5, 1 KO).

Polish heavyweight Mariusz Wach (20-0, 8 KOs) outpointed Remigijus Ziausys of Latvia (7-19-1, 1 KO): 60-54, 59-55, 58-56

WBO flyweight champion Omar Narvaez (29-0-2, 18 KOs) scored a tenth round TKO over previously unbeaten Rayonta Whitfield (22-1, 11 KOs) on Saturday night at the Nuevo Palacio Aurinegro in Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina. For Narvaez, it was his 15th defense of the title beating the previous record of the legendary Carlos Monzon.

FRIDAY NIGHTS RESULTS

Super middleweight Andre Ward (18-0, 12 KOs) took a one-sided unanimous decision over Henry “Sugar Poo’’ Buchanan (17-3, 12 KOs) on Friday night at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino at Lemoore, Calif. Ward controlled most of the rounds which gave the judges no nightmares as they scored the fight 120-108 on all cards.

Jesus Soto-Karass (23-3-3, 16 KOs) won a hard-fought 10 round unanimous decision over Carson Jones (18-7-1, 10 KOs) at the Activity Center in Maywood, CA.. All three judges scored the fight for Soto-Karass, with scores of 97-91, 98-90, and 99-89. Soto-Karass scored two knockdowns in round three both coming from body shots.

Omar Chavez (14-0-1, 10 KOs) remained unbeaten with a four round majority decision over Rodolfo Armenta (4-1, 3 KOs).

Light heavyweight Yusaf Mack (27-2-2, 16 KOs) won a twelve round split decision over former world title challenger Chris Henry (23-2, 18 KOs) on Friday night at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury, MD. Scores were 116-112, 115-112 for Mack, 115-113 for Henry.

Joey “The KO Kid” Spina (24-1-1, 17 KO’s) took the first step in his rededication to professional boxing as he made short work of late substitute Matt Gokel (12-10, 7 KO’s) at the Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, RI.

Boxing promoter Frank Warren believes Joe Calzaghe may yet be tempted back into the ring.

Calzaghe, 36, the longest-reigning world title-holder in boxing history, announced his retirement last week after a professional career spanning almost two decades. But the Welshman - who held the WBO super-middleweight for two weeks short of 11 years - could be back before long, claims Warren.

"A lot of people say it's not for money - but it is," Warren told Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek. "At the end of the day, that's what it is. If the right fight comes up and the terms are right, I'm sure he would consider it - and knowing Joe, he might even take it."

“I applaud Joe’s decision. It’s obvious he and his family gave it a lot of thought. Timing is everything and to leave center stage at his peak is rare and certainly comparable to the retirements of Rocky Marciano and Jim Brown. Joe left on his own terms. What could be better? He held the super middleweight championship longer than anyone, successfully defended it a record-21 times, unified the titles, and then moved up to light heavyweight beating two future Hall of Famers. He has been a man for all seasons and will be an inspiration to me as I look to meet and beat his records. On behalf of all your boxing fans I say, ‘Thank you, Joe.’ And now I am ready to succeed Joe as the new king. I have dethroned two world champions in Tomasz Adamek and Antonio Tarver and defended the title against Glen Johnson. I’m only 26 years old and I’m ready to fight the best at 175 pounds for a very long time. Welcome to the Dawson era.”

Undefeated world boxing champion Joe Calzaghe resisted the lure of future bouts to hang up his gloves as the satisfaction of retiring without losing took precedence over the thrill of the fight.

Calzaghe said: "There's always the temptation to fight on, especially if you are the champ and no-one has ever beaten you. But I've come to a point where the satisfaction of retiring undefeated has to outweigh the thrill of another fight."

Calzaghe's name will now go alongside that of heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano who retired as undefeated heavyweight world champion after winning all 46 of his professional fights.

He said he had been forced to take "one of the toughest decisions of my life" but said his desire to preserve his unbeaten record helped him make up his mind after months of soul-searching.

Calzaghe added: "I've achieved every goal I've ever set myself in the ring - there are no more mountains left to climb.

"I've been lucky to have had the most fantastic career and I owe my thanks to all the many people who have been at my side and helped me to achieve everything.

"Of course my special thanks go to my family and especially my dad Enzo who first encouraged me to put on the gloves and who was at my side and in my corner for every one of my fights."

Calzaghe added: "I'm retiring from boxing but certainly not retiring in the sense of doing nothing. I am already working on a number of TV projects and am looking at a number of commercial offers going forward."

Richie Woodhall told the Press Association: "The guy's got the brains to realise he's accomplished everything he can in the sport and I really admire the decision.

"There's not many fighters who realise it's over but Joe knows he's done his bit. There's some guys coming up he could fight but he knows that if he beats them there will always be someone else.

"In my opinion Joe is the greatest fighter to come out of Britain. We've had so many great fighters like Ken Buchanan and John Conteh, but Joe has won 46 fights and reigned as champion for so long, he is simply unbeatable.

We here at TopClassBoxing had another difficult prediction to make this week as we broke down the fight between WBA, WBC & IBF champ Vic Darchinyan and Jorge Arce to come up with a prediction on how we think the fight will be won and lost.

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

Photos: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME - Three of the four fighters who will be featured on Saturday’s excellent doubleheader on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING participated in a workout Wednesday that was open to the media and public. It was held at the TKO Boxing Gym in Anaheim, Calif. In what will be a slugfest from start to finish, Vic Darchinyan will defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight belts against Jorge Arce in Saturday’s main event live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

The once-beaten, hard-hitting Darchinyan (31-1-1, 25 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, by way of Armenia, will be making his first defense since unifying the 115-pound division with a one-sided ninth-round knockout over Mexico’s Cristian Mijares Nov. 1, 2008, on SHOWTIME.

A winner of five in a row and 31 out of his last 32, the popular, crowd-pleasing Arce (51-4-1, 39 KOs), of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, is the current WBA interim super flyweight champion and is a former WBC 115-pound and World Boxing Organization (WBO) 108-pound titleholder.

The co-feature on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will pit WBC No. 5-ranked contender Antonio DeMarco (19-1-1, 13 KOs) against “Kid Diamond” Almazbek Raiymkulov (27-1-1, 15 KOs) in a 12-rounder for the North American Boxing Organization (NABO) lightweight title.

The event, co-promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc., will take place from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Remaining tickets, priced at $250, $125, $90, $60, $45 and $35 on sale, can be purchased through Ticketmaster (all Ticketmaster outlets), by phone, 714-740-2000, online at www.ticketmaster.com  and at the Honda Center box office. (note: additional tickets at $35, $45 and $60 have been made available)

VIC DARCHINYAN

“I am anxious, focused and confident. My weight is great. I am ready to go.

“I expect this is going to be a good fight. I’m not looking to knock him out in the first round. He is a tough fighter and I know he is here to give me a tough fight. So this might go a couple rounds.

“But once I hit him – and before he realizes what hit him – the fight will be over.

“I got a lot of attention when I was undefeated, but the recognition is more now that I beat Mijares like a baby. Being undisputed champion means more.

“I know I have a target on my back and that everyone will be gunning for me. That’s why I am not overlooking any opponent, including Arce.

“Arce has done a lot of talking, but I like it when they talk and think they are going to beat me. That way, when it is over, I can remind them of what they said while I am holding the belts.

“I’ve been chasing, following this guy around Mexico for three years. I can’t wait for Saturday.’’

JORGE ARCE

“Darchinyan’s greatest strength is his mouth. I am not intimidated by the devil; why would I be intimidated by him? His biggest weakness is his chin. When he gets hit flush, he doesn’t get up.

“I am ready for anything he has to offer and looking forward to testing him and finding out about his will to win. I know what my will to win is. But we’ll find Saturday about his.

“He hasn’t been fighting really elite Mexican fighters and I have trained for this fight like I never have before. I’ve had a great camp. I’ve been chopping trees and swimming to improve my strength. I’ve sparred with southpaws for the first time. Lefties have never given me a problem.

“People think because I lost to Mijares and Darchinyan beat Mijares that Darchinyan will automatically win our fight. But that’s not how it works. It is just talk. It is neither here nor there. Styles make fights. You’ll see after I nail him what I am saying.

“I am very happy and excited to be here and I am looking forward to fighting in Anaheim again and showing SHOWTIME that I deserve to be on their network. I appreciate this opportunity.

“I am not leaving that ring without the three belts. I am smarter than him.’’

Promoter Gary Shaw has informed reporters that former two-division champion Ricardo Mayorga has withdrawn from his Feb. 14 bout with unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Alfredo Angulo. The fight was scheduled to top an HBO televised triple-header in Sunrise, Florida.

Shaw was told that Mayorga may have suffered some injury in camp, but he's not exactly buying the story.

"I'm very disappointed. For the first time in his career, Ricard Mayorga has chickened out of a fight. That speaks volumes about Alfredo Angulo," Shaw said.

Shaw told BoxingScene that as soon as he heard Mayorga was pulling out, he began working around the clock to secure a suitable replacement.

"I am working on getting someone right now. We have to be careful with switching up an opponent with only 12-days notice," Shaw said. "I would fight Cornelius Bundrage. I would fight Alfonso Gomez. There are a few other names."

Also on the Feb. 14 card, Nate Campbell defends his WBO/IBF lightweight titles against Ali Funeka, and Sergio Martinez defends his WBC interim-junior middleweight title against former welterweight champion Kermit Cintron

Amir Khan's clash with Marco Antonio Barrera will go ahead on 14 March after the Mexican legend passed a medical examination.

The fight at the MEN Arena was in doubt when Barrera suffered a cut above his left eye against Freudis Rojas last Saturday.

Promoter Frank Warren told press today : "It's a great relief to finally get confirmation that Barrera will be ready for March 14. Sometimes these problems happens in boxing and you have to get through them, but I'm delighted that the fight is on and now we can get back to business and sell the remaining tickets for what will be a great fight"

The Press conference between Former two time WBA super-middleweight champion Anthony Mundine (34-3, 23 KO’s) and Shannon Taylor (48-6-3, 34 KO’s) erupted yesterdaywith both fighters having a few choice words for one another.

The 33 year Mundine started things off saying, “I have one message for you Shannon, I want everyone to listen - the mouth is an open grave.” 

Taylor responded by saying, “It’s is you that mouths off all the time. That is why little old ladies hate you. Ninety-five per cent of people don’t like you. They only come to watch you to see you get beat.” 

Mundine, who is dropping back down to Middleweight for the fight responded back by saying, “Just turn up !”

Taylor shot back, “You want to get paid for it or do you want to do it for free - right now, right here.”

Mundine retorted, ” I am going to show you again, again, again who is the champion Taylor.”

“Come back here and say that Mundine, that’s right- walk away. Come back here and I will stick that hat your wearing up your arse, ” came the response from Taylor.

As Mundine left the conference he told the watching media, “The only way Shannon Taylor is going to win this fight is if he brings a gun into the ring and that won’t happen.”

The final words were left to Taylor who has mixed in good class for the last ten years sharing the ring with Shane Mosley and Arthur Abraham, amongst others in his career that has spanned 57 fights. He said, “What more does he want - does he want me to kiss him ? I tell you I will give him a kiss - a kiss with the right hand !”

The fight is available on PPV in Australia via Main Event on 11th February and is for the vacant WBA International Middleweight Title. The winner is hoping to take on WBA champion Felix Sturm later in 2009.

Edwin Valero, the 24-0, 24 KO super featherweight contender from Venezuela, has signed with Top Rank.

Bob Arum made the announcement today. “Edwin Valero is one of the most exciting fighters in the world today,” Arum said. “We are very pleased he has signed with Top Rank. We are planning in the months ahead to showcase him so the public can see how talented he is.” Arum said Valero’s first bout with Top Rank will soon be announced.

Marco Antonio Barrera (65-6, 43 KOs) won by third round disqualification over emergency replacement Freudis Rojas (1-8-1) on Saturday night at the Auditorio Telmex de la UG in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico.

Rojas was DQ’d for a headbutt which left Barrera with a bad gash over his left eye. The cut could jeopardize Barrera’s scheduled March 14 clash against Amir Khan in Manchester, England.

featherweight Jorge Solis (37-1-2, 27 KOs) scored a fifth round stoppage of Monty Meza Clay (28-2, 19 KOs) in an IBF eliminator.