CLOTTEY IS READY FOR PACMAN!!!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Joshua Clottey says that he is ready for a showdown with the world’s best pound for pound boxer, Manny Pacquiao.
In an exclusive interview with The Mail, Clottey said that he was ready to upstage the Filipino in the March 13th welterweight bout at the newly constructed $1.2 billion Cowboy Stadium in Dallas, USA.
“People have started doubting if I am ready for this deadly fighter but I keep telling them if he is good, I am better. If Pacquiao beats me, it won’t be news but if I beat him, the whole world’s attention would be on me. For a young boxer, this is one of the very few chances you get and a win against Pacman is like asking for little and getting enough. I have prayed for this opportunity and today here I am against the people’s favourite. I will use him to get the fame and attention I deserve. A win is all I know now and it won’t change anytime soon. March 13th is my time with destiny and somebody like Pacman can’t stand in my way”
“Everybody knows I am a good fighter and I travel all the rounds in any fight. So this is no news. Yes, he is a great fighter but on this day, the difference between a great fighter and an underdog, won’t make any difference. Dallas should expect a good fight come March 13th”.
TOP RANK INK BENAVIDEZ!!!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Top Rank President Todd DuBoef announced today the signing of the exciting amateur prospect of Jose Benavidez, of Phoenix, at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.
Benavidez is the 2009 Golden Gloves National jr. welterweight champion and compiled an outstanding record of 120-5 as an amateur. Benavidez is currently trained by Freddie Roach and will make his pro debut on the Martirosyan-Ouma card Saturday night, against Steven Cox (1-0, 1 KO), of Independence, Mo.
For many of you that are yet to see Jose in action, let me be the first to tell you that this kid looks to be a great addition for the future. I have witnessed him on many occasions throughout his amateur days where everytime he has impressed. in sparring against Amir Khan at the Wildcard he give the WBA champion everything he could handle. So in my opinion, Please feel free to Believe the Hype.....
JONES JR VS B-HOP II SET FOR APRIL!!!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs) went on to win his own bout against Enrique Ornelas but the hype of a rematch between Hopkins and Jones had now faded away for many of boxing's insiders. Many believed the fight was now dead and buried while both men still talked of an interest in staging the bout and this was mirrored in Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer comments later on who told reporters "The interesting thing is the conversations never died down, even after Bernard won and Roy lost, the talks continued and different options were evaluated. But I just felt from talking to Bernard and from the conversations I had with Jones that they really wanted to fight each other."
The original deal has seemingly been restructured while a bonus for a knockout still remains. The two are set to meet on April 17 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas with the fight being televised on PPV.
VASQUEZ JR - SONSONA PRESSER!!!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
A press conference was held today in Bayamón, Puerto Rico for the upcoming WBO Interim junior featherweight fight between Wilfredo Vázquez Jr. (17-0-1, 14 KOs) and former WBO super flyweight champion Marvin Sonsona (14-0-1, 12 KOs).
The fight will take place on February 27th at the Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The bout is being presented by PR Best Boxing in association with All Star Boxing and Sampson Boxing LLC.
Iván Rivera: We are starting off 2010 with an exciting fight featuring two of the best, young, and undefeated prospects in boxing. Sonsona is known in Puerto Rico now after defeating then world champion Jose ‘Carita’ Lopez this past September. We know and believe that Vazquez Jr. can become champion. On February 27th he will get his opportunity to win the title in his hometown.
Vazquez Jr.: My example is my father and I’m very proud of him. I’m going to do everything I can to win this title. This is for my daughter. I have been training very hard for this since this past November and I’m very well prepared on all levels.
Vazquez Sr.: We will take advantage of this opportunity. Not only is my son going to win the title he is going to win the title by knockout.
Sonsona: This is going to be a very competetive fight without a doubt. However, I have come here to win and I’m coming to win by Knockout. There is no doubt in my mind, and I’m going to knock him out.
Tickets can be purchased by calling (787) 792-5000 or online at www.tcpr.com . Tickets are priced at $20, $40, $75, $125, $150 and $300
RICKY HATTON CONFIRMS HIS COMEBACK!!!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Ricky Hatton has confirmed that he will return to the ring sometime in the summer of this year, though it is not yet known who his opponent will be.
The Mancunian made the announcement on his official website that he would have a couple more fights before he hangs his gloves up for good.
Hatton it is thought have had enough time to think about his career and as now opted to have at least one more bout..
"I've decided to make a comeback and have another fight his year, probably around the summertime this year," he told Hatton TV "There's been no opponent that has been confirmed yet and there's been no date confirmed yet. But the point is that I have made my mind up that I'm going to have one more fight. I've had a good break, a good time off and a good time to reflect and put that last fight behind me and really get over it and get my mind straight. I think after the Mayweather defeat I jumped straight into action and I didn't really perform my best. This time I've had a good rest, recharged the batteries and had a really good think. I'm happy to get back at it now."
On his short-term plans, he added: "I go on holiday next week with my girlfriend to Australia and then when I get back, although I haven't got a date yet, I'm going to go straight back into training. Weight-wise, I've got a little bit more to carry than I normally do. In order to do that, I'm going to go straight into training and shed the weight. When the date comes, I will do my usual 12-week training camp."
Hatton is not ruling out carrying on beyond his next fight, though he admits his long-term future will depend on how he performs in his comeback.
"I'm going to have one more fight, maybe two more fights," he added. "It all depends on the performance in the first fight. It would be very foolish of me to say 'two more fights, three more fights'. It's always hard coming back from defeat but there were reasons for that (loss to Pacquiao) from the way my training camp went. There were times when I should've taken my foot off the gas and I wasn't allowed to do that. In the latter stages of my training...it took a lot less of a fighter than Manny Pacquiao to knock me out.
"Bearing that in my mind, that's what has made me want to come back, because I know things could have gone better. But, you know, we will soon find out. I've set the wheels in motion for my retirement, so I'm not going to have too many more fights. At the moment I'm only definitely going to have just one more."
Current IBF light-welterweight champion Juan Urango is one potential foe, while speculation will grow over the possibility of a mouth-watering domestic duel with fellow Brit Amir Khan, who currently holds the WBA belt.
Hatton is determined to face a big name rather than fighting an opponent he can beat easily.
"It's got to be a top-10 ranked pound-for-pound fighter or a world champion of some sort," Hatton stated "I could not have one more fight and people look at me and say 'he's just had this fight just to knock someone over and end his career on top'. If I'm going to end my career I want to end it on top. It's got to be a big name so I can get my teeth into it."
RUIZ SIGNS WITH GOLDENBOY!!!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
John Ruiz yesterday signed with promotional giants Golden Boy to help guide his path to a world title and beyond.
“I’m excited to become a member of the Golden Boy Promotions family and know that I have a great future ahead of me,” said Ruiz. “I’m going to continue to make history and break records one fight at a time, starting with David Haye this spring. I know Golden Boy will help get me back to the top of the heavyweight division and to secure my place in the boxing history books.”
“John Ruiz is a very skilled and talented heavyweight and we are very excited to add him to our elite stable of fighters,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “He has proven time and time again that he has what it takes to battle with the top guys in the division and will continue to do so in 2010 and beyond.”
PHOTO: GOLDENBOY PROMOTIONS
tAYLOR QUITS THE SUPER SIX COMP!!!Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Jermain Taylor as today withdrawn from the Super Six World Boxing Classic, although the former middleweight king said that he wont retire from the sport.
Taylor was knocked out in the 12th round by Arthur Abraham in October which caused many around the world of boxing to call for the fighters retirement. Although he will be taking a break, Jermain stated that he will return to the ring.
“I'm going to take some time off from the sport of boxing,” Taylor said in a statement. “It's important that I give my body and mind some much-needed rest, because I have been boxing for nearly 20 years. I plan on keeping myself in shape and making a return to the sport some time in the future.”
“This was not an easy decision for me, having (to) discuss it with my family, trainer, friends and my adviser Al Hayman,” Taylor said. “I wish the best for my five counterparts who will continue on in the Super Six tournament. Most of all, I want to thank the many fans for their continued support.”
Since losing four of his last five fights, it prompting his promoter Lou DiBella to part ways over concerns about his health.
“I know it must have been a difficult decision for Jermain, and I'm very happy for him and his family that he decided to give himself a much-needed break,” DiBella said in a statement Tuesday.
The 31-year-old Taylor was scheduled to face WBA 168-pound champion Andre Ward on April 17 in the second leg of Showtime's modified round-robin tournament, which is designed to crown one winner from six super middleweight contenders early next year.
KATSIDIS WANTS A CRACK AT MUNDINE!!!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
WBO interim lightweight world champion Michael Katsidis said today that he would like a shot at Anthony Mundine and would be prepared to move up the three weight divisions for it to happen..
"This (fight) is something that would really lift the profile of the sport in Australia," Katsidis told AAP "It's just not me, I think a lot of people would like to see that.
"The very first time it (a fight with Mundine) dawned upon me is when he flew over to watch me fight Casamayor. He came over to America and he stood next to me and I thought he's not that much taller. He's definitely not wider than me, in the shoulders, he's not as big as me."
Katsidis wasn't worried about Mundine's hand speed either "It's nothing different to the lightweights that I am experiencing over here (USA). The speed of the guys is as fast if not faster, so I am used to that," Katsidis said.
Although genuinely interested in fighting Mundine, Katsidis's No.1 priority remains his mandatory challenge to WBO lightweight world champion Juan Manuel Marquez.
"I'm honouring the commitment with the WBO," said Katsidis.
If he doesn't fight Katsidis next, Marquez - who has a May 1 date scheduled for his next fight - will be stripped of the title and the Australian will be recognised as the full WBO champion.
MUNDINE GETS PAST MEDLEY!!!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Anthony Mundine (38-3, 23 KOs) scored a unanimous decision over Robert Medley (27-3, 17 KOs) in a twelve round bout today at the Entertainment Center, Sydney, Australia.
Mundine edged a lot of the closer rounds but was hurt on a couple of occasions throughout, Medley showed some great skills but in the end the judges scored the fight unanimously in favour of the former world champion 117-112, 117-115 and 117-113.
Mundine told reporters afterwards “Medley was ready–he had great preparation. I have had no KO’s for a while but I tried too hard for the knockout. I find it hard to get up for these fights. I have not got the eye of the tiger, but I am still the best.”
In a bout for the Australian Contender super middleweight title Garth Wood (7-1, 3 KOs) scored a split decision over Kariz Kariuki (21-7-2, 18 KOs) over seven rounds. scores were 68-65 and 68-66 for Wood and 68-66 to Kariuki
Junior Talipeau (14-1-1, 5 KOs) stopped Nader Hamdan (42-7-1, 18 KOs) after an accidental head clash inflicted a cut over Hamdan’s right eye.
Middleweight Peter Mitrevski Jr (22-6-1, 10 KOs) decisioned Jakkirt Suwunnalirt (15-14-1, 6 KOs) over six rounds. scores were 60-54, 60-54, and 60-54.
UNIVERSUM: STURM UNDER CONTRACT
Monday, January 11, 2010
Universum Box-Promotion has responded to WBA middleweight Felix Sturm, who had declared himself free of any obligations to the German boxing Universum contends Sturm has breached his contract:
Statement:
Contrary to stories in the press put about by Sturm’s side in the last few weeks, Felix Sturm remains under exclusive contract to Universum. Universum will take any legal steps necessary to ensure that Felix Sturm remains obliged to fulfill his exclusive contract with Universum until 2012, when the contract ends. We will not tolerate his participation in any boxing matches which violate our exclusive contractual rights.
Following Mr. Sturm’s rejection of an offer by Universum of a voluntary title defense bout to be fought in November or December 2009, the WBA (World Boxing Association) ruled that Mr. Sturm must defend his world champion title in a mandatory title bout by April 2010 at the latest. The official challenger was named by the WBA as Gennady Golovkin, who is currently ranked no. 2 in the world and who is also under contract to Universum. Universum has asked for Mr. Sturm’s cooperation in arranging this fight to ensure that it can be carried out in accordance with contractual provisions and with the WBA rules.
Universum and Felix Sturm have worked together for years, and until recently (Mr. Sturm’s last title defense bout at the Nürburgring on July 11, 2009), their partnership has been successful and mutually satisfactory. We have put much time, energy and patience into enabling Mr. Sturm to attain the status of world champion – including procuring him a fight against boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas. We stood by him unconditionally when a KO defeat lost him his title in the summer of 2006, and continued to work with him and for him to become world champion again.
Until our last joint boxing match at the Nürburgring, we had not the slightest indication that Mr. Sturm was anything other than completely satisfied with this extraordinarily successful and loyal partnership. We can thus only conclude that his entirely unforeseen attempt to terminate the contract in August 2009 and the public provocations
FIGHT RESULTS fROM TOKYO!!!
Monday, January 11, 2010
WBA super bantamweight champion Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (40-1, 28 KOs), scored a majority decision over previously unbeaten Satoshi Hosono (16-1, 12 KOs) in a back and forth fight in Tokyo, Japan today.
The official scores were: Tom Miller (US) 115-113, Michael Lee (Korea) 117-113, both for the champ, and Raul Caiz Sr. (US) 114-114. Poonsawat kept the fight at close range and scored with good left hooks which were mixed with the occasional uppercut to sneak a decent decision over the impressive Hosono.
Takashi Uchiyama (14-0, 11 KOs) scored a brilliant stoppage over the defending champion Juan Carlos Salgado (22-1-1, 16 KOs).
Uchiyama showed the kind of skills that have led to many of boxing's insiders naming him one of Japanese best prospects for 2010. He was always ahead of the champion in the contest with his stiff accurate jab finding it's mark time after time and as the Mexican faded throughout the twelfth round, Uchiyama sensed the end and scored with a MASSIVE right hand that dropped Selgado to the canvas, the former champion made it to his feet but was stopped by referee Raul Caiz Sr during the follow up barrage.
ROACH: OUR PLAN IS TO KO CLOTTEY
Monday, January 11, 2010
Freddie Roach, the trainer for World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao told reporters from Fight Hype yesterday his plans for dealing with the challenge of Joshua Clottey saying “Our goal is to knock him (Clottey) out. we have to box this guy [Clottey], in and out, side to side motion, really, and really be tactical, because he’s a very strong and big puncher."
Although, I like everyone else around the boxing world would have loved to have seen a match up between Pacman and Mayweather, this seems a very interesting match up and one which is sure to test Pacquiao in the the welterweight division. Clottey is a strong fighter with decent power who is a difficult fighter to stop as Margarito and Cotto and testify to.
STIEGLITZ RETAINS TITLE!!!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
WBO super middleweight world champion Robert Stieglitz (37-2, 23 KOs) scored a brilliant fifth round stoppage over #11 rated challenger Ruben Eduardo Acosta (23-4-5, 7 KOs) on Saturday night at Bördelandhalle in Magdeburg, Germany.
Stieglitz was on top form as he dropped Acosta in round three and again in round five which he followed up with a barrage of punches that left the referee with no option but to stop the fight. Acosta stepped in on late notice after Edison Miranda had to pull out due to illness.
Heavyweight Manuel Charr (14-0, 7 KOs) scored a tenth round TKO over Owen Beck (29-4, 20 KOs). Time: 2:44.
WBC/WBO/WIBF featherweight world champion Ina Menzer (26-0, 10 KOs) scored a sixth round TKO over WIBF super featherweight champ Ramona Kühne (15-1, 4 KOs). The bout was stopped in round six due to a deep cut over Kühne’s left eye.
Super welterweight Jack Culcay scored a first round annihilation of Dmitrijus Sidorovicius (2-1, 1 KO).
Heavyweight Denis Boytsov (27-0, 22 KOs) continued his unbeaten run with a second round knockout over Kevin Montiy (17-7-1, 13 KOs).
Heavyweight Zack Page (20-27-2, 7 KOs) won a six round majority decision over Sebastian Köber (19-1, 13 KOs) in a MASSIVE upset. Scores were 58-56, 57-57, 59-56.
Khoren Gevor (31-4, 16 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Jeferson Luis Goncalo (19-6-3, 10 KOs) by scores of 98-94, 99-91, 96-94.
Heavyweight Christian Hammer (5-1, 3 KOs) defeated Remigijus Ziausys (8-22, 5 KOs) over six by scores of 59-56, 60-54, 59-55.
Photo: SES Boxing.de
*** PLEASE CLICK THE ABOVE PICTURE TO SEE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIGHT ***
ATLAS' SOURCE REVEALS SECRET EMAILS
Saturday, January 9, 2010
PACQUIAO TO FACE CLOTTEY???
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Manny Pacquiao told various reporters yesterday that he won’t be moving to 154 to face WBA super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman and Instead will look to defend his WBO welterweight title against Joshua Clottey.
That fight has been discussed for March 13, possibly at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas or the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
KARMAZIN DESTROYS MIRANDA!!!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Former jr middleweight champion Roman Karmazin (40-3-1, 26 KOs) last night knocked out Dionisio Miranda (20-5-2, 18 KOs) in round ten but had to get off the canvas in doing so at the Civic Auditorium in Glendale, California.
Both fighters threw some heavy leather with Miranda perhaps shading proceedings, rocking the Russian on a couple of occasions before scoring with a right hand in round nine that dropped Karmazin hard to the canvas. Karmazin was noticeably in trouble but came storming back in round ten to drop Miranda twice which resulted in a KO victory. Time was 2:34.
Jose ‘Shibata’ Flores (44-10, 26 KO’s) stopped Roberto Valenzuela after the second round of a scheduled six round bout.
Heavyweight Andrey Fedosov (20-1, 16 KOs) scored a brilliant second round KO over Lionel Butler (32-15-1, 25 KOs).
Light heavyweight Anatoliy Dudchenko (7-2, 5 KOs) took a unanimous decision over Isaac Atencio (2-2-1, 2 KOs).
MAYWEATHER: I WANT TO KICK HIS PUNK ASS
Friday, January 8, 2010
Team Mayweather went on the attack yesterday with a press release in which they want to make very clear that he isn't scared of fighting Manny Pacquiao.
Floyd wants the world to know was that he agreed to a modification of his previous demands about blood testing PRIOR to the mediation and Camp Pacquiao knew that.
Floyd Mayweather says that he already cut the time back from his demand for unrestricted testing and came half-way between his approach and Pacquiao's suggestion that there should be no tests closer than 30 days prior to the fight, in other words, the 14 days prior to the fight proposal.
That's why he is ticked that Pacquaio's people wouldn't play ball and see that Floyd had split the difference. In Mayweather's opinion, that should have been the winning solution to break the imapsse.
He's also adamant that his handlers did NOT suggest he agree to the Pacquiao proposals, thus making it look like he was afraid to fight the Pacman.
Below is the press release:
"Throughout this whole process I have remained patient, but at this point I am thoroughly disgusted that Pacquiao and his representatives are trying to blame me for the fight not happening when clearly the blame is on them.
"First and foremost, not only do I want to fight Manny Pacquiao, I want to whip his punk ass.
"Before the mediation, my team proposed a 14-day, no blood testing window leading up to the fight. But it was rejected. I am still proposing the 14-day window but he is still unwilling to agree to it, even though this is obviously a fair compromise on my part as I wanted the testing to be up until the fight and he wanted a 30-day cut-off. The truth is he just doesn't want to take the tests.
"In my opinion it is Manny Pacquiao and his team who are denying the people a chance to see the biggest fight ever. I know the people will see through their smokescreens and lies. I am ready to fight and sign the contract. Manny needs to stop making his excuses, step up and fight."
ROACH WARY OF THE MAIDANA CHALLENGE!!!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Trainer Freddie Roach isnt looking forward to the challenge of one of his star pupil's the WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KO’s) fighting interim WBA champion Marcos Maidana (27-1, 26 KO’s)
Roach told The Sun newspaper, “It’s a business and it’s about the right fights at the right time. There are some good fights out there for Amir. He [Khan] can outbox Maidana, but he’s tough, a good puncher, and you don’t want to exchange with him too much.”
If Khan doesnt choose to defend his title, then he would have no choice but to vacate the title he won from Andriy Kotelnik
ARUM: THE FIGHT IS OFF!!!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
According to reports, Top Rank’s Bob Arum stated late last night that the proposed Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao bout scheduled for March 13 in Las Vegas is officially off.
Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, reportedly went on to say that Pac Man will likely fight WBA 154 lbs. titlist Yuri Foreman instead on March 13 or 20th.
FORGET ABOUT PACQUIAO, MONEY WANTS ROSS!!!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
While the focus of the boxing world may be on a super fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao, the man many know as "Money" Mayweather was last night looking to go head to head with a heavyweight
Floyd was attending the opening of a new nightclub named Vanity in Las Vegas last night where he got into a confrontation with the BIG time rapper Rick Ross.
Several sources at the nightclub said that the confrontation started to get heated after one of the two men bumped the other, seconds later both of the men's entourage became confrontational while the nights host P Diddy had to get involved to calm down the action before any punches were thrown.
It is thought that both men have shown a dislike for each other for a few years now with Ross writing a few diss songs about Mayweather in the past.
PHOTO'S BY: WWW.TMZ.COM
HAYE: I`LL ALWAYS HAVE A SUSPECT CHIN
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
David Haye doesn't believe a suspect chin stop him ruling the world.
In an interview with GQ magazine Haye admitted: "I'll always have a suspect chin. Anyone who's been down always will have. But I've never been on the canvas for longer than eight seconds. You can train yourself to take punishment."
Haye also believes the his defeat to Carl Thompson in September 2004 was a blessing in disguise, admitting: "I realised then that talent can only get you so far. I’d had 10 easy fights as a pro. I felt like a footballer who scores five goals every week. After a while you wouldn’t bother training, and I didn’t.
"I learnt to have more hunger during training, and I didn't want that horrible, embarrassed feeling afterwards, sitting in hospital."
Haye now awaits the challenge of the American John Ruiz for his first title defence which he hopes will lead to a match up with one of the divisions super powers. The Klitschko brothers.
CUBAN ACOSTA HEADING TO THE STATES!!!!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
CORK, Ireland Unbeaten Cuban bantamweight Alexei “The Hurricane” Acosta, now fighting out of Ireland, will cross the Atlantic Ocean later this month to prepare for his United States pro debut in 2010. The 21-year-old Acosta defected from Cuba in 2008 and signed a managerial contract with Cork, Ireland-based Gary Hyde, president of Nowhere To Hyde Promotions.
The thrilling, power-punching Acosta made his pro debut September 13, 2008, knocking out Krastan Krastanov in the second round of their fight in Cork. Fighting exclusively as a pro in Ireland and Great Britain, Acosta has stopped all nine of his opponents, the last this past November, via a second-round stoppage of Sean Hughes (15-9-1) on Belfast.“I’ve always dreamed of becoming world champion as a professional,” 2006 Junior World champion Acosta explained in fluent English, “but that that was never going to be possible if I stayed in my native Cuba. The hardest thing for me was leaving my family behind in Cuba, especially my son, Michel. My dream is going to become a reality soon, when I go the United States and win the world title in six or seven more fights.”
Hyde has been involved in talks with some leading boxing promoters interested in signing his top fighter, 2-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux (4-0, 3 KOs), the multi-talented bantamweight who had an incredible 243-4 amateur record.
“They have all also expressed interest in signing Acosta,” Hyde noted. “I hope to have Alexei fighting alongside Guillermo because this will give him the best possible platform to shine. Alexei is very excited about fighting on the important U.S. circuit. Belfast’s Tony Dunlop coaches Alexei, who has punching power in both hands and hasn’t been extended more than three rounds in any of his nine pro fights.”
Hyde also manages two other Cuban boxers, heavyweight Mike “The Rebel” Perez (8-0, 6 KOs), winner of the World Junior Championships; and super middleweight Luis “El Leon” Garcia (5-0, 4 KOs), 2006 World Junior Championships winner, in addition to Irish super middleweight brothers J.J. “Slick” (2-0, 2 KOs) and Paddy McDonagh (2-0).
“My original plan was to bring my Cuban fighters to Ireland and, after they built-up respectable records, send them to the U.S. to win major titles. I picked three of the brightest young stars on the Cuban National Team, but I also needed one of the most decorated amateurs ever to go pro, ‘Rigo,’ as my key for fighting them all in the U.S. My plan was sidetracked for a while due to the Rigondeaux situation (Hyde recently won a legal judgment in Miami that validated his managerial contract with Rigondeaux). I am now putting it all back together with Acosta joining Rigondeaux (living in Los Angeles) in the U.S. I will be spending a lot more time in the United States, developing my team in 2010, and they should all be ready for global dominance by the end of this year.”
DEMARCO: fIGHT WITH VALERO IS PERSONAL
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The interim WBC lightweight champion, Antonio DeMarco (23-1-1, 17 KOs) began training camp in December as he readies for the challenge of the WBC champion Edwin Valero (26-0, 26 KOs) on February 6th in Monterrey, MX.
“We had a good rest, we went home to Los Mochis and I visited my family. We got back and began training in mid December. They called us about the fight and we came back to train, it’s not such a big deal, this is our work and it is what we love to do and we are ready,” DeMarco stated after an intense training session.
DeMarco told reporters yesterday that he trains with the same intensity that he did three months ago when he won the Interim title over Jose Alvaro “It’s the same, the same rhythm and with the same effort. My whole team and myself, we are working hard so that we can win this fight” DeMarco stated. “One thing I can say, this is the hardest I have worked in training camp because my bout against Valero is personal.”
The Mexican also mentioned that the championship bout against the undefeated Valero came at the right time in his career.
“I have always said that God does certain things for a reason. God put this opportunity at my doorstep and I have to take advantage of it. This is the right time for me for this fight,” DeMarco said. “As far as Valero, when I said it was personal, I meant it as it is a personal challenge for myself. There is a lot of negative people that say that I won’t make it past three rounds in this fight and it is a personal challenge for myself to prove to those people and to myself that I am ready for Valero and much more.”
DeMarco, 23, does not deny that he has heard some of the comments that Valero has made in the press but he will not succumb to what he believes is another facet of the profession he chose.
“To me, they are just rumors that people say or even Valero himself who said that Humberto “Zorrita” Soto and myself are little Mexican girls because we weren’t willing to face him in Venezuela. I have respect for him because he is a fellow boxer and we both know what we have to sacrifice to climb into a ring,” DeMarco stated. “I have a lot of respect for him as a person and as a fighter because I have nothing against him. Once in the ring, that respect goes away because this is a sport in which one has to go in with everything, to win, to try to knock out your opponent because he is trying to knock you out.”
DeMarco added that it does not bother him if his next opponent talks about him.
“No, on the other hand, I like it, I like that he mentions me even in that way,” DeMarco says chuckling. “For me it is something natural in this sport, the thrash talk, but it is not about that, it is about getting ready for a fight and climbing into that ring and putting on a great fight for the fans and for oneself.”
Photo: Main Events Media
MAYWEATHER & PACQUIAO TO MEDIATION!!!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are going to mediation to try and salvage their March 13 fight.
The two fighters are due to meet on Tuesday with a California mediator in an effort to reach agreement on blood testing issues that have threatened to derail the fight.
The mediator will be the retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein, who was used by promoters for both fighters three years ago to resolve a dispute over promotional rights of Pacquiao.
STIEGLITZ WILL FACE ACOSTA!!!
Monday, January 4, 2010
WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz (36-2, 22 KOs) will now face WBO #11 rated Ruben Eduardo Acosta (23-3-5, 7 KOs) on Saturday in Magdeburg, Germany.
Stieglitz was originally set to face the Colombian Hard Hitter Edison Miranda, who had to pull out due to illness.
COTTO'S FATHER DIES OF A HEART ATTACK!!!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Media in Puerto Rico have reported today that Miguel Cotto’s father sadly passed away this morning. Miguel Cotto Sr is believed to have died from a heart attack.
According to police, the senior Cotto, who carried an oxygen machine due to asthma, felt ill, stopped the car and asked for help before collapsing.
Our Heartfelt prayers go out to the Miguel's Family and Friends at this very difficult time.
GREEN OFFERS HOPKINS NEW DEAL!!!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
IBO cruiserweight champion Danny Green is doing everything possible to get his match up with Bernard Hopkins into fruition which includes taking a smaller purse for the fight. Green originally offered a 50-50 split which was originally accepted but later the American had requested a 60-40 split in his favour after it was revealed HBO would televise the fight on prime time USA television.
Green said, “When I left the States two weeks ago we had an agreement that whatever goes into the pot we were 50-50 which is what we did with Roy Jones. And after the momentum of the Roy Jones fight, I could fight SpongeBob SquarePants and still make good money. But it’s not about the money for me. It’s about continuing to try to build a legacy and knocking out two future hall-of-fame fighters. Knocking out two legends, bringing two legends to my backyard and helping the sport of boxing. I spoke to Bernard again on Christmas Eve and then I had the Sydney to Hobart, so I haven’t spoken to him for the past week. I’ve got one more phone call to make to him to try to make this happen. I’m confident that he’s going to take this deal. He’s squabbling over making millions. Let’s just make it happen and get it on!”
URANGO V ALEXANDER SET FOR MARCH 6TH!!!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
IBF light welterweight champion Juan Urango will face WBC light welterweight champion Devon Alexander on the 6th of March in what promises to be a facinating fight between the two title holders.
“I’ll fight Alexander in March, it’s gonna be an interesting fight and I’m ready to battle,” said Urango “I am honored to hold the IBF world title for the second time, but I think the fans deserve to find out who is the beast at 140. I call out the champions to help me unify the titles in our weight class and give boxing fans the holiday present they deserve”
STURM INKS NEW DEAL!!!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
MIRANDA PULLS OUT OF STIEGLITZ BOUT!!!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Edison ‘Pantera’ Miranda, who was scheduled to fight for the WBO belt against Robert Stieglitz, on Jan 9th in Germany has unfortunately been struck with the flu and had to cancel the bout. “For the past two weeks Edison has been fighting this thing but he just couldn’t shake it” says renowned trainer Joe Goossen. “We have been monitoring his health very closely and trying to get him through this. We had to pull the trigger and do what was right.
“I want to apologize to everyone, Robert Stieglitz, Universum, the WBO, my team, and all boxing fans for not being able to make this fight happen. I am very upset with having to cancel. This was a great opportunity for me. Hopefully we can try to reschedule sometime in the next 4-6 weeks.” According to Team Pantera there are other opportunities that have been mentioned if the Stieglitz camp decides not to reschedule this bout. One name that has been mention is IBF belt holder Lucian Bute who is looking for an opponent to fight this April. “My first priority is to make the fight with Robert Stiegltiz happen as soon as possible. If this cannot happen I will look for the next best opponent who is willing to fight me.”
MAYWEATHER / GOLDENBOY STATEMENT!!!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
After a Christmas weekend filled with comments and reports related to the potential mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions have issued the following joint statement:
Let the record be clear: Manny Pacquiao and his promoter Bob Arum are threatening to walk away from the largest fight in history. The fact is that random blood and urine testing was one of the many deal points and was listed along with the others, such as the financial split, the weight, financial penalty for being overweight, the appointment of the foreign sales agent, the production of the marketing assets, the gloves and many more. Team Mayweather made major concessions in many of these areas and we were optimistic that Team Pacquiao would do the same as it related to the request for random blood and urine testing, which Floyd Mayweather agreed to immediately.
It is disappointing for us to see that the benefits of blood testing and the fact that many different substances and procedures can only be detected by blood testing, are still not fully understood by all.
Their “take it or leave it” approach where blood testing would stop 30 days prior to the fight unless the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) approved differently is another indication that they may not want this fight. Pacquiao’s position (and as stated on his website) is. “The truth is taking blood out of my body does not seem natural to me and mentally I feel it will weaken me if blood is taken from me just days before the fight” or he is “afraid of needles” and does not feel comfortable with blood being taken closer than 30 days before the fight is another interesting point. The fact is that he did have blood taken just 14 days prior to his fight with Ricky Hatton, an event which was documented on HBO’s 24/7 reality show.
Also when told that Pacquiao feels that the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is an agent of Golden Boy Promotions-which is in and of itself a ridiculous accusation-we moved swiftly and made yet another concession by stating that we would be perfectly fine to retain another agency which would do the random urine and blood tests and jointly agree on a reasonable cutoff prior to the fight but which would still maintain the integrity of the results. Let it be clear that this procedure was declined by Pacquiao as was the proposal to bring in an independent mediator such as Sen. John McCain, a suggestion that was in fact embraced by Bob Arum, but also declined by Manny Pacquiao.
Let it be very clear that nobody from Team Mayweather or Golden Boy Promotions is accusing Pacquiao of anything. But the reality seems to be that for whatever reason Pacquiao does not want to participate in random blood testing, which has already been deemed a harmless procedure that many current athletes are subjected to prior to and during competition.
Team Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions is still open to the earlier discussions of having both parties work out a mutually agreeable understanding of the testing, which would be conducted by a mutually agreed upon agency.
In closing Floyd Mayweather is one of the most decorated athletes boxing has ever seen and he is anxious to make this fight happen for all of the fans and sports enthusiasts that are asking for this fight to happen too. As you might have noticed Floyd has been silently watching and patiently waiting for the final details of the fight to get worked out. As Floyd has already stated he does not have a problem with the random procedure and will be under the same requirements as Pacquiao, it is simply hard for him to understand why there is reluctance on Pacquiao’s part to agree to do the same.
