ENZO LOOKS TOWARDS HATTON AS A POSSIBLE MATCH UP FOR REES!!! Thurs 31st January 2008 Enzo Calzaghe recently told Santana sports That WBA junior welterweight champion is ready for the challenge of Ricky Hatton. Enzo told Santana Sports "People often bypass Gavin Rees when they talk about my fighters – I’ve got three world champions in my camp," Calzaghe said. "The ability of this kid is monstrous. The only question is where he goes from here. He’s got a mandatory defence first but I can say this now after that I’ll be looking for Ricky Hatton. Without a question of a doubt." Calzaghe said Rees will take Hatton's money, pocket the riches and then beat him. "He’ll have true rewards from that, beating Ricky and then taking the money off him as well," Calzaghe said. "First he’ll take his money then he’ll beat him. Junior Witter’s worth nothing moneywise. Ricky Hatton’s worth a monster amount. I want Gavin to cement himself financially and his ambition is to beat Ricky Hatton. This is not nasty talk, because I respect Ricky big time, I respect what he’s done. He’s a good champion and he’s a good guy as well." "In boxing terms, its common sense I talk this way. He’s after what Ricky can pay. Boxing Ricky is not like boxing Junior Witter. Financially there’s a massive gulf in that. With Ricky Hatton involved it will be a massive fight. We can’t wait. First thing we need to do is get the mandatory fight sorted, but a Hatton fight will come." TYSON HAVING HARD TIME IN SOUTH AFRICA!!! Thurs 31st January 2008 Ex Undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world is having a hard time in South Africa with protesters following his every step. Tyson is in South Africa to promote a big boxing event on Saturday but as found it hard due to protesters ringing in Radio stations venting their anger towards the ex world champion, Jacob Zuma the leader of South Africa's ruling ANC party has had to cancel an appearance at a charity event plus a radio station appearance on Talk Radio 702. EX CHAMP ARRESTED!!! Tues 29th January 2008 Ex IBF champion Tim Austin was arrested yesterday after police had a call to his home in the Cincinnati suburb of Madisonville after a phone call from Austin's wife alleging he Punched and kicked her in the head repeatedly Austin was then arrested on domestic violence charges. Tim Austin was last seen in the ring losing to Eric Aiken in 2006 TARVER V WOODS GETS GREEN LIGHT!!! Tues 29th January 2008 April 12th is a date many of us will be putting in our diaries after IBF champion Clinton Woods signed to fight former Light Heavy ruler Antonio Tarver. The fight will take place at St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla, on the same day WBC world title holder Chad Dawson defends against Glen Johnson, The world championship doubleheader is being promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and AT Entertainment in association with Fight Academy. POVETKIN DEFEATS CHAMBERS!!! Sun 27th January 2008 In a fight to become mandatory challenger for IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko title saw to of the brightest talents in the division come head to head with the Russian Alexander Povetkin taking on Eddie Chambers of the USA. Alexander took the spoils on the night with a decisive unanimous decision but was made to work by the counter punching Chambers all the way to the final bell at the Tempodrome in Berlin. The early rounds was all Povetkin who looked to stamp his authority on the bout early on while landing the cleaner punches and looking generally the busier fighter, this continued through to the middle rounds with Eddie's trainer Buddy McGirt urging his fighter to up the pace, Round nine was definitely a Chambers round who seemed to sense the bout had slipped away from him which may be the only round he actually won, down the championship rounds Povetkin came on strong and finished impressively to take the score from the judges which were 117-111, 119-109, 116-112. From this performance Povetkin certainly proved that he can step up to take a title, but also showed that this fighter may be the fighter to take over the division.   Under Card European middleweight champion Sebastian Sylvester scored a unanimous decision against Francois Bastient over twelve rounds scores were 118-109, 119-108, 120-108. Enad Licina scored an eight round unanimous decision against Lubos Suda scores were 80-74, 79-73, 80-73. JOHN STOPS CABALLERO!!! Sat 26th January 2008 WBA featherweight champion Chris John retained his title on Saturday night winning via seventh round stoppage over Roinet Caballero. The fight took place in in Jakarta, Indonesia, John brutally attacked Caballero in both the sixth and seventh rounds which left Caballero's corner with no alternative but to throw in the towel. This is John's Ninth successful title defence. OTHER WEEKEND RESULTS!!! Sat 26th January 2008 European light welterweight champion Colin Lynes retained his title via twelve round unanimous decision over late sub Juho Tolppola on Friday night Hugo Cazares scored a ten round unanimous decision over Kermin Guardia, Scores were 97-93, 97-93, 98-92 WBO flyweight champion Omar Narvaez scored a twelve round unanimous decision to retain his title against Carlos Tamara, scores were 120-108, 119-109, 119-109 Derric Rossy scored a unanimous decision over over former WBO heavyweight champion "Merciless" Ray Mercer, scores were 117-111, 117-111, 115-113. VASQUEZ V MARQUEZ PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES!!! Thurs 24th January 2008 ISRAEL VAZQUEZ: “If everyone thought the first two fights were amazing, they’re in for an unforgettable performance on March 1st.  When Marquez and I get together, boxing magic happens. “Marquez and I have proven that we’re warriors and we don’t back down or take a step back.  We love to fight, we live to fight. “Our styles are the main reason why these fights are so amazing and crowd-pleasing.  That’s why they’re so exciting.  You can expect the same on March 1st. “I want everyone to know that I’m very grateful for this opportunity.  I want everyone to come to the Home Depot Center to support us.  It’s going to be an unforgettable fight, one for the ages. “Our rivalry is great and one-of-a-kind.  Outside of the ring, we’re friends, but this is a sport, this is my life.  Once the opening bell rings, our friendship is set aside for the moment because we both want to win. “My trainer, Rudy Perez, is the missing piece for me.  I never thought to change trainers before, but now I know why I did it.  Rudy has been great. “I think I’ve been fighting much better than I’ve ever had.  I feel like I’m 20-years-old again. “Marquez may change his style for this fight because I know he is a smart boxer.  He will be as prepared as I am. “Both fights were different.  I’m stilling learning from both.  You’ll see my best on March 1st.” RAFAEL MARQUEZ: “I’m going to give the fans what they want to see.  I’m sure Vazquez is bringing his best and so will I.  This is a fight that everyone will remember for many years. “Vazquez is a strong puncher.  He knows how to set up his power punches.  We’re going to work on some things that will limit his ability to throw heavy punches. “I think I miscalculated Vazquez’s style in the second fight.  There were some mistakes that got me in trouble.  I’ll make the proper adjustments in the third fight. “We’re not going to overhaul my style, we’re just going to tweak it a little bit.  Remember, I won the first fight so I know how to beat Vazquez. “Vazquez hits extremely hard.  It’s tough to gauge his power from round-to-round because he never seems to get tired which allows him to throw heavy punches whenever he wants. CALZAGHE V HOPKINS CONFIRMED!!! Wed 23rd January 2008 Promoter Frank Warren as today proudly confirmed the highly anticipated match up between Super Middleweight king Joe Calzaghe and "The Executioner" Bernard Hopkins. The bout is scheduled on April 19th in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center. Calzaghe said "This is a dream come true for me. I won't be taking Hopkins lightly but I feel I have the tools to beat him." MORALES LOOKING TO CONTINUE HIS CAREER!!! Wed 23rd January 2008 Legandary Mexican Warrior that is Erik Morales plans to return to the ring in 2009 telling esto "I think I can come back and fight again and win a championship because I don't consider myself finished," he continued. "There's nothing unusual in taking a long break like Roy Jones or Felix Trinidad have done. I saw the action between Armando Santa Cruz and Joel Casamayor, and I believe that at this point I do better." DE LA HOYA NAMES FORBES FOR NEXT FIGHT!!! Wed 23rd January 2008 With many fight fans figuring that Oscar De La Hoya's next fight would be against IBF jr welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi it came as abit of a shock to learn that actually it is Former IBF super featherweight champion Steve Forbes that as been selected as the fighter to next face the Goldenboy. De La Hoya made the announcment yesterday with the fight to take place on May 3rd at a catch weight of 150 pounds. A location is to be named at a later date. HATTON RETURNS IN MAY OR JUNE!!! Tues 22nd January 2008 IBO light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton is planning a comeback in either May or June an opponent yet to be announced. While vacationing in South Africa Ricky told Sky Sports News that he planned the return in these months but not against another british fighter Junior Witter, "Junior Witter has made a career for himself on slagging me off," he said. "I don't know whether I want to give him the best pay day of his life. When someone slags you off you don't repay them by giving them their best payday." JONES TOO GOOD FOR TRINIDAD!!! Sun 20th January 2008 In a fight that saw two legendary fighters face off against each other, After twelve hard fought rounds it was "The Superman" Roy Jones Jr that was left victorious as he took a unanimous decision against the formidable Felix "Tito" Trinidad. The fight took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City and both fighters didn't disappoint the packed attendance. The fight saw two knockdown's in the twelve rounds with Trinidad hitting the canvas on two occasions. Trinidad started the bout the better but as the rounds wore on Jones started to walk Trinidad down, Round seven saw the first knockdown when Jones connected with a right hand to the temple of Trinidad, Tito ever the warrior made it to his feet but Jones stayed cautious and didn't really follow up, Jones seemed alot stronger than Trinidad and his shots seemed to be hurting Trinidad in rounds eight and nine, In round ten the second knockdown occurred when again Jones connected and again Trinidad hit the canvas. Scores at the end of the bout were 116-110, 117-109, 116-110.   Undercard Andrew Golota scored a unanimous decision against Mike Mollo over twelve rounds. ****** Alex Bunema scored the upset of the weekend when he knocked out former IBF champion Roman "Made In Hell" Karmazin in the tenth round. ***** Unbeaten Devon Alexander scored a unanimous decision against Demarcus "Chop Chop" Corley, scores were 116-111, 118-109, 118-109. ***** Luis Collazo outpointed Edvan Dos Santos Barros over ten rounds. CHAGAEV DECISONS SKELTON!!! Sun 20th January 2008 In the WBA heavyweight contest of the night Ruslan Chagaev had some tough moments against Matt Skelton but in the end done enough to take a unanimous decision for his first defense of his title. Both men had moments throughout the bout but as the fight wore on it was Chagaev who was maybe more active in some of the rounds against the more defensively minded Skelton, the scores seemed to indicate this when the came in from the judges with 117-110 and 117-111 twice for Chagaev. MOLITER OUTPOINTS CASTILLO!!! Sun 20th January 2008 Steve Molitor remained unbeaten as he took his record to 26-0 against Ricardo Castillo with a unaunimous decision. The fight took place at Casino Rama in Orillia Ontario and saw Moliter outpointing the brother of Jose Luis Castillo over twelve rounds. Moliter was cut in the bout but in the end was more accurate with his punches to take scores from the judges at 118-109 on all three cards. WITTER TO DEFEND AGAINST HOPKINS??? Thurs 17th January 2008 WBC jr welterweight champion Junior Witter is believed to be weighing up a defence of his title against unbeaten Demitrius Hopkins in the US. Demitrius is the nephew of Bernard Hopkins and is unbeaten so far throughout his career and will provide a tough test for the champion, the fight is scheduled for on March 22nd and is thought to be taking place in Los Angeles. VALERO APOLOGIZES!!! Thurs 17th January 2008 Mr. Gilberto Mendoza, President WBA Members of the WBA I Edwin Valero, would like to offer my sincere apologies to all of you for comments made by me directly or indirectly to the press. I’m aware that I owe my boxing career as a professional boxer to Mr. Gilberto Mendoza and all of the WBA members. Before the happenings I regret the comments made upon my erroneous beliefs or expressions that were misinterpreted by the press. My only intention was to express my desire to be able to fight the winner of the Marquez-Pacquiao bout in the near future. Once again my sincere apologies to all of you. Sincerely, Edwin Valero TRINIDAD LOOKING BEYOND JONES AND TAGETS CALZAGHE NEXT!!! Wed 16th January 2008 Felix Trinidad has joined the ever growing list to challenge Joe Calzaghe. Trinidad is putting final touches to his preperation for Saturday's fight with Roy Jones Jr but still found time to call out Super Middleweight king Joe Calzaghe. Trinidad said "After I win, and I intend to win, there a lot of guys out there but Joe Calzaghe is in my vision and in my future," Trinidad replied. "So I will go after him too. There are a lot of fighters out there but Joe Calzaghe is one of them."   KHAN WONT FACE THAXTON!!! Tues 15th January 2008 Amir Khan's opponent for February 2nd wont be British champ Jonathan Thaxton it was announced yesterday. Promoter Frank Warren told The Mirror newspaper "We're talking to a big name - a former world champion - and hope to announce the new opponent in the next few days." It is though that the former world champion may be South African Gairy St Clair. MUNOZ STILL CHAMP!!! Mon 14th January 2008 WBA Super Flyweight champion Alexander Munoz barely kept his title today as he decisioned ex-WBC champ Katsushige Kawashima over twelve hard fought rounds. The fight took place at Yokohama, Japan which witnessed a see-saw battle that saw Munoz attacking successfully throughout the early rounds but which also saw Kawashima rally in the later rounds but to no avail. The scores from the judges were 115-114, 115-113 and 117-111. WARREN "HOPKINS V CALZAGHE DONE"!!! Sat 12th January 2008 It's the news the boxing world has been waiting for, the news that Bernard Hopkins v WBC/WBA/WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe is on. "The deal's done and will be confirmed with the venue and date next week," Calzaghe's promoter Frank Warren told the South Wales Argus. "The talks with Hopkins' representatives are almost over, and I've been told it's on April 12. The venue is not set in stone but it does look like the fight will be in Las Vegas." MIRANDA MAKES SHORT WORK OF BANKS!!! Sat 12th January 2008 Edison Miranda made short work of Contender star David Banks last night needing just three rounds to knock his challenger out. The fight took place at the Seminole Hard Rock LIVE Arena and ended with David Banks laid out against the bottom ropes from a huge right hand. Miranda will now be looking for a match up with Jean Pascal who was also victorious when he beat Omar Pitmann by unanimous decision. SIDORENKO RETAINS TITLE!!! Thurs 10th January 2008 WBA bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidorenko retained his title today when he succesfully decisoned challenger Nobuto Ikehara over twelve hard fought rounds. Sidorenko used his superior boxing skills to keep Ikehara at bay.and took his record to 20-0-2 with 7 knockouts. SUPERMAN ROY JONES JR CONFERENCE CALL!!! Thurs 10th January 2008 You are making a lot out of stopping Tito...  RJJ:  “He is smaller than me and it will be hard to not try to knock him out.”  Will it be a negative if you don't knock him out?  RJJ:  “Trust me, he is not going to go 12 rounds with me.  I hear, ‘If he does this or if he does that…’.  “He may try to do all of that but he is not going to go the distance with me.  I really can’t see him going the distance with me.”   Roy, I see you haven't had a knockout in seven fights - what are you going to do different?  RJJ:  “You have to look at it like this. Superman had to gain a lot of weight to fight at heavyweight.  I had to take off a lot of weight to go back down.  That was all muscle.  It took me a while to get back to where I feel good again.  When I added all of that muscle and then had to lose it, I don't think people were paying attention.  I won the heavyweight title then came back to win the light heavyweight title.  If you didn't win the heavyweight title then go back down to win the light heavyweight title, then you didn't do what Bob Fitzsimmons did.”   Don King:  “Yes, Roy, there is no one that can say they came back down to win both.  I think it is phenomenal what is going on.  These two guys have pride and glory.”  CONTINUED CASTILLO LOOKING FOR WITTER MATCHUP!!! Wed 9th January 2008 WBC Champion Junior Witter chance of American exposure may be just around the corner as he was offered the chance of a match up with Jose Luis Castillo. The sheffield fighter was contacted by a US Promoter to say Castillo wanted a match up. Trainer Dominic Ingle told the Sheffield Star: "If Junior was to go over and beat him easily - which he is capable of doing - people will just say Castillo is washed up and was when Hatton beat him." MACCA "IT COULD BE 12 OF THE MOST BRUTAL ROUNDS SEEN IN BRITISH BOXING" Tues 8th January 2008 WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli told SportingLife yesterday that his match up between Himself and David Haye on March 8th could see the most brutal fights in British history. Macca told SportingLife "We're two boys who fight the same way - we like to take the other guys out," Macca said. "Everyone says it will be an early finish but if it isn't then it will be the 12 most brutal rounds seen in British boxing, and that's a fact. If I was a fan, this would be the fight I would want to see. You've got two fighters with the same style who will want to rip the other's head off. I'm going to train as hard as I've ever done and David will do the same. We're going to clash in the centre of that ring." MALIGNAGGI DEFEATS NGOUDJO!!! Sun 6th January 2008 IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi was impressive again last night as he decisioned Herman Ngoudjo over twelve rounds at Bally's in Atlantic City. The fight saw a back and fourth battle in which both men pressed the action throughout, but in the end it was Malignaggi's slickness down the stretch that ensured he kept a tight grip on his title. The scores after the twelve rounds were 115-113, 116-113, 117-111. Olympic gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa needed just one round to knock out Gilberto Luque. Former world champion Glen Johnsonscored an eighth round TKO over Hugo Pineda which could now setup a match up down the line with Chad Dawson. Lovemore Ndou scored a seventh round knockout over Rafael Ortiz. HAYE WILLING TO FIGHT IN CARDIFF!!! Fri 4th January 2008 March 8th will see two of britains biggest punchers go head to head in what can only be described as a war, WBA/WBC Champion David Haye as taken the bait from WBO champion Enzo Maccarinelli which will see one of the biggest fights britain as to offer. Haye told PA Sports "The fans really wanted this fight, so it would be wrong for me to blow this boy away in 10 seconds," "If we go to Cardiff, he will have 50,000 people screaming his name, getting him revved up. It will lift him a few per cent. Maybe that way this fight will last. "I have no doubt in my mind this guy, Maccarinelli, needs all the help he can get. "Don't get me wrong, other than me he is the best in the division, but there's a big gap between me, the man recognised as the undisputed champion, and him. It will show." "We are the biggest pound-for-pound punchers in the world and neither of us have great chins. He has been floored a couple of times, so have I. We have both lost one fight before. "It will come down to who lands the first clean bomb, and his style is tailor-made for me to exploit. "He comes in with high hands, a stand-up European fighter, and I keep my hands low with a lot of lateral movement. "Maccarinelli has to move his hands from his face to throw his big punches and when he does my fast right will knock him on the chin. Bang! There goes Maccarinelli." TCB WISHES ALL READERS A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Wed 2nd January 2008 We here at TopClassBoxing would like to wish all visitors to our site a Happy New Year, Boxing was back on top in 2007 with great match ups everywhere the eye could see, Lets hope the trend continues as we look ahead to another great year. Thanks again Paul FORMER WBC LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION CHOI DECLARED BRAIN DEAD!!! Wed 2nd January 2008 Former WBC Light Flyweight champion Choi Yo-sam was pronounced dead after collapsing during a fight on Christmas Day. Choi was defending his WBO intercontinental flyweight title against Indonesia's Heri Amol when in the twelfth round he was floored, the fighter managed to make it to his feet and won the contest unanimously, however afterwards the fighter collapsed. The 33 year old suffered a cerebral haemorrhage and was pronounced "brain dead" by hospital officials in Seoul. CAMP NOTES FROM ROY JONES JNR!!! “It was a dream come true for me to get on the court and shoot around and do some drills with the Knicks.  I was a little rusty but I wasn’t going to say no to coach Isiah.  What a thrill it was to be on the court with the Knicks to see up close and personal how good they really are. “It was inspiring for me too.  I’ve had my ups and downs over the last three years so I came out here today to let coach Thomas and the Knicks know they just need to hang in there, do the best they can, and their time will come.  I know it will.” “It’s working out really well at the training camp.  I need to be focused for this fight and this camp out in the country is a good place to be focused. “The rooster is back in Roy Jones.  I used to strut and entertain people.  Somehow I lost that for a time.  I started to focus more on my opponents than on simply going out and entertaining my fans.  Now I’m back to doing what I do best. “Tito and his people think it’s going to hurt me to have to go all the way down to 170 pounds—and it is a smart move on their part—but it’s nothing I haven’t been through before.  I’ve had more than enough time to get down to weight so I’m not going to have to kill myself getting there. “The big question is can Tito bring his punch and take my punches at 170 pounds.  Tito must go in fo’.  That’s what everybody’s waiting to see on January 19.” OSCAR & MILLIE ANNOUNCE THE BIRTH OF THIER SECOND CHILD!!! Wed 2nd January 2008 Born on December 29th 2007 Oscar de la Hoya and Millie Corretjer were proud to announce the birth of their second child. The baby was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces. We here at TopClassBoxing would like to extend our congratulations to the GoldenBoy. NEWS IN BRIEF OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD!!! Wed 2nd January 2008 Juan Diaz signed to fight IBF Mandatory challenger Nate Campbell ***** The british super fight between Enzo Maccarinelli and David Haye was announced, The fight is set to take place on March 8 at a site to be determined. ***** IBF cruiserweight champion Steve U.S.S. Cunningham stopped Marco Huck in the Twelfth round on Saturday December 29th 2007. ***** Jose Alfaro took the vacant WBA lightweight crown when he beat Prawet Singwancha by split decision.