Arturo Gatti's death was ruled a suicide by police on Thursday and his wife, once suspected of killing the former champion, was released from jail.

Lead investigator Paulo Alberes told The Associated Press authorities decided Gatti killed himself on July 11 while at a seaside resort in northeastern Brazil.

When asked if police had determined the case was a suicide, Alberes said "yes." He offered no other details, though a judge - in ordering the release of Gatti's wife - cited the police investigation and wrote that "the victim took his own life, committing suicide by hanging."

The boxer's widow, 23-year-old Amanda Rodrigues, said in a phone interview as she walked out of jail she thinks Gatti may have killed himself because he was afraid she was going to leave him after the pair had a violent disagreement in public the night before his death.

"We had an argument in the street. Then he pushed me and I hurt myself. I believe that when we got home and he saw that he hurt me, he thought I would leave him, that I would tell him to just let me go, that I would separate from him," Rodrigues said. "He did that in a moment of weakness. He was drunk, maybe he didn't know what he was doing, maybe he thought I would leave him the next day."

A day after the 37-year-old Gatti was found dead, police said that Rodrigues had strangled him with her purse strap as he drunkenly slept.

But police began to back off the accusation about a week later after a coroner's report said Gatti may have killed himself as he was found "suspended and hanged." The autopsy report didn't exclude the possibility he was slain, but said he also could have died in an unexplained accident, or could have committed suicide.

"The police investigation concluded that Arturo killed himself," said Celio Avelino, Rodrigues' attorney. "I've said before it would have been impossible for her to suspend and hang a man of that size."

Judge Ildete Verissimo de Lima ordered the immediate release of Rodrigues after receiving the police report. The judge wrote that police informed the court "the detention of the suspect was no longer needed" as the investigation "excludes the possibility of murder."

Rodrigues said her priority was to see the 10-month-old son she had with Gatti, grieve for her husband and clear her name in the case - though some of Gatti's friends said they still suspect her.

"All of my plans and dreams involved Arturo. I haven't been able to think of anything beyond that," she said. "My plan now is to stay with my son, my father, mom and sister, nothing more than this."

Gatti's body was discovered in the apartment he was renting with Rodrigues in the resort town of Porto de Galinhas. The pair had arrived there a few days before for a second honeymoon. The couple brought their son, who was unhurt and is in the care of Rodrigues' family in Brazil.

Former world champion Ricky Hatton has given his clearest indication yet that he is ready to hang up his gloves. It was thought the prospect of facing newly crowned champion Amir Khan would tempt him back into the ring but Hatton has stated this isn't happening at the moment.

"I'm not thinking about boxing at the moment," he told the Manchester Evening News. "Maybe I'll wake up one day and think 'let's give it another go', but I might not. I'm not missing it. Fighting is the furthest thing from my mind"

"I'm delighted for Amir. I can't praise him enough. He's gone back to the drawing board and answered any questions there might have been about him. But the fact that he's won a world title has not made me any closer to a comeback. It hasn't entered my head. I don't think I have to beat Amir Khan to prove anything."

Hatton then stated that he had no regrets over his career saying "When I look back at my career nobody expected me to do what I've done, I won five titles at two different weights. I've only lost to the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world. If I don't fight again I can hold my head high.

"Maybe somewhere down the line I might think about giving it another go and if he is still world champion then obviously he would be a possibility."

Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan 32-2-1-(26), has relinquished his IBF super flyweight world title.

His promoter Gary Shaw revelead the news last week and today IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker, confirmed Darchinyan’s decision.

Darchinyan still holds the WBC and WBA super flyweight world titles.

It now looks like Darchinyan will defend his WBC title against 29 year old Mexican southpaw Tomas Rojas, who has a record of 31-11-1 with 22 knockouts.

Timothy Bradley: I trained for six weeks for this fight. I went into camp already in shape from my last fight. It was refreshing since it wasn’t a three month camp, which can get repetitious. I ran five days week and did strength training. It kept my weight down and kept me conditioned. I feel better prepared and well rested.

(On Nate Campbell) I feel good about this fight. I am anxious and ready to see what Nate Campbell is all about. I’m curious. I have never been in the ring with anyone who has completely dominated me. He said that was what he was going to do, so I’m curious. Let’s see if it happens. I laugh at what he (Nate) says because he doesn’t know who Tim Bradley is. I am going to win the fight. I think it will go 12 (rounds). I am not a huge puncher, but I bring a lot of preparation into the ring. I’ve knocked out a few opponents, too. To knock out Nate Campbell, that would put me right up there with the stars.

I’ve got the home-court advantage and I’m excited about this. This is my city, the place that I was born and I am proud and happy that I am able to perform in front of my hometown crowd. When it gets tough in there I know their support will lift me up. I really wanted to fight here in my backyard. I walk around town and people would ask me when I am going to fight locally, so this is especially meaningful for me to bring it home and do something for my hometown. “

Nate Campbell: In watching Tim’s last fight, I can tell he doesn’t have a strong chin. If you have a strong chin, you don’t go down. Every time Holt threw a punch, Tim went down. Tim’s punching power is as strong as his jokes — weak! He (Bradley) better watch it, he’s been talking a lot of trash lately.

(On being in Timothy Bradley’s hometown) It’s one thing to talk trash and not being able to back it up in front of your hometown. Tim hasn’t ever fought anybody like me. I enjoy what I’m doing and come Saturday it’s going to be hell for him. He just has to decide how long he wants to be in hell. I can give it all night.”

Devon Alexander: (His thoughts about Timothy Bradley relinquishing the belt) We’re in the pros now. As a professional you have to fight whoever is in front of you. He ducked me. I am the first world champion at 22 years of age. This is a blessing. Where I come from, at this age you are either in jail or dead. Not me. When I wake up on Sunday morning, I’m going to have the WBC title and it’s going to be a sweet victory. I‘m going to have a big night.

(Message to Junior Witter) There’s nothing that you can do to stop me this Saturday night from walking out of the ring with the WBC title. There’s no room for intimidation. I’ve fought older and experienced people, too. Sit back and watch me stay undefeated on Saturday night.

Photo's by: Carlos Baeza/Thompson Boxing Promotions

We could be gearing up for a Polish war between two of the countries best ever fighters. According to many sources yesterday a fight could happen between Heavyweight Andrew Golota and Current IBF Cruiserweight Thomasz Adamek as early as October. There are still a few things to tie up but the negotiations are at an advanced stage.

Delvin Rodriguez: I can not wait to get into the ring come August 1st. We have been training hard for this for the past eight weeks. This is an absolute dream come true to me, to not only be fighting for the championship of the world, but to do it in front of my hometown fans. I am not going to leave any doubt this time who is the winner. I will be walking out of the ring August 1st as the new IBF welterweight champion of the world, I promise you.

Isaac Hlatshwayo: I am physically and mentally 100 percent ready to go. Come August 1st I am prepared to do what I do best, and that is to fight and to win. The last fight is water under the bridge, I can not change the outcome of that fight, but I can assure you that I am going to bring the IBF belt back with me to South Africa. Winning the belt is going to open a lot of doors for me. I want to fight the best fighters in the world, but first I must take care of Delvin Saturday and that’s what I am coming to the States to do.

Devon Alexander is gearing up for the biggest fight of his young career and Today opened the doors of his Marquette Gym in St. Louis, USA to the media before he departs for Rancho Mirage, California.

Alexander will face former WBC super lightweight champion Junior “The Hitter” Witter on August 1 and looked full of confidence as he told reporters the following:

Devon Alexander “The Great”

“I’ve watched tapes on Junior Witter,” Alexander said. “He’s a crafty, slick fighter that likes to take pot shots at you when he gets the opportunity. My goal is to give him something where he will not be able to stay with that all night. I want to dominate him for 12 rounds. I want to be smart and aggressive at the same time.”

“From what I’ve seen in Witter, I see an experienced, savvy veteran that can be awkward at times but I think a sharpshooter like Devon can make him pay for his mistakes,” Cunningham said. “Witter does have the edge in experience but Devon has fought guys all over the world going back to his amateur days. Youth, speed, talent and persistence are things that Devon is blessed with so he can overcome anything he put his mind to.

“I think at some point in this fight it’s going to come down to the fact that Junior Witter is going to realize he’s in the ring with a young, hungry and extremely talented fighter that will prove that he wants it just a little more.”

“It means a lot to me to be fighting in my first world championship match. I started in boxing when I was 7. I come from a rough St. Louis neighborhood where most people go to jail or end up dead. I heard gun shots every night where you have to hit the ground and check to make sure the bullets didn’t hit you. This is a tremendous opportunity God has blessed me with to be fighting for a world title.

“There are 13 kids in my family including me and I’m the only one that can change my family’s direction and give them more opportunities to succeed in life. I want to show them a different way of life.

“I’m a natural southpaw. I’ve got speed and power but I don’t force my power. I can box on the outside like Sugar Ray Leonard or stand in the middle like Iron Mike, either way is fine with me.

“When the bell rings, the game plan turns on. I feel my opponent out and I try to dictate my style onto him and adjust to whatever he brings. For example, in my last fight against Chuy Rodriguez—a good fighter from California—my coach told me to feel him out and pop the jab. Rodriguez turned out to be a scrappy guy, but I knew I was too much for him if I stayed in my game rather than play to his strengths.

“I trained my whole career alongside Cory Spinks. He is so slick and fast and I’ve always tried to become as crafty as he is. He taught me to relax and have fun in the ring and not be over-anxious. The name of the game is to hit and not get hit and I had a front row seat to one of the best at that. I definitely try to carry those abilities into the ring with me.

“I’ve watched tapes on Junior Witter. He’s a crafty, slick fighter that likes to take pot shots at you when he gets the opportunity. My goal is to give him something where he will not be able to stay with that all night. I want to dominate him for 12 rounds. If he’s still there, I want to be there all day for him, giving him punches in bunches where he gets more than he gives. I want to be smart and aggressive at the same time.”

Kevin Cunningham (trainer and manager of Devon Alexander)

“Training has gone great. Devon is peaking at the right time. He’s been excellent in training and sparring. He’s looking spectacular.”

“The kid is definitely ready. Since he was an amateur, he has always been above the curve, advanced. When he fought in the national Golden Gloves, he asked me to doctor his birth certificate because he was three months short, he wasn’t 17 yet. I put him in with the adults and he won the whole thing when he was 16. He’s always been ready so I know he’s ready for his first world championship fight.

“He had nearly 300 amateur fights. He’s undefeated at 18-0. He’s been successful in three 12-round fights on his way to his first world championship. He’s faced a former world champion, a world title challenger in Miguel Callist and some top contenders. He’s definitely ready.

“From what I’ve seen in Witter, I see an experienced, savvy veteran that can be awkward at times but I think a sharpshooter like Devon can make him pay for his mistakes. Witter does have the edge in experience but Devon has fought guys all over the world going back to his amateur days. Devon has sparred with some of the top professional fighters in the world as well so it’s just a matter of him executing in the ring.

“Youth, speed, talent and persistence are things that Devon is blessed with so he can overcome anything he put his mind to. It’s just a mater of execution. I think at some point in this fight it’s going to come down to the fact that Junior Witter is going to realize he’s in the ring with a young, hungry and extremely talented fighter that will prove that he wants it just a little more.”

David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye has performed another massive U-Turn and pulled out of an announced September 12 showdown with WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and instead signed a contract to meet current WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev on November 7.

He told reporters yesterday “I am thrilled to announce that my dream of becoming world heavyweight champion will be realised on November 7, when I challenge the tallest and heaviest champion of all time, Nikolai Valuev,”

“Valuev’s known as ‘The Beast From The East’ and there’s a reason he’s got that nickname – he’s a big, ugly, sweaty and hairy man from the Eastern Bloc. Valuev is eight stone heavier than me and a foot taller than me. David only needed a slingshot and a stone to flatten Goliath, and I’m convinced my right hand generates more power than a stone.”

It was thought a match up with Vitali of Wladimir would be first on the agenda but Haye Said “There were reports in the German press that I had signed to fight Vitali Klitschko in September, but those reports were never true,” explained Haye. “There have been long and exhausting discussions about the clash, but unfortunately I could never put my name to the fight contract the Klitschkos offered. The level of disrespect they have shown me throughout has left me feeling insulted.

“As for signing the contract, now that I realise just how much support and interest I have from the people in Germany, it would have been like selling my soul to the devil. I will not be a slave fighter.

“Once I have snatched Valuev’s title, I will be happy to battle out heavyweight supremacy with the Klitschkos, but only on equal and fair terms,” said Haye. “As the WBA heavyweight champion, I should be able to meet them without having to sign my life away. Beating Valuev and taking his WBA title is my best chance of securing unification.

“I only hope the Klitschkos still want to fight me after I have slayed ‘The Beast’.”

The boxing world was saddened yesterday to hear the news welterweight Marco Antonio Nazareth had passed away in Puerto Vallarta due to injuries sustained in his fight with Omar Chavez on Saturday night. Nazareth underwent emergency brain surgery after the fight but sadly doctors were unable to save his life.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Fighters family and friends and we remember the warrior in the ring.

Former World champion Junior Witter Told the Sun Newspaper yesterday that he reckons he could knock out Amir Khan in THREE rounds.

Witter, 35, said: "I'd knock Khan out in three rounds and I definitely want to avenge the defeat to Bradley. There's only two fights out there that interest me after Alexander — Bradley and Khan.

"I should have been mentioned already when it comes to Khan but as soon as I've got my title back I will be. I don't really think he wants to face me but the fight can happen and I've got a sneaking suspicion it will.

"The main thing for me right now is getting the WBC title back, that's all I'm really concentrating on. But when I'm world champion and back on top, I'll have a look around, see who wants to fight and hopefully something can be done."

Witter thinks Khan took the easy option by facing Andreas Kotelnik for the WBA strap at Manchester's MEN Arena.

And he does not believe a Battle of Britain with Ricky Hatton should be the 22-year-old's next step.

Witter told the Sun newspaper yesterday : "Kotelnik didn't seem to do anything. For me, he just kept chasing Khan around the ring. He followed him round, followed him round and then occasionally threw a couple of shots. He was blocking most of Khan's work but wasn't throwing anything. If you don't throw punches you're not going to win.

"I'm not saying Khan hasn't got any power but he isn't a puncher. He's less of a puncher than Kotelnik and I wouldn't be worried about his power at all. You've got to give him respect for his ability to stick to a game plan, which is what he did against Kotelnik. But I think Khan got the weakest light-welterweight champion on a poor night."

Witter and Hatton have had their fair share of verbal sparring over the years, with the Hitman claiming he would never give his fellow Brit a payday.

And Witter has landed a fresh body blow by insisting Hatton should retire following his two-round demolition at the hands of Manny Pacquiao.

He added: "Hatton should hang his gloves up. He's made his money and should retire, although I don't think he's going to as he'll try and get the Khan fight. He's capable of winning if he can pin Khan down in four rounds. But if he doesn't he's going to lose on points and be made to look stupid.

"I don't think I'll ever face Hatton. You never know but I think there's more chance of me facing Khan at the moment."

ITS ALL SET and finally the boxing world will get to witness one of the biggest fights in the sport today as the Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao will take on three-time world champion Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas on November 14.

Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum unveiled the fight yesterday saying "Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto have reached an agreement to fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 14," Arum confirmed.

"The fight will be seen live on HBO Pay-Per-View. Top Rank is working on a major media tour to start right after Labour Day (September 7). Further details will be announced as we get closer to kicking off the tour."

Former WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli says he is still undecided about his boxing future.

After his third round stoppage at the hands of Denis Lebedev in Manchester on the weekend, The Swansea fighter told thisissouthwales.co.uk "That's it, there was nothing there on Saturday, that wasn't me,".

"Take nothing away from Lebedev, he was a strong fighter, but everyone who has seen me and knows me will recognise that two years ago this kid wouldn't have gone two rounds with me.

"There was just nothing there and I am gutted."

Earlier reports suggested the Maccrinelli was set to hang up his gloves but he said today "The reports are incorrect. I am still undecided over my future and will sit down with my promoter and manager, Frank Warren, to discuss it."

Amir Khan believes his shocking defeat by Breidis Prescott last September actually boosted his world-title chances by turning him "from a boy into a man''.

"I know people didn't think I'd become a world champion - even people probably in my own camp, my own team, didn't think I'd become a world champion this quickly. I made one mistake but I've proved everyone wrong by beating Barrera and now fighting for a world title.

"And hopefully when I wake up on Sunday morning I'll be a world champion.''

Khan even believes the defeat by Prescott accelerated his progression to world-title level.

"The Prescott fight made me change from a boy to a man, it took me out of my comfort zone because when you lose a fight you look at the mistakes and everything.

"That is what happened, I've changed from a boy to a man. I've changed everything, I've moved to train in LA, I'm totally focused now. I'm a different fighter, a different person and the way I fight now is totally different.''

Ricky Hatton will undergo tests over the next few days after being admitted to hospital in Manchester suffering from stomach cramps and vomiting.

The 30-year-old former light-welterweight world champion complained of feeling unwell on Monday and was taken to Tameside General Hospital on Wednesday morning.

His agent Paul Speak told the Daily Express: "He has been feeling unwell for a couple of days and overnight he could not sleep. His girlfriend Jennifer took him to hospital at about 8am as he was vomiting and suffering stomach cramps. Initially we thought it was just a bug and he would get over it, but it was definitely getting worse.

"He will be in for tests for a few days to determine exactly what Ricky has caught, but we can confirm it is definitely not swine flu."

Arturo Gatti 's wife, accused of strangling the fighter with her purse strap, proclaims her innocence and love for her dead husband in a letter given to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

While declining to be interviewed from her jail cell in the northeastern Brazil city of Recife, Amanda Rodrigues did hand over a letter penned in red ink.

The 23-year-old Rodrigues told investigators she awoke on Saturday about 6 a.m. to find her husband's body in the apartment they rented in Porto de Galinhas, a seaside resort in Pernambuco state. She then called police.

But investigators said she was the only suspect and they are certain she killed Gatti in the apartment where they and their 10-month-old son arrived for a second honeymoon last week. The boy was unhurt and was in the care of Rodrigues' family.

"I'm innocent and I know that this will be proven in a few days," Rodrigues wrote.

Saturday, September 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the fight dubbed “Number One/Numero Uno” between Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. and WBO lightweight titlist, Juan Manuel Marquez will air live on HBO PPV.

One need only listen to the terrible promotional name (“Number One/Numero Uno”) in order to understand that this fight is lacking some serious drama, emotion, and substance.

I’m sorry. I have said it before and will say it again; Mayweather and/or Manny Pacquiao need to fight the well deserving WBA welterweight king, “ Sugar” Shane Mosley.

A fight with Mosley would guarantee the true boxing aficionado and casual fan alike what is so desperately lacking in this upcoming fight between Mayweather and Marquez- substance, drama, excitement, speed, power, and high profile name recognition. What that translates to is dollars. Serious dollars.

I believe that the best fight out there for Mayweather is not a Mexican great named Marquez that is moving two-weight classes north for a day in the sun with Michigan’s boxing phenom, but rather, a speedy, power boxing sage from Pomona, California named Shane Mosley.

Roger Mayweather, Uncle and trainer to six-time world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. agreed with me in a recent interview I conducted with him.

I asked him what he thought of a lil Floyd versus Manny and/or Shane fight.

Roger replied, “Mosley has way more skills than Pacquiao ever will. I got nothing bad to say about Shane. He is big, strong, fast, and knows his sh*t. That is the best fight for my nephew in terms of fight status and testing your skills.”

He went on to say that “Mosley has the skills to pay the bills. If my nephew fought Mosley, that would be the biggest fight in the sport. But, the Manny Pacquiao fight would be bigger in terms of PPV buys.”

I agree. In Mosley, you have a man that made a “Tijuana Tornado”(Antonio Margarito) look more like a calm before the storm that never came.

Two fights prior to that, Mosley would suffer a decision loss to current WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto in a fight many people and experts alike believed that Mosley did enough to pull off the victory.

However, as it stands now, the champion of the welterweight division (Mosley) is left outside looking in while Pacquiao continues to make his demands on Cotto to drop to 143 pounds before even considering going much further in the supposed showdown this fall with the hard hitting, but seemingly easy to hit prodding Puerto Rican.

History does repeat itself folks. This is a different year with yet the same script being written out. Pacquiao, the “warrior” refuses to fight a true legitimate 147 pounder without first having that opponent drain their bodies to a weight lower than the WELTERWEIGHT limit. I thought it was called the welterweight (147 pounds) division for a reason.

Perhaps I just don’t understand the reasoning behind having weight divisions and rules that have been in place for decades in boxing if certain fighters and their handlers are just going to ignore them whenever they see fit. Yet, after they win, if they win, then they get to call themselves champions of said divisions without ever truly fighting at the required weight class limit they purportedly campaigned at. Maybe Manny, Bob Arum, and Freddy can explain the rules or lack thereof to others like myself who are wondering the same thing.

Roger poses the question if Manny should be in the mix at all with regards to high profile potential clashes with his nephew or Mosley.

He asked me what I thought of Manny. I said Manny in a nutshell is a speed bomber with power and heart. In short, he is a gifted brawler. He lacks head movement, serious jab, can’t fight going backwards, and is very rugged and not lacking in stamina. And yes, that is the latest improved version of the Filipino fighter as opposed to the late ‘90’s to late 2008 edition of Manny Pacquiao that we began to know.

Roger told me he agreed with my assessment, but offered his own colorful stripped down description of the “People’s Champion” Manny Pacquiao.

“Manny Pacquiao ain’t sh*t. The only reason why people are even mentioning Manny’s name is because he whooped De La Hoya’s ass. And how did he do it? He made Oscar drain his own ass in weight and drop that weight. After that, it ain’t like he beat a great motherf*cker in Ricky Hatton. Everyone knows Ricky has no defense or skills.”

“If Pacquiao would have never fought or beat De La Hoya, he would never be mentioned and no one would care who he is” he said.

He went on to handicap a Pacquiao/Mosley rumble by saying that “Shane will finish Pacquiao very early. He is too big, too good for a brawler like Manny.”

He continued,“Manny is gonna need more than just looping punches to whip my nephew or Shane’s ass if he ever gets us in the ring. He ain’t nothing but a f*cking brawler. That’s it. Shane and my nephew will f*ck him up. Shane would whip Pacquiao in the same way my nephew would.”

With Mayweather, we have an extremely gifted fighter that has decided to face a great, but smaller fighter in Juan Manuel Marquez. A tune up fight I assume. After speaking with Floyd’s father as well as his Uncle/trainer, I would not put too much stock in the powers that be, HBO and Oscar De La Hoya’s mouthpiece and personal butler, Richard Schaefer (wait, they, HBO and Oscar’s company, are one in the same, I forgot) when they try to force you to give up your hard earned dollars for this supposed grand event by utilizing their typical selling points and gimmicks beginning with the HBO reality show, 24/7.

According to Roger Mayweather, he told me “ we ain’t gonna hold him (JMM) up. We ain’t even gonna try and hold him up either. Floyd will do whatever he wants to do with him and it will end early because Floyd has too much skills for him.”

Floyd Sr. told me that people should save their money “because lil Floyd can fight this fight with his eyes closed. Marquez is good, but he is too small and not fast enough for my son. This fight should not be on PPV.”

Roger added, “Look. We know there’s a lot of people struggling out there right now in this economy. But it ain’t up to me to say that this fight probably should or should not be on regular HBO. All I know is, this sport is about making money and if people buy it, they buy it, but there are fights out there that probably should be called or put on PPV.”

He closed by saying “ my wish if you want to know is to go with Marquez, Pacquiao, then Mosley. You have got to go with who is gonna bring and make you the most money. For that, we’ll fight Pacquiao. Then after that, you fight the fights that matter and mean something- thats Mosley.”

This great article was written by our good friend John Martinez @ www.ironboxing.com

WBA light-welterweight title holder Andreas Kotelnik says he is worried about being robbed of his title on Saturday night.

Kotelnik will face Amir Khan at the MEN Arena, Manchester, live on Sky Box Office.

And he has begged judges to give him a fair deal.

"All I want to be is treated fairly by the judges, I'm coming here to England to defend my world title," he told The Sun. "I felt I was robbed against Witter and it was the same against M'Baye.

"Everybody in the hall in Liverpool, the Liverpool players like Steven Gerrard and the media, knew I was the winner against M'Baye. Everybody was astonished about the result. All of the judges were from Britain so maybe that's a bit of a funny story.

"Perhaps I was also blocked by the judges in the Witter fight in Nottingham."

Elio Rojas today captured the WBC Featherweight crown as he defeated former champ Takahiro Aoh via twelve round unanimous decision at Korakuen Hall in Japan. Rojas dominated the entire bout from start to finish and was never given a serious problem from Aoh who looked far from impressive. The three judges scored it 116-113, 117-111, 118-110 for Rojas.

Hozumi Hasegawa easily retained his title with a very impressive one round annihilation of Nestor Rocha. It took The Japanese fighter just two minutes and 28 seconds to stop the American challenger. After the bout Hasegawa told reporters 'I was surprised, because I had expected to fight 12 rounds.

Minimumweight king Roman Gonzalez (24-0, 20 KOs) successfully retained his WBA title via Unanimous decision against Katsunari Takayama (23-4, 9 KOs) today at the World Memorial Hall, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan. Takayama used good footwork throughout but it was the stalking Gonzalez who was able to catch the Japanese challenger down the stretch to record scores of 118-110 on all three scorecards.

WBC champ Carl Froch will defend his title against the impressive American Andre Dirrell in October. This is the first of a round-robin tournament between six leading super middleweights.

Froch will take part in a super tournament that will include WBA champion Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham and Andre Dirrell, Andre Ward and Jermain Taylor from the US.

Each boxer will fight three times in a group stage, winning two points for a victory with a bonus point on offer for a knockout or TKO.

The top four points-scorers progress to a semi-final round which will produce a grand final scheduled for early 2011.

Froch (25-0, 20 KOs) will put his belt on the line against the unbeaten former Olympic bronze medallist Dirrell (18-0, 13 KOs) over 12 rounds with a date and venue to be announced in the near future.

Taylor will fight fellow former middleweight Abraham while Kessler defends his WBA title against Ward with the second and third series of group fights announced at a later date.

"The 168-pound division is the most talent-rich in boxing right now," said Ken Hershman of US television network Showtime, which put together the series. "The Super Six structure will deliver one compelling match-up after another."

Kathy Duva, Promoter, Main Events:

“Bobby Gunn is a lot of fun. We’ve gotten to know him recently during the preparation for this fight. I believe from everything that he told me that he is going to make Saturday night memorable for everybody.”

“I can’t take sole credit for bringing boxing back to Newark. A big part of the reason is the great fighter beside me. Tomasz Adamek came to us over a year ago with my partner in this promotion, Ziggy Rozalski, I am grateful for that. And the reason boxing in Newark is doing as well as it is because of one person. Tomasz Adamek is the reason the fans come out. They come out because every time he steps in the ring it’s exciting, it’s compelling. That crowd that comes to see him make it so exciting. He and the crowd feed off each other somehow. It is just electrifying to be in the room! And we’re all going to be there on Saturday because we want to experience that again.”

“Tomasz Adamek is the greatest Cruiserweight out there. We are making an effort to bring more and more Cruiserweights into the area in keeping with our very, very strong belief that Cruiserweights today are what the Heavyweights used to be. I think what’s wrong with boxing is that there is no strong heavyweight division anymore, those fights are so boring. I think it’s hurt the sport. I think we can fix it tomorrow if we could just rename the cruiserweight division the heavyweights and make the heavyweights, the super heavyweights. Because frankly the greatest heavyweights of all time were cruiserweights under today’s system, they all either were 200 pounds or could have made it. Jack Dempsey, Marciano, Evander Holyfield. I think you need the punch that the heavyweights have and the athleticism that the cruiserweights have. The monsters that are 260 pounds are not as exciting to watch.”

David Feldman, Bobby Gunn Promoter:

“We are very pleased to be a part of this great historical card. There will be a knockout. I know a lot of you went out to see the fireworks last Saturday night, well we can promise you that come this Saturday you will see a lot of fireworks. We’ve got a lot of surprises. We’ve got a great game plan. We had a great training camp. And we just want to let everybody know to expect the unexpected this Saturday night. Bobby Gunn will walk out of that ring with the championship belt around his waist. Right before we came here today I helped Bobby clear a spot on his mantle so he would have a place to put that championship belt on Saturday night!”

Bobby Gunn:

“I am looking forward to this fight. When I was younger I got off track. When I was younger my little boy couldn’t be a part of this, now he can. This fight is my dream. This is the modern day Cinderella story. No one expects great things of me. A lot of the media has ripped me off. If I didn’t come to fight this fight at my best, to fight my heart out, I wouldn’t have respect for the sport and I love the game. I’m a warrior. You know, beware of a dangerous man. Because I am, I’ve got nothing to lose.”

Andrew Gmitruk, Tomasz Adamek trainer (in response to the Cinderella story comment from Gunn)

“It’s really nice to hear fairy tales, but those stories are for children. We are grown men. We are going to teach reality on Saturday.”

Tomasz Adamek:

“Welcome all my fans again to Newark and Prudential arena. Again I will defend my IBF Championship and Ring Magazine belt. I can make a guarantee now. Bobby Gunn and my fans around the world will see my winning effort and another knockout on Saturday night.”

In response to Adamek’s comment Bobby Gunn said with a smile “He’s not as nice as he was at the last press conference, he’s meaner now!” Kathy Duva said “yes, Tomasz Adamek has his game face on.”

From Will Carafello, Prudential Center:

“We are very excited about Saturday’s event. We are going to have a sold out crowd, so if you don’t have your tickets already, you might not get them, we only have a few left.”

“We are in the midst of developing a ‘boxing membership’ for Prudential Center. It will be a special package, sort of like a season ticket which will allow you to guarantee your seats and include many special perks.”

WBC champ Carl Froch is eyeing another titanic bout in late September to mid October against the WBA champion Mikkel Kessler. Froch told reporters yesterday "I keep hearing about Kessler so he's in my veins now — I want to go out there and decapitate him. I want to knock him out in style and then see what people have to say for themselves about me.

"It's looking like late September or maybe early to mid-October. That'll be six months from when I fought Taylor but you know what it's like with politics in boxing.

"I've been told by the WBC I can have a voluntary defence, which pretty much means I can handpick someone in the top 10 and earn a few quid. But that's not what I'm about and I want to fight the best out there. Kessler's the one that people keep saying is the hardest fight out there for me. As you know, I don't take any easy touches so he's definitely on the agenda."

Despite beating the likes of Pascal and Jermaine Taylor the British fighter still has his critics and admits Kessler deserves to be ranked about him - for the time being. "I'm honest enough to admit that but I'm a proud warrior and I want to take him on and take his scalp. His only loss was against Joe Calzaghe so you can justify his ranking — but I'll beat him, that's for sure."

When asked about a matchup with Bernard Hopkins later down the line Froch added "Realistically, Hopkins is off the agenda. At 44, to come down to super-middleweight and fight someone like me who is at the top of his game is asking for trouble. We did put an offer to him but he hasn't come back to us with anything formal at all. A lot of the time as well, Hopkins prices himself out a fight because he thinks he's the major player. He's someone I'd love to fight but I can't see it happening."

WBA light-welterweight champion Andreas Kotelnik has warned "arrogant" Amir Khan to focus on their fight - and not look too far into the future.

"All I hear from Khan's camp is that he's going to be fighting Hatton or Marquez or even King Kong after he has beaten me," said Kotelnik.

"Amir thinks that all he has to do is turn up on July 18 and he'll be walking away with my title.

"He's very arrogant for a fighter who hasn't even had a world title fight yet, and I plan on punishing him badly when we meet at the MEN Arena.

"I'm the one who will be going on to bigger and better things later this year because I am the one who is going to win this fight.

"I have been a world champion since I beat up Gavin Rees last year, and I'm not giving up my title to anyone.

"I believe that Khan is underestimating me at the moment, and that's going to play right into my hands on July 18.

"As soon as my first punch lands he's going to start feeling pain, and he'll soon realise why it was so stupid to talk about fighting other people.

"Without my belt he's going nowhere, and I promise everyone in Britain that he's not getting it."

The New Mexico Department of Corrections says Tapia was taken into custody and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque on Monday after violating the terms of his parole.

Corrections spokeswoman Tia Bland says Tapia traveled to Red River last weekend without permission from his parole officer. He also entered a bar while in Red River and was involved in some type of verbal confrontation, both violations of his parole.

The boxer was placed on a year of parole in May after a judge determined that he had violated the terms of an earlier release.

Tapia's most recent legal woes began in 2008 after he pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a near-fatal overdose and was sentenced to probation.

Freddie Roach expects Ricky Hatton to demand a showdown with Amir Khan if the Bolton fighter wins his WBA light-welterweight title bout against Andreas Kotelnik later this month.

The 22-year-old is stepping up a level to take on Kotelnik after beating Marco Antonio Barrera at lightweight in March, and victory could pave the way for a lucrative all-English showdown between Khan and former world light-welterweight champion Hatton, who has not fought since a brutal knockout defeat to Manny Pacquiao in May.

Khan's trainer Roach seemed to think the fight was a strong possibility and told Sky Sports News: "Honestly I'd like to see (Hatton) retire but I think he'll want to go after Amir's title.

"It would be a huge fight. Here in the UK you would sell a lot of tickets and make a lot of money, (so) why not? I think it would be a great fight."

Asked if he expected it to happen sooner rather than later, Roach added: "I think it could happen sooner to be honest with you, if we win this title he'll be knocking on our door."

Khan's fight against Kotelnik was originally due to take place in London on June 27 but had to be postponed and moved to Manchester's MEN Arena on July 18 because the Ukrainian required dental surgery following a sparring incident.

IBF champion Joseph Agbeko and two divisional champ Vic Darchinyan took part in a conference call session yesterday to discuss their upcoming match up on Saturday 11th July 2009.

 

Both fighter are known throughout the boxing world for their aggressive style and phenomenal power and this is a fight the fans have highlighted in their diaries since the fight was announced. Here are the quotes from the conference call below:

 

Joseph Agbeko

 

“In boxing you have to fight the best to be the best and I just want Vic to know that this is the fight of my life"

 

"I know Vic Darchinyan picked to fight me because he thinks he can have his way with me but I just want him to know that this is the biggest mistake he has ever made in his career because he’s going to get the worst beating of his career"

 

 “Why didn’t he talk like this when Nonito Donaire beat him? I wanted him to talk more and I want him to realize that I’m going to beat him more than Donaire beat him"

 

“I know I’m better than Vic Darchinyan. I know he can punch. I’m really, really ready for his punches. I know he’s never been on the receiving end of someone who punches like me"

 

“Vic is always talking about his power and about how he’s this and that but I’ve watched a couple of his fights and I never saw that power. He’s always fought guys that are afraid of him and he did what he wanted with them. But in this fight I’m going to do what I want to do and beat him the way I want"

 

“I’m going to let him do whatever he wants to do in this fight because I can do whatever he does better than him"

 

Vic Darchinyan

 

“I think after this fight they are going to change my opponent’s name to Joseph ‘Chimpanzee’ Agbeko. This is going to be the biggest mismatch. Where would you like me to hurt you most? In the body or in the face?  

 

“I can’t spend my career just defending, defending, defending. I have to move up in weight and go after more titles. I have the power to demolish anyone. I’m going to keep moving up" 

 

“I’ve seen Agbeko’s fights and they don’t impress me. You will see, nothing compares to my power. I will knock him out with my power. I can open my jaw and let him punch it and he still won’t hurt me." 

 

“I hope he’s working hard and training extra hard for this fight. I don’t want it to be an easy fight. I want to be your nightmare after this fight and not before because I want you to get a good night’s sleep."

 

"I'm going to demolish him (Donaire) in a rematch."

 

Elias Nassar, Darchinyan's Manager:

 

“There are not a lot of people who don’t know that every single fight that Vic has asked for Gary Shaw has delivered on.” 

 

Gary Shaw, Darchinyan's Promoter:

 

“I believe I represent probably a fighter who will go down as one of the greatest boxers to ever fight in the lower weights in the history of boxing. Please tell all the poachers out there that Vic and I are bound together for life. I want everyone who’s on this call to hear that.

 

“Vic only wants to fight the best fighters. Vic and Elias don’t care about weights. They only want the best fighters and they believe right now that “King Kong” Agbeko is the best fighter at 118 pounds.”

 

When Will Darchinyan Fight Donaire Again?

 

“SHOWTIME wants to buy the single biggest fights out there. That’s why he fought Cristian Mijares, that’s why he fought Jorge Arce and that’s why he’s fighting “King Kong” Agbeko. And while he’s been on TV and knocking all these fighters out on TV Donaire has not been heard of or seen. When Bob Arum mentions all his great young fighters he never mentions Donaire. If you haven’t seen those articles I’ll be more than happy to send them to you. Just yesterday he was talking about his Russian fighters and his Puerto Rican fighters. No where did he mention Nonito Donaire. So the answer to that is he has a fight in front of him on Saturday. We have to win that fight and then the question is if we win that fight do we want to stay at 118, move back down to 115 or do we take on (Rafael) Marquez or (Israel) Vazquez or someone of that ilk at 122. That is our plan right now. Vic fights for money, not for revenge.”