Former two time Junior Featherweight champion Israel Vsaquez officially announced his comeback yesterday after a 19 month layoff due to injuries.

His return fight will be against Angel Priolo on October 10 at Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles in a fight which will be televised in Latin America. Vasquez' return is sure to shake up the division with fighters already stepping up to the plate for a shot at the Mexican plus rumours circulating that a match up in 2010 with Juan Manuel Lopez could be on the cards. Welcome back Israel from us all at TopClassBoxing.

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko weighed in at 252lbs for his defense against Chris Arreola, who scaled in at 251. They meet Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Arreola had everyone in attendence thinking he had put on alot of weight as he stepped on the scales wearing a shirt and weighing 272 pounds! However he had on lookers laughing out load as he pulled off his shirt to reveal a weighted vest.

On a serious note both fighters looked in great shape at the weigh in and Arreola was not joking when he stated earlier in the week he was in the best shape of his career.

The camps of both the WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik and two-division world champion Paul “The Punisher” Williams will host a news conference on Tuesday officially announcing their world middleweight title fight.

The fight will take place on December 5 at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, and will be broadcast live on HBO.

There is four days to go between the much anticipated WBC heavyweight title fight between champion Vitali Klitschko and mandatory challenger Cristobal Arreola, both fighters and their camps were on hand for the final press conference at Nokia Plaza L.A. Live in Los Angeles. Klitschko-Arreola takes place this Saturday night, Sept. 26, at Staples Center in LA, to be seen on HBO.

VITALI KLITSCHKO

“Saturday will be a real good fight. If you have good opponents, you look good. This will be a real heavyweight fight. I am more than sure that I will exit the ring as heavyweight champion of the world. I know it’s very important to focus on the fight and be 100 percent ready.

“Some people ask if I’m overlooking Arreola and thinking about the future. Chris, I think about you, I prepare for the fight and I will give it my best. I take it step by step. I don’t think about the future because there is no future without a victory Saturday night.

“I have never fought anyone with such a good record as Arreola. I know he’s a good fighter and I prepared for the hardest fight of my career. Can Arreola beat me? I don’t think so. Can he hit me hard? Maybe.

“It’s very interesting for me because this time I have no injuries and am 100 percent. Ten years ago I won my first world title belt. Right now, I have 10 years experience as a world champ. Right now, that will make all the difference. He may punch hard, but I’ll duck. He won’t knock me out.

“I am ready and I can’t wait until Saturday night.’’

BERND BOENTE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, KLITSCKO MANAGEMENT GROUP:

“I think it’s a fantastic fight and STAPLES (Center) is the right place to do it. It’s a very, very tough, young gun over here with Chris Arreola. He’s unbeaten, and he wants to prove that he can also be the best in the division. On the other hand, we have a very, very experienced three-time heavyweight champion with the best knockout percentage in the heavyweight division ever. I think it’s a great, great matchup and this is exactly what the heavyweight division needs.

“I’m looking forward to a great fight. The media interest is gigantic. We have, I think, 380 media requests from journalists who want to come to this fight. We have 113 countries who are broadcasting it, including the biggest Chinese TV station and the biggest Russian TV station. So, it’s gigantic. I’m sure it’ll be a great fight and a great win by Vitali Klitschko.”

FRITZ SDUNEK (KLITSCHKO TRAINER):

“We’re happy to be back in L.A. We had a great training camp and we went swimming at UCLA. We’re really looking forward to Saturday night. Vitali is in great shape and didn’t have any injuries while training. We’ll probably see a knockout on Saturday night.”

TOM LOEFFLER, DIRECTING MANAGER, K2 PROMOTIONS:

“We’re really excited about Saturday’s fight card. It’s really a worldwide event. It will be broadcast in over 100 countries internationally.”

“I think Dan (Goossen) will agree, and I think the fighters have already said in a number of interviews: This fight’s not going 12 rounds. It’s not going to be a boxing show. It’s going to be a knockout spectacle. Vitali, with his knockout ratio, and Chris isn’t going to run from Vitali.

“There will be fireworks aplenty this Saturday at STAPLES Center.”

CRISTOBAL ARREOLA:

“Vitali Klitschko has never fought anyone like me; someone that’s willing to take a punch to give a punch, or someone that has a lot of heart and fights with emotions.

“There’s always strategy going into a fight. But the thing about it is you always take it as you go in the ring and always you think about training; you have to get inside the jab. You can’t let him stretch his hands out and you go balls to the wall. You take the fight to him and make it a fight he’s not used to.

“This is a fight that definitely won’t go the distance. It’s going to be a fight that everyone’s going to want to see. It is not going be one of those boring jab fests.”

“Not only (becoming the first world heavyweight champion of Mexican descent) would it be history, but it’s a legacy I can leave behind. It means everything to me!”

HENRY RAMIREZ (ARREOLA'S TRAINER)

“He’s ready to go. It’s the week of the fight; we have fight week festivities and we have a few days before we go to work, and we’re ready to go. Vitali’s a big guy and it’s kinda hard to get guys to emulate that style. But the thing about Chris that is hard to emulate is the pressure that Chris brings is unlike any other. You cannot emulate it. It is pressure that is unbelievable and he (Klitschko) has never been in with it.

“I agree this fight won’t go the distance, but unlike everybody else I feel the longer it goes the better it is for Chris.”

DAN GOOSSEN (PRESIDENT, GOOSSEN TUTOR PROMOTIONS)

“We’ve had our big fights. The key to this one is realizing there is nothing wrong with getting lost in the moment of fighting for the heavyweight championship and making history. But when everything is said and done you have to go out there and walk through the tunnel at Buckeye Stadium as a freshman QB and go out and do what you do as an athlete, and Arreola will be up to the task. When Vitali talks about experience, forget it. The point of it is, experience is great if you’re not ready to play the big game. The great ones overcome all that and just go out and play the game.

“There’s no stopping Chris Arreola, not because he’s my fighter but because he is a true fighter that’s got the will and determination, the guts, the goals, the ability and the willingness. I’ll show you a world champion with what I just described And there isn’t going to be anything that stops him Saturday night. That is my belief. Arreola will knock him out.”

IVAN GOLDMAN (RING MAGAZINE REPRESENTATIVE, WHO PRESENTED THE BELT TO WLADIMIR:

“When you have a good fight, a good fighter will win and a good fighter will lose. Vitali Klitschko had the Ring Magazine belt before he retired and now this is just the second set of brothers to hold the Ring belt. Wladimir makes it look easy, and he made it look easy against (Ruslan) Chagaev. But, we know it’s not easy. He’s a gentleman and a proud fighter, and it’s my pleasure to award this belt to Wladimir. It’s a difficult belt to win and it’s my pleasure to give it to a great champ.”

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO:

“It’s going to be a great fight on Saturday night. I wish both my brother and Chris good luck in the fight. Thank you for the belt. For five years I have been hunting for this belt, and now I have it. It is an honor to have it.”

TONY WALKER (HBO)

“We’re all looking forward to Saturday’s show being what a heavyweight fight should be – lots of action and two big guys going at it to show who the best is. Vitali and Chris have never disappointed in their action in the ring, and I know we’re going to see just a great show Saturday night.”

SALVADOR SANCHEZ II:

"It is a pleasure to have my first fight in Los Angeles. It is an honor to be fighting on this card and I want to demonstrate to the fans my skills. Not only do I have the name of a champion, I have the skills to be a champion."

JAVIER MORA:

"I’m happy to be on this card and I’ll be looking to do what I do best on Saturday."

JONATHAN BANKS:

"I’ll be looking forward to stepping in to the ring Saturday night."

JORGE GAMBOA (VIVA MEXICO)

“Viva Mexico and it’s time to go! We’ll be cheering you (Cristobal) on Saturday night and expect you to bring the title back to Mexico.”

Tickets are on sale at all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will be available at the STAPLES Center Box Office. Tickets are priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, $75, $50 and $25.

The world title fight, which is promoted by K2 Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions, will air live on HBO at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT. Doors open Saturday at 4 o’clock.

WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev and David Haye today came face-to-face for the first time yesterday ahead of their title clash in Nuremberg on November 7.

“I believe I can knock him out,” Haye told a packed press conference at the Arena Nurnberger Versicherung. “I will take the title home with me.” Haye admitted that the preparation for the biggest fight of his life will be a difficult one. “It is hard to find sparring partners that are as tall as him,” he said. “But we will find some. This will be a true David-versus-Goliath battle. I am much faster than him and I will win.”

The Russian Giant though had different ideas. “Even though I have not fought for quite a while, I did not sit back and relax,” he stated. “I only had to take this long break because Ruslan Chagaev could not fight me. I have started my preparations for the fight at the end of June. In the past weeks I have been preparing specially for David Haye. He is a strong challenger but he will not beat me. I will go back to Russia for a couple of days before returning to Berlin for sparring. Haye will try to edge me with his speed but I am prepared for that. He will not get my belt.”

Photo: Sauerland Events

Fight fans from Chicago or Los Angeles will have the chance this week to get involved in some free access to pre fight activities where they can come on down to see some of the best fighters in the game today.

Chicago fans will get the chance this week to see ex-world champions David Diaz and Jesus Chavez on Saturday at the UIC Pavilion. The festivities kick-off today (Tuesday) with an open workout at the JABB Boxing Gym (410 N. Oakley) Chavez will work out at 2PM while Diaz will work out at 3PM. The final press conference takes place at 1PM Wednesday at Mariscos El Veneno (6835 S. Pulaski). The weigh-in will be at the same place on Friday at 6:30PM. Come and support these two Windy City favorites.

The fight fans in the Los Angeles will also have access prefight activities which will involve the WBC heavyweight championship defense of Vitali Klitschko against unbeaten challenger Chris Arreola on Saturday at the Staples Center. The festivities kick-off today (Tuesday) at 11:30AM with the final press conference taking place at the Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE on Chick Hearn Court (across From Staples Center). At 11:30AM on Wednesday, Klitschko and Arreola will engage in a public workout at “Muscle Beach” in Venice, California (1800 Ocean Front Walk). The main event weigh-in will take place at 3PM on Thursday at the Star Plaza (directly in front of Staples Center). The undercard weigh-in takes place at 3PM Friday at the Wilshire Grand Hotel (930 Wilshire Boulevard). You’re invited to attend any or all of these functions free of charge.

Floyd Mayweather insists he has a few more guys to beat to prove he is the best boxer ever - starting with Juan Manuel Marquez this weekend. The American returns to the ring in Las Vegas on Saturday night after deciding to come out of retirement, a move he maintains was not made just for financial reasons.

"It's not about the money," he told Sky Sports News. "Though he doesn't want to make an extra 200, 300 million. I don't want to just go down in the Hall of Fame with some saying I was one of the best, I want everyone to say 'Floyd was the best'.

"There are a few more guys I have to beat in my era for people to say that Floyd Mayweather was the best. There's no doubt that they are going to say that when I've beaten the guys I've got to beat."

Marquez, though, is certainly no easy comeback after 21 months out of action. The Mexican has twice taken Manny Pacquiao the distance and knocked out Juan Diaz last time out. He has never fought above lightweight, though. Mayweather, a former WBC and IBF champion at welterweight, is adamant that his weight advantage will not be the deciding factor in the outcome.

"It's not really an advantage," Mayweather insisted over the fact he's used to fighting at 147lbs. "It's all about the skills - skills pay the bills. Roberto Duran was able to go from lightweight to welterweight to beat Sugar Ray Leonard. A lot of people counted him out, so we cannot just count this guy out."

Mayweather also revealed he is planning a return to Britain in the near future after previously holding a hugely popular training session in London.

"The UK fans are truly adorable fans - great fans," he added. "They know boxing and support it 100 percent. I can't wait until after this fight is over so I can come back over there and train some more over there. I'm looking for a house over there. The support from the UK fans has been truly amazing."

The final press conference took place yesterday at the MGM’s Hollywood Theatre, in Las Vegas, for the Massive showdown which will see Floyd "Money" Mayweather go head to head with Juan Manuel Marquez. Here are some of the quotes:

Juan Manuel Marquez:

“I don’t like talking outside the ring, everybody knows,” said Marquez. “But I prepared myself very hard for this fight, physically and mentally.”

Floyd Mayweather Jr:

“To go down as a legend, you have to face the best in your era,” said Mayweather. “In this particular time, Marquez is one of the best fighters in my era, so we happen to meet. He’s a hell of a fighter. A counter-puncher, a good boxer . . . but I’ve been around the sport and faced so many different styles, I’ll adjust and adapt once I get to the squared circle Saturday night.”

Roger Mayweather (Floyd's Trainer / Uncle):

Though passing up the chance at the podium, later on, the trainer went off while Leonard Ellerbe, president of Mayweather Promotions, was at the mic talking about great trainers in boxing.

“Great? You’re talking about me,” interrupted Roger, who went on to rip every trainer in the world. I ain’t worried about the dude behind me,” Roger motioned to the image of Marquez on the backdrop. I ain’t worried about the dude behind me because I know he don’t know shit anyway.”

The slams did little to faze Beristain, but acting on behalf of Team Marquez, promoter Oscar De La Hoya took his best shot.

“Now Roger, I’m a little confused now,” began De La Hoya. “I thought the best trainer in the world was Floyd, Sr.”

Oscar De La Hoya (Goldenboy Promotions):

“It will be a special night because the whole world will witness an upset,” said De La Hoya. “People are wondering why I’m taking pictures. I’m taking pictures because I want to capture the moment when Juan Manuel Marquez dethrones the king.

“I couldn’t do it, but I’ll tell you one thing: Marquez is ready.

WBC light flyweight champion Edgar Sosa (37-5, 20 KOs) scored a sixth round KO over Omar Soto (14-5-1, 6 KOs) on Tuesday night at the Auditorio Siglo XXI in Puebla, Mexico. A big right hand done the damage as Soto was left crumpled in the corner.

Unbeaten welterweight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (29-0-1, 22 KOs) needed just one round to annihilate Carlos Leonardo Herrera (21-2, 8 KOs).

Former WBC world heavyweight champion Samuel Peter (32-3, 25 KOs) came back with a bang last night as he stopped Ron “Rocky” Bellamy (14-10-4, 9 KOs) in just two rounds in Cancun, Mexico. Peter scored a knockdown late in the first round with a left hook and had Bellamy hurt in the second round with a right hand. Peter then cornered Bellamy giving the referee no choice but to stop proceedings.

Manny Pacquiao, widely viewed as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, is primed for his biggest test when he challenges Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title in November.

Although Filipino Pacquiao holds a significant speed advantage over the Puerto Rican, he has great respect for Cotto's punching power, strength and intelligence.

"This will be my toughest test as a professional boxer," Pacquiao, 30, told a news conference at a Beverly Hills hotel "I know he is an excellent, smart fighter and a great world champion. We also know that he is good in body punching and that he's strong so we have to study that, how to counter it and fight that in the ring.

"We also need to use our own advantage over Cotto," added the southpaw, who cemented his status as the sport's premier fighter with a stunning second round knockout of Britain's Ricky Hatton in May to claim the IBO light welterweight crown.

"Everybody knows that I am faster than Cotto so how can I use that speed in the fight? I will do my best in this fight to capture my seventh title belt."

Pacquiao has a glittering career record of 49-3-2 featuring 37 knockouts, but his trainer Freddie Roach predicted the November 14 bout in Las Vegas would go the full distance.

"It's going to be a much more tactical fight than people think because he (Cotto) is a very smart fighter," Roach said. "It's who can implement their game plan and use it to the fullest advantage. I think this is going to be a 12-round fight, no knockout. This guy (Cotto) is very resilient. If a knockout comes, it comes but if you go out there looking for a knockout, you might get caught yourself. We have to be very tactical."

Cotto, who retained his WBO title with a gruelling split decision win over Ghana's Joshua Clottey in June, felt his own renowned defence would more than match Pacquiao's speed.

"When you have good defence, you can stop speed," said the 28-year-old, 34-1 with 27 KOs. I don't know if he (Pacquiao) is ready to be beaten but I am in my prime of my career. I'm going to use every kind of tool I have in my repertoire. He has fought a lot of tough fighters but never one like this," added Cotto, who has held a world title in every year since 2004.

"The world will know who the best is when we meet in the ring in November."

KZ Event Productions, the promoter of Beibut Shumenov have released the following statement:

Representatives of WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Gabriel Campillo and challenger Beibut Shumenov have announced that they have agreed to a rematch, thereby resolving all of their present disputes. The bout will likely take place in Nevada next January.

Roger Mayweather, controversial as ever, says he's the best trainer in the fight game despite not having the awards to prove it.

The corner man has guided nephew Floyd Jr to P4P stardom and a perfect 39-0 record.

But both he and Floyd Jr feel he's still not getting the recognition he deserves.

Currently preparing his nephew for his return from a near two-year lay-off against Juan Manuel Marquez on September 19, he said: "I don't worry about trainer of the year. You see how good I am. I don't need any award to tell me how good I am.

"Because number one, when you see dudes get trainer of the year, you see a guy get trainer of the year and he don't even train no - he don't even train nobody. How did he get trainer of the year? He don't even train anybody.

"Angelo Dundee doesn't train Muhammad Ali. So how did he get trainer of the year? He watched Muhammad Ali train, but he doesn't train Muhammad Ali. But he get trainer of the year, don't he? Okay then. So that tell you trainer of the year doesn't mean s***. Because I'm telling you that now. I'm not worried about that. I'm the best there is, period. I don't worry about that trainer of the year s***. I don't care about that. I'm the best there is."

Floyd Jr meanwhile believes his uncle doesn't get the credit he deserves for their success inside the ropes.

"I like working with Roger because of our chemistry, our chemistry is there and there are no arguments. It's fun. And I mean he's not hounding me. He's not hounding me. He's letting me work.

"Roger's a great guy, you know. I love him and I'm just wondering that why - like I said before, I just wonder why my Uncle Roger hasn't received trainer of the year. His fighters have been dominating since '96 and he still hasn't got trainer of the year. When all the other trainers' fighters have won and lost, he's undefeated."

Martin Rogan's rematch against Sam Sexton has been postponed until Friday 6th November because the Irishman has a back injury, but Sexton believes it is only delaying the inevitable.

The Belfast heavyweight was due to meet Commonwealth Champion Sexton on October 6th at the Odyssey, but Rogan injured his back in a training session and requires rest and physiotherapy before resuming training again.

Sexton, 25, scored a controversial eighth round stoppage at the Odyssey in May when Rogan was unable to continue because of a badly swollen eye.

Norwich puncher Sexton says he's ready to do the same again to Rogan.

He said, "What Rogan is doing is only delaying the inevitable which is another victory for me. As the champion I have gone beyond the call of duty to accommodate Rogan to the point of going back to the challenger's back yard for him to try and get his old title back, I've also heard him make certain allegations against me that were unjust and uncalled for at the press conference which I would ask he rectify, It's common knowledge that he has had a change of camp and trainer which I can't understand. If he was so sure he won the last fight then why change what was not wrong?" He has four weeks to mend his injured back and then face me again on a level platform and we both have the chance to put right any wrongs, I am in prime condition and I need to keep active so he needs to make sure this four weeks are used wisely."

Tickets purchased for the original date of October 9th will be vaild for the new date.

Following defeat to Tavoris Cloud in an IBF light-heavyweight title fight in Hollywood, Florida two weeks ago, Clinton Woods has decided to call time on his 15 year career.

The 37 year-old decided to call it a day after dropping a clear 12 round points decision to Cloud and conceding the 27 year-old unbeaten American was just too ‘fresh’ for him.

In a career that spanned 15 years Woods has won British, Commonwealth, European and the IBF light-heavyweight crown, but now feels the time has come to hang up his gloves.

Speaking to his local paper, the Sheffield Star, Woods said: "Cloud was a really good fighter and he’s young, while maybe I’m too old for that level. In my hey-day I would have beaten him, but I have no excuses and I think my love affair with boxing is over. I wouldn’t have chosen to have gone out with a defeat, but I never took a beating. Yes, Cloud did hurt me in one of the rounds, but I felt at the time that the fight was closer than it actually was. When I watched it on video, I thought the first six rounds were even, but it is obvious that Cloud took it over from there. It was weird because at the time I read it completely wrong. I thought I had set the pace.

Reflecting on his long and successful career Woods told the Star: "There have been more ups than downs over 15 years. Beating Crawford Ashley for the European light-heavyweight title and winning the world title against Rico Hoye were the biggest highlights, along with beating Glen Johnson. It was good while it lasted and I am happy with what I achieved."

Former Olympic / World champion Brahim Asloum has decided to hang up his gloves and announce his retirement from boxing after a bitter dispute with the cable channel Canal Plus.

He told various reporters yesterday of his decision saying "The desire's still there but I have to quit, It's no longer possible to organize a boxing event in France."

The argument between the fighter and the cable company started when Asloum's fight with Giovanni Segura in May 2008 was cancelled by the station with little notice and things apparently have got alot worse since that time.

Fight fans may know of Asloum when he became the WBA light flyweight champion in December 2007 with an unanimous decision over defending champion Juan Carlos Reveco of Argentina.

World champion Nonito Donaire is recovering from a serious bout of dengue fever that put him in the hospital with a 104-degree temperature, his manager told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Donaire, a Filipino-born fighter raised in California's Bay Area, fell ill Wednesday in the Philippines, where he has been living since defeating Rafael Concepcion for the WBA's interim 115-pound title last month in Las Vegas.

Manager Cameron Dunkin says a regimen of intravenous fluids helped to reduce the fighter's fever, which dropped to 100 degrees Thursday after climbing above 104. Donaire appears healthy enough to be released later Thursday.

Donaire's wife, Rachel, thinks the boxer likely contracted the fever from a mosquito bite. More than 50 million people per year are believed to be affected by dengue fever, found largely in the tropics.

"Some people don't react to it, some people do," Dunkin said. "Rachel told me, 'It can be dangerous, but we caught it very early and we got him in.'"

Donaire was treated at Asian Hospital in the southern part of metropolitan Manila, one of the Philippines' top hospitals.

We are sad to bring you the news this morning that Thailand's WBC Youth bantamweight interim champion Fahpetchnoi Sor Chitpattana has died in a road accident. The Thai daily news reported the news yesterday saying that the young fighter left a military site at the Thai-Cambodian border where he worked to return home to Raoi Et but sadly never showed up and was later found dead.

According to the report, his motorcycle slipped off the road and crashed into a tree, Forensic expert believe he died instantly.

His record before his death stood at 23-3 with 15 Knockouts.

Our heart and prayers go out to the family and friends at this very difficult time R.I.P Champ.

VITALI KLITSCHKO -

“I hope everyone at STAPLES Center will enjoy the fight. I’m preparing for a real battle against Arreola. He is a very strong fighter and the No. 1 contender for the world title. He wants to take my title away, but I won’t let him do that. I feel comfortable in the gym. I’ve been training hard. I’m in good shape now, but not in my best shape. I’ll be in my best shape for the fight"

“David Haye is not a serious fighter. I doubt he had an injury when he gave up the fight against (Vitali’s younger brother and IBF/WBO heavyweight champion) Wladimir. We gave Haye the same contract as he got with Wladimir. Against me, Haye had little chance to take the title. That’s why he didn’t want to fight. He’s un-serious. I don’t think about him anymore. Right now, I focus on Arreola"

“Arreola is undefeated and rated No. 1. He’s a very strong and tough fighter. It will not be an easy fight. I want to show everyone that I will be the strongest one on Sept. 26. I know Arreola will train very well for this fight. I take him very seriously. I will be in top shape and I will give my best. You will see in my performance on Sept. 26. Arreola has a big punch and a big heart as do all Mexican fighters. Nothing about this fight will be simple, but I will win"

“Every day, I’m asked ‘where do I live?’ I love being in Los Angeles where I have my house. I also have many friends and a place in Germany and at the same time I’m a Ukrainian citizen. But I’m a sportsman and travel around the world. If you want to know where I stay the most, it is in a plane"

“For boxing fans, it’s not a question of which country you’re from, or which flag you wave. It’s about performance in the ring. That’s what the fans appreciate. Which country you’re from, which country you’re a citizen in, is not an important question"

“I doubt the fight will be won by decision. The fight will be much shorter than 12 rounds. Arreola is a good fighter. I don’t want to underestimate him. I don’t want to make mistakes. I will show him my skills. I am much stronger than Arreola. Arreola has a big heart and a big punch. But I have a big punch, too"

“I know Mexicans are huge boxing fans and they are very knowledgeable. But it’s not the color of your skin or your nationality that they root for. I have a lot of Mexican fans who support me every fight and I’m very thankful for that."

“I understand some people will be against me and it will mean very much to have a Mexican world champion. But I’ve got to tell them, ‘sorry.’ Nothing against Mexicans, nothing against any nationalities, but, we, the fighters, prove our boxing skills in the ring"

“I remember the Lennox Lewis fight where the fans cheered with a lot of energy and emotion for sports skills. In the end, they’re not rooting for the nationality or for the religion, but for the sport"

“That’s why I love boxing and looking forward to my fight against Arreola Sept. 26 in Los Angeles.’

TOM LOEFFLER

“Arreola has been challenging Vitali for a long time and says he’s always wanted to fight Vitali. Vitali has never ducked Arreola. He regained the title against Sam Peter. He made his first defense, which was a mandatory defense against Juan Carlos Gomez.

“Now Arreola is the No. 1 contender so he is the natural opponent for Vitali"

“It definitely made sense to bring Vitali and this fight back to Los Angeles. Vitali’s making history by being in the third heavyweight championship fight at STAPLES. He’s the only one to do that. Arreola will also make history if he wins"

“It’s good to come here to Los Angeles and STAPLES Center. It was something Vitali wanted to do. This fight was a natural for STAPLES; Arreola living in Riverside, Vitali having a house in Los Angeles. His children were born here in Los Angeles. It’s the only place this fight could have happened."

“This is a great matchup. Vitali has the highest knockout ratio of any active champion and Arreola is unbeaten with 24 knockouts in 27 fights. It’s really a fight fans’ dream."

“And where else can you get a ticket for a heavyweight championship fight for $25? We did that on purpose to allow the true fight fan to come out and see this caliber of fight."

“We’re expecting a full house.’’

FRITZ SDUNEK (who has trained 12 world champions and two Olympic Games gold medalists)

“Vitali has been working really hard for this fight and is getting better and stronger every day. We’re still a few weeks out, but he will be 100 percent by fight night.’’

Klitschko To Donate 100 Tickets To SoCal Firefighters

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 2, 2009) – During a well-attended Media Workout Wednesday at the Pound4Pound Gym, Vitali “Dr. Ironfist” Klitschko (37-2, 36 KOs) and K2 Promotions Managing Director, Tom Loeffler, announced that 100 tickets for Klitschko’s eagerly anticipated WBC heavyweight title defense against unbeaten, No. 1-ranked Cristobal Arreola (27-0, 24 KOs), of East Los Angeles, Saturday, Sept. 26, at STAPLES Center would be donated to Southern California firefighters.

“Vitali has a house on the hillside in Los Angeles where he can see all the fires, and he really appreciates the hard work and dedication from all the firefighters,’’ Loeffler said. “Donating 100 tickets to the Firefighters Association is Vitali’s way of thanking them for all their hard work and efforts while putting their lives on the line to keep the people of Los Angeles safe.’’

Under the watchful eye of respected, world-renown trainer Fritz Sdunek, who has been with the boxer since his pro debut in 1996, Klitschko shadow-boxed, skipped rope, hit the mitts, clubbed the heavy bag and ripped the speed bag during a spirited 40-minute workout.

On Sept. 26, Klitschko will make history by becoming the first fighter to headline three times at STAPLES Center. If triumphant, Arreola will make history by becoming the first boxer of Mexican descent to capture a world heavyweight belt.

Klitschko has been involved in the only two heavyweight world title fights to emanate from STAPLES Center. Both matches were unforgettable. The first – against then-champion Lennox Lewis June 21, 2003 – was a bloody, exhilarating slugfest that resulted in a hotly disputed win for Lewis. Klitschko finally captured the WBC belt at STAPLES Center on April 24, 2004, when
he annihilated Corrie Sanders en route to an eighth-round TKO.

Tickets, starting at $25, can be purchased at STAPLES Center, all TicketMaster outlets, by phone (800) 745-3000 and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

The 12-round heavyweight championship fight will be promoted by K2 Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions. It will air live on HBO at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Floyd Mayweather Jr says the chance to extend his unbeaten record and boxing legacy is the major driving force for his eagerly-anticipated fight with Juan Manuel Marquez this month.

Mayweather will face the tough Mexican at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 19, as he makes his big return to the ring after a two-year retirement.

The 32-year-old says that protecting his unbeaten record and maintaining his boxing legacy are big factors for him taking the fight.

"It's very important for me," Mayweather said during a conference call. "I am just happy to say that I'm going down as a Hall of Famer and it's extremely important for me to go out there to perform well and dominate. "I've got to go out there and be smart, be intelligent and listen to my uncle Roger, If I do that, we will come out 'A' okay."

The flamboyant Mayweather insists he will not feel any extra pressure on his return, adding that he is always the one under pressure when he fights as the favourite.

"When you go out there with an undefeated record, there is no pressure on these fighters because they have nothing to lose," he added. If Marquez gets beat in 12 rounds or he gets knocked out, they are still going to love him in his country because he had the chance to face the best. They will say: 'You lost but you lost to the best. But in the US it doesn't work like that so we have to work that much harder to stay on top. If I win, it's normal. If a guy gives me a tough fight or even comes close to winning, that's abnormal. Everybody expects me to dominate."

A five-division world champion and undoubtedly one of the greatest boxers of any era, Mayweather is feeling sharp in his training and will have no ring rust after his break.

"I don't think a two-year layoff is going to affect me," he said. "I feel fast and strong and my timing is there. We are in the gym every day and we are looking very sharp. I feel the same way as I felt before I left. Actually I feel a little better. I think the break helped because I haven't had a break since '87 so my body had a chance to heal. I feel really good."

Although supremely confident as always, complacency will not be a problem for Mayweather as he rates Marquez highly.

"He is Mexico's numero uno," he said. "He's one hell of a fighter with over 50 wins and champion in more than just one weight class. Believe me, Marquez is not going to lay down.

"There's going to be blood, sweat and tears on September 19."

If you had just read the headline you probably would have automatically thought Ricky was coming back for another shot I`m afraid not and instead it is his brother Matthew Hatton who has been given the opportunity to take his boxing career out of the shadow of his older brother as he is set to challenge for his first world title.

Matthew Hatton (37-4-1, 14 KOs) it was announced yesterday will take on Lovemore N’Dou (47-11-1, 31 KOs) in a bid to win the Australian’s IBO welterweight title. The bout has been scheduled for Manchester on November 13th most likely at the MEN Arena.

Matthew Hatton has been given the opportunity to take his boxing career out of the shadow of his older brother as he is set to challenge for his first world title.

A change of trainer has proved successful for Hatton, having replaced Billy Graham for Lee Beard, and he is looking sharper and more refined as he prepares himself to challenge for the South African-born N’Dou’s title.

The end of the road may be up ahead for Clinton Woods retirement as yesterday he pondered his boxing future after losing to the young American Tarvoris Cloud on Saturday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Woods told various reporters yesterday "I'm not thinking about retirement at the moment. I'll go home and see what I'll do next. I have always said I'd never go back to another level other than world title but I don't want to talk about retiring.

"To be honest, the thought of retiring from the sport I love upsets me more than losing."