Fightnews.com

By Gabriel F. Cordero

This Wednesday afternoon, WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán arrived at the airport in Montreal, Canada. In a meeting with the local media, he defended boxing and spoke about the tragic situation of Adonis Stevenson. Sulaimán. He then headed to Quebec to visit Adonis, who is still in a coma, at the Enfant-Jésus Hospital in Quebec City.

“It was an accident,” said Sulaiman. “It was a very unfortunate situation and in general terms the referee of Montreal Michael Griffin had a good performance The WBC has worked constantly to make boxing safer for boxers in recent years, including modifications to the rules. Boxing is dangerous, but there are other more dangerous sports. Continue reading “WBC president Sulaiman in Canada to visit Stevenson”

Courtesy Golden Boy and DAZN

It’s Canelo-Fielding Fight Week and both Canelo and Rocky sat down to talk about the fight. Canelo-Fielding takes place Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

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Gilberto Ramirez 167.25 vs. Jesse Hart 167.5
(WBO super middleweight title)

Arnold Barboza Jr. 139.25 vs. Manuel Lopez 139.5
Gabriel Flores Jr. 132.5 vs. Edward Kakembo 131
oshua Greer Jr. 117.75 vs. Daniel Lozano 117.75
Mikaela Mayer 129.5 vs. Calixta Silgado 127.75
Jamel Herring 132 vs. Adeilson Dos Santos 132
Ruben Vega 117.5 vs. Oscar Mojica 117
Jesus Arechiga 122.25 vs. David Martino 121.5
Roberto Duran Jr. 145.75 vs. Leonardo Pena 144.25

Venue: American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN+

By Miguel Maravilla

Mexican superstar WBC, WBA middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs) and WBA world super middleweight champion Rocky Fielding (27-1, 15 KOs) of England held their final press conference Thursday at Madison Square Garden in New York. Canelo and Fielding will square of this Saturday night at the Garden live on DAZN.

Canelo Alvarez: “I’m happy to be here at Madison Square Garden. This is another chapter in my career. I know I have a challenge in front of me. I will make history come Saturday night.”

Rocky Fielding: “It’s great to be here. All the history here at the Garden. I’m looking forward to it. I believe in myself. I come here as a champ and that’s what champs do. We win.”

Continue reading “Canelo-Fielding Final Press Conference”

By Héctor Villarreal

Fernando De La Rosa (3-1-1, 2 KOs) and his opponent John Hibbert (7-1, 4 KOs) both weighed in at 144 pounds for their Friday night clash on the main event of the 4 fights card promoted by the Boxing Commission of Colón at Portobello Bar and Grill.

“The province of Colon has been the most hit by the undeniable crisis that affects Panamanian boxing, so we decided to act also as promoter, otherwise we would not have had any event in 2018,” said Dr. Winston Grenald, President of Colon’s Commission.

Last Saturday’s Top Rank on ESPN scored several major victories aside from Vasily Lomachenko (12-1, 9 KOs) defeating Jose Pedraza (25-2, 12 KOs), with the overall Top Rank telecast across ESPN and ESPN Deportes averaging 1,980,000 viewers, up six percent from the same window last year. On ESPN only, the telecast averaged 1,865,000 viewers, making it the second most-viewed boxing telecast across broadcast and cable in 2018, behind ESPN’s Crawford vs. Benavidez Jr. telecast in October. Overall, Top Rank on ESPN has aired the top two and three of the top five boxing telecasts of 2018. Continue reading “Final numbers for Loma-Pedraza telecast”

Razvan Cojanu will step in to take on Ricky Hatton-trained heavyweight prospect Nathan Gorman on December 22nd after the late pull-out of Gorman’s original opponent, Alex Leapai. Romanian-born Cojanu was scheduled to fight Britain’s other big heavyweight prospect, Daniel Dubois this Saturday at the Brentwood Centre but due to illness, Dubois was forced to withdraw from the bout.

But fortunately for both fighters, Cojanu will now make his way up north next week and challenge Gorman at the Manchester Arena on December 22nd.

“I’m disappointed Leapai didn’t get on the plane. He’s given it some bad mouth which isn’t really my style, but in my world, if you are going to do that then you come and have a fight. Words are cheap, maybe he regretted his words knowing what was coming?” said Gorman. Continue reading “Cojanu to fight Gorman after Lepai pulls out”

Photos: Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

WBC, WBA middleweight world champion Canelo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs) and WBA super middleweight world champion Rocky Fielding (27-1, 15 KOs) hosted a media workout today at Chase Square at Madison Square Garden ahead of their 12-rounder on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Below is what the fighters had to say:

Canelo Alvarez: I’m ready. I’m ready to make history, and I hope people enjoy a good fight. Athletes on the level that I’m on can’t get comfortable. Everyone is coming to win and to rip your head off, so that makes the opponent more dangerous. I don’t underestimate anybody. I prepare 100 percent for everything and I’m ready for Saturday without a doubt.”

Rocky Fielding: People are talking a lot about the size difference, and I have to make that a factor on Saturday night because I need to use every advantage that I’ve got. It’s my weight division. I’ve been at super middleweight for a long time. I make the weight well and he’s stepping up. The bookmakers are going to lose money.

Continue reading “Canelo, Rocky workouts”

Heavyweight Daniel Dubois (9-0) has been forced to withdraw from his fight with Razvan Cojanu scheduled for Saturday night at the Brentwood Centre. The show will go ahead as planned, however, today’s scheduled press conference at the Grosvenor House in London has been cancelled.

Dubois, who came down with flu this week, is bitterly disappointed that he will not be fit to box on Saturday night and is deeply apologetic to his fans. Continue reading “Flu forces Dubois out of Cojanu clash”

German promoter SES Boxing is promoting a card at the Olimpik Arena in Tirana, Albania this Saturday. In the main event, cruiserweight Jurgen Uldedaj (7-0, 2 KOs) faces Nicolas Leandro Arganaraz (9-0, 2 KOs) for the WBO Youth title.

Promoter Ulf Steinforth stated, “We are very pleased that we are able to organize such a big event in Albania – a country that loves martial arts and has proven in the past that boxing has a special status.”

Undefeated WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (38-0, 25 KOs) and #1 contender Jesse “Hollywood” Hart (25-1, 21 KOs) will renew acquaintances Friday evening at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, in a main event that will be streamed live on ESPN+.

At Wednesday’s final press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

Gilberto Ramirez: “I dominated [our first] fight. This fight will be no different. It will be only one side. My side…I’m really happy to be back in Corpus Christi. I started the year with a knockout in Corpus Christi, and I want to finish the year with a knockout, too. I hope everyone enjoys it.”

Jesse Hart: “Things will be different because we corrected the little mistakes that didn’t go right the first time. I think with the mistakes that {trainer} Fred Jenkins corrected with me, and being on that stage and on that platform, I believe you will see a change in the outcome.”

Top lightweight prospect Devin Haney will face fellow-undefeated Xolisani Ndongeni in the first ShoBox: The New Generation telecast of 2019 on Friday, January 11 live on SHOWTIME from StageWorks of Louisiana in Shreveport. The 20-year-old Haney (20-0, 13 KOs) returns in a 10-round bout against South Africa’s Ndongeni (25-0, 13 KOs), an unbeaten 28-year-old who once held the IBO’s belt at 135 pounds.

In the co-feature, highly touted featherweight prospect Ruben Villa (14-0, 5 KOs) will take on Carlos Vidal (14-0, 13 KOs) in an eight-rounder. The opening bout of the tripleheader will feature undefeated Cuban heavyweight Frank Sanchez Faure (10-0, 8 KOs) against an opponent to be announced. Continue reading “ShoBox kicks off 2019 on Jan 11”

Zanfer Promotions closes its 2018 season at home on December 22 at the Auditorio Municipal in Tijuana. The main event will be a Mexico vs. Philippines showdown with local favorite José Briegel “Gallito” Quirino Jr. (20-2-2, 9 KOs) facing Renoel Pael (23-8-1, 12 KOs) in a ten round super flyweight clash.

Quirino, son of former world champion Jose “Gallito” Quirino and gym mate of Luis “Pantera” Nery, enters with a 16-fight unbeaten streak, including wins this year over Hernan “Tyson” Marquez and Israel Rodríguez Picazo.

The show’s other headliner is former WBC flyweight champion Juan “Churritos” Hernandez (34-3, 25 KOs), who meets Julius Caesar “Niño” Castillo (10-3-4, 4 KOs) in a ten round super flyweight battle. Continue reading “Gallito and Churritos headline Dec 22”

Undefeated WBA welterweight world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman returns to the ring after a lengthy injury layoff to defend his title against veteran Josesito Lopez on Saturday, January 26 live in primetime on FOX and FOX Deportes from Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, NY.

In the co-feature, fast-rising unbeaten Polish heavyweight contender Adam Kownacki as he clashes with former title challenger Gerald Washington in a 10-round battle.

On Tuesday, December 18, inside the Pyramid in Kazan, Russia, WBO #13 super middleweight Aslambek “The Hulk” Idigov will stay active with a 10-round showdown against rugged Russian veteran Konstantin “The Volga Cossack” Piternov.

Idigov (14-0, 6 KOs) is a 5’ 8” bull with pinpoint accuracy. This will be the Idigov’s fourth fight this year since signing with Salita. The 23-year-old has been training mostly at the Kronk Gym in Detroit to prepare for his fights and the improvement has been remarkable. Continue reading “Aslambek ‘The Hulk’ Idigov in action Dec 18”

WBC, WBA middleweight world champion Canelo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs) and WBA super middleweight world champion Rocky Fielding (27-1, 15 KOs) made their grand arrivals Tuesday at the Ainsworth Chelsea in New York City ahead of their 12-round super middleweight fight. The battle will take place on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City and will be streamed live on DAZN. Here is what the fighters had to say…

Former WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders makes his long-awaited return to the ring next weekend (Dec 22) at the Manchester Arena after being added to the blockbuster bill topped by Josh Warrington defending his IBF world featherweight title against two-weight world champion Carl Frampton.

Saunders will take on Hungarian Zoltan Sera in a bid to extend his perfect professional record of 26-0. Sera, 33, who has fought at light heavyweight in his last two fights, is 32-17-1, 22 KOs.

The year of 2018 has represented a period of enforced inactivity and injury frustration for Billy Joe, who relinquished the belt following a doping controversy and the failure of the Massachusetts Commission to issue him a license for his mandatory defense against Demetrius Andrade in Boston back in October. Continue reading “Billy Joe Saunders returns on Dec 22”

By Ron Jackson

Gabula “Slashing Tiger” Vabaza a former South Africa flyweight and WBU junior-bantamweight champion died in East London on Wednesday night. He was 40. Vabaza who was born in Duncan Village on August 23, 1978 was an outstanding fighter and he remained unbeaten throughout his ten year professional career to finish with a record of 23-0-1, 15 KOs. Continue reading “Former SA and WBU champion dies”

By Hesiquio Balderas

Promoter Oscar de la Hoya talked to Fightnews.com® during the grand arrivals of Canelo Alvarez and Rocky Fielding. “Canelo is motivated,” said The Golden Boy. “He wants to fight the best, he wants to fight here in New York, he wants to fight in Mexico and he wants to fight all over the world.

“He is young, only 28 years old. He learns more with each fight, he has a great team with Eddy Reynoso and Chepo he is getting better and better. Canelo will be in Canastota one day, no doubt about it. Even if he retires today he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. He likes challenges, he wants to make history. That’s why he is fighting at 168. He wants to win a title in his third division.”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

WBO #1, IBF #3 light middleweight Dennis Hogan (27-1-1, 7 KOs) will be in action against IBF #15 Jamie Weetch (12-2, 5 KOs) over twelve rounds on Saturday at the Exhibition and Convention Centre Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Hogan is coming off a twelve decision victory over Jimmy “Kilrain” Kelly in April. Hogan’s only loss was to Jack Culcay in 2015 in a WBA world title challenge. Weetch coming off a KO victory over Rocky Alap Alap in July. Promoter is DDP Sports Management.

WBC #10, WBA #10 super middleweight Jayde Mitchell (17-,9 KOs) returns to the ring on Friday against Kim Poulsen (28-4, 7 KOs) over ten rounds at the Melbourne Pavillion, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Mitchell is coming off a ten round decision victory over Kerry Foley in June. Poulsen, who was born in Denmark and resides in Vienna, is coming off a six round decision over Mazen Girke in April. Promoter is Big Time Boxing.

WBC #3, WBA #3, IBF #11, WBO #9 super flyweight Andrew “Monster” Moloney (18-0, 11 KOs) will clash with Cris Paulino (19-3, 8 KOs) over ten rounds on Friday at Metro City Northbridge, Western Australia. Moloney is coming off a ten round stoppage of former WBA super flyweight and WBA flyweight Champion Luis Conception in September. Paulino is coming off a six round stoppage of Jomar Farjado in October. Promoter is Tony Tolj.

WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder says that after his clash with Tyson Fury the team WBA/IBF/WBO champ is begging him to fight. “They’re definitely begging now,” Wilder said on the Joe Rogan podcast. “He’s trying to reach out, all of a sudden. His management is trying to reach out to mine, as well. But he could have had this opportunity. He had many opportunities. He could have fought Luis Ortiz, he could have fought me, he had a chance to fight Fury, as well.

“People want to know who’s the best now. Especially after seeing this Fury fight. I’ve been trying to show people who’s the best. I always say I’m the best. I’ll forever say I’m the best until I get defeated!”

Unbeaten champions and twins Jermall Charlo and Jermell Charlo will host an open to the public workout on Wednesday night in their hometown of Houston as they prepare for their respective title fights taking place December 22 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. The workout begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday at “The Address” (3333 Raleigh Street) in Houston.

Jermall Charlo is defending his WBC interim middleweight title against Willie Monroe Jr. and WBC super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo battling Tony Harrison.

Photos: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez is seeking a fifth successful title defense. Jesse “Hollywood” Hart is out for revenge.

Ramirez (38-0, 25 KOs) will defend his WBO super middleweight world against Hart (25-1, 21 KOs) Friday at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, site of his February knockout of Habib Ahmed. Ramirez bested Hart via unanimous decision last September in one of the finest world championship fights of 2017.

Hart and Ramirez worked out for the media Tuesday at Corpus Christi Boxing Club. This is what they had to say. Continue reading “Ramirez, Hart media workout”

Newly crowned WBO super bantamweight champion Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete (26-1, 22 KOs) returned to Mexico City on Tuesday after seizing the title from Isaac Dogboe in New York City.

The result was a surprise to most, but not to Navarrete.

“We knew that was going to happen,” said the champ. “We worked very hard, we had a strong, intense preparation. We knew that he wasn’t going to withstand the strong punches and was going to slow down. Continue reading “Navarrete back in Mexico City”

By TMZSports.com

Oscar De La Hoya says he’s got big plans for Canelo Alvarez once he runs through Rocky Fielding this weekend … telling TMZ Sports a third fight with Gennady Golovkin will definitely happen.

Oscar confirmed that Golden Boy Promotions has locked up T-Mobile Arena in Vegas for Canelo to fight on May 4 — but said he’s not ready to announce the opponent.

When we asked if he was gunning for Gennady Golovkin, Oscar downplayed it.

“I haven’t even spoken to GGG, I haven’t even spoken to his handlers. I have that date for Canelo and that’s it,” Oscar said.

But, he did assure us a 3rd fight is coming — whenever Canelo feels like it. Continue reading “Oscar: Canelo and GGG will fight again”