Fightnews.com

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

In what has become a WBA convention tradition (depending on the date of the gathering), the WBA Halloween party was a “graveyard smash” tonight in Medellin, Colombia. Many chose to go the scary route in choosing their get-up, while others were more creative.

There were convicts and robbers, Colombian soccer legend Carlos Valderrama, a ghoulish granny and even the Trumpster made an appearance, albeit with a too-short red tie. WBA president Gilberto Mendoza went for his traditional superhero persona, this time Mr. Incredible, patriarch of The Incredibles. Continue reading “WBA Halloween Party”

WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol (11-0, 9 KOs) is slated to defend his title against Trent Broadhurst (20-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday in Salle Medecin, Monte Carlo and live on HBO Boxing After Dark® at 5:45 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT). The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds and will be Bivol’s first title defense as WBA light heavyweight world champion. Continue reading “Bivol set for HBO showcase”

Popular welterweight Jesus “Renuente” Soto Karass (28-12-4, 18 KOs) hosted a media workout today at the Pascua Yaqui Wellness Center in Tucson, Arizona ahead of his 10-round welterweight fight against Juan Carlos “Merengue” Abreu (19-3-1, 18 KOs) in the main event of Thursday’s edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona. “I haven’t really seen Abreu fight,” stated Soto Karass, “only about one or two rounds, but I know he will come aggressively. He throws a lot of punches just as I do. Though he is younger, I have the experience. I don’t like to give predictions, but I just hope that we both leave the ring healthy and may the best man win.”

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

A contingent of four busloads of WBA convention delegates made the arduous journey to an impoverished neighborhood high in the mountains above Medellin, Colombia this morning.

The purpose of the trip was part of the realization of WBA president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza’s vision- to utilize boxing as a means to improve one’s lot in life. Several of the champions that have been on hand this week took part in the event. Continue reading “WBA 2017 Convention: Up the Mountainside”

Report/Video: Boxing Bob Newman

Future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins took time to give some helpful boxing tips and instructions to a couple youngsters from Medellin’s “Camino al Ring” youth group. It was all part of the WBA’s new convention format, reaching out into the community, utilizing boxing to improve the social status of those in need.

After WBC bantamweight champion Luis Nery tested positive for the banned substance Zilpaterol, the WBC opened an investigation. Based on the evidence, the WBC was unable to make a determination with sufficient certainty as to whether Nery’s adverse finding was the result of intentional ingestion of a banned substance to improve performance or food contamination. Therefore a rematch has been ordered between Nery and former champ Shinsuke Yamanaka, whom Nery beat for the title after testing positive, but prior to the adverse finding being reported to the WBC by VADA. Nery will be subject to a strict WBC-supervised dietary regime and a specific random testing protocol at his own cost and expense.

Click here for the WBC’s complete ruling…

By Mauricio Sulaiman
WBC President – Jose Sulaiman’s son

Waking up with a smile is great and all those who watched game 5 of the MLB World Series certainly feel that way. One of the best games I have ever seen with so much drama. And, of course, I am also smiling because the Dallas Cowboys won yesterday.

One month after our convention in Baku, Azerbaijan, the WBC is working full speed on implementing the action plan from all the important agreements from the meetings during such memorable gathering.

CLEAN BOXING PROGRAM AND MISMATCH PREVENTION SYSTEM

One of the top priorities is the crusade to eliminate dangerous mismatches. It is the duty of all of us involved in boxing to take actions to stop this growing practice worldwide. Promoters and matchmakers, Federations and Local boxing commissions, Boxing organizations, trainers, managers, media and fans must all stand up against mismatches. Tijuana has become the center of mismatches, even creating a concept called “Boxing Tourism.” Continue reading “The 12th Round: WBC Convention echoes…”

Boxeo Telemundo Ford closes out another year just how it started, remaining the #1 boxing program on U.S. Hispanic TV. The 2017 Finale features a loaded card from Kissimmee, FL regarded by many as a second home for the Puerto Rican fan base. Headlined “For Pride” a battle of Mexico vs Puerto Rico features two young up and coming prospects, undefeated Alejandro “Bad Boy” Barbosa faces Sammy “Hurricane” Valentin for a WBO Regional title this Friday. Continue reading “Valentin-Barbosa tops Telemundo 2017 finale”

Report/Photo: Boxing Bob Newman

WBA president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza opened the 96th annual convention in Medellin, Colombia by outlining a new approach both the traditional convention agenda and to the sport of boxing in general. “We should not try to see what boxing can do for us, but rather, what we can do for boxing,” said Mendoza. A morning of regional reports took place, as well as a star-studded cast of champions past and present relaying their pasts before boxing and their lives now after boxing and how the sport improved their respective lives.

Not all tradition was flouted. The standard roll call of all in attendance was taken, with all introducing themselves. Continue reading “WBA Convention Update from Medellin, Colombia”

Report/Photo: Boxing Bob Newman

The opening banquet of the 96th WBA convention kicked off at 8 p.m. Monday evening on the 18th floor of the Dann Carlton Hotel in Medellin, Colombia. Hall of Fame ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. emceed the event, introducing a host of world champions to receive recognition from the WBA.

The previously mentioned champs were on hand as well as Colombians Luis Mendoza and Bernardo Caraballo. The crowning moment came as the man of the night, Antonio Cervantes, a.k.a. “Kid Pambelé” was honored with a WBA belt, surrounded by Oscar de la Hoya, Evander Holyfield, Juan Manuel Marquez, Bernard Hopkins and Roberto Duran as well as WBA president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #11 welterweight Gary Corcoran says he will too much for WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn on December 13 in Brisbane. ”The plan is to overpower Jeff Horn,” Corcoran told Grantlee Kieza of the Courier Mail. ”This is the biggest opportunity of my career and we’re going to meet in center ring and punch it out. I’m expecting a war, that’s what I want and it’s going to be a good fight. The two of us are not going to take a back step. It’s going to be like the Arturo Gatto-Micky Ward fights, a thriller. Toe to toe. Lots of action and I’m ready for him. I’m a brawler but I can box. I’m very strong and I just keep coming. Win on points, stop him … whatever. Continue reading “Corcoran: I Will Overpower Horn”

Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Australian three time Olympian Tony Madigan has sadly passed away on Sunday at the age of 87 years. Madigan competed at Helsinki (1952), Melbourne (1956) and Rome (1960).

Madigan boxed the great Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, in a semi-final at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Madigan went on to take bronze at the event. He had also fought Clay at the Intercity Golden Gloves light-heavyweight championship in Chicago in 1959 losing by decision.

AOC president John Coates said: “Tony was a true legend of Australian boxing and Olympic history, best known for his battle with Muhammad Ali. He is and will remain Australia’s greatest amateur boxer and a milestone of Australian sporting history.”

Madigan is survived by wife, Sybilla, with whom he lived in the south of France and the UK, as well as son Kendall and brother Mark. Tony Madigan was inducted into the Australian Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010

By Marco Bratusch

At Monday’s EBU purse bid in Rome, Italy, Antwerp Boxing Academy earned the right to stage the next European cruiserweight championship between titleholder Yves Ngabu (18-0, 13 KOs) and challenger Geoffrey Battelo (32-5, 28 KOs) offering a squared 40,000 Euros bid which exceeded a 21,000 Euro offer made by Fabian Detaille. The two Belgian fighters were already scheduled to face each other last June for the vacant title, but an injury occurred to Battelo as a consequence of a car accident forced him to pass the opportunity. After Italian cruiserweight Mirko Larghetti also refused to confirm his willingness to fight a few days later, journeyman Tamas Lodi was called with very short notice and was approved as co-challenger to face the unbeaten 28-year-old Ngabu in order to ‘save’ the boxing show in Roeselare, Belgium, but then he quickly lost by TKO in round four to the Belgian puncher, who became the new European 200 lbs champion. No word yet by the winning promoter about a date or venue where stage the fight. Continue reading “EBU Updates”

By Ricardo Ibarra
Photos by Mike Blair/Boxingprospects.net

Headlining Pacific Northwest Professional Boxing Promotions’ nine bout line-up, Tacoma, Washington’s Marquice Weston (11-1-1, 6 KOs) added his fourth straight win on Saturday night at the Green River Conference and Events Center in Auburn, Washington, defeating New Orleans’ Steven Lyons (3-2) by unanimous decision.

Weston out-worked Lyons throughout a majority of the six rounds, employing an aggressive approach and pushing Lyons back with jabs and hard shots to the body. Lyons, who proved to be a crafty fighter, did find some success with hard overhand rights and left hooks, particularly in the second and fifth rounds when he was able to jump in and catch the taller Weston. Weston, though, was the more effective fighter in the fight and landed at a higher rate. All three judges scored the fight for Weston at 58-56. The fight was contested in the heavyweight division.

The 6’6” tall Weston has had a banner year, surging after suffering his first pro loss last December with four good wins. His team is planning a possible December return. Continue reading “Weston defeats Lyons in Auburn”

Unbeaten contender Ahmed Elbiali will take on former world champion Jean Pascal in the 10-round light heavyweight main event of a special Friday night edition of Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes, December 8 from Hialeah Park in Miami, Florida.

Televised coverage also features former two-time world champion Chad Dawson against hard-hitting contender Edwin Rodriguez in a 10-round bout plus a showdown between unbeaten prospects Austin Dulay (11-0, 8 KOs) and Raynell Williams (12-0, 6 KOs) in eight rounds of lightweight action.

The beginning of the first day of the 96th World Boxing Association (WBA) Convention in Medellin, Colombia, had a very special moment. Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, President of that organization, was able to gather various boxing stars and gave a speech highlighting every positive aspect of the sport of boxing. In the presence of the WBA Board of Directors and before the Regional Organizations Meeting, Mendoza shared some moments with idols such as Roberto Duran, Antonio Esparragoza, David Griman, Jackie Nava, Alys Sanchez, Ricardo “Finito” Lopez, Fidel Bassa, Kid Pambelé among others.

The presentation aimed to tell their life experiences and the way boxing helped them to be more than athletes. The inspiring and lively interventions of each one of them helped to show boxing from another perspective, as well as understand the WBA’s new vision at this moment. Continue reading “96th WBA Convention opens with Star Power”

Evander Holyfield’s The Real Deal Boxing, the promotional entity under his Real Deal Sports and Entertainment, presents ‘Real Deal Championship Boxing V’ on Friday, December 1 at The Strand Ballroom and Theater in Providence, RI and telecast live on CBS Sports Network, it was announced today. Headlining is featherweight contender and hometown hero Toka Kahn Clary (23-1-0, 16 KOs) in the 10-round main event against an opponent to be announced.

Also featured in his first fight in the United States is undefeated cruiserweight Fabio “Stone Crusher” Turchi (12-0-0, 9 KOs), of Florence, Italy in an eight round clash.

Victory Sports & Entertainment has announced by far their biggest name signing to date. The company has inked former IBF world junior lightweight champion Jose Pedraza (22-1, 12 KOs) to a multi-year managerial contract.

“I am very happy to sign with Victory Sports and look forward to the next chapter of my career,” stated Pedraza. “They represent a number of up and coming fighters and also work with elite fighters like Badou Jack so I feel that Victory is the right team to lead me back to a world championship.”

Pedraza lost his 130lb title to Gervonta Davis earlier this year and will now campaign the lightweight division.

By Robert Hough

Deontay Wilder spoke of having peace in his mind, but the heavyweight spoke with passion and torrents of profanity when he discussed social issues. Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs), who defends his WBC heavyweight belt Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY in a rematch with Bermane Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs), was scathing as he related perceptions of racial inequality and shortcomings within what he called the “black community.”

“The more I learn about this country, the more I want to move to another country,” he told Fightnews.com® recently on a call to discuss the fight, which came together after a match-up with Luis Ortiz was scrapped when the Cuban failed a drug test. Continue reading “Furious Deontay Wilder Speaks His Mind”

By Robert Coster

Shuan Boxing Promotion through its President Belgica Pena has announced that all is set for their boxing gala show that will take place in Santo Domingo on November 18th. The international card will be held at the Jaragua Hotel and Casino and the main event will have Dominican super-Lightweight WBA #11 Alberto Puello (12-0, 7 KOs) defend his WBA Fedelatin and WBC Latino belts against 20-year-old Mexican prospect Ricardo Gutierrez (11-1-1, 6 KOs). “We are not looking past Gutierrez but Alberto is ready to move up to the top ten in the rankings,” declared Belgica with Puello by her side.

The card will also feature the return to ring action of former WBA Cruiserweight World Champion Guillermo Jones (40-3-2, 30 KOs). The 45-year-old Panamanian veteran is moving up to the heavyweight class and will be facing Ecuadorian Olympian Ytalo Perea (9-2-2, 5 KOs) for the vacant WBA Fedelatin title. Continue reading “Boxing Gala in Santo Domingo Nov 18”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

A book on WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn by author Grantlee Kieza titled THE HORNET has been published by ABC Books.

The book’s promotional blurb is as follows:

The story of Jeff Horn reads like a fairytale. Written with award-winning author, journalist and boxing aficionado Grantlee Kieza, The Hornet is the tale of a boy who, slapped around by bullies, saw through tears in his eyes a vision of himself as a hero, a champ, someone other people might one day look up to.

Horn took up boxing after being tormented as a teenager. Fast forward a dozen years and the former bullied schoolboy – now humble schoolteacher – became world boxing champion on 2 July 2017 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. The fight drew a record crowd to the stadium and a global audience of hundreds of millions, with Horn’s victory over one of the greatest boxers of all time, Filipino senator Manny Pacquiao, one of the most incredible upsets in Australian sporting history. Continue reading “Jeff Horn: Bullied schoolboy to world champ”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Las Vegas-based New Zealand trainer Kevin Barry who trains WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is confident promoter Eddie Hearn will prefer IBF, WBA champion Anthony Joshua to fight Parker and delay a bout with WBC champion Deontay Wilder. Joshua was given a tougher than expected contest against Carlos Takam on Saturday.

“It made me feel that we have a very, very good chance of dethroning this guy,” Barry told Fairfax Media. “I thought Joshua was robotic, I thought he was slow at times, I thought his lead patterns were very predictable. And, once again, he showed that he definitely has stamina problems, he was blowing big time. Continue reading “Barry: Parker will fight Joshua before Wilder”

Heavyweight Amir “Hardcore” Mansour (23-2-1, 16 KOs) announced that he is bringing in boxing adviser and agent Ivaylo Gotzev of Epic Sports Enterprises to assist with his boxing career. “After the WBC and PBC (Premiere boxing championship) gave me the opportunity to fight an elimination bout against Kauffman, we really thought that we would get our title shot against Deontay Wilder,” said Mansour. “Instead, things stalled and now we’re about to see Stiverne vs Wilder 2. Continue reading “Amir “Hardcore” Mansour Update”

By David Finger

Fightnews.com® is sad to report the passing of former cruiserweight contender and noted boxing trainer Napoleon Tagoe earlier this week. Tagoe, passed away Wednesday, October 25th at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. He was best remembered by boxing fans as the gritty, hard punching, Ghanaian who was stopped by Juan Carlos Gomez in a bid for the WBC cruiserweight title back on December 11, 1999. Continue reading “Former cruiser contender Napoleon Tagoe dies”

By David Finger

Boxing fans in Southeast New Mexico were undoubtedly disappointed to hear that popular 21-year old middleweight prospect Isidro Castillo Jr. (6-0, 3 KOs) was forced to pull out of his upcoming fight against Ambrocio Bautista due to an injury, but if there is one thing that promoter Isidro Castillo and his School of Hard Knocks Boxing Promotions knows it’s this: the show must go on.

The original October 21st card was moved to November 4th, and the main event now features undefeated Texan Joey Alday Jr. (5-0, 5 KOs) as he takes on fellow prospect Chris Leyva (1-0-1, 0 KOs) of Albuquerque in a six round middleweight fight. Continue reading “Boxing returns to Hobbs, NM Saturday”