Jessica McCaskill will defend her undisputed WBO World Welterweight title against Cecilia Brækhus in early 2021 after former champion Brækhus activated the rematch clause.

McCaskill ripped the titles from Brækhus in a tightly fought contest on the streets of downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma in August as Matchroom returned to action in the US, with one judge unable to split the pair but challenger McCaskill getting the nod on the other cards, 97-94 and 97-93.

The win meant that McCaskill (9-2 3 KOs) became a two-weight World champion in just her 11th pro outing, and was another chapter of a phenomenal rise for the Chicago ace, from traveling to London, England in her seventh pro fight in December 2017 and giving Lightweight champion and Irish sensation Katie Taylor a run for her money in McCaskill’s first World title fight, before picking up the WBA World Super-Lightweight title in her next fight on home turf against Erica Farias in October 2018 and then unifying the 140lbs division against Anahi Sanchez in May 2019.

Brækhus (36-1 9 KOs) suffered her first career defeat in Tulsa and that loss prevented the Norwegian from making history by breaking Joe Louis’ 72 year record of 25 consecutive World title defenses, but ‘The First Lady’ of boxing was denied by the Chicagoan – and hinted at retirement in her post-fight interview. Now both former champion and defending ruler are ready to lock horns once again, with an early 2021 date and venue to be announced later in the year.

“That’s the fastest retirement I’ve ever seen in boxing history – she’s back!” said McCaskill. “We knew she would be back and that it would only be a matter of time. Usually those types of conversations straight after a fight to direct the audience’s eyes away from the loss. In this sport, so many people have said that they are retired and then come back to have fights.

“I gave her the belts back and just wanted to be the one to do that. There’s never been any bad blood, I could have had my team send the belts back but there was no reason not to give the belts back myself so we went over to her room and she was on the phone to her family, when she got off the phone, she made comments to passing the torch and with her being beaten for the first time I think she expects someone else to carry on her legacy and I have my own legacy to fulfill and that’s where my focus is.

“Tulsa is over with and now I have to get up for the rematch which is part of being professional and part of the gameplay. The only rematch I’ve had in my pro career was with Erica Farias so it’s part of it and you cannot expect anything to motivate, you can’t expect your team to hype you up for a workout, what if they are not there that day? You can’t expect the fans to get you hyped for the fight because what if there are no fans? I am a very mentally strong person, I can control how to get from point a to point b so I will be ready for it.”

“It was the weakest performance in my whole career,” said Brækhus. “I still feel I won, or could have got a draw, and when I thought about that, I knew I could beat her in a rematch. I didn’t want to go out with a career-worst performance either, I definitely owe that to my fans. If this was a fight where I lost to a better fighter, had been in my best shape and had given it my all, then fine, I could retire, but that was not the case here.

“She gave her everything in the ring and I wanted to give her props for that, I knew what I was going through and what I was struggling with, for everyone this was just a tough time. But we need to meet again under different circumstances.

“It’s hard to explain exactly how I was in the ring that night for everyone that has watched my other fights and been following me for a while they saw that something was very wrong. So for me to come back after getting some time in Norway with my friends and family, spending time on my other projects and gaining my strength back and going back to training camp, I don’t need to do anything different to get the win.

“I learnt how good I am! I was in bad shape and I still feel like I beat a great fighter like Jessica, so my self-esteem is very high right now. A win or a draw would be OK but I also understand the emotional aspect of giving Jessica the win because she fought her heart out, if you were a judge and saw this I can understand that.

“We never underestimated Jessica at all, these are unprecedented times and there’s no blueprint here, I didn’t have anyone that I could call and ask ‘what do I do in this situation?’ This had never happened before so I just had to try my luck, there’s no-one to blame it just didn’t work out for us.

“The situation with no crowd didn’t bother me so much, it’s good in a way because it’s completely neutral! But it would be good to have fans for the rematch, it gives us more energy and a little extra, we don’t want three American judges next time that’s for sure! I think if it’s in America I will have to get the KO for sure, after meeting Jessica in the ring, I was never near getting KO’d so I’m definitely not worried about that.”

LAS VEGAS (August 20, 2020) — Light heavyweights Joe Smith Jr. and Eleider “Storm” Alvarez took the MGM Grand “Bubble” stage for the main event press conference Thursday afternoon in advance of Saturday’s WBO world title eliminator, which will stream live on ESPN+ (coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET).

This is what two of the division’s heaviest hitters had to say.

Eleider Alvarez

“I feel 100 percent. I feel no pain since the recovery {from an injured shoulder}, so I feel great.

“{The Michael Seals knockout} was my first fight in 11 months, so I’m happy to be back. I want to put on a good performance. I felt that with the performance against Seals, I tried. I would’ve been happy with a decision. I was trying different things, but I got the knockout.

“When Oscar Rivas and I first came to Montreal, we didn’t speak English. We didn’t speak French. I knew a little bit of English, but over 10 years, I’ve learned to speak French. I’m even better in French than English. It’s been a special experience for me and here we are talking in French.

“It was hard for all the boxers, especially in the first two months to train, because everything was closed. We had to adapt to that. Now, things seem to be getting a little more back to normal. The gym is open. It’s not what it was. Hopefully, the pandemic can be over, and we can get back to normal. There were challenges, but we had them like every other fighter.

“I want to be champion of the world for a second time. Whether it’s by knockout or decision, I know Joe Smith comes to fight. I’m going to do the best I can to win this because I want to be champion of the world for a second time.”

Joe Smith Jr.

“Being the underdog, I always feel like I have something to prove. I don’t mind it. I like getting in there and proving the world that I belong at the top and should be a champion.

“The {first-round knockout} over Fonfara, I was like a 20-1 underdog in that fight. I came out and definitely shocked the world with that knockout. It got me here. It got me all the fights and the opportunities that I’ve gotten since. It all led up to this, and this one’s the big one. I’m really excited to be here and looking forward to getting another shot at a title.

“Same thing with Jesse Hart. I was pretty much the underdog in that fight. He was talking a lot, and I just kept it cool. I went in there and did what I had to do, and I got the win. That’s what I gotta keep doing.

“This is the number one priority right now for me. I’m just focused on getting this win Saturday night, so I trained very hard. I’m well prepared. As far as the tree business is going {Smith and his father own and operate Team Smith Tree Service on Long Island}, it’s definitely doing well. Due to the storms, we picked up some work. It was a little slow for some time because of the COVID 19, but it definitely has picked up. My father’s out there every day. He’s doing all the estimates. He’s running the business. I just pop in here and there. I haven’t been doing much with the business. I’ve just been focused on this.

“The only thing, this guy over here is trying to stop me from accomplishing the goal that I have set for myself.

“I’m just going to get in there and give it my all. I plan on coming out on top. I just want to put on a great show for everybody and have a great night.”

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PHOTOS by MIKEY WILLIAMS / TOP RANK

Jessica McCaskill put the boxing world on notice as she claimed the undisputed crown from Cecilia Brækhus in a thrilling upset from the streets of downtown Tulsa and live on DAZN. At stake for Brækhus was shattering boxing’s most prestigious record – 25 consecutive world title defenses – one that she now holds with heavyweight legend Joe Louis.

The former unified super lightweight champion McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) edged out a majority decision victory over Brækhus (36-1, 9 KOs) in one of the biggest upsets in boxing this year. McCaskill was the far busier fighter throughout the 10-round title tilt, throwing 230 more punches than the decade-long welterweight ruler.

(via www.boxingnews24.com

Photo by Ed Mulholland / Matchroom

The first man to land his Sunday punch was going to win the fight. Former world champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez returned from a nearly one-year layoff to knock out Michael “Cannon Handz” Seals with a single overhand right at the end of the seventh round Saturday evening at Turning Stone Resort Casino.

Alvarez (25-1, 13 KOs) is back following a disappointing decision defeat to Sergey Kovalev last February, the man he knocked out to win the WBO light heavyweight world title. Seals (24-3, 18 KOs), one of boxing’s biggest punchers, saw his four-bout winning streak come to an end.

“During training camp, we practiced {the right hand} over and over. My trainer was mad at me at first because I wasn’t doing what he was asking. Finally, we got the knockout,” Alvarez said. “I was out of the ring for 11 months. I wanted to come back as the fighter that beat Kovalev, and this is what we practiced for.”

photo by Mikey Williams / Top Rank

(Atlantic City, New Jersey) – In a stunning turnaround, Eleider Alvarez (24-0, 12 KOs) of Montreal, Canada scored a seventh round knockout victory over Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (32-3-1, 28 KOs) of Russia before a sellout crowd of 5,642 fans at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Etess Arena. Alvarez now becomes the WBO and IBA World Light Heavyweight Champion.

Alvarez found success with his jab early in the fight, snapping Kovalev’s head back at times. In the fourth round, Kovalev found his range and started strafing Alvarez with pounding head shots from right and left, with body work mixed in. Most other opponents would have withered under the assault, but Alvarez made it out of the round on his feet.

The pair continued to trade punches for several rounds. Two minutes into the seventh round, Alvarez, not previously known as a knockout puncher, delivered perhaps the single hardest punch of his life, a perfectly placed right to the head which threw Kovalev back onto the canvas. Kovalev beat the count, but as the final seconds ticked down, Alvarez knocked Kovalev down twice more, and referee David Fields ended the fight at 2:45 of the seventh round.

“I can’t describe how I feel,” said an elated Alvarez, thanking God and his entire team including trainer Marc Ramsey and promoter Yvon Michel, along with his family and the people of both Quebec and Colombia.

“I wanted to show him I’m strong, I have a good chin, and I’m ready for big things,” said Alvarez. On the knockout blow, Alvarez said “We practiced that punch during training camp, and that’s how it went … I always practiced that punch in training.”

Alvarez, a native of Colombia, had waited on a title shot as the WBC mandatory challenger for three years. When offered, he jumped at the chance to face Kovalev, earning him tremendous respect. Now he sits at the top of the division. Asked if he’d like to face the winner of the co-main event, Dmitry Bivol, Alvarez said “I’m ready for the best in the world. I’m ready for the best in the division. I’ve been waiting for five years. I’m ready for anybody.”

Speaking on Instagram from the back of an ambulance en route to a local hospital, an upbeat Kovalev reassured fans he was all right. “I am on my way to the hospital to check my head, check my body … I feel OK. Thank you everyone, thank you very much to all the fans around the world for your support. I love you, and I’m fine.”

WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev of Russia hosted a media workout at The Boxing Laboratory in Oxnard, California on Thursday, July 26, in preparation for his title defense against undefeated light heavyweight contender Eleider “Storm” Alvarez of Colombia at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City on Saturday, August 4. The fight card will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:0 p.m. ET/PT.

Promoter Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events, Manager of the Year Egis Klimas, and trainer Abror Tursunpulatov also attended and spoke with boxing media.

Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, WBO and IBA Light Heavyweight World Champion:

About his opponent, Eleider Alvarez: “It’s a big test for me. He is very motivated. He’s hungry for this fight and for a victory. He’s undefeated. It’s not an easy fight and I must be ready for what he will bring.”

“He’s dangerous. I cannot say whether I can knock him out or get a victory by points. It’s a good fight for the boxing fans. I never said that I don’t want to fight this guy because he’s very strong. I’m ready for everybody. As a champion, as a boxer, I’m ready for anybody.”

About the importance of this fight: “It’s not the biggest fight in my life, but it’s a big for me because it’s the next chapter in my boxing career. Next time, it will be a harder opponent. He’s undefeated, he’s motivated, he’s hungry. I should be ready for whatever he can bring.”

About his desire to unify the division: “I’m building right now in my mind, my head, my personal championship in my division. In this division, it’s tough. We don’t have the opportunity to make a Super Series (tournament) like Oleksandr Usyk. My congratulations to him and to his team. He’s motivated me.

“We don’t have a tournament series in this division. But in my head, I have a schedule of my tournament, my championship. I am driven to win this championship. I have a picture in my head, I see my goals and my championship win.”

“It’s already started unofficially, between us. Because everybody wants to make unification fights I hope. Everyone who is a champion in the light heavyweight division wants to get all the belts together. We want to see who is first between us.”

About his preparation to face Eleider Alvarez: “I should prove I deserve to be champion. He is a good test for me. I saw a couple rounds in a couple of fights. I don’t spend a long time on this. I see enough to get the style he has. But he will be fighting different because right now, he is getting in shape to fight me. I have a plan, what to do in my head. I have completed my strategy, I will be ready for everything he can bring and inside the ring, after the first or second round, I will make adaptations because I’ll understand what I need to do.”

About his preparation for all his opponents: “If you come inside the ring, you should be ready for everything. For any situation, for any of his tactics. If you have only one plan for the fight, you will be losing, Be ready for an inside fight, outside fight, long distance, short distance, counter attack, anything.”

About his fifth camp training in Oxnard: “Here, there are a lot of guys who can help me with sparring sessions, It’s close to the ocean with a fresh breeze. It’s just your coach, your training. For me it is difficult to make training camp with family living at home. You always need to go somewhere, or my son wants me to play with him. Here it’s training, nap, training, rest. I train on time, lay down on time, nap on time, and keep working.”

About working with trainer Abror Tursunpulatov: “we’ve been working together, we understand each other. He gives me the same boxing study since I was 11 years old. It’s very comfortable. We speak I the same language, it’s easy. I follow his exact instructions. Before this, I did it with all of my amateur experience to the pros. Before, it was enough. But I spent all that amateur baggage. Right now, I need the help of a coach, and Abror helps me.”

About what he’s thinking during a fight: “In the ring, usually I don’t hear anybody. I am focused on the fight and the plans from what we’re doing right now in the gym with my coach. They are already inside of me. Sometimes, if you’re in trouble, you can hear something. Sometimes you even hear advice from the public, the fans! Really. Maybe only three or four times in my experience, not here in America, but in Russia when I was an amateur. I understand myself, whether it was a good round or a bad round.”

About his future opponents: “I am fighting everybody who is ready to fight me, who is available at this point. I never had a choice; do I want this fight or this other guy to fight. Egis (Klimas) or Kathy (Duva) inform me, ‘your next opponent is Eleider Alvarez.’ OK. It’s new, I keep my head and prepare for this guy, because I should be better than him.”

“I don’t think about this, who is next. Because I’m thinking right now about Alvarez. I don’t want to spend time looking behind at this (watching his past fights). He’s busy making plans for me.”

About opponents unwilling to face him: “It means they are not real champions. They are businessmen. Remember in the past, fighters like Mike Tyson or Evander Holyfield, Diego Corrales, I respect these guys. It’s sport. Guys, if you will fight like a real fighter, against everybody, everywhere, if you do your job, this is real boxing.”

About his desire to keep improving: “Some fights, I like myself. Some fights, I don’t like myself – I mean my fights. I didn’t like my last fight. I didn’t like my performance. Right now, I am trying to delete these mistakes and do better every fight. Every fight, something happens. I thought I knew a lot, but something always happens new. I get a new experience from each fight and each preparation.”

About who he would like to face next: “I don’t want speak about anybody except Alvarez. Right now, I have a fight with him and I respect this guy. I’m very happy God gave me this opportunity to get in with this guy to see who I am right now at this point. Who am I, me, myself. I don’t go back. I only look forward. Maybe the one step back and two steps forward. I already did the one step back (laughs), and now only step forward.”

About his life changing visit to the Greek monastery one year ago: “I should visit there every year, for recharging mentally. Every man and every woman should be alone with his Spirit, his God, for two or three days a year. I mean, you should be with God always. But I went there four nights. It recharged me. I cleaned up my mind and body. You follow the prayers. It is a saintly place. I already miss it. Maybe if I have the opportunity this year, I will go again.”

About what the sport means to him: “It’s not be my goal to be famous. I do this boxing not to be famous, not to be a star. I do this for myself. I love this, competing. I still live my life with interest. I travel a lot, I’m meeting people worldwide, I love it. I dreamed about this when I was young.”

Photo credit: Craig Bennett/Main Events

THIS FRIDAY JULY 27, headline title matches in a show to be held at the Hotel El Prado in Barranquilla, Colombia.

The two-time Olympian Jeyvier Cintron (6-0, 4 KOs) will fight for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Youth Bantamweight championship when he takes on Venezuelan Gregory Vera (12-1, 6 KOs). The Puerto Rican boxer traveled with his team led by his trainer and former double world champion Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderón. This will be the fifth fight in 2018 for Cintron.

While, Luis ‘Popeyre’ Lebrón (11-0-1, 5 KOs), #12 ranked by the WBO in 126 pounds and trained by Raymond Bernard, will defend his WBO Latino Featherweight title against the Venezuelan Milner Marcano (14-4, 10 KOs) in a bout scheduled to 10 rounds. Lebrón won the belt in April when he beat Luis Ruiz in Colombia.

Undefeated Colombian José Soto (7-0, 3 KOs) battles fellow countryman José Jimenez (20-8-1, 9 KOs) for the vacant WBO Latino Flyweight belt in a 10-round clash.

Promoter: Pro Box del Caribe and Puerto Rico Best Boxing Promotions

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) announced the officials for this Saturday, June 30, clash between WBO Super Middleweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramírez, from Mexico, and WBO Latino Champion and eighth ranked at 168 pounds Roamer Alexis Angulo, from Colombia.

The bout will take place at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, as part of a boxing evening presented by Top Rank.

Gary Ritter of Oklahoma, will be the referee of the fight. Ritter, who has worked as a referee in professional boxing for 17 years, has been the third man in the ring for world title fights in Japan, Mexico and the United States.

Javier Álvarez, of Texas, David Sutherland, of Oklahoma and Levi Martínez, of New Mexico, were appointed judges for the bout.

The WBO supervisor will be Richard De Cuir, of Sacramento, California.

For Ramírez (37-0, 25 KOs), this will be his fourth defense of the title he won at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 9, 2016. That night, he defeated German Arthur Abraham via unanimous decision.

Angulo (23-0, 20 KOs) became WBO Latino champion in Mexico with a second round TKO over local favorite Ronald Mansilla. The Colombian returned to Mexico for his second title defense in February, and knocked out Evert Bravo in the first round.

Ramírez-Angulo will be televised live on BoxNation, ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 9 p.m. ET.

Miami, FL.- Cuban trainer Pedro Diaz said that his Colombian pupil, Roamer Alexis Angulo, has reached the fight week of his scheduled clash with World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champion Gilberto Ramirez of Mexico – and according to the game plan they focused on strategy, but at the same time realizing that they may go to war.

“Alexis is fine, focused on the fight and regarding the possibility of going to a war… we are ready because whenever someone gets into a ring with a Mexican, he goes into that, into a war – whether or not he is a boxer with a renowned name, whether he is in his best shape or not., or is starting out [in boxing] or finishing up and he (Angulo) knows it,” said Diaz.

“It’s going to be a great fight definitely and I think that’s something that’s a sure thing.”

Confident, but at the same time cautious, Diaz also said that the weight limit (168 pounds or less) is not an issue in because they made certain preparations to get down to the weight limit. Diaz is always making sure that his boxer never sacrifices anything to get down to a certain weight limit, but at the same time he ensures that his fighter is strong and in his best fighting shape possible.

“So far it has never happened to us, where we ever had a problem with it (weight). Of course it can happen, but we have worked in such a manner where it won’t happen that way when we step on the scale on Friday,” Diaz said.

The Angulo-Ramirez showdown will be televised by ESPN. Angulo is undefeated with a record of 23-0 and 20 KOs. The champion is also undefeated, with a record of 37-0 with 25 KOs. And the televised card takes place at the Chesapeake Energy Arena of Oklahoma City.

Photo by www.BoxeodeColombia.com

https://www.boxingscene.com/angulo-prepared-go-war-with-gilberto-ramirez–129463

Signal Hill, Calif. (June 19, 2018) — Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez showcased his skills for the media Tuesday at Hill Street Boxing Gym to finalize preparations for his nationally televised bout, June 30 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.

In the main event, Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs) will defend the WBO super middleweight title against unbeaten Colombian challenger Alexis Angulo (23-0, 20 KOs).

Ramirez-Angulo will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 9 p.m. ET.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets to this world championship extravaganza are ON SALE NOW. Priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, not including facility and service fees, tickets may be purchased at the Chesapeake Energy Arena box office, online at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez On Alexis Angulo:

“We’ve seen a couple of tapes. He’s a big puncher. He has a good record, and I have been preparing very hard for him. I’ve been doing a lot of sparring with different guys, and I’m ready to put on a great performance for Oklahoma City and the people watching on ESPN.”

“He’a dangerous fighter because we don’t know what he brings. Like I said, I prepared really well for this fight. We don’t know what kind of strategy he brings to the ring, so we’re preparing with different styles.”

On the super middleweight division

“I am looking for unification fights. That’s what I want. But first things first. We have a tough fight with Angulo, and after that, we are looking at any of those fighters. Let’s do it. Let’s make it happen.”

On being active after a long layoff

“For me, being more active is helpful. I like fighting three or four times a year. It makes me feel good and motivated. If you don’t fight enough, it hurts you in the ring.”

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook:facebook.com/trboxin, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes;Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo, @ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtags #ZurdoAngulo and #SaucedoZappavigna to join the conversation on social media.

Photo by Mikey Williams

WBO Kids Drug Free visits Panama and Colombia

Once again the WBO is proud to have had the opportunity to contribute through the Kids Drug Free program in different countries across the world. This time we visited Panama and Colombia to contribute with exemplary organizations that work every day to make a difference in the lives of many children.

Round 1: San José de Malambo Orphanage

As promised in January of this year, the WBO revisited this past Monday, March 6th, the San José de Malambo Orphanage in Panama, a non-governmental organization that looks out for children and teens in vulnerability conditions, this time with the purpose of donating backpacks that the children need to attend school.

Education is an important tool to keep children away from the streets; we sincerely admire the work done by the Sisters that run this institution and that give children here love, attention, and a chance of a better life.

panama

Photo (left to right): Julio C. Alvarado, Sister Zoila, Boxing Promoter Tutico Zabala, Director Sister Lourdes Reiss, WBO President Francisco Valcárcel and children at the San José de Malambo Orphanage

Round 2: FUNVIVIR

Our next stop on Tuesday, March 7th, was in Cartagena, Colombia, where we were received by the dedicated personnel of FUNVIVIR, a non-profit organization founded in 2006 with the purpose of assisting children battling cancer and their families who have limited resources and many necessities that become more evident when dealing with the illness and undergoing treatment. The WBO had already visited this institution back in March of 2016.

The donation was given at the Bernardo Caraballo Coliseum. This organization was picked in life by our friend and colleague Luis Pérez, who recently passed away victim of cancer; this made the activity much more meaningful for all of us.

All children battling cancer are true fighters, especially when they are faced with limitations and difficult financial realities; the WBO congratulates FUNVIVIR for their wonderful work and joins them in their noble mission to alleviate the immediate needs of these young fighterscolombia

Photo: Boxing Promoter Tutico Zabala (blue shirt), WBO President Francisco Valcárcel (center-black shirt) representatives and children of FUNVIVIR in Cartagena Colombia

WBO Kids Drug Free:

As part of our Social Responsibility Program, the World Boxing Organization takes the Kids Drug Free program to 35 countries around the world, carefully picking institutions and organizations that require different forms of assistance to continue in their job of providing the new generations with opportunities, education, health and love.

delarosasabillo2

by Ronnie Nathanielsz

Colombia’s Luis de la Rosa predicts he will stop undefeated Filipino challenger Merlito Sabillo in their WBO minimumweight interim title fight at the Coliseo Mario De Leon in Cerete, Colombia on Saturday.

However, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told the Manila Standard that while Sabillo may not be as skilled as some of the other ALA fighters and it will be a new experience since this will be Sabillo’s first fight abroad after a long and tiring flight from Cebu,  “he has guts and is all heart” and they are hoping it will help him win and possibly set up a title fight against reigning champion Moises Fuentes who last Saturday dropped a majority draw decision to light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes in a close and exciting title bout.

Sabillo was accompanied by trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor and former OPBF champion and world rated bantamweight contender Michael Domingo.

In a pre-fight news conference de la Rosa who is ranked No.1 said “I am the champion without a belt” claiming that he felt he defeated Raul “Rayito” Garcia on October 30, 2010 when he lost by a twelve round split decision “but the judges didn’t see it my way.”

Learning from that experience the Colombian fighter who has a record of 21-1-1 with 12 knockouts said “this time I will stop Sabillo and won’t leave it in the judges hands.”

De la Rosa is coming off a 6th round unanimous decision over Jeyson Cervantes last July 6.

Sabillo, a southpaw nicknamed “Tiger” is ranked No.2 by the WBO and has an unbeaten  record of 20-0 with 10 knockouts.

The 29 year old is the reigning Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation champion having won the vacant title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Rodel Tejares on October 8, 2011. He is coming off a win over Rollen Del Castillo who retired at the end of the first round of a scheduled ten round bout last December 15.

Meantime, WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel announced that the fight supervisor will be Felix Diaz of Colombia while the referee for the interim title fight will be Genaro “Gino” Rodriguez of Puerto Rico while the judges are Ignacio Robles of Panama and Glenn Feldman and Michael Pernick from the United States.

Photo:  Boxing Photo/BoxingScene

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=63078

ConferenciaCerete300NFEl promotor Félix “Tutico” Zabala, director de la empresa All Star Boxing, con sede en Miami, Florida, oficializó este viernes el combate de título mundial que sostendrán el colombiano Luis De la Rosa y el filipino Merlito Sabillo, quienes se enfrentarán por la vacante corona mínima interina de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB).

ConferenciaCerete300NF2

El combate está programado para el próximo 9 de marzo en el Coliseo Mario de León en Cereté, Córdoba, Colombia. La cartelera denominada “Haciendo Historia”, por la gran importancia que tiene para esta ciudad, organizar una pelea de título mundial.

 

ConferenciaCerete300NF7De La Rosa, segundo en el ranking mínimo de la OMB, llegará a este combate con un record de 21-1-1, con 12 nocauts, Mientras tanto, el filipino Sabillo lo hará con 21-0, 10 nocauts.

La   conferencia de prensa del viernes estuvo concurrida con la presencia de los medios de comunicación de la región, el acalde municipal, Francisco Padilla, por All Star estuvo “Tutico” Zabala,   Sergio Chams y Aberto Agámez por la empresa Cuadrilátero y desde luego, el retador colombiano, Luis De la Rosa, este último se mostró confiado en salir airoso ante el filipino.

Los organizadores del evento informaron que los precios oscilan entre diez mil pesos la más barata en las gradas, hasta cincuenta mil en ring side, además de palcos a un millón de pesos para diez personas con derecho a una botella de whisky.

De otra parte, el alcalde se mostró satisfecho con   la acogida del evento e la zona, manifestando que con el apoyo de la gente se podrá organizar varios eventos de esta naturaleza en Cereté. — — — —

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Luis De La RosaEste viernes, se realizará el lanzamiento oficial de la cartelera que las empresas All Star Boxing del empresario Félix “Tutico” Zabala y Promociones Deportivas Cuadrilátero, con sede en Colombia, presentarán el 9 de marzo en el Coliseo Mario de León en Cerete, Colombia.

En la pelea estelar de esa noche, el colombiano Luis De la Rosa enfrentará al filipino Merlito Sabillo, por la vacante corona mínima interina de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB).

El título mínimo se encuentra actualmente en receso, porque el campeón Moisés Fuentes, de México, enfrentará al filipino Nonito Donaire, el 2 de marzo, por la corona minimosca de la OMB.

Una conferencia de prensa en las instalaciones del Centro de Cultura Raúl Gómez Jatin, desde las 10:00 a.m del viernes primer de febrero, con la presencia del alcalde Francisco Padilla Petro, los representantes de las empresas All Star boxing y Cuadrilátero y del retador colombiano, Luis De la Rosa.

Será el arranque de la organización de un evento histórico para   el municipio de Cereté y Colombia en general, ya que es la primera vez que un peleador filipino pelea en territorio patrio por una faja mundial.

En dicha rueda de prensa se entregarán detalles importantes de la programación y los medios de comunicación tendrán la oportunidad de entrevistar a Luis De la Rosa, quien adelanta su preparación en la ciudad de Barranquilla.

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http://www.notifight.com/artman2/uploads/9/EnisPacheco-AnaEstecheADEH300NF2.jpgLa colombiana Enis “El Huracán” Pacheco se impuso ajustadamente sobre la argentina Ana Laura “La Monita” Esteche, por puntos, en fallo mayoritario, tras diez asaltos, y así defendió por primera ocasión su título mundial ligero de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), en el combate estelar de la velada desarrollada en la noche del viernes, en el Coliseo Elías Chegwin de Barranquilla, Colombia.

A pesar de que fue Esteche la que tomó la iniciativa, llevó las riendas del pleito y acertó los mejores impactos, la localía terminó siendo un factor determinante. Tomando el centro del ring, “La Monita” descargó sus derechas cruzadas al rostro que encontraron destino en una campeona por momentos replegada. No obstante, Pacheco, algo más veloz de piernas, logró filtrar esporádicas izquierdas rectas por adentro, ante el avance de una visitante con su guardia levemente baja, aunque sin mayores consecuencias. Desde la media distancia, la argentina presionó con sus cross derechos y zurdos al rostro con que la llevó contra las cuerdas en reiteradas oportunidades. Sin embargo, con la dueña de casa a la defensiva, trabajando a cuenta gotas con sus derechas cruzadas por adentro, y acusando el castigo recibido, “La Monita” por momentos la estudió en demasía, y si bien se llevaba los episodios, no terminaba de definirla. Tan es así que en el quinto y el sexto, la tuvo sentida tras sendos cross diestros al rostro y ganchos derechos a las costillas, que obligaban a la agotada local a amarrarla. Y en el séptimo, volvió a tenerla conmovida producto de una combinación de izquierda y derecha cruzada a la mandíbula, aunque no logró liquidarla. Poco a poco, con el cansancio venciendo a ambas, comenzaron a caer en reiterados clinchs. Y más allá que en el décimo Esteche, consciente de pelear en casa ajena, buscó con su último aliento, ya no contaba con la energía suficiente para finalizarla antes del límite.

Los tarjetas de los jueces decretaron: Ignacio Robles (Panamá) 95-95, David Singh (Panamá) 96-95, y Manuel Rodríguez (Colombia) 97-93, ambas para la local.

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De entrada, ambas salieron a buscar. Con la local avanzando, la retadora la frenó con una izquierda cruzada a la mandíbula. Tomó la iniciativa y la llevó contra las cuerdas, descargando su cross diestro largo arriba. A pesar de que Pacheco logró filtrar una izquierda recta al mentón en la corta, sin consecuencias, Esteche siguió al frente y replicó con su cross diestro a la mandíbula. Pero con la campana del segundo, la cafetera conectó su derecha cruzada al mentón. Algo más veloz, acertó su cross diestro a la mejilla, mientras crecía en confianza. Aunque antes del descanso, “La Monita” volvió a llevarla contra las cuerdas e impactó su derecha cruzada al mentón.

En el tercero, con ambas erráticas, Esteche dio el paso al costado y descargó su derecha cruzada a la mandíbula. Sin embargo, “El Huracán” contestó con su derecha recta por adentro y al mentón en la corta. Antes de la campana, Esteche volvió a desnivelar, esta vez con su izquierda cruzada a la mandíbula, que obligó a la local a amarrarla. En el siguiente, con la visitante avanzando, Pacheco la midió y contragolpeó con su izquierda por recta adentro y derecha cruzada al mentón, aunque sin consecuencias.

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Presionando y dando el paso al frente salió la retadora en el quinto. Así fue que impactó su izquierda en punta al mentón y su cross diestro a la mandíbula. Segundos más tarde, la llevó contra las cuerdas y castigó al cuerpo, con su gancho derecho a las costillas, que acusó recibo en la dueña de casa. No obstante, la estudió de más, y permitió a la colombiana conectar su cross diestro a la mandíbula, sin mayor daño, pero que la hizo salir del asedio. Con Esteche atacando en el sexto, Pacheco filtró su izquierda en cross al mentón. A pesar de que la retadora descargó su derecha curva a las costillas, la local impactó su cross diestro a la cabeza. Pero antes del cierre, “La Monita” avanzó y conectó su combinación de izquierda y derecha cruzada a la mandíbula, que no sólo le permitió llevarse la vuelta sino que ocasionó duro recibo en la campeona, quien volvió a amarrarla.

En el séptimo, nuevamente fue la argentina quien tomó la iniciativa. Ante una local que le cedía el trámite y apostaba a sus esporádicos cross de contra, “La Monita” dio el paso al frente y descargó sus derechas e izquierdas cruzadas a la mandíbula de una colombiana algo cansada. Siempre con decisión, ya en el octavo, Esteche conectó su derecha cruzada al mentón. Sin embargo, la campeona respondió con la misma vía: el cross diestro a la mandíbula. Dando el paso adelante, la retadora presionó, la llevó contra las cuerdas y soltó sus cruzados arriba. Pero antes del descanso, con la porteña acusando el trajín realizado, Pacheco le ganó la salida de un clinch y acertó su derecha cruzada en la corta.

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Al inicio del noveno, con más confianza, Pacheco se plantó y no le permitió acertar los envíos a la visitante. Replegada, impactó su cross diestro poco claro al mentón, aunque recibió la respuesta de la argentina en forma de izquierda cruzada al mentón, que llegó plena.

Sobre la final, consciente de su calidad de visitante, Esteche tomó el centro del ring, presionó y acertó su cross diestro a la mandíbula y una larga izquierda cruzada al mentón, aunque recibió la contra en forma de un recto diestro por adentro. Con ambas agotadas, y cuando los clinchs cobraban mayor relevancia, haciendo trabajar al árbitro puertorriqueño Roberto Ramírez Jr., “La Monita” buscó con su último aire y conectó su derecha cruzada a la mandíbula, que si bien llegó, ya no contaba con las energías suficientes para enviar a la lona a una campeona en su propia casa. Por eso, al sonar la campana definitiva, la incertidumbre se hacía protagonista. Y a pesar de la tarea de una valiente retadora que cumplió, dos de los jurados se inclinarían por la dueña de casa.

De esta forma, Pacheco, que pesó 61,100 kg., retiene por primera ocasión el cetro que conquistó el pasado 16 de marzo, cuando venció en otra ajustada y algo controversial decisión a la serbia nacionalizada brasileña Duda Yankovich, en este mismo escenario. Así aumenta su marca a 10 victorias (7 KOs) y 1 derrota. En tanto Esteche, que registró 60,700 kg., y que realizaba su primera oportunidad mundialista en su debut fuera de su país, desmejora a 6 triunfos (2 KOs) y 2 reveses.

En combate complementario, desarrollado en categoría pluma, el invicto colombiano Oscar Escandón (19-0, 12 KOs), derrotó a su compatriota Ever García (12-32-1-2 sd, 6 KOs), por puntos, en fallo unánime, tras ocho capítulos. Las tarjetas de los jueces fueron: 79-73, 78-73, 78-73.

 

Por Nicolás Samuilov, samuilov@notifight.com

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Resultado_2/Pacheco_retuvo_ante_Esteche_con_pol_mica.php

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/uploads/9/EnisPacheco-CampeonaLS300NF1.jpgLa colombiana Enis Pacheco salió de su habitual espacio en el gimnasio del estadio Metropolitano de Barranquilla, Colombia, para compartir con sus seguidores y con toda la prensa en general, un entrenamiento mostrando todos sus avances para su primera defensa del título mundial ligero de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) ante la argentina Ana Laura “La Monita” Esteche, el próximo 15 de Junio en el coliseo Elias Chegwin de Barranquilla.

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En el gimnasio GYMBOX, Enis realizó trabajos de sombra, cuerdas, guantaletas y sacos, por espacio de una hora. Posteriormente la campeona mundial atendió a los curiosos que se acercaron a presenciar su entrenamiento. Por último, dialogó con los diferentes medios de comunicación.

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“Estoy muy motivada por el apoyo de la gente pero debo tomarlo todo con mucha calma. La fama no se me puede subir a la cabeza”, señaló Pacheco (9-1, 7 KOs), y puntualizó: “Sé que ella viene bien preparada, viene a ganarme. Yo confío en mis condiciones y sé que contra mí no podrá”.

 A propósito, Esteche (6-1, 2 KOs) arribará a Barranquilla el domingo 10 de junio a las 11 a.m. procedente de Buenos aires, Argentina. Al día siguiente realizará un entrenamiento público en el GYMBOX a partir de las 2 p.m., y el próximo 12 del presente mes, se llevará a cabo la gran presentación oficial de la velada con la presencia de las protagonistas.

Por Emel Alvear Cueto, Probox del Caribe

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/Pacheco_motivada_por_gente_para_Esteche.php