Date: Saturday, July 8, 2017
WBO Middleweight Championship Title Bout
Location: Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Hackney Wick, London, United Kingdom
Promoter: Queensberry Promotions / Frank Warren
Supervisor:
Referee:
Judges:
Results:
TV:
By Elliot Foster –
Zolani Tete is set to return to the ring later this month as he looks to claim another world title.
The former IBF super-flyweight world champion, who beat Ellesmere Port’s former bantamweight king Paul Butler in March, 2015 before relinquishing due to be offered a paltry purse for a mandatory defence against McJoe Arroyo, has been out of the ring since last June.
South Africa’s Tete (24-3, 20 KOs) will box in Manchester, at the city’s Arena, on April 8, exclusively live on BoxNation and BT Sport.
The 28-year-old southpaw, whose nickname is ‘Last Born’, was handed a final eliminator for the WBO bantamweight world title at the sanctioning body’s recent convention and it was set to happen on November 26, 2016 in Cardiff, Wales.
But the Queensberry Promotions confirmed on Thursday that Tete will return against Arthur Villanueva of Philippines on the ‘A New Era’ card in which features two debut outings and a world title as well as cracking domestic showdown, with further clashes to be revealed in due course.
Villanueva, 27, has a record of 30-1 (16 KOs) and is a former challenger to Tete’s old IBF belt at 115 pounds, but the pair are set to meet a division north at bantamweight as they each look for the opportunity to come up against current Boxing Organisation king in the division Marlon Tapales.
The current WBO Asia-Pacific champion Villanueva is coming off the back of a stunning second-round knockout against Mexico’s Juan Jimenez in California.
“It has always been my dream to fight for another world title,” said Tete. “I’m very excited about the fight but I know it is one that I can’t lose if I want another belt around my waist.
“I want to be known as one of the best fighters in the world and clean up the rest of the belts, but first I have to get my hands on the WBO bantamweight title and to do that I need to beat Villanueva.
“From what I have seen of him I can tell he’s a strong fighter and hopefully he will put up a good fight against me but Zolani Tete will be victorious on the night.
“I’m delighted to be returning to the UK. It’s a great feeling and I won’t disappoint my UK fans. I’m going to put on an exciting show like always.”
The card is headlined by Terry Flanagan’s fifth WBO lightweight title defence against number two-rated Petr Petrov and features the debut of double Olympic champion Nicola Adams as well as star amateur Daniel Dubois, James Metcalf features and there is a mouth watering clash between Liam Williams and Liam Smith for the former’s WBO European super-welterweight title.
In other news, Steve Wood of VIP Promotions has announced a Central Area title showdown between holder Adam Ismail and challenger Andy Colquhoun.
The pair, who campaign at welterweight, will clash on March 24 at Robin Park Sports & Tennis Centre in Wigan, supported by a solid undercard. The show will be streamed exclusively live on VIP Boxing TV.
Also on the VIP schedule, Scott Fitzgerald returns home to Preston –– at the Guild Hall –– on March 11 and Wood, who is also the manager of the aforementioned Flanagan, also has a show scheduled for February 18 at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse as well as March 18 at the Devonshire Dome in Buxton, with Jack Massey topping the bill.
And another Steve Wood-managed fighter in the shape of Ryan Mulcahy has had his ring return date handed to him.
‘The Monk’, who is undefeated in seven with two early, confirmed that he has been added to the undercard of Matchroom Boxing’s next Liverpool card.
The show, which has yet to be formally announced, will take place at the ECHO Arena on April 22, will be exclusively live on Sky Sports and is expected to feature WBC International super-middleweight champion Rocky Fielding and Mulcahy’s new gym-mate Tom Farrell among others.
Elsewhere, Anthony Yarde, the Ilford ‘Beast’ who has already made his US debut, is set for his ring return.
Yarde, 25 is 9-0 with eight early and will be looking to get into double figures in the paid code when he boxes at Leicester Arena on April 22, exclusively live on BT Sport and BoxNation.
Date: Saturday, October 29, 2016
WBO, WBA HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT
Location: Manchester Arena (formerly M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom
Promoter: Queensberry Promotions / Frank Warren
Supervisor:
Referee:
Judges:
Results:
August 1, 2016
Frank Warren, Queensberry Promotions
Bob Arum, Top Rank, Inc.
Re: Negotiations for Mandatory WBO Lightweight Title Bout Between Terry Flanagan vs. Felix Verdejo
Gentlemen:
Please be advised the parties have 20 days to negotiate an agreement for the Mandatory WBO Lightweight Championship bout between Terry Flanagan and Felix Verdejo. If an accord is not reached within the time frame, a Purse Bid will be ordered.
The minimum acceptable bid for the Lightweight division is $150,000.00 (One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars).
Any one of the parties involved may call for a Purse Bid at any time during the negotiation process.
Yours truly,
Luis Batista Salas, Esq.
C/c: Francisco Valcarcel
Date: Saturday, September 17, 2016
WBO JR. MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT
Location: AT & T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, USA
Promoter: Queensberry Promotions / Frank Warren
Supervisor:
Referee:
Judges:
Results:
TV: HBO / BoxNation
Date: Saturday, July 9, 2016
WBO LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT
Location: Manchester Arena (formerly M.E.N. Arena), Lancashire, United Kingdom
Promoter: Queensberry Promotions / Frank Warren
Supervisor:
Referee:
Judges:
Results:
TV: USA HBO, Germany RTL
April 22, 2016
Bob Spagnola
Austin Trout Manager
Re: Austin Trout
Dear Bob:
On March 21, 2016, the WBO Championship Committee advised the parties representing Austin Trout and Liam Smith that they had 30 days to negotiate an agreement for the WBO Jr. Middleweight Championship bout. It has come to our attention that despite an offer being on the table, no answer has been given to Queensberry Promotions. Furthermore, it has been announced on the news that on May 21st 2016, Austin Trout will face Jermall Charlo for the IBF title.
Please be advised that you have forty-eight (48) hours or until Sunday, April 24th at 4:00 PM AST to inform the WBO if in fact Mr. Trout is fighting for the IBF title. If in the stipulated time frame we do not receive an answer, we will assume that Mr. Trout’s is not interested in fighting for the WBO title. At that point, the WBO Championship Committee will proceed in accordance to the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.
Cordially,
Francisco Valcarcel, Esq. – WBO President
New Delhi: Unstoppable so far, star Indian boxer Vijender Singh will now gun for his maiden title in the professional circuit when he fights for the WBO Asia belt come June in front of home fans in the national capital.
The middleweight boxer, who earned worldwide fame by becoming India’s first Olympic and World Championships medallist at the amateur level, has exhibited rampaging form even in the pro arena.
Since his debut in the circuit last October, the 30-year -old from Haryana has won all his three pro contests via knockouts. His next bout is scheduled for March 12 in Liverpool, the opponent for which is yet to be named.
“I am already excited. My first title fight, that too in front of my own people, in my own country. It cannot get better than this. I have no idea who my opponent is going to be but I am sure I will carry on the way I have so far,” Vijender told from Manchester where he is currently training for the March 12 showpiece.
The venue for the Asia title bout could be the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, which will be examined by WBO officials on February 22.
“It’s the next level for him. He will fight for the WBO Asia title in June and a team of WBO officials will recce for venues in Delhi. The first venue to be checked out will be the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium,” Vijender’s India promoters, IOS Boxing Promotions’ MD Neerav Tomar said.
The WBO delegation, which will touch down in India on Saturday, comprises the body’s first vice-President John Duggan, Chairman Officials Michael Pernick, and referee Mark Nelson.
They will be joined by Vijender’s UK promoters Queensberry Promotions’ chief Francis Warren . Also there would be Benjamin Murphy, the Broadcasting Head of Boxnation — the official broadcasters of Vijender’s bouts in the UK.
“For the time being, Vijender will continue to train and fight in the UK. After his March 12 bout, which will be of six rounds, Vijender will fight two more bouts in April and possibly beginning of May. These two bouts will be eight-round affairs,” Tomar said.
“This will be followed by the Asia title bout in June which will be either 10 or 12 rounds in all,” he explained. As for Vijender’s opponent, Tomar said it could either be a Chinese or a Korean.
“There will be a series of meetings to decide on who would be his opponent. Most probably, it would either be a Chinese or a Korean,” he said.
During their time here, the WBO officials will also explore avenues for promoting professional boxing in India at the grassroot level.
“The WBO officials will conduct a seminar for the Indian Boxing Council (IBC) on Sunday. There will be discussions onhow to take pro boxing to the grassroot levels,” Tomar said.
www.freepressjournal.in/vijender-to-fight-for-wbo-asia-title-in-india/784027
Date: Saturday – October 10, 2015
WBO LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT
Location: Manchester Arena (formerly M.E.N. Arena), Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom
Promoter: Queensberry Promotions / Frank Warren
Supervisor: Istvan Kovacs
Referee: Terry O’Connor
Judges: Mark Nelson (10-9); Deon Dwarte (10-9); Dave Parris (10-9)
Results: The Champion Terry Flanagan retained the WBO Lightweight Title against Diego Magdaleno by TKO in the 2nd. round.
TV:
Date: Saturday – October 10, 2015
VACANT WBO JR. MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT
Location: Manchester Arena (formerly M.E.N. Arena), Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom
Promoter: Queensberry Promotions / Frank Warren
Supervisor: Istvan Kovacs
Referee: Marcus McDonnell
Judges: Steve Gray (56-58); Mark Nelson (57-57); Andre Van Grootenbruel (57-57)
Results: Liam Smith has become the new WBO Jr. Middleweight champion after seeing off John Thompson with a seventh-round knockout.
TV:
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2015
WBO MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT
Location: Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick, Ireland
Promoter: Queensberry Promotions / Frank Warren
Supervisor:
Referee:
Judges:
Results:
TV:
Date: July 11, 2015
Title: Vacant WBO Lightweight Championship title Bout
Location: Velodrome, Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom
Promoter: Queensberry Promotions/Frank Warren
Supervisor: Istvan Kovacs
Referee: Marcus McDonnell
Judges: Ramon Cerdan, Zoltan Enyedi, Carlos Ortiz Nieves
Result: Terry Flanagan won the WBO Lightweight Championship Title by TKO in the second round. Zepeda suffered a dislocated right shoulder and remained on his stool at the end of the 2nd round, referee McDonnell waved the bout off after speaking with Zepeda’s corner team.
Unbeaten American Jose Zepeda will travel to Manchester, England, in pursuit of the vacant WBO lightweight title and the 26-year-old knockout artist promises that neither his opponent, Terry Flanagan, nor a hostile British crowd will stand in his way on July 11.
Zepeda (23-0, 20 knockouts) is adding the finishing touches to his preparation for the biggest fight of his career to date and is acutely aware of the challenge posed by Flanagan, a southpaw stylist who is also unbeaten at 27-0 (10 knockouts).
“Flanagan is a great fighter with a good record and he’s doing something right,” said Zepeda in a press release issued by Queensberry Promotions. “I also believe that I’m a great fighter and my record says it. I think this will be a fantastic fight and, knockout or distance, we’re prepared to win.
“When I go into a fight I never think about a knockout, it comes by itself. We will see what happens on July 11.
Robert Alcazar, a former trainer of six-weight world titleholder Oscar De La Hoya, will be in Zepeda’s corner and the unbeaten knockout artist credits his esteemed coach with the success he’s had during the early stages of his career.
“Robert and I have a good relationship,” Zepeda said. “He’s showing me a lot and he’s been in the big league, not just with Oscar, but with Edwin Valero and many more. We started together and five years on we’re still unbeaten. He made me the fighter I am now.
“We’ve been sparring hard for thirteen and fourteen rounds because when we go more than twelve we know we’re ready. I haven’t really seen much of Flanagan, I leave that to Robert.”
Manchester, Flanagan’s home city, is a boxing hot bed and visitors are rarely greeted warmly but Zepeda is retaining a calm demeanor ahead of the voyage.
He said, “I’ve only fought in Mexico and the U.S. so coming to England is something new for me. My promoter told me there was a chance that we would be going abroad but I’m strong and I’m prepared. I’m just going over there to do my job.”