Félix Verdejo peleará el 27 de febrero en Nueva York

 Por José A. Sanchez Fournier /

Esa noche enfrentará al brasileño William Silva.

Félix Verdejo continuará fortaleciendo lazos con la comunidad boricua en Nueva York cuando el próximo 27 de febrero coestelarice un cartel en el Teatro del Madison Square Garden de Manhattan. Esa noche enfrentará al brasileño William Silva.

Y aunque Silva peleó en la antesala de la última pelea de Verdejo (19-0, 14 nocauts) el pasado  11 de diciembre en el coliseo Roberto Clemente, El Diamante desconoce los pormenores del estilo de su rival.

“No sé mucho de él. No lo he visto pelear”, admitió Verdejo hoy en entrevista telefónica desde Nueva York, donde se llevó a cabo la conferencia oficial del cartel que coprotagonizará junto al campeón Terence Crawford. “’Na’ más sé que (Silva) es fuerte y alto, como el (rival) anterior. Esperemos que sea una pelea buena”.

Silva tiene marca de 23-0 y 14 nocauts contra oposición desconocida. Antes de sus dos últimos combates -uno en Puerto Rico y otro en Hollywood, California- nunca había peleado fuera de su Brasil natal.

En la antesala al duelo de Verdejo con el también brasileño Josenilson Dos Santos en el Clemente, Silva noqueó en tres episodios al mongol Bayan Jargal (17-8-3, 11 nocauts). En esa pelea, Silva mostró ser un peleador fuerte y corpulento, con un estilo frontal y de poca técnica.

Será la quinta pelea de Verdejo en el Garden, conocido como “la meca del boxeo”. El boricua arriesgará su fajín regional Latino de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo en las 135 libras.

El barranquiteño Christopher “Pitufo” Díaz también verá acción en el cartel, en lo que será su primera pelea como un miembro de la cuadra de Top Rank.

Hoy, Díaz (14-0, nueve nocauts) oficialmente se unió a la empresa fundada por Bob Arum, acordando un contrato de cuatro años y recibiendo un bono por su firma.

“De verdad que estoy bien contento. Estoy bien agradecido de Dios. Y agradecido de Ricky (Márquez, su manejador y entrenador) por llevarme de la mano”, dijo Díaz, quien será padre por primera vez en los próximos días. “Ya logramos una de las metas que nos teníamos propuestas. Ahora nos toca trabajar más duro para seguir adelante”.

Díaz, uno de los peleadores más emocionantes del patio hoy día, enfrentará a Ángel Luna (11-1-1, seis nocauts), quien en papel luce como el mejor rival que ha tenido el barranquiteño hasta ahora.

“(Luna) es un dominicano bien fuerte, que le quitó el invicto a José ‘Wonder Boy’ López. Es aguerrido y viene hacia el frente”, dijo Márquez en entrevista telefónica por separado.

En la coestelar, Crawford (27-0, 19 nocauts) se medirá a Henry Lundy (26-5-1, 13 nocauts).

Las peleas estelares serán transmitidas en directo a Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico por la telecadena HBO.

http://www.primerahora.com/deportes/boxeo/nota/felixverdejopelearael27defebreroennuevayork-1131291/

By Bill Dwyre –

They held the Right Coast promotional scrum here Thursday for the upcoming Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao-Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley Jr. boxing match. Among the revelations that could stop the presses was that there are no villains in this fight.

Leo Durocher said that nice guys finish last. He never considered that they would fight each other.

This kind of warm and fuzzy stuff could ruin the sport. But, in this one, the skeletons in the closet have either been permanently locked up, or they never existed. It got so bad (good) Thursday that, after Pacquiao and Bradley did the usual contrived face-to-face pose for photographers — does anybody actually use this stuff? — they parted by shaking hands and smiling.

Mike Tyson, who once bit off a piece of an opponent’s ear, would be spinning in his grave, were he not still alive. Floyd Mayweather Jr., if he saw this, would go outside and take a baseball bat to a tree.

Where were the insults? Where was the name calling, the out-of-control testosterone, the phony tension contrived to sell tickets? Was this a boxing promotion or the groundbreaking for a convent? In the old days, before George Foreman found God and niceness, this sort of promotion would have driven him either to the heavy bag or the barf bag.

In truth, the best and fairest way to describe what will take place April 9 in Las Vegas is to trot out that terrible cliché of the day: It is what it is. These are two decent people who also happen to be great boxers.

Pacquiao is a congressman from the Philippines, who is universally known for his generosity. Said Top Rank Promotion’s chief executive, Bob Arum, “Most politicians take, take, take. Manny gives, gives, gives.”

Bradley is a once-beaten world champion described Thursday by Arum as, “a great person, who will keep fighting for his family and the people of this country.”

Of course, that is a promoter’s hyperbole. In this case, it also happens to be accurate. The only hope might be to hire Mayweather Jr. to come to a special press day and snarl some insults. Word is he isn’t busy.

Thursday’s event was at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. MSG as a venue symbolizes boxing, and Arum did not miss the chance to point that out. Tuesday’s opener in this two-stop tour event was held in Beverly Hills. The events were mostly the same. Same message. Same warm and fuzzy. Better food in Beverly Hills.

It is 11 weeks and one day until the fight. Including the ever-present good-guy versus good-guy theme, the storylines have been established and are unlikely to change much. That starts with the boxers.

Bradley: “I only have one date on my calendar, April 9.”

Pacquiao, steadfast in his retirement vow: “After this fight, if you want to see me, come to the Philippines. It is a nice place for a vacation.”

Among the discussion points to be dealt with in the next months are:

• Was this fight a match-made-for-comfort exit for Pacquiao, or is Bradley different and improved now, and if so, will that bring the kind of competition that Pacquiao seeks so he can go out in the right way?
• Is Pacquiao’s right shoulder, the surgically repaired rotator cuff injury that apparently cost him any chance to win against Mayweather last spring, completely healed?
• Would a Bradley victory make him Top Rank’s new star, with Pacquiao exiting? Or would Pacquiao not exit if he loses?
• If Bradley is the new Top Rank breadwinner, how will Arum get him to fight his buddy and fast-rising star, Terence “Bud” Crawford, whom Bradley says he will not fight? (Preliminary Arum answer: “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.”).
• Will an impressive victory by Pacquiao coax Mayweather out of retirement for a shot at a cherished final 50-0 record?
• Is that what Mayweather has been hoping for all along, so he can be the opening sports star at Las Vegas’ soon-to-be-ready T-Mobile Arena?
• Is Bradley trainer Teddy Atlas deserving of the credit he is getting for Bradley’s impressive victory over Brandon Rios, or was Rios simply an out-of-shape, under-motivated cup cake for Bradley?
• Can Arum use, to any degree of success, his boxing platform to influence some presidential votes? At every chance, the liberal-leaning Arum refers, tongue in cheek, to the preliminary matches for this fight as the ‘Donald Trump undercard,’ and says, since that undercard includes several Hispanics, his hope is that none will be deported by The Donald.
• Has Arum cleverly taken the edge off other fights in the first quarter of the year by getting this promotion rolling so early and with such high visibility that the likes of Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin, if they get matches made, will be playing from behind?

This fight will be no morality play. You need a bad guy for that. But will the sporting public, which seems to gravitate toward NASCAR wrecks and people fighting barefoot in cages, embrace Little Orphan Annie versus Mother Teresa?

Here Thursday, Atlas gave that public the best reason to do so, relating nicely to our current hypnotic state over politics.

“These fighters,” he said, “have always lived up to their campaign promises.”

fightnews.com/Boxing/pacquiao-and-bradley-ready-to-deliver-on-their-campaign-promises-322000

  By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Newly crowned WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino” Flash Donaire will make the first defense of his WBO super bantamweight title at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Manila either on April 16 or 23.

Donaire had earlier indicated he was hoping his next title defense will be in Manila so he can repay the fans who have supported him especially after his gallant performance against Cesar Juarez of Mexico to win the WBO super bantamweight title for the second time around.

The New Standard/boxingmirror.com learned that the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN had come to terms with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who recently signed a three-fight deal with Donaire for 2016, Donaire, Asia’s leading promotional outfit, ALA Promotions and Donaire himself.

Arum had previously told us that Donaire would defend his title against Evgeny Gradovich, the former featherweight champion nicknamed the “Russian-Mexican” sometime in late April after the planned Manny Pacquiao fight on April 9 although Pacquiao has still to pick an opponent.

Donaire who arrived last week from Puerto Rico via Los Angeles with wife Rachel and their two sons, said they plan to stay in the country until February but if the title defense in Manila pushes through he will stay and train in the country until then.

Donaire told us at a luncheon hosted by Gabby Lopez, the top honcho of the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN, that Gradovich has been calling him out and although they are friends and he was a sparring partner when he prepared for the Wilfredo Vazquez Jr title fight, its all business and nothing personal.

He said Gradovich “is like Cesar Juarez. He keeps coming forward and throws a lot of punches even when retreating” but conceded that he doesn’t have too much power.

Donaire told the New Standard/boxingmirro.com that he just has to study tapes of his opponent and indicated that he didn’t have tapes of Juarez to study before the fight and couldn’t do it because the opponent from whom he won the WBO Intercontinental title was a southpaw.

Donaire said he will fight anybody they put in front of him and emphasized “I’m ready to train, ready to go.”

The WBO super bantamweight champion a second time around praised wife Rachel for his change in attitude and habits and his father/trainer “Dodong” Donaire for “doing an amazing job” both during training and during the fight itself but admitted he couldn’t implement all his instructions in-between rounds because of “the freak accident” when he was tripped by Puerto Rican referee, Pena.

He said there were times during the fight when he nailed Juarez with thunderous punches to the body and head and he seemingly fell unconscious for a second but then just as suddenly woke up making Nonito wonder how he did it.

Donaire was happy to have redeemed his reputation with the brutal “Fight of the Year’ candidate and welcomed the tremendous response he has received for his remarkable performance against a fighter of the caliber of Juarez.

Gradovich, a fleet-footed southpaw with quick hands and a fighter who throws a lot of punches even when back-pedaling won the featherweight title by a 9th round TKO after in a rematch with Australia’s Billy Dib on November 24, 2013 after winning the title via a twelve round split decision in March 1, 2013.

Despite putting on a game defense of his title on May 30 this year, Gradovich lost by an 8th round technical decision to Britain’s Lee Selby last October 24.

The Daily Mail of Britain reported that Selby”put on an exceptional performance at the O2 Arena but said that the manner in which the rough Gradovich was dethroned was not the natural conclusion that seemed inevitable”.

A deep cut from an accidental clash of heads did the damage in the seventh round and the referee called for the doctor a minute into the following round and after a quick inspection of Gradovich’s right eye the fight was waved off.

The Daily Mail said “that was unfortunate but in going to the scorecards it revealed the narrow facts of Selby’s brilliance. Two judges gave Selby who is referred to as “The Welsh Mayweather” a six round margin and a third judge gave Selby all eight rounds.”

The report said considering the fight was “against a big-punching Russian in his fifth title defense the performance was quite exceptional, a master-class of dancing feet and quick hands” and pointed out that “everytime Gradovich surged, he seemed to be tagged by a disappearing man.”

http://philboxing.com/news/story-114894.html

 By:  Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBNnews –

Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines hits undefeated WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley of the U.S. during their title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Steve Marcus, Reuters

Reigning WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley Jr. said negotiations with the camp of Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao are still ongoing, amid reports that he had been selected as the Pacman’s opponent for his final fight in April 2016.

A report on The Mirror two weeks ago claimed that Pacquiao “rejected” British boxer Amir Khan and will instead face off against Bradley for the third time.

Bradley controversially defeated Pacquiao when they fought in June 2012, although Pacquiao got his revenge in their April 2014 rematch.

Bradley, however, told Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN News last weekend that nothing is set in stone yet. “We’re still negotiating,” he said.

He stressed that he would love to fight Pacquiao again, noting that the “Pacman” is “still one of the best fighters in the world.”

“I would love to (fight Pacquiao), but right now, we’re still negotiating. We’ll know something real soon, if we’ll do it or not,” Bradley said.

Bradley last fought on November 7, stopping Brandon Rios in the ninth round to defend his WBO welterweight championship.

It was Bradley’s first fight since hiring new trainer Teddy Atlas, and the boxer believes Atlas can be of great help to him should he wind up fighting Pacquiao in a trilogy bout.

“Manny is a tough guy. He always come prepared. He’s very durable, a very tough opponent, he’s one of the best in the world. He’s always tough,” Bradley said.

“But you know, with my new trainer, I feel that maybe I’ll be more prepared for what Manny brings, and we’ll come with a really good game plan to try to win the fight,” he added.

Pacquiao was supposed to announce who his opponent will be last weekend, during the Top Rank fight card in Puerto Rico that saw Nonito Donaire defeat Cesar Juarez via unanimous decision. The Filipino icon, however, delayed the announcement.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/14/15/negotiations-for-pacquiao-bradley-still-ongoing

Felix Verdejo and Nonito Donaire took part a media workout on Tuesday ahead of their respective bouts on the Top Rank promoted card of the MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout card on TruTV from the Roberto Clemente Coliiseum this Friday night.

Verdejo (18-0, 13 KOs), from San Juan, will be making his homecoming a 10-round defense of his WBO Latino lightweight title against Josenilson Dos Santos (25-3, 15 KOs), of Sao Paulo, Brasil, and Donaire (35-3, 23 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, who is on the cusp of another world title shot, will be challenging WBO International junior featherweight champion and No. 1 world-rated contender Cesar Juarez (17-3, 13 KOs), of Mexico City, in a 12-round rumble.

The four boxers boast a combined record of 95-9 (64 KOs) — a winning ratio of 91%, with 2/3 of their total victories coming by way of knockout.

Below is what Donaire and Verdejo had to say during their workouts

NONITO DONAIRE

“When I was down on the canvas in the Walters fight I thought to myself, ’this is a blessing.’ It was a blessing because I had lost my way, not giving boxing the respect it deserves. I was searching for something. I was unsatisfied. I went home and re-dedicated myself to the sport. I worked harder in the gym. I got out bed early in the mornings and did my running. I went to a Tony Robbins seminar for motivation and then read the book, The Power of Habits.

“My opponent is a tough guy and he is hungry like a wolf. My job is to beat the wolf. He’s actually ranked higher than me. He is No. 1 and I am No. 2.

“I must win on Friday night. I am out of setbacks.

“I feel like I am 21 again. My speed has increased. I can feel my power is much stronger. My happiness is back. I had a great camp.

“But I know what must be done.

“I must win.”

FELIX VERDEJO

“It was Felix “Tito” Trinidad who inspired me when I was a very young fighter. He has given me a lot of advice. We are friends and I hope Tito comes to the fight on Friday night.

“I have no pain in my hand. I feel great. I like to feel 100 percent when I get into the ring, so I waited until my hand was completely healed for this fight.

“I feel comfortable at 135 pounds and do not have a problem making that weight. I can make 130 pounds if my promoter Top Rank asks.

“This is a big fight card and I am in the main event. I think of all the sacrifices me and our team made to get here. All of the hard work in the gym has paid off.”

http://www.secondsout.com/news/main-news/donaire-and-verdejo-media-workout-quotes

  Credit:  Photo by Joe Camporeale, USA Today Sports – Uber-prospect Felix Verdejo says he’s ready to make his return after hand surgery and a subsequent setback derailed his last scheduled fight.

Felix Verdejo (18-0, 13 KOs), 22, is highly anticipating his ring return this Friday night where he headlines a truTV card in a 10-round fight against Brazil’s Josenilson Dos Santos (27-3, 17 KOs). Verdejo was coming off of hand surgery over the summer (to remove bones spurs in his left hand) and was scheduled to take on Dos Santos in October — but he experienced a setback when he starting having pain in his left hand again during training – which ultimately postponed the fight.

With Verdejo being seen as the next Puerto Rican star to take over for Miguel Cotto, it should only be expected that he’s eager to get back under the bright lights.

“Everything is fine with my hand,” Verdejo said through a translator on Monday. “There’s no pain whatsoever. I’m ready to use it on (Friday).”

The one key caveat to Friday’s fight is that Verdejo’s team is really hoping this issue with his left hand won’t be a recurring problem, but that remains to be seen at this point. He previously said his hand felt fine as he began training for the October date, but started experiencing problems with it shortly before the fight.

“I was very calm when (the setback) happened,” Verdejo said. “I remained calm during the healing process. I was just waiting for the OK from the doctor to get back in the ring and now I’m ready to get back in the ring.

“There was a point where I wasn’t feeling 100 percent (preparing for Oct. 31) and I wanted my hand to feel 100 percent. That’s why we took the rest. That’s why we are coming back in December.”

Assuming he gets past this fight with no problems, Verdejo is looking to have a busy 2016, where he hopes he’ll be able to get five fights in. Top Rank’s Carl Moretti says the promotional company will not rush Verdejo into a big fight right away, instead allowing the young fighter time to develop.

http://www.badlefthook.com/2015/12/8/9871618/felix-verdejo-ready-for-return-after-injury-setback

Date:   Saturday,  November 7, 2015

WBO FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location:   Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Promoter:   Top Rank / Bob Arum

Supervisor:  Luis Perez

Referee:  Robert Byrd

Judges:  Patricia Morse Jarman, Dave Moretti, Don Trella

Results:   The Champion Vasyl Lomachenko retains the WBO Featherweight Title against Romulo Koasicha by KO in the 10th round.

TV:   USA HBO, New Zealand Sky Arena, Hungary Sport 1

Date:   Saturday,  November 7, 2015

WBO WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location:   Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Promoter:   Top Rank / Bob Arum

Supervisor:  Francisco Valcarcel

Referee:  Tony Weeks

Judges: Adalaide Byrd, Glenn Trownbridge, Glenn Fieldman

Results:  The WBO Welterweight Champion Timothy Bradley retains the title against Brandon Rios by TKO in the 9th round.

TV:   USA HBO

 Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank –

If Thursday’s news conference in Las Vegas was any indication of Timothy Bradley’s current mindset, the Cathedral City native will battle more than Brandon Rios when he puts his welterweight title on the line Saturday night at the nearby Thomas & Mack Center.

Bradley, who in recent years replaced manager Cameron Dunkin with his wife, Monica, and two months ago replaced longtime trainer Joel Diaz after 11 years together, stepped to the podium at the Wynn Las Vegas and took a moment to address what he viewed as widespread criticism for such moves.

“I have a whole list of things I want to say today,” Bradley began. “I don’t know if I should say them.”

Bradley (32-1-1, 12 KOs) spoke about the fight, about how he’s prepared and about what he hopes to do Saturday night. Then he shared with the assembled media a few of those other things that were on his mind.

“Sometimes people don’t really understand what I have around me, and what goes around me,” Bradley said. “I want to make it live a little bit to some of you folks out there or some of you non-believers in Tim Bradley, that I’m very intelligent, and I’m going to tell you why.

“I signed with the best promoter in the boxing business, Top Rank, linking up with one of the best managers in the business, Cameron Dunkin. Then, I tell my wife, learn everything you can from Cameron Dunkin. Everything. Learn everything you can. Everything. Because, guess what? Someday you’re going to be my manager, you’re going to be saving me 10 percent of my purse, which we’re doing.”

Bradley added, “I’m not dumb, I’m a super smart, smart guy, I really am. Really smart, and so is my team.”

Much has been written about Bradley’s breakup with Dunkin, who now manages Rios (33-2-1, 24 KOs) and attended the news conference. Dunkin also manages Jessie Vargas, who fought and lost to Bradley by unanimous decision in June. At the time, Dunkin and Bradley both said there were no hard feelings and that they remain cordial toward each other, despite the way they ended their working relationship.

As Bradley spoke of Dunkin on Thursday, he shook his head, his eyes fixated on the floor in front of him. Afterward, he said he has nothing but respect for Bradley, but isn’t surprised that Bradley is still defending his decision to cut ties with Dunkin years later. Dunkin also wondered if Bradley’s emotions will play a larger role in Saturday’s outcome.

At the podium, Bradley continued.

“I’m set up for success,” he said. “Set up for success, OK? So when you bash me in the media and you say, ‘Wow, he got rid of his trainer (of) 10 years, he’s dumb. He got rid of his manager, he’s dumb.’ Listen guys, everything has a plan, everything has a purpose.”

As Bradley enters the ring on Saturday, he’ll not only face a brutal opponent, but will evidently do so carrying some added weight on his shoulders. Whether or not the decisions Bradley has made within his team have helped or hurt his career, there’s no longer any doubt that he’s fighting in part to prove to naysayers that he’s in complete control of how the final chapter of his career unfolds.

The first step in doing that will come Saturday night. Either Bradley will emerge victorious and validate what was said Thursday, or he’ll give doubters an opportunity to fan the flames.

“I wish Tim all the best,” Dunkin said. “I hope he finds what he’s looking for.”

http://www.desertsun.com/story/sports/2015/11/05/boxer-timothy-bradley-takes-more-than-brandon-rios/75243438/

Date:   Saturday,  October 24, 2015

WBO JR. WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location:   CenturyLink Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Promoter:   Top Rank / Bob Arum

Supervisor:  John Duggan

Referee:  Tony Weeks

Judges:  Patricia Morse Harman (89-80), Julie Lederman (90-79), Nelson Vazquez (90-79)

Results:   The Champion Terence “Bud” Crawford stopped Dierry Jean in the 10th round to retain his WBO junior welterweight title.   The unbeaten Crawford knocked down Jean in the first and ninth rounds and then used a flurry of punches to cause him to buckle into the ropes at the 2:30 mark, when referee Tony Weeks ended the fight at the CenturyLink Center.

TV:   USA HBO

Credit Photo:  By Nati Harnik – Associated Press

Undefeated world champion broke down Dierry Jean on his way to a 10th-round stoppage. (Photo:  Getty)

Terence Crawford successfully made the first defense of his newly acquired WBO junior welterweight title by stopping Dierry Jean on Saturday in front of hometown crowd at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

The end of the bout came in the 10th frame after referee Tony Weeks called a halt to the contest at 2 minutes and 30 seconds of the round to save Jean from continued punishment. Jean (29-2, 20 KOs) had been down twice in the fight, once in the first round and again in the ninth.

“When I’m at home I feel revived, I feel the electricity,” Crawford told HBO’s Max Kellerman during his post-fight interview. “I just want to go in there and put on a good show.”

And that he did. Crawford (27-0, 19 KOs) commanded the action from the opening bell behind a southpaw stance and an active, pawing right jab that systematically broke down a game but ineffective Jean and left him open to solid right hooks and combinations. Jean landed sporadic straight rights from the distance, but spent the majority of the fight on the defense and trying to get passed the champs jab.

CompuBox numbers had Crawford landing 169 punches out of 533 thrown, Jean landed 51 out of 340 thrown.

Photo by:  Mickey Williams / Top Rank –

The fight opened with the boxers meeting in the middle of the ring and feeling each other out with long distance jabs, Crawford in an orthodox stance. Both vied for positioning and dominance for the first half of the round, but it was Jean who took the first step back. Crawford tried out the southpaw stance for size and found a good fit as he knocked Jean to canvas with a hard right.

Crawford came out in a southpaw stance for the second round and stayed that way for the rest of the fight. They pawed at each other with the their lead hands in the middle of the ring, before Jean finally took to the perimeter, slowly circling counter-clockwise and pressuring behind an active jab. This began to set the tenor for the rest of the encounter.

The following round continued with the established tendancy, Crawford pressing forward and landing right jabs and hooks and occasional combinations, with Jean on the back foot and lunging with his right hand periodically and getting caught in the corners or against the ropes.

The eighth round brought back memories of the recent Timothy Bradley vs. Jessie Vargas debacle, when ref Pat Russell prematurely stopped the fight after confusing the 10-second warning with the last bell of the fight. This time it happened to Tony Weeks, who may have saved Jean, who was being pummeled at the end of the round, from a kayo by stopping the action of the eighth round at the 10-second warning.

In the ninth round, a straight left from Crawford created an opening and champ capitalized on it by following up with a 1-2 that knocked down Jean for a second time in the fight.

Crawford came looking to close the show in the 10th round, backing Jean up against the ropes and landing with combinations to the head and body. Crawford was on the hunt and serving up the offense as the end of the round neared. He caught Jean with a 1-2-1 combination that put the challenger on the run, Crawford caught up and landed two hard lefts, and that was all the referee had to see to wave off the rest of the fight.

One of boxing’s recent young breakaway stars, undefeated champion and Boxing Writers Association of America’s (BWAA) ‘2014 Fighter of the Year’ Terence Crawford lifted the WBO 135 pound lightweight world title in March of last year by ousting Ricky Burns in the Brit’s native Scotland.

Having defended the lightweight title twice, by knocking out Cuban phenom Yuriorkis Gamboa and handily outpointing Raymundo Beltran, 28-year-old Crawford moved up in weight to the junior welterweight 140-pound division and stopped Thomas Dulorme in April to claim the vacant WBO title which he defended on Saturday.

With word on the street that Top Rank CEO Bob Arum is looking to pair up Crawford with another of his star fighters, none other than the might Manny Pacquiao, Max Kellerman asked Crawford for his thoughts on the possible match.

“I’m ready,” answered Crawford without hesitation. “Bob, make it happen.”

The crowd loved it.

Fighting out of Montreal, Canada, Dierry Jean, a native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, entered the fight having outpointed a fading Jerry Belmontes in June and KO’d Dominican journeyman in March of this year.

Before Saturday’s loss, Jean’s sole professional defeat had come at the hands Lamont Peterson in January of 2014. The 33-year old, who entered the ring ranked No. 2 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and No. 6 by the WBO, holds wins over Cleotis Pendarvis, Lanardo Tyner, and Ivan Cano.

http://heavy.com/sports/2015/10/terence-crawford-dierry-jean-live-updates-recap-result-highlights-winner/

El campeón Internacional de la WBO, César Juárez, ha cumplido todos sus objetivos y ahora va por el más grande en su carrera

El ser campeón Internacional de peso supergallo de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (WBO) y primer clasificado en la división, no fue un recorrido fácil para el capitalino César Juárez, quien es un peleador que ha aprovechado cada oportunidad en el ring, tal como lo demostró hace unas semanas al vencer en su propia tierra al sinaloense Juan Carlos ‘Zurdito’ Sánchez.

El púgil capitalino platicó con ESTADIO, acompañado por su representante Sean Gibbons (Top Rank y Zanfer), así como por su padre y preparador físico, Margarito Juárez, y parte del equipo, en una charla donde habló desde sus inicios, recordando que como peleador amateur venció en una final nacional al sonorense Óscar Valdez.

“Fui tres veces campeón nacional. En una de esas finales, vencí a Óscar Valdez. Lo recuerdo bien, fue en 2006, en Apizaco, Tlaxcala. Como amateur, gané 106 peleas y perdí seis”, rememoró el monarca Internacional en las 122 libras de la WBO.

  Juárez, junto a su representante Sean Gibbons.

Con 23 años de edad y récord de 19-3, 14 nocauts, Juárez ya tiene experiencia internacional con la victoria que se apuntó en Las Vegas sobre el puertorriqueño César Seda, que lo catapultó a la pelea de campeonato contra el ‘Zurdito’ Sànchez.

Aunque esa noche tenía todo en contra, señaló que su gran preparación lo sacó adelante, aguantando un clima bastante fuerte con mucha humedad y muy poca ventilación tras doce rounds frenéticos.

“Las oportunidades son para aprovecharlas. Sabía que esa pelea no la podía perder, que era mi oportunidad. Soy un peleador que se prepara bastante bien, pero esta vez lo hice al doble para ganar. Todo nos resultó, salimos con el brazo, vencimos al ‘Zurdito’ y al clima al que uno no está acostumbrado”, indicó con una sonrisa, mostrando su cinturón de campeón.

 Juárez, acompañado por su equipo de trabajo.

Tiene licenciatura y maestría

En el deporte en general, es difícil encontrar a un atleta que divida su tiempo con los estudios.

César Juárez es uno de esos casos contados que hay en el deporte mexicano, al tener una carrera universitaria en Leyes y además una maestría.

“Decidí ser profesional para solventar mis gastos. Yo sabía que tenía cualidades para destacar como profesional, eso también nos impulsó para dejar el amateur y dar el salto como profesional.

“Cuando empecé a cobrar por mis primeras peleas, ese dinero lo utilizaba para pagarme la carrera. Mis padres me ayudaron mucho, ellos también me apoyaban económicamente. Ese dinero siempre lo vi como una inversión para terminar mi carrera como abogado y hacer después la maestría”, manifestó con gesto de satisfacción.

Como monarca Internacional, afirmó que lo que sigue es buscar el campeonato mundial absoluto.

“Soy una persona que ha trabajado mucho por lo que quiere. Ya tengo un título importante de un organismo que me abrió las puertas. Ahora quiero el título mundial, pero sé que eso depende de mis promotores, de cuando ellos me digan. De lo que estos seguro, es que estaré listo para esa pelea”.

Su padre, el señor Margarito Juárez contó una anécdota que a más de uno le arrebató la sonrisa en torno al por qué metió a su hijo al boxeo.

“Yo siempre hice deporte, corrí maratones de más joven. Siempre le inculqué a mi hijo el deporte. Pero lo metí al boxeo porque en la primaria había niños que lo molestaban, hasta le pegaban y dije ‘esto no puede seguir’. Lo metí a entrenar box para que se defendiera y miren hasta dónde ha llegado”, señaló sonriente.

“Queremos el título mundial”

Al ser clasificado más alto en peso supergallo, por la WBO, su representante Sean Gibbons señaló que esperarán a la decisión que tome el cubano Guillermo Rigondeaux –actual campeón supergallo WBO– al hablarse de que podría subir a la división inmediata, dejando así el título vacante.

“Parece que Rigondeaux se va a peso pluma, por ahí escuché que quiere una pelea contra Lomachenko (campeón pluma WBO). Vamos a esperar a su decisión en las próximas semanas. Nosotros queremos que César pelea en octubre o noviembre y si es por el título mundial, qué mejor”.

En este sentido, el representante de Top Rank, quien trabaja de manera conjunta con Bob Arum y Fernando Beltrán (Zanfer), señaló que, de quedar vacante el campeonato, es muy probable que se enfrente a un alto clasificado de la división por el título mundial.

“César es número uno en la división y eso lo convierte en retador al título. Si queda vacante el campeonato, es muy probable que enfrente a otro alto clasificado. Pero vamos a esperar a los próximos días”, estableció Gibbons.

http://estadiodeportes.mx/accion/nada-lo-detiene/

Credit:  Photos by:  Mickey Williams/Top Rank

By:  Ricardo Jimenez, Prensa Top Rank –

El clasificado mundial invicto Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez, uno de los boxeadores mexicanos más populares y carismáticos, se enfrentará al estadounidense Derek “The Black Lion” Edwards, intentando defender su título internacional de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), encabezando una explosiva función este viernes en la arena State Farm de Hidalgo, Texas, Estados Unidos, que será televisada en vivo en la cuarta edición de la nueva serie boxística “The MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout en truTV” comenzando a las 10 p.m. (este). La serie es presentada truTV y Top Rank y producida en asociación con HBO Sports. Encuentre truTV en su área: http://trutvishere.com/.

Ramírez (31-0, 24 KOs), de Mazatlán, Sinaloa, expondrá su campeonato internacional de la OMB ante Edwards (27-4-1, 14 KOs), residente en Las Vegas, Nevada, en una duelo pactado a diez giros. En el duelo co estelar de la función que también será televisado, los clasificados mundiales, el estadounidense Diego Magdaleno (27-1, 11 KOs) y el puertorriqueño José “Chelo” González (24-1, 19 KOs) disputarán el título ligero internacional de la OMB que está pactado a doce giros, ya que también será un eliminatorio para disputar el campeonato de peso ligero de la OMB.

Hoy se realizó la última conferencia de prensa en la misma arena State Farm en donde este viernes será la esperada función.

Gilberto Ramírez:
“Estoy muy motivado y muy enfocado en esta pelea porque que tengo un rival duro este viernes y que necesito la victoria para seguir aspirando a cosas mejores en un futuro no muy lejano”, dijo Ramírez

“Yo confió mucho que la gente vera una gran pelea, un pelea explosiva entre dos boxeadores que venimos a darlo todo y quiero dedicarle esta pelea a la gran afición de Texas que siempre me apoyado”, agrego Ramírez.

Derek Edwards:
“La experiencia y la dedicación es muy importante en este deporte y algo que tengo de sobra. Estoy preparado para dejarlo todo sobre el ring y espero que Gilberto también lo haga para darle a los aficionados la pelea que se merecen este viernes”, dijo Edwards, quien es entrenado por Jeff Mayweather.

“Ya el trabajo está hecho, lo único que falta es subir al ring y conseguir esta victoria”, agrego Edwards.

Diego Magdaleno:
“He trabajado muy fuerte con un nuevo equipo para volver a tener la oportunidad de disputar una corona mundial y un triunfo este viernes me pondrá esa posición y muy hacer todo lo necesario para salir con el brazo en alto este viernes”, dijo Magdaleno que entreno en Indio, California con Joel Díaz.

“Estoy seguro que lograre la victoria y que me llevare este cinturón a casa y con él la oportunidad de disputar el campeonato mundial de las 135 libras” agrego Magdaleno, quien disputara el titulo internacional de la OMB que está vacante.

José “Chelo” González:
“Estamos aquí para aprovechar esta oportunidad que se están dando ante Magdalego y la preparación será clave en esta pelea”, dijo González.

“Yo voy a dar lo mejor de mí mismo este viernes y espero que la pelea sea del agrado del público y así llevarme la victoria a casa “, agrego González.

La función de este sábado que incluye a uno de los boxeadores más populares de la región Luis Castro y al medallista olímpico Falcao Esquiva de Brasil, quien esta invicto en el boxeo profesional.

Ramírez, de Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México es el clasificado mundial número dos en peso supermediano del Consejo Mundial de Boxeo (CMB) y de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) y el número tres de la Asociación Mundial de Boxeo (AMB) y de la Federación Internacional de Boxeo (FIB).

Edwards, residente de Las Vegas, Nevada, cuenta con un nocaut sobre Badou Jack actual monarca de peso supermediano del CMB y en su más reciente actuación el pasado 19 de diciembre en Quebec, Canadá cayo por puntos ante Andre Dirrell en un duelo eliminatorio de la FIB.

Magdaleno, de Las Vegas, Nevada, ganó sus primeras 23 peleas profesional para alcanzar la clasificación número uno de la OMB en las 130 libras que lo llevo a disputar la corona mundial de peso ligero junior dicha organización y su oportunidad llego el 6 de abril del 2013 ante Román “Rocky” Martínez en Macao, China. En una pelea muy disputada, Martínez retuvo su corona por decisión dividida para propinarle su primera y única derrota profesional a Magdaleno.

González, de Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, ganó sus primeras 22 peleas profesionales, 17 de ellas por la vía rápida. Como clasificado número uno en peso ligero de la OMB, González disputo la corona mundial de la OMB el 11 de mayo del 2013 en Escocia y cayó ante el local Ricky Burns cuando una lesión en la mano lo obligo a retirarse del combate en el noveno asalto cuando estaba arriba en las tres tarjetas de jueces oficiales por puntuaciones idénticas de 87-83.

http://www.notifight.com/ramirez-y-edwards-magdaleno-y-gonzalez-confiados-en-hidalgo/

Ivan ‘Bam Bam‘ Najera, left, is pinned against the ropes by Felix Verdejo. Verdejo won the bout by unanimous decision. PHOTO: MIKEY WILLIAMS FOR TOP RANK BOXING

By Jim Chairusmi –

Miguel Cotto has been entrenched as the most popular Puerto Rican boxer for the past decade. But he might have some competition for that title. Felix Verdejo is quickly emerging as the sport’s next big star.

At the Theater at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, Verdejo (18-0, 13 knockouts) outslugged Ivan Najera (16-1, 8 knockouts) to earn a 10-round unanimous decision. The 22-year-old from San Juan dominated the bout, knocking down the previously undefeated Najera in the fifth and seventh round.

“With right hands to the head, left hooks right down the middle, right uppercuts, overhand rights on the chin, left uppercuts up the middle, the kid showed a powerful arsenal,” HBO analyst Roy Jones Jr. said on the television broadcast of the bout. “He showed every kind of punch you could think of.”

About an hour after the bout, Verdejo answered questions from reporters in Spanish, with an English translator at his side. He expressed satisfaction “with the work we did.”

Over the past decade, Cotto had been a headliner for a Top Rank boxing card at the Garden on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day parade, including championship bouts in New York against Paulie Malignaggi, Zab Judah and Joshua Clottey. But with Cotto now signed with Roc Nation Sports, Top Rank is hopeful that Verdejo can fill the void.

“With skill, personality and ring management, he brings a new dimension to the sport,” Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum said.

On Saturday, Verdejo connected with 194 of 487 punches (40%), compared with 101 of 333 (30%) for Najera. But it was the power shots where Verdejo made the most impact, connecting on 138 of 271 (51%) of his power punches, compared with 90 of 232 (39%) for Najera. Two judges scored the bout a 100-88 shutout for Verdejo, while another judge had it 99-89.

“Verdejo’s charisma is outstanding and his ability in the ring is outstanding,” said Top Rank president Todd DuBoef. “You’re probably going to see in the next 12 months that he’ll make a run for the title.”

Verdejo has also drawn comparisons to another legendary fighter from Puerto Rico: Felix “Tito” Trinidad. “Verdejo is very reminiscent of Trinidad,” DuBoef said. “You don’t yet know on the power, but Verdejo has some incredible assets. You want to see him take each step and make sure he is developed correctly.”

Besides sharing the same first name, Verdejo is flattered by the comparison to Trinidad, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014. “It’s an honor to be compared with a star like Tito, someone who gave so much happiness to my country,” he said.

The only thing that didn’t go Verdejo’s way this weekend: he aggravated a left-hand injury that he had initially suffered in December. Verdejo said his hand “was not 100 %” against Najera and that he would see a hand specialist in the coming days.

But before that, Verdejo brighten when he was asked after Saturday’s bout about being featured on a float in Sunday’s parade. “He understood that question,” his English translator said with a laugh as Verdejo nodded and flashed a smile.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/puerto-rico-has-a-new-shining-star-in-felix-verdejo-1434309280?tesla=y

Credit:  Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank –

Promoter Bob Arum announced today that the June 27 clash between former two-division world champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley Jr. and undefeated WBA super lightweight world champion Jessie Vargas will be for the vacant WBO welterweight championship. That belt was last on the line when Floyd Mayweather fought Manny Pacquiao on May 2. After the fight, Mayweather accepted the belt, but it was agreed beforehand that should he win the title would be vacant. Bradley-Vargas takes place under the stars at StubHub Center in Carson, California, and will be televised live on HBO.

Tim Bradley: I think this fight might be a candidate for fight of the year. I’m already calling it right now. A lot of you out there see this fight on paper and you guys are like ‘It’s an easy fight for you Bradley.’ And I’m like ‘Y’all crazy. What do you mean easy fight for Bradley?’ This fight is not easy whatsoever…I call StubHub ‘The War Ground,’ because overtime there’s a fight there, there’s always a war. And I think this fight’s gonna be a war.

Jessie Vargas: Everyone is expecting a great fight. We know that Timothy Bradley and myself always give it our all in the ring. We have the heart of a lion. On June 27th we both have to dig very deep and we’ll see who comes out with the victory.

Bob Arum: Tickets are on sale tomorrow. I don’t know why we’re not waiting for the week of the fight to put them on sale.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/bradley-vargas-for-wbo-welterweight-title-291349

Date:   Saturday, May 2, 2015

WBO FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Promoter: Top Rank (Bob Arum)

Supervisor:  Richard De Cuir

Referee:  Robert Byrd

Judges:   Patricial Morse Jarman; Jerry Roth; John McKaie

Results:    WBO Featherweight Champion Vasyl Lomachenko successfully defends his title against challenger Gamalier “Gammy” Rodriguez with a knockout in the ninth round.

TV: USA Showtime – USA HBO PPV – Mexico Televisa – Mexico Azteca – United Kingdom SKY – Hungary Sport 1 – Australia Main Event

Date:   Friday, May 1, 2015

VACANT WBO LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Promoter: Top Rank / Bob Arum

Supervisor:   Leon Panoncillo Jr.

Referee:  Tony Weeks

Judges:   Adalaide Byrd; Eric Cheek, Jerry Roth

Results:   Raymundo Beltrán lost the title on the scale. Beltran won over Takahiro Ao by technical knockout in the second round and, since the title was only online for Ao the title remained vacant.

TV: USA TruTV

Date:   Saturday, May 2, 2015

WBO/WBA/WBC WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Promoter: Top Rank (Bob Arum) / Mayweather Promotions (Floyd Mayweather)

Supervisor:  Francisco Valcarcel, Esq.

Referee:  Kenny Bayless

Judges:  Burt A. Clements (112-116); Dave Moretti  (110-118); Glenn Feldman (112-116)

Results:   The WBA/WBC Welterweight Champion Floyd Mayweather won against WBO Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao by UD.   It was agreed beforehand that should he win, WBO title would be vacant.

TV: USA Showtime – USA HBO PPV – Mexico Televisa – Mexico Azteca – United Kingdom SKY – Hungary Sport 1 – Australia Main Event

Credit:  Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Ray Beltran from Los Mochis, Mexico winds down training camp as he prepares to take on Takahiro Ao from Chiba, Japan in the main event, a 12-round bout for the vacant WBO Lightweight World Championship , Friday, May 1st. truTV and Top Rank will partner to exclusively televise a live Friday night primetime boxing series beginning Friday, May 1, at 10 p.m. ET. The new boxing series, in association with Turner Sports and HBO Sports, will launch on the eve of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao pay-per-view fight with a card featuring two title bouts inside The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/beltran-poised-for-title-shot-288835

LAS VEGAS — Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is enamored with featherweight titleholder Vasyl Lomachenko and he makes no apologies. Arum views the 2008 and 2012 Olympic gold medalist for Ukraine as one of boxing’s future pound-for-pound talents.

“I think the sky’s the limit for this kid,” Arum said. “He can be one of the great, great fighters of our time.”

So when it came time for Top Rank to select who it wanted to feature in its one televised undercard spot on the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao show, Arum gave the coveted slot to Lomachenko, a fighter who could someday replace Mayweather and Pacquiao atop the pound-for-pound list. He will make his second title defense against Gamaliel Rodriguez (25-2-3, 17 KOs), 28, of Puerto Rico, on Saturday night (Showtime PPV/HBO PPV, 9 ET) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“We think he is going to be one of our big superstars and he is advanced enough to be on this card,” Arum said. “The other guys we have that we think can be superstars are not as advanced and the only other guy we considered for the Mayweather-Pacquiao card was (21-year-old lightweight) Felix Verdejo. He just fought brilliantly (last) Saturday and he is scheduled to go again on June 13 in New York on the Puerto Rican Day parade weekend, so he was not available for this card. Lomachenko was perfect for this spot.”

And it’s a huge one. Mayweather-Pacquiao is the biggest fight in many years and expected to break the pay-per-view record. That means a lot of people will get a look at Lomachenko, including many who rarely watch boxing. Perhaps they will take a liking to him, which could go a long way toward helping to make him the star Arum thinks he can be.

“I want people to see what a performer this guy is and people will fall in love with him,” Arum said.

So what does Lomachenko (3-1, 1 KO) think about being on such a big show?

“It means that I can prove and show that I am at the same level as Pacquiao and Mayweather,” the confident Lomachenko said through translator/manager Egis Klimas.

The 27-year-old southpaw realizes how significant it is to be in this position.

“I understand how big of a show this is,” Lomachenko said, adding that being on the card was even bigger to him than the Olympics. “I’m very excited. When Egis told me I was going to be on the card I couldn’t even believe it. So I am very, very happy.”

Said Klimas, “We’re very happy and thankful to Bob Arum for giving us the opportunity. Vasyl is happy. It cannot be better. What better is there to ask for? What better card could you ask to be on? This is better than carrying your own show as the main event.”

“I really believe this kid will be pound-for-pound material. He’s extraordinarily talented and he understands the sport like a real genius.”

Bob Arum

Lomachenko said he is a fan of Mayweather and Pacquiao. He got a chance to meet Pacquiao when he fought on his card in Macau. But he has never met Mayweather, which he has wanted to do.

Klimas said when he first flew Lomachenko to Las Vegas for a meeting with Arum before he signed, Lomachenko asked him he could meet Mayweather – who lives in Las Vegas — and take a picture with him.

“He liked Mayweather a lot. He was a big fan,” Klimas said. “He watched every Mayweather fight and Pacquiao fight and followed them in boxing.”

Lomachenko didn’t get to meet Mayweather then but hopes to at Friday’s weigh-in and maybe even get take that photo with him.

Being on the Mayweather-Pacquiao undercard is just another step on Lomachenko’s fast rise since turning pro October 2012. If Lomachenko had his way he would have fought for a world title in his pro debut. Arum understandably could not deliver that, so Lomachenko looked sensational in his debut against a legitimate opponent in Jose Ramirez and then Arum delivered him a world title bout in his second fight.

Lomachenko lost a split decision to hugely experienced former titleholder Orlando Salido, who did not make weight (so he could not win the belt) and repeatedly hit Lomachenko with low blows. Because it was a competitive fight and Salido had an unfair weight advantage, Lomachenko was approved to fight for the still-vacant belt in his third fight against fellow former Olympian Gary Russell Jr.

Lomachenko took him to school and won the belt by decision last June in a superb performance. In November, Lomachenko made his first defense, scoring a shutout decision — despite an injured hand — against Chonlatam Piriyapinyo on the Pacquiao-Chris Algieri undercard in Macau, China.

“The beautiful thing about this guy is he will fight anybody — the best at 126 pound, the best you got at 122 or the best at 130,” said Top Rank matchmaker Brad “Abdul” Goodman. “He will fight anybody. He doesn’t duck anyone. He’s a hard to guy to match because he’s so good that nobody wants to fight him.

“Lomachenko is such a focused guy. I’m sure he’s appreciative that he’s on this card but he would train and be at his best no matter what show he’s on. He’s very dedicated.”

The fight with Rodriguez is Lomachenko’s first on a new five-year contract extension he, Klimas and Arum recently worked out.

“Vasyl is very happy with what Top Rank has done for him,” Klimas said. “Bob has done more for him than was written in the contract.”

What better way to celebrate the new deal that by an appearance on the biggest card of the decade?

“What other reason would Bob put Vasyl on the card if he didn’t think he was going to be a star,” Klimas said. “Of course, they believe in him and they want him, they have a trust in him and they know he is going to be a huge star in no time. Give him a couple of years and I have no doubt he will be there on top of the pound-for-pound list.”

Rodriguez is not expected to pose much danger but Klimas said they have taken the fight very seriously, especially given the big audience expected to be watching.

“Any opponent is a dangerous opponent so we’re taking him seriously. But I’m sure he never faced anyone like Lomachenko and Lomachenko probably faced more talented guys and better boxers than Rodriguez, nothing against Rodriguez,” Klimas said.

If all goes well for Lomachenko against Rodriguez and fellow titleholder Nicholas Walters wins a proposed June 13 HBO fight at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York — opponent to be determined — Top Rank is hoping to match them with each other in a unification bout later this year.

“I want anybody who holds a title in the division so, Walters? Of course I want to fight him,” Lomachenko said.

Arum believes a fight with Walters would be a big test but that it’s one Lomachenko is capable of handling, even so early in his professional career.

“I really believe this kid will be pound-for-pound material,” Arum said. “He’s extraordinarily talented and he understands the sport like a real genius.”

The sky’s the limit for featherweight titleholder Vasyl Lomachenko

Date:  Saturday, April 18, 2015

WBO VACANT JR. WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location:   University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA

Promoter:    Top Rank (Bob Arum)

Supervisor:   Rudy Paz

Referee:  Rafael Ramos

Judges:  Larry Hazzard Jr., Levi Martinez, Robert Hoyle

Results:   Terence Crawford wins the WBO Junior Welterweight Title by TKO against Thomas Dulorme.   Thomas Delorme down three times in round 6th.

TV:  USA HBO

No toda las conferencias de prensa tienen una alfombra roja. Floyd Mayweather Jr. y Manny Pacquiao la tuvieron ayer, lo que refleja la magnitud del combate que ambos están por enfrentar.

Mayweather Jr. y Pacquiao se vieron las caras el miércoles en el único frente a frente que tendrán hasta los días previos al mega pleito entre ambos el 2 de mayo en el MGM Grand de Las Vegas, Nevada.

Los campeones del peso welter, considerados como los mejores libras por libra de los últimos tiempos, se encontraron en un atestado Nokia Teather de Los Ángeles, lugar que recibió desde horas tempranas a los cerca de 500 miembros de la prensa que se congregaron para presenciar la histórica presentación.

Una enorme alfombra roja dirigió el camino de los púgiles desde la entrada del teatro hasta el escenario.

El anunciador insignia de HBO, Michael Buffer se encargó de presentar a Pacquiao, un diez veces campeón del mundo y un ocho veces reinante en divisiones diferentes.

Mientras que ‘El Clásico’, Jimmy Lennon Jr., voz principal de los eventos de Showtime, tuvo a su cargo la presentación del invicto, Mayweather.

Ambos púgiles no tardaron en posar frente a frente por cerca de un minuto desplegando una electrificante energía en el icónico recinto del Este estadounidense.

“Gracias a HBO y a Floyd, a Top Rank y a todos por hacer este combate posible. Creo que este es el combate que han estado esperando desde hace cinco años. Estamos bien contentos y trabajaremos lo más duro para éste combate”, dijo Pacquiao.

“Los haremos felices el 2 de mayo. Y lo más importante es que el nombre de Dios sea glorificado. Que la gente, sepa que es Dios, que hace que uno venga de la nada, y logre todo lo que soy hoy”, agregó el filipino que tiene marca de 57-5-2 y 38KO’s.

Fue un encuentro cordial entre ambos equipos. Las únicos que tuvieron un encuentro de ‘egos’ fueron los representantes de las televisoras, Stephen Espinoza (Showtime) y Ken Kershman (HBO), quienes dejaron en claro sus logros en las carreras de ambos peleadores.

“Ha sido un largo camino. Pero aquí estamos ahora”, dijo Mayweather Jr.

“El 2 de mayo, el combate del siglo, será entre los dos mejores peleadores. Creo que no pudimos escoger el mejor momento. Mi equipo buscará el mejor plan tal y como lo hemos hecho en todos mis combates. La acción hace las peleas, yo trabajaré hasta el límite de mis capacidades. Pero una cosa sí sé sobre cualquier deporte, cuando pierdes está en tu mente. Si pierdes una vez, o dos, es en tu mente. Desde el día uno he dicho que seré el ganador y así será”, aseguró Mayweather quien tiene foja de 47-0 y 26KO’s.

Pacquiao y Mayweather acordaron la última semana de febrero firmar el combate del que venían hablando desde el 2009. Floyd tendrá una garantía de $150 millones, mientras que Pacquiao obtendrá $100 millones.

Se espera que el choque genere más de $300 millones y que las ventas de ‘pague por ver’ superen las 3 millones.

Mayweather es campeón welter y súperwelter del Consejo Mundial de Boxeo (CMB), mientras que Pacquiao es titular de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB).

“Primero fue Alí-Frazier, luego Leonard-Durán, Leonard-Hagler. Y ahora es el momento para Mayweather-Pacquiao”, dijo el promotor Bob Arum. “Todo el mundo debe estar interesado en el combate. Senadores, presidentes, artistas, personalidades del deporte. Todo el mundo”, agregó el fundador de Top Rank.

Un total de 150 países podrán tener acceso al combate que será presentado en alianza entre las dos más grandes empresas de televisión, Showtime y HBO.

“Hubo grandes obstáculos. Pero luego de que ellos dos se encontraron, pues ahí fue que supe que el combate podría celebrarse”, comentó Stephen Espinoza, director de Shotime Sports, previo al frente a frente.

Leonard Ellerbe, representante de Mayweather Jr., dijo que los boletos del pleito comenzarán en los $1,500.00 hasta los $7,500.00.

Hace unos días el promotor Bob Arum comentó que todos ellos ya habían sido vendidos.

http://elvocero.com/prometen-ser-combate-del-siglo-mayweather-y-pacquiao-ver-galeria/