Former Heavyweight Champion of the World Tyson Fury came out to support his fellow Mancunian Terry Flanagan at Frank Warren’s open workouts at The Printworks earlier this evening. Flanagan makes the fifth defence of his WBO Lightweight World Title against dangerous Russian Petr Petrov at the Manchester Arena this Saturday, live on BT Sport and BoxNation.

tyson-fury (3)_2 tyson-fury (1)_6 tyson-fury (2)_2

Fury, the former linear, WBA Super, WBO, IBO and Ring Magazine World Heavyweight Champion, watched on as local hero Flanagan was put through his paces by trainer Steve Maylett in front of hundreds of Manchester fight fans.

terry-flanagan (1)Undefeated Flanagan, 32-0 13 KO’s, looked in fantastic shape ahead of the toughest fight of his career and treated fans to a scintillating display of speed and power. The proud owner of the longest undefeated record in British boxing was delighted to see Fury showing his support and backed the man who dethroned long-reigning Heavyweight icon Wladimir Klitschko way back in 2015 to win his belts back.

“It was brilliant seeing big Tyson here showing me some support,” said Turbo. “We are both Manchester lads and want to make our city proud. He shocked the sporting World by beating Klitschko in Germany and I plan on shocking the World by beating Vasyl Lomachenko after I deal with Petrov on Saturday.

terry-flanagan (2) terry-flanagan (3)

“Like everyone in boxing, I can’t wait to see Tyson back in the ring where he belongs. He is a man of the people and always puts a smile on your face. I’m backing him to win all of his belts back and reclaim his place as the best Heavyweight on the planet.

terry-flanagan (4)

 

“I’m over the moon with the turnout today. It’s great seeing so many young fans taking an interest in the sport and backing one of their own! There’s a massive buzz around the city and seeing all these fans here today has given me a massive boost.”

 

 

terry-flanagan (4) terry-flanagan (5) terry-flanagan (8) terry-flanagan (9) terry-flanagan (7) terry-flanagan (6)

Terry Flanagan vs. Petr Petrov tops an unmissable evening of action at the Manchester Arena; Super-Welterweight rivals Liam Smith and Liam Williams clash for the WBO Interim World Title; double Olympic Gold Medallist and women’s boxing icon Nicola Adams OBE fights for the first time as a professional and former Team GB Heavyweight monster Daniel Dubois makes his highly-anticipated professional debut along with a talent packed undercard.

petr-petrov (1) petr-petrov (2) petr-petrov (3) petr-petrov (4) petr-petrov (5) petr-petrov (6) petr-petrov (7)

www.boxingscene.com/photos-flanagan-petrov-putting-work-with-tyson-fury–115333?print_friendly=1

flanagan-petrov_1

By Steve Kim

American boxing fans will have an avenue to view the WBO lightweight title fight between defending champion Terry Flanagan and challenger Petr Petrov, which takes place at the Manchester Arena in England this Saturday.

Twitter.

Yes, Banner Promotions has made a deal to stream this fight live on this platform, much the way Showtime did earlier this year for their card that featured Adrien Broner-Adrian Granados.

It’s further proof that the boxing industry is embracing the new technology in the social media era.

“Absolutely, television is changing and so is boxing. You have to be creative and with streams and everything you have to capitalize on what’s going on,’ ‘Matt Rowland, the V.P. of Banner Promotions told BoxingScene.com.

Rowland believes that the boxing industry must embrace the new media platforms which are constantly evolving.

“Listen, that’s why the pay-per-views are down, the ratings, in my opinion, are down because boxing has to get up with the technology,” he stated.

Rowland added – “We made a conscious decision to put this on Twitter to test the new technology and we also know that more people are going to access it on Twitter. So it’s only going to help Petr going forward in bigger fights and more money for him, as well.”

The live stream of Saturday’s championship fight will be available for free to logged-in and logged-out users on Twitter and connected devices in the United States.  Access to the live stream will be available Saturday night at boxing.twitter.com and on @BannerBoxing. Follow at @BannerBoxing to find out the exact timing of the live stream in the coming days. Even though the game variations can be very different, pokie machines are initially based on a straightforward and uniform system. There is a fixed number of reels on which an equally fixed number of different symbols are distributed. With each new spin of the reels, a symbol combination decides whether the player wins or loses. The principle of chance strikes when you play pokies online It is all about mathematical probabilities and when which symbol appears in each pokie on the reel.

www.boxingscene.com/flanagan-petrov-streamed-on-twitter-america–115314?print_friendly=1

8b406bf1-ee8f-4aeb-aa40-a3cb32ddc742

Madrid, Spain (March 28, 2017)–WBO Lightweight world title challenger arrived in his hometown of Madrid, Spain to finish up preparations for his April 8th world title bout with undefeated world champion Terry Flanagen at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

Petrov arrived Sunday, and has been hard at work with head trainer Danny Zamora. To prove that Petrov is clearly only focused on winning this world title,, he put in two hard workout’s on Tuesday, which just happens to be his 34th birthday.

“I am so focused and I can’t wait for this fight,” said Petrov. “There is no time for parties and cake now.  That will come after the fight, as I will have plenty of reasons to celebrate, one would be my birthday and the other will be for winning the world championship.”

Petrov will continue to train in his homeland until he leaves for Manchester early next week.  Petrov finished up the California leg of his training camp this past Friday before leaving for Madrid.

779a90ff-2d61-4f6f-b79a-1ce63d278678-283x163 7bb31881-a6e9-42a7-88d6-13a2c022bc6d-283x163 8b406bf1-ee8f-4aeb-aa40-a3cb32ddc742-283x163 28fbfa60-17a1-4b6b-ae8b-5c538e71d56e-283x163 b68e9a98-4440-4fcd-bf5e-51e20979c735-283x163

www.fightnetwork.com/news/6596504:petr-petrov-finishes-training-in-madrid-ahead-of-flanagan-title-bout/

FLANAGAN-getty_3589504b Terry Flanagan defends his WBO lightweight title against Derry Mathews in Liverpool next weekend Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Manchester City fan used to sneak into games but is now Noel Gallagher’s guest

As Terry Flanagan lifted his lightweight world title belt above his head on the pitch at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium a few weeks ago, he could not help but look back and want to pinch himself as the fans in the stands roared for him.

Growing up in nearby Ancoats, one of six siblings with no money, he would still find a way to travel to his team’s away games, “jumping” trains and buses, slipping through the turnstiles or climbing walls to get into grounds.

At his latest away game, against Arsenal, he was invited into a plush lounge for a chat with Noel Gallagher. From the streets to the suites, Flanagan has always shown a way to survive, inside and outside the ring, all the way to world-title level, unbeaten in 29 fights.

Last year, after seven years as a professional fighter, 26-year-old Flanagan became the first Englishman to win a world lightweight title and defended it once in a stellar year for British boxing. Yet Flanagan, who shuns the limelight, has rarely had the plaudits he fully deserves.

FLANAGAN-03_3589506b

“Sometimes in boxing, if your face don’t fit, you can’t do much about it,” the quiet man who trains in a unit of an industrial estate close to where he grew up in poverty tells The Sunday Telegraph: “I’m the first ever English lightweight world champion, and I sometimes think they’d make a big deal of it if it was someone else. But because I’m not the best talker and I’m chilled and I don’t call people out, there is less noise around me.”

But there could be huge night ahead as British boxing surfs a resurgent wave. His crown, the World Boxing Organisation lightweight title, is on the line against Derry Mathews in Liverpool next weekend, and if he should come through it, a potential fight to set the pulse racing could be a world title unification against Anthony Crolla, who holds the World Boxing Association lightweight crown.

It would be provide a mouth-watering Manchester derby for several reasons: Flanagan and Crolla were in the same class in school, both grew up in Ancoats, and while unbeaten Flanagan supports the light blue of Manchester, Crolla is a United man through and through. It would divide the city, but could unite Mancunian support for one great fight night.

Flanagan, a smart southpaw, knows he has a tough night ahead against gritty Liverpudlian Mathews, away from home. The 32-year-old, who is stepping into the ring for his 50th contest, has said he will take Flanagan into the trenches.

FLANAGAN-02_3589505b

“I’ve never overlooked an opponent. Derry Mathews has been there and done it. He’s seen everything in the game. He’s had his back to the wall,” explains Flanagan.

“I’d be stupid to think it’s an easy fight. I know it’s not going to be. There will lots of nerves, lots of adrenaline. He’s game, it’s a world-title fight, it’s his 50th fight and it’s his last chance. He’s going to come and give it his all. I’ve got to be on my game and make sure I’m at my best.”

But the spoils from victory could be enormous with a Crolla match-up in the future. “It’s great that we’re both from the same area and went to the same school and are world champions. But I can’t look past Derry. I won’t really think about that until after this fight but I’d like to think it could happen down the line. It’s not up to me. I think I want the fight more than Anthony wants the fight.”

Flanagan reckons he could put friendship aside for one night, one training camp, and what would be a riotously intense build-up. “It’s nothing personal, it’s just business. We could both earn a lot of money off it. You saw how big Scott Quigg and Carl Frampton was. Me and Anthony could be even bigger.”

Crolla, of course, sprang to prominence last year after his heroic efforts apprehending burglars at a neighbour’s home, an incident which left him with a fractured skull and broken ankle. Crolla’s rise again from the life-threatening assault to win a world title at the second attempt last year made him one of the sporting stories of 2015.

Before any of that might happen, though – and Flanagan and Crolla have rival promoters in Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn – Flanagan must deal with Mathews, who promised this week that they would be going “toe-to-toe in a proper dust-up, with no dancing around avoiding each other”.

“I’ve never overlooked an opponent. Derry Mathews has been there and done it. He’s seen everything in the game. He’s had his back to the wall,” explains Flanagan.

“I’d be stupid to think it’s an easy fight. I know it’s not going to be. There will lots of nerves, lots of adrenaline. He’s game, it’s a world-title fight, it’s his 50th fight and it’s his last chance. He’s going to come and give it his all. I’ve got to be on my game and make sure I’m at my best.”

But the spoils from victory could be enormous with a Crolla match-up in the future. “It’s great that we’re both from the same area and went to the same school and are world champions. But I can’t look past Derry. I won’t really think about that until after this fight but I’d like to think it could happen down the line. It’s not up to me. I think I want the fight more than Anthony wants the fight.”

Flanagan reckons he could put friendship aside for one night, one training camp, and what would be a riotously intense build-up. “It’s nothing personal, it’s just business. We could both earn a lot of money off it. You saw how big Scott Quigg and Carl Frampton was. Me and Anthony could be even bigger.”

Crolla, of course, sprang to prominence last year after his heroic efforts apprehending burglars at a neighbour’s home, an incident which left him with a fractured skull and broken ankle. Crolla’s rise again from the life-threatening assault to win a world title at the second attempt last year made him one of the sporting stories of 2015.

Before any of that might happen, though – and Flanagan and Crolla have rival promoters in Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn – Flanagan must deal with Mathews, who promised this week that they would be going “toe-to-toe in a proper dust-up, with no dancing around avoiding each other”.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/12184819/WBO-lightweight-champion-Terry-Flanagan-rises-from-the-streets-to-the-hospitality-suites.html

ZEPEDA PETITION - RESOLUTION

RESOLUTION OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE, JOSE ZEPEDA PETITION OF A RETURN FIGHT FOR THE WBO LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

WHEREAS, on July 11, 2015 WBO #1 contender Terry Flanagan of the United Kingdom faced WBO #2 contender José Zepeda of California, United States for the vacant WBO Lightweight Championship of the World, in a bout held at the Velodrome in Manchester, U.K.; and,

WHEREAS, Zepeda suffered a dislocated left shoulder and remained on his stool at the end of the 2nd round, with Referee Marcus McDonnell waving the bout off after speaking with Zepeda’s corner team, and confirming with both the fighter and the ringside physician that the fight could not continue; and,

WHEREAS, Flanagan was deemed the winner of the contest via TKO in round 2 and was awarded the WBO Lightweight Championship of the World; and,

WHEREAS, on July 21, 2015 Mr. Robb M. Hernández, manager of José Zepeda, filed a petition with this WBO World Championship Committee, in essence requesting that we order an immediate “mandatory rematch” and alluding to Zepeda’s performance and the judges’ scoring up until the stoppage of the bout; and,

WHEREAS, Mr. Fernando Beltrán of Promociones Zanfer, Zepeda’s promoter, filed a similar request to this Committee, highlighting the “unfortunate outcome of the fight following the dislocation of Zepeda’s shoulder in the second round of the fight” and considering his fighter “worthy of a new opportunity to face Terry Flanagan in a mandatory rematch, given that the injury prevented Zepeda from continuing and proving that he can be a great WBO Champion;” and,

WHEREAS, all interested WBO participants were given notice of this Petition and allowed reasonable opportunity to express their views and submit any document or otherwise present any argument they believed would help the Committee resolve this Petition; and,

WHEREAS, the WBO World Championship Committee commissioned a five-member, highly qualified and internationally recognized, confidential judging panel to conduct a in-depth analysis of the fight, with particular emphasis on round 2; and,

WHEREAS, this judging panel saw no irregularity or misapplication of the rules, as Section 26 (b) (11) of our WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests (incorporating by reference the Uniform rules of the Association of Boxing Commissioners) is clear insofar that “[i]f a boxer sustains an injury from a fair blow and the injury is severe enough to terminate the bout, the injured boxer shall lose by TKO” (Emphasis added); and,

WHEREAS, Section 18 of the aforementioned Regulations (on Return Fights) states that “[t]he WBO shall not allow direct return fights, unless recommended by the World Championship Committee and authorized by the Executive Committee. A direct return fight is a fight between the new Champion and the former Champion from whom the new Champion won the title (or between a new Champion and the losing Contestant in a Vacant Title Fight), before the new Champion defends his title against any of the other fighters classified in his category. If the World Championship Committee determines either that the resolution of a Championship Contest was substantially irregular, or that there was a clear misapplication of the rules of boxing resulting in a manifest unfairness, such that in either case the World Championship Committee determines that the Championship was substantially unresolved, the World Championship Committee may, in its discretion, recommend a direct return fight, which may be authorized only by the majority vote of the Executive Committee […];” and,

WHEREAS, this WBO World Championship Committee sanctioned the WBO Vacant Lightweight Championship bout between Terry Flanagan and José Zepeda on June 22, 2015, provided that the winner face the WBO Mandatory Challenger within 120 days of the bout.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the WBO World Championship Committee that given all of the above we do not find the resolution of this Championship Contest “substantially irregular,’ [or] “that there was a clear misapplication of the rules of boxing resulting in a manifest unfairness” and that it hereby denies this petition for an immediate or “return” rematch, per the WBO World Championship Rules.

This is a final decision of the WBO World Championship Committee. The affected WBO Participant may appeal to the Complaint and Grievance Committee, pursuant to WBO World Championship Section 34, which as per Rule 3(e) of the WBO Appeals Regulation, must be submitted in writing to the WBO President within fourteen (14) days of the date of this decision as its sole and exclusive remedy.

Dated in San Juan, Puerto Rico on this 5th day of August, 2015

By
Luis Batista-Salas, Chairman
WBO CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE

cc Francisco Valcárcel, Esq., István Kovacs, Frank Warren Robert Smith

hi-res-cfa61f855d151a852b4b2cf3e0a84f96_crop_north   By Rob Lancaster –

 

A decade on from witnessing fellow Mancunian Ricky Hatton defeat Kostya Tszyu, Terry Flanagan enjoyed his own coronation on home turf on Saturday.

Flanagan claimed the vacant WBO lightweight title at the Velodrome in Manchester. It wasn’t quite in the style he would have wanted, though, as opponent Jose Zepeda was forced to stay on his stool after the second round because of injury.

Despite the best efforts of his corner to pop it back in, a dislocated shoulder forced the Californian to pull out.

It was a disappointing finish to an intriguing fight, and because of the problem occurring when the visiting fighter was attempting to throw a punch, Flanagan was handed the win.

Turbo became the first Englishman to hold a full world title at 135 pounds, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News, though Derry Mathews is the interim WBA champion.

In a division where Britain is blessed with so many good fighters, Flanagan emerged out of the shadows to make history. And in his own backyard, too.

He also followed in the footsteps of his hero Hatton, who became world champion at the MEN Arena by beating Tszyu back in June 2005.

A teenager at the time, Flanagan was there to see the drama unfold that night, even though he didn’t have a ticket. He explained to Gareth A Davies of the Telegraph how he managed to get up close to see his hero in action:

“It’s a lot of luck getting in somewhere free of charge. I just ran past security and ended up going round the other side and down the stairs pretending I had a ticket.

hi-res-7edbf2a83ac4de104f4dfa9acbca0c3a_crop_north  By:  Rob Lancaster –

Terry Flanagan gets the chance to become Britain’s latest world champion when he faces fellow unbeaten fighter Jose Zepeda at the Velodrome in Manchester, England.

The vacant WBO lightweight title will be on the line in the main event of a card that also includes the return of Paul Butler, who will be back in action for the first time since losing to Zolani Tete in March.

Also on the bill, Liam Walsh will be looking to protect his unbeaten record when he takes on Brazilian Isaias Santos Sampaio.

When: Saturday, July 11, 10 p.m. BST

Where: Velodrome, Manchester, England

TV: BoxNation (UK)

Live Stream: BoxNation (UK, regional restrictions apply)

hi-res-e87c4921f8de0a63c20f8b4196954d80_crop_exact

Terry Flanagan (left) and Ricky Hatton are both Manchester City supporters

Flanagan—who has a 27-0 (10 KOs) record—has won the British and European titles at lightweight, but this next fight is a step up to a new level.

He is hoping to follow in some famous footsteps when he goes up against the heavy-handed Zepeda.

The 26-year-old is aiming to match the efforts of another Mancunian boxer, Ricky Hatton, in becoming a world champion—and the Hitmansees a few similarities in the duo, per David Anderson of the Mirror:

“I see a bit of myself in him. He’s a Manchester lad, no airs and graces. He’s a big Manchester City fan, too.

We’re very proud of where we come from, Mancunians, as I’m sure everyone is from all over the country.

He’s just a local lad done well, no different to me. If he wins the world title, he’s one of those people who won’t let it go to his head.”

Hatton was crowned in his home city back in 2005, beating Kostya Tszyu to claim the IBF light welterweight belt.

Flanagan will want the Manchester crowd to roar him to victory, too.

He is ranked by BoxRec as the top lightweight in the United Kingdom, and has the chance to show just why he’s above Anthony Crolla, Kevin Mitchell, Ricky Burns and Derry Mathews in the standings.

i_a2cb9453c54663b30682706d65b5db32Zepeda_AY1J0079

Zepeda‘s record shows he is a fighter that doesn’t like to hang around for too long in the ring.

The Californian—nicknamed Chon—has won 20 of his 23 fights by knockout, with eight of his last nine victories coming inside three rounds.

However, the 26-year-old has never been beyond eight rounds as a pro. While they are the same age, Flanagan has boxed twice as many rounds (130 v 64) as his next opponent.

Zepeda, though, told BoxNation that his trainer, Robert Alcazar—who used to work with Oscar De La Hoya—has prepared him to go the full 12 rounds, if necessary:

“Since starting together in four rounds fights, Robert really knows his game, he’s been in the big league and we’re always ready for twelve rounds. Knockout or distance we’re prepared to win the fight.

Robert and I have been together for five years and we’ve got a good relationship. He’s showing me a lot and he’s been in with the big league, not just with Oscar, but with Edwin Valero and many more.

We started together and now five years on we’re unbeaten. He made me the fighter I am now.”

Alcazar‘s knowledge and experience could be crucial for Zepeda, who is dropping down from 140 pounds for the fight in England.

Prediction 

This is an intriguing bout—Flanagan has a better pedigree, but Zepeda has demonstrated the power he possesses.

The key to the outcome could be home advantage, particularly as Zepeda has never fought outside of Mexico or the United States before.

The crowd at the Velodrome can make a real difference in the outcome and, if he can avoid being dropped in the early stages, Flanagan can take the title in the closing rounds.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2518360-terry-flanagan-vs-jose-zepeda-fight-time-date-live-stream-and-tv-info

 

jos-zepeda-ganadorluisaceropz1_002

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.”

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/393165-jose-zepeda-confident-ahead-of-wbo-title-bout-with-terry-flanagan?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jose-zepeda-confident-ahead-of-wbo-title-bout-with-terry-flanagan

10171161_903623152988275_5569365203993028960_nPhoto: Chris Farina/Top Rank

By Karl Freitag –

 

Undefeated world champions Terence Crawford and three-division champ Yuriorkis Gamboa, who share identical records of 23-0 with 16 KOs, today officially announced their June 28 clash for Crawford’s newly-won WBO lightweight title at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska. In an unusual press conference, Gamboa made his statement, then Crawford spoke. But rather than having things wrap up, Gamboa wanted to come back to the podium to rebut Crawford and the debate was on.

Yuriorkas Gamboa: I came here to prove to everyone, my critics and fans alike that I’m willing to fight Terrance in his own backyard so everyone can witness a great fight.

Terrance Crawford: It’s going to be a good fight. I know that. Gamboa is a truly incredible champion. I have nothing bad to to say about the man. The only thing I can say is he shouldn’t have took this fight.

Bob Arum: OK. This is usually for a debate but I’m willing to go along with it…a rebuttal from the challenger Yuriorkas Gamboa.

Yuriorkas Gamboa: I didn’t make any error in choosing this fight. Before you speak you’ve got to compare the records and look at my record versus yours. Just measure the caliber of fighters you fought versus the caliber of fighters I fought.

Terrance Crawford: One thing. You ain’t fought me yet.

Yuriorkas Gamboa: You’ve never fought an Olympic champion like I am and a three division world champion. You can’t say that.

Terrance Crawford: Hey. This ain’t amateurs. This is the professional game. You got a zero, but it’s going to be a loss.

Yuriorkas Gamboa: Exactly. I’m a three category world champion and what are you?

Terrance Crawford: I’m the champion. You’re the challenger.

Yuriorkas Gamboa: In the professional ranks you can’t say what I say. I’ve fought in three categories and been crowned world champion in three categories. You’ve only done it in one category.

Terrance Crawford: Interim don’t count. I’m the champion. You’re the challenger. You’re going to see June 28th.

Bob Arum: One thing that’s great about boxing. On June 28, it’ll all be decided. The fighters will decide who is the best.

thumbs_crawford_gamboa_omahapc_01 thumbs_crawford_gamboa_omahapc_02

crawford-gamboacf680

thumbs_crawford_gamboa_omahapc_03 thumbs_crawford_gamboa_omahapc_04 thumbs_crawford_gamboa_omahapc_06 thumbs_crawford_gamboa_omahapc_05

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/debate-breaks-out-at-crawford-gamboa-press-conference-245205

crawford-gamboa (1)

OMAHA, NEB. – Undefeated world champions TERENCE CRAWFORD, the Pride of Omaha, and Cuban sensation YURIORKIS GAMBOA, who share identical 23-0 (16 KOs) professional ring records, will battle for Crawford’s newly-won World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight title, Saturday, June 28, at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha.  This will be the first world championship fight Omaha has hosted in 42 years, when Joe Frazier successfully defended his heavyweight title against Nebraska’s-own Ron Stander in 1972.  It is also a professional homecoming for Crawford, who has not fought in his home state since 2011.  The fight will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark, in its first-ever visit to Omaha, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

crawford-gamboa (3) crawford-gamboa (2)

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=77615

 

burns_1629033a

Ricky Burns says he will thrive as the 2:1 underdog in his WBO World Lightweight title defense against Terence Crawford at the sold-out SECC in Glasgow tomorrow night, live on AWE TV. Burns fights in his tenth World title bout against the unbeaten American, who travels to the UK with a 22-0 record with 16 wins inside the distance and the label of the USA’s next big boxing star.

Burns insists he has no interest in what the bookies have to say about the fight though, having reached this incredible feat of ten World title fights against the odds from his very first win against Roman Martinez in September 2010. “I don’t look at who is the favourite, that sort of thing doesn’t concern me,” said Burns. “I’ve been written off before, I’ve been the underdog in a few of my biggest fights and it brings out the best in me, and hopefully this is the same case. I’m under no illusions; this is a very tough fight. He’s an up and coming star in America, he’s 22-0 with 16 KOs, so we’re up against it, but fingers crossed it’s another one of these fights where I will rise to the occasion.”

Crawford boxes outside the US for the first time in the paid ranks, and the clash also represents his first 12-round fight. The American has banked 81 rounds in his pro career, the same number Burns has boxed in his World title fights to date, and 200 fewer than the Scot – and the defending champion says that experience could be a key factor as he aims to thrill his hostile home crowd.

“As the fight goes on, I know what it feels like when things aren’t going your way in a World title fight and what it takes to grind it out and dig in for a result,” said Burns. “In all his fights he’s been able to do what he wants, because he is such a slick boxer, he’s getting in and out, likes to wait on you and get his counters in – how is he going to like it when I am in his face for 12 rounds at a pace that he is not used to? I know when it comes down to it, I can go to war at full pelt for 12 rounds, and we’ll see if he can match that.

“It’s always great fighting in Glasgow – how is he going to react walking first into the packed SECC? It’s going a sell-out and the atmosphere will be electric, I can’t wait. How will he cope with the pressure and the fans booing him? We can only wait until the night, and once the bell goes it just comes down to us. I don’t need to ask the fans to roar me on because they are unbelievable and they do it for every fight.”

Burns’ World title defence against Crawford tops a great line-up of action in Glasgow, with Olympic Super Heavyweight Gold medal star Anthony Joshua MBE facing Hector Avila in his fifth pro contest.

John Simpson meets John Murray in a tasty Lightweight clash, while unbeaten Lightweight contender Scotty Cardle takes on Paul Appleby in an eight-round contest.

Joshua’s fellow Olympic medallist Anthony Ogogo is in action, Caldercruix Super Middleweight David Brophy looks to build on his 9-0-1 record on the bill, Glasgow Super Featherweight Michael Roberts can move to 14-0 with a win, former Team GB starlet Martin J. Ward is in six-round action while there is a trio of Scottish talents in four-round bouts in 20 year old Irvine Super Featherweight Ryan Collins, Wishaw’s Bantamweight Scott Allan and a debut for Glasgow’s Lightweight Ryan Smith.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/burns-tells-crawford-beware-the-underdog-237978#more-237978

Ricky-Burns_2873168

Photo:  sportinglive.com/google images/

When Ricky Burns climbs into the ring at the SECC in Glasgow on March 1 to defend his WBO lightweight title against unbeaten American challenger, Terence Crawford, he will be entitled to feel like a man returning to the scene of a crime he never committed but was convicted, tried, and found guilty of nonetheless.

The trials and tribulations that Burns endured in 2013 were more than staggering they were inhuman, even for a fighter as experienced as he is. Not once but twice he was forced to reach down into that place which resides in every human being but in normal people is buried so deep after years spent avoiding risk, danger, and hardship that they don’t even know it exists; and even if they did they would have no need of it anyway. It’s called the human spirit and from it is derived the will to endure unspeakable agony in the process of prevailing against seemingly insurmountable odds.

 The German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, once wrote: “When you look into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you.”

Make no mistake, in the ring against both Jose Gonzalez and Ray Beltran, Ricky Burns looked into an abyss. What he saw looking back at him is something he alone knows. What we do know is that it was enough to provide him with the inner strength to keep going beyond the point where human logic and instinct ends and the will to survive is predicated on the courage to risk everything in the attempt.

Burns risked everything in both fights, refusing to capitulate, which against Gonzalez saw him survive an onslaught in the 7th round which the Puerto Rican and his team must still watch in awe at the Scot’s defiance of the laws of nature. Just as it broke his heart on the night, it’s a fair bet that Jose Gonzalez suffers a broken heart every time he thinks about what might have been – in fact make that ‘should have been’ – but wasn’t.

Yet even though the world champion’s victory – the dramatic nature of it – was rightly met by huge admiration for the heart and guts he showed, we knew that on the night we had witnessed a below par Ricky Burns do what all great champions do and find a way to win when the chips are down.

Against Raymundo Beltran a few months later, Burns only held onto his title by dint of the kind of judging that brings boxing into disrepute. Yet given that he’d fought ten rounds with a broken jaw, the miracle is that he managed to last the distance at all. Ray Beltran and his team were justified in feeling they were victims of an injustice, and going by the silence that met the result, most of the crowd agreed. But no blame can be attributed to Ricky Burns. What it has done where the world champion is concerned is cast doubt in the minds of many over his ability to hold onto his title against his next opponent, Terence Crawford, commonly regarded as the best he will face in his career to date.

These doubts are all the more reason to back Burns to prevail yet again, reminding us of the way he was written off against Roman ‘Rocky’ Martinez when he challenged for the super featherweight title in 2010, proving the doubters wrong with an epic performance that involved him picking himself off the canvas in the first round to go an comprehensively outbox the defending world champion and take his title by unanimous decision. Thereafter the Scot successfully defended his super featherweight title three times before moving up in weight to battle it out for the WBO interim lightweight title against Michael Katsidis. This was another fight that Burns was expected to lose, with many convinced he’d be steamrollered into submission by a fighter known to possess real juice in his hands. The naysayers were forced to eat their words again, however, as Burns proceeded to absorb everything the Australian warrior had while countering with the cleaner shots throughout to outbox his opponent and register another deserved unanimous decision.

Anyone following the Scottish world champion’s career knows that the bigger the challenge and the more he’s written off the better he performs. Going in as the underdog in the minds of most against Crawford, combined with the added mental strength he undoubtedly would have gained from surviving a torrid 2013, means that motivation won’t be an issue in this training camp. That said, Burns’s long time trainer, Billy Nelson, is not merely relying on his fighter’s proven qualities of will and grit to see him through against the unbeaten American on March 1. While speaking to him briefly at the presser to formally announce the fight back in January, Nelson took pains to point out that he’d introduced a strength and conditioning coach into the camp for the first time, which he said was already paying dividends in increasing the power of Ricky’s shots, and that he’d arranged for the champion to have the best sparring he’s ever had. Incidentally, the word coming out is that Burns has looked sensational in sparring these past few weeks, and against sterling opposition, as he prepares to embark on his tenth world title fight.

What is certain is that Nelson will be leaving nothing to chance as he prepares Burns to face an opponent most expect to defeat him. At the presser the proprietor of the Fighting Scots Gym near Glasgow predicted it would be the hardest fight of both their careers. There is every reason to agree. Ricky Burns has already proved he’s willing to walk through hell in the ring in order to prevail. His intensity, volume, work rate, and aggression – married to an undoubted ability to box that was absent in his last two fights – ensures that any fighter who expects to take his title will need to be willing to go to a place most never have to.

Terence Crawford should take note.

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/2014/ricky-burns-is-preparing-for-war-against-terence-crawford-on-march-1/

When Ricky Burns climbs into the ring at the SECC in Glasgow on March 1 to defend his WBO lightweight title against unbeaten American challenger, Terence Crawford, he will be entitled to feel like a man returning to the scene of a crime he never committed but was convicted, tried, and found guilty of nonetheless.

The trials and tribulations that Burns endured in 2013 were more than staggering they were inhuman, even for a fighter as experienced as he is. Not once but twice he was forced to reach down into that place which resides in every human being but in normal people is buried so deep after years spent avoiding risk, danger, and hardship that they don’t even know it exists; and even if they did they would have no need of it anyway. It’s called the human spirit and from it is derived the will to endure unspeakable agony in the process of prevailing against seemingly insurmountable odds.
Read more at http://www.eastsideboxing.com/2014/ricky-burns-is-preparing-for-war-against-terence-crawford-on-march-1/#bbd2I2lP8Fpo8vrS.99

Ricky Burns

On Saturday afternoon, March 1st, Ricky Burns will make his 4th defense of the WBO Lightweight title when he takes on highly regarded and undefeated Terence Crawford in a 12-round bout from the Scottish Exhibition Centre in Glasgow, Scotland.

The fight can be viewed live and exclusively across the United States on AWE, A Wealth of Entertainment.

“This world title fight showdown has the makings of a ‘fight of the year’. Crawford is undefeated and coming off some big wins. Burns is a proven champ. We’re ecstatic to be bringing this world-class title fight to boxing fans across the United States”, said Charles Herring, president of AWE.

Burns of Coatbridge, Scotland has a record of 36-2-1 with 11 knockouts and has not lost a fight in over seven years which spans 22 fights. He won the WBO Super Featherweight title with a thrilling 12 round unanimous decision over Roman Martinez. He made three defenses of his crown which includes wins over Andreas Evensen and Joseph Laryea. Burns then stopped former WBO Super featherweight champion Nicky Cook in one round.

Burns moved up to Lightweight and in his first fight at the higher weight class, he scored a 12 round unanimous decision over former champion Michael Katsidis to win the WBO Interim title.

Burns won the full title with a 12 round unanimous decision over former WBA champion Paulus Moses. Burns looked great in taking out fellow United Kingdom fighter Kevin Mitchell in four rounds. He then was able to outlast undefeated Jose Gonzalez when Gonzalez was forced to retire on the stool after the 9th round.

In his last bout, Burns fought through a broken jaw to salvage a controversial draw with Ray Beltran on September 7, 2013.

In the bout, Burns started off fast, but Beltran responded. By the end of the fight, many US boxing fans felt that Beltran should have walked away with the title belt.

Burns is 8-0-1 in world title fights.

Crawford of Omaha, Nebraska will be making his 1st attempt at a world title and brings in a perfect ledger at 22-0 with 16 knockouts.

The 26-year old is widely regarded as one of the top fighters in the division and has been performing at a high level.

He started to open eyes when he scored a shutout victory over hard-hitting power puncher Breidis Prescott on March 30, 2013.

Crawford followed that up with a 6-round beat down of Alejandro Sanabria (34-1-1) on June 15, 2013.

In his last bout, Crawford showed his terrific boxing ability by winning via shutout on all three judges’ score cards against previously undefeated Andrey Klimov (16-0) on October 5, 2013 in Orlando, Florida.

There will be a full undercard which will include a world title bout featuring WBA Super Bantamweight champion Scott Quigg announced shortly.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/terence-crawford-to-battle-ricky-burns-for-the-wbo-lightweight-world-championship-235557

Burns.Crawford

 
By Terence Dooley

Eddie Hearn of Matchroom has told BoxingScene.com that the WBO lightweight title fight between Ricky Burns and America’s Terence Crawford has been postponed until a later date.

The fight was due to take place at Glasgow’s Hydro venue on February 8th, but is now likely to be rescheduled for March 1, for reasons beyond the control of either camps. Burns has until March 8 to stage his mandatory title defense, as per WBO rules.

It was due to be Burns’s first bout since suffering a broken jaw during his draw with Raymundo Beltran in September. The 30-year-old Coatbridge-based titlist battled through the pain barrier that night to keep his title and had to have surgery on the injury.

Burns (36-2, 11KO) has battled back to full health and was duly rewarded with a tough mandatory by the WBO, who have put Crawford, 22-0 (16), forward as the main contender.

The 26-year-old Nebraskan posted wins over Breidis Prescott, Alejandro Sanabria, for the vacant WBO NABO lightweight belt, and Andrey Klimov during 2013. The rising contender was prepared to travel to Scotland to attempt to wrest the title from Burns, who has defended it four times since beating Michael Katsidis for the interim belt in November 2011.

More to follow…

http://www.boxingscene.com/burns-crawford-title-tilt-postponed-3-1-likely-new-date–72936

17494966

Promoter Eddie Hearn claims Ricky Burns can be regarded as the best Scottish boxer ever if he defends his WBO lightweight title for the fourth time.

Burns faces Mexican challenger Raymundo Beltran on Saturday in Glasgow.

“The run of fights he’s had and the string of defences puts him up there as the greatest Scottish fighter of all time,” said Hearn.

Ricky Burns

  • 38 fights, 36 wins (11 knock-outs), two losses
  • WBO lightweight champion (2012 – two defences)
  • WBO super featherweight champion (2009 – three defences)

“He doesn’t believe his own hype, which is great as a fighter. But he’s got to remember he’s a huge, huge talent.”

There are two Scots already in the International Boxing Hall of Fame – Benny Lynch and Ken Buchanan.

Benny Lynch

  • 119 fights, 88 wins (34 knock-outs, 14 losses)
  • NBA world flyweight champion (1935 – one defence)

Ken Buchanan

  • 69 fights, 61 wins (27 knock-outs), eight losses
  • WBA lightweight champion (1970 – three defences)
  • WBC lightweight champion (1971)

And Hearn knows Burns will always play down his chances of being considered better than those fighters.

“He laughed at that because that’s what he’s like,” said Hearn. “I just believe that Ricky is a two-weight world champion.

“He carries the hope of a nation behind him, so he should be proud and the country should be proud of Ricky Burns.”

Burns’s bout with 32-year-old Beltran, a former sparring partner of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, comes after the Coatbridge boxer’s wife, Amanda, gave birth to their first child at the end of August.

But the 30-year-old insists the new arrival has not brought any distractions to his preparations.

“Things have been going along as normal,” said Burns. “Throughout the pregnancy, there’s been no complications, Amanda’s been great.

“Now the baby and that are home, I’ve been able to focus fully on the fight.”

Burns reckons it will be “a cracking fight” against Beltran.

“The fans are in for a real treat here,” added the Scot. “He comes to fight, I won’t need to go looking for him.

“We’ve trained for a hard 12 rounds because I believe this fight’s going to go the distance.

“I’m hoping to go out and get the win and then go for the big fights that Eddie was talking about.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/23963906

 

BURNS_VS_GONZALEZ_PRESS_CONF_05

Coatbridge fighter ‘firing on all cylinders’ for Beltrán clash

By:  Ben Cohen –

Ricky Burns has warned challenger Raymundo Beltrán that he will be at his best when he defends his WBO lightweight title at the Glasgow’s SECC in September.

Beltrán will be Burns’s fourth defence of his crown and, after surviving a stern test against José González in May, the Coatbridge star is planning to put on a world class performance to prove the doubters wrong.

Burns said: “I’ve watched the fight back a few times, I saw that I was trying to force the pace and I was getting caught with stupid punches that I shouldn’t have been taking.

“For this training camp we’ve gone back to basics and although I’m prepared to get into a brawl against Beltran if I need to, I’m going to try to stick to my boxing skills. Preparation has been going great and with five weeks to go I cannot wait to get in there.”

Mexican 32-year-old Beltrán enters the fight on the back of three wins and Burns knows he needs to dispose Freddy Roach’s charge in style ahead of any talk of a unification clash in the USA.

“I am expecting a very tough fight,” Burns added.

“He’s got a few losses on his CV, but they are against top level opponents so we know what to expect, and he has not been a sparring partner to Manny Pacquiao for all these years for nothing. I’ve seen him fight before but since the fight was announced I haven’t watched anything of him, I’m just going to go out and stick to what I do best to get the win and then look at the big unification fights out there.

“I still have to go out and put in a good performance against Beltrán to make them happen. I keep telling everybody that even though it’s been mentioned that I might fight in America at the start of next year, I am not looking at that, I know I have to take it one fight at a time. Raymundo is a great fighter, boxing fans know that and it’s going to be a great fight and the fans in the SECC in Glasgow are going to have a great night, and I’ll be putting in the type of performance that I should’ve done last time.”

The Burns versus Beltrán clash tops another excellent boxing card in Glasgow, with Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell boxing for the second time as a pro, joined by John Simpson, Stephen Simmons, and David Brophy, who all fought on the undercard ahead of Burns’s last fight in May.

http://www.journal-online.co.uk/article/10754-burns-ready-to-shine-in-wbo-title-defence

 

48266.2

Ricky Burns successfully defended his WBO lightweight title after Jose Gonzalez retired at the end of the ninth round at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

The Scot made a third defence of his belt against the previously unbeaten boxer from Puerto Rico as the fight was called off just before the tenth round, with Gonzalez unable to continue as it appeared he had suffered a broken hand.

Burns could not find a way to break Gonzalez – who was fighting outside of Puerto Rico for the first time in his career – and had it not been for the injury he would have found it difficult to win without a knockout as Gonzalez had the upper hand over the rounds.

“I felt he was getting tired and I had to keep the pressure up,” Burns told Sky Sports after the fight. “I couldn’t believe how awkward he was. I felt like it was maybe a boring fight and I thought I should go to town a bit and I knew my corner didn’t like it. I could hear [trainer] Billy [Nelson] going off his nut.

“But I take my hat off to him [Gonzalez], he’s a class opponent and he caught with me with a few good shots.”

It was Gonzalez who threw the jabs in the opening round as Burns held back, and even at such an early stage the Scot started to get frustrated as his opponent made a confident start.

Burns enjoyed some success in the second round as the Scot was finally able to land a couple of punches on Gonzalez, but once again the man from Puerto Rico looked assured and relaxed as he slipped and slid one way and then another in the ring.

The crowd had been given nothing to cheer about yet, but they had something to shout about in the third round as Gonzalez absorbed a couple of Burns blows to his body.

Burns appeared to be the nervy challenger, and in the fifth round Gonzalez – who was boxing like the champion – was in control of the contest with Burns on the ropes.

Another round passed with Burns unable to make his mark, but he came alive in the seventh round, firstly escaping from the ropes after huge hits, and then responding with a few punches as both men exerted plenty of energy.

Gonzalez took his foot off the gas in the eighth round as he looked to be fatigued, and Burns produced his best round as the momentum began to shift to the home favourite. The ninth round belonged to Burns as well with Gonzalez not as light on his feet as he was at the start of the fight, and ready for the tenth round the fight was called off as Gonzalez apparently had a broken hand and could not continue with the bout.

http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/sport/story/206792.html

article-0-19BB76F9000005DC-180_634x497

Photo:  Getty Images –

By:  Ronnie Esplin, Press Association –

Ricky Burns retained his WBO lightweight title after Jose Gonzalez stayed on his stool at the end of the ninth round in a dramatic night at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

The 29-year-old mandatory challenger from Puerto Rico went into the fight unbeaten in 22 fights with 17 of them won inside the distance but an injury – with the suggestion it was a broken wrist – scuppered his chances of an upset.

Burns survived a seventh round in which he took some punishment and although he came back after that he was behind on points when the fight came to an early finish.

article-0-19BB82EA000005DC-677_634x434
Winner:  Burns came away victorious after a pulsating battle in Glasgow

The 30-year-old, making his third title defence, started cautiously, using his left jab to get his range.

Encouraged by the raucous crowd, the Coatbridge champion commanded the centre of the ring, pressing his opponent back albeit some wild swings missed the target.

Burns looked the more powerful, snapping his left-hand out to make sure Gonzalez kept on the back foot.

The third round witnessed more and better exchanges between the two fighters with a trickle of blood appearing on Burns’ nose.

The crowd got excited when their favorite had the challenger on the ropes but it was all too fleeting to do too much damage.

The chanting started again as the crowd urged Burns forward, not that he needed much persuasion.

He took a right-hand flush on the face in the fourth round but came back with a couple of powerful body shots.

Some fierce blows were traded but Burns still looked in control, emerging from clinches with little damage done.

Gonzalez appeared game but his lack of experience made him vulnerable at times.

Against that, he indicated with some good powerful punches, some that Burns had to take, why his knockout record was so impressive.

The Scot got caught with a stinging left hand at the start of the sixth round which brought him charging towards Gonzalez in some anger, but still he could not quite pin him down.

The Puerto Rican was changing attack hand at regular intervals and he wobbled Burns with a right hand in the a remarkably brutal seventh round from which the champion was lucky to escape.

Burns came out at the start of the next round determined to get back on top, as the slightly nervous crowd bayed for their man to regain control.

It looked like the champion’s head had cleared but he flew into Gonzalez swinging wildly at times.

The challenger was on the back foot for most of the ninth round, looking like he may have lost his chance to create an upset.

But there was unforeseen drama when Gonzalez failed to come out for the 10th round, which sparked scenes of celebration in the Burns camp.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-2323214/Ricky-Burns-retains-WBO-lightweight-title-Jose-Gonzalez.html