Hooker Warns: I Can Do Some Real Damage To Saucedo’s Career!

In 2018, Maurice Hooker won his first world title, and he will defend that title for the first time against fellow unbeaten Alex Saucedo this Friday night. But his toughest battle may be in December, when he has to get Christmas gifts for his eight children.

“Oh man, Christmas is tough,” he laughs. “You gotta get them what they want.”

It doesn’t even end there, as three of kids have birthdays in January, followed by one in February.

“Then I get a little break,” Hooker chuckles. But that’s just from birthday parties and gift buying. As far as his day job is concerned, the only thought is of keeping busy and chasing his peers at the top of the junior welterweight division. It’s the same philosophy he had after he came home from Manchester, England in June with the WBO title after beating Terry Flanagan.

“Let’s get back to work,” he said. “It don’t stop after I win the title. It’s a new story and I’m starting a new career. Now I’m 0-0 and Alex Saucedo is my first defense. We start over now.”

The new chapter may just be beginning, but the last one bears looking at, as Hooker could have been a statistic growing up in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, but through boxing, he found his path, and when he beat Flanagan, he fulfilled his promise and became an example for those coming up the way he did.

“It’s been a long journey,” he said. “But I’m here now, so I’ve got to take advantage of it.”

If there’s one thing notable about Hooker’s personality, it’s that he isn’t fond of sitting back and smelling the roses, but even he had to smile when he found out that artist Jules Muck, aka MuckRock, had painted a mural of him in his hometown. Hooker has just seen photos of the mural thus far since he’s been away at training camp, but soon he will see it up close for himself.

“I can’t wait to see it,” he said. “It means everything and it’s more motivation to me.”

A mural that takes up the side of a building, a championship belt, the respect of his hometown. It’s all heady stuff, but waiting for Hooker in Oklahoma City this Friday is a hometown hero in his own right in the unbeaten Saucedo, a fighter hoping to become only the second fighter from OKC to win a world boxing title. So if Hooker was hoping for a warm welcome in his first fight as champion, that’s not likely to be the case. But that’s okay, because fighting and beating Flanagan in Manchester was a good test when it comes to winning the big one on the road.

“I’m comfortable because a lot of the pressure is on him,” Hooker said. “He’s gotta do right for his fans and he has to win, so more pressure is on him. I’m just going in there to do my job.”

And though he’s taking Saucedo as seriously as he can, he also watched the challenger’s recent tougher than expected win over Lenny Zappavigna and believes it spoke volumes about the local hero’s chances of pulling off the win.

“I thought he (Saucedo) was gonna win and beat that guy with ease,” said Hooker. “But he had trouble. I think the ref should have stopped it, but being that he was fighting at home, they didn’t. He sat on the ropes and didn’t really swing. He sat there for a minute, and aw man, he just took a beating in that fight. I know in his mind he had to have thoughts like, ‘Is boxing for me?’ Every fight he has, he gets cut or he goes to war and that’s got to take a toll on your body fight after fight. It’s gotta catch up to him.”

Hooker plans on making it catch up to Saucedo in two days.

“My style and the way I fight, I can do some real damage to his career, and not just the fight,” he said. “The dude gets hit a lot. No defense at all. We’ll see Friday.”

If Hooker successfully defends his crown, his place in the one of the sport’s most exciting divisions gets even stronger, and while several of the top guns at 140 battle it out in the World Boxing Super Series, he does have WBC champ Jose Ramirez in his lane and then the WBSS winner. It’s a great place to be in, and he’s loving it.

“That’s very exciting,” he said. “That’s more motivation and I’m ready for them – for Alex Saucedo and everybody else.”

That’s the talk of a champion, one who knows that while thinking about the future is nice, nothing happens without a win on Friday. And with that night all to himself, the 29-year-old is in a statement-making mood.

“People are going to see good boxing, old school like Muhammad Ali,” Hooker said. “Use the jab, move around the ring, but keep your eyes up because it might end in a hurry. I’m an exciting fighter and I’ve got power in both hands. Alex Saucedo is young and he’s hungry and he’s coming. And I’m prepared for everything he brings.”

But is he prepared for Black Friday shopping?

“It’s gonna be a good Christmas,” he laughs.

Article by Thomas Gerbasi

https://www.boxingscene.com/hooker-warns-i-some-real-damage-saucedos-career–133699

It was one of the best fights of 2017. WBO super middleweight world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez had Jesse “Hollywood” Hart down and nearly out in the second round, only for Hart to come back with a furious late-rounds rally. Ramirez ultimately prevailed via unanimous decision that September evening in Tucson, Ariz., but Hart, the Philadelphia native with the legendary last name, had rematch on his mind immediately after the decision was rendered.

His wish has finally come true.

Ramirez will make the fifth defense of his world title against Hart, Friday, Dec. 14 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Ramirez-Hart 2 and a soon-to-be announced co-feature will stream live and exclusively at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ in the United States— the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. The entire undercard will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zapari Boxing Promotions, tickets to the Ramirez-Hart 2 world championship event will go on sale Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. CST. Priced at $100, $65, $45, and $30, tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, at the American Bank Center Box Office, Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

“This will be a good fight. I feel better prepared than the first time and even more convinced that I will finish him,” Ramirez said. “I’ve always said that I wanted to be the king of the division. I’ve been waiting for unification fights, and I’m still patient. I’m at my best, and against Hart, I want to show why I’m the best.”

“I’m very grateful and humbled for this opportunity,” Hart said. “I just want to go out there and perform to the best of my ability. I have nothing derogatory to say about Gilberto Ramirez. At this point, I just want to go out there and perform.”

Ramirez (38-0, 25 KOs), the first Mexican-born super middleweight champion, will be defending the title he won from Arthur Abraham via shutout decision on April 9, 2016. A hand injury put Ramirez on the shelf until April 22, 2017, but he didn’t miss a beat, dominating Max Bursak en route to a unanimous decision victory. In his most recent outing, June 30 in Oklahoma City, Ramirez used his boxing skills to win a unanimous decision against Alexis Angulo. Ramirez, from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, is a nine-year pro who is no stranger to Corpus Christi. He headlined a show at the American Bank Center on Feb. 3, knocking out the previously unbeaten Habib Ahmed in the sixth round to retain his title.

Hart (25-1, 21 KOs), the WBO No. 1 contender, is a former amateur standout, winning the 2011 National Golden Gloves and U.S. National championships at 165 pounds. A 2012 U.S. Olympic alternate, Hart turned pro in 2012 and won his first 22 bouts prior to challenging Ramirez. Hart last fought as the ESPN co-feature Aug. 18 in Atlantic City, battering Mike Gavronski en route to a third-round stoppage. After more than a year of calling out Ramirez for a return match, Hart has his shot at redemption. A proud native of Philadelphia, Hart is the son of Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, a feared middleweight contender in the 1970s who never received a world title shot. With Eugene Hart in his corner as head trainer, Jesse Hart will seek to bring a world title home to the City of Brotherly Love.

Two of Boxing’s Biggest Stars make their highly anticipated return at the iconic Stubhub Center in Carson, CA. on Saturday, December 8 for an outstanding double-header featuring Undisputed Women’s Welterweight World Champion ‘The First Lady’ Cecilia Braekhus (34-0, 9 KOs) and Four-Division Pound for Pound World Champion Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, (47-2, 39 KOs). The event will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:20 p.m. ET/PT. (photos by Lina Baker).

Fighting out of Bergen, Norway, Braekhus, the Consensus #1 Ranked Women’s Pound-for-Pound Fighter in the World will face two-time world title challenger, Aleksandra Magdziak-Lopes, (18-4-3, 1 KO), a native of Gilwice, Poland, now based in Marshfield, MA in the ten-round main event.

Presented by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Boxing Promotions, advance tickets priced at $25, $50, $100 and $150 can be purchased through www.AXS.com starting This Friday, November 9 at 12:00 p.m. The StubHub Center is located at 18400 Avalon Boulevard, Carson, CA 90746. For more information please visit their website at www.StubHubCenter.com.

“I’m thrilled to be announcing my next title defense against Aleksandra Magdziak-Lopes,” said Cecilia Braekhus, currently training in Southern California with the renowned Johnathon Banks. “I know Aleksandra very well and this will be a very tough challenge for me.”

“It’s great to be back in Los Angeles, it’s starting to feel like my second home now. Right now, it’s pretty cold now in Norway so the sun and warm weather are treating me very good and I expect a lot of fans from Norway to come to my fight and experience the Southern California sunshine. My trainer Johnathon Banks and I have already started working very hard in the gym.”

“A big thank you to Tom Loeffler and 360 Promotions for putting together this great event. Thanks very much to HBO for putting me on the network again. I promise to deliver another big fight, my last fight was very exciting and this one will be as well, I don’t do boring fights.”

‘I’m defending all the belts as you see in front of me. They represent a life-time of hard work. Hopefully when it becomes time to retire I can do so undefeated, that is my dream, that is my goal. I thank you for all your support and to the fans here in the United States and those attending the fight Internationally.”

“It’s been my dream to fight Cecilia and I can’t wait to fight her,” said Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes. “She is the best women’s fighter in the world and has been for many years but on December 8 I will be up to the challenge and come out victorious with her titles.”

Said Tom Loeffler, “This card truly is a tribute to HBO where the biggest stars in boxing have been made for decades. As we have seen with the ascent in popularity with Gennady Golovkin and as we continue to see with Cecilia and Roman their international popularity and marketability continues to increase with each appearance on HBO.”

“We’ve promoted some outstanding and record-breaking memorable nights of boxing at the Stubhub Center and we look forward to another great event on Saturday, December 8. We hold the record for the 3 largest gates at StubHub Center with GGG in his two fights at StubHub and Chocolatito with his sold out fight there last year.”

“Thanks to Dan Beckerman at AEG and everyone at StubHub Center for their support and for working on this show with us and to the California State Athletic Commission who have always been very fair while keeping the health and safety of the fighters as their number one priority.”

Fighting for the first time in Russia, Cecilia Braekhus won a 10-round unanimous decision over junior middleweight world champion Inna Sagaydakovskaya on July 21, 2018 in Moscow. The victory took place in front of over 25,000 spectators at the Olympic Stadium and an international televised audience. Prior to that, Braekhus was victorious in the first women’s bout televised by HBO in their 45-year history on May 5, 2018. Defeating Kali Reis by unanimous decision at the StubHub Center in Carson, CA, the fight drew an average of 904,000 viewers in the United States, the second highest viewership by the network for boxing in 2018.

Braekhus is currently ranked the #1 Pound-for-Pound Female Boxer by Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. She was presented with the first women’s Ring Magazine Pound-for-Pound Title belt in Las Vegas on September 15, 2018. Since September 2014, Braekhus has held the WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO Welterweight World Titles and was just awarded 3 Guinness Book of World Records Awards this year at the WBC Convention in Kiev, Ukraine.

BoxNation cameras are in Ekaterinburg, Russia on Saturday 10th November for another stacked live card.

Headlining the bill is the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight Title bout between prospect Artem Chebotarev and rugged Argentinian veteran Javier Francisco Maciel.

Russian Chebotarev (5-0, 4 KOs) only turned professional 18 months ago, but is being fast-tracked to World Titles and a win this weekend will earn him a top 15 ranking with the WBO.

Before embarking on his professional journey Chebotarev enjoyed a successful amateur career which included a European gold in 2010 and a World Championship bronze medal three years later.

He also competed in the 2016 Olympics, but lost in the Round of 16.

Just last month the 30-year-old blasted out Brazilian Carmelito De Jesus inside three rounds and will be hoping to make it a quick KO again this weekend.

Maciel (33-7-2, 23 KOs) went the distance with former World Title challenger Willie Monroe Jr in August and should extend the home fighter.

Four years ago he pushed former British Super-Welterweight champion Brian Rose all the way, dropping a split decision in Sheffield.

https://www.boxnation.com/boxing-matches/artem-chebotarev-v-javier-francisco-maciel

Durante sus inicios, el magnate del ring Don King hizo una triste declaración pública sobre la naciente OMB, la tildó de ‘entelequia’, de un organismo que nació muerto. Al pasar el tiempo, no solo King, toda la familia mundial del boxeo, incluyendo países exigentes como Japón, China e India, han tenido que abrirle la puerta a esta agrupación, la cual hace 31 años hizo tienda aparte de la Asociación Mundial de Boxeo.

Tras tres décadas de existencia nadie puede negarlo, la Organización Mundial de Boxeo, para no exagerar no tiene que envidiarle nada a su “malamadre” (AMB), ni a su medio hermano CMB ni a su vecina, la FIB, muchos menos a cualquier otra siglas que puedan aparecen ahora o en el futuro. Es una tangible y envidiable realidad que cada vez crece más, en su credibilidad y su membresía.

Uno de los puntos más poderosos de la OMB, primero es que nunca ha sido demandada, lo que indica que se ha conducido con un margen amplio de paz, de lo que han carecido los demás órganos que se disputan el control del pugilismo internacional; sus peleas y sus títulos van acorde con los tiempos, que significa esto: que son rigurosos con la calidad de las carreras de sus peleadores y sus coronas son únicas, hay un campeón en cada división, solamente, no hay interino al menos que el titular oficial no esté lesionado y fuera de acción, tampoco hay fajas de diamante, oro, plata, cobre, hojalata; ¡nada de eso! Ahora los omebeistas han adoptado la figura del “supercampeón”, un invento de la AMB (si no me equivoco), pero ellos la adquieren y la aplican de forma diferente, solo para darle privilegio a aquellas grandes figuras con varias coronas ganadas, con más de 10 ó 15 defensas exitosas, pero ese mérito solo le sirve para retar a otros campeones de cualquier organismo o del suyo propio, a cualquier gran retador, para hacer grandes competencias; pero sigue siendo el único campeón en su categoría, no se agrega un campeón regular y otro interino como hacen la AMB, CMB y FIB.

Estos temas los afiné conversando con Francisco -Paquito- Valcárcel, un hombre de sangre boricua, pero con una visión muy latina e internacional para dirigir el boxeo. Durante la Trigésima primera convención celebrada la semana pasada en Ciudad Panamá, Valcárcel mostró mucho ‘ángel’ no tuvo un minuto de descanso, siempre estuvo solucionando o explicando temas sobre negocios, peleas, capacitación y programas de la hoy glamurosa OMB, otras figuras que acompañan a Valcárcel y le dan gran apoyo es Luis Batista Salas, Adolfo Flores, y al parecer todo el Comité Ejecutivo va halando para el mismo lado, y a eso se debe este gran crecimiento.

GRAN HOMENAJE: En Panamá, como era de esperarse, hubo un gran ausente, el doctor Ramón Pina Acevedo, fallecido en febrero, pero luminaria de este grupo y presidente Ad-vitam. La OMB lo despidió como uno de sus grandes hombres y reconoció sus grandes aportes desde el nacimiento de la entidad en Islas Margarita en 1987, el doctor Pina será un marco de referencia, un libro de consulta no solo para la gente que agrupa la OMB, sino para todo aquel que quiera manejar con éxito una entidad boxística, ya sea local o internacional, su legado está ahí, ante los ojos de todos.

LOS CAMPEONES: Me llamó la atención que la OMB colocó en uno de los pasillos principales del gran hotel El Panamá, afiches gigantes de sus campeones, peso por peso; pero no subestimó la parte femenina, en el inagotable pasadizo a la izquierda, estaban los monarcas, pero a la derecha, las reinas.

Citemos esos campeones y confróntelos con los de otras organizaciones, no siempre serán superiores, pero las comparaciones en estos casos siempre son buenas para evaluar los niveles cualitativos de los organismos, onza por onza: Pesado: Anthony Joshua (Reino Unido); Crucero: Oleksander Usyk (Reino Unido); Semipesado: Eleider Álvarez (Colombia); Supermedio: Gilberto Ramírez (México); Medio: Vacante; Medio Jr.: Jaime Munguia (México); Welter: Terence Crawford (USA); Welter Jr.: Maurice Hooker (USA); Ligero: José Pedraza (Puerto Rico); Ligero Jr.: Masayuki Ito (Japón); Pluma: Oscar Valdez (México); Supergallo: Isaac Dogboe (Ghana) ; Gallo: Zolani Tete (S. África); Supermosca (Vacante); Mosca: Kosei Tanaka (Japón); Minimosca: Ángel Acosta (Puerto Rico); Paja: Vic Saludar (Filipinas).

LAS CHICAS: Yo tampoco dejaría a un lado el boxeo rosa, hay figuras por exaltar y trataré de hacerlo más adelante, veamos las reinas de la OMB desde las 168 libras hacia abajo, ya que en las divisiones Pesado, Crucero y Semipesado la organización no tiene títulos avalados: Supermedio: Femke Hermans (Bélgica); Medio: Christina Hammer (Alemania); Medio Jr.: Vacante; Welter: Cecilia Braekhus (Noruega); Welter Jr.: Vacante; Ligero: Rose Volante (Brasil); Ligero Jr.: Ewa Brodnicka (Polonia); Pluma: Vacante; Supergallo: Dina Thorslund (Dinamarca); Gallo: Daniela Romina Bermúdez (Argentina); Supermosca: Raja Amasheh (Jordania); Mosca: Arelis Muciño (México); Minimosca: Tenkai Tsunami (Japón); Paja: Kayoko Ebata (Japón).

Yoel Adames F. https://listindiario.com/el-deporte/2018/11/06/540625/la-omb-se-agiganta

Championship & Rating Committees Information on Munguía, Dogboe, Nietes, Ioka and More; Japan to Host Next WBO Convention

Hogan named mandatory challenger for Munguia

In a huge development for boxing fans in Australia, popular junior middleweight contender Dennis Hogan (27-1-1, 7 KOs), the #1 ranked contender at 154 pounds, has unanimously been approved to be named the mandatory contender for undefeated WBO champion Jaime Munguia. However, his status is contingent on him winning his next scheduled fight in Australia against Jaime Weetch (12-2, 5 KOs) on December 15 in Australia.

“Dennis has defended his title, the Oriental Title and the Intercontinental title, and he fought three fighters in the WBO top 15,” commented Matt Rose, who spoke on behalf of Hogan.

WBO orders top four jr bantams to settle vacant title

There are always winners and losers in boxing and unfortunately for hard-hitting junior bantamweight Aston Palicte, he came out short in his quest to get an immediate rematch with countryman Donnie Neites. Palicte and Nietes fought to a twelve round draw last month in a fight for the vacant WBO 115-pound title, a fight that ended in a draw. Roy Jones Jr. Boxing representative Guy Taylor, who was there to represent Palicte, was hopeful that an immediate rematch might have been ordered but discovered that Nietes already signed to fight #3 ranked contender Kazuto Ioka in a fight that was subsequently approved to be for the vacant title.

Taylor’s request to have Palicte fight the winner as a mandatory was also not approved, with the WBO encouraging a matchup between Palicte and WBO #4 ranked Jose Martinez in an elimination fight with the winner getting the mandatory position for the title. Nonetheless although Taylor was visibly disappointed he also expressed confident that Palicte would emerge as world champion when the dust settled.

Navarette named mandatory for Dogboe

Undefeated WBO Jr. Featherweight champion Isaac Dogboe’s upcoming fight with #2 ranked Emanuel Navarette on December 8 had been declared a mandatory defense, a move that gives Dogboe more flexibility in regards to a subsequent title defense assuming he wins against Navarette. With the fight declared a mandatory title defense Dogboe will have nine months after the Navarette fight before he will be required to make a subsequent mandatory title defense. This also opens up the possible world title fight in Ghana in 2019 by giving Team Dogboe more flexibility in solidifying the proposed homecoming. The current #1 contender is Diego De La Hoya, who reportedly did not object to the move.

“I talked to Golden Boy (promoters of De La Hoya) and they agreed.” Dogboe advisor Mike Altamura said of the #1 contender.

Glowacki-Vladov now for WBO cruiser interim title

For Hungarian contender Irme Szello and Sherman based cruiserweight Firat Arslan, the World Boxing Super Series has proved to be a bit of a bitter pill to swallow after they were again shut out of a potential world title fight.

WBO Junior Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, who was slated to fight #1 ranked Tony Bellew, and there was little question that a victory could result in him moving up to the heavyweight division. However, an email request for Chris Meyer of the World Boxing Super Series proved problematic for the two European fighters. Meyer proposed moving the #5 ranked Maxim Vlasov to #1 or #2 and requesting that the WBO approve the Upcoming tournament fight between Vlsov and #2 ranked Krzysztof Glowacki be for the Interim title. It was a proposal that drew fierce opposition from Erik Ceylon of ECB Boxing, who was there to represent #3 ranked Firat Arslan.

“Why not give Arslan the mandatory?” Arslan asked.

His position was supported by WBO Vice President of Europe Istvan Kovacs.

“Both of these guys (#3 ranked Arslan and #4 ranked Imre Szello) have been standing in line for a while,” Kovacs said. “Both of them guys are very old. If you are talking of Vlasov I think he is less deserving then these other two guys.”

However, President Valcarcel stressed that the WBO continues to support unification fights and tournaments like the WBSS.

“The unification supersedes the mandatory,” Valcarcel said.

In the end the board voted in favor of the request by Meyer in classifying the Vlasov-Glowacki fight as a fight for the interim title. Kovacs did hold his ground however and voted against the proposal.

WBO declares elimination fight at the Mini-Flyweight Division

WBO Mini-Flyweight champion Vic Saludar (18-3, 10 KOs), the popular Filipino brawler who won the world title back in July, will soon know who his first title defense will come against. On December 7 NABO champion Wilfredo Mendez, the #7 ranked mini-flyweight, will step into the ring against the #1 ranked WBO contender Robert Paradero in a bout that the WBO has just announced will be established as the mandatory challenger for Mendez (11-1, 4 KOs) will be fighting in front of his hometown crowd but the undefeated Paradero (17-0, 11 KOs) has remained at #1 for over a year and is widely regarded as one of the most attractive prospects out of the Philippines. The winner will be named the mandatory challenger for Saludar.

On the other hand, the representative of the Japanese Boxing Commission Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, asked the WBO to hold the next Convention in Tokyo, Japan. The request was approved by the WBO through the members of the Executive Committee and they chose Puerto Rico as a second option in case it is canceled.

By David Finger / Fightnews.com

Cd. de Panamá.- El sinaloense Fernando Montiel vivió uno de los momentos más emotivos y especiales de su vida, al visitar por primera vez la tumba de Pedro “Rockero” Alcázar, quien falleció a causa de un derrame cerebral dos días después de la pelea que sostuvieron el 22 de junio de 2002 en el MGM Grand de Las Vegas.

El “Cochulito” Montiel, visiblemente invadido por la nostalgia, cargó la corona de flores que depositó en la tumba del panameño en el cementerio Amador, acompañado por el presidente de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo, Francisco Valcárcel, y también por el ex campeón puertorriqueño Iván Calderón y el actual monarca superpluma de la WBA, Alberto Machado.

Antes de tomar la palabra el mochiteco, respiró hondo, se persignó y en medio de un cúmulo de emociones, expresó: “Es un momento inolvidable estar en la tumba del “Rockero” Alcázar, su muerte cambió mi carrera y mi vida también. Fue algo que me pegó bastante y aquí estoy para rendirle un reconocimiento junto a Paquito Valcárcel y grandes campeones”.

El ex campeón del mundo en tres distintas divisiones recordó que cuando su padre le dio la noticia de la muerte del panameño, rompió en llanto, incluso llegó a pensar en dejar el boxeo ante el estremecimiento emocional que atravesó en esos días.

“Uno nunca se prepara para la muerte, esa noticia me impactó mucho. Recuerdo que él le dedicaba mucho sus peleas a Dios, todos lo hacemos, pero él lo hacía de una manera especial.

“Fueron momentos muy difíciles los que viví, llegué hasta pensar en dejar el boxeo, pero sus manejadores y su familia me alentaron a seguir adelante. Me dijeron, ‘en este deporte los dos están expuestos, te pudo pasar a ti, sigue adelante, mucho ánimo’; todo eso me reconfortó para mantenerme como boxeador. En parte también mi carrera se la debo a él”, manifestó, remontándose a aquel momento del combate en el que salió vencedor por KOT en el sexto asalto, conquistando esa noche el cetro supermosca de la WBO.

“Me siento bendecido de estar en su tumba, más que en un rival, era mi amigo. Tenía muchas ganas de estar aquí con él, tengo muchas emociones en este momento. Sé que está descansando en paz”, remató el mochiteco.

Por su parte, Paco Valcárcel, externó: “Venimos a hacerle un tributo a nuestro segundo campeón panameño, era una persona extraordinaria, él ayudó a que la WBO se estableciera en este país al tenerlo como campeón. Dios lo tenga en su santa gloria”.

El mismo presidente de la entidad boxística calificó este momento como el más emotivo y especial de esta 31era convención anual de la WBO que se realiza en este cálido país.

Egidijus “The Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas is closing in on a world title opportunity. WBO Intercontinental champion Roberto Arriaza, a knockout artist from Nicaragua, is standing in his way. Kavaliauskas and Arriaza will square off on Friday, Nov. 16 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City as the co-feature to the previously announced Maurice Hooker-Alex Saucedo WBO junior welterweight title fight.

WBO World title bout Hooker-Saucedo will be televised on ESPN at midnight ET, while Kavaliauskas-Arriaza and the rest of the undercard will stream live at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+ — the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

“I am happy to be on this card and to move one step closer to my ultimate goal, which is a world title shot.” Kavaliauskas said. “Arriaza is a dangerous opponent, and I never overlook anyone. This is going to be an action-packed fight, and I am confident that I will be victorious.”

Kavaliauskas (20-0, 16 KOs) turned pro in 2013 following a decorated amateur career that included roughly 300 fights and Olympic berths in 2012 and 2008 for his native Lithuania. He turned heads early in his pro career, winning 11 of his first 12 fights by knockout. Kavaliauskas turned the corner to world title contention in September 2017 with a seventh-round TKO against Mahonri Montes to win the NABF welterweight title

He has defended the belt twice in 2018, knocking out former world champion David Avanesyan in the sixth round and grinding out a unanimous decision versus Juan Carlos Abreu on July 7 in Fresno, Calif.

Arriaza (17-0, 13 KOs), a 28-year-old native of Masaya, Nicaragua, is 2-0 in 2018, including a 20-second knockout against Sammy Valentin. The Valentin win earned Arriaza the WBO Intercontinental title, and an upset win over Kavaliauskas would put him in line for a world title opportunity.

The rest of the undercard is as followed:

Super lightweight contender Cletus Seldin (21-1, 17 KOs) looks to rebound from his first career defeat against Nelson Lara (17-10-4, 9 KOs).

Lightweight prospect Albert Bell (12-0, 4 KOs) will make his Top Rank debut against Carlos Padilla (16-8-1, 10 KOs) in an eight-round fight.

The big-punching Trevor McCumby (24-0, 19 KOs) will fight Felipe Romero (20-15-1, 14 KOs) in an eight-rounder at light heavyweight.

Tyler Howard (15-0, 10 KOs), who is coming off a second-round TKO win on July 14 in New Orleans, will take on Isiah Seldon (12-1-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight showdown. Seldon is the son of former heavyweight world champion Bruce Seldon.

Oklahoma-born heavyweight knockout artist Trey Lippe Morrison (15-0, 15 KOs) will fight an opponent to be determined in a six-rounder. Lippe Morrison last fought June 30 in Oklahoma City, knocking out Byron Polley in the third round of a crowd-pleasing bout.

Oklahoma City native and bantamweight prospect Aaron Morales (4-0, 3 KOs) will fight an opponent to be determined.

Philadelphia’s Rasheen Brown will make his pro debut against Sebastian Baltazar (1-2, 0 KOs) in a four-round super bantamweight bout.

John Rincon, from Corpus, Christi, Texas, will make his pro debut in a four-rounder at lightweight.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Roc Nation Sports and Matchroom Boxing USA, tickets for this world championship event are on sale now. Priced at $250, $150, $75, $50, and $35, tickets may be purchased at the Chesapeake Energy Arena box office, online at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Lightweight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko was at home at the Boxing Laboratory as he prepared for his next challenge. Lomachenko (11-1, 9 KOs), who has won world titles in three weight classes in just 12 pro fights, will seek to unify titles for the first time as a pro when he takes on WBO champion Jose Pedraza (25-1, 12 KOs), Dec. 8 at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden (ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 9 p.m. ET).

Lomachenko worked out for the media Tuesday, showing off his assortment of training tricks. This is what the pound-for-pound great had to say.

On the Pedraza fight

“I had a long rest {following shoulder surgery}. I am looking forward to seeing how I feel and taking on a tough opponent like Pedraza. I haven’t had much time to watch his fights.”

On potentially unifying the titles

“I can’t wait. After this fight, a lot of doors will be open. Title unification fights are good for the sport of boxing.”

On future opponents

“I love challenges. That’s what motivates me. I want all the top fighters. I’m open to anyone.”

On the Jorge Linares fight

“It was the first time I was knocked down as a pro. After the knockdown, I came back and finished the fight. It was a tough fight, but I showed the heart of a champion.”

On whether he’ll remain at lightweight

“I believe I’ll stay at 135 and focus on 135 because when I fought against Linares, I felt like he was bigger than me. So I’ll stay at 135 because I think 135 is not my {ideal} weight category right now. After one or two years, it will be my {ideal} weight.”

On a Mikey Garcia fight

“I hope {it will happen}. We can see in the future because my next fight is against Pedraza. After Pedraza, we can talk about fighting Mikey.”

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Madison Square Garden, tickets for Lomachenko-Pedraza are on sale now. Priced at $506, $356, $206, $106, and $56, tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online at ticketmaster.com and MSG.com.

Lomachenko-Pedraza will headline a special edition of Top Rank on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET, which will follow the 84th Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Presentation.

Last night’s Top Rank on ESPN (10:25 p.m. ET to 12:36 a.m. ET) scored three major victories. The overall event delivered a 1.6 metered market rating according to Nielsen, making it the highest-rated boxing telecast in 2018 across all broadcast and cable networks. The main event, featuring Terence Crawford (34-0, 25 KOs) vs. Jose Benavidez, Jr. (27-1, 18 KOs), averaged a 1.8 metered market, making it making it the year’s highest-rated Top Rank bout and main event on ESPN. It was an electric, full house at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, as hometown favorite Terence “Bud” Crawford, defeated Benavidez Jr. by 12th-round TKO to defend his WBO welterweight world title.

The featured co-main event, a battle between Shakur Stevenson (9-0, 5 KOs) vs Viorel Simion (21-3,9 KOs), also delivered big for ESPN, scoring a 1.3 metered market rating, making it the year’s second highest-rated Top Rank on ESPN event. Stevenson, a 2016 U.S. Olympic silver medalist, knocked Simion down three times en route to a first-round TKO in the scheduled 10-round co-feature.

Top Things to Know

Last night’s entire Top Rank on ESPN telecast averaged a 1.6 metered market rating, making it the highest-rated boxing telecast in 2018 across all broadcast and cable networks and the highest-rated Top Rank on ESPN telecast, behind Pacquiao vs Horn in July 2017

The Crawford vs Benavidez, Jr. main event averaged a 1.8 metered market rating, making it the highest-rated Top Rank bout and main event in 2018. The fight averaged 80% higher rating than the Crawford-Indongo fight in August 2017 (1.0 metered market rating)

Stevenson vs Simion co-main averaged a 1.3 metered market rating, making it the second highest-rated Top Rank fight in 2018, besting Lomachenko vs Linares (1.0 metered market rating, May 2018) which was this year’s highest-rated Top Rank fight until last night

Last night’s event is ESPN’s second highest-rated Top Rank telecast since ESPN acquired the rights in 2017.

Top Local Markets
Rank Market Metered Market Rating
1 Birmingham 11.9
2 Norfolk 5.5
3 New Orleans 4.5
4 Memphis 3.6
5 Kansas City 3.3

Photo by Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Source: https://www.boxingscene.com/crawford-benavidez-big-ratings-espn–132747

WBO President Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcárcel, Esq reacted on Billy Joe Saunders’ public comments regarding his world title status:

“B.J. Saunders has voluntarily vacated the WBO Middleweight Title, and publicly apologized for his violation of the Massachusetts Athletic Commission’s anti-doping regulations”.

“Therefore, the clash between Demetrius Andrade and Walter Kautondonkwa scheduled for October 20th will now be for the vacant World Crown”.

“Also, I will recommend to the WBO Executive Committee that Saunders receives a six month suspension for his transgression”.

The long-discussed Claressa Shields-Christina Hammer fight finally has been scheduled.

Showtime announced Tuesday that the women’s middleweight title bout between these unbeaten champions is set for November 17 at Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Phillips Theater in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Shields-Hammer match will be broadcast as the main event of a special edition of Showtime’s “ShoBox: The New Generation” series.

They’ll fight for Shields’ IBF and WBA 160-pound championships, as well as Hammer’s WBC and WBO titles, in one of the biggest bouts in women’s boxing history. The winner will join ex-middleweight champions Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor, former 140-pound champion Terence Crawford, cruiserweight champ Oleksandr Usyk and women’s welterweight champ Cecilia Braekhus as the only boxers to own the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles at the same time.

“I’ve worked hard my whole life to overcome every obstacle, represent my country and win two Olympic gold medals, and win world championships in two weight divisions as a pro,” Shields said. “I want to be part of the biggest fight in women’s boxing history, I want to be undisputed world middleweight champion, I want women’s boxing to reach new heights, and the only thing standing between me and the achievement of all those goals is Christina Hammer. I will defeat Hammer on November 17, and I will do it in a way that will leave no doubt who is the best in the world.”

The 23-year-old Shields (6-0, 2 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist from Flint, Michigan, overcame a first-round knockdown during her last fight to convincingly defeat Costa Rica’s Hanna Gabriels (18-1-2, 11 KOs) by unanimous decision in a 10-rounder June 22 in Detroit. The 28-year-old Hammer (23-0, 10 KOs, 1 NC), of Dortmund, Germany, easily out-boxed Tori Nelson (17-2-3, 2 KOs) to win a 10-round unanimous decision on the undercard that night.

“I am beyond excited and motivated to fight Claressa,” Hammer said. “I am the best middleweight in the world and will make that point very clear when we get in the ring. It’s been my dream to fight in the biggest women’s fight of all time and raise women’s boxing to an all-time high. I will be crowned the undisputed middleweight queen on November 17.”

Tickets to the card headlined by Shields-Hammer range in pric from $35 to $150 and go on sale Friday (ticketmaster.com).

https://www.boxingscene.com/claressa-shields-christina-hammer-set-1117-atlantic-city–132167
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.

Puerto Rican knockout artist Angel “Tito” Acosta (18-1, 18 KOs) will defend his WBO Jr. Flyweight World Title for a second time as he takes on Mexican warrior Abraham Rodriguez (23-1, 11 KOs) in the 12-round main event of the Oct. 13 edition of Golden Boy Fight Night on Facebook Watch at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. The action will be streamed live globally on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET.

Acosta is a 27-year-old world champion who has won all of his fights by knockout. Acosta has knocked out fighters all over the country, including stoppage wins in New Jersey, Texas, Florida and New York. In 2017, Acosta traveled to Japan to take on Kosei Tanaka for a world title, and though he lost in what was a very tough fight, the native of San Juan, Puerto Rico returned in his very next fight to capture the WBO Jr. Flyweight World Title with a 10-round technical knockout victory against Juan Alejo in Dec. 2017.

“I feel happy to be making my second defense against a Mexican fighter,” said Tito Acosta. “I know that Mexicans always come to give a war. Abraham Rodriguez will come very well prepared, and I’m sure we will give a great fight between Puerto Rico and Mexico.”

Rodriguez is a 23-year-old native of Sonora, Mexico who remained undefeated in 22 fights after his making his debut in April 2013. The 108-pound pugilist scored all of his wins in Mexico, though suffered his first defeat earlier this year against Alejandro Villaseñor. Rodriguez bounced back in July against Jorge Miguel Hernandez, putting him in place for title contention on Oct. 13.

“I’m mentally and physically motivated for this fight,” said Abraham Rodriguez. “I’m going to come very well prepared to give a war, which is always what happens when you have a fight between the two countries of Mexico and Puerto Rico. I’m happy to have the chance to elevate the name of my country against a someone who I know will come prepared for a battle.”

“This is an exciting time for Puerto Rican boxers,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “There are many world champions from Puerto Rico right now, including Alberto Machado. We’re proud to work with Miguel Cotto Promotions to give a great platform to some of Puerto Rico’s world champions, so it’s a great pleasure to have Tito Acosta headline this Facebook Watch event.”

“I’m very excited to have Tito Acosta headlining in Las Vegas for the first time in his career,” said Miguel Cotto, President of Miguel Cotto Promotions. “He is a rising Puerto Rican star and has everything to become a successful name in boxing. I can’t wait to watch him perform in Las Vegas on Facebook this October 13.”

Acosta vs. Rodriguez is a 12-round fight for the WBO Jr. Flyweight World Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions. Murtazaliev vs. TBA is a 10-round junior middleweight fight presented by Main Events and Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy, “Never Stop, Never Settle.” The fights will take place on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. The action will be streamed live globally on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET.

Tickets for Acosta vs. Rodriguez are priced at $75, $50, $25, and $10, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets go on sale Thursday, Sept. 27 at 10:00 a.m. PST. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or The Joint Box Office at (702) 693-5000.

NEW YORK CITY (Sept. 25, 2018) – Vasiliy Lomachenko is ready to take another bite out of the Big Apple. Lomachenko, the pound-for-pound superstar and WBA lightweight world champion, will look to unify world titles for the first time as a professional when he clashes with WBO champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 9 p.m. ET, live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. This marks Lomachenko’s fourth main event appearance at a Madison Square Garden venue.

Lomachenko-Pedraza will headline a special edition of Top Rank on ESPN, which will follow the 84th Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Presentation.

Promoted by Top Rank, ticket and undercard information for this world championship event will be announced soon.

“Boxing fans are excited that Vasiliy Lomachenko will be back in action on Dec. 8,” said Top Rank CEO Bob Arum. “He knows that in WBO champion Jose Pedraza, he faces a tough opponent with a style that may give him a lot of trouble.”

“I am ready to fight an excellent opponent like Jose Pedraza,” Lomachenko said. “My goal has always been to unify the titles, and Pedraza is standing in my way. There is something special about fighting in New York City and at Madison Square Garden. The fans in New York City are true boxing fans, and I can’t wait to put on another spectacular performance for them.”

“I am grateful to have this opportunity, since I didn’t get the chance to unify titles when I was champion in the junior lightweight division,” Pedraza said. “In this division, I will achieve my goal, and I will do it against one of the best boxers in the world. There will be a surprise on Dec. 8!”

“We are thrilled to bring fans one of the year’s marquee boxing events to ESPN,” said ESPN’s Burke Magnus, executive vice president, programming and scheduling. “Currently ranked as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, Lomachenko is who fans want to watch. His historic victory last year on this night was a tremendous success, and we look forward to showcasing the world’s best once again.”

Lomachenko (11-1, 9 KOs) is widely considered to be the greatest amateur boxer in history, as he posted a 396-1 record with Olympic gold medals for his native Ukraine in 2008 and 2012. In the pro ranks, he has continued to etch his name in the history books. Lomachenko tied a boxing record by winning a world title in his third pro bout on June 21, 2014, a clear points win against Gary Russell Jr. to claim the vacant WBO featherweight title. He made three defenses of that title before moving up to 130 pounds. In his debut at 130 pounds, Lomachenko knocked out Roman Martinez with an uppercut-hook combination to win the WBO junior lightweight world title. Following the Martinez bout, Lomachenko began an unprecedented streak of four consecutive opponents – Nicholas Walters, Jason Sosa, Miguel Marriaga, and Guillermo Rigondeaux – retiring on their stools. The Rigondeaux bout, which took place last December at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, was the first time in boxing history that a pair of two-time Olympic gold medalists fought as professionals. After six rounds, Rigondeaux quit on his stool.

With nothing left to prove at 130 pounds, Lomachenko moved up to lightweight and challenged WBA champion Jorge Linares. On May 12 at Madison Square Garden, Lomachenko suffered a labral tear of his right shoulder in the second round and was knocked down with a right hand in the sixth, only to come back and stop Linares with a left hand to the body in the 10th round. The Linares victory signified another milestone for Lomachenko. In becoming a three-weight world champion in 12 professional fights, he broke the previous record set by Jeff Fenech (20 fights) in 1988. Lomachenko has knocked out eight consecutive opponents dating back to his fourth professional bout in 2014.

Pedraza (25-1, 12 KOs), from Cidra, Puerto Rico, has climbed back to the top of the sport following a January 2017 TKO loss to Gervonta Davis that saw him relinquish his IBF junior lightweight world title. He returned 14 months later as a lightweight on March 17, shutting out Jose Luis Rodriguez over eight rounds at the Hulu Theater at Madison Garden. After a hard-fought 10-round unanimous decision against Antonio Moran on June 9, Pedraza traveled to Glendale, Ariz., on Aug. 25 to face WBO lightweight world champion Ray Beltran. He scored an 11th-round knockdown to seal the unanimous decision victory, becoming only the second male Puerto Rican fighter to win world titles at 130 and 135 pounds.

WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez (24-0, 19 KOs) in Jalisco is getting geared up to report to training camp on October 1st.

Valdez will begin working with his new training team of Eddy and Chepo Reynoso, who are best known for guiding the career of two-division world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

Last Saturday, the Reynoso clan secure the biggest win of their coaching careers – when Canelo secured a twelve round majority decision over Gennady Golovkin to capture the WBC, WBA middleweight titles at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Valdez has not fought since this past March, when he beat former world champion Scott Quigg but ended up suffering a fractured jaw.

Valdez could potentially fight in December, according to what manager Frank Espinoza and promoter Todd DuBoef, the president of Top Rank, have said.

“We are going to see if there is a date, they want to fight in December, and if not it will be in January. It is a good challenge and we are ready, we do not know if Saúl will have the fight in December but we already talked about it and there will be no problem,” Eddy Reynoso told ESPN Deportes.

Valdez will defend the featherweight title of the World Boxing Organization he conquered in July 2016 and has already successfully defended four times, including the recent fight in which Quigg did not make the weight and entered the ring with a vary wide size advantage.

Valdez, a two-time Mexican Olympian, is still only 27 years old. While sporting an undefeated record on his ledger, the boxer still hopes to improve on the defensive aspect with Reynoso, who groomed and crafted the defensive style of Canelo from the very start of the boxer’s career.

https://www.boxingscene.com/oscar-valdez-start-training-camp-with-reynoso-on-october-1–132115

Tony Bellew will return to the cruiserweight division after it was confirmed he will challenge undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk on November 10.

Ukrainian Usyk will put his IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO belts on the line at Manchester Arena when he takes on Bellew, who moved up to heavyweight for his last two bouts.

The Englishman, who previously held the WBC title in the cruiserweight division, had suggested he could retire after defeating domestic rival David Haye for a second time in May.

However, Bellew has decided to carry on fighting after accepting the chance to take on the unbeaten Usyk, insisting he can once again upset the odds.

Usyk won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games and is 15-0 since turning pro, unifying the cruiserweight division in July by beating Murat Gassiev on points in Moscow.

“I’ve been preparing for this fight for a long time and I’m delighted that we’ve got the venue and the date finalised – I cannot wait to fight in the UK,” he said.

“I am deep into my training camp with my team, working hard and preparing for a long fight with Tony. He says he will beat me and I love his attitude, but you cannot beat up somebody who is invisible in the ring!”

Photo by Mark Robinson

Victor Conte’s SNAC facility in San Carlos, CA, is hosting three elite training camps. Demetrius Andrade, Devin Haney and Daniel Jacobs are working extremely hard at the state-of-the-art training center.

SNAC’s world-renowned track coach and living legend Remi Korchemny, one of the best elite performance trainers, is providing the camps with his unique training drills and techniques.

Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (25-0, 16 KOs) is trained by his father, Paul Andrade. On October 20th, he challenges undefeated foe, Billy Joe Saunders (26-0, 12 KOs), for his World Boxing Organization Middleweight Title at the TD Garden in Boston, MA, live on Sky Sports.

“I’ve been working with Victor Conte for many years now and there’s no doubt, I’m with the best group of trainers in the world,” Andrade stated. “With Haney and Jacobs out here working side by side with me, it is very competitive, we all want to be first in all the drills. This is the type of training that will take a fighter to the next level. Billy Joe Saunders will find out what it’s like to face an elite athlete when he steps in the ring with me. He’s in big trouble.”

The next world boxing championship fight in Japan will take place on Monday, September 24 at Takeda Teva Ocean Arena in the city of Nagoya, the capital of the province of Aichi, where the Japanese Flyweight world champion of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), the visitor from Tokyo, Sho Kimura (17-1-2 / 10KOs) is going to face the unbeaten Japan’s world # 1 ranked contender and former WBO 105 and 108 pounds world champion Kosei Tanaka (11-0 / 7KOs).

For Sho Kimura, it will be his third title defense, which he conquered in July of 2017 in Shanghai, China, when he defeated by tko in the eleventh round Chinese Shiming Zou, who is a former two-time Olympic champion, and also beat former WBC world champion, and former Olympian Toshiyuki Igarashi through TKO in the ninth round and in his last fight in July 2018 in China, precisely in Qingdao city of Shandong Province, Kimura scored a KO victory in the sixth round over Filipino Froilán Saludar.

Sho Kimura managed to ascend the world throne as the Flyweight king of the WBO in surprise form thanks to his brave and dynamic boxing endowed with endless stamina and durability. It dropped bomb of surprise in world boxing when Sho Kimura ended the reign of Chinese Shiming Zou in China against all expectations. The sports hero of the Chinese people Shimig Zou was victimized by Sho Kimura’s furious attacks.

This occasion, based on his chanting bravery, Sho Kimura is going to defend his title against undefeated local rising double world champion in different divisions Kosei Tanaka, who now calls the powerful intention of Japanese sports journalism to see if this ex-amateur boxer from the city of Nagoya is able to conquer his third world title in his twelfth professional fight to be the world record holder of boxing in order to get faster with less number of fights to become triple world champion in different categories by matching the great Vasyl Lomachenko.

Sho Kimura declares that he will have to finish the fight in high fashion with the attempt of Kosei Tanaka, who is going to throw himself with all surrender to battle with Sho Kimura to defeat him at all costs for the sake of becoming a three-division world champion.

When he was WBO Jr. Flyweight world champion, Kosei Tanaka was able to defend his crown for the first time by defeating by unanimous decision (117-110, 117-110, 116-111) the Puerto Rican Angel “Tito” Acosta, who lost his undefeated, but, now Acosta is the current WBO Jr. Flyweight Champion.

Kosei Tanaka started learning Karate from her childhood as a kinder. When he was the fifth year of elementary school, he started practicing boxing and was a Japanese high school champion.

In 2013, he made the leap to professionalism as a representative of Hatanaka Boxing Gym of Nagoya. His manager-promoter is former world super bantamweight champion Kiyoshi Hatanaka, who was proclaimed super bantam king of the WBC in February 1991 in Nagoya by knocking out in the eighth round the Argentine Pedro Decima and after four months, lost the crown to Mexican Daniel Zaragoza in Nagoya.

Kosei Tanaka was crowned the WBO Mini-Flyweight world champion by winning the Mexican Julián “El Artillero” Yedras by decision in 2015 in the city of Komaki in the province of Aichi for vacant title. Kosei Tanaka won the world crown in his fifth professional fight, which is the mark of Japanese boxing history in terms of the fastest conquest of a world title with less number of matches.

He resigned from the WBO Mini-Flyweight (105lbs) World title to then won the WBO Jr. Flyweight (108lbs) world title in 2016 when he triumphantly came out victorious by TKO in the fifth round over Mexican Moisés Fuentes in the city of Gifu for vacant crown. It was his eighth professional fight with which entered the history of Japanese boxing as a record for becoming fastest two-division champion with less number of fights.

In November 2017, Kosei Tanaka opted to leave the WBO Jr. Flyweight world title after two full defenses with his sights set on conquering the Flyweight (112lbs) world title.

Last March in the city of Nagoya, Kosei Tanaka made his first fight as a flyweight boxer and liquidated by TKO in the ninth round Filipino Ronnie Baldonado.

Photo by BoxingBeat
Source: http://notifight.com/sho-kimura-expondra-corona-mosca-omb-ante-kosei-tanaka-el-249/

The multi Flyweight World Champion, Arely “Machine Gunn” Muciño, wants to extend the patriotic festivities and give her own victory joy and “Viva Mexico” on the ring of the Arena “José Sulaiman” of Monterrey, Nuevo León this Saturday, in function promoted Promotions Zanfer in association with Uppercut Promotions of ¨Charro¨ Hernández that will be broadcast by Azteca 7, La Casa del Boxeo.

“Machine Gun” Muciño (26-3-2, 10 KOs) will make the first defense of his WBO title next Saturday, facing the experienced and dangerous Mexican-American Maria “Mary” Salinas (19-6-3, 7 KOs) in what is expected to be a clash of power between two experience and great courage fighters.

Muciño will be at home, before his people, and will premiere his WBO Flyweight World Championship, with which she completes the set of titles of the four main governing bodies of the world boxing, as she previously reigned in the same division but recognized by IBF, WBA and WBC . The “Machine Gun” was crowned after beating by points Montserrat Alarcon last February in an authentic women’s war.

“Very excited and motivated to defend my world title against my dear countrymen, I know that I will have all the support of the fans and I will not fail them I will leave everything in the ring and I will win whatever it costs” affirmed the well-known fighter Muciño

“Mary” Salinas, meanwhile, born in Texas, comes with a streak of four victories in a row and her record includes top rivals like Esmeralda Moreno, Etsuko Tada, Jessica Nery Plata, Naoko Shibata and Kenya Enríquez.

¨I am motivated to go to foreign lands to face the local rivals, I know Arely, and I spend time watching her, I will remove the belt of the world in front of his own people and I will achieve a dream more of being world champion, I guarantee war in the ring and victory “said Salinas.

Source: http://notifight.com/arely-en-peligrosa-defensa-en-monterrey/

Exciting WBO junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia (30-0, 25 KO’s) of Tijuana, Mexico is set to make his pay per view debut this Saturday as he will take on Brandon Cook (20-1, 13 KOs) of Toronto, Canada. Munguia will be featured in the co-main event to the anticipated rematch between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin live on HBO Pay Per View.

“This is a big opportunity to be on this card and most importantly fighting on this Mexican holiday weekend. It’s special for every Mexican fighter to fight on this weekend. I am ready to give everyone a great fight,” Jaime Munguia told Fightnews.com®.

Coming off a tough unanimous decision win over Liam Smith of England in July, Munguia went the distance twelve rounds for the first time in his career. Munguia successfully defended his WBO title for the first time he won over Sadam Ali.

“I learned a lot in the last fight. I learned not to get desperate. I was expecting less of him but he came well prepared. It was a good experience,” Munguia commented on his last fight.

The 21-year-old had some flaws in the fight but also displayed his potential and definite room for improvement.

“I had some flaws that I noticed. We have been working on correcting those mistakes,” Munguia explained.

Since becoming world champion, Munguia’s stock has risen. Last year in December, I was fortunate to cover his U.S debut on the Mikey Roman vs. Orlando Salido non-televised undercard from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas as he would go on to score a knockout over Paul Valenzuela. Four months later his name was mentioned as a potential opponent for Gennady Golovkin to replace “Canelo” Alvarez, after Canelo’s clenbuterol scandal. The Nevada State Athletic Commission would deny Munguia the opportunity and as the old saying goes.

“Things happen for a reason and I still thank the Nevada State Athletic Commission for denying me that fight,” Munguia said.

For Munguia, the rejection can be the best thing that happened as he would later get the opportunity at the title against Sadam Ali, going on to annihilate the 2008 U.S Olympian and winning the world title on the big HBO stage.

“This year has been the biggest of my career so far. But the reality is that I cannot lose focus because everybody wants my title and everybody’s after me,” The champ said.

Now he gets the opportunity on a much more major platform on HBO Pay Per View.

“It’s an honor to be on this pay per view card. I’m very happy to be able to participate in this big event full of stars,”

Following his win over Smith, Munguia went right back to the gym working with his trainer Robert Alcazar along with his father Jaime Munguia Sr. Mr. Munguia was also a boxer fighting briefly as a heavyweight. The duo wrapped training camp in Southern California in preparation for Cook.

“I’m ready. I have trained really, really hard. I need to focus a lot. I’ve been training in L.A. for my last two bouts. Following my last fight, I went right back to the gym in Tijuana. The collaboration between my father and Robert has been good,” Munguia on his preparation.

His Canadian opponent Brandon Cook is coming off two straight knockout wins since suffering his only defeat to undefeated Kanat Islam (25-0, 20 KOs).

“Brandon Cook is a really good opponent, a really strong opponent. He has a lot of experience and is a strong and tough opposition,” Munguia said.

All eyes and focus this Saturday will be on the anticipated rematch between Canelo and Golovkin as many households will be hosting fight parties with families and friends gathered to watch. While sports bars and pubs will also be hosting. Prior to the big fight, many casual viewers will get to watch Munguia for the first time as the young champion will look to make a statement.

“This is a huge opportunity and I have an obligation to show people what I’m about,” Munguia stated. “I’m excited and I can’t wait, and I’m ready for Saturday.”

Follow Miguel Maravilla on Twitter @MigMaravilla

https://fightnews.com/jaime-munguia-ready-for-ppv-debut/29723

Photo by Stacey Verbeek

WBO Super Champion Anthony Joshua OBE will defend his World titles against WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE on September 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office. (photo by Lawrence Lustig).

The Heavyweight king returns to the scene of his historical triumph over legendary Champion Wladimir Klitschko in April 2017, where he produced the performance of a lifetime to claim the World title crown in an unforgettable battle in front of a post war record crowd on 90,000 at England’s national stadium.

The 28-year-old sensation went on to sell out the Principality Stadium in Cardiff twice, defending his belts against Carlos Takam in October before unifying the division by taking Joseph Parker’s WBO belt in March and is now thrilled to be back under the iconic Wembley arch for what promises to be another blockbuster night.

https://www.boxingscene.com/photos-anthony-joshua-training-beast-mode-povetkin–131741

La campeona mundial de peso Mosca de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), Arely “Ametralladora” Muciño, hará la primera defensa de su título en su tierra el sábado 22 de septiembre en la Arena Solidaridad de Monterrey, Nuevo León.

La “Ametralladora” Muciño (26-3-2, 10 ko’s) tendrá como retadora a la texana María “Polvorita” Salinas (19-6-3, 7 ko’s) estelarizando una atractiva función de Zanfer en co promoción con Round Zero del ¨Charro¨ Hernández que será transmitida por la Casa del Boxeo, Azteca 7.

Muciño, que ha sido campeona mundial Mosca de los cuatro organismos más importantes que rigen el boxeo (WBC, WBA, IBF y WBO) conquistó el cetro de la Organización Mundial el pasado mes de febrero, superando por puntos a Monserrat ¨Raya¨ Alarcón en una emotiva pelea.

Su primera prueba como campeona será “La Polvorita” Salinas, una peleadora de gran fortaleza y valentía, que ha disputado en cuatro ocasiones un campeonato mundial y se ha enfrentado a seis peleadoras que han sido campeonas del mundo. Salinas se presenta a esta contienda con una racha de cuatro victorias consecutivas.

http://notifight.com/arely-defendera-ante-salinas-el-229-en-monterrey/