Alberto Machado Crushes Juan Jose Martinez in One Round

 Photo by Jose Ramos

By Reynaldo “El Papi Chulo” Sanchez –

PONCE, PUERTO RICO – Alberto ‘El Explosivo’ Machado staked his NABO world title, the regional organization affiliated with the WBO, in the stellar clash presented by Miguel Cotto Promotions at the modern Ponce Feria Complex on Saturday night as part of Cotto’s series on DIRECTV channel 161.

The Puerto Rican knockout artist raised his record to 17-0 and 15 KOs, with a first round knockout of experienced Mexican fighter Juan Jose ‘Piquet’ Martinez (26-4 and 18 KO’s). The ten round bout was part of a co-promotion with H2 Entertainment, that will be part of the DIRECTV Boxing Nights series.

The Mexican boxer Martinez visited the canvas twice ‘ before the referee of the match Jose H. Rivera decided to stop the fight.

Machado is viewed as a serious contender to the super featherweight title. And with each presentation Machado comes out showing great skills and a powerful punch. His opponent, Martinez, led another Puerto Rican fighter, Félix Verdejo, to the fifth round before getting stopped in a June 2016 clash.

“This fight is extremely important for Machado, not only for his hand to get raised high but also his NABO crown and he is classified within the first ten in the world at 130 pounds. We know that Machado has the potential and the skills,” said promoter Héctor Soto.

www.boxingscene.com/alberto-machado-crushes-juan-jose-martinez-one-round–115203?print_friendly=1

PONCE, PUERTO RICO – Alberto ‘El Explosivo’ Machado is risking his NABO, the regional organization affiliated with the WBO, in the stellar clash of the world class billboard presented by Miguel Cotto Promotions at the modern Ponce Feria Complex on Saturday, April 1 live on DIRECTV channel 161.

With a record of 16-0 and 14 KOs, Machado, the Monte Hatillo knockout artist, is facing the experienced Mexican fighter Juan Jose ‘Piquet’ Martinez (26-3 and 18 KO’s) in the 10-round scheduled bout in a co-promotion with H2 Entertainment, that will be part of the DIRECTV Boxing Nights series.

“This fight is extremely important for Machado, not only for his hand to get raised high but also his NABO crown and he is classified within the first ten in the world at 130 pounds. We know that Machado has the potential and the skills but we must not lose sight that he has a great Mexican fighter in front of him, ” commented Héctor Soto.

In the co-feature, also over ten rounds, Jose ‘Chiquiro ‘Martinez (18-0-1 and 11 KOs), from Las Marías, will face Miguel’ El Loco ‘Robles (12-5-2 and five KOs), from Cataño, in another big match.

“We are very happy, we have a great event on a world-wide level in Ponce this Saturday and we hope everyone will tune in to DIRECTV. We expect full house in Ponce,” said Soto.

As a special attraction, also in the third fight as a professional, the former member of the national team, Danielito Zorrilla (2-0 and two), of Toa Baja, will take part in a four round bout at 142 pounds with Arnaldo Montalvo (0-1) from Arecibo.

Zorrilla, who debuted as a professional on the same stage last November 12, is coming back from knocking out Onyx Curras in the first round on February 11 at the Roger L. Mendoza Coliseum.

Zorrilla spent several weeks training with Miguel Cotto in Los Angeles under coach Freddie Roach when he was supposed to see the action on the Feb. 25 undercard in Texas that was canceled because of an injury to James Kirkland, the opponent of the five-time Puerto Rican champion.

FULL WEIGHTS

130LBS ALBERTO MACHADO VS. JUAN JOSÉ MARTÍNEZ 130LBS

115LBS JOSÉ MARTÍNEZ VS. MIGUEL ROBLES 113LBS

143.4LBS DANIELITO ZORRILLA VS.ARNALDO MONTALVO 145LBS

126LBS EDGARDO LABOY VS. HAROLD REYES 126LBS

115LBS JUAN C. CAMACHO JR. VS. GIOVANNY RIVERA 117LBS

122LBS CARLOS CARABALLO VS. JUAN G. CRUZ 123LBS

131LBS CHRISTIAN TAPIA VS. ELLIOT DE JESUS 130LBS

125LBS JOSE BARTOLOMEI VS. JULIO CRESPO 120LBS

www.boxingscene.com/photos-alberto-machado-juan-jose-martinez-official-weigh–115165?print_friendly=1

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.

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

Date:  Sunday, February 26, 2017

WBO Interim Mini Flyweight Championship Title Bout

Location:  Kamiamakusa, Kumamoto, Japan

Promoter:  Honda Fitness Promotions / Kenya Honda

Supervisor:   Leon Panoncillo, Jr.

Referee:  Danrex Tapdasan,

Judges:   Sawaeng Thawaekoon (112-116), Edward Ligas,  (112-116),  Surat Soikrachang (115-113)

Results:  The Japanese Tatsuya Fukuhara  won the Interim WBO Mini-Flyweight title with a split decision over  Moises Calleros.

TV:

 Photos: Mikey Williams/Top Rank –

Undefeated champions and 2012 Ukrainian Olympic medalists Vasyl Lomachenko, Oleksandr Usyk and Oleksandr Gvozdyk hosted a media workout at World Boxing Gymnasium in Oxnard, Calif. on Tuesday. All three are in deep training for their title defenses, which will take place Saturday, April 8, at The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, MD.

Lomachenko (7-1, 5 KOs) will be defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight world title against former World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight world champion Jason “El Canito” Sosa (20-1-4, 15 KOs). 2012 Olympic gold medalist Usyk (11-0, 10 KOs) will be defending his WBO cruiserweight world title against Top-10 contender Mike Hunter (12-0, 8 KOs). 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Gvozdyk (12-0, 10 KOs) will be defending his NABF light heavyweight title against Yuniesky Gonzalez (18-2, 14 KOs). 

Vasyl Lomachenko: “Jason Sosa is very strong, is motivated, wants to win and he can fight all of the twelve rounds. It will be a hard fight. That I know.

“My top 3 pound for pound list is GGG, Kovalev and Crawford. I don’t want to be number one until I deserve it. That means fighting and winning against two or three world champions. After that I may be Number One but for sure not now.

“I like the weight division I am in. I have no problems making weight. I am not that anxious to leave my division and not sure I will ever fight at 140. It’s hard to look ahead but right now I am comfortable in my division where I have plenty of champions to fight against.”

Oleksandr Gvozdyk: “I am going into a serious fight against Yuniesky Gonzalez. He is strong, experienced, puts pressure on you, tries to drive you into the ropes. He’s a tough guy and I have to deal with him. I work hard every single day trying to be the best in my division.”

Alexsandr Usyk: “I have watched video of Michael Hunter and have a good idea of what he is all about. It’s going to be a great fight. As an amateur I was trained by the best – Anatoly Lomachenko – just look at who he has produced as great professional fighters.”

Lomachenko, Usyk and Gvozdyk were joined at their media workout by two-time Lithuanian Olympian “Mean Machine” Egidijus Kavaliauskas, who will be on the April 8 non-televised undercard in a six-round welterweight bout.

“Mean Machine” Egidijus Kavaliauskas: “I do get real mean the moment I leave the locker room, walk up the ring steps and get onto the canvas. And this is going to a big year for me. I am getting closer to my goal, a world title fight.”

The event has been sold out for weeks. Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Peltz Boxing Promotions, K2 Promotions, K2 Promotions Ukraine, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Kiddar, the three title fights will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

www.fightnews.com/Boxing/lomachenko-usyk-gvozdyk-workout-398592/nggallery/page/2

All the talk if Gennady Golovkin successfully defended his IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC middleweight titles against Danny Jacobs was centered on GGG finally getting in the ring with Canelo Alvarez. Now, there might be another big-money possibility after Saturday night’s close decision win: a rematch with Jacobs.

Actually, Golovkin most likely will next fight England’s Billy Joe Saunders, who owns the only belt in the weight class not in the Kazakh’s possession, the WBO’s version in the alphabet soup of championships. That could happen in Golovkin’s home country in June during the EXPO 2017 – a world’s fair type event .

Golovkin likes that idea, though it wouldn’t be a lucrative payday. The idea of completely unifying all the middleweight crowns is enticing for the 34-year-old power puncher who, for the first time in 24 fights did not stop an opponent. He outpointed a crafty Jacobs at Madison Square Garden.

”My goal is all the belts in the middleweight division,” he said after winning 115-112 on two cards, 114-113 on another. ”Of course, Billy Joe is the last one. It is my dream.”

GGG hasn’t fought at home since 2010, when he won the WBA crown against Nilson Julio Tapia. It simply hasn’t been a profitable place for boxing, though his handlers think there potentially could be a bigger purse during the expo.

The elephant in the ring, though, could be Jacobs. Nicknamed ”Miracle Man,” after overcoming bone cancer in 2011-12 to win 10 straight fights, he nearly pulled off the huge upset. In doing so by keeping GGG off-balance – Jacobs’ periodically switching to a left-handed style was a very effective tactic – and closing with a flourish, He put himself in the mix for another go with Golovkin.

”They want the big fight and Daniel Jacobs got X’d out,” he said. ”I am looking forward to the future; I think I gained a lot of fans. My style is good, I am a fan-friendly guy, and I thought I won the fight.”

Jacobs didn’t, barely. But he won tons of support, particularly after getting off the canvas in the fourth round and not just surviving but prospering. He won the last three rounds with two of the judges, and two of three on the other card.

”After the knockdown, I told him he had to kill me,” Jacobs said. ”When I got up I thought, ‘This is all he has?’ There were many times during the fight I went toe to toe because I knew I could.”

Going toe to toe with GGG again is not in Jacobs’ control. But at least he remains in the conversation.

”He’s my best opponent, he is very smart, he had very good boxing skill,” Golovkin said. ”He don’t mind fighting, he doesn’t lose control.

”I am ready for anybody. It’s my job.”

www.boxingscene.com/golovkin-billy-joe-saunders-last-one-it-my-dream–114767?print_friendly=1

 Photos: Mikey Williams / Top Rank –

By:  Miguel Maravilla –

Undefeated WBO world champions featherweight Óscar Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs), from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, Mazatlan, Mexico’s super middleweight Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (34-0, 24 KOs), and super bantamweight champ Jessie Magdaleno (24-0, 17 KOs) of Las Vegas held an L.A. press conference Tuesday morning at the Manhattan Beach, Marriott to officially announce their upcoming title defenses taking place Saturday April 22, at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, California live on Pay Per View. Also present at the press conference was 2016 U.S Olympic Silver medalist Shakur Stevenson of New Jersey.

Opening up the press conference was Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank.

“The fighters we will be showcasing on April 22nd are the brightest of Stars,” Arum said. 

Oscar Valdez and his team introduced by manager Frank Espinoza

“Headlining this event means a lot to me. We put in the time and working hard for this fight. Miguel Marriaga is a tough fighter. We will do whatever it is to come out on top. Whatever I have to do to win, I will do that night,” Valdez said.

“My boys will be ready on April 22nd. They said Oscar hasn’t fought a hard puncher but I don’t think they have faced a fighter like Oscar before,” Trainer Manny Robles said.

“April 22nd, Valdez defends his title against Marriaga. Oscar welcomes him and is up for the challenge. On April 22nd you don’t want to miss this fight,” Manger Frank Espinoza

Valdez will be making his second defense of his title against NABO champion and number one contender Miguel Marriaga (25-1, 21 KOs) of Columbia. Marriaga and his team were also present.

“We have been working and now the time has come. I am well prepared for this fight and will come in 100 percent for this fight,” Marriaga said.

“Valdez and Marriaga will be a fight to remember. Stub Hub Center has always had great fights and this will live up to that. We are looking forward to it,” Manager Ruben Zavala said.

Gilberto Ramirez will be making the first defense of his WBO super middleweight title against Maksim Bursak (33-4-1, 15 KOs), of Kiev, Ukraine.

“I am really happy to be back. I have been training really hard. This will be a good fight. Max Bursak is a good fighter and this will be a good fight,” Ramirez said speaking English

“We have a lot of confidence in Gilberto that this will be a good year. April 22nd, he will comeback to please the fans. This will be his year,” Manager Jesus Zappari said.

Jessie Magdaleno will defend his title against Brazil’s Adeilson Dos Santos (18-2, 14 KOs).

“It feels good to be back and defend my title. April 22nd you will see another great Magdaleno. We are here to give everyone what they want to see, a great night of boxing,” Magdaleno said.

“Jessie Magdaleno will defend his title for the first time in a matchup you want to see. He will step in the ring to showcase and you will witness Magdaleno defend for the first time,” Co-Manager Frank Espinoza Jr. said.

Shakur Stevenson will be making his pro debut on the April 22 card at Stub Hub as he was introduced by Arum and also spoke at the press conference

“Let me introduce you to a young man that will be a superstar the way Ray Leonard and Oscar De La Hoya were,” Bob Arum said in introducing Stevenson to the local media.

“I am excited to be making my debut and I cant wait to entertain my fans,” Shakur Stevenson said.

www.fightnews.com/Boxing/top-rank-ppv-press-conference-396690#more-396690

WBO World Heavyweight mandatory title challenger Hughie Fury will face the champion Joe Parker in Auckland, New Zealand, at the Vector Arena on Saturday 6th May, it was confirmed last night.

Undefeated Fury, from Manchester, will travel to the other side of the world as he looks to cause a massive upset against the similarly unbeaten and big-hitting Parker who is a superstar in his native homeland.

Fury aims to emulate cousin Tyson’s amazing feat of ending the reign of then division king Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 when he travelled to Germany and tore all the belts from the seemingly invincible Ukrainian.

The hard-hitting and highly-skilled 22-year-old, trained by father Peter, has a perfect record of 20 wins with 10 knockouts in a four-year career and captured the WBO Intercontinental title in his last fight against Fred Kassi. Fury had a glittering amateur career that culminated in winning Gold at the 2012 World Youth Championships – England’s first ever at super-heavyweight.

Parker became New Zealand’s inaugural World Heavyweight Champion when he won the WBO crown in December, defeating the previously unbeaten Andy Ruiz Jr for the vacant title at the Vector Arena with a very tight points decision. The 25-year-old is certainly heavy-handed after winning 18 of his 22 fights by knockout in a near five-year career.

It will be the first time in history that a recognised world heavyweight title has been defended in New Zealand and Parker versus Fury is expected to become the biggest boxing event ever staged in the country, with an expected global audience of over 100m.

Fury is not bothered with the hype and is fully focused on shaking the world up – just like Tyson – by defeating Parker, “I’m really looking forward to it and I just can’t wait! I feel great and I’ll be in the best shape my of life come fight night and you’ll see something special. It doesn’t matter what country the fight’s in, a boxing ring is a boxing ring to me, no matter where in the world. The result will be the same, a Hughie Fury victory and on May 6th you’ll be looking at the new WBO World champion.”

Despite the enormity of the event, Peter is confident that his son will rise against the odds and cause an upset. He said, “I see it as a very competitive fight between two of the best young heavyweights in the world today and the fans and media are certainly going to relish this one. Parker’s the World Champion and we’re going into his territory, but we’re fighting people through and through and this does not bother us. I see my son coming back home with the World Title.”

Mick Hennessy, CEO of Hennessy Sports, is backing his man to return home crowned the new WBO World Champion. He said, “Hughie is an exceptional talent who has been underestimated in his career. I know that the bigger the fight and the bigger the occasion, Hughie will rise to that challenge and Parker will bring out the very best in him. We’re under no illusions, this is a very hard test for Hughie, but I believe he will shine through.”

www.fightnews.com/Boxing/parker-vs-fury-set-may-6-nz-396757#more-396757

WBO Kids Drug Free visits Panama and Colombia

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

Round 1: San José de Malambo Orphanage

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

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

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

Round 2: FUNVIVIR

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

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

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

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

WBO Kids Drug Free:

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

By Igor Lazorin, tass

According to Egis Klimas, the manager of Sergey Kovalev, the negotiations are finally underway for a rematch with World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight world champion Andre Ward.

The two boxers collided last November at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Ward got off the floor in the second round to win a twelve round unanimous decision. All three judges had it scored for the Olympic gold medal winner with identical tallies of 114-113.

There was a rematch clause in the bout agreement, which Kovalev quickly exercised to secure an immediate return bout.

As of last week, Kovalev’s promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events was having a very difficult time with getting Roc Nation Sports, who promote Ward, to start negotiating the rematch.

“The negotiations have begun, but there is no concrete agreement,” Klimas said.

There were some issues with getting Ward to come back to the table, as he was threatening the possibility of retiring unless the scenario with the rematch made sense.

Duva had previously informed BoxingScene.com that HBO prefers a date of June 17 for the rematch.

Roc Nation has now placed the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on hold for June 17, but they have not revealed if the date is for the Ward-Kovalev rematch or Miguel Cotto’s rescheduled return. Cotto was set to return on HBO Pay-Per-View last Saturday, but his event got canceled after opponent James Kirkland withdrew with a fractured nose. Cotto is looking to rescheduled his return for a date in April or June.

Kovalev has a record of 30 wins (26 by knockout), one loss and one draw. And Ward has a perfect record of 31 victories (15 by knockout) and no defeats.

www.boxingscene.com/ward-vs-kovalev-rematch-talks-finally-underway-june-17–114031?print_friendly=1

By Joe Koizumi

February 21, 2017
KUMAMOTO, JAPAN
WBO#1 minimum Moises Calleros (25-6-1, 14 KOs) from Mexico arrived yesterday (Monday) in Kumamoto City, Japan, where he will dispute the interim WBO 105-pound championship with local prospect Tatsuya Fukuhara (18-4-6, 7 KOs) on this coming Sunday.

In the begining, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) won’t accept an Interim Title bout to take place here in Japan, but the legitimate WBO champ Katsunari Takayama had his notorious scar tissues operated last year and needs more time for recovery, so the Calleros-Fukuhara interim title bout received a special permission of the JBC.

The lefty fighter from Japan, Fukuhara acquired the vacant national 105-pound belt by defeating Hiroya Yamamoto in November 2015 and kept his belt three times by beating Takumi Sakae (W10), Genki Hanai (TKO7) and being held to a technical draw with veteran Shin Ono.

Calleros, with the same age as Fukuhara at 27, recently scored five victories in a row since his KO defeat at the hand of Samuel Gutierrez in 2014. The winner is supposed to have a long-anticipated shot at the full champ Takayama upon his recuperation, the WBO has put the time of a 180 days for the Interim Champion faces the WBO Minimumweight Champion Katsunari Takayama.
(2-21-2017)

 Photo: Karen Priestley –

WBO Lightweight Champion of the World Terry Flanagan and his latest challenger Petr Petrov came face-to-face at a press conference today at the home of Premier League giants Manchester City ahead of their showdown at the Manchester Arena on Saturday 8th April, live on BT Sport and BoxNation.

Undefeated Flanagan, a City fanatic and season ticket holder at the Etihad Stadium, is gearing up for the fifth defence of his WBO strap and insisted no corners will be cut in his preparation for former World Title challenger Petrov.

“If I’m not 100% against Petrov I could slip up,” said Flanagan. “If I’m not on my game he’s a potential banana skin and I won’t get those big unification fights later on in the year. First and foremost I need to get in the gym and do the hard work. Me at my best beats him at his best. 

“He’s been at World level for years now and he’s right up there. He’s got four losses on his record but they were all against good fighters. Petr is a seasoned fighter but on the night I can adapt and deal with whatever he brings.

“Personally I don’t think you’ve seen the best of me yet. There’s still a lot more to come from me and I’m looking forward to showing people what I can do on April 8th. I still think I’m boxing within myself. I’ve never been behind in a fight so I’ve never had to show what I’m made of. You’ll see the best of me when I do go behind in a fight.

“My better nights are still to come, which says a lot a 32-0 and preparing to make my fifth World Title defence. Petrov is a great fighter, he can come at you and also box a bit. This is going to be a tough fight and your next fight is always your hardest fight. Every time I’ve boxed at arenas in Manchester I’ve come away with stoppage wins, I want to keep that up on April 8th.”

33-year-old Petrov (38-4-2, 19 KOs), a native of Russia who fights out of Spain, was stopped by Marcos Maidana in his previous attempt at a World Title back in 2011. Since dropping 12-round decision in 2013 to Dejan Zlaticanin, the WBO no.2 ranked danger man has won six fights in a row and says his experience gives him an edge over Flanagan.

“I’ve been waiting a very long time for another shot at a World Title,” said Petrov. “Finally it has come around and I think at the age of 33 this fight has come at the perfect time for me. I’m quicker and more agile than ever, I’m in the best form of my life.

“I’m stronger and I’m smarter than I was earlier in my career. That comes from training in America, it has made me a more intelligent fighter. Los Angeles is a great place for sparring, I’ve been sparring with southpaws from Japan, Russia and the United States in preparation for Terry. I understand how important sparring is and that’s what we’ll be paying attention to in the run up to the fight.

“I respect Terry as an undefeated World Champion, you have to. He is a very good boxer but I still think he has a lot to show. I’ve been around the block and fought a lot of different opponents. If I prepare well and execute my game plan I know I can beat him.”

Flanagan vs. Petrov tops a night of action at the Manchester Arena; Super-Welterweight rivals Liam Smith and Liam Williams clash in one of the most anticipated domestic dust-ups in recent times; slick South African Zolani Tete faces Arthur Villanueva in a final eliminator for the WBO World Bantamweight strap; 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.

Elsewhere on the card former World Title challenger Jimmy Kelly takes on Bolton man Rick Godding in a tasty local tear-up; rising Super-Featherweight star Zelfa Barrett fights over six; Liverpool Super-Welterweight James Metcalf takes on Heywood’s Mark Thompson; undefeated Super-Lightweight Steven Lewis faces Andy Keates; Oldham Super-Middleweight Mark Heffron, Ellesmere Port Super-Welterweight Mason Cartwright, Manchester Cruiserweight Jordan Thompson and Super-Middleweight Anthony Leak complete a stacked card.

www.fightnews.com/Boxing/flanagan-petrov-quotes-photo-394021

Date:  Friday, February 17, 2017

WBO Junior Flyweight Elimination Bout

Location: Colisseum Roger Mendoza in Caguas

Promoter: Cotto Promotions

Supervisor:  Francisco Valcarcel, Esq.

Referee:  Roberto Ramirez Jr.

Judges:  Cesar Ramos, Nelson Vazquez, Luis Ruiz

Results:  The WBO Junior Flyweight Elimination Bout was won by Angel Acosta.  Jafet Uutoni lost his world title eliminator against Angel Acosta on  a tenth round technical knockout after the referee stopped the fight 1:01 into the round.

TV:

Como parte del programa “Niños libres de drogas” que se han puesto en marcha en varios países, la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) entregó este jueves donativos a dos casas hogar en el Estado de México y en la Ciudad de México.

Rafael López Santos, miembro del Comité Ejecutivo Mundial de la OMB y en representación del presidente del organismo, Francisco Valcárcel, entregó los donativos, de cuatro mil 500 dólares cada uno, para un total de nueve mil billetes verdes.

Durante su segunda visita del día, en la casa hogar “La Divina Providencia” del Padre Chinchachoma, en la colonia Álamos de la capital del país, se recordó a Luis Pérez, del Comité de Clasificaciones de la OMB y que falleció en diciembre pasado.

Estuvieron presentes pugilistas como César Juárez, Moisés Fuentes y Carlos “Fino” Ruiz, quienes convivieron algunos minutos con los niños de la casa hogar, en la que se da total apoyo a niños de la calle, maltratados o en riesgo social.

“Para la OMB es un privilegio acompañarlos”, dijo Rafael López a nombre de “Paquito” Valcárcel, y destacó que gracias al esfuerzo de los pugilistas sobre el ring se obtienen los donativos que entregan en diversos países, como Puerto Rico, Colombia, Nicaragua “y también llegamos a México, aquí estamos presentes”.

“Estamos felices de convivir, es un orgullo que existan este tipo de instituciones, hay que aplaudir su esfuerzo para sacar adelante a los jovencitos”, dijo Juarez, abogado de profesión y que también tiene una maestría.

Por su parte, “Moi” Fuentes pidió a los pequeños esforzarse para lograr sus objetivos, “desde pequeño tuve un sueño, la esperanza muere al último y si le echan ganas a la vida sí se puede. Ningún sueño es grande y ningún soñador es pequeño”, comentó el excampeón mundial.

Alba Garrido, directora administrativa de la casa hogar que fundó en 1979 Alejandro García Durán, mejor conocido como el “Padre Chinchachoma”, fue la encargada de recibir el cheque simbólico junto a los pugilistas, López Santos y algunos niños ahí presentes.

Al mediodía acudieron a la casa hogar “La Divina Providencia” de la Madre Inés, en San Vicente Chicoloapan, Estado de México, donde también entregaron el mismo donativo y convivieron con los niños.

https://deportes.terra.com.mx/organizacion-mundial-de-boxeo-entrega-donativos-en-mexico,90c34adfcec14e4772aeabc23d03a261tw3qqe0v.html

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing –

David Higgins of Duco Events, who is the co-promoter of WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, will be at WBO Head Office in San Juan, Puerto Rico on February 1 when the purse bid for Parker’s mandatory defense against WBO#2 Hughie Fury will be decided. Frank Warren, who is the promoter of Fury, is expected to be in Puerto Rico also when the envelopes are opened.

“The stakes are very high and it’s a nervous situation,” Higgins said. “You have to try and predict what the revenues are going to be and then bid the most you can. If you bid too much you could lose a lot of money very quickly. And if we don’t bid enough, we lose control. We want to fight in New Zealand because we want home advantage. Last year was an Olympic year and Joseph Parker was the most Googled of any New Zealander.

“I’d like to think there’s a better understanding now of how big it is especially now Joseph is world champion. That last fight was watched in 100 television markets. Nearly every sport you can name receives government support and given the fight would attract international visitors and profile you’d like to think it would be seriously considered. I don’t want to pre-empt anything but we probably will prepare a proposal and see if there’s a willingness to make it happen here in New Zealand.

“If he were to beat Hughie Fury his stocks in the UK go through the roof. That sets up a juicy unification bout with the winner of [Wladimir] Klitschko and Joshua. If Joe fought Joshua it would sell out Wembley – you’re talking 100,000 people and millions globally. That could be as soon as June.

“Alternatively you could have Tyson, Hughie’s cousin, calling for his belt back. Another option would be Wilder. That’s another possible unification. So by the end of this year, provided Joseph keeps winning, he could have been in two worldwide events and be a global superstar. But winning is the key in boxing.”

By Keith Idec –

The WBO informed promoters for its middleweight champion, Billy Joe Saunders, and No. 1 contender Avtandil Khurtsidze on Thursday to begin negotiations for a title fight.

If Frank Warren, Saunders’ promoter, and Lou DiBella, Khurtsidze’s promoter, can’t come to an agreement within 10 days a purse bid will be ordered. The minimum bid for the Saunders-Khurtsidze fight would be $200,000, as per WBO rules for the middleweight division.

England’s Saunders (24-0, 12 KOs) reportedly is interested in fighting Japan’s Ryota Murata (12-0, 9 KOs), the WBO’s No. 2-ranked contender at 160 pounds. A fight against Murata would be more lucrative for Saunders, particularly in Japan, but Khurtsidze would have to be compensated before agreeing to step aside and allow that fight to happen.

Khurtsidze has been adamant, though, that he wants to be Saunders’ next opponent.

Brooklyn’s Khurtsidze (32-2-2, 21 KOs) has been the No. 1 contender for Saunders’ championship for nearly 11 months, since he stopped previously undefeated Antoine Douglas (19-1-1, 13 KOs), of Burke, Virginia, in the 10th round March 5 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The 37-year-old Khurtsidze’s No. 1 ranking didn’t stop the WBO from skipping him last month and installing its 154-pound champion, Canelo Alvarez, as the mandatory challenger for Saunders.

An Alvarez-Saunders fight would’ve been much more lucrative for Saunders – and the WBO – but Alvarez (48-1-1, 34 KOs) ultimately agreed to face fellow Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (50-2-1, 32 KOs, 1 NC) on May 6 at an undetermined site. Khurtsidze’s representatives didn’t file an appeal of Alvarez’s installation as Saunders’ mandatory challenger because they were told the WBO would grant Khurtsidze a shot at Saunders if Alvarez decided to fight Chavez.

The 27-year-old Saunders has fought just once since he won the WBO 160-pound title from Ireland’s Andy Lee (34-3-1, 24 KOs), whom Saunders defeated by majority decision 13 months ago. The British southpaw beat Russia’s Artur Akavov (16-2, 7 KOs) by unanimous decision December 3 in Paisley, Scotland, but admitted after their 12-round fight that he performed poorly during his first fight in nearly a year.

www.boxingscene.com/saunders-khurtsidze-wbo-orders-promoters-start-negotiations–113029?print_friendly=1

WORLD BOXING ORGANIZATION

Luis Batista Salas, Esq.

Chairman

WBO Championship Committee

 TO: ALL BONA FIDE PROMOTERS

FROM: LUIS BATISTA SALAS, ESQ.

DATE: January 26, 2017

RE: DATE CHANGE HEAVYWEIGHT

-PURSE BID – Joseph Parker vs. Hughie Fury

Please be advised that the Purse Bid Scheduled for 11:00 am AST on Wednesday, February 1st 2017 has been postponed until Friday, February 3rd, same time and place:

        Verdanza Hotel

8020 Tartak Street

Isla Verde, PR 00979

Ph.: +1 (787) 625-9025

E-mail: reservations@verdanzahotel.com

www.verdanzahotel.com

The minimum acceptable bid for the Heavyweight Title is $1,000,000.00 (One Million Dollars). The Purse division for Champion Parker will be 60% and for the Challenger 40%, as accorded during the 2016 WBO Convention in San Juan, PR.

President Francisco Valcarcel will be presiding

WORLD BOXING ORGANIZATION

Luis Batista Salas, Esq.

Chairman WBO Championship Committee

Via Email

January 26, 2017

Re: WBO Middleweight Bout Negotiations Billy Joe Saunders vs. Avtandil Khurtsidze

Gentlemen:

Please be advised the parties have ten (10) days to negotiate an agreement for the WBO Middleweight Championship bout between Billy Joe Saunders vs. Avtandil Khurtsidze. If an accord is not reached within the time frame, a Purse Bid will be ordered.

The minimum acceptable bid for the Middleweight division is $200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars).

Any one of the parties involved may call for a Purse Bid at any time during the negotiation process.

Yours truly,

Luis Batista Salas, Esq.

C/c Francisco Valcarcel, Esq.

Billy Joe Saunders vs. Avtandil Khurtsidze (1)

    WORLD   BOXING ORGANIZATION

Luis Batista Salas, Esq.

Chairman

WBO Championship Committee 

January 24, 2017

Re:     WBO HEAVYWEIGHT PURSE BID

Joseph Parker vs. Hughie Fury

Gentlemen:

As per Section 11 through 14 of the WBO Regulations for World Championship Contest (www.wboboxing.com), please be advised that a purse bid will be held at 11:00 am AST on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at the:

WBO Headquarters

1056 Muñoz Rivera Avenue

Suite 711-714

San Juan, PR 00927

+1 (787) 765-4444

The minimum acceptable bid for the Heavyweight Title is $1,000,000.00 (One Million Dollars). The Purse division for Champion Parker will be 60% and for the Challenger 40%, as accorded during the 2016 WBO Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

President Francisco Valcarcel will be presiding.

Cc:      All Bona Fide Promoters

slo, Norway (January 23, 2017). First Lady Promotions has postponed the highly anticipated battle between Consensus #1 Women’s Pound-for-Pound Fighter in the World and Undisputed Welterweight World Champion, CECILIA BRAEKHUS, (29-0-0, 8 KO’s) and Mandatory Challenger KLARA SVENSSON, (17-1-0, 5 KO’s) scheduled for this Saturday, January 28 to the new date of Friday, February 24.

Braekhus, holder of the WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO World Titles has been hit with the flu which will require a period of rest before the resumption of a full training schedule.

“I was in the best shape of my life before I got knocked out by the flu. This is the worst that can happen to a fighter so close to battle, but health and safety comes first of course,” said Cecilia Brækhus.

The entire event, planned for another sold-out night at the Oslo Spektrum, will now take place on Friday, February 24 with all tickets being honored for the new date.

Through Braekhus’ extensive lobbying work over the last several years, Norway lifted their 33-year ban on professional boxing in 2015. On October 1, 2016, Braekhus was finally able to fight in her home country, knocking out Anne Sophie Mathis in the second round, a national event that captivated the entire country.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Cecilia Braekhus
Twitter – @1LadyCecilia
Facebook – CeciliaBraekhus
Instagram — CeciliaBraekhus

Klara Svensson
Twitter– @KlaraCosmetic
Facebook – Klara.Svensson.1253
Instagram — KlaraSwedishPrincess

Cecilia Braekhus vs. Klara Svensson postponed until February 24

By Elliot Foster

Liam Smith against Liam Williams was arguably the biggest highlight of Monday’s announcement regarding the BT Sport schedule. Promoter Frank Warren confirmed the super-welterweight clash as part of his deal between BoxNation, his own broadcaster, and the aforementioned BT Sport. Reports last week suggested that the fight would be for the vacant WBO super-welterweight world title.

That belt, however, is currently held by Mexico’s Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, who faces Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on May 6. And a media release from Frank Warren’s office, just hours after the schedule announcement for the next few months, revealed that the fight between the Liverpudlian –– who lost the WBO title to Alvarez in Texas last September –– and Clydach Vale’s Williams, on April 8 at Manchester Arena, exclusively live on BoxNation and BT Sport, will instead be for Williams’ WBO European title at 154 pounds. Williams won the title against Gabor Gorbics on November 26, 2016, at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff. Further details regarding the fight and the full card, which is headed by Terry Flanagan’s fifth defence of the WBO lightweight world title against number two-ranked Petr Petrov and will also feature the professional debut of two-time Olympic champion Nicola Adams, will be revealed in due course.

– See more at: http://www.boxingscene.com/liam-williams-vs-liam-smith-wbo-european-belt-april-8–112916#sthash.ai6NQ0Iy.dpuf –

Este jueves 19 de enero 2017 el Orfelinato San José de Malambo, en El Carrizal, Arraiján, volvió a recibir una donación económica por parte de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), por medio de su presidente,  Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcárcel quien ademas fue acompañado por el Lic. Luis Batista Salas, Presidente Fundador de la OMB y Presidente del Comité de Campeonatos Mundiales, junto a Joe Hernández y Rubén De Jesús, cercanos colaboradores de la Organización y don Marco Hermoso representante de la OMB en Panamá quien escogió al Orfanato de Malambo para recibir la donación.

“Es un compromiso que tenemos y pasamos por varios países”, dijo el dirigente de la OMB, programa conocido como Kids Drug Free y que esta semana se llevo acabo importantes donaciones en los países hermanos de Costa Rica y Nicaragua. Mientras, Sor Lourdes, anfitriona hace muchos años de esta organización, agradecía a la entidad boxística, este hogar es casa para niños y jóvenes huérfanos y que algunos inclusive tienen que enfrentar enfermedades como el Sida, por lo que la ayuda siempre es importante para seguir con tan importante labor que conlleva gastos diarios.

Como parte importante del acto realizado ayer en la entrega de la donación, también se recordó a Luis Pérez, un miembro importante en la consolidación mundial de la OMB, quien perdió la batalla con el cáncer el pasado mes de diciembre y que siempre en vida apoyo el programa Kids Drug Free en Panamá.

By Ryan Burton

WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez (34-0) and his team were very interested observers of the war waged Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack and IBF champion James DeGale battled to a twelve round majority draw in an exciting fight that saw both fighters retain their titles.

Based on what Ramirez’s co-trainer Héctor Zapari saw in he fight, he believes that his charge has what it takes to defeat either of them.

“Zurdo has all of the tools necessary to clearly defeat either of them or knock them out,” said Zapari.

“We are very confident that our promoter Bob Arum can make the biggest fights possible. Zurdo will come back to the ring better than every after his surgery. He is very motivated to get back in the ring.”

Ramírez last fought in April 2016 as part of the Pacquiao-Bradley III undercard, when he captured his title with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Arthur Abraham. He was slated to return to the ring in July but aggravated an injury to a knuckle in his right hand during training camp which required surgery and has kept him sidelined.

He is now back training at full speed and is looking to return to the ring in March or April.

“The greatest champions fight other champions and unify titles. Zurdo is ready for all of the other three champions at 168 pounds.” Zapari told BoxingScene.com.

www.boxingscene.com/team-ramirez-zurdo-what-it-takes-ko-jack-degale–112700?print_friendly=1

La Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), con sede en San Juan, Puerto Rico, continúa impulsando su programa “Niños Libres de Drogas”, no sólo en la Isla del Encanto, sino a nivel internacional. Por esa razón, este martes, el puertorriqueño Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel, presidente de la OMB, se hizo presente al frente de una comitiva al Hogar de Niñas Cristo Obrero, ubicado en Diriomo, municipio de Granada, a unos 50 kilómetros de Managua, capital de Nicaragua.

Este centro es atendido por las Hermanas de Amistad Misionera en Cristo Obrero (AMICO), a cargo de la Hermana Ivelisse Guzmán de la Rosa, superiora de este centro de atención a niñas.

La Hermana Ivelisse recibió este importante donativo, en esta visita que estuvo encabezada por Valcárcel, junto al promotor Félix “Tutico” Zabala, quien dirige la emprea All Star Boxing en La Florida, el Representante de la OMB en Nicaragua, Erick Rivera, el Vice-Alcalde de Managua, Enrique Armas y el aventajado concertador internacional de boxeo Ricardo Rizzo, nicaragüense que vive en Miami, pero que es uno de los más aventajados en el tema de concertar combates en la actualidad.

Valcárcel comentó que se hizo un donativo económico, como parte de una ayuda constante que la OMB entrega a este Centro de Atención de Niñas, ya que están trabajando en la instalación de un ring para que las menores aprendan el boxeo, como una forma de defensa personal.

“Estamos ayudando de diversas formas al Centro Cristo Obrero, pero el plan inmediato en la construcción del gimnasio para que las niñas aprendan defensa personal y aumenten su auto estima”, comentó Valcárcel.

“La idea es llevar una o dos veces a la semana a una entrenadora para que de clases de boxeo a estas niñas. Estamos trabajando en eso, y en unas mejoras para el hogar”, reiteró el presidente de la OMB.

Este es el octavo año consecutivo que la OMB apoya a este Hogar de Niñas, como parte del programa “Niños Libres de Drogas”, que esta organización impulsa en muchos países latinoamericanos y del mundo. En Nicaragua, la OMB ha brindado aportes económicos y material deportivo para las escuelas de boxeo, además de donaciones a centros de atención de niños en riesgo.

El Hogar de Niñas Cristo Obrero en Diriomo es una institución sin fines de lucro, que alberga a más de 30 niñas, entre las edades de 7 a 18 años, que han sido víctimas de maltrato físico y emocional, abandono, negligencia, orfandad y situaciones de alto riesgo. Fue fundado el 16 de Marzo de 2003 por AMICO, para responder a las necesidades de la niñez. Actualmente, con limitaciones, es administrado y operado por las hermanas religiosas de AMICO.

Para información adicional y realizar donativos, contactar a la hermana Grethel Marchena al teléfono (506) 8112-3170 o escribirle a su e-mail gremarmar@yahoo.com

http://notifight.com/la-omb-continua-con-su-respaldo-hogar-infantil-en-nicaragua/