Boxing: Terence Crawford beats Ray Beltran to retain WBO lightweight crown

Crawford dominated for 12 rounds, switching to southpaw at times to land shots, and making Mexico’s Beltran miss before counterpunching effectively.

The American pushed for the knockout in the final round but Beltran managed to hang on and landed a few hooks to keep the champion at bay.

Undefeated Crawford, who relieved Scotland’s Ricky Burns of the WBO title in March, extended his record to 25 straight wins.

“I felt he was slowing down,” said American Crawford, who was fighting in front of his hometown crowd at the CenturyLink Center arena in Omaha, Nebraska. “I didn’t want to get careless. I just stuck with what was working.

“I saw his eyes swollen but I just stuck to the game plan.”

Crawford, who came into the ring almost 20 pounds heavier than at the weigh-in, wants to move on from the 135-pound division to 140 pounds.

“This is it for (lightweight division)” Crawford said. “I’ve been at 135 since I was 17. I am 27 now. It is time to move up.”

Crawford landed 243 punches compared to just 96 for Beltran and also had a big lead in total punches thrown, 436-162.

Despite all the punishment he was taking, Beltran (29-7-1, 17 KOs) continued to plough forward and even had enough left in the tank to make it an entertaining 12th round.

“I prayed to God to give me the strength, but I forgot to pray to take it away from him,” Beltran said.

Russia’s Evgeny Gradovich kept his world title after fighting Jayson Velez to a draw in their featherweight fight on the undercard.

The three judges were deadlocked with one having Gradovich the winner 117-111 and another gave it to Velez 115-113. The third scored it even 114-114.

Both fighters remained unbeaten with Gradovich moving to 19-0-1, nine KOs and Velez on 22-0-1, 16 KOs.

http://www1.skysports.com/boxing/news/12040/9586803/boxing-terence-crawford-beats-ray-beltran-to-retain-wbo-lightweight-crown

Terence Crawford is THE RING’s No. 1-rated lightweight as well as the WBO’s titleholder in that division. Ray Beltran is THE RING’s No. 2-rated 135-pounder entering a fight whose winner will be crowned THE RING champion in his weight class.

A rugged 33-year-old, Beltran (29-6-1, 17 knockouts) is 4-0-1 in his past five fights, having declared Saturday’s bout against Crawford (24-0, 17 KOs) to be “my moment.”

In facing Beltran at the CenturyLink Arena in his native Omaha, Neb., Crawford is returning to the site where he scored four knockdowns on the way to June’s come-from-behind ninth-round stoppage victory over former featherweight beltholder Yuriorkis Gamboa, a previously unbeaten fighter.

Crawford defeated Gamboa before 10,943 of the former’s partisan fans following Crawford’s unanimous decision that dethroned Ricky Burns for the WBO belt on Burns’ turf in Glasgow, Scotland, in March.

Prior to facing Crawford, Burns had battled to a controversial draw with Beltran, who floored Burns in the eighth round in Glasgow in September 2013. Burns’ jaw was badly broken against Beltran, requiring the surgical implantation of titanium plates in advance of the loss to Crawford.

After scoring a one-sided unanimous decision over Arash Usmanee in April, Beltran set his sights on Crawford, Nebraska’s first titleholder since Perry “Kid” Graves won the vacant welterweight crown in 1914.

“I actually felt that Beltran won the fight with Burns but I’m not no judge, so my opinion doesn’t really matter. But in my opinion, I felt that he won the fight,” said Crawford, during an interview with RingTV.com.

“But if he thinks that this belt belongs to him  – and he might feel that way  – then he’s going to have to come and get it and it ain’t gonna be easy because I ain’t gonna give it to him.”

Although Crawford ended Burns’ streak of five consecutive lightweight title defenses, followed by a triumphant effort against Gamboa, Beltran is ready to take what he believes should truly be his.

“Crawford has shown to be a talented fighter and is someone I respect,” said Beltran. “But I see this fight as an opportunity for me to achieve the recognition in the boxing world and the public’s eye. This is my moment.”

The results of the RingTV.com poll taken from 17 insiders regarding Crawford-Beltran are as follows.

Jake Donovan, BoxingScene.com

Terence Crawford W 12 Ray Beltran: I’m actually more concerned about Terence Crawford making weight, so close to home on Thanksgiving weekend.

This will be a tale of two fights with Ray Beltran’s constant aggression creating several anxious moments. But I see Crawford finding a way to box to the finish and take a mildly disputed decision.

Record: 26-7 [Last pick: Manny Pacquiao UD 12 Chris Algieri]

Norm Frauenheim, THE RING magazine, www.15rounds.com

Terence Crawford UD 12 Ray Beltran: Terence Crawford could win at the ballot box in Omaha. He’ll win on the scorecards too. But it wasn’t be easy in a city known mostly for Warren Buffet until Crawford’s attention-getting victory over Yuriorkis Gamboa.

Ray Beltran is a classic gatekeeper. Think Orlando Salido. Beltran, Manny Pacquiao’s favorite sparring partner, has the skill and instinct of a survivor. Beltran’s not afraid of hostile crowds.

He’ll make Crawford work. He’ll also catch him with counters. In the end, however, he won’t overcome Crawford’s faster hands, quicker feet, superior power and emerging poise.

Record: 27-9 [Last pick: Pacquiao TKO 10 Algieri]

Jeffrey Freeman, www.KODigest.TV

Terence Crawford UD 12 Ray Beltran: Unless you’re from Omaha, it would be hard for you to root against either of these two classy lightweight competitors. Terence Crawford is “the next big thing” in Nebraska and for good reason. Crawford’s coming-out party against Yuriorkis Gamboa last June was the stuff dreams are made of as well as a very tough act to follow.

A good solid, professional effort is what fans can expect from the fusion of this pair in the ring. When it’s all said and done, Crawford should retain his WBO title with a competitive but complete unanimous decision. “Bud” Crawford is one of the best young stars in boxing and it will take something more dynamic than what Ray Beltran brings to the table to unseat the defending champion in his own backyard.

Record: 21-12 [Last pick: Pacquiao TKO 7 Algieri]

Tom Gray, RingTV.com

Terence Crawford UD 12 Ray Beltran: I’m really looking forward to this one and I think the styles will gel perfectly. I can envision a competitive contest for the first half before Terence Crawford makes the necessary adjustments and dominates down the stretch.

The Omaha native just has so many different looks, whether it be orthodox, southpaw, boxer, slugger, inside game or outside game. Ray Beltran is a class act but Crawford’s versatility will give him a nightmare.

Although I think the Mexican reaches the finish line, he might struggle mightily to get over it. “Bud”, for me, will be in the pound-for-pound ratings, sometime in 2015. He is a terrific fighter.

Record: 27-9 [Last pick: Pacquiao TKO 8 Algieri]

Andreas Hale, KnockoutNation.com

Terence Crawford TKO 7 Ray Beltran: Terence Crawford’s progression has been frighteningly good to witness. Every performance has been better than his last and his dispatching of Yuriorkis Gamboa was evidence of that.

Ray Beltran is tough as nails but I expect Crawford to again go above and beyond and put together a stirring performance. Ultimately, Crawford’s speed and sound defense will spell the undoing of Beltran.

Beltran’s only chance is to get past Crawford’s jab and work on the inside. But I think Crawford controls the range too well and rips Beltan with combinations until the end mid-fight.

Record: 21-9 [Last pick: Wladimir Klitschko TKO 9 Kubrat Pulev]

Keith Idec, The Record/BoxingScene.com

Terence Crawford UD 12 Ray Beltran: The diverse Terence Crawford can beat you in so many ways, which will help him overcome Ray Beltran’s constant pressure. And if Beltran isn’t more careful defensively than usual, particularly in exchanges, Crawford could stop him.

Record: 14-6 [Last pick: Pacquiao KO 9 Algieri]

Edward “Revolver” Khabrov, guest/fan, Zaporozhye City, Ukraine

Terence Crawford W UD 12 Ray Beltran: This is an interesting fight with a predictable outcome, given that Terence Crawford is among the most talented young boxers today.

Crawford boasts impressive skills, fundamentals, very good hand speed, footwork and reflexes. During his ninth-round technical knockout over Yuriorkis Gamboa, Crawford demonstrated patience, a decent ring IQ as well as a great ability to make adjustments and to turn a fight in his favor.

Ray Beltran is a solid and hardworking veteran. Beltran will give this bout a last-chance effort and perhaps do better than most expect him to. In the end, I expect Crawford to make the necessary adjustments toward winning a tougher-than-expected unanimous decision victory.

Record: 3-2  [Klitschko UD 12 Pulev]

Rich Marotta, KFI Radio, Los Angeles

Terrence Crawford TKO 9 Ray Beltran: You’ve got to love Ray Beltran, his honest work ethic, his effort every fight, his backstory. However, it is hard to visualize a path to victory for him in this fight.

Terrence Crawford is a late-bloomer but he is, without question, blooming big-time. He has everything going for him, including what figures to be a maniacal crowd backing him.

Beltran will plod forward and try to do his damage, especially to the body. But he will be out-sped, out-punched and eventually overwhelmed by Crawford. Despite Beltran’s doggedness, he will be stopped late.

Record: 23-11 [Last pick: Pacquiao TKO 10 Algieri]

Diego Morilla, XN Sports

Terence Crawford W 12 Ray Beltran: I think the key here is work rate and Terence Crawford is far busier than Ray Beltran most of the time. Crawford’s accuracy and Beltran’s not-quite-there-yet defense make for a terrible combination too.

If Beltran can find a way to Crawford’s body enough to slow him down, which is not easy, then he’ll have a shot. But I don’t think it’ll happen. I see a workmanlike decision win for Crawford.

Record: 13-9 [Last pick: Pacquiao W 12 Algieri]

John J. Raspanti, MaxBoxing.com/Doghouseboxing.com/KO Monthly Magazine

Terence Crawford W 12 Raymond Beltran: Terence Crawford defeated Ricky Burns earlier this year to win the WBO lightweight championship. Ray Beltran defeated Burns too in 2013 but didn’t get the decision due to some egregious scoring.

Crawford is a talented boxer-puncher. Beltran can punch but Crawford is younger and quicker. He also feeds off his hometown crowd. I think Crawford will win an entertaining 12-round decision over a very determined Beltran.

Record: 25-11 [Last pick: Pacquiao W 12 Algieri]

Cliff Rold, BoxingScene.com

Terence Crawford W 12 Ray Beltran: Ray Beltran has come into his own in recent years but Terence Crawford looks like an elite prizefighter. Look for Crawford to outbox a Beltran than make it fun.

Record: 23-12 [Last pick: Klitschko W 12 Pulev]

Joseph Santoliquito/THE RING Magazine/RingTV.com/CBS Sports

Terence Crawford KO 10 Ray Beltran: Terence Crawford, I believe, has too much firepower for Ray Beltran, who last stopped someone three years ago.

Crawford’s star is rising and a shopworn veteran like the 33-year-old Beltran doesn’t seem like he’ll be able to get in the way. It’s a spirited fight with Crawford stopping Beltran, who last lost by TKO six years ago.

Record: 17-0 [Last pick: Pacquiao KO 10 Algieri]

John Scully, trainer

Terence Crawford KO Ray Beltran: I’ve got to go with a Terence Crawford by knockout over Ray Beltran. Crawford is on a roll. He knows where he’s at and what this is all going to eventually lead to. Crawford’s  going to get even better over the next few fights.

Record: 16-10 [Last pick: Pacquiao W 12 Algieri]

Bradley Starks, guest/fan, Novato, Calif.

Terence Crawford UD 12 Ray Beltran: This is kind of a mismatch but Ray Beltran deserves another shot at the title that should have been his after he fought Ricky Burns in 2013.

That being said, Terence Crawford’s talent is a level or two above the likable Mexican’s and he should be able to defeat Beltran by very comfortable unanimous decision.

Record: 14-3 [Last pick: Pacquiao KO 4 Algieri]

Dominic Verdin, RingTV.com

Terence Crawford W 12 Ray Beltran: Terence Crawford is on his way to becoming an elite fighter but before he can accomplished that, he has to defeat a man who will give his life in the ring.

Ray Beltran wants to become the legitimate lightweight champ. This will be a fight for the fans and I see Crawford taking a close but well-deserved decision.

Record: 24-8 [Last pick: Pacquiao TKO 11 Algieri]

Charles Villa, guest/fan, Portland, Ore.

Terence Crawford UD 12 Ray Beltran: Sports can often be unfair and none are more unfair than boxing. Ray Beltran has been a proverbial “fringe contender” based upon his record but his losses have been seasoned with almost outright robberies. A little over a year ago, Beltran traveled to Glasgow to break Ricky Burns’ jaw and was viewed as a clear victor by many except the judges.

Yet throughout it all, Beltran has fought the opponent in front of him with determination, deceptive skill and entertaining power-punching. Terence Crawford managed to go to Glasgow earlier this year and won a clear, 12-round victory that judges shockingly ruled correctly.

From there, he faced Yuriorkis Gamboa in a virtuoso performance that had Crawford struggling in the early rounds, adjusting his stance to southpaw and began to pick apart the Cuban legend en route to a ninth-round TKO. This is one of my most anticipated fights of the year, with both guys having a crowd-pleasing style via their willingness to engage.

As much fun as Beltran is to watch, I don’t believe he’s got enough tricks in the bag to dissuade Crawford in the pocket where Beltran does his best work. Look for Crawford to control the range on a come-forward Beltran, using his reach and skills to keep the fight on the outside.

Record: 17-10 [Last pick: Pacquiao TKO 8 Algieri]

Anson Wainwright, RingTV.com

Terence Crawford W 12 Ray Beltran: Terence Crawford looks to round out the year with a second successful defense in Omaha, Neb., while Ray Beltran looks to make good on winning a world title he believes he won on the road last September when he drew with Ricky Burns.

Though Beltran had hoped for a rematch against Burns, Crawford got the nod to face him instead and relieved Burns of the title. Beltran will come out fast and try to gain Crawford’s respect but I see Crawford using his speed and skills to counter Beltran on the way to a wide points win.

Record: 23-9 [Last pick: Pacquiao TKO 9 Algieri]

By a 17-0 shutout vote,  the insiders believe Terence Crawford will successfully defend his defend his WBO lightweight belt, also becoming the 135-pound division’s RING champion in victory.

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/366949-who-wins-terence-crawford-ray-beltran

By Karl Freitag
Photos: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight world champion Terence “Bud” Crawford and #1 contender and mandatory challenger Ray Beltran faced off Wednesday at their final news conference before they fight for Crawford’s world title on Saturday night at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Also on hand was undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich, who defends his belt against unbeaten contender Jayson Velez.

Terence Crawford: Come Saturday I’m gonna be ready. I know Team Beltran are ready. They trained hard. They’re gonna bring 110%, 120%, that night they’re gonna bring it all. But it’s my job to bring 200% to make sure I keep my title and get that Ring belt. But it’s not all about that Ring belt, it’s about me being the best I can be and continuing to be successful in this game that I love to do…come Saturday I’m going to lay it all on the line like I do every other time.

Ray Beltran: I’m fighting Terence Crawford, a very difficult fighter, a good champion. I’m dedicating this fight to the 43 students that got executed in Mexico…I’m ready, thank God, for this great opportunity. I’m in great shape, I feel good, I’m ready, so motivated. I hope I give Omaha, all the people a good show Saturday night. I’m ready, I can’t wait!

Evgeny Gradovich: I hope it’ll be a good fight. Thanks to my team for a good training camp at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy.

Jayson Velez: I don’t have too much to say. This is a great fight. The “Mexican-Russian is a great fighter, but I’m Boriqua. This is gonna be a war. I’ve been training very hard. I know what Gradovich is capable of. You have two young, undefeated fighters who throw many punches. This is gonna be a great, great fight.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/crawford-beltran-ready-to-rumble-271345

Photo taken from Manny Pacquiao’s Official Facebook Fans Page –

Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank –

WBO Lightweight champion Terence Crawford “the Pride of Omaha” and #1 contender and mandatory challenger Ray Beltran of Mexico worked out on Monday during “media day” in advance of their upcoming world title clash in Omaha, Nebraska.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Tecate, Crawford vs. Beltran will take place during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend on Saturday, November 29, at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha,NE. It will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/crawford-update-271211

Vasyl Lomachenko has his hand raised after his victory over Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo in their WBO featherweight title fight Nov. 23 in Macao.

Credit:  Xaume Olleros / AFP / Getty Images –

Moments ago at the Cotai Arena in Macau, China, Vasyl Lomachenko successfully defended his WBO featherweight title, dominating Cholatarn Piriyapinyo en route to an easy unanimous decision. Lomachenko got off to a fast start, peppering Piriyapinyo with quick jabs and right hands. Despite suffering a hand injury that forced him to fight nearly half of the match with just one hand, Lomachenko easily cruised to victory. Relive all the action in FightHype’s round-by-round results!

ROUND 1
Loma [Lomachenko] comes out firing his jab. HARD left to the body lands for Loma. Right hook lands for Loma. Another. Stiff jab lands for Loma. Piri [Piriyapinyo] digs a left to the body. Loma firing his jab. They trade body shots. Loma landing the more telling shots. Loma digs a shot that’s low. Uppercut ladns for Loma. Loma digs to the body. Piri not offering up much in return. Nice three-punch combo lands for Loma. Easy round for Loma.

Lomachenko 10 Piriyapinyo 9

ROUND 2
Jab lands for Loma. Hard left lands for Loma. Right hook lands for Loma. Piri gets in a right. Right lands for Loma. Loma digs to the body. Another right hook lands for Loma. Piri gets in a hook. Straight left lands for Loma. HARD 1-2 lands for Loma. Loma just picking him apart with combinations. Short hook lands for Loma. Piri just following him around. Hard right hook lands for Loma. Round to Loma.

Lomachenko 20 Piriyapinyo 18

ROUND 3
Right hook lands for Loma. Piri lands a low blow. Loma circling and flicking his jab. HARD right hook lands for Loma. HARD left to the body ladns for Loma. Piri looks hurt. Loma has him pinned to the ropes. Loma letting his hands go and landing a lot. Stiff jab lands for Loma. Quick combo lands for Loma. Piri fires to the body. 1-2 lands for Loma. Another HARD 1-2 lands for Loma. Round to Loma.

Lomachenko 30 Piriyapinyo 27

ROUND 4
HARD left to the body lands for Loma. Right and another left lands for Loma. Piri missing with all of his shots. Loma dancing circles around him. A ton of jabs from Loma followed by a hard left to the body that backs Piri up. Loma raining down shots on him against the ropes. Stiff jab lands for Loma. Blistering uppercut lands for Loma. Another HARD left from Loma puts Piri down. He’s up and takes the count. Loma jumps on him and fires shots. End of round.

Lomachenko 40 Piriyapinyo 35

ROUND 5
Chopping right lands for Loma. Piri misses with some wild shots. Loma digs to the body. Left and a right lands for Loma. Again. Some quick lefts land for Loma. Hard uppercut lands for Loma. Piri lands a left to the body. Loma lands a left upstairs. 1-2 lands for Loma. Round to Loma.

Lomachenko 50 Piriyapinyo 44

ROUND 6
Short right hook lands for Loma. Loma circles the ring. 1-2 lands for Loma. Piri fires a shot down the middle, but it’s blocked. Jab lands for Loma. Again. HARD left lands for Loma. Piri digs a left to the body. HARD left to the body lands for Loma. Loma peppers him with some shots. 1-2 lands for Loma. HARD left from Loma snaps the head back of Piri. Some hard hook s from Loma have Piri in trouble against the ropes. They trade a few more shots before the bell. Round to Loma.

Lomachenko 60 Piriyapinyo 53

ROUND 7
HARD uppercut lands for Loma. Jab lands for Loma. Again. All Loma right now as he dances around the ring and just jabs Piri’s head. Piri digs a shot to the body. Right hook lands for Loma. Right hand lands for Loma. Loma appears to have hurt his left as he didn’t throw one at all that round. Round to Loma.

Lomachenko 70 Piriyapinyo 62

ROUND 8
Loma lands a couple of jabs. Piri bulls forward. Loma doing a lot of movement right now as he’s a one-handed fighter. Stiff jab lands for Loma. Piri digs a left to the body. Right lands for Loma. HARD uppercut lands for Loma. Piri digs to the body. They trade on the inside. Round to Loma.

Lomachenko 80 Piriyapinyo 71

ROUND 9
Piri digs to the body. Loma jabs and dances away. Quick right cross lands for Loma. Piri gets a warning for a low blow. They trade jabs. Jab lands for Loma. Piri gets in a right. Loma peppers him with some rights. Right hook lands for Loma. Again. Piri digs some left hooks to the body. Overhand right lands for Loma. Round to Loma.

Lomachenko 90 Piriyapinyo 80

ROUND 10
Jab, jab, right hand lands for Loma. Piri digs to the body. Loma lands a left hook. Loma lands a couple of right hooks to the body. Loma peppers him with some shots. Uppercut lands for Loma. Loma continues to pepper him with shots. Piri digs a left to the body. Round to Loma.

Lomachenko 100 Piriyapinyo 89

ROUND 11
Uppercut lands for Loma. They trade some shots. Piri digs a left to the body. Loma lands another uppercut. Again. Loma digs a right to the body. Right upstairs lands for Loma. Loma continues to pepper him with fast shots. Loma lands a left to the body. Uppercut lands for Loma. All Loma right now; Piri looks content to survive. HARD uppercut lands for Loma. Round to Loma.

Lomachenko 110 Piriyapinyo 98

ROUND 12
Piri digs a left to the body. Loma peppers him with some rights. They trade some shots. Loma backs him up to the ropes. Another combination lands for Loma. Left to the body lands for Loma. Another. Left to the body and a right upstairs lands for Loma. Nice uppercut followed by a straight left lands for Loma. Piri lands a jab. HARD body shots followed by a right upstairs lands for Loma. More rights land for Loma. Round to Loma.

Lomachenko 120 Piriyapinyo 107

Credit:  AP Photo/KinCheung –

Official judges scorecards: 120-107, 120-107, 120-107

THE WINNER BY UNANIMOUS DECISION…VASYL LOMACHENKO

http://www.fighthype.com/news/article18559.html

Date:  Saturday, November 22, 2014

WBO  FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location:  Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort, Macao, Macao S.A.R., China

Promoter:   Top Rank / Bob Arum

Supervisor:   Luis A. Perez

Referee:    Luis Pabon

Judges:  Michael Pernick (120-107) \ Patrick Morley (120-107) \ Salven Lugumbay (120-107)

Results:   The Champion Vasyl Lomachenko retained the WBO Featherweight Title by Unanimous Decision against Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo.

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

By Karl Freitag
Photos: Chris Farina / Top Rank 

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and WBO jr welterweight champion Chris Algieri faced off on Wednesday in advance of their “Clash of Champions” on Saturday night at the Cotai Arena inside the Venetian Macau.

Manny Pacquiao: I believe that it’s going to be an exciting fight. We did our best in training and we’ve seen from the old days the speed, the power, the determination, the aggressiveness is back.

Chris Algieri: The talking is done. The hard work is done. The training is done. I’m not gonna say too much.. I prepared very well. I’m excited for this weekend…you don’t want to miss this.

Zou Shiming: I just realized I’m fighting someone who looks as handsome as Manny. (Kwanpichit is a Pacquiao lookalike). I’m very proud to be featured on the same card as Manny Pacquiao. Last time I was on his card, this time I might be his opponent.

Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym: We’re prepared and ready for the fight.

Vasil Lomachenko: I was here in 2008 to win a gold medal. This is a place where my childhood dreams came true.

Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo: We prepared for this fight for two months and we’re ready 100%

Jessie Vargas: I have Roy Jones Jr. He’s taken me to the next level. Team DeMarco said I get tired in the later rounds, well that’s gonna bite’m in the butt.

Antonio DeMarco: I’ve came very prepared to give a great fight for the people and for television too.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/pacquiao-algieri-press-conference-quotes-269378

By Briggs Seekins –  Credit:  Photos by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images; USA Today Sports –

Date:  Saturday, November 15, 2014

WBO/WBA/IBF  HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location:  O2 World Arena, Altona, Hamburg, Germany

Promoter:   K2 Promotions (Tom Loeffler)

Supervisor:   Istvan Kovacs

Referee:  Tony Weeks

Judges:  Glenn Feldman (40-33); Joseph Pasquale (40-33); Jerry Jakubco (40-33)

Results:   The Super Champion Wladimir Klitschko remains the WBO/WBA/ IBF Heavyweight Championship by KO against Kubrat Pulev in the fifth round.  In this fight only the IBF belt was at stake for the challenger Kubrat Pulev.

TV:  Germany RTL   EU Eurosport

Lo que dejó la 27ma convención de la OMB, realizada en el Caesars Palace

Por Carlos Irusta /ESPN.com –

LAS VEGAS — El Caesars Palace, cargado de lujo de estuco y de gran historia boxística, ya quedo atrás. “El hogar de los campeones”, como fue reconocido por muchos años, fue también testigo del ocaso triste de uno de los justamente, grandes campeones del boxeo, como Joe Louis, quien terminó sus días como un empleado de lujo del hotel-casino. Y en su estadio abierto, que ya no está, Muhammad Alí vivió su última noche grande cuando perdió frente a Larry Holmes, en una pelea que Don King, había bautizado, paradojalmente, “El último hurra”.

Hoy es hoy y los tiempos han cambiado. El presidente de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo, Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel lo sabe, y muy bien. Aunque lleva veinte años en la presidencia -algo que pareciera normal en estos organismos, teniendo en cuenta por ejemplo, que José Sulaimán encabezó el Consejo durante más de treinta años-, piensa retirarse a tiempo. “No me gustaría que alguna vez alguien me diga o me aconseje que ya es momento del retiro -afirma Valcárcel- ni tampoco quiero ser recordado por haberme hecho eterno en el poder, prefiero que me recuerden por buena persona y por dirigente honesto”.

La WBO se ha separado varios pasos de los otros organismos. No es una manera de decir. Baste mirar que, en las reuniones tripartitas convocadas por el Consejo Mundial de Boxeo (WBC), integrando a la Asociación Mundial (WBA) y a la Federación Internacional (IBF), Valcárcel no asistió. Y no solamente eso, sino que demás afirmó que son reuniones “que terminan siendo una pérdida de tiempo y que no cambian nada, por eso preferimos seguir nuestro camino”.

Asistieron más de cuatrocientas personas de todo el mundo, lo cual significa crecimiento. De hecho se esperaban trescientos asistentes. El mercado chino ya ha sido incorporado desde hace varios años -todo un logro de Valcárcel-, y el propio Japón, que durante años no reconoció a la WBO, también ya forma parte del grupo. La Organización tiene mojones muy fuertes en Europa, especialmente en Inglaterra y Alemania. Y, por supuesto, el mercado norteamericano y latino.

Esto no quiere decir que la WBO sea una organización perfecta, ni mucho menos, pero si apunta a dos hechos que fueron el hilo conductor de esta semana de Convención en el Caesars Palace. Uno, fue sin dudas, el análisis de la ley Muhammad Alí. El otro, la transparencia de la entidad y de sus oficiales de ring.

De esta manera, el secretario general de la OMB José R. Izquierdo, efectuó una presentación ante el Comité Ejecutivo y asistentes en generales, sobre la Ley de Reforma de Boxeo Muhammad Ali y sus consecuencias en los otros organismos que sancionan al boxeo.

Izquierdo hizo hincapié en que la WBO “quiere dejar rotundamente en claro que nuestra posición es trabajar conjuntamente con la Asociación de Comisiones de Boxeo (ABC)”. La idea es que las organizaciones deben evitar el aislamiento que crean las limitaciones de jurisdicción. Y, entre otros temas, Izquierdo pidió que se busque la forma de aclarar la denominación de “asesor” en el boxeo, y “que se defina su naturaleza y alcance”. De hecho se formó un comité OMB para que presente un informe con sus conclusiones a los legisladores de los Estados Unidos, con el objeto de que se mejore la Ley de Reforma de Boxeo Ali, para tornarla más eficaz. “Es bueno tener en cuenta, y hablo como abogado también -dijo Valcárcel- que esta actividad, el boxeo, es muy compleja, más de lo que parece. Y no siempre la letra fría es aplicable. Creo que es importante que quienes se encargan de la ley Alí cuenten en su equipo con veteranos del boxeo, para escuchar sus opiniones”.

Una visión tal vez más simplista de esta convención, o con menos profundidad de análisis, no puede dejar de mencionar que fueron agasajados especialmente dos ya ingresados al Hall de la Fama: Oscar De La Hoya y Joe Calzaghe, por sus grandes carreras profesionales. De la misma manera que, entre tantos invitados importantes, estuvo Marco Antonio Barrera. Y que asistieron dos campeonas mundiales japonesas, Nao Ikeyama, monarca de la OMB en el peso átomo (102 libras) y la campeona junior mosca (108 libras) Kimiko Seser Ikehara. También estuvieron presentes el dos veces campeón mundial de la WBO, Orlando Salido, otro ex campeón mundial en diferentes categorías como James Toney, la ex campeona Hanna Gabriels y la actual campeona mundial Carolina Duer. Marco Huck campeón crucero- fue distinguido por su trayectoria. 

Pero los temas de fondo fueron otros, sin duda. “Queremos que nuestros campeones se distingan. Nuestros campeones tienen que tener, ante todo, prestigio”, enfatizó Valcárcel. “El aficionado no entiende la gran proliferación de campeones interinos, alternativos, en receso… Confunden a la gente y sus propios portadores tienen apenas porciones, por eso los campeones WBO tienen que distinguirse”.

Otro tema que no puede soslayarse es el crecimiento de la incursión de AIBA en el boxeo profesional, a través de certámenes por equipos (Argentina, México, Italia, entre otros tantos países, ya participan de estas competencias) en donde también pueden combatir boxeadores amateurs que, incluso, clasificarán para los Juegos Olímpicos.

“La AIBA no puede entrar en los Estados Unidos, porque en este país no se puede ser promotor y dirigente al mismo tiempo. La AIBA nos hizo un gran favor a nosotros, la WBO, porque de sus filas pudimos clasificar a Vasyl Lomachenko (campeón pluma) o a Zou Shiming dijo Valcárcel-, pero convengamos en que es un boxeo de poco vuelo. Los boxeadores que se conformen con un sueldo, podrán competir en esos torneos, pero los que quieren ser un Oscar De La Hoya o un Carlos Monzón, o un Ray Leonard, los que quieran ser figuras de verdad, no pueden crecer en esos torneos”.

La transparencia fue, sin dudas, otro de los temas. “No se puede ser dirigente y manager, los roles son diferentes y deben caer en diferentes personas. No se puede ser directivo y manager de boxeadores -expresó Valcárcel-. De la misma manera en que buscaremos la manera de que las actuaciones de los jurados sean mejores, para evitar malos fallos y lo que es todavía peor, la desconfianza de la gente”.

El tema de los fallos controversiales forma parte del folklore del boxeo: no siempre todos vemos una pelea de la misma manera. Pero, cuando las diferencia de puntajes son tremendamente grandes, “estamos ante un problema y queremos solucionarlo. De hecho, estamos pensando poner fuertes penalidades a quien, de alguna manera, en su condición de oficial de ring, pueda tener una conducta errónea, y subiremos las multas de 50 mil dólares a 250 mil y de un año de suspensión también llegaremos a los cinco años…”, expresó Valcárcel.

En la fiesta final estuvo presente Bob Arum (fue galardonado como el promotor del año) quien estuvo cerca de Oscar De La Hoya… pero en mesas separadas (podría ser también, el premio a “la foto que no fue”, puesto que no hubo oportunidad de reunirlos…).

Terence Crawford y Yuriorkis Gamboa fue “La pelea del año” (ganó Crawford por KOT en 9) , Vasyl Lomachenko -campeón mundial pluma-, fue distinguido como el boxeador de mayor futuro (el ucraniano solamente tiene 3 peleas profesionales, pero se le dio autorización a pelear por el campeonato mundial por su gran campaña amateur), Carolina Duer recibió el anillo de diamantes por sus 10 defensas. Chris Algieri, quien está por combatir con Manny Pacquiao, hizo una presentación especial. También fue distinguido, lo mismo que las japonesas Nao Ikehara y Kimiko Seeser Ikeyama.

En una palabra: hubo premios para todos -una costumbre de Francisco Valcárcel- y no faltó la música salsa, aunque con el agregado del mariachi. Ni tampoco faltó la cordialidad y la amistad. Pero, mientras se hacen planes para la próxima convención en Orlando, Florida, quedan en pie varios compromisos.

Que las promesas de profundizar la Ley Ali, o el desafío de analizar a fondo los malos fallos, o la obligación de que no proliferen títulos que confundan al aficionado no sean solamente proyectos, sino realidades.

Un compromiso que el boxeo necesita y que WBO promete ir corrigiendo. Ojalá lo puedan ir logrando, para que Francisco Valcárcel y el organismo sean reconocidos, con el tiempo, por su trayectoria, pero también por sus objetivos cumplidos. Ese es el gran desafío.

http://www.espn.com.ar/news/story/_/id/2222031/el-gran-desafio-de-valcarcel

Donnie Nietes may not have the fighting style or gift of gab that make a boxing star, but the understated champion is gaining respect and making history

Donnie Nietes will make the fifth defense of his WBO junior flyweight title on Saturday against Carlos “Chapito” Velarde. File photo by Jay Directo/AFP

CEBU CITY, Philippines – In a corner of a conference room at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City, amid the cacophany of post-press con pleasantries, sits Donnie Nietes. Dressed neatly in a black, two-piece suit, Nietes is in his own world, his mind seemingly a million miles away from the chatter surrounding him.

Unless you were well-versed in the sport of boxing, you’d never suspect that this man was one of the world’s most revered fighters in the the lowest divisions. He’s a reserved person who doesn’t say much, whether it’s in his native Illongo tongue or his limited English. He doesn’t affect the superstar aura of Manny Pacquiao, whose infinite facial expressions keep photographers clicking away with their cameras.

He also won’t end up occupying a spot on the Mount Rushmore of Filipino boxers (those spots are reserved for Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, Flash Elorde and Pancho Villa), but he could make a case as one of the top ten boxers to come from the Philippines when his career is done.

But for the past seven years, Nietes has quietly reigned over the strawweight (105 pounds) and junior flyweight (108 pounds) divisions, winning world titles with a style that is as subtle and efficient as his personality.

“His personality is not there. He’s not a very charismatic guy,” his promoter Michael Aldegeur of ALA Boxing bluntly stated at Thursday’s press conference. “He’s a quiet guy, he doesn’t talk much. I know that in time the respect will be there. [It hurt that] he came in the era of Nonito Donaire, Manny Pacquiao.”

Now 32, the RING magazine/WBO junior flyweight champion Nietes (33-1-4, 19 knockouts) from Bacolod City, Philippines prepares to face Mexican challenger Carlos Velarde (26-3-1, 14 KOs) at the Waterfront this Saturday, November 15.

The 24-year-old “Chapito” Velarde of Culiacan, Mexico has won three straight since losing a thrilling title challenge to Ryo Miyazaki in five rounds in May of 2013. Nietes will be making his fifth – and possibly final – title defense at 108 pounds.

If Nietes can’t get the attention of the public with his verbal skills or fighting style, he’ll have to do it with historical achievements. Nietes has tentatively planned to move up to 112 pounds – where greater challenges and greater respect reside.

Nietes is one of just eight Filipino boxers to have won world titles in multiple divisions, and he’s hoping to put himself in more exclusive company in a third division.

In particular, Nietes says he wants bouts with IBF/WBO flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico and RING/WBC flyweight champion Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua, who have both achieved higher visibility in recent years due to their explosive styles.

Estrada (30-2, 22 KOs) has beaten well-regarded Filipino boxers Brian Viloria, Milan Melindo and Richie Mepranum, while Gonzalez (40-0, 34 KOs) faces ALA boxer Rocky Fuentes on November 22 in Japan.

All of that is contingent upon the outcome of Saturday’s fight, which headlines ALA Boxing’s “Pinoy Pride 28” card.

“We don’t know what Donnie will be like at 112,” said Aldegeur. “He’s been comfortable at 108, it wasn’t an issue for us to say he couldn’t make weight. We just felt there were bigger names out there, Donnie wanted to fight the big names out there.”

(RELATED: Junior flyweight champ Nietes to move up in weight after Velarde defense)

Another option would be for Nietes to stay at 108, where the WBO titleholder from strawweight, Francisco Rodriguez Jr., who will face Filipino journeyman Jomar Fajardo in a non-title ten-round flyweight bout on the undercard.

The 21-year-old Rodriguez of Monterrey, Mexico rose to prominence earlier this year in March, when he stopped previously unbeaten titleholder Merlito Sabillo to win the WBO strawweight title. In another Seven Degrees of Separation twist, Sabillo is also on Saturday’s card, facing Indonesian trial horse Faris Nenggo in his first bout since the loss.

In his next fight, Rodriguez bolstered his credentials when he outslugged Japan’s Katsunari Takayama to annex the IBF 108 pound title as well in what many consider to be Fight of the Year. He was originally scheduled to face Filipino Virgilio Silvano before Fajardo was substituted this week.

Rodriguez could be installed as the mandatory challenger by the WBO should he elect to campaign full time at 108 pounds, which he says is his intention.

Rodriguez made no secret of his desire to face Nietes, standing up on the dais to issue a challenge before declaring that his hotel room was substandard and dancing to “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” among other things.

“I was the best in strawweight and I believe Donnie Nietes is the best in mini flyweight. I want to fight the best. I believe I can beat him,” stated Rodriguez.

Whether Nietes stays at 108 or 112, performances like his most recent bout, when he knocked out Moises Fuentes in nine rounds in a rematch of their 2013 draw, will help build his popularity in the second half of his career. Nietes has won his last two bouts by knockout – a streak he hadn’t enjoyed since before he won his first world title.

Perhaps he’s realized that he won’t need to do much talking if his fists speak with enough volume.

“I think I’ll get a knockout in this fight,” Nietes said.

http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/boxing-mma/74964-donnie-nietes-biggest-little-man-philippine-boxing

Credit:  Photo by GettyImages –  Article by Samuel Constantinou-Coulter –

This coming weekend heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko will defend his word titles yet again.

Klitschko aged 38 will defend his IBF, WBO and WBA world titles in Hamburg against Bulgarian 33 year old Kubrat ‘The Cobra’ Pulev in what could be his most competitive defence in years.

Klitschko will be aiming to make his 17th successive world title defence and 24th defence overall which would put him just behind the legendary Joe Louis.

ARM INJURY POSTPONED BOUT

The fight was originally supposed to have taken place in September but Klitschko was forced to postpone the bout due to an arm injury.

Klitschko will enter the ring as the undoubted dominant man in the division with a highly impressive record of 62 wins and 3 losses including 52 wins by way of knock out.

PULEV HAS STRONG CREDENTIALS

Pulev holds an unbeaten record of 20-0 with 11 knock outs and standing at 6ft 4.5 he is nearly as tall as Klitschko. Too often have we seen Klitschko facing off with men much physically smaller than himself and he is able to bully them.

Pulev is not only nearly as tall as Klitschko but he will also probably come into the ring slightly heavier than the champion. He is a big unit of a man who will not be able to be leaned on and pushed around as easily as other opponents.

Looking through Puelv’s record he has beaten some good opponents including the likes of Alexander Dimitrenko, Alexander Ustinov and Tony Thompson who are all taller than himself.

Pulev normally takes a few rounds to get going and truly get into his work and he isn’t the biggest puncher but he is a technically sound and strong boxer who can present problems to Klitschko.

PREPARE FOR A BATTLE OF THE JAB

Klitschko is famous for his ramrod, sickening jab which dictates his opponent and keeps them at range. This then allows him to land his straight right hand and finish off opponents after rounds of not allowing them near him.

Pulev himself has a very good jab and will have to look to beat Klitschko to the punch. It is however unlikely that he will be able to do so as Klitschko is the better technician of the two.

Pulev times his shots well and will have to try and push Klitschko back and force him out of his comfort zone. Klitschko often seems far too relaxed in the ring due to his dominance over his opponent. He has hardly been made to break sweat in recent years.

IS KLITSCHKO BORING OR BRILLIANT?

Unfortunately for Klitschko his safety first style of breaking his opponent down with the jab and lack of quality opponents has lead to unexciting fights. He has failed to capture the imagination of the boxing public and is so often criticised.

He does however deserve a huge amount of respect as he is a very disciplined and highly successful. He is absolutely methodical in his preparations and truly lives the life of a dedicated boxer.

He is also a real role model to all young boxers. You never see him involved in anything controversial outside of the ring and he doesn’t bad mouth opponents. And speaking of which, if you’re looking for a good employee productivity tracker for your business, we suggest looking at AtTrack, it’s available for any type of business https://attrack.com/industry/ check out the features. He is a gentleman.

EXPECT MORE OF THE SAME

This fight is expected to go the same way as many of Klitschko’s other fights with him coming out on top. A late stoppage would seem the most likely outcome against a game but ultimately not good enough Pulev.

Klitschko’s reign of dominance over the heavyweight division will continue for a little while longer yet.

http://www.givemesport.com/520401-wladimir-klitschko-to-continue-dominance-against-kubrat-pulev

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Following 11 rounds of utter domination, the only thing left for Sergey Kovalev to accomplish early Sunday morning was to become the first opponent in Bernard Hopkins’ 26-year career to knock him out.

If Kovalev had 10 more seconds at his disposal in Round 12 of their light heavyweight title unification fight at Boardwalk Hall, he might’ve accomplished that feat, too.

The Russian knockout artist instead settled for handing Hopkins the most lopsided loss of his Hall-of-Fame career, a 12-round unanimous-decision defeat so thorough the 49-year-old Hopkins acknowledged afterward that it’s “50-50” whether he’ll fight again. Regardless, as Hopkins’ legendary career nears its conclusion, the most impressive victory of Kovalev’s five-year pro career should thrust him toward stardom.

“He did just what I knew what he would do,” said John David Jackson, Kovalev’s trainer. “Tonight he was the teacher.”

Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 knockouts), who hadn’t boxed beyond eight rounds in any of his first 26 professional fights, easily demonstrated that he was prepared to win championship rounds against the most accomplished, experienced opponent he has faced. All three judges – New Jersey’s Lawrence Layton (120-106), New York’s Carlos Ortiz (120-107) and Rhode Island’s Clark Sammartino (120-107) – credited Kovalev with winning each of the 12 rounds.

Kovalev took Hopkins’ IBF and WBA light heavyweight titles and retained his WBO 175-pound championship. He also won the respect and admiration of boxing experts who wondered whether his record was more the byproduct of his opposition than Kovalev’s skills and power.

“I don’t care how old he is,” Oscar De La Hoya, Hopkins’ promotional partner, said. “To beat somebody like Hopkins, Kovalev did a tremendous job. He executed his game plan perfectly, and that’s not easy to do against a legend like Bernard Hopkins.”

Kovalev, 31, dropped Hopkins with a right hand to the side of his head with a little less than a minute to go in the first round. Hopkins reached his feet quickly and made it to the end of the round, but mostly employed a cautious approach for the rest of the fight. Hopkins opened up in Round 12, but his aggression only encouraged Kovalev to unload an array of power punches that hurt him, left him stumbling all around the ring and pushed the Philadelphia native dangerously close to getting knocked out.

“I’ve just got a great chin,” Hopkins said. “I can take a punch.”

Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs, 2 NCs) took 166 of Kovalev’s 585 overall punches, according to unofficial CompuBox statistics. Kovalev landed 38 punches in Round 12 alone, the most connected on Hopkins in any single round of the 41 Hopkins fights CompuBox has worked.

“He’s 49 years old,” Kovalev said. “To go 12 rounds with me, I was very surprised. … Really big respect to him.”

Hopkins now respects Kovalev’s boxing ability, not just his vaunted power.

“He had a really good game plan,” Hopkins said. “When he got hit with some of my shots, he would step back. But he used his reach and distance and that was the key to his victory tonight. He has very good mechanics and patience. Because after I hit him, he would step back. That would cause me to have to reset. He had a good game plan, I’ll give him that. He’s a good technical fighter. He would counter his right hand over my jab. I give him a lot of respect.”

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/363683-sergey-kovalev-proves-hes-the-real-deal-by-dominating-bernard-hopkins

Credit:  Photo by DON EMMERT / AFP –

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Sergey Kovalev roughed up Bernard Hopkins from the opening bell, winning a unanimous decision early Sunday to stake his claim as the best light heavyweight.

Kovalev has three versions of the 175-pound belt after taking two from the 49-year-old Hopkins in the decisive victory. Kovalev is 26-0-1 with 23 knockouts.

Kovalev received winning scores of 120-107 from two judges and 120-106 from the third. The 31-year-old Russian won the IBF and WBA light heavyweight belts to go with his own WBO title.

Two months shy of 50, Hopkins (55-7-2) could face retirement after a rare title bout where he was never a factor. Kovalev knocked down Hopkins in the first round and never backed off his punishing pace.

Kovalev hadn’t fought past the eighth, but was at his best against Hopkins in the 12th. He wanted the KO and battered Hopkins against the ropes, making the Philadelphia fighter at last look his age.

“I wanted to show fans that I know how to box and I did,” Kovalev said. “I tried to go for the knockout in the 12th round. He has great defense. He’s the best boxer in my division.”

Hopkins felt every single one of Kovalev’s blows in the 12th. And there were plenty of them in that final round. Kovalev landed 38 punches in the final round, the most ever against Hopkins in 41 fights tracked by CompuBox.

The pro-Hopkins crowd chanted “B-Hop!” and “U-S-A!” to rally the veteran driver. It didn’t work.

Kovalev dropped Hopkins with a solid right early in the first round, but the veteran hopped right up. Kovalev smelled blood and became focused on finishing off Hopkins with a knockout.

He pummeled Hopkins in the final 45 seconds of the third round. Kovalev was at his best when he backed Hopkins into a corner and unloaded body shots that left him reeling.

Hopkins just wouldn’t go down for good. He had his best round in the seventh, landing a couple of rights that had little meaning in the long run.

Kovalev answered in the eighth with a hard right that wobbled Hopkins. Kovalev kept it up until the 12th. Respect for Hopkins’ Hall of Fame resume was about the only thing that kept the referee from stopping the fight.

“I give him a lot of respect, we both would fight anyone,” Hopkins said. “That’s how we ended up here tonight. That’s what brought us together.”

But did it bring Hopkins to his professional end?

“I really don’t want to say anything,” Hopkins said. “It’s been 50-50 for the last nine years.”

Hopkins lost his professional debut to Clinton Mitchell at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City in 1988. Kovalev was just 5 years old and living in Chelyabinsk, Russia at the time. Hopkins took 15 months off before fighting again, defeating Greg Paige at Philadelphia’s Blue Horizon, the first of 22 straight victories that wouldn’t end until he lost to Roy Jones Jr. in 1993. The 45-year-old Jones was on HBO’s broadcast team for the fight.

Never a stylistically crowd-pleasing fighter, Hopkins hasn’t knocked out an opponent since Oscar De La Hoya in September 2004.

De La Hoya was at the fight, too. Hopkins is a minority partner with De La Hoya in Golden Boy Promotions.

De La Hoya said after the fight Hopkins will fight again and still has options in a lower weight class.

At 46, Hopkins became the oldest fighter to win a major world championship in 2011 when he defeated Jean Pascal. He dropped the WBC version of the light heavyweight belt to Chad Dawson in 2012, setting him up again to break his own record of oldest fighter to win a championship in 2013 with a unanimous decision victory over Tavoris Cloud.

Hopkins was 48 for that bout. He won his next two bouts to set up the unification fight with Kovalev.

Now, it’s Kovalev’s turn to stand atop the division.

http://www.foxsports.com/boxing/story/sergey-kovalev-dominates-bernard-hopkins-to-win-by-unanimous-decision-110914

Date:  Saturday, November 8, 2014

WBO/WBA/IBF  LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location:  Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

Promoter:  Golden Boy Promotions (Oscar De La Hoya) / Main Events (Kathy Duva)

Supervisor:   Francisco Valcarcel, Esq.

Referee:  David Fields

Judges:   Larry Layton (120-106);  Carlos Ortiz Jr. (120-107); Clark Sammartino (120-107) 

Results:   WBO Champion Sergey Kovalev retains the WBO Light Heavyweight Title and obtained the IBF/WBA belts against Bernard Hopkins by Unanimous Decision.   The WBA Champion Hopkins down in round 1.

TV:  USA HBO

World Boxing Organization (WBO), by president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, announced today the officials who will work this Saturday, November 8, in the fourth title defense of the light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev, from Russia, against Bernard Hopkins, from United States, to be held at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States, in a Main Events presentation.

For this fight, when Kovalev (25-0-1, 23 KOs) will defend his WBO 175 pounds belt in an unification bout versus the WBA and IBF champion Hopkins (55-6-2, 32 KOs), the referee will be David Fields, from New Jersey.

Meanwhile, the judges for the Kovalev-Hopkins will be Carlos Ortiz Jr., from New York, Clark Sammartino, from Rhode Island, and Lawrence Layton, from New Jersey.

The WBO supervisor for this fight will be the President Paco Valcarcel.

Kovalev, selected the WBO Boxing of the Year, won his title on August 17, 2013, with a fourth round TKO win over Nathan Cleverly, and got victories over Ismayl Sillah (KO2), Cedric Agnew (KO7) and Blake Caparello (TKO2) on his tree defenses.

This fight will be broadcasted on HBO at 10:45 p.m. (ET).

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2014/11/hopkins-kovalev-officials/

Credit:  Photos by Rich Kane Hogan –

ATLANTIC CITY (Oct. 31) – As we inch closer to the epic “Alien vs. Krusher: Hopkins vs. Kovalev” fight night in Atlantic City, welterweight contenders Sadam “World Kid” Ali and Luis Carlos “Potro” Abregu are preparing hard for their co-featured fight on Saturday, November 8 live on HBO World Championship Boxing.

Both Ali and Abregu offered insight into how their training camps are going and what the fans can expect on November 8.

Q: Where did you train and whom did you train with?
Sadam Ali: I’ve been training at World Kid Sports for eight months, before this training camp started, it’s my little boxing cave. I’m here with my trainers Willie Vargas and Andre Rozier. My team has a close bond. We’re like family and we work together as a
team. It’s all about building and building.

Luis Carlos Abregu:  I have been training in Los Angeles for about a month – I train in the Rock Gym in Carson, Calif. and CMC Pro boxing gym in Marina del Rey with my trainer Hector Roca. My trainer when I was in Argentina was Nestor Jaime.

Q: What is your main motivation in training for this fight?
SA: Being on HBO. I’ve been growing up watching HBO and watching the most famous guys shine and I’ve always envisioned myself in that position. I want to be in everybody’s eyes and I want to be known as something special, that’s very important to me.

LCA: My motivation is to get this win, so that I will have a chance to fight for a world title again. This dream was put on hold after I hurt my hand in my fight with Tim Bradley, but I’m ready to go now.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not training?
SA: I like to shoot pool, go bowling and maybe play some ping-pong. I like competition and I love winning.

LCA: I like to be with my family and make my parents proud with everything I do. I also like to spend time with my friends and have a good time hanging out with them.

Q: Have you been able to spend time with your family during training?
SA: I spend a lot of time with my family. My only job is boxing, so other than that I have lots of time with my family. Their support is really important and it’s always been there. Not everybody has that support, not everybody has a father that can be there for you 24/7 while you’re growing up. My family has helped put me in the position I’m in and I’m thankful for it.

LCA: My family is in Argentina, so here in the United States, I have only my team with me. But I will bring the victory home for them.

Q: What do you know about your opponent and what do you expect from him on November 8?
SA: I’m expecting a hungry fighter, a strong fighter. Somebody who sees nothing but winning, he wants to win and he wants to take me out of his way. He’s a great fighter and I have respect for him, but I’m ready to go out there and perform.

LCA: I know he is a boxer who had a very good amateur career. I hope that he engages with me so that it will be a good fight. I plan to give the fans their money’s worth and I will fight very hard. I hope that he will do the same so that everyone enjoys the fight.

Q: Do you feel any extra pressure fighting as the co-feature before arguably the biggest fight of the year?
SA: I’m used to the pressure because I’ve always seen myself in this position so it’s not really anything to get me nervous. I’m definitely ready and excited. To be on the Hopkins card is exciting, he’s such a great speaker and he says things that just inspire you.

LCA: I feel no pressure at all. I have been the main event in many important boxing shows. To the contrary, I love to be part of important cards that people want to see.

Q: With this being one of the first fights in a while between Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank fighters, do you feel any pressure company?
SA: In addition to representing myself, I always feel like I’m representing Golden Boy too. It’s great to bring everyone together, I think we should all work together. It’s for the boxing fans and everybody that’s watching.

LCA: I think it’s definitely a good thing when two important boxing companies work together. This opens more doors for boxers and it gives all of us better and bigger opportunities.

Q: What is something about you that fight fans don’t know?
SA: I’m going to win November 8.

LCA: I feel that many people don’t know about my power and what I am capable of doing in the ring and that I can beat the best boxers in the world.

Q: What is your prediction for you fight?

SA: I think it’s going to be a great performance. I’m going to fight a smart fight. It’s definitely going to be exciting, that’s just the way I am. I want to excite the fans and I want them to want to see me again. I know Abregu is coming to fight too so it’s going to be beautiful.

LCA: I predict that I will win the fight and that it will be a great fight, if we both come ready to do our jobs. I’m hoping that after the fight the real winner will be the fans.

Question for Ali: What does it mean to you to be a fighter from Brooklyn?
SA: Being a Brooklyn fighter means a lot to me, I was born and raised here. Everybody is hungry here and there have been so many great fighters from here. Even though it’s not like how it used to be, I’m trying to bring it back as well. There’s a lot of those guys I look up to, Mike Tyson obviously, I’m close with Paulie Malignaggi and Luis Collazo. Can’t forget about Riddick Bowe and Mark Breland, there are so many great ones I can’t remember them all.

Question for Abregu: What does it mean to you to represent Argentina?
LCA: I am very proud to represent my country and I also know that is a great responsibility. That is why I will do my best to take a win back to Argentina for all of the people there.

Alien vs. Krusher: Hopkins vs. Kovalev” is a 12-round unification bout for the IBF, WBA and WBO Light Heavyweight World titles, presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Main Events in association with Caesars Atlantic City, Corona Extra, AT&T, Hortitsia Vodka and Mexico, Live it To Believe It!. Ali vs. Abregu is a 10-round welterweight bout for the WBO Intercontinental Welterweight title and is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank.

The HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT.

http://fightnetwork.com/news/51677:sadam-ali-vs-luis-carlos-abregu-training-camp-update/

Phot

Photo:  Timeline photos by Sergey Kovalev /facebook.com/thekrusher –

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – World Boxing Organization (WBO) Light Heavyweight campion, Sergey Kovalev, was awarded tonight as the Fighter of the Year at the Gala Dinner of the WBO 27th Annual Convention, which were honored former WBO champions and International Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees Joe Calzaghe and Oscar de la Hoya, in an event el at the Caesar’s Palace Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The 27th Convention ended this evening with an emotional ceremony honoring the careers of Calzaghe and De La Hoya, who were present to receive the tribute.

“We want to honor these two great champions WBO and now immortal Hall of Fame International Boxing Calzaghe and De La Hoya, always faithful to our body and two of the best of his era and history,” said WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel.

After a video with part of their most important bouts, the fighters were introduced by the famous ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr., who served as master of ceremonies of the activity. Both former world champions got a special WBO belt in honor of their careers.

Meanwhile, Kovalev, who will defend his 175 pounds WBO belt on November 8 against also world champion Bernard Hopkins in a unification bout, won his belt in August 2013 and has successfully defended three times with KO wins over Ismayl Sillah, Cedric Agnew and Blake Caparello.

Other winners on the night were the promoter Bob Arum, who received the WBO Promoter of the Year award, the fight between WBO Lightweight Champion Terence Crawford and Yuriorkis Gamboa as the WBO Fight of the Year, the WBO featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko as Fighter with Brightest Future, while the WBO female bantamweight world champion Carolina Duer was awarded with the WBO ring for her 10 defenses of the title.

Also in attendance were WBO junior lightweight champion Orlando Salido, junior welter champion Chris Algieri, Japanese female world champions Nao Ikehara and Kimiko Seeser Ikeyama, former world champion Ruslan Provodnikov, former world champion James Toney, former women’s world champion, Hanna Gabriels, unbeaten prospect Felix Verdejo, among others.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2014/10/sergey-kovalev-honored/

Date:  Saturday, November 1, 2014

WBO BANTAMWEIGHT  TITLE BOUT

Location:   UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Promoter:   Warriors Boxing / Leon Margules

Supervisor:  John Duggan

Referee:     Genaro Rodriguez

Judges:   Bill Lerch (115-113); Michael Pernick (115-113);  Dennis Nelson (113-115)

Results:  The Champion Tomoki Kameda defended and retained the WBO Bantamweight Title with a split decision over Alejandro “Payasito” Hernández.

TV:  USA Showtime

By David Finger \ Photos: Joel Colon/WBO

The World Boxing Organization 27th Annual Convention kicked off in full force this morning at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas as members from around the world introduced themselves and we subsequently treated to a video presentation highlighting last year’s convention in Budapest. The first order of business for the executive committee was the Championship Committee report, which highlighted the strong position of the WBO in regards to participating in championship fights. In 2011-2012 the WBO made a strong statement to the boxing world as they had an impressive 38 championship fights. However, as that number dipped to 32 in 2012-2013, the WBO was keen on making a strong statement and to bounce back. The Championship Committee was happy to report that the WBO more than exceeded expectations here.

“This year we came back fierce and strong,” commented Luis Batista Salas, chairman of the Championship Committee. “We came back with 40 championship fights. We had more championship fights than the other organizations together.” Batista Salas also commented on the growth, and strength, of WBO Women’s boxing. “We have 25 champions in the female division, and we only began three years ago with female championship fights.”

Perhaps most noteworthy for the Championship Committee was the prominent role that mandatory defenses played in WBO championship fights. “Mandatory fights are something we take very seriously,” Batista Salas added, “(The WBO) had 32 mandatory fights! This is also a record. That is also something to be proud of.”

From there President Valcarcel announced that the President’s Report would be postponed until after lunch to allow him to speak at length about some issues, including his planned announcement for the second day of the convention, in which the WBO will petition Senator John McCain and the ABC to propose amendments to the Muhammad Ali Act, proposals that would strengthen the bill and impose harsher penalties for violations. He then took a jab at the other organizations, and in particular the recent summit of boxing organizations in Cancun, Mexico that was hosted by the WBC.

“I wasn’t there to waste time in Cancun for some public relations stunt where nothing gets done,” Valcarcel said to the Executive Committee, “there were two of them in the past and nothing got done. We didn’t intend to go and waste our time.”

Valcarcel indicated a desire to continue working with local commissions and the ABC to promote safety and proposed rule changes, noting that local laws will always trump the WBO rules, and therefore it was important to work closely with these commissions. He also added that he will be meeting with the chairman of the IBF tomorrow, as the chairman will be visiting with the WBO in Las Vegas.

The Grievance Committee report followed, and in what could considered a “short and sweet” summary, the Grievance Committee chairman Alberto Rodriguez was happy to announce that there were no complaints submitted to the committee in 2014. He then discussed the process for a party to submit to the grievance committee.

A short video followed featuring WBO women’s bantamweight champion Carolina Duer, followed by Ms. Duer thanking the WBO and expressing her appreciation for the WBO. “Since I’ve been a world champion I’ve always been only a WBO champion,” Duer said to the executive committee, “I am very proud to represent this organization.”

The next order of business was the regional vice presidents report, starting with Istvan “Koko” Kovacs and WBO Europe. Kovacs was pleased to report a very successful year for the WBO Europe. “We had the pleasure to organize the second WBO congress (in Budapest) in 2013 and according to the feedback and your comments, it was very successful. Already after the 2009 (WBO Congress) we saw an increase in the nonetheless already significant activities of WBO Europe. But I must admit that I did not expect to have such extraordinary accomplishments (in 2014).”

WBO Europe increased overall, and although WBO International saw a slight decrease, much of that was attributed to tighter restrictions and higher standards. “We tightened the requirements for the belt,” Kovacs said, “we had less fights but there is higher prestige to the belt.”

However, any drop in activity to WBO International was more than made up by the increase in activity from the WBO European titles. It went from 11 fights in 2013 to 27 in 2014. The number of WBO regional titles in Europe nearly doubled from 29 in 2013 to 53 in 2014, Kovacs then discussed the increase in activity across the board for the WBO in Europe, citing the increased number of fights from the WBO Youth (from 4 to 9) and WBO female championships (from 5 to 9). In 2014 there were also 10 WBO championship fights in Europe, which was the same number as in 2013.

Kovacs then discussed the overall history of the WBO European title since 2009, noting that they have had 92 championship fights, with 54 champions, of which 13 would go on to fight for the title, and of which 3 world champions would emerge. Kovacs then discussed the financial situation with WBO Europe, noting that since 2009 the WBO Europe brought in $95,600 for the WBO in 2014 alone, thus making it the most successful year ever for WBO Europe. Since 2009 WBO Europe has collected over $325,000 in sanctioning fees for the WBO. Kovacs then took a few moments to discuss the ways in which WBO Europe took part in the WBO Kids Drug Free program.

From there WBO Asia Pacific Vice President Leon Panoncillo took the floor to discuss both the state of boxing in Asia and in Africa.

“Asia Pacific has shown positive growth, with 17 sanctioned fights since last year’s convention,” Panoncillo said. He also added that WBO Asia Pacific brought in $28,011.57 in revenue since the last convention and that he expected to sanction five more fights before the end of the year.

He then discussed the WBO Oriental title, adding that since the last convention he sanctioned 30 Oriental Championship matches, collecting a total of $44,250 in revenue since the last convention. The impressive increase in activity marked a dramatic rise in activity for the WBO Oriental title, making 2014 one of the most successful years in the history of WBO Oriental and in striking range of being the most successful year ever for the title. Panoncillo then went on to discuss the WBO Africa, noting that WBO Africa has sanctioned 16 total championship fights since the last convention and that it has raised $21,400 in revenue. Panoncillo then closed out with a discussion of the state of affairs with WBO Asia Pacific Youth, noting that the WBO sanctioned three youth titles and subsequently raised $2,525 in revenue for the WBO since the last convention.

From there WBO first vice president John Duggan discussed the China Zone development, and his hopes to see the WBO continue to grow in the region.

After Duggan’s discussion of China the WBO handed out several awards, with Marco Huck being the most notable. Huck was recently named a WBO Super Champion, and although he did not have a Super Championship belt yet, he was awarded a plague commemorating his accomplishment.

“This is a very rare and great honor,” Huck said after receiving the award, “I am very proud to be named Super Champion after 13 title defenses.”Also given awards were Osvaldo Rivero, who was named Latin America promoter of the year by the WBO. Also given an award was Patrick Teixeira, who was awarded the OMB Latino Champion of the year.

From there Jorge Molina presented his report on WBO Latino, noting that he still embraced the philosophy that “the sky’s the limit” when considering the future of the organization. Since the last convention, Molina noted that the WBO has sanctioned 30 championship fights, an increase from 25 in 2013. Of those 30 fights, 10 were held in Argentina, 10 were held in Brazil, six were held in the United States, 3 were held in Mexico, and 1 was held in Puerto Rico. Five fights were in the welterweight division, five were in the junior bantamweight division, and four were in the junior middleweight division. Molina then discussed the proud history of the OMB Latino championship, noting that the WBO Latino held an astounding 526 title fights since 1996. Of those who fought for the WBO Latino title, 134 would go on to fight for the world title, while 41 would go on to win world championships. Molina then added that since the last convention three OMB Latino Champions have gone on to win world titles as well. Molina then closed out with a video presentation that highlighted some of the greatest moments of WBO Latino, highlighting some legendary champions like Michael Carbajal and Ener Julio.

The executive committee took a short recess for lunch, and upon returning from lunch, resumed with the treasurer’s report. WBO CPA Jaime Ceballero advised that the strength of the WBO financial situation, adding that the WBO had $1,242,724 in savings, an increase in revenue of 302%. The increase in revenue was the largest ever in the history of the WBO. He then added that the WBO accounts included nearly $2,000,000 when added with the accounts of all of the regional organizations. He then added that, if the WBO were to pay off all of their debts today, they would still hold in excess of a million dollars. The positive report prompted President Valcarcel to ask if the WBO could spend more money on the WBO Kids Drug Free program. Unfortunately there was one area where regional organization in which WBO didn’t have tremendous success initially in 2014: the NABO.

The NABO had recently changed leadership in February of 2014 after reporting substantial losses in 2013 and early 2014. New NABO Vice President Jose Izquierdo, however, had done much to turn that ship around since taking over. One area of strength was the increase in fights on “important” cards such as the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley PPV card, or the recent Floyd Mayweather-Marcos Maidana PPV in 2014. Since taking over the helm at NABO, Izquierdo has sanctioned 12 NABO title fights and 14 Inter-Continental title fights, helping fuel a dramatic turnaround for the NABO financially.

“There is a dramatic decrease in the amount owed,” Izquierdo said, “over 46% decrease. And a 790% increase for cash on hand.”

Izquierdo has taken a much more inclusive approach to spearhead the NABO’s sudden resurgence. “I’ve called local commissions to have them recommend fighters to be considered and become part of the rankings of the NABO,” Izquierdo said.

The positive changes in the direction of the NABO prompted vice president Luis Batista Salas to sing Izquierdo’s praises during his presentation. “He has changed the face of the NABO,” Batista Salas said of Izquierdo.

From there President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel presented the WBO President’s Report, and as expected, he took time to again discuss a topic that has become his cause belle: the proliferation of titles in boxing. Valcarcel first commended Jose Izquierdo on scoring a knockout with WBO’s presence on social media like Facebook.com and Twitter. Noting how WBO’s Facebook page went from 7,000 followers to 334,996 followers in only one year, he commended Izquierdo for helping turn WBO boxing into one of the most popular boxing pages on the internet.

“It is the fastest way to get resolutions out and give the public an outlet (to communicate with us).” Valcarcel said.

Valcarcel then spoke time to speak about the WBO champions, noting that “the WBO is very lucky, because we have the money makers. We have the best champions around the world.”

He then took a jab at a rival organization, noting that former WBO middleweight champion Peter Quillin was making more money in his title defenses than a rival organizations champion who had become a regular fixture on television. He also noted that at the bantamweight weight class, the WBO recently received a $600,000 purse bid from a promoter for a title fight and that Marco Huck is highly successful in the cruiserweight division, earning tremendous paydays as a cruiserweight. Valcarcel then took another jab at the rival organizations and the proliferation of numerous “copper, platinum, silver, and aluminum” titles.

“We have the WBO (world) champion and that’s it! We call Klitschko a Super Champion and that’s it. We don’t have anyone (other champion) behind him. I want to be polite, but I have to speak the truth. Who cares about Alex Povetkin? The champion is Klitschko!”

Explaining the difference between the WBO and some of the other sanctioning organizations in how they recognize champions.

“We have regional titles, but others, they have 3, 4, 5 titles.” Valcarcel added. “We only have one Latino Champion…that means the WBO Latino title carries prestige. We want to keep it that way. We don’t want to have a bunch of titles.”

From there discussions turned to recent litigation involving the WBO, including a case in Puerto Rico that threatens the tax-exempt status of the WBO.

“Our financial success has attracted the attention of inland revenue in Puerto Rico,” WBOs legal counsel associated with the case told the commission, “due to new tax laws in Puerto Rico and the recession in Puerto Rico, and the degradation of Puerto Rican bonds. Puerto Rico has imposed further taxes to cover this.”

Although the WBO is a recognized non-profit according to the United States federal government, the government of Puerto Rico has refused to give full faith and credit to this designation, and their decision had initially been upheld by the Puerto Rican court of appeals. Although the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico initially refused to hear the case, the WBO remained confident that they still had a strong appeal.

Jose Izquierdo made a motion to give the President the authority to unilaterally name a committee to take on this issue at his discretion, a motion that was passed unanimously.

The second issue discussed was the issue of a trademark registration in Europe, and a fraudulent company that sent an unsolicited letter demanding payment to “register” the WBO trademark. This letter was disregarded when the WBO European Council assured the executive committee that the WBO trademarks are registered for the next several years.

Closing out the first day of the meeting, President Valcarcel again discussed the issue of the WBO’s refusal to take part in the joint summit of boxing sanctioning organizations held in Cancun earlier this year.

“We can work with other commissioners regarding safety,” Valcarcel said, “that doesn’t mean we have to meet up (with rival organizations) for it. I never heard of Coca-Cola and Pepsi having a meeting together. You have your own flavor, we don’t have to meet anyone, we don’t have to go anywhere because we are very busy. We are busy working with kids, enhancing the image of the sport. We had a meeting in 2011 and we talked about the same issues. We are doing much more than other organizations. Did you hear of other organizations doing as much for kids?”

WBO European member Markus Aslani then chimed in, “We stick to our rules and we don’t take part in the inflation of titles.”

“I think the main problem in boxing is that you have more than one champion in each division,” Valcarcel added.

“One organization that shall remain unnamed had 41 champions in 17 weight classes,” Jose Izquerdo added.

“We have the support of the most respected boxing writers of the world,” Valcarcel added, “I think in boxing, honesty is the best policy. If we are recognized as the honest organization, we are going to have success.”

From there President Valcarcel added that he will discuss proposals to Senator John McCain and Harry Reid in regards to amendments to the Muhammad Ali Act, and that the WBO would “not tolerate corruption in its ranks.”

Rounding off the opening day was a presentation on the still developing China Zone, which discussed its plans for 2015. The event closed off with a cocktail party that evening, and is set to resume tomorrow at 8:30 AM.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/giant-wbo-2014-convention-day-one-report-266381

WBO President Paco Valcarcel has announced that WBO interim jr lightweight champion Orlando “Siri” Salido will now be the full WBO 130lb titleholder. Valcarcel also announced that current champion Mikey Garcia is now moving up to the 140lb division. Garcia has been out of the ring since January due to a promotional dispute.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/mikey-moving-to-140-salido-new-wbo-champ-264716

By Terence Dooley –

Team Sauerland are on the move from German TV broadcaster ARD to Sat.1, a privately-owned German TV station that started life in 1984 and is also available on the HD platform.  They will broadcast up to eight shows a year, with the option of a couple of pay-per-view events, and are allowed to take the Sauerland shows to other countries.

Indeed, Sauerland recently promoted the George Groves-Christopher Rebrasse EBU Super middleweight title fight here in the U.K., which was shown on Sky TV thanks to the input of Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, and they stated that it will be the first of a few foreign soil showcases.

Sauerland have a growing British contingent, EBU title-holder Groves and former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion David Price signed with them this year, as well as the likes of Mikkel Kessler and Arthur Abraham, the WBO super middleweight titlist, but they could be without the services of WBO cruiserweight king Marco Huck, who recently declared a desire to part company with Nisse and Kalle Sauerland’s company in order to seek a fight with Wladimir Klitschko.

They join German legend Felix Sturm on the channel. He faces Robert Stieglitz at a catchweight of 166.45lbs on November 8, with the winner set to meet Abraham, who defended his title again Paul Smith last month.  With Sauerland now on board, Sat.1 will aim to become a bigger player on the German boxing scene.  Former heavyweight title contender Axel Schluz will be part of their fight night broadcast team to provide heavyweight analysis.

http://www.boxingscene.com/sauerland-event-major-tv-agreement-with-sat1–82997