Klitschko Says No Chance of Inside Fight With Leapai

Photos:  Lynne Sladky – Yahoo Photo Gallery

Article by Adrian Warren –

Multiple heavyweight world title-winning boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko has described Alex Leapai’s style as “pure violence,” but insists he won’t take his Australian challenger lightly.

Klitschko will put the the WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO titles on the line against Queenslander Leapai in Oberhausen, Germany in the early hours of Sunday April 27, Australian time.

The towering 38-year-old Ukrainian (61-3, 51 KOs) is riding a 19-fight win steak and hasn’t lost for ten years.

Leapai 34 (30-4-3 24 KOs) earned his shot with a unanimous points win in Germany last November over Denis Boytsov, taking the Russian’s No.1 WBO ranking.

“I think Alex has been successful with his style, I call it pure violence in the ring, and he became number one mandatory, thanks to that style,” Klitschko said in press conference in Austria.

“I think that he doesn’t have much idea about technique, strategy and tactics in a fight, or in the fights that I’ve seen.

“But he really doesn’t need it because he has so much strength naturally.

“He will try to get inside and fight and do the hay-making.

“He has some downsides but has some really strong sides.

“It’s going to be really challenging for me because of the size difference as well and his desire to win.

“I could tell, and I saw it at the press conference (recently in Germany), he’s determined, he really wants to make it happen.

“I think that Alex is certainly very motivated to become a champion and he’s the guy that has nothing to lose.”

Klitschko dismissed the suggestion he would use his massive height and reach advantages to box Leapai from the outside and avoid getting hit at close quarters.

“No, I will stand there at a close distance and I will fight him close so he’s going to feel there’s definitely another Mike Tyson,” Klitschko said.

The champion is an overwhelming betting favourite for the fight, but experience has taught Klitschko the underdog normally rises to the occasion.

“I’m definitely not going to take Alex Leapai easily, I’m taking him even stronger,” he said.

“Because in the night when challengers are in the ring, I’m telling you out of my experience, they are better than they usually are.

“Because this is their life chance and it’s definitely a life chance for Alex Leapai.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/klitschko-says-no-chance-inside-fight-with-leapai–76607

By:  Rich Mazon –

Las Vegas – Before his friend and former sparmate fights in the main event, Ray Beltran (R, above photo) took the stage in what is one of the biggest events of his career.

Beltran (29-6-1, 17 KOs), a former sparring partner of Manny Pacquiao at the WIld Card Gym, ushered in a win for the famous gym by dominating Ushmanee in the co-feature of HBO’s Pay Per View Telecast of the rematch between Pacquiao and WBO welterweight champ, Timothy Bradley Jr.

The rugged Beltran did not disappoint his fans as the former world title challenger punished and dominated Arash Ushmanee (20-2-1, 10 KOs) of Red Deer Canada in their 12 round battle to score NABO’s lightweight belt with a Unanimous Decision victory.

All judges at ringside have it for Beltran with scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111.

Ushamanee, a replacement for Beltran’s original opponent, Roman Martinez, who fell ill, received hard left hooks to his body and head which Beltran threw with authority. Beltran’s timing was beautiful as majority of his power shots found its target on Ushmanee but the Canadian fighter took it well and never tasted the canvas from it.

A last moment heated exchange between the two energized the crowd, a sort of a jolt shot in preparation for the Main event tonight at The MGM Grand Garden Arena.

As a result of this win, Beltran will be back as a major challenger for a world title in the lightweight (135 pound) class.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-94083.html

Las Vegas,Nevada   —  Superstar Manny Pacquiao and undefeated WBO World Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley pose during the final press conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Wednesday for their eagerly-anticipated rematch, Saturday, April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 will take place, Saturday, April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.  It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.   — Photo Credit : Joel Colon.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-pacquiao-bradley-ii-final-presser-mega-gallery–76536

WBO/IBF/WBA/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko was working hard during a training session at the Hotel Stanglwirt in Going, Austria. Klitschko is scheduled to defend his titles against the mandatory WBO challenger Alex Leapai of Australia at the Koenig-Pilsener-Arena on April 26 in Oberhausen, Germany.  Leapai, a heavy underdog but a big puncher, secured his mandatory shot after last year’s upset decision over previously undefeated Denis Lebedev.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-w-klitschko-working-hard-leapai-defense–76511

By Yuri Tarantin –

Negotiations for Ruslan Provodnikov’s next fight has been ongoing for two rounds, according to the WBO champion’s manager Vadim Kornilov. Provodnikov (23-2, 16KOs) is scheduled to make the first defense of his title on June 14th. Several names have been mentioned over the last few weeks, including Brandon Rios, Antonio DeMarco and Hank Lundy, but Kornilov says undefeated Chris Algieri (19-0, 8KOs) is potentially going to be the HBO televised opponent.

“The fight will be on June 14. We’ve already held negotiations with potential rivals for two months. This week, we need to find out who Ruslan’s next opponent will be. Possibly Ruslan’s opponent will be Algieri. The fight will likely be held in New York,” Kornilov said.

http://www.boxingscene.com/provodnikovs-manager-algieri-bout-ny-possible–76213

Photos: P. Gercke / Team SES

Ramona Kuehne 128.75 vs. Gina Chamie 127.6
(WBO/WIBF/WBF female super featherweight title)

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/weights-from-potsdam-germany-240082

Undefeated two-division world champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (31-0, 12 KOs), trainer Joel Diaz and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum hosted an international media conference call from Bradley’s Palm Springs training camp on Thursday to discuss Bradley’s eagerly-anticipated April 12 WBO welterweight championship PPV rematch against Manny Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KOs). This will be Bradley’s third defense of the world title he won from Pacquiao in their previous fight.

Timothy Bradley: I’ve got a lot to prove in this fight. I’ve gotta prove that the first fight wasn’t a fluke. There’s a lot of things that happened in the first fight that weren’t right. This time I’ll be 110% ready.

I gained a lot of experience from my last two appearances on HBO, one in particular against Marquez, who is a great champion and great fighter, legendary, and also the fight of the year against Ruslan Provodnikov. So I’m a different fighter now, a different beast, a different animal and this time around I’m gonna prove it to the fans and everybody. The last time around I got the win but it felt like I lost because I didm’t get any credit from the fans and it’s very important to get the credit from the fans. I definitely gotta win by a wide margin.

Joel Diaz: We don’t really feel the support. Everybody goes to the Wild Card to see Manny Pacquiao train, he’s in great shape, he’s in great preparation… but nobody comes around to Tim Bradley’s gym to see how he’s doing. But in a way I like that because curiosity, it sometimes puts a little bit of fear. Nobody knows how Tim Bradley is training and he’s very ready to come to Vegas and ruin the party for a lot of people again.

Bob Arum: This rematch is special because the previous fight ended in a decision win for Timothy Bradley and a lot of people thought the decision could have gone the other way. That can be debated endlessly, so a rematch gives a definitive answer to who is the better fighter.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/timothy-bradley-quick-quotes-240099

By Sam Geraci –

This Saturday, Cedric “L.O.W” Agnew (26-0, 13 KOs) of Chicago, IL, makes his television debut on HBO’s “Boxing After Dark” when he challenges Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (23-0-1, 21 KOs) of Russia, for Kovalev’s WBO light heavyweight championship at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. Although Agnew has never been televised, has faced limited or aging opposition and is challenging a man who considered by many to be the sport’s most feared puncher, Agnew remains steadfast in his assertions that he is a great fighter who will shock the boxing world on Saturday.

In the following interview, Agnew talks about his style, the Kovalev matchup, being a role model to black fighters in Chicago and whether or not he ever defeated WBA light heavyweight champion Beibut Shumenov as an amateur.

How do you feel before headlining an HBO event in your first televised bout?

I feel good. It is perfect timing in my career right now, and I am just excited about this whole experience.

What do you mean you are excited about this “whole experience?”

Just everything that came with it. Ya know, getting my name out there to people who didn’t know me and getting people to start noticing me.

How have you handled the press and have you enjoyed it?

It’s been good. I mean I’m not used to getting phone calls like everyday (laughs), but it’s been a good experience.

How has the press treated you?

They’ve been really good. They have been talking a lot about other fights, but I’m just staying focused and game. I try to answer all questions straightforward and honest.

Why did it take so long for you to get on television to get an opportunity like this?

I don’t know. I was offered fights, and I accepted them, but a lot of fights were supposed to happen but didn’t. You know how it is, but it’s the right time now.

What are some of the fights that you were offered but didn’t happen?

Well, they called us about an Andre Ward fight; they called us before about a Bernard Hopkins fight; and they called us for a Beibut Shumenov fight.

Did you accept all those fights?

We accept all big fights all the time.

Something that came out in the prefight hype was that you defeated Beibut Shumenov in the amateurs. Is that true?

I think I might have fought him in one of the dual competitions between USA and Kazakhstan, and if I fought him, I know I won because I never lost in a dual competition. You’d have to check to see if he competed.

In this big fight nearly all “experts” are picking Kovalev by knockout. What do you think of that?

(Laughs) Well, ya know, I don’t think about that too much. You’re gonna always have your naysayers out there who don’t know too much about one person but know one thing about the other person so they are gonna choose the other person. When Buster Douglas fought Tyson, there wasn’t too much known about Buster Douglas, and we all know what happened. It’s gonna happen again.

So what don’t the experts know about you?

I am a great fighter. Ya know, I mean, I am a well-rounded fighter. I can punch; I can box; I can brawl; I can bang; and I can move. Ya know, I’m fast and I have all the abilities.

As an amateur, you were known as a power puncher. Why so few knockouts as a pro?

In the amateurs, everyone you’re fighting wants to be someone. They are coming to fight, so you can stop someone like that, but when you’re coming into the pros, ya know, once the guy feels that he can’t defeat you, then he goes into survival mode. It’s kinda hard to try and knock people out who refuse to be knocked out while in survival mode.

Are you planning to knock out Kovalev?

(Laughs) I don’t go into any fight looking for a knockout, but if it comes, it comes.

Do you think you have the power to knock out Kovalev?

I have the power to knockout anybody in my weight division. This will be an exciting fight because he got a lot to prove and he got a lot to lose just like me. This is gonna be two guys looking to prove they are the best.

What skills are you going to use to “shock the world” as your trainer Bobby Benton recently said?

Just all the skills that I was blessed with, but most of all I am going to use my brain. I’m going to show people that somebody you don’t think can be defeated can be defeated.

How is your relationship with Bobby?

Seriously, we have a good relationship. This is the best training relationship I’ve ever had. Bobby’s a helluva trainer. We have a really strong bond together; he knows what’s good for you and bad.

Sam Colonna, who now trains Andrzej Fonfara and recently said in an interview that you have the best boxing abilities pound for pound today. How does it feel to get that support back home in Chicago and to know that you and your former stable mate are fighting two of the best light heavyweight champions in world?

It feels really good to know that we’ve come this far, and that I have a lot of support back home.

What do you think is going to happen with Fonfara and Stevenson?

I don’t know, but I think if he goes into that fight with the right mentality, and know you’re strong and got the best ability, anything can happen.

Would you be interested or willing to fight Fonfara in Chicago after your fights?

Yeah, you know, it would be something big to fight each other in Chicago. We both have big followings back home. Ya know, a lot of people don’t know me, but I gotta lot of supporters in Chicago. I want to come back to fight in Chicago after this fight.

In addition to fan support, how does it feel to know that a lot of young black fighters in Chicago, most notably welterweight prospect Alex Martin, see you as a role model?

It feels good. I didn’t know a lot of people looked up to me like that there until recently, but it feels good.

Unlike a lot of Chicago’s best black fighters, you were able to make it. Why?

Most of the time, early in their careers when they are very good and tough prospects they get hooked up with the wrong people who just use them and throw them away after a few paydays. Basically, they get put into fights too early in their careers, and it ruins them.

Is that why you chose Malcolm Garrett as your promoter?

I chose Malcolm because a lot of other promoters were coming to me but a lot of these other promoters that were coming to me had a reputation for using fighters and not enough of those promoters had a reputation of building champions and taking care of them. Malcolm also had a good relationship with my uncle and my brother.

Do you think it has worked out?

Yeah it has worked out (laughs). I mean I’m fighting for the world championship (laughs).

You come from a fighting family. Why are the Agnews into boxing?

(Laughs) I don’t know. I just come from a family of it. I guess over the generations it has just been adopted and just passed on and passed. We are just trying to keep it rolling.

How long can you trace back? Obviously your uncle, “Mighty” Mike Evans, boxed, but who else?

My uncle boxed; my father did the amateurs; I had another uncle who boxed; I had four God brothers who boxed; my little brother, Frankie, boxes now and one sister boxed.

A while back you described your style as someone who fights like Winky Wright but has the hand speed of Roy Jones Jr. Can you explain that in more detail because most fans haven’t seen you fight?

Well, if you knew Winky Wright, then you know it was hard to penetrate his defense. He didn’t have a flashy defense or nothing like that but he always had his hands up at all times and it was hard to penetrate his tight defense. It was kinda like trying to knock down a brick wall. And like Roy Jones Jr., well, I’ve got hand speed.

Everybody has been talking about who Kovalev is going to fight next. Who are you thinking about fighting after Kovalev?

I don’t know. Ya know, whatever deals come to us and whatever my manager has in store for me and my family is what we will take. I’m ready for anyone they put in front of me, so whoever wants to step up is who I’ll take.

One more question. What does “L.O.W.” mean?

Leader of war.

Anything else you would like to add?

Just that it’s my time.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/cedric-agnew-i-am-a-great-fighter-240155

By Rich Mazon –

Reigning WBO minimumweight (105 lbs.) champion Merlito Sabillo (23-0-1, 12 KOs) of the Philippines will be defending his world title belt in enemy territory this Saturday evening in Mexico (Sunday morning in the Philippines).

Sabillo, of Negros Occidental, is scheduled to protect his diadem in Monterey, Mexico, hometown of his challenger Francisco Rodriguez Jr. in his third defense of his title.

Team Sabillo, who arrived in Monterey, Mexico from San Diego, California last Tuesday, expressed that despite the apprehension of fighting in his challenger’s hometown, he is confident that his recent training and preparation for this fight will prevail above the ring.

“Siyempre kahit sino naman po ay maalangan kasi nasa teritoryo tayo ng kalaban, pero wala tayong magagawa kasi promotion nila eh. Ang sa akin ay Diyos na lang ang nakakaalam at gagawin ko ang best ko,“ Sabillo told this writer in an interview before leaving for Mexico.

(Of course, anyone will be uncomfortable because we are in enemy territory but we can’t do anything because it is their promotions. For me, only God knows what will happen and that I will do my best.)

But his coach, Edito Villamor, head trainer of the ALA stable, has confidence that Sabillo will fare well against Rodriguez Jr. despite the favorable venue and the hometown crowd for their Mexican counterpart.

“Hindi naman kami alangan (sa paglaban sa Mexico). Sanay naman si Merlito. Noong kinuha niya yung belt ng world title, doon yun sa Colombia. Dito (US) kami nag training camp at magaling naman ang training namin dito kaya wala namang problema sa kanya,” Villamor said.

(We are not uncomfortable (of fighting in Mexico). Merlito is accustomed to fighting elsewhere. When he won the belt for the world title, it was in Colombia. We spent our training camp here (US) and our training is great here and I think there won’t be any problems for him.)

Sabillo and some of his fellow ALA stable mates trained in the States for most part of this camp, under the tutelage of trainers, Edito Villamor and Michael Domingo. They spent time in various boxing gyms in California, sparring against fighters from those gyms. Both boxer and trainer are upbeat that their time spent in training in the US will help them against Rodriguez Jr. who is ranked number 9 by the WBO.

“Malaking tulong, nakapag-training kami ng conditioning training dito under Nick Curson. Maganda naman pinagawa niya, yung mga plyometrics, lahat. Iba talaga, iba ang training dito.” said Villamor.

(It’s a big help, we underwent condition training under Nick Curson. He made them do plyometrics and other stuff. Training here is really different.)

Sabillo admitted that he noticed an improvement on his conditioning after undergoing the various strength and conditioning exercises and that also he expects no difficulty in meeting the 105 pound limit for the fight.

The 30 year-old champion is only three pounds above the weight limit last Sunday, a full week ahead of his fight.

Sabillo, who is not fond of trash-talking, made no guarantees but promised to give his best when he puts his title in the line against Rodriguez Jr.

“Hindi lang ako magsabi ng kung ano sir, basta gagawin ko lahat ng best ko para maipanalo at madepensahan ang aking title belt.”

(I don’t want to say anything sir, except that I will give my very best to win and to defend this title.)

http://philboxing.com/news/story-93083.html

By:  Ronnie Natalnietz –

WBO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes (32-1-4, 18 KO’s) who is preparing diligently for his rematch with mandatory challenger Moises Fuentes (19-1-1, 10 KO’s) of Mexico sparred four torrid rounds with former world light flyweight champion Giovanni Segura (31-3-1. 27 KO’s) at former world champion Daniel Ponce De Leon’s Gym.

Trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor said the sparring session went well and was a good experience for Nietes since Segura is a slugger and will suit Nietes well when he fights (mandatory challenger) Moises Fuentes” on May 10 at the Mall of Asia along Manila Bay.

Villamor said they were originally scheduled to spar six rounds but it had to be cut short since there was a another fighter who weighed 126 pounds who wanted to spar with Segura, a former No. 8 in the Ring pound for pound rankings before former WBO champion Brian Viloria battered Segura to score an 8th round TKO victory in a WBO flyweight title defense at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig Manila on December 11, 2011.

The trainer said he spoke to Segura after the sparring session and the former world champion told him “it’s is really difficult to find a sparring partner in the US that weighs below 122 pounds.” Segura himself weighs 123.

Villamor met with manager Javier Capitillo who also manages Alejandro Gonzales whom Villamor described as “good” after watching him spar in the presence of Ponce De Leon who was with his trainer Mario Morales.

He said the gym which “is properly managed by Ponce De Leon’s wife and is clean” also has several sparring partners for Filipino fighters at 122 pounds and above.

Villamor disclosed that Nietes, who will return to Manila to attend the Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Annual Awards on March 25, was working with outstanding strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson who reportedly did an excellent job with WBO minimum weight champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo who defends his title in Monterrey against No. 9 ranked Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Jr in a fight to be telecast by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday.

Viva Sports will telecast a pre-fight special on the Sabillo-Rodriguez Jr title clash on Pinoy Box Office (PBO) over SkyCable on Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

The special will provide highlights of four of Rodriguez’ fights which would give fight fans a chance to size up the challenger of Sabillo.

Photo: Donnie Nietes (R) and Giovanni Segura pose after their sparring session at the Daniel Ponce de Leon Gym in Mexico.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-93082.html

By Alexey Sukachev –

Hungary – Zsolt Erdei said “farewell” to boxing with the same type of performance that he’s given to the fight game during his thirteen-year long professional career -methodically, one-sidedly and extremely boring. In his last fight, the Hungarian master hardly showed any glimpses of greatness, instead giving no chance to Georgian import Shalva Jomardashvili (36-7-2, 27 KOs) over ten tedious rounds. Erdei moved well, used jabs and uppercuts, hurt his foe a couple of times but the fight was way far from being finished prematurely. Scores were announced in Hungarian. BoxingScene had it 100-90 – for the Hungarian master.

Erdei, 39, retires from boxing with almost perfect record of 34-1, 18 KOs, his lone loss being a controversial split decision to Denis Grachev the last year.

As an amateur, Erdei was 1997 world and 1998/2000 European middleweight champion. The Firebird – his most popular nickname – took part in two Summer Olympics (1996 and 2000) but didn’t won any medals, compiling a respected record of 212-20 in process.

As a pro, Erdei took his three years to get himself ready for new challenger at a higher weight class. His stellar moment came in January 2004, when Erdei upset Julio Cesar Gonzalez to take his WBO light heavyweight title and to avenge the loss of his teammate and European legend Dariusz Michalczewski.

Erdei went on to hold his title for five and a half years, retaining it eleven times. His opposition was mixed: Erdei defeated three world champions a total four times during his 175lb title run but also fought and won against hardly memorable opposition like American journeymen George Blades or DeAndrey Abron.

In 2009 he moved to cruiserweight and acquired a vacant WBC title in a fight against former champ Giacobbe Fragomeni. He was already sliding in that fight, and the very end of his career was spoiled with a promotional mess (with a decline of Universum Boxing Promotions) and a chain of injuries.

All in all, Erdei was hardly an IBHOF nominee but rather a solid, typically European champion, whose real potential was clouded by careful matchmaking and a streak of domestic defenses (as Germany serves as his boxing homeland). He deserves to be remembered for quite a time though, and his accomplishments make him second-to-none Hungarian pro, which is quite a feat.

http://www.boxingscene.com/zsolt-erdei-dominates-farewell-fight-gomez-wins–75416

By Lem Satterfield –

A Showtime-televised 175-pound unification bout between Bernard  Hopkins and Beibut Shumenov will be supported by Peter Quillin’s third defense of his WBO middleweight title against Lukas Konecny on April 19. The card will take place at the DC Armory in Washington.

“The fans in D.C. have been enthusiastic and supportive of the sport whenever we’ve brought an event there, and I know they will love this championship doubleheader,” said Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, in a release.

“Bernard Hopkins continues to amaze everyone with his performances in the ring, but when he faces Shumenov, he’ll have to pull out all his veteran tricks to keep his amazing streak going. This may be the toughest test he’s faced at light heavyweight.”

In his last fight, Hopkins, 49, unanimously decisioned Karo Murat in defense of the IBF belt he won by unanimous decision over Tavoris Cloud to extend his own record as the oldest man to win a significant crown.

Hopkins first set the record at the age of 46 by outpointing Jean Pascal for the WBC’s title in May of 2011 before losing the belt to Chad Dawson by majority decsion a year later.

During an interview with RingTV.com last month, Hopkins said he was “itching” for a knockout, “because I haven’t had a knockout since 2004, when I knocked out Oscar De La Hoya,” referring to a ninth-round stoppage in September of that year.

Hopkins (54-6-2, 32 knockouts) has history in the D.C. area, having made his first attempt at winning a title there, falling by unanimous decision to Roy Jones Jr. at RFK Stadium in 1993.

But Hopkins later won the IBF middleweight title in nearby Landover, by seventh-round knockout over Segundo Mercado in 1995.

Hopkins went on to defend the crown a record 20 times before losing to Jermain Taylor in 2005. He made his last appearance in D.C. with a seventh-round technical knockout of Robert Allen in 1999.

“It’s no secret that my one of my biggest goals has been to unify the titles, and getting to do that in a city where I have a lot of history is the best-case scenario,” said Hopkins.

“I’m coming back to break another record by unifying the title, and I’m looking to get my first knockout since I fought Oscar De La Hoya in 2004. I know Shumenov is tough, but I’m tougher and I’m not going to let him make a name for himself by being the one to stop me.”

Hopkins was ringside in December when Shumenov (14-1, 9 KOs) ended an 18-month absence by scoring a third-round stoppage of Tomas Kovacs for the fifth defense of his WBA belt.

A 30-year-old native of Kazakhstan now living in Las Vegas, Shumenov avenged his only loss by beating Gabriel Campillo for the title in 2009.

In doing so, Shumenov established a record for the light heavyweight division by defeating Campillo in just his 10th professional bout. He made his first defense six months later with a unanimous decision over Vyacheslav Uzelkov, who had knocked out Campillo in 2007.

Shumenov will be making his first trip to D.C.

“I am very excited that the fight is going to happen against one of the greatest fighters ever,” said Shumenov. “I am going to do everything possible and impossible to get the victory.”

In his last three fights, including two defenses of the title he won fighting Hassan N’Dam in 2012, Quillin (30-0, 22 KOs) has scored a combined 11 knockdowns.

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring and defend my title once again,” said Quillin, 30.  “I’m excited to be fighting in front of the great fans in D.C. and I will give them a show on April 19. Konecny is an experienced challenger, and you can’t overlook anyone with 50 wins, but I’m going home with the title, and I’ll be looking for another knockout.”

A 35-year-old former title challenger who never has been stopped, Konecny (50-4, 23 KOs) will be after his third straight win since falling by unanimous decision to Zaurbek Baysangurov by unanimous decision in 2012.

“I have a lot more experience than Quillin, and the fans will see that on April 19,” said Konecy, who has fought mostly in his home country, the Czech Republic.

“This is my first fight in the U.S. and I don’t plan on going home without that belt. Every fighter dreams of fighting for and winning a world championship, and I am thankful for the chance to do that against Peter Quillin.”

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/323493-bernard-hopkins-beibut-shumenov-peter-quillin-lukas-konecny-double-header

La Organización Mundial de Boxeo, Comité Ejecutivo y su Presidente, Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel se unen con tristeza de quien en vida fuera nuestro compañero y parte de la gran familia OMB.  Elevamos una oración por la paz y el consuelo de toda su familia y por el eterno descanso de su alma.

The World Boxing Organization, its Executive Committee and President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel share the sorrow for the untimely passing of a member and friend of our great WBO family.  Let us share our prayers and thoughts for his family and friends, and the eternal rest of his soul.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photos: Team SES / P. Gercke –

WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz (46-3, 26 KOs) and former champion Arthur Abraham (38-4, 28 KOs) will complete their trilogy on Saturday night at the GETEC Arena in Magdeburg, Germany. The series is 1:1 so far, with Abraham winning by decision in Berlin in August 2012 and Stieglitz winning by fourth round TKO in March 2013 in Magdeburg. SES outbid Sauerland Event to bring the rubber match back to Stieglitz’ backyard.

Today’s press conference took place in Magdeburg’s Cultural History Museum.

Robert Stieglitz: I am delighted that the press conference is again here in the Cultural History Museum. That gave me luck the last time and that’s exactly how it should be again. Saturday will be a real collision in the ring. Outside the ring I’m relaxed, because I’m here at home and Arthur is coming into the lion’s den. I will defend my title successfully and not give in.

Arthur Abraham: The previous fights are in the past, we are very well prepared and promise an exciting fight the fans will like. I have many fans here backing me. I don’t feel like I’m in a lion’s den. but rather in the cave of the cat. No matter where I’m boxing, I feel at home. It’s all or nothing! There’s nothing more important!

SES trainer Dirk Dzemski: We have a good plan. The question is, who can implement their tactics best. And I’m sure that’s Robert. The difference is our great team.

Abraham trainer Ulli Wegner: I think we all can do something great on Saturday. If it’s named as “Fight of the Year”, that’s fine. I feel terrific in Magdeburg, since the public is so knowledgable. Both camps are very well prepared. This fight is what makes boxing so interesting.

SES promoter Ulf Steinforth: Robert and Dirk Dzemski were a team for the first two sensational fights. The third fight had to take place here, because we have been successful here. It’s important to me because I’m superstitious and it has always worked so far. This third fight is super exciting. We have all the support we have always wanted, which is virtually an unbeatable advantage. This is also about the rivalry of the trainers, experience against youth, and it’s a battle of the promoters. But, here in Magdeburg we’re good hosts!

Sauerland Event promoter Kalle Sauerland: We look forward to a great fight. You only have to look at the first two fights. Trilogies are better than rematches. It’s “Champions League” boxing. We know what to do and look forward to being his guest.

WBO/WBF female middleweight champion Christina Hammer defends against Jessica Balogun in the co-feature.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/stieglitz-abraham-iii-presser-237700

By Rick Reeno –

The return of WBO junior welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov (23-2, 16KOs) is being targeted for June 14th, on HBO, according to his promoter Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions.

The “Siberian Rocky” is looking to pick up right where he left off, with his career-defining 2013. After having a “Fight of The Year” battle with WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley in March, Provodnikov returned in October to stop Mike Alvarado in ten rounds to capture then WBO title.

Most fans were hoping that Provodnikov would face Brandon Rios, but Pelullo tells BoxingScene.com that a Rios fight is unlikely due to weight. Provodnikov wants to defend his title, and Pelullo was informed that Rios is unable to get down to 140-pounds.

Pelullo tells BoxingScene that his company will be looking very closely at the outcome of April’s rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Bradley. Provodnikov was in the running to face Pacquiao, who ultimately decided on Bradley. And a rematch with Bradley is also at the top of Provodnikov’s wish list.

http://www.boxingscene.com/provodnikovs-return-eyed-june-14-rios-unlikely–74866

By Yuri Tarantin –

WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (23-0-1, 21KOs) is full focused on his upcoming assignment, a March 29th defense against Cedric Agnew. If Kovalev is successful, he will move another step forward to a unification with WBC champion Adonis Stevenson (23-1, 20KOs), who likely returns on May 24th against Andrzej Fonfara.

Stevenson’s team, now with powerful adviser Al Haymon, is still negotiating a multi-fight deal with HBO. The network would like to have both fighters meet each other in the month of September.

“Right now I have my match against Cedric Agnew, and that’s the only thing I’m focusing on. And Stevenson, I can only say that if he refuses to fight with me [after I beat Agnew], then he is a coward and not a world champion,” Kovalev said.

http://www.boxingscene.com/kovalev-if-stevenson-says-no-me-he-coward–74870

By Keith Idec –

We won’t know for sure until March 29 if Cedric Agnew even belongs in the same ring with Sergey Kovalev.

It is clear, however, that the undefeated contender from Chicago isn’t short on confidence. He doesn’t think all the hype surrounding the ruthless Russian knockout artist is justified, either.

“I think he’s a pretty good, decent fighter,” Agnew said regarding the 12-round fight for Kovalev’s WBO light heavyweight title. “But I don’t see nothing spectacular coming from this guy. To me, my personal opinion, I just think he’s ordinary.”

The 30-year-old Kovalev’s knockout percentage is among the highest in boxing and he has become must-see TV over the past year. HBO will televise his fight against Agnew from Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Phillips Ballroom in Atlantic City, despite that, on paper, it appears to be a mismatch.

For Agnew, 27, challenging Kovalev is the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance the former Chicago Golden Gloves champion couldn’t pass up. The most noteworthy name on Agnew’s record is former light heavyweight contender Yusaf Mack (31-7-2, 17 KOs), whom Agnew defeated by unanimous decision April 12 in New Buffalo, Mich. Agnew claims, though, that his lack of experience against championship-caliber opponents isn’t a concern.

“With Sergey Kovalev, it’s a great fight for us,” said Agnew, who stand 6-foot and fights right-handed. “We wouldn’t have took the fight if we didn’t think we could win the fight. With that being said, I don’t look at him like no terminator or anything. He’s a human, just like I am. He can be hurt, just like anyone else can be hurt. And come March 29, it will happen.”

While Kovalev (23-0-1, 21 KOs) almost always wins by knockout, Agnew has knocked out just 13 of his 26 opponents during a seven-year pro career.

“It doesn’t matter how many fighters I went the distance with or how many fighters I stopped,” Agnew said. “Everybody knows styles make fights and I know I have the style to beat Kovalev and anybody else you put in front of me.”

When a reporter suggested to Agnew on the aforementioned conference call that it was Agnew, not Kovalev, that sounded overconfident, Agnew clarified his approach.

“I don’t know how you guys are taking it,” said Agnew, who’s ranked No. 3 by the IBF and No. 15 by the WBO. “I’m not sounding overconfident. I’m humble and I know the road I had to take to get here. And now that I’m here, I have to show the world all my talent. I have to show the world who is Cedric Agnew.

“Like everybody said, I’m under the radar. Not many people know too much about me. But come March 29, I feel like I have to make a statement. I have to. I’m not trying to sound overconfident or anything. I’m just saying what I have to do.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/cedric-agnew-considers-sergey-kovalev-ordinary–74814

By:  Joseph Herron –

After winning the WBO Junior Welterweight Championship by stopping heralded tough guy and incumbent title holder “Mile High” Mike Alvarado in the reigning champ’s hometown of Denver, Colorado, on October 19th of last year, most fight fans would have guessed that big fight opportunities would be easily attainable for undefeated Russian native Ruslan Provodnikov in 2014.

With sledgehammers for fists and an iron chin to match, the irresistible force at 140 pounds always displays violent drama in the ring whenever he graces the light blue canvas…the kind that brings enthusiasm to arenas and excites fight fans around the world.

The 30 year old champ represents the kind of warrior that most avid boxing enthusiasts are willing to support.

So with a fan friendly style and a piece of coveted hardware around his waist, why is the HBO featured title holder still searching for a suitable challenger?

Ruslan’s promoter, Artie Pellulo, believes that most fighters in and around his Junior Welterweight champion’s weight division understand the obvious dangers in facing a competitor like Provodnikov.

“He always poses that brutal knock-out threat,” professes the CEO and president of Banner Promotions. “Ruslan could be losing every round going into the final stanza of a prizefight and still pull out the victory by landing one perfect shot to the chin. Everyone who saw his fights with Bradley and Alvarado last year found out what we’ve known for a very long time…that Ruslan is one of the most devastating punchers in the entire sport.”

On March 16th, 2013, Provodnikov made his HBO debut against two division world champion and pound for pound fighter Timothy Bradley for the “Desert Storm’s” WBO Welterweight title.

Despite being a 5 to 1 underdog going into the championship bout, Ruslan made his presence felt early in the fight by staggering the customarily granite chinned Tim Bradley in the closing seconds of the opening round with a perfectly timed overhand right.

Although Provodnikov eventually received the short end of a controversial unanimous decision verdict, the hard punching challenger floored the heavily favored fight veteran in the twelfth round and arguably decked Bradley two additional times without receiving credit for the knock-downs from referee Pat Russell throughout the contest.

Directly following the entertaining war of attrition, the declared winner had much to say about his hammer fisted opponent.

“I suffered a concussion early in the fight…Ruslan is a great warrior,” admitted Tim Bradley. “He’ll beat any 140 and 147 pounder out there. I’m telling you, he’s the real deal.”

Despite losing his first big title opportunity, it was obvious to everyone who had witnessed the eventual “Fight of the Year” for 2013 that Ruslan Provodnikov had officially arrived.

The newly crowned WBO title holder truly enjoyed a break-out year in 2013, and looked very impressive in both outings against two respected champions; even in controversial loss.

Perhaps a little too impressive.

Although there was brief discussion between Banner Promotions and Top Rank, Inc, concerning possible PPV bouts with both Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez respectively, the two legendary fighters elected to entertain other offers.

Pellulo believes that the best at 140 and 147 pounds can run, but they can’t hide.

“Right now, we’re working on finding Ruslan an opponent for a possible June 14th date on HBO, and it’s going to be somewhat of a ‘stay busy’ fight with a credible fighter at Junior Welterweight. Although we want to see him in the ring with the proven champions at either 140 or 147 pounds, guys like Manny and JMM don’t want any part of Ruslan Provodnikov at this time.”

“But it’s going to happen sooner or later. Pacquiao, Marquez, Bradley, and even Floyd Mayweather will have to fight him eventually, because Ruslan isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.”

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/2014/ruslan-provodnikovfeared-man-at-junior-welterweight/

By Victor Lee
Photos: Ulysses Sato and Aaron Jang

Nineteen year-old fistic prodigy Mako Yamada (7-0, 2 KOs), of Fukuoka, Japan wrested the WBO Female Minimumweight Title from formerly undefeated defending southpaw champion Su-Yun Hong (9-1, 5 KOs) in snowy Chuncheon, South Korea by split decision scores of 97-93, 96-94 (for Yamada) and 97-96 (for Hong).

Hong, who won the WBO title in June, 2012, was coming off her second defense in August, 2013, a highly controversial split decision win over Kyoto, Japan-based Mari Ando, who went on to become the WBC Minimumweight champion in December of last year. Although Yamada made her pro boxing debut at age 17, a mere six weeks before Hong won the WBO title, she started kickboxing and karate as an elementary school student, and had amassed a pro kickboxing record of 5-0-2. When reminded after the weigh-in about their compatriot’s unfavorable decision loss in August, Yamada’s manager, Masahiko Kumeta, expressed his confidence, stating that his charge had trained and prepared to her best ability, and that they had come to knock Hong out.

This was apparent from the opening bell, as Yamada employed a persistent body attack that weakened Hong over the first half of the bout. Through round after round of trench warfare, the champion scrapped valiantly, but the challenger’s superior infighting skills gave her the upper hand. Yamada increased her work rate in the later rounds, throwing full-force hooks to the head that had Hong holding on for dear life. Not expecting to win a decision on the former champion’s home turf, Yamada burst into tears when the decision was announced. Unlike those of certain other boxing organizations, it appears that the representatives of the WBO are making a concerted effort to eliminate hometown decisions in Asia. Hopefully the other organizations will follow their lead. After the bout, an insider from Hong’s camp revealed that the former champ had sustained an injury to her right eye in round two, which negatively affected her performance thereafter. With this victory, Yamada became the first Japanese WBO female champion, and the first woman from Kyushu to win a world title. Although he had taken time off from managing his Korean Barbeque restaurant in Osaka to come and support Su-Yun Hong, former WBC Super Flyweight champion Masamori Tokuyama (aka Chang-Soo Hong) stopped by Yamada’s dressing room to offer his congratulations. Yamada’s promoter, Takao Mihashi, commented that since Yamada is still young, their goal is for her to become a world champion in three weight classes. Mako Yamada, whose older sister Saki is also a formidable professional boxer (could they become the Japanese “Klitschko” sisters?), says that she will continue to work her part-time job as an assistant in a beauty salon while training hard to defend her newly acquired belt.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/yamada-hong-full-report-236994

By Keith Idec –

Adonis Stevenson’s resistance thus far hasn’t discouraged Sergey Kovalev from thinking they’ll fight sometime later this year.

Russia’s Kovalev said on a conference call Thursday to promote his March 29 fight against American Cedric Agnew that he believes public pressure eventually will lead to a meeting between the light heavyweight champions.

“He will go to the fight because the public, fans and everybody wants this fight,” Kovalev said. “Everybody will push him if he doesn’t want this fight. In this year, we will fight, I’m sure.”

Among the “everybody” to which Kovalev referred are HBO Sports executives that aren’t likely to continue cutting sizeable checks for broadcast rights to Stevenson’s fights if he doesn’t agree to face Kovalev in what would be one of the most appealing clashes the network could televise this year. They’ll do so at least once more, though, as the Haitian-born, Quebec-bred Stevenson (23-1, 20 KOs) appears headed toward a May 24 defense of his WBC title against Chicago’s Andrzej Fonfara (25-2, 15 KOs, 1 NC) at Bell Centre in Montreal.

The 30-year-old Kovalev, meanwhile, wants to stay busy and defend his WBO light heavyweight title while waiting for a showdown with Stevenson.

Jolene Mizzone, matchmaker for Main Events (Kovalev’s promoter), said on the conference call Thursday that the unknown Agnew (26-0, 13 KOs) was the only available, ranked light heavyweight willing to face Kovalev (23-0-1, 21 KOs) for the money offered to participate in this HBO “Boxing After Dark” main event at Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Phillips Ballroom in Atlantic City. Chicago’s Agnew, 27, is ranked No. 3 by the IBF and No. 15 by the WBO.

Kathy Duva, Main Events’ chief executive officer, added that she shares Kovalev’s confidence regarding an eventual Stevenson showdown.

“As far as Stevenson [goes], I’m very confident we’re going to get that fight made,” Duva said. “Now we have to think about the one that’s in front of us.”

The Kovalev-Agnew fight will mark Kovalev’s third HBO appearance since Aug. 17. Stevenson’s fight against Fonfara will represent his fourth HBO bout in less than a year, a run that began with the strong southpaw’s stunning first-round knockout of former champion Chad Dawson (31-3, 17 KOs, 2 NC) on June 8 in Montreal.

Kovalev and Stevenson appear to be on a collision course, but Kovalev and his handlers are trying to remain patient.

“The bigger name fights take time to make,” Duva said. “That fight will get made. But our goal is for Sergey to stay active and Sergey’s goal is to stay active.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/kovalev-still-confident-adonis-stevenson-fight-him–74657

Photo:  sportinglive.com/google images/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Terence Crawford should take note.

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