By Miguel Rivera –

Former two-division world champion Juan Manuel Lopez (33-2, 30KOs) is having no problem making the featherweight limit for Saturday’s fight with WBO champion Mikey Garcia at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. When Lopez left the gym on Wednesday, he weighed 127-pounds – one pound under the featherweight limit.

After dropping back down to face Garcia, Lopez found that he didn’t really struggle to make the weight. He felt so comfortable in camp that he wants to stick around for at least one more fight – against Filipino star Nonito Donaire (31-2, 20KOs). Donaire would be Lopez’s final fight at 126, before he moves up to chase a third world crown at super featherweight.

“After Mikey Garcia, I want to fight Nonito Donaire and then I’m going to move up to 130-pounds to pursue a title there,” Juanma said.

http://www.boxingscene.com/juanma-lopez-garcia-i-want-nonito-donaire–66548

Stieglitz set to defend WBO title against Kiyota on July 13 in Dresden

Photos: Team SES/U. Koch

WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz (44-3, 25 KOs) will defend his title against WBO #10 rated Yuzo Kiyota (23-3-1, 21 KOs) on July 13 at the Energie Verbund-Arena in Dresden, Germany. It will be Stieglitz’ first defense since regaining the title against Arthur Abraham in March. “I want to show the fans strong fights,” said Steiglitz at a press conference to announce the fight. “Yuko Kiyota is an extremely physically strong and aggressive boxer. But my trainer and I have always have a plan. After twelve years, I’ve become ‘Boxer of the Year’ in Germany. So I can be a good role model for all my teammates and some of them can do it too.”

The SES Boxing event will also feature WBO European middleweight beltholder and recent WBO light heavyweight title challenger Robin Krasniqi in separate bouts. In women’s action, WBO, WIBF and WBF super featherweight champion Ramona Kuehne and super middleweight champion Christina Hammer returns to middleweight to defend her WBO and WBF belts.

This will be the first show under Stieglitz’ new deal with the SAT.1 network.

“SAT.1 is our new TV-partner and that makes me proud. Robert’s victory over Arthur Abraham was the door opener for the deal with SAT.1. I can only say one thing: Let’s get ready to rumble! Kiyota is the first Japanese boxer to fight for a WBO world championship. He has a high knockout quota and Robert is the one who will be hunted.”

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/stieglitz-set-to-defend-wbo-title-against-kiyota-on-july-13-in-dresden-206448

By Miguel Rivera

Undefeated bantamweight Tomoki Kameda (27-0, 18KOs) has been asking for a title shot for the last twelve months and now he has it. A deal has been reached for Kameda to challenge the WBO champion Paulus Ambunda (20-0, 10KOs) on August 1st at the Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Cebu City, Philippines. Kameda Promotions are staging the event, which is going to be televised in Japana and in the Philippines.

21-year-old Tomoki, the youngest of the three fighting Kameda brothers, is the only sibling who has yet to capture a major title. Older brother Koki is the WBA “regular” bantamweight champion and Daiki has held the WBA flyweight crown.

http://www.boxingscene.com/tomoki-kameda-faces-paulus-ambunda-wbo-title–66314

World Boxing Organization (WBO) President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel announced today the officials who will work this Saturday’s featherweight world title fight between the champion Miguel Angel “Mikey” Garcia and former two time world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez, to be held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The referee will be Rafael Ramos (Texas), judges are Levi Martinez (New Mexico), Javier Alvarez (Texas), and Oren Shellenberger (Texas). The WBO supervisor for this fight will be Rafael López Santos.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/garcia-lopez-officials-named-205915

After his convincing win over Ola Afolabi on Saturday, WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck feels ready for a rematch against mandatory challenger Firat Arslan, who was watching from ringside. “I want to give the fans some even more spectacular fights and prove that I am able to beat everyone in convincing fashion,” said Huck.

Recarding the Afolabi fight Huck stated, “Today, I proved that I am first and foremost a boxer and not just a warrior inside the ring. This time, I was in tip-top shape – unlike to last year’s clash with Afolabi, where I was nowhere to my current level of fitness. I was focused on the task ahead of me and it showed.” Huck’s trainer Ulli Wegner agreed, commenting “I can only praise Marco for this win. The way he fought from the beginning to the end was close to a perfect performance of him. Afolabi might be the more refined boxer of the two but tonight he lost against the better man and the better strategy.”

Afolabi stated, “I gave my best but it wasn´t enough. Huck is the rightful winner as I have no excuses at all.” His trainer Fritz Sdunek was also disappointed: “I thought that Ola might pull the fight around in round ten but Marco upset our plan.”

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/marco-huck-eyes-rematch-with-firat-next-205402

First title defense for Dominic Boesel in his home region against Halle

Dominic Boesel vs. Chris Mafuta
+ + + Youth WBO Light Heavyweight Title + + +
+ + + 14 June 2013, city hall of Weissenfels / SPORT1 live + + +[/b]

Photos: SES –
WBO junior world champion Dominic Boesel (11-0-0 (4 KO’s)) from Freyburg (Unstrut) makes on 14 June 2013 the way to his fans. In the town hall Weissenfels he will defend the WBO light heavyweight title for the first time. His opponent is Chris Halle Mafuta (12-3-0 (6)). It will therefore come in the main fight this SES boxing gala for a Saxony-Anhalt duel. Defender Dominic Boesel travel since the beginning of the professional career of countless fans to the fighting. Now he can offer first time the followers of his home region, a battle site. Now he can offer first time the followers of his home region, a battle site. But the fans of Chris Mafuta is the way of hall to Weissenfels just a stone’s throw. The 23-year-old Dominic Boesel had on 2 March in Potsdam won the WBO Youth title against the unbeaten Harut Sahakyan from Koblenz.

The SES boxing gala on 14 June will be devoted to the “Team Germany”, the SES young hopefuls for the German boxing. Young, fresh dynamic – it must be boxing. In addition to the “Team Germany” Captain Dominic Boesel be in Weissenfels more young German talent “Team Germany”, the German cruiserweight champion Dennis Ronert that young knockout talent at super middleweight Moritz steel, Halbweltergewichtler Felix lamb and the two professional debutants , the Crusiergewichtler Pahlmann and heavyweight Tom Tom Black of Boxgala presented.

Sound bites press conference 14.05.2013

Ulf Steinforth:
“We want Team Germany ‘with the show, that there are enough young talent for boxing in the country. These are fresh faces and a new form in professional boxing. The team consists of young athletes, we provide the foundation to be successful in sports can. ”

Dominic Boesel:
“It’s a huge thing to be able to box in the region. The atmosphere will be crazy. I am very proud of my title and I will not give it away. I respect my opponent Chris as a good boxer, but I also I need not much to talk about. I feel very safe. ”

Dirk Dzemski:
“I’m very proud of Dominic. He got off to a good development. He is diligent in training and therefore legal team captain. It is an example for the other. Chris is always ready for a good fight. I think Dominic is the better one. ”

Chris Mafuta:
“I’ll take the fight very seriously. Dominic will be surprised how fit I will be. ”

Frank Marchl:
“It is important that the title remain in Germany and Saxony-Anhalt. It is not some happy, but the belt will go to Halle. Chris is in the form of his life. The fight will not go the rounds. ”

Dennis Ronert:
“I train very hard. It’s not easy to spend eight hours on the construction site, and then to train for three hours. But I want to win the fight. ”

Detlef Loritz:
“The Compelling Dennis is that he does not say, I will try to win the fight, but he says I want to win the fight. We want a strong opponent for the IBF World Junior Championship. We want to show that we want to move up and that is only strong opponents. We want to box the best. ”

Moritz Steel:
“It was an honor to be able to boxing in the last fight under the Klitschkos. As I went through 6 rounds. On my next fight in Weissenfels, I will try again to win early. ”

Felix Lamb:
“My weight is not so much the focus of attention. In, Team Germany ‘can I present myself well. So we are on a good path. ”

Tom Black:
“I look forward to the first use and train for some time for it. I want to win my debut prematurely. ”

“Team Germany” is the latest project of the SES Boxteams, which will have for the first time in White Rock Ring Premiere.

“Team Germany”

Dominic Boesel, Freyburg (Unstrut)
23 years, Light Heavyweight

Dennis Ronert, Koblenz
20 years, Crusiergewicht

Moritz steel, Magdeburg
21 years, Super Middleweight

Felix Lamm , Nordhausen
23 years, Light-Welterweight

Tom Pahlmann, New Bolton
19 years, Crusierweight

Tom Schwarz, Halle (Saale)
18 years, Heavyweight

The fight night from the city hall in Weissenfels Hall will be broadcast on 14 June 2013 live by SPORT1.

Tickets for the event are available at all the usual outlets, at www.eventim.de and under the SES Ticket Hotline +49 391 7346430.

http://www.sesboxing.de/?lang=en&site=news&index=20130514140143_Newsflash&title=First%20title%20defense%20for%20Dominic%20Boesel%20in%20his%20home%20region%20against%20Chris%20Mafuta

MIKEY GARCIA vs. JUANMA LOPEZ

WORLD FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

DALLAS/FT. WORTH MEDIA FIGHT WEEK SCHEDULE

PUBLIC INVITED TO EVERYTHING!

DALLAS (June 6, 2013) — Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion MIKEY GARCIA (31-0, 26 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., and former WBO junior featherweight and WBO featherweight champion JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ (33-2, 30 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico, will break training camp and arrive in Dallas next week! Yes, sir! Fight week is about to begin as the two featherweight gladiators prepare for their world title rumble at American Airlines Center®. Joining them at various events will be Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and former two-time heavyweight champion George Foreman, who are co-promoting this championship card. The Dallas / Ft. Worth Media Fight Week schedule is as follows (all times are Central Time):

TUESDAY, JUNE 11 – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

FIGHTERS WORKOUTS

American Airlines Center – Outdoors at the AT&T Plaza (south side of AAC) 2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX. 75219

· 2:00 p.m. Juanma Lopez

· 2:30 p.m. Mikey Garcia

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12 – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

GARCIA and LOPEZ PUBLIC APPEARANCE / AUTOGRAPH SESSION

La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth Mall – Center Court

4200 South Freeway, Fort Worth, TX. 76115

· 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 13 – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

FINAL NEWS CONFERENCE

American Airlines Center – Arena Floor, North Concourse Area

2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX. 75129

· 1:30 p.m. Doors Open

· 2:00 p.m. News Conference Begins, followed by one-on-one interviews

FRIDAY, JUNE 14 – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN

American Airlines Center – Arena Floor, North Concourse

2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX. 75219

· Noon Doors Open

· 1:15 p.m. Fighters on the scale

· 1:30 p.m. Garcia and Lopez on the scale

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2013/06/mikey-garcia-vs-juanma-lopez/

By Sauerland Promotion –

Marco Huck is still the WBO Cruiserweight World Champion. Before a massive crowd of 5,000 spectators at Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany, he beat the previous interim titleholder Ola Afolabi. It was not the win itself that was so surprising but the way the 28-year-old achieved it. Throughout the whole twelve rounds he showed a disciplined performance and won on points by scores of 117:111, 115:113 and a confusing 114:114. After a short-lived feeling-out it was the defending champion who took control with eye-catching combinations, which rattled his challenger. Afolabi tried to tire out Huck, by aiming for the German´s body most of the time but without much effect. Instead it was the Briton, who tired late in the championship rounds. Besides putting his well-known warrior’s mentality on display, Huck was counter-punching Afolabi for most of the fight.

“Today, I proved that I am first and foremost a boxer  and not just a warrior inside the ring,” said Huck after the fight, his eleventh defense of the WBO Title. “This time, I was in tip-top shape – unlike to last year’s clash with Afolabi, where I was nowhere to my current level of fitness. I was focused on the task ahead of me and it showed.”

Huck’s coach Ulli Wegner agreed with his prodigy: “I can only praise Marco for this win. The way he fought from the beginning to the end was close to a perfect performance of him. Afolabi might be the more refined boxer of the two but tonight he lost against the better man and the better strategy.”

“I gave my best but it wasn´t enough. Huck is the rightful winner as I have no excuses at all,” Afolabi confirmed afterwards, his third loss in 25 fights. His coach Fritz Sdunek was also disappointed: “I thought that Ola might pull the fight around in round ten but Marco upset our plan.”

Huck, who now has 36 victories to his name, feels ready for a rematch against mandatory challenger Firat Arslan, who was watching from ringside. “I want to give the fans some even more spectacular fights and prove that I am able to beat everyone in convincing fashion.”

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/2013/huck-outclasses-afolabi-in-decisive-victory/

Marco Huck retained his WBO cruiserweight title by beating Ola Afolabi in Berlin on Saturday night.

The German won on a majority decision in the third meeting against the challenger from England.

South African judge Deon Dwarte scored the bout 115-113 in favour of Huck. John Madfis of the United States had it 117-111 but there was some surprise at the Max-Schmeling-Halle when Lahcen Oumghar of the Netherlands scored it 114-114.

The champion did not look overly troubled and improved his record to 36-2-1, including 25 knockouts. Afolabi dropped to 19-3-4, with 9 knockouts.

Huck also retained his belt on a majority draw in May last year and beat the Briton on a narrow unanimous decision in May 2009.

“Today, I proved that I am first and foremost a boxer  and not just a warrior inside the ring,” said Huck after the fight, his eleventh defense of the WBO Title. “This time, I was in tip-top shape – unlike to last year’s clash with Afolabi, where I was nowhere to my current level of fitness. I was focused on the task ahead of me and it showed.”

He has made 11 successful defences of the title he won from Victor Emilio Ramirez in 2009.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-huck-overcomes-afolabi-trilogy-showdown–66425

The weights are in for Saturday’s trilogy showdown between WBO cuiserweight champion Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25KOs) and mandatory challenger Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9KOs), which takes place at Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany. The champion stepped on the scale and came in at 198.6-pounds, while Afolabi was 197.5. Huck won a close twelve round decision in 2009 and they fought to a twelve round draw in 2012. Both fights were wars and another one is expected in the third meeting.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-weights-marco-huck-vs-ola-afolabi-trilogy–66337

By Ian Aldous: Ola Afolabi (19-2-4) will challenge Marco Huck (35-2-1) for a third time on Saturday June 8th with the WBO world cruiserweight belt up for grabs. The first two fights saw bouts that were very difficult to score, the second so close that it was in fact a majority draw.

Not only was it close, it was a contender for fight of the year in 2012. Last week Ola and K2 Promotions managing director, Tom Loeffler, took some time to talk with me about the upcoming fight.

It’s not often that a fighter prepares for a bout having already spent 72 minutes in the ring with that particular opponent.

To know your opponent so well counteracts the fact that he knows your style so well. It’s interesting how a fighter approaches a trilogy-making fight, “It’s easier mentally because we’ve done it, like you say, two dozen times before and put on a good show. I feel like he’s always come to each fight at his peak, with everything he’s got. It’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what I have to bring, and I’m bringing everything this time.”

At the end of the second fight on May 5th of last year, we’d witnessed a magnificent twelve rounds that saw both fighters stunned but neither on the mat. It was clear to everyone that it was a close fight. Immediately after the final bell, what was Ola thinking? “My immediate thoughts were that if it was close, I’m gonna get robbed. And I knew it was close, I just thought they gonna rob me right away even without hearing anything from anybody. If a fight’s this close in Germany, you’re not gonna get the decision. I was surprised to get the draw, but I was also shocked they didn’t rob me. Everything happens for a reason, we’re here to get it done and we’re gonna end this beef that we have.”

So, with the third fight less than a week away, it begs the question: can Ola Afolabi get a decision over Marco Huck in Germany? “You know, this time I actually think the pressure of the knockout is not as important as the first two fights, because I feel Huck has had two gifts (hometown decisions) back-to-back and the whole world is watching. At one point it was just a fight going down in Germany and they can do whatever they wanna do, but now, I don’t wanna toot my own horn but it’s become like a worldwide fight, people are talking about it. Mainly because the first two fights were good and Huck has got so many gifts and everybody is complaining. I’m not naïve in saying ‘I can totally win on points’, I’m gonna go for the knockout but it’s not gonna be the defining point to make of this fight. I’m just gonna go to win and if a knockout comes, it comes. I really don’t think I need a knockout to win.”

One of the more surprising aspects in the run up to this fight came in the form of Don King winning the purse bids for the fight, despite the fact he doesn’t promote either fighter. According to K2’s Tom Loeffler, it was an inconvenience that didn’t really surprise him. “It went to purse bids and we thought it wasn’t a real, legitimate bid because Sauerland has a TV deal in Germany and we have a TV deal in Germany. I think Don got involved and then was trying to put the fight together and at the end of the day, it just became a delay with the fight. There’s no real setbacks because that just gave Ola some additional time to train and right now, when I watch him sparring and in training, he’s the best by far that I’ve ever seen him.” Ola continued where Tom left off, “It was a surprise that he came into the purse bids because I didn’t know he had anything to do with either fighter.” The postponement of the fight is something that Ola believes he has taken a benefit from. “This is an advantage for me because I had more time to work on my game and I’m still learning as I go. It’s a learning process every day. I’ll still be learning until the night of the fight, so anytime that I get to work on my game is a good thing.”

Despite the fact that Huck has suffered one defeat as a cruiserweight way back in 2007 to Steve Cunningham for the IBF belt, it’s arguably true that Afolabi has been the fighter to trouble Huck the most in his career as a 200lbs fighter. “I don’t need to sound all cocky and all but I actually do believe that. He’s had some tough fights with Lebedev and Firat Arslan beat him like everybody knows (Huck won by a controversial decision). With Firat, he really wasn’t scared of his power, Firat just had his number and the style to defeat him and unfortunately he didn’t get the result. When he fights me, even though he’s very explosive, he knows that in the first round I had him hurt so bad, I just couldn’t finish him.” He continued, “The only person that’s knocked him out was Cunningham and that was because of exhaustion in the last round. So, if you look at all his fights, I’m the only person that’s actually physically hurt him bad. I know he respects that, same way I respect that he’s a top fighter. If he doesn’t respect that he’d just be a fool and he’ll regret it come June 8th.”

Due to the severe test of their previous fight, it wouldn’t have been a surprise to many fans if Huck and his team would have looked to avoid settling the feud with Afolabi – thankfully the WBO mandated the fight. “If this fight wasn’t mandatory, trust me, Huck could say whatever he wants to say to the newspapers and magazines that he’ll finally destroy me in his hometown of Berlin and all that, but if it wasn’t for the mandatory fight, they’d rather fight somebody else. They’d rather give Firat a rematch than fight me because my style presents trouble for him. He pretty much had to take this fight. When he goes on radio and talks about how he’s putting money in my pocket, this guy’s a fool, he doesn’t know how the rating system works. I fought my way back up after I lost in 2009, took me three years to get back to a position to fight him and they robbed me and I’m still mandatory because I kept my (interim) belt. We’re gonna do it again, so he’s not putting money in my pocket, if anything he’s taking money away from my pocket because I won that last fight and I should be getting the bigger cut of the purse. But that’s over and done with and we’re gonna deal with that this time.”

Huck vs. Afolabi III will be shown live on Boxnation in the UK this Saturday night.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2013/06/ola-afolabi-talks-about-trilogy-making-world-title-challenge-against-marco-huck/

World Boxing Organization (WBO) President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel announced today the referee and judges who will work this Saturday in the cruiserweight world title fight between the champion Marco Huck and the interim champion Ola Afolabi, to be held at the Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany. The referee is Eddie Cotton from United States. Judges will be John Madfis from United States, Deon Dwarte from South Africa and Lahcen Oumghar from The Netherlands. The WBO supervisor for this fight will be John Handelaar.

Huck and Afolabi have collided two times. In their first fight, Huck beat Afolabi by unanimous decision on December 5, 2009, while on May 5, 2012, the second bout between Huck and Afolabi ended in a majority draw.

http://www.fightnews.com/page/2

By Edward Chaykovsky –

According to Gary Hyde, manager of WBA/WBO super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (12-0, 8KOs), the Cuban boxer will return in September or October – against former champion Vic Darchinyan (39-5-1, 28KOs). Rigondeaux had a career defining performance in April when beat Nonito Donaire with a twelve round decision in New York City. Darchinyan upset highly regarded prospect Orlando Del Valle last September with a ten round decision. He then signed a promotional contract with Top Rank [who also have Rigondeaux] and returned last month with fourth round stoppage of Javier Gallo in Laredo, Texas.

http://www.boxingscene.com/rigondeaux-vs-darchinyan-possible-fall–66246

Photos by Photo Wende –

Champion and challenger are ready for war on June 8! Saturday night will see Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25 KOs) take on Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9 KOs) for the third time. After winning their first matchup and drawing the second, the current WBO Cruiserweight Champion is hoping to close the chapter Afolabi once and for all, when they square off at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany. During today´s public workout both fighters made it clear, that their confidence is sky high ahead of the big fight.

The first one to show off his set of skills was Afolabi. After some rope skipping and hitting the pads with his coach Fritz Sdunek he addressed the media in attendance. “Fritz Sdunek got me into the best shape of my life. So far ahead of every fight, I was either physical or mentally fit. However, this time round, I have hit top form in both aspects. Now, I am the total package!” Sdunek agreed with his prodigy. “Under my guidance, Ola learned the meaning of discipline. That will make the difference come Saturday.”

Next to step into the ring was the champion himself. And although this was just a workout session, Huck made it obvious that he was not messing around. The punches connecting with the pads held by his coach Ulli Wegner seemed to be meant as a message to the watching Afolabi. “I hope he understood what I was doing there. Afolabi will get to feel the best combinations inside the ring on Saturday,” said the 28-year-old. Ulli Wegner got straight to the point. “We will keep the belt in Berlin!”

Also showing off some of their abilities where light heavyweights Robert Woge (11-0, 10 KOs) and Eduard Gutknecht (24-2, 9 KOs) who will also be competing for international honors in the main support on June 8.

Tickets for the big fight night at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany, are available at www.eventim.de and www.boxen.com.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-marco-huck-ola-afolabi-ready-trilogy-war–66260

WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz will make the first defense of his second run as champion on July 13th in Dresden, Germany. SES Boxing has officially announced that Stieglitz signed a multi-fight television with SAT.1. In the past Stieglitz already fought twice on SAT.1 in 2010/2011 and achieved market shares of up to 18.4 percent in the target demographic. In his last ring appearance, Stieglitz (44-3, 25KOs) got revenge on Arthur Abraham with a fourth round stoppage in March to regain the WBO crown.

http://www.boxingscene.com/robert-stieglitz-return-on-7-13-part-sat1-deal–66272

WBO World Champion Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25 KOs) and his challenger Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9 KOs) have already entered fight mode. During Wednesday´s press conference, three days before the top-notch cruiserweights square off inside the ring, they got involved into a verbal altercation.

28-year-old Huck accused his opponent of provoking him on purpose. “He is just trying to rattle my cage and is hoping that it will cause me to make mistakes,” said the prodigy of coach Ulli Wegner. “But he is fighting a losing battle. I am the champion and I will still be the champion after the fight. I will give him my answers inside the ring.” And the German was not done yet. “I proved before that I can beat him. But he cannot beat me. I know that I am better than he is. I also have a better fan base behind me, who will be celebrating another victory with me after I am done with that guy.”

However, Afolabi who resides in Los Angeles seems to have taken on some of the Hollywood-attitude surrounding him. After being asked if he really is as confident as he makes himself out to be or if he is just an actor, he replied: “I am an actor! Marco wants to give his fans a great show and so do I. All these theatrics ahead of the fight only increase the attention. We definitely enjoyed ourselves. It got a bit heated, but that is the way it’s supposed to be.”

However, Afolabi could not resist another attempt to unnerve the champion. “If you are a Huck fan you might say that he won our last fight. If you are an Afolabi fan, you might give it to me. However, after Marco Huck’s last fight against Firat Arslan, Stevie Wonder looked at me and said: Arslan definitely won no doubt about it.”

Huck immediately replied to the laughing Brit: “You are smiling now. But you won’t be after Saturday.”

Tickets for the big fight night at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany are available at www.eventim.de and www.boxen.com.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-huck-afolabi-face-face-trilogy-presser–66275

By Scott Gilfoid: –

WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly (28-0, 12 KO’s) says he’s willing to sacrifice weight by moving down in weight 7 pounds to whip IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (31-2, 22 KO’s) if he would only accept the fight so that he could get the job one on the 35-year-old Froch.

Cleverly said to walesonline.co.uk “I know I can beat Froch so I’m more than happy to move down a division to show people what I can do. It would be tough for me to move down, but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to take.”

I hate to say it but I think Cleverly would beat Froch if that fight were to be made, even if Cleverly was a little weight drained.

I still think he’d handle Froch. If Mikkel Kessler was able to almost beat Froch without hardly throwing any punches in that fight, Cleverly would definitely do a job on him.

I hope Cleverly doesn’t hold his breath waiting for Froch to say yes to the fight with him because it’s probably not going to happen. Froch and his promoter Eddie Hearn’s excuse for not fighting Cleverly was that he would have to move up in weight to fight him, whether it be at a catch-weight or at the full 175 lb. weight for the division, and that would give Cleverly an advantage.

With Cleverly now saying he’d come down to fight Froch at 168, there shouldn’t be any more excuses to keep Froch from taking the fight.

I don’t see Froch saying yes to it because Cleverly is just too dangerous for him because he throws a lot of punches and he can take a good shot. Froch can’t throw a lot of punches and if his power has no effect on Cleverly, he’d lose and that’s what I think would happen.

Cleverly thinks a fight between him and Froch would attract a lot of interest in the UK. I think he’s right. It would attract a lot of attention and they might even be able to sell the fight on pay per view like Froch’s fight with Kessler last Saturday night.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2013/06/cleverly-ill-fight-froch-at-168-and-beat-him/

By Chris Williams: Juan Manuel Marquez (55-6-1, 40 KO’s) says he feels content with his 6th round knockout win over Filipino Manny Pacquiao last December, and he has no interest in fighting him again for a bigger payday because he feels he’s already proven himself by beating.

Marquez said to ESPN “I don’t think about that [fighting Pacquiao] anymore. Anything that was pending was settled in every way. If he would have knocked me out the way I did to him, how am I going to ask for another fight? Keeping that feeling is grandiose.”

Marquez is taking the right approach. Why bother fighting Pacquiao again when he’s already proven that he’s better than him in their four fights. Marquez got jobbed on the win in the first fight after out-boxing Pacquiao from the 2nd round until the 12th.

Marquez also was on the receiving ends of highly controversial decisions in 2008 and 2011 in fights that the boxing public had him winning.

It’s probably true that if Pacquiao had knocked Marquez out cold last December instead of the other way around, Marquez would be getting totally ignored by Pacquiao and his promoter Bob Arum in trying to land a fight with him.

Marquez will be fighting Pacquiao’s conqueror WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley (30-0, 12 KO’s) on October 12th in a fight on HBO at the Thomas & Mack Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

The fight won’t bring Marquez nearly the kind of money that he made against Pacquiao, but he doesn’t care about that. Marquez wants to capture another world title and Bradley has the belt that he wants.

This is about Marquez’s goals and legacy. He wants to beat Bradley and take his strap to capture his 5th division world title.

Bradley took a lot of punishment in his last fight against Ruslan Provodnikov. He had better hope that his head has healed from that beating because if there are any lingering problems then Marquez will knock him out.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2013/06/marquez-has-zero-interest-in-fighting-pacquiao-again/#more-149649

Yorba Linda, Calif.    — Undefeated WBO Featherweight Champion Mikey Garcia works out for the many fans that showed up for his public workout session Saturday in Yorba Linda,Ca.   Garcia will make his first title defense against former world champion Juan Manuel Lopez of Caguas, Puerto Rico, Saturday,June 15 from the American Airlines Center in Dallas,Texas. Garcia vs Lopez,  televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark will be promoted by Top Rank in association with PR Best Boxing, Foreman Boys Promotions and Tecate.

— Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-mikey-garcia-putting-work-open-workout–66149

By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Trainer Robert Garcia, the former world champion says younger brother and reigning WBO world featherweight champion Miguel “Mikey” Garcia is ready for war against former champion Juan Manuel “Juanma Lopez” of Puerto Rico in their June 15 battle in Dallas, Texas.

Garcia told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard – “I cant promise you it will be a war because Mikey doesn’t fight wars. He fights a smart, technical fight. But if he (Juanma) wants a war we’ll be ready like we were ready for (Orlando) Salido” from whom Garcia won the title.

The trainer said – “if it turns out into a war we’ll be ready fore what Juanma brings but I think it will be a very technical fight by Mikey.” Garcia told us he expects Juanma to try and push Mikey around but indicated they are prepared for that just like they were prepared for a similar strategy by Salido.

Garcia pointed out that Mikey “fought very smart and controlled the fight and it was very easy. We are prepared to do the same against Juanma.”

However, Garcia conceded that Juanma Lopez “is a left hander with tremendopus power so we have to be careful and fight smart, but we expect Mikey to win.”

He said Mikey has been doing “really good work in sparring with two main guys and three others.” One of his sparring partners is from Argentina while the other is 2012 US Olympian Joseph Diaz Jr. who was the US National featherweight champion at the US Olympic training center in Colorado.

http://www.boxingscene.com/garcia-says-juanma-get-war-if-he-wants-one–66102

On July 6 (Palace Of Sports, Kiev, Ukraine) all boxing fans will get an opportunity to enjoy a big show promoted by K2 Promotions (Klitschko Brothers Company) and supported by TM Khortytsya and Inter Channel. WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Zaur Baysangurov will face American challenger Demetrius Andrade. It will be the third title defense for Baysangurov.

At the moment Zaur continues his training camp with Abel Sanchez at The Summit (Big Bear Lake, CA).

“I arrived to Los-Angeles two months before the match. Andrade is high rated boxer and I do perceive that this fight is very serious. I started working from my first day in California, so now me and Abel are focused on strategy and physicals and in few days I start to spar.  I’m very satisfied with our cooperation. Sanchez is unique man, very good person and excellent teacher.  I know that there are a lot of people in my native land and Ukraine, who support me and expect my victory, so I’ll do my best not to disappoint them.   It will be not a cakewalk, but I`ll do it. ” – said Zaur Baysangurov.

“The contract is signed. Now July 6th is official. This time we will make a show never seen before in Ukraine. The main event itself worth much and the undercard is not lagging behind – Rudenko – Baktov(heavy), Salamov vs Djabbarov (light-heavy), Tereshkin (heavy), Spyrko (light-middle). We will show the fight in Ukraine, Russia, Chechnia, Europe and USA. Housands in attendants in Kyiv Palace of Sports will derive pleasure from the world class show! Everyone can allow visiting as the ticket price starts from 30 hrn (4 USD).”- said director general “K2 Promotions” Aleksandr Krasyuk.

http://www.boxnews.com.ua/en/news/13528/2013-05-24/Official-Zaur-Baysangurov-vs-Demetrius-Andrade

World Boxing Organization (WBO) president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel announced today the referee and judges who will work the July 6 world title fight between WBO light middleweight champion Zaurbek Baysangurov (28-1, 20 KOs) and undefeated official challenger Demetrius Andrade (19-0, 13 KOs) to be held at the Sport Palace in Kiev, Ukraine in a K2 Promotions presentation. The referee will be Luis Pabon from Puerto Rico, the judges for the Baysangurov-Andrade bout will be Ingo Barrabas (Germany), Thomas Miller (USA) and Hernando Steidel (Puerto Rico). Supervisor will be Igor Mazurov from Russia who is a member of the WBO Executive Committee and the president of the Federation of Professional Boxing of Russia.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/baysangurov-andrade-officials-201347

By Alexander Pavlov –

WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25KOs) sent a few verbal jabs in the direction of WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko. Huck is going to face Ola Afolabi in a trilogy bout on June 8th at the Max Schmeling Halle in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany. But what Huck really wants to do is face Vitali or his younger brother Wladimir Klitschko. Huck moved up to the heavyweight division early last year and lost a controversial decision to WBA “regular” champion Alexander Povetkin.

“Look, Vitali wanted to fight with David Haye, but now he is afraid of him. Klitschko knows that battle would be very dangerous for him. Honestly, I would not advise [Vitali to face me]. He repeatedly ran away from me. In addition, there is a political conflict over the television rights between ARD and RTL. My management team offered Klitschko good money, but they refused. What else is there to say? If they want to fight, I’m ready! I’m a fighter who is ready to fight,” Huck said.

http://www.boxingscene.com/huck-vitali-afraid-david-haye-ran-from-me-too–65965

By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

WBO minimum weight champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo will make the first defense of his title on July 6, possibly at the plush Solaire Resort and Casino in the Entertainment City along Manila Bay.

Sabillo is undefeated with a record of 21-0 with 11 knockouts and will face No. 6 ranked Jorle Estrada of Colombia in a voluntary defense.

The 24 year old Estrada who is five years younger than Sabillo has a record of 16-6 with 5 knockouts.

The hard-hitting Sabillo won the WBO Interim title with a stunning 8th round TKO over heavily favored Luis De La Rosa who was fighting before his hometown fans in Colombia but couldn’t handle the aggressive Filipino.

Sabillo was elevated to full champion after Moises Fuentes, who was struggling to make the 105 pound limit, relinquished the title and moved up to light flyweight where he failed to wrest the title from long-reigning champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes who retained his title in a majority draw.

Fuentes wanted an immediate rematch but ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said they couldn’t accede to the request because Nietes suffered a nasty cut above the eye in that title defense and it took some time to heal.

Fuentes has been guaranteed a mandatory rematch sometime in November following conversations between Aldeguer and Zanfer Promotions of Mexico who wish to stage the title fight in Mexico.

However, Fuentes is scheduled to have a tune-up fight before then while Nietes will make a voluntary defense of his title in August although no deal has been finalized with his possible opponent as yet.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-83741.html

By Nicolas Samuilov –

WBO super flyweight champion Omar Narvaez (38-1, 20KOs) and Felipe Orucuta (27-1, 23KOs) of Mexico made weight for Saturday’s fight at the Estadio Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Orucuta only lost once, a razor-thin ten round decision to Daniel Rosas in 2010. The young Mexican fighter is trained by the legendary hall-of-fame coach Nacho Beristain, who also handles pound-for-pound fighter Juan Manuel Marquez. Narvaez came in at 52 kg. – 114.6-pounds, while Orucuta was 114.75.

 http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-weights-omar-narvaez-vs-felipe-orucuta—65886