Hammer defeats Tshabalala

Despite a game effort from South African challenger Julie Tshabalala, World Boxing Organization Women’s World Middleweight Champion Christina Hammer impressively dominated the proceedings to retain her title with a unanimous decision on Thursday night, April 5, at the Vodova Arena in Brno, Czech Republic..

While the reigning champion had the upper hand from the beginning, she did have to work hard in every round and the lopsided scores of 100-90, 100-90 and 99-91 didn’t reflect the spirited effort of Tshabalala. Hammer improved her record to 12-0 (7), and Tshabalala dropped to 4-2-1 (1).

Hammer had predicted a knockout victory, and with this in mind Tshabalala took the fight on the inside to avoid the long range and hard straight shots from the German, who adjusted nicely and countered with hooks and uppercuts. Tshabalala had her best moments in rounds six and seven, and seemed to be catching her second wind, but Hammer was back on top in the final three rounds, making Tshabalala miss and pay for her mistakes.

As the final bell sounded the South African appeared happy to have survived all ten rounds, and there was never any doubt about who would be awarded the verdict. Christina Hammer had once again proven her superiority in the middleweight division, and status as one of the pound-for-pound best female fighters in the world.

The fight was promoted by Ulf Steinforth and his SES Boxing, and was broadcasted live worldwide on www.bild.de. The card also featured a championship fight with local hero Lukas Konecny, and the atmosphere at the Vodova Arena was electric throughout the evening.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2012/04/hammer-defeats-tshabalala/

Russian boxer Dmitry Pirog will defend his WBO world middleweight title against Japanese contender Nobuhiro Ishida in Moscow next month, Pirog’s representative Nikolai Baklanov said Thursday.

The fight will be Pirog’s third title defense and will take place on May 1.

“The negotiations for this fight went on for quite some time and both fighters have been on an intensive training regime for long enough,” Baklanov said in an emailed statement

“Nobuhiro Ishida is one of the most experienced opponents in Dmitry Pirog’s professional career,” he added.

The Russian fighter is rumored to be lining up a unification bout in August with IBF champion Daniel Geale, an Australian with a 27-1 with record.

Pirog is undefeated in 19 fights, winning 15 of them by knockout, and won the WBO belt when he stopped Daniel Jacobs in Las Vegas in July 2010.

Ishida held the WBA interim light middleweight title for 14 months before losing it to Rigoberto Alvarez in October 2010, and lost his last fight on points to U.S. fighter Paul Williams in February.

http://en.rian.ru/sports/20120405/172632170.html

In a clash for the vacant interim WBO jr middleweight title, former European champion and hometown favorite Lukas Konecny (48-3, 23 KOs) took advantage of his long awaited world title fight by scorng a seventh round KO over Salim Larbi (17-2-1, 4 KOs) on Thursday night at the Vodova Arena in Brno, Czech Republic. Konecny pressured Larbi from the opening bell. In round three, both fighters stood toe-to-toe with Konecny getting the better of it, although he came out of it with cuts over the left eye and the bridge of the nose. That was pretty much Larbi’s last hurrah as the cuts spurred Konecny to up his aggression even more in rounds four and five. A right hand to the body in the seventh finally put Larbi on the deck and as referee Andre Van Grootenbruel reached the count of ten.

Long time mandatory challenger Konecny was originally slated to face WBO jr middleweight champion Zaurbek Baysangurov last month in Kiev, Ukraine, but Baysangurov suffered a back injury in training shortly before the fight. Last year Konecny had a title shot against then-WBO champion Serhiy Dzinziruk canceled an injury in training shortly before the fight.

By Karl Freitag
Photos: Eroll Popova

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/konecny-wins-wbo-interim-154lb-belt-112066

WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel announced today the referees and judges who will work on the world title bouts between Lukas Konekny against Salim Larbo and Christina Hammer versus Julie “Queen” Tshabalala tomorrow at the Vodova Arena, Brno, Czech Republic.

For the vacant WBO Interim junior middleweight title between Konecny (47-3, 22 KOs) and Larbi (17-1-1, 4 KOs), the referee will be Andre Van Grootenbruel. The judges for the Konekny-Larbi fight are Paul Thomas, Manuel Oliver Palomo and Zoltan Enyedi. WBO supervisor for this bout will be Istvan Kovacs.

For the Hammer’s (11-0, 7 KOs) third defense of the WBO Female Middleweight title against Tshabalala (4-1-1, 1 KOs), the referee will be Paul Thomas. The judges are Zoltan Enyedi, Andre Van Grootenbruel and Manuel Oliver Palomo. WBO supervisor will be Istvan Kovacs.

Here is a photo gallery of the public workout in Brno, Czech Republic, where locals hope Lukas Konecny will be their first professional world champion when he takes on Salim Larbi for the vacant WBO interim light middleweight world championship.

In the co-feature, WBO female middleweight world champion Christina Hammer takes on Queen Tshabalala.

Photos: Team SES

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/konecny-larbi-public-workout-111930

CIUDAD DE MÉXICO, MÉXICO. – BoxingScene.com was present as Juan Manuel Márquez (53-6-1, 39 KO’s) was putting in the work for his first fight in Mexico City in 18 years. He takes on Sergey Fedcehnko (30-1, 13 KO’s) for the WBO’s interim-junior welterweight title at the new Arena Mexico. The fight takes place on April 14th as part of a split-site HBO/Top Rank pay-per-view event.

By Salvador Rodriguez, photos by Rafael Soto

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51383

Orlando “Siri” Salido the WBO featherweight champion took a victory lap last weekend with visits to Mexico City and Miami. The Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico native, arrived in Mexico City Friday, March 30th and visited with the Mexican Media on Friday, before appearing in studio on the very popular boxing show “Golpe a Golpe” and with three-time world champion Juan Manuel Marquez host on ESPNDeportes.

Salido then flew to Miami on Saturday, to appear on Sunday, in “Republica Deportiva” in highest rated sports show in the Univision National Network at the invitation of his fine producer Rick Seara.

The Champ made an appearance on Sunday evening at WrestleMania 28 as a guest of Azteca Mexico Television.

Salido is coming of his second win over Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez, whom he stopped in the 10th round of the best fight of the year so far. The Mexican warior went back to Puerto Rico March 10 to give Lopez a rematch of their fight last April of 2010, where Salido stopped the Puerto Rican in eight rounds.

March 10th, Salido got up of the deck in the fifth round and then was part of two incredible non stop action rounds – 8th and 9tth- that will be hard to top this year.

“It was a great fight because we both wanted to win so much. I now know that I beat the best Juama Lopez this time, he was strong and smart, but at the end of the day I can take his punch and he can’t take mine. I am happy people enjoy the fight and that they will remembered it for a long time”, said Salido.

Salido was joined by manager, Sean Gibbons and Aldo Barba from Zanfer Promotions, during this victory lap.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/salido-victory-tour-111955

The “Captain” returns to the cruiserweight division. It will be the ninth time that Marco Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) will put his WBO title on the line when he steps into the ring on May 5. Huck still has fond memories of the Messe Erfurt, having won his previous fight at the same venue against the American Matt Godfrey back in August 2010 by KO in the fifth round.

His opponent in the capital of Thuringia is an old acquaintance – current interim world champion Ola Afolabi (19-2-3, 9 KOs) lost on points against Huck back in December 2009. He is desperate to take revenge. “Marco did not win the first fight, I lost it,” according to the Brit. “Back then the environment I surrounded myself with was not as professional but now I am with K2 and the Klitschkos. Fritz Sdunek is my coach. All this provides me with the mentality of a champion and I am ready to take out Huck.”

Of course Huck had something to say to this statement: “The Klitschkos should refrain from sending over their employees, and take me on themselves. The spectators will be right behind me and will carry me to victory.” The world champion did not stop there. “It is all or nothing for Afolabi. I am here to win. It is fine to take risks but all I want is to defend my title.”

Promoter Kalle Sauerland firmly agreed with the boxer´s evaluation of the fight. “After the narrow victory of the last bout it is guaranteed that this will be an exciting fight,” he stated. “The cruiserweight division is full of great fighters who are all more or less on the same level. This is the biggest difference in comparison to the heavyweights. Therefore, looking at it from a sporting point of view, the cruiserweight division is much more interesting.”

Huck´s coach Ulli Wegner gave away that they are planning on spending some time of their training camp in Zinnowitz at the Baltic Sea. After hearing that, Afolabi could not constrain himself and had a little dig at the coach. “I do not just prepare myself from Monday to Saturday, I even spar with the priest at church on a Sunday,” said the Londoner with a grin on his face.

If you take the word of the world champion as well as the interim-champ, May 5 is going to be one hell of a fight. Both coaches, Ulli Wegner and Fritz Sdunek will be preparing their fighters the best way possible and set their tactics straight, but as Afolabi mentioned later on: “Ulli, it is not you versus Fritz inside the ring, It is me versus Marco. Either I will end the fight inside the distance or he will knock me out.” The WBO Champ agreed with his opponent’s comment: “We will take the ring apart.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51371

East Jakarta, Indonesia – It is no wonder an organization such as the World Boxing Organization keeps striving successfully and growing popularity in the Orient

Especially, being that the best pound for pound fighter in the world Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, Brian Viloria and Donny Neites are holding WBO World titles in their respective weight division at Asia is encouraging more promoters to organize more WBO championship bouts.

Additionally, In their efforts around the world, the WBO has again donated their traditional WBO Drug Free Program reaching out to children at Indonesia to stay off drugs. Indonesia is one of many countries that the WBO has granted special gift giving successfully.

Indonesian WBO Asia Pacific Promoter Damianus Wera hosted this past weekend the WBO WKDF gift giving before their main event of the Tommy Seran versus Marzon Cabilla for the WBO Asia Pacific Jr. Flyweight championship, in coordination with the World Boxing Organization for the under privilege children from Tanah 80 Kelender, East Jakarta.

This has been the second year that children from Indonesia have got their gift giving blessing from the World Boxing Organization, organized by Honorable WBO President, Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel.

The program is designed to encourage also reaching out to children to stay in school and to stay off drugs. WBO WKDF charity granted underprivileged children in Indonesia through the direction of WBO Asia Pacific Chairman Leon Panoncillo and Asia Pacific representative supervisor Mr. Antonio Comia.

The special gift giving was broadcast live by TVRI (Indonesia government television) before the match between Tommy and Marzon Cabilla Seran, Sunday, April 1, in the studio TVRI, Jakarta.

At presence was symbolically good gesture by WBO Asia Pacific supervisor Mr Antonio Comia through Mr.Gordon Mogot, Chairman of BOPI (Board of Indonesian Professional Sport) and promoter Damianus Wera at Ringside.

The monies was used to buy school bags filled with a dozen books, pencils, pens, erasers, drawing books, snacks, milk, colored pencils, and others. Also all children wore WBO caps, printed WBO T-shirts, and envelope containing money Rp 200 thousand (about U.S. $ 25) for each child to help support their education given directly to the children shown live TVRI studio, representatives of Rokatenda Promotions.

Children who received the aid was very pleased and thank the World Boxing Organization in cheers and smiles, so did the chairman of BOPI Gordon Mogot representing the Indonesian government who appreciated the World Boxing Organization for sharing and caring for the less fortunate children of Indonesia.

Thank you World Boxing Organization for caring.

PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 Apr 2012

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO. – Sergey Fedchenko wasted no time. He barely set foot on Mexican soil, and the Ukrainian – 30-years-old – began training for his April 14th battle against the legendary Juan Manuel Marquez. The fight takes place at the new Arena Mexico in Mexico City. Accompanied by his coach Victor Demchenko and sparring partner Arten Ayvazidi, the boxer vowed to win.

“It was always my dream to fight for a world title,” said Fedchenko. “When I was told about the possibility of coming to fight with Juan Manuel I did not hesitate for a minute. It is an honor to fight with a Mexican fighter like him. I know that in Mexico there are many who consider me to be the next victim of Juan Manuel, and even in my country some people do not have faith in me.”

“I don’t like to talk too much, but when I step into the ring and do my work – then we’ll talk. I came to win. I have respect for Juan Manuel because he faced Manny Pacquiao three times and beat him three times, but that does not mean the same thing will happen here. I’m a different fighter, so let’s see who comes out victorious.”

By Salvador Rodriguez, photos by Rafael Soto

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51347

Boxers Salim Larbi (17-1-1, 4KOs) of France (L) and Czech Lukas Konecny (47-3, 22KOs) pose for photos at the final press conference in Brno, ahead of their match for the WBO’s interim championship on April 5. The winner of this encounter will become the mandatory challenger to the full champion Zaurbek Baysangurov.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51342

It’s official. Talented middleweight Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (26-0, 17 KO) will place his undefeated record at stake against another unblemished boxer, Ukrainian Max “Tiger” Bursak (24-0-1, 10 KO), on May 4th. The two fighters will battle for the WBO’s interim-middleweight belt at the Palais des Sports Marcel Cerdan in Levallois-Perret. The fight was originally scheduled for April 20th in Malabo in Equatorial Guinea. The team behind full champion Dmitry Pirog were against the scheduling of this fight, but the World Boxing Organization still sanctioned the contest.

By Kamel Messani

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51346

WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido (38-11-2, 26 KOs) is looking at a possible return on July 21st, and WBC featherweight champion Jhonny Gonzalez is the fight he wants most. He’s waiting for the outcome of the April 28th clash between Gonzalez (51-7, 45KOs) and mandatory challenger Elio Rojas.

“I believe that good fight are coming my way. We want to unify this year. I want to unify one or two titles and then move up to 130-pounds. Jhonny was the better fighter last year, and I know that talks have already begun and I think it’s a matter of time before I get that fight,” Salido said.

Sean Gibbons, the agent of Salido, said – “We want the fight with Johnny, we love it. If we can win that fight, then we could look at Adrien Broner, Gary Russell, Celestino Caballero – there is a good range of opportunities.”

By Salvador Rodriguez

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51313

The “Island Assault 4: The Battle” pay-per-view-event, featuring a trilogy showdown between three-time world champion Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria (30-3, 16 KOs) and former two-time world champion Omar Nino Romero (30-42, 12 KOs), has been rescheduled from its original March 31 date to Saturday night, May 12, live from Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Viloria will defend his World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) title belt against Romero in the 12-round main event. Viloria was a 2000 U.S. Olympian who won his first 20 pro fights, until he lost the World Boxing Council (“WBC”) light flyweight championship to Romero by way of a 12-round unanimous decision in 2006. Three months later, their rematch ended in a draw and was later changed to a “no contest” when Romero failed the post-fight drug test.

The completion of the Viloria-Romero trilogy will have to wait a little longer as the Nevada State Athletic Commission prevented the WBO from sanctioning the fight due to unpaid penalties on Romero’s part. From 2006, Romero has amassed a total of $11,500 in penalties which he needs to pay before the fight is sanctioned.

The fight will now be held May 12 and will still be staged at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51311

WBO President, Francisco Valcarcel clarifies the reasons which lead to the sanction of the Nathan Cleverly vs. Robin Krasniqi bout scheduled for April 28, 2012 at the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington, London, despite having previously said that it would not be sanctioned because Nathan Cleverly had to face the mandatory challenger.

Unfortunately though, #1 ranked Dmitry Sukhotsky has managerial issues. He has three different promoters calling the shots for his fights.  Meanwhile, the actual promoter who was awarded the judgment, the boxer doesn’t even want to deal with.  This entire issue is not conducive to anyone attempting to negotiate a contract.

Then, there’s the #2, Braimah Kamoko…  Back in 2006, the BBB of C did not allow Mr. Kamoko to fight in the UK due to cataracts.  He was supposed to resubmit his medical documents.  The WBO attempted to get him approved by the BBB of C, but unfortunately UK’s doctors, denied the necessary permission that would have allowed him to fight in their country.

The sanction given to Cleverly – Krasniqi has the provision that the winner must face the mandatory challenger designated by the WBO within 90 days from the date of the bout; i.e. April 28, 2012.  The WBO has yet to advise the parties who the mandatory challenger will be.  President Valcarcel says that Bernard Hopkins has not been designated the Mandatory Challenger. The WBO has not designated anyone yet so all rumors regarding a Cleverly – Hopkins bout sometime in the summer is just that – rumors.

Resolution to Sanction Interim WBO Middleweight Championship 30MAR12 (2)

CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE TO VIEW THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT REGARDING THE INTERIM WBO MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT BETWEEN HASSAN D’ DAM VS. MAX BURSAK!!!!

According to sources within Zanfer Promotions, Puerto Rico’s Jesus Rojas (18-1-1, 13KOs) has been mentioned as a potential opponent for WBO bantamweight champion Jorge Arce on the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley undercard on June 9th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. In his last bout in February, Arce (60-6-2, 46KOs) got revenge on Lorenzo Parra with a fifth round knockout victory in Mexicali.

By Miguel Rivera

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51197

According to promoter Kirill Pchelnikov, Nobuhiro Ishida (24-7-2, 9KOs) is a candidate to face WBO middleweight champion Dmitry Pirog (19-0, 15KOs) on May 1 in Moscow, Russia. There were rumors of an offer being made to Marco Antonio Rubio, but Rubio is ranked at number 12, while Ishida is ranked at number 9 in the WBO’s top ten. Pirog was close to a deal to face Darren Barker, how suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw. Team Pirog is waiting for the WBO to sanction the fight.

“In preparation for this fight, we negotiated with many of top middleweights boxers, among [Sergio] Martinez, Geale, Sturm, Murray, Bursak, Barker, Zbik, N’Jikam. All of the boxers were offered a substantial fee for coming to Russia. They were offered hundreds of thousands of dollars, even millions, as was the case with Martinez. Some of boxers have just ignored us [like Felix Sturm], others made their own plans in May, and someone got injured in the negotiations process [Barker]. In the end, it was only with Ishida that we could reach an agreement for May 1. As for Rubio, we are very interesting and we can not exclude meeting with him at a later date, but in order to stage a title defense we have to choose an opponent from the WBO’s top ten. At the moment, Rubio is ranked at twelve and Nobuhiro Ishida at nine,” Pchelnikov said.

If Pirog wins in May, then a possible unification with IBF champion Daniel Geale is being discussed for August, and HBO is interested in televising.

“The other day I received a letter from our American partners, in which I was told
that the channel HBO is interested in this fight. Right now, Pirog must successfully make a defense, and I hope that the WBO will sanction the fight and everything will be all right, and we believe that after the unification bout will take place at last…..most likely in Las Vegas,” Pchelnikov said.

By Ruslan Chikov

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51189

Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6-1, 39KOs) will evaluate the future of his career with each passing fight. On April 14th at the new arena in Mexico City, Marquez will face Ukrainian Sergey Fedchenko (30-1, 13KOs) for the WBO’s interim-junior welterweight title. If he wins, he plans to return on July 14th in Texas, and then hopes to close 2012 with a fourth meeting against Manny Pacquiao in the month of November.

He is very motivated at the moment for Fedchenko, which gives the Mexican legend the opportunity to capture a fourth world title.

“It motivates me a lot to go for my fourth divisional world championship. I have collected three, and now I am going for the fourth, at junior welterweight under the WBO. I’m no youngster, but I want to continue boxing. Right now, I can’t say if I’ll have two more fights or five more. I’m going to take things [fight by fight] and I’ll see how my body responds,” Marquez said.

Marquez expects a tough battle with Fedchenko in April. He invited Pacquiao to attend the fight, but doubts he will be there.

“He will be one of the toughest opponents of my career. I am very motivated to fight in Mexico City. I have to win because then great things will come,” Marquez said.

By Ernesto Castellanos, notifight.com

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51155

It has already been over five months since the momentous night when Donnie Nietes captured his second division world title after beating Ramon Garcia in his home province of Negros Occidental.

After winning the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight crown with a unanimous decision over Garcia at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City on Oct. 8 of last year, the 29-year-old janitor-turned-boxer hasn’t seen any more action.

However, the long wait is finally over as Nietes is having his first title defense of the WBO light flyweight title in May, in a Manila card that would include either ALA
Gym stars Milan Melindo or Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista.

“We are working on who his opponent would be but we still need the approval of the WBO,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu. “Donnie’s opponent should be at the top 15.”

ALA Promotions currently has three venues to choose–Ynares Sports Arena, Cuneta Astrodome, and Resorts World.

Despite the long layoff, Aldeguer believes that Nietes neither has ring rust nor needs a tune-up fight, because he has been working rigorously in the gym during his ring hiatus.

“A tune-up fight could be sometimes risky and cause an injury so we are going through with the title defense in May. Donnie is a disciplined fighter who always keeps himself in shape so there should be no problem,” said the Cebuano promoter.

Aldeguer said that the choice between Melindo and Bautista in the co-main event depends on ALA Promotions’ negotiations with former world title challenger Genaro “Poblanito” Garcia.

“It would be Boom-Boom if we get to finalize the negotiations for Garcia to fight him.

If not, then Milan will be in the undercard,” he said.

Bautista still has a score to settle with Garcia after a different Genaro Garcia was sent to the Philippines in the 25-year-old Boholano’s return to Bohol this month.

Instead of the Genaro Garcia who figured in three world title fights, the one sent here was a patsy with a 10-11 record and was knocked out by Bautista in the second round.

Interim World Boxing Organization (WBO) cruiserweight champ Ola Afolabi, 19-2-3(9) has a second chance to win the full title on May 5th, when he will face Marco Huck in a rematch. Back in December of 2009, “Kryptonite,” as the London-born Afolabi is known, lost a reasonably close 12-round decision to “Kapt’n” Huck and now he is getting ready for another chance in Germany.

Ola says he is a different, vastly improved fighter today, and the 32-year-old who has won five in a row since the loss to Huck says he will leave “no doubt” this time around. Afolabi, who has scored a couple of eye-catching KO’s in his time (think his taking out of Enzo Maccarinelli and his KO Of The Year candidate of a win over Terry Dunstan), feels Huck will be overpowered this time.

Already getting in shape for the fight that will go down in Erfurt, Ola had the following things to say about the “must-win” fight:

James Slater: Thanks for taking the time to speak with me, Ola. Have you started proper camp yet for the Marco Huck rematch on May 5th?

Ola Afolabi: No, I’ve not started full camp yet, that will be in Germany. But I’ve been training for the last two weeks: I’ve been running, hitting the bags and doing conditioning work. The last four weeks, I’ll pick it up in Germany.

J.S: Do you know who you’ll be sparring with?

O.A: Not yet. We’ve been calling around a few guys. But there aren’t too many guys with Huck’s style. We need fighters who can imitate the pressure Huck applies.

J.S: You know all about Huck from the first fight, of Dec. 2009 – you feel you are a better fighter now?

O.A: Yes, absolutely. Last time I didn’t train like I should have, and Huck is a guy who, if you don’t fight against, you lose. I’ve said that this time it will not go to the judges – either way. I’m 32 and I have no time to waste. I’m going to go for broke in this fight, but at the same time I won’t be stupid. I’m definitely a better fighter now. My whole training regimen has changed and improved. Now I believe fully in my strength and my power. Last time, I jumped in [to the Huck fight] after just one fight that year (the big win over Enzo Maccarinelli), but this time there will be no excuses. My style has definitely improved: I have got the rounds in now.

J.S: You hurt Huck in the first fight, in the 5th-round. Did he ever hurt you?

O.A: No, he never hurt me. They all say he has power, which I don’t doubt, but I was out of shape and I had no real trouble getting him hurt. But I never had the stamina and I couldn’t finish him. This time, if I hurt him I go for it! I’ll really be swinging for the fences.

J.S: Do you feel, aside from yourself of course, that Huck is the best cruiser in the world today?

O.A: Now that Steve Cunningham has been beaten twice by [Yoan Pablo] Hernandez, yes, I do. Denis Lebedev has been fighting old legends. I definitely feel Huck would beat Hernandez and Lebedev, in a rematch. I did think Lebedev beat Huck the last time, but it was very close (in Dec. 2010 – a 12-round SD for Huck) but I don’t think Lebedev has been the same since. Lebedev hasn’t been doing himself any favours by facing old men; he’s not upped his game. The only way you do that is by facing the best – Lebedev’s not done that. I think Huck would beat Hernandez with his pressure. Another guy that has to be given respect is the WBC champ [Krzystof Wlodarczyk], he’s underrated but he’s very solid.

J.S: Talking about Lebedev, I agree with you – James Toney, for example, is shot!

O.A: Oh, James Toney has been shot for years. But saying that, I still thought he’d pull it off [Vs. Lebedev last November], because he’s so slick; but he didn’t show up.

J.S: You say you want the KO win against Huck; that KO you scored over Terry Dunstan (last July) was awesome! That shot lands on Huck and he’s gone.

O.A: Listen, that kind of punch would take out a heavyweight. But anyone can land that type of shot. If I hit Huck with a homerun like that, he’s gone. But if he hits me like that, I’ll be gone. But I’ve shown the skill and talent to land a shot like that; Huck hasn’t. I’ve shown it before – against Enzo, Dunstan and the last guy I fought, Valery Brudov: I landed an overhand right to set up that (5th-round retirement) win. That’s my punch; Huck hasn’t got that. Huck is not a technically sound fighter, he fights crazy – off balance and he throws wild shots – but he makes it work for him. I have to find holes in his style and exploit them. Every fighter has holes in his style – but it’s okay finding the holes; you have to make the guy pay for them.

J.S: You feel you’ll be coming home from Germany with that WBO belt?

O.A: Right now there’s no doubt at all, I can picture myself with that title around my waist. I don’t think Huck will be able to go the distance with me. My self belief is huge right now!

By James Slater:

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=31349&more=1

Timothy Bradley isn’t the slightest bit intimidated as he prepares to begin the harder portions of training camp for the biggest fight of his career.

Bradley realizes how upsetting Manny Pacquiao could completely change his life, but the unbeaten junior welterweight champion will take the same aggressive approach to this training camp that this tireless worker usually takes.

“It doesn’t matter,” Bradley said. “Manny Pacquiao is the biggest name in boxing, next to Floyd Mayweather. But it’s a name. He’s a fighter. He’s a human being. He has skill; I have skill.

“I’m not like in awe when I see Manny Pacquiao. It’s another fight to me. Take away all the cameras, all the attention, the media, put us in the ring and it’s a fight. It’s a fight to me.”

Bradley expects, though, that facing an opponent as good as Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) will enable him to put on a special performance in their 12-round fight June 9 in Las Vegas for Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight title.

“I know what I’m capable of doing because I have been pushed to that edge, to that limit,” Bradley said. “I know what I’m capable of doing. I know that I can compete with this guy. I think that he’s going to bring the best out of me.”

That hasn’t always happened when Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs, 1 NC) faces foes who can’t compete near the Palm Springs, Calif., native’s level, much less in the space Pacquiao occupies.

“One of the problems I always have with my trainer [Joel Diaz],” Bradley said, “is he always says, ‘Why do you fight to the level of your opposition? I know you can do more. I know you can get this guy out of here a lot sooner than that.’ I say, ‘I really don’t know why.’ But [for] Manny Pacquiao, I’m going to have to bring my ‘A’ game. It’s going to come out. It has to come out.”

By Keith Idec

Keith Idec covers boxing for The Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51138

Kyril Pchelnikov, co-promoter for WBO middleweight champion Dmitry Pirog (19-0, 15KOs), says the boxer is fully focused on a May 1st defense in Russia. The opponent has not been secured, but Pchelnikov is looking for someone in the WBO’s top ten. If everything goes as planned, then the focus will shift to finalize a deal for an August unification clash with IBF champion Daniel Geale (27-1, 15KOs) of Australia, which may be televised by American cable network HBO.

“Our main task right now – is [for Pirog] to defend his title in May against a fighter in the WBO’s top ten, whose name we will issue at a later date,” said Pchelnikov.” Next, we plan to stage a unification bout with the IBF world champion Daniel Geale on HBO. Negotiations [for a fight with Geale] have been taking place for some time.”

By Ruslan Chikov

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51121

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO. – Juan Manuel Marquez officially announced his return this April 14 at the Mexico City Arena, achieving his dream to fight again in the land of his birth after 19 years of not appearing in the area. Marquez, who will face Sergey Fedchenko, Marquez appeared with his coach Don Ignacio Beristían, assistant trainer Angel Heredia, the director of Zanfer Promotions, Fernando Beltran, Director of Azteca 7, Rodrigo Fernandez, Head of Public Relations at the Arena Mexico City, Alejandro Arce and COO of Zanfer, Guillermo Brito.

“It’s a great motivation to be home, very satisfying and also a great responsibility,” said Marquez, who faces Fedchenko for the vacant interim-junior welterweight title of the World Boxing Organization.

“I’ve prepared well enough, it’s is a tough fight, but I want to have a great fight on April 14 to show everyone how proud I am of being Mexican and fight again at home.”

“I am proud to still be the coach of this great athlete. We hope that the 14th, we will present the fans in Mexico with a boxing lesson,” said Nacho Beristain, a member of the Hall Fame of New York.

Fernando Beltran let it be known that if Juan Manuel Marquez wins this fight, he will appear on July 14th at Cowboys Stadium.

“We want to continue making history,” said Beltran, who expects over 20,000 fans. “I am proud to have the opportunity to present the best fighter in the world today, Juan Manuel Marquez, at the Arena Mexico City. I expect to exceed the number of attendees.”

He said that among the special guests at the event that evening – Rafael Marquez, Ulises Solis, Omar Chavez, Hernan Marquez, Juan Carlos Sanchez, Jacqueline Nava, Moises Fuentes, Jorge Arce and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., addition of Timothy Bradley and Nonito Donaire.

By Rafael Soto

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51130

WBO/IBF/WBA Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will make his 12th title defense in a rematch against mandatory challenger Tony Thompson on July 7 after the sides made a deal Monday, Klitschko adviser Shelly Finkel told ESPN.com.

An IBF purse bid was scheduled for Tuesday, but it was canceled when they came to an agreement. IBF championship committee chairman Lindsey Tucker said the organization received a letter from the fighters’ handlers letting him know a deal had been made.

“There is no purse bid because we made a deal,” Finkel said.

Had it gone to a purse bid, Klitschko would have been entitled to 85 percent of the winning bid with Thompson due 15 percent. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The fight is slated to take place at a soccer stadium in Berne, Switzerland. Klitschko, who is from Ukraine, usually fights in Germany — where he has fought his last seven fights — although his older brother, fellow heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, made a 2009 title defense against Kevin Johnson at a hockey arena in Berne.

Klitschko (57-3, 50 KOs), who turned 36 on Sunday, will be meeting Thompson (36-2, 24 KOs), 40, of Washington, D.C., in a rematch. He first faced Thompson on July 12, 2008 in Hamburg, Germany and dominated. Klitschko led 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92 on the judges’ scorecards before scoring a crushing 11th-round knockout.

Since then, Thompson has won five consecutive bouts, each by knockout, to again become Klitschko’s mandatory challenger.

Dan Goossen, Thompson’s promoter, had hoped to make a deal to the bring the fight to Washington, but Klitschko was not interested because the money would be greater in Europe.

The likely American broadcaster for Klitschko-Thompson II is premium network Epix, which also televised Klitschko’s fourth-round destruction of Jean-Marc Mormeck on March 3, as well as Vitali Klitschko’s title defense on Feb. 18, a unanimous decision against Dereck Chisora.

If Wladimir Klitschko defeats Thompson, he does plan to return to the United States for a tentative Nov. 10 title defense against American Cristobal Arreola at Madison Square Garden in New York in a fight that HBO is interested in broadcasting.

Klitschko’s last fight in the U.S. was also at the Garden, where he won a lopsided decision against Sultan Ibragimov in a title unification fight on Feb. 23, 2008.

By Dan Rafael | ESPN.com

http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/7741883/wladimir-klitschko-make-12th-title-defense-rematch-vs-tony-thompson