Filipino-American World Boxing Organization flyweight champion Brian Viloria punched his way to an eighth round technical knockout victory over Mexican challenger Giovani Segura to keep his 112-pound crown and earn his place in the roster of the finest pound-for-pound fighters in the world Sunday at the half-filled Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

Sticking to his game plan of attack-counter-attack all throughout that confused Segura, the 31 year-old Viloria, known in the international boxing world as the “Hawaiian Punch,” proved true to his moniker by implanting a big mouse above Segura’s right eyebrow right in the second round mostly on left hooks that developed into a huge hematoma as the fight wore on.

That same left shot staggered the challenger going into the last 20 seconds of the eighth and as the Mexican’s body looked to turn around led referee Samuel Viruet embraced Segura signaling the fight is over gifting the Ilocos Norte-born and Waipahu, Hawaii-based fighter his 30th victory, his 17th via stoppage in his six-year pro-career.

More importantly, with the win, Viloria accomplished what he really had wanted – barging into the list of pound-for-pound best; an honor he has long been targeting but continued slipping from his hands due to a roller-coaster career.

Viloria, a former amateur standout and a member of the United States Olympic team in 2000, actually, was punishing with volley of left and right combinations earlier in the period before landing the finishing kick to end what he himself described as the best fight of his career, sending Segura, ranked ninth in the world’s best pound-for-pound, to the nearby Medical City Hospital for further checkup.

“Yeah, that was my best fight in my career, Viloria told media men during the post-fight press conference. “It was even better than Miranda ((Mexico’s Julio Cesar Miranda from whom he stole the title last July).”

“It was easy, yes but only because I trained hard for this fight and I stuck to my game plan by not going into the ropes. I just met him in the center of the ring and avoided turning the fight into a brawl in which he (Segura) is at his best,” he said.

“He has heavy hands, but he didn’t hurt me. I often saw his punches, prepared to avoid them, then counter-attack,” he said drawing concurrence from his American manager Gary Gittelsohn.

“That was a fight between the two very best flyweights in the world and it’s a pity the U.,S. missed hosting it,” Gittelsohn said, who added, his ward might stick it out in the 112-pound category although plans are also afoot to invade higher divisions.

“We’ll stick it out in the flyweight division, but we might also try to test the waters, say in the 115-pound class,” the manager said.

Except for two rounds – the first and second, which Malaya Business Insight scored as draw, all rounds were Viloria’s convincingly.

Viloria wound up with a slight cut in his left eyebrow inflicted in the second round and a swollen left cheek but was never really threatened as he repeatedly pummelled the former WBO and World Boxing Association light-flyweight kingpin with crispy lefts and rights to the elation of the crowd that included Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao and former two-division champ Gerry Penalosa. Judge Danrex Tapdasan saw the fight, 69-64 at the time of the stoppage , judge Ulysses Glen,70-63, and judge Harry Davis, 68-65, all in favor of Viloria.

 

By Eddie Alinea

http://philboxing.com/news/story-64039.html

WBO/WBA/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko is still set on facing 39-year-old former cruiserweight champion Jean Marc Mormeck next year on March 3rd in Germany despite Wladimir’s recent hospitalization for kidney stones.

The medical problem caused Wladimir to postpone his previously scheduled fight with Mormeck and push it to March.

Some boxing fans were hoping that Wladimir would use the opportunity to go in a different direction by picking a better opponent than Mormeck to fight, but Wladimir has made up his mind that he still plans on fighting Mormeck.

Wladimir said to eastsideboxing.com’s On the Ropes Boxing Radio program “Mormeck was so self-confident and he’s in the top 10 in the heavyweight division…I will not view Mormeck as such a bad fighter. He’s experienced. His style could become dangerous if I give him a chance, and I will not give a chance to any opponent.”

Mormeck does have excellent power, but excellent for a cruiserweight, not a heavyweight. He’s shown little of his once impressive power since moving up to the heavyweight division in three fights. Mormeck is going to have his hands full just trying to work his way close enough to land anything against Wladimir.

The only real question about this fight is whether Wladimir will suffer another injury to delay it. Wladimir twice suffered injuries that wiped out fights against Dereck Chisora before finally giving up on the fight. And then recently Wladimir’s kidney stone problem that postponed the Mormeck fight.

Mormeck draws a lot of attention from boxing fans from his home country France, and it would be interesting to find out how much money Mormeck can potentially bring in for television money over there for a Klitschko-Mormeck fight.

You would have to wonder whether Wladimir has negotiated to get that money thrown in the pot for this fight. If not, then I don’t see this as a fight that’s really worthy of Wladimir. He says the top contenders Robert Helenius and Tyson Fury aren’t ready to fight him now, but there has to be better contenders than Mormeck lying around and available for Wladimir to fight.

 

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/12/wladimir-mormeck-could-be-dangerous-for-me/

WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (28-0, 12 KO’s) thinks Lamont Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KO’s) needs to let Amir Khan cry and suffer a while before facing him again. Instead, Bradley thinks Peterson should fight him next before facing Khan in a rematch.

Peterson and Bradley fought two years ago in December 2009 with Bradley beating Peterson by a 12 round unanimous decision by the scores 118-110, 119-108 and 120-107.

Bradley told RingTV “I think he [Peterson] needs to leave Amir alone for a while and let him whine a little bit and let him feel it, because you know Amir don’t give nobody a rematch. I think that Lamont Peterson should come and see Tim Bradley, man and get some revenge.”

hat sounds like a good idea, because Khan will still want to fight Peterson again whether he loses to Bradley or not. Peterson could get two title fights under his belt instead of just one. If he loses to Khan, then a Bradley fight will likely not happen. It might be a better option to take a payday fight against Bradley, if Peterson believes he can truly beat him this time. As soundly as Bradley defeated Peterson two years ago, I’m not so certain that Peterson would do any better in a rematch. Bradley really his number in that fight and hurt him on a couple of occasions.

Bradley is right about Khan not giving rematches to guys that he head. He doesn’t do it. Khan didn’t even do it when he was destroyed in one round by Breidis Prescott in 2008. Peterson is obviously a different story for Khan, because he can’t punch like Prescott, and is thus a less dangerous option.

Bradley signed with Top Rank recently and fought for the first time for them last month, stopping 40-year-old Joel Casamayor in the 8th round. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is grooming Bradley for a big money in house fight against WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in the near future.

 

By William Mackay

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/12/timothy-bradley-peterson-needs-to-let-khan-whine-and-suffer-and-fight-me-instead/

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Adrien Broner told RingTV.com that he’s planning to make it an early night when he makes the first defense of his WBO belt against contender Eloy Perez Feb. 25 on an HBO-televised card.

“Don’t go and get no popcorn,” said Broner, THE RING’s No. 6-rated junior lightweight. “I can’t give you a round, but it can end early. It will end early.”

The main event will feature junior welterweight Devon Alexanderagainst Marcos Maidana in a show that has potential to land at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo.

RingTV.com caught up to Broner on Friday at the Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C., where he was in attendance for Saturday night’s HBO-televised clash between Amir Khan (26-1, 18 KOs) and Lamont Peterson (29-1-1, 15 KOs).

In June, Broner (22-0, 18 KOs) dispatched of Jason Litzau dismantling him with 11 unanswered blows over the final 16 seconds of a first-round knockout victory in June. Prior to that, Broner had scored a unanimous 10-round decision over Mexican former WBO super bantamweight titlist Daniel Ponce de Leon in March.

In his last fight, Broner took only 1:43 to vanquish Martin Rodriguez (34-3-1, 19 KOs) for the WBO’s vacant belt in Broner’s hometown of Cincinnati on Nov. 26. Broner’s victory ended Rodriguez’s unbeaten streak at 13-0-1, with nine knockouts.

“That was okay,” said Broner of his victory over Rodriguez. “In this next fight, I’m going to have fun.”

THE RING’s No. 9 jr. lightweight, Perez (23-0-2, 7 KOs), who turned 25 on Oct. 25, was recently named NABO Fighter of the Year, and is coming off his second straight knockout, scored in the sixth round over Ira Terry (24-7-0, 14 KOs) on Oct. 28.

Prior to that, Perez came up with an impressive second-round knockout of Daniel Jimenez (20-4-1, 12 KOs), who had won three straight bouts before falling to Perez in their Solo Boxeo Tecate main event on Sept. 2.

Perez also has a victory over feared lightweight prospect Dannie Williams(19-1, 15 KOs), a winner of eight consecutive bouts, six of them by knockout, since being out-pointed by Perez in a thrilling 10-rounder in September of 2009.

Perez had been considered to face Broner for the vacant WBO 130-pound belt before facing Terry but the deal fell through, according to Perez’s manager, Kathy Garcia.

“It’s the styles. Perez tries to be somebody that I think that he’s not,” said Broner. “But at the end of the day, he’s a Mexican.”

What does that mean?

“Come on, man, I’m from Cincinnati, man,” said Broner. “I’m the flashy guy, man. It gets no better than this.”

 

by Lem Satterfield

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/170633-broner-aims-for-a-knockout-against-perez

Pasig City – In an incredible display of skill, heart and sheer will power, Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria successfully defended his WBO world flyweight title against Mexican “Aztec Warrior” Giovani Segura at the Ynares Sports Center.

Segura, who attacked from a southpaw stance, had Viloria on the back foot in the opening minutes of the fight but Viloria’s left hook began to find its range going into the second round. Viloria stunned Segura with a right hand lead followed by a left hook and had Segura on the ropes twice. Viloria bled from a cut on the left eyebrow but Segura looked dazed and confused at the end of the round.

A hematoma started to form on the Mexican’s right temple as Viloria’s left landed with impunity in the subsequent rounds. Segura continued to press the action but missed wildly. His power was evident as Viloria covered up and winced as Segura’s hooks connected.

The partisan crowd cheered for every punch Viloria threw. Past the halfway mark, the swelling on the right side of Segura’s head got bigger and his right eye would eventually get affected and started to close as well. Segura was still dangerous but Viloria, with blood continuing to leak from his cut, pressed his advantage by landing hard shots.

The crowd was in a frenzy sensing a Viloria victory. Segura faded and after the 7th, referee Samuel Viruet checked and talked with the Mexican cornermen.

Segura answered the bell for the 8th round but Viloria pounced on him with a brutal volley prompting Referee Viruet to save the challenger from further punishment. Official time – 0:29.

Viloria (30-3, 17 KO’s) finished with a swollen left cheek aside from his cut. But he made sure he would retain his title in front of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and former two-division world champ Gerry Penalosa and lustfully cheering fans who trooped to Pasig on a Sunday morning.

The scores prior to the stoppage had Viloria ahead – Judge Danrex Tapdasan – 69-64, judge Ulysses Glen – 70-63 and judge Harry Davis – 68-65.

Segura (28-2-1, 24 KO’s) was ranked ninth by Ring magazine in their pound for pound list prior to this bout. Viloria’s win makes three Filipino boxers on that prestigious list by year’s end.

 

Photos by Dong Secuya.

By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-64016.html

Eloy Perez heads the list of potential opponents for newly crowned WBO junior lightweight champ Adrien Broner.

The proposed fight would occur on Feb. 25 in St. Louis on the undercard of Devon Alexander vs. Marcos Maidana, a deal which is all but completed.

“Negotiations are in progress right now,” said Max Garcia, who shares training duties of Perez with Dean Familton. “They’re working hard on it, and once it’s signed.  we’ll be ready to go Feb. 25th.  Eloy’s ready and we’re due for something like this.”

Perez and Broner were in serious talks two months ago to fight for the 130-pound strap vacated by Ricky Burns of Scotland, but the two sides could never agree.  Broner ended up getting the opportunity, stopping Vicente Rodriguez in his hometown of Cincinnati last Nov. 26.

Perez scored a technical knockout of his own in his adopted hometown of Salinas against Ira Terry on Oct. 28, but now comes to the table as a challenger this time around.  Both fighters are promoted by Golden Boy.

“Last time, we were supposed to fight Broner, but it was in his backyard and we weren’t getting a fair enough offer,” Garcia added.  “Then there was a counter-offer in San Jose, but Oscar [De La Hoya] himself called it off because he wanted Eloy to get a title and unify it with Broner to make it a bigger fight.”

Now Broner has the belt, and Team Perez can wait no longer; they want a title shot now.

“We want to fight the best, and Adrien Broner’s the champ,” Garcia said.  “It doesn’t necessarily means he’s the best, he just has the title.  Eloy will show he’s the best come the 25th of February.  It’s going to be a war, and he better be ready to stand and fight.  Like my lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army said on a sign in front of his office almost 40 years ago, ‘You’re Here to Fight, and Don’t You Forget It.’ “

 

By Ryan Maquiñana

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=47046

Three-time and reigning WBO world flyweight champion Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria (29-3, 16 KOs), a dual citizen of the U.S. and Philippines and a 2000 U.S. Olympian, is ready to take on Mexican challenger Giovani “El Guerrero Azteca” Segura, on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. “I’ve sparred with Segura in the past and we beat the hell out of each other,” Viloria said. “It was the kind of sparring where we could have charged the audience for an entrance fee and they wouldn’t have complained. Knockout specialist Segura (28-1-1, 24 KOs), a two-time world light flyweight champion (World Boxing Association Super champion), knocked out previously undefeated WBO champion Ivan Calderon (34-0-1) in a unification fight in 2010 and again this past April in a rematch before moving up in weight.

Integrated Sports Media, the pound-for-pound king of sports distribution in North America, will distribute the Saturday night “Island Assault 3″ for live viewing at 9:00 PM/ET, 6PM PT. The event is available on satellite pay-per-view via DISH Network, and on-line pay-per-view at http://www.ustream.tv/integratedsportsppv

“We’re looking forward to bringing this action-packed card, headlined by two of the best lighter weight fighters in the world, Viloria and Segura, to US boxing fans,” Integrated Sports Media president Doug Jacobs said. “This exciting show continues the heated Filipino vs. Mexican boxing rivalry that is one of the most intense in the sport today.”

 

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/viloria-ive-sparred-with-segura-in-the-past-and-we-beat-the-hell-out-of-each-other-103913

Speculation persists that WBO world welterweight champion Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao and WBC world welterweight titlist “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather will meet May 5 in Las Vegas at a venue to be determined.

Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs), the first pugilist in history to win 10 world crowns in eight separate weight divisions, earned an extremely controversial majority decision victory over WBA, WBO and The Ring lightweight king “Dinamita” Juan Manuel Marquez in their third fight last month at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

In stark contrast to Pacquiao, Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs) badly outclassed, and essentially embarrassed, Marquez (53-6-1, 38 KOs) with a shutout unanimous decision triumph in September 2009.

Pacquiao, named “Fighter of the Decade” for the 2000s by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA), is an extremely powerful puncher with lighting-fast hands.

Nevertheless, Pacquiao’s legendary trainer, Freddie Roach, told abs-cbnnews.com Wednesday that he cautioned his fighter that Mayweather may possess even slightly quicker fists.

“I will bring in a whole new crew of sparring partners, guys that can imitate Floyd well,” said Roach, 51, a native of Dedham (Mass.) who was voted Trainer of the Year on four occasions by (BWAA). “There isn’t a lot of guys in the world that are like Floyd, so it would be tough to find them. We would prepare for his counter punching ability, and his speed, which is maybe equal to Manny’s, if not better.”

Mayweather, a spectacular talent who has captured nine world titles in five different boxing weight classes, has essentially dominated the sport of boxing since he made his professional debut with a second round TKO victory over Roberto Apodaca in October 1996.

“Pretty Boy” is a man whose ample abilities have primarily allowed him to avoid facing adversity in the ring.

In all likelihood, Mayweather is a better boxer than Pacquiao and he would be a decided favorite if the two ever clash in the future.

Still, Roach is confident that Pacquiao could exploit Mayweather’s flaws and overcome the dominant loudmouth.

“I think we can take advantage of those habits,” said Roach. “He does have some bad habits that can be exposed.”

One of Mayweather’s “bad habits” may not actually be a visual fault.

Unlike Pacquiao, Mayweather has never been in a violent struggle and his tenacity has been questioned by some critics.

To emerge victorious over the more complete Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao “can take advantage” of his oversized heart and attempt to vanquish “Pretty Boy’s” willpower as the rounds pass.

As 42 other prizefighters have discovered, such a simple plan may be prove to be utterly complex.

 

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-boston/roach-says-pacquiao-can-take-advantage-of-mayweather

THE RING’s No. 6-rated junior lightweight Adrien Broner will make the first defense of his WBO belt against the magazine’s No. 9-rated contender Eloy Perez on a Feb. 28 HBO-televised card.

Both fighters have signed and agreed to the fight.

The main event will feature former WBC/IBF junior welterweight titleholder and THE RING’s No. 4-rated 140 pounder Devon Alexanderagainst No. 3-rated Marcos Maidana, RingTV.com has learned.

The 22-year-old Broner (22-0, 18 knockouts) took only 1:43 to vanquish Martin Rodriguez (34-3-1, 19 KOs) for the WBO’s vacant belt in Broner’s hometown of Cincinnati on Nov. 26. Broner’s victory ended Rodriguez’s unbeaten streak at 13-0-1, with nine knockouts.

In June, Broner dispatched of Jason Litzau dismantling him with 11 unanswered blows over the final 16 seconds of a first-round knockout victory in June. Prior to that, Broner had scored a unanimous 10-round decision triumph over southpaw Mexican former WBO super bantamweight titlist Daniel de Leon in March, winning all but one round on the card of judge Tony Crebs, who scored it in his favor, 99-91.

Perez (23-0-2, 7 KOs), who turned 25 on Oct. 25, was recently named NABO Fighter of the Year, and is coming off his second straight knockout, scored in the sixth round over Ira Terry (24-7-0, 14 KOs) on Oct. 28.

Prior to that, Perez came up with an impressive second-round knockout of Daniel Jimenez (20-4-1, 12 KOs), who had won three straight bouts before falling to Perez in their Solo Boxeo Tecate main event on Sept. 2.

Perez also has a victory over feared lightweight prospect Dannie Williams(19-1, 15 KOs), a winner of eight consecutive bouts, six of them by knockout, since being out-pointed by Perez in a thrilling 10-rounder in September of 2009.

Perez had been considered to face Broner for the vacant WBO 130-pound belt before facing Terry but the deal fell through, according to Perez’s manager, Kathy Garcia.

In the main event, the hard-hitting, 28-year-old Maidana (31-2, 27 KOs) is coming off fourth-round knockout of Peter Petrov (29-3-1, 13 KOs) in September.

The triumph over Petrov was Maidana’s second straight win since rising from a first-round knockdown during a unanimous decision loss to WBA/IBF junior welterweight beltholder Amir Khan(26-1, 18 KOs) last December.

The 24-year-old Alexander (22-1, 13 KOs) lost his WBC junior welterweight belt following an 11th-round technical decision loss to Timothy Bradley(27-0, 11 KOs) in January.

But Alexander has bounced back with a 10-round decision win over hard-hitting RING No. 5-rated junior welterweight Lucas Mathysse(28-2, 26 KOs) of Argentina in June.

Prior to facing Bradley, Alexander struggled through a decision over former titleholder Andriy Kotelnik in August of 2009, and claimed that extreme weight loss contributed to what he considers to have been less-than-stellar efforts against Kotelnik, Bradley and Matthysse.

Kotelnik scored a split-decision victory over Maidana in Febraury of 2007

 

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/170611-broner-perez-targeted-for-alexander-maidana-card-

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- World Boxing Organization (WBO) president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, announced today the referee and judges who will work on the WBO flyweight title bout between Flyweight champion Brian Viloria and former Junior Flyweight titlist Giovani Segura this Sunday, December 11 in the Yñares Sports Arena in Manila, Phillipines in a Promociones Zanfer and Saved by the Bell Promotions presentation.

Valcarcel reported that for the first title defense of Viloria (29-3, 16 KOs) against the Mexican Segura (28-1-1, 24 KOs), the referee will be Samuel Viruet, from the United States. Viloria won the 112 pounds belt on July 16 when he beat Mexican Julio Cesar Miranda by unanimous decision. Segura reigned in the WBO 108 division from 2010 to 2011.

Meanwhile, the judges for Viloria vs Segura are: Danrex Tapdasan, from Phillipines, Harry Davis, from Canada, and Ulysess Glen, from United States. WBO supervisor for this fight will be Leon Panoncillo Jr.

 

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/12/wbo-announces-referee-and-judges-for-sunday-december-11-viloria-segura-title-bout-in-phillipines/

WBO junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley is the only boxer to defeat Lamont Peterson in the ring, by decision, two years ago. On Saturday night in Washington, DC, Peterson challenges Bradley’s main rival, WBA/IBF 140-pound champion Amir Khan. Although Peterson has had some good performances since losing to Bradley, Khan is the overwhelming favorite to win. Even Bradley himself is picking Khan to win and gives the British the edge with his faster hands. Bradley picks Khan by decision, but says a knockout win will erase any doubts about Khan’s status as an elite fighter.

“His movement and quickness and jab will give him problems,” Bradley told The Desert Sun. “Peterson will come and make it a hell of a fight and he has a chance for an upset, but Khan is polished. Peterson will have a good chance, but I favor Khan because he’s quicker and he throws his combinations and he gets in and out. That’s what I did when I fought Peterson. I’d be surprised if he stopped Peterson. If he stops him, then he’s the real deal. But [Peterson is] tough and this is his second opportunity to fight on the big stage for a world title. And it is in his back yard. He will be motivated to put on a good show and fight hard.”

 

By Pawel Pronishev

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=47008

The Boxing World is buzzing about this Saturday’s Cotto vs. Margarito matchup, but a lot of eyes will also be on the rest of the PPV card as Philadelphia’s Mike Jones takes to the ring against Argentinean Sebastian Lujan for the WBO NABO and NABA welterweight titles.

Jones (25-0, 19 KO’s) has been often speculated as a future opponent for Manny Pacquiao on the strength of his raw power, unblemished record, and of course his affiliation with Bob Arum and Top Rank.

Madison Square Garden will be rocking as Jones will be looking to stop Lujan and get a coveted shot at Randall Bailey for Andre Berto’s vacated IBF title.

At 6’0” with a 72” reach, 28 year old Jones has matured well and has kept busy; this will be his third fight in 2011, and he will again benefit from the television exposure of the Cotto vs. Margarito festivities. As more eyes see Jones and as his win streak continues, how much longer can he be left out of the Pacquiao sweepstakes? Right now, everything is on hold as Pacquiao is looking to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 5th, but until that is a done deal the speculation will continue. If Jones is looking to showcase his skills it may be a long night for Sebastian Lujan Saturday……and rest assured that the Pac-Man will be intently watching as well.

 

http://www.8countnews.com/news/125/ARTICLE/4883/2011-12-01.html

Former Golden Gloves champion and Willard native B.J. Flores’ dream bout against WBA cruiserweight champion Guillermo Jones apparently is no longer on the radar of iconic promoter Don King.

In promoting a non-King fight scheduled for Jan. 28 at the Shrine Mosque, Flores revealed Monday that King would rather him face the champions of the World Boxing Organization or World Boxing Council, Germany’s Marco Huck or Poland’s Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.

King has Jones and Flores under contract, making it more possible for Flores to get his title shot.

But Flores’ reasoning for King’s retreat on that matchup was odd Monday.

He cited the success of his Oct. 15 fight, a unanimous decision against 43-year-old Paul Jennette that drew about 3,500 to the O’Reilly Family Event Center. Flores never put Jennette on the canvas in a fight that went the full 10 rounds.

“I don’t think he knew the type of result we’d get for the fight in Springfield,” Flores said at a news conference at the north Doubletree Hotel, and then indicated King sees potential (read: big payday) should he have rights to Flores and Jones if one is a WBA or WBC champ while Jones retains his WBA title.

“He said, ‘You know, you’ve got a great thing in Springfield. I don’t want to knock one of my top guys off (Jones) and have them start back over,'” Flores said.

The public relations manager for Don King Productions, Alan Hopper, on Monday said he did not have time to respond in full.

“I want the title shot,” Flores said. “But if I can fight here again, increase my fan base here again and fight in a place that I love and then have a title shot, I don’t care what champion I fight. I just want a shot for a title.”

Meanwhile, details of Flores’ Jan. 28 fight, and the card itself, are still being finalized, including a start time and ticket prices.

But, in essence, it will be marketed at the same time as a Feb. 11 card featuring Kimbo Slice at the O’Reilly Center.

Flores will be defending his NABA and NABO belts, plus go for a vacant NABF belt. Potential opponents are Carl Davis, 38, Andres Taylor, 32, and Shane Stoneman.

“It’s going to take a little more money to get quality opponents in, and we are prepared to do that,” Flores’ trainer, Jacob Chavez, said.

 

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20111206/SPORTS/112060343/0/NEWS08/?odyssey=nav|head

Wladimir Klitschko’s world heavyweight title showdown with Jean-Marc Mormeck has been rescheduled for March 3 in Dusseldorf.

Klitschko had been due to put WBA, IBF and WBO belts on the line against the Frenchman on Saturday – only for the Ukrainian to pull out following an operation to have a kidney stone removed.

However Klitschko, who toppled David Haye for the WBA strap in his last outing, has now confirmed the mandatory defence will go ahead at the ESPRIT Arena.

Klitschko said in a statement: “I know that I am the favourite in all my fights but I also know that each opponent is motivated to be in the best shape ever when he fights me.

“Mormeck is one of the most experienced fighters I have ever faced. He has had many world title fights, has a very good technique, can take a lot of punches and is very intelligent inside the ring.

“To underestimate him would be a fatal mistake. I am very happy to return to the ESPRIT Arena where I fought against Eddie Chambers. The spectators and the atmosphere for that fight were great and I am sure it will be again this time.”

 

http://www1.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/7361907/Klitschko-confirms-new-date


MANILA, Philippines — It isn’t often that you’ll find a world champion entering his first title defense as the underdog, but that’s the situation WBO flyweight titleholder Brian Viloria finds himself in as he approaches his showdown with THE RING’s junior flyweight champ Giovani Segura this Sunday, Dec. 11, (Saturday evening in the U.S.) at the Yñares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Viloria, of Waipahu, Hawaii, twice held major 108-pound titles before stepping up to flyweight to defeat Mexico’s Julio Cesar Miranda in his most recent outing to earn a belt in his second division. The 31-year-old veteran lost his junior flyweight titles in his second defense of each reign. Most observers are anticipating that this title run will end earlier than the previous ones because of the relentless pressure and KO power of his 29-year-old challenger.

The fight will be aired by the GMA Network in the Philippines, and on pay-per-view in the United States (Integrated Sports, $29.95, 8:00 p.m. EST).

Viloria (29-3, 16 knockouts), a memember of 2000 U.S. Olympic squad, fully embraces the dark horse role given to him by odds makers and most of the media.

“I love being the underdog,” Viloria, told RingTV.com following a light workout at the Punch Out Boxing Club in Makati City. “It motivates me to get ready for a fight. I love fighting when everybody is doubting me. I love trying to prove them wrong.”

Viloria’s longtime assistant traienr Ruben Gomez agrees believes the gifted boxer-puncher is at his best when his back is against the wall.

“I think it’s a good situation to be in, being expected to lose,” said Gomez, who has been with Viloria since the Filipinio-American first turned professional. “But to us, it’s not going to be a surprise when they raise Brian’s hand in victory because we came here to win and that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”

Viloria is no stranger to being the underdog. Prior to his second world title winning effort against Ulises Solis, Viloria was all but written off as a signature win for Solis’ ninth title defense. Instead Viloria won, punctuating the performance with an 11th-round knockout that would be at home on any highlight reel.

The opposite side of the coin is that Viloria sometimes loses fights he’s supposed to win.

All of Viloria’s defeats — to Carlos Tamara, Omar Nino Romero and Edgar Sosa — came unexpectedly, the result of focus issues, Viloria’s team claims.

“Brian should be working on his fifteenth title defense now,” said Gomez. “I think those fights that he lost, he should have never lost them.”

Viloria finds himself in this difficult spot not by choice, but as a result of his challenger’s mandatory position with Viloria’s predecessor Miranda. Viloria was allowed to cut in front of Segura (28-1-1, 24 KOs) and fight Miranda with the understanding that he’d have to immediately face the slugger from Bell, Calif., by way of Guerrero, Mexico.

The Viloria-Segura clash was expected to take place earlier in the fall but was delayed due to a cut over Viloria’s right eye suffered in the Miranda fight.

Viloria has already upset the odds just by being in this position. Viloria’s career was in serious doubt following his loss last January to Carlos Tamara when, ahead on the scorecards, Viloria’s conditioning fell apart, causing him to lose by a12th-round stoppage. Afterwards he collapsed in the dressing room from exhaustion, a product of the difficulty he experienced making the 108 pound weight limit.

Then, just two weeks before his return bout against Omar Soto six months later, Viloria’s trainer Roberto Garcia abandoned Viloria to join Nonito Donaire Jr., leaving Viloria to find a new trainer. Mario Morales, who is now Viloria’s head trainer, isn’t exactly new, having worked with Viloria early in his career.

“I’ve gone up and down so many times in my career, it is like a roller coaster,” said Viloria. “The resiliency of my career, that’s what it is. Right now I’m back on top as a world champion and I want to stay there. It’s really hard to become a world champion, but it’s ten times as hard to stay as a world champion. The path of my career, it’s what made me today. I think I’m a complete fighter now.”

Viloria vs. Segura Promo

Viloria is expected to be the crowd favorite against Segura, not because the Philippines is a second home to him, but a first home. Viloria was raised by his grandparents from six months to the age of six in the Philippine province of Ilocos Norte on the island archipelago’s most northwestern corner. A dual citizen of the Philippines and America, Viloria’s first language is Ilocano, a dialect of Filipino spoken exclusively in that region. He didn’t learn to speak English until rejoining his parents in Hawaii to begin school.

This will be Viloria’s fifth appearance in the Philippines.

Segura, who is rated number nine on THE RING’s pound-for-pound list, conceded at Wednesday morning’s press conference that Viloria was “a more complete fighter.” He didn’t have Viloria’s pedigree, having picked up the sport at the advanced age of 18. He turned pro after just 11 amateur bouts, while Viloria represented the United States in the 2000 Summer Olympics.

What he does have over Viloria are two signature knockout victories over the previously-unbeaten ring legend Ivan Calderon in 2010 and 2011 that have catapulted him to a pedestal that Viloria has never reached.

The two have crossed paths a number of times over the years, working alongside each other at the Azteca Boxing Club in Bell, Calif., and as sparring partners for five different fights. Segura’s team have said that they got the better of the action and as a result have a mental edge over Viloria. Viloria and company dismiss it as “just sparring.”

“Sparring is like scrimmage; You don’t give your best foot forward,” said Viloria. “You just try to work on things you need to work on. Sometimes it gives you a false sense of saying, ‘Alright, he fights this way’ or ‘He fights that way, that’s the way I’m gonna fight him.’ It really kind of throws you off when you switch it off. The real fight is a whole different level than a sparring session.”

“Giovani is full speed ahead, whether it’s sparring or it’s fighting,” said Gomez. “He spars pretty much the same way he fights. I don’t particularly like that type of sparring because if somebody hits you hard, you’re going to hit him hard and that just escalates.”

What Viloria believes the sparring sessions have done is given each man a sense of the way the other likes to fight, something that he feels will work to his advantage.

“He has that one-dimensional style, he’ll try and corner you and slug you out into submission,” said Viloria. “I’m so versatile in this sport, I think that’s going to be the difference in this fight. I don’t think Segura is going to figure out what style I’m going to bring into the ring. I’m going to have to switch it up and make him think and keep him on his toes.”

Many people who are picking Segura over Viloria do so out of a lack of faith in Viloria’s conditioning late in fights. Viloria himself acknowledges that conditioning has been an issue in past fights and says that has been their primary focus in training camp. Running the mountains of Southern California — as well as the additional four pounds of the flyweight division — have given Viloria confidence that his issues of the past are just that. The past.

“I’m really confident that I’m going to look at the twelfth round like I’ll look in the first round,” said Viloria. “I made the weight easy, I’m eating right, sleeping right. There’s not going to be any excuses in this fight.

“I want to go in there and show the world that Brian Viloria is a new Brian Viloria in this weight division and I want to stay world champion for as long as I can.”

 

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/170601-brian-viloria-qi-love-being-the-underdogq

CAGUAS, PUERTO RICO- As part of the successful “Kids Drug Free” campaign, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and former world champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. visited today the Casa Laura Vicuña, a nonprofit institution that works with children’s education, to make a donation for their work in favor of the kids of the Barriada Morales in Caguas.

Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel and the WBO donated $2,500 to the Casa Laura Vicuña, a nonprofit institution directed by the Salesian Sisters who work with children and youngsters (between 4 and 18 years) in education and prevention on their free time helping them with tutoring, homework, sports and artistic activities. The WBO donated the dinner and some gifts for the youngsters.

At Casa Laura Vicuña, many professional Puertorican boxers were present, such as: Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. , prospects Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez, David Quijano, Rafael Gonzalez, some amateur fighters, trainers Orlando Piñero and Alex Caraballo, and Luis Perez, WBO Chairman of the Ratings Committee.

 

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/12/wbo-donates-2500-to-casa-laura-vicuna-in-caguas-puerto-rico/

CAGUAS, PUERTO RICO- La Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) continuó en su campaña en pro de la juventud entregando un donativo económico, junto al ex campeón mundial Wilfredo Vázquez Jr. y el ex monarca mundial juvenil aficionado Jonathan “Bomba” González, a la Casa Laura Vicuña de Caguas, que trabaja distintas actividades para niños y jóvenes del área de la Barriada Morales en esta ciudad.

El presidente de la OMB, Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel, indicó que esta entidad donó $2,500 para la Casa Laura Vicuña “para ayudar a estos niños a que sigan adelante junto a las personas que tienen al frente de esta institución. Queremos tener la salud y la fortaleza para todos los años venir aquí y traerles algo, por más sencillo que sea”.

Valcárcel le entregó el donativo a la Directora Ejecutiva de la Casa Laura Vicuña, Sor Nilsa González, quien estaba acompañada de los tutores de la casa, así como decenas de niños pertenecientes del programa.

“Agradecemos a la OMB por siempre apoyar nuestra Casa y lo que hacemos por todos estos niños y jóvenes. Esperamos que sigan con ese buen corazón ayudando las causas buenas”, manifestó González.

La Casa Laura Vicuña es una entidad sin fines de lucro dirigida por las Hijas de María Auxiliadora (Hermanas Salesianas) que lleva a niños y jóvenes de entre 4 y 18 años un programa de Educación y Prevención en su tiempo libre, con  programas divididos en  Tutorías, Asignaciones y proyectos, y Artísticos. En el mismo participan cientos de niños y niñas del área de Caguas.

En la actividad también dijeron presente, además de Vázquez Jr. y González, el contendor supermosca David Quijano, el invicto ligero Rafael González, y varios púgiles aficionados del área de Caguas. También los entrenadores Orlando Piñero y Álex Caraballo, y el presidente del Comité de Clasificaciones de la OMB, Luis Pérez.

La OMB estará en los próximos días en los pueblos de Mayagüez y Ponce en actividades con los niños.

 


The WBO world middleweight champion, Dmitry Pirog (19-0, 15KOs) of Russia, has been trying to get a fight with WBA king Felix Sturm (36-2-2, 15KOs) of Germany. Pirog claims to have been chasing Sturm since 2010, when the Russian boxer shocked everyone by knocking out heavy favorite Daniel Jacobs in five rounds. In the opinion of Pirog, Sturm is more interested in making money and doesn’t care as much about furthering his craft as a boxer. The Russian champion was very disappointed with Sturm’s twelve round draw with the inexperienced Martin Murray from last Friday.

“We tried to negotiate with the Sturm immediately after my championship bout against Daniel Jacobs, but attempts to contact him have failed. It seems to me that Felix just runs from me. At the same time, constructive dialogue is possible with other top fighters in our division. Therefore, we agreed to a fight with the IBF titleholder Daniel Geale. Incidentally, the last performance of Sturm left me very unimpressed. In my opinion, the German is not progressing. It is likely, he became too interested in making money, and boxing, apparently, [has become a secondary] business to Sturm,” Pirog told FE.

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46932

LA ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DE BOXEO (OMB) Y SU PRESIDENTE FRANCISCO “PACO” VALCÁRCEL:

 ENTREGARÁN UN DONATIVO A LA CASA LAURA VICUÑA EN LA BARRIADA MORALES DE CAGUAS EN ESTA ÉPOCA DE NAVIDAD. LA CASA LAURA VICUÑA ES UNA ENTIDAD SIN FINES DE LUCRO QUE SE DEDICA A LLEVAR A NIÑOS Y JÓVENES DE ENTRE 4 Y 18 AÑOS UN PROGRAMA DE EDUCACIÓN Y PREVENCIÓN CON TUTORÍAS, ASIGNACIONES Y PROYECTOS Y SHOWS ARTÍSTICOS. LA OMB, JUNTO A VARIOS PELEADORES, COMPARTIRÁN EL MOMENTO CON LOS JOVENCITOS DE LA INSTITUCIÓN EN UNA CATIVIDAD QUE SE REALIZA COMO PARTE DEL EXITOSO PROGRAMA “KIDS DRUG FREE”.

 HOY, MIÉRCOLES, 7 DE DICIEMBRE DE 2011 DESDE LAS 4:00 DE LA TARDE, EN LA CASA LAURA VICUÑA, EN LA BARRIADA MORALES DE CAGUAS, LOCALIZADA ESPECÍFICAMENTE EN BARRIADA MORALES 1006 CALLE P, CAGUAS, PUERTO RICO.

WBO/WBA/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko feels the right decision was made when he announced his withdrawal from this Saturday’s fight with former cruiserweight king Jean-Marc Mormeck. Klitschko felt ill over the weekend and had to undergo surgery on Saturday to remove a kidney stone. On Monday, Klitschko still felt  a lot of pain and knew the best decision was to withdrew from the fight, which is likely going to take place on the postponed date of March 3rd at ESPRIT arena in Düsseldorf, Germany.

“The decision to postpone the fight was the right one. The main thing is your health. I could not enter this fight without being 100% ready. I’m very sorry for the boxing fans who were anticipating this upcoming fight. But, the fight is not being canceled completely, only postponed. The pain came unexpectedly and was unpredictable and uncontrollable. Probably on March 3rd, this fight will happen,” Klitschko said.

“My mother once had a stone in the kidney. She said childbirth was easier than dealing with the stone. I can’t compare these two things, but I feel a deep respect for any woman who gives a child to the world. Anyone who has experienced this kind of pain can understand – it is difficult to describe. The last four days, I was in hell and I’m glad that I’m now in a position to give an interview.”

“A year ago, I unfortunately had to cancel another fight. This is what happens in life and sometimes in sports. When you lose, then nobody cares whether you’re ready or hwther you were 100%. When I enter the ring, I want to be ready. Right now I’m going to take further tests to make sure that there is no cause for serious concern. I am very pleased with the university clinic in Dusseldorf, they have done everything necessary. Unfortunately, it was not enough so I could go into battle, but I’m glad that life goes on without pain.”

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46925

WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria says he is “ready to go” when he defends his title for he first time against mandatory challenger Giovanni Segura, the former light flyweight champion at the Yñares Sports Arena on Sunday morning.

The fight card which is a cooperative effort between Zanfer Promotions and Solar Sports is titled “Island Assault 3” and will be telecast over GMA 7 beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Viloria told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that he’s been in the gym for almost three months and “been working hard every day, trying to get ready for Segura. It’s going to be a tough fight. I know that. Everybody knows that and I think I’m coming in as the underdog which I love. I worked ten times harder than for the (Julio Cesar “Pingo”) Miranda fight and I’m going to be ready.”

Viloria dropped Miranda in the opening round en route to winning the title via a unanimous twelve round decision in Honolulu last July 16.

The three-time world champion said he plans to use his skill, ring savvy and outbox the rugged Segura. Viloria said “it all comes down to execution. Train hard, set up a game-plan, try to work on the game-plan during training and when it comes down to the fight night you have to execute it. We have to fight smart, intelligently, stay off the ropes against Segura and just go out there and do my best.”

Viloria said some people underestimate his “hidden” punching power referring to the 11th round knockout over fancied Ulises Solis and dropping Miranda in the very first round. He said “hopefully on Sunday it (punching power) will show because I have a stopping ability. I also have the quickness, the ring intelligence and so much experience and I try to use everything all at once. ”

He said Segura was a nice person and “we can be friends before and after the fight but when we are in that squared circle all that goes out of the window and you have to get down to business. I’m going to try to knock his head off same way he’s going to try to knock my head off. That’s the sport of boxing.”

Viloria said his trainer Mario Morales “works you tremendously. He kicks butt and non-stop. He’s got me into that shape where I can go the full distance or try to wake up all the instincts that I have inside of me.”

Morales himself said Viloria was “in better condition than he was in Hawaii for the Miranda fight.” He said “if we carry on the strategy that we planned for this fight it will be an easy fight. It’s brain versus strength. If we decide to trade with Segura it will be a very hard fight but if we stick to the plan, box, and be in and out, in and out and use our speed then it will be an easier fight.”

Morales said Viloria was “very strong, very focused. I’ve never seen him this focused before.”

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46937

James DeGale’s scheduled fight in Liverpool on Friday has been postponed.

 

 

The Olympic champion had been due to defend his WBO intercontinental super-middleweight title against Jose Guerrero, but on Tuesday promoter Frank Warren called the Echo Arena bill off.

No reason was given for the postponement, although Warren did say the event would be rescheduled for January 27.

The show had been beset by problems from the outset, with George Groves originally due to defend his British and Commonwealth titles in London.

However, when Groves pulled out injured, the bill was switched to Liverpool where European champion DeGale had been due to headline.

Another of Great Britain’s Olympic fighters from 2008, Billy Joe Saunders, had been due to fight on the undercard.

 

http://www1.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/7356821/DeGale-bill-postponed

WBO/WBA/IBF heavyweight champion champion Wladimir Klitschko is very upset with having to withdraw from this Saturday’s fight against Jean Marc Mormeck in Düsseldorf, Germany. There were was immediate concern when information leaked out over the weekend that Klitschko had been rushed to the hospital with abdominal pains. The boxer required surgery to remove a kidney stone.

Klitschko was scheduled to take part in a Monday final press conference, but he continued to feel sharp pains in his abdominal region and he also had a high fever. Local doctors advised him to withdraw and get a few weeks of rest. The fight with Mormeck is now possibly going to happen on March 3rd.

“I’m devastated. I suddenly had incredible pain. The worst I’ve ever experienced. I had perfectly prepared [for this fight] for seven weeks. Then I get knocked out [of the fight] by a small three-millimeter kidney stone. I am totally disappointed,” Wladimir said.

 

By Ruslan Chikov

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46893

El boxeador filipino Manny Pacquiao ha sido promocionado en una ceremonia oficial celebrada ayer en Manila, Filipinas, al rango de teniente coronel en la reserva, un cargo que no le permite entrar en combate real.

El actual campeón de peso wélter de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), de 32 años, dirigirá al primer batallón de la reserva de Sarangani en operaciones de catástrofes naturales.

Pacquiao, también diputado, aseguró que se tomará en serio su nueva responsabilidad y prometió más victorias en el cuadrilátero y más glorias para Filipinas.

El boxeador asiático, antiguo campeón del mundo de los pesos pluma, supergallo y mosca, tiene apalabrado enfrentarse al estadounidense Floyd Mayweather Jr. a mediados del próximo año en Estados Unidos, posiblemente en Las Vegas, Nevada, en lo que está considerada la pelea más importante de los últimos años.

Cabe mencionar que la promoción militar de Pacquiao ha sentado mal en algunos sectores de las Fuerzas Armadas que han visto favoritismo en su ascenso por la vía rápida de cinco rangos: de sargento a teniente coronel.

 

http://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/periodico/edicion-actual/deportes-interna.php?story_id=1125957