Wladimir Klitschko, Floyd Mayweather, Laila Ali, Ann Wolfe & Andre Ward Elected To Boxing Hall Of Fame

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO, FLOYD MAYWEATHER, ANDRE WARD, LAILA ALI, ANN WOLFE, MARIAN TRIMIAR & DR. MARGARET GOODMAN ELECTED TO INT’L BOXING HALL OF FAME

The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the members of the Class of 2021. Living inductees include champions Wladimir Klitschko, Floyd Mayweather and Andre Ward in the men’s Modern category; Laila Ali and Ann Wolfe in the women’s Modern category; Marian Trimiar in the women’s Trailblazer category and Dr. Margaret Goodman in the Non-Participant category.

Posthumous inductees are: featherweight champion “The Springfield Rifle” Davey Moore in the Old Timer category; Jackie Tonawanda in the women’s Trailblazer category; cut man Freddie Brown and manager / trainer Jackie McCoy in the Non-Participant category; journalist George Kimball and television executive Jay Larkin in the Observer category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of international boxing historians. Biographies on the Class of 2021 can be found on www.ibhof.com

“We’re extremely excited about the Class of 2021 and are very much looking forward to honoring the newest class of inductees to earn boxing’s highest honor,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy.

As previously announced, the Class of 2020 – Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosley, Christy Martin, Lucia Rijker, Barbara Buttrick, Frank Erne, Paddy Ryan, Lou DiBella, Kathy Duva, Dan Goossen, Bernard Fernandez and Thomas Hauser – will be honored with the Class of 2021 following the postponement of the 2020 Induction Weekend.

The 2021 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend is scheduled for June 10-13 in Canastota, NY. Many events in “Boxing’s Hometown” of Canastota throughout the four-day celebration, including a 5K Race / Fun Run, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, VIP Cocktail Reception, Parade of Champions and the Official Induction Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds, are scheduled. The Hall of Fame Weekend evening events include Friday night’s Fight Night at Turning Stone and Saturday’s Banquet of Champions. Both events will take place at Turning Stone Resort Casino in nearby Verona, NY.

For more information on events planned for the 2021 Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095, visit online at www.ibhof.com, on Facebook Twitter and Instagram.

COMMENTS UPON RECEIVING INDUCTION NEWS
“Thank you for the great news. It is an honor to be a Hall of Famer. I’m so impressed with the dedication and passion the Village of Canastota has for boxing. All of the champions feel so honored and blessed to be in the Hall of Fame. It’s amazing.”

– Wladimir Klitschko

“It is a great honor for me to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as a first-ballot nominee and a member of the 2021 class. Throughout my career, I gave everything I could to the sport of boxing, and now, to be recognized by one of the most prestigious honors in the sport for that hard work and dedication is very humbling. I am looking forward to attending the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend in June and being honored alongside the other members of the class of 2021 too.”

– Floyd Mayweather

“I’ve been waiting for this call for most of my life. It finally came. I’m a first ballot Hall of Famer. God has been good to me. I can finally rest now. This chapter of my life is complete.”

– Andre Ward

“It truly is an honor to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, CANASTOTA, Class of 2021. Being that my father was also inducted many years ago, makes this honor extra special to me. I learned so much inside the ring that I have applied to every area of my life outside of the ring. Boxing will forever be my first love…and knowing that I will be on the Hall of Fame Wall, inspiring others who come behind me for years to come, is a blessing that I will never take for granted.”

– Laila Ali

“I got goosebumps. I don’t think a lot of people understand what I did. I came off the streets, trained with the best and boxing saved my life. This makes all the work I did worth it. This means completion. I completed what I set out to do in life and in boxing. In boxing a lot of people have to live life first. I lived boxing first and boxing helped me through life. I would not be where I am in life if it wasn’t for boxing and this just puts the icing on the cake.”

– Ann Wolfe

“Wow! This is really an honor. I appreciate the recognition very much. This is exciting news.”

– Marian Trimiar

“This means everything. I can’t tell you how much I love boxing. I’ve always loved boxing and I love the fighters and it’s all about the fighters. The fact that I’m recognized in this way means so much because it means alot for the healthcare of the fighters, the safety of the sport and promoting improvements to the sport to make it better for everyone involved. It’s the best honor I could even imagine.”

– Dr. Margaret Goodman

#WBOKOCoronavirus #WBOKOCovid19 Former Unified WBO Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko opened the doors of his hotel in Kiev to support doctors in their fight against the coronavirus.

The Ukrainian boxer published a statement in which he focuses on giving a helping hand to those who need it most:

“Dear friends,

What we are facing today is much more than a challenge, we are confronted with an historic task that CAN be mastered, “if” we work together on a shared goal and support each other. It depends on each and every one of us, our responsibility, our involvement and our sense of dignity, how quickly we can get past this situation?

Wladimir #Klitschko, Ruslan Oleksenko and #DEOL Partners are honored in doing their part to accommodate doctors and medical staff in Kyiv’s center. We feel the need to do whatever we can to give back to these medical professionals, true heroes. These folks are on the front lines, putting their lives, and own health ahead of ours, we can never forget.

Our doors and hearts are open to those who are fighting the virus on a day-to-day basis. Each of them are saving lives daily, forever grateful. Thank you 🙏 Telephone for details +380991557733”.

WBO Undisputed Champion Oleksandr Usyk is sparring with former WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko to stay sharp to get him ready for his next bout which will be announced soon.

“Usykaa Great sparring, with a great champion. #usyk #lomachenko #boxing #wladimirklitschko #ukraine # lomus # usyk17,” Usyk said on his Instagram on Wednesday.

Sparring with Wladimir will help Usyk later on when he starts tackling the huge heavyweight giants in the division.

View this post on Instagram

Великолепный спарринг, с большим чемпионом. #usyk #lomachenko #boxing #wladimirklitschko #ukraine #lomus#usyk17

A post shared by Usyk Aleksandr (@usykaa) on Sep 5, 2018 at 4:15am PDT

SOURCE: https://www.boxingnews24.com/2018/09/oleksandr-usyk-sparring-wladimir-klitschko/

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Date:   Saturday, October 29, 2016

WBO, WBA HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location:   Manchester Arena (formerly M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom

Promoter:  Queensberry Promotions / Frank Warren

Supervisor:

Referee:

Judges:

Results:

By Edward Chaykovsky –

WBO/WBA/IBO  heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (25-0, 18KOs) is planning to give Wladimir Klitschko a ‘beating’ when the two boxers face each other in the ring for a second time on October 29th in Manchester.

The fight had been scheduled for July 9th, and then pushed back after Fury suffered an injury in camp.

Fury shocked the entire sport last November in Germany, when he outboxed Klitschko to capture the heavyweight crown. It didn’t take long before Klitschko activated his contract clause for an immediate rematch.

Klitschko is no longer steaming that the IBF took away his world title only 10 days after stunning Klitschko. The belt was won by Charles Martin and then by Anthony Joshua. The belt was taken as Fury was unable to make a mandatory defense – due to legally binding rematch agreement with Klitschko.

“I didn’t feel anything when the IBF took the belt, as I’ve got 14 others to replace them. They robbed one off me because they couldn’t beat me, so they steal it. At least Dick Turpin wore a mask. But everyone knows who the champion is,” Fury told the Shields Gazette.

Fighters like Joshua and Deontay Wilder can wait. Fury says the only fighter on his radar right now is Klitschko and he intends to make this victory even more impressive and more dominant. Should he beat Klitschko, Fury will then set his sights on the two biggest options – Joshua and Wilder.

“I’m looking forward to the fight. It feels good to be honest. I gave him a beating the last time, and I’ll give him a better beating the next time, it’s money for old rope. We’re working towards the October date and I’m already in training,” Fury said. “I’ll fight anyone, There’s nobody really on my radar, Klitschko – I’d give him another beating, there’s plenty of fighters out there.”

www.boxingscene.com/tyson-fury-vows-ill-give-klitschko-worse-beating-rematch–107711?print_friendly=1

https://twitter.com/eastsideboxing

Date:   Saturday, July 9, 2016

WBO/WBA HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location:   Manchester Arena (formerly M.E.N. Arena), Manchesster, Lancashire, United Kingdom

Promoter:   Hennessy Sports / Mick Hennessy

Supervisor:

Referee:

Judges:

Results:

TV:

 Peter Fury also tweeted this picture showing Tyson’s bruised ankle, suffered during training 

• Tyson Fury has postponed his heavyweight world title rematch with Wladimir Klitschko scheduled for July 9 at the Manchester Arena
• Defending champion has sprained his ankle during training in Lake District
• Fury made the announcement via a short video on his Instagram account
• His trainer Peter Fury posted pictures of his bruised and swollen ankle
• Fury stunned Klitschko when he won on points in Dusseldorf in November 

Forests of quizzical eyebrows were raised when Tyson Fury pulled out of his world heavyweight title rematch with Wladimir Klitschko but his TV paymaster Frank Warren has confirmed the ankle injury is genuine and the fight will be rescheduled.

Suspicions initially ran deepest in the Austrian Tyrol where Klitschko has been training intensively for his bid to regain the championship belts which Manchester’s Gipsy King prised from him in a huge upset in Germany.

However, the man who dominated the heavyweight division for a decade has accepted the delay, saying: ‘Of course I am currently totally disappointed. I also feel sorry for my fans who were very excited. But this just means I’ll get my belts back a few weeks later.’

 Photo by Getty Images / Tyson Fury has withdrawn from his world heavyweight championship rematch with Wladmir Klitschko

 Fury’s trainer, Peter, posted a Twitter image of his bruised and swollen ankle

The new working date is October 29, again at the Manchester Arena.

Warren, despite his own disappointment at a cancellation so close to the fight date of July 9, reports that Fury has no option but to withdraw.

As Fury posted pictures of his bruised and swollen ankle on his Instagram site, Warren, head of the BoxNation subscription channel, said: ‘There is no way Tyson could have boxed in the next couple of weeks. He went over on the ankle while running. We’re all gutted this has happened. It has cost us a fortune but we will get it back on.’

Fury had ballooned up to more than three stones over his fighting weight before going into training and there have been reports that he broke camp briefly to attend a rave in Anglesea. Then he posed for selfies with fans in a pub there on Monday as he watched England’s European Championship match against Slovakia.

However, Fury, who was in prime condition at his training camp in Holland two weeks ago, told his supporters: ‘I got a little bad news for you all. Almost 10 days ago I was running in the Lake District and I went over and sprained my ankle. Been to hospital. Had X-rays and MRI scans.

 Photo:  Kevin Quigley / Fury and Klitschko pictured at a press conference in Manchester to promote the upcoming fight

 Photo:  Kevin Quigley / Fury goaded his opponent by removing his shirt and saying ‘you lost to a fat man’

 Photo:  Getty Images / Fury connects with his left hand during his win over Klitschko in Dusseldorf, Germany in November

‘Not broken but I was told to keep off it for six to seven weeks. Tried to train a bit but a second opinion was the same. So sorry to let all my fans down and apologies to everyone who’s booked the date.’

The postponement will not be helpful to Klitschko, given the strain of perfecting preparations at the age of 40.

But Fury’s promoter Mick Hennessy says: ‘There is no way we could let Tyson fight a man like Klitschko when anything less than 100 per cent fit. And we will rearrange the fight.’

There had also been rumours that tickets were not going well but Warren reports: ‘We had sold more than 17,000, which left only a couple of thousand remaining.’

Tickets already purchased will be honoured in October.

  Photo:  Getty Images / The Ukrainian was left stunned after Fury won their first fight on a unanimous points decision

 Klitschko had said earlier this week that Fury reminds him of Hitler due to his comments on Jewish people

 Normally mild-mannered, Klitschko’s Hitler comparison was out of the ordinary and has clearly offended Fury

Klitschko’s manager, Bernd Boente, says: ‘This is unfortunate. Wladimir was in great form. But we will be ready to go to Manchester on the new date.’

Earlier in the day, Fury responded angrily to Klitschko likening him to Adolf Hitler. Klitschko made that stark comparison after reading Fury’s views on Jewish people.

As a member of the travelling community, Fury responded: ‘You recently said I’m like Hitler. Wladimir has no education in the matter. He does not realise Hitler killed hundreds of thousands of gypsies, if not millions.

‘A lot of my ancestors were mass-murdered by Hitler. To call me that is a very, very bad insult, friend. Let’s not forget that your people the Ukrainians were the guards in the death camps where my people were slaughtered. You stupid f****** Ukrainian p****.’

There was much hype and mutual promotional baiting before the November fight in Dusseldorf.

Now the bad blood is for real.

Fury v Klitschko will be televised live on BoxNation, most likely on Saturday, October 29. 

 Photo:  Getty Images / Tyson Fury’s war of words with Wladimir Klitschko has continued ahead of their world heavyweight title bout
                                                 Fury has hit out at Klitschko once again on Instagram, describing him as a ‘stupid f****** Ukrainian p****’

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-3658488/Tyson-Fury-withdraws-heavyweight-rematch-Vladimir-Klitschko-suffering-ankle-injury-training.html

Date:   Saturday,  November 28, 2015

WBO/WBA/IBF HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location:   ESPRIT Arena, Dusseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Promoter:  K-2 Promotions / Tom Loeffler

Supervisor:  Francisco Valcarcel, Esq.

Referee:  Tony Weeks

Judges:  Cesar Ramos (112-115),  Ramon Cerdan (112-115),  Raul Caiz Sr. (111-116)

Results:   Wladimir Klitschko lost the championship title  by Unanimous  Decision against TysonFury, who becomes the new WBO/WBA/IBF Heavyweight World Champion.

TV:   USA HBO,  United Kingdom SKY Box Office, Germany RTL

 (Credit:  Photo by Lee Smith/Reuters)       Wladimir Klitschko will be looking to put an end to Tyson Fury’s antics.

Tyson Fury’s promise to end Wladimir Klitschko’s long heavyweight reign in Duesseldorf on Saturday is nothing the defending champion hasn’t heard before.

Unbeaten in 22 fights since April 2004, when he lost by TKO to Lamon Brewster in Las Vegas, Klitschko has heard a succession of challengers talk up their chances before he answered them in the ring.

Bryant Jennings, Alexander Povetkin, Mariusz Wach, David Haye and Ruslan Chagaev have all come and gone, among a list of fighters to have their pretensions to his throne rudely dismissed.

None serenaded Klitschko before their bout, however, as Fury did Wednesday with his own version of the Bette Midler tune “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

The Briton goaded him during their staredown the day before, asking for a smile “let’s see those teeth” and complimenting him on the way he smells.

He coaxed the flicker of a smile from Klitschko, who otherwise remained impassively still.

Fury’s antics –  he recently dressed up as Batman and wrestled a man wearing a Joker costume to the floor at a news conference in England – have added another level of intrigue to Saturday’s fight.

Boxing fans delight in the entertainment factor Fury provides, though it remains to be seen if he will be able to do the business in the ring, too.

Unbeaten in 24 professional fights, including 18 knockouts, the 2.09-meter (6-foot-9) Fury has seen off the likes of compatriot Dereck Chisora (twice) and American Steve Cunningham.

He is a former British, Irish, European and Commonwealth champion, but Klitschko will provide by far his biggest challenge with the 39-year-old Ukrainian’s WBA, WBO and IBF and IBO belts on the line.

“He’s done a lot of things in boxing,” Fury said at his gym in Bolton, northwest England.

“He’s achieved the ultimate in heavyweight history, really. Twenty-six title defenses, he’s equaled Joe Louis’ record. Pity he’s not going to be able to beat it. He’s the great Wladimir Klitschko. But the gravy train stops.”

The unmistakable respect is mutual. Klitschko, whose record is 64 wins with 53 knockouts from 67 fights, said Fury’s admission that he was nervous showed he was “well-prepared and alert.”

“It’s good to be nervous,” Klitschko said. “I’m nervous before every fight. I have to confront it. This is fact.”

The 1.98-meter (6-foot-6) Klitschko will be in the unusual position of facing someone taller, though Fury tends to crouch when he fights, giving away some of that advantage.

The fight was originally supposed to take place on Oct. 24 but was postponed after Klitschko tore a tendon in his left calf during training. Fury claimed he had scared off the Ukrainian.

“I didn’t believe this fight was going to happen for a long, long time. And he’s proved me wrong. This fight is actually going to happen,” the 27-year-old Fury said this week. “So like I said, I’m coming and I’m coming very fast for you Wlad. Hope you prepared well, and I know you will have done. Old guy, young guy, old champion, new champion. `Nuff said.”

A dispute over gloves still has to be settled. The contract stipulates that Fury must wear Paffen gloves, which the Briton found were hurting his thumbs after training with them for some time. New gloves were designed but had yet to be delivered.

Born in Manchester, England, the deeply religious Fury is of Gypsy heritage and comes from a bloodline of bare-knuckle champions on both sides of his family. His father, John Fury, will be in his corner after being released on parole following his 2011 conviction for gouging a man’s eye out in a brawl and a large contingent from the family will be in Duesseldorf to support him.

Fury is coached by his uncle Peter, who said his nephew is in the best shape of his career.

“He’s the happiest I’ve seen him because he’s fighting for such a title,” Peter Fury said.

“There’s going to be 55,000 people and to perform in front of those and people around the world, it’s what he revels in. He’s 110 percent prepared. This is the stiffest test Wladimir Klitschko will have had in his career.”

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/74471751/wladimir-klitschko-out-to-silence-tyson-fury-prolong-heavyweight-reign

• Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury came face to face in Germany
• The pair, who clash in October, spoke as part of their pre-fight preparations
• Fury claimed his opponent has never faced someone as good as him
• The Gypsy King wants to smash Klitschko’s face like a bottle 
• The pair will do battle at the Esprit-Arena in Dusseldorf on October 24 

Tyson Fury (left) and Wladimir Klitschko are preparing to face each other for the world heavyweight title.  The pair will do battle at the Esprit-Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany in front of a sell-out crowd .

Wladimir Klitschko asked the first question at the start of what will be a long pre-fight ritual and Tyson Fury gave him the answer in his usual uncensored fashion.

Klitschko inquired: ‘How do you feel about fighting for the world heavyweight championship for the first time?’

Fury replied: ‘It is my mission to rid boxing of you because you’re a boring old man. You have as much charisma as my underpants.

Fury used explicit language throughout the press conference as he looked forward to the fight

Klitschko has heard these kind of taunts throughout his career and laughed off his opponent’s jibes 

‘You’re a wrinkled old man with a glass chin and I am going to make that glass explode like a bottle hitting a wall.’

What had begun as a mutually respectful first media conference to begin setting up Fury’s return to Dusseldorf for his stadium mega-fight on October 24 suddenly had lift off.

Fury used some bad language: ‘I’m an American-style fighter with European fitness and that adds up to you’re f*****.’

There were more threats and insults as the giant Manchester traveller pointed at the five belts – WBA, IBF, WBO. IBO and The Ring –  on the table in front of Klitschko and said: ‘I don’t care about those. I don’t care about money. I don’t care about my legacy or going down in history.

‘I just want to smash your old face and I don’t give a f*** what anybody thinks because I don’t give a f*** about being a role model.’

The Germans made much of how victory would take Klitschko to 28 world title fights, one more than the old record held by the immortal Joe Louis.

But Fury said: ‘Are you greater than Louis, Ali, Frazier, Holmes? I think not. You’ve just fought bums well selected for you by your management.

Fury attempted to provoke Klitschko into a reaction during the photoshoot but he kept calm

‘When I look at you I’m not feared. I don’t even see a big man because you’re not only shorter than me (Fury is 6ft 9in, Klitschko 6ft 6in) but you’re light for a modern heavyweight.

‘When I went to your training camp once I saw just your tired old jab-and-grab routine. I came away full of confidence. You’re nothing. History tells that when even great heavyweights get to your age (Klitschko is 39) they go into rapid decline. It also says that old men give way to young lions like me (Fury is 26).

‘You look old even though I think you’ve had botox. Jab-and-grab won’t be enough against me.’

The ‘Gypsy King’ has warned the 39-year-old that he will be the best fighter he’s ever faced 

Klitschko, a sports psychologist, talked of repeating the ‘therapy’ he administered in beating David Haye ‘which made him a better person.’

Fury reacted: ‘I’ll hire you as my therapist after the fight because you’ll be out of a job.’

But when that, and much more, was said and done, it would not be correct to depict as a rant and a bust-up on this preview visit to Dussledorf’s magnificent football stadium, under the sliding roof of which 55,000 will watch these two have the argument which really matters.

The tickets went on sale on Tuesday. Klitschko announced a renewed five-fight deal with his German TV paymasters. Bidding for the UK broadcast rights began with Sky, BoxNation and BT all in contention.

Klitschko laughed at the Tyson tirade and said: ‘Good. Now he’s being entertaining. That means the fight will be exciting. This is business.’

Fury had been the personification of politeness at the opening of the session: ‘Wladimir is a great champion and at his age I admire him for taking on a young gun like me. He never ducks anyone.’

Then he said: ‘It’s not business for me. It’s personal. You’re a robotic bore and I fell asleep listening to your long speech. ‘I will shut you up.’

The Ukrainian has an impressive record of 64-3 and is looking to improve that against Fury

That, certainly, was easier said than done. Klitschko – in suit-and-tie contrast to Fury’s smart sports shirt – controlled the occasion and enjoyed doing so, drawing Fury out by saying: ‘You sing, you dance, you’re a cool dude.’  The reply: ‘I’m also unique, the one-in-a-thousand-years fighter you have never faced before and never will again.’

The 39-year-old fighter had all five of his heavyweight belts with him at the press conference

Fury looks down on the Ukrainian and he’ll have a height advantage of three inches when they fight

‘And I don’t have words to express my delight that he has to fight someone so old. Because with age comes wisdom. My fists will speak louder than his mouth.’

But both men were trying hard not to smile, even when they continued the banter while posing for the customary stare-down photographs.

The box office reported brisk opening sales. Business is booming.

They shook hands on it.

Klitschko addressed the media and kept a cool head with Fury goading him throughout the briefing 

CREDITS FOR PHOTOS:  BONGARTS/Getty Images / *EPA / *AP

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-3169515/Wladimir-Klitschko-hasn-t-faced-like-people-like-come-1-000-years-says-Tyson-Fury.html

  By:  Dan Rafael –

Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, one of boxing history’s most dominant big men, will make a mandatory defense against Tyson Fury, a rare opponent bigger than him, on Oct. 24 at the Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany, after their camps made a last-minute deal and avoided a purse bid Monday.

With a purse bid scheduled for noon ET at the WBA headquarters in Panama City, Panama, Klitschko’s K2 Promotions and Fury promoter Mick Hennessy, who had been negotiating for weeks, reached an agreement with four minutes to spare.

Had the fight been put up for auction — Klitschko, as champion, was entitled to 80 percent of a winning bid and Fury 20 percent — they risked losing promotional control of the bout, as representatives for British promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren as well as Russian promoter Vlad Hrunov himself showed up at the purse bid intending to put in offers for a fight that surely would have garnered a winning bid of at least $15 million.

“We had constant conference calls with each other and the lawyers, and then four minutes before the deadline we reached an agreement,” Klitschko manager Bernd Boente told ESPN.com. “I think a good deal is one where both sides are happy, and both sides are happy with this deal. Mick Hennessy and Tyson Fury are happy and Wladimir and our side are also happy.”

Boente was in Germany but said he was in constant contact with Hennessy as well as Tom Loeffler, managing director of Klitschko’s K2 Promotions, who was in Panama, as they finalized the agreement.

Klitschko will be returning to defend the title at Esprit Arena for the third time. In 2012, he pummeled former cruiserweight champion Jean Marc Mormeck in a fourth-round knockout, and in 2010 he dominated Eddie Chambers before scoring a crushing knockout with five seconds left in the 12th and final round.

Both fights drew massive crowds of more than 50,000 to the indoor soccer stadium, and this is a far more anticipated fight than either of those.

Terms of the Klitschko-Fury agreement were not disclosed, but the showdown looms as one of the most significant heavyweight title bouts in recent years given Klitschko’s enormous popularity in Germany as well as Fury’s following in England. Also, it is a bout that fans have looked forward to for the past few years.

“It is definitely a very big fight,” Boente said. “Tyson Fury is a top challenger without any doubt. It’s a tough fight, no doubt.”

The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Klitschko (64-3, 54 KOs), 39, who is from Ukraine and lives in South Florida, will be making the 19th title defense during his nine-year, second reign — second-longest in heavyweight history behind only Joe Louis, who held the title for more than 11 years.

Klitschko’s 18 consecutive successful title defenses are third most in heavyweight history behind Louis’ all-time record of 25 and Larry Holmes’ 20. Klitschko is coming off a one-sided decision victory against then-undefeated Bryant Jennings on April 25 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

With the win against Jennings, Klitschko moved to 25-2 overall in world title bouts. When he faces Fury, it will be the 28th world heavyweight title bout Klitschko will be participating in, which will break the all-time record of 27 that he and Louis share.

England’s 6-foot-9, 260-pound Fury, 26, who will be the sixth undefeated opponent Klitschko will be facing in his last seven title defenses, is known for his outlandish trash talk, which undoubtedly will help sell the fight.

But Fury (24-0, 18 KOs) has also earned his position as Klitschko’s mandatory challenger. He scored a 10th-round knockout of contender Dereck Chisora — his second win against him — in their November title elimination bout. Fury knocked out Christian Hammer in the eighth round on Feb. 28 to stay busy before the title shot.

“I promise I won’t do a David Haye and s— myself. I’ll KO this super champ. I don’t talk unless I can back it up,” said Fury, taking a shot at countryman David Haye, who trash-talked Klitschko relentlessly and then did virtually nothing in a one-sided decision loss he blamed on a sore little toe when they met in a 2011 title unification bout.

Boente said the bout will be televised on HBO in the United States and RTL in Germany — networks that have contracts with Klitschko. He said the television outlet in the United Kingdom was not settled. He said talks are ongoing with ITV, Sky Sports and BT.

“We are happy we found an agreement in the end,” Boente said. “There are always certain points and certain issues you have to deal with but the good thing is we reached an agreement and that’s what counts. Maybe it was good we had the pressure of the purse bid to reach an agreement.

“Mick Hennessy and myself both said why is it necessary to give other promoters a chance to outbid us and promote the fight when we could have a nice cooperation? I am confident we will work together very well. We all want this to be a megaevent. The fight inside the ring could be absolutely thrilling and we will make sure that there will be a sold-out arena and television viewers around the world for this great fight.”

http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/13209240/wladimir-klitschko-tyson-fury-set-october-title-fight-germany

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2015

WBO/WBA/IBF  HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York USA

Promoter: K2 Promotions (Tom Loeffler) / Gary Shaw Productions (Gary Shaw)

Supervisor:  Francisco Valcarcel, Esq.

Referee: Michael Griffin

Judges:  Max DeLuca (118-109); Steve Weisfeld (116-111); Robin Taylor (116-111)

Results:   The Super Champion Wladimir Klitschko retained the WBO/WBA/IBF Heavyweight Title against Bryant Jennings by UD.

TV: Germany RTL   USA HBO  Hungary DigiSport

Report/Photos by Karl Freitag

IBF/WBO/WBA heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko hosted a media workout at the Lucky Street Gym in Hollywood, Florida on Tuesday. Klitschko is preparing to defend his 10-year title reign against top rated challenger Bryant Jennings on April 25 at Madison Square Garden. The event will be televised live on HBO.

Klitschko patiently answered the same questions over and over for the various media outlets, went through some painful looking stretching exercises, then looked sharp in sparring six rounds. Also on hand was unbeaten New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker, who worked the pads with trainer Kevin Barry. Unfortunately for reporters, Parker didn’t spar against Klitschko on Tuesday.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/klitschko-looks-good-in-workout-285309#more-285309

Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Tyson Fury has promised to stop Christian Hammer when they meet Saturday in England.

Tyson Fury, the big (6-foot-9, 260 pounds) and brash British heavyweight contender, has a world title shot coming his way in the near future. He is the mandatory challenger for champion Wladimir Klitschko.

But rather than wait on that fight, which could take place as soon as this summer, Fury is putting his position at stake by taking on Christian Hammer on Saturday (BoxNation in the United Kingdom) at The O2 arena in London.

As usual, Fury (23-0, 17 KOs) is predicting a devastating performance in what should be his final fight before fighting for the world title — if he wins.

“I’ve had a great camp, training has gone very well, and because of that I don’t see this fight going beyond five rounds,” Fury said. “I want the knockout and that’s what I’m out to get. There’s a reason this bill is being labeled Risky Business, because of everything that is on the line. I’m mandatory to face Wladimir Klitschko next, but if I don’t win this fight I’ll lose that mandatory position and my chance to fight for the world title.

“We’ve seen fighters in the past who have been in a similar position and lost, but that’s not going to happen with me. The reason is because I’m not overlooking Christian Hammer. I’ve seen him in the amateurs and I’ve seen the progress he has made in the paid ranks. He’s a very good fighter and not someone you can overlook. But a Tyson Fury fight is never boring, and I can guarantee excitement and drama when I step in the ring. Put it this way: Someone is getting knocked out and it isn’t going to be me.”

Fury, 26, looked superb in his last outing, a one-sided 10th-round demolition of Dereck Chisora in their rematch. The victory in the world title elimination fight netted Fury the European title and also made him Klitschko’s mandatory challenger, although if Fury defeats Hammer and Bryant Jennings upsets Klitschko on April 25, Fury would be next up to face Jennings.

The 6-2, 250-pound Hammer (17-3, 10 KOs) is from Romania and lives in Germany, and he has not lost since 2010 and is riding a 10-fight winning streak. He believes he will upset Fury.

“Tyson Fury will not go the distance against me,” said Hammer, 27. “He will be getting knocked out clean and left to pick up the pieces after the fight. He cannot hurt me with his punches because I’m in the best shape of my career for this fight, and he will not last against me. He has been put down before. He can be hit and hurt. He has plenty of heart, but once I put him down he will stay down.

“I’ve taken this fight because I know I can get the Klitschko world title fight when I beat him. Klitschko is talking about fighting Fury, but he will be talking my name once I knock out Fury.”

Also on the card, Dmitry Chudinov (14-0-2, 9 KOs), 28, of Russia, will make the third defense of his interim middleweight belt when he faces Chris Eubank Jr. (18-1, 13 KOs), 25, of England.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dan-rafael/post/_/id/12050/fury-risking-mandatory-title-shot

Christian Hammer (left) lands a left to Remigijus Ziausys during their six-round heavyweight bout at the Boerdelandhalle on Jan. 9, 2010 in Magdeburg, Germany. Hammer won a unanimous decision. Photo by Joern Pollex/Bongarts/Getty Images

Romanian heavyweight Christian Hammer insists he has the weapons and power to become the first man to defeat British contender Tyson Fury when they meet this Saturday, at the O2 Arena in London, England.

Germany-resident Hammer (17-3, 10 knockouts) believes Fury (23-0, 17 KOs) has made a major mistake taking him on ahead of a potential title shot at THE RING heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. Indeed, he is warning that Manchester-man Fury, the WBO’s No. 1 contender, will see his dreams of ruling the division smashed to smithereens at the weekend.

“It’s show time on Saturday night! I’m here in London, nice and early, to finish my training and everything has gone perfect in camp,” said Hammer, who is on a 10-fight winning streak. “Tyson Fury will not go the distance against me. He will be getting knocked out clean and left to pick up the pieces after the fight.

“He cannot hurt me with his punches because I’m in the best shape of my career for this fight and he will not last against me.”

Hammer suspects 26-year-old Fury, having been dropped on several occasions during his unblemished career, is vulnerable against someone with his type of heavy punching ability. And he has also stated that, after taking care of RING No. 3-rated Fury, he will be the one lining up against all-conquering Klitschko, the IBF, WBO and WBA holder.

“Fury has been put down before – he can be hit and hurt,” said Hammer, 27, who fights out of Hamburg. “Fury has plenty of heart, but once I put him down he will stay down.

“I’ve taken this fight because I know I can get the Klitschko world title fight when I beat Fury. Klitschko is talking about fighting Fury – but he will be talking my name once I knockout Fury.”

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/382021-christian-hammer-says-tyson-fury-will-not-last-the-distance

By:  Patrick Byrne (HBO) –

New York City (February 4, 2015) Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO will defend his 10-year title reign against top rated challenger BRYANT JENNINGS on Sat., April 25 emanating from the “The World’s Most Famous Arena”,Madison Square Garden and televised Live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Said Klitschko about the highly anticipated battle, “I do have great respect for Bryant Jennings and his achievements. He has good movement in the ring and good technique. I know this will be a tough challenge.”

“I am extremely happy to fight in New York City again. I had my first unification fight there and a lot of great heavyweight matches have taken place at Madison Square Garden. It will definitely be a great fight night and I will do everything for it from my side.”

Stated undefeated contender Jennings, “This is the moment I have been waiting for,” now it’s time to bring the belts home.”

“For the fourth time Wladimir will be boxing in the world’s most famous arena.” said BERND BOENTE, CEO of the Klitschko Management Group. “It’s always something special to promote at Madison Square Garden, where legends such as Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield stood inside the ring. We are looking forward to another exciting fight and a great event.”

Continued TOM LOEFFLER, Managing Director of K2 Promotions: “Wladimir has proven to be the most dominant heavyweight champion in recent history and we are looking forward to another great performance on April 25.”

“We’re proud to present Jennings with the opportunity to win the Unified Heavyweight Title of the World,” said GARY SHAW, head of Gary Shaw Productions

“On April 25th at Madison Square Garden, Wladimir Klitschko defends his heavyweight championship for the first time in the United States since 2008,” said Peter Nelson, vice president, programming, HBO Sports. “Heavyweight is boxing’s supreme glamour division, and its champion could not be a better ambassador to the sport in a career heading toward historic landmark achievements. Bryant Jennings has an opportunity to halt those ambitions and become America’s first unified heavyweight champion in more than 13 years, challenging for the crown in the media capital of the world. HBO is thrilled to present the event live on our flagship World Championship Boxing series.”

“It is an honor to host the World Heavyweight Championship at Madison Square Garden and welcome back Wladimir Klitschko, who last fought at The Garden in 2008,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, MSG Sports. “Throughout our 135 year existence, The Garden has hosted the very best in sports and entertainment, and to bring the World Heavyweight Championship back so our passionate boxing fans can see Bryant Jennings challenge for the heavyweight title is a moment not to be missed.”

Holder of the IBF/WBA/WBO/IBO and “The Ring Magazine” world titles and undefeated over the last ten years, Klitschko returns to Madison Square Garden for the fourth time sporting a record of 63-3-0 (54KO’s).

On November 15, Klitschko scored a fifth round knockout over #1 ranked contender Kubrat Pulev in Hamburg, Germany. Looking as dominant as ever during his illustrious career, Klitschko dropped the heavy handed Bulgarian four times in front of a sold out crowd at the 02 World Arena.

Returning to HBO® for his third straight fight, Philadelphia native Jennings has compiled a record of 19-0-0 (10KO’s) over his five-year professional career.

Making his HBO and Madison Square Garden debut on January 25, 2014, the 30-year-old Jennings devastatingly stopped undefeated Polish contender Artur Szpilka in the tenth and final round.

Following up on his knockout victory over Szpilka, Jennings won a 12-round unanimous decision over top contender Mike Perez on July 26, 2014 setting up the showdown with Klitschko.

http://www.boxeomundial.com/wladimir-klitschko-vs-bryant-jennings-saturday-april-25-live-hbo/

Date:  Saturday, November 15, 2014

WBO/WBA/IBF  HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location:  O2 World Arena, Altona, Hamburg, Germany

Promoter:   K2 Promotions (Tom Loeffler)

Supervisor:   Istvan Kovacs

Referee:  Tony Weeks

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

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

TV:  Germany RTL   EU Eurosport

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

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

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

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

ARM INJURY POSTPONED BOUT

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

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

PULEV HAS STRONG CREDENTIALS

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

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

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

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

PREPARE FOR A BATTLE OF THE JAB

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

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

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

IS KLITSCHKO BORING OR BRILLIANT?

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

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

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

EXPECT MORE OF THE SAME

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

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

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

By David Finger \ Photos: Joel A. Colon/WBO\

The third and final day of the 27th annual WBO Convention kicked off yesterday morning, and as anticipated, the open forum of the championship and ratings committees was not without fireworks. The day began with a short video presentation of the charitable work done by both the WBO and numerous WBO champions to promote the WBO “Kids Drug Free” program.

The second order of business came when Vice President John Duggan proposed a resolution that clarified that the position of “vice president of the China Zone” is now vacant and that the China commission is not to use any trademarks or logos. The resolution would also transfer this over to the Asia Pacific region. The resolution would be passed unanimously.

There then followed a brief discussion of the 2015 budget and a proposed amendment to the budget, which passed as well. Following this budget discussion, Joe Cortez briefly spoke of the role of instant replay in Nevada. “Instant replay in Nevada has been in play for two years,” Cortez said, “but it hasn’t been used.” Cortez noted that in Nevada only a referee has the discretion to overturn his or her decision, before adding that the “door was open” to any adjustments that needed to be made in regards to the rule as it stands in Nevada.

From there WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri spoke of the importance of being a role model as a champion.

“Being a champion is a world wide title,” Algieri said, “there are a lot of eyes on you. A lot of young eyes. As a champion you want to present yourself to the world as a champion. As a role model.” Algieri was subsequently presented the WBO Gordy Volkman Man of the Year Award for Outstanding Community Service.

Following the presentation of the Gordy Volkman Award to Algieri, the discussion then turned to where to host the 2015 WBO Convention. Although the Philippines had been the early front runner, having been named in 2013 as the location of the 2015 convention, it was passed over for Florida. Citing concerns over the recent typhoon in the Philippines, and the impact that had on the feasibility of hosting the event there, President Valcarcel accepted a recommendation for the 2015 WBO Convention to be held in Orlando, Florida. Puerto Rico was named as a backup location. President Valcarcel, however, indicated a strong desire to eventually have the WBO convention in the Philippines in the near future.

A brief video fallowed in which highlights of the 2013 WBO Convention in Budapest was shown. Heavyweight Charles Martin was awarded the NABO fighter of the year award at that time as well as several other special recognition awards to journalist Pedro Fernandez, Ulf Steinforth, and Wladimir Klitschko. Wilfried Sauerland was given an award after having been named “European Promoter of the Year” as well.

From there the ever contentious championship and ratings committee kicked off with their session.

This started in the mini-flyweight division, where Japanese matchmaker Ulysses Sato pushed to have his fighter enter the WBO rankings.

There were no requests at junior flyweight and only one at flyweight (to move an undefeated European champion into the WBO ranks). However, the relative lack of controversy in the lowest weight classes was not a harbinger of what would follow, as the discussions became more intensive starting with the junior bantamweight division. Representatives for #5 ranked Paul Butler requested a move to #1 or, in the alternative, to have the winner of the Paul Butler-Jamie Conlan fight be named the mandatory challenger. Conlan is ranked #7 by the WBO. Although Frank Warren’s request to have the winner of the Butler-Conlan fight named “interim champion” was denied, the committee and President Valcarcel did agree to name the winner of that fight as mandatory challenger for champion Omar Narvaez.

At bantamweight several promoters made arguments to have their fighters move into the top ten, most notably #13 ranked Pungluang Sor Sinyu and #14 ranked Lee Haskins.

At junior featherweight the executive committee did acknowledge the difficulties that Guillermo Rigondeaux was having finding opponents willing to take him on. Hedi Taouab Mohammed initially pushed to have his fighter, #4 ranked Zsolt Bedak, move up in the rankings before President Valcarcel inquired about a possible matchup between Bedak and #2 ranked Genesis Servania.

At featherweight a compelling argument was put forth by representatives of King Sports to have undefeated Colombian banger Miguel Marriaga move into the top ten. A proposed fight between #8 ranked British bomber Mark McCollough and #5 ranked Polish fighter Kamil Laszczyk was also discussed, as well as the possibility of the winner of that fight moving up into the top four. Ulysses Sato made a push to have Filipino Mark Gil Melligen, the #13 ranked WBO Oriental champion, move into the top ten.

A familiar name was brought up in the junior lightweight discussions as Main Events pushed to have Edner Cherry return to the top ten on the basis of his nine fight winning streak. President Valcarcel seemed open to the proposal.

At lightweight it appeared highly likely that Juan Diaz might move up from #3 to #1 after the current #1 contender, Ray Beltran, fights the WBO champion Terence Crawford. The prospect of the #1 slot opening up brought out numerous other requests, including one from representatives of #4 ranked Anthony Crolla. However, that request was immediately challenged by Frank Warren, who reminded the executive committee that Crolla “never fought anyone in the WBO top 15” before offering his fighter, #9 ranked Terry Flanagan as a strong candidate to move up.

At junior welterweight the recognition that the title may be at play in the coming months also led to a contentious and colorful discussion. Ruslan Provodnikov’s camp made an argument to have him leapfrog #1 ranked Lucas Matthysse. Several fighters had representatives push to have them move into the top ten, including Emanuel Taylor and veteran Paul Spadafora.

In the welterweight division several promoters jockeyed to have their fighters move up, with the most notable being undefeated Canadian prospect Mikael Zewski, undefeated Fredrick Lawson, and the winner of the upcoming Jeff Horn-Robson Assis fight. Horn, the WBO Oriental Champion, is ranked #11 while Assis, the WBO Latino champion, is ranked #12.

In the junior middleweight division Frank Warren pushed to have #10 ranked Liam Smith move up while representatives of #13 ranked Sirimongkol Singwancha also pushed to have the Thai based fighter move into the top ten.

In the middleweight division the biggest news came when the WBO championship and rating committee voted unanimously to name the winner of a proposed four fighter elimination as the top middleweight. The first fight, between #4 ranked Andy Lee and #1 ranked Matt Korobov, would then face the winner of the Billy Saunders –Chris Eubank fight. Saunders is currently ranked #2 while Eubanks is ranked #9. Also noteworthy in the discussions regarding the middleweight division were proposals to move Abraham Han into the world rankings as well as a push to have Willie Monroe Jr. move up in the rankings.

In the light heavyweight division several fighters received pushes to move up the rankings including #11 ranked Isidro Ranoni Prieto, who already is emerging as arguably the most popular fighter ever from Paraguay.

In the cruiserweight division a second four fighter elimination looks likely as the winner of the upcoming Tony Bellew-Nathan Cleverly fight would fight either #1 ranked Krzysztof Glowacki or #3 ranked Nuri Seferi with the winner being named the mandatory for WBO Champion Marco Huck. Bellew is currently ranked #4 while Cleverly is currently ranked #5.

In the heavyweight division the discussion revolved around Wladimir Klitschko and who his next mandatory challenger would be, as well as when he would be required to fight that fighter. After some discussion, it became apparent that the winner of the upcoming Tyson Fury-Dereck Chisora fight would be named mandatory challenger to the WBO champion, although the timetable of that mandatory defense was still not set in stone.

Rounding off the event was the gala banquet in which the family of the recently deceased Dan Goossen was presented with an honorary WBO belt. Several other awards were handed out, including WBO Promoter of the year (Bob Arum), WBO Fight of the year (Crawford-Gamboa), WHO female fighter of the year (Carolina Duer), WBO fighter of the year (Sergey Kovalev), Spanish Network of the year (Telemundo), and an award to Vasyl Lomachenko, who was given an award for being the WBO champion with the brightest future. Rounding off the gala banquet was a touching and moving ceremony where both Joe Calzaghe and Oscar De La Hoya were awarded lifetime champion awards by the WBO. Both Calzage and De La Hoya gave moving speeches about their ties to the WBO, and how important the WBO belt had meant to them as fighters.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/giant-wbo-2014-convention-day-three-report-266898

By Jake Donovan –

Wladimir Klitschko and Kubrat Pulev have a new date for their heavyweight title clash. The top two heavyweights in the world will now collide on November 15 in Hamburg, Germany.

“I’m glad to announce November 15th for the new date of my fight against Kubrat Pulev in Hamburg,” Klitschko confirmed through his social media account Wednesday morning. “I hope to recover from my injury quickly to get back into training in a couple of weeks.”

The bout was rescheduled from its original September 6 date when Klitschko was forced to withdraw due to torn biceps suffered during training camp. More ambitious plans called for the bout to take place in late October, but the November 15 date meant the fight could remain in Hamburg.

Klitschko (62-3, 52KOs) makes the 10th defense of the World lineal heavyweight championship, gaining recognition with his June ’09 stoppage win over then-unbeaten Ruslan Chagaev. The lineal championship reign is part of an eight-plus year run where Klitschko has held at least one alphabet title, beginning with a repeat win over Chris Byrd in April ’06.

Overall, Klitschko has racked up 22 successful defenses of an alphabet belt bridging two title reigns. The feat is second in history only to Joe Louis, whose record of 25 title defenses has stood the test of time, and also an uninterrupted reign that figures to survive Klitschko’s current reign. The reigning heavyweight king and his celerbrity fiancé Hayden Panitierre are expecting their first child–a girl–later this year; Klitschko, 38, suggested he didn’t want to continue long enough to where his daughter will ever see him box.

Pulev (20-0, 11KOs) enters his first title fight. The unbeaten Bulgarian has quickly become the most avoided fighter in the heavyweight division, watching at least two title eliminators fall by the wayside before eventually being named mandatory challenger following a 12-round points win last summer over Tony Thompson, who has twice fallen short in failed title bids versus Klitschko.

In efforts to stay busy, Pulev scored a pair of knockout wins over club-level opposition, having last seen ring action in early April.

Klitschko last defended his title in late April, scoring a one-sided 5th round stoppage of Australia’s Alex Leapai.

Photo:  wladimirklitschko/facebook/official page

http://www.boxingscene.com/klitschko-pulev-rescheduled-11-15-hamburg–81494

Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has suffered a torn left biceps, forcing him on Monday to postpone his mandatory defense against Kubrat Pulev that was scheduled for Sept. 6 at the O2 World arena in Hamburg, Germany.

Klitschko suffered the injury on Friday during a sparring session.

“He had problems on Friday, and he first thought it’s a minor thing, but he went to the hospital near the camp [in Austria], and there they detected this torn muscle,” Bernd Boente, Klitschko’s manager, told ESPN.com. “He was in top shape and he had perfect sparring partners. He did a long preparation and is sorry to have to postpone the fight.”

Said Klitschko in a statement: “I am very disappointed that the fight cannot take place as planned. I am in absolute top form and had a great training camp. Of course, I’m sorry for the fans, but also for my opponent Kubrat Pulev, who was certainly training as intensely as I do.”

Dr. Robert Siorpaes diagnosed the injury and recommended that Klitschko suspend training for about four weeks.

Boente said the fight will be rescheduled for November and likely still take place at the O2 World, which was already sold out — around 15,000 tickets — for the Sept. 6 fight.

“We hope to reschedule the bout in the same arena in mid-November, probably Nov. 15,” Boente said. “But that is something we have to discuss with the arena and RTL [the German television network that has a contract to carry Klitschko’s fights]. We also have to talk to the IBF because this fight is a mandatory.

“Of course, we are all disappointed, but these things can happen during the preparation.”

Klitschko (62-3, 53 KOs), 38, of Ukraine, is bidding for a 17th title defense. His 16 successful defenses during his second title reign are the third-most in heavyweight history behind those of only Joe Louis (25) and Larry Holmes (20), and his eight-year-plus reign is second all time to Louis’ record 11 years, 8 months, 8 days.

Klitschko, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist, moved to 23-2 overall in world title fights with a one-sided, fifth-round knockout of Australia’s Alex Leapai, a mandatory challenger, on April 26 in Oberhausen, Germany.

Pulev (20-0, 11 KOs), 33, of Bulgaria, a former European champion, earned his mandatory challenger status in August 2013 with a unanimous decision against American Tony Thompson, who had twice been knocked out by Klitschko in mandatory title fights.

Since becoming the mandatory challenger, Pulev, known as “The Cobra,” has fought twice. He scored a fourth-round knockout of Joey Abell, who knocked him down, in December, followed by a third-round knockout of Ivica Perkovic on April 5.

http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/11405849/wladimir-klitschko-torn-biceps-postpones-fight