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World Boxing Organization light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes gets some long overdue recognition when he joins International Boxing Federation light flyweight title holder Johnriel Casimero, WBO minimumweight titlist Merlito Sabillo and comebacking Nonito Donaire  who will receive their awards as boxers of the year in the annual awards held in honor of  Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.

World Boxing Organization light flyweight champion
Donnie Nietes, left, beats up Sammy Gutierrez during
their fight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Nietes will
be honored as one of the boxers of the year during
the 14th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Memorial Awards on
March 25 at the Harbour Garden Tent of the Sofitel
Hotel. Alvin S. Go

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manny Pacquiao, leads the cast of international and Philippine champions in the 14th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Memorial Awards on March 25 at the Harbour Garden Tent of the Sofitel Hotel.

In 2013, Nietes defeated two Mexicans to  retain the WBO light flyweight title he wrested from Ramon Garcia Hirales of Mexico at the La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod on Oct. 8, 2011.

His first defense was a majority decision over Moises Fuentes on March 2 at the  Cebu City Waterfront Hotel while his second defense was a convincing third round knockout of Sammy Gutierrez on Nov. 30.

Nietes got his nickname ahas when he was a utility boy at the ALA Gym. One of his daily chores was to clean the snake pit with five big pythons and he was the only man with the guts to do it. One day, one of snakes laid 11 eggs but only one survived. Donnie took care of that snake and gained the nickname ahas.

Nietes retained his WBO light flyweight title via unanimous decision over Felipe Salguero in the main event of Pinoy Pride XIV at the Resorts World Hotel and Casino in Pasay City.

The 31-year-old Nietes notched his 30th win against one loss, to go along with three draws with 16 knockouts.

Elorde is the first Filipino to be inducted into the  International Boxing Hall of  Fame with his record-setting seven-year reign as world junior lightweight champion from 1960 to 1967.

Johnriel Casimero, who turned 24 on Feb. 13, retained his IBF light flyweight crown thrice, twice in 2013 when he scored a unanimous decision over Luis Alberto Rios of Panama in Panama City on March 16. He  finished the year with an  11th round TKO of Felipe Salguero also of Panama in Makati on Oct. 26.

Sabillo launched his campaign on the world stage last year by winning the interim WBO minimumweight title and defending it twice, the last with a draw to finish the year with a 23-0-1 record, seven by knockout.

The 24-year-old from Toboso, Negros Oriental, wrested the WBO minimumweight crown with an eighth round stoppage of Luis dela Rosa of Colombia on March 9 in Cerete, Colombia. He retained the title via a ninth round TKO of Jorie Estrada also of Colombia on July 13 and a split decision over Carlos Bultrago of Nicaragua on Nov. 30 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Donaire started 2013 with a loss where he ceded his WBO title to Guillermo Regondeau on April 13 in New York City.He came back on Nov. 9 to make up for that loss and proclaim he is back on the world stage with a ninth round stoppage of old nemesis Vic Darchinyan in Texas.

Pacquaio, champion in eight different divisions at the height of his ring career, will not receive an award, having received the highest award, an induction into the Elorde Hall of Fame.

Instead he will be in attendance to head the elite Elorde Banquet of Champions which will include world, international and Philippine champions, with the Elorde family as host.

The Elorde clan is presenting the annual Elorde awards in celebration of the 79th birth anniversary of the boxing legend. His wife Laura will lead the award presentation.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/03/09/nietes-gets-long-overdue-recognition/

 

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

THE up-and-coming young stars of the ALA Gym will get much needed exposure in a huge boxing event at the posh Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila next weekend.

 

Unbeaten prospects Albert Pagara, Mark Magsayo and Melvin Gumban will be featured in the undercard of Pinoy Pride XXIV – “The Future is Now”.

 

“We feel that it is important for our young prospects to build their confidence and to be exposed as they prepare themselves to headline Idol,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu.

 

The 20-year-old Pagara (18-0, 12 KOs) faces one of his stiffest tests, former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific super flyweight titleholder Isack Junior (22-4-2, 8 KOs), in a 10-round fight.

 

Magsayo (4-0, 3 KOs), 18, is up against struggling Roy-Roy Sumugat (9-9-1, 3 KOs) in a six-round fight, while 23-year-old Gumban (15-0, 7 KOs) is taking on journeyman Dino Lelis (10-11-2, 5 KOs).

 

Pagara, Magsayo and Gumban are all included in ALA Promotions’ roster of young fighters that will be featured in their boxing show “Idol.”

 

“They have the potential but only time can tell,” said Aldeguer.

 

Also in the undercard are other up-and-coming boxers taking on each other.

 

Genesis Servania (23-0, 9 KOs) is seeing action in the main event against one of his toughest opponents to date, former world champion Alexander Muñoz (36-5, 28 KOs), in a WBO Inter-Continental super bantamweight title defense.

 

Arthur Villanueva (24-0, 14 KOs) is featured in the co-main event against Mexican former world title contender Juan Hernandez (23-3, 16 KOs). He is defending his WBO International super flyweight strap.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2014/02/19/ala-gives-upstarts-needed-exposure-329215

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Photos by:  Chris Farina/Top Rank –

SAN ANTONIO — Two-time Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist and 2013 Prospect of the Year VASYL LOMACHENKO (1-0, 1 KO), is in a hurry to make his mark, and in only his second professional fight, he will be challenging three-time world featherweight champion ORLANDO “Siri” SALIDO for Salido’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title.  The Salido-Lomachenko world championship fight will be televised live from the Alamodome, Saturday, March 1, on HBO World Championship Boxing, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.  The telecast will also feature the eagerly-anticipated 12-round rematch between former World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion and Son of the Legend JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR. and Top-Five contender and two-fisted Texan BRYAN VERA.

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“It has been a long, hard ride to get to this world title fight,” said Lomachenko.  “I may have only one professional fight on my resume but I have been boxing all my life,  dreaming that one day I would be fighting the best fighters. And now I am fighting a world champion who is one of the best in featherweight division. Salido is a very good veteran fighter and he has been in the ring with toughest opponents.  He puts a lot of pressure on you inside the ring and he comes to fight.  Defeating this kind of fighter would mean a lot to me. It would also add my name to boxing history and get me one step closer to joining the sport’s all-time best. Thank you to Top Rank and a special thank you to Bob Arum for making this fight happen — for making my dream come true. Tune into HBO World Championship Boxing on March 1st.  You will remember the Alamodome that night.”

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Salido (40-12-2, 28 KOs), of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, México, completed a hat trick last year by winning a world featherweight  title for the third time.  He captured the vacant WBO featherweight title by knocking out No. 1 contender Orlando Cruz in the seventh round of their September 12, 2013 fight.  Salido captured his first world title in his third attempt.  After a No Decision to Robert Guerrero in 2006 and a split decision loss to Cristobal Cruz in 2008, Salido finally captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight title in 2010, avenging his loss to Cruz by winning a split decision.  His title reign was short-lived, losing a unification fight to World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa later that same year.  Salido bounced back in a big way, stopping undefeated WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez in the eighth round in 2011 to capture his second world championship crown.  Salido successfully defended that title twice, knocking out Kenichi Yamaguchi and Lopez in a rematch during his two-year reign, before losing it to Mikey Garcia last January. He enters this title defense having won six of his last seven fights by knockout.

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Two-time Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist Lomachenko jumped into the deep end of boxing’s international-sized swimming pool when he made his professional debut in a 10-round featherweight bout against the WBO’s No. 7-rated  featherweight contender Jose Luis Ramirez last September 12.  It didn’t take Lomachenko long to take to the water.  He knocked out Ramirez (24-2-2, 15 KOs) in the fourth round to become the new WBO International featherweight champion.  He ended the year as the WBO’s No. 5 world-rated featherweight contender as well as being proclaimed the 2013 “Prospect of the Year” by the majority of the major boxing media.  Lomachenko first gained international renown by winning gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Games as a featherweight and a lightweight, respectively.  Known for his all-out aggressive style of boxing, Lomachenko is equally aggressive in plotting his professional boxing plan to a world title where he insisted on making his pro debut in a 10-round bout against a seasoned Top-10 rated contender where a victory could propel him to a world title shot in his next fight.

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http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-lomachenko-putting-work-salido-shot–74604

Andrade.wbobelt

Photo: abc6.com/wlne.images.worldnow.com/images/24637198_BG1.jpg

ATLANTA – Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior middleweight champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (20-0, 13 KOs) is shooting for the stars, better make that, The Star.

Not only does Andrade plan to succeed Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Jr. as boxing’s pound-for-pound champion and biggest draw, the slick southpaw hopes to fight Mayweather prior to “Money” closing his boxing bank, so to speak.

Andrade, a native of Providence who now lives in Atlanta, defeated previously unbeaten  2004 U.S. Olympian Vanes “Nightmare” Martirosyan (33-1-1, 21 KOs) by 12-round decision for the vacant WBO title last November on HBO. The 25-year-old is now required to make his first title defense, likely in April according to Andrade, against WBO No. 1-rated mandatory challenger Brian “The Lion” Rose (25-1-1, 7 KOs).

The 36-year-old Mayweather (45-0, 26 KOs) will face either Amir Khan or Marcus Maidana on May 3 in Las Vegas on Showtime PPV.  The nine-time, five-division world champion Mayweather is the reigning WBC and WBA Super junior middleweight title holder.

“I’m getting ready to take over boxing after Mayweather retires,” Andrade said.  “I want to match my natural, God-given skills against his before he hangs up his gloves for good. Let’s unify the titles, Floyd.  We can do it here in Atlanta, Las Vegas or New York. You pick the place, just don’t leave me hanging and retire without fighting me. This is my time!”

Mayweather announced that he will fight only four more times, including May 3, and then retire next year from the ring as a boxer. Andrade needs to quickly position himself as a viable opponent and rising star in order to be seriously considered as one of only three more Mayweather opponents.  A match-up between the two could be like the passing of the torch, assuming Andrade continues to develop in the ring and marketable product.

Andrade has been described by some as a younger, taller (by 5 inches), southpaw version of Mayweather because of their similar styles and tremendous boxing skills.  Their similarities don’t end there, however. They are both African-Americans who flash endearing smiles, in addition to being former US Olympians (Mayweather – 1996 Olympic bronze medalist, Andrade – 2008), multiple National Golden Gloves champions (Mayweather 1993, 1994 & 1996, Andrade 2006 & 2007), and two of the few undefeated professional prizefighters.  Andrade was also the 2007 World Championships gold medalist.

Is Mayweather vs. Andrade in the stars?  Stay tuned, boxing fans.

http://www.boxingscene.com/andrade-ill-take-over-boxing-mayweather-retires–74599

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Por:  Aleudi Rosario Cotto/OMB –

 

Los invictos Félix “Diamante” Verdejo, Emmanuel “Manny” Rodríguez y John Karl Sosa serán galardonados por la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) como los Prospectos del Momento del Boxeo Profesional en Puerto Rico en la primera edición de esta actividad, que además honrará a tres jóvenes del boxeo aficionado.

 

El evento, que se efectuará por primera vez en 2014 y se espera llevarlo a cabo todos los años, cobrará vida este miércoles, 29 de enero, a las 10:00 de la mañana en el Restaurante El Zipperle de Hato Rey, San Juan.

 

“Tuvimos una votación con periodistas de los principales medios de Puerto Rico y en ésta, de una lista de 12 prospectos invictos de la Isla con 10 peleas o menos, salieron electos Félix Verdejo, Emmanuel Rodríguez y John Karl Sosa como los prospectos del momento”, dijo el presidente de la OMB, Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel. “Con estas actividades lo que pretendemos es motivar a estos jóvenes boxeadores para que se mantengan luciendo bien en sus peleas, pero también correctos en su vida fuera del ring y se conviertan en ejemplos para la sociedad y los niños”.K

 

Verdejo (10-0, 7 KOs), considerado uno de los principales prospectos del boxeo mundial, viene de un gran triunfo por nocaut en el primer asalto el pasado sábado, 25 de enero, en Nueva York sobre el mexicano Lauro Alcántar. El junior ligero de 20 años y participante en los Juegos Olímpicos de 2012 en Londres, debutó profesionalmente en 2012 y en el 2013 realizó ocho combates, de los cuales ganó seis por nocaut y dos por decisión. El peso supermosca Rodríguez (8-0, 5 KOs), medallista de oro en los Juegos Olímpicos Juveniles de 2010 y plata en el Mundial Juvenil Aficionado de 2010, también debutó en 2012 y en 2013 ganó sus cinco peleas, tres de ellas por la vía rápida. Rodríguez, de 21 años, viene de vencer al retador mundial David Quijano. Sosa (8-0, 6 KOs), un junior welter de 21 años que en su más reciente compromiso en junio de 2013 noqueó a Alexis Peña en Dallas, fue otro que debutó en 2012 y el año pasado ganó sus cuatro compromisos, dos por nocaut.

 

Por su parte, los púgiles aficionados que serán premiados por la OMB, serán los miembros de la Selección Nacional, Kiria Tapia, Danielito Zorrilla y el juvenil Henry Lebrón.

 

“Incluimos a tres boxeadores aficionados en este evento porque queremos que también continúen enfocados y porque sabemos que muchos de estos jóvenes son los futuros medallistas y representantes de Puerto Rico en el Mundo”, agregó Valcárcel, quien agradeció a la Federación Puertorriqueña de Boxeo Aficionado, su presidente José Luis Vellón y el entrenador José “Chicky” Laureano por su colaboración.

 

Tapia es la principal figura del boxeo femenino en la Isla y hace campaña en la actualidad en las 132 libras. La peleadora ganó medalla de oro en los Juegos Panamericanos de Guadalajara, México en 2011 y ha ganado medallas doradas en múltiples Campeonatos Internacionales. Zorrilla, que combate en las 140 libras, fue Campeón Nacional en 2012 y ganó medalla de oro en la Copa Olímpica Internacional y en el Campeonato Internacional José “Cheo” Aponte, así como bronce en el Campeonato Panamericano de Chile y participó en el Campeonato Mundial Elite en Kazajistán. Lebrón es un juvenil, que pelea en las 123 libras y que fue Campeón Nacional en 2011, 2012 y 2013, ganó medalla de oro en el Campeonato Panamericano Junior en Ecuador y bronce en el Campeonato Mundial Junior en Ucrania.

 

Los seis púgiles serán galardonados con un premio en efectivo para cada uno de parte de la OMB, así como un bulto, ropa y equipo para entrenar, y una placa que conmemore la gesta.

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/Verdejo_Rodr_guez_y_Sosa_premiados_OMB.php

 

pacquiao-bradley (2)
ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 01/23/2014 3:56 PM | Updated as of 01/23/2014 3:56 PM

MANILA, Philippines – World Boxing Organization (WBO) president Francisco Valcarcel welcomes a rematch between Filipino champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and welterweight champion Timothy Bradley Jr.

Bradley won the WBO welterweight belt off Pacquiao when he defeated the Filipino boxer via a contentious split decision in June 2012.

“It’s one of the great battles that can happen this year,” Valcarcel told Boxing Scene of a potential Pacquiao-Bradley rematch.

“The controversy of the first fight makes it very interesting, adding to the fact that they are great fighters, and Bradley is a great champion. Pacquiao needs no introduction,” he added. “It is a fight that cannot be missed.”

According to Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum, the terms of the rematch has yet to be finalized, although they are working with both camps to iron out the details.

Valcarcel believes Bradley is the best option among Pacquiao’s options, which also included Russian brawler Ruslan Provodnikov.

“Among the options that were being considered, this is the most interesting,” said the WBO president. “They had a rematch clause in the contract for his fight and both belong to the same promoter.”

Pacquiao returns to the ring on April 12.

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By Miguel Rivera –

Upon hearing the news that a deal was close, World Boxing Organization president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel was loving the idea of a rematch between Manny Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38KOs) and WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (31-0, 12KOs). The fight is being negotiated for April 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Bradley’s victory over Pacquiao was a controversial split decision in June 2012.

“It’s one of the great battles that can happen this year,” said Valcarcel to Carlos Narvaez. “The controversy of the first fight makes it very interesting, added to the fact that they are great fighters and Bradley is a great champion and Pacquiao needs no introduction. It’s a fight that can not be missed. Among the three options that were being considered, this is the most interesting. They had a rematch clause in the contract for his first fight and both belong to the same promoter.”

 http://www.boxingscene.com/wbo-prez-loves-idea-pacquiao-bradley-ii–73881

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Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines – It was a great start to a New Year for Leyte residents as WBO Vice President for Asia, Leon Panoncillo, Jr. who just arrived from Hawaii, went directly to Tacloban, Leyte to continue on more relief efforts provided by the World Boxing Organization.

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According to Panoncillo, after WBO President Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcarcel heard of the successful relief effort from his WBO Asia Pacific staff from the Philippines that distributed $10,000 US dollars worth of relief goods to help the survivors of the Yolanda / Haiyan Typhoon devastation this past December 8, 2013, Valcarcel has ordered more relief goods to be distributed to the people of Leyte. The continuing relief effort got the nod of the Executive Board members of the WBO to approve a second relief funds in the amount of another ten thousand US dollars that had brought both donation relief efforts now up to $20,000 US dollars, equivalent to 880,000 Philippines pesos.

The additional donation from the organization spread relief to more provinces in Leyte, especially surrounding areas in Tacloban City and hard to reach areas of Jaro and Santa Fe. Areas that was also completely destroyed by the Typhoon and news of seldom relief goods reaching in that District Barangay, after the disaster.

“It was really a good experience for me to see the disaster and got to help personally, I realize that we cannot take life for granted after seeing what I saw, anything can happen at any given time,” Panoncillo said.

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“Giving my time to help on my busy schedule was not a problem for me, in fact it was an honor to help and distribute the tons of rice, noodles, water and variety of can goods that made their way to those provinces. Thousands of families benefited from the relief goods distributed by the WBO,” Panoncillo

http://philboxing.com/news/story-90957.html

Zahir Raheem

Zahir Raheem dominated the first six rounds and avoided trouble in the last four to earn a unanimous 10-round decision over Bayan Jargal, capturing the World Boxing Organization’s North American Boxing Organization junior welterweight title.

TACOMA – Zahir Raheem was tired. But it was the good kind of tired — a satisfied kind of tired. After 10 rounds, the final four of which he fought with basically one hand, the 37-year- old Raheem still had enough energy to raise a title belt in front of a sold-out crowd at the Emerald Queen Casino show room on Friday night.

Raheem dominated the first six rounds and avoided trouble in the last four to earn a unanimous 10-round decision over Bayan Jargal, capturing the World Boxing Organization’s North American Boxing Organization junior welterweight title.

Judges Tim Wood and Marlon Perry scored the fight 99-91 while Alan Krebs scored it 97-93 in favor of Raheem.

“I felt good,” Raheem said of going 10 rounds. “It was fun. I felt strong. I was a little exhausted in that seventh and eighth and ninth round. But it was good overall.”

Since returning to the ring under Brian Halquist Productions a year ago, Raheem (35-3, 21 knockouts) had fought a total of eight rounds in his three fights, knocking out opponents early. Before that, he had taken two years off from professional fighting with the exception of a few exhibition bouts. His last fight that went 10 rounds came in May of 2007 in a unanimous decision win over Cristobal Cruz.

“I thought his conditioning was good,” said trainer Rob Bell. “Considering he hasn’t gone 10 rounds in years, to go 10 rounds against that guy was big. The guy was young and he just kept coming.”

Jargal, 31, had only been knocked out once in 24 career fights and wasn’t going to go down easily.

Raheem, who does much of his damage as a counterpuncher, didn’t get many opportunities early since Jargal (17-5-3, 11 knockouts) didn’t throw many punches. Both fighters got busier in rounds three through five and Raheem started landing shots. He buckled Jargal in the third with a short inside right to the jaw and followed with a nice combination.

“He was a little awkward,” Raheem said. “It was hard to get my timing down.”

Raheem landed decent scoring shots in the fourth round and early in the fifth round. But Jargal kept coming.

“I was like, ‘Damn, what is wrong with you?’ ” Raheem joked.

Late in the fifth round, a right to the top of Jargal’s head proved more damaging to Raheem. It left the hand aching, the pain growing with each punch. It basically became useless for power punches late in the fight.

“It was effective early and I had to stop using it,” Raheem said.

For the final three rounds, it was just survival and scoring if possible for Raheem. He used left jabs followed by short left hooks.

“Hey, Bruce Lee fought with his eyes closed,” Raheem said. “Sometimes, I train with one eye open. Sometimes I train with one hand. You never know what’s going to happen in the ring and you can’t quit.”

Jargal was able to land some decent punches in the ninth and 10th rounds with Raheem looking to avoid any big punches that could put him down.

“He never really hurt me,” Raheem said. “If he would have, I would have been out of there.”

http://seattletimes.com/html/othersports/2022643937_raheem11xml.html

dinamitamarq_f88cf2749ea72baf4aef365e366f8522

By Elisinio Castillo

The future of Juan Manuel Marquez (55-7-1, 40KOs) should become clearer by Chistmas Day. On Thursday and Friday, Marquez will be meeting with the president of the World Boxing Organization, Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcárcel, who will be visiting Mexico.

Marquez would like a rematch with WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (31-0, 12KOs), who won a split decision over the Mexican veteran in October.

Valcarcel wants to talk to Marquez about the possibility of facing the current WBO champion at 140-pounds, Ruslan Provodnikov. Marquez has rejected the idea of a Provodnikov fight in several interviews and even threatened to retire if he doesn’t get Bradley again.

Marquez did tell his promoter, Fernando Beltran of Zanfer, that he wants to fight twice in 2014 before retiring. Top Rank’s CEO Bob Arum, who works with Beltran, confirmed those negotiations are ongoing.

“I spoke with Beltrán and he informed me that he is already speaking [with Marquez]. Márquez wants to do two more fights before retiring. We are going to speak before Christmas Day. We believe that a rematch can be done with Bradley and that he could also fight with Provodnikov,” Arum told Carlos Navaez.

http://www.boxingscene.com/juan-manuel-marquez-getting-closer-next-opponent–72916

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By David P. Greisman –

Lightweight contender Terence Crawford could soon be challenging for a world title. The World Boxing Organization has mandated negotiations between him and beltholder Ricky Burns.

They have through the first week of December to come to terms, or else the match will go to purse bid.

That would be a good start to 2014 for Crawford after a very good 2013. He made his HBO debut in March with a decision win over Breidis Prescott, returned to HBO in June to score a technical knockout over Alejandro Sanabria, then appeared on the network for his third time in October, outpointing Andrey Klimov.

The 26-year-old from Omaha, Neb., is now 22-0 with 16 knockouts. He spoke to BoxingScene.com on Nov. 14.

BoxingScene.com: The WBO has mandated that Ricky Burns defend his belt against you. What are your thoughts on getting your first world title shot?

Crawford: “Right now we’re in the process of negotiating and everything. So nothing’s really set in stone right now.”

BoxingScene.com: Sure, but the fact that you could be getting your first title shot, how do you feel about that?

Crawford: “I feel good about it. I feel like it’s a long time of waiting.”

BoxingScene.com: “What do you think of Ricky Burns as a fighter? What does he do well, and what do you think are weaknesses you can exploit?”

Crawford: “I feel he moves well. He throws jabs. He’s got a nice little jab. He’s a decent fighter. I can’t take nothing away from him.”

BoxingScene.com: And what do you feel you can exploit in his game?

Crawford: “A lot. He’s fighting my fight, I feel like. I’m just a better fighter.”

BoxingScene.com: In what ways are you a better fighter?

Crawford: “My speed, my power, my ring generalship, me being able to mix it up in there.”

BoxingScene.com: Would you be willing to travel to Scotland to face him?

Crawford: “Yeah, most definitely. If the price is right, and everything’s fair. I’m just a little skeptical about going all the way out there, and getting the same thing done to me that [Ray] Beltran got done to him.”

BoxingScene.com: What did you think of that Beltran fight?

Crawford: “I thought Beltran won, hands down. I thought there should’ve been no question about who won that fight.”

BoxingScene.com: Did you see Burns’ fight with Jose Gonzalez as well?

Crawford: “Yeah, Gonzalez was winning until he got tired and just quit. I don’t understand that.”

BoxingScene.com: As you’ve seen his past two fights, do you see Burns as being vulnerable, especially coming off a broken jaw?

Crawford: “No. I actually think he will come back hungrier after having two bad performances and trying to make a statement and try to put himself back on top of the list at 135.”

BoxingScene.com: You started the year with HBO debut and have been on three times in total. What has this 2013 been like for you?

Crawford: “It’s been good. 2013 was a good year. I’m just looking forward. That’s the past. I’m looking for 2014 being a great year: becoming champion and start from there.”

BoxingScene.com: What would becoming a world titleholder mean for you?

Crawford: “It would mean everything for me. A lot of people are counting on me and depending on me to bring the title back so that they can have something to cheer for.”

BoxingScene.com: Thinking back to your fight in March with Breidis Prescott, that decision ended up working out for you, taking that bout on short notice and moving up in weight to face him. What was on your mind when that bout was offered to you?

Crawford: “No question came to my mind. The first thing that came to my mind was ‘I can beat him.’ The second thing was, ‘What weight?’ And then the third thing was, ‘Are they going to take the fight?’ ”

BoxingScene.com: It was like a gamble and an investment for you, an opportunity that you had to take, because if you said ‘No,’ you might end up waiting around for a bit.

Crawford: “Right, right, right. That was the whole thing, like, if we didn’t take it, we would’ve still been fighting on undercards. I felt like it was a big risk, big reward type of fight.”

BoxingScene.com: Bob Arum told me before your last fight that he has high expectations for you. What do you want to do with your career?

Crawford: “I want to take my career to the next level, to be on the pound-for-pound list and be one of the all-time greats.”

BoxingScene.com: And do you see yourself staying at 135 for a long time, or eventually moving up?

Crawford: “I eventually see myself moving up to 140, 147.”

BoxingScene.com: What do you walk around at?

Crawford: “Right now I’m at 154.”

BoxingScene.com: What were your thoughts on those who felt like your bout with Andrey Klimov wasn’t as entertaining as it could’ve been?

Crawford: “I look at it like this: There’s fighters that like boxing styles. There’s fighters that go in and get their head beat in and go to the hospital and have brain damage. I look at the sport as being called ‘boxing,’ not ‘fighting.’ It’s an art, and it’s hit and not get hit. That’s what the sport is called.”

BoxingScene.com: At the same time, do you need to make sure that you can do that while still entertaining in your next fight?

Crawford: “Yeah. That fight right there, it was kind of a tough fight. I did everything I felt I had to do to win the fight. But you need to have a guy willing to engage and fight you, and with someone throwing like 15 punches a round, it’s kind of hard to put on a show.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/crawford-i-expect-hungrier-ricky-burns-if-we-fight–72062

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The World Boxing Organization (WBO) through its president Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcarcel will donate $10,000 towards relief efforts for victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) especially the children in the affected areas.

With this gesture, the WBO becomes the first boxing organization to take up the initiative for the Filipino typhoon victims.

“The WBO is deeply concerned for the people of the Philippines affected by the Typhoon Haiyan. We are joining this major relief effort by making a donation in the amount of $10,000-particularly to help children with emergency food and water. We hope others will join too and help alleviate some of the suffering,” the WBO stated.

The WBO is one of the major sanctioning bodies with strong relations to Philippine boxing.

“This is a time to give back to the community. This is when we should do our share,” stressed WBO Asia Pacific Chairman Leon Panoncillo in his message.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-88871.html

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NEW YORK CITY – Held prisoner because of the boxing network war,  undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (30-0, 22 KOs) is still searching for his career defining fight.

The 30-year-old Quillin, fighting out of Brooklyn, is the only top-rated 160-pounder aligned with Showtime.  The marquee-name middleweights, Sergio Martinez (WBC/Ring Magazine champion) and Gennady Golovkin (WBA), fight exclusively on rival HBO.

Quillin relishes the opportunity to fight any of the top rated middleweights, but he also understands the politics of boxing and the situation it has presently placed him in.  “It’s not up to me who I fight,” Quillin said.  “If the money is right, I’m up for fighting any of the top names, especially Martinez and Golovkin, but everybody’s aware of what’s going on behind the scenes (Showtime vs. HBO).  My job is to work hard and be ready.  I have the most powerful team in boxing (Golden Boy Promotions, adviser Al Haymon, co-managers John Seip and Jim McDevitt) and they get me the best available deals.  I’m not worried about who I’m fighting.  They come to me with my fights.”

Here’s how Quillin breaks down the top middleweights in the world, not listed in any particular order:

Sergio Martinez:  “He is the one everybody has as No. 1 in the middleweight division.  Martinez has fought some very exciting fights.  He’s a showman in the ring.”

Gennady Golovkin:  “A power puncher.  Golovkin brings power into the ring and gets a lot of knockouts.”

Darren Barker (IBF champion):  “He always puts his best foot forward and always tries as hard as possible.  Barker and I would bring a lot of fireworks into the ring.”

Daniel Geale:  “Another exciting fighter who bangs with the best.  It worked for a while against Barker.”

Felix Sturm:  “I haven’t seen too much of him.  I hope Sturm pursues more fights to make the middleweight division even tougher than it is right now.”

Martin Murray:  “He is determined and exciting.  I can’t take anything away from Murray.”

Peter Quillin:  “A very exciting guy always looking for new ways to win.  He has power, showmanship and a lot of smarts in the ring.”

Quillin recently overcame personal heartache in his second title defense victory, by 10th round technical knockout over a game Gabriel Rosado, who suffered a serious cut over his eye that resulted in the fight being halted on the advice of the ring doctor.  While he was in the middle of training camp in Los Angeles, Quillin’s wife, Allison, suffered a miscarriage five months into her pregnancy.  She was home in New York City.

“I struggled with it,” Quillin admitted.  “I was obligated to camp, 3000 miles away, and she had to go through it without me being there to comfort her.  We’re praying together and I’m working on being more compassionate.”

Quillin is already back in the gym, going through light workouts and yoga.  “I took a week off and bought my dream car (red Corvette Stingray),” he added.  “I get depressed when I’m not working out.  My wife goes to work and I’m all alone.  I need to be active to be productive, so I went right back into the gym.  My dad taught me how to clear my head. I’m staying ready and in shape, just in case the opportunity for my career defining fight comes along.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/quillin-on-martinez-golovkin-barker-geale-sturm–71390

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Photos: PR Best Promotions

World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight champion, Roman “Rocky” Martinez ended today his training camp in Puerto Rico weighing 132 3/4 pounds one week before his third title defense against the former WBO featherweight champion Miguel Angel “Mikey” Garcia on November 9 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, in a Top Rank presentation to be broadcasted on HBO.

Martinez (27-1-2, 16 KOs), who is going to defend his 130 pounds title for the third time against Garcia (32-0, 27 KOs), worked today for the Puerto Rican media at the Dorado Municipal Gym in Dorado with his trainers Raul “Papo” Torres and Freddy Trinidad. The Vega Baja native did some rounds of pads with Trinidad, then he worked with the punching bag and jumping the rope.

“I’m good at this weight and very happy with the training camp for this fight against Mikey Garcia”, Martinez said after the workout when he step up to the scale and weighed in 132 3/4 pounds. “We have worked hard for this fight and I feel so good and in great shape, just waiting for the day of the fight.”

Martinez, who come off a win over Diego Magdaleno on April in China, will travel to Corpus Christi, Texas, this Monday, November 4, in the morning for his final days of training there.

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http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/roman-rocky-martinez-update-230097

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By Nicolas Samuilov –

Highly motivated and with the confidence of what he defines as the best preparation of his career, Argentinean and World Boxing Organization (WBO) Latino junior middleweight champion, former world title challenger Javier “La Bestia” Maciel, had his first face to face with Englishman Brian “The Lion” Rose, before their highly anticipated WBO junior middleweight world title final eliminator, that will take place on Saturday, October 26th., at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, England, televised live by TyC Sports in Argentina and lots of parts of America, Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, and AWEtv and AWEtv.com (3 p.m. ET).

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In a packed jammed press conference on Thursday afternoon, with his motivation high as ever after finishing his intense training camp in Las Vegas where he stayed for three weeks, Maciel (27-2, 20 KOs), ranked WBO junior middleweight #5, and International Boxing Federation (IBF) #7, expressed his confidence for his fight against Rose (24-1-1, 7 KOs), current WBO intercontinental junior middleweight champion, ranked WBO junior middleweight #4 and World Boxing Council (WBC) #16, who also said his words. Highly optimistic, both of them made clear what they are here for: get the victory that will put them on the #1 spot of the ranking and become mandatory challenger of the vacant title that will dispute Armenian-born American Vanes Martirosyan and American Demetrius Andrade on November 9th. But for that, “The Beast” and “The Lion” have to take a big step before.

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“I am very pleased to be here, for such an important fight like this eliminator. I came a long away from Argentina, to get everything. I come very well prepared, in a wonderful condition and in the best moment of my career. He is a good boxer, but I see myself stronger than him, and I’m ready”, said Maciel, who arrived from Las Vegas together with known trainer Miguel Diaz, and joined the rest of his team, headed by his manager and promoter, Mario Margossian, head of Argentina Boxing Promotions, his trainer Eduardo Molina, his assistant Gustavo Garay Rezola, his doctor Alberto Centanaro, his physiotherapist Cacho Latrónico, and Club Atletico Velez Sarsfield’s bursar Daniel Ramundo.

“I made the best preparation ever, the best in my life. The workouts in Las Vegas were very demanding, and I had first level sparrings, so I am in an excellent shape. We have watched several of Rose’s fights and studied him.  He comes forward, solidly, he looks for the fight, always with a high and closed guard, in a compact way, which makes it difficult to connect him. I go forward as well, so it will be a nice fight. And it doesn’t matter he is fighting at home, I am ready to beat him”, added the 29-year-old Maciel, who after making the distance against WBO middleweight world champion Dmitry Pirog in Russia, on March 2011, went down to the 154 pounds -his real division- where he finished eight of his last nine victims in less than five rounds.

Without being any less, Rose took the microphone and said his words. “This is a massive fight. As I said before, it’s a 50-50 fight on paper. It’s going to be a great fight, that anyone can win, but I feel more than capable of winning”, said the 28-year-old Blackpool favorite, who was with his whole team, headed the Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom Boxing, promoter of the event.

“I have watched him, and I think technically I’m a lot better. It’s just about putting that on practice on Saturday night. All the hard work is done. I’m not going to hold anything back, and I’m going to show to everyone on Saturday and prove that I belong on this stage”, stated Rose, who has knocked out former world champions such as Vivian Harris and Joachim Alcine.

But Maciel, who was named Latino Boxer of the Year by the WBO, and comes to this challenge after stopping in five rounds his countryman Alejandro Falliga, to defend his Latino belt for the fifth time on September 7th. at the Luna Park Stadium in Buenos Aires, has clear what he has to do.

“I am going to go wisely to look for the fight from the beginning. I want to fight for the world title so I’m going to go out there to win on Saturday night, and take the victory to Argentina. I feel great and I can’t wait for the fight to come. I am going to win the fight”, he concluded.

Maciel and Rose clash on a massive boxing night in Sheffield. In the other main event, undefeated hometown favorite Kell Brook (30-0, 22 KOs) will face former Ukrainian world champion Vyacheslav Senchenko (34-1, 23 KOs), in an IBF welterweight world title eliminator.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-maciel-more-confident-brian-rose-face-off–70955

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Highly motivated and with the confidence of what he defines as the best preparation of his career, Argentinean and World Boxing Organization (WBO) Latino junior middleweight champion, former world title challenger Javier “La Bestia” Maciel, travelled to Sheffield, England, for his highly anticipated challenge against Englishman Brian “The Lion” Rose, in a WBO junior middleweight world title eliminator, that will take place on Saturday, October 26th., at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, England, televised live by TyC Sports in Argentina and lots of parts of America, and Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.

After finishing his intense training camp in Las Vegas, where he stayed for three weeks with well known trainer Miguel Diaz, Maciel (27-2, 20 KOs), ranked WBO junior middleweight #5, and International Boxing Federation (IBF) #7, flew this Monday to Sheffield together with Diaz -who will be at his corner- for his fight against Rose (24-1-1, 7 KOs), current WBO intercontinental junior middleweight champion, ranked WBO junior middleweight #4 and World Boxing Council (WBC) #16. There he will join the rest of his team, headed by his manager and promoter, Mario Margossian, head of Argentina Boxing Promotions, his trainer Eduardo Molina, and his assistant Gustavo Garay Rezola, to participate in the promotional activities.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/javier-maciel-confident-of-beating-brian-rose-in-wbo-junior-middleweight-title-eliminator-229400

mike alvarado (9) Denver’s very own homegrown world champion “Mile High” MIKE ALVARADO  continues the hard grind for his Saturday’s fight against RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV. Alvarado (34-1, 23 KOs) will make the first defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight title against Provodnikov (22-2, 15 KOs) at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo.  This marks the area’s first world championship fight featuring a local fighter since September 15, 2000. Alvarado vs. Provodnikov will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.  It will be the first time HBO has ever televised a fight live from Colorado. http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-alvarado-continues-grind-provodnikov–70676

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DENVER — Denver’s only reigning world champion, “Mile High” MIKE ALVARADO, and his promoter Top Rank®, will donate one dollar ($1.00) from every ticket sold to his homecoming world title defense to The Salvation Army for its emergency disaster services serving Colorado.  Alvarado defends his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight crown against No. 1 contender Ruslan “The Siberian Rocky” Provodinkov, of Russia, Saturday, October 19, at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colo.  The fight will be televised live nationally on HBO®.

“Colorado boxing fans have been so supportive of me throughout my entire career and I am only too happy to support the people of my state in their time of need.  We all need to do our part.,” said Alvarado, who was also a former two-time high school state wrestling champion.

“I have a home in Colorado.  I love this state.  Top Rank was onboard the minute Mike brought it up to us.  A great event to support a great cause,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank.

“We are so grateful,” said Salvation Army leader Lt. Colonel Dan Starrett on this partnership with Alvarado and Top Rank.  “This support allows The Salvation Army to be there for Colorado, providing for the needs of those impacted, until the healing is complete.”

Alvarado vs. Provodnikov marks the Denver area’s first world championship fight featuring a local fighter since September 15, 2000 when former World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion Stevie Johnston unsuccessfully challenged defending WBC lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo at the Pepsi Center.

Alvarado (34-1, 23 KOs) and Provodnikov (22-2, 15 KOs) enter this world title tilt fresh from Fight of the Year performances that took place in March, just two weeks apart from each other, and were televised live on HBO.  They boast a combined record of 56-3 (38 KOs) — a winning percentage of 95% and a victory by knockout ratio of 68%.

Promoted by Top Rank® and Banner Promotions, in association with Tecate, remaining tickets to the Alvarado vs. Provodnikov world title fight event, priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable fees and taxes, can be purchased online at TicketHorse.com, order by phone at 866-461-6556 and at Tickethorse kiosks located at all Colorado Dick’s Sporting Goods Stores (for credit card purchases only)

http://www.boxingscene.com/mike-alvarado-top-rank-donate-salvation-army–70385

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Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight Champion TIMOTHY BRADLEY Jr. and four-division world champion and Méxican icon JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ, the only two fighters to beat Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao in the last seven years, will go mano a mano in nine days.

While Bradley (30-0, 12 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif., and Márquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs), of México City, enter this World Welterweight Championship fight fresh from Fight of the Year caliber performances, Márquez will also be attempting to become the first Méxican fighter to win world titles in five different weight divisions.

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We now bring your from Palm Springs, California, following a vigorous media workout, WBO Welterweight Champion Timothy Bradley. Timothy is 13 days away from his defense against Mexican icon Juan Manuel Márquez. Joining Timothy on today’s call is trainer Joel Diaz and manager Cameron Dunkin. We are now pleased to introduce his promoter, Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum.

BOB ARUM: Timothy just finished working out at his beautiful new gym in the desert and I must say he is in incredible shape and he told me if I wanted to move the fight up 12 days he would be ready to go tomorrow night and I really believe that. He is at the top of his game and as everyone that was here today could see, he is ready to give one incredible performance.

Joel, how as camp been going? We know Timothy is coming off an incredible fight against Provodnikov which, right now, is the leading candidate for Fight of the Year.. How is it coming off that to prepare for this fight?

JOEL DIAZ: Our training camp has been going really well. As you can see, this guy works extremely hard. He leaves nothing behind, pushing himself 100% in training. We worked hard on the weight, making sure it was not an issue like in the previous fight, which was a factor in that fight. But no more. Right now he is walking around at 152 at the most and wants to finish the week at 149. He is mentally and physically ready to go and looking forward to October 12th.

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: I want to be a part of Márquez’s legacy and by me beating Márquez, that right there will make me one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world. No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, wherever you want to place me. Márquez is probably the best fighter I will have ever faced in my career, by far. This fight on October 12th is going to be a very tough fight and I am game for war. I know Márquez is, too, I know his trainer very well and I know they are going to come out hard and try to take me out and take my title.

Joel, what does Tim need to do to counter Márquez?

JOEL DIAZ: The most important thing for Tim to do is stay very focused, follow the strategy and don’t fall into Márquez’s game. Márquez is a very experienced fighter. Don’t fall away from the plan and follow instructions and he’ll be fine.

Have you looked at the Chris John and Mayweather fights in which Márquez lost by decision and can you take anything away from those?

JOEL DIAZ: I watched the Mayweather fight and Mayweather showed me a lot going in the ring against a fighter like Juan Manuel Maárquez. Even though that fight was years ago, over time, fighters slow down a little due to age. But I focused on that fight and caught a lot of good points. I know that Márquez is still sharp and very smart. I know Márquez myself because I followed Márquez’s career. I am a big fan of Márquez and I have seen every single one of his fights. I don’t have to look at much video because I remember every single one of his fights – how he performs and what his strengths and weaknesses are. I know the type of counter-puncher he is so I really don’t have to look at much video. I already know him.

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: I have seen every one of his fights. I know what his weaknesses are and what he likes to do. That is our job — to know these things. That’s why we wanted this fight. I wanted this fight a few years ago. I always knew I could beat Márquez, even when he went back and fought Juan Diaz I felt that I could have been in there and done a lot better. But this fight is happening now and I am going to prove to the world that I am a top fighter, one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the game. I am going to beat Márquez, you heard it here first, and we’ll see what the people say after that.

Are you willing to box or do you feel a need to go toe-to-toe?

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: I am here to put on a show but I am also going to follow the game plan that we put together to win the fight.

Is there a concern for the judges?

JOEL DIAZ: There is always a concern. This is boxing and at the end of the day what’s going to happen is what’s going to happen. Tim is a very elusive fighter and has great speed and great footwork and if it’s up to the judges we hope they do their job and Tim is going to prove he is one of the best fighters in the world when he beats Márquez.

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: Man, I am going to whoop his ass and the judges are going to give me the fight. Just like the U.S. government I am going to shut down Juan Manuel Márquez on October 12th. I am going to win the fight – that is the bottom line. I’m not concerned about any judges or any ref. I am going to get in there and do my job and beat Márquez. And that’s it. And the world’s going to see it.

BOB ARUM: I just hope that we are not going to have any kind of controversy with the judges. The fighters fight and the judges pick the winner of the fight and that’s all I can ask for.

You spoke about residual effects from the Provodnikov fight on 24/7. How long did it take once you got back in the gym to feel like yourself again?

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: I have always had positive vibes and positive energy. I knew and I told Joel Diaz that I would bounce back from it. It took me two months just to get back to normal. Going in the gym, I was out of shape, sparring, things were a little off but that was because I was out of shape. I told them ‘ once I get back into shape, don’t worry guys, everything will get better. My IQ, my speed, my defense will all come back.’ Three or four weeks ago, my trainers told me I was right. My sparring sessions got better, my defense got back, my speed was better and everything was falling into place and everything was back. I was actually doing the plan in the sparring session that Joel wanted to see and my team wanted to see and we are backing up the truck now. I am 110% going into this fight. I am not worried about getting punched or can I take a punch – I know I can take a punch and I know I’m ready to go.

Were you concerned about a lingering effect?

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: No, I never felt that way because you know what happens? A lot of fighters don’t know that there is a lot of help out there for these concussions. NFL players have that help. My friends in the NFL got me the right treatment and I saw doctors out of New York, Long Beach, that could aid and assist me with therapy work. Everything is back to normal now. I feel 100% and I never worried.

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: Most people that have lingering effects and get multiple concussions never get help – they don’t get treatment. I’ve been getting treatment for the last five months.

Joel, tell us what it was like when he came back into camp.

JOEL DIAZ: I noticed a little bit at the beginning because his equilibrium wasn’t there. With time he was getting better. He was focusing on losing weight. He had gained quite a bit of weight. So he was losing weight too fast. He had gained a lot of weight because he was inactive. As soon as he started getting back in shape everything started to fall in place. His balance and equilibrium started to come back. As a trainer I always take that into consideration – how is he going to come back because he did get hit pretty hard? Week after week he started getting better and he was reacting really good. And he told me that once he got back into shape he was going to be reacting really good. He’s been sparring with some tough sparring partners. He’s been getting hit real hard and been reacting really good. All reactions I have seen from him are normal and his reflexes are very sharp.

Bob, were you surprised these two [Bradley and Márquez] turned down a Pacquiao fight to fight each other? For less?

BOB ARUM: Money isn’t everything. These guys aren’t fighting on October 12 for peanuts. The purses they are getting are substantial and legacy is important for both Timothy and Juan Manuel Márquez. Timothy wants Márquez’s scalp on his belt, so to speak. And Márquez wants to be the first Méxican to win five world titles in five weight divisions. Both of them indicated to me that Pacquiao could wait.

Tim, why take this fight instead of more lucrative fight with Pacquiao?

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: One, going to China was a reason and, two, the money was not out-of-this-world. Márquez is 40 and on his way out and I wanted to get a shot at him. I tried three years ago to get a crack at him – to beat him – and I wanted to fight him before he left the game. This is my opportunity to do that. Coming off the Provodnikov fight, it was a hard fight, it was a great fight and it did do some adjusting to where I fit in boxing. I figured, let’s keep going towards the light and let’s face a new challenge in Márquez before he gets out, and beat him. Then maybe we can go back and revisit the dark side in Manny Pacquaio. I felt I wasn’t ready to do it again. After the Provodnikov fight I was in darkness, then I came to the light and I want to stay in the light. I want to shine and I can do that by having two guys on my resume who are by far the best fighters in the world, hall-of-famers, and if I could beat both of these guys I would be considered one of the best.

What is it about Márquez that sets him apart form the other great fighters you have faced?

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: Márquez has fought everybody. He has been in the ring with all the best fighters in the world. He never ducked anybody. He’s been in there with Mayweather. He fought Pacquiao four times. And there is nothing he has not seen. He is one of the best counter-punchers in the game. People struggle when they fight this guy. He either knocks them out or he wins a decision because he is a great counter-puncher. He’s that best name on my resume. I fought a lot of fighters, young and old, but they are not the caliber of Márquez.

How did you become a fan of Márquez?

JOEL DIAZ: Following his career, he has been a very exciting fighter. In boxing you like to see great fights and he has been part of the great fights. Me as a Méxican fighter we always look at the best fighters that México can produce – Julio César Chávez, Jose Luis Castillo, Erik Morales – and now we have Márquez, and I’m facing him. I have to give my fighter a strategy to beat him. And it’s an honor to create a strategy for someone that I have followed. I have a fighter that is hungry to gain that throne. It’s my job to prepare my fighter to beat him. To go in the ring with my fighter and to come out with a win I can go home and say I idolized him and now one of my fighters beat him.

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: I have always been a fan of Márquez. I always thought he was a great fighter and I still think he’s a great fighter. I want to fight the best to be the best in this sport. I don’t do this just to make money, of course the money is important for my family, but I do this to be the best. That’s what motivates me and drives me. People that tell me I can’t do it, I want to prove them wrong. I am one of the best fighters in the world and if I’m not No. 1 on your list, I will be. Floyd’s got a few more fights left so when I beat Márquez I will be right in there.

Are you surprised, as being the champion, that Márquez is favored to win the fight?

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: No, no , no. Everybody is looking at my last fight and everybody is looking at his last fight. Everyone remembers when he knocked out Pacquiao. And everyone remembers that war with Ruslan Provodnikov. A lot of people think I am going to be wild and go down and people have to see if I still have it or not. Of course they are going for the veteran, the guy that knocked out Pacquiao so of course they are going to bet on him to win. I don’t mind being the underdog. I like it. I like taking people’s money and I’ll take it again. People can doubt me and doubt me and that’s OK but soon they will get sick of losing their money.

Are you looking forward to the challenge of facing Nacho Beristáin in the other corner?

JOEL DIAZ: Definitely, I think that Nacho is one of the best trainers in the world. He has done so much for the sport, you could call him a legend. I am coming in with a great fighter in Timothy Bradley and he is coming in with a great fighter in Juan Manuel Márquez. We are matching wits and when Tim wins I will be very happy to have accomplished a wing against a great trainer.

Juan Manuel Márquez busted up the bags at media day, are you worried about his power?

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: I don’t give a damn what he did. I don’t give a damn if he busted a bag. I don’t give a damn if he trained on the moon. I don’t give a damn if he broke somebody’s jaw. That’s all irrelevant to me, man. He doesn’t know what we are doing over here. That doesn’t scare me at all.

You say Márquez will be the best fighter you ever faced. Would he still have been the best if he didn’t KO Pacquiao?

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: I just think that’s he’s a very intelligent fighter. It’s good to have that knockout on his resume plus the other fights with Pacquiao, and the Mayweather fight and I think he fought Morales. He fought everybody – all the best out there. So that would not have changed.

How was sparring with Matthysse?

Sparring with him really helped my confidence (coming back from Provodnikov) – we have worked together – it wasn’t electrifying in the ring. He had his moments and I had my moments. The biggest thing was it my first day back and his first day sparring after coming to the states. We did four rounds and he was a little winded so maybe he was jetlagged. I thought it was a great sparring session. I got to see his strengths and his weaknesses. He landed some good shots on me and I took his best shot. He hit me with a big left hook and I went halfway across the ring and I stopped and said ‘boy you’re strong.’

How confident are you in the testing?

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: Well, it is what it is. There is nothing I can do about that. I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t. If I don’t take this fight I don’t get paid and make money for my family. HBO, Top Rank and everybody would be pissed off if I pulled out of this fight. He’s doing the testing that Nevada is doing and that’s great. VADA is a qualified agency – they are more strict and their percentages are better also. I am a clean athlete so why not do the best testing out there. I said let’s do VADA and he didn’t want to do it. We’ve been getting randomly tested the last for weeks. They just show up – they call an hour early. He’s passed all the tests so all we can say is that he’s clean.

JOEL DIAZ: On October 12 you are going to see Bradley put on a great performance. He is going to put a beating on Márquez. I don’t think you are going to need judges. I think Márquez is going to come and put Tim to sleep like he did to Pacquiao and it’s not going to happen. Tim is a smarter fighter, more defensive and he’s going to complicate Márquez’s day. After the fifth or sixth round – Tim is going to take Márquez into the deep water and that’s when Tim is going to do his best – you don’t have to leave it up to the judges.

BOB ARUM: Between now and October 12, we have a great fight on Saturday in Orlando between Miguel Cotto against Delvin Rodriguez and a battle of undefeated lightweight contenders, Terrence Crawford against Andrey Klimov; and following that fight, episode two of 24/7 Bradley/Márquez – the first episode was terrific. Everyone is getting ready for the big showdown on October 12. At Wild Card Gym tomorrow you have your first opportunity to see Lomachenko, probably the best amateur in the history for this sport will be making his pro debut on the card. Bradley and Márquez are both training hard and it is going to be a fantastic card on October 12.

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: I want to give a shout out to HBO, to Top Rank to my manager Cameron Dunkin and a shout out to Márquez for taking this fight. I appreciate all of your support and to all the fans out there. I am so excited and I can’t wait for this fight. I can’t wait to get it on with this guy – one of the best fighters in the world.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Wynn Las Vegas, Márquez Boxing, and Tecate, Bradley vs. Márquez will take place Saturday, October 12 at the Thomas & Mack Center, on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

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