Lee Jimenez, InterAKTV /

Merlito Sabillo will make his first defense of the World Boxing Organization mini-flyweight title in grand style on July 6.

Sabillo, who was installed as the WBO’s 105-lb king on the strength of his huge interim title fight victory in Colombia last March, is being targeted to face Jorle Estrada, a Colombian.

The spanking new Solaire Resort and Casino is being eyed to host the world championship fight, according to ALA Boxing executive Dennis Canete.

The Solaire casino has been making heads turn the past couple of months and an appearance by Sabillo there could be a game changer.

Sabillo is one of three reigning Filipino world champions. The other two are Sabillo’s stablemate Donnie Nietes (WBO light-fly king) and Johnreil Casimero (IBF light-fly ruler).
The Philippines is aiming to make up for the losses suffered by main fighters Manny Pacquiao, Brian Viloria and Nonito Donaire the past few months.

After Sabillo’s defense in early-July, it will be the turn of another ALA puncher, Milan Melindo, who will challenge Viloria’s conqueror, Juan Francisco Estrada for the WBO and WBA fly crown on July 28 in Macau.

http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/world-champion-merlito-sabillo-looking-to-make-first-defense-of-wbo-belt-at-solaire

Por Aleudi Rosario Cotto / Prensa OMB -

Encabezado por los ex campeones mundiales puertorriqueños John John Molina, Samuel “El Torbellino” Serrano y Ángel “Cholo” Espada, la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) y su programa “Kids Drug Free” llevaron su mensaje contra las drogas y clínicas de boxeo a los niños y jóvenes de los Campamentos de Verano de del Municipio de Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

“Estamos aquí para traerles un mensaje positivo y que se mantengan dentro de la escuela, estudiando y además haciendo algún deporte. De parte de nuestro presidente Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel queremos decirle que el fin nuestro es seguir con el mensaje de niños, libres de drogas, como es nuestro lema”, indicó Manuel Marrero Hueca, Asesor Administrativo de la OMB. “Ustedes son el futuro de Puerto Rico”, agregó.

En la actividad, efectuada ante cientos de niños en el coliseo Tomás Dones de Fajardo, Molina, ex monarca superpluma, Serrano, ex campeón superpluma, y Espada, ex titular welter, se unieron al contendor César Seda Jr., la peleadora aficionada Mercedes Alicea y los ex medallistas internacionales Rafael “Fito” Ramos y Nelson Adams (ambos de Fajardo) y le hablaron a los niños sobre la importancia de estar enfocados en las cosas positivas de la vida.

“Hay que trabajar fuerte, no piensen que las cosas se logran sin trabajo. Nosotros fuimos campeones y tuvimos que entrenar fuerte para mantenernos. Le aconsejamos que se mantengan limpios de drogas y haciendo las cosas bien para que no caigan en cosas de las que se puedan arrepentir”, dijo Serrano, quien ha pasado por momentos difíciles en su vida.

Otro de los que le habló a los presentes fue Molina, uno de los más queridos campeones boricuas y quien es natural de Fajardo.

“Estamos bien contentos porque la OMB vino a traerle estos mensajes a los niños de nuestra área, en Fajardo. Éstas son actividades que siempre necesitamos para que los niños tengan cosas distintas y puedan, a la vez, aprender”, manifestó Molina.

Los boxeadores, junto a los entrenadores Juan “Golo” Gómez Trinidad y Anthony Otero le mostraron a los niños y niñas algunas técnicas, poniéndolo en práctica con varios voluntarios, que hicieron guanteletas y aprendieron los distintos golpes que se lanzan en el pugilismo.

Además de los peleadores, estuvo presente el árbitro José H. Rivera, la jueza y árbitro de boxeo aficionado Nishia Ramos, el ex manejador y entrenador William Santana, y por la OMB, Marrero Hueca.

FOTOS: JOEL COLÓN – OMB

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

Por Ricardo Jiménez, Prensa Top Rank Inc. -

El campeón mundial welter de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), el invicto estadounidense Timothy Bradley, y el cuatro veces campeón del mundo mexicano Juan Manuel Márquez, iniciaran un gira de dos ciudades (Los Ángeles y Ciudad de México) este jueves 20 de junio para anunciar su duelo de campeonato mundial que se realizara en el Thomas & Mack Center de Las Vegas el 12 de octubre y que será televisado vivo por HBO a través del sistema de pago por evento y el viernes estarán en la ciudad de México.

Junto con Bradley y Márquez estarán el legendario promotor Bob Arum, de Top Rank, y el presidente de Promociones Zanfer, Fernando Beltrán. La conferencia de prensa será en el Crystal Ballroom del Beverly Hills Hotel (9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, California. 90210) a las 11:30 a.m. (hora del pacifico).

Bradley (30-0, 12 KOs), de Palm Springs, California expondrá su corona welter de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) ante Márquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs), de la Ciudad de México, quien ha ganado campeonatos mundiales en cuatro divisiones diferentes y buscara convertirse en el primer mexicano and conquistar cinco campeones mundiales en igual número de divisiones.

La función es una promoción de Top Rank, Promociones Zanfer , Wynn Las Vegas y Cerveza Tecate y será televisada por HBO Pago Por Evento comenzando a las 6 de la tarde (hora del Pacífico).

BOLETOS A LA VENTA

Los boletos para esta gran función saldrán a la venta este viernes 21 de junio. Los Boletos tiene un precio de $800, $600, $400, $300, $200 , $100 y $50 y pueden ser adquiridos en las taquillas del Thomas & Mack Center pot Internet visitando la pagina   UNLVtickets.com , y en UNLVtickets Outlet Town Square Las Vegas Concierge, y teléfono llamando al 702-739-3267  GRATIS.

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/Bradley_y_M_rquez_inician_gira_el_20_6.php

WBO Junior Middleweight Champ Zaurbek Baysangurov got injured during his training camp at the Summit Gym (Big Bear, California) and will not be able to defend his title on July 06th in Kyiv.

“I am very disappointed.  My back betrayed me again. Formerly I had to reschedule the fight with Konecny for the same reason. Though I have never been training this hard and I’m in the best shape ever but the pain does not allow me to go on training and I have to submit the cancelation. But I promise to all of the fans that I will be back very soon!!!” – said Baysangurov.

“It is a very bad and unexpected news for us. This show was intended to become a real sensation. We won the purse bids with the considerable amount, prepared the “cool” undercard, plenty of tickets were purchased, the TV rights were sold to 30 countries. But we have to cancel the show and I feel sad about that. It happens in boxing sometimes. I hope Zaur will recover soon and will be able to return to the ring already this year” – said Alexander Krassyuk, Baysangurov’s promoter (K2 Promotions Ukraine).

http://www.boxingscene.com/baysangurov-injures-his-back-andrade-fight-off–66746

FAJARDO, PUERTO RICO- World Boxing Organization (WBO) successful program “Kids Drug Free” went today to the Tomas Dones Coliseum in Fajardo, Puerto Rico to along with former world champions John John Molina, Samuel Serranos and Angel “Cholo” Espada brought boxing clinics and positive words to the kids of the Fajardo’s Summer Camp.

Molina, a former 130lb world champions, Serrano, a former 130lb world champion and Espada, a 147lb world champion lead the activity together with world ranked bantamweight Cesar Seda Jr., amateur female boxer Mercedes Alicea, former contender and trainer Juan “Golo” Gomez Trinidad and former Puerto Rican amateur medalists Rafael “Fito” Ramos and Nelson Adams.

“We are here, first to give our message of No Drugs to all of the kids and to give you sports and boxing tips and the knowledge of our champions, but the most important thing is to keep in the school, studying and practice any sport. In the name of our president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, we want to say to you that you are the future of Puerto Rico, just work hard and you can achieve your goals”, WBO Administrative Advisor Manuel Marrero Hueca said.

The boxers and trainers showed the students some techniques, how to box and the different kind of shots in boxing.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2013/06/wbo-kids-drug-free-clinics-with-former-world-champions-in-fajardo-puerto-rico/

Title:  WBO Jr. Middleweight Championship

Location:  Kiev, Ukraine

Promoter: K2 Ukraine

WBO Jr. Middleweight Championship Bout was cancelled.  Champ Zaurbek Baysangurov got injured in training and will not defend on July 6, 2013.  As agreed on purse bid, If any fighter is injured, he’ll be replaced with first available contender and injured fighter will be kept as #1 on the rankings. If the Champion is injured, he will be #1. The winner must face mandatory challenger within 180 days from the date of the bout If this happens, promoters must renegotiate contract.

Por Aleudi Rosario Cotto / Prensa OMB -

Ponce, Puerto Rico.- Como parte de su programa “Kids Drug Free”, la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), junto a un grupo de peleadores puertorriqueños llevaron un mensaje motivacional y clínicas de boxeo a los niños del Campamento de Verano del Municipio de Ponce.El Campamento, que cuenta con la dirección del ex miembro de la Selección Nacional de Baloncesto y de los Leones de Ponce, Javier Antonio “Toñito” Colón, así como el ex campeón peso mínimo de la OMB, Álex “El Nene” Sánchez, alberga niños y niñas del área de Ponce, a los que se les brinda distintos deportes en el Complejo Deportivo Charles H. Terry de La Perla del Sur.

“ Estamos agradecidos de que la OMB haya venido a traerle mensajes positivos a los niños de este Campamento. Es un gran gesto, ya que al venir atletas reconocidos se les puede llevar un buen mensaje a estos niños”, dijo Colón, quien representó a la Isla en innumerables competencias internacionales de baloncesto.

En la actividad de la OMB, dijeron presente además de Colón y Sánchez, el ex monarca mundial junior ligero Alfredo “Salsero” Escalera, la medallista de oro de los Juegos Panamericanos de 2011 Kiria Tapia, el contendor mundial César Seda Jr., el ex olímpico Víctor Bisbal, los también boxeadores Eliezer Castillo y José Torres, así como los ex peleadores Ángel Vargas, Steven García y Gilberto Ortiz.

“ Yo sé que ustedes van a ser el futuro del país”, dijo Tapia, quien combatió en los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres 2012, mientras interactuaba con los niños. “Lo más importante es mantener la disciplina, quedarse practicando algún deporte, estudiando y sobre todo fuera de las drogas. Querer es poder, nada es imposible. Todo se puede hacer realidad”.

Por su parte, Seda Jr., quien está clasificado en los primeros lugares del peso gallo de la OMB, manifestó que “hay que trabajar duro en todo. Recuerden, nada en la vida es fácil, pero tampoco imposible”.

Los boxeadores le enseñaron a los atentos niños y niñas algunas técnicas y los primeros pasos del boxeo, trabajando El Nene Sánchez junto a Kiria Tapia, y también Seda Jr. y Bisbal.

“ Hay que hacer deporte y estudiar, pero lo más importante es que se conviertan en gente de bien”, sostuvo por su parte Bisbal, quien peleó en las Olimpiadas de 2004.

Además de los púgiles, estuvieron presentes los jueces César Ramos, Carlos Colón y Luis Gómez, el árbitro José H. Rivera, la jueza y árbitro de boxeo aficionado Nishia Ramos, y de la OMB Adolfo Flores Monge y Manuel Marrero Hueca.

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

WBO Featherweight Championship Title

Location:  American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

Promoter:  Top Rank/ Bob Arum

Referee:  Rafael Ramos

Judges:    Levi Martinez, Javier Alvarez, Oren Shellenberger

Supervisor:  Rafael López Santos

Result:   Mikey Garcia win the fight against Juan Manuel Lopez by TKO in round four.   Garcia loses title on the scales.  Featherweight Title is vacant.

By Ronnie Nathanielsz -

Former WBO, Ring Magazine and WBC Diamond super bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire knew all along that his friend Mikey Garcia would be “too good and had too much power” for former two division champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez and the possibility of a fight with Lopez for the vacant title if he had won was far-fetched, even though Lopez had announced he wanted to fight Donaire after Garcia.

Donaire told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that Garcia is likely to move up in weight because he has had a hard time in making the 126 pound limit but after his 4th round demolition of Lopez, Garcia appeared to have a change of heart.

The younger brother of 2012 “Trainer of the Year” Robert Garcia, who also trains Donaire, had lost his title on the scales when he came in two pounds over the featherweight limit and had to pay a penalty of $150,000 to Lopez who had originally demanded $200,000.

Garcia who reportedly entered the ring at 142 pounds compared to Lopez’ 137.5 said he had failed to make the 126 pound limit because he had missed several days of training and was undecided on whether to stay at 126 or to move up to 130.

Donaire told us a possible fight with Juanma “is out” and that if he has “to go up in weight, I go up but I hope I can get a rematch with Guillermo Rigondeaux” who scored a stunning twelve round decision over Donaire at the Radio City Music Hall in New York last April 13. “it would be better.”

Donaire said he has been training but “nothing hard, just building the body.” He said his shoulder “is coming along well” following surgery after the Rigondeaux fight to remove a bone spur and to mend two torn ligaments.

The undefeated Garcia dropped Lopez with a right straight in round two and sent Lopez crashing to the canvas with a big left hook in round four and referee Raphael Ramos called a halt at 1:35 of the round before a crowd over 5,600 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

http://www.boxingscene.com/donaire-admits-juanma-out-targets-rigondeaux–66693

ALCANZO EL TITULO LIGERO OMB

Por Roberto Agustin Pettacci -

Las Flores (Buenos Aires).- La porteña María Elena Maderna alcanzó el título ligero de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), al vencer por puntos en 10 rounds -en fallo mayoritario- a la colombiana Enis Pacheco, pelea disputada en la ciudad de Las Flores, en el centro de la provincia de Buenos Aires.

La velada se desarrolló en el Centro de Educación Física número 6 Oreste Propato, con producción de Argentina Boxing Promotions de Mario Margossian.

El jurado compuesto por jueces de argentinos falló a favor de Maderna con los siguientes guarismos: Héctor Miguel y Carlos Asinaro vieron ganar a Maderna por 98-90 y 97-91, respectivamente, mientras que Juan Carlos Palmieri dio empate en 94.

El árbitro porteño Gustavo Tomas le descontó dos puntos a Pacheco en el noveno round por reiteradas faltas.

El triunfo de Maderna (60,400 kilos) fue justo y legítimo en una pelea de bajo nivel técnico, donde abundaron los amarres y hasta incorrecciones, especialmente por parte de Pacheco (61,200), que se mostró impotente para conectar golpes claros a partir del tercer round, dado que hasta esa instancia había sacado una considerable ventaja a su favor.

Pero Maderna se fue afianzando y aprovechando su mayor altura (1,71 metros) -10 centímentros más que su rival-, aplicó golpes certeros que sumaron a su favor en forma clara, aunque la tarjeta del juez Palmieri nada tuvo que ver con lo ocurrido en el ring.

Maderna (10-8-3), porteña radicada en Las Flores, de 37 años de edad, llegó a este compromiso como campeona argentina y sudamericana de la división ligero.

Pacheco (10-2-2/ 7 ko) resignó la corona en la tercera defensa del reinado que ostentaba desde marzo de 2012, luego de dos controversiales decisiones -victoria y empate- ante la también porteña Ana Esteche, en Barranquilla, que le permitieron retener el cinturón.

http://www.sportenote.com/news.asp?da=25&id=6367

Terence Crawford def. Alejandro Sanabria by KO round 6 0:17

By Fraser Coffeen -

This was set up as a showcase fight for Terence Crawford, and he delivered. The undefeated fighter was heavily praised heading into the fight – perhaps unduly so. But outside of a slightly shaky first two rounds, Crawford was indeed impressive here. He started the fight slowly, allowing Sanabria to connect some solid punches in round 2. From round 3 forward though, it was pretty much all Crawford, who showed he was willing to take a punch but was able to land his own, and better.

At the start of round 6, Crawford came out and landed a perfect lead left hook, knocking Sanabria down mere seconds into the round. Sanabria struggled to regain his feet, but when he was still woozy, the fight was waved off in a good call from the referee.

Nice performance from Crawford here – maybe not “best Lightweight in the world” as HBO commentator Max Kellerman called him at one point, but definitely another showing that makes him a fighter to watch. Check out gifs of the KO below, courtesy of Zombie Prophet.

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/6/15/4434558/garcia-vs-lopez-results-gifs-ko-fight-video-terence-crawford-alejandro-sanabria-hbo-boxing

Photo:  Joel Colon/PBBP -

Mikey Garcia stopped Juan Manuel Lopez in the fourth round on Saturday, leaving the WBO featherweight title vacant after Garcia failed to make weight.

Garcia (32-0) weighed in at 128 pounds (58 kg) on Friday, two pounds over the featherweight limit.

Lopez weighed in at 125.5 pounds (57 kg). Even though he tried to shed a couple pounds before the weigh-in, Garcia knew it was likely he was going to have to forfeit his title.

“The disappointment was there because I lost my title,” Garcia said.

“I was crying a little bit because I knew I wasn’t the champion. But everybody got a chance to see I’m a good fighter. This was a satisfying victory.”

Garcia put Lopez on the ground with a strong left-handed blow 1:34 into the fourth round for his 27th career knockout.

Lopez (33-3) would have regained the title with a win.

Garcia won the title from Orlando Salido on a unanimous decision in New York on January 19.

The title reign, however, was short-lived after Garcia didn’t make weight.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1778861/Garcia-stops-Lopez-in-fourth-round

DALLAS (AP) Mikey Garcia quickly got over the disappointment of losing his crown.

Garcia stopped Juan Manuel Lopez in the fourth round Saturday night, leaving the WBO featherweight title vacant after Garcia failed to make weight.

Garcia (32-0) weighed in at 128 pounds Friday, two over the featherweight limit. Lopez weighed in at 125 1/2. Even though he tried to shed a couple pounds before the weigh-in, Garcia knew it was likely he was going to have to forfeit his title.

“The disappointment was there because I lost my title,” Garcia said. “I was crying a little bit because I knew I wasn’t the champion. But everybody got a chance to see I’m a good fighter. This was a satisfying victory.”

Garcia put Lopez on the ground with a strong left-handed blow 1:34 into the fourth round for his 27th career knockout. The 25-year-old Californian connected on 53 punches – 40 of them jabs. Lopez connected on only 23 of 153 attempted punches.

Lopez (33-3) would have regained the title with a win.

“It’s not that I wanted to make a statement,” Garcia said. “We just had a really good night.”

Garcia won the title from Orlando Salido in a unanimous decision in New York on Jan. 19. The title reign, however, was short-lived after Garcia didn’t make weight.

The only two losses of Lopez’s career were to Salido. The first one cost him the WBO belt, and the second led to a one-year suspension by Puerto Rican boxing officials when he accused the referee who stopped the fight of betting on the match.

Lopez had won twice since his one-year ban ended, beating Aldimar Silva Santos in February and knocking out Eugenio Lopez in an undercard bout in Mexico City in April.

Garcia’s plan was to attack early with the jab and step back from Lopez before attacking. With a majority of fans chanting his first name early, Garcia came out and landed a series of jabs in the first round.

In the second round, Garcia knocked Lopez down with a right cross. Lopez quickly rose to his feet and completed the round. Garcia finished off the 29-year-old Lopez two rounds later.

“I was able to land my jab and stand pretty comfortable,” Garcia said. “When I knocked him down, that gave me confidence that I could put him out early.”

Lopez appeared wobbly early in the fourth after Garcia landed a combination of punches. Garcia finished him off with a powerful left hook. Lopez slowly got up and referee Rafael Ramos quickly called the match.

“We executed perfectly” said Garcia’s older brother and co-trainer, Robert Garcia.

On the undercard, Terence Crawford (21-0) won the vacant NABO lightweight title, stopping Alejandro Sanabria (34-2-1) in the sixth round. Crawford dropped Sanabria with a left hook 17 seconds into the round.

Sanabria got up, but the referee called the fight to give Crawford his 16th knockout victory.

by Cliff Rold -

One day after losing his WBO Featherweight belt on the scales after missing weight by two pounds, 25-year old Mikey Garcia (32-0, 27 KO) of Oxnard, California, laid four rounds of beating on 29-year old former 122 and 126 lb. titlist Juan Manuel Lopez (33-3, 30 KO) of Caguas, Puerto Rico, for what turned out to be an easy win on Saturday night at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.  The referee was Rafael Ramos.

The drama of the fight came before the opening bell at Friday’s weigh-in.  Lopez, who had moved to 130 lbs. before agreeing to drop back down for this title opportunity, made weight at 125 ¼ while Garcia came in at 128.  A cash settlement reported in the six figures allowed the fight to go on with the title on the line only for Lopez.

The title remains vacant.

The first was largely a feeling out round, Garcia’s best work coming off his stiff left jab.  Lopez, a southpaw, landed a couple of straight lefts to lay out his intentions.  A minute into the second, Lopez was tagged with a hard left hook and then right hand, his legs saying he’d felt the punches.  After taking a jab down the middle, Lopez mugged at Garcia but had no leather to show for it.  With just less than a minute left in the first, a right hand put Lopez down on the seat of his trunks.

Lopez rose quickly and nodded he could go on, finishing the round as Garcia chose not to press the action down the stretch.  A mouse was beginning to form under the left eye of Lopez.

Waiting on Lopez to come forward, Garcia tagged him with a nearly flush left hook in the first minute of the third, the two men quickly falling into a short clinch.  Lopez was blasted back with a right hand at mid-ring halfway through the round but kept his feet.

It didn’t work out that way in round four.  A right hand rocked him early in the round, an early warning that the end was near.  Under fire after a right caught him coming in, Lopez didn’t take the next big right from Garcia but was wide open for a left hook.  The shot smashed into his face and sent him flat backwards, legs straights and arms flat out as if crucified.

Showing, once again, the heart beneath his technical flaws, Lopez beat the count but was in no shape to go on.  Ramos stopped the fight 1:35 of round four.

Asked in the post-fight interview about the loss of his title on the scales, Garcia was blunt.  “It definitely does suck.”  Garcia explained he’d done what he could to make weight, and had been sick shortly before the fight that impacted his weight plans.  “I think I can still fight at the Featherweight limit.”

Whether that turns out to be the case or not, Garcia also stated a move to 130 lbs. is an option and may be the more realistic option going forward.  The class of the division, Argenis Mendez and Takashi Uchiyama, would both be solid challenges for Garcia if the fights could be made.

For Lopez, the harsh reality of the fight game should be setting in.  He looked slow, sluggish, and defenseless for most of the night.  After multiple wars, punctuated by two stoppage losses to Orlando Salido, Lopez looks spent.  His career may continue, but it doesn’t look like that is anything to cheer about.

The televised opener put a Lightweight on display who may well be worth cheering about for a while to come.

25-year old Terence Crawford (21-0, 16 KO), 134 ½, of Omaha, Nebraska, took a couple rounds to warm up before solving, and finishing, Alejandro Sanabria (34-2-1, 25 KO), 134 ½, of Mexico City, Mexico, with a single left hook in round six.

After a workmanlike first two rounds, Crawford opened up in round three and rocked Sanabria with a right hand and follow-up volley.  Sanabria absorbed the blows and fired back, keeping Crawford honest.  Sanabria closed the round landing a muffled right hand as Crawford came forward with a right of his own.

Crawford, mixing up his attack to the head and body while successfully defending against the incoming, buzzed Sanabria again in both rounds four and five.  In round six, he lowered the boom on an exhausted Sanabria.  Leaving the corner at the bell, Crawford quickly detonated a lead left hook to flush to the jaw and Sanabria went towards the deck in an awkward somersault.  Sanabria beat the count but was shaky and referee Cole opted to halt the action at :17 of round six.

Crawford entered the fight rated #15 by the WBA and will hope to begin to inch towards legitimate title contention.

The contest was televised in the U.S. on HBO as part of its “Boxing After Dark” series, promoted by Top Rank.

http://www.boxingscene.com/garcia-defends-0-if-not-title-blasts-shot-juanma–66675

La boxeadora colombiana Enis Pacheco expone esta noche, por tercera vez, su título mundial ligero de la OMB, en pleito que la enfrenta en territorio argentino a la boxeadora gaucha, María Elena Maderna.

Este combate, a diez asaltos, será el estelar de la cartelera que se presenta en el Centro de Educación Física N° 6 de Las Flores, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina, y que podrá ser seguido en directo por televisión en Colombia, a través de Win Sports, a partir de las diez de la noche.

El árbitro de esta pelea titular será el argentino Gustavo Tomás, y los jueces serán sus compatriotas Héctor Miguel, Juan C. Palmieri y Carlos Azzinnaro, con la supervisión del también gaucho Jorge Molina, lo cual no dejó satisfecho al contingente colombiano.

Enis Pacheco, con récord de 10-1-2, 7 KOs, y de 25 años de edad, conquistó el fajín en 2011 ante la serbia-brasileña Duda Yankovic, y el año pasado lo defendió en dos ocasiones ante la argentina Ana Laura Esteche (triunfo y empate), siendo su última pelea (por fuera del título) ante la también colombiana Lely Luz Flórez, en combate que resultó empatado en abril pasado. Todas esas peleas fueron realizadas en Barranquilla, por lo que hoy la pugilista cordobesa encara un escenario diferente donde seguramente le harán sentir su condición de visitante.

La argentina María Elena Maderna, de 37 años, y con récord de 9 victorias, 8 derrotas y 3 empates, le lleva 11 centímetros de estatura a la colombiana. Es campeona argentina y suramericana del peso ligero, y su último combate lo realizó el 5 de octubre del año pasado perdiendo por decisión en 10 asaltos ante la también argentina Claudia López, en disputa del título superpluma de la FIB.

Enis llegó a la Argentina el pasado lunes junto a su entrenador Miguel Olivares y su manejador Juan C. Devia, el miércoles asistió a la conferencia de prensa y ayer cumplió el pesaje, pese a contratiempos por imprecisión en la báscula que luego fue corregida.

“Hice un trabajo fuerte a diario y creo que con esta preparación espero salir airosa”, manifestó acerca de su entrenamiento la campeona.

Añadió que pese a enfrentar a una boxeadora veterana y de discreto récord como Maderna, “no estoy confiada porque todas las boxeadoras se preparan bien”.

“Ella es una boxeadora alta con muchas peleas en su récord y es experimentada”, precisó la pugilista cordobesa.

Remarcó que “no desconozco que toda las peleas que he realizado han sido ante boxeadoras más altas y esta no es la excepción. Por lo tanto, se adelantó un plan de trabajo pensando en ella (Maderna)”.

Enis Pacheco reiteró que “me siento satisfecha con mi preparación aunque algo prevenida porque expondré mi cinturón, pero a la vez, tranquila porque voy a mantenerme, y será ella quien tenga que venir a buscar mi fajín”.

Agregó que “estoy concentrada, porque esta es una pelea seria en la cual no debo dar el espacio para salir derrotada. M anterior pelea ante Lely Luz Flórez fue de administración pero en esta voy con todo porque mi cinturón está en juego”.

“No me voy a mostrar y a venir derrotada, quien me quite el cinturón tiene que guerrear en el combate”, concretó la monarca ligero de la OMB.

http://www.elheraldo.co/deportes/enis-pacheco-expone-su-titulo-mundial-en-argentina-113845

By Jeff Zimmerman
Photo: Joel Colon/PR Best

Undefeated WBO Featherweight Champion Mikey Garcia and former 2X world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez along with Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum and former Heavyweight Champion George Foreman took center stage at the final presser for this Saturday’s mega fight at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas and also shown live on HBO.

The usual cheery Juanma, though, wanted to set the record straight about his career and the caliber of talent he has faced compared to Mikey. He believes everyone is so focused on his losses to Salido and how Mikey demolished Salido that he therefore has no shot in this fight. He made it very clear that this is not his first rodeo.

“If you go by Salido, Mikey should beat me by knockout. I knocked out Concepcion in 2 rounds and he beat him in 8 rounds. Salido was a great fight [against Mikey], but Salido was on his way out.”

All this Salido talk has really started to bother Juanma.

“Yea it bothers me because they don’t look at my whole work and I have been a 2x world champion. I have beaten some guys; he went 12 rounds with Lontchi and I knocked him out. There are other guys in there that you should be looking up besides that one fight.” Juanma also believes he has had the superior career to date.

“I believe that, I believe that I have fought better opponents. I have been a world champion longer and fought a lot of tough fights as a champion, so I do believe that I have faced tougher guys than he has.”

Juanma added, “My world championship fight will be #12 on Saturday, this is only going to be his 2nd fight as world champion.”

Juanma is aware of Mikey’s versatility as a boxer and puncher.

“You know, he’s a boxer but he’s also a puncher if he needs to be, he’ll trade with you. I am not afraid of trading with him. I know that will happen during the fight – he will trade with me sooner or later. It’s the question of making my fight, making him adjust to my fight.” Juanma, though, has no doubt he is bringing the title back to Puerto Rico.

“Mikey wants to keep the title and I want to get something that was once mine.” “One time I saw Mikey in New York and told him don’t worry, you will have an opportunity and become world champion. I hope he is in great condition and willing to die in the ring, because come Saturday it will be the toughest fight of his career. I come to take the title back to Puerto Rico Saturday night.”

Mikey displayed his usual classy self and respect for his opponent but with the utmost confidence in his ability.

“I know my opponent is a tough guy. He is experienced and has been a champion twice. I don’t take him lightly. When you are champion there are no easy fights,” stated Mikey. Mikey responded to Juanma’s frustration with the Salido comparison and Juanma’s comment about Concepcion.

“That’s the truth. It’s the truth, he did take Concepcion out in round 2, but he was also almost knocked out in the 1st round by Concepcion and I didn’t even get touched by Concepcion. So you can’t really compare the fighters, it’s not really a fair comparison, really.”

“The fans and media keep pushing something like that, the Salido fight or whatever, but it’s not fair, because you catch them at different times in their career. I can actually have a better Juanma this time around then when he fought Salido, until Saturday night we’ll find out.”

Was Salido a finished fighter when you fought him?

“I don’t think so. I just made it my fight, if I stand toe to toe with Salido and I make it an interesting fight and it’s a close fight and give him opportunities. If I stay on the outside and box my way around him, it’s easy for me.” Mikey is confident.

“I think I am a better fighter overall, just a better fighter, whether it’s punching power or boxing ability, speed, whatever. I think I’m the better fighter and that’s why I will win.” “This is another opportunity to show everybody that I truly am the best featherweight in the world.”

Arum sees a slugfest in the making and puts in historic fashion, comparing it to the to the classic Salvador Sanchez vs Wilfredo Gomez. “Absolutely it will [be a classic] and somebodies winning by a knockout. I would not be surprised if both of them go down.”

Arum also compared his former Heavyweight Champion to these Featherweights.

“There wasn’t a bigger puncher than George Foreman, but these featherweights pack a good punch as well.”

Arum continued, “Everyone is really excited about the main event. You have a former champion from Puerto Rico, who has a record of sensationally knocking guys cold. Guys couldn’t get out of first round with him and then they went on fighting other people and won a world championship.”

“A Mexican American kid from Oxnard, California coming from a family steeped in boxing, his father was a trainer, his brother a trainer and former champion so a family that has lived and breathed boxing and whose has had a sterling record as a professional.”

Arum added, “This match is very, very exciting, when you put a great Puerto Rican fighter vs a great Mexican, Mexican American fighter, there is no other rivalry that stirs the blood like that rivalry does.”

Co-promoter of Juanma, Peter Rivera of PR Best Boxing echoed Arum’s feeling when Mexicans and Puerto Ricans square off. “Mexicans and Puerto Ricans make great fights, one of the most tremendous fights you can see in boxing. We are confident Juan Manuel will be champion again…we have no doubt about that.”

WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel also weighed in on the matchup.

“It’s a pleasure to be here with my favorite champ [George Foreman]. We have 2 big weapons fighting each other in this fight. You will see a great fight on Saturday.”

George Foreman, along with his sons is co-promoting with Bob Arum and Top Rank and is glad to a part of it.

“I’m happy to be here, especially in Dallas. We call it the big city next to Houston”, stated Big George. “You won’t have to go out of the country to see a great fight. Once the bell rings there is no champion so sit back and get ready for a good show.”

Big George can’t wait for fight night.

“Each fight, all fights are as equally exciting to me. That’s the advantage I have over most people, they are looking for a big fight, and I’m just looking for any fight. I love fighters and I love action and this I am looking forward to.”

Big George does give Juanma a puncher’s chance but loves Mikey’s left hook.

“When the bell rings, the title is vacant. There aren’t any champions, that title is vacant. You have no winners until the first punch is thrown, anybody can walk out of there with the crown.

“I’m looking for this Mikey Garcia. I call him the best left hooker to never come out of Philadelphia.”

* * *

Arum is very high on the co-main event as well that puts Alejandro Sanabria (33-2, 30KO’s) against Terrence Crawford (20-0, 15KO’s) for the NABO Lightweight Championship.

“This is a very good competitive match, the kind of match that is extremely fan friendly. People will be on the edge of their seats watching,” stated Arum.

Sanabria was happy to introduce himself to America.

“I come here with a desire to prove to the American public my talent and going out there Saturday night. This is a great opportunity in my career. I know I have trained very hard.”

Arum tells the story how they discovered Crawford after fighting on several of Top Rank’s undercards and then suddenly becomes a last minute replacement to fight Breidis Prescott and beats him handily.

“This is a true story of how boxing works, it’s not a Cinderella story, it’s a story,” stated Arum. “This is how Lou Gehrig replaced Wally Pip. He got the opportunity. For those of you that don’t remember, Wally Pipp was the 1st baseman for the Yankees and Lou Gehrig was a rookie and Pip got injured and Gehrig came in and replaced him and never relinquished the 1st base position until he had set all kinds of records for consecutive games played.”

“So Terrence stepped in, he was the Lou Gehrig of boxing of our time and here he is performing on the big stage as a HBO fighter in what should be a tremendous fight.”

The Gehrig / Pipp comparison was probably lost on the 25 year old Crawford, but he was definitely glad to be there.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank god for blessing me with the opportunity to be here and HBO / Top Rank for having me again. I trained really hard for this fight, I never overlook an opponent and I am just ready to go out on Saturday to display my talent once again and to show everybody that I was no “one hit wonder.”

Both Big George and Bob Arum are expecting the beginning of great things together in Big D starting with Juanma vs Mikey, but understand it doesn’t happen overnight. “Yea, it’s a process. We have done it all over Texas. I don’t why we can’t do it here in Dallas,” Arum said.

Added Big George, “You are just going to have to see when they walk up, but it’s a hard thing when you say HBO, everybody thinks you are supposed to stay at home and watch it on TV, but I want to show them it’s more exciting going out to a live match then you would ever get on television.”

Below photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/juanma-sets-the-record-straight-for-saturdays-showdown-with-mikey-206848

By Miguel Rivera -

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

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

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

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

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

Photos: Team SES/U. Koch

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

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

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

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

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

Va por su sueño, su consagración. Y esta vez, ante su gente. La campeona argentina y sudamericana ligero, la ex retadora mundialista porteña María Elena “Tily” Maderna, tendrá la gran oportunidad de su vida cuando se enfrente a la colombiana Enis “Huracán” Pacheco, a quien intentará destronar de su título mundial ligero de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), en el combate estelar de la velada que se desarrollará este viernes, 14 de junio, en el Centro de Educación Física Nº 6 “Oreste Propato”, sito en Gral. Paz esq. Moreno , Las Flores, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina, en una nueva producción de Argentina Boxing Promotions, de Mario Margossian, que será transmitida en vivo a través de la TV Pública a partir de las 22:30, para Argentina y al mundo por www.tvpublica.com.ar/vivo.

En lo que cataloga como la mejor preparación de su carrera, la porteña Maderna (9-8-3), pero radicada en Las Flores, buscará su primera corona ecuménica en la categoría que mejor le sienta, luego de exigir por diez asaltos a la chubutense Claudia López, en disputa del título mundial superpluma de la Federación Internacional de Boxeo (FIB) el pasado 5 de octubre. Ahora, con el apoyo de su gente, procurará hacer uso de sus 11 centímetros de diferencia ante una potente Pacheco(10-1-2, 7 KOs), que buscará la tercera defensa del reinado que ostenta desde marzo de 2012 luego de dos controversiales decisiones -victoria y empate- ante la porteña Ana Esteche en Barranquilla, Colombia, que le permitieron retener su cinturón.

“Estoy muy contenta y motivada por pelear por un título mundial y encima en casa, ante toda mi gente”, manifestó la retadora. “Llego en el mejor estado de mi carrera. Nunca me preparé de la forma en que lo hice ahora, con tanta seriedad en cuanto a tiempo y entrenamiento. Voy por el título en mi categoría y pienso dar todo para que el cinturón se quede en Las Flores”, agregó.

“Estoy muy tranquila. A pesar de ella es más alta que yo, no me atemoriza. Estoy acostumbrada a grandes retos y fuera de mi país lo voy a demostrar”, señaló una segura campeona, horas después de arribar al aeropuerto internacional de Ezeiza, para luego dirigirse a la ciudad sede del combate. “Vengo en gran condición y lista para dar un buen espectáculo, pero volverme con el cinto a casa”, indicó quien hará su segunda presentación en Argentina.

Maderna irá por su gran oportunidad, esta vez en casa. Conocida por dejar el corazón en cada pelea, su espigada talla (1,71 m.) y la profundidad de sus envíos, la nacida en la ciudad de Buenos Aires hace 37 años pero adoptada por Las Flores, ha enfrentado a oponentes del renombre de la uruguaya Chris Namús, la estadounidense Nicole Woods, la rafaelina Soledad Matthysse y la bonaerense Érica Farías -campeona mundial ligero del Consejo Mundial de Boxeo (WBC)-, cumpliendo con creces y jamás siendo noqueada. El 14 de mayo de 2011 conquistó el cetro argentino ligero al vencer en forma unánime a la chaqueña Pamela Benavidez en Las Flores, para luego el 18 de mayo añadir el cinturón sudamericano al doblegar por puntos a la paraguaya Antonina Ayala Vázquez, en Las Flores, en su quinto triunfo consecutivo. Pero el pasado 5 de octubre, cayó ante la chubutense Claudia López, tras exigirla por diez asaltos y tenerla en el suelo en el cuarto, pero no le alcanzó para alzarse con el título mundial superpluma FIB en Tapiales, Buenos Aires. Ahora, con el apoyo de su público y en la categoría que mejor le sienta, irá por lo que tanto sueña: su primera corona ecuménica.

Pero no le será sencillo. Luego de disputar sin éxito el cetro superligero OMB, al caer en fallo unánime ante la bonaerense Fernanda “La Camionera” Alegre, el 30 de septiembre de 2011 en Caseros, Pacheco decidió descender a los 61,230 kg. En su siguiente presentación, el 16 de marzo de 2012, se coronó al derrotar en una ajustada decisión unánime a la serbia nacionalizada brasileña Duda Yankovich, en Barranquilla, escenario que sería fundamental para sus dos defensas. El pasado 15 de junio se llevó un controversial fallo mayoritario sobre la porteña Ana Esteche que le permitió retener su corona. Luego de que la OMB convalidara la revancha directa, el 20 de octubre igualó en una cuanto menos polémica decisión dividida ante Esteche, en su segunda defensa. Sin embargo, no teme de ir de visitante. Y tras empatar en un choque no titular a ocho asaltos frente a su compatriota Lely Luz Flórez el 19 de abril en Barranquilla, la nacida en Puerto Escondido hace 25 años está lista para dar todo lo que se espera de ella, revalidar su reinado y regresar a su tierra con su cinturón.

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/Maderna-Pacheco_viernes_en_Las_Flores.php

By Miguel Rivera

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

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

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