Ambunda retains title … As Force goes for the kill

WINDHOEK – There seems to be no stopping Namibian boxers in their quest to become world-class boxers.

This was confirmed by Namibia’s pocket-sized undisputed World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion, Paulus “The Rock” Ambunda, when he retained his WBO bantamweight title after courageously trouncing South African Bongani Mahlangu on points, in a 12-round bout at the Windhoek Country Club Resort & Casino on Saturday.

Ambunda started the first round with some good jabs, to which the skillful Mahlangu responded well.

In the second round, Ambunda started throwing his heavy blows, which kept the South African running for safety for most of the fight.

In the eleventh and twelfth rounds, it became a hit-and-run affair as Mahlangu was now constantly on the run, which made it difficult for Ambunda to hit his target.
Ambunda is still undefeated after 17 professional fights, while this was his opponent’s second defeat after 17 professional bouts.

In another exciting under-card fight, Namibia’s WBO Interim Africa super middleweight champion, Wilberforce “Black Mamba”, Shihepo was in no mood to compromise and made his opponent pay dearly for having the guts to accept a fight against him – a complete marauding Namibian boxer.

Shihepo made easy work of his fight against Johannes Pieterson of South Africa when he bombed the South African with a fifth round technical knockout.

In other action, WBO Interim Africa Welterweight champion Tyson Uushona and Ghanaian opponent Francis Gakpetor’s fight ended in a draw after a clash of heads that left Gakpetor with a stream of blood all over his face, which left the ring doctors with no choice but to end the fight.

by Otniel Hembapu

http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=41547&title=Ambunda%20retains%20title%20%E2%80%A6%20As%20Force%20goes%20for%20the%20kill

Chelo Gonzalez (18-0, 13 KOs) retained his Latino lightweight championship of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), with a ten round unanimous decision over Fernando Trejo (33-16-6 and 19 KOs). All three judges scores the fight 99-91.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45687

When 2011 began, Timothy Bradley was primed to take his craft to the next level. The undefeated WBO light welterweight champion was set to face Devon Alexander for his WBC title with a plush HBO deal in place and the opportunity to prove his supremacy at 140lbs.

However, the fight with Alexander was far from the barnburner that fight fans wanted to see. Instead, Bradley walked away with an unsatisfying 10th round technical decision in a relatively inactive affair. Despite the win, Bradley wasn’t happy with his performance and even more dissatisfied with the prospects in front of him. In a bizarre sequence of moves, Bradley turned down a $1.4 million payday to face fellow titleholder Amir Khan on July 23rd, was stripped of his WBC title and was embroiled in a breach-of-contract lawsuit from his now former co-promoters Gary Shaw and Ken Thompson.

It was certainly a dark time for a fighter with such a bright career ahead of him.

But now Bradley (27-0, 11 KOs) is seeing greener pastures as he has inked a deal with Bob Arum and Top Rank promotions and will face Joel Casamayor on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao – Juan Manuel Marquez PPV card on November 12th. The opportunity for Bradley to pick up the momentum that he built before the Alexander fight is detrimental to his boxing career. He knows that more eyes than ever will be watching him on November 12th and he must perform.

“It is very important for me to put on a great show,” Bradley told FightNews. “I wasn’t happy with the performance against Devon Alexander. I couldn’t make that guy fight and sometimes that happens.” Bradley cites the one-sided affairs that Manny Pacquiao faced against Joshua Clottey and Shane Mosley as well as the recent snoozer when Nonito Donaire couldn’t get Omar Narvaez to come out of his shell. The fighter known as “Desert Storm” understands that a dynamic performance on a night where fireworks are sure to be set off between Pacquiao and Marquez will thrust him into bigger fights. However, he’s also aware that he’s never been much of a knockout artist. Bradley has only finished eleven of his opponents out of his 27 wins and hasn’t scored a TKO since April 2007 when he stopped Nasser Athumani in the fifth round. Against the crafty, yet much older, Casamayor, Bradley promises not to fight out of character.

“I can’t go out there and try to be something that I’m not – to go for the knockout and get myself knocked out,” the 28-year-old says flatly. “I am going to follow the game plan and look spectacular and that’s what it’s going to boil down to. It is in the back of my head that I have to put on a great show because this is a great opportunity and I know that I will because I have prepared myself very well for this fight.”

An impressive victory will place Bradley in talks to face stiffer competition which will certainly provide a bigger payday. The names Mayweather and Pacquiao roll off of Bradley’s tongue when discussing what’s next, but he has also considered the unfinished business he has with Amir Khan. He also doesn’t want people to get his shrugging off the bout with Khan as some sort of fear; rather, this was a business move. As a matter fact, Bradley is quick to point out that Khan originally ducked him back in 2009.

“Criticism doesn’t pay the bills,” Bradley says about his naysayers. “One day Amir Khan and I will get in the ring and settle it. I was actually supposed to fight Amir Khan after I fought Lamont Peterson then he went on to sign with Golden Boy and Golden Boy didn’t want any part of it.”

But for now the business at hand is against the 40-year-old Casamayor. Getting his career back on track is what is important. He knows he has the talent, and this brief speed bump has allowed him to refocus and pursue what he has always wanted to achieve: greatness. Whether it is dusting off the rest of the 140 pounders or bumping up to 147 to trade punches with Mayweather and Pacquiao (“For greater opportunities, I would move up to 147. 140 is getting kind of tight for me to make the weight.”) Bradley is ready to face all comers. He won’t promise knockouts, but he will promise that a much improved fighter will step into the ring on November 12th and grab everyone’s attention.

“We’ve been doing great things in camp and we see the results in the sparring sessions. My whole team sees the difference from all the hard work I have done over the last couple of months. You are going to see a different Tim Bradley in there on the 12th. I am going to be fast, explosive and punching hard.”

Story by Andreas Hale
Photos by “Big” Joe Miranda

http://www.fightnewsextra.com/cc/2011/11-bradley.htm

By Ryan Maquiñana

A Polish invasion has overwhelmed New Jersey in recent times, with Tomasz Adamek packing in Newark’s Prudential Center, and Garden State residents Pawel Wolak and Mariusz Wach beginning to make waves on the world stage.

Unbeaten middleweight prospect Patrick Majewski (17-0, 11 KOs) hopes to join them soon enough.  Originally from Radom, Poland, the 31-year-old nicknamed “The Machine” has a no-frills, wear-you-down style about him that has endeared him to rabid red-and-white clad fight aficionados in the Northeast.

Now residing in Atlantic City, the current NABO 160-pound champ will be fighting for the NABF version of the crown against tough Colombian Jose Miguel Torres (22-5, 19 KOs) this Saturday at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, on the undercard of Wach’s bout against Oliver McCall.

In probably one of the most candid interviews you’ll ever read, the former construction worker and physical education student tells BoxingScene about how his deep passion for the sport prompted his rise up the rankings despite a limited amateur career, what it’s like to have the Polish fanbase behind him, and the idea of a feeling so strong that no drug can compare to its magnitude.

ON HOW HE CAME TO AMERICA FROM POLAND:

“I came here in 2001 through a student exchange program with my five friends.  We started working here and saw it as a great opportunity.  We tried to extend our visas to stay in the United States.  We started in Salt Lake City, then two years in New York, then when I came down to New Jersey.”

ON HIS BEGINNINGS IN THE SPORT:

“I used to do Greco-Roman wrestling for seven years all the way through high school, so I thought about trying boxing.  In 2003, I started boxing, and I met a former fighter named James McCray.  He asked me to fight in the Philadelphia Golden Gloves, and he said ‘Come on, you can do it.’

“So he talked me into it, and I won.  After that, it was all about boxing.  My amateur record was 12-2.  Then I moved to Atlantic City.  Bill Johnson has been my trainer now for six years.  My team turned me pro, and so far, so good.”

ON PARALLELS BETWEEN BOXING AND GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLING:

“I’ve had experience with making weight for sure.  It’s a combat sport, but it’s a totally different sport with boxing as far as using totally different power and strength.  It’s a similar sport but much different as well.

“It gave me good experience and good conditioning.  All my life, I loved to play sports, like wrestling volleyball, soccer, basketball.  I was studying in college for two years to be a physical education teacher, so I’ve always been active.”

ON WHAT HE LOVES ABOUT BOXING:

“I love to train every day, but most important for me, is that when they raise your hand after winning the fight.  I work so hard to see this.  I do everything to enjoy that moment, that couple seconds after the fight when they raise your hand up, and you win.  The more you think of it, nothing else gives you that great feeling.

“I always tell the kids that no drugs can give you that feeling.  It’s so real, and it lasts for a couple weeks to me.  It’s really motivating.  Boxing as a sport is great.   I love to come to the gym, see everybody, having fun with everybody.

“Last time me and Chuck Mussachio had great sparring for eight rounds.  He said after, ‘Sorry for my language,’ and after we were just laughing.  It was good work.  It’s just a great environment.  You can see all sportsmen, and all good fighters are so respectful.  I just love to be around fighters and the coaches and to be around boxing clubs.”

ON HIS INTERACTION WITH THE POLISH FANS:

“I had a chance to fight on the undercard of Tomasz Adamek in the Prudential Center two times.  They’re great and there’s so many of them.  What a great experience.  Even when I’m fighting I could hear the fans in the middle of the round cheering my name.  Ma-jew-ski!  Ma-jew-ski!  It was so loud I could hear it.  But I was focusing on my opponent.

“They also put our fights on Polish T.V., so it gives me extra motivation during the fight knowing all my family, all my friends back home see me.  It was compelling.  Polish fans are so great and so supportive.

“With this fight on November 5th with Mariusz Wach as the main event they’ve already sold like 5,000 tickets.  They’re working so hard to set a record over there.  It’s going to be a great evening.”

ON THE CHANGE IN OPPONENTS:

“It was supposed to be Dionisio Miranda.  He was the original opponent.  I think he got in trouble or something, so now I have a new opponent.  It’s throwing me off my rhythm a little bit because we were working hard on a gameplan to fight Dionisio, but no matter what, I’ve got to be ready for everything.  If I can knock him out, then I’ll go for it, but if I have to go war, then I have to be ready for that, put all my heart into the ring and into the fight.”

ON TRAINER BILL JOHNSON AND THE LEGACY OF HIS SON, IBF WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION LEAVANDER JOHNSON, WHO PASSED AWAY IN 2005 AFTER A FIGHT WITH JESUS CHAVEZ:

“[Bill] is like a grandfather to me.  Every day in the gym we’re having fun.  Back then, Leavander would see me and say, ‘Look at this guy.  He can punch!  He can punch!  He can fight!  He can fight!’  But back then, I was so green.  I was throwing wide punches, but I think Leavander was speaking about my heart.

“Back then I was a nobody, but Leavander would always find time to work with me and talk to me and telling me good things.  To be honest, I didn’t really know how good he was, and then one day I see him on HBO fighting, and I was like, ‘Wow.’

“After what happened to Leavander, everybody in the gym was sad.  It was—I don’t really know how to say—it was really hard for Bill.  That was his son, and he was right there with him.  Bill took a couple months off from the gym, but he knew Leavander wanted him to stay in the gym.  That’s why he came back to keep training me and training other fighters.

“We actually started talking often about Leavander, me and Bill, and I started thinking about whether I should talk about him to Bill.  But Leavander is all over our gym.  Wherever we go in A.C., there is always Leavander’s name.  Even the street’s name is Leavander Johnson Boulevard.  So we always talk about Leavander, as in who he was fighting, and what he was doing.  I think Leavander’s spirit lives on in the gym.”

ON HIS CAREER PROGRESSION TO THE NABO TITLE:

“When I was an amateur, my team, they say, ‘You’re ready for pro.’  I wasn’t sure, but I said ‘O.K.’  I won my first couple fights, but I knew I had a long way to go in a short amount of time.  I started training and training, and I had small dreams.  One day I see ‘Mighty’ Mike Arnaoutis training in our gym in Atlantic City.  When he won the NABO title, I thought, ‘Wow, maybe I hope one day I can win that title one day.

“That’s so great.  That’s such a big thing.  So I kept training harder and harder, getting better and better, and the next thing I see, I’m 16-0 and my next fight is for the NABO title.  My dream was coming true, so I beat [Marcus] Upshaw, and I got it.  And as soon as I accomplished this dream, this bigger dream is coming up.  I see a small light at the end of the tunnel where I could maybe beat those top guys and get a shot at the title, and I’ll do anything to do it.”

ON DEFEATING UPSHAW FOR THE NABO STRAP:

“With Upshaw, I really had to close the distance.  I had to put the pressure on him.  People think I’m a pressure fighter.  Yeah, for this fight, I had to be because he was 6-foot-3 and he has a big reach on me.  So when I stayed outside, he was popping me from the distance.  I had to get close to him so he won’t be able to do it.  So all 10 rounds I would just pressured and pressured him.  Then the fifth round came, and I dropped him.  Sixth round, I dropped him, too.

“But as far as my boxing skills, I’m a pressure fighter but I try to do everything.  I can box.  The more you are able to do in the ring is better for you.  You can fight forward, but what if someone is pushing you?  You need to know how to fight backward, use your jab and move around, too.  So I work on many things. I work with my balance and my defense.

“I try to see the whole picture in the ring.   I study boxing.  It’s like a science.  For many people, boxing is just punching and whipping each other and getting hit, but boxing is much more than this.”

ON HIS PROMOTIONAL SITUATION WITH GLOBAL BOXING:

“I’m with Global Boxing Promotions right now.  Because of Mariusz Kolodziej, I got a shot at the NABO and now the NABF title.  You know, I was working construction when I first started fighting, but I was working too many hours that I couldn’t really focus on boxing.  I was getting burned out.

“Mariusz saw me at one of my fights and said he liked me and offered me a contract.  He said, ‘Just try it out with us, and if you don’t like it, you can leave anytime.’  I’m happy I did.  Without Mariusz, I don’t know if I’m still fighting.”

ON LEARNING NUANCES OF THE SPORT FROM OBSERVING OTHER TOP FIGHTERS:

“Every top fighter is great.  Last night I was watching Sergio Martinez.  He’s so nice, relaxed, with accurate punching.  He’s moving, ice skating in the ring.  I like Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, [Manny] Pacquiao, [Floyd] Mayweather, [and] Andre’s Berto’s speed.  I look at them all.  How they could be so dynamic and relaxed, these champions and top fighters?  From each of them, you can pick up small things, and that’s good for any fighter.”

ON THE MENTAL ASPECT OF THE SPORT:

“Mentally, your head’s got to be straight for every fight.  I think I’m strong mentally, but I try to work on things.  Going to the fight, there is some stress like you’re afraid of something, so I try to control this and try to relax in the ring so I perform better.  Everything is mental.  My trainer says, ‘Don’t worry about the fans until after the fight.  You can celebrate after.  Now you have to focus on your opponent.’ “

ON CONTINUING TO IMPROVE:

“We always take it one fight at a time, so I do everything to be 100 percent ready for every fight.  Sometimes I see something one day in training, and I write it down so I can focus on it to get better in the next couple day.  Maybe it’s combinations.  Maybe I need better balance.  We see what is coming next.”

ON FIGHTING FOR THE NABF TITLE AND THE ROAD AHEAD:

“Every fight from here on this level is going to get tougher and tougher.  There is not many opponents to choose right now.  If I fight for the NABF title, I would be ranking in the top 15 in the world.  I see all these big names up there around my name, it’s motivating me so much and I better step up and be ready for those fights.

“I was never thinking I’d be a pro fighter.  Now here I am, and I must do my best or not try at all.  You can get hurt in boxing when you’re not ready for the fight, so I must work as hard as I can.”

ON HIS FAMILY AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF HIS FRIENDS BEING A WORLD AWAY:

“My entire family is back there in Poland.  I have a couple friends in the United States, but that’s it.  I don’t have a wife and kids.  I’m married to boxing right now.”

ON A MESSAGE TO THE FIGHT FANS:

“Keep following me and watching my fights.  I’ll keep giving exciting fights.  We fight for the fans.  If not for the fans, who else are we fighting fight for?  I’m working hard for the fans so they can see a great show on the 5th.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45640

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has never looked so motivated to trainer Freddie Roach as he has in training to fight Juan Manuel Marquez next week and silence the Mexican fighter’s taunts.

Pacquiao defends his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown against Marquez on November 12 at Las Vegas, the third fight in a trilogy that began with a 2004 draw and continued when “Pac-Man” won a 2008 split decision.

With one point on one judge’s scorecard all that has separated the fighters through 24 rounds, Marquez has long argued he beat Pacquiao twice, even wearing a shirt that said, “I beat Pacquiao twice” to a pre-fight appearance in Manila.

“He’s claiming he was robbed in the last two fights. This third fight will be the answer to all of that,” Pacquiao said Wednesday.

“I’m not saying I’m going to knock him out but I have trained very hard for this fight. Whatever comes will come now. I have put in the hard work. I’m ready for this fight.”

A photograph of Marquez adorns a wall behind the punching bag at the Los Angeles-area gymnasium where Pacquiao works out, a constant reminder and motivating force for the Philippines Congressman.

“I’ve never seen him as motivated as I have for this fight,” Roach said. “Marquez went to the Philippines and embarrassed him, said a few things. That has pushed him to work harder in training camp.

“Manny Pacquiao is on fire right now. He’s training very well. He has a little spark.”

Pacquiao, 53-3 with two drawn and 38 knockouts, has won 14 successive fights and seven in a row since his narrow decision over Marquez, the closest fight of his current run that has seen victories over Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Shane Mosley.

And the southpaw star expects this fight with Marquez to be more intense than the previous thrillers.

“I believe this fight will be a much more exciting fight,” Pacquiao said. “His style and mine are very similar. There is going to be a lot of boxing in the ring. I use my power better. He is improving. So it’s going to be better.”

“I never underestimate Marquez. I train hard for this fight. I feel strong. In the last four years I’ve changed a lot.”

Marquez, 53-5 with one drawn and 39 knockouts, is 5-1 since losing to Pacquiao, the only loss coming by unanimous decision to unbeaten US star Floyd Mayweather in 2009 in Marquez’s only prior welterweight outing before Pacquiao.

“He looks like he’s working hard. He’s bigger and stronger,” Roach said. “He has changed his style a little bit. He needs to because we’re working hard to beat him. Manny is ready. If he wants to come at him, we’ll be ready.”

Pacquiao has juggled his lawmaker responsibilities with singing, boxing and promotional appearances, but swears he has not been distracted from his goal of proving once and for all he is superior to Marquez.

“It’s a good example to boxers. I can balance it,” Pacquiao said. “I feel I can focus and concentrate hard for this fight. I have to sit outside all of the distractions.”

Roach has seen “Pac-Man” flip the switch when he straps on his gloves.

“Once he comes in the gym door, it’s nothing but work, work, work,” Roach said. “If he wants to go sing after that, I have no problem with that at all. That’s Manny Pacquiao.”

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gdEepoyEFwt6fKxXW_coDhePZ2sg?docId=CNG.26bc83977035bf2ff78eb8c05acb1811.5c1

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico- The World Boxing Organization (WBO), firm in its commitment with the puerto rican youth, held a ceremony to honor the four puerto rican boxing medalists the XVI Pan-American Games of Guadalajara, Mexico, that concluded this weekend.  The boxers that obtained medals in the Pan-American Games were the young Kiria Tapia (gold in the 60 kilograms), Jantony Ortiz (bronze in the 49 kilograms) Angel Suarez (bronze in the 60 kilograms) and Gerardo Bisbal (bronze in the more than 91 kilograms). Along with them were their coaches José “Chicky” Laureano and Víctor “Gray” Ortiz, as well as the president of the Puerto Rican Federation of Amateur Boxing (FPBA), José Luis Vellón.  Also, the president of the WBO, Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel and the president founder of the WBO, Luis Batista Salas.

“The WBO has always been involved with today’s youth, and as part of our program ‘Kids Drug Free’, we want to recognize these four young athletes that gave their all in order to win these medals in the Pan-American Games”, stated WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel in the ceremony which was held at El Zipperle Restaurant.  “Above all, the young woman Kiria Tapia, who won the gold medal  in her first ever Pan American Games.  We have to continue supporting and helping these young boxers so that they continue along the right path”.

Tapia’s journey to the gold began by defeating the American Qanitta Underwood in her first bout, finishing tied at 17-17 and winning by blows landed 48-41, later she defeated Argentina’s Adela Banks and in the gold medal bout she defeated Mexican Erika Cross by a score of 22-12.  “This is something huge, to win this gold medal.  It was hard work, but we achieved our goal.  I feel very proud of what I achieved and we thank to WBO for this recognition they have done for us”, Tapia said, who is from the residencial area of Monte Hatillo.

In turn, Ortiz won its first fight against the Argentine Junior Zárate by a score of 10-5, later defeated the Panamanian Gilberto Pedroza 17-6 , but then lost against the Cuban Yosbany Veitía 14-9.  “I am the youngest of the group, “the baby” as they call me, and I feel very emotional by this bronze medal.  I want to thank all the team, the coaches, the Puerto Rico Boxing Federation and the WBO for all the help they have given us”, said the seventeen year old Ortiz.

Meanwhile, Suarez won his first bout against the Colombian Cesar Villarraga by a score of 19-16, then defeated Ecuador’s Julio Cortez 26-13, but later was defeated by the Brazilian Robson Da Conceicao by a score of 27-8.  “We worked hard to win this medal and we did achieved it.  The team was always working as a unit, and thankfully we won these medals for Puerto Rico”, said Suarez, of Guaynabo.

The veteran of the group, Bisbal, won his first fight 20-11 against Clayton Laurent but lost by knockout against Ecuador’s Ytalo Perea.  “I am the veteran, the old one of the group, and I feel proud of everything that we achieved.  Thanks to all people that supported us along this journey”, said Bisbal, of Salinas. On behalf of the WBO, the boxers recieved a trophy of recognition for their great achievements, as well as a monetary compensation. Tapia was given $1.000, while Ortiz, Suarez and Bisbal received $500 each.

“It is not only about honoring and congratulating them, there is also the economic part and the WBO has always helped out (money-wise) these young athletes that, like always, represent Puerto Rico in the best way possible. Boxing has always represented Puerto Rico at the highest levels”, added Valcárcel.  The WBO works along with the Puerto Rico Federation of Amateur Boxing (FPBA), contributing different materials and articles of training for the boxers.

“We want to thank, as usual, the WBO for all the aid that they have offered us because we have been able to achieve many things thanks to them”, expressed Vellón.

Photos Courtesy of: WBO/José Pérez

A fight between Giovani Segura and Brian Viloria looks set to happen on Dec. 10 in Manilla, with Viloria’s WBO flyweight belt on the line.

Viloria (29-3-0, 16 KOs) held the WBC and IBF 108-pound titles before garnering a unanimous decision against Julio Cesar Miranda to win the WBO flyweight belt in July.

This will be the first title bout at 112 pounds for Segura (28-1-1, 24 KOs), who has previously held the WBA, WBO and RING titles at 108 pounds. He was installed as the No. 1 contender for the WBO flyweight belt after vacating his 108-pound title in April. He is currently ranked No. 9 on THE RING’s pound-for-pound list.

The two fighters are familiar foes, having faced each other as sparring partners multiple times in the past several years. Sources in Segura’s camp claim their guy has generally gotten the better of these sessions, even putting Viloria down on one occasion.

By: RingTV

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/rumors/articles/169913-viloria-vs-segura-on-dec-10

According to several media agencies, an agreement has been reached between K2 Promotions and Ulf Steinforth’s SES Boxing to arrange a fight between newly crowned WBO light middleweight champion Zaurbek Baysangurov (26-1, 20 KOs) and dangerous WBO #1 Czech opponent Lukas Konecny (47-3, 22 KOs).

The title affair will take place in February 2012 in Moscow, Grozny or Kiev and will be promoted by the Klitschko Brothers, who guide Zaurbek’s career. The winner should face former WBO king Sergey Dzinziruk (37-1, 23 KOs) in his first title defense. Dzinziruk has been stripped of the title recently for failing to defend it in over a year and a half since his drubbing of Australian Daniel Dawson.

Baysangurov, once a highly regarded boxer-puncher from Achkhoy-Martan in Chechnya, started his professional career in 2004, being just 19 years of age. In his fifteenth fight Baysangurov delivered probably the finest performance of his career so far, schooling Marco Antonio Rubio to almost a shutout decision. He then won European crown and defeated it twice. In December 2008, Baysangurov lost an upset TKO 5 to Cornelius Bundrage in the IBF eliminator. Bundrage went on to become a new holder of the red belt. Zaurbek bounced back with seven wins in a row (six by knockout). In July this year Baysangurov blitzed barely live Mike Miranda with a couple of shots to become the WBO interim champion. He was elevated to the full status later, after Dzinziruk had been stripped off.

Lukas Konecny, 33-year old perennial contender and possibly the greatest Czech boxer of all time, was close to dethroning Dzinziruk in March 2008 but was held to a very controversial split decision loss. He is 11-0, with 4 KOs, after that with two successful defenses of his European regalia.

By Dmitry Mikhalchuk and Alexey Sukachev

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45539

Undefeated NABO middleweight champion Patrick “The Machine” Majewski, who was originally set to face Dionisio Miranda in his co-featured bout on Global Boxing Promotions’ “November Reign” on Saturday, November 5 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., will now face another Colombian knockout artist in Jose Miguel Torres after Miranda was denied entry to the United States due to visa issues.

The bout, which will support the WBC International heavyweight title match between Mariusz “The Viking” Wach (25-0, 13 KO) of North Bergen, N.J., by way of Krakow, Poland and former world heavyweight champ Oliver McCall (56-11, 37 KO), may wind up as a more dangerous proposition than the original booking.

Majewski, 17-0 (11 KO), of Atlantic City, N.J., by way of Radom, Poland has been hard at work with trainer Bill Johnson to prepare for his title defense, which will also be contested for the vacant NABF middleweight title. With a win, Majewski hopes to jump further in the middleweight rankings with the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and enter into the title picture with the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

Torres, 22-5 (19 KO), of Magangue, Colombia, has a higher knockout ratio than Majewski’s original opponent (70% for Torres, compared to Miranda’s 60%), and is already in shape, having defeated Jose Antonio Rodriguez by a unanimous decision just a month ago.

“We are very pleased that we were able to secure such a quality opponent on short notice,” said Mariusz Kolodziej, CEO of Global Boxing Promotions. “Majewski is ready for a step-up fight, and he wants to challenge the best. Fights like this will put him on the short-list of top middleweight contenders.”

“November Reign” is on course to be the Mohegan Sun’s first boxing sellout in nearly ten years, with full buses coming from around the Tri-state to usher in fans to see unbeaten heavyweight knockout artist Artur “Szpila” Szpilka (8-0, 6 KO) of Wieliczka, Poland and featherweight prospect Kamil Laszczyk (4-0, 3 KO) of North Bergen, N.J., by way of Wroclaw, Poland, plus many other local New England fighters in action.

Tickets are $40.00, $65.00 and $105.00 and can be purchased by calling CES at 401.724.2253/2254 or calling Ticketmaster at1.800.745.3000. Fans can also purchase tickets online at www.cesboxing.com, www.ticketmaster.com, at Global Boxing Gym in North Bergen, N.J. or at the Mohegan Sun Box Office.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/10/patrick-majewski-vs-jose-miguel-cotto-on-november-5th/

By Miguel Rivera

The winner of the lightweight battle between Ricky Burns and Michael Katsidis, will fall in line for a shot at WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez. The sanctioning body issued a ruling at their annual convention in Puerto Rico, that Marquez would have to face the Burns-Katsidis.

The fight depends on the outcome of Marquez’s trilogy bout, set for November 12 in Las Vegas, with WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. It also depends on whether or not Marquez, win or lose with Pacquiao, returns to the lightweight division.

Burns and Katsidis will battle for the vacant WBO interim title on November 5th at Wembley Arena in London. If Marquez decides to continue his career above 135-pounds, the winner of Burns-Katsidis would become the full champion.

Marquez already faced Katsidis in 2010, where the Mexican boxer got off the floor in the third round to stop the tough Australian in the ninth.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45479

World Boxing Organization Asia Pacific vice president Leon
Panoncillo has given the WBO Convention in Puerto Rico a
bright report on the achievements of the regional
organization the past year.

The consensus at the Convention was that Panoncillo’s
efforts in the Asia Pacific region had been marked by
success through 2011 and it was considered a banner year in
terms of WBO regional titles with the Philippines playing a
prominent role along with Thailand. China is considered an
emerging force in the region.

Panoncillo announced that the WBO was staging three times
as many title fights as other regional boxing organizations
such as the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation and the Pan
Asian Boxing Association and stated that this success
primarily due to the wholehearted support of the Philippines
and Thailand.

The WBO Asia Pacific vice president noted that the
organization is  continuing to grow and develop in the
Asia Pacific region. There have been indications this year
that Japan which previously recognized only the WBC and WBA
is changing its attitude towards the WBO

Panoncillo made special mention of the WBO Asia Pacific
Championships which held no less than 27 fights in 2011. He
also mentioned the newest creation which is a title belt for
the WBO Asia Pacific Youth Championships which has held ten
title fights    so far this year.

There was a total of some 59 championship fights in the
Asia Pacific region in 2011 with 21 WBO Oriental title
fights. Panoncillo revealed total revenues of $56,000.

The regional vice president said that many fighters were
benefiting from their support and involvement with the WBO
and that several Asian fighters who battled for regional
belts are moving up to fighting for and winning world
titles.

WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel was impressed with
Panoncillo’s performance that he appointed him as WBO
supervisor for the last title defense of welterweight
champion and pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao against
Shane Mosley.

http://insidesports.ph/updates/panoncillo-gives-wbo-convention-bright-report-on-the-asia-pacific-region/

By Ruslan Chikov

The WBO has approved Dmitry Suhotsky (18-1, 13KOs) for a mandatory shot at the full light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly (23-0, 11KOs). No orders were given regarding a negotiations period or a purse bid date, but the fight is being pushed by Suhotsky’s side for the first quarter of 2012. Suhotsky captured the vacant WBO Intercontinental light heavyweight title in October 2010 and made two defenses of the title.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45438

Undefeated Frankie Gavin has pulled of Friday’s WBO Intercontinental welterweight title clash with Frank Haroche Horta.

England’s first ever world amateur champion was scheduled to face the French champion at Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester.

However, Gavin, who left trainer Anthony Farnell to join father and son duo Jimmy and Mark Tibbs in July, has walked out of the BoxNation show without any explanation.

“He’s just gone,” promoter Frank Warren told boxingnewsonline.net. “I heard he went to Anthony Farnell’s house. I’m sick and tired of it.

“I wouldn’t even talk him into fighting because if I did and something happened it would be my fault.

“We’ve done all the publicity, he was on Bunce’s show on Monday night, Ron Lewis did the bit on him in The Times today.

“It’s total madness. Between him and Kevin Mitchell… I said to Jimmy Tibbs, what do you put in the water down there. It’s things like this where boxing really doesn’t help itself.”

Unbeaten Irishman Dean Byrne will now step in to face Horta, and is excited with his unexpected opportunity to top the card and show his potential.

“This is a fantastic opportunity that has been put my way to top the show and I’m looking forward to putting on a good performance for the fans,” he said.

“I’m based in the UK now and I want to build my fan base here as I progress towards the world title.

“Horta looks tough, he’s got a good record and he’s never been stopped in 39 fights so I’m looking to do a good job on him.

“He’s fit and ready to fight as he had Gavin lined up and I’m in top shape as I only boxed last week so it will be a good tough fight while it lasts.”

http://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=boxing/11/10/27/manual_155449.html&BID=543

by Carlos Kambaekwa

WINDHOEK – The mere uttering of the word Wilberforce “Force” Shihepo is enough to send shivers running riot in the bellies of potential opponents.

At 27, Force is determined to unlock his unlimited potential and nothing will stand in the way of the strongly built Namibian when the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Africa Super Middleweight champion squares up against Johannes Pieterson in a non-title eight rounder.

The bout will be the main under card for the much-anticipated Paulus Ambunda/Bongani Mahlangu WBO Africa Bantamweight title fight at the Windhoek Country Club on November 4.

With time not on his side anymore, the flamboyant Shihepo is taking no prisoners and is itching to make short work of his fight against the equally dangerous South African in what promises to be an all-out affair.

The Namibian boasts an impressive record of 15 wins and six defeats from 21 bouts in the paid ranks but has since come of age, while a good chunk of his losses were self inflicted through his carefree lifestyle and inability to keep super fit prior to big fights.

The “Black Mamba”, as the muscular Shihepo is affectionately known among his ardent fans, is now a changed man and destined for greater things with the much sought-after World title the ultimate destination.

His handler Nestor “Sunshine” Tobias is confident that one of his most prized assets is a work in progress and could have the world at his feet once he hits his peak.
“The boy has a lion’s heart required in the tough and demanding rigours of professional boxing and above all, he is courageous and possesses dynamite in both hands – a rare commodity in modern boxing,” raved Tobias about his unpolished gem.

His opponent has 14 wins, six losses and two draws to his credit – certainly a remarkable record not to be taken lightly, but Force is a man possessed and would stop at nothing in realizing his dream of getting a crack at the World title with a comprehensive win over the South African – come the 4th of November 2011.

http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=41401&title=Shihepo,%20boxing%E2%80%99s%20lionhearted%20major%20force

By: SHEEFENI NIKODEMUS

NESTOR ‘Sunshine’ Tobias on Wednesday won the WBO Africa Promoter of the Year award for the second successive year.

Financial constraints meant that he could not accept the award in person.
Tobias will be officially presented with the award byWBO fourth vice president Andrew Smale before WBO Africa bantamweight Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda’s title defence fight next Saturday.
Arguably the top promoter in the country, Tobias said yesterday that he was not surprised to win the prestigious prize as it was testimony to the hard work put it by his stable, a point his detractors need to take note of.
“It’s through the boxers’ hard work and commitment that we are able to get these awards. To those people who are always talking negative about us, they should know that these things don’t come for free. For us boxing is our livelihood. It is all we do.”
The WBO Africa Boxer of the Year 2011 was awarded to of Ghana, a man Tobias felt had scored a dubious victory over Namibia’s Vikapita Meroro in July.
Ambunda, who faces challenger Bongani Mahlangu from South Africa, was the recipient of the award last year.

ROCK STATUS

Keeping true to his nature, Tobias seized the opportunity to promote Ambunda’s upcoming fight. ‘The Rock’ Ambunda has the makings of a world champion, the handler said.
Tobias has plenty of faith in the fighter, whom he said has the potential to emulate former two-time middleweight world champion Harry ‘Onkugo’ Simon and former WBA lightweight title holder Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses.
According to Tobias, the 31-year-old Ambunda can secure his chance at world title shot once he disposes of Mahlangu.
The WBO bantamweight world strap is now vacant after two time champion Nonito Donaire stepped up a division, a development that has edged Ambunda closer to realising his dream.
“Ambunda is at his peak now,” Tobias said.
“He is rated number three in world and if he wins he can improve that position and become the mandatory challenger.
“It’s also motivation for him. I want him to be the third guy from Namibia to fight for a world title.”

http://www.namibian.com.na/sport/local/full-story/archive/2011/october/article/wbo-awards-tobias-again/

By Ryan Maquiñana

Birthday No. 25 came and passed yesterday for unbeaten NABO junior lightweight beltholder Eloy “Prince” Perez, and aside from the usual gift-wrapped boxes and candle-laden cake, there was plenty to celebrate on the boxing front.

After only five of his first 23 pro bouts ended via stoppage, Perez (22-0-2, 6 KOs) scored a surprising second-round demolition of Daniel Jimenez eight weeks ago on TeleFutura in front of his hometown fans of Salinas, Calif.

The win garnered Perez some newfound attention by none other than his promoter Golden Boy, who then commenced arrangements to pit him against their other 130-pound prospect-turned-contender, Adrien Broner, for the newly vacated WBO crown.

Amid negotiations eventually falling through with some bad blood between the two beginning to boil, Perez has finally begun to turn a few heads in the boxing world, having been awarded NABO Fighter of the Year among other honors.

BoxingScene caught up with the rising contender, who along with assistant trainer Sam Garcia commented on negotiations with Broner, his recent power surge, and his upcoming TeleFutura “Solo Boxeo Tecate” headliner this Friday against Ira Terry (24-6, 14 KOs) in Salinas.

PEREZ ON HIS 25TH BIRTHDAY AND HIS RECENT ACCOLADES:

“It’s like I’m all over the place now.  I just won NABO Fighter of the Year.  I just saw myself in the Ring rankings.  It’s crazy.  To be honest, I just woke up, and I didn’t even know it was my birthday.  I’ve been so focused on camp.”

PEREZ ON HIS MINDSET DURING THE JIMENEZ KNOCKOUT:

“I was just happy to get through it.  Training camp was hard.  It wasn’t really about the fight as much as what I had to do to get there.  My trainers ran me hard.  It showed in the fight.  I couldn’t even sleep after the fight.  I pulled an all-nighter because I still had all this energy.  It didn’t even sink in until I got home.”

PEREZ ON WHETHER HE CAN SUSTAIN THIS POWER SURGE INTO FRIDAY:

“I think this time, I finally got a fighter who came to fight, and I showed what I could do when I’m given an opportunity to take advantage of it. I’m 25 years old and I’m still figuring everything out.  I’m getting stronger every day and becoming more confident in my power working with the Garcias and Dean Familton.”

SAM GARCIA ON PEREZ’S PERCEIVED LACK OF POWER:

“If you look at the previous fights, not too many people saw the Dannie Williams fight, and Dannie Williams was face-first on the canvas in the first round.  If you go back further, he stopped Juan Santiago.

“If you give Eloy a guy who comes to fight, Eloy will be able to show off his work better against somebody’s who’s willing to fight, willing to engage, and willing to put it on the line.  Daniel Jimenez came in to win, and not to pull a [Omar] Narvaez against [Nonito] Donaire or an Alejandro Rodriguez, who came to survive.  And when you have a situation like that, Eloy can use his speed and his power to hurt somebody, not just counterpunch.”

PEREZ ON MATCHING UP WITH TERRY:

“I’ve seen a couple of his fights on YouTube.  That’s my trainer’s job to come up with the gameplan, and mine is to be prepared.  I’ve seen some of fights of his, and I’m seeing how I can break him down.  I’m going to do what I usually do, and that’s counterpunch and be accurate.  I know he starts a little quick, and that’s it.  I’m just focused on what my team has planned.”

PEREZ ON TERRY HAVING BEEN KNOCKED OUT FOUR CONSECUTIVE TIMES LEADING UP TO THIS FIGHT:

“I really don’t care what he’s done in the past.  We’ll find out what he has in the ring and how hard he’s been able to prepare over the past few weeks.  If I see an opening, I’ll take it, and if not, I’ll keep looking to get my timing down.”

PEREZ ON STAGING HIS SECOND STRAIGHT FIGHT IN SALINAS:

“I think it’s awesome.  It’s always a positive thing for the city being able to have everyone be a part of it, and see what Garcia Boxing is all about.  I just want to represent Salinas as best I can.  We’ve had fighters like Chuy Rodriguez and Jose Celaya work with the Garcias, and now I just want to finish what they started.”

PEREZ ON FIGHTING ADRIEN BRONER:

“As far as Adrien Broner, I’m going to beat his ass when the time comes.  Today, tomorrow, next month, next year, whenever it’s time for us to meet in the ring.  When it comes to negotiations, Kathy Garcia my manager, my team, and Golden Boy Promotions—Oscar De La Hoya said they have bigger things for me—so that’s their job.  My job as a fighter is just to be ready.  I trust my promotional company and my team and my manager.

“And besides, why fight him now when it can be a bigger fight in the future when we both have titles?  It can be bigger than what it could have been.  We both have bigger fights ahead.  So to answer your question, I would love to fight Adrien Broner, but he also has to come fight me somewhere fair.  I’m not going to Cincinnati, and I know he doesn’t want to go to Salinas.”

GARCIA ON PEREZ’S ROAD AHEAD:

“I think we’re going to after the IBF.  It depends on what they say.  We love the WBO, and we’ve chased that prestigious title for a long time, but the way it’s working now, it’s going to be hard to work that out with Golden Boy having Adrien Broner in their stable and handing him the title.  It makes sense for us to go after the IBF title and Juan Carlos Salgado who makes great action fights.  I think that’s a fight that both of them could look good in, and I think Eloy would come in on top.

“Salgado’s got confidence in his power against boxer-types like Eloy.  I mean, he stopped Jorge Linares, so that looks like the most aesthetically pleasing fight.  The thing is, before we can get there, we need to get ranked higher than the top 25 in there.

“So we’re trying to get someone in the top 15 like Jason Litzau, Monty Meza-Clay, or Martin Honorio.  There’s been talk about Vicente Escobedo, but we’re talking with the promoters to see if he even wants that fight.  If we beat any of those guys, we’ll get a shot at Salgado down the line, then a unification megafight hopefully between Eloy and Broner in the summer or even the fall.”

PEREZ ON HIS TWO DEDICATIONS FOR FRIDAY’S FIGHT, ONE FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AND ANOTHER FOR LIVER CANCER PATIENT SY SHERMAN:

“We have two dedications.  First, we’re fighting for all the people who have dealt with breast cancer.  Olaya Hernandez, who’s the sister of my trainer Max Garcia, and Malena Garcia, a family friend of ours, fought breast cancer and survived, so we will be fighting for them and all women who have dealt with it one way or another.

“About Sy, I read his story at lunch, and he’s a really tough kid who’s been through a lot.  He’s nine years old, and he’s already going through chemo[therapy] every few weeks.  For me, he’s a fighter, battling liver cancer, and having the courage to fight it. See this site for a good example.  He’s fighting for his life every day.  You don’t want anyone to go through what he’s doing, much less in childhood.  I’ll definitely be fighting for them.”

Ryan Maquiñana is the boxing correspondent at Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Advisory Panel.  E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his blog at www.maqdown.com or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45421

WBO, WBC & WBA Female Welterweight Champion Cecilia Braekhus (18-0, 4 KOs) will take on Hawaiian Kuulei Kupihea (7-1, 2 KOs) at Helsinki´s renowned Hartwall Areena on December 3. The fight was originally scheduled to take place on Team Sauerland´s big show in Copenhagen´s PARKEN Stadium on November 5, but the event was postponed after Danish national hero Mikkel Kessler suffered a hand injury in practice. “Unfortunately, injuries and postponements are part of the game,” Braekhus said. “As a professional, you just have to deal with it. I adjusted my training, took a few days off and then got straight back to the gym. I will be ready for Kupihea on December 3.”

Ulli Wegner, eight-time German coach of the year, is pleased with the First Lady´s progress. “She is the best female boxer in the world,” he stated. “She is intelligent, good-looking and extremely talented. My other boxers can learn a lot from her, especially when it comes down to determination in practice. I am sure she will make another great fight in Helsinki.”

It will be Braekhus´ second fight in the Finnish capital. In May 2009, she defeated Amy Yuratovic on points. Said promoter Kalle Sauerland: “It is no secret that Team Sauerland is focusing heavily on the Scandinavian market and a big show in Helsinki is further proof.”

Also in Helsinki, World Boxing Association (WBA) Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin (22-0, 15 KOs) will defend his title against Cedric Boswell (35-1, 26 KOs), while hometown hero Robert Helenius (16-0, 11 KOs) will defend his WBA & World Boxing Organization (WBO) Intercontinental Titles against an opponent to be announced. Tickets will be available at www.lippu.fi starting November 1.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/10/cecilia-braekhus-vs-kuulei-kupihea-on-dec-3rd/

WINDHOEK – While Africa is blessed with a significant number of highly talented boxers – the continent is poorly represented in some of the high-profile global titles.

It’s a well-documented secret that a good chunk of African boxers are holed up in the less prestigious World Boxing Federation (WBF) and several other low-profile boxing umbrella bodies, but Namibian boxers have their eyes firmly fixed on the real McCoy.

Namibia’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) undisputed Africa bantamweight champion Paulus “The Rock” Ambunda, is one step away from a crack at the coveted world crown.

However, the quicksilver Namibian must first negotiate his way past the equally dangerous Bongani Mahlangu when Ambunda makes his 4th title defence against the South African in the main bout at the Windhoek Country Club on November 5.

Ambunda is unbeaten in 16 fights with 10 stoppages, while his opponent holds an impressive record of 15 wins and one defeat to his credit in 16 fights in the paid ranks.

Ambunda’s handler, Nestor “Sunshine” Tobias, is upbeat about his boxer’s prospects.
“What makes this fight very interesting is the fact that the current WBO bantamweight world champion, Nonito Deneiro, has given up his crown after he moved up a notch to the super bantamweight category,” says the world-acclaimed boxing guru.
“The title is vacant and is now there for the taking since the number one and second ranked challengers are both from Asia – victory for Ambunda, who is ranked number three in world rankings, could pave the way for a crack at the world title against one of the two Asian challengers,” adds Tobias boastfully.

Tobias also lashed out at the reluctance of corporate businesses to come on board as sponsors for major boxing events. Boxing is a very expensive exercise in terms of organization, purses, travelling, judges, referees and many other aspects attached to the high demands required in professional boxing.

“Apart from our regular sponsor Nampower, we have been gravely struggling to convince and lure potential sponsors to our shores despite the unsurpassed success of our boxers. Namibia has a very good chance of adding to the list of former world champions Harry Simon and Hitman Moses, but this dream can only be realized if all stakeholders put their shoulder to the wheel.”

The boxing bonanza will be preceded by two top-notch bouts involving Namibia’s WBO Africa current champions Wilberforce Shihepo and Bethuel “Tyson” Uushona.

The hard-punching force will defend his WBO Africa super middleweight belt against Johannes Pieterson from South Africa, while Uushona puts his belt at stake against south Ghanaian challenger Francis Gakpetor over eight rounds.

Entrance fee is N$10 000 per table of 10 for the VIP’s (finger meals included) while spectators on the grand stand are required to cough up N$100 per seat.

by Carlos Kambaekwa

http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=41340

HBO’s “Boxing After Dark” will air the Nov. 26 WBO junior lightweight world title match between Cincinnati native Adrien “The Problem” Broner and and his new opponent, Argentina’s Vicente Rodriguez at U.S. Bank Arena. The fight had been announced Sept. 6 as  a mandatory match with WBO junior lightweight title-holder Ricky Burns of Scotland. Burns has relinquished the title to step up to the lightweight division.

Broner will promote his quest for the vacant title at a 2 p.m. Tuesday press conference at the arena.

The RingTV sitesays Burns is stepping up to the the lightweight division and facing Australian Michael Katsidis at Wembley Arena, London, on Nov. 5. The site says: “Dismissing talk he relinquished his WBO junior lightweight title last month to avoid facing unbeaten American Adrien Boner (21-0, 17 knockouts) — rather than over the issue of making the 130-pound limit — Burns (32-2, 9 KOs) insists that taking on Katsidis (28-4, 23 KOs), for the WBO interim lightweight belt, is a considerably stiffer proposition.”

Our Sept. 6 story said Broner, 22, was coming off consecutive HBO appearances in which he outpointed former champion Daniel Ponce de Leon in March, and scored a first-round knockout of Jason Litzau in June. The title fight will be Cincinnati’s first since Pryor beat Akio Kameda on a sixth-round technical knockout on July 4, 1982.

“Home for the Holidays: Broner vs. Rodriguez” is a 12-round bout for the vacant WBO Junior Lightweight World Title which will take place Saturday, November 26 at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The evening of boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and R&R Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and AT&T.

The “HBO Boxing After Dark” telecast will air live at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Tickets, priced at $128, $78, $53 and $28, go on sale Tuesday, October 25 at 10:00 a.m. ET and may be purchased at the U.S. Bank Arena Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/tv/2011/10/24/hbo-to-air-us-bank-arena-boxing-match/

By Chris LaBate

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is still very interested in facing Floyd Mayweather Jr., who captured the WBC title with a fourth round knockout of Victor Ortiz in September. Pacquiao defends his belt against Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

After defeating Ortiz, Mayweather told members of the media – “I don’t need Pacquiao. Every time I go out there I’m going to make $70 million. I don’t need Pacquiao. Pacquiao is famous because he is attached to my name. When they say Pacquiao, they say that’s the guy they are trying to get to fight Floyd Mayweather. When they say Floyd Mayweather – they say that’s an all-time great.”

Pacquiao, during a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, said he’d like to fight Mayweather, but he can’t force his rival’s hand to make a deal. Mayweather claims Pacquiao is not willing to agree to a pre-fight random drug testing protocol, which the Filipino boxer says he’s willing to accept. Pacquiao claims it’s Mayweather who doesn’t want to fight.

“Whoever I have to fight the rest of my career, I’m happy and satisfied with what I’ve done. I don’t need somebody else to be satisfied with what I’ve done. I don’t need to be looking for, or chasing, a fight. I want the fight, but I cannot force him to take it. He has to show he wants to fight me,” Pacquiao said.

http://www.boxingscene.com/pacquiao-i-t-force-mayweather-jr-fight-me–45266

Baden –  Wurttemberg, Germany (Sports Network) – Marco Huck knocked out Rogelio Omar Rossi in the sixth round to retain his WBO cruiserweight title on Saturday.

Germany’s Huck (34-1, 25 KO) knocked down Rossi (17-3, 11 KO) in the third round and sent him to the canvas twice more in the fifth.

At the beginning of the sixth, Huck pounded Rossi with a combination of punches. Rossi eventually went down cold and laid on the mat for several minutes. The ref called the fight as soon as Rossi hit the ground.

After getting up, Rossi was taken away on a stretcher.

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Filipino southpaw Czar Amonsot fights for the WBO Oriental welterweight title and the WBO African title against Samuel Colomban in Flemington, Victoria, Australia on November 18.

The 26 year old Amonsot who has a record of 22-3-1 with 12 knockouts last fought on September 23, 2010 when he scored a 2nd round knockout over Thailand’s Sirichai Ekchumpol for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific title in a bout where the THai fighter was given a standing eight count in the opening round.

The 26 year old Colomban who is from Cameroon and fights out of Melbourne, Australia is regarded as a tough opponent with a solid record of 20-3 with 10 knockouts.

Colomban won the vacant WBO Africa title on November 27, 2010 with a twelve round split decision over Steve Heremaia and won the WBO Oriental welterweight crown wit a 4th round TKO of Thai fighter Sapaptch Sor Sakaorat last April 8 in which he dropped Sakaorat twice in the 4th round.

Amonsot who suffered a slight bleed outside the brain following a bloody ring war with Australian Michael Katsidis in a WBO interim lightweight title fight in Las Vegas on July 21, 2007 used to fight for the ALA Gym.

Amonsot returned to the ring at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu where he won a unanimous ten round decision over Jesus Singwancha (Muzaka) from the Congo who was nicknamed “The Black Tiger.”

However, after a subsequent accident at his workplace ALA boxing patron Tony Aldeguer, concerned about Amonsot’s safety refused to allow him to fight again.

Amonsot decided to go to Australia and has been fighting there since then.

http://www.boxingscene.com/czar-amonsot-goes-wbo-regional-title-on-nov-18–45239