Viloria ready to defend WBO title

BRIAN Viloria is now in town, ready and in shape to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight crown against dangerous Giovanni Segura of Mexico Sunday next week.

Viloria, 31, brought with him two months of hard training, including 120 rounds of sparring, in preparing himself for the first defense of the title he won with a unanimous decision over Julio Cesar Miranda last July in Hawaii.

“I’m in perfect shape right now. So great to be back and get ready for this fight,” said Viloria, dubbed the `Hawaiian Punch’, just hours after arriving in the country Saturday afternoon following a 13-hour flight from Los Angeles, where he held training camp for the 12-round fight.

His being in perfect shape is one of the reasons why he doesn’t see Segura living up to his promise that he’ll knock out the reigning champion wrest his title belt.

The 29-year-old Segura, owner of a fearsome 28-1 record, including 24 KOs, arrived here as early as Thursday, and readily made known his intention to destroy  Viloria (29-3, 16 KOs) before an expected full-house crowd at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

“Brian, I am going to knock you out. I am saying that with confidence,” said the Mexican, the only fighter to beat the great Puerto Rican champion Ivan Calderon not just once, but twice.

Viloria, born in Waipahu, Hawaii, did acknowledge Segura is a deadly opponent, who knows nothing but to move forward.

“He (Segura) wants to exchange a lot, he throws a lot of punches, and wants to bang it up,” said Viloria, the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Council (WBC) light-flyweight champion.

But the 2000 Sydney Olympian is ready whatever Segura brings with him to the ring.

“I push myself hard to train for this fight. I have to be in shape 10 times for this fight than I was when I fought Miranda,” he said.

Segura is a two-time world champion who once held the IBF and WBO light-flyweight crowns.

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/sports/18836-viloria-ready-to-defend-wbo-title

JAMES DeGALE’S challenger Jose Maria Guerrero has told him he’d better finish him off early – or taste defeat.

Spanish hitman Guerrero challenges the Londoner for his WBO Intercontinental super-middleweight title on Friday night at the ECHO Arena.

“I will give him some advice: destroy me quickly, if not, you will have a big problem,” Guerrero told DeGale. “If he believes that he will knock out me quickly, he shows that he’s an ignoramus and if he thinks that this is the easiest fight of his career then he will have a big surprise.”

The ECHO has teamed up with promoter Frank Warren to offer readers the chance to win a pair of tickets for Friday evening’s boxing.

Merseyside boxers Stephen Smith, Joe Selkirk, Liam Smith and Paul Butler all feature on the undercard and to be in with a shot of winning one of the 10 pairs, just answer the following question.

James DeGale won the European super-middleweight title in his last fight – who did he beat?

Send your answers to either sport@liverpool.com or Boxing Competition, Sportsdesk, Level Three, Liverpool Echo, Old Hall Street, PO Box 48, Liverpool L69 3EB.

One entry per person and all usual Echo competition rules apply; for more details see our website.

Closing date for entries is 4pm on Wednesday, December 7.

LONG LANE ABC are celebrating their 40th birthday tonight.

To mark the amateur club’s milestone, an event is being held at the Valley Inn on Alt Road. The night kicks off at 7.30pm.

RingTV.com has learned that former WBO/WBC bantamweight titleholder Nonito Donaire will climb a division to make his junior featherweight debut against THE RING’s No. 9-rated 122 pounder Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. on Feb. 11 or Feb. 18. Las Vegas is the likely locale for the fight.

Donaire-Vazquez would be for the WBO’s junior featherweight belt that is being vacated by Jorge Arce, who dethroned Vazquez Jr. (21-1-1, 17 KOs) by 12th-round knockout on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s unanimous decision over Shane Mosley in May.

Arce has dropped back down to bantamweight for a unanimous decision victory over Angky Angkotta to earn the vacant WBO belt in that division no Nov. 26.

Promoted by Top Rank Inc., Donaire (27-1, 18 KOs) is coming off last month’s unanimous decision over WBO junior bantamweight beltholder Omar Narvaez, who lost every round on the cards of the three judges in their bout at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Donaire returned to sparring and training on Monday, according to a source close to the fighter.

RingTV.com initially reported that Donaire-Vazquez as being eyed as a pay per view main event in Las Vegas, but other reports have since indicated that Donaire could return to New York.

by Lem Satterfield

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/rumors/articles/170485-donaire-vazquez-likely-for-february

According to sources close to the situation, next week’s heavyweight championship fight between WBO/IBF/WBA-kingpin Wladimir Klitschko and former cruiserweight champ Jean-Marc Mormeck has been called off after Klitschko suffered from nephroliths, kidney stones. The champion was admitted twice to the hospital over the weekend. Klitschko had the kidney stones removed but suffered from complications, making his title defense impossible.

Klitschko manager Bernd Bönte confirmed the cancelation, stating: “It is true, the fight is canceled. Wladimir is really sad and devastated, but he suffered from extreme pain.” The heavyweight champion had kidney stones removed in surgery on Saturday but suffered an inflammation. He went back to the hospital yesterday, canceling an appearance alongside his brother Vitali in a German TV show. The elder Klitschko said: “He felt nauseous and went to the clinic. He isn’t feeling so well.” A press conference with further updates is scheduled for later today in Dusseldorf, Germany

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/klitschko-mormeck-off-103609

MANILA, Philippines — Brian Viloria had no problem fighting for a world title. But the 30-year-old boxer owns a spotty record when it comes to defending his belt.

Viloria (29-3-0, 16 KOs), though, hopes to change all that when he defends his World Boxing Organization flyweight title against the dangerous Mexican Giovani Segura (28-1-1, 24 KOs) next week.

Although some oddsmakers have tagged Viloria as the underdog, the Filipino-American, nicknamed “The Hawaiian Punch,” remains confident in the “Island Assault 3: Champion vs Champion” bout on Dec. 11 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Boxing experts think that a victory over Segura will make Viloria a legitimate threat in the flyweight division. Moreover, it’s a chance for Viloria to move up to a higher slot in Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Viloria knocked out Eric Ortiz of Mexico on his first shot at the WBC light flyweight title in 2005.

In 2009, Viloria stopped another Mexican, Ulises Solis, on his first crack at the IBF light flyweight title.

Just last July, he also clinched the WBO flyweight title over Mexico’s Julio Cesar Miranda.

Viloria, however, absorbed losses in his title-defense bouts.

After defending his WBC light flyweight title against Mexico’s Jose Antonio Aguirre in 2005, he lost the following year to Omar Niño Romero on his second defense.

Viloria kept the IBF light flyweight belt when he defended it against Mexican Jesus Iribe in 2009 but he lost it again in his second title defense the following year against Carlos Tamara of Colombia.

http://sports.inquirer.net/27487/viloria-fights-for-world-title-and-more

FILIPINO three-division champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. will most likely aim for a fourth division crown sometime in February.

A report from the World Boxing Organization has stated they are about to declare a battle for the vacant superbantamweight crown between former champion Wilfredo Vazquez. Jr. of Puerto Rico and Donaire, their newly installed no. 1 contender.

Donaire recently gave up his WBO bantamweight crown, which was claimed by Mexican Jorge Arce just last weekend by decisioning Angky Angkota of Indonesia.

Before aiming for the title vacated by Donaire, Arce was the holder of the WBO 122-lb crown, which the Mexican also gave up.

It seemed apparent that both Donaire and Arce had a deal that would give both fighters momentous achievements without fighting each other.

In winning the bantamweight belt, Arce has laid claim to being the first Mexican to win five division world titles.

Donaire, meanwhile, will be gunning for his fourth division tiara that will be four short of current Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.

The 28-year-old Donaire has won crowns in the flyweight, superflyweight and bantamweight divisions.

Both Donaire and Arce are promoted by Top Rank big boss Bob Arum.

DOUBLE VENGEANCE. Revenge for both a compatriot and his father’s protégé may serve as a motivation for Donaire in facing Vazquez.

The once-beaten Vazquez crowned himself WBO superbantamweight ruler when he knocked out former WBO superflyweight champion Marvin Sonsona inside four rounds in February of last year in Puerto Rico.

When he fought Vazquez, Sonsona was also undefeated and lost his WBO 115-lb crown when he failed to make the weight in his first title defense that ended in a draw.

The 21-year-old Sonsona trained for the Vazquez bout under the guidance of Nonito Donaire, Sr.

“Back then, I took everything for granted and spent more time with my friends than inside the gym. I learned a lot from it and now I am determined to win another world crown,” said Sonsona.

October of this year, Sonsona went back to his winning ways by decisioning Mexican Carlos Jacobo in Cebu. The bookmaker also takes bets on tv exhibits like Psychic Challenge, What? Pay a visit to the brand’s website to look into 1xbet minimum deposit India. 1xBet pays also a special attention to India residents and offers an exceptional welcome bonus of 9750 Indian rupees. 1xBet Promo Code India Copy the About coupon code to get the first deposit bonus. 1XBET is a popular betting site among Indians when it comes to making bets on Cricket or other sports, and they offer 100% bonus up to ₹10400 for every India. Players can also enjoy the website in many other countries like Ghan

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideSportsop.htm?f=2011/december/2/dennisprincipe.isx&d=2011/december/2

The Boxing Lab show welcomed newly crowned WBO super featherweight champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner (22-0) to their most recent edition of Boxingscene.com’s official audio show.  Fighting in front of his hometown fans in Cincinnati, Broner knocked out Vicente Martin Rodriguez (34-3-1) in the third round of their title fight that took place this past Saturday.

By Ryan Burton

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46608

Immanuel “The Prince” Naidjala will be the main bout on Saturday when he faces South African Nkubela Gwezela at the Windhoek Country Club.

The WBO Africa bantamweight interim champion has been busy this year and this will be his fifth bout of the year.

He is still unbeaten after 11 fights. The Namibian who has seven knockouts under his belt, beat Emmanuel Simbeye from Zambia on a fifth round knockout in his last fight.

Naidjala might have a hard battle against Gwezela who has a record of 29 fights with 20 wins.

The 32-year-old South African who is nicknamed The Destroyer lost his last fight against Siviwe Hasheni on a split decision in East London in June this year.

Gwezela is the former South African bantamweight champion.

In the fight preceding the main bout, Former WBO Africa lightweight champion, Vikapita Meroro will fight Victor Moyo from Zimbabwe in a catchweight fight with an 87kg limit.

Meroro has a record of 20 wins from 23 fights while his opponent has a record of six wins from 11 fights.

In his last fight, Meroro lost to Braimah Kamoko of Ghana by unanimous decision in Accra, Ghana in June.

Before that, he had lost his WBO Africa light heavyweight title to Isaac Chilemba in South Africa in March by unanimous decision.

Meroro and Moyo met once before in March 2009 when Meroro knocked out Moyo in the second round.

In another catchweight (limit 62.23kg) fight on the same evening, Peter Malakia will face off against Silas Mandeya of Zimbabwe.

Malakia has a record of 18 fights with 8 wins, 9 defeats and 1 draw while Mandeya has a record of 5 wins from 11 fights.

Another boxer who is quickly making inroads on the local boxing scene, Anthony Jaarman (6f, 6w) will fight Zimbabwean Bhekimpilo Mlilo (7f, 3w, 4l) in a welterweight bout over 4 rounds.

David Egumbo (2f, 2l) will fight fellow Namibian Sem Kambonde (2f, 2l) in a 4 round featherweight bout.

Matthias Chimbi (2f, 2w) will go up against Immanuel Andeleki who will be making his professional debut on the evening. The lightweight bout will be fought over 4 rounds.

In a junior welterweight bout, Lukas Handivele and Jason Mashela will both make their professional debut in a 4 round encounter.

Lazarus Namalambo (2f, 2w) will take on Elikana Kalenga (3f, 2w, 1l) in a 4 round featherweight fight.

Elias Nashivela will make his pro debut against Thomas Shangula (1f, 1l) in a catchweight fight over four rounds in the first fight of the evening.

Tickets to the fight will cost N$100 while a table at ringside that seats 10 people will cost N$10 000. Tickets are available at the Boxing Control Board office.

http://www.namibiasport.com.na/node/21162

THE majority of Namibia’s top boxers are in for a busy festive season, promoter Nestor Tobias said yesterday.

On the cards is a boxing bonanza at the Windhoek Country Club this Saturday – headlined by interim WBO Africa bantamweight title holder Immanuel ‘Prince’ Naidjala and former WBO Africa light-heavyweight champion Vikapita ‘Beastmaster’ Meroro.
On Boxing Day, WBO Africa lightweight champion Martin ‘Black Poison’ Haikali is set for his fifth title defence when he fights George Ashie in Accra, Ghana.
Tobias also announced that Betuel ‘Tyson’ Uushona – initially part of Saturday’s main event – is set for an international title fight in Europe in January, so too are Wilberforce ‘Black Mamba’ Shihepo and Abmerk ‘The Scorpion’ Shidjuu.
WBO bantamweight champion Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda is in line for a shot at the WBO world title in January.
“There are offers coming in for our champions from all over the world,” said Tobias. “There is no Christmas for these guys. They have to be in the gym to make sure they are in top condition.”
Uushona will fight former IBF Welterweight Champion Dejan Zavec (Jan Zaveck) from Serbia at a yet to be confirmed venue in Europe at the end of January.
“Tyson was supposed to fight Michael Sangweni from South Africa on Saturday but we decided it is   better if he fights against the former world champion,” Tobias said.
“It’s a good fight and a good offer for Tyson.”
Shihepo has a chance to dislodge Germany’s Robert Stieglitz as WBO super middleweight world titleholder on January 21.
Although the ‘Black Mamba’ has dismissed his last four opponents, he has never fought an opponent of Stieglitz’s calibre.
On January 14, flyweight Shidjuu gets an opportunity to avenge his 2010 loss to Commonwealth title holder Chris Edwards.
The ‘rematch’ will take place in Liverpool with Shidjuu, who claimed to have been robbed last time,  promising to stop his opponent this time around.

http://www.namibian.com.na/sport/local/full-story/archive/2011/november/article/top-boxers-set-for-busy-festive-season-schedule/

Braimah Kamoko, the newly decorated WBO African Boxer of the year, has reiterated the desire to fight for a world title because that is the only challenge he awaits now. Kamoko received the award from WBO Africa President Andrew Smale at a quiet but lavish ceremony in the Ghanaian capital of Accra last Saturday night and immediately demanded to take on the world.

“This is the first time I wear coat, I feel like I’m going to heaven. Yeah this is Bukom Banku the man himself. I want the world title now, I want to fight (WBO Light Heavyweight champion Nathan) Cleverly because he is holding my title. I say they should give me the chance to fight him now,” Braimah Kamoko, famously called Bukom Banku told the audience just after receiving the accolade.

The unbeaten Kamoko (22-0, 16 KOs), also the WBO Africa Light Heavyweight champion, was also full of praise for his management and promotion team, the Golden Concepts Management International and Golden Mike Boxing Promotions. According to the boxer who overcame several setbacks including an eye defect, he may not have been fighting now without the support of especially Golden Concepts boss Henry Manly-Spain and his wife Ivy.

Hear the highly eccentric Bukom Banku: “I want to thank my manager, I died and at the funeral he came to raise me up. Mr. Manly-Spain and Golden Mike have done more than enough for me and I will forever be grateful to them. Mrs. Manly-Spain, she is the first lady in Ghana, she is a real mother. For them, I will be a world champion before I die.”

Henry Manly-Spain declared his commitment to push not just Bukom Banku but many other boxers under their stable to become world champs soon.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I can see a very huge potential in Braimah Kamoko as a potential world beater and I believe with the needed support and commitment, he will rule the world. I wish to produce boxing world champions in the near future and I know Braimah Kamoko is one of them,” Mr. Manly-Spain has pledged.

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=29969&more=1

The exploits of hard hitting crowd puller Bukom Banku in 2011, has received due recognition from the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

The recognized boxing body has given Banku aka Braimah Kamoko the new award of WBO Africa Boxer of the year in the Light Heavyweight category.

And by the feat, Banku is now the number one on the continent and the second best in the world for the year under review. He emerged tops out of 14 African champions.

The award has placed him in a better position for a World title in the next few months, stated Andrew Smale, vice president, WBO Africa at the awards presentation ceremony in Accra last Saturday.

The WBO Africa vice president revealed that Banku reigned supreme due to the fact that the Ghanaian boxer mounted the ring just on two occasions but the enormity of the bouts warranted the award.

The boxer expressed profuse thanks for the honour done him and promised to extend his dominance to the world stage.

The Chief Executive Officer of Golden Mike Promotions, promoters of Banku, Mike Tetteh pointed out that the recognition was timely. ‘The recognition has come at a time when boxers, promoters, investors, managers and fans needed motivation to keep the momentum of the sport intact.’

Golden Concept Management International CEO, Henry Mainly Spain, manager of Banku, mentioned that boxing is one of the most lucrative businesses in the World. He called on corporate Ghana to come on board to brainstorm as business executives to provide opportunities which will make the sport attractive.

Banku, who turned pro in 2000, has kayoed 16 of the 22 pugilists that he has encountered, with no defeat. He received a beautifully designed plaque.

The award ceremony was originally scheduled for the US and later to South Africa but was moved to the boxer’s home country due to logistical challenges of Banku’s management.

By Kofi Owusu Aduonum

http://www.modernghana.com/sports/363598/2/wbo-honours-banku.html

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- World Boxing Organization (WBO) President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, congratulated Jorge “Travieso” Arce for his achievement, becoming the first Mexican boxer ever to win world titles in five different weight divisions, four of them are WBO titles.

“(The WBO) We want to congratulate Travieso Arce for making history by becoming the first Mexican boxer with titles in five different divisions. We will honor Arce also because he is the first boxer with four WBO titles in different weight classes”, Valcarcel said.

Arce (59-6-2, 45 KOs) won his fifth title, the WBO Bantamweight belt, last Saturday when he beat Angky Angkotta (25-5, 14 KOs) by unanimous decision at the Plaza de Toros Rea in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México. Arce, from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, has held world titles at 108, 112, 115, 118 and 122 pounds.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/11/wbo-congratulates-jorge-%E2%80%9Ctravieso%E2%80%9D-arce-for-his-fifth-crown-four-with-the-wbo/

In the 12 round main event Saturday night, unbeaten WBO Latino Welterweight champion Diego Chaves (20-0, 16 KOs) of Argentina spectacularly stopped countryman Jorge Miranda (44-13, 16 KOs) in round 3 at the patinódromo del Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield, in Buenos Aires, Argentina to retain his WBO latino title.

WBO Latino Jr. Mddleweight champion Javier Maciel (20-2, 13 KOs) of Argentina easily dispatched Néstor Faccio (15-4-2, 9 KOs) of Uruguay in less than one round in the co-feature. Maciel valiently dropped a competitive decision to current world champion Dmitry Pirog earlier this past March in Pirog’s native Russia. The event was promoted by Mario Margossian.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/chavesmaciel-stop-foes-102875

BoxingScene.com has been advised by Wilfried Sauerland, of Sauerland Event, that discussions are ongoing for Marco Huck (34-1, 25KOs) to defend his WBO cruiserweight title against mandatory challenger Ola Afolabi (18-2-3, 8KOs). The fight is being targeted for February or March. Afolabi dropped a twelve round decision to Huck in 2009, but fought his way back to a mandatory position with four straight victories.

Sauerland, who handles the managerial duties for Huck, denied that there were ongoing negotiations for a unification with WBA champion Guillermo Jones. In a recent BoxingScene article, Jones revealed that he was traveling to Miami, Florida to meet with his promoter, Don King, to get an update on King’s progress to secure a unification with Huck.

By Rick Reeno

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46495

In a night filled with devastating knockouts, none was no more valuable than Adrien Broner’s as he won his first world title, the WBO junior lightweight championship, Saturday night at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH. Broner, who is now 20-0 with 18 KOs, drove WBO # 6 Martin Rodriguez (34-3-1, 18 KOs) between the ropes with a crushing left hook, with referee Frank Garza reaching the count of ten at 1:47 in the third round.

Broner maintained his composure throughout the contest against the constant pressure from Rodriguez. “The guy came out there fighting and I want to thank Martin for coming here tonight. I am going to keep going forward on those things that need work.”

The new champion spent the early moments of the bout trying to figure out the swarming Rodriguez, staying at a safe distance, while establishing his jab. Broner unloaded the quick 1-2 on a couple of occasions in the first round, but the pressure from his opponent kept him on the retreat, while rolling his left shoulder to defend against the wild, looping overhand right hands coming his way. The second round had Rodriguez continuing to force the action as he pressed Broner against the ropes, again trying to land one big right hand shot. It was in between those bursts though, that Broner showed a composure that was far more mature than the 22 year old champ’s age, now the second youngest in boxing. Broner effectively used the shoulder roll and a parrying left hand to keep a majority of the wild shots from causing him harm.

Broner attempted the right uppercut on many occasions during the contest and it was in the third that the high risk power shot began to find a home on Rodriguez’ chin. When asked by Fightnews if that was something he worked on in training camp or something that he saw as the bout started, Broner answered, “I don’t watch any tape on fighters I am facing. I see what is in front of me in the ring on fight night and then adjust my game plan from there.”

Rodriguez continued the constant pressure to start the third, but as the round progressed, the counter-shots that Broner was firing in return were landing more frequently. About midway through the round, Rodriguez bull-rushed Broner into a corner, throwing both hands with abandon. Broner calmly leaned against the turnbuckles, dodging some of the punches and deflecting others. Sometime during this flurry, Broner landed a punch that bloodied the Argentinian fighter’s nose and he backed away, breathing heavily from his mouth. The champion quickly turned the tables and forced his opponent into a corner, picking his shots carefully. An opportunity flashed before him and Broner landed a lightning-quick left hook. Rodriguez appeared to not see the punch coming and it caught him flush, dropping him between the third and fourth ropes, and he sat there in disbelief with referee Frank Garza counting over him. Garza reached ten and Broner first danced in celebration, then dropped to his knees as the enormity of the moment weighed upon him.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/broner-blows-out-rodriguez-to-win-wbo-130lb-title-102826

Jorge Arce won a twelve round unanimous decision over Angky Angkotta in their Fox Deportes-televised main event at Plaza de Toros Rea in Mazatlan, Mexico to win the vacant WBO bantamweight title. It was Arce’s fifth world title in his fifth weight division. The scores were 118-110 (twice) and 117-111. Arce improves to 59-6-2 (45KO). The win is his second decision in as many tries against Angkotta, who falls to 25-6 (14KO).

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-jorge-arce-makes-history-mexico-fifth-title–46480

WBO #5 featherweight Joel Brunker (21-0, 13 KOs) outscored Filipino Ti Yamagata Aguelo (15-7-1, 9 KOs) over twelve rounds at the Richmond Club, Richmond, NSW, Australia on Friday to defend the Interim WBO Oriental title successfully. Scores were 116-112, 116-112 and 115-114. Aguelo came to fight, but Brunker outworked his opponent in most of the rounds. This was the third opponent from the Philippines in 2011 that Brunker has defeated which include Reynaldo Belandres and Freddie Martinez. Brunker is now scheduled to box on undercard of IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale’s next title defense on February 29, 2012. Brunker is managed by Angelo Di Carlo.

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/wbo-5-featherweight-joel-bunker-stays-unbeaten-102744

A roster of Mexican boxing legends are arriving in Manila for WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria’s mandatory title defense against hard-hitting Mexican Giovanni Segura at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Metro Manila on December 11.

Among the latest to join the roster of superstars flying in to Manila is WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, the acknowledged “Son of the Legend” Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. who will do the TV commentary for Mexican audiences alongside another legend, Marco Antonio Barrera.

The title fight will be held in the morning in order to satisfy the demand of pay-per-view audiences in Mexico and the United States.

Viloria, a three-time world champion won the WBO title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Mexico’s rugged Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda last July 16 at the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii with one judge, Robert Hoyle scoring the bout by a lopsided 117-110 margin for Viloria. Hoyle is the same judge who scored the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez III a 114-114 draw.

Viloria won his first world title with a sensational 1st round knockout of Eric Ortiz at the Staples enter on September 10, 2005. After losing the title by  a controversial twelve round decision to Omar Nino FRomero on August 10, 2006 in Las Vegas, Viloria came back with a spectacular 11th round knockout of Ulises Solis at the Araneta Coliseum on April 19, 2009 to win the IBF title.

After losing the title in a stunning 12th round TKO to Carlos Tamara of Panama on January 23, 2010 Viloria who was having problems making the 108 pound limit decided to move up to 112 and promptly won the WBO flyweight crown.

The 31 year old Viloria, a former US Olympian with a record of 29-3 with 16 knockouts  said he plans to hold on to his title much longer than in the past but is expected to be involved in a ring war with Segura.

The 29 year old Segura has a record of 28-1-1 with 24 knockouts and is best known for his two dominating victories over former undefeated champion Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico.

In their first encounter in Calderon’s hometown, Segura won by an 8th round knockout on August 28, 2010  and in the rematch in Mexico Segura dominated Calderon to win by a 3rd round knockout on April 2, 2011.

Last June, Segura fought a keep-busy fight in the super flyweight division where he knocked out Eddy Zuniga in a single round.  He has an amazing 80% knockout ratio but he has proven that fighting the whole 12 rounds will not be a problem for him.

“I’ve sparred with Segura in the past and we beat the hell out of each other,” said Viloria. “It was the kind of sparring where we could have charged the audience for an entrance fee and they wouldn’t have complained.”

On December 10, these two fighters will get to do the real thing. This fight is a potential fight of the year candidate as the two fighters will surely come out to brawl. The Viloria-Segura tiff has generated a lot of interest from the boxing world as the two are ranked highly in their own divisions. The two fighters have proven time and again that they belong to the top tier of fighters and a win over the other will definitely catapult them higher in the pound-for-pound rankings.

“Segura is a very dangerous opponent for me but if I beat him, I’ll get to keep my title and grab his slot in Ring’s pound-for-pound rankings,” said Viloria.

The supporting main event for the Viloria-Segura title fight will feature veteran Mexican fighter Martin Honorio (31-6-1, 16 KOs) versus Fahsai Sakkreerin (36-2-0, 20 KOs) of Thailand for the IBF interim super featherweight title.

Al Sabaupan (17-0-1 12 KOs) vs Roy Muklis (23-3-2 18 KOs Indonesia) IBF Pan Pacific Championship.

Lolito Sonsona (17-0-1 12 KOs) vs Arden Diale (16-6-3 4KOs) Philippine Flyweight Championship.

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46414

WBA & WBO Intercontinental heavyweight champion Robert Helenius (16-0, 11 KOs), joined by WBA/WBC/WBO female welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus (18-0, 4 KOs), put in some hard work at Berlin´s Max-Schmeling-Gym. “The Nordic Nightmare” is preparing for a very dangerous opponent on December 3rd at  Helsinki´s renowned Hartwall Arena. He faces British boxer Dereck Chisora (15-1, 9 KOs) for the vacant European heavyweight title. Helenius wants to continue his string of battering victories. Five of his last six opponents have failed to go the distance and three of them were former heavyweight world champions.

On the same show, Braekhus defends against Kuulei Kupihea (7-1, 2 KOs). Both boxers are trained by eight-time German coach of the year Ulli Wegner.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46323

After the holidays, Michael Koncz, adviser to WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, plans to sit down with the Filipino superstar to discuss his next opponent. There are two viable options, WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., who returns on May 5 in Las Vegas, and WBA/WBO lightweight beltholder Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao fought Marquez for a third time on November 12th, winning a close twelve round majority decision. Because of the close and controverial nature of the outcome, there is pressure to stage a fourth meeting with Marquez. However, there is also mounting pressure to fight Mayweather on the already scheduled May date at the MGM Grand.

Since the fight with Marquez, Koncz has not discussed any boxing related matters with Pacquiao, who returned to Manila earlier this week. The boxer is spending time with his wife and kids and doesn’t plan to discuss his next fight until after the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, are over. Once the holidays are over, Koncz and Pacquiao will discuss all of the lucrative options – Mayweather, Marquez and whatever else is on the table. But, even Koncz admits Mayweather and Marquez are the two most lucrative options for Pacquiao’s next fight. Based on their discussion, Koncz will speak with Top Rank’s CEO Bob Arum.

“Honestly, there’s been no discussions with Manny about boxing and we don’t plan to discuss the opponent [for 2012] until after the holidays,” said Koncz to AKTV. “[Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee] are having some quality time together.”

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(From Left to Right) Pro-debuting middleweight prospect Chris Pearson, undefeated lightweight prospect DeVonte Allen, undefeated number one rated WBO junior lightweight contender Adrien Broner, undefeated featherweight prospect Brandon Bennett and undefeated junior welterweight William Jackson pose on November 22, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio at the final press conference for their November 26, 2011 fights when Pearson will face Steven Chadwick, Allen will face Salvador Perez, Broner will face number six rated WBO junior lightweight contender Martin Rodriguez for the vacant WBO Junior Lightweight World Title, Bennett will face an opponent to be determined and Jackson will face Juan Garcia at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati with Broner vs. Rodriguez being televised live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark. Photos by Mark Zerof/Hoganphotos.

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The 5th of November saw Scotland’s Ricky Burns beat the hard hitting Australian Michael Katsidis via a unanimous decision to become the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Interim Lightweight champion in what was a good performance.

Ricky used his jab well and covered up during Katsidis’s attack which was pretty relentless for twelve rounds. A lot of fans and experts were expecting Burns to lose.

The question a lot of people have asked me is. Who does Ricky fight next? There are a few options out there for Ricky he could face either IBF Champion Miguel Vazquez or WBC Champion Antonio Demarco and go for a second world title.
My choice would be for him to face Kevin Mitchell in a fight which would be a great domestic fight. It is a fight that is easily able to put together as both fighters are promoted by Frank Warren. The venue is a tricky choice in my opinion it would most likely be held in London at the o2 Arena or Wembley Arena.

This has the potential to be a great fight would do nice to top a bill with a strong undercard. Who do I think would win? Personally I think it depends on Mitchell’s mental state if his head is in it then for me he wins the fight. I like Ricky Burns a lot I’m proud for the contribution he has made to British boxing and it was a shame he didn’t win the British boxer of year award.

For me the Mitchell fight should be made it is the best option in my opinion. Maybe the winner of this fight could end up facing the winner of the Murray Vs Rios fight.

By Dan Henderson

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/11/ricky-burns-where-next/

It has happened many times before. A fighter brought in to face a young, undefeated fighter that is on a collision course for a big money fight. Or even a world title opportunity down the line. Most often, the unbeaten fighter is not only favored to win such a fight, but he is expected to do so in an impressive manner over the underdog fighter. Such was the case just 10 days ago, when then-unbeaten Luis Cruz fought against Juan Carlos Burgos on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez bout in Las Vegas. In the eyes of many members of the media, Cruz was supposed to defeat the hard-hitting Mexican.

Burgos deserved better. The 26 year old had only lost once in his professional career and was ranked in the top five by a major sanctioning body. Still, Burgos understood the situation at hand: He was fighting the house fighter (Cruz is promoted by Top Rank) and was an underdog to members of the media and fight fans alike.

However, Burgos flipped the script and fought a mostly-solid fight against Cruz. Burgos started very well and finished strong, earning a hard-fought 10 round majority decision.

“It didn’t bother me that I was the underdog,” said Burgos at a luncheon on Monday to celebrate his victory over Cruz. “I just demonstrated what I was capable of and that I was just as good if not a better fighter than him.”

Also at the luncheon, Burgos was officially presented with two belts that he had won that night: the WBC silver super featherweight title and the WBO Latino super featherweight title.

Burgos (28-1, 19 KO’s) is co-promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Banner Promotions.
Burgos had won two bouts in a row since the only loss on his record, which was a 12 round unanimous decision to Hozumi Hasegawa last November. Even in defeat, Burgos, who made his professional debut 16 days shy of his 17th birthday, gained a great deal of experience in the fight.

“I learned a great deal in my first loss,” said the soft-spoken Burgos, who resides in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. “I learned that I could not be too confident going into a fight, especially a world title bout. I reflected and moved on to this opportunity. My preparation was very well for this fight and I demonstrated it against Cruz.”

Burgos knew what he was up against with Cruz. The Puerto-Rican fighter had mowed through decent, but not stellar competition within the last year or so. In his last fight in September, Cruz brutally knocked out former world title challenger Antonio Davis.

Studying film from Cruz’s victory over Martin Honorio, Burgos and his team, which includes former bantamweight Gerardo Espinoza, put together a game plan that would take the fight to Cruz.

“We saw that Cruz was not as fast or hit as hard. He (Cruz) hit Honorio solid, but the punches did not affect him. As you saw, the left hand kept landing for me. I had to box him and not fall into his fight. We had to win as many rounds as possible because he was the promoter’s fighter.”
“This was the fight of my life and I was pleased with my performance.”

Although Burgos won two regional belts at 130 pounds, he wants to still campaign at 126 pounds. Burgos has campaigned at mostly featherweight and went up in weight to fight Cruz on November 12th.

Burgos is eager to get back in the gym and face another top fighter in the featherweight division. No more 10 round fights. No more tune-ups. Burgos is eager to face the best of what the division has to offer.

“My main objective is to face the best fighters at 126 pounds. I want to be a world champion in the featherweight division. I want to fight the best fighters out there. I think that I demonstrated against Cruz that I’m capable of fighting and beating those fighters.”

When asked about whom he would like to face, Burgos responded, “Whomever. Jhonny Gonzalez. Orlando Salido. Juan Manuel Lopez. (Miguel Angel) Mikey Garcia. I want to fight the best out there.”

Burgos has slowly emerged as a legitimate contender. He is also an emerging contender from the fight town of Tijuana, which has seen its great deal of champions and contenders.
Located along the border opposite the city of San Diego, Tijuana just might see another one of its fighters win a world title belt as soon as next year. Although Burgos is eager for that to happen, he is not getting ahead of himself and actually respects those Tijuana fighters that came before him.

“It is a great motivation for me to be another fighter to win a world title from Tijuana. Obviously my uncle (Victor Burgos), (Antonio) DeMarco, (Antonio) Margarito, Erik (Morales) have kept Tijuana on the boxing map. Seeing those fighters and their success motivates me to become a world champion. I definitely give extra work in the gym because of that.”

Everything may have been in line for Cruz to win. Except Burgos did not receive the memo that Cruz was supposed to win. Instead, Burgos did fight the bout of his career, winning a deserving decision.

Next time a bout takes place between an unbeaten fighter on the rise and “the underdog,” do not always assume that the unbeaten fighter will win.

Juan Carlos Burgos proved that theory does not always hold true. Based in his eagerness to face the best and well-known fighters in the division, he is eager to prove people wrong again.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/juan-carlos-burgos-receives-belts-after-upset-win-102512

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquaio is confident that he won a twelve round decision in his trilogy fight with Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Probably since the second fight with Marquez in 2008, Pacquiao has dominated the competition – including lopsided wins over Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Joshua Clottey, David Diaz, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito.

The third bout with Marquez was another close fight. Pacquiao won a twelve round majority decision, scores of 114-114, 116-112 and 115-113. There are many people who scored the fight in favor of Marquez. Because of his recent string of wins, Pacquiao told Filipino reporters that everyone expects one-sided performances in every fight but boxing doesn’t work like that.

“I believed that before the bout was over, I was ahead and winning. [But] I was not convinced in my performance and I wasn’t able to deliver what the people expected of me. That’s boxing. There are instances where you don’t win through a one-sided fight. You can’t always beat your opponent in a lopsided way. They also have fists. It so happened that my fight was a close fight,” Pacquiao said.

By Pawel Pronishev

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46280

Los Angeles, CA – Champion Juan Carlos Burgos was on hand at El Paseo Inn Restaurant at the historic Placita Olvera earlier today to receive his WBO Latino Super featherweight belt and his WBC International silver super featherweight/ WBC Latino super featherweight belt.

Burgos, who is co-promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Banner Promotions, earned the belts by battling for 10-tough rounds against hard punching Puertorican Luis Cruz on the opening televised bout of the November 12 Pacquiao-Marquez trilogy undercard.

Burgos had this to say about the battle, “Some of Cruz’s people thought that I was going to be an opponent that would only last three rounds.  Even if you watch the video, you can hear his trainers telling him that I was not at Cruz’s level.  But I proved everybody wrong.”

When asked about his future plans, Burgos stated:  “My main focus now is to become world champion.  I owe it to my family, my team and my promoters who have always believed in me.  I would love to take on Yoriokis Gamboa.  I will fight him at any weight… featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight, catch weight.   You name the weight and I will fight him.  I would also love to be matched up against current WBC featherweight champion Jonnhy Gonzalez.  We were supposed to fight each other  in September of 2010 but he went another direction.  I don’t know if he is afraid of me but I really feel he is ducking me.”

Other fighters mentioned on Burgos’ wish list were, IBF Featherweight champion Billy Dib, highly ranked featherweight Mickey Garcia, Super featherweights Juan Manuel Lopez and WBC Champion Takahiro Aoh and lastly IBF Super featherweight champion Juan Carlos Salgado.

Burgos (28-1, 19 KOs), is scheduled to make his return the ring in the first trimester of 2012.