Q&A: Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcarcel

As the World Boxing Organization closed out its 24th Annual Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, there are many boxing insiders who are admittedly surprised at the success of the WBO. Closing in on its 25th year in existence, there are few who don’t regard the WBO as one of the premiere sanctioning organizations in the world. Founded when a group of WBA members left that organization citing anger at how that group was run, the WBO seemed at first to face an insurmountable challenge in its quest to emerge as a major sanctioning body. In those early years the WBO had less credibility than the big three of the WBA, WBC, and IBF, and those three organizations, along with the boxing media and boxing pundits, appeared keen to see the WBO fail. But it became clear almost immediately that the WBO was not going to just fade away or be ignored. They remained steadfast in their adherence to putting on quality fights with legitimate champions. Before long the WBO belt was held in the highest regards, thanks in part to champions like Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao.

However, the WBO owes much of its success to its leadership and its determination. Each year the WBO challenges itself to step up to the plate, a mentality that is a driving force for the WBO’s success. And much of that driving force over the past decade can be attributed to its current president: Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel. Valcarcel took some time to speak to Fightnews about this recent Convention and the WBO’s plans for 2012 and beyond.

What do you think are the most important topics discussed at this year’s WBO Convention?

I think that the seminars were very good, particularly Manny Steward. The referee and judges seminars were excellent. And of course the awards. Klitschko winning fighter of the year and Yessica Bopp from Argentina, as female boxer of the year. It was a great event. And having all the former WBO champions from Puerto Rico here was great. And having Marco Huck here was also great. Also, we used the convention to start work for the 25th anniversary coming up. We will have the next convention in Miami and we will start work tomorrow. The 25th anniversary will be huge. We will have everything. Fireworks and everything else.

What can we expect from the WBO in 2012 for its 25th anniversary?

You know, as I was saying earlier at the convention, that we are going to double the amount of money we used for Kids Free Drugs program. We will work with scholarships, schooling, both high school and elementary. We want to do a lot of community work, using boxing and its champions as role models for the kids, that is the main priority for our 25th anniversary.

What about the” Kids Free Drugs?” What are some of the developments of that program?

It is a program that we have all around the world and now we are working on about 25 different countries in all the continents including China. We work with the kids in the gyms. In the Boys Club. We sponsor track and field. We sponsor soccer. In the program kids use boxers as a role model. We sponsor young kids in the elementary and high school,. We supply equipment for fighters and gyms. We want kids to come from the corner to the gym. If you don’t like boxing, we will train you to be a good baseball player. Or a good soccer player. Or a track star. We don’t want kids on the streets with drugs but in the gym.

What year did Kids Free Drugs start?

It started in January of 1995.

Do you anticipate this to be the biggest year ever for Kids Free Drugs?

No, we have been working for twelve or fourteen years, we invested a lot of money. But we will double the amount of money that we used to dedicate it to community work. We want more countries around the world to join us in that program. And we have our Vice Presidents and our representatives in each country, and they know what they have to do to do some community work for Kids Free Drugs.

How does it feel to be home for this convention?

It is always nice to be at home, but then I have to remember that I am WBO president, but I also have a lot of work here waiting for me. But Puerto Rico has a proud boxing tradition. We have a lot of former world champions, over fifty world champions from Puerto Rico. We are here with Mexico, and the USA as major boxing nations. And that is good when you come home, when you do something good for your country. For your country to have something special. It is a great satisfaction. For the week we have been here, and according to the people I’ve talked to, we’ve brought in over four million dollars for the country.

You discussed problems in the past in opening up in Japan. But at this year’s convention several Japanese promoters could be seen in attendance. Any news on the Japanese front?

I don’t want to make any disclosure, but I can tell you we have been working for more than 5 years. I think we can finally deliver, and I think we will be in Japan. Sooner than later I can assure you of that.

Who are the fighters you are most excited to see in WBO title fights in 2011 and 2012?

I want to see what happens with Ivan Calderon. I would like to know what will happen with Brian Viloria and Giovani Segura. They will fight in the Philippines, and most likely I will go there for that fight. And Omar Narvaez, I would like to know what happens with him when he fights Cesar Seda. And at 122, we will know if Nonito Donaire will move up in weight, and what will happen with Jorge Arce, if he wants to go for his 5th title in a different division. I don’t know what he will do, but I know he wants to make history. At 130 we have Adrien Broner fighting Vicente Martin Rodriguez in Cincinnati in an HBO fight. The winner will probably fight Luis Cruz. It will be very exciting. At lightweight we have Ricky Burns and Michael Katsidis. Tim Bradley, he is one of the best 140 at the moment

This convention saw numerous delegates from what has previously been seen as hostile territory such as Japan and Mexico. And the developments in China and Afrca continue to expand the influence of the WBO. How important is this for the continued growth of the WBO and how does the WBO continue its expansion into uncharted territory?

Let me tell you, we have presidents all around the world. We are doing more oriental titles than PABA and OPBF put together. In Europe we have been dominating in the last 15 years. In the USA we have the best promoters working with us. And we still have the best prospects fighting for the regional and youth titles and receiving the opportunity to fight for the world title. And we have Pacquaio, Donarie, Viloria, a lot of good fighters, Klitschko, Huck. We have new prospects like Broner. We have new blood.

Tell us more about the development of the WBO Youth Belt?

We are going to have more fights with these young fighters. As long as they are under twenty-three, and the fight is between an eight and ten rounder. But we will have more and more youth champs in WBO. And we want to give more publicity to our regional champions, using our new web page. It is sensational, we are the leaders in social networking. This convention is already on our webpage!

By David Finger

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/qa-francisco-paco-valcarcel-100251

Berlín – El combate por la corona de los pesos pesados en tres asociaciones y federaciones entre el actual campeón, el ucranio Vladimir Klitschko, y el francés Jean Marc Mormeck ha sido aplazado sin fecha por enfermedad del púgil eslavo.

Klitschko fue operado de urgencia este sábado en la Clínica Universitaria de Düsseldorf para extirparle una piedra renal y se encuentra convaleciente desde entonces, anunciaron hoy los organizadores del evento.

El combate entre Klitschko, que ostenta las coronas de la OMB, AMB y FIB, debía disputarse el sábado próximo 8 de diciembre, en el pabellón Esprit Arena de la ciudad alemana de Düsseldorf, al oeste del país.

Los patrocinadores del más joven de los hermanos Klitschko, de 35 años, contaban inicialmente con que el púgil se recuperara en el plazo de una semana, pero los médicos han descartado que pueda estar listo para el combate.

http://www.elnuevodia.com/operandeemergenciaavladimirklitschko-1136661.html

Sebastian Lujan, from Rosario, Argentina, put up a hard fight against rising star, the undefeated Mike Jones, 25-0 (18 KOs), but was ineffective and Jones had little trouble copping a unanimous decision and earning the right to face KO artist Randall Bailey for the vacant IBF Welterweight belt. He also successfully defended his NABO and NABA belts on the undercard of Cotto-Margarito at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Using his long arms and four inch height advantages to their fullest, Jones, a Philly fighter, completely dominated Lujan, 146 pounds, throughout except for the seventh when Jones appeared to take the round off.

Very simple; Jones, also 146 pounds, had too much of everything but courage over Lujan who never stopped trying. It wasn’t a beat down, but Lujan had little more the heart to fight the talented Jones.

Round after round Jones used jabs and uppercuts often throw from outside, to control and batter an ever pressing Lujan. Late in the eleventh Lujan, 38-6-2 (24 KOs), was hurt from a left hook/straight right combination. The bell sound right after Jones landed a similar combination again.

Lujan’s punches were wide and wild, so Jones found them easy to avoid and land his own, more accurate, punches. The referee was Steve Willis.

The scores of the officials were 118-110, and 119-109 twice, all for Jones on this Top Rank promotion.

By: SecondsOut

http://www.doghouseboxing.com/DHB/SOut1206e11.htm

WBO world middleweight champion Dmitry Pirog believes WBA champion Felix Sturm (36-2, 15KOs) will struggle when he finally meets hard hitter Gennady Golovkin (21-0, 18KOs). Sturm is the WBA’s “super champion” at 160-pounds, while Golovkin is the “regular champion” at 160. The WBA ordered Sturm to defend the title against Golovkin, the current mandatory challenger, but the sanctioning body has not forced the issue to make this fight happen.

Based on Sturm’s recent performances, a controversial split decision win over Matthew Macklin and a close twelve round draw with the far less experienced Martin Murray, Pirog feels the German boxer will have problems when he steps in the ring a heavy handed boxer like Golovkin.

“I think [Felix Sturm] has ceased to develop as a boxer. I’ve been able to form this opinion on the basis of his recent fights. If he is to meet Gennady Golovkin in the near future, I think that it’s going to be difficult for him,” Pirog said.

In a recent interview, Sturm praised Pirog and called him “the most difficult” fighter to beat at 160-pounds. Sturm feels Golovkin is “very overrated.”

By Gregory Stangrit, Allboxing.ru

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46898

Marco “Käpt´n” Huck (34-1, 25 K.o.´s), der aktuelle WBO-Weltmeister im Cruisergewicht, steht vor einem Wechsel ins Schwergewicht. Sein Plan: Er will den amtierenden WBA-Weltmeister Alexander Povetkin (23-0, 16 K.o.´s) herausfordern. Der 32-jährige WBA-Titelträger verteidigte am Samstagabend im finnischen Helsinki gegen den Amerikaner Cedric Boswell seinen WM-Gürtel eindrucksvoll, gewann durch K.o. in der achten Runde. Die in der Nacht folgende Pressekonferenz zum WM-Fight im Medien-Raum der Hartwall Areena nutzte dann aber Huck für seinen großen Auftritt. Nachdem Wilfried Sauerland dazu befragt wurde, welche Pläne man nach dem Erfolg gegen Boswell mit Alexander Povetkin verfolgen würde, meldete sich Marco Huck zu Wort. Der Cruisergewichts-Weltmeister hatte sich zuvor unter die anwesenden Journalisten gemischt und stürmte ans Podium. “Herr Sauerland, ich möchte etwas dazu sagen”, so Huck. “Jeder weiß, dass es schon immer mein Traum war, ins Schwergewicht zu wechseln. Hiermit fordere ich Alexander Povetkin heraus, ich möchte gegen ihn antreten und nach Max Schmeling erster deutscher Schwergewichts-Weltmeister bei einem bedeutenden Box-Weltverband werden.”

Wilfried Sauerland antwortete: “Das ist natürlich eine Sache, über die wir erst einmal sprechen müssen. Beide Kämpfer stehen beim Sauerland-Team unter Vertrag. Deshalb freue ich mich nicht darüber. Aber wir werden in den nächsten Tagen mit allen Beteiligten diskutieren und sprechen.” Grundsätzlich scheint der Weg für Huck, der dafür seinen Cruisergewichts-Titel niederlegen müsste, aber frei. “Wir respektieren Marcos Wunsch”, so Sauerland-Geschäftsführer Chris Meyer, “aber jetzt müssen wir erst einmal sehen, ob sich das realisieren lässt. Das Interesse an diesem Kampf wäre riesengroß. Doch wir müssen natürlich erst einmal mit den entsprechenden Weltverbänden darüber sprechen, ob das möglich ist.” Huck-Trainer Ulli Wegner scheint den Plänen seines Schützlings inzwischen offen gegenüberzustehen. “Ich glaube, einige Kämpfe im Cruisergewicht gegen Gegner wie Ola Afolabi oder Denis Lebedev wären genauso schwer”, so der Erfolgscoach. “Alexander Povetkin hat am Samstagabend eine gute Leistung gezeigt. Marco müsste für das Schwergewicht im Kraftbereich natürlich erheblich zulegen. Ich hätte an seiner Stelle noch damit gewartet, denn das Cruisergewicht ist eine sehr spannende Gewichtsklasse. Doch letztendlich stehe ich seiner Entscheidung nicht im Wege.”

http://www.boxen.com/news-archiv/newsdetails/article/huck-will-ins-schwergewicht.html

WINDHOEK – There seems to be no stopping Namibia’s interim World Boxing Organization (WBO) Africa champion, Immanuel “Prince” Naidjala, in his quest to become a world beater.

Young boxing sensation Naidjala was in no good mood in negotiating his South African opponent, Nkqubela Gwezela, and made easy work of his fight with a 5th round technical knockout, which left the South African slumbering on the canvas.

Naidjala extended his winning streak to 12 wins from 12 fights.

In the main supporting bout, former WBO light-heavyweight champion, Vikapita “Beast Master” Meroro, made his long-awaited comeback with a win against Zimbabwean, Chamunorwa Gonorenda, on points in a catch-weight fight.

Namibia’s award-winning boxing promoter, Nestor “Sunshine” Tobias, said he was very delighted with the results of all his boxers, adding that Namibian boxers can be ranked among the world’s best.

Tobias also hailed Meroro and Naidjala for a job well done, adding that Meroro’s performance was very phenomenal, “taking it from his last two defeats – but he still needs some time to recuperate and get back his alacrity”.

In another catch-weight fight, Peter Malakia beat Silas Mandeya of Zimbabwe on a unanimous points decision over four rounds, while in a welterweight fight over four rounds, Namibia’s Anthony Jaarman jacked up his seventh consecutive victory with a 4th round technical knockout against Martin Tshuma of Zimbabwe.

In a featherweight fight over four rounds, David Egumbo defeated Sem Kambonde with a 3rd round knockout.

In a lightweight fight, Mathias Shimbi attained his third consecutive victory when he knocked out Immanuel Andeleki in the third round, and in a junior welterweight fight over four rounds, Lukas Handivele defeated Jason Mashela on a unanimous points decision.

Also in a catch-weight category, Elias Nashivela trounced Thomas Shangula in a unanimous points victory.

http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=41966&title=Prince%20Naidjala%20goes%20for%20the%20kill%20%E2%80%A6%20%20Meroro%20makes%20gallant%20comeback

As previously reported, heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko pulled out of his fight against France’s Jean-Marc Mormeck. Wladimir had surgery to remove a kidney stone over the weekend and was still feeling ill. The fight had been scheduled for Saturday in Duesseldorf.

Klitschko’s manager, Bernd Boente, revealed that March 3 was a possible new date. The IBF would have to approve because Klitschko would be requested to fight a mandatory challenger on that date.

“We hope to know in two or three days. Mormeck is also ready to accept it,” Boente said.

Klitschko, the WBO, IBF, IBO and WBA champion, had abdominal pain at his training camp in Austria on Friday. The 35-year-old Ukrainian was taken to Innsbruck for treatment before he was transferred to a Duesseldorf hospital. The stone was removed Saturday, but Klitschko returned to the hospital Sunday before a scheduled television appearance.

Older brother Vitali Klitschko, the WBC champion, appeared on the live program and said Wladimir became ill shortly before the show and returned to the Duesseldorf hospital. He declined to elaborate.

The 39-year-old Mormeck is a former WBC and WBA unified cruiserweight champion. He has won all his fights since moving to the heavyweight division in 2009. He has a career record of 36 wins (22 KOs) and four defeats.

Saturday’s fight was supposed to be Klitschko’s 20th title bout and his first appearance since beating Britain’s David Haye in July. His record is 56-3 with 49 KOs.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46872

Fresh off his upset victory over Luis Cruz, junior lightweight contender Juan Carlos Burgos returns against former world champ Cristobal Cruz in the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights main event on Feb. 24.

The headliner will see a matchup of Tijuana, Mex., natives.  Burgos (28-1, 19 KOs) annexed both the WBO Latino and WBC Silver 130-pound titles on the Pacquiao-Marquez III undercard last Nov. 12.

Cristobal Cruz (39-12-3, 23 KOs) is 0-1-2 in his last three, with losing his IBF world title to Orlando Salido sandwiched in between technical draws to Ricardo Castillo and Art Hovhannisyan.

In the co-main, junior featherweight prospect Efrain Esquivias fights Alex de Oliveira.  Esquivias (15-0, 9 KOs), of Carson, Calif., took a step up in competition last month and scraped by veteran Fernando Beltran Jr. by majority decision.

Meanwhile, de Oliveira (19-1, 13 KOs), of Sao Paolo, Brazil, is on a three-bout winning streak that includes an eighth-round knockout of Diego Loto for the WBO Latino interim 122-pound belt.

Also on the card, bantamweight Isaac Zarate fights Joshua Berrelleza.  Coming off a successful points victory over Anthony Briones in his pro debut, Zarate (1-0), from South Los Angeles, has been Brian Viloria’s main sparring partner for the past three weeks in preparation for his WBO flyweight title defense against Giovani Segura.

Berrelleza (1-0), from Riverside, Calif., is a former highly touted amateur who also won his debut, a four-round unanimous decision over Albert Tovar.

The card will be promoted by Thompson Boxing.

The site is yet to be determined, but sources have advised BoxingScene.com that the show will likely take place in Southern California.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46854

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

JORGE “Travieso” Arce says he is surprised because, despite having captured a fifth world title in a fifth weight divisions, there are still voices who question his achievements. The WBO bantamweight champion argues that “the criticism makes ​​me stronger” and insists that he plans to “find a sixth championship.” Last Saturday in Mazatlan, Arce won the WBO bantamweight belt by defeating Indonesian Angky Angkotta on points. The belt was vacated by Filipino Nonito Donaire.

Arce confirmed plans to defend his title in early 2012, and then he wants to move up to featherweight for a shot at the WBO title. He wants the winner of the rematch between champion Orlando Salido and Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez.

“I want to fight the winner between Orlando Salido, the WBO featherweight champion, and Juanma Lopez,” he said. “Nothing is easy, but nothing is impossible. If Manny Pacquiao, who was a flyweight, like myself, went up to welterweight and junior middleweight, and beat much bigger opponents at the higher weight, then why couldn’t I do it?.”

By Jose Luis Camarillo, notifight.com

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46721

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

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BUENOS AIRES — Con un gancho al hígado perfecto, Diego Gabriel Cháves definió su pelea ante Jorge El Chino Miranda y de esa manera retuvo su título Latino welter de la OMB. La pelea fue en el club Vélez Sarsfield, de Buenos Aires. Todo bien, pero&¿Y ahora?

Cháves, tercera generación de boxeadores, tiene 25 años, ha ganado 20 peleas y 16 antes del límite. Su victoria ante Miranda ha sido la más valiosa de todas, porque el cordobés es un probador serio, difícil y experimentado: 44 victorias, 13 derrotas, 1 sin decisión y a su vez, ex campeón Latino welter OMB.

Miembro de una familia boxística, su caso es realmente curioso. Arrancó la historia con Rudecindo Cháves, que llegó a pelear en el Luna Park en los 70. Rudecindo luego condujo las carreras de sus hijos Abel, Ariel, Ismael.

Diego, a quien llaman La Joya, es hijo de Olga Cháves, o sea nieto directo de Rudecindo. Como el papá no apareció nunca, lo criaron sus tíos a quienes considera casi como hermanos. En total, contando a algunos de sus primos que también boxean, hay 12 boxeadores en la familia.

Zurdo, de una pegada respetable y buen estilo, clásico, fue bronce en los Panamericanos de Rio de Janeiro (2007). Hoy ha firmado un convenio con Vélez Sarsfield: el club -para el que también jugó al fútbol, y lo hizo bastante bien con el 10 en la espalda- le brinda toda su estructura y el tema pasa porque pelee en sus instalaciones siempre y cuando no exista otro tipo de oferta. Eso si, la parte pugilística la lleva a cabo en el ya legendario gimnasio familiar que está en San Miguel, en la provincia de Buenos Aires.

Su promotor, Mario Margossian, admite que está todo bien, pero hay un problema. “Fui a Puerto Rico, para la convención de la OMB, para hablar personalmente con Francisco Valcárcel sobre el futuro de Diego. Y por supuesto, lo tienen muy en cuenta. Pero el actual campeón welter OMB es nada más ni nada menos que Manny Pacquiao… ¿Qué podemos hacer?

Hasta ahora, solamente una vez peleó fuera de Argentina como rentado y eso fue en Las Vegas, el 27 de marzo del año pasado, cuando le ganó por puntos al brasileño Deban dos Santos Barros.

Diego, que sube a su rincón atendido por sus hermanos Ismael y Gabriel, acepta el tema con una sonrisa: “Lo único que quiero es seguir mejorando y dejar que el tiempo ponga las cosas en su lugar”

El sábado 26, en Vélez, Diego puso en el lugar exacto su puño izquierdo y logró la mejor victoria de su carrera. Por ahora, no le queda otra cosa que esperar.

Por Carlos Irusta
ESPNdeportes.com

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=1425053&s=box&type=column
Carlos Irusta Carlos Irusta es uno de los periodistas de boxeo más reconocidos de la Argentina. Actualmente, conduce en radio el programa Ring Side en el Aire los domingos por la noche en AM 910, La Red, y en TV es una de las voces de Noche de Combates por ESPN. Además es prosecretario de redacción de El Gráfico y dirige la revista Ring Side. Para seguirlo en Twitter: @carlosirusta Consulta su archivo de columnas.

Enfocado en cobrar su venganza en suelo boricua.

Juan Manuel “Juanma” López ya está trabajando con miras a enfrentar al mexicano Orlando Salido en un combate que, con toda seguridad, se celebrará en Puerto Rico.

Salido le propinó a López su primera derrota profesional el pasado 16 de abril en Bayamón y, a su vez, le arrebató el título peso pluma de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo.

Según López, el promotor Bob Arum aprovechará su viaje a Nueva York, donde Miguel Cotto y Antonio Margarito se enfrentan este sábado, para negociar la fecha final del combate.

“Estamos esperando que la gente de Showtime se reúna esta semana con Arum en Nueva York para darnos la fecha oficial, pero ya en febrero o marzo yo estoy peleando con Salido en una revancha segura en Puerto Rico” dijo López.

Incluso, el boxeador boricua reveló que Arum también conversará con HBO sobre la posibilidad de que sea esa compañía la que transmita la pelea.

“Ya Arum nos informó que se está reuniendo con Showtime, porque son los interesados. Bueno, Showtime y HBO están interesados y están viendo quién es el mejor postor, pero, aparentemente, va a ser Showtime, porque ya dieron la primera pelea y quieren la revancha”, sostuvo López, quien mencionó la fecha del 25 de febrero como una de las señaladas para la pelea en la Isla.

Luego de caer contra Salido, López (31-1, 28 KO) volvió al cuadrilátero el 10 de octubre y noqueó en el segundo asalto al estadounidense Mike Oliver para agenciarse del título Latino, peso pluma, de la OMB.

“Ya empezamos a correr y empecé a hacer un poquito de pesas. La semana que viene empezamos el entrenamiento de lleno; empezamos a rebajar y a organizar bien, porque vamos a ir fuera de Puerto Rico. Vamos a estar cuatro semanas en Puerto Rico, cuatro semanas fuera, y luego regresamos dos semanas antes”, explicó López.

Esteban Pagán Rivera y Rosalina Marrero-Rodríguez

http://www.primerahora.com/juanmalopezesperaporfechapararevanchaconsalido-587411.html

SES Boxing starts in 2012 on January 7^th with the boxing gala in Maritim Hotel Magdeburg, Germany. Under the slogan “Schwere Jungs” (Heavy Boy´s) is the newly crowned WBO European Champion, Robin Krasniqi, defending his belt for the first time in Light Heavyweight. He is currently number 6 at the official WBO ranking in Light Heavyweight.

SPORT1, the German broadcaster, transmit the fight live at 10:00 p.m. CET.

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

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, 28 Nov. (Notimex).- El presidente de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel, felicitó al mexicano Jorge “Travieso” Arce haber alcanzado títulos mundiales en cinco pesos distintos.
De esta forma, Arce se convirtió en el primer mexicano en hacerlo y resaltó el que es el primer peleador en ganar cetros de la OMB en cuatro divisiones diferentes.
“Quiero felicitar por este medio al Travieso Arce por la historia que ha realizado al ser el primer mexicano con títulos en cinco diferentes pesos y más aún porque cuatro de esos títulos han sido de la OMB. Arce es el primer campeón con correas de cuatro categorías distintas con la OMB”, dijo Valcárcel.
“Arce es un gran boxeador, un gran campeón y, además, es una gran persona fuera del cuadrilátero. Es grande la historia que ha realizado Arce en su fructífera carrera”.
El peleador mexicano, de 32 años y con marca de 59-6-2 y 45 nocauts, se hizo de la corona peso gallo de la OMB este pasado sábado cuando venció por decisión unánime al indonesio Angky Angkotta (25-5 y 14 nocauts) en una dura batalla que se llevó a cabo en la Plaza de Toros Real de Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México.
De esta manera, Arce, natural de Los Mochis, Sinaloa, ha ostentado cetros mundiales en las 108, 112, 115, 118 y 122 libras. Con excepción del de las 112, el resto han sido cinturones de la OMB.
“Vamos a realizar una actividad para entregarle la correa a Arce y además honrarlo por los cinco títulos en diferentes pesos y los cuatro que ha tenido con la OMB. Más adelante estaremos dando más detalles de lo que estaremos haciendo en honor al Travieso Arce”, finalizó Valcárcel.

http://www.boxnoticias.net/?p=34380

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