Photos/Weights: Huck vs Rossi

The weights are in for Saturday’s big event in Ludwigsburg. Marco Huck will defend his WBO cruiserweight title against tough Rogelio Rossi. In the co-feature, Dominik Britsch will face Billy Lyell in a middleweight contest, and Kubrat Pulev takes on Travis Walker in a battle of heavyweights. Photos by Photo Wende

FULL WEIGHTS AND PHOTOS

Rogelio Rossi: 89,6 kg [197.5-pounds]

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-weights-huck-vs-rossi-britsch-vs-lyell-pulev–45180

WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel today announced the referee and judges who will work bantamweight clash of champions between Nonito Donaire and Omar Narvaez in New York City. The referee is Benjy Esteves and judges are Julie Lederman, Thomas Schreck and Steven Weisfield. Supervisor is Richard de Cuir.

Valcarcel also announced the officials for WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck’s defense against Rogelio Rossi in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The referee will be Paul Thomas from the United Kingdom. Judges are Carlos Colon from Puerto Rico, Denny Nelson from Uunited States and Matteo Montella D’Airola from Italy. WBO Supervisor for this fight will be Edoardo Ceccoli.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/donaire-narvaez-officials-99198

New York, N.Y. — WBC/WBO World Bantamweight Champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire and undefeated two-time world champion and current WBO Jr. Bantamweight Champion Omar Narvaez of Argentina pose during the press conference for their upcoming world title fight, Saturday, October 22 in the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Madison Square Garden, Donaire vs Narvaez will be televised by HBO Boxing After Dark. — Photos by Chris Farina.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-donaire-narvaez-face-face-new-york–45148

In an earlier report on BoxingScene.com, IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale revealed that his management team is currently negotiating a possible unification with WBO king Dmitry Pirog for a date in late December. In the report, Geale (26-1, 15 KOs) said he was “90% certain” that a deal to fight Pirog (19-0, 15 KOs) would get finalized, with a Las Vegas venue being considered.

Pirog has now personally confirmed the serious nature of the ongoing negotiations.

“Immediately after the victory over [Danny] Jacobs when I won the world title in 2010, I asked my promoters to organize a unification fight. But, none of the other boxers wanted to fight. My promoters made proposals to various middleweight champions, but none of them responded. The only boxer willing to talk, is IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale of Australia. Like myself, Geale is not an American. And to get on American TV, he needs a big fight. That is why our discussions are the most realistic. It is possible that we’ll reach an agreement with him. At the moment, my promoters Kyril Pchelnikov and Artie Pelullo are negotiating with Geale’s side,” Pirog said.

By Ruslan Chikov
http://www.boxingscene.com/pirog-confirms-negotiations-geale-unification-bout–45171

Following an impressive September knockout over Daniel Jimenez, NABO Junior Lightweight Champion Eloy “The Prince” Perez will return to his hometown of Salinas, California on Friday, October 28 to square off against veteran Ira Terry in the 10 round main event of TeleFutura’s “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” at the Sherwood Hall.

Perez vs. Terry headlines a night of world-class professional boxing presented by Don Chargin Productions, Golden Boy Promotions and Paco Presents, and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Doors open at 6:00pm, the first bell rings at 7:00pm and the TeleFutura broadcast begins at 10:30pm ET / PT.

Tickets, priced at $125, $75 and $50, are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (831) 261-0532 or (831) 905-7354, at the 2stepsahead Gym (832 South Main Street, Salinas, California) and at the Sherwood Hall on fight night.

Currently ranked third at 130 pounds by the WBO, 24-year-old Eloy “Prince” Perez (22-0-2, 6 KO’s) is closing in on his long awaited shot at a world championship, but he’s not sitting idle. Instead, he’s opting to stay busy against tough competition until he’s cleared out all opposition in his path. In 2011, Perez has shutout longtime contender Roger “Speedy” Gonzalez, and successfully defended his NABO title against Alejandro Rodriguez and Daniel Jimenez, setting the stage for his October 28 battle with Terry.

Tennessee native Ira Terry (24-6, 14 KO’s) began his professional career with a hot streak, winning 24 of his first 26 fights, and the hard-hitting 24-year-old is not a boxer who gets discouraged easily. He is doubling his efforts in the gym and is refocused knowing that if he can issue Perez his first professional loss later this month, he will have resurrected his career in the 130-pound weight class.

http://www.proboxing-fans.com/eloy-perez-to-stay-busy-fights-for-2nd-time-in-2-months-against-ira-terry-oct-28th_102011/

PAULUS ‘The Rock’ Ambunda believes that Namibians have become accustomed to seeing local boxers win, a trend that will continue on November 5.

Speaking at a press conference in Windhoek yesterday, the WBO Africa bantamweight champion promised to defeat challenger Bongani Mahlangu from South Africa in order to keep his supporters happy and defend his title for the sixth time.
Ambunda said he was confident that stablemates Bethuel ‘Tyson’ Uushona and Wilberfoce ‘Force’ Shihepo, who are undercard highlights, would back up his sentiments with victories of their own.
“We always do good,”Ambunda said of himself and his compatriots.
“The supporters come to see us because we give them good results. This time we will give them good results as always.”
Ushoona is set to battle Ghanaian powerhouse Francis Gakpetor in a welterweight eight-round bout, while ‘Force’ faces Johannes Peiterson from South Africa in the super-middleweight class, also over eight rounds.
Fight promoter Nestor Tobias echoed Ambunda’s comments, saying the fighters thrived on the support of their followers.
“People want to watch good boxing and these guys perform when there is a big crowd supporting them,” he said. “We have to keep grooming them to become more attractive to the public.”
Tobias also used the platform to have a go at the Namibia Sport Awards selectors, whom he believes have failed to recognise his efforts and those of his boxers.
Former world lightweight champion Paulus Moses and Jafet Uutoni are the only nominees from boxing that made the cut.
The pair are vying against Welwitschias captain Jacques Burger, triathlete Abrahm Louw, shooter Gielie van Wyk and cricket’s Craig Williams for the Sportsman of the Year Award.
“I’m being acknowledged internationally but locally I’m not there. I’m not saying my name should be there but we have good administration in boxing also. There are many good coaches, judges and boxers who have performed well over the last year.”

By: SHEEFENI NIKODEMUS
http://www.namibian.com.na/sport/local/full-story/archive/2011/october/article/we-dont-disappoint-says-ambunda/

WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (27-0, 11 KO’s) says he still intends on fighting IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan in the future but that he’s going to have to wait for Bradley to face bigger tests. Right now, Khan is small time stuff compared to the money fight that Bradley has in front of him in 2012 against Manny Pacquiao.

In the latest boxing news, Bradley is saying he’ll fight Khan at either 140 lbs or 147 lbs in the future, but it’s a fight that will have to marinate a little bit more. It’s too soon right now and Khan still isn’t a pay per view star in the U.S. It would be premature for Khan and Bradley to fight each other right now.

Things have rapidly changed in the past two years. A couple of years ago, before Bradley’s promoters with his former promoters, he had been trying long and hard to get a fight against Khan but was largely ignored. But then later after Bradley become mired in legal problems with his promoter, then Khan and his promotional company wanted the Bradley fight. Of course, Khan was ignored because Bradley couldn’t fight anyone.

Bradley is fighting a tune-up bout against 40-year-old southpaw Joel Casamayor (38-5-1, 22 KO’s) on the Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez undercard at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 12th. This is likely a warm-up for a fight against Pacquiao for next year. Bradley recently signed up with Top Rank Promotions, the same promoters for Pacquiao, and the president of the company Bob Arum really likes to match his Top Rank fighters against each other rather than putting them in against non-Top Rank fighters.

Pacquiao has already decimated Arum’s fighters at welterweight, beating Antonio Margarito, Joshua Clottey and Miguel Cotto in the past couple of years.

By William Mackay:
http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/10/bradley-says-hell-get-around-to-fighting-khan-eventually/

A fight between Alexander Dimitrenko (32-1, 21 KO’s) and unbeaten WBO Intercontinental heavyweight champion Robert Helenius (16-0, 11 KO’s) is rumored to be in the works for the December 3rd undercard of the title fight between WBA heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin and 42-year-old challenger Cedric Boswell in Helsinki, Finland.

The Helenius-Dimitrenko fight would be perfect for the card, as Helenius comes from nearby Sweden and he can pull in fans from there as well as Finland. The fight card certainly needs something to attract interest from fans because the fight between Povetkin and his number #14 ranked contender Boswell is a hopeless mismatch and no one is even remotely interested in seeing this title milking fight for Povetkin.

Helenius, 27, is ranked #1 WBO, #3 WBA, #3 IBF and #8 WBC, is considered one of the best contenders in the division as of now. He could have gotten a title shot against one of the Klitschko brothers but he and his management feels he needs a little more time before he’s thrown out there with the much better skilled Klitschkos.

Putting Helenius in with Dimitrenko would be a great transition fight for him, though, because Dimitrenko has a style very similar to Wladimir, albeit without the handspeed, power or the crushing jab. In part it would give Helenius an idea of what he’ll be up against when and if he ever faces Wladimir.

Dimitrenko is tall at 6’7″, and this would be a fight where the 6’6 1/2″ Helenius would be facing someone bigger than him for the first time in his career. It’s a risk for him because he’s been able to dominate at a distance against shorter foes and he won’t be able to do this with Dimitrenko, who has a four inch reach advantage over the big Swede. Helenius has the much better power, but he mostly throws with big power in close. If Dimitrenko keeps the fight to the outside this could be a very difficult fight for Helenius to win.

By Eric Thomas:
http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/10/helenius-vs-dimitrenko-a-possibility-for-povetkin-boswell-undercard-on-december-3rd/

If you saw WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly’s close 12 round majority decision win over challenger Tony Bellew (16-1, 10 KO’s) last Saturday night you would think the last thing that Cleverly needs to be doing is trying to move forward to fight WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson or 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins. But that’s exactly what the 24-year-old Cleverly wants to do.

I think he’s stupid for wanting this, because I think he didn’t even prove that he’s better than Bellew last weekend. I scored the fight a draw and that was after giving Cleverly a couple of mercy rounds. I really think he should have lost, but knowing how popular he is in the UK, I figured he would be given rounds that were close even if Bellew appeared to do the better work. The judges scored it 117-112, 114-114 and 116-113. The 117-112 score was just plain strange because there was no way on earth that Cleverly won by those wide of score.

Instead of looking to fight Dawson or Hopkins, and get dominated, Cleverly needs to give Bellew a rematch but with a whole different crew of judges apart from the one that scored it 114-114. I think Cleverly needs to show that he’s better than Bellew before he can move on to bigger and better things like Dawson or Hopkins. And right now Cleverly and Bellew are about equal. That’s just the reality of it. Cleverly can move on if he wants to but he looks bad because he didn’t show that he was better than Bellew.

Hopkins and Dawson aren’t going to waste time fighting Cleverly. That’s not going to happen. Dawson wants to fight a rematch against Jean Pascal, while Hopkins is injured from a bad shoulder injury. Who knows how long it will take for that injury to heal, but I don’t think he’ll want to fight a less than popular guy like Cleverly in his next fight in the U.S. Hopkins won’t travel to England, that’s the only place that a Cleverly vs. Hopkins fight has any significance. U.S fans won’t buy that fight, especially after the PPV fiasco of the Hopkins-Dawson fight.

Cleverly said this to ringtv: “I think Shumenov would be good next step for me. He’s only had about 13 fights and is WBA champion. Or there’s Tavoris Cloud, the IBF champion, who is a good fighter. There’d both be unification fights. If a fight with Hopkins or Dawson came along I would take it. Whether or not I’m ready, I don’t know.”

You’re not ready, Cleverly; take it from me. I think Cloud would knock Cleverly out with his high work rate and the same with Shumenov. With his poor defense, Cleverly would be a sitting duck against Cloud and Shumenov.
I hate to say it but Cleverly pretty much found his upper level in the Bellew fight and he’s reached his ceiling.

By Scott Gilfoid:
http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/10/cleverly-still-wants-hopkins-or-dawson-next-but-will-settle-for-cloud-or-shumenov/

WBO Cruiserweight Champion Captain Huck (33-1, 24 KOs) could not believe his eyes when he met challenger Rogelio Rossi (17-2-1, 11 KOs) at today’s press conference in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Listed at 6’6, the “Argentinian Giant” turned out to be much smaller than that. “Maybe he shrunk of fear,” Captain Huck said. “Doesn’t matter anyway. I don’t care what size he is. I have knocked out taller and smaller opponents. I will clinch a spectacular victory on Saturday night. He will not get my title.” Huck then measured his opponent. The result: 6’3 and a half!

Rossi seemed to enjoy the confusion regarding his height. “It’s true, I’m not two meters tall,” he stated. “But I will still defeat Huck. If you’re scared, your opponent looks much bigger than he actually is. I guess this has happened to Huck. I will take his title on Saturday night. I have trained hard and I will win.”

German coaching legend Ulli Wegner said Rossi’s actual size will make no difference. “We have done sparring with tall guys and with small guys, we are prepared for everything,” he stated. “If Rossi was clever, he would have stood on tiptoes during the face-to-face to look bigger than he is. I don’t think he can cope with Huck’s explosiveness and aggressiveness anyway.”

In the co-featured main event, IBF Intercontinental Middleweight Champion Dominik Britsch (25-0, 9 KOs) defends his title against Billy Lyell (24-9, 5 KOs), while unbeaten heavyweight sensation Kubrat Pulev (13-0, 6 KOs) takes on Travis Walker (38-6-1, 30 KOs) for the IBF International Heavyweight Title.

Photos: Sauerland Event
http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/rossis-size-stuns-huck-99083

With the support of the #1 women’s boxing promoter in Mexico, WBO bantamweight Kaliesha “Wild Wild” West (14-1-3, 4KOs) of Moreno Valley, California, looks to conquer the Mexican boxing public with her mix of beauty and lethal skills. West, one of the female world champs in HG Boxing’s stable led by promoter Hector Garcia, returns to the ring and to Colima, the site of her debut bout with HG Boxing back in August. West will defend her WBO 118 lbs. strap as part of the “Erupción en Colima (Eruption In Colima)” fight card set for Saturday, October 29th.

In her last bout held on August 20th, West defeated Jessica Villafranca via a unanimous decision with scores of 97-95, 99-91 and 96-94 in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico.

Now West will appear in the capital of Colima at the 74th Colima State Fair. The bout will mark West’s third defense that she captured last year by stopping Angel Gladney in seven rounds. West opponent is still to be confirmed.

“I am happy to return to Mexico once again and especially Colima,” West stated. “The people there are very nice and I am looking forward in showing again why I am a world champion.”

West trains in her hometown of Moreno Valley under the supervision of her trainer and father, Juan West. After road work every morning and then an eight hour shift as a hospital administrator, Kaliesha trains at night where she spars at least six rounds three times a week.

West will share the bill with Arely” Amatralladora” Muciño (14-0-1, 8KOs) who will defend her IBF flyweight title versus the “Lady of Boxing” Ava Knight (6-1-3, 3KOs). In the main event, super bantamweight Giovani “Ruso” Caro (22-9-4, 17KOs) will take on Takalani Ndlovu (32-6, 18KOs) in an IBF 122 lbs. title challenge.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/west-returns-to-mexico-99161

NEW YORK — Nonito Donaire is probably a few wins away from a potential showdown with Yuriorkis Gamboa becoming a realistic possibility.

And as Juan Manuel Lopez’s upset loss to Orlando Salido reminded us earlier this year, that’s entirely too far down the line to start getting all that excited about a Donaire-Gamboa bout. But count Donaire among those that hope the intriguing matchup materializes.

“The Filipino Flash” has watched Gamboa’s development closely and is eager to test himself against an unbeaten boxer Donaire considers special, yet flawed.

“He’s an amazing fighter,” Donaire said. “He has speed, power. I’ll be excited if I get the opportunity, because he’s a good fighter. I see a lot of flaws, but sometimes you see flaws and you can’t react to it. It’s different in that ring.

“But I’ve seen some flaws in him, something I can take advantage of. It’s ‘The Cyclone’ versus the ‘The Flash.’ We’ll see who’s faster, but I think ‘The Flash’ can take cyclones all day.”

Even if the Cuban-born Gamboa (21-0, 16 KOs), a Miami resident, and Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs), a native Filipino who resides in San Leandro, Calif., continue winning, getting them in the same weight class could become an obstacle.

Donaire intends to move up from 118 to 122 pounds if he wins against Argentina’s Omar Narvaez (35-0-2, 19 KOs) on Saturday night in New York, but Gamboa said after defeating Daniel Ponce De Leon (41-4, 34 KOs) on Sept. 10 in Atlantic City that he’s moving up from featherweight to at least 130 pounds in his next fight. Gamboa didn’t rule out an immediate move to lightweight, either, which would separate him and Donaire by three weight classes.

The 28-year-old Donaire doesn’t think, however, that an eventual move to lightweight will be problematic.

“I’m definitely growing,” said Donaire, who stands 5-foot-7, an inch taller than Gamboa. “[In late August] I was at 147 and I wasn’t fat. If given the opportunity to put some weight on, it’ll be easy for me to do it.”

By Keith Idec
http://www.boxingscene.com/donaire-confident-he-expose-gamboas-flaws–45139

WINDHOEK, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) — Namibia’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) Africa bantamweight champion Paulus Ambunda has said he is ready to defend his title successfully in two weeks time.

Ambunda will defend his title against South African challenger Bongani Mahlangu at the Windhoek Country Club and Resort on November 5.

The southpaw quoted by Nampa on Wednesday said his preparations for the title defence have gone very well. “I know the opponent, but I do not underestimate him. Come the 5th of November, you will all see the result,” said Ambunda.

The Namibian champion boasts a professional record of 16 fights without a loss, which compares favourably to Mahlangu’s record of 16 fights, 15 wins and one defeat.

The event will also feature eight undercard fights, with super middleweight boxer Wilbeforce Shihepo (21 fights, 15 wins and six losses) taking on South African Johannes Pieterson (22 fights, 14 wins, six losses and two draws) in an eight-round bout.

Namibia’s welterweight boxer Betuel Uushona, who holds a record of 26 fights, 25 wins and one defeat, will fight Francis Gakpetor (17 fights, 15 wins and two losses) from Ghana, also in an eight-round bout.

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.asp?id=24359

WBO Cruiserweight Champion Captain Huck (33-1, 24 KOs) could not believe his eyes when he met challenger Rogelio Rossi (17-2-1, 11 KOs) at today´s press conference in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Listed at two meters by BoxRec, the “Argentinian Giant” turned out to be much smaller than that.

“Maybe he shrunk of fear,” Captain Huck said. “Doesn´t matter anyway. I don´t care what size he is. I have knocked out taller and smaller opponents. I will clinch a spectacular victory on Saturday night. He will not get my title.” Huck then measured his opponent. The result: 192 centimeters!

Rossi seemed to enjoy the confusion regarding his height. “It´s true, I´m not two meters tall,” he stated. “But I will still defeat Huck. If you´re scared, your opponent looks much bigger than he actually is. I guess this has happened to Huck. I will take his title on Saturday night. I have trained hard and I will win.”

German coaching legend Ulli Wegner said Rossi´s actual size will make no difference.

“We have done sparring with tall guys and with small guys, we are prepared for everything,” he stated. “If Rossi was clever, he would have stood on tiptoes during the face-to-face to look bigger than he is. I don´t think he can cope with Huck´s explosiveness and aggressiveness anyway.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/photo-huck-says-rossi-shrunk-final-presser–45114

Además del choque por el cetro interino de las 105 libras de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) entre Iván “Iron Boy” Calderón y Raúl “Rayito” García, otras cuatro reyertas titulares, incluyendo una mundial de damas, compondrán el “Torneo de Campeones OMB” en otra edición de la serie “Noche de Campeones DIRECTV”, que subirá a escena el sábado, 29 de octubre, en el coliseo Mario “Quijote” Morales de Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, en una presentación de PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) como parte de la 24ta Convención Anual de la OMB.

El programa, que será llevado gratis en vivo y en exclusiva desde las 9:00 de la noche a través de ON DIRECTV en el canal 161 para todos los suscriptores de DIRECTV en Puerto Rico, contará con la participación coestelar de los ex campeones mundiales Wilfredo Vázquez Jr. y Carlos “El Indio” Quintana, así como la monarca mundial minimosca femenina OMB y AMB, la argentina Yésica “ La Tuti” Bopp.

La pelea principal de la noche tendrá al doble ex campeón mundial, Calderón (34-2-1 y 6 nocauts) midiéndose al también ex titular García (30-2-1 y 18 nocauts) por la correa interina de peso mínimo de la OMB.

Mientras, la argentina Bopp (16-0 y 7 nocauts) expondrá su cinturón mimimosca de la OMB ante la estadounidense Suzane Warner (9-10-1 y 2 nocauts) a 10 asaltos.

“Tendremos estas dos peleas de título mundial, la de los ex campeones mundiales Calderón y García, y la de Bopp, y le añadimos tres de títulos regionales con Papito Vázquez y El Indio Quintana, así como tres peleas más con varios prospectos puertorriqueños”, dijo el promotor Iván Rivera, presidente de PRBBP.

En uno de los choques coestelares, el mocano Quintana (28-3 y 22 nocauts), ex monarca welter de la OMB y séptimo clasificado en estos momentos por esta entidad en las 154 libras, tendrá un importante enfrentamiento cuando se mida al fuerte pegador manatieño Jorge “Destroyer” Meléndez (20-2-1 y 20 nocauts). En este pleito estará en juego el título latino superwelter de la OMB.

Mientras, Vázquez Jr. (20-1-1 y 17 nocauts), ex campeón supergallo de la OMB, peleará por el título supergallo Intercontinental de la OMB, a 10 asaltos, frente a un rival que se anunciará próximamente.

Otro choque titular será el que escenificarán el boricua Javier Monserrate (24-1-1 y 17 nocauts) y el mexicano Javier Castro (25-4 y 20 nocauts) por el cetro latino superligero de la OMB a 10 asaltos.

El resto de la acción presenta a cuatro asaltos, a Israel “El Heredero” Vázquez (3-0-2 y 3 nocauts) midiéndose al debutante Jesús Pagán en el peso mosca; en los pluma a Kenny Rivera (1-0 y 1 nocaut) contra un rival por determinarse, y el cubano Leduan Barthelemy (2-0 y 2 nocauts) en los supergallos ante un contrario por anunciarse.

La 24ta Convención de la OMB se llevará a cabo en Puerto Rico del 24 al 29 de octubre.

Los boletos para esta cartelera están a la venta en Ticketcenter llamando al 787 792-5000 o accesando www.tcpr.com . Los precios son de $25 Entrada General, $40 Palco, $78 Palco Centro, $103 “Ring Side” y $203 “Red Carpet”.

Por Aleudi Rosario Cotto, PR Best Boxing Promotions

Juan Manuel Marquez Fight Blog – Part 1

Judging from the first two fights, what aspect of Pacquiao’s game poses you the most danger heading into the third bout?

“I believe that Manny Pacquiao has become a much complete fighter, but his speed and power are still his most dangerous attributes”

Do you really believe you won the first two fights? Are you planning anything different in your approach to Pacquiao this time, especially given your belief that you won the first two fights?

“I don’t believe I won the first fight, I am sure I won them both, I just did not get the decision. I will do the same that I have always done against him, fight with intelligence, paciencen and counterpunch. My preparation will be different because I will fight at a higher weight. I have to make some changes in my diet and make sure I can still have speed and conditioning at the higher weight”

Training in Mexico City in the renowned Romanza Gym, where so many great Mexican fighters have come from, the three-time world champion Juan Manuel Marquez is getting ready for the biggest fight of an already stellar career.

HBO®’s Emmy® Award-winning all-access series “24/7” premieres an all new edition when “24/7 Pacquiao/Marquez” debuts Saturday, Oct. 22 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The four-part series will air for three consecutive Saturday nights before the finale airs the night before the championship showdown in Las Vegas.

The Pacquiao-Marquez III world championship telecast, which begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 92 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao-Marquez III fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-fight-blog-juan-manuel-marquezs-camp-part-1–45077

Manny Pacquiao Fight Blog – Part 1

Judging from the first two fights, what aspect of Marquez’s game poses you the most danger heading into the third bout?

I know what Juan Manuel Marquez is capable of. He is one of the toughest opponents I have ever fought and I have a great deal of respect for his abilities. He is always in shape and very strong. He is the only fighter who has ever figured out my style of fighting

I cannot worry about his preparation or what he brings to the fight though I do study his fight films and do my homework on him. My main concern is how I prepare for this fight. How I can be better and different from my previous fights with him. In that respect the biggest danger I face is not doing everything I can do to win this fight.

Do you like to be called the Mexican Executioner?
I do not like the name Mexicutioner. I love the Mexican boxing fans and that name does not reflect my true feelings about Mexico and its people.

Are you planning anything different in your approach to Marquez this time, especially given how close the decisions were in the first two fights?

I am planning to be different for this third fight because I am a different fighter from our two previous fights. I move better laterally in both directions than before. I am more comfortable using my right hand. Before I was left-hand happy. Now I am more confident in using my right hand as an effective weapon. It’s a lot stronger then the last times we fought. I am so focused for this fight. I will bring a lot more intensity to this battle.

HBO®’s Emmy® Award-winning all-access series “24/7” premieres an all new edition when “24/7 Pacquiao/Marquez” debuts Saturday, Oct. 22 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The four-part series will air for three consecutive Saturday nights before the finale airs the night before the championship showdown in Las Vegas.

The Pacquiao-Marquez III world championship telecast, which begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 92 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao-Marquez III fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-fight-blog-manny-pacquiaos-camp-part-1–45087

WBO junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley recently appeared on the latest edition of ‘The Boxing Lab,’ BoxingScene.com’s official audio show. Bradley debuts under the Top Rank banner on the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez undercard on November 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He faces former champion Joel Casamayor.

Bradley on his upcoming fight versus Joel Casamayor:

“Casamayor is still strong. He may be older but power is the last thing to go. He has a reason to get up for this fight. I have everything to lose and he has everything to gain. He is a dirty fighter and knows the tricks of the trade. I am going to have a talk with the ref before the fight. if Casamayor gets dirty with me then you know I will get him back eventually. The ref better do what he is supposed to do because I am going to do what I have to do. I am going to shine on the 12th. He can bring his momma in the ring and I will get her too. It doesn’t matter.”

Bradley on when he knew it was time to change promoters:

“When I fought in Silverdome (in Pontiac, MI) it was the last draw. That fight should have been in LA, Vegas or NY. That is when I knew it was time to make a move. The Bradley brand will be built by Top Rank. I have 3 belts and no one knows who I am. I can walk down the street and people don’t know who I am. My former promoters did all that they good and I am thankful for that but Top Rank will take me to the next level.”

Bradley’s thoughts on Manny Pacquiao’s upcoming fight versus Juan Manuel Marquez:

“To be honest with you I think Marquez will hang with him early but if Manny doesn’t cramp up I think he will get him out of there. Marquez seems to have his number but it has been some years since they last fought. Manny is a different beast now.”

Bradley’s thoughts on the ending of the Floyd Mayweather-Victor Ortiz fight:

“No disrespect to Ortiz but he made a rookie mistake. You live and you learn. To me… apologizing….come on man. One time is good. You learn in the amateurs that one apology from a distance is fine. Floyd did sneak him but you know what, after getting headbutted in the mouth who wouldn’t do that?

Bradley on Ortiz’s reaction to the first punch that ultimately led to him being knockout out:

I don’t get this part. If you get hit by a hook like Floyd hit him with wouldn’t your first instinct be to put your hands up or duck? if I went up to you and popped you in the mouth wouldn’t you put your hands up? Just like in a street fight your natural instinct would be to protect yourself. If he would have put his hands up he would have never got knocked out. He would have just got staggered (by the first punch) but instead he just looked over at the ref. He made a rookie mistake. He is young and strong but like Floyd said he had experience. If it was me I wouldn’t even have apologized. He had just gotten Floyd flustered. Isn’t that what he wanted?

Bradley on his preference in facing Pacquiao or Mayweather:

I would prefer to fight Pacquiao than Mayweather. Stylistically he fits to my game. His speed and quickness I can match up with. Mayweather is more of a defensive fighter. I think a fight with Pacquiao would be more exciting.

By Ryan Burton
http://www.boxingscene.com/bradley-talks-casamayor-pacquiao-mayweather-more–45070

Photos: Chris Farina – Top Rank

“I’m in the big leagues now” exclaimed World Bantamweight Champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire after a visit to the famed ‘Mecca of Boxing’ Madison Square Garden in New York City Monday night. Donaire, who is making his New York debut, spoke about the ‘New York city lights’, ‘the millions of people in the Big Apple’ and ‘the excitement he feels’ about his upcoming battle against undefeated Omar Narvaez of Argentina, Saturday, October 22 in the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Madison Square Garden, Donaire vs Narvaez will be televised by HBO Boxing After Dark.

Earlier today, Nonito visited the Jersey City Public Library / Greenville Branch Auditorium to speak to a group from the Filipino School of New York and New Jersey. Nonito fielded questions and took photos with the kids before he was off to training in final preparations for Saturday’s World Bantamweight Championship defense.

School Photos: Ed Keenan / Top Rank

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/donaire-im-in-the-big-leagues-now-98974

World title hopeful Braimah Kamoko may finally be getting the recognition for a crack at the WBO Light heavyweight belt when he receives the WBO’s African boxer of the year award later this month.

Kamoko, famously called Bukom Banku has been nominated for the top award which will be given out at the WBO Congress slated for Puerto Rico October 24 to 29, ALL SPORTS can exclusively reveal.

It is an opportunity Banku relishes to state his case for a fight against incumbent world titlist Nathan Cleverly of Ireland who only last Saturday successfully defended the title against Briton George Bellew in what should have been a fight with the Ghanaian hot prospect.

“I say I’m ready to be the world champion and not even Nathan Cleverly can stand in my way. You know he is running away from me but I don’t think he can continue to hide,” a frustrated Bukom Banku says.

Bukom Banku who fights under promotional outfit Golden Concepts will be travelling for the WBO Congress with the GoldenMike Boxing Promotions team which will be led by Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) Board Member Henry Manly-Spain and includes CEO Michael Tetteh, Benjamin Okai and Emmanuel Commey.

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=221873

SAMSON Gello-ani proved that he is one of the best promoters in the Asian region after he was awarded the WBO Asia Pacific Promoter of the Year.

The awarding took place during the “Back with a Vengeance” fight card featuring Marvin “The Marvelous” Sonsona, who won against Mexican Carlos Jacobo at the Hoopsdome in Lapu-Lapu City last Saturday.

The award is Gello-ani’s fifth straight Promoter of the Year title. His first award was won in 2007.

“I was a consistent WBO bout promoter and they find me very hardworking when it comes to promoting world class fights,” said Gello-ani.

Gello-ani mentioned that he has already staged numerous WBO championships here and outside the country, including the Asia Pacific and Oriental championships. This year he promoted an Asia Pacific and Oriental championship bout.

Gello-ani started promoting boxing in 1987 by doing amateur fight cards in Cebu city and stepped up to pro boxing in the early 1990’s under boxing patron Antonio L. Aldeguer.

“I worked hard for this job, maybe that’s why I am here right now showcasing world class boxers to the Filipinos worldwide.” /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL

Gello-ani is WBO Asia Pacific Promoter of Year

Back by popular demand and fresh off a monster 2nd round KO victory over Daniel Jimenez, undefeated 22-0, 6KO’s NABO Super Featherweight Champ Eloy “The Prince” Perez, steps into the ring once again to defend his title against Ira Terry 24-6, 14KO’s of Memphis, TN, on October 28th at Sherwood Hall, Salinas, CA, broadcast live on Telefutura. Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Don Chargin Productions and Paco Presents.

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring again so soon after my great KO victory in my last fight I want to thank my opponent for stepping up on such short notice,I look forward to giving my fans an amazing fight and a victory”-Eloy Perez.

Ticket info and prices:
VIP $125, RINGSIDE $75, RESERVE $50

(831) 261-0532, Espanola (831) 905-7354 or in person at 2stepsahead gym located at 832 South Main Street, Salinas and at the door on the night.

MANILA, Philippines—AJ “Bazooka” Banal battles tough, undefeated Mexican champion Mario “Maca” Briones on the undercard of the WBO light flyweight championship between former minimumweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and reigning 108-pound champion Ramon Garcia Hirales also of Mexico.

The fight card scheduled at the University of St. La Salle Gymnasium in Bacolod City on October 8 will see the 22-year-old southpaw Banal, who has a record of 25-1-1 with 19 knockouts clash with the 25-year-old Briones, who has a record of 20-0-1 with 14 knockouts.

Banal is coming off an unimpressive eighth-round technical decision over Canada’s Tyson Cave last July 30, when a nasty gash above Banal’s right eyebrow which was caused by an accidental clash of heads forced the ring physician to instruct referee Tony Pesons to call a halt and go to the scorecards of the judges.

All three judges had Banal the winner.

Banal had earlier captured the WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title with a cracking second-round knockout of Francis Miyeyusho on March 19.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said the only way to find out how far his fighters are capable of going is to match them against tough, credible opponents.

In the case of Banal they decided to get Briones who is coming off a fourth-round knockout of Ulises Castillo last July 16.

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
http://www.boxingscene.com/aj-banal-faces-mario-briones-on-garcia-nietes-bill–43752

NEW boxing sensation Lorenzo “Thunderbolt” Villanueva and two other Filipino fighters have been included in the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight card on November 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Manny Pinol, Villanueva’s manager, said it was Pacquiao himself who selected his fighter to be in the undercard of his much-awaited third meeting with the Mexican Marquez.

Villanueva, the undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental featherweight champion, is now in Baguio training with Pacquiao.

Aside from Villanueva, fighting in the Pacquiao-Marquez card will be Philippine welterweight champion Dennis Laurente and junior bantamweight Fernando Lumacad.

Villanueva, Laurente and Lumacad were selected for different reasons.

For Villanueva, Pacquiao said he would like to give the 24-year-old orphan a chance to prove himself in tougher fights in America.

Villanueva, a southpaw just like Pacquiao, holds an impressive record of 21 wins with 20 knockouts and is now being handled by Hall of Fame boxing trainer Freddie Roach and renowned physical conditioner Alex Ariza.

For Laurente, the fight on November 12 will determine whether he will finally earn the chance to fight for the world title at a late age of 34.

Laurente, a right-hander, holds a record of 40 wins, 21 KOs, four losses and five draws.

Perhaps the most controversial choice of the Pacman to fight in his undercard against Marquez in the prime venue of boxing which is Las Vegas is General Santos City boxer, Fernando Lumacad.

The 25-year-old Lumacad caused an embarrassment to Philippine boxing when he yielded in the third round of his fight against the legendary Mexican warrior Jorge Arce. He even asked for Arce’s robe as a remembrance after the fight.

Of the three, it will be Laurente and Villanueva who will be closely watched in their fights in Las Vegas.

Villanueva is a product of the grassroots boxing program which Pi¤ol started when he was governor of North Cotabato from 1998 to 2007.

Fighting in a foreign land and under the big spotlight in Las Vegas, his November 12 outing will be an opportunity for boxing fans to dissect Villanueva, a shy fighter from the marshlands of Midsayap in North Cotabato. (CRAM)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/sports/2011/09/25/villanueva-pacquiao-marquez-card-181486

Robert Helenius (16-0, 11 KOs) is the new top-ranked challenger in the latest World Boxing Organization (WBO) Rankings. The Nordic Nightmare, who holds the WBA & WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Titles, most recently completed his KO hat-trick of former world champions. He has now knocked out Lamon Brewster, Samuel Peter and Siarhei Liakhovich.

“I am thrilled to be the top-ranked challenger with the WBO,” Helenius said. “That´s fantastic news and shows that my performances inside the ring have not gone unnoticed in the world of boxing. I am very ambitious and there is a lot more to come.”–

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/09/helenius-tops-wbo-heavyweight-rankings/