LAS VEGAS — Shaun George stunned Chris Byrd in the former IBF and WBO heavyweight champion’s first pro fight as a light heavyweight, stopping him in the ninth round Friday night at Cox Pavilion. Read the rest of this entry »
By: Phil Santos – Overhandright.com
In the talent laden Welterweight division names like
While Mayweather is still recognized as the best fighter in any weight and Miguel Cotto is thought to be the heir apparent to his throne, at least as the welterweight boss, there is another fighter who has peaked fight fans interest. That fighter is Andre Berto.
On June 21st, at the Fedex Forum in
In his last two fights Berto faced veteran opponents with granite chins and methodically wore them out before finally stopping them. First up was David Estrada whom Berto furiously pounded en route to an 11th round stoppage. Then he proceeded to dismantle Michel Trabant forcing him to quit on his stool. The victory over Estrada marked only the forth loss of his career, (Shane Mosley, Kermit Cintron and Ishe Smith being the others), and the second time that he had been stopped; Kermit Cintron is the only other fighter to have stopped Estrada. Equally impressive was becoming the first fighter to make Trabant quit, handing the German fighter his third loss and first by KO.
Now with his June 21st date with Rodriguez looming Berto looks to put together another notable performance perhaps landing him a shot at one of the lower end top ten welters. Berto certainly appears ready and his skills and growing résumé make him a worthy opponent for a Luis Callazo or Jackson Bonsu. For that matter the other three fighters who rank 6-10, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey and Kermit Cintron, would be a step up but by no means would they outclass Berto given his recent showings.
The near future looks promising for the 24 year old up and comer. His combination of speed, power and patience should carry him through the ranks and possibly into the title picture. He has a good promoter in Lou Dibella and possesses a great attitude as well as a humbleness you rarely find in this sport. He is well on his way to establishing himself as one of the talented bunch of Welterweight stars and assuming a win on the 21st he’ll have inched closer to challenging a big name.
PROVIDENCE – ESPN2 Friday Night Fights (ESPN2 FNF) returns May 23 to Rhode Island as unbeaten prospect “Awesome” Aaron Williams, the future of the cruiserweight division, headlines his first major show on “Ring Warriors,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), live from Twin River Events Center in Lincoln. Read the rest of this entry »
LAS VEGAS, NEV. (May 16, 2008) –Welterweight superpowers MIGUEL COTTO and ANTONIO MARGARITO, and Hall of Fame promoter BOB ARUM will embark on a coast-to-coast media tour next week announcing “The Battle!” / “La Batalla!” — their compelling and eagerly-awaited world welterweight championship fight. Read the rest of this entry »
Amir Khan has welcomed Michael Gomez’s claims that he will flatten him when the pair meet at the N.I.A in Birmingham on June 21.
In a recent interview, Gomez said that he would knock-out the 21-year-old British boxing sensation.
Gomez also added that he would pressure Khan from the start - and after seeing out the first four rounds, would step on the gas and inflict an early defeat.
The former British and WBU super-featherweight champion insisted that he would repeat his massive 2003 upset when he stopped Alex Arthur who at the time was unbeaten and on the brink of a world title fight.
But undefeated Khan, who defends his Commonwealth lightweight title for the fourth time, is happy to hear Gomez’s comments.
“I wondered when Gomez would start opening his mouth, and it hasn’t taken long,” said Khan.
“Actually, I want him to say he is going to knock me out because it only makes me want to smash him up even more so I train harder.
“I respect Gomez because of all he’s achieved in his career, and he will be a dangerous opponent when I face him because he’ll be so fired up.
“Of course, I’ve seen his fight with Alex Arthur in 2003 a dozen times or so but that night was five years and he’s five years older and slower now. I’ve got youth, strength and aggression on my side. Gomez can’t keep living off the glory from that fight and relate it to how he is going to beat me.
“To be honest, it suits me down to the ground if Gomez does bring the fight to me because then I can pick him off at will.
“I’ll be too quick and too strong for him - and I’m going to show him that on June 21. I’m going to give him a real beating and don’t be surprised if he retires after it.
“I know that this fight won’t be going the distance, but there’s only one man who is going to win by knockout and that’s me.”
In stark contrast to the circulating stories of an illness during training camp, which turned out to be nothing more than a fleeting minor virus, IBO/Ring Light Welterweight World Champion Ricky Hatton extended an open invitation to the British press yesterday to witness a rigorous display of his healthful condition. Read the rest of this entry »
By Joe Masterleo
Boxing legend Joey DeJohn, the “Golden Boy,” whose fights regularly sold out venues including New York City’s Madison Square Garden, died last week. He was 81. A hard hitter and devastating puncher who started his career in the Golden Gloves competition, DeJohn packed a powerful left hook. His trademark was the KO, or getting KO’d himself, as 10 of his 14 losses came by knockout. Born Joey Di Gianni, DeJohn came from a Syracuse boxing family, as brothers Ralph, Carman, Mike and John were all fighters. Read the rest of this entry »
WBC HOMAGE TO CHINESE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
The WBC, representing 164 countries of the world, joins the world in mourning for the horrible tragedy of one of the worst earthquakes in the last 100 years which has killed so many people in China.
The WBC will offer a special homage to all those suffering families during the opening ceremony of our Annual Convention on November 2 in Chengdu, China.
DAVID HAYE RELINQUISHES WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
David Haye, the undefeated sensation of the cruiserweight division, has communicated to the WBC his plans for his future in boxing in a beautiful letter written to the WBC President Jose Sulaiman.
David Haye has relinquished his WBC cruiserweight championship and is requesting the WBC to rate him in the heavyweight division, hoping that his second dream, to win the WBC green and gold heavyweight championship, becomes true in the near future.
The WBC wishes David Haye the best of luck in the heavyweight division and confirms complete support to him as well.
The WBC vacant cruiserweight title will be contested between Rudolf Kraj and Giacobbe Fragomeni.
The World Boxing Council would like to congratulate Timothy Bradley for winning the WBC super lightweight world championship and the green and gold belt with a close but clear split decision in a very good fight against Junior Witter, who lost the title with honor and dignity. The event was promoted in England by the prestigious and always improving Mick Hennessy. Read the rest of this entry »