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Saturday, April 29, 2017

Just in: Anthony Joshua stops Wladimir Klitschko in Wembley

Anthony Joshua stopped Wladimir Klitschko in round 11 of their heavyweight clashed on Saturday night at the Wembley Stadium in London to the delight of more than 90,000 fans who showed up at the venue.

Joshua sent Klitschko down once in round 5 and twice in round 11 en route to his 11-round stoppage victory over former heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko. In round 6, Klitschko sent down Joshua with his textbook 1-2 combination and wobbled Joshua a couple of times in rounds 7 and 8.

More details coming up...

Scott Quigg wins a decision over Viorel Simion

Former world champion Scott Quigg (33-1-2, 24 KOs), under the tutelage of Freddie Roach, won a twelve round unanimous decision over Viorel Simion (21-2, 9 KOs) of their featherweight title at the undercard of Joshua vs Klitschko, Saturday night at the Wembley Stadium in London.

The official scores were 117-111, 117-111. 115-113.

It was a high-octane action from start to end as both men engage right away in a phone booth battle. Quigg got the better of it as he landed more telling blows. Both men cut and bruised during the course of 12-round back and forth action.

It was Quigg's hands raised when the smoke clears up during his hard-fought battle.

With the victory, Quigg is now in line for a potential title fight with Lee Selby.

Joshua vs Klitschko: Early boxing results at Wembley, London

Tonight Anthony Joshua faces Wladimir Klitschko in front of more than 90,000 fans, for the heavyweight title of the world at the Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London, United Kingdom.

Below was the results earlier tonight:

Joe Cordina beats Sergej Vib - in his second fight, Cordina of Cardiff, Wales defeated Vib contested at super featherweight limit at 130 lbs.

Katie Taylor TKO 7 Nina Meinke - Taylor remained undefeated in her five fights. He stopped Meinke in round 7 who suffered a cut over the eye. The bout was contested at the lightweight division a 2-minute 10-round women's boxing setup.

Luke Campbell defeats Darleys Perez - Campbell stopped Perez in round 9 of their lightweight bout. Perez was weighing over the lightweight limit and was not illegible to win the number one spot of the ranking.

Friday, April 28, 2017

Anthony Joshua: April 29 is just another stepping stone towards greatness

Is Anthony Joshua (18-0, 18 KOs) ready for Wladimir Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs)?

"Any fight is the right fight. I’ve never shied away from any fight, any opponent. I started boxing in 2008; in 2009, ’10, ‘11 I was in the World Championships, and in 2012 I was representing Great Britain competing to be the best in the world in the Olympics. It doesn’t matter who I fight. I just enjoy what I do and I just embrace every opportunity," says Joshua during the final presscon on Thursday.

Joshua, 27, will face battle-tested former heavyweight king W. Klitschko on Saturday night at the Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London and can be seen live on Showtime (4:15 PM EST/1:15 PM PST) and on HBO (delayed telecast 11 PM EST). The expected crowd of over 90,000 trooped at the venue to witness who will take over the boxing pride. The young hungry lion or the returning former head of the pride?

“I don’t underestimate any opponent. Through my mistakes, I have learned and made myself right.”

Joshua showed confidence during the final presser on Thursday. He hasn't tasted defeat in pro-ranks, but he was sure that even a loss from Klitschko will not end his career.

"I don't think so, because it won’t be the end of my career."

With the above Joshua being said, I think he has the right mindset taking on Klitschko on Saturday night. He knows clearly that taking alone this fight is a big boost for his career. A competitive loss could only mean a rise in his stock and a possible rubber match. A flat-out KO loss could only mean... ah okay.. I told you, he's still young and inexperience. But I don't think it will be a walk in the park for the, accept it or not, aging Klitschko.

Size


If you look at them physically, both men have the same number. Per Boxrec.com, Klitschko and Joshua has the same height at 6 feet, 6 inches tall, and reach almost similar at 81 inches and 82 inches respectively.

So, I think, Joshua being the younger man would be stronger than Klitschko especially as the fight goes on to a distance, and it would really be competitive in the early rounds. Now, for me, it looks like it boils down to experience and the right game plan.

Experience


“Can you imagine my next opponent is going to fight a guy whose age is exactly the number of how long he has been in boxing – 27 years? Can you imagine that? It’s a pretty amazing task. Is it a degradation that I’m actually a challenger and underdog in this fight after 27 years in the sport? I don’t think so. I think it’s great," says Klitschko.

Well, without a doubt Klitschko got a huge edge in experience. He has seen it all dominating the division for decades. But of course at 41 years of age, how much Klitschko left in the tank? Does he still have what it takes to pull the trigger? Based on his previous fight against Fury it showed as a hint.

If Klitschko fights the way he fought Fury last time, I think he will lose. He should let his right hand go more often because the younger Joshua may have more of that sort in the ring.

Although Joshua may just have 18 fights on his sleeves and none of them push him to the limit because those opponents were not able to match him physically.

But let me tell you one thing. I can not see so much of Klitschko's tricks. His edge most of his fight is his size, jab, and power on his right hand.

Prediction

With Joshua on the other side of the ring, it is safe to remove that size advantage. Wlad got power on his right hand but at times, he's so gun-shy to fire more of them. So it's really a good competitive fight as long as the older got his tank till the later rounds.

I'm inclined to give Joshua a unanimous win. That's when Klitschko employed his hit-hug combination on Saturday night. But if both men provided more punching room, this fight is over after 6 rounds.

Watch: Ronnie Baldonado's first round KO of China's Yi Ming Ma



Watch above video of Ronnie Baldonado's first round knockout win over China's Yi Ming Ma during their flyweight 10 rounder bout at the National Olympic Sports Center Gym, in Beijing, China.

From the get-go Baldonado (9-1-, 6KOs) keep on pouring rain of punches on Ma (13-7, 7KOs), who's on the back foot.

Baldonado wobbled Ma with a left hook and then followed by a short right from the inside that sent Ma down. Ma, obviously hurt, was able to get up and continued the fight.

Baldonado rushes in to finish Ma as soon as referee Mekin Sumon signals to resume the fight. He bombarded Ma with heavy shots while Ma's back on the ropes. Ma tried to counter those shots, but was clearly overpowered.

Baldonado landed power shots to the head that opted the corner of Ma to stop the fight. Referee Mekin Sumon then stepped in to save Ma from further beating. Official time of the stoppage: 1:42 mark in very first round.

Video: Mannypacquiao Stable Facebook Page.

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Shawn Porter stops Andre Berto, rematch with Thurman could be next

Shawn Porter bulldozed Andre Berto on Saturday night at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn in New York.

Porter (27-2-1, 17KOs) scored a total of two knockdowns, one in Round 2 and another in Round 9. The referee stopped the contest at 1:31 mark in Round 9 after Berto (31-5, 24 KO) got up from the second knockdown resulting in a technical knockout in favor of Porter.

Porter, 29, displayed amazing energy throughout nine rounds. He was relentless with his attacks leaving no space for Berto, 33, to recalibrate his defense. In Round 2, Porter sent Berto to the floor with a right hand after absorbing a two-punch combo from Berto.

In the succeeding four rounds, it was all Porter's aggression keeping Berto to clinch more frequently.

Although the fight is not necessarily foul-filled but have plenty of accidental headbutts leaving both fighters cut and bloodied.

“My intention is never to use my head as a weapon. This was just a very hard-fought battle by both of us, and I’m blessed to get the victory," said Porter after the fight.

It was a busy night for the ringside doctor as he was asked by the referee to check Berto's cut twice.

Berto had his moment in Round 7, where he scored counter shots as Porter tried to rushed in.

In round 8, I don't know what is there hiding inside Berto's body because Porter kept on digging in there from the beginning minute.

In Round 9, the body shots from Porter a toll on Berto who now looks battered and defeated. Porter continued his aggression and if not because of the ropes, his ass would be on the floor. The referee rightfully counted as a knockdown and started yelling the mandatory count. After the referee signaled to resume the fight, Porter again hurt Berto with a hook. The referee stepped in to stop the fight.

With the win, Porter earned another shot at his recent conqueror --- Keith Thurman --- for another title fight.

Keith Thurman told Porter in the ring after the win over Berto that they could fight next.

"We just need to sit down and talk about it. He's hungry. You see the way he fights. It could be a great fight again."

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Lundy goes back home to face Lara, June 2 At 2300 Arena in Philly

Lundy goes back home to face Lara, June 2 At 2300 Arena in Philly[/caption]

Philadelphia, PA—Hammerin’ Hank Lundy is coming home and he cannot wait.
The 33-year-old world-class lightweight makes his first start in Philadelphia in nearly eight years when he takes on Ricardo Lara, of Jalisco, Mexico, in the eight-round main event Friday evening, June 2, at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia.

This will be Lundy’s first fight at the 2300 Arena, located in his backyard, and only his seventh hometown appearance since he turned professional 11 years ago.

Since leaving Philly to fight after 2009, Lundy has appeared in rings in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Indiana, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Ohio, New York and California as well as Canada and the Ukraine.

A former North American Boxing Federation (NABF) and North American Boxing Organization (NABO) lightweight champion, Lundy boxed just twice in 2016. He challenged Terrance Crawford, of Omaha, NE, for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) world junior lightweight title, but was stopped after five exciting rounds in Madison Square Garden. He bounced back late in the year in Cincinnati, OH, to earn a 12-round decision over John Delperdang, of Escondido, CA, to raise his pro record 27-6-1, 13 K0s.

Lundy has beaten David Diaz, of Chicago, IL; Patrick Lopez, of Venezuela, and Tyrese Hendrix, of Gainesville, FL. His setbacks have come against the best at 135 and 140 pounds—John Molina, of Covina, CA; Viktor Postol, of the Ukraine; Mauricio Herrera, of Riverside, CA; Raymond Beltran, of Phoenix, AZ; Thomas Dulorme, of Catalina, Puerto Rico—but Lundy vows to get his career back on track to another world-title opportunity.

“It’s a good feeling (fighting at home),” Lundy said. “At the end of the day, I have to train a little bit harder than I generally trained before coming home fighting in front of some of my fans and family.
“It sort of is added pressure, but I’m a vet in the game now and I know how to deal with that pressure. Also, you have to train a little harder because one thing people don’t know, when you fight in front of your hometown there’s a little more you have to put out. Actually, my camp started a little early just to deal with that problem.”

Lara, 25, will be making his first start outside of his native Mexico, where he compiled a 15-3 record, 7 K0s.

Some of the area’s top prospects will make up the undercard, including junior middleweight Isaiah Wise, welterweight Marcel Rivers, junior welterweight Scott Kelleher, lightweight Victor Padilla and featherweight Crystian Peguero.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Ivan "Striker" Delgado, Charles Huerta share thoughts ahead of LA Fight Club April 14

LOS ANGELES (April 12, 2017) - Ivan "Striker" Delgado (11-0-1, 4 KOs) will be turning up the notch in the level of competition he faces when he steps inside the ring against the rugged Charles Huerta (18-5, 11 KOs) on Friday, April 14 as the main event on LA FIGHT CLUB. The eight round super featherweight match-up which will determine fates of both hungry fighters will be televised live from the Belasco Theater on Estrella TV's Boxeo Estelar telecast beginning at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.

Newly added Boxeo Estelar co-main event, LA local Jonathan "Thunder" Navarro (8-0, 5 KOs) will be taking on Chula Vista'sJoan Valenzuela (4-7-1, 4 KOs) in a six round welterweight bout. Making his debut under the Golden Boy banner, Manny "Chato" Robles, Jr. (11-0, 4 KOs) will be opening up the telecast against Durango, Mex.'s Antonio "Chore" Martinez (6-8, 5 KOs) in a six round featherweight fight.

A part of the live streamed portion of the night and LA FIGHT CLUB regular, Pablo "The Shark" Rubio, Jr. (8-0, 3 KOs) will partake in a six round super bantamweight fight against Mexico City's Angel "Maikol" Aguilar (8-11, 1 KO). Opening the night, rising prospect Edgar "Kid Neza" Valerio (9-0, 5 KOs) will be up against Juarez, Mex.'s Francisco "Panchito" Dominguez (8-11, 2 KOs) in a six round featherweight fight.

Delgado, Huerta, Navarro and Robles, Jr. are training hard for their upcoming bouts, here's what they had to say about their upcoming show this Friday, April 14:

IVAN "STRIKER" DELGADO, Super Featherweight Prospect:

Ivan "Striker" Delgado training for his fight on April 14

"This fight means stepping up to the next level. Huerta's experienced - he's conditioned and hungry for the opportunity to step back into the big leagues. It'll be a great match stylistically since Huerta moves forward aggressively, and I'm not scared to step up to exchange punches while being smart about it. I love being a Golden Boy fighter - the support they have given me, what they have done to build my career since I signed and giving me fights that I need, for example stepping up my competition to face someone like Charles Huerta, make me feel so blessed.

"I'll be in the ring wearing black and red trunks because those are the colors I got my first knockout victory in. My walkout song will be a song by Vicente Fernandez called, "No Me Se Rajar." The song motivates me, and the lyrics talk about being strong and not being able to be taken down when life tries to knock you down. I usually listen to music from Gerardo Ortiz and Banda MS, or hip-hop/rap artists like Kendrick Lamar and Kanye.
Ivan "Striker" Delgado training for match against Charles Huerta
"I've been boxing since I was five years old. My first amateur fight was at the Hollenbeck Youth Center when at eight years old, and I remember after winning seeing myself as a professional boxer. I was okay in school, I was really good at math, but I was better at boxing. With all my experience, five years from now I hope that I can at least become a mandatory challenger for a title, and with the support with my team, family, and Golden Boy, I know I can accomplish that."

CHARLES HUERTA, Super Featherweight Prospect:

Charles Huerta in the ring as he trains for his upcoming bout on April 14
"This fight gets me to where I once was - back into the boxing scene and fighting with top guys. I know that I'll have to watch out for his tough left hook, but I believe that with my experience I'll overwhelm him. I've fought more experienced fighters, fought more rounds, and that'll make a difference in the ring.

"I'll be walking out to "Andamos
Huerta training for his fight against Ivan Delgado
En El Ruedo," by Ulices Chaidez. My last fight was a tough eight rounds, and the song talks about coming back stronger, like how I am going to do with this fight. I've been fighting since I could remember, since my dad was a trainer I was always at the gym. In all honesty, I can't even remember if I choose this life or if it choose me.

"I take inspiration from some of the greats - whether that's Miguel Cotto, Canelo, and some of the other world champions. I see myself climbing back to the top and becoming a world champion. I've known I would be a champion since my first knockout victory as an amateur."

JONATHAN "THUNDER" NAVARRO, Welterweight Prospect:

Jonathan "Thunder" Navarro training for his co-main bout on April 14
"This fight helps me improve, and test out what I have been working on in the gym. I know I'm going to get the win - it's just a matter of timing and where my head is come fight night. I've been working a lot on my jab, footwork, head movement, and just being able to go under and work the body with my punches.

"Growing up, I wanted to be the typical - like a cop or a firefighter. When I turned 15, and started winning medals in the amateurs, I became anxious to finally become a professional. Fighting in LA is a dream, and I prefer fighting here than in any other place because my family and roots are here.

Jonathan Navarro training inside the ring

"One of my favorite all-time boxers is Mike Tyson. He just didn't care about what anyone had to say about him - like he literally bit someone's ear off and he did not care."

MANNY ROBLES, JR., Featherweight Prospect:

Manny Robles, Jr. trains with father Manny Robles, Sr. ahead of Golden Boy Promotions Debut
"This is my first fight with Golden Boy, and I couldn't be more grateful. I know my opponent is a veteran in the sport, but he's going to make me look good when I win. I'm going to have to be smart and aggressive, and the knock out will come out in the process. Once I see that he's hurt I'll go for the kill. My corner is really strong - my dad Manny Robles, Sr. is my trainer and we make such a strong team. This is a family affair, and I wouldn't be where I am with out them.

"Since I was four, my dad and uncle, Edgar Jasso, were fighting. My dad was always taking me to the gym, and I loved it. I remember my first amateur fight was at the Azteca gym at eight years old, and I received the "outstanding boxer" medal for my knockout victory.

Manny Robles, Jr. training for his fight on April 14

"Jorge Linares is one of my favorite fighters at the moment. He's such a complete fighter - he has the speed, agility and performance. I even got the huge opportunity to spar with him for three weeks while he trained in Las Vegas for his past fight in March. I feel like if opportunities like that keep coming, within these next five years I can be a world champion."

Delgado vs. Huerta is an eight-round super featherweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by "Tecate, BORN BOLD," Casa Mexico Tequila, and Adriana's Insurance. The Boxeo Estelar broadcast will air live on Estrella TV at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The card will also stream live on EstrellaTV.com and on YouTube via LBI Media, Inc.'s Fenomeno Studios. The entire card will be streamed live on www.fite.tv beginning at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT. Mark your calendars and buy your tickets for the upcoming shows on June 2, and July 14.

Friday, April 7, 2017

Beibut Shumenov faces Yunier Dorticos April 29

LAS VEGAS (April 7, 2017) - Cruiserweight world champion Beibut Shumenov (17-2, 11 KOs) will meet interim cruiserweight champion Yunier Dorticos (21-0, 20 KOs) in the main event and WBA Interim Featherweight Champion Carlos Zambrano (26-0, 11 KOs) defends his title against once-beaten contender Claudio Marrero (21-1, 15 KOs) in a special Saturday night edition of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes, April 29 from Sam's Town Live in Las Vegas.

Televised coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT as Shumenov and Dorticos will meet to unify their WBA titles in a long-awaited showdown between the former light heavyweight champion, Shumenov, and the unbeaten knockout artist, Dorticos.

"I've been in the gym working hard since my last fight,'' said Shumenov. "I have been ready this entire time to defend my belt against anyone who is willing to step up. Denis Lebedev wanted to fight anyone but me and Dorticos disappeared after I signed the bout agreement to fight him February 11th in Miami. I am glad that, after many fight date changes, the fight is finally here on April 29. "

"I have been waiting a long time to reach this level and I'm very excited for this opportunity," said Dorticos. "I want to thank my team at Caribe Promotions and Warriors Boxing for making this happen. I can't wait for the whole world to see me in action. I've had a great training camp and my whole team has been working very hard. Shumenov is a great champion and I thank him for stepping in the ring with me. I can't wait for that bell to ring so I can start fighting."

"Training to defend my title has been intense," said Zambrano. "We have a great team who put together a plan for me and I am giving everything I have to them. I have to get in the ring and show what I am capable of. There is only one result of this fight, I am going to win. Whether it's by knockout or points, I will leave the ring a champion."

"I think the fans have been wanting to see this fight for a while, and I am prepared to give the fans an exciting fight," said Marrero. "I am focused and ready. I've been training hard with my team and I only see this fight going one way, and that's me leaving with the win."

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are priced at $75, $50 and $25, and are on sale Monday, April 10 at 12 p.m. PT. Tickets are available online at www.samstownlv.com/entertain.

"We can't wait to bring another thrilling night of fights to the great fans in Las Vegas at Sam's Town Live," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. "This main event is going to be a scintillating cruiserweight title fight on FS1 and FOX Deportes and we are also looking forward to Carlos Zambrano making his Mayweather Promotions debut against a very tough challenger in Claudio Marrero. There will be an action packed undercard featuring a slew of Mayweather Promotions fighters, so you will want to get there early to enjoy the whole show!"

"This is a true boxing fans show," said Tom Brown of TGB Promotions. "Beibut Shumenov and Yunier Dorticos are two of the best cruiserweights in the sport and they're stepping into the ring to prove it. Carlos Zambrano and Claudio Marrero have been circling each other for a while now, which has heightened the anticipation of their finally meeting in the ring. The intensity in both matches means excitement for the fans.''

A native of Shymkent, Kazakhstan and fighting out of Las Vegas, Shumenov looks to build on a strong start to his campaign at cruiserweight after picking up a title against B.J. Flores in July 2015 and defending the belt with a TKO victory over Junior Wright last year. The 2004 Olympian for Kazakhstan won a world title at light heavyweight by defeating Gabriel Campillo in Las Vegas in 2010.

Fighting out of Miami by way of Havana, Cuba, Dorticos is unbeaten since turning pro in 2009 after a decorated amateur career. Dorticos won a regional cruiserweight title over previously unbeaten Hamilton Ventura in 2014 and continued his ascent to a world title with victories over Edison Miranda, Galen Brown and Fulgencio Zuniga. He won his interim title with a stoppage victory over Youri Kalenga in one of the most exciting fights of 2016.

An unbeaten fighter from Lima, Peru, Zambrano turned pro in 2008 and fought nine of his first 12 bouts in the U.S. He won a South American regional title in 2012 and began moving up the featherweight rankings with a knockout victory over Devis Perez in 2014. He picked up his interim title with a unanimous decision victory over Daniel Ramirez in 2015 and defended the belt successfully against Jose Sanmartin later that year.

A former title challenger who lost a narrow decision to Jesus Cuellar in 2013, Marrero has won seven-straight bouts since then. Most recently, the 28-year-old knocked down Luis Hinojosa four times before stopping him in the fourth round in August 2016. A native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Marrero was an accomplished amateur who will be fighting in Las Vegas for the second time in his pro career.

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Pacquiao set to fight Horn in Australia

Forget about Manny Pacquiao taking on Amir Khan in Dubai. It's all crap. It's Pacquiao vs Horn set this summer in Australia according to Pacquiao's adviser Michael Koncz.

"We signed the Jeff Horn contract this morning. Fight is July 2 in Brisbane, Australia," Pacquiao's adviser Michael Koncz.

What the heck. I never learn my lesson. I'm still as gullible the first time I heard about this crazy "promoter" based in Dubai making noise to promote one of Manny Pacquiao fights. I was sold again with the idea.

The Pacquiao-Horn was first brought up in January, but then a potential Pacquaio-Khan match-up surface somewhere, which I thought would finally happen. But when both Pacquiao and Khan sort this "promoter" and start asking where's the money? It turned out hollow.

Well, I forget about it and shifted my attention to the Pacquiao-Horn fight. The first question that pop-up to my mind is, who the hell is Jeff Horn? Google... google,  and I stumbled upon a profile feature of Jeff "The Hornet" Horn written by Ryan Songalia.

So, what do you think of this fight? Does it really make sense?