Author: wban100@aol.com

Workout at the Wild Card Gym: Lateef Kayode, Peter Quillin, Freddie Roach & Leo Santa Cruz

(MAY 23, 2012) LOS ANGELES - Lateef Kayode, unbeaten, top-middleweight contender Peter Quillin and IBF undefeated No. 5 rated bantamweight contender Leo Santa Cruz hosted a Los Angeles media workout at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym in Hollywood as they prepare for "Four Warned," the upcoming June 2 Quadruple header which will be televised live on  Showtime. "Four Warned", features Antonio Tarver (29-6, 20 KO's) facing unbeaten Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KO's) in a 12-round cruiserweight fight, Winky Wright (51-5-1, 25 KO's) returning to the ring to meet undefeated Peter Quillin (26-0, 20 KO's) in a middleweight bout, Austin Trout (24-0, 14 KO's) risking his perfect record and WBA Super Welterweight belt against Delvin Rodriguez (26-5-3, 14 KO's) and IBF number one rated bantamweight contender Read more [...]

Important Statement From The President Of The Malta Boxing Commission

(MAY 22) Whilst the world wide media have been focused on the issues surrounding the proposed Dereck Chisora versus David Haye in London on July 14th, elsewhere in the World a not too dissimilar scenario has been unfolding on the Islands of Malta. Unlike in the case of Dereck Chisora or David Haye, where no criminal charges have been instigated, former Commonwealth Champion Scott Dixon, the subject of the drama unfolding in Malta, has been on bail since 2009 awaiting trial for the alleged importation and distribution of narcotics. On receiving news that Mr. Dixon has been arrested for breaking his bail conditions, Alexander Zammit, President of the Malta Boxing Commission,today issued the following statement: “The incorrigible former commonwealth boxing champ, Scott Dixon, is back Read more [...]

Press Conference: Robert Guerrero vs. Secuk Aydin

(MAY 11)  "Selcuk is coming to the United States and he wants to prove a point. He's an unknown Turkish guy who was ducked by Floyd Mayweather and now he's coming to fight and make a huge statement. This is his chance for him to prove to American boxing fans that he's the real deal.  Photos By Tom Hogan - Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero, Former Three-Division World Champion "I have to be ready for a guy like this. He is trying to creep up on me and shock the world. He's one of those tough guys that tries to knock everyone out, which makes for a really exciting fight, and I'll be ready." Selcuk Aydin, Undefeated #1-Rated WBC Welterweight Contender (Via Skye from Stuttgart, Germany) "I would fight anyone. Victor Ortiz, Andre Berto, Floyd Mayweather, Read more [...]

Team USA’s Marcus Browne Qualifies for the 2012 Olympic Games with a Quarterfinal Win in Brazil by Julie Goldsticker

(MAY 9) Light heavyweight Marcus Browne (Staten Island, N.Y.) officially qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games with a quarterfinal victory at the Americas Qualifier in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Tuesday afternoon.   Browne is the first American boxer to qualify at the event, which features the top boxers from north, central and south America. The 21-year-old took on the Dominican Republic’s Felix Valera in the light heavyweight quarterfinal contest. Knowing the high stakes, Browne grabbed control of the bout early and enjoyed a 7-2 lead after the first round. The pace slowed over the next two rounds with Browne taking a 9-3 advantage into the last three points. He held on to his lead in the final round to win a 12-6 final decision and a light heavyweight berth in the 2012 Olympic Games in Read more [...]

Jamel Herring Punches His Ticket for the 2012 Olympic Games in London While Michael Hunter Advances by Julie Goldsticker

(MAY 9) Team USA added a fifth member to their Olympic boxing team on Tuesday evening as light welterweight Jamel Herring (Coram, N.Y.) qualified his spot in London. Herring won his third bout in four days to qualify the light welterweight division for the United States squad. Heavyweight Michael Hunter (Las Vegas, Nev.) notched his second win of the tournament to advance to the semifinal round but has not officially qualified his spot yet. Courtesy Photo: USA Boxing sent in with story The United States Marine Corps Sergeant faced off with Yoelvis Hernandez of Venezuela in light welterweight quarterfinal action with the winner earning a berth in London and the loser going home empty handed. The bout was a close contest throughout the nine minutes of action with Herring taking the critical Read more [...]

City Boxing Grachev Shuts Up Sillakh in an eighth-round TKO!

(MAY 9) On Friday, April 27th, a "Greek Tragedy" unfolded in the "Theater of the Unexpected". Light Heavyweight sensation Ismayl Sillakh (17-1, 14 KOs) tasted defeat for the first time in dramatic fashion at the hands of unheralded yet unbeaten Russian mauler Denis Grachev (12-0-1, 8 KOs) yesterday evening at the upset laden Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX. The highly-touted Ukrainian prospect was pitching a virtual shut-out going into the fateful eighth stanza of their scheduled ten round contest when the hard Russian pressure fighter landed a staggering right hand that originally began the troubles for the former NABF Light Heavyweight Champion. The former kick-boxer turned pugilist followed up the hard right hand by a series of unanswered hooks, eventually flooring and stopping the heavily Read more [...]

Dawson Wins Second Time Around Against Hopkins; Witherspoon Stopped in the Third by Mitchell!

(APR 29, 2012) Last night at the Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and telecast on HBO, "Bad" Chad Dawson, 29, won a 12-round unanimous decision over Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins, now 47 years old.  Dawson was able to successfully dethrone Hopkins for the Ring and WBC Light heavyweight title, that could have happened in October of 2011, at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California, but in their first fight in October, Hopkins got injured early in that bout.  Dawson was initially declared the winner the night of the fight, which HBN being present at that fight saw the reaction of the crowd who were in shock.  Ultimately their first fight was declared a technical draw after the WBC reviewed the bout. . In last night's bout however, the results were different.  Read more [...]

Tony Bellew Wins by Fifth Round TKO April 28, 2012 Story by Anthony Leaver

(APR 28)Tony Bellew sent a chilling warning to Euro champ Eduard Gutknecht after a stunning fifth round knockout of Danny McIntosh in his British light heavyweight title defence live on Sky Sports at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.  The hometown star delivered an over hand right at the start of the fifth that was a fitting finish to The Big Bang billing, and there was only one winner from the start as Bellew bossed proceedings in front of his raucous army of fans.  Photo credit: Lawrence Lustig Bellew rocked McIntosh in every round, finally flooring the Norwich fighter at the very end of the fourth round. McIntosh had a minute to recover, but it was not enough as Tony put the icing on a dominant performance with his devastating knockout blow. McIntosh came into the fight brimful of confidence Read more [...]

The Lampkins: A Boxing Story by Bernie McCoy

(APR 24)  If sports were months, boxing would be April, which T. S. Eliot labeled as the "cruelest month." That's because even the rare "feel good" tales in the sport have a hard edge to them. This one is about the Lampkins, father and son, out of a once great fight town, Portland, OR. The son, at 18, commenced a four year amateur career that took him to national prominence and, two weeks ago, at age 28, began a comeback with his debut bout as a professional boxer. The back story is of the father, one of the top ranked lightweight fighters of the 1970s, who stormed out of the clean, clear air of the Northwest and fought his way to the heat and humidity of Panama in a valiant attempt to unseat a champion who may have been the best lightweight of all time. And, of course, as with most boxing Read more [...]

Outside The Ropes With Super Middleweight Prospect Richard Pierson

(APR 17) Tomorrow super middleweight Richard Pierson will go to battle for the New Jersey Super Middleweight Title as he steps between the ropes against Charles Hayward.  Since turning pro in 2005 by exploding on to the boxing scene with a quick first round knockout, Pierson has put together an impressive record of 10-2 with 7 KO’s. Whereas most up-and-coming prospects are coddled and held by the hand through their first few fights, Pierson was thrown to the wolves and found himself fighting in top venues—including Las Vegas and Atlantic City—while still a green fighter. Pierson was considered a “B” fighter who was to be brought in to make a promoter’s “A” fighter look good, though he spoiled the plan on several occasions. The slick middleweight with the heavy hands has Read more [...]

Freddie Roach predicts on upcoming bout between Senchenko vs. Malignaggi

(APR 13)  Five-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach predicts the jab of WBA Welterweight Champion Vyacheslav Senchenko will be the difference in his April 29th world title defense against challenger Paulie "Magic Man" Malignaggi, airing live on pay per view from Donboss Arena in Donetsk, Ukraine. Senchenko, who is undefeated with a 32-0 (21KO) record,  has been training at Roach's famed Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.  Senchenko won the  WBA title in 2009, by a unanimous decision over Yuriy Nuzhnenko.  He has since successfully defended his world title belt three times.  Freddie Roach recently said the following: "Senchenko is a very, very good boxer with good technique.  He has good height and a good punch. He had a great amateur background. I think Senchenko's boxing ability Read more [...]

Stars and the public came out in force for Inaugural New York State Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Dinner

(APR 3, 2012) - NEW YORK - Boxing stars joined a sold-out crowd of 500 at this past Sunday's inaugural New York State Boxing Hall of Fame ("NYSBHOF") induction dinner, sponsored by Ring 8, at Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.  "Boxing in New York will not be forgotten," NYSBHOF founder Tony Mazzarella said. "Boxers, cornermen, judges, promoters, announcers and others in boxing are being honored." Inducted into the first NYSBHOF class were "Sugar" Ray Robinson, Jake LaMotta, Mike Tyson, Carmen Basilio, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, Mike McCallum and posthumously Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard and Tony Canzoneri. (photo by Stanley Janousek) Non-participant inductees are judge/HBO analyst Harold Lederman, coach/instructor Steve Acunto, Read more [...]

Team Molina’s Official Position on Travesty in Texas

(MAR 30) "Texas Commission Has No Choice But to Reverse DQ and Rule a No Contest." The representatives of junior middleweight Carlos Molina have the following official response to his improper disqualification Saturday night against James Kirkland in a WBC Light Middleweight Semi-Final Elimination fight at the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas. "Referee Jon Schorle was in error of Texas rules last night when he disqualified Carlos Molina and therefore the fight must be changed to a No Contest ruling," asserts Leon Margules, promoter of Chicago-based junior middleweight "King" Carlos Molina. Schorle, with assistance from Texas Commission officials and others at ringside, disqualified Molina, saying that his cornerman entered the ring while the round was ongoing because he was still delivering Read more [...]

The 2012 USA Boxing National Championships Kick Into Full Gear on Day Three at Fort Carson by Julie Goldsticker

(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO) – Nine weight classes took the ring in a full day of boxing action at the 2012 USA Boxing National Championships at the Fort Carson Special Events Center on Tuesday. One hundred and twenty-nine bouts were contested on day three of action with all of the victors moving on to Wednesday’s action. The light flyweight class competed for the first time on Tuesday morning, with two 106-pound bout contests taking place at Fort Carson. Olympic Trials flyweight silver medalist made a successful light flyweight debut, winning a convincing 29-8 decision over Dominique Ascension (Glendale, Ariz.) in the first bout of the day. Simpson will have a stiffer test on Wednesday, facing friend and Olympic Trials light flyweight titlist Eros Correa (San Jose, Calif.). Fourteen Read more [...]

The Brackets are Drawn in Six Weight Divisions at the 2012 USA Boxing National Championships by Julie Goldsticker/USA Boxing

(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO) – The tournament brackets for the 2012 USA Boxing National Championships were drawn in six weight divisions on Saturday in preparation for Sunday’s action at the Fort Carson Special Events Center. Due to the large number of registered athletes in the male lightweight, light welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, heavyweight and super heavyweight classes, an additional day of competition was added for those weight classes. The event draw for the remaining men’s weight divisions and the female weight classes will take place on Sunday. The winners in the seven men’s unqualified weight divisions, which are the six weight classes being contested on Sunday as well as light flyweight, will advance to the final international Olympic qualifying tournament. The Read more [...]