Boxing News

While many within the boxing community will argue for the artistry and science of the sport as its true appeal, one must admit that sometimes, a plain old dirty brawl between two bruising heavyweights can be so much fun.

That is exactly what we got on Friday night from the Chumash Resort and Casino in Santa Ynez, California as heavyweight Tony Grano, 16-1-1 (13), shocked the well regarded Philadelphia prospect Travis Kauffman, 18-1 (15), via fourth round TKO.

While it wasn’t the prettiest of fights that we will see this year, it sure was exciting.

From the opening bell, both fighters were throwing bombs with Kauffman’s speed and technical skills appearing to be the difference. He was landing crisp hard right hands and moving well around the ring in complete control of the bout.

In the opening seconds of the fourth round, Kauffman appeared determined to end the night early and landed a series of hard shots that sent Grano stumbling towards the ropes. More...

© Cate McKeating / Saddo Boxing

In front of a standing room only crowd on Saturday night at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, CA, WBC super middleweight number one contender Andre Ward, 20-0 (13), showed focus and determination by blasting his way to a third round TKO victory over Shelby Pudwill, 22-4-1 (9).

Ward controlled the action from the opening bell, utilizing his superior speed and technical abilities to neutralize Pudwill are every action.

Pudwill was unable to land any effective clean shots on Ward throughout the bout, further demonstrating the Oakland native’s defensive abilities alongside his devastating speed.

By the middle of round three, Ward's dominance was apparent and Pudwill was cut under his left eye by a flurry of shots as he found himself trapped against the ropes. More...

For those who have witnessed the rise of Oakland's super middleweight Andre Ward, 19-0 (12), from Olympic Gold Medallist to world class contender, it is easy to envision greatness and the possibility of world titles.

By gradually stepping up his level of competition with each bout, Ward has managed to build both a solid reputation and fan base.

In a division as stacked as the super middleweights, Ward has managed to garner enough acclaim from ringside observers to become the youngest of the top ten fighters at 168.

However, in order to continue this rise, he must once again take the next step up the ladder.

After his most recent bout, a defeat of the rugged Edison Miranda, Ward found himself in the middle of the unprecedented Six Six tournament that will solidify the true ruler of the division.

In his first bout of the tournament, Ward will face off against the hard punching WBA champion Mikkel Kessler, by far his toughest opponent to date. More...

© Cate McKeating / Saddo Boxing

In a dramatic, exciting and stunning upset Friday night at the Pachanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California, veteran lightweight Tyrone Harris, 24-5 (16), scored an 8th TKO victory over the highly touted Marvin Quintero, 16-2 (12).

From the opening bell Harris controlled the action, establishing his stiff jab early in the bout and utilizing his superior boxing abilities to neutralize the young Quintero’s power.

Quintero had success in round three, landing numerous solid straight lefts, however Harris was able to counter effectively, keeping Quintero constantly firing from his heels. More...

For every young fighter trying to make their ascension up the rankings ladder, there is a crafty and hard hitting veteran looking to make their name by knocking him down.

This is exactly the stage that is set for the lightweight bout tonight at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, CA, as the highly touted Mexican prospect Marvin Quintero, 16-1 (12), attempts to take a step up that rankings ladder against the heavy handed Tyrone Harris, 23-5 (12).

Many in the boxing community have been drawing comparisons between Quintero and future Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera.

While that may be a bit premature, his most recent victories over Wes Ferguson, 20-4-1 (6), and Nick Casal, 19-4 (15), have shown that Quintero is maturing as a fighter and utilizing both his power and boxing abilities in the same manner that his fellow countryman did in the early stages of his career.

Quintero is riding high off of twelve straight victories since his lone defeat; however his opponent will be far and away the toughest test to date.

Although Harris was stopped in his last bout, his resume reads like a who’s who of some of division's top fighters. With bouts against names like Urbano Antillon, 26-1 (19), Damian Fuller, 30-6 (14), Koba Gogoladze, 20-3 (8), and former world titlist Stevie Johnston, 42-6 (18), Harris is far and away the more experienced fighter. More...

© Mike Worden / Saddo Boxing

Moving his way further up the ladder of the featherweight rankings, WBC #3 ranked Juan Carlo Burgos, 22-0 (15), pulled out a scrappy ten round decision over Russia's Vyacheslav Gusev, 16-2 (3), on Friday night in order to retain his WBC CABOFE title.

Dubbed by Thompson Boxing Promotions as “New Blood 4”, the card from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California had a good amount of the red stuff flowing. The majority of which was generated from under the right eye of Gusev after a right hand from Burgos opened a cut early in the first round.

While the cut appeared to bother Gusev early in the bout, the challenger managed to push through the adversity to give Burgos his toughest challenge to date. More...

Fight fans have seen the scenario set up a million times; a young undefeated prospect with a possible world title bout looming on the horizon faces off against a widely unknown opponent trying to make a name for himself with a career boosting victory.

What plays out depends largely on the strength and focus of the men inside the ring.

Tonight, at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California, this scenario has once again peeked its head as the hard punching, undefeated WBC #3 ranked featherweight Juan Carlos Burgos, 21-0 (15), puts his WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) title on the line against Russian Vyacheslav Gusev, 16-1 (3).

Burgos comes from a fighting family. His uncle Victor Burgos was the IBF Junior Flyweight titlist whose career tragically ended at the hands of Vic Darchinyan in 2007.

It is the same heart and drive that his uncle showed in the ring, alongside devastating power in both hands, that has landed Juan Carlos in the mix at the top of the featherweight division and has many boxing insiders pegging him as world champion caliber.

His last bout in February helped him to solidify his position among the top in the featherweight division as he stopped Fernando Lizarraga, 16-7-1 (12), in just two rounds. Burgos has recently been clamoring for a shot a WBC featherweight champion Takahiro Aoh, 17-1-1 (8,) but he first must focus on the challenger in front of him on Friday night. More...

© Tom Casino / Showtime Boxing

In the third and possibly final bout of their now legendary rivalry, Israel Vazquez, 43-4 (32), held on to the WBC Super Bantamweight title through a grueling twelve round split decision over Rafael Marquez, 37-5 (33). The back and fourth action saw the greatest bout of the trilogy and provided just enough controversy to consider a fourth fight down the road.

The fight was held in front of a capacity crowd at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, the venue being a return to where the rivalry began but this time, there were over 8000 in attendance, including an A-list of celebrities the likes of which are normally seen only at Las Vegas fights.

The boxers started the fight at a cautious distance as Marquez utilized his boxing abilities to keep Vazquez at bay. Although Vazquez was able to land his share of hard shots, including a right hand that seemed to buzz Marquez in the first, the jab of Marquez was the neutralizer throughout the first three rounds. More...

Click for larger image © Mike Worden / Saddo Boxing

In front of a standing room only crowd last night in the Grand Ballroom of the Pachanga Casino in Temecula, California, Carlos Quintana, 25-1 (19), wrestled away the WBO Welterweight title from Paul Williams, 33-1 (24), by a hard fought 12 round unanimous decision.

From the opening bell, Quintana came out of the gate aggressive. He began the first few rounds by landing hard looping left hands that Williams was unable to defend against. By utilizing his speed, rugged style and his willingness to trade with the taller man, Quintana was able to negate the height advantage of Williams and win his share of the welterweight title.

Williams was never fully able to find a groove in the fight. For the first half of the bout, he chased the faster Quintana around the ring, unable to find any range for his shots. Through the middle section, he managed to cut off the ring and land his stiff jab. More...

© Jan Sanders / Goossen Tutor Promotions

It is possible to be too dangerous. This is exactly what current WBO Welterweight Champion Paul "The Punisher" Williams, 33-0 (24), is learning as he gets set to make the first defense of this title against challenger Carlos Quintana, 24-1 (19).

In a weight division far deeper than any in boxing, Williams is searching for the money and name recognition that the other titlists at 147 currently enjoy. No one disputes the fact that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the current king, but with his fate seemingly tied to the fighter who brings him the most coin, it is becoming increasingly difficult for dangerous fighters like Paul Williams to attract the attention that is needed to step into those ranks.

The issue here for Williams is that after winning his title against Antonio Margarito last summer, in order to find an opponent worthy of both an HBO date and the purse that a champion deserves, he must step in with another fighter that some might deem "too dangerous" also, Carlos Quintana. More...

The one thing, above all others, that hardly anyone around boxing felt that would occur at this fight was a 12 round decision. Due to the hype and fervor that surround the promotion of the bout, it appeared almost certain that the bout would end early.

However, Ricardo Mayorga, 29-6-1 (23), managed to outwork the hometown favorite Fernando Vargas, 26-5 (22), over twelve rounds to secure a majority decision last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

From the opening bell, Mayorga bounded towards Vargas and began throwing his signature haymakers. Many of them were blocked by a high Vargas guard, however it was obvious that they were having an effect. More...

It was an extremely exciting night of boxing last evening at the Contender Finale at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sakio Bika, 25-3-2 (16), knocked out 23 year old Jaidon Codrington, 18-2 ( 14), in what must be considered a favorite for fight of the year and round of the year.

At the opening bell of round one, Bika came out swinging and landed a looping left hook that sent Codrington to the canvas. Codrington got right up and Bika jumped on him again, hoping for a replay of what occurred to Jaidon against Allen Green last year.

But this time Codrington landed a perfect counter punch and sent Bika down. Bika was hurt through the reminder of the round and Codrington was able to land hard shots almost at will. It was easily the most exciting round in the history of the Contender series and without a doubt, the best single round of boxing I have witnessed all year.

The fight continued to at a furious pace in rounds two thru four, as both men landed hard crisp punches but it was the experience and timing of Bika that won him the rounds. Codrington began to have trouble with Bika when he put up his guard and allowed Bika to pound him through and around his gloves. Jaidon was able to land hard shots when he stepped back, but he was unable to capitalize when he had Bika hurt. More...

Guerrero Destroys Honorio on Undercard

Click for larger image © Tom Casino / Showtime Boxing

In front of a sold out crowd at the Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson, Arizona, WBC Super Featherweight Champion Juan Manuel Marquez, 48-3-1 (35), systematically destroyed the #4 contender Rocky Juarez, 27-4 (19), in a twelve round unanimous decision. It was an uneven but very entertaining fight as a rugged Juarez refused to give in despite the numerous reasons that would have had for doing so.

The initial two minutes of the first round saw both fighters jabbing well and feeling each other out, but Marquez set the pace landing the harder shots. When Marquez bent towards the challenger their heads accidentally clashed and it opened a bad gash under the eyebrow of Juarez that would affect his vision for the remainder of the fight.

Throughout the second and third rounds, Marquez began to find his range and started to land hard precise punches to both the head and the body of Juarez. The challenger couldn't seem to get close enough and appeared to be covering up more than usual due to the cut that continued to gush blood down his face. More...

Munguia Hands "The Pit Bull" Diaz First Career Loss On Undercard

In a major upset, Saul Roman, 24-4 (20), won a difficult split decision over former IBF Junior Middleweight Champion Kassim "The Dream" Ouma, 25-4-1 (15).

In what was apparently supposed to be a stay busy fight for Ouma after his bout with Sergio Mora was called off early this year, "The Dream" failed to re-establish himself at the top of the division.

From the first round Roman brought the fight directly to Ouma, landing hard shots that continuously knocked the former champ off-balance. Roman established his jab early and landed it numerous times in the opening round. Ouma fought back well in the second but Roman continued to pressure him as both men refused to back down, both standing in the center of the ring and firing off their shots.

Ouma continued to stay busy, as he always does, through the middle rounds of the fight, but the rugged and game Roman was taking his shots well and continued to fire back.

Roman trapped Ouma against the ropes late in the fifth round and landed his hardest shots of the night and forcing Ouma to clinch in order to stop the assault. More...

Joseph Agbeko scores upset to win IBF Bantamweight Title!

In a dominating performance, WBC Light Heavyweight Champion "Bad" Chad Dawson, 25-0 (17), stopped late sub Epifanio Mendoza, 28-5-1 (24), in the fourth round at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, CA.

The champion came into the fight and did what was expected of him by winning in an impressive fashion against an overmatched foe. Mendoza took the fight on only twelve days notice after #1 contender Adrian Diaconu was forced to pull out with an injured hand.

From the opening bell, the fight belonged to Dawson. He was landing the cleaner and harder shots and seemed relaxed and confident. The only chance that Mendoza had in the bout was to catch Dawson with his bread and butter power right hand, but Dawson's defensive skills were way too much for the challenger.

By the end of the third round, Dawson found his range and stared to focus on the knockout as he backed the challenger into the ropes and preceded to rip hard left hooks to the body followed by his lightning quick rights to the head.

At the end of the round, the ringside physician, who played a large role in tonight's fights, told the referee "Not to be afraid to stop the fight." And that is exactly what he did. More...

Escobedo wins NABO Featherweight belt!

In just over a month since defeating Rey Bautista in the Second Annual Golden Boy Promotions Boxing World Cup, WBO and IBA Junior Featherweight Champion Daniel Ponce de Leon, 33-1 (30), needed just five rounds to take out the rugged Columbian Reynaldo Lopez, 27-6-2 (19), at the Morongo Casino in Cabazon, California.

The fight started with Ponce de Leon shooting his signature wild shots at a fast pace, obviously looking to make a statement. But Lopez seemed to be much more prepared for the awkward style than Bautista had been a month earlier, using good head movement and a nice jab to ward off the constant attack.

By the third round, the body punishment that Ponce de Leon was delivering began to take its effect and he started to find the range with his powerful left.

Lopez was momentarily stunned late in the third and the champ jumped all over him, but the Columbian challenger landed his best punch of the night, a left uppercut, and seemed to slow the onslaught for the remainder of the round.

Ponce de Leon started to land big left hands in the fourth round and truly began to find his power. The best action of the night came when Lopez ate a big left and began to fire back with hard shots of his own, none of which seemed to faze Daniel in the least. More...

Click for larger image © Michael Worden / Saddo Boxing

The first of five press conferences to build hype for the December 8, 2007 showdown between Pound for Pound King Floyd Mayweather Jr, 38-0 (24), and the universally recognized Junior Welterweight Champion, Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton, 43-0 (31), was held on Monday at the Universal City Walk in Los Angeles.

It is a tour not unlike that of the Mayweather-De la Hoya tour earlier this year, and will span five cities including, New York City, Manchester and London, England, and Floyd's hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is a fight that is being billed as simply one word, "Undefeated."

The crowed was somewhat surprisingly pro Ricky Hatton and many of those in attendance were waving the British flag, more proof of the drawing power of England’s most popular athlete.

Before either fighter was introduced to the public, Hatton was quick to get in the first shots. In the intro video, Hatton was seen taking dancing lessons, an obvious shot at Mayweather's spot on the television show, "Dancing with the Stars." More...

Gerry Penalosa Leads Undercard With Amazing Comeback To Win WBO Crown

The Filipino team might have walked away with the second Boxing World Cup, but the night belonged to WBO Junior Featherweight Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon, 32-1 (29). The champ retained his title last night in the main event from the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California by destroying the previously unbeaten challenger Rey Bautista, 23-1 (17), in the first round.

After a minute of feeling each other out, Ponce De Leon exploded with power shots, throwing sweeping lefts and hard right hands. Bautista appeared a little flustered with the onslaught and began to retreat. Ponce De Leon then landed a big right, left combo that shook the challenger and sent him stumbling to the canvas.

Bautista barely made the count and the ref let him continue. But it wouldn't last long, as Ponce De Leon jumped all over him, once again sending Bautista to the floor and prompting the ref to step in and stop the fight at 2:30 of the first round.

For Ponce De Leon, the night couldn't have been better, a big statement on a big stage which could lead to bigger fights and bigger money. For the young Bautista, it looks like it is back to the drawing board and somehow try to build off of the loss. More...

It is a great time for boxing fans. The best fighters are actually fighting each other, rather than talking about it. The coverage on major sports networks, such as ESPN, is reaching an all time high. And for the first time since Lennox Lewis retired, we are going to have two of the four alphabet titles unified in the heavyweight division. But best of all is that in America, it is beginning to look like boxing is the cleanest sport of them all.

For years our great sport has been mired in controversy. Allegations of fixed fights and drug abuse plagued the fight game, and led to the eventual slide in popularity among American sports fans. But with the diligence of a few great promoters and the hawk like watchful eye of some state athletic commissions, the sweet science is gaining a full head of steam with the mainstream sports press.

Much of this rise can to be attributed to the decline in recent months, of the big three American sports. There has never been a worse time to be the commissioner of Major League Baseball, the NFL or worst of all, the NBA. All three men who rule those faltering leagues are wishing today they had any other job in sports.

Baseball has been fighting a steroids problem over the past four years that can only be described as despicable. When the allegations first surfaced during the home run chase of McGuire and Sosa, Major League Baseball dug its head in the sand and said, “Nothing going on over here. Don’t look at the man behind the curtain.” And with Barry Bonds only two home runs away from the holy grail of baseball records, the vast majority of the public agree that the mark will be tainted.

Although boxing has had its fair share of steroid troubles, the state commissions have done a wonderful job in cracking down on the problem. Most recently, James Toney has tested positive twice in the last three years, but the scrutiny on the sport was minimal at best with regards to his fights. He was quickly called out, fined and suspended, a punishment that has yet to occur to ANY of the top hitters in baseball. More...

Click for larger image © Mike Worden / Saddo Boxing

The main event on Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California saw Paul "The Punisher" Williams, 33-0 (24), wrestle the WBO Welterweight title from Antonio Margarito, 34-5 (24). The fight capped off a three bout tv welterweight card, separated by 3,000 miles and broadcast by HBO.

In front of a sold out and wildly pro Margarito crowd, both fighters gave almost everything they had in the bout. There was not only a world title at stake, but also ramifications of even bigger fights down the road. As the fighters entered the ring, the more than 8,000 in attendance were ripe with anticipation and ready for action.

HBO was broadcasting the fight live, but no one expected that both of the undercard fights in California would end early, and the rowdy crowd grew more and more anxious as they waited for bout to begin, which was tied to HBO's broadcast schedule.

Once things got started, the early rounds belonged entirely to Williams as he stayed on the outside and used his speed and reach advantage to pop his jab almost at will. The taller Williams moved very well and in the second, found the range for the uppercut that he would continue to use throughout the fight. More...