Interbox stages a show tonight at the Repentigny Arena in Repentigny, Quebec which sees middleweight Renan St. Juste, 16-1-1 (11), square off with Elkeana Ali Saunders, 8-1-1 (4), of The Bahamas over ten rounds.
Also on the bill are Quebecois prospects Benoit Gaudet, and Sebastien Gauthier.
Renan St. Juste: 160 lb
Elkeana Ali Saunders: 158.6 lb
Benoit Gaudet: 135.9 lb
Pedro Javier Torres: 135.9 lb
A fight that has been years, not months, in the making finally takes places this Saturday at the Thomas and Mack Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Its a fight at light heavyweight between two men with a combined 41 successful defences of their world titles.
Welshman Joe Calzaghe will be attempting to stop a disappointing run of results in Camp Calzaghe. After world title defeats for stablemates Gavin Rees and Enzo Maccarinelli, the undefeated World Super Middleweight Champion will be desperate not to make it third time unlucky.
Bernard Hopkins stands between Joe and a place in boxing history. A pro now for 20 years, Hopkins won the middleweight title at the third attempt, stopping Segundo Mercardo in seven back in 1995, having lost and drawn previous title attempts. More...
The next Steve Woods/VIP Boxing event takes place on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan, England. Please note the change of venue - which was originally to be held at the GH Carnall Centre in Davyhulme, Manchester.
Featuring nine fights - this is sure to be another action-packed night of boxing!
The main event sees popular welterweight Mark Thompson fighting for the vacant Masters International title and promising Blackpool light middleweight Brian Rose, both against opponents to be announced.
A week before the big Calzaghe vs. Hopkins light heavyweight showdown, Sheffield's Clinton Woods defends his IBF title against Antonio Tarver in Tampa, Florida.
For Woods, this is his well deserved spot in the big league, topping an American bill as champion. A pro since 1994, Woods has won titles at domestic, Commonwealth and European level at super middleweight and light heavyweight.
In his first tilt at world honours, Woods had the misfortune to run into Undisputed World Light Heavyweight Champion Roy Jones Jr, then at the peak of his powers, losing in six rounds in September 2002. After a draw and a points loss verdict to veteran Glencoffe Johnson, Woods finally made it fourth time lucky, stopping American Rico Hoye in five in March 2005, wining the vacant IBF title. More...
Barry Hearn of Matchroom Sports chaired the final press conference yesterday for the ‘PrizeFighter’ Boxing show which takes place at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, tonight.
Eight British Heavyweight Boxers will be competing in 3-round contests, the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final - all taking place in one exciting night of boxing.
The ‘brainchild’ of Mr. Hearn - this revolutionary new style of Boxing Tournament is hoped to raise the profile of British Heavyweight Boxing.
The Boxers competing tonight are Billy Bessey (Portsmouth) Paul Butlin (Melton Mowbray) David Dolan (Sunderland) David Ferguson (North Shields) Alex Ibbs (Stoke) Colin Kenna (Southampton) Darren Morgan (Swansea) Martin Rogan (Belfast).
Yesterday at Sofrito Puerto Rican Cuisine in New York City, Top Rank hosted the final press conference for their World Welterweight Championship Double Header which will take place this Saturday, April 12 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ .
“Two World Championships…One Night” features WBA Welterweight Champion, Miguel Cotto, 31-0 (25), against Contender star, Alfonso Gomez, 18-3-2 (8). The co-feature will be the highly anticipated rematch featuring IBF Welterweight Champion, Kermit Cintron, 29-1 (27), who will look to avenge his only loss against former Welterweight Champion, Antonio Margarito, 35-5 (25).
The first time Cintron and Margarito met in the ring in April 2005, their roles were reversed; Margarito was the WBO Welterweight Champion and Cintron was the challenger. Margarito had literally broke down Cintron over five rounds, cutting him over the right eye in the third round and dropping him twice both in the fourth and fifth rounds before the fight was stopped.
Cintron looked like he may not recover from the devastating loss, but rebuilt his career with the help of trainer Emanuel Steward, winning all five fights since his loss to Margarito by KO and picking up the IBF strap in the process. More...
This morning - the live draw took place for the ʽPrizefighter Seriesʼ, which takes place this coming Friday, April 11 at the York Hall, Bethnall Green, London.
The ʽbrainchildʼ of Barry Hearn of Matchroom Sports, it will see eight heavyweight contenders slug it out in a tournament-style fight night in which the quarter, semi and final will take place all in one night of exciting boxing.
It will be a case of ʽthe last man standing - takes the prize!ʼ - the prize being a cheque for £25,000
Bookies' favourite, David Dolan faces Darren Morgan and their three-round contest will be the last of the quarter-finals.
The quarter-final match-ups are:
Dave Ferguson (North Shields) vs. Bill Bessey (Portsmouth)
Alex Ibbs (Stoke) vs. Martin Rogan (Belfast)
Paul Butlin (Melton Mowbray) vs. Colin Kenna (Southampton)
Darren Morgan (Swansea) vs. David Dolan (Sunderland)
Norwich switch-hitter Jon "Jono" Thaxton makes a long overdue step up to European class tonight at Bethnal Greenʼs York Hall in London when he challenges Belarusian champion Yuri Romanov on a Hennessy Sports promotion.
While Thaxton, 33-7 (18), may only have won his prized Lonsdale belt in late 2006, the Norwich buzzsaw had been on periphery of genuine title class for over a decade and many people may not realise that he was once regarded Britainʼs top fighter at light-welterweight.
Back in February 1996, Thaxton, coming in as a late substitute, took just 138 seconds to knock cold the previously undefeated British and Commonwealth supremo Paul "Scrap Iron" Ryan. It made him the country's top man but, because the fight was made four pounds over the ten stone limit, it was a non-title affair and Thaxton never acquired the spoils such a victory deserved.
Almost four years after the Ryan victory, Thaxton eventually got his long awaited shot at the British crown but was stopped by Jason Rowlands in the fifth round. When Rowlands vacated a year later, Thaxton was handed a second domestic title tilt, this time against a young prospect from Manchester called Ricky Hatton.
Despite opening a serious cut above Hattonʼs left eye early in the opening round, Thaxton found "The Hitman" too much that night and conceded a wide verdict on the card of referee Paul Thomas.
It seemed that "Jono" was going to just miss out on being British Champion and in 2002, his career was over after a shoulder injury sustained in a car accident forced him to hang up his gloves. More...
Yesterday at BB King’s Blues Club Restaurant in New York City, Top Rank held a press conference to announce the first title defense for WBC and WBO Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik, 33-0 (29), who will face the #1 rated WBO Middleweight contender Gary Lockett, 30-1 (21).
Also on the card will be another title fight featuring WBO Super Bantamweight champion, Daniel Ponce De Leon, 34-1 (30), against Juan Manual Lopez, 21-0 (19). Both championships will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ .
Before introducing Lockett, Top Rank’s Bob Arum reminisced with the media about some of the great middleweights that have come out of England such as Alan Minter and Tony Sibson, “One thing about the English middleweights is when they’re good, they’re real good and they come to fight; they are brave warriors.” More...
Tonight at the Barnsley Metrodome in Barnsley, England, super flyweight Andy Bell aims to succeed where fellow Doncaster native Jamie McDonnell failed by beating Chris Edwards to become the first British champion to hail from the South Yorkshire town since Jon Jo Irwin was the domestic featherweight ruler back in the late 1990s.
The bill has dubbed "Northern Rock" by promoter Frank Maloney and is televised live by Sky Sports.
31 year old Edwards, from Stoke, won the inaugural 115 Ib Lonsdale belt last December by narrowly squeezing past McDonnell and it was a result that greatly astounded Andy Bell.
He told local press: "To be honest I thought that Jamie would beat Edwards and I was surprised that he didn't. I went to Wigan on the night and I felt Jamie boxed the wrong fight. Apart from experience, Jamie looked to have everything in his favour. But Edwards was in the great shape and he kept going for the full 12 rounds."
Edwards, a pro fighter for almost ten years, didn’t have the greatest of starts in the paid ranks. After winning by second round knockout out on his debut, the little man from the Potteries didn’t taste victory again for over two and a half years.
A lot fighters would have turned in the game but, in the mould of Steve Robinson and Johnny Nelson, he’s shown great determination and achieved things that many people thought would be simply beyond him. He’s going to have to give his all tonight if he wants to hang on to the position he has worked so hard to acquire. More...
American literary great Mark Twain once said "It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog". Well, that sentence perfectly sums up the performance Newbridge’s Gavin "The Rock" Rees gave when he ripped the WBA light-welterweight title from tough Frenchman Souleymane M’Baye last summer.
Despite conceding 6.5 inches in height, "Little" Gavin put on a boxing masterclass at the Cardiff International Arena last July, as he dazed and confused the French champion with in and out movement and lots of aggressive flurries to the head and body. So in control was the Newbridge native that he often dropped his hands and did Joe Calzagheesque showboats.
For Gavin, the victory was extra sweet as it didn’t just make him the first Welshman to ever hold a WBA strap, it also proved the doubters, that had written him off only a couple of years earlier, wrong.
Back in late 2004, the pint-sized puncher’s career appeared to be in tatters as he was given 100 hours community service and banned from boxing for one year, due to his involvement in a punch up at a funeral. Things could have been worse as there was talk that the British Boxing Board of Control were going to hand him a lifetime ban, thankfully the board didn’t see their threats through.
Even when the rejuvenated and refocused Rees returned to the ring in early 2006, it seemed highly unlikely that he would ever reach the lofty heights of the world title class. But, after some solid six round performances at lightweight against seasoned journeymen, his promoter Frank Warren handed him an unexpected chance and he seized it with both hands.
This Saturday evening the undefeated 27 year old returns to the scene of his greatest boxing moment when he makes the first defence of his crown against the tough, Hamburg based Ukranian Andreas Kotelnik. More...
Birmingham middleweight Matthew Macklin looks to start a new chapter in his life at the National Stadium in Dublin, Ireland tonight when he tackles the battle tested, but now considerably past his best, former IBF Light Middleweight king "Yory Boy" Campas.
For Macklin, 20-2 (16), the bout will be his first with new trainer Buddy McGirt in his corner, after a split from long time mentor Billy "The Preacher" Graham at the end of 2007.
"Iʼve really enjoyed working with Buddy and being out in Florida was a great experience," Macklin said via press release this week. "It was just what I needed for this fight. I learned a lot from my time with Billy but felt it was the right time to move on. I need to get back to using my boxing skills a bit more and I think Buddy is the perfect trainer for that."
25 year old Macklin, who despite being a Brummie, fights for the Emerald Isle due to his Irish parentage, is best known to most boxing fans as the man who engaged in a thrilling toe to toe war when challenging for the British 154 pound crown against Jamie Moore in September 2006.
That night, at the George Carnall Leisure Centre in Manchester, both men gave their all as they continually rained blows on each other for ten rounds until Salford southpaw Moore landed two cracking rights, punctuated by a flush left that dropped Macklin face first to the canvas.
It was one of the greatest British fights in recent memory and deserves to be remembered in the way that Benn vs. Eubank and Lewis vs. Bruno will be. Unfortunately, due to it being aired only to hardcore boxing fans on a subscription network (Sky Sports), that seems unlikely. More...
Four years after their Fight of the Year in 2004, Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao renew their rivalry over 12 rounds in Las Vegas this Saturday night. At stake at the Mandalay Bay is Marquez's WBC Super Featherweight World Championship.
Their first fight in May 2004 was an absolute classic. Marquez, the gritty smart champion at featherweight, survived three first round knockdowns against his buzzsaw opponent, battling his way to a drawn verdict and keeping his featherweight belts.
Their rematch is at four pounds heavier and to be honest, the rise in weight hasn't affected either man so far.
Marquez the champion has defeated all-time great Marco Antonio Barrera and credible challenger Rocky Juarez over 12 rounds. Pacquiao has twice beaten Mexican legend Erik Morales and decisioned the aforementioned Barrera, scoring his second win over the "Baby Faced Assassin". More...
'THE HOMECOMING'
City of Manchester Stadium
24th May '08
Tickets went on sale Yesterday for Ricky Hatton’s next fight - taking place at the City of Manchester Stadium, home of Ricky’s beloved Manchester City Football Team. An announcement confirming the fight details followed after rumours of a last minute press conference 2 days ago which led to some confusion amongst boxing notables.
Hatton will defend his IBO Light-Welterweight Title against Mexican - Juan Lazcano. Having won 37 of his 42 fights, Laczano is a former WBF and IBA Lightweight Title holder.
The Manchester City Stadium could house as many as 55,000 fans - making it the biggest boxing event in the UK. But without overhead cover - let’s hope that it’s a ‘fine’ Bank Holiday weekend ! Not that rain could dampen the spirits of a Hatton - crowd !
After nearly three years in the boxing wilderness, Manchesterʼs stylish southpaw David Barnes looks to reassert himself on the pugilistic map this Friday evening when he takes on Brixtonʼs Ted "Dangerous" Bami for the vacant British light-welterweight strap.
Not so long ago, Barnes was regarded as one of the countryʼs brightest stars. He won the vacant British Welterweight title when he was just 22 years old by, some what luckily, squeezing past blonde bearded veteran Jimmy Vincent in July 2003 before defending three times against quality opposition in Glenn McClarnon, former Commonwealth Welter king James Hare and current British Welter Champion Kevin McIntyre.
Things were looking good for the former paratrooper from Partington, but signs that the wheels were about to drop of the Barnes battle cruiser came in April 2005 as he was held to a draw by another ex-military man, Glossop based Namibian Ali Nuumbembe. More...
Bury fighter - Scott Quigg, is looking for another victory tonight as he faces Romanian Gheorgie Ghiompirica in a 4 round Super Bantamweight Contest. Ghiompirica was a last minute opponent for Quigg - but despite knowing little about the Romanian boxer - Quigg was relaxed and smiling at the weighin yesterday. More...
Today, the GH Carnall Centre in Davyhulme, Manchester, England saw the weighin for tomorrow night's Friday Fightnight promoted by Matchroom Sports.
The main event features Local lad David Barnes of Manchester against Ted Bami of London as they challenge for the vacant British Light Welterweight title. It was a quiet affair with both men looking cool and relaxed as they took turns to be weighed.
Barnes is a fromer British Welterweight Champion while Bami held the Euopean Light Welter crown. More...
One of Britain's most eagerly anticipated fights takes place this Saturday when Welshman Enzo Maccarinelli faces English rival David Haye in a World Cruiserweight Championship unification match up.
At stake are the Welshman's WBO and the Englishman's WBA/WBC Titles. The venue is the magnificent 02 Arena in London.
Some are calling this matchup the biggest dustup Britain has seen in 20 years. I for one would agree. In terms of anticipation, this one is right up with the likes of Nigel Benn vs. Chris Eubank. Its also just as tough to call a winner!. More...
Yesterday, in the smart surroundings of the Gateway Hotel in Nottingham, England, Kiko Martinez of Spain came head-to-head with 'The Fighting Dustman' - Rendall Munroe of Leicester.
Munroe is challenging for the European Super Bantamweight title on a Frank Maloney promotion at the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre, Nottingham, which will be screened live on Sky Sports. More...
After their two thrilling fights in 2007, super bantams Israel Vasquez and Rafael Marquez are ready to do it again as they square off at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA, which was also the site of their first bout.
At stake is the WBC crown of Vasquez, but the title used to belong to Marquez and the expectation is that the pair will slug it out in thrilling fashion, just as they had over the first two bouts.
Marquez, 37-4 (33), came into this trilogy with Vasquez as the longtime IBF Bantam king and for a six year period at 118 pounds, the Mexico City man had been a unstoppable force.
The 32 year old slugger had won sixteen straight, including his step up in weight to take the WBC Super Bantam crown from Vasquez when they met for the first time in April of last year.
Vasquez, 42-4 (31), had been on his own run of success prior to this trio with Marquez, having won eight in a row since a loss to Oscar Larios in 2002, including an IBF 122 lb title winning effort over Jose Luis Valbuena in 2004 before stopping Larios in the third in 2005 to annex the WBC belt at super bantam. More...
