‘Versus Network’

Boxing fans will have to wait a little longer for the Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. rematch.

Originally, the light heavyweight fight was scheduled to take place early in the New Year. According to officials however, there is a clause in the contract that allows Jones to honour an already agreed upon fight which means that Hopkins has the option to go out and take on an interim bout.

This brings us to the announcement made on Wednesday, October 14, 2009, that Hopkins has taken on a fight against Enrique Ornelas. That bout is scheduled for Wednesday, December 2, 2009.

This interim fight is meant to prepare the aging boxer for his upcoming clash against Jones Jr.

At age 44, Hopkins has an impressive record of 49 wins and 5 losses with 32 knockouts. His opponent Ornelas has a record of 29 wins and 5 losses with 19 knockouts. Ornelas is the brother of super middleweight contender Librado Andrade, who is scheduled to fight Lucien Bute in a much anticipated rematch. More...

On Thursday, June 11th, "Fight Night Club" premieres at Club Nokia at LA Live across the street from Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, and to kick off this highly-anticipated new boxing series, Golden Boy Promotions will be featuring the area's top young boxing talent with Oxnard's David Rodela headlining against Juan Garcia and Paramount's unbeaten featherweight Charles Huerta in the co-featured attraction during what promises to be a night to remember. More...

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Following the conclusion of the “Homecoming” fight between the victorious Ricky Hatton and challenger Juan Lazcano the media gathered for an official post-fight press conference.

First to answer questions from the press were the combatants from the co-feature title bout, Lovemore N’dou and Paulie Malignaggi. Speculation is that Malignaggi could be Ricky Hatton's next opponent having successfully defeated N’dou by split decision. More...

© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing

Another fight on the card that interested Ricky Hatton for more then one reason was the rematch between IBF title holder Paul “The Magic Man” Malignaggi 25-1 (5) and former titlist Lovemore “The Black Panther” N’Dou 46-10-1 (31). Malignaggi who won the title from Lovemore in June of 2007 was ordered to give N’Dou his mandated rematch after allowing him to defend the belt against Herman Ngoudjo in January of this year. More...

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Today, at the Trafford Centre, Manchester, England, crowds of fans lined the ‘Orient’ area of the ‘mall’ to watch the weigh-ins for tomorrow night’s “Homecoming” fight night, promoted by Frank Maloney in association with Punch Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.

The weigh-in stage sat below the huge video screen in the food court area. Boxers would be facing the ‘ocean-liner-style’ area, under a simulated starry night-sky where hoards of fans waited for a glimpse of the boxers.

“There’s only one Ricky Hatton,” was played by the Hitman’s ‘Band’ from their balcony position and the crowds join in. Michael Buffer started proceedings in his trademark manner. “Manchester are you ready?” he boomed and when the reply back from the crowds wasn’t loud enough - he repeated it and the excitement around the ‘Orient’ increased. More...

**With Slideshow**

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Yesterday the City of Manchester Stadium, England, played host to the official press conference ahead of Saturday’s ‘Homecoming’ fight night.

Entering the stadium, I stopped by to see how the ‘pitch’ was progressing in preparation for the fight and with just two days to go, the huge structure and canopy that will protect the ring looks near completion. There are more red seats now on the floor area and not a blade of grass is visible under the protective boarding. It is indeed a fantastic sight!

Once inside the boardroom suite, media representatives gathered to await the arrival of boxers, trainers and promoters. On the top table sat Lovemore N’dou, Robert Diaz (Golden Boy), Matthew Hatton, Billy Graham, Ray Hatton, Frank Maloney, Ricky Hatton, Richard Schaeffer (Golden Boy), Juan Lazcano, Ronnie Shields, Paulie Malignaggi, Lou DiBella, Craig Watson and Joe Pennington. More...

The fighters have arrived in Manchester, England for one of the biggest sporting events to hit the United Kingdom in years and the sound of IBO & Ring Magazine World Junior Welterweight Champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton's 43-1 (31) theme song can be heard on every street corner. More...