WBA Update: Froch, Groves, Walters, Darchinyan, Saad Muhammad

ByWorld Boxing Association

This coming Saturday at Wembley Arena in London, England, Charlie Fitch will be the referee of the second 168 lb unification bout between Carl Froch and George Groves.

Judges at ringside are Michael Pernick (U.S.), Alfredo Polanco (MEX) and Leszek Jakoviak (POL).

In the same program, Britain’s Jamie McDonnell and Thailand’s Tabtimgdaen Na Rachawatwill will be fighting for the interim 118-pound title.

Terry O’Connor will referee, and judges Robert Hoyle (U.S.), Stefano Carozza (ITA) and Dave Parris (UK) are in charge of the cards.

In both fights, the WBA supervisor will be Jesper Jensen.

Raul Caiz Jr and Luis Pabon will be the referees of the World Boxing Association title bouts to be held this Saturday at Cotai Arena in Macao, China.

The 126-pound champion, Jamaica’s Nicholas Walters will fight with the experienced Armenian Vic Darchiyan. The group of officials in this fight will be led by the American Caiz Jr, together with Pabon (PR), Takeshi Shimakawa (JAP) and Francisco Martinez (U.S.).

The second title fight is between the undisputed champion, South Africa’s Simpiwe Vetyeka, who will fight against the Philippines’ Nonito Donaire.

Puerto Rico’s Pabon will step into the ring as referee, and the cards will be in the hands of Caiz Jr, Levi Martinez and Francisco Martinez (U.S.).

For both fights, the WBA supervisor will be Panama’s Aurelio Fiengo.

The World Boxing Association, headed by Gilberto Mendoza, joins the mourning for the passing of former light heavyweight champion and Hall of Famer, Matthew Saad Muhammad.

Muhammad died on Sunday at age of 59, at Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia.

In addition to a Hall of Fame career and participation in many memorable fights, Saad Muhammad’s story was inspiring.

Abandoned as a child, he grew up to fame and became a light heavyweight world champion against all odds.

In 1979, Saad Muhammad, known for his punching power and heart, knocked out Marvin Johnson in a rematch to win the light heavyweight title in Indianapolis, Johnson ‘s hometown.

He grew up with the nuns of Catholic Social Services and in reformatories, until he met boxing. He discovered the sport to see Muhammad Ali in Philadelphia.

It became a real figure of semi heavyweights . He retired in 1992 with 49-16-3 , 35 KO ‘s.

Rest in Peace!