Author: Boxing Press

Making his first start in six-and-a-half months, Wladimir Klitschko will take on undefeated Eliseo Castillo in an important heavyweight bout Saturday, April 23, in Dortmund, Germany. The match will be shown on HBO After Dark at 9:45 PM ET/PT.

Question: Bernd, what is the latest on WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko?

Boente: The latest update is that Vitali will undergo surgery in exactly three hours (2 p.m. PT, Tuesday) in Los Angeles. It is really a minor surgery. He had problems in the back. There was a little spur at the spine that was pushing on a nerve and it was really hurting him. He tried to work it out the conventional way, trying to get injections for one week or so. That did not help and so the doctor said to have the surgery. He will have to have rehab for about six weeks or so and then he will be ready to go again. He will definitely be able to fight in September.

Question: Wladimir, what are your thoughts about Vitali’s back surgery and will this be the first time neither of you will have not been in each other’s corner for a fight?

Klitschko: Of course, it is something unusual for me that Vitali will not be in my corner for my fight because he was always there supporting me for my fights. Physically he will not be with me, but mentally he is always with me. (more…)

On the eve of his US debut against WBC #11 Henry Porras at the Avalon venue in Hollywood, British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Carl Froch has once again undermined Joe Calzaghe’s attempts to avoid fighting him.

“I am starting to feel sorry for the Calzaghes,” began Froch. “Every time they attempt to fend off one of my challenges to them, they leave themselves wide open. It is becoming a bit like shooting fish in a barrel. Firstly Joe’s dad attempted to price his boy out of the market by asking for £1 million to fight me.
Now that hasn’t washed, Joe has come out saying that I am miles away from being good enough to fight him. Sorry to do this to you Joe; but let’s take a look at your last two opponentsWe have the all conquering Mger Mkrtchian, ranked at a lofty 34 by the WBC. Then lets not forget the outstanding Kabary Salem, who isn’t even ranked by the organisation, yet stretched you 12 rounds. Whereas I am ranked 22nd and my next opponent Henry Porras is ranked 11th. Its more like I’m too good. I think it is you Joe who have been fighting nobodies.” In my opinion its fighters like you, sitting in the comfort zone and only taking soft touches, that have led to Sky scaling down their boxing coverage.

Froch added: “I don’t think much of your next opponent Mario Veit either; he was bad enough the first time round. Where are you going to go after that? It seems you have already lost out on the Lacy fight. Like I said last time, all your team do is reel off a series of names: Roy Jones, Bernard Hopkins and Glencoffe Johnson have all been mentioned. Nothing ever happens. So come on and give the fans what they want to see, a good old world class domestic dust up. Me versus you would be an even better fight than Benn vs Eubank I. If you’re scared of losing your title, keep it. Lets just have a 12 round International contest. In this day and age its not always about the belts, it is more important to make the big fights. Nothing is standing in the way of this fight happening, so long as your promoter is reasonable and doesn’t look for options. You have an easy fight to get through. I have a much tougher proposition in Porras, but I am going to do a number on him. Lets do it: winner meets winner. This isn’t about the publicity, why would I want to get that off the back of you Joe – in my opinion all you get is bad publicity or a mention in the South Wales Argus. I genuinely want this fight.”

The Cobra added: “Joe, you say you would smash me. So why then don’t you stop talking rubbish and walk the walk? You say my hands are down, you’re right they are – that’s the way I fight. But you are wrong about my chin being in the air. Why don’t you come try and catch it?And at least I don’t slap and tickle. Once my combinations start landing on your kisser, you are getting KO’d.”

Desert Diamond Casino and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions are going to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style as they present another elite boxing card live from the Diamond Center. The Thursday, May 5, 2005 “Boxeo de Oro” show will be shown to a worldwide audience on HBO Latino. Tickets range from $25-$100 and are available now at the Desert Diamond Casino box office, Radio XENY in Nogales, MX or by calling (520) 393-2799 or 866-DDC-WINS. (more…)

IBF mandatory challenger Cosme “Chino” Rivera (28-7-2, 20 KOs) plans on shocking the boxing world May 14 when he fights defending champion Zab “Super” Judah (33-2, 24 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature, headlined by Tito Trinidad-Winky Wright, for the undisputed (IBF, WBC & WBA) welterweight titles on HBO PPV from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“All of those boxing insiders who think this is going to be a one-sided fight haven’t followed my career,” Rivera said. “I can’t wait. Judah is wearing my belts. He’s never fought anybody with my heart and determination. I’m a Mexican and we’re all about heart. Nobody’s every knocked me down. I’ve been waiting my whole career for this opportunity. I’m going to bring the fight to him.”

The 28-year-old Rivera, now living in Los Angeles, was born in the same part of Mexico as Julio Cesar Chavez and Jose Luis Ramirez. Unbeaten in his last seven fights since moving up to welterweight from junior welterweight, fighting opponents with an aggregate number of 150 victories, Cosme earned his IBF mandatory position by stopping Hercules Kyvelos (22-1) in the fourth round of their September 9, 2004 IBF eliminator.

“We’re excited,” Guilty Boxing vice president Jay Hassman noted. “Cosme and Guilty Boxing respect Zab for his commitment to fight the No. 1 challenger. Guilty’s worked hard to provide this opportunity for Cosme to fight for the world titles. He is the first of many boxers from Guilty’s growing, talented stable who’ll be fighting for world titles this year.”

Rivera has held several minor title belts like the IBA Americas, WBF and WBC Continental Americas welterweight, as well as the WBO NABO, UBF International and Baja California State light welterweight championships. He has defeated world-class fighters such as James Hare (28-0-1), Golden Johnson (22-5-2), Wilfredo Negron (20-6) and Hector Quiroz (26-3-1).

“Zab is the undisputed champion of the world and he’s going to come out trying to prove he’s the No. 1 welterweight. But he’s going to be in for a war because I’m no pushover. I can take a good punch. My chin is tough and he’s never going to put me on the canvas. I’m one of the greatest Mexican fighters of all-time, right there with Chavez and (Carlos) Palomino, and I’ll prove it against Judah. I’m going to show the world what I’m all about. Once I beat Zab it’ll set-up big money fights for me against Oscar (De La Hoya) or (Shane) Mosley.”

Sports Network’s forthcoming blockbuster shows already includes Ricky Hatton v Kostya Tszyu and Scott Harrison v Michael Brodie and promoter Frank Warren is delighted to add another super-fight to that list: Matt Skelton v Danny Williams for the British Heavyweight title. It’s the biggest all-British heavyweight clash since Lennox Lewis v Frank Bruno over a decade ago and fight fans are in for a real treat as Britain’s two best heavyweights go to war this summer. Warren is delighted that terms have been agreed for Bedford powerhouse Skelton to defend his British Heavyweight Title against Brixton puncher Williams in what is sure to be the most explosive clash of the year.

“This is a real fight for the fans and I’m delighted that it’s on,” enthused Warren.

“Skelton is the powerful raw puncher who has stopped all but one of his opponents and is stepping up to the plate. Danny is the man who finally destroyed Mike Tyson’s myth once and for all and remember Tyson did not want a rematch with him, Both men can punch and it could be a case of who lands first can win.”

With no amateur boxing experience, Skelton has blasted his way to a 15 fight unbeaten record capturing English, British, Commonwealth and WBU World titles, stopping 14 inside the distance.

Williams, the former British and Commonwealth Champion, has the edge in big- fight experience over Skelton with a sensational KO victory over Former Undisputed champion Mike Tyson and a brave WBC World title challenge against Vitali Klitschko last year.

“I’m really excited about fighting Skelton,” said Williams.

“It’s a great fight and one that the British public want to see. They want to see the big men of boxing get in the ring and have a real fight and they will certainly get this. It will be a war,”

“I’m confident I will beat Skelton, he is what you see – just a brawler. I will be in fantastic condition for the fight and my experience, better boxing skill and harder punch will be the biggest factor in me winning this fight.”

Former four-time world heavyweight champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield is this week’s special guest on New England Ringside Radio Show, Thursday night (6-8 PM) on WWZN 1510 The Zone. The two-hour New England Ringside Boxing Radio Show – hosted by Ted Bodenrader, Anthony Pepe, Rick Brutti and Joe Bills — airs every Thursday night between 6-8 pm (ET) on Boston’s Boxing Station, The Zone (1510 AM), and also may be heard live on the Internet by going to www.newenglandringside.com. Holyfield (38-8-2, 25 KOs), 42, will discuss the bizarre (“Fan Man” skydiving into the ring during his fight against Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson biting Evander’s ear during one of their fights), controversial (heart issues that nearly prevented him from fighting), and sublime (his victories against Tyson, Bowe, and Dwight Qawi), as well as his ring plans (Tyson III?) and future after boxing. New England Ringside also hosts a popular web site, publishes a monthly magazine, and owns Fightography (sells classic boxing pictures). For more information about New England Ringside call 617.835.9137 or go on line to www.newenglandringside.com.

British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Carl Froch and Hennessy Sports trainer Robert McCracken came to blows last week. This, however, was not the result of a wind-up gone bad in the team gym or to settle a dispute over some archaic boxing fact, but rather in the interests of preparing Froch for his American debut this Thursday in Hollywood when he headlines an HBO Latino show in a ten rounder against WBC #11 Henry Porras. He explained: “Everyone knows about the problems I have in getting the likes of Joe Calzaghe, Robin Reid and Brian Magee to fight me, but a lesser known fact is that I also can’t get regular sparring partners. Most of the people we draft in turn up for one day and then are never to be seen again. I have got Robert to change his brand of deodorant but that hasn’t helped, so I guess it must be because I hit too hard. Last week we had another no show and I really wanted to spar, so Robert said he would jump in with me. At first I thought it was a joke, but then he started to tape up. I felt like The Karate Kid taking on Mr. Miyagi, but thought what the hell; I need the rounds. When he hit me I knew I was in for a tough session. Robert has kept in shape since retiring in 2001, but has naturally got a bit heavier so can punch that bit harder. That just proves to me that he could have achieved even more had he not boxed as a middleweight, but rather a super middle or even a light heavyweight. I know for a fact that he struggled badly to make the weight when he went in against Keith Holmes for the WBC title.”

Froch added: “But it wasn’t just his power that caused me problems – he knew every trick in the book. Robert has so much experience having been a genuine world title challenger, a British and Commonwealth champion and WBC number one contender for god knows how long. That made it far more beneficial than most of the spars I have had. What other British trainer can give their charge a tough time in the ring?”

McCracken was equally as complimentary to his brief adversary.

“I have always said that Carl is an exceptional talent,” he began. “But having stood in front of him I now know just how exceptional. He is your worst nightmare. He wings in heavy shots, from every angle, from distance and from both hands. His timing is perfect, his reactions are lightning and his ringmanship amazingly developed for someone who has had just 14 fights. I know Carl will say otherwise, but he wasn’t going flat out due to the time I have been out of the ring. Even so he still measured up to the best I have been in with, whether in real fights or in the gyms in America. “He genuinely has what it takes to become undisputed champion of the super middleweight division and a superstar of world boxing.”