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  • Worldwide Weekend Boxing Roundup

    Aside from the Paul Williams – Sharmba Mitchell card and Evander Holyfield comeback already covered on SaddoBoxing, there were many good contests held over the weekend across the globe.

    Starting with Friday, we first hit America where in Houston, Texas Giovanni Segura, 15-0 (12), secured the vacant IBA Flyweight belt with a fourth round stoppage over ex-world title challenger Jair Jimenez, 22-7-1 (16), of Colombia to remain unbeaten. On the same bill, middleweight southpaw Jesus Gonzales, 18-1 (11), began his comeback after suffering a stoppage loss last time out by decisioning Mexico’s Fernando Vela, 4-6-1 (2), over six rounds.

    In Saratoga Springs, New York heavyweight Vinnie Maddalone, 27-3 (19), posted a majority decision over former NABO Cruiser titlist Jermell Barnes, 17-13-1 (4), who hasn’t won a contest in his last nine appearances. Also, heavyweight Malachy Farrell, 15-0 (12), stopped Shannon Miller, 14-2 (8), in five while light welter hopeful Wayland Willingham, 10-0 (6), got Damon Antoine, 4-10-1 (2), out of there in two. (more…)

  • WBC Mourns Passing Of Boxing Champ Eliza Olson’s Brother

    The World Boxing Council joins with our Lightweight World Champion, Eliza Olson and her family, in mourning the passing of Eliza’s brother, Mark David Olson. At forty years of age, Mark died of a sudden heart attack while in Tennessee. We know that the value of a life can not be measured in chronological years, but Mark’s time on earth was way too short.

    We wish the Olson’s healing and support during this tragic time.

    Respectfully,

    Jose Sulaiman and The WBC

  • Aiken – Guerrero to meet for IBF Featherweight Boxing Title

    Since its inception in July 2001, the critically-acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, “ShoBox: The New Generation,” has been about making exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing up-and-comers determined to fight for and win a world title. When former “ShoBox” fighters Eric Aiken and Robert Guerrero meet for Aiken’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight world title, Saturday, Sept. 2, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, it will mark the first time that “ShoBox” graduates have advanced to the network’s championship series to face each other for a world title. (more…)

  • Boxing Profile: Marco Antonio Barrera – Portrait Of A Legend

    When the fight between Marco Antonio Barrera, 62-4 (42s), and Rocky Juarez, 25-2 (18), earlier this year ended in controversial fashion (twice), many fans were left wondering if Barrera still had “it.” While “The Baby Faced Assassin” did pull off the split decision victory, when the original declaration of a draw was overturned, it did appear that all the ring wars had finally caught up with the future hall of famer. It seemed that he was being beaten to the punch by Juarez, the younger, stronger and hungrier former Olympic Silver Medallist.

    It all started in 1989 for Barrera, when at the age of 15, he had his first professional fight; a second round knockout over David Felix. The Mexico City native then went on to obtain his first title in 1992, as part of a win streak that spanned 43 fights within seven years. Not only sharp with his fists, but also with his mind, Barrera attended law school at the request of his parents. While he excelled at academics, his wins started stacking higher and higher in number until it was obvious that he was destined for greatness in the ring.

    In 1995, Barrera decisioned Daniel Jimenez to win his first major title, the WBO Super Bantamweight Championship. He went on to successfully defend the belt a total of eight times before dropping a pair of bouts to Junior Jones. Barrera took the losses so badly that he actually retired for a short period to rethink his plans. But a true fighter fights harder when faced with adversity and Barrera came out of retirement to regain the WBO Championship that he lost a year earlier. (more…)

  • Boxing Update: Ouma To Fight Middleweight Champ Taylor?

    What Difference A Week Makes

    Just last week, J. Russell Peltz, promoter of former Light Middleweight Champion Kassim Ouma, came out blazing to the boxing press about how his man can’t get a big money fight and how the business is in shambles because of how everyone in boxing is working on the old buddy system. How, in his own words says “It does not seem to matter if fighter B is better than fighter A so long as Fighter A’s management has a better working relationship with the ratings organizations or with the television networks”. He also went on to complain about how old names are recycled and no fresh blood is given the opportunity to be seen on national TV. Read the entire article

    Now, Peltz airs the dirty laundry and all of a sudden there is serious discussion of Ouma challenging Jermain Taylor for the middleweight crown. While I am very happy that Ouma is on the verge of getting a shot and firmly believe he poses a serious threat to the title, the situation does raise a few eyebrows and a few questions. (more…)

  • Boxing Perspective: Shannon Briggs – His Last Stand

    Shannon Briggs is not a hard man to find. Whether trying to spot him in a crowd or tag him inside a boxing ring, it’s safe to say that the six-foot-four heavyweight contender is rather difficult to miss. A walking bundle of bone, muscle and golden locks, the 34-year-old fighter/part-time actor has been around the block almost as many times as a milk float. A pro for over 14 years, his colourful career has been adorned by success, calamity and an occasional wisp of wackiness.

    Excitement, though, has been his loyal and unfailing companion every step of the way. A singular constant, if you will, in a hailstorm of inconsistency. Whether he triumphs or whether he crumbles, fans know and trust that they will get their dime’s worth each and every time he performs. (more…)

  • WBA Boxing Champ Hatton Brimming With Options

    WBA Welterweight Champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton looks certain to make his second consecutive appearance in the US on HBO on 9 December. But its still a guessing game as to whom will be in the opposite corner and whether it will be at welterweight or Hatton’s natural light welterweight division.

    Click for larger image

    Sadly for fans worldwide, its not going to be the underrated WBC Welterweight Champion Carlos Baldomir or pound for pound number one Floyd Mayweather as those two to will collide on 4 November in arguably the biggest fight of the year.

    It also seems that Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto, the WBO Light Welterweight king is out of the running as he looks set to make his overdue welterweight debut on 2 December in Atlantic City.

    So while a lot of the big names are unavailable, there are still some interesting alternatives for Hatton out there. (more…)

  • Boxing Result: Williams Guns Down Mitchell In Reno

    Aside from a few brief moments, Sharmba Mitchell played the part of stepladder last night at the Events Center in Reno, Nevada with rising welterweight contender Paul “The Punisher” Williams battering the aging former light welter world champion from pillar to post for four painful rounds. Absolutely towering over the diminutive Mitchell, 57-6 (3), the six foot one inch tall Augusta, GA native used his obvious advantages in height and reach to good effect, muzzling almost all of his opponent’s efforts and producing the first of a quartet of knockdowns in the third session.

    By the fourth, the shopworn Mitchell was canvassed a full three times before referee Vic Drakulich had seen enough at 2:57 of the round. Williams, now 31-0 (23), may have finally completed his undergraduate work six years after turning professional and has asked to face WBO Champion Antonio Margarito. Should that request be granted, “The Punisher” would take a massive step up in competition from the largely pedestrian level of opposition faced to date. (more…)

  • An International Saturday Night Boxing Preview

    Aside from the Paul Williams – Sharmba Mitchell NABO Welterweight scrap on HBO, there isn’t much on tap tonight across the globe, except a few more regional belt dustups and a handful of domestic title clashes. On the undercard of Williams – Mitchell in Reno, NV there are a couple of name fighters on the bill; ex-IBF Cruiser Champion Kelvin “Concrete” Davis, 21-4-2 (16), meets Chris “Cold Steel” Thomas, 16-5-2 (14), in an eight rounder; undefeated Pittsburgh heavyweight “Fast” Eddie Chambers, 26-0 (14), squares off against Dominic Jenkins, 9-5-1 (3), over a scheduled eight and another rising heavyweight, Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola, 16-0 (14), shares the ring with Damian Norris, 8-1 (6).

    In El Paso, the sons of former world champions are in action as Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr, 26-0 (21), gets Jermain White, 14-1 (7), at welter and light welter Jorge Paez, Jr is set to dance with Armando Horn, 13-1 (11).

    Heading to Santa Fe, Argentina, we have South American Super Middle champ Nestor Fabian Casanova, 18-8 (8), putting his belt on the line against Rueben Eduardo Acosta, 11-1-3 (1), who has already beaten Casanova once, in May of last year. (more…)

  • Holyfield Gives Bates Boxing Lesson

    43 year old Evander Holyfield was well-matched last night in Dallas, Texas as the former multiweight world champion gave journeyman Jeremy Bates a boxing, or better yet – a battering lesson – as “The Real Deal” hammered his opponent into submission during two ones sided rounds. Holyfield, 39-8-2 (26), picked up his first win in four years by employing the “club and continue” method on the hapless Bates, 21-12-1 (18), who was languishing on the ropes until rescued by referee Rafael Ramos at 2:56 of the second.

  • “Has De La Hoya become the very thing he used to hate?”

    By Mike Casile (PBR)

    Denying the greatness of Oscar De La Hoya, would be absolutely wrong. Nobody and I do mean nobody, in any weight class, has fought as many tough fighters back to back, with as much tenacity as De La Hoya has. It is was the one thing that separated him, from fighters like Roy Jones, and some would even say Floyd Mayweather Jr. He never ran, and he almost always accepted a challenge, while giving others the chance to prove their machismo against him. (more…)

  • Exclusive Boxing Interview: Dimitriy Salita

    SaddoBoxing recently caught up with Dimitriy “Star of David” Salita, 25-0-1 (14). During the interview, Salita talks about how he got into boxing, how he rates his last performance, what he would do given the choice between observing the Sabbath or participating in a world title fight, why he feels the junior welterweight division lacks a star, and much more…

    SaddoBoxing: Dimitriy, how did you get into boxing?

    Dimitriy Salita: “I started out in karate and kickboxing. My brother introduced me to boxing and I just fell in love with it.”

    SB: Since coming to the US, how difficult has it been to adjust to the American style of fighting as opposed to the European style of fighting?

    DS: “Actually there is no adjustment. I started boxing in the USA. I am a New York City product.” (more…)