World Boxing News 2010-2013

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Light-middleweight would accept bout ‘In a heartbeat’ 31-0 light-middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan has thrown his hat into the ring to replace the injured Andre Berto on February 11th after the former WBC welterweight champion was forced to withdraw from his rematch with Victor Ortiz with an injured bicep. The current WBC silver champion at 154lbs, Martirosyan, 25, is ticking over with a contest against veteran Troy Lowry on February 4th in San Antonio, Texas as he awaits a shot at Saul Alvarez - but has been vocal in his desire to oppose Ortiz at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas a week later instead. “I would step in right now if they asked me for Berto in a heartbeat,” Martirosyan told World Boxing News.  “Victor knows what happens when I hit him and I'll even go down to 147.” Ortiz, also 25, has now been left in limbo with just eleven days to go until he was due to rematch Berto live on Showtime and has already reitera...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Kid Chocolate’ gunning for middleweight champions Undefeated Peter ‘Kid Chocolate’ Quillin is ready to realise his dream this year and become the world middleweight champion after racking up 26 straight victories with 20 knockouts. The 28 year-old told WBN that his 2011 Twitter feud with former Contender star Ishe Smith was now a thing of the past and he is moving forward towards facing one of the middleweight title holders in the near future. Asked whether he would entertain the prospect of facing a rejuvenated Smith, who has recently signed a three-fight deal with Prizefight Promotions, Quillin told World Boxing News: "Only if he goes and wins a big fight.  “I am not stepping down (a level) to fight a guy like Ishe Smith. I'm looking to fight champions or guys who have fought world champions. Who has Ishe fought? Only prospects and I'm past being a prospect. I'm a contender now. "I don't have a aproblem with...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Olympian gears up for the games with former world champion Commonwealth Games gold medallist and 2012 Olympian Tom Stalker put in a training session with former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton last week as the 27 year-old joined the ‘Hitman’ at his gym in Manchester. Stalker, who will compete at the London games in the late summer, worked the pads with the British boxing legend, along with gaining a few helpful tips from Hatton, 33, as he was put through his paces by the fighter-turned trainer and promoter. “It's was a great day to get trained by one of my boxing idols,” Stalker told World Boxing News. “He is a really good coach and the setup he has got in his gym is first class.” The Liverpudlian, who is favoured as a gold medal hope in London, will take part in the 64kg category this summer and also captains the GB Boxing team. His experience with Hatton will only add to his chances of claiming a medal at the games and Stal...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Money’ offered ‘Pacman’ flat fee Five-weight world champion Floyd Mayweather’s offer to Manny Pacquiao to fight on May 5 th in Las Vegas has been revealed by the Filipino in a recent interview with Nick Giongo of Tempo. Pacquiao, 33, has disclosed details of the offer, which was made when the American made a personal call to the WBO welterweight title holder last week and still hopes to re-open negotiations with the WBC champion. “He said he will guarantee me $40 million but I won’t have any share on the pay-per-view and other sources of revenue,” said Pacquiao. “How can he leave me out of the pay-per-view when I generate more than him in pay-per-view sales? I am still praying that Mayweather gets enlightened because I believe that I am not being unreasonable.” As Pacquiao contemplates other options for a June 9 th date, Miguel Cotto seems to be out of the running to oppose the Congressman in the summer as he is unwilling to drop...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Pacman’ told journalist deal was made Information released today states that eight-time champion Manny Pacquiao told a Filipino journalist last week that a deal had been struck with Floyd Mayweather to fight on May 26 th or June 9 th in Las Vegas. The 33 year-old, who currently holds the WBO welterweight title, stated to Philip Elia Juico of the Philippine Star: “Si Floyd (Mayweather) na yan, (“It’s done, it’s Floyd,”) on January 16 th at his congressional office in the Batasan Complex. For the multi-weight champion to believe a deal was agreed as early as last week seems to contradict what has followed as Mayweather has dismissed Pacquiao’s current offer of a 50-50 split of the fights earnings and a date disagreement is also still unresolved. Mayweather’s recent email to the ESPN Center has rasied fresh doubts about whether the fight could be agreed, although Pacquiao has been quoted in the past that he is willing to take a s...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor May super-fight clings to slim chance The tit-for-tat battle over money in the Mayweather v Pacquiao saga has threatened to ruin the richest fight in the sport after an apparent blockade by Bob Arum was overlooked as the two fighters debate the split for a 2012 showdown. Arum, 80, had been adamant that Pacquiao would fight in June, but in recent days, the biggest problem has seemed to be the monetary aspect of the bout and if a happy medium can be found, the fight has a slim chance of being agreed for late May. Mayweather has claimed in email sent to ESPN that Pacquiao's 50 percent deal that the two champions had originally conversed about on the phone can't happen, although if the Filipino relaxed his demands, the contest would have a chance of going ahead and could start to be promoted for 2012. The more likely date still remains November in Las Vegas as the two are continually linked to other fighters for May and June fights resp...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Hitman’ sees Mayweather win in November Former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton is convinced that a potential November super-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao would be the American’s defining night and see him crown the pound for pound world’s best. The 33 year-old, who fought both fighters in failed attempts before retiring last year, sees a relatively easy win for Mayweather, who would then become unified welterweight champion holding the WBC and WBO versions of the title.  “Manny might not be happy to hear this but I think Floyd will win it comfortably because he’s so hard to hit,” Hatton said in an interview with The Daily Star Sunday. “It wasn’t hard to knock me out the night I fought Manny but I remember, the morning after I fought Mayweather, thinking how hard he was to fight. “But I couldn’t say that about Manny because he just nailed me and I was flat out in the second. “I had problems trying...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Sugar Shay’ ready for first fight of new deal Middleweight Ishe Smith is lining up his maiden bout after signing a promotional deal with Prizefight last week and admits that inactivity had made him angry at the sport he loves as he found it hard to stay active within boxing. Smith, at 33, still has plenty of fights left in the tank, but had a blank 2011 and in all has fought just four times in almost three years. ‘Sugar Shay’ is now planning a busy coming year with his new contract and intends to seek out opportunities from 154lb to 160lbs in the coming months. “I am hoping to fight thre times this year and I will be campaigning at 160, although I can still make 154 and whatever brings me the best opportunity will be where I start,” Smith told World Boxing News. “I think the sky's the limit with Prizefight Promotions. I think we could get a title shot this year and the fact that I can fight 160lb or 154lb makes the options a lot better...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Former champion advises compatriot Ricky Hatton believes that Amir Khan should stay away from WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather for the time being and have ‘two or three fights’ before contemplating a challenge against the 42-0 pound for pound king. The former two-weight world champion, who is now a trainer and promoter, would love to see Khan in a rematch with Lamont Peterson following their controversial battle in December ended with the American taking the Bolton man’s WBA and IBF belts. “I think a Mayweather fight would be too soon for Amir,” Hatton told The Daily Star Sunday. “He is just coming off a defeat and does he really want to fight the number one fighter right now or later this year? “I think Amir needs another two or three fights to get himself re-established and get his confidence back. Then maybe he’ll fight the winner of Mayweather-Pacquiao next year. “If Amir could put in a good performance against Pet...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Italian takes IBO belt in Liverpool Undefeated Italian Emiliano Marsili is the new IBO lightweight champion after a brutal battle with home fighter Derry Mathews at the Olympia in Liverpool. The 36 year-old, who had just one draw in 24 previous contests, stopped the former WBU featherweight champion in seven rounds to claim his first world title in a toe-to-toe scrap on Merseyside. Mathews, 28, went into the bout on the back of a draw with European title holder Gavin Rees, in which he broke his nose after a headbutt and it wasn’t long before the nose injury reoccurred, hampering him for the rest of the fight. A blistering start by Marsili had left Mathews bewildered and it wasn’t until the third round that the Liverpudlian realised that he was in trouble. Mathews got off with a couple of flurries, but utimately didn’t discourage Marsili from coming forward at every opportunity. Every shot from Marsili that hit Mathews’ nose was...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Man in the hat’ threatens to sue former champ Mustafa Ameen is contemplating legal action against Amir Khan after the British fighter made a complaint about his involvement in overseeing the scorecards at his WBA and IBF light-welterweight title fight with Lamont Peterson. Khan, 25, had originally questioned Ameen’s presence at ringside as he lost his unified crown to the American on a controversial split decision and may now be faced with legal action if no apology is forthcoming. “Amir Khan is going to have to apologise because I’m already in the process of litigating this,” Ameen told Sky Sports News . “I’m in discussions with some of the most successful legal firms in Britain regarding the slander, the libellous statements, made against me by Amir Khan and other individuals in the press. “I will give Mr Khan an opportunity [to apologise] prior to me reaching the point of no return, and filing a law suit. “My name is Mustafa...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Briton questions excuses of unofficial ‘man in the hat’ Amir Khan touched down in Britain this morning and was adamant that a rematch with Lamont Peterson was his only option as he seeks to rectify his controversial loss to the American last month. The 25 year-old cancelled a scheduled IBF hearing this week when he and his team learned that WBA supervisor Michael Welsh would not be present to give his evidence following apparent interference from un-appointed official Mustafa Ameen. Ameen has this week given his side of the events that unfolded in Washington as Khan lost his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles, citing that Welsh was not feeling well and he was on hand to help him with totting up the scorecards. Khan dismissed this theory in an interview with the BBC today and hopes that the new champion will give him the opportunity to win back his titles in the spring with a 50/50 split of US and UK revenue on offer for Peterson. ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Supervisor unreachable according to WBA and IBF The head official involved in the controversial Lamont Peterson v Amir Khan world title fight on December 10 th last year Michael Welsh, is unresponsive to calls from the WBA and IBF and has been feeling ‘depressed’ according to a report in The Daily Telegraph. Welsh, who was ringside at the bout to supervise the scorecards, was repeatedly seen in contact with Mustafa Ameen throughout the close fight in Washington and as a storm brewed over the activity of Ameen, Welsh became unreachable according to the sanctioning bodies of the contest. "We have called him several times but we are getting no response from him," WBA Vice-President Gilberto Mendoza told the newspaper. IBF public relations director Jeanette Salazar followed Mendoza by stating: "We were unable to reach Mr Welsh after repeated attempts to contact him.” Concerns are now beginning to intensify as Welsh continues ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Rivals agree to clash later as dates unworkable WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao has told Dyan Castillejo of Filipion TV network ABS-CBN that he spoke to rival Floyd Mayweather on the phone recently to verbally agree a meeting between the two. Pacquiao, 33, confirmed that the fighters are happy with the way things are being played out amidst what has become a media frenzy and that they will delay the fight until a later time when it suits both parties. The Filipino Congressman stated: “It went OK. The talk about negotiations proceeds forward.” When asked by Castillejo to reaffirm that he had spoken directly to Mayweather, Pacquiao then said: “Yes. We said that 50/50 was approved and there’s no problem. [We can fight] anytime. It is in your hands but we will wait if that’s OK with you." It now means that a November date could be aimed for as promoter Bob Arum has suggested and upon Mayweather’s release from prison, th...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor First and second options may prove elusive for WBC champion Five-weight world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. is slowly running out of options for his upcoming fight on May 5 th at the MGM Grand as a fight against Manny Pacquiao slowly slips out of his reach. The 34 year-old, who tops the WBN Pound for pound rankings, is unable to commit to a multi-million dollar mega-fight with the Filipino Congressman as the WBO belt holder and his team eye an outdoor event at a later date. ‘Money’ Mayweather told waiting journalists at a recent charity donation that he is willing to back-up a fight with Pacquiao by agreeing to face former WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez at a catchweight of 150lbs, without thinking of the logistics of the Argentinian fighting on March 17 th in New York. The Pacquiao bubble seems on the verge of bursting for the American and if a bout between him and Martinez was to be organised, it would certainly have to co...

Mustafa Ameen I voluntarily came forward to testify in the IBF hearing on the Amir Khan-Lamont Peterson title bout which was supposed to be conducted Wednesday in Newark. After arriving in New Jersey, I was disappointed to hear that Khan promoter Golden Boy had withdrawn its demand for such a hearing as to the controversial Dec. 9 title bout in Washington, DC. You may recall that I was subjected to completely false allegations and innuendo as to my conduct at this event. I was ready to put the facts into the record, under oath at the hearing, but now I won’t have that chance. Briefly, here are the facts as to my involvement in this matter: 1 I never did anything illegal or even unprofessional while I was seated in the officials section at ringside. 2 I was properly admitted and credentialed for the event by the promoter after a request from the IBF. I have long been associated with the IBF in terms of assisting boxers who need a hand up and not a hand out...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Filipino’s hopes of Mayweather clash diminish WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao looks likely to fight for the 60 th time in his career on June 9 th after an admission from promoter Bob Arum that a mega-fight with Floyd Mayweather is more likely to happen in November. The 33 year-old Congressman has campaigned in recent weeks to get a fight with the American five-weight world champion made this year - but will seemingly have to wait until later in the year to get his wish. Mayweather, 34, is unable to severe ties with the May 5 th date which has been deemed unworkable and dismissed by promoter Bob Arum, who believes he can make up to $30million more by holding the fight four to six weeks later at an alternative venue. Pacquiao has now been pencilled in to fight in June by Arum and with Mayweather due to start a 90-day prison term on June 1 st , fight fans are set to be left disappointed once again, even though both fighters hav...

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Russian bows out at 39 Roman Karmazin has announced his official retirement from boxing after initially retiring following his 2010 IBF middleweight title eliminator loss to Daniel Geale. The 39 year-old US-based Russian made a brief comeback in 2011, losing to Osumanu Adama in October and has now signalled the end of a career that saw ‘Made in Hell’ claim the IBF light-middleweight title briefly in 2005 before surrendering it to Cory Spinks. “I tried to return, but nothing came of it,” Karmazin told sportbox.ru. “I am growing too old for boxing and I see that it is better for me not to, so why should I attempt to expose the nerves of my fans? “Of course, I could still earn good money in the sport, but why risk the rest of your health?” Karmazin fought 48 times in his fifteen-year professional career, losing just five times and held the European title on two occasions at 154lb before ending his run at middleweight.

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Off-duty official insists he never touched anything The man who as at the centre of a storm between Amir Khan and the IBF - Mustafa Ameen, has admitted that he was helping to correct the scorecards last month as Khan lost his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles to Lamont Peterson, even though he was not appointed by any organisation. Ameen was due to attend a hearing today to explain his actions but when it was made known that he would not attend the IBF appointment, Khan subsequently withdraw his complaint in fear of an unfair hearing. The ‘Mystery Man’ or ‘Man in the hat’ as he became known with nobody knowing is identity in the immediate hours after Khan’s Twitter complaint, is now attempting to clear himself of any wrongdoing without any proceedings being brought by Team Khan.  "I noticed one error and a subsequent error. I assisted him in correcting it without touching anything," he told BBC Sport. "I happened to lo...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Knock-out King’ set for fifth world title challenge Welterweight veteran Randall Bailey has told WBN that his speculated IBF welterweight title fight against unbeaten Mike Jones should happen in the spring following talk that the number one and two with the IBF would be paired after Andre Berto relinquished the title. The 37 year-old former WBO light-welterweight champion has accumulated 50-fights in a career spanning almost 16-years, holding the title between 1999 and 2000 - before suffering losses to DeMarcus Corley, Miguel Cotto and Juan Urango in failed attempts to regain the world crown. The American’s last attempt was in 2009 and since then, ‘The Knock-out King’ has put three wins together. Bailey will look to inflict Jones’s first defeat in 27 contests when the two meet in the coming months and may well see this as his final chance to be a world champion again. “The bout is going to happen sometime in April for sure,” Baile...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor  Robert Stieglitz made a successful fifth defence of the WBO super-middleweight crown with a lopsided points win over a game Henry Weber at the Baden-Arena in Germany. The 30 year-old set up an April date against former WBC champion Mikkel Kessler in Copenhagen by winning almost every round on my card and two of the judges cards to score a 41st career win. The two judges in question, Jose Torres and Ingo Barrabas scored the bout 119-109 , 118-110 respectively, whilst Zoltan Enyedi somehow managed to give Weber four rounds. Earlier, undefeated Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev dominated former European champion Michael Sprott before stopping the Briton in the tenth round of twelve. The 30 year-old, who is nicknamed 'The Cobra' improved his perfect record to 15-0 with what was his seventh knockout victory over a lacklustre Sprott to defend his IBF International heavyweight title .

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor WBA give champion 4-6 months to defend against Amir Khan World Boxing Assocaition vice president Gilberto Mendoza has told WBN that Lamont Peterson has ten days to appeal the organisation’s recent decision to hand Amir Khan an immediate rematch with the IBF and WBA light-welterweight champion. Peterson, 27, thought he had become the unified champion with a straightforward split decision point’s victory over the Briton in Washington, but the WBA have now reviewed evidence of alleged scorecard tampering and illegal points deductions handed to them by Team Khan and have ordered a return. “It was ruled a direct rematch,” Mendoza told World Boxing News. “The decision was merely based on true facts and fairness oriented. There is no doubt that the fight was competitive and had controversial calls, but given that, "neutrality" is not guaranteed for pre-emption of local commissions rules over sanctioning bodies and the chances of reducing...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Fourth pro outing pushed back a month Unbeaten Kimbo Slice (3-0, 2 KO's) will now make his next appearance in the boxing ring on March 24 th at the O’Reilly Center in Springfield, Missouri after originally being pencilled in to fight on February 11 th . There had been speculation about the 37 year-old taking on local fighter Robert Bruce (2-0, 2 KO’s) but that rumour was publicly quashed by the promoter and an opponent will be named in the near future. The card on February 11 th will also still go ahead at the venue with an alternative headline fight as AJ Van Camp, Jesse Cook, Orlando Utsey, Steven Kollin and Taylor Faulkner are all scheduled to appear next month. The mentioned fighters will also appear on the card in late March but will be joined by Jose Gonzalez v Mustafa Johnson, Justin Ridgway v Jody Lee Linithicum and of course, Kimbo tops the bill.

At this point in time the IBF has decided to break its silence and provide some clarification on the matter of Mr. Mustafa Ameen’s presence at the IBF/WBA championship bout between Amir Khan and Lamont Peterson.  Initially, the organization chose not to publicly address this matter to preserve the integrity of the hearing scheduled for the appeal filed by Golden Boy promotions on the ruling of the aforementioned bout. The sole purpose in doing so was with the intentions that all parties, and most importantly, the panelists could go into this hearing with clear minds and no preconceptions or prejudices. Mr. Mustafa Ameen does outreach work for the IBF’s SARB/Education Fund. This fund was initially created to financially assist retired professional boxers experiencing monetary difficulties. Shortly over a year ago, IBF President Daryl Peoples and Mr. Ameen agreed that he would network on behalf of the organization with the purpose of connecting with these fighters in orde...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Rumour mill points to ‘The Ghost’ on Cinco de Mayo Three-weight world title holder Robert Guerrero (29-1, 18 KO’s) has emerged as the frontrunner to become Floyd Mayweather Jr’s 43 rd professional opponent on May 5 th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The 28 year-old, who has been out injured since August after shoulder surgery, is reportedly in advanced negotiations with Mayweather according to several reliable internet sources and could be announced as early as this Friday for his fourth world title challenge. Mayweather, 34, had hoped to face rival Manny Pacquiao on the date in question although the Filipino’s promoter Bob Arum believes his fighter won’t be ready until June and will pitch four alternatives to the ‘Pacman’ this week as he visits the Philippines. That has left ‘Money’ Mayweather to look at other options to fill the void, with Guerrero and WBC light-middleweight champion Saul Alvarez the clear favourites due to their inv...

Ricky Hatton has replaced Gareth Williams as CEO of Hatton Promotions. Although Gareth will no longer be working full time for the group he will still be retained as Hatton Promotions legal advisor and representative. In recent months Ricky has proved that he has fully recovered from depression and taken a hands on role within his organisation.  Late in 2011 he took out a trainers licence and is overseeing a mushrooming empire which includes a clothing brand, a private members gym and a TV network. The flagship company is his boxing outfit, Hatton Promotions who are the EBU European Promoters of the Year and have produced dozens of major champions in three years. Ricky said: "This is just a structural change within the group and Gareth will only be a phone call away for any issues we have. Once I officially announced my retirement last summer my plan was to gradually have a bigger role in our progress". "My battle with depression was well documented and th...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor IBF ‘official’ to speak out The man at the centre of the Khan v Peterson scorecard storm will get the chance to give his side of the story at the Amir Khan appeal hearing next week after being accused by Khan of interfering with the official scorecards at his Washington fight last month. Mustafa Ameen, who works with the International Boxing Federation in an official capacity, attended Khan’s controversial bout without being legitimately appointed and is now to be summoned to explain his appearance at the Convention Center. "I've got nothing to hide. I'm not running or ducking or anything,” stated Ameen. "Without talking about the merits of what happened, I will just say that there's a lot of misinformation. I've been called a lot of names over the past several days and that attacks my credibility, attacks my reputation that I worked very hard on in all my years in boxing. "I'll tell you that that part...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Unbeaten heavyweight Robert Bruce and his team have responded to Kimbo Slice co-promoter Tom Holden's claim that they have never heard of Bruce, who had been tipped to oppose Kimbo on February 11th in Missouri. Bruce, 29, had told WBN that Kimbo Slice pulled out of a potential clash next month and then proceeded to call out the UFC legend to give him a shot at taking away Kimbo's perfect professional record in his hometown. Holden, who co-promotes Kimbo with Gary Shaw, then sent this statement to WBN outlining his thoughts on Bruce, which read:  "Gary Shaw and I would like to respond to the story circulating on the internet regarding Kimbo Slice "pulling out" of a fight with Robert Bruce," stated Holden.  "Unfortunately when you have a fighter with Kimbo Slice's popularity there are people who will attempt to gain publicity by making outrageous statements. "Kimbo did not pull out of a fight with Mr....

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Oxnard fighter on the verge of world title Undefeated featherweight Miguel ‘Mikey’ Garcia is said to be just one fight away from a world title shot and has set his sights on fighting the winner of the WBO title rematch between Orlando Salido and Juan Manuel Lopez. The Californian has a standout 27-0 record with 23 wins within schedule and is expected to return in the spring after which, the exciting 24 year-old is eyeing a world title challenge in the summer, possibly against ‘Juanma’ or Salido. “I think it’s a good rematch,” Garcia told World Boxing News. “Salido can hurt Lopez like he did in the first fight, but if Lopez plans on out-boxing Salido, his chances of winning are better. “I would love to fight the winner for the WBO title, although I think that if ‘Juanma’ wins he will move up in weight before facing me. “The best chance is if Salido wins again - then I’ll be facing him next because he’s not one to duck anybody,”...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Arum looking at larger arena than MGM Grand Top Rank CEO Bob Arum has claimed that his star fighter Manny Pacquiao is willing to face Floyd Mayweather in May but not on the date set by and booked for Floyd Mayweather Jr. on the 5 th of the month. Arum, who has been accused of stalling on the fight that everybody wants made, is adamant that the 16,000 seater MGM Grand is not big enough to stage a fight as huge as the welterweight unification is set to be and other options should be explored. "May 5 is out for us, it can't happen, because we want to explore the idea of getting an arena up on the streets of Las Vegas that can seat 40,000," Arum told The LA Times ."The end of May is a possibility." "Having the fight in a 40,000-seat arena rather than a 16,000-seat arena seems like a no-brainer." Congressman Pacquiao, 33, is currently in the Philippines and due to speak with Arum in the coming days - but ac...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Briton may get answers as identity comes to light The man at the centre of a storm between Amir Khan’s team and the controversial scoring of his WBA and IBF light-welterweight title defeat to Lamont Peterson in Washington has finally been named as IBF official Mustafa Ameen. Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who is investigating the matter of behalf of Khan, revealed the identity of the man that the Bolton fighter claimed was tampering with the scorecards inbetween rounds and had no business ringside. "His name is Mustafa Ameen and the IBF have confirmed to us his name, and they have confirmed to us that he's involved in an official capacity with the IBF," Schaefer told Sky Sports News. "However, he was not in Washington in an official IBF capacity, but the IBF asked the Washington commission to issue him a credential so that he could attend the fight." Khan, 25, has now been informally promised a rematch by the WBA...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Kimbo Slice's co-promoters have issued a swift response to Robert Bruce's story of Kimbo 'pulling out' of a potential meeting on February 11th by claiming that no contract was ever offered the unbeaten Missouri fighter to take on Kimbo in Springfield next month. Tony Holden, Kimbo's co-promoter has issued a blunt assurance regarding the statements coming out of Bruce's camp, that no offer existed and that they are currently in the process of overlooking potential opponents for the former MMA star's fourth professional bout. "Gary Shaw and I would like to respond to the story circulating on the internet regarding Kimbo Slice "pulling out" of a fight with Robert Bruce," stated Holden.  "Unfortunately when you have a fighter with Kimbo Slice's popularity there are people who will attempt to gain publicity by making outrageous statements. "Kimbo did not pull out of a fight with Mr. B...