World Boxing News 2010-2013

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Boxing legend ends Pole's 17-0 record Former undisputed light-heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr. moved a step closer to another shot at a world title with a closely-fought and somewhat controversial victory over Pawel Glazewski at the Atlas Arena in Lodz, Poland tonight. The 43 year-old four-weight world title holder, who out-classed Max Alexander last time out, looked out of sorts for most of the fight and was knocked down in the sixth. Jones was eventually handed a split decision win by the two of the three judges at ringside to improve to 56-8. With his reflexes clearly gone, Jones was as easy to hit as I have ever seen him and has never adapted his style as his years have advanced which makes him look an old man in the ring at times as Glazewski out-worked him. Some flashy combinations will no doubt have won the American some of the rounds, but in my opinion not enough, and at the end of the ten round battle Jones was declared the

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Chino’ advised against 154lb bout Rumours of a possible September 15 bout between Golden Boy stablemates Saul Alvarez and Marcos Maidana have been swiftly quashed by the Argentinian, who admits that the Mexican superstar is a bridge too far weight-wise. Maidana, 28, is pencilled in to face unbeaten Keith Thurman Jr. on July 21 at the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio and seems likely to stick with the welterweight bout, rather than twist with another jump in weight. “Clarifying the rumours - One week ago I asked for Canelo Alvarez as a foe since I have faith in myself, but Golden Boy never offered it. That's all,” stated Maidana. “I am a person who listens to advice and many told me Canelo is too big for me and I have accepted it. End of the story.” 21 year-old WBC light-middleweight champion Alvarez (41-0-1) is currently on the lookout for a new challenger to his crown after losing three of his first choice opponents in the past f

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Scott Harrison entered the ring all in black as if mourning the seven lost years of his boxing career and wasted no time going to work on novice pro Gyorgi Mizsei Jr. at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow. The 34 year-old, who was fighting for the first time since spending years locked away in a Spanish prison, came out firing in the first round and exploded in the second with some fierce body shots to put the Hungarian down three times. The left hook to the body was open all night for the ‘The Real McCoy’ as he bullied the out-of-depth 18 year-old into submission with some flashy looking combinations to roll back the years of his days as WBO featherweight king. Now campaigning at lightweight, Harrison ended the fight in the fourth round with that peach of a body shot that had already claimed three knockdowns and now moves his record to 26-2-2 at long last. It was hard to tell from the opponent he faced whether the two-time world champion can cut i

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Rivals promote ‘Real Deal’ product on anniversary Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield joined forces on the fifteenth anniversary of the infamous ear bite that caused uproar in the boxing world, to promote a new BBQ sauce product with the victim’s name on it. Holyfield, 49, lost a chunk of his lobe to the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ in the incident in 1997, although both men have become fast friends since and used social media site Twitter to make their humorous point.

Following the premier of  Haye/Chisora: Beyond The Ropes  on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546), a story came out regarding an altercation that took place in the gym between Dereck Chisora and his trainer Don Charles. The altercation did happen in Chisora's gym in Finchley, but the pair resolved their differences soon after and are now working hard towards the big heavyweight fight at West Ham United on Saturday 14th July. Charles, who has trained Chisora to British and Commonwealth titles and a WBC World title challenge, has been associated with Chisora for ten years and the pair have a close and intense, but successful relationship. Chisora said, “This has been made out to be a big deal because people don’t see what goes on behind the gym doors which is why the BoxNation Beyond The Ropes show will give viewers unbelievable access to the fight.  We are always arguing and rowing ahead of fights, it’s nothing new.  When a fight as big as this against Haye is comi

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Del Boy’ camp in disarray with two weeks to go Dereck Chisora and his coach Don Charles have been embroiled in a punch-up in the gym as they prepared together to face former WBA champion David Haye on July 14th at Upton Park in a heavyweight grudge match. Charles, who has been with Chisora for a decade, revealed the spat in a recent interview and is now estranged from the one-time British champion, with no word as to whether he will be welcomed back into the camp. “I won’t go into the details as to why he wanted his head gear off and there’s a way to tell someone something and it’s called respect,” Charles told BoxNation , who will show the fight live next month. “I’m not a nutter. He asked me to take his head gear off and I physically attacked him. “It’s the worst thing that’s happened since I’ve been with him and I’ve been with him for 10 years; I’m like a father to him. “There is no father around. He’s the man in his house so he

Phil D. Jay  W BN Editor ‘Desert Storm’ to remain at welterweight Juan Manuel Marquez is now a fully-fledged four-weight world champion as Timothy Bradley decided to vacate the WBO light-welterweight title in favour of keeping a firm grip on the 147lb version. The 38 year-old, who will make his first defence the belt on July 21st, joins an elite band of Mexican fighters to hold world titles in four or more weight divisions, with Erik Morales and Jorge Arce recently-crowned members. The decision means that ‘Desert Storm’ is now keeping his options open for a huge fight at welterweight, with a rematch with Manny Pacquiao top of his list but looking more and more unlikely as the week's pass. Amir Khan has recently emerged as a major contender to oppose Bradley in his maiden outing as champion in November, although the Briton may want to have a warm-up fight at the weight before jumping in head first with the new title holder.

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Police believed boxer was part of a thief gang Heavyweight contender Tyson Fury was held for eleven hours by Dutch police in a case of mistaken identity as the unbeaten fighter attempted to complete a two-day training camp in Holland. The 23 year-old was arrested and kept in custody whilst protesting his innocence as the police made inquiries as to the identity of Fury, who was thought to be part of gang of thieves wanted for armed robbery and murder. “I kept telling them I was a boxer. It was a mistake but what can you do? Strange things do happen,” Fury told The Express. Irish champion Fury, who has a perfect 18-0 record, is currently in the latter stages of camp for his upcoming fight with American Vinny Maddalone on July 7 and hopes to be fighting for world titles in 2013.

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Ex-champ willing to offer fighters for ‘Desert Storm’ bout Promoter Oscar De La Hoya is ready to give Timothy Bradley his pick of Golden Boy’s top welterweights as the WBO champion’s hopes of a rematch with eight-weight title holder Manny Pacquiao fade. The Golden Boy president has a chequered past with Bradley’s promoter Bob Arum, but hopes to put any differences aside as there could be some tasty looking fights with the likes of Paulie Malignaggi, Robert Guerreo, Devon Alexander and Amir Khan in the offing. “There's a lot of options out there, a lot of great fights,” De La Hoya told mydesert.com . “The only thing Bob Arum and Top Rank has to do is pick up the phone and call. “We have all the fighters, we have all the opponents, we have all the big fights people want to see. Pick up the phone. I'm sure Bradley wants to fight all of them.” Bradley, 28, was hell-bent on securing another meeting with Pacquiao on the back of their c

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Olympian faces the end after ten pro fights Tony Jeffries may have fought his last professional fight at the tender age of 27 as a last resort treatment for an injury to his hands does not hold much hope for the fighter’s father Phil. ‘Jaffa’ took bronze at the 2008 Olypmics in Beijing and was tipped for a promising fight career until the hand trouble became unbearable in the wake of his last victory over Paul Morby in September last year. Phil Jeffries, who is also a promoter, has now told WBN that he is expecting the doctors to call time on his son’s fight career, although Tony is still clinging to the hope that the new procedure will prolong his fighting chances. “We are trying one more treatment on his hands, but personally I don’t think he will not box again and Tony is totally gutted about it,” Phil told World Boxing News. Asked whether Tony may move into training or promoting with his father, Phil answered: “Tony has not given up

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor IBF welterweight title bout rubberstamped Randall Bailey has moved swiftly to secure a high-profile fight with former undisputed light-welterweight king Devon Alexander as the new IBF welterweight champion puts his belt on the line for the first time in September. The 37 year-old stunned Mike Jones on the Pacquiao v Bradley undercard by knocking him out with a wonder punch in the eleventh round despite being behind on all three judges’ cards and now gets his wish for a big money contest. Alexander, 25, responded to a call-out from the two-weight world title holder in the immediate aftermath of Bailey’s second world title win and has no fears stepping in to challenge the big-punching ‘KO-King’ on September 8. “The fight is done and I'm excited about it,” Alexander told World Boxing News. “I'm not sure where the fight will take place as of yet, but my thoughts are good about facing him. “Bailey just came off a win on HBO so tha

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Cornelius Carr prepared to return after 11 years Chris ‘Simply the Best’ Eubank has been issued with his first challenge after recently announcing that he would love a ring return as former world title challenger and Lonsdale belt holder Cornelius Carr has offered him a fight. Carr, who is originally from Yorkshire but now bases himself in Bournemouth, is two years younger than Eubank at 43 and last fought in 2001 when losing to Australian hardman Sam Soliman over six rounds. The former British super-middleweight champion went twelve rounds with Eubank rival Steve Collins in 1995 for WBO title in Ireland and is keen to oppose Eubank if he is serious about a return to boxing. “As soon as I heard about Eubank’s proposed comeback, I was up for a fight,” Carr told bournemouthecho.co.uk. “Forget Benn, Chris. If you want a real fight, take me on. I’m not doing this for the publicity. I legitimately want to fight a big name and they don’t come mu

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Raging Bull’ eyes September world title challenge Entertaining fighter Pawel Wolak has told WBN that he would be willing to return to the sport and postpone his MMA debut if any of the stars at 154lbs offered him the chance to mix it with the elite of the division. The New Jersey-based light-middleweight retired from boxing following his loss to Delvin Rodriguez in December last year, but admitted that he would find a call from WBC champion Saul Alvarez too hard to turn down as the Mexican seeks an opponent for September 15. “I have no idea whether I am in the frame to fight Canelo or not but I have always said that if Cotto, Bundrage or Canelo would give me an opportunity to fight for their title that I would come back,” Wolak told World Boxing News. “I am still training four days a week in boxing. I am very much in shape and if it happens great, if not I am staying on track for MMA later this year or early 2013. “I am without a promote

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor South African ready to bring ‘The Heat’ to the top of the 140lb division World welterweight champion Chris ‘The Heat’ Van Heerden put in an impressive performance last week in overwhelming four-time world title challenger Sebastian Lujan and now hopes to move on to face the elite of the division. The 25 year-old, who has one debatable loss in 20 pro outings, is hoping to entice Amir Khan to a bout when the Briton moves up at the end of the year and is eager to fight outside his native country to enhance his growing reputation. “My Win against Lujan wasn't my best performance, but definitely my biggest win in terms of opponent,” Van Heerden told World Boxing News. “Lujan was easy to beat and now I am hoping to fight one of the other champions in a unification as it is any fighters dream to fight the superstars of boxing. “A fight with Khan would be awesome, like I said it’s my dream to fight on the big stage. Hopefully I am very close

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Tiger’ on the prowl for top opponent  Patrick Mendy is back to winning ways since suffering his fifth career loss to Bradley Pryce in March and is now hoping to snag a big name in the middleweight division to boost his title chances. The 21 year-old, who shot to prominence by claiming the Prizefighter crown two years ago, has been eager for a massive domestic fight and told WBN that he is willing to face anyone in the 160lb division. “I want a big name fighter, that is what I am looking for,” Mendy told World Boxing News. “I’d be happy to fight anyone, even (Matchroom prospects) Aston or Ryder. I am looking for a fight because some fighters don`t want to fight me “I know there are some better fights out there for me like Groves or DeGale, but I don’t think they will offer me to fight them. “I will take on anyone because is my job to take a fight, but anyone that comes first I will take it.” Mendy defeated Norbert Szekeres over six rounds

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor KZ say no interest in ‘B-Hop’ defence WBA light-heavyweight champion Beibut Shumenov is likely to avoid a potential meeting with Bernard Hopkins in the wake of Oscar De La Hoya’s comments to WBN that their main aim for a return for the former world champion is a fight with the Kazakhstan boxer. A KZ Promotions representative contacted me in light of De La Hoya’s admission to verify that Shumenov has no interest in a fight with the aging former WBC title holder as the Las Vegas-resident looks for a unification bout. “In regards to reports out there in the media about a Shumenov/Hopkins fight in the fall, I can confirm that any reports or rumours are false," KZ told World Boxing News. “We informed GBP a while back that we have zero interest in fighting the 47 year old Hopkins. “Beibut has much respect for Hopkins but we are pursuing other younger options and unifying is still one of our goals, too.” Shumenov, 28, revealed to WBN th

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Lopez claims hollow victory in California Victor Ortiz’s mental strength is under question yet again as the former WBC welterweight champion quit on his stool after nine rounds, despite being ahead 87-84 on my scorecard and with all three judges at The Staples Center. The 25 year-old, who has had his attitude quizzed on more than one occasion, claimed a broken jaw at the beginning of the round and may now see his WBC light-middleweight title bout against Saul Alvarez on September 15 scrapped. Ortiz had been on top for the most part in the fight and clearly had the superior power of the two fighters, with Lopez only having sparing success as the Riverside fighter clinched when hurt up close on many occasions. A punch to the back of the head by Ortiz saw the bout halted for a couple of minutes in the fifth and at that point it looked like the ‘Vicious’ one would take Lopez out in the mid-to-late rounds until the injury ended the fight prematur

Victor Ortiz v Josesito Lopez (welterweight) Staples Center, California, USA 12x3                                                                                                         Ortiz                              Lopez              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  Round 1                           9                             10              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  Round 2                           10                             9              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  Round 3                          10                            9              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                   Round 4                           10                            9              -------

Steven Feder I have been informed by The CSAC that Antonio Tarver tested positive for the drug drostanolone, an anabolic steroid.  The substance was found in his pre-fight urine test. My client, Lateef Kayode, trained for 12 weeks by the rule, and we expected the same from Tarver.   (As we would any opponent) We expected a fair fight. I'm shocked in many ways, but as a fan of Antonio's I am saddened. He had a stellar career that will be forever tarnished. He's a talent outside the ring as well and I hope that somehow he can move forward in that arena; however, this is the mark that will resonate.  Neither Lateef nor I expected this, and once we meet this afternoon to further discuss, we will have his personal take. As for the belt, Lateef Kayode won that fight, and this should end any doubt as to who deserves the belt. I hope the naysayers give Mr. Kayode his due respect. My prayers go out to Antonio and whoever put this idea before him I hope they feel the levity

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor WBA champion remains focused on unification US-based world title holder Beibut Shumenov is not ruling any of the top fighters out as the WBA light-heavyweight champion seeks a money-spinney bout on one of America’s biggest networks in 2012. The 28 year-old, who captured the title in just his tenth fight, has consistently expressed his desire to fight one of the other champions at 175lbs and told WBN that rival and WBO belt holder Nathan Cleverly is interested in travelling to Las Vegas for a unification. “It doesn't really matter to me who I face. I would just love the opportunity to fight on HBO or Showtime so I will fight whoever,” Shumenov told World Boxing News. “There is a big fight between Chad Dawson and Andre Ward happening at 168, I wouldn't drop down in weight but I would fight the winner at 175. “Also, Frank Warren’s matchmaker has informed Mr Chargin (Don, Shumenov’s adviser) that they are willing to come to Las Vegas

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘War Machine’ talks candidly today Heavyweight Larry Olubamiwo has spoken to World Boxing News today after being handed a four-year ban for admitting numerous doping offences in his four-year boxing career. The 33 year-old, who won ten of thirteen professional contests, scoring nine stoppages, was given the sentence by the World Anti-Doping Agency and is now facing up to a lengthy spell out the game, with his previous achievements wiped from the record books. Larry, from Hackney, was in apologetic mood when speaking with me today and promised to return to the sport re-invigorated upon serving the ban handed down to him by WADA earlier this week. “First of all, I would like to apologise to the boxing fans for my actions throughout my career. I have always enjoyed interacting with them through forums and in person and the last thing I wanted to do was let them down,” Olubamiwo told World Boxing News. “They know I won’t hide away and I am sure they a

Saturday, July 15 has been named Randall Bailey Day in Key West, Florida. Special festivities honoring Bailey will be held all day, highlighted by a parade through Key West. The Jones fight was extremely emotional for Bailey, who has rarely expressed himself like he did before and after his last fight. He entered the ring wearing a black mask and broke down in the corner before celebrating his victory. "I wore the mask because I felt I'd been invisible for years," Bailey explained. "Nobody saw me before and I wanted to keep it that way. After all of the talk and pressure I put on myself, training and the sacrifices I made, to do what I did, well, it all came out of me after the fight. It wasn't fake." Bailey also clarified speculation about him fighting Devon Alexander on August 25. "Alexander has to get in line like I had to," Bailey stated. "He must think that they can throw around a few bucks and I'll fight him. What I

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Golden Child’ on comeback trail Former world middleweight title challenger Daniel Jacobs is aiming to defy the odds and return to the ring later this year, having fought back from being diagnosed with a rare form a spinal cancer. The 25 year-old had stopped two opponents since losing out to Dmitry Pirog for the WBO title in in July 2010, before being diagnosed in May 2011 and after undergoing major surgery on his back that left him with a huge scar, Jacobs is eager to astound the doctors and resume his boxing career. “This last whole year seems like a blur I guess. Since I had my dreams set on this big time return, the months have just flown by,” Jacobs told World Boxing News. “I haven’t set any specific targets for myself as my immediate goal is to just step foot in the ring!“ "Then, I need to get the right opponents to give me the proper work that will allow me to get my ring rust off and at the same time, have the necessary

Newly crowned International Boxing Federation ("IBF") Welterweight World Champion Randall "The Knockout King" Bailey is finally in position of leverage with his third world title belt and a recent "Knockout of the Year" performance against previously unbeaten Mike Jones. Now, it's time for this feared slugger to cash in, after 16 often frustrating years as a professional prizefighter. Bailey (43-7, 37 KOs) would love to welcome Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. when he gets out of jail in a few months but, if the price is right, Randall also wants to make it perfectly clear that he'll fight any deserving 147-pounder in the world. "I've been avoided forever," Bailey said, "but now I'm coming off a world title fight win that ended with a punch people are going to be talking about for a long time. If I had a choice, I'd fight Mayweather next. I like the way Floyd's fighting. He's not running around s

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Undefeated Russian becomes IBO champion Kaizer Mabuza surrendered his IBO light-welterweight title in his maiden defence to undefeated Russian challenger Khabib Allakhverdiev in front of a Partizan crowd in Moscow. The South African had previously made two unsuccessful attempts to win a world title on two occasions before defeating Steven Wills for the IBO strap in March and failed to make a solitary defence as Allakhverdiev proved too strong. Allakhverdiev, 29, put Mabuza down in the very first round before the champion went into survival mode for the next two rounds and after the home fighter put him down twice in the fourth, the 32 year-old failed to beat the count. ‘The Hawk’ now improves to 17-0 with his eighth stoppage win and with Mabuza suffering his eighth career defeat, it is hard to see where ‘The Animal’ takes his career from here.

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Puerto Rican wants bout finalization World cruiserweight title challenger Francisco Palacios continues to be frustrated as he attempts to rubberstamp his September WBC championship rematch with Krzysztof Wlodarczyk. The 35 year-old, who lost a close split decision to Wlodarczyk in April 2011 in what was his only loss in 21 bouts, has been given a scheduled date of the 22nd of the month but told WBN that there is still something holding up the conclusion on negotiations. “The fight is still not settled,” Palacios told World Boxing News. "It’s supposed to be September 22nd in Wroclaw, Poland, but I am being made to wait. “I am definately annoyed at the delay, but it’s also helping me get stronger, faster and hungrier to take away his belt. “I have signed my contract so I guess it must be his that is holding it up. It won’t matter in the end though because he is in trouble regardless.” Wlodarczyk, 30, has lost just twice in 49 outin

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Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Japanese fighter adds WBA minimumweight belt to WBC version Kazuto Ioka has fought just ten times since turning professional in 2009 but is already a unified champion after defeating Akira Yaegashi in a closely-fought contest in Osaka, Japan. The 23 year-old, who claimed the WBC title at 105lbs in just his seventh bout, overcame a stubborn challenge from Yaegashi, 29, to take the WBA title and place himself in the frame for a place in the WBN P4P Top 50 in the near future. Yaegashi fought hard when hampered by a swollen eye, but eventually compatriot Ioka’s tenacity shone through and the judges gave him a unanimous decision with cards of 115-113 (twice) and 115-114 .

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Great’ open to rematch with ‘Desert Storm’ Former unified world light-welterweight title holder Devon Alexander wants a second meeting with Timothy Bradley in November after Manny Pacquiao distanced himself from an immediate rematch with the WBO welterweight champion. 25 year-old Alexander, now campaigning at welterweight himself, is due to fight in August, with several opponents in the frame, but then hopes to face Bradley in the first defence of the Californian's 147lb belt. “I would love the opportunity to avenge my only loss to Bradley – definitely,” Alexander told World Boxing News. “I will take care of business in August and then we will see what happens about facing him in November. “I don't think Bradley will want the fight though as I think he wants to milk that belt with a lesser opponent and avoid another fight with me.” “I had his last fight 7-5 to Pacquiao so I don’t think he wants to go there again or face

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The War Machine’ facing end of boxing career Hackney heavyweight Larry Olubamiwo has pleaded guilty to numerous counts of doping throughout the last six years and is now facing-up to the end of his boxing career after being given a four-year ban from all sports. The 33 year-old, who won 10 from 13 professional contests, admitted taking EPO, Steroids and human growth hormone and is another stain on boxing after recent scandals involving American’s Lamont Peterson and Andre Berto. Olubamiwo scored eight knockouts in the first two rounds after turning pro in 2008, before coming unstuck against the likes of John McDermott and Sam Sexton in recent times and now looks unlikely to fight again after having all his boxing results annulled.

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Real Deal’ still keen on another world title shot Evander Holyfield is still hoping to entice the Klitschko brother’s into a battle after years of being linked to a fight against the Ukrainian world title holders and believes they could make huge sums if they put a fight together. The 49 year-old, who has held multiple world titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight and is unbeaten in his last two fights, is on the lookout for his next opponent as he approaches his 50th birthday and says respect for him by the Klitschko's is to blame for a fight not happening yet. “I am trying to tell the Klitschko’s ‘look, its real simple. There’s only one guy out there you can make a big pay day with and that’s me. So let’s do it,” Holyfield said in an interview for his 'Legends' documentary. “But they say ‘oh, we like you and this and this and I am not going to make anybody do it, but you just got to think business wise, and I wouldn’t figh

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Martinez awaits after Lee victory It’s a fight not many people envisaged happening anytime in the future, but on September 15 th at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Sergio Martinez will fight it out for the true world middleweight championship. In a shrewd move by promoter Bob Arum, Chavez, 26, has been guided away from his mandatory challenger for a year whilst he gains valuable experience and grows into being a fully-fledged world title holder - to some out-cry by boxing fans it has to be said. But the decision looks to have paid dividends as a stunning stoppage win over Andy Lee last night has the disbelievers taking notice and on the back of Martinez’s last two performances, Chavez may go into the fight at least on equal terms to the Argentine. ‘Maravilla’ laboured through much of his last two bouts over the past twelve months, with Darren Barker and Mattew Macklin giving a good account of themselv

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Zurdo’ remains on course for world title challenge Mexican Gilberto Ramirez Sanchez, who was named the ‘WBN Prospect of 2012’ late last year, improved to 22-0 with his 19th stoppage last night and retained his WBC Youth middleweight belt in the process in Mexico. The tall southpaw, who has bulldozed his way through his record in less than three years, took out Isaac Mendez in the eighth round of a one-side contest and is abundantly ready to step up to a higher level of opponent. Sanchez looks nailed on to challenging for a world belt in 2013 and after following WBN’s previous winner of the award, compatriot Saul Alvarez, and the Mazatlan fighter could well be Mexico’s next superstar in the making.

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Mexican retains WBC belt Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. improved his record to an astounding 46-0-1 with his 32nd stoppage to keep a firm grip on his WBC middleweight title and set up a mouth-watering defence against Sergio Martinez later in the year. The 26 year-old made a slow start to the bout, allowing the rangy Lee, 28, to take the centre of the ring and use his height and reach to arguably take the opening three rounds, although I did score the second even. Chavez was able to gain a foothold from the fourth and back Lee onto the ropes on numerous occasions which brought sustained success over the next three rounds as he clearly possessed the heavier punches of the two. The end came towards the end of the seventh when the Irishman was rocked by a one-two uppercut, followed by a sweet right hand and with Lee stumbling, referee Laurence Cole jumped in to stop the fight. The stoppage may have been a little premature for my liking, but the Mexica

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. v Andy Lee ( WBC middleweight title ) Sun Bowl, Texas, USA 12x3                                                                  Chavez                                Lee              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  Round 1                           9                                10              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  Round 2                           10                              10              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  Round 3                           9                                10              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                   Round 4                           10                               9              -----------------------