World Boxing News 2010-2013

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Ferguson seeks sixth heavyweight victory Former Backyard Brawler Kevin ‘Kimbo Slice’ Ferguson will tackle Howard Jones next Saturday night as a bout against former multi-weight word champion Roy Jones Jr. looms on the horizon. Slice, 38, has been linked to a money-spinning clash against Jones Jr. in December, possibly in Jamaica or the USA, and should have no problem dispatching 40 year-old namesake Jones, who was dropped and stopped by Jesse Porter in 2009. Kimbo blasted Porter out in just under 150 seconds in his last bout in May and an easy nights work is promised against a fighter who has been knocked out in four straight contests on the back of five KO victories in a row. This is the fight that Ferguson recently told WBN that he wants to get out of the way before finalizing a defining contest against one-time pound for pound king Jones Jr. and for his sake, it should be one that his tackles with ease. Promoter Gary Shaw has annou...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor American looking to shock former champion Carlos Molina has spoken to WBN in the wake on news that the Californian is set to face former unified world title holder Amir Khan in December at the light-welterweight limit. The 26 year-old from Rosemead, who has predominantly spent his career fighting at lightweight, was recently sounded out by Team Khan as a comeback opponent and is set to put his 18-fight unbeaten record on the line against the Bolton man. “I was contacted early in the week and was told that my name was being mentioned by Khan’s people,” Molina told World Boxing News. “The fight is basically set and now we are just looking for a site to hold the fight but it is definitely on.” Molina has no problems in moving up the five pounds necessary to cement the fight with the one-time unified title holder at 140lbs and has tipped over the light-welterweight limit in a previous contest in August 2011. “We had talked about movi...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Hitman’ ready to get right back to the top Former two division world title holder Ricky Hatton is ready to relaunch his career in style on November 24 by defeating ex-world champion Vyacheslav Senchenko at the Manchester Arena. The much-loved Briton is hoping a devastating victory over the Ukrainian will make the 147lb division sit up and take notice as he bids to win a fifth world title in his first bout at the venue since his defining win against Kostya Tszyu. Hatton, 33, sees a win leading to a top ten position with the WBA and a possible challenge against current title holder and former opponent Paulie Malignaggi in the summer, possibly in Las Vegas or New York. The ‘Hitman’ has not fought since his devastating 2009 knockout loss to Manny Pacquiao and is now ready to show the top welterweights in the UK and beyond what he still has left after a three-year absence. “To the fighters out there holding the world title belts, my m...

Phil D. Jay WBN/WSN Team We am delighted to be able to announce that new website World Sports News will soon be fully operational on the back of the success of World Boxing News. World Sports News will an extension of WBN and will provide the top news from the sports world all in one place, along with articles from the original site. WSN now comes into fruition after the popularity of WBN, which is now one of the most visited independent boxing websites in the world and has helped in the process of making WSN possible. The aim of World Sports News is to bring together the most sought after news for sports fans via original articles, feature articles and links to some of the top news and sports news sites in the world. The most popular sports in the world from a UK perspective, along with some of the most loved from the US will feature, and all the major news stories from any other sports will make it on to the WSN site for our readers to browse via links to other site...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Briton has to retire following thirteenth career defeat Aged fighter Danny Williams suffered another beat-down in Germany tonight that will hopefully spell the end of the London-born journeyman’s 17-year stint in the ring. At his most powerful in 2000, Williams astounded all by knocking out Mark Potter with one arm to claim the vacant British heavyweight belt, but that memory is now becoming ever-more distant with each unnecessary bout. At 39, Williams last fought to his full potential when taking Matt Skelton’s undefeated record in 2006 and is increasingly becoming fodder for young European fighters to claim a name on their record. After losing his British boxing license in 2010 and contemplating hanging up his gloves for a full six months, Williams came back with the blessing of the Latvian commission to relaunch himself comically as 'DPW.' Since then, victories over cruiserweight Frank Roth, Laszlo Toth and a 47 year-old Alf...

Despite failing to land a fight with Ricky Hatton, Lovemore Ndou will continue to fight the good fight. Ndou publicly made it clear that he was ready and willing to take on Ricky Hatton in his first comeback fight and donate his entire purse to the orphans of the HIV AIDS epidemic in Africa.  Ndou, a qualified lawyer who also holds degrees in Communications and Psychology, has recently returned to boxing after a 14-month layoff with a new focus to raise money for the needy. The Australian-based fighter, who   is a father of three and has sole custody of his children whom he is single-handedly raising,  believes that every child deserves a better start in life and as a result he will put his own body on line to see that happens.  Ricky Hatton confirmed today that his comeback fight on November 24 will be against Vyacheslav Senchenko from Ukraine. Ndou says despite not landing the fight himself he still wishes Hatton well. “I said before whether Hatton picks me ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Ex-British champ faces Christian Hammer One-time world heavyweight title challenger and former Mike Tyson conqueror Danny Williams will hope to end a run of two straight defeats when he lines up against Romanian-born German Christian Hammer on Friday night in Goettingen, Germany. The 39 year-old, who’s best days left him in 2006, had his British boxing license revoked in 2010, but has continued to fight on with a Latvian license and will use that avenue once again at the Sparkassen Arena. Williams has suffered losses to Leif Larson (TKO 2) and Janne Katajisto (UD) in the past twelve months since a low-key win against veteran Alfred Cole and has been stopped three times in just over two years. ‘The Brixton Bomber’ is showing no signs of slowing down though as he settles into his 40th year, although another knockout loss for the Londoner will hopefully bring Williams to his senses before the decision to retire is taken out of his ha...

Picture by Lawrence Lustig Kell Brook has revealed he was close to taking a fight with WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley but chose to take the mandatory route with the IBF. Brook takes on Hector Saldivia for the mandatory position for the IBF welterweight title in Betfair’s ‘This Is It’ at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on October 20 live on Sky Sports, a route the Sheffield star and his promoter Eddie Hearn decided was the right move for the 25 year old’s career. Brook came through a gut check against Carson Jones in his last outing at the Motorpoint Arena in July, and he believes the mandatory route could lead to a mega fight in 2013 against the returning Ricky Hatton. “The Bradley fight was put in front of me but I believe the mandatory position in the IBF is the right move,” said Brook, who is back in Sheffield after a two week training camp in Spain. “Eddie has worked hard to get me into this position and providing I beat Saldivia, I’ll be fighting ...

Picture by Michael Sterling/K2 WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has fully denied reports that he announced his retirement Monday at a press conference in Donetsk, Ukraine.  Here is Vitali's full statement on the matter as he puts the constant rumours aside: “I am in the pre-election tour of Ukraine, so coming to the Donetsk region is not exactly in order to complete my career,” said Vitali on the Klitschkos’ Facebook page.  “I’m a little bit tired of the question ‘when will it happen?’ I’ve repeatedly stated that when such a decision is made I’ll be sure to announce it at a separate press conference.  "And for now there is no talk about the end of my career. I’m sorry if I didn’t put enough emphasis on this at the news conference in Donetsk, which is quoted in the media.”

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Great’ open to contest, but states no contact Contrary to some belief, former interim WBO lightweight champion Michael Katsidis is not yet considering move up to 147lbs to face Ricky Hatton on November 24 in Manchester. A report in a national UK newspaper last week had suggested that the Aussie was almost a done deal to oppose Hatton on his comeback, which is not the case - although Katsidis’ team have come out today to reveal that they would be interest in opening negotiations with Hatton’s representatives. "At this stage there have been no discussions,” Michael Tripp, Katsidis’ advisor told BBC Sport . "But it is something we would consider depending on the purse and depending on the weight. "It wouldn't be a problem to fight in Manchester. Michael has been over to Britain and he's won two world titles over there. "We have had nothing from their camp at the moment. But 24 November would give us enou...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Ukrainian apologises for confusion WBC champion Vitali Klitschko has moved quickly to speak out following a statement suggesting that the veteran could have fought his last fight was quickly rectified by his representatives. The 41 year-old had stated "I don't intend to fight” at a press conference today, only for spokeswoman Oksana Zinovieva to immediately deny that this was the case and add that Vitali meant “into old age.” Klitschko has now moved to end talk of retirement by announcing: "There is no talk about the end of my career and I'm sorry if I didn't put enough emphasis on this at the news conference," to quash the story. ‘Dr. Ironfist’ had only recently dominated challenger Manuel Charr in his latest defence of his green belt and was thought to be considering an offer from former two –weight world title holder David Haye to fight in the spring before the confusion. There have also been rumours that Kl...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Ex-champion will retire if attempts to lure Ukrainian fail David Haye will not be drawn into a slanging match with domestic rival Tyson Fury and intends to hang up his gloves if unsuccessful in his attempts to land one final world title shot against WBC champion Vitali Klitschko. The 31 year-old made the admission in the wake of several public outbursts from former British title holder Fury, who is eager to face Haye as he himself, leads up to a possible fight against one of the Ukrainian brothers next year. “Just for the record fight fans, I will never fight any other boxer whose name isn't Klitschko from this point on,” stated Haye over the weekend, leaving Fury to contemplate an alternative opponent for his Belfast return on December 1. The ‘Hayemaker’ came out of his first retirement last October to brutally halt Dereck Chisora in five rounds at Upton Park in London and is hopeful that the victory will be enough to earn him another s...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Buffalo Run fight takes priority Unbeaten heavyweight Kimbo Slice has told WBN that any potential bout with former pound for pound king Roy Jones Jr. will have to wait as the one-time backyard brawler resumes his boxing career on October 6. The 38 year-old, who has racked up five victories since turning pro just over a year ago, has been linked to a high-profile contest with Jones in December, but won’t be commenting on the situation until after next month’s outing at the Buffalo Run Casino. “I’m in training for my next fight on October 6,” Slice told World Boxing News when pressed on the Jones rumour. “I gotta stay focused and I haven’t done any interviews regarding it (the Jones talk) yet.” Slice, real name Kevin Ferguson, has been criticized by some boxing purists for the calibre of his opposition so far as novice pro’s and lighter-weight MMA fighters have been his fodder for the infancy of his career in boxing. Ferguso...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Klitschko conqueror dies in robbery South African boxing legend Corrie Sanders has been tragically shot dead after a robbery at a restaurant in Johannesburg where the former world champion was celebrating a family members 21st birthday. Sanders, who was just 46, was shot in the hand and stomach as thieves charged into the eatery near Brits in the north of the city and later died in hospital, according to reports on South African station News24 . The Pretoria southpaw, full name Cornelius, shocked the world in 2003 with a spectacular two round knockout victory over Wladmimir Klitschko to claim the WBO heavyweight belt and went on to fight older brother Vitali a year later, losing in eight rounds. He retired in 2008 with a record of 42-4 with 31 stoppages after almost 20 years in the sport and will be sorely missed by the boxing community, who have now lost another one of its fighting warriors in tragic circumstances.

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Exhibition bout on for December Former pound for pound king Roy Jones Jr. will participate in an exhibition bout against former street and cage-fighter turned boxer Kimbo Slice, Livingston Scott of the Jamiaca Observer confirmed today . The bout featuring the one-time world heavyweight titlist and the undisputed champion of backyard brawling, will take place in December to mark Jamiaca’s 50th anniversary celebrations and Jones admits that Slice, real name Kevin Ferguson, poses a huge threat. "He's a big streetfighter with a lot of power, so early in the fight he can be very dangerous,” Jones stated at the event press conference on Thursday. “But as the fight goes on, my mental experience should take over. For the first five rounds he will be very deadly.” Although the final details of the contest have yet to be ironed out, the fight has been agreed and there is expected to me more exciting fights added to card to mark the island...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Pacman’ looks forward to ‘Hitman’ return Ricky Hatton has been tipped to come back strong to boxing after announcing his return following a three-year absence, by the man that sent him into that retirement - Manny Pacquiao. Hatton, 33, was knockout out cold in two brutal rounds by the Filipino great in 2009, before spiralling into depression and now returns invigorated for his return bout on November 24 in Manchester. Former foe Pacquiao will be an avid viewer when the likeable Mancunian dons the gloves again in two months’ time and has not ruled out a possible rematch when discussing the situation with ESPN this week. "I am happy for him. He still can fight and I am looking forward to watching his fight," Pacquiao said. On a return fight with Hatton, he added: "That's another story, I don't know. It depends on how decisions go with the promoter." The Congressman is himself currently promoting his fourth...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor American baffled as fight rumours rumble on Former world champion Steve ‘2 Pound’ Forbes has felt compelled to speak out a second time as the slick technician is consistently linked to a fight against Jorge Paez Jr. in Mexico on October 20 . The 35 year-old, who held the IBF super-featherweight title between 2000 and 2001, was first put forward as the opponent for Paez earlier this week as reports filtered out from Mexico, but the American is at a loss to explain where the confirmation of the fight came from. “I haven't talked to any people from Zanfer or my advisor hasn't, so I have no clue where this information is coming from,” Forbes told World Boxing News. “It’s making me upset now because it's simply not true. Who made this up? This is looking like some major fraud. I have had the same number for three years and no one has made a deal with me or my people about a fight. “And there is no way I would fight a guy with a legendary na...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Ex-world champ disinterested in domestic battle David Haye has rebuffed an offer to face Tyson Fury in Belfast on December 1 to enjoy a holiday in Jamaica and believes that the former Irish champion should settle his domestic differences with David Price, rather than calling him out. The 31 year-old, who reigned as WBA heavyweight king until dethroned by Wladimir Klitschko in July 2011, is hoping for a crack at his former foes elder brother Vitali and advised Fury to take on the British champion instead. “I'll be chillin on a beach in Jamaica on December 1,” stated Haye. “Why don't you call out David Price for a winner takes all fight, he'll accept 100%?” Fury, 24, then came back with an instant repost to Haye with a derogatory remark, before making fun of the two-weight world title-holders failure against unified champion Wladimir in Hamburg a year ago. “Because you’re the pussy I want.  You’re always talking about Vita...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Dark Destroyer’ sets up exhibitions Former two-weight world champion Nigel Benn is set to participate in two more exhibition fights on the back of his charity contest at the MDC Sports Stadium in Hemsworth, West Yorkshire last Sunday. The 48 year-old was a much-loved figure on the British boxing scene in the mid-nineties with some fiery encounters with Chris Eubank and has since turned to God in later life after a wild party lifestyle. It now seems that the Londoner has regained his passion for the ring and will first climb between the ropes on Saturday November 24 at Lancaster and Morecambe College, before another bout on December 15 at Liquid Envy nightclub in Leicester. Frank Harrington will oppose Benn in Morecombe (for tickets ring Frank on 07789 261768 ), whilst former kickboxer Barinder Singh will square up to the ‘Dark Destroyer’ in the run up to Christmas with tickets available on 07521 063038 .

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Filipino denies any mega-fight negotiations Eight-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao has confirmed that his link up with former Floyd Mayweather partner 50 Cent is not an aide to securing a big money fight with the rappers one-time best friend. The welterweight star, who takes on Juan Manuel Marquez for a fourth time later this year, has surprisingly formed a working relationship with ‘Fiddy’ on the back of his public fall-out with the pound for pound king, but won’t be talking a multi-million dollar clash just yet. "We are talking right now but we are not finalising yet," Pacquiao told ESPN . "I will be working with him to promote fights. I am not talking about Mayweather with 50 Cent. We are discussing business." Pacquiao, 33, has publicly stated that he is now willing to back down on his demands for a 50/50 split with Mayweather for a potential super-fight, although whether 50 Cent had any influence on that decision ...

A record-breaking 18,000 tickets were sold for the hotly anticipated Ricky Hatton comeback bout within 48 hours of them going on sale. In an emphatic display of Hatton's popularity amongst boxing fans, 18,000 of the 19,000 tickets for the fight at the Manchester Arena on November 24 have been snapped up, despite his opponent having yet to be announced. The demand for tickets has surpassed all previous boxing ticket sales records for the venue, including bouts featuring such fighters as David Haye and Mike Tyson. Hatton's return to the ring, which takes places over three years after his last professional fight against Manny Pacquiao, has generated huge interest from around the globe and is destined to be one of the most talked about fights of 2012. And the former two-weight world champion admits he is humbled by the backing of his fans and insists he will repay them in kind with a performance to remember. Hatton said: "It's incredible how quickly the tickets...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘2 Pound’ expecting to confirm later date Former world super-featherweight champion Steve Forbes has rejected a rumour that he is set to fight in Mexico on October 20th against Jorge Paez Jr. after the bout was said to be finalized yesterday. The 35 year-old, who is on a run of three defeats, was announced to have been snagged for the match-up at the Calafia Bullring, although the American is not forecasting to fight until at least a week later in Los Angeles. “There is a rumour saying I'm fighting Paez Jr. and that is not true,” explained Forbes. “As far as I know I fight October 27 or the first week of November at 137lbs.” Forbes last fought in May on the Mayweather v Cotto undercard at welterweight against Jessie Vargas, but still harbours hopes of dropping to 140lbs and below for meaningful fights, although offers seldom arrive.

Shane McPhilbin wants back something he feels was taken from him unfairly – the British cruiserweight title. In a dramatic contest that saw both men hit the deck, Shane wrenched the belt from former champion Leon 'Solid' Williams via a final round KO in January this year. Just two months later, however, in his first defence against Enzo Maccarinelli, McPhilbin found himself on the wrong end of a genuine ring injustice. Having already put Enzo over, and with the Welshman out on his feet and on the verge of being stopped, the bell to end the first round was tolled 47 seconds early!  Consequently, with that early, unfair respite proving long enough for Maccarinelli to recover his senses, Shane ultimately ended up losing his crown on a points decision. Throw into the mix too, then, that Enzo was also banned after the bout for failing a random drugs test and you can understand that Shane, 8-3 (5), feels hard done by that he won't be facing County Durham...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Mexican celebrating second world title New WBC featherweight title holder Daniel Ponce De Leon is ready to adhere to his signed contract with Jhonny Gonzalez and give the fallen champion his stipulated rematch in the future. The 32 year-old told WBN that he may well make a defence of the green belt before any return though and plans to stick around at the 126lb limit for a considerable period after claiming the title on a technical decision on Saturday night in Las Vegas. “I feel very good to be champion,” Ponce De Leon told World Boxing News. “It’s what I have been looking for so long and now I finally achieved it. “This time I feel happier than the first time I was champion,” he said, referencing to his long reign as WBO super-bantamweight champion between 2005 and 2008. “The judges saw me win and I was up on the cards. I knew I would win, but the rematch is there in the contract we signed. “I could have one or two defences bef...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Unbeaten contender upset after being overlooked US-based Nigerian Lateef Kayode has been left seething as reports are confirming WBN’s earlier story that Danny Green and Shane Cameron will contest the IBO cruiserweight title in Melbourne this November. The 29 year-old had previously taken former champion Antonio Tarver to a credible draw last June in a contest many thought he did enough to win. Kayode was then expecting a call to be handed another chance after Tarver tested positive for a banned substance in the aftermath and was stripped of the belt. 'Power' has now spoken of his surprise when told of Green's fight with Cameron by WBN yesterday and was awaiting news to fight for the vacant belt he fought so hard to rip away from Tarver at the Home Depot Center. “Our understanding is that we are next in line for the belt,” Kayode told World Boxing News. “We were waiting for the results of Tarver's test and I'm wa...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Green Machine’ set for November Cameron outing Danny Green and Shane Cameron are rumoured to be ready to face each other in November and could have the IBO cruiserweight title on the line as the body mull over stripping Antonio Tarver. Tarver, 43, defeated Green in July 2011 convincingly to claim the world strap, although failed a routine drugs test following a recent draw with Lateef Kayode and is now set to lose his title outside of the ring According to a report in Australian newspaper thewest.com.au , Green is now being strongly linked to a shot at his old belt, with New Zeland’s ‘Mountain Warrior’ Shane Cameron a likely opponent for the contest. 34 year-old Cameron has yo-yoed between cruiserweight and heavyweight throughout his career and is coming off a career-best win over former world title challenger Monte Barrett in the summer. The Auckland fighter scored a spectacular fourth round KO in the clash at the Sky City Conventi...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Marvellous’ one saw great things in young Scotsman Ricky Burns’ manager Alex Morrison has given an insight into the reason he signed a scrawny Coatbridge kid at the start of his career and sites former world middleweight king Marvin Hagler as a massive influence on his decision. Morrison and Hagler was present at the Kelvin Hall in October 2001 when the then 18 year-old Burns made his professional boxing debut in a dominant four-round win over Woody Greenaway on the Robin Reid v Jorge Sclarandi WBF super-middleweight title undercard. Hagler saw something in the youngster that prompted him to persuade Morrison to pursue the novice and the rest, as they say, is history. “Marvin saw Ricky win on his debut and told me he would become a world champ,” Morrison told The Daily Record. “He said I had to sign him but Ricky has done even better than Hagler predicted. He has become a champion at two different weights.” Ten years on and Burns, 2...

Steve Molitor has warned Carl Frampton he is too big a step-up for the Belfast man as they prepare to fight for the Commonwealth and IBF Inter Continental super bantamweight titles at the top of Betfair’s ‘Judgement Day’ bill at the Odyssey Arena on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports. ‘The Canadian Kid’ stepped in for the injured Kiko Martinez last month and ahead of Saturday’s title bout has warned Frampton that he is a greater fighter than the man originally lined up to face ‘The Jackal’. “I’m a massive step up from Martinez,” said Molitor, a 12-5 shot with Betfair to beat Frampton. “He’s European level and I’m World level and come fight night everyone will realise that. This is too soon for Frampton. He has never been in the ring with someone on my level. “He is a good boxer, very aggressive, but he makes a lot of mistakes that I plan on capitalising on. The plan is to win convincingly here against a young undefeated prospect and that will put me in line ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Hitman’ promises to change his ways Returning former world champion Ricky Hatton is set to keep his new trimmed down physique in between fights after admitting that his old ways of ballooning weight between fights won’t help him prolong his career. The 33 year-old, who announced his comeback last week, is already around fighting weight with two months left until his November 24th bout and has no plans on letting himself go once his first fight is out of the way. “I used to shed three stone (for a fight) when I was 25 years of age, but if I’m going to make a comeback I can’t shed that when I’m 34 years of age,” Hatton told The Daily Express. “I am going to change my spots, even though you can’t completely change me. “I’m a Jack the lad and all that, but I cringe at myself now at the weight I had to lose all those years ago.” Hatton has been training his own fighters during his time away and admits that setting a positive example ...

If there is one person that is pleased by Ricky Hatton’s return to the ring it is former world champion Lovemore Ndou, and not because he hopes to land a fight with the Manchester fighting machine. The reason is because the one-time IBF and IBO title holder understands the demons Hatton had to deal with during his three-year break from boxing.  Ndou, a lawyer with degrees in Communications and Psychology, said a few weeks back in one of his interviews that he felt the way Hatton went out following his loss to Manny Pacquiao was his main cause of excessive weight gain, alcohol and drug abuse, etc. “I believe what we saw was Ricky dealing with depression as a result of that loss. At the time he got knocked out in two rounds by Pacquiao, Ricky was a household name in boxing and still is," Ndou told World Boxing News.  "But to get knocked out in that fashion was something neither he, nor boxing fans comprehended. It came as a shock and I was shocked t...

Phil D. Jay                                            WBN Editor                                    ( )  = Record in 2012                       [ ]  =  Jan 2012 ranking 1. Floyd Mayweather  (1-0)  [1] 2. Manny Pacquiao  (0-1)   [2]   3.  Andre Ward  (1-0, 1 KO)    [7] 4.  Nonito Donaire  (2-0)   [4]   5. Sergio Martinez  (2-0, 1 KO)  [10]                                                          6.  Wladimir Klitschko  (2-0, 2 KO)  [5 ]            ...