World Boxing News 2010-2013

Ryan Coyne The past week has been the most difficult of my boxing career, and probably more accurately a microcosm of the frustrations I have endured over the past year and a half of my career. It is with great regret that I can confirm that my title challenge for the WBO Light heavyweight championship against Nathan Cleverly will not happen on Nov. 10th due to circumstances out of my control. First and foremost I want to apologize to the fans and acknowledge the hard work of the parties involved. Frank Warren and matchmaker Dean Powell were great to work with throughout all of this. They presented my management with a once in a lifetime unique opportunity to fight Nathan Cleverly, who is a classy champion, on Showtime in America. Working with them was a breath of fresh air. A true professional outfit. My managers worked very hard to get me fighting while my former promoter left my career to die on the vine. When I was offered the chance to fight Nathan for the title I jump...

Frank Stea  Senior Reporter Picture by Lawrence Lustig Top light heavyweight contender Tony Bellew 18-1 (12KOs) is closing in on his November 17 battle for the vacated WBC Silver light heavyweight title against tough Argentine veteran Roberto Feliciano Bolonti 30-1 (19KOs) in Nottingham.  The former world title challenger faces Bolonti, who has never fought outside of his native county. The South American is riding a 25-fight winning streak dating back to 2006, where his lone loss being a four round decision loss in only his fifth pro fight.  The 29 year-old recently shared his thoughts on the clash with WBN and sees Bolonti as a tough challenge for his co-feature slot at the Captial FM Arena. “He’s a good fighter. His record speaks for itself. He’s thirty one wins and one loss. The loss came early in his career and I fully respect him and I’m prepared for whatever he brings on November 17th,” Bellew told World Boxing News. Li...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor American admits fight will go ahead without him Ryan Coyne has admitted defeat in his attempts to block former promoter Don King from his legal bid to halt his proposed WBO light-heavyweight title fight with Nathan Cleverly. The fight was originally announced earlier this month for November 10, although a contract dispute between Coyne and King quickly emerged and has now ultimately ended any hopes the ‘Irish Outlaw’ had of his first world title challenge, to his dismay. "Much as I hate to say it, this fight will not be going forward with myself involved in it," Coyne told BBC Wales. "This is the biggest disappointment of my career. I trained very, very diligently for this fight and I was devastated when I got the news. "I want to apologise to the fans in the United Kingdom and the United States that this fight won't be going ahead, but hopefully we can get it on at a later date. "We just have to let the ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Panamanian reverts to old habits Fight-shy Guillermo Jones is no longer the WBA cruiserweight champion after a meagre two defences in four years as title holder. Scheduled opponent Denis Lebedev now picks up the belt after the Panamanian attempted to stall their proposed December 17 contest. Lebedev, 33, has held the interim title for almost a year since defeating James Toney and promoter Vlad Hrunov decided to lobby the WBA after Jones made his predictable move to shift the fight a second time. "It's just happened," Hrunov told Ria Nostovoi . "I presented my arguments" to the congress in favor of awarding Lebedev the title, he said. The bout was originally pencilled in to take place in October, before the December date was then agreed and reversed, and any attempts by Jones’ promoter Don King to salvage the contest have now seemingly failed. 40 year-old Jones had pulled out or postponed five title defences in his ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Retired legend ends light-middleweight talk Three-weight world champion ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley has exclusively told WBN that he may make a comeback to boxing in the future, although it won’t be at 154lbs where the American recently ended his career. The 41 year-old has been the subject of speculation in Poland about a contest with undefeated light-middleweight Damian Jonak, but this is not something that would interest Mosley if he was to fight again soon. “I don’t know who Jonak is,” Mosley told World Boxing News. “How much are they offering,” he quizzed. “Anyway, if I do come back to boxing it will be at 147lbs.” Mosley last fought in May when losing a one-sided decision to WBC light-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, after which, the Pomona fighter announced his intention to step away from boxing. This latest revelation could mean that ‘Sugar’ Shane is willing to step back in the ring for another world title shot at we...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Welterweight fight likely for purse bids With an agreement unlikely between IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander and his mandatory challenger Kell Brook, the fight is almost certain to go to purse bids by the end of November. As American Alexander is nailed on to want a home defence of the title he claimed in New York on October 20, a contest with Brook looks to have hit a dead end as his promoter Eddie Hearn reiterates his stance to stage the bout in the UK. WBN have now been in touch with the IBF, who have confirmed that the champion has no other option but to come to an amicable outcome with Brook or face losing his title in the next four and a half months. “They (Team Alexander) have not been given a deadline. If things go as planned the two should fight within about 135 days,” Lindsey Tucker, the IBF Championships Chairman told World Boxing News. “The fight would then go to bids if the parties cannot come to an agreeme...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Golden Boy’ tweets on possible comeback Ten-time world champion Oscar De La Hoya has fuelled speculation that he may be ready to come out of retirement after announcing on his Twitter account the he could ‘do some damage to any 54 pounder in the world expect Saul Canelo Alvarez.’ The 39 year-old, who announced his retirement in 2009, has often tweeted about returning to the ring and seems to like to test the water with the fans to gain feedback on a possible comeback. De La Hoya last fought in December 2008 when he went down to one-sided eight round defeat to Manny Pacquiao and has since been linked to a bout with a reinvigorated Ricky Hatton in the UK. The ‘Golden Boy’ also stated that he wants to ‘bring Golden Boy Boxing to the UK’ and will have plenty of tongues wagging once again about a possible catchweight fight with the ‘Hitman’ on his home soil next year.

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Father says belt in no danger Contrary to reports, Nathan Cleverly does not have to face Robin Krasniqi in his very next bout and could have a ten-round non-title outing at the very least when the Welshman fights in the US in two weeks time, according to his father and trainer Vince. Cleverly, who currently holds the WBO light-heavyweight title, has to face mandatory challenger Krasniqi in the near future and there have been some worries that the 25 year-old could be stripped of his belt. This is unlikely to be the case says Vince, who believes that his son will have the leeway to either defend his title against another opponent or fight on November 10 without putting his title on the line. “Although we don’t have official confirmation of what is happening with our opponent, I do know that Nathan will not lose his title,” Vince clarified to World Boxing News. “He will at the worse just have a ten round non-title fight and then move ...

Frank Stea Senior Reporter 2011 Hall of Fame inductee and former four-time world champion Kostya Tszyu is one of the greatest fighters of this generation after becoming the first boxer in over 30 years to unify all of the light welterweight championships with his 2001 knockout win over then undefeated Zab Judah. Lately, Tszyu has been a sought after trainer and currently guides the careers of WBA heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin, interim WBA cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev and undefeated IBO light welterweight champion Khabib Allakhverdiev. In his hey-day, Tszyu fought and beat some of the best fighters at 140lbs in a 13-year professional career and is also famed for his final battle in 2005, when he faced and up and coming Ricky Hatton in Manchester losing via an 11th round TKO to “the Hitman” after retiring on his stool. The man known as “The Thunder from Down Under” recently checked in with World Boxing News to state that he isn't sure if he’s ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor The passing of Emanuel Steward yesterday has stunned the boxing world as some of the sports top stars pay tribute to a man who lit up boxing with his engaging smile, kindness and energy. Lennox Lewis, who stood alongside Manny throughout his greatest achievements in boxing, was devastated upon hearing the news of his trainer's death after a day of confusion and conflicting stories. "I'm completely devastated by the passing of my long-time friend, mentor and trainer Emanuel "Manny" Steward," said Lewis. "Manny has helped me get through some of the biggest fights in my career and I only regret that I couldn't return the favour and see him through his biggest fight. "We've maintained a close relationship and the last time we spoke he seemed his usual upbeat self so it was very disturbing to hear about his illness and rapid decline. "It is with a heavy heart that realisation of what I hoped were ju...

A distraught Wladimir Klitschko has vowed to continue his trainer Emanuel Steward's good work in the wake of his tragic passing yesterday, as the world heavyweight champion prepares to fight Mariusz Wach in just over two weeks. The Ukrainian has been unable to train for the fight with his mentor of ten years due to his illness, but released a statement shortly after Steward's death to confirm that he will fight on for his coach. Boxing has suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Emanuel Steward. Vitali and I, along with the entire Team Klitschko, send our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Emanuel's family and friends. It is not often that a person in any line of work gets a chance to work with a legend, well I was privileged enough to work with one for almost a decade. I will miss our time together. The  long talks about boxing, the world, and life itself. Most of all I will miss our friendship. My team and I will carry on with the goals we had set w...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Illness takes life of boxing coach aged 68 World-renowned boxing man Emanuel ‘Manny’ Steward has passed away today after suffering from a serious stomach illness for the past few months, it has now been formally announced. The 68 year-old, who trained Wladimir Klitschko to invincibility after a long career coaching some of the biggest names in the sport, was reported by some to be battling cancer, although this was denied by his sister. After earlier reports were initially rubbished, Mr. Steward's death is now confirmed, throwing the whole boxing community into mourning for one of the greatest trainers and men to ever grace the sport. Steward’s death comes just a day after Klitschko announced that he would replace Steward with fellow fighter Jonathan Banks for his upcoming bout against Mariusz Wach on November 10 in Hamburg, Germany. The Ukrainian was transformed under the tutelage of Steward after suffering some devastating knockout...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Boxer removes tweets on trainer An unwitting Jonathan Banks has now removed his tweet that may have had the snowballing effect of wrongly confirming Emanuel Steward’s death earlier today. Banks, 30, tweeted the sad news that Steward had passed away, before confirming the news again when asked by a follower and the fighter has now deleted both posts from his account. Rumours began to swirl on the back of the tweets as Banks is a known friend of Steward and heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, which had given his incorrect statement the validity needed. Several media outlets then ran the story, which prompted WBN to do the same and even Wikipedia announced Steward's death, along with a whole host of top media sites who ran with the story. WBN then ran the denial that Mr. Steward’s sister Diane Steward-Jones put out, before a way-off story in The Detroit News confirmed Steward-Jones as announcing her brother’s death, which was no...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Great’ looking to tackle P4P stars Devon Alexander has given a strong indication that he may be ready to relinquish his newly-claimed IBF welterweight title by telling WBN that he is looking to challenge some of the marquee names in the division. The St. Louis fighter took the title with an unspectacular victory over Randall Bailey on Saturday night in Brooklyn, whilst British star Kell Brook knocked out Hector Saldivia on the same night to become mandatory challenger. Brook, 26, is now the next in line to challenge Alexander, with the IBF also confirming to WBN that the American has no optional defence, meaning that he has to put the belt up against 'The Special One' in his next fight. Alexander previously told WBN that he doesn’t even know who Brook is and after a further discussion, has now made it clear that hopes to snag a stellar name after becoming a two-weight world champion. “I'm looking for bigger and better figh...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Irish Outlaw’ opens up to WBN Undefeated light-heavyweight contender Ryan Coyne has exclusively revealed to WBN that his fight with WBO title holder Nathan Cleverly is highly unlikely to happen due to action taken by his ex-promoter Don King. The 30 year-old southpaw has been announced as the Welshman’s fourth title defence for the last few weeks, but has now revealed that his one-time promote King is threatening legal action towards the fight agreement. The contest was pencilled in on the undercard of Golden Boy’s massive headline card featuring Abner Mares and Anselmo Moreno and Coyne is distraught that the opportunity may have now been taken away from him. “I am sorry to toss a monkey wrench in things, but my fight with Nathan Cleverly is not going to happen,” Coyne told World Boxing News. “This is purely because of the spite of an evil zealot named Don King. “I personally am 100% ready to go forward with this fight and...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Malignaggi could get home advantage for 2013 clash Two-weight world title holder Ricky Hatton is hoping to challenge for another world title in the 'city that never sleeps' next year and challenge WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi in New York City. After watching the ‘Magic Man’ come through a tough bout with Pablo Cesar Cano via a tight split decision on Saturday night, the 32 year-old likes what he sees from the newly-built Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Another possible venue for the clash is the world famous Madison Square Garden, which is a dream venue for any fighter and Hatton is on course to seal the fight if he can come through Vyacheslav Senchenko with flying colours next month. “I thought Paulie’s fight with Cano was very close, but I thought he won the fight and 114-113 was probably about right,” Hatton told World Boxing News. “If I get the performance I'm expecting against Senchenko on November 24th at the...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Frenchman feels tricked over second chance at new champion Former WBO middleweight champion Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam has been left devastated at the realisation that he may not get a rematch after commendably losing his title to Peter Quillin on Saturday night in Brooklyn. The previously unbeaten fighter boxed well in-between an amazing six knockdowns from the heavy-handed ‘Kid Chocolate’ and had thought that a second fight between the pair would be immediately announced. N’Dam is now citing a reversal by Quillin’s promoters Golden Boy on a stipulated return fight and spoke exclusively to WBN to explain the whole process of the fight being made from start to finish. "I want to note that we came to this fight against Quillin with an agreement on the contract signed by Richard Schaefer, that in case of defeat the rematch with me would be the next fight for Quillin with a date to be determined,” N’Dam told World Boxing News. “It was ou...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Hitman’ jokes about 2007 Las Vegas clash Returning former world champion Ricky Hatton has admitted that Floyd Mayweather is the greatest fighter he has ever fought and says his past gripes with referee Joe Cortez made no difference to the outcome of their clash five years ago. Hatton, 32, who fights Vyacheslav Senchenko on November 24 after a three-year ring absence, was constantly warned about fighting inside with Mayweather when they fought and is convinced that the move was favourable to the undefeated fighter’s style. The WBC welterweight title fight was eventually stopped in ten rounds by Cortez after a pummelling onslaught by Mayweather and Hatton has admitted that there wasn't much he could have done to overturn the result. “When talking about the ref (Joe Cortez) against Mayweather, I hope people don't see that as my reason for losing as I'd of probably lost anyway and was just saying,” stated Hatton. “He didn't ...

Frank Stea  Senior Reporter Former WBO light welterweight champion Kendall “Rated R” Holt 28-5 (16KOs) is now slated to challenge current IBF and WBA light welterweight champion Lamont Peterson 30-1 (15KOs) after Peterson’s original mandatory opponent,  Zab Judah declined the fight after a lack of interest in purse bid negotiations. World Boxing News spoke to Kendall Holt late last night regarding this matter. “As of 12 o’clock noon (yesterday) I got a call from my lawyer Patrick English.  He said Zab (Judah) didn’t sign the contract.  My lawyer said you are the man (to fight Peterson).” “We started negotiations with my promoter Gary Shaw, Barry Hunter and all parties considered.  We have a deadline that was set by the IBF, which is November 22nd to have the deal done.  If not, then we go to a new purse bid.  Hopefully we can get a deal done and we can get this fight on.” It is obvious that Zab Judah backed out of this fig...

ATG Radio and WBN's own Frank Stea was born on October 22nd.  Last night he celebrated his special day with an international boxing themed party for the ages. WBO super middleweight champion "KING" ARTHUR ABRAHAM stopped by to talk his career and his upcoming title defense on 10/15 against top contender Mehdi Bouadla on the 15th of December WBO light heavyweight champion NATHAN CLEVERLY also spoke about his upcoming title defense in the U.S. against Ryan Coyne in November.  Also to honor his good friend Frank Stea on his birthday. Undefeated heavyweight contender ROBERT HELENIUS called in to chat about his upcoming return to the ring on 11/10 in Helsinki against Sherman Williams Former world champion KENDALL HOLT returns to the show to talk about his recently announced fight against Lamont Peterson for the world title.  Also to honor his boy Frank Stea Heavyweight icon DOMINICK GUINN stops by to talk about the recent fall out of his eliminat...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Saint’ in Twitter claim at new British champion Commonwealth super-middleweight champion George Groves has unbelievably revealed former foe Kenny Anderson as the source of his ‘gangster’ death threats suffered in March this year. Groves, 24, inflicted a first defeat on Anderson in November 2010 and was due to rematch the Scot this year until fears over his safety, which were attributed to gangsters at the time, put the return on the backburner. It now turns out that Groves is blaming associates and family members of Anderson for the troubles he faced as the Londoner posted a controversial picture on his Twitter account in the wake of ‘The Widowmaker’ claiming his old title. The ‘Saint’ is due to face former world champion Glen Johnson on December 15 in London and judging by his shocking announcement tonight, won’t be handing Anderson a rematch anytime in the future.  1h George Groves  ‏ @ StGeorgeGroves Disgu...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Great’ ponders next move after scoring another world title Newly-crowned IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander is contemplating his next fight in the wake of his comprehensive points win over Randall Bailey on Saturday night in Brooklyn. Alexander, 25, claimed his third world title at two different weights in the process, putting himself right in the mix to claim a lucrative fight against some of the top fighters in the world next year. On the same night in Sheffield though, undefeated Kell Brook made himself the mandatory challenger to Alexander’s crown and hopes to now seal a world title fight with ‘The Great’ in the US or the UK. WBN caught up with Alexander to ask him if he would be facing the IBF’s number one contender in his next bout and what he made of Brook’s impressive stoppage win over Hector Saldivia at the Motorpoint Arena. “I didn't see the fight and I barely know Kell Brooks,” Alexander told World Boxing News...

Frank Stea Senior Reporter In 2011, undefeated heavyweight contender Robert Helenius 17-0 (11KOs) was being touted as the next big thing in the heavyweight division.  Many experts were picking the 28 year old power puncher to succeed Wladimir Klitschko as the next dominant champion.  A fight with Dereck Chisora in December of 2011 halted some of the momentum towards heavyweight supremacy and although Helenius would go on to a points win over Chisora in his homeland of Helsinki, Finland, question marks were raised over the decision. Helenius offered no excuses for his uninspiring performance, but it was later found out that he fought the fight with a severely injured shoulder, an injury that has kept him out of action for almost a full year. ‘The Nordic Nightmare’ is now scheduled to make his long awaited return on November 10 th and WBN recently caught up with Helenius to talk about his comeback progress. “Everything is working good now. I’m in training...