World Boxing News 2010-2013

                             ( )  = Record in 2012                       [ ]  =  Jan 2012 ranking 1. Floyd Mayweather  (1-0)  [1] 2.  Nonito Donaire  (4-0, 2 KO)   [4] 3.  Juan Manuel Marquez  (2-0, 1 KO)  [11]   4. Sergio Martinez  (2-0, 1 KO)  [10]   5. Manny Pacquiao  (0-2)   [2]                                                       6.  Wladimir Klitschko  (3-0, 2 KO)  [5 ] 7.  Andre Ward  (1-0, 1 KO)    [7]                                                     8....

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Five belts on the line in Japan Two world titles were successfully defended in Japan, whilst one changed hands and two other vacant championships were claimed in an end of year Asian blockbuster on New Year’s Eve. Firstly, WBA super-featherweight champion Takashi Uchiyama retained his WBA super-featherweight belt with an eighth round stoppage win over previously undefeated Costa Rican Bryan Vasquez at the Ota-City Gym in Osaka. Uchiyama, 33, improved his own unbeaten record to 19-0-1 as the long-time title holder proved to be a step too far for 25 year-old Vasquez, who drops to 29-1 and returns home empty handed. Also on the bill, Yota Sato kept a firm grip on the WBC super-flyweight title belt with a successful second defence to out-point Ryo Akaho with scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 117-112 . The surprise of the night came when nearly-man Kohei Kono won the world title at the third time of asking by knocking Tepparith Kokietgym down three ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Mexican legend jokes as discussions continue Juan Manuel Marquez gave some of those pining for a fifth bout with Manny Pacquiao when the WBO light-welterweight champion cheekily announced his decision to step away from boxing at the age of 39. On the back of his greatest achievement to date, a sixth round walloping of his Filipino rival, Marquez then went back on his decision to clarify that talks are still ongoing with his family about whether or not he will accept the offer to fight Pacquiao again next year. “Today at 39 years I've decided to retire,” stated Marquez via his personal Facebook page. “I did what I had to do in boxing and demonstrated myself to be the best and face the best.” Marquez then went on:”Happy April Fool's Day! “I'm still negotiating with my family and we will see what comes to us. I won’t announce my decision on an ESPN program so enjoy our special customs!” Promoter Bob Arum, who represents both fi...

Heavyweight contender Manuel Charr has big goals for 2013. "I hope to get another chance to fight Vitali Klitschko for the WBC world championship," states Charr.  "I will do whatever it takes to make this fight happen. I can only hope that Vitali doesn’t retire. I heard that David Haye wants to fight him, too. Well, David, we both have the same goal – so let us find out in the ring who should have the right to challenge Klitschko. I am hereby officially challenging you for an elimination bout!“ In his first world title shot in September in Moscow Charr was stopped by a cut in the fourth round. "Vitali didn’t beat me – his doctor did it for him“, says Charr. I think David Haye said the same thing right after his fight (with Wladimir).“  'The Diamond Boy' has already checked different options to get a rematch against the older Klitschko brother.   After winning the WBC Silver international championship in March, Charr added the WBC Baltic and WBC M...

World Boxing News have compiled our usual list of one bout per weight class to hope for in the coming twelve months. Last year saw just two fights come to fruition. See below for this years potential clashes. Heavyweight (200lbs+) Wladimir Klitschko v Tyson Fury Cruiserweight (176-200lbs) Marco Huck v Denis Lebedev Light-heavyweight (169-176lbs) Chad Dawson v Nathan Cleverly Super-middleweight (161-168lbs) Mikkel Kessler v Carl Froch II Middleweight (155-160lbs) Sergio Martinez v Gennady Golovkin Light-middleweight (148-154lbs) Floyd Mayweather v Saul Alvarez Welterweight (141-147lbs) Manny Pacquiao v Juan Manuel Marquez 5 Light-welterweight (136-140lbs) Danny Garcia v Brandon Rios Lightweight (131-135lbs) Adrien Broner v Ricky Burns Super-featherweight (127-130lbs) Yuriorkis Gamboa v Sergio Thompson Featherweight (123-126lbs) Chris John v Billy Dib Super-bantamweight (119-122lbs) N...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Big O’ takes down Owen Beck One-time world heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev made a winning return to the ring after three years out as the Kazakhstan-born Russian stopped Owen Beck in three rounds in Moscow. The 43 year-old, who held the WBC title between 2006 and 2008, put the US-based Jamaican on the floor twice in the fight before referee Viktor Panin had seen enough with Beck in trouble again in the third. Maskaev scored his 28th stoppage from 37 wins at the Quant Sports Palace and will now hope for bigger challenges as ‘The Big O’ seeks out one final world title shot before the end of his career. Maxim Vlasov, Sherzod Husanov  and Fedor Papazov topped the undercard with victories in their respective bouts against Geard Ajetovic, Maxim Chemezov and Alexander Saltykov.

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Filipino Flash’ opens up on vulnerability at age 10 Pound for pound boxer Nonito Donaire has sensationally revealed that childhood hardships almost led to the multi-weight champion and fighting superstar taking his own life at the age of just ten. The 30 year-old, who is top contender for WBN Fighter of the Year 2012 on the back of four victories from four this year, told Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix in a candid interview of his mental troubles growing up. "I felt like I didn't belong. My family didn't have much. We didn't need an extra mouth to feed,” stated Donaire, who admits he tried to hang himself with a makeshift rope from his bunk bed as a child. Luckily, the current WBO super-bantamweight champion thought otherwise and has entertained millions of fans since with his meteoric rise to the top of the boxing world, having defeated some of the best champions around his weight-class for more than five years. Donaire, who...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Puerto Rican great hospitalized for observation Retired boxer Wilfred ‘El Radar’ Benitez is currently in a US hospital undergoing tests after his family rushed him in amidst fears he may have suffered a stroke. The 54 year-old, who retired from the sport in 1990, held world titles from light-welterweight to light-middleweight in a 62-fight professional career, having fought the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns over 17 years. Benitez remains the youngest fighter to ever claim a world title after his split decision victory over Antonio Cervantes in 1976 and only lost for the first time to the great Leonard three years later in a fifteen-round battle. Initial reports by the Associated Press state that the former fighter’s family are with him and that Benitez is currently comfortable and alert to his surroundings. Doctor’s are planning to keep him in for the next three days for observational purposes. The Puer...

2012 January - Guillermo Rigondeaux (Cuba) February - Devon Alexander (USA) March - Danny Garcia (USA) April - Paulie Malignaggi (USA) May - Carl Froch (Great Britain) June - Josesito Lopez (USA) July - Danny Garcia (USA) August - Arthur Abraham (Germany) September- Andre Ward (USA) October - Brandon Rios (USA) November - Adrien Broner (USA) December - Juan Manuel Marquez (Mexico) 2012 Fighter of the Year -  2011 - Andre Ward (USA 2010 - Amir Khan (Great Britain) *As voted by WBN readers

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor WBN posted 'A fight to hope for in 2012' last January and now is the time to review whether or not some the stated match-ups made it to the ring out the seventeen chosen for each weight category. Vitali Klitschko v David Haye  ( heavyweight ) There has been much talk of the contest happening this year and next, but it now seems to be down to whether or not WBC champion Vitali is ready to fight one more time before his retirement. Antonio Tarver v Krzysztof Wlodarczyk  ( cruiserweight ) Tarver lost his IBO title outside of the ring following a rumoured positive drugs test, whilst Wlodarczyk overcame Francisco Palacios in his solitary defence of the WBC championship last September. A fight between the two was rumoured at one point, but ultimately failed to materialize. Nathan Cleverly v Enzo Maccarinelli  ( light-heavyweight ) Former WBO cruiserweight champion Maccarinelli began the year with a ch...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Picture by Greig Bertram Promoter Hearn strikes title deal for Welshman in February Former light-welterweight world champion Gavin Rees is set to challenge WBC lightweight title holder Adrien Broner on February 16 in Atlantic City after promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the news earlier today. Initial terms for a bout between the two have been agreed, according to Hearn - with an exchange of contracts seemingly the final hurdle to sealing the Welshman’s first trip to the United States next year. The 32 year-old had been rumoured to be in line to fight for the vacant WBA title over the past few months, but Hearn stepped up his efforts to find an alternative route once Richard Abril and Sharif Bogere were preferred. Rees will now attempt to become the first fighter to defeat formidable two-weight world champion Broner, 23, as the American has put together a tremendous run of 21 stoppages in 25 victories since turning professional. ‘The ...

Throughout the years, several British superstars, including Amir "King" Khan, Ricky "Hitman" Hatton and David "Hayemaker" Haye, have fought under the Golden Boy Promotions banner.  Today, the Los Angeles-based promoter is pleased to announce the signing of a promotional agreement with a young man it believes will follow in his countrymen's footsteps, 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist for Great Britain, Anthony Ogogo. "I am delighted to be signing with the premier promoter in boxing, Golden Boy Promotions," said Ogogo. "So many great fighters have come before me at Golden Boy and in the coming years I hope to live up to the standard they've set. I can't wait to get started. "2012 has been without doubt one of the greatest years of my life," continued Ogogo. "To represent my country at a home Games was an incredible experience and the bronze medal I won will always be close to my heart. Following the Olympic...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Picture by Stacey Verbeek ‘S.O.G’ to go under the knife    WBC and WBA super-middleweight champion Andre Ward is set to be out of boxing for the first part of 2013 after doctors confirmed that the American requires surgery of his niggling shoulder injury. The 28 year-old Super-Six champion had been due to face former middleweight king Kelly Pavlik, originally in January of next year, but then pushed back a month and has now been scrapped altogether. Oakland-based Ward had been struggling to find a credible opponent since his stoppage win over a weight-drained Chad Dawson earlier this year and after drafting in Pavlik, there had been some criticism of the choice. It now seems unlikely that Pavlik will get the call again once Ward’s shoulder is fully healed and the winner of a potential May showdown between Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch could now be targeted for later next year.

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘K9’ confirms February 23 bout in Detroit IBF light-middleweight champion Cornelius Bundrage has told WBN that his part of the contract to face fellow-Contender star Ishe Smith is signed and sealed for a home title defence in Detroit. The 39 year-old will put his title on the line for only the third time in two and half years when the two rivals clash on February 23rd at the Joe Louis Arena, although Bundrage stated that a bout with Smith was not originally high on his list of priorities. “There were options, but no, it wasn’t a fight I have wanted for a while,” Bundrage told World Boxing News. “The fight is now signed on my behalf and even though his recent fights with Mayweather Promotions were decent, I still believe I can knock him out in Detroit on February 23." He then added: “This is your boy ‘K9’ - Jesus for life 2013. It’s our year. Roof! Roof! Roof! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Twitter @K9Boxing.” Smith, ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Ghost’ set to earn WBC title chance Although unconfirmed, Robert Guerrero looks set to earn a shot at Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 4th, beating light-middleweight king Saul Alvarez for the privilege of challenging the greatest fighter of his generation. The 29 year-old has been slated to be the 44th foe to attempt to overthrow Mayweather in his sixteen-year career by several sources, including statistics website Boxrec, and could conceivably be formally announced before the New Year. The card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is to be named ‘Cinco de Mayweather’ as it takes place on the same weekend as the Mexican holiday and will hold significance for Guerrero, who is of Latino descent. The bout will be the first for Mayweather, 35, since his incarceration between June and August this year, with a second fight planned for September as the American looks to cement his place as the pound for pound best. The impending contest sho...

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Adamek win rankles with fans Another judging decision has caused many boxing fans to become disillusioned with the sport once again after the shambolic announcement of Tomasz Adamek’s win over Steve Cunningham in Pennsylvania last night. Even veteran ring announcer Michael Buffer could not hide his embarrassment as a 115-115 scorecard reading was rectified to hand the Pole a decisive 115-112 third card and the undeserved victory in Bethlehem. The general consensus amongst fans on social media sites and through forums was that Cunningham came through the entertaining twelve-round battle with a closely-fought points win, which mirrored my card of 115-113 to the American. Although ‘USS’ was given that score by Tom Miller, cards by Debra Barnes and Dave Greer ultimately saw the fight Adamek’s way to the disbelief of the neutral and Cunningham fans and has once again opened a debate for an overhaul of judging. High profile scoring mishaps, ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Pole claims entertaining IBF heavyweight #2 spot eliminator victory Tomasz Adamek claimed a close split decision over Steve Cunningham on the judges scorecards for the second time in his career to put himself into contention for another world title chance. The two-weight world champion, who defeated Cunningham previously in 2008, seemingly edged the closer rounds with the officials to come out on top at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Both fighters refused to take a backward step in what was one of the most enthralling heavyweight contests of recent times and there would be no complaints if a third instalment was announced in the near future. The judges carded 116-112, 115-112 for Adamek, with a third handing Cunningham a 115-113, which coincided with my card, although neither fighter deserved to lose after giving their all for the full twelve rounds. The result had originally been announced as a draw with legendary annou...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Former world title challenger Danny Williams suffered yet another loss last night in Germany as the 'Brixton Bomber' came up short against German journeyman Werner Kreiskott at the Maritim Hotel in Cologne. The 39 year-old dropped his fifteenth loss following an eight-round points defeat to Kreiskott, 34, and has now lost five in a row since his last victory over 48 year-old Alfred Cole in September 2011. On top billing, Manuel Charr impressed on his return from suffering his only career defeat to Vitali Klitschko in September by blasting out Konstantin Airich in just 44 seconds to claim two fringe WBC belts and get back in the heavyweight mix.

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Ouicher awaits favourable WBO decision The trainer of former WBO middleweight champion Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam is still seething at the way his fighter was treated in the build up to losing his world title belt to American Peter Quillin. N’Dam, 28, was notified just a few weeks before his mandatory title defence against ‘Kid Chocolate’ that he had to accept the fight or be stripped, all this coming in a very short period since his reign began. The Frenchman and his coach Mustapha Ouicher are now seeking new representation as they remain hopeful of a ruling from the WBO and have revealed to WBN that the organisation a reacting positively to their advances. “I am pleasantly surprised to know that the President of the WBO has taken seriously our claim and notes that the result of the fight between Quillin and Hassan is not clear on these conditions,” Ouicher told World Boxing News. “The WBO President has shown in the past that he is capable...

Andy Lee will face Anthony Fitzgerald on an emotional return to Ireland at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena on February 9 live on Sky Sports in Betfair’s ‘Unfinished Business’. Lee returned to the UK from America to train with Adam Booth following the death of Emanuel Steward in October and the Fitzgerald bout will be Lee’s first fight this side of the Atlantic since 2010. The 28 year old suffered a seventh-round stoppage when he challenged Julio Cesar Chavez Jr for the WBC middleweight title in June and that defeat prompted Lee to consider his options. “It is a new start for me over here,” he explained. “I was in America for a long time. I fought for a World title but it didn’t work out so I felt I needed a fresh start and for me to come back here and train with Adam has been a fresh start. “If I had stayed over there I would have stayed in the same place physically, and metaphorically in my career as well. When you fight for World titles and don’t succeed you have to ask...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Trainer disappointed at credit for champion son Hughie  Youth amateur world champion Hughie Fury has been distanced from his former base at Amir Khan’s Gloves Gym in Bolton by father and trainer Peter after comments made by former world champion Amir Khan on Sky Sports’ Ringside show this week. Khan, 26, has been noted by Fury Snr for seemingly claiming credit for the promising fighter’s recent gold medal victory in Armenia and spoke exclusively to World Boxing News to announce that his son will no longer have any association with the community centre in future. “The suggestion that Hughie Trains at Gloves ABC is not correct,” Fury told World Boxing News. ”Hughie as a young Boy trained at Gloves and had fights whilst there, however Hughie never did progress there as at the time they had trainers their who simply didn't know much about the sport. ”Hughie complained about their attitude so I spoke with Asif Vali, who is our famil...