World Boxing News 2010-2013

Finally, after much speculation about his next opponent, International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight Carl "The Cobra" Froch (30-2-0, 22 KOs), of Great Britain, is forced to defend his belt against mandatory contender Adonis "Superman" Stevenson (19-1-0, 16 KOs). In a letter from IBF representative Lindsey Tucker, dated January 2, 2013, sent to the promoters of Froch and Stevenson, both parties were invited to negotiate and Jan. 15 was imposed as the deadline. If at that time the parties were unable to reach an agreement a purse bid would be held in the IBF offices in New Jersey. If Froch, for whatever reason, decided to withdraw from this process then it would he removed as champion and Stevenson would be invited to fight for the vacant title against the next highest-ranking available IBF challenger. If Stevenson withdrew he would be excluded from the IBF's top 10 contenders for six months and the highest-ranked available contender would rep...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Unification overshadows mandatory Despite recent reports to the contrary, world super-middleweight champion Carl Froch can take up one of many options for his next bout, according to chief IBF spokesperson and friend of WBN Jeanette Salazar. The 35 year-old, who was recently named WBN Reader’s Fighter of the Year for 2012, has been constantly linked with a unification clash with WBA title holder Mikkel Kessler and more recently - a mandatory defence against Canadian Adonis Stevenson. Although speculation is rife that Froch will be forced to fight Stevenson, the IBF have assured WBN that the Nottingham fighter can pick or choose from any of the current 168lb belt holders before he has to fulfil his obligations to the organisation. “Froch will not be bypassing Stevenson,” explained Salazar, who assured WBN that ‘Superman’ remains next in line. “Despite this, Froch can fight Kessler because it would be a unification bout and unifications take prece...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Picture by Lawrence Lustig ‘Cobra’ weighs up mandatory title bout IBF super-middleweight champion Carl Froch is ready to negotiate a deal to face mandatory challenger Adonis ‘Superman’ Stevenson before the Nottingham fighter aims for a Mikkel Kessler return in the summer. The 35 year-old has just a few weeks to confirm his next step to the IBF or risk losing his belt and could give Stevenson a spring title shot, according to promoter Eddie Hearn, who spoke to WBN to confirm the news. If we can't agree terms for a unification fight with Kessler we would be happy to face our mandatory challenger in Stevenson,” Hearn told World Boxing News. Kessler is certainly first choice for Froch, who had hoped to tie up a deal for May in his hometown, although Stevenson has now emerged as a stop-gap measure for the three-time world champion as bigger fights loom on the horizon. A rematch with Lucian Bute is also a possibility for Froch long-term, but for...

Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward predicts a world title for his newest Kronk Gym-boxer, super middleweight sensation Adonis "Superman" Stevenson, who defends his International Boxing Federation ("IBF") Inter-Continental belt Saturday night in Montreal, in the 12-round main event that is also an IBF voluntary eliminator for the No. 2 position, against former NABF champion Jesus "El Martillo" Gonzales (27-1, 14 KOs). Rated in the top 15 of the four major governing bodies, as high as No. 7 by the World Boxing Association ("WBA"), the dangerous Stevenson (16-1, 13 KOs) is also the reigning North American Boxing Association ("NABA") and North American Boxing Organization ("NABO") and International Boxing Federation ("IBF") Inter-Continental super middleweight champion. After this week's action, "Superman" will quickly switch his sights to become the No. 1 rated and mandatory challenger to IBF sup...