World Boxing News 2010-2013

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 ‘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.

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Augustus fails pre-fight medical Experienced light-welterweight Steve Forbes (35-10, 11 KO’s) has once again witnessed a return fight collapse after almost a year out the ring following his defeat to Karim Mayfield last June. The likeable former Contender star, who once ruled as IBF super-featherweight champion, was due to fight wiley campaigner Emanuel Augustus tonight, only for his opponent to fail the necessary medial checks to see the bout go ahead. It adds more frustration to Forbes’ disappointment of seeing a multi-fight deal in England fall through earlier this year and ‘2 Pound’ is hoping to re-schedule another contest before the end of the month. “My fight is not happening. My opponent had a medical issue. Hopefully I will be fighting one week from Friday instead. I just found out the news,” stated Forbes.

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Former champ leaves Detroit Experienced campaigner Steve ‘2 Pound’ Forbes is training with Freddie Roach at the Wildcard Gym as he heads towards a ring return following the collapse of his move to the UK. The 35 year-old, who captured the  IBF upper-featherweight title in 2000, is currently fighting at what he says is his natural weight of 140lbs and will tackle Emanuel Augustus on April 12 in a warm-up before his fights for a fringe world title. The 45-fight veteran was pencilled in for a two-fight stint in England starting in January, but the deal fell through at the last minute and Forbes felt a complete change was needed from his old haunt in Detroit at The Kronk. “I’m at the wild card gym and loving it,” Forbes told World Boxing News. “I have been getting great work in there with world title challenger Jorge Linares and welterweight world title holder Sergiy Fedechenko.” “Freddie Roach is not my trainer officially, but ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Hell ‘Raza’ fatally struck earlier today Boxer Jeff Fraza was struck by a train earlier today and killed at the age of just 34. The Massachusetts-native was fatally hit by an MBTA train on the tracks at 1.30am which was travelling at 35mph and early reports indicate that the light-middleweight fighter was on his cell phone at the time of the collision. Police are now beginning an investigation into the reason why the slain boxer was on the tracks in the first place, which happened close to Fraza’s home in Haverhill. Fraza was part of the original series of ‘The Contender’ but was diagnosed with Chicken Pox before he was able to fight and returned for the second series alongside current and former world champions Cornelius Bundrage and Steve Forbes, losing in the first round to Nick Acevedo. That fight was also the last time Fraza stepped through the ropes for a professional boxing match. His professional record was 17-3 with 10 stoppages...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Former world champion will continue training With his British fight debut in tatters, one-time IBF super-featherweight champion Steve ‘2 Pound’ Forbes has spoken to World Boxing News to express his disappointment that the fight in Liverpool will no longer take place. The 34 year-old American was due to face Ryan Barrett over eight rounds at the welterweight limit on January 20 th until the bout was pulled from the show and Forbes now plans to stay in the gym until a fight opportunity arises. “I don't know what happened to be honest,” Forbes told World Boxing News. “I know the beautiful, loyal UK boxing fans (whom I think are the greatest fans by the way) we're buying up tickets to see old Forbsie lace them up again and show some good boxing skills. “I'm okay with it (the cancellation). Stranger things in boxing and my career have happened. “I will continue to train here at the Kronk Gym in Detroit where this gym is know...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘2 Pound’ set to miss January show Former world champion Steve Forbes will no longer make his eagerly-awaited British fight debut against Ryan Barrett after the bout was removed from the show with no official reason given yet as to why. Organiser Stephen Jones, who started a Facebook campaign to bring Forbes to the UK, made the announcement in the past hour and WBN is now in the process of investigating the situation and will have more in the coming hours. Forbes, 34, was due to fight Barrett on January 20 th on the undercard of Derry Mathews’ IBO lightweight title challenge against undefeated Italian Emiliano Marsili at the Liverpool Olympia and had reportedly inked a three-fight deal with promoter Stephen Vaughan. It is unclear whether the removal of the bout is just a postponement or if the American has cancelled all plans to fight in Britain and as soon as we know we will bring you more on this breaking story. .

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Forbes returns against Romanian Ion in Canada Former super-featherweight world champion Steve “2pound” Forbes climbs back between the ropes next month as he takes on Romanian southpaw Ionut 'Jo Jo' Dan at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Forbes, 33, is on the back of a two round blow-out win against 55-loss Roberto Valenzuela in December and steps up in class against Ion, who was on the verge on a world title shot, when suffered his only career loss in 28 against Selcuk Aydin last June. The 29 year-old has since returned with a four-round KO win over Argentine Andres Pablo Villafane in October and returns to the same venue to take on former US Contender series finalist Forbes (35-8-0). Oregon-born Forbes has been in indifferent form in the past four years, since losing that Contender final via split decision against an aging Grady Brewer, which many people believe should have gone Steve's way. Forbes has lost five of his last eight, but ...