World Boxing News 2010-2013

Nick Giongco Picture by Stacey Verbeek Manny Pacquiao’s much-awaited comeback fight in April is starting to take shape.  Two possible opponents have been named and the fight could either take place April 13 or the week after. As of the moment, former World Boxing Association welterweight champion Vyacheslav Senchenko of Ukraine and undefeated Jessie Vargas of the US are being eyed to serve as foes for Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. On Friday, Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz revealed that they’re looking at staging the fight in Dubai, Singapore or Macau, marking the first time since July 2006 that the Filipino icon is strutting his stuff outside the US. Mexican promoter Fernando Beltran is currently holding talks with Marquez in Mexico City, discussing his rosy future in the event he decides to resume fighting. A Bulletin contact in Mexico said the 34-year-old Pacquiao is interested in taking the April 13 date, leaving Marquez with no choice but to go with April 20 ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Ukrainian stops ‘Hitman’ with body shot Former WBA welterweight champion Vyacheslav Senchenko is on course for another shot at a world title after taking out a fading Ricky Hatton in nine rounds at the Manchester Arena. The 35 year-old recovered from a slow start to gain a foothold in the fight from the fourth round as a ring-rusty Hatton felt the pace following a three and a half year absence from the ring. Hatton, 34, was greeted by an adoring capacity crowd in his home town as he entered to his usual ‘Blue Moon’ theme tune, although the occasion proved too much for the Briton after a promising start. The ‘Hitman’ showed glimpses of his old self in the first two rounds and looked to have worked out Senchenko’s awkward style early on, but ultimately ran out of steam in the second half of the fight, leading to his tactics going out of the window. Senchenko was catching Hatton as he came in time and again from the fifth round as the t...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Hitman’ hits crossroads against former champ Senchenko Former four-time world champion Ricky Hatton will know later tonight whether the last six months of painstaking weight-loss and training have been worth it as he meets dangerous Ukrainian Vyacheslav Senchenko in Manchester. The 34 year-old, who announced his retirement in 2009 following a crushing loss to Manny Pacquiao, is hoping to rid himself of some heavy baggage on the back of that KO, baggage that led to him spiralling into depression and abusing his body whilst away from boxing. The ‘Hitman’ made the decision to give boxing another go in the summer and has since lost five stone (70lbs) as he attempts to get back into the world title mix at welterweight against one-time WBA title holder Senchenko. Donetsk-based Senchenko, 35, only experienced his first defeat last April when toppled by Hatton-rival Paulie Malignaggi after suffering a bad eye injury and will be intent on deraili...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Magic Man’ compelled to backtrack on promise to followers Former light-welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi has been forced to cancel plans to tweet during his next fight as the American is now pencilled in to fight for a world title on April 29 in Ukraine. The 31 year-old, who has fought some of the world’s top fighters in his ten-year career, had promised his 20,000+ followers on the social networking site that he would send a Tweet during his next bout, only to admit defeat in his tongue-in-cheek quest as he fights the unbeaten Vyacheslav Senchenko for the WBA welterweight belt. “I promised my fans I would tweet during my next fight. Not sure I am going to do that. This fight is serious. I gotta be focused,” stated Malignaggi via his usual method. The New Yorker then jokingly added: “Not only is this fight serious, but also the Ukraine doesn't have my 4g network. My tweet game would be slow,” he laughed. Senchenko, 34, is undef...