Month: October 2014

Story & photos by John DiSanto – PhillyBoxingHistory.com

Bernard Hopkins held court with the media today at an open workout at the Joe Hand Boxing Gym in Philadelphia. The event was in advance of Hopkins’ highly anticipated light heavyweight title bout with Sergey Kovalev, scheduled for November 8th. At the workout to help publicize the fight was promoter Oscar De La Hoya, founder of Golden Boy Promotions. Hopkins and De La Hoya answered questions and Hopkins conducted a light workout.

Oscar de la Hoya: “Kovalev has never fought an athlete like Hopkins. So the question is, ‘How is he going to react when they hit the 4th, 5th, 6th round?’ It will be very interesting, but obviously we’re with Hopkins 100%. Hopkins is fighting with no pressure. He is already in the Hall of Fame when he retires. He’s already going to be talked about as one of the greats in any generation. So he doesn’t have that added pressure to prove himself at this point in his career.”

Bernard Hopkins: “He a dangerous puncher. He has over 90% knockouts. And anybody who fights this guy has the opportunity to not be the same. But I don’t get caught up in what the other guy might or can do. I train. I study. I know me. There’s no fighter in the world that would not put my record up to beat on any given day in this era, in any class. And that’s how I feel. That’s not being cocky. That’s being confident. To be confident you have to have a track record and put that work in to be taken seriously. You can talk about it, but to be about it, is whole different concept.”

Rances Barthelemy defended his IBF junior lightweight world championship against Fernando David Saucedo with a dominating unanimous decision, scored 120-108 by all three judges, Saturday night at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. Barthelemy (21-0, 12 KOs) controlled the bout from the opening bell and was the more active and accurate fighter, throwing 819 punches to Saucedo’s 382. Saucedo (52-6-3, 8, KOs) tried to counter, but he wasn’t quick enough to land anything meaningful against the elusive Cuban. Barthelemy, who landed 50 percent of his power shots, employed a diverse attack of uppercuts, hooks and jabs and fought with his hands down and by his side for most of the fight.

“It was a good fight,” Barthelemy said. “Saucedo is a veteran guy. In one moment, I thought I was going to knock him out, but he knows how to make the fight last. I want Mikey Garcia. They say he’s the best. I say I’m the best. Let’s settle it.”

Saucedo didn’t win a single round and was outclassed in his United States debut. “I did everything I could,” Saucedo said. “We gave it our all but he is just a stronger and bigger guy. He’s a very good fighter, but he’s too big for this weight division.”

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Both IBF Middleweight Champion Sam Soliman and challenger Jermain Taylor were respectful to each other and thankful to their teams during a press conference/weigh-in held at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, in Biloxi, Mississippi, in advance of tomorrow (Wednesday, October 8) night’s championship fight. Soliman and Taylor are headlining a mammoth 14-fight card that also features Andre Dirrell and a host of up-and-coming prospects and proven contenders. ESPN Wednesday Night Fights will broadcast the two main events and a four-rounder between Ahmed Elbiale and Dakota Dawson live.

Sam Soliman 160 vs. Jermain Taylor 159.8
(IBF World Middleweight Championship)

André Dirrell 169 vs. Nick Brinson 168.8
Ahmed Elbiale 174.6 vs. Dakota Dawson 171.6
Carlos Velásquez 131.6 vs. Jean Javier Sotelo 131.4
Steve Lovett 176 vs. Ricardo Campillo 177
Phillip Jackson Benson 172.2 vs. Michael Gbenga 173.6
Joey Hernández 162 vs. Jose Miguel Rodríguez 157.6
Mario Barrios 125.4 vs. Abraham Rubio 127
Walter Castillo 142 vs. Shad Howard NA
Justin DeLoach 156.2 vs. Joshua Snyder 155
Gervonta Davis 126.8 vs. German Meraz 125
BJ Flores 203.8 vs. Kevin Engel 190.8
Regis Prograis 142.2 vs. Mario Hermosillo 142.2
Erick Bone 142.6 vs. Peter Oluoch 144

Venue: Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, in Biloxi, Mississippi
Promoters: DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing, in association with Soliman Stanley Promotions
TV: ESPN Wednesday Night Fights (9 pm EST/8 pm CT)
Tickets: priced at $89.95, $69.95, $49.95 and $29.95, plus tax and service charges, and can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office, or through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 5:00 pm, with the first bout scheduled for 5:30 pm.

Two-time cruiserweight world champion and current top-10 heavyweight contender Steve “USS” Cunningham and his family would like to thank the boxing community for the contributions to the Kennedy Cunningham Fundraiser on www.heartbyfaith.com. Kennedy Cunnungham is the 9 year-old daughter of Steve & Livvy Cunningham and is awaiting a life-saving heart transplant surgery. The fundraiser was set up this summer with the proceeds going to out of pocket expenses for the Cunningham’s which included finding a new home close to the hospital for the potential surgery in Pittsburgh. Within the two months, the goal of $25,000 was reached with most of the donations coming from members of the boxing industry.

“We are humbled and grateful for what everyone has done to pitch in,” said Steve Cunningham. “These donations came from all over the world from promoters, managers, television people, fighters and everyone else.”

Said Livvy Cunningham, “We are truly touched by the outpouring of help from everybody. Because of the contributions from everybody, We are as comfortable as we can be in this situation and we found a place minutes away from the hospital. It truly shows that when people get together, they can make a huge difference in people’s lives.”

Steve “USS” Cunningham returns to the ring on Saturday, October 18 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia when he takes on undefeated Natu Visinia in a 10-round heavyweight bout that will headline a card on NBC Sports Net

IBF middleweight world champion “King” Sam Soliman is wrapping up his training in New York City this week in preparation for his title defense against former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor set for Wednesday, October 8th from the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.

“I’ve trained in New York City numerous times, I love it here, there’s an electricity and energy that can’t be matched” said the Australian native. “The fans and boxing community have always been very welcoming to me.”

“I’ve got one more sparring session today and then we’re leaving for Biloxi on Friday for the fight.”

In camp over the last ten days in New York City with Soliman have been two undefeated prospects.

“I like utilizing undefeated prospects for sparring, they’ve always brought out the best in me.”

“Along with two here I had three undefeated fighters working with me in Australia which brought the total records of the five fighters to 63-0-0 (42KO’s)” said Soliman. “I like sparring with prospects that have the will and desire that only an undefeated fighter can have.”

In regards to his title defense against Taylor, 32-4-0 (20KO’s), Soliman stated, “I’m preparing for the best Jermain Taylor. I would never underestimate anyone and I believe he is still a world class fighter.”

Soliman, 44-11-0 (18KO’s) will break camp in New York City on Friday and head to Biloxi, Mississippi for the challenge from Taylor. “No problem at all for me at 160, I can’t remember being above 170 in the last 15 years.”

At the age of 40, Soliman won his first world title by defeating Felix Sturm on May 31, 2014, in the champions’ homeland of Germany.

IBF World Jr. Bantamweight Champion Zolani Tete has suffered a broken hand and has withdrawn from his title defence against challenger Paul Butler on Saturday 25 October at the Liverpool Echo Arena, but the Ellesmere Port star will still feature on the show.

The South African has broken the 2nd metacarpal in his left hand and a letter from his doctor Peter Chadderton (click here) confirms that he will not be able to fight.

The fight is contracted to take place between Tete and Butler and the rescheduled date will be announced shortly.

However, the Ellesmere Port ace will still headline the Magnificent Seven title-packed show that also features Liam Smith challenging for the vacant IBF Intercontinental Light-Middleweight title against an opponent to be announced.

Derry Mathews and Adam Dingsdale will also contest for the vacant WBA Continental Lightweight title.

Tom Stalker and Jack Catterall will go for the vacant WBO European Light-Welterweight Championship.

Kevin Satchell will challenge for the European Flyweight title against champion Valery Yanchy.

Whilst disappointed that he’ll have to wait a little longer for his record-breaking world title opportunity, Butler – who defeated IBF World Bantamweight champion Stuart Hall in June to win his first world title – is still upbeat that he’s fighting on the show and he’ll face Tete shortly.

Butler said, “From the high of winning the world title against Stuart Hall in June, it was devastating news to receive that Tete had broken his hand. My team are all gutted after the work everyone has put in for this fight.

“On a positive note, the fight against Tete is contracted to happen and I look forward to getting the new date. I know that I will just have to wait a little longer to get my hands on a second world title. I’ll still be on the Echo Arena show, so the training hasn’t gone to waste and I can put on a top performance before facing Tete.”

Tete said, “It is with deep regret that I must pull out of this much anticipated fight with Paul. I have selected to take the advice from my medical team because I am in terrible pain from the broken bone. Therefore I will not be able to fight on the scheduled date. For this I sincerely apologise and thank you for your understanding.”

Promoter Frank Warren said, “It’s very disappointing for all involved, especially for Paul, who has put everything into this world title challenge against Tete.

“Unfortunately hand injuries are part of this business, but it doesn’t make it any easier when it happens. We’ll announce a new date for his fight with Tete shorty, but in the meantime he will still fight on the show so at least he will keep active and get some more rounds in before facing Tete. It’s a fantastic show with Liverpool’s top talents Liam Smith, Derry Mathews, Tom Stalker and Kevin Satchell all in title fights.”

 

By Karl Freitag

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum today announced a second world title fight on the November 29 Crawford-Beltran card at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska. IBF featherweight world champion Evgeny “The Russian Mexican” Gradovich (19-0, 9 KOs) will defend against #12 rated Jayson “Maravilla” Velez (22-0, 16 KOs) in an attractive battle of unbeaten fighters.

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