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Category Archives: boxing
Gibbs Jr. to meet Raines January 9 in Oklahoma!
For Immediate Release
Oklahoma City, OK (November 18, 2015) – Undefeated middleweight Bo “Hands of War” Gibbs Jr. will face his toughest challenge to date when he faces Delray “The Rainmaker” Raines in a ten round bout Saturday, January 9 at the Firelake Arena in Shawnee, OK.
The card is promoted by HD Boxing and tickets will be available shortly on cpnboxoffice.com or by calling 405-273-1637.
A solid amateur who made it to the US Championships and National Golden Gloves, Gibbs Jr. has a perfect 14-0 record with seven wins by knockout. Having fought all of his bouts in Oklahoma, Gibbs Jr. brings a large crowd with him each time he enters the squared circle. So far, the 24-year-old Carney native has been dominant as a pro and he’s confident his string of success will continue against Raines.
“It’s a step up on the pro level but I had over 100 amateur fights and faced a lot of top guys. I know he’s fought a lot of good opponents but he’s never been in the ring with me. I plan to show him things he hasn’t seen before. I’m strong, young and I’m fast but most importantly I’m smart. I believe I can do it all in the ring. The fans will see what I’m about because I guarantee I’ll win on the 9th.”
A familiar face among locals, Delray Raines, 19-11-2 (14 KO’s), is undefeated in the Sooner State. Living and fighting out of Paris, AR, Raines made headlines by knocking out local contender Tracy Sneed and fighting to draws against former NABA kingpin George Tahdooahnippah and top rated Carson Jones. Never one to back down from a challenge, Raines has faced WBA junior middleweight champion Erislandy Lara, former titlist David Lemieux, Joe Greene, Tarvis Simms, Aaron Mitchell, Alfredo Angulo, Dominik Britsch and Ronald Hearns. Even with the aforementioned experience advantage, Raines believes Gibbs Jr. is a good fighter.
“I don’t knock anybody he’s faced and am not looking past him,” said Raines. “I don’t expect this to be an easy fight because he’s a big puncher and was a good amateur. I know his promoter has faith in him otherwise they wouldn’t be stepping him up. On another note, I’m originally from Oklahoma and I’d love to get more respect here for what I’ve done in the ring against the hometown fighters. On the 9th, I’m planning to continue my streak of success here by using my experience, reach and knowledge en route to victory.”
“This is a very interesting fight,” said Promoter Bobby Dobbs of HD Boxing. “Raines is a huge step up for Bo. He’s fought many of the world’s best and had three of his best performances here in Oklahoma. Bo is a very talented fighter and he’s won all of his fights handily. At the same time, he’s never face anybody with Delray’s experience. I give him a ton of credit for wanting to test himself. This is a tough fight for both guys and an evenly matched bout that fans will enjoy.”
In separate undercard bouts, female featherweight standout Nikki Burleson of Oklahoma City meets Tiffany Alexander, Shawnee’s very own Dennis Knifechief faces surging Californian Martin Morales and lightweight knockout artist Nico Venetis travels from Hamburg, Germany to face an opponent to be named.
Additional bouts will be announced shortly and for more information, go to hdboxing.net.
FORMER WORLD CHAMPION VICTOR ORTIZ PLUS RISING STARS TERRELL GAUSHA, HUGO CENTENO JR., MARIO BARRIOS & BRANDON FIGUEROA FEATURED IN SEPARATE BOUTS ON ACTION PACKED NIGHT OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ACTION ON NBCSN
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Murray believes his time has come to be crowned World Champion
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FIREFIGHTER WILL ROSINSKY SET TO REPRESENT FDNY IN SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 SHOWDOWN AGAINST JOE SMITH JR. AT BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN
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DANIEL JACOBS, YURI FOREMAN & HEATHER HARDY BROOKLYN MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS
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Frank De Alba not looking past Jesus Lule this Friday, November 20th at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia
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MIGUEL COTTO VS. CANELO ALVAREZ – WHO WILL BE VICTORIOUS ON NOVEMBER 21?
CELEBRITIES, SPORTS FIGURES AND MEDIA WRITERS MAKE THEIR PREDICTIONS FOR THE EPIC PUERTO RICO VS. MEXICO SHOWDOWN
LIVE FROM THE MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER IN LAS VEGAS AND PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED BY HBO PAY-PER-VIEW
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 17, 2015) – Buzz is building for the epic showdown set for this Saturday, November 21 when Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) and former two-time Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) will meet in the ring at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas for the Ring Magazine Middleweight World Championship.
Home to some of the greatest fighters to ever lace up the gloves, the middleweight division has long been a favorite of boxing fans because of the opportunity to watch fighters with unique skill sets and intangibles compete on the sport’s biggest stages.
As 20-time middleweight world champion Bernard Hopkins has said of the division he ruled for more than a decade, “The middleweight division has the power of the heavyweights, and the speed of the flyweights. That’s why the middleweight division will always be one of the prestigious divisions of all-time.”
In 2015, a group of middleweights are in the midst of a quest to add their own names to the aforementioned list, and beginning with the November 21 mega fight between Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto and Mexico’s Canelo Alvarez at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas; the era of the “New Kings of the Middleweight Division” is underway.
Cotto vs. Canelo is shaping up to be the biggest fight in boxing this year and the biggest fight in the history of the famed Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry. Below is what celebrities, sports figures, media writers and other fighters had to say about their picks for the outcome of Cotto vs. Canelo on Nov. 21:
Sugar Ray Leonard, Six-Time World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist:
“I like Cotto for sentimental reasons and for what he has meant to the sport and boxing fans! Canelo has developed and grown along the way and taken to school against one of the best in Mayweather. If Cotto becomes that Miguel Cotto I remember, he will win by a smart, technical and fearless decision.”
Lennox Lewis, Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist:
“I’m picking Cotto over Canelo because he has the most experience.”
George Foreman, Two-Time Heavyweight Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist:
“It will be a battle of wills as they are evenly matched. In my opinion, things will start to separate after that. Canelo Alvarez punches like a mule. Cotto just doesn’t have the heart to run; he will stand to fight after six rounds and by the ninth round he’ll most likely be KO’D by Canelo.”
Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of K2 Promotions and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin,Current Unified WBA, IBF, WBC and IBO Middleweight Champion:
“It should be a great fight between two champions and two proven warriors. The edge goes to Canelo as he is younger and physically bigger than Cotto, however you can’t count out Cotto with Freddie Roach in his corner. Tom sees it as Canelo by decision, and Gennady thinks Canelo will stop Cotto late.”
Sylvester Stallone, Academy Award Nominee Staring in “Creed”:
“One of those two guys will win for sure.”
Mario Lopez, Host of “Extra”:
“We are going for Canelo. My loyalty is to Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions. This is a big Puerto Rico and Mexican rivalry.”
Rosie Perez, Acclaimed American Actress:
“I’m sticking with my fellow Boricua. Win lose or draw, Miguel Cotto all the way!”
Kate Del Castillo, Acclaimed Mexican Actress Staring in “The 33”:
“Oh my gosh, are you kidding me? Canelo, of course! Of course!”
John David Washington, Star of HBO series “Ballers”:
“We the fans are in for a dynamic action packed fight. Should be violent and dramatic. I love Cotto because he is all heart. Canelo is a beast and more experienced now. I can’t call it. What I can predict is this will truly be a fan friendly fight and one of the most entertaining fights this year no hype needed. We will get our money’s worth.”
Bruce Buffer, Official Octagon Announcer for UFC:
“Both Cotto and Canelo possess boxing skills and styles that will make a much-anticipated war in the square ring as they will bring the fight to each other. I give the edge to Miguel Cotto and may the best man that night win.”
Claudio Sanchez, Lead Singer and Guitarist for Coheed and Cambria:
“Miguel Cotto. His experience, his new trainer Freddie Roach and he left hook to the body will be the key to beating Canelo Alvarez. Viva Puerto Rico!”
Erick Aybar, Short Stop for the Atlanta Braves:
“I like Cotto because he is a more experienced boxer, a harder puncher and is always leading the attack.”
Angie Martinez, American Radio Personality and “The Voice of New York” on Power 105.1:
“Cotto, by decision.”
Rusney Castillo, Right Fielder for the Boston Red Sox:
“I have to support our Roc Nation family member, Miguel Cotto, in his fight against Canelo Alvarez on Nov. 21. I may not be sure what round he will overcome Canelo, but I am confident that Cotto will take the night!”
Larry Merchant, Longtime Boxing Analyst and Commentator for HBO Sports:
“Old Sayings, ‘Youth must be served.’ Canelo, 25, by TKO in round 10.
Old Sayings also say, ‘Great fighters always have one great fight left in them.’ Cotto, 35, by decision.
Canelo was lulled, listless vs. Mayweather; true grit vs. Kirkland. Cotto re-dedicated and restored himself vs. so-so opposition. Therefore, I’ve got Canelo.”
Dan Rafael, ESPN.com:
“Cotto is a great fighter who will be in the Hall of Fame someday but Canelo might join him there eventually and he is 10 years younger and whole lot fresher. Boxing is usually a young man’s game so I am going with Canelo by a late knockout.”
Kevin Iole, Yahoo! Sports:
“Canelo by decision. A lot of people lost faith in Canelo after he lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather did that to a lot of fighters. Alvarez is a supremely gifted fighter who has learned a lot since that fight. He punches well with both hands and is increasingly putting his punches together well. He’s the naturally bigger man and has youth on his side. Cotto’s late-career resurgence has been fueled, in part, by less than stellar opposition. Sergio Martinez was at the end of the line when they fought. I greatly respect Cotto, and he’s going to make it a fight, but I think the bigger, younger and stronger man will win it.”
Tim Dahlberg, Associated Press:
“I think it will be a good fight early with both fighters taking some punishment. In the end, I think Alvarez will wear down Cotto and win by TKO in the 11th round.”
Lyle Fitzsimmons, CBSSports.com:
“I can’t recall a recent high-profile fight that seems like so much a 50/50 proposition going in. Cotto has the resume and the skill set. Canelo has the youth and size. In the end, I think this will be the fight in which the youngster proves that he belongs among the elites, using an advantage in energy to carry him to a narrow win in a punishing fight. Canelo by decision.”
Lance Pugmire, The Los Angeles Times:
“Canelo Alvarez’s youth and power should decide this fight.
Even if Miguel Cotto is the smarter, more tactical fighter, he is likely to be drawn into a battle where Alvarez will punish him, and it will likely happen often enough to result in a late stoppage victory. I’ll say, 11th round.”
Jeff Powell, The Daily Mail:
“Canelo by decision.
Even though Freddie Roach’s training has clearly improved Cotto, youth and strength will prevail in what is likely to be a close fight through the first seven or eight rounds with Canelo pulling away in the later stages.”
Sergio Machado, NBCDeportes.com:
“Miguel Cotto has been and still is a great boxer, actually one of the best in history. However, boxing, like pretty much everything else in life, has generational changes and this may be the time for Canelo Álvarez to take the torch and establish himself as one of the most prominent faces of the sport. Canelo represents a big problem for Cotto because of his power. In his few losses and even in some wins, Cotto has shown problems when he gets hit with power. Cotto likes to engage as well and this is something very dangerous against an opponent with prominent heavy hands. I think Canelo has a slim chance to KO Cotto in the later rounds.”
Francisco Cuevas, NBC Deportes:
“When two boxers like Canelo and Cotto meet in the ring is a great event for boxing. Cotto should win because of his experience and dedication but Canelo should also win because of his youth and power. At the end of the day the fanatics around the world will win, witnessing a true classic match between two warriors.”
Brian Campbell, ESPN.com:
“Cotto by decision.
Canelo’s advantages in size and youth are hard to ignore. But Cotto’s edge in experience will ultimately be the deciding factor. The more Cotto can use his powerful left hook to dissuade Canelo from turning the fight into a brawl, the bigger the opening will be for the Puerto Rican icon to keep it a boxing match, which plays into his favor.”
Steve Kim, UCNLive.com:
“In what I believe is a very evenly matched fight, I think youth will eventually prevail and I’m picking Saul Alvarez to edge Miguel Cotto in what will be a hard-fought contest that will see pockets of great action and swings in momentum.”
Steve Springer, Author and Former Los Angeles Times Award-Winning Sports Writer:
“Canelo by split decision.
Canelo wasn’t ready for prime time when fought Mayweather, but this is his time.
At 35, Cotto still has some fight left in him, but his age will show Saturday night.
In a tough, competitive, often brutal match, the torch will be passed.”
Robert Littal, BlackSportsOnline.com:
“I think Miguel Cotto is going to surprise some people and put a boxing lesson on Canelo. Freddie Roach is one of the best of putting a game plan together and exploiting weaknesses, I think he has seen how Canelo has problem with movement and good boxers. You are going to see a combination of excellent boxing, defense and power punching from Cotto and he will cruise to a unanimous dominate decision.”
David Avila, TheSweetScience.com:
“Before Cotto began training with Freddie Roach, I would have picked Canelo by KO. But Cotto has become a more technical and strategic fighter under Roach. Now, I consider it a deadlocked even fight. I see it ending in a draw.”
Cotto vs. Canelo, a 12-round fight for Cotto’s Ring Magazine Middleweight World Championship, takes place Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The fight is presented by Roc Nation Sports, Golden Boy Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra; Mexico, Live it to Believe it!; O’Reilly Auto Parts; Tequila Cazadores and Corporate Travel Made Simple (ctms). Also on the pay-per-view telecast will be Takashi Miura vs. Francisco Vargas in a 12-round co-featured fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship presented in association with Teiken Promotions; Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Drian Francisco in a 10-round super bantamweight bout presented in association with Caribe Promotions; and Jayson Velez vs. Ronny Rios is a 10-round featherweight bout which will open the pay-per-view telecast. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Randy Caballero vs. Lee Haskins, a 12-round fight for the IBF Bantamweight World Championship, is presented in association with Bristol Boxing Ltd. and will be featured as part of the preliminary undercards available on digital platforms starting at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT.
In addition to the great action inside the ring, the event will feature a special live performance by 2015 Latin Grammy nominee Yandel. The performance will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View after the second fight of the pay-per-view telecast.
A limited number of tickets priced at $2,000, $1,750, $1,250 and $650, not including applicable service charges, can be purchased at the Mandalay Bay box office, ticketmaster.com,mandalaybay.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000. Ticket orders are limited to four per person.
Tickets for closed circuit viewings of Cotto vs. Canelo at select MGM Resorts International properties in Las Vegas are priced at $75, not including applicable service charges, and can be purchased at all MGM Resorts International Ticket Offices, http://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000.
Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez will be presented live with Fathom Events in select theaters nationwide. Tickets for theater screenings of Cotto vs. Canelo can be purchased online by visitingwww.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations visit www.fathomevents.com/event/cotto-vs-canelo-live.
Sports bars, restaurants, casinos (outside of Clark County, NV) and other commercial establishments can order Cotto vs. Canelo by contacting Joe Hand Promotions at 1-800-557-4263 or visit www.JoeHandPromotions.com. Joe Hand Promotions is the exclusive commercial distributor for Cotto vs. Canelo throughout the United States and Canada.
For more information, visit www.rocnation.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.canelopromotions.com.mxwww.hbo.com/boxing andwww.mandalaybay.com; follow on Twitter at @RocNation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @RealMiguelCotto, @Canelo, @HBOBoxing, and @MandalayBay; become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/RocNation, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/RealMiguelACotto, www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/HBOBoxingand www.facebook.com/MandalayBay; and follow on Instagram @rocnation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @realmiguelacotto, @Canelo, @HBOboxing and @MandalayBay. Follow the conversation using #CottoCanelo.
Arthur Abraham – Martin Murray WBO Super Middleweight title bout added to Perez – Crolla This Saturday on AWE-A Wealth of Entertainment at 3 PM ET
San Diego, CA – November, 16 2015 -THIS SATURDAY!! It will be a championship doubleheader on AWE- A Wealth of Entertainment as the Arthur Abraham – Martin Murray WBO Super Middleweight title bout from Hanover, Germany has been added to the already announced broadcast featuring the rematch between WBA Lightweight champion Darleys Perez and Anthony Crolla from Manchester, England.
“I am pleased to be able to bring this fight to the American boxing fans,” said Charles Herring, President of AWE
Abraham has been a champion in Middleweight and Super Middleweight divisions for the better part of the last ten years, has a record of 43-4 with 29 knockouts.
He won the IBF Middleweight title with a 5th round stoppage over Kingsley Ikeke on December 10, 2005 and defended the title 10 times which included 7 knockouts. He then entered the Super 6 Super Middleweight tournament and knocked out former undisputed Middleweight champion Jermain Taylor in 12 rounds.
Abraham became a two-division world champion when he won a 12-round unanimous decision over Robert Stieglitz on August 25, 2012. After one successful defense, he lost the title to Stieglitz, but won it back three fights later via 12-round split decision. Abraham has defended the belt successfully three times which includes a 6th round stoppage over Stieglitz in their 4th bout on July 18.
Murray of St. Helens, England has a record of 32-2-1. He won his first 26 bouts which was highlighted by winning the Prizefighter tournament in 2008 and defeating two undefeated fighters in the process. Murray also wins over Kevin Concepcion (14-1), Sergey Khomitsky (22-5-1), Shalva Jomardashvili (26-1, Carlos Nascimento (25-2), John Anderson Carvalho (21-4-1), Nick Blackwell (8-0). He had a draw with former world champion Felix Sturm (36-2-1).
Murray won the WBA Interim Middleweight title with a 6th round stoppage over Jorge Navarro. That win facilitated Murray into a fight with WBC Middlweight champion Sergio Martinez.
The bout, which took place on April 27, 2012 in front of over 50,000 in Argentina saw Murray knock down Martinez in round eight. In round eleven, It looked like Murray dropped Martinez again but it was ruled a slip and Martinez was able to win a razor thin decision.
Murray once again challenged for the Middleweight title and was stopped in 11 rounds to WBA & Interim WBC champion Gennady Golovkin on February 21, 2015 in Monte Carlo.
Since that bout, Murray moved up to Super Middleweight and won three fights in a row, including his last outing when he stopped Jose Miguel Torres (31-6) in six rounds in five rounds on September 5th in Leeds, England.
The start time will be 3 PM ET / 12 Noon PT.
Boxing fans can enjoy this amazing card on AWE available on AT&T U-Verse, ch 147 and 1147 in HD, Verizon FiOS TV, ch 169 and 669 in HD, and numerous regional cable providers across the nation. Please check www.awetv.com for boxing updates.
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION DEFENDS AGAINST FORMER TITLEHOLDER LUCIAN BUTE SATURDAY, NOV. 28, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
Click HERE & HERE To Download Photos
Photo Credit: Frank Coppi/Matchroom Boxing
LONDON (Nov. 16, 2015) – Two days before he departs for Canada, IBF Super Middleweight World Champion James “Chunky” DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs) held an open media workout at the Stonebridge Boxing Club in London as he nears completion of a 10-plus week training camp for his title defense against former world champion and Canadian fan favorite, Lucian Bute (32-2, 25 KOs), of Montreal, on Saturday, Nov. 28, live on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT) from the Vidéotron Centre of Quebec City.
The event billed as “THE RECLAMATION” is a presentation of Vidéotron in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu.
Here’s what DeGale had to say on Monday:
JAMES DEGALE:
“I think I am the best super middleweight out there right now. There are hard fights in the division. Badou Jack is a good fighter, but I think I beat him and beat him well if I stay switched on for the full 12 rounds.
“Arthur Abraham is still a tough customer and hopefully Martin Murray can do the business. I think he will beat him, although it’s hard to win in Germany.
“I want to prove I am the best, I will go anywhere to do it and that’s why I am defending my title in Canada. All the world champions in Britain have great rivals on the doorstep, so it’s a really exciting time domestically as well for boxing in Britain right now – but I firmly believe I beat everyone in this division.
“I like boxing away from home – maybe it’s time I started being called ‘the road warrior’. I won my world title in Boston and now I am defending it in Canada against a classy opponent in Lucian Bute. I know it’s going to be a hard fight but I am ready for that. My sparring has been great, I am hitting great times on the track, I feel strong in the gym and I am just looking forward to it.
“Nothing changes under Jim McDonnell – it’s all about hard work, long runs up Hampstead Heath, 15 round sparring sessions, five minute rounds in the gym – I’m always in great shape. We haven’t changed anything really. If anything, we’ve had to just adjust the mindset and train like a challenger even though I am the champion. That’s the way you have to think.
“I feel fresh, sharp and ready. I travel on Wednesday and I am raring to go. I just can’t wait to get in there now. I wanted to get out there a good 10 days early to acclimate to the weather and the time. Once I am there, I feel even more switched on.”
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In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Nov. 28 co-feature, undefeated Eleider Alvarez (18-0, 10 KOs) meets Isaac Chilemba (24-2-2, 10 KOs) in a 12-round WBC Light Heavyweight Title Eliminatorn. The winner becomes the mandatory challenger to WBC 175-pound champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson.
Preceding the SHOWTIME telecast will be fights on SHOWTIME EXTREME(9 p.m. ET/PT): Undefeated, world-ranked Amir Imam (18-0, 15 KOs) facesAdrian Granados (14-3-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight match, unbeaten Oscar Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs) collides with Curtis Harper (12-4, 8 KOs) in a 10-round heavyweight scrap and, time permitting, Custio Clayton(4-0, 3 KOs) will be opposed by Ivan Pereyra (19-5, 13 KOs) in a four-/six-round welterweight bout.
Tickets are on sale at the Vidéotron Centre box office, onwww.ticketmaster.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.
@butelucian, @jamesdegale1, @yvonmichelGYM, @interboxca,@stormalvarez, @SHOsports,