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Tag Archives: IBF
WBA Interim Champ Zhakiyanov and Camp Respond to ‘Blatantly False’ Rumors Being Spread by Super Flyweight Contender Zolani Tete
Interim WBA World Bantamweight Champion Zhanat “ZZ” Zhakiyanov (26-1, 18 KOs) and his representatives are now forced to respond to the deliberate falsehoods being distributed by the team around South African super flyweight Zolani Tete. Zhakiyanov of Petropavl, Kazakhstan, is a proud warrior, who has been willing to face anyone from the start of his career. Which is what makes the blatantly false and intentionally misleading allegations by Tete’s camp so infuriating.
Tete and his manager, Mla Tengimfene, have been feeding the media a fictional story that Zhakiyanov recently backed out of a purported fight between the two, supposedly scheduled for June 4 at Echo Arena in Liverpool.
One problem.
Zhakiyanov and his people were never even contacted about such a fight. It never existed.
“I have never heard from anyone about this fight,” said Zhakiyanov. “They are saying I can’t make the weight and that’s why I can’t fight him. I was never supposed to fight him! He and his people are telling stories.”
Zhakiyanov’s manager, Philippe Fondu, wonders why the media would even believe such a fight ever existed when a quick check of the WBA rule book would have eliminated all talk of such a match-up.
“There were some unfounded rumors on the net about Zhanat defending against Tete a while ago, but having never received any concrete proposal from anyone, including his new promoter Frank Warren, I never paid any specific attention to these rumors. But let’s be honest here. Zhanat Zhakiyanov is the reigning interim WBA Bantamweight champion and Tete is actually boxing for other world organizations (IBF and/or WBO). Furthermore, Tete is rated #9 in the WBA super-flyweight division (115 lb.). Such a contest could obviously not even be considered, as a WBA Interim 118-lb. champion can only defend his title against a WBA top-15 rated boxer in the 118 lb. division.”
Fondu also says that Zhakiyanov, promoted by Hatton Promotions, is fully capable of making the 118-lb weight limit and welcomes any and all viable fight proposals approvable by the WBA.
“I have been in boxing many years and I understand using the media to get a fighter’s name in print,” continued Fondu, “but they are using the name of a champion and proud representative of his home country of Kazakhstan to do it and it’s not right. Hopefully the media will get more responsible about checking the facts in the future.”
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WBO European Super Featherweight champion Evgeny Chuprakov defends title against undefeated Sebastian Tlatlik this Friday in Ekaterinburg, Russia
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WBO Champion Amanda Serrano calls out IBF Champion Jennifer Han for a world title unification bout
On April 22, 2016, history was made in Puerto Rico’s professional boxing, when a female boxing match was the featured bout of the evening, held in the city of Trujillo Alto, where the four-time world champion in three divisions, Amanda ‘The Real Deal’ Serrano ( 28-1-1, 21 KO’s ) defeated the number 6th ranked, Edina ‘DNA’ Kiss of Budapest, Hungary by TKO in the fourth round.
Just a week later, IBF featherweight world champion, Jennifer Han of El Paso, Texas, was also in a main event match in front of her people from El Paso, and defeated Colombian, Calixta Silgado via unanimous decision in a ten round fight.
“I think the timing is perfect!” Amanda Serrano said, “We both come from recent fights, both of us scored victories and are uninjured and in great condition. Women’s boxing and our fans deserve to see who is the best featherweight in a unification bout”.
Han ( 14-3-1, 1 KO’s ) has fought her last four fights in her hometown of El Paso, Texas.
“It’s funny because a few weeks ago I had my first fight in Puerto Rico, and have fought in the United States, Switzerland, Argentina and Dominican Republic. True Champions often leave their comfort zone to prove they are the real deal in boxing. I’m always ready,” said Serrano, who is the current WBO featherweight World Champion.
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz Ordered to Begin Negotiating Guzman vs. Wake Fight for Vacant IBF Super Bantamweight Title
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Sampson Boxing Fighters Score Four Impressive KOs in One Weekend
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz has been given the go-ahead to begin negotiating a world-title fight between his fighter, explosive KO punching Dominican Jonathan Guzman, and the promoters for Japan’s Shingo Wake.
As per their rules for vacant championships, Lewkowicz, representing Guzman, the IBF #2 super bantamweight, and Kyoei Promotions representing IBF #1 Wake were ordered to begin negotiations immediately and have them completed no later than June 2 of this year.
Guzman (21-0, 21 KOs) is hot on the heels of a sensational eight-round stoppage victory over Daniel Rosas last Friday, April 29, in Atlantic City, in a voluntary eliminator for the #2 spot in the ratings.
Wake (20-4-2, 12 KOs) earned his number one spot by scoring a unanimous decision victory over Thailand’s Mike Tawatchai last June.
Also per IBF rules neither boxer may compete in another match until they face each other.
“Any boxer who is contracted with a promoter, a network, or a state, tribal or national commission to take another fight, or who is ill, injured, under a legal impediment which could prevent the bout from taking place in the opinion of the IBF/USBA, or on suspension at the time the Championships Chairman and the President order a bout under this rule shall be considered unavailable. We would then move to the next available contender. Neither fighter can take another fight until this fight for the vacant title is concluded.”
In the event the camps cannot reach an agreement by June 2, the IBF will call for purse offers to be held to determine who will promote the bout, when and where it will be held.
The Guzman vs. Wake fight is more good news for Sampson Boxing, who had four different fighters score sensational victories over the weekend.
In addition to the aforementioned Guzman TKO, Sampson Boxing’s Jorge “Pilon” Lara scored a jaw-dropping KO 1 over former world champion Fernando Montiel at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, on Saturday. Lara had the formidable Montiel on the deck four times in a brutal beatdown that only lasted 1:37.
The same night in the same venue, future world champion and boxing prodigy David “El Bandera Roja/Red Flag” Benavidez destroyed capable New Yorker Phillip Jackson Benson by KO 2. Benavidez, now 14-0, 13 KOs, had way too much firepower for Jackson, who entered the ring a respectable 16-2, 15 KOs. The end came at 2:07 with Jackson down and ruled unable to continue without a count being needed. A star on the near horizon in boxing, high network demand means that Benavidez will be back in action in July.
And in his professional debut on Friday night, on the Guzman undercard in Atlantic City, highly decorated amateur star Abraham “Super” Nova turned professional the right way by levelling Delaware’s also debuting Weusi Johnson by KO 1.
Nova, of Braintree, Massachusetts, began his professional career undefeated by putting Weusi to sleep at 2:56 of the first.
“I am looking forward to getting my superstar KO artist Jonathan Guzman his first title shot later this year,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “And I give my congratulations to all my other fighters who won by knockout this past weekend. Jorge Lara is back in a big way and headed for a world championship after beating Montiel. David Benavidez is going to become the youngest Mexican super middleweight champion in boxing history and Abraham Nova let the world know he’s here with his power punching. I am proud to be promoting every one of these fighters.”
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ANTHONY JOSHUA KNOCKS OUT CHARLES MARTIN TO WIN IBF HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME®FROM THE O2 IN LONDON
Encore Presentation of SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL®Airs Monday At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: http://s.sho.com/1S9DGSs
Click Here For Photos; Credit Matchroom Sport
LONDON (April 9, 2016) – Anthony Joshua is the new IBF Heavyweight Champion of the World.
The undefeated knockout artist blasted defending champion Charles Martin in the second round to capture the IBF belt on Saturday in front of a rousing hometown crowd at The O2 in London on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL.
Joshua, who kept his perfect KO record in tact to advance to 16-0 with 16 KOs, earned a heavyweight belt in the fewest number of fights since Michael Bentt beat Tommy Morrison in just his 12th pro match in 1993.
Joshua’s one-punch KO power was evident early. After an even first, the 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist floored Martin with a straight right less than one minute into the second round. The southpaw looked stunned and slowly rose to beat the count, but was floored again with another right hand just seconds later. That was it for Martin (23-1-1, 21 KOs), who had won the belt in January under bizarre circumstances and now owns the second shortest reign for a heavyweight champion.
“I’m only one-quarter of the way there,” said Joshua., who has expressed his desire to unify the heavyweight division. “I’m not going to get too carried away because we still have work to do. We have (David) Haye calling me out, Tyson Fury calling me out. I need to keep on pushing if I’m going to maintain at a high level.
CHARLES MARTIN vs. ANTHONY JOSHUA OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PHOTOS FOR IBF HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP THISSATURDAY, APRIL 9, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® Live At 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT
From The O2 In London
Click HERE To Download Photos; Credit: Matchroom Sport
IBF Heavyweight World Championship – 12 Rounds
Charles Martin – 245 Pounds
Anthony Joshua – 244 Pounds
IBF Featherweight World Championship – 12 Rounds
Lee Selby – 125 Pounds
Eric Hunter – 125 ¼ Pounds
NOTE: Highlight coverage of Selby vs. Hunter will air on this Saturday’sSHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® telecast, preceding the live presentation of the IBF Heavyweight World Championship between unbeaten American titlist Charles Martin and fellow unbeaten British Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Joshua. Martin vs. Joshua airs live on SHOWTIME® at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.
CHARLES MARTIN vs. ANTHONY JOSHUA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 9, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
“I’m always here to prove the doubters wrong. When you doubt me, that just fuels my fire.” – Charles Martin
“I’ll probably go out and try to take his head off.” – Anthony Joshua
Click HERE To Download Photos; Credit: Matchroom Sport
LONDON (April 7, 2016) – IBF Heavyweight World Champion Charles Martin and unbeaten British Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Joshua faced off at the final press conference on Thursday at Four Seasons Hotel in London as they near Saturday’s heavyweight showdown, live on SHOWTIME from The O2.
The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® telecast begins live at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT on SHOWTIME. An encore presentation will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Here’s what Martin and Joshua had to say at Thursday’s final press conference.
CHARLES MARTIN:
“I don’t consider this a risk. The O2 Arena, that’s my arena. I’m comfortable everywhere I go. When eyes are on me, I’m going to perform.
“I know how to move my head and be evasive. Real true analysts see the things I do. They can tell.
“I’m always here to prove the doubters wrong. When you doubt me, that just fuels my fire.
“We’re going to keep the tide rolling. We’re rolling.”
ANTHONY JOSHUA:
“They know when it comes to these big heavy-hitters we don’t play games. We’re here to go to war. We’ve just got two generals in the ring and the best army wins.
“You know what I’m like, I’m a fighter. I’m not going to go in there and dance around and try to evade punches. I’m going to walk through two to give him five. That’s just how it goes, I’m coming for him.
“I’m here to box, but at the same time I know I’m ready to swim through deep waters to get it. It’s not going to be easy, I know that for a fact, no fight is easy. That’s why I said to you I will box and hopefully it will be an easy night.
“It most definitely is a risk, but at the same time let’s scrap all this 15-fight, 16-fight nonsense and let’s put men in the ring together who want it. Whoever wants it comes out on top and it’s simple as that.”
When asked if he can control his emotions: “Probably not. I’ll probably go out and try to take his head off.”
Additional Fight Week Quotes (free to use):
CHARLES MARTIN:
“I don’t know how the fans will react to me knocking him out, but that’s what is going to happen. I don’t know how the fans in London will react, but I can only be myself.
“I’m world champion, but a lot of people don’t know me. After I knock him out we’ll see where that goes.
“I’m not going to go in there respecting anybody’s power. He’s going to have to respect me and my power and deal with me and my tools. I don’t care what he’s bringing to the table.
“This is my livelihood and I get real emotional with this. If you don’t take emotion into it then how are you even going to win? I’ve got to walk my own path. When I get emotional ahead of a big fight like this, I feel that I cannot be stopped. Even if I have doubt, I always have that.
“I don’t think about where he’s been. All I care about is where he’s going. I don’t care if he’s been in deep water before, or how many rounds he’s been. I want him to remember the word ‘timber’ because I’m going to make his ass hit that canvas real hard.
“This belt is mine. He’s trying to take what’s mine, take something from me. He’s trying to steal food out of my mouth, out of my kids’ mouth, out of my family’s mouth. This is my livelihood.
“I don’t want to let this go: this is never going to end. I want to be known as the greatest southpaw heavyweight that ever put on a set of gloves.
“When I get to this point now, I can’t be stopped. I’m like Lamon Brewster versus Wladimir Klitschko when he unloaded all those shots until he couldn’t throw anymore punches. And then what did Lamon Brewster do? Knock him the (expletive) out. Just that will to win, man. You can throw whatever you want, but I’ll walk through fire to get you.
“It’s controlled aggression, though, because if it’s not, you’ll run into everything they throw at you. I go in there with my antennas to the ceiling and I won’t take my eyes off him until the job is done.
“Everything is just cooking in the kitchen like I am a master chef, and all of the ingredients put together make it perfect.
“Life is all about taking risks but I don’t consider this a risk because I’m confident in what I do. It’s all about just taking that first step. You’ve got to walk out on your own and you’ve got to believe in yourself. If I didn’t believe in myself I wouldn’t have made it this far. If I didn’t believe in myself I wouldn’t be Prince Charles Martin.
“The belt is absolutely in the right hands. I didn’t want to win it the way I did – that was just crazy – I don’t even really like talking about it because it wasn’t my fault. Afterwards, he walked out of the venue – he didn’t limp or get carried out, he walked. If that was me I’d have fought on and gone out on my shield. You’d have to knock me out no matter what. I don’t care if I break my hand, if I break my jaw, I am not stopping.”
ANTHONY JOSHUA:
“I believe I am ready to win the world title. A lot of people have said that this might be too soon for me, that I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, but right now my knuckles are itchy and I just want to get in there and show the world what I can do.
“When my promoter Eddie Hearn called me up and said ‘do you want to fight Charles Martin for the world heavyweight title?’ I just said: ‘Let’s roll’.
“Opportunity knocks and you have to open the door. I have trained and prepared correctly and am ready for this. There’s no turning back. I just embrace it.
“We saw the opportunity when Martin called me out. I was like, ‘OK Mr. IBF calling me out.’ The IBF champ calling out the British champ. I’ve got the heavyweight champion of the world calling me out saying he wants to fight me. I say cool. Let’s rock and roll.
“At the end of the day, let’s strip away the heavyweight title and let’s look at the opponent I’m facing. Charles Martin is a southpaw who can box and who can punch a bit.
“Facing a southpaw always comes with different angles and different tricks. I can’t go in recklessly because you can easily get counter punched. That’s why sparring is important and having a successful camp is important. I know I’ve done all I can to prepare myself for him.
“Let’s welcome Charles into the Lion’s den. He’s coming to The O2 – this is my stomping ground. When I fight here it’s electric and it’s going to be an amazing atmosphere, the best yet. It’s going to be interesting to see how he handles it. What a night it will be if I can lift that belt above my head.
“Sometimes you got to put talent to one side and dig deep. This is the fight game; you got to prove to yourself that when tactics aren’t working, you’ve got to dig a bit deeper, go to war and find a way to win. That’s what I thought when I fought Dillian (Whyte). Certain things weren’t working, I was rushing a bit, I wasn’t in my comfort zone, but I dug deep I found a way to win and I ended the night in a spectacular knockout.
“After I do the business with Martin, a fight with (Tyson) Fury is 10 or 12 months away — providing he handles his business in (Wladimir) Klitschko rematch.
“I find Fury a bit irritating to be honest. All his antics work for him, I suppose, but I can’t wait to fight him. He’s had plenty to say about me, and it’s coming from the same guy that was singing my praises when I sparred with him when I was a complete novice.
“As time goes on, it’s going to get worse for the others because my confidence will grow, I’ll train, learn and take it into the ring.
“David Haye? Bring it on. My heart tells me I am ready. I am at championship level now. After I get Martin out of the way, David is a massive name and when we’re ready to get it on it will be a huge fight.”
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ANTHONY JOSHUA KNOCKOUT VIDEO COMPILATION
Undefeated heavyweight contender Anthony Joshua has 15 knockouts in his 15 professional fights. Check out this video compilation from SHOWTIME Sports showcasing all of Joshua’s KOs. And tune in this Saturday to watch the 2012 British Olympic Gold Medalist challenge undefeated American titlist Charles Martin for the IBF Heavyweight World Championship, live on SHOWTIME at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT from The O2 in London.
Eric Hunter in London, Ready to Take Selby’s IBF Featherweight Title This Saturday
Upcoming world title challenger Eric “The Outlaw’ Hunter is in London and feeling more motivated now than ever to take the title away from Welsh champion Lee Selby.
A proud Philadelphia fighter, Hunter (21-3, 11 KOs) will face Selby (22-1, 8 KOs) in a 12-round battle this Saturday, April 9, for Selby’s IBF World Featherweight Championship at The O2 in London. The bout will serve as the featured fight before undefeated IBF Heavyweight World Champion Charles Martin defends his belt against fellow unbeaten Anthony Joshua. Extensive highlights of Hunter vs. Selby will be shown on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL®, prior to live coverage of Martin-Joshua (LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT).
“I wasn’t invited to the open workout yesterday,” said Hunter. “They had an open workout for Selby and didn’t have one for me. I’m kind of irritated about that. It’s not even fair to the fans, you know? I’m sure that a lot of fans wanted to see who their man is fighting. I have no choice but to use it as fuel for even more motivation.”
The 29-year-old Hunter, in Europe for the first time, says he doesn’t mind travelling to win this championship. In fact, despite being an underdog via the odds makers, Hunter says his victory won’t be an upset. “I won’t call it an upset when I win. I’m the better fighter. And it doesn’t bother me to come here. All the great ones had to do it. I want to be great, so I have to do this. As long as they don’t cheat me with the judges, I’m ok.”
Hunter says his victory will be the culmination of his lifelong dream. “It would mean everything. It would right my wrongs. All those who doubted me. All my failures and letdowns on the way here. It will turn all my negatives into positives.”
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