Tag Archives: WBA

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WBC PURSE BID FOR STEVENSON/KOVALEV  APRIL 17th IN MEXICO CITY

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MONTREAL (March 27, 2015) – The concretization of the The Ring, WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO light heavyweight unification fight between Adonis “Superman” Stevenson and Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev has taken another important step. The World Boxing Council (WBC) has ordered a purse bid to take place April 17 in order to determine the promoter of this major event.

 

Initially requested by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) to insure the required time to prepare for a major event like this super fight, the WBC agreed to host the purse bid on Apr. 17 in Mexico.

 

The winner of this purse bid will have an advantage over the other promoter in terms of determining the date, place and television network for the light heavyweight showdown. Each group will split the bid equally on a 50-50 basis.

 

Before the Stevenson (25-1, 21 KOs) vs. Kovalev (27-0-1, 24 KOs) rumble can happen, though, both fighters must win their next bout. Stevenson, the Haitian-born Quebecer, has to successfully defend his WBC and The Ring crowns April 4 in Quebec City against Cameroon native Sakio Bika (32-6-3, 21 KOs), while Kovalev has 90 days to execute a mandatory defense of his IBF belt against Frenchman Nadjib Mohammedi (37-3, 23 KOs) at a place to be determined.

 

Stevenson’s promoter, GYM president Yvon Michel, is excited by the possibility of promoting what could be the biggest light heavyweight brawl of all-time. “We went ahead because Adonis and his team (adviser Al Haymon and head trainer Jevan Sugar Hill) wanted this awesome fight to happen,” Michel explained. “My boxer (Stevenson) wants to give his fans, not only from Quebec but from around the entire world, the fight they really want.

 

“Adonis was unfairly accused of ducking Kovalev last summer but his ultimate goal has always been to prove he is the King of the Light Heavyweights.”

“Everybody talks to me about Sergey Kovalev,” WBC, The Ring and lineal world light heavyweight champion Stevenson added. “I am fully focussed on Sakio Bika right now, but I really want to unify the titles. I am the king of my division and ready to prove it.”

The 37-year-old southpaw, fully confident of winning all the major world title belts, also noted, “In fact, the two titles (WBA and IBF) that Bernard Hopkins lost to Kovalev were supposed to be mine, but Hopkins ran away to HBO rather than fight me.”  

 

With the help of the WBC

 

Sanctioning bodies rarely allow champions of other organizations to be part in its rankings. In this case, however, the WBC made an exception and stated that, at its 52th annual convention last December in Las Vegas, the Kovalev vs. Jean Pascal bout winner would be the mandatory challenger for Stevenson’s title.

 

The importance and magnitude of a fight with all the titles of a single division at stake influenced the WBC Board of Governors to make that decision.

 

“That was an excellent strategy by Kathy Duva (president of Main Events and Kovalev’s promoter),” Michel commented. “Adonis is now obligated to face Kovalev in a unification bout, guaranteeing a simple process without long, unnecessary bargaining. Our champion won’t back down, the countdown has just started.”
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Manager Gary Hyde petitions WBA To enforce mandatory title fight Between Rigondeaux and Quigg

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CORK, Ireland (March 12, 2015) – International boxing manager Gary Hyde, president of Nowhere2Hyde Management, has formally petitioned the World Boxing Association (WBA) to enforce a mandatory title fight between Hyde’s fighter, WBA Super & World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight champion Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs), and WBA “regular” 122-pound division titlist Scott Quigg (30-0-2, 22 KOs).

 

Below find a copy of Hyde’s letter to the WBA:

 

 

Dear Chairman Mendoza:

 

I write as the manager of Guillermo Rigondeaux, the Unified WBA/WBO Champion.

 

I write to request enforcement of the mandatory.  Uniquely in the Super Bantamweight Division Guillermo Rigondeaux is the “Unified Champion” and Scott Quigg is the “Regular Champion.”

Clearly as the Regular Champion Quigg is the highest ranked contender in the division.  While he was injured he is now back in training and there is no reason why Mr. Rigondeaux cannot or should not fulfill his mandatory obligations against Mr. Quigg.

 

We are aware that there are some discussions about a bout between Quigg and Frampton.  However, we have been in touch with the IBF and they will not sanction the unification fight with anyone other than the highest level champion which in this case is Guillermo Rigondeaux.

 

We respectfully suggest that it is best to deal with the mandatory issue now and request that Quigg and Guillermo be directed to begin negotiations.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Gary Hyde

 

 

Hyde also manages WBA Interim cruiserweight champion Youri “El Toro” Kalenga(21-1, 14 KOs), former WBO middleweight champion and current International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 1 mandatory contender Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (31-1, 18 KOs), and top super bantamweight prospect Marcos Forestal (1-0, 1 KO).

 

Follow Hyde on Twitter at @NoWhere2Hyde and friend him atwww.facebook.com/gary.hyde.50?fref=ts.
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Robert Guerrero – I’m ready to bring another exciting night of action

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LAS VEGAS, NV (March 11, 2015) – A few days after his inspiring effort against WBA Welterweight Champion, Keith Thurman (25-0, 21 KOs), Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero is already looking forward to his next fight.  Guerrero is today’s version of a modern day gladiator who leaves everything in the ring.  His never die fighting style is what fans of all ages are thriving to see.  Sports fans around the world witnessed a “Fight of the Year” candidate when Guerrero and Thurman left everything in the ring.  Guerrero speaks on his future.

 

“Although Thurman and I went to war, my body is recovering well,” said Robert Guerrero. “As crazy as it sounds, I’m ready to get back to work and start training.  I’m hoping I can get back in the ring by the summer and finish off strong by the end of the year.  If I can get two more fights in this year, I’ll be happy.  I know the fans are looking forward to my next fight, and I’m ready to bring them another exciting night of action.”

 

Bob Santos who co-manages Guerrero stated, “After looking at the fight, I realized Guerrero was fighting a super-middleweight on fight night, which makes his fight with Thurman even more unbelievable.  Guerrero who came up from 122 lbs. went the distance with an undefeated champion who fought most of his career at 154 pounds, that’s incredible.  The fans got to see a true warrior in Guerrero last Saturday, and will get to see him again in the near future.”

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Guillermo Rigondeaux encouraged by Oscar de la Hoya comment about Leo Santa Cruz unification fight

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MIAMI (Jan. 28, 2015) – World Boxing Association (WBA) Super, World Boxing Organization (WBO) and The Ring Magazine super bantamweight champion Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs) is encouraged by reports that World Boxing Council (WBC) title-holder Leo Santa Cruz‘ promoter, Oscar de la Hoya, believes a Rigondeaux-Santa Cruz unification fight has to happen.

 

The 34-year-old Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been restricted to Asia for his last two fights, subsequently in low-profile matches, due to the lack of desire by any world-class super bantamweight to challenge the Cuban star.

 

Rigondeaux stopped WBO No. 6 rated challenger Hisashi Amagasa (28-4-2, 19 KOs) after 11 rounds in Osaka, Japan this past New Year’s Eve. Last July, “Rigo” knocked out Sod Kokietgym (62-2-1) in the opening round of their fight in Macao, China.

 

“It’s good to know that Santa Cruz’ promoter has stated that our unification fight has to happen,” an ecstatic Rigondeaux said. “I want to add his (WBC) green belt to my WBA and WBO championship collection. I’ve wanted this fight for some time. Let’s hope this is not just idle talk. Let’s do it!”

 

Rigondeaux vs. Santa Cruz (29-0-1, 17 KOs) would be a classic showdown between ethnic boxing arch-rivals, respectively, Cuban and Mexican fighters who now live in Miami and southern California.

 

“I have contacted Golden Boy Promotions many times to ask about making a fight between ‘Rigo’ and Santa Cruz,” Rigondeaux’ manager Gary Hyde added. “They always answered by saying they were interested in making this fight but not at that time. Yesterday, after learning Oscar said this fight has to happen, I reached out to Golden Boy and can confirm that negotiations have commenced. Myself and Caribe Promotions, ‘Rigo’s’ promoter, will endeavor to make this fight happen as soon as possible.

 

“Once ‘Rigo’ beats Santa Cruz for his third world title belt – fourth if you count The Ring Magazine – a fight against International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Carl Frampton (19-0, 13 KOs) would have to happen in order to determine the undisputed super bantamweight champion of the world.”

 

Follow Rigondeaux and Hyde on Twitter at @RigoElChacal305 and @NoWhere2Hyde, friend them at www.facebook.com/GuillermoRigondeaux andwww.facebook.com/gary.hyde.50?fref=ts.
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‘Axeman’ Walters Wins Jamaican Sportsman of the Year

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Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing wishes to congratulate WBA Super World Featherweight Champion Nicholas “The Axeman” Walters for being named Jamaican Sportsman of the Year at the 54th RJR Sports Foundation National Awards.

 

29-year-old Walters (25-0, 21 KOs), a native of Montego Bay, Jamaica, had a spectacular 2014, stopping respected champions Vic Darchinyan (TKO 5) and Nonito Donaire (TKO 6).

 

“Getting sportsman of the year is like getting sportsman of the world,” Walters told reporters at the gala held in his honor.

“We are very proud to be part of “Team Walters” said Leon Margules. “He is a superstar fighter who had his breakout year last year.”

 

Margules says things will only get better for the Jamaican star.

 

“This will not be the last time he wins this prestigious award. There are several big fights for Nicholas on the horizon that will further cement him as one of the game’s top fighters.”

# # #

 

About Warriors Boxing

 

Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation.

 

With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to its credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table.

 

When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield.

 

For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.
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TUREANO JOHNSON WINS WBC SILVER & WBA INTERNATIONAL BELTS

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NEW YORK (January 11, 2015) – This past Friday at the Madison Square Garden Theater, Bahamian middleweight contender, Tureano Johnson (18-1, 13 KOs) captured the WBA International and WBC Silver titles, with a bruising victory against Colombian contender Alex Theran (17-2, 2 KOs).  Johnson thumped the former Olympian Theran over five rounds, dropping him once in the 4th round, then again in the 5th.  Theran, who suffered an injury and could not return for the 6th round, was taking a beating before bowing out of the bout.

 

Rated WBC #8, WBA #12 and IBF #12, Tureano Johnson is looking to step up and challenge any of the champions in middleweight division.  After beating a solid fighter like Theran, and being robbed in the Curtis Stevens fight, Johnson is confident he can beat any of the current champions at 160 lbs.

 

“I’m ready to fight Gennady Golovkin, Miguel Cotto, Jermain Taylor or any other champion out there,” said Tureano Johnson.  These are the type of fights I would like to pursue.  David Lemieux is also on my hit list. I’m here to take over the division.  Everyone knows I should be undefeated so I’m going to leave no doubt about it every time I step in the ring.  I can’t afford to be robbed again.  With Gary Shaw putting me in a great position, I’m going to make the most of every opportunity.  My goal in 2015 is to become a world champion.”

 

“Tureano Johnson is marching up the rankings and should be applauded for his fighting style.” said Gary Shaw. “He’s the type of fighter everyone wants to see.  I’m going to push hard to get him back on TV, hopefully against a guy like Gennady Golovkin.  Johnson is a force in the middleweight division and you will see him in some big fights coming up.”