By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of January 21st to January 28th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Gamboa Linked to PED Investigation
Yuriorkis Gamboa has been linked to an investigation at a Miami Clinic that allegedly supplies drugs to some the biggest names in sports. An article in the Miami New Times outlines that Gamboa was supplied an extensive program of PED’s, including protein powders, calcium/magnesium/zinc compounds, and a sex day a week HGH regime with IGF-1 and a cream with 20 percent testosterone. More can be found on this blockbuster story at http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2013-01-31/news/a-rod-and-doping-a-miami-clinic-supplies-drugs-to-sports-biggest-names/full/
Cornelius “K9” Bundrage to Face Ishe Smith for IBF Junior Middleweight Title
IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage and Ishe Smith will be holding a press conference on Wednesday, January 30th at 1:00PM to announce their upcoming matchup on February 23rd for Bundrage’s IBF Junior Middleweight title. It will be on the undercard of the Devon Alexander vs. Kell Brook main event. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com
Select Quotes from IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Lamont Peterson’s Press Conference
IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Lamont Peterson has recently announced that he has signed with Golden Boy Promotions. Below are a few select quotes from the press conference.
Lamont Peterson:
“We boxers are always trying to please our fans. We want to give them the best fights we can. In order to do that, one needs to have the best promoter in the market so you can get the best fights you can. Who’s the best promoter in the market? Golden Boy. So, I decided to go ahead and sign with them and sign with the best there is.
“Signing with Golden Boy is the best thing to do. They have the best fighters and at this point, after winning my last fight against Amir Khan, it makes sense to fight the top guys.
David Itskowitch, COO of Golden Boy Promotions:
“Golden Boy Promotions is pleased to announce the signing of Lamont Peterson. We’ve worked with him on fights dating back to 2010 when he fought Victor Ortiz in Las Vegas and are very excited to welcome him to our team.
“We can offer Lamont a lot of possibilities for big fights [at 140 pounds]. If he wants to move up in weight, we have big-name fighters at welterweight too.
Minto Targets Green, Lebedev
Brian “The Beast” Minto (37-5) is looking for another world title shot in 2013. Minto is a former WBO world title challenger and is targeting WBA champ Denis Lebedev (25-1) and IBO champion Danny Green (33-5). Minto states, “After several fights last year and coming from wins, I feel that I am ready for the very best in the cruiserweight division; I match up stylisticly and size-wise very well with Green and Lebedev.”
Willie “The Great” Nelson to Defend Against Medina
NABF Super Welterweight champion Willie “The Great” Nelson (191-1) will make his first title defense on March 1st against tough challenger Michael “El Magnifico” Medina (26-3-2) in the 10 round co-feature on ESPN Friday Night Fights, live from MGM Grand at Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. SMS Promotions, owned and operated by 50-Cent, has partnered with Rumble Time Promotions and DiBella Entertainment to present the March 1st ESPN Friday Night Fights show.
Quotes from Jonathon Banks on February 16th Rematch with Seth Mitchell
“Seth Mitchell has contradicted himself. Right after the fight he was very humble, gave me respect for the win and said he was going to have to go back to the drawing board, work his way back to the position he was in. Now I hear him saying things like ‘I didn’t win the fight or knock him out because I was the better man that night’ and that it was his mistakes that were the cause of the loss. I find that to be out of character for this guy who seemed to be humble and respectful of me as a fighter prior to the first fight. When I lost to Adamek as a cruiserweight, I lost.”
“I can see him coming for the knockout this time. He says he is going to be different this time. I believe he will be.”
“I’ve been doing this a long time and it is a lonely man’s sport. I’ve experienced the bottom, middle and top. I experienced hunger and what it really feels like to sacrifice to have your dreams come true.”
Felix Sturm vs. Sam Soliman Final Press Conference Quotes
Felix Sturm and Sam Soliman will be fighting in an IBF Middleweight title eliminator on Friday at the ISS Dome in Dusseldorf, Germany. Below are some quotes from their most recent press conference.
Felix Sturm, Former: 3-Time Middleweight Champion: “I’m excited about Friday. It’s great to be in Dusseldorf and I am in great shape. I had an excellent camp. Some of my sparring partners were able to clone his fighting style and I’m really prepared to fight a guy as unorthodox as Sam. The fight against him will still be very difficult but I’ll prevent him from getting into his rhythm. I need to dictate the pace and the distance and I’m sure I’ll do just that. Sam is a great challenge and I haven’t looked past him. I’m completely focused on him. I want to become champion again and I’ll make the first step towards that goal on Friday night. The fans are in for a real treat.”
Sam Soliman, IBF No. 1 Ranked Middleweight Contender: “I’m happy to be in Germany. This is a tremendous fight. I know I’m going to have lots of fun in the ring; boxing is fun for me. We had a great camp and I won’t let him get into the way of my goal – to become middleweight champion of the world.”
Mollo Looking to Flip the Script Against Szpilka
“Merciless” Mike Mollo (20-3-1) knows that even though he will be in his hometown of Chicago, the script calls for him to lose to fast-rising Polish heavyweight prospect Artur “The Pin” Szpilka. However, Mollo believes that’s not the way it’s going to go. The two will meet on the undercard of the ESPN Friday Night Fights televised “King” Carlos Molina vs. Cory “The Next Generation” Spins in a 12 round IBF Junior Middleweight Title Eliminator on February 1st at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.
Mollo says he’s watched Szpilka in action and remains a lot less impressed than most.
“I don’t think he’s everything they say he is. We’re going to find out February 1. He’s fast and can hit a little, but I don’t think he’s the beast that he thinks he is. If they’re looking for an easy opponent, they should keep looking. I’m in great shape. I’ve put in a lot of hard work and all I have to do is hit him, which I’m going to. I’m going to explode on him. We’ll see how he takes it. I have never been down in my life. 25 professional fights and never hit the canvas. I know he’s been down, so we’ll see what he’s made of. I already know what I’m made of. I’m all guts and heart.”
Danny Garcia Rib Injury Forces Postponement of Judah Bout
Danny Garcia suffered a rib injury while training and will be unable to compete in his scheduled February 9th world title defense against Zab Judah which was to be televised by Showtime from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. As a result the entire event has been postponed until Saturday, Paril 27 at the Barclays Center.
Peterson vs Holt
IBF Junior Welterweight Champion, Lamont Peterson defend his title against former WBO Junior Welterweight Champion Kendall Holt on Friday, February 22nd at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C. and broadcast live by ESPN 2’s Friday Night Fights.
