By: William Holmes
The following is the boxinginsider.com notebook for the week of September 10th to September 17th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Pacquiao vs. Marquez International Media Tour Begins September 17th
Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will embark on a three-city international media tour, beginning in Beverly Hills, California, this Monday, September 17th. Pacquiao and Marquez will fight for the fourth time on Saturday, December 8th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their trainers Freddie Roach and Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain, as well as promoters Bob Arum, Todd DuBoef, and Fernando Beltran will also be there. The tour will begin on Monday at the Beverly Hills Hotel, continue on Wednesday at the Edison Ballroom in Times Square, and conclude on Friday, September 21st in Mexico City.
Amir Khan Splits With Freddie Roach
After weeks of speculation, Amir Khan officially announced that he has split with long time trainer Freddie Roach. His official statement follows below:
“After nearly four years together, in which we enjoyed some great success, I part ways with my trainer Freddie Roach. I would like to thank him for all his hard work and help during this period and express my gratitude to him for the progress he helped bring about whilst I was under him.
“I would also like to thank his team. I loved every minute training in LA at the Wildcard Gym, learning and sparring alongside some truly great fighters and meeting some fantastic people.
“I feel now, however, is the right time in my career to make a fresh change and bring in a new trainer. I’m looking forward, and am excited, about the prospect of working alongside someone new. I will make an announcement in due course of who this will be.
“There are some specific aspects of my game I’m looking to work on and hopefully improve. My next training camp begins in early October and I will have everything in place by then.”
Holyfield’s Child Support Debt Balloons to Over $500,000
TMZ has reported that Evander Holyfield’s child support debt has swelled to $563,900.91 according to recent court documents. Evander was held in contempt and ordered to pay $2,950 a month to clear the debt. More information can be found here.
Hernandez vs. Ross Rematch Possible
Saturday saw a fight between Yoan Pablo Hernandez and Troy Ross for the IBF Cruiserweight Championship that ended in a very close controversial decision. After 12 rounds Hernandez was ahead 114-113, 115-12, and 116-112 and scored the victory, but many fans in attendance felt it should have gone the other way.
Promoter Wilfried Sauerland believes a rematch is possible.
“That was a very interesting and exciting fight and a lucky win for Pablo,” said the 72-year-old, who was on business in South Africa and therefore watched the fight on TV. “A draw would have been more just. Ross, as the challenger, should have done more to win. He relied too much on countering. Pablo did not seem to be concentrated enough and he was not as explosive as he used to be. Rather than controlling the fight with his jab, he was happy to trade punches and went for the KO. That gave Ross the opportunity to counter with his hooks. That´s why he did not look good in the third and fifth round.”
But then the tide turned. “In the ninth, Pablo had the chance to end the fight, but he didn´t follow it up decisively enough,” added the Hall of Famer. “From my point of view, there should be a rematch to find a clear winner.”
Thomas Hearns Returns As Promoter
Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, along with George Katlsas, have formed Hitman Entertainment, LLC. Their first scheduled event is on Friday, October 12, 2012 at the Taylor Sportsplex in Taylor, Michigan. The event will showcase Ronald Hearns (26-3) as well as 7 other bouts featuring stars from Detroit’s Kronk Gym and Emmanuel Steward. A tribute to Thomas Hearns will be held beforehand at a VIP reception to celebrate Hearns’ recent induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Tickets can be purchased at www.hitmantickets.eventbrite.com
Palacios vs. Wlodarczyk Rematch Set for September 22nd
On September 22nd in Wroclaw, Poland the WBC No. 1 Cruiserweight Francisco Palacios (21-1) will be fighting in a rematch against the WBC Cruiserweight champion Krzystof Wlodarczyk (46-2-1). Their original fight took place on April 2, 2011 in Poland, and Wlodarcyzk was awarded the split decision victory with scores of 116-113 and 118-112 for him, and 115-113 for Palacios. Wlodarczyk was last seen in a TKO victory over Danny Green.
“Before the first fight, I was talking too much. I was paying attention to what Wlodarczyk was saying and responding to that. This time, I’m only focusing on my preparation and nothing else. It’s up to me to win this fight, not about my opponent losing it.”
Zuhdi vs. Jurado for the WBU World Title
On Thursday September 20th at the Cox Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Noah Zuhdi (15-1) will be fighting German Jurado (12-2) for the WBU Lightweight title.
Respect for Zuhdi from those in the fighting world is widespread. “Noah Zuhdi is one of the brightest young boxing talents to come out of Oklahoma in decades. Not only are his boxing skills and work ethics some of the best I have ever witnessed, but his character is beyond reproach,” said Joe Miller, executive director of the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission, “He wants to become a world champion boxer and in addition to that, he has followed in his father’s footsteps and has become an attorney. I have no doubt he will someday attain the goals he has set for himself. He truly makes the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission proud.” Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketstorm.com
Frank Warren Promotions Announces Partnership with Nuts Magazine
Frank Warren Promotions have agreed to a partnership deal with Britain’s highest selling and most read weekly men’s magazine, Nuts for the 2012-2013 season. Nuts will be providing the ring card girls for all of Frank Warren Promotions and Queensberry Promotions events. The deal will also include unprecedented coverage of Frank Warren’s and Queensberry’s roster of championship boxers and events. Nuts will be granted exclusive access to give their readers the closest and most up to date boxing news and features.
Gary Shaw Signs Undefeated Power Puncher Javier Flores
Gary Shaw Productions has announced that they have just signed undefeated welterweight Javier “El Chino” Flores (7-0) from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico and currently trains in New Haven, Connecticut. Flores even had an impressive KO rate as an amateur, as he won 38 of his 68 amateur fights by KO. Flores trains under John Scully.
“I’m very excited to be fighting for Gary Shaw Productions, one of the best promoters in boxing,” Flores said. “All my dreams are coming true and I’m going to work hard to get to the top. I just started training with John Scully and he and I are working great together. I’m looking forward to my next fight and what Gary has planned for me.”
NYPD vs. FDNY in 30th Anniversary of the Battle of the Badges
Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey will be presenting the 30th anniversary of the “Battle of the Badges” in which representatives from the FDNY and the NYPD face off against each other. This card will take place on Friday, November 9th at 8:00 p.m. at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Atlas Cops & Kids Boxing Program as well as the Building Homes for Heroes Organization. The rivalry dates back to 1982 and the all-time record is 15 victories for the FDNY and 13 for the NYPD and one tie. Tickets will be available at all ticketmaster outlets as well as www.thegarden.com
CES Sports Presents “Closing Statement” on October 18th, 2012
Titles and bragging rights will be on the line Thursday, October 18th, 2012 at Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, which will be the finale of the popular 2012 Thursday Night Fight Series at Twin River Casino in Providence, Rhode Island. The eight round main event will be between Joseph “Chip” Perez (9-1) and Chazz “Magnificent” McDowell (6-2) for the vacant New England Junior Lightweight title. Ten total fights will be on the card. Tickets can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com.
Toka Kahn-Clary Added to 11th Annual Fight to Educate Pro-Am Card
Twenty year old junior lightweight prospect Toka Kahn Clary has been added to Thursday Evening’s (Sept 20th) 11th annual Fight to Educate Pro-Am boxing card at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH. 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade (17-0) headlines the card as he takes on Alexis “Hurricane” Hlores (16-4-2) in the main event. Proceeds from the event will benefit the SEE Science Center, The Bobby Stephens Fund for Education, and New Horizons for New Hampshire. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com
Boxing Gala in Hollywood, CA on September 20th
On September 20th there will be a Boxing Gala in Hollywood California. This event will be at the Florentine Gardens and starts at 7:00 p.m. The event will feature Zachary “Kid Yamaka” Wohlman, Lawson vs. Kuhn, as well as Terrell Williams and Carlos Rodriguez. Tickets can be purchased by calling 213-281-1911.
Signing for Book on Sonny Liston Set for September 24th
Paul Gallender, the author of Sonny Liston: The Real Story Behind the Ali-Liston Fights will have an official book signing on the 50th anniversary of the first Liston-Patterson fight. It will be on Monday, September 24th, 2012 from 5-8pm at the African American Museum of Philadelphia on 701 Arch Street.