By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of April 15th to April 22nd covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Mikkel Kessler Workout Quotes
Mikkel Kessler has been working out in preparation to face Carl Froch at the O2 Arena in London. “I defeated him in the first fight and I will defeat him again,” Kessler said. “I don’t mind fighting him in his backyard, true champions fight all over the world. I have fought in Wales, Australia, Germany, and the USA, no crowd can intimidate me. I know what I have to do to leave the ring victorious.”
Said promoter Kalle Sauerland: “I´ve never seen Mikkel in his fight mode so early before a fight. It´s 33 days until he will be going to war with Froch again. You can see from his mood already now that he will put everything on the line that night. And Mikkel will win again.”
Lewkowicz Congratulates Jackson For Impressive Victory
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing congratulates John “Dah Rock” Jackson (16-1) for his impressive nationally televised victory over formerly undefeated Ceresso Fort. “John was sensational,” said Lewkowicz. “He showed he is a class above even well-regarded prospects. Fort is a strong fighter and John was just too good for him. Even though he is a KO puncher, he took his time and picked Fort apart. That was a veteran move and it showed his true championship character.”
Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame to Present Its First Fan Event: A Night With Boxing Legends
The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF) is proud to announce that its first fan event, “A Night with Boxing Legends” will be helpd on Thursday, May 2nd, beginning at 7:30 p.m. PT at Diego’s Mexican Cuisine restaurant, located at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Mike “The Body Snatcher” McCallum, Freddie Roach, Joe Cortez, and Al Bernstein will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Tickets can be purchased at www.nvbhof.com
Thompson Boxing Promotions Presents Locked N’ Loaded on April 26th
Thompson Boxing Promotions is presenting a night of fights at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California on Friday, April 26th. The main event features welterweights Aron “El Asesino” Martinez (18-2-1) against Alberto “El Principe” Herrera in an eight round matchup. The co main event features Ken Alvarez (3-0) against Joaquin Chavez (3-5-2) in a junior welterweight bout. Tickets can be purchased by calling 714-935-0900.
Cleverly Releases Statement on Hopkins
WBO World Light Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly believes his speed and work rate would be too much for Bernard Hopkins if they met.
Cleverly said, “I showed another side to my game against Krasniqi, I showed that I could box intelligently, not get reckless against a dangerous challenger and made it look easy. He was very tough and maybe I would have liked to have knocked him out, but it was a great work-out and I showed the pace I can set for twelve rounds at the highest level,”
“Hopkins is a great great fighter and against him I’ll have to take my game to another level. His experience is unmatchable and technically he’s superb, but I think my youth, pace and aggression will be too much for him. I’d force him to fight every second of every round and not give him an inch or second to think.”
Damien Hooper Makes Perfect Pro Start
Australian light heavyweight Damien Hooper made a seamless progression into the pro ranks in Brisbane on Saturday. He dominated the experienced Garth Murray and was able to land sharp jabs and crisp right hands before the referee stopped the fight in the fifth round. Fellow former Olympian Cameron Hammond took his professional slate to (2-0) when he easily outpointed Kiwi Daniel Roy Maxwell over six rounds.
Miguel Soto Returns with TKO Victory
After one year of inactivity, Puerto Rican Super Featherweight Miguel “Mikito” Soto (11-0) returned with his power by defeating John Wampash (1-8-2) by TKO in the fourth round at the Manuel “Petaca” Iguina Coliseum in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Soto dominated all three rounds and left Wampash in bad condition at the end of the third round with left and right hooks to the head and body. Wampash refused to fight anymore before the start of the fourth round.
Peter Quillin Dedicates April 27th Fight to Boston Marathon Victims
Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (28-0, 20 KOs) has dedicated his April 27th world title fight to victims of the recent Boston Marathon bombings and their families.
“I checked in with a friend from Boston, Bob Trieger, who is also my publicist,” Quillin explained his decision. “He told me how tough it was there. I felt the sadness and pain in his voice and wanted to do something to help. I decided to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings and their families by dedicating my April 27th world title defense to them in hopes of helping them heal a little bit. I want to let everybody affected by this horrific act to know all Americans truly care about them and that they are in our daily thoughts and prayers.
“These innocent people were just watching a marathon. It just shows how scary life can be, that something horrible like this can happen anywhere, because there are crazy people out there with terror in their hearts.
Acquinity Sports Inks Top U.S. Amateur Boxer Albert “Prince” Bell
Acquinity Sports has signed top United States amateur boxer Albert “Prince” Bell to an exclusive promotional contract. The 20 year old Bell, fighting out of Toledo, Ohio, will be fighting in the featherweight division as a professional. He captured gold medals in the 2011 National PAL and the 2012 National Golden Gloves tournaments. He fell short of qualifying for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, losing to eventual Olympian Jose Ramirez.
“Bell joins a talented group of talented group of young fighters, including Hylon Williams, Dominque Dolton and Claudio Marrera,” added Henry Rivalta, Acqunity Sports Vice President of Boxing Operations. “We’re developing these young warriors into sensational fighters. Gary and I are working tirelessly to build a stable of fighters who will be in major fights during the coming years.”
Darchinyan to Make Top Rank Debut May 11th
Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan is looking to make his Top Rank debut on May 11th, 2013. He will take on Francisco Javier Gallo in a ten round super bantamweight bout at the Uni-Trade Stadium in Laredo, Texas. This will be the first boxing event at the Uni-Trade stadium.
“Vic brings an all-action style of fighting to a very exciting boxing division,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank. “I am looking forward to watching Vic bring it on May 11.”. The bout will be televised live on UniMas.
Roy Jones Jr. Looks Forward to First Visit to Scotland in May
Legendary four weight world champion, Roy Jones Jr, will make his first visit to Scotland on May 8th to discuss his illustrious career and renew ties with Welsh superstar, and former adversary, Joe Calzaghe, in a high profile dinner show.
“I insisted my team get me to Scotland because I’ve never been there,” said Jones. “Over the years I’ve met many of my Scottish fans but unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to fight there, so this reunion with Joe is the next best thing.”
Fans in attendance, at the Dalziel Country Club in Motherwell, will be privileged to witness this historic occasion in which two of the finest fighters in boxing history meet for the first time since their famous world title bout which took place at Madison Square Garden on November 8th 2008.
On that night Calzaghe survived a first round knockdown to secure a unanimous decision victory and both men left the ring with mutual respect following twelve torrid rounds.
“Joe and I made that fight on a gentleman’s agreement and it was a superb promotion,” remarked Jones. “We saw a lot of each other during the build-up but there was no reason to talk trash because the event sold itself.”
For further details about the show visit www.gmpromotions.org.uk
Maidana vs. Lopez Kicks Off Boxing’s Summer Season
Marcos Maidana vs. Josesito Lopez, Alfredo Angulo vs. Erislandy Lara, and Sakio Bika vs. Marco Antonio Periban highlight a night of boxing at the Home Depot Center in Carson California on Showtime World Championship Boxing tripleheader set for Saturday, June 8th.
“If you’re a fan of action fights, there is no better card to see than this one on June 8th,” said President of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya. “All three high-stakes bouts have the potential to be the main event and the winners who walk out of the Home Depot Center with their hands raised will know they’ve been in a fight
Atlas Apps Offers a Free Boxing Fight Night App
Atlas Apps, a Denver-based app development company, just launched its newest app, Boxing Fight Night, which premiers in time to feature the fight between Mayweather and Guerrero on May 4 at MGM in Las Vegas. This one-of-a-kind app is available for a free download to users.
“I was at last year’s Pacquiao vs. Bradley fight and that’s when I had the idea to create an app that will allow fans to score a fight round by round. Now when the judges are right or wrong, the fans have a collective voice,” said John Butler, owner and founder of Atlas Apps.
Boxing Fight Night app allows viewers at home, and those attending the match, to make pre-fight predictions, score fights round by round, share their scores, view other round by round scores, get the latest boxing news. View more information at www.myatlastapps.com
Vinny Maddalone vs. Richard Carmack Headlines Star Boxing’s Rocking Fights 8
Star Boxing’s “Rocking Fights” will return for it’s 8th installment on Saturday, May 11th at the Paramount in Huntington, New York headlined by a heavyweight clash between Vinny Maddalone (36-8) and Richard Carmack (12-0).
“We’re thrilled to return to The Paramount with this heavyweight clash headlining our “ROCKIN FIGHTS 8″ card on Saturday, May 11” said Joe DeGuardia, President of Star Boxing. “We’re expecting another sold out event and encourage boxing fans to purchase tickets in advance to ensure entry.”
Team Sauerland Issues Statement on Holly Holm’s Retirement
CECILIA BRAEKHUS
“I am very, very disappointed. A fight against Holly would have been the biggest thing in women´s boxing, the one fight every fan wants to see. It´s a shame that it will not happen – but it´s not our fault. We´ve done all we could. I have always said that I was willing to fight her, I have always been ready for her. My team has worked very hard to organise the fight. We removed all the stumbling blocks. We were even willing to go to her backyard. And when she has to chance to give the fans what they want to see, she retires. Really, I don´t know what to say. It´s a pity and I´m disappointed. I will now shift my focus to other challenges, there are a lot of other interesting options for me. One thing I know for sure – true champions do not run away from mega-fights.”
NISSE SAUERLAND:
“We are disappointed to hear that Holly Holm has retired from boxing. She is one of the all-time greats. She deserves respect for what she has done for women´s boxing. It´s sad that a great career ends like this – now she will always be remembered for running away from Cecilia Braekhus, the best female fighter in the world.
“If Holly Holm still had the heart, pride and skills to compete at the highest level, there is no way she would have passed on the biggest payday of her career. We have offered her a six-figure sum. But with this offer on the table, she calls it a career and decides to fight in MMA – for a fraction of that money. That just tells you all about how scared she is to fight Cecilia. The horrible knock-out loss against Anne-Sophie Mathis – a fighter Cecilia outclassed last September – must have changed something inside Holly. She knows she can´t beat Cecilia.
“We wish Holly all the best for her retirement. Meanwhile, Cecilia has other options against fighters who are courageous enough to challenge the best female fighter in the world. That´s how you cement a legacy, by fighting the best of the best, not by retiring when you have the chance to be part of a fight every boxing fan wants to see.”
Lee Purdy to Face Alexander for IBF Welterweight Title
Since Kell Brook had to withdraw from his May 18th date with Devon Alexander due to a foot injury many names have been floating around for Alexander as possible replacements. Kevin Bizier was offered the fight, but had to decline since it did not allow for sufficient time to train and prepare. Instead Lee Purdy (20-3-1), a Matchroom Boxer like Kell Brook, has been called upon to face the IBF Welterweight Champion.
Sampson Lewkowicz: Fortuna Would KO Any Featherweight in the World
Javier Fortuna’s promoter Sampson Lewkowicz offered the following statement after Fortuna’s eye opening KO victory, and specifically addressed criticisms that Zamudio didn’t belong in the same ring as Fortuna.
“How can anyone make that determination?” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “What Fortuna did to Zamudio is what he did to Yuandale Evans, who was undefeated and many thought was going to beat Fortuna. It’s the same thing he did to Cristobal Cruz, a former world champion. It’s what he did to Victor Valenzuela, who was 8-0. He did the same thing to Zamudio that he did to two of his last three opponents and there was no questioning their quality as fighters. It’s impossible to say based on what we saw if Miguel Zamudio belonged in there. Fortuna would do that to anyone in the division.”
Lewkowicz says Fortuna will continue to campaign at featherweight and he will be looking to help him regain his championship as quickly as possible in a high-profile fight.
“Javier was only .6 overweight, and it’s possible he could have lost the weight, but even though it cost me money I would not let him risk his health. My fighters are like my children. He will make the weight next time. I am putting a challenge out to the promoters of any world champ or any top featherweight to come and face Javier Fortuna. He is the best of the best at featherweight and he will do what he did to Zamudio to anyone. It really doesn’t matter who I put in front of Javier. They’re getting knocked out.”