Antonio ‘Magic Man’ Tarver not concerned about ring rust

Five-time world champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (30-6, 21 KOs) won’t be concerned about rust this Thursday night when he fights for the first time in more than a year against veteran Johnathan Banks (29-2-1, 19 KOs).

Tarver-Banks is a 10-round heavyweight fight, presented on a Goossen Promotions card, airing live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes from Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California.

Tarver suffered a now-fully-healed fractured thumb to his left hand, closer to the wrist, postponing the original September 29th fight date versus Banks. The 1996 U.S. Olympian has had only five fights in the last six years.

“I’m not concerned with rust,” the cagey southpaw said. “If I’m rusty, it will only be until I’m hit. I’ve been trying to wear off ring rust with intelligent sparring but that’s not like getting reps of a fight.

“I have to beat a solid heavyweight with power like Banks to get where I want to be. I will become the oldest world heavyweight champion in boxing history! He will be surprised by a lot of what I bring into the ring.”

Tarver has been training at the Brazilian Rocky Fight Club in Miami for the past three months to prepare for Thursday’s fight with Banks, who trained world heavyweight champion Wladmir Klitschko for his recent knockout win over Kubrat Pulev.

“I always stress to my fighters in the gym for them to work in rhythm and not be sluggish,” Tarver’s head trainer Orlando Cuellar explained. “Sluggishness and not fighting in rhythm are what shows when there’s ring rust. You always worry about rust. I can honestly say Antonio hasn’t looked rusty but, working in the gym and actual fighting are two different things, and we really won’t really know until this week’s fight. Antonio has always told me that he’s not a good gym fighter but that, once the bell rings for the first round, he’s a great fighter.

“This is the first fight we’ve worked together and Antonio has done everything I’ve asked of him in training for the last three months. He took five days off to be examined by his personal doctor and other than that he’s been working hard, even when he wore a cast. The first four weeks were tough for him because I train my fighters to stop and drop their opponent. It’s high intensity work, much harder than most fighters go through, but he’s given his all in workouts and sparring. With our experience, his as a fighter and me as a trainer, I expect nothing less than the best from Antonio. It’ll be much easier for both of us, training-wise, for his next fight.”

The 46-year-old Tarver, fighting out of Tampa, was one of the world’s top pound-for-pound fighters during a 4-year, 9-fight stretch between 2002-2006, in which he had a 6-3 record, defeating Roy Jones, Jr. in two of three, splitting a pair with Glen Johnson, defeating Montell Griffin, Eric Harding and Reggie Johnson, and losing to Bernard Hopkins.

Banks, 32, has been out of action even longer than Tarver, having last fought June 23, 2013 in a 12-round loss by unanimous decision to Seth Mitchell.

“”Every fight is independent in itself,” Tarver noted, “so, I can’t say I’ve fought anybody like Banks. I have fought a lot of guys with power who know how to box. Everybody has two hands and two feet but he can only use one hand at a time. I simplify things. I will be in my best shape and I won’t be surprised by whatever he brings into the ring.”

– PRESS RELEASE

Royal Battle: Amir Khan Vs. Devon Alexander fighters discuss training camp and the holiday season

With the holiday season upon us, fighters preparing to participate in the stacked Dec. 13 event taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®, take a break from training to discuss their progress in camp and what they are most grateful for during this festive season.

The following answers offer some insight into the fighters’ training camp regiments.

Q: Training camp is nearly over. How has camp been going so far?

AMIR KHAN (AK), WBA International and WBC Silver Welterweight Champion (Training in the Bay Area, Calif.):Camp has been great. We’re working hard and feeling in the best shape ever. I can’t wait for the fight.

DEVON ALEXANDER (DA), Former Two-Division World Champion (Training in St. Louis, Mo.): Camp is going tremendously well. I’m getting more and more anxious as the fight approaches.

KEITH THURMAN (KT), Interim WBA Welterweight Champion (Training in St. Petersburg, Fla.): Training camp is great, I have great sparing partners and we train three times a week and add some cardio to the mix. It’s good, this is my job, my office, we stay in the gym and work at the gym to make the fight look easy.

ABNER MARES (AM), Former Three-Time, Three-Division World Champion (Training in Los Angeles, Calif.): Camp has been great! I’m back with my old team and coach that took me to three world titles and it’s been going really well.

JERMALL AND JERMELL CHARLO – CHARLO TWINS (CT), Undefeated Junior Middleweight Contenders (Training in Houston, Texas): We’re feeling good. This is the best camp we’ve ever shared together.

ERROLL SPENCE JR. (ES), Undefeated Junior Middleweight Prospect (Training in Dallas, Texas): Training camp has been great. I’m on weight and I’ll be ready to fight on Dec. 13.

VICTOR ORTIZ (VO), Former welterweight champion (Training in Indio, Calif.): I’ve been working hard and learning from coach Joel Diaz; it’s definitely been a solid camp.

Q: Fight night is a little less than two weeks away. How are you feeling physically?
AK: I’m feeling strong and sharp. This is one of my best camps, a lot of hard work has been put in and it will pay off on fight night. I’m excited to fight. It’s been a long time.

DA: Physically I feel good. I’m in tremendous shape. And with two weeks to go I’ll be right on schedule.

KT: I feel strong, I am dropping weight on schedule and am looking forward to getting back in the ring after this minor layoff.

AM:Physically I can honestly say that I’m always ready and I’m ready to fight, but the mental part to me is the most important thing and mentally I’m ready to win one fight at a time until I become world champion once again.

CT: Knowing that we’re both fighting step-up fights we pushed each other to the maximum.

ES: I’m feeling really good. I’ve been sparring 10-12 rounds with 30-second breaks without any problem.

VO: I’m feeling great just making sure I pay attention to my coaches and work hard every day.Q: What have you been doing to pass the time when you are not in the gym or training?

AK: I’m relaxing and resting. I spend time studying Devon’s style. My brother and dad are in town so I have company. We go out to the mall or for walks. I’m a very chill guy.

DA:Well when I’m getting ready for a fight I’m completely zoned in on that fight, so I don’t do much. I train and then I’m back home. Maybe I’ll see a movie every now and then.

KT: Lately I have been playing musical instruments on my down time, it’s entertaining.

AM: Spending time with my family. I’ve been spending the most time ever with my kids and wife and it’s really important to me and it’s what I love to do when I’m not working.

CT: We spend time with our families. Jermell just bought a new house. Things are getting better in life for both of us. We’re also traveling and experiencing different boxing styles.

ES: I like to go to the movies and watch TV. I’ve also been spending time hanging out with family and friends.

VO: I spend my time in gyms or doing something outdoorsy.

Q: What is your biggest motivation during training camp?

AK: My father and coach. They motivate me and get the best out of me. Especially when I’m tired and down and missing my family and my little girl Lamaisah. Also Lamaisah is a huge motivation, I’m doing this for her.

DA: My biggest motivation during training is knowing that I’m closer than ever to being one of the best in boxing and becoming a household name.

KT: That it’s not over. My future is bright, and it motivates me to work harder every day.

AM:Now and always has been my family.

ES: The biggest motivation during training camp is knowing that I’ll be boxing on TV and I have the opportunity to showcase my skills in front of everyone.

VO: To be that best that I can be to myself.

Below are some of the “ROYAL BATTLE: KHAN VS. ALEXANDER” fighters’ favorite holiday traditions and an account of what makes them feel most appreciative.

Q: What is your fondest memory of the holidays?

AK: Spending time with family and having a break, just not thinking of anything else but family time. Also helping families in need and charities through Amir Khan Foundation.

DA: My fondest memory of the holidays are me and the family getting together and being with each other and seeing each other. We are a close family.

KT: Eating plenty of food with family and friends.

AM: I have many fond memories of making “buñuelos,” which are Mexican fried sweet dough sprinkled with cinnamon, for Christmas with my mom.

CT: Flag football is always the best part of the holidays.

ES: Spending time with my family is what’s most important to me.

VO: No memories really I’m always in camp holiday time.

Q: What is your favorite holiday tradition to participate in?

AK: Eid, which is a Muslim celebration where the family spends time together and we have dinner and give presents and money to the kids.

DA: One of my favorite holiday traditions is to be at my mom’s house and see everyone eating all that food and laughing and joking.

KT: Pretty much eating – dessert is my favorite. I’m going to tear up the desert tray at Christmas.

AM: Thanksgiving is always great because my family always take turns to say what we are thankful for and it’s great to hear everyone’s blessings.

ES: My favorite is cutting the turkey at Thanksgiving.

VO: I would have to say Halloween just to see the scary people and costumes.

Q: If you could invite one historical figure to a holiday dinner or celebration this season who would it be, and why?

AK: Muhammad Ali, he is my boxing hero and Mike Tyson who is now a friend. It would just be good to talk about boxing and they can tell me about their careers.

DA: If I had to pick a historic figure to come celebrate with it would be President Barack Obama. He is one of the most influential people of my day.

KT: Jesus, because he is the King of Kings and his spirit lives on.

AM: It would be Cesar Chavez to thank him for fighting for my people and our rights as immigrants.

VO: That’s a fun question. There’s so many people around that I wouldn’t really know who…

Q: What’s the one holiday food item or fixing that you must have this season?

AK: Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, sweet potatoes and big bowl of salad.

DA: My favorite holiday dish that I’m waiting on is the collard greens or I could say the baked macaroni.

KT: I must have a nice apple pie. I haven’t had one in a long time.

AM: The ones that I can’t wait for are Mexican tamales and buñuelos.

CT: Gumbo!

ES: My mom’s sweet potato pie!

VO: Some pumpkin pie.

Q: What have you been most thankful for so far in 2014?

AK: My baby daughter Lamaisah, who was born in May. It’s a great feeling being a father and it’s further motivation in my career.

DA: What I’m most thankful for is being able to still be here getting blessed with tremendous opportunities. There’s so much that I’m thankful for.

KT: Thankful that I’m here, this life, this blessing and for the experience of growth. And I am thankful for the many more years in the sport and life in general.

AM: My health and being able to help others in some way.

CT: We’re most thankful for having a very close family. We’re very grateful of for all that Ronnie Shields and Al Haymon have made possible. Al gave us the chance and now we’re thankful for our position in the sport of boxing. We’re getting closer and closer to world titles.

ES: My health and the support that I get from my family and friends.

VO: To a great team that I have from Coach Joel, Coach Hoss, Coach Antonio, Coach Jose and Al Haymon, the Watson family and Scott Karp and Sam Spira. I have lots of good people in my corner in and out of boxing.

– PRESS RELEASE

Cuban trainer Ismael Salas in Beibut Shumenov’s corner

After being self-trained for his last three fights, former World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Heavyweight World champion Beibut Shumenov (14-2, 9 KOs) is now working in Las Vegas with highly-regarded Cuban head trainer Ismael Salas.

Salas, who has trained world champions such as Guillermo Rigondeaux, Yuriokis Gamboa, Danny Green, Jesse Vargas and Jorge Linares, is preparing Shumenov for his cruiserweight debut this Saturday night (Dec. 13) against West Virginia fighter Bobby Thomas Jr. (14-2, 9 KOs) in an eight-round bout for the NABA US title, on the Golden Boy Promotions-presented Khan-Alexander card at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I’ve had a lot of changes after my last fight,” the 31-year-old Shumenov said. “I trained myself for the last three fights but now I have added a great trainer, Ismael Salas, to my team.

“I come from Kazakhstan and I was taught the Soviet Union boxing program. The Cuban boxing program has a lot of similarities, so, for me it was easy to pick up Ismael’s teaching method. The addition of Ismael to my team, along with a few other minor changes, has brought about a real positive environment. I look forward again to going to the gym every day and having fun.”

“There was chemistry between us from the beginning,” Salas explained. “In Beibut, I found the old Russian and Cuban boxing fundamentals, so, it was easy for me to approach Beibut’s style but in a professional manner. We talk with all key members of Team Shumenov to discuss his weekly training, including sparring, to do everything the right way.

“We started working together in September and fortunately I provided the right tools he needed for his style. Since the beginning I’ve explained to him that I wouldn’t change his style, just improve it and approach him about working angles better. His strength is toughness and power punching. All he needs is to maintain his game plan. As long as he stays healthy going into a fight – that is most important – moving up to cruiserweight will not affect his power and mobility.”

WBA No. 2 rated cruiserweight Shumenov, a 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian who lives in Las Vegas, captured the WBA light heavyweight title January 29, 2010 by way of a 12-round decision over Gabriel Campillo. Fighting as a professional in only his 10th professional bout, Shumenov established the fewest-fights record for the light heavyweight champion of a major organization with his victory over Campillo.

Shumenov successfully defended his WBA light heavyweight title belt five times against previously unbeaten mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Uzelkov (DEC12), former world champion William Joppy (KO6), multiple world title challengers Danny Santiago (TKO) and Enrique Ornelas (DEC12), and previously undefeated Tamas Kovacs (TKO3).

– PRESS RELEASE

Buckland: I can make Prizefighter history tomorrow

Gary Buckland says he will let the favourite tag stop him from making history in tomorrow night’s Prizefighter Lightweights III tournament at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, live on Sky Sports.

Buckland is looking to become the third fighter to win the title for a second time and the first two-weight champion, and is the bookies’ pick to triumph in the 34^th edition of Matchroom Sport’s eight-man, one night event.

The Welshman triumphed here back in September 2010 in the Super Featherweights, stunning a star-studded field to take the title. ‘Dynamo’ edged out Stevie Bell in the quarter-finals before a brilliant first round KO of Gary Sykes landed him a place in the final against Derry Mathews, where he stopped the Scouser in the second round.

“It was four years ago and I only did five rounds on the night, because I was stopping them,” said Buckland. “That was good then but I wished I had the nine rounds now. There was no KO bonus then either! But I have that experience to call on and we’ve trained exactly the same way to get the same result. I don’t like being the favourite, last time out I was an outsider at 12/1 and I went and won it, I KO’d the favourite that night in Gary Sykes and Choi lost to Derry in a war before I beat him in the final, so the odds and who is the favourite doesn’t mean a thing, you just have to pour everything you have into every second.”

The 28 year old has happy memories of that night but his last outing was here too and ended in defeat to Richard Commey for the Commonwealth title. Buckland challenged the Ghanaian for the vacant belt, losing out on points, and having had two wars with fellow countryman Gavin Rees ahead of that defeat, the Cardiff man insists there’s still plenty left in the tank following those brutal distance battles.

“I shouldn’t have taken the fight with Commey in London really,” said Buckland. “Maybe had I boxed him in Wales it would’ve been different. It was a good experience and he’s a good fighter, I’d take a rematch tomorrow on neutral ground though. He’d had 17 fights and 17 KOs, he couldn’t KO me though and I think the fight was a lot closer than the scorecards suggested.

“I can only do what I can do, I feel good despite those fights with Gavin, they were brilliant battles but I have done 12 rounds since and I am as fit as a fiddle.”

Buckland beat Sykes again ten months after winning Prizefighter to land the British title and successfully defended it twice before losing it to Liverpool’s Stephen Smith – win in London, and that title will again be his focus.

“I would drop down to Super Featherweight and get my British title back,” said Buckland. “That’s the weight I belong at and that’s my title, and I want to get it back.”

Buckland could face second favourite Stephen Foster Jnr in the second semi-final, with Foster taking on Irishman Jono Carroll in the third quarter-final and Buckland facing big-punching Floyd Moore in the fourth quarter-final.

Craig Whyatt and Lee Martin kick off the action in quarter-final number one and the winner will face the victor of the rematch between Danny Connor and Michael Devine, who met in the same venue in September only for their ten-rounder to be halted prematurely when a clash of heads left Connor with a cut that he couldn’t continue to box with.

The draw plus weights:

Quarter-final 1: Craig Whyatt (9st 9lbs) vs. Lee Martin (9st 9lbs)

Quarter-final 2: Michael Devine (9st 10lbs) vs. Danny Connor (9st 10lbs)

Quarter-final 3: Stephen Foster Jnr. (9st 10lbs) vs. Jono Carroll (9st 9lbs)

Quarter-final 4: Gary Buckland (9st 9½lbs) vs. Floyd Moore (9st 10½lbs)

Martin J. Ward and Maxi Hughes meet in between the semi-finals and the final on Saturday night in an excellent British Super Featherweight match-up while there are outings before the start of Prizefighter for former British and Commonwealth Light Welterweight champion Ajose Olusegun fighting back in the UK for the first time since 2011, and talented young Lightweight Ohara Davies in his fourth pro fight.

A limited number of £40 tickets for Saturday night’s action are still available from www.matchroomboxing.com.

– PRESS RELEASE

Ward: I will stop Hughes late

Martin J. Ward believes he’ll have too much for Maxi Hughes to handle when the pair meet in a British Super Featherweight title eliminator tomorrow night (December 6) at York Hall, Bethnal Green, live on Sky Sports.

Unbeaten Ward faces the Rossington man at the east London boxing mecca and while he rates his 24 year old opponent, he expects to overpower ‘Maximus’ in the later rounds as he faces his first southpaw in the paid ranks.

“He is an all-round pretty sound pro but he doesn’t have what I have got and I believe I have more than enough in the tank to beat him,” said Ward, who scaled 9st 3 ½lbs today, as did Hughes.

“He is a southpaw. A lot of orthodox fighters struggle with southpaws but I love fighting southpaws. He is not the most elusive of fights. He has a good boxing brain but I am going to be too quick, too sharp and hit too hard for him.

“I haven’t fought any southpaws as a pro but I used to love getting drawn to them. On the GB squad we used to spar southpaws and fight southpaws week in, week out. I used to love it because a backhand was a scoring point and I couldn’t miss them with a backhand.

“I believe I will come on stronger in the later rounds. Tony always trains you hard and over the years he builds an engine which stays inside you and the engine in have for this fight I could do 12 rounds. I will come on stronger later in the fight.

“It could go the distance. I am going to go out there and enjoy it. I am not going in there swinging and punching looking for a big knockout. I will keep my head on my shoulders and go and stick to my advice from Tony in the corner. But if he walks onto one he walks onto one and I have the power to knock him out.”

Ward and Hughes both faced Kakhaber Avetisian in their last outings – Ward stopping the experienced Georgian in the final round of eight at Wembley Arena on September 20, eight days after he’d taken Hughes ten rounds for the vacant International Masters Super Featherweight title in Sheffield, with Hughes winning every round.

“We both had the same opponent for our last fights and you can take a little bit from that,” said Ward. “Styles make fights and I believe my style is going to cause Maxi a world of trouble. I believe he is in for a hiding tomorrow.

“I step up with each fight that goes on because I am looking to get to the title stage and this is an eliminator for the British. He has proved himself over the ten-round distance that he is a decent ten-round fighter so he is a step up but it is one where I am excited to be able to show what I can do.

“I have been in a really hard camp for this fight, I have trained the hardest I ever have for a fight and I want to make a statement to every Super Featherweight in the country that I mean business. I want that British title around my waist by next summer.”

The title is now the property of Liam Walsh after the unbeaten Norfolk man took it from Gary Sykes in London last week, and Ward was a keen observer of their bout.

“Liam looked really good in winning it,” said Ward. “Sykes was a little bit off point to be honest, I wasn’t impressed with him, but Liam looked a good fighter. I cannot look past Maxi because I am in for a tough night’s work and I have put my body through hell over the last ten weeks for this and I am going to prove I am a legitimate challenger for the title and show that I am ready to take it home with me in the New Year.

“Every other Super Featherweight is going to be watching. If you are a Super Featherweight and there is somebody fighting for the British title or an eliminator, you are going to watch that fight and take interest in it. People in the weight division will be watching and I am going to show them what I am all about.

“I am strong and nice and big for the weight. It was the right move for me and I can make the weight comfortably. In the pro game you have to get every little extra you can and the move to Super Featherweight was definitely the right move for me.

“I am in there mixing it with some great fighters in the gym and in sparring. Sparring is different from fight night but the quality of sparring in the gym, I love it. I enjoy every moment of it and all the hard work is towards fight night and this is the enjoyable part of it.”

Hughes and Ward clash in between the semi-finals and final of the Prizefighter Lightweights III, with yesterday’s draw throwing up a rematch in the top-half while the two favourites are separated in the bottom section.

Danny Connor and Michael Devine met in the same venue in September only for their ten-rounder to be halted prematurely when a clash of heads left Connor with a cut that he couldn’t continue to box with.

They clash in the second quarter-final with the winner then facing either Craig Whyatt or Lee Martin, who kick off the action.

Pre-tournament favourites Gary Buckland and Stephen Foster Jnr could meet in the second semi-final, with Foster taking on Irishman Jono Carroll in the third quarter-final and Prizefighter Super Featherweight champion Buckland facing big-punching Floyd Moore in the fourth quarter-final.

The draw (weights to follow):

Quarter-final 1: Craig Whyatt vs. Lee Martin

Quarter-final 2: Michael Devine vs. Danny Connor

Quarter-final 3: Stephen Foster Jnr. vs. Jono Carroll

Quarter-final 4: Gary Buckland vs. Floyd Moore

The night begins with outings for former British and Commonwealth Light Welterweight champion Ajose Olusegun fighting back in the UK for the first time since 2011, and talented young Lightweight Ohara Davies in his fourth pro fight.

A limited number of £40 tickets for Saturday night’s action are still available from www.matchroomboxing.com.

– PRESS RELEASE

Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini to be inducted into International Boxing Hall of Fame

The International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) today announced its newest class of inductees, including former world lightweight champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini.

Also being inducted into the IBHOF are Class of 2015 Living inductees heavyweight champion Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe and featherweight champion “Prince” Naseem Hamed in the Modern category; light flyweight champion Yoko Gushiken in the Old-Timer category; booking agent / manager Rafael Mendoza and referee Steve Smoger in the Non-Participant category; and editor / journalist Nigel Collins and broadcaster Jim Lampley in the Observer category.

Mancini, fighting out of Youngstown, Ohio, captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight championship in 1982, stopping Arturo Frias in the 15th round, and successfully defended his WBA title four times against Ernesto Frias (TKO1),
Deuk-Koo Kim (KO14), Orlando Romero (KO9) and Hall-of-Famer Bobby Chacon (TKO3).

Mancini said the following when informed of his IBHOF election: “Wow. I’m humbled and I’m honored. To be in the International Boxing Hall of Fame with so many of my friends and heroes is overwhelming.”

Today, among several business ventures, Mancini is a consultant and fight analyst for Fight Network, a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including live fights and up-to-the-minute news and analysis for boxing, mixed martial arts, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, fight news, as well as fight-themed drama series, documentaries and feature films.

“We are thrilled for our friend and Fight Network family member Ray Mancini,” Fight Network president Len Asper commented. He is deserving because of his unquestioned boxing success but also for his great ambassadorship for the sport of boxing and his contributions to the boxing world in general.

The 2015 Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 11-14th in Canastota, NY. Over 10 events, including a golf tournament, banquet, parade and autograph card show, are planned. An impressive celebrity lineup of boxing greats of yesterday and today will attend this year’s Induction Weekend. The highlight of the weekend will be the Official Enshrinement Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 14th to welcome the newest members.

The Hall of Fame also released names of posthumous honorees: Masao Ohba and Ken Overlin in the Old-Timer Category; and publicist John F.X. Condon in the Non Participant Category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of international boxing historians.

For more information on the events planned for the 2015 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095, visit online at www.ibhof.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InternationalBoxingHallofFame and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoxingHall.

– PRESS RELEASE

Jean Pascal:
(about his decision to not trash-talk Thursday)
“Everything in its time. Everything I do is calculated. People think I’m unpredictable, but my strategies all well-planned with my sports psychologist. Now, for this fight, there isn’t any battle of wills, so there’s no point in trying to intimidate my opponent. We have another plan on the psychological front, but intimidation is not part of it.”

(about Bolonti)
“He’s a boxer with stamina. He has 35 wins, 24 by knock out. He’s never lost by KO, which means he’s coming here to go the distance. He’s had three months to prepare because he was initially set to fight Lucian Bute. He says the fight will be easier from a strategic standpoint because I’m a right-hander, so I know he’ll be ready. He’s here to try and surprise everyone. A win would allow him to be noticed at the international level.”

(On Bolonti lasting 12 rounds vs Braehmer on three weeks notice)
“Going the distance against a world champ, that says he’s a quality boxer. He has experience, he has stamina, so we’re in for a good fight at the Bell Centre on Saturday night.”

(Pascal says not thinking about Kovalev fight just yet)

“All I’m thinking about is this fight. I know Bolonti is the ideal opponent for me to prepare for the next bout, whoever it will be, against any right-hander, and allow me to go to the next level.”

Roberto Bolonti:

“I was preparing to fight Lucian Bute and, suddenly, he got injured.  I know many people from Montreal follow him and that when he fights, the arena is full, so, I was quite disappointed. But it’s always easier to fight a right-handed boxer (like Pascal) than it is a left-hander (like Bute). The strategy will change, but it’s nothing to worry about. I’m looking forward to the fight.”

- PRESS RELEASE

Hughes: I will exploit Ward’s weaknesses

Maxi Hughes says he can rip up the script against Martin J. Ward and land a shot at the British Super Featherweight title when the pair meet in an eliminator clash on Saturday night at York Hall, Bethnal Green, live on Sky Sports.

The Rossington man faces the Essex talent as the underdog in east London, but with just one loss on his record – a ten-round points tussle with Scotty Cardle in April 2013 – and over 30 rounds more than Ward in the paid ranks, the 24 year old is convinced he has the tools to defeat the former Team GB man.

“I have seen pretty much every one of his fights just from watching Sky Sports,” said Hughes. “Since I knew I was fighting him I have had a little look, I know how he boxes. He is a good fighter but he hasn’t had a proper step up as of yet. He hasn’t done ten rounds until now and he has had everything his own way.

“He has looked good, done good things and answered the questions asked of him. But I have seen some weaknesses and I plan on exploiting them.

“I have had the one loss to Scotty. That was a good step up in class, I did the ten rounds there and I did ten rounds in my last fight in September. That could be an advantage because he hasn’t done ten rounds yet.

“We had the same opponent for our last fights. The fights were a week apart and he came in for me short notice and came back a week later with black eyes for the Ward fight. He got stopped three seconds from the end. I think he could have carried on, so I am not taking a lot from that. He did hit Ward more than I expected he would. It is a good gauge that our last fights were both against the same person.

“I fully expect a really tough, hard ten rounds. He is quick, he has fast hands, shows a bit of power, but he is a bit too loose. That might be the difference, he might be a bit too loose.

“He is probably the favourite. He has a bigger knockout percentage, he is undefeated and he is at home. I hope it is him who is favourite because it takes a bit of pressure off me and everybody loves an underdog.

“The carrot is dangled with it being a British title eliminator. I think we are both at a stage where and eight or ten round fight for nothing needs something like this. It is a dream of mine to win the Lonsdale Belt so it is a big carrot to be dangled. It is exciting. When I first started boxing I would never have dreamt of being top of the bill in a British title eliminator at York Hall. It is a big deal for me.

“I watched the Liam Walsh fight last week with Gary Sykes. I got offered to fight him when he was Commonwealth champion on the Tyson Fury vs. Dereck Chisora bill in the summer which was called off but the fight fell through.

“I was impressed with Liam. I spar with Gary so I know how good he is and Liam looked really good, but I will be happy to fight him.”

Hughes and Ward clash in between the semi-finals and final of the Prizefighter Lightweights III, with today’s draw throwing up a rematch in the top-half while the two favourites are separated in the bottom section.

Danny Connor and Michael Devine met in the same venue in September only for their ten-rounder to be halted prematurely when a clash of heads left Connor with a cut that he couldn’t continue to box with.

Both men expressed their desire to meet in Matchroom Sport’s eight-man, one night tournament this weekend and their wish was granted as their names were pulled out of the hat live on Sky Sports News by Johnny Nelson and Adam Smith.

They clash in the second quarter-final with the winner then facing either Craig Whyatt or Lee Martin, who kick off the action.

Pre-tournament favourites Gary Buckland and Stephen Foster Jnr could meet in the second semi-final, with Foster taking on Irishman Jono Carroll in the third quarter-final and Prizefighter Super Featherweight champion Buckland facing big-punching Floyd Moore in the fourth quarter-final.

The draw:

Quarter-final 1: Craig Whyatt vs. Lee Martin

Quarter-final 2: Michael Devine vs. Danny Connor

Quarter-final 3: Stephen Foster Jnr. vs. Jono Carroll

Quarter-final 4: Gary Buckland vs. Floyd Moore

The night begins with outings for former British and Commonwealth Light Welterweight champion Ajose Olusegun fighting back in the UK for the first time since 2011, and talented young Lightweight Ohara Davies in his fourth pro fight.

A limited number of £40 tickets for Saturday night’s action are still available from www.matchroomboxing.com.

– PRESS RELEASE

ESPN Films releases “30 for 30 Shorts: Robbed” from Emmy Award-winning director Eric Drath

The latest film in the 30 for 30 Shorts series, from Emmy Award-winning director Eric Drath, has debuted on Grantland.com.

“Robbed” delves into the 1976 Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton fight inside the ring at Yankee Stadium. The conclusion of this fight would go down as one of the most controversial decisions in the sport of boxing. But this fight, which should have been remembered for what happened inside the ring, was tainted by gang activity and theft in the wake of the NYPD strike happening just outside the stadium’s doors. This short reveals a little-known story of the chaos taking place behind the scenes, recanted by legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum.

– Press Release

Connor and Devine drawn in Prizefighter Quarter-Finals

Danny Connor and Michael Devine will rematch in the quarter-finals of the Prizefighter Lightweights III on Saturday night at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

Connor and Devine met in the same venue in September only for their ten-rounder to be halted prematurely when a clash of heads left Connor with a cut that he couldn’t continue to box with.

Both men expressed their desire to meet in Matchroom Sport’s eight-man, one night tournament this weekend and their wish was granted as their names were pulled out of the hat live on Sky Sports News by Johnny Nelson and Adam Smith.

They clash in the second quarter-final with the winner then facing either Craig Whyatt or Lee Martin, who kick off the action.

Pre-tournament favourites Gary Buckland and Stephen Foster Jnr could meet in the second semi-final, with Foster taking on Irishman Jono Carroll in the third quarter-final and Prizefighter Super Featherweight champion Buckland facing big-punching Floyd Moore in the fourth quarter-final.

The draw:

Quarter-final 1: Craig Whyatt vs. Lee Martin

Quarter-final 2: Michael Devine vs. Danny Connor

Quarter-final 3: Stephen Foster Jnr. vs. Jono Carroll

Quarter-final 4: Gary Buckland vs. Floyd Moore

Martin J. Ward and Maxi Hughes meet in between the semi-finals and the final on Saturday night in an excellent British Super Featherweight match-up while there are outings before the start of Prizefighter for former British and Commonwealth Light Welterweight champion Ajose Olusegun fighting back in the UK for the first time since 2011, and talented young Lightweight Ohara Davies in his fourth pro fight.

A limited number of £40 tickets for Saturday night’s action are still available from www.matchroomboxing.com.

– Photo: Lawrence Lustig

– PRESS RELEASE