Sergey Kovalev: “This Fight Will Not Go Past Three Rounds”

08/13/201308/13/2013 BoxNation

KOVALEV: “I’VE TRAINED TO GO THREE ROUNDS, BUT NO ONE CAN GUARANTEE THAT THIS FIGHT WILL GO PAST THREE.”

At today’s media workout in Newport, Russian KO King Sergey Kovalev had some fierce words for the WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly, who he faces on Saturday night at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena, live and exclusive in the UK on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

Undefeated Kovalev, who has destroyed 19 of his 21 opponents with 18 coming inside the first three rounds, is predicting a similar outcome for the Welsh hero.

“Cleverly is my toughest test, he’s a good, fast fighter who throws a lot of punches, but I think it will be a similar outcome on Saturday night.” Said the “Krusher”.

Nathan Cleverly: “I Expect To Stop Kovalev Midway To Late”

08/13/201308/13/2013 BoxNation

NATHAN CLEVERLY: ‘I WIN BECAUSE I BRING THE BETTER ALL ROUND PACKAGE. I EXPECT TO STOP KOVALEV MIDWAY TO LATE.’

For some time now, WBO World Light-Heavyweight king Nathan Cleverly has been putting himself on offer as the finest 175lb prizefighter on this planet.

On Saturday evening, at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena in his native Wales the 26-year-old from Cefn Fforest finally gets his chance to convince others of the veracity of his claim when he makes a sixth defence of his belt against formidable Russian Sergey Kovalev.

Remaining tickets are available from the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena Box Office on 02920 224 488 or Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or www.eventim.co.uk

Rafael Mensah dares WBA champs Abril and Gamboa

08/13/201308/13/2013 Prince Dornu-Leiku

Fresh from earning a career high number 9 ranking on the WBA Lightweight ratings, young Ghanaian pugilist, Rafael Mensah is knocking on the doors to the WBA Lightweight championship.

Rated number 9 in the latest rankings released on Monday, undefeated Mensah has vowed to work his way to the top for a possible shot at champion, Richar Abril or even interim champion, Yuriorkis Gamboa, both Cubans.

“For now, I have to thank my coach, Ofori Asare and my manager/promoter, Anthony Kermah of Landmark Promotions. I turned professional in 2010 and I’m happy with the way my career has been managed up to this time,” Rafael Mensah told East Side Boxing exclusively when we caught up with him training at the Wisdom Gym in Accra.

Mensah, 19-0, 14 KOs, has shot ahead in the world ratings on the back of annexing the WBA Pan-Africa Lightweight belt via a unanimous victory over Bilal Mohammed back on July 13 and he is still basking in the glory.

John David Jackson talks Cleverly vs Kovalev

08/13/201308/12/2013 BoxNation

With less than 60 rounds on his slate, mammoth hitting WBO World Light-Heavyweight title challenger and world ranked Sergey Kovalev might be shy on professional experience when he fronts up to defending champion Nathan Cleverly at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena this Saturday.

However the presence of John David Jackson in the unbeaten Russian’s corner should certainly act as a buffer.

A globetrotting two time-two weight world champion in the late 80s and early 90s, the Denver born, Florida based southpaw is now one of the most coveted coaches in the US. His client list includes world champions such as Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins, Randall Bailey and Nate Campbell and recently ‘Action’ Jackson was recruited as head trainer at Mike Tyson’s Iron Mike Productions.

Yoel Judah Talks Zab’s Return, Mayweather-Canelo and Garcia-Matthysse

08/12/201308/12/2013 Phil Rivera

After the Zab Judah loss to Danny Garcia in April, the Brooklyn product received much praise for his efforts. Judah battled back from two knockdowns to come on strong late, while the much younger Garcia faded. There is however one person who isn’t so impressed with Judah’s performance that night.

His father and former trainer Yoel Judah.

“I thought Zab should’ve won the fight, I really thought Zab should’ve knocked Garcia out,” Judah said. “That’s what he should’ve did. All this talk that he came close and he looked good, he knows I’m not going for none of that.”

Ready to Thrill the World An Interview with Ronald Gavril

08/12/201308/11/2013 Boxing Roundup

If America is the land of opportunity, Ronald Gavril has seized his big chance with both hands. Born in Bacau Romania ‘The Thrill’ is now an exciting young prospect fighting out of Las Vegas. Ronald is the epitome of hard work, determination and hope. Since turning professional in 2011 the 27 year old talent has swept aside his first five opponents with his action packed aggressive style.

However the future of the promising super middleweight was once in doubt until his management made the brave decision to relocate to Las Vegas. Ronald’s profile immediately inflated as he put his impressive fighting ability on display in the gyms of Sin City.

Q & A: Jerry Odom – fighting 6th pro fight September 13 at Newark’s Robert Treat Hotel

08/09/2013 Lou McLaughlin

Fast rising prospect Jerry “The King’s Son “Odom took time to give an exclusive interview to Fightnews. The 20 year old from Bowie, Maryland has had five fights since his pro debut in October 2012. In a manner reminiscent of young Mike Tyson’s early rise all five have ended within the first round. Total ring time in five fights being 6 minutes 23 seconds. Odom has risen from a troubled youth in the Paradise projects of Washington D.C. to a Golden Gloves champion. At 14, he stood in a D.C. courtroom in front of a judge he knew was tired of seeing him. It was Jerry’s third time there. . The youngster was looking at serious time. His uncle proposed a last-ditch solution: He would take Jerry. Ken Williams, a home builder, asked the judge to let Jerry live with him and his parents in Bowie. It is in this environment that Jerry received the opportunity to turn his life around. He has fully grasped this opportunity. The super middleweight has drawn a lot of attention from community for his natural knockout punching power. He has recently signed with GH3 Promotions and is scheduled to fight September 13th at Newark’s Robert Treat Hotel in his first bout outside of the D.C. area.

Vince Cleverly: “Nathan will KO Kovalev 100%”

08/08/2013 BoxNation

Nathan Cleverly’s father and trainer Vince has promised that his son will knock-out iron-fisted Sergey Kovalev.

Cleverly Snr and Kovalev’s trainer, John David Jackson, discussed their fighters’ preparations last night on a conference call ahead of the massive showdown at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena on Saturday 17th August, live and exclusive in the UK on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

Cleverly defends his WBO World Light-Heavyweight title for the sixth and most dangerous defence yet against the undefeated Kovalev who’s knocked out 19 of his 22 opponents with 18 coming inside three rounds.

But Cleverly is adamant that his son will retain his title and will even knock out the fearsome Russian.

WBA # 13 Blake Caparello eyes big fight!

08/04/201308/04/2013 Brendan Bourke

Undefeated Australian light heavyweight Blake Caparello 17-0-1 is starring down the barrel of some big fight offers after his impressive display against Daniel McKinnon 21-5 last month.

Caparello put on an old school boxing display of hit and don’t get hit as he cruised to a points win over tough kiwi Daniel McKinnon.

I caught up with Team Caparello at training and manager/ trainer Sam Labruna had the flowing to say; “I was very happy with Blake’s performance against McKinnon, Daniel is very experienced and he used every trick in the book to get Blake off his game and make the fight messy.”

I asked Blake what he thought about the fight; “I though I fought a smart calculated fight, I thought I landed the decisive blows and the cleaner punches and hardly got hit.

Interview with “Fast” Eddie Chambers

07/31/201307/30/2013 Chip Mitchell

Chip Mitchell: Eddie, let’s first talk about the decision to move down from heavyweight to cruiserweight? Was part of the decision it based more on size or more opportunities in the division?

Fast Eddie Chambers: It is a combination of all that. But honestly when you thing about the opportunities in cruiserweight it’s almost in some ways just as difficult because you see a lot of these champions sitting on belts. At least in heavyweight division you’ve got one guy saying ‘Look I’m going to try to rule the division’.

In the cruiserweight division we have four different champions and they’re all sitting on belts. And they are like ‘I don’t want to pick and choose’ and the promoters have to do this and that. Like Kathy (Duva) was saying a little earlier, they talk about having this other fight already made or that other fight made, so they’re not really thinking about getting anybody a shot at taking their title. They are thinking of keeping their belts and sitting on them.