The Latest Boxing News
By Paul “Paparazzi” Jones | Published: February 11, 2017| Photo © Paul “Paparazzi” Jones
WASHINGTON, DC– Former two-time world champ Lamont ‟Havoc” Peterson (34-3-1, 17 KOs) faces (Interim) WBA Welterweight Champion David Avanesyan (22-1-1, 11 KOs) on February 18 in the co-main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING card featuring Adrien “The Problem” Broner and Adrian “El Tigre” Granados.
For a while, it looked as though superstar Manny Pacquaao’s next fight would take place in Australia, however, it now seems definite Pac-Man will box in the UAE; either in Abu Dhabi or Dubai – at least this is the word according to Pacquiaio’s long-time advisor Michael Koncz.
Koncz put a message up on Pac-Man’s official social media channels, saying “See you in UAE for my next fight.”
We all want to see an undisputed heavyweight champion, and we fans are not alone in this desire. Deontay Wilder, the WBC king, has stated how, for him, “2017 is all about unifications,” and New Zealand’s reigning WBO heavyweight boss Joseph Parker and his team feel the big unification bouts will come soon enough.
Former WBC heavyweight champ Bermane Stiverne has felt the urge to respond to the growing suggestions that he and unbeaten Cuban southpaw Luis Ortiz could soon meet in a final eliminator for the WBC title currently held by the unbeaten Deontay Wilder.
The talked of match-up has intrigue to it and fight fans would certainly tune in to watch it, but it’s not happening – not according to Stiverne anyway. Taking to social media to let his thoughts be known, “B-Ware” wrote the following short, to the point message:
27 years ago today it happened: Mike Tyson, the “unbeatable” heavyweight king, was sensationally beaten up, defeated and knocked out in what still ranks as the biggest sporting upset in history. Whopping great 42-1 underdog James “Buster” Douglas pulled off the almighty stunner; a shock so great it commanded front page status on just about every newspaper on the planet the following day.
Gifted amateur sensation Shakur Stevenson, the 19 year-old who helped light up the Rio Olympics, was in hot demand almost as soon as his tenure at the games was over. Floyd Mayweather visited with Stevenson – who picked up a silver medal at bantamweight at last year’s games – and many people thought Floyd’s TMT outfit would soon have Stevenson’s ultra-promising career signed, sealed and delivered.
Undefeated super lightweight powerhouse Ivan Baranchyk and a game Abel Ramos brawled in an absolute slugfest that featured three knockdowns in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation Friday on SHOWTIME, with local favorite Baranchyk winning a 10-round unanimous decision at Buffalo Run Casino & Resort.
In a one-sided fight, IBF lightweight title holder Robert Easter Jr. (19-0, 14 KOs) had an easy time pounding out a 12 round unanimous decision tonight over fringe contender Luis Cruz (22-5-1, 16 KOs) at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. Cruz made a fight of it, but he didn’t have the weapons to compete on an even playing field with the 26-year-old Easter Jr.
Fighting with his Ricky Hatton-esque style, Zhanat Zhakiyanov (27-1, 18 KOs) defeated WBA World bantamweight champion Rau’shee Warren (14-2, 4 KOs) by an impressive 12 round split decision tonight at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. The fight was pretty one-sided. There was no reason for the contest to be a split decision, because Zhakiyanov punished the 29-year-old Warren with power shots from rounds 2 through 12.
Nearly 10,000 fans turned out for hometown hero Robert Easter (19-0, 14 KOs) as he impressively defended his lightweight world title against Puerto Rico’s Luis Cruz (22-5-1, 16 KOs) at the Huntington Center in Toledo, OH in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce TV. The 2012 Olympic alternate used his reach and power throughout the fight, knocking Cruz down three times en route to a unanimous decision victory.