Joshua vs Klitschko: Officials named for Saturday’s showdown

Joshua vs Klitschko: Officials named for Saturday's showdown

The officials have been confirmed for this Saturday’s huge, 90,000 sell-out heavyweight collision between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko. There is plenty on the line in this fight – the biggest heavyweight fight in British boxing history – and a strong third man in the ring will be needed.

The fight will have a very experienced referee in David Fields of New Jersey. Having worked over 200 fights – including bouts with big names such as Bernard Hopkins, Sergey Kovalev, Shawn Porter and Yuriorkis Gamboa to name just a few – Fields, a big guy, should not be at all out of his depth working the WBA/IBF heavyweight title fight; even if he has not worked too many heavyweight fights before.

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Razvan Cojanu to step in as late replacement for Joseph Parker?

Razvan Cojanu to step in as late replacement for Joseph Parker?

An official press conference has been set up for tomorrow in New Zealand, to officially announce WBO heavyweight champ Joseph Parker’s next move/fight. As fans know, the undefeated Parker is in need of a new challenger for May 6 due to original foe Hughie Fury pulling out with an injury.

A short-list of available last-minute opposition was in the possession of Duco Events, Parker’s promoter, and – according to Dan Rafael of ESPN.com – a decision has been reached. According to “a source with knowledge of the deal” who spoke with ESPN today, Romania’s Razvan Cojanu, 16-2(9) will be the fighter who lands the short-notice title shot.

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Canelo, Chavez Jr: WBC Creates New Belt

Canelo, Chavez Jr: WBC Creates New Belt

By Mauricio Sulaiman – The highly-anticipated fight between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has caught the world’s attention and will certainly be a great success. T-Mobile Arena was sold out immediately, the pay-per-view is expected to be over 1 million homes, and both major TV Networks in Mexico – Televisa and Azteca – will air the fight, which will break all existing records of TV audience in the history of Mexico. So, in essence, it is a monumental success.

The WBC is extremely proud of both fighters, two Mexican warriors who have taunted each other for six years and now will have the opportunity to claim to be Mexico’s representative to the world.

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Yahu “Rock” Blackwell Back in Action on May 13th

Yahu "Rock" Blackwell Back in Action on May 13th

Baltimore, MD U.S.A- WBU and IBU ranked cruiserweight boxer Yahu “Rock” Blackwell (Baltimore, MD/16-1,13 KOs) will be continuing his return to the Association of Boxing Commissions after dominating competition in the International Boxing League. Yahu went undefeated in his professional run in the IBL where he racked up 15 straight victories. His next fight will be held May 13th in Rosarito, Mexico against an opponent that is TBA. Yahu is coming fresh off a 2nd round TKO win that he scored on April 6th 2017. He stopped Benjamin Hernandez after landing with a one-two combination that proved to be too much for Hernandez as he dropped to the canvas and was unable to continue. Yahu improved his record in the ABC to 1-1, advancing him to a combined professional record of 16-1. His next fight will be held May 13th in Rosarito, Mexico against an opponent that is TBA.

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Can Tony Bellew become a world heavyweight champ?

Can Tony Bellew become a world heavyweight champ?

As fight fans may or may not have read, British heavyweight / cruiserweight Tony Bellew (who picked up a huge heavyweight win over David Haye in his last fight but has only been crowned a world champion as a 200 pounder) has decided he will fight on.

After the big upset win over an injured (Achilles-heel) Haye, Bellew, the WBC cruiserweight boss at the time, said he may well walk away, content and financially set. But the lure of becoming a heavyweight champ, of hearing the words, ‘Tony Bellew, heavyweight champion of the world,’ has enticed “Bomber” to march onward and roll the dice once more.

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Manny Pacquiao arrives in Australia ahead of July fight with Jeff Horn; admits he has “not seen any of his fights”

Manny Pacquiao arrives in Australia ahead of July fight with Jeff Horn; admits he has “not seen any of his fights”

A few hours ago, superstar and reigning WBO welterweight king Manny Pacquiao touched down in Australia to begin hyping his July fight with Australian slugger Jeff Horn. Pac-Man, who is not yet ready to call it a day and retire his magnificent career, was not greeted by much fan-fair or fuss upon his arrival, and the 38 year old all-time great admitted he doesn’t even know much about the unbeaten fighter he will be swapping leather with on July 2.

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Dominic Breazeale in the frame for Joseph Parker fight on May 6

Dominic Breazeale in the frame for Joseph Parker fight on May 6

As fans know, Britain’s unbeaten Hughie Fury was forced to pull out of his scheduled May 6 challenge of reigning WBO heavyweight champ Joseph Parker due to injury, leaving Team-Parker pretty much fuming – and looking for a late replacement challenger.

The show may still go on, and The New Zealand Herald has reported how US contender and former IBF title challenger Dominic Breazeale is one of the fighters in the frame for the fight early next month (just under two weeks away). Breazeale, beaten only by British star Anthony Joshua, holds decent wins over Amir Mansour and the tricky Fred Kassi, while in his last fight in February, he engaged in a thrilling slugfest that saw him beat Parker’s stablemate, Izu Ugonoh.

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Amir Khan tells Keith Thurman to “forget Porter,” calls out the WBC/WBA welterweight champ for this year

Amir Khan tells Keith Thurman to “forget Porter,” calls out the WBC/WBA welterweight champ for this year

Amir Khan has been pretty quiet as of late, ring activity-wise. But the former 140 pound ruler has had plenty to say, both on social media and on video. Khan has not boxed since he was brutally taken out by the bigger Canelo Alvarez last May, but this has not stopped him from calling out everyone from Manny Pacquiao to Danny Garcia.

Khan, who has undergone surgery on his right hand and has said a number of times how he cannot wait to “get in there and test it out,” is currently in training for his return. There is talk of a tune-up fight next, but Khan has always aimed high, looking for the biggest and best possible fights. The latest big name fight “King Khan” has called for is one with reigning and undefeated WBC/WBA 147 pound champion Keith Thurman.

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Shawn Porter earns rematch with Keith Thurman with win over Berto; get ready for Super-Fight II

Shawn Porter earns rematch with Keith Thurman with win over Berto; get ready for Super-Fight II

Former welterweight champ Shawn Porter fought like a man possessed last night in overwhelming a game Andre Berto, himself a proud former champ. Of course, with his relentless, thoroughly fan-pleasing style, Porter always fights with passion; but last night’s fight was the key to Porter getting something he has craved since last June: a rematch with the only man he feels has genuinely beaten him, in Keith Thurman.

Thurman and Porter went to war in a great, great action fight last summer, and Porter, having dropped a close 12 round decision, instantly made it clear that he wanted a rematch. With last night’s ninth round stoppage win over Berto, Porter won a final eliminator for the WBC welterweight title Thurman currently holds, along with the WBA belt.

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18 years ago: “The Real-Life Rocky” turns pro

18 years ago: “The Real-Life Rocky” turns pro

Plenty of white heavyweight brawlers have, over the years, ever since Sly Stallone’s creation hit the big screen, been given the unofficial nickname of “The Real-Life Rocky” – Chuck Wepner arguably being the most deserving of the tag, as it was his ring exploits that inspired the struggling, out of work actor to put pen to paper and come up with his masterpiece.

But one other fighter, hailing from the tough streets of New York, made the nickname his own during the mid-to-late 2000s. Vinny Maddalone of Queens, who made his debut 18 years ago today, won over those fight fans who saw him slug it out, and he won them over with his sheer heart, his honest, down to earth approach and his fearlessness. Maddalone was never a fighter blessed with natural boxing skills, but he had a ton of guts, he was willing to fight anyone his promoter Joe DeGuardia put him in with, and he could really crack, with either mitt.

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