Briggs vs Oquendo ordered to meet for vacant WBA “regular” belt; Briggs wants fight in London

Veteran heavyweights Shannon Briggs and Fres Oquendo have been ordered by the WBA to fight for the vacant “regular” version of the belt. Briggs, who has been chasing a big fight for the longest time – first one with Wladimir Klitschko then one with David Haye – has now got one, sort of.

Though Briggs Vs. Oquendo will not set the sport alight, it is a fight that will contest a title, with the winner possibly going on to a bigger fight or fights. Negotiations between the two are set to begin (if no deal can be reached the fight will go to purse bids) but already Briggs is over the moon happy and planning a venue for the fight.

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Clinton Woods’ autobiography due out this summer

Sheffield Man of Steel Clinton Woods had some storied career and the self-confessed former street tearaway who only got into boxing to get fit, his aspirations limited to winning the British title, is in the process of telling it in an autobiography due out this summer.

Co-writing the book with writer Mark Turley (author of “Journeymen: The Other Side of the Boxing Business”) Woods, who retired in August of 2009 with a fine 42-5-1(25) pro record, achieved far more than he was expected to achieve and far more than he himself ever believed he would achieve. Woods, possessing a granite chin, a good engine and attention-gaining punching power, not only won the British title at light-heavyweight, but also the Commonwealth, the European and, finally, the IBF world title at the weight.

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Hearn predicts “A very painful night” for Klitschko when he fights Joshua

Barry Hearn, father of course of Eddie Hearn, is convinced IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua is not only the real deal but also just about unbeatable. Hearn, speaking with Sky Sports News HQ, says he sees only one winner on April 29, when Joshua, 18-0(18) will face former champ Wladimir Klitschko, 64-4(53) in a bout that will also contest the vacant WBA heavyweight title.

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Carl Frampton vs. Leo Santa Cruz on Jan.28 on Showtime

Several end-of-year praises, including two Fighter of the Year honors for featherweight world champion Carl Frampton, will add prestige and excitement for the highly anticipated rematch between the Northern Ireland-native and former three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz, which will take place Saturday, January 28 at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas live on SHOWTIME.

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No Salido-Lomachenko rematch any time soon; Arum says Salido “Chickened Out!”

It seems P-4-P star and reigning WBO super-featherweight champ Vasyl Lomachenko got overly hopeful, even jumped the gun, when he recently stated how his next fight would be a return meeting with Orlando Salido. According to Top Rank boss and Lomachenko promoter Bob Arum, Mexican warrior Salido “Chickened Out” of a rematch.

Speaking with RingTV.com, Arum said Salido – the only man to have beaten Lomachenko as a pro – asked for “crazy money.”

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Chris Eubank Junior: “I don’t need a trainer to push me or tell me what to do”

Chris Eubank Junior seems to be about the most stubborn and hard-headed fighter you could care to mention today. He may also be the most arrogant. Ahead of his February fight with little known Renold Quinlan for the equally little known (and little regarded) IBO super-middleweight belt, the former British middleweight champ who will be moving up eight pounds, claims he doesn’t even need a trainer.

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Anthony Crolla – Jorge Linares II at the Manchester Arena on March 25

Anthony Crolla will meet Jorge Linares in a rematch for the WBA, WBC Diamond and Ring magazine World Lightweight titles at the Manchester Arena on March 25, live on Sky Sports and sponsored by Betfred.

Crolla and Linares met in the same venue for the belts in September with the Venezuelan coming out on top in an enthralling contest, ending the brilliant winning run of ‘Million Dollar’ who claimed the title with a stoppage win over Darleys Perez in November 2015 before destroying dangerous Ismael Barroso in May.

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Chris Eubank Snr. – A distraction or a diversion?

There is little argument that Chris Eubank Jr has the potential to be a world level fighter. There is however, countless column inches about the nature of the involvement of his father and the effect it will have on his career.

The question is this: Are Chris Eubank’s actions a carefully considered ploy to draw attention and pressure away from his son, or are they the actions of a man hungry for the limelight with a desperate need to rekindle public interest in himself?

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Bob Arum wants Manny Pacquiao to be a true “world champ” throughout remainder of career: fights in Australia, England, Middle East possible this year

It might be partially due to the reported $20 million Michael Koncz says Manny Pacquiao wants guaranteed for the fight, but Pac-Man will NOT be facing Terence Crawford this year. So said Bob Arum when speaking with The Manila Bulletin.

Instead, the Top Rank boss wants to take Manny on the road – possibly as far afield as Australia or the Middle East. Arum says the Crawford fight could still take place, in America, but not in the first half of 2017.

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Amir Khan: Danny Garcia assured me we will fight again

It’s one of two defeats that really bothers Amir Khan, and the former 140-pound champ remains ever hopeful he will get a chance to avenge it one day. The fight in question is the 2012 stoppage defeat Khan suffered at the dangerous hands – his left hand in particular – of Danny Garcia.

The hugely controversial points defeat to Lamont Peterson aside (this too being a loss Khan has never forgotten about wanting to avenge) the Garcia loss bugs Khan the most. Ahead on the cards and outboxing “Swift” at the time of the crushing stoppage (Khan still on his feet trying to fight back at the time of the referee’s timely stoppage) Khan is convinced he will beat Garcia in a return meeting.

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