Video: Final farewell for Bernard Hopkins

Living legend Bernard Hopkins was last seen inside the squared circle nearly two years ago, when he dropped a lopsided decision in a unification bout with light heavyweight sensation Sergey Kovalev. On December 17, just one month before his 52nd birthday, the aging ring warrior is scheduled to have his farewell retirement bout against 27 year old Joe Smith Jr. Win, lose, or draw, the bout against Smith is being billed as the final chapter in the long and illustrious career for the future Hall of Famer.

continue

Povetkin vs Duhaupas Livestream

It seems there is a good chance the show will go on today in Russia. With the Alexander Povetkin fight off due to Povetkin coming up positive for a banned substance and Bermane Stiverne understandably opting to fly home to Las Vegas in disgust, it could be that Frenchman and former world title challenger Johann Duhaupas, 34-3(21) will step in to fight Povetkin in a non-title fight.

continue

Results: Barrera stops Shabranskyy

Light heavyweight contender Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (17-1, 14 KOs) was no match for Sullivan Barrera (18-1, 13 KOs) in getting knocked down three times and halted in the 7th round tonight at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California. The 29-year-old Shabranskyy was flattened with a right hand in the 7th. The fight was stopped by the referee after that knockdown. The match was stopped at 2:05 of round five. Shabranskyy was also on the canvas in the 1st and the 5th. Barrera was knocked down in the 2nd.

continue

Tony Bellew will defend WBC cruiser belt against winner of Huck-Breidis; given “special exemption” on mandatory

Reigning WBC cruiserweight champ Tony Bellew, who will face David Haye in a huge British showdown at heavyweight next March, will leave the ring as a world champion regardless of the outcome of the fight. Bellew has revealed to Sky Sports how he has been given a “special exemption” by the WBC, that allows his mandatory defence – against the winner of the April Marco Huck-Mairis Breidis fight – to be delayed until August of next year.

continue

Povetkin-Stiverne fight in serious jeopardy as Povetkin fails (another) drugs test

News broke late last night US time stating how Russia’s Alexander Povetkin failed a drugs test, the announcement coming from the WBC President Jose Suliaman just hours before Povetkin’s scheduled fight with Bermane Stiverne. The fight, which was set for today, and would contest the interim WBC heavyweight title (the winner to face full champ Deontay Wilder some time next year) is now in serious jeopardy.

The WBC has been forced to withdraw its sanction of the bout, meaning that if the fight does still go ahead it will be a non-title clash. Povetkin reportedly tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine, the fighter’s sample, given to a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, reportedly coming up positive for the drug. As fans will no doubt recall, Povetkin also tested positive for medonium ahead of his scheduled fight with Wilder back in May.

continue

Canelo vs Chavez Jnr could happen on Cinco de Mayo weekend on HBO ppv

There is always a tremendous buzz around the big fight that plays out on Cinco de Mayo weekend, the huge celebration in Mexico, and next year it could be an all-Mexican showdown that gets the big stage. As fans may have read, there is talk of a Saul Alvarez-Julio Cesar Chavez Junior fight taking place next year – with both sides interested in the fight and currently in talks – and according to Dan Rafael of ESPN.com the fight could be staged on May 6.

continue

Quartey focused on victory over Yafai for Commonwealth title

Ghana’s Emmanuel ‘Akufo-Addo’ Quartey says the postponement of his bid for the Commonwealth super bantamweight title against reigning champ, Gama Yafai of England has not affected his focus and ambition ahead of the new fight date of February 4, 2017, live on Sky Sports.

Quartey (20-2, 19 KOs) was scheduled to face the undefeated Yafai (10-0, 4 KOs) for the British Empire crown on December 3 but an injury in training to the champ necessitated the postponement of the fight to the new date in the new year, still promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sport.

continue

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Thabiso Mchunu Scouting Report

This Saturday night undefeated WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Oleksandr Usyk (10-0, 9 KOs) will make his first defense against Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu (17-2, 11 KOs) at the Forum in Inglewood, California. This exciting match-up will open HBO World Championship Boxing telecast beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT headlined by Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Smith Jr. Below is the scouting report for this bout:

continue

Sullivan Barrera Pulls Upset Over Vyacheslav Shabranskyy

Cuban stand out Sullivan Barrera (18-1, 13 KOs) pulled an upset over Vyacheslav “Lionheart Chingonskyy” Shabranskyy (17-1, 14 KOs) in a slugfest for the WBC USNBC Light Heavyweight title at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. before a nearly sold-out crowd and televised on HBO Latino. The fight lasted until the seventh round, where Shabranskyy’s team waved the white towel at the 2:05 mark.

“Of course we would never expect this,” said Vyacheslav Shabranskyy. “We will decide next steps after we get over this.”

continue

Weights: Hopkins 174, Smith 175 – Photo Gallery

Joe “The Beast” Smith and Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins both tipped the scales at 174 pounds ahead of their clash tomorrow night from The Forum and televised live on HBO starting at 10pm EST. At stake will be Smith’s WBC International Light Heavyweight belt and the contest is scheduled for 12 rounds or less.

Smith, hailing from Mastic Beach, NY brings a record of 22-1 18KO’s into the fight while the former multiple division champion and legend Bernard Hopkins enters with a record of 55-7-2 32KO’s.
Both fighters were presented with a WBC Onyx commemorative belt in honor of Hopkins final fight.

continue