Hearn outlines plans for Luis Ortiz, says he could fight Joshua next year

Promoter Eddie Hearn has gone into more detail regarding his plans for unbeaten heavyweight Luis Ortiz, who he recently signed to his ever growing Matchroom stable, and as he explained to Sky Sports, Ortiz could fight IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua next year some time.

Hearn said that, assuming the Cuban southpaw gets past Malik Scott in Monaco next month in what will be Ortiz’ debut under the Matchroom banner, he will then box a TBA on the under-card of Joshua’s next fight (both exact date and opponent still to be confirmed, but likely for December) and then, next year, Ortiz will fight again in the US; again against TBA.

continue

Billy Joe Saunders injured, Akavov fight postponed until November 26

Queensberry Promotions received news today that WBO World Middleweight Champion, Billy Joe Saunders had suffered a muscle injury and would be unable to defend against Artur Akavov on 22nd October at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena. Unfortunately, on the same day British Super-Welterweight Champion, Liam Williams also suffered an injury in sparring that prevents him from defending his British title against Ahmet Patterson on the same bill.

continue

Tyson Fury vacates world heavyweight titles

Statement from Hennessy Sports: Tyson Fury has this evening announced that he has voluntarily vacated his WBO, WBA and IBO World Heavyweight titles with immediate effect to fully focus on his medical treatment and recovery.

Tyson defeated the then linear world champion Wladimir Klitschko in Germany last November in one of the biggest ever upsets in sporting history to claim the unified world titles. However, due to a serious medical condition, Tyson was forced to withdraw from defending his titles against Klitschko in the rematch scheduled for October 29th in Manchester.

continue

Malik Scott to face Luis Ortiz on November 12

World ranked heavyweight contender MALIK SCOTT, (38-2-1, 13 KO’s), is headed to the world’s foremost tourist destination, Monte Carlo, on Saturday, November 12 to face feared, undefeated and #1 ranked “King Kong” LUIS ORTIZ, (25-0, 22 KO’s) at the Salle des Etoiles for the vacant World Boxing Association Inter-Continental Heavyweight Title.

“This is the fight I wanted, I picked him, “said Scott. “I told my promoter Tom Brown one of the three, either Anthony Joshua, David Haye or Luis Ortiz.”

continue

Danny Garcia to fight Samuel Vargas on November 12, Thurman super-fight next year?

Reigning WBC welterweight champ Danny Garcia’s next bout has been confirmed: he will face Canadian-based Colombian Samuel Vargas in Philadelphia on November 12. The fight will be a non-title affair. Garcia, 32-0(18) has been somewhat disappointing in his choice of opposition lately – with fights against the likes of Rod Salka, Paulie Malignaggi and now Vargas cluttering his CV. Fans are certain to be far from happy with the choice of Vargas, 25-2-1(13) in what will be “Swift’s” second and final fight of 2016.

The good news, though, is Garcia, if victorious next month (and he will win, unless we see a candidate for Upset of The Decade) will likely face WBA welterweight king Keith Thurman in a big unification showdown sometime in the first quarter of next year. This is the word according to reports anyway. But first comes the fight against 27-year-old Vargas, in what can only really be called a tune-up bout for Garcia, primed and peaking as he is at age 28.

continue

Can Malik Scott ruin Luis Ortiz’ big plans?

As fans have no doubt read, unbeaten and avoided heavyweight Luis Ortiz has recently signed to UK Matchroom Promotions, having severed ties with Golden Boy earlier in the year and, for a time, being left on the sidelines, with nothing like a big fight in sight. Now, with Eddie Hearn looking to keep the Cuban southpaw busy, the 37-year-old’s chances of realizing his potential before it’s too late look a whole lot better.

Ortiz, 25-0(22) and inactive since March when he stopped and likely retired Tony Thompson, will have his first fight under the Matchroom banner on November 11 in Monaco, when he will face experienced long-time contender Malik Scott on a stacked card. Then, if he comes though okay against Scott – who, in his own most recent fight, defeated Thompson, defeating him last October – Ortiz is scheduled to fight again, against a TBA, in Manchester (in what will be Ortiz’ UK debut) on December 10.

continue

Luke Campbell – Derry Mathews in Liverpool on Saturday

Luke Campbell MBE says beating Derry Mathews is a must if he wants to prove he’s ready for world titles in 2017 as they clash at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

Campbell defends his WBC Silver Lightweight title against the experienced Liverpool favourite, whose last fight – his 50th – was here for the WBO World title against Terry Flanagan.

continue

Adrien Broner-Ricky Burns likely for February, Broner looking to have another fight first

It’s looking as though Ricky Burns and Adrien Broner will finally meet – in a fight that has been talked about for a few years – next February. Burns, the WBA 140-pound champ, is looking at making big money in his first title defence and the Scottish warrior’s manager Alex Morrison told STV that the Broner fight is “99 percent certain, in Las Vegas.”

Burns, 41-5-1(14) had a war with Keryl Relikh earlier this month, with Broner watching the battle won by the Scot, and soon Broner will get a chance to regain the belt Burns now holds. But first, “The Problem” wants to have a fight in December; itching to fight as he is after having spent time in jail and having been largely inactive this year.

continue

David Haye says Joshua-Klitschko is on, says the match-up reminds him of Ali’s ill-fated fight with Berbick

Though British promoter Eddie Hearn is at pains to insist how the huge Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko (or should that be the other war around, with “Dr. Steel Hammer’s” name being given top billing?) fight is “close” but not yet done, former champ David Haye has Tweeted a congratulatory message to the reigning IBF heavyweight belt-holder over having got the fight.

“Great to hear Joshua-Klitschko is done. Timing is everything & the time now is perfect for AJ. Reminds me of Ali-Berbick. #Father Time,” Haye wrote today.

continue

Kovalev-Ward one month away

As WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KOs) and former Two-Time World Champion Andre “S.O.G.” Ward (30-0, 15 KOs) prepare for their epic “Pound For Pound” showdown scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 19 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, fans, media, experts and odds-makers around the world are split on who will be the favorite to win this virtually even-money battle.

And with good reason. Both Kovalev and Ward are undefeated and in their prime, making for a rare and exciting boxing match-up and a testament to the moxie of the boxers and the promoters.

continue