This Saturday night live on BoxNation (Showtime Extreme in U.S.) Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders take center stage at the Manchester Arena. Lee is the more accomplished fighter with real one-punch knockout power. Saunders is unbeaten and will need to use his skills rather than heart to secure the victory. Both fighters come from traveling backgrounds so the WBO belt comes secondary to pride and heritage.
Ruslan Chagaev vs Lucas Browne on March 5
LUCAS “BIG DADDY” BROWNE has the opportunity to make history when he faces Ruslan Chagaev at the Akhmat Arena in Grozny, Chechnya on March 5. Australia has never had a world champion in the heavyweight division, but the 36-year-old from Sydney aims to change that by ripping the WBA crown away from the experienced Uzbek. Browne has been the mandatory challenger for the title since February, but has had to wait patiently for a shot due to Puerto Rico’s Fres Oquendo being granted a rematch with Chagaev. That return was scrapped in October when Oquendo suffered an injury.
Jennings vs. Ortiz Final Press Conference Quotes and Photos
Fighters featured on the December 19 HBO Boxing After Dark and HBO Latino shows shared their final thoughts ahead of Saturdays fights at the final press conference today at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Former heavyweight world title contender Bryant “By – By” Jennings (19-1, 10 KOs) of Philadelphia was joined at the final press conference by his opponent Cuban heavyweight Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz (23-0, 20 KOs), who will clash in the main event on the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast on Saturday for the WBA Interim Heavyweight World Title.
Wilder: “I’m knocking out Szpilka and I’m sending a message to everyone who stands in my way!”
Heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and bruising Polish challenger Artur Szpilka took time out of their intense training schedules to exchange some words on a media conference call Wednesday before they meet in the ring on Saturday, January 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).
Wilder and Szpilka will meet in the first heavyweight title matchup in Brooklyn in 115 years as the American heavyweight champ looks to defend his belt for the third time.
Anthony Joshua – Tiger Tiger, learning fast…
Saturday’s fight card in London heralded the arrival of a new player in the world heavyweight scene – Anthony Joshua.
Joshua has hardly flown beneath the radar until this point – that’s not been possible given his heavyweight gold medal from the London 2012 Olympic games. That said, last weekend’s fight against Dillian was his first serious test in the pro ranks, and it proved a very entertaining and gripping fight.
Lee vs Saunders: Andy Lee turns nasty
WBO World Middleweight Champion Andy Lee is boxing’s Jekyll and Hyde by saying he can turn on a nasty switch.
The Irishman is usually a happy character, but he knows his mean side will come out in the titanic battle against undefeated rival Billy Joe Saunders this Saturday night at the Manchester Arena when he puts his title on the line.
Class of 2016 Announced: Macho Camacho, Lupe Pintor, Zapato, Lederman
The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the newest class of inductees to enter the Hall. Inductees include Puerto Rico’s multi-division champion Hector “Macho” Camacho (posthumous), Mexico’s two-division champion Lupe Pintor and Panama’s two-division champion Hilario Zapata in the Modern category; judge Harold Lederman, commissioner Marc Ratner, journalist Jerry Izenberg and broadcaster Col. Bob Sheridan.
Hennessy Sports win the right to stage Blackwell vs. Eubank Jr.
Hennessy Sports are delighted to announce they have won the right to stage the British middleweight title fight between champion Nick Blackwell and number one challenger Chris Eubank Jr. in 2016.
Promoter Mick Hennessy submitted the highest purse bid this afternoon – amid fierce competition from Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn – and will now look to secure a date and venue for the Blackwell vs. Eubank Jr. fight in the coming weeks.
Andy Lee: One Punch Can End Saunders Dreams
WBO World Middleweight Champion Andy Lee has told challenger Billy Joe Saunders he has the punch to end his dreams.
Lee defends his title against Saunders this Saturday night (19th December) at the Manchester Arena, exclusively live on BoxNation, in the mouthwatering showdown that has got divided the fight trade.
Saunders: Eubank is a “phony” who is not at world level
World title challenger Billy Joe Saunders has blasted arch nemesis Chris Eubank Jr saying he is a “phony” who is not at world level.
The 26-year-old from Hatfield, who takes on WBO champion Andy Lee this Saturday night, exclusively live on BoxNation from the Manchester Arena, has said he was left unimpressed with Eubank Jr’s win and that he will fall short if he takes on the best around.