PBC on NBC: Deontay Wilder v Johann Duhaupas Set for September 26th

It’s expected to be announced by press conference Thursday that WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will defend his green belt for the second time against little-known French fighter Johann Duhaupas (32-2, 20ko). The bout has been confirmed to take place in his home state of Alabama on September 26th in a PBC on NBC broadcast according to AL.com.

Again it seems Al Haymon and Wilder have decided to scrape the barrell of the WBC rankings, with the Frenchman ranked outside of the Top 10 at #12. This is obviously a step backwards from part time fighter/full time teacher Eric Molina, who Wilder made hard work of defeating in June, and who was ranked #9 with the WBC when that fight was announced.

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Kell Brook: I Want a Fight With Tim Bradley / Talks With Bob Arum Held

Given that Top Rank’s Bob Arum has been in the UK recently meeting with various British fight figures, including Matchroom Sport’s Barry Hearn and his son Eddie, it should come as no surprise that the plan now appears to be to try and match their IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook with new WBO 147 lb champion and TR man, Tim Bradley.

Brook has been struggling to get an opponent together with the date of his proposed return shifting further and further away as negotiations continue with various outlets to secure a credible opponent the hardcore fans here in the UK will deem worthy enough of standing in the opposite corner.

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Abner Mares: I’m prepared for Leo Santa Cruz

LOS ANGELES (August 18, 2015) – Former three division world champion Abner Mares was joined by dozens of Los Angeles media members today during his open media workout at his Del Mares Gym. Mares is preparing for his Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on ESPN showdown with Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz on Saturday, August 29 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

Mares went through a full training session as media members watched on and documented the event. In addition, the Mexican band Banda Culiacansito performed a private concert as he went through his workout.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $25, $50, $75, $150 and $300, not including applicable fees and service charges, and are on sale at AXS.com or by phone at 888-929-7849 or at STAPLES Center.

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Will Andre Berto REALLY Be Floyd’s Last Fight? Leonard Ellerbe says “Yes, That’s a Fact”

Floyd Mayweather’s assertions that Andre Berto will be the final fight of his illustrious career have caused many to raise a cynical eyebrow, certain that the P4P boss won’t be able to withstand the temptation of yet more filthy lucre as well as a shot at bolstering his claim as the self professed “best ever” by beating Rocky Marciano’s hallowed 49-0 unblemished slate with a 50th contest next year.

One man who insists that won’t be the case is Floyd’s right hand man and confidant, Leonard Ellerbe, the “official” mouthpiece of the outfit, who remains steadfast in his belief that we will see no more Mayweather after September 12th.

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Freddie Roach wants Pacquiao vs. Garica in 2015

Now that the Mayweather Jr. vs. Pacquiao fiasco is behind us, news times bring new challenges for both champions.

Mayweather Jr. has decided to face Andre Berto in his supposed career closing bout, which sprouted an avalanche of understandable criticism. In his decision, Mayweather Jr. likely deflated his earnings by a very considerable amount, and lost admiration from many fans.

For Pacquiao, who wants to continue his career claiming that his desire to fight is as strong as ever, there is also a lack of admirable opposition. Nonetheless, there are plenty of big name fighters that he could face that pose very little risk to the Filipino sensation.

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Vasyl Lomachenko Pushing for Guillermo Rigondeaux Fight

WBO featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko (4-1, 2ko) has upped the ante in trying to push for a fight with Cuban former amateur standout Guillermo Rigondeaux, telling the WBA (sup) 122 lb champion, ‘let’s fight for the right to be champion.

Lomachenko took to social media after provisional talks between the two camps about a mooted contest at 126 have stalled, ostensibly over a 134 lb rehydration clause in the contract that the Cuban wants to ensure Lomachenko doesn’t blow up too significantly on fight night.

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Live Stream: Gennady Golovkin vs. David Lemieux NYC Presser at 12:30 PM ET

Boxing superstar, WBA, IBO and WBC Interim Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN (33-0, 30 KOs) and IBF Middleweight World Champion power-puncher DAVID LEMIEUX (34-2, 31 KOs) of Montreal, Quebec, Canada will hold a press conference in New York to promote their highly anticipated Middleweight World Championship Title Unification bout set for Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden. The championship event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

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Jorge Linares Snubs Kevin Mitchell Rematch / Fighting Ivan Cano in Venezuela

After their thrilling fight back in May resulted in a heroic Kevin Mitchell (39-3, 29ko) getting stopped in the tenth round (despite being up on two scorecards), WBC lightweight champion Jorge Linares (39-3, 26ko) has snubbed a rematch with the Englishman, and will fight unheralded Mexican Ivan Cano (23-6-2) on October 18th instead.

It was made clear in the immediate aftermath of May’s fight that Linares would be returning to Venezuela to make his next defence, and his team were thought to be open to the possibility of a second fight with the Dagenham man.

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Sam Eggington v Frankie Gavin a Done Deal for October 17th in Birmingham

It will be do or die for Birmingham welterweight Frankie Gavin (22-2, 13ko) when he challenges new British and Commonwealth welterweight champion and fellow Brum Sam Eggington (16-2, 9ko) on October 17th at the city’s Barclaycard Arena.

It’s a must win for the former world amateur champion against the young 21 year old up-and-comer, who began his professional career with ambitions to become a journeyman, ostensibly fighting only for the money.

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Two Future World Champions: Anthony Joshua and Artur Beterbiev

Two highly-skilled undefeated knockout artists who have positioned themselves to become potential world champions in their respective divisions are heavyweight Anthony Joshua and light heavyweight Artur Beterbiev.

Joshua (13-0, 13 KOs), the orthodox knockout destroyer from Watford, Hertfordshire is seen as an emerging contender in the heavyweight division. He went 7-0 last year with all of his fights ending in a knockout, most of them in the first round. He defeated veteran countrymen Matt Shelton and Michael Sprott, as well as Denis Bakhtov for the WBC international heavyweight title. This year he took out three more opponents, Jason Gavern, Raphael Love, and world title challenger Kevin Johnson all before the third. His opponents have yet to reach the fourth round. At an impressive six feet six inches and approximately 240 pounds, the former 2012 United Kingdom Olympic Super Heavyweight Gold Medalist is an ideal size for his division and always displays his fantastic conditioning with great agile footwork, speed, and a commanding jab. He’s ranked second by the WBC, third by the WBO, thirteenth by the WBA, and fourteenth by the IBF.

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