Undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) / World Boxing Organization (WBO) 122‐pound world champion and Cuban sensation GUILLERMO “El Chacal” RIGONDEAUX returns to the ring fresh from his career‐best victory. Rigondeaux will be bidding for Fighter of the Year honors when hedefends his unified titles against former two‐time world champion JOSEPH “King Kong” AGBEKO, Saturday, December 7, at Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Phillips Ballroom in Atlantic City. The card will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark® beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. The live telecast will also feature local favorite GLEN “Jersey Boy” TAPIA risking his Top‐Five rating and undefeated record in a 10‐round junior middleweight battle against knockout artist JAMES KIRKLAND and three‐time world title challenger MATTHEW MACKLIN in a 10‐round middleweight rumble against undefeated contender LAMAR RUSS.
Will Froch avenge Bellew’s defeat against Stevenson?
Carl Froch’s good friend Tony Bellew (20-2-1, 12 KO’s) was literally bludgeoned into submission in a 6th round stoppage loss last Saturday night at the hands of WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson (23-1, 20 KO’s) at the Colisee de Quebec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
That couldn’t have been a good experience for Froch to see Bellew getting manhandled by the Canadian-based Stevenson like that for 6 rounds, but then to make matters worse, Stevenson put Froch on notice by saying to the entire boxing world that he wants to fight him next rather than WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev.
Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: What Next for Kovalev & Stevenson?, Rigondeaux Ready for Agbeko?
Anthony I. (Long Island, NY): I saw a recent interview with a reporter talking to Larry Merchant where Merchant stated that the media needs to “put pressure on Ward and Stevenson”. I have mixed thoughts on his position, but I’d like to get your thoughts on his remarks.
Vivek W. (ESB): I did get a chance to read the interview you’re referring to. It was a piece of work done by Chris Robinson. I’ll preface my comments by saying that you’re not the only one to walk away with mixed emotions. After taking a moment to read the direct quotes, I definitely found myself looking at things from a different angle, as well.
Australian Boxing: Zac Dunn Stops Marlon Alta in Five
Rising super middleweight prospect, Zac Dunn (11-0, 10 KOs), retained his unbeaten record on Friday night with a dominant performance over Filipino Marlon Alta (12-4, 9 KOs) at the Doncaster Shoppingtown Hotel, Melbourne, Australia.
Headlining the five fight card hosted by promoter Murray Thomson, the main event between Dunn and Alta possessed two power punchers with strong knockout ratios, which presented the likely scenario of a knockout win to whoever emerged the victor.
Dunn maintained a steady relentless pace throughout the early rounds looking to breakdown the tough Filipino. In round two, Dunn scored a solid knockdown on Alta following a body and head shot combination.
Dereck Chisora back in action February 8
Heavyweight star Dereck Chisora begins his 2014 world title campaign on Saturday 8th February at London’s Copper Box Arena and aims to end the year as world champion.
Power-punching Chisora finished off Czech Ondrej Pala inside three rounds at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday night to successfully defend his WBO Intercontinental belt and add the Vacant WBA International title to add to his European crown.
The win caps a fantastic year for the Finchley ace who’s won all four fights by KO and is in a great position to start 2014 as he looks to get his second shot at a world title. In his first attempt in February 2012 he pushed the WBC World Champion Vitali Klitschko the distance and giving him his hardest fight since Lennox Lewis nearly a decade earlier.
Travis Kauffman dismantles Barnett in the first round
Before a raucous crowd of almost 5,600 patrons at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA, WBA number-10 ranked Heavyweight Travis Kauffman destroyed late replacement Jason Barnett inside of one round to capture the WBU Intercontinental championship.
The show was promoted by King’s Promotions.
Kauffman came out and boxed well until he landed a crushing body shot that sent Barnett down to his knees. Barnett got up but not for long as a right to the head sent him down for a second time. Barnett would get to his feet but a barrage of punches sent Barnett for a third and final time and fight was stopped 2:09 into the contest.
The hottest fights that can be made today
(Photo credit: Sumio Yamada) It’s what fight fans the world over always want but seem to get only on occasion: the best fighting the best. Today, with some serious talent spread out among the weight classes, there are some superb-looking match-ups that could and should be made.
Getting right to it, I now list, in no particular order, the hottest, most intriguing and potentially explosive fights that can be made right now!
Sergey Kovalev-Adonis Stevenson.
An obvious choice to kick off this list, this battle of punchers would absolutely captivate. Both men are capable of throwing dynamite, the seriously scary Kovalev especially, and a devastating conclusion would be reached if these two light-heavyweights tangled.
WBC gives Vitali Klitschko until December 15th to make decision about fight status
Not surprisingly the World Boxing Council has given WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (45-2, 41 KO’s) another delay, this one until December 15th, to make a decision about whether he’ll choose to defend his WBC crown ever again. The thing is the WBC already gave Vitali a November 30th extension to make a decision about whether he’ll fight again or not, and when that time came, Vitali got another extension.
Vitali must have a lot weighing on him for him not to be able to make a decision and needing multiple delays whether to say if he’ll fight or not. He’s involved in a political career in Ukraine and that could be the reason why he’s unable to make a decision right now whether to carry on or not.
Froch’s Reputation Relies on Rematch with Groves
Only a few years ago it took an ardent boxing fan to recall the name Carl Froch. A stunning comeback victory against Jermaine Taylor in 2009, coupled with a Gatti-esque performance against Mikkel Kessler and a dominating victory over Arthur Abraham affirmed Froch as the fighter with the sports toughest schedule from 2009-11. Facing 6 former world champions in a 3 year period burnished Froch’s reputation as a fighter not only willing to test himself against the best, but to define his reputation by doing so. However, it was his blistering demolition of the then unbeaten Lucian Bute in May of 2012 that finally made Froch a household name in his native Britain.
Those who have long followed Froch and those who have since made up for lost time and caught up on his bellicose exploits have become enamourned with a fighter who’s heart unceasingly triumphs his lack of speed and skill. Fighters like Froch, who to quote the often used boxing caption leave it all in the ring, merit a special admiration from fight fans. A boxer will always be praised, but a fighter will be adulated. Carl Froch is unmistakably a fighter.
Nothing Spoiled in Quebec: Stevenson and Kovalev are Victorious
There was no bump in the road last night for a possible light heavyweight showdown between Sergey Kovalev and Adonis Stevenson. In two fights with a very showcase feel both belt holders took care of business with definitive knockout wins. Kovalev’s came very early and was very destructive. Ismayl Sillakh, a Ukrainian challenger now fighting out of Simi Valley, California was out cold from an overhand right that had him out on his feet.
Two jabs assisted his fall as the referee Marlon Wright was waving it over immediately. Sillakh fell under the bottom rope and the doctors struggled to get him back under the ropes so they could examine his condition. People sitting ringside stuck out hands to prevent him from crawling off the ring and onto the floor. Kovalev had shattered the once promising contender with two solid overhand rights.