SAN ANTONIO, TX (July 24, 2013) – A slate of action packed fights is expected this Saturday, July 27 when a roster of top talent steps into the ring at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, on the undercard of the highly anticipated “KNOCKOUT KINGS II” event. Heading up the preliminary bouts before SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® goes on the air, hard-hitting, undefeated rising star Anthony Dirrell and veteran Anthony “The Tyger” Hanshaw will face off in a 10-round clash for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Super Middleweight Championship which will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Agbeko holds no grudge against Russel Mora
Former IBF Bantamweight titlist, Joseph King Kong Agbeko will be more than happy to shake hands and warmly embrace American referee, Russel Mora any day. Agbeko was at the suffering end of one of the most controversial boxing officiatings ever in his first fight against Mexican Abner Mares in August 2011 as referee Mora failed to punish Mares for several low blows much to the chagrin of Agbeko and the boxing world.
In the event, the Ghanaian lost the IBF belt which he then held and even though the IBF ordered an immediate rematch barely four months later, Agbeko was not in his groove and lost that one via a unanimous verdict.
Andre Berto Arrives in San Antonio for Welterweight Showdown with Jesus Soto Karass
(SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS) – Welterweight Andre Berto (Winter Haven, Fla.) arrived in San Antonio this afternoon for his July 27th match-up with Jesus Soto Karass at the AT&T Center. Berto and his team broke training camp on Monday following seven weeks of preparation in the Bay Area. The former two-time World Champion is stepping into the ring for the first time with a new coach in his corner, 2011 Trainer of the Year Virgil Hunter, and he’s looking forward to his first fight of 2013. Andre Berto arrives at the host hotel in San Antonio
“We had a tremendous training camp for this fight, and I am ready to put on a great show for all the fans on July 27. My new team took me out of comfort zone, which is something that I needed. It was a very technical training camp and helped remind me who I am as a fighter and everyone will see those skills when I step into the ring on Saturday night,” Berto said. “Make sure to come out to the AT&T Center or tune in on SHOWTIME because it’s going to be a hell of a card.”
Delvin Rodriguez “very motivated” For Miguel Cotto
by Lem Satterfield – Puerto Rican three-division title winner Miguel Cotto will face top rated contender and two-time world title challenger Delvin Rodriguez on Oct. 5, LIVE on HBO at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., site of today’s open-to-the-public press conference announcing the event.
“I’m feeling great,” said Rodriguez (28-6-3, 16 KOs), who is 33. “I’m excited. This is a great opportunity. This is an opportunity that I’m going to take full advantage of. I’m ready for the work. I’ve already started training, and I’m very, very motivated. I think that Cotto is a warrior, and he’s going to pretty much be coming forward”.
“I don’t think that I’m going to have to go looking for Cotto. It’s going to make it a great fight and a war, and that’s easier for me. People are probably going to expect me to be running around, concentrating on my defense, which is the opposite of what I’m going to do. I believe that Cotto is very effective when he takes an opponent to the ropes, but I’m going to keep him in the middle of the ring.”
How Much “Boxing” Is Still Remaining In Miguel Cotto
Miguel Cotto never lacked the ability to bring entertaining to anyone watching his fights, and he did it all inside the ring. While he was a calm and professional gentleman outside of the ring, quiet and respectful during press conferences and weigh-ins, he was a relentless warrior once the ring bell rang.
What’s even more interesting is that every one of his opponents seemed to carry a tremendous amount of respect for him, praising and labeling him a true champion. I don’t remember the last time I have heard anything negative or aggressive being said about Cotto. He is a rare breed.
While there is a common belief that Cotto is no long the fighter he was, making that case is no walk in the park. Aside from losing to Austin Trout (which surprised me), his other three losses come by way of Antonio Margarito (I think that most would agree that this should not count), Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Carl Froch-George Groves WBA/IBF title fight confirmed for later this year; date and venue to be announced soon
It’s official: Carl Froch will defend his WBA and IBF super-middleweight titles against unbeaten countryman George Groves later this year at a venue in the UK to be determined soon. The exact date is also TBA but both men appeared live on Sky Sports News at 12 noon UK time today, to talk about the fight.
Froch, unable he said to get rematches with Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward right now, is excited about giving the UK fans a domestic fight that will contest two major world titles.
“I think this fight is a real treat for the fans,” Froch said. “Some people have said George Groves is not in the same class as me, but there is no danger of me underestimating him. I will take this fight very, very seriously and will bring my A-game as I always do. Groves has done everything asked of him and Eddie Hearn has done a great job getting him the mandatory position. I will prepare like I’m fighting one of the best fighters in the world.
Nathan Celverly: “I can outbox Sergey Kovalev, I’m going toe-to-with him and will knock him-out”
As the world awaits the name of the William and Kate’s son and heir to the throne, the WBO World Light-Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly has suggested that the Royal baby be named after him!
Cleverly is delighted for the Royal couple’s new arrival and would be honoured if they chose outside of the historical names that have been passed down through the generations like George, William or Henry to instead pick Nathan for the future king.
The undefeated Welshman continues his own reign of the light-heavyweight division when he defends his title against the dynamite-punching Russian Sergey Kovalev on Saturday 17th August at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).
Tony Grygelko & Seconds Out Promotions bringing boxing back in Minnesota market
Excluding Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao the only thing you hear from the mainstream sports media is that boxing is dead. The boxing media tends to focus its coverage on the west coast where the best sparring along with some of the biggest names and events taking place in Nevada and California. The east coast has made a bit of a comeback and Texas has a very strong fan base but you rarely hear or see a major event or much news coming from the Midwest. That’s something Tony Grygelko, who is the President/C.E.O. of the premier upper midwest boxing promotional company Seconds Out Promotions aims to change.
Berto faces Soto Karass; Thurman battles Chaves this Saturday on Showtime
This Saturday night on Showtime, undefeated welterweight Keith “One Time” Thurman (20-0, 18 KO’s) faces off against unbeaten Argentinian Diego Chaves (22-0, 18 KO’s) and former IBF/WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto 28-2, 22 KO’s) takes on Jesus Soto Karass (27-8-3, 17 KO’s) at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Both fights are scheduled for 12 rounds and both have titles on line. Thurman-Chaves will be fighting for the interim WBA 147 lb. title, and Berto-Soto Karass will be fighting for the vacant NABF welterweight strap.
Kubrat Pulev vs. Tony Thompson fight being negotiated
A fight between heavyweight contenders Kubrat Pulev (17-0, 9 KO’s) and Tony Thompson (38-3, 26 KO’s) is being negotiated for a fight that would take place in late August on the 24th or September 14th, according to Fightnews.com. The fight will take place in Germany, and both fighters have agreed on it.
Pulev, 32, is ranked #1 by the International Boxing Federation, whereas Thompson is ranked #8. What’s not known yet is whether the Thompson-Pulev fight will be an IBF heavyweight eliminator bout to lock in a mandatory challenger for IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko or not.