Rafael Mensah dares WBA champs Abril and Gamboa

Fresh from earning a career high number 9 ranking on the WBA Lightweight ratings, young Ghanaian pugilist, Rafael Mensah is knocking on the doors to the WBA Lightweight championship.

Rated number 9 in the latest rankings released on Monday, undefeated Mensah has vowed to work his way to the top for a possible shot at champion, Richar Abril or even interim champion, Yuriorkis Gamboa, both Cubans.

“For now, I have to thank my coach, Ofori Asare and my manager/promoter, Anthony Kermah of Landmark Promotions. I turned professional in 2010 and I’m happy with the way my career has been managed up to this time,” Rafael Mensah told East Side Boxing exclusively when we caught up with him training at the Wisdom Gym in Accra.

Mensah, 19-0, 14 KOs, has shot ahead in the world ratings on the back of annexing the WBA Pan-Africa Lightweight belt via a unanimous victory over Bilal Mohammed back on July 13 and he is still basking in the glory.

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Daniel Geale & Darren Barker media workout quotes

NEW YORK (August 12, 2013) – Australia’s IBF middleweight champion, Daniel Geale (29-1, 15KOs) and No. 3 rated contender from the UK Darren Barker (25-1, 16KOs) held a media workout today at the Mendez Boxing Gym in New York City. Geale will be defending his title on August 17th at the Revel Casino-Hotel, Atlantic City’s newest and largest casino resort. The bout will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark® beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets prices start at $30 and are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com and by calling 800-745-3000.

DANIEL GEALE – “I’m feeling good as I’m starting to get fresher every day. I’m excited because I know it’s going to be a great fight. Barker is going to come out hard and I know he’s very hungry. I want to be pushed and I know Barker is going to that which is going to make for an exciting fight. Fighting on HBO is great. It’s been a long time coming and I’m excited to fighting on such a great card. Gary Shaw and my team back home have done a great job getting me here and I just want to put on a great show. To all my fans please tune in because I’m going to bring that title home.”

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The Most Important Round in Wladimir Klitschko’s Career

Every great boxer comes to a crossroads in their career where a distinct moment can be pointed to where that fighter overcame a challenge that ultimately solidified their eternal mark in the sport. For some pugilists it’s the reaching of a benchmark like a record title defense number or besting a rival in the third fight of a trilogy or the dismantling of a great fighter. However, the more dramatic and most memorable moments of vindication can be viewed on how a fighter climbs through adversity and comes out better.

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Andre Berto to have shoulder surgery

(LOS ANGELES, CALIF.) – Former two-time Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto (Winter Haven, Fla.) will undergo surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right shoulder on Wednesday in Los Angeles. Berto suffered the painful and debilitating injury in the second round of his July 27th bout with Jesus Soto Karass at the At&T Center in San Antonio, and was forced to endure the majority of the fight with one arm. Wednesday’s surgery will repair the main supporting tendon of the rotator cuff in Berto’s right shoulder.

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John David Jackson talks Cleverly vs Kovalev

With less than 60 rounds on his slate, mammoth hitting WBO World Light-Heavyweight title challenger and world ranked Sergey Kovalev might be shy on professional experience when he fronts up to defending champion Nathan Cleverly at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena this Saturday.

However the presence of John David Jackson in the unbeaten Russian’s corner should certainly act as a buffer.

A globetrotting two time-two weight world champion in the late 80s and early 90s, the Denver born, Florida based southpaw is now one of the most coveted coaches in the US. His client list includes world champions such as Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins, Randall Bailey and Nate Campbell and recently ‘Action’ Jackson was recruited as head trainer at Mike Tyson’s Iron Mike Productions.

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Left- Hook Lounge: Deontay Wilder, Garcia/Matthysse, & Mayweather/Canelo!!!

Art N. (Los Angeles, CA): On your Facebook page you spoke about Deontay Wilder and how KO artist should perhaps not get so much early praise. Do you think he has a shot to be the next best American Heavyweight?

Vivek W. (ESB): Deontay Wilder has become a hot topic! How hot? On Yahoo! this weekend he was ranked #7 on the global trending report. As interesting as that may be, my point in the FaceBook post was that I approach him like I do any other heavy handed puncher in the sport. I enjoy the KO’s and the process of seeing the fighter rack them up! But when the rubber hits the road, it all comes down to whether or not that puncher has the ability to deal with an opponent who has the power to hurt them, the stamina to outwork them, and chin to outlast them. That’s when it all gets “real” inside the ring! Many of you who followed the fight game before Tyson went wild and Pacquiao brought “good guy” back in style know full well that power without those other elements mean very little.

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Yoel Judah Talks Zab’s Return, Mayweather-Canelo and Garcia-Matthysse

After the Zab Judah loss to Danny Garcia in April, the Brooklyn product received much praise for his efforts. Judah battled back from two knockdowns to come on strong late, while the much younger Garcia faded. There is however one person who isn’t so impressed with Judah’s performance that night.

His father and former trainer Yoel Judah.

“I thought Zab should’ve won the fight, I really thought Zab should’ve knocked Garcia out,” Judah said. “That’s what he should’ve did. All this talk that he came close and he looked good, he knows I’m not going for none of that.”

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Jessy Cruz, Azea Augustama, and Ahmed Elbiali Win In Miami

Hey fight fans take note local boxing is back in the Miami area. Al Bonanni’s-Tiburon Promotions presented it’s third local show at Casino Miami Jai-Alai. 1,500 fight fans turned out to support their local fighters on the card, the most popular being Jessy Cruz, Azea Augustama, and Ahmed Elbiali.

There were only 5 fights on the card prepared by matchmaker Rick Fisler. A good thing as fans did’nt get bored with too many fights and a feeling of a long never ending show, that sometimes happens when you put 7-9 fights on a card.

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David Tua to make a call on his injured piston

New Zealand based heavyweight David Tua (52-4-2) will make a call on his injured calf. That call is expected today and will be aided by an expert medical assessment that will determine whether his August 31st bout with Alexander Ustinov (28-1-0) goes ahead.

Ustinov when informed of the news was nonchalant, taking the news well in accepting injuries and boxing go hand in hand and there is little he can do about an injury to an opponent.

David Higgins of Duco the events promoters was equally as pragmatic in stating ‘if David Tua needs time to heal, then we will postpone the fight for, at the most, four weeks from the original fight date”

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Ready to Thrill the World An Interview with Ronald Gavril

If America is the land of opportunity, Ronald Gavril has seized his big chance with both hands. Born in Bacau Romania ‘The Thrill’ is now an exciting young prospect fighting out of Las Vegas. Ronald is the epitome of hard work, determination and hope. Since turning professional in 2011 the 27 year old talent has swept aside his first five opponents with his action packed aggressive style.

However the future of the promising super middleweight was once in doubt until his management made the brave decision to relocate to Las Vegas. Ronald’s profile immediately inflated as he put his impressive fighting ability on display in the gyms of Sin City.

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