Andre Berto Arrives in San Antonio for Welterweight Showdown with Jesus Soto Karass

23(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.”

continue

Delvin Rodriguez “very motivated” For Miguel Cotto

861by 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.”

continue

How Much “Boxing” Is Still Remaining In Miguel Cotto

cotto245Miguel 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.

continue

Carl Froch-George Groves WBA/IBF title fight confirmed for later this year; date and venue to be announced soon

Georges_GrovesIt’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.

continue

Nathan Celverly: “I can outbox Sergey Kovalev, I’m going toe-to-with him and will knock him-out”

kovalev453As 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).

continue

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.

continue

Berto faces Soto Karass; Thurman battles Chaves this Saturday on Showtime

berto233This 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.

continue

Kubrat Pulev vs. Tony Thompson fight being negotiated

thompson4543A 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.

continue

Left-Hook Lounge: Mayweather’s legacy, Pacquiao’s future, and a Trinidad vs GGG fantasy!!!

06MayweatherandCaneloatDaisIMG_3770Jeremy H. (Orlando, FL): How do you compare the legacy of Floyd Mayweather to other athletes in history? In other words, what are your thoughts about him as a man, an athlete, and overall as a person, when he look at his legacy compared to great athletes of the past?

Vivek W. (ESB): This is a very broad question to tackle in just a few paragraphs. I think to best answer it, we have to look at things from day one. When we look at the entire history of Mayweather, we see a man who has had a very storied career that has seen him dominate from a very early stage. Even prior to the professional ranks, you have to consider that there was an Olympic Bronze that would have been a Gold had it not been for a poor decision. From day one, this has been a fighter who has proven himself at every level.

continue