Joshua Clottey backs Agbeko to beat Melendez

Joshua Clottey interviews AgbekoBy Prince Dornu-Leiku — Former IBF Welterweight champion, Joshua Clottey is confident compatriot Joseph King Kong Agbeko will overcome eColombia’s Luis Mendelez to win the IBO Bantamweight title when they clash in Accra on March 24.

Clottey was present at the Bridge Boxing Gym in the Ghanaian capital on Thursday when Agbeko held an open training session beamed live to the world by Ghana’s leading sports television station, Metro TV. And Clottey who was even made to mockingly interview Agbeko live on TV, believes King Kong is primed for victory.

“At this stage with just a week to the fight, he doesn’t need to train so hard but just focus on his speed. I think with what I’ve seen here today, Agbeko is in good shape and will go for the win. I’m sure he will win by a knockout, even if he doesn’t knock him out then he will win by a wide margin,” Joshua Clottey said at the event.

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Menay Edwards Prepares for Latvian invasion

Menay “the emperor” Edwards fresh from a shut out win over former British Champion Shane McPhilbin takes on his toughest test to date on April 5th in the Goodwin Promotions promoted “Its Banjo time” show at Grays Essex when he takes on World ranked number 77 (Boxrec) Arturs Kulikauskis (9-15-3).

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Bradley defeats Provodnikov in war; Vargas decisions Omotoso

bradley11By Bill Phanco: WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley (30-0, 12 KO’s) defeated light welterweight challenger Ruslan Provodnikov (22-2, 15 KO’s) by a 12 round unanimous decision tonight at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Bradley, 29, was knocked down in the 12th round by Provodnikov, and badly hurt in the 1st, 2nd, 6th in addition to the 12th round. It looks like the referee blew a call in the 1st that would have caused the fight to end in a draw by ruling it a slip after a badly hurt Bradley was knocked down by Provodnikov. The judges scored it 114-113, 114-113 and 115-113.

After the fight, Bradley, with bad swelling on both sides of his face, said “I think I have a concussion. This guy is a power puncher. He’ll beat any 140 or 147 pound fighter out there.

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Austin Trout Exclusive Interview: Canelo Vengeance Factor, Strategy and the Future

IMG_4444By Steve Lopez — After the press conference in Houston, TX concluded, Saul Alvarez and Austin Trout took the time to address members of the media for brief one-on-one interviews. I had the opportunity to sit down with Austin Trout to get his perspective on the fight, Canelo’s mission to avenge his older brother’s loss and what the future may hold for the New Mexico native.

Steve Lopez: “There’s a little bit of a vengeance factor. You beat his older brother a while back. How does it feel being in the ring with younger brother trying to avenge the loss?

Austin Trout: “That’s not really a factor for me. The thing that I think is cool is that I can take two world titles from two brothers. Other than that, his brother was in my way. Really, if you look at it, he was in the path to get to him. In hindsight, looking back, it was just part of the process.

Steve Lopez: “Back in December when you fought Cotto, a lot people had you as the underdog. Kind of a similar story again. I, myself, give you a great chance. In another interview, you mentioned that Canelo won’t be taking advantage of the weight gain he has over other fighters. How do you think that’s going to play out? Usually, he’s the bully.”

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Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin Trout: Houston, TX Press Conference Summary

IMG_4480By: Steve Lopez – Day 2 of the 3-city Texas press tour for the highly anticipated super welterweight showdown between undefeated WBC Super Welterweight Champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and WBA Super Welterweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout continued this Thursday in Houston, TX. I had the privilege to attend the conference and here are some of the highlights from the event.

With a large Latin American community, the Houston, TX crowd was undoubtedly pro-Canelo.

“Canelo! Canelo! Canelo! Canelo!”

That was the instant reaction of the crowd when Saul Alvarez took the podium on Thursday’s Houston, TX Press Conference. The roars were so loud that one could somewhat feel the vibrations of the roars in the air. But before the fighters took the stand, promoters and members of each team addressed the media and the fans to hype up the event. Here are some notable quotes from the conference.

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A Cross Road fight for McCreedy this Saturday against Walchuk

398842_409284942426286_233815418_nBy James Stillerman – “Irish” Joe McCreedy (13-6-2, 6KOs) will leave it all on the line this Saturday night, in a do or die fight against Michael “Flash” Walchuk (9-8, 2OKs) in front of his hometown crowd at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. This will be a eight round bout for the vacant U.S. Northeast Light Heavyweight belt, in a fight if he does not win, he might contemplate retirement.

“This is a significant fight for me because if I lose than I`m taking a major step back and I might retire,” said McCreedy. “Nevertheless, I want to prove everyone wrong with this fight by winning and getting back to bigger and better fights. The media thinks my career is over and that I`m washed up after my last performance, but I like being the underdog with my back against the wall. I`m going to prove everyone wrong and show that I`m a force at the light heavyweight division, starting this Saturday against Walchuk.”

In order for McCreedy`s career to continue in the right direction, he`s going to have to defeat the tough Canadian, Walchuk who is aggressive and has good power punching. Walchuk has been in with the likes of Vladine Boisse and undefeated fighters like Francy Ntetu, Eleider Alvarez and Adam Trupish, making his record deceiving.

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Exclusive Interview with Iceman John Scully

Exclusive Interview with Iceman John Scully

“Maybe there’s an outside chance this is just a ploy to draw interest, because I think Hopkins knows that if in a year from now, if he was ever to put it together and fight Andre Ward in the last hurrah, and if he was ever to win—you know there are some very smart people that might call this guy the best fighter in history.”—Iceman John Scully

Exclusive Interview by Geoffrey Ciani – Last night I was afforded the opportunity to speak with world class boxing trainer ‘Iceman’ John Scully about the current boxing landscape. Scully shared his views on Bernard Hopkins’ history making performance last weekend when he broke his own record to once again become the oldest boxer to win a major world title, this time at age 48, with his sensational victory against previously undefeated Tavoris Cloud. Iceman also provided unique insight into some highly anticipated upcoming prizefights, including Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero (May 4), the rematch between Carl ‘The Cobra’ Froch and Mikkel Kessler (May 25), and the super bantamweight showdown between Nonito Donaire and Guillermo Rigondeaux (April 13). Additionally he imparted opinions pertaining to the careers of other boxing stars such as Wladimir Klitschko, Manny Pacquiao, Timothy Bradley, and more. Here is what Iceman had to say:

Audio:

GEOFFREY CIANI: Iceman, this past weekend Bernard Hopkins at age 48 once again made boxing history breaking his own record in becoming the oldest fighter to win a major world title. What did you think of his performance?

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Agbeko holds media workout in Accra ahead of Mendelez fight

Agbeko and Coach Asare at the Media workoutBy Prince Dornu-Leiku – Former world boxing champion, Joseph King Kong Agbeko says he is in the top shape of his life as he prepares to face Colombian slugger, Luis Mendelez for the IBO Bantamweight belt in Accra on March 24.

The Ghanaian returns to the ring for the first time since losing the rematch of the epic battle against Abner Mares in December 2011 when he fights Mendelez in the Ghanaian capital next weekend, the first top level world title fight in this country in over 25 years.

Fit, strong and healthy, Agbeko invited the Ghanaian media to watch him train under the tutelage of new coach, Ofori Asare who is renowned for his great work with many of Ghana’s best amateur boxers over the years.

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