WBA, WBC & WBO Female Welterweight Champion Cecilia Braekhus (18-0, 4 KOs) will take on Hawaiian Kuulei Kupihea (7-1, 2 KOs) at Helsinki´s renowned Hartwall Areena on December 3. The fight was originally scheduled to take place on Team Sauerland´s big show in Copenhagen´s PARKEN Stadium on November 5, but the event was postponed after Danish national hero Mikkel Kessler suffered a hand injury in practice. “Unfortunately, injuries and postponements are part of the game,” Braekhus said. “As a professional, you just have to deal with it. I adjusted my training, took a few days off and then got straight back to the gym. I will be ready for Kupihea on December 3.”
Ulli Wegner, eight-time German coach of the year, is pleased with the First Lady´s progress. “She is the best female boxer in the world,” he stated. “She is intelligent, good-looking and extremely talented. My other boxers can learn a lot from her, especially when it comes down to determination in practice. I am sure she will make another great fight in Helsinki.”
It will be Braekhus´ second fight in the Finnish capital. In May 2009, she defeated Amy Yuratovic on points. Said promoter Kalle Sauerland: “It is no secret that Team Sauerland is focusing heavily on the Scandinavian market and a big show in Helsinki is further proof.”
Also in Helsinki, World Boxing Association (WBA) Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin (22-0, 15 KOs) will defend his title against Cedric Boswell (35-1, 26 KOs), while hometown hero Robert Helenius (16-0, 11 KOs) will defend his WBA & World Boxing Organization (WBO) Intercontinental Titles against an opponent to be announced. Tickets will be available at www.lippu.fi starting November 1.
Emanuel Steward, Yuriorkis Gamboa and Ahmet Oner talk about their cooperation
Yesterday promoter Ahmet Oner and Hall of fame coach Emanuel Steward agreed that Steward will from now on work as head coach of fast rising Cuban phenomenon Yuriorkis Gamboa. Today the protagonists expressed their excitement about the deal.
“I’m proud and happy that a living legend like Emanuel Steward decided to work with me”, states 2004 Olympic gold medalist Gamboa. “Steward has always worked with the best. I know that I am a very good boxer but I also know that there is always a lot to learn an improve. Emanuel Steward is one of the most experienced and best trainers in the world and I’m sure that he will bring out the best in me.”
“Yuriorkis Gamboa is a star in the making and I am excited to become part of this process”, says Steward. “I’m too old to waste my time so I pick my fighters very carefully. I see a lot of potential in Gamboa.”
“This is a match made in heaven”, comments promoter Ahmet Oner. “I am very happy that I was able to make this happen. I am sure that Emanuel Steward will take Gamboa to the next level. For these two the sky is the limit.”
ALEXANDER USTINOV defeats DENIS BAKHTOV, keeps his European Heavyweight Crown!
ALEXANDER USTINOV successfully defended last weekend his European ‘EBA’ Heavyweight Title in Cherkasy, Ukraine, by defeating strong Russian challenger DENIS BAKHTOV (33-6-0/23 KOs). Although the experienced Russian boxer tried his best he could not beat the giant Belorussian Ustinov, who dominated most of the actions.
The final scoring from the neutral judges were: 118-110; 117-111; 119-110. The event was promoted by K2 Promotions and televised live by the Ukrainian National TV.
More information + pictures to come at the official European Boxing website: www.europeboxing.com
QUIGG PREPARED FOR ALL-COMERS
HATTON PROMOTIONS latest major champion Scott Quigg is still basking in the adulation of his brilliant British super-bantamweight title win.
Bury’s favourite fighting son lifted the domestic title last weekend forcing defending champion Jason Booth to retire on his stool after seven rounds.
Quigg who has won all 23 professional fights will meet with his promoter Ricky Hatton and manager Paul Speak next week to decide his next move.
Fights against stable-mate Rendall Munroe and Irishman Carl Frampton have already been mooted.
Quigg, 23, is also thinking of making three British title defences to earn a Lonsdale belt outright, but will not let that halt his world title progress.
He also owns the WBA inter-continental crown and is ranked third by that governing body for Rico Ramos’ world crown.
Scott said: “I would love to have a Lonsdale belt hanging above the fireplace for good, but I don’t know if that is possible.
“It all depends who there is for me to fight domestically. Next week I should have a clearer idea about what path we’ll take.”
The likeable youngster’s popularity had soared since his flawless performance against Booth and he is destined to become one of British boxing’s marquee performers.
He added: “I’ve been blown away by the support I have been given since my win over Jason.
“I didn’t really expect so many people from Bury to have watched the fight on Sky Sports, and I am made up at the recognition.”
Hatton is now carefully plotting a plan that will take Quigg to the top of a highly competitive 122lb division.
The former two-weight world champ said: “The L plates came off last Saturday and he left the tag of up and coming youngster behind and moved to possible world title material.
“He out-schooled Booth, who was the more experienced man by a long way. I have always spoken so highly of Scott and now people will start to take more note.”
List of New York State Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees Inaugural Class
Boxers
Vito Antuofermo
Carlos Ortiz
Carmen Basilio
Riddick Bowe
Tony Canzoneri
Benny Leonard
Emile Griffith
Gene Tunney
Jake LaMotta
Mike McCallum
Ray Robinson
Mike Tyson
Non-Participants
Steve Acunto
Ray Arcel
Gil Clancy
Nat Fleischer
Bill Gallo
Jimmy Glenn
Harold Lederman