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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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The Setup: Mayweather vs. Broner

broner4By Robert Jackson: With the news that Adrien Broner will be facing WBA 147lb Champion Paulie Malignaggi next, why this move and not Amir Khan, or Lamont Peterson both available 1 weight class up at 140lb? Furthermore after only 2 fights there, Broner hasn’t cleaned out the 135lb weight class he just moved into from the 130lb division. At 135lbs, Yuri Gamboa has been calling Broner out and this writer believes that would be a makeable, great fight. 135lb Champion Richard Abril also has Broner in his sights.

Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions both Malignaggi and Broner will be in a showcase fight, but I would expect Broner to win and maybe stop the Brooklyn native. It would probably resemble Mayweather/Gatti. This would be the best case scenario for Golden Boy, who as promoters of the heir apparent to Money Mayweather would have bragging rights and the next big star. Broner’s upward mobility, flashy style and good looks could even upstage Canelo Alvarez who’s also vying to be the next great fighter.

But don’t get it wrong, Golden Boy is moving Broner up to 147lbs for a reason and as every fight historian will tell you the torch is passed by the veteran fighter taking on the up-and-comer and LOSING to him. This happened in recent times when Kostya Tszyu fought Ricky Hatton and lost passing the 140lb torch to the Englishman.

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Canelo and Trout Press Tour Notes From San Antonio

Cara a caraBy Marc Livitz: in San Antonio, TX. Two undefeated boxing sensations visited the Alamo City this afternoon. In front of perhaps more than five hundred fans, unbeaten Mexican fight superstar and WBC super welterweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and undefeated WBA Super Welterweight champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout kicked off their 3-city Texas press tour this afternoon. The venue which will host the event on April 20, The Alamodome has been the site of a few memorable fights over the years, most notably the contest of which the highly questionable result still resonates to this day, the September 1993 matchup between Julio Cesar Chavez and Pernell Whitaker, which ended in a dubious draw.

San Antonio mayor Julian Castro was the first to the podium and expressed his sincere happiness of being the host of such a great event for the city. Castro commented, “San Antonio has a rich and proud boxing history. Who could forget in 1993 when (Julio Cesar) Chavez fought (Pernell) Whitaker and other great names such as (James) Leija and (Robert) Quiroga?”

Former boxing great and current CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar de la Hoya was the second speaker and like Mr. Castro, he spoke of the great tradition of San Antonio and his overall feeling of delight of bringing the event to south Texas.

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Frank Maloney Interview – Talks Heavyweights, Audley Harrison, ‘Bums on Seats’ and more

JohnMcDermottFrankMaloneyMattSkelto342WEBREADYBy Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro – This coming Friday, March 15th, promoter Frank Maloney returns to the York Hall in Bethnal Green for his latest offering ‘Loaded and Dangerous In London’, which is headlined by Matt Skelton versus John McDermott for the vacant English Heavyweight title.

This event is a sort of homecoming for Peckham London born Frank, having not promoted at the Capital’s home of boxing since his huge show in June 2009, which was headlined by Jason Booth’s successful British Super Bantamweight title defense against Rocky Dean.

This classic Frank Maloney Promotions event featured the cream of his stable, including sadly missed former Beijing Olympic Bronze medalist Darren Sutherland, Akaash Bhatia, Ashley Sexton, Martin Power plus a host of local prospects and debutants. Of course being a FMP event it had to include a Heavyweight bout, in this case Tom Dallas versus Stas Bilokon.

Before I get carried away and start talking too much about that excellent event, I’ll change tack and move on to Frank’s greatest passion within the sport and of course his interview.

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Bernard Hopkins: Not even father time can stop the one and only B- Hop

by Andrew Picken: In another display of defiance Hopkins now, (53-6-2, 32 KO wins) rolls back the years and defies the critics by comprehensively beating Tavoris Cloud, (won 24 (KO 19) + lost 1 (KO 0) + drawn 0), to claim the IBF Light Heavyweight title of the world on Saturday night. If there’s a nickname he could steal it would have to be Paulie Malignaggis “magic man” as B Hop is still able to talk the talk and walk the walk, magic indeed at 48 years old!

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Julian Ramirez: Squarely grounded and focused

GBP Prospect Julian RamirezBy Marc Livitz: On Saturday, March 16th, at the Grand Oasis Resort in Cancun, Mexico, undefeated Featherweight prospect Julian Ramirez will meet a very recognizable name in the ring. However, the southern California fighter will give all he has to ensure that this particular Ruben Olivares does not shine in the same way as the legendary “El Puas” once did.

A Los Angeles area resident all his life, Ramirez (7-0, 5 KOs) has had an active career since turning pro in early 2012. Currently just a few weeks shy of his twentieth birthday, Julian always knew that the sweet science held the calling towards where he would ultimately head.

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Mendez KOs Salgado in 4 to capture IBF Super Featherweight title

By Joseph Herron: It took Dominican born Argenis Mendez (21-2, 11 KOs) just ten minutes and forty seconds to dispose of former IBF Super Featherweight Champion Juan Carlos Salgado (26-2-1, 16 KOs) in last night’s main event at The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California.

His first championship opportunity against Juan Carlos was fought in September of 2011 and was staged in Salgado’s backyard of Jalisco, Mexico, which resulted in a unanimous decision victory for the hometown favorite.

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Hopkins The Master Does It Again, Takes Another One To School!

hop9By James Slater – Living legend Bernard Hopkins did it again last night in New York: he took a good, strong unbeaten young fighter to school and relieved him of his world title. Arguably putting on his best show since taking away Kelly Pavlik’s perfect record in 2008, the amazing 48-year-old totally confused the powerful and dangerous Tavoris Cloud over 12 enthralling rounds to take the IBF 175-pound belt.

Enthralling rounds? Well, it’s certainly been said that Hopkins is a boring fighter, but if you do not enjoy ring mastery, ring brilliance and, yes, sheer genius unfolding before your eyes, then maybe the problem is more with you and less with ‘Nard. And Hopkins, now 53-6-2(32) sure put all his ring craft, all his savvy and experience and all his boxing brains on display last night. Scoring more rounds for defence perhaps (B-Hop cares less about punch stats and more about history stats!), Hopkins bamboozled Cloud, he had him tied up in knots (as ring caller Dave Bontempo stated on air) and he had Cloud bleeding and well beaten.

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Hopkins defeats Cloud; Thurman decisions Zaveck

hop11By Bill Phanco: 48-year-old Bernard Hopkins defeated IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud by a 12 round unanimous decision to capture his IBF title at the at the Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, New York, USA. The final judges’ scores were 116-112, 117-111, 116-112.

Undefeated welterweight Keith Thurman (20-0, 18 KO’s) put in an impressive power punching display in pounding out a nice 12 round unanimous decision on against #1 WBO Jan Zaveck (32-2, 18 KO’s) in an WBO title eliminator bout. The victory locks Thurman in as the mandatory challenger for WBO 147 lb. champion Tim Bradley.

The judges scored the fight 120-108, 120-108, 120-108. Thurman kept a constant flow of power shots raining down ont he shorter Zaveck through the full 12 rounds.

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Barker stops Rotolo; Groves defeats Balmaceda

By Jeff Sorby: Super middleweight contender George Groves (17-0, 13 KO’s) made easy work of Dario Balmaceda (11-7-2, 7 KO’s) in stopping him in the 3rd round in a two knockdown performance on Saturday night in the 24-year-old Groves’ first fight with Matchroom Sport at the Wembley Arena in London, UK. Grove put the lanky Balmaceda down with a short right hand to the body in the 2nd.

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