The Latest Boxing News
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As fight fans may have read by now, David Haye and Tony Bellew will meet on March 4 at The O2 in London. A grudge-match between two vocal and exciting fighters who have a history (they sparred, many years ago, with differing versions from both on what transpired), Haye Vs. Bellew is a fight that is all but guaranteed to end by KO, one way or the other.
A settlement has been reached between Lucian Bute and the District of Columbia Athletic Commission, several months after an initial anti-doping test result was announcement regarding traces of Ostarin found in Bute’s urine samples this past May.
Following the World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight world title bout between defending champion Badou Jack and challenger Bute, which ended in a draw, a positive test result was announced to the general surprise of Bute.
Pound-for-pound star expects a very difficult night’s work when he steps in against the formidable Nicholas Walters.
The pair clash this Saturday, in what is one of the year’s most eagerly anticipated bouts, leading a stunning triple-header on BoxNation which also sees Terry Flanagan defend his WBO lightweight world title against Orlando Cruz earlier in the day, with Bradley Skeete and John Thain doing battle for the British welterweight title exclusively live tonight.
David Haye and Tony Bellew will clash in a Heavyweight blockbuster at The O2 in London on March 4, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
The big-hitting pair will finally settle their differences in the ring having clashed explosively on Sky Sports in Liverpool in October when Bellew defended his WBC World Cruiserweight title against BJ Flores, with the Liverpool star calling Haye out after knocking Flores out. Haye and Bellew exchanged angry words and had to be separated by security – but on March 4 there will be no parting them.
Former WBC light-heavyweight champ Jean Pascal will return to action in Canada on December 16, against a TBA. Last seen losing by corner retirement to Sergey Kovalev in a return meeting, Pascal was pulled out after seven rounds by his trainer Freddie Roach. Now, some 11 months on from what was just his fourth career loss, Pascal will return to action with a new trainer. Or rather an old trainer who is reuniting with him.
The Montreal Gazette reports how Pascal, 30-4-1(17) and aged 34, will now be trained by his former amateur coach, Stephan Larouche. Pascal says he wants to become a champion again and that boxing is his passion. Larouche acknowledges how it could be a tough road back for Pascal, as the current 175-pound weight division is “pretty high calibre.”
Promoter Bob Arum is hugely excited about Vasyl Lomachenko, the incredibly talented former amateur sensation (perhaps one of the greatest amateur boxers in history at 396-1). Arum, who has seen it all in boxing over his almost 90 years, remains enthusiastic about the sport because of special fighters that come his way – and Arum says Lomachenko is very special.
Indeed, the Top Rank boss recently said Lomachenko is the best he’s seen in the sport since the incomparable Muhammad Ali. Arum has big plans for the reigning WBO super-featherweight champion. At just 6-1 and already a two-weight champion, the slick and wickedly powerful southpaw is a future superstar, says Arum. This Saturday’s defence against puncher Nicholas Walters could be looked at as a risky assignment for “Hi-Tech,” as Lomachenko is known, but it would be a massive upset if “The Axe Man” scored a win.
Puerto Rico’s Orlando Cruz is determined to make history by becoming boxing’s first openly gay World Champion. Cruz challenges WBO World Lightweight king Terry Flanagan this Saturday at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, live and exclusive on BoxNation.
The 5ft 4in southpaw became the first openly gay active boxer when he came out three years and says he is ready for another shot at making history after losing to Orlando Salido in a clash for the Vacant WBO World Featherweight Championship back in 2013.
Far too good to have been out of action for as long as he has (just one fight in the last 12 months and just four fights since December of 2012) Cuban talent Yuriorkis Gamboa has finally got himself another fight. The former featherweight champion, now aged 34 (Gamboa will turn 35 on December 23rd) will face Puerto Rican Frank De Alba in Saint-Denis, France on December 17th.