Minto,”I’ll pick on guys my own size in 2010″ – After a valiant performance Saturday on HBO against Chris Arreola (28-1 25kos), WBO#5 Brian “The Beast” Minto (34-3) prefers to fight boxers his size in the future. Minto states, “It’s extremely difficult giving up 45 pounds in a fight. Arreola was too big for me, and it showed. I’ll pick on guys my own size in 2010.” Arreola, 6’4, weighed 263, while Minto, 5’11, tipped the scales at 218 pounds. Although at a significant size disadvantage, Minto displayed immense heart and could be very dangerous in a smaller weightclass. “As far as a move to cruiserweight, I can definitely make the 200 pound weight limit..
However, there are only a few cruisers who I’d be interested in boxing- Marco Huck (27-1), B.J. Flores (24-0-1), Zsolt Erdei (31-0), Danny Green (28-3) or Firat Arslan (29-4).” His manager, Pat Nelson, states “Unless Minto lands a major cruiserweight fight or a heavyweight bout under 225 pounds against Ruslan Chagaev (25-1-1), Tomasz Adamek (39-1) or Denis Boytsov (26-0), he plans on defending his WBO NABO Heavyweight Title sometime in April, possibly against Tony Grano (16-1-1) who is also around 220 pounds.”
Miranda Ready For Stieglitz
On January 9th Edison ‘Pantera’ Miranda will return to Germany for the first time since his controversial loss to Arthur Abraham back in 2006. It seems only fitting that he will have the opportunity to become a world champion in the same country that he left over three years ago feeling robbed. “I may have not taken the belt with me the last time I left Germany, but this time it will be wrapped around my waist when I return back home” says Miranda who has been training with world renowned trainer Joe Goossen since his loss to Andre Ward earlier this year. “Joe has been fantastic to work with. I feel like a new fighter already. I am very excited to put on a great performance in front of the world.”
Miranda 33-4 (29KOs) has faced some of the best fighters in the sport. His losses have come to three fighters who have a combined record of 87-1 with the sole loss coming from the hands of all time great Bernard Hopkins. “I have been to battle with some great champions and have fought them in their backyards. This is not new to me and if Robert Stieglitz wants me to fight him in his home town, then I will happily destroy him in front of his fans.” This WBO Super Middleweight Championship battle will be broadcast live from Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany on ZDF. For more information on Edison Miranda visit www.panteraboxing.com or become a fan on facebook.
Andre Berto’s Carma Foundation to Host Holiday Gala and Scholarship Fundraiser
(WINTER HAVEN, FLA.) – Andre Berto and the Carma Foundation will hold the first-ever Jingle Bell Ball, on Sunday, December 13, benefitting the organization’s philanthropic efforts in Haiti. The event will pay tribute to The Wire’s Jaime Hector, attorney/activist Sanford Rubenstein, and humanitarian Leslie Sosnowski for their outstanding international charitable work.
Berto is currently in training camp for his January 30th fight with “Sugar” Shane Mosley, and therefore unable to attend the event in person. However, he has donated tickets to his upcoming fight to the event’s silent auction. In addition, Berto’s official apparel sponsor, Everlast, is contributing a product donation to the Jingle Bell Ball in support of the WBC Welterweight World Champion’s philanthropic endeavors.
“I am very proud of my relationship with the Carma Foundation, and I wish I could be there in person, but my focus right now is 100% on January 30th and Shane Mosley,” Berto said. “I wish Melky and the entire Carma Foundation crew a successful event on December 13.”
Berto joined the board of the Carma Foundation in October of 2008, joining forces with founder Melky Jean, sister of music superstar, Wyclef. The two have taken part in extensive outreach to his native Haiti over the past year, including a charitable trip to the island nation with his family in March to deliver aide to the country’s needy citizens.
The Jingle Bell Ball will take place at 7 p.m. at the Travertine New York, and is an invitation-only, black-tie affair. All of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Carma Foundation and the Carma Scholarship Fund.
Berto is currently entering the third week of his training camp in Winter Haven, Fla., in preparation for his match-up with Mosley. Photos of week two of Andre Berto’s training camp are available at: