by Sylwester Jankowski (BoxingNews.pl): Undefeated heavyweight prospect Artur Szpilka (9-0, 7 KO) is eager to stage a fight with Dereck Chisora (15-3, 9 KO). 22-years old southpaw nicknamed “Szpila” (“The Pin”), who spent 18 months in jail for brawl in front of a disco, is noted for his aggressive behavior during weighs-in. Hard-hitting Szpilka believes that he will get a chance to face “Del Boy”. However, contrary to Klitschko brothers, he’s not going to abide Chisora’s provocations.
– I’ve already called my promoter to ask if he is able to make such fight [with Chisora]. It could be a clash of two bullies and would be hot not only in the ring, but also at the weigh-in and press conferences. If Chisora slap me or spit at me, I’ll rape him! – Szpilka told “Super Express”.’
– Chisora was keeping going forward. Contrary to previous Klitschko’s opponents, he wasn’t afraid of the Ukrainian and showed that Klitschko is beatable. Chisora has balls. Most of guys could spat on Klitschko’s face but in such situation they gave Wladimir the slip quickly. And he was spitting slowly, like whale! – he added.
Szpilka will return to the ring on March 24th in Atlantic City. His next opponent will likely be an American fighter Terrance Marbra (6-1, 5 KO).
ESPN’s Friday Night Fights: Cruz vs. Burgos
Studio Interview with Timothy Bradley
Ali 70 from Las Vegas to Air February 25 on ABC & ESPN2
On February 24, ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will feature two top contenders — Ring Magazine’s No.10 ranked Junior Lightweight Juan Carlos “Mini” Burgos (28-1, 19 KOs) and former featherweight titlist Cristobal “Lacandon” Cruz (39-12-3, 23 KOs) in the 12-round main event. Friday’s show will air at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN3 from Dover, Del. The card is presented by Banner Promotions.
Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, to describe the action for ESPN2 and ESPN3, while studio host Bernardo Osuna will present all the latest boxing news and highlights. Friday’s show will feature an in-studio interview with current Junior Welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley. Pablo Viruega and Delvin Rodriguez will call the fights with Leopoldo Gonzalez and Lindsay Casinelli in the studio on ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates (Friday Night Fights).
Main Event:
Mexico’s Burgos has won his last three fights, including a career-best 10-round upset decision over previously undefeated Luis Cruz.
After the fight, ESPN.com’s boxing expert Dan Rafael wrote, “This was all Burgos, who was the harder puncher and more aggressive. He attacked Cruz’s body and landed enough shots to swell his right eye. It was a hard-hitting fight, but Burgos seemed in control the whole way, including rocking Cruz in the ninth round.”
Mexico’s Cristobal Cruz enters Friday’s fight with experience having fought former titlists Orlando Salido, Luisito Espinosa and current interim world champion Jorge Solis.
Co-Feature:
Friday’s co-feature will pit Junior Welterweights Edgar “La Melasa” Santana (26-3, 17 KOs) against Manny “Manos” Perez (16-7-1, 4 KOs). Bronx, N.Y.’s Santana is coming off a fifth-round TKO win over Omri Lowther, while Perez of Denver, will look to rebound after a 10-round unanimous decision loss to Mercito Gesta.
Follow ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like on Facebook.
Ali 70 from Las Vegas February 25 on ABC & ESPN2:
Ali 70 from Las Vegas, a special birthday celebration for boxing legend Muhammad Ali, will air Saturday, February 25, at 4 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT on ABC. ESPN2 will reair the event at 10 p.m. ET that night. The show which took place last weekend at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, included performances and tributes from some of the world’s top entertainers and sports icons. Boxing greats include Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield, Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks, Tommy “Hitman” Hearns, Manny Pacquiao and Chuck Wepner.
The list of performers and celebrity supporters included Lenny Kravitz, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, John Legend, Cee Lo Green, Slash, Joe Perry, Kelly Rowland and many more.
In addition ESPN Classic will pay tribute to Ali, beginning February 25, at 2 a.m. ET. The schedule:
Marcos Nader vs. Otto Ramin on 2/25
When boxing experts are talking about worthy upcoming challengers in the limit up to 160 pounds, Austrian Marcos Nader his name comes up with increasing frequency. Like his Sauerland Event stable mate Dominik Britsch, the 21-year old has beaten everyone who stepped in his way to date as he won all of his 14 bouts, with two coming by way of knockout.
His next challenge is calling on February 25 when the protégé of Otto Ramin is going to face Baker Barakat from Euskirchen, Germany. “I have watched some of his fights on video. Baker is a ring veteran, who just knows how to get it done inside the ropes. He has some good defensive moves and is very aggressive in his approach”, the Reichersberg-native says.
That is why Nader expects a tough fight to lie ahead of him. “It’s going to be my first 10-rounder, and though I have sparred over the distance a few times in training camp, I have to look out for my stamina and not over overspend it in the first stanzas. At the same time I have to be active and impose my strength and athletic to win – but my whole entourage shows me that I am ready for it”, states the prospect from his camp at the Sauerland Event facilities in Berlin.
After his last win against Farouk Daku on January 14 at Baden-Arena, Offenburg (Germany), Nader has not missed a beat. “My coach Otto Ramin called me the week right after my last fight and told me that the next one is already set. At first, I did some basics in my homeland of Austria and since late January, I worked with Mr. Ramin in Berlin. Now I just have to conserve my energy and get ready for February 25 in Stuttgart.“
Given that Nader beats Barakat on the undercard of Povetkin vs. Huck, his first bout for a regional title is in reach as the European Union (EBU) already ranks him 13. “I am really satisfied with my progress over the last few months – when a fight for a title is knocking at my door, I am going to grab it that is for sure”, the young middleweight talent says.