Allan Green (31-1, 21 KOs) continued his war of words with Mikkel Kessler (44-2, 33 KOs) today at the final press conference in Copenhagen. Three days ahead of their World Boxing Council (WBC) Light Heavyweight World Championship (Silver) clash at Denmark´s famous PARKEN Stadium, Green claimed that the Viking Warrior was a long way past his prime. “He used to be a joy to watch, a great fighter, but that was before he fought Calzaghe,” the 32-year-old American stated. “He has not been the same fighter since. I don´t know if it is mental or physical wear, but he´s just not been on the same level any more. Mikkel will not be worth a nickel when he will be in the ring with me. I will break his a** into two halves. I want him to be at his best on Saturday night, the best he can possibly be, and for his sake it better be enough!”
The Viking Warrior said he will be happy to prove that he can still deliver at the highest level – a level Green has never fought at. “Green just talks a lot,” Kessler said. “This is nothing unusual before a fight. He seems to be confident, which is good for him. He will need all his confidence on Saturday night. I´m in fantastic shape, I am ready to put on a great show. I know I can hurt Green and once I have hurt him, I will go for the KO. But I am not making any predictions about the outcome. I just know that I am going to win.”
Promoter Kalle Sauerland is looking forward to a great night at PARKEN, with Michael Buffer calling both fighters into the ring and the Champions League Final being shown on four jumbotron TV screens. “It´s going to be great event for sports fans,” Sauerland said. “A top undercard, the Champions League Final and then Kessler versus Green. It can hardly get any better. Kessler-Green is a high-risk fight. At light heavyweight, Green can do a lot of damage, he has a lot of power, but so has Mikkel, who is the better boxer. This is going to be very exciting. I am sure Mikkel will win.”
And Jimmy Montoya, Kessler´s coach, added: “Green, I respect you as a fighter, you are a good fighter, but a much better talker. Mikkel will beat you on Saturday night.”
Anthony Wilson, Green´s coach, believes Kessler is already confused: “In the past weeks, Kessler first said he was the better boxer and Green the bigger puncher who will come at him to slug it out. Then Kessler changed his mind and said he himself had a bigger punch than Green. Kessler has got no clue what he is talking about. And he has got no clue what Allan Green will bring to the table come Saturday night.”
In the co-featured main event, Patrick Nielsen (14-0, 8 KOs) will take on Gaetano Nespro (19-8-1, 3 KOs). Polish KO machine Mateusz “The Master” Masternak (26-0, 20 KOs) comes face-to-face with Hari Miles. Torben Keller faces Yuri Pompilio, Erik Skoglund meets Pablo Sosa and Simeen Smaadal clashes with Srdjan Mihailovic.
Undefeated Junior Welterweights Serrano & Mayfield on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights
Undefeated Junior Welterweights Serrano & Mayfield on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights
Undefeated Junior Welterweights Raymond “Tito” Serrano (18-0, 8 KOs) and Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield (15-0-1, 9 KOs) will meet in the 10-round main event May 18 on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra. Friday’s show will air at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN3 from Albany, N.Y. The card is presented by Star Boxing.
Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside for ESPN2 HD and ESPN3 at the Times Union Center describing the action, while studio host Bernardo Osuna will present the latest boxing news and highlights. On ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates (Friday Night Fights), Alex Pombo and Delvin Rodriguez will call the fights with Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega in the studio.
Both shows will include Osuna’s interview earlier this week with Manny Pacquiao. Both shows will also discuss the U.S. Olympic boxing team as it prepares for the 2012 Summer Games in London. ESPN Deportes will discuss U.S. Olympic boxer Jose Ramirez and female boxer Marlen Esparza. Esparza of Texas, moved to the third round at the women’s world boxing championships Sunday.
Main Event:
California’s Mayfield is trained by Virgil Hunter, who also trains Super Middleweight champion Andre Ward, and enters Friday’s fight having defeated former Junior Lightweight titlist Steve Forbes. Mayfield won a 10-round decision over two-time Venezuelan Olympian Patrick Lopez in his last fight.
Serrano of Philadelphia is coming off a February 10-round decision win over Kenny Abril.
“I’ve seen a few of Mayfield’s fights,” Serrano said. “I think both of us are going to try to see who lands first. I think he’s going to come out strong, but I’ve got a good game plan. I’m ready to go to war.”
Co-Feature:
Undefeated Middleweight Jason “Monstruo” Escalera (12-0, 11 KOs) will meet Nick “The Machine Gun” Brinson (9-1-1, 5 KOs) in the co-feature. Both fighters are coming off wins over Marcus Brooks–New Jersey’s Escalera with a fourth-round TKO and New York’s Brinson with an eight-round decision.
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Zeferino Entertainment and Camacho Jr. Joins Forces to Pursuit World Title
Zeferino Entertainment and Camacho Jr. Joins Forces to Pursuit World Title Zeferino Ramirez of Zeferino Entertainment announces that Hector Camacho Jr. has entered into an exclusive promotional agreement for a final pursuit at World Title.
Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr.(53-4-28KO) has had his fair share of injuries, missed opportunities and simple bad luck throughout his career. In 2001 Jr. was a #1 World rated fighter and faced Former World Champion Jessie James Leila, which to date has been the highlight of his career. After suffering an accidental head butt, Jr.’s vision was impaired, ultimately ending the fight in a no contest. The bout gave the boxing world some uncertainly for the young Camacho. Since then Camacho Jr. has had some good wins over top contenders like Freddy Curiel, Phillip Holiday, Isreal Cardona and Luis Ramon Campos and is now looking for a pursuit toward a World title.
Promoter Zeferino Ramirez commented; “I am excited to join forces with Camacho Jr. and see how serious he is. He is definitely a slick, seasoned southpaw that deserves a fight with one of the top contenders of today. Hector has a fight scheduled in San Antonio, Texas June 23rd and then we are looking for a significant fight with one of the top 5. The fighter that comes to mind would be a Canelo Alvarez. Hector and I have had many conversations about the young Alvarez. We believe Jr. would easily outbox and outclass the young undefeated star. We are not certain if Alvarez is up for the challenge. If that fight does not materialize, we would love a fight one of the best like a Cotto, Chavez Jr, Shane Mosley or Antonio Margarito.”