Joshua Clottey backs Agbeko to beat Melendez

03/17/201303/17/2013 ESB

Joshua Clottey interviews Agbeko By Prince Dornu-Leiku — Former IBF Welterweight champion, Joshua Clottey is confident compatriot Joseph King Kong Agbeko will overcome eColombia’s Luis Mendelez to win the IBO Bantamweight title when they clash in Accra on March 24.

Clottey was present at the Bridge Boxing Gym in the Ghanaian capital on Thursday when Agbeko held an open training session beamed live to the world by Ghana’s leading sports television station, Metro TV. And Clottey who was even made to mockingly interview Agbeko live on TV, believes King Kong is primed for victory.

“At this stage with just a week to the fight, he doesn’t need to train so hard but just focus on his speed. I think with what I’ve seen here today, Agbeko is in good shape and will go for the win. I’m sure he will win by a knockout, even if he doesn’t knock him out then he will win by a wide margin,” Joshua Clottey said at the event.

Menay Edwards Prepares for Latvian invasion

03/20/201303/17/2013 ESB

Menay “the emperor” Edwards fresh from a shut out win over former British Champion Shane McPhilbin takes on his toughest test to date on April 5th in the Goodwin Promotions promoted “Its Banjo time” show at Grays Essex when he takes on World ranked number 77 (Boxrec) Arturs Kulikauskis (9-15-3).

Bradley defeats Provodnikov in war; Vargas decisions Omotoso

03/17/201303/16/2013 ESB

By Bill Phanco: WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley (30-0, 12 KO’s) defeated light welterweight challenger Ruslan Provodnikov (22-2, 15 KO’s) by a 12 round unanimous decision tonight at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Bradley, 29, was knocked down in the 12th round by Provodnikov, and badly hurt in the 1st, 2nd, 6th in addition to the 12th round. It looks like the referee blew a call in the 1st that would have caused the fight to end in a draw by ruling it a slip after a badly hurt Bradley was knocked down by Provodnikov. The judges scored it 114-113, 114-113 and 115-113.

After the fight, Bradley, with bad swelling on both sides of his face, said “I think I have a concussion. This guy is a power puncher. He’ll beat any 140 or 147 pound fighter out there.

Austin Trout Exclusive Interview: Canelo Vengeance Factor, Strategy and the Future

03/15/2013 ESB

By Steve Lopez — After the press conference in Houston, TX concluded, Saul Alvarez and Austin Trout took the time to address members of the media for brief one-on-one interviews. I had the opportunity to sit down with Austin Trout to get his perspective on the fight, Canelo’s mission to avenge his older brother’s loss and what the future may hold for the New Mexico native.

Steve Lopez: “There’s a little bit of a vengeance factor. You beat his older brother a while back. How does it feel being in the ring with younger brother trying to avenge the loss?

Austin Trout: “That’s not really a factor for me. The thing that I think is cool is that I can take two world titles from two brothers. Other than that, his brother was in my way. Really, if you look at it, he was in the path to get to him. In hindsight, looking back, it was just part of the process.

Steve Lopez: “Back in December when you fought Cotto, a lot people had you as the underdog. Kind of a similar story again. I, myself, give you a great chance. In another interview, you mentioned that Canelo won’t be taking advantage of the weight gain he has over other fighters. How do you think that’s going to play out? Usually, he’s the bully.”

Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin Trout: Houston, TX Press Conference Summary

03/15/2013 ESB

By: Steve Lopez – Day 2 of the 3-city Texas press tour for the highly anticipated super welterweight showdown between undefeated WBC Super Welterweight Champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and WBA Super Welterweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout continued this Thursday in Houston, TX. I had the privilege to attend the conference and here are some of the highlights from the event.

With a large Latin American community, the Houston, TX crowd was undoubtedly pro-Canelo.

“Canelo! Canelo! Canelo! Canelo!”

That was the instant reaction of the crowd when Saul Alvarez took the podium on Thursday’s Houston, TX Press Conference. The roars were so loud that one could somewhat feel the vibrations of the roars in the air. But before the fighters took the stand, promoters and members of each team addressed the media and the fans to hype up the event. Here are some notable quotes from the conference.

Agbeko holds media workout in Accra ahead of Mendelez fight

03/14/2013 ESB

By 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.

The Setup: Mayweather vs. Broner

03/14/201303/14/2013 ESB

broner4 By 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.

Canelo and Trout Press Tour Notes From San Antonio

03/15/201303/14/2013 ESB

By 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.

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

03/13/2013 ESB

By 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.

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

03/13/2013 ESB

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!