RSSLight Heavyweight
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Johnson Vows to KO Former Champ
Former champion Reggie Johnson battles former champion Glen Johnson in the “Fight Night for Climate Change” Pay-per-View extravaganza on November 17, from the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Before you laugh off former middleweight and light heavyweight champion “Sweet” Reggie Johnson’s chances in his upcoming fight against Glen Johnson, you really need to speak to William Guthrie.
In 1998, Reggie Johnson had boxed less than a round in three years when he signed to face then-IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Guthrie, who was an undefeated knockout artist with growing reputation as one of boxing’s most powerful new champions.
Guthrie left on a stretcher. Johnson left with a new belt around his waist.
And when he battles former world champion and red-hot IBF #1-rated contender Glengoffe Johnson on November 17 at the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Reggie (43-7-1, 25 KOs) says he’s going to do it again.
“I have never officially retired,” explains the 41-year-old Johnson, whose only ring appearance in the past five years was a ninth round knockout over respectable veteran Fred Moore last July. “I’m better physically and mentally than I was when I was 25. My sparring partners, doctors, and trainers will assure you of that. On November 17, I will be at my best. I’ve been in 21 title fights, so my experience will be the key to pulling off one the biggest upsets in the last decade.”
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Monday, October 01, 2007
Dawson Retains; Agbeko Claims
SACRAMENTO – Boxing fans were treated to two thrilling and memorable fights on Saturday night as “Bad” Chad Dawson retained his World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight belt with a flawless dismantling of Epifanio “Diamante” Mendoza Saturday, Sept. 29 on Showtime Championship Boxing from the ARCO Arena.
Referee Jon Schorle stopped the fight at 2:30 of the fourth round (KO).
In the co-feature, Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko became boxing’s newest champion capturing the International Boxing Federation (IBF) 118-pound crown with a one-sided victory over Luis “El Demoledor” Perez.
Referee Dan Stell stopped the fight on the recommendation of ringside physician Smith Ketchum immediately after the seventh round.
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Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Mendoza Plans to Pressure Dawson
NEW YORK – If the saying “styles make fights” holds any truth, then Don King Productions has found the perfect replacement opponent for World Boxing Council (WBC) Light Heavyweight Champion Chad Dawson in hard-hitting Epifanio Mendoza (28-4-1, 24 KOs).
Mendoza, who opened his professional career with 16 consecutive knockouts, likely will give the younger Dawson (24-0, one NC, 16 KOs) fits when the two tangle Saturday, Sept. 29, on Showtime Championship Boxing at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Mendoza, of Barranquilla, Colombia, replaces Adrian Diaconu, who was forced to withdraw when he injured his right hand during sparring.
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Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Dawson Now Defends Against Mendoza
World Boxing Council No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Adrian “The Shark” Diaconu, scheduled to fight for a title against WBC lightweight champion “Bad” Chad Dawson at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, suffered a training injury on Thursday forcing him to pull out of the Sept. 29 match.
Dangerous light heavyweight knockout artist Epifanio Mendoza (28-4-1, 24 KOs), from Barranquilla, Colombia, has agreed to replace Diaconu and will face Dawson in the Sept. 29 main event.
“This is a dream come true to have the opportunity to fight Chad Dawson for the WBC light heavyweight title,” an obviously enthused Mendoza said after flying into promoter Don King’s Deerfield Beach, Fla., headquarters to sign the match contract this afternoon [Sept. 18]. “I have fought in and won numerous national and continental championships but this will be my first world title fight. I plan on taking the title back to Colombia.”
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Thursday, September 13, 2007
Dawson-Diaconu Press Conference Quotes
SACRAMENTO - Promoter Don King, in association with Maloof Sports & Entertainment, will present two world championship boxing matches at ARCO Arena on Saturday, Sept. 29 where the main event will feature a battle of “The Undefeated” with World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion “Bad” Chad Dawson opposing WBC No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Adrian “The Shark” Diaconu.
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Thursday, September 06, 2007
Dawson Set to Defend Against Diaconu
Promoter Don King, in association with Maloof Sports and Entertainment, will present a highly anticipated world championship battle of the undefeated at ARCO Arena on Saturday, Sept. 29, when World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion “Bad” Chad Dawson takes on WBC No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Adrian “The Shark” Diaconu, from Romania now fighting out of Montreal, Canada.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be promoting this light heavyweight championship with the Maloofs at ARCO Arena on Sept. 29,” an ebullient Don King said. “We are looking forward to bringing World Championship Boxing to a region with such rich boxing heritage.”
“The Maloof family loves the sport of boxing going all the way back to my father,” Gavin Maloof said. “We are proud to be bringing Don King to Sacramento to promote this world championship card at ARCO Arena. It will be a great event for boxing fans in Sacramento.”
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Monday, September 03, 2007
Gunn Discusses Tarver Rumors
Former IBA Cruiserweight champion and WBO title challenger Bobby Gunn 18-3 {15 KO’s} is excited upon hearing the speculation regarding a fight with former undisputed Light Heavyweight champion Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarver. Two different websites have reported the potential clash. Gunn hopes these rumors can get him a date with a man he calls a great champion.
“I have made calls to Tarver’s promoter and his camp”, said the hard hitting Canadian. “I will fight Tarver anytime, any place, and at any weight. This is not a movie, I am the real life Rocky Balboa and this will be a real fight. I am not obligated or contract to any promoters and I am self managed. I have a great team of attorneys that look out for me so this will not be complicated to get done, if you want an opponent who is colorful and has a world wide fan appeal, you should look no further then me”!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Shaun George Calls Out Glen Johnson
Recently, a press release was issued in which Glen Johnson called out the likes of Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins, Chad Dawson and Clinton Woods. Johnson claimed to be feared and ducked by the division’s best. In that piece, Johnson failed to mention one fighter, a boxer whose name he avoids repeating as if it invoked The Candyman: Shaun George.
“Those guys are preocuppied,” says George, 15-2 (7 KO), of Johnson’s choice of opponents. “They’re doing their own thing right now. It’s clear they don’t want to fight you. I’m willing and able. You’re calling them out, well I’m calling you out. Let’s make it happen. Stop ducking and dodging. You have a date coming up, I want in.”
“He knows fighting me is a mistake,” continues George, who is promoted by Hall of Fame Promotions. “When it all comes down to it, he’s fighting for the money. Why would you want to fight a guy like Roy Jones Jr, somebody you already knocked out? If I beat somebody, I’m never thinking twice about that guy. You think you’re one of the best, you think you’re the toughest, your presser says you’re aging like fine wine, well then step up to the plate.”
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Sunday, July 22, 2007
Hopkins Wins Decision Over Wright
Bernard Hopkins retained his title with a unanimous decision over Winky Wright Saturday night. It was Wright’s first loss in seven years.
Related
ESPN 360 video recap
Hopkins keeps title with entertaining win over Wright
Hopkins wins in unanimous decision vs. Wright
Hopkins wins, but not with style points
Ruthless Hopkins outpoints Wright
Hopkins says he wants to fight Joe Calzaghe next.
Monday, July 02, 2007
EEC - July 2, 2007
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- The rumors are true: Felix Trinidad will be coming out of retirement to fight later this year, most likely in December.
- Oleg Maskaev’s showdown against Samuel Peter has been moved from September 29th to October 6th on Showtime and will now take place at Madison Square Garden according to Don King. Showtime is looking to fill the vacant September 29th weekend spot with a possible matchup between Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson, provided they are both victorious in their bouts on June 9th.
- Contract talks between the camps of Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik are almost finished according to Lou DiBella. Taylor would end up defending his middleweight titles on September 29th on HBO. DiBella says that he is currently attempting to hold the event at Boardwalk Hall.
- NetBoxe is reporting that WBC and WBA Cruiserweight Champion Jean-Marc Mormeck is currently in talks with the camp of David Haye for a possible fight on September 28th.
- Nikolai Valuev and Vladimir Virchis look set to fight at some point this fall. The deadline for purse bids for this fight is July 30th according to Per Ake Persson of Boxing Scene.
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