Archive for the ‘Professional Boxing’ Category

WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) will make his mandatory defence against interim champion Ola Afolabi (19-2-3, 9 KOs) in Erfurt, Germany on May 5. It will be the second time the two fighters face each other in the ring, with Huck clinching a close points victory in their first meeting in December 2009.

“I had just won the title against Victor Emilio Ramirez and then had to make my first defence against Afolabi,” Huck said. It was a tough fight and I won on points. Afolabi has been victorious in all of his fights ever since. He seems to have gotten stronger. I will be prepared for a hard night on May 5.”

After challenging WBA Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin in February, Huck will have to lose weight again. “He weighed around 95 kilos prior to the Povetkin fight,” coach Ulli Wegner said. “Now he has to lose five kilos. That is something new for him. He has a lot of muscles, so it won´t be easy. But we will get it done during the hard preparation.”

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By Michael O’Neill

Ireland 24-03-2024

A historic first ever women’s boxing international in Ireland last night was inevitably dominated by Katie Taylor whose 25-5 win over Dutch champion Jessica Belder was watched by a few hundred spectators in the Stadium and countless others at home and abroad via the IABA’s welcome ‘Live streaming’ coverage of all eight bouts.

As another step on the Road to London (hopefully) via the World’s in Qinhuangdao, China this was a good start to a week which will also see her fight in Cavan (against the same opponent tomorrow), in Cork on 30th against 2011 Golden Gloves champion, Liz Leddy from Portland,Maine (USA) and in Dungarvan on 31st March when she meets N’yteeyah Sherman, the highly promising, 6ft tall, 19yrs old from Barberton, Ohio who came within a single point of defeating Queen Underwood at last month’s U.S Olympic Trials.

But let us not forget that this was also a night in which several of the Irish team made their debuts at Senior international level so special mention to Sarah Close of the Holy Family GG who defeated Willeke Verdellen (13-6) and Callan’s Clare Grace an impressive 21-19 winner over Lisa de Vilder.
An encouraging performance too from another making her senior debut, 16 years old, Christine Gargan of the St George’s Club, who albeit she was defeated by the Dutch title holder Alicia Holsken 7-10 will have benefited from the experience.

Defeat too for Drimnagh’s Sinead Kavanagh, who went under 17-9 against Nouchka Fontijn but let us remember that Nouchka is the European Gold medallist from Rotterdam and one of the favourites for an Olympic medal in London. The two will resume their rivalry when the two countries meet again at the Cavan Crystal Hotel tomorrow.

An excellent win for Michelle Lynch of the Golden Gloves club in Belmullet, Co Mayo, against the Australian Olympic trials winner Bianca Elmir 14-14 but 42/41 on count back to the Irish woman. Ireland’s other winner on this ‘special night’ was Dervla Duffy from the Ryston club, a very deserving 21-12 victory over Kristen Fraser, the 22 yrs old economics student at Aberdeen University.

For Taylor though this brought back memories of her first ever bout at the famous old Stadium back on 31 October 2023 when the then 15 years old from Bray met and defeated 16 years old Alanna Audley (now ABAE champion Alanna Murphy).This was the first ever licensed women’s bout in Ireland and who could have foreseen on that Halloween the great success story that is Katie Taylor. Happy memories of that night? :

“Yeah, I made history here when I fought Alanna back then,” Taylor told the ‘Irish Times’.

“She’s one of my best friends now, would you believe? She’s still boxing. She’s over in England. The two of us, we made history that day.”

History that day? – yes, and who knows perhaps further even more historic triumphs await. Only time will tell.

Ireland v Holland March 23rd National Stadium Dublin (courtesy IABA.ie)

52Kg: Alicia Holsken (Holland) beat Christine Gargan (St Georges) 10-7
54Kg: Bianca Elmir (Australia) lost to Michelle Lynch (Golden Gloves) 14-14 c/b 42-41
57Kg: Rachel Foefnagels (Holland) v Michaela Walsh (Holy Family GG) (exhibition bout)
57Kg: Kristen Fraser (Scotland) lost to Dervla Duffy (Ryston) 12-21
60Kg: Jessica Belder (Holland) lost to Katie Taylor (Bray) 5-25
64Kg: Willeke Verdellen (Holland) lost to Sarah Close (Holy Family GG) 6-13
69Kg: Lisa de Vilder (Holland) lost to Clare Grace (Callan) 19-21
75Kg: Nouchka Fontijn (Holland) beat Sinead Kavanagh (Drimnagh) 17-9

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Mayweather vs Cotto: Ring Kings! That’s title of this bout. Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto will face each other on May 5th in Las Vegas. The dream fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao could not materialize this time, but boxing fans worldwide will not be disappointed by this Mayweather vs Cotto match-up. With Floyd Mayweather vs Miguel Cotto, we have the number one WBC Welterweight and the number one WBA Junior Middleweight squaring off against each other. Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs) is of course a defensive, intelligent, outspoken seven-time world champion. Cotto (36-2, 29 KOs) intelligent and one of Puerto Rico’s biggest boxing superstars.

It is not a huge surprise that Mayweather has chosen Cotto to be his boxing opponent, since Mayweather has the highest respect for Cotto. As quoted Mayweather saying, Miguel Cotto is a world-class fighter who can never be taken for granted and continues to prove he is one of the best in boxing. Mayweather is confident that he will win the fight and have another world championship belt under his nose.

HBO 24/7 Mayweather vs Cotto debut on April 14

HBO PPV which has secured the rights to air the fight between undefeated champion Floyd Mayweather Jr (42-0, 26 knockouts) and current WBA Junior Middleweight champion Miguel Cotto (37-2, 30 knockouts) on May 5th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, returns with the Emmy award-winning 24/7 reality TV show.

24/7 Mayweather vs Cotto, an all-new, four part episodes, and all-access series. The first part of the HBO 24/7 Mayweather vs Cotto will debut on April 14, 2012.

“24/7 is all about high energy, great drama, revealing characters and unrestricted access,” said Ken Hershman of HBO Sports in a press release. “We are grateful to both Floyd and Miguel and their camps that they will allow our cameras to chronicle their journeys to May 5th.“

The premiere 24/7 Mayweather vs Cotto Episode 1 will be paired with the Brandon Rios vs Yuriorkis Gamboa fight. 24/7 Mayweather vs Cotto Episode 1 will follow two elite fighters as they prepare for their intriguing Junior Middleweight title showdown. The lives of both Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto are going to made public.

The 24/7 Mayweather vs Cotto Episode 2 will aired on April 21 same time. The 24/7 Mayweather vs Cotto Episode 2 will follow the in-depth interviews include the family members, coaches, managers and friends of both fighters.

The 24/7 Mayweather vs Cotto gives boxing fans and enthusiasts full access to the trainings with great drama and high energy of Floyd Mayweather Jr and Miguel Cotto with their respective camps. Its an unrestricted access which also reveals important characters that is vital to the training of both boxers.

Mayweather is a fast and strong boxer but at 154 lbs Miguel Cotto is deemed to be more powerful than the Grand Rapids, Michigan native. Miguel last fought against Antonio Margarito last year and he was sensational. He gave the Mexican warrior a beating he will never forget all his life.

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HATTON Promotions have added more seats into Ponds Forge Arena for Saturday’s bumper Sheffield bill.

The response from the Steel City public has been incredible with unbeaten prospects Adam Etches and Scott Jenkins selling almost 1000 tickets between them.

In the bill topper on the Sky Sports televised show Gary Buckland defends his British super-featherweight title against Middleborough’s Paul Truscott.

Buckland thrilled Sheffield fans last September when he became champion by beating Gary Sykes in a thriller and fans obviously want more of the exciting Welshman.

Hatton Promotions CEO Ricky Hatton: “Sheffield is hotbed for boxing and amazing sales for this weekend prove it.

“Fortunately we have managed to squeeze in a few more seats and a limited number of tickets are now available from our box office.

“At Hatton Promotions we pride ourselves on great shows and fine matchmaking and with most shows selling out, we are doing something right.

“It promises to be an exceptional night on Saturday. Buckland v Truscott will be edge of the seat stuff for sure.

“With this sort of response we will be back in Sheffield very soon with another top class show.”

Undercard fights: Patrick Mendy v Bradley Pryce, Sergey Rabchenko v Ronny Gabel, Richard Towers v Harold Sconiers, Adam Etches v Stilian Kostoc, Scott Jenkins v Adrian FuzesiMitch Buckland v Francis Maina. Carl Bell, Jason Cunningham and Jack Perry face selected opponents
Boxing starts at 6.15pm and the handful of tickets remaining are priced £35 general admission, £55 floor seating, £75 ringside and £100 VIP Ringside. You can buy by calling The Hatton Box Office 01925 755 222, Ticketmaster 0844 847 2500, Ticketline 0844 888 9991, any boxer on the bill or online www.hattonboxing.com

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