Tony Bellew Knocks out Ilunga Makubu to grab WBC cruiserweight title.

In extraordinary scenes at Everton's Goodison park Liverpool, Tony Bellew became the new WBC world cruiserweight champion with a 3rd round knockout of Junior Ilunga Makubu..  Bellew (27/2/1) was attempting his third shot at a world title having lost in previous attempts to Nathan Cleverly and Adonis Stevenson at light heavyweight, Bellew started boxing patiently behind the Jab, looking for openings, knowing mistakes against the  #1 ranked Makubu (19/1) 18 knockouts could prove costly, Makubu himself a slow starter showed very little until a reaction counter punch dropped Bellew with seconds left in the opener, It was a stark reminder to the Liverpool fighter of the power Makubu carried..  Bellew boxed a cautious second stanza with neither fighter prepared to commit with such high stakes..  Midway into the third Bellew took the initiative to force the fight, hurting Makubu with a right hand, the African fighter physically shaken backed into the ropes, Bellew cautiously poked shots at Makubu's high guard, sensing opportunity with his opponents back on the ropes, the hometown man drilled home accurate head shots as Makubu began to unravel, the final two, a right hand, left hook collapsed Ilunga Makubu to the canvas with Victor Loughlan waving it off..   the former Rocky star probably never dreamed of a more fitting night to grab a championship, climbing off the floor in his own backyard to fulfil a childhood dream...  An gracious Makubu looked hugely dissapointed but was first to congratulate Bellew on the victory, his failure to capitalise on his early success cost him the title..  Bellew joins the other 13 British fighters that currently lay claim to versions of world championships.

Results from Goodison park, Liverpool.

Heavyweight David Price (20/3) beat Vaclaj Pejsar (9/2) of the Czech Republic with a right hand in round 2..  Price dropped Pejsar in round one with an uppercut but the Czech was lucky to survive the round..  Pejsar did rally in the second but Price looked a class above..

In a competitive welterweight affair, Liverpools Tom Farrell (8/0) outworked Kofi Yates (13/1) of Manchester over 10..  Farrell seemed to land the more accurate shots and finished the stronger during a highly entertaining bout.  Referee.. Ian John Lewis's scorecard  98/93.

WBA #1 ranked super middleweight Callum Smith (19/0) Liverpool, had a tougher nights work than expected before beating tough Cesar Reynoso (14/7/3) Buenos Aires Argentina in round 6 of a scheduled 8 rounder. Smith dropped the game Reynoso in the first but allowed the tough South American back into the fight, Smith again had Reynoso on the floor from bodyshots in the 4th and 5th before Referee Steve Gray stopped the fight at 2:02 a round later..

Two-time super middleweight world title challenger Paul Smith (37/6) outpointed Bartlomiej Grafta (17/21/3) over 6 rounds, this is the Liverpool fighters second straight win after suffering consecutive losses to Andre Ward and Arthur Abraham (twice)

In a bout for the WBC international lightweight title, Birkenhead's Sean 'Masher' Dodd (10/2/1) outpointed Pasquale Di Silvio (20/7/1) Lazio Italy over 10 hard fought rounds,..  Di Silvio Started effectively but Dodd steadily outworked the Italian over the second half of the fight.
Scores were.   (97  93)  (98  92)  (98  92).

Stephen Smith (23/2) completed a Smith brother trio of victories by stopping Daniel Brizuela (28/5/2) Argentina in the 7th round for the WBC silver super featherweight title. Smith dominated the bout and scored 2 knockdowns before Ian John Lewis called it off at 2.59 of the round.  Smith was coming off a losing IBF world title challenge to Jose Pedraza just 6 weeks ago.

Flawless Burns makes three division history.

Super lightweight Ricky Burns (40-5-1, 14 KOs) became Scotland’s first ever three-weight world champion with a one-sided eighth round KO win over Michele Di Rocco (40-2-1, 18 KOs) on Saturday night at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland. Burns outclassed the WBA #1 rated Di Rocco, who's ranking quite honestly must reflect his record and not his ability, Burns was able to control the fight with the jab, keeping the very raw Di Rocco on the outside in the early rounds..  Di Rocco was more aggressive than usual but continually made fundamental mistakes which Burns capitalised on, dropping him in round three and finally finishing him in round eight.  Ricky's victory claimed the vacant WBA 140lb title formerly held by Adrien Broner and vacated on the scales prior to the Theophane bout..  Burns now along with Duke Mackenzie and Bob fitzimmons is amongst a unique trio of British fighters to win recognised world titles in three separate weight divisions..  Burns previously holding super featherweight and lightweight championships..  

British super lightweight champion Tyrone Nurse (33-2-1, 6 KOs) retained his title with a ninth round TKO over local hero Willie Limond (39-5, 11 KOs). Referee Victor Loughlin waved it off at 1:54 to save Limond from further punishment.

Conor Benn (2-0, 1 KO), son of former world champ Nigel Benn, took a four round unanimous decision over Luke Keleher (2-5-1, 1 KO).

2012 Olympic middleweight bronze medalist Anthony Ogogo (9-0, 5 KOs) won by third round stoppage over Chris Herrmann (21-11-1, 12 KOs).

Avanesyan outscores Mosley in Arizona.

WBA interim welterweight champion David Avanesyan (22-1-1, 11 KOs) retained his title with a unanimous points decision over 44-year-old Shane Mosley (49-10-1, 41 KOs) last night at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. It was a close fight with both fighters having successful spells. Mosley had a point deducted for a low blow in round ten by referee Wes Melton. The final round was the most eventful round of the whole bout as both fighters finished strong, Avenesyan did seem the more busier throughout the fight and scores were 114-113, 117-110, 117-110 for Avanesyan, who should now face the winner of the June 25 Thurman-Porter showdown for the WBA title.

On the undercard Super middleweight Shane Mosley Jr (7-1, 5 KOs) won a six round majority decision over Roberto Yong (5-8, 4 KOs). Scores were 57-57, 59-55, 58-56.
and undefeated cruiserweight Dimar Ortuz (11-0-2, 8 KOs) battered Ricardo Campillo (9-10-1, 7 KOs) until the bout was finally waved off in round six. Time was :25.

Shane Mosley returns to fight David Avanesyan in Arizona.

This Saturday night Shane Mosley returns to action against David Avanesyan, as the 44-year-old former three-division titleholder looks to will himself back into the title mix at 147 pounds, fighting for an interim WBA belt and a possible shot at Keith Thurman or Shawn Porter later this year.
David Avanesyan is more famous as a pro boxer for being the guy who caused a rib injury to Kell Brook last October, which canceled Brook's scheduled December title defense against Diego Chaves.
The Russian turned pro a couple of months before his 21st birthday in 2009, lost his second pro fight to the very capable Andrey Klimov in a six rounder, David would go on to win his next twelve before drawing with another competent fighter, Aslanbek Kozaev in 2013.  For his last three fights, Avanesyan has had to travel overseas, beating Laszlo Fazekas and fading Irishman Dean Byrne in the United Kingdom, followed by a win in Monaco last November over fringe contender Charlie Navarro.
The fight with Navarro earned Avanesyan the interim WBA welterweight title.
Avanesyan does not have any career defining wins but victory on Saturday would certainly slide the Russian into mainstream vision.  We all know about Shane's placement in the history books, but most of those glorious victories were over a decade ago...  Shane was 37 years old when he last looked even close to his best, January 2009, when he destroyed Antonio Margarito at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Mosley was the underdog in that fight, and for good reason. Margarito was coming off of a big win over Miguel Cotto, who had beaten Shane in 2007, and Mosley was coming off of a poor showing against Ricardo Mayorga, where he looked flat and off his game before scoring a sensational KO in the final seconds of the bout.  A year later Mosley found himself in the long awaited fight with Floyd Mayweather, rocking the champion before dropping a unanimous decision. Mosley followed the Mayweather fight with a dreadful draw with Sergio Mora, and losses to younger fighters Manny Pacquiao and Saul Alvarez in his last two meaningful bouts..  Shane flirted with retirement but returned for bouts in 2015, a meaningless spectacle against Ricardo Mayorga and a points win over Patrick Lopez, that shows that Shane still has fire in his belly, plus he's recently hooked up with the legendary Roberto Duran who can only add a positive spin on preparations..    The 2016 version of Sugar Shane won't be vintage..  But it may have enough to beat the comparatively mediocre Avanesyan..

Glowacki v Usyk purse bids deadline set.

The WBO has informed representatives of WBO cruiserweight champion Krzystof Glowacki and undefeated Oleksandr Usyk that a purse bid will be held June 9 at the Affinia Hotel in New York City. The minimum acceptable bid is $300,000. WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel will preside. Glowacki (26-0, 16 KOs) will be making the second defense of his title that he won in an upset against Marco Huck in August of last year, Glowacki beat Steve Cunningham in April in a first defence in Brooklyn. Oleksandr Usyk has been consistently avoided since turning pro in 2013, Usyk is (9-0, 9 KOs) is the 2012 Olympic heavyweight gold medalist and the WBO’s #1 contender.

Tony Bellew and Ilunga Makubu weigh in ahead of WBC title clash.

WBC #1 Ilunga Makabu (19-1, 18 KOs) and local contender Tony Bellew (26-2-1, 16 KOs) both made weight for their clash on Sunday for the vacant WBC cruiserweight title at Goodison Park in Liverpool.  Makabu weighed 196.5, a few pounds less than Bellew who weighed 199.1. They are fighting for the belt vacated by Grigory Drozd, who twice pulled out of fights with mandatory challenger Makabu due to injuries

Travis Kauffman.. On the news of Wilder v Arreola.

Yesterday news emerged from a very reliable source, confirming that it is likely that a WBC heavyweight title fight between Deontay Wilder and Chris Arreola could take place within the next 8 weeks. However heavyweight Travis Kauffman who last shared a ring with Arreola is a little hurt by the possible matchup..  Arreola had only just squeezed past Curtis Harper in March of 2015, then scored a miserable draw with Fred Kassi in July in a bout that many thought Kassi had done enough to win..  Yet in December in Texas, Arreola was originally given a majority decision over Kauffman despite being on the floor in the third...  Worse was to come, Arreola failed a drug test following the bout and the result was changed to a NC..   Considering Arreola has already had two failed WBC title challenges and had hardly put together an impressive audition of late I find it hard to see why Chris could be seriously considered as a challenger for Wilder..  Chris is (36/4/1) hasn't looked impressive in years, and considering Wilders recent dissapointing episode with another drugs cheat in Povetkin, I find it staggering they would offer first crack to a man who himself failed a drugs test following his last outing..   Kauffman is (30/1) and despite numerous setbacks hasn't lost in 7 years. Kauffman took the fight to Arreola in December and regardless of the original outcome or the shenanigans that followed, most at ringside saw that he did enough to win the bout..  Travis is a respectful humble man, but had to say his piece...  I don't blame him..  

Oleksandr Usyk.. The cruiserweight avoided for a reason.

29 year Old Ukrainian southpaw Oleksandr Usyk is a cruiserweight in a hurry, many including WBC title challenger Tony Bellew have labelled him the most avoided fighter in the division..  As an amateur Usyk won the 2008 European amateur championships at light heavyweight, by 2011 Usky was a fully grown heavyweight and would win the world amateur championships furthered a year later by a gold at the London 2012 Olympics, beating would ranked Artur Beterbiev en route in both competitions..  Usyk turned pro in 2013 under the Klitschkos K2 banner and racked up 9 straight knockout victories in just over 2 years.. Along the way he picked up a WBO interim and intercontinental cruiserweight titles, the latter title he last defended in December knocking out the (22/1) Pedro Rodriguez in Kiev..   Usyk looks a very special talent, a tall (6ft3) puncher with an exciting style, a professional of only 30 months yet 9 straight knockouts in 9 outings against improving opposition..  Canadian based Beterbiev is making all the noises at the minute as a pro and is looking down the barrel of a possible matchup with Sergei Kovalev in the near future. Usyk knows full well what may lie ahead if he continues on the course he is on, Beterbiev wasn't even the toughest fight in the 2012 Olympics according to Oleksandr, yet it seems that both have been two of the most avoided fighters in their respective divisions so far..   "My aim is to keep winning, let victories speak for themself, those at the top will have to fight eventually."  Usyk will play the patience game, hoping eventually everything comes to he who waits.

WBC give Wilder the green light to make a voluntary.

WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder should have had the chance to prove his critics wrong last Saturday against tough ex champion and number one mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin in Russia, yet just over two weeks ago the bombshell that put a halt to one of the most eagerly awaited heavyweight title fights in years dropped heavily.. Povetkin had failed VADA's drug test for the substance Meldonium..  Following the bombshell amidst the denials and accusations, the fight was inevitably postponed, then according to Wilders people cancelled...  Deontay and his team based in Sheffield England, flew home soon after..  So now where do we stand?   Deontay was really in dire need of a defining victory and the Povetkin match was the ideal opportunity to voice a statement..   Public opinion on Wilder since becoming champion has been brutally unsympathetic, the first choice of opponent for a defence in 2015 caused a few raised eyebrows.. Eric Molina was a no risk choice, he'd lost in a single round to Chris Arreola and looked on paper to pose zero chance of threat..  Then came the relatively unknown Frenchman Johan Duhauppas, who actually came to fight on the NBC televised show, raising a mouse under the eye of the champion before being stopped after a gallant showing..   The third defence saw Wilder struggle to nail elusive Artur Szpilka down, missing wildly and looking alarmingly open to counter punches from the comparatively smaller pole, however as advertised, Wilder pulled out the knockout leaving a hapless Szpilka out cold for several worrying minutes, proving very little we didn't already know..  Opponents that on paper shouldn't have honestly been challenging, left us still speculative about how the champion would fare with one of the divisions more threatening adversary's. Defence number 4 should have satisfied that void, but Povetkins failings left the WBC champion out on a limb..  Until today.
The WBC issued a statement today, offering Wilder the grace of another voluntary defence in the light of his recent dissapointment.  So who could Wilder possibly choose?
First shots fired were from Bermaine Stiverne, the former WBC champion who lost his belt to Wilder in 2015 in a fight where he claimed to have been chronically dehydrated, Stiverne commented on social media "what comes after #1 Deontay.??  Me, I'm #2 ranked"  followed by #WilderStiverne2.   Bermaine did happen to extend Deontay in his losing effort in what still remains Wilders only 12 round trip in 36 outings..  Luis Ortiz look to be the opponent of Public demand, the WBA interim holder looks like too much of a risk at this point and could be well worth saving for a bigger payday down the line..  Andy Ruiz is a distinct possibility, unbeaten with a deceptive less than athletic appearance, he could bring to the table exactly what they require..    Interesting that both former Wilder opponents Eric Molina and Johan Duhauppas both recently recharged their careers with impressive bounce back upset wins over ranked opposition..  Molina travelled overseas to pull off a late come from behind knockout of Tomasz Adameck while Duhauppas scored a dramatic knockout of hugely respected Robert Helenius, both rematch possibilities considering the situation..  Regardless, Wilders people will no doubt reveal all in a day or two, but from previous form I'm not expecting miracles..  I think Deontay is capable of beating anyone on his day, but without demanding fights and challenging opposition it's hard to imagine Wilder improving as a champion..   It's just a great shame that Alexander Povetkin deprived Wilder and us of a meaningful heavyweight duel.

Meet Ilunga 'Junior' Makubu.

Ilunga Makubu is a stranger to these shores, but on Sunday night he fights Tony Bellew in Liverpool for the WBC cruiserweight title..  The compact Makubu turned pro in 2008 in Hammanskraal North Africa, losing his first ever professional fight by knockout to khayeni Hlungwane in a first round shocker... this didn't deter Makubu, who would win his next 13 fights by stoppage or knockout, beating the once fancied Collice Mutizwa in the first round in Brakpan in 2011. Makubu has boxed several times up at heavyweight, including the Mutizwa fight, yet his weight has never wandered above 201..  In November of that same year Makubu would win the vacant WBC cruiserweight belt with an 11th round stoppage of the 23/1 Pedro Otas.. In 2013 Ilunga would pick up both the IBF youth cruiserweight belt by beating the unbeaten Gogita Gorgiladze (12/0) and the WBC silver title by overcoming another unbeaten prospect Dmytro Kucher (21/0) in Monaco on a Majority points decision in Makubu's only distance fight. In 2014 Makubu would take on his most experienced opponent, the American former champion Glenn Johnson (54/18/2) scoring a rare stoppage in the 9th round in Kinshasa and in his most recent bout, back in 2015 Makubu beat Thabiso Mchunu (16/1) knocking him out in the 11th round in a bout that appeared too close to call..    Ilunga or Junior as he is more better known back home is 19/1 with 18 knockouts, but has boxed 16 of his 20 bouts in his native Africa, his toughest on form opponent to date looks to be Bellew on Sunday in the biggest fight of his career so far..  The Southpaw Makubu has only actually boxed 85 rounds compared to Bellews 194 and in comparison will be dwarfed in height by the Liverpool boxer..  There is no doubt at all that Ilunga Makubu can punch, 18 knockouts tells us that, but in what company??  Sunday night may answer a lot of questions..

Bellew heads huge Goodison card May 29th.

It's 67 years since Liverpool has hosted a stadium fight, but come May 29th Evertons Goodison park will put an end to that record, and stage one of the biggest boxing nights in the city's history..   Lifetime staunch Evertonian, Tony Bellew will head the cast in an attempt to capture a world championship at the third attempt..  Tony will take on tough unbeaten Ilunga Makubu for the vacant WBC cruiserweight title..  
Ilunga Makubu is Unbeaten in 19 with 18 knockouts and is the number one cruiserweight in the WBC rankings, the awkward southpaw is a known puncher and it's a huge task at hand for two time world title challenger Bellew,  but it's a fitting fairytale setting for the Liverpool fighter to finally become a champion.. Bellew (26-2-1, 16 KOs) is up for the challenge on what will be an emotional night for him, a shot at a title in front of his home fans in a stadium close to his heart...  Tony has failed in 2 previous attempts, a close loss to Nathan Cleverly in 2011 for the light heavyweight crown, a result that he avenged 3 years later up at cruiserweight, and a 2013 stoppage loss in Canada to the hard punching Adonis Stevenson..  A move up in weight in 2014 has seen 6 solid victories since the Stevenson defeat against decent opposition, the last being tough Mateusz Masternack in December..  

Also featured on the card will be the return of popular heavyweight David Price, an appearance of three of the fighting Smith brothers, Stephen, Paul and Callum all boxing overseas opponents, an appearance from the colourful lightweight Sean masher Dodd and unbeaten Commonwealth games gold medalist Scott Fitzgerald.. Along with several other preliminary bouts..

Chagaev reinstated.. Once again WBA regular heavyweight champion.

The WBA yesterday decided to reinstate recently deposed champion Ruslan Chagaev once again as their heavyweight champion regular and the result of the Browne fight changed to a no contest...  Chagaev lost his title, being stopped in a shocker by Lucas Browne in March in a fight he had comfortably under control..  Following the bout in Grozny, Browne failed a drug test for Clenbuterol. Browne as the then newly crowned champion was himself ordered to make a first defence against Fres Oquendo, but having since been stripped and Chagaev reinstated, it's the Russian who now has to defend his reinstated championship against former foe Oquendo..
Chagaev, who will be 34-2-1 (21 KO) once the fight is changed to a no-contest, narrowly edged Oquendo (37-8, 24 KO) two Julys ago via majority decision, yet another title near-miss for Oquendo in a career full of them. The two have a combined age of eighty, making it questionable whether the winner has any real chance of taking out the Wilders and Joshuas of the modern heavyweight division, but it's not a bad fight in terms of competitive merit.

Jermall and Jermell Charlo make history.

Twin brothers Jermall and Jermell Charlo became the first twin brothers, in history to win and hold separate versions of the same world title simultaneously last night in Las Vegas..   Reigning IBF junior middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo (24-0, 18 KOs) retained his title with a twelve round unanimous decision over former WBA champion Austin Trout (30-3, 17 KOs). Charlos workrate is what seemed to beat Trout although the challenger did have moments of success in the bout.. The cagey Trout was dissapointed with the scores claiming that he had done enough to pinch it.  The scores were 115-113, 116-112, 116-112.

In a clash for the vacant WBC super welterweight world title, undefeated Jermell Charlo (28-0, 13 KOs) scored an eighth round KO over John Jackson (20-3, 15 KOs), son of ring great Julian “The Hawk” Jackson.  John seemed to be running away with the bout by boxing intelligently, until Jermell crashed home an overhand right that caused Jackson to turn to the side opening him up for the left hook, leaving Jackson unable to protect himself prompting the stoppage..  John suffered a similar defeat to former champion Andy Lee a couple of years ago after leading the fight..    Time was :51 of round 8..

Following his bout, IBF junior middleweight champion Jermall Charlo was being interviewed by Showtime’s Jim Gray when he turned to someone off camera and said “Who is this guy? Back off me brother!” An arm was seen pushing Charlo backwards in a bad tempered exchange..
It turned out to be mandatory challenger Charles Hatley, who entered the ring with his promoter Don King, the only problem was, Hatley is mandatory challenger for Jermall’s twin brother Jermell Charlo, who won the WBC title of the same division in the previous bout.

Double quick pantomime at the O2,

The Hayemaker promotions show from the O2 tonight featured comeback bouts with prospective future foes and former champions David Haye and Shannon Briggs ahead of a muted showdown in September..   However Haye and Briggs had to fulfil their obligations in banana skin bouts tonight..  This is where the serious promotion ends..    David Haye and Shannon Briggs took longer in ringwalk time respectively than either took in the ring disposing of curious opposition..  David took just over a round to relieve us of hapless Arnold Gjergjaj, the unbeaten Swiss based Kosovan hit the mat four times with punches that barely landed flush, Gjergjaj was completely out of his depth and literally quit after Terry O'Connor counted the final knockdown..   Colourful US import Shannon Briggs who was previously pencilled in to face Alexander Dimitrenko had to settle for the inept Emilio Zarate a 34 year old Argentinian with 16 losses..  Briggs almost scored a knockout with his opening punch, but it was evident after the first exchange, Zarate had no ambition at all. Briggs scored a knockdown with a slashing body shot early in the round, then ended the show with another body attack that left the Argentinian out for good and needing oxygene..   Briggs and Haye now have the field clear for a huge showdown, possibly in September, but it was unfortunate to see how low matchmaking could go at the highest level..   You can't pull the wool over the publics eyes forever, guys like DeMori, Gjergjaj and Zarate appearing in high profile feature Tv bouts with little chance of success by gross overmatching is dire, while on the same day Joseph Parker and Carlos Takam, two of the best heavyweights in the world both met in a fabulous matchup in New Zealand..  In comparrison tonight's show was purely pantomime and belonged on Dave..  

Parker passes tough test against Takam in IBF eliminator.

In an IBF heavyweight eliminator, IBF #4 Joseph Parker (19-0, 16 KOs) won a clear twelve round unanimous decision over IBF #3 Carlos Takam (33-3-1, 25 KOs) last night at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau City, New Zealand. Parker started the fight pensive, mostly having a look at what Takam had to offer, occasionally a Takam left hook clipped Joseph, but the Frenchmans workrate let him down early on.. Parker controlled rounds 2 through 4 by patiently outworking the usually busy Takam with crisp combinations to secure an early lead..  Round five saw Takam force Parker to fight on the back foot, looking lethargic Parker began to ship heavy leather, something he has rarely had to do through his career so far, the pattern continued into the 6th, Parker having to weather the storm by holding and evading the Takam assault.. Just when Parker looked like he was coming apart, he sprung to life to stagger Takam with a series of shots to both head and body, salvaging the round.  Parker was notably exhausted by round 8, but Carlos Takam was by now feeling the pace himself and it allowed the New Zealander the luxury of boxing at his own pace..  With Parker comfortably ahead, the last round saw both men go for broke, Takam trying to find the one shot to turn everything around and Parker returning fire...  Both men stood their ground for a grandstand finale that we rarely see in heavyweight fights today...  Takam brought out the best in Joseph Parker who passed the stiffest test of his career so far..

Scores were 116-112, 116-112, 115-113.
Parker showed he belongs in the heavyweight championship mix, but needs work to compete at the levels of Joshua and Wilder.

Shannon Briggs finally gets O2 Opponent.

The ever self promoting heavyweight Shannon Briggs has had a week of uncertainty surrounding his opponent on the David Haye v Arnold Gjergjaj card in London on Saturday..  Initially the 44 year old former heavyweight champion was scheduled to face tough former contender Alex Dimitrenko (38/2) but as the week went on word surfaced that Dimitrenko had pulled out and midweek a new opponent was found, Jakov Gospic (17/14) a journeyman with a mixed record...   Friday morning news was out that a further replacement had been found, 34 year old Argentinian Emilio Zarate (20/16/3)   Briggs has remained unbeaten in 8 since losing his 3rd world title unsuccessful title challenge, against Vitali Klitschko in 2010..   Zarate has been busy, but has only beaten 2 noted opponents, Fabio Moli and George Arias..  Zarate has recently lost to both Hughie Fury and Arnold Gjergjaj..

David Haye scaled 224lbs at the weigh in while Swiss opponent Gjergjaj scaled 237lbs..
Florida based Briggs weighed 250lbs.
Zarate never arrived in the country in time to weigh in.

Charlo brothers aiming to make history on Saturday.

Saturday night at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, boxing brothers Jermell and Jermall Charlo have the rare opportunity to hold separate versions of world championships in the same division simultaneously..   25 year old Jermall already holds the IBF super welterweight title that he won last September by knocking out Detroits Cornelius Bundrage , making a sole defence against Wilky Campfort six weeks later in Dallas...  Saturday's defence is a tough one against Austin Trout, a former two time world champion with only 2 losses on a superb resume, losing only to world class opposition.  Since 2012 however, Trout has only boxed twice a year consistently against less than stellar opposition, last time out stopping Joey Hernandez in September, regardless Trouts past form speaks for itself..

Twin brother Jermell turned pro in 2007,  9 months before Jermall, quickly racking up 19 straight wins by 2012.  In 2013 Jermell beat Harry Yorgey for the vacant WBC continental Americas title, one fight later he'd decision Demetrius Hopkins for the USBA belt, an impressive shutout against Gabe Rosado in 2014 threw Charlo into the radar of the WBCs top 10. Wins over Vanes Martirosyan along with a stoppage of Joachim Alcine rounded off 2015, bringing Charlo to this point and the unique opportunity to grab the vacant WBC world championship in the same division as his brother..  Saturday's opponent for Jermell is John Jackson, son of legendary hard hitting world champion Julian Jackson..  John is himself a class performer with 20 wins and 15 knockouts in 22 outings...  However the heavy handed Jackson was exposed in his second career loss 2 years ago to future champion Andy Lee in a fight he seemed to have within his grasp...  It's a very interesting match..

Jermall is 23/0....   Jermell is 27/0...

Fury camp revelations.

Amidst the bravado and ballyhoo surrounding the Tyson Fury circus, one thing I do find the current heavyweight champion... he's honest..  It's three weeks since his outrageous barechested outburst in Manchester, where he protested to Klitschko "you were beaten by a fat man."  Last week he upset the establishment again with yet more opinionated remarks ...  Fury makes no bones about it, he's poles apart from man he so shockingly dethroned last year, Wladimir is the consummate professional, he never cuts corners in his preparations, he's always immaculately turned out in public and rarely gets involved in mud slinging before bouts..  Fury is rough and ready,  moulded by his surroundings, a travelling man, a full time athlete he is not, he openly admits his hatred towards the rigours of day to day training, but to date, whatever team Fury have been doing, right or wrong, it works and it culminated in a memorable victory last November, Fury is now three weeks into training in Belgium, a reclusive getaway from the luxuries of home life, in the next 7 weeks, like it or not he will grind his  280lb frame towards the respectable 260lb  region..   Vocal as always Fury did release a video from his Belgian hideout today, if it is to be believed, it's brutally honest, claiming to have been put through his paces by an enthusiastic light heavyweight sparring partner whom he'd foolishly allowed the grace of wearing 10 ounce gloves.. Fury without headgear claims to have been dropped a couple of times, blaming the mishap on the opposing fighters speed and his inability to move his ill condition bulk correctly, in the tape Fury appeared jovial but did show off a rather genuine blackened eye and a mark around the eyebrow. Is it mind games? Or is Tyson Fury once again being brutally honest in his own outlandish way to stir interest.  Back in 2011 Fury bragged about travelling to Finchley to spar a little know amateur called Anthony Joshua, and admitted openly to getting the daylights beaten out of him for most part, with absolutely no shame admitting the warts and all truth..
I will go back to the words of Eddie Futch in this instance, "Fighters are made, rarely born, in the gym they hone something that doesn't come naturally to most men,  make your mistakes in the gym, and work out the kinks, but fight night has to be flawless."
But as to Fury blaming his mishaps on being overweight.. The old adage "if you stay ready...  You don't have to get ready.. ". Springs to mind.
However..  Since the video, Fury has insinuated that all of the camp revelations involving sparring and fallouts with uncle Peter were just fabricated mind games..

Wilder returns to the US, fight cancelled.

It appears that the much awaited WBC heavyweight showdown between Deontay Wilder and Alexander Povetkin is cancelled or at least postponed following Povetkins positive drug test reading for the substance Meldonium on Friday..  Communication between the camps was fragmented and neither really knew what the WBCs final decision would be concerning the bout..  In any event, this morning Deontay Wilder and his team took matters into their own hands, missing their 8am flight to Russia from London Heathrow, opting to return to the US continuing in their words as if the fight was cancelled..  The WBC had yet to actually determined the outcome of its findings regarding the Meldonium results. Povetkins team did claim however that their fighter used the drug in November, a little over a month before it was banned by VADA, but two previous clean tests were submitted by Povetkin, proving by default that the fighter had in fact used Meldonium after the ban..   It's very disappointing for all concerned, months of intense training by both camps for such a high profile significant fight..  It's not known yet whether Wilder will opt for a replacement defence or wait for the fight to possibly be rescheduled, which I find highly unlikely in the circumstances..
  Meldonium in used to enhance circulation, especially to the brain, it helps increase endurance and promotes energy insurgence..  The drug is produced in Latvia and is commonly used in soviet countries..

Opinionated Fury strikes again..

Outspoken heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has come under fire once again following a tirade of opinionated views on a recent interview video with his uncle Peter..  Fury who attracted heat to himself with sexist comments following his upset title victory last year in Dussedorf, resulting in a public apology at the BBCs SPOTY awards..  In this particular episode Fury began by answering proposed questions, read out by his trainer and uncle Peter, while relaxing following a training session..  Fury begins to talk candidly about the state of the planet, referring to himself lightheartedly as draconian in his way of thinking, as the video plays out he turns his focus towards people's attitude towards sex and sexuality, mockingly stating that certain socially unacceptable behaviour will soon be regarded as legal..  Fury stated that "it's now legal to marry your pets, and soon enough it will be within the law to have sexual relations with them."  Further throwing his views on homosexuality and trans gender into the mix by saying "I could throw on a dress and a wig and call myself Tysena, because that's the way the world is going now,"  referring once again to the transgender community as freaks of nature..   Fury suggested that not enough people stand up for what they believe, becoming governmentally controlled robots..   He and Peter turned their attention to Wladimir Klitschko and his response to Furys opinions, Peter first stated "I think Wlad seemed touchy about the comments as if they were directed at him personally," to which Fury added "It's because he swings both ways, and for those who don't know it, I'm exposing him now, he's shagging Berne Boente."  Tyson went on to criticise the system in which all of the banks and corporations are controlled by Jews...  Furys outbursts are very direct and controversial, and he consistently states that he's only saying what most normal people are thinking but don't have the balls to..   Tyson Fury has previously talked about moving to the United States, to an environment with more freedom of speech..   Like him or loath him, he is a very stubborn champion, in a position to set huge example to those aspiring to him as an icon..  I respect that a lot of what he says do voice the thoughts of a great number of people, but in voicing it, he does put himself open to huge criticism that may reflect in his career, he treads a fine line..  A silent Tyson Fury, just isn't Tyson Fury..

Tabiti heads the class at Sams Town..

Undefeated Mayweather promotions cruiserweight Andrew the beast Tabiti faced his first major test last night at Sams town in Las Vegas in his 13th outing..  Tabiti faced another unbeaten prospect in 25 year old New Yorker Keith Tapia, himself 17/0..  Following a lively weigh in on Thursday, this fight for the NABF cruiserweight crown looked set to be explosive with both fighters having 11 knockouts each on their resume..   Tabiti however took control early pushing Tapia onto the back foot, boxing careful behind a fast jab..  Tapia had his moments in the middle rounds, but a flash knockdown in the 8th put the icing on the cake for a comfortable Tabiti victory, unanimous points..    99-90, 97-92, 97-92

In another clash between undefeated cruiserweights, 2012 U.S. Olympian Michael Hunter (12-0, 8 KOs) scored a clear cut unanimous decision over tough Isiah Thomas (15-1, 6 KOs). Hunter pressed the action en route to a 100-90, 100-90, 99-91 verdict.

Super middleweight Ronald The Thrill Gavril (16-1, 12 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over Juan Camilo Novoa (25-7-1, 23 KOs). Gavril dropped Novoa with a body shot, then got the stoppage with his follow up barrage. Time was 2:08.

Alexander Povetkin fails pre fight drug test.

WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder and mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin voluntarily agreed to the WBC Clean Boxing Program and to be tested by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) for their upcoming May 21 WBC title fight..  Today, VADA reported to the WBC and the fighters’ camps the results of an anti-doping test Povetkin underwent from a sample collected on April 27. VADA’s report states that Povetkin’s sample A showed an positive result for the banned substance Meldonium. The WBC also received specific information from the World Anti-Doping Agency about Meldonium, a substance that was only added to the banned list this year. The substance is classified by WADA as a metabolic modulator. Tennis star Maria Sharapova was suspended after Meldonium was found in her system.
The WBC is conducting an in-depth investigation of this matter and will make a public announcement in the very near future concerning the results of its investigation and any appropriate steps that it will take. Alexander Povetkins camp claim that their fighter tried the drug just under a year ago, and had never used Meldonium since its addition to VADA's banned list..   Mauricio Sulaiman issued an original statement regarding the WBC stance,  announcing the fight as cancelled..  

Michael Spinks... A class act at NVBHOF in Las Vegas.

On May 6th at Sake Rok in Las Vegas I had the pleasure of accompanying dozens of champions, past and present to the Nevada boxing hall of fame fundraiser, a glittering affair that is proving popular amongst both fans and fighters alike, during the sizzling cinco de Mayo fight weekend..   Only hours earlier Amir Khan and Saul Alvarez had weighted in for their much awaited WBC middleweight championship clash only a stones throw from Sake Rok in toshiba square, next to the brand new state of the art t-mobile arena..   Hosting the event as always was the colourful Rich Marotta along with WBC president Mauricio Sulamain, introducing an impressive array of boxing legends which included Leon and Michael Spinks, James Tillis, Joel Cassamayor, Kevin Kelley and Floyd Mayweather sr, along with current boxing stars, Shawn porter, Jessie Vargas, Layla McCarter , Andrew Tabiti, Shane Mosley and Zabdiel Judah..   During the event I had the rare pleasure of talking with former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Michael Spinks, who was as accessible as ever.  Michael explained how it was his strict mother who raised the family with a firm hand who had influenced him as a young man, Michael said that as a kid he often wondered why his mother was so hard on them, only realising in later life the exact reasoning of his mothers tough love..  Michael said for years he watched his mother try to keep the family in check, while the boys had each other, Michael suddenly realised, "who's on my moms side?"  At which point Michael got closer to the woman who's tough exterior had moulded the boys into fine young men..   Leon was also as tough on his younger brother, "he beat the shit out if me, really put it on me for a long time,  I'd question why Leon would do this, his brother would explain, I've got to be tough on you as a brother, because it's going to prepare you for worse than me out there in real battle.. "   Michael later said that after years of enduring older brother Leon's beatings, there came a day where I'd beat him up in the gym...  Later Michael credits his victories over bigger foes like Gerry Cooney and Larry Holmes to the fact that he had had a more extensive, broader apprenticeship as an amateur, boxing a more varied spectrum of international opposition, "I'd boxed poles, French, Dutch, Russian, German guys in the amateurs, the bigger guys never had the experience that I had seen."  Spinks wasn't sold on the idea of moving up to fight Larry Holmes, until visionary Butch Lewis and trainer / nutritionist Mackie Shilstone convinced him that he would not lose his key attributes, Speed and mobility in the weight gain..  Spinks concluded "If I could beat this little guy (Shilstone) during the tough transition, then Holmes would be a piece of cake.."   Shilstone had built Spinks into a 195 pound beast, not one ounce of speed was lost and with a further 10 pounds of hard muscle still to add, Michael still sustained only around 7% body fat with the superb dietary plan..  "I needed to sustain a high workrate to beat Larry and be able to recover quickly between rounds..   Michael also spoke about his longtime friend and manager Ronald Butch Lewis..   "Butch was good for me, and bad for me at the same time, but I loved him..  He had vision, he saw the opportunity for Leon to beat Ali, that was Butch, as was the idea to fight Holmes, the timing was perfect."   They never always saw eye to eye, but Michael never saw the bad in Butch having control in his career..  "I'm a man who believes in a god, and if I put my faith in something higher, I believed that if I did no wrong to him, then God would take care of the rest..   I trusted Butch.."   When asked about his fanatical state, Michael laughed "I've still got a couple of bucks, they did take some from me, but I'm ok."     One thing struck me with Michael, there was no ego or pretence in all the time I spent with him, a class act with a gentle manner..    A real champion..