Tonight's odds, AB card in Cincinnati.

Former 140lb world champion Lamont Peterson starts off as a 2/7 favorite to beat WBA interim welterweight champion David Avanesyan tonight at the Cintas Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. Avanesyan comes in at 13/5, which surprises me as a title holder..  Also former multi division world champion Adrien Broner is a 1/4 pick to beat Adrian Granados in the main event, Granados starts an 11/4 underdog..  

Boxing shorts, Wilder, Jones jr, Joshua and Michael Watson.

This coming weekend sees the return of WBC World heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (37-0, 36 KOs) as he defend his title against undefeated Californian Gerald Washington (18-0-1, 12 KOs) in the PBC main event on Saturday in Alabama..  Washington replaces Andrzej Wawrzyk of Poland, who twice failed mandatory drug tests.. Deontay is returning from hand and bicep injuries and is looking to make a statement to all concerned that he is back..

A version of Roy Jones Jr. (65-9, 47 KOs) last night returned to the ring in Wilmington Delaware, carrying an overmatched Bobby Gunn (21-7-1, 18 KOs) for seven rounds, before several carefully selected shots signalled the beginning of the end, a right hand, left hook combination at the end of the round physically hurt the game Gunn, who's very wise seconds called a halt several seconds into the 8th of a scheduled 12 round cruiserweight bout.  The win earned Jones the lightly regarded WBF cruiserweight title.  Jones looked clinical in spells, but looked like he barely got out of first gear by an opponent who self admittedly didn't belong in the same ring as any version of Roy Jones.. The bout was promoted by David Feldman Promotions, Kings Promotions and Nelson Promotions, in association with The Casino at Delaware park.

Anthony Joshua overcame a personal hurdle this week by finally securing a United States visa, despite his previous drugs conviction.
If Joshua defeats Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium on April 29, it's a distinct possibility that he could make his US debut, later in the year in Las Vegas..  The Visa application did raise some concern for Anthony, taking into consideration his 2011 arrest in the UK for possessing cannabis and intent to supply. Joshua was actually suspended from the Team GB boxing squad, sentenced to a 12-month community order and 100 hours of unpaid labour, leaving his future dreams of starring on the Las Vegas Strip a huge question mark...  
Before his conviction, Joshua did make a sole appearance there as an amateur for Team GB, but en route to Cologne via private jet on Wednesday's for a press obligation with Wladimir Klitschko, AJ admits that appearing in Vegas is very high on his wish-list, following Iconic fighters of the past like Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali towards fulfilling his own legacy..
"I had to go to the embassy like everyone else, queue up and wait around all day," said Joshua, 27, who recently visited New York with Klitschko to promote April's fight. "It was a long day.
"I had to get a lawyer to get all the paperwork done so it was a long process but we got there in the end.
"I had long meetings about my visa. I haven't been there on holiday yet but it meant a lot to me to get it. They accepted me in even though it's harder to get into countries at the moment."

Terrible news today concerning former world title challenger Michael Watson and his carer, Lennard Ballack, who were last night hospitalised following an incident in Chingford where the former world title challenger was dragged out of his car.
According to witnesses, the 51-year-old Watson was in the passenger seat, with Mr Ballack driving, when a Volkswagon Golf slammed into the back of their vehicle.
The unknown assailants sprayed a substance into Mr Ballack’s eyes before punching him, and pulling Watson out of the car, dragged him along the street.
It is believed the attackers were attempting to steal the car, but fled the scene.
Watson suffered burns to the skin as a consequence of being dragged along the street, but both he and Mr Ballack were released from hospital today. The attack is unforgivable considering the struggles Michael has had to overcome so far, just to get to where he is today, it's just a blessing that both men are reasonable fine.

Layla McCarter signs with Mayweather promotions.

Former six-time world champion, Layla McCarter  (38-13-5, 9 KO's) has this week, become only the second female boxer to sign an exclusive contract with Mayweather promotions, behind 5 fight fledgling Latondria Jones..

37 year old McCarter brings impressive credentials to the TMT table, having held titles across four different divisions, over two decades, she is currently the world ranked #2 at junior welterweight.  Layla's resume is like a who's who of female boxing, having mixed with and beaten former champions like Sandra Yard, Elena Reid, Tracy Byrd, Belinda Laracuente and Jelena Mrdjenovich...   Layla's more recent outing was a fourth bout with rival Melissa Hernandez where she scored a unanimous decision victory at the legacy arena in Birmingham Alabama on the Deontay Wilder v Chris Arreola show in July of 2016.
Layla had a very brief amateur career, following a very early introduction to martial arts and kick boxing in Spokane Washington, she took the plunge into the paid ranks in 1998 before relocating to her newly adopted home of Las Vegas..
Within her first 3 years as a pro, McCarter would suffer 5 defeats, before dramatically turning things around, her last loss was a controversial points defeat to Melissa Hernandez in 2007, since then she has amassed a 15 fight winning streak. Unfortunately Layla's name appears to be the elephant in the room when it comes to today's so called major players, McCarter has paid her dues and often paid available opponents from her own pocket to remain active..    The news of her signing with such an iconic and reputable company is the icing on the cake for one of the best female fighters to walk the planet, its due time Layla McCarter got the recognition and rewards she deserves..

"We have shown with our recent signees that we are here to bring fight fans great shows," said Leonard Ellerbe. "We look to continue to build and diversify our roster of fighters, and Layla McCarter is a great example of a world-class athlete."

With the recent emergence of girls like Nicola Adams, Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields, turning pro after Olympic successes, woman's boxing deserves a long awaited boost, let's hope Mayweather promotions can open the doors for some long overdue opportunities involving Layla and the current belt holders..

Jermall Charlo vacates IBF 154 title.

Undefeated IBF junior middleweight champion Jermall Charlo has vacated his title today, with a view to a move up to middleweight...
Charlo had been contemplating the move for some time, mainly due to weight making struggles at the current division.  Jermall made two quick defences following his title victory, realising his time as champion could be limited by his weight issues...  If there was a huge fight of note at 154, it could have attracted Charlo to stick around a while, but it looks like 160 serves more lucrative opportunities, without the struggles of weight making..

Charlo’s trainer, Ronnie Shields, is in favor of the move to 160, confirming that it was a necessity, considering it pointless his fighter struggling to hold himself down to make weight, when he's easily capable of making the same impact on the division just 6 pounds higher..
“There's nothing special Jermall will have to do to make 160, because it's literally what he naturally is, a middleweight."

Charlo has been going through what he refers to as 'a mini training camp' shaking out and loosely going through his drills..  
There is no rush for the move, Charlo is looking roughly at May for his middleweight debut, with intentions on making his mark as a two weight champion..

Brook to defend against Spence Jr, May 20th.

Eddie Hearn, promoter of IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook has revealed that the Sheffield fighter will defend his title for the 4th time against the highly talented Errol Spence Jr in Sheffield on 20th May..

Brook embraces the challenge, after negotiations to make the Amir Khan fight seemed to evaporate..

Errol Spence 21-0 (18 Ko's) has been a pro fighter for only 5 years, but Since 2014 he's scored 8 successive stoppages, including impressive Knockouts of the usually durable Chris Algeri and Leonard Bundu in the last 12 months.. The Texan based southpaw will be facing his toughest opponent by far in Brook, but doesn't appear phased by the task.

Brook 36-1 (25 Ko's) will be defending the IBF welterweight title that he won back in 2014 with a Majority decision over Shawn Porter, over in the US..

Brook made 3 rather tame defences against JoJo Dan, Frankie Gavin and Kevin Bizier before stepping up to middleweight last September to challenge mister invincible, Gennady Golovkin for the undisputed 160lb title. Brook boxed exceptionally, frustrating Golovkin for 4 rounds, more than holding his own, before suffering a fractured orbital in the fifth and having to retire, a blemish that remains the sole defeat in his 13 year career..

Brook v Spence Jr is possibly the biggest fight to be announced on these shores, in recent years, barring Joshua v Klitschko, since Brook v Golovkin..

Wilder victorious in Povetkin courtcase.

Undefeated WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is set to defend his belt for the fifth time on February 25 against Gerald Washington, but scored a moral victory yesterday in a Manhattan courthouse, along with claiming his $4.5m purse from his cancelled megafight with Alexander Povetkin.
Money from the contest, scheduled for May 2016 was held in escrow, following Povetkins positive WADA test for the banned substance Meldonium.
Wilders purse would have been a career-high payday against Povetkin until the bout was scrapped with just a couple of days to go.. Promoter Lou DiBella is elated at the outcome, calling it a huge victory for the sport of boxing in the fight against PED and substance abuse, thanking attorneys Judd Burnstein and Peter Schalk and all concerned in for the successful conclusion..
Incidentally Wilders upcoming defence against Gerald Washington only came about after original opponent Andrzej Wawrzyk, failed a steroid test as part of the WBC's clean boxing program..  Wilder chose Gerald because of the way he always conducted himself, Washington, also unbeaten always made a point of cordially addressing Wilder whenever they met and consistently made it known that if he was ever considered as a future opponent, he vowed he'd be ready.
Having scored 15 wins and one draw throughout his career, Washington fits the bill..
For Povetkin and promoter Andrey Ryabinsky, the court loss will almost certainly lead to an appeal as the Russian continues to protest his innocence.
Previously, Ryabinsky had provided evidence of only a tiny amount of drugs in the ex-world title holder's system, although any trace in the eyes of WADA is seen as too much. Povetkin is now tarnished as a proven drug cheat for the remainder of his career..

WBO cruiser champ Usyk fires trainer Bashir, opts for Lomachenko sr.

It appears that WBO Cruiserweight Champion, Oleksandr Usyk , (11-0, 10 KO’s) has parted ways with long time trainer James Ali Bashir...   Usyk released a statement, explaining that he thinks the world of Bashir and appreciates everything he has done for him, but realises that what James brings to the table is not enough for his progression..  Oleksandr also hopes that he and Bashir can stay in close contact and remain friends..
Usyk has opted to train under the tutelage of Anatoly Lomachenko, father of WBO super featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko.
Last September Usyk, the 2012 Olympic heavyweight Gold medalist, won the WBO cruiserweight championship in a record 10 fights, when he beat Krzysztof Glowacki in Poland, edging the previous record held by Evander Holyfield, who won his WBA belt in just 12 bouts..
Usyk made his US debut last December on HBO, beating Thabiso Mchunu in 9 at the LA Forum, and is widely regarded as the best Cruiserweight on the planet.

Finally.. Shakur Stevenson signs with TR and ALP...

Bob Arum's Top Rank and Antonio Leonard Productions have managed to sign 19 year old 2016 Olympic silver medalist Shakur Stevenson. Stevenson looked set for gold in the Rio summer games, breezing though the competition before losing a controversial split decision in the bantamweight final to 2012 flyweight champion Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba. Ramirez appeared to have took the first session, with Stevenson levelling the score in the second, at the conclusion of a close final round, two judges opted in favour of the Cuban, leaving Shakur a runner up by the slimmest of margins..
The highly touted Stevenson's signing is a huge catch, his current management team comprises of Andre Ward and James Prince along with attorney Josh Dubin. Shakur recently managed to make Forbes magazines '30 Under 30' in the Sports category, the only boxer to do so..  Stevenson will look to make his pro debut in the featherweight division. The New Jersey native was recently inspired by close friend Gervonta Davis, who picked up the IBF super featherweight title at aged 22 in just 17 pro fights..  details of Stevenson's pro debut will be announced nearer the time..

Hughie Fury will challenge Jo Parker in NZ, April 1st.

Hughie Fury, the younger cousin of former unified heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, is set to challenge for the World Boxing Organisation heavyweight crown against champion Joseph Parker 22-0 (18 Ko's) with the bout looking set for April 1st in New Zealand.
The 22 year old Fury is undefeated in 20 contests, and currently holds the WBO Inter-Continental title, a belt he picked up in a less than flattering performance back in April when he scored a 7th round technical decision over Fred Kassi. Fury who was training over in France throughout the Christmas and New Year period, is delighted with the news, having been let down previously by broken promises to challenge Deontay Wilder for the WBC in 2016.
Parker's promoters, Duco Events, in association with Bob Arum, stuck to their guns in bringing the bout to Auckland, where the Samoan claimed the world title back in December in a close bout with Andy Ruiz..  Kevin Barry the trainer of Parker recently commented in jest about his fighters weight following the Christmas break, but made it clear that his charge would be 100% come time to defend..
interestingly the #1 contender in the WBO is David Haye, whom if all goes according to plan in the Bellew bout, could challenge the winner in July..

James Kirkland injured, Cotto fight cancelled.

Roc Nation Sports today revealed that James Kirkland 32-2 (28 Ko's) has suffered a broken nose while in preparation for his bout against five time champion Miguel Cotto 40-5 (33 Ko's) which has forced him to pull out of the February 25th HBO main event which was scheduled to take place at the Ford Centre at the Star in Frisco Texas..
Because of the news the whole show has been cancelled.
It's unfortunate news for both fighters, who's last appearance was incidentally against the same opponent, Saul Alvarez in 2015, Kirkland was stopped in the 3rd while Cotto lost a 12 round unanimous decision.

Beterbiev v Barrera purse bids won by Groupe Yvon Michel

Purse bids for the upcoming IBF light heavyweight championship eliminator between world #1 Artur Beterbiev and #2 ranked Sullivan Barrera were held today at the IBF headquarters in Springfield New Jersey..  The two registered bidders were the New Jersey based Main Events, and Canadian 'Groupe Yvon Michel.'
G.Y.M. took control with a bid of $251.000, outbidding Main Events $181.000.
The fight has 90 days to materialise.
Artur will start a heavy favourite heading into this fight, at 11-0 (All Knockouts) and a much higher grade amateur pedigree, looked ruthless in his last outing where he deposed Isidro Prieto in Quebec a month ago, inside a round..  Barrera a Miami based Cuban 18-1 (13 Ko's) lost his only professional bout last March to Andre Ward, but returned in style last December, stopping Vyacheslav Shabranskyy in the 7th in Indio California picking up the vacant WBC USNBC title..