The opening bout of the night was tremendous, especially for openers, which lately have been somewhat boring. Gabriel Rosado took on J’Leon Love in a highly controversial fight for a few reasons; Love’s weight, the scorecards, the final outcome, and most importantly the drug testing.

The weigh-in was tense. Rosado was left high and dry for a while waiting on Love to show up. Love was two hours late to the weigh-in and when he stepped onto the scales he was overweight. Love was given one hour to make up the difference in weight. “I got to wait 3 hours for this guy to step on the scale,” said Rosado in a recent interview with Tha Boxing Voice. Come fight night, Love weighed 179 pounds and Rosado had only gone up about 6 or 7 pounds. “I knew going into the fight that he was a big dude but I took the fight cuz I knew I could beat him off of experience and take advantage of his flaws. I took the fight to put myself in a better position for a world title fight.”

The fight itself was close. Love’s size did make a difference but Rosado’s experience made more of the difference. Rosado scored a knockdown and Love seemed to be unable to deal with Rosado’s continued pressure. The final bell rang; Rosado and many fans that were ringside and watching on T.V. were sure that Rosado was the victor. Judge Herb Santos was not so sure. Santos scorecard was the first card that was read. 92-97. Many would argue that the scorecard was ridiculous as would Rosado. “First thing I did was laugh,” said Rosado. “That judge should get fired.”

Aside from the scorecard the overall outcome was against Rosado which itself was a letdown. “I was disappointed in the decision; they only had me win two rounds which is crazy. It was hard on me.”

Rosado would go on to tell how exactly he felt. “I wouldn’t saying I’m a eat it all crazy or nothing like that, I mean the whole thing is the point I made it, it was on a Pay-Per-View card., on the biggest card in boxing so the whole world got to see it. At the end of the day the fans know what’s up.”

Sometime after the fight had passed and while fans were waiting on the numbers to come out to see how well Pay-Per-View came performed, something unexpected had happened. “I was patient about it. I was like something is going to come out of this and next thing you know man, he (Love) tested positive for an illegal substance. At the end of the day everything came to the light,” said Rosado. “He sh*tted on his whole team.”

After the fight many were calling for a rematch but with Love’s positive test result, it could be more of a thought than a reality. “The rematch is pointless unless there is stupid ass money. I should move on to bigger and better things.”           

Where does Love fit in after he serves a possible suspension? Rosado see’s his future as questionable with his current promoter. “He probably isn’t going to be a part of TMT,” stated Rosado. Rosado noticed the unprofessionalism from Mayweather Promotions when the fighters arrived to Las Vegas; mainly from Leonard Ellerbe who got in Rosado’s face and started a little trash talking. “If he would have touched me it would have been on,” stated Rosado.

Currently, Gabriel Rosado is not tied down in a contract with a promoter but is working with Golden Boy Promotions who have been giving Rosado some great opportunities. “I’m working with Golden Boy. We gotta sort some things out but I’m definitely dealing with Golden Boy right now.”

On possible opponents for the future, the options are great. “I do have unfinished business at 154,” said Rosado. 160 pounds is also a wide open playing field for Rosado who has fought at the weight twice and for good reason. “I can make 154 man but 160 was opportunities I couldn’t turn down.”

Rosado used to be the #1 ranked contender for the IBF championship but turned down a fight with Cornelius Bundrage and went on to face Gennady Golovkin. Even though he lost the fight with Golovkin it was a blessing in disguise that boosted his stock as a fighter.

There is a possibility of facing the winner of Ishe Smith VS Carlos Molina. Smith took on Bundrage when Rosado opted out of the fight and won the IBF championship. “I already smashed on of TMT’s boys, why not Ishe? Ishe did say he wanted to fight Molina or Rosado, so if he just not fighting Molina I am right here.” When asked about the outcome of the Smith – Molina fight he leaned more towards Molina without discrediting Smith. “I think Molina can outwork Ishe. I think Ishe got the better skills and the better technique but I think Molina got more of a grind and more of a hustle.”

After the odds have been against him so many times, Rosado continues to stand strong and fight on.

For Audio Of This Interview Click Here: http://thaboxingvoice.com/lamont-peterson-vs-lucas-matthysse-preview-plus-gabriel-rosado-mikey-garcia/14108

 

NEW YORK, NY (May 21, 2013) – Ever since it was first announced, boxing insiders and fans alike have been buzzing about the much-anticipated upcoming middleweight championship showdown between defending WBA/IBO champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (26-0, 23KO’s) and Ireland’s top-rated former world title challenger Matthew “Mack The Knife” Macklin (29-4, 20KO’s).  Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment, promoter of Macklin, has made references to the fight as “Gatti/Ward-like” and even hall-of-fame promoter-arguably the greatest promoter in boxing history-Bob Arum was quoted as saying that it is a fight that he would pay to see.

Adding to the excitement of what promises to already be a can’t-miss main event are the two HBO-televised undercard bouts.  In the co-feature bout, red-hot super middleweight contender and IBO Champion Thomas “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen (21-0-1, 13KO’s) puts his undefeated record on the line against fellow undefeated contender Brandon “Flawless” Gonzales (17-0, 10KO’s) while top-rated junior middleweight NABF champion Willie “The Great” Nelson (20-1-1, 12KO’s) squares off against Luciano Cuello (32-2, 16KO’s) in the televised opener. Both bouts are scheduled for 10 rounds. 

The stacked card will take place on June 29^th at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods ® Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.  The HBO Boxing After Dark® triple-header will be televised live beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT

“Both of these bouts have huge implications for each fighter’s respective divisions,” said DiBella, promoter of Oosthuizen, Nelson and Cuello.

“Tommy is not only one of the best 168lb. fighters in the division, but, in my eyes, one of the top prospects pound-for-pound in the entire world. He is taking on another undefeated, highly regarded fighter in Gonzales, and the winner of the bout truly emerges as not only a force in the 168lb. division, but as a potential star.”

“Willie is coming off back-to-back-to-back tremendous performances and is one of the hottest and most feared fighters in the junior middleweight division right now.  Cuello is a proven contender, riding a six-fight winning streak and whose only two career losses have come against Canelo and Chavez Jr.  This is a real fight and it will provide a true litmus test to see exactly where Willie is at.”

“June 29^th is a big-time opportunity for all four of these fighters on the undercard to step into the HBO spotlight and establish themselves on a national level,” said Kery Davis, senior vice president of programming, HBO Sports.

With a combined record of 90-3-2, a nearly 95% win-to-loss ratio, and the bouts being the HBO debut for all four fighters, each fighter is chomping at the bit to get in the ring and prove their worth on June 29^th.

“I am extremely excited about this opportunity,” said the IBF #5, WBC #6 and WBO #14-rated super middleweight Oosthuizen.  “There is no bigger stage than fighting on HBO.  This is what I have dreamt about since I was a young child.  I respect Gonzales as a fighter.  He had a great amateur pedigree and he has yet to lose as a professional, but he never faced a fighter like me, and come June 29^th, he is going to find that out very quickly.”

“Tommy gets his long-awaited opportunity on HBO. Fight fans around the world will have the chance to witness the most gifted super middleweight on the planet,” stated Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves, LTD., Oosthuizen’s co-promoter and the premier promoter in South Africa.

“I want to thank my team and HBO for this great opportunity,” said the IBF #12-rated Gonzales, promoted by Goossen-Tutor Promotions.  ”Fighting on HBO has always been one of my dreams.  Winning this fight will put me in a great position for a world championship and I look forward to putting on a great performance on June 29^th.”

“Fighting a guy like Cuello on HBO will give me a chance to make a big splash in the junior middleweight division,” said the WBC #3 and IBF #14-rated Nelson. “He’s a high quality fighter whose only two losses have been to world champions (Canelo and Chavez Jr.). I want to beat him in a better fashion than they did to prove that I belong at the top of the 154-pound division.  I need to win and win impressively.  My ultimate goal is to become world champion and this fight puts my in line for that.” 

“This fight is a major step toward Willie becoming world champion,” echoed Steve Smith of Rumble Time Promotions, Nelson’s co-promoter.  Fans all over watching him in his first HBO fight will see what a tremendous talent he really is.”

“I am very excited about this opportunity to fight Wille Nelson on HBO and to have the chance to showcase my skills in the USA,” said the WBC #13-rated Cuello.  “I am confident that we will achieve a major victory on June 29^th. I would like to thank my manager Pedro Garcia and my advisor Elvis Grant Phillips for putting this fight together and of course my new promoter Lou Dibella and HBO.”

Tickets are currently on sale and are priced at $300, $200, $90 and $45.  Tickets may be purchased online at foxwoods.com by calling the Foxwoods’ box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods’ box office.  Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet and online at Ticketmaster.com.

The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and K2 Promotions, in association with Golden Gloves, LTD., Goossen-Tutor Promotions and Rumble Time Promotions.  The bouts will take place on June 29^th at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods ® Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.  The HBO Boxing After Dark® triple-header will be televised live beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT

For fight updates, please visit www.K2Promos.com, www.dbe1.com or www.hbo.com/boxing.

The Bomber and his South African rival drew their WBC light heavyweight final eliminator in Liverpool in March but agreed a quick rematch with the winner to face either Chad Dawson or Adonis Stevenson for the green belt.

Bellew has promised an improved performance this time around, and says Chilemba had no other option but to fight him again.

“I wanted the rematch straight away and he basically had nowhere to go,” said Bellew. “He is somebody who no-one wants to fight because at the end of the day Isaac Chilemba is in the ‘who-needs-you’ club because he doesn’t come to fight, he comes to make you miss and make you look bad.

“Ideally we match up very well and we match up to make a really, really great fight but you can’t force a guy to fight in that ring. To make a great fight happen it takes two to tango and it takes two guys who really want to have a fight. I am willing to play my part in it, it is whether he is willing to play his part.

“The real big difference on the night will be in my output and this time I am not going to stop after seven rounds, that is the top and bottom of it. I am not going to fall apart halfway through the fight.

“I didn’t perform last time, it is as simple as that. I did not perform to anywhere near the best of my ability or my potential and I was very disappointed in myself. While I still think I won, and he knows I won deep down, I still didn’t perform well enough and I am paying for that by having this rematch.”

The winner of Bellew v Chilemba II will become mandatory challenger for the WBC light heavyweight title, which Dawson defends against Stevenson in Canada on June 8 and Bellew believes the 30 year old will retain his title.

“I think Dawson is too clever for Stevenson,” said Bellew. “But Stevenson has an equaliser in that right hand; he can really, really punch.

“I am not looking too much into that fight, I will pay attention to that once I beat Chilemba, but my head says Dawson because he is at that level and has dealt with people at that level many times before but you can never write off a puncher and Stevenson is definitely, definitely a puncher.”

Bellew v Chilemba II is the chief support to Froch v Kessler on May 25 and is live on Sky Sports HD Box Office. Visit skysports.com/froch or call 08442 410888 for booking information.

The Carshalton light-welterweight has been in preparation since the beginning of the year and after several delays he is now primed and ready for his Italian job.

“It’s a dream come true you know, getting a shot at the European,” Lenny said.

“Every boxer wants to be world champion don’t they? There’s only a few of them that can make it, but the European’s your ticket, you know, if you can get that anything’s possible.”

After multiple re-scheduling Lenny will finally get his long awaited European light-welterweight title shot next month.

But, in Di Rocco, he meets a man who boasts 34 wins with 15 knockouts, with only the single defeat and one draw to his name.

The Italian will certainly not want to lose his title in front of his home crowd, but Lenny is determined and focussed to the challenge ahead.

“I knew it was coming, I just had to keep on progressing and I’ve picked up the EU title and it’s here now so I’m really looking forward to it,” Lenny said.

“I know it’s in Italy, but by all means I’m going to be well up for it, focussed and I’m going to go and get it.

“I have boxed abroad before in the amateur days and boxed well, so it’s not going to affect me – if anything I’m going to be more focussed.

“I’m away from home, away from the family, I’ve gone to do a job and I’m going to do it.”

OPI 2000 are promoting the event and the night is also scheduled to include the EBU super-middleweight title contest between Italy based Senegalese fighter Mohamed Ali Ndiaye and Frenchman Christophe Rebrasse.

The venue for the contests is the Palazzetto dello Sport, Brindisi, Italy.

On March 15^th, Yorgey and Kennedy battled to a disputed six round split decision for which Yorgey’s hands were raised in victory.  Many in the crowd disagreed and the two will mix it up in the rematch.

Yorgey of Bridgeport, PA has a record of 26-2-1 with 12 knockouts and is looking to get back into title contention.

Yorgey was undefeated in his first twenty three bouts (22-0-1) with big wins over Ronnie Warrior Jr. (11-0-1); Jason LeHoullier (21-0-1) & Ronald Hearns (21-0) before losing to heralded Alfredo Angulo. Yorgey got back with three consecutive victories before being stopped in eight to undefeated Jermell Charlo on January 26^th in Las Vegas.  His last bout was the aforementioned draw with Kennedy.

Kennedy of Windsor Mill, Maryland has a record of 7-5-1 with three knockouts.

The thirty-three year old has quality wins over Inka Laley (3-0-1) & Aaron Pryor Jr. (12-1) as well as a draw with Jesse Nicklow (20-2-2). In his last bout, Kennedy dropped a six round unanimous decision to undefeated Alantez Fox on January 12^th.

After losing to Yorgey, Kennedy was stopped by DeCarlo Perez in five rounds on April 19^th.

In the eight round co-feature, it will be a Lightweight Philadelphia turf war between Tevin Farmer and Victor Vasquez

Farmer of Philadelphia has a record of 10-4-1 with 1 knockout and is riding a three bout winning streak.

Farmer has quality wins over Tim Witherspoon Jr. and Tyrone Luckey and has won six of his last seven with his only blemish losing to hot prospect Jose Pedraza when he took a fight on SHO BOX on just a few days’ notice.  Farmer is coming off a four round unanimous decision over Jesus Bayron on April 26.

Vasquez of Philadelphia has a record of 16-7-1 with seven knockouts and is always in action packed fights.

Vasquez has quality wins over Thomas McCuiston (1-0), Tyric Robinson (9-4-1) and Angel Rios (9-5). The “Blood and Guts” Warrior of Philadelphia has been in many memorable scraps.  He is coming off a six round unanimous decision over Esteban Rodriguez on January 26^th at Harrahs Philadelphia. 

Frankie De Alba (7-1-2, 3 KO’s) of Bayamon, PR will take on Jamell Tyson (3-9-2, 1 KO) of Rochester, NY in a six round Lightweight bout.

In a six round Cruiserweight bout, Jeremey Stauffer of Reading, PA (7-2-2, 6 KO’s) takes on returning Kamarah Pasley (5-6, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA

Returning Lightweight Anthony Flores (9-4-1, 6 KO’s) of Philadelphia battles Ramon Ellis (4-8-2, 2 KO’s) in a six round bout.

Todd Unthank-May (6-0, 2 KO’s) will see action in a six round Light Heavyweight bout against an opponent to be named.

Jovantae Starks (6-0, 5 KO’s) of Minneapolis, MN will take part in a six round Jr. Middleweight bout against an opponent to be named.

In a four round Lightweight bout, Travis Thompson (4-9-2, 3 KO’s) of Pottstown, PA will take on an opponent to be named.

Also in a four round Lightweight bout, Damon Allen (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on an opponent to be named.

In a four round Featherweight bout it will be a battle of pro debuter’s as Tony DuBose will take on John Portillo.

Khalib Whitmore of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against Brian Donahue (2-4-1) of Philadelphia in a four round Light Heavyweight bout

Tickets for this great evening cost $125 (VIP); $75 (Ringside); $45 (General Admission) and can be purchased at the following locations:

Abner Mares is one of the biggest stars in the division and one of the biggest stars in boxing. A bout between the two would be a tremendous battle of skill and power. “Everybody knows this, the promoters aren’t doing work, aren’t doing any business together so that’s not going to happen unless Golden Boy wants to lend Mares to Top Rank to do that show or unless Top Rank decides to allow Golden Boy to promote and just lend me to be part of the fight then that fight probably isn’t going to happen,” said Garcia.

Chris John is always another option but seldom leaves Indonesia to fight. “Chris John probably won’t be able to come down either. He won’t want anything (to do) with me. If they were to offer me something I would go out there. They just got to make sure there is fair judges, neutral judges to make the fight happen but I’m willing to travel out there. That’s no problem for me.”

It sounds like Garcia has learned from what happened to Marquez when he lost a controversial decision to John.  

Garcia also has the opportunity to fight master technician Guillermo Rigondeaux. They have the same promoter and Rigondeaux has already beaten Garcia’s stable mate Nonito Donaire. “There has been talk of me fighting Rocky Martinez in the future at 130, but even if that’s the case I still want to have the option to come back to 126 and defend my 126 pound title that I currently hold. I want to be here for a while. If I am still here and Rigondeaux moves up and that’s a fight that is being talked about at the moment then definitely I would take a fight with him.”

The options are endless for Mikey. He just wants to fight and it doesn’t matter if it’s name fighters or up and comers, he believes everyone deserves a shot.

For Full Audio of this interview click here: http://thaboxingvoice.com/lamont-peterson-vs-lucas-matthysse-preview-plus-gabriel-rosado-mikey-garcia/14108

Daniel Ponce De Leon has recently opened a new gym and guess who has been seen hanging around there? You got it Antonio Margarito, so there may be some truth to this comeback rumor. Despite the fact he was caught cheating, he is always entertaining to watch. If he does comeback I would really love to see a rubber match with him and Cotto. The boxing world is getting excited as we hear the whistling wind of the Tijuana Tornado in the distance.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist showed off his impressive skill set as he overwhelmed his American opponent from the outset at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday night.

An initial left-right combination had Medellin staggered and backpedalling before a right cross put him down. Medellin quickly jumped back up following the knockdown but was still noticeably hurt before Khan finished him off with a crushing left hook to the body.

The Bolton ace was coming off a win from his professional debut only last month against Brett Fidoe in Sheffield where he won a unanimous points decision over four rounds.

The 22-year-old bantamweight, and brother of former unified world champion, Amir, is now looking ahead and can’t wait to get back in the ring soon.

“I’m raring to go again after that win,” said Khan. “I followed the instructions from my team to get on him and start quick and it worked perfectly. The fact I only fought three weeks before this fight meant I was in great shape and felt in fantastic condition. My aim now is to stay busy and keep as active as possible. I’m hoping to get on a few more big shows like this one in Atlantic City over the next year. My team has been discussing getting me on some other huge cards and that type of experience is only going to help my progression as a fighter.”

Trainer, Oliver Harrison, said: “I’m very pleased with Haroon’s performance and how he went out there and executed the game plan so well. We knew we could cause this kid problems by getting on him from the start and using Haroon’s jab and reach to help create openings. Once he was hurt there was no way Haroon was going to let him off and the way he finished to the body was great to see. Haroon’s constantly improving and I think over the next few fights everyone will see why I have so much belief in him.”

The youngster will now take the next few weeks off as he celebrates the wedding of his older sibling who gets married later this month in New York before lining up his next opponent.