Quigg v Munroe is on!

 Super-bantamweights to clash in Manchester this summer

Scott Quigg will put his unbeaten record on the line against veteran Rendall Munroe at Manchester Velodrome on June 16.

The duo, who are both promoted by Ricky Hatton, will fight for the interim WBA super-bantamweight title. But he will need to be every bit as good as they say he is when he comes up against Munroe, the former Commonwealth and European champion who was brave in defeat against WBC champion Toshiaki Nishioka in Tokyo in 2010.Quigg, the current British champion after beating stalwarts Jason Booth and Jamie Arthur last year, is one of the nation's most promising prospects. The pair have been on collision course since Munroe joined Hatton Promotions and the time is now right for the stablemates to clash in what promises to be the biggest domestic fight of the year.

"The fight has been brewing since Rendall signed with us and we have got there," said Hatton. "It is about giving fans what they want and this is a match-up of the highest quality between two of the world's best 8st 10lb boxers. "The winner will go on to mix with the world's elite fighters and it won't be the end for the loser. "It is possible he can fight Commonwealth champion Carl Frampton who is learning his trade and is a big prospect for the future. "It is certainly the biggest fight Hatton Promotions have staged in the UK and I am sure the public will support it."

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Alistair Overeem Sentenced To No Jail Time for January Battery Incident

Alistair Overeem‘s next fight in the UFC will come in May against Junior Dos Santos at UFC 146, but he just settled another fight in court on Tuesday in Las Vegas.

The former K-1 Grand Prix champion had been charged with misdemeanor battery after an altercation at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas just days after his UFC 141 victory over Brock Lesnar.

Overeem was accused of shoving a female patron, and was charged with the crime earlier this year. The Las Vegas courts have handed down judgment on Tuesday, which if Overeem complies to will result in no jail time for the UFC’s top heavyweight contender. Overeem was ordered to complete 50 hours of community service, as well as undergo a course of anger management.

The Dutch fighter was handed a 90-day jail sentence, but it was suspended by the judge ruling in the case. If Overeem completes his community service and the required counseling, according to the report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, he will see no jail time and the battery charge will be dropped. Overeem is scheduled to be back in court on Sept. 26 to close the case. Overeem was in Las Vegas on Tuesday for a press conference to introduce UFC 146 where he will face Junior Dos Santos for the UFC heavyweight title.

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Fury: Irish title my gold

Former British champion 'always knew' he was Irish

Tyson Fury says winning the Irish title would be his equivalent of striking gold at London 2012.

The heavyweight, who only recently vacated the British belt, was denied the chance of competing for Ireland at the Beijing Olympics four years ago but will bid to make up for that hurt when he facesMartin Rogan on April 14.

The unbeaten Fury said: "When I knock out Rogan and get that Irish title around my waist it will be like me winning the gold medal at the Olympics. "To win the title in the year of London 2012 will be very special." Despite his status as a former British champion, Fury, who was born in Manchester but has ancestors from Ireland, says he "always knew" he was Irish.

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Bert Sugar passes away at 75

Tributes paid to ringside mainstay



Renowned boxing writer and historian Bert Sugar has died at the age of 75.Sugar, who was known for his trademark fedora and ever-present cigar, passed away after a cardiac arrest, but he also had been battling lung cancer.

He served as the editor of Ring and Boxing Illustrated magazines and wrote more than 80 books, including 'The 100 Greatest Boxers Of All Time.'Sugar was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005, and was named the winner of the 'Nat Fleischer Award' in 1990 - the most prestigious honour for a boxing writer."Around ringside, it's not going to be the same with Bert not there," said Jack Hirsch, the president of the Boxing Writers Association of America."Bert was obviously a showman in the way he did things outwardly, very flamboyant, but in quiet moments I found him to be an extremely modest individual." - http://www1.skysports.com

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Garcia claims Morales' crown

Mexican loses world title fight on points in Houston



American Danny Garcia captured the WBC light-welterweight crown with a unanimous points victory over Erik Morales at the Reliant Arena in Houston.

The 24-year-old kept his unbeaten record as he won the fight on all three judges' scorecards, 116-112, 117-110 and 118-109.Mexican Morales, 35, had been stripped of the title when he exceeded the weight of 140 pounds at Friday's weigh-in.Garcia was the more aggressive fighter throughout the bout and decked Morales in the 11th round with a stinging left hook to the chin.

"It's been a long ride. We did it baby," said Garcia, who now has a 23-0 record."Everybody wants to be champion. I knew it was going to be a bloody war. I just couldn't let him take my dream away." Morales said: "It was a difficult fight. His type of style gave me complications."I have got to think about my future. To fight at this level I really have to think about it because it is my health." - http://www1.skysports.com

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Cowboys officials, Top Rank in talks

Dallas Cowboys officials are in talks with promotional firm Top Rank about bringing a boxing match to Cowboys Stadium, tentatively scheduled for July 14.



Bob Arum, president of Top Rank, said he would like to bring Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez to face Brandon Rios for a possible junior welterweight title fight. The fight is contingent upon Marquez and Rios each winning their fights April 14 -- Marquez's in Mexico City and Rios' in Las Vegas.Marquez (53-6-1) will meet Sergey Fedchenko (30-1) in the main event. Rios (29-0, 22 KOs) takes on Richard Abril (17-2-1, 8 KOs) on an undercard bout. Arum said if Rios and Marquez win their fights and don't sustain any significant physical damage, they will meet.Brett Daniels, senior director of corporate communications for Cowboys Stadium, said several dates have been discussed with Top Rank.Cowboys Stadium has hosted two boxing cards, both involving Manny Pacquiao in 2010. - http://espn.go.com

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CLEVERLY BOUT AT ROYAL ALBERT HALL

Nathan Cleverly will defend his WBO world light-heavyweight title against Robin Krasniqi at the Royal Albert Hall on April 28.



Germany-based Serbian Krasniqi, 24, has won 37 of his 39 fights with both losses coming on points at the start of his career.

Cleverly's fourth title defence - which is subject to confirmation from the WBO - will be the first time a fight at that level has been staged at the Royal Albert Hall since 1995.Twelve years ago the 25-year-old Welshman's compatriot Joe Calzaghe defeated Stephen Wilson at the famous London venue.

"Krasniqi's got a good record and he's bound to be a hard test for me," he said."The better the opponents the better I perform and Krasniqi will bring out the best in me."It's great to be the first boxer in over 10 years to open up the doors to the Royal Albert Hall again."It's a who's who of boxing who have fought at the Albert Hall and to add my name alongside greats like Lennox Lewis, Naseem Hamed, Nigel Benn and Joe Calzaghe is a real honour and dream." - http://www.sportinglife.com

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Khan v Kell 'massive' - Hearn

Promoter says huge fight would sell 40,000 tickets



Promoter Eddie Hearn believes a fight between Kell Brook and Amir Khan would be big enough to be on pay-per-view. However, the Matchroom boss does not expect Khan to take up the challenge as he is confident Brook would be too good for the former world champion.

"Money talks. We've sold 10,000 for Kell Brook v Matthew Hatton," he said. "I could sell 40,000 tickets for Kell Brook against Amir Khan. It's a pay-per-view fight."It's probably one of the few fights that is going to bring back pay-per-view television to British boxing. Will Amir Khan take it? I wouldn't imagine so.

"It has to be a pay-per-view, outdoor fight, because he's got big revenue coming from HBO in America. So to bring it to seven, eight, nine o'clock at night, there has to be big money in the UK. With 40,000 fans and pay-per-view TV, that's a fight that can happen."Let me tell you, Kell would absolutely destroy Amir Khan. We'll fight him. We'll fight him next, 100% and make it happen outdoors with a crowd of 40,000 or 50,000."  - http://www1.skysports.com

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Brave Macklin falls short

Birmingham fighter stopped by world champion Martinez



Sergio Martinez stopped Matthew Macklin in the 11th round at Madison Square Garden in New York to remain the world middleweight champion.

But Macklin took great credit from the fight, providing Martinez,who is the linear world champion at the weight, with the toughest test of his reign so far.The Birmingham fighter made life continually uncomfortable for the Argentinian, trading heavy blows what for the most part was an even contest, but he was knocked down twice in the 11th, causing his camp to withdraw their man.Macklin, who,  as the son of Irish parents had great support on St Patrick's Day, felt he was in control for much of the fight.

The 29-year-old, who lost on points to Felix Sturm in his challenge for the WBA title, said on Sky Sports: "I thought I had the most momentum, I thought I was in the driver's seat. Some of the rounds were close but I thought I was dictating."I was the one that was boxing to the game plan, and I was taking him out of his."

Macklin explained he took a more considered approach to the fight than usual. - http://www1.skysports.com

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Brook: I love the pressure

Sheffield fighter happy to take risks



Kell Brook sees Saturday's War of the Roses clash with Matthew Hatton as a "dress rehearsal" for his long-awaited shot at a world title.

The unbeaten Sheffield fighter takes on Manchester veteranHatton in an intriguing welterweight battle at the Steel City's Motorpoint Arena.Brook admits he is taking a risk by facing such a dangerous opponent when he is so close to a world title opportunity, having revealed he took a fight with Hatton rather than push on with negotiations for a shot at one of the major belts.

However, the 25-year-old insists it is a gamble worth taking should he deliver on his promise to "smash" Hatton and make a statement against a fighter respected across the world.Brook - who has attracted a crowd of nearly 10,000 to his hometown venue - said: "There's pressure on me now because of all the tickets I've sold and the profile of the fight. But I thrive on that pressure. It's going to be a proper fight that lives up to the hype and the expectation levels.

"They've called it War of the Roses and believe you me, we're going to get in there and have one hell of a fight."When all's said and done you're going to see an explosive fight."It's a risk because we didn't need to take this fight but I wanted it. It's captured the public's imagination, it's been on the horizon for years and we've finally got it on."

Brook (26-0, 18KOs) added: "We've sold around 10,000 tickets for this and you start wondering how much demand there would be to see a world title fight in Sheffield. - http://www1.skysports.com/

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George Groves pulls out of Kenny Anderson bout

British super-middleweight champion George Groveshas been forced to pull out of his title defence against Kenny Anderson because of a back injury.



The fight, scheduled to top the bill on Friday at Wembley Arena, will be rearranged by promoter Frank Warren.Groves, 23, stopped Anderson in their previous bout in 2010 and beat former Olympic champion James DeGale last May to win his British belt.

"I'm gutted and hoping for a quick recovery," Groves later tweeted. Continue reading the main story“Every fighter knows when you get injured you don't just give up. You give yourself every chance to recover and fight. I didn't recover”George Groves"I suffered a back injury sparring with Eamonn O'Kane and haven't trained properly since," the Londoner elaborated."I failed a fitness test today and decided to withdraw."Every fighter knows when you get injured you don't just give up. You give yourself every chance to recover and fight. I didn't recover."

Anderson, who at 29 has won his last three fights, has been angered by the late withdrawal.

"I am gutted," the Edinburgh-based boxer told website Boxing Scene. "I don't believe in my heart that he is injured. That's the feeling I've got. I don't think they wanted to have this fight."George has heard about how I'm doing, about the condition that I'm in, and he's bottled it." - http://www.bbc.co.uk/

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Peterson doing it for the fans

Khan still insisting he won the first fight



Lamont Peterson said he was 'doing it for the fans' at a London press conference to publicise his fight against Amir Khan on May 19.

The pair will get it on for the second time in six months at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas after Peterson took the IBF and WBA light-welterweight titles from the Briton in December.

The win, by split decision, sparked controversy after Khan was docked two points for pushing his opponent, with the former champion initially appealing the decision and questioning the role of an unofficial IBF representative at ringside. Nonetheless, many believed Peterson earned the narrow win in Washington on merit and it remains to be seen whether Khan can raise his game in what promises to be an intriguing rematch.  - http://www1.skysports.com

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Salido beats Lopez again

Orlando Salido beat Juan Manuel Lopez for a second time to retain his WBO featherweight title on Saturday night.



The Mexican caused an upset last April when he sent then-champion Lopez crashing to his first defeat, and many had expected the Puerto Rican to bounce back in the rematch.

However, that scenario did not unfold in front of Lopez's home fans in San Juan, with Salido stopping his opponent in the 10th round.An uppercut did the damage, sending the home fighter to the floor. He got up but the referee waved the fight off soon after

The contest had been exciting from the off with both men prepared to go toe to toe. Lopez had his man down in the fifth but ran out of time to finish him off and that proved to be a key factor.Two of the three judges had Lopez ahead when the fight was stopped. - http://www1.skysports.com/

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Chisora reveals ban shame

Dereck Chisora admits he is 'really embarrassed' about his behaviour in Munich last month that could lead to a lengthy ban from boxing.



Chisora slapped his opponent Vitali Klitschko in the weigh-in ahead of their WBC heavyweight title challenge on February 18 before spitting water in his brother Wladimir's face during the introductions in the ring.

Then after the fight, which Klitschko won on points, Chisora brawled with David Haye in a post-fight press conference, threatening to 'shoot' and 'burn' the former heayweight champion.Chisora has already been given an indefinite ban from the World Boxing Council but is set to meet the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) on Wednesday and could face further sanctions.Speaking of the incidents in Munich, the Zimbabwe-born fighter told the Independent on Sunday. "Obviously, I regret everything I did and said

"Maybe (the BBBoC) have already made up their minds. Maybe they want to make an example of me. "I just hope they realise how sorry I am and that all I really want is for me to be allowed to get back in the ring again and do what I do best - fight." - http://www.setanta.com

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Froch v Bute going outdoors

Promoter looking for suitable venue for May title fight



Carl Froch could be fighting IBF super-middleweight champion Lucien Bute in an outdoor arena following huge initial demand.

Froch will take on Bute in Nottingham on May 26 and promoterEddie Hearn is searching for a stage worthy of hosting the mouth-watering affair.

"Since announcing the fight, the phones, emails and tweets have been relentless," said Hearn."Fight fans and sports fans all want to see these two world beaters clash, and I want to make sure as many people as possible get the chance."It is important that Carl gets to fight in Nottingham and I am looking at two outdoor venues there."We are also looking at venues in London and Manchester but we are working with Nottingham City Council to try to keep the fight in Carl's hometown."Both boxers will be present at a press conference on Monday March 19 at the fight venue, while tickets will also go on sale that day at 2pm. - http://www1.skysports.com/

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Hatton vows to feast on 'Special K'

Huge underdog Matthew Hatton is relishing the chance to silence his critics again when he fights Kell Brook in Sheffield.

The pair meet for a domestic welterweight dust-up on March 17 with leading bookmakers offering generous prices about the younger brother of the more famous Ricky Hatton.

Sheffield star Brook is tipped for a bright future and made an impressive debut in America when beating Luis Galarza in Atlantic City in December last year.

He will be attempting to make it 27 professional fights unbeaten in his home city next Saturday, but Hatton has other ideas.

The 30-year-old put in a creditable performance when losing to Mexican superstar Saul Alvarez 12 months ago and is ready to go again as the underdog.

"I enjoy being the underdog. I'm a stubborn character by nature and people are making me a massive underdog going into this fight; I certainly don't see it that way," he said.

"This is a fight I go into confident of winning, expecting to win and I like to prove people wrong and being the underdog hasn't worried me throughout my career, and certainly won't do on the 17th," he told Sky Sports. - http://www.setanta.com/

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Rhodes out of Rabchenko fight

Sheffield veteran suffers back injury in sparring



Ryan Rhodes has been forced to pull out of his European light-middleweight title clash with Sergey Rabchenko later this month.

The Sheffield veteran has suffered a recurrence of the back injury that forced him to relinquish the belt in 2010, when he was due to defend against the Belarusian.

The 35-year-old had been sparring with Welsh prospect Kerry Hope when the injury struck."It's an ongoing problem but to be honest we've had a clear run with him and he had been looking better than ever," trainer Dave Coldwell told Sky Sports.

"He's been in the gym twice a week since his last fight (against Siarhei Khomitski) and had kept the weight down. He was looking really sharp."He's got to rest and get intensive treatment and he will not be training for 3-4 weeks, but when they get it on in the summer I'm 100 percent confident he'll do a job on Rabchenko."

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Champion Klitschko warns challengers to think twice

World champion Wladimir Klitschko has issued a warning to any fighters looking to step up to the heavyweight division to think twice after he knocked out Jean-Marc Mormeck.

The 35-year-old defend his IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA titles, needing just four rounds to knock-out Mormeck, who stepped up from cruiserweight two years ago, and made good his promise to make the Frenchman the 50th KO of his career.

Last July, Klitschko beat Britain's David Haye, who had also stepped up from cruiserweight, to claim the WBA title.The champion said promising cruiserweights and light heavyweights to carefully consider any challenge for a world heavyweight title. Mormeck, who turns 40 in June, was put on the canvas as early as the second round and despite rallying in the third, Klitschko finished the fight with a combination mid-way through the fourth before the referee stepped in

Mormeck barely landed a decent shot all night and Klitschko's one-sided victory did little to improve the image of the sport that was tarnished by last month's press conference brawl between Haye and Dereck Chisora.

"This was an execution without sporting value," said former European champion Luan Krasniqi after the fight.
With no serious heavyweight contenders in the United States, it remains to be seen who can challenge the Klitschkos domination of the division, with Wladimir's elder brother Vitali holding the WBC belt. Russia's Alexander Povetkin was disappointing in his recent points win over Marco Huck and in July Wladimir has a mandatory defence of his IBF title against 40-year-old American Tony Thompson, who he already knocked out in 2008. - http://sports.yahoo.com/

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Klitschko brings up 50

Ukrainian reaches landmark stoppage against Mormeck



Wladimir Klitschko recorded the 50th knockout of his career as he retained his world heavyweight titles with a fourth-round stoppage of Jean-Marc Mormeck.

The Ukrainian's WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight straps were never in any danger of changing hands during a thoroughly one-sided contest at the ESPIRIT Arena in Dusseldorf. Klitschko dominated his much smaller opponent from the off before finally putting him away with a crushing right-left combination just after the 10 minute mark.

Mormeck, a former cruiserweight world champion who lost to David Haye in 2007, had said before the bout that he would enter the ring with no fear but never looked as if he believed he could pull off the upset. Instead Klitschko put on another dominant display to take his professional record to 57-3, with all but seven of those victories coming inside the distance. - http://www1.skysports.com/

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