May 15, 2008 - Current WBA Super Flyweight champ Alexander Munoz steps up to a tough challenge when he faces WBC titleholder Cristian Mijares this upcoming Saturday night in a rare unification bout. Munoz, hardly known in the U.S., is a veteran of 43 fights, with 32 wins and only two losses with 27 ending within the distance.
Hugely popular in Japan, Munoz will find himself deep in Mijares home country of Mexico to take part in this highly-anticipated championship bout. More Information...
Kentikian destroys Ortega! Taken from www.fightnews.com / Photo by AP
May 11, 2008 - The “Killer Queen“ Susi Kentikian successfully defended her WBA and WIBF flyweight belts in the very first round against American Mary Ortega at the Brandberge Arena in Halle an der Saale. After a slow start, which saw both fighters trying to get into their rhythm, it was Kentikian who got off first.
A quick combination punctuated by a short right hand to the jaw sent Ortega down for the first time in the fight. The challenger was able to get up but was unable to defend herself against the overwhelming Kentikian. Seconds later, she went down again.
Another barrage of punches forced the referee to call a halt to the action at 1:53 minutes of the round. Kentikian won in a stunning fashion, although unexpected, she run over her foe. Most experts expected a close, hard-fought battle but the “Killer Queen” provided a quick and brutal beatdown. She stays unbeaten and is now 21-0 with 16 KOs. Ortega falls to 29-5-2.
May 7, 2008 - The World Boxing Association (WBA) wants to clarify the situation of current WBA Super Middleweight champion Anthony Mundine and the official challenger Mikkel Kessler.
Mundine should defend his title against official challenger Kessler after defending the crown in an optional defense first, which is scheduled for next May 28th against Sam Soliman. In the meantime, Kessler’s camp has requested the WBA to consider the possibility of sanctioning a fight between Kessler and No. 4 contender Dimitri Sartison for the vacant title in the case Mundine refuses to face Kessler.
The procedure in cases where the champion does not honor his obligation against the official challenger is for the WBA to sanction a fight for the vacant title between the two highest available contenders.
However, in Mundine's case the WBA cannot possibly make any decision for now as facts have not unfold yet. Yet, the WBA is closely following this case and will make a decision according to the events produced in the following weeks.
Chagaev Vs. Valuev II Rescheduled for July 5TH! By Universum Box Promotions and www.fightnews.com
May 7 , 2008 - The WBA heavyweight championship rematch between champion Ruslan Chagaev and former champion Nikolai Valuev will now take place on July 5. No site has been named for the fight. The May 31st date was postponed because Chagaev caught a bad cold that required him to break off training.
The Chagaev camp also dismissed allegations made by ex-manager Taymas Niyazov, who told German newspaper BILD that Chagaev is almost blind in the left eye after suffering a detached retina in 2001. "Ruslan is fit as a fiddle," said promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl. "All conflicting messages are simply wrong!"
Muñoz Vs. Mijares, Superfly Superfight! Extracted from www.fightnews.com
May 7, 2008 - WBC champion Cristian Mijares and WBA title-holder Alexander "El Explosivio" Munoz will fight May 17 in the first super flyweight unification title bout in more than 10 years, headlining the "Noche de Campeons" pay-per-view event live from the Auditorio Centenario in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico.
"A worldwide show like this has never happened in Mexican boxing history," promoter Nacho Huizar said. "The main event is going to be a war. Mijares is a great fighter; a technician who is very dangerous, too. Munoz is a big puncher. It's going to be a classic fight."
Mijares (34-3-2, 14 KOs), who has been boxing professionally since 1997, captured the WBC Interim title on September 18, 2006 by 12-round split decision (114-113, 114-113, 113-114) against Katsushige Kawashima (30-4) in Japan. The crafty Mexican southpaw successfully defended his WBC Interim belt the following November in Mexico, winning a 12-round unanimous decision (118-109, 117-110, 116-111) versus Reynaldo Lopez (28-3-2), and won his rematch for the WBC outright championship on January 3, 2007, stopping Kawashima (30-5) in the 10th round.
Mijares burst upon the global scene a year ago with an impressive, one-sided victory by unanimous 12-round decision (119-109, 118-110, 117-11) on PPV against popular, colorful Jorge "Travieso" Arce (46-4-1, 35 KOs) in San Antonio. "I didn't doubt that I'd beat Arce," Cristian noted, "but I didn't think it would be that easy. I'd like to unify the super flyweight titles and then look to the bantamweight and super bantamweight divisions, maybe against Wladimir Sidorenko or Jhonny Gonzalez."
Currently riding a 24-fight unbeaten streak with 23 wins and one draw, Mijares attributes his success to a combination of a winning attitude, preparation and maximum sacrifice. Now one of the most popular and exciting all-around boxers in the world, Mijares has made four successful title defenses since defeating Arce against, in order, Terrei Kikui (215) by 10th round TKO, Frank Gorrjux (16-7) in the opening round, and Jose Navarro (26-3) via a 12-round decision on February 16 in Las Vegas.
Venezuela-native Munoz (32-2, 27 KOs) is a 2-time WBA super flyweight champion, first winning the coveted belt in 2002 with an eighth-round stoppage of Celes Kobayasho. Munoz made three winning title defenses against Eiji Kojima twice (KO2 and TKO10), sandwiched around a 12-round decision versus Hidenobu Honda (26-2), before losing a 12-round decision and his title belt to Martin Castillo (26-1) in 2004. Munoz won the WBA Fedelatin super flyweight crown in a WBA title eliminator, but Castillo won their 2006 rematch by 12-round split decision.
Munoz regained his WBA super flyweight title on May 3, 2007, taking a dominating 12-round decision from Nabuo Mashiro (9-0) in Japan. In a pair of title defenses, "El Explosivo" retained hos belt with 12-round decisions against, respectively, Kuniyuki Aizawa (13-1-1) and Katsushige Kawasjima (32-6) this past January in Japan.
Chagaev-Valuev postponed! Press release by Universum Box Promotions
May 6, 2008 - The highly anticipated May 31st heavyweight title rematch between unbeaten WBA heavyweight world champion Ruslan Chagaev and former champion Nikolai Valuev has been postponed after Chagaev came down with an illness and was forced to break off sparring.
"Ruslan Chagaev suffers from a protracted virus infection," stated Dr. Michael Ehnert. "In medical terms it's a viral laryngitis and pharyngitis. For non-doctors, it's a highly feverish viral infection of the upper respiratory tract with heavy symptoms. The medical treatment makes it absolutely necessary that he stop training." Chagaev's trainer Michael Timm was forced to miss the title defense of stablemate First Arslan last Saturday with similar symptoms.
Universum Box-Promotion has already advised the WBA and other involved parties of a possible short term alternate date for the fight. More will be announced at a press conference on Wednesday.
President Mendoza received Ana “LA POLLA” Fernandez
May 4, 2008 - World Boxing Association (WBA) President Gilberto Mendoza received Venezuelan Ana “La Polla” Fernández, who crowned herself as the new FEDEBOL and FEDECARIBE Minimum champion last April 19th in Trinidad & Tobago.
The reason of the visit was for Fernández to thank Dr. Mendoza for his actions aimed to the legalization of female professional boxing in Venezuela, a country where it is not still officially approved.
El Presidente Mendoza recibió a Ana “LA POLLA” Fernández
May 4, 2008 - El presidente de la Asociación Mundial de Boxeo (AMB), Gilberto Mendoza, recibió a la venezolana Ana "La Polla" Fernández, quien el pasado 19 de abril se consagró campeona FEDEBOL y FEDECARIBE del peso Mínimo en Trinidad y Tobago.
Fernández visitó al Dr. Mendoza con el fin de agradecerle su gestión en pos de la legalización del boxeo profesional femenino en Venezuela, país donde aún no cuenta con aprobación oficial.
May 3, 2008 - STUTTGART, Germany (AP)—Firat Arslan earned a convincing decision against American Darnell Wilson in the first defense of his WBA cruiserweight title on Saturday.
AP Photo/Daniel Maurer
The German pressed the fight form the opening seconds, hitting Wilson with regularity from the second round when a left hook sent the American to the ropes.
All three judges ruled the fight 117-111.
The best round for Wilson (23-7-3, 20 knockouts) was the seventh when he picked up the pace, catching the German several times and getting him to back off for a while.
“I was worried about a lucky punch until the last. He hit hard,” Arslan said. “I wanted to pressure him so hard he couldn’t use his power.”
Arslan (28-3, 18 knockouts) is a 37-year-old who won the title in November against Virgil Hill. Self-taught, he didn’t have a trainer and manager until his past six fights.
Wilson was jarred by a hard left in the 10th round, but has never been dropped to the canvas. Arslan also took some good shots, but also has never gone down.
“I fought my heart out,” Wilson said. “I came in feeling confident tonight, but he was better.”
Gilberto j. Mendoza closes colombian tour Photo by Luis Alberto Álvarez
April 30, 2008 - WBA Executive Vice President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza put an end to his visit to Colombia on Monday with an important meeting with Colombian Sports Institute (COLDEPORTES) National Director Everth Bustamante, which was held in Bogotá.
Mendoza also offered a press conference in which he was joined by former world champions Antonio Cervantes “Kid Pambelé” y Fidel Bassa, and by Colombian Boxing Federation Technical Coordinator Manuel Perez Tafur.
“It has been quite a productive tour as we met many important people and received supports from all the areas, so we’re very grateful to everyone. We’re excited about keeping working hand to hand with the Colombian boxing and I’m sure that we will start to see the results very soon, Mendoza said.
Gilberto j. Mendoza pone fin a gira colombiana Foto por Luis Alberto Álvarez
Abril 30, 2008 - El Vice-presidente Ejecutivo de la Asociación Mundial de Boxeo (AMB), Gilberto Jesús Mendoza, cerró el lunes su visita a Colombia con una importante reunión con Everth Bustamante, director nacional del Instituto Colombiano del Deporte (COLDEPORTES), la cual se llevó a cabo en la ciudad de Bogotá.
Mendoza, además, ofreció una rueda de prensa para medios de comunicación nacionales, en la cual estuvo acompañado por los ex campeones mundiales Antonio Cervantes “Kid Pambelé” y Fidel Bassa, y por el coordinador técnico de la Federación Colombiana, Manuel Pérez Tafur.
“La verdad es que ha sido una gira muy productiva, en la cual recibimos un enorme apoyo de todos los sectores, el cual agradezco mucho. Estamos entusiasmados con la posibilidad de seguir estrechando lazos con el boxeo colombiano en los próximos meses y estoy seguro de que los frutos comenzarán a verse muy pronto”, afirmó el dirigente boxístico.
April 27, 2008 - Following the scheduled events during his visit to Colombia, World Boxing Association (WBA) Executive Vice President Gilberto Jesús Mendoza made on Saturday a sparring session against local prospect José Miguel Torres Tafur.
The sparring session was held at the Colombian Boxing Federation Gym in Cartagena, with local press and authorities present.
Torres Tafur, brother of the current world champion Ricardo “Mochuelo” Torres was not chosen randomly as Mendoza’s opponent.
In fact, “Mochuelito” will be Colombia’s only representative at the next “WBA – KO to Drugs” Festival that will be held next June in Maracay, Venezuela. More Information...
Abril 26, 2008 - During the visit of its Executive Vice President Gilberto Jesús Mendoza to Cartagena, Colombia, the World Boxing Association (WBA) on Friday honored former world champions Rodrigo “Rocky” Valdez y Fidel Bassa.
Joined by Bolivar State Governor Joaco Berrio Villarreal, Mendoza delivered super belts to these two historical figures of Colombian boxing. “Valdez and Bassa have quite an important place in Latin American boxing history. They well deserve this humble tribute,” Mendoza said.
Bassa was crowned WBA Flyweight champion in February, 1987, after beating Hilario Zapata. Bassa made six defenses of the title and is currently a succesful business man of the book industry.
Valdez, on his side, is one of the most popular fighters of Colombia's history. As the WBC champion, he won the WBA Middleweight title thus becoming unified king in November, 1977 after defeating Bernie Briscoe. Yet they ended in losses, his two brutal fights against Carlos Monzon are still well remembered.
La AMB Homenajea a "ROCKY" Valdez y Fidel Bassa
Abril 26, 2008 - En el marco de la visita del vicepresidente ejecutivo Gilberto Jesús Mendoza a Cartagena, Colombia, la Asociación Mundial de Boxeo (AMB) homenajeó el viernes a los ex campeones mundiales Rodrigo “Rocky” Valdez y Fidel Bassa.
Acompañado por el gobernador del departamento de Bolívar, Mendoza les entregó a estas históricas figuras del boxeo colombiano sendas súper fajas. “Valdez y Bassa son dos personajes emblemáticos del boxeo colombiano y grandes figuras representativas de Latinoamérica. Se merecen largamente este pequeño homenaje”, señaló Mendoza.
Bassa se coronó campeón de los moscas de la AMB en febrero de 1987, tras derrotar al panameño Hilario Zapata. Realizó seis defensas de la corona y es hoy, a los 46 años, un exitoso empresario de la industria del libro.
Por su parte, Valdez es uno de los peleadores más populares de la historia de Colombia. Como monarca del CMB, se consagró campeón de la AMB en noviembre de 1977 al vencer a Bernie Briscoe. Y aunque terminaron en derrotas, sus dos brutales combates ante Carlos Monzón todavía son recordados.
April 25, 2008 - World Boxing Association (WBA) Executive Vice President Gilberto Jesús Mendoza made on Friday his long awaited visit to Cartagena de Indias, where he had a meeting with Bolívar state governor Joaco Berrío Villarreal.
Mendoza also offered a press conference during which the WBA paid tribute to two great idols of Colombian boxing, Rodrigo Valdez y Fidel Bassa.
Following up what it was done last month, when the WBA donated boxing implements to Magangue’s Municipal Gym, Mendoza ratified on Friday the WBA’s intention of strengthening its relationship with Colombian boxing through different activities. More Information...
Gilberto J. Mendoza visita Colombia
Abril 26, 2008 - El Vice-presidente Ejecutivo de la Asociación Mundial de Boxeo (AMB), Gilberto Jesús Mendoza, cumplió el viernes por la tarde con su esperada visita a la ciudad de Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, donde mantuvo una reunión con el Gobernador de Bolívar, Joaco Berrío Villarreal, y ofreció una rueda de prensa, donde aprovechó para homenajear a dos ídolos del boxeo colombiano, Rodrigo Valdez y Fidel Bassa.
Dando seguimiento a lo realizado un mes atrás, cuando la AMB realizó una importante donación de implementos de boxeo al Gimnasio Municipal de Magangué, Mendoza ratificó el viernes la intención del organismo de profundizar su relación con el pugilismo colombiano, a través de diversas actividades.
Mendoza reveló que se estudia seriamente la posibilidad de que Cartagena sea sede de la Convención Anual de la AMB en septiembre u octubre próximos, ocasión que, además, contaría con la realización del tradicional Festival “AMB – KO a las Drogas”. Más Información...
April 25, 2008 - Ex-OPBF and national super-feather champ Yusuke Kobori (22-2-1, 11 KOs), Japan, will make an ambitious crack at the WBA lightweight throne against Nicaraguan Jose Alfaro (20-3, 18 KOs), in Tokyo on May 19. Kobori engaged in six sparring sessions with WBC feather ruler Jorge Linares and showed his determination to win the belt on Thursday.
This title bout was abruptly announced just a month and a half before the event. Kobori said, "I'll go forward and mix up with the champ to win the belt." His sparmate Linares, who is slated to defend his own 126-pound belt against Colombian Feider Viloria in Mexico on May 31, also admitted Kobori's determination and good condition this time, though he had previously toyed with him in every sparring. On the undercard, WBA top lightweight contender Paulus Moses (22-0, 16 KOs), Namibia, will participate in a 10-round tune-up bout with Yauhen Krulik (7-10-2, no KO), Belarus, as he is promised to get a shot at the Alfaro-Kobori winner.
This show is staged by Kadoebi Jewel Promotions in association with Don King Productions.
April 22, 2008 - Days after WBA Super Featherweight official challenger Israel Perez from Argentina revealed that he has suffered an injury on his knee during training for the fight against WBA Super Featherweight champion Edwin Valero, originally scheduled for June 12th, it was announced on Monday that Valero’s new opponent will be WBA #8 Takehiro Shimada from Japan.
The fight will take place at the Nihon Budokan Arena of Tokyo.
This will be Shimada’s (22-3-1, 15 KOs) first title shot and it seems to come at the right moment as he has not lose a fight during the last six years.
Meanwhile, in the next few days the WBA will send an official doctor to examine Israel Perez’ condition in order to make a decision regarding his position as official challenger.
April 22, 2008 - Due to some misunderstandings among the international press that have led to a confusing situation, FEDELATIN wants to make it clear that the fight between Costa Rica’s Carl Davis Drummond and Panama’s Luis Pineda, held on April 19th Costa Rica, has not been sanctioned by FEDELATIN whatsoever.
Indeed, the current FEDELATIN heavyweight king remains to be Andrew Golota, who won the title last January 19th in New York after beating Mike Mollo.
Ref.: Jose Alfaro vs. Yosoki Kobori
Special Permission Approval
Please be kindly informed that the WBA Championships Committee unanimously decided, to approve the Special Permission requested by the Lightweight champion Jose Alfaro to face the Japanese contender Yusoki Kobori, that will be held next May 19, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan.
This permission has been granted with the condition that the winner of the fight will be committed to defend the title against the Official Challenger of the division, Paulus Moses in a period no longer than 120 days.
Sincerely,
Gilberto Jesus Mendoza
World Championships Committee Chairman
April 21, 2008 - Trinidad and Tobago held its Thirteenth World Boxing Association Knock Out Drugs Games on 14th April 2008 at the Five Rivers Junior Secondary School.
Ms. Shivana Inalsingh, Secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control, welcomed the participants and told all the attendees that recognition be given to the parents, teachers, coaches and role models whose dedication and support encouraged young persons to participate in mental and physical activity during the year.
Miss Inalsingh said that the Games presented an important opportunity for young persons to come together to learn and compete in a spirit of fair play and camaderie, and it was through this on-going dynamic of interest groups that has sustained the benefits of the WBA Knock-Out Drug Games which is an annual event now in its thirteenth year.
In his address, Dr Inalsingh, the Chairman, WBA Medical Advisory Committee, said that the annual Knock Out Drug Games, is an event organized for students of which the objectives are to:-
1) Sensitize the youths in an informal atmosphere of the dangers of the use of drugs.
2) Provide them with alternatives to drug by offering them opportunities to participate in wholesome physical recreational activities.
3) To assist in evaluating the participants skills in Table Tennis, Football and Chess.
Concerning the use of drugs in sports, Dr Inalsingh said that random drug testing should be performed on all athletes worldwide. When an athlete knows that he can be tested at
any time during his career, this would act as a deterrent for drug use in sports.
Wide publicity should be given to this random testing so that it will act as a major deterrent.
Suitable arrangements must be made between the sporting Federations and the Governments of their countries to test for drugs.
He went on to state that testing for drugs only at International sporting events is not sufficient to act as a deterrent for drug use in sports. Only the top athletes may qualify
for these games and in reality, others who were trying to qualify may have been using drugs.
An important part of the program was the presentation by Officers of the Organized Crime Narcotics and Firearm Bureau who had a live marijuana plant together with illegal drugs on display and answered many questions on the dangers of drug use to the children and parents.
The vote of thanks was given by Mr. Melchior Taylor, Chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control. Dr Inalsingh then declared the Games open for the 200 children who were present to compete in the games of table tennis, football and chess.
At the end of which, the winners received their cash prizes. “I wish to thank WBA President Gilberto Mendoza for his commitment and support over the past years, which benefited the children of Trinidad and Tobago, in the WBA worldwide program in the fight against drugs,” Dr. Inalsingh concluded.
April 21, 2008 - In another fight held on Saturday at the National Gymnasium, Costa Rican Bryan Vásquez beat Nicaraguan José Gutiérrez to win the vacant WBA FEDELATIN Featherweight title.
Vásquez sent Gutiérrez to the canvas two times in the fourth round and punished the Nicaraguan in the fifth and eventually Gutiérrez did not come for the sixth stanza.
Kobori wil face WBA Lightweigth champ Alfaro Translated from Hisao Adachi's orignial text
April 13, 2008 - During a press conference held on Saturday at the Kadoebi Boxing Gym in Tokyo it was announced that WBA #7 Lightweight Yusuke Kobori from Japan will challenge WBA Lightweight champion José Alfaro from Nicaragua next May 19th at the Differ Ariake in Tokyo.
Kobori (22-2-1, 11KOs) will have his first world title chance after he successfully defended Japan’s Super Featherweight title six times.
Meanwhile, this will be Alfaro’s first title defense after winning it last December by defeating Prawet Singwancha from Thailand.
Also next May 19th at the Differ Ariake WBA #1 Lightweight Paulus Moses (22-0, 16KOs,) from Namibia will face Japan’s Yoshitaka Kato (12-2-1, 3KOs).
The winners of those two fights are supposed to face each other later on the year. “I’ve been told that Alfaro is a strong puncher. But I will go ahead and exchanges blows with him from the very beginning. I’m a warrior,” Kobori said.
Video of Charity Exhibition between Evander Holyfield and Gilberto Jesus Mendoza WBA KO Drugs Panama 2007
In front of 5,000 fans that packed the Figali Convention Center in Panama City former world champion Evander Holyfield and WBA Executive VP Gilberto Jesus Mendoza performed an exhibition fight during the 17th edition of the “KO Drugs” Festival and generated 15,000 dollars that were donated to both Hogares CREA (drug rehab institution of Panama) and the Holyfield Foundation.
Panamanians fans were excited to have Holyfield for the first time in their country and gave a warming support to him and Mendoza, who “gave it all” aiming to raise as much money as he could as 100 dollars were donated by every punch he threw.
17th EDITION OF THE “WBA – KO DRUGS” FESTIVAL Photo Gallery By Sumio Yamada Go to Gallery
A REAL GOOD DEAL IN PANAMA
In front of 5,000 fans that packed the Figali Convention Center in Panama City former world champion Evander Holyfield and WBA Executive VP Gilberto Jesus Mendoza performed an exhibition fight during the 17th edition of the “KO Drugs” Festival More Information...
17th PANAMA ANNUAL KO DRUGS FIGHT NIGHT!
A capacity crowd of 5,000 partisan fans packed the Figali Convention Center in Panama City, Panama to enjoy the WBA K.O. Drugs event.More Information...
GALERIA DE FOTOS EVENTO KO A LAS DROGAS 2007
Visite la galería de imagenes del evento de la 16ta EDICIÓN del
FESTIVAL "AMB -KO A LAS DROGAS" realizada por Sumio Yamada. Ir a la galería
16TA. EDICIÓN DEL FESTIVAL "AMB - KO A LAS DROGAS" EN NICARAGUA
El púgil nicaragüense José “Quiebra Jícara” Alfaro estaba decidido a enderezar su carrera profesional, luego de tres derrotas en sus últimas siete peleas.More...
