Quotes from final John Ryder vs. Andrey Sirotkin press conference ahead of Saturday’s action at the Copper Box Arena, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.
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Quotes from final John Ryder vs. Andrey Sirotkin press conference ahead of Saturday’s action at the Copper Box Arena, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.
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Representatives of the two camps are currently ensconced in talks, trying their utmost to reach a mega agreement that’s just and satisfactory for both undefeated champions.
“We hope that this fight will happen. The world has a great interest to see these giants of Boxing fighting. They’re returned keen interest and focus on the heavyweight division. Both are unbeaten and both are champions. They should do it now, as the fans really want this to happen,” commented Mauricio Sulaimán, adding:
“Personally, I’d like to see the fight in the UK, as fans will crowd the Arena. If it’s done in the United States, I’d like it to be in Dallas, New York or Los Angeles. Or maybe in a different country, like Muhammad Ali in Zaire and Manila.
Obviously I’m on the side of our champion, Wilder, and loyalty is a principle that can not be compared. Anthony Joshua is a great boxer and he started at the WBC, but when the bell rings there are no favorites anymore!”
BY JON SUTTON
During the past 2 weeks a series of news have come from great warriors of the ring announcing their retirement from boxing. So many stories, memories and glory moments came from these heroes of the ring. Just as they began to box as kids with dreams to capture glory, they all now stand tall with the praise of millions all over the world for their accomplishments.
Japanese champions Uchiyama and Miura announced their retirement, representing Teiken Promotions. Miura conquered the WBC Super featherweight green and gold. Lost his title in the fight of the year 2015 to Francisco Vargas then won a final elimination in a dramatic fight vs Micky Roman and recently lost to WBC champion Miguel Berchelt.
Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero has retired. A former WBC welterweight champion and a true role model to the youth has decided to hang up the gloves. Robert has fought inside the ring many years as well as outside the ring with exemplary dedication to the care of his wife. A true champion of life.
Timothy Bradley is now retired. He was a 2 time WBC youth champion and then went on to win the WBC Super lightweight crown twice.
Juan Manuel Marquez has also taken the decision to retire, after 3 years of thinking whether to continue fighting, he has made the right decision. A hero in Mexico and many parts of the world, has money and a beautiful family, works in ESPN and has the recognition of the fans as one of the greatest champions from Mexico. His legendary Knockout over Manny Pacquiao will live on forever in the memories of all as one of the greatest sports moments for Mexican athletes.
Wladimir Klitschko surprised the world with the announcement a few days ago. While everyone was expecting to announcement of a rematch vs Anthony Joshua, Wladimir has also taken the greatest decision of his life. Wladimir, brother of Vitali will be remembered as a legendary champion. The Klitschko brothers dominated the heavyweight division for more than a decade and the only reason for Wladimir not being ever a WBC champion, was because it was Vitali, his dear brother the WBC champion.
Klitschko gave the world one of the greatest heavyweight fights in many years and it marked the end of his career as he can retire with pride after such performance against a young star Anthony Joshua.
Just as these heroes move on their lives, the new generation is moving in to give boxing fans a new era of excitement. Boxing is going through a great moment and history is on the making. There are so many great champions, many great fights and many new tournaments and formats to look forward to.
Evander Holyfield’s Real Deal Sports and Entertainment has signed Top Bantamweight Contender and 2012 Ghanaian Olympian Duke “The Baby Faced Terminator” Micah, (20-0-0, 18 KO’s) to an exclusive promotional contract.
It was announced by their COO, Eric Bentley and Micah’s co-manager’s Michael Amoo-Bediako of Streetwise Management of Essex, England and Jacob Zwennes of Errol Hawk Sports Management of New Jersey in the United States.
25-year-old Micah is currently ranked #15 by the WBC. Fighting for the second time in London, England on November 12, 2016, the all-action Micah defeated Matthew Chanda over 12-rounds earning the vacant Commonwealth Bantamweight Title.
Recently Micah stopped Jonathan Aguilar on March 11, 2017 at the legendary Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Ghana winning the WBC International Bantamweight Title.
Duke commented: “This is a dream come true for me and I am very happy to be in the United States where everybody wants to fight. I want to thank my managers Michael Amoo-Bediako and Jacob Zwennes for all the hard work they have done in getting me this deal and I want to thank Real Deal Sports and Entertainment for putting their trust in me and signing me. I can’t wait to get back in the ring.”
Details of Micah’s US debut under the Real Deal Promotions banner will be announced shortly.
Wbc Images
The battle for the inaugural 168lb Muhammad Ali Trophy begins on September 16th with the first of the World Boxing Super Series’ hugely anticipated super middleweight match ups. British betting favourite and number two seed Callum Smith (22-0, 17 KOs) will meet undefeated Swedish star Erik Skoglund (26-0, 12 KOs) in a quarter-final bout at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Smith, who is undefeated in his twenty-two professional contests, selected Skoglund as his quarter-final opponent during the live Draft Gala on July 8th at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, and as one of the four seeded super middleweights he will enjoy home advantage for his first tournament test.
Skoglund, who is unbeaten in his twenty-four paid fights and ranked with all major governing bodies at 175lbs before moving down in weight, is relishing the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with one of the division’s top talents, and believes the winner of this fight can go on to lift the coveted Muhammad Ali Trophy.
The WBC Diamond belt will also be on the line for the winner of this quarter-final bout giving both men an added incentive. ‘’I’m in this sport to win as many titles as possible, and it will be great to add the WBC Diamond belt to my collection,’’ said Smith. ‘’It’s going to be an honour to fight for the WBC Diamond title,’’ said Skoglund. ”It gives me even more motivation to win!’’
Wbc images
Mexican-American fighter Robert ‘Ghost’ Guerrero says goodbye to professional boxing after suffering his first knockout loss on Saturday against Texan Omar ‘Panterita’ Figueroa, so via social networks, Guerrero, aged 34, hangs up his gloves.
“I want to thank God for allowing me to have a wonderful career. I’m a kid from a small town in Gilroy, California, who made it to the mountain top of the boxing world. When I was a young kid growing up, I always believed in myself, but never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined a small-town kid like myself, would be fighting in front of millions of fans.
“I was blessed to win multiple world titles in four-divisions. A boxer’s career is a long and tough road. Many tears were shed, lots of blood, and tons of sweat. Many miles were travelled, thousands of rounds sparred, none were easy and nothing was ever given to me. I earned everything I got the old fashion way. I never ducked anyone and fought the best fighters in the world. I fought my way through every obstacle to make sure my fans enjoyed every second, of every round, of my fights.
“I want to thank some very important people in my career starting with the most important person, my wife Casey, who has been with me every step of the way. My father/trainer Ruben Guerrero Sr. He’s the one who made me the man I am today, and the champion I was in the ring. One of the best trainers in the world and I hope to be working side by side with him in the future. There are so many people who have helped me, if I leave anyone off, thank you for everything.”
The “Ghost” (33-6-1, 18 KOs) conquered world titles in featherweight and super featherweight. It was always people’s taste for their aggressive style of fighting and never giving up.
In 2012 he achieved his most important victory defeating former WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto in just his second bout at 147 pounds. For his next fight he faced Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather, losing by decision but winning the best purse bid of his career.