Boxing
Chordale Booker is moving up to middleweight and will face Brian Chavez on Saturday at Mohegan Sun
Published
5 months agoon
By
J. HumzaChordale Booker will take his talents to a recent weight class.
Booker will make his middleweight debut on Saturday night, defeating Brian Chavez of Argentina at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The 10-round fight will be the main attraction of the Championship Boxing 2024 card, which will be promoted by longtime promoter Jimmy Burchfield.
The 33-year-old Booker (22-1, 10 knockouts), who lives in nearby Stamford, has fought several times at 160 pounds, but has recently been campaigning at junior middleweight, even winning the WBC’s 154-pound regional title belt.
In his last fight on February 3, Booker won a unanimous decision over Greg Vendetti. Booker failed to make weight, being a pound over the junior middleweight limit, and was stripped of his WBC regional title. It was then that Booker and his team believed that the right move was to move up in weight and compete at 160 pounds.
“It was a really tough fight stylistically,” said Booker, whose manager is Paul Guarino. “Vendetti is a bit like an old-school fighter in that he tilts his head and sits low, a bit like Jack Dempsey. This made it arduous to land punches exactly where he was supposed to be, but after the rounds I realized it was possible and started taking a few shots and catching him as he ducked.
While Vendetti is a high-pressure fighter who takes advantage of his awkwardness, Booker will face a completely different fighter in Chavez (14-4, 5 KO).
Southpaw Booker, a standout amateur who was runner-up at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, has enlisted the aid of IBF welterweight world champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis to train with him in preparation for this fight. Booker traveled to Ennis’ hometown of Philadelphia to train with him.
The amount of time spent training with Ennis has boosted Booker’s confidence heading into the Chavez fight.
“I’m going to show that (Chavez) doesn’t belong in my ring,” said Booker, who also made his professional debut in 2016. “From the videos I’ve seen, he’s more of a boxer. He wants to try to move his feet, move his head. I’ve had 137 amateur fights and he’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. There’s nothing special about it that stands out to me, so I’ll go in there and do whatever I want. I’ll see what he can do, what punches he’s looking for, and then I’ll take him down.
“I came up with (Ennie) amateurs and I knew it would be the best job. “Boots” is the ultimate talent. I have the best lefty in front of me and I’m preparing for the best version of Chavez, so a little (this Saturday), if this guy isn’t ‘Boots,’ I should win large.”
Booker has won his last five fights since suffering his only loss to then-undefeated middleweight prospect Austin Williams in April 2022. Williams stopped Booker in the opening round.
Williams suffered his first loss as a professional in his last fight on June 1, losing by knockout to Hamsah Sheeraz in a clash of undefeated middleweights.
Booker hopes to redeem himself and looks forward to a rematch with Williams in the future. He feels that the first fight with Williams did not show what type of fighter he really is, and he is confident that he can win the rematch with Williams.
“I’m watching every ‘Ammo’ fight,” Booker said. “I definitely want that back as a competitor, not anything malicious towards him as a person. Hamzah Sheeraz saw the same thing in “Ammo” as every other fighter: he’s primarily an athlete who can punch. Sometimes that’s not enough, someone figures out that you’re a one-trick pony and if they manage to avoid getting hurt, you’ve got a problem.
“I got injured in the fight with Williams and I couldn’t cope with it. Sheeraz got injured in their fight and he dealt with it and thought, “Okay, I just have to watch out for his left hand and I’ll be able to wear him out,” because usually guys who have power don’t do that. have the same amount of boxing skills.
With the 160-pound division wide open, Booker could emerge as a contender if he makes a statement at Chavez’s expense.
Booker hopes to challenge for the higher leagues later this year and in 2025. Booker, who has stopped opponents in three of his last five victories, believes his evolving skill set will make it harder for others in the division to prepare for the fight.
“I would like to fight (WBA world champion) Erislandy Lara, (WBC world champion) Carlos Adames or (WBA world title holder) Janibek Alimkhanuly. A fight between me and Adames would be action-packed, but I think Janibek is the toughest opponent out of them and I’m all for fighting the best. For me, it’s not just about winning the championship. What I really want to know is if I’m the best, how close I am, and what I need to do to be the best. I wish more fighters would do this so we can get the fights and opportunities we want, so there is no preference as to who I would fight.
“The fight (Saturday) will answer some questions about what I can do against a guy I feel superior to in terms of boxing skills. I can say all I want about him and any other fighter, but until I get in the ring with them, see what they have and if I win, the fight will tell me everything I really need to know about them, which is me, and what I have to work.
“I prepare for the best version of him by putting myself in uncomfortable situations, going to other people’s gyms and trying to box the best fighters. I put it all on the line so that one day I could hang it on a hanger and make sure I did everything I could.
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Boxing
The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena
Published
13 hours agoon
November 23, 2024In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).
The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00
“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”
Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.
“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.
Boxing
George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team
Published
1 day agoon
November 23, 2024Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.
Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.
The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.
Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.
The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.
“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.
“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.
“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”
Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.
“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].
Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.
“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.
Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.
“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.
Boxing
Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul
Published
3 days agoon
November 21, 2024One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.
WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.
Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.
“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.
“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”
Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.
Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.
Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.
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