The Boxing News Report 03.13.09: Klitschko, Gomez' Return, Pavlik's Next Fight and More
Posted by Ramon Aranda on 03.13.2009
The BNR returns this week with updates on Pavlik's next possible opponent, Klitschko-Haye negotiations as well as the return of Alfonso Gomez. Plus, Marlon B. Wright to be a spectator and Edwin Valero weighs-in before his April 4th bout.
Alright fight fans, it's time to get your weekly dose of boxing news from around the globe. So without further ado, here you are…
Klitschko-Haye Talks Crumbling
Various sources are reporting that the talks between Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye have not been going well as of late. Boxingscene.com has reported that they can't seem to agree on various issues and Klitschko has given the Haye camp until March 21 to reach a deal. If a deal isn't reached, Klitschko will likely then target either Chris Arreola or Alexander Povetkin.
Klitschko tells the Ukranian Gazeta that he feels a deal can still be struck but isn't willing to wait past March 21.
Pavlik vs. Mora?
According to various reports, Kelly Pavlik may very well take on Sergio Mora for his next middleweight title defense. Top Rank's Bob Arum had mentioned Mora as a possibility and now things seem to be moving along with a summer bout looking likely. Word has it that we could once again see another split-venue type thing like what we saw from the Cotto/Pavlik PPV with Pavlik fighting in Atlantic City. Cleveland, OH was also mentioned a few weeks back as a possible venue for Kelly Pavlik's next fight but nothing of course is yet to be confirmed.
Pavlik is coming off a TKO victory over Marco Antonio Rubio in Youngstown while Mora's last outing was a decisive points loss to Vernon Forrest in their rematch for the WBC junior middleweight strap. Mora had previously upset Forrest to claim that title early in 2007.
Edwin Valero and Antonio Pitalua Weigh-In
This past week, both Edwin Valero and Antonio Pitalua reported to the WBC for their mandatory 30-day weigh-in for their April 4 fight which will take place in Texas. The maximum weight at this time is 149 pounds and both fighters came in just under that. Valero weighed in at 140.8 pounds while Pitalua came in at 147.9 pounds.
The fight is taking place at lightweight which has a weight limit of 135 pounds. Their next scheduled weigh-in is set for March 28.
Alfonso Gomez Returning on May 1
Our good friend Alfonso Gomez will be returning to the ring on May 1. Gomez revealed to us during our 3 More Rounds podcast this week that he'll be a part of the Top Rank promoted card in Las Vegas, the day before the Hatton-Pacquiao fight on Azteca America. No opponent has been named yet but Alfonso tells us that he's excited to finally get back in the ring. His hand has finally healed and Gomez will be fighting at welterweight though the weight itself will likely be somewhere around 143 or 144 as he tests the waters before making the move to junior welterweight. Gomez says that he's love to get a fight with Manny Pacquiao or Ricky Hatton though a bout with Zab Judah who will be fighting on a separate card that same night in Las Vegas also intrigues him.
Now with his contract with Tournament of Contenders no longer valid (he recently got out of his contract), Gomez is in talks with various promoters about a new deal.
Don King Tells Frank Warren He's Going to "Take it All"
In Other News
- Vitali Klitschko is well into his training camp in Austria as he prepares for his March 21 clash with Juan Carlos Gomez. Klitschko has been sparring with Tony Thompson, Chris Byrd. Each day, training has consisted of six to eight hours with sparring, shadow boxing and rope jumping including punching the mitts.
- Japanese prospect Takahiro Aoh (17-1-1, 8 KOs) recently dethroned Oscar Larios for his WBC featherweight title in Tokyo, Japan.
- Manny Pacquiao recently went 10-rounds with the punching mitts. Damn!
- We are still awaiting the final results of the liquid substance found on Margarito's hand wrap plaster-like-material which is due this month.
- Marlon B. Wright will not referee the Zuniga-Bute match.
Various sources are reporting that the talks between Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye have not been going well as of late. Boxingscene.com has reported that they can't seem to agree on various issues and Klitschko has given the Haye camp until March 21 to reach a deal. If a deal isn't reached, Klitschko will likely then target either Chris Arreola or Alexander Povetkin.
According to various reports, Kelly Pavlik may very well take on Sergio Mora for his next middleweight title defense. Top Rank's Bob Arum had mentioned Mora as a possibility and now things seem to be moving along with a summer bout looking likely. Word has it that we could once again see another split-venue type thing like what we saw from the Cotto/Pavlik PPV with Pavlik fighting in Atlantic City. Cleveland, OH was also mentioned a few weeks back as a possible venue for Kelly Pavlik's next fight but nothing of course is yet to be confirmed.
Our good friend Alfonso Gomez will be returning to the ring on May 1. Gomez revealed to us during our 3 More Rounds podcast this week that he'll be a part of the Top Rank promoted card in Las Vegas, the day before the Hatton-Pacquiao fight on Azteca America. No opponent has been named yet but Alfonso tells us that he's excited to finally get back in the ring. His hand has finally healed and Gomez will be fighting at welterweight though the weight itself will likely be somewhere around 143 or 144 as he tests the waters before making the move to junior welterweight. Gomez says that he's love to get a fight with Manny Pacquiao or Ricky Hatton though a bout with Zab Judah who will be fighting on a separate card that same night in Las Vegas also intrigues him.
