The Boxing News Report 03.21.09: Angulo, Mayweather, Lopez, Darchinyan Moving Up
Posted by Ramon Aranda on 03.21.2009
Updates on Mayweather Jr., Juan Manuel Lopez and Kevin Kelly. Plus, Berto vs. Urango being discussed and Alfredo Angulo's next opponent possibly set.
Is Floyd Mayweather coming back? Is he staying retired? No one seems to know right now but speculation is already running rampant and ESPN.com quoted an anonymous source saying that Pretty Boy Floyd was ready to return, as soon as July 11. Whether that's true or not is anyone's guess but there would be some intriguing matchups should this be true. According to this source, Mayweather's team has been in contact with HBO about a fight on World Championship Boxing which airs on 7/11.
Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's manager has denied the rumors while HBO has remained mum on the situation. We'll keep our ears peeled on this one.
Kevin Kelley Left Hanging
On April 30, former U.S. Olympian Vicente Escobedo was to have faced off against former world champ Kevin Kelley at the Arco Arena in Sacramento. Then things changed. Jorge Barrios, who was set to face Carlos Hernandez on Golden Boy Promotions' Lightweight Lightning PPV got himself injured and Escobedo gladly stepped in. Unfortunately, no one bothered to inform Kelley who first heard about it this week on a telephone call with 411mania.com. Kelley has been in training in Las Vegas for the fight which he says had him very motivated. However, that has all changed now that Escobedo is out and Kelley now has no opponent for that 4/30 date. Kelley told 411mania.com that if he's on the fence about taking on a different opponent as motivation is key and a lesser foe may not entice him to take a fight.
Juan Manuel Lopez Receives Fighter of the Year Award in Puerto Rico
Earlier this week, WBO junior featherweight titlist Juan Manuel Lopez was chosen as Fighter of the Year by the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission. Lopez went 4-0 with 4 KOs in 2008. Lopez stated that he was honored to receive the award especially among other top Puerto Rican fighters. Though he felt he could earn it at some point, he didn't think it would come so fast. "This wouldn't have been possible without a great team behind me. Thanks to them and my effort (inside the ring), we've come to this," said Lopez.
Lopez is currently slated to face off against WBO bantamweight champ Gerry Peñalosa on April 25 in Puerto Rico.
In Other News
- Paul Spadafora's March 31 comeback fight has been postponed due to an injury sustained while in training.
- A possible showdown between welterweight titlist Andre Berto and junior welterweight belt holder Juan Urango is being discussed.
- Another interesting bout, pitting Alfredo Angulo and Kermit Cintron is in the works according to ESPN.com. A May 30th date is being thrown around for HBO Boxing After Dark. Angulo is coming off a TKO win over Cosme Rivera while Cintron recently escaped with a gift draw against Sergio Martinez on that same card.
- BoxingScene.com is reporting that a deal has been reached for unified junior bantamweight champ Vic Darchinyan to take on reigning IBF bantamweight titlist Joseph Agbepko.
- Oscar Larios is seriously considering retirement.
- Victor Ortiz and Lamon Brewster will be on 3 More Rounds next week here on 411mania.com.
Weekend Fights - Vitali Klitschko vs. Juan Carlos Gomez (ESPN Classic), Roy Jones vs. Omar Sheika (PPV)
Is Floyd Mayweather coming back? Is he staying retired? No one seems to know right now but speculation is already running rampant and ESPN.com quoted an anonymous source saying that Pretty Boy Floyd was ready to return, as soon as July 11. Whether that's true or not is anyone's guess but there would be some intriguing matchups should this be true. According to this source, Mayweather's team has been in contact with HBO about a fight on World Championship Boxing which airs on 7/11.
On April 30, former U.S. Olympian Vicente Escobedo was to have faced off against former world champ Kevin Kelley at the Arco Arena in Sacramento. Then things changed. Jorge Barrios, who was set to face Carlos Hernandez on Golden Boy Promotions' Lightweight Lightning PPV got himself injured and Escobedo gladly stepped in. Unfortunately, no one bothered to inform Kelley who first heard about it this week on a telephone call with 411mania.com. Kelley has been in training in Las Vegas for the fight which he says had him very motivated. However, that has all changed now that Escobedo is out and Kelley now has no opponent for that 4/30 date. Kelley told 411mania.com that if he's on the fence about taking on a different opponent as motivation is key and a lesser foe may not entice him to take a fight.
Earlier this week, WBO junior featherweight titlist Juan Manuel Lopez was chosen as Fighter of the Year by the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission. Lopez went 4-0 with 4 KOs in 2008. Lopez stated that he was honored to receive the award especially among other top Puerto Rican fighters. Though he felt he could earn it at some point, he didn't think it would come so fast. "This wouldn't have been possible without a great team behind me. Thanks to them and my effort (inside the ring), we've come to this," said Lopez.
