Leonard Bundu vacates European crown

By Peter Wells:

In pursuit of a much deserved world title crack, Leonard Bundu has vacated his European Welterweight title.

The now former European king looks likely to take a final eliminator for the IBF title. Last month it was reported that Bundu had been ordered by the IBF to fight Ionut Dan in a final eliminator.

Bundu will be pursuing a third victory in as many years in the UK if he gets through to take on IBF champion Kell Brook, while Gianluca Branco and Rafal Jackiewicz contest the vacant EU crown.

Bundu, a vicous body puncher with a riduculous workrate has already shocked Frankie Gavin earlier this year in Wolverhampton. The undefeated Italian will no doubt see this as his one and only run at a world title at the age of 39.

Canelo Alvarez vs Joshua Clottey on December 6th

By Peter Wells:

After much talk, that will still continue in the build up to his upcoming clash, of a contest between Saul Alvarez and Miguel Cotto, the former is set to face former IBF Welterweight world champion Joshua Clottey. 

Clottey has based himself at Light Middleweight since defeat to Manny Pacquiao, scoring 3 victories over 3 years. First off an 18 month break before another spell of inactivity for almost 2 years. Then in April this year he proved he was still a world class individual with an impressive points win over former Middleweight Anthony Mundine, dropping the Australian numerous times.

One of Canelo's biggest targets, Cotto, can inform the Mexican all about the dangers a motivated Clottey can bring. Cotto was pushed all the way before eeking a split decision against the rugged Ghanaian, residing in New York.

Alvarez fresh of a disputed split decision triumph over Erislandy Lara is further proving his incentive to avoid picking the easy contests. Cotto-Canelo has 'Spring Showdown' written all over it, and barring the Manny Pacquiao affair, Clottey has never given an opponent an easy night. And is a seasoned and very skilled individual.

This will be far from easy for Alvarez, Clottey will more than fancy his chances, given the successes Trout, Mayweather and Lara have had against Canelo recently. 

Clottey has never been stopped and has been in the trenches with the likes of Antonio Margarito, Zab Judah, Carlos Baldomir and Miguel Cotto. 

The bout is set to take place in San Antonio, Texas on December 6th. 

James Kirkland, Gabe Rosado set for war!

By Peter Wells:

Two of the most exciting fighters in boxing are set to clash in a certain fight of the year contender on November 8th.

James Kirkland and Gabriel Rosado are set to put everything on the line, as they have done throughout their respective careers, on the undercard of Bernard Hopkins vs Sergey Kovalev. 

Kirkland 32-1(28) has proven a hard nut to crack, only Nobuhiro Ishida has beaten the 'Mandingo Warrior' in one round - but many point to Kirkland's well publicised out of the ring issues as the reason for the shock defeat.

Kirkland however is beatable, but as many have found out the American's heart is as tough as one-and-off trainer Ann Wolfe's workouts. 

Glen Tapia and Alfredo Angulo have both learned the hard way that going to war with Kirkland has consequences. Both were stopped brutally in 6 rounds. 

Carlos Molina was one of the few that managed to tame Kirkland before he was disqualified in the 10th round when his corner entered the ring too early after he was dropped in the same session.

Rosado has found it just as tough, but hasnt't managed to retain such a illustrious record. 

At 21-8(13) Rosado has fought the best in Middleweight and Light Middle. 

He lost 4 contests in the first 3 years of his professional career including a 2nd round stoppage at the hands of the aforementioned Angulo. 

Rosado has not won since 2012, losing to Gennady Golovkin in 7 and Peter Quillin - in a competitive contest - in 10. Inbetween was a defeat to J'Leon Love which was later changed to a no-contest after Love tested positive. His last contest in the boxing ring was a convincing points defeat to Jermell Charlo. 

They both bring heavy artillery into the ring, and while Rosado is arguably the bigger and has competed at a higher level, the pick is for Kirkland to steamroll through in another barnburner in under 8 rounds. 

Sit back and enjoy! 

Jerome Wilson arrives at hospital in "responsive state"

By Peter Wells:

On the undercard of the English title fight between Chad Gaynor and Ahmet Patterson, Sheffield boxer Jerome Wilson was sadly taken to hospital following his knockout loss to Serge Ambomo.

It was a rematch of their barnburner earlier this year which Ambomo won on points. 

More news will follow as it is released, and we all pray that it is good news.

But for now the thoughts and best wishes of everyone are with Jerome and his family.

UPDATE: News coming from the hospital is that Wilson is in a "responsive state". Hopefully more good news is to follow

Jerome Wilson taken to hospital after knockout loss

By Peter Wells:

On the undercard of the now postponed fight between Chad Gaynor and Ahmet Patterson, Sheffield boxer Jerome Wilson was sadly taken to hospital following his knockout loss to Serge Ambomo.

It was a rematch of their barnburner earlier this year which Ambomo won on points. 

More news will follow as it is released, and we all pray that it is good news.

But for now the thoughts and best wishes of everyone are with Jerome and his family. 

Amir Khan vs Josesito Lopez on December 6th?

By Peter Wells:

With talks apparantly ongoing between Eddie Hearn and Amir Khan's representatives about a spring showdown between Khan and Kell Brook, the former Light Welterweight champion is set to fight in the USA on December 6th.

The likely opponent ahead of his muted IBF Welterweight title challenge and grudge match is the well respected Josesito Lopez.

Lopez has had it tough since victory over Victor Ortiz in 2012. Losing two on the bounce to Canelo Alvarez and Marcos Maidana. Since then he has come through a far from straightforward fight with Mike Arnautis, before halting Aaron Martinez and last night outpointed Rafael Cobos.

The 'Riverside Rocky' will know that another surprise victory would certainly get his career as a world title challenger back on track.

Khan however will certainly not look beyond Lopez, should the bout be made, knowing full well how defeat would effect future superfights both in Britain and America. 

Ortiz halts Kayode in One; Cuellar destroys JuanMa in Two

By Peter Wells:


Luis Ortiz TKO 1 Lateef Kayode 

Luis Ortiz (right) vs Lateef Kayode (left)

The main event proved a slight disappointment as Cuba's Ortiz 22-0(19) stopped formerly unbeaten Kayode 20-1(16) in the opening round.

The referee stepped in with Kayode trapped along the ropes late in the opener, Kayode protested after the stoppage.

Kayode didn't look perfectly steady after a left cross, right hook sent him to the canvas. Trapped in the corner, a left hook knocked Kayode sideward and into the ropes where he was held up. Kayode covered up, but not throwing back and the intervention came.

An anti-climax but Ortiz has power to burn and could be in the world title picture very soon.

Jesus Cuellar KO 2 Juan Manuel Lopez

 

The early promise for JuanMa Lopez 34-5(31) looks a long way away now, after another hard stoppage loss. After retiring in 3 rounds last time out many questioned why he was getting in with another hard hitting prospect.

This time Cuellar 25-1(19) took out Lopez in 2 sessions a blistering right hook followed by a peach of a left hook sending Lopez crumbling to the canvas, no count was issued by the experienced Tony Weeks. 



Jesus Cuellar (right) vs JuanMa Lopez (left)

Prior to the knockout Cuellar had Lopez nervously on the ropes, trading shots that Cuellar was constantly getting the better of. The left hook barely missed the chin of Lopez, that seems to have now taken too much punishment over some exciting years of boxing.

As for Cuellar he has certainly announced himself as a top Featherweight contender, following his points win over Rico Ramos and now this stoppage of Lopez. 

Jermall Charlo TKO 7 Norberto Gonzalez

Charlo 19-0(15) remained undefeated with a completely dominating performance against tough Mexican warhorse Norberto Gonzalez 20-5(13), who was rightly saved from further punishment in the 7th when his corner threw in the towel.

Gonzalez was tough but took punishment throughout the fight, being dropped by a straight right in the 5th. The 6th was dominant enough to be scored 10-8 without any knockdowns.

A point deduction in the 4th for a second low blow only invigorated Charlo to punish Gonzalez further. 

Charlo now isn't far from a world title shot. While wins may be hard to come by for Gonzalez.  

Julian Williams UD 8 Eliezer Gonzalez

 

Williams 17-0-1(10) continued his unbeaten streak while ending Gonzalez's with a unanimous decision win over 8 competitive rounds.

Julian Williams

Gonzalez 14-1(9) was more than in the fight after 4 rounds where he gave Williams plenty to think about, but then Williams' experience at a higher level took over.

A quality jab from Williams was missing for Gonzalez, who did keep reminding his Philly opponent he was there with fast counters. 

Both can take a lot from the fight, Williams looks on a good road, while Gonzalez must avoid dropping his level of opposition to make the most of his potential.

All three judges scored it 80-72 to Williams.

Errol Spence RTD 2 Noe Bolanos

Spence 14-0(11) continues to show himself as one of the best prospects in boxing, with a 2nd round retirement over Bolanos 24-11-1(16).

Spence pounding the body of Bolanos, while peppering with hard shots from the outside, landing 45% of his punches.

Bolanos retired at the end of the 2nd citing a hand injury, unfortunately halting a good workout for the talented Spence.