299 stories on BoxingScene are published under the Ben Jacobs byline.
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Emmanuel Taylor (18-3, 12 KOs) is naturally disappointed that his fight with Antonio Orozco fell through after the California-based Mexican sustained a cut in training. Just a couple of days after concluding an interview for BoxingScene in which he discussed the Orozco contest, his manager called him to reveal the bad news. “I’m a little disappointed about the whole situation,” said Taylor, again speaking to BoxingScene on Sunday.
When the likes of Al Haymon and Pedro Díaz are interested in working with you, that should signify that confidence in your talent is high. After an excellent amateur career with over 185 fights, Prichard 'Digget' Colón turned professional in 2013 amassing a record of 12-0 with 10 knockouts thus far. The Puerto Rican had seven fights last year which would have been eight had his last fight due in Quebec not fallen through due to an opponent not making weight. Colón spoke to BoxingScene from Boca Raton, Florida following an afternoon training session in what he describes as the longest camp of his career.
Mario Arano has been the manager of Lucas Matthysse throughout his career as a professional. As a company, Arano Box has been promoting fights since 1989, although Arano himself has been involved in boxing for an even longer period. Following the news of Matthysse’s contract renewal with Golden Boy Promotions, BoxingScene reached out to Arano for his reaction to the news as well as an update on Matthysse’s next move among rumours that he could face Ruslan Provodnikov.
With the current situation regarding the IBF super middleweight title unclear at this present time, Gilberto Ramírez (30-0, 24 KOs), ranked number three by said organisation, remains focused on the job in front of him this Saturday night in Denver, Colorado. If, as some speculate, Carl Froch may vacate the title leaving Ramírez in contention to face James DeGale. However, tough Russian opponent Maxim Vlasov (30-1, 15 KOs) will ensure that the Mexican does not look too far ahead.
Following Friday's earlier announcement that Argentine power-puncher Lucas Matthysse (36-3, 34 KOs) had renewed his contract with Golden Boy Promotions, BoxingScene spoke via telephone with Matthysse's long time trainer, Luis 'Cuty' Barrera, for his reaction and any update on their next opponent.
Esteemed broadcaster Al Bernstein will once again be calling the action on Showtime this Saturday night when Deontay Wilder challenges Bermane Stiverne for the WBC heavyweight title. The affable Bernstein gave his thoughts on the main event as well as the chief support in a BoxingScene interview conducted on Tuesday afternoon. Bernstein has also witnessed many of Tyson Fury's fights from ringside following several guest roles on UK television station Channel 5 which has covered Fury in the past. As such, he cast an expert view on possible fights later in the year as well as touching on some other topics.
After a tough, entertaining fight against Thomas Dulorme in December, fans probably did not expect to see Hank Lundy (25-4-1, 12 KOs) back in the ring so soon, but that will be the case on January 16. Lundy fights Spanish-based Russian Petr Petrov (35-4-2, 17 KOs) in what is expected to be another crowd pleasing battle on ESPN2. Hank revealed that he was originally due to fight Montenegro’s Dejan Zlaticanin at the end of the month in an eliminator for a world title shot, however, when it was revealed that his potential opponent would not be available in time, the Philadelphia man jumped at the chance to fight after taking only a week out of the gym since his last battle.
Tureano Johnson (17-1, 12 KOs) is looking to be the standout star on RocNation's debut show this Friday night at the Madison Square Garden Theater, New York. The Bahamas native attracted the boxing public's attention with his terrific performance last year against Curtis Stevens in which he was stopped in the final round of a bout he appeared to be winning. Johnson takes on Alex Theran (17-1, 10 KOs) over ten rounds in which, according to Gary Shaw in a recent BoxingScene interview, the WBC silver belt will also be on the line.
When a legend in the sport of boxing tips you for future superstardom, you have to take notice of what is said. The late, great Emmanuel Steward believed that Detroit prospect, Tony Harrison (19-0, 16 KOs) has all the capabilities needed to be a world champion one day, and Showtime Extreme viewers last week caught a glimpse of what may be coming.
The early part of 2015 will be a busy period for promoter Gary Shaw. While he confirmed that discussions are taking place for a world heavyweight title challenge for his man, Bryant Jennings (19-0, 10 KOs) against Wladimir Klitschko (63-3, 53 KOs), he did not want to elaborate to much on the situation but to say, “There are some discussions going on so I really don’t want to comment on anything. I represent Bryant Jennings, I believe that he is a great heavyweight and just like in football, one team can beat another at any time, so I believe Jennings on the right day can beat anyone.”