109 stories on BoxingScene are published under the David Rosenberg byline.
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According to various sources in Canada, former WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (26-2, 16KOs) is possibly going to return on December 17 in Quebec. It would be Pascal's first fight since the May decision loss to Bernard Hopkins. Pascal's opponent has not been determined but IBF champion Tavoris Cloud has been rumored over the last few weeks.
According to multiple sources an IBF junior middleweight eliminator is being discussed that would pit the undefeated Vanes Martirosyan (30-0) against former title challenger Deandre Latimore (22-3).
WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko doesn't sound like he's going to face David Haye unless the British boxer manages to rebuild himself with an interim-victory or two. Vitali believes there could be problems drawing interest in a possible fight - because of Haye's recent one-sided decision loss to younger brother Wladimir Klitschko last Saturday in Hamburg, Germany. Vitali defends his title against Tomasz Adamek on September 10 in Poland.
Sources in Mexico indicate that WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is likely going to fight in the month of September, in Mexico, which is going to be a homecoming first defense of the title he won in June from Sebastian Zbik in Los Angeles, California. A date of September 24 has been mentioned and Fox Sports may televise as part of the Top Rank Live series. Chavez would then return on November 19, with San Antonio, Texas as the likely location. No opponent has been finalized for either date.
Today there was a notable absence at the final press conference for Saturday's big junior welterweight showdown between Devon Alexander and Lucas Matthysse at the Family Arena in St. Charles, MO, which is going to be televised by HBO. IBF champion Cornelius "K9" Bundrage, who is scheduled to face his mandatory challenger Sechew Powell was a no show.
According to Top Rank's CEO, Bob Arum, former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (37-2, 32KOs) is going to take a tuneup fight in the summer, likely in Youngstown, Ohio. Arum disclosed that he's still negotiating with InterBox for a fall clash between Pavlik and IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (28-0, 23KOs), who defends against Jean Paul Mendy on July 9th in Romania. In a recent BoxingScene.com interview, Pavlik's manager, Cameron Dunkin, discussed the likelihood of his boxer taking a tuneup prior to facing Bute.
Junior welterweight Paul McCloskey (22-1, 12KOs) met with his promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport and confirmed his ring return for September 10 at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. McCloskey, 31-years-old, returns from an April six round technical decision loss to WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan of England.
In my earlier story on BoxingScene.com, I revealed Ryan Coyne's new opponent. Coyne was scheduled to face WBA champ Guillermo Jones who pulled out of the fight with an injury. He is now scheduled to face Dave McNemar this coming Saturday.
BoxingScene.com has been advised that WBA cruiserweight champion Guillermo Jones (37-3-2) has pulled out of his title defense versus Ryan Coyne (16-0). The fight was slated to take place on June 25th in St. Charles, MO. as a supporting fight to the Devon Alexander-Lucas Matthysse main event.
According to promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, a deal was reached with Lou DiBella to match undefeated Darren Barker (23-0, 14KOs) against middleweight king Sergio Martinez (47-2, 26KOs) on October 1, which HBO is going to televise. Hearn announced his deal with DiBella on the social networks and now he's waiting to receive a contract. This rules Barker out of the running for a possible fight with WBC champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on September 24.