1,155 stories on BoxingScene are published under the Luke Furman byline.
Every story follows our editorial policy. To report a mistake, use our corrections form; for anything else, contact us.
Former IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (31-1, 24KOs) is moving away further from pursuing a rematch with the current IBF king Carl Froch. Bute was destroyed by Froch in five rounds in May of 2012, but the Canadian star has a rematch clause.
The rematch between WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (31-2, 17KOs), and challenger Jean Pascal (27-2-1, 16KOs), is getting pushed back to an HBO televised date in May - according to Pascal's promoter Yvon Michel of GYM. The fight was going to happen on March 9th, and then pushed to March 23, but then it was pushed back again. Since there were no available venue dates in April, Michel and promoter Gary Shaw are forced to secure a date in May.
Promoter Kalle Sauerland of Sauerland Event has revealed that negotiations have already begun for the IBF final heavyweight eliminator between Kubrat Pulev (17-0, 9 KOs) and former two-division world champion Tomasz Adamek (48-2, 29 KOs). Sauerland, who promotes Pulev, is very interested in making the match in Adamek's home country of Poland.
Rising welterweight contender Kevin Bizier has replaced David Lemieux in the main event position on the next "Fast and Furious" card on February 8 at the Bell Centre, according to GYM promoter Yvon Michel. The card will be televised by ESPN. Lemieux was part of the scheduled main event, but he was forced to withdraw with a hand injury. Bizier (19-0, 13 KOs) will now grab the top spot of the card. Lemieux (28-2, 27 KOs) was going to face Colombian Jose Miguel Torres (26-5, 23 KOs) and that fight will be postponed to a later date. Bizier will face John O'Donnell (27-2, 11KOs).
Polish heavyweight prospects Artur Szpilka (12-0, 9 KOs) and Krzysztof Zimnoch (13-0-1, 10 KOs) are facing potential penalties from the Polish Association of Boxing. At Monday's press conference to promote the scheduled fight between Andrew Golota and Przemyslaw Saleta, the two prospects were involved in an ugly tussle.
Several overseas sources are reporting that Jan Zaveck (32-2, 18KOs) is possibly going to return to HBO on March 9th, taking on undefeated welterweight contender Keith Thurman (19-0, 18KOs). The event is taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Zaveck, a former IBF champion, was stopped by Andre Berto in five rounds in 2011. He fought once in 2012, winning a twelve round decision over Bethuel Ushona. Thurman is being pushed as a rising star. In his last bout, in November, he stopped former champion Carlos Quintana in four rounds.
Today's press conference to promote the scheduled fight between Andrew Golota and Przemyslaw Saleta, on February 23rd in Gdansk, got very heated but not because of the main event fighters. Polish heavyweight prospects Artur Szpilka (12-0, 9 KOs) and Krzysztof Zimnoch (13-0-1, 10 KOs) nearly brawled after a face to face verbal confrontation. During the last two weeks the two fighters have been taking shots at each other in the media. Szpilka was shouting "I will destroy you" as members of the promotion were pulling him away.
Canadian puncher Adonis Stevenson (19-1, 16 KOs) is very confident that he has what it takes to defeat IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch (30-2, 22 KOs). The IBF ordered both sides to reach an agreement by January 15th or purse bid will take place. Stevenson likes the aggressive style of Froch and see that as a big advantage for himself.
Polish giant Mariusz Wach (27-1, 15KOs) has apparently lost interest in the sport of boxing. Wach has not fought since taking a one-sided beating at the hands of IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko in November. Following the match, Wach tested positive for anabolic steroids.
IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch will vacate his title in order to finalize a rematch with WBA "regular" champion Mikkel Kessler - if the International Boxing Federation denies his request to delay a mandatory fight with Adonis Stevenson of Canada. Froch's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has yet to reach an agreement with Sauerland Event, who promote Kessler. Froch's back is now against the wall as the IBF ordered him to face Stevenson and both sides have until January 15th to reach an agreement or a purse bid will be called.