After a few years, the World Boxing Association (WBA) held again its traditional Annual Awards Dinner last week in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which was a complete success with over 300 persons in attendance at the Milk Producers’ (ATILRA) Directory Building.
Former WBA champ Juan Coggi, Sergio Palma, Juan reveco,
Gustavo Ballas, and Mariano Carrera
The likes of current WBA champions Firat Arslan, Andreas Kotelnik, Celestino Caballero and Suzy Kentikian and current WBO Omar Narvaez along with former champions such as Acelino Freitas, John Ruiz, Jorge Castro, Juan Coggi, Gustavo Ballas, Sergio Palma, Raul Balbi, Juan Carlos Reveco, Mariano Carrera, Marcelo Dominguez, Julio Pablo Chacón were present.
Also, important promoters, managers and matchmakers like Don King, Dietmar Poszwa (Universum Box Promotions), Chris Meyer (Sauerland Event), Osvaldo Rivero, Sampson Lewkowicz, Mario Margossian, Mario Arano, Tony Gonzalez, and Ricardo Rizzo were there.
The ceremony was hosted by Carlos Irusta and Sebastian Contursi who were in charge of introducing the awarded.
WBA Executive Vice-President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza was the opening speaker. Mr. Mendoza highlighted the longtime relationship between Argentinean boxing and the WBA since the times of Hall of Famer Juan Carlos Lectoure and former champions Carlos Monzón, Nicolino Locche, Víctor Galindez, Santos Laciar and others.
Argentina’s Boxing Federation President Osvaldo Bisbal offered some welcoming words to the attendees.
In order to distinguish the best personalities of 2007/2008 as they deserved the WBA asked Argentinean artist Constanza Palou to design an exclusive award that consisted in a bronze sculpture of which only 15 were made.
WBA Welterweight champion Miguel Cotto received the award for the “Best WBA Boxer”. As Miguel was in the middle of his training camp for his upcoming long-awaited fight against Antonio Margarito, the award was sent to him to Puerto Rico, from where he made a special video clip showed at the dinner where he thanked the WBA for the distinction.
2007/2008 WBA AWARDS
WBA BEST BOXER Miguel Cotto
WBA BEST FEMALE BOXER Sussiana Kentikian
WBA BEST FIGHT Juan Diaz vs. Acelino Freitas
WBA BEST KNOCKOUT Juan Carlos Reveco to Nehtra Sasiprapa
WBA BEST PROSPECT Marcos Maidana
WBA BEST YOUNG TALENT Yuriorkis Gamboa
WBA BEST TRAINER Michael Timm
WBA OFFICIAL OF THE DECADE Stanley Christodolou
WBA BEST OFFICIAL Luis Pabón
WBA BEST PROMOTER Universum Box Promotions
WBA PROMOTER OF THE DECADE Don King
WBA NEW GENERATION PROMOTER Dietmar Poszwa (Spotlight boxing)
WBA BEST MATCHMAKER Sampson Lewkowicz
WBA LIFE ACHIEVEMENT José Emilio Graglia
WBA GREAT LATIN ACHIEVEMENT John Ruiz
ARGENTINEAN PROMOTER OF THE DECADE Osvaldo Rivero
ARGENTINEAN BEST NEW GENERATION PROMOTER Mario Margossian
BEST BOXING WRITER Carlos Irusta (El Gráfico and Ring Side magazines / ESPN)
BEST NEW GENERATION BOXING WRITER Eduardo Bejuk (Diario Olé) – Claudio Coronel (Fox Sports)
BEST WEB SITE IN SPANISH www.notifight.com
WBA SPECIAL AWARDS TO: WBA Cruiserweight champion Firat Arslan WBA Super Bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero WBA Super Lightweight champion Andreas Kotelnik Argentina’s Boxing Federation President Osvaldo Bisbal
PANAMA CITY, July 21, 2008 – The World Boxing Association (WBA) informs that German promoter Sauerland Event won the rights to promote the WBA title fights Nicolay Valuev vs. John Ruiz (Heavyweight) and Mikkel Kessler vs. Danilo Haussler (Super Middleweight) after it won the purse bids held on Monday in this city.
The purse bids were conducted by WBA Ratings Committee Chairman José Oliver Gómez and Aurelio Fiengo.
Sauerland, represented by Hagen Doering, won the purse for the Valuev vs. Ruiz fight with an offer of 2,106,400 US dollars, while Universum Box Promotions offered 2,006,500 dollars and Don King Productions offered 1.000.010 dollars.
The minimum amount for that purse bid was 1 million dollars.
Sauerland Event indicated August 30th in Berlin and September 20th in another German city as tentative dates and venues for that fight.
Sauerland Event also won the purse bid for the Kessler vs. Haussler fight promoting rights, which had a minimum amount of 200,000 dollars.
Sauerland presented an offer of 1,140,040 dollars while Denmark’s promoter Team Palle came second with an offer of 777.777,77 dollars.
September 7, October 4 or 26 in Germany or Denmark were stated by Sauerland as tentative dates and venues for the fight.
In both cases, the winning promoter shall submit signed contracts and confirmed dates and venues for the bouts to the WBA within the next 20 days.
Sauerland gana subastas de la AMB
CIUDAD DE PANAMÁ, 21 de julio de 2008 – La Asociación Mundial de Boxeo (AMB) informa que la promotora alemana Sauerland Event se adjudicó los derechos de promoción de los combates titulares Nicolay Valuev vs. John Ruiz (título AMB Pesado) y Mikkel Kessler vs. Danilo Haussler (título AMB Súper Mediano), tras la subasta realizada en lunes en esta ciudad.
Las subastas fueron presididas por el presidente del Comité de Clasificaciones de la AMB, José Oliver Gómez y por Aurelio Fiengo.
En el combate Valuev vs. Ruiz, cuyo monto mínimo era de 1 millón de dólares estadounidenses, se impuso Sauerland Event, representada por Hagen Doering, quien presentó una oferta de 2.106.400 dólares.
Universum Box Promotions ofreció 2.006.500 dólares, mientras que Don King Productions ofreció 1.000.010 dólares.
Sauerland Event indicó tentativamente para la realización del combate el 30 de agosto en Berlín y el 20 de septiembre en otra ciudad alemana, aún por anunciar.
La segunda subasta, por los derechos de promoción de Kessler vs. Haussler, y cuyo monto mínimo era de 200.000 dólares, fue adjudicada también a Sauerland Event, que realizó una oferta ganadora de 1.140.040 dólares.
La segunda oferta fue la de promotora dinamarquesa Team Palle, con 777.777,77 dólares.
Sauerland Event dio como fechas tentativas el 7 de septiembre, 4 ó 26 de octubre en Alemania o Dinamarca.
En ambos casos, la promotora ganadora de las subastas deberá hacer llegar a la AMB los contratos firmados de los combates, así como las fechas y sedes definitivas dentro de los próximos 20 días.
July 18, 2008 - After his brilliant victory over Joachim Alcine last July 11, newly crowned WBA Super Welterweight champion Daniel Santos received his belt from the hands of WBA official Luis Pabon on Friday at the Sports Museum of Puerto Rico.
“I’m proud and thankful for receiving this belt from the WBA. I’ve fought hard to get it and I will fight hard to keep it for a long time,” Santos said.
The WBA Thankful to Argentina after succesfull Directory Meeting Photos by Ramón Cairo
The World Boxing Association (WBA) is pleased to announce that all its members experienced such a great time July 1 through 3 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where both the WBA Annual Directory Meeting and Awards Dinner were held.
Once again, the WBA came back to a friend country like Argentina in order to not only work there but also to meet long time friends.
In spite of President’s Gilberto Mendoza’s absence as he had some minor health problems that prevented him from being in Buenos Aires like he would have wanted, the Directory Meeting was a complete success as important decisions were made aiming to resolve on several matters that have an impact on boxing’s present and future. More Information...
WBA Congratulates Dr. Inalsingh as he will Receive An Important Award
July 14, 2008- The World Boxing Association (WBA) wants to deeply congratulate Directory member Dr. Calvin Inalsingh as he had received a very important distinction from the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians (AAPRP), as it was disclosed on Monday.
Mr. Inalsingh will receive the “Distinguished Educator” award next October 17th at the AAPRP’s annual awards banquet.
The WBA is proud and honored as one of its longtime members has been recognized among the best doctors in the world of boxing.
July 12, 2007 - MONTREAL (AP)—Daniel Santos knocked out Joachim Alcine with a right-left combination 2:10 into the sixth round Friday night to take his World Boxing Association light middleweight title.
The 32-year-old Santos (32-3-1), of Puerto Rico, had outboxed a nervous-looking Alcine (30-1), of Montreal, in three of the first five rounds.
In the sixth, the southpaw Santos threw a jab up the middle and then floored Alcine with a left hook. Alcine tried to get up, but fell back on his side before a stunned home crowd of more than 8,000 for the open-air bout at Uniprix Stadium. More Information...
WBA supports program of rehab for prisoners in Argentina Photo by Ramón Cairo
July 10, 2008 - In an unusual event, a professional fight was held last Friday at a prison in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Former Argentina’s Light Heavyweight champion Héctor Ricardo Sotelo, who was imprisoned right at that penitentiary between 2004 and 2006 was the main star as he beat Adolfo Ovando on points before local authorities and 60 of his fellow inmates.
After getting his freedom back Sotelo not only continued with career but also has engaged with a social program held at some Argentinean prisons where he voluntarily teaches boxing to inmates.
After having meetings with Sotelo himself and Judge Julia Márquez the WBA got interested and promised them to support the cause. As an initial step, the WBA awarded Sotelo with a symbolic WBA belt and hopes to materialize a social program at Argentinean prisons in the next few months.
FEDELATIN wants to congratulate Hugo Garay from Argentina, after he conquered the WBA Light Heavyweight title last July 3 at the legendary LunaPark stadium in Buenos Aires, after beating Ukraine’s Yuri Barashian.
We extend the congratulations to Garay’s manager Osvaldo Rivero, his trainer and to all the team that contributed with his preparation. Also, to all Argentinean fans that supported Garay.
Therefore Garay became the 41st FEDELATIN champion to win a world title and the fourth born in Argentina after Jorge Castro, Julio Pablo Chacón, and Raúl Horacio Balbi.
Garay won the Light Heavyweight title twice. The first time around was on April 8th, 2006 after defeating Mexican Gustavo Enríquez. And he won it again in October 22nd, 2007 as he beat Brazilian Eduardo Franca.
FEDELATIN is very pleased that yet another of its Latin champions has made his dream come true.
Aurelio Fiengo President
July 9, 2008
FEDELATIN FELICITA A HUGO GARAY
Fedelatin, por este medio desea manifestar al boxeador Hugo Garay, de Argentina, nuestras felicitaciones por haber conquistado el campeonato mundial Semipesado de la AMB el pasado 3 de julio en el majestuoso Luna Park de la ciudad de Buenos Aires, al vencer por decisión unánime a Yuri Barashian de Ucrania.
Hacemos extensiva la misma a su apoderado Osvaldo Rivero, a su entrenador y todo el equipo que lo apoyó. Por supuesto a todos los fanáticos argentinos que siguen el boxeo profesional.
Hugo Garay se convierte en el campeón FEDELATIN número 41 en lograr un campeonato mundial y el cuarto de Argentina. Lo antecedieron Jorge Castro, Julio Pablo Chacón y Raúl Horacio Balbi.
Garay obtuvo dos veces el campeonato FEDELATIN semipesado. La primera ocasión se consagró el 8 de abril de 2006 al vencer por decisión unánime a Gustavo Enríquez. Y lo reconquistó el 22 de octubre de 2007, tras derrotar por KO a Eduardo Franca.
FEDELATIN se siente muy complacida que otro de sus campeones latinos haya logrado la máxima aspiración en su carrera boxística.
July 5, 2008 - Nikolai Valuev will fight John Ruiz for the vacant WBA heavyweight title before August 31. After Ruslan Chagaev pulled out of his mandatory defence against the Russian Giant for the second time in a row, the WBA decided in Buenos Aires on Thursday that the two ex-champions will face each other. “We wanted Nikolai Valuev to fight for the title as soon as possible,” Sauerland managing director Chris Meyer said. “We consider the WBA`s decision a big success.”
The representatives of both fighters will have until July 15 to find a solution as to who will stage the fight. Should they fail to reach an agreement, a purse bid will be called. “Of course it is our goal to stage this attractive fight in Germany,” Meyer stated. It will be the second meeting of Valuev, the WBA`s top-ranked fighter, and John Ruiz (#2), who clashed in Berlin in December 2005. Back then, the Russian Giant clinched a close points victory to become the biggest and tallest boxing champion of all time.
After rupturing his Achilles tendon last week, Chagaev was forced to cancel the title fight against Valuev, which was due to go down on July 5. Since it is uncertain when he will be fit again, the WBA gave him a special status. After overcoming his injury, Chagaev, the “champion in recess”, will be given the chance to challenge the new, regular champion until June 26th, 2009. To do so, however, he needs to document his medical condition to the WBA.
Chagaev declared champion in recess By Universum Box Promotions
July 5, 2008 - At its Directory Meeting on Thursday in Argentina, the WBA has ruled that injured heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev will continue as world champion. Chagaev will be considered "champion in recess" and have until June 26, 2009 to defend his belt. The unbeaten Chagaev tore his left achilles tendon during his final sparring session last week and is therefore unable to make his intended title defense against mandatory challenger Nikolai Valuev this Saturday.
Valuev's promoter Sauerland Event had sought to have the title vacated following the second postponement of the bout, but the WBA decision will instead give Valuev an opportunity to face John Ruiz for the WBA "regular" title. The Valuev-Ruiz winner would then be obliged to face Chagaev by June 26, 2009 at the latest.
Chagaev surgery successful
Press release by Universum Box Promotions
July 5, 2008 -Over the weekend, WBA heavyweight champion world champion Ruslan Chagaev underwent surgery to repair the torn achilles tendon in his left ankle. The operation, performed in Straubing (Bayern) by Dr. Tomas Buchhorn, the surgeon for the German national soccer team, was deemed successful. Yesterday, Chagaev was taken to the rehabilitation Centre of DFB physiotherapist Klaus Eder located in Donaustauf. Chagaev suffered the injury last week at the Universum Gym in Hamburg during his last sparring session before his rematch scheduled for this Saturday against former world champion Nikolai Valuev.
"A huge shock," was how Chagaev described the moment when he was informed of the severity of his injury. "At first I had hoped that with a pain-killing injection and having it wrapped with some tape, there would be no problem, but then the doctor informed me of the results from the CT-scan," he said. "I couldn't sleep afterwards. On the one hand because of the pain, but also because I'm concerned about the future."
Since the operation was successful and went without complications, Chagaev plans to enter an intensive rehabilitation program and believes his goal to defend his title again in 2008 is realistic. "I'm grateful to the doctors and my team at Universum. They've done everything possible and now it's up to me to be back on my feet as soon as possible. All the forecasts have me back in the ring by the end of the year," stated the optimistic champion.
Asloum-Segura cancelled By Christian Chataignier / taken from www.fightnews.com
July 5, 2008 - WBA light flyweight champion Brahim Asloum will not be facing Giovanni Segura in the first defense of his world title on July 26. The reason being that French TV network Canal+ has made a proposal deemed insufficient to keep all the commitments for such an event. The whole card scheduled for July 26th in Le Cannet (Alpes-Maritimes, France) is off. This time, Canal+ offered only 500,000 euros with a premium also revised downwards (100,000e) to Asloum, who received 800,000e plus 100,000e when he became world champion against Juan Reveco last December. "Canal+ follows [boxing] the last seven years, and then suddenly, it abandons it. All this to save money. That is irresponsible. Subscribers are injured and will not understand. Brahim plays in the Champions League, not in Intertoto as some others. This is not a boxer on the comeback," said his trainer and promoter Louis Acariès.
Yesterday, the city of Le Cannet announced the official cancellation of the card. Alain Fabiani, in charge of the event at Cannet, regretted the situation: "It's really a pity because Brahim Asloum is very promising. Everyone had wanted to revive a fabulous evening as that of December 8."The disappointed Brahim Asloum has disappeared without any comments.
WBA #2 Cordoba beats Arboleda
By Robert Coster / taken from www.fightnews.com
July 5, 2008 - WBA #2 junior featherweight Ricardo "Maestrito" Cordoba paved the way for a September WBA title eliminator with the only man who has ever beaten him, Poonsawat Kratimdaeng, the top ranked WBA contender, by winning a decisive victory over countryman Jose Arboleda on Wednesday night at the Atlapa Convention Center in Panama City.
The fight lived up to the pre-fight hype through 10 exciting, hard-fought rounds. In an unforeseen tactical move, Arboleda elected to counterpunch and let Cordoba be the aggressor. Ricardo took some rounds to adjust to what was for him an unfamiliar role. However, the talented "Maestrito" took control of the action in the second half of the fight, beating Arboleda to the punch and pushing back his bigger and heavier foe. The final round was a dandy as both boxers waged a fierce battle that had the full-house audience on its feet. More Information...
July 4, 2008 - BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)—Hugo Hernan Garay of Argentina won the vacant WBA light heavyweight title with a unanimous decision over Yuri Barashian of Ukraine.
Garay, relying on right-handed jabs, raised his record to 31-3 with 17 knockouts in the Thursday night bout in downtown Luna Park. Barashian dropped to 25-4, with 17 knockouts. More Information...
Chris John defends against Asiku on July 26! Taken from www.fightnews.com
June 28, 2008 - Unbeaten WBA featherweight champion Chris John will fight Jackson Asiku on the 26th of July in Jakarta, Indonesia which will be John’s 10th defense. Should John be successful, Craig Christian, (trainer/manager of John) and representative Sampson Lewkowicz are committed to honor the WBA champion's mandatory defense against Hiroyuki Enoki during the first week of October in Japan.
“Chris John has always complied with his mandatory obligations, something that is very rare with other champions and to prove that he has fought Derrick "Smoke" Gainer, Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez, Jose "Cheo" Rojas and Roinet "Mus" Caballero all in successful mandatory title defenses,” said Lewkowicz.
17th EDITION OF THE “WBA – KO DRUGS” FESTIVAL Photo Gallery By Sumio Yamada Go to Gallery
A REAL GOOD DEAL IN PANAMA
In front of 5,000 fans that packed the Figali Convention Center in Panama City former world champion Evander Holyfield and WBA Executive VP Gilberto Jesus Mendoza performed an exhibition fight during the 17th edition of the “KO Drugs” Festival More Information...
17th PANAMA ANNUAL KO DRUGS FIGHT NIGHT!
A capacity crowd of 5,000 partisan fans packed the Figali Convention Center in Panama City, Panama to enjoy the WBA K.O. Drugs event.More Information...
GALERIA DE FOTOS EVENTO KO A LAS DROGAS 2007
Visite la galería de imagenes del evento de la 16ta EDICIÓN del
FESTIVAL "AMB -KO A LAS DROGAS" realizada por Sumio Yamada. Ir a la galería
16TA. EDICIÓN DEL FESTIVAL "AMB - KO A LAS DROGAS" EN NICARAGUA
El púgil nicaragüense José “Quiebra Jícara” Alfaro estaba decidido a enderezar su carrera profesional, luego de tres derrotas en sus últimas siete peleas.More...
Over the weekend, WBA heavyweight champion world champion Ruslan Chagaev underwent surgery to repair the torn achilles tendon in his left ankle. The operation, performed in Straubing (Bayern) by Dr. Tomas Buchhorn, the surgeon for the German national soccer team, was deemed successful. Yesterday, Chagaev was taken to the rehabilitation Centre of DFB physiotherapist Klaus Eder located in Donaustauf. Chagaev suffered the injury last week at the Universum Gym in Hamburg during his last sparring session before his rematch scheduled for this Saturday against former world champion Nikolai Valuev. 
