By: William Holmes

The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of September 23rd to September 30th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.

Andre Ward vs. Edwin Rodriguez Tickets on Sale

WBA and RING Super Middleweight World Champion and 2011 Fighter of the Year, Andre “S.O.G.” Ward (26-0, 14 KOs) makes his long-awaited return to the ring to defend his 168-pound championships in Ontario, CA at the Citizens Business Bank Arena (45 minutes south east from Los Angeles) as he takes on the #1 world-rated Super Middleweight contender Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (24-0, 16 KOs) on Saturday, November 16, 2013.

Tickets are priced at $200, $125, $75, $50 and $25 (plus fees) and will be available at Citizens Business Bank Arena Box Office or online at AXS.com or by calling AXS at 888-929-7849 starting TODAY Friday, September 27. For more information, please visit www.CBBankArena.com.

Doors Open at 3:00 p.m. with the first non-televised bout starting at 3:15 p.m. and the televised featured fighters at 6:30 p.m.

Retired Boxers Foundation Appoints Michael Jenkins

Alex “The Bronx Bomber” Ramos, founder and president of the Retired Boxers Foundation, Inc. (RBF) has announced the appoint of Michael Jenkins, creater and founder of “Las Vegas Message to Millions,” to the Retired Boxers Foundation, Inc., Honorary Board of Directors, effective immediately.

More can be found at http://hotboxingnews.com/NEWS2013/news091613press-release-rbf.htm

Sadam Ali and Marcus Browne Win in Brooklyn

Sadam “World Kid” Ali headlined Golden Boy Live! on Fox Sports 1 against Jay Krupp (17-5) in Brooklyn, NY last night. Ali was knocked down early on in the fight but was able to recuperate and score two knockdown of his own. The final scores were 79-72, 78-71, and 77-72.

Michael Perez (18-1-2) also took on Miguel Zuniga (12-2) in the junior welterweight division. Perez won with scores of 99-91, 99-91, and 96-94. 2012 U.S. Olympian Marcus Browne (6-0) took on Lamont Williams (5-1-1) and won with scores of 79-72, 79-72, and 76-75.

Humberto Soto Wins in Mexico

Humberto Soto (62-8-2) fought on Saturday night in Los Mochis, Mexico against Mahonri Montes (28-3-1) in the junior welterweight division. Soto has won four fights in a row, including his fight against Montes on Saturday night. Soto won with scores of 118-110, 117-112, and 115-113.

Hatton Gets Back in Ring to Spar his Charge

Ricky Hatton has helped his charge Ryan Burnett improve his training by getting in the ring and sparring him himself.

‘The Hitman’ swapped his focus pads for gloves on Friday morning and did several rounds with the Belfast prospect in order to sharpen him up for his appearance on the undercard of Carl Frampton’s clash with Jeremy Parodi on October 19.

And Hatton says it’s something he’ll be doing with all his boxers from now on.

“Because of my retirement I’ll never be a slim Jim, but it was good to get in there and do a few rounds,” Ricky said. “What better way of training the lads is there than sparring? By getting in the ring I can see if they’re dropping their left hand or making any other mistakes their opponents can take advantage of.”

“When I hit them on the chin it hits home and I can’t teach them that kind of lesson with the pads.

“There’s some great trainers out there, but I can’t think of one who’d be willing to do some sparring with their lads. I’ll be doing it with all my mine from now on.

“Ryan is very quick, but he’s still a novice. He’s knocked his first two opponents out, but he’s still got to learn how to in-fight. This was a good way of showing him a few things and he very well.”

Despite his enjoyment of sparring again, ‘The Hitman’ was quick to rule out another comeback.

He said: “There’s no chance of me fighting again. I’m very happy with the career I had and all achieved so I’m going to leave it at that.

“Although the result didn’t go my way, I got what I wanted from the fight with Senchenko. I proved I could go straight back in with a former world champion and I’m proud of that.”

Fidel Maldonado Jr. vs Luis Ramos Jr. to Headline Golden Boy Live!

Fresh off of an exciting night of boxing at Cowboys Dancehall in early September, the FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes series Golden Boy Live! is back in San Antonio on Monday, Nov. 11 with an exciting 10-round main event featuring junior welterweight southpaws Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. and Luis Ramos Jr.

“The boxing fans in San Antonio have a well-deserved reputation as the best in Texas, so it was an easy decision for us to return with our latest edition of Golden Boy Live!,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “In our main event, we have two top 140-pound prospects Fidel Maldonado Jr. and Luis Ramos Jr. They’re both hungry to put on a great fight and this is a must-win situation for both of these fighters.”

“Luis is a tough fighter who has fought a lot of quality opponents,” said Maldonado Jr. “But, I think I have the style and power to beat him. I plan on doing just that on November 11.”

“I always had a feeling that Fidel and I were going to meet in the ring one day and that day has arrived,” said Ramos Jr. “He’s a top young fighter like I am and we’re going to put on a great show for the Texas fans.”

Maldonado vs. Ramos, is a 10-round junior welterweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija*Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Cowboys Dancehall doors open at 6:00 p.m. CT and the first fight starts at 7:00 p.m. CT. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 9:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. CT/6:00 p.m. PT.

Abraham to face De Carolis on October 26th

Giovanni De Carolis (20-4, 10 KOs) will challenge Arthur Abraham (37-4, 28 KOs) for the WBO Intercontinental Championship at the EWE ARENA in Oldenburg, Germany on October 26. Abraham´s intention is not only to defend his title, but also to show that he is ready for a third clash with current world champion Robert Stieglitz.

“Finally there is clarity for me,” said Abraham, who is currently ranked as the number one contender and mandatory challenger at super middleweight by the WBO. “Now I will have to study my next opponent on tape together with my coach Ulli Wegner. With the perfect preparation and strategy, there is no doubt in my mind that I will leave the ring as the winner come October 26.”

Wegner has already examined the 29-year-old from Rome, Italy carefully. “He is a good technician who likes to mix it up offensively,” stated Wegner when asked about the current WBC International Champion De Carolis. “This will be a good test for Arthur. If he wins decisively, I will be more than excited about a third fight between him and Stieglitz in early 2014.”

Tickets for the big fight night at the EWE ARENA Oldenburg can be purchased at www.eventim.de and www.boxen.com.

Polish Fighter “Diablo” Wlodarczyk to Defend Against Fragomeni in December

On Friday, December 6, at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, promoters Andrew Wasilewski and Piotr Werner of Ulrich Knockout Promotions, Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing and Dominic Pesoli of 8 Count Promotions will once again bring world-class professional boxing back to the Windy City with their latest blockbuster event, this one entitled “World Championship Boxing: Wlodarczyk vs. Fragomeni 3”.

In the night’s 12-round main event, WBC Cruiserweight Champion Krzysztof “Diablo” Wlodarczyk (48-2-1, 34 KOs) of Warsaw, Poland, will attempt to make the sixth defense of his title and complete an epic trilogy of fights with Milan, Italy’s former WBC Cruiserweight Champion Giacobbe “Gabibbo” Fragomeni (31-3-2, 12 KOs).

More information can be found at www.8countproductions.com

Chris Martin and Enrique Quevedo Fight on October 18th

Talented and entertaining super bantamweights highlight the Thompson Boxing Promotions “Locked ‘n Loaded” fight card set for Friday, Oct. 18, at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

The main event features the veteran and technical Christopher Martin (27-2-3, 9 KOs) of San Diego against Enrique Quevedo (14-6-1, 9 KOs) of Los Angeles in an 8-round fight. The co-feature, also set for 8-rounds, pits volume boxer-puncher Juan Reyes (9-1-2, 1 KO) of Riverside, Calif. against Los Angeles-native Daniel Roman (8-1-1, 3 KOs).

Martin, known as an intelligent and fluid boxer, looks to avenge an early draw in his career that occurred at the hands of Quevedo’s twin brother, Daniel. “I know in my mind I won that fight,” said Martin, who has won three out of his last four fights by knockout. “It’s been six years since my fight against Daniel, but I haven’t forgotten. Beating a Quevedo is something that’s been on my mind for quite some time.

“Enrique has a different style than that of his brother. He’s a boxer that likes to come forward and apply pressure. Whatever he brings, I’ll be ready for it.”

For more information please visit www.thompsonboxing.com.

Gabriel Bracero and Dimitry Salita Compete on November 9th

A press conference will be held on October 3rd to announce a special edition of Broadway Boxing. Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (22-1) and Dimitry Salita (34-1-1) will compete in the welterweight division for the main event.

Two of New York’s most popular fighters, the bout between Bracero and Salita has been in the works for some time now, and has been talked about throughout the local NY boxing scene for a few years. The two recently took to social media to further drum up interest in the bout, with each laying their claim as the man who will come out victorious and move another step closer toward challenging for a world title in the near future.

The card will also feature a number of DiBella Entertainment’s most promising prospects including Brooklyn’s own Heather Hardy, Shemuel Pagan, and the much anticipated pro-debut of National Junior Olympic Champion and nine-time Junior Olympic Champion Junior Younan, as well as additional bouts to be announced shortly.

Andy Lee Eyes WBC Interim Title Fight with Marco Antonio Rubio

Irish middleweight star Andy Lee, (30-2) is available and ready to fight Mexican warrior Marco Antonio Rubio (58-6-1) for the WBC interim middleweight title if ordered by the World Boxing Council whilst Sergio Martinez, WBC middleweight champion recoveries from injury.

The winner could then fight Sergio Martinez for the WBC green middleweight championship title belt when he makes a full recovery.

Team Lee believe the conquest makes good boxing sense with Lee ranked WBC # 7 and WBA # 8 and Rubio ranked WBC #1 and WBO # 3.

Both Irish and Mexican boxing fans like a good slugfest and they turn out at the box office to support their fighters.

Lee was due to fight Italian Domenico Spada (38-4) for the WBC Silver Belt on September 28, 2013 in Manchester, England on the undercard to David Haye v Tyson Fury, British heavyweight’s blockbuster event. However, the event was cancelled due to David Haye sustaining a cut above his eye during sparring.

Lee commented, if the WBC were to order a fight between me and Marco Antonio Rubio for the WBC interim middleweight title, I would certainly be up for the fight. We are both experienced fighters and have maintained our top 10 world rankings over the last few years. I think it would make a great fight.’

New Blocks of Seats Opened Up for Cotto’s Florida Debut

Fandemonium has broken out in Orlando as former three-division world champion and the Pride of Puerto Rico Miguel Cotto has arrived in Orlando to begin his Fight Week activities leading up to his Florida debut as a professional fighter. With all the higher-priced tickets having sold out in advance and fan demand still not sated, the promoters of the event opened up more sections of $25 seats by rearranging television camera set ups. Cotto will be going mano a mano with two-time world title challenger and Top-Five contender Delvin Rodriguez in a 12-round super welterweight battle This Saturday! October 5, at the home of the Orlando Magic — Amway Center. It will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

“We are thrilled with the support Miguel’s fans have shown for this event and we want to do everything we can to make it accessible to them,” said Héctor Soto, Vice President of Miguel Cotto Promotions. “A big thank you from Miguel Cotto Promotions and Top Rank goes to HBO and Amway Center for working with us in opening more sections. The atmosphere on Saturday night will be electric.”

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