The CBZ Newswire

Photo by Rey Sanchez / Acquniity Sports

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – World-rated welterweight Eddie “The Lion” Paredes (32-3-1, 21 KOs) is prepared to go from being considered one of the most avoided welterweights to world champion.
 
Rated #2 in the world by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and #3 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), Parades hopes to soon face one of the top-ranked welterweights  – Robert Guerrero, Luis Carlos Abregu or even Amir Khan if he moves up in weight – in a career-defining fight to position him for his first world title shot.
 
Paredes, fighting out of Hollywood (FL), is riding a 10-fight win streak.  He has won 11 of his last 12 fights with one draw, since suffering his last loss more than four years ago to Carlos Molina by 10-round decision.  Paredes’ last fight was a solid victory by 10-round decision over veteran Hector Munoz last November in Sunrise, Florida. (continue reading…)

MIAMI – Rejuvenated by back-to-back victories over favored fighters, light heavyweight Lionell “Lonnie B” Thompson is back on the right track, and still following his dream.
 
A decorated amateur out of Buffalo, Thompson (14-2, 9 KOs) is now living in Miami and planning to use the invaluable experience he’s gained as a sparring partner for Chad Dawson, Carl Froch, Lucian Bute, Troy Ross, Issac Chilemba and David Lemieux.
 
“I’m the best-kept secret in boxing,” a confident Thompson said.  “I know it’s only sparring, but I’ve more than held my own against world champions and top contenders.  I’m like Marvin Hagler.  He kept winning but didn’t get recognition until he beat Tommy Hearns.  
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BETHLEHEM, PA – When NBC Sports Network Fight Night returns to the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, PA, Friday, June 14, it will feature a competitive triple header that promises more of the great action the series has become known for. The three hour telecast will begin at 8 PM ET. In addition, all three headliners will find themselves in “must win” fights, critical for their career advancement. The pressure will be great for them to collect a win and remain on track for the big fights that lie ahead for each of them.
 
Russian knockout artist Sergey Kovalev, 20-0-1, 18 KOs, has built tremendous momentum in the last year. His showy and brutal knockouts over Gabriel Campillo, Lionell Thompson and Darnell Boone, all in the past 12 months, have made him a feared man in the light heavyweight division. He’s won fans, polished his record, and climbed the ratings. A slip up now, would derail his momentum and force him backward.

Further, the fight on June 14, is a 12-round IBF Elimination Bout that could vault the winner into a title shot. Talk about “must win”. Kovalev must defeat Cornelius “Da Beast” White, 21-1, 16 KOs, of Houston, TX, on June 14th to keep moving forward. Another big KO would certainly help his cause, but White will be looking to play the spoiler and leapfrog over the better known light heavyweight. (continue reading…)

MASHANTUCKET, CT – The Northeast boxing community is supporting Saturday night’s fifth annual Battle of the Badges (BOB5), featuring amateur  matches between the Massachusetts Correctional Officers (MCO)and Suffolk County Correctional Officers Association (SCCOA) boxing teams, in Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
 
“BOB5″ is presented by National Public Safety Athletic League (“NPSAL”) in association with MCO, SCCOA, and Foxwoods Resort Casino.  Defending champion NY leads in this amateur boxing series, 3-1.
 
The list of attending boxing dignitaries is led by world champions such as welterweight (1955) Tony DeMarco (58-12-1, 33 KOs), light welterweight (1988) and welterweight (1991-93) James “Buddy” McGirt (73-6-1, 48 KOs), and middleweight (1979-80) Vito Antuofermo.  World title challengers include heavyweight Gerry Cooney (28-3, 24 KOs), light heavyweights Joey DeGrandis (30-8, 13 KOs) and John Scully (38-11, 21 KOs), and welterweight Tony Petronelli (42-4-1, 22 KOs). (continue reading…)

Vincent hopes hard work, commitment lead to victory Friday in main event title bout at Twin River
 
PROVIDENCE – Tomorrow night, Shelito Vincent, the unbeaten bantamweight from New London, Conn., will have the opportunity to achieve something most boxers only dream about when she fights Angel Gladney for the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) International championship in front of her hometown fans at Twin River Casino.
 
As if often the case in evenly-matched title bouts, the outcome might hinge on who wants it more.
 
“There’s no way this girl is working harder than me,” said Vincent (8-0), who now lives and trains in Providence under the guidance of Peter Manfredo Sr. “Why wouldn’t I work hard for something I’ve wanted my whole life?” (continue reading…)