Magomed Abdusalamov update

By Boxing News - 11/16/2013 - Comments

Sampson Lewkowicz, wishes to thank the boxing world for their prayers and donations to badly injured Russian heavyweight Magomed “Mago” Abdusalamov and has some cautiously optimistic news to convey.

“Mago still in an induced coma but is beginning to respond positively. I expect him to live. On behalf of the family and myself, I now ask you switch your prayers to his recovery. He has a very long road ahead.”

Today marks 14 days Abdusalamov has been in an induced coma at Roosevelt Hospital in New York. The 32-year-old married father of three young daughters, had to undergo emergency surgery to remove a blood clot, and part of his skull had to be removed to reduce swelling, following his brutal 10-round war against Mike Perez at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, on Saturday, November 2. In hospital, Abdusalamov came down with a 104-degree fever, which led to him suffering a stroke.

Doctors say they will try to wake Abdusalamov in a few days and test his reactions.

“From the bottom of my heart, we all appreciate the support, monetary and spiritually, that we have received worldwide. Doctors don’t know how far Mago will come back, but his recovery will be long and costly and we are still in need of further donations. I would like to also thank Ring 10 New York for their assistance in collecting funds.”

Ring 10 is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping boxers in need. 100% of tax-deductible donations will go towards helping Magomed Abdusalamov and his costly recovery.

Please visit http://ring10ny.com/ to donate.

Guerreros 0-5 Domadores: The Cubans have arrived!

Lausanne, Switzerland, November 16, 2013 – Wow! That is the best way to describe what we saw last night from World Series of Boxing (WSB) new boys the Cuba Domadores. The Cubans announced themselves on the world stage with a bang as they totally dominated their Group B rivals, the Mexico Guerreros, in Mexico City.

It was the C1 category, featuring the Light Flyweights (46-49kg) the Bantamweights (56kg), Light Welterweights (64kg), Middleweights (75kg), and Heavyweights (91kg), who took to the ring in a stunning display of boxing.

Bout of the match
With the score already 2:0 to Cuba, their World silver medallist at Light Welterweight Yasnier Toledo Lopez took on Juan Romero of the Guerreros. Romero, now in his fourth season with the WSB, is a veteran fighter who has only lost once in the last two years in the competition and has also clocked up nine wins along the way. If anyone was going to stop the juggernaut that was the Cuba Domadores it had to be him. The Cuban certainly did not get it all his own way with the Mexican winning round’s two and three to take the bout right down to the wire. When the Cuban’s hand was raised, to the despair of the hopeful local crowd it was already game set and match to the Domadores.

Boxer of the match
Up last into the ring, Heavyweight Erislandy Savon Cotilla looked awesome against his French opponent Djabril Coupe who has been brought in this season to bolster the Guerreros Heavyweight ranks. Erislandy, who is the nephew of the great three time Olympic Champion Felix Savon looked outstanding and knocked his opponent down with a perfectly placed left hook early in round one. By the end of the round the Mexican coaches had seen enough and threw in the towel to protect their fighter. It was an amazing WSB debut for the big man, who will be one to watch this season for sure. His victory also ensured a white wash for the Domadores team.

The Turning point
Was it when the Cubans got off the plane? Arguably there was no turning point as the match was basically one way traffic from the beginning to the end. As soon as World bronze medallist Yosbany Veitia Soto entered the ring against the Guerreros Joselito Velazquez in the opening bout of the evening things looked bad for the Guerreros. The young Mexican boxer tried to come forward and catch his opponent but Soto was just too nimble and avoided all danger whilst picking Velazquez off on the way in. From there on out it was all downhill for the Guerreros.

Fact/Stat of the match
Erislandy Savon’s Knockdown just one minute into round one still wasn’t as fast as his first round knockdown of Jinho Heo of Korea in the first round of the AIBA World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013 a few weeks ago. In that event he took his opponent out in less than 30 seconds for a TKO victory.

Wrap up
Middleweight Ramon Luis Nicolas of the Domadores is the current Pan American Champion but had a poor performance at the latest World Championships where he went out in the second round. This left him with an AIBA World Ranking of just 20, which is probably a little unkind. Meanwhile in a late change for Mexico Moreno Diego had to step in for Juan Mercado, with the Guerrero being flown in from California (where he is currently training) at very short notice. He deserves credit for stepping up to the plate without warning, but it was still bad news for the Mexicans. Moreno has very little experience at international level and this call-up represented a huge step in his career. The Cuban was totally dominant as he strolled to victory. Watch out for Nicolas’ speed this season.

Elsewhere the Domadores’ Robeisy Ramirez Carrazana, the London 2012 Olympic Champion, looked in fine form against Brayan Gonzales who stepped in as another last minute Mexican replacement for Aron Almeda at Bantamweight. The Cuban was in fine form throughout the bout and put on a display of total dominance. He took every single round on his way to an easy victory.

Coming up next
The Domadores are travelling to Europe to take on the Hussars Poland who have come off a loss to neighbours Russia, whilst the Mexicans take on the Azerbaijan Baku Fires away. That will be a particularly interesting match to watch with both teams needing a win to avoid being sent to the bottom of the table.

Catch up!
Don’t miss out on anything with our new service AIBABoxingTv. Highlights of all matches are provided with commentary shortly after each match so that you can keep up with the season as it unfolds.

You can follow both the Mexico Guerreros and Cuba Domadores on Twitter. You can also follow the WSB to stay on top of the action.

The Pugilist KOrner Radio: “Fight Night Live – Andre Ward vs. Edwin Rodriguez”

Tonight at 10PM EST/7PM PST, “JK Productions” presents a special blow by blow presentation of “Andre Ward vs. Edwin Rodriguez”!!

Pugilist KOrner link: blogtalkradio.com/wcsteelerfan/2013/11/17/andre-ward-vs-edwin-rodriguez-hbo-special-edition

Listener line: 718-506-1506

Join us as we give the fight fans an alternative to the HBO commentary in Ontario, California, and call the action live as it happens in the ring. Boxing writer and ring announcer Joseph Herron will provide blow by blow commentary, while three decade fight trainer James Gogue supplies insightful color commentary.

The Pugilist KOrner team will also discuss the always controversial weigh cutting issue, as well as the overall effect it has on the entire sport. Joseph and James will talk about the future of both fighters and give the fight fans a strategic preview of what to expect in the ring!!

Pugilist KOrner link: blogtalkradio.com/wcsteelerfan/2013/11/17/andre-ward-vs-edwin-rodriguez-hbo-special-edition

Listener line: 718-506-1506

Join us tonight for a special radio presentation of “Andre Ward vs. Edwin Rodriguez

Nielsen TKOs Pinzon

WBA & WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Champion Patrick Nielsen successfully defended his belts in front of a raucous home crowd in Albertslund, Denmark. The Dane defeated Jose Pinzon via a fifth-round TKO.