Boxing News: Hatton-Lazcano, Mijares-Munoz, Guzman-Campbell

By Boxing News - 05/16/2008 - Comments

In stark contrast to the circulating stories of an illness during training camp, which turned out to be nothing more than a fleeting minor virus, IBO/Ring Light Welterweight World Champion Ricky Hatton extended an open invitation to the British press yesterday to witness a rigorous display of his healthful condition. There has been no denial from Team Hatton that Ricky picked up a virus for a short period, but he was so far advanced in his training that he was already preparing to cut back.

Boxing and sports aficionados will know that super-fit athletes can easily pick up viruses and Ricky has simply followed medical advice and briefly cut back, but we can confirm that all is well and Ricky is back on course and cleared by his doctor. This was readily apparent yesterday when Hatton held a open media training session at Billy Graham’s Phoenix Camp Gym in Manchester, England..

“The Hitman” put on a spectacular display of his legendary fitness as he pummeled the bodybag wearing Graham around the ring with tremendous aggression, pressure and endurance.

There is no problem with Ricky as was seen by members of the British press, who witnessed this final media training session today.

The 55,000 ticket holders for Hatton’s showdown with Mexican hard man Juan Lazcano, as well as the legion of Sky Box Office viewers, can expect a vintage Hitman performance at City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday, May 24.

Mijares-Munoz PPV

WBC champion Cristian Mijares fights WBA title-holder Alexander “El Explosivio” Munoz on Saturday night (May 17) in the first super flyweight unification title bout in more than 10 years, headlining the “Noche de Campeones” pay-per-view event live from the Auditorio Centenario in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico..

The 12-round Mijares-Munoz main event is a classic boxer-puncher match-up between hometown hero and rising star, Mijares (34-3-2, 14 KOs), and feared Venezuelan knockout artist, Munoz (32-2, 27 KOs). The exciting 12-round co-feature pits Mexican warriors Omar Salado (19-0-2, 11 KOs) and Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda (25-3-1, 18 KOs) in a WBC flyweight elimination bout.

“This is the first show of this type ever from this region,” Knockout Entertainment president Ignacio “Nacho” Huizar said. “It’s impossible to calculate the international television coverage but it’s going to be a fantastic success.’

“Noche de Campeones,” promoted by KO Entertainment in association with DiBella Entertainment, will be produced and distributed by Integrated Sports for live viewing in the United States (9 PM/ET, 6 PM/ET) on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV and DISH Network, as well as on The Fight Network in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

Hall of Fame announcer Col. Bob Sheridan, who has called more world championship fights than anybody, will handle the blow-by-blow duties in English with his color commentator partner, former NFL place kicker Benny Ricardo. On the Spanish-speaking broadcast, Hall of Fame announcer Carlos Avilas will do blow-by-blow with his color analyst, Fernando Paramo, who is a veteran of the Forum Boxing series. Bi-lingual Joe Martinez is the ring announcer.

“I’m ready and I’m sure I’m going to beat my opponent,” Mijares remarked. “I’m not going to say if it’ll end early or go the distance, but I’m prepared for anything because it’s a big responsibility to be fighting at home. We’re not friends but we’re not enemies, either. We’re just rivals for this fight.”

“I’m ready for this fight.” Munoz commented. “I’m going to knockout Mijares and take both belts back to Venezuela.”

The chief supporting fight on the live PPV broadcast features a pair of tough Mexican boxers, super welterweight Martin “Azteca” Avila (9-2, 3 KOs) against Alberto Hernandez (14-11-2, KOs), in a 10-round bout. Slated for the live undercard are lightweights Ricardo “Camaleon” Mijares (9-0, 8 KOs) and Arturo Mijares (5-1, 4 KOs), as well as welterweight Ivan “El Ruso” Pereyra (1-0, 1 KO), are slated to fight on “Noches De Campeones.” All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

Guzman Wants Campbell

Now that Joan Guzman has vacated his WBO 130 pound title, the undefeated Dominican-born speedster is looking for a challenge at the lightweight level. “I think Nate Campbell would be a perfect opponent for me,” said Guzman, who is a two-division champion with a record of 28-0 with 17 knockouts. “Nobody wants to fight Nate at 135 pounds and no one wants to fight me at 130 pounds. So let’s just fight each other.”

Guzman, who is promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions of San Diego, Calif., might not have to wait long to get his shot at Campbell.

“The WBO has assured Sycuan that Guzman will in fact become the number one contender at 135 pounds,” said Sean Gibbons, matchmaker for Sycuan Ringside Promotions.

“Nate doesn’t have a bunch of options right now. He thinks he’s going to get a shot at Joel Cassameyor, but that fight will never happen. Plain and simple, Nate’s best fight is against Guzman.”

“I’ve always been about fighting the best,” Guzman continued. “If Nate is truly a world champion he will accept the challenge that I have laid out for him.

“Twenty-eight boxers have tired to beat me and they all failed miserably. Nate will be number twenty-nine if he has the guts and courage to fight me.

“I’m ready to fight Nate anytime, any place, anywhere. A lot of boxers are afraid of me, but I sure hope Nate isn’t one of them.”

Guzman, who has won titles at the super bantamweight and super featherweight divisions, made the choice to move up in weight after he grew irritated with Alex Arthur and his promoter, Frank Warren of Sports Network.

Guzman was scheduled to defend his WBO 130 pound title on Saturday, May 3, in Edinburgh, Scotland but the fight was postponed. Although he has been ready to travel to Scotland at a moment’s notice, Warren has not scheduled a new date for the bout.

“My team and I have tried with every good intention to honor our agreement to fight Arthur in Scotland on May 3,” Guzman said. “Frank Warren and his team made every excuse possible to cancel the fight. My team and I decided that it is time for me to make my mark at the 135 pound division and I’m going to start with Nate Campbell.”