By Sean McDaniel: Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs) said that he won’t be making a comeback after retiring yesterday from boxing, saying “I’m 100 percent convinced that I won’t come back.” De La Hoya further went on to mention that he’s made a lot of money in the ring and doesn’t need to make a comeback. De La Hoya went on to point out that he first suspected that he didn’t have what it takes anymore while fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December 2007, a fight in which De La Hoya led in the first six rounds but then faded badly in the last six rounds and ended up losing by a 12-round split decision.
Andriy Kotelnik
Is Khan Ducking the Top Lightweights?
By Dave Lahr: Many in the media have been quick to put a positive spin on lightweight Amir Khan’s (20-1, 15 KOs) recent announcement that he will be moving up to take on World Boxing Association light welterweight champion Andriy Kotelnik (31-2-1, 13 KOs) in a title challenge on June 27th. However, what appears to be lost in the movement to put a positive light on Khan’s choice of fighting Kotelnik instead of a top lightweight is that Khan is seemingly sidestepping around potentially tough bouts against lightweights like Edwin Valero, Ali Funeka, Michael Katsidis, Juan Diaz, Breidis Prescott and Paulus Moses.
Khan vs. Kotelnik: Why Is Amir Taking the Easy Path?
By Scott Gilfoid: It seems as if lightweight Amir Khan (20-1, 15 KOs) has done it again by choosing World Boxing Association light welterweight champion Andriy Kotelnik (31-2-1, 13 KOs) to go after next instead of the much tougher prospects of facing fighters like Ali Funeka, Edwin Valero, Juan Manuel Marquez, Breidis Prescott, Juan Diaz, Paulus Moses, or Michael Katsidis.
News – Khan to Step Up Against Kotelnik for the WBA Title
By Simon Hirst: British Lightweight Amir Khan, fresh off his win against Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera, will step up in weight to take on WBA light-welterweight Andreas Kotelnik for his WBA strap. It will be Khan’s first fight at this weight and with Kotelnik considered the weakest champion in the division, with Juan Urango and Timothy Bradley considered harder opponents, Khan has a good chance of winning his first world title.
Kirkland vs. Dzinziruk in Loaded Card on June 27th? – News
By Eric Thomas: According to The Ring’s boxing website, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer is trying to arrange a big three-fight card involving WBO light middleweight champion Sergiy Dzinziruk (36-0, 22 KOs) against number #3 ranked WBO challenger James Kirkland (25-0, 22 KOs) for June 27th.
Kotelnik Defeats Maidana In a War
By Erik Schmidt: World Boxing Association (WBA) light welterweight champion Andriy Kotelnik (31-2-1, 13 KOs) won a close 12-round split decision over Argentinean knockout artist Marcos Rene Maidana (25-1, 24 KOs) on Saturday night at the Stadthalle, Rostock, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. The final judges’ scores were 115-114, 113-115 and 115-113.
News – Darchinyan-Arce, Chagaev-Drumond, Kotelnik-Maidana, Boytsov-Garcia
Following his dominating world title unification victory over Christian Mijares, Vic Darchinyan asked reporters at the post-fight press conference “Did I keep my promise (to knock him out)? What about my pound-for-pound ranking? Mijares was No. 6.”
News: Ngoudjo-Urango, Chagaev-Drumond, Kotelnik-Maidana, Boytsov-Garcia
WBA heavyweight “Champion in Recess” Ruslan “White Tyson” Chagaev has all of his boxing ducks, so to speak, lined up in a row but first he has to get past unbeaten No. 10 rated Carl Davis Drumond in the 12-round main event February 7, headlining “The Champion Returns” in Rostock, Germany.
“The Champion Returns” card, presented by Universum Boxing-Promotion, will broadcast three 12-round bouts. Integrated Sports is distributing it in the United States for live viewing at 2 PM/ET – 11 AM/PT on cable pay-per-view via iN Demand and TVN for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.
Berto vs. Collazo on Saturday
By Dave Lahr: WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto (23-0, 19 KOs) may not know it or not but he has a real test in front of him Saturday with challenger Luis Collazo (29-3, 14 KOs). This is an opponent that speed alone won’t be the answer for, so hopefully Berto has some other tools to fall back on in case Collazo starts giving him problems. Berto’s experience up until now has been nothing short of pitiful for a champion, having had hardly any notable fighters that he’s had to prove himself against.
Kotelnik Stops Rees With Only Seconds Remaining
By Dan Ambrose: In one of the most heroic fights I’ve seen in some time, WBA light welterweight champion Gavin Rees (27-1, 13 KOs) fought bravely last night against the much harder punching Andreas Kotelnik (29-2-1, 13 KOs), fighting him literally tooth and nail before succumbing in the 12th round on what looked to be a premature stoppage by the referee. However, despite losing the fight to Kotelnik, Rees looked incredibly good, nothing like the club fighter that many fans have been calling him in recent weeks. Not only did Rees dominate most of the first half of the fight, overwhelming Kotelnik with volume punching, but he also showed incredible heart in the second half of the fight when Kotelnik’s greater power begin to become a factor in the bout.
Urged on by Enzo Calzaghe, Rees kept coming forward, throwing double hooks to the body and short, fast combinations to the head. Unlike some of the scoring I’ve seen, I had Rees ahead at the time of the stoppage in the 12th round, and saw no reason for him to go all out in the 12th round, leaving himself open for Kotelnik’s shots. If not for Rees completely forgetting all about his defense in the 12th, he would never have walked into the two big right hands that hurt him in the round.