Heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder to defend against Johann Duhaupas

Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder/Photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions

 

Heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder will make the second defense of his belt when he takes on Frenchman Johann Duhaupas on Sept. 26 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala. (on NBC).

Wilder, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., is 34-0 with 33 knockouts. He also made his first defense in his home state when he knocked out Eric Molina in the ninth round in June at Bartow Arena in Birmingham.

Duhaupas has never fought in the United States. But Wilder says Duhaupas will be a tough nut to crack.

“I know my opponent has great size and that’s what we’re looking for in opponents,” Wilder said. “He has a great record and he’s never been knocked out … until he faces me. I know Duhaupas is tough and he comes to fight and that’s exactly what we need.”

Wilder is 6-foot-7. Duhaupas, who is 6-5, is 32-2 with 20 knockouts. He is the No. 12-ranked contender to Wilder’s belt.

“Deontay is a good boxer, but I have the heart of a lion and the mental fortitude to handle anything in the ring,” Duhaupas said.

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Miguel Cotto-Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez set for Nov. 21 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas

Saul ‘Canel’ Alvarez/Photo courtesy of Golden Boy Promotions

 

Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico will defend his middleweight world title against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez of Mexico on Nov. 21 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas (on HBO pay-per-view). It took some time for an accord to be reached, but the fight was finally announced Thursday by Golden Boy Promotions and Roc Nation Sports.

Cotto, 34, is 40-4 with 33 knockouts. He’ll be looking to make the second successful defense of his title.

Alvarez, a former junior middleweight champion, is 45-1-1 with 32 knockouts.

Cotto is coming off a fourth-round technical knockout of Daniel Geale in June in Brooklyn. Alvarez most recently knocked out James Kirkland in the third round in May in Houston.

“I will give the fans the fight they want to see,” Cotto said. “As I have always said, during my whole career, I am here to fight the best names and the best fighters. This will be another chapter in my career and I will be ready for him. Fans will enjoy a real fight, another classic battle in the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry.”
Alvarez was equally stoked that a fight fans want is a done deal.
“Historically, mega-fights are made because fans demand them,” Alvarez said. “In this case, the fans have spoken out, longing for this fight and it is my pleasure to say that it is finally happening. All fights at this level are very important, but this fight in particular has something more. It will hold a special place in history as part of the big rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico, and I promise all the fans that this is going to be an event that will not disappoint.”
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Abraham Lopez stops Jorge Diaz after nine rounds at Belasco Theater

Abraham Lopez of La Puente is now 19-0-1 with 14 knockouts after coming away with a ninth-round technical knockout of Jorge Diaz on Thursday in the featherweight main event at Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

Diaz, who was down in the first round, did not answer the bell for the 10th. Diaz, of New Brunswick, N.J., is 18-4-1.

The card was staged by Golden Boy Promotions.

 

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. to defend titles Sept. 12 against Andre Berto

Floyd Mayweather Jr./Photo by Gene Blevins, Hogan Photos

 

Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Tuesday finally announced his next opponent. It will be former world champion Andre Berto.

The two will square off for Mayweather’s two welterweight belts Sept. 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas (on Showtime pay-per-view).

Mayweather, 38, waited a long time before deciding who might be the last opponent of his career. A news release claims it will be just that, but most in the industry believe Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) will fight one more time after this for a chance to finish 50-0.

“I’m ready to get back in the ring on Sept. 12 and prove again to the whole world why I’m the best ever,” Mayweather said. “I always bring my ‘A’ game and this fight against Andre Berto is no exception.”

Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) believes he’ll be the first to hand Mayweather a defeat. But that’s not likely.

“I’m coming to kick Floyd’s ass on Sept. 12,” he said. “Best believe that I plan to bring it to Floyd and I’m not concerned about what 48 other fighters have been unable to do. Somebody is getting knocked out and it won’t be me.”

 

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Danny Garcia knocks out Paulie Malignaggi in the ninth round

Danny Garcia/Photo courtesy of Ed Diller, DiBella Entertainment

 

Danny Garcia of Philadelphia on Friday emerged with a ninth-round technical knockout of Paulie Malignaggi in the welterweight main event at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Garcia (31-0, 18 KOs), a junior welterweight (140-pound) champion, had fought his previous two bouts at respective catch-weights of 141 and 143 pounds as he transitions to the 147-pound limit. Garcia weighed 146 3/4 for this one.

The lopsided bout was waved off at 2:22 of the round by referee Arthur Mercante.

This could be the last bout of Malignaggi’s career at age 34. The former junior welterweight and welterweight champion from Brooklyn is 33-7 with seven knockouts.

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