Fight-size Boxing Update: Manny Pacquiao, Muhammad Ali, New Drug Rules, New Signing
– The purse bid for the mandatory fight between unified cruiserweight titleholder Denis Lebedev and Russian countryman Murat Gassiev, has been made. The fight was scheduled to take place this past Tuesday, but was called off by the IBF. There is no set date, but the fight is due to take place in October or November in Russia.
-Artie Pelullo’s Banner Promotions and Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves Boxing of South Africa announced on July 14 that they have signed South African lightweight contender Xolisani “The Wasp” Ndongeni (21-0, 11 KOs), 26, to a co-promotional contract. He is currently ranked number 2 by the WBA and the current IBO Lightweight champion.
– A boxing center in Miami is going to be renamed in honor of Muhammad Ali. The center at Tropical Park will now be called the “Muhammad Ali Boxing Center.” Ali won his first professional world title in Miami Beach when he beat Sonny Liston in 1964. Ali passed away on June 3.
– According to a press statement from Manny Pacquiao’s office in the Senate of the Philippines, Pacquiao will be training for his upcoming fall return in the Philippines and ensured people that the fight will not interfere with his duties as a senator.
– The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) have implemented a new rule regarding failed drug tests in Britain. If a fighter fails a drug test linked to a bout sanctioned by the BBBofC, the result of said bout will immediately be changed to a no contest, regardless of who won. The rule will come into effect on September 1 and will applied only to fights sanctioned by the BBBofC.
By Carlos Toro
