Sports News Update

Darren Sutherland Found Dead in London

Darren Sutherland, the Irish Olympic boxer was found dead at his London home yesterday.

The 27-year-old middleweight, who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing, was discovered hanged in his apartment by his manager Frank Maloney. The Metropolitan Police are not treating his death as suspicious.

"It is an absolute tragedy," McGuigan, a former world champion, said. "I would describe Darren as a phenomenal talent. I believe he would have become a world champion in the professional ranks one day."

Sutherland had won the first four fights of his professional career and Terry Edwards, the former Great Britain head coach, said that boxing has lost one of its best prospects.

News Courtesy: www.timesonline.co.uk

Labels: Boxing, Ireland, tragedy

Cuban Boxing Champion Guillermo Rigondeaux Flees to Miami, USA

Cuban boxer Guillermo Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has defected to the United States and plans to turn professional.

Farah Colina said Tuesday her husband had no choice but to flee Cuba if he wanted to box again.

"I'm surprised on one level because he left home at the end of January saying he was going to Santiago," Colina said, referring to the eastern city that is Cuba's second largest. "But, on another level, I think he was obligated to do this."

Luis de Cubas, an agent for Arena Box Promotions in the United States, confirmed that Rigondeaux was in Miami and interested in fighting. The 28-year-old boxer won bantamweight gold medals at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.

Colina said her husband called a neighbor Saturday to say he made it to Miami. The family does not have a phone.

Rigondeaux hoped to try for a third Olympic title at last summer's Beijing Games. But in July 2007 he and 2005 welterweight world champion Erislandy Lara disappeared during the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. Both were accused of overstaying their visas, arrested and sent back to the island.

Rigondeaux is the latest world class boxer to leave Cuba. Earlier defections include Lara and Odlanier Solis, the 2004 Olympic heavyweight champion.

News Courtesy: Associated Press, Google
Image Courtesy: Daylife.com

Labels: Boxing, Cuba

Nikolai Valuev Defends WBA Title against Evander Holyfield : Pictures

Nikolai Valuev against Evander Holyfield for the WBA Title

Russia's 7-feet Nikolai Valuev successfully defended his WBA title on Saturday night with a majority decision win over former world champion Evander Holyfield over 12 rounds.

Despite a brave display Evander Holyfield, who was bidding for his fifth world crown, the judges scored it 114-114, 116-112, 115-114 in Valuev's favour as the giant Russian successfully defended his title.

The seven foot Nikolai Valuev remained on the front foot as there was a big exchange during the ninth, and in the 10th Holyfield landed a strong right-left combination. Valuev finished better and pushed his opponent in the corner in the 12th .

After the final bell, both men hugged each other, with either fighter claiming the win. When the scorecards were read, boos rang out as the crowd favorite's narrow defeat was confirmed.

"Of course I am disappointed," Holyfield (42-10-2) told the Associated Press. "I thought I had done enough to get the win. Now I have to go home and think about my future."

Image Courtesys: Google AFP & The Associated Press

Labels: Boxing, Russia, USA

The New Look of "Super Heavy Weight" Mike Tyson

The new Mike Tyson, making an appearance at the Video Game Awards on Sunday night.

Gosh! It took so many "ears" to be Super Heavy Weight !

Image Courtesy: http://www.nbcwashington.com/sports

Labels: Boxing, pictures, USA

Evander Holyfield (46) To Fight Nikolai Valuev (35) For WBA HeavyWeight Championship

Former world heayweight champion Evander Holyfield could well become the oldest ever heavyweight world champion at age 46, when he takes on Russian 7-foot 35-year old Nikolai Valuev in Zurich on Saturday.

"I am in great shape," said the 'Real Deal' 46-yeal old American pugilist from Atlanta, Georgia .

Evander Holyfield - who owns a record of 42 wins and 27 KOs with nine defeats - four of which have come in the last six years.

Nikolai Valuev from St. Petersburg, Russia, recaptured the WBA title when he beat John Ruiz in Berlin in August this year.

Valuev - who owns a record of 49 wins and 34 KOs with one defeat - said he had had an ideal preparation for the title fight.

The clash will take place in historic Zurich's Hallenstadion.

Labels: Boxing, Russia, USA

Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton Joined by David Beckham and "Oasis" Band - Pictures

Boxer Ricky Hatton (C) poses with Oasis brothers Liam (L) and Noel Gallagher

David Beckham among the guests

David Beckham and Sylvester Stallone watching Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton

Ricky Hatton celebrates his victory against Paulie Malignaggi

Last night (23rd November, 2008) at legendary nightclub Studio 54 at MGM Grand, soccer sensation David Beckham joined Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton to celebrate his victory to Paulie Malignaggi directly after the highly anticipated boxing match. Also in the packed house were Sylvester Stallone along with Liam and Noel Gallagher of the popular band Oasis.

Ricky Hatton and his famous friends arrived at Studio 54 just after midnight, where they were greeted by cheering fans waiting to get into his official after party. Inside,the club was packed with many devoted Hatton supporters who traveled across the pond to cheer him on. The British celebrities all partied in Studio 54’s infamous skybox, as club-goers mobbed the area trying to get a glimpse of Beckham, Hatton and Gallagher brothers.

Image Courtesy: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Labels: Boxing, David Beckham, pictures

Olympics Boxing : India's Vijender Kumar beat Carlos Gongora 9-4 to Reach Semis

Men's Middle (75kg) Quarterfinal : Vijender Kumar (India) VS Carlos Gongora (Ecuador)

The Winner : Vijender Kumar

After 4th Round

Vijender Kumar (India) VS Carlos Gongora (Ecuador)

Vijender Kumar (India) VS Carlos Gongora (Ecuador)

Vijender Kumar (India) VS Carlos Gongora (Ecuador)

India's Vijender Kumar beat Carlos Gongora of Ecuador 9-4 in the quarter-finals of the 75kg middleweight category of the boxing event on Wednesday to guarantee India another medal at the Beijing Olympics.
Vijender Kumar (India) in BLUE
Carlos Gongora (Ecuador) in RED

Scores by Rounds

Round1 Carlos Gongora 0 : Vijender Kumar 2
Round2 Carlos Gongora 1 : Vijender Kumar 2
Round3 Carlos Gongora 1 : Vijender Kumar 3
Round4 Carlos Gongora 2 : Vijender Kumar 2

Labels: Beijing Olympics, Boxing, India

Olympics : Indian Boxing : Jitender Kumar Loses To Balakshin 11-15 in QuarterFinals

Men's Fly Weight (51kg) : Quarterfinal : Georgy Balakshin (Russia) VS Jitender Kumar (India)

Men's Fly Weight : Jitender Kumar against Georgy Balakshin

Jitender Kumar against Georgy Balakshin

Jitender Kumar lost to Georgy Balakshin

India's Jitender Kumar gave a tough fight but lost to 3 times European Champion Georgy Balakshin 11-15

Jitender Kumar in BLUE
Georgy Balakshin in RED

Scores by Rounds

Round1 Balakshin 2 : Jitender 1

Round2 Balakshin 5 : Jitender 5

Round3 Balakshin 6 : Jitender 2

Round4 Balakshin 2 : Jitender 3

Labels: Beijing Olympics, Boxing, India, Russia

Beijing Olympics: Veaceslav Gojan Defeats Akhil Kumar of India : Advances To Semis

54 kg bantamweight category : Veaceslav Gojan v/s Akhil Kumar : Quarterfinals

Veaceslav GOJAN of Rep. of Moldova in Red defeated Akhil Kumar of India by 10:3

Round 1 Veaceslav 1:1 Akhil

Round 2 Veaceslav 1:1 Akhil

Round 3 Veaceslav 4:0 Akhil

Round 4 Veaceslav 4:1 Akhil

Another medal hope gone.

Labels: Beijing Olympics, Boxing, India

Beijing Olympics Boxing: Jitender Kumar Of India Advances To Quarterfinal : Pictures

Men's Fly Weight (51Kg) Round of 16 : Jitender Kumar (IND) VS Tulashboy Doniyorov (UZB)

Jitender Kumar (IND) vs Tulashboy Doniyorov (UZB)

Jitender Kumar

Tulashboy Doniyorov

Jitender Kumar of India in Action (Image Courtsey : AFP Photo)

Jitender Kumar (IND) vs Tulashboy Doniyorov (UZB)

Jitender Kumar (IND) vs Tulashboy Doniyorov (UZB) (Image Courtsey : AFP Courtsey)

The Winner : Jitender Kumar of India

Men's Fly Weight (51Kg) Round of 16

Jitender Kumar (India) - 13 points

VS

Tulashboy Doniyorov (Uzbekistan) - 6 points

Score by Rounds

Round1 Tulashboy Doniyorov 1: Jitender Kumar 4
Round2 Tulashboy Doniyorov 0 : Jitender Kumar 1
Round3 Tulashboy Doniyorov 3 : Jitender Kumar 6
Round4 Tulashboy Doniyorov 2 : Jitender Kumar 2
Jitender next faces Russian Georgy Balakshin, who beat Kazakhstan's Mirat Sarsembayev 12:4 in his round of 16 bout.

Labels: Beijing Olympics, Boxing, India

USA's World Flyweight Champion Rau'shee Warren Out Of Olympics

Men's Fly Weight Division (51kg) : Round of 32

Oksung Lee ( South Korea) defeated Rau'shee Warren (USA) 9 - 8.

Scores by Rounds

Round 1: Lee 4 - Warren 4

Round 2 : Lee 2 - Warren 2

Round 3 : Lee 1 - Warren 1

Round 4 : Lee 2 - Warren 1

American world flyweight champion Rau'shee Warren left the Olympics in tears after losing by one point to South Korean Lee Oksung in his first bout in the boxing competition. Warren hid his face in his hands and cried after Lee was granted a 9-8 decision after four tight rounds.

All the above pictures has been taken from uk.eurosport.yahoo.com , nbcolympics.com/boxing/photos and AP.

Labels: Beijing Olympics, Boxing, USA

Beijing Olympics : India's Boxers Akhil Kumar And Jitender Kumar In Pre-Quarter Finals

Akhil Kumar v/s Ali Hallab : Beijing Olympics

Men's Bantam Weight Division (54kg) : Round of 32

Akhil Kumar (India) defeated Ali Hallab (France) 12 -5

Scores by Rounds

Ali Hallab : Akhil Kumar

Round 1

2 : 4

Round 2

1 : 4

Round3

1 : 2

Round4

1 : 2

Akhil Kumar will now face Sergey Vodopyanov of Russian Federation in Round of 16.

Jitender Kumar vs Ulas Furkan Memis : Beijing Olympics

Men's Fly Weight Division (51kg) : Round of 32

Jitender Kumar (India) defeated Ulas Furkan Memis (Turkey) 12-3, before Memis threw in the towel just a few seconds into the 3rd round of the lopsided bout.

Scores by Rounds

Jitender Kumar : Ulas Memis

Round 1

5 : 0

Round 2

4 : 2

Round 3

3 : 1 (Ulas Memis retired)

Jitender Kumar of India now face Tulashboy Doniyorov of Uzbekistan in the Round of 16

Image Courtseys: uk.eurosport.yahoo.com & AP

Labels: Beijing Olympics, Boxing, India

Beijing Olympics : Boxing 75Kgs : Vijender Kumar VS Badaou GJJack: Pictures

Beijing Olympics 2008 : 1st Round : India VS Gambia
Boxing

India - Vijender Kumar (BLUE)
Wins Against
Gambia - Badaou GJ Jack (RED)
13-2

Beijing Olympics 2008 : Vijender Kumar (BLUE)

Beijing Olympics : 75 Kgs : Vijender Kumar (BLUE) VS Badaou GJ Jack (RED)

Beijng Olympics 2008 : 75 Kgs : Vijender Kumar (INDIA) VS Badaou GJ Jack (GAMBIA)

India's Vijender Kumar (BLUE) in his 1st Rouund

Badaou GJJack of Gambia

Labels: Beijing Olympics, Boxing, India, pictures

Beijing Olympics : Sergiy Derevyanchenknko Against Wang Jiangzeng : Pictures

Beijing Olympics 2008 : 75 kgs Category : Ukraine VS China

75 Kgs Category

Ukraine - Sergiy Derevyanchenknko (BLUE) -- The Winner
V/s
China - Wang Jiangzeng (RED)