http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/byron_mitchell/73718 Recent articles about Byron Mitchell en-us The undercard of the upcoming March 30 fight night in Monaco, headlined by Gennady Golovkin's title defense against Nobuhiro Ishida, has two bouts which make up the semifinals of a million dollar box-off event the promoters have put together. Each of these fights are worth watching both for their specific merits and for their ability to answer some larger boxing questions: Zsolt Erdei vs. Denis Grachev and Edwin Rodriguez vs. Ezequiel Maderna. With just a little luck, both fights will result in a clear verdict, and with it we will have a little more clarity in the rankings for 168- and 175-pound weight classes. Erdei vs. Grachev Largely unknown outside of Europe, Zsolt Erdei is a 38-year-old career light heavyweight from Hungary. The reason this undefeated former WBC cruiserweight and WBO light heavyweight champion has remained obscure in America is because he has followed the conventional European career path of staying close to home and avoiding world class opposition. He capt... Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:01:16 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/erdei_vs_grachev_rodriguez_vs_maderna_to_answer_big_questions/13179778 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/erdei_vs_grachev_rodriguez_vs_maderna_to_answer_big_questions/13179778 Erdei vs. Grachev & Rodriguez vs. Maderna to answer big questions http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/erdei_vs_grachev_rodriguez_vs_maderna_to_answer_big_questions/13179778 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png A special edition of DiBella Entertainment's popular "Broadway Boxing" series will air live on Fight Now TV on December 19, starting at 9 p.m. ET, from the historic Roseland Ballroom in midtown Manhattan. A portion of the proceeds from the show will be donated to victims of Hurricane Sandy. The 10-round main event features light heavyweight Will "Power" Rosinsky (16-2, 9 KOs), fighting out of Queens (NY), against former USBA champion Otis "Triple OG" Griffin (24-10-2, 10 KOs). Also fighting on the broadcast in a pair of eight-round bouts are red-hot Los Angeles-based lightweight prospect Ivan Redkach (12-0, 11 KOs) versus New York State champion Edward "Tyson" Valdez (11-8-2, 8 KOs), while Brooklyn junior welterweight Gabriel "Tito" Bracero (20-1, 3 KOs) takes on veteran Johnnie "The Lumberjack" Edwards (15-5-1, 8 KOs). "Our viewers love watching 'Broadway Boxing' shows because it always features entertaini... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:03:06 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/broadway_boxing_on_dec_19th_to_be_televised_on_fight_now_tv/12403813 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/broadway_boxing_on_dec_19th_to_be_televised_on_fight_now_tv/12403813 Broadway Boxing on Dec 19th to be televised on Fight Now TV http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/broadway_boxing_on_dec_19th_to_be_televised_on_fight_now_tv/12403813 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Forgotten Recent Champions: Modern Titleholders Who Nobody Talks About Anymore We live in an era of so many champions that it is understandable if some end up being forgotten. But usually when a guy puts together a nice title reign with some good wins--he gets a boost to his popularity. You’ll remember him, even if he fell short of clear-cut greatness. Other champions, however, seemed mired in obscurity. Maybe it was their style, their lack of good promotion, or lack of marquee fights that relegates them to the mental scrap heap of boxing fans. Either way, there are some fighters you almost feel sorry for because it’s almost like they never existed. Here are some now-retired forgotten champions who deserve at least a bit more reverence. Stevie Johnston, 42-6-1 (16 KOs), WBC Lightweight Champion (1997-98, 1999-2000) Why He’s Forgotten: While he managed to carve out a little niche of hardcore fans who appreciated his immense craftiness, Johnston never really made that big of a splash... Sat, 29 Sep 2012 00:34:18 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/the_5_best_forgotten_champions_in_recent_boxing_history/11838022 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/the_5_best_forgotten_champions_in_recent_boxing_history/11838022 The 5 best forgotten champions in recent boxing history http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/the_5_best_forgotten_champions_in_recent_boxing_history/11838022 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Former Light Heavyweight titlist Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson (51-16-2, 35 KOs) and Andrzej “The Polish Prince” Fonfara (21-2, 12 KOs) will meet in the 10-round main event July 13 on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra. The Friday Night Fight Card will be broadcast from the US Olympic training facility, providing coverage of the men's and women's USA Olympic boxing teams. Jose Luis Castillo appears in the co-feature. Right here, find a full preview and overview of the fights, as well as a video preview of the entire card. Main Event: Chicago’s Fonfara has won his last nine fights, all by knockout, including a third-round TKO win over former Super Middleweight titlist Byron Mitchell. Fonfara said of Friday’s fight: “Glen Johnson is a very tough guy. He fights with the best guys – Roy Jones Jr., Antonio Tarver, Tavoris Cloud, Carl Froch, and Lucian Bute. He has very good experience. He's a very good boxer, very smart. It's a tough fight for me, but... Wed, 11 Jul 2012 13:26:07 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/glen_johnson_jose_luis_castillo_highlight_this_weeks_friday_night_fights/11199064 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/glen_johnson_jose_luis_castillo_highlight_this_weeks_friday_night_fights/11199064 Glen Johnson & Jose Luis Castillo highlight this week’s Friday Night Fights http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/glen_johnson_jose_luis_castillo_highlight_this_weeks_friday_night_fights/11199064 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/5/d5b3725bd24f7a2c57435bb4ee64c127df404190/mini/Tarver_v_Johnson_a662.jpg World ranked light heavyweight professional boxer Andrzej "The Polish Prince" Fonfara will take a short break from his intense training this Saturday morning, June 23rd to participate in the "RUN THE RIDGE' 5K in Burr Ridge, Illinois. The 24 year old Fonfara is spending the excessively hot summer Chicago days preparing for his showdown with former world champion Glen "The Road Warrior" Johnson in the main event at "CROSSROADS" set for Friday, July 13th at the UIC Pavilion and broadcast on ESPN Friday Night Fights. Credit: Magda Marczewska "Training has been terrific and I will be at my very best to face Johnson on July 13th. The heat in Chicago over the last week has worked to my advantage, particularly during training and sparring sessions" said Fonfara. The "RUN THE RIDGE" 5K, sponsored by Codilis and Associates PC benefits the Turning Pointe Autism Foundation. Continued Fonfara, "As part ... Thu, 21 Jun 2012 10:01:50 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/andzrej_fonfara_preparing_for_glen_johnson_fight_running_charity_5k_this_weekend/11060252 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/andzrej_fonfara_preparing_for_glen_johnson_fight_running_charity_5k_this_weekend/11060252 Andzrej Fonfara preparing for Glen Johnson fight; running charity 5K this weekend http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/andzrej_fonfara_preparing_for_glen_johnson_fight_running_charity_5k_this_weekend/11060252 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/c/4c9308cb7812c25600bbfd86b2b5aa52f824344e/mini/Chad_Dawson_v_9cd5.jpg Unable to secure a unification title fight against the other 175-pound world champions, World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Heavyweight World Champion Beibut Shumenov returns on June 2 to make his fourth title defense against former super middleweight world title challenger Enrique Ornelas (33-7, 21 KO's) at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. in a fight that will be televised live on FOX Sports Net and FOX Deportes and will be televised on a delayed basis on FUEL TV. "I'm looking forward to defending my world title belt, especially on a nationally televised show once again," Shumenov said from his Las Vegas home. Credit: KZ Event Productions A unique boxing world champion, at least in terms of his background, Shumenov has growing international appeal.  The chiseled 2008 Kazakhstan Olympian is a lawyer and boxing promoter who, along with his brother Chingis Shumenov, owns and operates KZ Event Productions out of Las Vegas. ... Fri, 18 May 2012 09:28:22 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/shumenov_takes_on_ornelas_on_june_2_in_vegas_ready_to_break_out_as_a_star/10820300 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/shumenov_takes_on_ornelas_on_june_2_in_vegas_ready_to_break_out_as_a_star/10820300 Shumenov takes on Ornelas on June 2 in Vegas, ready to break out as a star http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/shumenov_takes_on_ornelas_on_june_2_in_vegas_ready_to_break_out_as_a_star/10820300 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/1/91e602f642998b3f570496b1ac89ed49bd99a77c/mini/Boxer_Enrique_Ornelas_a3ed.jpg Tickets are now on sale for ESPN Friday Night Fights' "CROSSROADS", set for Friday, July 13th at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois. Presented by 8 Count Productions and Warriors Boxing, the event will be headlined by a ten round light heavyweight clash between former world champion Glen "The Road Warrior" Johnson and Chicago's popular world ranked contender, "The Polish Prince" Andrzej Fonfara. The co-main event will feature a ten round welterweight battle between legendary two-time former world champion Jose Luis "EL Terrible" Castillo and longtime Chicago fan favorite Ivan "EL Marro" Popoca. Said Dominic Pesoli of 8 Count Productions, 'It's an honor to bring Glen Johnson and Jose Luis Castillo to Chicago for their first time in their brilliant careers. Fonfara and Popoca are both very excited to test their skills against these former world champions and future Hall of Famers on July 13th at the UIC Pavilion.&qu... Wed, 09 May 2012 10:05:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/glen_johnson_jose_luis_castillo_headline_july_13_friday_night_fights_in_chicago/10752926 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/glen_johnson_jose_luis_castillo_headline_july_13_friday_night_fights_in_chicago/10752926 Glen Johnson & Jose Luis Castillo headline July 13 Friday Night Fights in Chicago http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/glen_johnson_jose_luis_castillo_headline_july_13_friday_night_fights_in_chicago/10752926 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/c/4c9308cb7812c25600bbfd86b2b5aa52f824344e/mini/Chad_Dawson_v_9cd5.jpg World Boxing Association ("WBA") Light Heavyweight World Champion Beibut Shumenov returns on June 2 to make his fourth title defense against former super middleweight world title challenger Enrique Ornelas at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. in a fight that will be televised live on FOX Sports Net and FOX Deportes. The fight will mark Shumenov's return to same venue in which he first captured the WBA title in his 10th professional bout on January 29, 2010 with a 12-round unanimous decision over Gabriel Campillo, establishing the record for a fighter winning a major world light heavyweight championship in the fewest professional fights. The 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian has successfully defended against Vyacheslav Uzelkov (DEC 12), William Joppy (KO 6) and most recently against Danny Santiago (TKO 9) this past July. In only 13 professional fights, the 28-year-old Shumenov has defeated four world champions - Campillo, Byron Mitchell, J... Sat, 05 May 2012 00:32:36 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/beibut_shumenov_to_face_enrique_ornelas_on_june_2_fox_sports_net_to_televise/10727471 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/beibut_shumenov_to_face_enrique_ornelas_on_june_2_fox_sports_net_to_televise/10727471 Beibut Shumenov to face Enrique Ornelas on June 2; Fox Sports Net to televise http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/beibut_shumenov_to_face_enrique_ornelas_on_june_2_fox_sports_net_to_televise/10727471 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/1/91e602f642998b3f570496b1ac89ed49bd99a77c/mini/Boxer_Enrique_Ornelas_a3ed.jpg The Ten Greatest Super Middleweights in Boxing History One of the newer divisions in the sport--only strawweight is newer. However, super middleweight has seen more success than some of the more recently-created divisions, with a gaggle of talented and big figures among the top ten. At the same time, being less than 30 years old, this ranking does not have the historic names that fill other top tens. In addition, there is a mix of those who make 168 their home and others who merely stop by for a little while. This makes it a difficult list to compile. Do you go with ten-year rainstorm or the two-year hurricane? This list is also unique in that it is one of the least populated by Americans of any higher weight class, with Europeans dominating the top ten. Here are the ten best to ever do it at 168 pounds: 1. Joe Calzaghe (1993-2008): Credit: Tea Chimp / Creative Commons License 2.0 Other than Holyfield at cruiserweight and Ricardo Lopez at strawweight, there is no clearer choice f... Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:47:52 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_super_middleweights_of_all_time/9301892 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_super_middleweights_of_all_time/9301892 Top 10 Best Super Middleweights of All-Time http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_best_super_middleweights_of_all_time/9301892 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Hall of Fame promoter Don Chargin, advisor for World Boxing Association ("WBA") and International Boxing Association ("IBA") light heavyweight World champion Beibut Shumenov, has responded to a press release issued by Frank Warren Promotions that claimed Shumenov turned down a unification offer to fight World Boxing Organization ("WBO") titlist Nathan Cleverly.   The press release announced that Cleverly will be defending his WBO title February 25 against Tommy Karpency in Wales. It also claimed: An offer went to WBA title-holder Beibut Shumenov to face Cleverly, but he said he would not be ready in time - although it could happen later this year.   Back in November, Chargin reached out to Warren, after reading stories that Cleverly was interested in a unification fight against Beibut.   Chargin spoke twice to Warren's matchmaker, Dean Powell, but Don didn't hear back until he received an email yesterday.   "I thought that it was strange to get an email jus Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/warren_never_offered_shumenov_feb_25_unification_fight_vs_cleverly/9110635 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/warren_never_offered_shumenov_feb_25_unification_fight_vs_cleverly/9110635 Warren Never Offered Shumenov Feb. 25 Unification Fight vs. Cleverly http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/warren_never_offered_shumenov_feb_25_unification_fight_vs_cleverly/9110635 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/e/3ebf74e8512ab80b8eb9943a0ef9ac4aa599693a/mini/Boxing__Nathan_3fb5.jpg Long regarded as one of the world’s premier super middleweight contenders, Andre Dirrell will return to the ring for the first time in 21 months when he faces Darryl Cunningham in the co-feature of a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, Dec. 30, live on Showtime from Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif. Dirrell (19-1, 13 KOs), of Flint, Mich., has not fought since winning by 11th-round disqualification over Arthur Abraham in The Super Six World Boxing Classic on March 27, 2010. Cunningham (24-2, 10 KOs), of Detroit, has been victorious in 17 consecutive starts and has not lost since December 2007. Credit: Tom Casino/Showtime The ShoBox main event will spotlight another comeback — that of former undisputed middleweight world champion Jermain Taylor (28-4-1, 17 KOs), of Little Rock, Ark., in a scheduled 10-round middleweight bout. Taylor’s first start in 26 months represents a return to the division he once dominated. Taylor will fa... Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:24:18 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/andre_dirrell_back_on_dec_30th_fights_darryl_cunningham_on_shobox/8689897 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/andre_dirrell_back_on_dec_30th_fights_darryl_cunningham_on_shobox/8689897 Andre Dirrell Back on Dec 30th; Fights Darryl Cunningham on Shobox http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/andre_dirrell_back_on_dec_30th_fights_darryl_cunningham_on_shobox/8689897 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Farhood's Ranking of the 10 Most Significant Super Middleweight Title Bouts in History By Steve Farhood On December 17, every eye in boxing will be glued to the super middleweight battle between WBA titlist Andre Ward and WBC titlist Carl Froch, who will clash in Atlantic City in The Final of the Super Six World Boxing Classic. The super middleweight division was born in 1984, when Scotland's Murray Sutherland was crowned IBF champion. Since then, many of the greatest fighters of their generation, including Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Roy Jones, James Toney, and Joe Calzaghe, have engaged in 168-pound title bouts. Credit: Tom Casino / Showtime Ward-Froch will be the 76th unification bout in boxing, and the sixth at super middleweight. Given the immense stakes, it will be one of the most critical contests in the division's 27-year history. To date, the 10 most significant super middleweight title bouts: 1. Roy Jones W 12 James Toney, November 18, ... Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:11:41 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/steve_farhood_ranks_the_top_10_super_middleweight_fights_in_history/8596819 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/steve_farhood_ranks_the_top_10_super_middleweight_fights_in_history/8596819 Steve Farhood Ranks the Top 10 Super Middleweight Fights in History http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/steve_farhood_ranks_the_top_10_super_middleweight_fights_in_history/8596819 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png World Boxing Association ("WBA") and International Boxing Association ("IBA") light heavyweight World champion Beibut Shumenov is encouraged by media reports and quotes from World Boxing Organization ("WBO") titlist Nathan Cleverly claiming he is agreeable to a unification fight in Las Vegas versus Shumenov.   Shumenov (12-1, 8 KOs), a 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian, and former European champion Cleverly (23-0, 11 KOs) would match, respectively, a lawyer against a mathematician.   One potential obstacle for any unification bout has been averted because Shumenov is once again promoted by KZ Event Productions, which he owns and operates with his brother, Chingis.   "Both of us are world champions; Cleverly in the WBO and me in the WBA," Shumenov said. "I tried to unify against a WBO champion before but it didn't work out. This fight should happen for boxing fans all over the world and we, as fighters, need to make sure that it does happen. I am sure Cleverly wou Fri, 25 Nov 2011 22:37:26 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/shumenov_encouraged_by_cleverly_unification_media_reports/8329627 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/shumenov_encouraged_by_cleverly_unification_media_reports/8329627 Shumenov Encouraged By Cleverly Unification Media Reports http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/shumenov_encouraged_by_cleverly_unification_media_reports/8329627 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/8/483f6a169314b6e17bcf10ace76235ab55573a76/mini/Boxing__Nathan_4098.jpg World Boxing Association ("WBA") and International Boxing Association ("IBA") light heavyweight World champion Beibut Shumenov and Goossen Tutor Promotions have settled their lawsuit and the disputes between them. They have agreed that their Promotional Contract is terminated and have amicably parted ways.   Shumenov (12-1, 8 KOs), a 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian, is promoted by Las Vegas-based KZ Event Productions, which is owned and operated by the Shumenov brothers, Beibut and Chingis.   "I want to fight the best to be considered the best 175 pounder in the world," Shumenov said. "I've heard that (Nathan) Cleverly, who won the WBO title after (Juergen) Braehmer was stripped, and (IBF champion Tavoris) Cloud have mentioned my name, but, truth be told, we have never been contacted by either one of their promoters to unify.   "All of these guys talking about unifying, well, if they really want to make it happen, all they have to do is contact us. I told Pascal that Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:07:15 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/beibut_shumenov_goossen_tutor_part_ways/7807492 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/beibut_shumenov_goossen_tutor_part_ways/7807492 Beibut Shumenov & Goossen Tutor Part Ways http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/beibut_shumenov_goossen_tutor_part_ways/7807492 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png