Valuev to defend WBA belt in Stuttgart

March 1, 2007 - WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev will make his first mandatory title defence in Stuttgart on April 14. The Porsche-Arena has been unveiled as the venue for his clash with mandatory challenger Ruslan Chagaev. "I´m looking forward to Stuttgart," said the Russian Giant (46-0, 34 KOs). "It´s good to fight in Germany again after two successful trips to Switzerland and America." Valuev had last stopped Jameel McCline (TKO 3) and Monte Barrett (TKO 11) in Basle and Chicago.

The tallest and heaviest champion of all time will travel to Berlin on Sunday to continue his preparations in the Max-Schmeling-Gym. "The camp in St. Petersburg has been pretty hard but also very good," he vowed. "I will be prepared for Chagaev. He is a strong opponent but I will beat him."

The first official press conference with the two fighters and their coaches Manuel Gabrielian and Michael Timm will be held at Stuttgart´s Porsche-Arena on Tuesday, March 6 (12.30 pm).

Clarification on the positive result of Mariano Carrera

Panama, February 22nd, 2007

TO     :           WBA MIDLWEIGHT DIVISION CONTENDERS
FROM :          WBA CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

REFERENCE: CLARIFICATION ON THE POSITIVE RESULT OF MARIANO CARRERA

Dear Contenders,

The following is a notice of clarification regarding all the latest facts occurred in the middleweight division of our organization after Mariano Carrera anti-doping test resulted positive

As you might know the first sample of Carrera tested positive in a substance banned by our anti-doping rules. After several discussions via mail between German Boxing Federation and the World Boxing Association, opposite to rule 18.12 it was agreed to open the second sample in the same laboratory called Institute for Biochemist in Cologne, Germany. The rule 4 of preemption prevailing local rules over WBA rule was applied in the case.

On February 21, 2007 the second sample was open in the presence of representatives from all interested parties:  Ms. Casado (Carrera´s representative), Dr. Nelles (representative of BDB), Dr. Inalsingh (WBA representative), Prof. W. Schanzer, Dr. H. Geyer, and Dr. G Fubholler (representative of the laboratory). The B or second sample was founded properly closed and sealed. It also resulted positive in a banned substance.

Considering all the above we consider appropriate to summarized the most important issues from the previously published resolutions:

Declare the result as a disqualification of Carrera.

1. Reinstate Javier Castillejo as World Champion of the Middleweight division.
2. Consider the fight as the mandatory fulfillment of Castillejo. Next mandatory period deadline for Castillejo is September 2nd, 2007.
3. Suspend Carrera for a six-month period from December 2nd, 2006.
4. Carreras team will have 10 days from the date to appeal this decision.

Gilberto Jesus Mendoza
WBA Executive Vice President

Castillejo reinstated as WBA Middleweight champion

PANAMA, February 22, 2007 – The World Boxing Association (WBA) informs that Argentine boxer Mariano Carrera’s urine second sample resulted positive of the banned substance Clembuterol, after an analysis was performed by the Institute of Biochemical of Cologne, Germany on Wednesday February 21.

At it is of public knowledge, Carrera’s urine second sample’s analysis was performed after the first sample had already tested positive of Clembuterol. Both samples were taken after the fight in which Carrera defeated then WBA Middleweight champion Javier Castillejo of Spain, on December 2, 2006 in Berlin, Germany.

Therefore, in accordance with its rules (article 18.23, 3) the WBA reinstates Castillejo as the Middleweight champion, taking that recognition away from Carrera.

From this date, on which all parties involved has been officially notified, Mariano Carrera and his legal representatives will have ten (10) working days to present their defense before the Medical and the World Championship Committee of the WBA, who will take a resolution on the matter afterwards, regardless of a provisional suspension that has been imposed over Carrera.

Castillejo reinstalado como campeón Mediano de la AMB

PANAMÁ, 22 de febrero de 2007 – La Asociación Mundial de Boxeo (AMB) informa que la contraprueba del boxeador argentino Mariano Carrera, realizada el miércoles 21 del corriente en el Instituto de Bioquímica de Colonia, Alemania, arrojó un resultado positivo de la sustancia prohibida Clembuterol.

Como es de público conocimiento, el análisis del segundo frasco de orina de Carrera fue realizado en virtud de que la primera muestra también había resultado positiva de Clembuterol. Ambas muestras fueron tomadas tras el combate en el que Carrera venció al entonces campeón de los medianos, el español Javier Castillejo, el 2 de diciembre de 2006 en Berlín, Alemania.

De esta forma, y en cumplimiento de sus reglamentos (artículo 18.23, inciso 3), la AMB reinstala a partir del día de la fecha a Javier Castillejo como campeón de la categoría mediano, quitándosele a Mariano Carrera dicho reconocimiento.

A partir del día de la fecha, en que todas las partes involucradas han sido debidamente notificadas, Mariano Carrera y sus representantes legales tendrán diez (10) días hábiles para presentar su descargo ante el Comité Médico y el Comité de Campeonatos Mundiales de la AMB, que adoptará una resolución al respecto una vez cumplido este paso procesal.

WORLD BOXING ASSOCIATION
NOTIFICATION

FROM:  WBA PRESIDENCY
REF.:    HEAVYWEIGHT PURSE BID CANCELLATION

Dear Sirs:

Please be kindly advised that Nicolay Valuev (RUS) Vs. Ruslan Chagaev (UKR) Purse Bid called for February 23, has been cancelled.  Both interested parties informed they had reached an agreement for the fight.

By World Boxing Association

Gilberto Jesus Mendoza
Executive Vice-president

Cotto to defend welterweight title against Judah

February 17, 2007 - SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto will defend his World Boxing Association welterweight title against American Zab Judah in New York's Madison Square Garden on July 9.

Evangelista Cotto, the champion's manager and uncle, said Thursday that Top Rank is promoting the fight. Cotto had been scheduled to fight Mexico's Antonio Margarito on that day, and a new date for that bout had not been set.

Cotto (28-0, 23 KOs) first must defend his title on March 3 in San Juan against Germany's Oktay Urkal. Judah (34-4, 25 KOs) is a former welterweight and junior welterweight world champion.

WORLD BOXING ASSOCIATION

Panama, February 13th, 2007

Dear friends of the WBA,

The World Boxing Association (WBA) is very pleased to announce that it will carry again the traditional “WBA Annual Awards Dinner”, an event that has been a trademark for us during years and now comes back.

For this year’s event, we will award the best of boxing of 2006 in different categories, which will include fighters, trainers, managers, promoters, and TV networks, among many others. Also, we will recognize some of the best of the past as their illustrious careers deserve to be remembered.

Therefore, we would like all WBA Executive Committee members to select the award winners by submitting their votes BEFORE March 25th, 2007 by e-mail to: wba2007dinner@yahoo.com

Sincerely yours,

Gilberto Jesus Mendoza
WBA Executive Vice-President

CAST YOUR VOTE

WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS
From WBC President Jose Sulaiman

February 12, 2007 – Mexico City. “The World Boxing Council is confirming the dates of April 24-29 for the 2nd World Boxing Medical Congress, to be held at the luxurious Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun, Mexico.

“The 1st WBC World Boxing Medical Congress was held 10 years ago in May, 1997, in Aruba.

“51 nations from all the continents in the world have confirmed the attendance at the congress of at least one of their chief ringside physicians, as well as an important number from the United States and Mexico. The WBC expects the attendance of doctors representing at least 80 countries. More Information...

WORLD BOXING ASSOCIATION
RESOLUTION

The Members of the Directorate of the World Boxing Association join the mourning of the Tsuda family.

WHEREAS

1. - On February 5, 2007, Mr. Hiroaki Tsuda passed away in Osaka, Japan.
2. - Mr. Hiroaki Tsuda was an honorable Japanese Promoter, representative of Green
Tsuda Promotion and produced a couple Japanese World Champions.
3. - Mr. Hiroaki Tsuda was a recognized World Boxing Association Promoter and an
excellent collaborator.

RESOLVES

1. - Deeply mourn the sensible passed away of Mr. Hiroaki Tsuda.
2. - Present our sincere condolences to the Tsuda Family.
3. - Be carriers our solidary support message to the Tsuda family, in these moments of mourning and pain, hoping that God's infinite light mitigates the traces of sadness with the hope of the eternal resurrection.
4. - Hand this resolution to the Tsuda family.
Given in the city of Turmero, Venezuela on the eleventh day of the month of February, 2007.

Gilberto Mendoza
President

Gilberto Jesús Mendoza
Executive Vice-president

Promoter Tsuda passes away
By Joe Koizumi

February 11, 2007 - Japanese promoter Hiroaki Tsuda, the founder of Green Tsuda Promotions, 62, passed away because of pneumonia on Monday (February 5) in Osaka, Japan. Tsuda produced a couple of world champions in WBC 105-pound and WBA 108-pound champ Hiroki Ioka and WBA light-fly titlist Keiji Yamaguchi, having promoted some twenty world title bouts.

Tsuda, formerly a taxi driver who had little experience as trainer, made his home a small boxing gym to cultivate a tremendously popular boxer named Hidekazu Akai (now a famous and successful movie star) who later had an unsuccessful crack at the WBC 140-pound belt against Bruce Curry in 1983. It was Tsuda's first world title promotion. Tsuda, a very aggressive impresario, next produced an 18-year-old champ Hiroki Ioka, who acquired the very first WBC 105-pound championship by defeating Mai Thomburifarm on points in 1987. Ioka lost his belt to Napa Kiatwanchai next year, and moved up to the 108-pound division to upset previously unbeaten Myungwoo Yuh, making his 18th defense, to win the WBA belt in 1991. Ioka, after two successful defenses, yielded it back to Yuh in a rematch next year. More Information...

Connecticut House of Representatives Honors WBA Champ at State Capitol

Februay 9, 2007 - Speaker of the House Jim Amann (D-Milford) welcomed World Boxing Association Super Welterweight Champion Travis Simms of Norwalk, Connecticut to the State Capitol at the start of the House of Representatives legislative session February 1.

Photo 1: Speaker of the Connecticut State House of Representatives and members of the Connecticut Boxing Commission welcome WBA Super Welterweight champion Travis Simms of Norwalk, Connecticut at a reception held at the State Capitol in honor of Simms’ victory on January 6. (pictured L-R) Mike Kostrzewa - Boxing Director Connecticut Department of Public Safety, Larry Perosino – Commissioner, Honorable Jim Amann – Speaker of the House, Joe Sitaro – Commissioner, ‘Tremendous’ Travis Simms – Champ, Mike Stergio - Commissioner, Bill Pavia – Commissioner, Bill Carey – Commissioner, Manny Leibert – Commissioner and Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Glenn Feldman – Commissioner.

Simms, 25-0 with 19 knockouts as a professional regained his title with a ninth round KO on January 6 in Florida versus Jose Antonio Rivera.

Photo 2: ‘Tremendous’ Travis addresses the Connecticut House of Representatives after being introduced to the State Legislature by House Speaker Jim Amann.

Members of the Connecticut Boxing Commission also joined Simms at a reception in his honor and a congratulatory letter from WBA Executive Vice President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza was also read at the occasion.

“This is a well-deserved recognition for all the wars won inside and outside the ring,” Mendoza wrote. “The union and principles that form you is an example for any community in the world.”

Speaker Amann authored legislation in 1998 creating the Connecticut Boxing Promotion Commission and noted that the state’s last world champ prior to Simms was Hartford’s Marlon Starling who held the welterweight title in the late 1980s.

By Larry Perosino
Communications Director
Office of House Speaker Jim Amann

WBA #2/WBC #4 Linares stops Lara!
By Joe Koizumi. Photos by Hisao Adachi

February 3, 2007 - WBA#2/WBC#4 feather Jorge Linares, 127.75, extended his unblemished mark to 23-0, 14 KOs as he overwhelmed Panamanian national champ Ramiro Lara (12-6-2, 7 KOs), 126.25, with his superior speed and power from the outset, battered him from all angles and finally halted him at 1:37 of the third round on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.

The 21-year-old "El Nino de Oro" (Golden Boy) was simply too strong and fast for the Panamanian who acquired the national belt by a first-round demolition of Jose Miranda in Panama in February of the previous year and kept it once by unanimously defeated Alexander Alonso on points last July. Linares displayed stinging lefts and sharp one-two combinations followed by vicious left uppercuts to the belly to have the crowd sense that it might be over in the first round. Lara barely survived the opening session, but might have realized the Japan-based Venezuelan’s speed, power and skills. More Information...

NOTICE

The WBA adopted Rules revisions to the World Championships Regulations, sections 5.1.4, 5.1.13, 19.2, 19.4, and 19.12, at the meeting of its Directorate held in March 2006 in Hamburg, Germany. The revised Rules may be found under “Regulations.”

These revised Rules have been in effect since March 2006, and remain in effect for any matter occurring before adoption of the new Rules adopted in September 2006 in Tokyo, Japan. In case of possible conflict between the revised Rules and the new Rules, the President or the relevant committee chairman shall determine the applicable rules.

See information