Have news relating to Jewish boxers? Email the editor here!

Friday, April 30, 2010

Nakash, Finer Both Win

Ran Nakash knocked out Dan Sheehan in the third round last night at Tel Aviv's Nokia Hall to move to 24-0. It was the fourth consecutive fight that Nakash has weighed over the 200-pound cruiserweight limit. Nakash weighed 201.5 pounds for this fight. The 36-year old Sheehan, who was 193 lbs., falls to 11-38.

On the same card, Hagar Finer defended her Women's IBF bantamweight belt with a fifth round knockout of Agnese Boza. Finer improves to 21-7-3 with 6 KOs. Boza drops to 5-4 with two KOs.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Nakash Fights Tonight

Ran Nakash fights tonight at Nokia Hall in Tel Aviv, Israel against Dan Sheehan (11-35, 5 KOs). Sheehan shouldn't pose much of a problem for the undefeated Nakash (23-0, 17 KOs). Sheehan has won just one bout in his last 15. Nakash is coming off of a 7th round TKO over Richard Stewart earlier this month. Tonight's match is scheduled for 6 rounds.

Also on the card, Hagar Shmoulefeld Finer (20-7-3, 5 KOs) defends her Women's IBF bantamweight title against Agnese Boza (5-3, 2 KOs). That one is scheduled for 10 rounds.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Plotinsky Stopped in the 5th

In the fifth round, WBO light heavyweight champion Jürgen Brähmer threw a left hook that wobbled the challenger, Mariano Plotinsky. Plotinsky stabilized himself before receiving a left cross to the chin from the southpaw. Plotinsky seemed to take it well and was preparing to answer when the fight was curiously stopped at 2:36 by the referee, Paul Thomas. Plotinsky immediately contested the stoppage.

Brähmer, who moves to 36-2 with 29 KOs, scored a flash knockdown in the first round. The noticeably taller champion was calculating from the outside all night. Brähmer was often able to get his punches off first.

Plotinsky, who falls to 16-4 with 8 KOs, courageously attempted to barrel his way past Brähmer's steady guard. Even after getting knocked down in the first and staggered in the third, Plotinsky continued to stay aggressive. It was a gutsy performance, though in a losing effort. After the contentious stoppage, Plotinsky was classy, clapping for Brähmer when the winner's name was announced.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Plotinsky, Brähmer Weigh In

Mariano Nicolas Plotinsky (16-3, 8 KOs) will battle WBO light heavyweight champion Jürgen Brähmer (35-2, 28 KOs) for the belt in Hamburg, Germany tomorrow at 11:30pm local time. Both fighters weighed-in under the 175-pound light heavyweight limit. The challenger, Plotinsky, stood on the scales at 174.1 lbs while Brähmer was 174.3.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Plotinsky's Opponent in a Car Wreck

In what has already been a weird build up to a championship bout, Jürgen Brähmer, who is scheduled to take on Mariano Plotinsky this Saturday, wrecked his car today. According to Focus.de (in German), Brähmer totaled his BMW, but survived the incident uninjured.

Brähmer, who was sentenced to 16 months in prison for assault in January and is appealing to overturn the conviction based on a technicality, is making his second defense of the WBO light heavyweight title. Earlier in the week, it was reported that the cancellation of flights to Europe, due to the cloud of volcanic ash floating over the continent, was complicating Plotinsky's arrival. The fight is still scheduled to take place in Hamburg, Germany on Saturday.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Plotinsky's Title Shot

Mariano Plotinsky (16-3, 8 KOs) is getting his first shot at a world championship this Saturday. The Argentine native, who is 35 years old, will battle WBO light heavyweight champion, Jürgen Brähmer (35-2, 28 KOs), in Hamburg, Germany.

It was reported back in January that Brähmer, who has previously served time in prison, was sentenced to 16 months in jail. What became of that sentence, I do not know. For what it's worth, Brähmer is ranked #3 in FightNews's light heavyweight rankings and BoxRec has him rated as the 8th best light heavyweight in the world. His last two bouts were victories against previously undefeated men. Coincidently, one of Brähmer's losses came against Plotinsky's co-nationalist, Hugo Hernan Garay, a unanimous decision back in 2008.

In addition to avoiding jail time despite an apparent conviction, German fighters seem to receive certain hometown benefits in the ring. Plotinsky, however, is familiar with fighting in Germany. His last two contests, both wins, took place there. This weekend, he hopes to continue that trend against his champion southpaw opponent.

To fight in Germany, of course, you have to get there. With the cloud of ash- that spewed out of a volcano in Iceland last week- hovering over Europe, flights across the Atlantic to Europe have been canceled. That has made getting to Germany a dicey proposition for Plotinsky thus far.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Kedem Comes Up Short

Eilon Kedem lost a majority decision to Elton Dharry in a six-round junior featherweight contest Thursday night at Roseland Ballroom in New York. Two judges scored the bout for Dharry, 59-55 and 59-54, while the third judge saw an even fight. Kedem weighed 120 pounds; Dharry came in at 121.

Kedem was coming off of a victory over Pedro Antonio Salcedo late last month. Dharry, who last fought in late March, gained his second straight win to rise to 4-5-1 with 1 KO. Kedem falls to 11-4-4 with 7 KOs.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Foreman-Cotto Press Conference

The press conference for Yuri Foreman's bout with Miguel Cotto took place on Friday. Foreman, the WBA light middleweight champion, is a relative unknown compared to the high-profile Cotto. Foreman (28-0, 8 KOs) said of the fight on June 5 at Yankee Stadium, "It's an opportunity to showcase my skills."

Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs), who has taken two vicious beatings in his last four fights, acknowledged, "I know this is going to be a tough fight for us. A tough fight for Yuri, too."

Sunday, April 11, 2010

They're Mad

"Mad" Max Heyman is scheduled to continue his comeback from a three-year layoff on Friday May 7, 2010 against "Mad" Mike Alderete. The bout is scheduled to take place at Isleta Casino & Resort in both fighters' hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Alderete was originally rumored to fight Heyman back in January, but the bout fell through.

According to New Mexico Boxing, Heyman said of Alderete, "He can’t box; he can’t bang. But he likes to talk trash. He also can’t punch." Alderete threatened to take Heyman out.

Heyman (23-10-4, 13 KOs), who is 30 years old, won his last fight against Roy Ashworth in January with a dominating sweep of the judges' scorecards. Alderete (6-4-2, 3 KOs), who is 29, hasn't entered a ring since last June, a draw against journeyman Theo Kruger. Alderete has been winless in his last five contests, going 0-3-2 in that span.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Steward to Train Cotto for Foreman

After agreeing to a role as a consultant for a few weeks with the Yuri Foreman camp, legendary trainer Emanuel Steward has not only backed out, but decided to become the head trainer of Foreman's June 5th opponent, Miguel Cotto.

Foreman's trainer Joe Grier told BoxingScene.com, "We don't need chaos in our camp. I'm pleased that it worked out the way it did. This isn't being overconfident, but I don't believe at this point we need Emanuel to come in and save our lives." Grier went on to state that he was disappointed when he originally heard Steward was signed by the Foreman camp. Grier believes the team around Foreman is quite capable.

Foreman (28-0, 8 KOs) and Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs) will be competing for Foreman's WBA light middleweight title at Yankee Stadium in New York. Foreman will be making his first title defense. Cotto is coming off of a brutal loss to pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Nakash and Shmuel Win

Last night, Ran Nakash came away with a TKO in the 7th round against Richard Stewart at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. Nakash's body attack was the key to the fight. The bout ended when veteran referee Steve Smoger stepped in with 37 seconds left in the round. Nakash advanced his record to 23-0, garnering his 17th knockout. Stewart falls to 14-9-2 with 8 KOs.

On the same card, Elad Shmuel won his welterweight contest against Edward Anderson. Shmuel outpointed Anderson, sweeping the cards, 40-35. Anderson was knocked down in the second round of four. Shmuel is now 22-2 with 11 KOs. Anderson, who will turn 49 years old in a week, descends to 4-16 with 3 KOs.

Nakash is currently scheduled to fight next on April 29, 2010 at Nokia Hall in Tel Aviv, Israel. There has also been discussion about him battling former alphabet belt holder Bobby Gunn this summer.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Weights for Norfolk

Ran Nakash (22-0, 16 KOs) weighed in at 204 pounds for his bout with Richard Stewart in Norfolk, Virginia's Scope Arena later tonight. Stewart (14-8-2, 8 KOs) came in at 199.5 pounds.

Elad Shmuel will be battling Edward Anderson, a new scheduled opponent, in the same venue. Shmuel (21-2, 11 KOs) came in at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds. Anderson (4-15, 3 KOs), who is 48 years old, weighed in at 145.