Weigh-in Pictures

IBF Cruiserweight Title:

• Yoan Pablo Hernandez: 198.5 lbs
• Steve Cunningham: 197.5 lbs

European Cruiserweight Title:

• Enad Licina: 195 lbs
• Alexander Alekseev: 198.5 lbs

European Light Heavyweight Title:

• Eduard Gutknecht: 175 lbs
• Vyacheslav Uzelkov: 175 lbs

Cruiserweight:

• Mateusz Masternak: 196.25 lbs
• Michael Simms: 200 lbs

Cruiserweight:

• Troy Ross: 191.5 lbs
• Lukas Rusiewicz: 199.5 lbs

So, lots of big names on the card, but it's all about the Hernandez vs. Cunningham II bout. Will Cunningham take back his title, that he feels was wrongly taken from him? Will Hernandez legitimize his victory from 2011? We'll see on Saturday, so be sure to check back in with ProBoxing-Fans.com for full results and coverage on the fight and more breaking boxing news.

Kelly, a native New Yorker, briefly boxed himself.  Yet his career as a boxing referee spanned over two decades.  Wayne officiated several IBF/USBA title fights including Wladimir Klitschko vs. Sultan Ibrigamov and Arturo Gatti vs. Wilson Rodriguez, both notable bouts.  However, the fight he will always be remembered for is the first between Riddick Bowe and Andrew Golota.

Wayne was a Vietnam War Veteran.  In lieu of flowers, the Kelly family is suggesting a donation be made in Wayne’s memory to the Vietnam Veterans of America (www.vva.org, 1-800-VVA-1316).

Services for Wayne will be at the New Hyde Park Funeral Home located at 506 Lakeville Road in New Hyde Park, New York. Viewing is February 3, 2-4:30PM and 7-9:30PM and February 4, 2-4:30PM and 7-9:30PM. Interment will be on Monday, February, 6 at Calverton National Cemetery.

Presser Photos - Chavez Jr vs. Rubio; Donaire vs. Vazquez Jr

• Undefeated WBC World Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and #1 ranked Marco Antonio Rubio
  pose at the press conference at the Alamodome in San Antonio,Texas, Thursday for their upcoming world title fight.
• Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. waves to the hundreds of fans that showed upto the final press conference at the Alamodome.
• #1 Ranked Marco Antonio Rubio points toward a photo of undefeated WBC World Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. during the final press conference.
• Undefeated WBC World Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. poses.
• (L-R) Undefeated WBC World Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., superstar three-time world champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire, former world champion Wilfredo Vazquez,Jr. and #1 ranked Marco Antonio Rubio.
• "THE HEAT IS ON" --- (L-R) Superstar three-time world champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire and former world champion Wilfredo Vazquez,Jr. have an intense heated exchange during the posedown at the press conference at the Alamodome.
• Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire(2nd left) and former world champion Wilfredo Vazquez,Jr.(R) have an intense heated exchange as their trainers: Robert Garcia(Donaire)(L) and Wilfredo Vazquez Sr.(Vazquez)(2nd right) intervene during the posedown at the press conference.
• Superstar three-time world champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire poses at the final press conference.
• Former world champion Wilfredo Vazquez,Jr. talks during the final press conference.

As you can see from the photos and captions above, things got a bit heated between Donaire and Vazquez Jr, while both Chavez Jr. and Rubio were a bit more quietly confident. It should be a good card with two fun fights, each of which has the potential for action and an exciting finish.

Gonzalez of Mexico City is a slick boxer who is ready to take a big leap in 2012 and his first step is a convincing win over Briones. Gonzalez is coming off his recent win of a Televisa sponsored tournament where he defeated both Roberto Vazquez and Vacharakrit Senahan to walk away with the victory.

Briones is the current WBC FECOMBOX 122 lbs. super bantamweight title holder. “Maca” is coming of a fourth round KO over Octavio Ascencio after dropping a controversial decision to Filipino AJ Bernal earlier late last year.

In the co-main event, hometown favorite Javier "Cobra" Mendoza will defend his WBC Continental Americas light flyweight title versus Armando "Chiquita" Vazquez in another chapter of the Tijuana vs. Mexicali rivalry. Despite only 108 miles separating the two border cities, Tijuana and Mexicali have battled each other through out the years for northern Mexico boxing supremacy. With each location boasting of former world champions and current up and coming prospects, the Mendoza-Vazquez face off will add to the ongoing war between the two near neighboring towns.

The hard hitting Mendoza captured the vacant title when he spectacularly stopped the rugged Osvaldo "Drakys" Ibarra in four rounds in June of 2010 in front of a packed Tijuana Auditorium. After suffering a surprising loss last July, the southpaw Mendoza has strung together two KO wins in stay busy fights and now is ready to take on a challenge in Vazquez.

Known for his fluid boxing technique, Vazquez is the slightly more experienced of the two as he has taken on the likes of Donnie Nietes, Juan "Churritos" Hernandez and Julio Cesar "Gatito" Felix.

Credit: Box Latino

In a special attraction super flyweight eight rounder, undefeated Ivan "Niño Maravilla" Morales (15-0, 10KOs) will take on Tijuana journeyman Ricardo "Rocky" Armenta (15-13-1, 7KOs). Morales, the twenty-year old younger brother of current WBC light welterweight champ Erik "Terrible Morales" and former super flyweight champ Diego "Pelucho" Morales who trains him, is steadily climbing up the ranks and looks to challenge for a regional title later this year. Trained out of the same Zona Norte gym as his older siblings, the southpaw Ivan possesses the same aggressive boxer/puncher style the Morales' brothers are known for.

Also featured on the card will be Tijuana super flyweight Jose "Hollywood" Estrella (9-3-1, 8KOs) as he faces a stern test in Mexico City's Pedro "Guerrero" Melo (7-2, 1KO) in a six round clash. The hard hitting Estrella is coming off a loss at the fists of Victor "Ranita" Godinez last December and now will look for redemption against Melo who barely squeaked by Sergio Najera on the same card. In a classic puncher versus boxer, Estrella will look to get back in the winning column and score another of his signature knock out wins.

Lightweight Mario "Popeye" Padilla (9-4-3, 1KO), flyweight Osvaldo "Waldo" Castro (11-4-1, 8KOs) and welterweight Javier "Pelon" Gomez (11-7, 8KOs) will appear.

Two more bouts flesh out the card.

The Tijuana Municipal Auditorium "Fausto Gutierrez Moreno" is located on Diaz Ordaz Blvd., a mere fifteen minute taxi ride from the San Diego-Tijuana international border. Tickets are located at the Auditorium's box office. Prices range from $80 pesos ($7.00 dlls.) to $200 pesos ($16.00 dlls). Doors open at 4:30pm with the first punch thrown at 5:30pm. All ages welcome.

Credit: Star Boxing

Also ready for battle at the press conference were world ranked bantamweights Sahib Usarov of Moscow, Russia and Cuban Yan Barthelemy who will be featured in the co-main event for the WBO Inter-Continental World Title.

On Friday, February 3rd at 4:30pm, fans are invited to the Official Public Weigh-In where the fighters on the six-bout card will face-off for the final time prior to their scheduled bouts.

The weigh-in will take place at the Hampton Inn and Suites located at 25 Chapel Street in Albany.

Finally, on Fight Night, Saturday, February 4th at 6:30pm, doors will open at the Times Union Center with the first bell at 7:30pm. Following the main event, fans are welcome to stay at the Times Union Center where they can participate as extras in the filming of "The Challenger", a major motion picture which will use the arena for its final boxing scenes.

Advance tickets, priced at $30, $40, $50 and $75, are available through Ticketmaster, (www.Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000) or at the Times Union Center Box Office, (www.timesunioncenter-albany.com), and at all local Wal-Mart Music Centers.  Tickets are also available by calling Star Boxing at 718-823-2000 or on their website www.starboxing.com.

**Discounted Student Tickets are available at the Times Union Box Office only through February 3rd for $37 with valid ID.

The Times Union Center is location at 51 South Pearl Street in Albany, New York, 12207.

Superbrawls will be topped by a 10-round light heavyweight main event between Colombian powerhouse Edison "Pantera" Miranda and South Africa's WBC #6, WBA #13, and WBO #14-rated Isaac "Golden Boy" Chilemba, and also feature two up-and-coming warriors in the eight-round co-main event: Rances "Kid Blast" Barthelemy (14-0, 11 KOs) against fellow undefeated Hylon Williams Jr. (15-0, 3 KOs).

As a very special added attraction, unbeaten heavyweight prospects Magomed Abdusalamov (12-0, 12 KOs) Moscow, Russia, and Cuba's Pedro Rodriguez (8-0, 6 KOs) will lock up in a six-round battle.

Weigh-in Results

Main Event:

Credit: Warriors Boxing

• Edison Miranda 174.5 vs. Isaac Chilemba 174

Co-Main Event:

• Hylon Williams Jr. 130 vs. Rances Barthelemy 130

Televised Featured Attraction:

• Magomed Abdusalamov 227 vs. Pedro Rodriguez 243

Undercard:

• Roberto J. Acevedo 163 vs. Velvet Malone 163
• Evgeny Gradovich 127 vs. Robert Osiobe 129.5
• Cameraon Kreal 136.5 vs. Jesus Gutierrez 136
• Lamar Russ 162 vs. Roberto Yong 157.5

Quotes

Credit: Warriors Boxing

Edison "Pantera" Miranda

I've been hearing what he's been saying on the Internet. I want him to know this is not Africa with lions and tigers. This is ESPN.

This fight won't last five rounds.

I've fought so many great fighters. Give me one name of who you have fought. He hasn't fought anybody. I'm going to destroy him.

I feel sorry for all the other light heavyweights in the world.

Isaac "The Golden Boy" Chilemba

I'm looking forward to the fight.

I was supposed to fight next week on the Berto/Ortiz undercard when my manager told me about the opportunity to take on Edison Miranda on ESPN. I was very excited.

We have the game plan to beat Edison and I can't wait to start exchanging punches with him.

Pedro Rodriguez

I'm going to show the world this guy (Abdusalamov) is not such a badass and I'm going to show the world what I can do tomorrow night.

"Mago" Magomed Abdusalamov

I will do the same thing to this opponent that I did the last time I was here. Watch what I did to Rich Power. That's what I'm going to do to him.

Hylon "Suave" Williams

I know he's very well prepared well, but so am I.

Thanks to my opponent for taking the fight, a lot of people have wanted to see this fight for a long time and tomorrow, we will put on a great show.

Rances "Kid Blast" Barthelemy

My trainer, Miguel Diaz is the best in boxing. I haven't stopped training since my last fight.

I've already beaten one undefeated fighter and tomorrow night, I'm going to do it again.

Topping the all-action undercard will be "can't miss" Puerto Rican super middleweight prospect Roberto Jose Acevedo (2-0, 1 KO) in a four-round showcase fight against Las Vegas resident Velvet Malone (0-3).

Other bouts scheduled include a noteworthy six-round super featherweight tussle between Igrim, Russia's undefeated Eveny Gradovich (11-0, 6 KOs) and Las Vegas' Robert Osiobe (11-3-4, 6 KOs); a four-round junior welterweight match-up between Vegas residents Cameron Kreal (0-0-2) and Jesus Gutierrez (1-0, 1 KO); and Puerto Rico's Juan Carlos Velasquez (10-1, 5 KOs) in a six-round super featherweight bout against TBA.

In the TeleFutura "Sólo Boxeo Tecate" main event scheduled for eight rounds in the junior lightweight division, unbeaten Santa Ana product Ronny Rios (16-0, 7 KO's) faces off with hometown favorite Jeremy McLaurin (9-2, 5 KO's) of Anaheim. The co-main event will be an eight round featherweight matchup between Salinas' Alejandro Perez (15-3-1, 10 KO's) and Florida's Derrick Wilson (9-2-2, 3 KO's).

The action doesn't there, as debuting featherweights Julian Ramirez of Los Angeles and Javier Damian of Mexico City both look to get that first professional win under their belt in a four round fight expected to produce plenty of hard-hitting action.

Plus, local welterweights collide as unbeaten East Los Angeles prospect Luis Mora (1-0-1, 1 KO) aims for his second professional win against the always tough Ricardo Malfavon (2-7-1, 2 KO's) in a four round bout and, opening up the event, will be a four round junior lightweight clash between Santa Ana's Jose Sanchez (6-2, 3 KO's) and Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico veteran Manuel Sarabia (16-33-10, 10 KO's).

Rios vs. McLaurin headlines a night of world-class professional boxing presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Doors open at 6:00 pm, the first bell rings at 7:00 pm and the TeleFutura broadcast begins at 11:00 pm ET/PT.

Tensions rose and a scuffle broke out between heavyweight prospects Magomed "Mago" Abdusalamov (12-0, 12 KOs) and Pedro Rodriguez (8-0, 6 KOs) at todays' Superbrawls weigh-in for tomorrow's (Friday, February 3) ESPN Friday Night Fights broadcast from the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas.

The two undefeated big men will meet in a potentially explosive eight-round televised feature attraction tomorrow night.

"This is typical Russian/Cuban rivalry that goes back to amateur boxing for many, many years," said Superbrawls co-promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing.

Abdusalamov was the 2005 and 2006 Russian amateur champion at super heavyweight and Rodriguez is a former member of the Cuban national team. "These two countries are always at the top and they've learned to despise each other and yet respect each other. You won't see a Russian give any ground to a Cuban and vice versa. It's a matter of national pride."

Lewkowicz was forced to step in and separate the two giants when the publicity staredown led to forehead contact and then pushing.

"Magomed is extremely confident in himself and his power and Rodriguez made it clear he plans on exposing him tomorrow night," continued Lewkowicz. "I think they both want to let the other one know they're in for a surprise tomorrow. Only one of them is right!"

Thankfully for Lewkowicz, cooler heads prevailed and no punches were exchanged. He wasn't so lucky in 2005 during the buildup to his former fighter Sultan Ibragimov's fight against Lance "Mount" Whitaker.

Lewkowicz stepped in to stop a pushing match between Ibragimov and Whitaker during a press conference at Gallagher's and when the punches started flying, he took most of them on his chin and was knocked out cold in such spectacular fashion he made the front page of the New York Daily News and was splashed all over television.

"You'd think I would have learned my lesson," laughed Lewkowicz after the conference.

Superbrawls will be topped by a 10-round light heavyweight main event between Colombian powerhouse Edison "Pantera" Miranda and South Africa's WBC #6, WBA #13, and WBO #14-rated Isaac "Golden Boy" Chilemba, and also feature two up-and-coming warriors in the eight-round co-main event: Rances "Kid Blast" Barthelemy (14-0, 11 KOs) against fellow undefeated Hylon Williams Jr. (15-0, 3 KOs).

Undefeated World Middleweight Champion and the Son of the Legend, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (44-0-1, 31 KOs), of Culiacan, México, Top-Five pound-for-pound superstar and three-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire (27-1, 18 KOs), a native of General Santos City, Philippines, now living in the Bay Area of San Leandro, Calif., No. 1 middleweight contender Marco Antonio Rubio (53-5-1, 47 KOs), of Torreon, México, and former junior featherweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (21-1-1, 18 KOs), of Bayamon, Puerto Rico , will step on the scale for their Official Weigh-In, Today! Friday, February 3, on the Stadium Field Level of the Alamodome. The main event fighters will step on the scale, beginning at 2:00 p.m. CT.

The Chávez Jr. vs. Rubio middleweight title fight and the Donaire vs. Vazquez Jr. WBO junior featherweight championship, which will take place Tomorrow! Saturday, February 4, at the Alamodome. Both fights will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions, All Star Boxing and Tecate, remaining tickets to the Chávez Jr. / Donaire world championship doubleheader, priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, can be purchased at the Alamodome box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com and via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000.

Fans in the area are encouraged to attend the weigh-ins and show their support for the fighters before it's time for fight night on Saturday, and we get to see Chavez Jr. vs. Rubio and Donaire vs. Vazquez Jr. in the ring.

He will be wearing the logo for Arizonans for the Protection of Exploited Children and Adults (APECA) on his belt as an expression of support for Natalie’s House. Over 100,000 cases of child sex abuse are reported each year in the United States. Around 300,000 children and youth are exploited in the sex trade.

APECA’s home for girls recovering from sexual trauma due to exploitation and abuse is scheduled to open this year. This home in Arizona, called Natalie’s House, will offer a safe haven for girls age 11-17 recovering from sexual trauma due to exploitation and abuse.

On February 18, 2012, Jesus “El Martillo” Gonzales will be fighting Adonis “Superman” Stevenson at the Bell Centre in Montreal for the IBF super middleweight intercontinental title and the #2 mandatory.