IBF Championships Chairman Lindsay Tucker expects to approve a March 16 clash between his organization's lightweight titleholder Miguel Vazquez and WBO counterpart Rick Burns on Monday.
A Saturday press conference is in the works for smack-talkers Adrien Broner and Paulie Malignaggi.
IBF to approve Vazquez-Burns 'tonight'
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IBF Championships Chairman Lindsay Tucker said that he expects to grant permission as early as Monday evening for Mexican IBF lightweight beltholder Miguel Vazquez to face British WBO counterpart Ricky Burns, this after receiving an official request for the March 16 bout from English promoter Frank Warren.
"Dean Powell, who works with Frank Warren, just called a few minutes ago asking for approval for Ricky Burns versus Miguel Vazquez," said Tucker. Vazquez (33-3, 13 knockouts) is coming off a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten prospect Mercito Gesta (26-1-1, 14 KOs), a victory that marked his fifth title defense and his 12th straight win during a run. A technical, mobile boxer, Vazquez, 26, entered the Gesta fight following a split-decision win over IBF mandatory challenger Marvin Quintero last September. A talented 29-year-old boxer, Burns (35-2, 10 KOs) would be after his 21st consecutive win and his eighth stoppage during that run against Vazquez. The Scottsman is coming off a fourth-round stoppage of world-ranked Kevin Mitchell last September. Vazquez has not suffered defeat while competing at 135 pounds, having fallen by decisions against unbeaten current WBC junior middleweight titleholder Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and WBO welterweight beltholder Tim Bradley. Burns-Vazquez is to include a defense by WBO lightweight beltholder Nathan Cleverly (25-0, 12 KOs) against Robin Krasniqi (39-2, 15 KOs), a winner of 38 consecutive bouts, 14 by knockout. Bouts featuring super middleweight George Groves (16-0, 12 KOs) against Mouhamed Ali Ndiaye (22-1, 13 KOs), a winner of nine straight, five by stoppage, southpaw junior lightweight Liam Walsh (13-0, 10 KOs) opposite Logan McGuinness (19-0, 9 KOs), and heavyweight Dereck Chisora (15-4, 9 KOs) are also slated for the card.
Photo by Naoki Fukuda Lem Satterfield can be reached at lemuel.satterfield@gmail.com
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