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Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler weighed 167.9 and 166.7, respectively, in advance of Saturday's HBO-televised super middleweight clash.

Unbeaten three-division titlewinner Abner Mares on a potential matchup with prospect Gary Russell Jr.: "Whenever this fight with Gary Russell were to happen, we'll find out then if I'm tailor-made for him."

"I keep saying 'I'm different' because it is true and I'm going to prove it once again on July 13," said 48-year-old Bernard Hopkins, referring to his upcoming fight with Karo Murat, who is 19 years younger.

Florida welterweight standouts Andre Berto and Keith Thurman are schedueld to fight in separate bouts on a Showtime-televised card in July. Berto will face veteran gatekeeper Jesus Soto-Karass; Thurman will fight fellow unbeaten puncher Diego Chaves.

Unbeaten featherweight prospect Gary Russell Jr. claims he has been pursued by promoter Curtis Jackson, who is also known as the rapper 50 Cent. Russell is managed by Al Haymon and has a working relationship with Golden Boy Promotions.

Unbeaten Gary Russell: "We had big plans for this year, and we're just hoping that this injury won't set us back."

Unbeaten lightweight contender Sharif Bogere will challenge WBA titleholder Richard Abril on Saturday night.

Sharif Bogere has a ring walk that rivals the creativity of promotional stablemate Adrien Broner.

Unbeaten featherweight prospect Gary Russell Jr. will face twice-beaten Russian Vyacheslav Gusev on March 2 at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Unbeaten featherweight prospect Gary Russell Jr. will return to the ring on March 2 opposite Russian standout Vyacheslav Gusev on the Daniel Ponce de Leon-Jayson Velez undercard in New York City.

WBO middleweight Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam on Saturday's clash with Peter Quillin: "I have dreamed of this, to go to the United States to defend (my) belt." American fans can expect the French showman to stage an elaborate ring enterance.