IBF junior lightweight world champion Robbie “Bomber” Peden has denied Internet reports that it is a done deal that he will be facing Filipino great Manny Pacquiao in September. But he hasn’t ruled out the fight either.
“I want big fights now,” Peden told SecondsOut on Thursday. “I want Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera or Manny Pacquiao. With Morales moving up to lightweight, that leaves Barrera and Pacquiao.” 31 year-old Peden has returned to the USA after winning the vacant IBF title on February 23 against Nate Campbell in Melbourne.
“My promoter Dan Goossen has been looking into my first defence and I’m waiting on him to come back to me with the options,” said Peden.
*** Promoter Angelo Hyder has another of his “Nitro Fight Night’s” this Friday night at the Blacktown RSL in western Sydney. The card will feature nine bouts of four and six round fights. “The fighters don’t have much time to get started and it always allows for some explosive fights,” said Hyder.
9. welterweight – Tim Drury vs. Bobby Antonakos 8. super middleweight – Bruce Glozier vs. Mark Pawsey 7. super middleweight – Greg Foley vs. Steve Anderson 6. heavyweight – Apa Nanai vs. King Kava 5. cruiserweight – Adam Lovelock vs. Michael O’Donnell 4. junior welterweight – Clinton Simmonds vs. Grant Brown 3. junior middleweight – Matthew Paulley vs. Dale Hawke 2. junior welterweight – Allan Luxford vs. Rolando Gerongco 1. middleweight – Rob Medley vs. Domenic DeVanna
Tickets are available at the door with television coverage on Fox Sports in Australia commencing at 7:30pm.
*** Russian supper middleweight powerhouse Victor Oganov 22-0 (22) has secured a new working visa to reside in Australia. The 28 year-old will train at the Tszyu Boxing Academy under head trainer Igor Goloubev and be managed by undisputed junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu.
Paul Upham Contributing Editor
