Gene Wang
25 articles · Washington Post
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Gary Russell Jr.’s nearly seven-year championship reign comes to an end in Atlantic City
By Gene Wang
District-born boxer Gary Russell Jr. was facing an undisclosed injury, a series of family crises and a career-long layoff of nearly two years entering the sixth defense of his featherweight title Saturday…
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Teofimo Lopez, boxing’s newest undisputed champion, demands respect
By Gene Wang
Teofimo Lopez had some pointed words for his many doubters late Saturday night after overcoming long odds to upset Vasiliy Lomachenko by unanimous decision and unify the lightweight division. The charismatic American’s…
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Teofimo Lopez exudes charisma and power. He has added structure for his biggest fight yet
By Gene Wang
When Teofimo Lopez stepped into the ring at MGM National Harbor last summer, the aura surrounding the Brooklyn-born lightweight was of a youthful and charismatic power puncher perhaps on the verge of…
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Shawn Porter isn?t a D.C. boxer. So why does he make a point to train here?
By Gene Wang
For the vast majority of his life, Shawn Porter had no connection to the nation?s capital other than catching the occasional television news story painting Washington in an unflattering light. Yet over…
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D.C. boxer Lamont Peterson announces retirement after loss to Sergey Lipinets
By Gene Wang
D.C. boxer Lamont Peterson contemplated retirement during a year away from the sport, trainer Barry Hunter said recently. On Sunday night following a loss to Sergey Lipinets via 10th-round technical knockout, Peterson…
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Gary Russell Jr. defends WBC featherweight title with seventh-round TKO
By Gene Wang
Even when he was to defend of his featherweight title later Saturday evening, Capitol Heights boxer Gary Russell Jr. placed family first, serving as a corner man for undercard bouts involving two…
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Vasyl Lomachenko handles Jason Sosa, keeps WBO 130-pound title
By Gene Wang
Vasyl Lomachenko spoke in recent days about the historic significance of headlining the first boxing card at MGM National Harbor. On Saturday night, the 130-pound Ukrainian champion provided a performance fitting of…
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Vasyl Lomachenko highlights first boxing card at MGM National Harbor
By Gene Wang
Boxing promoter Bob Arum has had a hand in organizing fights with, among other transcendent figures in the sport, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Manny Pacquiao. Arum?s ingenuity also helped forged…
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Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward hope their clash establishes a pound-for-pound king
By Gene Wang
Since Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced his retirement a little more than a year ago, a handful of high-profile boxers seeking the undisputed pound-for-pound title have appeared in lopsided bouts. There was Saul…
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Manny Pacquiao says he?s ?not done yet? ahead of Saturday?s Jessie Vargas bout
By Gene Wang
On a typical day, Manny Pacquiao wakes up well before dawn to run several miles. Afterward comes a workout with his strength and conditioning coach. Then, following a shower, the only eight-division…
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Floyd Mayweather Jr., mellow in retirement, has interests besides fighting again
By Gene Wang
Even in retirement, Floyd Mayweather Jr. continues to be boxing?s main attraction. At least that certainly was the vibe on Monday afternoon when the undefeated pound-for-pound king arrived on the rooftop of…
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De La Hoya eyes bringing fight to D.C.
By Gene Wang
For the better part of 17 years, Oscar De La Hoya fought virtually anyone, anywhere without hesitation, appearing at every iconic boxing venue in Las Vegas and Atlantic City as well as…
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Lamont Peterson will enter ring vs. Edgar Santana with eye toward unifying belts
By Gene Wang
When District fighter Lamont Peterson enters the ring Saturday night, accompanying him will be the International Boxing Federation junior welterweight belt he claimed three years ago. The hardware provides a sparkling visual…
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D.C.’s Lamont Peterson set to defend IBF title
By Gene Wang
Just call it Lamont Peterson?s version of a playoff beard. The bushy swath of facial hair is the District fighter's homage to dedication and focus in preparation for his Aug. 9 bout…
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Floyd Mayweather makes long wait worth it
By Gene Wang
I learned decades ago from legendary Washington Post sports writer Bill Gildea that boxing offers any number of moments fit for the theater of the absurd. So upon arriving at Constitution Hall…
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Bernard Hopkins says he?s far from finished after win over Beibut Shumenov for IBF, WBA titles
By Gene Wang
Bernard Hopkins had just gone 12 rounds to become the oldest fighter to unify major boxing world titles, but his face showed virtually no wear. Missing were the bruises, welts and puffiness…
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Bernard Hopkins-Beibut Shumenov headlines premier D.C. Armory fight card
By Gene Wang
As a multi-time world champion who?s among the most iconic figures in boxing history, Bernard Hopkins could have picked almost any city for his next fight. Las Vegas, New York or Los…
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Lamont Peterson says he?s ?tired? of Amir Khan protests, and he ?would love? to fight Manny Pacquiao
By Gene Wang
For the first time, the youths from the District are headed to Belfast as part of an exchange many years in the making, and they received words of encouragement from Peterson, who…
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Manny Pacquiao causes a stir during visit to Capitol Hill
By Gene Wang
Nothing creates a stir on stodgy Capitol Hill quite like a celebrity appearance, and at the center of the commotion on Tuesday was boxer Manny Pacquiao, a world champion in eight divisions…
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The Boxing Weekend: The Return of Miguel Cotto
By Gene Wang
This week?s edition of ESPN2?s Friday Night Fights features light middleweight prospect, Yudel Jhonson, 6-0, 4 KO?s, as he takes on Juliano Ramos, 16-3, 13 KO?s. Jhonson has been taking on experienced…