This past weekend was an unforgettable one for the Golden Boy Promotions team, as three of its world-class athletes competed in three world championship bouts on three continents, with Amir Khan, Victor Ortiz and Chris John all emerging victorious with world championship belts strapped around their waists.
“What a great weekend,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “When the pressure was on, Amir, Victor and Chris stepped up and showed why they’re World Champions today. I’m proud of them and I can’t wait to see what’s next for each one.”
“On behalf of the company and myself, we would like to congratulate this trio of World Champions for their spectacular performances this past weekend,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “This was a night to remember on all counts, and there will be more great nights from each of these fighters in the months and years to come.”
It was a successful homecoming on Saturday night at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, as England’s own Amir “King” Khan (25-1, 17 KO’s) fought on home soil for the first time since 2009, winning a six-round technical decision over previously unbeaten Irishman Paul “Dudey” McCloskey. There were over 17,000 fans packed inside the building chanting and supporting Khan as he successful defended his WBA Super Lightweight World Title when the fight went to the scorecards following the referee stopping the fight because of a cut suffered by McCloskey from an accidental head butt.
“It was great getting to fight back at home in the U.K. and I’d like to thank all my fans for their support,” said Khan. “McCloskey was unbeaten for a reason and he fought hard to stay that way, but I showed I was the better fighter on Saturday night. Now I’m ready for the big names and mega fights, the question is; are they ready for me?”
When the fight ended in Manchester on Saturday afternoon here in the States, this unforgettable weekend wasn’t over yet, as “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KO’s) put on a career-defining performance against unbeaten WBC Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto at the MGM Grand Theatre at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The young star rose from two knockdowns and scored two knockdowns of his own en route to a 12-round unanimous decision win over Berto. The stirring victory, which is being heralded by many as an early Fight of the Year candidate, earned Ortiz the WBC title (the first of his career) and proved to the world that he belongs in any conversation about the sport’s toughest and most exciting young stars.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time and just when everyone counted me out, I proved them wrong,” said Ortiz. “I knew I was going to be a World Champion and Saturday night my dream came true. Now I’m going to be even more hungry, so bring on the big fights, because I’m ready for them.”
Finally, rounding out the world championship weekend, on Sunday at the Jakarta International Expo in Jakarta, Indonesia, local hero Chris “Dragon” John retained his WBA Featherweight World Title for the 14th time, pounding out a unanimous 12-round decision over ultra-tough countryman Daud Yordan. The toe-to-toe battle was exciting from start to finish, but John as he has been doing since 2003, John successfully defend his title and left with his hands raised in victory maintaining his staus as boxing’s longest reigning World Champion.
“Daud Yordan is a great fighter and I’m proud to have shared the ring with him,” said John, who remained unbeaten at an amazing 45-0-2 (22 KO’s). “It was a tough fight, but my experience at this level made the difference and I’m looking forward to more big fights in 2011.”
