Inside the KiatKreerin Gym

Mark Butcher
23/04/2016 10:59am

Melodic birdsong echoes across the rafters of the KiatKreerin Gym. It’s unbearably hot on this particular Sunday morning in the Bangkok district of Samphanthawong. The shade of the gym roof offers a brief respite from the unrelenting Thai sun and inadequate protection from the passing mosquito that takes two hearty chunks out of my left arm en route to its next mealtime. These premises are home to undefeated IBF flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng, the wily nemesis of so many in the 112lbs division, and residence to a number of aspiring fighters, many like Amnat former prisoners who have turned their lives around under the direction of promoter Jimmy Chaichotchuang and his KiatKreerin Promotions banner. The gym is also the workplace of unsung British trainer Rian Munton who is introducing a stable of fighters steeped in the wars of Muay Thai to the finer elements of boxing. “It’s hot. The weight just drops off you. The Thais cope with it because they are acclimatised to it," Munton, 41, told Boxing Monthly in reference to the stifling heat in the gym. “I do a lot of pad work but sometimes I go back to my room and I’ve just had it, I’m shattered. They have a big fan but in way it’s good - it helps the fighters get the weight off.”

Provodnikov ready to rumble again

James Oddy
22/04/2016 10:36am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=174sntmq1-M

Ruslan Provodnikov is called the ‘Siberian Rocky’ for a reason. The former WBO super-lightweight champion has an all-action style which has captivated fans around the boxing world, aligned with a cast iron chin. And Provodnikov is back on the title trail with a 11 June showdown with another fan favourite John Molina Jr at the Turning Stone resort and Casino in Verona, New York. Despite his rumbling reputation, Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOS) displayed a slightly more considered style against last opponent Jesus Rodriguez. “Training with Joel [Diaz] has had an effect with me.” Provodnikov told Boxing Monthly via manager and translator Vadim Kornilov. “Any time a fighter changes a trainer there is always a difference, I think that is usual. I made the transition because I needed a change, you never really know for sure if it will be a change for the better or for worse, but we will see in my upcoming fights."

Stockholm prepares for Capital Showdown

Luke G. Williams
21/04/2016 11:16am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvV6cDlGnJI

On Saturday night, big-time boxing returns to Stockholm with Sauerland Promotion’s stacked card of action at the historic Hovet Arena. Boxing Monthly previews the action. Boxing in Sweden has been in recovery mode since the end of a ban on professional pugilism that lasted 37 long years from 1970 until the beginning of 2007. The sport’s comeback gathers pace on Saturday night when the country’s capital plays host to the most eagerly awaited boxing event in the country since the glory days of Ingemar Johansson and Bo Högberg in the 1960s. The canny Sauerlands have discerned that the Scandinavian country is a marketplace worth expanding their ‘Nordic Fight Night’ series into, and the majority of the Swedish talent on their promotional books will be appearing on Saturday night. “This is our first show in the Swedish capital,” commented Nisse Sauerland when the event was announced. “We plan to make it one to remember.”

Ali on the inside

Paul Zanon
20/04/2016 9:49pm

Maryum, or May May to her close friends and family, is known primarily for one reason – she’s the eldest daughter of ‘The Greatest,’ Muhammad Ali. However, her recent appearance in a reality television show, where she was immersed into the world of incarceration at Clark County Jail, Jeffersonville, Indiana, is where she’s currently gaining an incredible amount of attention. The reality television show is called, The Jail: 60 Days In and she goes under the name of Yasmin, trying to dodge her celebrity or pugilistic connections.

Gennady Golovkin interview & first pitch at Dodgers Stadium

Michael Montero & Tiffany Lam
18/04/2016 6:56am

Michael Montero interviews Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin on the field at Dodgers Stadium minutes before he throws out the first pitch to kick off fight week for his middleweight title bout against Dominic Wade.

David Haye: Appetite for destruction

Paul Zanon
17/04/2016 8:15am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4FbPiOHWU4

After a three-and-a-half year lay-off, David Haye returned to the ring in destructive fashion in January, smashing Mark De Mori with a thumping overhand right. The blow left the Australian tangled between the bottom two ropes unaware of where he was or what had just happened. Haye on the other hand knew exactly where he was – he was back. Ever since Haye was a kid, he made an informal promise to himself to retire at the age of 30. However, the plan didn’t unravel as expected. Haye explained to Boxing Monthly. “I was dead set on sticking to that date. I always said I’d retire before my 31st birthday. That’s why I pushed for the Wladimir Klitschko fight as soon as I could, because I wanted to fight him in advance of my retirement. A lot of fighters would have held onto that WBA title, making defence after defence against lesser opponents, just to make money, but my plan was to beat Wladimir Klitschko and then retire having unified the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. There would have been nothing left to do. I didn’t anticipate losing that fight and that kind of messed things up!”

Soto Karass vs Kamegai highlights & recap

Michael Montero & Tiffany Lam
16/04/2016 9:40am

Highlights from the 'Fight of the year' candidate between Jesus Soto Karass and Yoshihiro Kamegai at 'LA Fight Club' in downtown Los Angeles. Michael Montero recaps the slugfest after the highlights, including punch numbers, judges' scores and talk of a rematch from Golden Boy Promotions!

Chris Algieri: "The best is yet to come"

Shaun Brown
16/04/2016 7:50am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzVYRHne44U

New Yorker Chris Algieri burst onto the world stage two years ago when he climbed off the canvas twice to take Ruslan Provodnikov’s WBO 140lbs title by split decision at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn where he meets the highly touted Errol Spence Jr tonight (16 April). It was the beginning of an all-star period that saw Algieri lose a WBO 147lbs title challenge against Manny Pacquiao in Macao and give Amir Khan all he could handle over 12 rounds last May. “It’s been a big learning process and it’s been a steep learning curve,” Algieri told Boxing Monthly from New York recently. “Coming off the Ruslan fight to jump into a fight versus a Hall Of Famer immediately and fight him in China was a very, very steep move in terms of stepping up. Then I had to get myself back together and ride the ship from there."

Life begins at 40 for Laurén

Luke G. Williams
15/04/2016 8:17am

A former national swimming champion, Mikaela Laurén did not make her professional boxing debut until past her 30th birthday. Despite her late start in the sport it’s a testament to her determination and athletic excellence that now, at the age of 40, the WBC female super-welterweight champion seems to be getting better and better. “I was 28 when I quit swimming and 30 when I started boxing so people didn’t really think I was going to make it,” the charming and relentlessly upbeat Laurén told BM. “But I believed in myself and what I could do. I worked really hard and now I really feel like a boxer and not a swimmer."