July 10, 2007

Wladimir Klitschko considering a rematch with Corrie Sanders

Eastsideboxing.com

By Jeff Bastasini: According to the latest boxing news, IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko is considering a possible rematch with South African heavyweight Corrie Sanders (42-3, 31 KOs) for his next bout. Wladimir previously lost to Sanders, 41, by 2nd round TKO in March 2003, a bout which saw Wladimir knocked down four times before the referee finally halted the one-sided destruction in the 2nd.

Wladimir, however, was never able to land a rematch with the hard-punching Sanders, who ultimately was defeated by Wladimir's brother, Vitali, in a "revenge of the brother" scenario in April 2004.

The loss, though, has been a constant irritant for Wladimir Klitschko over the years, and something that fans have pointed to when they've summed up Wladimir's ability to take a punch. More than that, the lack of a rematch has also been a wonder to many of Wladimir's fans, whom have thought that he had little desire to take on Sander's again due to how easily he had thrashed Wladimir the first time out.

Sanders retired from boxing in late 2004, and stayed away until recently making a comeback in November 2006. Since then, he's had two bouts, stopping Colin Wilson in two rounds in November 2006, and winning a 10-round decision over Daniel Bispo in May 2007, a bout in which Sanders injured his left hand in the first round, making it necessary to fight one-handed for the remaining nine rounds. Despite packing on a little weight during his time off, the southpaw Sanders still reportedly has fast hands and punches incredibly hard.

Wladimir, 31, since stopping Lamon Brewster in the 6th round of their rematch on Saturday, July 7th, there's been talk of Wladimir taking on the winner of the heavyweight unification match between WBO heavyweight champion Sultan Ibragimov and WBA heavyweight title holder Ruslan Chagaev, which takes place in October 2007. Before any potential bout with either of them, Wladimir still has time to get in one more bout before then, and this is where a bout with Sanders possibly comes in to play.

At this time, there's not a lot of appealing options for opponents for Wladimir, since most of the heavyweights challengers are either old, such as Evander Holyfield and Oliver McCall, not well known or just plain damaged goods. In that case, Corrie Sanders appears the best of a poor selection. He still amounts to a substantial risk due to his 6'4" size, power, southpaw stance and quickness, so Wladimir will have to factor in the danger that a bout like this could present for him. In one aspect, Wladimir could revenge his most painful defeat, but on the other hand, there's always the risk that he could be knocked out once again. Their first fight wasn't remotely competitive and it appeared that Sanders was just a better fighter than Wladimir, much in the same way that George Foreman was able to dominate Joe Frazier each time.

May 14, 2007

Corrie Sanders Injures Hand, 6/23 Bout Off

By Mark Vester / Boxingscene.com

This past weekend, former WBO heavyweight champ Corrie Sanders, 41, suffered a bad hand injury during the second win of his comeback. Sanders badly hurt his left hand in the first round of a ten-round contest held last weekend against Brazilian Daniel Bispo at the Emperors Palace in South Africa. He was forced to go the distance, winning every round on the judges scorecards with 100-90 verdicts across the board.

Sanders had a June 23 bout scheduled in the United States, which has now been cancelled. The opponent was never finalized for the June date. Sanders' trainer, Harold Volbrecht told Mail&Guardian that his fighter is broke and has to continue fighting in order to support himself.

"That bout is definitely off because Corrie will be forced to lay off training for a couple of weeks," said Volbrecht. Other fighters would have quit, but he wanted to fight on and he did not disgrace himself. Corrie is broke, so he has to fight again at his age. Corrie went to that fight without having a sparring session. Although hurting his hand was bad, on the flip side it helped him get real action because he had not fought for two years."

Mg.co.za

Sanders labours to points win over Bispo

Johannesburg, South Africa

May 13, 2007

Former world heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders's return to the ring was not a memorable one as he laboured to a points decision over Brazilian Daniel Bispo at Emperors Palace near Johannesburg on Saturday night.

The 41-year-old Sanders started well and battered Bispo from pillar to post with a stoppage looking inevitable.

But he paid dearly for his early onslaught when he injured his left hand. The injury reduced Sanders to a single handed fighter but he was still able to use his speed to beat Bispo with his right hand.

Despite being forced to go the full distance, Sanders -- whose major problem has been his stamina -- will be grateful for the couple of rounds as he badly needs some time in the ring in his quest to regain the world heavyweight title.

Bispo was not much of a threat as Sanders easily dwarfed him. The Brazilian's intentions seemed to be surviving the rounds and he succeeded in doing that.

All the judges had Sanders winning 100-90. - Sapa

Ron Jackson / Superboxing.co.za

Sanders handicapped

Sanders, a single-handicap golfer, became a single-handed boxer after damaging his left fist in the first round. Looking decidedly out of shape, the 41-year-old southpaw earned a points victory (100-91 on all three cards).

He worked off some ring rust and extra weight as he tried to nail the much smaller Brazilian with the right hand, without any success.

Coming in at 110.6 kg against Bispo's 100.01 kg, Sanders was looking forward to a short shift as he hammered away in the opening round. But after he lost the use of his pay-off punch, he had to take the long route.

It did not please the spectators but did Sanders no harm. Going ten rounds could help him regain some of his old form and fitness or it could tell him this is a young man's game.

Sanders did not take many telling blows but it will be a long, hard road before he can consider a fight against the top guns. He may have to employ a strict dietician to speed up his return.

Bispo lost some blood on his way to the last round but was fortunate that he did he did not have to contend with that big left and therefore suffered little lasting damage.

May 10, 2007

Sniper Corrie sets himself a tough target

Sheena Adams / Iol.co.za

Former heavyweight great Lennox Lewis gave South African southpaw Corrie Sanders the nickname "The Sniper" several years ago - and it's a moniker Sanders is hoping will fit his form come Saturday night.

Sporting a bit of a flabby midriff, Sanders stripped off for the media at a pre-fight medical yesterday and put on a wide smile in response to taunts about his age.

At 41, Sanders told The Star he is expecting a difficult fight against lithe Brazilian fighter Daniel Bispo as part of the "Clash of the Warriors" bill at Emperors Palace this weekend.

But, the former WBO heavyweight world champion said he feels confident.

"I'm planning to get in there and get out. That's what I want to do. At 41 it's obviously going to be rough," he said, adding that Lewis called him "The Sniper" shortly before his shock knockout of Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko in 2003, and he was hoping it would apply on the night.

The fight will see his campaign to regain the heavyweight crown kick off. Sanders said he is giving himself 18 months to do so, after which he would "retire for good".

His camp will be travelling to Las Vegas in the United States next month to prepare for his next bout against a yet-to-be-named contender.

Sanders' trainer, Harold Volbrecht, said that although Bispo had speed on his side, he would probably not be able to handle "a good southpaw and a good puncher like Corrie".

"I never thought I'd be back here but I'm looking forward to it," Sanders said.

May, 9, 2007

Kevin McCallum/Iol.co.za

Corrie Sanders, who doesn't like to talk too much, had sat smiling as he listened to the little men rattle on about what they would do on Saturday night. When the 41 year old spoke it was a short rumble about how his path to a world heavyweight title would kick off against the unknown Daniel Bispo.

The 32 year old Brazilian had been in training for a fight against former world champ Hasim Rahman, but when that fell through jumped at the chance to "see if this old man can still fight".

The old man still has his speed and punch, according to trainer Harold Volbrecht, who complained that they had been running out of sparring partners. "Corrie's in good shape, but we can't get sparring partners to stay with him. After a session with him they don't come back. Bispo has speed, but I don't think he can handle a good southpaw like Corrie."

Sanders ready to take the short route to success

May 8, 2007

David Isaacson/ Suntimes.co.za

The last time Corrie Sanders went 12 rounds in a fight was nearly a decade ago when he outpointed Ross Purity in November 1997.

Back then Evander Holyfield was the undisputed world champion and Lennox Lewis was waiting in the wings.

Sanders, 41, will surely not expect the fight against Brazilan Daniel Bispo to go to the scorecards.

In spite of his age and untoned stomach, there�s still plenty of power in Sanders�s fists.

Bispo, with a reasonable record of 19 wins and six defeats, has been stopped only once as a professional � in the ninth round against world-title contender Fres Oquendo in February last year.

Sanders (now 41-3, 31 KOs) won the WBO version of the world heavyweight title in spectacular fashion in 2003 when he knocked out Wladimir Klitschko in Germany. The next year he was beaten by Klitschko�s brother, Vitali, on an eighth-round TKO.

This is Sanders�s third time back since then, having dispatched two no- name opponents, each in the second round. Of his last 14 bouts, Sanders has won seven in round two. Four of them ended in the first round.

Therefore it doesn�t take a rocket scientist to work out that Sanders is likely to succeed.

Fightnews.com

Another new foe for Sanders!

By Ron Jackson

Promoter Rodney Berman is not finding it easy to secure an opponent for former WBU and WBO heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders who has his second comeback fight at the Emperors Palace Casino near Kempton Park on May 12.

Originally it was announced that the 41-year-old Sanders (41-3; 31) would face American Chris Koval, who subsequently withdrew when he failed to obtain US clearance for the bout and then it was announced that he would meet another American Kevin Montiy. Montiy has also withdrawn and Sanders is now scheduled to face Daniel Bispo Dos Santos, 32, from Brazil who has a reported record of 19-6; 13.

Even though the Brazilian has lost six of his last ten fights, the losses have been to known fighters like unbeaten Giocobbe Fragomeni, Fres Quendo, Kevin Johnson, Vincenzo Cantatore and Roman Kracik who has only lost one of 23 fights. Dos Santos fights under the name of Bispo and should give Sanders a few rounds.

Sundaytimes.co.za

With a record of 19 wins, including 13 knockouts, and six losses, the 32 year-old Bispo, who was initially announced as Brispo and who is actually Daniel Bispo dos Santos, seems suitably equipped for a promotion that has been billed as �The Clash of the Warriors.�

But then it was learnt that Bispo is no more than a cruiserweight and is likely to face a substantial weight disadvantage against the 41 year-old Sanders, not the lightest of heavyweights even when in his prime.

The delayed announcement of Sanders� opponent was proclaimed by Berman as due to �Corrie still being feared as a murderous puncher - with not that many willing to take him on.�

This, apparently, applies only to heavyweights, with the lighter Bispo having no such fears. And with Brazil more renowned for soccer players and sorcerers of samba music like Santana, it remains to be seen whether a cruiserweight is able to dance for any length of time to Sanders� hard-punching tune � no matter what his age advantage might be.

April 14, 2007

Team Sanders is ready to roll

David Isaccson

Suntimes.co.za

(Photo by Antony Kaminju)

Corrie�s banking on world title to solve his cash-flow problems

There are two white heavyweights on the comeback trail � Rocky Balboa and Corrie Sanders.

�But the difference between the two is that Rocky Balboa has no real ability,� says Rodney Berman, who will again promote Sanders, a former world champion.

�Rocky Balboa only had heart. Corrie�s got the ability ...�

�And the heart,� adds Sanders, who stayed on his feet for nearly eight rounds, taking heavy punishment at the hands of Vitali Klitschko in 2004, until the referee stopped the massacre.

At 41, Sanders is planning to emulate ring legend George Foreman and screen hero Rocky.

�I�m writing the script,� says Berman. �He�ll have two or three warm-up fights [starting at Emperors Palace on May 5] and he�ll fight for a world title within a year.�

The fighter is sporting a few grey hairs, and his stomach hasn�t shrunk either. During the interview he lifts up his golf shirt, holds his gut with a massive hand and says: �I�ve got to get this off. When I get back in May I�ll look a lot better.�

It sounds like a big ask for a man who has never been the most dedicated boxer in the world, but Sanders has no shortage of motivation � money, or rather the lack of it. �Don�t think I would have come back if I didn�t need the money ... I lost my house, I lost everything, I�m staying with my mom and dad,� admits the straight-talking fighter. �I�ve still got my farm though.�

Sanders should have earned a multi-million dollar purse for his unsuccessful bid against Klitschko for the vacant WBC title. And he blames his then manager, Vernon Smith, for his poor financial state.

Sanders has since been sued by trainer Harold Volbrecht, claiming he was underpaid by Sanders for his services. He�s also facing a multi-million rand claim by English promotional group SEM.

Sanders had worked with Volbrecht and Berman for more than a decade when, in late 2002, he linked up with Smith, a stranger to boxing.

It was with Smith, who had his power of attorney, that Sanders�s relationship with Berman and Volbrect deteriorated.

But now they have kissed and made up; Team Sanders is back. He and Volbrecht have reached an out-of- court settlement, and Berman is confident that proposed negotiations with SEM will be successful.

Sanders adds that he is considering legal action against Smith.

One of the few things the boxer has gained in the past couple of years is a PH � a professional hunter�s licence, which allows him to take tourists on safaris in pursuit of the Big Five.

As a boxer, he�s now hunting the Big Four, the main world titles that are held by different champions, including Klitschko�s younger brother Wladimir, the man Sanders knocked out in two rounds in March 2003. �My dream is to win all the world titles,� he says.

He and Volbrecht have already worked out a cross-training regimen that will include swimming and traditional boxing work outs.

�We�re starting on Monday [tomorrow],� states Sanders, admitting he needs to get fit. �I�ve still got the speed and the power.�

Also planning a comeback is Vitali, but Sanders is unfazed. �If I fight him again I�ll fight him differently. I won�t go at him, I�ll wait for him to come to me and I�ll counter- punch him.�

Sanders rocked him in the first round of their bout. �Vitali admitted afterwards that he was hurt, that he was saved by the bell.�

Apart from his 2004 loss to Vitali, and his 2000 defeat to Hasim Rahman, Sanders has taken little punishment in the ring.

He can still be a force in the ring, just like Rocky Balboa.

Berman plots Sanders v Samuel bout

March 3, 2007

Corrie Sanders and Nigerian Samuel Peter could fight for a world heavyweight title next year if promoter Rodney Berman hits the target. Sanders, making a comeback at 41, must still show he can reproduce his best form, but Berman is already planning to match him against Peter, who is after one of the four big titles.

Sanders will fight American Chris Koval at Emperors Palace, near Johannesburg, on May 5. He is back with Berman's Golden Gloves Promotion after their split soon after he lost in a WBC title challenge against Vitali Klitschko in 2004.

Klitschko, who retired after one more fight, has also announced a return to the ring to face the WBC champion Oleg Maskaev.

Peter, who earned the right to challenge Maskaev after back-to-back victories over James Toney, will face the winner of the bout between Klitschko and Maskaev.

Berman wants Sanders to face Peter if he beats either Klitschko or Maskaev.

"This is still very far from being confirmed, but I will do my best to stage this fight, especially if Peter wins," he said on Friday.

If Sanders and Peter meet, it will be the first bout involving two African fighters for the heavyweight crown. "It will be a blockbuster by any standards," said Berman.

"But Corrie must first show us that he is back to his best when he faces this Koval guy."

Berman is the only African promoter who has staged a world heavyweight title fight - the one between Lennox Lewis and Hasim Rahman at Carnival City in Brakpan in 2001.

If Sanders win his combeack bout impressively, Berman plans to give him four more fights before the end of the year.

"By March next year he will be ready to regain the world heavyweight crown."

Sanders knocked out Wladimir Klitschko in two rounds to win the WBO heavyweight title in Germany in March 2003.

Wladimir has since won the IBF title from American Chris Byrd and is rated as the best heavyweight in the world.

March 1, 2007

Sanders to return to the ring

Former world heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders will face American firebrand Chris Koval in his return match at Emperors Palace on May 5.

Sanders, who shocked the world when he knocked out highly touted Wladimir Klitschko in two rounds in 2003, rejoined Golden Gloves Promotions (GGP) after a fallout over managerial issues.

He enlisted the services of Vernon Smith as his manager but when his career nosedived and suffered heavy financial losses he reconciled with GGP boss Rodney Berman and trainer Harold Volbrecht.

"I should never have parted ways with Rodney Berman in the first place and teamed up with a manager like Vernon Smith," he said recounting his woes. "But like they say, you learn from your mistakes and I definitely intend learning from mine."

Berman said since announcing Sanders's comeback, he had been inundated with calls from boxing fans who want to attend the fight.

"Can you believe it? Since announcing that Corrie's rejoined us and will be fighting Chris Koval on May 5, at Emperors Palace, we've already been approached from fans all over the country," said Berman.

Sanders, a former WBU and WBO champion, is chasing a third world title at age 41.

He wanted to get a top ten rated opponent to accelerate his ascent towards a world title challenge but Koval is equally likely to give him a competitive bout.

Koval has lost three times and he has knocked out 18 of his 23 victims. One of his losses was against the current WBO heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs when he retired in his stool after two rounds in his last fight in May last year.

"He is certainly no bum and can crack," said GGP publicist Terry Pettifer.

The American-born fighter has also youth on his side as he is seven years younger than Sanders.

The power punching Sanders has also lost three times in 44 fights with an astonishing 31 knockouts. - Sapa

February 21, 2007

Just watch Corrie says Volbrecht

Superboxing.co.za

Trainer Harold Volbrecht says South African Corrie Sanders will be a world heavyweight champion before the end of the year. Volbrecht began training Sanders this week to prepare him for his May 5 return to boxing at Emperors Palace, near Johannesburg.

Sanders, a former two-time heavyweight champion, is making a comeback at the age of 41.

He has done no sparring, but is showing commitment and hunger in training, says Volbrecht.

Sanders who shocked many when he knocked out Wladimir Klitschko in 2003, will face an opponent yet to be named in his return to the ring.

Volbrecht wants him to fight a credible opponent, one rated in the top ten in the world, to speed up his route towards a world title challenge before the end of the year.

"Corrie is not young anymore so we should move him up the ratings quickly," Volbrecht said on Wednesday.

Volbrecht feels Sanders can beat all four heavyweight "world" champions.

Sanders sparred against current WBA heavyweight champion Nicolay Valuev a couple of years ago. "He easily beat Valuev in sparring," says Volbrect.

The WBC title is held by another Russian, Oleg Maskeav, who is also regarded as one of the weak champions. American Shannon Briggs holds the WBO version and Klitschko, whom Sanders beat in two rounds, holds the IBF crown.

February 2, 2007

Fightnews.com

Sanders, Berman reunite

By Ron Jackson

Former WBU and WBO heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders has rejoined Golden Gloves Promotions and is after the scalps of the Klitschko brothers Wladimir and Vitali. In March 2003, Sanders (41-3; 31) knocked out Wladimir in a major upset to win the WBO belt. The Ukrainian, who holds the IBF belt, is now considered the number one heavyweight in the world. The 41-year-old Sanders fought the older Klitschko, Vitali, in April 2004 and put up a credible performance before being stopped in the eighth round.

After a two-year layoff, an overweight Sanders returned to stop Colin Wilson in two rounds in November last year.

Sanders will make his comeback under the Golden Gloves banner at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on May 5, fighting on the undercard of the bout between Mzonke Fana and Malcolm Klassen, who meet for the IBF junior lightweight belt. Another warm-up fight for Sanders is planned for in June in the United States.

Rodney Berman, CEO of Golden Gloves Promotions, says, "We will be looking to clinch a return match with Wladimir. With his brother Vitali (the former WBC champion) now making a return, Sanders would like nothing more than an opportunity to avenge his loss to him."

That Sanders has decided to return to the promotional consortium that steered him to both the WBU and WBO heavyweight titles says a lot. He previously admitted that his career took a "completely wrong turn" after he had severed ties with Golden Gloves.

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