The co-featured bout for the first HBO telecast of 2016 is set.
A welterweight matchup between undefeated Russian Dmitry Mikhaylenko and Ray Robinson will open up the Jan. 30 headlined by the rematch between Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal, HBO confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The fight will mark the debuts of both fighters on the network.
Mikhaylenko (20-0, 9 KOs) is a pressure fighter who scored the biggest win of his career in his last outing, an eight-round of KO Johan Perez. Managed by Egis Klimas — who also counts Kovalev and Vasy Lomanchenko in his stable — “The Mechanic” is promoted by Main Events.
Robinson (20-2, 9 KOs), a southpaw from Philadelphia, has scored nine consecutive wins since consecutive losses to Shawn Porter and Brad Solomon in 2009-10. Of course, those victories have come against lesser opposition, and he’ll step up once again with the Mikhaylenko assignment.
* Juergen Braehmer’s next title defense could come against Thomas Oosthuizen.
Golden Gloves’ Rodney Berman, who promotes the South African, said he received word at the WBA Convention in Panama last week that the WBA’s “regular” champion is likely to defend against Oosthuizen on March 12 in Germany, as long as Braehmer’s hand injury is healed.
“Sauerland Promotions are getting word this week,” said Berman. “I’m confident it will go on.”
Braehmer (47-2, 35 KOs) hasn’t lost since a 2008 decision to Hugo Garay. Oosthuizen (25-0-2, 14 KOs) has fought on HBO once, a draw with Brandon Gonzales in 2013.
* Bermane Stiverne, BoxingJunkie’s No. 7 heavyweight, has parted ways with Camille Estephan’s Eye of the Tiger Management. The company cited “divergence of views, values and philosophy with Don King promotions.” The Canadian-based organization had agreed on a deal to pit Stiverne against Luis Ortiz on the Gennady Golovkin-David Lemieux undercard, but King wouldn’t sign off.
Nonito Donaire’s first title defense could come against Evgeny Gradovich. The Filipino won the WBO junior featherweight title with a decision over Cesar Juarez on Dec. 11, and the former IBF featherweight champion could be next. The sides are in talks for an April fight that would see Gradovich move down to 122 pounds.
* Randy Caballero, who dropped his IBF bantamweight title last month after badly missing weight for a fight with Lee Haskins, has a return date. The 25-year-old will meet Ruben Garcia on Feb. 5 at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif. Caballero will move up to 122 pounds for the fight, which will be televised on Estrella TV/RingTV.com.
“I was devastated that I was unable to defend my championship title in Las Vegas on Nov. 21, but I’m determined to come back better than ever in 2016,” Caballero said. “Between injury and the unfortunate way my body responded before the weigh-in in Las Vegas when I was set to defend my title for the first time, I am looking forward to putting 2015 behind me and starting fresh in the New Year. Losing the title was not something I wanted to happen, and I’m motivated more now than ever before to show everyone that I am still a championship fighter in the ring.”
Said Oscar De La Hoya: “Golden Boy Promotions is behind Randy Caballero 100%, and we are pleased that he will return to the ring on Feb. 5. Randy had a rough year in 2015, but I know 2016 will be an opportunity for him to start fresh and remind everyone that he is a talented fighter with a bright future ahead of him in this sport.”
* HBO’s The Fight Game with Jim Lampley will air for the final time in 2015 with a year-in-review on Wednesday at 11 p.m. ET.
(Photo of Braehmer by EPA/BERND WUESTNECK)