Saturday Night Quick Takes: DeMarco not with Zanfer, Soto returns Sept. 28, Claressa Shields update, more

Hi there, #boxingfriends! This will be a new recurring thingamajig here on BLH, as we'll round up some smaller news items from the day or two days or however many days and throw them all together into one big mishmash so that you guys can give your two cents, or however many cents you want to give. If you'd like to give more money, let me know. I have PayPal.

The goal is to do this nightly, but I'm sure there will be some nights that have no update, because I fell asleep watching The Canyons or whatever. We'll see. We'll just have to see, you guys.

DeMarco not signed with Zanfer

Contrary to a report from yesterday, Antonio DeMarco says that he has not signed a deal with Zanfer, but he is fighting on their August 10 card in Tijuana. Instead, DeMarco will be fighting under his own banner, DeMarco Promotions. This will hopefully be every bit the major success that we've seen from similar ventures started by Shane Mosley, Jeff Lacy, the Dirrells, Winky Wright, and so very many more. (In all honesty, DeMarco might just be biding his time before signing with a new promoter after leaving Gary Shaw, and he's getting back in the ring on a Zanfer card, nothing more and nothing less.)

Claressa Shields to fight in Flint on August 8

London gold medalist Claressa Shields will be in action on August 8 in her hometown of Flint, Mich., as she'll be facing Alison Greey at the Connie and Jim John Recreation Center at Kettering University. This isn't a pro fight, but the show will honor Shields, Chris Byrd, and Andre Dirrell in "A Salute to Flint's Olympic Boxing Champions." Byrd won silver in 1992 and Dirrell won bronze in 2004. There will be 10 to 12 amateur fights on the show, with Shields obviously in the main event.

Humberto Soto returns September 28

Veteran ex-titlist Humberto Soto will be back in the ring on September 28, as he's scheduled to face Ali Chebah in Los Mochis, Mexico. Soto (61-8-2, 35 KO) has gone 3-0 since he was stopped by Lucas Matthysse in 2012, a fight where he gave a genuine effort and fought pretty well, actually, but was outmuscled and outgunned by a naturally bigger man. At 33, Soto is not going to become a legit player at 140, which is where he's been campaigning, and he's even somewhat slight in frame for 135. But he's a solid fighter still and will likely fight on for a good while. Chebah (35-2, 28 KO) hasn't fought since Olusegun Ajose smoked him in September 2011 on ShoBox.

Other News!

Amir Khan recently fired or parted ways with manager Asif Vali, but Vali says he'll stay in boxing. Sometimes I wonder why someone with other possible things to do would even stay in boxing. ... Rendall Munroe (25-3-1, 11 KO) will also be back on September 28, facing Andy Townend (7-1, 4 KO) in Doncaster. The night's main event will put Gavin McDonnell against Josh Wale. ... 44-year-old Frans Both is going to keep fighting because he says he has "big money offers" to fight in Vegas and Africa. It's highly unlikely that Botha has anyone else's definition of a big money offer to fight in Vegas, but who knows what Botha considers "too good to turn down"? His manager wants him to retire. Botha is also saying he'll do some exhibitions with Evander Holyfield to fight malaria. These are things.

Things to Read

Bob Mutter has a piece at the Chicago Tribune about boxing's history at Comiskey Park. ESPN Friday Night Fights will be at U.S. Cellular Field on August 16.

Carlo Rotella talks about boxing and politics and unfairness and stuff at the Boston Globe.

Greg Olliver is reportedly working with 92-year-old Jake LaMotta on a documentary about his life. Olliver directed Lemmy, which is great.

Here's a thing about Riddick Bowe.