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Rising Heavyweight Sensation Kristian Prenga KO’s Sam “The Vanilla Gorilla” Crossed in 3 rounds in Atlantic City to capture vacant NBA/NABA/WBA Cont. heavyweight titles in main event in exciting Rising Star Promotions Boardwalk Boxing card 

Story by John Rinaldi

Photographs by Alex Rinaldi

Atlantic City, NJ. There is no better setting for a fight promotion than one located on the historic Boardwalk in Atlantic City on a Saturday night.

On March 25, instead of jostling through filthy streets inhabited with vermin, homelessness, criminals and human debris, boxing fans were able to casually stroll safely upon the most famous Boardwalk in the world. The same Boardwalk that greeted the Miss America Pageants for over 90 years, that witnessed horses diving into water, that saw Marilyn Monroe declared Grand Marshall of the Atlantic City parade waving to fans from an open 1952 Chevrolet convertible, that birthed the careers of arguably one of the greatest comedy teams in entertainment history – Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, and who hosted some of the greatest prize fights of all time.

On this night with the ocean air bristling in the breeze and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, the lights of the casinos sparkled on the horizon illuminating the Boardwalk like a thousand stars as the fans made their way to the legendary Boardwalk Hall.  In the hearts and minds of the assemblage, it was just a great locale to participate in an exciting night of fisticuffs, and like most fights in Atlantic City – it delivered.

Rising Star Promotions put together a 9-fight card that featured a heavyweight moving up in the ranks, along with willing boxers just starting out in their careers in the thumping leather trade.

The ingredient for a good card is to feature boxers who are from the vicinity fighting their hearts out to please their fans and to make new ones.  The Boardwalk Boxing promotion presented plenty enough to delight the audience that packed the arena in the Boardwalk Hall.

The main event featured the exciting KO artist Kristian Prenga, of Orosh, Albania, but now residing in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, winning the vacant NBA/NABA/WBA Continental heavyweight championships by finishing off Sam Crossed known as “The Vanilla Gorilla” hailing from Greenblt, MD, in three rounds.

As soon as Kristan Prenga entered the arena, Albania flags cropped up over all the place blanketing the arena in a waving sea of red, along with men wearing brimless felt skull caps called geleshes (traditionally worn by Albanians), all of which giving the appearance of crowd full of Coneheads!

At the bell, Prenga, 255, came out after Crossed, 208, throwing a heavy left jab that rocked the Maryland boxer’s head back. As Crossed, 36, attempted to move forward, the Albanian hammered him with jabs and right crosses that kept him at bay throughout the opening session.

Round two saw Prenga, 32, adding a savage body attack to his repertoire. Crossed (11-4-1, 7 KO’s) attempted to land some shots of his own but was severely outpunched. Towards the end of the right, two right hands thrown by the 6’ 5” behemoth Prenga smashed into Crossed’s head as his legs shook and his body rocked.

At the bell for the third round, Prenga went Gorilla hunting and quickly unleashed a crackling right that sent Crossed reeling into the ropes. Instantly the Albanian fired away with a left hook followed by a terrific right hand that had Crossed’s eyes whirling back in their sockets. As the Maryland boxer bravely raised his gloves to offset any further blows, Prenga buried a crushing right fist into Crossed’s ribs that sent him down for the count at 0:31 of Round 3.

He lay on the canvas as if struck by a thunderbolt.

It was an impressive triumph, and one that earned Prenga the NBA/NABA/WBA Continental Championship belts. With the victory, Prenga raised his record to 13-1 (13 KO’s). The Albanian has now won nine straight bouts since losing a disputed decision to Giovanni Auriemma in 2017.

 “I promised that I would do my best tonight, and I did,” said Prenga. “I would like to thank the fans for coming out to see me. God Bless Albania and God Bless America.”

Afterwards, the concession stand that hawked various souvenirs of Prenga had a lengthy line of fans wanting to buy the wares of the up-and-coming heavyweight slugger.

The co-main event of the evening featured “Big Black” Anthony Jones, of Newark, NJ, facing Ramon Velasquez, of Quellon, Chile. Set for six rounds in the flyweight division.

With a big fan base on hand, Jones, 112, came out aggressive after Velasquez, 116 ½, from the start. Velasquez was busy with his two-fisted attack, however, Jones was clearly the harder puncher of the two and his shots exploded like grenades, while the Chilean was unloading with peashooters.

The Newark native’s fans were soon calling for a knockout by yelling, “If you don’t knock him [Velasquez] out, it will be a long ride back to Newark!”

Near the end of Round 1, Jones (6-0, 5 KO’s) pushed Velasquez into the corner and quickly opened with a fusillade of blows that drove the Chilean to the canvas. At the count of “four” Ramon got to his feet and as the action resumed, he turned his back on Jones and appeared to be looking for his mouthpiece. After some confusion, the bout continued where the bell then rang.

In the second round, Jones battered Velasquez (7-7) from pilar to post, punishing him with a severe body and head attack. More yells from the Newark fans began with the chants, “Knock his head off!” That was a tough thing to do since Valasquez had a such a short neck!

After the second round pummeling, the Chilean’s corner decided that he had received enough of a beating and did not allow their charge to come out for Round 3.

As Velasquez was on the early flight out back to Chile, Jones had a short ride back to Newark.

The opening bout of the night saw a battle of heavyweights as Derek “The Mighty” Starling, of Philadelphia, PA, took on Dennis Vance Jr., of South Branch, MI. It was a bruising affair as the southpaws fired away with both hands. Starling, 276, was the sharper and more conditioned boxer, but it was not enough to deter the gutsy Vance, 213.

In the third session, Starling, 33, sent the wide swinging Vance toppling to the canvas with a crisp left hook to the jaw. Vance, 31, got up at “3” and waded back into the storm and engaged his rival in a savage, give-and-take brawl.

Starling (6-1, 4 KO’s) tried his best to finish his man off, but Vance was sturdy and lasted out the bout.

After four rounds, all three judges awarded the fight to Starling by identical scores of 39-36.

With the loss, Vance fell to 4-9 (2 KO’s).

The second clash of the evening was a six-rounder that went the distance as Isaah Flaherty, of Elmont, NY, remained undefeated at 6-0 (3 KO’s) by outpointing Dewayne “The Beast” Williams, of Philadelphia, PA. Both middleweights fought chest to chest the entire affair with Flaherty, 157 ½, the aggressor throughout. Williams, 161 ½, never quit slugging away, but was outgunned from the start.

At the end of six rounds, the unanimous decision went to Flaherty by scores of 58-56 (twice) and 59-55.

Williams fell to 3-7-1 (3 KO’s) with the defeat.

Bout 3 of the promotion saw undefeated welterweight slugger Avious “Underdog” Griffin, of Chattanooga, TN, KO’ing former WBA lightweight king Jose Alberto Gazo, of Nagorte, Nicaragua, in two rounds.

Gazo, 39, is clearly on the downside of his career, losing ten fights since he lost his crown on a third-round TKO to Yuseke Kobori in 2008, and against Griffin, he was only a mere notch on the belt of the young Tennessee gunslinger.

The bout was scheduled for eight, however, Griffin, 146 ½,  had no intention of lasting anywhere near that long. Avious forced the action from the opening bell and battered the former champ repeatedly into the ropes, unleashing a barrage of leather to the head and ribs of Gazo, 149.

In the second, Griffin, 29, jumped off his tool and maneuvered Gazo in the ropes and drove a right hand deep into his ribs that sent him down for the count. The end came at 0:39 of Round 2.

With the KO win, Griffin improved to 11-0 (10 KO’s), while Gazo tumbled to 31-14-1 (25 KO’s). Gazo, who has been stopped in four of his last seven bouts, should seriously be planning to go out to pasture, because he is now nothing but a battered punching bag of an opponent.

The evening’s fourth bout saw Gabriel Gerena, of Piscataway, NJ, stopping Joshua Maldonado Garcia, of Vega Alta, PR, in two rounds. Gerena, 131, ripped into Garcia, 132, at the onset and never stopped battering the Puerto Rican with an array of left hooks and right crosses.

In round two, Gerena, relentlessly punished Garcia and near the end of the stanza wobbled him with a right uppercut.

Garcia’s corner had seen enough and refused to send him out for Round 3.

Gerena rose to 2-0 (2 KO’s), while Garcia dropped to 1-4.

The fifth bout of the promotion was between two men making their pro debut as Franciso Rodriguez, of Atlantic City, NJ, faced Marco Dorame, of Agua Prieta, PR, in a 4-round lightweight bout. One rarely likes to see two fighters embarking their career together, because that means one may begin their profession on a losing note.

The losing note of the contest went to Dorame as he was stopped in the opening frame.

Rodriguez, 134, was on the hunt since the bell sounded and soon floored Dorame with a vicious right fist to the ribs. Upon rising, Dorame, 134 ½, was met with a hurricane of blows. With his home fans cheering him on, Rodriguez ripped into Dorame with the intent of closing down the curtain early. After sending Dorame reeling with two drilling rights to the body, referee Ricky Gonzalez had seen enough and stopped the bout at 1:43 of the first round.

Rodriguez (1-0, 1 KO) was very impressive in his first professional outing. His punches were crisp and powerful.  Francisco fought in an efficient manner and barely missed a blow. He is certainly one to watch out for in the future.

Dorame fell to 0-1.

In the sixth outing of the evening, Malik “The Natural” Nelson, of Perth Amboy, NJ, outpointed Joseph Adorno Del Valle, of Vega Alta, PR, over four rounds.

Nelson, 125 ½, pressed the action behind his accurate right jabs and hammering hooks. Del Valle, 127 ½, was no pushover and kept trying, but he was severely outgunned.

All three judges had Nelson (4-0, 3 KO’s) winning by scores of 40-36. Dell Valle still has come up empty with a pro win as his record tumbles to 0-1-1.

The seventh fight of the night featured another local combatant, when Justin “Time” Figueroa, of Atlantic City, NJ, finished off Manuel Moreira, of Sheridan, WY, in two rounds.

Figueroa, 154, hurt Moreira, 154, with explosive combinations of lefts and rights that appeared to ache with every landing. The opening frame was one-sided as Moreira was jolted down to his socks!

The beating continued into Round 2 as Figueroa (4-0, 4 KO’s) attacked with screeching shots. The local favorite then fired a whipping right hand to the jaw that sent Moreira falling to the ring floor.

Although Moreira (0-4) made it to his feet at referee David Field’s count of “7” his reprieve did not last long as another right hand bomb sent him crashing down again. The referee had seen enough and halted the bout at 2:56 of the second round.

It was a fun night of boxing with tickets priced reasonably from $65 to $200.  The arena had the type of layout that there was no bad seat in the house.

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Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas LIVE on Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV 
Haney-Lomachenko & PPV undercard fights will be broadcast live starting at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

LAS VEGAS (March 29, 2023) — Two of boxing’s pound-for-pound best will battle for lightweight supremacy as Devin “The Dream” Haney defends his undisputed crown against Ukraine’s three-division world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko on Saturday, May 20, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
 
Haney vs. Lomachenko will stream live on Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV, the exclusive digital distributor for the event in the United States, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The PPV will be priced at $59.99 and additionally be available via cable and satellite pay-per-view providers.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Devin Haney Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, tickets starting at $104, plus applicable service charges, go on sale Friday, March 31 at 10 a.m. PT and will be available to purchase at axs.com.

“Devin Haney is the sport’s brightest young superstar, and he’s taking on a tremendous challenge against one of this generation’s best pound-for-pound fighters in Vasiliy Lomachenko. This is what boxing is all about,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Devin and Loma are sensational boxers, and I’m sure it will be a memorable fight.”
 
Haney (29-0, 15 KOs) will fight in the U.S. for the first time since defeating George Kambosos Jr. in Australia twice last year to capture and retain the undisputed championship. The 24-year-old has been on a unique path since turning pro in Mexico in 2015 when he was 17. He made his stateside debut on the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley III undercard at MGM Grand Garden Arena in 2016. Following a fourth-round stoppage over then-undefeated Zaur Abdullaev, Haney was awarded the WBC lightweight world championship. He defended that strap against unbeaten contender Alfredo Santiago and former world champions Yuriorkis Gamboa, Jorge Linares and Joseph Diaz Jr. He became the undisputed king last June with a 12-round tour de force in Melbourne in front of more than 40,000 Kambosos supporters. 
 
“Lomachenko is a good fighter and future Hall of Fame candidate,” Haney said. “I take nothing away from him or what he has done in the sport of boxing. Although he didn’t give me a shot when I challenged him in 2019, I won’t be petty. This is the fight the fans really want, and I made it happen. I’ve gotten two times better since the Kambosos rematch, and believe it or not, the better my opponent is, the better I perform. I can’t wait for this fight. I know Lomachenko has an extremely high boxing IQ, and I will show the world on May 20 that I’m the best fighter on the planet. I’m ready to defend my undisputed title in devastating fashion.”
 
Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) is a two-time Olympic gold medalist who compiled a staggering 396-1 record as an amateur before winning world titles at featherweight, junior lightweight and lightweight. As a lightweight, he knocked out Jorge Linares to capture the WBA and Ring Magazine titles, won the WBO strap against Jose Pedraza, and added the vacant WBC title to his collection with a 12-round decision over Luke Campbell in London. The 35-year-old lost his belts in a close fight against Teofimo Lopez in October 2020 but regained his form with one-sided drubbings over Masayoshi Nakatani and Richard Commey the following year. After a nearly 11-month layoff spent serving with a territorial defense battalion in his native Ukraine, Lomachenko held off unbeaten contender Jamaine Ortiz last October.

Lomachenko said, “My goal is to become the undisputed lightweight champion, and Devin Haney is the man with the belts. I respect his boxing IQ and am excited for this challenge.”

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Fresno Fire: Jose Ramirez Pummels Richard Commey in 11  

Seniesa Estrada Unifies Minimumweight World Titles

FRESNO, Calif. (March 25, 2023) — Former unified champ Jose Ramirez has earned another shot at the WBC junior welterweight title.

Ramirez (28-1, 18 KOs) returned from a one-year layoff to defeat former lightweight world champion Richard Commey (30-5-1, 27 KOs) via 11^th-round knockout on Saturday evening at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

From the opening round, Ramirez tried to overwhelm Commey with constant offense. In every round, the 30-year-old native of Avenal, California, pushed Commey to the ropes to throw straight right hands, hooks and uppercuts.

In the 11^th, Ramirez’s offense paid off as he sent Commey down with a right hand to begin the round. Ramirez then landed a left hook to the body that sent Commey down again, for a final time, at 2:31 of the penultimate chapter.

Ramirez said, “It’s always hard after a layoff, but mentally I had to go back to being my old self and start strong. There came a point in my career where I got too comfortable. But this time, I started with that rhythm of being active with my punches throughout the round. And I went back to my old self.
 
“I hurt him in the first round. But he’s a tough guy. Big shoutout to Commey and his team. He’s a good warrior. He took some good shots. And he picked it up in the middle of the fight, too. I heard his team motivating him, but I wanted to make a statement and show that I’m the stronger guy in there.
 
“I want any world champion. If Regis Prograis is serious about fighting, we can sit down and negotiate. Let’s sit down and make the fight.”

‘Super Bad’ Unifies Minimumweight Titles

Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (24-0, 9 KOs) got one step closer to becoming undisputed champion by unifying the WBA and WBC minimumweight world titles with a dominant unanimous decision victory over “Tiny” Tina Rupprecht (12-1-1, 3 KOs).

Estrada controlled each round by using a quick jab and by constantly switching stances. The 30-year-old native of East Los Angeles also picked spots where she would work on the inside, landing a hard body shot or two before slipping the side to avoid any counters.

Rupprecht tried to land her signature right hand and was successful at times, but not nearly enough to faze her opponent. All three judges scored it a shutout, 100-90.

Estrada said, “This training camp was more mentally tough than it was physically. I showed it in the ring by sticking to my game plan and using my jab. I always want to give an entertaining fight, but I knew that with an opponent like Tina, I had to use my jab because she is a short fighter who stays very low. And when you fight fighters like that, you have to use your jab and stick to a game plan.

“I want to tell the other champion at 105 pounds [Yokasta Valle] that I’m whooping you next. You can get it next. I am the best in this division, and I know it. I want to prove it by becoming undisputed.”

Heavyweights: Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles (7-0, 6 KOs) went the distance for the first time in his career as he defeated Patrick Mailata (6-2, 3 KOs) by six-round split decision. Mailata dropped Mireles in the third round after a right hand to the temple wobbled him, but the native of Des Moines, Iowa, was able to recover. Mireles rebounded in the later rounds, landing shots from a distance. One judge scored it 57-56 for Mailata, while the other two rendered identical scores of 57-56 for Mireles.

Lightweights: Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (17-0, 14 KOs) overcame an early knockdown to stop Humberto Galindo (14-3-1, 11 KOs) via knockout in the ninth round. In the opening round, Galindo landed a two-punch combination that floored Muratalla. However, the native of Fontana, California, got back up to drop Galindo in the fourth round with a body shot. Galindo recovered, but Muratalla took over, stopping him with another shot to the body.

Lightweights: Charlie Sheehy (6-0, 4 KOs) of Brisbane, California, defeated Angel Rebollar (6-2, 3 KOs) via six-round unanimous decision. Rebollar fought aggressively in every round, but Sheehy’s footwork and one-two combinations were too much for the Los Angeles native to overcome. Scores: 58-56 and 60-54 2x.

Light Flyweights: Jessie James Guerrero (3-0-2, 3 KOs), the fighting nephew of former world champion Robert Guerrero, was held to a four-round majority draw against fellow California native Eduardo Alvarez (0-2-1). The judges scored the action-packed fight 40-36 Guerrero and 38-38-2x.

Junior Welterweights: Ricardo Ruvalcaba (8-0-1, 7 KOs) made short work of Marco Antonio Cardenas (9-8-1, 4 KOs), stopping the Oregon native with a left hook to the body in the opening round. Ruvalcaba, from Ventura, California, has won three straight by KO. Time of stoppage: 2:59.

Junior Featherweights: Subaru Murata (4-0, 4 KOs) scored a first-round stoppage over Jose Negrete (2-2, 2 KOs). The southpaw Murata dropped Negrete with a straight left hand. Negrete rose to his feet on weak legs, and referee Ron Scott Stevens waved it off.

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May 27: Luis Alberto Lopez to Defend Featherweight Crown Against Hometown Hero Michael Conlan at The SSE Arena Belfast LIVE on ESPN+

Tickets go on sale Friday, March 31, at 11 a.m. via www.Ticketmaster.ie

(March 23, 2023) — Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez may have to start calling himself “The Road Warrior.” Lopez will make the first defense of his IBF featherweight world title against Michael “Mick” Conlan on Saturday, May 27, at The SSE Arena in Conlan’s hometown of Belfast.
 
Lopez captured the title last December, venturing to Josh Warrington’s home base of Leeds, England, to grind out a majority decision.
 
Lopez-Conlan and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States. BT Sport will broadcast the event in the UK and Ireland.
 
Promoted by Top Rank and Conlan Boxing, in association with Queensberry Promotions, tickets go on sale Friday, March 31, at 11 a.m. local time via www.Ticketmaster.ie.
 
“The passionate Belfast fans will pack The SSE Arena hoping to lift their hero, Michael Conlan, to a world title. I also know that Luis Alberto Lopez thrives in enemy territory and will not relinquish his title without a tremendous fight,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
 
“Belfast hasn’t had a big world title fight in six years. Michael’s fans have traveled far and wide throughout his career and now they get to create the cauldron-like atmosphere that the SSE Arena is known for in the biggest fight of his career. Luis Alberto Lopez is a very dangerous fighter and a fantastic champion that has a reputation of going to the enemy’s backyard and upsetting the apple cart, so we are in for a barnburner on May 27,” said Conlan Boxing CEO Jamie Conlan.
 
Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico, navigated bumpy terrain to become a world champion. After early-career defeats to Abraham Montoya and Ruben Villa stunted his momentum, Lopez thrilled American fight fans with his July 2020 split decision victory over Andy Vences inside the MGM Grand Bubble. Fourteen months later, he dominated then-unbeaten junior lightweight prospect Gabriel Flores Jr. over 10 rounds. Lopez then moved down to featherweight and stopped another undefeated foe, Isaac Lowe, in seven rounds at London’s York Hall. After two stay-busy wins, he received his shot at the title, turning an expected triumphant Leeds homecoming into disappointment for the partisan fans.
 
“I am a road warrior. Traveling to my opponent’s home country doesn’t faze me,” Lopez said. “I won my world title in Leeds, and now it’s time to defend it in Belfast. The louder they cheer for Michael, the harder I will fight. The IBF title will remain in Mexico. May 27 will be a special night for me, and Michael’s fans will go home disappointed.”

Conlan (18-1, 9 KOs) turned pro in 2017 after a decorated Irish amateur career that included two Olympic berths, an Olympic bronze medal, and gold medals at the World Championships, European Championships, and Commonwealth Games. His double middle finger salute to the judges at the 2016 Rio Olympics turned him into a fighting folk hero, and as a pro, he has proven himself on the world stage. Last March, he nearly captured the WBA featherweight crown from Leigh Wood in Wood’s hometown of Nottingham, England. Conlan, ahead on all three scorecards, was knocked out in the 12th round of ESPN’s Fight of the Year. The Wood disappointment did not linger, as Conlan came back later that year with victories over Miguel Marriaga and Karim Guerfi at The SSE Arena. Five months after knocking out Guerfi in one round, Conlan returns to the friendly SSE Arena confines, prepared to seize his championship moment.
 
 “This is a massive opportunity. Fighting for the world title in Belfast is something I’ve always dreamed of, and I will be taking this opportunity with both hands.” Conlan said. “The SSE Arena will be buzzing, and I will do everything I can to bring a world title home. Credit to Lopez for coming to Belfast, but I am taking his title. He is not prepared for what is coming his way on May 27. Ireland will see a new champion crowned.”

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Christian Mbilli-Carlos Gongora & Ivan Zucco-Germaine Brown Super Middleweight Battles Headline Separate International Cards LIVE on ESPN+ 

Mbilli-Gongora card streaming LIVE from Montreal, Canada, THURSDAY at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Zucco-Brown bill streaming LIVE from Milan, Italy, FRIDAY at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT

(March 23, 2023) — Two international fight cards will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ this week. The action starts Thursday, as super middleweight knockout artist Christian Mbilli takes on two-time Ecuadorian Olympian Carlos Gongora in a 10-round main event from the Montreal Casino in Montreal, Canada.
 
The ESPN+ action continues Friday from the Allianz Cloud in Milan, Italy, as undefeated 168-pound contender Ivan Zucco faces off against London’s Germaine Brown in a 10-round bout.
 
Mbilli-Gongora and undercard bouts will stream live on ESPN+ on Thursday starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Zucco-Brown and undercard contests will stream live on ESPN+ on Friday beginning at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.
 
Mbilli (22-0, 20 KOs) is a 2016 French Olympian who is inching closer to a world title opportunity. The 27-year-old is coming off an impressive 2022 in which he scored knockout wins over former title challenger Nadjib Mohammedi and DeAndre Ware, along with a decision victory last December over Vaughn Alexander. Gongora (21-1, 16 KOs) represented Ecuador in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics before turning pro in 2015. In 2020, he scored an upset knockout victory over Ali Akhmedov. He then stopped Christopher Pearson in 2021 before losing a close decision to Lerrone Richards. The 33-year-old southpaw is coming off a fourth-round TKO over Oscar Riojas last August.
 
In other streaming action from Montreal:
 
Canadian Olympian Simon Kean (22-1, 21 KOs) faces his stiffest challenge yet against two-time world title challenger Eric Molina (29-8, 21 KOs). Kean was 15-0 with 14 knockouts before an upset loss to Dillon Carman in 2018. He avenged that loss the following year as part of a seven-fight knockout win streak.
 
Junior welterweight Steve Claggett (33-7-2, 23 KOs) will attempt to score his fifth straight KO victory in a 10-round tilt against Mexico’s Rafael Guzman Lugo (26-2-2, 16 KOs).
 
Undefeated lightweight Luis Santana (8-0, 2 KOs) returns to the ring in an eight-round fight against Francisco Arturo Ramirez Martinez (11-4, 6 KOs) of Veracruz, Mexico.
 
In a battle of undefeated junior lightweights, Canada’s Leila Beaudoin (8-0, 1 KO) will collide against Mexico’s Laura Avendano Mondragon (6-0, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder.
 
Zucco (16-0, 14 KOs) is a 27-year-old southpaw who debuted in the paid ranks in 2017. He beat then undefeated Luca Capuano in 2021 via sixth-round knockout to capture his first regional title. In his last fight, he stopped Marko Nikolic in the second round to capture the WBC International super middleweight title. His last six opponents have not gone the distance. Brown (12-1, 3 KOs) is a 28-year-old native of London who captured a British title in 2022 with a decision win over Charlie Schofield. In his last outing, he lost the belt to Zak Chelli in what has been his only loss so far.
 
In other streaming action from Milan
 
Francesco Russo (12-2, 10 KOs) will put his Italian junior middleweight title on the line in a 10-rounder against Christian Mazzon (9-4, 3 KOs).
 
Maxim Prodan (20-2-1, 15 KOs) will see action in an eight-round welterweight tilt against Mirko Marchetti (8-4).
 
Undefeated Italian prospect Giovanni Sarchioto (6-0, 6 KOs) will participate in an eight-round middleweight contest against France’s Houcine Moulahi (4-13-2, 2 KOs).

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OVERSEAS BOXING MATCHES

By Per-Ake Persson

Mike “Sniper” Jaede stops Pataa Varduashvili for the vacant GBC super middle title on boxing show at Berlin, Germany’s Colombia Theatre before a packed house of fans

March 18 – Berlin, Germany. Local hero Mike “Sniper” Jaede (19-0, 15 KO’s) was supposed to defend the GBC (Global Boxing Council) 160 lb. title but could not make the weight so the GBC approved the fight against Georgian veteran Pataa Varduashvili for the vacant GBC super middleweight title and we had a fight that headlined Troja Boxing’s show at a sold-out Columbia Theatre.

Jaede, 29, started carefully and the first round was more like shadow boxing as the German came out jabbing and landing right hands as his opponent did very little in the form of offense.

In the second round, however, Varduashvili, 42, picked up the pace and Jaede, 165 ¾, was soon cut over the right eye. Jaede was under some pressure, and although he fired back, it was obvious his conditioning was not the best. Both fighters battled on nearly even terms, although Varduashvili appeared to have a slight edge with the crisper punches landing.

In the third Varduashvilli suddenly shook his right hand and pretty much stopped fighting. A time-out was called, and the Georgian indicated he could not or would not continue so the fight had to be stopped and it was over after 1:28 in what was shaping up to be an interesting fight. Varduashvili (32-25-2, 25 KO’s) had indicated that he had damaged his right hand and he felt it was broken.

At the time of the stoppage, two judges had the fight even at 19-19, while the third official had Jaede ahead at 20-19.

The undercard consisted of 13 fights all scheduled for four rounds. It was a mixture of new pros, some green beginners and some older, faded trial horses picking up another payday.

Ukrainian super welterweight Denys Presotskyy, 26, now living in Denmark, made his pro debut and impressed as he stopped a local man in Abel-Charli Marta, 27, now 0-2, in the second. Presotskyy fought at a very high level in the amateurs, and it showed in the way he picked apart a decent opponent.

At the other end of the ladder, we have Zahir Bennet, an Englishman, who has fought on the “unlicensed” circuit in his home country. BoxRec had him as 0-5 going in but there are more losses than that. He left the ring on a stretcher and was taken to hospital after getting knocked out by Jordan Hammonds, also from the UK, making his debut on this bill.

Big heavyweight Rasul Alautdinov, 27, moved to 5-1 (3 KO’s) by knocking out 45-year-old Czech Pavel Siska (6-61-1, 4 KO’s) in the very first round.

Siska’s stablemate, the legendary Josef Holub (5-118-1, 2 Ko’s) was also on the bill before getting stopped in the second – but no one got hurt in that one and that seldom happens when Josef Holub is in the ring. His opponent, local hero Maurice Mielcke, 20, is now 2-0 (2 KO’s).

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Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Adrian “Pretty Boy” Pinheiro

Seeking redemption this Saturday

“Night of Redemption” in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 27, 2023) – Unbeaten Polish cruiserweight Adrian “Pretty Boy” Pinheiro (10-0-1, 9 KOs) will be seeking redemption this Saturday night (April 1) on the “Night of Redemption” card at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.  

“Night of Redemption,” co-promoted by Orlando Boxing Promotions and Boxlab Promotions, will be streamed live on pay-per-view from Orlando on www.bxng.tv.

The 25-year-old Pinheiro (10-0-1, 9 KOs), fighting out of Orlando, is coming off his lone non-victory as a professional, when he fought Isaiah Thompson to a six-round split draw this past February 25.

“I wasn’t happy about the decision in my last fight,” Pinheiro said. “It was a close fight, a few rounds could have gone one way or the other, but I thought I had won. I understand. That’s why you don’t leave it up to the judges. I took it as a lesson. I did learn a lot and I’ll keep learning and improving every fight.

“This fight seems like redemption for me. I’m excited to be headlining for the first time and in my first scheduled eight-round fight. A lot of people expected more from me in my last fight. I have another opportunity to show what I can do. I didn’t have much of an amateur career, so I’m learning on the go as a pro. Every day, every fight, I’m always trying to learn. In 2023, I want to showcase my talent to the boxing world. I hope this fight will lead to bigger fights for me with more exposure. I’d like to fight on the undercard of a big show by the end of the year. I have a good team with my promoter, Vito Mielnicki (GH3 Promotions), and my trainer, Tony Blanco.”

“I am very proud of the work Adrian has put into his craft to be in this position,” Blanco remarked. “Headlining his first show with only 11 pro fights says a lot about his work ethic. I am also proud to be part of his boxing journey and I look forward to what the future holds for him if he continues his path.”

Pinheiro, currently rated No. 13 by the NABA,  faces Demetrius Banks (12-12-2, 5 KOs), of Detroit, who is best known for ruining the 2014 professional debut of Antwaun Tubbs, the son of former world heavyweight champion Tony Tubbs, by registering a four-round technical knockout.

‘My opponent is a tough fighter who has upset a few people,” Pinheiro added. “He is more experienced than me, so I’m not taking him lightly. This fight is the next step for me.”

Undefeated 22-year-old Jeovanny “El Rayo” Estela, 10-0, 3 KOs) will face the toughest test of his young career in the six-round co-feature versus Saul “Navajo” Corral (23-20, 13 KOs), the former WBC FECARBOX welterweight champion from Mexico. Estela is a fan favorite in his hometown of Orlando, while Corral has been in tough during his career, including fights with world champions Sadam Ali and Victor Ortiz.

Miami-based Cuban fighter Idalberto Umara (9-1, 6 KOs) will make his first title defense of the WBA Fedecaribe lightweight belt against challenger Braulio “El Chavo” Rodriguez (23-20, 13 KOs) in a 10-round clash.

Umara captured the Fedecaribe championship in his last fight, February 25, 2023, at Caribe Royale in Orlando by way of a second-round technical knockout of Deivi Julio. Rodriguez is a former WBC Latino super featherweight champion.

Two other Cuban boxers are scheduled to be in action. Miami-based welterweight Damian Lascaille (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA in a four-rounder, while Las Vegas heavyweight Henrich Ruiz Cordoba (1-0, 1 KO) is matched in a six-rounder against veteran Mexican fighter Jose “Olympico” Humberto Corral (20-32, 12 KOs), the older brother of Saul Corral.

Orlando cruiserweight Daine Smikle (1-0), a former member of the Jamaican National Boxing Team, is in a four-round match versus Tyler Jacques (0-5-1).

Also fighting in the undercard is four-round bouts are Orlando super welterweight Ramiro De Jesus (2-0, 1 KO) vs. pro-debuting Bryan Duran, of Miami; Orlando cruiserweight A’Mire “Devine” Lewis (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Twon Smith (3-6, 2 KOs), Orlando lightweight and Puerto Rico native Jonathan Cortes (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Paul Amaro (0-1); Puerto Rican lightweight Carlos Rosario (5-1, 3 KOs) vs. Michael Gaxiola (4-36), Pennsylvania’s pro-debuting lightweight Shamara “Pure Perfection” Woods vs. Orlando’s Sarah “Switch Kick” Click (1-2-1, 0 KOs),  heavyweight Brandon Lynch (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. Dennys Reyes (3-4, 1 KO), pro-debuting Haitian featherweight Giovanni Louis vs. Waverly Bagby (1-11-1, 1 KO), and super middleweight Jamar Pemberton (3-0, 3 KOs), of Las Vegas, vs. Honduran Juan Celin Zapata (7-22-2, 2 5 KOs)..

Card subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $100.00 (ringside), $75.00 reserved seating, $40.00 general admission and available to purchase at  https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/22005E67806EB93E.

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

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RDR Promotions returns to the Clarion Hotel in Essington, PA on Friday, April 14th as heavyweights Junior Wright and Brian Howard will slug it out in the six-round main event.

Essington, PA (March 21, 2023) – Fresh off an explosive knockout of Colby Madison, Junior Wright of Delaware County is 19-4-1 with 16 knockouts. The 36 year-old Wright has victories over Nick Reader (3-0-1), Nick Kisner (12-0-1). On May 21, 2016, Wright challenged Beibut Shumenov for the WBA Cruiserweight title. Wright was stopped in 10 -rounds in a fight that took place in Las Vegas. Wright is coming off that vicious third-round stoppage over Colby Madison on October 1, 2022 in Philadelphia.

Howard of Loganville, Georgia has a record of 15-5 with 12 knockouts. The 42 year-old Howard has wins over Yuwshua Zadok (1-0), Chris Stallworth (9-2), Alex Guerrero (12-0-1), Shawndell Winters (8-0), Carlos Negron (20-2). Howard is coming off la oss to Efe Ajagba on April 10, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In an six–round co-feature, welterweight Mark Dawson Jr. will be in action against Jose Mayoral

Dawson of Philadelphia, is promoted by RDR Promotions is 10-1-1 with four knockouts. The 25 year-old Dawson has been a pro for seven years, and has a win over previously undefeated Ivan Pandzic (13-0-1). Dawson is coming off a fourth round stoppage over Vincent Floyd on September 23, 2022 in Essington, PA

Mayoral of New Orleans, Louisiana is 5-2-1 with one knockout. Mayoral has wins over Jose Belloso and the touted Boubacar Sylla (12-0). Mayoral is coming off a draw with Ibrahim Robinson (4-0) on January 21 in Tampa, Florida.

Also in a six-round bout, Angel Perez (7-0, 6 KOs) of Harrisburg, PA takes on upset-specialist Kieron Hooks (4-2-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a welterweight bout.

In six-round bouts:

Rasheen Brown (11-1, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Eric Manriquez (7-15-1, 3 KOs) of Houston in a featherweight contest.

In Four-Round Bouts:

Antonio Dubose (13-2-2, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia fights Phillip Davis (3-5-2) of Worcester, Mass. in a lightweight affair.

Seeing action against opponents to be named will be RDR Promotions fighters: junior welterweight Marvelous Corbin (2-0, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia; bantamweight Edwin Cortes (3-0 of Millville, NJ and welterweight Nimal Farmer (3-0, 3 KOs) of Lindenwold, NJ

The Clarion Hotel is located at 76 Industrial Highway in Essington, PA

Tickets are $100, $75 and $55 and can be purchased at the Following Link

CLICK FOR TICKETS

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Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez predicts he will KO Gabe Rosado and go on to become 4-division world champion

LAS VEGAS (March 16, 2023) –- “Zurdo” Ramirez has a definitive plan!

It all starts this Saturday when the former World Super Middleweight Champion returns to headline another DAZN card, matched against two-time world title challenger Gabriel “King” Rosado (26-16-1, 15 KOs) in the 12-round main event.

Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zurdo Promotions, the white-hot event will be streamed live on DAZN (8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT) The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California.

“Zurdo” is predicting a knockout victory, although he’s not taking Rosado lightly. He personally knows the Philadelphia native now living in Los Angeles and “Zurdo” has sparred with Rosado in the past. Rosado  has fought a Who’s Who of opponents, notching wins over two world champions, Joshua Clottey and Kassim Ouma. Rosado has also fought monsters such as Gennadiy Golovkin, Jaime Munguia, Daniel Jacobs, David Lemieux, Jermell Charlo, and Peter Quillin.

“It (Rosado’s quality experience) means a lot and I respect him,” Ramirez said. “I know Rosado and he can be dangerous for any fighter. And the Mexico (Ramirez) versus Puerto Rico (Rosado) rivalry means a lot, too. Historically there have been some amazing fights throughout history between boxers from these two countries. Everyone knows that, when it’s Mexico versus Puerto Rico, it’s going to be an entertaining fight.”

“Zurdo” is reloading after he suffered the first loss of his professional career 13 1/2-year professional boxing career last November to WBA Super Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol by way of a decision.

“My plan is to win,” Ramirez explained. “I’m looking forward to getting back to my winning ways. I predict a KO win in this fight. Everyone knows that I’m game for any fight. Anyone in the division: Artur Beterbiev, Callum Smith, Joe Smith, Joshua Buatsi, Marcus Brown, or a rematch with Bivol.

“My goals remain the same. I’m still chasing that light heavyweight world title, then I will move up to cruiserweight and heavyweight. My goal is to become a 4-division world champion!.” 

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Fight-Life Promotions stages heavyweight slugfest as Awadh Tamim brutally stops Pezhman Seifkhani in 3 rounds to win vacant Swedish crown

March 4 – Orebro, Sweden. It was not supposed to happen but unheralded Tanzanian heavyweight, living in Stockholm for some years, Awadh “Big Brother” Tamim 16-5 (11 KO’s) showed what determination and willpower can do for a fighter when he stopped local favorite Pezhman Seifkhani (14-1, 11 KO’s) and won the vacant Swedish title in the headliner of Fight-Life Promotion’s show at Tegelbruket in Orebro.

Tamim, 39, is a pretty good fighter with lots of experience, however, he is equipped with a fragile chin and Seifkhani knew it and after a tense start, he opened up with both hands and as was expected Tamim was soon wobbled. Tamim kept his hands high, kept his cool and fired back when he could. In the second Seifkhani, 32, went all out and Tamim was hurt and floored but got up and while on legs that kind of danced on their own he shook his opponent with a right hand and now Pezhman was on shaky legs – and he had punched himself out! 

In the third Seifkhani came out and gave it everything, though he had very little left and Tamim floored him with a barrage of punches in what was now a sensational slugfest normally only seen in the movies. Seifkhani got up but was a spent force and was soon floored again and it was stopped at 2:04. It was scheduled for eight.

Greek heavyweight Marios Kollias, (10-2-1) a stablemate of Pezhman Seifkani, took his time, paced himself well and knocked out Italian Andrea Pesce (8-20-2) in the third of a scheduled six-rounder. Pesce, a tough spoiler, was in it to survive but Kollias worked him over with solid hooks to the body and finished him with a right to the head. It was over at 2:47.

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Around the European Boxing Ring with Per-Ake Persson

March 2023- Bochum, Germany. Agit Kabayel (23-0) won the vacant EBU heavyweight title with a third-round stoppage of Croatian Agron Smakici (19-2) in the headliner of the SES show at the RuhrKongress. Smakici, hard punching but fragile, hurt Kabayel in the second and with only the ropes holding him up he received a count. Kabayel, however, recovered and hurt Smakici at the end of the round. In the third Kabayel opened up and floored Smakici twice and the fight was stopped. 

This is Kabayel’s second reign as EBU champ and he has been around for some time without the big fights coming his way.

 

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March 2023- Albertslund, Denmark. Danish Fight Night returned but now without the late great Hall of Fame Mogens Palle at the wheel. Instead, his daughter Bettina Palle is continuing his work and staged this show at Musikteater in Albertslund on the outskirts of Copenhagen.

Former IBF female featherweight champion Sarah Mahfoud (12-1) had her first fight since losing to Amanda Serrano and won the WBC Silver title with a wide points win over German Lara Ochmaan (9-2). It was scored 100-90 from all officials.

In the chief support super welter Oliver Meng (10-0) outscored Brazilian Walisson Fagundes (5-3) over eight. It was scored 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74.

 

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    Undefeated Prospect Julian Gonzalez Takes on Clay Burns in Featured Bout on Friday, April 7th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia

Plus Undefeated Tahmir Smalls, Ibrahim Robinson, Jalique Holden, Ali Ellis and Dwyke Flemmings Jr.

Undefeated Kamil Bednarek Battles Mike Guy

Plus Philly Favorites Quadir Albright and James Martin

PHILADELPHIA (March 16, 2023) — Undefeated junior lightweight prospect Julian “Gifted” Gonzalez will take part in the featured bout as he takes on gritty Clay Burns on Friday, April 7th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

The card is promoted by King’s Promotions.

Gonzalez of Reading, PA has a record of 9-0-1 with all of his victories coming by way of stoppage. The 21 year-old impressed a national television audience with a fourth-round stoppage over previously undefeated Rosalindo Morales (9-0) as part of a SHOBOX: The New Generation card on January 20th in Bethlehem, PA.

Burns of Fort Worth, Texas is 10-17-2 with four knockouts. The tough Burns has only been stopped once, and has wins over Yovani Rodarte (10-1-1) and Dartell Smith (4-1) . Burns is coming off a decision loss to Terrell Bostic on February 23rd in New York City. Gonzalez will be the 13th undefeated opponent for Burns.

In an eight-round welterweight bout, Tahmir Smalls (9-0, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia will take on an opponent to be named.

In Six-Round Bouts:

Kamil Bednarek (11-0, 6 KOs) of Dzlerzonicow, Poland battles the experienced Mike Guy (12-7-1, 5 KOs) of Sacramento, California in a super middleweight fight.

Quaidir Albright (6-1, 6 KOs) of Chester, PA fights David Thomas (6-5-1, 2 KOs) of Orange, Texas in a welterweight contest.

James Martin (9-3-1) of Philadelphia boxes Roudly Lolo (5-0-2, 3 KOs) of Camp Hill, PA in a super welterweight fight.

Ibrahim Robinson (4-0-1, 4 KOs) of Baltimore, MD squares off with Jahqwon Humbert (2-0, 1 KO) of Raleigh, NC in a welterweight fight.

Seeing action in four-round bouts will be featherweight Jalique Holden (3-0, 2 KOs) of Wilmington, DE; heavyweight Ali Ellis (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia and super welterweight Dwyke Flemmings Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs) of Paterson, NJ.

Opponents will be named shortly for Holden, Ellis and Flemmings.

Tickets are $150, $100 and $75 and can be Purchased at The Following Link:

https://2300arena.showare.com/orderticketsvenue.asp?p=447

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Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez returns this Saturday vs. Gabe Rosado for the next chapter of his career

LAS VEGAS (March 14, 2023) –- Former World Super Middleweight Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) returns to the ring this Saturday for the first time during his 13 ½-year pro career after suffering a loss against two-time world title challenger Gabriel “King” Rosado (26-16-1, 15 KOs), in the 12-round main event on a stacked card promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zurdo Promotions, streaming live on DAZN (8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT) from The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California.

The 31-year-old Ramirez, fighting out of Mazatlan, Mexico, didn’t have his hand raised in victory for the first time as a pro this past November in Abu Dhabi, when World Boxing Association (WBA) Super World Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitriy Bivol (21-0) successfully defended his crown by way of a 12-round unanimous decision.

“It just wasn’t my night and meant for my opponent,” Ramirez explained about his fight with Bivol. “Looking back, I could have been a little more active, but it is what it is. I definitely would like a rematch in the future.”

First, though, “Zurdo” needs to get back on the winning track versus Rosado, Philadelphia-born of Puerto Rican heritage, who is best known for his stubborn toughness. Rosado, who holds wins over former world champions Joshua Clottey and Kassim Ouma, will be moving up to the light heavyweight division for the first time against Ramirez. 

“He (Rosado) is a tough opponent who is always ready to fight,” Ramirez said. “He has been in the ring with the best and can be dangerous at any time of the fight. And to have it be a Mexico versus Puerto Rico match-up is just a cherry on top to make this an exciting fight for fans.”

His loss to Bivol has left “Zurdo” even more motivated.

“It’s a different feeling’” Ramirez noted, “but preparation does not change. I’m more motivated than ever to get back on track and show why I’m still one of the best in the game.”

The next chapter of “Zurdo” Ramirez’ boxing career starts March 18th!

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Top Florida boxing prospects in action April 1st on “Night of Redemption” in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 14, 2023) – Many of the most promising boxing prospects in Florida, including several promising Cuban boxers, will be showcased on the “Night of Redemption” card, on Saturday night, April 1, at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.  

 

“Night of Redemption,” co-promoted by Orlando Boxing Promotions and Boxlab Promotions, will be streamed live on pay-per-view from Orlando on www.boxtv.com

 

“Caribe Royale is looking forward to hosting ‘Night of Redemption’ on April 1^st,” said Amaury Piedra, Managing Director, Caribe Royale Resort. “This joint promotion between Boxlab Promotions and Orlando Boxing Promotions will feature a mix of a current regional champion in Idalberto Umara defends his Fedecaribe title, along with up-and-coming prospects such as Orlando’s Adrian Pinheiro, Jeovanny Estela, Joshua Lebron, and others. We’re always proud to have activities at The Resort like this boxing card, which brings in visitors and locals alike. This should be a great night allowing our local young talent to showcase their skills in Central Florida’s home of Boxing, the Caribe Royale Resort.”

 

“I’m super excited to be promoting my first show in Orlando where I live,” remarked Orlando Boxing Promotions president Tony Blanco, who lived and promoted shows in Connecticut. “To be promoting this show with Boxlab, which is a big boxing company here in Central Florida, and its crew at a beautiful venue like Caribe Royale Resort is amazing.”

 

Unbeaten Polish cruiserweight Adrian “Pretty Boy” Pinheiro (10-0-1, 9 KOs), fighting out of Orlando, will headline in the 8-round main event against Demetrius Banks (5 KOs), of Detroit. The 25-year-old Pinheiro is coming off his lone non-victory as a professional this past February 25, fighting Isaiah Thompson to a 6-round split draw. Bank is best known for ruining the professional debut of Antwaun Tubbs, the son of former world heavyweight champion Tony Tubbs,  by way of a 4-round technical knockout in 2014.

 

“Adrian is seeking redemption after he fought to a draw in his last fight (Feb. 25^th vs. Isaiah Thompson),” added Blanco, who trains Pinhiero. “He’s stepping up to fight his first scheduled 8-round bout and his first main event. He’s coming off a draw but he’s looking at it as a loss. He wants to put that fight behind and move forward. Not only did he want to go 8 rounds, but he also wanted to fight a tough, durable opponent. Most fighters coming off a draw, they’d want a tune-up fight to build back their confidence, but Adrian is ready for what’s coming next for him in his career.”

 

The 6-round co-featured event undefeated 22-year-old Jeovanny Estela, 10-0, 3 KOs) will put his perfect pro record on the line against Saul “Navajo” Corrall (23-20, 13 KOs), of Mexico. Corrall, who is a former WBC FECARBOX welterweight champion, clearly represents the toughest test of Estela’s young pro boxing career. Battle-tested Corrall has been in the ring with world champions such as Sadam Ali and Victor Ortiz, as well as several contenders, and hot prospects like Estella.

 

Cuban Idalberto Umara (9-1, 6 KOs), fighting out of Miami, will make his first title defense of the WBA Fedecaribe Lightweight crown in a 10-round title fight versus a challenger to be announced. Umara captured his Fedecarbie championship belt in his last fight by way of a second-round technical knockout of Deivi Julio this past February 25^th at Caribe Royale in Orlando.

 

Two other Cuban boxers are scheduled to be in action. Miami-based Damian Lascaille (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA in a 4-rounder, while Las Vegas heavyweight Henrich Ruiz Cordoba (1-0, 1 KO) is matched in a 6-round bout against veteran Mexican fighter Jose “Olympico” Humberto Corrall (20-32, 12 KOs).

 

Orlando cruiserweight Daine Smikle (1-0), who was a member of the Jamaican National Boxing Team, is a former Connecticut resident (New Haven) like Blanco who has also resettled in Orlando. Smikle is in a 4-round match vs. TBA.

 

Also fighting in the undercard is 4-rounders are Orlando super welterweight Ramiro De Jesus (2-0, 1 KO) vs. pro-debuting Bryan Duran, of Miami; Orlando cruiserweight A’Mire “Devine” Lewis (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. TBA, Orlando lightweight and Puerto Rico native Jonathan Cortes (1-0, 1 KO) vs. TBA; and Orlando’s super bantamweight Joshua Lebron (5-0-1, 4 KOs) vs. TBA.

 

Card subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $100.00 (ringside), $75.00 reserved seating, $40.00 general admission and available to purchase at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/22005E67806EB93E

 

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

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Livin’ The American Dream

NABA super flyweight champion John “Scrappy” Ramirez

LAS VEGAS (March 14, 2023, 2023) – Undefeated North American Boxing Association (NABA) Super Flyweight Champion John “Scrappy” Ramirez (11-0, 8 KOs) is literally living the American Dream.

Despite growing up in a broken home on the crime infested streets of South-Central Los Angeles, unable to speak English when he resettled back in LA from Honduras, where he lived with his father, “Scrappy” had every conceivable reason to go down the wrong path. Yet, the fast-rising boxer is knocking on the door of stardom in the most unforgiving sport of professional boxing.

“I am the American Dream,” the fan-friendly fighter proclaimed. “All the hard times have made me stronger. My father and mother put food on the table and the lights on. When you overcome what I have in life, the hard times become easy times. I love life and I’m inspiring people with my story, but I don’t live in the past and I look forward to my future. I’ve never been the type of person to complain about the hard times. I’ve come a long way and overcome a lot. I believe in the American Dream and I’m living it.”

“Scrappy” is on the fast track, ranked No. 2 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), and he accepted the offer to face veteran Thai boxer Sirichai Thaiyen (64-4, 42 KOs), rated No, 3 (the No. 1 spot is open), in a WBA Title Eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for WBA Super Flyweight World Champion Joshua “El Profesor” Franco (18-1-3, 8 KOs).

Ramirez captured the NABA crown last May 14^th in Ontario, California, registering a Knockout of the Year-caliber performance against Jan Salvatierra (8-1), who lasted only 2:25 in the opening round, blasted through the ropes and out of the ring.

In his most recent action this past February 23^rd, “Scrappy” successfully defended his NABA belt for the first time, taking a 10-round unanimous decision (100-90, 99-91, 99-91) over Luis Villa Padilla (16-3-2) in the main event at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California. Even though he won 9 rounds on two of the judges’ scorecards, all 10 on the other, “Scrappy” received some criticism that the 26-year-old Ramirez has dealt with like a seasoned veteran.

“That was a mostly Mexican crowd that wasn’t rocking with me,” Ramirez explained. “The guy I fought was Mexican and I’m out-spoken, flashy, and confident. I know the culture and they thought I was too cocky. And they thought I was an African American. I fought a tough opponent and I tried to get him out early. In the fifth round, I told myself to enjoy the process, don’t rush, and have fun. I displayed my skills for 10 rounds and got the W.

“If I don’t knockout an opponent, they complain; if I out-box my opponent, it’s too boring for them; if I get hit too much, they think I need to work on my defense. I could have made it a boring fight if I had just jabbed, but that would have made the fight boring. I broke him down. I see how people view me. They have big expectations, but I created those. I didn’t knock out my last opponent, but I was the superior fighter, playing on a different level. I’m a promotional free agent (managed by 3 Prime Management) who is a championship fighter in my first main event.”

“Scrappy” isn’t waiting for Thaiyen or even Franco, to the contrary. The entertaining fighter was to remain active, hopefully fighting three more times in 2023, whether or not that includes a WBA Eliminator or World title shot.

“If those fights are meant to happen,” Ramirez added, “it will and, if not, I’ll keep fighting to get better. Anything is possible in this business. Everything has happened quicker than expected for me. I’m on the fast track and I’ll go with the flow. I’m ready for anything.

“Becoming world champion is the main goal…. then I want the second, and eventually the rest of the belts. Franco has what I want and I’m coming!”

“Scrappy” Ramirez is truly living the American Dream.

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Julian Rodriguez Decisions Kashon Hutchinson

Mikenna Tansley wins NABF and WBA Continental Americas Bantamweight Title

Jonathan Rodriguez Wins Decision

Teasley, Spell, Oran and Young Remain Undefeated

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – March 14, 2023 –Julian Rodriguez came back from a 21-month layoff to win an eight-round unanimous decision over streaking Kashon Hutchinson in the main welterweight main event at The Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, PA.

The seven-bout card was promoted by King’s Promotions.

Rodriguez came out fast as he landed some booming power punches which landed flush on Hutchinson. Hutchinson showed an amazing chin as the punches that landed did not seem to faze the Reading, Pa. fighter. The middle rounds saw Hutchinson try to peck away and get some punches through on Rodriguez. Rodriguez showed some solid boxing ability down the stretch.

Rodriguez of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ won by scores of 80-72 and 78-74 on two cards to raise his mark to 22-1. Hutchinson had his seven fight win streak snapped and is now 10-6.

Mikenna Tansley won the NABF and WBA Continental Americas Bantamweight Titles with an eight-round unanimous decision over Amy Salinas.

Tansley was aggressive throughout the fight, and pushed Salinas back repeatedly. In round six, Tansley switched to southpaw and boxed beautifully from that stance over the final three frames and won by scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74.

Tansley of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada is 7-2. Salinas of Las Cruces, NM is 4-4.

Jonathan Rodriguez won a six-round unanimous decision over Wilner Soto in a bantamweight contes.

Rodriguez of Bethlehem, PA won by scores of 60-54 on each card and is now 14-1-1. Soto of Colombia is 22-12.

Thanjhae Teasley remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Emmanuel Tennison in a welterweight clash.

Teasley of Bethlehem, PA won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 6-0. Tennison of Fort Worth, Texas is 3-5.

Johnny Spell scored a knockdown en-route to a six-round unanimous decision over ANtonio Dunton-El in a lightweight contest.

Spell of Pittsburgh won by scores of 60-53 twice and 59-54 and is now 8-0. Dunton-El of Baltimore is 3-2-2.

Francis Oran stopped Joseph Bond after round two of their four-round heavyweight bout.

Oran dominated the bout and Bond’s corner saw enough to pull their fighter after the second frame.

Oran of Allentown, is 3-0 with two knockouts. Bond of Orlando is 0-5.

Devon Young scored a vicious second round stoppage over Lemir Riley in a battle of undefeated heavyweights.

In round two, Riley leaned in and caught an uppercut right on the chin and was momentarily knocked out cold face-first at 2:50.

Young of AIken, South Carolina is 4-0 with three knockouts. Riley of New Cumberland, PA is 2-1.

KING’S PROMOTIONS WILL BE BACK AT THE 2300 ARENA ON FRIDAY, APRIL 7TH.

KING’S PROMOTIONS WILL HOLD A CARD AT LIVE CASINO PHILADELPHIA ON TUESDAY, MAY 2ND. DETAILS OF BOTH CARDS WILL BE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK.

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Devon Young and Oshae Jones Look for Keystone State Victories This Weekend

NEW YORK (March 10, 2023) –Two Split-T Management fighters will look to keep their undefeated records intact with fights in Pennsylvania. Friday night at the Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, undefeated heavyweight Devon Young takes on Lemir Riley in a heavyweight bout.

 

Young, 24 years-old of Aiken, South Carolina is 3-0 with two knockouts. He is coming off a first-round stoppage over Jurreal Simmons on February 11th in Columbia, South Carolina.

As an amateur fighter, Young made it to the 2020 Olympic Trials, and was a Western qualifier champion in 2017 & 2018, and the 2015 Youth Open Champion. He also was a 2014 Junior Olympic champion.

Young has the distinction as being the last fighter to defeated current United States Olympic Super Heavyweight Richard Torrez

Riley of New Cumberland, PA is 2-0 with one knockout.

Young was 217.2 lbs. Riley weighed in at 217.4 lbs.

 

Young is promoted by King’s Promotions.

The fight can be seen Live on BXNGTV.com at 7 PM ET.

Saturday night at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, 2021 United States Olympian Oshae Jones makes her second start as a pro when she takes on former world champion and 54-fight veteran Dahianna Santana in a welterweight showdown.

Jones of Cleveland, Ohio is 1-0 which was a unanimous decision over Sonya Dreiling on June 10, 2023 in Verona, New York.

Ohio began boxing at the age of 12, spawning a magnificent amateur career that saw her amass a record of 60-9 whilst competing all over the world.

Oshae received the key to her hometown, and was honored with a parade upon coming home with her Olympic Bronze Medal.

She dominated and won many prestigious tournaments such as the 2020 Stramdja, 2020 Boxam International, 2017 Eastern Elite Qualifier, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Elite Nationals, as well as the 2016 Youth Open and 2014 National PAL.

Two of Oshae’s most significant victories came when she received the Gold Medal at the 2019 Pan Am Games and finished first at the 2020 United States Olympic Trials.

She is the first female welterweight to represent the United States in the Olympics.

Jones is managed by Split-T Management under the guidance of Brian Cohen.

Santana of New York via The Dominican Republic is 40-14 with 16 knockouts. The 38 year-old fought for the world title on two occasions before winning the IBF Featherweight title with a 10-round unanimous over Stacy Reile on November 20, 2011. She made four defenses before adding the WBA Interim Featherweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision on June 28, 2014.Santana fought for world titles on two more occasions.

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Split-T Management Fighters Pick Up Four Wins Over the Weekend

Devon Young, Oshae Jones, LeAnna Cruz Get Wins in Pennsylvania

Kandi Wyatt wins WBA Inter-Continental Title in England

NEW YORK (March 14, 2023)–Four Split-T Management fighters picked up victories over the weekend.

Friday night in Bethlehem, PA, heavyweight Devon Young remained undefeated with a vicious second round stoppage over Lemir Riley in a four-round bout.

In round two, with Riley leaning in, Young unleashed a perfect uppercut on the jaw that sent Riley face-first and momentarily out cold at 2:50.

Young of AIken, South Carolina is 4-0 with three knockouts. Riley of New Cumberland, PA is 2-1.

Young is promoted by King’s Promotions.

In Wolverhampton, England, Former two-time world title challenger Kandi Wyatt captured the WBA Intercontinental Welterweight title with a 10-round split decision over Kirstie Bavington.

Wyatt of Calgary, Alberta, Canada won by tallies of 98-92 twice and one card had it for Bavington 96-94.

Wyatt is now 11-4. Bavington of England is 7-3-2.

On the same card, junior middleweight Logan Hollier dropped a decision to former world champion Hannah Rankin. Hollier, who is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, is now 9-3-1.

Saturday in Philadelphia, 2021 United States Olympian Oshae Jones remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over former world champion Dahianna Santana in a welterweight bout at the 2300 Arena.

Jones of Toledo, Ohio won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is now 2-0. Santana of New York is 40-15.

On the same card, super flyweight LeAnna Cruz won a six-round unanimous decision over Devany Cuevas Torres.

Cruz of Allentown, PA won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 to raise her mark to 4-0. Torres of San Antonio is 2-3-1.

Wyatt, Jones, Cruz and Hollier are managed by Brian Cohen.

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May 7: Stephen Fulton-Naoya Inoue Junior Featherweight Title Showdown to Stream LIVE on ESPN+

Fulton-Inoue and undercard bouts from Yokohama Arena will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ in a special early-morning presentation

YOKOHAMA, Japan (March 14, 2023) — Naoya “Monster” Inoue conquered the bantamweight division. He’s now moving up in weight to capture the biggest fish at 122 pounds.

Philadelphia’s WBC & WBO junior featherweight world champion, Stephen Fulton, will defend his titles against Japan’s pound-for-pound king Sunday, May 7, at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. The showdown pits two of the world’s top fighters, as Inoue aims to become only the fifth Asian boxer to win world titles in four weight classes.

Fulton-Inoue and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ in a special early-morning presentation.

Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs) is 19-0 with 17 knockouts in world title fights, a championship run that started in 2014 when he knocked out Adrian Hernandez for the WBC light flyweight world title. He went on to rule the junior bantamweight division with seven title defenses, including a second-round stoppage over Omar Narvaez. At bantamweight, Inoue became the division’s first undisputed champion in a half-century, stopping Emmanuel Rodriguez in two rounds to win the IBF strap, outlasting Nonito Donaire in the 2019 Fight of the Year to add the WBA belt, starching Donaire in the second round of their June 2022 rematch to snatch the WBC title, and stopping then-WBO champion Paul Butler in the 11th round. Inoue vacated all four bantamweight titles to move up four pounds for a shot at “Cool Boy Steph.”

Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) turned pro in 2014 and defeated five undefeated prospects in his first 12 bouts. In January 2021, he defeated Angelo Leo to capture the WBO junior featherweight world title. Ten months later, he added the WBC belt to his collection with a majority decision over then-unbeaten Brandon Figueroa in one of the year’s most action-packed championship showdowns. Fulton defended both titles last June with a one-sided unanimous decision over former unified world champion Daniel Roman. Fulton will enter the Inoue bout, his first away from American soil, coming off an 11-month layoff. The 28-year-old Fulton, however, is the naturally bigger man, holding advantages in height and reach.

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Isaiah Johnson Remains Undefeated With Unanimous Decision over Antonio Sanchez in Newtown, PA

Nimal Farmer and Najeem Johns Score Explosive Knockouts

O’Callaghan Defeats Alborov In Area Fight of the Year Candidate

NEWTOWN PA (March 14, 2023) — Rising prospect Isaiah Johnson remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over veteran upset-specialist Antonio Sanchez in a junior welterweight bout that headlined an entertaining eight-bout card at The Newtown Athletic Club.

The show was promoted by RDR Promotions.

Johnson of New Jersey boxed very well, and had Sanchez in trouble on several different occasions, but the experienced Sanchez was able to hold off the fast and energetic Johnson. Johnson was bever challenged and cruised home with the win by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55.

Johnson is now 7-0. Sanchez of Toa Alta, Puerto Rico is 7-16-3.

Oscar Barajas scored a six-round majority decision over Roberto Gomez in a battle of “Philly-Spoiler’s” in a junior welterweight contest.

Barajas of Zamora, Mexico won by scores of 58-56 twice and 57-57 and is now 19-8-3. Gomez of Mexico City is 5-2.

Erron Peterson and Tariq Green battled to a six-round split draw in a middleweight bout.

Peterson came out strong and took the first half of the fight. Green made a late rally, and was able to salvage the draw.

Scores were 58-56 for each fighter, and a third card was even at 57-57.

Peterson of Philadelphia is 3-0-1. Green of Philadelphia is 2-2-1.

Nimal Farmer scored a vicious second round stoppage over Brois Nde in a scheduled four-round junior welterweight bout.

In round two, Farmer landed a perfect uppercut to the jaw of Farmer that sent him down hard on his back. Nde was down for several minutes, but was able to leave the ring on his strength. The time was 39 seconds.

Farmer of Lindenwold, New Jersey is 3-0 with three knockouts. Nde of Harrisburg, PA is 4-2.

Najeem Johns stopped Raekwon Butler in the opening round of their four-round junior welterweight bout.

Johns caught Butler with a hard left on the ropes and the set off a flurry that forced a referee stoppage.

Johns of Darby, PA is 3-0 with three knockouts. Butler of Brooklyn, NY is 5-5.

Dominique Mayfield won a four-round unanimous decision over Jerome Aiken in a heavyweight bout.

Mayfield of Philadelphia won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 and is now 3-1. Aiken of Annapolis, MD is 1-7-1.

Ali Ellis made a successful pro debut with a third round stoppage over Jonathan Wiles in a heavyweight tussle.

Ellis started breaking down Wiles as Wiles was deducted a point in round three for holding. Later in the round Ellis dropped Wiles and the fight was over.

Ellis of Philadelphia is 1-0 with one knockout. Wiles of Philadelphia is 0-3.

In what was a sure fire Fight of the Year candidate, Brendan O’Callaghan outlasted Soslan Alborov via fourth and final round stoppage in their junior middleweight rematch.

The action was hot, heavy and furious from the opening bell. Alborov got on the board first by dropping O’Callaghan just moments into the contest. Then moments later, both guys landed simultaneously that sent both fighters to the canvas for the rare double knockdown. Alborov and O’Callaghan continued to pound away at each other, and in the final frame, O’Callaghan dropped Alborov with a perfect left hook. With Alborov hurt, O’Callaghan jumped on his opponent and the fight was stopped at 2:05.

O’Callaghan of Philadelphia is 5-1-1 with two knockouts. Alborov of Philadelphia is 1-2-1.

RDR PROMOTIONS RETURNS THE NEWTOWN ATHLETIC CLUB ON SATURDAY, APRIL 1ST.

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Loaded Pascal vs. Eifert

Undercard announced 

GERMAIN VS WILCOX

IBF INTER-CONTINENTAL TITLE

“No Limit” IBF Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator

March 16 at Place Bell in Laval

LAVAL, Québec, Canada (March 9, 2023) — A loaded undercard for the Jean Pascal vs. Michael “Diesel” Eifert International Boxing Federation (IBF) Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator card, “No Limit”, presented by Mise-O-Jeu, has been announced for March 16^th at Place Bell in Laval, Canada.

Two former world champions and a pair of Olympians and three female bouts will be showcased on “No Limit,” which will be available on ESPN+ in the United States,but available in Canada on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV and worldwide on GYMBoxe.tv and Fite.tv.

 

“No Limit” is promoted by DiBella Entertianment, in association with Groupe Yvon Michel and Jean Pascal Promotions, and in collaboration with Blanko Sports and SES Sports Events GmbH.

Pascal (36-6-1, 20 KOs), a two-time World Light Heavyweight Champion, takes on his German opponent, Eifert (11-1, 4 KOs), the actual IBF Inter-Continental and former unified IBF/WBC and WBO Youth Champion, in the 12-round main event to determine the mandatory challenger for IBF World titleholder Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs). Haiti-native Pascal, who has lived in Montreal since the late 1980s, is rated No. 3 by the IBF, while Eifert is ranked No. 5.

“The Jean Pascal vs. Michael Eifert IBF world title eliminator at Place Bell, in Laval, Quebec, Canada, will be supported by a tremendous undercard on March 16,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Fans in attendance will be treated to an exciting all-Canadian co-feature between super lightweights Mathieu Germain, of Quebec, and Steven Wilcox, of Ontario, in a 10-round contest. Canada’s women’s boxing scene will be well represented with former world title challenger Jessica Camara and Oly mpian Caroline Veyre, both from Montreal, in separate bouts, along with Ontario’s Amanda Galle, who is on the verge of a world title opportunity. Ireland’s light heavyweight prospect Joe Ward will look to add another impressive win to his ledger on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day and Italy’s amateur prodigy Yoel Angeloni will make his North American debut.”

Providing chief support in the 10-round, co-featured event is an exciting Canadian showdown for the IBF Inter-Continental super lightweight title between popular Mathieu “G-Time” Germain (21-2-1, 9 KOs) from Mascouche Quebec and Steven Wilcox (24-3-1, 7 KOs) from Hamilton Ontario. Germain, a former IBF International super lightweight champion, is riding a 3-fight win streak that started with his impressive victory over Steve Claggett (33-7-2, 23 KOs) by way of a 10-round decision. One of four boxing brothers, Wilcox is a former NABA Canadian super lightweight titleist who has won his last 6 straight matches.

Mathieu Germain is extremely excited about the opportunity: “I have been looking for this kind of fight for a long time where a victory will propel me directly with the best contenders in my division! I promise you I won’t miss, and I’ll leave the ring with this belt around my waist.”

World title contender Jessica “Cobra” Camara (10-3, 2 KOs), of Montreal, returns to Quebec for the first time since 2019. Camara has since fought 5 fights in the United States, including for the WBA and WBO super lightweight world championships versus Kali Reis (19-7-1, 5 KOs) in New Hampshire in November 2021. She lost a split decision in an extremely close and hard-fought fight , but has rebounded with two victories heading into this contest. Prisca Vicot was to be her opponent, but she withdrew last weekend. To replace her, Karla Ramos Zamora (9-9-1, 2KO) of Puebla for 10 rounds at super lightweight. The latter, who knocked out Viscot in 2020, accepted the challenge. Zamora is well known in Quebec for having offered a solid opposition to Leila Beaudoin last September, as evidenced by the 3 scores of 58-56 from the judges.

Another exciting female prospect is undefeated bantamweight and former Canadian amateur champion, Amanda Galle (7-0-1, 1 KO), who meets Lorena Cruz Aispuro (4-2, 0 KOs), of Mexico, in an 8-rounder.

Irish eyes will be smiling for promising Irishman “Mighty” Joseph Ward (8-1, 4 KOs), a 2016 Ireland Olympian, who will lead the St. Patrick’s Day celebration in an 8-round fight versus Mexican light heavyweight Mario Andrade Rodriguez (7-0, 4 KOs).

Rising featherweight star Caroline Veyre (2-0), a decorated Canadian amateur and 2020 Olympian, faced Emma “Valkyria” Gongora (5-2), of Marseille, France, in a 6-round match. The latter was injured in training and provided medical evidence on Tuesday. Another opponent will be announced this week.

Italian welterweight sensation Yoel Angeloni (1-0), the latest discovery of New York City-based promoter Lou DiBella, will make his North American debut as a professional in a 4-round battle against Alexander Calixto (1-1, 0 KOs).

Tickets ranging from $40 In the stands to $500 ( floor) are available for purchase online evenco.ca or by email at info@groupeyvonmichel.ca.

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“SPRINGFIELD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING 2”

FACT SHEET

 

WHAT: “Springfield Championship Boxing 2” Professional Boxing

 WHO:   The Lineup                                               

MAIN EVENT — MASSACHUSETTS STATE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (8)

Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (10-0, 6 KO), Champion, Holyoke, MA

vs.

Kenny “Lionheart” Larson (6-0, 5 KOs), Challenger, Salem, MA

 

CO-FEATURE — LIGHTWEIGHTS (6)

Isiah “Baby Warrior” Cruz (5-0, 2 KOs), Springfield, MA

vs.

Akeem “Action Action” Jackson (6-5, 5 KOs), Oxon Hill, MD

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (8)

Ali Izmailov (9-0, 6 KOs), Detroit, MI by way of Russia

vs.

Ariel “El Fenomena” Armando Basconcel (13-4-1, 12 KOs), Buenos Aires, Argentina

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS (6)

Carlos Castillo (6-0, 4 KOs), Holyoke, MA by way of Dominican Republic

vs.

Alfred Keenan Raymond (1-5-1 (0, KOs), Warwick, RI

WELTERWEIGHTS (4)

Ian “Dynamite” Garcia (2-0-1, 1 KO), Springfield, MA

vs.

“The Outlaw” Ryan Venable (3-16, 0 KOs), Roanoke, VA

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS (4)

Carlos Gonzalez (4-0, 4 KOs), Springfield, MA

vs.

Richard “Hard To Hit” Barnard (1-10-1, 0 KOs), Waianae, HI

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS (4)

Calixto Cruz (1-0, 0 KOs), Springfield, MA

vs.

Ahmad Cherry (0-2), Wilson, NC

FEMALE JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS (4)

Liz Humphries (0-1-1), Springfield, MA

vs.

Sarah “Switch Kick” Click (0-2-1), Orlando, FL

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World Ranked Super Bantamweight Oleh Dovhun Defends NABA Super Bantamweight Title against Juan Centeno on Friday, March 17th at The Priory Grand Hall in Pittsburgh, PA

Undefeated Kiante Irving Takes on Devaun Lee in exciting co-featur

Plus undefeated Joey Turk in Action

Pittsburgh, PA (March 9, 2023) – World-Ranked super bantamweight Oleh Dovhun will defend his NABA Title against Juan Centeno on Friday night, March 17th at Priory Grand Hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The night of championship boxing is promoted by Integrity Fighter Management and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Dovhun of Pittsburgh via Ukraine is ranked number-10 by the WBA on the strength of wins over Roger Blankenship (1-0) and. Daron Williams (7-0). Dovhun won the NABA Super Bantamweight title on November 13, 2021 with a 10-round unanimous decision over Glenn Dezurn (14-2-1). In his last bout, Dovhun defended his title with a 10-round split decision over Geram Eloyan on March 18, 2022 in Huntingtom, New York.

The 28 year-old Dovhun is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, and he is managed by Integrity Fighter Management.

Centeno of Miami, Florida is 8-6-3 with one knockout. The 27 year-old is a native of Miami by way of Managua, Nicaragua. Centeno has a win over Keithlan Franklin (4-1-1) as well as three undefeated fighters in Abel Aparicio (8-0), Luis Rivera (7-0) and Fernando Bahena (4-0-1). The wins over Rivera and Bahena are the two most recent results for Centeno, with the Bahena fight taking place on January 21 in Commerce, California.

An outstanding undercard will be headed by rising and undefeated super middleweight Kiante Irving taking on Devaun Lee in a bout scheduled for six-rounds.

Irving of Beaver Falls, PA is 11-0-1 with all 11 wins coming by way of knockout. The 29 year-old Irving is coming off a third-round stoppage over Brent Oren on October 29, 2022 in Washington, PA.

Lee of Jamaica, Queens, New York is 10-8-1 with five knockouts. The 35 year-old Lee was a contestant on The Contender, and has wins over Ian Green (8-0), Chris Galeano (10-0), Robelle Rogers (4-1), former world title challenger Giovanni Lorenzo (37-7) and Carlos Rafael Cruz (17-1). In Lee’s last outing, he lost a 10-round decision to undefeated Timur Kerefov on September 24, 2021 in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

In Four-Round Bouts:

Popular heavyweight Joseph Turk (2-0-1, 1 KO) of Pittsburgh takes on Isaiah Margheim (1-2) of Sandusky, Ohio.

Eric Palmer (16-16-5, 2 KOs) of Uniontown, PA fights Jordan Zlacki (2-5, 1 KO) of Springdale, PA in a junior middleweight fight.

Former Pennsylvania Golden Gloves champion Devon Siegfried of Baden, PA. makes his pro debut against Matteo Gardner of Greensburg, PA in a cruiserweight battle.

The card will be streamed live on www.starboxing.tv

Tickets are available at BIT.LY/STPATSFIGHTS 

or by calling 412-728-3409. Email inquiries at integrityproboxing@gmail.com 

Priory Grand Hall is located at 614 Pressley St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

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SATURDAY: Tony Yoka-Carlos Takam Heavyweight Showdown to Stream LIVE and Exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+

Streaming action from Paris begins at 2:45 p.m. ET/11:45 a.m. PT

(March 7, 2023) — French Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka will return in a 10-round main event this Saturday, March 11, against former world title challenger Carlos Takam at Zenith Paris in Paris, France.
 
Yoka-Takam and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 2:45 p.m. ET/11:45 a.m. PT.

Yoka (11-1, 9 KOs) had a decorated amateur career that included wins over Joseph Parker, Filip Hrgović and Joe Joyce, the latter of whom he defeated to earn a gold medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Yoka turned pro in 2017 and notched 11 victories before suffering a majority decision loss to Martin Bakole last May. The 30-year-old contender is eager to regain his upward momentum in the heavyweight rankings. Takam (39-7-1, 28 KOs) is a Cameroonian-born contender who represented his homeland in the 2004 Olympics and challenged Anthony Joshua for the unified heavyweight crown in 2017. In his last fight, he ended Arslanbek Makhmudov’s knockout streak by forcing him to go 10 rounds for the first time.
 
In other streaming action from Paris: 

• British light heavyweight Dan Azeez (18-0, 12 KOs) puts his unbeaten record on the line in a 12-round battle against Frenchman Thomas Faure (21-4-1, 2 KOs) for the European title. The 33-year-old Azeez is inching closer to a world title shot and is coming off an eighth-round TKO win over former world champion Rocky Fielding last December.
   
• Olympic gold medalist Lauren Price (2-0, 1 KO) makes her 2023 debut in an eight-round welterweight tilt against Naomi Mannes (6-1, 4 KOs). The Welsh standout is coming off a TKO win in October, while Mannes lost in a bid for the European title in November.
   
• Undefeated middleweight Farrhad Saad (8-0-1) returns from a two-year layoff versus Britain’s Macaulay McGowan (17-3-1, 3 KOs).

___________

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May 7: Stephen Fulton-Naoya Inoue Junior Featherweight Title Showdown to Stream LIVE on ESPN+

Fulton-Inoue and undercard bouts from Yokohama Arena will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ in a special early-morning presentation

YOKOHAMA, Japan (March 7, 2023) — Naoya “Monster” Inoue conquered the bantamweight division. He’s now moving up in weight to capture the biggest fish at 122 pounds.

Philadelphia’s WBC & WBO junior featherweight world champion, Stephen Fulton, will defend his titles against Japan’s pound-for-pound king Sunday, May 7, at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. The showdown pits two of the world’s top fighters, as Inoue aims to become only the fifth Asian boxer to win world titles in four weight classes.

Fulton-Inoue and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ in a special early-morning presentation.

Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs) is 19-0 with 17 knockouts in world title fights, a championship run that started in 2014 when he knocked out Adrian Hernandez for the WBC light flyweight world title. He went on to rule the junior bantamweight division with seven title defenses, including a second-round stoppage over Omar Narvaez. At bantamweight, Inoue became the division’s first undisputed champion in a half-century, stopping Emmanuel Rodriguez in two rounds to win the IBF strap, outlasting Nonito Donaire in the 2019 Fight of the Year to add the WBA belt, starching Donaire in the second round of their June 2022 rematch to snatch the WBC title, and stopping then-WBO champion Paul Butler in the 11th round. Inoue vacated all four bantamweight titles to move up four pounds for a shot at “Cool Boy Steph.”

Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) turned pro in 2014 and defeated five undefeated prospects in his first 12 bouts. In January 2021, he defeated Angelo Leo to capture the WBO junior featherweight world title. Ten months later, he added the WBC belt to his collection with a majority decision over then-unbeaten Brandon Figueroa in one of the year’s most action-packed championship showdowns. Fulton defended both titles last June with a one-sided unanimous decision over former unified world champion Daniel Roman. Fulton will enter the Inoue bout, his first away from American soil, coming off an 11-month layoff. The 28-year-old Fulton, however, is the naturally bigger man, holding advantages in height and reach.

___________

April 8: Kenshiro Teraji-Jonathan Gonzalez Light Flyweight Unification Showdown & Tenshin Nasukawa’s Pro Boxing Debut to Stream LIVE on ESPN+]

Teraji-Gonzalez & Nasukawa-Yuki Yonaha to be part of five-fight card at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan

(march 7, 2023) — Three light flyweight world titles will be on the line in a high-stakes unification fight on Saturday, April 8, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
 
WBC/WBA champion Kenshiro “The Amazing Boy” Teraji and WBO champ Jonathan “La Bomba” Gonzalez will collide in a 12-round battle that will put one man closer to becoming the division’s undisputed king.
 
The five-fight card will also feature Tenshin Nasukawa’s debut as a professional boxer. The former multi-division kickboxing world champion will face Yuki Yonaha in a six-round junior featherweight attraction.
 
Teraji-Gonzalez, Nasukawa-Yonaha and additional bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. in the early morning hours on ESPN+.
 
Teraji (20-1, 12 KOs) captured his first world title by defeating Ganigan Lopez for the WBC 108-pound strap. Teraji made eight defenses before losing the belt via 10th-round TKO to Masamichi Yabuki. The 31-year-old avenged the loss by stopping Yabuki in the third round of their rematch to regain the title. Teraji then notched his most impressive victory last November by stopping Hiroto Kyoguchi in the seventh round to unify the WBC and WBA championships.    
 
Gonzalez (27-3-1, 14 KOs) spent years fighting top opposition at flyweight, including a failed challenge for Kosei Tanaka’s WBO world title in 2019. The slick southpaw is unbeaten in five fights since moving down to light flyweight in 2020. In October 2021, Gonzalez upset Elwin Soto for the WBO title, which he defended last year against Mark Anthony Barriga and Shokichi Iwata. 
 
Nasukawa began his pro kickboxing career when he was only 15 and compiled an unbeaten record in more than 40 fights. Nasukawa also competed in mixed martial arts, but he has always maintained a strong interest in boxing. In 2018, the 24-year-old participated in a boxing exhibition against Floyd Mayweather Jr., but his April 8 fight will mark his first official professional outing. Yonaha (12-4-1, 8 KOs) is a nine-year veteran who is Japan’s fourth-ranked bantamweight. The 32-year-old is 5-1 in his last six fights.

In other scheduled action on the ESPN+ stream:

• Takuma Inoue (17-1, 4 KOs) vs. Liborio Solis (35-6-1, 16 KOs), 12 rounds, vacant WBA Bantamweight World Title—The younger brother of pound-for-pound phenom Naoya Inoue has won four straight fights since challenging Nordine Oubaali for the WBC crown. Solis, a former junior bantamweight world champion, will be making his fifth attempt at a bantamweight world title.
   
• Kiko Martinez (44-11-2, 31 KOs) vs. Reiya Abe (24-3-1, 10 KOs), 12 rounds, IBF Featherweight World Title Eliminator—Spanish warrior Martinez is a two-weight world champion who hopes to regain the IBF featherweight crown currently held by Top Rank’s Luis Alberto Lopez. He is coming off a stunning fourth-round stoppage over European champion Jordan Gill. Abe has won five straight fights and has never been knocked out in the paid ranks.
   
• Jin Sasaki (14-1-1, 13 KOs) vs. Keita Obara (26-4-1, 23 KOs), 12 rounds, Sasaki’s WBO Asia Pacific Welterweight Title.
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Isaiah Johnson Remains Undefeated with Unanimous Decision over Antonio Sanchez in Newtown, PA

Nimal Farmer and Najeem Johns Score Explosive Knockouts

O’Callaghan Defeats Alborov In Area Fight of the Year Candidate

NEWTOWN PA (March 6, 2023)–Rising prospect Isaiah Johnson remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over veteran upset-specialist Antonio Sanchez in a junior welterweight bout that headlined an entertaining eight-bout card at The Newtown Athletic Club.

The show was promoted by RDR Promotions.

Johnson of New Jersey boxed very well, and had Sanchez in trouble on several different occasions, but the experienced Sanchez was able to hold off the fast and energetic Johnson. Johnson was bever challenged and cruised home with the win by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55.

Johnson is now 7-0. Sanchez of Toa Alta, Puerto Rico is 7-16-3.

Oscar Barajas scored a six-round majority decision over Roberto Gomez in a battle of “Philly-Spoiler’s” in a junior welterweight contest.

Barajas of Zamora, Mexico won by scores of 58-56 twice and 57-57 and is now 19-8-3. Gomez of Mexico City is 5-2.

Erron Peterson and Tariq Green battled to a six-round split draw in a middleweight bout.

Peterson came out strong and took the first half of the fight. Green made a late rally, and was able to salvage the draw.

Scores were 58-56 for each fighter, and a third card was even at 57-57.

Peterson of Philadelphia is 3-0-1. Green of Philadelphia is 2-2-1.

Nimal Farmer scored a vicious second round stoppage over Brois Nde in a scheduled four-round junior welterweight bout.

In round two, Farmer landed a perfect uppercut to the jaw of Farmer that sent him down hard on his back. Nde was down for several minutes, but was able to leave the ring on his strength. The time was 39 seconds.

Farmer of Lindenwold, New Jersey is 3-0 with three knockouts. Nde of Harrisburg, PA is 4-2.

Najeem Johns stopped Raekwon Butler in the opening round of their four-round junior welterweight bout.

Johns caught Butler with a hard left on the ropes and the set off a flurry that forced a referee stoppage.

Johns of Darby, PA is 3-0 with three knockouts. Butler of Brooklyn, NY is 5-5.

Dominique Mayfield won a four-round unanimous decision over Jerome Aiken in a heavyweight bout.

Mayfield of Philadelphia won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 and is now 3-1. Aiken of Annapolis, MD is 1-7-1.

Ali Ellis made a successful pro debut with a third round stoppage over Jonathan Wiles in a heavyweight tussle.

Ellis started breaking down Wiles as Wiles was deducted a point in round three for holding. Later in the round Ellis dropped Wiles and the fight was over.

Ellis of Philadelphia is 1-0 with one knockout. Wiles of Philadelphia is 0-3.

In what was a sure fire Fight of the Year candidate, Brendan O’Callaghan outlasted Soslan Alborov via fourth and final round stoppage in their junior middleweight rematch.

The action was hot, heavy and furious from the opening bell. Alborov got on the board first by dropping O’Callaghan just moments into the contest. Then moments later, both guys landed simultaneously that sent both fighters to the canvas for the rare double knockdown. Alborov and O’Callaghan continued to pound away at each other, and in the final frame, O’Callaghan dropped Alborov with a perfect left hook. With Alborov hurt, O’Callaghan jumped on his opponent and the fight was stopped at 2:05.

O’Callaghan of Philadelphia is 5-1-1 with two knockouts. Alborov of Philadelphia is 1-2-1.

RDR PROMOTIONS RETURNS THE NEWTOWN ATHLETIC CLUB ON SATURDAY, APRIL 1ST

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April 8: Jared Anderson-George Arias & Keyshawn Davis-Anthony Yigit Round Out Televised Tripleheader at Newark’s Prudential Center LIVE on ESPN 

Shakur Stevenson-Shuichiro Yoshino, Anderson-Arias & Davis-Yigit will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. 
Tickets starting at $55 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com

NEWARK, N.J. (Feb. 27, 2023) — Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson has climbed the heavyweight rankings with his devastating knockout power. The 6’4, 240-pound wrecking ball will face fellow unbeaten George Arias in a 10-rounder Saturday, April 8, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Anderson-Arias will be the co-feature to the WBC lightweight title eliminator between Shakur Stevenson and Shuichiro Yoshino. 
 
U.S. Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis will face his stiffest challenge in the 10-round lightweight televised opener against former world title challenger Anthony Yigit.
 
Stevenson-Yoshino, Anderson-Arias, and Davis-Yigit will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $55 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.
 
Anderson (13-0, 13 KOs), a 23-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, has notched five consecutive second-round stoppages, including a demolition of the normally durable Jerry Forrest last December. Anderson received international headlines for his work as Tyson Fury’s chief sparring partner, but he’s now forging his own path as boxing’s most decorated young heavyweight.
 
Anderson said, “This is the kind of fight I’ve been waiting for, a big fight between two undefeated heavyweights. I’m excited to once again be fighting on the same card as Shakur Stevenson. Don’t miss this fight. April 8 is going to a special night in Newark.”
 
Arias (18-0, 7 KOs), a Dominican boxer-puncher, began his pro career in 2014 and has toppled seven unbeaten fighters in his ascension to contender status. Arias continued that trend in his previous two fights, defeating Cassius Chaney and Alante Green by split decision. The New York City resident will give up five inches and roughly 20 pounds to Anderson. 
 
Arias said, “I’m excited for the opportunity to go to war with Jared Anderson, one of the most highly regarded heavyweights right now. I thank my team for helping me get to this position. I can’t wait to show my skills on such a big platform. On April 8, I will pull off the upset.”
 
Davis (7-0, 5 KOs), from Norfolk, Virginia, went 3-0 in the pro ranks before capturing a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. In November 2021, he signed a long-term promotional contract with Top Rank and has scored four wins since, including a violent knockout over Omar Tienda at Prudential Center last year. In his most recent outing, the 23-year-old standout dominated former world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos.
 
Davis said, “The Newark fans showed me so much love last time, and I can’t wait to give them another special performance. I’m going to make Yigit regret taking this fight. He’s been in the ring with some good fighters, but I’m on another level.”
 
Yigit (26-2-1, 10 KOs) is a Swedish contender who represented his homeland at the 2012 Olympics. The 31-year-old began his pro career the following year and scored wins over DeMarcus Corley and Sandor Martin before unsuccessfully challenging Ivan Baranchyk for the IBF junior welterweight title in 2018. Yigit bounced back with three victories before losing to Rolando Romero in July 2021. He is now settled as a lightweight and has knocked out his last two opponents. 
 
Yigit said, “I’m excited to get back into the mix. Huge respect to Keyshawn for taking this fight, but he’s young. Too young. He’s fast, I’m fast. He’s strong, I’m strong. He’s an Olympian, I’m an Olympian. My edge is my experience. I’m going to use it.”

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Mass. Welterweight Champion Denzel Whitley defends title vs. challenger Kenny Larson

March 11^th at MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA

QUINCY, Mass. (February 23, 2023) – Massachusetts State Welterweight Champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (10-0, 6 KOs) will make his first title defense on the March 11^th “Springfield Championship Boxing 2” card against undefeated challenger Kenny Larson (6-0, 5 KOs), of Salem (MA), in the 8-round main event, at MassMutural Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.

“Springfield Championship Boxing 2”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), will be streamed live on BXNGTV.com.

The 24-year-old Whitley, fighting out of nearby Holyoke (MA), captured the Mass. 147-pound division belt last November 19^th at MassMutual Center, when he won an 8-round majority decision over Kris Jacobs (5-2-1, 2 KOs) in the main event.

“I’m excited to be headlining again at home (Holyoke is only 8 miles from Springfield,” the fast-rising Whitley said. “The first show was good and this one will be great. Headlining here is something special for me. I love the energy I feel from the crowd.”

“Denzel is getting better with each fight and he is eager to step up in competition to show he is the best 147-pound fighter around,” GCP president Chris Traietti commented. “He jumped on the chance to showcase that against Kenny Larson, who has a good amount of amateur experience, comes from a great gym, and always comes to fight. Two undefeated guys going at it to prove they are ready for the next level. It is going to be an awesome main event!”

It’s extremely rare for two undefeated prospects to fight each other, especially so early in their pro careers. Larson, 33, won a 6-round majority decision from Ryan Thomas Clark (2-2, 1 KO) last November 23^rd in Windham, New Hampshire. Larson was a 3-time Central New England Golden Gloves runner-up, as well as a 2016 New England Golden Gloves champion in the novice division.

“I’ve never seen him fight,” Whitley remarked. “I hadn’t heard of him until I was offered the fight. I’ve heard he likes to come forward and, if he does, this is going to be an exciting fight, because styles make fights. I’ve been training to fight somebody with his style. I can fight all different ways. I always adapt in the ring. I’ll come in a little different, but I still have my style. I learn about my opponent in the ring. I adapt to my opponent and then open up my arsenal. I’ll be ready.”

Whitley hopes to have three additional fights in 2023, including a fight for another title – regional or national – and in a 10-rounder for the first time by the end of this year.

First, though, he has to get past his toughest opponent to date, Kenny Larson.

In the 6-round co-featured event, Springfield lightweight Isaiah “Baby Warrior” Cruz (5-0, 3 KOs) will take on Akeem “Action Action” Jackson (6-5, 5 KOs).

Also schedule to be in action are unbeaten Dominican welterweight Carlos Castillo (6-0, 4 KOs), of Holyoke (MA); Puerto Rican super lightweight Ian “Dinamite” Garcia (2-0-1, 1 KO), of Springfield; Springfield super featherweight Carlos Gonzalez (4-0, 4 KOs), Springfield super lightweight Calixto Cruz (1-0) and Springfield super lightweight Liz Humphries (0-1-1)

Card subject to change.

Tickets range between $203.00 and $48.00 and are available to purchase online at https://massmutualcenter.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3AMMC%3AMMC22%3AEX031123%3A&linkID=mmc&shopperContext=&pc=&caller=&appCode=&groupCode=CHIN&cgc=&dataAccId=224&locale=en_US&siteId=ev_mmc  or from any of the participating boxers.

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

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Saudi Split: Tommy Fury Topples Jake Paul in Most Valuable Promotions’ ‘The Truth’

Badou Jack dethrones Ilunga Makabu to win WBC cruiserweight world title

 RIYADH, SA (Feb. 26, 2023) — International superstar Jake Paul (6-1, 4 KOs) finally faced a “real” boxer for the first time, and it was a bit more than he could handle as Tommy Fury (9-0, 4 KOs) handed him his first defeat via eight-round split decision Sunday night at Diriyah Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 
 
Fury, the half-brother of Tyson Fury, pushed forward aggressively at the start of the fight, but Paul initiated clinches in order to avoid any significant damage. This pattern would continue for the rest of the fight.
 
In the second and third rounds, Fury made a crucial adjustment. Instead of coming forward, he spent more time on the outside where he could land jabs and right hands.
 
Paul became frustrated with Fury’s footwork and occasional combinations as the rounds progressed. In the fifth, Paul was deducted a point for hitting Fury behind the head. That point deduction was nullified after the 23-year-old Manchester native was himself deducted a point for clinching in the sixth round.

The later rounds were close, and it became clear that Paul’s widely publicized campaign as a pro boxer was enough for him to develop into a fighter who could create a competitive fight with Fury. In fact, the 26-year-old native of Cleveland, Ohio, even managed to send Fury to the canvas with a counter left jab in the final round.
 
Fury’s early lead, however, was enough for him to secure the victory as two judges scored it 76-73 for him while a third had it 75-74 for Paul.
 
Fury said, “For the past two years, this is all that has consumed my life. Broken rib. Denied access. Everybody thought I was running scared. Tonight, I made my own legacy. I am Tommy Fury.
 
“All through these past two years, I had a dream and a vision that I would win this fight. And no one believed me. Now I can stand up and everybody can take note. It’s my first main event at 23 years old. I had pressure on my shoulders, and I came through.
 
“This is my first main event. I’m only going to get stronger, and I’m only going to get bigger. There were a lot of nerves going into that fight, but I override that. If he wants a rematch, bring it on.”
 
Paul said, “All respect to Tommy. He won. Don’t judge me by my wins. Judge me by my losses. I’ll come back. I think we deserve that rematch. It was a great fight. It was a close fight. I don’t know if I agree with the judges. I got a 10-8 round twice. So, it is what it is. I’ve already won in life, man. I’ve already won in every single way. I have an amazing family. Amazing friends. Amazing work ethic. I’ve made it farther than I ever thought I would.”

Badou Jack Wins Title in Third Weight Class  
 
Badou Jack (28-3-3, 17 KOs) is now a three-division world champion. The 39-year-old scored a technical knockout victory over Ilunga Makabu (29-3, 25 KOs) to capture the WBC cruiserweight world title. Jack boxed an intelligent fight, mixing footwork and counterpunching to consistently find a home for his right hand. Makabu, on the other hand, seemed too cautious and had trouble putting his punches together.

 In the fourth round, Jack dropped Makabu with a right hand, and he repeated the knockdown in the 11^th. In the final round, Makabu was clearly worn out from Jack’s offense, and Swedish standout only needed an additional right hand and a brief fusillade of shots to force referee Mark Lyson to stop the fight at :54. 
 
Jack said, “I was standing there too much. My trainer told me to box and move. That’s not really my style. I mean, I box. But I also like to come forward and fight. Makabu is a hell of a fighter. He’s an African brother of mine. We used to be training partners. He is still my brother.”

Welterweights: Ziyad Almaayouf (2-0, 1 KO) overcame a first-round knockdown before defeating Ronnald Martinez (3-2-1) via unanimous decision. Almaayouf began the fight aggressively and was dropped by a hard right hand before the first round ended. However, the native of Saudi Arabia kept his composure and dominated the following rounds. Scores: 38-37 3x.
 
Cruiserweights: Muhsin Cason (11-0, 8 KOs) scored a first-round stoppage over Taryel Jafarov (18-6, 17 KOs). Cason dropped Jafarov before the opening round ended, but Jafarov’s corner stopped the fight before the second round to prevent further punishment.
 
Junior Welterweights: Bader Samreen (8-0, 7 KOs) defeated Viorel Simion (23-10, 9 KOs) via first-round TKO. Time of stoppage: 1:26.

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Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez Set for First World Title Opportunity for the WBO Featherweight Championship

Ramirez takes on former world champion Isaac Dogboe on Saturday, April 1 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa and live on ESPN+

Tickets starting at $49.50 are on sale now at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 22, 2023) – Two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez is ready for his first world title opportunity. The Cuban southpaw will face former world champion Isaac Dogboe for the vacant WBO featherweight world title on Saturday, April 1, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

Ramirez-Dogboe headlines a stacked card streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Ramirez (11-1, 7 KOs) has won 11 fights since losing in his pro debut in August 2019. The 29-year-old joined forces with Cuban trainer Ismael Salas, who has helped channel his talents into a more professional style. As a result, Ramirez scored three consecutive knockout wins in 2022. He stopped Irish veteran Eric Donovan and starched then-unbeaten contender Abraham Nova with a single straight left hand. Last October, he defeated Jose Matias Romero via ninth-round TKO. Ramirez will face the stiffest test of his career against the 28-year-old Dogboe (24-2, 15 KOs), a Ghanaian former junior featherweight world champion who hopes to conquer a second weight class.

Following a recent training session, this is what Ramirez had to say about his first world title shot:

“Main event. World championship on the line. This is what I have always wanted and have asked for since I became a professional boxer. I see this fight as the perfect stage from which to present my credentials to the world and make the case that I am the best fighter in the featherweight division.”

“For me, life has always been about continuously being hungry. Talent alone is not enough at this level. True success means continuing to evolve, moving ahead, and conquering hurdles and failures to become great. I’ve experienced true hardship in life, so moving up to the mountains for a few weeks won’t break me. It will only make me stronger, like all of the difficulties I endured on the road to where I am.”

“I am proud of my career as an amateur and being a product of the ‘Cuban School of Boxing.’ But I have always added my own elements to the equation. I want to come forward and entertain, too. ‘El Tren’ is not just a nickname, it characterizes who I am as a fighter. At the end of the day, boxing is for the fans. And if they find my style agreeable, I will not shy away from the responsibility of leading the way for many others who want to break the mold of the highly skilled but boring Cuban boxer. On April 1, I will fulfill the goal of becoming world champion, but I am convinced that my greatest accomplishments in this sport are ahead of me.”

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Holden Productions, tickets starting at $49.50 are on sale now and available to purchase at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.

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Undefeated Knockout Artist Kristan Prenga Faces Former World Title Challenger Santander Silgado in Main Event on Saturday, March 25th at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City

Atlantic City, NJ (February 21, 2023)–On Saturday night, March 25th, Kristian Prenga will take on former world title challenger Santander Silgado for a WBA Regional Title plus The NBA Continental Heavyweight titles that will headline a big night of boxing at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

The fight card is promoted by Rising Star Promotions.

Prenga of Mirdite, Albania is 12-1 with all of his wins coming by knockout. The 32 year-old has thrilled his fans with prodigious knockout power has taken out Jaime Barajas (2-0-2) and his last outing when he drilled Alvin Davie in two rounds on November 12, 2022 in Atlantic City.

Silgado of Belle Glade, Florida has a record of 32-14 with 26 knockouts. The 37 year-old defeated Lawrence Chapman (19-4-2-), Cesar Dario Heredia (5-1-1), Rodolfo De Dominicis (21-3-1), Williams Otando (16-4). Silgado challenged Denis Lebedev for the WBA Cruiserweight title.

In an eight-round bout, Salim Larbi (22-11-3, 8 KOs) of Rahway, NJ via France takes on Anthony Prescott (9-8-3, 2 KOs) of Cherry Hill, NJ in a super welterweight fight.

Appearing in a six-round bout will be undefeated flyweight Anthony Johns (5-0, 4 KOs) of Newark, New Jersey against an opponent to be named.

Also in six-round bouts:

Isaah Flaherty (5-0, 3KOs) of Queens, New York takes on Dewayne Williams’ (3-6-1, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia, PA in a super welterweight bout.

Tahmir Smalls (9-0, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a welterweight bout.

In Four-Round Bouts:

Malik Nelson (3-0, 3 KOs) of Perth Amboy, New Jersey battles Joseph Adorno Del Valle (0-0-1) of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico in a featherweight contest.

Gabriel Greene (1-0, 1 KO) of Piscataway. New Jersey boxes Joshua Maldonado Garcia (1-3) of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico in a super featherweight bout.

Super Welterweight Justin Figueroa (3-0, 3 KOs) of Atlantic City, Pro debuting super featherweight Francisco Rodriguez of Pleasantville, New Jersey; junior welterweight Bryce Davis (4-0, 3 KOs) of New Rochelle, NY; heavyweight Derek Starling (5-1, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia

Tickets are available for $185, $138, $85 and $57 and can be purchased BY CLICKING HERE

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Card Set For Big Night of Boxing on Friday, February 24th at Hialeah Park in Hialeah, Florida

Three-Time World Champion Guillermo Rigondeaux Takes on Jesus Martinez in Main Event

Hialeah, FL / February 21, 2023 – Former three-time world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux, with a professional record of 20-3-1 (13 KOs), will return to the ring for the first time in almost one year when he takes on veteran Jesus Martinez in the 10-round bantamweight main event at Hialeah Park on Friday, February 24, 2023.

 

Rigondeaux, whose last bout was a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Vincent Astrolabio on February 26, 2022 in Dubai, has been sidelined since suffering severe facial burns and eye injuries in a freak kitchen accident at his home in Miami nine months ago.

 

Now 42 years of age, the former WBO/WBA Super Bantamweight and WBA Bantamweight world champion will attempt to tap the fountain of youth in his 25^th professional fight as he looks to win for the first time since defeating Liborio Solis in February of 2020.

 

Martinez of Miami via Colombia, has a record of 33-17-1 with 16 knockouts. Martinez has defeated Jonathan Burgos (9-2-1), Miguel Martinez (20-2), Angel Berrio (14-2). Martinez has also shared the ring with former world champions Luis Nery and TJ Doheny as well as top prospects Gary Antonio Russell, Dominique Crowder and Antonio Vargas. Martinez is on a two-fight winning streak.

 

In Eight-Round Bouts:

 

Ariel Perez De La Torre (9-1, 7 KOs of Mexico vis Cuba takes on Yonfrez Parejo (24-5-1, 12 KOs) in a super bantamweight clash.

 

Hugo Noriega (5-0, 3 KOs) of Cuba takes on Carlos Mohammed Rodriguez (15-10-1, 6 KOs) of Mexico in a welterweight fight.

 

Yoaki Urrutia (9-0, 6 KOs) of Cuba battles Luis Eduardo Florez (26-25, 21 KOs) of Colombia in a middleweight tussle.

 

In Six-Round Bouts:

 

Damian Lescaille (2-0, 1 KO) of Cuba fights Lucas McDonald (1-10, 1KO) of Belville, Texas in a welterweight bout.

 

Carlos Fromenta (9-1, 5 KOs) of Cuba will take on Armando Reeves (3-10-2) of Jefferson City, MO in a cruiserweight fight.

 

In Four-Round Bouts:

 

Jose Brayan Fonteboa of Hialeah, Florida will make his pro debut against Ashton Royal (1-4, 1 KO) of Texas in a super lightweight affair.

 

Adlay Rodriguez (2-0, 2 KOs) of Cuba fights Ryan Schwartzberg (1-9-2, 1 KO) of Dania, Florida in a super lightweight bout.

 

Gustavo Trujillo (1-0, 1 KO) of Cuba will take on Jawaski Bethly (0-1 of Louisiana in a heavyweight bout.

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Heavyweight prospect Zach Spiller to be showcased this Thursday on DAZN

LOS ANGELES (February 21, 2023) – There’s a new sheriff in town and his name is Zach Spiller!

The 6’ 4”, 265-pound heavyweight from Houston will open up the Golden Boy Promotions card on DAZN this Thursday night, streaming live from Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California, on a card headlined by his 3 Prime Management (PM) stablemate, NABA super flyweight champion John “Scrappy” Ramirez (10-0, 7 KOs).

Spiller, who made his pro debut a year ago, (2-0, 2 KOs) faces Kaleel Carter (3-3, 3 KOs) in a 4-round bout. “This is a great opportunity for me,” Spiller explained. “It caught me off guard. 3 Point Management (3 PM) from Los Angeles, CA called to tell me he had gotten me on Scrappy’s show and that I’d be opening up the DAZN stream. I’m very appreciative of them, Golden Boy Promotions and DAZN for this opportunity to fight on a large platform.  Scrappy has really helped me out a lot with advice on how to handle myself. I don’t know much about my opponent other than he fought on the same card as me in our last fight. I’m living my dream of being a professional boxer. I’m still learning, but I do feel I’ll be one of the best.”

A southpaw with pop in both hands, the 29-year-old Spiller was born in Missouri and moved to Texas when he was 10.  Despite his size in a state like Texas, Spiller didn’t play football or any sport for that matter. He started boxing at the age of 16, when one of his friends told Spiller’s mother that she should get him into boxing, largely because he was getting in fights all the time. His father, Terry, was an MMA fighter and a few of his relatives boxed. In short, Spiller has fighting in his blood.

Spiller grew up in Killeen, Texas, with his good friend, undefeated heavyweight prospect Darius Fulghum (3-0, 3 KOs), who, unlike Spiller, was an elite U.S. amateur boxer. Spiller was in only four amateur matches, winning three as a novice but suffered a dislocated shoulder in his lone fight in the open division. A series of injuries kept him sidelined for several years and when he returned to the ring, he decided to turn pro last year. He believes that his lack of amateur boxing has been compensated for with the invaluable experience he’s gained against top-notch heavyweight such as Jared Anderson and Filip Hrgovic, among others. He leaves this weekend for Las Vegas to join Joe Joyce’s training camp as a sparring partner.

Self-described as a force who makes good adjustments in the ring, Spiller attracted 3 Point Management’s (3PM) attention back in a Houston gym. After spending the day with the Houston-based fighter, they invited Spiller to spar at Brickhouse Boxing Club in North Hollywood, California.

“I did well,” Spiller said. I really like the way 3PM handle themselves. I wanted to work with people who care about me, not just for boxing. I’ve sparred some of the best heavyweights and I can’t wait to showcase my skills this Thursday night on DAZN.”

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Emanuel Navarrete Vacates WBO Featherweight Title to Keep WBO Junior Lightweight Title at 130 Pounds

Robeisy Ramirez vs. Isaac Dogboe April 1 showdown to now be for vacant WBO featherweight title live on ESPN+

(Feb. 13, 2023) – Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete is staying at 130 pounds.
 
The newly crowned three-division world champion has vacated his WBO featherweight title in order to continue his campaign at junior lightweight. Navarrete captured the WBO 130-pound crown by defeating Liam Wilson via ninth-round technical knockout last week at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. 
 
Navarrete said, “After closely analyzing the situation with my team, we have decided to keep the WBO junior lightweight title. I feel very happy with the three title defenses that I made at featherweight, but I am also convinced that my future is now at junior lightweight. We are going after the big fights at 130.”
 
“I’m grateful for the support that I have always received from my promoter, Top Rank, and the WBO. I will now proudly carry and defend my junior lightweight belt.”
 
The April 1 showdown between Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez and Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe, initially for the interim title at 126 pounds, will now fill the vacancy left by Navarrete atop an ESPN+-streamed card at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Ramirez, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, faces his toughest test to date in his first world title opportunity, while the always rugged Dogboe will attempt to earn a belt in a second weight class. 

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John Gotti III brutally stops Alex Citrowske in the opening frame in the exciting Winter Brawl at the Mohegan Sun Casino Arena

Story by Kirk Lang

Photos by Bill Peterson, CES Boxing and Kirk Lang

January 21 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena. Connecticut’s first boxing card of 2023 – titled Winter Brawl – turned into the John Gotti III show, what with the planned 10-round main event between Juiseppe “The Sicilian Nightmare” Cusumano and Istvan “The Hungarian Hammer” Bernath falling through the day before, when it was announced Cusumano would be unable to fight due to illness.

Gotti, the son of John A. Gotti and grandson of the legendary “Teflon Don” John Gotti, ex-head of the Gambino crime family, was not officially the new main event, but considering the arena practically emptied out after his fight, the 10-round featherweight clash between local favorite Irvin Gonzalez Jr and Dannis Aguero Arias – which was expanded from 8 rounds to 10 when the heavyweight fight fell through – turned into the de-facto walk-out bout.

Gotti, a former mixed martial arts competitor, was looking to notch his second pro victory, but considering the fan support he had, with many of his most ardent fans wearing “Gotti” baseball-style caps, you would have thought he was a champion, or at least a top-20 ranked contender already. He had six MMA fights under promoter Jimmy Burchfield, whose home base is in nearby Rhode Island, and Burchfield so far promotes his boxing matches, though he has not officially signed Gotti, of Oyster Bay, NY, to an exclusive contract.

Alex Citrowske, 174, of Saint Cloud, MN, may not have been the stiffest test for Gotti, but the undefeated 30-year-old did what he had to do, and looked good doing so, before registering a first-round stoppage in the scheduled 4-rounder. Gotti, 175 ½, dropped Citrowske three times before referee John Callas was forced to wave off the one-sided beating at the 2:59 mark.

 A good-looking man with a well-tailored beard, and muscles that make him look like he can be the next action movie hero, Gotti wasted no time at the outset of the opening round pounding away at Citrowske with repeated left hooks and straight rights meant to do harm. Citrowske tried to get on his bicycle and avoid the storm, but that was not to be as a left hook-straight right combo sent him to the canvas. To his credit, Alex got to his feet rather quickly, as he would each time he was dropped, but he was in over his head against Gotti.

After being given a standing 8-count, Gotti resumed his attack, first trying to bomb away with consecutive right hands. A hard left hook created the second knockdown. When the action resumed, Gotti made a point of trying to land something meaningful with three different straight right-left hook combinations. After the last combination missed its mark entirely, Gotti tried something new. He held his left hand out like a measuring stick for a second, and then delivered one of his patented straight right-left hook combinations. It worked perfectly as Citrowske hit the canvas hard, and though he showed no quit in him, getting up rather fast, Callas had seen enough and waved his arms to call a halt to the slaughter.

Gotti, who turned pro in October, improved to 2-0 while Citrowske saw his ledger fall to 1-2-1 (1).

As for Worcester, Massachusetts’ Irvin Gonzalez Jr., things did not go exactly as planned for him. Not only was his main event fought in front of a near empty house, Gonzalez suffered a stoppage loss in front of hundreds of fans who made the trek from his home state to Mohegan Sun to see him. The 31-year-old Dannis Aguero Arias, who replaced original opponent Headley Scott, of Jonesboro, GA, was no second-rate substitute. He came into the fight with an impressive 19-2 record with 16 knockouts and was riding a streak of eight consecutive stoppage victories. His 4^th round TKO of Gonzalez made it nine straight. Gonzalez, 125 ½, started off the fight strong. In the opening stanza, he used his height to his advantage and was the busier fighter.

Gonzalez also seemed in control for the majority of the second round before Arias, 123 ¾, stepped it up in the final minute of the frame, as he unleashed a barrage of leather in Gonzalez’ direction in a neutral corner. He made even more use of his fists in the third frame and one assault forced referee John Callas to administer a standing 8-count against Gonzalez in Arias’ corner.

In round four, Arias connected with a solid right in the early going and another right hand later in the round, with about a minute remaining, sent Gonzalez crashing to the canvas at center-ring. Callas did not bother to give a count as he waved the action off at the 2:04 mark. Arias, now 20-2 (17), captured the vacant WBC silver featherweight title with his victory. Gonzalez, who had not fought in 13 months due to elbow and hand surgeries, saw his ledger dip to 15-4 (11).

Junior middleweight Chordale Booker, 18-1 (7), won a dominant, though less than scintillating eight-round decision victory over McAllen, Texas’ Angel Hernandez. The scores were 80-72 (twice) and 79-73.

Mitch Louis-Charles, a Quebec, Canada native now fighting out of Boston, MA, pulled off the upset of the night when he stopped previously unbeaten Josniel Castro, 9-1 (7). Castro was content to fight off the backfoot in the early going of the bout, but got more aggressive in the third round. Maybe he should have stuck to sticking and moving rather than pressing forward, because Louis-Charles got off some good combinations at the start of the fourth stanza, not long after, a beautiful right to Castro’s jaw sent him to the canvas and he never beat the count. The official time of the stoppage was 1:36.

“It was a year-and-a-half I hadn’t fought,” said Louis-Charles. “My coach was telling me to get more active and use that double jab [which set up the right hand].”

Louis-Charles, 154 ½, said a lot of pre-fight trash talking “motivated me” and made him put forth an extra effort to show Castro, 153 ½, who the better man is. He upped his record to 7-3-2 (4).

In light heavyweight action, Kendrick Ball Jr., of Worcester, MA, 174, escaped with a majority draw after looking less than his normal self against Argentinian Victor Hugo Exner. Exner, who had the most impressive back muscles of the night, took the fight to Ball, who found himself unable to keep the shorter man at the end of his longer arms. Exner, 174 ½, applied more pressure as the rounds wore on, and by the end of the sixth, most reporters at ringside thought unbiased judging would see Exner’s hand raised in victory. Reporters and boxing fans alike were dismayed when the majority draw was announced. On the bright side, at least Exner was given a draw against the local guy, rather than heading home with a robbery loss. It could have been worse. Ball’s record is now 19-1-3 (12) while Exner’s ledger stands at 9-12-2 (3). Although Exner did not get the win, he proved that you should never pre-judge a man by his record. He had more losses than wins, but gave the once-beaten Ball all he could handle over six rounds.

Rising local lightweight Alejandro Paulino, 134, of New London, CT, won via 5^th round stoppage over Alliance, Ohio’s Ryizeemmion Ford, 8-4 (6). He dropped Ford, 134, in the third frame and in the fifth stanza, stunned his man with a hard right, then followed up with a barrage of shots that forced referee Danny Schiavone to end matters at the 1:17 mark. Paulino upped his record to 12-0 (10).

Kevin Walsh, 130 ¼, of Brockton, MA, claimed the vacant New England junior lightweight title with a six-round majority decision over New York City’s Christian Otero. The scores were 59-55, 59-54 for Walsh, while one judge saw it 57-56 for Otero. A right hand put Otero on the canvas in the opening round, however, that did not deter him as he was aggressive over the course of the fight. Walsh’s boxing ability, though, was a level above Otero’s. Walsh raised his unbeaten record to 7-0 while Otero dropped to 4-3.

In heavyweight action, Gabriel Aguilar Costa, of Woburn, MA, overcame a second-round knockdown to earn a split decision victory over Brockton, MA native Chad Leoncello. It was sweet revenge for Costa, who suffered a stoppage loss to Leoncello two months ago. Costa is now 1-3 while Leoncello falls to 1-1-1.

Mixed martial arts fighter Mike Kimbel, 141 ½. Of Waterbury, CT, had a great pro boxing debut, stopping Baldwin, New York’s Robert Banks in the fourth round of their scheduled four-rounder. The action was moderate through three frames, but in the fourth Kimbel stepped it up, stinging Banks with numerous shots, most notably left hooks. After a final assault, referee John Callas stepped in and waved it off. The time was 1:50. Banks is now 0-2.

Stevie Jane Coleman, 134, of Columbia, CT, earned a hard-fought four-round decision victory over Michaela Nogue, 134 ½, of Egg Harbor, NJ. Two judges had it 39-37 for Coleman, while one judge saw it a draw at 38-38. Nogue did put forth a solid effort, especially in the middle rounds, but Coleman finished strong in the final stanza to get the edge in a competitive scrap. Her record now stands at 4-1 (1) while Nogue dips to 2-3.

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Davis (7-0, 5 KOs) made his pro debut with a second-round stoppage over Michael Honesto in December 2020. The 26-year-old southpaw is coming off a fourth-round knockout win over the previously undefeated Jalen Hill last December. 
 
Ragan (8-0, 1 KO) signed with Top Rank in August 2020 and fought four times as a pro before capturing a silver medal at the Olympics in Tokyo. He then continued his career in the paid ranks in 2022 by scoring four additional victories. Ragan, from Cincinnati, Ohio, turned away a stiff challenge from Puerto Rican veteran Luis Lebron last October at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
 
Isley (8-0, 4 KOs) joined the Top Rank stable in January 2021 and initiated his pro career with a decision win against Bryan Costello. In 2022, Isley stayed even busier and went 5-0 with two knockouts. He dominated Quincy LaVallais over eight rounds last October on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Jamaine Ortiz undercard.

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OVERSEAS BOXING MATCHES

By Per-Ake Persson

 

 

This is Boxing promotes jam-packed action show before a sold-out crowd in Oslo, Norway

January 28 – Oslo, Norway. This is Boxing headed by Max Mankowietz staged a five-fight show at the classic Chateau Neuf where many Norwegian greats fought in the past. The place was packed for this show headed by cruiserweight Kai Robin Havnaa and shown live on VG.no.

Havnaa, of Arendal, Norway, had prepared in New York with Joey Gamache as coach, but made a very slow start, which unfortunately only showed that Hany “The Egyptian Hurricane” Atiyo (a claimed 18-8) was rather inept. The action was slow in the second as well. Suddenly in in the third stanza, Havnaa, 198 ¼, opened up with big, crude hooks from both hands. Atiyo, 191 ¾, tried to punch back, but was soon caught and went down. He got up and looked alright, until Havnaa threw one big bomb and his opponent went down and out at 1:12. The fight was scheduled for eight. Kai Robin reported afterwards he had broken the thumb on his right hand. With win, Havnaa remained unbeaten at 18-0.

Super featherweight Bernard Torres (17-1) impressed with his high work rate against Venezuelan by way of Spain Christian Avila (18-8-1) and outworked his opponent. Avila soaked up a beating and should have been rescued sooner, but as it was it took until 1:47 into the eighth and final round before it was stopped. Torres is a hard worker, shows good skills, but lacks punching power.

The fight of the night was the Scandinavian showdown between welterweights Jamshid Nazari (9-1) from Norway and Dane Frank Madsen (7-4). Nazari’s vast experience from the amateurs showed as he outboxed his strong opponent most of the way in a hard-fought and entertaining matchup. After six thrilling rounds, two of the judges had it 58-56 twice for Nazari, while the third had it 57-57 – giving Nazari the majority decision.

Super middleweight Aleksander Martinsen (2-0) got a learning fight from Georgian veteran Giorgi Kandelaki in a four-rounder. It was scored 40-36 twice and 39-37, all for the Norwegian. 

Light heavyweight Aleksander Iversen made his debut with a points win over Sandro Tsauri from the Georgian Republic, and was out to impress, however, it nearly backfired as Tsauri kept landing with sharp counters. Iversen saw it through and won a unanimous decision.

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March 25: Olympic Silver Medalist Richard Torrez Jr. Looks to Continue Knockout Streak against Willie Jake Jr. at Fresno’s Save Mart Center LIVE on ESPN

Torrez-Jake will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Tickets starting at $29 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com

FRESNO, Calif. (Feb 13, 2023) — Richard Torrez Jr. is not wasting any time.
 
The U.S. Olympic silver medalist, who scored a first-round stoppage victory against James Bryant last Friday at Desert Diamond Arena, will return in a six-rounder against Willie Jake Jr. on Saturday, March 25 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. Torres-Jake Jr. will open the televised tripleheader headlined by the junior welterweight showdown between Jose Ramirez and Richard “RC” Commey and the minimumweight title unification bout between WBA champion Seniesa Estrada and WBC queen Tina Rupprecht.
 
Ramirez-Commey, Estrada-Rupprecht, and Torrez-Jake will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Tickets starting at $29 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.
 
Torrez (5-0, 5 KOs), from Tulare, California, made his pro debut at Save Mart Center and thrilled the home region fans with a second-round stoppage over Allen Melson. He scored three additional knockouts in 2022 before making his triumphant 2023 debut versus Bryant. Jake (11-3-2, 3 KOs), from Indianapolis, Indiana, is a seven-year pro who has won three straight fights.
 
Torrez said, “It was a dream come true to fight at Save Mart Center, and I can’t wait to do it again. I’m improving with every fight, and I want to thank Top Rank for keeping me busy and giving me the opportunity to fight at home in the Central Valley.” 

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The King of Brick City: Shakur Stevenson Returns Home April 8 Against Shuichiro Yoshino in Lightweight Main Event at Newark’s Prudential Center LIVE on ESPN

Stevenson-Yoshino, the return of heavyweight knockout artist Jared Anderson, and lightweight Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
 Tickets starting at $55 go on sale Friday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. ET and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.

NEWARK, N.J. (Feb. 8, 2023) — The pound-for-pound fighting pride of “Brick City” has packed the house before, and he is set to do it again.
 
Undefeated former two-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson will take on Japanese puncher Shuichiro Yoshino in a 12-round WBC lightweight title eliminator Saturday, April 8, at Prudential Center in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey.
 
In the co-feature, heavyweight knockout artist Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson aims for another stoppage in a 10-rounder against an opponent to be named. And, in the 10-round televised opener, rising lightweight and U.S. Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis fights a to-be-determined foe.
 
Stevenson-Yoshino and the returns of Anderson and Davis will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN, Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $55 go on sale Friday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. ET and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.
 
“Shakur Stevenson is one of the most gifted fighters I’ve had the pleasure of promoting, and I look forward to seeing him once again fight in front of his incredible hometown fans in Newark,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Yoshino is a tough fighter and won’t be deterred by the hostile crowd. Jared Anderson and Keyshawn Davis are two of the sport’s emerging superstars, and I can’t wait to see them back in the ring.”
 
“Following the overwhelming success of Shakur Stevenson’s return to Newark in September, we are thrilled to build on that momentum with another stacked Top Rank boxing card on Saturday, April 8th,” said Dylan Wanagiel, VP of Sports Properties & Special Events for Prudential Center. “As Shakur continues to rise the pound-for-pound rankings, we take great pride in being his home. We all witnessed just how much Shakur means to the City of Newark a few months ago, as the event sold the most tickets to a boxing event in our venue’s 15-year history. Alongside our world-class partners at Top Rank and ESPN, we look forward to raising the bar for boxing fans not only in New Jersey but across the globe.”
 
Stevenson (19-0, 9 KOs), a former featherweight and junior lightweight world champion, returns home following last September’s triumph against Robson Conceição. The stubborn Conceição lasted the distance, but Stevenson dominated in front of 10,107 fans at Prudential Center. It was the first time Stevenson had fought at Prudential Center since July 2019 and established the venue as one of the sport’s most raucous hometown crowds. Stevenson won the WBO junior lightweight title with a 10th-round knockout over Jamel Herring in October 2021, then unified the division with a stirring 12-round display over WBC king Oscar Valdez the following April. Those victories propelled Stevenson, a 2016 U.S. Olympic silver medalist, to the top 10 of most pound-for-pound lists. He now sets his sights on a third weight class and a spot atop the pound-for-pound throne.
 
“I am taking over the lightweight division and my run will start on April 8 in Newark. Shuichiro Yoshino is an undefeated fighter who was willing to step up and fight me when so many fighters were scared,” Stevenson said. “My last fight at the Prudential Center was just the start of what I’m building in Jersey. We are going to pack the Prudential Center again and show the world who the future of boxing really is.”
 
Yoshino (16-0, 12 KOs), the WBC’s No. 5 contender, is a former Japanese lightweight champion who compiled a 104-20 amateur record. After seven defenses of his Japanese title, Yoshino rose in the rankings following a banner 2022. Last April, he won a bloody technical decision over former world champion Masayuki Ito after Ito suffered a cut over his left eye. He followed up the Ito triumph in November with a sixth-round stoppage over Masayoshi Nakatani, best known to fans for his stands against Teofimo Lopez and Vasiliy Lomachenko. Yoshino has never fought away from Japan and hopes to spoil Stevenson’s homecoming.
 
“I am very honored to be fighting in the U.S. for the first time. I’m extremely focused and motivated,” Yoshino said. “I’m looking forward to fighting the great two-division champion, Shakur Stevenson, in his hometown of Newark. I’ll be training hard leading up to the fight and look forward to showing the fans an exciting victory!”
 
Anderson (13-0, 13 KOs), a 23-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, has notched five consecutive second-round stoppages, including a demolition of the normally durable Jerry Forrest last December. Anderson received international headlines for his work as a sparring partner of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, but he is now firmly established as a potential heavyweight champion.
 
Davis (7-0, 5 KOs), from Norfolk, Virginia, went to the Tokyo Olympics as a 3-0 professional and returned home with a silver medal and a long-term promotional contract with Top Rank. He is 4-0 since signing with the promotional powerhouse in late 2021, including three stoppage victories and last December’s shutout over former world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos. Davis shined at Prudential Center last September, stopping Omar Tienda in five rounds.
 
Undercard action — streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ — includes undefeated Polish heavyweight prospect Damian Knyba (10-0, 6 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Knyba signed a long-term contract with Top Rank following his second-round knockout over Emilio Salas on the Teofimo Lopez-Sandor Martin bill in December. 
 
Featherweight phenom Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (6-0, 3 KOs), the latest uber-talent from Brownsville, Brooklyn, will fight in a six-rounder against an opponent to be named. Carrington fought on the Stevenson-Conceição bill and blanked Jose Argel over six rounds.

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Off The Deck: Emanuel Navarrete Stops Liam Wilson in 9 Brutal Rounds to Win WBO Junior Lightweight World Title

Arnold Barboza Jr. & Richard Torrez Jr. notch victories in televised bouts

GLENDALE, Ariz. (Feb. 3, 2023) — Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete visited the canvas tonight, but he got back up to become a three-division world champion.
 
Navarrete (37-1, 31 KOs) captured the vacant WBO junior lightweight world title with a hard-earned ninth-round technical knockout victory against Liam Wilson (11-2, 7 KOs) Friday night at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
 
Navarrete now joins an elite list of Mexican boxers who have captured titles in three weight classes. That list includes the likes of Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez.

In the early rounds, Navarrete controlled the fight by pushing the action with his awkward style. But in the fourth round, he was hurt badly by a left hook, which allowed Wilson to land several more shots and eventually drop Navarrete. The Mexican warrior was able to recover, but was hurt once again with a right hook in the sixth.
 
Navarrete kept his cool and eventually began a vicious assault to the body, which weakened Wilson in the eighth round. “El Vaquero” then caught Wilson with a right hand that sent him down hard. Wilson did his best to survive the onslaught, but Navarrete’s relentless punching was too much and forced the ref to call a halt to the fight at 1:57 of the ninth. 
 
At the time of the stoppage, all three judges had Navarrete ahead (76-75 and 77-74 2x).

 “I’m made of a lot of work, strength, lots of heart, and the Mexican spirit that never lets me down,” Navarrete said.  “Liam is a warrior. He was able to land a shot that stunned me a lot. Obviously, we tried to take things calmly. Fortunately, we were able to recover our calmness. We went out to recover a bit. We returned to 100%. And we began to engage.
 
“The satisfaction of winning like this is enormous. I think that I needed this test in order to be able to say my career is more complete. Now that I know that I can hit the canvas and get back up and keep fighting, I’m more than happy because I know that I can continue forward.”
 
“Tonight, I came up a bit short, and I’m disappointed,” Wilson said. “But I knocked him down in the fourth round, and I felt that the count was a bit long. We’ll have to review it and see what people think. He’s a true champion, though. I thought I won the fight in that sense because I think it was about a 20-second count. I’ll review it and see what happens there.

“I want to come back. I’m a true champion. This is my 12th fight, but no excuses. I love to fight, and I love challenges. I’d fight any other champion any day of the week. He’s a tough champion. With all due respect to him, he’s very awkward. But this is boxing, and stuff happens. All credit to him. I hope he goes on to do great things. I’ll be back. Make no mistake about it.”

Barboza Topples Pedraza

Arnold Barboza Jr. (28-0, 10 KOs) defended his WBO Intercontinental junior welterweight title with a unanimous decision win over former two-division world champion Jose Pedraza (29-5-1, 14 KOs).
 
Barboza boxed intelligently from the outside, landing quick combos that Pedraza had difficulty avoiding. On his part, Pedraza was able to close the distance on many occasions, but he often did so without throwing a jab, so it made it difficult for him to enter without receiving a lot of punishment.
 
As the rounds progressed, Pedraza did his best to land punches to the body, but Barboza would often smother the Puerto Rican’s offense and use his footwork to evade more shots.

 The later rounds were tough, but Barboza prevailed by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 2x.
 
“I was making the fight easy for the first five or six rounds, but I wanted to stay in there and start brawling. Pedraza is a tough guy. All training camp we were working against southpaws, but he did a good job of switching to southpaw in the middle of the fight. It’s hard fighting a guy like him with a lot of experience,” Barboza said. “I think I’ve paid my dues. I want a title shot. I want Regis Prograis, Alberto Puello, or the winner of the IBF title or the WBO title. If I can’t get them, everyone knows who I want: Teofimo Lopez.”

Richard Torrez Jr. Stops James Bryant 
 
Richard Torrez Jr. (5-0, 5 KOs) remained undefeated with a first-round TKO over James Bryant (6-3, 4 KOs). Torrez initiated the bout in aggressive fashion, using feints and head movement to close the distance.
 
After a few exchanges, Torrez noticed that Bryan would often crouch forward. The U.S. Olympic silver medalist then responded by unleashing his left uppercut, which eventually dropped Bryant before the round ended.
 
Bryant was able to survive, but his corner advised the referee to stop the fight before the second round could commence.

“When you land a punch like that, it almost feels like there’s no glove there. It just feels like a solid shot from your knuckle to his head. And that’s when you know you hurt the guy,” Torrez said. “I thought he was in the recovery state because he had a minute left, but if the fight were to continue, I would have applied pressure. I started off the first round a little slower than usual, but I did that on purpose. I wanted to set my distance and my jab and feints. And luckily that uppercut landed and there was more to come.”

In undercard action:

Junior Lightweights: Andres Cortes (19-0, 10 KOs) outboxed Luis Melendez (17-3, 13 KOs) en route to a 10-round unanimous decision. Both men started the bout cautiously, but Cortes’ superior ring IQ allowed him to dominant more and more as the rounds progressed. Scores: 100-90 3x.

Middleweights: Nico Ali Walsh (8-0, 5 KOs) overcame a hometown disadvantage with a dominant six-round unanimous decision win over Phoenix’s Eduardo Ayala (9-3-1, 3 KOs). Walsh scored a knockdown in the second round, but Ayala, who was backed by a packed crowd of his supporters, was undeterred and was able to go the distance. Scores: 60-53 and 59-54 2x.

Ali Walsh said, “He was a big guy, and I wanted to show that I could muscle him around on the inside. Ayala was the hometown favorite. That was a new experience for me, but it was a valuable one.”

Junior Welterweights: Lindolfo Delgado (17-0, 13 KOs), a 2016 Mexican Olympian, retained his undefeated record with a unanimous decision win over Clarence Booth (21-7, 13 KOs) after eight rounds of action. Delgado scored a knockdown in the final round, courtesy of a hard right hand. Scores: 80-71 and 79-72 2x.
 
Lightweights: Emiliano Fernando Vargas (3-0, 2 KOs) went the distance for the first time in his career by scoring a four-round unanimous win over southpaw Francisco Duque (1-2). Scores: 40-36 3x.

Photos from Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images

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MARQUES VALLE LOOKS TO CONTINUE DOMINANCE AT 154 ON FEBRUARY 22 ON PROBOX TV

 Tampa’s highly talked about Marques Valle is looking to set the ground running in 2023, as he looks to establish himself as a contender in the super welterweight division.

Valle has been dominant in his 7 professional outings, with all of the wins coming within the scheduled distance. Now the all-action puncher turns his attention to making an impact in the super welterweight division.

Valle opened up on his plans in 2023, “I’m working hard as always in the gym to improve technically and grow into the weight. I started my pro career at 147 but I think I’m going to continue to grow, so it’s the right thing for me to fight at 54.

“I’ve had a great start to my career on ProBox TV, the whole team from Garry Jonas to coaches Marc Farrait and Asa Beard along with my management team at Split-T have worked really well to bring me on the right way, I feel like I have a dream team and that’s really all a fighter can ask for.” 

‘The Machine’ competes as a professional alongside his younger brother Dominic Valle, who also holds an undefeated record, and the bigger brother discussed his relationship with his brother and hopes for 2023 for the pair.

He said, “I’m really happy with how me and my brother have progressed, and I love how we always get featured on ProBox TV. Dominic has been guided properly and I think we’re going to be ready for a regional title in 2023.

“There’s a lot of great fighters on television, fighters like Erickson Lubin who are in fights that we are aiming to be in one day, but for now I think we will want to push ourselves into a position where we are ready to break into the world top 15 and go from there.

“I’m from a Puerto Rican family, I grew up watching Felix Trinidad and Miguel Cotto, it was a family party every time there was a big Puerto Rican fight on, and boxing is a family business with me. Hopefully one day we can have these types of parties when my brother and I fight.”

Watch ProBox TV Events FOR FREE (NO SIGN UP REQUIRED) live on YouTube in English and Spanish. You can watch ProBoxTV ad free on ProBoxTV.com for $1.99

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Weigh-In Results: Emanuel Navarrete vs. Liam Wilson for the vacant WBO Junior Lightweight Title

TONIGHT at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+

GLENDALE, Arizona (Feb. 3, 2023) — Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete hopes to cement his name in the history books of Mexican boxing tonight.
 
Navarrete, (36-1, 30 KOs), the former junior featherweight and featherweight champion, will attempt to earn a world title in a third division when he faces Australian upstart Liam Wilson (11-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBO junior lightweight championship.

In the co-feature, former two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (29-4-1, 14 KOs) takes on unbeaten top contender Arnold Barboza Jr. (27-0, 10 KOs) in a 10-rounder for Barboza’s WBO Intercontinental Junior Welterweight Title. In the ESPN-televised opener, heavyweight U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (4-0, 4 KOs) faces James Bryant (6-2, 4 KOs) in a six-round bout.

Navarrete-Wilson, Barboza-Pedraza, and Torrez-Bryant will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m ET/7 p.m. PT. 

The undercard — streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ at 7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. PT — features middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (7-0, 5 KOs) against Phoenix native Eduardo Ayala (9-2-1, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder and lightweight phenom Emiliano Fernando Vargas (2-0, 2 KOs) against Francisco Duque (1-1) in a four-rounder.

• Emanuel Navarrete 129.2lbs. vs. Liam Wilson 126.3 lbs
  (Vacant WBO Junior Lightweight Title — 12 Rounds)   •   Arnold Barboza Jr. 139.2 lbs vs. Jose Pedraza 138.7 lbs
  (Barboza’s WBO Intercontinental Title — 10 Rounds)•  Richard Torrez Jr. 222.2 lbs vs. James Bryant 253.4 lbs
   (Heavyweight — 6 Rounds)(ESPN+, 7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. PT)•    Andres Cortes 131.2 lbs vs. Luis Melendez 130.6 lbs
   (Junior Lightweight— 10 Rounds)

•  Nico Ali Walsh 159.8 lbs vs. Eduardo Ayala 160.9 lbs
 (Middleweight — 6 Rounds)

•   Lindolfo Delgado 142.1 lbs vs. Clarence Booth 142.4 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 8 Rounds)

•   Emiliano Fernando Vargas 133.4 lbs vs. Francisco Duque 135.4 lbs
 (Lightweight — 4 Rounds)

• ___________

 

Beter Man: Artur Beterbiev Stops Anthony Yarde in 8

Beterbiev defends WBC/WBO/IBF Light Heavyweight World Titles at OVO Arena Wembley in London

LONDON (January 2023) — WBC/WBO/IBF unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs) retained his 100% knockout ratio on Saturday night by scoring an eighth-round technical knockout victory against British puncher Anthony Yarde (23-3, 22 KOs) at OVO Arena Wembley in London.

At the time of the stoppage, two judges had Yarde winning with scores of 68-65 and 67-66, while one judge had it 67-66 for Beterbiev. However, the king of the 175-pound division has never gone the distance, and tonight was no exception.

The fight began as expected, with Yarde boxing from the outside and using a jittery left jab to keep Beterbiev occupied. The Montreal-based champion moved forward with impunity as he began to figure out his challenger.

By the fourth round, Beterbiev had found his rhythm and distance, and he immediately began to push Yarde against the ropes. Beterbiev landed several thudding shots, but Yarde landed some of his own. During the following rounds, both men had their moments and sustained cuts. Yarde had one below his right eye, and Beterbiev had one above his left eye.

Beterbiev’s power again proved to be the difference, as he landed a right hand that sent Yarde to the canvas in the eighth round. Yarde struggled to get to his feet, and as Beterbiev moved forward to finish the fight, Yarde’s corner stopped the assault at 2:01 of the round.

Beterbiev said, “Every fight is different. It’s a different preparation. And the fighter is different, too. I can’t say I did a very bad fight. But if I could do it again, I’d do it better. But I feel good. To be honest, I prepared for the all the punches he did. That’s why I could come back. It’s because we expected those punches.

“Everyone can punch hard at this level. And Anthony did, too. But he’s young. I turned into a professional when I was 28. He has time. I hope he does well in the future. I want [Dmitry] Bivol. Right now, it’s everything. In that fight, we’ll have four belts. It’s really good fight, I think.”

Heavyweights: Moses Ituama (1-0, 1 KO) made a successful pro debut by stopping Marcel Bode (2-2, 2 KOs) via knockout at :23 of the very first round.

Cruiserweights: Tommy Fletcher (4-0, 3 KOs) defeated Darryl Sharp (7-97-1, 1 KO) via six-round unanimous decision. This was the first time that Fletcher had gone the distance. Score: 60-54.

Light Heavyweights: Argentine puncher Ezequiel Maderna (29-10, 19 KOs) scored an upset knockout victory against touted prospect Karol Itauma (9-1, 7 KOs). Time of stoppage: 1:04 of the fifth round.

Flyweights: Artem Dalakian (22-0, 15 KOs) defended his WBA flyweight championship with a 12-round unanimous decision win over previously undefeated challenger David Jimenez (12-1, 9 KOs). Scores: 115-113 2x and 116-112.

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NO LIMIT

JEAN PASCAL VS. MICHAEL EIFERT

March 16 at Place Bell in Laval

IBF ELIMINATOR TO DETERMINE ARTUR BETERBIEV’S MANDATORY CHALLENGER

LAVAL, Québec, Canada (January 27, 2023) — As he himself mentioned yesterday on his social networks, Jean Pascal is fully recovered from the COVID-19 virus, which struck him down in early January. He has received the green light from his doctor and will resume intense training starting next Monday. DiBella Entertainment, in association with Groupe Yvon Michel and Jean Pascal Promotions, and in collaboration with Blanko Sports and SES Sports Events GmbH, officially confirm the postponed “No Limit” event will now take place on March 16th at Place Bell in Laval, Canada, as two-time world champion Pascal (36-6-1, 20 KOs) faces Germany’s Michael Eifert (11-1, 4 KOs) to determine the mandatory challenger for  International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Light Heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (18-0-0, 18 KOs).

 

Tickets are now on sale, ranging from $40 in the stands up to $500 on the floor. Tables for six people, including wine and meals, are also available for $3,500 or $4,500 plus tax. Tickets may be purchased online at evenco.ca or by email at info@groupeyvonmichel.ca. Tickets already purchased for February 9th will be honored.

This international event is presented by Mise-O-Jeu. The evening’s bout sheet is comprised of seven other fights:

 

The co-feature pits popular Mathieu “G-Time” Germain (21-2-1, 9 KOs) and Steven Wilcox (24-3-1, 7 KOs), a member of the famed family of four pro fighters. Germain began a streak of three consecutive victories in May 2021, in Quebec City, by taking the measure of Steve Claggett (33-7-2, 23 KOs) in 10 rounds. Wilcox has won his last six fights, including his most recent victory last November, by way of a fourth-round technical knockout against Mexican Francisco Martinez (11-4, 6 KOs).

To mark Saint Patrick’s Day, the authentic Irishman and promising light heavyweight prospect “Mighty” Joseph Ward (8-1, 4 KOs), of Ireland, will also be in action in an eight-round fight.

World contender Jessica “Cobra” Camara (10-3, 2 KOs), of Montreal, returns to Quebec for the first time since 2019. She has since fought five fights in the United States, including the WBA and WBO super lightweight world championship versus Kali Reis (19-7-1, 5 KOs) in New Hampshire in November 2021. She lost by split decision in an extremely close and hard-fought fight. She will meet Prisca “La Guerrera” Vicot (14-8, 2 KOs), a French woman who lives in San Diego, California.

Spectators will have the pleasure of seeing rising star Caroline Veyre (2-0) in action after her dazzling performance on January 13th on the Clavel-Plata card, in which she dominated Esefania Franco (4-5). Veyre was a 2020 Canadian Olympian and 2015 Pan-American Games gold medalist. On March 16^th, she will likely face solid opposition in Emma “Valkyria” Gongora (5-2), fighting out of Marseille, France. She has won her last five fights, including her most recent win against Martine Vallieres Bisson (5-2, 1KO) at Casino de Montreal last September.

Young Italian sensation Yoel Angeloni (1-0), the latest discovery of International Boxing Hall of Fame promoter Lou DiBella, plans to impress in a four-round special attraction. The welterweight prodigy has a bright future ahead of him.

Also, Vancouver’s skillful Eric Basran (3-0, 1 KO) intends to double down in 2023. Veyre’s teammate on Canada’s National Team returns to the ring after taking a six-round unanimous decision on January 13th against Juan Carlos Garcia (4-3), of Mexico City. This time he takes on Ruben Vallejo (7-1-1, 3 KOs) in a potentially explosive confrontation.

Former Canadian amateur champion Amanda Galle (7-0-1, 1 KO) is slated to fight in a bantamweight eight-round bout.

Pascal will meet with members of the media via teleconference this coming Monday morning to answer questions.

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The iconic Roy Jones Jr.

Chat with a Champion

Former middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight king

By Staff Writer Kirk Lang

-CLICK PHOTO TO READ INTERVIEW-

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April 1: Robeisy Ramirez-Isaac Dogboe Interim WBO Featherweight Title Showdown & Xander Zayas-Ronald Cruz Headline Loaded Card at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa LIVE on ESPN+

Featherweight contender Joet Gonzalez, U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson, Tulsa-born heavyweight prospect Jeremiah Milton, and Jahi Tucker-Nikoloz Sekhniashvili junior middleweight clash are scheduled in undercard action

TULSA, OK (Jan. 26, 2023) — Two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy “El Tren” Ramírez will lock horns with Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe in a 12-round showdown for the vacant interim WBO featherweight world title Saturday, April 1, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
 
In the eight-round co-feature, Puerto Rican sensation Xander Zayas looks to extend his unbeaten record against nine-year veteran Ronald “Diablo” Cruz.
 
Ramirez-Dogboe and Zayas-Cruz headlines a packed card streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Holden Productions, tickets starting at $49.50 are on sale now and available to purchase at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.
 
“We have seen Robeisy Ramirez grow from a decorated Olympian to a young man on the verge of stardom. Isaac Dogboe is no pushover and represents the toughest test of Ramirez’s career. I expect an exciting, dramatic fight for the great fans in Tulsa,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “2023 will be a huge year for Xander Zayas, a superstar in the making who I believe will be Puerto Rico’s next champion.”
 
Ramirez (11-1, 7 KOs), from Cienfuegos, Cuba, went from losing his pro debut in August 2019 to one of the division’s top contenders in 2023. Ranked No. 3 by the WBO, Ramirez had a breakthrough in 2022, knocking out Irishman Eric Donovan, the previously unbeaten Abraham Nova, and Argentinean contender Jose Matias Romero. Ramirez has knocked out five of his past six foes, a stunning power surge he hopes carries over to The Sooner State. He is considered one of the greatest boxers ever to emerge from the famed Cuban amateur system and seeks to author a career-best victory in Tulsa.
 
“I have been boxing for more than 20 years and have been a fighter every step of the way,” Ramirez said. “I never forgot where I came from, but I refuse to define myself by past accomplishments. Even after winning my second Olympic gold medal, I endured hardships. I embraced the challenges ahead of me and know that my greatest tests and most significant accomplishments in boxing are still ahead of me.
 
“On April 1, I will enter the ring with the hunger that has brought me here and the hunger that comes with knowing that there is still much to achieve. This is just the beginning for Robeisy ‘El Tren’ Ramírez.”
 
Dogboe (24-2, 15 KOs) has a rapid championship rise at junior featherweight, but he lost his title and career momentum with back-to-back defeats to Emanuel Navarrete. He overhauled his camp following the Navarrete losses, linking up with decorated trainer Barry Hunter at Headbangers Boxing Gym in Washington, D.C. The Dogboe/Hunter partnership has resulted in four consecutive victories, including majority decisions over Adam Lopez and Christopher Diaz. He earned a shot at the interim title with last July’s split decision over Joet Gonzalez, a toe-to-toe battle in Hinckley, Minnesota, that ranked among the year’s best action fights. Dogboe, from Anyako, Ghana, represented his homeland at the 2012 London Olympics and spent much of his childhood in London.
 
“Nearly five years ago, I became the WBO junior featherweight champion of the world, to the shock of many people. On April 1, I will be crowned a two-time, two-division champion,” Dogboe said. “Ramirez is a good fighter, and I commend him for his achievements. I’ve waited patiently for this opportunity, and I want to thank Bob Arum and the Top Rank family for being good to me over the years. My team and I are preparing for this life-changing opportunity. God Bless all the boxing fans and boxing enthusiasts for their continuous support.”
 
The 20-year-old Zayas (15-0, 10 KOs), from San Juan, has been ticketed for stardom since signing with Top Rank at 16. He broke through in 2021 with six victories, setting up a 2022 that saw him graduate to eight-rounders. Zayas shut out Louisiana’s Quincy LaVallais over eight rounds, knocked out the durable Elias Espadas in five, and made a “Heisman Night” statement in December with a near-shutout decision over Alexis Salazar. Zayas’ road to contention continues against Cruz (18-2-1, 12, KOs), a Los Angeles native who has never been knocked out as a pro. Cruz went 10 competitive rounds with Damian Sosa last August, dropping a unanimous decision.
 
Zayas said, “2023 is going to be big for my career. I’m going into the new year with all the power and the mindset needed to make a name for myself in the division. I’m locked in. Laser focused. It all starts on April 1 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’m very excited to be on this card since I’ll have the opportunity to showcase my skills as the co-feature on ESPN+. This time, I’ll be fighting against a worthy Mexican opponent, and I’m planning to put on a show for all the boxing fans.”
 
Undercard bouts, also streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+, include:

• In an eight-round grudge match, Jahi Tucker (9-0, 5 KOs) will make his junior middleweight debut against Nikoloz Sekhniashvili (8-1, 6 KOs). Tucker called for a fight against Zayas, but he must first face Zayas’ training partner, a former amateur standout from the nation of Georgia. Sekhniashvili returned from a 15-month layoff last November to stop the previously unbeaten David Rodriguez in three rounds. 

“I am excited to be fighting on a Top Rank card again, this time against an undefeated fighter,” Sekhniashvili said. “I know Jahi is going to run and likes to use his mouth more than his hands. He will try to avoid me, but once I make contact, he will slow down instantly. I can’t wait until April 1.”
 
Tucker said, “Nikoloz is going to be easy work. After I get finished with him, I want to fight Xander.”

• Two-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez (25-3, 13 KOs), from Glendora, California returns against Mexican veteran Jose Enrique Vivas (22-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight firefight. Gonzalez looks to rebound from last July’s tight split decision defeat to Dogboe. Despite the Dobgoe setback, Gonzalez is still ranked in the top 10 of the WBC and WBO featherweight rankings. Vivas kept his title hopes alive last August with a split decision over Edy Valencia.
   
• Junior welterweight phenom Tiger Johnson (7-0, 5 KOs), who represented the U.S. at the Tokyo Olympics, fights in his first second scheduled eight-rounder against an opponent to be named. Johnson stopped Harry Gigliotti in five rounds at Hard Rock Tulsa last August.
   
• Tulsa-born heavyweight prospect Jeremiah Milton (8-0, 6 KOs) returns home against an opponent to be named. Milton has fought in Tulsa three times a pro, securing two first-round knockouts and a second-round stoppage.
   
• Cleveland-born lightweight Abdullah Mason (6-0, 5 KOs) makes his 2023 debut in a six-rounder. Mason fought at Hard Rock Tulsa last August, outlasting the game Angel Rebollar en route to a four-round decision win.
   
• Light heavyweight prospect Dante Benjamin Jr. (5-0, 3 KOs), from Cleveland, aims to continue his knockout momentum in a six-rounder. Benjamin opened his 2023 campaign Jan. 14 with a first-round stoppage over Emmanueal Austin.

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Golden Boy to Open 2023 at YouTube Theater with Main Event Featuring

Santa Ana’s Alexis Rocha Defending NABO Welterweight Title

Live and Exclusive on DAZN

First Boxing Event Held at YouTube Theater in Inglewood, CA

 

 

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Rigo Looks To Put On A Show February 24 At Hialeah Park  

Former World Champion Guillermo Rigondeaux Comes To Career Crossroads;

Now 42 Years Old, Rigo Finds Himself In A “Must Win Big” Situation 

Hialeah, FL / January 21, 2023 – Former two-time world boxing champion Guillermo Rigondeaux arrives at the ultimate career crossroads when he returns to action for the first time in a year on Friday, February 24, 2023 at Hialeah Park. 

With a professional record of 20-3-1 (13 KOs), the now 42-year-old Rigondeaux faces battle-tested super bantamweight Jesús Martinez, who will bring a mark of 33-17-1 (16 KOs) into the Hialeah Park headliner. 

Rigondeaux, who dropped decisions to Vincent Astrolabio in February of 2022 and John Real Casimero in August of 2021, has been sidelined since suffering severe facial burns and eye injuries in a freak kitchen accident at his home in Miami over ten months ago. 

“After the way he lost his last two fights and because of his time away from boxing, winning is just not good enough, Rigo must entertain,” said Alberto “Beto” Ferreiro, Sports Journalist and host of Café Deportivos con Beto.   “Rigondeaux is obligated to win big and to put on a good show for his fans if he expects another title shot.”  

Rigondeaux, the former WBO/WBA Super Bantamweight and WBA Bantamweight world champion will attempt to tap the fountain of youth in his 25^th professional fight as he looks to win for the first time since defeating Liborio Solis in February of 2020. 

“Rigo must attack and knock Jesús Martinez out,” added Ferreiro.  “That’ll be his only option if he wants to continue boxing at a higher level. Anything less than that will likely mean the end of Rigondeaux’s long professional career.” 

Tickets for what promises to be an action-packed card at Hialeah Park on Friday, February 24, 2023 are on sale at the Hialeah Park web site (www.hialeahparkcasino.com).   

Hialeah Park Casino, with entrances at 100 East 32^nd Street and 2200 East 4^th Avenue, is easily accessible from all major Miami highways and conveniently located just minutes by car from Miami International Airport, South Beach, Downtown Miami, Coral Gables, and Doral. 

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Nine-Time World Champion Nonito Donaire Confirmed For Price Promotions February 18^th Pro Boxing Card”

From The Pen of Dr. David “Ole Head” Price

CHESTER, PA (JANUARY 21, 2023)–Price Promotions who at this current time has one main goal, and one main focus and that focus is on Dylan Price. Dylan (Affectionately called) “Real Dyl” is a bantamweight contender that seems to be more times than not on the wrong end of the stick.

Price has won “Most Outstanding Boxer” in two National Tournaments, yet not many know of his name. He is a star, but at the lower divisions so… Well who the hell really cares, right? Now you have to also take into account that his father, David, is a very smart business mind so not too many promoters want to deal with that type of person.

The primary promoters choose to deal with people that can be told, and when confronted, will submit, but the senior Price was not really moved by the former nor the latter. However, there was one particular company that showed love to the Price’s. and that was Mayweather Promotions. They, particularly, Leonard Ellerbe were kind to the Price’s (In the way that they understand how to be) so that being said, David Price owes Leonard Ellerbe an apology. “I have done so via text and by voicemail and my final apology is in the form of this release” (how appropriate a word).

“However, as a whole, this industry is not without its share of undesirables. These individuals or even groups of individuals have conspired to keep my son Dylan and myself from mainstream boxing. I know, I know another bitter father that sees his son as something beyond his actual abilities. Well, riddle me this, if my son isn’t as good as I believe him to be, then why is it that to date we have never received a call from a matchmaker representing any of the minor or major promotional companies . Not even one can ever say that they have ever reached out with a possible match for my son. In other words if he isn’t what he thinks he is, then why not serve up another meal for one of your 118lb monsters? Why not have a seven- Time National Champion, Two -Time MVP that was 10-0, 11-0, 12-0, 13-0, 14-0 and is currently 15-0, with 10kos as an opponent for someone in your 118lb stable. All of the major boxing promotions have at least one 118lb boxer if not more, but still we are sitting here all by our lonesome. .. I’m sorry I digressed!!!!”

When Mayweather in their attempt to show love, had us featured on their Facebook channel in January 2019. We actually lost. Yes 15-0 Dylan Price has a loss! But Dylan also has a father who also has a heavenly Father who saw fit to have the Nevada State Athletic Commission make a random request to check this particular fighter’s urine, and to our surprise my former business partner and still close friend Doc Nowicki called me and said I was looking on Boxrec and Dylan’s name has an 0 beside it. I of course thought he was mistaken, but when I researched Boxrec, I saw the same. I immediately contacted the Commission and they confirmed that it was in- fact, accurate. He cheated, he cheated, he cheated, I celebrated!!!! But there’s not going to be much of a fuss surrounding positive news regarding a 115lb African American kid that had their record sponged due to cheating. Nope that gives those that were hoping that we failed more energy to galvanize.

Good plan but…………..the God that I serve saw otherwise. Long story for another time but this same individual has caught the eye of the former king, and soon to be back on his throne to once-again be the king of the bantamweight division. That being future first-ballot Hall of Famer, Nonito Donaire.”

“The Filipino Flash” has agreed to be Dylan “The Real Dyl” Price’ trainer along with his beautiful wife Rachel. Rachel has proven that she is more than capable to function as the team’s lead strategist and strength Coach. The unlikely pair of families have in a relatively short period of time, developed a bond, a kindred spirit connection of some sorts.

Ok Listen you don’t have to have a THD in Theology to ask these questions;

1.     Why would a fighter in the same division share information from the first 10 minutes that he met another fighter? Why would he tell him secret techniques that he had developed over the course of his career?

2.     Why would a 40-year-old, nine- time World Champion, that is still chasing greatness seeking an unprecedented 10^th World Championship, decide to get on a plane, oh yeah, bring his wife at the bequest of the senior Price and assist them in training???

3.     A 118lber former King who is seeking title number ten, decides to take on as a protégé another contender in his current division by the name of Dylan Price, weird right?

“Nine-Time World Champion Nonito Donaire Confirmed For Price Promotions February 18^th Boxing Card”

Price Promotions will be having their first Star Studded Event of 2023 which will also be their 3^rd event since conception. These Star Studded Events are focused around one individual fighter by the name of Dylan Price.

In each of the events, Price Promotions has created their version of “24/7” or “All Access” entitled 7on7, “7 weeks, 7 episodes, 7 minutes welcome to 7on7”. The 7on7 series can be currently viewed on Price Productions Youtube Page. There are several pages with this name but we are the one with 27 Subscribers (as of January 14, 2023). Filming has also begun on 6 mini sitcoms (several of which feature Dylan Price) created by Dr. David Price, President and Founder of Price Promotions, DKP Productions and Price Productions LLC. He is also the senior partner in an app being developed called Profetsplus.com (Prophets for Profit). The youngest boxer in the family will be making his professional debut at 135lbs. The 18 year old Devin “Baby Boy” Price (sometimes Kristian; another story, another day) is excited about the opportunity to begin his professional career on Saturday February 18^th.

This Star-Studded Event will be held on Saturday February 18, 2023 located at the Elevations Event Center at 51 S 9^th Street, Chester Pa 19013.

Tickets will be released on Wednesday February 1, 2023,  and the fight will be available for purchase on Pay-Per-View at Profetsplus.com

            The Dream Team:

1.     Fighter: Dylan “The Real Dyl” Price

2.     Trainer: Nonito Donaire;

3.     Trainer: David Price

4.     Trainer: Wade Hinnant

5.     Adjunct Trainer: Nate Campbell

6.     Adjunct Trainer: Paulie Malignaggi

7.     Strategist & Strength: Rachel Donaire

8.     Cutman: Danny Davis

9.     Chief Advisor: J Russell Peltz

10.  Public Relations: Marc Abrams

11.  Sponsor: APS, Shane Goodell

12.  Matchmaker: TBA

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Country Box, A New Sports Franchise for Nashville

January 21, 2023, Nashville, Tennessee-A new sports franchise, Country Box, is entering the vibrant Nashville sports entertainment market. Country Box is a monthly live professional boxing series and music festival that will be held on the first Tuesday of the month at the Troubadour Theater, starting on February 07, 2023.

The first episode of Country Box is wittingly entitled Return of Genesis as it is the reincarnation of the popular Tuesday Night Fights series. The main event will see Ukrainian Heavyweight Contender and Two-Time Golden Gloves Winner Iegor Plevako (7-0) take on Brazilian Marcelo Heavyweight Contender Marcelo Da Silva (22-5). In a special feature bout Nashville’s own amateur standout and Cruiserweight Prospect Erick “El Torito” Arellano (Debut) does his Professional Debut as a boxer. Arellano’s dad, Ramon Arellano, owns the popular Mexican Restaurant in Nashville.

Nashville’s reputation as the home of Country Music and emergence as a top-flight sports city is the primary reason why it was selected as the site for Country Box. More importantly, two of the new series’ founding partners, SC1 and JAM Productions, also have very strong connections to Music City and the country music industry. Given how the city has rallied behind all three of its professional sports teams, it is reasonable to expect Nashville would rally behind the boxing series as well. With this in mind, and the organizers’ ties to the city, it is only natural to put Country Box here. 

The initial reaction to Country Box has been unfettered enthusiasm. Both the concept and the promoters have been welcomed wholeheartedly. This is not surprising when one considers the factors the demographics, population, viewership, politics and policies and generations. The Nashville metropolitan area has 1.3 million people, and the population has grown by two percent each in the past two years. Many of these people are northern transplants coming from cities where boxing is popular. There are also plenty of young people coming to the city nicknamed the Athens of the South looking to attend universities such as Tennessee State University, Fisk University and Vanderbilt University. If boxing wants to appeal to more young fans, there is no better place for Boxing and Country Box than Nashville. Not to mention, Nashville was the host to one of the most successful boxing series in history, Tuesday Night Fights, a series that did 47 weekly shows at its zenith in 1997 in Nashville. Tuesday Night Fights was the brainchild of Nashville resident Jimmy Adams and was held in front of a packed house at the now closed Music City Mic Factory.  Jimmy Adams and Ashley Adams (Jimmy Adams Media) are Co-Founders and Co-Promoters of the new Series. Official Event Promoter, Lion Heart Boxing Productions, Ltd, is the other founder of the series.

Nashville is definitely the place to be, and the Troubadour Theater is the perfect fit for Country Box. The Troubadour Theater is an old cowboy church that was converted into one of the best dance halls in Nashville. It boasts a large dance floor, a stage large enough for 7+ piece bands with lots of space to give this an epic feel. Awesome shows such as Nashville King and routine audience interaction make it feel like old Nashville. Says official series promoter Ed Mendy, “Don’t let the outside fool you. It’s in a strip mall which at first made it look a little dicey to me, but the troubadour theater is a class act all around. It is not only close to the Grand Ole Opry; it’s neatly decorated and well-appointed inside. It’s a cozy venue with only 500 seats but one cannot find a more and perfect set up for club boxing. There’s not a bad seat in the house and we expect Country Box to be the scarcest ticket in boxing.”

Nashville is a popular tourist destination, thanks in part to its music and the iconic Downtown District with its hotels and music entertainment venues. Country will help with the city’s continued branding and tourism as it will be streamed live as a pay per view, televised in over 100 million USA homes using regional cable, and syndicated worldwide as feasible. As Nashville continues to grow into a burgeoning music and sporting metropolis, Country Box expects to grow with it.

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March 25: Jose Ramirez-Richard Commey Junior Welterweight Main Event & Seniesa Estrada-Tina Rupprecht Title Unification Showdown Set for Fresno’s Save Mart Center LIVE on ESPN

Ramirez-Commey and Estrada-Rupprecht will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Tickets starting at $29 go on sale Friday, Jan. 13 at 10 a.m.

FRESNO, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2023) — The fighting pride of California’s Central Valley and one of boxing’s pound-for-pound queens are joining forces for a special Fresno Fight Night.
 
Former unified 140-pound world champion Jose Ramirez will meet former lightweight world champion Richard “RC” Commey in the 12-round junior welterweight main event Saturday, March 25, at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
 
The co-feature will be a world title unification clash, as WBA minimumweight world champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada collides with WBC world champion Tina Rupprecht.

Ramirez-Commey and Estrada-Rupprecht will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment, tickets starting at $29 go on sale go on sale Friday, Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. PT and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and the Arena Box Office.
 
Ramirez (27-1, 17 KOs), from Avenal, California, returns home to the friendly confines of the Save Mart Center, which has hosted six of his previous fights. Following his 2021 decision defeat to Josh Taylor for the undisputed junior welterweight title, Ramirez rebounded last March with a unanimous decision victory over former two-weight world champion Jose Pedraza. He has been among the sport’s best 140-pounders since winning the WBC world title over Amir Imam in March 2018. After defending that title twice, Ramirez stopped Maurice Hooker in six brutal rounds to unify the WBC and WBO titles. Ramirez retained both belts with a hard-fought majority decision over Viktor Postol in August 2020, a win that set up the Taylor showdown. 
 
“Fresno and the Save Mart Center hold a special place in my heart, and I am blessed to be able fight in front of my Central Valley fans once again,” Ramirez said. “Richard Commey is a championship fighter with everything to gain. I expect the best version of Commey on March 25. My goal is to become champion again, and I am more motivated than ever to prove that I am the best junior welterweight in the world.”
 
“Ramirez is motivated like I have never seen, and he’s out to prove some things,” said Rick Mirigian, Ramirez’s manager. “It all starts in Fresno in front of 15,000 hometown fans.”
 
Commey (30-4-1, 27 KOs), from Accra, Ghana, made his name as one of the sport’s top lightweights, winning Commonwealth honors before capturing the IBF world title in February 2019. His title reign lasted 10 months, as he knocked out former world champion Ray Beltran before a stunning second-round stoppage defeat to Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden. Commey’s lightweight run ended with a December 2021 decision loss to Vasiliy Lomachenko. Last August, in his junior welterweight debut, he fought to a 10-round draw against Pedraza.
 
Commey said, “I want to thank my team for putting me on the path to fulfilling my dream of becoming a two-weight world champion. I also want to thank Bob Arum and Top Rank for once again showing faith in me by allowing me to headline against a formidable opponent in Jose Ramirez. I’m up for the challenge, and I intend to make Ghana and all my fans around the world proud.”
 
Estrada (23-0, 9 KOs), from East Los Angeles, California, returns to her home state intent on unifying world titles for the first time in her decorated career. The 30-year-old veteran turned pro nearly a dozen years ago and has competed at the world class level in three weight classes. In 2021, she captured the WBA minimumweight and WBO light flyweight titles in consecutive fights. Estrada then vacated the light flyweight title to pursue undisputed glory at minimumweight. She signed with Top Rank last year and returned from a nearly 11-month layoff in November to shut out Jazmin Gala Villarino.
 
“I want to give Tina credit for being a world champion who isn’t afraid of a unification fight, unlike Yokasta Valle,” Estrada said. “Since we couldn’t get Yokasta into the ring, we decided to do one better and fight the woman who beat her. The Fresno fans are passionate, and they are in for a great show.”
 
Rupprecht (12-0-1, 3 KOs), from Augsburg, Germany, has made five defenses of her world title after being elevated from interim champion in 2018. Earlier that year, she toppled Valle, who is the current IBF and WBO unified minimumweight world champion In July 2021, Rupprecht edged former world champion Katia Gutierrez by split decision. Following more than a year away from the ring, she shook off the ring rust to dominate Peruvian veteran Rocio Gaspar to set up the Estrada showdown. Rupprecht has fought all but one of her pro bouts in Germany and will make the nearly 6,000-mile journey in hopes of ruining Estrada’s undisputed goal.
 
“To fight in America against a fellow world champion in a world title unification is a dream come true for me,” Rupprecht said. “Seniesa is considered one of the sport’s best fighters, and I look forward to seeing who the true number one in the division is. This will be a Fight of the Year candidate and another huge night for female boxing. I’m going to be victorious and return to Germany with two world title belts.”
 
The undercard, streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+, is scheduled to include the following standouts:

Lightweight contender Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (16-0, 13 KOs), from Fontana, California, and trained by Robert Garcia, makes his 2023 debut in a 10-rounder. Muratalla went 3-0 in 2022, including stoppage victories over veterans Jeremy Hill and Miguel Contreras.
 
Rising lightweight Karlos Balderas (14-1, 12 KOs), a 2016 U.S. Olympian from Santa Maria, California, looks to author his sixth consecutive victory in an eight-rounder. Balderas is coming off a career-best showing over Esteban Sanchez, a methodical beatdown that resulted in an eighth-round TKO.
 
Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles (6-0, 6 KOs), a 6-foot-9 heavyweight from Des Moines, Iowa, aims for knockout number seven in a six-rounder. Mireles has three first-round knockouts and three second-round stoppages on his ledger.
 
Lightweight prospect Charlie Sheehy (5-0, 4 KOs), the former U.S. amateur star from Brisbane, California, makes his third professional appearance in Fresno in a six-rounder.
 
Javier “Milwaukee Made” Martinez (8-0, 2 KOs), who trains with Ramirez at Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, will fight an opponent to be named in a six-round middleweight tilt.
 
Flyweight prospect Jessie James Guerrero (3-0-1, 3 KOs), from Gilroy, California, will see action in a four-rounder in his U.S. debut.

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ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2023

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (January 12, 2023) — Today the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame (ACBHOF), announced the twenty (24) Honorees selected for Induction into its Hall of Fame: the 7th Annual Awards & Induction Weekend will be held Friday September 29^th, through Sunday October 1^st, 2023, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

2023 INDUCTION CLASS

FIGHTERS: George Foreman, Shannon Briggs, David Tua, Pinklon Thomas, Tracy Harris Patterson, Doug Dewitt, Darroll Wilson, Shamone Alvarez and Jamillia Lawrence.

CONTRIBUTORS:  Arnold Robbins {Trainer & Manager}, Matt Howard {Advisor}, Joe Hand Sr.{Promoter}, Lee Samuels {Public Relations} Rudy Battle{Referee}, Benyj Esteves Jr.{Referee} and Joseph Santoliquito{Media}

POSTHUMOUSLY: Buster Drayton {Fighter} and Marty Feldman{Trainer & Manager}

PIONEERS: Horace M. Leeds {Fighter}, Joe Miller {Promoter}, Rocky Castellani {Fighter/ Official}, “KO” Becky O’Niell {Manager}, Willie O’Niell {Trainer} and Frankie Polo {Fighter}

“We are extremely excited about this newest class of inductees selected for the “2023” Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame, and very much looking forward to honoring this esteemed group of individuals who have helped make Atlantic City a recognized boxing Mecca known around the world.” – Ray McCline, ACBHOF President & Founder

The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Awards & Induction Weekend will offer boxing enthusiasts a weekend full of excellent programming, including a VIP cocktail reception, meet & greets with the legends, and a fight fan experience that features spectacular artwork, exhibits, and boxing memorabilia. The highlight of the weekend is our Induction red-carpet ceremony which takes place in an award-show atmosphere.

“We are excited to host the 7th annual Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Awards and Induction Weekend,” said Mike Woodside, Vice President of Entertainment and Marketing Services at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. “This impressive group of inductees has strong ties to Atlantic City, including George Foreman who fought his last professional fight here at Etess Arena against fellow inductee Shannon Briggs.”

“So many historic fights were in Atlantic City. I’m very proud to be inducted into the A. C. Boxing Hall of Fame.” – George Foreman

“Atlantic City is where I started my humble boxing career. Atlantic City showed me love and will always have a place in my heart. I’m honored to be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame 2023 Class.” – David Tua

A special thanks to our partners, sponsors and supporters: Mayor Marty Small Sr., City of Atlantic City, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Boardwalk Resorts, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Atlantic City Sports Commission, Sparbar Ltd, Expressions Graphic Designs, Icons of Boxing Memorabilia, Adams Boxing, Sampson Boxing, WBC, IBF, Fight Night Apparel, CM 3D Crystal’s, Chris Guzman Gloves and Patrick Killian Arts.

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Champions, Challengers and Contenders in Training and Fights page

 

CLICK THE PHOTOS TO SEE FIGHTERS IN TRAINING AND IN SOME OF THE GREATEST FIGHTS OF ALL TIME

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“NO LIMIT”

LAVAL BELL PLACE

JEAN PASCAL VS. MICHAEL EIFERT

IBF TITLE ELIMINATOR

PASCAL AFFECTED BY COVID; EVENT POSTPONED TO MARCH

MONTRÉAL, Québec, Canada (January 6, 2022) — Late last night, Jean Pascal informed Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) that he had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. His symptoms are too severe for him to continue training for his IBF Light Heavyweight title elimination fight against German Michael Eifert, “No Limit”, scheduled for Place Bell in Laval on February 9th.

 

Co-promoter of the event, DiBella Entertainment (DBE) President Lou DiBella, contacted Eifert’s promoter, Benedikt Poelchau, President of Blanko Sports, and also informed the IBF of the situation. It was agreed that the fight and the entire event would be postponed to a later date to be determined in March.

 

More details will be communicated soon.

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Granite Chin Promotions

Presents “Turf War 4” Pro-Am boxing card

Feb. 18^th in Melrose, MA

QUINCY, Mass. (January 6, 2023) – Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) has announced it will present its first boxing event in Melrose, “Turf War 4” Pro-Am card, February 18^th at Melrose Memorial Hall in Melrose, Massachusetts.

“Turf War 4”, which will be streamed live on BXNGTV.com, will mark Granite Chin’s first promotion in Melrose, which is located in Greater Boston.

“I am excited to be running for the first time at the Melrose Memorial Hall,” Granite Chin President Chris Traietti said. “Over the last few years there have been some exciting local shows there and it will be nice to have Granite Chin be a part of the boxing legacy of Melrose Memorial Hall.” 

Massachusetts Middleweight Champion Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi (4-2, 1 KO) will make his first title defense in the 6-round main event versus challenger Jamer Jones (2-1, 2 KOs), of Pittsfield (MA). In his last fight this past November, Andreozzi captured the vacant title with a 6-round majority decision in Bridgewater (MA) versus Julien Baptiste.

The 6-round co-featured event pits former New England Heavyweight Champion Justin “Crazy Train” Rolfe (7-4-1, 5 KOs), fighting out of Fairfield, ME, against Jonathan Gruber (3-1, 2 KOs), of Fall River, MA., for the vacant USBF title. Rolfe will return to the ring for the first time in 10 months.

Former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (16-2, 9 KOs) will bounce back from his last fight in December against undefeated U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (7-0, KOs), in which the popular Holbrook fighter gained respect at a national level for his tough performance, albeit in a loss by way of a 5^th round stoppage. The fight was at famed Madison Square Garden and streamed live on ESPN+. Ohan will face Puerto Rican junior welterweight Daniel “The Hudson Valley Kid” Sostre (13-22-1, 5 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round bout.

The opening fight on the pro card matches New Jersey welterweight Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (16-19-4, 12 KOs), the former ABF USA Mid-American super lightweight title holder, and veteran Indianapolis fighter DeWayne Wisdom (8-61-3, 4 KOs) in a 4-rounder.

“This is going to be an action-packed card from top to bottom,” Traietti added. “Putting on the amateurs is always a nice way to get a look at the future of boxing in the area.  I have no doubt that both the amateurs and the pros will come to fight and put on a show for the fans in attendance and those buying the livestream at BXNGTV.COM.”

Several USA Boxing-sanctioned bouts featuring local amateurs will be in action prior to the first pro  fight..

Tickets are on sale and priced (plus fees) at $70.00 (VIP Stage Seating), $60.00 (General Floor Seating) and $45.00 (General Auditorium Seating). Go online to purchase at https://granite-chin-promotions.ticketleap.com/ or from any of the participating fighters.

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

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 Pelé friend of Muhammad Ali passes away at age 82

SAO PAULO (AP) — Pelé, the Brazilian superstar of the sport of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most compelling and iconic commanding sports heroes of the 20th century died from cancer. He was 82.

Unlike many soccer players of the past and present, Pelé stands above them all as a true legend in the world of sports.

The benchmark figure in what is known in soccer circles as “the beautiful game” Pelé had been treated for colon cancer since 2021. The medical center where he had been hospitalized for the last month said he died of multiple organ failure as a result of the cancer – proving once again that there are very few effective cancer treatments out there and cures are as rare as a snow cone in the center of the sun.

The founder of THE USA BOXING NEWS – Joseph Rinaldi died from cancer in 1983 at the age of 46. Sadly, little appears to have changed since then. Now the great Pelé joins the tragic ranks of those felled by cancer and the AMA’s relatively ineffective treatment of the disease.

“Pelé changed everything. He transformed football into art, entertainment,” Neymar, a fellow Brazilian soccer star, said on Instagram. “Football and Brazil elevated their standing thanks to the King! He is gone, but his magic will endure. Pelé is eternal!

Widely regarded as soccer’s greatest player, Pelé spent nearly two decades enchanting fans and dazzling opponents as the game’s most prolific scorer with Brazilian club Santos and the Brazil national team along with a stretch on the American team in the 1970s known as the New York Cosmos.

His grace, pure athleticism and his acrobatic abilities including his now famous bicycle kick, revolutionized the sport and made Pelé a household name in virtually every household in the world.

He was also a personal friend of Muhammad Ali and Pelé was one of the mourners after Ali’s death.

Pelé was so huge that in 1981 he starred in the popular movie – Escape to Victory an American-British-Italian sports war film directed by John Huston and starring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, Max von Sydow and Pelé.

The film is about Allied prisoners of war who are interned in a German prison camp during the Second World War who play an exhibition match of football against a German team.

Pelé, like all great sport’s icons of his caliber, will be greatly missed.

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Granite Chin Promotions’

Brand steadily rising in boxing

QUINCY, Mass. (January 2, 2023) – Back in 2011, Iraq War Veteran Chris Traietti founded Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) simply as a platform for him to continue his professional boxing career, not as the future business he now runs as one of the top under-40 promoters in the industry.

The 37-year-old Traietti, who lives and works out of Quincy, Massachusetts, retired as a fighter in 2021 with a 30-4 (24 KOs) pro record, including the New England Cruiserweight title belt. Now, he has found a niche as a club-show promoter who also provides quality fighters for major events across the United States.

“After I lost to Eddie Caminero in 2010, Traietti explained, “I was in denial, thinking everybody was out to get me. I blamed everybody for my situation. Without a clue, I decided to promote my own shows to keep going. I put together a patchwork team. I lost to Edwin Rodriguez (2011) and didn’t want to be an opponent. Nobody (promoters) wanted to work with me, and I was my worst enemy. I disappeared. I then decided to get serious and got back in the gym with my trainer, Jimmy Farrell. No promoters would work with me, so I started doing shows to keep my career on life support. In 2015, I was contacted by (matchmaker) Eric Bottjer who was working for Roc Nation. He needed to put fighters on local shows. I had bigger names on my shows and started to make some money. I thought that I could do it as a fighter and promoter and got serious.

In 2016, I had the Mike Lee fight. If I won, I thought I’d get some real offers to sign with promoters. I only had my trainer (Farrell) for 2 ½ weeks to work with and I basically trained myself. I didn’t know what I was doing and lost to Lee. I did get a call from Roc Nation, which was fizzling out but not dead, to get on a show in Marina Bay (Quincy, MA), and that was my last show working with Roc Nation. I was back promoting, but not making any money. I did get some wins. I started promoting audience shows in New Hampshire in 2017. (International matchmaker) Whitfield Hayden reached out to me, and I helped PBC by delivering fighters for a show in New York City. I have a key PBC contact, and I was retired as a fighter. Money was coming in and I started signing good, rugged opponents, because I was on to something, surviving the test of time.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Granite Chin arguably promoted as many shows as any promoter in the country, creating a way to promote shows there like presenting doubleheaders (22 total fights) that drew 700 fans during the day, 1100 at night.  It was a combination accomplishment. Not only did Traietti promote shows to build his fighters, other promoters and managers paid him to place their fighters on GCP cards. Word rapidly spread within the boxing industry and the GCP brand reached another level as Traietti gained more respect as a promoter and invaluable matchmaker.

Traietti realized this past year that he needed to change his philosophy to elevate his brand, focusing more on GCP shows in terms of putting on more competitive, entertaining match ups.

“We didn’t have the best of fights and I wasn’t doing my fighters justice,” Traietti said.  “It was hurting our brand. I needed my guys to fight tougher opponents. I have fighters like Antonio Todd and Tyrone Luckey who will fight anybody, anytime. Other guys really stepped up this year as well. But my goal is for my guys to make as much money as possible and then leave boxing with all their facilities and no damage. Everybody on our roster has a place because this is a team. Each one has a special spot on the roster and plays roles in GCP’s growth. I sincerely mean that every fighter on my roster plays a critical role for the business and I have a profound amount of respect for all my fighters. They make all of all of this possible.”

Traietti and GCP has also found a home in Springfield (MA) – 90 miles west of Boston – where GCP recently had its best show at MassMutual with 1500 fans. Supported by an outside investor with boxing and business interests in Western Massachusetts, Gunther Fishgold, Traietti is tremendously encouraged about GCP’s future with its new base. The most promising fighters on GCP’s roster are a pair of newly crowned Massachusetts champions, Holyoke welterweight Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (10-0, 6 KOs) and Pittsfield light heavyweight Steve Sumpter (7-0, 6 KOs). Traietti is also signing additional Western Mass. prospects.

“I see a clear path in Springfield,” Traietti commented. “Having Denzel on the GCP roster is huge. He passed his first step up in his last fight                          . We will be promoting our second show there on March 11^th. We plan to have at least 3 there in 2023 and by 2025, 4 or 5, and become the exclusive boxing promoter at MassMutual. Each show we have a bigger product. BXNG TV (live streaming) has been great, but my goal is to be promoting shows on network TV. I don’t think that’s out of the realm of possibility, but not in 2023. We will be building our product for something in the future like ShoBox in 2024/2025. Our guys are willing to take the tough fights. I’m looking to get Denzel and Steve bigger regional titles to help make every Springfield show better than the last one.

“I’m taken more seriously in the industry. I’m now known in this business. It’s wild! It was great to hear at Madison Square Garden for Mike Ohan’s fight introduction, when it was announced that he was represented by Granite Chin Promotions. It really took me back. Amazing to have people watching the fight on ESPN to hear that. I didn’t envision this back in 2021. I thought I’d have 300-400 people at our shows in an armory for as long as Granite Chin lasted. I had no idea that this would happen. I’ve survived the test of time, I think.”

If you really want to fight, Chris Traietti and Granite Chin Promotions are the way to go for real fighters only.

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Undefeated super flyweight John “Scrappy” Ramirez to fight Sirichai Thaiyen in 2023 WBA Title Eliminator

LAS VEGAS (December 27, 2022) – Fast rising, undefeated North American Boxing Association (NABA) Super Flyweight Champion John “Scrappy” Ramirez (10-0, 8 KOs) and veteran Thai boxer Sirichai Thaiyen (64-4, 42 KOs) have accepted offers from the World Boxing Association (WBA) to throwdown in a 2023 WBA Title Eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for WBA Super Flyweight World Champion Joshua “El Profesor” Franco (18-1, 8 KOs).

The date, site and other details for the title eliminator are to be determined, Ramirez’ manager David Suh (3 Point Management “3 PM”) confirmed, after being informed of the title eliminator at the recent WBA Convention. Ramirez is rated No. 2 by the WBA, Thaiyen No. 3, and the No. 1 spot is unrated with the Ramirez-Thaiyen winner to be elevated into that position.

The entertaining Ramirez, 26, fights out of the mean streets of South Central, Los Angeles. He burst upon the boxing scene in his December 20^th pro debut, which he won by way of an opening-round knockout of Jose Otero Solis in Galveston, Texas. Despite limited opportunities for all boxers to fight during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramirez was placed on the fast track by 3 PM, fighting seven times in 2021, twice this year.

“Everything is happening so fast that it’s hard to believe,” Ramirez said. “This is what I envisioned before I even started boxing at 20. I said I was going to be world champion. I’m living what I’ve envisioned and that’s so insane because it’s really happening, I’ve never doubted myself. I have the balls to say what I’ve envisioned and then I go out and do it. There’s only one guy in my way (of a world title fight) and no way he stops me on a mission. He may have all that experience, but he’s never faced anybody like me. I’m on a mission for the belt, so I’m taking him out of the way. I’m not overlooking him, though. I’m taking the steps to prepare for this fight because this is boxing, and anything can happen.

“He hasn’t fought anybody who thinks like me or with my physical tools. The last guy who knocked him out (Artem Dalakian) fights like me. My ring IQ is higher than his (Thaiyen) ring IQ; I’m more physical, more of a savage than him. He can walk towards me all he wants, until I get him and put him to sleep.”

In his most recent action, “Scrappy” captured the North American Boxing Association this past May 14^th in Ontario, California, with a Knockout of the Year-caliber performance against Jan Salvatierra (8-1), who lasted only 2:25 in the opening round, blasted through the ropes and out of the ring.

“I’ve preparing for this fight for a long time,” Ramirez added. “I was back in the gym 3 days after my last fight, and I’ve been preparing for this moment. It was no vacation. I’m better now. I was supposed to have 2 or 3 fights that fell through, but everything happens for a reason. I’m still developing. Six months is a long time, but I’ve been making a good investment in my craft. I only gave fans 2 minutes in my last fight, and now I want to showcase my skills to everybody.

“I put myself in a dark place in training, pushing more and I’ve embraced the pain. I’m getting quality sparring and you need to be uncomfortable to get comfortable in the ring. Even on my morning runs, if my knee hurt, I just went for more. That’s the way to get mentally strong.”

The 32-year-old Thaiyen, aka Yodmongkol CP Freshmart, is the reigning Asian Boxing Federation Super Flyweight Champion, as well as a former WBA Interim Flyweight World and WBC Youth World Light Flyweight titleholder.

He is riding a 14-fight win streak dating back to 2018. He lost his only world title fights against Dalakian (16-0) in 2018 for the WBA Flyweight World Championship by way of a seventh-round technical knockout, Juan Carlos Reveco (34-1) in 2014 by fifth-round TKO in 2014 for the same title. The two world title fight setbacks were his only pro fights outside of his native Thailand, respectively, in Ukraine and Venezuela.

“I’ll fight this guy anywhere,” Ramirez concluded. “I’d go around the world and back, it doesn’t matter, because it’s my skill against his. He’s getting stopped in the late rounds. I’m going to showcase my skills, season him, and then finish him in the seventh or eighth round…. unless I happen to catch him earlier. I’m going to take care of him!”

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WCBS inks Mexico’s top boxing prospect

Oscar Álvarez Jr. to exclusive promotional contract

 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (December 27, 2022) — World Cup Boxing Series (WCBS) has signed arguably the leading Mexican prospect, undefeated super featherweight Oscar Alverez, Jr. (7-0, 7 KOs), to an exclusive promotional contract.

WCBS was launched in 2020 by CEO Terry Hollan and promoter/matchmaker Guy Taylor.

The 19-year-old Alvarez, physically speaking, is a boxing freak for a super featherweight, standing 6’ 3” with a 78” reach, which he has used to his advantage during his 15-month pro career, stopping each of his seven opponents.

“When do you ever see a 6’3” super featherweight,” Taylor asked. “It’s freakish to see somebody like that in front of you, and then you top it off with one-punch, knockout power, in addition to his accurate, precise combination punching, and surgical body-attack on the inside. That’s a handful for anyone to fight at any level.

“If I had to compare him to anyone right now it would be Sebastian Fundora (6’ 5” junior middleweight), solely on their similar physical attributes. If anything, I would say 6’ 3” at 130-pounds is a little more intimidating, given the average featherweight is 5’ 6”.

As an amateur, Alvarez Jr. started boxing at the age of 4 (see picture below), under the guidance of his father and current trainer, Oscar Alvarez, Sr. Alvarez’ amazing amateur career spanned more than 14 years, capped by back-to-back gold medals performances in the 2019 and 2020 Mexican National Championships, along with a Pan American Games bronze medalist in Cali, Colombia.

Alvarez, Jr. finished his amateur career in 2020 with an incredible 665-12 record. That’s right, he won 665 of 677 amateur matches.

“I have never seen an amateur record like this in my 20-plus years in boxing,” Taylor noted.

After capturing a bronze medal in the Pan American Games, Alvarez, Jr decided to turn pro rather than stay in the amateurs and pursue a spot on the 2024 Mexico Olympic Team.

“It was just time to turn pro,” he explained. “My style of an aggressive, intelligent counter-puncher is best suited for professional boxing.”

“Junior” selected one of fastest growing boxing promotional companies, WCBS, to direct him in the pro ranks.

“I am very excited to sign with World Cup Boxing Series,” he added. “I want to make my family proud and excite my fans every time I fight. I don’t care who I fight, I’ll be ready for anyone they put in front of me.”    

Alvarez, Jr. made his professional debut on September 11, 2021, as a featherweight, scoring a first-round technical knockout over fellow debut fighter, Ivan Rabago, at Casino de Esperanza in Esperanza, Sonora, Mexico. Alvarez would make his hometown debut on a WCBS show on December 17, 2021, scoring another first-round TKO, and he was brought back just two months later in his hometown of Obregon, Sonora, Mexico on another WCBS show, where he scored another sensational opening-round TKO, grabbing the attention of Hollan and Taylor.

His toughest test came this past June 18th, when he made his USA debut at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California versus fan-favorite Brandon Cruz (8-2) in a scheduled 6-round lightweight bout. Alvarez, who was supposed to be just an opponent, turned out to be anything but, trapping Cruz on the ropes for a fourth-round knockout that silenced the partisan Southern California crowd.

“We’re already working on Oscar’s next fight, which will take place in late January 2023, and then, if all goes well with no major lumps or bumps, he will be part of our next 4-Man Tournament slated to begin in March 2023. At only 19 there is no rush, but with more than 600 amateur wins, we’re not going to hold him back either.”

Alvarez, Jr. joins a strong, growing family of WCBS fighters from Mexico, including former NABF / Latino Welterweight Champion Santiago Dominguez (25-0, (19 KOs), super middleweight contender Manuel Gallegos (20-1, 17 KOs), WBC Latino Lightweight Champion Luis Torres (17-0, 10KOs), as well as two other promising, young prospects, super lightweight Jorge Lugo Cota (11-0, 8 KOs) and lightweight Marco Cota Moreno (8-1, 6 KOs).

 

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February 3: Emanuel Navarrete-Liam Wilson Junior Lightweight Title Showdown Set for Desert Diamond Arena LIVE on ESPN

Navarrete-Wilson, Jose Pedraza-Arnold Barboza Jr. junior welterweight co-feature and heavyweight Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. headline Friday fight night LIVE from Glendale, Arizona, on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST

Undefeated stars Nico Ali Walsh and Emiliano Fernando Vargas will see action on the ESPN+-streamed undercard

Tickets starting at $25 go on sale Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. PST / 12 p.m. MST via Ticketmaster.com

GLENDALE, Ariz. (Dec. 21, 2022) — A new junior lightweight king will be crowned in the desert.

Mexican star Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete and Australian contender Liam Wilson will fight for the vacant WBO junior lightweight world title Friday, Feb. 3, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Navarrete, the reigning WBO featherweight world champion, hopes to become the 10th Mexican-born boxer to win world titles in three weight divisions.

Junior welterweight contenders collide in the 10-round co-feature as Arnold Barboza Jr. hopes to earn a career-best victory against Jose “Sniper” Pedraza, a former two-weight world champion from Cidra, Puerto Rico. 

Navarrete-Wilson, Pedraza-Barboza, and the return of U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. in a six-round heavyweight special feature will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $25 go on sale Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. PST / 12 p.m. MST and can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com.

Navarrete (36-1, 30 KOs), from San Juan Zitlaltepec, Mexico, won the WBO junior featherweight crown from Isaac Dogboe in December 2018 and made five defenses of that title in a nine-month span. He out-hustled Ruben Villa to win the vacant WBO featherweight strap in October 2020 and has since defended that title three times. Navarrete is one of the sport’s premier offensive fighters, an aggressor who wings punches from all angles. In his October 2021 title defense over Joet Gonzalez, he threw 979 punches over 12 rounds, including 104 in the 12th round. He returned to the ring in August, rebounding from a slow start to knock out countryman Eduardo Baez with a body shot in the sixth round. The Baez victory marked Navarrete’s 31st consecutive victory dating back to 2012.
 
“This is my opportunity to become a three-division world champion. I am going for that crown,” Navarrete said. “Liam Wilson is a good fighter, but this is my moment, and everyone will see a much more complete ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete that has a lot of thirst for victory. My ideal weight is 130 pounds, and that will be demonstrated on February 3rd when I become world champion for Mexico and San Juan Zitlaltepec. Wilson will not get in the way of my dream.”

Wilson (11-1, 7 KOs), from Caboolture, Australia, is the WBO No. 3 junior contender. He has never fought away from his home country, but he will take the nearly 8,000-mile journey hoping to spring a major upset. Wilson stepped up to fight Navarrete after Oscar Valdez suffered a training injury and enters the fight with momentum on his side. After a stunning fifth-round TKO loss to Filipino contender Joe Noynay in July 2021, Wilson gained revenge in March with a second-round knockout courtesy of his “left hook from hell.” He kept the momentum going in June with a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Matias Rueda.

Wilson said, “He’s a champion, a warrior, and a household name around the world, but now it’s my time. I’m coming to upset the parade. I’ve waited my entire life for this moment, and I won’t let it slip because it means more to me. I swore an oath to my father on his deathbed that I would one day win a world title for him. I’m looking forward to fulfilling this promise on February 3^rd.”

Barboza (27-0, 10 KOs), from South El Monte, California, is ranked in the top 10 by the WBC and WBO. The longtime contender turned pro in 2013 and has steadily climbed up the rankings with victories over Mike Alvarado, Alex Saucedo, and Antonio Moran. In July, Barboza returned from an 11-month layoff to snatch the ‘0’ from Danielito Zorrilla in a crowd-pleasing 10-round main event.

Barboza said, “It’s a big card, and there will be a lot of eyes on us. Pedraza is a formidable opponent. He’s my toughest to date and has only lost to the very best. I’m looking forward to the challenge. At this point, anyone I face is standing in the way of my goal, which is to win a world title. I am going to make a big statement on February 3rd.”
 
Pedraza (29-4-1, 14 KOs) ruled the junior lightweight and lightweight divisions before moving up to the junior welterweight ranks in 2019. He is 3-2-1 as a junior welterweight, having shared the ring with many of the division’s most notable names. In March, he pushed former unified champion Jose Ramirez 12 rounds before dropping a tight unanimous decision. Less than six months later, he battled former lightweight champion Richard Commey to a draw in a fight most observers believe Pedraza did enough to edge out. Pedraza had a Madison Square Garden main event against Teofimo Lopez scheduled for December 10th, but Pedraza withdrew with a non-COVID viral infection. The 33-year-old understands a victory over Barboza moves him closer to a world title opportunity.
 
Pedraza said, “I have recovered completely from the illness that obligated me to pull out of my fight with Teofimo Lopez. Right now, I feel 100 percent, and I know Arnold Barboza Jr. is one of the best fighters in the division. I’m sure this will be a great fight where I will reaffirm my level as an elite fighter at 140 pounds.”
 
Torrez (4-0, 4 KOs), from Tulare, California, captured an Olympic silver medal in Tokyo and turned pro under the Top Rank banner in March. A 6’2, 230-pound southpaw, Torrez has never been extended past the third round in his young career. In October, he shined at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, thrilling the New York City fans with a third-round stoppage over Ahmed Hefny. 

Undercard bouts — streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ — include many of Top Rank’s burgeoning young talents.

Las Vegas product Andres “Savage” Cortes (18-0, 10 KOs) takes on Puerto Rican knockout puncher Luis Melendez (17-2, 13 KOs) in a crossroads junior lightweight tilt scheduled for 10 rounds. Cortes, a former U.S. amateur standout, notched a near-shutout over Abraham Montoya in his last outing.

Middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (7-0, 5 KOs), grandson of “The Greatest,” looks to make it 8-0 against Phoenix-based spoiler Eduardo Ayala (9-2-1, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder. This is the 2023 debut for Ali Walsh, who went 4-0 with three knockouts in 2022.

Lightweight sensation Emiliano Fernando Vargas (2-0, 2 KOs), son of former junior middleweight world champion Fernando Vargas, returns in a four-rounder against an opponent to be named. Vargas made his Top Rank debut in November and knocked out Julio Martinez in the second round with a highlight-reel left hook.

Sacramento native Xavier Martinez (18-1, 12 KOs) seeks his second straight ‘W’ in a 10-rounder at junior lightweight against an opponent to be named.

Junior welterweight Lindolfo Delgado (16-0, 13 KOs), a 2016 Mexican Olympian, steps up against Clarence Booth (21-6, 13 KOs) in an eight-rounder. In August, Delgado authored a career-best victory over then-unbeaten prospect Omar Aguilar. The eight-round shootout ranked among the year’s best action fights.

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“NO LIMIT”

JEAN PASCAL VS. MICHAEL EIFERT

IBF LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR

February 9 at Place Bell in Laval

The winner becomes the mandatory challenger for World Champion Artur Beterbiev

LAVAL, Quebec, Canada (December 19, 2022) — DiBella Entertainment, Groupe Yvon Michel and Jean Pascal Promotions, in association with Blanko Sports and SES Sports Events GmbH, will present “NO LIMIT” at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec, Canada, on February 9, headlined by Quebecer and two-time world champion Jean Pascal (36-6-1, 20KOs) against Germany’s Michael Eifert (11-1, 4KO) in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Title Eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18KO).

Tickets are now on sale, ranging from $40 in the stands to $500 on the floor. Tables for six people, wine and meal included, are also available for $3,500 and $4,500 plus taxes. Tickets may be purchased on Evenco.ca or by email at info@groupeyvonmichel.ca. Pascal vs. Eifert will be available in Canada via pay-per-view on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, Fite.tv and GYMboxe.tv for $64.99.

“Five years ago, most people in boxing wrote Jean Pascal off. Since then, his only loss was to Dmitry Bivol and he’s beaten Ahmed Elbiali, Marcus Browne, Badou Jack and Fanlong Meng as an underdog,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “There is a lot of fight left in Jean Pascal, one of Canada’s all-time great fighters. He will prove that on February 9 against Michael Eifert, and secure yet another title shot in his illustrious career.”

“Jean Pascal made his debut with us just a few months after the founding of GYM,” said GYM President Yvon Michel. “Since then, we have been involved in 36 of his 43 fights, including his last in Quebec in 2018. It is with great pride that we participate in this expected return to Quebec. According to a survey of Quebec boxing experts and amateurs, Champ Pascal has been chosen as the greatest Quebec boxer of the 21^st century. On February 9, another page in its history will be written.”

Jean Pascal was an Athens Olympian in 2004. He was WBC light heavyweight champion from 2009 to 2011, as well as WBA champion from 2019-2020. He has had 12 world title fights, the first in 2008 in England against Carl Froch and the last 11 years later in Atlanta against Badou Jack. During this period, he met all the best light heavyweights of his generation including Adrian Diaconu, Chad Dawson, Bernard Hopkins, Lucian Bute, Sergey Kovalev, Dmitry Bivol and set many records for ticket sales and pay-per-view, with Lucian Bute at the Bell Center in 2014 where more than 21,000 spectators attended the event. In his most recent fight last May in Florida, he edged undefeated IBF #1 contender Fanlong Meng (17-0) to set the stage for the championship eliminator against Eifert.

Jean Pascal said: “Major props to Lou DiBella, Yvon Michel and Greg Leon for making this happen. It’s been a long time coming, but I’m finally where I want to be, back home performing in front of my people. My fans have always been a major source of inspiration and their kind words have helped keep me going strong at 40 years young.

“It’s very important for me to give you guys a great show and, on February 9, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

“Michael Eifert is a good, solid fighter and the final obstacle on my road back to the championship. I respect him like all my opponents, but it’s my intention to destroy him as quickly as possible.

“I don’t want to fight away from home again and taking care of business on February 9 is the best way to make sure I won’t have to.”

“Jean Pascal has amazing confidence, a heart bigger than Montreal and you might need two wheelbarrows to carry his, well, let’s call it intestinal fortitude,” said Pascal’s manager Greg Leon.

“Pascal is a throwback who would thrive in any light heavyweight era. As a manager, all you can hope for is the athlete to give 100-percent of himself once that bell rings and, in that regard, Jean Pascal absolutely never disappoints.

“February 9 will be a special night for him. Five years away from home is a long time. Few fighters would have persevered on the road the way he has to make it back here and that just shows the level of champion he is. Michael Eifert will soon learn just how badly Jean wants to remain back at home where he belongs.”

Michael Eifert, 24, lives in Magdeburg, Germany. A professional since 2018, he had his only loss by majority decision in 2020 against Tom Dzemski (14-0), a loss he avenged the following year while winning the IBF Youth and WBC Youth world titles. In his last fight, he captured the IBF Inter-Continental light heavyweight title against Italian Adriano Sperandio, which earned him a place in this title eliminator against Pascal.

“This is a lifetime opportunity and a dream come true for me,” said Michael Eifert. “I can’t wait to come to Canada to give the performance of my life versus a great champion in Jean Pascal. It’s youth versus experience. It’s the young lion challenging the old lion to battle to be the king of the jungle.”

“I want to thank Lou DiBella and Yvon Michel for this fantastic co-promotion,” said Benedikt Poelchau, Eifert’s promoter. “We have huge respect for Jean Pascal, a legend in the sport of boxing. I also tremendously respect 24-year-old Michael Eifert for taking on such a challenge, for shooting for the stars, at such a young age. He will put his heart into this fight, and I expect an exciting matchup for boxing fans around the world.”

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Hall of Fame Referee Steve Smoger Passes Away at Age 79

Story by Henry Hascup

Sad to announce the passing of famed Atlantic City-based referee Steve Smoger at the age of 79 after a long illness. Born August 15, 1943 in Norfolk, VA. Smoger’s interest in boxing was inspired by his father, whom he’d spend time watching the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports.

He started in boxing in the early 1970s as a judge and referee for the Police Athletic League. With Atlantic City experiencing a pro boxing boom Smoger kept a busy pace as an inspector (1978-1983) in New Jersey. In 1984 he began his career as a professional referee there and two years later (1986) he officiated his first world title go, an IBF flyweight bout, in South Korea. He has since become one of the most respected and in-demand referees in the sport. In over three decades in boxing Smoger has been third man in the ring for nearly 200 title bouts and officiated all over the world including Argentina, Italy, Germany, Thailand, Japan and China. He was arbiter for such notable contests as Canizales vs. Seabrooks, McCallum vs. Toney I, Holmes vs. Mercer, Jones Jr. vs. Hopkins I, Pazienza vs. Duran II, Micky Ward vs. Augustus, Hopkins vs. Trinidad, Forrest vs. Mosley I, Pavlik vs.Taylor I, Andre Ward vs. Froch, Andre Ward vs. Dawson and Garcia vs. JudahBorn August 15, 1950 in Norfolk, VA. Smoger’s interest in boxing was inspired by his father, whom he’d spend time watching the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports.

He started in boxing in the early 1970s as a judge and referee for the Police Athletic League. With Atlantic City experiencing a pro boxing boom Smoger kept a busy pace as an inspector (1978-1983) in New Jersey. In 1984 he began his career as a professional referee there and two years later (1986) he officiated his first world title go, an IBF flyweight bout, in South Korea. He has since become one of the most respected and in-demand referees in the sport. In over three decades in boxing Smoger has been third man in the ring for nearly 200 title bouts and officiated all over the world including Argentina, Italy, Germany, Thailand, Japan and China. He was arbiter for such notable contests as Canizales vs. Seabrooks, McCallum vs. Toney I, Holmes vs. Mercer, Jones Jr. vs. Hopkins I, Pazienza vs. Duran II, Micky Ward vs. Augustus, Hopkins vs. Trinidad, Forrest vs. Mosley I, Pavlik vs.Taylor I, Andre Ward vs. Froch, Andre Ward vs. Dawson and Garcia vs. Judah.

In 2015, Smoger was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Smoger is also a member of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Spots Hall of Fame and Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame.

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Check out the 

CHAMPIONS, CHALLENGERS, AND CONTENDERS IN TRAINING AND FIGHTS PAGE

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The USA Boxing News Book Review

McFarland& Company, Inc., Publishers – 250 pp

Reviewed by John Rinaldi and Alex Rinaldi

Now that the holiday season has approached us, it is time to search out to find a perfect gift for friends or loved ones.  If the intended beneficiary of such a gift is a fan of “The Sweet Science” then look no further than the new book: WILLIE PEP – A Biography of the 20^th Century’s Greatest Featherweight by the famed boxing author Mark Allen Baker.

Looking over past book reviews and Mr. Allen’s numerous published works, the author has penned many wonderful texts including, The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876-1937, Battling Nelson – The Durable Dane, CONNECTICUT BOXING – THE FIGHTS, THE FIGHTERS AND THE FIGHT GAME, Between the Ropes at Madison Square Garden, Lou Ambers, and The Fighting Times of Abe Attell. 

 

Besides the current book, the others mentioned would also make wonderful holiday presents.

Before even flipping a page, a book on Willie Pep already piqued our interest since we are big fans of the immortal 2-time featherweight king.  Through our past positions as Board Members of The International Boxing Hall of Fame and roles as Vice President and Secretary for a few terms, we had the wonderful opportunity to meet Pep numerous times between 1990 and 2000. Not only was the featherweight legend friendly with the press, but he was amazing in dealing with the boxing fans who would make the yearly pilgrimage to Canastota, New York to attend the annual Boxing Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.

 

All through these years, Willie never tired of greeting the fans, posing for photographs, and signing thousands of autographs. He seemed to enjoy the admiration and always treated the fans with a smile and a funny comment. He was simply a great guy.

In addition to being fans of the Will o’ the Wisp, the founder of our publication, The USA Boxing News, Joseph Rinaldi, was a huge admirer of Pep and his ring exploits. In fact, Joseph Rinaldi was one of the 19,097 fans who packed Madison Square Garden on February 11, 1949, to witness Willie Pep regaining his featherweight title over the legendary Sandy Saddler by a unanimous 15-round decision. That battle was arguably one of the greatest fights of all time, and probably Pep’s finest performance.

 

In glorious detail, Mr. Baker takes the readers back to Yesteryear at a ringside seat to that fight, along with numerous other bouts. The author gives such vivid accounts of Pep’s battles, so much so, that the reader can literally hear the thump of the punches landed in those contests.

 

While many consider us to be top-level boxing historians, Mr. Baker still repeatedly educates us with information that we never knew before.

 

We cannot think of one author out there who researches a subject as diligently as the author does. Not only is his narrative absorbing, but his footnotes alone make for additional compelling reading.

 

Willie Pep has been the subject of many books over the past 70-plus years, but never has his ring accomplishments been burned into the pages better than Mr. Baker’s work. If one had not been impressed with Pep’s amazing career before reading this text, then after reading, there will be further acclaim of Willie “Will o’ the Wisp” Pep.

Over a professional career that began on July 25, 1940, and ended with his final bout on March 16, 1966, Pep amassed an incredible record of 229-11-1 (65 KO’s), and Mr. Baker brings his readers to every ring contest. Not only does the author give a vivid account of Pep’s bouts, but also informs the readers of each of Willie’s opponents. So instead of just giving the outcomes of each ring meeting, there is a plethora of information regarding Willie’s foes.

Mr. Baker is always one to bring up details that are unexpected. One such account occurred on October 1, 1965, on a fight card promoted by Hall of Famer Don Elbaum at the War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The card featured not only Pep winning a third-round TKO over Willie Little, but also was topped by the immortal Sugar Ray Robinson beating Canadian Welterweight Champion Peter Schmidt on a 10-round decision. Although both legends were in the twilight of their respective career, it was still a promotion featuring both Willie Pep and Sugar Ray Robinson, arguably two of the greatest fistic immortals of all time! Surprisingly, only a small crowd of 1,600 fans turned out. What a shocker! You can fill a stadium today to watch those two pugilistic greats perform in the ring, no matter what stage of their careers.

There are even more nuggets, such as Pep’s survival from an airplane crash on a late Sunday night on January 5, 1947, in a wooded area near Vineland, New Jersey. The crash killed 3 people and wounded 20 others. Miraculously, Pep only suffered a broken leg and two chipped and split vertebrae. Even more of a wonderwork was that Pep returned to the ring six months later on June 17 and defeated Victor Flores at the Hartford Auditorium’s outdoor arena on a 10-round decision – winning all ten rounds!  Pep then goes on to his regular fight every ten days schedule. What a remarkable fighter!

The author takes the readers through Pep’s childhood, his sensational amateur career, and his march to the World’s Featherweight Championship. From his victory over Featherweight title holder Chalky Wright on November 20, 1942, until his dethronement at the mighty fists of the immortal Sandy Saddler on October 29, 1948, and onwards through three more battles against the dangerous Saddler and so forth, Willie Pep’s gutsy fortitude and immense talent shines brightly through the pages.

We did not think it could be possible, but Mr. Baker outshines himself with this marvelous book on the incomparable Willie Pep.

 

This book is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for SUPER READING!!

The book can be purchased in paperback and Kindle versions on Amazon, in paperback and Nook Book versions at Barnes and Noble bookstores, Barnes and Noble’s website, and at bookstores around the globe.

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NYC Split: Teofimo Lopez Edges Sandor Martin

Young stars Keyshawn Davis, Jared Anderson and Xander Zayas remain undefeated

NEW YORK (Dec. 12, 2022) — On Saturday night, junior welterweight contender Teofimo Lopez (18-1, 13 KOs) headlined in the big room at Madison Square Garden for the first time with a hard-earned split decision win over Spanish southpaw Sandor Martin (40-3, 13 KOs) in a 10-round final eliminator for the WBC crown. One judge had the bout 95-94 for Martin, while two others had it 96-93 and 97-92 for Lopez.
 
The former lightweight king was originally scheduled to fight Jose Pedraza, but a non-COVID-related illness forced the Puerto Rican contender to pull out of the fight. Martin immediately accepted the opportunity on three weeks’ notice.
 
Lopez initiated the bout in usual fashion by taking the center of the ring and trying to control the action with his speed and power. But at the end of the round, the two accidentally clashed heads, which evidently broke Martin’s nose and bothered him for the rest of the fight.
 
Martin’s quick footwork also began to cause problems in the opening minutes, especially as he used his lead right hand to lure Lopez in. In the second round, Martin was successful with that strategy and even dropped Lopez with a counter right hook.
 
Lopez then spent the rest of the fight trying to attack Martin and counter him when he committed to his punches. Martin was successful in preventing Lopez from positioning himself to land combinations, but at times he was also more concerned with evading shots than exchanging with Lopez.
 
As the fight ended, Lopez appeared to fight with more urgency while Martin seemed to think he had the fight won.
 
Lopez said, “It’s so hard to fight somebody like this when they’re running the whole time. Every time this guy committed, I countered and got him every time. He just ran the whole time. It’s OK, though. We got a lot to work on. But first off, I want to thank God for this. No matter what it was. I apologize to everybody tonight. This is not how we perform. But, listen, our dancer partner was running the whole time.
 
“Every time that this man wanted to commit, I was countering him and tagging him. That’s why he was running the whole time. I felt great overall. I knew he was tired. He didn’t want to commit. He was staying on his back foot and just running around the whole time. But it is what it is. This makes it look good. These guys are going to want to fight me now. More than ever. Now this is great. Now I can actually have a good fight.
 
“We would love to fight Josh Taylor. We would love to fight Regis Prograis. Or even a rematch with George Kambosos. My whole thing now is just staying focused and staying devoted.”
 
Martin said, “It was a surprise with the judges. I won this fight clearly. For one judge, I only won two rounds? Really? There were two knockdowns. The referee didn’t count one of the knockdowns. He missed all of his punches. That’s a masterclass of boxing. That’s a robbery. But that’s the sport of boxing.
 
“In the ring, I controlled all the action. The timing. The moments. In the ring, controlled everything with my will. Teofimo was overanxious. In the eighth round, his corner told him, ‘Hey, let’s do it. You could lose this fight.’
 
“It wasn’t just the broken nose. I only had three weeks of preparation. The broken nose was from an accidental headbutt. But I didn’t worry about this. But I knew that it would hurt every time he punched me there.  But he didn’t punch me. Every time he punched me, I said ‘Ow.’ But he touched me three times? Four times, maximum? Really? You win with this?”
 
Anderson Destroys Forrest in Two Rounds

Heavyweight contender Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (13-0, 13 KOs) retained his 100% knockout ratio by scoring a second-round TKO victory over Jerry Forrest (26-6-2, 20 KOs). Anderson captured the WBO International and WBC Silver USNBC titles with tonight’s dominant victory. 

Anderson tried to box calmly, but a few hard left hands from Forrest, a southpaw, forced him to step up the action after the first 30 seconds of the opening round. Anderson then began letting his hands go at full force, nearly stopping Forrest when he had him on the ropes and landing a total of 54 out of 114 punches thrown within the first three minutes of the bout.
 
In the following round, Anderson continued his dominance and landed a hard right hand that forced the referee to stop the fight at 1:34 of the second round. 
 
Anderson said, “Like my corner said, once I get hit it’s a whole different ballgame. I switch up everything. My mindset. How I fight. Everything. I try to come in cool and calm. I see everybody kind of was expecting him to go out early. I didn’t want that. I did want to get all the way warmed up. But once he did hit me, as ya’ll see, something flipped, and all I saw was red. The 114 punches came, and we picked it up.
 
“I learned to keep my composure even earlier. It shouldn’t have to take me to get hit for me to be able to do that. But everything was alright once I started to adjust myself and get my feet up under me. I have been kind of off for a little second, but I definitely think I came back and made it better.
 
Zayas Ends the Year in Style against Salazar
 
Rising junior middleweight prospect Xander Zayas (15-0, 10 KOs) defeated Alexis Salazar (25-5, 10 KOs) via unanimous decision following eight rounds of action. Zayas retained his NABO 154-pound title and captured the NABF belt in the process.
 
There was no feel out process as Zayas began to land shots in the opening round. Salazar was able to connect in the following rounds, but Zayas was able to make the proper adjustments in order to allow his skills to dominate his opponent. The 20-year-old Puerto Rican prospect was especially successful in landing shots to the body, implementing a relentless attack to his opponent’s ribs in the final round in order to stop Salazar. Scores: 80-72 and 79-73 2x.
 
Zayas said, “Thank you to all my Puerto Rican fans who came out and are watching back home. This one is for you guys. Thank you for all the support and the love. I got to go back and see this fight. But they told me that I looked good. There were a couple moments where I let down my defense. But I give myself a nice B+.
 
“Little by little, we keep improving, keep getting better. But I feel like we can still work a little bit on everything. My distance. My punch output. My defense. My angles. Everything. I feel like we can improve on everything.”

Davis Shines in Tough Test against Burgos 
 
Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis (7-0, 5 KOs) passed the toughest test of his career by soundly defeating three-time world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos (35-7-3, 21 KOs) via eight-round unanimous decision. Davis controlled the fight from beginning to end with his speed, power and superior skills. Scores: 80-72 3x.
 
Davis said, “I felt great, man. He’s definitely a tough veteran. I was definitely trying to stop him in there. I had him hurt a lot of times, but he’s a veteran and knows how to survive. That’s what he did tonight.
 
“I would give myself an A, but I ain’t stop him. So, I give myself a B+. I felt like I was conditioned throughout each and every round. There were rounds where I was picking it up and some rounds where I was slowing it down just to catch him with a big shot. I give myself a B+ tonight.”

Light Heavyweights: Irish southpaw Joe Ward (8-1, 4 KOs) scored an eight-round unanimous decision win against Frederic Julan (12-2, 10 KOs). Scores: 78-74 and 79-73 2x.

Heavyweights: Undefeated Polish prospect Damian Knyba (10-0, 6 KOs) dominated Emilio Salas (7-4-1, 3 KOs) en route to a TKO win at 1:56 of the second round.
 
Junior Welterweights: U.S. Olympic standout Tiger Johnson (7-0, 5 KOs) scored a fifth-round technical knockout victory over Mike Ohan Jr. (16-2, 9 KOs). Time of stoppage: 1:29.

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Tyson Fury demolishes game Derek Chisora in 10 rounds

Champ calls out other heavyweight title holder Oleksander Usyk as an “ugly chavvy” and a “rabbit”

Story by Alexander R. Rinaldi and Joseph Rinaldi

LONDON — At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs) delivered once again on his promise to obliterate every man left in the heavyweight division.

This time on December 3, before 60,000 fans of his faithful, “The Gypsy King” who is not only the WBC champion, but also the Lineal heavyweight champion, TKO’d the sturdy, but hopelessly overmatched challenger Derek Chisora (33-13, 23 KOs) via a 10th-round stoppage in the third fight of their trilogy.

Though Chisora started off fairly well attacking the behemoth Tyson Fury with a volley of punches from both hands, once Fury got going Chisora’s plan of winning on aggression soon shifted gears to become simply a plan of survival. So much so that it appeared that Chisora suddenly discarded his weapons and thereafter became a human punching bag for the huge Fury for most of the fight.

Fury, meanwhile, punched from all angles delivering blows to both the head, ribs, and midsection of Chisora. Fury also employed in deadly, devasting fashion, right uppercuts that seemed to nearly sever the Zimbabwe-born challenger’s head from his shoulders.  The drubbing was so fierce and brutal that it harkened one back to medieval England – watching a condemned prisoner from the Tower of London meet his maker at the end of an executioner’s blade.

The trouble for Chisora really began in round three when Fury began smashing and rocking Chisora around the ring with swift, windmill-like punches. 

The pummeling was so intense that at one point the challenger instinctively grabbed hold of the top ring rope to save himself from crashing to the canvas after being severely wobbled by a left hook and right uppercut to the jaw.

In hindsight, what Chisora should have done was pull that top rope around himself, back up, and use it as a catapult to exit both the ring and the stadium!

To his credit, Chisora bravely hung in there, and with his hard granite-like jaw even managed to keep on his feet for not only the round, but also for the remainder of the bout. As a matter of fact, the challenger’s head was so thick that Fury actually hurt his hands from punching Chisora’s skull so often in the fight.

In addition to the champion’s frequent and constant lathering of punches to Chisora’s face, according to CompuBox, Fury also managed to land a total of 70 body shots throughout the fight. This figure was more than Fury ever landed in any of his prior fights.

For a fighter who is now 38 years old, Fury, like wisdom itself, is actually getting better with age.

By round ten, Chisora was reduced to the beaten form of a crippled and demolished bull after the matador had inserted a dozen swords in its carcass and then threw him on a barbecue.

The challenger’s lips were so swollen that they were nearly touching his nose and his right eye seemed be looking through a tiny crack in the wall while his left eye seemed to be peering through a keyhole on an old doorknob.

Finally, after Fury landed one more stinging combination to Chisora’s head, referee Victor Loughlin wisely put a stop to the bout at 2:51 of the tenth round.

After the fight, Fury said, “Firstly, I want to say thank you to my lord and savior Jesus Christ for giving me another victory tonight. Secondly, I just want to say what a fuc*ing crowd! Come on! 60,000 people here today. I love every single one of you people. You’re amazing. I’m flabbergasted for words to say how much it means to me.”

“I felt good. I needed some rounds,” Fury revealed. “I haven’t boxed since April. It’s been 8 or 9 months since then. I’ve been out of retirement. I’ve had a lot go on. I felt like I was landing my jab, landing some good punches. I take nothing away from Chisora. He’s an absolute warrior. It’s been a privilege to fight him three times. He’s an absolute British folk hero. What a warrior. What an African British warrior. We’ve done three epic fights, and what a tough man. I was hitting him with shots that would’ve knocked anybody else out, and he stood up to every one of them.”

Chisora, who pocketed a career high of close to $8 million said thankfully, “You know what, thanks to the ref. As a fighter, you don’t want to stop. You want to go out in your shield. Thank you, Tyson, I really appreciate this. There is a big fight coming up. Everyone wants to see one champion in the heavyweight division. The last one we had was Lennox Lewis. I would like to see him and Usyk in Saudi [Arabia]. That’s what we want to see now. That’s the fight we should make happen now.”

Fury agreed and shouted to the crowd, “Where’s Usyk! Where’s Oleksander Usyk!” Upon hearing that Usyk joined Fury in the ring. ‘I’m going to splatter you,” Tyson then said to Usyk. “You little rabbit, you little sausage, you ugly little chavvy. I will be the farmer who skins him, puts him in a pie and eats him for breakfast.’” Fury then shouted, “You’re next, little bitch.” He also called the Ukraine champion, “a 15-stone (210 pounds) bodybuilder” as well as, “You ugly little man” and declaring “End you! End you!” to Usyk’s who seemed to remain impassive to the insults.  Fury ended the tirade with, “What you gonna do? what you’re gonna do fuckall!”

Notwithstanding, Tyson Fury did applaud Usyk’s guts for even entering the ring. ‘He [Usyk] is ugly, like me, but it’s not good looks which wins fights. It’s the man inside the man and unlike Anthony Joshua who’s never confronted me, he’s turned up to declare his challenge.”

On a funny note, in their dressing rooms afterwards, instead of calling for an ambulance to handle his injuries, Chisora was able to bring two huge Five Guys burgers to Fury’s dressing room for their supper.

“All of this is boxing, it’s what brings me alive,” exclaimed Fury who does not need a Gypsy crystal ball to know that he will devastate Usyk when they finally square off.

For his efforts Fury should receive, once the final pay-per-view numbers come in, around $5o million.

As for the future, after “The Gypsy King” beats Usyk, Fury, who has referred to himself as “the greatest fighter of my era” plans to come back to Las Vegas for a Fury-Wilder IV bout. With the exciting and charismatic Fury at the heavyweight helm – boxing is once more a must-see sport.

On the undercard

Dubois Overcomes Adversity to Retain Belt

London native Daniel Dubois (19-1, 18 KOs) overcame three knockdowns in the first round before stopping South African Kevin Lerena (28-2, 14 KOs) at the end of the third round to retain his WBA ‘Regular’ heavyweight title.
 
Dubois had a difficult start as a counter left hook wobbled him and sent him to the canvas. The hard-hitting heavyweight then took a knee due to a right ankle injury and visited the canvas once more before the round ended.

In the second round, Dubois began to find his rhythm and even managed to hurt Lerena with a counter right uppercut followed by a left hook. In the following round, Dubois dropped Lerena with a straight right hand before ending matters with a fight-finishing flurry.

Lightweights: Ukrainian Olympic silver medalist Denys Berinchyk (17-0, 9 KOs) maintained his undefeated status and won the European title with a 12-round unanimous decision victory against Yvan Mendy (47-6-1, 22 KOs). Scores: 117-112 and 116-112 2x.
 
Light Heavyweights: Karol Itauma (9-0, 7 KOs) scored a technical knockout win over Vladimir Belujsky (12-6-1, 8 KOs) at 1:18 of the eighth round.
 
Lightweights: 18-year-old rising prospect Royston Barney Smith (4-0, 2 KOs) defeated Cruz Perez (3-4, 1 KO) via knockout in the first round. Time of stoppage: 1:02.

(Photo Courtesy: Mikey Williams/Top Rank via Getty Images)

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Press Conference Notes: The Gypsy King Ready to Defend Heavyweight Crown Against Longtime Nemesis Derek Chisora in Sold-Out London Showdown

Tyson Fury-Chisora to stream LIVE and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ Saturday at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT

LONDON (Dec. 2, 2022) — The Tyson Fury Roadshow returned to London this week, and the undefeated WBC/Lineal heavyweight world champion arrived at Thursday’s press conference in a flashy suit, and proceeded to entertain the masses in typical “Gypsy King” fashion.

Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) will defend his crown this Saturday (ESPN+, 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT) against longtime rival Derek Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in front of an expected sold-out crowd of roughly 70,000. Fury defeated Chisora in 2011 (UD 12) and 2014 (TKO 10), but this is the first time they will fight with the heavyweight title on the line.

Since their second meeting, Fury went on to topple Wladimir Klitschko for the heavyweight title, participate in a historic trilogy against Deontay Wilder, and pack a UK-record 94,000 fans into Wembley Stadium for his April 2022 showdown against Dillian Whyte. Chisora continued as one of Britain’s most popular attractions, most recently edging two-time world title challenger Kubrat Pulev by split decision.

At the press conference, this is what Fury, Chisora and Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum had to say.

Tyson Fury

“Whoever fights Derek Chisora is in for a fuc*ing good fight. That’s what we know. That’s what we prepared for. And he was available and ready to rock n’ roll. He stepped up to the plate, and bang, here we are. There’s going to be a throwdown for the fans right before Christmas.”
 
“I needed to fight this year regardless of who it was. I love fighting. I always need to fight. I wish I could fight every single month of my life. Derek’s the same. We love to fight. So, if we could fight 12 times next year, that’d be fantastic.”
 
“I’m doing what I love to do. I’m getting paid to do what I love. I take my career very seriously. I’m looking forward to it. I cannot wait to get out there, put on a show and entertain. Come Saturday night, there’s no friendship. There are no friends in business, and this is a business transaction. So, we’re going to go in there, punch the fuck out of each other, and then afterward we can have a nice little sandwich, a nice cup of tea, whatever he wants. Not a problem. But while we’re in there, we’re in fight mode. We’re going to put on a great show.”

Derek Chisora

“I can’t sit here and try to be more aggressive to Tyson and try to say so many bad words because the man I’m looking at right now is giving me an opportunity when nobody wanted to give me an opportunity. He called me up and he said to me, ‘I want to fight you. I want to give you a big payday.’ And I said, ‘Yes. Let’s make it happen.’ For me to sit here and try to talk shit and say so many bad things about a man who is actually giving me food on the table for my kids, I cannot.”
 
“All these guys in the game don’t want me to be on this stage. But, come Saturday, I can guarantee you this: friendship will be out of the door. Me and this big man are going to get it on. I’m not going to try to hold back on anything. Come Saturday, I’m going to war. I want to take what’s his and make it mine.”
 
“I was born in Africa. And one thing we do in Africa is we don’t give up. You only give up when you die. That’s the African mentality. Africa is a {continent} that keeps giving and giving. You can take anything you want, but we’ve got more than you can take. So, we don’t give up.”

Bob Arum

“I don’t see any reason why the [Oleksandr] Uysk fight with Tyson Fury can’t be made speedily without much trouble. I know the Usyk people very well. His manager, Egis Klimas, is a really good friend of mine. He manages Lomachenko and Janibek. I’ve dealt with him a whole lot over the years. I know Oleksandr Usyk. I know he wants the fight. I talked with Tyson a little while ago, and he wants the fight. That fight will happen next unless Mr. Chisora lands his punch. Don’t discount Chisora. He is a hell of a fighter. He has a tremendous punch. I remember when he fought Usyk. He gave Uysk life or death. That fight could have gone either way. You can’t, in this business, count your chickens before they hatch.”
 

Saturday, December 3

 ESPN+ (1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT)
 

Tyson Fury vs. Derek Chisora, 12 rounds, Fury’s WBC & Lineal Heavyweight titles
 
Daniel Dubois vs. Kevin Lerena, 12 rounds, Dubois’ WBA ‘Regular” Heavyweight Title
 
Yvan Mendy vs. Denys Berinchyk, 12 rounds, Mendy’s European Lightweight Title
 
Karol Itauma vs. Vladimir Belujsky, 8/6 rounds, light heavyweight
 
Royston Barney Smith vs. Cruz Perez, 4 rounds, lightweight

(Photo Courtesy: Mikey Williams/Top Rank via Getty Images)

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Undefeated Super Welterweight Marques Valle Takes on Luis Midyael Sanchez Friday Night in Plant City, Florida

NEW YORK (December 2, 2022) -Friday night in Plant City, Florida, undefeated super welterweight Marques Valle will be back in action when he takes on Luis Midyael Sanchez in a bout scheduled for six-rounds.

Valle is managed by Split-T Management.

Valle of Wesley Chapel, Florida is a perfect 6-0 with six knockouts. The 23 year-old Valle has been explosive in his victories over the likes of Leonidas Fowlkes (2-0) and his last bout when he took out quality veteran Benjamin Whitaker in the opening round on September 9th in Plant City.

Sanchez of San Juan, Puerto Rico is 9-3 with six knockouts. The 28 year-old Sanchez is coming off a loss to undefeated Alex Rincon on March 19th in Los Angeles.

“It’s been great fighting on ProBoxTV. I couldn’t ask for anything better,” said Valle.

Marques alongside younger brother and fellow Split-T Management fighter Dominic, who also holds a perfect professional record in the paid ranks.

The older and bigger of the brothers opened up about his relationship with his younger brother Dominic as well as the love he has for his Puerto Rican roots.

Marques stated, “We’ve always been close, but boxing brought us closer. We train together, we push each other, and we have a great relationship. We really get that extra bit of hard work from each other which is what you need to be a champion I believe.”

The older Valle continued, and elaborated on his love for his Puerto Rican heritage, “Honestly, if I wasn’t Puerto Rican I don’t think I’d be boxing, because growing up everybody had to know how to fight, watching the fight, and it was like a holiday every time a big fight happened.

“There’s been so many great Puerto Rican champions, and I want to follow in their footsteps. In 2023 I want to push into those world rankings and show everyone I’m the future of Puerto Rican and Florida boxing.”

Valle weighed 153.6 lbs. Sanchez was 153.4

Valle is prmoted by Pro Box Promotions with Friday’s fight being streamed live on Pro Box TV.

Photos By Gabe Gomez / Pro Box Promotions

 

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After some indication of the Argentina team disrespecting his Country of Mexico, Canelo Alvarez sends out severe warning to Argentina soccer star Lionel Messi – “He better pray to God that I don’t find him!”

Story by Alexander R. Rinaldi and Joseph Rinaldi

With the FIFA World Cup going on in Qatar, the emotions of fans regarding their countries and their football (soccer) teams are reaching a global fever pitch to the point that there appears to be various mini sports World Wars going on throughout the world.

If the World Cup in of itself is not enough to get countries and their countrymen riled and hot under the collar, when a player on an opposing team, especially one who is part of the winning team, disrespects another country – then fireworks and explosions go off – and not in a good way.

Case in point – last Saturday November 26 after Argentina defeated Mexico by a score of 2-0, apparently and reportedly, the captain of the Argentina team, one Lionel Messi allegedly kicked and/or was stepping on a shirt of the Mexican team on the floor of the team’s locker room.

Though it was not entirely clear whether the act was accidental, incidental, or intentional – the sight alone of seeing one’s country’s shirt somewhat disrespected like that clearly sent off sirens in the skulls of the Mexican people. One of whom was none other than Canelo Alvarez, probably the best pound for pound fighter in the world today who also happens to be a native citizen of Mexico.

As a result of what he observed on a video, Canelo’ Álvarez took it on his part to send a clear warning to the purported Argentina offender, namely Argentina Soccer captain Lionel Messi, whom he accused of disrespecting Mexico.

“Did you see Messi cleaning the floor with our shirt and flag????” Álvarez tweeted, apparently referencing a video in which Messi appears to kick a Mexico shirt that is on the floor during Argentina’s celebrations in the changing room.

“He better pray to God that I don’t find him!!” Álvarez added in another tweet, with a series of angry emojis. “Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico! I’m not talking about the country as a whole, just about the bulls**t that Messi pulled.”

To make matters worse for the Mexicans, it was Messi who scored the first goal, to keep Argentina’s World Cup dream alive and to set back México’s chances.

 “It’s one thing them being better than us (in football), it’s another thing to have respect,” added Alvarez.

This week, Argentina takes on Poland in its final group match on Wednesday, with Mexico facing Saudi Arabia. All four teams in Group C remain in with a chance of qualifying for the round of 16.

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Top welterweight prospects Raul “Cugar” Curiel (11-0, 9 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico will make his main event debut on DAZN

Wrapping up the year at home with the Golden Boy Fight Night: LA Edition series, one of Golden Boy’s top welterweight prospects Raul “Cugar” Curiel (11-0, 9 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico will make his main event debut on DAZN as he defends his NABF Welterweight title against a soon-to-be announced opponent. The scheduled 10-round scrap will take place on Saturday, December 17 at The Commerce Casino and Hotel and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

Proving chief support to the card in a classic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico matchup, Mexicali, Mexico’s Diego De La Hoya (23-1, 11 KOs) will face former WBO Junior Featherweight Champion Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. (26-7-1, 20 KOs) of Bayamon, PR in a 10-round featherweight fight.

Newly signed to his new promotional home at Golden Boy, Monterrey, Mexico’s Aaron Silva (10-0, 7 KOs) will be looking to impress in an eight-round super middleweight fight. One of Golden Boy’s fan-favorites, Jousce “Tito” Gonzalez (13-0-1, 12 KOs) of Glendora, California will participate in a 10-round super lightweight fight. Opponents for their fights will be announced soon.

Also on the card, Nick “Slicknick” Sullivan (6-0, 1 KO) of Norfolk, Virginia fight is scheduled for a six-round lightweight matchup against Pasadena, Texas’s Carlos Nava (9-0, 6 KOs). Gregory Morales (13-1, 8 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas will participate in a six-round bantamweight tilt and Dalis Kaleiopu (3-0, 3 KOs) of Waianae, Hawaii is scheduled for a six-round super featherweight fight. Opponents for their respective fights will be announced at a later date as well.

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Stephan Shaw Remains Undefeated with Unanimous Decision Over Rydell Booker in New York City

NEW YORK (November 28ken, 2022) -Last Tuesday night at The Edison Ballroom in New York, Stephan Shaw remained undefeated with an emphatic eight-round unanimous decision over Rydell Booker in a heavyweight bout.

Shaw is managed by Split-T Management.

Shaw dominated the action boxed very well and showed why he is one of the top American heavyweight prospects as he busted up Booker with good jabs and right hands that Booker’s nose was bleeding badly in the seventh round.

Shaw, 234.4 lbs of Saint Louis, MO won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 18-0. Booker. 256.6 lbs of Detroit, MI is 26-7-1.

Shaw is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Top Rank.

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Tyson Fury returns to ring to take on Derek Chisora to end their trilogy

By Alexander R. Rinaldi and Joseph Rinaldi

For the sake of the heavyweight division, and boxing as a whole, the first gift of the yuletide holiday season will be the return of the People’s Heavyweight Champion – Tyson Fury.

Soon cheers will fall upon Tyson Fury like the fallen snow outside in his native London, in a modern day updated Dicken’s novel complete with golden rings, Christmas lights, robes, and leather boxing gloves.

For on December 3, Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) is scheduled to fight the third fight in his trilogy with Derek Chisora at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Fury’s WBC Heavyweight Title.

In their two previous fights Tyson easily won them both; the first was on July 23, 2011 (decision win) and the second on November 29, 2014 (TKO).

While very few fans were calling for a third fight between the two, however, since Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua have both apparently turned tail, Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) willingly agreed to fill the dance card in their spot.

Although the sport of boxing has throughout time become a theater of the unexpected, it is very unlikely that Chisora will see the last bell ring in their scheduled 12-rounder.

The sportsbooks have agreed, thereby setting the betting line in favor of Fury at a 25-1 favorite to defeat Chisora.

After his expected victory, Tyson Fury looks forward to a fight with the elusive other Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk next. That is, of course, if Usyk can summon up even a modicum of guts to take on Fury, instead of milking his titles like a ruthless, robber baron through another extended furlough.

A fight with the overachieving Uysk would give Fury, the WBC champ, the ability to final become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since Usyk, owns the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO belts.

Most fans throughout the world, probably with the exception of the Ukraine, are hoping that Tyson not only destroys Uysk, but also permanently removes him from the heavyweight landscape, which he has done nothing but raise a bore flag in his two prior heavyweight title fights.

It has been reported that both promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren expect that the fight with  Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) will take place either late in February or early in March.

If Fury-Usyk does not get worked out, it is anticipated that Fury will square off against fellow Brit Joe Joyce.

London’s Joyce (15-0, 14 KOs) is not ranked among the WBC’s contenders for Fury’s belt because he won the WBO interim championship in his last fight, an 11th-round knockout of former WBO champ Joseph Parker on September 24 at AO Arena in Manchester, England. The 37-year-old Joyce is the mandatory challenger for Usyk’s WBO championship, but a fight with Manchester’s Fury would do big business in the United Kingdom.

Joyce, was a former 2016 Olympic silver medalist, became the first fighter to knock out New Zealand’s Parker in 33 professional fights (30-3, 21 KOs).

“If Usyk don’t want no smoke in February, then let’s do [Joe] Joyce at Wembley,” Fury told host Dev Sahni in a video posted to Queensberry Promotions’ YouTube channel Tuesday. “You heard it here first. Joe, get your skates on, get fit, moosh, because if the middleweight don’t want no smoke, you’re in. Because I’m fighting three times next year, and you can be one of ‘em.”

Fury was at ringside when Joyce impressively stopped former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, in the 11th round.

“I’ve had a lovely day of watching boxing, watching all the big fights and studying all the heavyweights,” Fury said in a video that was posted to his Instagram and Twitter accounts late in September. “And I’ve gotta say that big Joe Joyce is the second-best heavyweight in the world, behind me self. And on his day, given his moment, who knows if he could beat me or not? I think we’ll have to find out one of the days.”

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December 10: Teofimo Lopez-Sandor Martin Tabbed for Heisman Night Main Event at Madison Square Garden LIVE on ESPN

Martin replaces Jose Pedraza, who contracted a non-COVID-related illness

Lopez-Martin headlines a loaded quadruple-header LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

NEW YORK (Nov. 21, 2022) — Junior welterweight contender Teofimo Lopez will have a new “Heisman Night” foe. Jose “Sniper” Pedraza contracted a non-COVID-related illness, and Lopez will now face former European champion Sandor Martin on Saturday, Dec. 10, at Madison Square Garden.
 
Lopez-Martin, scheduled for 10 rounds, is a final eliminator for the WBC world title.
 
Brooklyn native Lopez (17-1, 13 KOs), the former lightweight king, made his junior welterweight debut in August with a seventh-round stoppage over Pedro Campa. He hopes to become a two-weight world champion in 2023, but the WBO No. 1 junior welterweight contender must first defeat the slippery Spanish southpaw. Martin (40-2, 13 KOs), who hails from Barcelona, authored the 2021 Upset of the Year when he stunned Mikey Garcia by majority decision and sent the four-weight world champion into retirement. Martin, ranked in the top 15 by all four major sanctioning organizations, followed up the Garcia triumph with a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Felix in April.

“We wish Jose Pedraza a speedy recovery, but we look forward to facing Sandor Martin. He was the opponent we originally wanted for Heisman Night at Madison Square Garden,” Lopez said. “I will continue to silence the doubters as I take over the 140-pound division. I look forward to giving my hometown fans a special night of boxing.”
 
Martin said, “I’ve dreamed of fighting in a main event at Madison Square Garden. This is my time. I’ve taken the risk, and I will take control against Teofimo Lopez on December 10th. I will give the fans what they want to see.”
 
Lopez-Martin tops a televised quadruple-header airing immediately after the Heisman Trophy Ceremony at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. Heavyweight sensation Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson aims for his 13th straight knockout against the battle-tested Jerry “Slugger” Forrest, Puerto Rican junior middleweight star Xander Zayas steps up in class against 28-fight veteran Alexis Salazar, and 2020 Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis looks to jumpstart his world title ambitions in a lightweight duel versus Juan Carlos Burgos.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with OPI Since ’82, tickets starting at $51 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

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January 28: Unified Light Heavyweight King Artur Beterbiev to Defend Crown Against Knockout King Anthony Yarde at OVO Arena Wembley in London

The 175-pound showdown will be shown on BT Sport in the UK and on ESPN+ in the U.S.

LONDON (Nov. 20, 2022) — London calls for the light-heavyweight king. WBC, WBO and IBF world champion Artur Beterbiev will defend his belts against big-punching British challenger Anthony Yarde at the OVO Arena Wembley on Saturday, January 28.
 
The WBO No.1 contender gets his shot at the Montreal-based Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs), boxing’s only world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio. He will be fighting professionally in the United Kingdom for the first time, with the highly decorated former amateur having fought in London at the 2012 Olympic Games.
 
Promoted by Frank Warren and Queensberry, in association with Top Rank, this huge 175-pound showdown will be shown exclusively on BT Sport in the UK and streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S.
 
Tickets for Beterbiev vs Yarde at The O2 on Saturday 28 January 2023 go on general sale at 11am on Thursday 24 November from AXS.com and ticketmaster.co.uk.
 
“This will undoubtedly be the biggest challenge of Anthony’s career to date, and we have made sure he will get the best conditions possible by securing him home advantage,” said Yarde’s promoter, Frank Warren of Queensberry. “It is going to be a huge occasion at the OVO Arena Wembley, which is the same venue where Anthony made his professional debut in May 2015.
 
“Of course, we know a great champion like Beterbiev has no fears of traveling and virtually all of his biggest wins have come outside his now home nation of Canada. Boxing is all about timing, and we are hoping the time is right for Anthony to fulfill his huge potential and pull off what would be one of the biggest wins by a British fighter.
 
“This is going to be a spectacular show staged in conjunction with our friends at Top Rank, and I am sure it is an event the public will get behind in massive numbers to support Anthony’s attempt to achieve his dream.”
 
“This is a matchup between two of the most devastating light heavyweight punchers, and I look forward to the great Artur Beterbiev showcasing his prodigious talent for the incredible UK fans,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Anthony Yarde was ringside for Artur’s last fight, and he certainly does not lack confidence. He is a dangerous fighter, and I know Artur will be switched on for one of the toughest bouts of his illustrious career.”
 
Beterbiev won his first world title in November 2017 with a 12th-round stoppage of Enrico Koelling and defended his IBF belt on two further occasions – including against Britain’s Callum Johnson – before entering into a unification match against WBC champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk in October 2019.  Ukrainian puncher Gvozdyk, who was unbeaten at the time, was stopped in the 10th round. Beterbiev defended his titles against Adam Deines and Marcus Browne ahead of a three-belt unification against WBO champion Joe Smith Jr. in June at Hulu Theater Madison Square Garden, where the American was stopped in two rounds. In the amateur ranks, Beterbiev won silver at the 2007 World Championships before striking gold at the 2009 event. He also won gold medals at the 2006 and 2010 European Championships.
 
“I never back down from a challenge, and Anthony Yarde is a top contender who asked for this fight. I look forward to fighting in London for the first time since the Olympics,” Beterbiev said. “Yarde called me ‘slow’ after my fight with Joe Smith Jr., but slow and steady wins the race. And on January 28, I will win in London.”
 
The Wembley event represents a second world title attempt from Yarde (23-2, 22 KOs) who previously travelled to Chelyabinsk, Russia, to take on the long-standing champion Sergey Kovalev, ultimately being stopped in the 11th round after coming close to forcing a finish himself in the eighth round. Yarde’s first title came in fight No. 11 when he knocked out Chris Hobbs in four rounds for the Southern Area belt.
 
Yarde then fought seven consecutive fights with either the WBO European or Intercontinental belts at stake, or both, as Yarde knocked out each of those foes in seven rounds or less. Post-Kovalev, Yarde continued with fights during the pandemic against Dec Spelman and a domestic dust-up against Lyndon Arthur. Yarde dropped a split decision against his Manchester rival, and after a swift comeback fight in Birmingham, Yarde sought redemption against Arthur. The vintage Yarde returned, and he knocked out Arthur in four rounds to once again earn the WBO No. 1 spot.
 
“January 28 will be my night,” said Yarde. “My destiny playing out in my home city, and this is what I have been longing for throughout my professional career, which started at Wembley. I won’t make any big predictions for this fight against a strong unified champion in Artur Beterbiev, but what I will say is that I will leave nothing to chance, and I am at my best when I fight fire with fire.”

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SATURDAY: Liam Davies-Ionut Baluta Junior Featherweight Main Event & Light Heavyweight Contender Anthony Yarde Headline UK Fight Card Streaming LIVE on ESPN+

 Streaming action from Telford, England, starts at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT

(Nov. 16, 2022) — The upset-minded Ionut Baluta hopes to defy the odds again when he battles the unbeaten Liam Davies in the 12-round main event for the vacant European junior featherweight title Saturday at Telford International Centre in Telford, England.
 
In the 10-round co-feature, big-punching light heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde faces Stefani Koykov in a match that could have world title implications for the London native.
 
Davies-Baluta and Yarde-Koykov top a loaded bill streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.
 
Davies (12-0, 5 KOs) is a former English bantamweight champion who captured the British junior featherweight strap in his last outing with a hard-fought decision over Marc Leach at Telford International Centre. He is a four-year pro who also holds a near-shutout win over Nicaragua’s Dixon Flores. Baluta (15-3, 3 KOs), a native of Romania who now trains in England, is no stranger to upsetting the apple cart. In 2020, he stunned former world champion TJ Doheny by decision and knocked out Irish Olympian Davey Oliver Joyce in consecutive bouts. Following a razor-thin decision loss to Michael Conlan last April, Baluta rebounded to upset Brad Foster in May for the WBC International title.
 
Yarde (22-2, 21 KOs), the WBO No. 1 light heavyweight contender, is in line for a shot at unified champion Artur Beterbiev in early 2023. He hopes to shake off the ring rust following a nearly yearlong layoff. In his last outing, he knocked out Lyndon Arthur in four rounds, avenging a December 2020 split decision defeat. Koykov (14-1, 12 KOs) has won 12 straight bouts since the lone blemish on his record.
 
In other streaming action:

• Unbeaten prospect Eithan James (9-0) steps up against southpaw boxer-puncher Connor Parker (14-1, 1 KO) in a 10-rounder for the vacant WBO European junior welterweight strap.
   
• Rising light heavyweight Ezra Taylor (3-0, 2 KOs) will fight in a six-rounder against an opponent to be named.
   
• Irish lightweight prospect William Hayden (4-0, 1 KO) looks to improve to 5-0 in a six-rounder versus Romanian veteran Marian Marius Istrate (3-13).
   
• In a 10-rounder at welterweight, Owen Cooper (6-0, 2 KOs) clashes with Jamie Stewart (3-2-2).

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December 10: Michael Conlan-Karim Guerfi Belfast Showdown to Stream Live and Exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+

Live coverage begins at 1:15 p.m. ET/10:15 a.m. PT
Unbeaten Top Rank prospects Paddy Donovan, Kieran Molloy and Kurt Walker are scheduled to fight in undercard bouts

(Nov. 8, 2022) — Featherweight contender Michael “Mick” Conlan looks to shine in his Belfast homecoming when he battles French veteran Karim Guerfi on Saturday, Dec. 10, at The SSE Arena.
 
Conlan-Guerfi and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 1:15 p.m. ET/10:15 a.m. PT. The Belfast bonanza kicks off a fistic marathon on the ESPN family of networks. Conlan-Guerfi precedes “Heisman Night” from Madison Square Garden featuring the junior welterweight main event between former lightweight king Teofimo Lopez and former two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza.
 
Conlan (17-1, 8 KOs) returns for his second Belfast block party since his valiant challenge of WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood in March. The two-time Irish Olympian was leading on the scorecards before being knocked out in the 12th round. In August, he returned to his winning ways with a one-sided decision over three-time world title challenger Miguel Marriaga at The SSE Arena. Guerfi (31-6, 9 KOs), from Manosque, France, is a former two-division European champion coming off a decision win over Mexican veteran Ricardo Mercado in July.
 
Undercard standouts include a trio of undefeated Top Rank-signed prospects: junior middleweight Kieran Molloy (3-0, 2 KOs) and featherweight Kurt Walker (4-0, 1 KO) will see action in six-rounders, while rising welterweight Paddy Donovan (9-0, 6 KOs) aims for his third victory of the year in an eight-rounder.

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Dmitry Bivol outpoints and outpunches the tough Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez to retain WBA Light Heavyweight title in Abu Dhabi

STORY BY ALEX AND JOHN RINALDI

VETIHAD ARENA, ABU DHABI — WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol has made the year 2022 his very simply by his awesome title defenses and his apparent ease in winning on holding on to his ring laurels.

The same occurred again in the Middle East as Bovil scored a near shutout over the previously unbeaten and tough challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.

Although prior to the fight, Ramirez could not exclaim enough how bad he was going to beat Bovil, once the bell rang Zurdo seemed more like a slow, tired bull against a dominant primed matador. 

In this bout, Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) was back in the ring for the first time since outpunching and outpointing the reigning pound-for-pound king Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. In this bout Bovil seemed to have no problem clobbering the Mexican southpaw Ramirez, who carried a 44-0 record into the ring.

Bovil began and ended the bout with his clever boxing and underestimated ability to avoid punches and stay out of harm’s way. In round one the fighters teased the crowd by going head-to-head with the other at the end of round one.

This action unfortunately was limited, and for the most part Bovil picked apart his adversary like a daisy in the hands of lovelorn maiden girl.

All too many jabs, crosses, and left hooks found Zurdo’s chin and head to the point that it appeared that they were magnetically drawn his head.

To his credit, Zurdo Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) refused to go down and in fact managed to display a rather granite chin throughout the bout. He also did make an attempt to up his aggression in final three rounds, but it was all to no avail. Bovil was just that much better and quicker than the two.

Surprising, in the final round when Ramirez clearly needed either a knockout or a meteor to strike the champion, it was Bivol who uploaded his cartridge and began blasting away in the final minutes of the fight

“You know, the lion is not the biggest animal in the jungle,” Bivol said after the fight of his ability to force Ramirez to go backward. “But he’s king. Yeah, Zurdo is bigger than me, but it doesn’t matter.”

By the fight’s end and the tallies were counted, Bovil easily retained his title by a unanimous decision by margins of 118-110 and 117-111 (twice).

With the big win, Bovil may be looking ahead to a big money Canelo rematch or a unification bout with Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed light-heavyweight championship..

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Finnish boxing fans are treated to a rip-roaring fight show promoted by Pro Boxing Team Finland at the Liikuntahalli in Jarvanpaa

Story by Per-Ake Persson

Jarvanpaa, Finland. Local hero and cruiserweight Samuli Karkkainen, 16-1 (7 KO’s), headlined this Pro Boxing Team Finland show on October 29, and it was the first show ever in this small town outside of Helsinki at the Liikuntahalli, and there was a good crowd on hand to watch Karkkainen again beat tough Swedish brawler Samo Jangirov, 8-4-2 (1 KO), on points. The first time they fought it was for eight rounds, but this time it was for ten. Karkkainen, a southpaw, boxed well behind his jab, kept his distance, and built an early lead as his opponent was struggling to get started.

In the later rounds Jangirov came on stronger and in the ninth he landed the best punch in the whole fight, a solid right hook, but the Finn took it well and cruised to a unanimous decision. The judges had 99-91, 97-93 and a too close 96-95.

Welterweight Amin Nuri, 4-1, outboxed Dane Frank Madsen, 7-3, in the first four rounds and looked sharp. His conditioning, however, left something to be desired as he tired down the stretch. Madsen came on strong and after the sixth an upset looked like a possibility until Nuri, a southpaw, won the seventh as he put together some good left uppercuts. The judges were generous to the Finn, though, and scored it 79-73 twice and 78-74. The USA Boxing News had it 77-75 for Nuri.

Heavyweight Mika Mielonen, 5-0, had no problems in stopping Estonian Anton Sjomkin, 14-17-1. It was all over at 2:29 of the second of a scheduled six-rounder. Sjomkin was once a decent super middleweight, but that was a long time ago.

Super middle Ivan Perala, 4-0, stopped Hungarian Zoltan Lepsenyi, 2-10, in the very first round. Lepsenyi made a fast start, but Perala moved out of harm’s way and then caught his opponent with a crackling one-two combination. Suddenly, Lepsenyi stumbled and the Finn, a good prospect, landed with a straight right and that was it. Zoltan got up but was halted by the referee and it was a good call.

Light heavies Marko Mononen, 7-4, and Janne Rantanen, 6-4, opened the show and put up a good fight with Rantanen winning a majority decision after four rounds. It was scored 40-36, 39-37 and 38-38.

Super middle Anton Embulaev made his pro debut and outscored veteran Attila Tibor Nagy, 11-41-1, and won every round in their four-rounder, but Nagy made him work hard for the win. Embulaev is trained by former EBU champ Amin Asikainen.

ry bright future.

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Vasiliy Lomachenko Rallies to Defeat Jamaine Ortiz in Lightweight Main Event

Robeisy Ramirez KOs Jose Matias Romero in co-feature

NEW YORK (Oct. 29, 2022) — With a potential undisputed lightweight title showdown on the line, former three-weight world champion Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko had to dig deep. While it wasn’t the dominant performance many expected, Lomachenko rallied in the late rounds to edge Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs) by unanimous decision (115-113, 116-112 and 117-111) Saturday evening at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Ortiz came out firing his jab in the opening round, as Lomachenko sustained some bruising under his right eye. Lomachenko stunned Ortiz momentarily in the third round, but the underdog hung tough and was even on two scorecards and ahead by two points on the other at the fight’s halfway mark. Two of the judges had Lomachenko sweeping the final six rounds in a tale of two fights. Lomachenko outlanded Ortiz, 125-122.

Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) will now look towards a potential super fight with undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney, who was seated ringside to scout his potential foe.

“I’m happy. I’m happy to come back in the ring and make this a great show,” Lomachenko said. “Thank you to my fans for the support. You know what motivated me. Four belts!

“Look, I’m ready. I’m ready for any option.”

Midway through Lomachenko’s post-fight interview, he was joined in the ring by Haney, who also welcomed the challenge.

Haney said, “I think it wasn’t the best performance, but I know if me and Loma were to fight, we’d see a better version on the night. Congratulations, and hopefully we can get it on.”

Added Top Rank chairman Bob Arum: “The fight to make in the lightweight division is Haney versus Lomachenko, and we will do everything we can to make the undisputed championship showdown that all fight fans want to see. They are the world’s premier lightweights, and it would be a fantastic battle.”

“El Tren Rolls On

Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez (11-1, 7 KOs) wants a featherweight title shot, and he may get it soon. The two-time Olympic gold medalist steamrolled late replacement Jose Matias Romero (26-3, 9 KOs) via ninth-round TKO to retain his USBA and WBO Global belts. Ramirez had his man his trouble in the first and seventh rounds, but the Argentina native refused to relent. In the ninth, Ramirez uncorked a left hand that staggered Romero and ended the one-way carnage.

Ramirez outlanded Romero in power punches, 129-32, including a 19-3 advantage in the ninth round. He is now targeting a featherweight world title shot in early 2023.

“We know that Matias is a fighter who is slick, who knows how to survive inside the ring, and that was his plan. I hurt him early, but then we tried to get him out early. And then, Ismael Salas, who is my strategist… he is a chess master. He’s moving the pieces in there, and finally we were able to do it properly and get him out of there,” Ramirez said. “I think the result speaks for itself. I got the stoppage, sent a message, and in the end, if {Emanuel} Navarrete is no longer the champion at 126 pounds, if he’s fighting Oscar Valdez for the championship at 130 pounds, then I got next at 126, and I want that belt.”

In undercard action:

Heavyweight: Richard Torrez Jr. (4-0, 4 KOs) TKO 3 Ahmed Hefny (13-3, 5 KOs). In the evening’s final preliminary bout, Torrez joined his Olympic teammates in the win column. After a second-round stoppage and a pair of first-round knockouts to start his pro career, Torrez saw the third round for the first time. Hefny was knocked down with a left hand in the second, and the onslaught continued in the third until referee Arthur Mercante stepped in.

Featherweight: Duke Ragan (8-0, 1 KO) UD Luis Lebron (18-5-1, 11 KOs), Scores: 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75. U.S. Olympic silver medalist Ragan did what he does best, which is to use his well-schooled defense to offset his hard-charging foe. Lebron, the Puerto Rican power puncher, was never deterred, if not effective. The Garden crowd booed the verdict, but Cincinnati’s Ragan did more than enough to seal the victory on the judges’ cards.

Middleweight: Troy Isley (8-0, 4 KOs) UD 8 Quincy Lavallais (14-4-1, 9 KOs), Scores: 80-72 2x and 79-73. Isley passed his first eight-round test with flying colors, nearly shutting out Lavallais, a six-year pro known for his iron chin.

Junior Welterweight: Tiger Johnson (6-0, 4 KOs) UD 6 Esteban Garcia (15-2, 7 KOs), Scores: 60-54 3x. Johnson’s three-bout knockout streak ended, but the Tokyo 2020 U.S. Olympian gained much-needed experience in going the six-round distance for the first time in his career.

Middleweight: Nico Ali Walsh (7-0, 5 KOs) UD 6 Billy Wagner (5-3, 1 KO), Scores: 58-56 2x and 59-55. Ali Walsh received a lot of resistance from Montana native Wagner, who weathered an early storm and even appeared to stun the grandson of “The Greatest” at the end of the second round. Wagner could not sustain his early success, as Ali Walsh pressed forward in the final two rounds to secure the narrow victory. 

Lightweight: Abdullah Mason (5-0, 4 KOs) TKO 4 Angel Barrera (4-1), :21. Southpaw sensation Mason, from Cleveland, Ohio, fought well beyond his years with a methodical and devastating beatdown of Barrera. Mason notched a pair of knockdowns in the third round, the first coming courtesy of a straight left hand. Early in the fourth, a sweeping left compelled referee Johnny Callas to wave off the fight.

Junior Lightweight: Haven Brady Jr. (8-0, 4 KOs) UD 8 Eric Mondragon (7-1-1, 4 KOs), Scores: 79-73 2x and 78-74. In a battle of unbeatens, Brady authored the most significant win of his career, picking apart the California-born Mondragon with an assortment of jabs and uppercuts.

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Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder makes his impressive ring return with vicious first-round KO of Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius before a sold-out crowd at Brooklyn’s Barclay CenterStory by Alex and John Rinaldi

The last time the world saw Deontay Wilder was last October 9^th when he was lying on the canvas after being knocked out by Tyson Fury for the second time in his career.

Since then, Wilder has debated retirement, actually considered retirement, then eventually decided to leave retirement and return back to the prize ring – his virtual home away from home.

In the meantime, a life-like statue was dedicated to Wilder in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a gesture that both honored and touched the former heavyweight champion. So much so that he felt that he owed it to his fans, as well as to himself, to recapture his past glory and to reclaim his rightful heavyweight championship laurels.

Considering the fact that Wilder almost had Tyson Fury knocked out in their last outing, plus witnessed the emergence of a mechanical bore like Olexsander Usyk take his spot upon a paper throne, combined with the recent pathetic performances of Anthony Joshua, “The Bronze Bomber” must clearly feel like he has a very good shot of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

More importantly, Wilder probably wants to set the record straight that, unlike the feather-duster puncher Usyk and the reluctant, lily-livered Joshua, Deontay is still biggest puncher in heavyweight history.

For his return on Saturday night, Wilder wisely refused NOT to take it easy and, instead, opted to take on the big and tough Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius, who entered the ring with an impressive ledger of 31-3 (20 KO’s). Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden and presently residing in Mariehamn, Finland, Helenius is fiercely prided by his Viking heritage, which is in effect, a history of killing, massacring, arson, looting, and destroying towns and villages throughout Europe and the neighboring continents.

So feared people were of the Vikings that townspeople would immediately flee from their villages just on the mere word or rumor that the Vikings were coming. Somehow, they would rather leave their homes, their treasures, and their livestock than to face the sword, the spear, the battle axe, the bow and arrow or the seax of the Vikings. Understandably, these villagers preferred to have their heads remain on their shoulders than to have them seared off and mounted on top of the town’s gate posts.

Though Helenius was not massacring farmers and townspeople – he was beating up and knocking out top ranked heavyweights over the course of his impressive career.

Although it was an intriguing matchup, little did anyone realize was that Helenius had about the same chance as a mountain goat battling an eagle at the edge of a cliff. 

Still, he never fought a force of nature like Deontay Wilder.

Entering the ring a relatively light 214 pounds for his first bout in just over a year — Wilder appeared carved out of stone with a shield of pure muscle forged on his body. He looked mean and lean and ready to do some damage, even though he was 23 ½ pounds lighter than when he faced Fury. Helenius, who was about the same height as the 6-foot 6-inch Wilder, entered the fight at a solid 249 pounds.

Before a sold-out crowd at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, a venue which he has headlined four times in the past and a place Wilder has credited for providing him with inspiration to triumph in, Deontay looked and fought menacing the instant the opening bell clanged to begin their WBC heavyweight title eliminator.

Right from the start, Wilder was the aggressor throwing punches to both the body and head of the huge Helenius. To his credit, the Nordic Nightmare showed no fear of the Bronze Bomber and was actively throwing jabs and some combinations as well as using his weight and strength to move Wilder back at times.

Then with a little less than 15 seconds remaining, Wilder trapped Helenius in a corner and blasted off two hard double left hooks – the first to the ribs and the second to the right jaw of Helenius. They both landed with a loud thud upon the body and head of the Swede.  As Helenius was about to counter with a right – Wilder beat him to the punch unleashing a ferocious right cross that landed with the speed of a bullet and power of a hydrogen bomb.

Helenius was immediately unconscious upon impact as his body crashed to the canvas as if he was downed by a torpedo or a meteor.

Referee Michael Griffin began the count over the fallen corpse-like Helenius until he realized that he was completely unresponsive and wisely stopped the fight right then and there. So demolished was Helenius that the referee could have counted to a million in a dozen languages and still Helenius would not have risen in time.

Since Helenius was not moving or budging at all many in the arena feared he was on his way to visiting his Viking ancestors in Valhalla.

Thankfully, Helenius was eventually able to stand and make his way out of the ring – the same ring where he just saw his dreams of fighting for a heavyweight title go up in smoke.

“I set him up,” Wilder said after the fight. “I allowed him to reach and when he reached, I attacked. It was a great fight.”  

It was the third time Helenius has been KO’d in his career, sinking the 38-year-old to career ledger of 31-4 (20 KOs).

With the win, Wilder remains the WBC’s No. 1 contender, with Fury holding the WBC title and the listless Olexsander Usyk in possession of the other three belts.

Prior to the bout, Wilder talked of a potential matchup with Anthony Joshua, who is coming off two straight losses to Usyk. He’s also mentioned a possible showdown with former unified champion Andy Ruiz.

At this point of his career, Wilder is also looking for either a rematch with Fury or a chance to fight for any of the heavyweight belts.

Unfortunately, Usyk is currently rehabbing from injuries while Fury is considering a big matchup with Anthony Joshua or a smaller fight with Derek Chisora.

“I’ve been hearing rumors about Usyk, but he’s not here is he? When guys see these knockouts they turn the corner away from me,” Wilder explained. “I’m ready for whatever. Whether it’s Andy Ruiz Jr. or Usyk, I’m ready. Deontay is back and the excitement in the heavyweight division is back!”

Truer words could not be told.

As for his brave opponent, Wilder remarked, “Robert has the heart of a champion, and I knew what he was capable of. I didn’t take him lightly at all. I know that he really wanted this. When you fight Deontay Wilder, you have to have your A-plus game.”

Concerning his training leading up to the fight, Wilder revealed, “It’s been a good camp for me. We worked to make this fun for me,” Wilder said. “We work at this so much that it can just become a job. We made it fun again. We put in over 700 rounds, and it paid off tonight big time.”

It also paid off in each of the fighters’ wallets as Wilder pocketed a cool $20 million, while Helenius earned $1 million.

Thankfully, Wilder is back and looks to be better than ever. Boxing and the heavyweight division needs Deontay Wilder. Ring killers like him are hard to find and do not come around this way too often.

When the heavyweight dust eventually settles it is very likely that Wilder will be the new Sheriff in town. With his talent and charisma there is nothing that he cannot accomplish.

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WILDER VS HELENIUS BETTING PREVIEW

Bookmakers made Deontay Wilder a big favourite against Robert Helenius when they come head-to-head in their clash on Saturday 15th October 2022 at Barclays Center, New York, United States.

He is currently 1/9 (-910) to win the clash outright, while you can get 9/2 (+450) on Robert Helenius if you fancy the big upset.

That means that oddsmakers think there is 84% chance of Wilder winning while giving Helenius a 16% chance.

Wilder opened as the favourite at 1/7 (-710) however, that price has now got wider by 97/-100 (+100).

Helenius opened at 9/2 (+450).

The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds in the Heavyweight division, which means both fighters don’t have to make any weight limit.

This contest is a final eliminator for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.

WILDER VS HELENIUS HEAD-TO-HEAD

Deontay Wilder steps into the ring with a record of 42 wins, 2 loses and 1 draw, 41 of those wins coming by the way of knock out.

Robert Helenius will make his way to the ring with a record of 31 wins, 3 loses and 0 draws, with 20 of those wins by knock out.

The stats suggest Wilder has a massive power advantage over Helenius, boosting at 98% knock out percentage over Helenius’ 65%.

Deontay Wilder is the younger man by 2 years, at 36 years old.

Wilder has 4-inch reach advantage.

Both Deontay Wilder & Robert Helenius fight out of an orthodox stance.

Wilder’s experience as a professional fighter is relatively equal to Helenius’, having had 11 more fights, and made his debut in 2008, 5 months later than Helenius, whose first professional fight was in 2008. He has fought 34 less professional rounds, 161 to Helenius’ 195.

Deontay Wilder goes into the fight ranked number 1 by the WBC and 2 by the RING at heavyweight.

Robert Helenius is currently ranked number 2 by the WBA and 4 by the WBC in the 201lb division.

WILDER VS HELENIUS BETTING FORM

Deontay Wilder has stopped 2 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight, he lost to Tyson Fury on 9th October 2021 by knockout in the 11th round in their WBC World Heavyweight and The Ring Heavyweight championship fight at T-Mobile Arena, Nevada, United States.

Previous to that, he had been beaten by Tyson Fury on 22nd February 2020 by technical knockout in the 7th round in their WBC World Heavyweight and The Ring Heavyweight championship fight at MGM Grand, Las Vegas. He was a 11/4 (+280) underdog going into the contest.

Going into that contest, he had beat Luis Ortiz on 23rd November 2019 by knockout in the 7th round in their WBC World Heavyweight championship fight at MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

Before that, he had won against Dominic Breazeale on 18th May 2019 by knockout in the 1st round in their WBC World Heavyweight championship fight at Barclays Center, New York. He was a 13/100 (-770) favourite going into the contest.

He had drawn with Tyson Fury on 1st December 2018 by split draw in their 12-round contest in their WBC World Heavyweight championship fight at Staples Center, LA. He was a 6/5 (+120) underdog going into the contest.

Helenius has beaten 3 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 2 of them, going the distance once.

In his last fight, he beat Adam Kownacki on 9th October 2021 by split draw in the 6th round at T-Mobile Arena, Nevada, United States. He was a 9/4 (+230) underdog going into the fight.

Previous to that, he had beat Adam Kownacki on 7th March 2020 by technical knockout in the 4th round at Barclays Center, New York. He was a 9/1 (+900) underdog going into the fight.

Going into that contest, he had lost to Gerald Washington on 13th July 2019 by knockout in the 8th round at Armory, Minnesota. He was a 53/100 (-190) favourite going into the fight.

Before that, he had defeated Erkan Teper on 29th September 2018 by knockout in the 8th round at Waldenbuch, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He was a 11/4 (+280) underdog going into the fight.

He had been beaten by Dillian Whyte on 28th October 2017 by unanimous decision in their 12 round contest at Principality Stadium, Wales, United Kingdom. He was a 4/1 (+400) underdog going into the fight.

WHO’S BEEN MORE ACTIVE?

If you think ring rust and activity is a big factor in this fight, Deontay Wilder has been fighting more than Robert Helenius.

Deontay Wilder last fought 11 months and 24 days ago, while Robert Helenius’ last outing was 11 months and 24 days ago.

Wilder’s last 5 fights have come over a period of 3 years, 10 months and 2 days, meaning he has been fighting on average every 9 months and 7 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 38 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 7.6 rounds on average.

Helenius’ last 5 fights have come over a period of 4 years, 11 months and 5 days, meaning he has been fighting on average every 11 months and 26 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 38 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 7.6 rounds on average.

WHAT’S THE LATEST TIME I CAN BET ON WILDER VS HELENIUS PRE FIGHT?

The fighters are expected to ringwalk at around 11:00 PM EST / 8:00 PM PST at Barclays Center, New York, United States, which is around 4:00 AM BST in the UK.

WHERE CAN I WATCH WILDER VS HELENIUS FOR IN-PLAY BETTING?

Wilder vs Helenius will be broadcast on FOX Sports PPV in the US.

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NAOYA INOUE VS PAUL BUTLER IN DECEMBER FOR UNDISPUTED BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE 

LONDON, OCTOBER 14 – Paul Butler goes in search of boxing immortality in December when he faces Naoya Inoue for the undisputed world bantamweight title. 

The WBO champion tackles Japanese hero Inoue, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, on Tuesday, December 13 on a historic night for the sport, promoted by Ohashi Promotion and Teiken Promotions in association with Probellum. 

Inoue holds the IBF, WBA and WBC belts and wants to clean up the division before moving up in weight – but two-time world champion Butler holds the missing piece of the puzzle. 

And the fighter from Ellesmere Port, in the UK, heads to the Land of the Rising Sun, fully intent on becoming boxing’s first undisputed bantamweight champion in half a century and scoring one of the biggest away wins by a British fighter ever. 

Paul Butler said: “I’ve been boxing for over 20 years and all the successes and set-backs have led me here, to the biggest fight of my career, with the biggest prize in the sport on offer. 

“I am under no illusions as to the size of the task that faces me, but I have been going to bed dreaming of becoming the undisputed bantamweight champion of the world. 

“Inoue is a phenomenal fighter but not one person should be underestimating me, my skills, or my resolve.  I am going to Japan to write my name into the history of our sport.” 

Key fighter imagery and event artwork can be found HERE 
(Please credit Probellum if used) 

Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum, said: “It does not get any bigger than this, but Paul Butler is ready to carve out history, cause a seismic upset and return home as the undisputed world bantamweight champion. 

“We all appreciate how good Naoya Inoue is, we have seen it repeatedly, but the people who really know Paul, know what he is made of and the greater the challenge, the greater his performance will be.” 

To keep up to date with the latest news on Butler vs Inoue sign up to our newsletter or follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.     

You can also follow our official news, results, and information account, Probellum News, on Twitter. 

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Check out vintage USA Boxing News editorials over the last four decades

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Boxers Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua along with other British Boxers lead the boxing world’s tributes after Queen Elizabeth’s death

The USA Boxing News also mourns the Queen – for the Royals are known for their love of boxing

Story by Alexander R. Rinaldi and Joseph Rinaldi

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury paid homage to Queen Elizabeth II and have led the boxing world’s tributes to her Majesty after her passing last week. Elizabeth served as the Queen of England from June 2, 1953, to September 8, 2022 – the longest reign as monarch in the country’s history.

Her reign as Queen stretched from the beginning of the heavyweight reign of Rocky Marciano all the way up to the present-day heavyweight king – Tyson Fury. 

She died a true boxing fan at her official Scottish residence of Balmoral Castle as confirmed by Buckingham Palace. It was further reported that, “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.”

She was buried today after a long, ceremonial State funeral. 

The coffin was followed in procession on the carriage by King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, along with other members of the family. The entire procession began from the Palace of Westminster then to Wellington Arch, at Hyde Park Corner, to eventually the Royal crypt at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Since the Queen and the Royals were huge boxing fans and admired many prizefighters, especially those from the United Kingdom, an amazing outpouring of emotion turned out in the boxing world as many former champions reacted to the tragic news of the loss of their beloved Queen.

Tyson Fury wrote: “Thoughts & prayers with my Queen tonight, may God be with you.”

Fury and his wife Paris also left flowers and a card at the gates of Buckingham Palace following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Fury’s card read: ‘To Our Queen, great may your bed be in Heaven. Love from Tyson and Paris xx Gypsy King x.’

Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua tweeted: “Rest in Peace,” with a white heart emoji. Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn also tweeted: “Rest in peace Your Majesty. thank you for everything.”

The British Nigerian-born World Heavyweight Boxer, Anthony Joshua had been previously awarded the Officer of the Most Excellent Order (OBE) of the British Empire award by the Monarch of England, Queen Elizabeth.

After the responses from Joshua and Fury, the rest of the boxing world likewise reacted. 

Former Champion Chris Eubank Sr. said: “My deepest condolences to our Nation of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries and the entire world.”

Eubank added,” Queen Elizabeth II was our dream ideal for Afro Caribbeans who came to the UK in the 1950s (WINDRUSH) to rebuild this Great Nation from the decimation of the Nazi invasion on our Great London and other parts of Great Britain. Her Majesty’s Grace, elegance and flawless lifelong service to her people is a story of the Ultimate Warrior Queen. I never stopped trying to be worthy of My Queen’s approval. This was indeed the greatest day of my life, for I feel I may have won her confidence. Queen Elizabeth II has been my perfect role model, and I will continue to Love her even after death.”

The throne now goes to her oldest son and heir, Prince Charles, with Prince William the next in line after that – all of them impassioned boxing fans. As a result, in an outpouring of emotion, the boxing world reacted to the tragic news.

Frank Bruno also sent a heartfelt condolence. “We all knew the end was near but to me, our Queen was like a member of our family. I was lucky and blessed to meet her a few times. She was the Matriarch, mother of our nation. My thoughts are with the Royal Family – sad, sad day.”

Most weekend sporting events in the United Kingdom have been cancelled out of respect to the Queen. In the boxing world, however, it is less clear if bouts will be held or not. The British Boxing Board of Control recently announced that all fights sanctioned under their auspices on Friday night will be postponed to another date, with an additional statement expected imminently on Saturday and Sunday’s fights.

England has always held their fistic heroes in high regard. For instance, heavyweight boxer Henry Cooper was initially appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1969, then later was awarded a Papal Knighthood in 1978. To the delight of boxing fans across the English Isle, Cooper was eventually fully knighted in 2000.

Approximately one million people are expected to travel to London ahead of the Queen’s state funeral on Monday.

Tyson Fury was apparently eager to pay his respects in person before the funeral, as he personally posted a tribute to Her Majesty on social media.

“Queen’s funeral today,” exclaimed Fury. “I’ve been off social media for the past 10 days, mourning in respect for our Queen who’s died. Not posted nothing, not being interested in anything else, to be fair. I hope all the funeral goes well. Condolences to the full family. And may she rest in Heaven for eternity in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.”

The 34-year-old was in the headlines once again this week after agreeing terms to face Anthony Joshua in a ‘Battle of Britain’ fight on December 3.

Although contracts are yet to be signed, promoter Eddie Hearn recently revealed that Joshua wanted to fight his heavyweight rival as soon as possible, even if it meant a 60-40 purse split in favor of the Gypsy King.

Condolences also from The USA Boxing News. We have always appreciated Queen Elizabeth’s love of boxing, and we know with the entire Royals’ love of the sport, boxing will continue to be the huge attraction it is in Great Britain and the entire United Kingdom.

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Hometown hero Kem Ljunqqbist outboxes Benoit Huber to capture vacant WBC INT Bridgerweight title at the Nykoebing Falster Hallen

Story by Per-Ake Persson

Nykobing Foster, Denmark. Last Friday night on September 16, Danish heavy Kem Ljunqqbist (14-0, 8 KO’s) moved to the WBC creation bridgerweight and working with his family and friends put together Kem Ljungqvist Promotion and staged his own show in his hometown in front of a near sellout crowd.

Headlining the event, Ljungquist won the vacant WBC International bridgerweight title with a unanimous decision after ten over Swiss Benoit Huber (8-3, 6 KO’s). It was scored 98-92 twice and 97-93 for the Dane, a tall southpaw.

The win was fair enough, but the unbeaten 6’ 6 ½” Ljungqvist, 32, of Copenhagen, Denmark, made hard work of it as he failed to use his superior reach and often allowed his strong and wild swinging opponent to get off first.

Huber, 35, of Sion, Switzerland, who came in on late notice for South African Chris Thompson, moved up from cruiserweight and while he was tough and well prepared, he was also unschooled and swung wildly with both hands. All in all, this made for an exciting, though, not pretty fight with more misses than hits. Both tired in the later rounds, but Ljungqvist’s overall better skills won it for him.

Kem Ljungqvist Promotion was also reportedly a winner at the gate and that opens the door for more shows in this small town in the south of Denmark.

As for the undercard the less said the better with three fights lasting less than ten minutes.

French heavyweight Wilfried Florimond turned pro and stopped an out of shape and overweight Georgian named Soso Abuladze 1:11 into the second round. Abuladze was down in the first, bled badly from the nose and when he collapsed again in the second it was stopped.

Florimond is suspended in France for his part in a brawl at an amateur show where he assaulted a 60-year-old coach. Wilfried, however, is now licensed in Luxembourg and apparently all prefer to look the other way.

Heva Sharif accepted this fight on less than 24 hours’ notice (replacing Frank Madsen, who in turn had replaced Haris Dzindo) and knocked out inept Bosnian Jasmin Mahalbasic 1:01 of the very first round in a fight that never should have been allowed to take place.

Middleweight Jakob Porsgaard took out a slightly more schooled opponent in Nehrudin Cikaric in the second. As Cikaric got up from the second knockdown he was counted out.

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November 1: Kenshiro Teraji-Hiroto Kyoguchi Light Flyweight Unification Battle Headlines Loaded Quadruple-Header from Japan LIVE on ESPN+

 WBO light flyweight champion Jonathan Gonzalez defends strap against Shokichi Iwata in the co-feature

(Sept. 14, 2022) — The light flyweight division takes center stage Tuesday, Nov. 1, as two championship fights with three world titles at stake headline a loaded card from Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
 
WBC champion Kenshiro Teraji attempts to unify titles against WBA king Hiroto Kyoguchi in the main event. In the co-feature, Puerto Rico’s WBO champion, Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez, will defend his strap versus Japanese contender Shokichi Iwata.
 
Teraji-Kyoguchi, Gonzalez-Iwata, and undercard action will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 7:30 a.m. ET/4:30 a.m. PT.
 
“The Amazing Boy” Teraji (19-1, 11 KOs) is an eight-year pro who won the WBC world title in May 2017. He made eight defenses of that crown until a stunning 10th-round knockout defeat to Masamichi Yabuki last September. Less than six months later, Teraji exacted revenge with a third-round knockout over Yabuki to regain his title. Kyoguchi (16-0, 11 KOs) is a two-weight champion who was the IBF 105-pound ruler until he vacated that belt to move up to light flyweight. Since winning the WBA light flyweight crown on New Year’s Eve 2018 against Hekkie Budler, he has made four title defenses. He is coming off June’s eighth-round stoppage over Esteban Bermudez, which ranks among the year’s best title fights.
 
Gonzalez (26-3-1, 14 KOs) fell short in his first attempt at a world title in 2019 against Kosei Tanaka. He fulfilled his championship destiny last October when he edged Elwin Soto by split decision. Gonzalez defended his WBO title in June with a unanimous decision against Filipino upstart Mark Anthony Barriga. Iwata (9-0, 6 KOs), from Tokyo, won the Japan Boxing Commission, OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific titles en route to earning his first world title shot.
 
In other action scheduled on the ESPN+ stream:
 
Junto Nakatani (23-0, 18 KOs) vs. Francisco Rodriguez (36-5-1, 25 KOs), 10 rounds, junior bantamweight — WBO flyweight champion Nakatani tests the junior bantamweight waters against Mexican action star Rodriguez, a former unified 105-pound world champion.
 
Shuichiro Yoshino (15-0, 11 KOs) vs. Masayoshi Nakatani (20-2, 14 KOs), 12 rounds, WBO Asia Pacific Lightweight Title — Yoshino is coming off a technical decision over former world champion Masayuki Ito. Nakatani rebounded from last year’s knockout loss to Vasiliy Lomachenko with June’s first-round blitzing of Harmonito Dela Torre.

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CLICK PHOTO TO READ STORY OF UPCOMING FIGHTS

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Boxing Legend and Hall of Famer Roberto Duran Confirmed for Sixth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 17, in Las Vegas

Box Fan Expo – the Largest Boxing Fan Event held in the U.S –

the Ultimate Boxing Fan Experience

Tickets On-Sale Now at EventBrite

PLEASE NOTE: THE DEADLINE FOR MEDIA CREDENTIAL REQUESTS IS WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 (*see bottom page for details)

Las Vegas (September 8, 2022) – Boxing Legend and Hall of Famer Roberto Duran has confirmed that he will appear alongside the “WBA” at the Sixth Annual Box Fan Expo on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Expo will also coincide with the mega trilogy fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin, that will take place later that evening at the T-Mobile Arena.

 

Duran will hold a Meet & Greet with his fans at the “WBA” World Boxing Association booth during the fan event held over the Mexican Independence Day weekend.

 

The Box Fan Expo is an annual fan event that coincides with some of the sports’ legendary, classic fights in Las Vegas, including Mayweather vs. Maidana II, Mayweather vs. Berto, Canelo vs. Chavez Jr., Canelo vs. GGG II, and Canelo vs. Jacobs. Centered in boxing’s longtime home – Las Vegas – this year’s Expo is a must-do for fight fans coming in for this legendary weekend, with dozens of professional fighters, promoters, and companies involved in the boxing industry. The Expo is the largest and only Boxing Fan Expo held in the United States. http://boxfanexpo.com – @BoxFanExpo

 

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –https://bit.ly/BOXFANEXPO2022

 

Duran will make his second appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, personal items and memorabilia. Boxing Fans will have an opportunity to take pictures with this boxing legend also known as “Manos De Piedra” (“Hands of Stone”) and also purchase Merchandise from the WBA booth.

 

Duran joins the WBA, Seniesa Estrada, Ryan Garcia, Teofimo Lopez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Michael Spinks, Franchón Crews-Dezurn, Marco Antonio Barrera, Rolando Romero, Jose Ramírez, David Benavidez, Shawn Porter, Jessie Vargas and Erik Morales as an early commitment to this year’s Box Fan Expo, with more Boxing stars to be announced.

 

About Roberto Duran

Roberto Duran, a true legend of the sport is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 10th, 2007. A versatile brawler in the ring, he was nicknamed “Manos de Piedra” (“Hands of Stone“) during his career. In 2002, he was chosen by The Ring to be the fifth greatest fighter of the last 80 years. The Associated Press voted Duran as the #1 lightweight of the 20th century. Many even consider him the greatest lightweight of all time. He held world titles at four different weights – lightweight (1972–79), welterweight (1980), light middleweight (1983–84) and middleweight (1989). He was the second boxer to have fought a span of five decades, the first being Jack Johnson.

 About Box Fan Expo

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet the stars of boxing that represent the past, present and future of the sport. With hosted autograph signings, meet-and-greets with current and former boxing world champions, limited edition merchandise for sale, giveaways and more, this is the ultimate event for fans of the sport.

 

Past boxing stars that have participated include: Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Andre Ward, Mikey Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Devin Haney, David Benavidez, Errol Spence Jr, Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Abner Mares, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Vinny Paz, Mia St.John, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris, Riddick Bowe, Earnie Shavers, Michael & Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Claressa Shields, Teofimo Lopez, Brandon Rios, Jorge Linares, and many more.

 

Exhibitors include boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who showcase their brand to fans and the boxing industry as a whole.

 

Throughout the next few days leading up to the Event, there will be more updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo.

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BOURNE READY!

Undisputed Lightweight Champion Devin “The Dream” Haney 
to Defend Crown in Rematch Versus Former Champion “Ferocious” George Kambosos Jr. at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia 

Haney-Kambosos 2 Goes Down Saturday, October 15, 
in Prime Time, LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+

 MELBOURNE, Australia (Aug. 23, 2022) — America’s dream maker and Australia’s emperor are primed for a second Down Under showdown to establish ultimate supremacy at 135 pounds.
 
Undisputed lightweight world champion Devin “The Dream” Haney will defend all the belts against Sydney native “Ferocious” George Kambosos Jr. on Saturday, Oct. 15 (Sunday afternoon, Oct. 16 local time), at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. Haney-Kambosos 2 will be broadcast in prime time in the United States, live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+. 
 
Haney and Kambosos first tangled June 5 in Melbourne as a Victoria-record boxing crowd of 41,129 fans packed Marvel Stadium to watch the world’s best lightweights unify the division. Haney neutralized Kambosos and earned a clear points verdict to become the undisputed champion.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, Devin Haney Promotions, DiBella Entertainment, Ferocious Promotions, Duco Events, and TEG Sport, Haney-Kambosos 2 will feature a world-class undercard, and a pumped up Kambosos hell-bent on revenge. Tickets to this epic rematch will go on-sale on Thursday, Aug. 25, at 10 am AEST via tegsport.com.au.
 
“George Kambosos is quiet right now like he should have been before our first fight. I wish him a healthy training camp,” Haney said. “I’m expecting a hungry and determined Kambosos on October 16th in Melbourne. I will be prepared for any adjustment he brings. This is a great opportunity to gain more Aussie fans and add to my legacy.”
 
“Devin Haney is a special fighter, but you can never count out George Kambosos Jr., especially when his most ardent supporters will be out in full force,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “These are the two best lightweights in the world, and it will be another memorable event in Melbourne.”
 
Kambosos said, “I am looking forward to October 16th at Rod Laver Arena, and that’s where I will do my talking. Inside the ring.”
 
 “George Kambosos Jr. is again the hungry challenger, chasing Devin Haney’s belts, with a chance to regain it all on home soil,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Kambosos-Haney 1 was the Devin Haney show. George is going to have to fight a completely different fight to get that victory, and he knows it. That alone assures an action-packed rematch. The odds are against George. He needs to defy the odds yet again.”
 
“With almost half of the crowd from the first fight hailing from outside Victoria, we look forward to welcoming boxing fans back to Melbourne to watch what will be an epic rematch, ” said Steve Dimopoulos, Victoria’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events. “We’re delivering a spectacular calendar of the biggest and best events – drawing more visitors to Victoria, more often and supporting businesses across the state.”
 
Haney (28-0, 15 KOs) returns to Melbourne intent on repeating his fistic masterclass, a victory that propelled him up the mythical pound-for-pound rankings. “The Dream” has been a history-making phenom since turning professional in Mexico less than one month after his 17th birthday. He made his U.S. debut in Las Vegas on the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley III undercard in April 2016, and at 19, he became the youngest licensed promoter in boxing history. He was awarded the WBC world championship in October 2019 and defended that belt four times before taking the 8,000-plus mile journey to battle Kambosos in his homeland. Haney overcame adversity, as his father/trainer, Bill Haney, was granted a temporary visa by the Australian government less than three days before the fight. Bill Haney arrived in Melbourne the evening before the bout, and the dynamic father-son duo made undisputed magic whilst stripping Kambosos of his three world title belts.
 
Kambosos (20-1, 10 KOs) became the toast of the sport with his decision verdict over Teofimo Lopez last November, which was named ESPN’s Upset of the Year. It was the culmination of a hard-fought journey for Kambosos. He fought in Malaysia, Greece, London, New York City, Connecticut, and Las Vegas as he graduated from prospect to contender. For Kambosos, who had 12 of his first 13 pro fights in Australia, the Haney super fight marked one of the most significant international sporting events to take place in Melbourne. He entered the fight as the slight underdog, but Haney was unfazed by the army of raucous Australian-Greek supporters that shook Marvel Stadium. Haney blunted Kambosos’ offensive arsenal with an educated jab to win going away. Kambosos exercised his rematch clause and is preparing to paint a masterpiece in this undisputed sequel.

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By Alexander R. Rinaldi

One of the greatest ways and gestures to maintain and gain a grip on immortality is to have a statue dedicated in one’s honor. In the case of the legendary Scottish fighter Ken Buchanan, who was already considered the greatest Scottish boxer of all-time, and also had the distinction of being one of the best lightweight champions ever to lace on a pair of gloves, the erecting of a statute totally cements his place in Scottish lore and legend.

It has been written and said that as a poor lad from Northfield, Edinburgh, Buchanan was surprisingly introduced to boxing from his auntie Agnes from Musselburgh, who bought him a pair of boxing gloves when he was only 8 years old. Even his dearest aunt would never have or dreamed that her dearest Ken would later go on to become an Undisputed World Lightweight Champion and a Boxing Legend.

Though Scotland is known famously for being the birthplace of golf, as evidenced by the fame of the St. Andrews Golf Course, when Buchanan was fighting he became the biggest athlete in the country, rivalled only later by fellow  lightweight champion Jim Watt (WBC titleholder) and Race Car Legend Jackie Stewart.

With his world-wide recognition, Ken joined the ranks as such historical Scots as William Wallace, who was famously known for garnering a major victory against the English at Stirling Bridge in 1297, Mary Queen of Scots, and the iconic actor and original James Bond – Sean Connery.

In a boxing career that spanned three decades from 1965 to 1982, Buchanan captured the British Lightweight Title, the European Union title, and the WBC and WBA Lightweight Titles, thereby making him the undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World. As result, it was no surprise that he was eventually inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Before he even earned a title shot, Buchanan had fought in four continents, eventually fighting in five continents before his pugilistic life came to a close in 1982. He retired with a ring record of 61-8 (27 KO’s), with four of those losses coming in the last four fights of his career.

His crowning moment came on September 26, 1970, when he travelled 4075 miles to San Juan Puerto Rico to win the World Lightweight Title from Ismael Laguna. Ken won the title via spilt decision.

In 1970, Buchanan was named Fighter of the Year in 1970, beating the likes of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

After Buchanan lost his title to the legendary Roberto Duran in 1972 he continued fighting for another decade beating such great fighters and champions as Carlos Ortiz and Jim Watt.

The fight between Edinburgh’s Ken Buchanan and Glasgow’s Gentleman Jim Watt on January 29, 1973, at the Albany Hotel in Glasgow, is still regarded by many as the best Scottish fight on home soil.  Buchanan captured a 15-round points decision and was awarded the Londsdale Belt as the British lightweight champion. 

When asked who best boxer of all time was, Buchanan replied, “I don’t single one out, but I’d have to say Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano, Roberto Duran, Ismael Laguna, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard and off course Muhammad Ali, they were all great fighters”.  

Interestingly enough, Buchanan and his past rival Roberto Duran would later become great friends and later the two would often appear at autograph shows together.

By the erection of the statue, Ken Buchanan will be forever remembered as one of the great boxers of all-time as well.

 

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Olekandr Usyk outhustles a listless Anthony Joshua to retain WBO/IBF/WBA/IBO heavyweight titles

Story by John and Alex Rinaldi

Laziness is a secret ingredient that goes into failure. But it’s only kept a secret from the person who fails. – Robert Half

August 20 – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  In another entirely forgettable heavyweight championship bout, and for the second time in a year, Oleksandr Usyk once again defeated a plodding Anthony Joshua to retain his Heavyweight laurels.

Mind you, neither “combatant” had fought since their first unremembered bout 11 months ago on September 25, 2021.  While Usyk was milking his laurels by apparently taking part in the Ukraine War, though there appears to be no snapshots available of him actually in the trenches, Joshua just sat things out while waiting for the automatic rematch to take place.

Sadly, after another twelve, dreary rounds of boxing, the bout was certainly not worth the wait.

Most of the blame must go to the former heavyweight king Joshua, who fought a smaller, blown-up cruiserweight in Usyk who has no solid heavyweight punch, only to display the courage of a fainting goat and the aggressiveness of a Pygmy three-toed sloth.

To make matters worse, Joshua assumed a crouching, bending style trying to make himself smaller. The strange strategy beckons one to ask, “why would a big guy ever want to be smaller?” Isn’t it the benefit of a big guy to actually be the bigger of the two?

Well apparently, not in Joshua’s world.

By implementing that style, he actually made it easier for a smaller opponent like Usyk to find and land dozens of straight right jabs to his jaw consistently throughout the bout. Did he somehow believe that Usyk would simply get tired of hitting him?

George Foreman was certainly not crouching when he faced Joe Frazier for Smokin’ Joe’s heavyweight title in 1973, so that Frazier could land his shots better.

Joshua had every advantage in the book against Usyk, 35, except guts. As for the champion Usyk, he fared just slightly better, spending the night in his dull southpaw stance firing away half the time at Joshua’s gloves, which may have taken the worst beating of the night, compared to the ex-champ’s head and body.

It was puzzling to those in attendance at the Jeddah Superdome why Joshua was content to throw so few punches against a foe who had the courage of a knight, but the punch of a nerf ball. To even infer that Usyk’s blows on Joshua were comparable to those of attacking mosquitos is actually an insult to mosquitos. The champion’s wallops were more like annoying gnats or rice being thrown on a newlywed couple after their nuptials.

After losing his title to another fighter he should have beaten, most thought Joshua would be more aggressive and walk through his adversary’s feather pillow shots and attack with his blistering blows.  Sadly, except for Round 9, when Joshua finally decided the throw two punches at a time and actually had Usyk hurt for those brief three minutes, Joshua showed the world that he is still in reality a puncher. His performance in round 9 even harkened back to his slugging style, the same style that originally perched high above the heavyweight heap. Unfortunately, AJ lazily let Usyk off the hook.

Like a smart fish, Usyk never put himself in a position to get on the hook again.

After that round, the former champ barely showed any life in the ring. You almost wanted someone to take his pulse between rounds to see if he was still alive.

To his credit, Usyk, of Shypntsi, Ukraine, but now residing in Oxnard, CA, landed his Sunday punch plenty of times on the mummy-like Joshua, but the shots had the effect of a cap gun on a runaway freight train. After the first five rounds, the ex-champ who barely did enough to win a few of the early going, decided to stop punching and just shuffle forward as if his feet were encased in cement.

Seeing that Joshua was not going to put up a gallant battle to win back his laurels, Usyk got braver and fired more punches to the head and body.  Although they did score, Joshua took them for the puff balls they were and just kept moving forward as if he was somnambulistic.

What was Joshua thinking of as the rounds were piling up with none being banked by him in middle sessions?  All he did was hand the overrated, boring southpaw Usyk an easy victory.  Considering that Joshua lately possesses the chin as strong as a cord of balsa wood, the Ukrainian never ever came close to hurting the giant Brit.

Just when Joshua finally had a good round in the ninth, he allowed Usyk to win the last three frames to secure the win.

Surprisingly, there was one judge who saw Joshua winning the fight by scores of 115-113, but the other two officials had Usyk the victor by tallies of 115-113 and 116-112.

“If you knew my story, you would understand the passion,” Joshua said cryptically after his embarrassing loss. “I’m telling you this guy [Usyk] to beat me tonight, maybe I could have done better, but it shows the level of hard work he must have put in so please give him a round of applause as our heavyweight champion of the world.”

Joshua (24-3, 22 KO’s) added afterwards, “I am mad at myself. Not at anyone, just myself. I was like I got to get out here, because I’m mad. When you’re angry you might do stupid things, so I was mad. But then I realized this is sport, let me do the right thing. I had to mentally take myself into a dark place to compete for the championship belts. I had two fights, one with Usyk and one with my emotions, and both got the better of me.”

Joshua then appeared to be losing his mind when he took two of Usyk’s title belts and threw them to the canvas and said to the audience, “I’m not a 12-round fighter? Look at me, I’m a new breed of heavyweight,” said Joshua. “All of them heavyweights, Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston, Jack Dempsey, they say ‘he doesn’t throw combinations like Rocky Marciano,’ because I’m not f**king 14 stone (200 pounds). That’s why. I’m 18 stone (250 pounds). I’m heavy.” Really? Has he forgotten that both Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder were his size or bigger and they fought three amazing, courageous bouts throwing caution to the wind and fighting their proverbial hearts out.

He also failed to state that those great champions like Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano fought hard for fifteen rounds, not twelve rounds like they fight today.

If his nutty words were not enough, Joshua then for some unknown crazy reason wrapped himself again with the Ukrainian flag and pranced around the ring uttering strange unintelligible pronouncements about Ukrainian history and their inherent courage. What he should have done was use that flag like a cape and fly back the Britain to re-assess his boxing career and dig up his long-lost courage like a pirate’s treasure hidden off the coast Jamaica.

Even Joshua’s fan club members would not be so delusional to put him in the class of those great fistic champions. No one will be thinking of Joshua once his days are finished, which they appear to be now. Hasn’t he noticed the DEAD-END sign in front of him?

The ex-champion who appears to have lost his heart in the sport, plans to return to the ring before Christmas. “I’m a fighter for life,” remarked Anthony. “The hunger never dies.”

While that hunger appeared to have died this night, hopefully for Joshua and the sport of boxing, he can re-emerge as the ring killer that he once was, instead of the confederate fighter masquerading as a textbook boxer he tried to emulate in his two recent embarrassing loses against the overblown cruiserweight Usyk.

As for Usyk (20-0, 13 KO’s), there are talks of him fighting Tyson Fury, which one should not hold their breath for since the contest is a mismatch of epic proportions. Usyk has nothing to beat Fury, nor Deontay Wilder for that matter. Usyk stated, “I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet. I’m sure, I’m convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I’m not fighting Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all. I devote this victory to my country, my family, to my team, to all the people, militaries who are defending the country. This is already history. Many generations are going to watch this fight, especially when someone tried to beat me hard, but I withstood it and turned it a different way.”

After the fight the legendary Roberto Duran who was seated at ringside was not impressed by Joshua’s performance.  “Joshua did not apply enough pressure,” remarked Duran.  “He was too slow at throwing his punches. When a boxer moves around very fast in front of you like Usyk did, Joshua should have concentrated on the jab more. He was more tired in the fight than Usyk.” When asked if Usyk was more inspired by the events in Ukraine, Duran responded, “I don’t think so at all.” Duran also thought it is very possible that Usyk will fight Tyson Fury next.

With any luck, the Fury-Usyk match can take place, so the heavyweight division will have only one true champion – namely Tyson Fury.

For the forgettable rematch, both fighters earned a 50/50 split of the purse bid, which should net each of them £50 million ($58,775,250.00 in U.S. Dollars). Joshua will also take home substantial additional millions from various sponsorships and endorsements relating to the fight.

How long that gravy train will continue to exist for Joshua based upon his last two lacklustre performances is anyone’s guess.  

 

 

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Emanuel The Body Snatcher: Navarrete Knocks Out Eduardo Baez to Retain Featherweight Title

Nico Ali Walsh, Lindolfo Delgado & Giovani Santillan notch wins in undercard action

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 20, 2022) — It took some time for Emanuel Navarrete to warm up. But when he did, that was all he wrote. Navarrete defended his WBO featherweight world title with a sixth-round stoppage over Eduardo Baez on Saturday evening at Pechanga Arena.

Baez (21-3-2, 7 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico, appeared on his way to a shocking upset until a body shot floored him for the count.

Navarrete (36-1, 30 KOs) was trailing on two of the three judges’ cards (50-45 and 48-47) at the time of the stoppage, while one card had Navarrete ahead 49-46. 

Navarrete had not fought for more than 10 months, his longest layoff since winning his first world title in December 2018. The rust came off in a flash in the sixth round, and now Navarrete can look ahead to future title defenses at featherweight or perhaps a move up to junior lightweight.

“I expected a fight like this. I never underestimated Eduardo Baez. I knew that he was an excellent fighter and the fact that he hit pretty hard. It was a lot more complicated than I anticipated. But then came that shot, and I was able to finish him,” Navarrete said. “That’s a very Mexican punch. It comes with my blood. And you can see, I don’t throw a perfect left hook like you’re used to seeing. But this one came out perfect for me. And you saw the result because not many guys can take that shot.”

Santillan Wins Decision in Hometown

Make it 30 for 30 for Giovani Santillan. The San Diego-born welterweight contender improved to 30-0 with a 10-round decision over the previously undefeated Julio Luna (19-1-2, 10 KOs) by scores of 100-90 2x and 96-94.

It was a rugged affair fought mostly in close quarters, and there were multiple head clashes. Santillan and Luna landed 150 power shots apiece, and Luna landed 22 more blows. The 100-90 scorecards came as a surprise, but the end result was a triumphant homecoming for Santillan.

“It was a lot tougher than I expected. Luna gave me a great fight, and I am just thankful for the opportunity to fight once again in my hometown,” Santillan said.

Liver Shiver: Ali Walsh Stops Reyes Sanchez in Rematch

Nearly 50 years after his grandfather fought in this same venue, Nico Ali Walsh (6-0, 5 KOs) made an emphatic statement in a rematch against Reyes Sanchez (7-3, 3 KOs). Ali Walsh, who struggled to defeat Sanchez by majority decision last December, knocked out Sanchez with a left hook to the body in the second round. It was the first fight for Ali Walsh with his new head trainer, Kay Koroma, and the new pairing paid dividends.

“I feel amazing. This was a special win because it was a rematch. It’s everything I’ve been working towards. My hard work is now showing in the ring. I want everyone to see that it’s a new me,” Ali Walsh said. “It was so gratifying. Timothy Bradley called it in the fighter meetings yesterday. It was a beautiful shot. It was the shot I was looking for. It was the shot I was dreaming about, and it happened because I worked so hard for it.”

In other results:

Junior Welterweight: Lindolfo Delgado (16-0, 13 KOs) UD 8 Omar Aguilar (24-1, 23 KOs), Scores: 77-75 and 79-73 2x. In a battle of unbeaten Mexican prospects, Delgado and Aguilar combined to put forth one of the year’s best action brawls. Delgado, a 2016 Olympian, bloodied Aguilar’s nose in the opening round, but Aguilar’s sheer pressure was effective. Delgado turned the tide in the fourth round, landing a counter right uppercut that stunned Aguilar, who held on and stumbled into the ropes. The last half of the eight-rounder saw Delgado use his counterpunching to offset Aguilar’s constant forward motion. When the final bell rang, the result was not in doubt, and Delgado swept it on the judges’ scorecards in a career-best showing.

Junior Lightweight: Austin Brooks (8-0, 2 KOs) UD 4 Oliver Galicia (5-1-1, 3 KOs), Scores: 40-35 3x. Southpaw hometown favorite Brooks dropped Galicia with straight left in the opening round and cruised to the shutout verdict.

Junior Lightweight: Xavier Martinez (18-1, 12 KOs) KO 5 Alejandro Guerrero (12-3, 9 KOs), 2:57. Martinez bounced back from his first career defeat with a one-sided beatdown over former U.S. amateur standout Guerrero. Martinez found his rhythm in the middle rounds, stunning Guerrero with a counter right hand at the end of the fourth. In the fifth, an explosive flurry against the ropes prompted referee Eddie Hernandez Sr. to step in.

Lightweight: Miguel Contreras (12-1-1, 6 KOs) UD 8 Josec Ruiz (23-7-3, 16 KOs). Scores: 80-72 2x and 79-73. Contreras, from Bakersfield, California, thrilled the home state fans with a pressure fighting exhibition that left Ruiz in retreat for most of the fight. “The Caveman” poured it on in the fifth and sixth rounds, but Honduras’ Ruiz, who has only been stopped once as a pro, survived to the final bell.

Featherweight: Luis Alberto Lopez (26-2, 15 KOs) KO 2 Yeison Vargas (20-11,15 KOs), 1:24. Lopez, the IBF No. 1 featherweight contender, lived up to his lofty ranking with a one-sided stoppage over Vargas. He landed a left hand to the body in the second that put Vargas down for the 10-count.

Heavyweight: Antonio Mireles (5-0, 5 KOs) KO 2 Kaleel Carter (2-2, 2 KOs), 1:52. Mireles overcame adversity for the first time in his young career, as Carter scored a knockdown in the opening round. A short left hand started the damage, but Mireles recovered and fought with a purpose in the second. Mireles’ combination punching stunned Carter, who turned his back and forced the referee to wave it off.

Photo from Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images

 

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Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2

Will Joshua enter the ring with his guts and punch or will Usyk win in another bore-fest?

By Alex and John Rinaldi

For fight fans around the globe there is nothing bigger and better than a great Heavyweight Championship bout. This was actually last seen when Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder squared off in their classic third fight to end their fistic trilogy to become one of the greatest fights of the ages.

Possibly, the same can be said for the second chapter of the Anthony Joshua – Oleksandr Usyk matchup. With that said though, preferably history does not repeat itself and the fans again get mistreated to another bore-fest of heavyweight proportions.

With three of the four recognized heavyweight world titles on the line this weekend at the King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Saudi Arabia, hopefully Joshua will enter the ring re-electrified and reinvigorated to take back what was originally his. Not that Usyk is a bad champion. His unbeaten record, which includes him capturing both the undisputed Cruiserweight Championship and three out of four Heavyweight titles clearly speak for itself. The problem is that his fights are about as exciting as a shuffleboard tournament played at a South Florida senior center, and he also sadly possesses the typical Eastern European charisma, which is essentially no charisma at all.

Against nearly everyone’s expectations, this past September saw the heavyweight landscape obliterated when Oleksandr Usyk scored a decision victory over the popular and powerful Anthony Joshua to win the WBA, IBF and WBO championships. Now the two men will battle one more time as Joshua tries to kickstart his third reign as world champion, while Usyk tries to secure and retain the laurels, he rightly won last year.

Prior to his bout with Joshua, Usyk had previously unified all four world championships at cruiserweight in 2018 when he won the Cruiserweight World Boxing Super Series by defeating Murat Gassiev in the tournament finals. He later made his heavyweight debut in 2019, scoring two sleep worthy wins over Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora before beating a somewhat confused and unmotivated Joshua over 12 rounds.

To Joshua’s credit, after his first loss to Andy Ruiz, which ended with him being KO’d in a stunning fashion in June of 2019, Joshua did manage to come back six months later in December 2019 to reclaim his three world titles with a unanimous points decision.

This time around, Joshua has to rely upon his punching power – the same punching power that once stopped Wladimir Klitschko and 21 others in his 26-fight career. He also has to bring into the ring a big basket of guts along with the same courage that was once granted to the Cowardly Lion by the Wizard of Oz to re-fortify his stature in the sport in general, and the heavyweight division in particular, that has been essentially eclipsed by both Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.

“He has to fight like a big guy. He can’t sit there and tag with this guy, he’s got to hit him with big shots,” said former heavyweight king and Hall of Famer Holyfield. “If you got a little brother. If you try to keep up, he moves too much, you’ve got to grab him and put all that weight on him and let him feel that you’re the stronger one and this is a big guy fight and there isn’t no way he can beat you in a big guy fight….I know both of the guys are capable of winning, it’s just who does it that night when the pressure happens. The fact of the matter is how a person thinks. I knew what my thinking was going to be in there. I always said that every guy that got the best of me was a guy lighter than me with fast hands, I sat there watching. But that’s what big guys used to do when they were in front of me, I was so good they sat there watching and then the fight is over.”

Perhaps Joshua should heed the advice of Holyfield a fighter who certainly rose to the occasion many times in his long, brilliant career.

As a better enticement for the fighters, especially to Joshua, is that the winner of the rematch will without question have their eye on a potential, highly lucrative bout with WBC champion Tyson Fury, with the victor to be crowned the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. Though the wildcard Fury has claimed to be retired — after seemingly unretiring for a handful of days — the possibility of winning all four Heavyweight titles, along with a purse of over $100 million, could easily, as proclaimed in the iconic movie The Godfather, be an offer he can’t  refuse.

Usyk vs. Joshua 2 fight card, odds

• Oleksandr Usyk (c) -200 vs. Anthony Joshua +170, WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles
• Filip Hrgovic -1000 vs. Zhilei Zhang +250, heavyweights
• Callum Smith -1100 vs. Mathieu Bauderlique +700, light heavyweights
• Badou Jack vs. Richard Rivera, cruiserweights
• Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Jose Alatorre, super lightweights
• Ramla Ali vs. Crystal Garcia Nova, women’s super-bantamweights
• Andrew Tabiti vs. James Wilson, heavyweights
• Ben Whittaker vs. Petar Nosic, light heavyweights
• Daniel Lapin vs. Jozef Jurko, light heavyweights
• Bader Al Samreen vs. Faud Taverdi, super lightweights

Viewing information

• Date: 20 | Location: Jeddah Superdome — Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• Start time:12 p.m. ET (Main event expected around 5:15 p.m. ET)
• How to watch/stream: DAZN

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2-Time World Champion Shawn Porter is Confirmed for Sixth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend on Saturday September 17, in Las Vegas  

Box Fan Expo – the Largest Boxing Fan Event held in the U.S –

the Ultimate Boxing Fan Experience

Las Vegas (August 8, 2022) – Two-time world champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter has confirmed that he will appear at the Sixth Annual Box Fan Expo on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Expo will also coincide with the mega trilogy fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin, that will take place later that evening at the T-Mobile Arena. 

Porter will hold a Meet & Greet with his fans at The Porter Way Podcast, and he will be streaming LIVE at his booth during the fan event held over the Mexican Independence Day weekend.

The Box Fan Expo is an annual fan event that coincides with some of the sports’ legendary, classic fights in Las Vegas, including Mayweather vs. Maidana II, Mayweather vs. Berto, Canelo vs. Chavez Jr., Canelo vs. GGG II, and Canelo vs. Jacobs. Centered in boxing’s longtime home – Las Vegas – this year’s Expo is a must-do for fight fans coming in for this legendary weekend, with dozens of professional fighters, promoters, and companies involved in the boxing industry. The Expo is the largest and only Boxing Fan Expo held in the United States. http://boxfanexpo.com – @BoxFanExpo

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –https://bit.ly/BOXFANEXPO2022

Porter will make his sixth appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, and personal items. Boxing enthusiasts will have an opportunity to also take pictures with this fan friendly Boxing Star.

Porter joins Jessie Vargas and Erik Morales as an early commitment to this year’s Box Fan Expo, with more Boxing stars to be announced.

About Shawn Porter

Porter is an American former professional boxer who competed from 2008 to 2021. He is a two-time former welterweight world champion, having held the IBF title from 2013 to 2014 and the WBC title from 2018 to 2019. He is particularly known for his aggressive pressure fighting style, physical strength and high workrate. Some of his most noticeable fights came against Danny Garcia, Keith Thurman, Errol Spence Jr., Adrien Broner, Paulie Malignaggi, Andre Berto and Kell Brook to name a few.

About The Porter Way Podcast

Founded in 2020, Two-Time Welterweight world champion ”Showtime” Shawn Porter leads a unique, entertaining podcast focused on boxing & everything else in the sports & entertainment world. The Porter Way is a Blue Wire Podcast. More info: https://linktr.ee/theporterwaypodcast

About Box Fan Expo

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet the stars of boxing that represent the past, present and future of the sport. With hosted autograph signings, meet-and-greets with current and former boxing world champions, limited edition merchandise for sale, giveaways and more, this is the ultimate event for fans of the sport.

Past boxing stars that have participated include: Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Andre Ward, Mikey Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Devin Haney, David Benavidez, Errol Spence Jr, Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Abner Mares, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Vinny Paz, Mia St.John, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris, Riddick Bowe, Earnie Shavers, Michael & Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Claressa Shields, Teofimo Lopez, Brandon Rios, Jorge Linares, and many more.

Exhibitors include boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who showcase their brand to fans and the boxing industry as a whole.

Throughout the next few months leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo

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Return of the Mick: Conlan Dominates Marriaga in Belfast Main Event  

 Paddy Donovan, Kieran Molloy, and Kurt Walker notch victories in undercard action

BELFAST (Aug. 6, 2022) — Michael “Mick” Conlan returned home to Belfast and got back on the winning track. Conlan, who lost a featherweight title bid in March, defeated Miguel Marriaga by unanimous decision in the 10-round featherweight main event Saturday at The SSE Arena.

Conlan (17-1, 8 KOs) prevailed by scores of 99-88 2x and 99-89, securing knockdowns in the seventh, eighth, and ninth rounds. Marriaga (30-6, 26 KOs), a three-time world title challenger, dropped to 1-3 in his last four fights but showed a flourish of his vaunted power. In the 10th round, he buckled Conlan, and there were anxious moments for both men navigating the slippery canvas.

Conlan got the result the packed house came to see. He then called for a rematch with Leigh Wood, the WBA champion who scored a come-from-behind 12th-round knockout in a modern boxing classic.

Conlan said, “I had to get rid of a lot of demons tonight. Even in the fuc*ing last round, he hit me with a shot. That guy can punch. {He has} 10 more knockouts than I have fights. He hit me with a jab in the first round, and it was like, ‘Oh, this guy actually can bang.’ I had to be careful and use my skills, which I did. In the last round, he caught me with a shot. Listen, I’ve been using my legs all night. I was a bit off the pace. He was pushing it. He landed a good shot. He buckled me a little bit. I felt it, and for me, to kind of come through that and it’s the last round… I got knocked out in my last fight in the last round. I think that says a lot. I’m back, baby. I’m ready for any of them.

“Obviously, I want Leigh Wood. It’s obvious, but Leigh has his own situation. So, hopefully he can deal with that and come through and the rematch can be done. If not, it’s any other champion. I want to get back in. I will be world champion, and I know I will. Whoever I face, I know I’ll beat him.”

In other action:

Welterweight: Tyrone McKenna (23-3-1, 6 KOs) UD 10 Chris Jenkins (23-6-3, 8 KOs), Scores: 96-95 2x and 97-94. Jenkins, a former British and Commonwealth welterweight champion, appeared to do enough to earn the victory, but the three judges ruled in favor of Belfast native McKenna. It was a battle of Jenkins’ steady pressure against southpaw volume McKenna, and the two waged a phone booth affair. McKenna recovered from a barrage of body blows to have counterpunching success in the ninth and 10th rounds.

Junior Middleweight: Kieran Molloy (2-0, 2 KOs) TKO 2 Evgenii Vazem (9-36, 7 KOs), 1:23. Molloy, from Galway, Ireland, shined in pro bout number two with a devastating performance over Vazem. Early in the second, a four-punch combination, punctuated by a right hook to the body, put Vazem down for the count.

Molloy said, “I fit right in here. I’m an entertainer. I’m a good fighter, and I proved tonight that I’m a good boxer as well. I didn’t even look for that shot. I just landed that uppercut a few times. His elbows were coming up, and it was a nice, sinking body shot, so I just took it.”  

Super Middleweight: Padraig McCrory (14-0, 8 KOs) TKO 5 Marco Antonio Periban (26-6-1, 17 KOs), 2:14. McCory moved his knockout streak to four with a one-sided drubbing over the former world title challenger. Periban was dropped three times in the fifth round, the final blows coming courtesy of a quick-trigger combination that knocked him into a neutral corner. The referee waved off the fight, and McCrory secured the second defense of his WBC International Silver belt.

Featherweight: Kurt Walker (3-0, 1 KO) PTS 6 Marcos Gabriel Martinez (18-4, 5 KOs), Score: 59-55. Walker, a 2020 Tokyo Olympian, stepped up in class and used his superior lateral movement and combination punching to stymie Argentina’s Martinez. Walker, who is signed to Top Rank, turned pro earlier this year and hopes to take the express lane to title contention at 27 years old.

Welterweight: Paddy Donovan (9-0, 6 KOs) PTS 8 Tom Hill (10-3, 2 KOs), Score: 80-72. The Irish southpaw sensation returned from injury — and a nearly six-month layoff — to shut out Hill. It was the first scheduled eight-rounder for Donovan, a 23-year-old who is trained and managed by former middleweight world champion Andy Lee.

Donovan said, “It’s very important to get the rounds in. Tommy is a very, very tough fighter. We knew that before. He hopped in the ring before he accepted the challenge. He’s beat the Irish number one welterweight, knocking him down twice in the fight, so we know what he’s capable of.”

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NONITO DONAIRE TARGETING KAZUTO IOKA AND ROMAN ‘CHOCOLATITO’ GONZALEZ 

 

LOS ANGELES, AUGUST 5 – Nonito Donaire is targeting huge fights at super flyweight with Kazuto Ioka and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez – before moving back up to chase bantamweight greatness. 

The former four-weight world champion has emphatically dismissed any idea of retiring following his brutal stoppage defeat to Naoya Inoue in June. 

Instead, the legendary Donaire, who will be 40 in November, intends on dropping down to the 115lbs division to chase mouth watering fights with WBO champion Ioka and the brilliant Chocolatito. 

And then the Filipino Flash plans to move back into the mix at bantamweight in pursuit of becoming the undisputed champion in that division. 

“It’s a really good fight with Chocolatito and people are saying it would be ‘legend versus legend’” Donaire told Probellum.com 

“It’s a big fight. But I do like the Ioka fight as well because I want to get that title and become a five-division champion and then move back up to 118 and go for the undisputed crown once everything else is open and I get another opportunity for it.” 

Donaire has revealed he was mulling over the move to super flyweight in the hours before he faced Inoue last month. 

“Before the fight with Inoue, Richard Schaefer and I talked about going down to 115,” Donaire said.  

“Making the weight was very simple for me and I made it quickly. I even made 117 before stepping on the scales.  

“Richard and I were talking and saying that regardless of what happens here, maybe I can go down to 115 and fight the guys in that division.  

“Richard is talking with Ioka’s people, with Mr Honda and he is talking to Chocolatito as well. It’s exciting, there are a lot of things to look forward to.” 

To keep up to date with the latest news on Donaire’s next move, sign up to our newsletter or follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.    

You can also follow our official news, results, and information account, Probellum News, on Twitter.

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Teofimo Lopez: “The Takeover is Back!”

Lopez-Pedro Campa headlines ESPN-televised bill SATURDAY, August 13 @ Resorts World Las Vegas

Tickets starting at $40 are on sale now and can be purchased at Etix.com

RINGOES, N.J.  (Aug. 4, 2022) — The Takeover 2.0 is 10 days away. Teofimo Lopez (16-1, 12 KOs), the former unified and lineal lightweight champion, will make his junior welterweight debut against Mexican veteran Pedro Campa (34-1-1, 23 KOs) on Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Resorts World Event Center at Resorts World Las Vegas.

Lopez is back following last November’s split decision shocker to George Kambosos Jr., which knocked him from the top of the lightweight heap. The Brooklyn native is training in New Jersey for Campa, a 30-year-old puncher who is unbeaten in eight fights dating back to 2017. 

Following a recent training session, this is what Lopez had to say about his ESPN-televised return.

“The Takeover is back! I took over the lightweight division, and I plan on doing the same at junior welterweight. Pedro Campa is a tough opponent with an aggressive Mexican style, and I can’t wait to put on a show for the fans.”

“Every person goes through challenges, but I’ve put the past behind me and am thrilled to be back fighting on ESPN and in Las Vegas. I am calling this fight the ‘Take Back’ because I am coming to regain what I’ve lost. One defeat does not define a fighter, and it won’t define me.”

“I had been fighting at lightweight since I was a teenager, and it was time to move up. I am going to be an even better, more explosive fighter. You will see that on August 13.”

“I am only 25 years old. My best years are in front of me. Pedro Campa is the start of a new chapter in my career. I will be a two-weight world champion very soon. Every contender and champion at junior welterweight better watch out because I am coming to clean out the division.”

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $40 are on sale now and can be purchased at Etix.com.

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