Fightnews.com

Report and Photos by Bob Ryder

Albert “Prince” Bell scored a destructive second round TKO over Jayson Velez at Toledo’s Glass City Center Saturday night. Despite his post-fight statement to the contrary (“I just wanted to put on a performance”) Bell seemed much more intent on scoring a stoppage win than usual. Sometimes criticized for his perceived lack of power, Bell jumped on Velez quickly. Velez went to the mat in the first round in a flash knockdown and did not seem to be badly hurt. In the second round, however, Bell really poured it on. He opened up a bloody gash over Jayson’s left eye and floored him heavily for a second knockdown in the fight. Velez arose only to be again sent down hard requiring referee James Easter to immediately rush in and wave off the bout at 1:39 of the round. Continue reading “WBO #1 Bell Crushes Velez in Toledo”

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

It’s not uncommon to have rival boxing shows going head to head in the same area on the same night. But in a somewhat unique twist on Saturday night in Colorado, two such competing shows wound up combining into one mega event in Loveland, Colorado.

Originally, there was one event slated for Denver, promoted by Steve Mestas’ Airtight Boxing, while Loveland had a show promoted by Jeff Cisneros’ Sparta Combat League.

However, the situation was such that there were not enough officials and administrators within the Colorado Combative Sports Commission to cover both shows simultaneously. So the move was made to merge both shows together in Loveland, forming a 22 match mega event, combining boxing, kickboxing, MMA and Muay Thai, some amateurs and some pros. Fightnews.com® opted concentrate on the boxing matches for this event. Continue reading “Results from Loveland, Colorado”

For the 10th consecutive year, Bob Russo of Portland Boxing Club returned to the Portland Expo Center in Portland, Maine, for another successful, sold out event. Raising money for the New England Golden Gloves program, sponsors and fans crowded into Portland’s top sports arena for an exciting night of pro and amateur boxing.

Quirk wins New England Middleweight Title in Portland.

In the 8 round main event for the vacant New England Middleweight title, Portland Firefighter Jason Quirk, 11-0, 6 KOs got off to an early lead, outworking the determined and wild-swinging Rodrigo Lopes-Rodrigues, 8-7, 7 KOs, of Sao Paulo, Brazil via Boston. With seconds to go in the 6th round, Lopes landed a crashing overhand right, staggering Quirk in his corner. Attacking at the bell for the 7th, Lopes continued to chase Quirk around the ring, rocking him repeatedly. Quirk maintained his composure, tying Lopes up anytime he landed clean, resulting in them both falling to the canvas. Quirk seemed to regain his legs in the final round, maintaining his distance and avoiding the looping shots of Lopes. Judge Glen Feldman saw the bout 77-75 for Lopes while Martha Tremblay and Steve Weisfeld leaned 77-75 and 77-76 respectively for Quirk for the split decision win. Continue reading “Boxing Results from Maine”

Unbeaten WBA #7 super middleweight Pablo Ezquiel Corzo (17-0, 15 KOs) of Argentina defeated Carlos Rivero (24-3-1, 14 KOs) of Venezuela by first round KO on Saturday night at the Club Deportivo y Social Sportsmen Unidos in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. The first two minutes of the round seemed to be a feeling out process when Corzo suddenly stunned Rivero badly with a right to the head. Rivero´s back hit the ropes then he dropped to his knees after a slight delayed reaction. Rivero was noticeably dazed and was counted out by the referee.

6’4, 279 pound heavyweight Don Haynesworth Jr. (18-8, 16 KOs) returned with a 3rd round TKO over journeyman Anthony Trotter in Greensboro, North Carolina on Saturday night. After sending the 240 pound Trotter to the canvas twice in the 2nd stanza, Haynesworth landed another big, straight right dropping Trotter again early in the 3rd round. Referee Dale Frye officially stopped the onslaught at 1:10 of round 3.

The victory marked Haynesworth’s 2nd straight win since dropping bouts to notables Zhilei Zhang, Guido Vianello and Dempsey McKean. The 7 bout card was promoted by local Walter Johnson to honor Veterans Day at the Greensboro National Guard Armory.

Unbeaten lightweight Ernesto “Tito” Mercado (13-0, 12 KOs) scored a second round TKO over former world title challenger Jeremia Nakathila (23-4, 19 KOs) on Saturday night at the LumColor “Phoenix Center” in Ontario, California. Mercado dropped Nakathila in round two and got a referee’s stoppage with his follow-up barrage. Nakathila complained about the stoppage – which did seem quick. Regardless, Mercado continues to impress.

Sons of ring legends were in action Saturday night at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California.

Unbeaten super welterweight Fernando Vargas Jr (13-0, 12 KOs), son of Hall of Famer Fernando “Feroz” Vargas, impressively demolished Wilfrido Buelvas (24-18, 18 KOs). Vargas dropped Buelvas in round one and finished him with another knockdown in round two. Time was :52.

Featherweight Michael Bracamontes (8-1-1, 4 KOs) won an eight round unanimous decision over Jose Luis Castillo Jr (27-4, 20 KOs), son of two-time world champion Jose Luis Castillo. Close, competitive fight but two judges somehow had it a shutout. Scores were 80-72, 80-72, 78-74.

Irma Garcia (23-5-1, 4 KOs) outscored Stephanie Silva (8-1, 0 KOs) over ten rounds for the vacant IBF female super flyweight title. Scores were 99-90 3x. Garcia dropped Silva in round five.

In a charity exhibition match, heavyweight legends Donovan “Razor” Ruddock (40-6-1, 30 KOs) and James “Lights Out” Toney (77-10-3, 47 KOs) boxed for six rounds on Saturday night at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston, Jamaica. Ruddock, 59, and Toney, 55, both fought without headgear or T-shirts. Rounds one and two were three minute rounds. After round two, the Jamaican commission switched the bout to two minute rounds. Toney was much quicker and busier, while Ruddock landed the occasional power shot. The affair was declared a draw afterward.

In the co-feature, unbeaten WBA #10 super featherweight Abel Mendoza (39-0, 30 KOs) pounded on 42-year-old Aristides Perez (34-25-3, 19 KOs) for three rounds and Perez didn’t come out for round four.

Light heavyweight Jermaine Bowen (4-3, 1 KO) got a sixth round referee’s stoppage against 46-year-old local favorite Tsetsi Davis (18-9, 5 KOs).

Pro debuting welterweight DJ Ruddock, 34, son of Razor Ruddock, battled to a four round draw with Juezier Heron (1-0-1, 0 KOs). Scores were 38-38, 38-38, 39-37 Heron.

Middleweight Richard Holmes (20-13, 10 KOs) was victorious when Jose Julio (24-17-1, 16 KOs) couldn’t continue after round four.

WBA #6 super bantamweight Shabaz Masoud (12-0, 4 KOs) was lucky to win a split decision against Jose Sanmartin (34-8-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday night at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England. Sanmartin pressed the action, threw more punches and harder punches, but judges preferred the work of Masoud. Scores were 96-94 for Sanmartin, 96-94 and an outrageous 98-92 for Masoud, who retained his WBA Intercontinental belt.

Walter Johnson Promotions will host a seven-fight card tonight (Nov 11) at the National Guard Armory in Greensboro, North Carolina. Headlining the show will be undefeated Joseph Jackson (18-0, 15 KOs) taking on seasoned veteran Dedrick Bell in a scheduled eight round bout. The card also features Chris Fuentes Perez 2-0 against Demarcus Fitzgerald 2-1 in a six round bout, as well Heavyweight Don Haynesworth Jr. (17-8, 14 KOs) attempts to make a comeback against journeyman Anthony Trotter 6-11. There are also four undercard bouts. There will be a live stream at www.bigsports.tv and ko-nation-streaming.weebly.com

Murodjon Akhmadaliev (11-1, 8 KOs) will face Kevin Gonzalez (26-0-1, 13 KOs) in an eliminator for the WBA world super bantamweight title as the chief support bout to the flyweight unification clash between Jesse Rodriguez and Sunny Edwards at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday December 16, live worldwide on DAZN.

In addition to Edwards, four more Brits cross the pond to end their 2023 in the US, topped by 2020 Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai (5-0, 4 KOs), who defends his WBC International flyweight title against Rocco Santomauro (22-2, 6 KOs). Continue reading “Akhmadaliev-Gonzalez is BAM-Sunny co-feature”

Irma Garcia 114 vs. Stephanie Silva 114
(IBF female super flyweight title)

Fernando Vargas Jr. 152.5 vs. Wilfrido Buelvas 154

Yadira Bustillos 105 vs. Maria Santizo 105
Nathan Rodriguez 128 vs. Giovanni Gutierrez 131
Mylik Roashun Birdsong 147 vs. Jose Vargas 147
Jose Luis Castillo Jr. 127 vs. Mikey Bracamontes 127
Miguel Gaona 146 vs. Paulo Figueroa 144
Juan Estrada 133 vs. Gibran Perez 134

Venue: Thunder Studios, Long Beach, California
Promoter: Marvnation Promotions
TV: DAZN

By Boxing Bob Newman

Steve Marquez 168.4 vs Sergio Lopez 165
Erion Johnson 134.2 vs Anel Dudo 129.9
Masai Abdur Rasheed 147.3 vs Josh Challenger 147.8
Jaden Overman 146.4 vs Seth Turpin 147.8
Darian Thomas Lue-Pierre 152.1 vs Jason Milan 151.9
Nate Cortez 126.5 vs Tyler Mitchell 125.8
James Huff 146.7 vs Mario Perez 146.5
Kris Davis 146.5 vs Cruz Alejandro Tena Bustillos 145.7

Venue: Blue FCU Arena, Loveland, CO
Promoters: Jeff Cisneros (Sparta Combat League), Steve Mestas (Airtight Boxing)
First Bell: 5:00 PM
* In addition to the above listed eight boxing matches (three professional),
There are also Muay Thai, kickboxing and MMA abouts on this card, for a total of 22 matches in all!

Unbeaten heavyweight Sonny “The Bronco” Conto (12-0, 9 KOs) scored a workmanlike six round unanimous decision over Detrailious Webster (6-2, 2 KOs) on Friday night at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Conto, coming off a one year layoff, pressed the action and came away with a 60-54 3x win.

Welterweight Greg Outlaw (13-2, 7 KOs) halted Sebastian Gabriel Chaves (5-7, 2 KOs) in the first round. Outlaw dropped Chaves twice before it was waved off at 2:47.

In a clash of unbeaten light heavyweights, Dante Benjamin (8-0-1, 6 KOs) scored a first round KO against Darin Austin (11-1, 8 KOs). Benjamin dropped Austin twice. Time was 2:19.

Unbeaten super featherweight Haven Brady Jr. (11-0, 4 KOs) won a spirited six-rounder against Deivi Julio (26-15, 16 KOs). Brady dropped Julio twice in round two. Julio dropped Brady in round four. Brady dropped Julio again in round six.

Heavyweight Ali Ellis (5-0, 3 KOs) dropped Nicoy Clarke (3-9, 1 KO) in the first round and went on to win 40-35 3x over four.

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WOMEN’S ACTION:

2021 Olympic Bronze Medal winner Oshae Jones (5-0, 1 KO) blitzed Samantha Pill (5-3, 1 KO) in the first round to claim the NABF female super welterweight title.

Undefeated LeAnna Cruz (7-0, 0 KOs) outscored Tania Walters (4-3, 0 KOs) over eight rounds for the NABF female super flyweight title.

Undefeated two-division world champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade held a Bay Area media workout on Friday ahead of his showdown against unbeaten two-time super middleweight world champion David “El Monstruo” Benavídez headlining Showtime PPV on November 25 from Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Demetrius Andrade: “I have a lot of strengths. With my athletic ability and my preparation, I can beat anyone…I’ve fought every style there is today. I just have to go in there, find his weakness and figure out what’s going to work…I don’t really know his strengths until I get in there, but from watching him, he likes to overwhelm his opponents. That’s really all I see. November 25 tune in and I’m gonna expose his weaknesses.”

Unbeaten super lightweight Harlem Eubank (19-0, 8 KOs) scored an eleventh round KO against Timo Schwarzkopf (22-6, 13 KOs) on Friday night at the Brighton Centre in Brighton, England. Eubank dropped Schwarzkopf in round three and finished him with another knockdown in round eleven to claim the WBO Global title.

Cruiserweight Roman Fury (3-0, 1 KO), younger brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, knocked out Bradley Davies (1-6-1, 1 KO) in round three.

Other Results:
Sultan Zaurbek TKO6 Sergio Martin Sosa (super featherweight)
Lerrone Richards W8 Mickey Ellison (super middleweight)

Donovan “Razor” Ruddock 260 vs. James “Lights Out” Toney 247

Abel Mendoza 142 vs. Aristides Perez 146
Jermaine Bowen 174 vs. Tsetsi Davis 176
DJ Ruddock 146.6 vs. Juezier Heron 146.4
Richard Holmes 159 vs. Jose Julio 157.4

Venue: National Indoor Sports Centre, Kingston, Jamaica
Promoter: Red Ground Productions
TV: FITE ($29.99 PPV)

Former two-time super middleweight world champion David “El Monstruo” Benavidez and order brother Jose Benavidez Jr. previewed their upcoming clashes during a media workout Thursday as the brothers near their respective Showtime PPV matchups on November 25 from Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Here is what the Phoenix-born brothers, along with their father and trainer Jose Benavidez Sr., had to say Thursday from the Benavidez Sports Boxing Gym in the Seattle area:

David Benavidez: “I do expect to stop Andrade. I’ve been working extremely hard. My last fight went the distance and I was upset about that. We’re gonna correct the current and stop Demetrius Andrade…there are a lot of things Andrade does well, but I see weaknesses as well. We’re gonna put a great game plan together and expose him on November 25.”

Jose Benavidez Jr: “There are a lot of doubters. There’s always gonna be doubters. Come November 25, I shut them all up and prove to the world that I belong here…I said what I had to say to Charlo. I’m gonna always speak my mind. If he can’t take the heat, choose another sport.”

Jose Benavidez Sr: “David is gonna stop Andrade around the eighth or ninth round and I think Jose will get a stoppage around the sixth or seventh…Charlo made a big mistake choosing Jose Jr.”

Shabaz Masoud 121.7 vs. Jose Sanmartin 120.2
(WBA Intercontinental super bantamweight title)

Cameron Vuong 137.55 vs. John Henry Mosqueura 139.5
Calum French 137.75 vs. Jeff Ofori 138
Mark Dickinson 159.3 vs. Grant Dennis 163.4
Ewan MacKenzie 153.4 vs. Ishmael Davis 153.65
Ben Rees 184.45 vs. Sadaam Moamed De Silva Caetano 183.6
Jimmy Sains 162.45 vs. Jesus Lobeto 165.75
Owen Rees 141.55 vs. Konrad Czajkowski 141.5

Venue: Utilita Arena, Newcastle, England
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

The IBF now lists Jaron “Boots” Ennis as the sole welterweight champion in their new ratings. Ennis was previously the interim champion behind Terence “Bud” Crawford, who claimed the WBC, WBA and IBF belts three months ago against Errol Spence Jr. With that win, Crawford became the undisputed champion in two weight divisions. That distinction, however, was short-lived. With Crawford committed to a rematch with Spence, possibly out of the division, the IBF elevated Ennis.

Unbeaten super welterweight “King” Callum Walsh (9-0, 7 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Ismael “The Beast” Villarreal (13-2, 9 KOs) on Thursday night in the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City. Walsh staggered Villarreal in round four. Villarreal was credited with a knockdown in round ten. Judges had it 97-92, 97-92, 96-93.

Unbeaten lightweight knockout machine “Sugar” Cain Sandoval (11-0, 11 KOs) TKO’d Wesley “El Bongocero” Ferrer (17-2-1, 8 KOs) in round five. Sandoval dropped Ferrer in round one and punished him until the bout was stopped in round five. Ferrer landed some shots but Sandoval was too much. Time was 1:34.

Unbeaten light heavyweight Umar Dzambekov (8-0, 5 KOs) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Frederic “The French Revolution” Julan (13-3, 10 KOs). Scores were 79-73, 78-74, 78-74.

Undefeated welterweight Gor Yeritsyan (17-0, 14 KOs) pounded on Luis Alberto “Lucho” Veron (20-8-2, 9 KOs) for eight rounds. Yeritsyan dropped Veron in round three but was forced to go the full distance. Scores were 80-71, 79-72, 78-73.

Super welterweight Brian Ceballo (16-1, 8 KOs) knocked out Kenneth McNeil (13-5, 10 KOs) with a body shot in round four. Time was 2:17.

Unbeaten featherweight Omar Trinidad (14-0-1, 10 KOs) blitzed Andrew Bentley (5-8, 1 KO) in the first round. The bout was waved off after two knockdowns. Time 2:27.

Unbeaten super featherweight Feargal McCrory (15-0, 7 KOs) edged Nikolai Buzolin (9-7-1, 5 KOs) over six by a score of 58-56 3x.

Kevin “Bug Gulp” Nagle 299.4 vs. Max DeSilva TBA
James “Pitbull” Perkins 167.4 vs. Saul Almeida 169.6
Juan Celin Zapata 169 vs. Travis Gambardella 166
Milton Noleton 170.6 vs. Anthony “Vicious” Viera 166.8
Ryan Clark 159.5 vs. Jay Gregory 156
Aldimar Silva 128.8 vs. Arnando Rabi 130.6

Venue: Bridgewater Veterans Club, Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Promoter: Granite Chin Promotions
TV: Bridgewater TV is filming the event

Sonny Conto 222.5 vs. Detrailous Webster 241.5
LeAnna Cruz 113.4 vs. Tania Walter 113.6
Greg Outlaw 144.2 vs. Sebastian Gabriel Chavez 142.5
Dante Benjamin Jr. 173.8 vs. Darin Austin 175
Haven Brady Jr. 133 vs. Deivi Julio 132.5
Ali Ellis 203.4 vs. Nicoy Clarke 221.4
Oshae Jones 153.2 vs. Samantha Pill 153.5

Venue: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Promoter: King’s Promotions
TV: bxngtv.com ($19.99 PPV)

ESPN+ has picked up the November 14 clash between junior welterweight contender Steve Claggett (36-7-2, 25 KOs) and heavy-handed Miguel Madueno (30-1, 28 KOs) on at Casino De Montreal. The NABF and NABO titles will be on the line, as Calgary native Claggett seeks to extend his winning streak to eight.

In the 10-round co-feature, two-time middleweight world title challenger Steven Butler (32-4-1, 26 KOs) looks to get back on the winning track versus Iron Alvarez (32-14-4, 21 KOs). Continue reading “Claggett-Madueno on ESPN+ Nov 14”

Harlem Eubank 139.6 vs. Timo Schwarzkopf 140
(WBO Global super lightweight title)

Lerrone Richards 174.2 vs. Mickey Ellison 175.2
Tommy Welch 222.3 vs. Jonathan Vergara 234.7
Tom Welland 125.6 vs. Francisco Rodriguez 125.4
Sultan Zaurbek 129.9 vs. Sergio Sosa 131.3
JP O’Meara 132.6 vs. Karl Sampson 139.4
Tiernan Bradley 141.9 vs. Michal Balik 142.3
Oliver Zaren 167.7 vs. Bahadur Karami 168.6
Ben Andrews 180 vs. Patryk Polasik 175.8
Roman Fury vs. Bradley Davies (both weighing in tomorrow)
Harvey Dykes 252.2 vs. Erik Nazaryan 209.2

Venue: Brighton Centre, Brighton, England
Promoter: Wasserman Boxing
TV: Channel 5 (UK)

Note: Unbeaten Harlem Eubank becomes the first member of the famous Eubank fighting family to headline in their home city since Chris Eubank Sr defended his world title in the 1990s.