Fightnews.com

By Boxing Bob Newman

Robson Conceição 129.7 vs O’Shaquie Foster 129.9
(WBC super featherweight title)

Raymond Muratalla 136.6 vs Jesus Perez 136.2
Yan Santana 126.8 vs Eduardo Baez 125.7
Abraham Nova 131.4 vs Humberto Galindo 131.3
Jahi Tucker 161.8 vs Quilisto Madera 161.8
Damian Knyba 259.1 vs Richard Lartey Harrison 288
Bryce Mills 139.8 vs Mike Ohan, Jr. 140.7
Ali Feliz 224.1 vs Orlando Rashad Coulter 252.1

Venue: Turning Stone Resort & Casino Events Center
Commission: Oneida Indian Nation Athletic Commission
Promoter: Bob Arum (Top Rank)
Matchmaker: Brad Goodman
Media: ESPN+

Gets JBC 115lb mandatory shot

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

JBC#1 super fly Kantaro Juri (7-0-2, 2 KOs), 114.5, and JBC#2 Jinya Yamaguchi (5-0-1, 2 KOs), 114.75, battled to a split draw (77-75, 75-77, 76-76) in an eliminator for #1 over eight busily see-saw heats on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan, but Yamaguchi was awarded a right to advance to the Japanese 115-pound mandatory shot against national champ Suzumi Watanabe (8-0, 7 KOs) in the Carnival of Champions next year. It was a give-and-take encounter of the southpaws, and Juri at first had the upper hand with solid left crosses, but it was Yamaguchi that displayed his last surge to take the initiative down the stretch. The 76-76 judge was forced to take one out of the contestants and took Yamaguchi due to his superior aggressiveness.

WBA #15 flyweight Daiya Kira (2-0, 2 KOs; amateur 46-6, 16 stoppages), 112, scored a one-punch knockout over Venezuelan Orlando Pino (15-3, 9 KOs), 111.5, with a wicked left to the belly at 1:19 of the opening session in a scheduled eight.

Former WBO AP 130-pound champ Musashi Mori (15-1-1, 7 KOs), 134.5, was awarded a technical decision (all 79-72) over Chinese bull fighter Peng Huang (10-10-3, 5 KOs), 134.5, at 0:58 of the eighth and final session. After a long layoff since last June Mori bled so profusely from a gash at the right cheek caused by an accidental butt that the referee called an intervention to eventually take a technical decision.

Continue reading “Yamaguchi draws with Juri”

On Tuesday, October 29 the IBF received notification that IBF junior bantamweight champion Fernando Martinez was vacating his IBF title. In a letter addressed to President Daryl Peoples, Martinez thanked Peoples for the opportunity to represent the organization with honor and respect since he earned the title in February of 2022. In turn, the IBF wished Martinez continued success and all the best in his future endeavors.

Tahmir Smalls 147.6 vs. Seantorious Martin 147.2
Dion Jones 139.8 vs. Elijah Williams 145
Joshafat Ortiz 128.8 vs. Travis Crawford 128.6
Nosa Divine Nehikhare 181.6 vs. Saundre Simmons 182.2
Steve Cunningham Jr. 156 vs. Rudy Reveles 154.6
Gustavo Rivera Rio 130.8 vs. Joseph Cruz 128.6
Santana Draper 145.4 vs. Keith Foreman 146.2

Venue: Red Owl Boxing Arena, Houston, Texas
Promoter: Red Owl Boxing
TV: DAZN

By David Finger

In what would be a historic day for the WBO and the sport of boxing, the final day of the 37th Annual World Boxing Organization Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico concluded with the resignation and retirement of WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel and the emergence of a new President in Gustavo Olivieri Miranda, an energetic and young attorney who had worked as a defense attorney and as in-house counsel for the WBO for the last seven years.

Also at hand to celebrate the career of President Valcarcel and offer congratulations to the new incoming WBO president were the presidents of the other three major sanctioning organizations. Continue reading “37th Annual WBO Convention Final Day”

Golden Boy Promotions hosted a final press conference today ahead of the return of undefeated lightweight Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield Jr. (17-0, 12 KOs) against Rene “El Bravo” Tellez Girón (20-3, 13 KOs) on Saturday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, streamed worldwide on DAZN.

Floyd Schofield: “I’m ready to fight. The preparation was difficult, we had a hard training camp but I’m ready to show what I’m capable of on Saturday…I’d like to thank Rene for taking the fight, but I hope he’s ready to give his life in that ring like I am.”

Rene Tellez Giron: “I’m so excited for my first main event fight in Las Vegas. I’m ready, thanks again for being here. The truth is that I’m super happy. I just fought in Vegas, but now I’m the main event. I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I’m super happy and grateful.”

Jamaine Ortiz 140 vs. Christian Mino 139.8
(WBA Continental USA jr. welterweight title)

Kaipo Gallegos 129.4 vs. Iron Alvarez 130
Alexander Rios Vega 135.2 vs. Felix Santana Jr 135
Chavez Barrientes 121.8 vs. Noah Contreras 121.4
Tayre Jones 142.2 vs. Willmank Brito 141.6
John Laryea 126 vs. Alejandro Majia 126.2
Marcus Harris 118.6 vs. Jesus Martinez 119.4
Miguel Diaz 167.4 vs. Caleb Hall 167.8
Tristan Gallichan 137.2 vs. Malik Lewis 136.6
Danilo Diez 139.6 vs. Adam Hach 134.4
Zayveon Mitchell 121.6 vs. Jose Fernandez 120

Venue: Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida
Promoter: Boxlab Promotions
TV: DAZN

Josniel Castro 153 vs. Denzel Whitley 153
Kevin Nagle (266 vs. Jake Paradise 248
Dan Docimo 148 vs. Jaequez Jones 142
Edwine Humaine, Jr. 156 vs. Jimmy Williams 152
Khiary Gray 156 vs. Daniel Sostre 160
Justin Laporte 150 vs. Rakim Johnson 155
Jhon Devers Rodriguez 160 vs. Tymar Miles 156
Adrian Valdez Reyes 150 vs. Tracey Coppedge 157

Venue: DCU Event Center in Worcester, Massachusetts
Promoter: Granite Chin Promotions
TV: Bxngtv.com

By David Finger

In a stunning development at the 37th Annual World Boxing Organization Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel has elected not to seek reelection as President of the WBO as has announced his retirement. With elections slatted for this year, many boxing insiders assumed that Valcarcel would seek another term as head of the organization. But Valcarcel, who has been part of the WBO since 1994 and was first elected President in 1996, had kept his cards close to his chest in the days leading up to today’s announcement. In an interview with the Puerto Rican newspaper “El Nuevo Dia” two days ago Valcarcel indicated he was undecided about his future.

“I am thinking about it,” was all he said when asked by “El Nuevo Dia” if he was planning to run again.

However, at the convention, when the ballots were released and showed two names on the ballot for President, with one of them being Valcarcel, the assumption was that “Paco” was seeking one more term. But at the start of the event, Valcarcel let the attendees that he was withdrawing his candidacy and retiring. Continue reading “WBO President Paco Valcarcel steps down”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten elongated southpaw prospect Kaishu Harada (5-0, 2 KOs; amateur 49-14), 125, proved too fast and elusive for ex-OPBF champ Pete Apolinar (17-6-1, 10 KOs), 125.75, winning a shutout decision (all 80-72) over eight lopsided rounds on Saturday (October 26) in Tokyo, Japan. The 5’10” lefty Harada, former silver medal winner in the national amateur tournaments in 2022 prior to his entry into the paid ranks, swept all rounds with great ease despite the veteran Filipino’s inaccurate wild swings that he perfectly averted with his faster footwork. Kaishu, 24, formerly the team captain of Komazawa university boxing club, may zoom up soon by defeating OPBF#9 Apolinar so one-sidedly. Continue reading “Unbeaten Harada shuts out ex-OPBF champ Apolinar”

Local favorite Rene Santiago (13-4, 9 KOs) of Puerto Rico defeated Ricardo Astuvilca (23-3, 5 KOs) of Peru by ten round unanimous decision on Wednesday night at the Coliseo Alcalde Marcelo Trujillo Panisse in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Santiago was in control early but Astuvilca was very game and fought well in the middle rounds Astuvilca was cut in round six by an accidental headbutt. During a heated exchange in round seven, Astuvilca hurt his right arm after landing a punch to the head of Santiago. The ringside doctor checked on his arm before the start of round eight and ruled him fit to continue. The last two rounds had multiple heated exchanges with Santiago getting the better of them. The official scores in the end were 98-92 and 100-90 twice, all in favor to Santiago, who won the WBO NABO light flyweight title. Continue reading “Santiago decisions Astuvilca in Puerto Rico”

WBO considers a return to Russia

By David Finger

Day three of the 37th Annual WBO Convention continued with an unexpected award ceremony as Craig Houk , founder of the Indiana Boxing Hall of Fame, presented an award recognizing WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel. From there the WBO presented a short video on the partnership between WBO Kids Drug Free and Jake Paul’s non-profit foundation Boxing Bullies. The video also highlighted the work done by the WBO to help fund the opening of numerous gyms in Puerto Rico. A motion was then made and voted on to allow the WBO to donate, or join funds, with Paul’s foundation to create 20,000 scholarships. The money, which was matched by Paul’s foundation, was unanimously approved by the board and earned a special message of support from Vice President John Duggan. Valcarcel also personally donated an additional $10,000 of his personal funds to the scholarship foundation. Continue reading “37th Annual WBO Convention – Day 3”

By Boxing Bob Newman

The 18th annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will take place this Saturday, November 2 at the Earth Convention Center inside the Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT.

This year’s inductees include:

• Gary Balletto – Lightweight & Jr. Welterweight, star on Season 2 of The Contender
• Luis Rosa, Jr. – Super Bantamweight & Featherweight contender (Posthumously)
• Frank Lombardi – Judge
• George Phillips – Judge, Referee, Time Keeper
• Hector Rosario – Trainer
• Mike Mazzuli – Administrator, Commissioner

Mykquan Williams will be named Connecticut pro fighter of the year, while Troy Moore will be named amateur
fighter of the year.

Former four-time heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield will be the featured guest of honor.

By David Finger

Day two of the 37th Annual WBO Convention kicked off Tuesday morning at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico and after the attendees introduced themselves business kicked off with some special guest speakers. After the opening ceremony, roll call, introductions and the invocation, the WBO presented a short video honoring some of the notable WBO members who passed away since the last convention. Alfonso Munera Cabas passed await at the age of 96 on December 21, 2023 in Cartagena, Colombia. He was the first vice president of the WBO and was a “fundamental part of the beginnings and growth of the organization” according the a statement made by the WBO on Twitter/X back in December. His loss was deeply felt by all members of the WBO, having emerged as a familiar face at the conventions. Continue reading “37th Annual WBO Convention – Day 2”

Sad to report the passing of heavyweight Alonzo “Big Zo” Butler at the age of 44. According to the Knox News, Butler’s daughter Jazlyn confirmed the news. Big Zo compiled a pro record of 34-3-2, 25 KOs. His last fight was on August 28, 2021, a decision win against Brandon Spencer. RIP.

WBC flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs) has penned new promotional deal ahead of his November 9 clash with Pedro Guevara (42-4-1 22 KOs) at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, seen worldwide on DAZN.

“I have to get past this fight first,” said Rodriguez, “but the goal is to go for undisputed in 2025. I’m taking this fight as seriously as ever, training my ass off like any other fight, we’re going to handle business and then we can talk about 2025.”

By Mauricio Sulaimán
President of the WBC – Son of José Sulaimán

Sad week for Mexican and world sports. One of the greatest baseball players in history, Fernando Valenzuela, has passed away. A great pitcher, a great human being who is now eternal.

Fernando Valenzuela finally rests in peace. These were days of great uncertainty with a lot of concern about fake news and no real information. We pray that God provides consolation and support for his wife Linda, Fernando Jr., and all the family and friends who are going through this difficult time.

Valenzuela achieved what very few do, becoming an idol and impressing a city, state, country, and world with his fabled performances. When Valenzuela pitched, Los Angeles paused, froze, and nothing else mattered. That was called, Fernandomania! Millions of people tell with melancholy, happiness, indelible memories and tears for what The Truly Great Valenzuela meant in their lives.

Even though the Major Leagues did not enthrone him in the Hall of Fame, he is, without doubt, as valuable or more so than any of those who are in Cooperstown for eternity. Continue reading “Goodbye “Toro” Valenzuela”

Unbeaten lightweight prospect Alejandro “El Abusador” Paulino (18-0, 14 KOs) takes on Toka “T-Nice” Kahn (29-3, 19 KOs) on November 2nd at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The bout headlines a 12-bout card presented by CES Boxing.

Toka Kahn: “Who did he beat? I don’t know anybody that he beat. I’m a student of the game and I do my homework.”

Alejandro Paulino: “I can ask you the same question. Who did you beat? Every time you stepped up, you lost, so you haven’t beaten anyone yet.”

By David Finger

Day one of the 37th Annual WBO Congress kicked off Monday morning with the San Juan based boxing sanctioning body coming back home to Puerto Rico, the second time in three years that the WBO elected to stay home for their convention.

This year’s convention, dubbed “Rise of the Heavyweights” is taking place at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Carolina, and the venue is working closely with All Star Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions as they host the WO “Noche De Campeones” fight card on October 30th, the third day of the convention. A press conference for the Noche De Campeones card kicked off at 11:00, and the day concluded with a quick trip across the island to the Hacienda San Miguel, where WBO members were able to enjoy some music and eat some traditional Puerto Rican cuisine. Continue reading “37th Annual WBO Congress underway”

By David Finger

Boxing has been going through something of a revival in New Mexico in 2024 and November may end up being on of the most exciting months in recent memory for fight fans in the Land of Enchantment. Two exciting boxing cards will be held simultaneously on November 9th in different parts of the state. Continue reading “Monster month of Boxing to hit the Southwest”

Wins JBC 140lb mandatory shot

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

This reporter has been an avid reader of British Boxing News for some half a century. I like their enthusiasm in hot encounters of unbeaten compatriots, that is, Briton versus Briton, if not internationally focused. We saw such a locally sensational matchup of unbeaten super lightweights that vied in a Japanese eliminator against the national champ. JBC#2 Mikyo Watarai (6-0, 4 KOs; amateur 77-15, 19 stoppages), 139.5, very impressively accelerated his attack to score a fine TKO victory over JBC#1 hard-puncher Kotaro Sekine (9-1-1, 8 KOs; amateur 18-20, 5 KOs), 140, at 1:49 of the fourth round in a scheduled eight on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. It was a short but sizzling affair. Continue reading “Unbeaten Watarai halts Sekine”

360 Promotions has announced a 10-round main event between undefeated middleweight Sadriddin Akhmedov (14-0, 12 KOs) of Almaty, Kazakhstan now residing in Santa Monica, CA and Battle-Tested Veteran Raphael ‘Trouble’ Igbokwe (17-5, 7 KOs), of Houston, TX set for Friday, December 13 at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California and broadcast globally on UFC Fightpass.

“We were very impressed by Sadriddin Akhmedov’s Hollywood Fight Nights debut on August 31, scoring an impressive first round knockout,” said Tom Loeffler, President of 360 Promotions. “Prior to turning professional he was part of the Kazak National Boxing Team and earned a wealth of accolades as an amateur.”

Reigning WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (46-1, 30 KOs) says he’s extremely proud to headline the inaugural “Latino Night” as part of Riyadh Season against WBO titleholder Chris “The Gentleman” Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KOs) on November 16th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith will be streamed live on DAZN, as well as broadcast for free on several television networks around the world. Continue reading “Zurdo Ramirez Update”

Ramon Arellano (Arellano Boxing Promotions) presents another night of boxing November 21st in Nashville, Tennessee at his popular San Jose Fiesta Mexican Restaraunt. The 6 round light heavyweight main event will see former 2020 Olympian Nalek Korbaj (2-0, 2 KOs) of Venezuela vs veteran Twon Smith (4-12, 3 KOs) of Oklahoma. Continue reading “Boxing back in Nashville Nov 21”

A world title fight will top the latest installment of the Monte-Carlo Showdown at Salle Des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo on Saturday December 14, shown live worldwide on DAZN. Uzbekistan’s former IBF and WBA super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9 KOs) attempts to become a two-time world champion when he takes on Mexican knockout artist Ricardo Espinoza Franco (30-4, 25 KOs) for the interim WBA super bantamweight title.

Also, Brazilian amateur star turned 5-0 professional Beatriz Ferreira makes the first defense of her IBF lightweight title against France’s former European Champion Licia Boudersa (23-2-2, 4 KOs), and British cruiserweight champion Chev Clarke (10-0, 7 KOs) clashes with unbeaten Frenchman Leonardo Mosquea (15-0, 9 KOs) for the vacant EBU European title.