Fightnews.com

Atif Oberlton 174.8 vs. Joaquin Berroa 173
(WBA Continental Americas light heavyweight title)

Quadir Albright 147.6 vs. Damian Rodriguez 146.6
Shannel Butler 132.2 vs. Ella Duckworth 131.2
Devon Young 214 vs. Calvin Barnett 270
Jorge Moracen 167.8 vs. Tariq Green 168
Colby Madison 250.6 vs. Ali Ellis 220.4
(NBA regional title)
Kayla Hracho 115.6 vs. Ayesha Green 114.6

Venue: Live! Casino Hotel Philadelphia
Promoter: King’s Promotiona
Stream: BXNGTV.com (Marc Abrams and Claudia Trejos on the call) 1st Bell: 7 PM ET

Photo by Marc Abrams / King’s Promotions

Omar Trinidad 125.8 vs. Mike Plania 125
Mizuki Hiruta 114.2 vs. Maribel Ramirez 113.8
Ali Akhmedov 167.2 vs. Malcolm Jones 168.6
Roxy Verduzco 127.2 vs. Lindsey Ellis 129.8
Adan Palma 120.8 vs. Sharone Carter 122
Gloria Mungilla 106.8 vs. Brook Sibrian 108
Kevin Anton 153 vs. Cameron Krael 153
Alexander Gueche 119.6 vs. Lito Dante 116
Tayden Beltran 134.6 vs. Eugene Lagos 134.6

Venue: Commerce Casino, Commerce, California
Promoter: 360 Promotions
TV: UFC Fightpass

Weights/Photo: Boxing Bob Newman

Eric Draper 153.2 vs Rakim Johnson 154.8
Jackson Rhodes 171.4 vs Tyrrell Evans 171.4
James Tanksley 253.4 vs Jalyn Anthony 217.2
Jacob Miller 165 vs Eric Hadley 166.5
Dedrick Bell 149.5 vs Izale Kimble 149.4
Hunter Turbyfill 125.2 vs N’dira Spearman 122.8
Terrance Reed 156.5 vs Sirarminius Williams 158
Dyron Words 160 vs Aaron Anderson 160.8

Venue: Renasant Convention Center
Commission: Tennessee Athletic Commission
Event: Bourbon & Boxing
Promoter: Billy Blea (ITK Boxing Promotions & Southpaw Boxing Promotions) Matt Young (Tri-Star Boxing Promotions)
Matchmakers: Billy Blea, Melvin Davis, Matt Young

Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing will celebrate the 50th Event Anniversary of its acclaimed Rockin’ Fights series on Thursday, February 13 at The Paramount in Huntington, New York.“ Headlining Rockin’ Fights 50, former WBO light heavyweight world champion Joe ‘The Common Man” Smith Jr. (28-5, 22 KOs), of Long Island, NY will make his return to The Paramount in a ten-round cruiserweight fight against an opponent to be announced.

The war of words between IBO champions Ricardo Malajika and Jackson Chauke stole the show on Thursday when powerhouse South African promotions company Golden Gloves unveiled its first quarter plans for 2025.

At the Johannesburg press conference, Malajika presented Chauke with a dummy and baby blanket, mocking him, while Chauke warned Malajika about being disrespectful. Malajika, the IBO super flyweight champion, will step down in weight to challenge for Chauke’s IBO flyweight belt at “Palace Pandemonium” on March 1, the first-ever showdown between two reigning IBO titleholders. Continue reading “Busy start to 2025 for SA’s Golden Gloves”

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

I was privileged to be present for the Inaugural Ring Magazine Annual awards. During this trip, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with HE Turki Alalshikh and I am extremely impressed and enthused to understand some of his points of view and priorities in boxing. His position with regards to PED testing is strong and is completely in line with the WBC Clean Boxing Program. Also, his determination to support new upcoming talent will open the horizon to the so many young fighters just looking for an opportunity to shine and conquer glory.

For many years and decades, the world of boxing has dreamed of having a ceremony like the presentation of the famous Oscar statuette, which is handled in the world of cinematography, the famous Oscars.

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh made that dream come true last Saturday, January 11, in London, England. Continue reading “The Evolution of Boxing”

‘King’ Callum Walsh, (12-0, 10 KOs), of Cork, Ireland and ‘Deadly’ Dean Sutherland, (19-1, 7 KOs), of Aberdeen, Scotland were welcomed by a very large gathering of New York City media for their Launch Press Conference in Mid-Town Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon. Walsh will defend his WBC Continental Americas  super welterweight title for the third time on Sunday, March 16, 2025 in the 10-round main event at The Theater at Madison Square Garden and broadcast globally on UFC Fightpass.

Callum Walsh: “The only way you’re going to headline a show like this is if you’re fighting and both of us are going to put on a show for the fans. His style is very aggressive and my style is very aggressive and we will meet in the middle of the ring.”

Dean Sullivan: “This will be my first time fighting in the United States and it’s in a great matchup in an amazing venue. I know that there will be a huge crowd of Irish boxing fans on March 16 but I’m coming to win, take the title home and keep my winning streak alive.”

King’s Promotions kicks off 2025 with a world title bout at the El Paso County Coliseum on Saturday, February 22. In the main event, Stephanie Han (9-0, 2 KOs) faces Hannah Terlep (5-1, 2 KOs) for the vacant WBA female lightweight title. Han’s older sister Jennifer won the IBF featherweight title in 2015 and made 5 straight defenses before losing her belt in 2021 to Katie Taylor in a unification match.

Another hometown favorite will be in action in the co-feature, as unbeaten middleweight prospect Jorge Tovar (10-0, 7 KOs) takes on Juan Francisco Barajas (9-2, 5 KOs).

WBA #9 super lightweight Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte (28-2-1, 22 KOs) will face former two-time super lightweight world champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (29-3, 24 KOs) in a 12-round super lightweight bout. Scheduled for Saturday, February 15, the event is presented in association with Cancun Boxing and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN. The card will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

OTX, Overtime Boxing, and Top Rank announced today that they will co-promote Team USA amateur standout Julius “JuJu” Ballo. It’s the first co-promotional pact between the promoters, who will collaborate in guiding Ballo’s in-ring development and burgeoning social media profile. The San Diego-born Ballo, who is managed by James Prince, will turn pro as a featherweight and debut on a to-be-announced OTX card.

The World Boxing Council (WBC) has ordered cruiserweight champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-1, 19 KOs) to make his mandatory title defense against WBC #1 rated Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1-1, 19 KOs). If the two camps do not successfully negotiate a deal, the WBC will hold a purse bid on February 4th, after which Jack vs. Rozicki must happen within 60 days. Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions Promotions, immediately sent Team Jack an offer last week to promote the fight in Canada.

“We’re waiting to hear their counteroffer,” explained promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions. “Boxing has had a huge resurgence in Canada and Ryan is leading the way. He is one of the most exciting and hardest hitters in boxing, definitely in the cruiserweight division. He wants the green WBC belt and, ultimately, to unify the division. Ryan will fight Jack anywhere for the belt.” Continue reading “WBC orders Jack-Rozicki”

Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, 36, announced his retirement today via a short video on social media.

“Hi everybody! I’m going to make this short and sweet. I would like to announce my retirement from boxing. It’s been a blast. I’ve loved every single minute of it, and I am going to end with this. Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody. See you on the other side,” stated Fury.

The Gypsy King had been expected to face Anthony Joshua later this year in an all-British showdown.

Notes: Fury has retired before and then returned to the ring, so we’ll see if this retirement sticks…Turpin was a notorious British highway robber. The expression Dick Turpin wore a mask usually alludes to someone who feels robbed or cheated in some way.

The IBF has ordered Subriel Matias and Gabriel Valenzuela, ranked #5 and #6 respectively in the IBF jr. welterweight ratings, to begin negotiations for the IBF jr. welterweight eliminator for the #1 position. The winner of the bout will be the mandatory challenger for the IBF jr. welterweight title currently held by Richardson Hitchins. Negotiations should be concluded by January 26.

“I’m giving you the Trinidad Show. blood, sweat and entertainment!”

By Miguel Maravilla

WBC Continental Americas featherweight champion Omar Trinidad (17-0-1, 12 KO’s) of Boyle Heights, California kicks off his 2025 campaign against tough veteran ‘Magic’ Mike Plania, (31-4, 18 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines. Trinidad takes on Plania this Friday night at the Commerce Casino Events Center live on UFC Fightpass.

“I’m just ready to put on a great show for the fans, I’m excited,” Omar Trinidad told FightNews.com®. “It could be a short night, it all depends, what he brings if he wants to go to war or box. We are ready and we are not looking for the knockout, we are staying smart. If the knockout comes it comes.”  Continue reading “Omar Trinidad: It could be a short night”

Popular WBA #9, WBC #10 light heavyweight Richie “Popeye the Sailor Man” Rivera (27-2, 20 KOs) stayed busy with a quick second round knockout against Roger Guerrero (17-9-1, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at the Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts. Eight straight losses for Guerrero. The event was promoted by Rivera Promotions Entertainment in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Unbeaten WBA #9, IBF #13 super middleweight Callum Simpson (16-0, 11 KOs) stopped WBO #12 Steed Woodall (19-3-1, 12 KOs) in the second round to retain his British and Commonwealth titles on Saturday night at the Park Community Arena in Sheffield, England. Simpson dropped Woodall in round two and got a quick referee’s stoppage soon after. Time was 1:56.

A clash between unbeaten WBC female lightweight champion Caroline Dubois (10-0-1, 5 KOs) and Jessica Camara (14-4-1, 3 KOs) ended in a two round technical draw after Camara was cut by an accidental head clash. Dubois was dominating before the unfortunate end.

Korean Ye-Joon Kim named as emergency substitute

By Joe Koizumi

WBO, IBF mandatory challenger, Aussie Sam Goodman eventually became a calamity to defending champ Naoya Inoue as well as all Japanese boxing fans on Friday. He suffered a cut at the left optic to cancel his shot at “Monster” Inoue on December 24 and AGAIN the postponed date January 24.

Promoter Hideyuki Ohashi, however, has quickly announced WBO#11 Korean Ye-Joon Kim (21-2-2, 13 KOs) will be an urgent substitute for Goodman who needed a surgery of four stitches. The show will take place as planned at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on January 24. The substitute Kim’s nickname is “Troublemaker,” but Kim may give his name to Goodman.

Heavyweight Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh (15-2-1, 13 KOs) won his 10th fight in a row in last night’s “EQC Fight Night” in the EQC Event Center at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington. Ibeh, 31, hasn’t lost since 2021. The former Canadian pro football player used his 70-pound advantage over Scott Alexander (17-7-2, 9 KOs) in the main event, trapping his opponent on the ropes, causing a pair of knockdowns. The latter closed the show at 2:36 of the first round for his second straight opening-round stoppag. Ibeh, who is a native of Nigeria who lives in Phoenix, entered the ring as the WBC Latino silver Heavyweight Champion and left with the vacant WBC Latino title.

WBA Continental super featherweight champion Austin Brooks (13-0-1, 6 KOs) successfully defended his title with an eighth-round stoppage of Rosalindo Morales (10-2, 2 KOs) in the co-featured event. The WBA #15 rated Brooks, fighting out of San Diego, controlled the pace from the opening bell and he hurt Morales with a vicious left hook to the body. Morales took a knee and beat the referee’s count, until another body shot ended the fight at 1:04 of round eight.

WBO President Gustavo Olivieri has announced that he is recommending an interim title at junior welterweight due to champion Teofimo Lopez who is sidelined due to ongoing battle with promoter Top Rank.

Gustavo Olivieri: “In light of the uncertainty regarding Teofimo Lopez’s career, it is in the best interest of boxing and the 140lb division, recommending to the WBO Championship Committee that Barboza-Catterall be sanctioned for the interim title and mandatory subject to specific conditions and time frame to fight Lopez to terminate the interim champion status and have only one world champion in the 140lb [division]. The show must go on.”

WBC interim light heavyweight champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez held a Las Vegas media workout on Thursday before his showdown with fellow unbeaten star David Morrell Jr. on Saturday, February 1 on a Prime Video pay-per-view event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

David Benavidez: “I’ve been in big fights since I was 20-years-old, so to be out there representing the Mexican and Mexican-American people on this stage, it’s everything I’ve wanted out of this sport. I have to show people that I’m the real ‘Mexican Monster’…the way I fight, I always try to take my opponents out. It doesn’t mean you always get it, but we’re definitely going to be pushing for it. David Morrell has made it personal for me. I’m glad he’s confident in himself. It’s all speculation until we get in there. On February 1, I’ll show why I’m at this level…right now I’m 100% focused on February 1. After that we can talk about getting all of those light heavyweight belts.”

On November 14, 2024, Vasyl Lomachenko requested and was granted a 60-day medical extension that will expire on January 11, 2025, pursuant to rule 5.D.3 of the IBF rules governing championship contests. On the same day, the IBF received a medical report from Dr. Nelson, N.T on behalf of Lomachenko indicating that he would be unable to compete by the time that his medical extension expires on January 11, 2025. Following, Lomachenko requested a medical exception on January 2, 2025.

The IBF Directors met and determined that Lomachenko’s exception request shall be granted with the following conditions:

1. The IBF will order #2 ranked lightweight contender Zaur Abdulaev to immediately commence negotiations with #4 ranked lightweight contender Raymond Muratalla for the IBF interim lightweight title.
2. Vasyl Lomachenko must defend the IBF lightweight title against the interim champion by October 8, 2025. If the champion is unable to defend the title against the interim champion by the end of the time permitted under the exception, then the interim champion shall become the champion pursuant to Rule 16.E.
3. The IBF will not grant any further requests to delay the mandatory defense of the IBF lightweight title.

Salita Promotions has announced the signing of 6’6 heavyweight Brandon Moore (16-1, 10 KOs). The 2019 Florida Golden Gloves Champion and Bronze medalist at the 2019 Olympic Games trials, will make his Salita Promotions debut against Skylar Lacy (8-0-2, 6 KOs) on Sunday, February 2, in Flint, Michigan, for the vacant USBA title during the “Super Brawl Sunday”, airing live on DAZN. Headlining the card will be hometown hero Claressa Shields colliding against the Danielle Perkins for the undisputed female heavyweight title.

Unbeaten IBF #6, WBC #7 super welterweight ‘King’ Callum Walsh (12-0, 10 KOs), of Cork, Ireland, returns to headline St. Patrick’s Day Weekend at The Theater at Madison Square Garden against ‘Deadly’ Dean Sutherland (19-1, 7 KOs), of Aberdeen, Scotland, in the ten round main event on Sunday, March 16. The 23-year-old Walsh, trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, will be making the third defense of his WBC Continental Americas title. The card can be seen on UFC Fightpass.

IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia (27-0, 21 KOs) retained his title with a devastating fourth round knockout against previously unbeaten David Nyika (10-1, 9 KOs) on Wednesday night at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia. The fight was an exciting slugfest with Opetaia breaking through in the fourth to drop Nyika twice. Time was 2:17. Nyika was on the canvas for a long time but eventually did leave the ring under his own power. Next up for Opetaia will likely be a unification clash with WBA/WBO champion Zurdo Ramirez.

Unbeaten WBO #5, IBF #13, WBC #15 heavyweight contender Justis “JPH” Huni (12-0, 7 KOs) destroyed Shaun Potgieter (10-2, 7 KOs). Huni pounded on Potgieter from the opening bell and got a referee’s stoppage 33 seconds into round two.

A pair of showdowns featuring up-and-coming talent will highlight a two-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup on Saturday, February 1 leading up to the PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video headlined by a clash between light heavyweights David “El Monstro” Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The live-streaming of prelims action will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT and be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card it leads into.

The streaming presentation will feature undefeated Olympian featherweight Mirco Cuello (14-0, 11 KOs) taking on Christian Olivo (22-1-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight matchup, plus WBA #1-ranked middleweight contender Yoenli Feliciano Hernandez (6-0, 6 KOs) stepping in against Angel Ruiz (18-3-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round duel that opens up the live stream.