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By Boxing Bob Newman

Day 3 of the WBA 99th convention, virtual version, commenced at 10:00 a.m., ET. The seminar topics were Challenges in Boxing, Boxing & Gender Equality and Olympic Boxing.

CHALLENGES IN BOXING

International journalist Claudia Trejo interviewed Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn and WBA president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza on the logistics of getting boxing back on its feet during this pandemic. While admitting that the difficulties are huge in getting boxing to return, Hearn felt that the promoters have a great product and the sport will return to its former luster.

Hearn also felt that in the UK, boxing will return back to “normal” with crowds, be that indoor or outdoor, full capacity or 50% capacity. That will remain to be seen.

“What we need is quality to bring the fans back. If we don’t have the ring walks, the crowd noise, we need to have quality match-ups.”

“We come from a sport where the powers that be don’t particularly like each other. But we have to work with each other. I think that hopefully, what’s happened in the world will make people want to work together.” Continue reading “WBA convention Day 3 Notes & Quotes”

MTK Global has announced three MTK Fight Night events later this summer. The events will be held behind closed doors at the LS-LIVE in Wakefield, UK, and will be broadcast in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and worldwide on IFL TV.

The first show takes place on Tuesday, August 11 as world title challenger Jono Carroll (18-1-1, 4 KOs) squares off with the always-entertaining Maxi Hughes (20-5-2, 4 KOs) at 133lbs.

The second event will happen on Tuesday, August 25 and sees unbeaten Lewis Crocker (11-0, 6 KOs) against Louis Greene (12-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBO European welterweight title.

The third event goes down on Tuesday, September 1 and is headlined by a British and Commonwealth super lightweight title fight between Akeem Ennis Brown (13-0, 1 KO) and Philip Bowes (20-3 3 KOs).

World ranked featherweight contender Miguel “The Scorpion” Marriaga (29-3 26 KO’s) of Arjona, Colombia will return to the ESPN platform on Thursday, July 16th live from the MGM Conference Center Bubble. Marriaga is coming off a 6th round TKO win this past December over Alfredo Mejia, which continued his four fight knockout streak coming into this fight.

Marriaga is the first known Colombian athlete who has been able to travel into the U.S to compete due to all the travel restrictions put in place in Colombia, where the airports are closed until further notice as a result of Covid19. Continue reading “Miguel Marriaga returns July 16 on ESPN”

Two-division world champion Jose “The Sniper” Pedraza (27-3, 13 KOs) scored a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over former 140-pound world title challenger Mikkel LesPierre (22-2-1, 10 KOs) in a junior welterweight bout on Thursday night inside “The Bubble” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. LesPierre was on the canvas in round five and round ten. Scores were 100-88, 99-89, 99-89.

In round five, LesPierre was credited with a knockdown against Pedraza, then moments later Pedraza dropped LesPierre. After the round, instant replay was used and officials ruled the knockdown LesPierre scored was a trip. Continue reading “Ex-champ Pedraza dominates LesPierre”

By Héctor Villarreal

After spending 7 days hospitalized for Covid-19, Roberto “Hands of Stone” Durán was released from San Fernando Hospital in Panamá City on Thursday afternoon.

“I have no words to thank the medical personnel for all of their care, kindness, respect, and love that they demonstrated to me. They really saved my life,” said Durán, while leaving the hospital in half the usual time.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez (4-1, 3 KOs) got his revenge against Adan Gonzales (5-3-2, 2 KOs) in a featherweight six-rounder on Thursday night inside “The Bubble” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Ramirez outboxed Gonzales all the way to win a unanimous decision by scores of 60-54 3x. Last August Gonzales shocked the boxing world when he upset Ramirez in his pro debut.

“I wanted to put our first fight behind me, and I did that,” said Ramirez. “Ever since our first fight, I wanted the rematch. I am glad this chapter of my career is behind me now. A couple more rounds and I could’ve scored the knockout. But I’ll take the win and continue to work hard on my craft. I have the best trainer in Ismael Salas.” Continue reading “Ramirez avenges loss to Gonzales”

By Héctor Villarreal

Panamanian Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno will face Yohan “La Fiera” Vasquez from the Dominican Republic, for the vacant featherweight Gold title of the World Boxing Association (WBA), announced Moreno’s wife and promoter, Rouss Laguna.

“The contracts of both boxers have already been signed and the fight will take place without an audience, due to the situation of the Coronavirus” said Laguna.

“Both sides agreed to fight on Saturday, October 24, but always obeying the commands and directions of the authorities about COVID-19, so we don’t discard moving the date for November if it is necessary” the promoter added. Continue reading “Moreno vs Vásquez announced in Panama”