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By Joe Koizumi

Serving as a bridge between Japan and US for six decades, Norihiko “Nori” Takatani, 84, a long-time residing Japanese in Los Angeles, passed away of kidney disease there on Thursday. Nori, while managing his Anzen Hardware shop, at first got involved in boxing business in association with Japanese promoter Masaki Kanehira who handled such world champions as Hiroyuki Ebihara and Shozo Saijo in 1960’s. Ebihara defeated Alacran Efren Torres twice and Saijo beat Raul Rojas twice to wrest his WBA featherweight belt—all in Los Angeles. Nori Takatani assisted their campaigns as a US agent communicating with Aileen Eaton and George Parnassus.

Nori more deeply participated in boxing business, and became the manager of WBA junior middleweight champ Oscar “Shotgun” Alvarado and WBA, WBC super feather kingpin Genaro Hernandez. Genaro’s brother Rudy, who also used be Nori’s boxer under his wing, has been handling WBC bantam titlist Junto Nakatani from the beginning of his unblemished career. Nori closed his Anzen shop last year and was recently hospitalized at a nursing institution. He was a nice guy loved by everybody. May his soul rest in peace.

Richardson Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) dethroned IBF junior welterweight champion Liam Paro (25-1, 15 KOs) by twelve round split decision on Saturday night at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Hitchins outboxed Paro and pulled away to a 117-111 Paro, 116-112, 116-112 Hitchins.

IBF #4 junior lightweight Henry Lebron (20-0 10 KOs) outscored WBA #7 Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (29-6 19 KOs) over ten rounds in a bout for the vacant IBF Latino, WBO NABO and WBA Continental Latin America titles. Scores were 97-93, 97-93, 96-94.

WBA #3, WBC #9, WBO #11 flyweight and Puerto Rican Olympian Yankiel Rivera (7-0, 3 KOs) stopped Angel Gonzalez in round four in a bout for the vacant WBC Silver, WBA Continental Americas and WBO Intercontinental flyweight titles.

Lightweight Marc Castro (13-1, 8 KOs) suffered his first loss, dropping a ten round split decision against Agustin Quintana (21-1-2, 13 KOs). Scores were 97-93, 97-93 for Quintana, 96-94 for Castro.

Welterweight Jalil Hackett (9-1, 7 KOs) also came up short, losing a ten round split decision to Jose Roman Vazquez (14-1, 6 KOs). Scores were 96-94, 96-94 for Vazquez, 96-94 for Hackett.

WBC #1 cruiserweight Ryan Rozicki (20-1-1, 19 KOs) and #2 rated Yamil Peralta (17-1-1, 9 KOs) battled to a twelve round draw in a clash for the vacant WBC interim title on Saturday night at the Centre 200 in Nova Scotia, Canada. Former world title challenger Rozicki pressed the action and did damage to the body while Peralta fought defensively. Despite his left eye being closed, Rozicki landed some big shots in round eleven. Scores were 115-113 Rozicki, 114-114, 114-114.

The pair have now fought a total of 24 hard fought rounds in their two bouts. The only winning scorecard in this bout was in favor to Rozicki 115-113 while the other two judges had it even 114-114. Rozicki’s promoter Dan Otter (Three Lions Promotions) thought his guy (the puncher) beat Peralta (the boxer) at his own game. “Ryan outboxed the boxer” stated Otter.

Rozicki previously edged Peralta by controversial decision two years ago, but this time Rozicki landed the harder shots and seemed to be the winner.

Unbeaten Sam Arnold(11-0, 7 KOs) scored a highlight reel second round knockout of previously unbeaten Julian Delgado (4-1, 1 KO) to win the vacant WBC youth intercontinental super middleweight title.

In a rematch, WBO junior lightweight champion Emanuel Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs) defends his strap against former two-division king Oscar Valdez (32-3, 24 KOs) on Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Glendale, Arizona. Navarrete dropped Valdez in round one with a shot to the temple. Another knockdown by Navarrete at the end of round four. The end came in round six when Navarrete floored Valdez again with a body shot. Time was 2:42.

In another rematch, WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza (27-0, 23 KOs) scored a sudden sixth round TKO over Robeisy Ramirez (14-3, 9 KOs) to retained his belt. Espinoza connected with a right hand to the head and Ramirez indicated that he could no longer continue. Time was :12. Ramirez corner cited an Espinoza elbow in round four gave him double vision and he couldn’t go on.

U.S. Olympic super heavyweight silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (12-0, 11 KOs) was again impressive, getting a third round referee’s stoppage against Issac Muñoz (18-2-1, 15 KOs).

Welterweight contender Giovani Santillan (33-1, 18 KOs) mauled Fredrick Lawson (30-6, 22 KOs) for three minutes and Lawson called it quits at the end of round one.

Unbeaten junior welterweight contender Lindolfo Delgado (22-0, 15 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO against Jackson Marinez (22-4, 10 KOs).

The 12 round main event saw former world title challenger Denzel Bentlely (21-3-1,17 KOs) decision Brad Pauls (19-2-1,11 KOs) at the Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom. It was a good scrap with both having their moments. Bentley had a break through in round 10 when a hard jab to the eye saw Pauls awkwardly go to canvas in pain by the punch. Pauls would beat the count but Bentely pounced on him looking to stop him. Pauls would surivive the round but Bentley was in hot pursuit until the bouts end. The judges cards were 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 all to Bentley who retained his WBO int middleweight title and won the British and European middleweight titles.

Unbeaten Ben Crocker(14-0, 2 KOs) of the UK once again defeated Stelios Papadopoulos (15-2-2, 5 KOs) of Greece Saturday night at the Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, Essex, in the United Kingdom. The pair fought in an exciting bout this past April edged by Crocker by decision. Crocker once again turned back the challenge of Papadopoulos winning a close unanimous decision on the cards and the vacant IBF European Super Lightweight title. The official scorecards were 97-93, 96-95, and 96-94 all in favor to Crocker. John Clark (Top Tier Boxing) promoted the event

WBA #7 rated Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs) dethroned WBA “regular” world champion Mahmoud “Diamond Boy” Charr (34-5, 20 KOs) by twelve round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Arena Sophia in Sofia, Bulgaria. Pulev got the jab going early and outworked Charr in a good action fight. Scores were 117-111, 117-111, 116-112. The third time was the charm for the 43-year-old hometown favorite Pulev, who previously challenged twice for world titles.

On Sunday, December 8, at the Suleiman Al-Darrat Complex in Benghazi, Libya, promoter Nageb Il-khashme of the Ajyalona Foundation will return for “Legends Night 2” Championship Boxing.

In the 12-round main event, Libya native Saad Fathi Saad (5-1, 3 KOs) now of Les Mureaux, Yvelines, France will take a significant early-career jump up in class to face Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s Charles Manyuchi (29-4-1, 18 KOs) for the WBA Gold junior heavyweight world championship. Continue reading “Boxing back in Libya on Sunday”

By Ron Jackson

Coming off a defeat in his last fight South Africa’s Roarke Knapp (69.65kg) returned to action in style when he stopped the experienced 36-year-old Filipino Adonis Cabalquinto (68.09kg) in the third round of a scheduled ten-rounder at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Friday night. The time was 2 minutes and 7 seconds into the round. Continue reading “Knapp stops Cabalquinto in three rounds.”

By Boxing Bob Newman

Delegates have already begin to arrive in Hamburg, Germany for the 62nd Annual WBC Convention. Originally planned for November, organizers made the move to December so that attendees could enjoy the historic and beautiful Christmas festivities and decorations for which Hamburg is world famous.

Champions past and present are expected to attended including Michael Spinks, Julio Cesar Chavez, Evander Holyfield, Prince Naseem Hamed, Melvin Jerusalem, Lennox Lewis, Brian Mitchell, Miguel Cotto, Cecelia Braekhus, O’Shaquie Foster, Alfonso Zamora, Carlos Zarate, Marcel Dominguez, Adonis Stevenson, Javier Castillejo, Billy Dib, Amir Khan and many others.

Of course there will be business of the day, every day with the medical seminar, ring officials, ratings and mandatory defenses to discuss. And it goes without saying, the grand opening and awards banquet ceremonies are a spectacle unto themselves! The convention will run from December 8-14 and take place at the host hotel Grand Elysée Hamburg.

By Boxing Bob Newman

Ring 8 and the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) has announced it’s list of inductees for the class of 2025 and the 13th Annual Induction Ceremonies.

Fighters:
Sadam Ali
Chris Algieri
Alicia Ashley
Danny Giovanelli
Sonya Lamonakis
Cindy Serrano
Adolfo Viruet
Mitch Green

Fighters (Posthumous):
Corporal Izzy Schwartz
Pedro Montanez
Tony Janiro
Gino Gelormino
Joe Glick
Carmine Fiore

Non-Participants:
Pat Russo
Wally Matthews
Willie Dunn
Kathy Clancy Burke
Julio Salinas
Andre Rozier
Billy Giles
Eddie Claudio

Non-Participants (Posthumous):
Jimmy O’Pharrow
Mike Marley
Jack Singer
Lew Burston

The event will take place on March 23rd, 2025 at the beautiful Russo’s On The Bay, 162-45 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY.

Ben Crocker of the UK and Stelios Papadopoulos of Greece will square off for the second time this year. The pair fought in an exciting bout this past April edged by Crocker. Crocker weighed in at 139 and Papadopoulos at 139.8 on Friday. Unlike their first encounter the (vacant) IBF European Super Light will be at stake this time around. Both had to weigh in this morning at 9am local time and not to weigh in more than 10 pounds(150lbs) above the 140 max weight limit. Crocker and Papadopoulos each weighed under 150 pounds this morning. The event will take place at the Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, Essex, in the United Kingdom. John Clark (Top Tier Boxing) will promote with the event being shown on DAZN.

Former IBF light flyweight world champion Adrian Curiel (25-6-1, 5 KOs) of Mexico snapped a two fight losing streak Friday night, defeating a very game Damian Arce (6-3, 4 KOs) of Cuba. The event took place at the Domo Cd. Jardin Bicentenario Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico. Good scrap with two way action. Curiel mounting a body attack from round 1 to the end. Arce was in tremendous shape and never seemed to really slow down but was more outworked by Curiel. The referee deducted a point from Arce in round 7 for pushing down on the head of Curiel during a clinch. Arce had been warned multiple times prior. The official scores of the bout were 98-92 and 97-93 twice, all in favor of Curiel.

Former WBC super flyweight world champ Carlos Cuadras (43-5-1, 28 KOs) returned to ring after more than a year to decision countryman and rugged Juan Ramirez (16-9, 9 KOs) in 8 rounds. The official scorecards were all in favor to Cuadras 80-72 and 78-74 twice.

Julian Vogel 153.7 vs. John Bielenberg 152.8
(WBO Youth Super Welterweight title)

Artur Reis 167.4 vs. Artur Henrik 166.3
(WBA Continental super middleweight title)

Venue: Ballhaus Arena, Aschersleben, Germany
Promoter: SES Boxing
TV: MDR

By Jeff Zimmerman

Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr shared his thoughts on Tyson-Paul, Serrano-Taylor 2, gave his analysis of Fury-Usyk 2 and Benavidez-Morrell plus the fallout of Boots-Ortiz Jr. He talked about his experience on All The Smoke to date and his stacked card Dec. 12 on BLK Prime and much more on this Fightnews.com® exclusive interview.

By Jeff Zimmerman

Light middleweight rising star and 2016 US Olympian Charles “Bad News” Conwell steps back in the ring vs Gerardo Vergara on the Rocha-Curiel undercard Sat, Dec 14, at Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA and live on DAZN. Conwell talked about his career journey and his tragic fight with Patrick Day which led him to become a mental health advocate. He shared his excitement in signing with Golden Boy Promotions with legends Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins in his corner as he pursues his first world title in 2025 and much more in this Fighntews.com® exclusive interview.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Undisputed 122-pound champion Naoya Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) showed a public workout before Japanese press people this Wednesday at Ohashi gym in Yokohama. “Monster” Inoue is scheduled to make a mandatory defense against also unbeaten IBF#1, WBO#1 Sam Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) on Christmas Eve at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. Despite very favorable odds for him why has Naoya been training so strenuously? It is because he doen’t take the Aussie lightly as his father/trainer Shingo wisely says, “A boxer, unbeaten in his career, might have something to respect and for us to be cautious about.” Shingo also said, “Goodman is a good boxer who knows how to win. We will never underestimate him.”

Naoya cooly said, “I would like to show why boxing is so interesting to general people who don’t know boxing so well by scoring a spectacular knockout, and also wish to demonstrate a high standard of boxing on speed and skills for knowledgeable fight fans.” Continue reading “Inoue sharp before Christmas Eve defense”

Mahmoud Charr 255.8 vs. Kubrat Pulev 257.5
(WBA “regular” heavyweight title)

Venue: Arena Sophia, Sophia, Bulgaria
Promoter: Epic Sports & Entertainment
TV: DAZN

Ryan Rozicki 198.1 Yamil Peralta 198
(WBC interim cruiserweight title)

Sam Arnold III 167.9 Julian Delgado 166.8
(WBC Youth Intercontinental super middle title)

Antonio Napolitano 168.6 Brandon brewer 170.2
Brett Beaton 167.9 Javon Blackstock 169.1
Dylan Taylor 146.1 Samuel Arnold 145.3
Kharl Abello 145.5 Shawn Archer 146.6

Venue: Centre 200, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Promoter: Dan Otter (Three Lions Promotions)
TV: PPV

Liam Paro 139.6 vs. Richardson Hitchins 139.8
(IBF junior welterweight title)

Henry Lebron 130vs. Christopher Diaz 129.8
Yankiel Rivera 112 vs. Angel Gonzalez 110.8
Marc Castro 137.2 vs. Agustin Ezequiel Quintana ??
William Ortiz 140 vs. Lionell Omar Colon
Jalil Hackett 147 vs. Jose Roman 145.8
Juan Zayas 117.4 vs. Geraldo Valdez 116.6
Stephanie Pineiro 146.4 vs. Kalindra Faria 139.8
Carlos De Leon 128.2 vs. Jose Guevara 127.4

Venue: Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

Emanuel Navarrete 129.9 vs. Oscar Valdez 130
(WBO junior lightweight title)

Rafael Espinoza 125.7 vs. Robeisy Ramirez 125.6
(WBO featherweight title)

Lindolfo Delgado 139.9 vs. Jackson Marinez 139.2
Richard Torrez Jr. 236.6 vs. Issac Munoz 252.1
Albert Gonzalez 127.2 vs. Gerardo Antonio Perez 127.7
Steven Navarro 115.6 vs. Gabriel Bernardi 115.4
Giovani Santillan 147.9 vs. Fredrick Lawson 146.3
Art Barrera Jr. 149.4 vs. Juan Carlos Campos Medina 149.7
Cesar Morales 136.3 vs. Kevin Mosquera 136.4
DJ Zamora 131.3 vs. Roman Ruben Reynoso 131.9

Venue: Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN

Ari Bonilla 114.2 vs. Nelvis Rodriguez 113.4
(WBA Continental Americas super flyweight title)

Andrey Bonilla 117 vs. Claudio Lavinanza 117.2
(WBA Continental Americas bantamweight title)

Yosdiel Napoles 134.4 vs. Armando Martinez Rabi 134.4
Filip Stankovic 172 vs. Victor Darocha 172
Yoandy Toirac 268 vs. Lateef Kayode 250.8
Jessy Cruz 142 vs. Israel Rojas 138.6
Gavonne Bess 146 vs. Raymond Benavides 138
Evelyn Romo 117.4 vs. Laddy Mejia 118.4
Aaron Aponte 143 vs. Carlos Manuel Portillo 141.4

Venue: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida
Promoter: Kris Lawrence (The Heavyweight Factory)
Matchmaker: Henry Rivalta

Hard stares today as IBF and WBO European super featherweight champion Danny Quartermaine (12-0, 4 KOs) locked eyes with Jack Bateson (20-1, 6 KOs) at the official pre-fight press conference for their clash on Saturday on DAZN from the Canon Medical Centre in Sheffield, England.

Danny Quartermaine: “I’ve said I’m the underdog because that’s my mentality – there’s no favorites here…he’s sounding confident but he’s in for a shock. I’ve had a great training camp and the best man will win on the night – and that’s me.”

Jack Bateson: “I’m a bit fed up with all his talk about him being the underdog. He’s the defending champion, he’s the guy with the belts, he’s the guy with a promotional deal with GBM – all the pressure is on him. I have got nothing to lose.”

Saturday night’s card also features a Commonwealth super featherweight eliminator between Levi Giles and Qais Ashfaq, with the winner going forward to a shot at the belt in his next outing.

WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and WBA super featherweight champion Lamont Roach continued their war of words at an open to the public press conference in Washington, D.C. on Thursday ahead of their lightweight world championship clash that headlines a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video on Saturday, March 1 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Gervonta Davis: “I haven’t been watching his fights too much, but I’ve been in the gym with him and I know how he moves. I’ll get in camp and get up to date on him. I know for sure he’s definitely tough and has sneaky power. He’s had sneaky power since we were kids. We’re gonna figure out what he’s best at, and we’ll take it away from him.”

Lamont Roach: “I can do whatever I want. He’s not doing anything to me. He’s got nothing for me. It’s just me and him. He can’t be worried about these other people.”

Two world title rematches are set to light up The Grand Canyon State, with legacies and redemption on the line.

In the main event, three-division champion Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KOs) defends his WBO junior lightweight world title against former two-division king Oscar Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs) in an all-Mexican clash this Saturday on ESPN from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Emanuel Navarrete: “We all know that we both plan to come out and give a war and leave everything in the ring again. And what better way to do it than by having a co-main event that’s gonna eat things up?…we don’t need much. All we need is for the bell to ring for us to go to war.”

Oscar Valdez: “This is not an easy fight. This is a hard task. But nothing in life that is worth it is going to be easy. It’s always going to be hard. So, we trained hard. I’m excited for this. I’m excited to face the great ‘Vaquero’ once again. It’s going to be a great fight.”

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In the co-feature, Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza (25-0, 21 KOs) defends his WBO featherweight world title against Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs), the man he unseated one year ago to seize the crown.

Rafael Espinoza: “God’s timing is perfect. We waited a bit for the rematch, but now we are here. And like I’ve said since the first fight, I’ve always wanted a rematch. because it was a war where we both gave everything. So, he deserved it, I deserved it, and the people deserved it…yes, we all know about my height advantage, but I also have another advantage, and that’s my heart. So, I’m going to show my heart by giving everything in the ring this Saturday.”

Robeisy Ramirez: “I think that to mention things from the past right now is unnecessary because it sounds like excuses, and I will never give excuses in this sport. Simply put, I think that I learned how you should fight when you’re not at 100% physically and mentally.”