Fightnews.com

By David Finger
Photos: Sumio Yamada

The second day of the 103rd Annual WBA Convention continued Saturday morning at the Caribe Royal Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida with the WBA Directorate Meeting. Carlos Chavez called the meeting and once a quorum was established and the invocation was given by by WBA member Won Kim.

The meeting started with a video giving a summary of the WBA fights in late 2023 and 2024 and the numerous fights in the various regional organizations. With over 400 fights in over 70 countries (featuring over 700 fighters), the WBA remained one of the busiest organizations in boxing. Continue reading “WBA Day Two Convention Report”

In an astonishing upset, unheralded Bruno Surace (26-0-2, 5 KOs) knocked out WBC #2, WBO #3, WBA #4, IBF #5 super middleweight contender Jaime Munguia (44-2, 35 KOs) on Saturday night at the Estadio Caliente in Tijuana, Mexico. Mangier dropped Surace in round two with a left hook to the chin. It was all Munguia until Surace connected with a right hand that put Munguia on his back.

WBC #1 super bantamweight Alan Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KOs) scored a third round knockout against late sub Yehison Cuello (13-3-1, 11 KOs), who replaced Picasso’s original opponent Isaac Sackey. Picasso took out Cuello with a brutal body shot. Time was 1:55.

In a clash between big-punching welterweight contenders, NABO titleholder and WBO #2, WBC #9 rated Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-1, 16 KOs) and NABF titleholder and WBC #5, IBF #10, WBO #14 rated Raul “El Cugar” Curiel (15-0-1, 13 KOs) battled to a draw on Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. It was a great action slugfest filled with exciting back-and-forth exchanges. Both fighters had their moments and every round was razor-close. After twelve rounds, scores were 116-112 Rocha, 114-114, 114-114.

Undefeated WBO #3, WBC #5 super welterweight Charles “Bad News” Conwell (21-0, 16 KOs) scored a seventh round TKO over previously unbeaten Gerardo Vergara (20-1, 13 KOs). Conwell broke down Vergara, then stopped him with a series of left hooks. The referee’s stoppage was at 2:51. Continue reading “Rocha-Curiel draw, Conwell still unbeaten”

Heavyweight Granit Shala (17-1, 6 KOs) score a twelve round split decision over previously unbeaten Daniel Dietz (13-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the Weihnachtscirkus in Karlsruhe, Germany. Scores were 117-111, 117-110 Shala, 116-112 Dietz. Shala wins the vacant IBF International title.

By Joe Koizumi

Ohashi Promotions has announced the Naoya Inoue-Sam Goodman title bout will be postponed until January 24 because the Aussie challenger suffered a cut on the eye during a sparring session.

More to come

Former IBF and WBA super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (13-1, 10 KOs) destroyed Ricardo Espinoza (30-5, 25 KOs) for the interim WBA super bantamweight world title on Saturday night at the Salle des Étoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Akhmadaliev dropped Espinoza three times in round three to end it. Time was 2:59.

In a clash for the vacant Euro cruiserweight title, unbeaten Leonardo Mosquea (16-0, 9 KOs) defeated British champion Chev Clarke (10-1, 7 KOs) by twelve round split decision. Mosquea dropped Clarke in round one and went on to win on two cards 116-112, 115-112. Clarke was up on the this card 117-113.

Lightweight Maxi Hughes (28-7-2, 6 KOs) shut out Gary Cully (18-2, 10 KOs) over ten rounds to seize Cully’s WBA Continental title. Scores were 100-90 3x.

Matchroom Boxing has announced the first six events of 2025 on DAZN:

January 25
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, England
WBC #3 ranked Dalton ‘Thunder’ Smith (16-0, 12 KOs)
vs. Walid Ouizza (19-2, 8 KOs)

January 25
The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
Diego Pacheco (22-0, 8 KOs)
vs. Steven Nelson (20-0, 16 KOs)
Plus…
Olympic star Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs)
vs. Omar Salcido (20-1, 14 KOs)
Ernesto Mercado (16-0, 15 KOs)
vs. Jose Pedraza (29-6-1, 14 KOs)

January 31
O2 Arena, London
George Liddard (10-0, 6 KOs)
vs. Derrick Osaze (13-2, 3 KOs)

February 28
Auditorio Guelaguetza in Oaxaca, Mexico
Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez (36-2, 32 KOs)
Vs. Rene Tellez Giron (20-4, 13 KOs)

March 1
SSE Arena, Belfast Northern Ireland
Lewis Crocker (20-0, 11 KOs)
Vs. Paddy Donovan (14-0, 11 KOs)

March 28
Planet Ice Altrincham, Manchester, England
Olympian Pat Brown vs. TBA

Further events are still to be announced for February and March across the globe.

By Jeff Zimmerman

WBA light heavyweight champ David Morrell Jr. discussed his upcoming mega fight with the “Mexican Monster” David Benavidez slated for Feb 1 at the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas and live on PBC PPV. Morrell Jr. shared how the fight finally got made once Canelo was out of the picture and both their moves to 175lbs. He also responded to the legend, Roy Jones Jr., take on the fight and how he sees Beterbiev-Bivol 2 playing out and much more in this Fightnews.com® exclusive.

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with Stanford student plus pro boxer Dante Kirkman to discuss his unique journey into boxing and his goals for the future. He also shared his thoughts on two of his favorite fighters, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Bay Area’s own Andre Ward, and what made them so great and much more in this exclusive interview.

By David Finger
Photos courtesy WBA

The 103rd Annual WBA Convention kicked off at the Caribe Royal Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida last night at the start of the “Most Valuable Prospects” KO Drugs Boxing card promoted by Boxlab Promotions and Most Valuable Promotions. It was a fight card that featured Antonio Vargas as he took on undefeated Winston Guerrero for the vacant WBA interim bantamweight championship, but it also served as the opening of the WBA Convention, which is coming back to Orlando for the third year in a row. Most Valuable Promotions promoter Jake Paul has worked closely with his non-profit charity Boxing Bullies and the WBA and his partnership with the WBA was evident as the opening ceremony for the WBA convention took place at the start of the DAZN televised boxing show. WBA President Gilberto Mendoza Jr. gave a hint of some of the events boxing insiders could expect during an impromptu interview alongside WBO President Gustavo Olivieri, legendary former WBA women’s champion Amanda Serrano, legendary former female boxer Christy Martin, and Jake Paul. Continue reading “WBA Convention kicks off in Orlando”

Alejandro ‘Konejo’ González (18-6-3, 10 KOs) of Mexico City decisioned countryman Arturo ‘Bam Bam’ Hernández (10-6, 3 KOs). The 10 round bantamweight main event took place Friday night at the Futurama Centro Cultural in Mexico City, Mexico. After a closely contested first round Gonzalez began to take control of the fight. Gonzalez dropped Hernandez in round 3 and would go on to win the unanimous decision. The cards were 99-90 twice and 98-92 all for Gonzalez who won the vacant WBC silver bantamweight title. Continue reading “Gonzalez UD Hernandez in Mexico”

Headlining the Hollywood Fight Night event at the sold-out Chumash Casino Resort on Friday night, undefeated middleweight contender Sadriddin Akhmedov, (15-0-0, 13 KOs), of Almaty, Kazakhstan now residing in Santa Monica, CA stayed perfect with a seventh-round stoppage over Nigerian veteran Raphael ‘Trouble’ Igbokwe, (17-6, 7 KOs), of Houston, TX in the scheduled ten rounder.

Trained by the renowned Abel Sanchez, Akhmedov displayed a relentless body attack and a strong beard in the first half of the fight as he stayed aggressive despite Igbokwe’s counter punching from the southpaw stance.

Akhmedov earned the stoppage from a barrage of unanswered power punches to the head and body in the seventh stanza over the game Igbokwe who had previously fought in a distance fight against former world champion Israil Madrimov. Time was :56 as Akhmedov’s powerful performance stamped him as can’t miss in the future.

2016 U.S. Olympian ‘King’ Karlos Balderas (15-2, 13 KOs), of nearby Santa Maria, CA returned in style in front of a huge crowd of supporters with a sixth-round stoppage of Colombian veteran Cesar ‘Ras Tas Tas’ Villarraga, (11-11-1, 5 KOs) in a scheduled eight rounder. Continue reading “Akhmedov, Balderas victorious”

In a clash for the vacant WBA interim bantamweight title, WBA #1 rated Antonio Vargas (19-1, 11 KOs) scored a tenth round TKO against previously unbeaten WBA #9 rated Winston Guerrero (22-1, 13 KOs) on Friday night at the Caribe Royal in Orlando, Florida. Vargas dropped Guerrero in round one. Guerrero responded and floored Vargas in round two. Vargas recovered and began to break down Guerrero. In round ten, Vargas rocked Guerrero and Guerrero’s corner pulled their man out. Time was 2:10.

The European Featherweight title was on the line tonight in a card promoted by OPI Since 82 that took place in Carbonia, Sardinia, Italy.

It was a solid performance from featherweight European champion Cristobal Lorente against former EBU Silver 126lbs champion Francesco Grandelli. The Spaniard won via unanimous decision after 12 hard-fought rounds, earning the three judges’ scorecards (116-111, 116-111, 115-113) and keeping on his waist the EBU blue and golden belt. Continue reading “Lorente defeats Grandelli”

Alexis Rocha 146.4 vs. Raul Curiel 146.6
(NABQ/NABF welterweight titles)

Charles Conwell 153.8 vs. Gerardo Vergara 152.8

Scrappy Ramirez 114.6 vs. Ephraim Bui 113.8
Marlen Esparza 114 vs. Arely Mucino 111.8
Victor Morales 130 vs. Ivan Guardado 130
Jorge Chavez 121.4 vs. Ruben Casero 121.2
Ricardo Ruvalcaba 144.8 vs. Jabin Chollet 145
Gael Cabrera 121.2 vs. Garen Diagan 121.6
Joshua Garcia 134.2 vs. Uhiices Avelino-Reyes 132.2
Fabian Guzman 158.4 vs. Travis Floyd 154.6
Javier Meza 140.2 vs. David Music 141.4

Venue: Toyota Arena, Ontario, California
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN

Jaime Munguia 169.1 vs. Bruno Surace 169.1
Alan Picasso 125.9 vs. *Yehison Cuello 124.6
*Cuello replaces Picasso’s original opponent, Isaac Sackey
Jorge Garcia Perez 154.3 vs. Kudratillo Abdukakhorov 158.2
Sebastian Hernandez 123.6 vs. Sergio Martin Sosa 123.2
Christian Islas Roldan 130.7 vs. Juan Anacona 129.5

Venue: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN+

Murodjon Akhmadaliev 121.1 vs. Ricardo Espinoza Franco 121.6
(WBA interim super bantamweight title)

Cheavon Clarke 199 vs. Leonardo Mosquea 198.6
(EBU European cruiserweight title)

Beatriz Ferreira 134 vs. Licia Boudersa 130.6
(IBF female lightweight title)

Gary Cully 134.5 vs. Maxi Hughes 134
Teremoana Teremoana 267.5 vs. Volodymyr Katsuk 238.5

Venue: Salle Des Étoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

Antonio Vargas 117.2 vs. Winston Guerrero 117.8
(WBA interim bantamweight title)

Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton 135 vs. Erik Hanley 133
Dainier Pero 236.8 vs. Walter Burns 225.8
Tammara Thibeault 160 vs. Natasha Spence 158.6
Jeovanny Estela 153.6 vs. Jocksan Blanco 153.2
Gurgen Hovhannisyan 275 vs. Patrick Mailata 309.4
Hendri Cedeño 142 vs. Luis Hernandez Ramos 146.2
Jamar Pemberton 162.8 vs. Kahlil Mitchell 164
Antraveous Ingram 153.2 vs. Freddy Espinoza 156.4
Fradimil Macayo 134.8 vs. Oscar Escandon 138
Alex Bray 154 vs. Gaston Rios 151.6

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

By Brad Snyder-The Undercard
Photos by Bob Ryder

Unbeaten IBF #8 junior middleweight Andreal “Bossman” Holmes Jr. (17-0, 6 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision against Edwin Junior Jimenez (9-1, 7 KOs) on Thursday night at the Dort Center in Flint, Michigan. Scores were 97-93 across the board. With the win, Holmes looks headed toward an IBF eliminator against Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin.

The co-feature saw middleweight Joey Spencer (19-1, 11 KOs) score a tightly contested majority decision victory over Miguel Angel Hernandez (9-1, 7 KOs), giving him his first career loss. While facing adversity throughout the bout, Spencer strung together his third straight victory. Continue reading “Holmes tops Junior, remains unbeaten”

Reigning WBC women’s heavyweight champion Claressa Shields (15-0, 3 KOs) will defend her title plus fight for the vacant WBA heavyweight belt against undefeated contender Danielle Perkins (5-0, 2 KOs) on Sunday, February 2. The event will take place at Dort Financial Center in Shields’ hometown of Flint, Michigan, and air live globally on DAZN.

Heavyweight Bohdan Myronets (10-1, 5KOs) scored the biggest win of his career to date at the Grand Élysée in Hamburg, Germany, by claiming a split decision points win against the previously unbeaten Jose Larduet (13-1, 11KOs), over ten rounds to claim the WBC’s Francophone heavyweight title. The contest featured on Universum’s “Night Of Champions” in collaboration with the WBC and was held during the sanctioning body’s 62nd annual convention. Continue reading “Myronets upsets Larduet at 62nd WBC Convention”

A press conference was held today in Ontario, Calif., to promote Saturday’s 12-round clash between two world title contenders: NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2, 16 KOs) and undefeated knockout artist and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar” Curiel (15-0, 13 KOs) on DAZN from the Toyota Arena.

Alexis Rocha: “Yeah, I got a good opponent coming in front of me, undefeated. He has a winning streak, but every streak, unfortunately comes to an end. I’ve trained very hard for this fight. I’ve cut no corners. I’m mentally, physically, in the best shape possible. This is my moment, and I’m gonna go and take it. This is gonna be a war, December 14, and I’m ready to make a statement.”

Raul Curiel: “I’ve trained very hard for this fight. I know this fight can open all the doors for a world title shot, and that’s my dream. This fight is for Mexico, it is for all my people who have my back and support me. I know I’m going win.”

The road back to a world title for Jaime Munguia (44-1, 35 KOs) continues in a familiar setting. The Mexican super middleweight star comes home this Saturday, Dec. 14, to face the unbeaten Bruno Surace (25-0-2, 4 KOs) in the 10-round main event at Estadio Caliente in Tijuana.

In the 10-round co-feature, WBC #1 junior featherweight contender Alan Picasso (30-0-1, 16 KOs) hopes to set the stage for a monster 2025 when he takes on Ghana’s Isaac Sackey (26-2-2, 21 KOs).

This is what Munguia and Surace had to say at Thursday’s press conference.

Jaime Munguia: “He is a strong fighter. He throws a lot of combinations. We have to be careful with that. I’ve studied him, and I’m confident of the work that we have done. I will walk away with my hand raised in victory…if I knew in what round I could knock him out, I would bet all of my money on that. But I don’t know. It’s uncertain. I can tell you now with full certainty that I will be looking for the knockout.”

Bruno Surace: “He’s an outstanding fighter. He’s aggressive and very offensive. In the first few rounds, I’ll have to get a lot of information and lay out a plan to fight him. But I’ve also seen many videos of him, and I know how I will need to box him.”

Sadriddin Akhmedov 158.8 vs. Raphael Igbokwe 157.2
Karlos Balderas 142 vs. Cesar Villarraga 140.6
Jorge Maravillo 151.8 vs. Damoni Cato-Cain 150
Angel Carrillo 124 vs. Joshua Torres 124
Fidencio Hernandez 124.2 vs. Josaphat Navarro 124.2
Perla Bazaldua 114.2 vs. Mollie Backowski 112

Venue: Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California
Promoter: 360 Promotions
TV: UFC Fightpass

Francesco Grandelli 125.2 vs. Cristobal Lorente 125.2
(EBU European featherweight title)

Fabio Turchi 204.69 vs. Viktar Chvarkou 201.6
Patrick Cappai 127.5 vs. Tasha Mjuaji 127.3
Stefano Lai 151 vs. Sebastiano Argiolas 151
Fabio Crobeddu 124.6 vs. Christofer Salvatore 124.6
Lorenzo Fais 117.9 vs. Mladen Boljkovac 119.49

Venue: Palasport, Carbonia, Italy
Promoter: OPI Since 82
TV: ESPN+ (US), DAZN (Italy)