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Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the WBC cruiserweight Division has faced extremely complicated circumstances.

In February of 2023 Badou Jack conquered the WBC World Cruiserweight Championship by defeating then champion Ilunga Makabu. Soon thereafter, champion Jack petitioned the WBC to place him as champion in recess so he could try to schedule a fight for the WBC world bridgerweight title. Champion Jack’s attempts were unsuccessful. He is now looking to return to the cruiserweight division.

In the meantime, Noel Mikaelian won the vacant WBC world cruiserweight title knocking out Ilunga Makabu. The WBC ordered champion Mikaelian to make his first mandatory defense after having won a vacant title against mandatory contender Ryan Rozicki who had won a final elimination bout via knockout of Olanrewaju Durodola. Continue reading “Rozicki-Peralta clash for WBC interim cruiser title”

This past Saturday night, October 19, former WBA 130lb. world champion Andrew Cancio returned to the ring with a sixth-round knockout of Gustavo Molina in Sonora, Mexico. Cancio dropped Molina in the first and second round of the scheduled eight-rounder. The fight was contested at the 135lb. limit. Details of Cancio’s next fight will be forthcoming.

Former world champion O’Shaquie Foster(22-3, 12 KOs) has unfinished business. The 31-year-old will face Robson Conceição for the WBC junior lightweight world title on Saturday, Nov. 2, on ESPN+ at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Foster lost his title to Conceição via split decision in July, a controversial verdict that left him angered and motivated to become a two-time world champion.

Following a recent training session in Houston, this is what Foster had to say:

“The fight was easy. I didn’t see where the judges got that decision. But the fight was easy for me. I only saw that I could have been more active and let my hands go in certain situations more.” Continue reading “O’Shaquie: I’m looking to let my hands go”

By Zach Hirsch

Unbeaten WBA #12 featherweight Dominique Francis (16-0, 10 KOs) is fresh off of his impressive 4th round KO victory over previously unbeaten Julio Carrera Lugo (18-1-1, 14 KOs) of Mexico a week ago.

Francis a native of Miami, Florida again showed his willingness to go on the road, traveling cross country to California for his bout. This is nothing new for Francis, who has previously traveled and won multiple times internationally during his professional career. Francis will now campaign in the 130lb division where he expects to do big things in 2025. Continue reading “Francis ready to shine at 130”

By Héctor Villarreal
Photos: Martín Pérez/Magdiel González

In a clash of Panamanian proven warriors, Ricardo “The Scientist” Nuñez (25-6-2, 22 KOs), kept his WBC lightweight Continental Latino belt by the way of 8-round unanimous decision over former world champion Jezreel “Invisible” Corrales (26-8,10 KOs), in the main event of the KO to Cancer card, presented by Laguna Premium Boxing on Saturday night at the Arena Roberto Duran.

Corrales was knocked down in round 3 and referee Hector Afu deducted him a point in the sixth for holding. Even that disadvantage, the fight was so competitive that two judges scored 77-73 while the third had It 76-74. Continue reading “Nuñez edges Corrales in KO to Cancer”

Nigerian heavyweight Kingsley Black Lion” Ibeh (14-2-1, 12 KOs) turned in the best performance of his pro career in the main event of last night’s “EQC Fight Night,” card presented by Toro Promotions, Inc., and Whitfield Haydon Boxing, in the EQC Event Center at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington. The 6’ 4”, 273-pound Ibeh only needed 49 seconds to stop 6’ 8”, 257-pound Jack “The Outlaw” May (10-1, 9 KOs) to capture the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Latino Silver title.

In the co-featured event, hometown favorite Marquice Weston (16-4-1, 9 KOs) registered a first-round stoppage of heavyweight John Shipman (5-8, 2 KOs) by way of a vicious body shot. It was Weston’s first victory in six years.

Unbeaten IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) destroyed former WBO champion Tim Tszyu (24-2, 17 KOs) in three rounds on Saturday night at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. Both fighters went right at each other in round one. Murtazaliev got to Tszyu in round two, dropping him three times. Murtazaliev floored Tszyu again in round three and the towel came in soon after. Time was 1:55.

Unbeaten super welterweight Yoenis Tellez (9-0, 7 KOs) impressively knocked out Johan Gonzalez (35-4, 34 KOs) in round seven. Tellez dropped Gonzalez in round six and twice more in round seven to end it. Time was 1:57.

In a knockdown-filled war, unbeaten middleweight César Mateo Tapia (16-0-1, 10 KOs) and Endry Saavedra (16-1-1, 13 KOs) battled to a ten round majority draw. Saavedra dropped Tapia twice in round three. Tapia floored Saavedra in round five. Saavedra dropped Tapia again in round nine. Scores were 94-92 Tapia, 93-93, 93-93.

Super bantamweight Gary Antonio Russell (20-1, 13 KOs) returned from a two-year layoff to knock out Jaden Burnias (6–3, 4 KOs) in the fourth round.

Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Dainier Pero (9-0, 7 KOs) stopped Willie Jake, Jr. (11-6-2, 3 KOs) in round three.

Unbeaten super featherweight Justin Viloria (7-0, 5 KOs) stopped journeyman Diuhl Olguin (16-41-7, 10 KOs) in round seven. Yes, Justin is the nephew of nephew of former two-weight world champion Brian Viloria.

Promoter Lamont Roach, Sr’s NoXcuse Promotions presented a “Prospect Show” on Saturday night at the Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland. In the main event, lightweight Eric “El Toro” Hernandez (12-1, 5 KOs) of Ashburn, VA defeated Dewayne Zeigler (11-2-1, 5 KOs) of Montgomery, AL by eight round unanimous decision. Scores were 80-72, 79-73, 78-74. Continue reading “Results from Fort Washington, Maryland”

In a clash for the vacant IBF super middleweight title formerly held by Canelo Alvarez, IBF #1 William Scull (23-0, 9 KOs) claimed the famed red belt with a twelve round unanimous decision over IBF #2 Vladimir Shishkin (16-1, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at the Stadthalle in Falkensee, just outside of Berlin, Germany. Shishkin pressed the action in a close, slow-paced fight. Scull seemed hurt in the final round, but in the end judges scored it 116-113, 116-112, 115-113 for Scull.

Unheralded light heavyweight Lewis Edmondson (10-0, 3 KOs) remained unbeaten with an upset twelve round majority decision over WBA #4, WBC #10, WBO #11, IBF #12 rated Dan Azeez (20-2-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday night at the Copper Box Arena in London. Azeez struggled with awkward Edmondson, who won 114-114, 114-113, 115-112 despite having a point deduction in round eight. The British and Commonwealth titles were on the line.

Unbeaten super lightweight prospect Adam Azim (12-0, 9 KOs) scored a brutal eighth round KO over Ohara Davies (25-4, 18 KOs). Azim battered Davies to a knee in round five, then put him on his knees again in round eight to end it. After the fight, Davies announced his retirement.

WBO #1 light heavyweight Anthony Yarde (26-3, 24 KOs) scored a knockdown with his first punch of the fight, but them was forced to go the full ten round distance against Ralfs Vilcans (17-2, 7 KOs). The referee scored it 98-92 for Yarde.

Welterweight Tulani Mbenge (21-2, 15 KOs) claimed the IBO 147lb title by hammering out a twelve round unanimous decision over Michael McKinson (26-2, 4 KOs). Scores were 116-112, 117-111, 117-111.

Michigan lightweight Joshua “Double J” Pagan (11-0, 4 KOs) outdueled cagey veteran Haskell Rhodes (31-7, 16 KOs) over ten rounds with a unanimous decision victory on Friday night at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Scores were 100-90 and 99-91 twice.

The co-feature saw light heavyweight Juan Carrillo (13-0, 9 KOs) win the IBF Latino title as he scored a decisive unanimous decision over Lenin Castillo (25-6-1, 19 KOs). The judges scored the fight 98-92, 99-91, 100-90.

Female super featherweight Kiria Tapia (5-0, 0 KOs) won for the fifth time against no defeats as she recorded a dominating six-round unanimous decision over Beata Dudek (4-5, 4 KOs). Scores were 60-53 3x.

Unbeaten super middleweight Da’Velle Smith (10-0, 8 KOs) scored a first-round technical knockout over Gilberto Santos (16-16, 12 KOs).

By Héctor Villarreal

Former WBA super feather world champion, Jezreel “Invisible” Corrales (26-7, 10 KOs) and his opponent, former World title challenger, Ricardo “The Scientist” Nuñez (24-6-2, 22 KOs), both hit the scale at 134.25 pounds, to dispute the WBC Continental Latino belt on the main event of the KO to Cancer card, schedulled for Saturday night at the Arena Roberto Durán.

Laguna Premium Boxing presents a very competitive 9-fight all Panamanian show.

Jonathan Miniel 135 vs. Fernando Martinez 135
Hibrahim Valdespino 126 vs. Daniel Lezcano 126
Samir Cuentas 143 vs. Jonathan Torres 147
Jeffrey Martinez 117.25 vs. Hector Ortega 117.25
Yovani Casasola 130.25 vs. Gregorio Francis 134
Leiner Rodriguez 119 vs. Carlos Bonilla 119
Abdiel Mojica 118 vs. Nazario Camarena 118
Angel Flores 115.25 vs. Julio Martinez 111.25

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten prospect Keisuke Matsumoto (12-0, 8 KOs), 126, impressively made his fourth defense of his Japanese national feather belt when he decked JBC#7 Kimihiro Nakagawa (10-7-2, 5 KOs), 126, three times and for the count at 2:25 of the second session of a scheduled ten on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. Shaven skulled Keisuke such as Isaac Pitbull Cruz (the son of formerly three-time world challenger Koji) connected with a beautiful right to the button of the challenger, sending him to the deck. He overwhelmed him with his follow-up attack to have him go down twice more and out. The unbeaten son, 25, is currently ranked #7 by IBF and #13 by WBO. Continue reading “WBC #9 Matsumoto demolishes Nakagawa”

Next Wednesday, October 23, Lou DiBella’s DiBella Entertainment presents “Heroes on the Hudson 2,” including three title fights, live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden. ProBox will stream.

The evening will kick off with a heavyweight clash between Jerry “Slugger” Forrest (27-6-2, 20 KOs), of Newport News, VA, and Brooklyn, NY’s Earl Newman (10-3-1, 7 KOs), scheduled for eight rounds.

World-ranked super lightweight contender “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (21-0-2, 10 KOs), of East Hartford, CT, squares off against Rochester, NY’s Lavisas Williams (10-1-1, 3 KOs) in the co-main event.

The main event features a rematch between IBF female bantamweight champion Miyo Yoshida and Shurretta Metcalf.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBC #6 elongated southpaw Japanese Masanori Rikiishi (16-1, 11 KOs), 134.25, displayed his strength in dispatching former Philippine champ Arnel Baconaje (17-9, 12 KOs), 133.5, with a vicious body shot at 2:38 of the second round in a scheduled ten on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. Masanori annexed the WBC silver 130-pound belt by scoring a come-from-behind twelfth-round TKO victory over Michael Magnesi in Italy this March. IBF #3, WBO #8 Rikiishi lately moved to Ohashi gym from Midori gym to anticipate his long awaited world title shot, and scored a fine triumph in his first under Ohashi. The tall southpaw connected with a lethal left to the belly followed by a right hook to the head with the Filipino dropping in agony for the count. Continue reading “WBC #6 Rikiishi sinks Baconaje”

Undefeated IBF super welterweight world champion Bakhram Murtazaliev and former WBO 154-pound world champion Tim Tszyu both weighed in ahead of their showdown this weekend on Prime Video from the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. Murtazaliev weighed 152.8 lbs., while scaled in at 153.4 lbs.

Other Weights:
Yoenis Téllez 153.8 vs Johan Gonzalez 153
César Mateo Tapia 160 vs. Endry Saavedra 159.8
Jocksan Blanco 153.8 vs. Ángel Ilarraza 154
Roberto Rivera Gómez 129.8 vs Jenn Gonzalez 127.2
Dainier Pero 235 vs Willie Jake, Jr. 264.8 Ibs.
Justin Viloria 130 vs. Diuhl Olguin 128.8
Gary Antonio Russell 121.6 vs Jaden Burnias 122.6 Ibs.
Mikey Garcia 145.2 Ys Carlos Aguilera. Jr. 144.4
Carlos Jackson 125.6 Ys Ryan Lee Allen 124.4
Daniel Blancas 167.2 vs. Marco Delgado 169

Adam Azim 140 vs. Ohara Davies 139
Anthony Yarde 179 vs. Ralfs Vilcans 177.3
Dan Azeez 174 vs. Lewis Edmondson 174.3
Michael McKinson 146.3 vs. Tulani Mbenge 146.3
Jeamie TKV 258 vs. Franklin Ignatius 230.3
Francesca Hennessy 121.3 vs. Ana Karla Vaz De Moraes 120.3
Sam Hickey 161.3 vs. John Henry Mosquera 162
Shannon Courtenay 128.3 vs. Catherine Tacone Ramos 124

Venue: Copper Box Arena in London
Promoter: BOXXER
TV: Sky Sports (UK/Ireland), Peacock (USA)

By Jeff Zimmerman

IBF super welterweight champ Bakhram Murtazaliev faces former WBO champ Tim Tszyu this Saturday in Orlando, Florida, Oct 19, shown live on Prime Video. This will be Murtazaliev first title defense after his dramatic eleventh round knockout of Jack Culcay in April. Tszyu is looking to reclaim a world title after his bloody loss to Sebastian Fundora after suffering a big cut early in the fight back in March.

DAZN has landed U.S., U.K., and Latin American telecast rights to Saturday’s IBF super middleweight world championship between IBF #1-ranked William Scull (22-0, 9 KOs) and #2 Vladimir Shishkin (16-0, 10 KOs) for the vacant title on the final day before the event. Scull vs. Shishkin is the main event of a fight card promoted in cooperation between AGON Sports and Kuc Boxing, taking place at Stadthalle in Falkensee, just outside of Berlin. The four-fight televised portion of the card will air live on DAZN in the territories beginning at 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT. Both men look to claim the IBF title belt recently vacated by unified super middleweight world champion Canelo Alvarez.

By Joe Koizumi

Former three-division champ John Riel Casimero, 123.25, Philippines, became so scandalous again here in Japan although he halted world rated Saul Sanchez, 121.75, at 2:41 of the first round in a scheduled ten on Sunday (October 13) in Yokohama, Japan. Since it was held on the same day with the multiple world title event (Day One) in Tokyo, our aficionados paid little attention to this Yokohama show. But Casimero couldn’t make the contract weight of 122 by one pound and a quarter. The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) accordingly announced Casimero to be suspended for a year on Thursday. Continue reading “Overweight Casimero suspended by JBC”

Popular former world champion Tim Tszyu and current IBF super welterweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev went face to face on Thursday at the final press conference before they headline on Amazon Prime Saturday night at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Bakhram Murtazaliev: “I’m not interested in going back and forth with Tim, I’m just ready for Saturday and ready to give everyone a great fight. It was a dream come true to become a champion and now I’m just looking forward to this fight Saturday night. I’m not looking past Tim, but my goal is to unify the titles after this bout. I’ve never ran from any fighter. Everyone knows where to find me. We don’t have to wait much longer now. To me I don’t care if anyone is overlooking me. All the talking will end Saturday night. That’s all we’re concentrating on.”

Tim Tszyu: “This is not just an ordinary fight, this is a vengeance fight. This is my comeback…I believe that I am the man at 154-pounds. I just need the time to prove it. I’m taking these guys out one by one. I want all the monsters. They don’t frighten me.

“I’ve always wanted the biggest and toughest challenges out there. Taking this fight was a no-brainer. I’ve been hunting him down for quite some time. I guess he wanted to keep taking step-aside money instead of facing me so he could hold onto his mandatory position. Continue reading “Tszyu-Murtazaliev Final Press Conference”

Unbeaten middleweight Alexandre Gaumont (12-0, 8 KOs) knocked out Andres Viera (12-10, 9 KOs) in round two on Thursday night at the Lac Leamy Casino in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. Good action while it lasted. A big right hand finished Viera. Time was 1:30.

Unbeaten NABF super lightweight beltholder Arthur Biyarslanov (17-0, 14 KOs) pounded on rugged Jonathan Eniz (35-21-1, 16 KOs) for ten rounds, winning 100-90, 100-90, 99-91. Biyarslanov retains his title.

Former super lightweight world title challenger Steve “The Dragon” Claggett (39-8-2, 27 KOs) knocked out Eduardo Estela (16-4, 11 KOs) in round four. The Dragon dropped Estela twice in round three, then finished him with another knockdown in round four. Claggett was coming off a decision loss to WBO champion Teofimo Lopez in June.

Unbeaten light heavyweight Mehmet Unal (10-0, 8 KOs) stopped Armenak Hovhannisyan (14-5-1, 6 KOs) in round three.

Joshua Pagán 135 vs. Haskell Rhodes 135
Juan Carrillo 174 vs. Gilbert “Lenín” Castillo 174
Kiria Tapia 130 vs. Beata Dudek 124
Da’velle Smith 166 vs. Gilberto Santos 170
Allen Morales 120 vs. Michael Tucker – Tbd
Jorge Vizcarrondo 136 vs. Johniel Ramos 135
Karla Dávila 123 vs. Myrka Aguayo 127
Antonio Mota 139 vs. Christopher Ortiz 140

Venue: Coca-Cola Music Hall, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Promoter: Salita Promotions
TV: DAZN

WBA bridgerweight champion Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (5-0, 3 KOs) retained his world title by defeating Leon Harth (22-6-1, 13 KOs) by one-sided unanimous decision on Thursday night at the Ufa Arena in Ufa, Russia. All three judges scored it 120-108 3x. Undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev was in attendance.

Lightweight Omar “Super” Salcido (20-1, 14 KOs) battered and stopped former WBA interim world champion Chris “Primetime” Colbert (17-3, 6 KOs) in the ninth round on Wednesday night at the ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Looking to revive his career after losing two out of his last three fights, Colbert was overwhelmed by Salcido’s pressure and in round nine Colbert’s corner threw in the towel. Time was 1:02.

Super featherweight contender and 2016 Olympian Tsendbaatar Erdenebat (11-0, 5 KOs) dominated Frency Fortunato (15-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round contest for the vacant WBA Continental North America Gold title. Scores were 98-92, 98-92, 100-90.

Unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Najee Lopez (12-0, 9 KOs) knocked out Ismael Ocles (15-17 -2, 3 KOs) with a liver shot in round three.