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Unifies OPBF, WBO AP 135lb belts

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Korakuen Hall witnessed an unbelievable extravaganza near the end of the year. In a regional unification bout OPBF champ Shu Utsuki (15-1, 13 KOs), 134.5, collected another 135-pound belt when he survived a knockdown-studded war and finally chalked up a TKO victory over WBO Asia Pacific titlist Katsuya Yasuda (14-2, 9 KOs), 134.75, at 2:47 of the sixth round in a scheduled twelve on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. Since it was such a busily tide-turning slugfest that this reporter had better put my fight memorandum in order, as follows:

Round Four: Yasuda (by a short right of Utsuki), Utsuki (southpaw right hook of Yasuda, groggy)

Round Five: Utsuki (straight left, narrow escape)

Round Six: Yasuda (one-two combo), Yasuda (left hook, groggy)

Referee Someya called a well-received halt to the badly damaged Yasuda midway in the fatal sixth with the give-and-take affair having the audience into a frenzy. Continue reading “Utsuki halts WBO #6 Yasuda”

Former world title challenger Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1, 19 KOs) will rematch Yamil Alberto Peralta (17-1, 9 KOs) of Argentina on December 7th at the Centre 200, in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. The pair squared off close to two-and-a-half years ago where Perlata narrowly lost his 0 to Rozicki by split decision. The stakes will be much higher this time, with the WBC interim cruiserweight world title on the line. Rozicki and promoter Dan Otter (Three Lions Promotions) spoke on the upcoming bout and the significance of a victory. Continue reading “Rozicki ready to decisively beat Peralta”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Hall of Fame boxing legend and trailblazer for women’s boxing, Christy “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Martin, gives her take on Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor 2, shares her thoughts on Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and the opportunity “Iron Mike” gave her fighting on his cards in his heyday. She also shared thoughts on her longtime promoter Don King and her current promotion and much more in this Fightnews.com® exclusive interview.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten 5’10” southpaw prospect Taiga Imanaga (7-0, 5 KOs), 134.5, gained the Asian lightweight tournament prize of five million yen (some 33,333USD) as he defeated Yoji Saito (8-5-2, 8 KOs), 134.75, by a unanimous decision (80-71, 79-72, 78-73) over eight hard-fought rounds on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. Imanaga, under Ohashi Promotions, scored a sole knockdown of the bout with his trade-mark southpaw right hook in round three. Continue reading “Imanaga wins Asian 135lb tourney”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Former OPBF, WBO AP champ, JBC#2 super welter Ryota Toyoshima (20-3-1, 11 KOs), 153.25, defeated previously undefeated JBC#1 Yasuomi Soda (7-1, 4 KOs), 152.75, by a shutout decision (all 80-72) over eight hard-fought rounds to acquire the right to have a mandatory shot at the national 154-pound champ Yuichi Ideta in the forthcoming Carnical of Champions next spring. Toyoshima’s aggression prevailed all the way despite the loser’s tremendous durability and fighting spirit. Continue reading “Ex-OPBF champ Toyoshima defeats JBC#1 Soda”

The PPV for the December 21 heavyweight title rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are now on sale at DAZN. The PPV price has been set at $39.99. The return match will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia under the Riyadh Season banner. Usyk is a -175 favorite to defeat Fury again.

Brandon Adams 153.8 vs. Andreas Katzourakis 153.8
(WBA Continental Americas super welterweight title)
Note: Adams-Katzourakis is the final for the OTX super welterweight tournament with a $100K first prize, plus an OTX promotional contract.

Oshae Jones 154 vs. Femke Hermans 153.8
(IBF female junior middleweight title)

Nathan Lugo 169.2 vs. Mardoche Ilunga 168.2
Maliek Montgomery 136.6 vs. Sakaria Lukas 132.2
David Lopez 143 vs. Marlin Sims 142.4
Jonny Mansour 134.6 vs. Luciano Ramos 138.2

Venue: Corey Studios in Atlanta!
Promoter: OTX
TV: DAZN

Two international boxing events will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ this Saturday, Nov. 23.

The fight marathon begins at Canopée Westfield Forum des Halles in Paris at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT. Unbeaten junior middleweight Bakary Samake (16-0, 8 KOs) battles Wade Ryan (22-11-1, 8 KOs) for the vacant WBC silver strap in the 12-round main event.

The fisticuffs continue from Plaza de Toros Calafia in Mexicali, Mexico, at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, when former world champion Elwin Soto (21-3, 13 KOs) returns against Moisés Caro (11-3-3, 5 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the WBO Latino light flyweight title.

Undefeated light heavyweight stars David “El Monstro” Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. went face-to-face Tuesday at a press conference in Los Angeles before they meet for Benavidez’s WBC interim title and Morrell’s WBA regular title in the main event of a Prime Video PPV taking place Saturday, February 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

David Benavidez: “Morrell has been talking about me for a while and disrespecting me. He wanted to make it personal with me, so I’m personally going to break his mouth. That’ll give him something to remember me by…he thinks he’s big and bad, but he’s nothing. I’m gonna show him who’s the best on February 1.”

David Morrell: “I’m getting the knockout. 100%. He’s all talk and no bite. He can’t do what he thinks he’s gonna do…he has no idea what he’s talking about, but he’s provoking me and now I want to go out there and beat the crap out of him. I’m here now and none of that talk matters.”

59-year-old former WBC heavyweight champion Oliver “The Atomic Bull” McCall (60-14, 39 KOs) scored a second round KO over 54-year-old Stacy Frazier (16-23, 15 KOs) in an officially sanctioned four round bout on Tuesday night at the Troubadour Theater in Nashville Tennessee. McCall dropped Frazier once in round one and twice in round two to end it. Time was 2:45. McCall’s right hand still looked formidable. After the fight, McCall called out Jake Paul.

With the win, McCall broke the four-day-old record of Mike Tyson as the oldest former heavyweight champion to fight in a sanctioned bout.

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

I suppose that most of those who are reading my column knew that last Friday, Mike Tyson returned to the ring and faced Jake Paul.

There is so much to comment on everything that happened. and it is hard for me to put my thoughts in order. Let’s see how it turns out. I will not even hint on any negatives and will focus on the positive as this was a memorable event overall.

Mike Tyson is a legendary figure who will be talked about in 500 years and for eternity. He won the WBC world heavyweight championship at the age of 20 and was feared like few others during his reign. He was Undisputed after Don King made the heavyweight tournament, and regained his WBC crown after being released from prison. Continue reading “Tyson vs. Paul: Behind An Unforgettable Event”

The teams of Eimantas Stanionis and Shakhram Giyasov informed the World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee that they reached an agreement to make the mandatory fight and therefore the purse bidding that was scheduled for this afternoon was officially suspended. The contracts and details about the fight between Stanionis, welterweight champion, and Giyasov, mandatory challenger, will be sent in to the committee with the confirmation of the date, venue and other related elements.

Oliver McCall 251.2 vs. Stacy Frazier 228.4
Isaac Carbonell 175 vs. Antonio Louis Hernandez 175.6
Joel Mutombo 200.6 vs. Kevin Torian 200.2
Sean Hemphill 172,8 vs. Bryant McClain 172
Elon De Jesus 124.2 vs. Dominique Griffin 123.4
Ryan Zempoatectl 141.6 vs. Raymond Chacon 134.2

Venue: Troubadour Nashville
Promoter: Jimmy Adams Promotions
TV: Triller TV (Marc Abrams, Albert Haynesworth on the call)
1st Bell 7PM CT (8 PM ET)

Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions announced today the return of 2016 U.S. Olympian ‘King’ Karlos Balderas (14-2, 12 KOs), in the co-feature of their upcoming Hollywood Fight Nights event set for Friday, December 13 at the Chumash Casino Resort and broadcast globally on UFC Fightpass. Competing in the super lightweight division, Balderas will battle Cesar ‘Ras Tas Tas’ Villarraga, (11-10-1, 5 KOs) in a scheduled eight rounder. The fight will be Balderas’ debut under the 360 Promotions’ banner.

The event is headlined by a can’t miss 10-round middleweight main event between undefeated Contender Sadriddin Akhmedov, (14-0, 12 KOs) and Raphael ‘Trouble’ Igbokwe, (17-5, 7 KOs).

This Tuesday night at The Troubadour in Nashville, Tennessee, former WBC heavyweight champion Oliver McCall is set to return to action as he takes on veteran Stacy Frazier in a bout scheduled for four-rounds. At 59 years old, McCall will set the record for being the oldest former heavyweight champion to compete in a sanctioned fight. The record was set just four days earlier by former undisputed champion Mike Tyson when he took on Jake Paul in Arlington, Texas.

McCall, 59-14 with 38 knockouts knows that staying active over the last 19 years will separate his performance on Tuesday night from what Tyson looked like on Friday.

“I am ready. I have been training down here in Nashville for a few weeks, but I am always in shape. This will be a lot different then what fans saw on Friday. I think being active has a great deal to do with it. The only reason that I have not fought in five years was the pandemic and a few things falling through. If you look at my record, since 2005, I have fought 25 times and have been 19-6 with wins over quality fighters and have won various regional titles.” Continue reading “McCall: I am always in shape”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Four-division champ Kazuto Ioka (31-3, 16 KOs) has announced to square off against his conqueror and current WBA superfly ruler Fernando Martinez (17-0, 9 KOs) with his belt on the line in Tokyo, Japan, on New Year Eve. The grudge fight will take place at Ota-city general gymnasium after their first encounter in July, when the Argentine puncher defeated the Japanese technician by a unanimous verdict (116-112, 117-111, 120-108) over twelve hard-fought rounds.

Ioka, 35, said, “I’ll demonstrate how I rebound and regain the world championship.” “Pumita” Martinez, 33, also appeared at the on-line press conference, saying, “I welcome this revancha (rematch). I’ll fight more carefully against Ioka this time.” It will be a very technical fight with the highly skilled 115-pounders with their pride and belt at stake since Fernando recently renounced his IBF belt by prioritizing this rematch than the IBF-ordered mandatory defense. Probably Martinez may prefer a better payday here in Japan. Continue reading “Ioka-Martinez to collide again on New Year’s Eve”

By Brad Snyder

Unbeaten super middleweight Justin Johnson put on a show for his fans on Saturday night at the Causeway Bay Hotel and Convention Center in Lansing, Michigan. Records aside, this opponent for Johnson, who is referred to by the nickname, “Jet”, was a tough, durable choice for this bout. Jonathan Ryan Burrs (6-9-1, 2 KOs) was able to withstand the entertaining offense that Johnson provided his big crowd. Johnson ended up winning by UD (58-56, 60-54, 60-54). The win improved Johnson to (6-0, 4 KOs). Afterwards, all of the 200+ fans that came out to see Johnson wanted a photo with him in the ring. Promoter Carlos Llinas said, “I’ve never seen anything like this. I love it!” Johnson had to be pulled out so he could go through his “after fight” medicals from the State Commissions. Continue reading “Results from Lansing, Michigan”

Former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin (30-4-1, 27 KOs) returned for the first time in 16 months to demolish Matthew McKinney (17-9-3, 13 KOs) in the first round on Saturday night at the Fox Theater in Redwood City, California. Southpaw Martin connected with a straight left that laid out McKinney. It was Martin’s first fight since a game effort against Jared Anderson last year.

On Friday night, 58-year-old ring legend Mike Tyson set a world record for the oldest former heavyweight world champion to fight in a sanctioned professional fight. Iron Mike broke the 93-year-old record set by former heavyweight champion Jack Johnson, who fought in a sanctioned fight at 53 years of age on April 27, 1931.

Tyson’s new record will last exactly 4 days.

This Tuesday night, November 19, 59-year-old former WBC heavywelght champion Oliver “The Atomic Bull” McCall (59-14, 38 KOs) takes on Stacy Frazier (16-22, 15 KOs) in an officially sanctioned four round bout at the Troubadour Theater in Nashville Tennessee. The McCall-Frazier fight, presented on promoter Jimmy Adams’ CountryBox series, will stream on Triller TV.

Former heavyweight champion “Iron” Mike Tyson has commented on social media about the health issues that lead to the postponement of his fight against Jake Paul from July 20 to November 15.

“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time.

“I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.

“To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.”

By Jeff Zimmerman

It was a record-breaking night for Netflix. 60 million households watched the Paul vs. Tyson main event live around the world, peaking at 65 million concurrent streams. Nearly 50 million households globally tuned in live for the co-main event of Taylor vs. Serrano 2. Additionally, Taylor-Serrano is likely to be the most watched professional women’s sporting event in US history.

The event shattered records, achieving the following milestones:

• Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions made AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the epicenter of boxing last night as 72,300 total attendees gathered to witness the fight card.
• Paul-Tyson/Taylor-Serrano 2 produced the largest boxing gate outside of Las Vegas in US history, surpassing $18 million, double the previous Texas gate record for combat sports in both boxing and MMA, and smashing Canelo Álvarez’s record of $9 million.
• #PaulTyson was the top trending topic worldwide on X on Friday with #Serrano at number 2 in the US, Brazil, Spain, and Canada. The fight dominated social conversation, accounting for 11 of the Top 11 trending topics in the US.
• Joe Hand Promotions distributed last night’s event to over 6,000 bars & restaurants in the US, setting the record for commercial distribution of a combat sports event in the company’s 50+ year history.

In a unification fight for the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles, WBA champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) took the title of WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith (20-2, 13 KOs) via twelve round unanimous decision on Saturday night at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Zurdo simply outworked Billam-Smith en route to a 116-112, 116-112, 116-113 win. Zurdo now has two belts with Noel Mikaelyan (WBC) and Jai Opetaia (IBF) holding the other big four championships.

“Me and my team were prepared, we knew that he’s a tough fighter and a strong guy. It was an honor for me to fight him and get the belt,” Ramirez said following the fight. “I tried to use my distance as much as I could. He’s tough, he comes forward all the time and he’s a strong fighter. I just have respect for him, he’s a great champion. Of course, I want to unify with all the champions. That’s the main goal for me and other champions.”

In a clash between former stablemates, undefeated WBO #1-ranked Arnold Barboza Jr. (31-0, 11 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over 2012 U.S. Olympian and former unified super lightweight champion Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) in an important non-title encounter on Saturday night at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Barboza never let Ramirez get untracked in a technical bout that never heated up. Scores were 97-93, 96-94, 96-94.

In a minimum unification fight, WBO Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo (11-0, 8 KOs) knocked out long-reigning WBA minimumweight champion Thammanoon “Knockout CP Freshmart” Niyomtrong (25-1, 9 KOs) in round seven. Collazo dropped Niyomtrong in round six and twice in round seven to end it. Time was 1:29.

* * *

WBA #9 super lightweight Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte (28-2-1, 22 KOs) hammered out a ten round unanimous decision over Botirzhon Akhmedov (10-4, 9 KOs). Scores were 98-92, 97-93, 96-94.

Local hero Ziyad Almaayouf (6-0, 1 KO) and Juan Garcia (5-6-1, 0 KOs) battled to a split draw in a six-round welterweight bout.

By Jeff Zimmerman

Jake Paul Postfight Press Conference

Team Tyson Postfight Press Conference

Katie Taylor Postfight Press Conference

Andre Ward Postfight Press Conference

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has admitted that he carried 58-year-old ring legend Mike Tyson in their boxing match on Friday night in Arlington, Texas.

“I wanted to give the fans a show,” said Paul at the post fight press conference, “but I didn’t wanna hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt. [I took my foot off the pedal] a little bit, yeah like I did. There was a point where you know I was just like ‘OK he’s not really engaging back and I don’t know if he’s tired or whatever’ and I could just tell that his age was showing a little bit.

“I just have so much respect for him, and that violence/war thing between us like after he slapped me, I wanted to be aggressive and take him down and knock him out and all that stuff, but that kind of went away as the rounds went on.”