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 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.

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.

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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 at ringside

In an official heavyweight boxing match, Jake “El Gallo” Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) scored an eight round unanimous decision over 58-year-old ring legend “Iron” Mike Tyson (50-7, 44 KOs) on Friday night in front of 72,300-seat at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Scores were 80-72, 79-73, 79-73. The fight was fought with 14-ounce gloves and two-minute rounds.

Tyson came out strong in round one and landed the first blow of the night, a right hand to the head of Paul. Paul landed a shot later in the round as Tyson was warned of a low blow. Staying on the outside in round two, Paul scored with a body shot as Tyson landed a solid left hook. By round three, it was clear Tyson could not move well with a brace on his right leg as Paul continued to control the fight from the outside. In round four, Paul’s confidence grew as he let his hand go and hit Tyson with combinations. From rounds 5-8, it was mostly Paul picking his shots to the head and body whereas Tyson land an occasional left hook to Paul’s head. Continue reading “Jake Paul decisions Mike Tyson”

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

Super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 KOs) out of Ireland went toe-to-toe with her Puerto Rican nemesis Amanda Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs) once again over ten brutal rounds and escaped the Lone Star State with a unanimous decision to retain her WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and Ring belts in another instant classic. Taylor barely beat Serrano via split decision in their 2022 fight of the year at Madison Square Garden. This time it was 95-94 3x.

In a continuation of their last fight, Serrano and Taylor went right to work. Serrano, a southpaw, showed off her blazing speed early and went right after Taylor and connected a left hook on the jaw at the end of the round. Taylor landed power right hands in round two and both exchanged blows in round three. Continue reading “Taylor edges Serrano again”

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

In a classic welterweight clash, “El Aztec” Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) out of San Antonio battled fellow Mexican Abel Ramos (28-6-3, 22 KOs) out of Arizona to a split draw over twelve bloody, entertaining rounds on Friday night at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The scores read 114-112 Ramos, 116-110 Barrios and113-113.

Barrios came out on fire from the opening bell using a pinpoint one, two on Ramos and appeared to drop him in round one as it appeared Ramos’ hand touched the canvas. In round two there was no debate as Barrios put Ramos on his back with a left hand to the body followed by a right hand to the head. Using his clear size advantage, it seemed this might be an early night for the WBC welterweight champ. Continue reading “Barrios and Ramos battle to a draw”

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

In the first boxing match on Netflix to kick off the Paul-Tyson heavyweight clash at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, super middleweight Neeraj Goyat 19-4-2 8 KOs, an actor and star in India, battled Brazilian musician YouTube sensation with 44.7 million subscribers Whindersson Nunes (2-3-1 2 KOs) over six entertaining rounds. Goyat used his experience and quick hands to out box Nunes to win a six round unanimous decision. Goyat, clearly an entertainer, waved his hands early in the fight to get the crowd engaged, and left his hands at his side to goat Nunes to throw punches. Goyat landed fast combos at times as Nunes countered at times and landed a few right hands, but not enough to win rounds. Goyat is signed to Most Valuable Promotions and even wants to fight his promoter, Jake Paul. Goyat called him out in the pre-fight presser and Jake responded that it would happen in India. For now, Goyat gets the title of the first winner on a live Netflix card to share with his millions of fans in India as the scores read 60-54 twice and 59-55.

Shadasia Green (16-1, 11 KOs) claimed the vacant WBO super middleweight belt with a hard fought win split decision against the undefeated Canadian Melinda Watpool (7-1, 2 KOs) for the vacant WBO super middleweight title. Green controlled the early rounds with on the outside as she landed a straight right hand to the face of Watpool. Watpool took the fight inside and had her most success as she took the fight to Green over the second half of the contest. Over ten action packed rounds, Green squeaked out the win with scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice. Green wins her first world title after losing against Franchon Crews Dezurn for the WBC strap in 2023.

In a competitive super lightweight battle, Lucas Bahdi (18-0, 15 KOs) from Niagara Falls, Canada, scored a ten round majority decision against Armando Casamonica (14-1, 3 KOs) out of Rome Italy. It took some time to heat up as Casamonica was the early aggressor. Bahdi started to let his hands go in the middle rounds. In a tactical fight, neither fighter was hurt, as the fight lasted the full ten rounds. Scores read 95-95, 96-93, 98-92 for Bahdi as he remained undefeated with the victory and gave the Italian his first loss of his career.

In the opening bout at AT&T Stadium of the massive Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson battle live on Netflix, rising featherweight star Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (15-0, 8 KOs) said he was going to steal the show versus Dana Coolwell (13-4, 8 KOs) and he sure tried to make his case early in the night. “Shu Shu”, a product of Brownsville, NY, like his idol “Iron Mike,” dropped Coolwell twice to score a dominant unanimous decision, 80-70 x 3.

Carrington put his full arsenal on display landing left hooks to the body, right hand uppercuts and everything in between. It was a left hook that dropped Coolwell in round four and the same shot that hurt him in round eight before “Shu Shu” put him down again with a flurry of shots in the corner. Coolwell was game and survived to the final bell but was no match for the ultra-skilled Carrington. The night could only get better for Carrington if “Iron Mike” beats Jake to win a 1 million dollar bet he made with Jake at weigh-ins on Thursday.

Keeps Japanese 115lb belt

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

When WBA featherweight champ Wilfredo Vazquez annihilated Japanese challenger Yuji Watanabe in five lopsided rounds here in 1997, we never imagined the loser’s nephew would become a professional boxer and then a national titlist since he was just five months old upon his uncle’s ill-fated world title shot that resulted in a jaw bone fracture. His nephew Suzumi Takayama (9-0, 8 KOs; amateur 35-16, 10 stoppages), 115, made his third defense of the Japanese super flyweight belt by dispatching Isao Aoyama (14-13-1, 4 KOs), 114.5, at 3:06 of the second session in a scheduled ten on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.

WBA#8 southpaw Takayama caught the underdog so quickly in the opening session and almost brought home the bacon within the first three minutes of the bout. But JBC#12 Aoyama, 35 and seven years his senior, desperately withstood the champ’s opening attack and occasionally displayed a gallant retaliation. In the closing seconds of round two, however, Takayama proved too strong and powerful for the overmatched challenger as he sank the game but limited rival with a vicious southpaw right hook that had him listen to the fatal ten on all fours on the canvas. His uncle Yuji Watanabe might smile at his impressive triumph though he needs more improvement on his defensive skills (he undesirably absorbed some of the bad loser’s opening attack). Suzumi is also rated #7 by IBF, #9 by WBO and #10 by WBC. Continue reading “WBA#8 Takayama ices Aoyama”

Former world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (23-3, 16 KOs) made quick work of Dannis Aguero Arias (20-3, 17 KOs) on Tuesday night at the E11EVEN Nightclub in Miami, Florida. The 44-year-old Rigo took out Arias with a body shot in the first round to claim the vacant WBC International super bantamweight title.

Undefeated prospects Javier Fernandez and Rolyn Nez win in Mescalero; Mario Gonzalez stopped in ABQ

By David Finger

Boxing fans in New Mexico were faced with a pleasant problem or a delightful dilemma on Saturday night as two exciting fight cards took place in both Mescalero and Albuquerque.

For the fans who elected to stay in the southern half of the state, they witnessed an absolute dominant performance from a fighter widely regarded as the one of the hottest young prospects in the Southwest. Undefeated Rolyn Nez made a statement as he demolished journeyman Aaron Martinez in less than one round in a scheduled six round welterweight fight. Continue reading “New Mexico Boxing Report”

Dan Otter (Three Lions Promotions) presented a card Saturday night at Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. In the main event, super middleweight Samuel Moses (9-1-, 8 KOs) of Vancouver, BC, upset more experienced fellow Canadian Ryan Young (16-6, 11 KOs) of Oakville, Ontario by tenth round TKO. Moses won the vacant WBC US Silver title.

Other Results:
John Michael Bianco TKO6 Nestor Faccio
Triston Brookes KO4 David Romero
Meilyn Martinez UD4 Sara Orszagi
Shahista Lalani draw Shadem Aguilar

Lightweight Abraham Montoya (23-6-1, 14 KOs) scored a ten round split decision over former world champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz (33-7-1, 15 KOs) on Saturday night at the Osceola Heritage Park Arena in Kissimmee, Florida. Diaz seemed to do a little more, but two judges preferred Montoya’s work. Scores were 98-92, 97-93 for Montoya, and 98-92 for Diaz, who has now lost six of his last seven.

By Mark Vaz

Portland Boxing returned Saturday night for their annual pro-am event at the Portland Expo Center with a loaded card of 10 entertaining bouts. Local favorite Casey “The Comeback Kid” Streeter headlined the evening in defense of his New England Welterweight Title. Nearly losing a leg in a logging accident 4 years ago, doctors were doubtful that Streeter would walk without the aid of a cane, never mind fight again, but determination and hard work brought him back to 100%, continuing on his boxing career.

Defending his New England Title against Holyoke, MA’s Derrick Whitley, Jr, Streeter pressed the action over 8 entertaining rounds against the counter-punching Whitley who showed the faster hands against Streeters aggression and defense. The give and take bout ended in a split draw, leaving Streeter 12-2-2 and Whitley 8-4-2. Continue reading “Streeter-Whitley draw in Portland, Maine”

Unbeaten IBF welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Karen Chukhadzhian (24-3 13 KOs) on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ennis previously shut out Chukhadzhian over twelve rounds in January 2023, but Chukhadzhian managed to get a rematch by becoming mandatory IBF challenger. Chukhadzhian was more aggressive this time, winning some early rounds. Ennis sent Chukhadzhian to a knee with an uppercut in round five. Chukhadzhian was deducted a point for holding in round ten. Scores were 119-107, 117-109, 116-110.

WBC super flyweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KOs) impressively destroyed former world champion Pedro Guevara (42-5-1, 22 KOs) with a third round KO. Rodriguez dropped Guevara twice to end it in round three. Time was 2:47.

Former world champion Raymond ‘Savage’ Ford (16-1-1, 8 KOs) returned to action at super featherweight to claim a ten round unanimous decision over Orlando Gonzalez (23-4, 13 KOs). Scores were 99-88, 100-88, 100-88. Gonzalez down twice.

Middleweight Austin “Ammo” Williams (17-1, 12 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO over Gian Garrido (11-2, 8 KOs). Bout waved off by the referee with Williams punishing Garrido on the ropes.

Unheralded light heavyweight Manuel Gallegos (21-2-1, 18 KOs), a 24:1 underdog, scored a stunning ninth round KO over previously unbeaten Khalil “Big Steppa” Coe (9-1-1, 7 KOs). Coe down four times in the fight.

Former IBF junior welterweight champion Subriel Matías (21-2, 21 KOs) scored a brutal second round TKO over Roberto Ramírez (26-4-1, 19 KOs) on Saturday night at the Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Matias finished Ramirez with two knockdowns in round two. It was Matias’ first fight since losing his world title to Liam Paro in June.

Lightweight contender Keyshawn Davis (12-0, 8 KOs) spectacularly destroyed Gustavo Lemos (29-2, 19 KOs) in two rounds on Friday night before a sold-out crowd of 10,568 at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. Davis dropped Lemos three times in round two. Davis, who captured Olympic silver at the Tokyo Olympics, established himself as a headliner in his first main event. He is rated #3 at lightweight by the WBC, WBO and IBF.

“I had no hesitation. Me and my team, we stuck to our guns. We said if he comes in too much over we ain’t gonna fight. But he followed his game plan, and he didn’t come too much over (at the weight check on Friday morning), so we had a fight and we gave a spectacular night,” Davis said. “I didn’t feel no power in him. I actually sat back on the ropes one little second, and I let him throw his overhand that he loves and I felt it on my shoulder. And I looked at my brothers and gave them that face like, no, not enough (power). It ended in the second round so maybe he didn’t really get a chance to hit me.” Continue reading “Keyshawn Davis brutally crushes Lemos”

In a clash between unbeaten super middleweights, WBC #5, IBF #7 rated Osleys Iglesias (13-0, 12 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO over Petro Ivanov (18-1-2, 13 KOs) on Thursday night at Casino de Montréal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Southpaw Iglesias dropped Ivanov with a straight left in round five. Ivanov beat the count but the referee ruled he was unable to continue. Time was :40. Iglesias retained his IBO title.

Two-time middleweight title challenger Steven Butler (35-5-1, 29 KOs) scored a first round knockout against Fernando Farias (12-3-3, 4 KOs) in a super middleweight bout. Time was 2:36.

Photos: Emily Harney

Alejandro “El Abusador” Paulino (19-0, 14 KOs) passed the toughest test of his young career on Saturday, pounding out a 10-round majority decision over a tough Toka “T-Nice” Kahn (29-4, 19 KOs) to retain his WBC USA Silver Lightweight title. The 11-fight card took place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Heading into the bout, Paulino vs. Kahn was seen as a crossroads fight between a grizzled contender and a rising prospect. The question was whether Paulino had learned enough in his 3 years as a professional to beat a savvy veteran of 31 bouts who had shared the ring with the likes of pound for pound star Shakur Stevenson and former world champion Kid Galahad. Continue reading “Paulino edges Toka Kahn”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Hard-punching southpaw WBA#9 Riku Masuda (6-1, 6 KOs; amateur 52-14, 22 stoppages), 117.75, had a tough time coping with tricky and unorthodox 40-year-old challenger Yoshihiro Usami (17-12-6, 10 KOs), 117.75, but finally bloodied and halted him at 0:26 into the seventh round in a scheduled ten on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. It was Masuda’s initial defense since he dethroned Fumiya Fuse via fourth round knockout this July. Riku wishes to avenge his sole blemish on his credentials that he suffered a setback on points by the current WBA bantam ruler Seiya Tsutsumi last year.

OPBF 130-pound champ WBC#19 Yamato Hata (16-2, 15 KOs), 131.75, engaged in a non-title go and demolished Filipino Presco Carcosia (12-5-1, 9 KOs), 130.5, with three knockdowns at 1:31 of the fourth session in a scheduled eight.

Unbeaten IBF#7 elongated light fly Kyosuke Takami (8-0, 6 KOs; amateur 43-4), 107.75, needed just 78 seconds into the opening session to send Filipino Jomar Caindog (12-5, 5 KOs), 106.75, to the deck in agony for the count. A single body shot was the haymaker sending him to dreamland.

Continue reading “WBA#9 Masuda halts Utsumi”

Undefeated WBA #2, IBF #14 lightweight Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield Jr. (18-0, 12 KOs) came off the canvas to win a twelve round unanimous decision over Rene “El Bravo” Tellez Girón (20-4, 13 KOs) on Saturday night at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. Girón briefly staggered Schofield in round three, but overall Schofield was mostly in charge. Giron dropped Schofield in round eleven but Schofield recovered and finished the fight. Scores were 118-109, 118-109, 116-111.

“I feel good. It was my first time going 12 rounds, especially with a fighter that wasn’t going to back down,” said Schofield afterward. “It was a shot to the back of the head. I kind of turned my head, so he took the shot. I just had to get up, I’m not going to quit. (Talking about the knock down) I give myself a B+ only because I went 12 rounds with a fighter that had a lot of power. He’s a good, rough, tugged fighter that wouldn’t back down.”

In a WBA super middleweight eliminator, Bektemir “Bek Bully” Melikuziev (15-1, 10 KOs) scored a hard fought twelve round split decision over David “Dynamite” Stevens (14-2, 10 KOs). Scores were 116-112 for Stevens and 118-110, 117-111 for Melikuziev. Unfortunately for Bektemir, he missed weight yesterday and therefore will not reap the benefits of winning an eliminator.

In a historic clash for the undisputed female flyweight championship, undefeated IBF champion Gabriela “Sweet Poison” Fundora (15-0, 7 KOs) took the belts of WBA, WBC, WBO champion Gabriela “LA Chuky” Alaniz (15-2, 6 KOs) via seventh round knockout. Competitive fight until Fundora dropped Alaniz twice in round seven to end it. Time was 1:40.

Defending his WBA Intercontinental super middleweight title, undefeated Darius “DFG” Fulghum (13-0, 11 KOs) stopped Christopher Pearson (17-5-1, 12 KOs). Fulghum dropped Pearson in round one and punished Pearson until the bout was stopped by the referee in round three. Time was 1:02.

By Boxing Bob Newman
Photos: Bob Newman

In a highly anticipated rematch of their controversial July 6, 2024 fight, O’Shaquie Foster looked to right a wrong by recapturing his WBC super featherweight title from the man who controversially lifted it from him, Robson Conceição.

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If you didn’t have the privilege of seeing the first fight, it was evident from the first round that this was going to be a highly technical, skilled affair. While Conceição definitely brought his defensive skill set to this fight, he seemed to pick up his game offensively where he lacked in their previous match. Continue reading “Foster edges Conceição, regains WBC 130lb title”

In the 12 round super bantamweight main event of unbeatens, Shabaz Masoud (14-0, 4 KOs) defeated Liam Davies (16-1, 8 KOs) in a domestic showdown at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom. Davies applied steady pressure from the first bell while Masoud had his success boxing and moving. Davies was cut over his right eye in round 4. Masoud begain to stand his ground more in the middle rounds. Round 8 and 9 saw multiple heated exchanges with both fighters having their moments. Big round 10 for Masoud who landed mutiple headed snapping shots to Davies. Good two-way action by both in round 11. Prior to the start of round 12 Davies corner told him he needed a knockout to win and he did all he could but came up short. The divided crowd were on their feet at the bouts in. The official scores were 115-113 and 116-112 for Masoud and 115-113 for Davies. Split decision win for Masoud who won the IBO super bantamweight title. Frank Warren promoted the event.

Local favorite Yoka Valle (32-3, 10 KOs) of Costa Rica defeated Elizabeth Lopez (11-7-5, 2 KOs) of Mexico by ten round unanimous decision. Valle was credited with a knockdown of Lopez in round 2 which appeared to be a slip. Good two way action as Lopez was very game but Valle was more efficent. Valle won the WBC female minimum world title in her third attempt. The official scores were 100-89 and 98-91 twice. The event took place at the Camara de Ganaderos, Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.