By Joe Koizumi

Former Japanese super bantamweight champ Yusaku Kuga (18-3-1, 12 KOs), 122, regained the national belt when he floored defending titlist Ryoichi Tamura (12-4-1, 6 KOs), 121.75, in the fifth and won a unanimous decision (97-92, 96-93, 95-94) over ten hard-fought rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Continue reading “Kuga beats Tamura again, regains Japanese 122lb belt”

By Rick Scharmberg at ringside

Hector “Macho Time” Camacho Jr. (59-7-1, 33 KOs) made a successful return to the ring after nearly two years with a first round KO over Victor “El Pollito” Abreu (9-6, 5 KOs) in the main event at the Hockessin PAL Center in Hockessin, Delaware. Camacho Jr., son of the late, legendary Hector “Macho” Camacho, focused his attack to the body of the taller Abreu, before dropping him for the count with a right hook to the body at 2:07 of the opening round of the scheduled 8 round middleweight bout.

“I am looking to stay busy and make one more run at a title. I fight in Puerto Rico on August 10th,” stated Camacho after the bout.

Photos: Zanfer Promotions

A super lightweight clash between former world title challenger José “Chon” Zepeda (30-2, 25 KOs) and Eleazar “Tronco” Valenzuela (18-12-4, 15 KOs) ended in no contest due to an accidental clash of heads in the third round on Saturday night at the Gimnasio del Sindicato de Trabajadores del Metro in Mexico City.

Zepeda dropped Valenzuela in round one and punished Valenzuela in round two before the abrupt end in the third stanza.

WBA female strawweight champion Anabel “Avispa” Ortiz (29-3, 4 KOs) won by eight round unanimous decision against Bárbara Alejandra Martínez (10-7-1, 3 KOs) in a non-title fight. 19 straight wins for Ortiz.

In a real war in which both fighters were down, super flyweight Joel “Trino” Córdoba (11-4-2, 2 KOs) was victorious when former WBC flyweight champion Juan “Churrritos” Hernández (35-4, 26 KOs) didn’t Como out for round six.

Photos

Photos: Emily Harney

WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (41-0-1, 40 KOs) annihilated mandatory challenger Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (20-2, 18 KOs) in the first round on Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Wilder rocked Breazeale early on. A flush right hand laid out Breazeale to end it. Breazeale was counted out at 2:17.

It was Wilder’s ninth successful title defense. By comparison, it took Anthony Joshua seven rounds to stop Breazeale.

Photos

Photos: Emily Harney

WBC featherweight world champion “Mister” Gary Russell Jr. (30-1, 18 KOs) won by fifth round TKO over former world champ Kiko Martinez (39-9-2, 28 KOs) on Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Russell was in command all the way until the fight was stopped due a cut over Martinez’ left eye. Time was 2:52. Russell had a clean 40-36 sweep going on the scored rounds.

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Unbeaten super lightweight Juan Heraldez (16-0-1, 10 KOs) and former IBF super feather champ Argenis Mendez (25-5-3, 12 KOs) battled to a hard fought ten round draw on Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Scores were 95-95, 95-95, and 97-93 for Mendez.

Unbeaten heavyweight Robert Alfonso (18-0-1, 8 KOs) and Iago Kiladze (26-4-1, 18 KOs) fought to a lackluster eight round draw. A lethargic performance by 2008 Olympian Alfonso, who struggled with an opponent coming off three consecutive stoppage losses. Scores were 77-75 Alfonso, 77-75 Kiladze, 76-76.

Three “Gary Russell” brothers on tonight’s card with two younger siblings of WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. both emerging victorious. Lightweight Gary Antuanne Russell (9-0, 9 KOs), a 2016 Olympian, scored a fourth round knockout over Marcos Mojica (16-4-2, 12 KOs). Mojica down twice in round four. Time was 2:13. Bantamweight Gary Antonio Russell (14-0, 11 KOs) won by six round technical decision over Saul Eduardo Hernandez (13-13-1, 8 KOs). Scores were 60-54, 60-54, 59-55.

Junior welterweight and 2016 Olympian Richardson Hitchins (9-0, 5 KOs) stopped Alejandro Munera (4-2-3, 4 KOs) after three one-sided rounds. Hitchins dropped Munera with a body shot in round three and the bout was halted after the round.

In a clash for the vacant WBO super middleweight title, former middleweight titlist Billy Joe Saunders (28-0, 13 KOs) outpointed Shefat Isufi (27-4-2, 20 KOs) over twelve one-sided rounds on Saturday night outdoors at Lamex Stadium in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England. The result was never in doubt as Saunders cruised to a unanimous nod by scores of 120-108, 117-111, 118-110. Saunders picked up the belt formerly held by Zurdo Ramirez, who moved up to light heavyweight.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

In a World Boxing Super Series super lightweight semi-final, IBF #3 Josh “The Tartan Tornado” Taylor (15-0, 12 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision to dethrone reigning IBF world champion Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk (19-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland.

Local hero Taylor dropped the champion twice in round six, first with a big right hand, then with a barrage of punches. Baranchyk recovered and finished the fight, but Taylor won by wide scores of 117-109, 115-111, 115-111.

Taylor will face Regis Prograis in the WBSS final.

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Unbeaten heavyweight and Olympic silver medalist Joe “The Juggernaut” Joyce (9-0, 9 KOs) scored a third round KO over Alexander Ustinov (34-4, 25 KOs) in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England (about 30 minutes north of London). Joyce pretty much worked over the slower 42-year-old Ustinov. A left hook put Ustinov on his knees for the count. Time was 1:55.

British super bantamweight champion Brad Foster (11-0-1, 4 KOs) stopped Ashley Lane (13-9-2, 1 KO) with 2 seconds remaining in the twelfth round to add the Commonwealth title to his resume. Foster dropped Lane in the last round and finished him with his follow-up barrage.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

In a World Boxing Super Series bantamweight semi-final, WBA champion Naoya “The Monster” Inoue (18-0, 16 KOs) demolished IBF champion Emmanuel Rodriguez (19-1, 12 KOs) in the second round on Saturday night at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland.

After a close round one, Inoue dropped Rodriguez three times in round two to spectacularly end it. Time was 1:19.

Inoue will now face Nonito Donaire in the WBSS final. Continue reading “Naoya Inoue crushes Manny Rodriguez for IBF belt”

Huck was announced as the winner in the ring, but the result was later changed to a no decision by the commission.

Heavyweight Marco Huck (42-5-1, 29 KOs) needed just 57 seconds to finish Nick Guivas (14-11-3, 9 KOs) on Friday night at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Former cruiserweight champ Huck immediately dropped Guivas. Huck then put Guivas down again with what was ruled an accidental foul (hitting on the break) and the bout was halted. (Photo: Emily Harney) Continue reading “Huck wins in 57 seconds, result later changed”

Former unified bantamweight world champion Ryan Burnett (20-1, 10 KOs) returned with a sixth round stoppage of Jelbirt Gomera (14-6, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBC International super bantamweight title on Friday night at Ulster Hall in his hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Burnett was in command all the way. The end came when Gomera turned his back following a pair of punishing Burnett body shots.

It was Burnett’s first fight since suffering his first pro defeat last November when he suffered a back injury against Nonito Donaire and was forced to retire on his stool.

Lightweight prospect ”Ruthless” Romero Duno (20-1, 15 KOs) scored a nine round split technical decision over Juan Antonio “Mozo” Rodriguez (30-8, 26 KOs) to claim the vacant NABO title on Friday night at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. A hard fought fight went to the scorecards after an accidental headbutt in round nine. Scores were 85-84, 86-83 Duno, 85-84 Rodriguez. Duno was deducted a point in round seven. Duno dropped Rodriguez with a body shot in round eight.

In a clash between unbeaten featherweights, NABF beltholder Manny “Chato” Robles III (18-0, 8 KOs) won a ten round split decision over Rigoberto Hermosillo (11-1-1, 8 KOs). Robles floored Hermosillo in round one, but Hermosillo pressed the action the rest of the way. Scores were 97-92, 96-93 Robles, and 95-94 Hermosillo.

Unbeaten super lightweight Genaro “El Conde” Gamez (9-0, 6 KOs) smoked Daniel Evangelista (20-10-2 16 KOs) in the first round. Gamez dropped Evangelista in round one and finished him with his follow-up barrage. Time was 2:43. Five first round KOs now for Gamez.

Lightweight Carlos “The Solution” Morales (18-4-3, 7 KOs) stopped journeyman Pedro Navarrete (30-24-3, 19 KOs) in round five.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

IBF #15, WBA #15 light-middleweight Tim Tszyu (12-0, 10 KOs) clearly outpointed Joel Camilleri (17-5-1, 8 KO’]s) over ten rounds to become the Australian 154 pound champion on Wednesday at the Star City Casino Sydney, NSW, Australia. Tszyu took control of the bout in round three and connected with accurate combinations consistently on the durable Camilleri. Scores 99-91, 99-91, 98-92.

”I’m the best in the country,” Tszyu said afterward. ”I just defeated a champion … all my respect to Joel Camilleri. He’s a tough man, and he gave me a fight. It’s a learning curve for me. I learned more in this fight than my whole career, so thank you to Joel.”

Promoter: Matt Rose, matchmaker: Stuart Duncan, Combat Sports Inspector: Dave Grainger.

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s Moruti Mthalane (38-2, 25 KOs) produced an outstanding performance to retain his IBF flyweight belt for the second time with a unanimous 12 round points decision over a very game #4 ranked Masayuki Kuroda (30-8-3, KOs) of Japan at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Monday.

Judges Neville Hotz and Masakasa Murase both scored it 116-112 and judge Ian Scott had a more realistic score of 117-112. Continue reading “Mthalane retains IBF flyweight title”

Photos: Sumio Yamada

WBC super featherweight world champion Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt (36-1, 32 KOs) stopped Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (25-2-2, 18 KOs) in six brutal rounds on Saturday night before 4,424 at the Tucson Arena in Tucson, Arizona. As promised, two of the most exciting fighters in boxing went to war. Berchelt broke down Vargas with his vicious power shots and Vargas’ corner stopped the fight after round six. Berchelt won by eleventh round knockout in their first fight.

“I did what I said I was going to do in the ring,” Berchelt said afterward. “More importantly, I want to thank Francisco ‘Bandito’ Vargas. He’s a true Mexican warrior, and more than anything, let me tell you, he gave me my first opportunity at a world title. So, it was only fair that I would give him a shot to win his world title back. But his corner did the right thing in saving him from more punishment.” Continue reading “Berchelt stops Vargas again, retains WBC 130lb title”

Photos: Sumio Yamada

WBO junior featherweight champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (27-1, 23 KOs) delivered a one-sided twelve round beatdown of Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe (20-2, 14 KOs) to retain his belt on Saturday night before 4,424 at the Tucson Arena in Tucson, Arizona. Navarrete rocked Dogboe early and often over twelve punishing rounds. He dropped Dogboe in rounds six and twelve, prompting Dogboe’s corner to finally threw in the towel with 58 seconds left in the bout. Navarrete beat Dogboe by unanimous decision last December and this time it was even more decisive.

“It really surprised me that he took so many hard shots, but at the same time, he continued to throw strong punches,” Navarrete said. “I want to thank Dogboe because he gave me the opportunity to become a world champion, and now in this second fight, he gave me the opportunity to demonstrate that my first triumph wasn’t by accident and that there is a reason why I have the title. And to all the fighters at122 pounds, I tell them that if they want my title, then they can come and try and take it. ‘El Vaquero’ is here!” Continue reading “Navarrete defeats Dogboe again, this time by TKO”

By Gary “Digital” Williams at ringside
Photos: Mike Greenhill

Philadelphia, PA’s Julian “J-Rock” Williams outworked, outpunched and outhustled his way to a unanimous decision over previously undefeated “Swift” Jarrett Hurd of Accokeek. MD to win the unified WBA/IBF/IBO Super Welterweight championship at the Eagle Bank Arena in Fairfax, VA in front of a crowd of 5,105.

Williams beat Hurd to the punch with great jabs and inside punches.  Williams repeatedly was first in his exchanges with Hurd.  In the second round. Williams dropped Hurd with a left hand to the head.  It was the first time Hurd had been dropped in his pro career.

Hurd did land some shots midway through the contest but Williams seemed to have an answer for every Hurd flurry by using angles and great movement.  There would be no late-round heroics for Hurd as Williams went on to win by scores of 116-111 and 115-112 twice.  Williams wins his first world championships and is now 27-1-1, 16 KO’s.  Hurd loses for the first time and is now 23-1, 16 KO’s. Continue reading “Williams dethrones WBA/IBF 154lb champ Hurd”

6’4 super lightweight Mykal “The Professor” Fox (20-1, 5 KOs) scored an ugly ten round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten 2016 Olympic gold medalist Fazliddin “Fayzi” Gaibnazarov (7-1, 4 KOs) at the Tucson Arena in Tucson, Arizona. Gaibnazarov was never able to solve Fox’s roughly nine-inch height advantage. Scores were 96-92, 96-92, 95-93. Gaibnazarov was deducted points in round seven and eight.

Three-time world title challenger Miguel Marriaga (28-3, 24 KOs) returned to action with a third round TKO against late sub Ruben Cervera (10-2, 9 KOs) in a lightweight fight. Marriaga dropped Cervera twice with hooks to the body in round two. Cervera knocked down an off-balance Marriaga in round three, but took more heavy body shots. Cervera didn’t come out for round four. Cervera stepped in when Marriaga’s original opponent arrived 20 pounds over the contract weight.

WBC Continental Americas super bantamweight beltholder Carlos Castro (23-0, 9 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Mario Alberto Diaz (18-3, 7 KOs). Castro scored a knockdown in round two en route to a 100-89, 100-89, 98-91 verdict.

By Gary “Digital” Williams at ringside
Photos: Mike Greenhill

Undefeated San Antonio, TX super lightweight Mario “El Azteca” Barrios scored a second-round knockout over Juan Jose Velasco of Pulpaia, Argentina in the co-feature bout at Eagle Bank Arena in Fairfax, VA.

Barrios was aggressive from the start and eventually caught Velasco with a clean body shot followed by a solid right cross. Velasco went down and could not beat referee Wayne Spinola’s 10-count. Barrios is now 24-0, 16 KO’s. Velasco falls to 20-2, 12 KO’s.

Update: The 10-round contest between Matt Korobov and Immanuwel Aleem has had the scores changed. The bout is now a majority draw. One score was incorrectly read as 96-95 for Korobov when it should have read 95-95. Korobov did win one scorecard at 97-93. Korobov’s record is now 28-2-1, 14 KO’s while Aleem is now 18-1-2, 11 KO’s.

Middleweight Matt Korobov of St. Petersburg, FL won a 10-round majority decision over “The Chosen One” Immanuwel Aleem of Richmond, VA. Korobov seemed to land the harder punches in the contest, at times making Aleem take a step back. In the sixth round, Korobov wobbled Aleem with a strong right uppercut. However, Aleem fought back and turned the tide in the last three rounds as he caught the Russian native with strong punches of his own. One judge had a draw, 95-95 but the two other judges scored the contest, 96-95 and 97-93 for Korobov, who is now 29-2, 14 KO’s. Aleem falls to 18-2-1, 11 KO’s. Continue reading “Update: Barrios wins, Korobov-Aleem draw”

Super middleweight Stefan Haertel (18-1, 2 KOs) dethroned reigning European champion Robin Krasniqi (49-6, 17 KOs) by twelve round unanimous decision in a grudge match between SES stablemates on Saturday night at the Stadthalle in Magdeburg, Germany. Haertel pressed the action and won deservedly 117-112, 116-112, 115-113.

Unbeaten cruiserweight Juergen Uldedaj (11-0, 2 KOs) outpointed Krzysztof Twardowski (5-2, 3 KOs) over ten to claim the vacant WBC Youth title. Scores 97-93 3x.

Heavyweight prospect Peter Kadiru (3-0, 1 KO) won a six round unanimous decision over Paolo Iannucci (4-4, 1 KO) by scores of 60-54 across the board.

Derrick Osaze was crowned winner of Ultimate Boxxer III: The Middleweights in a thrilling night of action at The Indigo at The O2 in London last night, exclusively live on BT Sport. In the final, the Punching Preacher, who was MansionBet 10/1, defeated the resilient Grant Dennis to win the Gold Robe and a large share of the £50,000 prize money.

The 25-year-old from Peckham, now based in Nottingham, who is a Minister at his local church, said before the tournament that he had the most powerful support from God to take him to victory and he proved it by defeating his UB III rivals. Continue reading “Derrick Osaze wins Ultimate Boxxer III”

By Ron Jackson

South African super-middleweight champion Rowan Campbell from the Smiths Gym retained his IBO All-Africa super-middleweight title for the first time with a 10 round unanimous points decision over Yanga Phetani from the Western Cape in a grueling affair at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Friday night. The scores were 98-93, 98-92 and a rather wide 99-91. Continue reading “Campbell retains IBO All-Africa 168lb title”

Former light heavyweight world title challenger Vyacheslav “Lion Heart” Shabranskyy (20-1, 17 KOs) returned to the ring to stop journeyman Gilberto Rubio (9-8, 6 KOs) by first round TKO on Friday night at the Burbank Marriott Events Center in Burbank, California. It was the 32-year-old Shabranskyy’s first fight since his KO loss to Sergei Kovalev in November 2017.

Courtesy Jim Jenkins, Sacramento Bee

Cheered on by a hometown crowd, super middleweight Mike Guy (10-4-1, 5 KOs) pulled out a six-round split decision win over previously unbeaten Mike Delgado of Anaheim (5-1, 4 KOs) in Friday night’s feature match at the Sacramento DoubleTree Hotel. There were no knockdowns in the hard-fought duel, worthy of a rematch. Delgado fought with a cut eye, checked a few times by the ringside physician. Judges’ scores were 57-56, 57-56 and 55-58. Guy was penalized a point for a foul. Continue reading “Upset: Guy edges Delgado”