By Joe Koizumi

Unheralded underdog Masamichi Yabuki (13-3, 12 KOs), 107.75, surprisingly captured the WBC 108-pound belt as he survived a crisis in the ninth and caught up with previously unbeaten defending champ Kenshiro Teraji (18-1, 10 KOs), 107.5, with a flurry of unanswered punches, which prompted the referee’s intervention. Prior to the stoppage, Yabuki was leading on points: 87-84, 86-85, and 88-83.

In the main event from the second of two consecutive nights of boxing at the Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, California, undefeated super featherweight prospect Maliek Montgomery (11-0, 10 KOs) pounded out a tough, gritty ten round unanimous decision over rugged Aleem Jumakhonov (9-4-2, 5 KOs). It was a very entertaining toe-to-toe slugfest for all ten rounds. Montgomery prevailed 100-90, 99-91, 98-92, but it wasn’t a one-sided fight at all.

Montgomery threw nearly 1,000 punches in the bout, landing 339 of 973. Jumakhonov wasn’t far behind, connecting on 185 of 864. Worth catching a replay. Continue reading “Montgomery defeats Jumakhonov in war”

In the main event from the first of two consecutive nights of boxing at the Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, California, unbeaten lightweight Jose “El Rayo” Valenzuela (9-0, 6 KOs) scored a tougher than expected ten round unanimous decision over awkward Deiner Monstruo” Berrio (22-3-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday night. Valenzuela outworked Berrio by a wide margin, but Berrio’s unconventional style gave Valenzuela problems also in an entraining fight. Scores were 100-90, 99-91, 98-92.

In a clash of unbeaten super bantamweights, Elon De Jesus (3-0-1, 2 KOs) and Rajon Chance (5-0-1, 5 KOs) battled to a controversial six round draw. De Jesus cut Chance on the forehead with a punch in round three. Referee Jerry Cantu deducted a point from De Jesus for hitting behind the head during a confusing sequence in round four. In round five, Chance turned his back and was clocked several times. Later in the round, a De Jesus uppercut dropped Chance, He beat the count then immediately was allowed extra time to recover while the doctor checked the cut. De Jesus closed the final round strong. Scores were 57-55 Chance, 56-56, 56-56. Continue reading “Valenzuela defeats Berrio, remains undefeated”

Heavyweight Kash Ali (20-1, 11 KOs) successfully defended his IBF European title by seventh round TKO against Roman Gorst (7-2, 6 KOs) on Saturday night at Ponds Forge Arena in Sheffield, England. Ali handily won the first seven rounds and connected a big right hand to Gorst’s jaw in round seven that possibly broke Gorst’s jaw. His corner stopped the fight after the round.

Flyweight Tommy Frank (14-2, 3 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Matt Windle (6-4-1, 0 KOs) for the vacant British title. Franks dropped Windle in round two and went on to win 118-109, 117-110, 117-111.

In the latest installment of boxing’s hottest trend, the celebrity clash, Game of Thrones star and “2018 World’s Strongest Man” Thor “The Mountain” Bjornsson scored a first round TKO over arm-wrestling legend Devon Larratt at the Sport Society in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The 6’9, 323lb Bjornsson, 32, was way more polished than debuting 47-year-old Larratt. The bout was stopped quite prematurely by the referee after Larratt got a bloody nose in the first round. Time was 2:40.

This was Thor’s third time in the ring. His first two appearances were against legit pro boxers Steven Ward (13-1, 4 KOs) and Simon Vallily (17-3-1, 7 KOs). He is targeting a showdown with rival strongman Eddie Hall.

By Ron Jackson

In a poor fight that never rose to any heights, South Africa’s Thomas Oosthuizen fighting at junior heavyweight won on a majority eight round points decision against Youssouf Kasango Mwanza from the Democratic Republic of the Congo at The Metropolis in Pretoria on Saturday night. The scores 80-74, 78-74 and 76-76.

The southpaw Oosthuizen 90,40kg who had his last fight on 23 March 2019 appeared slow and sluggish at times against his limited opponent who came into the ring in fine condition but had not fought since 23 June 2019.

Through the early rounds, Oosthuizen possibly did enough to shade the rounds but in the last two rounds there was a lot of pushing and mauling with the referee Simon Mokadi failing to break them up. Continue reading “Oosthuizen wins majority decision against Mwanza”

WBC #14, IBF #15 heavyweight Martin Bakole (17-1, 13 KOs) scored an easy first round knockout over Haruna Osumanu (12-2, 7 KOs) at the Sport Society in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Simply not much resistance from the 41-year-old Osumanu, who was quite overweight. Bakole stalked Osumanu from the opening bell and once he realized there was nothing much coming back, he opened up and blasted Osumanu to the canvas with a few seconds left in round one to end it.

Unbeaten lightweight Anthony de Bruijn (10-0-1, 6 KOs) outpointed journeyman Giorgi Gachechiladze (16-40-1, 9 KOs) over eight workmanlike rounds. No scores were announced.

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Boxing returned to Montebello as WBC #13 super welterweight Serhii ‘El Flaco’ Bohachuk (20-1, 20 KOs) stopped Raphael ‘Trouble’ Igbokwe, (16-3, 7 KOs) of Houston, Texas in headlining Hollywood Fight Nights at the Quiet Cannon on UFC Fight Pass.

Bohachuk began connecting the southpaw Igbokwe with the short looping right. In the second, Bohachuk continued to land the right hand on a very cocky Igbokwe. Bohachuk was patient in the third as he timed Igbokwe with solid punches. The Ukrainian continued to attack with punishing shots throughout the fight as the fight was called off at the end of the sixth by Igbokwe’s corner. Continue reading “Bohachuk stops Igbokwe in six”

In the latest edition of the classic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry, undefeated junior welterweight Danielito “El Zorro” Zorrilla, (16-0, 12 KOs) scored a second round KO over former world title challenger Pablo Cesar Cano (33-8-1, 23 KOs) in the TrillerVerz II main event on Tuesday night in the Hard Rock LIVE at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. A left hook to body hurt Cano. A few seconds later, Cano took a knee. He tried to get up but couldn’t. Time was :35. Zorrilla won the NABO title.

Junior welterweight prospect Nahir “Woo” Albright (14-1, 7 KOs) scored a six round destruction of Michael “The West Texas Warrior” Dutchover (15-2, 10 KOs). Albright dropped Dutchover with a right hand late in round one. He put Dutchover down again with a barrage of punches in round two. A third knockdown with a right lead at the end of round three. No knockdown in round four, but Dutchover suffered a bad cut over his left eye. Dutchover was down again in round six and barely survived the round. The bout was stopped by the ring doctor after the round.

Unbeaten junior welterweight Miguel “Explosivo” Madueno (25-0, 23 KOs) scored an entertaining ten round TKO over game Sonny Fredrickson (21-4, 14 KOs). Über aggressive Madueno rained non-stop power shots four the first four rounds. A point was deducted from Madueno for holding Fredrickson’s head down and hitting. Fredrickson staged a brief rally, but Madueno was stronger down the stretch and got a referee’s stoppage in round ten. Time was 2:04.

Cruiserweight Yunieski “The Monster” Gonzalez (21-3, 17 KOs) scored a second round KO over Tommy “Kryptonite” Karpency (30-8-1, 19 KOS). A vicious liver shot put Karpency down for the count. Time was 2:03.

In a four-round light heavyweight bout, Bryce Henry (5-0, 4 KOs) scored a fourth round KO over Juan De Angel (22-14-1, 20 KOs).

By Bradley Snyder

Promoter Carlos Lllinas and Motor City Casino and Hotel Soundboard brought a sellout crowd of hungry boxing fans last Friday to witness Night of Knockouts XVIII, their first show since the pandemic.

The main event had cruiserweight Taylor Duerr (11-0-2, 7 KOs) in total control over six Rounds against Jose Obando (20-31-2, 15 KOs). Obando, the type of opponent known for his durability, took a beating in the ring and on the scorecards. Taylor easily won the fight by UD (60-54, 60-54, 60-54). Continue reading “Late Results from Detroit”

Welterweight Greg Outlaw (9-1, 4 KOs) stopped Edgar Torres (8-2-1, 4 KOs) in round two of their scheduled six-rounder on Friday night in the main event of a seven-bout card in front of a near-capacity crowd at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. In round two, Outlaw landed a booming uppercut that sent Torres on his back. Torres was able to get to his feet, only to eat a huge barrage of punches, for which was punctuated by another uppercut, and the bout was stopped at 1:47.

Bantamweight Christian Carto (18-1, 14 KOs) returned after a 31-month layoff and took out Yeison Vargas (17-8, 12 KOs) in the opening round. Carto looked quick under new trainer Bozy Ennis, and dropped Vargas with a hard combination. He ended things with a terrific left hook to the body that sent Vargas down for the 10-count at 2:53 of round one. Continue reading “Late Results from Philadelphia”

Middleweight Glen Tapia (24-5, 16 KOs) returned with a brutal first round KO against Narong Bunchan (28-9, 22 KOs) on Sunday night at La Perle in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tapia bum-rushed Bunchan firing a non-stop barrage of punches that drove Bunchan into the ropes. Bunchan was given a count. Tapia then battered him to the canvas as the bout was stopped. Time was :47.

“I wanted to show the world that I’m back!” proclaimed an emotional Tapia afterward. It was Tapia’s first fight after a four-year break. He ended a four-fight losing streak with the win. Tapia plans to return to the ring next month, again in the UAE.

Former world champions Riddick Bowe and Amir Khan were at ringside.

In a WBA super middleweight eliminator, WBA #1 Aidos Yerbossynuly (16-0, 11 KOs) scored a tenth round knockout over WBA #10 rated Lennox Allen (22-2, 14 KOs) on Sunday night at the Jekpe-Jek Arena, in Astana, Kazakhstan. Competitive fight until Yerbossynuly caught Allen in a corner and blasted him to his knees for the count.

44-year-old UFC legend Vitor Belfort scored a first round TKO over 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield (44-11-2, 29 KOs) on Saturday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Belfort dropped Holyfield with an uppercut, then got the referee’s stoppage with his follow-up barrage. Time was 1:49.

Holyfield complained about the stoppage, saying he wasn’t hurt. Belfort called out Jake Paul in a $30 million winner take all match. The offer is also open to Canelo, although that’s less than his normal purse.

Is a boxing match between UFC legends, Anderson Silva scored a brutal first round knockout over Tito Ortiz. Ortiz aggressively pressured Silva, who countered and hurt Ortiz. He then blasted Ortiz to the canvas for the count. Silva defeated former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June, so he can box at a decent level.

In a WBA super featherweight eliminator, Jono Carroll (22-6, 5 KOs) won a close ten round majority decision over Andy Vences (23-3-1, 12 KOs). Vences had Carroll pretty busted up by round eight. Doctors gave Carroll a good look after the round, which seemed to wake up Carroll who then rallied in the final two rounds. In the end, scores were 95-95, 97-93, 97-93 for Carroll. Vences looked shocked when the decision was announced.

Former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (29-4, 26 KOs) carried his friend business magnate Joe Fournier (9-1, 9 KOs) over eight uneventful two-minute rounds that resembled a sparring session. Haye never opened up and won easily 79-72, 80-71, 79-72. After the fight, Haye called out WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

More results

WBA #3 super welterweight Kerman Lejarraga (32-2, 25 KOs) took a narrow ten round majority technical decision over previously unbeaten Dylan Charrat (20-1-1, 6 KOs) to win the vacant European title at the Palau Olímpic Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona, Spain. A close, good action fight was stopped in round ten after a head clash left Lejarraga with a bad cut. The bout went to the scorecards which read 95-95, 96-94, 96-95 for Lejarraga. Lejarraga, formerly a European welterweight champion, is now a two-division Euro champ.

European female super bantamweight champion Mary Romero (7-2, 2 KOs) battered Amy Timlin (4-1-1, 0 KOs) until Timlin’s corner pulled her out at the end of round eight.

Former IBF super bantamweight champion Kiko Martinez (42-10-2, 29 KOs) won an eight round unanimous decision over Jayro Duran (14-10, 13 KOs). Martinez dropped Duran in round five and went on to win 80-71, 79-72, 79-72. Next for Martinez may be a rematch of his controversial loss to Zelfa Barrett. Continue reading “Lejarraga edges Charrat for Euro 154lb belt”

Unbeaten welterweight Alexander Besputin (15-0, 11 KOs) scored a fifth round KO over Mauricio “Trompas” Pintor (24-4-1, 14 KOs) on Saturday at the Ivan Yarygin Sports Palace in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. Besputin dropped Pintor twice in round five to end it.

Scholas Occurentes, Pope Francis’ non-religious foundation that promotes world peace, designated Besputin-Pintor as the “Fight for Peace.”

Besputin won the WBA welterweight title in 2019, but was removed when he tested positive for a banned substance. Pintor is the nephew of ring legend Lupe Pintor.

WBC #6, IBF #9 lightweight Zaur Abdullaev (14-1, 8 KOs) won by twelve round unanimous decision over former WBC champion Dejan Zlaticanin (24-3, 16 KOs) to claim the vacant WBC silver title on Saturday night at the RCC Boxing Academy in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Abdullaev took over early and went on to win 118-110, 119-109, 117-111.

2016 Olympic heavyweight gold medalist Evgeny Tishchenko (9-1, 6 KOs) took a completely one-sided ten round unanimous decision over faded former contender Dmitry Kudryashov (24-5, 23 KOs) to win the vacant WBC International cruiserweight title. Rated at #14 by the IBF, 6’5 cruiser Tishchenko dropped Kudryashov in round one and dominated all ten rounds. Scores were 99-90, 100-89, 100-89. Two bad losses in a row for Kudryashov.

In a huge upset, Mexico’s Jessica “La Magnifica” Gonzalez (8-5-2, 1 kO) claimed the WBC interim female bantamweight title by ten round split decision over previously unbeaten 30:1 favorite Tatyana Zrazhevskaya (11-1, 3 KOs. Scores were 96-94, 98-93 for the aggressive Gonzalez, 96-94 for Zrazhevskaya. Entering the fight, Gonzalez was 0-4-1 in her last five and hadn’t fought for three years. Her last win was in 2014, so this result was quite unexpected.

By Boxing Bob Newman at ringside

Hometown boy Oscar Valdez, carried the hopes of Tucson on his back in his first defense of the WBC super featherweight title against old amateur foe Robson Conceição of Bahia, Brazil on Friday night before 4,545 at the AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona. This was a rematch 12 years in the making, as Conceição had bested Valdez during the 2009 PanAm games. This was also a battle of highly skilled multi Olympians as Valdez represented Mexico twice while Conceição went for the gold thrice, finally pulling off the trick in his homeland during the 2016 Rio Olympic games.

It was definitely a Mutt & Jeff affair as Conceição, at 5’10” towered over the 5’5.5″ Valdez.

Conceição appeared confident and relaxed as he moved forward behind his jab, Valdez for his part trying to defend and mount an offense against his towering, crafty foe. Valdez began the third nicely as he buried a wicked left hook the body following up to the head of Conceição, bringing the crowd to its feet. But Conceição regained his composure and boxed neatly for the remainder of the round. Valdez was able to mount a brief, fleeting body attack in the fourth, but it seemed minimal against Conceição’s ring generalship, jabbing and moving. Continue reading “Valdez beats Conceição, retains WBC 130lb title”

By Boxing Bob Newman at ringside

There was definitely bad blood between super featherweights Gabriel Flores, Jr. of Stockton and Mexicali’s Luis Alberto Lopez during the press conference and weigh-ins, where Flores, Jr. formed his fingers into the shape of a pistol and pointed it gang-style to Lopez’ face. That fuel carried over into the ring tonight at the AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona. Continue reading “Upset: Lopez takes WBO #11 Flores’ 0”

By Boxing Bob Newman at ringside

Defending WBO flyweight champion Junto Nakatani made his American debut in defense of his title against former WBO light fly champ Angel “Tito” Acosta on Friday night at the AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona. In a cautious first round, the lanky Nakatani probed with his right jab from the southpaw stance, while Acosta tried to find a way to land anything. A hard left late in the round caused Acosta to stumble back into his own corner and Nakatani to pursue with a flurry. Acosta punched his way out and escaped the round.

In the second, a flurry of punches caused blood to start pouring from Acosta’s nose. After a prolonged visit from the ringside physician, Acosta was allowed to continue, only to get more leather laid on him. As Acosta was backed into Nakatani’s corner, he caught the oncoming champ with a huge right, nearly dropping him! Nakatani recovered quickly and survived the round.

The third saw another visit from the doctor, this time shorter and the action resumed. Nakatani had success with sneaky lead lefts that caught Acosta flush, further damaging his mouth and nose. Moments into the fourth, Acosta’s corner signaled to referee Rocky Burke that their charge had had enough, prompting Burke to wave it off at 0:32. Continue reading “Nakatani stops Acosta, retains WBO fly belt”

By Boxing Bob Newman at ringside

Hot Puerto Rican prospect Xander Zayas took on Albuquerque, NM native Jose Luis Sanchez in a scheduled six round jr. middleweight bout. The much taller Zayas used his slick left jab to dictate his offense and his deft footwork to maneuver his defense from the get-go. Zayas preferred to control the action from ring center and he did so very smoothly and effectively. A wicked left-right to the head of Sanchez drove the Mexican to a neutral corner, wobbly and hurt. Zayas went for broke, but Sanchez did just enough to keep himself in the fight. Zayas seemed gassed after the onslaught and Sanchez had a brief moment of his own. A hard left by Zayas and a miss by Sanchez caused the Mexican to seemingly be knocked down, but referee Rocky Burke ruled it a slip. In the fourth, Sanchez connected on some solid shots that had the Mexican-American crowd hollering for the upset. Zayas worked his way out of trouble with counters and a controlled, if slower, pace. As the sun began to dip below the AVA amphitheater roof, it became a potential impediment, blazing right into the eyes of the West-facing fighter, whoever it was at the time. Zayas poured what he had left into the sixth and final round- backing Sanchez into his own corner for another mini-barrage, but the tough Mexican held his ground, and survived the distance. In the end, Zayas took a harder-than-the-scores-reflected unanimous decision by scores of 60-54 and 60-53 x 2. He moves to 10-0, 7 KOs, while Sanchez dips to 11-2–1, 4 KOs. It was a fitting birthday gift for Zayas who turns 19 years old today. Continue reading “Undercard Results from Tucson, Arizona”

IBF #7, WBC #10, WBO #15 rated Tony Yoka (11-0, 9 KOs) broke down and stopped previously unbeaten Peter Milas (15-1, 11 KOs) in seven rounds on Friday night at the famous Roland Garros Tennis Stadium in Paris, France. 2016 Olympic gold medalist Yoka progressively broke down the mobile Milas, finally dropping him twice in round seven to end it.

IBF #4, WBC #9, WBO #13 heavyweight Filip “El Animal” Hrgovic (13-0, 11 KOs) crushed previously unbeaten Marko Radonjic (22-1, 22 KOs) on Friday night at Wörthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria. Hrgovic was careful of Radonjic’s power in round one, but he dropped Radonjic FOUR times in round two. Radonjic was down again in round three but survived. When Radonjic came out for round four, the referee immediately waved it off.

According to Hrgovic’s promoter, all of the IBF top 15 turned down the opportunity to face him in a final eliminator to become mandatory challenger for Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight crown.

WBA #14 super welterweight Souleymane Cissokho (14-0, 9 KOs) defended his WBA Intercontinental strap with a fourth round TKO against Ismail Iliev (13-3-1, 3 KOs) on Friday night at the famous Roland Garros tennis stadium in Paris, France. Cissokho cut Iliev over the left eye in round three. Cissokho dropped Iliev in round four and Iliev didn’t come out for round five.

WBC #5, IBF #7, WBO #10, WBA #12 light heavyweight Mathieu Bauderlique (21-1, 12 KOs) was victorious when WBC #3 rated former world title challenger Igor Mikhalkin (24-3, 11 KOs) couldn’t continue after round seven. Mikhalkin’s face was pretty swollen suggesting a possible broken jaw. Bauderlique wins the vacant European Union light heavyweight title.

WBA #3, WBC #11, WBO #14 super middleweight John Ryder (30-5, 17 KOs) tested the light heavyweight waters against Jozef Jurko (8-2, 6 KOs) on Friday night at Worthersee Stadium, Klagenfurt, Austria. Ryder took control in round three and battered Jurko until the bout was stopped in round five. Time was 1:29.

The WBA has ordered a world title bout between Ryder and regular champion David Morrell Jr., but promoter Eddie Hearn is interested in putting Ryder against WBA light heavyweight champion Dimitry Bivol.

* * *

Super middleweight Abass Baraou (10-1, 7 KOs) was victorious when Jay Spencer (11-2, 7 KOs) simply quit after taking a few body shots in round one.

Unbeaten super lightweight Dalton Smith (9-0, 7 KOs) took a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over Brian Pelaez (10-6, 1 KO) to claim the WBA Intercontinental title. Scores were 99-91 3x.

Super middleweight Abass Baraou (10-1, 7 KOs) was victorious when Jay Spencer (11-2, 7 KOs) simply quit after taking a few body shots in round one.

6’5 light heavyweight John Hedges (3-0, 0 KOs) outpointed journeyman Frane Radnic (11-26, 10 KOs) over eight.