Popular WBA #9, WBC #10 light heavyweight Richie “Popeye the Sailor Man” Rivera (27-2, 20 KOs) stayed busy with a quick second round knockout against Roger Guerrero (17-9-1, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at the Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts. Eight straight losses for Guerrero. The event was promoted by Rivera Promotions Entertainment in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Unbeaten WBA #9, IBF #13 super middleweight Callum Simpson (16-0, 11 KOs) stopped WBO #12 Steed Woodall (19-3-1, 12 KOs) in the second round to retain his British and Commonwealth titles on Saturday night at the Park Community Arena in Sheffield, England. Simpson dropped Woodall in round two and got a quick referee’s stoppage soon after. Time was 1:56.

A clash between unbeaten WBC female lightweight champion Caroline Dubois (10-0-1, 5 KOs) and Jessica Camara (14-4-1, 3 KOs) ended in a two round technical draw after Camara was cut by an accidental head clash. Dubois was dominating before the unfortunate end.

Heavyweight Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh (15-2-1, 13 KOs) won his 10th fight in a row in last night’s “EQC Fight Night” in the EQC Event Center at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington. Ibeh, 31, hasn’t lost since 2021. The former Canadian pro football player used his 70-pound advantage over Scott Alexander (17-7-2, 9 KOs) in the main event, trapping his opponent on the ropes, causing a pair of knockdowns. The latter closed the show at 2:36 of the first round for his second straight opening-round stoppag. Ibeh, who is a native of Nigeria who lives in Phoenix, entered the ring as the WBC Latino silver Heavyweight Champion and left with the vacant WBC Latino title.

WBA Continental super featherweight champion Austin Brooks (13-0-1, 6 KOs) successfully defended his title with an eighth-round stoppage of Rosalindo Morales (10-2, 2 KOs) in the co-featured event. The WBA #15 rated Brooks, fighting out of San Diego, controlled the pace from the opening bell and he hurt Morales with a vicious left hook to the body. Morales took a knee and beat the referee’s count, until another body shot ended the fight at 1:04 of round eight.

IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia (27-0, 21 KOs) retained his title with a devastating fourth round knockout against previously unbeaten David Nyika (10-1, 9 KOs) on Wednesday night at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia. The fight was an exciting slugfest with Opetaia breaking through in the fourth to drop Nyika twice. Time was 2:17. Nyika was on the canvas for a long time but eventually did leave the ring under his own power. Next up for Opetaia will likely be a unification clash with WBA/WBO champion Zurdo Ramirez.

Unbeaten WBO #5, IBF #13, WBC #15 heavyweight contender Justis “JPH” Huni (12-0, 7 KOs) destroyed Shaun Potgieter (10-2, 7 KOs). Huni pounded on Potgieter from the opening bell and got a referee’s stoppage 33 seconds into round two.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten formerly thirteen-time national amateur champ, WBA#9 Hayato Tsutsumi (6-0, 3 KOs), 129.75, lopsidedly battered ex-champ Rene Alvarado (34-15, 22 KOs), 128.75, from Nicaragua, and finally decked a fine TKO victory at 1:55 of the eighth round in a scheduled ten in Tokyo on New Year’s Eve.

Despite the cancellation of the main event between WBA 115lb champ Fernando Martinez (who caught a bad flu to be unable to fight as scheduled) and ex-titlist Kazuto Ioka, the show went on and the aforementioned WBA super feather eliminator was a headliner before the sparse crowd at Ota city general purpose gymnasium. This was the final 2024 boxing show held in boxing-abundant Japan. Continue reading “Tsutsumi halts Alvarado in WBA 130lb eliminator”

By Brad Snyder-The Undercard
Photos by Bob Ryder

Detroit, MI- Cruiserweight Derick Miller Jr. (18-0, 10 KOs) made quick work of Fransisco Cordero (46-22, 35 KOs) by winning by TKO at the 1:20 mark of the 1st Round. Miller opened the contest with a steady left jab. Not too long after the bell to start the fight, Miller found a left to the body of Cordero that had him hit the canvas. Referee Steve Daher counted him out.

Antwan Jones landed a beautiful right uppercut on his opponent Alan Campo to win the scheduled 8-Round Light Heavyweight contest in four rounds. The 53-second victory by TKO in the 4th, also, produced another knockdown by Jones in the 3rd. The win improves Jones to (17-0, 10 KOs) and Campo drops to (19-11, 13 KOs). Continue reading “Night of Knockouts XXXII”

The flyweight bout between former world title challenger Jayson Mama (20-2-1, 10 KOs) and Michael Bravo (14-5-1, 7 KOs) ended in a third-round technical draw on Friday night in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, Philippines. The referee stopped the bout and ruled that a cut suffered by Bravo was caused by a headbutt.

In other action, world-ranked minimumweight Joey Canoy (23-5-2, 14 KOs)secured an eight round unanimous decision victory against Ariston Aton (9-13-1, 5 KOs).

Also, bantamweight RV Deniega (11-1, 6 KOs) delivered an impressive performance, stopping Jelo Bacalso (6-7-2, 4 KOs) in the seventh round.

In a clash for the vacant WBC light flyweight title, WBC #2 rated Panya Pradabsri (44-2, 27 KOs) scored a controversial twelve round majority decision over WBC #1 Carlos Canizales (27-3-1, 19 KOs) on Thursday at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Scores were 114-114 (Malcom Bulner), and 115-113 (Antonio Carrillo), and 116-112 (Zanashir Taznaa) for hometown favorite Pradabsri.

After the fight, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman commented that Venezuelan Canizales “is a warrior who fought his heart out. I am disappointed at the performance of the WBC judges in specific rounds and I will order an immediate review by the corresponding committee. WBC ring officials are accountable for their performance.”

By David Finger

For boxing fans in Southeast New Mexico, the focus of Saturday night’s fight card at the Lea County Event Center was undoubtedly on the three local fighters from Hobbs, New Mexico who were making their professional debuts in front of their hometown crowd. But for boxing fans in general, the small School of Hard Knocks Promotions boxing show that went up against both the Usyk-Fury PPV fight and a pair of college football playoff games, was on their radar for a different reason. Making his professional debut was a young fighter from Odessa, Texas whom many consider to be the Lone Star State’s top prospect and a surefire future world champion in welterweight Josh Franco. Continue reading “Amateur champ Franco wins pro debut”

Undefeated WBC, WBA, WBO unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) defeated former heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) again on Saturday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Tactical fight. Very close early rounds. Usyk landed two big left hands in round four. Fury connected with some hard shots in round five. Usyk connected with some big shots in round six. Fury, who weighed in 19 pounds heavier than the first fight, seemed to tire as the bout progressed. Fury got a second wind in round nine. Both landed good shots in round ten. Usyk had a strong round eleven and twelve. Scores were 116-112 3x in favor of Usyk.

Unbeaten WBO #6, WBA #10, IBF #14 heavyweight Moses Itauma (11-0, 9 KOs) impressively destroyed Demsey McKean (22-2, 14 KOs) in the first round in the Usyk-Fury co-feature on Saturday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 19-year-old Itauma dropped McKean twice in round one before the bout was stopped. Time was 1:57.

In what was billed as a final WBC super welterweight eliminator, former WBC 154-pound interim titleholder and current WBC #2 Serhii Bohachuk (25-2, 24 KOs) defeated late sub Ishmael Davis (13-2, 6 KOs) by sixth round TKO. Bohachuk dropped Davis in round two with a short left hook. Bohachuk continued to punish Davis until Davis’ corner pulled their man out after round six

Unbeaten WBO #13 rated Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher (13-0, 11 KOs) won a controversial ten round split decision over David “White Rhino” Allen (23-7, 18 KOs). Fisher won the first four rounds, but Allen dropped Fisher in round five, then battered him for two minutes. Allen rocked Fisher again in round six. Both landed big shots after that with Allen clearly doing more damage. Scores were 95-94, 95-94 Fisher, 96-93 Allen.

Featherweight Lee McGregor (15-1-1, 11 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Team Fury member Isaac Lowe (25-3-3, 8 KOs). Scores were 96-92, 97-91, 97-91. Lowe deducted a point for continually losing his mouthpiece.

Former Olympian super featherweight Peter McGrail (11-1, 6 KOs) scored a narrow ten round unanimous decision against previously undefeated WBA #13 Rhys Edwards (16-1, 4 KOs). McGrail fought most the bout with blood streaming from over his right eye. Edwards, a late sub, gave McGrail all he could handle, but came up short 96-95, 96-94, 96-94.

In a clash between unbeaten light heavyweights, WBA #11 Daniel Lapin (11-0, 4 KOs) scored a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over Dylan Colin (14-1, 4 KOs). Scores were 100-90, 99-91, 99-91. The IBF international and WBA continental belts were on the line.

Unbeaten heavyweight Andrii Novytskyi (14-0, 10 KOs) outpointed Edgar Ramirez (10-2-1, 4 KOs) over ten workmanlike rounds. Scores were 100-90, 100-90, 98-92. Novytskyi retains his WBC International belt.

Bantamweight Muhammad Alakel (2-0, 0 KOs) shut out Joshua Ocampo (8-34-5, 6 KOs) over six rounds.

By Joe Koizumi

The IBF 115-pound title bout for the vacant championship took place between Mexicans on Saturday in Shizuoka, Japan. IBF#3 Willibaldo Garcia (22-5-2-1NC), 113.75, and IBF#4 Rene Calixto (23-0-1, 9 KOs), 114.25, fought to a split draw over twelve sizzling rounds. It was a bizarre bout with Garcia attacking all the way and Calixto on the defensive occasionally countering the less accurate aggressor.

The officials tallies were as follows: Tetsuya Iida (Japan) 118-110 for Garcia, Surat Soikrachang (Thailand) 116-112 for Calixto, Edward Ligas (Philippines) 114-114. The referee was Koji Tanaka (Japan). The IBF belt had been renounced by Argentine Fernando Martinez who declined to defend his title against the IBF mandatory challenger and decided to respond to the challenge of ex-titlist Kazuto Ioka on New Year’s Eve in Tokyo.

Promoter: Kameda Promotions.

Former minimumweight champion Erick “Mini-Pacman” Rosa (8-0, 2 KOs) hammered out a twelve round unanimous decision over Neider Valdez (14-2-2, 11 KOs) to claim the vacant WBA world light flyweight title on Thursday night at the Pabellon de Karate at Centro Olimpico in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Scores were 116-112, 117-111, 117-111.

Japanese legend and four-time world champion Katsunari Takayama (34-9, 12 KOs) triumphed over previously unbeaten Australian Kha Lu (7-1, 3 KOs) to win the vacant IBO minimumweight title at a Sanman Boxing event on Wednesday night at the Bula Gymnasium in General Santos City, Philippines. Takayama dominated the fight with relentless volume punching and pressure from the first round through to the twelfth.

In undercard action, former two-time interim world champion Reymart Gaballo (29-2, 24 KOs) stopped James Pagaling (8-4, 5 KOs) in the third round, sending him to the canvas twice during the bantamweight bout. Former flyweight title challenger Vince Paras (22-3-1, 16 KOs) delivered an impressive performance, dropping and stopping tough veteran Anthony Gilbuela (8-7-2, 2 KOs) in the fourth round. Dave Apolinario (21-1, 14 KOs) made a successful return, winning by unanimous decision against Jeny Boy Boca (14-17, 12 KOs) after six rounds, weighing in at 114 lbs.

Rising super featherweight star Robert Guerrero III (5-0, 2 KOs), remained undefeated this past Sunday, December 15, 2024, with a hard-fought victory over Eduardo Tarango in a scheduled 4-round bout at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas. At just 17 years old, Guerrero III, the son of multiple-division world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, capped off an impressive year, finishing 2024 with a perfect 5-0 record. Guerrero III will look forward to another busy year in 2025, when he turns 18.

“I believe in my son’s talent and work ethic, which is why we’re matching him against tough opposition early in his career,” stated Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, who has been guiding his son’s career. “These fights are about building experience and preparing him for the future. He’s learning how to handle adversity in the ring, and I couldn’t be prouder of the progress he’s made this year.”

“King” Ryan Garcia has injured his wrist in training camp, temporarily postponing his much anticipated exhibition showdown against Japanese kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo that was set to take place on Monday, December 30 in Tokyo, Japan in an event presented by RIZIN and FANMIO. The event will be rescheduled for a date in early 2025.

“I’ve been eagerly preparing for my upcoming exhibition fight in Japan, training hard in Dallas over the past several weeks,” said the disappointed Garcia. “Unfortunately, I sustained a hand injury during training and returned to Los Angeles to be seen by the doctor, who has advised me to postpone my December 30 exhibition.”

Garcia says he does not expect the injury to prevent his eventual showdown with Anpo, who has traded increasingly nasty public barbs with Garcia throughout the past month. Continue reading “Kingry injures wrist; Japan exhibition delayed”

Former heavyweight title challenger Dillian “The Body Snatcher” Whyte (31-3, 21 KOs) stopped Ebenezer Tetteh (23-2, 20 KOs) after seven hard-fought rounds on Sunday night at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar. Whyte was busier, while Tetteh stalked him. Whyte gave Tetteh a beating, but the game African kept coming. The bout was finally halted after the seventh round.

Former cruiserweight title challenger Mike “The Rebel” Perez (30-3-1, 21 KOs) needed just 34 seconds to demolish Israel Duffus (20-13, 17 KOs). A straight left from southpaw Perez finished Duffus.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

IBF bantamweight champion Ryosuke Nishida (10-0, 2 KOs), 117.5, kept his belt as he scored a fine knockout over Thai challenger Anuchai Donsua (16-1, 7 KOs), 117, at 1:37 of the seventh round on Sunday in Osaka, Japan. It was the lanky southpaw champ’s first defense since he dethroned Emmanuel Rodriguez by an upset decision this May. The taller lefty controlled the contest by utilizing his advantageous reach, and floored the unbeaten Thailander with a southpaw right hook midway in round five. The seventh saw Nishida land a vicious left uppercut to the midsection to deck him again this time for the count. The referee was Katsuhiko Nakamura, Japan. Continue reading “Nishida finishes Anuchai, keeps IBF 118lb belt”

Former super flyweight champion Andrew Moloney (27-4, 17 KOs) scored a third round KO over Jakrawut Majungoen (47-7-2, 26 KOs) on Sunday night at the The Melbourne Pavilion, in Melbourne, Australia. Moloney laid out Majungoen (also known as Kongfah CP Freshmart, face first in the third to end it.

In an astonishing upset, unheralded Bruno Surace (26-0-2, 5 KOs) knocked out WBC #2, WBO #3, WBA #4, IBF #5 super middleweight contender Jaime Munguia (44-2, 35 KOs) on Saturday night at the Estadio Caliente in Tijuana, Mexico. Mangier dropped Surace in round two with a left hook to the chin. It was all Munguia until Surace connected with a right hand that put Munguia on his back.

“I know that he is an excellent boxer. So, we worked on our counter punches,” Surace said. “He is a true warrior. I want to thank him for the opportunity. This was a big experience for me. Middleweight is my true weight class. But we’ll see if {a rematch} can happen.”

* * *

In the co-feature, WBC #1 super bantamweight Alan Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KOs) scored a third round knockout against late sub Yehison Cuello (13-3-1, 11 KOs), who replaced Picasso’s original opponent Isaac Sackey. Picasso took out Cuello with a brutal body shot. Time was 1:55.

In a clash between big-punching welterweight contenders, NABO titleholder and WBO #2, WBC #9 rated Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-1, 16 KOs) and NABF titleholder and WBC #5, IBF #10, WBO #14 rated Raul “El Cugar” Curiel (15-0-1, 13 KOs) battled to a draw on Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. It was a great action slugfest filled with exciting back-and-forth exchanges. Both fighters had their moments and every round was razor-close. After twelve rounds, scores were 116-112 Rocha, 114-114, 114-114.

Undefeated WBO #3, WBC #5 super welterweight Charles “Bad News” Conwell (21-0, 16 KOs) scored a seventh round TKO over previously unbeaten Gerardo Vergara (20-1, 13 KOs). Conwell broke down Vergara, then stopped him with a series of left hooks. The referee’s stoppage was at 2:51.

In a clash for the vacant WBA Continental North America super flyweight title, John “Scrappy” Ramirez (15-1, 9 KOs) hammered out a ten round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Ephraim Bui (10-1, 8 KOs). Scores were 97-93 3x. Continue reading “Rocha-Curiel draw, Conwell still unbeaten”

Heavyweight Granit Shala (17-1, 6 KOs) score a twelve round split decision over previously unbeaten Daniel Dietz (13-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the Weihnachtscirkus in Karlsruhe, Germany. Scores were 117-111, 117-110 Shala, 116-112 Dietz. Shala wins the vacant IBF International title.

Former IBF and WBA super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (13-1, 10 KOs) destroyed Ricardo Espinoza (30-5, 25 KOs) for the interim WBA super bantamweight world title on Saturday night at the Salle des Étoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Akhmadaliev dropped Espinoza three times in round three to end it. Time was 2:59.

In a clash for the vacant Euro cruiserweight title, unbeaten Leonardo Mosquea (16-0, 9 KOs) defeated British champion Chev Clarke (10-1, 7 KOs) by twelve round split decision. Mosquea dropped Clarke in round one and went on to win on two cards 116-112, 115-112. Clarke was up on the this card 117-113.

Lightweight Maxi Hughes (28-7-2, 6 KOs) shut out Gary Cully (18-2, 10 KOs) over ten rounds to seize Cully’s WBA Continental title. Scores were 100-90 3x.

Alejandro ‘Konejo’ González (18-6-3, 10 KOs) of Mexico City decisioned countryman Arturo ‘Bam Bam’ Hernández (10-6, 3 KOs). The 10 round bantamweight main event took place Friday night at the Futurama Centro Cultural in Mexico City, Mexico. After a closely contested first round Gonzalez began to take control of the fight. Gonzalez dropped Hernandez in round 3 and would go on to win the unanimous decision. The cards were 99-90 twice and 98-92 all for Gonzalez who won the vacant WBC silver bantamweight title. Continue reading “Gonzalez UD Hernandez in Mexico”

Headlining the Hollywood Fight Night event at the sold-out Chumash Casino Resort on Friday night, undefeated middleweight contender Sadriddin Akhmedov, (15-0-0, 13 KOs), of Almaty, Kazakhstan now residing in Santa Monica, CA stayed perfect with a seventh-round stoppage over Nigerian veteran Raphael ‘Trouble’ Igbokwe, (17-6, 7 KOs), of Houston, TX in the scheduled ten rounder.

Trained by the renowned Abel Sanchez, Akhmedov displayed a relentless body attack and a strong beard in the first half of the fight as he stayed aggressive despite Igbokwe’s counter punching from the southpaw stance.

Akhmedov earned the stoppage from a barrage of unanswered power punches to the head and body in the seventh stanza over the game Igbokwe who had previously fought in a distance fight against former world champion Israil Madrimov. Time was :56 as Akhmedov’s powerful performance stamped him as can’t miss in the future.

2016 U.S. Olympian ‘King’ Karlos Balderas (15-2, 13 KOs), of nearby Santa Maria, CA returned in style in front of a huge crowd of supporters with a sixth-round stoppage of Colombian veteran Cesar ‘Ras Tas Tas’ Villarraga, (11-11-1, 5 KOs) in a scheduled eight rounder. Continue reading “Akhmedov, Balderas victorious”