Lightweight Jonhatan Cardoso (18-1, 15 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Eduardo Ramirez (28-5-3, 13 KOs) on Wednesday night at the ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Scores were 97-93, 96-94, 96-94.

Unbeaten featherweight Luis Nunez (20-0, 13 KOs) hammered out a ten round unanimous decision over Leonardo Baez (21-5, 12 KOs). Scores were 99-91, 98-92, 98-92.

Unbeaten bantamweight Katsuma Akitsugi (12-0, 3 KOs) stopped former world title challenger Aston Palicte (28-6-1, 23 KOs) in round six. Akitsugi battered Palicte to the canvas to end it.

Unbeaten light heavyweight Dante Benjamin (10-0-1, 8 KOs) needed just 64 seconds to finish Aaron Casper (7-8-2, 5 KOs).

The unbeaten 19-year-old Bonilla twin brothers continue to impress early in their professional careers. The event took place this past Friday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida with Kris Lawrence(The Heavyweight Factory) promoting.

Super flyweight Ari (2-0, 1 KO) successully defended his WBA Continental Americas title stopping previously unbeaten Nelson Rodriguez(10-1, 5 KOs) of Venezuela by TKO round 5. Twin brother Andrey(2-0, 1 KO) unanimously decisioned Claudio Lavinanza (8-4, 3 KOs) of Chile to retain his WBA Continental Americas batamweight title. scores were 100-90 by all three judges.

In an exciting battle of unbeatens it was Armando Martinez Rabi(13-0, 12 KOs) of Miami by way of Cuba taking the 0 of world-ranked and fellow Cuban Yosdiel Napoles (6-1, 5 KOs) by way of 6th round TKO. Continue reading “Late Results from Florida”

Unbeaten local super welterweight Julian Vogel (16-0-1, 9 KOs) from “Team Germany” was able to withstand the pressure and tension in his second home match and successfully defended his WBO Youth title with a TKO victory in round eight against John Bielenberg (7-2, 4 KOs) on Saturday night at the Ballhaus Arena in Aschersleben, Germany. After two knockdowns, Bielenberg’s corner threw in the towel. Time was :53.

In a clash for the vacant WBA Continental super middleweight title, Artur Reis (13-1, 9 KOs) edged previously unbeaten stablemate Artur Henrik (9-1, 4 KOs) over ten rounds. Scores were 95-94, 96-93, 96-94 for Reis, who dropped Henrik in round nine.

Richardson Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) dethroned IBF junior welterweight champion Liam Paro (25-1, 15 KOs) by twelve round split decision on Saturday night at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Hitchins outboxed Paro and pulled away to a 117-111 Paro, 116-112, 116-112 Hitchins.

IBF #4 junior lightweight Henry Lebron (20-0 10 KOs) outscored WBA #7 Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (29-6 19 KOs) over ten rounds in a bout for the vacant IBF Latino, WBO NABO and WBA Continental Latin America titles. Scores were 97-93, 97-93, 96-94.

WBA #3, WBC #9, WBO #11 flyweight and Puerto Rican Olympian Yankiel Rivera (7-0, 3 KOs) stopped Angel Gonzalez in round four in a bout for the vacant WBC Silver, WBA Continental Americas and WBO Intercontinental flyweight titles.

Lightweight Marc Castro (13-1, 8 KOs) suffered his first loss, dropping a ten round split decision against Agustin Quintana (21-1-2, 13 KOs). Scores were 97-93, 97-93 for Quintana, 96-94 for Castro.

Welterweight Jalil Hackett (9-1, 7 KOs) also came up short, losing a ten round split decision to Jose Roman Vazquez (14-1, 6 KOs). Scores were 96-94, 96-94 for Vazquez, 96-94 for Hackett.

WBC #1 cruiserweight Ryan Rozicki (20-1-1, 19 KOs) and #2 rated Yamil Peralta (17-1-1, 9 KOs) battled to a twelve round draw in a clash for the vacant WBC interim title on Saturday night at the Centre 200 in Nova Scotia, Canada. Former world title challenger Rozicki pressed the action and did damage to the body while Peralta fought defensively. Despite his left eye being closed, Rozicki landed some big shots in round eleven. Scores were 115-113 Rozicki, 114-114, 114-114.

The pair have now fought a total of 24 hard fought rounds in their two bouts. The only winning scorecard in this bout was in favor to Rozicki 115-113 while the other two judges had it even 114-114. Rozicki’s promoter Dan Otter (Three Lions Promotions) thought his guy (the puncher) beat Peralta (the boxer) at his own game. “Ryan outboxed the boxer” stated Otter.

Rozicki previously edged Peralta by controversial decision two years ago, but this time Rozicki landed the harder shots and seemed to be the winner.

Unbeaten Sam Arnold(11-0, 7 KOs) scored a highlight reel second round knockout of previously unbeaten Julian Delgado (4-1, 1 KO) to win the vacant WBC youth intercontinental super middleweight title.

In a rematch, WBO junior lightweight champion Emanuel Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs) defends his strap against former two-division king Oscar Valdez (32-3, 24 KOs) on Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Glendale, Arizona. Navarrete dropped Valdez in round one with a shot to the temple. Another knockdown by Navarrete at the end of round four. The end came in round six when Navarrete floored Valdez again with a body shot. Time was 2:42.

In another rematch, WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza (27-0, 23 KOs) scored a sudden sixth round TKO over Robeisy Ramirez (14-3, 9 KOs) to retained his belt. Espinoza connected with a right hand to the head and Ramirez indicated that he could no longer continue. Time was :12. Ramirez corner cited an Espinoza elbow in round four gave him double vision and he couldn’t go on.

U.S. Olympic super heavyweight silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (12-0, 11 KOs) was again impressive, getting a third round referee’s stoppage against Issac Muñoz (18-2-1, 15 KOs).

Welterweight contender Giovani Santillan (33-1, 18 KOs) mauled Fredrick Lawson (30-6, 22 KOs) for three minutes and Lawson called it quits at the end of round one.

Unbeaten junior welterweight contender Lindolfo Delgado (22-0, 15 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO against Jackson Marinez (22-4, 10 KOs).

The 12 round main event saw former world title challenger Denzel Bentlely (21-3-1,17 KOs) decision Brad Pauls (19-2-1,11 KOs) at the Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom. It was a good scrap with both having their moments. Bentley had a break through in round 10 when a hard jab to the eye saw Pauls awkwardly go to canvas in pain by the punch. Pauls would beat the count but Bentely pounced on him looking to stop him. Pauls would surivive the round but Bentley was in hot pursuit until the bouts end. The judges cards were 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 all to Bentley who retained his WBO int middleweight title and won the British and European middleweight titles.

Former cruiserweight/bridgerweight world champion Lawrence Okolie (21-1, 16 KOs), now campaigning at heavyweight, destroyed Hussein Muhamed (18-2, 14 KOs) in the first round. A right hand finished Muhamed at 1:14. Okolie wins the vacant WBC silver title.

Heavyweight David Adeleye (13-1, 12 KOs) needed just 70 seconds to annihilate Solomon Dacres (9-1, 3 KOs) in the first round. A left hook put Dacres down and out.

Unbeaten lightweight Sam Noakes (16-0, 14 KOs) scored a one-sided twelve round unanimous decision over Ryan Walsh
(29-5-2, 13 KOs) Scores were 119-109, 120-108, 120-108. The bout was for the British, Commonwealth and WBO International lightweight titles.

Unbeaten Ben Crocker(14-0, 2 KOs) of the UK once again defeated Stelios Papadopoulos (15-2-2, 5 KOs) of Greece Saturday night at the Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, Essex, in the United Kingdom. The pair fought in an exciting bout this past April edged by Crocker by decision. Crocker once again turned back the challenge of Papadopoulos winning a close unanimous decision on the cards and the vacant IBF European Super Lightweight title. The official scorecards were 97-93, 96-95, and 96-94 all in favor to Crocker. John Clark (Top Tier Boxing) promoted the event

WBA #7 rated Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev (32-3, 14 KOs) dethroned WBA “regular” world champion Mahmoud “Diamond Boy” Charr (34-5, 20 KOs) by twelve round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Arena Sophia in Sofia, Bulgaria. Pulev got the jab going early and outworked Charr in a good action fight. Scores were 117-111, 117-111, 116-112. The third time was the charm for the 43-year-old hometown favorite Pulev, who previously challenged twice for world titles.

By Ron Jackson

Coming off a defeat in his last fight South Africa’s Roarke Knapp (69.65kg) returned to action in style when he stopped the experienced 36-year-old Filipino Adonis Cabalquinto (68.09kg) in the third round of a scheduled ten-rounder at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Friday night. The time was 2 minutes and 7 seconds into the round. Continue reading “Knapp stops Cabalquinto in three rounds.”

Former IBF light flyweight world champion Adrian Curiel (25-6-1, 5 KOs) of Mexico snapped a two fight losing streak Friday night, defeating a very game Damian Arce (6-3, 4 KOs) of Cuba. The event took place at the Domo Cd. Jardin Bicentenario Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico. Good scrap with two way action. Curiel mounting a body attack from round 1 to the end. Arce was in tremendous shape and never seemed to really slow down but was more outworked by Curiel. The referee deducted a point from Arce in round 7 for pushing down on the head of Curiel during a clinch. Arce had been warned multiple times prior. The official scores of the bout were 98-92 and 97-93 twice, all in favor of Curiel.

Former WBC super flyweight world champ Carlos Cuadras (43-5-1, 28 KOs) returned to ring after more than a year to decision countryman and rugged Juan Ramirez (16-9, 9 KOs) in 8 rounds. The official scorecards were all in favor to Cuadras 80-72 and 78-74 twice.

The 10 round main event saw former WBC super featherweight world champion Miguel ‘El Alacran’ Berchelt (41-3, 36 KOs) decision Mauro Alex Hasan (16-10-1, 8 KOs) of Argentina . The event took place Saturday night at the Plaza de Toros La Esperanza in Merida, Yucatán, Mexico. The southpaw showed early that he had come to fight as he rocked the former champ with some right hooks. The tide would turn in round seven as Berchelt landed a short left hook that sent Hasan to the canvas. Hasan beat the count but appeared stunned by the punch. Has was deducted a point by the referee in round eight for his mouthpiece falling out of his mouth. Hasan had been warned multiple times by the referee earlier in the fight. Berchelt pushed hard to get the knockout the last two rounds but Hasan was very game. The pair slugged it out hard the last minute of the fight. In the end, the official scorecards read 98-90, and 97-91 twice all in favor of Beltran. Three straight wins now for Berchelt, who is aiming for another title shot.

Unbeaten 2020 Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai (9-0, 7 KOs) won by a one-sided six round beatdown over former IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards ((21-2, 4 KOs) on Saturday night to claim the WBC interim flyweight title on Saturday night at BP Pulse LIVE in Birmingham, England. Edwards was never in the fight as Yafai overpowered and punished him until the referee waved it off. Time was 1:10 in round six.

After the fight, Edwards announced his retirement.

Former super middleweight champion Callum “Mundo” Smith (30-2, 22 KOs) scored a fifth round KO against Carlos Galvan (20-15-2, 19 KOs) on Saturday night at BP Pulse Live in Birmingham, England. Smith floored Galvan in round four, then put him on the canvas twice in round five to end it. Time was 1:19. This was Smith’s first fight since his TKO loss to Artur Beterbiev in January.

Flyweight Christian “Chicarito” Gonzalez (16-2-1, 6 KOs) of Mexico scored an exciting come from behind knockout of the local favorite Leroy Estrada (18-5, 8 KOs) of Panaman in the 10 round main event on Friday night at the Coliseo de Combates in Panama City, Panama. The bout did not take long to heat up as Gonzalez came out in round one applying the early pressure. Estrada will match this with his own pressure over the ensuing rounds but Gonzalez stood his ground and fired back. The fight would have its ebs and flows but Gonzalez broke through in round eight and abruptly stopped Estrada in round eight in thrilling fashion. Gonzalez was trailing on points before scoring the KO. Felix Tuto Zabala Jr promoted the event with his son Felix Zabala III matchmaking.

Former WBC world title challenger Ronald Gavril (26-3, 21 KOs) scored a fifth round KO over Juan Boada (18-9, 10 KOs) in a clash for the fringe WBF light heavyweight title on Friday night at the Metropolitan Circus in Bucharest, Romania. Gavril, 38, who was born in Romania but now resides in Las Vegas, pressed the action and rocked Boada in round four. Gavril then sent Boada to a knee in round five to end it.

After dropping two of his last three bouts, super welterweight Wendy “The Haitian Fire” Touissant (16-3, 7 KOs), got back into the win column in his return on Saturday night at the sold out Paramount in Huntington, NY. Touissant, the hometown favorite, hammered out a majority decision over Brian “El Capitan” Arregui (now 10-5, 7 KOs). The scores were 80-72, 79-73, and a shocking 76-76.

In the co-feature, unbeaten super welterweight Micky Scala (11-0, 6 KOs) rtook a six round unanimous decision over Luis “Conrazon De Oro” Caraballo Ramos (7-6-1, 7 KOs). Scores were 60-54, 59-55, 60-54.

Former world champion Elwin Soto (22-3-1, 13 KOs) of Mexico and countryman/ local Moises Caro (11-3-4, 5 KOs) fought to an exciting 10 round split draw Saturday night in a bout for the WBO Latino light flyweight title. The main event took place at the Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, Mexico. The bout was actually backed with many heated exchanges. Many close rounds where one dominated the rounds beginning and the other closed the round strong. The official scores were 97-93 Soto, 96-94 Caro, and 95-95 even.

Hometown favorite Christian ‘Chispa’ Medina (24-4, 17 KOs) stopped countryman and previously unbeaten Alexis Molina (12-1-1, 4 KOs) on Friday night. The 10 round batamweight main event took place at the Domo del Codo Guadalajara, Mexico. After a closely contested first few rounds of the fight Medina broke through sending Molina to the canvas with a barrage of punches near the middle of round five. Molina valiantly beat the count and fought back but the referee waved the bout off moments later. The official time of the stoppage was 1:04 of round five. Medlina won the WBO Latino title.

In a war, undefeated super welterweight Andreas “Katz” Katzourakis (15-0, 10 KOs) scored a ten round split decision over world-rated former world title challenger Brandon “The Cannon” Adams (25-4, 16 KOs) in the final of the OTX 154lb tournament on Friday night at the Corey Studios in Atlanta. Georgia. After ten hotly contested rounds, scores were 97-93, 96-94 for Katzourakis, and 97-93 Adams. With the win, Katzourakis gets a $100,000 bonus and a promotional contract with OTX.

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”

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.”