Story by John DiSanto – PhillyBoxingHistory.com
Photos by Jano Cohen

In the main event at the 2300 Arena in South Philly, PA state junior middleweight champ Tyrone Brunson, 28-7-2, 25 KOs, stopped Jamaal Davis, 18-13-1, 7 KOs, in round nine to retain his state title belt Friday night. Davis fought tough, but Brunson was bigger and stronger, and controlled most of the exchanges beginning in round one.

Brunson set a tone for the bout in the opening round. Near a neutral corner, Tyrone landed a hard right that slightly wobbled Davis. He survived the attack, but that punch foreshadowed how the rest of the fight would unfold. Continue reading “Brunson halts Davis in nine”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Australian bantamweight prospect Brock Jarvis (16-0, 15 KOs) scored a first round knockout over Philip Luis Cuerdo (11-6-1, 4 KOs) at Technology Park, Sydney on Friday to capture the IBF World Youth title. Jarvis attacked the Filipino southpaw from the opening bell and found the range for accurate combinations to the head and body that had his opponent on the back move. Jarvis dropped Cuerdo and referee Les Fear crowned the Australian at 2:59. Jarvis is trained and managed by former three-time world champion Jeff Fenech who predicted his charge will be a future world champion.

By Ricardo Ibarra
Photos by Mike Blair/Boxingprospects.net

In a battle for the vacant WBO International featherweight title, Mexicali, Mexico’s Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez (17-1, 8 KOS) scored a unanimous technical decision win over Ray Ximenez, Jr. (18-2, 4 KOs), of Dallas, Texas, on Thursday night at the Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington.

Putting on a dominant performance over eight rounds, Lopez used good lateral movement and an aggressive pace to control the action before the fight was called in between rounds due to a nasty cut over the left eye of Ximenez. Continue reading “Lopez defeats Ximenez by technical decision”

By Joe Koizumi

Filipino puncher Vic “Vicious” Saludar (19-3, 10 KOs), 105, kept his WBO minimumweight belt as he outboxed and outpunched Japanese southpaw Masataka Taniguchi (11-3, 7 KOs), 105, to win a unanimous decision (117-111 twice, 118-110) over twelve sizzling rounds on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. It was really a close game with Taniguchi, with his tight guard, stalking the champ and Saludar occasionally countering with solid rights to the willing mixer. The referee was Kenny Bayless (US).

(More to come)

By Ron Jackson

All three title fights on Sunday afternoon at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park, Soth Africa, produced some exciting action with South African super-middleweight champion Rowan Campbell in the main event showing true grit to come back from a knockdown to win the vacant IBO All-Africa super-middleweight title with a ten round unanimous points decision over Alex Kabangu.

The scores were 95-94, 97-92 and a rather wide 98-91 which was not a true reflection of the fight. Continue reading “Exciting action at Emperors Palace”

Roc Nation Sports featherweight boxer Tramaine Williams (16-0, 6 KOs) shined under the bright lights of the Genetti Manor ring on Saturday, claiming a victory over Jose Rodriguez (32-9, 19 KOs) of Mexico by knockout at 1:19 in the first round. Williams was sensational in his first return to the ring since his October 2018 release from prison.

“Tramaine came into this fight knowing he needed a win to get back on track. He wanted to fight against a top-level veteran and not take the easy route back against a weak opponent. That’s the kind of fighter he is,” said Roc Nation Sports boxing promoter Dino Duva. “We never gave up a Tramaine even as he dealt with adversity and are proud of his dedication to the comeback. As long as this continues, we are looking forward to future opportunities against world class opponents as soon as possible for Tramaine to showcase his abilities.”

Photos: Andrew Dobin/Minneapolis Armory

In a clash for the vacant WBC super middleweight title, former champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (33-1-1, 24 KOs) won by ten round technical split decision over Avni Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was a close fight. Dirrell suffered a cut over his left eye in round seven. The bout was halted in the tenth round due to the cut (which didn’t seem that bad). Scores were 96-94, 96-94 Dirrell, 98-92 Yildirim.

“I was upset with the stoppage because I wanted finish the fight like a champion,” said Dirrell. “It feels great getting my WBC belt back. We want to unify against Caleb Plant or any of the champions. I’m just going to go home, take some time, talk to my camp and then we’ll go from there. If the Benavidez fight comes calling then I’ll fight him. Continue reading “Dirrell beats Yildirim, regains WBC super middle title”

By John DiSanto at ringside
Photos: Darryl Cobb Jr.

The Met on North Broad Street in Philadelphia made a successful return as a boxing venue after more than six decades on Saturday night.

In the main event, Steven Ortiz, 10-0, 3 KOs, won impressively over Jeremy Cuevas, 11-1, 8 KOs (both of Philadelphia) to take the PA State lightweight championship by unanimous decision. Ortiz knocked Cuevas down twice during the fight. In round two, a brutal left hook nearly ended the fight, but Cuevas got up and finished the round. Ortiz continued to dominate the action, and in round seven, he dropped Cuevas with a right. Continue reading “S. Ortiz beats Cuevas in Philly”

In a clash between former world champions, Humberto “Zorrita” Soto (69-9-2, 37 KOs) schooled Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (35-5-1, 26 KOs) over twelve rounds in a super welterweight contest on Saturday night at the Auditorio Municipal in Tijuana, BCN, Mexico.

The 38-year-old Soto landed a lot of fast, clean punches, while the 32-year-old Rios brought relentless aggression. In the end, Soto’s flashy flurries carried him to a 119-111, 118-112, 118-112 win. Soto was an 8:1 underdog going in.

Unbeaten super lightweight Omar “Pollo” Aguilar (12-0, 11 KOs) blasted out Emiliano “Letal” Cruz (11-2, 10 KOs) in round two.

A clash between unbeaten lightweight Hector Tanajara Jr (17-0, 5 KOs) and Ivan “Striker” Delgado (13-2-2, 6 KOs) was stopped between rounds four and five due to a cut suffered by Tanajara. Scores were 40-36 3x. Tanajara wins the vacant USNBC title by technical decision. Continue reading “Soto shocks Rios in entertaining clash”

Photos: Ian Walton/SHOWTIME

Super middleweight Chris Eubank Jr. (28-2, 21 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over former two-time world champion James “Chunky” DeGale (25-3-1, 15 KOs) to claim the vacant IBO title in a grudge fight on Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London, England.

Eubank, the son of British legend and former two-division world champion Chris Eubank, dropped DeGale in round two and took over the fight midway and battered DeGale to the deck again in round ten. Eubank was deducted a point for throwing DeGale to the canvas in round eleven. Scores were 114-112, 115-112, 117-109.

Unbeaten WBA #5 heavyweight and 2016 Olympic silver medalist “The Juggernaut” Joe Joyce (8-0, 8 KOs) scored a sixth round TKO over former WBC world champion Bermane “B. Ware” Stiverne (25-4-1, 21 KOs). Both fighters were willing to trade in round one. Joyce rocked Stiverne in round two and dropped Stiverne in round three. It was pretty much one-way traffic after that. Referee Howard Foster intervened at 2:20.

Former IBF featherweight world champion “Lightning” Lee Selby (27-2, 9 KOs) returned at lightweight with a twelve round unanimous decision over a determined Omar “Super O” Douglas (19-3, 13 KOs). Selby was cut over the left eye in the second round and cut over the right eye in round seven by accidental head clashes, but came away with a 116-112, 116-112, 115-114 verdict.

Photos

Unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Roman Zakirov (9-0, 7 KOs) of Azerbaijan defeated Mexican veteran Daniel Vega Cota (13-3-1, 10 KOs) Friday night at the Kalaszi Sporthall in Budakalász, Hungary. The fight turned out to be just the test that Zakirov needed. Cota like Zakirov was in excellent shape and came to fight. The fight saw a lot of heated exchanges between the two over the course of the 10 round distance. Continue reading “Zakirov beats Cota in Hungary”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBC #7, WBO #10 light heavyweight Blake Caparello (29-3-1, 12 KOs) edged WBA #11 Regain Dessaix (16-2, 11 KOs) over ten rounds on Friday at the Melbourne Pavillion, Flemington, Victoria, Australia. The action see-sawed throughout the contest. Caparello gained control in round one and two but Dessaix came back to outwork the Melbourne based opponent in next two rounds. Caparello rebounded in round five but it was Dessaix who won round six connecting with accurate combinations. Round seven was Caparello’s round but Dessaix came back in following round to make the contest even after eight rounds. Rounds nine and ten were razor close but the former IBO world champion was awarded the decision by scores 96-94, 97-93,97-93. Continue reading “Caparello edges Dessaix”

Unbeaten junior welterweight Yomar “The Magic” Alamo (16-0, 12 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over game Manuel “La Tormenta” Mendez (16-5-3, 11 KOs) to claim the vacant NABO title on Friday night at the Osceola Heritage Park Events Center in Kissimmee, Florida. It was a good action fight all the way. Scores were 99-91, 99-91, 100-90.

WBO #15 rated 2016 Olympian bantamweight Antonio Vargas (10-0, 4 KOs) knocked out Lucas Baez (34-18-5, 18 KOs) in the second round.

The card marked the 30th anniversary of Boxeo Telemundo, the longest running boxing series on US Spanish television.

Cruiserweight Joel “Big Joe” Djeko (15-2-1, 7 KOs) pounded out a ten round unanimous decision over Simone “Tyson” Federici (14-2-1, 6 KOs) on Friday night at the Paramount in Huntington, NY. Scores were 97-93, 97-93, 99-91.

Super lightweight Johnny “Hitman” Hernandez (10-4, 1 KO) scored an eight round majority decision over Marquis “The Hawk” Hawthorne (6-10, 1 KO). Scores were 76-76, 77-75, 77-75 for the hometown fighter.

By Frank Hoke at ringside

Roy Englebrecht Promotions scored a knockout Thursday night with the return of the fan-favorite “Fight Club OC” series at The Hangar inside the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA.

In a special feature jr lightweight attraction, amateur standout Angel Cordon (3-0, 2 KOs) returned to the ring to score a unanimous decision over a durable Gabriel Serrano (0-3). Cordon utilized his jab and perfectly placed body shots to outbox Serrano round-after-round. It was a technically sound performance for Serrano who had taken a year off after his second bout (January 2018) due to the passing of his manager Herb Stone. All of the judges scored the bout at 40-36. Continue reading “Fight Club OC Results”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Do you remember formerly three-time world/WBA 154-pound champ Koichi Wajima? Wajima (31-6-1, 25 KOs) was called “Man of Fire” due to his furious aggression despite a rather small frame in the 1970s. Koichi dethroned Italian Carmelo Bossi with his unorthodox performance in 1971, regained his belt from his conqueror Oscar “Shotgun” Alvarado in 1974 and recaptured it again from Korean Jae-Do Yuh in 1976.

Now a club owner/manager, Wajima, now 75, might dig up a golden nugget in his pupil WBO #2 Hiroaki Teshigawara (19-2-2, 12 KOs), 122, who successfully kept his newly acquired OPBF 122-pound belt when he battered bloodied compatriot Yuki Iriguchi (9-3-1, 4 KOs), 122, en route to a well-received stoppage at 1:56 of the eighth round on Thursday (February 14) in Tokyo, Japan. Continue reading “Teshigawara halts Iriguchi; keeps OPBF 122lb belt”

Photos: Scott Foster

Irish middleweight Connor “The Kid” Coyle passed what was supposed to be the toughest test of his career with flying colors by defeating Louisiana’s Travis “Dirty Red” Scott via eight round unanimous decision.

Coyle-Scott served as the main event of a a Roy Jones Jr Boxing and Rite Hook Promotions card staged at The Coliseum in St. Petersburg, Florida. The card aired on UFC Fight Pass and also available on demand.

Coyle was sharp from the get-go. The Irishman, who trains out of Tampa under Jim Mcloughlin, caught Scott’s attention in the opening round with some buzzing shots. Continue reading “Coyle, Reyes, Silva, Barnes, Sands win in St. Pete”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #4 light welterweight Liam Paro (16-0, 11 KOs) outpointed Italian champion Masimilano ”El Loco ” Ballisai (22-6, 12 KOs) over ten rounds on Saturday at the Mackay Entertainment Centre, Mackay, Queensland, Australia. Promoter Angelo Di Carlo told Grantlee Kieza of the Courier Mail, “I believe Liam is Australia’s hottest prospect and that he can follow Jeff Horn to a world title. A lot of people in Mackay have supported Liam for a long time by traveling down to Brisbane to watch his fights, so we are looking to give something back with him now facing a really good opponent in his hometown.” Paro is chasing a shot at WBO champion Maurice Hooker.

In just his fifth pro fight, unbeaten super welterweight Abass Baraou (5-0, 2 KOs) claimed the WBC International title with a unanimous points decision against former IBF world champion Carlos Molina (29-11-2, 8 KOs) last night at the CGM Arena in Koblenz, Germany. Judges Esa Lehtosaari and Juan Carlos Pelayo scored the fight 115-112 in favor of Baraou, while Juergen Langos had him ahead 118-109. Molina has now dropped five of his last six bouts.

On the undercard, light heavyweight Leon Bunn extended his unbeaten run with a one-sided points win over Viktor Polyakov and WBSS contestant Anthony Yigit got back to winning ways, outpointing Mohamed Khalladi.

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside
Photos: Sumio Yamada

South Africa’s DeeJay Kriel (15-1, 6 KOs) stopped previously unbeaten IBF strawweight champion Carlos Licona (14-1, 2 KOs) in the final round in what was a wild one on Saturday night at the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.

Licona landed the power shots throughout the fight as Kriel boxed. Late in the fight, Kriel’s face was swollen as Licona pressed the action. However, in the twelfth round, Kriel had his best moment in the fight dropping Licona three times in a wild finish. Kriel wins the IBF strawweight title. Continue reading “Kriel dethrones Licona for IBF straw title”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside
Photos: Sumio Yamada

In an IBF super bantamweight title eliminator, former champion Ryosuka Iwasa (26-3, 16 KOs) scored a ten round technical decision over Cesar “Corazon” Juarez (23-7, 17 KOs) on Saturday night at the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.

The action was fast and furious between Juarez and Iwasa, who engaged in a close-quarters brawl. Late in the fight, Juarez suffered a cut from an accidental head butt. The fight was stopped after ten rounds and the judges had it 98-92, 97-93, and 95-95 as Iwasa wins a majority decision. Continue reading “Iwasa tops Juarez in IBF eliminator”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside
Photos: Sumio Yamada

WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz (36-1-1, 19 KOs) successfully defended his title as he won a hard-fought unanimous decision over a very game Rafael Rivera (26-3-2, 17 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico, who came to fight Saturday night at the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles headlining Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes.

All three judges scored the bout 119-109 for Santa Cruz, who threw 1,350 punches, the second most of his career.

“I want to fight the best,” he said afterward. “I want to fight any of the champions at featherweight or have a third fight with Carl Frampton. I want to be back this summer and fight three times this year against the best in the division.” Continue reading “Santa Cruz beats Rivera, retains WBA feather title”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Former world champion Omar Figueroa (28-0-1, 19 KOs) of Welasco, Texas won a unanimous decision over exciting veteran slugger John Molina Jr. (30-8, 24 KOs) of Covina, California on Saturday night at the Microsoft Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles. Figueroa, who came in five pounds over the welterweight limit struggled early as Molina connected him with a right hand in the opening round.

Fighting on the inside in round two, Figueroa and Molina did not hold back. Continuing to fight at close range in the third, Figueroa and Molina pounded away. Later in the round, Molina cornered Figueroa and landed solidly on the inside. Standing toe to toe in the fourth, Figueroa began to back up Molina to the ropes but the veteran held his own. A chopping right hand in the fifth backed Figueroa to the ropes as Molina attacked. Continue reading “Figueroa defeats Molina, Fundora stops Marshall”

The Alabama Boxing Hall of Fame inducted Earnie Shavers (Pro), Hedgemon Lewis (Amateur), George Godfrey (Old Timer), Woody Dinning (Manager/Trainer/Promoter) and Bob Hutto (Support Personnel) into its Class of 2019 as part of a packed live pro fight card held at the Tuscaloosa RiverMarket and promoted by Jay Deas, manager/trainer of Deontay Wilder. WBC Heavyweight Champ Wilder and Evander Holyfield were on hand to support the inductees.

L-R Earnie Shavers, Georgia Lewis and Luvinia Wainwright, sisters of Hedgemon Lewis, whose health didn’t allow him to attend, Woody Dinning, Jr on behalf of the late Woody Dinning and Bob Hutto. Continue reading “Alabama Boxing Hall of Fame”

Photos: Sumio Yamada

WBA middleweight champion Rob “Bravo” Brant (25-1, 17 KOs) retained his title with an eleventh round KO over previously unbeaten Khasan Baysangurov (17-1, 7 KOs) on Friday night at the Grand Casino Hinckley in Hinckley, Minnesota.

Brant was sharp, dropping Baysangurov with a right hand in round two. He got the stoppage win with a barrage of punches that drove Baysangurov to the deck again in the eleventh round. Time was 1:42.

Photos