Former world champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (26-3-3, 15 KOs) regained the vacant WBA super welterweight title with a second round demolition of Ramon “Inocente” Alvarez (28-8-3, 16 KOs) on Saturday night at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In round two, Lara blasted Alvarez into the ropes and Alvarez was given a count. The bout was waved off moments later on Lara’s follow-up barrage. Time was 2:03.

Only Lara was eligible to win the title after Alvarez weighed 4.6 pounds over the weight limit. Alvarez came into the ring tonight at 177 lbs., Lara at 169.

Lara gained a measure of revenge against the Alvarez family, as Alvarez’ younger brother “Canelo” Alvarez scored a controversial split decision over him in 2014. Continue reading “Lara crushes Canelo’s brother to regain WBA title”

Unbeaten 6’7 super welterweight Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora (13-0-1, 9 KOs) and Jamontay “The Quiet Assassin” Clark (14-1-1, 7 KOs) battled to a ten round draw Saturday night on the Lara-Alvarez undercard at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Close and competitive fight ending with scores of 98-92 Fundora, 96-94 Clark, 95-95.

Unbeaten heavyweight Frank Sanchez (13-0, 11 KOs) was victorious when former Olympian Victor Bisbal (23-4, 17 KOs) didn’t come out for round five. Giving up 55 pounds, the 220lb Sanchez was in command all the way. The 39-year-old Bisbal wasn’t in good condition.

Former WBA interim bantamweight champion Raymart Gaballo (22-0, 19 KOs) scored a third round TKO over Yeison Vargas (17-2, 12 KOs). Gaballo dropped Vargas once in the second stanza and twice in the third en route to the stoppage victory.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

WBA/WBO lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) added the vacant WBC title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Luke Campbell (20-3, 16 KOs) in a clash between former Olympic gold medalists on Saturday night at the 02 Arena in London. The first four rounds were close. Loma had a big round five. Campbell hurt Loma in round seven, but Loma roared back and punished Campbell. Loma dropped Campbell with a body shot in round eleven and rocked Campbell again in round twelve. Scores were 119-108, 119-108, 118-109. Loma has now unified three of the four major belts.

“Of course I’m happy,” said Lomachenko afterward. “I want to say thank you to {everyone} who came to support us. I want to thank everyone who organized this fight. And, of course, I’m happy. Next…IBF. That is my title…I want to fight {for the IBF title}, but it depends on Bob Arum.” Continue reading “Lomachenko beats Campbell for 3rd lightweight title”

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Former WBA world champion Alexander Povetkin (35-2, 24 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Hughie Fury (23-3, 13 KOs) on Saturday night at the 02 Arena in London.

Povetkin, who turns 40 in two days, pressed the action and won 117-111 on all three cards. As has been his problem in previous losses, the cousin of Tyson Fury was too defensive.

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WBC flyweight champion Charlie Edwards (15-1, 6 KOs) was lucky to retain his title against #1 rated Julio Cesar Martinez (14-1, 11 KOs) on Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London.

Martinez took the fight to Edwards and put him on the canvas in round three. Martinez then hit Edwards with a shot to the liver while he had a knee on the ground. Edwards couldn’t beat the count and Martinez was announced as the new champion. However, due to the foul, the WBC immediately ruled the bout a no contest. A direct rematch will be ordered.

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WBA #4, IBF #4, WBO #14, WBC #15 light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi (12-0, 10 KOs) scored a seventh round KO over Ryan Ford (16-5, 11 KOs) to retain his WBA International title. A body shot finished Ford. Time was 1:07.

Lightweight Joe Cordina (10-0, 7 KOs) defended his British and Commonwealth titles against Gavin Gwynne (11-1, 1 KO) by twelve round unanimous decision. Scores were 116-110, 116-110, 116-111. Both fighters had a point deducted.

Lightweight James Tennyson (25-3, 21 KOs) won by second round KO over Atif Shafiq (21-2, 5 KOs) to claim the vacant WBA International title. Tennyson has won three straight after being stopped by IBF super featherweight champion Tevin Farmer 10 months ago.

IBF #7 super featherweight Martin J. Ward (23-1-2, 11 KOs) stopped Josue Bendana (10-13-4, 6 KOs) in round five.

Female super middleweight Savannah Marshall (7-0, 5 KOs) stopped Daniele Bastieri (2-1, 2 KOs) at 2:00 of round five. Ref waved it off after a knockdown.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBA #3 middleweight Jeff Horn (19-2-1, 13 KOs) suffered a ninth round knockout loss at the hands of fellow Australian Michael Zerafa (26-3, 16 KOs) ) in a scheduled twelve rounder in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia on Saturday. Zerafa started the contest in top gear and dropped Horn when he connected with a solid right hand in round two. Horn was cut in round three, but by round five Horn had found the range with solid combinations. Zerafa regained control of the bout in round seven and by round eight Horn was visibly tired. In round nine Zerafa dropped Horne and the referee called the fight off.

Horn was scheduled to challenge Ryota Murata for the WBA middleweight crown in Japan on December 23.

Unbeaten WBC world-ranked middleweight Ramadan Hiseni (13-0, 4 KOs) of Switzerland soundly defeated Gino Kanters (7-3-1, 3 KOs) of the Netherlands Friday night at the Stadthofsaal in Uster, Switzerland by unanimous 10 round decision. It was a dominating performance by Hiseni, who won the WBC youth middleweight title. All three Judges scored the fight 98-92. Continue reading “Hiseni dominates Kanters in Switzerland”

Welterweight Ferdinand “Lucky Boy” Kerobyan (12-1, 7 KOs) scored a second round KO over late sub Daniel “Danny” Evangelista Jr. (20-11-2, 16 KOs) on Friday in a temporary ring set up in front of the Pasadena City Hall in Pasadena, California. Evangelista down four times. Time was 1:54,

Featherweight Emilio “The Kid” Sanchez (19-1, 12 KOs) pounded out a hard-fought eight round unanimous decision over Jose Gonzalez (23-9-1, 13 KOs). Scores were 80-72, 77-75, 77-75.

Light heavyweight Bektemir “Bek Bully” Melikuziev (2-0, 2 KOs) scored a first round KO over Adrian Luna (22-7-1, 14 KOs). Luna down twice from body shots. Time was 2:13. Melikuziev was a 2016 Olympic silver medalist. Continue reading “Kerobyan, Sanchez victorious”

Photos: Emily Harney

Super featherweight Toka Kahn “T Nice” Clary (27-2, 18 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Irvin Gonzalez (12-2, 9 KOs) to claim the vacant WBA NABA USA title on Thursday night at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Clary was in command all the way and nearly got a stoppage in the tenth round. Scores were 98-92, 99-91, 99-91.

WBA female super middleweight champion Alicia “The Empress” Napoleon-Espinosa (12-1, 7 KOs) retained her title with a fourth round TKO against Schemelle Baldwin (3–1-1, 2 KOs). The Empress worked over Baldwin in rounds three and four prompting a referee’s stoppage at 1:30. Continue reading “Clary, Napoleon win at Foxwoods”

Unbeaten middleweight Connor “The Kid Coyle (11-0, 4 KOs) scored a second round TKO over Rafael Ramirez (21-5-2, 4 KOs) on Saturday night outdoors at Viejas Casino and Resort in Alpine, California. Coyle dropped Ramirez in the opening round, but the Irishman was penalized a point for pushing his opponent to the canvas. After Coyle dropped Ramirez once again in round two, a white towel came flying out of Ramirez’ corner. Continue reading “Late Results from Alpine, California”

Force Train Promotions in association with Kings Promotions delivered an exciting night of boxing at the Arabia Shrine Center in Houston, Texas on Saturday night. The main event saw local favorite Jerrico Walton (15-0, 7 KOs) win his biggest fight to date by defeating former world champion Victor Terrazas (38-7-2, 21 KOs) of Mexico. Walton dominated the action with the offcial scorecards tallying 79-73 and 80-72 twice all in his favor while winning the vacant ABF welterweight title. Continue reading “Late Results from Houston”

Bantamweight Edwin Rodriguez (11-5-1, 5 KOs) upset previously unbeaten Saul Sanchez (12-1, 7 KOs) by ten round split decision on Friday night at the outdoor venue of Omega Products International in Corona, California. Scores were 96-94, 96-94 for Rodriguez, 96-94 for Sanchez. Continue reading “Late Results from Corona, California”

Heavy-hitting middleweight favorite James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland returned from a four-year layoff with a quick win on Saturday night at the Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. Kirkland (33-2, 29 KOs) dropped overmatched Colby Courter (13-15, 10 KOs) three times while registering a first round knockout. It was Kirkland’s first fight since his KO defeat to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in May 2015.

Photos: Marcos Mejias Ortiz/PRBBP

Wilfredo “Bimbito” Méndez (14-1, 5 KOs) became the new WBO minimumweight champion and ended Puerto Rico’s world title drought beating reigning titleholder Vic Saludar (19-4, 10 KOs) of the Philippines via unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, PR.

Mendez outboxed and frustrated the aggressive Saludar, who was making his second title defense. Saludar’s best moment came in round five when he knocked down Mendez with a left hook, but after twelve rounds, the judges had Mendez comfortably ahead 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112.

Méndez (14-1, 5 KOs) becomes the third Puerto Rican to be crowned world champion at 105 pounds joining Alex “El Nene” Sánchez and Iván “Iron Boy” Calderón. Continue reading “Mendez beats Saludar for WBO minimum belt”