Jeter Promotions presented an eleven-bout card at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland in Hanover, Maryland this past Saturday. In the main event, super middleweight Immanuwel Aleem (20-3-2, 13 KOs) stopped Malcom Jones (17-4, 10 KOs) in round four for the vacant WBC Fecarbox and UBO Continental titles.

In the co-main event, super bantamweight Jaqeem Hutcherson (11-1-1, 0 KOs) outpointed Brandon Chambers (9-3-1, 5 KOs) over eight rounds by scores of 78-74 3x. The bout was a rematch. Continue reading “Late Results from Maryland”

Heavyweights Victor Faust and Igor Shevadzutskyi both scored early victories on Sunday at the Black Wolves Fight Club in Wiesbaden, Germany.

After a long break due to a back injury, Faust (12-1, 8 KOs) scored a fourth-round TKO against Marcos Antonio Aumada (25-13, 20 KOs). Faust dropped Aumada in round two and finished him in round four. Faust was coming off his first loss against WBA #6 Lenier Pero 12 months ago.

In the co-feature, heavyweight Igor Shevadzutskyi (11-1, 9 KOs) pounded on previously unbeaten Edonis Berisha (7-1, 6 KOs) for three rounds and the bout was stopped at the beginning of round four. Shevadzutskyi was returning after his defeat against WBA #1-rated Martin Bakole in April 2023.

Heavyweight Kevin “Big Gulp” Nagle remained undefeated, improving his professional boxing record to 7-0, 7 KOs, as he headlined for the first time on last Saturday night in front of a packed house at cozy Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Nagle immediately established his strength advantage, using his 287½ pound frame to punish his opponent Alfred “Concho” Trevino (9-11-1, 1 KO), right from the opening bell. Trevino hit the canvas in the first round from a powerful right to the body and Nagle closed the show in the second round, stopping Trevino with a pair of right-handed punches that both landed on the button.

In the co-feature, light heavyweight Anthony Andreozzi (5-3, 2 KOs) stopped Igor Pessoa (0-8) in round two. Also, super middleweight Greg Bono (2-1-1, 2 KOs) won a four-rounder against Bruno Dias (1-13-1, 0 KOs),  middleweight Ryan Clark (4-5, 2 KOs) topped Jay Gregory (0-10-1) over four, middleweight Ricky Ford (5-1-2, 3 KOs) halted Erick Alves (0-2) in round two, and welterweight Joe Bush (2-0, 2 KOs) stopped Rakim Johnson (7-23-1, 5 KOs) in round three.

Unbeaten Josue Francisco Aguero (11-0, 6 KOs) of Argentina demolished Francisco Javier Lucero (16-5-4, 12 KOs) of Mexico in round one Saturday night at the Casino Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina. Midway through round one, Aguero caught Lucero with a quick left hook to the chin that sent Lucero hard to the canvas. Lucero beat the count but Aguero immediately overwhelmed him with a high volume of punches against the ropes prompting the referee to stop the bout. Aguero retained his WBA Fedelatin Super Featherweight title. The official time of the stoppage was 1:16.

In a clash of unbeaten super middleweights, WBO #5, IBF #7, WBA #8, WBC #10 Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) scored a sixth round KO against WBA #3, IBF #13 Padraig McCrory (18-1, 9 KOs) on Saturday night at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. Berlanga began to rough up McCrory in round three and started to connect with big shots in round four. Berlanga continued to batter McCrory and put him down to end it in round six. Time was 2:44. After five straight decisions, Berlanga got his first KO since December 2020.

2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz (3-0, 1 KO) dominated Brayan Zamarippa (14-3, 5 KOs) over ten rounds in a bout for the IBF International and WBA Continental Latin-American lightweight titles. Cruz in control every minute, but the rugged Zamarippa was able to endure ten rounds of punishment. Scores were 100-90 3x.

In a WBA welterweight eliminator, WBA #1 Shakhram Giyasov (15-0, 9 KOs) scored a technical decision over #5 Pablo Cesar Cano (35-9-1, 25 KOs). Giyasov, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist, dropped Cano with a body shot in round three, then methodically outpointed Cano until Cano fell awkwardly and injured his ankle in round eleven. The bout went to the scorecards with Giyasov winning 109-99 3x.

In a WBA bantamweight eliminator, WBA #2 Antonio Vargas (18-1, 10 KOs) scores an seventh round TKO against WBA #3 Jonathan Rodriguez (17-2-1, 7 KOs). Vargas recovered from a first round knockdown to drop Rodriguez in round two, however, Vargas was deducted two points for hitting Rodriguez when he was down. Vargas took over after that, flooring Rodriguez again in round seven. Rodriguez’s corner didn’t let him come out for round eight.

In a clash between unbeaten flyweights, 2020 Olympian Yankiel Rivera (5-0, 2 KOs) took a hard fought ten round unanimous decision over Andy Dominguez (10-1, 5 KOs) in a clash for the WBA and WBC Continental Americas titles. Rivera won the first eight rounds, but was rocked badly in round nine. Scores were 99-91 3x.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda (to come soon)

“Monster” Inoue’s brother WBA bantamweight champ Takuma Inoue (19-1, 5 KOs), 117.75, impressively kept his belt as he beautifully scored a one-punch knockout over ex-IBF junior bantam ruler Jerwin Ancajas (34-4-2, 23 KOs), 117.75, at 0:44 of the ninth round on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.

It was Takuma’s best performance as he displayed his hand speed, quick reflexes and determination in infighting and stunned the crowd by an unexpected knockout victory. We knew Ancajas as a dangerous southpaw puncher, but Takuma dare to mix it up in the close quarter and dominated the processing with his faster hands. As the contest progressed, it became Takuma’s fight, whipping the Filipino veteran with good left hooks to the face and solid body shots to weaken and slow him down. It was early in round nine that Takuma boldly mixed it up and landed a vicious right uppercut to the midsection. Ancajas knelt down in pain to be unable to beat the count. Mark Nelson tolled the fatal ten to declare a fine knockout of the champion Takuma. His brother Naoya quickly climbed up to the ring and celebrated his brother’s spectacular knockout in his first defense.

Promoter: Teiken Promotions.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda (to come soon)

Unbeaten two-division champ Junto Nakatani (27-0, 20 KOs), 117.5, very impressively captured the WBC bantamweight belt as he dropped defending titlist Alejandro Santiago (28-5-5, 14 KOs), 117.75, twice and scored a spectacular TKO victory at 1:12 of the sixth round on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.

Former WBO junior bantam ruler Junto had a weight problem due to his exceptional height in his previous division, and then had an ambitious crack at the world bantam belt against Santiago who had acquired the WBC title by beating veteran ex-champ Nonito Donaire last July.

But it was Nakatani’s night since Santiago couldn’t show anything out of his arsenal before the trick happened. Utilizing his height and reach, the tall southpaw handled the much shorter champ from the outset. After the fourth, the open scoring system indicated all 40-36 in his favor. Junto began to accelerate his attack from the fifth, and exploded his secret weapon—a lethal southpaw straight left. He landed it right to the face in round six, and Alejandro badly hit the deck. Though he managed to stand up and resume fighting, he had no power left to respond to the challenger’s attack. Nakatani again exploded his solid combinations to floor him again.

The champ’s cornerman Romuro Quirarte asked for a stoppage from the apron to the referee Laurence Cole, who then declared a halt. Following his splendid stoppage of Andrew Moloney last May, Junto again demonstrated his power punching to impress the crowd at Ryogoku Sumo Arena.

Promoter: Teiken Promotions.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda (to come soon)

Formerly three-division WBO champ Kosei Tanaka (20-1, 11 KOs), 114.75, acquired the vacant WBO junior bantamweight belt as he had a tough time with durable Mexican warrior Christian Bacasegua (22-5-2, 9 KOs), 114.75, but earned a unanimous decision (116-111, 117-110, 119-108) over twelve hard-fought rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.

It wasn’t Tanaka’s best performance despite prefight favorable odds for him, as he forgot to use his trademark footwork and was forced to mix it up almost throughout the contest. Bacasegua kept on going forward to exchange body shots in the close range, and Tanaka was forced to respond to his persistent attacks in the close quarter. But Tanaka caught the Mexican with good combinations and scored a knockdown midway in round eight. Since then, Tanaka regained his footwork and fought well with fast combinations to the fading foe.

For Tanaka it was his fourth WBO belt in as many different categories.

Promoter: Teiken Promotions.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda (to come soon)

Hard-punching southpaw prospect Riku Masuda (4-1, 4 KOs), 117.75, demonstrated his vaunted power punching in polishing off WBO#6 ex-world title challenger Jonas Sultan (19-7, 11 KOs), 117.5, at 2:21 of the opening session in a scheduled eight supporting a world title tripleheader on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Masuda, whose amateur mark was 52-14 including 22 stoppages, failed to win the national 118-pound belt from unbeaten world-rated Seiya Tsutsumi only to lose a close decision last August. The quick demolition was produced by a haymaker, a southpaw left to the midsection. Sultan fell to be unable to beat the count though he almost raised himself. The ref mercilessly tolled the fatal ten.

Promoter: Teiken Promotions.

Undefeated welterweight Gor Yeritsyan (18-0, 14 KOs) outworked Quinton “Quickdraw” Randall, (13-2-1, 3 KOs) over ten rounds to claim the vacant WBC Continental Americas title on Friday night at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California. Technical fight that never really heated up. Scores were 99-91, 100-90, 100-90.

Unbeaten super lightweight knockout artist Cain Sandoval (12-0, 11 KOs) went the distance for the first time against 2008 Olympian Javier “El Intocable” Molina (22-6, 9 KOs). Sandoval pressed the action and punished the body of Molina, who was savvy enough to not get caught. Scores were 100-90 3x.

In an upset, former world title challenger Blake “Il Capo” Caparello (35-4-1, 15 KOs) knocked out WBC #8, WBA #14 cruiserweight Simone “The Italian Tank” Federici (20-3-1, 8 KOs) in the fifth round on Friday night at the Paramount in Huntington, New York. A short left hook sent Federici to the canvas. The 37-year-old Caparello claimed the WBC Continental Americas and NABA Gold belts.

Caparello-Federici was elevated to the main event when the original headliner between super welterweights Wendy Toussaint and Mponda Kalunga was scrapped due to visa issues.

Hometown super middleweight hero Lester Martinez (17-0, 15 KOs) of Guatemala TKO’d Ruben Angulo (11-9-2, 5 KOs) of Colombia on Friday night at the Parque de la Industria, Guatemala City, Guatemala. Martinez steadlily broke down Angulo from round one with punches to the body and head. Martinez turned it up near the end of round two firing a rapid combination to the head that sent Angulo crashing to the canvas where he was counted out by the referee. Martinez won the vacant WBC Latino title. Martinez began his professional career debuting with a knockout of former world champion Ricard Mayorga back in 2019.

Former world title challenger David Jimenez (15-1, 11 KOs) of Costa Rica defeated local favorite Pablo Macario (8-6, 4 KOs) in the 10 round flyweight co-feature. Jimenez dominated the action and was in control of the bout overall. Macario fought gamely all night and had the support of the fans on hand but Jimenez was a bit too seasoned for him. The official judges scorecards read 100-90, 99-91, and 98-92 all in favor of Jimenez.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

“Monster” Naoya’s cousin WBO AP 140-pound champion Koki Inoue (17-2, 14 KOs), 140, a hard-punching tall southpaw, attempted to avenge his previous 2020 TKO loss to Daishi Nagata (19-3-2, 6 KOs), now the OPBF counterpart, but lost all regional belts by a majority decision (115-113, 116-112, 114-114) over twelve give-and-take rounds on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan.

The tide very busily turned after Koki battered Daishi with furious combinations in the first and the latter fought back hard to take back the initiative from the second round on. Nagata kept peppering the fading Inoue to pile up more points in the process and withstood Inoue’s last surge in the final two rounds. The crestfallen Koki told he would hang up gloves for good like last time he had lost to Nagata. It was Nagata that unified the OPBF and WBO AP belts to his credit. Continue reading “Nagata edges Inoue, unifies OPBF, WBO AP belts”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten hard-punching Filipino WBA#1 flyweight Dave Apolinario (20-0, 14 KOs), 111.5, came off the canvas in round three, and badly dropped formerly world rated ex-WBA Asia champ Tanes Onjunta (12-2, 6 KOs), 112.75, twice and for the count at 1:44 of the fourth round in a scheduled eight on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan.

It was a very competitive undercard to a regional tripleheader at the Korakuen Hall. Onjunta scored with a well-timed right counter, decking the prefight favorite Apolinario to stun the crowd midway in the third. But Tanes sustained a bad gash at the side of his skull, bleeding profusely in the same third. The lefty Filipino, however, caught up with the Thailander with a beautiful southpaw left and sent him to the canvas. Though standing up quickly, Tanes took another vicious right hook to fall and was unable to beat the count. It’s a crowd-pleasing give-and-take affair. Continue reading “WBA #1 Apolinario survives, finishes Tanes”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Former OPBF bantam champ Kazuki Nakajima (15-2-1, 12 KOs), 121.5, acquired the vacant OPBF 122-pound belt (renounced by his stablemate Yoshiki Takei) when he scored a nearly shutout decision (120-108 twice, 119-109) over Mugicha Nakagawa (28-10-3, 18 KOs), 122, over twelve lopsided rounds on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan.

Nakajima, a southpaw hard-puncher with a suspect chin whose WBO AP 122-pound belt was wrested by TJ Doheny via TKO route last year, made good use of footwork to keep his distance against the wild swinger. Nakagawa, who previously upset former world challenger and ex-OPBF super bantam champ Shingo Wake to raise his stock, kept stalking the footworker but failed to catch the crisp punching southpaw all the way. For Nakajima, formerly an Ashiya university amateur boxer, it was his third regional belt acquisition. Continue reading “Nakajima defeats Nakagawa for OPBF 122lb belt”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten IBF#13 Keisuke Matsumoto (10-0, 7 KOs), 126, barely kept his Japanese featherweight belt as he survived a last-round visit to the canvas and eked out a unanimous decision (all 96-92) over JBC#1 Jinki Maeda (13-2, 8 KOs), 125.5, over ten see-saw heats on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan.

The shaven skulled champ Keisuke, the son of former three-time world challenger and now his trainer Koji Matsumoto, utilized his hand speed and quick reflexes, comfortably piling up points almost in every round. He finely sent him to the deck with an eye-catching left-right combination to the southpaw ex-kick boxing champ in the fourth.

Maeda, whose left optic was badly puffed with his absorption of the champ’s sharp combinations, showed his determination as he turned loose and displayed an incredible last surge. Jinki decked the champ with a southpaw left and had him at bay with the bell coming to his rescue.

This fight may be a good candidate for Fight of the Year in the domestic category with each hitting the deck in dramatic fashion. Continue reading “Matsumoto beats Maeda, keeps Japan’s 126lb belt”

USBA junior middleweight beltholder Ardreal “Bossman” Holmes Jr. (15-0, 6 KOs) destroyed crosstown rival Marlon Harrington (10-2, 9 KOs) in two rounds on Tuesday night at Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit. Holmes dropped Harrington three times in round two to end it. Time was 1:25.

Undefeated IBF #7, WBO #8 light heavyweight Ali Izmailov (12-0, 8 KOs) successfully defended his USBA title with a punishing fourth round TKO against rugged Britton Norwood (13-5-1, 10 KOs). Izmailov dropped Norwood with a body shot in round two. Another body shot knockdown in round four and Norwood’s corner stopped the bout soon after. Time as 1:28.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

If both are brittle-chinned hard-punchers, it will become such a fight like this. The tide busily turning almost in every round, it was a see-saw bout with each almost stunning the rival each other. Former champ Kosuke Saka (23-7, 20 KOs), 130, regained the Japanese super feather belt as he finally emerged victorious via TKO route over badly-bleeding Ken Koibuchi (10-7-1, 9 KOs), 130, at 0:44 of the fifth round in a scheduled ten on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. Continue reading “Saka halts Koibuchi, regains Japanese 130lb belt”

Lightweight Carlos Maria Alanis (13-1, 5 KOs) of Argentina stopped countryman Jonathan Joel Arena (14-15, 4 KOs) on Saturday night at the Club Atletico Temperley in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. Alanis implemented a steady body attack from round one and it would pay dividends in the second half of the fight. Arena fought gamely and had some moments. Alanis dropped Arena in round seven with a timely body shot. Arena beat the count but a flurry against the ropes moments later saw the referee wave off the bout and Alanis was the winner by TKO7 and the new South American lightweight champion.

In his previous bout this past summer, Alanis went the distance versus world-ranked Liam Wilson in the latter’s native Australia. Wilson is well known for his thriller last year where he nearly upset three división world champion Emmanuel Navarette. Wilson will now face former multi división world champion Oscar Valdez next month.

Becomes IBF 130 lb. Mandatory Challenger

By Boxing Bob Newman

In an important bout that flew under the radar, IBF #3 Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov and #4 rated Eduardo Nuñez, squared off in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to decide the #1 mandatory position at Jr. Lightweight.

Local hero Rakhimov was coming in off his lone loss 10 months ago- a tough, split decision, title-losing effort against Joe Cordina in Cardiff, Wales. Nuñez, of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, was making a relatively quick return to the ring after blowing out Oscar Escandon in two rounds in Cancun last October.

The first half of the fight was tactical warfare as each man tried to gain their edge, taking turns coming forward while the other looked to see what his foe had to offer. By the second half of the fight, Nuñez seemed to be taking over, if ever so slightly. He began to land telling power shots on Rakhimov, who seemed unable to get off the ropes, or was hoping Nuñez would punch himself out. Nuñez was so squared up, that all his punches appeared to be hooks, whether right or left. Jabs were mostly out the window in favor of sledgehammer blows.

Rakhimov would rally in the ninth, for what would be the last time. Rakhimov got a much needed reprieve from referee Mark Nelson, who called time as he instructed Rakhimov’s corner to secure some loose tape on the glove in the tenth. But that would be it as Nuñez sensed his time had come. He came out guns blazing, raining blow after blow- 20 unanswered in all, to the head of a helpless Rakhimov, who bravely, but perhaps foolishly, never went down. Referee Nelson stepped in to rescue the battered hometowner, with only 15 seconds elapsed in the 11th. Continue reading “Nuñez overwhelms and stops ex-champ Rakhimov”

WBC junior lightweight champion O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster (22-2, 12 KOs) retained his world title with a twelve round split decision over Abraham “El Super” Nova (23-2, 16 KOs) on Friday night inside the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Nova got off to a good start, outworking and outmuscling Foster. But Foster took over midway and closed strong with a twelfth round knockdown. Scores were 116-111, 115-112 Foster, 114-113 Nova.

Unbeaten WBO #15 junior lightweight Andres “Savage” Cortes (21-0, 11 KOs) scored a brutal fourth round TKO over WBO #4 Bryan Chevalier (20-2-1, 16 KOs). Cortez badly rocked Chevalier in round four and Chevalier’s corner stopped the fight. Time was 2:17.

Unbeaten featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (11-0, 7 KOs) scored a spectacular fourth round knockout against Bernard Torres (18-2, 8 KOs). Carrington laid out Torrez face first with a flush right hand. Time was 2:59.

Olympic heavyweight Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (12-1-1, 10 KOs) knocked down Moses Johnson (11-2-2, 8 KOs) five times before the bout was finally stopped in round one. Johnson probably took more punishment than he needed to. Time was 2:59. Continue reading “Foster edges Nova; retains WBC 130lb title”

Sivenathi “The Special One” Nontshinga (13-1, 10 KOs) regained the IBF light flyweight title with a tenth round TKO against Adrian “Gatito” Curiel (24-5-1, 5 KOs) on Friday night at the Auditorium Guelaguetza in Oaxaca, Mexico. It was a slugfest from the opening bell with both trading bombs nonstop. Curiel often backed Nontshinga into the ropes and teed off. In round nine, Nontshinga suddenly rocked Curiel with a left hook. Nontshinga hurt Curiel again in round ten, scoring a knockdown, then getting a referee’s stoppage.

Curiel scored a shocking one-punch knockout to dethrone Nontshinga in the second round last year in Monaco. Nontshinga turned the tables in Curiel’s backyard.

* * *

Former world champion Mauricio Lara (26-3-2, 19 KOs) and Daniel Lugo (27-2-1, 18 KOs) battled to a ten round draw in a super featherweight clash.

Lugo had Lara hurt in round six, but Lara recovered and hurt Lugo in round seven. Both fighters rocked each other the rest of the way. In the end, scores were 96-64 Lugo, 95-95, 95-95.

Super bantamweight Ramon Cardenas (24-1, 13 KOs) was victorious when Israel Rodriguez Picazo (30-6, 20 KOs) couldn’t come out for round seven on Friday night at the Whitesands Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Picazo suffered a badly broken jaw. Cardenas

In a clash between unbeaten welterweights, Emiliano Moreno (9-0, 5 KOs) took a hard fought eight round unanimous decision over Axl Melendez (7-1, 4 KOs). Scores were 78-74, 77-75, 77-75.

Cruiserweight Efetobor Apochi (12-2, 11 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO against previously unbeaten Lucas Pontes da Silva (7-1, 7 KOs). Apochi dropped Pontes in round five and got a referee’s stoppage later in the round. Time was 2:33.

Unbeaten middleweight Joeshon James (9-0-2, 5 KOs) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Vaughn Alexander (18-9-1, 11 KOs). Scored 78-73 3x. James deducted a point for a forearm in round eight.

Unbeaten super featherweight “King” Robert Meriwether III (5-0, 2 KOs) outscored Carlos Rocha (3-3, 2 KOs) 40-36 3x over four rounds.

Former Ukrainian Olympian Tsotne Rogava (5-0, 5 KOs) scored his third first-round knockout victory Friday night at Soboba Casino Resort in San Jacinto, California. Georgia-native Rogava, who stands 6’5” and weighs 270 pounds, unloaded a brutal body attack on John Shipman (5-6, 2 KOs), who was unable to keep Rogava at a distance. The referee halted the action when Shipman was getting used and abused by the potentially loaded heavyweight prospect Rogova.

Rogava successfully transitioned to boxing from his world class Muay Thai and kickboxing career and he has greatly benefited from being trained by Hall of Famer Joe Goossen, who has favorably compared him, style-wise, to Tyson Fury because of their enormous size and relatively nimble footwork. Continue reading “Rogava still unbeaten”

By Evan Jacobs

SOCA Fights returned to the Hangar at the OC Fair & Events Center in Costa Mesa, CA for the first show of 2024 and it was yet another great night of fights that had a little something for everyone…four boxing matches, an MMA clash, and even a sword fight!

Yes, you read that right! The event opened with some fine fencing skills on display before a very appreciative crowd. The swords moved swiftly as the audience cheered on this very intricate art form. The combatants showed strong resolve and really set the stage for the action to follow as the evening moved on. Continue reading “Fight Club OC Results”