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.”

In a clash between former stablemates, undefeated WBO #1-ranked Arnold Barboza Jr. (31-0, 11 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over 2012 U.S. Olympian and former unified super lightweight champion Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) in an important non-title encounter on Saturday night at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Barboza never let Ramirez get untracked in a technical bout that never heated up. Scores were 97-93, 96-94, 96-94.

In a minimum unification fight, WBO Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo (11-0, 8 KOs) knocked out long-reigning WBA minimumweight champion Thammanoon “Knockout CP Freshmart” Niyomtrong (25-1, 9 KOs) in round seven. Collazo dropped Niyomtrong in round six and twice in round seven to end it. Time was 1:29.

* * *

WBA #9 super lightweight Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte (28-2-1, 22 KOs) hammered out a ten round unanimous decision over Botirzhon Akhmedov (10-4, 9 KOs). Scores were 98-92, 97-93, 96-94.

Local hero Ziyad Almaayouf (6-0, 1 KO) and Juan Garcia (5-6-1, 0 KOs) battled to a split draw in a six-round welterweight bout.

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

In an official heavyweight boxing match, Jake “El Gallo” Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) scored an eight round unanimous decision over 58-year-old ring legend “Iron” Mike Tyson (50-7, 44 KOs) on Friday night in front of 72,300-seat at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Scores were 80-72, 79-73, 79-73. The fight was fought with 14-ounce gloves and two-minute rounds.

Tyson came out strong in round one and landed the first blow of the night, a right hand to the head of Paul. Paul landed a shot later in the round as Tyson was warned of a low blow. Staying on the outside in round two, Paul scored with a body shot as Tyson landed a solid left hook. By round three, it was clear Tyson could not move well with a brace on his right leg as Paul continued to control the fight from the outside. In round four, Paul’s confidence grew as he let his hand go and hit Tyson with combinations. From rounds 5-8, it was mostly Paul picking his shots to the head and body whereas Tyson land an occasional left hook to Paul’s head. Continue reading “Jake Paul decisions Mike Tyson”

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

Super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 KOs) out of Ireland went toe-to-toe with her Puerto Rican nemesis Amanda Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs) once again over ten brutal rounds and escaped the Lone Star State with a unanimous decision to retain her WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and Ring belts in another instant classic. Taylor barely beat Serrano via split decision in their 2022 fight of the year at Madison Square Garden. This time it was 95-94 3x.

In a continuation of their last fight, Serrano and Taylor went right to work. Serrano, a southpaw, showed off her blazing speed early and went right after Taylor and connected a left hook on the jaw at the end of the round. Taylor landed power right hands in round two and both exchanged blows in round three. Continue reading “Taylor edges Serrano again”

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

In a classic welterweight clash, “El Aztec” Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) out of San Antonio battled fellow Mexican Abel Ramos (28-6-3, 22 KOs) out of Arizona to a split draw over twelve bloody, entertaining rounds on Friday night at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The scores read 114-112 Ramos, 116-110 Barrios and113-113.

Barrios came out on fire from the opening bell using a pinpoint one, two on Ramos and appeared to drop him in round one as it appeared Ramos’ hand touched the canvas. In round two there was no debate as Barrios put Ramos on his back with a left hand to the body followed by a right hand to the head. Using his clear size advantage, it seemed this might be an early night for the WBC welterweight champ. Continue reading “Barrios and Ramos battle to a draw”

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

In the first boxing match on Netflix to kick off the Paul-Tyson heavyweight clash at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, super middleweight Neeraj Goyat 19-4-2 8 KOs, an actor and star in India, battled Brazilian musician YouTube sensation with 44.7 million subscribers Whindersson Nunes (2-3-1 2 KOs) over six entertaining rounds. Goyat used his experience and quick hands to out box Nunes to win a six round unanimous decision. Goyat, clearly an entertainer, waved his hands early in the fight to get the crowd engaged, and left his hands at his side to goat Nunes to throw punches. Goyat landed fast combos at times as Nunes countered at times and landed a few right hands, but not enough to win rounds. Goyat is signed to Most Valuable Promotions and even wants to fight his promoter, Jake Paul. Goyat called him out in the pre-fight presser and Jake responded that it would happen in India. For now, Goyat gets the title of the first winner on a live Netflix card to share with his millions of fans in India as the scores read 60-54 twice and 59-55.

Shadasia Green (16-1, 11 KOs) claimed the vacant WBO super middleweight belt with a hard fought win split decision against the undefeated Canadian Melinda Watpool (7-1, 2 KOs) for the vacant WBO super middleweight title. Green controlled the early rounds with on the outside as she landed a straight right hand to the face of Watpool. Watpool took the fight inside and had her most success as she took the fight to Green over the second half of the contest. Over ten action packed rounds, Green squeaked out the win with scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice. Green wins her first world title after losing against Franchon Crews Dezurn for the WBC strap in 2023.

In a competitive super lightweight battle, Lucas Bahdi (18-0, 15 KOs) from Niagara Falls, Canada, scored a ten round majority decision against Armando Casamonica (14-1, 3 KOs) out of Rome Italy. It took some time to heat up as Casamonica was the early aggressor. Bahdi started to let his hands go in the middle rounds. In a tactical fight, neither fighter was hurt, as the fight lasted the full ten rounds. Scores read 95-95, 96-93, 98-92 for Bahdi as he remained undefeated with the victory and gave the Italian his first loss of his career.

In the opening bout at AT&T Stadium of the massive Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson battle live on Netflix, rising featherweight star Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (15-0, 8 KOs) said he was going to steal the show versus Dana Coolwell (13-4, 8 KOs) and he sure tried to make his case early in the night. “Shu Shu”, a product of Brownsville, NY, like his idol “Iron Mike,” dropped Coolwell twice to score a dominant unanimous decision, 80-70 x 3.

Carrington put his full arsenal on display landing left hooks to the body, right hand uppercuts and everything in between. It was a left hook that dropped Coolwell in round four and the same shot that hurt him in round eight before “Shu Shu” put him down again with a flurry of shots in the corner. Coolwell was game and survived to the final bell but was no match for the ultra-skilled Carrington. The night could only get better for Carrington if “Iron Mike” beats Jake to win a 1 million dollar bet he made with Jake at weigh-ins on Thursday.

Keeps Japanese 115lb belt

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

When WBA featherweight champ Wilfredo Vazquez annihilated Japanese challenger Yuji Watanabe in five lopsided rounds here in 1997, we never imagined the loser’s nephew would become a professional boxer and then a national titlist since he was just five months old upon his uncle’s ill-fated world title shot that resulted in a jaw bone fracture. His nephew Suzumi Takayama (9-0, 8 KOs; amateur 35-16, 10 stoppages), 115, made his third defense of the Japanese super flyweight belt by dispatching Isao Aoyama (14-13-1, 4 KOs), 114.5, at 3:06 of the second session in a scheduled ten on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.

WBA#8 southpaw Takayama caught the underdog so quickly in the opening session and almost brought home the bacon within the first three minutes of the bout. But JBC#12 Aoyama, 35 and seven years his senior, desperately withstood the champ’s opening attack and occasionally displayed a gallant retaliation. In the closing seconds of round two, however, Takayama proved too strong and powerful for the overmatched challenger as he sank the game but limited rival with a vicious southpaw right hook that had him listen to the fatal ten on all fours on the canvas. His uncle Yuji Watanabe might smile at his impressive triumph though he needs more improvement on his defensive skills (he undesirably absorbed some of the bad loser’s opening attack). Suzumi is also rated #7 by IBF, #9 by WBO and #10 by WBC. Continue reading “WBA#8 Takayama ices Aoyama”

Former world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (23-3, 16 KOs) made quick work of Dannis Aguero Arias (20-3, 17 KOs) on Tuesday night at the E11EVEN Nightclub in Miami, Florida. The 44-year-old Rigo took out Arias with a body shot in the first round to claim the vacant WBC International super bantamweight title.