By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

After falling short at his shot at a world title, featherweight Ruben “Drac” Villa (19-1, 6 KOs) of Salinas, California returned to the ring in stopping veteran Horacio Garcia (35-6-1, 25 KOs), of Guadalajara, Mexico in nine rounds Friday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario in the Thompson Boxing Promotions “Path to Glory” main event. Continue reading “Villa stops Garcia in 9”

Undefeated heavyweight Mike Balogun (19-0, 15 KOs) scored a second round KO over 5’7 journeyman Sergio Ramirez Marin (20-8, 12 KOs) in an eight-round contest on Friday night at the Garden Theater in Detroit, Michigan. Balogun, a former collegiate and NFL linebacker, sent Marin to a knee with a short left and Marin was counted out. Time was 1:49.

Bantamweight Ja’Rico O’Quinn (15-1-1, 8 KOs) rebounded from his first loss with a one-sided eight round unanimous decision over Jobert Alvarez (20-3-2, 7 KOs). Scores were 80-72 3x.

In a clash of unbeaten heavyweight prospects, Michael Pirotton (6-0, 3 KOs) punished Jonathan Gruber (3-1, 2 KOs) for five rounds before the bout was waved off. Time was 1:58.

Unbeaten super featherweight Joshafat Ortiz (10-0, 5 KOs) took an eight round unanimous decision over Derrick Murray (15-5, 5 KOs). Scores were 76-75, 77-74, 77-74. Murray was deducted a point in round six for continually losing his mouthpiece.

Super lightweight Ernesto “Tito” Mercado (5-0, 5 KOs) remained undefeated scoring his fourth consecutive first round knockout, this time against veteran Daniel Evangelista Jr. (20-14-2, 16 KOs). The six-round bout, promoted by Englebrecht Promotions & Events on the popular Fight Club OC series, took place at The Hangar in Costa Mesa, CA. Mercado came out guns blazing as soon as the bell rang and send Evangelista to the canvas in the opening minute of round one, then followed up with two more knockdowns before the referee stopped the bout at the 1:37 mark. Continue reading “Mercado demolishes Evangelista”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Commonwealth Games 2018 Gold medalist and 2016 Rio Olympian Jason Whateley (10-0, 9 KOs) scored a sensational second round knockout over Fiji’s Savanca Naliva (14-4-1, 10 KOs) to capture the vacant IBF Pan Pacific cruiserweight title on Wednesday at the Fortitude Music Hall, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland. The 6’5” Whateley connected with a right uppercut that dropped Naliva in round two and the referee crowned the Australian at :32.

In other action, unbeaten Venezuelan Ender Luces (17-0, 14 KOs) won a split decision over Australian super featherweight champion Dana Coolwell (7-2, 5 KOs) in a ten round action-packed bout with the visitor capturing the IBF youth world championship via split decision. Scores Paul Williams 97-93, Steve Marshall 96-94 and Phil Austin 93-97.

Matchmaker Stuart Duncan, promoter Dean Lonergan, IBF Supervisor Adam Height.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Former Japanese feather champ Ryo Sagawa (12-2, 7 KOs), 126, scored an important victory when he exploded a vicious right hand to the face of ex-WBA 122-pound ruler Shun Kubo (15-3, 10 KOs), 125.75, and sink him for the count at 1:03 of the third round in a scheduled eight on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.

They had a complex chain in the background. Kubo captured the WBA super bantam belt from Venezuelan Nehomar Cermeno via TKO route in April 2017, but forfeited his throne to Daniel Roman on a ninth-round stoppage five months later. Roman retained his belt in Japan, unanimously beating Ryo Matsumoto on points in 2018. The world-rated Ryo, in his comeback go, suffered an upset TKO defeat at the hand of unheralded novice Ryo Sagawa in September 2018. The fast-rising Sagawa later won the national feather belt, but recently lost it to another prospect Hinata Maruta by a seventh-round TKO in February of the previous year. Continue reading “Sagawa finishes ex-WBA champ Kubo”

By Ron Jackson

Lwandile Ngxeke (aka Landi) from Sada, Eastern Cape won the vacant South African junior bantamweight title when he stopped Athenlosi Dumezweni in the tenth round at the Sun City Superbowl on Saturday night.

Going into the fight, the odds were stacked against the #3 rated Ngexeke (8-1, 3 KOs) who was up against the more experienced southpaw Dumezweni (13-4, 9 KOs) who had fought at a much higher level than Ngexeke, having won the South African, WBC silver and WBO Africa titles. Continue reading “Lwandile Ngxeke wins SA junior bantam title”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Gennadiy Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs), 160, Kazakhstan, unified the WBA and IBF middleweight belts as he withstood a grueling battle with Japanese warrior Ryota Murata (16-3, 13 KOs), 160, and finally decked him with his tremendous attacks to halt him at 2:11 of the ninth round on Saturday in Saitama, Japan. Murata, WBA titlist, displayed his admirable courage in continually stalking GGG, who, however, caught up with him and scored a very significant victory.

Golovkin (amateur mark 345-5) won the silver medal in Athens Olympic Games in 2004, while Murata (118-19) acquired the gold one in London Games in 2012. It was in 2006 that GGG turned professional, while Ryota sensationally made a pro debut in 2013. Despite their only four-year difference of age, Golovkin, 40, was more experienced with 43 pro outings, while Murata, 36, fought just 18 bouts—even considering his two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading “Golovkin halts Murata, unifies WBA/IBF 160lb belts”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten Japanese southpaw Junto Nakatani (23-0, 18 KOs), 111.75, impressively kept his WBO flyweight belt as he pummeled compatriot WBO#2 Ryota Yamauchi (8-2, 7 KOs), 112, into submission at 2:20 of the eighth round on Saturday in Saitama, Japan. Nakatani, unusually tall as a flyweight standing 5’7”, fully utilized his advantageous height and reach, lopsidedly battered the shorter challenger at will and finally halted him with an unanswered combination midway in the fatal eighth. The 24-year-old Junto, making his second defense, showed his improvement in fighting in the close quarter, but may outgrow this 112-pound category soon because of his reported difficulty to make weight. Continue reading “Nakatani halts Yamauchi, keeps WBO 112lb belt”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

In a highly competitive confrontation, unbeaten WBO#5, WBC#15 Shuichiro Yoshino (15-0, 11 KOs), 134.5, successfully retained his OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific lightweight belts as he was awarded a unanimous technical decision (107-102 twice, 106-103) over former WBO 130-pound titlist Masayuki Ito (27-4-1, 15 KOs), 135, because of Ito’s bad cut caused by an accidental butt at 2:06 of the eleventh round on Saturday in Saitama, Japan. Continue reading “Yoshino beats Ito, keeps OPBF, WBO AP 135lb belts”

In a terrific clash for the WBC interim super welterweight title, undefeated 6’6 Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora (19-0-1, 13 KOs) scored an impressive ninth round TKO over Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (24-2, 17 KOs) on Saturday night in the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. As expected, it was a total slugfest. Fundora dropped Lubin in round two. Lubin dropped Fundora in round seven. The fight was stopped by Lubin’s corner after the ninth round due to the punishment Lubin was taking. Lubin was ahead on all three cards at the time of the stoppage.

“I think this was probably my best performance ever,” said Fundora. “It was a back-and-forth fight. He really brought his hammer but I decided to bring my drill. The uppercut was landing like no other. The uppercut is my lucky punch. I’m here in Vegas, so I feel a little lucky, and that’s my lucky punch. It lands most of the time with everybody. Southpaw. Right hand. It doesn’t matter. Once I find that, I feel like the job’s done.”

* * *

Former WBC super welterweight world champion Tony “Superbad” Harrison (29-3-1, 21 KOs) outboxed Sergio Garcia (33-2, 14 KOs) over ten rounds in a WBC eliminator. Scores were 98-92, 100-90, 100-90 as Harrison took a unanimous decision.

Unbeaten super welterweight Kevin Salgado (14-0-1, 9 KOs) and Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella (17-3-2, 14 KOs) battled to a workmanlike ten round draw. Scores were 97-93 Perrellaa, 96-94 Salgado, 95-95.

Cruiserweight Simone “Tyson” Federici (19-2-1, 8 KOs) scored a sloppy ten round unanimous decision over Lyubomyr “Demolition Man” Pinchuk (14-3-1, 8 KOs) on Saturday night at Rivers Casino Event Center in Schenectady, New York. Scores were 97-93, 97-93, 99-91. Federici retained his WBC Continental Americas title and took Pinchuk’s WBA NABA Gold title.

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

Rising lightweight superstar Ryan “KingRy” Garcia (22-0, 18 KOs) out of Victorville, CA, made his long awaited ring return on Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and took a unanimous decision against the crafty Emmanuel “Gameboy” Tagoe (32-2, 15 KOs) out of Ghana over twelve rounds to win going away 119-108 twice and 118-109.

Garcia dropped Tagoe in round two after a double right hand, although Tagoe complained to referee Jon Schorle that he was pushed. Garcia followed Tagoe around the ring as Tagoe held often whenever they got close. Through the first six rounds, Garcia stalked Tagoe and at times unloaded a series of combos to the smaller Tagoe who did his best to duck and move away. Garcia had success to the body against the unorthodox Tagoe, who showed he was game against the social media star. Continue reading “Kingry defeats Tagoe by decision”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

WBO/IBF lightweight champion Mikaela Mayer (17-0, 5 KO’s) successfully defended her WBO and IBF junior lightweight titles with a unanimous decision win over Jennifer Han (18-5-1, 1 KO) of El Paso, Texas, Saturday night at the Hangar in Costa Mesa, California. A fast start from the opening bell as Mayer and Han let their hands go staying active. Mayer was cut on the left eye from a punch. Han boxed well in the second round as Mayer attacked behind the jab. In round three, Han boxed as she stuck and moved Mayer attacked but was caught with a short right hand. Han’s nose was busted in the fourth round by a left hook from Mayer as blood gushed out of Han’s nose to finish the fourth. Continue reading “Mayer, Santillan, Venado, Moloneys victorious”

By Robert Coster
Photos: Martin Avila Maria

In Santo Domingo on Friday night, local idol Norbelto “Meneito” Jimenez (31-9-6, 16 KOs) 115.4 outpointed former title contender Keyvin Lara (31-5-1, 16 KOs) of Nicaragua over 10 rounds. Initially, the crowd-pleasing “Meneito ” (the one who wiggles) had some problems with the aggressive, gritty visitor who took the fight to him, landing some good punches. The fight turned to Norbelto’s favor when he reverted to his style, one of foot and head movement, skills and picking his punches. In the last three rounds, Jimenez delighted the crowd with his side-stepping and dance moves, egging on the fans. It was standard “Meneito” at his best.

Other notable fights on the 16-bout marathon card, featured two former world champions. Continue reading “Jimenez trounces Lara in Santo Domingo”

By Ron Jackson

The Limpopo born Tshifhiwa “Atomic Spider” Munyai who now fights out of Gauteng retained the South African lightweight title for the third time when he beat the southpaw Aphiwe Mboyiya from the Eastern Cape on a 12 round split decision, at the Steve Tshwete Banquet Hall in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, on Friday night.

The scores were 116-114, 114-113 for Munyai and 116-113 for Mboyiya.

This was a closely fought and grueling encounter between the two vastly experienced fighters. Continue reading “Tshifhiwa Munyai retains SA title on a split decision”

Mexican super welterweight contender Damian “Samurai” Sosa (20-1, 11 KOs) defended his WBO Latino title with an impressive third round knockout victory against Jesus “Ingeniero” Vega (22-3-1, 13 KOs) of Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico in the main event of a Toscano Boxing Promotions show Friday night at Zonkeys Auditorium in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Sosa ended the bout at 1:35 of the third stanza and once again demonstrated his desire to have a world title opportunity in the near future. Continue reading “Sosa KOs Vega in three”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Tokyo 2021 Olympic lightweight bronze medalist Harry Garside (2-0, 1 KO) scored a one-sided points victory over Sudan-born and Australian-based Manuer Matet (4-2, 2 KOs) over ten rounds to capture the vacant Australian lightweight title on Wednesday night at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Scores Charlie Lucas 98-92, Pat O’Connor 98-92, Mick Heafey 99-91. Garside took control of the contest from the opening bell and boxed impressively, punishing his opponent with accurate combinations. Garside was in good fight condition and did not sit down on his stool between rounds. He is guided by Hall of Fame trainer Johnny Lewis. Continue reading “Olympian Harry Garside wins Aussie title”

New promotional firm Abella Boxing Promotions presented their debut boxing event on Saturday night at the Terrace Paramus in Paramus, New Jersey. A sold-out crowd of 500+ was on hand to see the first boxing show ever in Paramus.

In the main event, super lightweight Nick “The Bull” Vitone (7-1-1, 6 KOs) stole the show in a six-round slugfest with Llewelyn McClamy (3-2-1, 1 KO). Scores were 60-54, 59-55, 60-54.

In the co-main, super welterweight Robert Terry (5-0, 0 KOs) outscored DeAundre Pettus (6-0, 3 KOs) in a six rounder by scores of 60-54, 59-55, 59-55.

In the fastest fight of the night, pro debuting light heavyweight Chaz Nyguen (1-0, 1 KO) stopped Tyler Voigt (0-2) in round one. Chazz, a police officer in East Brunswick, New Jersey, finished Voigt in just 2:40. Continue reading “Results from Paramus, New Jersey”

By Robert Coster

Dominican boxing fans were provided on Saturday with an entertaining international card with three regional titles on the line. The main event had local prospect Francis Frometa (16-0, 10 KOs) 135lbs, win a unanimous ten round decision over former title contender Oliver Flores (30-5-2, 19 KOs) 134lbs, of Nicaragua for the WBA Fedecaribe title. In the first half of the fight, Frometa had problems with the cagey visitor but he took command of the action by the fifth round. The fight was a rather slow-paced chess match. The three local judges scored it 99-91 for Frometa. Fightnews.com® had it 97-93 for Frometa.

Jose Miguel Galvez (18-2, 11 KOs) 139lbs, won the FIB Caribbean title with a second round TKO over Venezuelan Jampier Oses (18-6-1, 13 KOs) 138lbs.

Luis Miguel Aguero (11-0, 6 KOs) 122lbs, scored a spectacular one-punch knockout over Dixon Flores (17-10-3, 6 KOs) of Nicaragua, 121.5lbs, in the first round, winning the WBA Fedelatin belt. Continue reading “Results from Santo Domingo”

By Brad Snyder-The Undercard
Photos by Bob Ryder

When you say Erick DeLeon’s name in Detroit, you put a little respect behind it. The fact is he is talked about often. Erick has been silent during an injury-plagued and Covid boxing landscape for three years. But in the gyms, at the bars, and at entertainment venues when you speak of Erick DeLeon, you put a little respect behind it.

Saturday night was a homecoming. The legend of a 3-time National Golden Glove champion coming home. A star, whose light was so bright in the beginning, not many locals have been able to see him fight live as a professional. A question whispered at shows was, “Where is Erick DeLeon? And when does he fight next?” The answer, he never left and April 2, 2022. Continue reading “DeLeon destroys Herrera in comeback”

Former world title challenger Dewayne Beamon (21-4-3, 15 KOs) had to settle for a technical draw against local fan favorite Pablo Carrillo (25-8-2, 17 KOs) on Saturday at the Coliseo Sugar Baby Rojas in Barranquilla, Colombia. Close fight until a ruled unintentional headbutt in round five left Carrillo with a deep visible gash on top of his head and he was ruled unable to continue by the ring doctor. The WBC Continental Americas super flyweight title remains vacant. The 36-year-old Beamon hails from Goldsboro, North Carolina.

WBO female middleweight champion Savannah “The Silent Assassin” Marshall (12-0, 10 KOs) brutally knocked out Femke Hermans (12-4, 5 KOs) in round three on Saturday night in Newcastle, England, to set up a grudge showdown with WBA, WBC, IBF champion Claressa “GWOAT” Shields later this year. Marshall laid out Hermans with a left hook. Time was 1:59.

“There’s no one else in the way between me and Claressa, so it’s me and her in the summer now,” said Marshall. “I know Claressa can’t handle my power. I believe I can beat her. It’s got to happen here in the Northeast.”

Shields, who was at ringside, stated, “I said she’d do that to Femke Hermans but I’m not Femke Hermans, I’m not Hannah Rankin, I’m not any of those girls she’s fought. If that’s what I’ve got to look forward to, it’s going to be a wipeout…I’m 10 times faster than Femke!” Continue reading “Marshall annihilates Hermans, Shields next”

Mikey Garcia-conqueror Sandor Martin (40-2, 13 KOs) outboxed former contender Jose Felix (39-6-1, 30 KOs) over ten one-sided rounds for the vacant WBA International super lightweight title on Friday night at the Palau Olímpic Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona, Spain. In his first fight since pulling off last October’s 2021 upset of the year, Martin was in total control against the faded Felix, winning 100-90, 100-90, 99-91.

In a slugfest, unbeaten super flyweight and 2016 Olympian Samuel Carmona (7-0, 4 KOs) had all he could handle against former world title challenger Joel Cordova (13-6-2, 3 KOs). Good action all the way. Cordova relentlessly punished Carmona in round eight. Carmona dropped Cordova in round nine but was then openly holding and running from Cordova after that. The scores after ten rounds were 97-93, 96-93, 96-94 for Carmona, which seemed like a little home cooking’.

Light heavyweight Ricards Bolotniks (19-6-1, 8 KOs) hammered out an eight round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten 2016 Olympian Hrvoje Sep (11-1, 8 KOs). Bolotniks, who recently gave highly regarded Joshua Buatsi a tough fight, won by scores of 78-75, 78-75, 77-75.

In a clash of unbeaten middleweights, Jhon Jader Obregon (10-0, 4 KOs) won an eight round unanimous decision over Kyle Lomotey (10-1, 2 KOs). Scores were 80-71, 78-73, 77-73. Lomotey deducted a point in round five.

Female super bantamweight Jorgelina Guanini (10-4-2, 1 KO) defeated previously unbeaten Stevi Levy (5-1, 0 KOs) over eight rounds. Scores were 80-73, 79-73, 79-75.

WBC strawweight champion Panya Pradabsri (38-1, 23 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over former long time champion Wanheng Menayothin (55-2, 19 KOs) in their rematch on Tuesday at the City Hall Ground in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand. The bout was a slugfest. 36-year-old Wanheng was very aggressive and Pradabsri, 31, was willing to trade. After four rounds, WBC open scoring showed 39-37 Wanheng, 38-38, 38-38. The back and forth action continued with Pradabsri pulling ahead 77-75, 78-74, 78-74 after eight. Wanheng drove Pradabsri into the ropes in round nine, not called a knockdown. Wanheng desperately tried to make up the gap down the stretch but came up short. Scores were 117-111 across the board.

The 36-year-old Menayothin, also known as Chayaphon Moonsri, ran his ledger to 54-0 to best Floyd Mayweather’s 50-0 career mark only to relinquish the record for an unbeaten career back to Floyd by losing to Pradabsri in November 2020.

By Ron Jackson

Jackson Chauke retained the South African flyweight title on a majority 12 round draw against Phumelela Cafu in an excellent toe-to-toe encounter at the Premier Hotel and International Convention Centre in East London on Sunday afternoon. The scores were 115-113 for Cafu and 114-114 twice. The home fighter Chauke landed most of the cleaner punches throughout the fight.

It was announced from the ring that Cafu, 23, was the new champion and he was presented with the South African championship belt. However, this was incorrect as with a majority draw Chauke, 36, retains the title.

The sad part of the whole affair was that none of the people or officials at ringside picked up on the incorrect decision and that Cafu, who put up an excellent performance, will wake up on Monday morning and find out that he was no longer the champion. Continue reading “Jackson Chauke retains SA title with a draw”