By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

One of the most influential promoters here in Japan is Hideyuki Ohashi without doubt—along with Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions-and it is Ohashi (the promoter/manager of “Monster” Naoya Inoue) that strongly supports the restoration of Korean fraternity financially. Ohashi enthusiastically did it in Seoul, Korea on March 1, and did so again in Tokyo on Tuesday with each four Japanese and Koreans hotly exchanging gloves at the Korakuen Hall. Continue reading “Japan-Korea tourney held in Tokyo”

WBA #12 light heavyweight Radivoje ‘Hot Rod’ Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs) scored a brutal tenth round knockout over 42-year-old former title challenger Sullivan Barrera (22-5, 14 KOs) on Wednesday night at the Whitesands Event Center in Plant City, Florida. Kalajdzic closed Barrera’s right eye with a punch early on. Kalajdzic dropped Barrera in round three. A barrage of punches in the final round put Barrera down for the count. Time was 2:31. Kalajdzic retained his WBA Continental North America title.

By Brad Snyder-The Undercard
Photos by Bob Ryder

Carlos Llinas and CLIP Promotions showcased ten fights at the Sound Board at Motor City Casino in Detroit, Michigan. The undercard had some very competitive fights, but it was the main event for the vacant WBC Silver Cruiserweight title that was the focus of the evening’s event. Cruiserweight Derick Miller Jr. (16-0, 8 KOs) in his toughest challenge to date was able to defeat Adrian Taylor (13-3-1, 5 KOs) by UD. The win exhibited Miller’s cardio and much improved combinations. Promoter Carlos Llinas, after the fight, admitted that, “Miller has to increase his quality of fights and stay active. Best he has ever looked.. and we are heading in the right direction with Derick.” Continue reading “Night of Knockouts XXIX”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBA#4 Yuni Takada (14-8-3, 6 KOs), 105, was a huge prefight favorite due to his latest surge, but had a very tough time coping with fleet-footed speedster JBC#1 Shunsuke Isa (13-6-1, 2 KOs), 105, and managed to keep his Japanese minimum belt by a unanimous decision (96-92 twice, 97-91) over ten speedy rounds on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. After the fifth, the open scoring system indicated Takada widely leading on points: all 49-46 in his favor. Takada, handled by three-time world 140lb challenger Lion Furuyama, decked the soft-punching challenger with a solid right in round six. But it was Isa that amazingly displayed a last surge, battered the champ and dropped him with a furious combination in the closing seconds of the final tenth. The champ Takada was barely saved by the bell that came to his rescue. Isa deserves a rematch. Continue reading “WBA #4 Takada barely keeps Japanese 105lb belt”

Former super welterweight world champion “King” Carlos Molina (39-14-2, 13 KOs) knocked out Cristian Arrazola (20-19-3, 16 KOs) in the third round on Saturday night at the Auditorio Municipal in Quiroga, Michoacan, Mexico. A straight right put Arrazola on all fours to end it. In addition to fighting in the main event, Molina was also the promoter.

In a clash between world-ranked junior flyweight contenders, undefeated WBC #5, WBA #7, WBO #12 Jairo Noriega (14-0, 3 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over WBO #7, WBA #8, WBC #8 Azael “Candelilla” Villar (20-3-4, 15 KOs) on Friday night at the Pharaohs Casino in Managua, Nicaragua. Villar pressed the action but was largely frustrated by the mobile Noriega. Noriega wins the WBO Latino title.

Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) annihilated MMA superstar and WBC #10 rated Francis Ngannou (0-2) in two rounds on Friday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Joshua dropped Ngannou in the first round with a right hand, then used the same punch to floor Ngannou twice in round two to end the fight. Time was 2:38. Ngannou was out cold.

Ngannou previously gave WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury all he could handle, but Joshua comprehensively destroyed him.

Former world champion Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) dethroned WBO interim heavyweight champion Zhilei Zhang (26-2-1, 21 KOs) by twelve round majority decision. Zhang dropped Parker in round three and eight, but Parker ultimately outboxed and outworked an exhausted Zhang in a tactical fight. Scores were 113-113, 114-112, 115-111. After the fight, Parker revealed that Zhang has a rematch clause so it looks like they’ll be running this back.

WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas (36-1-1, 22 KOs) barely kept his title with a twelve round draw against #1 contender Nick Ball (19-0-1, 11 KOs) The lanky Vargas towered over the 5’2 Ball and dominated the first six rounds. Ball rocked Vargas in round seven, then dropped him in round eight and again in round eleven. In the end, judges had it 114-112 Vargas, 116-110 Ball, 113-113.

In a clash for the vacant WBA super welterweight title formerly held by Jermell Charlo, WBA #1 Israil “The Dream” Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO over WBA #2 Magomed Kurbanov (25-1, 13 KOs) on Friday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Madrimov staggered Kurbanov in round five and got a quick referee’s stoppage with a vicious follow-up. Time was 2:20.

Unbeaten lightweight Mark Chamberlain (15-0, 11 KOs) put a four round beating on European champion Gavin Gwynne (17-3-1, 5 KOs). Gwynne’s corner finally threw in the towel. Time 2:46.

Unbeaten heavyweight Justis Huni (9-0, 4 KOs) had to work hard to win a ten round unanimous decision over Kevin Lerena (30-3, 14 KOs). Lerena almost pulled it out when he rocked Huni in round ten, but Huni made it to the final bell. Scores were 96-94, 96-94, 98-92.

Super welterweight Louis Greene (17-4, 11 KOs) demolished previously unbeaten Jack McGann (9-1-1, 6 KOs) in the first round. A right hand laid out McGann after 1:29 of action. One-hitter quitter.

Cruiserweight prospect Roman Fury (4-0, 1 KO), brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, won a 39-37 four round decision over Martin Svarc (2-1, 1 KO)

Unbeaten local super lightweight Ziyad Almaayouf (5-0, 1 KO) outpointed Christian Lopez Flores (14-36-2, 12 KOs) over six rounds. Scored 60-54.

Unbeaten heavyweight Andrii Novytskyi (10-0, 8 KOs) scored a third round KO against Juan Torres (11-5-1, 4 KOs)

Former middleweight title challenger Steven ‘Bang Bang’ Butler (34-4-1, 28 KOs) destroyed Steve Rolls (22-4, 12 KOs) in the first round at the sold out Montreal Casino in the latest chapter of the Quebec-Ontario rivalry. A series of shots crumpled Rolls on the ropes and the bout was stopped. The bout lasted 65 seconds.

Unbeaten super middleweight Osleys ‘El Tornado’ Iglesias (10-0, 9 KOs) scored a first round knockout over Marcelo ‘El Terrible’ Coceres (32-7-1, 18 KOs). A left hook to the head finished Coceres.

In a clash for the vacant WBC female heavyweight title, Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse (7-1, 2 KOs) scored a ten round split decision over Abril Vidal (10-2, 4 KOs). Scores were 97-93, 97-93 for Lepage-Joanisse and 96-94 for Vidal.

Unbeaten 2016 Olympian junior welterweight Arthur Biyarslanov (14-0, 12 KOs) knocked out Cristian Palma (33-14-2, 7 KOs) with a body shot in round three. Time was 3:00.

Other Results:
Luis Santana KO2 Emiliano Garcia (lightweight)
Mehmet Unal W8 Facundo Galovar (light heavyweight)
Jhon Orobio TKO2 Cristian Gonzalez (lightweight)
Wilkens Mathieu TKO2 Patrik Fiala (light heavyweight)

By Boxing Bob Newman at ringside

In a clash for the WBA featherweight title, WBA #2 Raymond “Savage” Ford (15-0-1, 8 KOs) scored a dramatic twelfth round stoppage against #1 rated Otabek Kholmatov (12-1, 11 KOs) to claim the vacant belt on Saturday night at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Tough back and forth action between excellent unbeaten fighters. Rounds were close. Ford rocked Kholmatov with seconds left in the fight and referee Charlie Fitch waved it off with seven seconds remaining. Entering the final round, Ford was down 106-103 on two cards and ahead 105-104 on the third card. Great fight!

Reigning IBF featherweight champion Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez (30-2, 17 KOs) successfully defended his world title against mandatory challenger Reiya Abe (25-4-1, 10 KOs) via eighth round TKO. Abe struggled with a closing right eye as Lopez took him apart. The bout was finally waved off by referee Marc Nelson. Time was :39.

More Results and Photos

YouTuber-turned-cruiserweight boxer Jake “The Problem Child” Paul (9-1, 6 KOs) outclassed and destroyed the more experienced Ryan Bourland (17-3, 6 KOs) in the first round on Saturday night at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was target practice for Paul, who battered Bourland to the canvas just as the bout was waved off. Time was 2:37. This is Paul’s second straight first round KO against a pro boxer. After the fight Paul declared himself the face of boxing and called out Canelo Alvarez.

WBO light flyweight champion Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez (28-3-1, 14 KOs) retained his title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Rene Santiago (12-4, 9 KOs) Close, tactical fight that never really heated up. In the end, judges had it 116-112, 115-113, 117-111 for Bomba.

Former world title challenger Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (28-4, 18 KOs) scored a second round knockout over Headley Scott (18-2, 12 KOs) in a super featherweight clash. Coming off a 22-month layoff, Diaz dropped Scott twice with left hooks in round two to end it. Time was 1:48.

52-year-old female welterweight Chevelle Hallback (34-9-2, 13 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Yamila Reynoso (13-16-3, 8 KOs) on Saturday night at the Downtown Hilton in Tampa, Florida. Close fight with Hallback claiming the NBA world title by scores of 97-93, 98-92, 96-94.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten IBF#15 junior flyweight prospect Kyosuke Takami (6-0, 5 KOs), 107.75, battered veteran ex-champ Kenichi Horikawa (41-20-1, 14 KOs), 107.75, from the outset and finally decked him with furious combinations to score a fine TKO victory at 2:50 of the sixth round in a scheduled ten on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. The 43-year-old Horikawa’s swan song was shattered by Takami, 21, who displayed his faster hands and crisp punches to a full extent.

Fast-rising southpaw Subaru Murata (6-0, 6 KOs), 122, proved too aggressive for previously unbeaten Filipino Alex Santisima Jr. (8-1, 2 KOs), 121.5, finishing him with a vicious body shot at 1:45 of the seventh round in a scheduled eight. Subaru made a professional debut in US in 2021 and all victories via knockout route.

Former Japanese feather champ Hinata Maruta (14-2-1, 10 KOs), 134.5, pounded out a unanimous decision (identically 79-73) over IBF Pan Pacific lightweight champ Phumiritdet Chonlathondamrongkun (15-2, 13 KOs), 136.5, from Thailand, over eight.

Continue reading “IBF#15 Takami halts Horikawa”

In a WBA super welterweight eliminator, WBA #11, WBC #15 Abass Baraou (15-1, 9 KOs) hammered out a twelve round majority decision over WBA #15 Sam “The Savage” Eggington (34-9, 20 KOs) on Friday night at the Telford International Centre in Telford, England. Hard fought affair with Baraou pulling away in the later rounds. Scores were 114-114, 117-111, 117-112. Baraou also claimed the vacant European title.

In a clash between unbeaten super middleweights, Andrei Dascalu (10-0, 3 KOs) demolished Joe Jackson-Brown (7-1, 4 KOs) in the first round. Dascalu dropped Jackson-Brown twice to end it after just 85 seconds.

Heavyweight prospect Matty Harris (6-1, 4 KOs) rebounded from a shock loss in his last fight to defeat Amine Boucetta (8-11, 0 KOs) over four rounds. Scored 40-36. Harris is trained by Peter Fury.

Unbeaten lightweight Sultan Zaurbek (17-0, 12 KOs) beat up Victor Julio (17-11, 9 KOs) for eight rounds to win 80-71. Julio was deducted a point for complaining in round seven.

Unbeaten heavyweight Brayan Santander moved to 11-0 with 7 KOs after an eight round unanimous decision over fan favorite Edison “Pantera” Miranda (36-12, 31 KOs), the former middleweight contender. The bout took place on Thursday at the Club La Pradera in Carmen de Apicala, Colombia. Santander won by scores of 80-72, 80-72, 79-73 over the 43-year-old Miranda, who last fought in 2021.

Power-punching lightweight Miguel Madueño (31-2, 28 KOs) scored a hard fought ten round split decision over WBA #14 Justin Pauldo (17-2, 8 KOs) on Wednesday night at the Whitesands Events Center in Plant City, Florida. The bout was a slugfest at times with the aggressive Madueño prevailing 95-94, 97-92 on two cards. Pauldo was up 95-94 on the third card. Madueño was deducted a point for hitting behind the head in round five.

Unbeaten light heavyweight KO artist Najee Lopez (10-0, 8 KOs) got all he could handle from Marcos Escudero (14-3, 12 KOs) in a ten round majority decision. Close, competitive fight with both having their moments. Scores were 95-95, 97-93, and a crazy 99-91.

Unbeaten two-time Olympian Tsendbaatar ‘Mongolian Mole’ Erdenebat (9-0, 4 KOs) won his official lightweight debut with an eight round unanimous decision over Mohamed Soumaoro (14-3, 6 KOs). Scores were 79-73, 80-72, 80-72.

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.