Big shocker in a WBA bridgerweight eliminator on Saturday night at the KRK “Uralets” Arena in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Unbeaten WBA #2 Evgeny Romanov dropped WBA #3 Zhaoxin Zhang in round one and continued to batter him in round two until suddenly, out of nowhere, Zhang floored Romanov face first with a right/left/right combination. Romanov tried to get up but was out of it. Zhang moves to 12-2-1, 7 KOs, while Romanov falls to 19-1, 12 KOs. What a turnaround!

In other action, WBA #14 lightweight Zaur Abdullaev (19-1, 11 KOs) outpointed former WBA super featherweight champion Roger “The Kid” Gutierrez (27-6-1, 21 KOs) over ten rounds.

Super Bowl weekend kicked off in Las Vegas with WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) taking a twelve round unanimous decision against Jamaine Ortiz (17-1-1, 8 KOs) on Thursday night at the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Lopez stalked Ortiz, who stayed out of range and frustrated Lopez. Ortiz was cut by an accidental headbutt in round seven. Lopez continued to press while Ortiz had little offense in response. In the end, scores were 117-111, 115-113, 115-113. Not a fan-friendly fight.

U.S. Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis (10-0, 7 KOs) dominated and stopped former two-division world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (29-6-1, 14 KOs). Davis was fast and accurate, hitting Pedraza almost at will. Finally waved off by the ref in round six. Time was 1:09. Continue reading “Teofimo defeats Ortiz in snoozer”

Unbeaten bantamweight Ryan Shaw (7-0, 7 KOs) stopped Vit Y (7-7-1, 4 KOs) in round two on Tuesday night at the Texas Troubadour Theatre in Nashville, Tennessee. Shaw hurt Y to the body, then teed off until the referee stepped in at 1:04.

Unbeaten lightweight Iman Lee (9-0, 6 KOs) and Devon Jones (5-12-1, 1 KO) went six hard rounds with Lee winning by majority decision 58-56, 59-55, 57-57

Super lightweight Terell Bostic (10-2, 1 KO) took a narrow six round unanimous decision over Pedro “El Gago” Hernandez (7-18-1, 2 KOs). Hernandez dropped Bostic in round six, but it was too little, too late. Scores were 57-56, 57-56, 58-55.

Unbeaten light heavyweight Luis J. Rodriguez Fernandez (13-0, 7 KOs) won a six round beatdown against Javier Frazier (8-28-1, 4 KOs). Fernandez dropped Frazier in round one, but the rugged Frazier stayed in there for the full six. Scores were 60-53 3x.

Featherweight Elon De Jesus (6-1-2, 5 KOs) knocked out Weusi Johnson (3-33-1, 0 KOs) in the third round. De Jesus dropped Johnson in round one and laid him out in round three with a right hand.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Hard-punching ex-champ Goki Kobayashi (7-1, 5 KOs), 104.75, regained the WBO Asia Pacific 105-pound belt as he dropped compatriot Yuri Kanaya (5-2, 1 KO), 105, three times and finally halted him at 2:27 of the third round in a schedule twelve on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Having been in a boxing team of the same high school, they were more than intimate friends but Kobayashi, two years his junior at 25, exploded a vicious left hook to floor the game senior in the second, and decked him twice more with furious combos in the fatal third. Kobayashi forfeited his WBO AP belt by an upset decision to Filipino Jake Amparo last August. Though aiming to regain it from Amparo in a direct rematch, the newly crowned champ renounced the belt to decline a rematch with the Japanese. Kobayashi looked sharp and speedy enough, and we wondered why he had lost his belt to Amparo. Kobayashi is worth watching. Continue reading “WBC#8 Kobayashi regains WBO AP 105lb belt”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Formerly world rated flyweight JBC#2 Ryota Yamauchi (11-3, 10 KOs), 112, impressively scored a one-punch knockout of Filipino Arnold Garde (12-15-5, 6 KOs), 111.25, at 1:16 of the second round in a scheduled eight on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. Having failed to win the WBO 112-pound belt via eighth-round stoppage by unbeaten champ Junto Nakatani two years ago, Ryota mixed it up with the free-swinging Filipino banger, and his single short uppercut had him on the deck to have him unable to beat the count. Continue reading “Ex-world challenger Yamauchi finishes Garde”

WBO #12 world ranked Tobias ´Pitbul’ Reyes (14-0-1, 13) of Argentina stopped Eduardo Ajito (13-2, 7 KOs) of Peru Saturday night at the Club Deportivo Jorge Newbery, in Galvez, Santa Fe, Argentina. Reyes applied a very controlled offensive attack from the opening bell, mixing both head and body shots on the game Ajito. It was a steady breakdown of Ajito as each round passed. Ajito did not answer the bell for round six. Reyes retained his WBO Latino flyweight title.

WBO #14 super welterweight Chordale “The Gift” Booker (22-1, 10 KOs) outpointed former world title challenger Greg “The Villain” Vendetti (23-6-1, 12 KOs) over ten rounds on Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Vendetta pressed the action while Booker used stick and move tactics. Booker closed strong to win 98-92, 99-91, 99-91. Booker lost his WBC US super welterweight title on the scale Friday.

Featherweight Ricky de los Santos (12-1, 3 KOs) outscored Nathan Martinez (8-3, 2 KOs) over eight rounds to claim the vacant WBC USA Silver 126lb belt. Scores were 79-73, 78-74, 78-74.

Unbeaten middleweight Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan (16-0, 14 KOs) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Dormedes Potes (14-5-1, 10 KOs) to claim the vacant WBC USA Silver 160lb belt. Hogan dropped Potes in rounds three and seven en route to a 80 3x win. Continue reading “Booker beats Vendetti”

Unbeaten welterweight Conor “The Destroyer” Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Peter Dobson (16-1, 9 KOs) on Saturday at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Benn simply teed off for the first few rounds. Dobson woke up midway and got into the fight. Benn remained the sharper puncher and pulled away to a 119-109, 118-110, 118-110 verdict.

In a clash between unbeaten middleweights, Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (16-0, 11 KOs) broke down and stopped late sub Armel Mbumba-Yassa (10-1, 7 KOs) in the seventh round of a bout for the WBA International title. Williams dropped Mbumba-Yassa in round six and laid him out with a crushing left to end it. Time was 2:52.

Unbeaten Heavyweight Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher (11-0, 10 KOs) stopped Dmytro Bezus (10-2 5 KOs) in the first round. A barrage of punches prompted a referee’s stoppage at 2:51. Continue reading “Benn defeats Dobson, Ammo gets KO”

In a WBA light heavyweight final eliminator, #1 Joshua Buatsi (18-0, 13 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over #2 Dan Azeez (20-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday night at London’s OVO Arena. Buatsi built a lead in a slow-paced tactical fight. Buatsi was credited with two knockdowns in round eleven, assisted by Azeez having difficulty with a slippery ring. Buatsi punished a desperate Azeez in the final stanza to win 116-110, 117-109, 117-109.

Unbeaten European super lightweight champion Adam Azim (11-0, 8 KOs) was victorious when Enock Poulsen (14-1, 5 KOs) couldn’t continue after sustaining a shoulder injury in round five. Time was 2:39.

Olympian light heavyweight Ben Whittaker (6-0, 5 KOs) outclassed Khalid Graidia (10-14-5, 2 KOs) for four rounds, then opened up and got the stoppage at 1:57 of round five. The usual showboating by Whittaker against a limited opponent. Graidia down in round two and five. Continue reading “Buatsi earns WBA title shot”

Former WBA super welterweight champion champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout defeated Luis “Baboon” Palomino via unanimous decision to claim the vacant BKFC welterweight world title on Friday night at the sold-out Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. Judges scored it 49-45 across the board in favor of Trout, who dropped Palomino in the fourth round. Before running into Trout, Palomino was considered by many to be the pound-for-pound best among bare-knuckle fighters.

“This wouldn’t feel as good if it wasn’t against a prime champion like ‘Baboon.’” Trout said afterward. “I don’t think any win would be worthy of how I’m feeling now if it wasn’t against the king of BKFC … I’m going to be here for a long time, so get tired of me – I’m not going anywhere.”

Welterweight “Super Bad” Vlad Panin (18-1, 10 KOs) outworked Quashawn Toler (17-2, 12 KOs) over ten rounds on Friday night at the Red Owl Boxing Arena in Houston, Texas. Panin was simply busier and largely neutralized Toler. Scores were 97-93, 96-94, 98-92 as Panin claimed the WBA Continental USA belt.

Unbeaten super featherweight Neri Ariel Cruz Romero (17-0, 9 KOs) of Argentina decisioned veteran Miguel Arevalo Mejia (21-4-1, 7 KOs) of Mexico Friday night at the Club Unión Eléctrica, in Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina. Romero had not fought in nearly a year and half but showed no signs of ring rust. He completely dominated the game Arevalo with a variety of punches and a controlled aggressive offense. A clash of heads in round six resulted in Romero being cut over his left eyebrow. The referee immediately deducted a point from Arevalo. The official scorecards were 100-89, 99-90, and 97-92 all in favor to Romero for the unanimous decisión win. Romero won the vacant WBO Latino title.

In a spectacular upset, super lightweight Julian “Quiet Storm” Smith (8-2, 5 KOs) halted previously unbeaten WBA #10 rated Orestes “Tsunami” Velazquez (8-1, 7 KOs) after nine rounds on Friday night at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Smith dropped Velazquez in round one, then staggered Velazquez in round two and rocked him again in round three. Velazquez started to hold excessively in round four and the ref let him get away with it for the next few rounds. In round eight, Velazquez was cut during a clinch, then deducted a point for holding, then was knocked down. Smith dropped Velazquez twice in round nine and the bout was stopped after the round. Very inspirational performance by Smith, who is legally deaf. He wins the WBA International title.

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Unbeaten super lightweight Ashton “H20” Sylve (11-0, 9 KOs) scored a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over Estivan Falcao (13-3, 7 KOs). Sylve dropped Falcao in round ten to punctuate a 99-90, 99-90, 100-89 win. Sylve wins the WBC Youth title.

Former WBO super bantamweight champion Angelo Leo (23-1, 11 KOs), now campaigning at featherweight, knocked out Mike Plania (29-4. 16 KOs) in round three with a hook to the ribs on Wednesday night at the Whitesands Event Center in Plant City, Florida. Time was 2:27.

Returning after a four-and-a-half year hiatus from boxing, unbeaten super middleweight Trevor McCumby (28-0, 21 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Christopher Pearson (17-4-1, 12 KOs). McCumby pressed the action with a steady stream of power shots. A fourth round headbutt left McCumby with a cut over his right eye. The savvy Pearson made it to the final bell. Scores were 97-93, 99-91, 100-90.

Lightweight Antonio “Tono” Moran (30-6-1, 21 KOs) impressively knocked out Romero Duno (26-4, 20 KOs) in round six. Moran dropped Duno in round five and put him down for the count with a left hook in round six. Time was 1:25.

Unbeaten super featherweight Mykell Gamble (7-0, 4 KOs) shut out Damian Alcala (7-4, 0 KOs) over six rounds 60-54 3x.

By Brad Snyder / The Undercard

Carlos Llinas is taking his successful boxing series to different cities across the state of Michigan. Already established and successful within the city limits of Detroit at Motor City Casino, Llinas hinted at more shows in various cities throughout Michigan in the near future.

Llinas teamed up with well known MMA promoter Pete Keung to throw Saturday night’s boxing fight card at Causeway Bay Hotel. This marked the first boxing card in Lansing since 2017.

The main event featured a hometown favorite, Justin Johnson (3-0, 3 KOs) beating fellow super middleweight, Ashaun Bates (0-3) with a right hand, producing a knockout victory in the first round. Continue reading “Results from Lansing, Michigan”

Cruiserweight contender “Bulletproof” Brandon Glanton (19-2, 16 KOs) scored a second round TKO against Emil Markic (35-5, 27 KOs) to claim the vacant WBO International title on Sunday night at the luxurious Casino de Deauville in Deauville, Normandy, France. Markic was cut by a second round head clash. After that Glanton upped the pressure and punished Markic, dropping him at the end of the round. At that point, Markic’s corner pulled their fighter out. Continue reading “Glanton crushes Markic in two”

Unbeaten Rodrigo Fabian Ruiz (18-0, 13 KOs) of Argentina decisioned Ruben Dario Casero (10-3, 3 KOs) of Uruguay to retain his IBF Latino and South American super bantamweight titles. The event took place Saturday night at the Estadio F.A.B. in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Ruiz scored knockdowns in rounds five and nine en route to the unanimous decisión victory. The official judges scorecards were 100-88 twice and 99-89.

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

In a slugfest, WBO #1, WBC #2 super middleweight Jaime Munguía (43-0, 34 KOs) scored a ninth round TKO against John “The Gorilla” Ryder (32-7, 18 KOs) on Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Munguia dropped Ryder with a big right hand in round two. Munguia floored Ryder again in round four. Munguia dropped Ryder twice in round nine and Ryder’s corner threw in the towel. Continue reading “Munguia stops Ryder in nine”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

It was Puerto Rico vs. Nicaragua as Boricua WBO minimumweight world champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo (9-0, 7 KOs) stopped Reynaris Gutierrez (10-2, 2 KOs) on Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. A crisp right by Collazo in the third round rocked Gutierrez. Collazo then dropped Gutierrez and got a referee’s stoppage with his follow-up barrage. Time was 2:37.

Unbeaten featherweight Omar Cande Trinidad (15-0-1, 12 KOs) won by impressive eighth round TKO over Jose Perez (11-3-2, 5 KOs) on Saturday night at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles. Trinidad scored a highlight reel knockdown in round seven and then put Perez down again in round eight to end it. Time was 1:07. The bout was for the WBC Continental Americas title.

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Unbeaten super middleweight Darius “DFG” Fulghum (10-0, 9 KOs) went the distance for the first time against crafty Alantez “SlyAza” Fox (28-6-1, 13 KOs), taking a ten round majority decision. Scores were 100-90, 98-92, 95-95.

Fox came out aggressive at the opening bell as Fulghum was relaxed in clinching and working on the inside, a clash of heads caused a cut to Fox. In round two, Fulghum controlled the pace as he kept Fox away and began working him, connecting him with a solid uppercut. The much taller Fox kept using his weight on Fulghum in the third, but the undefeated fighter kept his composure and stuck to the plan boxing. The fans didnt appreciate things as the whistles and boos began in the fourth, Fulgum boxed as Fox attempted to clinch and stay close. The fans began the wave in the fifth as that caught more action, Fulghum kept sticking to his plan and the fight that the awkward Fox was offering. Continue reading “Undercard Results from Phoenix, Arizona”

In an all-German super middleweight clash, unbeaten Leon Bauer (20-0-1, 11 KOs) scored a third round TKO over Timo Rost (16-2-3, 6 KOs) on Saturday night at Motorworld in Cologne, Germany. Bauer dropped Rost in round three and after a further exchange, Rost took a knee on his own, suffering from a bad cut on his right eyelid. The bout was then waved off.

Unbeaten heavyweight Jose Larduet (12-0, 10 KOs) pounded on Yonny Molina (13-7-1, 8 KOs) for two rounds and Molina didn’t come out for round three.

Other Results:
Ermal Hadribeaj W10 Bohdan Shtonda (super welterweight)
Branimir Malenica TKO5 Ahmed Dananovic (light heavyweight)
Serhat Guler TKO1 Branislav Malinovic (super middleweight)

Unbeaten welterweight Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (19-0, 11 KOs) scored a fifth round KO against Jose Felix (40-7-1, 31 KOs) on Saturday night at the famed Ulster Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The smaller Felix was deducted a point for a low blow in round three. Crocker, who missed weight by three pounds, dropped Felix with a body shot in round four. Crocker put Felix down again in round five with a left hook to end it. Time was 1:54.

Unbeaten cruiserweight Cheavon Clarke (8-0, 6 KOs) stopped Tommy McCarthy (20-6, 10 KOs) in the fourth round. Clarke dropped McCarthy, then got a stoppage with a series of right hands. Time was 1:28.

Unbeaten welterweight Paddy Donovan (13-0, 10 KOs) scored a seventh round TKO against Williams Andres Herrera (15-3, 6 KOs). Donovan dropped Herrera twice in round seven and the referee waved it off soon after.

Super featherweight Jorge ‘Kan’ Mata Cuellar (16-2-2, 11 KOs) of Guadalajarastopped countryman Jonathan Ramirez Casas (12-5, 8 KOs) in the 10 round main event at the El Domo del Code Jalisco, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The pivotal moment took place in round six where Mata hurt Casas badly with hooks to the body and face dropping him. Casas survived the round but did not come out for round sevebn.

Two hot prospects trained and promoted by ring legend Roy Jones Jr. were victorious on Thursday night at Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington.

In the main event, undefeated hometown super middleweight favorite Andrew Murphy (8-0, 5 KOs) successfully defended his NBA Americas title against Devontae McDonald (5-3, 1 KO with a hard fought eight round unanimous decision. Scores were 77-75, 77-75, 78-74.

Also, undefeated super featherweight Mandeep Jangra (7-0, 4 KOs) defeated Gerardo Esqivel (5-4-1, 1 KO) by ten round unanimous decision to claim the vacant NBA Intercontinental title. Scores were 97-92, 96-93, 95-94.