Top Rank has announced that ESPN+ will stream the April 8 world title twinbill at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, which was announced today. The main event is the high-stakes light flyweight unification clash between WBC/WBA champion Kenshiro “The Amazing Boy” Teraji and WBO champ Jonathan “La Bomba” Gonzalez. It will be another early a.m. special.

After three postponements, it looks like the rematch between WBO jr welterweight champion Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall is off altogether. Top Rank is now reportedly working on making Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez in the UK this summer.

Sampson Lewkowicz (Sampson Boxing) and Paco Damian (Paco Presents) have signed featherweight Christian Olivo Barreda (20-0-1, 7 KOs) and lightweight Omar “Super” Salcido Gamez (16-0, 11 KOs) to multi-year, co-promotional contracts. The move is expected to open up opportunities for the two in the US with PBC and Showtime.

The WBO has announced a February 23 purse bid for the mandatory title clash between WBO jr. bantamweight champion Kazuto Ioka and former flyweight champion Junto Nakatani. However, there are reports that Ioka will instead vacate the title in favor of a rematch with WBA champion Joshua Franco, whom he fought to a draw with on December 31.

The undercard is set for Saturday’s WBC super bantamweight title eliminator between Luis “Pantera” Nery (33-1, 25 KOs) and Azat “Crazy A” Hovhannisyan (21-3, 17 KOs) at Fox Theater in Pomona, California. DAZN will stream worldwide, including Australia and New Zealand.

In the co-main, super middleweight Shane Mosley, Jr. (18-4, 10 KOs) will return in a ten-rounder against Mario “Aguila” Lozano (33-10, 24 KOs). Also flyweight Ricardo “El Niño” Sandoval (20-2, 15 KOs) will participate in a ten-rounder against Jerson Ortiz (17-6, 8 KOs) and Rowdy “Legend” Montgomery (8-4-1, 6 KOs) will face Christian “Ruso” Olivas (22-8, 19 KOs) in an eight-round super middleweight match.

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán & WBC President

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has given a significant number of messages in response to two events that have impacted the world in an unusual way.

Firstly, concerning the terrible invasion of Russia in Ukraine, which this month marks a year since it began, nowadays the topic gets lost until another bombing happens, and it reminds us that in the midst of 2023, we are experiencing a situation like this.

The other event is the earthquake that has caused so much damage to Turkey and Syria. The images are terrifying and the need for help is urgent and imminent. The Pope’s messages are a guide of wisdom and compassion for those who read them and they help to put ideas and feelings in order as well as perspective. Continue reading “Pope Francis”

Unbeaten super featherweight Joe Cordina (15-0, 9 KOs) has the opportunity to regain his IBF world 130lb title when he faces current beltholder Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov (17-0-1, 14 KOs) at the Cardiff International Arena on April 22, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding Australia and New Zealand). Cordina was scheduled to make the first defense of the IBF title against Rakhimov in Abu Dhabi last November but suffered a hand injury that required surgery and was subsequently stripped of his title by the IBF. Rakhimov then won the vacant title by stopping Zelfa Barrett.

“I never lost my belt in the ring,” said Cordina, “so my mindset is that I’m going to be walking in as the champion and leaving as the champion.”

Middleweight Chris Eubank Jr. will force a rematch with Liam “Beefy” Smith and seek to avenge his shock KO loss to Smith on January 22. In a short message on Twitter, Eubank wrote, “This morning I activated the rematch clause via my lawyers and sent to my promoters Wasserman. Happy Valentines Day Liam Beefy Smith.”

The Smith Team has indicated that they wish to stage the rematch at the 54,000-seat Anfield Stadium in Smith’s hometown of Liverpool at the end of May.

WBO #4, IBF #6 super middleweight Edgar Berlanga has signed a multi-fight deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom. Berlanga (20-0 16 KOs) shot to fame with 16 straight first round KOs from his debut in June 2016 to December 2020, and he landed his first pro title in October 2021 picking up the vacant NABO belt. He will return to the ring this summer.

“I’m looking for the big fights and I know signing with Matchroom was the right choice to get me to where I want to go,” said Berlanga. “I’m humbled by this opportunity, and I will dedicate myself into becoming the best 168 pounder in the world. My main goal is to land the Canelo fight and renew the greatest rivalry in boxing – Mexico vs Puerto Rico.”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Teiken Promotions has announced sensational prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa’s highly expected pro debut along with a world title doubleheader at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on April 8. Nasukawa, a super popular ex-kick boxing star, will take on JBC#4 bantam Yuki Yonaha (12-4-1, 8 KOs) over six rounds. Most probably his first international style fight will be a headliner, beneath which a couple of world title bouts will take place to have the crowd anticipating the main event. WBC, WBA 108-pound champion Kenshiro Teraji (20-1, 12 KOs) will participate in a unification bout with WBO counterpart Jonathan Gonzalez (27-3-1-1NC, 14 KOs), Puerto Rico, over twelve heats. Also, WBA#2 Takuma Inoue (17-1, 4 KOs) will vie with #3 Liborio Solis (35-6-1-1NC, 16 KOs), Venezuela, for the vacant WBA bantamweight championship (which Takuma’s elder brother “Monster” Naoya had recently relinquished).

To support the sensational bouts are as follows: IBF#3 feather contender Reiya Abe (24-3-1, 10 KOs), a skillful southpaw, will face #2 former two-time world champ Kiko Martinez (44-11-2, 31 KOs), Spain, in the IBF 126-pound eliminator to decide the mandatory challenger over twelve. Continue reading “Nasukawa’s pro debut with world title twinbill”

WBA “regular” welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis (14-0, 9 KOs) will travel into hostile territory to defend his belt in the hometown of undefeated knockout artist Vergil Ortiz, Jr. (19-0, 19 KOs) on April 29 at College Park Center at The University of Texas at Arlington campus. The right will stream worldwide on DAZN.

Vergil Ortiz, Jr: “I am beyond happy, knowing that we’re finally here, fighting for a world title. The work that we’ve done inside and outside of the ring and the obstacles we’ve overcome has led to this moment. Stanionis is a great fighter with massive power and I know we are going to put on a good show for everyone.”

Eimantas Stanionis: “Vergil asked for this fight, so here we are. I feel like this is going to be a special fight. We have mutual respect as competitors but make no mistake it’s going to be an absolute war.”

Oscar De La Hoya: “There will be war inside the ring on April 29 as these two dangerous fighters clash to be at the top of the welterweight division. Ortiz and Stanionis are elite level fighters who will be unafraid to unleash treacherous power and pressure to be crowned world champion.”

Sad to announce the passing of Thompson Boxing Promotions CEO Ken Thompson at the age of 85. He dedicated 23 years of his life to promoting boxing in the Inland Empire of Southern California. Among the fighters he promoted were unified super bantamweight world champion Danny Roman, WBC super lightweight champion Timothy Bradley, IBF bantamweight champion Yonnhy Perez, “The Riverside Rocky” Josesito Lopez, Juan Carlos Burgos, and many more. Prior to starting Thompson Boxing, Thompson was the president of the World Boxing Hall of Fame. His last show was just three days ago and his impact on the sport of boxing in Southern California will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made in Ken’s honor to the Wounded Warrior Project. https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

The Alabama Boxing Hall of Fame held its induction ceremony last night as part of a live fight card in Gadsden.

Inductees (L-R) are:

Carlos Elliott (Pro Boxer)
Mike Hutchinson (Pro Boxer)
Griffin Goleman (Amateur Boxer)
Phillip Jones (Amateur Boxer)
Mike Kennedy – Son of deceased inductees WL and Patsy Kennedy (Support Personnel)
Justin Moon – Son of deceased inductee Dr. Ron Moon (Support Personnel).

Also inducted were Willie “The Worm” Monroe (passed away in 2019) – Old Timer category, and Janks Morton (unable to attend) – Manager/Trainer/Promoter category

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Tomorrow will be the 50th anniversary of the first fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Bugner in Las Vegas. Bugner, 72, now lives in a care facility in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Sadly he suffers from dementia and doesn’t remember his boxing career at all. Here is the story…

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Check out this GIANT Foster-Vargas photo gallery for some incredible shots. Also includes the official scorecard and shots from the Barrios-Santiago fight.

Photos

After suffering the first defeat of his career by wide scores, two-division world champion Rey Vargas indicated that he will drop back down and campaign at 126 pounds, where he still holds the WBC belt. “We didn’t get the decision at super featherweight,” Vargas said, “but we are still champions at 126.

“I respect the judges. I think this decision was not fair. I don’t agree with it, but I have to respect it. I thought it was much closer than they saw. The weight difference may have affected me tonight. In boxing, you can use your legs to be technical or use them to run. Foster used them to run. He ran all night. Continue reading “Vargas: This decision was not fair”

With the words “ice water” and “shock the world” etched on his trunks, O’Shaquie Foster coolly and methodically outboxed two-division world champion Rey Vargas to capture the vacant WBC super featherweight title on Showtime Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

“My coaches kept telling me to pick it up, we are ready to go, “Foster said in the ring afterward. “We can’t get them out, but I felt good in the later rounds. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t a close fight. I didn’t think it was close. My coaches kept telling me not to let off the gas. Continue reading “Foster: I didn’t think it was close”

Former champion and San Antonio-native Mario “El Azteca” Barrios snapped his two-fight losing streak with a razor sharp, career-rejuvenating TKO against gutsy Jovanie Santiago in Saturday’s co-feature at the Alamodome.

“I felt myself breaking him down little by little,” Barrios said afterward. “I just had to be patient. My counter right hand is something that we’ve been working on at the gym in Vegas. I feel I’m definitely up there with the [welterweight] elite. I still have something to prove. I promised my city a world title. I got it in 2019 and I will do it again.”

After outlanding world-rated Lenier Peró 389-183 and building a lead on two of the judges’ scorecards, heavyweight Viktor Faust saw it all slip away with a hard right to the body that caused him to stop fighting and turn his back on his opponent.

“After the 6th round, I had pain in my ribs, but I decided to continue the fight,” said Faust. “The pain increased and did not allow me to compete to my full potential. I understood that during the bout I was winning and controlling the fight, but after missing a punch in the eighth round, the pain was so unbearable that I could no longer move. As a result, I won on points, but the injury gave the victory to my opponent.”

Peró, who landed 51 body shots, stated, “Since the first round, I was trying to find his liver, trying to go to his body. His punches weren’t that powerful, so I kept working and then found that final shot…I’m setting my sights on England. Let’s see if the Brits would like to come fight Stateside. I would welcome them with open arms. I’m talking Tyson Fury, Dubois…bring them on!”

In a clash for the vacant WBC super featherweight title, WBC #1 rated O’Shaquie Foster (20-2, 11 KOs) outboxed previously unbeaten former two-division champ Rey Vargas (36-1, 22 KOs) on Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Foster was too fast and too mobile, often leaving Vargas swinging at air. Vargas came on a bit in the middle rounds, but Foster slammed the door shut down the stretch to prevail 116-112, 117-111, 119-109.

WBC #9 cruiserweight and former bridgerweight world title challenger Ryan Rozicki (17-1, 16 KOs) scored a third round KO over Arturs Gorlov (10-3-1, 8 KOs) on Saturday night at the Hamilton Convention Centre located in downtown Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Rozicki dropped Gorlov with a left hook at the end of round two, then floored him again in round three to end it. Time was 2:29.

Former world champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (27-2, 18 KOs), now campaigning at welterweight, scored an impressive eighth round TKO against Jovanie Santiago (14-3-1, 10 KOs) in the Vargas-Foster co-feature on Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Barrios progressively broke down Santiago, finally dropping him in round eight. He then pounced on Santiago and Santiago’s corner stopped it. Time was 1:42. Barrios led 70-63 on all three judges’ scorecards at the time of the stoppage.

In a clash of unbeaten heavyweights, 2016 Olympian and WBA #6 rated Lenier Peró (9-0, 6 KOs) stopped Viktor Faust (11-1, 7 KOs) in round eight. Faust staggered Pero in round three, dictated the pace and was outworking Pero until Pero suddenly hurt him with a body shot in round eight. Faust turned his back and the bout was stopped. Time was 2:28. Enterng the eighth round, Faust was up 68-65, 67-66 on two cards, Pero was up 68-65 on the third card.

Continue reading “Barrios, Pero victorious in San Antonio”

In a clash between unbeaten super lightweights, Adam Azim (8-0, 6 KOs) dropped Santos Reyes (12-1, 3 KOs) in round two and went on to win 100-89 on all three cards Saturday night at the OVO Wembley Arena in London, England. Azim won the WBA International title.

Super middleweight Zak Chelli (13-1-1, 6 KOs) surprised Anthony Sims (23-2, 20 KOs), taking a ten round unanimous decision. Scores were 99-92, 98-92, 98-92. Chelli wins the WBA International title.

Middleweight Tyler Denny (16-2-3, 0 KOs) outpointed previously unbeaten Brad Pauls (16-1, 9 KOs) over ten 98-93, 97-93, 97-93.

Cruiserweight Viddal Riley (8-0, 5 KOs) was victorious when his bout against Annes Taj (7-3, 5 KOs) was stopped on a cut.

Female lightweight Caroline Dubois (6-0, 5KOs) stopped Feriche Mashaury (10-8, 3 KOs) in round three. Dubois is the sister of WBA “regular” heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois.

More Results:
Jeamie TKV W8 Harry Armstrong (heavyweight)
Jordan Reynolds TKO6 Mohamed Benchadi (super middleweight)
Stephen McKenna TKO5 Brenden Denes (welterweight)
Hassan Azim TKO2 Abdallah Luanja (welterweight)
Razor Ali TKO3 Hector Lozano (featherweight)

By Damon Gonzalez / LatinBox Sports

Light heavyweight Richie “Popeye the Sailorman” Rivera (23-1, 17 KOs) became the new NBA world champion with a ten round unanimous decision win against a very tough Issac Rodrigues (28-4, 22 KOs) on Friday night at the Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts. Judges’ scores were 99-91, 98-92, 100-90. Continue reading “Popeye Rivera tops Rodrigues for NBA LH title”

Super featherweight George “El Yuyu” Acosta (14-1, 2 KOs) scored a third round KO against Marlin Sims (8-2, 4 KOs) on Friday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California. A barrage of unanswered punches sent Sims to the canvas just as the bout was being waved off by referee Ray Corona. Time was 2:25.

In a war, unbeaten super welterweight “Nuckle” Nelson Oliva (6-0, 5 KOs) went the distance for the first time, taking a six round unanimous decision over Wayne Boudreaux (2-1, 1 KO). It was an entertaining brawl that seemingly could have gone either way, but local judges scored it 60-54, 58-56, 58-56 for the hometown fighter. The scores brought boos from the crowd.

Emmnauel Rodriguez 119.6 vs. Sharone Carter 117.5
Feargal McCrory 135.9 vs. Ariel Mesquita 138.5
Justin Figueroa 152.2 vs. Rahiem Davis Cooke 153.6
Francisco Rodriguez 128.5 vs. Kyle Massoth 128.4
Cali Box 184.5 vs. Tyler Jacques TBA
Miguel Garcia 135.5 vs. Christian Castro 141.1
John Vallejo 154.3 vs. Angelo Thompson 150.6
Daniel Bean 246.1 vs. Terrick Maven TBA
Sir Robert Lee Ellenburg 139.3 vs. Jose Luis Fracica Bean 137.7

Venue: The Showboat Hotel Carousel Room
Promoter: R and B Promotions
Stream: BXNGTV.COM
1st Bell: 7:05 PM ET / Doors open at 5:30

Ryan Rozicki 203.1 vs. Arturs Gorlovs 222.3
Pedro Bernal 133.5 vs. Paul Ispas 134.5
John Michael Bianco 167.2 vs. Joaquin Murietta 166.4
Carolyn Redmond 153.2 vs. Silvia Barraza 152.1
Jake Daoust 159.1 vs. Beverley Gracia 156.2
Reda Benbaziz 138.4 vs. Dylan Rushton 139
Stefan Dronjak 168.5 vs. Marlon Perez 166.9
Triston Brookes 159.4 vs. Emiliano Silva 159.1

Venue: Hamilton Convention Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Promoter: Daniel Otter (Three Lions Promotions)
Stream available on FITE

After an intense 45-second faceoff, Rey Vargas and O’Shaquie Foster started jostling while posing for photographers and had to be separated. They collide Saturday night for the WBC super featherweight world title in San Antonio, Texas. Showtime will televise.