In a unique setting, boxers participating on Saturday’s DAZN card worked out for fans and media on a river boat anchored along the San Antonio Riverwalk. Those on hand included WBC super flyweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, his challenger former world champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, WBA/IBF unified super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev, his challenger Ronny Rios, undisputed women’s welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill, and her challenger Alba Ibarra.

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez says he will live up to the hype and prove he’s ready to take over the Super-Flyweight division when he comes home to San Antonio and defends his WBC World title against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai at the Tech Port Arena on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.

Rodriguez (15-0 10 KOs) won the title in stunning fashion, taking on Carlos Cuadras at just six days’ notice and flooring the former ruler in the third round with a devastating upper cut en-route to a wide points win.

“A lot of people have eyes on me now and they are looking at me to take over the division,” said Rodriguez. “I’ve seen a lot on social media saying I am the new Choccy and that’s a lot of motivation and I want to live up to the hype. Continue reading “Bam Rodriguez: I want to live up to the hype”

​Undisputed super middleweight world champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and ​unified middleweight champion Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin will clash in their trilogy fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas September 17. The fight, presented by Matchroom, Canelo Promotions and GGG Promotions, will broadcast live on DAZN PPV in the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world on DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan)​.

The first two bouts between Canelo and GGG took place in the same venue.

The PPV undercard has been announced for the WBC heavyweight eliminator between former champion Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz Jr. and Luis “King Kong” Ortiz on September 4 in a Labor Day Weekend clash from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

In the co-feature, lightweights Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (23-2-1, 16 KOs) and Eduardo Ramírez (27-2-3, 12 KOs) collide in a 12-round WBC eliminator.

The action will also see the return of three-division champion Abner Mares (31-3-1, 15 KOs) in his first action in three years as he battles former title challenger Miguel Flores (24-4, 12 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight attraction, plus unbeaten lightweight José Valenzuela (12-0, 8 KOs) duels former world champion Jezreel Corrales (26-4, 10 KOs) in the 10-round opener.

By Ron Jackson

It has been announced that South Africa’s Kevin “Two Guns” Lerena will have his third bout in the heavyweight division when he meets Mariusz “The Viking” Wach from Krakow, Poland on September 17 at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park.

In his first fight in the top division, he stopped Patrick Ferguson (93.55kg) in the fifth round and then scored a fourth-round knockout win over Bogdan Dinu (113.96kg). Continue reading “Lerena set for third bout at heavyweight”

WBC featherweight champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (24-0, 16 KOs) will take on former world champion Rey Vargas (35-0, 22 KOs) in a battle of unbeatens that headlines action live on Showtime Saturday, July 9 from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

The telecast will also feature former world champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa (22-1-1, 17 KOs) debuting at 126 pounds taking on Carlos Castro (27-1, 12 KOs) in a WBC featherweight title eliminator in the co-main event, plus the Derrick James-trained, unbeaten lightweight contender Frank Martin (15-0, 11 KOs) against Ricardo Núñez (23-3, 21 KOs) in the 10-round telecast opener.

Additional coverage will include a pair of bouts streamed live on the Showtime Sports YouTube channel with unbeaten welterweight contender Rashidi Ellis (23-0, 14 KOs) facing 2016 Argentine Olympian Alberto Palmetta (17-1, 12 KOs), in a 10-round duel, plus bantamweight Ramon Cardenas (20-1, 10 KOs) against Michell Banquez (20-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

Fast-rising super welterweight “King” Callum Walsh (3-0, 3 KOs) faces his toughest test against veteran southpaw Cleotis ‘Mookie’ Pendarvis, (21-10-2, 9 KOs) in the main event when Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions returns its Hollywood Fight Nights series on Thursday, August 4 from The Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California, and broadcast live internationally on UFC Fightpass.

Walsh has three straight first round KOs and will be headlining his third straight Hollywood Fight Nights event. Pendarvis has lost six straight.

Top talent from Puerto Rico will be featured on the Gonzalez-Barriga undercard on Friday at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, and live on ProBox TV.

As previously announced, Jonathan “La Bomba” Gonzalez (25-3-1, 14 KOs) will defend his WBO junior light flyweight title against Mark Anthony “Baby Boy” Barriga (11-1, 2 KOs) in the 12-round main event.

In the co-main event, Axel “Mini” Vega (15-4-1, 8 KOs) of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico takes on Venezuelan puncher Angelino “Huracan” Cordova (16-0-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the WBO Latino junior flyweight title. Continue reading “Gonzalez-Barriga undercard set”

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán & President of the WBC

I sit down to write this column with an indescribable feeling, it is Father’s Day, and I received the best possible gift, as my dad visited me, appearing in my dream and I perfectly remember everything that happened, which is unusual for me.

I do not believe in coincidence, Don José was present for various reasons, to celebrate the historic event in Mexico City as a Guinness Record was established, and above all, to be with his children on this Father’s Day, confirming that he will never leave us. Precisely one Sunday my brother Fernando underwent a medical procedure as he was found with heart failure and three stents were placed with great success. Yet another warning on how health is the most important thing in the world.

I hope with all my heart that last Sunday, was special for everyone in the company of their loved ones. Continue reading “What a week in worldwide activity for the WBC”

Ouotes from today’s launch Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 press conference in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ahead of their rematch in the coastal city on Saturday, August 20.

Oleksandr Usyk: “We are doing what we have to do to achieve our goals. I have never made any loud or bright speeches. To become World Champion all I did was work hard in my training camp and gym. That’s what I am going to do until the day of the fight and my boxing will make me happy.”

Anthony Joshua: “Blips happen. Things happen in life but resilience, mental toughness and consistency will always prevail. We’re still on the road, we’re still on the road to Undisputed for sure. It’s just a little blip in the road but I’m focused on the target which is sitting over there (points to Usyk). Continue reading “Usyk-Joshua kickoff press conference”

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Thursday for the heavyweight showdown between former unified champion Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz Jr. and longtime contender Luis “King Kong” Ortiz taking place on September 4 during Labor Day Weekend from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and headlining a FOX Sports PBC pay-per-view event.

Pre-sale tickets are available TOMORROW beginning at 10 a.m. PT until 10 p.m. PT through AXS.com with the code: BOXING or CRYPTO.

This Friday night in Philadelphia, a marathon fight card will take place when RDR Promotions takes over the 2300 Arena. No less than 14 fights are on tap, scheduled for a whopping 66 rounds of action. The main event features middleweight Cameron Krael (18-22-3, 6 KOs) of Las Vegas against Vincent Floyd (4-12-1, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia in a six round bout.

Continue reading “Marathon Philly boxing card Friday”

Golden Boy returns to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, on Thursday, July 28, with an event headlined by fan-favorite and undefeated lightweight Jousce “Tito” Gonzalez (12-0-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-rounder against Jose Angulo (14-2, 7 KOs). The co-feature is unbeaten bantamweight Manuel “Gucci Manny” Flores (12-0, 9 KOs) in an eight-rounder against Daniel Moncada (15-6-2, 5 KOs). The rest of the undercard will be announced shortly. The card will stream live on DAZN and on the Golden Boy Boxing Youtube page.

On Thursday, June 23, at the Casino Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires, Argentina, unbeaten heavyweight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (23-0-1, 20 KOs) will return to action for the first time in nearly four years to face Argentinean veteran Ariel Esteban “Chiquito” Bracamonte (11-7, 6 KOs) in a 10-round showdown.

The fight, part of the WBA’s two-day KO Drugs Festival, will also be broadcast live to South America and parts of the United States on TyC Sports.

The 6′ 4″ Brooklyn native Miller prepared for his return by sparring hundreds of rounds with fellow prominent heavyweights, including a beneficial stint as sparring partner for world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Continue reading “Jarrell Miller to return Thursday in Argentina”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

If WBO #1 super welterweight Tim Tszyu dethrones undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo in Australia or the USA, he says he will “100 percent” make his first defense against IBF #1 Bakhram Murtazaliev.

“Of course it’s a big ask, fighting the top bloke in the division in his backyard, but once you’re in the ring it’s one-on-one. It doesn’t matter what friends or family are there or where it’s at, it doesn’t bother me,” Tszyu told News Corp. “We’re ready, and there’s genuine interest behind it. Murtazaliev, people have got no idea about him. Charlo needs interesting bouts and this one makes sense. Continue reading “Tszyu already thinking about first title defense”

By Miguel Maravilla

Santa Ana super bantamweight Ronny Rios (33-3, 16 KOs) is ready for this weekend’s world title fight as he challenges WBA and IBF super bantamweight champion Muradjon Akhmadaliev (10-0, 7 KOs) from Uzbekistan. Rios takes on Akhmadaliev this Saturday night at the Techport Arena in San Antonio, Texas, live on DAZN. We caught up with Rios here is what he had to say. Continue reading “Rios to become Santa Ana’s 1st world champion?”

Former WBO super middleweight champion and current WBA light heavyweight mandatory challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) is confident that the WBA will order WBA champion Dmitry Bivol to fight him next.

“I appreciate the WBA and believe the right process will be followed,” Ramirez said. “I’m confused about Bivol ducking me. I earned the WBA mandatory challenger position in the ring, not once, but twice. He’s  been talking about fighting me for the last two years. It’s time…Canelo didn’t commit to the rematch, so now I’m curious what other excuses he (Bivol) might make to avoid me.”

World title bouts galore this week.

THURSDAY
EOTTM has a PPV from the Cabaret du Casino in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, featuring Erik Bazinyan (27-0, 21 KOs), Artem Oganesyan (13-0, 11 KOs), and Yves Ulysse Jr. (20-2, 11 KOs) in separate bouts.

FRIDAY
ProBoxTV will air the world title defense of WBO light flyweight champion Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez (25-3-1, 14 KOs) against Mark Anthony “Baby Boy” Barriga (11-1, 2 KOs) from the Osceola Heritage Park Arena in Kissimmee, Florida.

SATURDAY
DAZN presents a world title quadrupleheader from the Tech Port Arena in San Antonio, Texas. In the main event, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (15-0 10 KOs) makes the first defense of his WBC super flyweight title against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (50-5-1 43 KOs). Also, unified WBA/IBF super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (10-0, 7 KOs) will defend his titles against Ronny Rios (33-3, 16 KOs). WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez (18-2 14 KOs) and McWilliams Arroyo (21-4 16 KOs) pick up where they left off from their curtailed firefight last year where both men hit the canvas in a firefight that ended in a no contest due to an accidental headclash. Plus undisputed female welterweight ruler Jessica McCaskill (11-2, 4 KOs) defends against Alma Ibarra (10-1, 4 KOs).

ESPN+ counters with a WBC light flyweight eliminator between #1 rated Hekkie Budler (33-4, 10 KOs) and Elwin “Pulga” Soto (19-2, 13 KOs) from the Gimnasio del Polideportivo in Mexicali, BCN, Mexico.

Heavyweight Ivan Dychko takes his 100% KO record to Argentina this week as the giant Kazak returns to the ring. Dychko (11-0, 11 KOs) will be looking to secure a 12th knockout from as many pro fights in Buenos Aires on Thursday (June 23) when he locks horns with local favorite Kevin Espindola (7-3, 2 KOs). The ten round clash takes place on the WBA’s KO Drugs Boxing Festival and will see 6’9” Dychko fight for the first time under the Probellum banner, having signed with the global promoters earlier this year.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

UK promoter Eddie Hearn doesn’t think Tim Tszyu is ready to challenge undisputed 154 pound champion Jermell Charlo which has been ordered by the WBO.

“Tim Tszyu is a good talent, I just feel the problem in boxing sometimes is some people can believe in their guy so much they can move them too fast and put them in the wrong fights,” Hearn told Wide World of Sports. “I’ve been guilty of it before. But I don’t like the Charlo fight for Tim Tszyu. I actually think he’s not quite there yet. I think there’s some more development to do. He went to America for his American debut, got dropped but it was a good win. I would actually bring him back here for one or two more but it’s got nothing to do with me. That’s the fan’s perspective. Continue reading “Hearn: Tszyu being moved too fast”

By Ron Jackson

South African junior bantamweight champion Lwandile Ngxeke (9-0-1, 4 KOs) was in outstanding form when he stopped the far more experienced former champion Lindile Tshemese (13-4-2, 5 KOs) in the fourth round at International Convention Centre on Saturday to retain his title for the first time. Ngxeke from Queenstown was in control from the opening round against Tshemese who has been fighting as a professional since 2016. The 27-year-old champion is not known as a big puncher with only three wins inside the distance going into the fight with Tshemese but he surprised his critics. Ngxeke, who is trained in Mdantsane by former South African champion Ncedo Cecane, dominated in rounds two and three with some stinging shots to the body as he slowed the challenger down. After the one-sided action, it came as no surprise when Tshemese did not come out at the bell for the fourth round.

SES Boxing returns n July 16 to the Maritim Hotel in Magdeburg, Germany. In the main event, IBF #8 light heavyweight Michael Eifert (10-1, 4 KOs) faces Adriano Sperandio (14-1, 2 KOs) in a fight for the IBF Inter-Continental title. The co-feature has light heavyweight Tom Dzemski (19-1, 10 KOs) against unbeaten Cüneyt Altintas (13-0, 12 KOs) in a clash for the German domestic championship.

Fighters: Al Cole, Fres Oquendo, David Tua, Shannon Briggs, Keith Mullings Sr., David Armstrong, Randall Bailey, Cory Spinks

Trainers: Gus Curren, Tito Tiburon Ocasio, Armando Wiz Fernandez

Promoter: Richard Dobal

Participants: Phil Alessi Jr., Richard Fabian, Jerry Reyes, Joey Orduna, Steve Harris

Officials: Dennis DeBon, Dr. Ramon Garcia-Septien

Media: Claudia Trejos

Achievement Awards: Chris Young, Vernon Ansell, Russell Ansell

Walter A Flansburg Lifetime Award: Tim Shipman

WBO #8 light flyweight Mark Anthony “Baby Boy” Barriga has officially landed in Kissimmee, Florida, ahead of his WBO world title clash this Friday, June 24th against world champion Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez live from Osceola Heritage Park and streamed worldwide on the Probox TV app.

Barriga is looking to dethrone the only world champion Puerto Rico has at the moment. The last Filipino to accomplish the feat was Jerwin Ancajas UD win over then-champion McJoe Arroyo back in 2016. Continue reading “Mark “Baby Boy” Barriga hits Kissimmee”

Unified WBA, IBF, WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) will defend his titles against former champion Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on August 20. Usyk-Joshua 2 is billed as ‘Rage on the Red Sea.’

Oleksandr Usyk: “I have a goal, with the help of the Lord I will complete my mission!”

Anthony Joshua: “A happy fighter is a dangerous fighter and I am the happiest and most motivated I have been.”

An announcement on tickets will come soon.