Action Network spoken to Swedish heavyweight Otto Wallin (26-2, 14 KOs) in an exclusive interview ahead of his clash with Onorede Ehwarieme (20-4, 19 KOs). Wallin commented on his upcoming fight, predicted Joshua vs Dubois and said that Deontay Wilder needs to put his health first.

Some top-line quotes:

AJ In Five

I think that Dubois and Joshua will be a good fight. If Dubois comes out like he did in his last fight against Hrgovic, he was hit a lot, with one-two’s. You can’t take those shots from Joshua because his punch is very, very hard.

So if he comes out the same way against Joshua, then I think Joshua wins by knockout before round five. But if Dubois has tightened up his defense a little bit and can hit Joshua with a few good shots then it could turn into an interesting fight. Continue reading “Otto Wallin Interview”

WBO #8 heavyweight Justis “The Apex Warrior” Huni (10-0, 5 KOs) scored a second round KO against previously unbeaten Troy “The Titan” Pilcher (9-1-1, 7 KOs) to retain his WBO Global title on Thursday night at the Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Pilcher was very aggressive in round one, but Huni adjusted in round two and battered Pilcher, blasting him to the deck to prompt a stoppage at 2:20.

Carlos Fidel Guity Miranda 198 vs. Armondo Reeves199
Hebreux Francois 140 vs. Caius Jones139
Marco Hall 156 vs. Anthony Woods 154

Venue: San Jose Fiesta Restaraunt Nashville, Tennessee
Promoter: Ramon Arellano (Arellano Boxing)

Teiken Promotions and M.T Boxing Gym have come to an agreement with Top Rank to co-promote Japanese pound-for-pound star, three-division king, and reigning WBC bantamweight world champion Junto Nakatani.

Nakatani, who trains in Los Angeles with Rudy Hernandez, is expected to make his ring return before the end of the year.

The 26-year-old Nakatani (28-0, 21 KOs), from Sagamihara, Japan, defended his title last Saturday with a first-round stoppage over Vincent Astrolabio to improve to 7-0 in world title fights. Continue reading “Top Rank to co-promote Nakatani”

Unbeaten Romford, England, heavyweight Johnny Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs) looks to build on his sensational one-round destruction of Alen Babic when he takes on Ukraine’s Andrii Rudenko (36-7, 22 KOs) on August 24 in the Catterall-Prograis co-feature in Manchester, England. The event will be shown live worldwide on DAZN.

Heavyweights Justis Huni and Troy Pilcher stepped onto the scales today at the Lord Alfred Hotel in Brisbane, Australia, for the official weigh-in ahead of their highly anticipated bout tomorrow night at the Fortitude Music Hall.

Huni, who is defending his WBO Global title, weighed in at a solid 112.25 kg (247.5 lb), while his opponent Troy Pilcher tipped the scales at 107 kg (236 lb). The event is presented by Tasman Fighters in association with Riyadh Season, Matchroom Boxing, and Gold Star Promotions and will be telecast live on DAZN around the world.
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In the main support bout, Lucas Miller will defend his Australian light heavyweight title against Clay Waterman. Both men comfortably made weight.

WBC interim super welterweight world champion Serhii “El Flaco” Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) and undefeated WBA #1, WBC #2, WBO #2 rated Vergil Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KOs) of Grand Prairie, Texas and Vinitza, Ukraine’s hosted a media workout on Tuesday at Golden Boy HQ to discuss their August 10 DAZN fight in Las Vegas for Bohachuk’s WBC title.

Serhii Bohachuk: “I am feeling great. I wanted this fight because Vergil is a great fighter. Vergil was the best fighter in the 147-division and in the 154 division he is one of the best fighters…he is a good fighter, but I am better.”

Vergil Ortiz Jr: “I feel physically, mentally and emotionally great. I am ready to go – I am ready to get in the ring right now…we know sparring is sparring. Fighting each other is different. With 10-ounce gloves with no headgear – let’s see what really happens.”

Unbeaten WBA #4 ranked light flyweight Arvin Jhon ‘AJ’ Paciones (9-0, 5 KOs) is rapidly positioning himself for a world title opportunity.

Paciones, who is from the Philippines but fights out of Vietnam, is fresh off of his biggest win to date. He defeated former world champion Rene Mark Cuarto (22-5-2, 12 KOs) last month. Paciones dropped Cuarto in round two in route to winning by decision.

He is just 19 years old but his career is being moved at the proper pace by his Vietnam-based promoter Jenny Do (Shadow Entertainments). Fightnews® spoke with ‘AJ’ on his most recent victory and his future. Continue reading “Teen ‘AJ’ Paciones ready to shine”

By Boxing Bob Newman

The WBC has received notice from Sampson Lewkowicz that David Benavidez will remain at light heavyweight, not returning to super middleweight, where he has been the WBC mandatory contender for undisputed champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

It has been rumored that Alvarez is in negotiations for a September defense against Edgar Berlanga.

Benavidez became the mandatory challenger for the WBC light heavyweight title, currently held by Artur Beterbiev, when he outpointed former WBC champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15th.

The WBC has accepted Benavidez’ intention to stay at 175 lbs. and will mandate that he challenge the winner of Dmitrii Bivol-Artur Beterbiev after their expected October 12th battle for the undisputed title, rescheduled from June 1st after Beterbiev suffered an injury.

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

I was 16 years old, studying in high school at Winchendon School, near Boston, USA, when one day a package arrived in the mail; it was a walkman, the most modern of all gadgets back then, and it came with a card that said “Honda.”

That was my first encounter with the man who is now like my second father, Akihiko Honda, the greatest promoter in the history of all of Asia, and one of the most important in the entire history of boxing, at the level of Don King and Bob Arum. A quiet, respectful and even shy honorable man who is always behind the scenes, regardless of what event it is, a small show at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall or his induction into the International Boxing Hall of fame, it is never about him but about the attention and glory to others, has no ego whatsoever and still does not use a smart phone, rather a flipflop one.

No one has ever spoken negatively about him; He is respected and beloved by everyone in this complex industry, where blows and metaphorical brickbats are often inflicted outside of the ring for reasons of business and interests. Continue reading “Mr. Honda and Teiken Promotions”

Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to face unbeaten WBA #1, IBF #4, WBO #4, WBC #9 contender Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) next. According to ESPN, the fight is being planned for September 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The WBC has ordered an immediate rematch between WBC super featherweight champion Robson Conceição and former champion O’Shaquie Foster. Foster lost a controversial split decision against Conceição on July 6 in Newark, New Jersey. “The WBC Board of Governors has ruled to order a direct rematch between WBC super featherweight champion Robson Concenciao and former champion O’Shaquie Foster,” announced WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman.

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, today announced an official partnership between Riyadh Season and major US-based promoters Top Rank and Golden Boy.

Riyadh Season will sponsor 12 Top Rank events selected by the promoter during the remainder of this year and 2025. Golden Boy has a similar deal beginning with the August 10 WBC interim super welterweight title clash between Serhii Bohachuk and Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Over the past 12 months, Riyadh Season has established itself as a key player in boxing, having hosted a string of world-class and innovative cards, including the first undisputed heavyweight title fight of the 21st century between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. It is now looking to expand its reach into the U.S. market on August 3 when Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov go head-to-head for the WBA and WBO interim super welterweight titles at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

By Boxing Bob Newman

It is with great sadness that Fightnews.com® reports on the untimely passing of former WBA bantamweight champion Richie Sandoval at 63.

Sandoval, of Pomona California, was a standout amateur star and landed a spot on the 1980 U.S. Olympic boxing team, which unfortunately, boycotted the Moscow games under the direction of then President Jimmy Carter, protesting the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.

Sandoval streaked through the professional ranks, climbing to the #2 spot in the WBA rankings. He won the WBA bantamweight title in stunning fashion with a 15th round TKO over long time champion Jeff Chandler in April 7, 1984. Chandler suffered a detached retina and never fought again. Continue reading “Richie Sandoval Passes”

Cruiserweight Jake Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) stopped bareknuckle/MMA fighter Michael Perry (0-2, 0 KOs) on Saturday night at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Paul dropped Perry with a clubbing shot in round one. Paul floored Perry again in round two. The end came in round six when Paul put Perry down a third time. Perry was tough, but had no boxing technique making things easy for Paul. Next up for Jake is a date against Mike Tyson in November.

In a cruiserweight fight, former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr (54-6-1, 34 KOs) had to work hard to defeat Uriah Hall (1-1, 0 KOs). Chavez won by scores of 59-55, 59-55, 58-56. Chavez, 38, called out Jake Paul after the fight.

WBA, IBF, WBO unified female featherweight champion Amanda Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs) annihilated Stevie Morgan (14-2, 13 KOs) in two rounds. Returning to the ten round, two-minute format, Serrano punished Morgan from the opening bell and got a referee’s stoppage in round two.

In a pair of showdowns between unbeaten lightweights, Lucas “Prince” Bahdi (17-0, 15 KOs) scored a spectacular come-from-behind sixth round knockout over highly regarded Ashton “H20” Sylve (11-1, 9 KOs), and Corey Marksman (10-0-1, 7 KOs) took an eight round majority decision over Tony Aguilar (12-1-1, 4 KOs) in a rematch by scores of 76-76, 77-75, 78-74.

Former 2-time world title challenger Francisco Fonseca (34-4-2, 28 KOs) of Nicaragua scored the biggest win of his career upsetting former world champion Jezreel Corrales (26-7-4, 10 KOs) of Panama. The event took place Saturday night at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Ayma, in San Juan de Tibas, Costa Rica. There were a lot of clinches early on in the fight but things ended abruptly in round 4. A very short hook by Fonseca connected to Corrales chin who dropped to the canvas. The referee ruled Corrales unfit to continue and waived the bout off at 2:51 of round 4. ESPN Knockout televised the event.

Unheralded middleweight Brad Pauls (19-1-1, 1 KO) upset previously unbeaten WBA #5, WBO #5 Nathan Heaney (18-1-1, 6 KOs) in a UK showdown on Saturday night at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England. Heaney appeared appeared to be in control through 3 but was dropped in round 4 by Pauls. Heaney beat the count and made it through the round. Pauls came on strong in rounds 5 and 6 with heavy shots to the body that seemed to slow Heaney down. Heaney took control in round 7 but Pauls came on strong at the end of the round landed heavy blows to Heaney´s head. Pauls seemed to be physically imposing his will on Heaney in round 8 where Heaney seemed forced to clinch multiple times to stop the Pauls onslaught of punches. Round 9 was a good comeback round for Heaney has he controlled the action for most of round boxing from a distance and landing. The pace slowed in round 10 with both fighters having their moments. Huge round 11 for Pauls who had Heaney badly hurt and staggering prior to bell sounded. Pauls listened to his corner and jumped on Heaney pressed the action. A series of heavy punches landed by Pauls saw Heaney crumble to the canvas. Heaney got up on unsteady legs at about the count of 10 but the referee waved the fight off. Official time 54 seconds. Pauls wins the British and WBA Continental middleweight titles. Continue reading “Pauls shocks Heaney in rematch thriller”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten Japanese southpaw Junto Nakatani (28-0, 21 KOs), 117.5, kept his WBC bantamweight belt in his first defense when he quickly scored a one-punch knockout of WBC#1 Vincent Astrolabio (19-5, 14 KOs), 117.5, at 2:37 of the opening session of a scheduled twelve on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Nakatani truly stunned the sold-out 8,000 spectators at Ryogoku Sumo Arena when he finished the highly touted challenger with a single shot to the midsection. Vincent fell in agony to be unable to beat the count. The 157-second demolition had the crowd on its feet and raised his stock without doubt. The elongated southpaw Junto, 26, said, “I’m willing to fight another bantam champion in a unification bout.” All the 118-pound world champs are his Japanese compatriots.

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By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten Japanese prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa (4-0, 2 KOs), 120, looked very impressive as he overwhelmed WBA#4 bantam Jonathan Rodriguez (17-3-1, 7 KOs), 117.25, decked him with vicious southpaw combinations and scored a fine TKO at 1:49 of the third round in a scheduled ten on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Rodriguez was an upset conqueror of ex-champ Khalid Yafai in the first round last November. Tenshin demonstrated his improved sharpness when he almost floored Rodriguez with well-timed smashing lefts and rights in the closing seconds of the second session. The third witnessed Nasukawa, 25, whose kick-boxing mark was 42-0, swam over the fading foe with vicious lefts that finally dropped him to the deck. The referee Someya called a halt as he saw the loser unfit to go on. Tenshin is worth watching. Photos

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Hard-punching Californian Anthony Olascuaga (7-1, 5 KOs), 111.5, impressively acquired the vacant WBO flyweight belt as he exploded a vicious left uppercut to Japanese southpaw Riku Kano (17-4-1, 9 KOs), 117.5, and finished him for the count at 2:50 of the third round in a scheduled twelve on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Olascuaga, from the outset, took the advantage and scored with effective long left hooks to the onrushing Japanese. Kano came forward with southpaw combinations in round three, but Olascuaga retaliated with a lethal shot to drop him so badly that he couldn’t beat the count of referee Jose Rivera of Puerto Rico.

Promoter: Teiken Promotions.

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Former WBA strawweight world champion Carlos Canizales (27-2-1, 19 KOs) of Venezuela defeated Ivan Garcia Balderas of Mexico (12-3-1, 4 KOs) by majority decision on Friday night at the El Poliedro in Caracas, Venezuela. The fight had many ebbs and flows of exciting exchanges. During the 9th round it was announced that Canizales was slightly ahead on the scorecards after 8 rounds. Both fighters seemed to immediately picked up the fast pace even more following this announcemnt. Canizales also was cut above his right eye after a ruled accidental clash of heads in the 9th round. Garcia closed very strong in round 12 and seemed to have Canizales in trouble. Canizales won the vacant WBC Silver light flyweight title. The oficial judges scorecards were 116-112 twice and 114-114.

In a homecoming, former IBF super middleweight world champion Jose Uzcategui (33-5, 28 KOs) kayoed countryman Fernando Brito (12-4, 12 KOs) in round 1. Uzcategui wasted no time in dropping Brito with a right hook about halfway through round 1. Uzcategui then put Brito down for good with a left hook to the body. The official end of the bout was 2:58 seconds of round 1. Uzcategui is a native of Venezuela but has resided in Tijuana, Mexico for several years

Former Heavyweight Olympian Wilmer Vazquez (13-3-1, 4 KOs) of Venezuela won a 10 round split decisión over previously unbeaten Ubaldo llago Resendiz (12-1, 11 KOs) of Mexico. The official scores were 98-92 and 97-93 for Vazquez and 99-91 for Resendiz. The ESPN Knockout broadcast team were very vocal that they felt Resendez clearly won the fight mentioning it mutliple times during the broadcast following the bout.

Honored guest at ringside and acknowledged in the ring were Erik Morales, Marcos Maidana, and Roberto Duran.

Former #1-rated welterweight Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2, 16 KOs) scored a hard fought ten round unanimous decision over previously undefeated WBO #11 rated Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (27-1, 20 KOs) on Friday night at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. After ten rounds, scores were 98-92, 99-91, 99-91.

Overweight Rodriguez cancels Tanaka’s WBO 115lb title defense

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

The weigh-in ceremony was held at Tokyo Dome Hotel, and everything was alright except that of the WBO 115-pound title bout of defending champion Kosei Tanaka (115 at the limit) and challenger Jonathan Rodriguez of Mexico who was terribly overweight by 2.9 kilogram (some 6.4 pounds) at 55 kg (121.25 lbs). Rodriguez couldn’t reduce his weight even an ounce. Tanaka himself was once willing to fight even if his opponent was overweight, but it was duly cancelled since Rodriguez was much heavier than the bantam limit and close to the super bantam limit.

The other weigh-in results were as follows:

WBC bantamweight title bout (main event)
Junto Nakatani 117.5
Vincent Astrolabio 117.5

WBO flyweight title bout for the vacant championship
Riku Kano 112
Anthony Olascuaga 111.5

Tenshin Nasukawa 120
Jonathan Rodriguez 119.25

Promoter: Teiken Promotions

Photos

Heavyweight Junlong Zhang (19-1, 18 KOs) will make his return to the ring July 27th vs TBA. This will be his first fight since suffering his lone professional defeat in October 22 where he suffered an injury in the third round of the bout. Zhang will also make his promotional debut as he co-promotes the event with Promoter Dan Otter (Three Lions Promotions). The pair spoke with Fightnews.com® about the upcoming event and future plans together. Continue reading “Q&A Junlong Zhang”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBA#11 Riku Masuda (5-1, 5 KOs), 117.75, scored a one-punch knockout over defending champ Fumiya Fuse (14-4, 3 KOs), 118, at 2:21 of the fourth round to wrest his Japanese bantamweight belt on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. In a rematch of southpaws, Masuda repeated his triumph over Fuse following his victory by a seventh round kayo in May of the previous year. Masuda failed to win the national belt from Seiya Tsutsumi on points last August, and his conqueror renounced his title to pursue a world title shot. It was Fuse that acquired the vacant belt by stopping Taichi Sugimoto this April. The newly crowned Masuda, whose amateur mark was 52-14, 22 stoppages, is a hard-punching lefty prospect under Teiken Promotions. Continue reading “WBA#11 Masuda dethrones Japanese 118lb champ Fuse”