Paul Butler 117.8 vs. Jonas Sultan 117.6
(WBO interim world bantamweight title)

Peter McGrail 124.4 vs. Uriel Lopez 124.2
Sam Maxwell 138.8 vs. Alejandro Meneses 139.2
James Dickens 126 vs. Andoni Gago 125.2
Rocky Fielding 175.4 vs. Timo Laine 171.4
Will Cawley 119.6 vs. Marius Vysniauskas 117.6
Harry Kinsella 130 vs. Christian Narvaez 131
Joe McGrail 122 vs. Mohammed Alwarith 121.6
Frankie Stringer 136 vs. Simas Volosinas ??
Steven Cairns 133 vs. Jose Hernandez 127
Blane Hyland 118 vs. Stephen Jackson 117

Venue: M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England
Promoter: Probellum
TV: Probellum.com

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Hard-hitting 105-pound challenger Kai Ishizawa (10-1, 9 KOs) is called “Japanese Micro Tyson.” because of his tremendous power punching. WBO#5 Ishizawa is slated to have an ambitious shot at the defending champ, his grudge rival Masataka Taniguchi (15-3, 10 KOs) tomorrow at the Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan. At the weigh-in ceremony of today (Thursday), however, Micro Tyson couldn’t make the contracted 105-pound class limit but scaled in at 50.1 kilogram (110.5 pounds), no less than 5.5 pounds over the limit. The champ Taniguchi tipped the beam at the 105-pound class limit. Problem was that Micro Tyson, although given two hours, reduced just half a pound (200 gram). His final weight was 49.9 kilogram (110 pound).

Taniguchi at first refused to fight Micro Tyson because he thought Ishizawa didn’t pay his best effort but reduced only half a pound in two hours. Plus, Ishizawa was five pounds heavier than him. His promoter Hitoshi Watanabe and manager Shinji Fukamachi finally persuaded the champ to fight Micro Tyson under the condition that Ishizawa should not weigh more than 3 kilogram (some 6.6 pounds) over the 105-pound limit—that is, less than 50.6 kilogram–at the point of 5:30 PM, three hours before the title bout. Continue reading “Japanese Micro Tyson fails to make weight”

Joel Diaz Jr 134.6 vs. Mercito Gesta 134.8
Jousce Gonzalez 134.4 vs. Jairo Lopez 133.2
Manuel Flores 119.4 vs. Victor Ruiz 119.6
Jan Salvatierra 111.6 vs. Ernie Marquez 110.8
Jorge Chavez 127.8 vs. Jonathan Tejeda 124.8

Venue: Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN

Unbeaten junior welterweight Nestor Bravo (20-0, 14 KOs) has signed a co-promotional agreement with American Dream Presents, Boxlab Promotions and GH3 Promotions. Bravo returns to the ring Saturday, May 21 and will face former two-time world title challenger Fernando David Saucedo,(63-9-3, 10 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Bravo-Saucedo will be televised as part of Entrobox Fight Series on Bally Sports Network from the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. Continue reading “Unbeaten Bravo inks promo deal, returns May 21”

Boxing returns to Las Vegas on May 5, two days before Canelo-Bivol. Reid Boxing will put on a good-looking show at the Sahara Event Center featuring not one, but three matchups with hot prospects putting their undefeated records on the line.

In the main event, super middleweight Lester Martinez (11-0, 10 KOs) will square off against Juan Abraham Villegas (17-0, 13 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Martinez defeated Ricardo Mayorga in his pro debut.

The co-main event will showcase light heavyweights Robin Sirwan Safar (14-0, 10 KOs) and Christian Thomas (11-0, 9 KOs) in an additional battle of undefeated prospects putting their unbeaten records to the test.

The undercard bouts include heavyweights DeAndre Savage (3-0, 3 KOs) and Antonio Zapeda (3-0, 3 KOs) in a scheduled 6-round bout. Again, someone’s “0” must go. Also unbeaten lightweight Able Mendoza (32-0, 25 KOs) meets Ricardo Proano (11-4, 9 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

Tickets priced $20, $25, $35, $50, $75, $100 and $150 (VIP).

The drama surrounding whether Dillian Whyte would show up for Wednesday’s press conference was much ado about nothing. Whyte arrived on time, and he and WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury exchanged more pleasantries than trash talk three days out from their PPV showdown at Wembley Stadium. Continue reading “Fury-Whyte presser quotes”

Golden Boy Promotions won the WBA purse bid for the fight between WBA super flyweight super champion Juan Francisco Estrada and the WBA regular champion of the division Joshua Franco.  Golden Boy’s Robert Diaz offered $120,000 to win the right to promote the fight during the bidding held on Tuesday via the zoom platform.

Golden Boy gave two possible dates. The first one on June 11 with Los Angeles as a possible venue and the second one on July 16 with California or Nevada as possibilities. The purse bid was conducted by the head of the WBA Championships Committee Carlos Chavez.

MTK Global, a leading boxing management and event promotions company representing some 200 top fighters, has announced it will shut down due to backlash from its former association with Daniel Kinahan, an alleged mob boss who last week was placed under US sanctions. The firm was founded in 2012 by former professional boxer Matthew ‘Mack the Knife’ Macklin and Kinahan, whom they say later left the company.

Official Statement: As a business we have faced unprecedented levels of unfair scrutiny and criticism since the sanctioning by the US Government of Daniel Joseph Kinahan. It is a matter of public record that Mr Kinahan’s involvement in MTK ceased in 2017, and despite repeated reassurances in this regard, unfounded allegations about his ongoing association with us and our fighters persist.

Since leading promoters have now informed us that they will be severing all ties with MTK and will no longer work with our fighters, we have taken the difficult decision to cease operations at the end of this month. Continue reading “MTK Global to cease operations”

ProBox TV will host its first live stream on May 20 from the Company’s Events Center in Plant City, Florida. In the main event, IBF #1 light heavyweight Fanlong Meng (17-0, 10 KOs) and former two-time world champion Jean Pascal (35-6-1, 20 KOs) meet in a 12-round clash for a top spot in the 175-pound division. The co-feature is former WBA featherweight champion Xu Can (18-3, 3 KOs) returns against Brandon Benitez (18-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-round bout. Ticket and undercard information for the event will be announced shortly.

ProBox TV is a new sports streaming and media company dedicated exclusively to the sport of professional boxing. It is founded by former Iron Mike Productions CEO Garry Jonas in partnership with Roy Jones Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez, Antonio Tarver, and Paulie Malignaggi. Starting May 16, the service will be $1.99 per month or $18 per year and will include 2-3 live events per month.

After missing several pre-fight obligations, WBC heavyweight title challenger Dillian Whyte did turn up for the final press conference in advance of his title shot against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on Saturday night before a record crowd at London’s Wembley Stadium. Both fighters kept it respectful and low key. They will meet next at Friday’s weigh-in.

WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casemiro has been forced to pull out of facing Paul Butler for the second time in the space of a few months. As a result, Casemiro’s Filipino countryman Jonas Sultan (18-5, 11 KOs) has been mandated to step in to fight Butler (35-2, 15 KOs) for the WBO interim bantamweight world title on Friday at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena.

The British Boxing Board of Control will not allow Casimero to fight due to 1) Casimero using a sauna to lose weight in close proximity to the fight, which is against BBBofC rules, and 2) since arriving in UK, Casimero lost ten pounds in only three days.

Casimero has 48 hours to “show cause” why he shouldn’t be stripped.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

In an IBF middleweight eliminator for the #2 ranking, Michael Zerafa (30-4, 19 KOs) destroyed previously unbeaten Issac Hardman (12-1, 10 KOs) in the second round on Wednesday night at the Melbourne Convention Centre in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Zerafa dropped Hardman, then finished him with his follow-up barrage. Zerafa was a +175 underdog.

Female super bantamweight Cherneka “Sugar” Johnson (14-1, 6 KOs) took a hard fought ten round split decision over Melissa Esquivel (12-3-1, 4 KOs) to win the vacant IBF world title. Scores were 96-95, 97-93 Johnson, 96-94 Esquivel.

Other Results:
Carly Salmon W6 Krystina Jacobs (featherweight)
Benjamin Bommber TKO4 Waiwit Nareeruk (super middleweight)
Campbell Somerville TKO2 Lawrence Glover (super welterweight)
Kim-Alina Ross D4 Zoe Putorak (super welterweight)
Jack Gipp TKO1 Lepani Levatia (light heavyweight)

Lightweights Joel Diaz Jr. (26-2, 22 KOs) and Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (32-3-3, 17 KOs) hosted a media workout Tuesday ahead of their 10-rounder on DAZN Thursday from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, CA.

Joel Diaz Jr: I have some unfinished business at 135. I went up to 140 because a had a good opportunity but I do feel like I still have a lot to do at 135. This weight is comfortable for me, and I want to continue where I left off…I do have to make a statement against Mercito Gesta to show who Joel Diaz, Jr. is.

Mercito Gesta: I have fought hard-hitting guys in the past. I have fought pressure fighters. When I faced Oscar Mesa he was also a hard puncher, a knock-out fighter, but I won that fight. So, it’s not new to me, I am used to this type of fighter. I feel confident in my abilities and fans will see that on Thursday night.

Unified WBC, WBA and IBF super welterweight world champion Jermell Charlo says he plans to knock out WBO world champion Brian Castaño when they meet May 14 on Showtime in a rematch of their draw last July. The winner will be undisputed 154lb champion.

“I want to knock this guy out. This is the Jermell from earlier, back when I was trying to end fights. I want to be that guy for 12 rounds now,” said Charlo. “I’m ready to win this fight impressively. I hope I get the judges who really understand boxing. Everyone is used to me knocking everyone out that when I don’t knock someone out, it’s an issue. This is a skillful sport, you have to pay the bills for this.

“I’m locked in a little bit different this time. I’m more dedicated than I’ve ever been. I’m hungrier. I don’t know what’s next after this opportunity in my life and I’m glad that God gave me the opportunity to face the same guy and just put on a better performance. This is about me being the best Jermell Charlo. Continue reading “Charlo aiming to kayo Castaño in rematch”

Fury-Whyte will certainly satisfy U.S. boxing fans on Saturday afternoon. But where can fight junkies get their Saturday night boxing fix? FITE has a $14.99 pay-per-view from the Abu Bekr Temple in Sioux City, Iowa. The main event features super middleweight Sena “The African Assassin” Agbeko (24-2, 19 KOs) against Apollo “Kidd” Thompson (19-4, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder

The co-main event will feature heavyweight Istvan “The Hammer” Bernath (9-0, 7KOs) against Milton Nunez (37-28-1, 32KOs). Also, middleweight Efrain Morales (7-1, 3KOs) meets Brent “Mr. Hollywood” Oren (4-8, 1 KO).

Photos: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury says he’s retiring after Saturday’s fight with mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte at London’s Wembley Stadium. “I’ve said this is my last fight, and it will be,” proclaimed the Gypsy King.

Whyte didn’t show up to Tuesday’s open workout, so Fury had the spotlight all to himself as he went through the fight week paces with his head trainer SugarHill Steward.

On Whyte not showing up to the workout…

“That’s Dillian’s concern. That’s none of my business. Dillian Whyte, I’m sure he’s got his reasons why he’s not here today. Whatever they are, good luck to him, and I’ll see him on the fight night.” Continue reading “Tyson Fury: This is my last fight”

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

Another weekend of spectacular boxing presented by TGB Promotions, Tom Brown and Premier Boxing Champions in a card full of emotions at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, broadcast by Showtime PPV and through ESPN Knockout for Mexico and Latin America.

Errol Spence Jr. shone as the great star that characterizes the state of Texas, giving a boxing demonstration of power against a tough Yordenis Ugas, one of the great prides of Cuba, who gave of his very best against the king of welterweights.

A dramatic fight had everyone on the edge of their seats. Ugas proceeded to hurt the undefeated Spence in the sixth round, but Errol fought back with a ferocious attack to the body in order to land tremendous uppercuts and hooks that bruised and swelled Ugas’ face to such an extent that the Ring Doctor decided to recommend stopping the fight. Thus, the victory by technical knockout to the undefeated American Champion. Spence is now the unified champion of the WBC-IBF-WBA and the long-awaited fight against Terence Crawford, who has the WBO belt, is on the table. Continue reading “The Star that Shines in Texas”

WBC heavyweight title challenger Dillian Whyte proclaimed last week that his fight this weekend “isn’t the Tyson Fury show.” But at today’s media workout, Fury once again got all the attention as Whyte chose not to participate. Fury is a 6:1 betting favorite to retain his world title.

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Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum won’t be in attendance for this weekend’s Fury-Whyte clash in London.

Arum tweeted: “Excited to watch Tyson Fury defend his titles Saturday against Dillian Whyte in front of 94,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend as I am recovering from mild COVID-19 symptoms. I’ll be cheering on The Gypsy King from home as I watch on ESPN+ PPV.”

Arum recently admitted to paying crime boss Daniel Kinahan, formerly an adviser to Tyson Fury, consulting fees totaling as much as $8 million dollars for Fury’s four recent bouts in the United States. Fury co-promoter Frank Warren told the BBC that he was unaware of those payments. “That’s their business. It’s nothing to do with us. Certainly nothing to do with me and, as I say, Tyson was unaware of it.”

Former world champion Amir Khan announced on Twitter that he and his wife are unharmed after being robbed in London. The thieves reportedly made off with a $94,000 Franck Muller Vanguard Chronograph watch.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

IBF #10 middleweight Michael Zerafa and IBF #8 Issac Hardman were involved in a physical confrontation ahead of their IBF elimination bout for the number two position on Wednesday at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Both threw punches at each other after accusations of racism.

“He (Hardman) is racist,” Zerafa insisted

Hardman replied, “The remark that I’m racist is crazy. I don’t know where the f–k that has come from. He is clutching at straws and he needs something to get over the line, to make me the bad guy. This guy is the bad guy. Everyone f–king hates this clown. My partner is of color. My two best mates are Samoan. How am I racist? That’s craziness. Just because I’m going to punch this bloke’s head in and he’s Maltese, who cares? I’m going to smash this bloke [and that] doesn’t make me racist.”

Official Statement: We regret to announce that Bob Yalen has today stepped down as CEO of MTK Global for personal reasons. We would like to thank him for all of his efforts on behalf of the business and his leadership of our team.

“I am incredibly proud of the success of MTK Global and I feel privileged to have served as President and CEO since 2018,” said Yalen. “However, the pressure of the last few weeks has been particularly intense. I need to consider the impact on myself and my family. So after four years leading MTK, I think it’s time for me to step aside to take on new challenges.”

Due to unforeseen reasons, this Saturday night’s RDR Promotions card at the 2300 Arena has been postponed. Fans who purchased tickets should seek refunds at the point of purchase. RDR Promotions will be back at the 2300 Arena on Friday night, June 24th. Details of the event will be announced shortly.

Whilst visiting Dubai recently I was introduced to Daniel Kinahan, who has since been placed on a sanctions list by the US Treasury Department, concerning alleged links to drug crimes.

This has generated speculation and attacks on myself and the WBC. I therefore feel it necessary to make it clear that at no time have we had any relationship with Daniel Kinahan. The World Boxing Council deals solely and exclusively with boxing promoters and only they maintain commercial relations in the certification of fights for our titles. Continue reading “WBC Statement on Daniel Kinahan”