Undefeated Albanian heavyweight Nelson Hysa (17-0, 15 KOs) hopes to have a triumphant homecoming against Germany’s Thorsten Fuchs (13-1, 10 KOs) in the 12-round main event for the vacant WBO European belt this Thursday, July 11, at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania.

Hysa-Fuchs and undercard fights will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. Undercard action includes the return of Top Rank-promoted junior welterweight prospect Hugo “The Fresh Prince of Monaco” Micallef (9-0, 2 KOs), who will take on Bogdan Draskovic (9-14-1, 5 KOs) in a six-rounder.

Heavyweight Junlong “Dragon King” Zhang (19-1, 18 KOs) will highlight the July 27th Three Lions card at the historic Masonic Temple, now called The Concert Hall, in Toronto Canada. Zhang, 42, came up short in his last outing with the bout being stopped due to an injury sustained in the third round. He had previously been ranked within the WBC’s top 15. Opponent is TBA.

The co-main event will see a pair of Canadian middleweights, Three Lions newest signee Triston Brookes (6-0, 6KOs) and Mikhael Miller (9-3-2, 2 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

“We are excited to get Zhang back in the ring, he is really focused in training and is looking stronger then ever,” stated Daniel Otter (Three Lions Promotions). Continue reading “Boxing Back in Toronto”

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

One of the greatest concerns my father, José Sulaimán, always had was seeing and lamenting how the vast majority of boxers end their lives in precarious, reduced circumstances and even in misery after having been idols due to their extraordinary performances in the ring.

This phenomenon is by no means exclusive to boxers, as the vast majority of athletes and entertainment personalities have that shadow which silently lurks and stalks them without them realizing it, stealthily creeping up throughout their career and as it winds down.

It is a given fact that many of those who reach the pinnacle of stardom come from humble backgrounds, and that they find in their discipline the opportunity to excel and become someone in life. In boxing, it is an absolute reality. It’s a given that most, if not all boxers come from the tough neighborhoods of their city in every country throughout the world. Continue reading “The End of a Boxer’s Career”

Russia’s Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (3-0, 2 KOs) and China’s Zhaoxin Zhang (12-2-1, 7 KOs) will fight for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) bridgerweight title on Friday in Serpukhov, Russia. The title became vacant after former champion Evgeny Tishchenko tested positive for banned substances. Gadzhimagomedov is a Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist. Zhang is looking to make another splash in Russia after previously knocking out Evgeny Romanov on February 10.

In the co-feature, Tokyo 2020 Olympian Albert Batyrgaziev (10-0, 7 KOs) and Jono Carroll (24-2-1, 7 KOs) will step into the ring to fight for the WBA interim super featherweight belt.

Unifies WBA, IBF 115lb belts

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten Argentine Fernando “Puma” Martinez (17-0, 9 KOs), 115, unified the WBA and IBF super flyweight belts as he fought a grueling battle with skillful Japanese speedster Kazuto Ioka (31-3-1, 16 KOs), 114.75, all the way, winning a unanimous decision over twelve see-saw rounds on Sunday at Ryogoku Sumo Arena in Tokyo,

Japan. Stanley Christodoulou (South Africa) and Jean Pierre Van Imschoot (Belgium) scored 117-111 and 116-112 respectively, while Edward Hernandez (US) viewed it 120-108—all in favor of the fast and strong Argentine. The referee was Luis Pabon (Puerto Rico).

For Martinez it was his third defense since he dethroned IBF ruler Jerwin Ancajas in Las Vegas in 2022, while for dour-division champ Ioka it was his second defense since he wrested the WBA belt from Joshua Franco here about a year ago. Continue reading “FULL REPORT: Martinez defeats Ioka”

Former WBA world title challenger Rober “El Huracan” Barrera (27-5, 17 KOs) of Monteria, Colombia landed in Managua, Nicaragua earlier today as he faces 5x former world champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (51-4 41 KO’s) on Friday night from the Alexis Arguello Arena staring at 9:00PM / EDT on ESPN+ and ESPN Knockout.

Barrera had added motivation to this camp as he aims to get his family revenge of His brother defeat in the hands of Choclatito 11 years ago. “I feel great I’m on weight and ready for war Friday night” stated Barrera “We are coming to spoil his homecoming party and even the score.”

Barrera was greeted by Vice President of All Star Boxing, Inc Felix Zabala III who is the lead promoter of the event on Friday night in association with Teiken Promotions.

The fight between WBC interim super welterweight champion Serhii “El Flaco” Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) and Vergil Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KOs) will take place at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, August 10, broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

Vergil Ortiz Jr: “This fight is the fight that solidifies me as a top 154 fighter. This is also the fight that shows everyone that nothing has changed: I am still one of the best fighters in the world.”

Serhii Bohachuk: “I fought hard to win the WBC interim world title and now i am looking to defend this title for my goal of becoming the ultimate world champion. I know Vergil Ortiz, he is a very tough competitor, but on August 10 I will show that I am the best in the division.”

The day will eventually come when world junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez will get inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame. However, that is a long way off as Lopez from Brooklyn, is not only still an active fighter, but in the prime of his career, as well.

For the first time in its 12 year history, the NYSBHOF is giving official recognition to an active boxer by naming Lopez as its 2023-2024 Fighter of the Year. During that time frame Lopez defeated Josh Taylor to win the undisputed junior welterweight crown. He then followed it up with title defenses against contenders Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett.

“There is no one more worthy than Lopez to get this award” said NYSBHOF president Jack Hirsch. “There is not another active boxer residing in New York who has accomplished as much as Teofimo has. New York State should be proud to recognize him as one of its own.” Continue reading “Teofimo named NYSBHOF Fighter of the Year”

By Miguel Maravilla

Oscar De La Hoya: “William Zepeda is one of the most exciting fighters in boxing. Especially at 135.”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBC, WBO#1 light fly Japanese Shokichi Iwata (13-1, 10 KOs), 107.5, had a tough time coping with unbeaten Filipino GAB#1 Jahzeel Trinidad (11-1, 6 KOs), 108, but finally dropped him twice and halted the game warrior at 1:10 of the sixth round in a scheduled ten on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Having failed to win the WBO 108-pound belt from Jonathan Bomba Gonzalez in 2022, the hard-hitting Shokichi scored three victories all within the distance. He impressively collected another victim by kayo, decking the gallant Filipino with vicious left hooks in round three and six. Now that Bomba renounced his belt to move up to the 112-pound category, Iwata will participate in a WBO 108-pound title bout for the vacant crown within this year. The up-and-coming Shokichi may have a good chance to seize the championship. Continue reading “WBC, WBO#1 Iwata halts Filipino Trinidad”

By Miguel Maravilla

Ricardo Sandoval speaks on his controversial stoppage over Tito Acosta.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda (to come soon)

Unbeaten Argentine Fernando Martinez (17-0, 9 KOs), 115, unified the WBA and IBF super flyweight belts as he fought a grueling battle with skillful Japanese Kazuto Ioka (31-3-1, 16 KOs), 114.75, all the way, winning a unanimous decision (116-112, 117-111 and 120-108: this score questionable) over twelve give-and-take rounds on Sunday in Tokyo, Japan. Martinez, 32, was more aggressive, while Ioka, 35, was more technical, scoring with counters and body shots. The Argentine’s abundant stamina was amazing, as he withstood Ioka’s persistent body bombardments and furiously retaliated with a two-fisted attacks upstairs. They kept exchanging solid punches from the outset to the end and fully entertained the audience.

Promoter: Shisei Promotions.

Former WBC super featherweight champion O’Shaquie Foster outlanded Robson Conceição 109-76 and vehemently disagreed with the split decision verdict that cost him his title on Saturday night in Newark, New Jersey.

“I don’t know, man. I thought it was easy,” Foster said. “I thought it was an easy fight. I didn’t get touched except with a headbutt. I don’t know, man. I’ll be back. But I want the rematch. They stole this from me. They stole this fight from me. I just wanted to show the world I could bang it out, and if I want to, I don’t have to get touched. I guess it wasn’t good enough for the judges.”

By Miguel Maravilla

William “El Camarón” Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) of San Mateo Atenco, Mexico, spoke to the media about his win over Giovanni Cabrera (22-2, 7 KOs) of Chicago Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. Zepeda scored a third round knockout over Cabrea in bold fashion. Here is what he said at the post-fight press conference (mostly in Spanish, but some English too).

Super middleweight Shane Mosley Jr. (22-4, 12 KOs) took a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over two-time world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (37-4, 30 KOs) on Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Mosley pulled away to a 99-91, 99-91, 100-90 nod against the 37-year-old Jacobs, who appeared to have lost a step.

Unbeaten lightweight Amado “AFV” Vargas (11-0, 5 KOs), son of former champion Fernando Vargas, scored a sixth round TKO against Sean Garcia (7-1-1, 2 KOs), brother of Ryan Garcia. Garcia came in three pounds heavy, but when not showboating Vargas won every minute of every round, dropping Garcia in round four with an uppercut. Ryan Garcia was removed from ringside by security.

Teenage lightweight prospect Curmel Moton (4-0, 3 KOs) kept his unbeaten record intact with a dominating stoppage of Nikolai Buzolin (9-9-1, 5 KOs) as he dropped his opponent in round one before stopping him in the second round of their super lightweight matchup.

The main event was a boxing match betwen longtime MMA rivals as Nate Diaz took home a majority decision victory over Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal. The event attracted a sold out crowd of 18,040.

Unbeaten WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) scored a workmanlike twelve round unanimous decision over Artem Harutyunyan (12-2, 7 KOs) on Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Stevenson stood his ground against Harutyunyan, using his speed and boxing skills to pull away to a 119-109, 118-110, 116-112.

Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição (19-2-1, 9 KOs) dethroned WBC super featherweight O’Shaquie Foster (22-3-1, 12 KOs) via controversial twelve round split decision. Foster outworked Conceição in a slow-paced fight, but judges scored it 116-112, 115-113 for Conceição, 116-112 for Foster.

Unbeaten WBC #3, IBF #4, WBO #5 lightweight and Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis (11-0, 7 KOs) dominated Miguel Madueño (31-3, 28 KOs) over ten rounds. The game Madueno battled hard to the end, but Davis was too fast and two sharp for him. Scores were 99-91 3x.

Another impressive performance for lightweight phenom Abdullah Mason (14-0, 12 KOs), who knocked out veteran Luis “Popeye” Lebron (20-6-1, 13 KOs) in round three. Mason dropped Lebron twice in round two and the bout was waved off after more punishment in round three. Time was 1:18.

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

It was another impressive performance by undefeated Mexican lightweight William “El Camarón” Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) of San Mateo Atenco, Mexico, scored a third round knockout over Giovanni Cabrera (22-2, 7 KOs) of Chicago Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

Off to a fast start, Zepeda and Cabrera came out shooting in the opening round as Cabrera got the better of the exchanges snapping his punches and roughing up Zepeda as he shoved him to the corner to close. Letting loose in the second, Zepeda began to connect and back Cabrera with crisp clean punches. Fighting inside in the center, Zepeda got the better of the inside fight as he outworked and outhustled Cabrera. A cruching body shot during the exchange by Zepeda sent Cabrera to his knees as referee Thomas Taylor reached a ten count at 1:58 of the third.

Zepeda is rated #1 at lightweight by all four major boxing sanctioning organizations. Continue reading “#1 Zepeda dismantles Cabrera in three”

Unbeaten heavyweight Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs) needed just 36 seconds to demolish former bridgerweight world title challenger Alen “The Savage” Babic (12-2, 11 KOs) in the first round on Saturday night at the Copper Box Arena in London. Fisher dropped Babic with a right hand. Babic got up wobbly and the bout was waved off.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBA super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka (31-2-1, 16 KOs) tipped the beam at 114.75, a quarter pounder lighter than the limit, while IBF counterpart Fernando Martinez (16-0, 9 KOs), from Argentina, scaled in at the 115-pound limit on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Their unification bout will take place tomorrow (Sunday) at Ryogoku Sumo Arena (AKA Ryogoku Kokugikan) by Shisei Promotions.

Ioka said, “I respect Martinez’ career and unbeaten record. But I’d like to concentrate on defeating him with my best effort.”

Martinez, accompanied by his promoter Marcos Maidana (who fought Floyd Mayweather twice ten years ago), also cooly said, “I’ll make it a great fight and win both belts. I appreciate Ioka having accepted this bout with both belts on the line.” Maidana, 40, also confidently said, “I know Ioka is an intelligent boxer, but we’ll bring back both belts to Argentina.”

Time will tell.

Photos

Nate Diaz 175.6 vs. Jorge Masvidal 175.2
Daniel Jacobs 169.2 vs. Shane Mosley Jr. 167.6
Chris Avila 175.6 vs. Anthony Pettis 175.3
Curmel Moton 133.5 vs. Nikolai Buzolin 137.7
Amado Vargas 134.1 vs. Sean Garcia 138.1

Venue: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Promoter: Fanmio
TV: PPV

By Miguel Maravilla

William “El Camarón” Zepeda 135 vs. Giovanni Cabrera 137
Ricardo “El Niño” Sandoval 111.8 vs. Angel “Tito” Acosta 111.6
“Gucci Manny” Flores 124.4 vs. Noel Arambulet 128.8
Joel Iriarte 146.2 vs. Yainel Alvarez 146.8

Venue: Toyota Arena in Ontario, California
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN

Shakur Stevenson 134.1 vs. Artem Harutyunyan 134.8
(WBC lightweight title)

O’Shaquie Foster 129.9 vs. Robson Conceicao 129.5
(WBC super featherweight title)

Keyshawn Davis 134.8 vs. Miguel Madueno 134.7
Abdullah Mason 134.8 vs. Luis Lebron 135.8
William Foster III 130.4 vs. Eridson Garcia 130.7
Keith Colon 125.3 vs. Hunter Turbyfill 124.1
Kelvin Davis 142.9 vs. Kevin Johnson 142.5
Ali Feliz 219.5 vs. Robinson Perez 245.1

Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN, ESPN+

Unbeaten heavyweight Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher outweighed knockout artist Alen “The Savage” Babic by 24 pounds during their weigh-in on Friday in London. Fisher weighed 240.5 and Babic weighed 216.4. Fisher and Babic will clash in a ten-rounder on Saturday at the Copper Box Arena, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee has ordered a mandatory fight between WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and challenger Yuniel Dorticos. The negotiation period will be 30 days and will end on July 31. If the fighters’ teams do not reach an agreement within the time period, or if either side refuses to negotiate, the Championships Committee may call a purse bid.