The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum has announced the members of the Class of 2022. Living inductees include Miguel Cotto, Roy Jones Jr. and James Toney in the men’s Modern category; Regina Halmich and Holly Holm in the women’s Modern category; publicist Bill Caplan in the Non-Participant category; and journalist Ron Borges and historian/producer Bob Yalen in the Observer category. Continue reading “2022 Boxing Hall of Fame inductees announced”

Eddie Hearn and Matchroom have announced that IBF super featherweight Kenichi Ogawa has signed a multi-fight promotional deal in association with Teiken Promotions. Ogawa (26-1-1 18 KOs) landed the vacant IBF belt at the end of November with a superb victory over Azinga Fuzile at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden, New York, flooring the South African in the fifth and final rounds.

The 33-year-old Japanese star will target a first defense in 2022 and will be hunting down unification bouts with fellow champions Shakur Stevenson (WBO), Oscar Valdez (WBC) and Roger Gutierrez (WBA) next year.

Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions has announced that this Friday’s Hollywood Fight Nights event will be streamed live from the Quiet Cannon – Montebello Country Club. Working with BXNGTV.com, the live stream will commence at 7:00 p.m. PST at a cost of $19.99.

Just announced today, world ranked Ali Akhmedov (17-1, 13 KOs) will return to battle against Paul Valenzuela Jr, (26-10, 17 KOs) in a 10 round super middleweight battle. Akhmedov is promoted by GGG Promotions and is returning after a third-round knockout of David Zegarra on September 16.

Former three-weight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (15-2, 11 KOs) is determined to return to the top of the lightweight heap. Lomachenko fights former world champion Richard Commey in a 12-round main event at Madison Square Garden on ESPN Saturday.

George Kambosos Jr. recently staked his claim as the division’s top dog with last month’s split decision over Teofimo Lopez, who toppled Lomachenko by unanimous decision in October 2020. Kambosos’ win shook up the lightweight picture, and Lomachenko aims to make a bold statement Saturday evening.

Lomachenko said, “Richard Commey has big power, reach and experience. This is an interesting challenge for me, and I know it’s a fight the fans are excited to watch. Continue reading “Loma: I’m not going to say if I am the number one”

The centuries-old rivalry between Scotland and England rekindled in Edinburgh today when Caledonian pride Josh Taylor (18-0, 13 KOs) faced off with English challenger Jack Catterall (26-0, 13 KOs) today at Edinburgh Castle – the iconic Scottish fortress which has witnessed many an Anglo-Scots clash in its thousand-year history.

The clash between undisputed super lightweight champion Taylor and mandatory challenger Catterall will take place February 26 at the OVO Hydro Arena, Glasgow. Continue reading “Taylor-Catterall kickoff press conference”

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

The world boxing community joined in prayer to say goodbye to José Fernando, son of our beloved champion Erik “El Terrible” Morales, after his death this past Wednesday. A young, enthusiastic and handsome young man, who is already resting in peace. May God give Erik and his entire family consolation for this terrible tragedy and may the memory of José Fernando be eternal. He will always be in our hearts and in our minds.

We had the closing of the 2021 cycle of the “Knockout: Don’t Throw in the Towel” program, and we visited the Tenango del Valle prison, with the presence of Rodrigo S. Martínez-Celis Wogau, Secretary of Security of the State of Mexico. Continue reading “Boxing as an Engine of Life”

WBA cruiserweight super champion Arsen Goulamirian (26-0, 18 KOs) will fulfill his mandatory defense against former gold beltholder Aleksei Egorov (11-0, 7 KOs) on Friday in Ekaterinburg, Russia. The bout was ordered by the WBA Championships Committee months ago and the bout was auctioned as part of the organization’s ongoing world title reduction plan.

The following night in the same city, WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol (18-0, 11 KOs) will defend his title against Umar Salamov (26-1, 19 KOs). Bivol has been WBA champion since February 2017 and has defended his championship seven times. This will the first of three fights in Russia for Bivol under a new 3-way deal with RCC Boxing Promotions and World of Boxing.

YouTube boxer Jake “The Problem Child” Paul met with members of the media Monday to react to the news that he will now face former MMA world champion Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley in a rematch of their August clash won by Paul after professional boxer and reality TV star Tommy Fury withdrew from their December 18 matchup due to an undisclosed medical issue.

Jake Paul: “I got the news early Friday morning. My manager Nakisa had already spoken to Tyron, who was willing to step up. I believe later that evening or the next day we already had the contract signed from Tyron.

“I definitely respect Tyron for stepping in. He has balls. Tyron deserves a lot of credit for stepping in here. But I’ve made a ton of adjustments and he’s going to be fighting a different person December 18. I’m excited to show him and the world that. Continue reading “Jake Paul: I question everything about the Fury family”

For the third week in a row, lightweights take center stage.

Friday night is slow, but boxing action heats up bigtime on Saturday.

• On ESPN, former world champions Vasiliy Lomachenko and Richard Commey collide inside the “Big Room” at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. The 33-year-old Loma is currently an 8:1 favorite.
• On Showtime, WBC bantamweight champ Nonito Donaire will defend his belt against Reymart Gaballo at the “War Grounds” aka Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
• On DAZN, unbeaten welterweight Conor Benn faces former champ Chris Algieri at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.
• There is also a world title twin bill in Dubai. WBO bantamweight champ John Riel Casimero defends against Paul Butler and IBF flyweight champ Sunny Edwards defends against Jayson Mama. Ex-champ Donnie Nietes vs. Norbelto Jimenez is also on that card. The card, which marks the debut of Richard Schaefer’s Probellum, will likely be streamed somewhere. Stay tuned for info.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Check out this GIANT Davis-Cruz photo gallery for some incredible shots. Continue reading “GIANT Davis-Cruz Photo Gallery”

YouTuber Jake “The Problem Child” Paul will now face former MMA world champion Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley in a rematch of their August clash won by Paul. Paul vs. Woodley II titled “Leave No Doubt” will be the main event on Showtime PPV, live from Amalie Arena in Tampa on December 18.

Woodley steps in to replace pro boxer Tommy Fury, who withdrew from the event due to an undisclosed medical issue that impacted his training camp. Paul vs. Woodley II will be a pro cruiserweight bout scheduled for eight rounds at a contract weight of 192 pounds. Continue reading “Tommy Fury pulls out; Paul-Woodley 2 is on”

By Miguel Maravilla

WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (26-0, 24 KOs) of Baltimore talked about his win over Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (22-1, 15 KOs) of Mexico City at the post-fight press conference. Davis won a decision Sunday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. He also called Ryan Garcia an Instagram fighter. Promoter Floyd Mayweather was also on hand.

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By Miguel Maravilla

“I hurt my hand, so I wasn’t able to get him out of there,” said WBA lightweight champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis after winning a 12-round round unanimous decision over Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in front of a star-studded, sellout crowd of 15,850 in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

“I felt as the fight was going, he was breaking down…he’s a shorter fighter, so I was throwing down on the top of his head. I hit him with my knuckle and messed it up. I hurt my hand in the sixth round. No matter if the opponent is taller or shorter, I’ve got to get through it. He’s a warrior. Even though he didn’t win, a star was born tonight.”

Davis added that he’s ready to take on all comers. “Whatever the best opportunity is for me, I’ll do it. All of them guys are easy work. I’m the top dog.”

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Meanwhile, Cruz indicated that he deserved the victory. “Viva Mexico. I have nothing to say, the fans are speaking on who won this fight,” he said.

By Miguel Maravilla

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (29-0, 26 KOs) of Baltimore retained his world title but he had his hands full in winning a twelve round unanimous decision over IBF #2 Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (22-2, 15 KOs) of Mexico City, Sunday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Scores were 116-112, 115-113, 115-113. Continue reading “Tank gets past Cruz, retains WBA title”

By Rocky Morales at ringside

In a twelve round WBC super welterweight eliminator, 23-year-old, 6’5” Sebastian “Towering Inferno” Fundora (18-0-1, 12KO) was the unanimous decision winner over previously undefeated Sergio Garcia (33-1, 14KO). Judges scored it 118-110, 117-111 and 115-113 and it seemed closer than the first two scorecards.

It was Garcia’s first time fighting in the USA and he entered as the WBC #2 contender while Fundora entered as the WBC #4 contender. Continue reading “Fundora tops Garcia, remains unbeaten”

By Rocky Morales at ringside

In a hotly contested and action-packed WBC middleweight eliminator, Carlos Adames (21-1, 16KO) won a majority decision over Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-4, 10KO) on Sunday night on the Davis-Cruz undercard at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Judges scored the bout 95-95 even, 97-93 Adames and 96-94 Adames. Derevyanchenko during postfight interview didn’t dispute the decision. Adames entered as the WBC #9 contender at 154 pounds while Derevyanchenko entered as the WBC #2 contender at 160 pounds.

Despite the majority decision, it was Adames who controlled the action and who made the 37-year-old Derevyanchenko suddenly look old. Adames was simply too fast and was landing the more impressive punches with Derevyanchenko often in hopeless pursuit. Derevyanchenko had his moments but Adames always rebounded nicely to regain control of the bout with his long reach, superior speed and fleet footwork.

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Opening up the Showtime pay per view card, super featherweight Eduardo Ramirez (26-2-3, 12 KOs) of Los Mochis, Sinaloa Mexico won a unanimous decision over Colombia’s Miguel Marriaga (30-5, 26 KOs) on Sunday night on the Davis-Cruz undercard at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The bout was a 130lb WBC eliminator. All three judges scored the bout 99-90. Continue reading “Ramirez overcomes Marriaga”

By Rocky Morales at ringside

Journeyman middleweight Vaughn Alexander (16-6-1, 9 KOs) was the upset split decision winner over WBA #5 rated Luis Arias (20-2-1, 9 KOs) on the Davis-Cruz undercard Sunday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It was a sometimes ugly fight with Arias deducted one point for repeatedly shouldering Alexander. After a close fight that could have gone either way, judges scored it 96-93 Arias, overruled by two scores of 96-93 for Alexander. Arias was coming off a big win over Jarret Hurd but still found himself buried off television deep on the undercard against a journeyman fighter. Continue reading “Davis-Cruz undercard results”

By Robert Coster

Dominican super flyweight Norbelto “Meneito” Jimenez exulted confidence as he boarded a plane from Santo Domingo, heading for Dubai where he will battle fellow contender, Filipino legend Donnie Nietes. WBA #6 Jimenez (30-9-5, 16 KOs) is the underdog going against WBA #4 Nietes (43-1-5, 26 KOs). Fightnews.com® interviewed the colorful “Meneito” (the one who wiggles) to get his feelings before this pivotal confrontation.

How are you feeling Norbelto before this very important fight?

I feel great. I trained really hard. I know how important this fight is. I know who I’m fighting. Donnie is a four-division world champion. He has only lost one fight in 49 bouts and that was 21 years ago (!). He is a future Hall of Famer. Continue reading “Norbelto Jimenez set for Donnie Nietes Dec 11”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBO #13 Japan’s Ryota Toyoshima (15-2-1, 9 KOs), 146.5, successfully kept his OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific welterweight belts as he maintained the pressure on gutsy compatriot Shoki Sakai (26-13-2, 14 KOs), 147, and kept battering downstairs to score a unanimous decision (116-112 twice, 117-111) over twelve hard-fought rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Sakai, formerly campaigning under Nacho Beristein in Mexico, came home and lately zoomed up high in the JBC ratings. It was Toyoshima that hurt the durable challenger with persistent body bombardments before Sakai displayed his last surge down the stretch, which, however, was too late to overcome his early deficits on points. Continue reading “Toyoshima keeps OPBF, WBO AP 147lb belts”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

In one of the best bouts for 2021, unbeaten cruiserweight Floyd Masson (11-0, 7 KOs) outscored two-time world cruiserweight challenger Mark Flanagan (25-8, 18 KOs) over ten rounds at the Eatons Hotel, Eatons Hill, Queensland on Saturday to capture the Australian cruiserweight title. Flanagan dropped Masson in round one, but Masson survived to outwork his more experienced opponent in most of the rounds to win a majority decision by scores of Phil Gregory 94-94, Phil Austin 96-92, Roy Saunders 96-92. Continue reading “Masson defeats Flanagan, remains unbeaten”

By Miguel Maravilla

WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney talks about his win over Joseph “JoJo” Diaz and a showdown with undisputed lightweight champion George Kambosos.

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