“Oscar Valdez can’t keep ducking.”

“I smelled blood,” said newly-crowned WBO super featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson after dethroning reigning champ Jamel Herring. “I saw he was bleeding and was like, ‘OK, I have to attack the cut. I was trying to touch the cut to make the doctor try and stop it.”

Steven also made it very clear who he wants to fight next. “There’s only one fight left at the end of the day. It’s the biggest fight at the end of the day. Oscar {Valdez} can’t keep ducking. It’s time for him to fight. There’s nothing else to look forward to. The 130-pound division needs to unify. Let’s get it! Continue reading “Shakur Stevenson: I smelled blood.”

Former featherweight world champion Shakur Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs) dominated, stopped, and dethroned WBO junior lightweight world champion Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring (23-3, 11 KOs) on Saturday night before a crowd of 5,123 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Stevenson was too quick and too skilled for the 35-year-old champion, both on the outside and the inside. Herring was cut in round ten and referee Mark Nelson waved it off when Shakur started teeing off. Time was 1:30.

At the time of the stoppage, Stevenson was pitching a shutout on two of the three cards.

In the main event of Title Night 4: Fight 4 The Cure at the Convention Center in Tampa, Florida, unbeaten Miami welterweight Harold Calderon (25-0, 17 KOs) won via disqualification at 2:37 of round six. Calderon sent a frustrated Luis Eduardo Florez (25-22, 21 KOs) down twice in the fifth round. Florez in retaliation starting fouling which was not to be tolerated by referee Chris Young and stopped the fight due to disqualification.

In the co-main event, St. Petersbught, FL, native Clarence Booth (21-4, 13 KOs) battled Alejandro Munera (6-4-4, 5 KOs) in an eight-round action-packed lightweight attraction. Throughout all eight rounds, Booth and Munera exchanged vicious power punches, but Booth’s power proved to be greater in the eighth and final round when scoring a technical knockout at 2:37. Continue reading “Calderon remains unbeaten”

Unbeaten 19-year-old junior middleweight Xander Zayas (11-0, 8 KOs) battered Dan Karpency (9-4-1, 4 KOs) for four rounds on Saturday night in the Herring-Stevenson co-feature at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Karpency couldn’t continue after round four.

Middleweight Nico Ali Walsh (2-0, 2 KOs), grandson of ring legend Muhammad Ali, stopped 36-year-old James Westley II (1-1, 0 KOs) in round three. Walsh dropped Westley at the end of round two. Westley’s corner waved the towel after another knockdown in round three. Time was 2:30.

Unbeaten junior middleweight Evan “Yung Holy” Holyfield (8-0, 6 KOs), son of ring legend Evander Holyfield, laid out Charles Stanford (6-4, 3 KOs) with a left/right combination in round two. Time was :30.

Unbeaten U.S. Olympian Troy “The Transformer” Isley (3-0, 2 KOs) scored a first round KO over Nicholi Navarro (2-2, 2 KOs) in a middleweight bout. Time was 2:48. Continue reading “Zayas, Ali Walsh, Yung Holy victorious”

The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee gave a 15-day time limit from October 21 to the teams of Raeese Aleem and Azat Hovannisian to reach an agreement for their super bantamweight eliminator fight, which will decide the next mandatory challenger in the category.

The pioneer organization denied the request for a postponement of the negotiations until November 29 submitted by Aleem’s team on the grounds that there are no valid reasons to do so. Continue reading “WBA sets deadline for Aleem-Hovannisian”

In an upset, Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen (5-0, 1 KO) won a ten round unanimous decision to dethrone WBO female minimumweight champion Etsuko Tada (20-4-3, 7 KOs) on Saturday night at Wadong Gymnasium in Ansan, South Korea. Nguyen built up an early lead and the 40-year-old Tada couldn’t make up the ground. Scores were 96-94 across the board.

Capable third man Mark Nelson will be the referee tonight when WBO junior lightweight champion Jamel Herring defends his world title against Shakur Stevenson from Atlanta on ESPN. Judges are Glenn Feldman, Ed Kanner and Rocky Young.

Jordan White 130.6 vs. Joe Perez 129
Demond Nicholson 169 vs. Victor Darocha 168.2
AJ Williams 166.4 vs. Ricardo Beccerril 167.2
Brandon Chambers 122.8 vs. Blake Quintana 121.2
Ebrima Jawara 132 vs. Christian Otero 132.2
Jaqeem Hutcherson 121.6 vs. Ernest Hall 121.2
Joe Veazey 148.4 vs. Shamir Rice 148.4
Chamar Flowers 127.6 vs. Antonio Dunton El Jr. 128

Venue: Live Casino Hotel Maryland, Hanover, Maryland
Promoter: Jeter Promotions (Christian and Tony Jeter)
1st Bell: 7 PM ET
Stream: BXNGTV.com

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Undefeated lightweight Miguel “El Explosivo” Madueño (26-0, 24 KOs) of Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico scored an impressive fifth-round knockout over Jose Luis “La Boa” Rodriguez (25-15-1, 13 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico Friday night in headlining Thompson Boxing’s “New Blood” series’ return to the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California. Continue reading “Madueno stops Rodriguez, remains unbeaten”

Former WBC super flyweight champion Ganigan “El Maravilla” Lopez (37-11, 19 KOs) was victorious against previously undefeated Jose Soto (15-1, 6 KOs) on Friday night at the Deportivo Ocenia in Mexico City to claim the vacant WBA Fedecentro title. 39-year-old local hero Lopez suffered a bloody gash inside his hairline from a head clash in round four. Another head clash in round five left Lopez with a vertical cut over his left eye. The bout was then stopped and Soto was disqualified. The headbutts didn’t seem intentional and Soto was winning the fight. Curious ending.

In a clash for the vacant WBC world championship in the new bridgerweight division, Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (28-1, 19 KOs) scored a hard fought twelve round unanimous decision over Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (13-0, 13 KOs) on Friday night at L’Olympia in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The fight was an entertaining slugfest. Rivas rocked Rozicki at the end of round one. Both landed good shots in round two. Rozicki outbrawled Rivas in rounds three and four. Rivas started turning the tables in rounds five through seven. Rivas started to stick and move in round eleven. Rozicki took some big shots. Rivas was deducted a point for a low blow in round twelve. Scores were 116-111, 115-112, 115-112.

In a rematch, 38-year-old cruiserweight Francis Charbonneau (4-1, 1 KO) won a four round unanimous decision over 40-year-old Alexandre “The Dancer” Roberge (1-2, 0 KOs) in the Rivas-Rozicki co-feature on Friday night at L’Olympia in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Charbonneau dropped Roberge hard in round one, but Roberge survived the round. Scores were 40-35, 39-36, 39-36. In March, Charbonneau edged Roberge by six-round split decision. The bout was a fundraiser.

Unbeaten light heavyweight Terry Osias (10-0, 4 KOs) outpointed Joaquin Murrieta (9-10-3, 7 KOs) over six workmanlike rounds. Scores were 60-54 3x.

Unbeaten heavyweight Alexis Barriere (4-0, 3 KOs) went the distance for the first time in a four round unanimous decision over 41-year-old bridgerweight Rafael “Rafaga” Abdala (5-2, 3 KOs). Three knockdowns in round one, the first two scored by Barriere, the third by Abdala. Barriere outboxed Abdala after that. Scores were 40-36 3x.

Unbeaten junior middleweight Kevin Menoche (5-0, 4 KOs) took a close four round unanimous decision over Thad Ridsdill (2-3-1, 1 KO). Menoche scored a flash knockdown in round one and that was the difference. Scores were 39-36, 38-37, 38-37.

Jamel Herring 129.8 vs. Shakur Stevenson 130
(WBO junior lightweight title)

Herring and Stevenson faced off for about 45 seconds. They were separated after Stevenson made a grab at Herring’s belt.

Xander Zayas 153.2 vs. Dan Karpency 153.2
Nico Ali Walsh 162 vs. James Westley II 159.6
Evan Holyfield 151.6 vs. Charles Stanford 151.6
Troy Isley 156.8 vs. Nicholi Navarro 156
Roddricus Livsey 142.4 vs. Eric Palmer 141
Haven Brady Jr 127 vs. Roberto Negrete 127
Antoine Cobb 144.2 vs. Jerrion Campbell 142.4
Harley Mederos 136 vs. Deljerro Revello 135.8

Venue: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN, ESPN+

WBA welterweight titleholder Jamal “Shango” James will look to move one step closer to the very top of the welterweight division when he takes on unbeaten contender Radzhab Butaev in a Showtime-televised matchup on October 30 in Las Vegas.

“I’m looking to make a big statement in this fight,” said James. “This will be my first title defense and my first time fighting on Showtime and in Las Vegas. My whole mindset is to come out and show out so that everyone knows I’m a major player in this division. I have to prove to everyone why I deserve the biggest fights.” Continue reading “James looking to make a big statement”

Ex-champ Kurihara regains OPBF 118lb belt

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten lanky southpaw, IBF#6 Andy Hiraoka (18-0, 13 KOs), 139.75, seized a couple of vacant Japanese and WBO Asia Pacific 140-pound belts when he decked unbeaten hard-puncher, 20-year-old Jin Sasaki (11-1, 10 KOs), 144 (who failed to make weight by four pounds), three times and finally halted him at 1:58 of the eleventh round in a scheduled twelve on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. The 5’11” Andy, the son of a Ghanan-American trainer Justice, used to be a track and field runner before he concentrated on boxing, and his physical flexibility and reflexes are very excellent. Continue reading “Hiraoka wins vacant Japanese, WBO AP 140lb belts”

Tonight in Montreal, either Oscar Rivas or Ryan Rozicki will be crowned as the first WBC bridgerweight champion. It has been 34 years since professional boxing has added a new weight division, the last being the strawweight division in 1987.

The 80s were a busy time with no less than four new divisions catching hold. The WBC started the championships in the cruiserweight and super flyweight divisions, while the IBF initiated the belts for the strawweight and super middleweight divisions. The remaining sanctioning bodies eventually accepted the new divisions within a few years. This all took place before the WBO was founded in 1988.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Hall of Fame boxing trainer Johnny Lewis, who trained greats like Jeff Fenech, Kostya Tszyu and Jeff Harding, has teamed up with Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Harry Garside. Lewis will now coach the classy lightweight, who will make his pro debut on the undercard of WBO #1 Tim Tszyu vs. WBO #7 Takeshi Inoue on November 17 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney promoted by George Rose of No Limit Boxing Promotions. Continue reading “Lewis to train Olympian medalist Garside”

The second installment of Boxeo Telemundo will take place tonight with a live audience from Deportivo Ocenia in Mexico City, Mexico. The main event will feature undefeated super flyweight contender Jose Soto (15-0, 6 KOs) of Colombia against former WBC world champion Ganigan “El Maravilla” Lopez (36-11, 19 KOs) of nearby Amecameca, Mexico. The bout is scheduled for 10 rounds and for the vacant WBA Fedecentro super flyweight title. All Star Boxing, Inc will promote the show.

The 23-year-old Lopez will be fighting outside of his native Colombia for the first time as a professional boxer. He is looking forward to showcasing his talents on Telemundo and defeating a former world champion in his own backyard.

Please speak about your amateur boxing career.

I had 250 amateur fights and won several national titles.

How do you feel about fighting on Telemundo for the first time?

Honestly, it has had me very motivated while preparing for my upcoming fight. I thank God first of all for this opportunity. This will be my first time fighting on Telemundo and outside my country in Mexico.

Do you feel a bit of urgency to win more convincingly or by knockout since you are fighting as the visitor?

I am going to show my technical boxing ability as well as my power. To answer your question, yes, my objective is to win by knockout.

What do you know about your opponent?

I know he is a former world champion who is very experienced. He is also a southpaw.

What would a victory tonight do for your career?

It will get me known outside of my country and also will help me to continue to earn a higher world ranking. I am ready to show that I am a proud Colombian fighter who wants to not only become a world champion but to make history as well.

* * *

The evening’s co-main event is a crossroads clash in the flyweight division as Ivan “Tsunami” Garcia (7-1-1, 5 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico squares off against Mario “Mayonesas” Andrade (16-13-7, 5 KOs) of Distrito Federal, Mexico in an 8 round bout.

The special attraction of the night will feature a battle of undefeated bantamweights as Brandon “Raton” Jimenez(4-0 1 KO) faces Kevin “Avispa” Cisneros (3-0 3 KO’s) over 6 rounds.

* * *

Jose Soto vs “Maravilla” Lopez airs live tonight 12AM/ Check Local Listings

Probellum, the new promotional outfit headed by Richard Schaefer, continued its signing spree with an agreement with Moron Boxing, operated by Rafael Moron. The company have held events in Venezuela over 20 years, and have already held four events in 2021.

“Moron Boxing have become a huge force in Venezuela and so we’re delighted to now join forces with them,” said Schaefer. Continue reading “Probellum partners with Moron Boxing”

Middleweight Jason Quigley (19-1, 14 KOs) hosted a press conference in Ireland ahead of his against Demetrius Andrade (30-0, 18 KOs) for the WBO middleweight title at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire on November 19, live worldwide on DAZN.

“He needs fights and the big guns are avoiding him. I’ll happily step in and bring that title back to Ireland.

“I’m at the perfect stage in my life and my career to deal with this situation. I’m not the young kid now living for the whole excitement of fighting for a world title. Continue reading “Quigley talks about Andrade challenge”

Five-time world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and unbeaten lightweight contender Rolando “Rolly” Romero went face-to-face Thursday at a press conference to preview their PPV showdown for Davis’ WBA lightweight championship on Sunday, December 5 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Gervonta Davis: “He’s been talking for a long time. He’s trying to sell a fight, but I’m going to show him that he’s a chump on December 5. I’m not here to talk, I’m here to fight. I don’t take this personally. To me, this isn’t beef, this is business.”

Rolly Romero: “He’s got such a big head, it’s going to be hard to miss it. He gets touched up by every opponent he faces. Leo Santa Cruz was beating him up and Barrios was getting to him too…everyone’s going to see December 5, I’m going to knock Gervonta the f*** out. I hope you hear that.”

They started as acquaintances, but once Jamel Herring acquired the belt Shakur Stevenson wanted, the friendly vibes went out the window. Herring will defend his WBO junior lightweight world title against former featherweight champion Stevenson on Saturday night from State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

When Herring and Stevenson had their final faceoff, the fighters and their teams exchanged verbal barbs, with Stevenson grabbing Herring’s belt on multiple occasions. They were separated and will resume the jawing at Friday’s weigh-in.

Jamel Herring: “It’s not personal, it’s just business. We’re building a fight is all it means to me. I’ve heard worse and been through worse.”

Shakur Stevenson: “It’s definitely not personal, just business at the end of the day. He’s not my friend…I don’t talk to Jamel Herring outside of boxing.”

Continue reading “Herring-Stevenson Final Press Conference”

Jose Soto 113 vs. Ganigan “Maravilla” Lopez 114
(WBA Fedecentro super flyweight title)

Ivan “Tsunami” Garcia 111 vs. Mario “Mayonesas” Andrade 110
Brandon “Raton” Jimenez 113 vs. Kevin “Avispa” Cisneros 113
Javier “Fantasma” Calderon 108 vs. Aaron De La Cruz 108
Brian Axel Mora 152 vs. Axl Melendez 152
Vicente Barush Granados 144 vs. Luis Amauri Gonzalez 145
Juan Valdez Palma 107 vs. Luis “Tito” Gonzalez 107
Anthony Andres Fortozo 124 vs. Eric Pabon 124

Venue: Deportivo Ocenia in Mexico City
Promoter: All Star Boxing
TV: Telemundo

Undisputed junior welterweight world champion Josh Taylor’s title defense against top contender Jack Catterall — originally scheduled for Dec. 18 at The OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland — has been postponed to Saturday, Feb. 26 at the same venue due to a knee injury Taylor suffered in training.

Miguel Angel Madueño 136.6 vs. Jose Luis Rodriguez 135.9
Eros Correa 120.7 vs.Katsuma Akitsumgi 119.5
Anthony Chavez 128 vs. Brandon Benitez 127.1
Esteban Muñoz 141.6 vs. Manuel Martinez 141.4
Lazaro Vargas 121.5 vs. Ulises Rosales 119.4

Venue: Doubletree Hotel, Ontario, California
Promoter: Thompson Boxing
TV: Thompson Boxing Facebook/YouTube