IBF #4, WBC #9, WBO #13 heavyweight Filip Hrgović (12-0, 10 KOs) and unbeaten Marko Radonjic (22-0, 22 KOs) weighed in today for Friday’s clash at the Wörthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria, live on RTL in Croatia and DAZN in over 190 countries and territories worldwide. According to Hrgović’s promoter, all of the IBF top 15 turned down the opportunity to face him in a final eliminator to become mandatory challenger for Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight crown.

Hrgović weighed 247 lbs., Radonjic weighed 249.

By Robert Coster

Dominican minimumweight prodigy Erick “Mini-Pacman” Rosa (4-0, 1 KO) will challenge reigning WBA champion Victorio Saludar (21-4, 11 KOs) of the Philippines on December 9 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Rosa was previously the WBA interim champion but that title was scrapped by the WBA as a consequence of the reform of its rankings and Rosa became Saludar’s number one mandatory challenger. The card will be sponsored by Shuan Boxing Promotion. The 21-year-old Rosa made boxing history upon turning pro in 2020 by winning two regional titles in his very first pro bout.

By Boxing Bob Newman

WBC super featherweight champion Oscar Valdez and Challenger Robson Conceção took the stage at the sunset room of Casino of the Sun, just down the street from The AV Amphitheater at Casino del Sol, where they will swap leather Friday night on ESPN. Chief supporting combatants Gabriel Flores Jr. and Luis Alberto Lopez Vargas we’re also on the stage to answer questions from host Mark Shunock.

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Ring legend Evander Holyfield spoke about stepping in for Oscar De La Hoya to face UFC fighter Vitor Belfort on short notice on Saturday night on pay-per-view from Hard Rock LIVE at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

“When Oscar De La Hoya came down with COVID, they asked me to fight Vitor Belfort,” said Holyfield. “Training is what I do. Like I tell the young people, if you do things right it will work out for you. That works for older folks too.

“Boxing is a game and I know how to prepare for it against Vitor Belfort. I’m sure if I was getting in his game, I’d be in trouble but he’s getting into my game so he’s in trouble. Continue reading “Holyfield: I don’t get out of shape”

MMA legend Vitor Belfort spoke about meeting late sub Evander Holyfield Saturday night on pay-per-view from Hard Rock LIVE at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

“I don’t see the change in opponent as a problem, I see it as an opportunity. And this is a huge opportunity for me to face a legend like Evander Holyfield,” said Belfort Wednesday.

“In boxing, there are too many big fights that aren’t happening. Oscar and Evander truly built the sport of boxing during their careers. Evander’s a hall of famer and I’m very excited to be fighting him.” Continue reading “Belfort: Speed, power more important than size”

Below is an official statement from Patrick Cunningham, Executive Director of the Florida State Boxing Commission:

“The Florida Athletic Commission has approved the Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort bout as a fully regulated professional boxing match. It will be conducted under the Unified Rules of Boxing and scored by three judges on the 10-point must system.

“All boxers on this card have successfully met all requirements to be licensed by the Florida Athletic Commission.”

Holyfield last fought ten years ago at age 48 against Brian Nielsen. Evander turns 59 next month.

WBC Heavyweight World Champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury and former longtime heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder have restarted their long-running rivalry and stated their intent to finally settle the score when they meet for the third time on PPV October 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Tyson Fury: “I’m going to knock Deontay Wilder spark out and it’s going to be even quicker than our last fight. If he couldn’t beat me after three years out of the ring and 10 stone weight loss, he’s never beating me. None of them will. They’re just hyped-up bums. All of them. Wilder, Joshua, Usyk. They’re all bums. Compared to me, they’re no good.”

Deontay Wilder: Hopefully Fury is confident enough to go through with this fight because I’m going to be a reinvented Deontay Wilder on October 9. This training camp has rejuvenated me. It’s refreshed me. The key to victory in this fight is having a violent mind, but approaching it with calmness. I have all the right people around me and we’re looking forward to October 9. I just hope Fury is ready to put on a show for the fans and make history once again.”

WBC super featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez and challenger Robson Conceicao faced off at the final press conference for their ESPN+ showdown on Friday evening at the AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona. Conceicao defeated Valdez by one point in the finals of the 2009 Pan American Games, so the amateur rivals have a professional score to settle.

Oscar Valdez: “I feel blessed that I get the chance to step in the ring on September 10. I’m very grateful to Top Rank, the Pascua Yaqui {Tribal Gaming Commission} for letting this fight proceed…we know we did nothing wrong. We’re going to be real concentrated for this fight.”

Robson Conceicao: “About the problem with the champion, what is done is done. There is no explanation, but I’m here to do my best and fight the greatest fight of my life.”

Full Quotes

Light heavyweight contenders Robin Krasniqi (51-6, 19 KOs) and Dominic Bösel (31-2, 12 KOs) faced off in the kick-off press conference for their final WBA world title eliminator on October 9 at the GETEC Arena in Magdeburg, Germany. Krasniqi surprisingly knocked out Bösel in round three of their WBA interim title fight 12 months ago, however, WBA has since been phased out interim belts. Krasniqi’s IBO belt will be on the line.

Robin Krasniqi: “I have enjoyed every second as world champion since the win in October 2020. I’ve fulfilled my big dream and nobody can take it away from me. It’s my greatest success and it took a long time, but I never gave up and always working towards the big and only goal! Even now, I’m highly motivated again!” Continue reading “Krasniqi-Boesel Kickoff Press Conference”

Professional boxing returns to the Greater Pittsburgh area Saturday night, September 18, as Gionta Management presents “Murrysville Madness” at Murrysville SportZone in Murrysville, Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh junior lightweight Matt “Sweet Child” Conway (19-2, 8 KOs) will headline in the eight round main event against an opponent to be finalized. In the six round co-feature, super middleweight Kiante Irving (9-0, 9 KOs), a 2018 National Golden Gloves Champion, plans to keep his perfect pro record intact against Antonio Louis Hernandez (5-11-3, 3 KOs). Also, lightweight Ryizeemmion “The Humble Beast” Ford (5-1-0, 3 KOs) steps up in his first scheduled six-rounder versus an opponent to be determined.

It’s been a hell of a September with COVID knocking out the biggest fight each weekend. David Benavidez (Sept 4), Oscar de la Hoya (Sept 11), and Brandon Figueroa (Sept 18). Hopefully we can get to the Sept 25 Joshua-Usyk clash with no more problems.

Just two be clear, fight fans buying Holyfield-Belfort on FITE.tv will have a choice between two audio feeds. The main Triller broadcast will have Jim Lampley and Shawn Porter calling the action. Former President Donald Trump’s boxing commentary will be on an alternate audio feed available on FITE.tv.

Looks like Snoop Dogg isn’t coming to Florida where he’d be in trouble for sparking one up on the air.

Game of Thrones star and “2018 World’s Strongest Man” Thor Bjornsson returns to the ring next Saturday at the Sport Society in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Thor takes on Devon Larratt, who is considered one of the best arm wrestlers of all time. This is Thor’s third time in the ring following exhibition bouts with pro boxers Steven Ward and Simon Vallily earlier this year.

Also on the Dubai card is WBC #14, WBA #15, IBF #15 heavyweight Martin Bakole (16-1, 12 KOs) against Haruna Osumanu (11-2, 7 KOs).

Top Rank has inked a four-year multimedia agreement with ESPN KNOCKOUT, which is available in 25 Spanish-speaking territories. ESPN KNOCKOUT airs a lot of great fights not available in the U.S. What we really need to do is this deal in reverse and get ESPN KNOCKOUT fights up here on ESPN+.

Three of the four bouts on this Saturday’s Holyfield-Belfort card at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, are celebrity matches. However, the clash between WBA #4 super featherweight Jono Carroll (19-2-1, 5 KOs) and WBA #7 Andy Vences (23-2-1, 12 KOs) has world title ramifications. Carroll-Vences has now taken on even more significance with the WBA upgrading the bout to a world title eliminator. The bout is pick’em at several sportsbooks.

Friday’s clash between heavyweight contender Tony Yoka (10-0, 8 KOs) and Peter Milas (15-0, 11 KOs) will headline a scheduled three-fight telecast streaming live in the United Stateson ESPN+. The event takes place at Roland Garros, site of the French Open. This marks the first boxing show to take place at the famed tennis venue since 1973.

WBC #3 rated former world title challenger Igor Mikhalkin (24-2, 11 KOs) takes on WBC #5, IBF #7, WBO #10, WBA #12 Mathieu Bauderlique (20-1, 11 KOs) for the vacant European Union light heavyweight title.

WBA #14 super welterweight Souleymane Cissokho (13-0, 8 KOs) will defend his WBA Intercontinental strap against Ismail Iliev (13-2-1, 3 KOs). Continue reading “Yoka-Milas undercard fights set”

There goes September 18.

With Canelo-Plant getting pushed back to November and DAZN’s proposed Mikey Garcia card falling apart, the coveted Mexican Independence Day Weekend fight date was owned lock, stock, and barrel by Showtime’s attractive title unification clash between unbeaten super bantamweight world champions Brandon “Heartbreaker” Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KOs) and Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton Jr. (19-0, 8 KOs) from the Park Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

Unfortunately, Figueroa announced on social media that he has contracted COVID and the fight is postponed. Continue reading “COVID KOs Figueroa, Sept 18 bout postponed”

WBA welterweight world champion Yordenis Ugás was honored with the “Key to the City” of Miami by Mayor Francis Suarez this afternoon during a ceremony at Mayor Suarez’s office. Ugás defeated legendary eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao on August 21 to retain his title in a fight viewed by millions around the world. Continue reading “Ugas honored with Key to Miami”

FITE has announced that former President Donald J. Trump will provide live commentary from the Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida during Saturday’s Holyfield-Belfort pay-per-view telecast. According to Triller, Trump will give unfiltered boxing commentary on an alternate audio feed that has to be ordered directly from FITE.tv. He will call all four fights and be joined by Donald Trump Jr.

Triller PPVs are known for their offbeat commentary.

“I love great fighters and great fights. I look forward to seeing both this Saturday night and sharing my thoughts ringside. You won’t want to miss this special event,” said Trump.

IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards has suffered an ankle injury and his planned world title defense against Jayson Mama scheduled for this Saturday has been postponed. Edwards was due to put his title on the line against Mama on a Queensberry Promotions show at the Copper Box Arena in London.

“I’m gutted that my fight on Saturday is off,” said Edwards. “I will have a rescheduled date ASAP. I want to apologize firstly to my opponent Jayson and his team, as I understand the frustration they must be feeling, secondly to Frank Warren and BT as my homecoming was set to be the biggest night of my career. Continue reading “Edwards injured, Mama bout postponed”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Triller Fight Club’s Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. exhibition last November was the eighth biggest PPV event of all time, but it doesn’t sound like Triller will be bringing us Iron Mike in a third encounter with archrival Evander Holyfield anytime soon.

“We have been told that he is scared to fight Evander,” Triller boss Ryan Kavanaugh told Sky Sports. “There has been back and forth hoopla, there is a massive payday ready for Mike to fight on Thanksgiving. A massive payday, one of his biggest! But we can’t seem to push it along. Now I have heard, from a number of reliable sources, that Mike is too scared. He thinks Evander would knock him out. We have an offer out to Mike [to fight Holyfield]. Continue reading “Triller Boss: Tyson scared to fight Holyfield”

Fire Fist Boxing Promotions returns on October 16 to Banquet Masters in Clearwater, Florida. Headlining will be a ten round 140-pound showdown between Joseph Fernandez (13-3-3, 4 KOs) and Jose Forero (13-8-1, 11 KOs) for the ABF Atlantic championship.

In an eight round heavyweight matchup where somebody’s 0 must go, Geovanny “La Bestia” Bruzon (6-0, 5 KOs) faces Lenier Pero (5-0, 3 KOs). Local middleweight Arnold Hill (11-16, 6 KOs) meets Emmanuel Sanchez (7-15-1, 1 KO) in a six rounder. Lightweight Willian “Baby Face” Silva (28-3, 16 KOs) and light heavyweight Imran Haddabah (2-0, 2 KOs) are scheduled to appear against opponents to be named. Continue reading “Boxing back in Clearwater, FL on Oct 16”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Rising contender Gabriel Flores Jr. shared his thoughts on the Oscar Valdez situation as Flores Jr. is the co-main event on the card vs. Luis Alberto Lopez on Friday, Sept. 10 in Tucson, AZ and shown live on ESPN+.

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After last week’s sudden main event change AND venue change, things finally look sorted out for Triller’s “Legends II” pay-per-view on Saturday.

As previously reported, former heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield has stepped in for COVID-stricken Oscar De La Hoya against UFC favorite Vitor Belfort. In addition, the event has moved from Staples Center in Los Angeles to the Hard Rock LIVE at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Tickets start at $81 and will go up to $506 and the Hard Rock Live venue will be scaled back to only take a relatively small crowd. The PPV price is $49.99. Continue reading “Holyfield-Belfort Ticket Alert”

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

Last week was one of the most difficult ones since I have led the organization I proudly chair: the World Boxing Council (WBC).

The easy and utterly mistaken option would be to describe it as “a week to forget.” That would be a very serious mistake. Forgetting important events, especially challenging ones, is something that should never happen. We must always remember what happened, to serve as teaching and inspiration to continue moving forward, seeking to improve things and, in our case, on how to make boxing safer and fairer for athletes. Continue reading “Sulaimán: A Very Complicated Week”

Junior middleweight Xander Zayas (9-0, 7 KOs), the 19-year-old puncher from San Juan, will step up in class when he meets Jose Luis Sanchez (11-1-1, 4 KOs) in a six-round junior middleweight bout this Friday at the AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona.

Zayas-Sanchez and an eight-round lightweight battle between the unbeaten Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (12-0, 10 KOs) and Ecuador’s Jose Angulo (14-2, 7 KOs) will be part of the undercard of Oscar Valdez’s WBC super featherweight world title defense against unbeaten Brazilian Robson Conceição. Continue reading “Full Valdez-Conceição undercard”

By Bob Ryder

After a long pandemic enforced absence boxing returns this Friday night to Detroit’s Motor City Hotel-Casino. Promoter/matchmaker Carlos Llinas has scheduled a nine bout card headlined by Detroit’s Taylor Duerr taking on Mexico’s Josue Obando over six rounds in the main event. Undefeated cruiserweight Duerr (10-0-2, 7 KOs) will be looking to shake off some rust from his nearly two year layoff against ring vet Obando (20-30-2, 15 KOs). Obando was last seen here in the very same ring in 2018 losing a tough decision to Winfred Harris, Jr. A companion six round contest between welterweights Rolando Vargas (5-1, 5 KOs) and Akeem Jackson (5-2, 5 KOs) looks to be an evenly matched fight with potential for some fistic fireworks. Continue reading “Boxing Back at Motor City Casino”

Friday:

DAZN has unbeaten heavyweights Filip Hrgović (12-0, 10 KOs) and Marko Radonjic (22-0, 22 KOs) from Austria.

ESPN+ has unbeaten heavyweights Tony Yoka (10-0, 8 KOs) and Petar Milas (15-0, 11 KOs) from France.

ESPN+ has a big world title twin bill from Tucson with WBC super featherweight champion Oscar Valdez (29-0, 23 KOs) against Robson Conceicao (16-0, 8 KOs) and WBO flyweight champion Junto Nakatani (21-0, 16 KOs) against Angel Acosta (22-2, 21 KOs).

Saturday:

Triller PPV has late sub Evander Holyfield stepping in for ailing Oscar De La Hoya against Vitor Belfort. The card has shifted from Los Angeles to south Florida.