Canelo Alvarez hopes to turn Miami into another home base for his fights as he prepares to defend his WBC and WBA super middleweight titles against mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim on Saturday night (February 27) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, live worldwide on DAZN and on TV Azteca in Mexico.

Canelo (54-1-2 36 KOs) is swiftly back in action after dominating Callum Smith in San Antonio, Texas in December to land the titles he defends against Yildirim (21-2 12 KOs) this weekend.

He must see off the challenge of the Turk if he’s to build towards becoming the first undisputed champion at 168lbs, but the fight also sees the 30-year-old four-weight champion in Florida for the first time as a world champion. Continue reading “Canelo happy to bring fight to Miami”

By Zach Hirsch

Former world champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley will make his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) debut March 19 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi. Corley will meet fellow boxer Reggie Barnett in a lightweight world title eliminator. The winner will face newly crowned champion and former world boxing contender Dat Nguyen at a future date to be confirmed. Continue reading “Ex-champ “Chop Chop” Corley to debut in BKFC”

Scholas Occurentes, a non-religious foundation of Pope Francis in association with the WBC, has designated the Canelo-Yildirim as a “Fight for Peace” in tribute to inclusion and continuous efforts to build bridges and promote peace in the world.  Canelo is an observant Christian, while Avni is a devout Muslim.
—–
Frank Warren has announced that #1 ranked WBO super middleweight Zach Parker (19-0, 13 KOs) has signed to fight under the Queensberry Promotions banner and be showcased live on the BT Sport platform. He next will fight on a March 26th show at the Copperbox Arena.
—–
Canelo and Avni Yildirim did a photo op together earlier today at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Canelo is currently a 62:1 favorite to defeat his mandatory WBC challenger.

WBA/WBC super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and manager/trainer Eddy Reynoso arrive at the bubble for fight week for his bout against Avni Yildirim. The two will meet at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FL this Saturday on DAZN.

By Jeff Zimmerman

Former WBO super lightweight champ Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker talks to Fightnews.com® about his Big D showdown against undefeated, rising star Vergil Ortiz Jr. at welterweight on Saturday, March 20 at Dickies Arena in Ft Worth, Texas.

–

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former IBF middleweight champion Sam” King” Soliman (46-14-1, 19 KOs) returns to ring action against Nigerian King Davidson (20-3, 13 KOs) at the Bankstown Paceway, Condell Park on March 13. “I am in the best shape of my career at the age of 47 years,” Soliman told Paul Nasari on Radio 2BACR. “I have trained hard for this fight and know I am the underdog like I have been in many of my fights but I will prove them wrong again on March 13.

“I beat Mark Lucas in April 2019 in my last fight and have been in the ring with boxing greats Jermain Taylor and Felix Sturm who I dominated to win the world title. The boxing fans will see Sam ‘King’ Soliman at his best at Bankstown on March 13.”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former WBC super middleweight champion Sakio “Scorpion” Bika (34-7-3, 22 KOs) will clash with Australasian cruiserweight champion Adam Stowe (6-2-2, 4 KOs) on Friday at the Cessnock Bowling Club, Cessnock, NSW, Australia “It will be a tough fight,” Bika said to the Newcastle Herald. “With my name, people always train hard before they fight me. I have to respect my opponent. I will tend to my business and, of course, win the fight. I want to win every round. Can I stop this guy? I don’t know. Can I win this fight? Yes I will win it.”

Bika has previously been in wars with Joe Calzaghe, Andre Ward, Adonis Stevenson and Sam Soliman. He held the WBC belt for 14 months in 2013-2014.

Unbeaten WBC-ranked cruiserweight Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (12-0, 12 KOs) of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, returns to the ring April 24 at the Griffins Studio in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Rozicki’s opponent for the eight round main event will be fellow unbeaten Salar Gholami (4-0, 2 KOs) of Toronto, Ontario, Canada by way of Tehran, Iran. Gholami had a standout amateur career with 300 fights.

“Most promoters would stay away from a fighter with so such an amateur pedigree but we feel all of Ryan’s fights will be step up fights, which will give him the tools needed as we move forward.” said Rozicki’s promoter Daniel Otter of Three Lions Promotions (3LP). Continue reading “Rozicki back in action April 24”

In a clash between unbeaten middleweights, Richard “Cool Breeze” Brewart Jr. (9-0, 4 KOs) scored a controversial six round split decision over Nathan “100” Weston (6-1-2, 2 KOs) on Sunday afternoon at the Omega Products International Event Center in Corona, California. Weston dropped Brewart in round one, then seemingly outboxed Brewart the rest of the way. Scores, however, were 58-55, 58-55 for the house fighter Brewart, with Weston prevailing 57-56 on the third card.

Other Results:
Katsuma Akitsugi W6 Arnold Dinong (super bantamweight)
Nelson Oliva TKO2 Uriel Gonzalez (middleweight)

By Hesiquio Balderas

Oscar Valdez’s outstanding game plan, willingness to win, and his desire to be world champion paid off in a big way. “I finally fulfilled my childhood dream to be WBC world champion. I am very happy right now with this victory, the biggest of my career. I want to thank everyone who doubted me,” said Valdez.

The 130-pound weight class is one of the most talent-filled divisions in boxing. Valdez ahead of the bunch that includes Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson, Jamel Herring, Carl Frampton, Leo Santa Cruz, and JoJo Diaz, but Oscar wants it all. Continue reading “Oscar Valdez wants to unify 130lb titles”

Newly crowned WBC super featherweight champion Oscar Valdez spoke about his impressive performance in dethroning Miguel Berchelt on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

“There’s nothing better in life than proving people wrong,” said Valdez. “I have a list of people who doubted me. My idols doubted me. Boxing analysts doubted me. They said Berchelt was going to knock me out. I have a message to everybody: Don’t’ let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do.

“I’m so happy right now, I can almost do a backflip like Teofimo Lopez. I want to take this belt home, and I’m happy for that. Any champion out there… I heard Shakur Stevenson wants to fight. Let’s do it. I just want to keep on fighting and give the fans what they want.”

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum added, “Oscar Valdez proved he is one of the great Mexican champions. An absolute masterpiece in the ring tonight.”

By Zach Hirsch ringside

Unbeaten hometown welterweight favorite Harold Calderon (24-0, 17 KOs) defeated upset specialist Jonathan Jose Eniz (25-15-1, 10 KOs) of Argentina by unanimous ten round decision on Saturday night at the Doubletree Miamimart Hotel, in Miami, Florida. The official scores were 100-90 twice and 98-92. all in favor of Calderon. A solid victory for Calderon over a dangerous opponent on any given night. Eniz’ record can be a bit deceiving. His last four losses were to opponents with a combined record of 85-0. Eniz also has had his share of upsets including a win over former world champion Cesar Cuenca and a main event decision win as the visiting fighter in Europe in 2019.

Unbeaten WBO #4 middleweight Kanat Islam (28-0, 21 KOs) stopped formerly world ranked Jeyson Minda of Ecuador in round six. Continue reading “Calderon, Islam win in Miami”

Unbeaten super lightweight Gustavo Daniel Lemos (26-0, 16 KOs) stopped countryman Damian Daniel Fernandez (13-3, 5 KOs) in round 1 of the scheduled for 10 round main event. The event took place at the Argentina Club Talleres, Arroyo Seco, in Santa Fe, Argentina. Lemos came out aggressive from the opening bell throwing both head and body shots. He trapped Fernandez against the ropes and landed a left that stunned him and then an overhand right that sent him into the ropes. He then stumbled badly and was very unsteady on his legs. The referee then rightfully stopped the fight. Lemos retained his International title.

Undefeated former featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez (29-0, 23 KOs) brutally knocked out and dethroned WBC super featherweight world champion Miguel “Alacran” Berchelt. (38-2, 34 KOs) in round ten on Saturday night inside “The Bubble” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Valdez outboxed Berchelt over the first three rounds, then staggered Berchelt in round four. Valdez was credited with a knockdown when Berchelt reeled into the ropes. Berchelt was wobbling all over until the bell. Berchelt recovered and began to ramp up his offense in round six. Valdez dropped Berchelt again in round nine. The end came in round ten when Valdez knocked Berchelt out cold with a huge left hand. Berchelt fell face first. The time was 2:59.

At the time of the KO, Valdez was ahead 89-80, 88-81, and 87-82. It was a masterclass by Valdez.

Former four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner (34-4-1, 24 KOs) ended his two-year hiatus from boxing with a twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Jovanie Santiago (14-1-1, 10 KOs) in a welterweight bout on Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Santiago pressed the action and outlanded Broner for much of the fight. Referee Arthur Mercante Jr. deducted a point from Santiago for a punch after the bell in round four.

Santiago seriously outperformed Broner on punch output. He connected on 207 of 697 punches, more than doubling Broner’s 98 connects on 338 punches. Judges, however, preferred Broner’s work over Santiago’s volume and body punching. Scores were 115-112, 116-111, 117-110 for Broner.

IBF #14, WBA #15 heavyweight Otto Wallin (22-1, 14 KOs) outworked former world title challenger Dominic Breazeale (20-3, 18 KOs) to take a twelve round unanimous decision. Scores were 116-112, 117-111, 118-110.

Former IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr. (23-1-1, 14 KOs) scored an uneventful twelve round unanimous decision over Ryan Martin (24-2, 14 KOs) in a super lightweight bout. Scores were 117-111, 118-110, 118-110.

By Héctor Villarreal

In the main event of the first boxing card held in Panama in more than a year, Roger Saldaña (6-0-1, 2 KOs) stayed undefeated by winning a close decision over Johnny Garay (7-5-2, 7 KOs) to claim the Panamanian National championship of the light flyweight division on the main event of the G&V Entertainment at the Hotel El Panama, which accomplished all of the anti Covid-19 health and safety measures. After 8 rounds of intense action, all three judges scored the fight 76-75.

Rising junior lightweight Gabriel Flores Jr. (20-0, 7 KOs) scored sixth round KO over former world title challenger Jayson Velez (29-8-1, 21 KOs) in the co-feature for Berchelt-Valdez on Saturday night inside “The Bubble” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Flores dropped Valez in round six, then finished the job with his follow-up barrage. Time was 1:47.

Unbeaten IBF #5, WBO #5, WBC #7 middleweight Esquiva Falcao (28-0, 20 KOs) was victorious when two-time world title challenger Artur Akavov (20-4, 9 KOs) couldn’t continue four rounds due to a broken nose. 2012 Olympic silver medalist Falcao is ready for better competition. Continue reading “Flores Jr. KOs Velez in six”

Former WBA super middleweight champion and reigning WBA gold champion Fedor Chudinov (23-2-1, 16 KOs) fought to a surprising ten round draw against former contender Isaac Chilemba (26-7-3, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at the Vegas City Hall in Krasnogorsk, Russia. Both men had their moments with Chudinov doing better late. Roy Jones Jr. was working Chilemba’s corner. The result snaps a nine-fight win streak for Chudinov.

European welterweight champion David Avanesyan (27-3-1, 15 KOs) scored a sixth round KO over previously unbeaten 2016 Olympian Josh Kelly (10-1-1, 6 KOs) on Saturday night at the SSE Arena in London. Kelly started strong, but Avanesyan turned the tide and battered Kelly to the canvas twice in round six to end it. Continue reading “Avanesyan stops Kelly in six”

Dillian Whyte’s eagerly anticipated rematch with Alexander Povetkin is heading to Gibraltar on a new date of March 27, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in all other markets. Whyte was set to face Povetkin on March 6, but travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic have meant the fight has been pushed back three weeks.

Whyte will be attempting to avenge his shock knockout defeat to Povetkin last summer, with an announcement on a venue coming soon. Continue reading “Povetkin-Whyte 2 postponed to March 27”

Richard Brewart Jr. 155.7 vs. Nathan Weston 155.9
Arnold Dinong 123.9 vs Katsuma Akitsugi 124
Nelson Oliva 155.6 vs. Uriel Gonzalez 157.8

Venue: Omega Products International Event Center in Corona, CA
Promoter: Thompson Boxing
TV: Facebook and YouTube