By Gabriel F. Cordero
After a three and a half month stoppage, the drawings for the National Lottery of Mexico will resume on July 12 with a special tribute to the legendary boxing world champion Julio César Chavez with a total prize of 24 million pesos (close to a million dollars).
The ticket has the image of Chavez in addition to the images of the logo of the World Boxing Council and a message saying “J.C. Chávez, Happy Birthday Champion!” Chavez (107-6-2, 85 KOs) will turn 58 on July 12.
By Gabriel F. Cordero After a three and a half month stoppage, the drawings for the National Lottery of Mexico will resume on July 12 with a special tribute to…
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Citing a rise in COVID-19 cases in the Houston area, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) canceled this weekend’s Force Train Promotions / NextFightUp 10-bout boxing card. The event was scheduled to air on the popular Facebook platform FightNight Live as a $5 pay-per-view. They will refund all pre-payments within 30 days.
Citing a rise in COVID-19 cases in the Houston area, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) canceled this weekend’s Force Train Promotions / NextFightUp 10-bout boxing card. The…
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Middleweight upset artist “Cassius” Clay Collard will fight LT “Smash” Nelson in a six-round bout on Tuesday on ESPN from”The Bubble” in Las Vegas. Collard, 3-0 in 2020 (all against previously undefeated fighters), took the “0” from highly decorated prospect David Kaminsky on June 18. Nelson is 5-3, 4 KOs in boxing and has a similar amount of experience in pro MMA and kickboxing.
Getting top billing are WBO junior lightweight champion Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring and 2016 U.S. Olympian Mikaela Mayer, both of whom are healthy following recent positive COVID-19 test results that delayed their fights, are primed for their “Bubble” debuts. Continue reading “Clay Collard returns July 14”
Middleweight upset artist “Cassius” Clay Collard will fight LT “Smash” Nelson in a six-round bout on Tuesday on ESPN from”The Bubble” in Las Vegas. Collard, 3-0 in 2020 (all against…
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By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán / President of the WBC
Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Durán managed to knock out the coronavirus, and is at home after a stay at the General Hospital in Panama. We had just finished celebrating the 40th anniversary of that historic triumph over Sugar Ray Leonard, which happened on June 20, 1980, when the news of Durán’s admission to the hospital was announced.
Roberto always showed positivity and tranquility, and put himself in the hands of doctors, nurses and the entire medical staff that was there to attend to him. The discharge from the hospital was very emotional, and demonstrated the greatness of all those heroes of humanity who are there ready to save the lives of whoever is in a difficult situation. Continue reading “Duran, The Great Warrior”
By Mauricio Sulaimán Son of José Sulaimán / President of the WBC Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Durán managed to knock out the coronavirus, and is at home after a stay…
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By Gilberto Jesús Mendoza
President, World Boxing Association
On behalf of the World Boxing Association and myself, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the personalities and members of the great boxing family who accompanied us during the celebration of our 99th Convention, from July 1 to 4, which ended with great success in terms of your participation and the high level of debate at each of the meetings and forums.
In the midst of the tough times in the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we, at the WBA undertook the challenge to overcome all the obstacles and move forward with creative solutions, embracing the motto that has forged the values and our identity through time: to be pioneers. Continue reading “WBA 99th Convention Wrapup”
By Gilberto Jesús Mendoza President, World Boxing Association On behalf of the World Boxing Association and myself, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the personalities and…
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Top Rank, Golden Boy, and Mayweather Promotions all reportedly participated in the government’s PPP lending program designed to keep businesses running during the shutdown.
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Top Rank has reserved the Las Vegas Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium for December 19 to potentially the third fight between WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. The 65,000-seat venue would have plenty of room for social distancing.
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With Billy Joe Saunders out, the Canelo sweepstakes contenders for Canelo’s next fight are looking like Callum Smith, John Ryder, Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Anthony Dirrell, or Ryota Murata.
Top Rank, Golden Boy, and Mayweather Promotions all reportedly participated in the government’s PPP lending program designed to keep businesses running during the shutdown. —– Top Rank has reserved the…
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Panel:
Boxing Bob Newman
Dan Rafael
Kevin Iole
Lance Pugmire
Ted Sares
Jill Diamond
Victor Silva
Mauricio Sulaiman
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Jose Zepeda 143.9 vs. Kendo Castaneda 143.9
Andy Vences 129.5 vs. Luis Alberto Lopez 128.2
Andres Cortes 132.5 vs. Alejandro Salinas 132.4
Gabriel Muratalla 118.9 vs. Sergio Lopez 119.1
Genaro Gamez 146 vs. Reymond Yanong 141.8
Eric Puente 135 vs. Diego Elizondo 135.9
Venue: “The Bubble,” MGM Grand, Las Vegas
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN
Jose Zepeda 143.9 vs. Kendo Castaneda 143.9 Andy Vences 129.5 vs. Luis Alberto Lopez 128.2 Andres Cortes 132.5 vs. Alejandro Salinas 132.4 Gabriel Muratalla 118.9 vs. Sergio Lopez 119.1 Genaro…
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The WBO Championship Committee has ordered a WBO lightweight elimination contest between WBO #2 Ryan “Kingry” Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs) and WBO #3 Emmanuel Tagoe (31-1, 15 KOs). Parties have twenty days to negotiate and reach an agreement. If an accord is not reached within the time frame, a purse bid will be ordered. The minimum acceptable bid is $150,000.
The WBO Championship Committee has ordered a WBO lightweight elimination contest between WBO #2 Ryan “Kingry” Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs) and WBO #3 Emmanuel Tagoe (31-1, 15 KOs). Parties have…
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Former WBA super welterweight world champion Jack Culcay (28-4, 13 KOs) will make a quick return against unbeaten Abass Baraou (9-0, 6 KOs) on August 28th at the Harvel Studios in Berlin. Culcay topped Howard Cospolite on June 12th in the first main event in Germany since the lockdown. The winner of the Culcay-Baraou fight will be elevated to #2 in the IBF world rankings.
Former WBA super welterweight world champion Jack Culcay (28-4, 13 KOs) will make a quick return against unbeaten Abass Baraou (9-0, 6 KOs) on August 28th at the Harvel Studios…
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The World Boxing Association (WBA) made public every decision regarding championships and qualifications after last Thursday’s meeting. The optional Brandon Figueroa vs. Damien Vazquez defense bout was approved.
Figueroa is the super bantamweight champion and was granted permission to defend the title against Vazquez (15-1-1, 8 KOs). On the other hand, Ronny Rios’ promoter (Golden Boy) had requested the fight against Figueroa. He will fight for the interim belt against a top world champion.
In the super lightweight division, the Gold champion Ismael Barroso got approval to fight the qualifying bout against a top-ranked opponent. Continue reading “WBA approves optional defenses, strips Besputin”
The World Boxing Association (WBA) made public every decision regarding championships and qualifications after last Thursday’s meeting. The optional Brandon Figueroa vs. Damien Vazquez defense bout was approved. Figueroa is…
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By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman spoke to Peter Manitias about the first WBC heavyweight champion Sonny Liston, being the son of Hall of Famer Jose Sulaiman, how boxing will come back from the coronavirus pandemic, and a possible Mike Tyson comeback. Continue reading “Interview: WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman”
By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman spoke to Peter Manitias about the first WBC heavyweight champion Sonny Liston, being the son of Hall of Famer…
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The super welterweight fight between former world title challenger Carlos “Chema” Ocampo and Jorge Luis “Chino” García was cancelled when Garcia’s trainer tested positive for Covid-19 before Saturday night’s card at TV Azteca Studios in Mexico City.
In the main event, female champion Jackie “Princesa Azteca” Nava (36-4-4, 16 KOs) unanimously outscored Estrella “Chacala” Valverde (18-7-2, 3 KOs) over ten in a super bantamweight fight. Scores were 99-91, 99-91, 100-90, 100-90, 100-90, 100-91, 100-91. Seven judges scored the bout remotely.
Super featherweight Mauricio “Bronco” Lara (19-2, 13 KOs) scored a first round TKO over Alejandro “Pistón” Palmero (12-6-1, 6 KOs). Time was 2:54.
Unbeaten featherweight Irving Turrubiates (23-0, 19 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO over Héctor “Ratón” Colín (10-13, 8 KOs). Official time was 1:57. Both fighters were down in an exciting fight.
Super flyweight Joel “Trino” Córdova (12-4-2, 2 KOs) ouscored Martín Tecuapetla (15-13-4, 10 KOs) over eight rounds. Scores were 77-75, 77-75, 79-74.
The super welterweight fight between former world title challenger Carlos “Chema” Ocampo and Jorge Luis “Chino” García was cancelled when Garcia’s trainer tested positive for Covid-19 before Saturday night’s card…
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By Boxing Bob Newman
WBA commence it’s 99th convention – virtual edition, with a worldwide gala fiesta. Featuring a DJ who was playing festive Latin music, the closing party was joined by WBA president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, modern legend Oscar de la Hoya, all-time legend Roberto Duran, (freshly discharged from the hospital after battling COVID-19), female champion Yessica Bopp, and the others from the WBA worldwide family. The countdown has begun for the WBA 100th convention in 2021, Moscow, Russia!
By Boxing Bob Newman WBA commence it’s 99th convention – virtual edition, with a worldwide gala fiesta. Featuring a DJ who was playing festive Latin music, the closing party was…
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By Boxing Bob Newman
Octavio Raúl Rodrígues Salazar, Gustavo Padilla, Raúl Cáiz, Jr., Luis Pabón and José Roberto Torres all participated in the WBA ring officials seminar as the last order of the day for the 99th WBA convention online.
Preparation of ring officials as always, is extremely important. Everything from pre-fight diet, having extra pens (for judges), mental and physical conditioning are all paramount to carrying out the responsibilities of judges and referees.
Several hypothetical, situational exercises were held combining both judging and referee issues. Slips versus knockdowns, cuts caused by unintentional head clashes, etc. were discussed. Continue reading “Ring Officials Seminar closes out WBA 99th Convention”
By Boxing Bob Newman Octavio Raúl Rodrígues Salazar, Gustavo Padilla, Raúl Cáiz, Jr., Luis Pabón and José Roberto Torres all participated in the WBA ring officials seminar as the last…
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By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán – President of the WBC
The World Boxing Council, in collaboration with national boxing federations and local boxing commissions, has revolutionized the sport, implementing measures to make it safer for fighters as well as to improve the dynamics of the sport in general, making precise modifications to certain rules to achieve justice, and modernizing boxing to bring it to the levels of other sports, using technology that is now a reality and serves to maximize justice in the fights.
Resistance to change is what so often dominates. Traditionalists immediately reject the possibility of even studying and analyzing the proposed modifications. There are some who, taking advantage of their position, abuse the power that it gives them, and even take actions to block the possibility of any variation/innovation/progress. Continue reading “Resistance To Change”
By Mauricio Sulaimán Son of José Sulaimán – President of the WBC The World Boxing Council, in collaboration with national boxing federations and local boxing commissions, has revolutionized the sport,…
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By Boxing Bob Newman
The fourth and final day of the 99th WBA annual virtual convention opened with the medical seminar.
The panel consisted of moderator Maximiliano Cordaro, Dr. Nina Radcliff, Dr. Saúl Saucedo and Dr. Jorge Ramírez as well as WBA president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza.
Dr. Ramírez is the director of the World Boxing Academy and he opened with an explanation in the function of the academy.
“The academy is an educational, technical, scientific initiative of the WBA that is first and foremost one that helps update and train professionally all of those who are involved and have a livelihood in boxing. It is not only in our association but any other organization whether professional or amateur whether public or private. So what I mean by updating is updating boxers, coaches, officials, medics, managers and even promoters when this is the case.” Continue reading “WBA Day 4 Virtual Convention Notes & Quotes”
By Boxing Bob Newman The fourth and final day of the 99th WBA annual virtual convention opened with the medical seminar. The panel consisted of moderator Maximiliano Cordaro, Dr. Nina…
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By Boxing Bob Newman
Former unified 140-lb champion Amir Khan held court this afternoon during the WBA’s 99th convention on Zoom!
The former champ answered questions from both the panel and fans who tuned in.
Khan reflected on two of his losses being the toughest to come back from. The first one was against Danny Garcia. Khan admitted going into that fight to cocky and thinking that Garcia couldn’t do anything to him.
“The fight against Lamont Peterson was also hard to take. When the judges said he had won the fight, there’s no way he won the fight. I put him down two times. One thing I respected was that the WBA, upon learning that he took testosterone, they reinstated me as champion. It made taking the loss a little less difficult.” Continue reading “Amir Khan Speaks”
By Boxing Bob Newman Former unified 140-lb champion Amir Khan held court this afternoon during the WBA’s 99th convention on Zoom! The former champ answered questions from both the panel…
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As social reformer Adolfo Kolping would say, “In this world nothing great or useful is achieved without effort or sacrifice” a quote that we can read with the conviction that each letter carries or simply as one more phrase.
For WBC super featherweight champion, Miguel “Alacrán” Berchelt, this recognition was a life lesson, which he learned from a young age when he packed his dreams and also his fears in a suitcase leaving his native Cancun, to go to Mérida in search of a better path. Continue reading “WBC Talks: Miguel “Alacrán” Berchelt”
As social reformer Adolfo Kolping would say, “In this world nothing great or useful is achieved without effort or sacrifice” a quote that we can read with the conviction that…
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Jackie “La Princesa Azteca” Nava 120.3 vs Estrella “La Chacala” Valverde 119.7
Carlos “Chema” Ocampo 153 vs Jorge Luis “Chino” Garcia 151
Mauricio “Bronco” Lara 129.6 vs Alejandro “Piston” Palmero 130.5
Joel “Trino” Cordova 115.3 vs Martin Tecuapetla 116.2
Irving Turrubiates 128.3 vs Hector “Raton” Colin 126.7
Venue: Estudios TV Azteca
Promoter: Zanfer
TV: TV Azteca
Jackie “La Princesa Azteca” Nava 120.3 vs Estrella “La Chacala” Valverde 119.7 Carlos “Chema” Ocampo 153 vs Jorge Luis “Chino” Garcia 151 Mauricio “Bronco” Lara 129.6 vs Alejandro “Piston” Palmero…
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By Boxing Bob Newman
Day 3 of the WBA 99th convention, virtual version, commenced at 10:00 a.m., ET. The seminar topics were Challenges in Boxing, Boxing & Gender Equality and Olympic Boxing.
CHALLENGES IN BOXING
International journalist Claudia Trejo interviewed Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn and WBA president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza on the logistics of getting boxing back on its feet during this pandemic. While admitting that the difficulties are huge in getting boxing to return, Hearn felt that the promoters have a great product and the sport will return to its former luster.
Hearn also felt that in the UK, boxing will return back to “normal” with crowds, be that indoor or outdoor, full capacity or 50% capacity. That will remain to be seen.
“What we need is quality to bring the fans back. If we don’t have the ring walks, the crowd noise, we need to have quality match-ups.”
“We come from a sport where the powers that be don’t particularly like each other. But we have to work with each other. I think that hopefully, what’s happened in the world will make people want to work together.” Continue reading “WBA convention Day 3 Notes & Quotes”
By Boxing Bob Newman Day 3 of the WBA 99th convention, virtual version, commenced at 10:00 a.m., ET. The seminar topics were Challenges in Boxing, Boxing & Gender Equality and…
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MTK Global has announced three MTK Fight Night events later this summer. The events will be held behind closed doors at the LS-LIVE in Wakefield, UK, and will be broadcast in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and worldwide on IFL TV.
The first show takes place on Tuesday, August 11 as world title challenger Jono Carroll (18-1-1, 4 KOs) squares off with the always-entertaining Maxi Hughes (20-5-2, 4 KOs) at 133lbs.
The second event will happen on Tuesday, August 25 and sees unbeaten Lewis Crocker (11-0, 6 KOs) against Louis Greene (12-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBO European welterweight title.
The third event goes down on Tuesday, September 1 and is headlined by a British and Commonwealth super lightweight title fight between Akeem Ennis Brown (13-0, 1 KO) and Philip Bowes (20-3 3 KOs).
MTK Global has announced three MTK Fight Night events later this summer. The events will be held behind closed doors at the LS-LIVE in Wakefield, UK, and will be broadcast…
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World ranked featherweight contender Miguel “The Scorpion” Marriaga (29-3 26 KO’s) of Arjona, Colombia will return to the ESPN platform on Thursday, July 16th live from the MGM Conference Center Bubble. Marriaga is coming off a 6th round TKO win this past December over Alfredo Mejia, which continued his four fight knockout streak coming into this fight.
Marriaga is the first known Colombian athlete who has been able to travel into the U.S to compete due to all the travel restrictions put in place in Colombia, where the airports are closed until further notice as a result of Covid19. Continue reading “Miguel Marriaga returns July 16 on ESPN”
World ranked featherweight contender Miguel “The Scorpion” Marriaga (29-3 26 KO’s) of Arjona, Colombia will return to the ESPN platform on Thursday, July 16th live from the MGM Conference Center…
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Two-division world champion Jose “The Sniper” Pedraza (27-3, 13 KOs) scored a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over former 140-pound world title challenger Mikkel LesPierre (22-2-1, 10 KOs) in a junior welterweight bout on Thursday night inside “The Bubble” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. LesPierre was on the canvas in round five and round ten. Scores were 100-88, 99-89, 99-89.
In round five, LesPierre was credited with a knockdown against Pedraza, then moments later Pedraza dropped LesPierre. After the round, instant replay was used and officials ruled the knockdown LesPierre scored was a trip. Continue reading “Ex-champ Pedraza dominates LesPierre”
Two-division world champion Jose “The Sniper” Pedraza (27-3, 13 KOs) scored a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over former 140-pound world title challenger Mikkel LesPierre (22-2-1, 10 KOs) in a…
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By Héctor Villarreal
After spending 7 days hospitalized for Covid-19, Roberto “Hands of Stone” Durán was released from San Fernando Hospital in Panamá City on Thursday afternoon.
“I have no words to thank the medical personnel for all of their care, kindness, respect, and love that they demonstrated to me. They really saved my life,” said Durán, while leaving the hospital in half the usual time.
By Héctor Villarreal After spending 7 days hospitalized for Covid-19, Roberto “Hands of Stone” Durán was released from San Fernando Hospital in Panamá City on Thursday afternoon. “I have no…
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