It was kickboxing, not boxing, but heavyweight boxer Alexander Ustinov and boxing promoter Vlad Hrunov were involved, so what the heck? We’re lucky to see live combat sports of any kind these days.
Pavel Misko 168 vs. Kirril Kutz 167
Den Ermolenko 140 vs. Alex Kazachenko 140
Sergey Shmargun 160 vs. Max Axarenok 161
Drobenez Maxim 147 vs. Shamil Dzamchatov 146
Vadim Litvin 200 vs. Boris Byuk 198
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Venue Fight House, Minsk, Belarus
Promoter: WTKF (Vlad Hrunov)
TV: YouTube
It was kickboxing, not boxing, but heavyweight boxer Alexander Ustinov and boxing promoter Vlad Hrunov were involved, so what the heck? We’re lucky to see live combat sports of any…
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Forty years ago today, April 10, 1980, the “Top Rank Boxing” series debuted on ESPN with the “Star Wars” theme music serving as the backdrop. It was the beginning of a historic 16-year run, appointment television viewing that showcased boxing stars, including Mike Tyson, Bobby Czyz, Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Mike McCallum, Gene Hatcher, Freddie Roach and Donald Curry.
The debut card took place at Resorts International in Atlantic City, N.J., and featured four televised bouts, including charismatic middleweight Frank “The Animal” Fletcher’s decision victory over Ben Serrano. Continue reading “Top Rank Boxing debuted on ESPN 40 years ago”
Forty years ago today, April 10, 1980, the “Top Rank Boxing” series debuted on ESPN with the “Star Wars” theme music serving as the backdrop. It was the beginning of…
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Heavyweight Alexander Ustinov’s “Team Ustinov” will face “Team Romankevich” of Petr Romankevich this Saturday on YouTube in the first WTKF online world championship. This event is promoted by Vlad Hrunov at the Fight House in Minsk, Belarus. Ustinov was an MMA and kickboxing star before starting his boxing career at age 29. It doesn’t appear that Ustinov himself will be fighting.
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WBC lightweight champion in recess Devin Haney has petitioned the WBC to face number one contender Javier Fortuna immediately when boxing resumes. Fortuna promoter Sampson Lewkowicz wants the already mandated bout between Fortuna and Luke Campbell to take place for the interim title with the winner facing Haney within 90 days.
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WBC Talks will return next Monday, April 13th, after taking a pause for Easter.
Heavyweight Alexander Ustinov’s “Team Ustinov” will face “Team Romankevich” of Petr Romankevich this Saturday on YouTube in the first WTKF online world championship. This event is promoted by Vlad Hrunov…
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WBA middleweight/super middleweight and WBC franchise champion Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez had a talk with the Univisión network and took the opportunity to encourage and send his best wishes to people who have been affected by the crisis caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus.
“I`ve been through tough economic times. Sometimes I had no money to pay the rent. It was complicated,” said Canelo. “There are times when you can’t find the way out and can’t find the right path, but life gives you opportunities and you just have to take advantage of them. I ask society not to lower its guard because of this situation we are experiencing. Better times will come.”
Saul lives with his family in San Diego, California, and is physically active to be ready, when his next fight will be scheduled.
WBA middleweight/super middleweight and WBC franchise champion Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez had a talk with the Univisión network and took the opportunity to encourage and send his best wishes to people…
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Update: UFC 249 and all other UFC events have been shut down due to pressure from Disney/ESPN executives. This per UFC broadcast partner ESPN.
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Apparently the location UFC President Dana White has planned for UFC events is the Tachi Palace Casino Resort near Fresno, California, which is on tribal land and therefore is not subject to state law. However, names like California Senator Dianne Feinstein and VADA’s Margaret Goodman have criticized White, saying UFC will take needed medical personnel away from covid-19 patients. White had stated the the fights would be on an undisclosed private island.
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Doesn’t bode well for live boxing anytime soon.
Update: UFC 249 and all other UFC events have been shut down due to pressure from Disney/ESPN executives. This per UFC broadcast partner ESPN. —– Apparently the location UFC President…
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Panel:
Mauricio Sulaimán, WBC President
Claudia Sulaiman
Héctor Sulaimán
Fernando Sulaiman
Lucy Sulaiman
Pepe Sulaiman
Thinking about the life of José Sulaimán is, among other things, remembering the Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore who said, “I slept and dreamed that life was joy. I wake up and see that life was service. I served and understood that service was joy.” Continue reading “WBC Talks: Episode 13”
Remembering José Sulaimán Panel: Mauricio Sulaimán, WBC President Claudia Sulaiman Héctor Sulaimán Fernando Sulaiman Lucy Sulaiman Pepe Sulaiman Thinking about the life of José Sulaimán is, among other things, remembering…
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By David Finger
We’re sad to report the passing of 22-year-old prospect Alexis “Payasito” Navidad on Sunday April 5th in San Salvador, El Salvador. Navidad was tragically gunned down in the Santa Anita Barrio of the Salvadoran capital. Navidad, who was walking near the intersection of Venezuela Boulevard and 13 South Avenue when two men on motorcycles approached him and opened fire. Two other men were injured. The National Civil Police searched the area before arresting and charging two men, Brandon Lemus and Oswaldo Ortiz, with Navidad’s murder. Continue reading “Young prospect gunned down in El Salvador”
By David Finger We’re sad to report the passing of 22-year-old prospect Alexis “Payasito” Navidad on Sunday April 5th in San Salvador, El Salvador. Navidad was tragically gunned down in…
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The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every existing activity. Boxing has not been the exception and in the light of the current moment of uncertainty, the World Boxing Association (WBA) President, Gilberto Jesús Mendoza, spoke to the Venezuelan newspaper El Siglo, in an interview via Instagram live.
The conversation covered a number of important sports issues, as well as other personal situations. But the highlight was the current state of boxing and how the WBA and all those involved are getting ready for what is to come. Continue reading “Mendoza talks about boxing’s near future”
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every existing activity. Boxing has not been the exception and in the light of the current moment of uncertainty, the World Boxing Association (WBA) President,…
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By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán / WBC President
The world of sport and entertainment is frozen worldwide and consequently, there is no boxing. I decided to work more than ever. The key has been to get up every day with an action plan to follow, and every night, review what has been achieved.
We have all complained about not having time to do so many different things, well, now here is the moment we have awaited so long to read that book, organize our office and memory boxes, learn to do something desired, write, or simply be there with our loved ones.
I am exercising every day, I take care of my diet and I stay well hydrated, but above all, I work on my mental health. Continue reading “Create a habitat at home”
By Mauricio Sulaimán Son of José Sulaimán / WBC President The world of sport and entertainment is frozen worldwide and consequently, there is no boxing. I decided to work more…
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By Robert Coster
Gritty, hard-punching lightweight Braulio Rodriguez (20-4, 17 KOs) is fighting for his life in his native town of La Romana in the Dominican Republic against the Coronavirus. Rodriguez, a WBC Latino Champion, has crossed gloves with unbeaten quality adversaries like Christopher Diaz and Ryan Garcia but the deadly virus is undoubtedly his most frightening foe. Fightnews.com® wishes him the best in his battle with this unseen enemy.
By Robert Coster Gritty, hard-punching lightweight Braulio Rodriguez (20-4, 17 KOs) is fighting for his life in his native town of La Romana in the Dominican Republic against the Coronavirus.…
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WBA international judge Gustavo Padilla talks about the three fundamental aspects that every judge must have when scoring a fight, and how they should apply the rules correctly.
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Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz has secured a promoter’s license from the Arizona Department of Gaming with the aim of Sampson Boxing promoting undefeated WBC super middleweight world champion David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez’s virus-postponed homecoming defense against Roamer Alexis Angulo as soon as conditions return to favorable for live events.
Originally scheduled for Saturday, April 18, at the Arizona Federal Theatre in Benavidez’s hometown of Phoenix, Benavidez vs. Angulo was to have been Benavidez’ first fight at home since 2015 and was going to be shown live on Showtime Championship Boxing. Lewkowicz says he will be announcing the particulars for the new fight as soon as possible.
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz has secured a promoter’s license from the Arizona Department of Gaming with the aim of Sampson Boxing promoting undefeated WBC super middleweight world champion David “El Bandera…
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Panelists
Eddie Hearn
Carl Moretti
Tom Loeffler
Lou Dibella
Eric Gomez
Mauricio Sulaiman, WBC President
Victor Silva, WBC Mediator
WBC Talk spoke with outstanding boxing promoters from all over the world. Robust, full and frank past words aside, they all agreed that at the end of the day they are all friends, who work to overcome any kind of problem. They assured they will be more than ready to resume boxing events when this emergency passes. Continue reading “WBC Talks: Episode 12”
Boxing Promoters Panelists Eddie Hearn Carl Moretti Tom Loeffler Lou Dibella Eric Gomez Mauricio Sulaiman, WBC President Victor Silva, WBC Mediator WBC Talk spoke with outstanding boxing promoters from all…
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By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
WBC #8 middleweight Dennis Hogan (28-3-1,7KO’s) has decided to campaign in the super welterweight division in the future after unsuccessful 2019 challenges to WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo and former WBO super-welterweight champion Jamie Munguia in what was a disputed decision. Irish born and Australian based Hogan said to Irish Boxing.”I will be moving back to my ideal weight of super welterweight for my next fight in America. I am 100% committed to fighting in my home country in a meaningful fight. My team is still focused on it and I will make it happen. Irish boxing deserves the good times back.”
By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing WBC #8 middleweight Dennis Hogan (28-3-1,7KO’s) has decided to campaign in the super welterweight division in the future after unsuccessful 2019 challenges to…
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WBA light heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol, (17-0, 11 KOs), has once again called for the opportunity to drop one weight class and battle ‘pound-for-pound’ and super middleweight world champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, (53-1-2, 38 KOs), emphasizing that he is ready to fight on the first available date when boxing returns.
“I’ve said now for over a year that I’m ready, willing and able to move down to super middleweight and fight Canelo,” said Bivol. “I have been training throughout the COVID-19 crisis and have watched on social media that Canelo has as well.” Continue reading “Bivol calls out Canelo again”
WBA light heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol, (17-0, 11 KOs), has once again called for the opportunity to drop one weight class and battle ‘pound-for-pound’ and super middleweight world champion…
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Credit to UFC President Dana White who is leading the charge to promote live fights as soon as possible. White announced that he has secured a secret private island to stage UFC events starting April 18. He plans to use “Fight Island” for at least two months.
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WBC female atomweight champion Fabiana Bytyqi (15-0-1, 5 KOs) is recovering from Covid-19. The Czech star is the first current world champion to contract the coronavirus.
Credit to UFC President Dana White who is leading the charge to promote live fights as soon as possible. White announced that he has secured a secret private island to…
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Panelists
Dr. Sanford Silverman
Mayra Moreno
Joaquin Dosil
Javier Rodriguez Airas
Santiago Rivera Matiz
Mauricio Sulaiman, WBC President
Victor Silva, WBC mediator
The experts had the chance to describe the process that may help us to overcome this overall situation. They also offered some recommendations to boxers and high performance athletes, as they train under specific circumstances that have changed dramatically over the past days. Continue reading “WBC Talks: Episode 11”
Mental Health During Challenging Times Panelists Dr. Sanford Silverman Mayra Moreno Joaquin Dosil Javier Rodriguez Airas Santiago Rivera Matiz Mauricio Sulaiman, WBC President Victor Silva, WBC mediator The experts had…
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PBC Ring Announcer and Host Ray Flores checked in with IBF and WBC Welterweight World Champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. live on the PBC Instagram page on Monday, April 6, 2020, to talk about boxing, how he and his family are handling the current global pandemic, possible future fights and more.
PBC Ring Announcer and Host Ray Flores checked in with IBF and WBC Welterweight World Champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. live on the PBC Instagram page on Monday, April…
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Unified lightweight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko is riding out the COVID-19 pandemic in his native Ukraine, but the three-weight kingpin is chomping at the bit to get his hands on the division’s leading names, including IBF world champion Teofimo Lopez, WBC world champion Devin Haney and Gervonta “Tank” Davis.
Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) has not fought since last August’s unanimous decision victory over Luke Campbell in London. He has sat back and taken notice of Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs), the Brooklyn-born prodigy who has been outspoken in his desire to fight the pound-for-pound Picasso.
This is what Lomachenko had to say in an exclusive interview with Top Rank’s Crystina Poncher… Continue reading “Lomachenko: Teofimo holds my belt”
Unified lightweight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko is riding out the COVID-19 pandemic in his native Ukraine, but the three-weight kingpin is chomping at the bit to get his hands on…
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Showtime Sports will continue to serve boxing fans during the current hiatus from live sports, announcing today Showtime Boxing Classics with regularly scheduled replays of legendary bouts from the network’s deep archive of world championship boxing.
Friday, April 10 (10PM ET/PT):
Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo I
Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo II
Friday, April 17 (10PM ET/PT):
Paulie Ayala vs. Johnny Tapia I
Paulie Ayala vs. Johnny Tapia II
Friday, April 24 (10PM ET/PT):
Lucas Matthysse vs. John Molina
Mickey Bey vs. John Molina
Showtime Sports will continue to serve boxing fans during the current hiatus from live sports, announcing today Showtime Boxing Classics with regularly scheduled replays of legendary bouts from the network’s…
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Kubrat Pulev said he’ll donate half of his purse from his heavyweight title fight against Anthony Joshua to help medical workers fight the coronavirus. Pulev’s purse is reportedly £4 million ($4.9 million), so Kubrat is donating some serious coin. Good guy. The bout is tentatively rescheduled for July 25.
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The Joe Hand Boxing Presents Xcite Fight Night 7 event at Philadelphia’s Parx Casino on Friday, May 15th has been rescheduled to Friday, October 9th.
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No WBSS fantasy tournament this week. If you don’t like eBoxing, there are plenty of other eSports going on. ESPN2 showed 12 hours of eSports programming on Sunday. Viewers got simulated football, car racing and basketball.
Kubrat Pulev said he’ll donate half of his purse from his heavyweight title fight against Anthony Joshua to help medical workers fight the coronavirus. Pulev’s purse is reportedly £4 million…
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By Joe Koizumi
The JBC/JPBA liaison conference announced today (Monday) another extension of its all-cancel policy until the end of May in Tokyo, Japan. Previously the conference had decided to cancel all cards until the middle of May, but it will be continued for another fifteen days. It is said that our government will proclaim a state of emergency as for some major prefectures due to the coronavirus pandemic tomorrow.
By Joe Koizumi The JBC/JPBA liaison conference announced today (Monday) another extension of its all-cancel policy until the end of May in Tokyo, Japan. Previously the conference had decided to…
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By Robert Coster
Sad news from Italy. Former Italian and European cruiserweight champion Angelo Rottoli has fallen victim to the Coronavirus at age 61. Rottoli’s career went from 1981 to 1990 and he accumulated a final tally of 29-3-2 with 15 KOs. Rottoli, a popular crowd-pleaser, and was unbeaten (23-0-2) when he faced WBC champion Carlos De Leon for the title in 1987, losing by 5th round TKO in his hometown of Bergamo. RIP, Angelo.
By Robert Coster Sad news from Italy. Former Italian and European cruiserweight champion Angelo Rottoli has fallen victim to the Coronavirus at age 61. Rottoli’s career went from 1981 to…
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Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Robinson ended Winky Wright’s reign of terror in the final of the World Boxing Super Series Middleweight Legends’ fantasy tournament on Sunday. Robinson knocked out Wright in round six. Winky, not known as a KO artist, had previously kayoed Sugar Ray Leonard and Carlos Monzon.
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Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Robinson ended Winky Wright’s reign of terror in the final of the World Boxing Super Series Middleweight Legends’ fantasy tournament on Sunday. Robinson knocked out…
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39-year-old Winky Wright knocked out prime Hall of Famer Carlos Monzon in the eighth round of the WBSS Middleweight Legends’ fantasy tournament. Winky will face Sugar Ray Robinson in the final.
Note: There are sportsbooks taking bets on these eFights.
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39-year-old Winky Wright knocked out prime Hall of Famer Carlos Monzon in the eighth round of the WBSS Middleweight Legends’ fantasy tournament. Winky will face Sugar Ray Robinson in the…
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