By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten elongated southpaw prospect Kaishu Harada (5-0, 2 KOs; amateur 49-14), 125, proved too fast and elusive for ex-OPBF champ Pete Apolinar (17-6-1, 10 KOs), 125.75, winning a shutout decision (all 80-72) over eight lopsided rounds on Saturday (October 26) in Tokyo, Japan. The 5’10” lefty Harada, former silver medal winner in the national amateur tournaments in 2022 prior to his entry into the paid ranks, swept all rounds with great ease despite the veteran Filipino’s inaccurate wild swings that he perfectly averted with his faster footwork. Kaishu, 24, formerly the team captain of Komazawa university boxing club, may zoom up soon by defeating OPBF#9 Apolinar so one-sidedly. Continue reading “Unbeaten Harada shuts out ex-OPBF champ Apolinar”

Local favorite Rene Santiago (13-4, 9 KOs) of Puerto Rico defeated Ricardo Astuvilca (23-3, 5 KOs) of Peru by ten round unanimous decision on Wednesday night at the Coliseo Alcalde Marcelo Trujillo Panisse in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Santiago was in control early but Astuvilca was very game and fought well in the middle rounds Astuvilca was cut in round six by an accidental headbutt. During a heated exchange in round seven, Astuvilca hurt his right arm after landing a punch to the head of Santiago. The ringside doctor checked on his arm before the start of round eight and ruled him fit to continue. The last two rounds had multiple heated exchanges with Santiago getting the better of them. The official scores in the end were 98-92 and 100-90 twice, all in favor to Santiago, who won the WBO NABO light flyweight title. Continue reading “Santiago decisions Astuvilca in Puerto Rico”

WBO considers a return to Russia

By David Finger

Day three of the 37th Annual WBO Convention continued with an unexpected award ceremony as Craig Houk , founder of the Indiana Boxing Hall of Fame, presented an award recognizing WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel. From there the WBO presented a short video on the partnership between WBO Kids Drug Free and Jake Paul’s non-profit foundation Boxing Bullies. The video also highlighted the work done by the WBO to help fund the opening of numerous gyms in Puerto Rico. A motion was then made and voted on to allow the WBO to donate, or join funds, with Paul’s foundation to create 20,000 scholarships. The money, which was matched by Paul’s foundation, was unanimously approved by the board and earned a special message of support from Vice President John Duggan. Valcarcel also personally donated an additional $10,000 of his personal funds to the scholarship foundation. Continue reading “37th Annual WBO Convention – Day 3”

By Boxing Bob Newman

The 18th annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will take place this Saturday, November 2 at the Earth Convention Center inside the Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT.

This year’s inductees include:

• Gary Balletto – Lightweight & Jr. Welterweight, star on Season 2 of The Contender
• Luis Rosa, Jr. – Super Bantamweight & Featherweight contender (Posthumously)
• Frank Lombardi – Judge
• George Phillips – Judge, Referee, Time Keeper
• Hector Rosario – Trainer
• Mike Mazzuli – Administrator, Commissioner

Mykquan Williams will be named Connecticut pro fighter of the year, while Troy Moore will be named amateur
fighter of the year.

Former four-time heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield will be the featured guest of honor.

By David Finger

Day two of the 37th Annual WBO Convention kicked off Tuesday morning at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico and after the attendees introduced themselves business kicked off with some special guest speakers. After the opening ceremony, roll call, introductions and the invocation, the WBO presented a short video honoring some of the notable WBO members who passed away since the last convention. Alfonso Munera Cabas passed await at the age of 96 on December 21, 2023 in Cartagena, Colombia. He was the first vice president of the WBO and was a “fundamental part of the beginnings and growth of the organization” according the a statement made by the WBO on Twitter/X back in December. His loss was deeply felt by all members of the WBO, having emerged as a familiar face at the conventions. Continue reading “37th Annual WBO Convention – Day 2”

Sad to report the passing of heavyweight Alonzo “Big Zo” Butler at the age of 44. According to the Knox News, Butler’s daughter Jazlyn confirmed the news. Big Zo compiled a pro record of 34-3-2, 25 KOs. His last fight was on August 28, 2021, a decision win against Brandon Spencer. RIP.

WBC flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs) has penned new promotional deal ahead of his November 9 clash with Pedro Guevara (42-4-1 22 KOs) at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, seen worldwide on DAZN.

“I have to get past this fight first,” said Rodriguez, “but the goal is to go for undisputed in 2025. I’m taking this fight as seriously as ever, training my ass off like any other fight, we’re going to handle business and then we can talk about 2025.”

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

Sad week for Mexican and world sports. One of the greatest baseball players in history, Fernando Valenzuela, has passed away. A great pitcher, a great human being who is now eternal.

Fernando Valenzuela finally rests in peace. These were days of great uncertainty with a lot of concern about fake news and no real information. We pray that God provides consolation and support for his wife Linda, Fernando Jr., and all the family and friends who are going through this difficult time.

Valenzuela achieved what very few do, becoming an idol and impressing a city, state, country, and world with his fabled performances. When Valenzuela pitched, Los Angeles paused, froze, and nothing else mattered. That was called, Fernandomania! Millions of people tell with melancholy, happiness, indelible memories and tears for what The Truly Great Valenzuela meant in their lives.

Even though the Major Leagues did not enthrone him in the Hall of Fame, he is, without doubt, as valuable or more so than any of those who are in Cooperstown for eternity. Continue reading “Goodbye “Toro” Valenzuela”

Unbeaten lightweight prospect Alejandro “El Abusador” Paulino (18-0, 14 KOs) takes on Toka “T-Nice” Kahn (29-3, 19 KOs) on November 2nd at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The bout headlines a 12-bout card presented by CES Boxing.

Toka Kahn: “Who did he beat? I don’t know anybody that he beat. I’m a student of the game and I do my homework.”

Alejandro Paulino: “I can ask you the same question. Who did you beat? Every time you stepped up, you lost, so you haven’t beaten anyone yet.”

By David Finger

Day one of the 37th Annual WBO Congress kicked off Monday morning with the San Juan based boxing sanctioning body coming back home to Puerto Rico, the second time in three years that the WBO elected to stay home for their convention.

This year’s convention, dubbed “Rise of the Heavyweights” is taking place at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Carolina, and the venue is working closely with All Star Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions as they host the WO “Noche De Campeones” fight card on October 30th, the third day of the convention. A press conference for the Noche De Campeones card kicked off at 11:00, and the day concluded with a quick trip across the island to the Hacienda San Miguel, where WBO members were able to enjoy some music and eat some traditional Puerto Rican cuisine. Continue reading “37th Annual WBO Congress underway”

By David Finger

Boxing has been going through something of a revival in New Mexico in 2024 and November may end up being on of the most exciting months in recent memory for fight fans in the Land of Enchantment. Two exciting boxing cards will be held simultaneously on November 9th in different parts of the state. Continue reading “Monster month of Boxing to hit the Southwest”

Wins JBC 140lb mandatory shot

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

This reporter has been an avid reader of British Boxing News for some half a century. I like their enthusiasm in hot encounters of unbeaten compatriots, that is, Briton versus Briton, if not internationally focused. We saw such a locally sensational matchup of unbeaten super lightweights that vied in a Japanese eliminator against the national champ. JBC#2 Mikyo Watarai (6-0, 4 KOs; amateur 77-15, 19 stoppages), 139.5, very impressively accelerated his attack to score a fine TKO victory over JBC#1 hard-puncher Kotaro Sekine (9-1-1, 8 KOs; amateur 18-20, 5 KOs), 140, at 1:49 of the fourth round in a scheduled eight on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. It was a short but sizzling affair. Continue reading “Unbeaten Watarai halts Sekine”

360 Promotions has announced a 10-round main event between undefeated middleweight Sadriddin Akhmedov (14-0, 12 KOs) of Almaty, Kazakhstan now residing in Santa Monica, CA and Battle-Tested Veteran Raphael ‘Trouble’ Igbokwe (17-5, 7 KOs), of Houston, TX set for Friday, December 13 at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California and broadcast globally on UFC Fightpass.

“We were very impressed by Sadriddin Akhmedov’s Hollywood Fight Nights debut on August 31, scoring an impressive first round knockout,” said Tom Loeffler, President of 360 Promotions. “Prior to turning professional he was part of the Kazak National Boxing Team and earned a wealth of accolades as an amateur.”

Reigning WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (46-1, 30 KOs) says he’s extremely proud to headline the inaugural “Latino Night” as part of Riyadh Season against WBO titleholder Chris “The Gentleman” Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KOs) on November 16th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Ramirez vs. Billam-Smith will be streamed live on DAZN, as well as broadcast for free on several television networks around the world. Continue reading “Zurdo Ramirez Update”

Ramon Arellano (Arellano Boxing Promotions) presents another night of boxing November 21st in Nashville, Tennessee at his popular San Jose Fiesta Mexican Restaraunt. The 6 round light heavyweight main event will see former 2020 Olympian Nalek Korbaj (2-0, 2 KOs) of Venezuela vs veteran Twon Smith (4-12, 3 KOs) of Oklahoma. Continue reading “Boxing back in Nashville Nov 21”

A world title fight will top the latest installment of the Monte-Carlo Showdown at Salle Des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo on Saturday December 14, shown live worldwide on DAZN. Uzbekistan’s former IBF and WBA super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9 KOs) attempts to become a two-time world champion when he takes on Mexican knockout artist Ricardo Espinoza Franco (30-4, 25 KOs) for the interim WBA super bantamweight title.

Also, Brazilian amateur star turned 5-0 professional Beatriz Ferreira makes the first defense of her IBF lightweight title against France’s former European Champion Licia Boudersa (23-2-2, 4 KOs), and British cruiserweight champion Chev Clarke (10-0, 7 KOs) clashes with unbeaten Frenchman Leonardo Mosquea (15-0, 9 KOs) for the vacant EBU European title.

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s Shervantaigh Koopman stopped his rugged Canadian opponent Brandon Cook in the fifth round of a junior middleweight bout scheduled for 12 rounds at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Saturday night to win the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Intercontinental junior-middleweight title.

However, Koopman had to come back from a knockdown in in the first round when a left hook sent the South African down for an eight count. Continue reading “Shervantaigh Koopman wins in five rounds”

Dan Otter (Three Lions Promotions) put on an event Saturday night at the RBC Place London, London, Ontario, Canada. The original main event of unbeaten prospect Samuel “Squirm” Arnold III (10-0, 6 KOs) of Dallas, Texas against Mohamed Zawadi (9-1, 8KOs) of Toronto, Canada was scrapped due to Arnold suffering a medical emergency in transit, .

Unbeaten lightweight prospect Erick Basran (7-0, 3 KOs) stepped up to the main event to defeat veteran Jorge Luis Rodriguez (23-22-2, 3 KOs) of Argentina via TKO2. Continue reading “Results from London, Ontario”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions Hollywood Fight Nights series returned as undefeated featherweight Omar Trinidad (17-0-1, 12 KOs) of Boyle Heights, California, went through a street fight in going the distance twelve rounds and winning a hard fought decision over a very tough Hector ‘La Maquinita’ Sosa, (17-3, 9 KOs) in the UFC Fight Pass main event Saturday night at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California. Continue reading “Omar Trinidad remains unbeaten”

Former world cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev (31-2, 24 KOs) returned after one-year break to stop previously unbeaten Kem Ljungquist (18-1, 11 KOs) in a heavyweight bout on Saturday night at IBA Champions’ Night in Yerevan, Armenia.

After a slow start, 31-year-old Gassiev put Ljungquist down for the count in round five with a left hook to the liver.

WBC #2, WBO #2, IBF #3, WBA #5 super lightweight Jack Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over former two-time WBC world champion Regis Prograis (29-3, 24 KOs) on Saturday night at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England. Prograis pressed the action and landed the harder punches. He was credited with a knockdown in round five with a jab to the shoulder. Catterall floored Prograis twice in round nine and pulled away down the stretch. Scores were 117-108, 116-109, 116-109.

In a direct rematch, super lightweight Jimmy Joe Flint (15-2-2, 3 KOs) defeated Campbell Hatton (14-2, 5 KOs) again over ten rounds. Scores were 97-94, 96-94, 96-95.

Eric Basran 139.6 vs. Jorge Luis Rodriguez 138.2
Marc Pagcaliwangan 133.2 vs. Julian Evaristo Aristule 131.4
Maxime Turcotte Novosedlik 146.6 vs. Gisela Noemi Luna 144.2
Fasial Rehman 164.4 vs. Jamie Ingram 162.9

Venue: RBC Place London, London, Ontario, Canada
Promoter: Dan Otter (Three Lions Promotions)

Note: Due to a medical emergency in transit, Samuel Arnold is not able to participate in the WBC Youth World Title bout against Moe Zawadi. “We wish Sam a speedy recovery and we are hopeful to get this WBC Youth world title bout in the near future,” said Otter.

Super welterweight “Speedy” Rashidi Ellis (25-1, 16 KOs) scored a second round TKO against Brian Chaves (14-6, 5 KOs) on Friday night at the Oceanside Events Center in Revere, Massachusetts. Ellis put Chaves on a knee at the end of round one. Chaves was unable to continue after round two.

In the co-feature, WBC USA silver middleweight champion Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan (18-0, 16 KOs) stopped 43-year-old former world title challenger Elvin Ayala (29-14-1, 13 KOs) in round two.

Hometown favorite Jose Miguel Borrego (21-4, 17 KOs) decisioned previously unbeaten visiting Etoundi Michel William (16-1,12 KOs) of Brazil by way of the Ivory Coast. The 10 round super welterweight main event took place Friday night at the Deportivo Ferrrocarrillero in Aguas Calientes, Mexico. After a closely contested first half of the fight, Borrego broke through sending Michel to the canvas with a hook on the point to the chin during a heating exchange towards the end of round five. Michel would get through the round but Borrego kept the fight at close quarters for the better part of the rest of the fight in route to the unanimous decision victory. The official scores were 98-91 and 97-92 twice all in favor to Borrego.

Omar Trinidad 125.8 vs. Hector Sosa 125
Daniel Barrera 113 vs. Angel Mesa Morales 112.8
Guadalupe Medina 104.6 vs. Katherine Lindenmuth 103
Gor Yeritsyan 146.8 vs. Jonathan Romero 144.8
Abel Mejia 132.2 vs. Kevin Mangune 131.6
Umar Dzambekov 177 vs. Eric Robles 176.6
Adan Palma 121.2 vs. Carlos Mujica 121.2

Venue: Commerce Casino, Commerce, California
Promoter: 360 Promotions
TV: UFC Fightpass