The World Boxing Association (WBA) has announced that former world champion in three different divisions Jorge Linares has tested positive for Covid-19. Linares has no symptoms, and doctors recommended a break of at least 10 days before a second test to confirm that he is free of the virus. Linares is scheduled for a fight against Javier Fortuna on August 28th in California, but promoter Golden Boy has not given any information about what will happen with that fight.

Linares has been training in Japan for that fight but now he will have to stop training until the doctors give him permission to return to the gym.

Top Rank announced today the signing of undefeated heavyweight knockout artist Efe Ajagba (13-0, 11 KOs) to a long-term promotional agreement.

Ajagba, 26, the Nigerian-born former soccer player, turned pro in 2017 after a decorated amateur career that included a berth at the 2016 Rio Olympics. A three-year professional, he has risen the ranks of the young heavyweights and is already rated in the top 15 by two of the major governing organizations.

Ajagba will make his Top Rank on ESPN debut in 2020 on a to-be-determined bill. He has also enlisted the services of manager James Prince and head trainer Kay Koroma. Continue reading “Top Rank inks heavyweight Efe Ajagba”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Ring legend Roy Jones Jr. spoke to Peter Maniatis about his September 12 showdown with Mike Tyson and tactics he will use. Roy also praised Teofimo Lopez, who he believes could be boxing’s next superstar. Roy also talks about becoming a Russian Citizen and meeting Vladimir Putin, why he’s is grateful to his father. He also revealed that he will be releasing a new record two weeks before he will clash with Mike Tyson.

“It was a blessing in disguise,” said Roy. “I was just so glad so delighted that (Mike Tyson) chose me as the opponent he wanted to face. I wanted to fight Mike back when I won the heavyweight title back in 2003 but it was never going to happen – but he was the only guy I would have stayed for in the heavyweights to face. Continue reading “Roy Jones Jr: The longer the fight goes the better”

By Joe Koizumi

Highly expected prospect, unbeaten Japanese Junto Nakatani (20-0, 15 KOs), 22, was scheduled to face WBO#1 Giemel Magramo (24-1, 20 KOs), a hard-punching Filipino, in quest of the vacant WBO flyweight belt (renounced by Kosei Tanaka) behind closed doors here in Tokyo, Japan, at first on April 4, but was put off until August 21.

The coronavirus outbreak, however, inevitably forced it to be postponed again—this time indefinitely—since it is still uncertain when Magramo, 25, will be able to enter and work professionally under the government’s strict regulation to avoid any entries of infected foreigners for the time being. The current COVID-19 situation in Japan is getting worse especially last three days to see badly increasing infections for more than one thousand new patients. We earnestly hope the long anticipated Nakatani-Magramo title bout will be realized within this year.

Unbeaten WBO #2 Angelo Leo (20-0, 9 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over late sub Tramaine Williams (19-1, 6 KOs) to claim the vacant WBO jr. featherweight world title formerly held by Emanuel Navarrete on Saturday night at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. Leo used a dominant body attack and consistent pressure to outwork Williams by scores of 117-111, 118-110, 118-110.

WBO #6 Williams replaced Stephen Fulton Jr., who tested positive for COVID-19.

In a WBA super bantamweight title eliminator, undefeated WBA #8 Ra’eese Aleem (17-0, 11 KOs) scored a tenth round TKO over WBA #9 Marcus Bates (11-2, 8 KOs). Aleem was in command all the way. Bates was a one-handed fighter after injuring his right wrist in round nine. Aleem jumped on Bates in round ten leading to a referee’s stoppage. Time was 2:18. Aleem previously outpointed Bates two years ago.

Unbeaten light heavyweight Joseph George (11-0, 7 KOs) scored a spectacular ninth round knockout against Marcos Escudero (10-2, 9 KOs) in a rematch of their November ShoBox showdown that saw George win a narrow-split decision. This time landed a massive uppercut that put Escudero down and out. Time was 3:00. Escudero was ahead on two of the three cards.

Two-time former WBC super flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (48-5-1, 41 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over former IBF flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng (20-4, 6 KOs) in a fight at 120 lbs. with no spectators on Saturday at Workpoint Studio in Bang Phun, Thailand. Southpaw Srisaket was cut over the left eye by a head clash in round three. 40-year-old Ruenroeng worked the eye landing straight rights in round four. After that, 33-year-old Srisaket amped up the pressure, despite the blood, while Ruenroeng boxed smartly. Scores were 97-94, 96-93, 99-91.

WBC #13 super bantamweight “Rock Man” Chain Worawut (11-0-1, 10 KOs) scored a second round KO over Jomar Fajado (17-17-2, 9 KOs).

WBC #14 flyweight Thananchai Charunphak (8-1, 6 KOs) dominated and kayoed rugged but overmatched Kwanchai Pliankhunthod (0-2) in round five. Time was 1:09.

Flyweight Danai Ngiabphukhiew (5-2) won a six round split decision over pro debuting 17-year-old Thanarat Saenphet.

WBC/IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and former champion Danny Garcia have confirmed today on social media that they’ll collide in a November 21 pay-per-view.

Spence announced…

Garcia simultaneously announced…

Continue reading “Errol Spence, Danny Garcia announce PPV clash”