WBA/IBF unified super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (9-0, 7 KOs) scored a questionable fifth round TKO over former IBF champion Ryosuke Iwasa (27-4, 17 KOs) on Saturday night at the Humo Arena in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Akhmadaliev was progressively breaking down Iwasa when referee Yury Koptsev inexplicably jumped in for a very premature stoppage. The durable Iwasa still had plenty of fight left. Time was 1:30.

The beat goes on. Now it looks like the “Baby-Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera will come out of retirement for a fight on June 11 at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Pico Rivera, California. The 47-year-old Barrera last fought in 2011. There is talk of a Barrera-Morales PPV exhibition match later in the year.

WBC lightweight champion Devin ‘The Dream’ Haney (25-0, 18 KOs) will defend his title against former world champion Jorge Linares (47-5, 29 KOs) at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on May 29. The event will have fans in attendance and air live worldwide on DAZN.

Devin Haney: “I grew up watching Linares and the fact that this fight is happening in Las Vegas is incredible…against Linares, I’m going to show the world why I’m the king of the lightweight division.”

Jorge Linares: “This is my moment to show the world that I still have a lot more to give at 135 pounds…I will demonstrate that Haney made a big mistake by accepting a challenge that he is still not ready to overcome.” Continue reading “Haney-Linares collide on May 29 in Vegas”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Undefeated WBO #1, IBF #3, WBC #11 light middleweight Tim Tszyu (18-0, 14 KOs) dominated and stopped WBC #10 Dennis Hogan (28-4-1, 7 KOs) in round five of a bout for the WBO global title on Wednesday night at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Tszyu stalked Hogan from the opening bell and progressively broke him down, especially to the body. In round five, Tszyu blasted Hogan to the canvas with an uppercut. Hogan beat the count, but after absorbing more punishment Hogan’s corner threw in the towel. Time was 2:29.

Looks like the parade of former champions cashing in on pay-per-view exhibitions will continue with Miguel Cotto against Juan Manuel Marquez. According to El Nueva Dia, they will meet on June 12 at a site to be determined. The fight will be officially announced April 5. Cotto last fought in 2017, Marquez last fought in 2014.

UFC legend Anderson Silva has agreed to fight Julio Chavez Jr. in “Tribute to the Kings” in a boxing match on Saturday June 19th to be broadcast on pay per view in North America.

Anderson Silva, considered by many to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time, will take on former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. in a boxing match on June 19th at Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico. Silva of Curitiba Brazil was the longest reigning middleweight champion for the UFC. His pro boxing record is 1-1, 1 KO. Chavez, Jr. has a record of 52-5-1, 34 KOs.

“When I look back at my journey, I see that nothing has been in vain! I am extremely happy for the opportunity to test my boxing skills with Julio César Chávez Jr. I train continuously, always am striving for resilience and to overcome obstacles. Fighting is my everlasting breath,” said Silva.

“I have rededicated myself to the sport I love and I will be ready to face anyone in the light heavyweight division starting with Silva. I will be prepared to be victorious on June 19th,” said Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Keith Schoen, of Schoen Entertainment, working in concert with Armando Bareño of Global Sports Streaming (GSS) have secured the deal with Anderson Silva for this bout with Julio Chavez Jr. The promoter for this event is Jorge Toscano of Toscano Boxing Promotions and Saul Rios of Borizteca Boxing Promotions who are represented by Attorney Gino Mazzanti.

“This promises to be an epic battle between two superior fighters with a global fan base. Everyone associated with this pay-per-view promotion, and fight fans from around the globe are super enthusiastic to see these two great fighters meet in the ring,” said Keith Schoen. Anderson Silva is represented by ICM Partners, and managed by Talize Sayegh of Ducais Talent Management.

Said Jorge Toscano of Toscano Promotions, “We are excited to complete this deal and bring an entertaining night of boxing for the combat sport community.”

Fellow co-promoter Saul Rios of Borizteca Boxing said, “Anderson Silva is the greatest MMA fighter, and a great boxer so to have him fight Chavez Jr. for his first fight after leaving the UFC makes for an intriguing night of boxing.”

Armando Bareño of Global Sports Streaming stated, ““When you hear the names Chavez, Camacho, and Alvarez you know those are big names in boxing. Now adding Silva’s name to boxing; this made a special night even bigger with the GOAT of MMA fighting in a boxing match.”

“Tribute to The Kings” will be live on pay-per-view and will also feature a special exhibition bout that will see Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. make his final ring appearance against Hector Camacho Jr. Camacho will be honoring the legacy of his late Hall of Fame father.

Update: Triller exec Ryan Kavanaugh told ESPN that they’re looking to match Oscar with a UFC fighter and the card could land in Texas.

48-year-old Hall of Fame boxer Oscar de la Hoya has announced that he is coming out of retirement. The announcement was made during a Triller press conference for Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren.

Snoop Dogg: I keep seeing you in the ring but I don’t see you in the ring.

Oscar: You’re part owner of Triller, uh Fight Club, why don’t don’t you, uh…

Snoop Dogg: I think it’s you that should tell them. It’s you, not me.

Oscar: July 3, I’m making my comeback.

Snoop Dogg: Ooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Oscar then dropped the mic and walked off the stage. No opponent announced. No venue. But it looks like the Golden Boy will fight on a Triller show. Oscar (39-6, 30 KOs) last fought in 2008 against Manny Pacquiao.

In a rematch, Dillian Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) got his revenge by stopping Alexander Povetkin (36-3-1, 25 KOs) in the fourth round to reclaim the WBC interim heavyweight title on Saturday night at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar. Whyte took the fight to Povetkin in round one. Both attempted to land haymakers as the bout progressed with Whyte connecting more often. Whyte finally dropped Povetkin in round four. He beat the count but the bout was waved off. Time was 2:39. The 41-year-old Povetkin seemed shaky from the get-go, possibly from contracting Covid-19 a few months ago.

“I’m happier for my team than I am for me because some of my staff missed Christmas with their families,” Whyte told Matchroom. “They stayed back to help me train. They did so much behind the scenes to get me into the position for a world title fight. Continue reading “REVENGE: Whyte stops Povetkin in four”

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten “The Monster” Naoya Inoue, WBA/IBF bantamweight champ, will defend his belts against IBF#1 Michael Dasmarinas, a southpaw Filipino, in Las Vegas on June 19. His manager/promoter Hideyuki Ohashi of Ohashi Promotions has confirmed the schedule as informed by Top Rank Inc.

IBF interim 122-pound champ Ryosuke Iwasa, a Japanese southpaw, left for Uzbekistan on Thursday to square off against IBF full titleholder Murodjon Akhmadaliev in its capital Tashkent on April 3. His WBA title will be also on the line. Should Iwasa, a more experienced veteran, be victorious, he will bring a couple of the legitimate belts to Japan, hopefully.

Former WBC flyweight champ and newly crowned WBO Asia Pacific 115-pound titlist Daigo Higa will make a hero’s return to his native Okinawa, as he will defend his regional title against compatriot Ryosuke Nishida in Ginowan city on April 24. Higa said, “I’m very happy to fight before my fans in Okinawa. I’ll show them my victory convincingly.”

Unbeaten WBO #1 super middleweight Zach Parker (20-0, 14 KOs) easily defended his WBO International title via second round TKO against Vaughn Alexander (15-5, 9 KOs) on Friday night at the Copper Box Arena in London. Parker dropped Alexander twice. St. Louis native Alexander covered up to avoid Parker’s follow-up attack and Parker got a referee’s stoppage due to Alexander not throwing any punches back. Time was 1:39.

After receiving the input of all involved parties and considering their respective positions, the WBC Board of Governors has voted unanimously in favor of a WBC Super Fly Tournament, which will provide the necessary structure for the super flyweight division and give boxing fans around the world a series of great upcoming bouts.

The WBC has received the requests, which are:

1. WBC super flyweight world champion Juan Francisco Estrada has requested to be designated franchise boxer of the division.

2. The division’s mandatory challenger Srisaket Sor Rungvisai has requested to fight for the WBC world title in light of the fact that he stepped aside, to allow the Estrada vs Gonzalez recent rematch.

Furthermore, there is worldwide public demand for the third Estrada vs Gonzalez fight. Their recent bout is already being considered as the fight of the year so far, with 2,529 thrown punches and 0 clinches. Continue reading “WBC announces superfly tournament”

After careful consideration and countless communications with all parties involved, the WBC has confirmed the course of action for the lightweight division. Ryan Garcia won the WBC interim title and mandatory position. Javier Fortuna had a signed contract to face Linares which Covid prevented from happening and also earned a mandatory position. The WBC is hereby ordering Ryan Garcia vs. Javier Fortuna for The WBC interim lightweight championship and mandatory position in the division. The free negotiation period has begun and if no agreement is reached a purse bid will take place on Friday, April 16.

Unbeaten two-time Olympian Carlos Gongora (19-0, 14 KOs) will defend his IBO super middleweight belt against Christopher Pearson (17-2, 12 KOs) as the chief support to Demetrius Andrade’s WBO middleweight title defense against Liam Williams at Hard Rock Live at Hard Rock Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida on April 17 on DAZN.

Heavyweight Mahammadrasul Majidov (3-0, 3 KOs) faces veteran Andrey Fedosov (31-3 25 KOs). Continue reading “Andrade-Williams undercard announced”