Heavyweight contender Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller has apologized for using the banned substances that torpedoed his June 1 world title shot against WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in New York City.

It came to light Friday that Miller has tested dirty in a total of three random drug tests with three different banned substances found in his system (GW1516 twice, HGH, and EPO).

In a video on social media, Miller stated, “I messed up. I made a bad call. A lot of ways to handle the situation, I handled it wrong and I’m paying the price for it. I’m missing out on a big opportunity and I’m hurting inside. My heart is bleeding right now. I hurt my family, my friends, my team, my supporters, but I’m owning up to it. I’m gonna deal with it, I’m gonna correct it, and I’m gonna come back better. I’m humbled by the experience.” Continue reading “Big Baby comes clean: I messed up”

Eddie Hearn, promoter of WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, said on social media that Joshua’s next opponent Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller has failed ANOTHER random drug test.‏

“We have now received news from VADA that Jarrell Miller has now failed a second separate test for a further substance. AJ’s June 1 opponent will be announced next week – if you don’t think you can beat him clean then delete my number!” tweeted Hearn.

Big Baby reportedly tested positive for the banned substance HGH after previously testing dirty for GW1516.

WBC super featherweight champion Miguel “Alacrán” Berchelt has completed his preparation stage in Los Mochis and moved his training camp in Hermosillo with his trainer Alfredo Caballero. Berchelt (35-1, 31 KOs) will face former champ Francisco “Bandido” Vargas (25-1-2, 18 KOs) on May 11 at the Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona.

He won the WBC belt in January 2017 by knocking out the then-unbeaten Vargas in eleven rounds. For the rematch, Berchelt works two sessions a day (conditioning in the mornings and afternoons in the gym) and is showing excellent physical, mental and boxing form. Continue reading “Berchelt ready for war against Vargas”

Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller has issued a statement on social media outlets addressing the banned substance found in his system in a random drug test.

Jarrell Miller Statement

“I want to thank all of my supporters who have stood by me since day one and especially during this extremely difficult time.

“I have not been tuned into social media and any other media outlets to focus and channel all of my energies into working hard with no distractions.

“I am absolutely devastated upon hearing the news my boxing license has been revoked in NY State and I will be vigorously appealing this decision. I have NEVER knowingly taken any banned substance and when I found out the news last night I was totally shocked. Continue reading “Jarrell Miller: I shall be vindicated”

Eddie Hearn, promoter of WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, said on social media that Joshua’s next opponent Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller has failed a random drug test. “We have been informed by VADA that there has been an adverse finding in Jarrell Miller’s sample collected on March 20th, 2019. We are working with all relevant parties and will update with more details soon. AJ’s preparation continues for June 1st at MSG,” he tweeted.

Reportedly Miller tested positive for the banned substance GW1516. The Joshua camp would have to find a new challenger for Joshua if Miller is suspended. The fight is slated for June 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City so a new opponent would have about six weeks to prepare. Continue reading “Joshua-Miller in jeopardy after Big Baby fails drug test”

Former unified middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin will make his ring return on June 8 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Golovkin will face IBF #9 middleweight Steve Rolls in a twelve-rounder to be fought at a catch weight of 164 lbs.

Who? Rolls is 19-0 with 10 KOs, 35 years of age, and hails from Toronto, Canada. The biggest name on Rolls’ resume so far is KeAndrae Leatherwood, who he beat by unanimous decision last December for the vacant USBA title. He has also appeared on ShoBox.

This will be GGG’s first bout under his new six-fight deal with DAZN. A two-city media tour begins next week.

IBF middleweight world champion Daniel Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs) hosted a media workout Monday at CEA Fitness in Long Island, N.Y. ahead of his 12-round unification fight against WBC/WBA champion Canelo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs). Andre Rozier, his trainer, also attended the workout. The event will take place Saturday, May 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

“Victory would truly show the fans, whether you think I beat Golovkin or not, I am the best middleweight in the world. I’ve always said that I am the best, and I’ve also always been vocal that the win over Golovkin was taken from me. So, a win over Canelo puts a new idea in the fans’ minds that this guy is the best as he’s proven it against a guy that beat Golovkin – and then I can give Golovkin the rematch and prove that I am better than him. Continue reading “Daniel Jacobs: Canelo lost both Golovkin fights”

Fan favorite Adrian Granados (20-6-2, 14 KOs) will take on former two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia (34-2, 20 KOs) this Saturday. The 12-round welterweight main event will air live on FOX and FOX Deportes from the Dignity Health Sports Park (formerly StubHub Center) in Carson, California.

Granados has pulled off upsets and near-upsets throughout his career. Being the underdog again Saturday night is nothing new for him as he’ll again look to surprise the doubters and get to that elusive world title fight. Continue reading “Adrian Granados shrugs off underdog role”

Photos: Sumio Yamada

WBO junior middleweight world champion Jaime Munguia (33-0, 26 KOs) scored a close twelve round majority decision over mandatory challenger Dennis “Hurricane” Hogan (28-2-1, 7 KOs) on Saturday night at Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

Munguia was the aggressor, but Hogan was very agile in avoiding and countering the stalking champion’s big punches. Scores were 115-113, 116-112, 114-114. Munguia was a 50:1 favorite entering the fight, which was his fourth successful defense.

“I clearly won the fight,” said the 22-year-old Munguia afterward. “I was always attacking and connected with the harder shots, but if he wants the rematch, we’ll give it to him and even in Australia!”

Photos

Photos: Darryl Cobb Jr.

In a clash undisputed world female middleweight championship, WBA, WBC, IBF middleweight titleholder Claressa Shields (9-0, 2 KOs) scored a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over WBO champion and WBC Champion in Recess Christina Hammer (24-1, 11 KOs) on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

As the fight progressed, Shields dictated the action more and more and won going away. Scores were 98-92 across the board.

Continue reading “Shields dominates Hammer, becomes undisputed”

An IBF super middleweight elimination clash between former world champions Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (34-1-1, 23 KOs) and hometown hero “Golden” Caleb Truax (30-4-2, 19 KOs) ended in a no-decision on Saturday night at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. An accidental headbutt in round two left Truax with a bad cut over his right eye. The ring doctor stopped the fight after the round.

In an IBF middleweight title eliminator, Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-1, 10 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over “Golden” Jack Culcay (25-4, 13 KOs). It was a very tough gritty fight with both fighters having their moments. Culcay rallied down the stretch, but it was too little, too late. Scores were 116-112, 116-112, 115-113. Derevyanchenko will now be the IBF mandatory challenger.

In what was supposed to be a showcase fight, undefeated super welterweight prospect Joey Spencer (7-0, 6 KOs) was forced to go the six round distance for the first time with very game Osias Vasquez (4-3, 0 KOs). Scores were 60-52, 60-52, 59-53, but Spencer took a lot of punches. Vasquez was deducted two points in the contest. Continue reading “Quillin-Truax no decision, Derevyanchenko wins”

Photos: Darryl Cobb Jr.

In a huge upset, journeyman heavyweight Mario Heredia (16-6-1, 13 KOs) derailed the comeback of former WBC heavyweight champion Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter (37-7, 30 KOs) with an eight round split decision on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The 38-year-old Peter dropped Heredia with a right hand in round three, but Heredia came back to often outwork Peter the rest of the way. Scores were 77-74, 76-75 Heredia, 79-72 Peter.

Inactive in 2017 and 2018, Peter started his comeback in February getting a quick knockout win. This loss to a fighter who entered with a 2-5-1 record in his last six bouts was unexpected. Continue reading “Shocker: Mario Heredia defeats Samuel Peter”

By Rocky Morales at ringside
Photos: Sumio Yamada

Reigning WBA/WBO lightweight champion Vasiliy “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (13-1, 10 KOs) destroyed WBA mandatory challenger Anthony “Million Dolla” Crolla (34-7-3, 13 KOs) in four one-sided rounds on Friday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The fight ended when Lomachenko (13-1, 10 KO) connected with a near-lethal right hook that landed perfectly above the ear of the crouching Crolla, flooring him face first and badly hurting him. The referee started a count but quickly abandoned it and called an end to the fight at 0:58 of the fourth round. Continue reading “Vasiliy Lomachenko annihilates Anthony Crolla in four”

By Rocky Morales and Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Reigning WBO super middleweight champ Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (40-0, 26 KOs) made a hugely successful light heavyweight debut with a fourth round stoppage over sacrificial lamb Tommy Karpency (29-7-1, 18 KOs). In a battle of southpaws, Ramirez easily picked Karpency apart and it was basically target practice. Karpency initially put up some resistance but was visibly outclassed and once this was evident, his resistance lessened as he accepted his fate. Ramirez battered Karpency to the body and head and at Karpency did not come out for the fifth round thus making Ramirez the winner by knockout at 3:00 of the fourth round. With the victory, “Zurdo” likely becomes an instant top five light heavyweight contender, especially in the WBO against Kovalev given Ramirez is still the WBO 168 pound beltholder.

WBO #4 junior welterweight Arnold Barboza, Jr. (21-0, 8 KOs) looked extraordinary in dismantling and demolishing former world champ “Mile High” Mike Alvarado (40-5, 28 KOs). Barboza looked superior from the onset and had no problem picking apart the 38-year-old Alvarado who, despite a six fight winning streak over marginal competition, was a shell of his former self. Barboza, fighting behind a stiff jab, ripped uppercuts and body shots for the first two rounds before hurting Alvarado and putting him down with a vicious right cross, left hook combo. Despite Alvarado going down hard and flopping all over the ring while getting up, the referee seemed intent on allowing it to continue but, fortunately, Alvarado couldn’t even stand straight and was still falling over, forcing the referee to finally wave off the bout. By knockout victory at 0:49 of the third round, Barboza Jr. successfully defends his NABF title and, moreover, proves himself to be a legitimate threat to any champion at 140 pounds. Continue reading “Zurdo stops Karpency; Barboza KOs Alvarado”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Former IBF middleweight champion Sam “King” Soliman (46-14-1, 19 KOs) clearly outpointed Mark Lucas (9-2, 3 KOs) over twelve rounds on Friday at the Melbourne Pavillion, Flemington, Victoria to capture the WBF middleweight title in what was the Australian ring great’s final ring appearance. Soliman boxed brilliantly to be awarded the contest by scores of 120-108, 118-110, 118-110.

“Mark Lucas is a former OPBF Champion and was a very tough opponent but no one was going to defeat me tonight in what is my final bout,” Soliman told Fightnews.com®. “Training was perfect for me and what I was doing in the gym I was able to do against Lucas. The referee did a great job and let the both of us fight. Continue reading “Soliman defeats Lucas, announces retirement”

The undercard is set for Saturday’s clash between WBO super welterweight world champion Jaime Munguia (32-0, 26 KOs) and mandatory challenger Dennis “Hurricane” Hogan (28-1-1, 7 KOs) at the majestic Arena Monterrey, in Monterrey, Mexico. Azteca 7 will air the fight in Mexico and DAZN will stream in the USA.

In the co-feature, WBA #3, WBO $5, WBC #7 junior featherweight Diego de la Hoya (21-0, 10 KOs) faces Enrique “Duende” Bernache (24-12, 12 KOs) in a ten round bout.

Also, local favorite and WBO female flyweight champion Arely “Ametralladora” Muciño (23-3-2, 10 KOs) makes the second defense of her title against Yairineth “Chinita” Altuva (10-2, 10 KOs). Muciño has the distinction of having won a world title from all four major sanctioning bodies (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO). Continue reading “Mungia-Hogan undercard lineup”

Former four-division world champion Adrien Broner was given two years of probation after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of assault and unlawful restraint involving an incident with a woman at a downtown Cleveland nightclub. According to Cleveland.com, the woman told police that Broner, whom she had never met, forced his bodyweight on top of her and started kissing her. In addition to the probation, Broner was fined $1,000, required to submit to regular alcohol and drug testing, and ordered to pay $4,200 in restitution to the woman.

Photos: Zanfer Promotions

In a real “war” between Mexico and Argentina, super welterweight Ramon “Inocente” Alvarez (28-7-3, 16 KOs) won a ten round split decision over Jose Carlos “Puro” Paz (23-9-1, 13 KOs) in the main event on Saturday night at the Sonora Arena in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Alvarez started the fight aggressively. Paz had his best moments in the middle rounds. However, for the final rounds, “Inocente” pressed the fight and came away with a 96-94 on two cards, while Paz was up by the same score on the third card.

In the co-feature bout, super lightweights Pedro “Roca” Campa (30-1-1, 20 KOs) and Abner “Jagger” Lopez (27-9-1, 23 KOs) met expectations in an explosive slugfest that ended in a ten round draw. Judges had it 96-94 for Lopez, 96-94 for Campa and 95-95. Continue reading “Alvarez edges Paz; Campa-Lopez ends in draw”

Former world champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga (32-12-1, 26 KOs) was stopped in two rounds by pro-debuting amateur star Lester Martinez on Saturday night in Guatemala. The agreed weight for the bout was 170 pounds. Mayorga was willing to exchange, but his reflexes and legs seemed shot. In round two, Martinez stalked the 46-year-old Mayorga and delivered punishment until the referee intervened. After the fight, Mayorga stated he plans to box two more times.

Pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk will make his heavyweight debut against Carlos Takam at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland on May 25, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK. Usyk (16-0, 12 KOs) was the dominant force in the cruiserweight division over the last 18 months, culminating with his commanding win over Murat Gassiev in July to become the undisputed World ruler and the winner of the inaugural World Boxing Super Series tournament in Gassiev’s Moscow home.

The unbeaten ruler waved goodbye to the division in style in November in Manchester where he KO’d Tony Bellew in the eighth round of their clash – a seventh straight world title triumph on the road for the 2012 Olympic gold medal hero. Continue reading “Usyk makes heavyweight debut vs. Takam May 25”

The WBO has designated Mexican Miguel Canul as the referee for the WBO super welterweight championship fight between world champion Munguía and Dennis “Hurricane” Hogan taking place on April 13 on DAZN in the United States and Azteca 7 in Mexico. The judges are Aaron Young, Ivette Roldan, and Joseph Levin. The WBO supervisor is Frank Gentile.

Munguia worked out Wednesday in Los Angeles under the supervision of trainer Robert Alcazar. He sparred twelve intense rounds and his team is pleased with his preparation and performance. “We’re ready,” said Munguia. “I feel very fast, very strong and very motivated to defend my championship in Monterrey. We’re Going to have a great fight and give everything to keep the title in Mexico!” Continue reading “Munguia looks sharp in workout, officials named”

Juan Francisco “Gallo” Estrada says he will be 100 percent fit for his rematch with Sor Srisaket Rungvisai – and that will make the fight twice as good as the first clash and see him become world champion at The Forum in Inglewood, LA on April 26, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

Estrada and Rungvisai served up a fight of the year contender at the famous LA venue last February, with the Thai star edging out ‘Gallo’ to retain his WBC super flyweight title.

Former WBA and WBO king Estrada was hampered in the build-up by a knee issue for the first clash, yet the Mexican ace delivered a fantastic performance. The 28-year-old has recorded a pair of wins since the majority decision loss to Rungvisai, and crucially, has enjoyed a great camp in Los Mochis, Mexico to enter the showdown in great shape. Continue reading “Estrada gunning for revenge on April 26”

By Ron Jackson

Despite South Africa’s boxing isolation during the apartheid years, South Africa’s greatest referee and possibly one of the top three referees of all time in the world, Stan Christodoulou has survived through turbulent times as an official and administrator, since he was introduced to the professional game by four-weight South Africa boxing champion, the legendary Willie Toweel in 1963.

Australian writer Graham Clark and award-winning sports journalist David Isaacson tell the story of Christodoulou’s amazing journey through the townships and around the world from his humble beginnings in Brixton, in his recently published book, The Life and Times of Stanley Christodoulou – The Remarkable Story of World Boxing’s Championship Referee and Judge. Continue reading “A True Boxing Man’s Story”

By David Finger

If last Thursday’s international media conference call was any indication, there are not too many people in boxing who are really giving Dennis Hogan much of a chance as he takes on the popular Mexican slugger Jaime Munguia on April 13 in Monterrey Mexico.

Munguia himself even seemed a bit frustrated with the frequent question he was getting relating to a possible match-up with fellow DAZN superstar Gennady Golovkin. Early in the press conference he was asked who he would like to fight after April 13th. Munguia proceeded to answer as every world class fighter does when given a loaded question that all but asks him to look past his opponent. He punted. Continue reading “Jaime Munguia focused on Dennis Hogan”

By John DiSanto at ringside
Photos: Darryl Cobb Jr.

WBC light heavyweight champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk, 17-0, 14 KOs, defended his title for the first time with a strange TKO of Doudou Ngumbu, France, 38-9, 14 KOs, in round five on Saturday night at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia. Gvozdyk was leading on the cards when suddenly Ngumbo pulled back in round five, complaining of an injury to his right calf. The bout was paused while the doctor, the fighter, and his corner conferred. After a few minutes, referee Eric Dali waved the fight over, and it was announced that Ngumbo could not continue due to injury. The time was 58 seconds of the fifth.

At the time of the stoppage, Gvozdyk had landed 47 of 204 punches, while Ngumbu landed 18 of 108.

“It wasn’t what I expected, but I did my best,” Gvozdyk said afterward. “Sometimes this happens in the sport of boxing. It is what it is. My goal is to unify titles. I will wait to see what my team tells me to do next.”