By Rocky Morales at ringside

In a rematch, unified WBC, WBA and IBF world champion Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 18KO) captured the undisputed super welterweight title with a scintillating tenth round knockout victory over now former WBO champion, Brian Castaño (17-1-2, 12KO) on Saturday night at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. In round ten, Charlo dropped Castano twice to get the victory and become undisputed. Continue reading “Charlo KOs Castaño, becomes undisputed”

Former light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (35-4-1, 29 KOs) moved up to cruiserweight and scored a clear cut ten round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Tervel Pulev (16-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday night at the iconic Forum in Inglewood, California. Kovalev schooled Pulev with the jab to pull away to a 98-92, 98-92, 97-93 win.

Former heavyweight title challenger Kubrat Pulev (23-2, 14 KOs) pounded out a ten round unanimous decision over Jerry Forrest (26-5-2, 20 KOs). The fight was delayed 90 minutes due to a glove problem with Forrest. When the fight finally got underway, Pulev won by scores of 98-92, 99-91, 99-91.

Journeyman super welterweight Jurmain McDonald (7-5, 3 KOs) knocked out previously unbeaten Evan Holyfield (9-1, 6 KOs) in the second round. A right to the jaw finished Holyfield, the son of former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield.

Pro debuting lightweight Emiliano Vargas destroyed Mark Salgado (1-2, 1 KO) in the first round. Vargas dropped Salgado twice to end it. Time was 2:09.

Vargas was one of three sons of former world champion Fernando Vargas on the show. Earlier, super welterweight Fernando Vargas Jr. (6-0, 6 KOs) and junior lightweight Amado Vargas (4-0, 2 KOs) both kept their unbeaten records intact.

By Rocky Morales at ringside

Jaron “Boots” Ennis (29-0, 27 KOs) annihilated previously undefeated Custio Clayton (19-1-1, 12 KOs) by way of crushing second round knockout in an IBF welterweight title eliminator on Saturday night in the Charlo-Castaño co-feature at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

After an initial feeling out round, the IBF #1 rated welterweight, Ennis, went on a seek and destroy mission and landed a right cross to the temple of his Canadian opponent. Clayton went down hard, flopped around, somehow found his way to his feet but then continued to lose his footing causing the referee to stop the fight. With the victory, Ennis puts himself in line for a title shot against IBF/WBC/WBA welterweight champ, Errol Spence Jr., should a unification with WBO champ, Terence Crawford, not take place.

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

In a WBA light heavyweight eliminator, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez (44-0, 30 KOs) of Mazatlán, Mexico, scored a one-sided fourth round KO over former WBA interim champion Dominic Boesel (32-3, 12 KOs) of Freyburg, Germany, on Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. It was target practice as Ramirez dominated and finally dropped Boesel to end it. Time was 1:33. Ramirez is now the mandatory challenger for WBA champion Dmitry Bivol. Continue reading “Ramirez crushes Boesel in four”

“It’s time to hang up my gloves,” former WBA/IBF super lightweight champion world champion Amir Khan announced today on social media. “I feel blessed to have had such an amazing career that has spanned over 27 years. I want to say a heartfelt thanks and to the incredible teams I have worked with and to my family, friends and fans for the love and support they have shown me.”

Khan, 35, ends with a record of 34-6 with 21 KOs. He lost his final fight earlier this year against archrival Kell Brook, who also recently retired.

“I’ll give him a beatdown that he’ll never forget.”

Undefeated WBA super middleweight champion, David Morrell Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs), is ready to let the world know he wants the best fights possible, and as soon as possible. Morrell Jr., from his training camp in Houston, TX, with coach Ronnie Shields, says a fight with David Benavidez is what he seeks most.

“I look at someone like David Benavidez who claims to be avoided, but you never hear him mention my name,” said Morrell Jr., who has knocked out five of his six opponents in the pro ranks. “He speaks as though he’s the boogeyman of the division, well fight me and let’s find out. He’s chasing a fight with Canelo, but I know I’ll give him a beatdown that he’ll never forget. Continue reading “Morrell brutally calls out Benavidez”

The WBC has announced that a rematch has been ordered between cruiserweights Ryan Rozicki and Yamil Peralta with neutral officials after Saturday’s controversial split decision win by Rozicki in his hometown. Furthermore, Rozicki will not be recognized as WBC international champion and the WBC has a task force arranged to determine what exactly happened. Continue reading “WBC orders Rozicki-Peralta rematch”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) successfully defended his title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Canelo Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 KOs) on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo mostly pressed the action, but Bivol, a good ring technician, often outboxed and frustrated Canelo. Scores were 115-113 3x.

Bivol out-landed Canelo 152-84, out-threw him 710-495, and had a higher comment percentage 21%-17% Continue reading “Bivol defeats Canelo”

Former world title challenger Ryan Rozicki (15-1, 14 KOs) of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, decisioned previously unbeaten Yamil Alberto Peralta (13-1, 6 KOs) of Buenos Aires, Argentina, over ten rounds in Rozicki´s native Nova Scotia, Canada at the Centre 200 on Saturday night. Peralta boxed well early but Rozicki pressed hard down the stretch. The referee deducted a point from Peralta in round 10 for holding. There were no knockdowns. The offical scores read 97-93 and 95-94 for Rozicki and the other card had it 95-94 for Peralta. Rozicki won the WBC international cruiserweight title.

“After this win Rozicki should crack the WBC top 5. We are looking to take on another top-ranked boxer in the WBC. A shot at the title would be ideal. If that has to wait, our main target will be Chris Billiam Smith. I think it will make a great fight and let’s hope we can see that this year!!” said Rozicki’s promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions

36-year-old former welterweight champion Kell Brook (40-3, 28 KOs) has announced his retirement.

“I’ve had a long chat with my family and my parents, and it’s over for me. I’ll never box again,” Brook told the Sunday Telegraph. “It’s a little emotional to be actually saying this out loud. My mam is relieved. I think everyone around me is pleased. Truth is, boxing is a very very tough, dangerous sport, one in which you can be legally killed in the ring, and I’ve finished now with all my faculties intact.”

Brook ended his career on a high note, getting a sith round TKO against archrival Amir Khan in February.

The latest event from “the world’s greatest boxing promoter” Don King includes five title fights headlined by the WBA heavyweight championship pitting defending champion Trevor Bryan (22-0, 15 KOs) going up against the number one contender Daniel DuBois (17-1, 16 KOs) from Greenwich, London. The card is set for June 11th at the Casino Miami Jai-Alai in Miami, Florida, and is billed as “The Fight for Freedom and Peace.” Pay-Per-View details and an announcement on ticket availability will be made soon.

In addition to the main event, the NABA Gold heavyweight title fight will feature champion DaCarree Scott (7-0, 6 KOs) of Decatur, GA defending his title against another Georgia slugger in Jonathan Guidry (17-1-2, 5 KOs) from Dulac, GA. Guidry’s lone blemish came at the hands of Bryan. Continue reading “Bryan-Dubois venue, undercard announced”

Three belts and light heavyweight supremacy will be at stake when WBC/IBF world champion Artur Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs) meets WBO champion Joe Smith Jr. (28-3, 22 KOs) in a highly anticipated unification showdown on June 18 in the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Beterbiev, boxing’s only world champion with a 100 percent knockout rate, hopes to pick up another strap against “Cinderella Man” Smith, a Long Island native who grew up about 70 miles from Madison Square Garden.

Artur Beterbiev: “I look forward to the challenge ahead of me. Joe Smith Jr. is a worthy champion, but I am coming to Madison Square Garden to add another world title to my collection. This fight will get me one step closer to becoming undisputed champion.”

Joe Smith Jr: “I am extremely excited and focused on this task I have ahead. Facing Beterbiev is huge. It is going to be a fight that fans remember forever, with two of the biggest punchers in boxing today facing off. This opportunity is a dream of mine to accomplish. Fighting with three titles on the line is one step closer to becoming undisputed.” Continue reading “Beterbiev-Smith confirmed for June 18”

The WBO has stipped WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero and elevated interim champion Paul Butler to full champion. Casimero will be rated #1. Here’s what went down:

l. The Committee unanimously recommended to the WBO Executive Committee to strip John Riel Casimero’s WBO world bantamweight championship title for failure to comply with the conditions set forth in its “resolution.”

2. The WBO Executive Committee unanimously voted in favor of adopting the WBO Championship Committee’s recommendation and therefore declared the WBO bantamweight championship title “vacant.”

3. WBO interim bantamweight champion Paul Butler is elevated from interim champion to “full champion status.”

4. The WBO World Championship Committee recommends to the WBO Ratings Committee that John Riel Casimero be rated at the number one (1) position in the WBO bantamweight ratings and subject to complying with the applicable rating criteria.

The May 21 fight for the WBO interim super middleweight title between Zach Parker (22-0, 16 KOs) and WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade (31-0, 19 KOs) has been postponed due to a shoulder injury suffered in training by Andrade. The bout was set to take place in Parker’s backyard at the Pride Park Stadium in Derby, England.

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

In a grudge super featherweight unification clash, WBO champion Shakur Stevenson (18-0, 9 KOs) scored a one-sided twelve round unanimous decision over WBC champion Oscar Valdez (30-1, 23 KOs) on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Valdez had no answer for Stevenson’s skills and movement. Stevenson scored a flash knockdown in round six. Valdez had some success with straight right hands, but not enough to win many rounds. Scores were 117-110, 118-109, 118-109. Continue reading “Shakur dominates Valdez, unifies 130lb titles”

Photos: Emily Harney

In a long-awaited female super fight from the sold out Madison Square Garden in New York City, undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor (21-0, 6 KOs) took the women’s pound-for-pound recognition from Amanda Serrano (42-2-1, 30 KOs) with a split decision on Saturday night. Taylor fought in quick flurries. Serrano pressed the action and landed the more damaging shots. Taylor took major damage in round five. Serrano inexplicably took her foot off the pedal from rounds seven to nine. Round ten was toe-to-toe. Scores were 96-94 Serrano, 97-93, 96-93 Taylor.

All three judges scored the last three rounds for Taylor.

“What a fighter Amanda Serrano is,” said Taylor afterward. “I think we are both great fighters. Look what we have just done, selling out Madison Square Garden, the biggest venue in boxing history.

“Both of us have broken so many barriers in her careers. It feels great to be in this position really! Amazing fight. What a night!

“I knew exactly how deep I had to dig in this fight. I knew going into it that I was going to be in the trenches at some stage. She’s a phenomenal fighter and a great, great person.”

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Photos: Emily Harney

In a super welterweight crossroads fight between former world champions, Liam “Beefy” Smith (31-3-1, 17 KOs) scored an exciting tenth round TKO over Jessie Vargas (29-4-2, 11 KOs) in the Taylor-Serrano co-feature on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Smith took over midway and got a referee’s stoppage at :41 of the tenth. Smith won the vacant WBO Intercontinental title.

In a bout for the undisputed female super middleweight title, Franchón Crews-Dezurn (8-1, 2 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over a bloodied up Elin Cederroos (8-1, 4 KOs). Scores were 99-91, 99-91, 97-93. Continue reading “Smith stops Vargas, Crews-Dezurn unifies”

“This is the truth, the gospel truth, nothing but the truth – I’m done.”

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury said on the Piers Morgan Uncensored show that he is serious about walking away from boxing for real. “I’m quitting while I’m ahead,” he said. “I’m undefeated, only the second man in history to retire undefeated heavyweight champion.”

Fury stated he’s not interested in fighting Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk, although he may be open to exhibitions or WWE.

“The fans will always want more,” said Fury. “They are always baying for more blood. But at the end of the day I don’t have anything more to give. I’ve given everything I’ve got. I’ve been a professional 14 years, I’ve been boxing over 20 years. Continue reading “Fury: No amount of money will make me come back”

The Showtime PPV undercard is set for the Gervonta “Tank” Davis vs. Rolando “Rolly” Romero clash on May 28 live from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Two-division world champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (28-3-3, 16 KOs) will defend his WBA middleweight title against Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan (31-4, 21 KOs) in the co-feature. Also, in a pair of ten rounders unbeaten super welterweight Jesús “Mono” Ramos (18-0, 15 KOs) meets Luke Santamaría (13-2-1, 7 KOs) in a “Revenge of the Nephew” showdown, and super featherweight Eduardo Ramírez (26-2-3, 12 KOs) faces Luis Meléndez (17-1, 13 KOs).

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) spectacularly knocked out mandatory challenger Dillian “The Body Snatcher” Whyte (28-3, 19 KOs) in round six on Saturday night in front of a record 94,000+ fans at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Fury outboxed Whyte for the first five rounds, then sent him crashing to the canvas with a massive right uppercut to the chin. Whyte barely struggled to his feet, but he was done. Time was 2:49.

After the fight, the 33-year-old Fury repeated his pre-fight vow to retire after this fight. “I have to be a man of my word and I think this is it. This might be the final curtain for the Gypsy King. And what a way to go out!”

By Hesiquio Balderas

Mexican legend Erik Morales confirmed in his podcast that the fight between his pupil, former jr middleweight champion Jaime Munguía, and former middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs is a done deal and the fight will take place very soon. Morales also explained why Munguia-Charlo isn’t happening.

Munguía-Jacobs

“It’s a catch weight. I don’t know exactly at what weight it will be, but the fight is a done deal,” said Morales. “It’s a very tough fight. Danny Jacobs is a great fighter and he is up there competing. He lost his last fight but it was a close one on foreign soil. He is still elite and it will be a great fight.”

“Fernando Beltrán told me that the fight is set and we will be fighting above 160 pounds,” added Morales. Continue reading “Morales: Munguía-Jacobs is a done deal”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Shifty southpaw Masataka Taniguchi (16-3, 11 KOs), 105, successfully made his initial defense of the WBO 105-pound belt as he halted overweight opposition Kai Ishizawa (10-2, 9 KOs), no less than 110, with his incessant combinations at 2:29 of the eleventh round on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. It was such a lopsided affair that the champ kept battering the slower and sluggish foe upstairs and downstairs all the way.　Prior to the well-received halt, all the tallies were perfectly identical—Katsuhiko Nakamura, Masakazu Murase and Masahiro Muroya 99-91, giving only the third round to Micro Tyson. The referee was Michiaki Someya. All were out of the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC). Continue reading “Taniguchi halts Micro Tyson, keeps WBO 105lb belt”

Former IBF bantamweight champion Paul Butler (36-2, 15 KOs) outpointed late sub Jonas Sultan (18-6, 11 KOs) over twelve rounds to claim the vacant WBO interim bantamweight world title on Friday night at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena. Scores were 116-112, 118-110, 117-111.

Butler, who won the IBF belt in 2014 but never defended it, was originally slated to challenge WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero, but Casimero was forced to pull out due to weight issues and will likely be stripped.

Fightnews.com® spoke to future Hall of Famer and living legend “The Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire about his start in boxing, how he got that nickname, his rematch coming up June 7 with “The Monster” Naoya Inoue, a potential mega showdown with another living legend Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and so much more in this exclusive interview.

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MTK Global, a leading boxing management and event promotions company representing some 200 top fighters, has announced it will shut down due to backlash from its former association with Daniel Kinahan, an alleged mob boss who last week was placed under US sanctions. The firm was founded in 2012 by former professional boxer Matthew ‘Mack the Knife’ Macklin and Kinahan, whom they say later left the company.

Official Statement: As a business we have faced unprecedented levels of unfair scrutiny and criticism since the sanctioning by the US Government of Daniel Joseph Kinahan. It is a matter of public record that Mr Kinahan’s involvement in MTK ceased in 2017, and despite repeated reassurances in this regard, unfounded allegations about his ongoing association with us and our fighters persist.

Since leading promoters have now informed us that they will be severing all ties with MTK and will no longer work with our fighters, we have taken the difficult decision to cease operations at the end of this month. Continue reading “MTK Global to cease operations”