The World Boxing Association (WBA) World Championships Committee has called a purse bid for the fight between heavyweight champion Mahmoud Charr and challenger Trevor Bryant to be held on March 2 at 11:00 a.m. at the WBA offices in Panama City.  Charr and Bryant have a long period of inactivity. The fee for the right to participate is US$ 15,000, and the minimum bid is $1,000,000 USD. WBA Ratings Committee Vice Chairman Aurelio Fiengo will be directing the bidding.

With 12 rounds of experience against WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury says he knows how to win in Saturday’s PPV rematch in Las Vegas.

“I learned he can be hit, and he can be hurt quite regularly. That’s the biggest thing that I learned about Deontay Wilder. Nothing I didn’t already know. Before I fought him, obviously I didn’t know what he was like in a boxing ring, and after I fought him, I know what he’s like. And I think there’s nothing to worry about. He’s got a big right hand and that’s it. He’s a one-dimensional fighter, and I’m going to prove that on the 22nd of February.”

Former world champion Tyson Fury has claimed he’s going to come right at WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder when they meet on PPV Saturday in Las Vegas. Wilder was asked whether he thinks Fury is serious or just trying to talk a good game and hype things up.

“I really don’t know what’s their plans are or what he’s going to do or what he’s not going to do. I don’t know what is true about what he’s saying and what is not true. I know one thing, that I’m prepared for anything that he brings to the table,” said Wilder.

“I’m overly prepared for whatever. So if you want to bring the fight, then come on, let’s make it happen, that’ll benefit me more than anything, him coming full at me. So I hope they stick with that game plan and follow it through and aren’t just talking for hype. Actually do what you say you’re going to do. I’m looking forward to it. Continue reading “Wilder: I really feel that Fury’s nervous”

WBO light flyweight world champion Elwin “La Pulga” Soto (17-1, 11 KOs) of Mexico knocked out countryman Javier Alejandro Rendon (10-5-3, 4 KOs) in round one of a non-title 10 round flyweight main event on Saturday night at the Auditorio del Estado, Mexicali, Mexico. Soto delivered a vicious left hook to the body that put Rendon down and out for the full ten count. Official time 2:41 of round one.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

IBF super middleweight champion Caleb Plant (20-0, 12 KOs) scored a one-sided tenth round TKO over mandatory challenger Vincent Feigenbutz (31-3, 28 KOs) on Saturday night at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

40:1 favorite Plant dominated from the opening bell and progressively broke down Feigenbutz until the bout was waved off by referee Malik Waleed at 2:23 of round ten.

“I felt great out there,” said Plant. “I was relaxed and sharp. I told you I was going to stop this before the 12th round. I want to dedicate this to my daughter, to my mother, my grandfather and the whole city of Nashville.”

The champion also stated his desire to unify versus unbeaten WBC counterpart and rival, David Benavidez. Continue reading “Plant stops Feigenbutz, retains IBF 168lb title”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside
Photos: Sumio Yamada

Lightweight Ryan “Kingry” Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs) of Victorville, California returned Friday night and made quick work of Nicaragua’s Francisco Fonseca (25-3-2, 19 KOs) scoring a first round knockout at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, headlining on Valentines Day on DAZN.

It didn’t take long as a lead left hook by Garcia knocked Fonseca out cold. Referee Raul Caíz Sr. immediately waved off the fight at 1:20 of the first. Continue reading “Kingry demolishes Fonseca in 80 seconds”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside
Photos: Sumio Yamada

Former world champion Jorge Linares (47-5, 29 KOs) of Venezuela scored an explosive fourth round knockout over Los Angeles’s own Carlos Morales (19-5-4, 8 KOs) in the co-feature on Friday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Testing each other out with the jab, Linares and Morales took the first to figure out and measure distance. Morales landed some snapping punches on the inside connecting with an uppercut snapping Linares head as the former world champion was cut above his left eye. Linares stalked in the third as Morales jabbed away with him. A short Linares right hand dropped Morales.

A crushing Linares right hand in round four is what finally did it as he sent Morales to the canvas again. Referee Thomas Taylor counted Morales out at 2:09. Continue reading “Linares KOs Morales in four”

WBC #3 heavyweight contender Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (26-1, 18 KOs) has inked a multi-fight promotional agreement with Top Rank. Rivas, who is co-promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel, will return on an ESPN platform in 2020.

“Top Rank is in the heavyweight business, and we are pleased to be partnering with Yvon Michel to help Oscar get to the next level,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “He fits right in the heavyweight picture and has the skills and toughness to compete against anyone in the division.”

Rivas joins Top Rank’s heavyweight stable, which includes Tyson Fury, Kubrat Pulev, Agit Kabayel, Carlos Takam and Jarrell Miller among others.

Lightweight Ryan “Kingry” Garcia (19-0, 16 KOs) returns Friday night on Valentine’s Day against Francisco Fonseca (25-2-2, 19 KOs) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California live on DAZN. Garcia has promised that 2020 will be his year in which he will become world champion, but before that, he will have to get past Fonseca and pursue greater challenges.

“I’m not expecting a quick knockout in this fight but it can happen,” Garcia told Fightnews.com®. “2020 is the year to show everyone that I’ve got the skills and talent to take on bigger challenges. My legacy is what I’m looking forward to now. Let’s get the big names now!”

In the co-feature that same night former world champion Jorge Linares (46-5, 28 KO’s) will take on the always tough Carlos Morales (19-4-4, 8 KO’s).

“I’m really excited to be fighting here at the Honda Center. I know Carlos comes ready and prepared like he always does. I’m ready for this fight,” Linares told us.

If both Garcia and Linares come out victorious the two will likely square off in their next fight. Continue reading “Kingry-Linares expected if both win”