By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

In a super lightweight clash elevated to main event status after the sudden implosion of the Zurdo-Rosado headliner, Filipino veteran Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs) from San Diego was victorious Saturday night in taking a ten round split decision over former world champion and 2012 U.S Olympian Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Jr. (32-4-1, 15 KOs) of South El Monte, California at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California.

Gesta worked from the start, letting his hands go. He was busier than Diaz but Diaz connected with the right hand towards the end of the opening round. Staying busy and jabbing in the second, Gesta outworked Diaz. Things began to pick up in the third as Diaz and Gesta exchanged inside with the Filipino fighting off the ropes and the 2012 Olympian on the attack. In the fourth, Diaz stood close and applied pressure with Gesta mixing it up using the jab from a distance and trading. Continue reading “Gesta beats JoJo by split decision”

In a war, WBA #10 heavyweight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (26-0-1, 22 KOs) scored an entertaining sixth round TKO over WBA #9 Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne (31-4, 27 KOs) on Saturday night at the Agenda Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Both came at each other and were willing to trade power punches. Each absorbed big shots. In round four, Miller rocked Browne, but Browne survived the round. Browne had a good recovery round in round five as both continued to trade. Miller finally battered Browne to the canvas in round six and got the stoppage with his follow-up barrage. Time was 2:33.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1637196909294104578

Fast-tracking cruiserweight Soslan “Cobra” Asbarov (4-0, 1 KO) scored a ten round majority decision over WBO #11 Brandon “Bulletproof” Glanton (17-2, 14 KOs). Slow-paced fight for the first five rounds. Glanton got the better of it down the stretch, but it was too little, too late. Scores were 98-92, 97-93, 95-95. Glanton was coming off a controversial loss in a WBO eliminator, so good name for Asbarov’s resume.

WBA #5, IBF #11 super featherweight Jono “King Kong” Carroll (24-2-1, 7 KOs) outscored three-time world title challenger Miguel “The Scorpion” Marriaga (30-7, 26 KOs). Scores were 100-90, 99-91, 98-92. The fight was closer than the scores indicated. Continue reading “Big Baby spanks Big Daddy in six”

In an IBF light heavyweight world title eliminator, 7:1 underdog Michael Eifert (12-1, 4 KOs) scored a surprising twelve round unanimous decision over 40-year-old former world champion Jean Pascal (36-7-1, 20 KOs) became mandatory challenger for IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev. The quicker Eifert, 25, outboxed and outworked Pascal, while Pascal mostly missed with wild power punches. Eifert slowed down a bit midway and Pascal began to connect more often. However, Eifert continued to outwork Pascal, who often looked old and sluggish late in the fight. Scores were 118-110, 115-113, 117-111.

Junior welterweight Mathieu Germain (22-2-1, 9 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision against Steven Wilcox (24-4-1, 7 KOs). Scores were 96-94, 97-93, 97-93.

In an upset, unheralded female junior welterweight Karla Ramos Zamora (10-9-1, 2 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO against former world title challenger Jessica Camara (10-4, 2 KOs). A barrage of unanswered punches prompted a referee’s stoppage. Time was 1:46. Zamora claimed the IBF International title.

2016 Olympian light heavyweight “Mighty” Joe Ward (9-1, 5 KOs) needed just 91 seconds to annihilate previously undefeated Mario Andrade Rodriguez (7-1, 4 KOs). Ward dropped Rodriguez with a left hook then quickly finished him.

Former two-time world champion Oscar Valdez will be returning to the ring on May 20th on the undercard of Vassily Lomachenko vs. Devin Haney at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Manager Frank Espinoza confirmed the date for the Nogales, Sonora native. “Once Oscar get past his next opponent in May, he will most likely face world champion Emmanuel Navarrete for the 130 pound title,” Espinoza affirmed. “That fight will take place in August or September.” Continue reading “Oscar Valdez returns May 20”

Four-time former world champion Adrien Broner has teamed up with “Hall of Famer” promoter Don King. Currently campaigning at super lightweight/welterweight (140/147 pounds), Broner has been out of the ring since he fought on February 20, 2021, and won a unanimous decision against Jovanie Santiago at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

“Fantastic boxing excitement is already permeating the boxing atmosphere,” said King.“This phenomenal team-up of superstar exciting bad boy of boxing Adrien Broner and the world’s greatest boxing promoter, will give the people what they want–the best of boxing, and the best boxing excitement… capturing the imagination, the heart, and the mind, stimulating the boxing imagination’s begging the all-important question, when is the next event?

“Adrien is ready and excited to show his championship skills once again for the delight of the great boxing fans. As his proud promoter drops the gauntlet to all the other promoters and challenges them to bring forth their best fighters to (meet) fight super star bad boy of boxing Adrien Broner. Bob Arum, Frank Warren, Al Haymon, Eddie Hearn, and any other promoter with a hot commodity champion, we welcome them all.”

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury stated today that his April 29 clash with WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is “definitely a worker” and now he’s headed to training camp.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Undefeated WBO #1 rated Tim Tszyu (22-0, 16 KOs) stepped out of the shadow of his ring legend father Kostya Tszyu to stop former world champion Tony “Superbad” Harrison (29-4-1, 21 KOs) in round nine to claim the vacant WBO interim junior middleweight title on Sunday morning at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Harrison was able to keep Tszyu on the end of his jab in round one. Tszyu upped the pressure in round two. Tszyu rocked Harrison with heavy artillery in round three. Harrison continued to land the jab, but most the power punches were landed by Tszyu. Tzsyu finally dropped Harrison hard with a barrage of punches in round nine. Harrison barely beat the count, but referee Danrex Tapdasan waved it off. Time was 2:43 of round nine.

With the win, Tszyu set up a clash against undisputed super welterweight world champion Jermell Charlo. After the fight, Tzsyu shouted, “What’s my motherf**king name? Say my motherf**king name!”

At the time of the stoppage, Tszyu was ahead 77-75 on all three cards.

42-year-old heavyweight Carlos Takam (40-7-1, 28 KOs) scored a ten round split decision over 2016 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist Tony Yoka (11-2, 9 KOs) on Saturday night at Zenith Paris in Paris, France. Yoka never got untracked and Takam pressed him all the way to deservedly win 96-94, 96-94 on two cards. Yoka was somehow ahead 96-94 on the third card. Two straight losses for Yoka now, following his defeat to Martin Bakole last May. Yoka was a 6:1 favorite.

In a bout for the European light heavyweight title, unbeaten Dan Azeez (19-0, 13 KOs) broke down and stopped Thomas Faure (21-5-1, 2 KOs) in round twelve. No time announced. Tough gritty fight. Faure not happy about the stoppage.

In a female welterweight bout, Olympic gold medalist Lauren Price (3-0, 1 KO) shut out Naomi Mannes (6-1, 4 KOs) over eight 80-72 3x.

Undefeated middleweight Farrhad Saad (8-0-2, 0 KOs) and Macaulay McGowan (17-3-2, 3 KOs) battled to an eight round draw. Scores were 77-75, 76-76, 76-76.

WBA middleweight Gennady Golovkin and his team sent a communication to the organization to announce his decision to relinquish the WBA’s “super” championship, leaving “regular” champion Erislandy Lara as the WBA’s only 160lb world champion. Golovkin and his team explained that GGG is still not clear about his next step in boxing and they prefer to give up the title since the organization had ordered a purse bid for the mandatory fight against Lara. He assured that they prefer the division to continue with movement and not to make Team Lara wait.

The WBA Championships Committee will now study Lara’s situation as champion and determine who he should face in his next fight.

Currently, the WBA’s top five contenders are: 1. Michael Zerafa, 2. Sergio Martinez, 3. Austin Williams, 4. Connor Coyle, and 5. Thomas LaManna, so Lara could wind up facing one of them.

Inoue to make ambitious invasion in 122lb division against Fulton

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Time will come soon. “The Monster” Naoya Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs), Japan, will have an ambitious shot at the WBC, WBO 122-pound belts against also unbeaten Stephen Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs), US, at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan, on May 7. Naoya, formerly undisputed bantam four-belt kingpin, will aim for his fourth division championship after he completely renounced all the 118-pound belts last month in order to have a crack against the ringwise Fulton. It was announced by Ohashi Promotions today (Tuesday) in Tokyo. Inoue, 29, confidently said, “I’m happy to have this event eventually announced publicly. It is a challenge to myself that I’ll invade into the super-bantam category and make myself in a tip-top condition. It truly motivates me that I’ll welcome the big fight at my first fight after moving up to the 122-pound class.”

Inoue described his target Fulton, saying, “He is a taller boxer with a more advantageous reach. It might be hard to finish him, but I’d like to concentrate to be victorious, I believe I am more powerful and faster than Fulton. I don’t know at this moment what game plan I will take against Fulton. Continue reading “Inoue-Fulton Kickoff Press Conference”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa (24-1-1, 18 KOs) of Weslaco, Texas fought hard in winning a unanimous decision over a very tough Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (24-2, 16 KOs) of the Philippines on Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California to win the WBC interim featherweight title in headlining Showtime Championship Boxing.

Off to a fast start, Magsayo connected with a short right hand, Figueroa returned the favor as he landed a huge chopping right. Magsayo attacked in round two, backing Figueroa with a right hand, fighting at close quarters Figueroa connected inside. In round three, Magsayo pressed but Figueroa landed a thudding body shot, moments later Magsayo unloaded a series of punches to score and finished strong to end the round. Staying busy in the fourth, Figueroa and Magsayo fought at close quarters inside, both connecting and having their momentum. Continue reading “Figueroa tops Magsayo for WBC interim 126 belt”

By Rocky Morales at ringside

In an upset, Armando “Toro” Resendiz (14-1, 10KO) stopped former unified world champion, Jarrett “Swift” Hurd (24-3, 16KO) in the final round of a scheduled ten round middleweight bout on Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

Resendiz pushed the action from the beginning with Hurd content to mostly throw counterpunches that enjoyed early success. It was a rough fight with Resendiz warned for head butts and Hurd twice warned for low blows.

By the middle rounds, the superior activity of Resendiz was the difference maker as Hurd was unable to find the counter punches to keep Resendiz at bay.

The eighth round saw Hurd’s face start swelling up like a balloon and he was bloodied, as well.

The ninth round was all Resendiz as Hurd looked like a shell of his former self. Only after the ninth round did Resendiz finally show some celebratory emotion as if he finally knew he had the fight in the bag.

Just as the tenth round started, the ringside doctor called a halt to the action to examine Hurd. After a few seconds, the doctor informed the referee that Hurd was unable to continue due to a severe laceration on his lip and, with that, the referee waved off the fight.

By way of knockout at 0:05 of the tenth round, Resendiz is the winner and instant middleweight title contender. Resendiz suddenly looks like a logical choice for a Jermall Charlo comeback fight / title defense.

In a pretty big under-the-radar fight, former unified cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev (30-1, 23 KOs) scored a second round knockout against previously unbeaten former NFL linebacker Mike Balogun (20-1, 16 KOs) to claim the WBA Intercontinental heavyweight title on Friday night at the Karen Demirchyan Sports Complex in Yerevan, Armenia. A Gassiev right hand put Balogun down for the count.

The WBO Championship Committee has ordered welterweight champion Terence Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) to commence negotiations with Alexis Rocha (22-1, 14 KOs) for a mandatory defense. The parties have twenty days to reach an agreement. If an accord is not reached within that timeframe, a purse bid will be ordered. The minimum acceptable bid is $200,000, but the winning bid will likely be in the millions. Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process. The purse split will be no be greater than 75/25 for Crawford using a ratio based upon the average purse of each fighter’s last three fights.

YouTube boxer Jake Paul (6-1, 4 KOs) finally faced a “real boxer” for the first time and came up short against undefeated Tommy “TNT” Fury (9-0, 4 KOs), losing by eight round split decision on Sunday night at the Diriyah Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Fury stayed at long range and utilized the jab. Paul concentrated on power shots, often missing wildly. When in close, the fighters usually clinched. Paul was deducted a point in round five for hitting behind the head. Fury was deducted a point for holding in round six. Paul dropped Fury with a jab in round eight, but it was too little too late. Scores were 75-74 Paul, 76-73, 76-73 Fury.

With the win, Fury earned a WBC ranking in the cruiserweight division. Paul has a rematch clause and he stated after the fight that he will 100% use it.

After the fight, Paul explained “I felt flat, I got sick twice in this camp and injured my arm. It wasn’t my best performance, but I’m not making excuses and I’ll come back stronger.”

39-year-old former two-division world champion Badou Jack “The Ripper” (28-3-3, 17 KOs) outboxed, battered and dethroned WBC cruiserweight champion Junior Makabu (29-3, 25 KOs) getting a twelfth round TKO on Sunday night at the Diriyah Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Jack dropped Makabu in round four and continually beat Makabu to the punch. Jack dropped Makabu again in round eleven and finished him with a barrage of punches in round twelve. Time was :54. Jack is now a three-division world champion.

Knockout artist Subriel Matías (19-1, 19 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO against Jeremías Ponce (30-1, 20 KOs) to claim the vacant IBF junior welterweight title (formerly held by Josh Taylor) on Saturday night at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Good fight. Ponce pounced on Matias in round one. Matias responded with big shots in round two and the war was on. Something had to give and it did in round five. Matias landed a series of head and body shots that badly hurt Matias and put him on the mat. Ponce was able to make it to his stool, but his corner had seen enough and suggested that the fight be stopped, with the official result coming as a TKO at the end of round five.

The showdown between Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia is set for April 22 on Showtime PPV at a venue to be named in Las Vegas.

Stephen Espinoza, President, SHOWTIME Sports: “Tank Davis vs. Ryan Garcia is one of the biggest and most exciting fights that can be made in boxing. We have two supremely talented boxers, both in their prime, who have amassed huge fanbases, meeting in a career-defining fight. This is the epitome of a crossover boxing event. All credit to Tank and Ryan for staying the course and giving the fans the fight they want. SHOWTIME has delivered the three biggest pay-per-view events in television history and we are thrilled to add this marquee event to our list of culture-moving matchups.”

Oscar De La Hoya: The fans have been crystal clear that the fight they want is Ryan versus Tank. Golden Boy Promotions and I are proud to be leading the drive to get this fight signed and are excited to get a deal finalized ASAP. It’s high time that those outside the ring stop getting in the way of those who want nothing more than to get into the ring and fight. Our motto has always been that the fans come first, and this is just another example of how we’re leading by example.

Report/Photos by Damon Gonzalez / LatinBox Sports

Former two-division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (21-3, 14 KOs) from Santiago De Cuba wasted little time destroying Jesus Martinez (21-3, 14 KOs) in front of a screaming soldout crowd at the Hialeah Park Casino in Hialeah, Florida. Rigo ended Martinez’ night quickly, flooring him multiple times before the fight was waved off at 1:14 of round one.

Continue reading “Rigondeaux demolishes Martinez in 74 seconds”

In a WBC super bantamweight eliminator, former world champion Luis “Pantera” Nery (34-1, 26 KOs) scored a spectacular eleventh round TKO against Azat “Crazy A” Hovhannisyan (21-4, 17 KOs) on Saturday night at the Fox Theater in Pomona, California. The bout was a violent slugfest with both fighters rocked multiple times. Nery shots progressively busted up Hovhannisyan’s face. However, midway Hovhannisyan’s bodywork seemed to turn the tide in his favor. In round ten, Nery staggered Hovhannisyan with a left hook, then dropped him. Hovhannisyan barely survived the round. Nery staggered Hovhannisyan again in round eleven and referee Ray Corona waved it off. Time was 1:51.

At the time of the stoppage, Nery was ahead on all three scorecards, 95-94, 96-93, 96-93.

“I knew this was going to be a very difficult fight, Azat is a very tough fighter,” said Nery. “We gave the fans an incredible show. I want the winner between Naoya Inoue and Stephen Fulton. I feel ready for a world championship.”

“We are disappointed in this outcome, but that’s boxing,” said Hovhannisyan. “There was a lot of back-and-forth action, and we did all that we could.” Continue reading “Nery stops Hovhannisyan in classic”

Featherweight Mauricio “Bronco” Lara (26-2-1, 19 KOs) scored a one-punch seventh round TKO to dethrone WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood (26-3, 16 KOs) on Saturday night at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England. Local hero Wood was cut over the left eye from a first round head clash, but was clearly winning the fight. In round seven, both simultaneously landed left hooks. Lara took it. Wood went down. He beat the count, but his trainer Ben Davidson threw in the towel before the bout could resume. Time was 2:54.

After the fight, promoter Eddie Hearn announced that Wood has a rematch clause and he expects him to use it.

By Bob Caico

Trainer Michael Williams Sr has announced that his son will not be fighting four-division world champion Adrien Broner on February 25th due to an “unnecessary injury in training camp.” He shared an x-ray showing what appears to be a broken jaw.

“Hopefully, the fight will be postponed. I’m sorry. 300%.” He also added that Roy Jones Jr is no longer one of his son’s trainers.

Williams Jr. becomes the third Broner opponent to fall through for this event. Previously Ivan Redkach pulled out due to promotional issues, then Hank Lundy was removed due to a suspension by the California Boxing Commission.

In a clash for the vacant WBC super featherweight title, WBC #1 rated O’Shaquie Foster (20-2, 11 KOs) outboxed previously unbeaten former two-division champ Rey Vargas (36-1, 22 KOs) on Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Foster was too fast and too mobile, often leaving Vargas swinging at air. Vargas came on a bit in the middle rounds, but Foster slammed the door shut down the stretch to prevail 116-112, 117-111, 119-109.

40-year-old former heavyweight title challenger “Fast” Eddie Chambers (43-5, 24 KOs) won his first fight since 2016 with a third round KO over 305lb Corey Williams (6-14-2, 4 KOs) on Tuesday night at the Texas Troubadour in Nashville, Tennessee. Chambers dropped Williams in round two with a body shot. Williams was wobbled in round three, then Chambers dropped him again to end it. Time was 1:10.

The event was the first installment of the new “Country Box” series presented by longtime boxing personality Jimmy Adams and Edward Mendy’s Lion Heart Boxing. Continue reading “Chambers victorious in comeback fight”

40-year-old former heavyweight title challenger “Fast” Eddie Chambers (42-5, 23 KOs) will return for his first fight since 2016 when he takes on 305lb Corey Williams (6-13-2, 4 KOs) on Tuesday night at the Texas Troubadour in Nashville, Tennessee.

Eddie Chambers 226.8 vs. Corey Williams 305.6
Evan Gubera 199.4 vs. Demetrius Banks 197.4
Eduardo Aguilar 140.8 vs. John Hale 140.8
Erick Arellano 209 vs. Raquan Ashby (will weigh on tomorrow)
Ricardo Wallers (will weigh in tomorrow) vs. Jerrell Nettles (will weigh in tomorrow)

*Iegor Plevako will particiapte in an exhibition

Venue: The Texas Troubadour in Nashville
Promoter: Lion Heart Promotions
1st Bell 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT
Stream: FITE.TV