Former three-division world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KOs) arrived at Los Angeles International Airport earlier this afternoon. After spending several months serving with the Belgorod-Dnestrovsky Territorial Defense Battalion in his native Ukraine, Loma is ready to resume his boxing career and will return to the ring later this year against a to-be-determined opponent.

“I pray every day for Ukraine, for the people…. and stop the war. When I came back to Ukraine, I believe it was the second day of war. Your mind changes because you see a different life. It’s a different life. Nobody knows what happened on this day. It’s very bad. It’s very bad for the world,” Lomachenko said. “I’ve prepared for this moment, and I need this chance. I need this fight… undisputed. Undisputed world champion.”

The World Boxing Association (WBA) will hold its Centennial Convention from December 11 through 14 at the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, Florida. The event will mark the celebration of 100 years of existence of boxing’s pioneer organization.

“Caribe Royale Hotel is proud to welcome the World Boxing Association to Orlando, Florida for their Annual Convention in December, 2022. We are looking forward to hosting Gilberto Jesus Mendoza and the entire team of professionals at the WBA. The entire team at Caribe Royale is looking forward to hosting visitors from around the world as part of this Centennial Celebration of the WBA,” Caribe Royale announced.

The WBA has had to postpone its convention for different reasons since 2019, when the 99th was held in Fuzhou, China. Now the United States has been chosen because it was the country where the organization was born, in addition to the fact that the relocation of its offices to North America has begun.

The guests and activities will be announced as the months go by while the WBA works to have one of the most productive and differential conventions ever seen in the sport.

“I’ve watched a lot of people die playing with their boxing career and that is something I won’t do. Just pray for me” – Adrien Broner

Four-division world champion Adrien Broner has pulled out of Saturday’s clash against Omar Figueroa citing mental health issues.

Figueroa will now face Sergey Lipinets in a 12-round WBC super lightweight title eliminator headlining live on Showtime this Saturday from Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Adrien Broner: “Man, I’m going [through] a lot at this moment in my life, but I ain’t gonna give up. I set some more goals and I finish what I started but sorry to say this, but I’m not fighting August 20.

“Sorry to all my fans but mental health is real and I’m not about to play inside the ring. I’ve watched a lot of people die playing with their boxing career and that is something I won’t do. Just pray for me. I love the sport of boxing too much to not give my all and I feel like I came up short before because my mind wasn’t 100% there and I’ll be damned if I make that mistake again.

“I need to make some changes for the better instead of worrying about other peoples’ feelings and pleasing them when in all reality I have nothing to prove to nobody. I’m a four-time world champion in four different weight classes and if I never lace up a pair of gloves again, I feel like it’s safe to say I will be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame. So, I have to step back and overcome this obstacle before I go put my life on the line inside the square circle again. I know I’m far from being finished with the sport. See y’all soon.’’ Continue reading “Broner pulls out of Showtime fight”

Looks like WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury won’t be returning after all. A few days ago, The Gypsy King announced that he had teamed up with trainer Isaac Lowe and was planning a trilogy fight with Derek “War” Chisora. However, Fury has now reversed course.

“Massive thanks to everyone who had an input in my career over the years and after long hard conversations, I’ve finally decided to walk away. And on my 34th birthday, I say bon voyage,” Fury wrote on Twitter. He then named a list of people who helped him in his career and concluded with “See you all on the other side you big dossers. 2008-2022.”

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed Fury’s intentions. “Just finished a touching video conference with Tyson Fury, who has confirmed his official retirement from boxing. We fully support his decision, which is a dream for anyone to retire undefeated and as WBC champion of the world. The WBC will prepare a special farewell event soon.”

The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee ratified the mandatory fight between light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and his mandatory challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.

After receiving a request from Bivol’s promoter Matchroom for special permission to fight Joshua Buatsi, the WBA denied such permission, so Bivol and Ramirez had until yesterday (as originally planned) to reach an agreement or the fight would go to purse bid.

“We find the ruling fair and honest considering Zurdo Ramirez has fought two elimination bouts and has been the number one contender for this fight since his victory against Sullivan Barrera in 2021,” stated Golden Boy Chairman Oscar De La Hoya. “We will continue to work hard to support Ramirez as he campaigns to one day become a two-division world champion.” Continue reading “WBA ratifies Bivol-Ramirez”

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

In a WBA welterweight eliminator, the rising star from Grand Prairie, Texas, Vergil Ortiz Jr. (19-0, 19 KOs) put on a show for his hometown fans dropping the awkward and slick Michael McKinson (22-1, 2 KOs) from the United Kingdom in round eight and again in round nine to score the TKO in the scheduled twelve at Dickie’s Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, streamed live on DAZN and promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. Ortiz Jr. retained his WBO International title with the huge win and now his hoping for his long awaited world title shot. Continue reading “Ortiz stops McKinson, KO streak continues”

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

Super welterweight Blair “The Flair” Cobb (16-1-1, 10 KOs) out of Philadelphia, PA, dropped Dallas’ former world champ Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker (27-3-3, 18 KOs) three times, once in round one and twice in round two to win going away with the unanimous decision 97-90 twice and 96-91 on Saturday night at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

Cobb used quick feet and a powerful left hand to dart in and out of the bigger Hooker all night. Cobb, a southpaw, landed his right hand and then followed up with two more punches as Hooker went down to score the first knockdown in round one. In round two, Cobb scored his second knockdown with a straight left through the guard and later in the round, Cobb landed another left and then a right that put Hooker down for the third time in the fight in as many rounds. Continue reading “Wooooo! Cobbs defeats Hooker”

Two-time Olympian featherweight Michael “Mick” Conlan (17-1, 8 KOs), outboxed three-time world title challenger Miguel Marriaga (30-6, 26 KOs) over ten rounds on Saturday night at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In his return after a brutal KO loss against WBA featherweight world champion Leigh Wood, the speedier Conlan never let power-puncher Marriaga into the fight as Marriaga spent most the night swinging at air. Conlan scored questionable knockdowns in rounds seven and eight. A legit knockdown when Marriaga’s glove touched the canvas in round nine. Marriaga finally woke up in round ten, but it was too little, too late. Scores were 99-88, 99-88, 99-89.

“I had to get rid of a lot of demons tonight,” said Conlan afterward. “Even in the fuc*ing last round, he hit me with a shot. That guy can punch. {He has} 10 more knockouts than I have fights. He hit me with a jab in the first round, and it was like, ‘Oh, this guy actually can bang.’ I had to be careful and use my skills, which I did. In the last round, he caught me with a shot. Listen, I’ve been using my legs all night. I was a bit off the pace. He was pushing it. He landed a good shot. He buckled me a little bit. I felt it, and for me, to kind of come through that and it’s the last round… I got knocked out in my last fight in the last round. I think that says a lot. I’m back, baby. I’m ready for any of them.” Continue reading “Conlan schools Marriaga in comeback”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® spoke to the Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya immediately after weigh-ins for his top welterweight contender Vergil Ortiz Jr who takes on the undefeated Michael McKinson this Saturday at Dickie’s Arena, Fort Worth, Texas and shown live on DAZN. De La Hoya shares thoughts on a potential fight for Ortiz Jr with Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. and gives an update on Kingry and Tank talks in this exclusive interview.

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Unbeaten heavyweight Joe Joyce (14-0, 13 KOs) will take on former world champion Joseph Parker (30-2, 21 KOs) on September 24 at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. This heavyweight collision between #1 and #2 in the WBO rankings, as well as being rated at #2 and #3 by the WBC, will represent a shootout to determine who will be made mandatory challenger for the winner of the forthcoming rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua.

Joe Joyce: “This fight has been a long time in the making. Parker realized he had nowhere else to go and eventually had to take this fight. #1 Vs #2. The winner goes on to fight for the world title. It’s going to be a cracking fight and you will see why he tried so hard to avoid me!”

Joseph Parker: “On Saturday, September 24th, the fans in Manchester will see the very best of me. Joe Joyce will see exactly why I will become the heavyweight champion of the world again with BOXXER…I have waited patiently to get this fight on and let me tell you now, the Juggernaut’s journey ends right here. He has nowhere to run.”

The bout will air exclusively live on BT Sport Box Office in the UK. The US outlet is TBA. The event is promoted by Frank Warren for Queensberry Promotions in association with BOXXER.

WBA heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois has filed a lawsuit against Hall of Fame promoter Don King alleging that he wasn’t paid for his fight with Trevor Bryan on DKP’s June 11 event in Miami.

King responded by saying he’s been requesting banking and wire information from Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren for two months. After not getting a reply, King’s lawyer Tony Gonzalez put the funds in escrow waiting for Warren to respond. DuBois’ lawyer Leon Margules finally sent the wire instructions after Warren and Queensberry Promotions failed to reply to Don King Promotions’ multiple requests for wire instructions. Continue reading “Don King: I’ve never not paid a fighter”

Making his super welterweight debut, two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia (37-3, 21 KOs) scored a twelve round majority decision against Jose Benavidez Jr. (27-2-1, 18 KOs) on Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Benavidez stalked Garcia the whole fight but was constantly outlanded. Scores were 114-114, 116-112, 117-111. The Danny Garcia Show will continue its run at 154.

Garcia became very emotional in discussing his mental health struggles during the post-fight interview, concluding with “Hopefully I don’t become a meme with my crying face like Michael Jordan.”

Jake Paul has canceled his August 6 PPV event against Hasim Rahman Jr. at Madison Square Garden after Rahman was unable to cut his weight to the poundage agreed on. Rahman was slated to be the first professional boxer Paul has fought. Refunds for all ticket and PPV purchases will be provided.

Statement from Most Valuable Promotions

On July 5, Hasim Rahman, Jr. signed a bout agreement to fight Jake Paul on August 6th at Madison Square Garden at a maximum weight of 200 lbs. At the time of signing Rahman provided evidence of his weight to give comfort to Most Valuable Promotions and the New York State Athletic Commission that he would not be losing more than 10% of his weight over the 4 weeks leading up to the fight. Since weighing in at 216 lbs on July 7, Rahman and his camp have offered assurance after assurance publicly and privately that he was on track to make weight at the weigh-in on August 5th, going as far as to provide a letter signed by a recognized nutritionist that his weight cut was progressing without issue per New York State Athletic Commission’s required weekly weight checks. In the last 48 hours, it has become clear that these assurances were not made in good faith. Continue reading “Jake Paul vs. Hasim Rahman Jr is OFF”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Undisputed WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF lightweight champion Devin Haney (28-0, 15 KOs) will travel to back to Melbourne, Australia to defend his laurels on October 16 in a rematch against formerly undisputed world champion George “Ferocious” Kambosos (20-1, 10 KOs). This time, the bout will take place at the Rod Laver Arena.

In June, Haney captured all the 135-pound belts with a unanimous decision over Kambosos at the huge Marvel Stadium with over 40,000 fans in attendance. The event attracted the second largest attendance in Australian boxing history – eclipsed only by the Manny Pacquiao vs. Jeff Horn WBO welterweight title bout in Brisbane in 2017 that had over 50,000 fans attending. Rod Laver Arena has a capacity of around 16,000.

Tn a WBC featherweight eliminator, former junior featherweight world champion Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe (24-2, 15 KOs) took a hard-fought split decision over two-time title challenger Joet Gonzalez (25-3, 15 KOs) on Saturday night at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota. Dogboe outboxed Gonzalez early on, but Gonzalez’ pressure began to take effect in round four and it was a tough, gritty fight the rest of the way. Scores were 96-94 Gonzalez, 96-94, 96-94 Dogboe. All three judges gave Dogboe the final round. With the win, Dogboe also claimed Gonzalez’ WBO International strap.

Isaac Dogboe: “I said to the people that my journey can be a Hollywood blockbuster movie, and I praise God always. I’ve always seen {trainer} Barry {Hunter} as a very inspirational person, a father figure. He’s a person that when it seems like it’s all gone, he always has something to say to you. I really needed him in my corner. He was able to pull that extra strength in me out. I want to say thanks to Joet Gonzalez. He’s a true warrior. Whoever the champions are, they should watch out. The ‘Royal Storm,’ I am back, baby!” Continue reading “Dogboe edges Gonzalez in WBC eliminator”

The comeback of heavyweight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller continued Saturday night at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The 328lb Miller (25-0-1, 20 KOs) scored a fourth round KO over Derek Cardenas (8-19, 7 KOs). Big Baby dropped Cardenas in round three and finished him in round four. Time was 1:43. Miller is now 2-0 since resuming his career last month after a three-and-a-half year hiatus.

In the main event, heavyweight Rydell Mayes Jr. (13-1, 12 KOs) avenged his KO loss last year to Jaden Booth (3-5, 3 KOs) with a first round TKO. A barrage by Mayes prompted a very quick referee’s stoppage. Booth took some shots, but didn’t appear particularly hurt. Continue reading “Big Baby Miller KOs Cardenas, remains unbeaten”

In a long-awaited clash between Thai boxing icons, WBA minimumweight champion Knockout CP Freshmart, a.k.a. Thammanoo Niyomtrong, (24-0, 9 KOs) successfully defended his world title by twelve round unanimous decision against against former WBC champ Wanheng Meenayothin, a.k.a. Chayaphon Moonsri (55-3, 19 KOs) on Wednesday in a temporary arena at the Chonburi Provincial Ground in Chonburi, Thailand. Close rounds with both having their moments. Wanheng was maybe a bit busier early, but Freshmart’s combination punching won the day. Scores were 116-112, 119-109, and 117-111. Lots of smiles and hugs during the fight.

By Héctor Villarreal

Undefeated light flyweight Daniel “El Verdugo” Matellon (13-0-2, 7 KOs), a Cuban based in Panama, easily stopped Mexican Ivan Garcia Carrillo (10-2-1, 6 KOs) at 1:02 in round 3 of the main event of the card presented by Sergio Gonzalez Master Promotions on Saturday night in Los Andes shopping mall in Panama City.

Matellon, who was the WBA interim champion of the division until the entity eliminated the title, knocked Garcia down in the first round and did it again definitively in the third, to claim the regional Fedecaribe belt which was on vacancy.

“El Verdugo” Matellon, currently ranked #1 by WBA, has beaten three Mexicans in a row on very important boxing shows. He won the interim championship by majority decision on February 7th, 2020, over Guadalajara´s Erick Omar Lopez, in a fight aired by ESPN, then defended it once, outpointing Nayarit´s Jose Argumedo on June 26th, 2021 in a DAZN show. His victory over Mexico City´s Garcia was televised by Combate Space.

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Lightweight Ryan Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) of Victorville, California, disposed of former two-time world champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (37-4-1, 26 KOs) of the Dominican Republic in six rounds Saturday night at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Garcia came out shooting the right hand and connecting with a thudding left hook, Fortuna walked through the punches and kept coming. In round two, Garcia pumped the jab and later connected with a flush right snapping Fortuna’s head. Still figuring out the style, Garcia kept working off the jab boxing as he pinned Fortuna up on the ropes momentarily in round three, shortly after Fortuna attempted to make it a rough fight swarming Garcia.

In the fourth round, Garcia connected with a short right hand and shortly after connected with a body shot sending Fortuna to the canvas. Fortuna got up, but Garcia had Fortuna on the run. A huge right hand in the fifth by Garcia dropped Fortuna for a second time. The former champion was up as Garcia stalked him to finish the round. However, a left hook by Garcia finally finished Fortuna as referee Jerry Cantu stopped the fight at 27 seconds of the sixth.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

WBO 115-pound champion Kazuto Ioka (29-2, 15 KOs), 115, made his fifth title defense when he decisively avenged his previous loss to Filipino veteran WBO#1 Donnie Nietes (43-2-6, 33 KOs), 114.5, by a unanimous decision over twelve speedy rounds on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan. The judges lopsidedly favored Ioka: Gerardo Martinez (Puerto Rico) 118-110, William Lerch (US) 117-111 and Waleska Roldan (US) 120-108. The referee who handled the fast-moving contest very well was Bence Kovacs (Hungary).

It was such a tactical fight of both four-division titlists as a couple of Miguel Cantos kept outboxing and countering each other, but it was Ioka, 33, that displayed more aggressiveness in throwing combinations upstairs and downstairs all the way. Nietes, 40, showed only his cleverness in averting Ioka’s versatile combinations, and failed to retaliate with more effective punches in return. Continue reading “Full Report: Ioka defeats Nietes in rematch”

WBC super flyweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (16-0, 11 KOs) will defend his world title against Israel “Jiga” Gonzalez (28-4-1, 11 KOs) as the co-main event on the undercard of the trilogy clash between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas September 17. The event will be broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View in the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world on regular DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan).

Rodriguez is coming off a stoppage win over former champ Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on his San Antonio home turf last month, while Gonzalez is making his fourth world title attempt.

To date, this is the only Canelo-GGG undercard bout to be announced.

Unbeaten former 122lb champion Rey Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) dethroned WBC featherweight champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) by twelve round split decision on Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. In a slugfest, Vargas stood his ground and gave Magsayo all he could handle. Magsayo dropped Vargas in round nine, but Vargas was far busier throughout the bout. Scores were 115-112, 115-112 Vargas, 114-113 Magsayo.

After the fight, Vargas set his sights on a potential unification fight against four-division world champion and current WBA featherweight world champion Leo Santa Cruz, a potentially huge Mexico vs. Mexico clash.

“Now I want the unification bout,” said Vargas. “I want to fight Leo Santa Cruz. We’ve already talked about it with my team and I’m ready.”

In an exciting clash between former heavyweight contenders, hometown hero Derek Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) scored a twelve round split decision over Kubrat Pulev (29-3, 14 KOs) to claim the WBA international title on Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London. Chisora came out with an aggressive body attack while Pulev operated from outside with combinations. Chisora had a big round seven and Pulev went back to the corner with blood streaming from a cut over his left eye. Pulev staggered Chisora in round eight, but DelBoy, always the most dangerous when he’s hurt, somehow fired back. Toe-to-toe action in round nine with both landing big shots. Pulev outworked Chisora in round eleven, but Chisora landed the most eye-catching shots in round twelve. Scores were 116-112 Pulev, 116-112, 116-114 Chisora. Chisora reversed a three-fight losing streak and avenged a split decision loss to Pulev six years ago.

The World Boxing Association (WBA) is in the process of moving their headquarters from Panama City, Panama, to Houston, Texas. The organization, which was founded in the state of Rhode Island in 1921 and recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, later moved its headquarters to Panama, Venezuela, and then back to Panama.

“After 100 years, the pioneer sanctioning body shall be back in America,” said WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza. “It’s the right time to settle back in the most influential boxing market of the sport.

“Besides seeking to bond with every single member of the American boxing community, we come to support the systematic development of boxing. It needs to be from its roots. USA has talent in every corner and boxing has proven to be a path of success for many athletes.

“The headquarters will be in the city of Houston, Texas. A great sports town that witnessed great human beings and champions of the world. Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz and Jermell Charlo were motivation to choose the Space City as the WBA’s new hometown.”

Unbeaten, WBO #1, WBC #2, IBF #6 heavyweight Joe Joyce (14-0, 13 KOs) returned from a one year layoff with a fourth round stoppage of perennial gatekeeper Christian Hammer (27-10, 17 KOs) at the OVO Arena in London. Joyce dropped Hammer in late in round three and then put him down three times in round four to end it. Time was 1:20. Joyce successfully defended his WBC Silver and WBO International belts.

Former world champion Zolani Tete (30-4, 23 KOs) brutally kayoed Jason Cunningham (31-7, 7 KOs) in round four to claim Cunningham’s Commonwealth and IBF International junior featherweight titles. Tete dropped Cunningham in round four then laid him out with his follow-up barrage.

Unbeaten lightweight Mark Chamberlain (11-0, 7 KOs) outscored Marc Vidal (13-3-5, 5 KOs) over ten rounds to claim the IBF European title.