By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

In a WBA super welterweight title eliminator, former world title challenger Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin (26-2, 18 KOs) beat the young, rising star Jesus “El Mono” Ramos (20-1, 16 KOs) over twelve lackluster rounds via unanimous decision in the co-main event for Canelo-Charlo at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Continue reading “Lubin upsets Ramos in WBA eliminator”

By Miguel Maravilla

Former world champions Yordenis Ugas (27-6, 12 KOs) of Las Vegas by way of Cuba and San Antonio’s Mario Barrios (28-2, 18 KOs) squared off for the WBC interim welterweight title in a fight that saw the San Antonio fighter score two knockdowns in route to a unanimous decision win. Continue reading “Barrios beats Ugas for WBC interim belt”

IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia (23-0, 18 KOs) chopped down 6’6 Jordan Thompson (15-1, 12 KOs) in four one-sided rounds on Saturday night at the OVO Arena in London. Opetaia rocked Thompson in round one and was close to a stoppage. Opetaia dropped Thompson in round three and battered him the entire round. 20 seconds into round four, Opetaia blasted Thompson to the canvas again to end it.

In an IBF heavyweight eliminator, southpaw Otto Wallin (26-1, 14 KOs) edged Murat Gassiev (30-2, 23 KOs) by split decision over twelve rounds on Saturday night at the Regnum Carla Resort in Antalya, Turkey. Tactical fight. Gassiev was aggressive but had trouble landing. Wallin fired a non-stop jab and threw sporadic combinations. Scores were 115-113, 115-113 Wallin, 117-111 Gassiev.

Wallin, 32, has won six straight since suffering his only loss against Tyson Fury in 2019. Former cruiserweight champion Gassiev, 29, suffered his first loss as a heavyweight.

It is the blockbuster news bulletin that sports fans across the globe have been waiting to hear. WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs) will take on WBO/WBA/IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) in an epic showdown to crown the division’s first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.

The biggest fight in world boxing will take place at the Kingdom Arena as part of this Riyadh Season and will be presented to fans around the world by The General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia.

Additional details, including the official fight date, will be announced later.

The fight will be promoted by Queensberry, Top Rank, K2 and Usyk17.

Sad to report the passing of Boxing Hall of Fame announcer Colonel Bob Sheridan at the age of 79. Sheridan called the blow-by-blow action in over 10,000 fights on radio and television, including the legendary Rumble in the Jungle, the Thrilla in Manila, the Fanman Fight, the Bite Fight and many more.

“The Colonel had a larger-than-life personality,” said Fightnews.com® Editor & Chief Karl Freitag. “We interviewed him many times. He was always entertaining and could tell a story like no other. He was a friend of Fightnews.com® and will be missed.”

Here’s a great interview with the Colonel by Boxing Bob Newman at the 2010 WBC Convention:

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By Joe Koizumi

WBC, WBA light flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji (22-1, 14 KOs), 107.25, kept his belts as he patiently kept stalking game and busy South African veteran Hekkie Budler (36-5, 11 KOs), 107.75, and finally accelerated his attack and battered the challenger to the ropes to prompt the referee’s intervention at 2:19 of the ninth round on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese footworker averted Budler’s busy but less accurate combinations and fought back with better precision to have the South African gradually slowing down at the game progressed.

Promoter: Teiken Promotions.

(More to come)

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten Japanese southpaw Junto Nakatani made his first defense of the WBO 115-pound belt as he dropped Mexican Argi Cortes three times–twice in the fidth and once more in the ninth—to score a lopsided decision (119-106 twice, 118-107) over twelve hot frames on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Cortes seemed greatly befuddled by Nakatani’s awkward southpaw style with superior height and reach to be unable to show his retaliation.

(More to come)

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Unbeaten WBA #2, WBC #5, IBF #6, WBO #7 lightweight William “El Camarón” Zepeda (29-0, 25 KOs) battered and stopped two-time world title challenger Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs) on Saturday night headlining on Mexican Independence Day at the Commerce Casino & Hotel in Commerce, California. Zepeda attacked with non-stop punching and relentless pressure from the opening bell. Gesta was under fire until his corner stopped it midway through round six. Continue reading “Zepeda bludgeons Gesta”

IBF featherweight world champion Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez (29-2, 16 KOs) retained his title by twelve round unanimous decision over two-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez (26-4, 15 KOs) on Friday night at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Tough, gritty fight. Tough gritty fight with Venado prevailing 118-110, 117-111, 116-112.

Undisputed super middleweight world champion Canelo Álvarez showed off the skills showed his skills during a media workout on Wednesday at his Lake Tahoe training camp as he prepares to take on undisputed junior middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo headlining a Showtime PPV on September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo is attempting to become the first man during the four-belt era to defend all four titles successfully three consecutive times.

Canelo Alvarez

“I always want to make the best fights out there. I’m excited to be in this fight. This is a fight that people have talked about for a while. I’m excited to show the Charlos my skills. Now Jermell is gonna feel my skills.

“I think Jermell Charlo is the perfect fight right now. He’s been calling me out for a long time and I never forget. He’s said a lot of things. He never believed in my skills, but he’s gonna find out soon. Him and his brother didn’t believe in my skills and that motivates me for this fight. Continue reading “Canelo: I still believe I’m number one”

By Boxing Bob Newman

Hall of Fame former champ and current ESPN boxing analyst Timothy Bradley spoke with Fightnews.com® regarding his views on a meeting of the minds of the media, ring officials and the fans, in hopes of getting everyone on the same page!

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By Boxing Bob Newman

Embattled WBC middleweight champ Jermall Charlo made a surprise appearance at the 53rd annual NABF convention in Orlando, Florida. Thursday evening. Charlo spoke about his absence from the ring, his plans to return, the changes he’s making in his life and who has been helping him, as well as his estrangement from his twin brother, Jermell.

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By Gabriel F. Cordero

It has been learned that former world champion Errol Spence Jr. has activated his rematch clause to fight undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford. There is nothing finalized on dates, venue or even the weight division for Crawford-Spence 2, but the fight is expected before the end of the year or early 2024. Crawford had expressed interest in a possible bout against the Canelo-Charlo winner, but now it looks like he and Spence will be running it back.

Zhilei Zhang, the WBO interim heavyweight champion, met with Chinese media representatives in New York City to discuss his upcoming title defense against former champion Joe Joyce. Wednesday’s event was held at Peter Song’s Kung Fu Kitchen in Times Square. Zhang vs. Joyce, a rematch, is scheduled for September 23rd in Joyce’s hometown of London at the Wembley Arena, with ESPN+ broadcasting live in the US, Douyin in China and TNT Sports in the UK.

Zhang gave a brief update on his training camp, saying, “People say Joyce is so active and hits hard, but when it comes to sparring, I am working with Alonzo Neal, who throws more punches than Joyce, Dmytro Bezus who hits harder than Joyce, and Mariusz Wach, who is 300 pounds and bigger than Joyce.” Neal is a 2023 National Golden Gloves finalist, Bezus is a 10-1 professional and Wach is a well-respected veteran who challenged former champion Wladimir Klitschko and has shared the ring with contenders Jarrell Miller, Alexander Povetkin, Martin Bakole, Dillian Whyte and Hughie Fury. Continue reading “Zhilei Zhang NYC Press Conference”

WBO #5, WBA #7, IBF #15 heavyweight Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (16-0, 15 KOs) returned to the ring after 56 days to outclass and stop Andriy Rudenko (35-7, 21 KOs) on Saturday night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Anderson had it all his way against the durable 39-year-old Rudenko. Rudenko was deducted a point for holding in round five. After that, Anderson launched a barrage of unanswered punches to get a referee’s stoppage. Time was 1:40.

WBC #14 heavyweight Efe Ajagba (18-1, 13 KOs) won by disqualification against previously unbeaten WBC #9, WBA #14 rated Zhan Kossobutskiy (19-1, 18 KOs). Kossobutskiy was deducted two points for low blows in round three and was DQ’d after another low blow in round four.

WBO mini-flyweight world champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo (8-0, 6 KOs) was victorious when Garen “Hellboy” Diagan (10-4, 5 KOs) couldn’t continue after round six on Saturday night at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Collazo broke down Diagan and thrilled the crowd with the victory

“I knew he was going to break down eventually,” said Collazo. “We had the strong jab, the physical, and the mental pressure that got us the victory. Puerto Ricans know how to celebrate, and we will do a lot of it tonight.”

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Super flyweight Juan Carlos “El Indio” Camacho Jr. (16-1, 8 KOs) quickly took out Jorge Luis Orozco (17-4-2, 11 KOs) in the first round of a Puerto Rico vs. Mexico clash for the NABF title. Camacho dropped Orozco twice with vicious body shots. Time was 2:31. Orozco was down for several minutes.

In a rematch, former world champion Angel ‘Tito’ Acosta (24-4, 22 KOs) hammered out a ten round unanimous decision over former contender Carlos ‘El Chocorroncito’ Buitrago (37-10-1, 21 KOs) in a flyweight fight. Scores were 99-91, 99-91, 98-92. Acosta previously stopped Buitrago in round twelve of a 2018 WBO light fly title defense.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Unified WBA/WBO/IBF heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) knocked out WBA regular champion Daniel Dubois (19-2, 18 KOs) in round nine on Saturday night in a driving rainstorm at Tarczyński Arena in Wroclaw, Poland. Usyk outboxed Dubois over the first four rounds. Usyk was hurt by a shot to the belt line ruled low blow in round five and needed several minutes to recover. Usyk peppered Dubois with jabs and straight lefts. Dubois had his best success to the body. Usyk finally dropped Dubois with a combination at the end of round eight and then floored Dubois again in round nine to end it. Dubois was counted out at :48.

Oleksandr Usyk: “I’m ready tomorrow! Next fight with Tyson Fury!”

Daniel Dubois: “I don’t think that was a low blow! I’ve been cheated out of victory!”

In a highly anticipated clash, WBO junior lightweight world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (38-1, 31 KOs) successfully defended his title in a war with former two-weight champion Oscar Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs) on Saturday night at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Navarrete’s six-inch reach advantage, awkward combinations, and high punch volume gave Valdez all kinds of problems. Valdez was more economical but landed hard shots. Navarrete suffered an injury to his right hand in round nine. Valdez tried to put on more pressure in round ten but Navarrete continued to fight hard with both hands and targeted Valdez’ rapidly closing right eye. Navarrete closed strong to win a unanimous decision 116-112, 118-110, 119-109. Rematch anyone?

Former world champion Emmanuel “Manny” Rodriguez (22-2, 13 KOs) scored a one-sided twelve round unanimous decision over Melvin “Melo” Lopez (29-2, 19 KOs) to reclaim the vacant IBF bantamweight title formerly held by Naoya Inoue on Saturday night at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Rodriguez steadily outworked Lopez the entire fight. Late in the fight, Rodriguez’s right eye was badly swollen, but despite that, he dropped Lopez three times in round twelve. Scores were 120-105 3x.

Two-time former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (26-3, 23 KOs) knocked out late sub Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius (32-5, 21 KOs) in round seven on Saturday night at The O2 Arena in London. Tactical fight early on. AJ landed a few right hands. Helenius mainly worked the jab to the head and body. Joshua upped the pressure in round five. Helenius looked tired in round six, but AJ didn’t let his hands go.

AJ finally laid out Helenius with a huge right hand in round seven. Time was 1:27.

Helenius replaced Dillian Whyte on five days’ notice after Whyte tested positive for a banned substance.

Next up for Joshua could be Deontay Wilder.

Undefeated IBF #1, WBA #8, WBO #13, WBC #15 heavyweight Filip “El Animal” Hrgovic (16-0, 13 KOs) scored a sudden twelfth round TKO over previously unbeaten IBF #13, WBO #14 Demsey McKean (22-1, 14 KOs) to preserve his mandatory shot at unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night at The O2 Arena in London. Lots of rabbit punches were allowed in this fight. Hrgovic pressed the action and won the early rounds. McKean became more active midway. Hrgovic rocked McKean in round nine. A lot of holding by McKean for the rest of the way.

The bout looked like it was headed to a workmanlike decision for Hrgovic when he finally connected with a huge right hand that staggered McKean in the final round. McKean reeled around the ring and the bout was stopped. Time was 1:01.

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten puzzling southpaw IBF #5 Ryosuke Nishida (8-0, 1 KO), 118, pounded out a unanimous decision (116-112, 117-111, 118-110) over IBF#6 Christian Medina (21-4, 14 KOs), 117.75, in an IBF bantamweight eliminator to decide the next mandatory challenger over twelve on Friday in Osaka, Japan. Nishida took the initiative with his superior skills over the hard-punching but less aggressive Mexican all the way. Medina, in rounds five and seven, connected with solid left hooks to the cheek of Nishida, who, however, controlled the fight with speed and skills.

Promoter: KWORLD3 Promotions.

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

“The Problem Child” Jake Paul (7-1, 4 KOs) defeated MMA superstar Nate Diaz (0-1) by unanimous decision in a bout fought at a 185lb catchweight in the main event at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

The scores read 97-92, 98-91 twice.

In the opening round of this much anticipated showdown, Pual landed a left hook to head and right to body to put Diaz on the ropes. Diaz held on as his right eye began to redden.

Diaz found success in round two as he landed inside with left and right hooks. Paul countered with shots to the head and body. Diaz scores with a straight left to open round three as Paul came back and is started to find his mark.

In round four, both had their moments landing uppercuts and body shots. Diaz snapped Paul’s head back midway through the round after a small flurry of punches.

Paul landed a left hook to the temple and dropped Diaz in round five. Paul attacked Diaz and landed more shots and was clearly going for the KO, but Diaz stood his ground. Continue reading “Jake Paul defeats Nate Diaz”

Today, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) informed Matchroom, the Association of Boxing Commissions, and the British Boxing Board of Control that Dillian Whyte had returned adverse analytical findings as part of a random anti-doping protocol. In light of this news, the fight will be cancelled, and a full investigation will be conducted.

Matchroom is looking for a new opponent for Joshua.