Fightnews.com

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten three-division champ “Monster” Naoya Inoue participated in a public workout on Saturday prior to his shot at the WBC, WBO 122-pound belt against Stephen Fulton on July 25. Naoya said, “By moving up from 118 to 122 pounds, I feel more comfortable, stronger and sharper. I’ve also improved my speed.”

After skipping rope and before shadow boxing, his manager/promoter Hideyuki Ohashi abruptly told him to stop training not to show it to the trainers of Team Fulton in attendance since Fulton displayed nothing yesterday. The psychological warfare has already begun.

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By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBC, WBO 122-pound champion Stephen Fulton stunned the Japanese press people with his brief workout on Friday in Yokohama, Japan. It lasted only 2 minutes 45 seconds, and he left Ohashi Gym, saying, “I don’t like to show my training.” A public workout is a customary event to cooperate with the publicity of a boxing event, but he didn’t actually show anything to the press at all. He just did shadow boxing for a minute, hit punching ball for thirty seconds and landed only three to the punching bag. Fulton said, “Naoya Inoue’s best asset is his excellent timing in punching rather than his power punching. But I’ll be able to outbox him by fighting intelligently.”

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Frank Martin 135 vs. Artem Harutyunyan 134.6
(WBC lightweight title eliminator)

Elvis Rodríguez 141.8 vs. Viktor Postol 141.6
Freudis Rojas, Jr. 146 vs. Diego Sanchez 146.6
Quinton Randall 147.25 vs. Willie Jones 148
Justin Cardona 134.25 vs. Ángel Barrera 133.4
Anthony Cuba 134.4 vs. Ángel Rebollar 134.4
Alex Holley 146.6 vs. Michael De La Cruz 146.8

Venue: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Promoter: TGB Promotions
TV: Showtime

By Boxing Bob Newman

Greg Outlaw 146 vs. Juan Angelo 145
Mansaborie Conde 166 vs. Vatali Gubkin 161
Ahmad Jones 140 vs. Mark Meshura 141
Jaqeem Hutcherson 121 vs. Vit Y 117
Frankie Scarborough 132 vs. Darel Harris 132
Gerry Robinson 134 vs. Ronald Thomas 136
MicahTerrill 175 vs. Williams 175
Nick. Battaglia 113 vs. Justin Benitez 112
Jeff Glossner 140 vs. Joshua Delgadillo 140
Mehki Phillips 134 vs. Phillip Agnew 135

Venue: Live Casino and Hotel Hanover MD
Promoter: Christen and Tony Jeter
Matchmaker: Nick Tiberi

Alycia Baumgardner 129.4 vs. Christina Linardatou 129.8
(undisputed female super featherweight title)

Andy Cruz 134.6 vs. Juan Carlos Burgos 134.2
(IBF international lightweight title)

Jermaine Franklin 241.2 vs. Issac Munoz 257.4

Ja’Rico O’Quinn 121.2 vs. Carlos Mujica 122.6
Jemarco Holloway 141.8 vs. Angelo Snow 143.6
Cameron Pankey 123.6 vs. Misael Reyes 123.6
Joseph Hicks 167.6 vs. Ramses Agaton 169.8
Joshua James Pagan 146.2 vs. Gabriel Smith 147.4

Venue: Masonic Temple, Detroit
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

IBF mandatory world title challenger Filip Hrgovic (15-0, 12 KOs) will clash with Australia’s undefeated contender Demsey McKean (22-0, 14 KO) on the undercard of the August 12 Joshua-Whyte rematch at The O2 in London and shown exclusively live on DAZN around the world and on DAZN PPV in the UK and Ireland.

In addition, unbeaten heavyweight Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher (9-0, 8 KOs) faces Harry Armstrong (5-1-1, 0 KOs) for a regional belt.

Filip Hrgovic: “The heavyweight champions cannot avoid me any longer and once I have defeated Demsey McKean on August 12, they will have no other option but to face me. I have waited patiently and bided my time but the game is up, ‘El Animal’ is coming for you and is ready to take the belts back to Croatia. McKean will be a tough and strong opponent, but he has never faced anyone as powerful and skillful as me. August 12, at The O2 in London, is the night the heavyweight division starts to change.”

Demsey McKean: “This is what it’s all about, the big fights. I’ve been grinding a big portion of my life for a fight like this. I’m one win away from fighting Usyk for four world titles. This is my world title fight.”

Josh Kelly 154 vs. Gabriel Corzo 152.12
(WBO International super welterweight title)

Steven Robinson 244.2 vs. Franklin Ignatius 241
Codie Smith 126.6 vs. Francisco Rodriguez 125
Qais Ashfaq 129.12 vs. Liam Dillon 129.6
Ben Marksby 143.8 vs. Ricardo Fernandez 140.4
Chloe Watson 113.9 vs. Belen Valdebenito 113.14
Troy Williamson 160.3 vs. Ramiro Blanco 161.13
Samuel Antwi 153.4 vs. Ruben Angulo 155.3
Tom Summerbell TBA vs. Dimitri Protkanus TBA
Kai Richmond 134 vs. Karl Sampson 133.14
Owen Rees 142.1 vs. Marius Istrate 139.5
Oliver Zaren 168 vs. Jay Byrne 168.10

Venue: Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle, England
Promoter: Wasserman Boxing
TV: DAZN

R and B Promotions will be back at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on Saturday night. In a six-round main event, Daiyann Butt (14-2, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia battles Michael Crain (5-6-2, 1 KO) in a junior welterweight fight.

In four-round bouts, Tahmir Smalls (9-0, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Andres Viera (11-5, 8 KOs) of Montevideo, Uruguay in a welterweight clash. Also Oluwafemi Oyeleye (12-0, 6 KOs) of Los Angeles takes on former world title challenger Javier Maciel (34-20, 23 KOs) of Buenos Aries, Argentina in a junior middleweight fight.

By TMZ.com

Undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney was arrested on Thursday morning following a night out in Hollywood … after cops say they found a semi-automatic handgun in his car during a routine traffic stop.

The 30-0 fighter — who’s coming off a huge win over Vasiliy Lomachenko — was out at Catch L.A. on Wednesday … when just minutes after he left the hotspot around midnight, law enforcement tells TMZ Sports cops pulled over his ride due to an unsafe lane change and a failure to use turn signal.

According to authorities, Haney was not driving … but the person who was told officers during the stop there was a firearm inside of the ride. Continue reading “Devin Haney Arrested”

Alycia Baumgardner (14-1, 7 KOs) defends her undisputed super featherweight title against Christina Linardatou (14-2, 6 KOs) on Saturday night at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, live worldwide on DAZN. Baumgardner is looking to avenge her only pro defeat.

Alycia Baumgardner: “This is a full-circle moment for me. I am looking at her and picturing myself at our first fight, and knowing who I am now, the growth that was necessary to get to this moment, I’m a completely different fight now and she will see that on Saturday.”

Christina Linardatou: “It’s such a great opportunity for me, it’s something any boxer dreams of – the biggest thing a boxer can achieve. She’s already done it, but I have beaten her once and I will do it again.”

In other action, Andy Cruz makes his professional debut at lightweight against Juan Carlos Burgos for the IBF International title, heavyweight contender Jermaine Franklin (21-2, 14 KOs) faces Issac Munoz (17-0-1, 14 KOs) over ten rounds, and local featherweight Ja’Rico O’Quinn (15-1-1, 8 KOs) meets Carlos Mujica (8-2, 2 KOs).

A bout between Richardson Hitchins and Montana Love was postponed.

Unbeaten lightweight Frank “The Ghost” Martin had the press all to himself at the final press conference for Saturday’s WBC title eliminator at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Opponent Artem Harutyunyan was unable to attend as he was tending to some requirements of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Frank Martin: “I’m gonna do what ghosts do, I’m gonna spook the whole division. It’s gonna be a dominant performance. I’m gonna come out strong. I’m not looking past Artem, but he’s in the way of me getting the big fights. It’s anybody. I stay in the gym so I’m always ready for the top names. Continue reading “Martin-Harutyunyan Final Press Conference”

Unbeaten heavyweight contender Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (15-0, 14 KOs) will take on Andriy Rudenko (35-6, 21 KOs) in the 10-round main event on August 26 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The 23-year-old slugger will make his third 2023 appearance less than two months after defeating former world champion Charles Martin in front of 7,234 hometown fans in Toledo. ESPN will televise.

Bob Arum: “This is another great test for Jared. When you watch him fight, you are seeing a future heavyweight champion of the world. Rudenko is a crafty veteran who has been in there with some top guys. The fans at Hard Rock Tulsa are in for a real treat.” Continue reading “Anderson-Rudenko lands in Oklahoma”

WBO #2 junior middleweight Josh Kelly meets 18-0 Gabriel Corzo on Saturday at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle, England, live on DAZN.

Josh Kelly: “There are levels to this game and especially so when you reach the top echelons, so Corzo will be swimming with the sharks on Saturday night. He will be a lamb to the slaughter.”

Gabriel Corzo: “I have come here to win. I am aware that I am the away fighter, but Kelly has lost before, and he can lose again. He has been knocked out before and so he can be knocked out again.”

Continue reading “Kelly-Corzo Final Press Conference”

2020 Olympics gold medalist Andy Cruz will step through the ropes for the first time as a professional on Saturday night in Detroit at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, live worldwide on DAZN.

The 28-year-old signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn in May, and on Saturday night will face two-time world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos (35-7-3 21 KOs) over ten rounds for the IBF international lightweight title. The experienced and rugged Mexican took Cruz’s old foe Keyshawn Davis the eight round distance in December and has never been stopped, ensuring the world gets to see Cruz tested in his very first outing as a pro.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, and since I’m here, I want to take advantage of it,” said Cruz. “It feels spectacular to be back in the ring. Continue reading “Andy Cruz set for pro debut”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBC #9 Japanese speedster Taku Kuwahara (13-1, 8 KOs), 112, impressively scored a successful first defense when he beautifully sank WBA #11 ex-world title challenger Wulan Tuolehazi (15-5-2, 7 KOs), 112, from China, with a single body shot for the count at 2:10 of the fourth round in a scheduled twelve rounder on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. Having wrested the regional belt from Filipino Giemel Magramo this March, Kuwahara, fast on hand and foot, mixed it up on very close terms in the first three rounds. The fourth, however, witnessed a countering left hook to the side of the belly drop the Chinese challenger, who couldn’t beat the count in agony.

Kuwahara, formerly an amateur university boxer whose mark was 50-18, 10 stoppages, once failed to win the national belt via tenth round TKO by Seigo Yuri Akui in 2021, but kept winning five straight since his sole pro defeat. Continue reading “Kuwahara ices Wulan, keeps OPBF 112lb belt”

By David Finger

Benjamin Franklin once coined the famous cliché “nothing is certain but death and taxes.” But had he been a boxing fan it is likely that he would have added to that famous adage. Nothing is certain but death and taxes…and a last-minute change in opponent on a boxing card.

For Aaron Perez and Legacy Promotions, it would be visa trouble that would derail Mexican brawler Jose Angel Perez Diaz, who was originally slated to fight undefeated Abraham Perez (7-0, 3 KOs) in the main event of Saturday’s Expo Explosion card in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Continue reading “New opponent for Perez in WBC Youth clash”

Unbeaten super middleweight Lester Martinez (16-0, 14 KOs) knocked out Lucas De Abreu (14-4, 11 KOs) in the fourth round on Wednesday night the ProBox TV Event Center in Plant City, Florida. The heavy-handed Martinez dropped De Abreu twice in round three and he got the W after another knockdown in round four. Time was :33.

Unbeaten light heavyweight Najee Lopez (7-0, 6 KOs) needed just 48 seconds to destroy Chris Brooker (16-14, 6 KOs). A right hand to the side of the head ended Brooker’s night.

Unbeaten lightweight Julio Solis (9-0, 6 KOs) pounded on Yesner Talavera (15-15-1, 4 KOs) for eight rounds. Scores were 80-72 3x.

Unbeaten welterweight Kelvin Davis (9-0, 6 KOs) knocked out Derrick Whitley Jr. (7-4, 0 KOs) in round four. Time was 2:02. Davis is the brother of Olympian Keyshawn Davis.

The original main event between undefeated, world-ranked junior lightweight William Foster III and Fradimil Macayo was scrapped after Macayo fell ill.

Future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire versus Alexandro Santiago for the vacant WBC bantamweight title will now take place on the July 29  Spence-Crawford PPV undercard at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Donaire-Santiago, which was originally scheduled to take place this Saturday on Showtime, will be the second fight of the pay-per-view.

In the telecast opener, super welterweight Sergio Garcia will now face Yoenis Tellez in a ten rounder. Garcia was originally scheduled to face Jesus Ramos Jr. However Ramos was forced to withdraw due to a hand injury.

The previously announced Gurgen Hovhannisyan vs. Viktor Faust bout was removed after Faust was forced to withdraw because of a back injury.

The Spence-Crawford pay-per-view also features lightweight Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz against Giovanni Cabrera in a WBC and WBA title eliminator in the co-main event.

Emmanuel Moreno 118 vs. Manuel Chavez Garcia TBA
Jose Gomez 145.8 vs. Raul Garcia 145.4
Malik Calhoun 164.4 vs. Austin Dulworth TBA
Alexis Mones 117 vs. Macy Breaux 117.8
Jordan Najar 122 vs. Raymond Goodine 121.4
Fernando Solis 125.6 vs. Waldo Zamudio 127,2
Jaycob Ramos 133.4 vs. Xazvier Jackson 138.6

Venue: El Corral West Night Club
Promoter: King’s Promotions
1st Bell: 7 PM CT
Stream: DFTV

Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and Terence “Bud” Crawford previewed their showdown for the undisputed welterweight championship during a virtual press conference on Wednesday. They clash on PPV July 29 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Errol Spence Jr: “I came out here to Las Vegas three weeks early to train and acclimate. We’ve been 100% focused and training hard. We’re going over the game plan and making sure we’re on point and not leaving any stone unturned. This is a legacy fight and a fight people are gonna talk about for a long time.

“There have been fighters way more gifted than Terence who have lost in boxing. They can say what they want about him, but I know my capabilities. I know my mindset when I step into the ring. I believe that I can beat any fighter.”

Terence Crawford: “I’m not focusing on a potential rematch. I plan on winning the first match. The rematch is not in my mind. I’m focused on the job at hand right now. I’m not worried about any size difference. Look at Jeff Horn and Shawn Porter. Even Jose Benavidez Jr. was a big welterweight. This is nothing new. I was always the smaller guy, even when I was fighting at 140-pounds. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

“Everyone Errol faced had a loss and had something already taken from them. He faced guys who already knew how to lose. I take a fighters’ belt and their ‘0’. Those fighters are never the same after that face me.”

Hard-hitting welterweight prospect Freudis Rojas (10-0, 10 KOs) will take on Diego Sanchez (19-2, 16 KOs) in the ten round telecast opener on Showtime this Saturday from Las Vegas. Rojas-Sanchez replaces the previously announced Nonito Donaire vs. Alexandro Santiago bout, which will now take place on July 29.

The main event is undefeated top contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin against undefeated Olympic bronze medalist Artem Harutyunyan in a WBC lightweight title eliminator. In the co-main event, super lightweight contender Elvis Rodriguez meets former world champion Viktor Postol in a 10-rounder.

Rojas was already set to face Sanchez in an undercard fight prior to being moved to the telecast.

Heavyweight contender Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (15-0, 14 KOs) will next face 39-year-old Andriy Rudenko (35-6, 21 KOs) on ESPN August 26 according to the network. Anderson is making a quick comeback just 56 days after a tough ten round unanimous decision against former world champion Charles Martin on July 1.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Boxing Beat

Thick-bearded Santa Claus-like WBC, WBO 122-pound champ Stephen Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs), 28, arrived on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan to put his belts on the line against also unbeaten Japanese “Monster” Naoya Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs), 30, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on July 25. Fulton confidently said, “I’m in great shape, and I’ve come to win and defend my titles.” Will Santa Fulton bring a gift to the hungry Monster who is eager to win his fourth division title?

Also arrived here today (Wednesday) WBO featherweight ruler Robeisy Ramirez (12-1, 7 KOs), 29, who will face 2012 Olympic bantam bronze medalist Satoshi Shimizu (11-1, 10 KOs), an elongated Japanese southpaw at 37, on the same bill as Fulton and Inoue will collide. Having dethroned Isaac Dogboe this April, the WBO 126-pound champ Ramirez previously won the Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016. It will be a confrontation of the ex-Olympians to be staged by Ohashi Promotions.

WBC President Mauricio Suliaman has clarified the details of the Fury-Ngannou fight.

“Last night it was announced that heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will be fighting in Saudi Arabia against the UFC’s former champion in a ten round fight. He asked for special permission from the WBC. As you know, Fury did everything possible to fight Usyk since December of last year, has tried everything possible to fight Joshua, to fight against Andy Ruiz…anyway he wasn’t able to land a top-tier fight and because of that, and not having an official challenger, he has been granted permission to do a fight on October 28 in Saudi Arabia.”

So Fury’s next fight will be a ten round, non-title affair.

The WBA Championships Committee has called for a purse bid to grant the promotional rights for the super lightweight world title fight between champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and challenger Ohara Davies on July 24 in Panama City, Panama. The event will be held at the WBA’s office and will be directed by the Committee’s vice-president Julio Thyme. The minimum amount to win the rights to promote the fight is US $110,000 and the purse split will be 75% for the champion Romero and the remaining 25% will go to the challenger Davies.

Romero won the belt against Ismael Barroso last May 13, in Las Vegas, and now he must face Davies as ordered by a resolution issued by the WBA prior to his coronation.