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Former undisputed lightweight king George Kambosos Jr. (21-2, 10 KOs) returned with a twelve round majority decision over Maxi Hughes (29-4-1, 26 KOs) on Saturday night in an IBF world title eliminator at FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Ugly fight that never got untracked. Scores were 114-114, 117-111, 115-113. Kambosos was a 4:1 favorite.

In the co-feature, Olympic silver medalist and lightweight Keyshawn Davis (9-0, 6 KOs) dominated former European champion Francesco Patera (28-4, 10 KOs) over ten rounds. Davis dropped Patera in round eight en route to a 100-89, 100-89, 99-90 unanimous decision.

Unbeaten welterweight Giovani Santillan (31-0, 16 KOs) got all he could handle with Erick Bone (27-7, 14 KOs) but got away with a ten round unanimous decision. Judges scored it 97-92, 98-92, 97-93 for Santillan in a close bout that could have gone either way.

Oklahoma heavyweight Jeremiah “Dreamland” Milton (10-0, 7 KOs) was victorious when overmatched 296lb Willie “Lump Lump” Harvey (4-3-2, 3 KOs) when Harvey couldn’t continue after round four.

Kiwi heavyweight Hemi Ahio (22-1, 17 KOs) got a referees’ stoppage in round six against 300lb Amron Sands (12-3, 9 KOs). A barrage of punches ended it at 2:12.

Aussie heavyweight Joseph Goodall (10-1-1, 8 KOs) upset Stephan “Big Shot” Shaw (18-1, 13 KOs) with a TKO win in round six. Goodall dropped Shaw twice in round six and after more punishment Shaw’s corner asked for the bout to be stopped. Time was 2:55. Shaw, who was a 7:1 favorite, dropped his second straight after winning his first 18 fights. Goodall’s only loss was to Justis Huni.

U.S. Olympian middleweight Troy Isley (9-0, 4 KOs) ground out a 79-73 3x unanimous decision against Antonio Todd (14-8, 8 KOs) over eight rounds.

Featherweight Hector Andres Sosa (16-2, 9 KOs) scored a brutal tenth round KO against two-time world itle challenger Jazza Dickens (32-5, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at Dubai Studio City in Dubai, UAE. Sosa connected with huge right that laid Dickens out cold. Sosa claimed Dickens’ IBO title.

This is the second consecutive night that an unheralded opponent has derailed a UK fan favorite. Last night it was super bantamweight Erik Robles shocking previously unbeaten Lee McGregor. Today it was Sosa breaking British hearts.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Teiken Promotions announced a world title twinbill plus sensational prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa’s second pro bout on September 18. WBC, WBA light flyweight kingpin Tenshiro Teraji (21-1, 13 KOs), 31, will make a WBC mandatory defense against Hekkie Budler (35-4, 11 KOs), 35, South Africa, in the main event. Also, WBO junior bantam ruler Junto Nakatani (25-0, 19 KOs) will put his belt on the line against WBO#9 Argi Cortes (25-3-2, 10 KOs) from Mexico. Having made an impressive debut this April, Nasukawa will take on unbeaten Mexican Juan Flores Aceves (9-0, 7 KOs) over eight rounds.

Having scored an eye-catching demolition of Andrew Moloney in the final session in Las Vegas last May, Nakatani will make a hero’s return at Ariake Arena, Tokyo. Also, Teraji displayed a fine stoppage of Anthony Olascuaga in the ninth this April, and will show his improvement since. This show will greatly attract Japanese aficionados without doubt.

Photos

By Brad Snyder – The Undercard

When you think of Detroit Boxing, you think of Kronk, of Emanuel Steward, and of Thomas “The Hit Man” Hearns. And though many have come and gone on the boxing scene, a new top prospect has emerged.

With the word “potential” comes a ton of responsibility. The old adage is: if the word potential is used more than once, well, you have not lived up to it. But Da’Velle Smith has the Kronk, and maybe more important, Detroit, once again, on the tips of boxing scout’s minds. Smith, who says he is coming off the best few weeks of his life, cannot help but smile. Continue reading “Smith is chasing legends and belts”

Daiyann Butt 142.2 vs. Michael Crain 142.9
Tahmir Smalls 148.3 vs. Andres Vierra 151.2
Oluwafemi Oeyeleye 157.5 vs. Javier Maciel 166.9
Ezri Turner 171 vs. Milton Volter 177.8
Josh Jones 133.7 vs. Carlos Rocha 133.8
Allen Otto 155 vs. Tim Tyler 157.7
Juan Marrero 137.1 vs. Jose Fracica Baron 141.1
Anthony Dill 150.6 vs. Ghandi Romain 147.5
Jahron Williams 120.4 vs. Devin Gantt 123.3
Daniel Bean 237.5 vs. Rob Perez 238.2

Venue: 2300 Arena
Promoter: R and B Promotions
Stream: BXNGTV.com (Marc Abrams and LeAnna Cruz on the call)
1st Bell: 7 PM ET

Lyubomyr Pinchuk 200.2 vs. Anthony Holloway 196.8
Joseph Turk 202 vs. Michael Manna 199.8
Mary Cassamassa 164.6 vs. Christianne Fahey 164.6
Khama Worthy 160.2 vs. Martin Bills III 160.4
Paul Palombo 150.4 vs. Jessie Addison 153
Steve Cunningham Jr. 156.4 vs. Tyrone Albert Adams 160.8

Venue: Meadows Race Track and Casino in Washington, PA
Promoter: Integrity Fighter Management/Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing
Stream: BXNGTV.com and Starboxing.tv
First Bell: 7 PM ET

Serhii Bohachuk 153.4 VS. Patrick Allotey 152.8
Omar Trinidad 126 VS. Roberto Meza 126
Umar Dzambekov 174.8 VS. Kwame Ritter 174.2
Cain Sandoval 139.4 VS. Jose Marruffo 138
Narek Abgaryan 118 VS. Manuel Manzo 119.8
Daniel Barrera 110 VS. Eduardo Alvarez 110
Jorge Maravillo 151.2 VS. Terry Fernandez 153.2

Venue: Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California
Promoter: 360 Promotions
TV: UFC Fightpass

Former world title challenger and local favorite David Jimenez (12-1, 9 KOs) of Costa Rica thrilled his fans by stopping veteran Rosendo Hugo Guarneros (20-5-2, 10 KOs) of Mexico to win the vacant WBC Latino flyweight title. The bout took place at the Centro Eventos Campo Lago, San Jose, Costa Rica and was televisión on Latin America on ESPN Knockout. Guarneros was game but was dropped by Jimenez, who steadily broke him down in route to the stoppage. Guarneros did not answer the bell for round 7. It was the first fight for Jimenez since his only defeat and unsuccessful world title attempt of current WBA flyweight world champion Artem Dalaklan this past January by close decision in England.

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

In an emotional atmosphere on Friday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California, Thompson Boxing, which recently lost their President Ken Thompson, presented their final boxing event after 23 great years in the fight game.

In the main event, welterweight prospect, Louie Lopez (14-2-1, 5 KOs) from Corona, California scored a third-round knockout over Benjamin Lamptey (13-12-9, 2 KOs) of Accra, Ghana. Lopez came out aggressive in the opening round, attacking the body and backing Lamptey as he shelled up. Continuing to rip to the body in round two, Lopez pounded away as Lamptey was limited with his offense. Lopez dropped Lamptey twice to start the third round with a series of body shots and referee Ray Corona reached a ten count and final bell for Thompson Boxing at 1:22 of the third. Continue reading “One Last Time: End of an Era”

Super bantamweight Erik Robles (14-1, 9 KOs) defeated previously unbeaten hometown hero Lee McGregor (12-1-1, 9 KOs) by twelve round unanimous decision on Friday night at the Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh, Scotland. After twelve exciting back-and-forth rounds, judges had it 116-113, 115-113 and 115-113 for Robles who, claimed the vacant IBO belt..

Other Results
Sultan Zaurbek TKO3 John Carter (super featherweight)
Bohdan Myronets W6 Kash Ali (heavyweight)
Isaac Lowe TKO5 Jonathan Santana (featherweight)
Harlem Eubank TKO6 Ishmael Ellis (super lightweight)
Kostynatin Dovbyshchenko TKO5 Matty Harris (heavyweight)
Ben Andrews W4 Darryl Sharp (super welterweight)
Ryan Clark W4 Dale Arrowsmith (super lightweight)
Aston Brown W4 Vasif Mamedov (middleweight)
Jesse Brandon W4 Liam Fox (light heavyweight)

By Jeff Zimmerman

Undefeated super middleweight contender Steven “So Cold” Nelson (18-0, 15 KOs) discussed his upcoming fight on the undercard of his good friend and teammate Terence “Bud” Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. on Saturday, July 29 at the T-Mobile in Las Vegas. “So Cold” also talked about his relationship with Bud growing up with him in Omaha and now training together as well as Spence from their days on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team and much more in this Fightnews.com® exclusive interview.

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Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna 158 vs. Juan Manuel Witt 158.5
Kristian Prenga 261 vs. Santander Sligado 236.5
Justin “Time“ Figueroa 153 vs. Jeff “Relentless” Lentz 155
Nadim Salloum 168 vs. Antonio Ocles 171
Daniel Gonzalez 134 vs. Michael Ruiz 134.5
Sharahya Taina-Moreu 137 vs. Janaisa Morandin 139

Venue: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
Promoter: Boardwalk Boxing
TV: Bxngtv.com

George Kambosos Jr 134.6 vs. Maxi Hughes 134.7
(IBF lightweight eliminator)

Keyshawn Davis 134.3 vs. Francesco Patera 134
Giovani Santillan 147.8 vs. Erick Bone 147.6
Jeremiah Milton 255.3 vs. Willie Harvey 296.5
Troy Isley 158.8 vs. Antonio Todd 159.2
Amron Sands 300 vs. Hemi Ahio 247
Stephan Shaw 244 vs. Joseph Goodall 238

Venue: Firelake Arena, Shawnee, Oklahoma
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN, ESPN+

By Héctor Villarreal

Since all of the very few active promoters in Panama have been presenting mostly foreign fighters on their shows, former world super champion Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno and his wife Rousse Laguna, will keep trying to rescue the young local talent.

In a press conference on Thursday, Laguna Premium Boxing announced its next boxing event scheduled for Friday, July 28, at the new Combat Center, just beside the old Arena Roberto Duran in Panamá City.

“The best of the next generation of Panamanian fighters will perform under the spotlight in our night of ‘Boxeo del Patio’, against very competitive opposition, including undefeated newcomers and the 2022 Rookie of the Year, our exclusive fighter Hibrahim Valdespino,” said Rousse, who added that having “Chemito” as her matchmaker is a guarantee of a very exciting show. Continue reading “Laguna-Moreno activates Panamanian talent”

Louie Lopez 149.2 vs. Benjamin Lamptey 152.7
George Acosta 130.5 vs. Edy Valencia Mercado 130.8
Nelson Oliva 166.2 vs. Jeremaine Whittington 165.3
Kevin Salgado 144 vs. Izaiah Vargas 146.8
Esteban Muñoz 142.4 vs. Nelson Morales 144.4

Venue: Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California
Promoter: Thompson Boxing
TV: YouTube and Facebook

By David Finger

It’s been a long, hard road but for 43-year-old junior middleweight contender Roberto “La Amenaza” Garcia, he is just days away from finally capturing that elusive prize that he has been chasing since turning pro back in January of 2001: a world title. Garcia (47-5, 29 KOs) moves down to the super welterweight division to take on 25-year-old prospect Kevin Salgado Zambrano (15-2-1, 10 KOs) from San Antonio in a bout for the vacant IBA 154-pound title on Saturday in Mercedes, Texas in a Marenes Promotions televised PPV card at the Llano Grande Event Center. Continue reading “Garcia-Zambrano collide on Saturday”

Heavyweight Efe Ajagba (17-1, 13 KOs) will take on unbeaten southpaw Zhan Kossobutskiy (19-0, 18 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature on Saturday, August 26 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Kossobutskiy was originally slated to face Jared Anderson on July 1 but was kayoed by visa problems. Ajagba-Kossobutskiy will be the co-feature to the heavyweight showdown between Jared Anderson and Andriy Rudenko.

Also confirmed, Olympic gold medalist Bakhodir Jalolov (12-0, 12 KOs) will make his Top Rank debut in the eight-round televised opener against Onoriode Ehwarieme (20-2, 19 KOs). Continue reading “Ajagba-Kossobutskiy confirmed”

Undefeated WBC, WBA and IBF welterweight world champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. showed off his skills at a media workout in Las Vegas on Thursday as he nears his much anticipated PPV showdown against WBO welterweight world champion Terence “Bud” Crawford on July 29 at the T-Mobile Arena.

Errol Spence Jr: “I’m not worried about being the underdog (Crawford is a -150 favorite). People can say what they say and have their opinions. I just have to go prove them wrong…I’ve been fighting the best for a long time. When you see all the legends of the sport, they fought each other and made historic fights. That’s what I want to do. Terence is one of the best fighters in the world and I’m one of the best fighters in the world, so we had to make this happen…I don’t know how much the size will factor into the fight until we get into the ring. They say he’s a strong guy and we’ll see next week.”

Derrick James, Spence’s Trainer: “We’ve been training and sparring a lot since Errol last fought, so it’s not like he hasn’t been in the ring. He’ll just have to adjust to Terence’s timing in the fight. It might take a couple of rounds, but once he figures it out, he can do everything he has to do…the perfect performance is a victory. I don’t care how he gets it, it’s just that he gets it. That’s what we’re working for.”

The World Boxing Association (WBA) will do a “Back to Back,” staging its 102nd Convention at the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, Florida, from December 5 through December 9. After the resounding success of the 100th anniversary convention held in 2022, the organization made the unprecedented decision to repeat the city for the first time in its history. On this occasion, the WBA will focus the Convention on promoting boxing as a vehicle for social improvement around the world.

“The centennial convention was very special and we were able to have a very strong impact with all the tools ‘The City Beautiful’ gave us. For the first time we will do two conventions back to back in the same place and this will be full of surprises and novelties. I can’t wait for the boxing world to see everything we have prepared,” said WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza. Continue reading “WBA Convention returns to Orlando”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Former 2x world champ Keith “One Time” Thurman got personal about his life outside the ring, his big fight with living legend Manny Pacquiao and why the Floyd Mayweather Jr fight didn’t happen. He also discussed why he never fought Errol Spence Jr when he was champion and breaks down the Super Fight between Terence “Bud” Crawford and Errol “The Truth” Spence and much more in this Fightnews.com® exclusive interview.

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Former undisputed lightweight king George Kambosos Jr. and Maxi Hughes faced off at the final press conference for their ESPN clash on Saturday at FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

George Kambosos: “I’ve never been the kind of fighter who says, ‘Oh, I’ve got a loss. It’s taken my confidence away.’ I lost to Devin Haney. I think the boxing world has forgotten that he’s the only guy I’ve lost to. I’ve got to remind them again. We have learned a lot. And we have worked on a lot. But the biggest thing is that I’ve become a greedy motherf***er now. I’m going to take advantage of every hole there is. I’m only focused on Maxi Hughes. We give him the utmost respect. He’s here. We know what he’s going to bring. Whatever there is to come, that will be spoken about after Saturday. But for now, there is only man in front of me. I’m going to take his head off. That’s what’s going through my mind. I’m ready. I’m looking to absolutely destroy this man in my path.”

Maxi Hughes: “The preparation has gone very well. My training team has been together for five years. After my last fight in September, I gave myself a week off and went back to the gym. I’m a full-time professional. That’s my job. I don’t just train for fights. I train and learn all the time. And then in February, we got the deal done with George. Since then, George’s face and name has been imprinted in my brain. Preparation went well and I’m very confident.”

Former undisputed lightweight champion George “Ferocious” Kambosos Jr. (20-2, 10 KOs) is a -350 favorite against Maxi Hughes (26-5-2, 5 KOs) in their twelve round IBF world title eliminator on Saturday night from the FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

In the ten round co-feature, U.S. Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis (8-0, 6 KOs) is 35:1 to beat former European champion Francesco Patera (28-3, 10 KOs).

ESPN will televise.

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On the competing UFC Fightpass stream, junior middleweight KO artist Serhii “El Flaco” Bohachuk (22-1, 22 KOs) is a 30:1 pick against former world title challenger Patrick Allotey (42-4, 32 KOs) at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California.

If you can’t get enough of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, here’s good news. Netflix has announced that a new reality series called “At Home With The Furys” will debut on Wednesday, August 16 and there will be nine episodes shot during the Gypsy King’s recent retirement.

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Undefeated WBO welterweight world champion Terence “Bud” Crawford held his media workout in Las Vegas on Wednesday as the three-division champion prepares to take on unified WBC, WBA and IBF welterweight world champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. headlining a SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday, July 29 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Terence Crawford: “This fight means everything. This puts the cherry on top of my career. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time and I can’t wait to get it on.

“We’re here in Las Vegas early to get used to the atmosphere and the heat. Come fight night, we’re gonna be 110% prepared. We’re adjusting well. Continue reading “Terence Crawford Workout Quotes”

A pair of showdowns featuring an unbeaten super middleweight contender and a rising super bantamweight prospect will enter the ring on the Showtime PPV Countdown Show on July 29 leading up to the much-anticipated Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford clash taking place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Undefeated 168-pound contender and Terence Crawford stablemate Steven Nelson (18-0, 15 KOs) will top the lineup as he takes on Rowdy Montgomery (10-4-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-round showdown, plus super bantamweight prospect Jose Salas Reyes (12-0, 9 KOs) competes in a 10-round attraction against former world title challenger Aston Palicte (28-5-1, 23 KOs) opening up the live stream on the Showtime Sports YouTube channel and Showtime Boxing Facebook page.