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WBO #3 super middleweight Diego Pacheco from Los Angeles and Manuel Gallegos from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, faced off at the final press conference for the Matchroom Boxing card taking place on DAZN Friday at the Cintermex Centro de Exposiciones in Monterrey, Mexico.

By Mauricio Sulaimán
President of the WBC – Son of José Sulaimán

The most important boxer of the last decade, Mexican Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, has revealed the details of his immediate future in boxing. He signed with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) to fight his next three bouts in what is sure to be a multi-million-dollar deal.

His first fight has already been announced, which will take place on September 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and will be one of the greats against Jermell Charlo, undisputed super welterweight champion, who will face Canelo, who in turn, is the undisputed champ of super middleweights.

This is something that has never happened in the history of modern boxing, champion vs. champion, each with their four belts: WBC-WBO-IBF-WBA.

This is the new era of Canelo. His fight against Charlo will be one of those confrontations which will remain to be remembered due to its characteristics. Whenever a Mexican fights an American, a tremendous battle is guaranteed. Continue reading “The New Era of Canelo Begins on Sept 30”

Big weekend coming up with four of the top welterweights not named Terence Crawford or Errol Spence seeing action.

FRIDAY
DAZN kicks things off with unbeaten WBO #3, WBA #11, WBC #12 super middleweight Diego Pacheco (18-0, 15 KOs) will take on Manuel Gallegos (19-1-1, 16 KOs) from the Cintermex in Monterrey, NL, Mexico. Pacheco is a 20:1 favorite.

SATURDAY
DAZN is back for the second consecutive night with a mouth-watering clash between unbeaten WBA regular welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis (14-0, 9 KOs) and WBA #1 Vergil Ortiz Jr. (19-0, 19 KOs) at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Ortiz is a 4:1 favorite to dethrone Stanionis.

Showtime delivers undefeated IBF interim welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (30-0, 27 KOs) defending against IBF top-rated Roiman Villa (26-1, 24 KOs) from the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. Ennis is a 13:1 favorite.

ESPN+ offers up exciting former world champion and current WBC #2 super bantamweight Luis Nery (34-1, 26 KOs) against Froilan Saludar (33-6-1, 23 KOs) from the fairground in Metepec, Mexico (90 minutes west of Mexico City). Nery is a 12:1 favorite.

“I Expect The Sanctioning Bodies To Keep Their Word!”

By Boxing Bob Newman

After Savannah Marshall’s hard fought majority decision victory over Franchon Crews Dezurn earned her the undisputed super middleweight titles, the buzz immediately began for a Marshall – Shields rematch, as in Claressa Shields. The only woman to defeat Marshall in the pro ring, Shields was on hand at the post fight press conference and promptly stoked the fires for a rematch. “Come to Detroit and I’ll beat you again!” For her part, Marshall and her team stumped for the fight to be in the U.K. “There’s no money in women’s boxing in the United States. Pay me the money and I’ll beat YOU again,” to which Shields replied, “In the amateurs?” Marshall retorted, “It’s still a win!”

While a rematch may be one of the higher profile fights in women’s boxing, Shadasia Green has something to say about when and if that will take place. Green holds a rare distinction in the boxing world- being unanimously ranked #1 across the board by all four sanctioning bodies. With a gaudy 12-0, 11 knockouts record, Green feels she has waited long enough. The reigning WBC Silver champion at super middleweight, Green attended last year’s WBC convention in Acapulco, Mexico to lobby for her shot at Crews Dezurn. That shot was approved and sanctioned by the WBC, only to see Marshall leap frog ahead of Green and upset the apple cart. Continue reading “Shadasia Green wants Marshall next”

Fightnews.com® is sad to announce the passing of former middleweight contender Antwun “Kid Dynamite” Echols at the age of 52. He reportedly passed away unexpectedly in his hometown of Davenport, Iowa. Echols was a big puncher who fought for the world title three times. Later in his career, he became a gatekeeper going 1-17-3 in his last 21 bouts. Echols last fought in April 2016 and ended with a record of 32-22-4, 28 KOs. Rest in peace.

By Gabriel F. Cordero

2012 Olympic silver medalist Esquiva Falcao (30-1, 20 KOs) doesn’t feel he got a fair shake against Vincenzo Gualtieri (21-0-1, 7 KOs) in their clash for the vacant IBF middleweight title on Saturday night in Wuppertal, Germany.

“I think this fight was very unfair to me,” Falcao said on social media. “I fought for the world belt in my opponent’s house, it’s not in his country, it’s in his house, in his city. And the judges are all German. Oh, there was an Italian. And where is the boy from? He is from Italy. He is Italian but he lives in Germany. So the fight was all for him to win. Continue reading “Falcao: This fight was very unfair to me”

After letting Max Kellerman go last week, ESPN has parted ways with another prominent boxing personality. The contract of popular boxing analyst Andre Ward wasn’t renewed. Ward made the announcement himself on social media.  Ward wrote: “Tonight’s show was the last fight under my ESPN contract. It’s been a great ride and I’m going to miss the whole ESPN crew that I’ve worked with for the last six years. I’m excited about my future and the chance to work on new projects and endeavors. Great things are ahead.”

ESPN has released more than 20 ion-air personalities in a cost-cutting measure. The departure of Ward means more air time for Timothy Bradley on ESPN boxing telecasts.

Now that Savannah Marshall is the new undisputed female super middleweight champion of the world, she is potentially on a collision course for a rematch with arch-rival Claressa Shields, who was the loudest person in the AO Arena when Marshall dethroned Franchon Crews-Dezurn in Manchester, England Saturday night. Shields had some choice comments for Marshall afterwards.

“I will fight her at whatever weight she wants to fight at,” Shields said. “She is going to get beat up… that’s what is going to happen.

“[I saw] a lot of weaknesses and she didn’t learn from her last fight. I agreed with the first judge who had it 95-95. The fight was close – I expected a better performance from both girls.”

The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame – Class of 2023 inductions took place this weekend at the St. Petersburg Hilton in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Front row (L-R): Alfredo Escalera, John Moceyunas, Marc Lichtenfeld, Vonda Carson, Ali Tareh, Ruben DeJesus, Fred Fluty, Harry De La Vega.

Back row (L-R): Vivian Harris, Ossie Ocasio, David Izonreiti, Joey Negron, Ada Velez, Alfred Smith, Jesse Robinson.

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s Sivenathi Nontshinga (12-0, 9 KOs) retained his IBF light flyweight title for the first time when he outpointed mandatory challenger Reggie Suganob (13-1, 4 KOs) from the Philippines over 12 rounds on Sunday at the International Convention Centre in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Two judges scored it 116-111 and the third judge had it 117-110.

Nontshinga (48,80kg) made a sensational start as he came out fast in the first round to take to fight to Suganob (48.75kg) and just before the bell sent the Filipino down in the center of the ring with right hand to the side of the jaw for a count from referee Deon Dwarte who once again did a fine job of controlling the fight.

However, this is where the excitement ended as the 25-year-old Suganob spent the rest of the fight pushing forward as he tried to score against the elusive Nontshinga, 25, who literally got on his bicycle as he backed up around the ring to score with counterpunches.

This was the pattern of the fight which never rose to any heights with the South African in control even though he spent most of the fight on the retreat, scoring with the cleaner punches. Continue reading “Nontshinga retains IBF light flyweight title”

Top Rank has inked 2020 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist Bakhodir Jalolov (12-0, 12 KOs) to a multiyear promotional deal.

In a cost-cutting measure, ESPN has reportedly axed 20 on-air personalities, including Max Kellerman, the former boxing analyst who went on to become involved in all sports with the network.

Looks like hopes for a December bout between WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk have collapsed. Fury’s camp has now teased a “game changer” for Fury’s next outing, which could be a boxing exhibition against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.

Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson spoke about his ten round decision win over “Prince” Charles Martin (29-4-1, 26 KOs) on Saturday evening in front of 7,234 hometown fans at Toledo’s Huntington Center.

Jered Anderson: “It felt great. I had my team with me. I got my family with me. I got Toledo with me. They showed up and they’re in the building. They were with me the entire 10 rounds. I heard them all the way through. I’m grateful for my opponent. He took the fight on short notice. He came and performed really good. I think we put on a hell of a show for Toledo.

“I wanted to go the distance. It was my first time. I just wanted to make sure that I could go the distance and especially be able to withstand power the whole 10 rounds. He had power until the last round, and I was happy to get the rounds in. I think I took his best shots very well. I don’t think there was a time in the fight where I looked unsteady or where I couldn’t hold my own. Did feel like he got me with a good shot and stunned me? No. But do I feel like he got me with a good shot and made me aware? Yes, so I had to readjust and get back to the game plan.”

Charles Martin: “I took the fight on 11 days’ notice. I did the best I could. He’s a real champion. He’ll be making his way to the top soon. I’m proud of him. He’s really good. He’s a crafty boxer. Usually, when I catch somebody and hurt them, I can finish them. If they don’t fall, usually I can follow up and put them away. But he is like a little middleweight. He is crafty. He was able to get out even when he was rocked. He was able to maneuver and get out the way. He’s going to be a champion.”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

In the main event of a regional title twinbill, 37-year-old southpaw Japanese Kenta Nakagawa (24-4-1, 12 KOs), 115, kept his WBO Asia Pacific super flyweight belt by completely outmaneuvered previously unbeaten compatriot Joe Shiraishi (11-1-1, 6 KOs), 114.75, to earn a unanimous nod (117-111, 116-112, 115-113) over twelve speedy rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Moving to-and-fro all the way, the lefty champ Nakagawa confused the willing mixer with well-timed counters and lateral movement, and what Shiraishi constantly caught was only air or ghost. Bleeding from a gash on the skull after an accidental butt in round three, the challenger, eleven years his junior at 26, kept stalking the shifty champ no matter how many times he missed the target. With the champ’s fatigue in the championship rounds, Joe went forward to win points in the final two sessions. That wasn’t enough to overcome his early deficits on points. Continue reading “Nakagawa beats Shiraishi, keeps WBO AP 115lb belt”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Good footworker Jukiya Iimura (4-1, 1 KO), 111.75, dethroned previously unbeaten Japanese flyweight champion Josuke Nagata (5-1, no KO), 112, by a hairline majority decision (96-94 twice, 95-95) over ten hard-fought rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. They were formerly amateur rivals with Iimura (amateur mark 63-13) scoring a 3-1 log over Nagata (38-20) in four contests. They each turned professional in 2021, and Nagata upset formerly world rated Ryota Yamauchi (who failed to win the WBO 112-pound belt from Junto Nakatani on an eighth round stoppage last year) to acquire the vacant national belt this April. In his initial defense he thus forfeited his title to his amateur grudge rival, as Iimura convincingly took the initiative in the first half despite the champ Nagata’s last surge. Iimura displayed good skills to cope with the southpaw champ, connecting with good shots upstairs and downstairs and utilizing a lateral mobility. This reporter, however, has a complex feeling on them fighting in quest of the prestigious national belt only with each five pro bouts. Continue reading “Iimura wins Japanese 112lb belt”

By Brad Snyder at ringside

Unbeaten WBO #7, WBA #8, WBC #9 heavyweight Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (15-0, 14 KOs) went the distance for the first time against former IBF heavyweight champion “Prince” Charles Martin (29-4-1, 26 KOs) on Saturday night at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. Anderson applied pressure from the get-go. Martin, who took the bout on twelve days notice, stayed on his backfoot trying to counter. Anderson dropped Martin at the end of round three with a right hand. Martin began to stand his ground in round five and had a huge round with numerous clean connects. Anderson outworked Martin behind his jab after that. The bout went the full ten with Anderson prevailing by unanimous decision. Scores were 98-91, 99-90, 99-90.

By Brad Snyder at ringside

Unbeaten WBC #5, WBA #5 heavyweight Arslanbek “The Lion” Makhmudov (17-0, 16 KOs) destroyed previously unbeaten 6’8 Raphael Akpejiori (15-1, 14 KOs) on Saturday night at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. Makhmudov dropped Akpejiori twice in round one and the bout was halted after a third knockdown in round two. Time was 1:43. Makhmudov retained his NABF title.

By Brad Snyder at ringside

In a lightweight special feature, 19-year-old southpaw Abdullah Mason (9-0, 8 KOs) impressively knocked out Alex de Oliveira (20-5, 14 KOs) in the second round. Time was 2:18.

Unbeaten junior wlterweight Tiger Johnson (9-0, 5 KOs) defeated Jonathan Montrel (15-2, 10 KOs) by UD (80-72, 80-72, 80-72) over eight rounds.

Dante Benjamin Jr. (7-0, 5 KOs) exploded out of the gate to score a knockdown, then get a stoppage right after his opponent, Mirady Zola got up.  The light heavyweight contest ended with the TKO at the 1:56 mark of the first round.  The loss drops Zola to (4-3, 1 KO).

Super middleweight DeAndre Ware (16-4-2, 9 KOs) won by six round unanimous decision (58-56, 59-55, 59-55) over Decarlo Perez (19-9-1, 6 KOs).

Rance Ward touched leather to the face of fellow junior middleweight Husam Al Mashhadi, often, over six rounds. Ward appeared fresh and was able to walk Mashhadi down during the six rounds to take the majority decision (57-57, 58-56, 59-55) victory and improve to (8-5-1, 2 KOs). Meanwhile, it’s back to the drawing board for Mashhadi (6-1, 6 KOs), who suffered his first loss.

Junior Middleweight Nicklaus Flaz (11-2, 7 KOs) won a close fight by majority decision (76-76, 78-74, 77-75) over previously unbeaten Jahi Tucker (10-1, 5 KOs). The fight, which went all eight rounds, had moments where both fighters showed some ability to throw combinations.

Junior Lightweight Tyler McCreary (18-2-1, 8KOs) got the hometown crowd excited by landing strong left hooks to the body, left hooks to the head, and a strong right cross to his opponent, Deivi Julio (26-14, 16 KOs). Julio, who fought hard, did not have enough to sway the judges. The judges all saw the fight in favor of McCreary (59-54, 57-56, 57-56).

Middleweight Vincenzo Gualtieri (21-0-1, 7 KOs) of Wuppertal, Nordrein-Westfalen, Germany thrilled his local hometown fans by outpointing former Olympian silver medalist Esquiva Falcao (30-1, 20 KOs) of Brazil to win the vacant IBF middleweight world title vacated by Gennady “GGG” Golovkin. The tone of the fight was set early when Gualtieri dropped Falcao in round two. He would stun Falcao in round five but Falcao managed to stay on his feet. In round seven, Falcao was hit with a very low blow and fell to the canvas where the referee proceeded to count him out but stopped and rightfully gave Falcao a full 5 minutes to recover. In round ten, Gualtieri was credited with another knockdown. Gualtieri well ahead at this point and pretty much cruised to the end of the bout. The official scorecards read 117-109 and 116-110 (twice).

In the co-main event, Etinosa “Chapo” Oliha (18-0, 8 KOs) of Italy defeated Julio Alamos (16-1, 9 KOs) of Chile by unanimous decision to win the vacant IBO middleweight world title. The title had also been vacated by Golovkin. It was an even and competitive fight with some very close rounds. Alamos appeared to score a knockdown on Oliha in round two but it was ruled a slip. Alamos had a bad cut on the bridge of his nose at the end of round ten where the ring doctor took a close look at it before allowing him out for round eleven. Alamos had a strong round eleven where he pressed the entire round. In the end, Oliha landed the overall harder connects. The official scorecards were 116-112 and 115-113 (twice) all in favor to Oliha. Almos was attempting to become Chile’s first world champion

The event took place Unihalle Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Nordrein-Westfalen, Germany and was televised on ESPN Knockout in Latin America.

Former WBO middleweight world champion Savannah Marshall (13-1, 10 KOs) dethroned undisputed super middleweight world champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn (8-2, 2 KOs) by ten round majority decision on Saturday at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. Ugly fight with lots of wrestling. Scores were 95-95, 99-92, 97-92.

Unified junior middleweight world champion Natasha Jonas (14-2-1, 9 KOs) stopped former two-time title challenger Kandi Wyatt (11-5, 3 KOs) to claim the vacant IBF welterweight crown. Referee Marcus McDonnell waved off the one-sided affair in round eight.

Unbeaten super lightweight Dalton “Thunder” Smith (15-0, 11 KOs) knocked out “Super” Sam Maxwell (17-2, 11 KOs) in round seven on Saturday night at Sheffield, England’s Utilita Arena. With the British and Commonwealth titles on the line, Smith connected with a massive right hand that ended Maxwell’s night. Time was 1:34.

By Robert Coster

On Friday night, female Dominican boxer Claribel Mena (11-1, 7 KOs) won the WBA Fedelatin jr middleweight belt with a third round TKO over Colombian Paulina Cardona (25-29-7, 11 KOs) at the Mauricio Baez Club in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

In other results, WBA flyweight title contender Norberto Jimenez (32-10-6, 17 KOs) won by KO in three rounds over Venezuelan Gilbert Gonzalez (18-6-1, 13 KOs). Female lightweight Vivian Rodriguez (4-0) upset crowd darling Dyana Vargas (16-1, 10 KOs) with an eight round decision. Lightweight Misael Vazquez (13-4-1, 11 KOs) fought a six round draw with US amateur standout Kaipos Gallegos (1-0, 1 KO). The crowd in attendance generally felt that Vasquez deserved the win. A rematch would be called for.

Promoter : Shuan Boxing Promotion

Flyweight Gustavo “Smiley” Perez (11-1, 2 KOs) of Ensenada, Mexico unanimously decisioned countryman Carlos Zaleta (11-2, 7 KOs) over ten rounds on Friday night at the Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutiérrez Moreno in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico with ESPN Knockout in Latin America televising the event. Zaleta pressed the action the entire fight to his credit but it was not effective aggression. Southpaw Perez was too elusive defensively and very accurate offensively with a variety of punches he landed throughout the bout. The official judges’ scorecards reflected Perez’ performance at 100-90 and 99-91 (twice).

Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez announced on social media that he will fight undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo on September 30 in Las Vegas. Canelo was previously believed to be fighting WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo, who hasn’t fought in 24 months, but with Jermall still unable to fight, Jermell got the call to move up two weight divisions. He was previously slated to fight WBO interim beltholder Tim Tszyu in September.

Weights by Brad Snyder/Undercard

Jared Anderson 243.4 vs. Charles Martin 250.5

Arslanbek Makhmudov 263.4 vs. Raphael Akpejiori 255.5

Abdullah Mason 135.2 vs Alex de Oliveria 136.5
Tiger Johnson 141.2 vs. Jonathan Montrel 140.6
Dante Benjamin Jr 173.3 vs. Mirady Zira 173.9
DeAndre Ware 167.9 vs. Decarlo Perez 167.5
Husam Al Mashhadi 151.2 vs. Rance Ward 153.6
Tyler McCreary 131 vs. Deivi Julio 130.9
Jahi Turner 151.8 vs. Nicklaus Flaz 151.3

Venue: Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN, ESPN+

Franchon Crews-Dezurn 167.3 vs. Savannah Marshall 167
(undisputed women’s super middleweight title)

Natasha Jonas 146.3 vs. Kandi Wyatt 146
(IBF women’s welterweight title)

Ben Whittaker 174.3 vs. Vladimir Belujsky 175.3
Callum Simpson 169 vs. Boris Crighton 167
Zak Chelli 166.3 vs. Mark Jeffers 167.3
April Hunter 153 vs. Kirstie Bavington 149.3
Will Howe 251 vs. Jake Darnell 248.3

Venue: AO Arena, Manchester, England
Promoter: Boxxer
TV: ESPN+