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Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and domestic rival Dillian Whyte faced off at a press conference today in London to announce their rematch at The O2 in London on August 12, shown exclusively live on DAZN around the world and on DAZN PPV in the UK and Ireland.

Anthony Joshua: “[Dillian] is just another body. They’ve got a lot of hate for me. But I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about my lane and what I’m trying to do. I don’t focus on other peoples opinions…forget Wilder and all them lot. They’ve been doing my head in for years. Even with Fury. You can see all the lies that have been going on. I’m 34 this year and I’m not wasting my time chasing people.”

Dillian Whyte: “I just prepare for the best version of him. I don’t care what people are saying about him. I’m still coming to fight and I haven’t got anything to lose. I’m calm now – but the more you f*** about, we’ll soon find out.”

WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Uysk and WBA “regular” champion Daniel Dubois faced off for the first time at the kickoff press conference for their August 26th clash in Wroclaw, Poland.

Oleksandr Uysk: “I’ve been traveling around the world fighting in the different backyards of my opponents, but this fight here in Poland will be the closest one to my home. I hope you’re going to enjoy everything that’s going to happen on the 26th of August.”

Daniel Dubois: “This has been a long time coming and I’m ready to take it on. He’s been a great champion, but everything with a beginning has an end.”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Fast-rising Japanese sensation, WBA#11, WBO#8 Jin Sasaki (16-1-1, 15 KOs), 146.5, kept his WBO Asis Pacific welterweight belt by battering compatriot Hiroto Hoshi (5-3-3, 3 KOs), 147, into submission at 1:44 of the eleventh round on Saturday in Hachioji, Japan. Sasaki, a young tiger at 21, had dethroned Ryota Toyoshima by an upset stoppage, and impressively flattened world rated Keita Obara in his initial defense. Though an early knockout win was expected, Jin took time to halt Hoshi due to his tremendous durability. Finally Sasaki caught up with him with a flurry of punches that prompted the referee’s well-received intervention. Continue reading “WBO#8 Sasaki halts Hoshi, keeps WBO ap 147lb belt”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Newly crowned Japanese minimumweight champ Yuni Takada (12-8-3, 6 KOs), 105, came off the canvas in round six and fought hard to retain his national 105-pound belt by a unanimous decision (97-92 twice, 96-93) over Tatsuro Nakashima (11-5-1, 7 KOs), 105, over ten hard-fought rounds on Saturday in Hachioji, Japan. Having acquired the vacant national belt, Takada, handled by former world challenger Tetsuo “Lion” Furuyama, controlled the bout almost all the way except in round six when the champ hit the deck with a vicious right counter to have a narrow escape. Continue reading “Takada barely keeps Japanese 105lb belt”

Undefeated IBF interim welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) scored a spectacular knockout against rugged IBF #2 contender Roiman “Flaco de Oro” Villa (26-2, 24 KOs) on Saturday night at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Ennis said Villa was tailor-made for him and he was pretty much correct. Ennis rocked Villa in round six and then dished out punishment in every round until he knocked out Villa with a barrage of punches in round ten. Time was 1:27. Villa was game and tough as they come, but Ennis was simply on another level.

“I want the winner of Errol Spence and Terence Crawford,” said Ennis. “Let’s make it happen. I’ll take on Eimantas Stanionis in a heartbeat. I want to get into the ring one more time before the end of the year to make it three fights. Stanionis, Keith Thurman, Yordenis Ugas, all the top guys out there. Let’s make these fights happen.” Continue reading “Ennis KOs Villa in ten, remains unbeaten”

Former world champion and current WBC #2 super bantamweight Luis Nery (35-1, 27 KOs) destroyed former world title challenger Froilan Saludar (33-7-1, 23 KOs) in round two on Saturday night at the Recinto Ferial Metepec in Metepec, Mexico (90 minutes west of Mexico City). Nery dropped Saludar three times in round two to end it.

Unbeaten lightweight Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (15-0, 11 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Haskell “Hackman” Rhodes (28-5-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday night at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Schofield dropped Rhodes twice in round seven and once in round eight. In round nine, Schofield suffered a ghastly cut under his left eye, but he finished the fight. Scores were 100-87 3x. Schofield-Rhodes was moved into the main event after the original headliner, Stanionis-Ortiz Jr., fell out just days before fight night.

“It’s boxing, you’re supposed to face adversity inside the ring,” said Floyd Schofield. “I didn’t feel anything when I got the cut, I told the referee, please don’t stop this fight. Rhodes can take a hell of a punch, and I am glad that he’s going back to his family.”

Former world champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz (33-4-1, 15 KOs) scored a spirited ten round unanimous decision over Jerry Perez (14-3-1, 11 KOs). Scores were 97-93, 97-93, 98-92. The bout was shifted from lightweight to welterweight after Diaz weighed in six pounds heavy. Continue reading “Schofield remains unbeaten”

Middleweight “Marvelous” Marquis Taylor (15-1-2, 1 KO) shocked previously unbeaten 6:1 favorite Yoelvis Gómez (6-1, 5 KOs) by ten round unanimous decision on Saturday night in the Ennis-Villa co-feature on Saturday night at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The awkward Marquis dropped Yoelvis in round two and frustrated him all night. Scores were 96-93, 96-93, 99-90.

“We’re fighting at 154 and 160 to keep the window of opportunity as wide as possible,” said Taylor. “Right now we’re calling myself a two-weight division fighter. I’d fight Tim Tszyu because he’s not getting that Jermell Charlo fight. I would like to fight him or anyone in the top five or top 10. It’s time for me to fight the best.”

Meanwhile, it was Heartbreak Hotel for the highly regarded Yoelvis. “I’m frustrated,” he said. “The ref kept getting in the way and wouldn’t let me work in the range I wanted, which was short distance and making Taylor feel me. This is professional boxing, it’s not too much to ask for him to let me go do my job. I’m gonna keep working hard and come back even better. You can count on that.” Continue reading “All Shook Up: Marquis upsets Yoelvis”

IBF interim welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis gives a scouting report of tonight’s Showtime opponent Roiman Villa, who has scored knockouts in 24 of his 26 victories.

“Roiman Villa is a good fighter but he don’t move his head, no jabs, all he throws is hooks,” said Ennis. “He wants to come forward, come forward and he stands right there in front of you. He’s slow. He’s flat-footed. He just wants to get you on the ropes and things like that. I’ve seen a lot of things and he’s going to be in for a rude awakening. You have to bring something else to the table if you think you’re going to be able to do something with me. I can’t wait.”

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WBO #3 super middleweight Diego Pacheco (19-0, 16 KOs) won by impressive fourth round TKO over Manuel Gallegos (19-2-1, 16 KOs) on Friday night at Cintermex in Monterrey, Mexico. Great fight between two big punchers. Pacheco finally dropped Gallegos in round four and got a referee’s stoppage with his follow-up barrage. Time was 2:45. Pacheco, 22, continues to show improvement each time out.

“I’m just that guy,” said Pacheco. “I’m getting better, wiser, stronger. The opposition is getting better, but that’s just raising the level of my performance and you are going to keep seeing that.”

WBC #1 super featherweight Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez (34-1, 31 KOs) scored a spectacular third round knockout over late sub Hector Garcia (20-8-4, 13 KOs). Both came out in round one slinging bombs. Rocky staggered Garcia at the end of round two and finished him with a brutal barrage in round three. The ref stepped in just as Garcia was going down 25 seconds into the round.

“It’s a great victory for me,” said Hernandez. “I’m number one in the WBC and it brings me closer to the fight that I want, O’Shaquie Foster.”

In an exciting clash between former world title challengers, WBO #13 super flyweight Jonathan Rodriguez (24-2-1, 16 KOs) and WBC #11 Israel Gonzalez (28-5-2, 11 KOs) battled to a ten round draw. Good fight with back and forth action and both fighters having their moments. Scores were 96-94 Gonzalez, 96-94 Rodriguez, 95-95.

Other Results:
Neider Valdez KO3 Isaias Ortiz (light flyweight)
Federico Pacheco Jr TKO3 Oscar Heredia (heavyweight)

Thompson Boxing Promotions, founded by the late Ken Thompson, has made the difficult decision to conclude its operations. Thompson Boxing will be holding its final “Path to Glory” show on July 21 at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California. This will mark the end of a Southern California boxing series that spanned over two decades and was the spawning ground for numerous champions and contenders.

In the final show, Louie Lopez (13-2-1, 4 KOs) will headline in a welterweight 8-round main event against an opponent TBA. George Acosta (15-1, 2 KOs) will fight an opponent TBA in an 8-round super featherweight co-feature.

Luis Nery 118 vs. Froilan Saludar 118

Venue: The Fairground in Metepec, Mexico
Promoter: Zanfer
TV: ESPN+

Floyd Schofield 134.5 vs. Haskell Rhodes 134.5
Jo Jo Diaz Jr. 141.5 vs. Jerry Perez 138
Marlen Esparza 111.5 vs. Gabriela Alaniz 110.6
Eric Tudor 154.5 vs. Reggie Harris Jr. 162.5
Tristan Kalkreuth 199 vs. Joe Jones 200.5
Darius Fulghum 176.5 vs. Jeremiah Curtright 178.5

Venue: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN

Jaron Ennis 145.5 vs. Roiman Villa 146.5
(IBF interim welterweight title)

Yoelvis Gómez 159 vs. Marquis Taylor 158
Edwin De Los Santos 133 vs. Joseph Adorno 135
Euri Cedeno 159 vs. William Townsel 157.5
Steven Torres 239 vs. James Evans 225.5
Dwyke Flemmings Jr. 156.5 vs. Henry Rivera 156.5

Venue: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ
Promoter: TGB Promotions
TV: Showtime, YouTube/Facebook

WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) will defend his belts against WBA “regular” champ Daniel Dubois (19-1, 18 KOs) on August 26 at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland. K2 Promotions, Usyk’s promoter, won the WBA purse bid and selected Poland, which is adjacent to war-torn Ukraine as the location for the fight. The fight is part of the WBA’s ongoing world title reduction plan, which will result in only one WBA champion in the heavyweight division.

Former world title challenger Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (35-5-1, 14 KOs) faces Juan Manuel “El Principito” Witt (33-1-2, 25 KOs) in a ten-rounder on July 22 at Atlantic City’s historic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. LaManna, also serving as the event’s promoter, will put his WBA Fedelatin middleweight title belt on the line. He is currently trained by Philadelphia-based Derek “Bozy” Ennis, father and trainer of undefeated welterweight star Jaron “Boots” Ennis.

Unbeaten prospects will square off in three matchups streamed live on the Showtime Sports YouTube channel and Showtime Boxing Facebook page tomorrow from the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. The fights will lead into the Showtime telecast topped by Jaron “Boots” Ennis against Roiman Villa.

The live stream will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT and is topped by 2020 Dominican Olympian Euri Cedeño (4-0, 4 KOs) taking on fellow unbeaten William Townsel (5-0, 4 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight affair. The lineup will also see a rematch of unbeaten heavyweights as Steven Torres (5-0-1, 5 KOs) and James Evans ^-0-1, 6 KOs) look to settle the score after their January 2022 split-draw and super welterweights Dwyke Flemmings Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs) and Henry Rivera (2-0, 1 KO) compete in a four-round battle.

Today, Golden Boy Promotions hosted a press conference to announce the new main event for Saturday at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas and streamed live worldwide on DAZN, now featuring lightweight Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (14-0, 11 KOs) against Haskell “Hackman” Rhodes (28-4-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round fight.

Schofield-Rhodes replaces the original clash between WBA “regular” welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis and #1 contender Vergil Ortiz, Jr.

Oscar De La Hoya: “The health of the fighter is the most important. We are all in Vergil’s corner, wishing him the very best possible recovery and will wait for him with open arms and ready for when he wishes to come back to the ring. Vergil, with the help of his dad, has the potential to be a world champion.”

Bernard Hopkins: “We lost the main event, of course, we’re not happy about it, you’re not happy about it, but his health is most important. But also what’s important is that the fighters to my right and to my left see that adjustments have to be made. It’s no different than life, no different than in the ring, things happen that you can’t control.” Continue reading “Schofield-Rhodes Final Press Conference”

Diego Pacheco 168 vs. Manuel Gallegos 168
Jonathan Rodriguez 115 vs. Israel Gonzalez 115

Venue: Cintermex Centro de Exposiciones. Monterrey, Mexico
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

Undefeated lightweight Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (18-0, 15 KOs) makes his third appearance of 2023 in a 10-round clash against unbeaten Diego Torres (17-0, 16 KOs) on August 12 in the co-feature to the junior lightweight title showdown between WBO world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete and former two-division world champion Oscar Valdez at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The opener in the ESPN-televised tripleheader will be U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. in a six-round heavyweight tilt against Willie Jake Jr.

Undefeated IBF interim welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis and IBF #2 rated Roiman Villa went face-to-face at Thursday’s final press conference before they fight on Saturday headlining action live on Showtime from the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.

Jaron Ennis: “A victory over Villa keeps me going toward my goal. A lot of people say that he’s a power-puncher, but we’ll see on Saturday night. I’m coming to make a big statement and get a stoppage. I’m ready for anybody. But right now, we have business to take care of. I’m focused on Roiman Villa and then we’ll worry about what’s next.”

Roiman Villa: “You may think the winner of this fight will be the most prepared or the one with the best technique, but I believe that it’s already decided. I put my faith in that and that’s why I’m so confident. I’m here for a reason and I’m gonna come out on top Saturday…I’m not worried about a prediction. We can say whatever we want up here. I just have to do my talking in the ring on Saturday night.”

WBA #1 welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. has pulled out of Saturday’s fight against WBA “regular” welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis scheduled for Saturday in San Antonio, Texas. Ortiz reportedly fainted and required hospitalization. This is the third time Stanionis-Ortiz has been postponed. Previously, Ortiz pulled out due to a flare-up of rhabdomyolysis and Stanionis pulled out due to emergency appendectomy surgery.

Statement from Golden Boy Promotions: “Nothing is more important than the safety of our fighters, and we of course support Vergil’s decision 100 percent. This unfortunate event does however open the door for one of Golden Boy’s top prospects, Floyd Schofield, to accelerate his profile by headlining in his home state of Texas. We will, as always, put on a high-action card from top to bottom on July 8 and look forward to showcasing all of our fighters both in San Antonio and on DAZN.”

More information on the July 8 event will be announced shortly.

British heavyweight rivals Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte will meet in a rematch at The O2 in London on August 12, shown exclusively live on DAZN around the world and on DAZN PPV in the UK and Ireland. Two-time unified heavyweight world champion Joshua (25-3, 22 KOs) and former world title challenger Whyte (29-3, 19 KOs) lock horns again nearly eight years on from their first clash, which Joshua won by seventh-round stoppage to end a thrilling war.

Whyte has a long-running rivalry with Joshua, having defeated him on points as an amateur back in 2009 before Joshua won an Olympic gold medal in 2012.

Anthony Joshua: “I’ve been clear that my plan is to be active this year. August 12 is the date, I’ll be ready to fight. I look forward to dealing with business.”

Dillian Whyte: “I’m looking forward to returning to the London O2 on August 12 and going to war. It’s 1-1 so this is the decider!”

Current NABF super lightweight beltholder Steve “The Dragon” Claggett (35-7-2, 25 KOs), will defend his title for the first time against Carlos Sanchez Valadez (24-1, 19 KOs) on September 8 at the Théâtre du Casino Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. The card will stream on ESPN+ in the US and Punching Grace in Canada. In his last fight on June 1st, Claggett stopped former WBA world champion Alberto Machado in round three to claim the vacant belt.

Steve Claggett: “I love challenges, and to me, this guy is still undefeated because his only loss was due to a technicality. I want to be the best, and I want to prove it by facing the best! I’m highly motivated to be the main event, and I want to deliver another spectacular performance to my fans. This guy is a very good boxer, but he hasn’t faced the Dragon yet.”