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WBA “regular” welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis (14-0, 9 KOs) will travel into hostile territory to defend his belt in the hometown of undefeated knockout artist Vergil Ortiz, Jr. (19-0, 19 KOs) on April 29 at College Park Center at The University of Texas at Arlington campus. The right will stream worldwide on DAZN.

Vergil Ortiz, Jr: “I am beyond happy, knowing that we’re finally here, fighting for a world title. The work that we’ve done inside and outside of the ring and the obstacles we’ve overcome has led to this moment. Stanionis is a great fighter with massive power and I know we are going to put on a good show for everyone.”

Eimantas Stanionis: “Vergil asked for this fight, so here we are. I feel like this is going to be a special fight. We have mutual respect as competitors but make no mistake it’s going to be an absolute war.”

Oscar De La Hoya: “There will be war inside the ring on April 29 as these two dangerous fighters clash to be at the top of the welterweight division. Ortiz and Stanionis are elite level fighters who will be unafraid to unleash treacherous power and pressure to be crowned world champion.”

Sad to announce the passing of Thompson Boxing Promotions CEO Ken Thompson at the age of 85. He dedicated 23 years of his life to promoting boxing in the Inland Empire of Southern California. Among the fighters he promoted were unified super bantamweight world champion Danny Roman, WBC super lightweight champion Timothy Bradley, IBF bantamweight champion Yonnhy Perez, “The Riverside Rocky” Josesito Lopez, Juan Carlos Burgos, and many more. Prior to starting Thompson Boxing, Thompson was the president of the World Boxing Hall of Fame. His last show was just three days ago and his impact on the sport of boxing in Southern California will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made in Ken’s honor to the Wounded Warrior Project. https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

The Alabama Boxing Hall of Fame held its induction ceremony last night as part of a live fight card in Gadsden.

Inductees (L-R) are:

Carlos Elliott (Pro Boxer)
Mike Hutchinson (Pro Boxer)
Griffin Goleman (Amateur Boxer)
Phillip Jones (Amateur Boxer)
Mike Kennedy – Son of deceased inductees WL and Patsy Kennedy (Support Personnel)
Justin Moon – Son of deceased inductee Dr. Ron Moon (Support Personnel).

Also inducted were Willie “The Worm” Monroe (passed away in 2019) – Old Timer category, and Janks Morton (unable to attend) – Manager/Trainer/Promoter category

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Tomorrow will be the 50th anniversary of the first fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Bugner in Las Vegas. Bugner, 72, now lives in a care facility in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Sadly he suffers from dementia and doesn’t remember his boxing career at all. Here is the story…

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Check out this GIANT Foster-Vargas photo gallery for some incredible shots. Also includes the official scorecard and shots from the Barrios-Santiago fight.

Photos

After suffering the first defeat of his career by wide scores, two-division world champion Rey Vargas indicated that he will drop back down and campaign at 126 pounds, where he still holds the WBC belt. “We didn’t get the decision at super featherweight,” Vargas said, “but we are still champions at 126.

“I respect the judges. I think this decision was not fair. I don’t agree with it, but I have to respect it. I thought it was much closer than they saw. The weight difference may have affected me tonight. In boxing, you can use your legs to be technical or use them to run. Foster used them to run. He ran all night. Continue reading “Vargas: This decision was not fair”

With the words “ice water” and “shock the world” etched on his trunks, O’Shaquie Foster coolly and methodically outboxed two-division world champion Rey Vargas to capture the vacant WBC super featherweight title on Showtime Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

“My coaches kept telling me to pick it up, we are ready to go, “Foster said in the ring afterward. “We can’t get them out, but I felt good in the later rounds. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t a close fight. I didn’t think it was close. My coaches kept telling me not to let off the gas. Continue reading “Foster: I didn’t think it was close”

Former champion and San Antonio-native Mario “El Azteca” Barrios snapped his two-fight losing streak with a razor sharp, career-rejuvenating TKO against gutsy Jovanie Santiago in Saturday’s co-feature at the Alamodome.

“I felt myself breaking him down little by little,” Barrios said afterward. “I just had to be patient. My counter right hand is something that we’ve been working on at the gym in Vegas. I feel I’m definitely up there with the [welterweight] elite. I still have something to prove. I promised my city a world title. I got it in 2019 and I will do it again.”

After outlanding world-rated Lenier Peró 389-183 and building a lead on two of the judges’ scorecards, heavyweight Viktor Faust saw it all slip away with a hard right to the body that caused him to stop fighting and turn his back on his opponent.

“After the 6th round, I had pain in my ribs, but I decided to continue the fight,” said Faust. “The pain increased and did not allow me to compete to my full potential. I understood that during the bout I was winning and controlling the fight, but after missing a punch in the eighth round, the pain was so unbearable that I could no longer move. As a result, I won on points, but the injury gave the victory to my opponent.”

Peró, who landed 51 body shots, stated, “Since the first round, I was trying to find his liver, trying to go to his body. His punches weren’t that powerful, so I kept working and then found that final shot…I’m setting my sights on England. Let’s see if the Brits would like to come fight Stateside. I would welcome them with open arms. I’m talking Tyson Fury, Dubois…bring them on!”

In a clash for the vacant WBC super featherweight title, WBC #1 rated O’Shaquie Foster (20-2, 11 KOs) outboxed previously unbeaten former two-division champ Rey Vargas (36-1, 22 KOs) on Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Foster was too fast and too mobile, often leaving Vargas swinging at air. Vargas came on a bit in the middle rounds, but Foster slammed the door shut down the stretch to prevail 116-112, 117-111, 119-109.

WBC #9 cruiserweight and former bridgerweight world title challenger Ryan Rozicki (17-1, 16 KOs) scored a third round KO over Arturs Gorlov (10-3-1, 8 KOs) on Saturday night at the Hamilton Convention Centre located in downtown Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Rozicki dropped Gorlov with a left hook at the end of round two, then floored him again in round three to end it. Time was 2:29.

Former world champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (27-2, 18 KOs), now campaigning at welterweight, scored an impressive eighth round TKO against Jovanie Santiago (14-3-1, 10 KOs) in the Vargas-Foster co-feature on Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Barrios progressively broke down Santiago, finally dropping him in round eight. He then pounced on Santiago and Santiago’s corner stopped it. Time was 1:42. Barrios led 70-63 on all three judges’ scorecards at the time of the stoppage.

In a clash of unbeaten heavyweights, 2016 Olympian and WBA #6 rated Lenier Peró (9-0, 6 KOs) stopped Viktor Faust (11-1, 7 KOs) in round eight. Faust staggered Pero in round three, dictated the pace and was outworking Pero until Pero suddenly hurt him with a body shot in round eight. Faust turned his back and the bout was stopped. Time was 2:28. Enterng the eighth round, Faust was up 68-65, 67-66 on two cards, Pero was up 68-65 on the third card.

Continue reading “Barrios, Pero victorious in San Antonio”

In a clash between unbeaten super lightweights, Adam Azim (8-0, 6 KOs) dropped Santos Reyes (12-1, 3 KOs) in round two and went on to win 100-89 on all three cards Saturday night at the OVO Wembley Arena in London, England. Azim won the WBA International title.

Super middleweight Zak Chelli (13-1-1, 6 KOs) surprised Anthony Sims (23-2, 20 KOs), taking a ten round unanimous decision. Scores were 99-92, 98-92, 98-92. Chelli wins the WBA International title.

Middleweight Tyler Denny (16-2-3, 0 KOs) outpointed previously unbeaten Brad Pauls (16-1, 9 KOs) over ten 98-93, 97-93, 97-93.

Cruiserweight Viddal Riley (8-0, 5 KOs) was victorious when his bout against Annes Taj (7-3, 5 KOs) was stopped on a cut.

Female lightweight Caroline Dubois (6-0, 5KOs) stopped Feriche Mashaury (10-8, 3 KOs) in round three. Dubois is the sister of WBA “regular” heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois.

More Results:
Jeamie TKV W8 Harry Armstrong (heavyweight)
Jordan Reynolds TKO6 Mohamed Benchadi (super middleweight)
Stephen McKenna TKO5 Brenden Denes (welterweight)
Hassan Azim TKO2 Abdallah Luanja (welterweight)
Razor Ali TKO3 Hector Lozano (featherweight)

By Damon Gonzalez / LatinBox Sports

Light heavyweight Richie “Popeye the Sailorman” Rivera (23-1, 17 KOs) became the new NBA world champion with a ten round unanimous decision win against a very tough Issac Rodrigues (28-4, 22 KOs) on Friday night at the Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts. Judges’ scores were 99-91, 98-92, 100-90. Continue reading “Popeye Rivera tops Rodrigues for NBA LH title”

Super featherweight George “El Yuyu” Acosta (14-1, 2 KOs) scored a third round KO against Marlin Sims (8-2, 4 KOs) on Friday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California. A barrage of unanswered punches sent Sims to the canvas just as the bout was being waved off by referee Ray Corona. Time was 2:25.

In a war, unbeaten super welterweight “Nuckle” Nelson Oliva (6-0, 5 KOs) went the distance for the first time, taking a six round unanimous decision over Wayne Boudreaux (2-1, 1 KO). It was an entertaining brawl that seemingly could have gone either way, but local judges scored it 60-54, 58-56, 58-56 for the hometown fighter. The scores brought boos from the crowd.

Emmnauel Rodriguez 119.6 vs. Sharone Carter 117.5
Feargal McCrory 135.9 vs. Ariel Mesquita 138.5
Justin Figueroa 152.2 vs. Rahiem Davis Cooke 153.6
Francisco Rodriguez 128.5 vs. Kyle Massoth 128.4
Cali Box 184.5 vs. Tyler Jacques TBA
Miguel Garcia 135.5 vs. Christian Castro 141.1
John Vallejo 154.3 vs. Angelo Thompson 150.6
Daniel Bean 246.1 vs. Terrick Maven TBA
Sir Robert Lee Ellenburg 139.3 vs. Jose Luis Fracica Bean 137.7

Venue: The Showboat Hotel Carousel Room
Promoter: R and B Promotions
Stream: BXNGTV.COM
1st Bell: 7:05 PM ET / Doors open at 5:30

Ryan Rozicki 203.1 vs. Arturs Gorlovs 222.3
Pedro Bernal 133.5 vs. Paul Ispas 134.5
John Michael Bianco 167.2 vs. Joaquin Murietta 166.4
Carolyn Redmond 153.2 vs. Silvia Barraza 152.1
Jake Daoust 159.1 vs. Beverley Gracia 156.2
Reda Benbaziz 138.4 vs. Dylan Rushton 139
Stefan Dronjak 168.5 vs. Marlon Perez 166.9
Triston Brookes 159.4 vs. Emiliano Silva 159.1

Venue: Hamilton Convention Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Promoter: Daniel Otter (Three Lions Promotions)
Stream available on FITE

After an intense 45-second faceoff, Rey Vargas and O’Shaquie Foster started jostling while posing for photographers and had to be separated. They collide Saturday night for the WBC super featherweight world title in San Antonio, Texas. Showtime will televise.

The April 1 showdown between Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez and Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe, initially sanctioned for the interim title at 126 pounds, will now be for the full WBO featherweight world title due to the vacancy left by Emanuel Navarrete who will stay at 130 pounds. Robeisy and Dogboe clash atop an ESPN+-streamed card at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Ramirez, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, faces his toughest test to date in his first world title opportunity, while Dogboe will attempt to earn a world title belt in a second weight class.

Newly crowned three-division world champion Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete has vacated his WBO featherweight title in order to continue his campaign at junior lightweight. Navarrete captured the WBO 130-pound crown by defeating Liam Wilson via ninth-round technical knockout last week at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

Navarrete said, “After closely analyzing the situation with my team, we have decided to keep the WBO junior lightweight title. I feel very happy with the three title defenses that I made at featherweight, but I am also convinced that my future is now at junior lightweight. We are going after the big fights at 130. I’m grateful for the support that I have always received from my promoter, Top Rank, and the WBO. I will now proudly carry and defend my junior lightweight belt.”

Rey Vargas 129.5 vs. O’Shaquie Foster 129.5
(WBC super featherweight title)

Mario Barrios 146.75 vs. Jovanie Santiago 145.75
Lenier Pero 242.75 vs. Viktor Faust 234

Claudio Marrero 135 vs. Gonzalo Fuenzalida 134.4
Eumir Marcial 161.4 vs. Ricardo Villalba 162
Dainier Pero 244.2 vs. Daniel Zavala 237.4
David Whitmire 148.8 vs. Keith Foreman 149

Venue: The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
Promoter: TGB Promotions
TV: Showtime, Youtube/Facebook

Former world title challenger Denzel Bentley (17-2-1, 14 KOs) will defend his British middleweight title belt against Kieran Smith (18-1, 7 KOs) on the April 15 undercard of the Joe Joyce-Zhilei Zhang heavyweight showdown at the Copper Box Arena, live on BT Sport. Bentley is back fighting in London after his unsuccessful WBO world title tilt against Janibek Alimkhanuly last November in Las Vegas.

Also, Commonwealth super bantamweight champion Dennis “The Menace” McCann (14-0, 8 KOs) and WBC International Silver and Commonwealth lightweight titleholder Sam Noakes (10-0, 10 KOs) will be defending their titles. Unbeaten super lightweight Sonny Liston Ali (5-0, 0 KOs) will also see action.

King’s Promotions will be back at The Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on March 10 with an eight-round clash between welterweights Julian “Hammer Hands” Rodriguez (21-1, 14 KOs) and Kashon Hutchinson (10-5, 2 KOs). The only loss on the 28-year-old Rodriguez’ ledger is to two-division world champion Jose Pedraza in 2021 in Las Vegas.

In the eight-round co-feature, surging lightweight James Bernadin (10-0-1, 6 KOs) looks to stay undefeated when he takes on Jesus Vasquez (10-1, 2 KOs).

Adam Azim 140 vs. Santos Reyes 140
(WBA International super lightweight title)

Zak Chelli 167 vs. Anthony Sims 167
(WBA International super middleweight title)

Tyler Denny 160 vs. Brad Pauls 159
Viddal Riley 198 vs. Annes Taj 198.3
Caroline Dubois 137 vs. Feriche Mashaury 138
Jeamie TKV 260 vs. Harry Armstrong 259.3
Hassan Azim 149.3 vs. Abdallah Luanja 144
Stephen McKenna 153 vs. Brendon Denes 151
Jordan Reynolds 171.3 vs. Mohamed Cherif 173
Razor Ali 124 vs. Hector Lozano 125.3

Venue: OVO Wembley Arena in London, England
Promoter: BOXXER
TV: FITE ($9.99), Sky Sports Arena

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Very sensational and speedy, Japanese southpaw prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa, 24, passed the JBC’s examination and officially became professional under Teiken Gym on Thursday. Nasukawa, formerly a tremendously popular kickboxer whose mark was 42-0, participated in three-round sparring sessions with Japan’s top ranked 118-pounder Jin Minamide and displayed surprising hand speed to impress press people as well as JBC officials at the Korakuen Hall. Teiken’s influential promoter Akihiko Honda said, “Nasukawa is the treasure in the Japanese boxing fraternity, and will become a real thing very soon. He’ll make a pro debut in April.”

Continue reading “Japanese prodigy Natsukawa officially turns pro”