Fightnews.com

By Przemek Garczarczyk

Matchroom Boxing CEO Eddie Hearn explains the high stakes for heavyweight Adam Kownacki in his ten-rounder against Joe Cusumano in the chief support to Saturday night’s Berlanga vs. Quigley main event at MSG Theater.

“If Kownacki loses this fight, his career is over,” said Hearn bluntly. “But if he wins well, he’s a big enough name to get a big fight. We will see. Cusumano is a big heavyweight, not an elite, and he thinks he won the lottery getting this fight because he’s convinced that Adam is finished, And they are convinced they will win. We will see.”

_

Carlos Adames 159.6 vs. Julian Williams 159.2
(WBC interim middleweight title)

Fernando Martinez 114.6 vs. Jade Bornea 115
(IBF junior bantamweight title)

Erickson Lubin 156.6 vs. Luis Arias 155.8

Caleb Truax 174.8 vs. Burley Brooks 174
Jerwin Ancajas 121.8 vs. Wilner Soto 120.8
Mickel Spencer 141.4 vs. Lyle McFarlane 141.4

Venue: The Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Promoter: TGB Promotions
TV: Showtime, YouTube, Facebook

Three PPV undercard fights have been named for the big Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. vs. Terence “Bud” Crawford showdown on July 29 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Lightweight contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (24-2-1, 17 KOs) faces unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera (21-0, 7 KOs) in a 12-round WBC and WBA title eliminator in the co-main event, plus rising star Jesus “Mono” Ramos (20-0, 16 KOs) takes on Sergio Garcia (34-2, 14 KOs) in a 12-round WBC super welterweight title eliminator. Kicking off the pay-per-view, unbeaten rising heavyweight Gurgen Hovhannisyan (4-0, 4 KOs) will duel the power-punching Viktor Faust (11-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-round matchup.

“This pay-per-view lineup on July 29 is worthy of the mega-fight main event and will give fans high-stakes action leading up to the seismic showdown between Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Isaac Cruz and Jesus Ramos Jr. are two rising stars who deliver fireworks every time they get in the ring, and they’ll be pushed to be at their best in tough matchups on Showtime PPV. Adding in an explosive heavyweight opener, and fans will want to make sure they get into their seats early at T-Mobile Arena.”

Edgar Berlanga 167.8 vs. Jason Quigley 167.6
(WBO NABO super middleweight title)

Adam Kownacki 251.8 vs. Joe Cusumano 238.2

Reshat Mati 140.6 vs. Dakota Linger 140.8
Yankiel Rivera 111.4 vs. Christian Robles 111.2
Khalil Coe 176.2 vs. Buneet Bisla 173.2
Pablo Valdez 154 vs. Demian Fernandez 154
Ofacio Falcon 134.8 vs. Pedro Vicente 133.6

Venue: Theater @ Madison Square Garden, NYC
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBA super flyweight champion Joshua Franco has lost his belt on the scale since he couldn’t make the class limit of 115 pounds (52.1 kilogram) on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. He at first scaled in at 55.2 kilogram, 3.1 kg (some 6.8 pounds) over the limit. Given two hours for weight reduction, Franco, after one hour and fifty minutes, reduced only 200 gram, some half a pound, to his final weight of 55.0 kilogram (121.5 pounds by JBC). The challenger and former WBO ruler Kazuto Ioka has made weight at 52.0 kilogram (114.75 pounds by JBC) at his first trip to the scale. Their weight difference was no less than 3.0 kilogram (6.75 pounds by JBC), but the fight will go ahead as scheduled tomorrow.

Photos

By Przemek Garczarczyk

When Sugar Hill Steward worked with Charles Martin, he wanted to test Martin against the Polish brawler – Adam Kownacki. Martin fought Adam and lost. “I always admired Adam as a fighter, but I knew he had some things he needs to work on. When we started working together this year in Florida, almost 6 months now, I realized also how great an athlete he is. He will be all that on Saturday because he is having fun boxing again.” Kownacki (20-3, 15 KOs) fights Joe Cusaman (21-4, 19 KOs) on the undercard of Edgar Berlanga vs. Jason Quigley at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.

_

Canelo back with PBC

Canelo Alvarez has announced that he has a “done deal” with Premier Boxing Champions and will return in September. Reportedly Canelo inked a three-fight pact and will defend his undisputed super middleweight title on September 16, probably against WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo.

Edwards-Bam is signed

Promoter Eddie Hearn has announced that a flyweight unification clash between IBF champion Sunny Edwards and WBO champ Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez is signed and will take place “in November or December on the West Coast in America.”

Clase y Talento, the Guadalajara-based promotional firm founded by Canelo Alvarez’s trainer Eddy Reynoso, won the promotional rights to promote the rematch between WBC flyweight champion Julio César Martínez and McWilliams Arroyo at a WBC purse bid. Clase y Talento bid $345,000. The purse split will be Martinez 65% / Arroyo 35% with 10% of the total bid reserved to be paid as a bonus to the winner of the fight.

In 2021, Martínez and Arroyo clashed in a contest that prematurely ended in round three being declared a no contest after an accidental clash of heads. Prior to that, both visited the canvas, leaving expectations at the highest level towards this second meeting. Martínez-Arroyo II has been postponed on several occasions due to injuries and other factors suffered by both fighters, but now it will hopefully happen.

 

Jesus Saracho 143.7 vs Tarik Zaina 139.8
Nelson Oliva 159.5 vs Miguel Angel Barajas 159.5
Jesus Gonzalez 150.6 vs Levy Josue 150.6
Traden Beltran 136.3 vs Gerardo Alberto Fuentes 137
Emilliano Moreno 141.9 vs Cristian Dominguez 141.2
Angel Beltran 144.5 vs Abraham Afful 146.6

Venue: Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA
Promoter: Thompson Boxing
TV: Thompson Boxing YouTube channel/Facebook page

Unbeaten super middleweight Edgar Berlanga (20-0, 16 KOs) and Jason Quigley (20-2, 14 KOs) faced off at the final press conference for their clash inside The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.

Edgar Berlanga: “It’s a big night on Saturday. It’s been a year layoff, we’re home with a new promoter, and I am ready to perform…for me there are bigger fish out there, the GGGs, the Charlos, these are the guys I want to get in the ring with, I feel I am ready and seasoned to get in with them, but I must beat the shit out of Jason Quigley this weekend, that’s what it is.”

Jason Quigley: “I know I am the better man. Edgar is a great fighter, I’ve come here to win, and that’s going to make it a great fight. But I am the man, I’m here to progress my career and my life.”

* * *

Heavyweight Adam Kownacki (20-3, 15 KOs) ripped off his shirt to display his new svelte physique. He and Joe Cusumano (21-4, 19 KOs) fight in the co-feature.

Adam Kownacki: “It’s must-win, but for me. My two options are win averagely or win amazingly. I want to look amazing, I’ve had a great camp with Sugar Hill, so we’re ready. I’m in great shape, I want to look brilliant, get the win and get another fight quickly.”

Joe Cusumano: “We’re Heavyweights, we’re big punchers, and we’re going to show that.”

WBC interim middleweight champion Carlos Adames and former unified champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams traded barbs at Thursday’s final press conference before they trade blows in the Showtime main event this Saturday from The Armory in Minneapolis.

Carlos Adames: “Williams is bait on a hook ready to get devoured by the big fish. He should know that he’s in a bad spot right now…I can feel him shaking…Julian has no idea what he’s getting into. I’m gonna overwhelm him.”

Julian Williams: “I’ve seen him down, I’ve seen him tired and I’ve seen him hurt. He’s no boogeyman…I’m locked in. I know what this is and I know what he is. It’s gonna show up in the fight. I’m a man and you cannot scare me…I’m getting my hand raised.”

* * *

Thursday’s press conference also featured fighters competing on the undercard including super welterweight contender Luis “Cuba” Arias, who meets Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (not on hand) in the 10-round co-main event, plus super flyweight world champion Fernando “Pumita” Martinez and unbeaten Filipino contender Jade Bornea, who battle for Martinez’s IBF world title in the telecast opener.

Luis Arias: “I’m the worst type of fight for Lubin. We’re gonna find out immediately how that chin is holding up because I’m in dog shape. So I’m coming to make my statement and put my name in the mix…once I knock Lubin off, that’ll be two top contenders I’ve knocked off.”

Fernando Martinez: “He thinks he’s hungry, but I’m hungrier. I’m going to put on a show and prove to everyone that I’m not only the champion, but I’m the champion who’s going to be here for years to come…the fans here are going to see that I’m the ‘mini Mike Tyson’!

Jade Bornea: “I’m not going to give an inch. I know that I can’t waste this opportunity to become world champion. I am ready for anything that Martinez brings to me in the fight. I’ve prepared for this for a long time, so I know exactly what I have to do.”

Undefeated WBA super middleweight regular champion David Morrell Jr. (9-0, 8 KOs) says WBC interim champion David Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) is deliberately sidestepping his challenge and opting for an easier opponent in Jaime Munguia (42-0, 33 KOs), who would be coming up in weight to fight him.

David Morrell Jr: From here on out my new nickname is the ‘The Monster.’ I will be referred to as father of Team Benevidez. Jose Sr. does not want the fight. He talks a lot, but he clearly wants to fight Munguia as seen in all his recent interviews. The loudmouth son Jose Jr. hasn’t said a word either. So, I want small man Jose to come out publicly and say he is scared of the Monster Morrell. I’m giving you 24 hours to tell the world the truth little guy! Or I will do an interview daily about the cowards they call the Benevidez’. Your name is Red Flag maybe because you run when there is danger. Don’t use my name anymore, cancel all your merchandise and stop lying to people. I’m the real MONSTER! My message to Benavidez is I’m ready for all those bitches. Grow some balls, and lets give the fans the fight they want to see. Your family name is a disgrace.”

By Ron Jackson

Former South African light heavyweight champion Sakkie Enslin passed away in his sleep yesterday.

He was 63.

Sakkie was born on 21 March 1960 and grew up in Melkbos a coastal town located on the South West Coast of South Africa, 30 km north of Cape Town where as a six-year-old boy he loved running on the beach.

Sakkie was about 13 when his fitter-and-turner father Jan decided to return to what was then still the Transvaal. They settled near Vereeniging, south of Johannesburg.

Izak Johannes, as Sakkie was named after his birth soon settled in the new surroundings and excelled at rugby at a local school. Continue reading “Former SA light heavy champion dies at 63”

The World Boxing Association (WBA) has made it official that the WBA #1 light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi (17-0, 13 KOs) will face the WBA #2 Dan “Super” Azeez (19-0, 13 KOs) in a WBA final eliminator. The winner will become mandatory challenger to the WBA world champion Dmitry Bivol. Boxxer, the promoter of both fighters, will promote the bout set to take place at a venue to be named in England on August 19.

Unbeaten WBO #4, IBF #4, WBA #6 super middleweight Edgar Berlanga (20-0 16 KOs) fights for the first time under the Matchroom banner after signing a long-term multi-fight deal against Jason Quigley (20-2, 14 KOs) at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.

“Jason is a great fighter,” said Berlanga. “He thinks I’m overlooking him, maybe I am in the sense that I believe I am on a different level to him. The fights that I want to make happen, I must perform this weekend, I need to look spectacular. So, I am not overlooking him. Far from it, but I want to prove that I am better than him.

“I’ve looked him in the eyes, we’ll do it again on Thursday, and on Friday, and then fight night, it’s on, time to take off the shackles and unleash the beast. There’s going to be more tension as the week goes on – he’s in my hometown, he’s going to be in the trenches on Saturday…I have a lot to prove to myself. I have a chip on my shoulder. If the knockout comes that’s great, but I have to go in and handle my business. Look sharp, smart, do my thing.”

Former IBF heavyweight champion “Prince” Charles Martin and Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson have commented on their July 1 ESPN clash at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. Martin stepped in after original Anderson foe Zhan Kossobutskiy was forced to withdraw due to a delay in obtaining his visa.

Charles Martin: “I’ve always said I will fight anyone, anywhere, anytime. If I have to fight on less than two weeks’ notice to get a big opportunity, so be it. I’m ready. And since I can’t get the best guys from my generation to fight me, I’ll fight the best guy from the new generation. My goal is to become a two-time heavyweight champion. I have to beat Jared Anderson to accomplish my goal.”

Jared Anderson: “We weren’t going to let anything spoil the Toledo party. I have a new opponent, but it will be the same outcome.”

Two former world champions and an exciting rising prospect will highlight the Showtime Boxing Countdown live streaming presentation at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT on Showtime’s YouTube channel and Boxing Facebook page this Saturday from The Armory in Minneapolis.

The streaming card is topped by former world champion Caleb “Golden” Truax (31-5-2, 19 KOs) taking on Burley Brooks (6-2-1, 5 KOs) in a 10-round light heavyweight clash. The lineup will also see former world champion Jerwin Ancajas (33-3-2, 22 KOs) against Wilner Soto (22-12,12 KOs) in an eight-round super bantamweight attraction, plus super lightweight prospect Mickel Spencer (3-0, 2 KOs), the younger brother of super welterweight Joey Spencer, facing Lyle McFarlane (2-1, 1 KO) in a four-round bout.

These fights precede the Showtime tripleheader headlined WBC interim middleweight champion Carlos Adames against former unified champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams.

WBC #1 super middleweight champion, Christian Mbilli (24-0, 20 KOs) will be back in the ring on August 19 at the Videotron Centre on the boxing card headlined by the unified WBC, WBO, and IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev against Callum Smith. Mbilli will face Demond Nicholson (26-5-1, 22 KOs) in a ten-rounder. Mbilli returns after his impressive win over Carlos Gongora in March. Nicholson is coming off a shutout loss to Demetrius Andrade in January.

Sampson Boxing and ProBoxTV have agreed to a year-long monthly series of boxing events emanating from South America. The first event, scheduled for Saturday, July 22 at the Radisson Victoria Plaza Hotel in Montevideo, Uruguay, will feature once-beaten middleweight prospect Amilcar Vidal (16-1, 12 KOs) against Domicio Rondon (17-5, 11 KOs) in the 10 round main event. The 10-round co-featured bout will pit undefeated featherweight prospect and former Olympian Mirco Cuello (11-0, 10 KOs) against Antonio Guzman (23-3, 19 KOs) for the South American featherweight title. Details on the remaining 11 shows will be announced shortly.

ESPN has announced that WBO #7, WBA #8, WBC #9 heavyweight Jared “Real Big Baby” Anderson (14-0, 14 KOs) will now face former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin (29-3-1, 26 KOs) on July 1 at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. Anderson’s original foe Zhan Kossobutskiy pulled out due to visa problems. ESPN will air the fight.

WBC interim middleweight champion Carlos Adames (22-1,17 KOs) will be gunning for a KO when he defends his title against former unified champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams this Saturday on Showtime from The Armory in Minneapolis.

“A dominant victory on Saturday night will ensure me a fight with Jermall Charlo to see who the real WBC middleweight champion is,” said Adames. “It’s been very difficult to get the big names in the ring with me, but I just have to keep winning…I see Williams as a dangerous opponent. He’s a former world champion who has a lot of experience and he has nothing to lose at this point in his career. I’m expecting a tough fight, but I feel I’m the better fighter in every aspect. I feel I can break him down and end the fight in the middle to late rounds…my goal is to win by spectacular knockout.”

At today’s Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Commission meeting held in Las Vegas, the commission fined undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney $25,000 for shoving Vasiliy Lomachenko during the weigh-in for their fight in May.

The NSAC also suspeneded former WBA super lightweight champion Alberto Puello for six months. Puello was stripped of the WBA belt after an adverse VADA finding in the run-up to a scheduled title defense against Rolly Romero. Romero consequently claimed the vacant title by defeating Ismael Barroso.

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

Commemorating Father’s Day, it occurred to me to write about the father-son relationship in our sport.

The father takes the boy to the gym, and on many occasions he himself is the one who trains him, and even manages him. Everything is fine until … it’s time to get into the ring to fight.

The line should be drawn then and another person is the one who should be responsible for being in the corner during the fight. Why? Because boxing is not a game, it is a contact sport with high physical demands and health can be put at risk. There is no person more demanding than our father, and there is no person more obedient, eager to please and proud than the son.

The father will always demand more from his son, who in turn would never be able to demure, determined to make dad proud no matter what the sacrifice.

Many of the ring accidents have occurred with fighters, who have their father as a chief corner; fights that should have been stopped, and due to the above, it tragically did not happen. Continue reading “The Fathers in Boxing”

This Saturday night at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, former IBF junior lightweight world champion Tevin Farmer (30-5-1, 6 KOs) returns to action when he takes on Avery Sparrow (11-4, 4 KOs) in a ten round lightweight bout between popular Philly fighters.  Farmer, 32, will be making his first appearance in nearly three-and-a-half years. He won the world title in August 2018 against Billy Dib and made four successful before being dethroned by JoJo Diaz 18 months later.  Continue reading “Tevin Farmer returns Saturday night”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBA 115-pound champion Joshua Franco (18-1-3, 8 KOs), US, will square off against previously four-division titlist Kazuto Ioka (29-2-1, 15 KOs) in a grudge fight on this coming Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Their first encounter on New Year’s Eve last saw a majority draw (114-114 twice, 115-113 for Franco) that meant Joshua’s hairline but successful defense of his belt. Then Ioka was the WBO ruler in a unification bout, but the skillful Japanese counterpuncher renounced his belt to pursue a rematch with his grudge rival.

Ioka showed a public workout with his Cuban trainer Ismael Salas yesterday, while Franco participated in a public training today (Tuesday). Each looked very fit, fast and fine in speed and skills to make us expect a very competitive rematch.

Ioka said, “This time I’ll win clearly and if possible score a knockout victory.”

Franco, the defending titlist, said, “I wish to score with more clearly effective punches to Ioka in order to appeal to the judges. If so, I’ll be a victor by a very clear decision.”

Time will tell.

Photos