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Unbeaten IBF #6, WBO #11 light heavyweight Ali Izmailov (10-0, 7 KOs) has set his sights on the top of the 175-pound division as he hopes to improve his championship credentials with an emphatic victory over fellow unbeaten Charles Foster (22-0, 12 KOs) this Friday in the 10-round main event headlining SHOBOX: The New Generation from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

“I’m coming for everyone at 175-pounds,” said the 30-year-old Izmailov. “I plan on making a statement on Friday night. I’m going to showcase my power and boxing ability against a world-rated fighter. When the opportunity for the knockout comes, I’m taking it and I’m ending his night early. Continue reading “Izmailov planning to stop Foster”

European champion Jean Jacques Olivier (15-2-1, 10 KOs) withdrew from Saturday’s fight in Halifax against Ryan Rozicki (17-1, 16 KOs) for the WBC cruiserweight silver title. To save the card, Rozicki will move up to heavyweight to face Zamig Atakishiyev (8-1-1, 6 KOs) of Azerbaijan in a ten round bout.

“The fight will be at heavyweight and while this is not our optimal path, no one in his weight class was ready to face Rozicki. He is a small cruiserweight and while we don’t want to give Zamig any advantage, we are confident in Ryan’s great potential,” said Three Lions Promotions CEO Daniel Otter.

The co-main event will see current WBC Youth world titleholder Pedro “Simba” Bernal (11-1, 3 KOs) clash with former world title challenger Tyson Cave (35-3.13KOs) in an eight rounder.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #14 heavyweight Justis Huni (7-0, 4 KOs) has suffered an ankle injury in sparring and been forced to withdraw from his June 17 bout with Andrew Tabiti (20-1, 16 KOs) over ten rounds at the Smoothie King Centre, New Orleans. The bout was planned for the undercard of the WBC super lightweight bout Regis Prograis vs. Danielto Zorrillo, promoted by Eddie Hearn.

“I am devastated that this has happened so close to the fight,” Huni told the Courier Mail. “I was packed and ready to go, I was a day away from flying out and now this has happened.”

How can he even consider himself a world champion?

IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards (19-0, 4 KOs) plans on defending his world title in style against Chile’s undefeated Andres Campos (15-0, 4 KOs) this Saturday at the OVO Arena Wembley, live worldwide on DAZN, before setting his sites firmly on the other 112lb world champions – especially stablemate and WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez.

“There’s nowhere for the other champions to hide now,” said Edwards. “One at a time, they will get their turn. What I do is different to anything anyone else does in a boxing ring. The world is waiting, and I think right now I am the number one flyweight in the world. I would argue that I am one of the best flyweights in the world. Continue reading “IBF champ Edwards rips WBC champ Martinez”

By Miguel Maravilla

Unbeaten super welterweight ‘King’ Callum Walsh, (6-0, 5 KOs) of Cork, Ireland returns to the ring on Friday night against veteran Carson Jones (43-15-3, 31 KOs) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Walsh will be disputing for the WBC US Silver super welterweight title in headlining Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions Hollywood Fight Nights at the Commerce Casino in Commerce Casino live on UFC Pass.

“I am looking forward to this test and stepping up and winning my first title as a pro,” Callum Walsh told FightNews.com®. Continue reading “Callum Walsh vows to make a statement”

The WBA Championships Committee have approved WBA super bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales to unify his belt against the July 25 winner of Naoya Inoue and Stephen Fulton. They also ordered former champ Murodjon Akhmadaliev and Tomoki Kameda to meet in a final eliminator to determine the division’s mandatory challenger.

Tapales dethroned Akhmadaliev last April 8 to win the crown in a controversial and close fight. Matchroom Boxing made a direct rematch request to the WBA and although there are elements that could support it, it is not feasible to do so at this time. Continue reading “WBA: Tapales to fight Inoue-Fulton winner”

#1 WBO ranked featherweight, Joet González (26-3, 15 KO’s) is officially calling out IBF Champion Luis Alberto “Venado” López {28-2. 16 KOs). López is coming off an impressive tko win over Michael Conlan. “It was a great win for Venado Lopez. He’s the one to beat right now. He’s an exciting, aggressive power puncher,’ acknowledges Gonzalez of the Mexicali, Mexico native. ‘He’s being referred to as some kind of monster in our division. But he hasn’t fought anyone like me. He’s never fought anyone at my level. I want that belt and it’s a fight I know I can win. I’ve spoken to my manager Frank Espinoza and I told him I want this fight.”

Espinoza agrees that this would be an excellent matchup. “I think the styles mesh perfectly,” he said. “Their styles combine for a competitive and exciting fight. I think Joet is more technically sound than “Venado” and I think he defeats him.”

Undefeated WBC #2 super welterweight contender Charles ‘Bad News’ Conwell (18-0, 13 KOs), is petitioning the WBC for a world title fight against undisputed world champion Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs).

Conwell’s manager Mark Habibi stated, “Our understanding is that the WBC will order a rematch between Brian Mendoza and Sebastian Fundora next. We want the WBC to therefore make Charles the mandatory challenger for Jermell Charlo. Alternatively, the WBC can make him the mandatory challenger for the rematch between Mendoza and Fundora and allow him to take an interim fight. It seems like Charlo is just sitting on the belt and Charles is ready now to fight him, Mendoza or Fundora. Continue reading “Conwell camp targets Charlo”

Boxing is back with a vengeance this weekend with loads of ring action including many big names on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

FRIDAY
A $24.99 PPV features four-time world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner faces William “Hutch” Hutchinson at Casino Miami in Miami, Florida. The event is promoted by Hall of Fame promoter Don King and also includes two-division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux.

Showtime has a ShoBox telecast featuring top-10 ranked light heavyweight Ali Izmailov (10-0, 7 KOs) against Charles Foster (22-0, 12 KOs) in a ten-rounder.

UFC Fightpass super welterweight “King” Callum Walsh (6-0, 5 KOs) against Carson Jones (43-15-3, 31 KOs) at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles.

SATURDAY
In the first of two DAZN telecasts, undefeated IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards (19-0, 4 KOs) defends his belt against Andres Campos (15-0, 4 KOs) at Wembley Arena in London.

DAZN returns later with super middleweight Jaime Munguia (41-0, 32 KOs) against Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (14-4, 10 KOs) at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

ESPN presents WBO junior welterweight champion Josh Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) defending against former lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez Jr. (18-1, 13 KOs) in the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

A $19.99 PPV offers up former bridgerweight title challenger Ryan Rozicki (17-1, 16 KOs) takes on Jean-Jacques Olivier (15-2-1, 10 KOs) at the Halifax Forum in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

SUNDAY
In a $29.99 PPV, Boxing Hall of Famer Floyd “Money” Mayweather faces John Gotti III, the grandson of famous gangster John Gotti, in an exhibition from FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida. In another exhibition, heavyweight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller will take on Antonio Zepeda.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Once-beaten ex-university amateur Katsuya Yasuda (11-1, 7 KOs), 134.5, struggled to acquire the vacant WBO Asia Pacific lightweight belt as he defeated previously unbeaten Thailander Apichet Petchmanee (15-1, 5 KOs), 134.5, by a unanimous decision (115-113, 116-111, 118-109) over twelve hard-fought rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. The climax was seen in round four, when Yasuda decked his muscular rival with a southpaw right hook, while Apichet dropped him back with a well-timed straight right to the button moments later. In the championship rounds Yasuda ran out of gas or mental power, repeating clinches time and again. It was Apichet that was penalized a point for throwing the ever-grabbing Japanese to the canvas in the final stanza, but the audience also criticized Yasuda’s repeated holding. The new champ Yasuda’s face was more grotesquely swollen with his absorption of the Thailander’s less aggressive but more effective shots. Continue reading “Yasuda wins vacant WBO AP 135lb belt”

Undisputed women’s middleweight Claressa Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) dominated late sub Maricela Cornejo (16-6, 6 KOs), but didn’t get the knockout she wanted in front of a big crowd on Saturday night at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Shields came out firing, hitting Cornejo at will and winning every minute of every round. However, Cornejo was never in danger of being stopped. Scores were 100-89, 100-90, 100-90.

“I feel great,” said Shields post-victory. “I was landing my shots. I won every round like I knew I could. I went for the knockout how many times this fight? Maricela is tough. She did a great job. Height doesn’t matter and power doesn’t matter either. It’s all about the skills and will and heart, and I always have more than the other girls.” Continue reading “Shields shuts out Cornejo”

43-year-old former heavyweight title challenger Mariusz “Viking” Wach (37-9, 20 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO over Jakub Sosiński (8-3-1, 3 KOs) in a tune-up bout on Saturday night in Katy Wroclawskie, Poland. The 6’8 Wach is scheduled to face 2020 Olympic medalist Frazer Clarke in London on June 16.

Unified WBA, IBF, WBO heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) has signed a multi-fight deal with Saudi Arabian-based promotional company Skill Challenge Promotions (SCP). The outfit was established by Prince Khaled bin AbdulAziz in 2023.  Usyk recently fought in The Kingdom in August 2022 defeating Anthony Joshua by unanimous decision to retain his belts in their rematch hosted by Skill Challenge Entertainment and The Ministry of Sport.

“It is great honor and joy for me to return to The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Usyk stated during the press announcement in Riyadh. “It’s an excellent opportunity to work with His Highness Prince Khaled and to reach our team’s goal to claim the WBC heavyweight champion title to become the undisputed champion. I haven’t got any big plans, like a samurai I have the way… the way I walk.”

The first order of business is Usyk’s defense against Daniel Dubois in August 2023. After that, the goal is Tyson Fury for the undisputed belt.

Yesterday it was reported that WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis was taken into custody will serve the remainder of his sentence (about 60 days) in jail. Details were rather sparse on what violations Tank had actually made.

According to the Baltimore Banner, the Court had approved the home of Davis’ trainer Calvin Ford as the location of Tank’s house arrest. However accommodations at Ford’s house were a bit tight, so Tank relocated temporarily to the Four Seasons Hotel and then into a $3.4 million high-rise penthouse he recently purchased.

Because Davis changed his location without the court’s permission, the judge revoked Davis’ house arrest and ordered him spend to spend the rest of his sentence in jail.

Super welterweight Rodolfo Orozco (32-3-3, 24 KOs) of Sinaloa, Mexico stopped countryman and local favorite Elian Trejo (8-3, 5 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico by TKO in round four of their scheduled for eight round main event on Friday night at the Salon Villia Flamingos in Mexico City. Trejo came out strong in round one, rocking Orozco multiple times. Orozco settled in over the next few rounds en route to stopping Trejo early in round four.

Jonathan Rodriquez 118 vs. Brian Cannady 118
(WBC US silver bantamweight title)

Francis Oran 212 vs. Raphael Carolina 212
Joel Flores 133 vs. Hakim Smith 134
Thanjhae Teasley 147 vs. Benjamin Lamptey 146

Venue: Parkview Inn in Allentown, PA
Promoter: Jeter Promotions

Claressa Shields 159.6 vs. Maricela Cornejo 155
(undisputed women’s middleweight title)

Ardreal Holmes Jr 153.4 vs. Wendy Toussaint 149.8
Da’velle Smith 160.6 vs. K.J. Woods 159.8
Joseph Hicks 159.4 vs. Antonio Todd 158.2
Marlon Harrington 152.8 vs. Gheith Mohammed 152.2
Joshua James Pagan 139.4 vs. Ronnell Burnett 137.4
Vernon Webber 197.4 vs. Fernando Almeida 197.4
Sarah Liegmann 124.6 vs. Carisse Brown 125.8

Venue: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Promoter: Salita Promotions
TV: DAZN

WBC interim middleweight champion Carlos Adames (22-1, 17 KOs) will battle former unified champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams in the 12-round main event on Showtime June 24 from The Armory in Minneapolis.

Carlos Adames: “I’ve trained hard for this fight and I’m ready to defend my interim WBC middleweight title against Julian Williams, who we all know is a very tough fighter. I’ve worked tirelessly to earn my way in the sport and I’m ready to prove I belong at the top of the middleweight division.”

Julian Williams: “Training has been going great and I’m extremely well-prepared for this fight,” said Williams. “I’ve just been grinding and making the best of everything that I have. I haven’t seen that much of him, so I’m preparing for anything Adames can bring.”

The Showtime telecast will also feature super welterweight contenders Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (24-2, 17 KOs) and Luis “Cuba” Arias (20-3-1, 9 KOs) squaring off in the 10-round co-main event. Continue reading “Adames, J-Rock Quotes”

Golden Boy Promotions boss Oscar De La Hoya has hit back at lightweight star Ryan Garcia on social media.

Oscar De La Hoya: “It’s been almost two months and you’re still crying about the post presser? The blame for your loss is on YOU and your “advisor” Lupe. He is the only one who pushed you to accept that INSANE rehydration clause and THAT is the reason you lost. Man up. Own that.

“Also, you keep saying ‘Tank’s team offered more support for you.’ blah blah blah. Bro they SET YOU UP TO LOSE with that rehydration clause and most importantly…AL HAYMON DIDN’T EVEN SHOW UP THE ENTIRE WEEK. Actually, he NEVER shows up. How’s that for ‘support’???”

WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis is now in custody in the city of Baltimore for an alleged violation a 90-day house arrest sentence meted out for a hit and run incident. He will serve the remainder of the sentence (about 60 days) in jail.

Undefeated WBC #2, WBA #2, WBO #2, IBF #8 super middleweight contender Erik Bazinyan (30-0, 21 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Jose de Jesus Macias (28-12-4, 14 KOs) on Thursday night at Casino de Montreal in Montreal, Canada. Macias surprisingly gave 9:1 favorite Bazinyan all he could handle. In round seven, he He rocked Bazinyan and nearly finished him. Bazinyan had his moments also and probably did enough to win – but certainly didn’t deliver a performance worthy of the world’s #2 168-pounder. Scores of 97-93, 98-92, 98-92 heavily supported the local fighter.

Junior welterweight Steve Claggett (35-7-2, 25 KOs) scored a third round KO over former world champion Alberto Machado (23-4, 19 KOs). Claggett dropped Machado twice in round three to end it. Time was 2:29. Claggett claimed the NABF 140lb title.

Other Results:
Avery Martin Duval TKO3 Andres Sanchez Ramirez (junior lightweight)
Thomas Chabot W8 Luis Bolanos Lopez (featherweight)
Alexandre Gaumont TKO2 Piotr Bis (middleweight)

Unbeaten light heavyweights Clay Waterman (10-0, 8 KOs) and Kenmon Evans (10-0-1, 3 KOs) will square off in a new SHOBOX: The New Generation eight-round telecast opener as the popular prospect series returns to Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y., during International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend on Friday, June 9 live on SHOWTIME. Waterman-Evans replaces a super lightweight clash between Ryan Martin (25-2, 15 KOs) and Mykquan Williams (19-0-1, 8 KOs) after Martin pulled out due to personal reasons.

That means every fighter on the telecast will be unbeaten. Top-10 ranked light heavyweight Ali Izmailov (10-0, 7 KOs) Charles Foster (22-0, 12 KOs) in the main event, super middleweight Richard Vansiclen (13-0-1, 6 KOs) meets Juan Carrillo (10-0, 8 KOs).

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

After a very late night of fun and celebration, the closing meeting of the 38th annual IBF convention began and ended in seemingly record time.

With a slated 9:30 a.m. start time, all was said and done by 10:03! President Daryl Peoples began by thanking all who made the journeys from their homes near and far. “We appreciate the commitment required to come the convention every year. But we are a family and that makes it worthwhile.” Peoples also reiterated the appreciation for the tireless work ethic.and dedication behind the scenes of the three women who run the offices of the IBF: Tracey Lundy, Ruth Jimenez and Jeanette Salazar. Salazar took a well deserved seat at the board table, along side Peoples. Continue reading “38th Annual IBF Convention Officially Closes”

Unbeaten heavyweight contender Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (26-0-1, 22 KOs) will take on fellow unbeaten 6’6, 270lb Antonio Zepeda (6-0, 6 KOs) on the PPV undercard of Floyd “Money” Mayweather vs. John Gotti III (the grandson of famous mob boss John Gotti) on Sunday, June 11 at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Miller-Zepeda will be a four round exhibition and therefore both 0s will be preserved.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten formerly 13-time amateur national champ Hayato Tsutsumi (3-0, no KO), 125.75, impressively acquired the vacant OPBF featherweight belt as he outlegged and outpunched hard-punching Filipino Jeo Santisima (22-6, 19 KOs), 124.75, to pound out a unanimous decision (120-108, 119-109, 118-110) over twelve fast rounds on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan. Hayato, whose amateur mark was 88-6, 26 stoppages, utilized faster and more accurate jabs and his versatile mobility all night to confuse the power-punching Filipino. The final session saw Tsutsumi, 23, lopsidedly batter him to have him in great trouble, though Santisima gamely refused to go down until the end. Tsutsumi is a talented speedster whose future may be bright. Continue reading “Tsutsumi wins OPBF 126lb belt in his third pro bout”