Fightnews.com

We are shocked and saddened to announce the passing of former heavyweight boxer and long time Fightnews.com® International Editor Ray Wheatley at the age of 74.

Ray passed away this morning in a Sydney hospital following an operation. Ray was a luminary on the Australian boxing scene for many years. After his boxing career ended, he became a boxing official, an IBF executive, published “World of Boxing,” and was inducted into the Australian Boxing Hall of Fame.

“Ray was part of Fightnews.com®’s original crew,” said Fightnews.com® Editor-in-Chief Karl Freitag. “He covered Aussie boxing for us for nearly 24 years. He loved boxing, was a great reporter, and a great man. He will be missed by all in boxing. Thank you for everything Ray. Rest in peace, dear friend.”

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Former Australian National Boxing Federation president John McDougall wrote:

It is with profound regret that I advise the Australian Boxing fraternity of the death of one our most loved members, Sugar Ray Wheatley. I was advised of this a few moments ago and a shock indeed to me as it will be to all. Ray passed away at 2:30am this morning in hospital following an operation.

Ray was a giant among men, not only in stature but in his very being as a man. A great family man and friend to all he will be deeply missed.

Ray was born on July 25 1948 and boxed as a heavyweight and in his third fight boxed the great Tony Mundine and was the only Australian, as I recall, to ever put Mundine in the canvas in a bout. His record stood at 11-12-1 and he boxed from 1969-1985. That was an era of great fighters in this country and Sugar won and lost among the best. Continue reading “Ray Wheatley Passes”

This year’s 15th annual Florida Boxing Hall of Fame induction weekend takes place at the St. Petersburg Hilton on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 30, July 1 & 2, 2023. Referee Joe Cortez will be the Keynote Speaker, Roy Jones Jr. headlines the Class of 2023 Inductees. Friday night will be an excellent professional fight card promoted by T & K Boxing Promotions. Continue reading “FBHOF Weekend – Class of 2023”

Another big boxing Saturday is on tap with Showtime, DAZN, and ESPN+ all in the mix.

On Showtime, 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 from The Armory in Minneapolis. The 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 and undefeated IBF super flyweight champion Fernando “Pumita” Martinez (15-0, 8 KOs) will put his title on the line against unbeaten Jade Bornea (18-0, 12 KOs) in the telecast opener.

DAZN presents super middleweight Edgar Berlanga (20-0, 16 KOs) in his first fight under the Matchroom banner against Jason Quigley (20-2, 14 KOs) at The Theater inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. Heavyweight Adan Kownacki (20-3, 15 KOs) faces Joe Cusumano (21-4, 19 KOs) in the co-feature.

ESPN+ has a fight card from the Eisstadion in Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, topped by WBO #10 rated Global junior middleweight beltholder Slawa Spomer (17-0, 8 KOs) defending against Felice Moncelli (24-7-1, 6 KOs).

Unfortunately, missing from the TV/streaming schedule (so far) is the rematch between WBA super flyweight champion Joshua Franco (18-1-3, 8 KOs) and Kazuto Ioka (29-2-1, 15 KOs) the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. They fought to a draw six months ago.

Heavyweight Joey Dawejko (25-10-4, 14 KOs) scored a first round stoppage against Dennis Vance Jr (4-10, 2 KOs) on Saturday night at Bally’s Atlantic City.

In the main event, junior welterweight Larry Fryers (13-6-1, 5 KOs) surprised Dimash Niyazov (14-2-3, 6 KOs), taking a six round technical decision by scores of 59-55 3x. The bout ended prematurely when Niyazov was injured after falling out of the ring. Two straight upset wins for Fryers.

A look at the scorecard in Saturday night’s split decision between WBC super lightweight champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis and Danielito Zorrilla shows that judges Josef Mason, Craig Metcalf, and Robert Tapper all had Prograis winning handily after eight rounds. However, Metcalf gave the final four rounds to Zorrilla.

The fight at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, also broke a record, albeit a dubious one. Over twelve rounds, the bout produced just 84 landed punches, the fewest in a title fight in CompuBox’s 38-year history. The previous record low of 91 was set in 2021’s Rigondeaux-Casimero barnburner.

Both fighters landed 42 punches. Prograis threw 497 total punches while Zorrilla threw 310. Both fighters landed 4 jabs. Prograis connected on 4 of 371 (1.1%), Zorrilla landed 4 of 144 (2.8%). For power punches, Prograis landed 38 of 126 (30.2%), Zorrilla connected on 38 of 166 (22.9%).

By Boxing Bob Newman

WBC super lightweight champion Regis Prograis talks to Fightnews.com® after the Zorrilla fight.

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By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Undefeated WBO interim junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu (23-0, 17 KOs) annihilated IBF #11 rated Carlos “Chema” Ocampo (34-3, 22 KOs) in just 77 seconds on Sunday at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia. Tszyu immediately hurt Ocampo, dropped him with a crushing right hand, and then spectacularly laid him out with a massive left hook that almost took off his head.

Immediately after the fight, “Tszyu stated, “I’ve got a question for everyone here. What’s my mother-f**king name?” He added, “I’ve got this interim belt, but I’m not satisfied. I want all four – and it’s not just the belts – I just want the name ‘Charlo’ on my resume.”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

In an IBF junior featherweight title eliminator between unbeaten fighters, Sam Goodman (15-0, 7 KOs) took a twelve round split decision over Ra’eese Aleem (20-1, 12 KOs) on Sunday in the Tszyo-Ocampo co-feature at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia. Aleem built up an early lead, but Goodman closed strong to win 117-111, 116-112 on two cards. Aleem was up 116-112 on the third card.

“That was tough early, he was awkward,” the 24-year-old Goodman said. “I’m so pumped, words can’t explain the work me and my team put into this. This is the start. My heart was through the roof [when I learned it was a split decision]. He’s a tough competitor. He comes in with awkward stuff. It was a big test. I knew early on I had to be smart and give him respect and I’d come through in the later rounds. We’re coming for those straps. We’re coming for them.”

By Boxing Box Newman at ringside

WBC Super Lightweight champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis took on late replacement Danielito Zorrilla of Puerto Rico in the first defense of his title at the Smoothie Center in his hometown of New Orleans, LA. Zorrilla stepped in after Australia’s Liam Paro pulled out a month ago with an undisclosed injury.

Late in the first, a lead right from Zorrilla caught Prograis flush and appeared to send him to the canvas, but Prograis grabbed an on rushing Zorrilla, which landed in a tackle and referee Corona ruling it a push. Prograis turned the trick early in round three, landing a long left which dropped Zorrilla into an almost a back somersault!

Zorrilla did well to last the round, despite the best efforts of Prograis to end it then and there. Despite being the bigger man, Zorrilla took to being defensive on his bicycle as Prograis stalked and measured. Zorrilla got more aggressive in the eighth, snapping Prograis’ head with his jab. In the ninth, Prograis looked to take the play back a bit too aggressively, missing wildly with some off balance shots.

A retreating Zorrilla, a chasing Prograis spelled the remainder of this untidy affair. At the sound of the final bell, Zorrilla straddled the ropes in the neutral corner, sure of victory. The final scores were as follows: 118-109 Prograis, 114-113 Zorrilla, 117-110 Prograis, who retains his title on a split decision.

More photos…

Report/Photos by Boxing Bob Newman at ringside

In the semi main event at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, welterweights Shakhram Giyasov and Harold Calderon tangled in a WBA eliminator match. The crowd rooted for Calderon, chanting “Harold,” throughout. Giyasov employed a measuring tactic, keeping his left hand out, but never receiving a warning from referee Rafael Ramos. Calderon, for his part, chose to box smartly from a southpaw stance fainting moving and using his own jab followed by a left cross. Whenever Giyasov felt he landed a good punch, he would do a bicycle jump and try to follow up. By round 4, Giyasov was getting cocky, coming forward with hands down by his sides, taunting Calderon to take a shot. Calderon wouldn’t take the bait, seldom if ever leading. To say this was a tactical battle, is an understatement! Following the thrilling Guzman-Ali battle really made this bout unappetizing to be sure. The boo birds finally made their feelings known in round 8. Perhaps those boos lit a fire under Calderon as he came out aggressively for the first thirty seconds of round 9, actually engaging and throwing punches to lead instead of countering.

A small cut opened on the left eye of Calderon at the start of round 10. The fight ended as it started, with Giyasov stalking, Calderon looking to counter, ending in a whimper. The scores were 120-108, 118-110 and 116-112 all for Giyasov, who moves to 15-0, 9 KOs, while Calderon loses his first at 27-1, 18 KOs. Continue reading “Giyasov beats Calderon in WBA eliminator”

Tim Tszyu 153.25 vs. Carlos Ocampo 153.75
WBO interim jr middleweight title)

Sam Goodman 121.7 vs. Ra’eese Aleem 121.6
(IBF super bantamweight eliminator)

Venue: Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
Promoter: No Limit Boxing
TV: Showtime

Dimash Niyazov 139.8 vs. Larry Fryers 139.9
(WBB super lightweight Title)

Pierre Hubert Dibombe 167.1 vs. Derrick Findley 169
Joey Dawejko 266.6 vs. Dennis Vance 277
Victor Darocha 179.3 vs. Leandro Da Silva 180.5
Edward Donovan 146.5 vs. Nelson Morales 146

Venue: Ballys Atlantic City
Promoter: Champions Sports and Entertainment
Stream: BXNGTV.com
1st Bell: 7:30 PM ET

Undefeated lightweight Frank “The Ghost” Martin (17-0, 12 KOs) will take on undefeated Olympic bronze medalist Artem Harutyunyan (12-0, 7 KOs) in a WBC title eliminator on July 15 topping action live on Showtime from The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

In the co-feature, future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire (42-7, 28 KOs) faces Alexandro Santiago (27-3-5, 14 KOs) for the vacant WBC bantamweight title. Opening the telecast, super lightweight contender Elvis Rodriguez (14-1-1, 12 KOs) meets former world champion Viktor Postol (31-4, 12 KOs) in a ten-rounder.

2020 Olympic super heavyweight bronze medalist Frazer Clarke (7-0, 5 KOs) scored a workmanlike ten round decision over 6’8 former heavyweight title challenger Mariusz Wach (37-10, 20 KOs) on Friday night at London’s historic York Hall. It was a slow-paced tactical fight with Clarke outworking the 43-year-old Wach, but never coming close to getting a stoppage. The bout was scored 100-90.

Unbeaten female lightweight Caroline Dubois (7-0, 5 KOs) scored a one-sided eight round shutout over Yanina “Panterita” Lescano (13-3, 4 KOs). Dubois dropped Lescano in round five en route to an 80-71 verdict.

In a rematch, unbeaten cruiserweight Viddal Riley (9-0, 6 KOs) made it 2-0 against Anees Taj (7-4, 5 KOs). Riley won bouts by TKO in round four.

Unbeaten middleweight Aaron McKenna (17-0, 8 KOs) outpointed Uisma “Monstro” Lima (10-9 KOs) over ten rounds in a bout for the WBC International title.

Cruiserweight Isaac Chamberlain (15-2, 8 KOs) outscored Dylan Bregeon (13-4-1, 3 KOs) over eight by a score of 78-74.

IBF interim welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (30-0, 27 KOs) will defend his belt against Roiman Villa (26-1, 24 KOs) on Showtime July 8 at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Boots Ennis: “I’m excited to be fighting in the main event and I can’t wait to get in the ring. I know Villa is a straightforward fighter and that’s tailor-made for me. I’m going to win because I’ve been putting in the work, day in and day out. All my hard work will show on fight night. I’m ready to shine and make a big statement on July 8. My time is now!”

Roiman Villa: “I’m very thankful to my team for this life-changing opportunity. Rashidi Ellis underestimated me before our last fight, so I knew I was going to win and go on to face Ennis. In order to be the best, you have to fight the best fighters. On July 8, I’m going to score another upset and ruin another undefeated record.”

The telecast will also feature unbeaten middleweight Yoelvis Gómez (6-0, 5 KOs) taking on middleweight contender Marquis Taylor (14-1-2, 1 KO) in the ten round co-main event, plus lightweight knockout artist Edwin De Los Santos (15-1, 14 KOs) against  Joseph Adorno (17-2-2, 14 KOs) in the TV opener.

WBC super lightweight champion Regis Prograis and challenger Danielito Zorrilla both weighed in at 139 pounds for their world title bout on DAZN Saturday night at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Lousiana.

Other Weights:
Shakhram Giyasov 146.1 vs. Harold Calderon 146.2
(WBA welterweight eliminator)

Ramla Ali 122 vs. Julissa Guzman 121.1
Jeremy Hill 135.6 vs. Mark Davis 135.6
Ginny Fuchs 113.4 vs. Indeya Rodriguez 113.2
Aaron Aponte 140 vs. Xavier Madrid 138.5
Criztec Bazaldua 136.4 vs. Elroy Fruto 135.6

Cruiserweight Roman Fury (2-0, 0 KOs), younger brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, scored a four round decision over Erik Nazaryan (29-33-4, 22 KOs) on Friday night at London’s historic York Hall. The bout was scored 40-36. With no amateur experience, the 6’2 26-year-old Fury is learning on the job.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Undefeated WBO interim jr middleweight beltholder Tim Tszyu (22-0, 16 KOs) and challenger Carlos Ocampo (34-2, 22 KOs) faced off at the final press conference for their Showtime-televised clash this weekend at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia.

Tim Tszyu: “I’ve had these two words of Spanish going through my mind: ‘No más.’ That’s the type of fight I intend to do. That’s my intention [to make him quit]. Charlo is the #1 priority. That’s the name that I want on my resume. As you play in video games, there’s a big boss and you’ve got to get rid of all these little bosses on the way to the big boss. Ocampo is next, but Charlo is the big boss I’ve got my eyes on.”

Carlos Ocampo: “On June 18 he will understand what it is to meet a Mexican. I will beat Tim Tszyu, make no mistake. This has been the best preparation of my career. The sparring was better than that of many world champions and my work won’t be in vain even though I have to go to the other side of the world…we’ll see a war if Tim wants it. And if he doesn’t, I’ll show him what it’s like to have 10,000 people watching him go down at home.”

Teofimo Lopez’s TAKEOVER of the 140lb weight division was a brief one. WBO President Paco Valcarcel has confirmed that Lopez has given up the WBO junior welterweight world championship he won against Josh Taylor last Saturday. “Just now @TeofimoLopez is texting me that he relinquished his jr welterweight title,” tweeted Valcarcel. “We should respect his decision…if he come back, WBO doors will be always open for him.”

The 25-year-old Lopez shockingly announced his retirement this week.

ProBox TV will travel up the I4 to the Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida, on Wednesday, July 26 for a classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico battle. Puerto Rican super featherweight Orlando “Capu” Gonzalez (20-2, 12 KOs) faces Mexico’s Ramiro “Demon” Cesena (16-1-1, 13 KOs) in a ten rounder in the main event.

By Boxing Bob Newman

Back on November 2015, the boxing world’s version of the heist of the century took place at the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY. Six championship belts were stolen in a brazen late night break in, netting two world title belts belonging to Tony Zale and four of Carmen Basilio’s.

Before long, the case went from the local authorities in Canastota and Madison County to the federal level involving the FBI.

Fast forward seven and a half years- a press conference was held today at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announcing the arrests of nine people in connection with a string of thefts involving art, jewelry and sports memorabilia. Continue reading “Arrests Made In 2015 IBHOF Belts Theft”

WBC super lightweight champion Regis Prograis and challenger Danielito Zorrilla pose after the final press conference for the Matchroom Boxing card taking place on Saturday at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. DAZN will stream.

Prograis has insisted all his focus is on Zorrilla, but he also has Teofimo Lopez on his mind.

“I wanted Josh to win so I could fight him again, but now, I just have got to fight Teofimo,” said Prograis. “I know he’s saying he’s retired but I hope he is not. I think that would be a huge fight and we must do it. Continue reading “Prograis-Zorrilla Final Press Conference”

The DAZN-streamed undercard has been finalized for the July 8 clash between undefeated knockout artist Vergil Ortiz, Jr. (19-0, 19 KOs) and WBA regular welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis (14-0, 9 KOs) taking place at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.

In the chief supporting role, unbeaten lightweight Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (14-0, 11 KOs) will face Haskell “Hackman” Rhodes (28-4-1, 13 KOs) in a ten-rounder. Also on tap are WBA/WBC female flyweight champion Marlen Esparza (13-1, 1 KO) against WBO ruler Gabriela Alaniz (14-0, 6 KOs) in a ten round unification fight, and lightweight Joseph “JoJo” Diaz (32-4-1, 15 KOs) against TBA. Continue reading “Ortiz-Stanionis undercard shaping up”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Cruiserweight Mateusz Masternak has withdrawn from facing IBF world champion Jai Opetaia. The fight was mandated by the IBF and purse bids were ordered only for Masternak’s team to withdraw from negotiations and cancel the purse bid process.

“What a waste of time,” said Opetaia. “He (Masternak) used to be a good fighter, now he’s a has-been. I would’ve retired him. If you don’t want the smoke, why waste the last few months talking shit?”

Opetaia’s manager Michael Francis was equally as scathing. “They’ve really done nothing but stall, duck and dive. They should be embarrassed. If they didn’t want to face Jai they could’ve told us months ago. They’re going to go a much softer route by facing Chris Billam-Smith and now we will negotiate with Boxxer Promotions about bringing Richard Riakporhe to Australia. That’s our intention and having an Aussie smash a Pom always goes down well here. Continue reading “Opetaia-Masternak implodes. Riakporhe next?”

In a slugfest between heavy-handed bantamweights, Saul “The Beast” Sanchez (19-2, 12 KOs) scored a brutal sixth round knockout over Franklin Gonzalez (25-3, 25 KOs) on Wednesday night at the Whitesands Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Sanchez pressed the action, while Gonzalez showed good and boxing skills. Both happily exchanged bombs that landed with a resounding thud. Sanchez broke through with a knockdown in round four coming from a body shot. Sanchez dropped Gonzalez three more times with body shots in round six to end it. Time was 2:03.

Lightweight Jonhatan Cardoso (16-1, 15 KOs) destroyed previously unbeaten 19-year-old prodigy Oscar Alvarez Jr.(9-1, 7 KOs), who allegedly had 677 amateur fights. Cardoso was credited with a knockdown in round one when he drove the elongated 6’3 Alvarez into the ropes. Cardoso continued to batter and bust up Alvarez with dozens of clean shots and eventually got a referee’s stoppage at 1:56 of the third.

Unbeaten super featherweight Dominic Valle (6-0, 5 KOs) got a referee’s stoppage with one second remaining in the bout against Carlos Rosario (6-2, 3 KOs). Bout waved off at 2:59 of round six.