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Welterweight champions Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and Terence “Bud” Crawford wrapped up their two-day press tour in New York City on Wednesday to promote their PPV clash for the undisputed title on July 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Their press conference streamed live on two giant outdoor LED video displays on billboards overlooking Times Square in Midtown Manhattan.

Errol Spence: “I’m the biggest (fish). He’s not catching me with no damn fishing pole. He better come with a submarine. I’m the biggest shark. You ain’t catching Moby Dick with a fishing pole.”

Terence Crawford: “Fish fillet. I like to go fishing. Everyone knows that’s my hobby. They’ve all been caught before. Every last one of them. I got a big enough hook for Errol. We actually already caught him, and we’re reeling him in right now.”

WBC super lightweight champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (28-1, 24 KOs) is a massive 16:1 favorite to successfully defend his green belt against Danielito Zorrilla (17-1, 13 KOs) at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.

“It’s not hard to focus because when you fight someone that people say is lesser than you. Those are the dangerous fights and the hard ones as you don’t know what they have got, and you need to perform against them,” said Prograis.

“People do pull off upsets. I’m not looking past him, but you have in your mind that there’s massive fights out there, but I know that I won’t get to them unless I take care of my business on Saturday. So, until then, I don’t think about anyone else because you might not get there. Continue reading “Prograis a heavy favorite to retain title”

2020 Olympic super heavyweight bronze medalist Frazer Clarke and former heavyweight title challenger Mariusz Wach put on open workouts in central London on Wednesday, Wach powering punches into his padholder’s mitts while Clarke shadow-boxed in the sweltering heat. They collide at York Hall this Friday on Sky Sports in the UK.

Frazer Clarke: “If it goes the distance, it goes the distance. I take this round by round. I’m confident in my ability and I know what I came to do. I want to let people know that I’m here and I mean business. I want titles.”

Mariusz Wach: “I know it’s going to be a tough task but I’m here to win. I know I’m going to get hit with a few solid shots. But I’m not going to back down. I’m here to put on a hell of a show. I want this fight to be remembered.”

Top Rank has announced the full lineup for the July 28 ESPN+ card headlined by WBC and WBA female minimumweight champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (24-0, 9 KOs) against Leonela Yudica (19-1-3, 1 KO) on Friday, July 28 at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

In the 10-round junior lightweight co-feature, unbeaten Andres “Savage” Cortes (19-0, 10 KOs) will take on Xavier Martinez (18-1, 12 KOs). In other action, junior lightweight contender Abraham “El Super” Nova (22-1, 15 KOs) will face former world champion Jonathan Romero (35-1, 19 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Olympian Rohan “El Rayo” Polanco (9-0, 5 KOs) steps up against Cesar “Rainman” Francis (12-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round junior welterweight fight. 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas (14-1, 12 KOs) faces Nahir Albright (15-2, 7 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight fight, former amateur standout Charlie Sheehy (6-0, 4 KOs) will see action in a six-round lightweight tilt, and Subaru Murata (4-0, 4 KOs) returns in a six-round junior featherweight battle.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten southpaw prospect JBC#2 Suzumi Takayama (6-0, 5 KOs), 114.75, impressively seized the vacant Japanese national super-flyweight belt as he battered JBC#1 Ryusei Kawaura (9-2, 6 KOs), 114.75, from pillar to post to prompt the referee’s well-timed intervention at 1:05 of the fourth session in a scheduled ten on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. The newly crowned Takayama is the nephew of former world challenger Yuji Watanabe who had unsuccessful title shots against Genaro Hernandez in 1992 and Wilfredo Vazquez in 1997. Like his uncle Suzume can punch, and looks promising. Continue reading “Takayama halts Kawaura, wins Japanese 115lb belt”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten WBO female junior bantam champ Mizuki Hiruta (5-0, 1 KO), 114.5, scored the fastest victory in world title bouts here as she decked a very quick TKO win over Casey Morton (11-4-3, 3 KOs), 114.5, at 1:03 of the opening session to retain her WBO belt in her initial defense on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. Hiruta had Morton down no less than four times in 63 seconds to stun the crowd. Probably Casey was too nervous and stiff to move smoothly, absorbing much punishment from Mizuki’s opening attack. Continue reading “Hiruta keeps WBO female 115lb belt”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Boxing Beat

Last weekend witnessed hot action in Osaka, Japan. In an all-southpaw competition Tyson Koki (16-5-3, 13 KOs), 168, acquired the vacant Japanese super-middleweight belt by a unanimous decision (97-93 twice, 98-92) over 45-year-old veteran Yuki Nonaka (35-12-3, 10 KOs), 168, over ten on Saturday. It was a rather close affair, but the younger Koki, fifteen years his junior at 30, connected a solid shot at a time—more effectively than the more experienced campaigner. In the main event of the show, Japanese heavyweight champ Mitsuro Brandon Tajima (6-0, 5 KOs), 280, failed to finish Venezuelan Luis Marin (10-5, 7 KOs), 267, but won a unanimous decision (77-74, 78-73 twice) over eight.

In the night show at the same arena on the same day, WBO Asia Pacific 130-pound champ Masanori Rikiishi (14-1, 9 KOs), 134, finished Panamanian Ricardo Nunez (23-6, 21 KOs), 134, with a wicked body shot for the count at 2:16 of the third round in a scheduled ten.

Promoter: KWORLD3 Promotions (for both shows).

On Sunday, in Kyoto, 40-year-old former world titlist Katsunari Takayama (33-9, 12 KOs), 107.25, returned to action and emerged victorious by a unanimous nod (77-74 twice, 76-75) over Filipino Joel Lino (12-5-1, 5 KOs), 107.5, over eight heats. The ex-champ took a count in the closing seconds of the sixth, but displayed his superior speed and volume of punches down the stretch.

Promoter: Future Promotions.

2016 Italian Olympian Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (10-1-1, 9 KOs) will take on 2012 Canadian Olympian Simon “The Grizzly” Kean (23-1, 22 KOs) in a 10-round heavyweight battle on Saturday, August 19 at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada. Vianello-Kean will serve as the co-feature to the light heavyweight showdown between WBC/WBO/IBF world champion Artur Beterbiev and WBC #1 contender Callum “Mundo” Smith.

Beterbiev-Smith and Vianello-Kean will be broadcast live on ESPN. The card will air live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.

Franklin Gonzalez 124.8 vs. Saul Sanchez 122.2
Oscar Alvarez Jr. 131.6 vs. Jonhatan Cardoso 133
Dominic Valle 129.6 vs. Carlos Rosario 130
Tristan Gallichand 140 vs. Christopher Wingate 140

Venue: ProBox Events Center in Plant City, FL
Promoter: ProBox TV
TV: ProBox TV

The annual Convention of the World Boxing Council in its 61st edition, will take place from November 12 to 17, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Tashkent, which means “City of Stone”, is a city located in the eastern part of the country, very close to the borders with Kazakhstan, Kitghistan and Tajikistan. More details will follow.

At their first in-person meeting since the fight was announced, Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and Terence “Bud” Crawford finally came face-to-face at the kickoff press conference for their July 29 PPV clash for the undisputed welterweight title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Errol Spence Jr: “Everybody tune in and come out to the fight, because we’re gonna have a Craw-fish boil. And there’s gonna be enough for everybody. I promise you that…Terence hasn’t fought anybody. Even Shawn Porter said he didn’t train like he should against you. Kell Brook was already broken. I broke Kell Brook’s other eye, that’s how he got broke…this is gonna be a one-sided ass whooping. It’s gonna take a few rounds, because he’s a tough dude. But everyone gets broke and we’re gonna break him down.”

Terence Crawford: “He calls himself the big fish. What happens when you take the fish out the water? You suffocate him…I’m gonna gut him and feed him to everyone that eats fish in here. If he’s a big fish, we’re gonna have enough for everyone, with potatoes on the side. We don’t smoke over here, we go hunting for fish fillet…people after this fight are gonna say that Bud Crawford is special. I can assure you that. He’ll give me my respect after the fight after I whoop that ass.”

By Miguel Maravilla

WBC, WBA, IBF welterweight world champion Errol “The Truth” Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) of Dallas, Texas, talks about his highly anticipated showdown with WBO welterweight world champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) from Omaha, Nebraska, on July 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on Showtime Pay-Per-View.

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

Boxing is a unique sport. It is an industry very different from that of other sports because there are no teams or leagues with fixed calendars of games or seasons, and it is about independent boxers who are seeking to be someone in life, based on great effort, dedication, and sacrifice. Without boxers there is no sport, there is no boxing.

It is the trainers who teach young boxers dedication, technique, and strategy. Then they discover their abilities and start their career with four-round fights. They all start fighting in modest bouts, club shows organized by the promoters.

Without promoters, there is no boxing. They are its impetus vitality. They all start in the same way as boxers do, organizing small events, selling tickets, going around the city hanging advertisements in gyms, on the streets, looking for sponsorships and risking their money, hoping that their event will at least cover expenses to break even or earn a little money for their next show. Continue reading “Don King, Boxing Eternal Promoter”

By Miguel Maravilla

WBO welterweight world champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) from Omaha, Nebraska, spoke about his matchup with WBC, WBA, IBF welterweight world champion Errol “The Truth” Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) of Dallas, Texas, on July 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on Showtime Pay-Per-View.

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Felix “Tuto” Zabala Jr of All Star Boxing, Inc has announced Tuesday Morning a grudge match between welterweight contenders. World ranked WBA #12, WBO #14 Derrieck “Pretty Boy” Cuevas (25-1-1, 17 KOs) of Puerto Rico faces local fan favorite Alberto “Metralleta” Mosquera (28-5-2, 16 KOs) in a 10-round main event. The fight will air live on Friday, August 4th at 9PM/EST on ESPN+ (USA & Canada) & ESPN Knockout (Latam) from Coliseo de Combates in Panama City, Panama.

“We are happy to be back in Panama City after a successful show this past April 14th,” stated Zabala Jr. “This series billed “Panama Fight Night II” is something we continue to grow with the return of power puncher Derrieck Cuevas who is making noise in the talent filled welterweight division.” Continue reading “Cuevas-Mosquera collide Aug 4”

By Miguel Maravilla

6’3 Mexican lightweight prospect Oscar Alvarez Jr. of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico will be in action Wednesday night when he takes on Jonhatan Cordoso from Sao Paulo, Brazil at the Whitesands Event Center in Plant City Florida, live on ProBox TV.

“I am ready physically and mentally, I’m just anxious to get in the ring,” Alvarez Jr. said. “I assure you it will be a great fight. I will represent Mexico and I’m looking for the KO. We are two fighters that go all out, the winners will be the fans.” Continue reading “6’3 lightweight Oscar Alvarez returns”

Elijah Williams 145.2 vs. Matt Gaver 150.4
Eduadro Aguilar 145 vs. Marklin Bailey 149.2
Kevin Torian 199.4 vs. Calvin Early 196.2
Fernely Feliz 219.4 vs. Terrance Walker 203.4
Eric Arellano 232 vs. Jerry Hogan 321.4
Dreon Merriwether 136.2 vs. Jair Garza 135.2
Victor Hernandez 133.4 vs. Aaron Ravenell 136.8

Venue: Troubadour Nashville
Promoter: Jimmy Adams Promotions
1st Bell: 7 PM CT (8 PM ET)
Free Stream: countrybox247.com / FITE.TV (Marc Abrams & Former NFL All-Pro Albert Haynesworth on the call)

Super bantamweight Franklin Gonzalez (25-2, 25 KOs) takes on Saul Sanchez (18-2, 11 KOs) in the ten round main event on Wednesday’s ProBox TV stream. Gonzalez, whose first twenty-five bouts were ALL knockout wins, is looking to rebound from two straight split decisions losses. Sanchez, who has a number of highlight reel knockouts himself, is also coming off a split decision loss. Should be a good fight.

Also in action is 6’3 lightweight Oscar Alvarez Jr. (9-0, 7 KOs) against Jonhatan Cardoso (15-1, 14 KOs), and Olympian super featherweight Tsendbaatar “Chinggis Khaan” Erdenebat (6-0, 3 KOs) against Mandeep Jangra (4-0, 3 KOs). Erdenebat recently made headlines for claiming he softened up Kingry for Tank with a body shot to the same spot during sparring.

The event takes place at White Sands Events Center in Plant City, Florida.

25-year-old WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez claims he’s retiring from the ring after dethroning Josh Taylor on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. After the fight he said he might retire. On Monday, Lopez officially announced his retirement from boxing to Max Kellerman on ESPN.

“The Takeover” has also been making the media rounds proclaiming he wants nine figures to keep fighting. Let’s see if this retirement sticks.

Update: Lopez also posted the following on his Instagram page:

By Jeff Zimmerman

Undefeated rising star Ra’eese Aleem fights in a title eliminator June 17 in the co -main event against the also undefeated Sam Goodman in Australia. This will be on the Tszyu-Ocampo card. Aleem hopes to fight the winner of Fulton-Inoue scheduled July 25 or Tapales for the IBF crown.

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By Boxing Bob Newman

Here are IBHOF 2023 Induction speeches and Banquet of Champions speeches.

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By Joe Koizumi

WBA #3 Japanese southpaw Sho Ishida (34-3, 16 KOs), 118, defeated previously unbeaten #4 Dominican Victor Santillan (13-1, 5 KOs), 117.5, by a split decision in a WBA eliminator to decide the next mandatory challenger over twelve heats on Sunday in Osaka, Japan. The official tallies were as follows: Raul Caiz Jr. (US) and Salvador Salva (Spain) both 116-112 for Ishida but Lei Tavita (New Zealand) 110-118 for Santillan. The referee was Yuji Fukuchi (Japan). Santillan made a good start, but Ishida scored effective body shots in round five and took the initiative thereafter. Ishida, a 5’8″ lanky jabber, once failed to win the WBA 115-pound belt from Khalid Yafai on points in Cardiff, Wales, in 2017. His new mandatory target will be compatriot WBA bantam champ Takuma Inoue, the younger brother of “Monster” Naoya Inoue.

Promoter: Ioka Promotions.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Boxing legend Kostya Tszyu says his son, current WBO interim 154lb champion Tim Tszyu, will be ready to fight this weekend despite a dog bite on his forearm three weeks ago that required 26 stitches.

“Preparation was good,” Kostya Tszyu told the Sydney Morning Herald. “[The dog bite] more motivated him to be 100%. Sometimes these kind of injuries can help with more motivation to have a better fight. Of course, [Ocampo] will [target the injury], but Tim will never give him the chance for this. I haven’t seen him physically what’s happened, but at the same time Tim said everything is all right and I believe him. He’s ready.”

Tim Tszyu (20-0, 16 KOs) will face WBO #11 Carlos Ocampo (35-2, 23 KOs) on Sunday at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, televised on Foxtel Main Event and Kayo Sports Pay-Per-View in Australia and on Showtime [Saturday night] in the USA.

By Boxing Bob Newman

After a two year drought due to the COVID pandemic, the International Boxing Hall of Fame returned for the second straight year after last year’s “Trilogy” event which saw combined classes from 2020, 2021 and 2022 inducted simultaneously. This year saw five boxers in the modern category, three non-participants and two observers enshrined. Two inductees from last year’s trilogy event were also on hand to speak, as circumstances beyond their control prevented them from attending last year. Continue reading “IBHOF Class of 2023 Induction Ceremonies”

Boxing Hall of Famer Floyd “Money” Mayweather (50-0, 27 KOs) toyed with John Gotti III (2-0, 1 KO), grandson of famous mob boss John Gotti, over six two-minute exhibition rounds on Sunday night at the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida. For the first four rounds, Floyd was free to do whatever he wanted while Gotti mainly tried to cover up – with limited success. In round five, Gotti became more aggressive and both boxers were warned by referee Kenny Bayless for jawing at each other. In round six, Bayless abruptly disqualified Gotti for talking, holding, and refusing to break. An enraged Gotti then tried to get at Floyd. People poured into the ring and multiple fights broke out. It was a wonder the ring didn’t collapse.