Fightnews.com

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.

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

Perfect weather shone down on the bucolic confines of Canastota, NY for the annual IBHOF parade of champions today. Led by parade Grand Marshall Flava Flav, the 2023 inductees rolled through in classic and souped up cars, along with past inductees and even late special guest, interim WBO heavyweight champ Zhilei Zhang was on hand!

Photos

By Miguel Maravilla

Ukraine’s Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (14-5, 10 KOs) spoke about his valiant effort on his defeat to Mexico’s Jaime Munguia (42-0, 32 KOs) Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. Here is what he had to say at the post-fight.

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By Miguel Maravilla

Coming off his thrilling win, Jaime Munguia (42-0, 32 KOs) talked about his hard-fought battle against Ukraine’s Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (14-5, 10 KOs) Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. In what was a candidate for Fight of the Year, Munguia pulled off the unanimous decision in what was a highly competitive fight. Here is what he had to say…

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Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

In less than 24 hours, the combined staffs of the Turning Stone resort and casino and the International Boxing Hall of Fame, converted the events center which held the ShoBox card on Friday night into a 1,000 seat banquet hall.

Along with a capacity crowd of a thousand boxing fans, the dias held the class of 2023 inductees along with those past and future.

As the guests dined on filet mignon, the live auction fundraiser was held raising well over $10,000 for the hall.

The 2023 inductees who were present took to the microphone and delivered their thoughts on being inducted and amazement at the support from fans far and wide who all gather every year in the small town of Canastota, New York. Continue reading “IBHOF Banquet”

Photo: Sumio Yamada

After ten rounds of action between WBO jr welterweight champion Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez, judges Steve Gray and Joseph Pasquale had it even at 95-95. Judge Benoit Roussel had Lopez ahead 97-93 on the third card.

Lopez closed strongly and swept the last two rounds on all three cards to win 115-113, 115-113 and 117-111. However, had Taylor managed to win either round eleven or twelve, he would have retained the title with a draw.

By Miguel Maravilla

Middleweight Shane Mosley Jr. (20-4, 10 KOs) of Pomona, California stopped D’Mitrius Ballard of Temple Hills, Maryland in seven rounds Saturday night in the Munguia-Dereveyanchenko co-feature bout. Mosley talked about his victory at the post-fight press conference.

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By Mystic Zach Hirsch at ringside

Unbeaten featherweight prospect Dominique Francis (14-0, 9 KOs) of Miami, Florida defeated local favorite Braian Ariel Arguello (6-3, 3 KOs) of Argentina Saturday night at the Casino Buenos Aires, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Both fighters scored knockdowns but it was Francis who showed he is a different level talent in route to winning the 10 round unanimous decisión. The official scores of the 10 round featherweight bout were 96-90, 95-91, 94-92 all in favor to Francis. The Francis-Arguello bout was featured on the WBA’s annual KO for Drugs show with TyC Sports televising the show.

Also in action was unbeaten heavyweight Ivan Dychko, who moved 13-0, 12 KOs after a second round stoppage of Ariel Esteban Bracamonte (12-11, 6 KOs).

“I am very happy with the fight,” said Jaime Munguia after his come-from-behind win over Sergiy Derevyanchenko on Saturday night Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA. “It was a great victory, we made some mistakes but we’re still here undefeated. I am very happy with the decision and in reality it took me a lot of effort to achieve it. It was difficult but we were able to catch and hurt him in the 10th round and then we dropped him in the 12th round. I think ultimately, we achieved the victory thanks to my training. We trained really hard in the gym, obviously it’s not the same in the gym as in the ring, but we are always working hard, always trying to improve.”

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Former lightweight king Teofimo Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) dethroned previously unbeaten WBO junior welterweight champion Josh Taylor (19-1, 13 KOs) by twelve round unanimous decision on Saturday night in front of a sold-out Theater at Madison Square Garden. Taylor started strong but Lopez took over after a few rounds and started beating Taylor to the punch. Later on, Teofimo was just teeing off at times. Taylor was close to going down in round twelve. Scores were 115–113, 115-113, 117-111.

“Josh Taylor is a tough dude,” said Lopez. “I can see why he beat so many fighters. But you’ve got to counter the counterpuncher. You’ve got to outsmart the man and get in there. And I did that. I think I did enough.This is what it is all about.”

More Quotes and Photos

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Unbeaten former 154lb world champion Jaime Munguia (42-0, 32 KOs) barely pulled out a twelve round unanimous decision against 37-year-old former world title challenger Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (14-5, 10 KOs) in a super middleweight fight on Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. The fight was a see-saw affair from the opening bell with both fighters landing big shots. Derevyanchenko rocked Munguia in rounds three and five and seemed better in many rounds. Munguia rocked Derevyanchenko in round eleven and dropped him with a liver shot in round twelve. Derevyanchenko managed to survive. Scores were 115-112, 114-113, 114-113 all for Munguia.

After ten rounds, scores were 96-94 on two cards for Derevyanchenko. The third card was 95-95. Ironically, Golden Boy tried to switch the bout from a twelve-rounder to a ten-rounder and even offered Derevyanchenko a near six-figure payment, which was rejected. Turns out Sergiy did Munguia a favor as Jaime needed those last two rounds to get the W. Continue reading “Late surge saves Munguia’s 0”

WBC #8 cruiserweight Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (18-1, 17 KOs) scored a third round TKO over late sub Zamig Atakishiyev (8-2-1, 6 KOs) on Saturday night at the Halifax Forum, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Rozicki started putting it on Atakishiyev in round two. The referee waved it off after more punishment in round three. Time was 1:14. Former world champion Kell Brook was taking in the action at ringside.

In the co-feature, super bantamweight Pedro Bernal (12-1-2, 4 KOs) stopped 41-year-old fan favorite Tyson Cave (35-4, 14 KOs) in round two. Body shots proved to be Cave’s undoing. After three knockdowns, Bernal’s hand was raised. Cave was returning to the ring for the first time since 2019.

WBO #5, WBA #11 junior middleweight standout Xander Zayas (16-0, 10 KOs) successfully defended his NABO and NABF belts against Ronald Cruz (18-3-1, 12 KOs) in the Taylor-Teofimo co-feature on Saturday night in front of a sold-out Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Zayas dropped Cruz in round one but was forced to go the full eight. Cruz took a lot of punches but never quit. Scores were 80-71 3x.

WBO #11 junior lightweight contender and 2016 Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição (17-2, 8 KOs) and Nicolas Polanco (20-4-1, 11 KOs) ended in a no contest after a second round head clash left Polanco in bad shape.

Unbeaten jr welterweight Omar Rosario (11-0, 3 KOs) won an eight round unanimous decision over Jan Carlos Rivera (8-2, 6 KOs). Scored 77-75 3x.

Unbeaten heavyweight Damian Knyba (12-0, 7 KOs) took an eight round unanimous decision against 39-year-old journeyman Helaman Olguin (9-6-1, 4 KOs). Scores were 79-73 3x.

Unbeaten featherweight prospect Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (8-0, 5 KOs) got an eighth round referee’s stoppage against Luis Porozo (16-7, 9 KOs). Time was 2:17. One-sided fight, but Porozo wasn’t hurt so the late stoppage seemed unwarranted.

Unbeaten WBA #7, WBO #7 jr lightweight Henry Lebron (18-0, 10 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Carlos Ramos (17-3, 10 KOs). Lebron dropped Ramos in rounds eight and ten en route to a 97-91, 98-90, 98-90 verdict.

In a bout everyone knew was going the distance, IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards (20-0, 4 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Andres Campos (15-1, 4 KOs) on Saturday night at the OVO Arena in London, England. Close fight when Edwards chose to stand his ground, but when Edwards used his mobility, Campos rarely touched him. Scores were 117-111 3x.