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“There’s only two fights I want,” said newly crowned WBA super lightweight champion Rolly Romero after claiming the vacant WBA world title on Saturday night in Las Vegas. “There’s the rematch with Tank Davis. But I think there’s a much bigger option. I want to go after Ryan Garcia. We can do it on Showtime PPV.”

As for Saturday’s win against WBA #1 contender Ismael Barroso, Romero stated, “I boxed the entire time. I came in a little cold. I got cracked and I got up like a champion and kept going.”

Regarding the stoppage, Romero said, “I’ll be honest, he’s a warrior and he should have been allowed to continue. He wanted to keep going and I wanted him to keep going as well.”

“I think it was an injustice to stop the fight,” said Ismael Barroso after his controversial stoppage loss to Rolly Romero in a bout for the WBA 140ln title on Saturday night in Las Vegas. “I was landing the better shots. It was a push on the first knockdown. It wasn’t a big blow or anything. The referee just stopped the fight, and he didn’t say anything. You can see it clearly. I’m the one who’s hitting him. There was nothing clear that he hit me with. I don’t understand why they stopped the fight.”

Barroso, a late replacement after Alberto Puello, who previously held the WBA 140-pound title, had been stripped of his title because of a failed VADA test, outlanded Romero, 57-40, and threw 297 punches to 230 for Romero and at the time of the stoppage, he was ahead on all three scorecards: 78-73, 77-74, 76-75.

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s Kevin Lerena boxed his way to a 12 round unanimous points decision over the fancied Ryad Merhy from the Côte D’Ivoire, at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Saturday night, to win the WBC bridgerweight silver title and the eliminator for the WBC bridgerweight world title.

The scores were – Judge Eddie Pappoe 118-110, judge Thabo Spampool 116-112 and judge Daniel van der Welie 115-113. Continue reading “Lerena wins WBC Silver title and eliminator”

In his first bout at super lightweight, Rolando “Rolly” Romero (15-1, 13 KOs) scored a controversial ninth round TKO over WBA #1 rated Ismael Barroso (24-4-2, 22 KOs) to claim the vacant WBA title on Saturday night at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Slow start with the 40-year-old Barroso pressing the action. Barroso dropped Romero in round three. The knockdown seemed to wake up Rolly, who became more aggressive in round four, but was back on his bicycle in round five. Barroso continued to be the aggressor. Romero dropped Barroso in round nine (seemed like more of a push). The fight opened up and the fighters began to trade. Suddenly referee Tony Weeks inexplicably stopped the fight. Time was 2:41.

At the time of the stoppage, Barroso was ahead on all three cards 76-75, 77-74, 78-73.

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WOW 👀

Referee Tony Weeks stops the fight and @SignUp4KOs scores a TKO victory over Barroso to become the new WBA Super Lightweight champ 🏆 #RomeroBarroso pic.twitter.com/SseQxDNoQu

— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) May 14, 2023

Photos: Sumio Yamada

WBO middleweight world champion Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (14-0, 9 KOs) demolished Steven Butler (32-4-1, 26 KOs) in two rounds on Saturday night at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California. Alimkhanuly brutally floored Butler three times in round two to end it. Time was 2:25.

Afterward, Alimkhanuly said, “Champions. Boxing superstars! Where are you? I am waiting. Let’s fight. I am the most avoided boxer. I am the middleweight king. Let’s go. Let’s fight. I am ready for anybody. Anytime. Anywhere.”

Photos

Photos: Sumio Yamada

In a clash for the vacant WBO bantamweight world title, Jason “Mayhem” Moloney (26-2, 19 KOs) scored a twelve round majority decision over Vincent Astrolabio (18-4, 13 KOs) on Saturday night at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California. Moloney, in his third world title challenge, patiently outboxed Astrolabio in a tactical bout that often elicited boos from the audience. Scores were 114-114, 115-113, 116-112.

Afterward, Moloney said, “I thought I won it going away, but all that matters is the victory. And now I have this belt for the rest of my life. I broke my hand in the third or fourth round. It hurt every time I threw it. But I knew this was my last chance to make my dream come true. Continue reading “Moloney tops Astrolabio for WBA bantam belt”

Former two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy (30-2-1, 15 KOs) scored a workmanlike majority decision over Omar “El Relámpago” Juarez (14-2, 5 KOs) in a ten round super lightweight bout in the Romero-Barroso co-feature on Saturday night at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The experience of the 37-year-old Barthelemy propelled him to a 95-95, 97-93, 98-92 win.

In a WBA super lightweight world title eliminator, Batyr Akhmedov (9-3, 8 KOs) and Kenneth Sims Jr. (20-2-1, 7 KOs) went twelve hard rounds with Sims prevailing by majority decision. Scores were 114-114, 115-113, 116-112. Sims has his right eye closed at the end.

Other Results:
Starling Castillo W10 Esteuri Suero (super lightweight)
Michael Angeletti TKO8 Michell Banquez (bantamweight)
Justin Viloria TKO4 Pedro Pinillo (super featherweight)

 

Stockton-born lightweight Gabriel Flores Jr. (22-2, 8 KOs) needed just 30 seconds to demolish Derrick Murray (17-9-1, 6 KOs). A left hook ended the bout.

In his Top Rank debut, featherweight contender Ruben Villa IV (20-1, 7 KOs) stopped Maickol Villagrana (16-5, 8 KOs) in round five. The ref stepped in at 1:55.

Unbeaten junior middleweight Amado Fernando Vargas (7-0, 2 KOs), the undefeated son of former junior middleweight world champion Fernando Vargas, defeated Bernardo Manzano (2-5, 0 KOs) over four rounds. Scores were 40-35 3x. Manzano down in round one.

In an eight-rounder between unbeaten middleweight prospects, Javier Martinez (8-0-1, 2 KOs) and Joeshon James (7-0-1, 4 KOs) battled to an eight round draw. Scores where 79-73 James, 77-75 Martinez, 76-76.

Unbeaten welterweight Brian Norman Jr. (24-0, 19 KOs) uouscored Jesus Perez (24-5, 18 KOs) over eight rounds by scores of 77-75, 77-75, 78-74.

Showtime Championship Boxing will televise the June 17 fight between undefeated WBO interim super welterweight champion Tim Tszyu against Carlos Ocampo from Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia. The bout will take place Sunday, June 18 in Australia.

The telecast also features a battle of undefeated 122-pound contenders as Ra’eese Aleem takes on Sam Goodman in an IBF super bantamweight world title eliminator. The Showtime announce team will call the fights remotely from CBS studios in New York City.

Light heavyweight YouTuber KSI (6-0-1, 5 KOs) knocked out 40-year-old nightclub magnate Joe Fournier (9-1, 9 KOs) with an elbow to the jaw (missed by the referee) in round two on Saturday night at the OVO Arena in London. Fournier counted out at 1:25. After the fight, Tommy Fury came into the ring and KSI declared he wants Fury next. KSI and Fury then had to be separated.

Former Floyd Mayweather exhibition foe “Deji” (2-4) outscored rapper Swarmz (1-2) over four rounds 40-36, 40-36, 39-37 in a light heavyweight bout.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Former WBO champ Masayuki Ito’s TB (Treasure Boxing) Promotions’ third show was sensational and successful on Saturday in Manila, Philippines. In the main event John Riel Casimero (33-4, 22 KOs) managed to acquire the WBO Global 122-pound belt as he eked out a close but unanimous decision (114-112, 116-110 twice) over Fillipus Nghitumbwa (12-2, 11 KOs), from Namibia, over twelve hard-fought rounds at Okada Manila Hotel and Casino. Continue reading “Casimero beats Nghitumbwa for WBO Global belt”

Local hometown favorite Jose Javier Torres (16-2, 10 KOs) of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico stopped compatriot Mario Gutierrez (9-5-1, 6 KOs) by 6th round TKO of a scheduled 10 round light flyweight main event. The event took place Friday night at the Polideportivo Juan S. Milan Culiacan and was televised on ESPN Knockout in Latin America. Solid win for Torres as Guierrez had a previous upset decisión win over current IBF mínimumweight world champion Daniel Valladares in the Valladares’ hometown. Ironically Torres had not fought since August 2021 which was a decisión loss to Valladares.

Former three-division world champion John Riel Casimero (33-4, 22 KOs) defeated WBO #10 Fillipus Nghitumbwa (12-2, 11 KOs) by twelve round unanimous decision in a fight for the WBO Global super bantamweight title on Saturday afternoon at the Okada Manila Hotel and Casino in Manila, Philippines. Casimero dropped Nghitumbwa hard early in round six but Nghitumbwa somehow survived the round. Casimero rocked Nghitumbwa at the bell ending round eight. Nghitumbwa was deducted a point for a rabbit punch in round twelve. Scores were 114-112, 116-110, 116-110.

In the co-main event, WBO Asia Pacific super welterweight titleholder Takeshi Inoue (19-2-2, 11 KOs) and Weljon Mindoro (10-0-1, 10 KOs) battled to a twelve round draw. Scores 117-111 Inoue, 115-113 Mindoro, 114-114. Inoue has previously gone the distance with Jaime Munguia and Tim Tszyu.

By Scott Foster at ringside

Boxlab Promotions, in conjunction with Warriors Boxing, GH3 Promotions and Orlando Boxing Promotions presented “Night Of Champions III” Friday night at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL.

In the main event, 2016 US Olympian Antomnio Vargas (16-1, 9 KOs), fresh off a scintillating KO win, returned to his hometown to face battle-tested Mexican Francisco Pedroza (18-11-2, 10 KOs). Pedroza, renewed by a shocking win over 3-time Olympic and former world champion Rau’shee Warren, entered the bout with WBA #7 ranked Vargas intent on derailing yet another Olympian barreling towards a world championship.

Vargas gave away the opening stanza, as is his custom, calmly studying Pedrosa’s pressure. Both fighters opened up in the 2nd, with Vargas stunting the rushes of Pedroza with a stiff jab and lead right hands. The pace intensified in the 3rd, as both fighters dispensed with defense, allowing for heavy exchanges. Late in the round, both fighters collided heads on the inside, and Pedroza emerged from the clinch with a severe cut above the left eye. When the round ended the referee chose to halt the bout due to excessive bleeding, rendering a No Decision result after 3 spirited rounds. In the post fight interview, a rematch was discussed and entertained by both camps. Continue reading “Night of Champions III ends in No Decision”

Rolly Romero 139.4 vs. Ismael Barroso 139.4
(WBA super lightweight title)

Rances Barthelemy 142.6 vs. Omar Juarez 142.2 lbs.
(WBA super lightweight eliminator)
(Contracted weight: 143 pounds)

Batyr Akhmedov 138.8 vs. Kenneth Sims Jr. 139.2
Esteuri Suero 139.2 vs. Starling Castillo 139.6
Michael Angeletti 118.2 vs. Michell Banquez 118.8

Venue: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Promoter: TGB Promotions
TV: Showtime

Janibek Alimkhanuly 159.2 vs. Steven Butler 159.6
(WBO middleweight title)

Jason Moloney 117.8 vs. Vincent Astrolabio 117.2
(WBO bantamweight title)

Gabriel Flores Jr. 134.4 vs. Derrick Murray 134.4
Javier Martinez 161.2 vs. Joeshon James 161.2
Ruben Villa 126.4 vs. Maickol Lopez Villagrana 126.6
Amado Fernando Vargas 129.4 vs. Bernardo Manzano 129.6
Brian Norman Jr. 148 vs. Jesus Perez 147

Venue: Stockton Arena, Stockton, California
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN

WBC #3 ranked super welterweight Serhii ‘El Flaco’ Bohachuk (22-1, 22 KOs) defends his WBC Continental Americas title against former world title challenger Patrick Allotey (42-4, 32 KOs) on July 22 in a ten rounder at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California. The bout will be streamed on UFC Fightpass.

Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions has been spreading the action in 2023 with cards at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California, the Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts, the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California (two dates), and now Chumash.

Joe Fournier 179.5 vs. KSI 177.6
Swarmz 170.7 vs. Deji 172.15
Anthony Taylor 182.5 vs. Salt Papi 179.7
Paigey Cakey 121.4 vs. Tenessee Thresh 120.5
DK Money 179.9 vs. Viruzz 178.7
Lil Kymchii 120 vs. Little Bellsy 120

Venue: OVO Arena, London
Promoter: Misfits Boxing
TV: DAZN

By Miguel Maravilla

Tijuana’s reigning undefeated former world champion Jaime Munguia (41-0, 32 KOs) will have his biggest test to date as he will take on Ukraine’s Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (14-4, 10 KOs). Munguia moves up to super middleweight to take on Derevyachenko on Saturday, June 10 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. Here is what he had to say.

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Former world champion Jaime Munguia (41-0, 32 KOs) and contender Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (14-4, 10 KOs) – via remote hookup – hosted a media day at the Golden Boy offices to promote their 12-round super middleweight fight on June 10 at Toyota Arena and will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.

Jaime Munguia: “As I have said before, Derevyanchenko is a great fighter and a great warrior. Without a doubt, I believe this is going to be a great fight. A win against Derevyanchenko would put us on a path towards a world championship…I hope to obtain the knockout and leave the ring as the best man standing.”

Sergiy Derevyanchenko: “I’m a tough fighter, and I am regarded as one of the top fighters in the division. If Munguia’s team has big plans to make him a superstar, he is going to have to fight people like me and win. It’s definitely not going to be an easy fight for either of us.”

Oscar De La Hoya: “Every fight that Jaime Munguia is in, is a difficult fight. This fight against Derevyanchenko is a tough one because of his style. It’s going to be a clash of the titans. It’s going to be an all-out war…people know that Derevyanchenko comes to fight. We are all betting on Jaime Munguia to put on a spectacular show, to maybe even be the first one to stop him. And then hopefully the WBC does the right thing and orders the fight with Charlo.”

Undefeated WBO middleweight champion Janikbek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (13-0, 8 KOs) and challenger Steven Butler (32-3-1, 26 KOs) faced off for the first time at the final press conference for their championship bout this Saturday night on ESPN from the Stockton Arena in Stockton, California on ESPN.

Janikbek Alimkhanuly: “I don’t want to defend my title every time I fight, I want to unify my titles. I think it’s going to be a big fight on Saturday night and I think it’s gonna be an easy win for me…I’m going to show him what he’s not going to be even able to knock me out, he’s not gonna be able to touch me.”

Steven Butler: “I’m going to shock the world. He’s making a big mistake when by thinking he’s already beaten me. He has a big fight on his hands on Saturday, I’m going to hurt him, mark my words.”

Super lightweight contenders Rolando Romero and Ismael Barroso faced off at the final press conference for their clash for the vacant WBA world title on Showtime Saturday night in Las Vegas. A recurring topic was Romero getting a title shot in his first fight at 140lbs after coming off a loss to Gervonta Davis.

Rally Romero: “I get special privileges, that’s all I can say. When you look as good as me, you get as many privileges as you want…I’ll make 140lbs the most popping division in boxing. It’s gonna be many, many pay-per-view events and I’m gonna be involved in all of them.”

Ismael Barroso: “I’m still the number one contender, I got the opportunity I deserve. The other ones who are left behind because of Rolly’s chance to be here, it’s their problem not mine. I’m ready to fight, and God willing put up a good fight. Rolly earned his shot just like anybody else would. He took advantage of it, so good for him.”

Former world champion Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux (21-3, 14 KOs) will return on June 9th as a special attraction on Don King’s Adrien Broner vs. Bill Hutchinson card at Casino Miami Jai-Alai. Rigo’s opponent is TBA. The 42-year-old Rigondeaux is coming off a first round KO win in a tune-up fight in February.

In the co-featured bout, World Boxing Association NABA light heavyweight champion Ahmed “The American Pharaoh” Elbiali (22-1, 18 KOs) puts his title on the line in a ten-round bout against Rodolfo “Cobrita” Gomez (14-6-3, 10 KOs).

Three matchups featuring undefeated fighters looking to keep perfect records intact will highlight the Showtime Boxing Countdown live streaming presentation on Saturday leading into the Romero-Barroso telecast from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Action live on the Showtime Sports YouTube channel and Showtime Boxing Facebook page will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT and is topped by unbeaten super lightweight Esteuri “El Puma” Suero (12-0, 9 KOs) dueling Starling Castillo (17-1-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round attraction. Also featured is bantamweight Michael Angeletti (7-0, 6 KOs) in an eight-round bout against Michell Banquez (20-3, 14 KOs), while super featherweight Justin Viloria (1-0, 1 KO) will take on Pedro Pinillo (5-1, 5 KOs) in a six-round fight.

Looks like a proposed summer fight between WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former unified champion Andy Ruiz is off the table, reportedly due to Ruiz’ financial demands. Fury could still could potentially face Zhilei Zhang provided Joe Joyce, who recently activated a rematch clause, will step aside.

Earlier this year, talks fell through for a match between Fury and WBA/IBF/WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk, although that fight may still take place in December in Saudi Arabia as part of a potential doubleheader of Fury-Usyk and Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder.