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“I’m on cloud nine right now,” said newly crowned IBF jr welterweight champion Subriel Matias after stopping Jeremias Ponce Saturday night at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “I don’t think I’ve woken up from this dream. Maybe I can tell you how it feels tomorrow, but right now, it’s a dream come true. I wanted to work him from the first round on, because I knew he wouldn’t have the same power as me as the fight went on.”

Regarding Ponce retiring in his corner, Matias said “I wasn’t really surprised. Once I saw how his corner reacted. I saw that [Ponce] was hurt. I thought that I was patient in the first four rounds, so I came out with a different approach and mindset in the fifth.” Continue reading “Matias: Regis Prograis I’m coming for you”

Knockout artist Subriel Matías (19-1, 19 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO against Jeremías Ponce (30-1, 20 KOs) to claim the vacant IBF junior welterweight title (formerly held by Josh Taylor) on Saturday night at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Good fight. Ponce pounced on Matias in round one. Matias responded with big shots in round two and the war was on. Something had to give and it did in round five. Matias landed a series of head and body shots that badly hurt Matias and put him on the mat. Ponce was able to make it to his stool, but his corner had seen enough and suggested that the fight be stopped, with the official result coming as a TKO at the end of round five.

Report/Photos by Scott Foster

Boxlab Productions, in association with Caribe Royale Hotel, presented 3 regional title fights as part of their reoccurring series, Night of Champions II. The 10 bout card concluded Saturday night, with the CBS Sports Network telecast slated for the following night, February 26th at 10:30 pm EST.

Nestor Bravo (21-0, 15 KOs), hailing from Arecibo, Puerto Rico and now fighting out of Orlando, FL, made the 1st defense of his WBO/NABO junior welterweight title versus WBC Latino Champion Jair Valtierra (16-2, 8 KOs) of Leon, Mexico. The current #10 WBO contender’s homecoming resulted in a no contest when a clash of heads in the third round forced Bravo to halt the bout due to excessive bleeding. Continue reading “Bravo-Valtierra ends in no-decision”

WBA #10 welterweight Jamal “Shango” James (28-2, 12 KOs) and WBA #9 rated 2016 Olympian Alberto Palmetta (18-2, 13 KOs) fought ten fast-paced rounds in an unofficial WBA title eliminator in the Matias-Ponce co-feature on Saturday night at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Judges scored it for James 99-91, 98-92, 98-92.

Lightweight Elvis Rodriguez (14-1-1, 12 KOs) scored a hard fought ten round majority decision over Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno (17-2-2, 14 KOs). Rodriguez dropped Adorno in round seven and again in round ten to pull away to a 95-93, 97-71, 94-94 nod.

Local welterweight favorite VeShawn Owens (14-3, 12 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over former IBF #1 rated Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (18-2, 10 KOs). Owens’ workmate propelled him to a 98-92, 99-91, 97-93 verdict. Abdukakhorov was previously the IBF mandatory for unified world champion Errol Spence, but that fight never came together and Abdukakhorov was eventually defeated in a keep-busy fight.

In an upset, welterweight Willie Jones (9-2, 6 KOs) knocked out previously unbeaten prospect Derrick “Diesel” Jackson (10-1, 5 KOs) in the first round. A left hook laid out Jackson, who was down for several minutes.

Unbeaten super lightweight Mikkel Spencer (3-0, 2 KOs) scored a first round KO against Margarito Hernandez (3-5-1, 0 KOs. Time 2:18. Spencer is the younger brother middleweight Joey Spencer.

By Ognian Georgiev

“Saturday is the final day when the negotiations between Olexander Usyk and Tyson Fury’s camps should culminate,” said the promoter of the Ukrainian Alexander Krassyuk in an interview for The Jungle of Sports youtube channel. “Saturday is the deadline that we have set already. The latest deadline to make it happen. On Saturday we will know whether this fight is happening or not. The venue that we have already booked is Wembley Stadium. We would expect 94-95,000, up to 100,000 spectators.”

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By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Hall of Fame broadcaster Colonel Bob Sheridan is backing Jake Paul to defeat Tommy Fury in their scheduled eight round cruiserweight bout in Saudi Arabia on Sunday

“Jake Paul has been working with Mike Tyson for the Tommy Fury fight,” The Colonel said. “I think this fight is a great attraction but Fury has no shot. Paul is in great shape training with Mike Tyson. Paul is a real fighter. He will go into the WBC cruiserweight ratings after he beats Fury. I am not sure if the fight goes the eight round distance but I am confident Jake Paul wins.”

Boxing Hall of Famer Floyd “Money” Mayweather made his long-awaited ring debut in the U.K. on Saturday against reality TV personality Aaron “The Joker” Chalmers in an exhibition bout at the famed O2 Arena in London. Easy work for Floyd, who schooled Chalmers for all eight rounds. No decision rendered. According to British media, the arena was “virtually empty” and tickets were heavily discounted.

Former WBA super world featherweight champion Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters (27-1-1, 21 KOs) made his long awaited ring return Saturday morning in Santa Marta, Colombia. Walters ground out a workmanlike unanimous decisión over local favorite Luis Diaz Marmol (19-17, 11 KOs) in the eight round super lightweight main event.

The veteran Marmol was very game but the overall experience and skill level of Walters was the difference. Walters was coming off of a long layoff but had been training for months. He did not show much effects of ring inactivity as he was in complete control. The official scorecard ready 80-72 and 78-84 twice. A quick return to the ring is expected for Walters, who wants to remain active.

Ilunga Makabu 198.5 vs. Badou Jack 199.8
(WBC cruiserweight title)

Jake Paul 183.6 vs. Tommy Fury 184.5
Ziyad Almaayouf 145.6 vs. Ronnald Martinez 142.5
Muhsin Cason 199.1 vs. Taryel Jafarov 200.5
Bader Samreen 138 vs. Viorel Simion 138.6

Venue: Diriyah Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Promoter: Skill Challenge Entertainment
TV: ESPN+ PPV ($49.99)

The showdown between Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia is set for April 22 on Showtime PPV at a venue to be named in Las Vegas.

Stephen Espinoza, President, SHOWTIME Sports: “Tank Davis vs. Ryan Garcia is one of the biggest and most exciting fights that can be made in boxing. We have two supremely talented boxers, both in their prime, who have amassed huge fanbases, meeting in a career-defining fight. This is the epitome of a crossover boxing event. All credit to Tank and Ryan for staying the course and giving the fans the fight they want. SHOWTIME has delivered the three biggest pay-per-view events in television history and we are thrilled to add this marquee event to our list of culture-moving matchups.”

Oscar De La Hoya: The fans have been crystal clear that the fight they want is Ryan versus Tank. Golden Boy Promotions and I are proud to be leading the drive to get this fight signed and are excited to get a deal finalized ASAP. It’s high time that those outside the ring stop getting in the way of those who want nothing more than to get into the ring and fight. Our motto has always been that the fans come first, and this is just another example of how we’re leading by example.

Report/Photos by Damon Gonzalez / LatinBox Sports

Former two-division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (21-3, 14 KOs) from Santiago De Cuba wasted little time destroying Jesus Martinez (21-3, 14 KOs) in front of a screaming soldout crowd at the Hialeah Park Casino in Hialeah, Florida. Rigo ended Martinez’ night quickly, flooring him multiple times before the fight was waved off at 1:14 of round one.

Continue reading “Rigondeaux demolishes Martinez in 74 seconds”

Weights and Photos by Brad Snyder-The Undercard

Michael Kowalski 174.6 vs. Gary Edwards TBA
David Olvera Rojas 109.2 vs. Kenneth Jameson 105.1
Vernon Webber 207.1 vs. Larry Pryor 195
Derick Miller Jr 193.6 vs. Eric Abraham 194
Dwane Taylor 139.3 vs. Carlos Nunez 134.8
Ferris Dixon Jr 133.8 vs. Gabor Kovacs 134.8
Joseph Gerome Hicks 161.2 vs. Bilal Quintyne 160.2
Da’Velle Smith 161.5 vs. Gyorgy Mizsei 154.8
Samuel Rizzo 130.6 vs. Jalen Woodmore 129
Joshua James Pagan 140.8 vs. Istvan Bela Orban 141.5
Matthew Niziolek 152.7 vs. Ishmael Dixon 148.4

Carlos Llnas and Motor City Casino Soundboard present Night of Knockouts 25. First Bell is at 7pm. Doors at 6pm. Very limited tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or the Soundboard Ticket Office.

Former WBA super world featherweight champion Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters (26-1-1, 21 KOs) and his opponent Luis Diaz Marmol (19-16, 11 KOs) both weighed within the 141-pound maxium weight limit allowed Friday morning. Their Saturday afternoon showdown will take place in Santa Marta, Colombia.

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with savvy ring veteran Abel Ramos as he takes on the undefeated Cody Crowley on the undercard of the super showdown between Caleb Plant and David Benavidez on Saturday, March 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and shown live on Showtime PPV. Ramos talked about boxing as the family business, a potential rematch with Regis Prograis and the meteoric rise of his nephew Jesus Ramos Jr. who is the co-main vs. Joey Spencer and much more in this exclusive interview.

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By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with rising, young star Jesus Ramos Jr. who faces fellow undefeated prospect Joey Spencer as the co-main event of the Plant-Benavidez battle on Saturday, March 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and shown live on Showtime PPV. Ramos talked about growing up in the family boxing business, his move from amateurs to pros at 17, his relationship with David Benavidez, training with Bud Crawford and so much more in this one-on-one interview.

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Subriel Matías 139.2 vs. Jeremías Ponce 139.6
(IBF junior welterweight title)

Jamal James 146.8 vs. Alberto Palmetta 147
Elvis Rodríguez 139.8 vs. Joseph Adorno 140
Kudratillo Abdukakhorov 146 vs. VeShawn Owens 147
Derrick Jackson 149 vs. Willie Jones 147.8
Mikkel Spencer 139 vs. Margarito Hernandez 140

Venue: The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Promoter: TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing
TV: Showtime, Facebook, YouTube

By Robert Coster

The WBA minimumweight unification title bout between WBA super champion Thamamanoon Niyomtrong( 24-0, 9 KOs) of Thailand and regular champion Erick Rosa (5-0, 1 KO) of the Dominican Republic has been called off. The battle between the two unbeaten titleholders was to be held in Thailand on March 1 as part of the WBA world title reduction plan with the winner becoming the only champion of this weight.

The Dominican corner traveled to the Asian country but was not allowed entry. Dominican promoter Belgica Pena explained that they were not provided the necessary documentation. “We are very disappointed by how we have been treated,” said Pena. “Yes, we will fight Niyomtrong, but in the Dominican Republic.”

Stay tuned.

YouTube boxer Jake Paul (6-0, 4 KOs) clashes with Tommy Fury (8-0, 4 KOs) for a WBC cruiserweight ranking on an ESPN+ PPV this Sunday from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Here are some press conference highlights:

Jake Paul: “I’m so excited for this fight because I can finally silence the critics who have said, ‘Fiight a professional boxer, fight someone your age.’ I agree. I haven’t proven that. But this is why this fight is so big. This is why I’m so excited. This is why I’ve given this guy multiple chances and paid him so much money to finally show up. And it really seemed like the only time he wanted to get into the ring is when I increased the amount of money. So, thankfully he’s here now.”

Tommy Fury: “You’re getting put to sleep inside four rounds. Let me tell you. I’m not an old man. I’m a fresh, young fighter. I’m going to put you away. You had two very lucky escapes from this fight. You should have taken those escapes. You should not be sitting here right now because this is bad for you. You should have stuck to making easy money fighting old men and celebrities. I’m coming to take your head off.”

While Paul-Fury gets top billing, the actual reigning WBC cruiserweight world champion Ilunga Makabu (29-2, 25 KOs) will defend his title against former two-weight world champion Badou Jack (27-3-3, 16 KOs) in the co-feature.

Ilunga Makabu: “I just want Badou to keep one thing in mind. I’m going to break your nose. I’m going to break your chin. I’m going to break your ribs. Thank you…I’ve been a world champion for many years. I’m a dangerous boxer. There is no way Badou can take my belt. I’ll go back home with the belt and still be the WBC champion of the world.”

Badou Jack: “I’m here to take his belt, to win. I’m here to become the first Muslim fighter to become a world champion in Saudi. So, I am here to make history. Everybody’s got a plan until they get hit. I’m glad that he is confident…I still feel young. I feel fresh. I want to keep going, and I am here to make history. Some people, they win a title in one weight class. I won in two weight classes. Now, I’m coming for the third. And new!”

Unbeaten WBA #2 super flyweight John “Scrappy” Ramirez (11-0, 8 KOs) took a ten round unanimous decision Luis Padilla (15-3-2, 2 KOs) in a bout for the WBA Continental America title on Thursday night at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California. Scores were 100-90, 99-91, 99-91.

Unbeaten super bantamweight “Gucci” Manny Flores (15-0, 11 KOs) took a hard fought eight round split decision against Franklin Gonzalez (25-2, 25 KOs). Flores floored Gonzalez in round five. Scores were 77-74, 77-74 for Flores, 76-75 for Gonzalez.

Other Results:
Grant Flores KO1 Jorge Lopez 151 (super welterweight)
Katherine Lindenmuth W6 Lorraine Villalobos (female atomweight)
Stefanie Cohen W4 Leanne Calderon (female bantamweight)
Zachary Spiller W4 Kaleel Carter heavyweight)

Former female champion Heather “The Heat” Hardy (24-2, 4 KOs) outworked Taynnaa Cardoso (5-2, 1 KO) over eight rounds on Thursday night at Sony Hall in Times Square, New York City. Hardy, 41, took a majority decision to win 76-76, 78-74, 77-75.

Unbeaten former Olympian Tsendbaatar Erdenebat (5-0, 3 KOs) punished Giovanni Gutierrez (11-4, 6 KOs) for three rounds before getting a referee’s stoppage.

Lightweight Terell Bostic (8-1, 1 KO) outpointed Clay Burns (10-17-2, 4 KOs) over six rounds. Burns down in round three. Scores were 58-55, 57-56, 60-53.

Light heavyweight Frederic “French Revolution” Julan (13-2, 10 KOs) topped Decarlo “3medno” Perez (19-7, 6 KOs) over eight rounds by scores of 78-74, 78-74, 79-73.

Super lightweight Michael Hughes (4-1, 1 KO) topped Nelson Morales (3-4, 0 KOs) 39-37 #x.

Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux 118.8 vs. Jesus “Sargento” Martinez 119.6
Ariel Perez De La Torre 122.2 vs. Yonfrez Parejo 122
Damian Lescaille 153.4 vs. Lucas McDonald 149.8
Yoanki Urrutia 160.8 vs. Luis Eduardo Florez 161.6
Carlos Fromenta Romero 203.6 vs. Armondo Reeves 206.6
Jose Brayan Fonteboa 138.8 vs. Ashton Royal 139.6
Adlay Rodriguez 144.2 vs. Ryan Schwartzberg 139.6
Gustavo Trujillo 235.8 vs. Jawaski Bethly 244.4
Francisco Rodriguez 144.8 vs. Brodyx Gilman 149.8

Venue: Hialeah Park, Hialeah, Florida
Promoter: Warriors Boxing
Stream: BXNGTV.COM

Shadow Entertainment(Jenny Do) presents another edition of the LEAD Event series March 25. The show will take place at the Saigon Sports Club, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The card will feature three WBA Asia title fights. The main event has local unbeaten favorite Dinh Hoang Truong (3-0, 3 KOs) versus Dae Huyun Baek (4-1, 3 KOs) of South Korea. The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds with Truong’s WBA Asia super middleweight title at stake. Continue reading “Boxing returns to Vietnam March 25”

Looks like Saul “Canelo” Alvarez won’t be fighting in Las Vegas this Cinco de Mayo weekend. The undisputed super middleweight champion announced through his social networks that he will return to fight in Jalisco, Mexico, the state where he was born. The venue, the exact date and his opponent (expected to be John Ryder) will be announced soon.

Former WBA Super world featherweight champion Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters (26-1-1, 21 KOs) makes his long awaited ring return this Saturday in Santa Marta, Colombia. Walters will take on local Luis Diaz Marmol (19-16, 11 KOs) in a scheduled eight round super lightweight bout. The veteran Marmol brings an aggressive style and upset an unbeaten prospect his last time out. The Jamaican-born Panama-based Walters will be fighting for the first time since 2016 but has been actively training for months. Walters also has enlisted the services of well-respected manager Gabriel Barron.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez (11-1, 7 KOs) has won 11 fights since losing in his pro debut in August 2019. He is now ready for his first world title opportunity against former world champion Isaac Dogboe for the vacant WBO featherweight world title on Saturday, April 1, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

“Main event. World championship on the line. This is what I have always wanted and have asked for since I became a professional boxer. I see this fight as the perfect stage from which to present my credentials to the world and make the case that I am the best fighter in the featherweight division,” proclaimed Ramirez. Continue reading “Ramirez ready for Dogboe”