Fightnews.com

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® talked to WBA #10 super lightweight and rising star Kenneth Simms Jr (19-2-1, 7 KOs) who fights WBA #3 Batyr Akhmedov (9-2, 8 KOs) in a WBA world title eliminator this Saturday in Vegas and shown live on Showtime Boxing. The card is headlined by Rolly Romero vs. Ismael Barroso for the vacant WBA super lightweight world title. Simms discussed his fight with Akhmedov, the Tank body shot versus KingRy, his relationship with Andre Ward and much more in this exclusive interview.

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Super lightweight contenders Rolando “Rolly” Romero (14-1, 12 KOs) and Ismael Barroso (24-3-2, 22 KOs) commented on their Showtime-televised clash for the vacant WBA world title this Saturday from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Romero was originally slated to face reigning WBA champion Alberto Puello, but Puello was dropped because of a failed VADA test and WBA #1 Barroso stepped in.

Rolly Romero: “It doesn’t matter who I fight on May 13. I’m a star and I’m gonna shine no matter what. I can’t wait to put on a show in my hometown of Las Vegas and for everyone watching on SHOWTIME. I’m leaving the ring with that belt.”

Ismael Barroso: “I’m very happy about this opportunity and I’m not going to waste it. On May 13 you will see an extremely hungry fighter going all out for the victory. I’m very thankful to my team for getting me this opportunity and for standing by my side throughout everything. On May 13 I’m winning that title!”

WBO middleweight world champion Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuky (13-0, 8 KOs) is ready to take out his frustrations on Steven Butler. After calls to unify against the division’s other champions were not answered, Janibek will defend his world title against big-punching Canadian contender Butler (32-3-1, 26 KOs) on Saturday night at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California. ESPN will televise.

Following a recent training session, this is what Janibek had to say:

“Demetrius Andrade gave up his title to avoid fighting me. He ran eight pounds up the scale. He is the ultimate duck. Jaime Munguia turned down a shot at the title to fight weaker opposition. They are the two ducks, but I am the champion now. Continue reading “Q Style: Middleweight division runs through me!”

Women’s boxing star Claressa “G.W.O.A.T.” Shields (13-0, 2 KOs) hasn’t had a knockout since 2017. But after nine straight decision wins, she is gunning for an early finish in her rematch against 40-year-old four-division champion Hanna Gabriels, even having her trainer John David Jackson paste a photo of her upcoming foe on their pads, as they near their showdown on Saturday, June 3 from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit and streaming live on DAZN in the U.S. and Canada.

“My goal is to knock her out as soon as the chance comes,” said Shields. “I don’t want to be in the ring with her for 10 rounds. That’s respect to her. My goal is to train to catch her with a shot or multiple shots, and get the fight over with. I’m always in shape for 10 rounds, but I’m calculating where I’m gonna land those shots so that I can get her out of there.”

She also added, “If I was a man, I’d be the face of boxing. I’ve got more accomplishments than everybody. I’m just gonna keep continuing to build myself and let the world accept me and women’s boxing. This next fight is a big next step for me.”

The World Boxing Association has designated Alberto Puello as 140lb champion in recess after he tested positive for a banned substance according to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA), therefore, Saturday’s fight between Rolando Romero and Ismael Barroso, will be for the vacant WBA super lightweight championship.

This was approved by a vote of its members by the WBA Championships Committee, which, in turn, indicates that Puello’s recess status is provisional and a final decision will be made after May 17 when Puello attends a hearing with the Nevada Athletic Commission and the Commission makes a decision OR if VADA reports a negative result of the B test done at the request of the boxer. Continue reading “Romero-Barroso for full WBA 140lb title”

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s Kevin Lerena meets Côte D’Ivoire born Ryad Merhy who fights out of Brussels, Belgium in a WBC bridgerweight title eliminator at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Saturday night.

The tournament will be shown live on Supersport.

The World Boxing Council is the only boxing organization that recognizes the bridgerweight division, with a limit of 224 pounds (101kg) Continue reading “Lerena, Merhy clash in WBC bridger eliminator”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO 154-pound interim champion Tim Tszyu (22-0, 16 KOs) returns to the ring against WBC #8 rated Carlos Ocampo (34-2, 22 KOs) on June 18 on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Tim Tszyu: “I don’t need to fight, I want to. I fear no one and will fight anyone. Carlos Ocampo is the perfect test for me right now as his only losses have been at the very top, for titles against the very best. I’ve actually always admired Mexican boxers and their tough, all-action style. They go looking for action and come for war, and that’s exactly what I want him to bring.

“Dad fought five Mexicans and beat them all in his career. He destroyed the greatest Mexican fighter of all time in Julio Cesar Chavez, and I would love to do the same over my career. Continue reading “Tim Tszyu Opponent Named”

Jake “The Problem Child” Paul and MMA star Nate Diaz came face to face for the first time in advance of their August 5 clash at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas. The fight will be an eight round boxing match available on DAZN PPV. Undisputed female featherweight champion Amanda Serrano takes on Heather Hardy in the recently announced co-main event.

Jake Paul Quotes

On why Nate Diaz: “Nate Diaz was always the plan after Tommy. That was what I said. Even in the build-up to Tommy, I was like it’s Nate Diaz after Tommy Fury. So that was always the plan… This is a big fight. This is a fight that I’ve wanted for a long time. [Nate] got out of his UFC contract and this is probably the biggest fight of the year, only topping me versus Tommy. I want to make big events, big fights happen and strike while the iron’s hot. He was a free agent. Let’s run it. Make it happen. Settle the shit talk. I’m ready for war. I’m excited to be here. Thank you for having me out, Dallas. I love y’all and I’m going to do what Conor McGregor couldn’t do, and I’m gonna knock this man out.” Continue reading “Paul-Diaz Kickoff Press Conference”

Hall of Fame promoter Don King introduced his latest signee, former four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner and his trainer Kevin Cunningham. King and Broner discussed Broner’s return to the ring on June 9th at Casino Miami Jai-Alai. AB will take on Bill Hutchinson.

IBF featherweight world champion Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez is gearing up to make the first defense of his crown. The 29-year-old will face Michael “Mick” Conlan Saturday, May 27, at The SSE Arena in Conlan’s hometown of Belfast. Lopez-Conlan and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States. BT Sport will broadcast the event in the UK and Ireland.

Following a recent training session, this is what Lopez had to say:

“I’m excited to have given both my country and my family a world champion. It’s not every day that you get a new world champion in my hometown of Mexicali, Mexico. It had been 27 years since my city last had a world champion. So, I’m happy to have been able to do that. Continue reading “Lopez: I will knock Michael Conlan out!”

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán / WBC President

It will be difficult for me to be able to summarize in this column what happened this weekend at the Akron Stadium in Jalisco, and everything that took place around this unforgettable great event, which will be marked as one of the most important of the history of shows in Mexico.

Boxing first. What a demonstration of quality Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez gave us, dominating a warrior who came to fight, and who did everything possible to win!

Canelo was cut by an accidental headbutt in the second round and in the third, Ryder suffered a broken nose from a brutal uppercut, connected by the Mexican which caused the rest of the fight to be a total drama.

The amount of blood bathing both boxers was enormous. Ryder went to the canvas, and came close to being knocked out on a couple of occasions, but came back throwing punches and putting on a memorable show. Continue reading “Canelo’s Return to Mexico”

BOXXER today announced that the rematch between Liam Smith (33-3-1, 20 KOs) and Chris Eubank Jr (32-3, 23 KOs) at the AO Arena in Manchester, England, has been postponed from June 17 to July 1. The date change comes after Smith received medical advice to adjust his training camp for a two-week period in order to allow the healing of a minor injury which had begun flaring up. Eubank Jr has consented to the move.

Liam Smith: “It’s just an old injury niggle flaring up but I want to take the time to let it heal up so that I can enter the ring at 100% on fight night, because a 100% Liam Smith beats Chris Eubank Jr every day of the week and twice on Sunday.” Continue reading “New date for Smith-Eubank Jr rematch”

Heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs) scored a monumental upset when he stopped Joe Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs) in April. Now he has to do it again. Joyce has reportedly triggered a rematch clash to force a return fight. Zhang was in the frame to be a potential Tyson Fury opponent, and he still might be – provided Joyce is willing to accept a step-aside fee.

https://twitter.com/ShowtimeBoxing/status/1655611581806309378

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former IBF 140 pound champion Lovemore Ndou talked to Fightnews.com® about IBF#7 Steve Spark’s questionable split points loss to Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico on last Saturday’s undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs. John Ryder. “Spark dominated Valenzuela in nearly all the rounds and even when he suffered the knockdown he recovered well and came back to take control,” said Ndou. “Spark should not be disillusioned by the loss because he has the talent to be a future world champion.

“Canelo had a tough fight against Ryder and I think he should have another fight before fighting Bivol. Canelo has had an operation on his hand and needs have another fight to get back to his best.”

Ndou lost a twelve round decision to Canelo in Mexico back in 2010. “Canelo is a great boxer but at no time was I hurt at any time. The fight is on YouTube.”

Two separate world title telecasts to look forward to on Saturday:

Showtime: Popular super lightweight contender Rolando “Rolly” Romero (14-1, 12 KOs) takes on WBA #1 rated Ismael Barroso for the WBA interim title inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Romero is moving up a division and coming off a loss to Gervonta “Tank” Davis twelve months ago. The 40-year-old Barroso is the mandatory challenger to the WBA 140-pound crown.

The undercard features additional super lightweight action as former two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy (29-2-1, 15 KOs) faces Omar Juarez (14-1, 5 KOs) in a ten-round clash and Batyr Akhmedov (9-2, 8 KOs) faces Kenneth Sims Jr. (19-2, 7 KOs).

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ESPN: Undefeated WBO middleweight champion Janikbek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (13-0, 8 KOs) will defend his world title against Steven Butler (32-3-1, 26 KOs) at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California.

In the co-feature, former two-time world title challenger Jason “Mayhem” Moloney (25-2, 19 KOs) will face big-punching Vincent Astrolabio (18-3, 13 KOs) for the vacant WBO bantamweight title.

Unbeaten prospect Robert Daniels Jr. (8-0, 7 KOs) will be in his first title fight as a professional on June 10 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The bout will be a part of the WBA’s annual KO for Drugs show. The information was confirmed by Daniels Jr’s advisor Zach Hirsch. Daniels’ opponent will be local Gabriel Omar Diaz (13-5, 5 KOs) who is fresh off of an upset of his previously unbeaten countryman Kevin Brizuela. The 10-round bout will be for the WBA Latin light heavyweight title.

Daniels Jr’s father was former WBA cruiserweight world champion Robert Daniels Sr. The opportunity is now there for Daniels Jr. to move closer to world title contention. Continue reading “Daniels Jr. pursues first title June 10”

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s Hekkie Budler hardly worked up sweat before he knocked out Thailand’s Wichet Sengprakhon in 43 seconds of the first round at the Unisa Conference Centre in Mondeor near Johannesburg on Saturday night. The 34-year-old Budler (49.30kg) came out fast at the opening bell and before the fans had a chance to sum up the boxers, he scored with a left to the body and followed up with a left hook just under the ribs that sent Sengprakhon (49.45kg) down on his side, where he was counted out by referee Meundo Mvandaba.

Budler improved his record to 35-4, 11 KOs, and Sengprakhon’s record dropped to 14-12-1, 7 KOs.

The unused judges were Thabo Spampool, Linda Ncakeni and Jaap van Niewenhuizen. Continue reading “Hekkie Budler wins in 43 seconds”

Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over game WBO mandatory challenger John “The Gorilla” Ryder (32-6, 18 KOs) in front of 55,000 on Saturday night at the Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Canelo’s pressure backed up Ryder and had him bleeding from the nose and mouth by round three. Canelo dropped Ryder with a left/right in round five. Ryder beat the count and survived the round. The rugged Ryder fought hard the rest of the way and made it to the final bell. Scores were 120-107, 118-109, 118-109.

After the fight, Canelo stated that Ryder “was a very tough fighter,” that his left hand performed “very good” post-surgery, and he wants a rematch with Dmitry Bivol at 175lbs next. “If the fight with Bivol doesn’t happen, then we’ll see,” said Canelo. “I’m able to fight everybody.”

“One day this may be our greatest ever signing, I would bet on Andy to beat any 135lber on the planet now!” – Eddie Hearn

Cuban amateur star Andy Cruz has signed a long-term deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom. Cruz struck gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in the lightweight division against Keyshawn Davis in the delayed games in August 2021 and added a third straight AIBA world championship gold at light welterweight in Serbia three months later, putting that medal next to those he landed at the world championships in Germany and Russia in 2017 and 2019.

Promoter Eddie Hearn is looking to unleash the 27-year-old Cuban into the professional scene in July, where he will start his assault in the hot lightweight division. “I am delighted to welcome Andy to the stable,” said Hearn. “Andy is one of the most sought-after fighters to make the switch to the pro code, and we are honored to be trusted with the career of such a talented man. Continue reading “Matchroom inks Andy Cruz”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

It was a doubleheader featuring WBO Asia Pacific title bouts on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.

Former WBA world minimum champ Ryuya Yamanaka (19-3, 6 KOs), 108, seized the vacant WBO AP junior flyweight belt as he kept completely outjabbing compatriot Kosuke Ando (12-4, 5 KOs), 107.75, and pounded out a unanimous decision (117-111, 118-109, 120-107) over twelve lopsided rounds at the Korakuen Hall. Ryuya, who came back after a hiatus of three years and eight months last year and scored a couple of impressive victories, decked him with a solid jab in the third, and kept stinging him with precision all night. Ando, 30, displayed a desperate attack down the stretch, but Yamanaka, 28, kept his cool and utilized solid and sharp jabs even in the final session.

Unbeaten Goki Kobayashi (6-0, 4 KOs), 105, made his first defense when he withstood the furious opening attack of previously unbeaten Filipino Roslan Eco (10-1, 7 KOs), 102.75, and fought back hard to exclusively aim at the breadbasket to have him retire at 0:34 of the fourth round in a scheduled twelve. The loser’s cornerman abruptly jumped into the ring to ask the ref to halt the proceedings. Reportedly Eco suffered a broken jaw with Kobayashi’s fierce retaliation in the previous round. Continue reading “Yamanaka, Kobayashi victorious in WBO AP twinbill”

By Joe Koizumi

Newly crowned WBO female Asia Pacific 105-pound champ Riyuna Yoshikawa (6-1-1, 1 KO), 105, proved faster and more accurate in defeating compatriot challenger Kaoru Iga (6-3-1, no KO), 104.25, by a unanimous decision (80-72, 79-73, 77-75) over eight speedy rounds to keep her regional belt on Wednesday (May 3) in Izumi city, Osaka, Japan. Continue reading “Yoshikawa defeats Iga, retains WBO female 105lb belt”

WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez (20-2, 14 KOs) stopped Ronal Batista (15-3, 9 KOs) in round eleven to retain his WBC title in the Canelo-Ryder co-feature on Saturday night at the Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Batista gave Martinez all he could handle for the first six rounds. Martinez dropped Batista in round seven, then punished Batista until the bout was stopped in round eleven. Time was 1:00.

WBC super lightweight champion Regis Prograis (28-1, 24 KOs) has signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom – and will make the first defense of his title against Liam Paro (23-0, 14 KOs) on home soil at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Saturday June 17 – live worldwide on DAZN.

Prograis was formerly with the now defunct promotional firm Probellum.

Regis Prograis: “Now it’s official – I am with Matchroom. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been contemplating which move I should make next. I had a lot of good offers on the table. But I feel like Matchroom is the best for me. I just feel like it’s the right fit. From the beginning I had that gut feeling and it never left. I can’t wait to start this chapter in my career. I’ll be fighting Liam Paro in New Orleans on June 17. This is a dream come true.”

Liam Paro: “I have been dreaming about fights like this my whole life. What better way to make a mark on the 140lbs division than taking out the top guy? This is what it’s all about. I’m coming.”

Super lightweight Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela (27-3-1, 16 KOs) scored a ten round split decision over Steve Spark (16-3, 14 KOs) on the Canelo-Ryder undercard on Saturday night at the Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Local hero Valenzuela dropped Sparks in round six, but Spark landed the better shots throughout the bout. Scores were 96-93, 95-94 Valenzuela, 95-94 Spark.

Comebacking former WBC light heavyweight champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk (19-1, 15 KOs) stopped Ricards Bolotniks 19-7-1, 8 KOs) in round six. Slow start to the fight, but when Gvozdyk opened up, he ran over Bolotniks to end it at 1:53 of round six. After a three-and-a-half year retirement, the 36-year-old Gvozdyk resumed his career earlier this year.

Unbeaten 18-year-old featherweight Nathan Rodriguez (11-0, 7 KOs) outboxed Alexander “Popeye” Mejia (19-6, 8 KOs) over ten rounds to take a majority decision. Scores were 95-95, 96-93, 96-94.