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Hall of Fame promoter Don King and four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner will officially announce Broner’s return to the ring on June 9th at Casino Miami Jai-Alai in Miami, Florida. Broner, who recently signed with King, is 34-4-1 with 24 KOs. He will take on Bill “Hutch” Hutchinson (20-2-4, 9 KOs) in his return to the ring.

Joshua Buatsi 174 vs. Pawel Stepien 175
Lauren Price 146.3 vs. Kirstie Bavington 146
Ben Whittaker 174.3 vs. Jordan Grant 175
Macaulay McGowan 159 vs. Tyler Denny 159.3
Sean McComb 139.3 vs. Kaisee Benjamin 140
Shakan Pitters 179 vs. Joel McIntyre 178.3
Cori Gibbs 137 vs. Jimmy First 136.3

Venue: Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, England
Promoter: BOXXER
TV: Sky Sports (UK)

The World Boxing Association (WBA), through its Championships Committee, granted special permit to middleweight champion Erislandy Lara to fight Danny Garcia on August 5. TGB Promotions sent the request which was studied in depth to determine the most appropriate decision. Team Zerafa was consulted and after arduous negotiations it was possible to reach an agreement between both parties.

The winner between Lara and Garcia, or Lara should the fight end in a draw, is obligated to fight Zerafa within 120 days after their bout. Zerafa may make an optional fight against a WBA-approved contender while awaiting a world title fight in his mandatory challenger’s position.

By Bill Green

This Friday night Pulse Boxing, a Toledo, Ohio-based boxing promoter, brings “Return of Los Guerreros 2” a night of professional boxing inside the Memorial Hall, located in Kansas City, Kansas.

Head matchmaker and development of talent, Aaron Rodriguez, of Pulse Boxing, stated “This particular stable has a deep and strong amateur background, we believe we can and will develop a few world champions from this area. We see East Coast talent residing right here in the Midwest. Not to mention several former champions originally developed in this area such as Brandon Rios and Victor Ortiz.

The main event will once again feature undefeated bantamweight Wilver “El Gallo” Hernandez 7-0 (2), of Kansas City, Kansas. The 21 year old Mexican power puncher will face his most experienced opponent to date in Tennessee veteran Ira “Mr. Showtime” Terry 28-25 (16). Hernandez vs Terry is scheduled for 8 rounds. Continue reading “Boxing returns to KC on Cinco De Mayo”

John Ryder is embracing the challenge of fighting Canelo Alvarez in his Guadalajara hometown – and says it’s only right to face the Mexican king in his backyard as he looks to defeat the undisputed super middleweight champion at the Estadio Akron on Saturday night, live on DAZN and DAZN PPV.

“I know it’s going to be hostile; I am prepared for it,” said Ryder. “I think to go and fight a champion, you should go to their backyard to take their titles and that’s what I am doing. Most fighters have gone to Vegas or Texas to fight him, but I’m in Guadalajara in the Lion’s Den.

“I think that the pressure is on him. It’s been a long time since he boxed here and who expects anything of me? No one. People think I am here for the paycheck, I am not, I am here to show that dreams can come true. I’ve worked hard to get here, and I deserve to be here. Continue reading “John Ryder: My hand will be raised”

Light heavyweight Umar Dzambekov (4-0, 3 KOs) returns against Dodzi Kemeh, (25-2, 23 KOs) in the eight-round co-feature on the next ‘Hollywood Fight Nights’ event set for Friday, June 9 at the Commerce Casino and broadcast live internationally by UFC Fightpass.

The event is headlined by a ten-round super welterweight clash between ‘King’ Callum Walsh, (6-0, 5 KOs) and veteran Carson Jones, (43-15-3, 31 KOs).

Mauro Forte 126 vs. Francesco Grandelli 125.7
(EBU European featherweight title)

Stephanie Silva 114.8 vs. Maylis Gangloff 113.7
(EBU European female super flyweight title)

Simona Salvatori 116.5 vs. Johanna Wonyou 116.4
(EBU European female bantamweight title)

Armando Casamonica 141.1 vs. Francesco Acatullo 141.2

Date/Venue: May 5 / Palasport, Tivoli (Rome)
Promoter: OPI Since 82
TV: ESPN+ (3 pm ET), DAZN (Italy only)

Canelo-Ryder is getting all the attention, but there’s another big fight on tap Saturday at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England, where WBA #1, WBO #2, WBC #3, IBF #13 light heavyweight and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Joshua Buatsi (16-0, 13 KOs) takes on undefeated IBF #4, WBA #13, WBC #14, WBO #14 Pawel Stepien (18-0-1, 12 KOs). The fighters faced off at today’s final press conference.

Joshua Buatsi: “When the bell goes, it’s a different look and everything’s on the line, it’s all at stake…I’m here to win. There’s no other language. There’s no other thinking process. There’s no other thought. The aim is to win, and look good doing it.”

Pawel Stepien: “Buatsi is a very good fighter. I have watched and studied his fights and I’m happy that I can step in the ring with him on Saturday night and test my skills.”

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s most decorated fighter Hekkie Budler was scheduled to return to action against Filipino Enrique Magsalin on Saturday night at the Unisa Hall in Ormonde, Johannesburg, but he will now face late replacement Wichet Sengprakhon from Thailand. The tournament be shown live on Supersport. Continue reading “Hekkie Budler has a new opponent”

Ring legend Manny Pacquiao was ordered to pay $5.1 million after a Southern California jury ruled Pacman breached a promotional deal with Paradigm Sports Management in 2021. Pacquiao must pay $1.8 million in damages plus repay a $3.3 million advance.

As part of Canelo-Ryder fight week in Guadalajara, Canelo Promotions showcased two of their young undefeated American prospects.

In the main event, super featherweight Jonathan Lopez (11-0, 8 KOs) from Orlando, Florida, stopped Osvaldo Nuñez (5-5, 0 KOs) from Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, in round three. Lopez dropped Nunez in round two and got a referee’s stoppage at 1:01 of round three due to a nasty cut over the left eye suffered by Nunez.

Also, super welterweight Lazaro Lorenzana (11-0, 8 KOs) of San Diego, California, won an eight round split decision over Alexis Rios (4-3-1, 1 KO) from Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Scores were 77-75, 77-75 Lorenzana, 79-73 Rios.

Promising welterweight prospect Wilson “Ill Will” Mascarenhas (6-1, 2 KOs) is set to make his return to the ring against New Jersey’s Danny Murray on May 20th at the Historic Park Theater in Cranston, Rhode Island. The contest is part of a card promoted by CES Boxing. The bout will be the first for the 28-year-old Portugal native in 14 months. The last time Mascarenhas was in the ring was in March 2022, when he shut out undefeated prospect Abraham Perez over six rounds.

It was his second win in a promising year where Mascarenhas expected to fight 2 to 3 more times. Instead, the New Bedford resident spent the next year recovering from multiple stab wounds suffered at his post-fight party – a serious attack that could have taken his life. Continue reading “Mascarenhas returns May 20 after stabbing”

Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and challenger John Ryder faced off at the final press conference for Saturday’s PPV clash at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico.

In his biggest test in the ring yet, unbeaten middleweight Jaime Munguia (41-0, 32 KOs) will face former contender Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (14-4, 10 KOs) in a 12-round middleweight fight on Saturday, June 10. The 12-round main event is scheduled to take place at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.

“Munguia has always wanted the toughest fights — and this is going to be one of them,” said Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions. “For years, Derevyanchenko has gone life and death with the division’s top middleweights and has always reached the final bell. Should Jaime get past him — and I believe he will — he is immediately in position for a world title shot.”

The 37-year-old Derevyanchenko has dropped three of his last four

Undefeated Italian southpaw Mauro Forte (17-0-2, 7 KOs) will look to avenge his draw against Francesco Grandelli (16-1-2, 3 KOs) in a 12-round rematch for the vacant European featherweight title this Friday, May 5 at the PalaSport Tivoli in Tivoli, Italy. Forte-Grandelli II and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+. Their initial encounter ended in a split draw after 12 closely contested rounds, and the two are ready to settle unfinished business.

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s most decorated fighter Hekkie Budler returns to action when he meets the southpaw Filipino Enrique Magasalin on Saturday night at the Unisa Hall in Ormonde, Johannesburg.

The tournament will be shown live on Supersport.

Budler, who will celebrate his 35th birthday on May 18, made his pro debut on July 5, 2007, and in compiling a of 34-4, 10 KOs, he has won the IBO All Africa junior flyweight, IBO junior flyweight, IBO strawweight, WBA interim minimumweight, WBA minimumweight, WBA super minimumweight, WBA Pan African junior flyweight, IBO light flyweight and WBC silver light flyweight titles. Continue reading “Hekkie Budler returns to action”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

It was a show for the 45th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. Six bouts of the respective representative fought so hard that they fully entertained the crowd with four wins for Japan and two for China at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

In the main event Japan’s #4 super-feather Yamato Hata (13-2, 12 KOs), 129.75, scored a one-punch knockout with a southpaw left, flattening China’s Shichao Gao (7-3-1, 3 KOs), 130, at 0:29 of the third round in a scheduled eight on Monday. Ex-Japanese youth lightweight champ Kaiki Yuba (10-2-2, 6 KOs), 145.5, was awarded a hairline majority decision (77-75, 78-74, 76-76) over Chinese lefty veteran Baishanbo Nasiyiwula (17-5-1, 7 KOs), 145.5, over see-saw eight. Continue reading “Japan vs. China competitions: 4-2”

Hometown heavyweight Joey “The Tank” Dawejko (24-10-4, 13 KOs) hammered out a six round unanimous decision over Colby Madison (11-5-2, 7 KOs) on Tuesday night in the main event at the LIVE Casino in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dawejko rocked Madison several times and pulled away to a wide decision. Three straight wins now for the popular Dawejko.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #6 cruiserweight David Light (20-1, 12 KOs), who fought twelve rounds against WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie on March 25, has suffered a “mild stroke” and undergone successful surgery for “clot retrieval” at Waitakere Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand.

Shortly after returning home, the 31-year-old Light underwent a CT scan that came back clear. He was diagnosed with a delayed concussion and discharged. However, after continuing to experience problems, Light returned to the hospital, where further testing revealed a blood clot. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

Top Rank Boxing has won the rights to promote the WBC mandatory light heavyweight fight between unified champion Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith with a bid of $2,115,000, outbidding Matchroom by a mere $15,000!

The winner of the fight will win a 10% bonus, which is an innovation by the WBC to add incentives to the winner of the fight.

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán / WBC President

Good morning, kids!

We are all still children, as we celebrate Children’s Day in Mexico on April 30. This weekend, we celebrated that so cherished date which defines our lives by pampering the young ones while never losing sight of the magic of life that childhood gives us. A priceless gift.

Imagination, restlessness, and that wonderful fresh ability to be amused, which with the passing of the years gradually dissipates, dilutes and is sadly, eventually and inevitably lost. Let’s not take anything or everything for granted, and let’s retain a taste so as to enjoy the simple things of life, such as sunrise, sunset, birdsong and the running of the water via a freshet of Spring.

Mexico is going through a great forward impetus in sports and it is cause for great celebration, since sport is a vital element enabling and facilitating the combat of so many of society’s suffering ills. Continue reading “It’s Time Canelo Returns…It’s Fight Week!”

By Brad Snyder/The Undercard

Unbeaten heavyweight Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson formally announced his upcoming fight against Zhan Kossobutskiy today at the Glass City Pavilion in Toledo. He was joined by Hall of Fame Promoter/Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and Toledo-born first responder DeAndre Ware, who will see action on the undercard.

Jared Anderson: “I’ve been in the gym going crazy. As you can see, my body shows it. My fights show it. My power shows it. I’m going to keep pushing and stay on track so that this train keeps going.”

Bob Arum: “I’m happy to be here because this is Jared Anderson’s hometown. We told him that one day he would fight his first main event here in Toledo. Jared is here. And just because he’s here doesn’t mean that he gets a piece of cake. He is fighting a very, very tough competitor because we believe that Jared will be the future heavyweight champion of the world. But to do that, he’s got to fight really tough guys. And we’ve gotten him an opponent from Kazakhstan who is 19-0 with 18 knockouts.”

The date and the next opponent of WBC #5 heavyweight terror Arslanbek Makhmudov (16-0, 15 KOs) are now known. The current NABA and NABF heavyweight titleholder will face undefeated 6’8 Raphael Akpejiori (15-0, 14 KOs) on July 1st in the co-feature of the Top Rank gala featuring Jared Anderson (14-0, 14 KOs) against Zhan Kossobutskiy (19-0, 18 KOs) at the at Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. The event will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Arslanbek Makhmudov: “Fighting for the first time in the United States, the Mecca of boxing, represents a major opportunity for me, not only because it will give me the opportunity to showcase my talent on the world stage, but also because it brings me one step closer to my dream of becoming world champion. I have dedicated my life to boxing, worked hard and made every sacrifice to get to this crucial moment in my career. I am ready. I’m ready to fight the best, and to give a memorable show to the boxing fans around the world.”

Raphael Akpejiori: “I’ve been preparing myself physically and mentally, and I can’t wait for the bell to ring to show the world what Raphael Akpejiori is made of! I don’t expect this fight to be easy, but I have been preparing for this moment for a long time. I am used to working hard. I’m used to adversity, obstacles and pain. This is just a new chapter, and I am more than ready. This is an opportunity to represent the African continent on a global scale, and I don’t intend to disappoint.”

Matchroom and DAZN have announced a three-year extension to their broadcast deals in the USA and Mexico. The deal comes days before Canelo Alvarez defends his undisputed super middleweight crown against John Ryder in $54.99 pay-per-view fight on the network.

“I am delighted to announce this extension to our deal with DAZN in the US and Mexico,” said Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn. “DAZN’s schedule is, without doubt, the best in the sport, and our big nights in the States and all-action cards in Mexico are a massive part of that. This new deal means more undisputed, unified, and world title blockbusters, more 50-50 wars with the top contenders and more showcasing the best-rising talent in the region – and we’re ready to provide further thrilling action and value for the DAZN subscribers.”

Elijah Williams 143 vs. Marko Bailey 142.4
Deion Pruitt 173 vs. Marcell Sims Jr. 179.8
Eric Arellano 232 vs. Martez Poe 201.6
Kevin Torian 201.4 vs. Daquanti Johnson 201

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