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Undefeated former two-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson (19-0, 9 KOs) will take on Japanese puncher Shuichiro Yoshino (16-0, 12 KOs) in a 12-round WBC lightweight title eliminator on ESPN this Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. At Thursday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

Shakur Stevenson: “He walks around here with a smile, and I can’t wait to wipe that smile off his face. This dude been running around here saying that I don’t have any power. He’s been saying that he’s going to push me mentally. Let’s see if he’s ready to go to deep waters with me. I’m going to drown him. You’re going to see everything in the arsenal. I’m going to go out there and box him. I’m going to beat him up. He’s going to leave that ring knowing that I’m the best fighter he’s ever been in the ring with.”

Shuichiro Yoshino: “I’m really pumped up for the fight. I’m really excited. I’m excited to fight for the WBC title. This opportunity is really going to change my place in boxing. My trainer and I have been studying Shakur. We have a game plan to implement on Saturday.”

Fighters headlining Saturday’s DAZN world title doubleheader at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas, faced off Thursday at the final press conference. In the main event, Jesse BAM Rodriguez aims to become a two-weight world champion when he faces Cristian Gonzalez for the vacant WBO flyweight title.

Jesse Rodriguez: “I want to go out and show everyone I’m still ‘Bam’ Rodriguez. After my last performance, people wrote me off, so I am ready to do what I do and I’m a different person in that ring. All the belts, all the champions at 112lbs – that’s what I want. Let’s make these fights, give the fans what they want, so step up to the plate and make it happen.”

Cristian Gonzalez: “I’ve earned this opportunity and I am ready to give everything in the ring to gain this crown on Saturday night. We’ve studied him, we understand his qualities, we’ve worked hard in camp and as a Mexican I must give everything to try to become world champion on Saturday night.”

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Also, WBA/IBF super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev defends against Marlon Tapales.

Murodjon Akhmadaliev: “Undisputed is a dream of mine that has always been there, but right now, I’m fully concentrated on this fight. I want to show a great fight with a great opponent.”

Marlon Tapales: “We’ve worked so hard for this fight and we’re ready. He’s a good boxer, he’s very talented but we’ve prepared well for it with good sparring.”

Undefeated 6’6 super welterweight Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora and challenger Brian Mendoza squared off Thursday during their final press conference and promised explosive action when they fight for Fundora’s WBC interim title this Saturday on SHOWTIME from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California

Sebastian Fundora: “Jermell Charlo of course is the guy we want. Whoever falls in line though, we’ll take who we can get. The job is to beat the guy in front of you…we’ve been in this position before. We’re here to win and we worked hard. We’re here to keep moving forward.”

Brian Mendoza: “If he wants to fight inside and bang or use his distance, I’m ready. We trained for everything. We left no stone unturned. We’re ready to make the adjustments needed so we can get the job done…this is gonna be another explosive upset.”

Shinard Bunch 140 vs. Bryan Flores 139.6
Jahyae Brown vs. Guido Schramm 153.7
Raul Garcia 155.8 vs. Robert Terry 155.5

Venue: Cache Creek Casino in Brooks, Calif.
Promoter: Sampson Boxing
TV: Showtime

James Martin 153.3 vs. Roudly Lolo 152.1
Kamil Bednarek 166.2 vs. Gonzalo Andreasen 162.5
Quaidir Albright 146.6 vs. David Thomas 145.7
Ibrahim Robinson 145.6 vs. Jahqwon Humbert 145
Ali Ellis 217 vs. Khalid Betha 207.4

Venue: 2300 Arena
Promoter: King’s Promotions
Stream: BXNGTV.com
1st Bell: 7:15 PM ET

A former two-division world champion, a two-time Olympian, an unbeaten heavyweight contender and more will highlight a Showtime live streaming presentation on Saturday from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The action kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT and will precede the Showtime Championship Boxing tripleheader topped by undefeated 6’6 super welterweight Sebastián “The Towering Inferno” Fundora against Brian Mendoza in defense of Fundora’s WBC interim title.

Undefeated two-time Olympian and WBA #6 welterweight Gabriel “Captain” Maestre (4-0-1, 3 KOs) will meet former welterweight and super lightweight champion Devon Alexander “The Great” (27-7-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round matchup on the Showtime Sports YouTube channel and Showtime Boxing Facebook page. Also featured on the live stream will be super featherweights Adrian Corona (9-1-1, 2 KOs) and Jerry Perez (14-2, 11 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight duel and the return of unbeaten WBO #2, WBC #4, IBF #6 heavyweight contender Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez (21-0, 14 KOs) in an eight-round bout against Daniel “The Mountain” Martz (20-10-1, 17 KOs).

WBO #1 welterweight Alexis “Lex” Rocha (22-1, 14 KOs) will defend his NABO title for the third time against WBO #10 Anthony “Juice” Young (24-2, 8 KOs). The 12-round fight, which was originally scheduled for last January, will take place on May 27 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN. Rocha has been mentioned as a possible challenger for WBO welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford but it looks like he’s out of the running for the time being.

By Miguel Maravilla

WBA/IBF super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (11-0, 8 KOs) of Uzbekistan puts his titles on the line against IBF mandatory challenger Marlon Tapales (36-3, 19 KOs) of the Philippines on Saturday night at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas as the co-feature to Bam Rodriguez vs. live on DAZN.

Unified champion Akhmadaliev looks to make a case for himself as the best in the 122lb weight division while the division’s other unified titlist, WBC/WBO champion Stephen Fulton of Philadelphia, is looking to make his case against Japanese superstar “Monster” Naoya Inoue. Fulton was slated to take on Inoue next month, however an injury sidelined Inoue until summer.

“Right now I hold two of the titles and my plan is to defend these titles in this fight and hopefully unify with the other champion,” Akhmadaliev said. “It’s an even fight, that’s why they are fighting. The winner will have to unify with me because I’m looking to take all the titles,” Akhmadaliev stated.

When asked who he is willing to face. “I will take on either man, may the best man win.”

But first, Akhmadaliev has to get past Tapales. Continue reading “Akhmadaliev looks to make his case”

Junior welterweight Carlos “Tiburon” Sanchez (24-1, 19 KOs) took a controversial seven round technical decision over previously unbeaten Alexander Duran (21-1, 7 KOs) on Wednesday night at the Auditorio BB in Mexico City. Duran seemed in command all the way, but judges somehow saw it 60-54, 58-56, 58-56 for Sanchez. Bout stopped due to a head clash in round seven resulting in a cut to Sanchez.

Bantamweight Abraham Arreola (6-2, 5 KOs) defeated previously unbeaten Brandon “King” Reyes (6-1-1, 2 KOs) by seven round majority decision. Reyes suffered a bad cut from a head clash and the doctor stopped it. Scores were 79-74, 80-73, 80-73.

Late sub Rogaciano Guerrero (6-2-1, 5 KOs), fighting on 24 hour’s notice, upset super welterweight prospect Eduardo “Lalo” Martinez (10-2, 7 KOs) by six round majority decision. Scores were 58-56, 58-57, 57-57.

Angel Acosta 111.6 vs. Angelino Cordova 111.6
(WBO International flyweight title)

Jorge Chavez 125.2 vs. Alberto Nieves 125.2
Grant Flores 150.8 vs. Terrance Jarmon 152.6
Daniel Garcia 130.6 vs. Aldimar Silva 129.4
Leonardo Sanchez 129.6 vs. Mychaquell Shields 130

Venue: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN

Undefeated bantamweight Manuel “Gucci Manny” Flores (15-0, 11 KOs) will headline his first-ever Golden Boy Fight Night on DAZN card on Thursday, June 8 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.

One of the star pupils of highly respected trainer Joel Diaz of the Diaz Training Academy, “Gucci Manny” will be looking to maintain his undefeated streak and once again dazzle his hometown crowd after a hard-fought split-decision victory against Franklin Gonzalez last February 23. The bout will be a ten-rounder against a soon to be announced opponent.

By Mauricio Sulaimán
President of the WBC- Son of José Sulaimán

This week I had two events which filled me with satisfaction and pride. I was invited, together with Erik Morales, to give a very successful motivational talk to the high school students of the Universidad Panamericana, and that same day, the Tecnológico de Monterrey, central region, presented me with the “EXATEC 2023 Merit Award”.

On Saturday, I celebrated 23 years of marriage with Christiane, and I am grateful to God and to life for our destiny together. Incredibly, it was a blind date orchestrated by my friend from Tec de Monterrey, Felipe Quezada.

I was dedicated in body and soul to working in the family business, our factory, Controles Gráficos, and in supporting my father in everything that was needed in the WBC; For this reason, I did not have a girlfriend, and in reality, I went out very little to social commitments. Continue reading “Awards Week”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with Biaggio Ali Walsh, the grandson of the GOAT, Muhammad Ali, as he prepares for his second amateur mixed martial arts fight for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) this Friday night at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas and shown on ESPN+. Ali Walsh talked about his upcoming fight and how much he has improved since he fought last December. He talked about Jake Paul signing with the PFL, Roy Jones Jr fighting Anthony “Showtime” Pettis in a boxing match last weekend and his reaction to Sugar Ray Leonard saying, “there would be no Sugar Ray Leonard without Muhammad Ali” and much more in this exclusive interview.

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Cancels title bout with Shigeoka

By Joe Koizumi

WBC 105-pound champ Panya Pradabsri (39-1, 23 KOs), Thailand, has caught flu and had to cancel his defense against unbeaten Japanese Yudai Shigeoka (6-0, 4 KOs) scheduled in Tokyo on April 16. Pradabsri, 32, was slated to arrive here this coming Friday, but has sent his diagnosis and picture in the hospital to the organizer here. 3150 Promotions is reportedly struggling to have it an interim title bout of Yudai, 26, against some highly ranked contender under the WBC’s sanction. The local promoter had publicized it as a twinbill featuring Shigeoka brothers’ dual 105-pound title goes. Another is the interim IBF championship bout of Ginjiro Shigeoka (8-0-1NC, 6 KOs), 23, against Filipino Rene Mark Cuarto (21-3-2, 12 KOs). Time is so limited.

By Przemek Garczarczyk

Unbeaten 6’7 heavyweight Damian “Polish Hussar” Knyba (10-0, 6 KOs) will have his first bout as a Top Rank fighter this Saturday on the big Shakur Stevenson vs. Shuichiro Yoshino world title card at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Knyba, who knows how to handle heavy equipment – was a promising shot put athlete! – and can’t wait to unload some heavy punches on Curtis Harper (14-8, 9 KOs). Continue reading “Knyba: I want to hit him hard!”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO interim super welterweight champion Tim Tszyu has decided to have a bout in June with another top contender before challenging undisputed 154 pound champion Jermell Charlo in August or September. “The bloke hasn’t fought for 12 months,” Tszyu told Fox Sports.”How long can you keep postponing a fight? All I can do is focus on myself. I think he understands this isn’t an easy fight for him and so he wants to be 120 percent ready.

“I think before he was taking me lightly, saying he was going to beat me with one hand. That he was ready to fight with one hand. Now he knows though. So he’s taking his time. He will try and postpone it for as long as he can.”

Unbeaten super middleweight Robert Daniels Jr. (8-0, 7 KOs) will have his first scheduled ten round bout April 29th When he takes on veteran Michi Munoz Zavala (28-17-1, 19 KOs). In Daniel’s corner will be former pro boxer and current Jake Paul assistant trainer J’Leon Love. The bout will take place in Cancun, Mexico. Daniels Jr. is the son of former world champion Robert Daniels Sr. It can be a lot of pressure following in the footsteps of a father who was a world champion, but Daniels Jr. embraces the opportunity and is looking to carve out his own legacy in boxing. Continue reading “Daniels Jr. looks to shine in Cancun April 29”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® went one-on-one with the legendary Sugar Ray Leonard as he launched his amazing new line of gloves – Sugar Ray Leonard Collection with Title Boxing. The line takes Sugar Ray down memory lane with his most memorable fights against Tommy Hearns, Roberto Duran and Marvelous Marvin Hagler as well as his gold medal win at the 1976 Olympics. Sugar Ray talked about the fight game today versus his era and his love for Muhammad Ali and so much more in this exclusive interview. Photo: Title Boxng.

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Carlos “Tiburon” Sanchez 142.6 vs. Alexander Duran 144.2
Brandon “King” Reyes 118 vs. Abraham Arreola 117.3
Eduardo “Lalo” Martinez 151.2 vs. Rogaciano Guerrero 152.1

Venue: Auditorio BlackBerry, Mexico City
Promoter: Marquez Promotions, Chiquita Gonzalez Promotions, ProBox Promotions
TV: ProBox TV

Two matchups will be featured on the $59.99 ESPN+ PPV undercard headlined of the telecast headlined by undisputed lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney against former three-division champ Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko on Saturday, May 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The 10-round junior lightweight co-feature will see former two-division world champion Oscar Valdez (30-1, 23 KOs) taking on Adam “BluNose” Lopez (16-4, 6 KOs) in a rematch of their 2019 battle. In the PPV opener, unbeaten lightweight Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (17-0, 14 KOs) takes a big step up in competition versus former world title challenger Jeremia Nakathila (23-2, 19 KOs) in a 10-round clash.

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has announced that retired former world champion Amir Khan has been banned from all sports for two years following anti-doping rule violations for the presence and use of a prohibited substance. On February 19, 2022, UKAD collected an in-competition urine sample from Khan after his fight against Kell Brook at the Manchester Arena. Khan’s sample returned an adverse analytical finding for ostarine, a substance listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) 2022 Prohibited List as an anabolic agent and is prohibited in sports at all times.

Khan was charged with two violations, 1) presence of a prohibited substance and 2) use of a prohibited substance. Khan accepted the violations charged but maintained that his ingestion of ostarine was not intentional. As a consequence his case was referred to the National Anti-Doping Panel to be considered by an independent tribunal. Continue reading “UKAD bans Amir Khan for two years”

WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence ‘The Sauce’ Okolie (19-0, 14 KOs) will defend against Chris ‘The Gentleman’ Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KOs) on May 27 within the cozy confines of Vitality Stadium in Billam-Smith’s hometown of Bournemouth, England. The clash will top promoter BOXXER’s first ever stadium show.

Lawrence Okolie: “I’m pumped, I’m ready to go. I’ve just come off a successful defense where I won all 12 rounds against an unknown but tough competitor [David Light on March 25]…now weeks later I am going in against a known tough boxer…not many fighters make back-to-back defenses in such a short space of time. Not many pick the hardest fights available to them, but that’s what I’m about. Chris – I love you, but I have to get the KO in this one.”

Chris Billam-Smith: “Fighting someone I know well for a world title is a very exciting opportunity. I’m elated to be fighting at the home of my beloved AFC Bournemouth in front of my phenomenal fans and on May 27th I will repay them by winning a world title.”

The PPV undercard has been announced for the clash between three-division world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis’ and “Kingry” Ryan Garcia on Saturday, April 22 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The pay-per-view telecast will begin at 8PM ET/5PM PT and features WBA super middleweight “regular” champion David Morrell Jr. (8-0, 7 KOs) battling Sena Agbeko (27-2, 21 KOs) in the co-main event. The action will also see a rematch between super middleweight “King” Gabriel Rosado (26-16, 15 KOs) and “Bully” Bektemir Melikuziev (11-1, 9 KOs) in a 10-round showdown. Kicking off the telecast will be hard-hitting 19-year-old middleweight Elijah Garcia (14-0, 12 KOs) facing Kevin Salgado (15-1-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-round showdown.

By Boxing Bob Newman

We have learned of the passing of former undisputed lightweight champion Ken Buchanan this past Saturday, April 1st. Buchanan, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, turned pro in 1965 after capturing the ABA featherweight title. He rattled off 33 straight wins before unsuccessfully challenging future WBC 140 lb. champ Miguel Velazquez for the vacant European lightweight title in Spain, losing a close decision.

Eight months and four fights later, Buchanan found himself challenging Panamanian Ismael Laguna in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the WBA Lightweight title in June of 1970. In 100°+ heat, the Scot would nick the title by a single point: 144-143, 143-144 and 145-144. He would then gain WBC recognition by beating Ruben Navarro in Navarro’s hometown of Los Angeles- becoming undisputed lightweight champion. Continue reading “Former Lightweight champ Ken Buchanan passes”

Former two-weight world champion Jesse “BAM” Rodriguez (17-0, 11 KOs) came face-to-face with Christian Gonzalez (15-1, 5 KOs) at the famous “Alamo” in San Antonio, Texas, to kick off fight week for their clash for the vacant WBO flyweight title at the Boeing Center, live worldwide on DAZN.

Rodriguez stated, “Gonzalez is ranked #2, he’s tall, he’s lengthy and he likes to move a lot. So, we’ve been working on how I will close the distance and cut off the ring, I’ve been sparring taller guys so on April 8, there’s not going to be a problem for me to go in there and show what we’ve been working on.”