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WBO ##3, WBC #9 heavyweight contender Otto Wallin (24-1, 14 KOs) will return to action for his first fight of 2023, as he takes on Helaman Olguin (9-4-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round fight this Friday from Castleton Banquet & Conference Center in Windham, New Hampshire. Wallin, who is promoted by Salita Promotions, will look to stay sharp as he seeks a marquee matchup this year.

“I feel great heading into this fight,” said Wallin. “My training has been going great and I’ve done a lot of good sparring leading up to this fight. I’m excited to be fighting in New Hampshire and can’t wait to step into the ring. I can’t overlook Olguin, who is a good fighter, but I don’t think he’s on my level. I know that I can compete and win against any heavyweight in the world, and I’ll make sure that I show why on Friday night.”

While WBO #1 light heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde is promising to bring fire and brimstone to his unified world title challenge against unified WBC, IBF, WBO champion Artur Beterbiev on Saturday live on ESPN+ in the U.S. and BT Sport in the U.K., don’t just expect him to just charge across the canvas and tear into Beterbiev.

“How often do you see someone just go in there swinging?” asked Yarde.

“All the biggest knockout punchers, like GGG, he didn’t go in just hitting and trying to knock people out, he had a tactical approach. He’s got an excellent jab and used to wear down his opponents.

“Mike Tyson. People call him a brawler. Disrespectfully, for years. Only now people are starting to see the more technical side of his boxing and are saying this guy was a masterful counter-puncher. Continue reading “Yarde: I am a powerful, accurate puncher”

Cesar Francis 138.6 vs. Jesus Saracho 140
(10 Rounds, WBO Latino super lightweight title)

Oscar Alvarez Jr 132.2 vs. Nicholas Polanco 131.6
Johnatan Cardoso 133.8 vs. Jose Arellano 133.2
Lorenzo Medina 227.8 vs. Cleveland Billingsly 259.4

Date: Wednesday, January 25
Venue: Whitesands Events Center, Plant City, Florida
Promoter: ProBox
TV: Probox TV

Cesar Francis: “I’m naturally a 140, my body is telling me I’m a 140-pounder. I overcame the nutritional issues from last fight and I feel stronger than ever and that was reflective in how I weighed in. Continue reading “ProBox Weights from Plant City, Florida”

In an important super middleweight bout, unbeaten WBC #2, WBA #5, WBO #13 Christian Mbilli (23-0, 20 KOs) will take on WBC #10, IBF #13 Carlos Gongora (21-1, 16 KOs) on March 23 at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal. The WBC Continental Americas and WBA International will be on the line, and the bout will air in the U.S. on ESPN+.

In the co-feature, heavyweight Simon Kean (22-1, 21 KOs) will face Eric Molina (29-8, 21 KOs). Other bouts on tap will feature Mary Spencer (7-1, 5 KOs), Steve Claggett (33-7-2, 23 KOs), Leïla Beaudoin (8-0, 1 KO) and Luis Santana (8-0, 2 KOs) in separate bouts. Opponents will be named later.

Super featherweight George “El Yuyu” Acosta (13-1, 1 KO) will make his 2023 debut against Marlin Sims (8-1, 4 KOs) in the eight round main event on Thompson Boxing’s February 10 “New Blood” card at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California. The co-feature is a six-rounder between super welterweight “Nuckle” Nelson Oliva (5-0, 5 KOs) and Wayne Boudreaux (2-0, 1 KO).

Once again, the fights will stream live for free on the Thompson Boxing website, as well as their Facebook and YouTube pages.

Some interesting fights have been announced for the February 11 Showtime telecast headlined by the clash for the vacant WBC super featherweight between former two-division champ Rey Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) and O’Shaquie Foster (19-2, 11 KOs) at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

In the co-feature, former champion and San Antonio-native Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (26-2, 17 KOs), now trained by Bob Santos, returns against Jovanie Santiago (14-2-1, 10 KOs) in a ten round welterweight battle. And opening the telecast is a clash of unbeaten heavyweights between 2016 Olympian and WBA #6 rated Lenier Peró (8-0, 5 KOs) and Viktor Faust (11-0, 7 KOs) in another ten-rounder.

Boxing Hall of Famer Floyd “Money” Mayweather will make his long awaited in-ring debut in the U.K. on Saturday, February 25 as he now faces pro MMA fighter and “Geordie Shore” star Aaron “The Joker” Chalmers in an exhibition bout live from the famed O2 Arena in London.

It was previously announced on social media that Mayweather would face Muay Thai fighter Liam Harrison, however Harrison has since been forced to withdraw due to a knee injury.

“I was originally supposed to face a different opponent, but injuries happen and I’m glad that Aaron Chalmers could step up so that we could give the fans what they want,” said Mayweather. “The fans in the U.K. have always been great to me and supported me throughout my career, so an event like this has been a long time coming. I’m excited to add more history to the O2 Arena in London.”

Light heavyweight destroyer Artur Beterbiev resumes his reign of terror against fellow KO artist Anthony Yarde in this week’s top matchup.

WEDNESDAY
ProBox TV returns with unbeaten WBO #8 super lightweight Cesar “Rainman” Francis (12-0, 7 KOs) against Jesus Saracho 12-1, 11 KOs) in Plant City, Florida

FRIDAY
UFC Fightpass presents world-ranked super welterweight Serhii “El Flaco” Bohachuk (21-1, 21 KOs) against Nathaniel Gallimore, (22-6-1, 17 KOs) at the Quiet Cannon inside the Montebello Country Club in Los Angeles.

SATURDAY
ESPN+ brings the highly anticipated clash between unified WBC/IBF/WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs) and Anthony Yarde (23-2, 22 KOs) at the OVO Arena in London. The card also features WBA flyweight champion Artem Dalakian (21-0, 15 KOs) defending against David Jiminez (12-0, 9 KOs) in a clash of unbeaten fighters.

DAZN offers up all-action WBO #3, IBF #12 welterweight contender Alexis Rocha (21-1, 13 KOs) against Anthony “Juice” Young (24-2, 8 KOs) in the first boxing event at the new YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California.

By Boxing Bob Newman

David and Simone Mazzinghi, sons of Italian boxing legend and former two-time undisputed Jr. Middleweight champion Sandro Mazzinghi are looking to king for an American Film Producer to bring their screen play to the silver screen.

The brothers teamed up with Italian journalist Dario Torromeo to pen “Born To Combat,” the story of their father’s life, in and out of the ring.

Fightnews.com® spoke with David Mazzinghi about the project. “The story of our father Sandro is a beautiful one because it is full of twists and turns- a story of suffering, joys and pains of a man born to fight. It is the story of Sandro Mazzinghi, a man, a champion, a father.” Continue reading “Mazzinghi Sons seek American Film Producer”

Undefeated suoer welterweight Antonio Tarver Jr. (11-0, 7 KOs) scored an impressive KO over previously unbeaten Drew “Tomahawk” Dwelly (11-1-2, 11 KOs) on Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd at Calta’s Fitness & Boxing in Tampa, Florida. Southpaw Tarver connected with a series of straight left that dropped Dwelly to a knee. He quickly rose only to immediately collapse for the full count. Tarver claimed the NABF title.

<em>By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing</em>

WBO #1 super welterweight Tim Tszyu (21-0, 15 KOs) will clash with WBO #3 Tony Harrison (29-3, 21 KOs) on Sunday March 12 ( Saturday in the USA) with the WBO interim 154-pound championship up for grabs televised on Foxtel Main Event and Kayo Sports and promoted by Matt and George Rose. The venue in Australia has not been confirmed. Tszyu was originally scheduled to challenge unified champion Jermell Charlo for all the belts in Las Vegas on January 28 but Charlo was injured in training.

“Every fight you take is all on the line,” Tszyu told Fox Sports. “You’re one punch away from going back to the very bottom. It’s all on the line and a gamble, but this is what I do. This is boxing, it’s part of my career and I’m a fighter first. Continue reading “Tszyu-Harrison clash for WBO belt March 12”

By Héctor Villarreal

Panamanian superbantam Rafael “El General” Pedroza (14-0, 11 KOs), ranked #10 by the World Boxing Association, won an eight round unanimous decision over Colombian Hugo Berrio (28-9-1, 18 KOs) on Saturday night at the Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Convention Center in Panama City, to remain undefeated. Scorecards were 79-73, 80-72, 80-72).

In other results of the event, promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz, Carlos Gonzalez and Carlos Andrés Tello, Cuban Pablo Vicente escaped with a 10-round majority decision victory over Venzuelan Angel Rodríguez, to successfully defend his WBA International superfeather title.

Mirco Cuello, from Argentina stopped Dominican Leivy Frías in round one of a featherweight fight scheduled for ten.

Ring legend Roy Jones Jr. will take on Youtuber NDO Champ in what is billed as the first ever live combat sport to be held in the metaverse. The event will take place April 22 in the Galaxy Arena metaverse HUB.

Details of the exhibition will be announced at a press conference on Tuesday hosted by Chicago boxing promoter Bobby Hitz, Celebrity Boxing CEO Damon Feldman, and others.

NDO Champ is a bodybuilder with over 1.5 million subscribers.

Ivory Coast middleweight Etoundi Michel William moved to 12-0 with 9 KOs with a ten round split decision over Jorge “Chino” García (24-4, 20 KOs) on Saturday night at TV Azteca Studios in Mexico City. William, with Hall of Fame trainer Ignacio Beristain in his corner, won his third fight in Mexican territory by scores of 97-93 and 96-95, while García was up 96-95 on the third card.

In other action, 17-year-old middleweight Emiliano “Popeye” Aguillón (5-0, 4 KOs) knocked out José Antonio González (1-2-1) in the second round.

WBA #12 heavyweight Jonathan “The King” Guidry (19-1-2, 10 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision against former WBC heavyweight champion Bermane “B. WARE” Stiverne (25-6-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday night at Casino Miami Jai-Alai in Miami, Florida. Slow-paced fight with little action for the first five rounds. Guidry was aggressive at times, but spent too much time backing up. The 44-year-old Stiverne pressed forward, but didn’t land much. Guidry starting amping up the aggression late in the fight and pulled away on the cards to win 100-91, 97-93, 100-91. Guidry retains his WBA NABA “gold” title.

Guidry said afterward, “I felt him slowing down in the third round, so I picked up the pace while still being cautious. I decided to show him more intensity as the fight went on.”

In the best fight of the night, middleweight Ian Green (17-2, 11 KOs) retained his WBA Continental Americas belt by ten round split decision against previously undefeated Alexander Castro (11-1, 9 KOs) in a featured bout on the Guidry-Stiverne undercard Saturday night at Casino Miami Jai-Alai in Miami, Florida. Castro started fast and battered and bloodied Green in round one. Good exchanges in round two. It became a battle of attrition after that with both fighters hurting each other. In the end, scores were 96-94, 96-94 Green, 96-94 Castro.

“My plan was to box,” said Green. “But after he cut me in the first round he tried to get into my mental, so I had to bring it to him and fight. First round he was fighting hard, so I just kept my guard tight and went forward.” Continue reading “Green, Wiggins retain regional belts”

For the third time, the grudge rematch between WBO junior welterweight champion Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall has been postponed after Taylor suffered a foot injury. The return has previously been slated for dates in December, February, and March, and now will be pushed back again. Taylor won a controversial decision over Catterall last February in a bout for the undisputed 140lb world title. Taylor has since relinquished three of the belts and only holds the WBO version.

By coincidence, both fighters attended Saturday night’s Smith-Eubank Jr clash in Manchester and were seated two seats apart. They started jawing at each other, stood up, and had to be restrained by security. Catterall was then moved to another location.

In a bitter middleweight grudge match, former 154lb world champion Liam “Beefy” Smith (33-3-1, 20 KOs) scored an explosive fourth round knockout over WBC #2, WBO #2, WBA #5 Chris Eubank Jr (32-3, 23 KOs) on Saturday night at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. After three close rounds, Smith dropped Eubank with a barrage of punches in round four. Eubank got up very wobbly. Smith jumped on Eubank and blasted him to the canvas again to end it. Time was 1:09. Eubank was a 3:1 favorite. There is a rematch clause on Eubank’s side, if he wants it.

Unbeaten IBF #2, WBC #5, WBO #11 cruiserweight Richard Riakporhe (16-0, 12 KOs) stopped rugged former WBO champion Krzysztof Głowacki (32-4, 20 KOs) in round four on Saturday night at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. Riakporhe rocked Głowacki in round four and referee Howard Foster waved it off. Time was 2:44. The 36-year-old Głowacki doesn’t take a shot like he used to, but still a great win for the 6’5 Riakporhe who is close to a world title shot.

“We wanted a knockout victory and I predicted round three or four,” stated Riakporhe afterward. “We’re on the train, the next stop…all the champions.

“Jai Opetaia, I know you’re watching this. Trust me, we’re coming for you. Makabu, you lot can’t run no more. Okolie, Goulamirian, I know all of you lot and I think about you every day when I go to sleep.”

It wasn’t the annihilation he promised, but former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (31-3, 21 KOs) scored a workmanlike ten round unanimous decision over Jack “One Smack” Massey (20-2, 11 KOs) on Saturday night at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. Parker was in command all the way en route to a 96-93, 97-92, 97-93 verdict. Massey was deducted a point in round eight for holding. Parker, 31, gets back on the winning track after a KO loss to Joe Joyce.

Unbeaten welterweight Ekow Essuman (19-0, 7 KOs) edged Chris Kongo (14-2, 7 KOs) over twelve close rounds. Majority decision 114-114, 116-113, 115-114. Whole slew of belts on the line in this fight including British, Commonwealth, IBF Euro and WBC International silver.

2020 Olympic super heavyweight bronze medalist Frazer Clarke (5-0, 4 KOs) was victorious when Kevin Espindola (7-7, 2 KOs) couldn’t come out for round five due to a hand injury.

Heavyweight spoiler Terrell Jamal Woods (29-55-10, 21 KOs) very nearly snatched the unbeaten record Moses Johnson (9-0-2, 7 KOs) on Friday night at the Wind Creek Events Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Their six round bout ended in a draw with scores of 58-56 Woods, 58-56 Johnson, 57-57. Johnson was busier, but Woods landed the harder, cleaner shots.

By Damon Gonzalez

Unbeaten female flyweight Jasmine Artiga (10-0-1, 5 KOs) outscored Ashley Sciscente (6-3, 2 KOs) on Friday night at the sold-out Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida. Artiga dropped Sciscente twice en route to an eight round 79-71, 79-71, 78-72 unanimous decision.

Female amateur standout Kira Tapia won her professional debut against Clarice Morales (0-1-1) by four round unanimous decision. Scores were 39-37, 40-36, 40-36.

In a clash of unbeaten lightweights, Corey Marksman (6-0, 5 KOs) got a second round TKO when opponent Adrian Obran (5-1, 3 KOs) started vomiting and couldn’t continue.

Super bantamweight Glenn Dezurn (16-3-1, 11 KOs) pounded on Luis Cambero (14-8-1, 9 KOs) for three rounds and Cambero didn’t come out for round four. Dezurn is the husband of undisputed female super middleweight champion Franchon Crews Dezurn. Continue reading “Boxing Results from Orlando”

The three matchups between undefeated fighters headlined the first ShoBox of 2023 at the Wind Creek Events Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

In the main event, super middleweight David Stevens (12-0, 9 KOs) scored a spectacular eighth round KO over Sean Hemphill (14-1, 8 KOs). Stevens dropped Hemphill twice at the very end of round eight. There were just two seconds left in the bout when the KO came. Entering round eight, Stevens was ahead 68-65 3x.

Light heavyweight Atif Oberlton (8-0, 6 KOs) hammered out a hard fought eight round unanimous decision over Artem Brusov (12-1, 11 KOs). Scores were 79-73, 78-74, 78-74.

Super featherweight Julian Gonzalez (9-0-1, 9 KOs) dropped Rosalindo Morales (9-1, 2 KOs) in round one en route to a referee’s stoppage in round four.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former IBF middleweight champion Sam “King” Soliman talked to Fightnews.com® to advise that his treasured IBF world title belt had been stolen. “My IBF belt was in my car when it was stolen,” said Soliman. “I was devastated when it happened but have been in contact with Australia’s IBF representative Ben Keilty and he has reassured me he has been in contact with the IBF Head Office in New Jersey so I can purchase another IBF world title belt.”

Jonathan Guidry 253.4 vs. Bermane Stiverne 262.2
Tre’Sean Wiggins 146.6 vs. Nigel Fennel 146.2
Ian Green 159.2 vs. Alexander Castro 159.6
Raynel Mederos 142.4 vs. Nelson Morales 141.6
Kenmon Evans 176.6 vs. Cleotis Pendarvis 173
Alex Esponda 157.4 vs. Carlos Cruz 158
Leon Salgado 173.8 vs. Salome Flores Torres 172.2
Darian Favier Castro 141.8 vs. Ryan Schwartzberg 141.2

Venue: Casino Miami Jai-Alai, Miami, Florida
Promoter: Don King
TV: PPV