Fightnews.com

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBO 115-pound champion Kazuto Ioka (29-2-1, 15 KOs), 115, battled to a majority draw with WBA titleholder Joshua Franco (18-1-3-1NC, 8 KOs), 114.75, over a very technical see-saw affair in a super-fly twelve-round unification bout on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.  Franco was more aggressive all the way, while Ioka was more accurate in counterpunching the aggressor.  It means Ioka and Franco each kept his own belt as previously.

The official scores were as follows: Stanley Christodoulou (South Africa) 115-113 for Franco, Jose Roberto Torres (Puerto Rico) and Ferlin Marsh (New Zealand) both 114-114.  The female referee was Melva Santos from Puerto Rico, who was so well-done in handling the fast-moving and fast-punching champions.

Continue reading “Ioka-Franco, Full Report/Analysis”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Ex-AIBA youth champion in 2016 and former thirteen-time national amateur champ, unbeaten feather prospect Hayato Tsutsumi (2-0, no KO), 125.75, defeated former OPBF super bantam ruler Pete Apolinar (16-4, 10 KOs), 126, as he dropped the Filipino with furious combinations in round six en route to a nearly shutout decision (80-71 twice, 79-72) over eight fast rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.  It was a semi-windup supporting the WBA/WBO super-fly unification bout between Ioka and Franco. Continue reading “Tsutsumi defeats ex-OPBF champ Apolinar”

By Brad Snyder

The last boxing matches in Michigan of 2022 were put on Friday night at the Soundboard inside Motor City Casino in Detroit by CLIP Productions and promoter Carlos Llinas. The Heavyweight main event had Vernon Webber make his walk to the ring dressed as the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. In green furry boxing trunks, like the Grinch, Webber took all the joy of Christmas away from his opponent, Gabriel Mota (1-3). Webber scored a 2:58 1st Round knockout after dominating the short fight. Webber improves to (6-0, 4 KOs).

The co-main event of the night had Weaver’s Boxing Gym owner, Munib Al Salmani return to the ring on short notice to face Devin Garrett (0-2). Although, Al Salmani said, after the fight, he felt rusty and would be more prepared next time to ring announcer, Kara Ro. Well, the results and the eye test showed he was more than ready and looked good. Normally a Lightweight, Al Salmani improved to (3-0, 3 KOs) with a 2nd Round TKO victory at the 1:11 mark in the Light Heavyweight bout. Continue reading “Night of Knockouts in Detroit”

By Joe Koizumi

WBO 115-pound champion Kazuto Ioka (29-2-1, 15 KOs), 115, Japan, battled to a majority draw (114-114 twice, 115-113 against him) with WBA titleholder Joshua Franco (18-1-3-1NC, 8 KOs), 114.75, US, over a very technical see-saw affair in a super-fly unification twelve-round bout on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Franco was more aggressive all the way, while Ioka was more accurate in counterpunching the aggressor. It means Ioka and Franco each kept his own belt as previously. The female referee was Melva Santos from Puerto Rico.

(More to come)

“I made an unnecessary call to law enforcement”

By TMZ.com

The woman who accused Gervonta Davis of assault is doing an about-face … now claiming the star boxer “did not harm me or our daughter,” saying the frantic 911 call she made was “unnecessary.”

Vanessa Posso, mom to Tank’s daughter, took to social media on Friday and seemingly did a complete 180, writing … “These past days have been hurtful and extremely exhausting for all parties involved. I pride myself on being extremely private; this situation was the last thing I wanted to be made public. The state of our relationship has been in a fragile space, and Gervonta and I were both at fault for the argument.” Continue reading “Tank accuser walks back claims”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Looks like WBO #1 junior middleweight Tim Tszyu could face WBO #3 ranked Tony Harrison for at least an interim version of the WBO title due to the postponement of Tszyu’s long-awaited clash with undisputed 154lb champ Jermell Charlo due to a hand injury suffered by Charlo.

The WBO has given Charlo until January 2 to submit a detailed medical explanation of his injury, findings, recovery prognosis, and his orthopedic specialist’s opinion as to when he will be physically and medically cleared to compete and return to active competition. The champ was warned that failure to comply will result in him “waiving all rights hereunder and with the Committee proceeding per WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

The weigh-in ceremony for tomorrow’s WBA/WBO world super flyweight unification bout between Kazuto Ioka (Japan) and Joshua Franco (US) took place on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. The results were as follows:

Ioka 115 lbs (the class limit)
Franco 114.75 (a quarter pound under the limit)

The officials are as follows:
Referee: Melva Santos (Puerto Rico)
Judges: Jose Roberto Torres (Puerto Rico), Ferlin Marsh (New Zealand) and Stanley Christodoulou (South Africa)
Supervisors: Jose Oliver Gomez (WBA from Panama) and Tsuyoshi Yasukochi (WBO, Japan).

Photos

By Brad Snyder/The Undercard

Vernon Webber 216 vs. Gabriel Mota 225
Dwane Taylor 140 vs. Steven Brabson 139
Darryl Cunningham 157 vs. Andre Byrd 155
Luis Quintero 146 vs. Izale Kimnle 144.4
Mohammed Awada 211 vs. Marcello Williams 231
Munib Al Salmani 165 vs. Devin Garrett 165
Gordie Russ 153 vs. Kevin Womack 154
Marcus Maulding 231 vs. Dennis Vance 278

Venue: Motor City Casino Soundboard
Promoter: Carlos Llnas
Doors open 6:30 with first bell at 7pm.
Tickets available at the Motor City Soundboard Ticket Office and Ticketmaster.

Bob Caico to be inducted in non-participant category

The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) has announced its 22-member Class of 2122. The 11th NYSBHOF induction dinner, sponsored by Ring 8, will be Sunday, April 30 at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF are Brooklyn’s 2-division (welterweight & light welterweight), 6-time world champion “Super” Zab Judah (44-10, 30 KOs), Brooklyn’s 2-division world champion (welterweight and light welterweight) Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi (36-8, 7 KOs), Plainview’s world super lightweight champion Kathy “Wildcat” Collins (14-2-4, 3 KOs), Troy welterweight Kevin “Mr. Excitement” Pompey (32-18-3, 12 KOs), and Brooklyn world super lightweight world title challenger Dmitry “Star of David” Salita (35-2-1, 18 KOs).

Living non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are Brooklyn trainer Hector Rocha, Brooklynn ring announcer Dave Diamante, Bronx commentator/producer/radio show host Tony Paige, Latham journalist Bob Mladinich, Brooklyn neurologist Barry Jordan, Brooklyn judge Robin Taylor, and Fightnews.com® journalist Bob Caico. Continue reading “New York State BHOF Class of 2022”

In an interview with The Telegraph, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman revealed that plans are in the works to address the issue of transgender fighters in boxing.

“We are going to put out a global call for those who are interested in 2023 and we will set up the protocols, start consultation and most likely create a league and a tournament,” Sulaiman is quoted as saying. “It is the time to do this, and we are doing this because of safety and inclusion. We have been the leaders in rules for women’s boxing – so the dangers of a man fighting a woman will never happen because of what we are going to put in place.

“In boxing, a man fighting a woman must never be accepted regardless of gender change. There should be no grey area around this, and we want to go into it with transparency and the correct decisions. Woman to man or man to woman transgender change will never be allowed to fight a different gender by birth. Continue reading “WBC to add transgender division?”

Undefeated two-division world champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade says he’s finally in the position to get the big fights. But first he has to get past Demond Nicholson in their super middleweight ten-rounder opening the Davis-Garcia pay-per-view on January 7.

“I’m on a new journey to be a three-division world champion,” stated Andrade. “Nicholson is one of the few who accepted a fight with me. He stepped up to this challenge and I take my hat off to him. I’m looking to get in there with the top names. Every fight is a chance to make a statement. There’s not just one fight that catapults you. Every fight is high stakes to me. I don’t look past anybody. We’re both looking to take each other’s head off.” Continue reading “Andrade: I want Jermall Charlo”

Fighters competing on the January 7 Gervonta “Tank” Davis vs. Hector Luis Garcia Showtime PPV undercard from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., took part in a virtual press conference on Wednesday. Showtime had no comment on the status of the Davis-Garcia fight in the wake of Davis’ arrest this week on a domestic violence charge, but Tank is already back on the street so the event looks like a go.

Jaron “Boots” Ennis vs. Karen Chukhadzhian
IBF interim welterweight title

Jaron Ennis: “I feel like I just have to keep winning and doing my thing. On January 7 it’s another step toward me getting my hands on those titles. Maybe I have to talk a little bit more, but I’m really a vicious dog that just likes to bite…the big names are coming, I just have to be patient.”

Karen Chukhadzhian: “I’m very motivated for this fight. There is a lot for me to prove in my first fight in the U.S. This is definitely going to be a hard fight, but I’m ready for it. I’m preparing to come in and win.”

Rashidi Ellis vs. Roiman Villa
12 Rounds, welterweight

Rashidi Ellis: “Villa has power, he’s tough and he comes forward. He’s also coming off a great win. I know he’s going to be tough, but I’m coming to beat him down. I feel like I’m the future of the welterweight division. If a fight with Jaron Ennis comes my way, why not? I’m ready.”

Roiman Villa: “We’re going to have to wait until fight night to see if any of his words mean anything…I’m going to go out there, do my best and finish the night with my hand raised. I’m feeling great and I know there’s only one way this fight ends.”

Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade vs. Demond Nicholson
10 Rounds, super middleweight

Demetrius Andrade: “I gotta bounce these gloves off Demond’s forehead. That’s what I’m coming to do. I want to put that leather on him. I need a performance that will make people say that they need to see me again.”

Demond Nicholson: “Beating Andrade would help me rewrite my story. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in the game of boxing. So this win is going to help me start a new narrative. My only objective is to win and shock the world. Then I can get the fights that I need for my own legacy.”

Tickets are on sale now to see two-division world champion Rey Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) and WBC #1 contender O’Shaquie Foster (19-2, 11 KOs) battle for the vacant WBC super featherweight title formerly held by Shakur Stevenson on Saturday, February 11 live on Showtime from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Not yet announced is a reported co-feature between IBF #1 junior welterweight Jeremias Ponce (30-0, 20 KOs) and #2 Subriel Matias (18-1, 18 KOs) for the vacant IBF belt formerly held by Josh Taylor.

Heavy-handed Mexican lightweight Jesus Saracho (12-1, 11 KOs) is looking to shock the world as he steps up against WBO #8 rated Cesar “Rainman” Francis (12-0, 7 KOs) on Wednesday, January 25 in Plant City, Florida, in the inaugural ProBox TV’s Future Stars Series.

“I am coming to win,” said Saracho. “I understand this is a big platform, and I am going to make a statement against Cesar Francis. He is highly regarded and ranked and a win gets me a major fight in the future with title implications. I have heard many people say Cesar Francis could be the prospect of the year, so I am looking to derail his career and the hype. Continue reading “Saracho looks to upset the odds”

Updates:
Tank Gives His Side…Then deletes post
911 Call…He’s gonna kill me!
Police Report…Slapped woman with closed hand

By TMZ.com

WBA “regular” lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis has been arrested in Florida, TMZ Sports has confirmed … just days before his scheduled fight against Hector Luis Garcia.

According to jail records, the 28-year-old was booked in Broward County on Tuesday on a battery domestic violence charge. He posed for a mug shot — and the records show as of late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning, he was still in police custody.

Further details surrounding the allegations against Davis were not made immediately available.

The fighter is slated to step in the ring with HLG on Jan. 7 in Washington D.C., though it’s unclear if Tuesday’s arrest will change plans.

Davis — 27-0 in pro fights — is no stranger to trouble with the law … he’s been arrested several times in the past few years … including in 2020, after he was accused of roughing up his ex-girlfriend at a celebrity basketball game in Florida.

Story developing …

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

New York-based world championship referee Charlie Fitch talks to Fightnews.com® about his career as the “third man in the ring.”

Continue reading “Q&A: Referee Charlie Fitch”

Formerly world-ranked featherweight contender Brayan “La Roca” De Gracia (29-2-1, 25 KOs) of Panama has his sights on big fight opportunities in 2023. De Gracia was rapidly climbing the world rankings prior to being upset by Eduardo Ramirez in 2019. De Gracia is currently riding a 3-fight win streak and has a new structure to his team.

His former advisor Gabriel Barron based out of Southern California will now be at the helm as his co-manager. Barron is well respected in the boxing community, having worked with a large list of talented fighters over the last 20 years. Barron has had an immediate impact including organizing De Gracia’s last two fights and most significantly being the signing with Hall of Fame Promoter Lou DiBella. DiBella has high hopes for De Gracia to land the best fights possible in 2023. De Gracia’s long-time manager Arauz Aristides remains on as co-manager. Continue reading ““La Roca” De Gracia ready for big 2023”

Undefeated IBF #1 welterweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis held a media workout in his hometown of Philadelphia on Tuesday as he prepares to take on IBF #4-rated Karen Chukhadzhian for the IBF interim world title in the co-main event of a Showtime PPV on January 7 from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

Jaron Ennis: “I feel like Errol Spence Jr. would fight me. I’m going in there with the intention of winning the interim title, then fighting Errol next. I think we can make it happen.”

Here is what Ennis and his father and trainer “Bozy” Ennis had to say Tuesday from the Philly’s Next Champ Gym. Continue reading “Boots Ennis Workout Quotes”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

In the last show at the Korakuen Hall this year, former Japanese 122-pound champ Gakuya Furuhashi (29-9-2, 16 KOs), 122, elaborately regained the vacant belt lately renounced by Takuma Inoue (who had dethroned Furuhashi this June) as he fought a pier-six brawl with grudge rival Ryoichi Tamura (15-7-1, 7 KOs),122, and eked out a split decision (96-94 twice for him, 95-96 against him) over ten furiously-fought rounds on Monday in Tokyo, Japan.  A la the Tony Zale versus Rocky Graziano trilogy, they swapped punching all night, battering the rival and absorbed good punishment each other.   They took the initiative in every other round to have the judges frustrated in scoring, but Gakuya (who was victorious again after his previous win in 2019) finally won the one-round fight in the tenth and final session to claim the belt. Continue reading “Furuhashi edges Tamura, wins vacant Japanese 122lb belt”

Unbeaten WBO #8 super lightweight Cesar “Rainman” Francis (12-0, 7 KOs) is ready for his ring return on Wednesday, January 25 in Plant City, Florida, as he faces Jesus Saracho 12-1, 11 KOs) in the inaugural ProBox TV’s Future Stars Series.

“I don’t know too much about Saracho,” said Francis, “but I know he’s a game Mexican, and we will prepare accordingly in a professional way like we always do. I’m happy the fights are on a Wednesday night because everyone can watch it, it doesn’t clash with anything else so I hope that all eyes will be on ProBox TV watching me show why I’m ready for those big names like Arnold Barboza. Liam Paro, Jose Ramirez, and hopefully this year Josh Taylor. Continue reading “Rainman Cesar Francis returns January 25”

By Mauricio Sulaiman
Son of Jose Sulaiman / WBC President

I have to share my special moments of this 2022, both in my personal and professional life, which without a doubt was one of the best years of my life.

On the traveling front, it was a very special one. I got to know some new countries and I also visited some of my favorite places in the world.

My first visit to Dubai, where we have managed to advance in a monumental way in boxing in that region of the world, I had the great honor to meet my now good friend, Abdu Rozik, as we named him WBC ambassador, a lovely young man who has a huge heart and has become very close to me through his angel Jazmin. I also traveled to Albania with Salvatore Cherchi to form the country’s boxing commission under the leadership of Ilir Bregasi, and went to Australia for the first time, one of my dreams since I was a teenager. I went to witness the great fight between Devin Haney and George Kambosos, and I experienced a great country with marvelous hospitality, delicious food and great friendship. The people are very nice, friendly and they love to have fun, but one special ingredient was that I was finally in the land of one of my favorite rock groups, AC/DC. Had memorable moments with Jeff Fenech and his friends, Tony and Angelo, and got to meet so many new friends.

I returned to Japan after several years and enjoyed it like never before. I enjoyed the hospitality of someone who is like my second father, Mr. Honda, Akemi and Nobu. I spent a day in Turkey where Ahmet Oner joined me and we played Backgammon until my flight took off back to Mexico. Continue reading “The best of 2022 on a personal level”

BLK Prime is planning to produce six major pay-per-view events in boxing 2023. The first event for BLK Prime in 2023 will feature a welterweight matchup between former 4-division world champion Adrien Broner (34-4-1, 24 KOs) and Ivan Redkach (23-6-1, 18 KOs). The scheduled 10-round bout, promoted by Christy Martin Promotions, will take place in Atlanta, GA in February. More information will be announced at a later date.

“The plan in 2023 is to make the most compelling fights in boxing,” said Chester Johnson, Vice President of BLK Prime Boxing. “The fans deserve to see the best fighting the best and we will do everything in our power to make that happen. We are open to working with everyone in the sport to bring back the glory days of boxing. Our platform is extremely functional and delivers a high-quality stream. Our cable and satellite pay-per-view distribution agreements with our domestic and international partners are in place for 2023 as well.” Continue reading “Broner-Redkach Update”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Philippine #1 light-fly contender Esneth Domingo (18-2, 10 KOs), 109.75, impressively scored a come-from-behind one-punch knockout victory over southpaw Japanese Kosuke Tomioka (6-3, 5 KOs), 112, at 1:25 of the sixth round in a scheduled eight on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Esneth, the nephew of former Filipino crowd-pleaser Michael Domingo (working the corner as his trainer), now registered a couple of stoppages over Jukiya Iimura (TKO6, this October) and Tomioka in succession.

Tomioka had an upper hand, decked Domingo with a southpaw left in the fourth and had him at bay with a flurry of punches. Unfortunately the Japanese aggressor dropped his mouth guard on the deck by accident with the ref calling a brief break to have it cleaned and replaced. Resuming the fight, the fast and ferocious Domingo exploded a devastating right to the button of the aggressor, who barely regained his legs but couldn’t properly regain the equilibrium to be fatally counted out. Continue reading “Domingo come-from-behind KO over Tomioka”

The three undefeated matchups include fighters with a combined record of 61-0-1 and 43 knockouts headline the first SHOBOX: The New Generation card of 2023.

In the main event, Sean Hemphill (14-0, 8 KOs) is set to face David Stevens (11-0, 8 KOs), in an eight-round super middleweight clash. In the co-main event, Atif Oberlton (7-0, 6 KOs) takes on Artem Brusov (12-0, 11 KOs) in an eight-round light heavyweight matchup. The telecast opener pits Julian Gonzalez (8-0-1, 8 KOs) and Rosalindo Morales (9-0, 2 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight collision.

This marks the second consecutive year ShoBox will open the new year featuring a tripleheader in which all six fighters enter fight night without a loss. The three-fight telecast is promoted by Marshall Kauffman’s Kings Promotions.

2016 Olympic heavyweight Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (10-0-1, 9 KOs) will now take on Jonnie Rice (15-6-1, 10 KOs) on January 14 after his original foe Stephan “Big Shot” Shaw (18-0, 13 KOs) was moved into the main event. Rice re-energized his career with a fifth-round TKO over then-unbeaten prospect Michael Coffie in July 2021. He repeated the deed on New Year’s Day, outlasting Coffie via a 10-round unanimous decision.

Shaw will now face Efe “The Silent Roller” Ajagba (16-1, 13 KOs) at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

“Stephan Shaw stepped up and has a tough task against one of the division’s biggest punchers in Efe Ajagba,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “We’re pleased that Guido will remain on the card against a formidable opponent in ­Jonnie Rice. This will be a fantastic heavyweight doubleheader at Turning Stone.”

Ajagba-Shaw and Vianello-Rice will be broadcast live on ESPN. Undercard bouts will stream on ESPN+ and includes a 10-round junior lightweight tilt between Adam “BluNose” Lopez and Abraham “El Super” Nova.