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Idalberto Umara 134 vs. Braulio Rodriguez 139
WBA Fedecaribe lightweight title)

Adrian Pinheiro 200 vs. Demetrius Banks 198.5
Jeovanny Estela 152.5 vs. Saul Corral 154
Henrich Ruiz 238 vs. Jose H. Corral 229
Ramiri DeJesus 156 vs. Bryant Costello (weight in tonight)
Jamar Pemberton 168 vs. Juan Celin Zapata 168
Jonathan Cortes 139 vs. Paul Amaro 141
Shamara Woods 139 vs. Sarah Click 136.5
Daine Smikle 173.5 vs. Angel Vasquez 181
Brandon Lynch 207 vs. Dennys Reyes 231

Venue: Caribe Royal Resort in Orlando, Florida
Promoter: Orlando Boxing Promotions & BoxLab Promotions
TV: PPV ($19.99, bxngtv.com)

Nicky “The Bull” Vitone 142 vs. Jordan Rosario 140
Mike “The Champ” Lee 146.75 vs. Antonio Sanchez 147
Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado 134 vs. Usiel Hernandez 134
Christian “Veneno” Otero 134 vs. Vinnie Denierio 135
Dane Guerrero 164 vs. Andre Hinmon 164
Kevin “Hurricane” Hernandez 153.5 vs. George Gethers 153

Venue: The Terrace at Biagio in Paramus, New Jersey
Promoter: Abella Boxing Promotions
TV: PPV ($24.99 https://bergenaudiovisual1.vhx.tv/)

43-year-old former heavyweight title challenger Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (35-21-2, 19 KOs) schooled MMA fighter-turned boxer Viacheslav “Red Tarzan” Datsik (2-0, 2 KOs) in a three round exhibition on Friday night at the Dynamo Volleyball Arena in Moscow, Russia.

In his post-fight interview, Johnson, who hails from Lawrenceville, Georgia, turned to the camera and stated “This is it right here. I’m really ready to make a life-long change. And I would like to say to THE president, the honorable Vladimir Putin, if you’re watching this and you’re listening, I, Kevin Johnson, am looking to move here to Moscow and become a full resident here to pursue my career. And with your approval, I would like to apply for a Russian passport where Russia can be my home.”
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In the main event on Wednesday April 5, in Mexico City, heavy-handed Carlos “El Tiburon” Sanchez (23-1-19 KOs) will attempt to take the “0” away from undefeated Alexander Duran (21-0, 7 KOs) in a ten-round junior lightweight bout. The six-round co-feature is a battle for Mexico City bragging rights between hometown bantamweights Brandon “King” Reyes, (6-0-1, 2 KOs) and Abraham Arreola (5-2, 4 KOs). Opening the show is Jose Napoles (14-1-2, 6 KOs), the grandson of Cuban American Jose “Mantequilla” Napoles. The Marquez Promotions, Chiquita Gonzalez Promotions and ProBox Promotions card will be streamed live on ProBox TV.

Undefeated super welterweight Jahyae Brown (13-0, 9 KOs) will face Guido Schramm (15-1-1, 9 KOs) in a newly added 10-round co-feature as part of Showtime’s ShoBox tripleheader on April 7 from Cache Creek Casino in Brooks, California. The bout replaces the super featherweight bout between Neri Romero and Frency Fortunato that fell out due to an injury suffered by Romero. The main event will feature Shinard Bunch (20-1-1, 16 KOs) against Bryan Flores (23-0-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight contest. The telecast opener pits Raul Garcia (12-0, 10 KOs) against Robert Terry (9-0, 3 KOs) with both fighters putting their unbeaten streaks to the test in an eight-round super welterweight bout.

Robeisy Ramirez 125.6 vs. Isaac Dogboe 124.6
(WBO featherweight title)

Joet Gonzalez 126.2 vs. Jose Enrique Vivas 126.2
Jahi Tucker 151.8 vs. Nikoloz Sekhniashvili 150.2
Jeremiah Milton 255.8 vs. Fabio Maldonado 215.8
Tiger Johnson 142.8 vs. Alfonso Olvera 142.8
Dante Benjamin Jr. 175 vs. Jasper McCargo 177.4
Emiliano Fernando Vargas 133 vs. Edgar Uvalle 132.2
Abdullah Mason 135.2 vs. Erick Garcia Benitez 135.4
Rohan Polanco 142.4 vs. Ricardo Quiroz 142.6

Venue: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tulsa, Okalahoma
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN, ESPN+

Tom Dzemski 174.2 vs. Daniel Blenda Dos Santos 173.9
(EBU EU light heavyweight title)

Roman Fress 199.5 vs. Roman Gorst 198.4
(German cruiserweight title)

Adam Deines 177 vs. Dmytro Fedas 176.1
Julian Vogel 152.3 vs. Ali Hasso 151.9
Hugo Micaleff 141.8 vs. Alessandro Fersula 142.2
Nenad Stancic 141.1 vs. Michal Bulik 139.3
Marlon Dzemski 146.4 vs. Tornike Gikashvili 145.5
Robin Rehse 159 vs. Bato Barkatsashvili 158.3
Armin Graf 149.9 vs. Martin Friesse 150.4

Venue: Feel Good Club, Chemnitz, Germany
Promoter: SES Boxing
TV: ESPN+ (USA), MDR (Germany)

By Héctor Villarreal

WBA #6 featherweight, and former bantamweight super champion, Panamanian Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno (43-6-1, 15 KOs), scored an eight round unanimous decisión over Colombian Hugo Berrio (28-10-1, 18 KOs) on Thursday night at the Arena Roberto Duran on the main event of the “Tributo 50”, international boxing card. All 3 judges scored the fight 80-72. Continue reading “In 50th fight, Chemito outpoints Berrio”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBO 108-pound champ Jonathan Gonzalez, Puerto Rico, pitifully pulled out of a unification bout with WBC, WBA titleholder Kenshiro Teraji because of sudden pneumonia. His emergency substitute, WBA #2 flyweight Anthony Olasuaga (5-0, 3 KOs), US, whose amateur mark was reportedly 23-1, arrived in Japan and appeared in a public workout on Thursday at Tokyo’s Teiken Gym. Olascuaga, under the wing of Californian handler Rudy Hernandez, was supposed to fight in Korea on April 15, and has been training hard prior to his coming to Japan. Anthony displayed a good form in sparring sessions here, and said, “I once had some sparring sessions with the champ Teraji in Los Angeles. I know he’s strong but wish to show my best and try to win his belt.” He said he would have no problem in making the light-flyweight limit although he, as WBA Fedelatin 112-pound champ, is ranked highly in the 112-pound category.

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Anthony Joshua 255.4 vs. Jermaine Franklin 234.12
Fabio Wardley 242.6 vs. Michael Polite-Coffie 269.4
Galal Yafai 113.8 vs. Moises Calleros 114.2
Campbell Hatton 139.12 vs. Louis Fiedling 138.6
Austin Williams 162.8 vs. River Wilson-Bent 162.7
John Hedges 189.14 vs. Daniel Bocianski 186.4
Ziyad Almaayouf 145.14 vs. Georgi Velichkov 142.7
Jordan Flynn 129.10 vs. Kane Baker 129.8
Juergen Uldedaj 203.8 vs. Benoit Huber 200
Peter Kadiru 239.3 vs. Alen Lauriolle 273.2

Venue: O2 Arena, London
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Fast-moving southpaw, WBO female atomweight champ Yuko Kuroki (21-7-2, 9 KOs) successfully kept her belt as she scored a unanimous decision (96-94 twice, 97-93) over ex-titlist Nanae Suzuki (11-6-1, 1 KO) over ten speedy rounds on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. It was an all-Japanese rematch since Kuroki dethroned Suzuki last September. Yuko, a police officer’s daughter, coped with Suzuki’s non-stop aggression by utilizing her faster footwork and southpaw counterpunches and made her initial defense.

In a semi-final of female ex-world champions, Chaoz Minowa (8-4, 6 KOs) eked out a hairline majority decision (77-75 twice, 76-76) over Tomoko Okuda (7-5-2, 1 KO) over eight.

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On February 28, 2023 the IBF ordered Sivenathi Nontshinga and Regie Suganob to begin negotiations for the IBF jr. flyweight mandatory defense. An agreement could not be reached within the time frame allowed by the IBF. The IBF ordered a purse bid on 3/30 which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at 12:00 PM EST.

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with MMA superstar and former UFC champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis as he makes his pro debut against the legendary Roy Jones Jr this Saturday, April 1 in his hometown of Milwaukee at the Fiserv Forum and shown on UFC FIGHTPASS. It is promoted by MMA star Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Boxing Promotions. Pettis talked about his training in boxing over the years, prepping Caleb Plant to fight “The Monster” David Benavidez and what it will take to beat one of the greatest boxers of all time in Roy Jones Jr and much more in this exclusive interview.

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Undisputed lightweight king Devin “The Dream” Haney (29-0, 15 KOs) and former three-weight world champion and pound-for-pound king Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) met face-to-face for the first time Thursday in Los Angeles at the official kickoff press conference for their PPV clash on May 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Vasiliy Lomachenko: “We never know what will happen. We can prepare for one strategy, but in the ring it can all change. Right now, I don’t know. I just train hard and prepare. I believe in God and in my team.”

Devin Haney: “When he had the belts, he didn’t want to fight me. But it’s a fight where I truly believe I am the better fighter. I’m the better competitor. I will be victorious. I’m happy that the time has finally come. Continue reading “Haney-Loma Kickoff Press Conference”

The WBC will hold a purse bid for the second mandatory of the super bantamweight division between David Picasso from Mexico and Ra’eese Aleem from the USA.

WBC champion Stephen Fulton will defend his title against Naoya Inoue and the first mandatory is Luis Nery, who won the final elimination in a sensational fight vs Azat Hovhannisyan.

During its Convention, the WBC ordered a final elimination for the second mandatory between Picasso and Aleem, but the camps have not been able to reach an agreement. So, the purse offer ceremony will be held tomorrow March 31at, at noon in Mexico City. Any registered promoter in good standing is able to participate in person or by Zoom.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez (11-1, 7 KOs) and former junior featherweight world champion Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe (24-2, 15 KOs) faced off at the final press conference for their clash this Saturday for the vacant WBO featherweight world title at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

Robeisy Ramirez: “This camp has been totally different. We did lots of new things with my strength and conditioning coach. But we are ready for this fight, and for the fights that happen after.”

Isaac Dogboe: “I have a second chance now. I know that Robeisy is tough. He is a good fighter. But I know that we will come out with the victory on April 1.”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

A hard-fought WBO Asia Pacific 130-pound title bout of IBF#15 Musashi Mori (13-1-1, 7 KOs), 129.75, and former champ Takuya Watanabe (39-11-2, 21 KOs), 130, ended in a unanimous draw (all 114-114) as neither had the upper hand down the stretch over twelve heats on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan. The regional belt was still vacant. The tide busily turning, former three-time regional titlist Watanabe, eleven years senior at 34, was leading on points: all 77-75 with the open scoring system after the eighth. The younger lefty Mori, once coached by Cuban trainer Ismael Salas in US, showcased his heart, winning three rounds to losing one, which finally had the give-and-take affair even in the end. They both displayed the heart, but not the skills. Continue reading “Mori, Watanabe draw in WBO AP 130lb title bout”

By Héctor Villarreal

Former WBA bantamweight super champion, Panamanian Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno (42-6-1, 15 KOs) and his Colombian opponent Hugo Berrio (23-9-1, 18 KOs) both weighed 130 pounds for Chemito’s 50th pro fight scheduled for Thursday night on the main event of the “Tribute 50” 12-bout card promoted by Moreno’s wife Rouss’ Laguna at the Arena Roberto Duran, in Panama City.

Anselmo Moreno 130 vs. Hugo Berrio 130
Chann Thonson 135.75 vs. Kevin Rivera 135.5
Rene Tellez 134.75 vs. Bryan Mercado 135.5
Abdiel Matute 263.5 vs. Victor Delgado 232.75
Trevor Thonson 136.75 vs. Eduard Gonzalez 134.5
Daniel Payne 196.5 vs. Julio Muentes 194
Hibrahim Valdespino 125 vs. Hugo Vasquez 123.75
Jose Maria Vargas 145 vs. Harvin Aguirre 147
Amadeus Davis 241 vs. Ricardo Cristobal 221
Jisue Alvarado 142.25 vs. Wilfredo Petit 142.5
Angel Bethancourt 112.5 vs. Adan Hurtado 112.5

Continue reading “Chemito on weight for fight #50”

By Ron Jackson

Landile “Man Down” Ngxeke from the Eastern Cape hopes to put his career back on track after losing his last fight against Jayr Raquiel in October last year, when he faces Filipino Michael Mendoza for the vacant IBO Intercontinental junior bantamweight title at the Orient Theatre in East London next Friday night.

The tournament will be shown live on Supersport. Continue reading “Ngxeke returns to action after setback”

Undefeated WBO middleweight champion Janikbek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (13-0, 8 KOs) will defend his world title in the main event against Canadian contender Steven Butler (32-3-1, 26 KOs) on Saturday, May 13, at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California.

Janikbek Alimkhanuly: “All of the middleweights have run scared, so I give Steven Butler a lot of credit for accepting the fight. I want to unify the division, but I cannot overlook Butler. He is a tough, powerful challenger, and I look forward to giving a tremendous show to the fans in Stockton and those watching on ESPN.”

Steven Butler: “No detail will be spared in this training camp. Expect a big upset on May 13. I am confident that I will bring the belt back to Quebec.”

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

Jason Moloney: “On May 13 I will become champion of the world. Nineteen years of hard work, countless sacrifices, and complete dedication to the sport all come down to this moment,” Moloney said. “Whatever it takes to have this world championship wrapped around my waist, nothing will stop me.”

Vincent Astrolabio: “Ever since I started boxing my dream was to fight for a world title, and dreams do come true with hard work. I have played this moment over and over in my head, and I will not be denied the world title.”

Continue reading “Alimkhanuly-Butler/Moloney-Astrolabio twinbill set”

Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin faced off today at the final press conference ahead of Saturday’s action at The O2 in London, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

Anthony Joshua: “The goal is not to make it back to the corner, the goal is to take him out…the more he talks, the bigger grave he digs for himself but it is what it is. I could say a lot of things about him but I respect my opponent. It is not for me to talk, it is for you to do all the talking and for me to do my job on Saturday. That is really honestly what I am focused on from round one to round 12. I am prepared for a 12-rounder but I do believe in my ability, my counter-punching and all that type of stuff to definitely put a dent in Jermaine. But I am not here to talk, I am here to do what I have to do because I really want to win.”

Jermaine Franklin: “We had more time to prepare for this fight so I’m more ready and I’m more in shape. I’m just ready to let the fireworks go…I’m going to get the win by any means possible. But if I can put him on his ass then that’s what I’m going to try to do. Anything is possible. I come from a place with not a lot of possibilities, and I made it this far so anything is possible. My passion for the sport, my team and my family; that’s all the motivation I need. I believe my hands get raised at the end of the fight.”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #1 Jason Moloney (25-2, 19 KOs) will challenge WBO #2 Vincent Astrolabio (18-3, 13 KOs) for the vacant WBO bantamweight championship on May 13 at a venue not yet confirmed. The clash will be televised on ESPN. Former world title challenger Moloney is coming off a twelve round decision win over Nanaphon Kaikanha in October 2022. Astrolabia is coming off a six round knockout over Nikolai Potapov in December 2022.

Former WBA 115-pound champion Andrew Moloney (25-2, 16 KOs) will challenge Junto Nakatani (24-0, 18 KOs) for the vacant WBO super flyweight championship on May 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The bout will take place on the Haney-Lomachenko undercard. Moloney coming off a ten round decision over Norbelto Jimenez in October 2022. Nakatani is coming off a ten round decision victory over Francisco Rodriguez Jr in November 2022.

IBF #15 cruiserweight Floyd Masson (12-0, 7 KOs) will challenge IBF #9 Fabio “Stone Crusher” Turchi (21-2, 15 KOs) for the vacant IBO cruiserweight title on Saturday at the Eaton Hills Hotel in Eaton Hills, Queensland, televised nationally on Foxtel cable television network. Australian southpaw Masson is coming off an eight round decision over Vikas Singh, while Italian southpaw Turchi scored a one round stoppage of Stefan Milhailov in his most recent ring outing. Promoter Angelo DiCarlo.

In preparation for his upcoming fight on April 29 in Arlington, Texas, Vergil Ortiz, Jr. has had to pull out of his main event versus Eimantas Stanionis for the WBA regular welterweight world championship due to a flare-up of rhabdomyolysis. Ortiz was originally diagnosed with the condition in March 2022. He is expected to make a full recovery and return to the ring later this year.

“Vergil works tirelessly to prepare for his fights and this is of course a huge disappointment for Golden Boy, him and his family,” said Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Despite this setback, I truly believe Vergil remains focused and will accomplish his goal of becoming a world champion this year and going on to become the top welterweight in the division.”

More information on the April 29 event will be announced shortly.

By Joe Koizumi

Ohashi Promotions has announced the new date of “Monster” Naoya Inoue’s once-postponed crack at the WBC. WBO 122-pound belts against Stephen Fulton to be July 25, Tuesday, at Ariake Arena, Tokyo.

Promoter Hideyuki Ohashi, ex-WBC, WBA 105-pound champ, as well as Naoya expressed their appreciation of his counterpart Fulton party’s acceptance. Inoue said, “I’d like to so completely recover from a hand injury that I will show my best performance.”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Award-winning author and boxing writer Grantlee Kieza talks to Fightnews.com® about books he authored and working as a cornerman with Hall of Famer Johnny Lewis for three-time world champion Jeff Fenech, two-time WBC light heavyweight champion Jeff Harding, world heavyweight contender Joe Bugner and also IBF 140 pound champion Lovemore Ndou against Canelo Alvarez in Mexico. Continue reading “Interview Grantlee Kieza”