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In an IBF light heavyweight world title eliminator, 7:1 underdog Michael Eifert (12-1, 4 KOs) scored a surprising twelve round unanimous decision over 40-year-old former world champion Jean Pascal (36-7-1, 20 KOs) became mandatory challenger for IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev. The quicker Eifert, 25, outboxed and outworked Pascal, while Pascal mostly missed with wild power punches. Eifert slowed down a bit midway and Pascal began to connect more often. However, Eifert continued to outwork Pascal, who often looked old and sluggish late in the fight. Scores were 118-110, 115-113, 117-111.

Junior welterweight Mathieu Germain (22-2-1, 9 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision against Steven Wilcox (24-4-1, 7 KOs). Scores were 96-94, 97-93, 97-93.

In an upset, unheralded female junior welterweight Karla Ramos Zamora (10-9-1, 2 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO against former world title challenger Jessica Camara (10-4, 2 KOs). A barrage of unanswered punches prompted a referee’s stoppage. Time was 1:46. Zamora claimed the IBF International title.

2016 Olympian light heavyweight “Mighty” Joe Ward (9-1, 5 KOs) needed just 91 seconds to annihilate previously undefeated Mario Andrade Rodriguez (7-1, 4 KOs). Ward dropped Rodriguez with a left hook then quickly finished him.

Unbeaten super welterweight Callum Walsh (6-0, 5 KOs) brutalized Wesley Tucker (15-5, 9 KOs) over two rounds on Thursday night at the Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts. Walsh dropped Tucker three times in round two to end it. Time was 2:59. Tucker has now lost five of his last six.

In his first fight in five years, welterweight Danny O’Connor (31-3, 12 KOs) busted up Luis Garcia (13-2-1, 9 KOs) over five one-sided rounds. The ring doctor finally advised that the fight be stopped due to cuts. Time was 1:55

Unbeaten middleweight Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan (14-0, 13 KOs) was victorious after round five when the corner of Jimmy Williams (18-11-2, 6 KOs) decided he had taken enough punishment.

Unbeaten featherweight Hegly Mosqueda (24-0, 18 KOs) won an eight round split decision over Jose Garcia (13-4-3, 9 KOs). Scores were 77-75, 77-75 for Mosqueda, 77-75 for Garcia.

Light heavyweight Kendrick Ball Jr (21-1-3, 12 KOs) scored a workmanlike six round unanimous decision over Mike Stegall (7-1-3, 3 KOs) by scores of 60-54, 60-54, 59-55.

Former two-time world champion Oscar Valdez will be returning to the ring on May 20th on the undercard of Vassily Lomachenko vs. Devin Haney at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Manager Frank Espinoza confirmed the date for the Nogales, Sonora native. “Once Oscar get past his next opponent in May, he will most likely face world champion Emmanuel Navarrete for the 130 pound title,” Espinoza affirmed. “That fight will take place in August or September.” Continue reading “Oscar Valdez returns May 20”

Former world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez (44-1, 30 KOs) and “King” Gabriel Rosado (26-16-1, 15 KOs) hosted a press conference at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach. Their 12-round light heavyweight fight on Saturday will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

Zurdo Ramirez: “Everything was good in camp. I’m ready. Yeah, I’ve seen the Bivol fight back, and it wasn’t my fight. I take the loss and move on. Gabe’s a tough fighter, he’s always bringing everything to the table. I also want to challenge myself. We’ve sparred before so it’s going to be a great fight. After the last fight, I want to prove myself. I was in a dark place but now it’s a new start and I’m ready. I have Rosado in front of me and after I win hopefully, I can get a world title again.”

Gabe Rosado: “I’m back with Freddie at Wildcard. It’s my character, I want to challenge myself. I know how to bounce back. It’s a fight that will go down in history for a great fight. I know what Zurdo is going to bring, and I am too. Zurdo brings a lot so I’m going to be prepared. I’m ready you shock the boxing world again.”

In the co-feature, former world champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr meets Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta in a lightweight showdown.

JoJo Diaz: “I had to make some changes. The team I have now is amazing. I wanted to spice things up. As a fighter sometimes you go on neutral, so we had to change some things. Mercito is tough and experienced. After I walk him down and win, it’s going to open a lot of doors for me. I’m very confident this fight.”

Mercito Gesta: “As a fighter you don’t want to dodge anyone. Jojo is one of the best and I want that. You should expect a better me.”

Former WBA (regular) heavyweight champion and current WBA #9-rated Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne (31-3, 27 KOs) talks about his clash with WBA #10-rated Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller this Saturday at Agenda arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

On Training Camp for This Fight:
Everything has been going well! I haven’t worried about my weight for this one because Jarrell is a big boy. So as long as I am fit, that was the main concern. I’ve been in Brisbane doing sparring and pads the last couple of weeks and now we are here.

I trained the same for this fight as I did for the Junior Fa fight, with two things in mind: start faster, because I have always started very slow! And focus on my punching. I know I have power in my right hand; I just have to let it go. I’m not going to be trying to impress people with footwork or movement. F*** it, just punch (laughs). Continue reading “Big Daddy: Big Baby is just a bully”

Four-time former world champion Adrien Broner has teamed up with “Hall of Famer” promoter Don King. Currently campaigning at super lightweight/welterweight (140/147 pounds), Broner has been out of the ring since he fought on February 20, 2021, and won a unanimous decision against Jovanie Santiago at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

“Fantastic boxing excitement is already permeating the boxing atmosphere,” said King.“This phenomenal team-up of superstar exciting bad boy of boxing Adrien Broner and the world’s greatest boxing promoter, will give the people what they want–the best of boxing, and the best boxing excitement… capturing the imagination, the heart, and the mind, stimulating the boxing imagination’s begging the all-important question, when is the next event?

“Adrien is ready and excited to show his championship skills once again for the delight of the great boxing fans. As his proud promoter drops the gauntlet to all the other promoters and challenges them to bring forth their best fighters to (meet) fight super star bad boy of boxing Adrien Broner. Bob Arum, Frank Warren, Al Haymon, Eddie Hearn, and any other promoter with a hot commodity champion, we welcome them all.”

“Everything (Browne) does, I do a million times better.”

Outspoken and undefeated WBA #10 Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (25-0-1, 21 KOs) says he’s going to take out former WBA (regular) heavyweight champion and WBA #9 Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne (31-3, 27 KOs) quickly this Saturday on ProBox TV from Agenda Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Miller also discusses heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson using ‘The Real Big Baby’ moniker. Continue reading “Jarrell Miller: There’s only one Big Baby”

By Ron Jackson

Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotions presents the first bill of the year at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Saturday night when the all-action Roarke Knapp meets the experienced Frenchman Ahmed El Mousaoui in a ten round non-title junior middleweight bout.

The tournament will be shown live on Supersport.

Knapp, 24, who has a record of 15-1-1, 11 KOs, made his pro debut on 28 May 2016 and is one of South Africa’s most exciting young fighters who is never in a dull fight, as he likes to rumble. Continue reading “First bill of the year at Emperors Palace”

The last year or so has seen a major resurgence with women in boxing. This has not been limited to just women fighters. Jenny Do (Shadow Entertainment), for example, is quietly but rapidly building something special in Vietnam with her events. Fightnews.com® spoke with Do on the future of boxing in Vietnam.

How did you get involved in professional boxing?

To start with, I have always been a boxing fan and used to watch a great deal of boxing shows. When I started training in boxing, I had the chance to meet quite a few boxers and looked at boxing from their points of view. I realized that boxing is beyond just fighting. I could see the boxers’ passions for the sport and sacrifices to pursue their dreams. However, there was a lack of professional events for them to compete. Hence, I thought I could help them out by promoting events. It still goes on from there and I still see myself with the same goal. I am still trying to help people out. Continue reading “Interview Vietnam promoter Jenny Do”

Jean Pascal 174.8 vs. Michael Eifert 175
(IBF light heavyweight eliminator)

Yoel Angeioni 148 vs. Alexander Calixto 146
Jessica Camara 136.4 vs. Marla Ramos Zamora 136.6
Joseph Ward 174.4 vs. Mario Andrade Rodriguez 173
Amanda Galle 119 vs. Lorena Cruz Aispuro 116.2
Caroline Veyre 124.8 vs. Anaelle Angervilie 125.2

Venue: Place Bell, Laval, Quebec, Canada
Promoter: GYM
TV: ESPN+

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with Jose Benavidez Sr., the dad and trainer to former world champ David Benavidez, who faces his archrival Caleb Plant on Sat, Mar 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and shown live on Showtime PPV in one of boxing’s biggest fights. Jose Sr. talked about the dislike for Plant, the nickname “Mexican Monster” given to David by “Iron Mike” Tyson and the odds of facing Canelo next, plus breaking news in this exclusive interview.

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The World Boxing Council has ordered WBC light heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiev, to make his mandatory defense against Callum Smith. Negotiations should start as soon as possible. The teams of both fighters must reach an agreement before April 11, otherwise a purse bid will be held.

In his most recent bout, Beterbiev knocked out contender Anthony Yarde in eight rounds of an instant Fight of the Year candidate, while Smith comes from knocking out Mathieu Bauderlique in the fourth round of a WBC elimination bout.

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán & WBC President

After a couple of days of great activity in Bahrain and a brief stop in Kuwait, I arrived in Doha, Qatar, a country now known to all after the very successful World Cup held a few months ago. It is surprising from the arrival at the airport how majestic this nation is.

The journey to the hotel, with the lighting on the streets in the form of palm trees in addition to the lighting of the buildings, is an unforgettable illumination. The hospitality and kindness of the people are even more so when they learn you are Mexican. Our country left a memorable vestige in this country, and everyone has anecdotes. Continue reading “Middle East Tour (Final Part)”

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury stated today that his April 29 clash with WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is “definitely a worker” and now he’s headed to training camp.

Callum Walsh 156.2 vs. Wesley Tucker 158
Danny O’Connor 151.8 vs. Luis Garcia 151.8
Francis Hogan 160 vs. Jimmy Williams 158.4
Hegly Mosqueda 126.8 vs. Jose Edgardo Garcia 126
Kendrick Ball Jr 175.2 vs. Mike Stegall 174

Venue: Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts
Promoter: 360 Promotions
TV: UFC Fightpass

After an analysis of the middleweight division, the World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee has ordered a bout between WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara and top challenger Michael Zerafa. The parties have a 30-day negotiation period. In the event they do not reach an agreement in the established time or any of the parties refuses to sign the contract, the WBA may send the bout to purse bid. Lara became the WBA’s only champion at 160lbs when Gennady Golovkin recently gave up the super belt.

* * *

Meanwhile, WBA featherweight champion Mauricio Lara (no relation to Erislandy Lara) has until April 18 to lock in an optional defense, otherwise the WBA Championship Committee will issue a mandatory negotiation notice for Lara to defend against official challenger Otabek Kholmatov.

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WBA female super welterweight champion Terri Harper will make the first defense of her crown against 41-year-old legend Cecilia Braekhus on the May 20 Cameron-Taylor card at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Undefeated IBF #8 super featherweight Charlie Suarez (15-0, 9 KOs) stopped previously unbeaten WBA #11, IBF #13 rated Paul Fleming (28-1-1, 18 KOs) in round twelve of an action-packed bout on Wednesday night at the Kevin Betts Stadium in MtDruitt, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Suarez outworked Fleming in the early rounds but Fleming took control in the middle rounds. In round twelve, Suarez dropped Fleming with a left hook and at 1:58 the referee crowned Suarez, who captured the IBF Intercontinental, WBC Asian and WBA Oceania titles.

The World Boxing Organization has announced that their 36th Annual Convention will take place at the Barceló Bávaro Palace Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic from October 9th through the 13th. The convention will gather executives of the WBO as well as promoters, trainers, boxers, journalists, and other members of the boxing community from all over the world to discuss important topics related to the sport and its growth in the different regions represented. Special guests and attending world champions will be announced in the upcoming months as well as the full agenda of events that will be taking place.

Alen “The Savage” Babic (11-0, 10 KOs) and Lukasz Rozanski (14-0, 13 KOs) meet for vacant WBC bridgerweight title on Saturday, April 22 at the G2A Arena in Rzeszów, Poland. The card also features “The Next King of Scotland” Martin Bakole (18-1-0, 13 KOs) against Ihor Shevadzutskyi (10-0, 8 KOs). The 6’6 Bakole signed a long-term deal with BOXXER back in February. In women’s action, unbeaten Caroline Dubois (6-0, 5 KOs), sister of WBA “regular” heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, meets TBA. The card will air in the UK on SkySports and is promoted by BOXXER in association with Knockout Promotions.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

OPBF flyweight champ WBA#6 Taku Kuwahara (12-1, 7 KOs), 113.5, made very short of Mexican Jose Rivas (18-14-4, 10 KOs), 113, halting him in just 51 seconds of the opening session of a scheduled non-title eight on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. Having come back from a tenth-round annihilation in his crack at Seigo Yuri Akui’s national flyweight belt in 2021 and captured the OPBF title from Filipino Giemel Magramo last October, the speedster Taku stunned the crowd with his quick stoppage of the more experienced Mexican veteran. His opening shot, a vicious left hook, decked Rivas and the same punch again sent him flat with the referee Sugiyama calling a halt without counting because of the impact of the loser’s second visit to the canvas. Continue reading “WBA#6 Kuwahara halts Rivas in 51 seconds”

“I give Tommy Fury his credit.”

Long before Benjamin (BJ) “El Peligroso” Flores begin training social mega star turned bóxer Jake Paul, he had an accomplished boxing career. Flores was a standout amateur bóxer and former two-time world title challenger in the professional ranks. He also has logged in more than a decade in the broadcast booth. Though Flores prefers to stay out of the limelight, he has been in it quite a bit of late while manning the corner of the extremely popular Paul. Fightnews.com® caught up with Flores while he was taking a much deserved break after months in training camp with Paul prior to the Fury fight. Continue reading “Interview Jake Paul trainer BJ Flores”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

You were the third man in the ring for WBO super welterweight title bout featuring Tim Tszyu and Tony Harrison, a globally televised promotion. There was a live gate of over eleven thousand fans to witness this exciting contest. You performed your duties perfectly stopping the contest in round nine. Your thoughts of this fight?

The Tszyu-Harrison fight is on top of the list of fights I have officiated. I have refereed over 500 fights since I started in 2009. It is a 14 year career now and that fight was the biggest one. I am grateful that I have reached this level. As far as the viewership of the fight around the world including around Australia and the United States of course which is the biggest market that was shown on a international level especially on Showtime and over eleven thousand plus live gate. It was an electric environment and the brightest of lights of all the fights I have officiated. After 14 years that was my biggest assignment of my career. Continue reading “Interview Referee Danrex Tapdasan”

Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and challenger John Ryder pose at a press conference held at Estadio Akron in Jalisco, Guadalajara to announce their bout on May 6.

Canelo Alvarez: “I feel very excited after 12 years of not coming home and being able to bring back everything I have achieved during all these years, the truth is that I feel very happy and proud. It is not easy to make an event like this. It is not easy to make a fight of this magnitude. In the end, what I wanted is possible, I wanted to fight here in my land, Jalisco, and am very happy to be here. I had many offers to fight in many places, but I never thought about it. I always wanted to come here, return to my land, return as the best in the world. It is a pride to be here, I do it with my heart, giving people the opportunity to see me fight here motivates me a lot. The first thing I want is for people who can’t buy a ticket or who can’t go to Las Vegas to have the opportunity to see me here in Guadalajara, and to be able to donate a part of the money to a foundation here in Guadalajara. We are going to do this event.”

John Ryder: “This fight comes at just the right time. It is an honor for me to fight in Mexico. I thank everyone for the opportunity they give me. I have come here to win; I have defeated important rivals and I am ready to become the undisputed champion. Thanks to Canelo, we will give them a great fight.”

ProBox TV has secured the American and Australian broadcast rights to Saturday’s heavyweight crossroads battle between undefeated WBA #10 Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (25-0-1, 21 KOs) and former WBA “regular” heavyweight champion and WBA #9 Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne (31-3, 27 KOs). The catch is that current $1.99 monthly ProBox TV subscribers will NOT be able to access the fight. You have to upgrade to the $18 annual subscription (which is cheaper in the long run) to watch Miller-Browne.

Held at the Agenda Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the card also features a 10-round super featherweight co-main event between  WBA #5- and IBF #11-rated former world title challenger Jono “King Kong” Carroll (23-2-1, 7 KOs) and three-time world title challenger Miguel “The Scorpion” Marriaga (30-6, 26 KOs). Also broadcast that night will be a 10-round cruiserweight battle between fast-tracking former amateur star Soslan “Cobra” Asbarov (3-0, 1 KO) and once-beaten American Brandon Glanton (17-1, 14 KOs).

Calling all the action will be commentator/ring announcer Ray Flores, along with former UFC star Tyron Woodley.

The undercard has been finalized for the fight night featuring former world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez (44-1, 30 KOs) of Mazatlan, Mexico against Philadelphia’s Gabriel “King” Rosado (26-16-1, 15 KOs). The 12-round light heavyweight fight will take place at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach on Saturday and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

Returning to the ring for the first time in 2023, former world champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Jr. (32-3-1, 15 KOs) will face former world title challenger Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (33-3-3, 17 KOs) as the co-main event. The two veterans will participate in a 12-round lightweight fight. Continue reading “Zurdo-Rosado undercard set”