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WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood training session ahead of his upcoming world title fight against Mauricio Lara in Nottingham on February 18th.

 

Super lightweight Jesus Saracho (13-1, 11 KOs) of Guanajuato, Mexico is fresh off his huge upset of previouly unbeaten Cesar Francis. Some odds had Saracho as much as a 8:1 underdog. The 21-year-old Saracho shocked many with the clear victory over the world-rated Francis but his manager Ray Frye was not surprised. Saracho was a highly decorated amateur amassing nearly 200 fights with success at both the international and national amateur level. He was highly world ranked by the WBA and WBO just a year ago at 135 prior to being upset by unbeaten Deonte Brown.

Saracho has since won three in a row and following his latest victory has an opportunity to return to the world rankings. Fightnews.com® caught up with Saracho and Frye to talk about defeating Francis and the future. Continue reading “Team Saracho targets top 140-pounders”

Three straight nights of boxing this week with the highlight being all-action Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete in the ring on Friday night.

THURSDAY
ESPN+ heads north to the Montreal Casino in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, for a super middleweight clash between unbeaten WBA #2, WBO #3, WBC #4, IBF #10 Erik Bazinyan (28-0, 21 KOs) and Alantez Fox (28-3-1, 13 KOs) for the NABF and NABA belts.

The co-feature is WBC #14 super featherweight Yves Ulysse Jr (22- 2, 12 KOs) faces Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela (25-3-1, 15 KOs)

FRIDAY
ESPN+ presents a clash for the vacant WBO junior lightweight title, as reigning WBO featherweight champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (36-1, 30 KOs) attempts to become a world champion in a third weight division against WBO #3 contender Liam Wilson (11-1, 7 KOs) at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

In other action, unbeaten junior welterweight Arnold Barboza Jr. (27-0, 10 KOs) hopes to earn a career-best victory against Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (29-4-1, 14 KOs), a former two-weight world champion.

SATURDAY
It’s an undisputed women’s world title twinbill on DAZN as Amanda Serrano (43-2-1, 30 KOs) meets Erika Cruz (15-1, 3 KOs)for the undisputed featherweight title and Alycia Baumgardner (13-1, 7 KOs) faces Elhem Mekhaled (15-1, 3 KOs) for the undisputed super featherweight title at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Unbeaten super middleweight prospect Luis Rodriguez (11-0, 11 KOs) continued his KO winning streak as he stopped Encarnacion Diaz (15-3-9 KO’s) of Nicaragua in two rounds to capture the World Boxing Association Continental Americas title on Saturday night at Peskaito By Blas Perez, Los Andes Mall in Panama City, Panama.

After dominating the first round, Rodriguez scored a knockdown in the second round with a devastating left hook. He went on to finish Diaz with a flurry of punches that dropped him again. Referee Guillermo Padilla then counted Diaz out. Rodriguez, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, who is ranked #14 by the WBA, captured his first belt as a professional. He is expected to return to the ring in March in Florida.

By Joe Koizumi

Former WBC light flyweight champ Masamichi Yabuki (15-4, 14 KOs), 108, displayed a fine form, dropped IBF#7 Venezuelan Ronald Chacon (28-2-1, 20 KOs), 108, three times and finally halted him at 2:35 of the eleventh round in a scheduled twelve on Saturday in Nagoya, Japan. Having forfeited his world belt to ex-titlist Kenshiro Teraji via third-round knockout in a rematch in March last year, IBF#8 Yabuki utilized his left hand to keep the distance and control the contest from the outset. Wild willing mixer Chacon attempted to mix it up, but it was Yabuki that moved well and kept outboxing the hard-punching Venezuelan. The ex-champ floored Chacon twice in round seven and once more in the eighth—with a flurry of punches after solid right crosses. His surge in the eleventh had Chacon at bay, when the ref Nakamura waved it off to save the loser from further punishment.

Promoter: Midori Promotions.

It was a battle of unbeatens in the six round welterweight main event Saturday night at The Shed Dockyard in Sandys, Bermuda. The local hometown favorite Andre “Showtime” Lambe (7-0, 5 KOs) kept his 0 intact by unanimously decisioning Crisanto Lucio (5-1, 3 KOs) of Maryland. Lambe outclassed the aggressive Lucio who could not mount any effective offense. The packed crowd on hand roared whenever the southpaw Lambe landed his frequent counter lefts to the head of Lucio. The official scores were 60-54, 60-54 and 59-54

Promoter Oscar de la Hoya announced on Saturday’s DAZN telecast that he and partner Bernard Hopkins had a good lunch meeting with WBO welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford. Oscar stated that Golden Boy can help Crawford get the much anticipated unification clash with WBC/WBA/IBF champion Errol Spence. Oscar also stated that Crawford vs. WBO #3 Alexis Rocha is another possibility.

“Every fight is different. It’s a different preparation. And the fighter is different, too,” said WBC/WBO/IBF unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs) after stopping Anthony Yarde (23-3, 22 KOs) on Saturday night in London. “I can’t say I did a very bad fight. But if I could do it again, I’d do it better. But I feel good. To be honest, I prepared for the all the punches he did. That’s why I could come back. It’s because we expected those punches.

“Everyone can punch hard at this level. And Anthony did, too. But he’s young. I turned into a professional when I was 28. He has time. I hope he does well in the future. I want [Dmitry] Bivol. Right now, it’s everything. In that fight, we’ll have four belts. It’s really good fight, I think.”

WBO #3 welterweight Alexis “Lex” Rocha (22-1, 14 KOs) knocked out late sub George “Red Tiger” Ashie (33-6-1, 25 KOs) in round seven on Saturday night topping the inaugural boxing event at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California. Rocha dropped Ashie hard with a right hook at the end of round three. Rocha was cut over the left eye by a head clash in round six. Rocha laid out Ashie with another right hook in round seven. Time was 2:08. Entertaining fight as Ashie, who normally fights at jr welterweight, was more than willing to trade. Rocha retained the NABO title.

Unbeaten WBA #10 lightweight Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (13-0, 10 KOs) outpointed Alberto Mercado (17-5-1, 4 KOs) over ten rounds to claim the vacant WBA International title. The 20-year-old Schofield dropped Mercado in round two en route to a 100-89 3x unanimous decision. Mercado was in survival mode for much of the fight.

Super middleweight Bektemir “The Bully” Melikuziev (11-1, 9 KOs) overpowered Ulises Sierra (17-3-2, 10 KOs) over three one-sided rounds. Melikuziev dropped Sierra twice with body shots in round three to end it. Time was 2:59.

In a Puerto Rico vs. Mexico WBO minimumweight eliminator, #2 rated Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo (6-0, 4 KOs) brutally knocked out #3 Yudel “El Guerrerito” Reyes (15-2, 5 KOs) to earn a world title shot at WBO champion Melvin Jerusalem. Collazo dropped Reyes twice in round five to end it. Time was 2:59.

The 38-year-old world champion continues reign of terror in 175lb division.

In a war, WBC, WBO and IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs), boxing’s only world champion with a 100% knockout ratio, stopped Anthony “The Beast from the East” Yarde (23-3, 22 KOs) in round eight on Saturday night in London’s OVO Arena. Yarde got off to a good start but also expended a lot of energy. By round three, Beterbiev started landing big shots. Both traded bombs in round four with Beterbiev getting the better of it. More two-way action in round five. Yarde landed a big right hand, then Beterbiev connected with a series of punches at the end of the round.

By round six, both fighters were cut. The blood seemed to inspire Yarde. Fierce action in round seven. The end came in round eight when Beterbiev rocked Yarde with a right hand, then dropped him with the same punch. Yarde was hurt and struggled to his feet. The bout resumed briefly and was then stopped. Time was 2:01.

Yarde was ahead on two cards entering the fateful eighth round. Scores were 68-65, 67-66 Yarde, 67-66 Beterbiev.

Reigning WBA flyweight champion Artem Dalakian (22-0, 15 KOs), making his sixth defense, scored a controversial twelve round unanimous decision over David “Medallita” Jimenez (12-1, 9 KOs) on Saturday night in London’s OVO Arena. Jimenez pressed the action while the 35-year-old Dalakian fought mostly on the backfoot and was troubled by Jimenez’ aggression. Scores were 115-113, 115-113, 116-112 for Dalakian. Jimenez was attempting to become the first male boxing champion ever from the country of Costa Rica.

Light heavyweight Ezequiel Osvaldo “El Olympico” Maderna (29-10, 18 KOs) knocked out previously unbeaten prospect Karol Itauma (9-1, 7 KOs) in a clash for the vacant WBC International belt on Saturday night in London’s OVO Arena. Maderna couldn’t miss with his right hand and laid out Itauma for the count in round five. Time was 1:04.

6’7 cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher (4-0, 3 KOs) was forced to go the six round distance against 5’8 Darryl Sharp (7-97-1, 1 KO). Survival-minded Sharp taunted Fletcher the whole way in a dull fight. Score: 60-64.

Pro debuting heavyweight Moses Itauma, brother of Karol Itauma, needed just 23 seconds to annihilate Marcel Bode (2-2, 1 KO). Bode actually had his guard up and was kayoed through his gloves.

Former unified minimumweight world champion and local favorite Francisco “Chihuas” Rodriguez (37-6-2, 25 KOs) of Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico defeated compatriot Joel “Trino” Cordova (13-7-2, 3 KOs) of Mexico City by hard fought unanimous decision. Rodgriguez fought a good portion of the bout with a cut on his left eyebrow. It was Good two-way action all night with the harder punches landed by Rodriguez. Cordova held his own and closed strong.

Cordova prepared for this fight in the training camp with WBA flyweight champion Artem Dalakian and it showed in his peformance The official scores of the bout were 97-94, 99-91, 97-93. The bout took place at the Showcenter Complex in San Pedro, Nuevo León, Mexico. Rodiguez called out WBC flyweight champion Rey Martinez in the post-fight interview

…

In a war, WBC #6 super welterweight Serhii “El Flaco” Bohachuk (22-1, 22 KOs) scored a hard fought sixth round TKO against game Nathaniel “Nate the Great” Gallimore (22-7-1, 17 KOs) to retain his WBC Continental Americas belt on Friday night at the Quiet Cannon Ballroom inside the Montebello Country Club in Montebello, California. Both fighters went right at it from the opening bell. They punished each other as the fight progressed. Bohochuk finally took over midway and began battering Gallimore prompting a referee’s stoppage with two seconds left in round six.

Unbeaten featherweight Omar Cande Trinidad (11-0-1, 9 KOs) brutally stopped veteran Jose Luis Ramirez (28-9, 16 KOs). Trinidad dropped Ramirez in round one and finished him with another knockdown in round two. Time was :47.

It will be a battle of unbeatens in the main event Saturday night at The Shed Dockyard in Sandys, Bermuda. The local hometown welterweight favorite Andre Lambe (6-0, 5 KOs) weighed in at a fit 147 lbs while his opponent Crisanto Lucio (5-0, 3 KOs) of Maryland weighed in at 146 lbs.

WBO #3, WBC #9, IBF #12 heavyweight Otto Wallin (25-1, 14 KOs) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Helaman Olguin (9-5-1, 4 KOs) on Friday night at the Castleton Banquet & Conference Center in Windham, New Hampshire. The 6’5 southpaw Wallin outboxed the 39-year-old Olguin over the first five rounds. In round six, an Olguin punch caused a small cut over Wallin’s the left eye. Wallin took over again for the last two rounds to win 79-73, 80-72, 80-72.

Happy Birthday to Richard Steele who turns 79 today.

WBA welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr. is reportedly rescheduled for April 29.

Middleweight Chris Eubank Jr. has a rematch clause for an immediate return bout with Liam Smith. Team Eubank still has a few weeks to decide whether they want it or not. Smith says he’ll do the exact same in the rematch.

Alexis Rocha 146.4 vs. George Ashie 146
(NABO welterweight title)

Floyd Schofield 134.8 vs. Alberto Mercado 134.8
Bektemir Melikuziev 167.6 vs. Ulises Sierra 167.4
Oscar Collazo 104.6 vs. Yudel Reyes 104.2
Alejandro Reyes 139.6 vs. Jose Zaragoza 138.8
Adan Palma 123.2 vs. Pedro Salome 125
Danny Garcia 129.6 vs. Jonathan Perez 130.6

Venue: YouTube Theater, Inglewood, California
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN

Heavyweights Brian Howard (15-5, 12 KOs) and former world title challenger Junior Wright (19-4-1, 16 KOs) square off in an eight-round bout on Saturday, March 4th at The Newtown Athletic Club in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Howard-Wright will top what is looking like a massive 16-bout marathon boxing event presented by RDR Promotions. The 42-year-old Howard is coming off a loss to Efe Ajagba in April 2021, while Wright most recently scored a third-round stoppage over Colby Madison last October.

Unbeaten super middleweights Luis Rodriguez (10-0, 10 KOs) will fight for the WBA Continental Americas belt against Encarnacion “Demoledor” Diaz (15-2, 9 KOs) on Saturday night at Los Andes Mall, Panama City, Panama.

Luis Rodriguez: “When, not if, I beat Diaz this weekend, I want to fight the best super middleweights and make my name known as one of the best in the division. It is my time and time for young blood to carry this division and this sport. I fight for my family and to make all of Puerto Rico proud.” Continue reading “Rodriguez-Diaz clash tomorrow in Panama”

As he himself mentioned yesterday on his social networks, Jean Pascal is fully recovered from the COVID-19 virus, which struck him down in early January. He has received the green light from his doctor and will resume intense training starting next Monday. Promoters have officially confirmed the postponed “No Limit” event will now take place on March 16th at Place Bell in Laval, Canada, as two-time world champion Pascal (36-6-1, 20 KOs) faces Germany’s Michael Eifert (11-1, 4 KOs) to determine the mandatory challenger for the IBF light heavyweight championship currently held by Artur Beterbiev.

BLK Prime announced today that former four-division world champion Adrien Broner (34-4-1, 24 KOs) will now battle Michael Williams Jr. (20-1, 13 KOs) in a welterweight ten-rounder due to previous opponent Hank Lundy being suspended by the California Athletic Commission. Lundy had replaced Broner’s original foe Ivan Redkach, who couldn’t fight due to a promotional dispute. Tickets will go on sale today. The $39.99 PPV clash will take place on February 25 at the Gateway Center Arena @ College Park in Atlanta, Georgia. The event is promoted by Christy Martin Promotions.

Adrien Broner: “I’m excited to get back in the ring and show the world that I’m still one of the best fighters in the sport. Williams Jr. is a tough opponent, but I’m ready for the challenge, and I’m going to put on a show for the fans in Atlanta. It’s the AB show on BLK Prime.”

Michael Williams Jr: “I’ve been preparing for a moment like this for a long time, and I’m ready to take on Broner. I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity, and show everyone watching on BLK Prime that they didn’t make mistake by choosing me to challenge Broner. I have nothing to lose and I’m going all out on fight night 150%.”

Fightnews.com® recently announced that the IBF has ordered a flyweight eliminator between former world champions and countrymen Felix Alvarado (38-3, 33 KOs) and Cristofer Rosales (35-6, 21 KOs) of Nicaragua. Alvarado will also now venture into promoting with his first event being February 4th at the Nuevo Gimnasio Nicarao in Managua, Nicaragua under his promotion Gemelo Promotions. The main event will feature super lightweight prospect Bryan Jimenez (9-1, 6 KOs) vs 64-bout veteran Eusebio Osejo.

“I am confident Felix will give the same maximum effort into promoting as he does in preparing for all his fights.” said his manager William Ramirez(WRAM Boxing). Continue reading “Felix Alvardo debuts as promoter Feb 4”

Artur Beterbiev 174.5 vs. Anthony Yarde 174.25
(WBC/IBF/WBO light heavyweight title)

Artem Dalakian 111.6 vs. David Jimenez 111.1
(WBA flyweight title)

Moses Itauma 248 vs. Marcel Bode 220
Tommy Fletcher 199.4 vs. Darryl Sharp 188.5
Karol Itauma 174.1 vs. Ezequiel Maderna 174.7

Venue: OVO Arena, London, England
Promoter: Queensberry Promotions
TV: ESPN+ (US), BT Sport (UK)

Today, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Queensberry Promotions announced that YouTube boxer Jake ‘The Problem Child’ Paul (6-0, 4 KOs) will, at long last, face undefeated pro boxer Tommy ‘TNT’ Fury (8-0, 4 KOs), younger brother of WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, February 26, 2023.

Jake Paul: “The moment of truth has finally arrived. On February 26th, I will get in the ring with a ‘real boxer,’ an 8-0 fighter from a storied fighting family and show the world the truth about who Jake Paul, the boxer, really is. This fight doesn’t happen without the vision and support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its Ministry of Sport and Skill Challenge Entertainment Enterprises. I am excited to come to Riyadh and put on a show for the world to see.”

Tommy Fury: “Jake Paul’s boxing career ends on February 26th and I can finally move on with mine. Every time I go out right now, everybody asks me about the Jake Paul fight. After this fight is done, everybody will be asking me how it felt to knock Jake Paul out. The world is about to see what happens when a proper boxer faces a YouTuber.”

Continue reading “Paul-Fury to fight in Saudi Arabia on Feb 26”