Fightnews.com

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”

Welterweights Alexis “Lex” Rocha (21-1, 13 KOs) and George “Red Tiger” Ashie (33-5-1, 25 KOs) faced off at the final press conference for their clash on Saturday night at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California.

Alexis Rocha: “Ghanians are tough but I’m Mexican, I’m just as tough. Everyone is always asking what I want after this fight but I can’t take my eyes off of him. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Those are very dangerous fighters. My mind doesn’t go past the 28th. My mind is focused on him. Whoever they put in front of me I have to put on a spectacular show. Keep knocking on that door and the big names will follow.”

George Ashie: “This is going to be Oscar De La Hoya vs. Ike Quartey II and this time it’s going to Ghana not Mexico. It’s going to be a war. I want to thank all the fans in Ghana. I have this opportunity and I’m not going to let it slide out of my hands. These opportunities are life-changing and I’m here to stay.”

The WBO has sanctioned the April 1 clash between two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy “El Tren” Ramírez (11-1, 7 KOs) and Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe (24-2, 15 KOs) for the WBO interim featherweight world title, The bout will take place on ESPN+ April 1 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

In the eight-round co-feature, super welterweight Xander Zayas (15-0, 10 KOs) looks to extend his unbeaten record against nine-year veteran Ronald “Diablo” Cruz (18-2-1, 12, KOs).

Other bouts, also streaming live on ESPN+, include:

In an eight-round grudge match, Jahi Tucker (9-0, 5 KOs) will make his junior middleweight debut against Nikoloz Sekhniashvili (8-1, 6 KOs). Tucker: “Nikoloz is going to be easy work. After I get finished with him, I want to fight Xander.” Continue reading “Ramirez-Dogboe for WBO interim feather belt”

Otto Wallin 245 vs. Helaman Olguin 276

Shayna Foppiano 138 vs. Sarah Click 139
James Perkins 168 vs. Pablo Ernesto Oliveto 162
Nate Balakin 146 vs. Michael Taylor 144
Jay Gregory 157 vs. Michael Alvarez 155
Alexis Flores 134 vs. Javier Torres 134

Venue: Castleton Banquet & Conference Center in Windham, NH
Promoter: Boston Boxing Promotions
TV: PPV ($19.99 @ www.CombatSportsNow.com)

Serhii Bohachuk 153.2 vs. Nathaniel Gallimore 152.8
(WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Championship)

Omar Cande Trinidad 125.8 vs. Jose Luis Ramirez 126
Umar Dzambekov 174.4 vs. Anthony Fleming 175
Daniel Barrera 114.8 vs. Victor Edward Hernandez Martin 116.2
Stefi Cohen 117.6 vs. Kedra Bradley 114
David Romero 137.8 vs. Michael De La Cruz 137
Gloria Munguilla 114.4 vs. JoAnna Espinoza 113

Venue: Quiet Cannon – Montebello Country Club, Montebello, CA
Promoter: 360 Promotions
TV: UFC Fightpass

Marc Ramsay, trainer of WBC/WBO/IBF unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs), says Beterbiev is prepared to go the distance if need be against Anthony Yarde on Saturday at OVO Arena Wembley in London.

“We’ve known {about} Anthony Yarde for a long time,” said Ramsey. “I look at all the light heavyweights from their beginning until they reach the level of my fighter. I know he’s a good fighter, a complete fighter. He’s fast, he’s powerful, he can box, he can counterpunch. But we get ready for all of those elements in the training camp. We have a very productive training camp. We reached every single objective that we faced before the training camp. No excuse, no injury, no nothing. We’re just ready to perform and give the fans what they want to see. Continue reading “Ramsey: Beterbiev KO record not the focus”

Unified world light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and his challenger Anthony Yarde met the media for the final time Thursday ahead of their highly-anticipated showdown at the OVO Arena, Wembley on Saturday.

Anthony Yarde: “For my first world title fight I was very green, I was 18 fights in and a big novice in the sport. I just had something and it was heart. I went out to Russia, it was a very different experience and a lot of things happened leading up to the fight, but I’ve got the mentality of once you get in the ring, you will see….it doesn’t matter now, my preparation is different now and I have learned since then as well. I am a different type of fighter with different life experiences. I am ready for Saturday.”

Artur Beterbiev: “I feel good. I hope on January 28 I will change a little bit (to turn into a monster). I said he looks like a bodybuilder because of his muscles. I don’t have this muscle and I didn’t say it to mean anything bad. I said it because he looks strong! In our camp we always try to be ready for different scenarios. If it is a tough fight we are going to be ready, we will be ready for whatever. I just try to do my best.”

Also on hand were WBA flyweight champion Artem Dalakian and David Jimenez, who will clash for the title in the co-feature.

By Héctor Villarreal

After having been elected the best promoter of the year 2022, Rousse Laguna de Moreno, wife of former world super champion Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno multiplies her energy and enthusiasm to start her 2023 activities focused on continuing to achieve her goals to increase her contribution to the prestige of Panamanian boxing.

“First of all, I want to thank our sponsors and the fighters because they give us the main support to be successful. My husband “Chemito,” despite being our main attraction on the ring, has given us a perfect additional contribution as matchmaker, which has been a key factor to succeed,” said the first female promoter in 105 years of boxing history in Panama. Continue reading “Laguna Premium elected Best Promoter in Panama”

Matchroom Boxing returns to Mexico for the latest installment of their popular fight night series on Saturday March 4 at the Polideportivo Arena in Culiacan, Mexico exclusively live on DAZN – headlined by WBO #5 rated Angel Fierro facing Eduardo Estela (14-1, 9 KOs). Fierro defends his WBO NABO lightweight title.

“I cannot wait to get back to Mexico for another great night,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “We had a fantastic year south of the border in 2022. All our fight nights were thrilling, and I expect to pick up where we left off in March. Fierro is knocking on the door for world title action at lightweight, and if he can deal with Estela in style, he’ll smash through that door and join the big guns.” Continue reading “Fierro-Estela clash on DAZN March 4”

Underdog super lightweight Jesus Saracho (13-1, 11 KOs) shocked previously unbeaten WBO #8 Cesar “Rainman” Francis (12-1, 7 KOs), taking a ten round unanimous decision on Wednesday night at the White Sands Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Saracho pressed the action and earned a 96-94, 96-94, 98-92 win to claim the WBO Latino title. Francis was an 7:1 favorite.

Saracho post-fight: “It feels really good to get this win. I recently had my first loss as a professional, so it was good to get this win and this title and to get back in the rankings. I knew that this fight would be mine the moment we began training camp. I have to thank my dad and my coach and my corner for all of the support – because of them I am back in the world rankings. We work on strength and conditioning to prepare me for anything that happens in the ring (regarding upper cut end of round 2). We knew coming in that Francis is a dangerous fighter and I knew I’d be able to handle it.”

In the co-feature, undefeated featherweight Oscar Alvarez Jr., owner of a stellar amateur 665-12 record, standing 6’ 3”, won a unaimous decision against former WBA Fedalatin champion Nicolas Polanco when the contest went to the scorecards following an unintentional clash of heads in the 7th round of a scheduled eight. Scores were 68-65, 68-65, 70-63

Other Results:
Jonhatan Cardoso W8 Jose Arellano (lightweight)

By Héctor Villarreal

Rafael “El General” Pedroza’s 10-round home win by unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Hector Sosa, from Argentina, was voted Fight of the Year in Panama. 7 Commissioners plus 7 boxing journalists reunited at Giorgio’s Restaurant in Panama City to select the best of year 2022.

Superfly Ronal Batista was elected Prospect of the Year and his cornerman Rigoberto Garibaldi was elected Trainer of the Year.

Rousse Laguna’s company, Laguna Premium Boxing, was selected Promoter of the Year. Continue reading “Pedroza vs Soto: Fight of the Year in Panama”

Undefeated former two-time WBC super middleweight champion David “El Bandera Roja’’ Benavídez (26-0, 23 KOs) and former IBF super middleweight champion Caleb Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) will meet to settle their long-simmering feud live on Showtime PPV on Saturday, March 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing, go on sale Friday, January 27 at 10 a.m. PT and can be purchased HERE through AXS.com. Pre-sale tickets will be available tomorrow through AXS.com with the code: BOXING.

It’s official. Former two-division world champion Luis “Pantera” Nery (33-1, 25 KOs) will face Azat “Crazy A” Hovhannisyan (21-3, 17 KOs) will face off in a 12-round WBC eliminator on Saturday, February 18, at Fox Theater Pomona in Pomona, California, and broadcast worldwide on DAZN. Tickets for Nery-Hovhannisyan go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. PT.

Luis Nery: “I am ready for the next challenge and prove yet again that I am the best, super bantamweight in the world. Azat Hovhannisyan is an experienced and high-quality opponent, but the reality is that I’m ranked #1 by the WBC and if I win this fight I will be ready to challenge Stephen Fulton or Murodjon Akhmadaliev so they can no longer avoid me. See you on February 18, Luis Nery is here for the long haul.”

Azat Hovhannisyan: “I have a lot of respect for Luis. He’s a former world champion and a very talented fighter. I know I’m going to have to do everything I can to win.”

WBC/IBF/WBO light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs), boxing’s only world champion with a 100% knockout rate, and big-punching Anthony Yarde (23-2, 22 KOs) participated in a media workout today in advance of Saturday’s showdown at London’s OVO Arena exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Artur Beterbiev: “I had a good camp. I had good sparring. I will try to do my best. My team and I always try to be ready for anything, any strategy. I can’t compare {Yarde} to Joe Smith. It’s a different fight. Joe Smith had a belt at that time. It’s not comparable.”

On a potential Dmitry Bivol fight
“Right now, it’s Saturday night. I only think about Saturday night.”

Anthony Yarde: “If you look at what he’s accomplished so far, it’s amazing, and that’s what amps me up. So, again, I beat him, I deserve some respect…he’s never been in a situation where he’s lost. But for me, it’s all about me. That’s the way I am. That’s the way I operate. It’s about me and my legacy. He’s just the person with the belts.”

After nearly five years, Reyna Promotions is finally bringing professional boxing back to the Corpus Christi, Texas, area. “Battle in the City” will take place February 18th in Robstown, Texas Fairgrounds. Nine bouts are scheduled to take place. 48-year-old heavyweight Ron Guerrero (23-22-3, 14 KOs) who has been in the ring with Tony Thompson, Jameel McCline, Frans Botha, Ray Austin, and many more is set to have his farewell fight in front of his hometown fans against Corey Barlow (3-5-2, 2 KOs) of Austin, Texas in a six rounder. Continue reading “Boxing back in Corpus Christi on Feb 18”

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán & WBC President

This past Saturday, I experienced something unexpected that gave me the opportunity to assess how I have seen, experienced and lived boxing, from many different perspectives.

I was born into a home where boxing has been around for as long as I can remember. There were always people at home related to this sport. My first memory was one day when I was on the top floor of our house and heard an extraordinary hullabaloo in the living room. I ran downstairs to see what was happening and found my dad standing there with two gigantic men. None other than Don King and Muhammad Ali; the din was caused by King’s well-known guffaws.

The Sulaimans were always baseball players. The four brothers played in the Lindavista League, and I remember how at the end of each season, at the closing and award ceremony, my father always invited champions to present the trophies: José Mantequilla Nápoles, Rubén Púas Olivares, Raúl Ratón Macías, Miguel Canto, among others. Continue reading “Life seen from different perspectives”

Welterweight contender Alexis “Lex” Rocha (21-1, 13 KOs) will face new opponent George “Red Tiger” Ashie (33-5-1, 25 KOs) of Accra, Ghana, in the main event on Saturday at YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California. Rocha’s originally announced opponent, Anthony Young, suffered a nose injury and can no longer participate in the fight against Rocha.

Alexis Rocha: “I recently learned of the injury that Anthony suffered in sparring. To be honest, it does not matter who is standing across from me in that ring come Saturday night. The goal and the assignment remains the same: break my opponent’s will and win by stoppage. I’m ready for any fighter they put in front of me.”

George Ashie: “I promise the fans will see a great boxing match and that l will knock him out coldly.”

Showtime today officially announced the February 25 clash for the vacant IBF junior welterweight title between popular knockout artist Subriel Matias (18-1, 18 KOs) and undefeated Jeremias Ponce (30-0, 20 KOs) from The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Showtime telecast also includes welterweight Jamal “Shango” James (27-2, 12 KOs) in a ten-rounder against 2016 Argentine Olympian Alberto Palmetta (18-1, 13 KOs). Kicking off the telecast, super lightweight contender Elvis Rodriguez (13-1-1, 12 KOs) faces Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno (17-1-2, 14 KOs) in a ten-rounder.

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.