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“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

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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”

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”