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Ring legend Roy Jones Jr. will take on Youtuber NDO Champ in what is billed as the first ever live combat sport to be held in the metaverse. The event will take place April 22 in the Galaxy Arena metaverse HUB.

Details of the exhibition will be announced at a press conference on Tuesday hosted by Chicago boxing promoter Bobby Hitz, Celebrity Boxing CEO Damon Feldman, and others.

NDO Champ is a bodybuilder with over 1.5 million subscribers.

Ivory Coast middleweight Etoundi Michel William moved to 12-0 with 9 KOs with a ten round split decision over Jorge “Chino” García (24-4, 20 KOs) on Saturday night at TV Azteca Studios in Mexico City. William, with Hall of Fame trainer Ignacio Beristain in his corner, won his third fight in Mexican territory by scores of 97-93 and 96-95, while García was up 96-95 on the third card.

In other action, 17-year-old middleweight Emiliano “Popeye” Aguillón (5-0, 4 KOs) knocked out José Antonio González (1-2-1) in the second round.

WBA #12 heavyweight Jonathan “The King” Guidry (19-1-2, 10 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision against former WBC heavyweight champion Bermane “B. WARE” Stiverne (25-6-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday night at Casino Miami Jai-Alai in Miami, Florida. Slow-paced fight with little action for the first five rounds. Guidry was aggressive at times, but spent too much time backing up. The 44-year-old Stiverne pressed forward, but didn’t land much. Guidry starting amping up the aggression late in the fight and pulled away on the cards to win 100-91, 97-93, 100-91. Guidry retains his WBA NABA “gold” title.

Guidry said afterward, “I felt him slowing down in the third round, so I picked up the pace while still being cautious. I decided to show him more intensity as the fight went on.”

In the best fight of the night, middleweight Ian Green (17-2, 11 KOs) retained his WBA Continental Americas belt by ten round split decision against previously undefeated Alexander Castro (11-1, 9 KOs) in a featured bout on the Guidry-Stiverne undercard Saturday night at Casino Miami Jai-Alai in Miami, Florida. Castro started fast and battered and bloodied Green in round one. Good exchanges in round two. It became a battle of attrition after that with both fighters hurting each other. In the end, scores were 96-94, 96-94 Green, 96-94 Castro.

“My plan was to box,” said Green. “But after he cut me in the first round he tried to get into my mental, so I had to bring it to him and fight. First round he was fighting hard, so I just kept my guard tight and went forward.” Continue reading “Green, Wiggins retain regional belts”

For the third time, the grudge rematch between WBO junior welterweight champion Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall has been postponed after Taylor suffered a foot injury. The return has previously been slated for dates in December, February, and March, and now will be pushed back again. Taylor won a controversial decision over Catterall last February in a bout for the undisputed 140lb world title. Taylor has since relinquished three of the belts and only holds the WBO version.

By coincidence, both fighters attended Saturday night’s Smith-Eubank Jr clash in Manchester and were seated two seats apart. They started jawing at each other, stood up, and had to be restrained by security. Catterall was then moved to another location.

In a bitter middleweight grudge match, former 154lb world champion Liam “Beefy” Smith (33-3-1, 20 KOs) scored an explosive fourth round knockout over WBC #2, WBO #2, WBA #5 Chris Eubank Jr (32-3, 23 KOs) on Saturday night at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. After three close rounds, Smith dropped Eubank with a barrage of punches in round four. Eubank got up very wobbly. Smith jumped on Eubank and blasted him to the canvas again to end it. Time was 1:09. Eubank was a 3:1 favorite. There is a rematch clause on Eubank’s side, if he wants it.

Unbeaten IBF #2, WBC #5, WBO #11 cruiserweight Richard Riakporhe (16-0, 12 KOs) stopped rugged former WBO champion Krzysztof Głowacki (32-4, 20 KOs) in round four on Saturday night at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. Riakporhe rocked Głowacki in round four and referee Howard Foster waved it off. Time was 2:44. The 36-year-old Głowacki doesn’t take a shot like he used to, but still a great win for the 6’5 Riakporhe who is close to a world title shot.

“We wanted a knockout victory and I predicted round three or four,” stated Riakporhe afterward. “We’re on the train, the next stop…all the champions.

“Jai Opetaia, I know you’re watching this. Trust me, we’re coming for you. Makabu, you lot can’t run no more. Okolie, Goulamirian, I know all of you lot and I think about you every day when I go to sleep.”

It wasn’t the annihilation he promised, but former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (31-3, 21 KOs) scored a workmanlike ten round unanimous decision over Jack “One Smack” Massey (20-2, 11 KOs) on Saturday night at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. Parker was in command all the way en route to a 96-93, 97-92, 97-93 verdict. Massey was deducted a point in round eight for holding. Parker, 31, gets back on the winning track after a KO loss to Joe Joyce.

Unbeaten welterweight Ekow Essuman (19-0, 7 KOs) edged Chris Kongo (14-2, 7 KOs) over twelve close rounds. Majority decision 114-114, 116-113, 115-114. Whole slew of belts on the line in this fight including British, Commonwealth, IBF Euro and WBC International silver.

2020 Olympic super heavyweight bronze medalist Frazer Clarke (5-0, 4 KOs) was victorious when Kevin Espindola (7-7, 2 KOs) couldn’t come out for round five due to a hand injury.

Heavyweight spoiler Terrell Jamal Woods (29-55-10, 21 KOs) very nearly snatched the unbeaten record Moses Johnson (9-0-2, 7 KOs) on Friday night at the Wind Creek Events Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Their six round bout ended in a draw with scores of 58-56 Woods, 58-56 Johnson, 57-57. Johnson was busier, but Woods landed the harder, cleaner shots.

By Damon Gonzalez

Unbeaten female flyweight Jasmine Artiga (10-0-1, 5 KOs) outscored Ashley Sciscente (6-3, 2 KOs) on Friday night at the sold-out Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida. Artiga dropped Sciscente twice en route to an eight round 79-71, 79-71, 78-72 unanimous decision.

Female amateur standout Kira Tapia won her professional debut against Clarice Morales (0-1-1) by four round unanimous decision. Scores were 39-37, 40-36, 40-36.

In a clash of unbeaten lightweights, Corey Marksman (6-0, 5 KOs) got a second round TKO when opponent Adrian Obran (5-1, 3 KOs) started vomiting and couldn’t continue.

Super bantamweight Glenn Dezurn (16-3-1, 11 KOs) pounded on Luis Cambero (14-8-1, 9 KOs) for three rounds and Cambero didn’t come out for round four. Dezurn is the husband of undisputed female super middleweight champion Franchon Crews Dezurn. Continue reading “Boxing Results from Orlando”

The three matchups between undefeated fighters headlined the first ShoBox of 2023 at the Wind Creek Events Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

In the main event, super middleweight David Stevens (12-0, 9 KOs) scored a spectacular eighth round KO over Sean Hemphill (14-1, 8 KOs). Stevens dropped Hemphill twice at the very end of round eight. There were just two seconds left in the bout when the KO came. Entering round eight, Stevens was ahead 68-65 3x.

Light heavyweight Atif Oberlton (8-0, 6 KOs) hammered out a hard fought eight round unanimous decision over Artem Brusov (12-1, 11 KOs). Scores were 79-73, 78-74, 78-74.

Super featherweight Julian Gonzalez (9-0-1, 9 KOs) dropped Rosalindo Morales (9-1, 2 KOs) in round one en route to a referee’s stoppage in round four.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former IBF middleweight champion Sam “King” Soliman talked to Fightnews.com® to advise that his treasured IBF world title belt had been stolen. “My IBF belt was in my car when it was stolen,” said Soliman. “I was devastated when it happened but have been in contact with Australia’s IBF representative Ben Keilty and he has reassured me he has been in contact with the IBF Head Office in New Jersey so I can purchase another IBF world title belt.”

Jonathan Guidry 253.4 vs. Bermane Stiverne 262.2
Tre’Sean Wiggins 146.6 vs. Nigel Fennel 146.2
Ian Green 159.2 vs. Alexander Castro 159.6
Raynel Mederos 142.4 vs. Nelson Morales 141.6
Kenmon Evans 176.6 vs. Cleotis Pendarvis 173
Alex Esponda 157.4 vs. Carlos Cruz 158
Leon Salgado 173.8 vs. Salome Flores Torres 172.2
Darian Favier Castro 141.8 vs. Ryan Schwartzberg 141.2

Venue: Casino Miami Jai-Alai, Miami, Florida
Promoter: Don King
TV: PPV

Fines or suspensions could be in store for Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr. The British Boxing Board of Control announced it will be considering the conduct of both boxers after comments made during yesterday’s press conference.

Liam Smith: “Has anybody in this room ever seen you with a girl? You got something to tell us? Because you’re 33.”

Chris Eubank Jr: “I’ve been told by multiple sources that you cheat on your wife…I’d rather be gay than a cheat. How about that?”

During Friday’s weigh-in, Eubank wore a rainbow armband.

Chris Eubank Jr 159 vs. Liam Smith 159

Richard Riakporhe 199.25 vs. Krzysztof Glowacki 197.25

Joseph Parker 245.25 vs. Jack Massey 213.25

Ekow Essuman 146 vs. Chris Kongo 146.25
Frazer Clarke 272 vs. Kevin Espindola 285

Venue: AO Arena, Manchester, England
Promoter: BOXXER, Wasserman
TV: DAZN

Jasmine Artiga 114.5 vs. Ashley Sciscente 115.5
(Main Event)

Christina Cruz 112 vs. Amy Salinas 112
Kiria Tapia 134 vs. Clarice Morales 132.5
Angraneous Ingram 153 vs. Bryant Costello 154
Robert Burwell 175 vs. Patrick Pierre 172
Alex Chilsolm 148.5 vs. Elliott Hicks 150
Danny Suarez 134.5 vs. Jonathan Lecona 131
Corey Marksman 135 vs. Adrian Orban 136.5
Joshua Lebron 121.5 vs. Jeno Tonte 118
Jocksan Blanco 147.5 vs. Luca Bergers 149.5
Glenn Dezurn 123 vs. Luis Dominguez Hernandez Cambero 119

Event: “WARZONE,” Friday January 20
Venue: Kissimmee Civic Center, Kissimmee, FL
Promoter: Undisputed Promotions
TV: FITE+

Middleweight rivals Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith got into a heated war of words at Thursday’s official pre-fight press conference ahead of their main event showdown on this Saturday’s BOXXER event, which airs live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US. Eubank and Smith have previously expressed their genuine dislike for each other and their tensions came to the surface today as the two traded verbal barbs before facing off for a staredown photo.

Liam Smith: “It’s just the win that matters regardless. I’d love to make a statement and stop him, but a win at any means necessary is the aim. Nobody believes him [about coming in at 50%], maybe a couple of his phone carriers and ball carriers. He doesn’t believe that himself. His coaches, Roy and Ronnie, both have told you different, so we’ll see Saturday what shape he’s in.”

Chris Eubank Jr: “I’ve always wanted to win this fight by knockout. The fact that Liam is being a child up here it gives me a bit of extra incentive to embarrass him. I’m cutting weight right now, so I’m at a good solid 44-45 per cent right now, but I’ll be a strong 50 per cent on the night and that will be more than enough to take the man [out]”

Sean Hemphill 166 vs. David Stevens 165.7
Atif Oberlton 174.2 vs. Artem Brusov 173.7
Julian Gonzalez 129.9 vs. Rosalindo Morales 129.5

Venue: Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Promoter: King’s Promotions
TV: Showtime

Weights for Prelims to be streamed on King’s Boxing Facebook and Flo-Combat:

Jonathan Rodriguez 118.5 vs. Ira Terry 117.5
James Bernadin 136 vs. Clay Burns 133
Thanjhae Teasley 145.3 vs. Joe Sambrano 147,4
Francis Oran 213 vs. Marlon Haywood 247.3
Moses Johnson 255.3 vs. Terrell Jamal Woods 239

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Ring legend Manny Pacquiao has reportedly accepted the challenge to face Australian veteran and former middleweight champion Anthony ‘The Man’ Mundine in an exhibition bout to be hosted at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby in June. According to The National, they are expected to sign a contract for the fight next month in Brisbane.

Hot prospects José ‘Tito’ Sánchez and Leonardo ‘Leo’ Sánchez, trained by Joel Díaz, are ready to make their big debut under Miguel Cotto Promotions and H2 Entertainment on Saturday, January 28 at Los Andes Mall in Panama City, in a co-promotion with promoter Diego Victoria and his series ‘Guantes de Acero’.

Super featherweight ‘Tito’ Sánchez (9-0, 5 KOs) will enter the ring against Jorge Sánchez (16-9, 9 KOs) in an 8-round bout in the super featherweight division. Leonardo ‘Leo’ Sánchez (2-0, 1KO) will enter the ring in his third fight against Gilberto Ramos who is making his pro debut in a 4-round fight at 132 pounds.

“We are very excited to see the Sánchez brothers in the ring on January 28 in Panama, we know the quality they have and we expect a lot from them,” said promoter and vice president Héctor Soto.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Two-time Olympian Justann Crawford from Australia talks to Fightnews.com® about boxing at 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics and his bouts with Chris Byrd, Sven Ottke, Ramon Garbey and Alexander Lebziak in compiling a 126 fight, 98 win, 48 KO record

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Unbeaten light heavyweight Edgar Berlanga (20-0, 16 KOs) is now a free agent. He and Top Rank have mutually decided to terminate their promotional deal. Berlanga opened his career with 16 straight first round knockouts, but has now gone the distance on four straight occasions. He recently served a six month suspension for biting his most recent opponent.

Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker plans to throw his weight around against Jack Massey as he looks to get himself back into title contention in Manchester on Saturday night. “I’m going to smash him,” Parker said of his looming bout with Massey, an elite cruiserweight who will be stepping up to heavyweight for the first time.

“He’s got big balls I’ll give him that,” said Parker. “But there are divisions in boxing for a reason. I’m going to be the bigger man. I’m going to fight like the bigger man, back him up and push him back. I’m going to make him think about if he really wants to be in the heavyweight division.”

Parker had the chance to eyeball local hero Massey at an open workout at Manchester’s Trafford Centre Shopping Complex on Wednesday. Continue reading “Parker: I’m going to smash Massey”

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán & WBC President

Once again, the famous phrase comes to my mind: who forgives… loses.

Never rest on laurels! What happened in NFL football this past weekend, and in various games this season, has been extraordinary.

The Los Angeles Chargers largely dominated the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-0, who turned the game around and won 31-30.

The Buffalo Bills crushed the Miami Dolphins, 17-0, in the first half, only to suddenly see the game tied at 17! And so more cases that occurred such as the spectacular return of the Minnesota Vikings, by winning the game that they were losing 33-0, against the Indianapolis Colts.

This has happened in all sports. How to keep athletes motivated when they are clearly dominating the opponent? How to continue doing what has led them to dominate and win?

This same thing has happened in boxing. Mike Tyson came out so powerful against Evander Holyfield in their first fight; he was a 25-1 favorite, and in the first round, he rocked and hurt him, however, he didn’t follow through and ended up getting knocked out in the 10th round. Continue reading “In sports “who forgives loses””

Undefeated two-division world champion Rey Vargas and top contender O’Shaquie Foster previewed their battle for the vacant WBC super featherweight title during a virtual press conference on Wednesday before they meet on Saturday, February 11 live on Showtime from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Rey Vargas: “My power is definitely going to translate to 130 pounds. I have everything to gain and nothing to lose. The work that I’ve put into my power during training will definitely work in my favor…I have a hunch that Foster is going to come forward and be aggressive. If he fights me tactically, then I’ll be ready for that too.”

O’Shaquie Foster: “I’ve had to take a lot of ‘0’s’ lately and Vargas is going to be another one on the list…I don’t know why he thinks I’m going to come out aggressively at him. I come out with different styles every time I fight. If he tries to box me or walk me down, good luck. He needs to worry about what he’s going to do.”