Fightnews.com

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán & WBC President

The Qatar 2022 Soccer World Cup began, with surprises and uncertainty with incredible results for the experts of the world of soccer or football as known in most countries.

Saudi Arabia beat one of the favorites to win the cup, Argentina. In the same way, Japan subdued Germany, and thus it became very clear that the world is smaller than ever; there are no longer giants, or minnows who arrive with the surety of returning home after the third game.

Mexico began with an encouraging draw against Poland. Memo Ochoa thrilled Mexico with that heroic and brilliant and dramatic save on a penalty kick , saving his team from a painful defeat in the opening game. Saturday arrived, the families got together, the atmosphere was like only a National Team game can generate, with patriotic pride waiting for a win or even a draw against the titan Argentina. A wonderful first half, with a Lionel Messi covered, and totally controlled, without having a field of action and minimal interventions. Then, a space and a half chance which electric he pounced upon and exploited. It highlights his greatness with a superb and unstoppable goal. The rest was history, the Argentinians closed down the game, and the second goal came, completely turning off the atmosphere that had been created in the Lusail Stadium, and in homes and restaurants throughout our Mexico. Continue reading “A weekend of contrasts for Mexico”

Former world title challenger, Thomas LaManna will take on former interim world title challenger Salim Larbi in a 10-round middleweight bout that will headline a seven bout card on December 17 at The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City. LaManna, of nearby Millville, New Jersey, is ranked number-eight by the World Boxing Association (WBA), and has a record of 33-5-1 with 13 knockouts. Larbi of Rahway, New Jersey is 22-11-3 with eight knockouts.

In the eight-round co-feature, popular heavyweight Kristian Prenga takes on an opponent to be named. Prenga of Orosh, Albania and now residing in Niagara Falls, Ontario is 12-1 with 12 knockouts. Continue reading “Cornflake-Larbi collide Dec 17”

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who defends his title Saturday in London, explained his short-lived retirement on the MMA Hour podcast. “I need this,” said Fury. “I need this more than I ever thought I’d ever need something and I still have a lot to give.”

The 34-year-old Gypsy King said it took him just four months to realize retirement wasn’t for him.

“I was at home. I did everything I wanted to do. I wanted to spend some time with my family. I wanted to be that father, the kids, the school runs and all that, the dog, I wanted to do all that sort of stuff. Then I realized that’s like for normal people and I’m anything but a normal person. I’m like an abnormal alien. I only thrive when I’m in training camp for a fight. I really don’t know what’s going to happen in the future when that is not an option anymore. I’m pretty f**ked up, I think. Continue reading “Tyson Fury: I still have a lot to give”

BLK Prime has united with Integrated Sports to distribute the December 10 showdown between WBO welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs) and David Avanesyan (29-3-1, 17 KOs), taking place at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska. MMA star Cris Cyborg (1-0, 1 KO) is scheduled to make her U.S. boxing debut in the co-main event.

The $39.99 PPV will stream on BLKPrime.com and PPV.com, plus be will now be distributed across the United States live on cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand (Comcast, Charter and all major cable outlets), DIRECTV and DISH. Continue reading “Crawford-Avanesyan on cable/satellite PPV”

The rivalry between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez spans a decade with the pair first meeting in Los Angeles in November 2012 and then rematching in Dallas in March 2021 – with Chocolatito winning the first and Estrada leveling in Texas. Ahead of their trilogy battle, Matchroom sat down with both fighters in camp, and while they both had plenty to say on the fight and their futures, they took time to reflect on their incredible paths from poverty to greatness.

Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez: “I was born in Managua, in the Esperanza neighborhood. I was born in a poor family and God has blessed me, enabling me to provide a life for my family and my children and I feel immensely proud to have come from a poor family and to now be able to show lots of youngsters that if I can do it, so can they. It makes me proud. Really proud to have been born in the Esperanza neighborhood and to have come from the San Judas Gym where I spent almost all my time training and still do today.

“All of my fans, my people know me there and I feel proud to know that I come from a poor family. So, this makes me immensely proud to know that bit by bit, I’ve made a life for my family and flown the flag for my country.”

Juan Francisco Estrada: “I’m from Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. I started out in boxing at nine years of age. Prior to that, when I was seven, my mother died. When I went into boxing I followed my path, training, having fights locally and then municipal, interstate contests. At 14 my father passed away and I carried on boxing, my aunt and uncle looked after me and my siblings. Continue reading “Estrada, Gonzalez tell their stories”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with WBO #6 welterweight contender David Avanesyan (29-3-1, 17 KOs) as he prepares for the biggest fight of his life against pound-for-pound king Terence “Bud” Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs) on Dec. 10 in Crawford’s hometown of Omaha, NE and shown live on BLK Prime pay-per-view. Avanesyan has shared the ring with “Sugar” Shane Mosley, Lamont Peterson and “Mean Machine” Egidijus Kavaliauskas who also shared the ring with Crawford. Avanesyan believes he is ready to shock the world!

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Unbeaten WBO International junior heavyweight champion David “The Great White” Light (19-0, 12 KOs) has arrived in Tampa, Florida, for Friday’s showdown against WBO #10 Brandon “Bulletproof” Glanton (17-0, 14 KOs) at the nearby White Sands Events Center in Plant City. The card will be streamed live on ProBoxTV.com and the ProBox TV app.

 

“I’m feeling good,” said Light, who hails from Takapuna, New Zealand. “It is good to arrive here in Florida, in Plant City. We are sleeping well. I get to hear all of these accents that I have only heard on TV, like ‘how ya’ll doin, ya’ll? (laughing).’ Seriously, Glanton is the kind of fighter that people avoid, but I am up to the challenge and on Friday I’m going to put him to sleep.”

The 2023 Association of Boxing Commissions’ 35th Annual Conference will be held July 30-August 3 at the Mirage in Las Vegas. The event has been changed to a Sunday through Thursday format, allowing attending boxing commissions can work shows on both the front and back ends of the conference. Officials and Inspectors Training will be held on Sunday and Monday (July 30-31), and the General Session will run Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (August 1-3).

If you take advantage of the early booking discount, the registration rate for the conference remains the same as it has been for the last nine years. The link for booking should be on the ABC website by mid-December.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #1 super welterweight Tim Tszyu (21-0, 15 KOs) departed Sydney Airport for Los Angeles on Monday to prepare for his January 28 challenge of WBC/WBA/WBO/IBF super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs) in Las Vegas.

“I’m going hunting, it’s hunting season,” Tszyu told Fox Sports. “This the biggest challenge there is right now. It’s going to be a big moment in Australian sporting history. I understand everything that’s involved, everything I’m putting on the line, this is why I’m leaving so much earlier. This is why I’ve been busting my arse in the gym the last four months, non-stop. This is all in.” Continue reading “Tim Tszyu moves training camp to the USA”

This coming Saturday (December 3) brings not one, but TWO boxing trilogies.

The first trilogy matches WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs), returning from a brief retirement, against Derek Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The Gypsy King, a 25:1 favorite, is looking to go 3-0 against Chisora, having previously defeated Del Boy in 2011 (W12) and 2014 (TKO10). ESPN+ will stream the fight in the U.S. The fight is PPV in the U.K.

The second trilogy matches Juan Francisco “Gallo” Estrada (43-3, 28 KOs) against Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (51-3, 41 KOs) in a rubber match at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Chocolatito won the first fight by unanimous decision in 2012. Estrada won the second fight by split decision last year. Chocolatito is a 2:1 favorite to win the third fight. The WBC super flyweight title, formerly held by Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, will be on the line. DAZN will stream.

Exciting super lightweight Adam “The Assassin” Azim (7-0, 6 KOs) delivered a barbaric knockout 42 seconds into the second round against Rylan Charlton (9-4-1, 4 KOs) on Sunday at the Alexandra Palace in London, England. Charlton was saved by the bell in the first round, having been knocked down twice and looking seriously hurt. Azim is now on a streak of six consecutive knockouts within the first three rounds.

In other action, unbeaten cruiserweight Mikael Lawal (17-0, 11 KOs) forced David Jamieson (9-2, 6 KOs) to retire on his stool after eight hard rounds to claim the vacant British title.

English super welterweight beltholder Sam Gilley (15-1, 7 KOs) dropped Sean Robinson (11-2-1, 0 KOs) in round six and went on to retain his title by ten round unanimous decision. Scores were 98-91, 98-91, 97-93.

By Miguel Maravilla

Newly crowned WBC super lightweight champion Regis Prograis (28-1, 23 KOs) spoke about his victory over Jose “Chon” Zepeda (35-3, 27 KOs). Prograis had a tough task in Zepeda up until stopping him in the eleventh round Saturday night at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California in winning the vacant WBC super lightweight title. Here is what Prograis had to say at the post fight press conference.

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By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

In a clash for the vacant WBC super lightweight title, Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (28-1, 24 KOs) scored an explosive eleventh round KO over Jose “Chon” Zepeda (35-3, 27 KOs) on Saturday night at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Progress took over in round two and finally blasted Zepeda to the canvas in round eleven to end it. Judges had Prograis ahead 98-92, 98-92 and 97-93 entering the eleventh. Continue reading “Prograis KOs Zepeda, wins WBC 140lb title”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

2021 super heavyweight gold medalist and IBF #1 rated Bakhodir ‘The Big Uzbek’ Jalolov (12-0, 12 KO’s) of Uzbekistan continued to build his record in scoring a fourth round stoppage over Curtis Harper (14-9, 9 KO’s) Saturday night on the Zepeda-Prograis undercard at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Jalolov started slow and pumped the jab as he kept Harper at bay in the opening round. The jab continued to land for Jalolov. Things got rough as Harper was hitting on the break and attempted to hit Jalolov behind the head but referee Thomas Taylor stopped and issued a warning to Harper. In the third round, Jalolov let loose as he unloaded the left and a huge straight left in the closing seconds that sent Harper to the canvas but he managed to finish the round. The straight left continued to find its mark for Jalolov as he tagged Harper early on in the fourth. Jalolov then dropped Harper with a series of punches. He was able to get to his feet, but referee Thomas Taylor waved off the contest. Continue reading “IBF #1 Jalolov remains unbeaten”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Undefeated IBF #4, WBC #5, WBO #8, WBA #12 super welterweight Charles ‘Bad News’ Conwell (18-0, 13 KO’s) of Cleveland won a ten round majority decision over the Dominican Republic’s Juan Carlos Abreu (25-7-1, KOs) in a WBC title eliminator Saturday night on the Zepeda-Prograis undercard at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Judges scored the fight 98-92, 96-94, and 95-95.

Conwell suffered a nasty gash on his left eye that bled profusely. Continue reading “Conwell wins majority nod over Abreu”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Unified IBF/WBO female minimumweight world champion Yokasta ‘Yoka’ Valle (27-2, 9 KO’s) of Costa Rica won a majority decision over IBF/WBO light flyweight champion Evelyn ‘La Princesita’ Bermudez (17-1-1, 6 KO’s) from Argentina in the co-feature bout Saturday night on the Zepeda-Prograis undercard at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Coming out aggressive from the opening bell, Valle didn’t hesitate, taking it to Bermudez. Valle attacked on the inside in the second as Bermudez boxed from a distance outside, Connecting with combinations in round three Valle took it to Bermudez as she kept coming. In the fourth, Valle and Bermudez traded away to close the round as the crowd was on their feet. Continue reading “Zepeda-Prograis Undercard”

Heavyweight Jermaine Franklin (21-1, 14 KOs) went into the lion’s den and almost defeated former world title challenger Dillian Whyte (29-3, 19 KOs), losing by twelve round majority decision on Saturday night at Wembley Arena in London. Neither fighter was really ever in control. Scores were 115-115, 116-112, 116-112 for the local fighter.

After the bout, Whyte stated that he could have been a bit more active and thrown more big shots, but coming off a loss and with a new coach in Buddy McGirt, he said he was just listening to his coach. Franklin stated that he felt he was robbed in the fight.

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Unbeaten heavyweight Fabio Wardley (15-0, 14 KOs) scored a third round TKO over Nathan Gorman (19-2, 13 KOs) in a bout for the vacant British title. Wardley dropped Gorman twice in round two, but Gorman survived the round. Wardley dropped Gorman again in round three and Gorman’s corner threw in the towel moments later. Time was 2:33.

2020 Olympic silver medalist Pat McCormack (3-0, 2 KOs) shut out Christian Nicolas Andino (16-6-2, 2 KOs) over six rounds in a welterweight bout. Score was 60-54. Continue reading “Whyte edges Franklin with majority decision”

In a clash for the WBO interim super middleweight title, John Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs) was victorious when previously unbeaten Zach Parker (22-1, 16 KOs) couldn’t continue after four rounds citing an injured right hand on Saturday night at the 02 Arena in London. Sudden end to a close fight to that point. Ryder is now in line for a shot at undisputed 168lb champion Canelo Alvarez.

John Ryder: “Zach started well, got behind the job well and was peppering me a bit there. I felt like the tide might be starting to turn and I was getting more on top, but these things happen in boxing. It is a bad injury for him and it feels like half a robbery victory for me.”

Zach Parker: “I was warming into the fight and it was becoming a good fight. When the injury happened at the start of that last round I kept having to move because every time I jabbed him it was hurting and clicking.”

WBC #12 middleweight Hamzah Sheeraz (17-0, 13 KOs) won by second round TKO over River Wilson-Bent (13-2-1, 6 KOs) in a bout for the WBC silver title. Sheeraz simply overpowered Wilson-Bent from the get-go and blasted Wilson-Bent to the canvas to end it at 2:55 of round two. Continue reading “Ryder wins WBO interim super middle title”

Unbeaten super lightweight Harlem Eubank (16-0, 6 KOs) scored a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over Tom Farrell (21-6, 5 KOs) on Friday night at the historic York Hall in London. Scores were 99-92, 99-91, and 99-91. Eubank is a cousin of middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr.

In the co-feature, middleweight Liam “The Machine” Williams (25-4-1, 19 KOs) knocked out “The Bomber” Nizar Trimech (9-4-2, 4 KOs) in round two.

Kingdom Boxing presents “Royal Rounds IV” tonight at the Bomb Factor in Dallas, Texas. Seven bouts scheduled to take place in all. Boxing luminaries Roy Jones Jr. and Jeff Mayweather set to be in attendance. The main event will be a women’s bout between Leanne Calderon (1-1-1, 0 KOs) of San Marcos, TX taking on Shuretta “Chiccn” Metcalf (10-4-1, 2 KOs) of Dallas, TX in a six round bout in the super bantamweight division.

Undefeated Roy Jones Jr.-trained fighters Fernando “El Terrible” Bunch (13-0, 6 KOs) and Zacariah “Duke” Lewis (2-0, 2 KOs) are scheduled for separate bouts. Continue reading “Boxing back in Dallas tonight”

Jose Zepeda 139.4 vs. Regis Prograis 139
(WBC super lightweight title)

Yokasta Valle 107.4 vs. Evelin Bermudez 106
(IBF female light flyweight title)

Bakhodir Jalolov 247.6 vs. Curtis Harper 260
Charles Conwell 154 vs. Juan Carlos Abreu 154
Fernando Vargas Jr. 150 vs. Alejandro Martinez 151.25
Amado Vargas 125.8 vs. Osmar Olmos Hernandez ??
Nathan Rodriguez 123.4 vs. Jerson Ortiz 123.8
Ruben Torres 136.2 vs. Eduardo Estela 136
Alejandro Reyes 142.6 vs. Daniel Perales 142.4
Austin Brooks 129 vs. Jesus Roman 129.6
Mario Ramos 151.6 vs. Geronimo Sacco 150
Eric Priest 160 vs. Luis Alberto Vera 159.8
Jacob Macalolooy 146.8 vs. Terrance Jarmon 144

Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California
Promoter: MarvNation
TV: PPV ($59.99)

By Boxing Bob Newman

Sad to report that former IBF jr. middleweight champion Buster Drayton passed earlier this week on November 20th. Born Moses Buster Drayton on March 2, 1952, Drayton became a US Marine in 1972, earning the rank of Sergeant. While enlisted, Drayton became involved in boxing and decided to turn pro after returning to civilian life.

His debut was a foreshadowing of things to come as he was thrown in with hometown fighter Charles Carey in Virginia Beach, earning a four round draw. Drayton would learn his trade in the hardscrabble Philadelphia gyms, becoming a sparring partner for undisputed middleweight champion “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler. Drayton would win more than he lost, but continued to face tough opposition along the way in the likes of James “The Heat” Kinchen, future champs Sumbu Kalambay, Lindell Holmes and Duane Thomas. Continue reading “Buster Drayton remembered”

Zach Parker 167.3 vs. John Ryder 167
(WBO interim super middleweight title)

Hamzah Sheeraz 159.3 vs. River Wilson-Bent 159.7
(WBC silver middleweight title)

Venue: 02 Arena, London
Promoter: Queensberry
TV: ESPN+ (US), BT Sport (UK)

Dillian Whyte 251 vs. Jermaine Franklin 257

Fabio Wardley 240 vs. Nathan Gorman 271

Venue: Wembley Arena, London, England
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Sad to report the passing of former world champion Moises Fuentes at the age of 37. Fuentes never recovered from a brain injury suffered in his KO loss against unbeaten “General” David Cuellar in October 2021. He held the WBO minimumweight world championship and WBO interim light flyweight championship, and compiled a career record of 25-7-1 with 14 KOs. R.I.P.