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WBA #15 cruiserweight Aleksei Papin (18-1, 17 KOs) scored an impressive fifth round KO against former world title challenger Felix Valera (23-5, 20 KOs) on Friday night at the Ice Arena in Cherepovets, Russia.

44-year-old former heavyweight title challenger Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (36-22-2, 20 KOs) won a four round majority decision over Sean Turner (12-5, 8 KOs).

Unbeaten heavyweight Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs)  will look to extend his explosive knockout streak when he takes on experienced Andriy Rudenko (36-7, 22 KOs) at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday September 28, live worldwide on DAZN. The hugely popular 25-year-old Fisher aims to build on his sensational one-round destruction of Croatia’s Alen Babic last time out in East London as he locks horns with Rudenko in a scheduled ten-round contest.

There’s also women’s world title action on the card as Rhiannon Dixon makes the first defense of her WBO lightweight world title against domestic rival Terri Harper in what promises to be an electric all-British match-up.

By Miguel Maravilla

WBO #1 super middleweight Diego Pacheco reviews his clash with Maciej Sulecki at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles on Saturday August 31, live worldwide on DAZN.

By Evan Jacobs

Fight Club OC returned on August 29th to melt the dome off the Hangar at the OC Fair & Events Center in auspicious Costa Mesa, CA. It was a night filled with thrills, chills and spills as the fans were treated to a show that was sold out weeks before it happened! With 6 bouts showcasing multiple fighters, disciplines and styles, this hybrid boxing/MMA card did not disappoint. Continue reading “Fight Club Results”

ESPN+ will air a rematch between WBC super featherweight champion Robson Conceicao and former champ O’Shaquie Foster on November 2. According to the network, the event will take place at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, New York.

The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee approved the request made by the teams of Gilberto Ramirez and Yuniel Dorticos to extend the negotiation period for their cruiserweight title bout by 10 days. This Tuesday, August 27, the purse bid for the fight was due to take place, but at the request of the parties, the WBA gave permission for them to continue negotiating and reach an agreement.

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The WBA Championships Committee called off the purse bid scheduled for Tuesday, August 27 to grant the promotional rights for the Muslim Gadzhimagomedov-Leon Harth bout as both teams announced that they have reached an agreement to make the bout. The mandatory WBA bridgerweight title fight had been ordered on August 14 and the purse bid was summoned on August 16 to take place in Houston.

However, a day before the bidding, the teams reported that they had reached an agreement to make the bout for the 224-pound crown. The WBA will give both fighters and their teams time to submit contracts with details of the venue and date for the bout.

Salita Promotions presents the next edition of “Big Time Boxing USA” on Thursday, September 12 featuring undefeated Flint, Mich., native Ardreal “Bossman” Holmes Jr. (15-0, 6 KOs) defending his USBA junior middleweight title against Cuba’s Hugo Noriega (10-2, 5 KOs) in the main event at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan.

The co-main event will feature unbeaten prospect Joseph “Sug” Hicks (10-0, 7 KOs) of Grand Rapids, Mich., taking on Detroit’s Ronnie Austion (10-2, 7 KOs) in an eight-round super welterweight bout, while fellow Detroit native and SugarHill Steward-trained “Hitman 2.0” Da’Velle Smith (8-0, 6 KOs) collides against Esau Herrera de la Cruz (21-17-1, 8 KOs) in a middleweight fight. Continue reading “Boxing back in Flint, Michigan”

Unbeaten prospect Samuel “Squirm” Arnold III (10-0-0, 6KOs) of Dallas, Texas will highlight the October 26th Three Lions card at the RBC Centre in London, Ontario Canada. Arnold, 21, has beaten all of his foes that have been put up against him since turning profesional 3 years ago at the age of 17 years old. He will face off against 23 year old Mohamed Zawadi (9-1-0, 8KOs) of Toronto, Canada for the vacant WBC light heavyweight youth world title. Continue reading “Arnold III-Zawadi Oct 26 Canada”

WBO #1, WBC  #4, WBA #4 super middleweight Diego Pacheco (21-0, 17 KOs) believes he is ready to take on the biggest names in the super middleweight division – but knows he has to see off Maciej Sulecki (32-2, 12 KOs) in style first on Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Los Angeles, live worldwide on DAZN.

“A win gets me that step closer,” said Pacheco. “If I can do that, it hopefully gets me a fight with someone that’s in the top ten with me, and then become mandatory for one of the titles and next year, get that World title shot. I don’t feel like I have to show anything in particular. People have already seen that I can knock people out, that I can hurt people to the body, I can drop guys with uppercuts, hurt them with jabs. It’s more just getting the win and looking good, that’s what I train for, there’s no added pressure. Continue reading “Pacheco: I’d take Mbilli, Berlanga or Bazinyan next”

The WBO has ordered a jr. middleweight mandatory championship contest between current interim champion  Terence Crawford and full champion Sebastian Fundora. The parties have 30 days to negotiate and reach an agreement. If an accord is not reached within the timeframe, a purse bid will be ordered with a minimum acceptable bid of $200,000. Either party may request a purse bid procedure at any time. The split will be no greater than 80/20 with the specific split determined using a ratio based on the average purse of each fighter’s last three (3) fights.

The Crawford-Fundora WBO mandatory is enforced to immediately terminate the WBO interim champion status of Crawford and recognize only one world champion in each weight category.

The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend (ACBHOF) teams up with Hard Hitting Promotions (HHP) for a fight night at Resorts Hotel & Casino Atlantic City in its Superstar Theater on Friday, September 27. The main event is Branden Pizarro (19-1-1, 10 KOs) of Philadelphia, PA vs. Wesley Ferrer (17-2-1, 8 KOs) of Brooklyn, NY in a 10 round junior welterweight clash for the WBA/NABA championship. The co-main pits Julian Rodriguez (21-1, 14 KOs) of Hoboken, NJ vs. Quashawn Toler (17-2, 12 KOs) of Cincinnati, OH in an eight round welterweight clash. Continue reading “Atlantic City card set for Sept 27”

Former WBA junior middleweight world champion Israil ‘The Dream’ Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs), is looking ahead to fighting for a world title following his battle with Terence Crawford on Saturday, August 3 at BMO Stadium in Downtown Los Angeles.

“I said after the fight that I thought I did enough to keep my world championship belt,” said the 29-year-old Uzbek native. “Right now, I’m ready for a rematch with Crawford to regain my title or to challenge any of the other junior middleweight champions.”

Currently the WBC and WBO belts are held by Sebastian Fundora with the IBF title held by Bakhram Murtazaliev. Continue reading “Israil Madrimov Update”

Unbeaten super welterweight Nikita Tszyu (10-0, 8 KOs) stopped Koen Mazoudier (12-4-1, 5 KOs) in round nine on Wednesday night at the ICC Sydney Theatre in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Tszyu broke open a competitive fight to get a referee’s stoppage at 2:05 of round nine after a barrage of punches. With the win, Tszyu claimed the vacant IBF Australasian and WBO Inter-Continental belts.

Tszyu is the son of ring legend Kostya Tzsyu and brother of former WBO 154lb champion Tim Tszyu.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

In the main event of a regional title tripleheader, WBC#15 Kazuki Nakajima (16-2-1, 13 KOs), 122, successfully kept his OPBF (Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation) super bantam belt when he caught up with former world challenger Shingo Wake (31-9-2, 22 KOs), 121.5, and finished him for the count at 2:11 of the second round in a scheduled twelve on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. Nakajima once had the WBO AP belt, but was dethroned by TJ Doheny (who will have an ambitious shot at Naoya Inoue’s unified 122-pound belts a week later) via TKO route in June last year. The hard-punching southpaw Nakajima, 31, then acquired the vacant OPBF belt, and this was his first defense since. Veteran southpaw Wake, 37, also had a bitter experience in his failure to win the IBF belt with his eleventh-round TKO by defending champ Yonatan Guzman in 2016. In this fight Nakajima proved more energetic and powerful for the fading Wake, who badly hit the deck to be counted by the referee Nakamura. Continue reading “WBC#15 Nakajima finishes Wake, keeps OPBF 122lb belt”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Japanese super feather champ Tsubasa Narai (14-2, 10 KOs), 129.75, barely kept his national belt by eking out a close but unanimous nod (96-94 twice, 97-93) over JBC#1 Kanta Fukui (12-6-1, 8 KOs), 129.75, over a hairline ten on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. The taller Fukui, a late bloomer, fought well in the first half, utilizing solid right crosses over the champ Narai’s leading lefts. The hard-punching champ, however, maintained the pressure, if not sufficient punches, in the second half to be given a very close decision. Either should have scored with cleaner and more effective shots to the rival to make it a clear contest. Continue reading “Narai barely keeps Japanese 130lb belt”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Japan-based Ugandan ex-Olympian David Ssemujju (6-1, 4 KOs), 145, acquired the vacant Japanese welterweight belt as he battered and bloodied JBC#1 Aso Ishiwaki (13-8-1, 9 KOs), 147, so lopsidedly that he was declared a TKO winner at 1:55 of the seventh round in a scheduled ten on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. David, 31, was much faster and more skillful than the game but limited Japanese, steadily piling up a point in every round. As the Ugandan accelerated his attack and badly hurt him, the ref Fukuchi didn’t bother to call a well-timed halt. It was the first of a regional title tripleheader.

Promoter: Ohashi Promotions.

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Former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant and unbeaten contender Trevor McCumby were among the fighters who took part in a media workout in Las Vegas on Tuesday to preview their September 14 clash on a PBC Pay-Per-View available on Prime Video and DAZN from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo-Berlanga is the main event.

Caleb Plant: “I’m ready to show the fans what a good old-fashioned ass-whooping looks like. His ‘0’ has got to go. It’s out of here…this is McCumby’s opportunity. Up until now, he’s been a 30-year-old prospect. He’s waited a long time to step up into a big fight and I think it’s because he doesn’t believe in his skills. He can talk all the talk he wants, but actions speak louder than words. For him to choose me as his first step-up fight, I take that personally.”

Trevor McCumby: “I’m not worried about anything Caleb says. I treat every fight the same and train very hard every time. I’m preparing to face the best Caleb Plant…I stay grounded and focused on my goal, that’s the most important thing. I’ve been boxing since I was seven years old and I’ve been on really big stages before. I’m prepared for this moment…I’m coming to show that I have skills as well. This is my coming out fight. The world is going to see who I am. I’m coming into that ring with tenacity.”

By Mauricio Sulaimán
President of the WBC – Son of José Sulaimán

In the many years that I have had the great honor of writing my weekly column, last week was the only time that I couldn’t. Precisely a week ago, the most wonderful woman in the world left us, my Dear and Beloved Mother Martha Saldívar Sulaimán has gone into the path of no return.

There is no age, time or way to die, only those who have already lost their Mother will be able to understand.

A month ago, my Mother played poker with her friends, her greatest pleasure, and everything was normal, after some discomfort that we thought was a matter of changing medications, we took her for tests, and in just 30 minutes our life changed, they told us that the problem was a large and aggressive tumor in the brain.

God is infinite and compassionate. Dona Martha left us in just three weeks. She did not suffer and was surrounded at all times by her six children and 14 grandchildren. Continue reading “Don José, Doña Martha are now together”

Mexican welterweight Julio Luna faces countryman Oliver Quintana in the 10-round main event this Saturday, August 31, at Sala Urbana in Naucalpan, Mexico. Luna-Quintana and additional undercard action will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Luna (22-1-2, 12 KOs) overcame two early-career draws with a 10-fight winning streak, setting the stage for his U.S. debut against eventual interim title challenger Giovani Santillan in August 2022. The 26-year-old lost in a spirited effort but rebounded swiftly with a trio of victories, including a points triumph over Mexican knockout artist Omar Aguilar. Quintana (21-2, 16 KOs) enters this contest following three wins via the fast route.

Wins mandatory right against Angelo Leo

By Joe Koizumi
Photo by Boxing Beat Magazine

Formerly two-division champ IBF #3 feather Tomoki Kameda (42-4, 23 KOs), 125.75, eked out a split decision (114-113, 116-111, 113-114) over #2 Lerato Dlamini (20-3, 11 KOs), 125.25, from South Africa in a twelve round eliminator to win the mandatory right to challenge newly crowned IBF 126-pound ruler Angelo Leo on Saturday in Osaka, Japan.

Having dropped an a split nod to Dlamini in their first encounter here last October, Tomoki, 33, this time changed his style to be much more aggressive all the way, decking his grudge rival with a fusillade of punches midway in round five. Dlamini, 30, kept moving and countering with a fewer but well-timed uppercuts against the onrushing Japanese. This time Tomoki looked like a winner since he kept stalking Dlamini with busier combination from the outset and scored an impressive knockdown.

Ex-WBC minimum champ Yudai Shigeoka, 106.75, won a unanimous decision (97-93 twice, 96-94) over WBO#11 Samuel Salva, 106.5, over ten. Yudai had the upper hand over the less aggressive Filipino, though he couldn’t score a knockdown.

WBO#11 Kenbun Torres (14-5, 10 KOs), 115.75, Mexico, upset WBO#1 junior bantam Filipino KJ Cataraja (17-1, 13 KOs), 115, winning a split decision (96-93 twice, 94-95) over a close ten. Having upset then WBO #1 bantam Reymart Gaballo in the first round in the Philippines this May, the Mexican son of ex-world champ German Torres, 36, seemed to have a big resurgence in his turbulent career of having been in jail twice in eleven years in total.

Promoter: Kameda Promotions.

Unbeaten WBO #1, WBC #4, IBF #4, WBA #13 super middleweight Diego Pacheco (21-0, 17 KOs) is intent on making a statement by becoming the first man to knock out Maciej Sulecki (32-2, 12 KOs) when he takes on the rugged Pole at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Los Angeles on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.

“Maciej is a veteran, he’s been in some tough fights, and he’s fought good champions,” said Pacheco. “I’m just looking forward to adding him to my resume. He’s another guy that’s looking to take this away from me, but I’ve put the work in, I have God on my side, and that’s all that matters. With the work, the talent and support that I have, there’s nothing that can stop me. Continue reading “Pacheco: I can get Sulecki out of there”

47-year-old ring legend Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. made his Mexico City debut in an exhibition on Saturday night at the iconic Arena Ciudad de México. The affair was a rematch of a June 2023 exhibition between Mayweather and MMA fighter John Gotti III. Mayweather schooled Gotti over the eight two-minute rounds. In round two, the referee warned Floyd for hitting behind the head was promptly replaced by another ref.

WBC #1 super bantamweight and silver beltholder Alan David Picasso (29-0-1, 16 KOs) hammered out a twelve round unanimous decision over Azat “Crazy A” Hovhanisyan (21-5, 17 KOs). Good two-way action with local favorite Picasso winning 118-110, 118-110, 120-108.

Former WBC welterweight champion “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (33-7-3, 25 KOs) returned from a two-year layoff to go eight two-minute rounds against Rodrigo Damián Coria (13-6, 2 KOs) in an exhibition match.

18-year-old lightweight prospect Curmel Traymayne Moton (5-0, 4 KOs) needed just 55 seconds to annihilate Victor Vazquez (5-3-1) in the first round.

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

As always, the awards banquet is the highlight of every convention, especially the NABF. This year was no exception as the delicious dinner, several awards, along with raffle prizes and one very special recognition exceeded the expectations of everyone.

The special award came at the outset of the evening surprising almost everyone on hand. Since WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman could not attend due to the passing of his mother last week, he designated Duane Ford and the NABF to bestow an honorary WBC championship belt to a legendary fighter from the ’70s and ’80s who challenged for a world title five times, falling just short each time: Alvaro “Yaqui” Lopez. Challenging for the light heavyweight title four times and the cruiserweight title once, Lopez took on the best in two divisions over a twelve year, 76 fight career. His 1980 WBC light heavyweight title challenge of Matthew Saad Muhammad won both round of the year and fight of the year. Continue reading “NABF 54th Annual Awards Banquet”

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

NABF VP Joanna Aguilar explained the lack of an election this year due to a resolution passed during the COVID pandemic in which two years were essentially lost, save some fights “in the bubble.”

President Duane Ford then took the mic in a move, as he said, “To be totally transparent.” “I’m slowing down. While this has been the greatest experience of my life, it will be my last convention as president. I’ll likely be out by the first of the year.” This announcement was met with a thunderous, respectful standing ovation.

Judge David Sutherland delivered the judges seminar at the outset of the morning session. Continue reading “NABF 54th Convention Final Day”

Kris Lawrence (Heavyweight Factory Promotions) presented pro boxing Friday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, in Hollywood, Florida. The main event saw unbeaten former amateur stand-out and unbeaten super featherweight prospect Yosdiel Napoles (6-0, 5 KOs) of Cuba beat previously unbeaten compatriot Frank Zaldivar (5-1, 3 KOs) by 10 round unanimous decision. Napoles dropped Zaldivar three times in route to retaining his WBC silver international title and won the WBA Continental america gold title. Continue reading “Napoles, Bonilla twins win at Hard Rock”