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ESPN has announced that it will air a clash for the vacant WBO junior lightweight title between current WBO featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete and former champ Oscar Valdez. The bout will take place February 3 in Glendale, Arizona. The co-feature will be a junior welterweight clash between Jose Pedraza and Arnold Barboza Jr.

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with rising super lightweight contender Kenneth Simms Jr. (18-2-1, 6 KOs) as he prepares for his upcoming fight against Nicolas Demario (16-7-3, 10 KOs) on December 17 in Las Vegas on the undercard of Frank Martin vs. Michael Rivera. Simms Jr. talked about his journey in boxing including his loss to Jose Ramirez in 2012 Olympic Trials, plus shared his thoughts on the potential super showdown of Spence-Crawford and who he likes in Tank vs. Kingry and much more in this exclusive interview.

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By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
Photos: Johnny Chaichotchuang

Thai 115-pounder Aran Dipaen (15-3, 12 KOs) retained the IBF Pan Pacific junior bantamweight championship bout with a technical decision over Justine Darap (11-3, 7 KOs) on Wednesday at Stadium Nine, Samutprakarn, Thailand. Dipaen controlled the fight, connecting with accurate combinations on his aggressive opponent. In round four, Dipaen suffered a cut over the left eye as a result of accidental head clash and the referee Sanong Auim stopped the contest in round five after consulting with the ringside doctor. The fight went to the scorecards and Dipaen was crowned the winner by scores 49-46, 49-46, 49-46. Continue reading “Dipaen defeats Darap”

WBO Welterweight Champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs) went face to face with WBO #6 contender David Avanesyan (29-3-1, 17 KOs) at the final press conference on Thursday before they meet on Saturday headlining a $39.99 BLK Prime Pay-Per-View from the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Terence Crawford: “I’m very focused and have been since day one strictly on Avanesyan. We know what he brings to the table, but we’re going to elevate it to a higher level. this Saturday we’ll be victorious, and going to have fun doing it. I really can’t look at too much of who [Avanesyan] fought and how they fought each other. When [Avanesyan] and I match up we’ll be making our adjustments on the fly and we’re going to do what we do best, which is shine.”

David Avanesyan: “This is a big fight, a huge fight. I had a great camp, and I’m going to be giving everything to win this fight. Everyone is talking about Terence, I’m not only here to win this fight decisively but to shock the world. Come Sunday morning, the news will be spreading that I raised the belt, and shocked the world. I’ll be getting to go back and see my family who I haven’t seen for so long, and return home a champion.”

Amateur standout Francis Oran is getting ready to turn professional on January 20th in Bethlehem, PA. Oran, who is the one of the most accomplished amateur fighters coming out of the State of Pennsylvania in recent years, had his dreams set on becoming a 2020 Olympian. Unfortunately, the pandemic happened and with that Francis’ dream became a mirage. The AIBA (Amateur International Boxing Association) canceled a lot of the Olympics qualifiers and Francis Oran was not able to chase his dreams of qualifying for the Olympics. Continue reading “Amateur standout Francis Oran set for pro debut”

Former lightweight king and current junior welterweight contender Teofimo Lopez will (17-1, 13 KOs) and former European junior welterweight king Sandor Martin (40-2, 13 KOs) faced off at the final press conference for their 10-round main event at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night on ESPN.

Teofimo Lopez: “We all have an opportunity here. We all have an objective to do on Saturday night. My whole thing is, ‘How do we continue the Takeover?’ We just got to keep winning. Whoever they put in front of us, we beat them.”

Sandor Martin: This is a special moment for me. But I don’t look beyond this fight. At the end of the day, he and I live in two different worlds. He lives in the world of entertainment and I live in the boxing world. When he was recording interviews, watching the Knicks and shopping, I was training. That’s the difference you will see on Saturday.”

Undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs) will defend his four titles against unbeaten WBO #1 contender Tim Tszyu (21-0, 15 KOs) live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, January 28 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Jermell Charlo: “I’m excited to be back in the ring to defend my undisputed crown. I’m thankful for everything I’ve accomplished, but the battle isn’t over. Tim Tszyu is a young, hungry, aggressive fighter but I’m a pound-for-pound great. I reign as the undisputed champion and if anyone wants a shot at the crown, they gotta see me. I’m not going anywhere. I want all my fans to tune in because once again, it’s Lions Only time and I plan to light up Las Vegas and show the world that I’m the most dangerous fighter in the sport, regardless of division.”

Tim Tszyu: “Jermell is a great, smart fighter and has been for many years – becoming undisputed is an incredible achievement. But his time is over now, because I’m about to shock the world and take over. It’s going to be a great fight as neither of us know how to take a backward step and are going to be swinging from the start with very bad intentions. I’m preparing for a bloody war as I know he is too. I’ve already been grinding for months and I’m in the best shape of my career. The groundwork was laid in Australia and Thailand but I’m here now in the U.S. to take it to the next level, which is exactly what’s needed when you’re fighting for the undisputed championship of the world.”

Pre-sale tickets will be available Monday through AXS.com with the code: BOXING

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

“Monster” Naoya Inoue, the bantamweight kingpin of the WBC, WBA and IBF, showed a public workout on Wednesday before press people and his counterpart’s handlers at Ohashi gym in Yokohama, Japan. Naoya looked more skillful and speedy than powerful, as UK veteran trainer Joe Gallager pointed out.

The unbeaten Japanese said, “I’m in great shape, and am ready to exchange gloves with Butler. I may expect a rather longer fight than previously (against Donaire) since Butler is also a technically excellent boxer.”

His promoter/manager Hideyuki Ohashi, former WBC, WBA 105-pound champ, predicted Naoya’s finest condition on the night of the ultimate unification bout on Tuesday. “His training in Los Angeles does him good in terms of fine combination of speed, power and skills. He is going to be a more flawless boxer, punching without getting hit.”

Time will tell.

Photos

Tuto Zabala Jr., President of All Star Boxing, has announced that his undefeated WBO #9 ranked contender Gerardo “El Cascabel” Zapata (14-0, 5 KOs) will face WBO #15 Rene “El Chulo” Santiago (9-3, 7 KOs) on December 16th for the vacant WBO Latino jr flyweight belt in 10 round bout., The fight is set to take place in Pabellon de Esgrima Centro Olimpico Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and will be in association with Shuan Boxing Promotions. Continue reading “108lb contenders clash on Dec 16”

IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington and mandatory challenger Luis Alberto Lopez faced off Thursday at the final press conference before their world title clash on Saturday `at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England, live worldwide on DAZN. Warrington steps through the ropes for the first time since recapturing his IBF crown in March.

Josh Warrington: “He’s coming into the Lion’s Den. They can’t be in the ring with me, but it’s a f**king hell of an atmosphere! I feed off that energy. Once I walk out into that arena I’m a man possessed and do what I have to do to keep hold of that belt…I’ve just got to concentrate on what I do best and I believe it will be enough to get me a win on Saturday night.”

Luis Alberto Lopez: “I’ll be winning this title. I’m coming for the knockout, that’s what I’ve come for. He shouldn’t believe what he sees on the videos. I’m a completely different proposition when I’m in the ring and that’s what I’m coming to do, I’m coming to win.”

By Ron Jackson

In what is possibly a first in South African boxing, Golden Gloves Promotions present two tournaments in consecutive days at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Saturday and Sunday. Both tournaments will be shown live on Supersport.

SATURDAY

On Saturday night there will be three ten-rounders and light heavyweight Brian Thysse making his pro debut against Michael Head.

Roarke Knapp vs Dante Jardon

Heading the bill will be the exciting junior middleweight 24-year-old Roarke Knapp (14-1-1, 11 KOs) who is never in a dull fight against the more experienced 34-year-old Mexican, Dante Jardon (35-8, 25 KOs), who holds the NABF title. Continue reading “Two boxing cards in two days at Emperors Palace”

By Joe Koizumi

WBO bantamweight champion Paul Butler, from UK, arrived in Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday to participate in an ultimate unification bout with three-belt champ Naoya Inoue next Tuesday (December 13).

Accompanied by his trainer Joe Gallager and ex-titlist Scott Quigg, Butler confidently said, “I’ve done good training and am in great shape. I wish to show a great performance against Naoya.”

We highly expect a good fight.

WBO welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs) and WBO #6 contender David Avanesyan (29-3-1, 17 KOs) held a media workout in Omaha, Nebraska ahead of their BLK Prime Pay-Per-View event taking place at the CHI Health Center on Saturday

Terence Crawford: “My thing is to keep doing what I’ve been doing, which is winning in a tremendous fashion, and everything else will fall into place. I’m getting restless thinking about Saturday, it’s a job that I’ve done for a long time and as used to it as I am, I’m still really excited about this one in my hometown.”

David Avanesyan: “I’m going into this fight with a lot to prove as no one is giving me a chance to win, but he has a lot on his plate. He’s got a lot of distractions, and none of the interviewers ask him about me. It is always about the fight that didn’t happen or other stuff. I am more focused than ever, and coming in as a massive underdog, is just the way I like it. I was in camp already and got to extend my camp for a month or so, which was perfect. I will be the mentally stronger fighter on December 10th.”

IBF female bantamweight world champion Ebanie “The Blonde Bomber” Bridges shows her form during a workout today in Leeds, England. Bridges (8-1, 3 KOs) will defend her title against Shannon O’Connell (23-6-1, 11 KOs) on Saturday at the First Direct Arena, live on DAZN.

The WBO World Championship Committee has ordered a December 14 purse bid for the mandatory clash between WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie and David Light. The situation has extra complications because Okolie and promoter Matchroom are engaged in a legal dispute.

Okolie and Light must inform the WBO in writing within 48 hours of the purse bid to confirm they will participate in the fight. Failure to comply will result in the Committee determining that the participant is uninterested and unavailable to participate in the mandated bout. If Okolie and/or Light suffer an injury, is impaired to fight, prevented to fight, refuses to fight, or is unavailable to fight for whatever reasons, the Committee may 1) vacate the title, 2) order an interim title, 3) determine any other course of action in the best interests of the WBO and the division.

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán & WBC President

It is a great honor for me to be able to share, week after week, the activity of the World Boxing Council, topics of interest in our sport and anecdotes about my dear father, José Sulaimán. 2000 publications have just been completed by this daily newspaper, “El Heraldo de Mexico,” which hosts my weekly column ROUND 12. Thank you very much to those who follow this column and I hope you like it.

So much happened last week. Destiny took me to London to witness a great boxing event where Tyson Fury defended his WBC heavyweight world championship against Dereck Chisora in front of more than 60 thousand fans, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the same great venue that hosted the NFL game a couple of weeks ago. Continue reading “Great Boxing Journey from London”

The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the members of the Class of 2023.

Living inductees include Timothy Bradley Jr. (USA), Carl Froch (UK) and Rafael Marquez (Mexico) in the men’s Modern category; Alicia Ashley (Jamaica) and Laura Serrano (Mexico) in the women’s Modern category; matchmaker Brad Goodman (USA), trainer Joe Goossen (USA) and promotional executive Brad Jacobs (USA) in the Non-Participant category; and television executive Seth Abraham (USA) and broadcaster Tim Ryan (Canada) in the Observer category.

Posthumous inductees are light heavyweight standout Tiger Jack Fox (USA) and flyweight champion Pone Kingpetch (Thailand) in the Old Timer category and JoAnn Hagen (USA) in the women’s Trailblazer category.

The 2023 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend is scheduled for June 8-11 in Canastota, New York.

WBO welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs) is eager to show the world why he’s the best fighter in boxing on Saturday against WBO #6 ranked challenger, David Avanesyan (29-3-1, 17 KOs) on PPV from the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

On his recent training camp:

“It is business as usual. It’s great to have a fight date and a goal to work toward. I have a solid group of guys who are pushing me every single day, and we had a close-knit community during camp. This was one of my best camps, and I am motivated to put on a show for my fans in Omaha, who have had my back from the start of my career.” Continue reading “Crawford not looking past Avanesyan”

Former undisputed lightweight king Teofimo Lopez and current junior welterweight contender Sandor Martin kicked off fight week 100 stories above Manhattan at Edge at Hudson Yards, the highest sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, in advance of Saturday’s clash in the big room at Madison Square Garden.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former IBF middleweight champion Sam “King” Soliman (49-16-1, 19 KOs) returns to action against Joel Camilleri (24-8-1, 12 KOs) on Friday at the Melbourne Pavilion, Flemington, Victoria, Australia, with the vacant Australasian 160-pound title up for grabs.

The 49-year-old Soliman has won his three previous bouts against Troy O’Meley in 2022 and Jesse White in 2022 also 2021. Camilleri has stoppage victories over Sittichai Suksamran and Kittisak Soeksiri in 2022. The promoter and matchmaker Brian Amatruda.

Sad to announce the passing of legendary Hall of Fame referee Mills Lane at the age of 85 in Reno, Nevada. Lane, who coined the catchphrase ‘let’s get it on,’ officiated many major boxing matches, including the famed “Bite Fight” between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson on June 28, 1997. After retiring as a referee, he starred in a reality TV court show for a number of years. Unfortunately, Lane suffered a debilitating stroke in 2002 that left him partially paralyzed and unable to speak. Rest in peace.

Undefeated flyweight Andy Dominguez will be the main event fighter for the first time in his young career, topping a fight card tabbed “Holiday Fight Night” on December 21, just four days before Christmas, at Sony Hall in Times Square, New York City. The 24-year-old Dominguez (8-0, 6 KOs) will fight Gilberto Mendoza (19-13-3, 10 KOs) in a clash scheduled for eight rounds.

In other eight-rounders, super middleweight Anthony “The Magician” Sims Jr. (22-1, 20 KOs) will fight Anthony Todd (14-6, 8 KOs), lightweight Steven “Hit Man” Ortiz (12-0, 3 KOs) will battle Andrew Rogers (7-10, 2 KOs), and female super flyweight Sulem Urbina (13-2-1, 2 KOs) faces Indeya Smith (5-6, 1 KO). Continue reading “Pre-holiday NYC fight card announced”

Super lightweight contender Shinard ‘Showtime’ Bunch (19-1-1, 16 KOs) will look to continue his rise in a ten round test against former world title challenger ‘Hammerin’ Hank Lundy (31-11-1, 14 KOs) on Friday from the Newtown Athletic Club in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Also featured will be popular super lightweight Daiyaan Butt (12-2, 5 KOs) and super bantamweight John Leonardo (8-1-1, 4 KOs) in separate bouts. The card can be seen on subscription streaming platform FloSports.

Unbeaten IBF #8, WBO #10, WBA #11 heavyweight Agit Kabayel (22-0, 14 KOs) will face Agron Smakici (19-1, 17 KOs) when he returns to the ring on January 28 at the RuhrCongress Hall in Bochum, Germany. The EBU has officially sanctioned the bout for the vacant European title. A win would be Kabayel’s second reign as European champion. He previously held the belt from 2017 to 2019 and defended it three times, including a win against recent world title challenger Derek Chisora.

Former unified middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (55-3-2, 30 KOs) is scheduled for an eight round bout against Noah Kidd (6-6-2, 5 KOs) on Sunday night on a special evening of boxing that opens the annual WBA Convention, which takes place December 11-14 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. The 47-year-old Martinez is 4-0 since returning to the ring in 2020 and is currently rated WBA #4. Kidd is moving up from the super welterweight division to face the future Hall of Famer.

Also seeing action is highly ranked bantamweight Melvin “Melo” Lopez (28-1, 19 KOs) against Jobert Alvarez (20-3-2, 7 KOs) in a scheduled ten rounder with the WBA Continental Americas title at stake. Lopez is closing fast on a world title opportunity and is currently ranked in the top 5 by the WBA, WBO, and IBF. Melo’s M&R Boxing Promotions stablemate Idalberto Umara (7-1, 4 KOs) will take on Emiliano Martin Garcia (18-8-1, 13 KOs) in a ten-rounder for the vacant WBA Fedecaribe title.

Other world-rated fighters scheduled include WBC #8 super middleweight champion Yamaguchi “The Problem” Falcao (23-1-1, 9 KOs) defending his NABA belt against heavy-handed Ernest Amuzu (26-7, 22 KOs) and WBA #10 middleweight Connor “The Kid” Coyle (17-0, 7 KOs) defending his NABA belt against Sladan Janjanian (34-13, 24 KOs). Continue reading “Sergio Martinez returns Sunday in Orlando”