Fightnews.com

By Miguel Maravilla

Unbeaten lightweight Ryan Garcia (22-0, 18 KOs) of Victorville, California, kicked off fight week hosting a media day workout Wednesday afternoon at the EC Young Champions Gym in Los Angeles. Garcia will take on former two-time world champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (37-3-1, 26 KOs) of the Dominican Republic, this weekend Saturday, July 16 at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A. live on DAZN.

Here is what Garcia had to say…

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Quinton Randall 146.8 vs. Ivan “Cobra” Pandzic 146.6
Andrew “White Lightning” Murphy 168 vs. Isiah Jones 166.8
William Hernandez 141.8 vs. Magarito Hernandez 141.2
Joseph Aguilar 166.2 vs. Alarenz Reynolds 167.2
Chris Johnson 153.4 vs. Devontae McDonald ??
Bryan Sanchez 135 vs. Dyllon Cervantes 133.6

Venue: Yakama Legends Casino, Toppenish, Washington
Promoter: RJJ Boxing
TV: UFC Fightpass

Undefeated junior welterweight contenders Arnold Barboza Jr. (26-0, 10 KOs) and Danielito Zorrilla (16-0, 12 KOs) faced off at the final press conference for their clash for the vacant WBO Intercontinental belt on ESPN Friday evening from Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California.

Arnold Barboza Jr: “I think this fight has all the makings of being another great war between Mexico and Puerto Rico. I’m Mexican American and he is Puerto Rican. This one will be a great battle. Everyone knows my style, and he also likes to come forward. I can’t wait for Friday night.”

Danielito Zorrilla: “I’m well-prepared physically and mentally. Everyone will see on Friday night. I expect a lot from Barboza. He is a great fighter and one of the best in the division. This will be a very competitive fight. This will be a war!”

CES Boxing returns to Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, for the first time in nearly seven years Saturday, August 20 with a heavyweight twinbill. CES’ newest acquisition, 6’6 Cassius Chaney (21-1, 14 KOs), and 6’4 Juiseppe Cusumano (20-4, 18 KOs) will headline in separate bouts against opponents to be named. Tickets are available online at cesfights.com or through the Mohegan Sun box office.

36-year-old former two-time middleweight title challenger Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-4, 10 KOs) showed off his skills at a media workout in Brooklyn Wednesday.

After dropping four of his last five fights, the once highly regarded pressure fighter faces Joshua Conley in a 10-round off-TV undercard bout on July 30 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The bout may be streamed on Showtime’s social media channels, but no official announcement yet.

“I want to fight any of the champions at middleweight,” said Derevyanchenko. Jaime Munguia would be a great fight. There are a lot of strong fighters in the division and I want to face any of them. I still feel strong at middleweight. I’m going to keep working and facing the best challengers I can get so that I’m back in title contention. Continue reading “Derevyanchenko: I still feel strong”

Unbeaten middleweight Austin “Ammo” Williams (11-0, 9 KOs) will face Kieron Conway (17-2-1, 3 KOs) for the vacant WBA International title on the September 17 PPV undercard of the trilogy clash between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas​.

Williams-Conway become the second bout added to the undercard after the announcement that WBC super flyweight champion Jesse Rodriguez will defend his title against Israel Gonzalez in the co-main event.

ESPN+ has picked up Saturday’s SES Boxing card at the Maritim Hotel in Magdeburg, Germany. In the main event, IBF #9 rated light heavyweight Michael Eifert (10-1, 4 KOs) and Adriano Sperandio (14-1, 2 KOs) will face off for the vacant IBF Intercontinental strap. Also on the card is Top Rank-signed junior welterweight prospect Hugo Micallef (2-0, 0 KOs). “The Fresh Prince of Monaco” returns in a six-rounder versus Mauro Loli (7-3, 3 KOs).

All Star Boxing, Inc has announced the signing of undefeated light flyweight contender Gerardo Zapata (14-0, 5 KOs) to a multi-year agreement this morning. Zapata, also nicknamed “El Cascabel de Masaya,” the Nicaraguan fighting town which he represents, is managed by Cesar Garcia of Blackhouse Boxing.

“We are happy to bring undefeated prospect Gerardo Zapata to the All Star Boxing family” stated President & CEO Felix “Tuto” Zabala “The light flyweight division is getting interesting and we feel Zapata has the tools to join the mix and become a future world champion.” Continue reading “All Star Boxing inks WBO #13 Gerardo Zapata”

By Joe Koizumi

WBO 115-pound champion Kazuto Ioka (29-2, 15 KOs), 115, Japan, decisively avenged his previous loss to Filipino veteran WBO #1 Donnie Nietes (43-2-6, 33 KOs), 114.5, by a unanimous decision (118-110, 117-111, 120-108) over twelve speedy rounds on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan.

It was such a tactical fight of the four-division titlists as a couple of Miguel Cantos kept outboxing and countering each other, but it was Ioka, 33, that displayed more aggressiveness in throwing combinations upstairs and downstairs all the way. Nietes, 40, showed only his cleverness in averting Ioka’s versatile combinations, and failed to retaliate with more effective punches in return.

More to come…

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Now that WBO #1 154-pounder Tim Tszyu knows he will be challenging undisputed WBO, WBC,WBA,IBF champion Jermell Charlo in the fall, he has promised he will be in the best shape of his career.

The fight should be held in October or November, “somewhere in America, I’m hoping Vegas,” Tszyu told News.com.au. “I’ll be heading to America for maybe two months, doing my prep there, getting the best sparring and using the best facilities…I want to challenge the very best there is out there. I know I’ve got what it takes to win.”

Tim said he has a plan to beat Charlo. “Maneuver and don’t get hit,” Tszyu said. “Punch him harder. I want to stop him. I want to stop this bloke. I want to cause him pain.”

40-year-old former four-weight world champion Donnie Nietes says he could still be fighting at the age of 45 as he goes in search of his ‘greatest ever victory’ against WBO junior bantamweight champion Kazuto Ioka on Wednesday night in Tokyo, Japan.

“I think I could box for another three to five years,” Nietes told Probellum.com. “I don’t have any vices and I am not that abusive to my body, so I believe I can still be fighting for that long. As a boxer, you need discipline, hard work and consistent training.”

Nietes and Ioka first met in 2018’s clash for the vacant WBO title, with ‘Ahas’ defeating his Japanese rival via a split decision. Nietes later vacated the belt but believes that winning it back on Ioka’s home turf will rank as his finest hour. Continue reading “Nietes aiming for ‘greatest victory’”

Oddsmakers have established Jake Paul as a -225 favorite over Hasim Rahman Jr. (+180) for their August 6 PPV clash at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The funny thing is Paul was an underdog against his original foe Tommy Fury, yet most consider Rahman to be a tougher opponent than Fury. Go figure.

Odds courtesy of BetOnline.ag.

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

We have a new world champion! Rey Vargas, former WBC super bantamweight world champion, managed to conquer the WBC featherweight crown in a great fight, getting up from the canvas to defeat Mark Magsayo of the Philippines by split decision. Congratulations Rey!

Finally, we made the official presentation of the WBC Greatest Fights Opus, in Mexico City.

The launch of the most important book in the history of boxing took place in the beautiful Soumaya Museum, which gave special meaning and significance to this ceremony, attended by legendary Mexican world champions who are part of its history after having been protagonists of some of the very best fights in history. Continue reading “The Most Important Boxing Book in History”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

WBO junior bantamweight champion Kazuto Ioka (28-2, 15 KOs), Japan, 33, has made weight at 115-pound class limit. His challenger WBO #1 ranked Donnie Nietes (43-1-6, 23 KOs), Philippines, 40, tipped the beam at 114.5 pounds, a half-pound under the limit.

The defending champ Ioka is eager to avenge his previous split decision loss to Nietes on New Year’s Eve 2018.

More photos

Middleweight contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-4, 10 KOs) will battle Joshua Conley (17-3-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-round bout, while rising prospect Vito Mielnicki Jr. (11-1, 7 KOs) takes on Jimmy Williams (18-8-2, 6 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight duel, in undercard action on Saturday, July 30 from Barclays Center. The lineup will also feature former unified super welterweight champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams (27-3-1, 16 KOs) returning in a 10-round middleweight attraction.

The event is topped by a Showtime Championship Boxing tripleheader headlined by two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia making his super welterweight debut against Jose Benavidez Jr. in a 12-round showdown, plus heavyweight Adam Kownacki against Ali Eren Demirezen, and unbeaten  super lightweight Gary Antuanne Russell against former two-division champion Rances Barthelemy.

The semifinal bouts for ProBox TV’s “Last Chance” Tournament are set for Friday, August 5 at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City, Florida. In this double main event, Antonio Moran (27-5-1, 19 KOs) will take on Michael Dutchover (16-2, 10 KOs), while Kendo Castañeda (18-5, 9 KOs) will face off against Joseph Fernandez (15-4-3, 5 KOs). Both fights are scheduled for 10 rounds in the 140-pound division.

The event will stream live globally on ProBox TV. Tickets for the event on sale now and start at $50. Additional undercard information will be announced shortly.

Formerly undisputed lightweight champion Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez (16-1, 12 KOs) begins his campaign as a super lightweight against Pedro “Roca” Campa (34-1-1, 23 KOs) in the 10-round main event on August 13 at the Resorts World Event Center at Resorts World Las Vegas. In the eight-round junior middleweight co-feature, 19-yer-old Xander Zayas (13-0, 9 KOs) steps up in class against Elias “Latin Kid” Espadas (22-4, 15 KOs). Lopez-Campa and Zayas-Espadas will be broadcast live on ESPN.

“I’m thankful to be back August 13. I’ve been looking forward to this since my last fight,” Lopez said. “I’ve had a lot of complications, but we’re looking towards the future and are on to bigger and better things. I’m here to take over the 140-pound division just like I did at 135. Like always, I’m going to bring excitement to the sport of boxing. The Takeover is still in full effect. You don’t want to miss it.” Continue reading “Teofimo Lopez poised for 140lb takeover”

Four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner (34-4-1, 24 KOs) says he’s aiming to get his first stoppage win since 2016 against former world champion Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (28-2-1, 19 KOs) when they collide in a 12-round super lightweight showdown on Showtime August 20 from Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

“I’m going in there to try to stop Figueroa,” said Broner. “I’m going to take the fight to him and go ahead and get him out of there. What I expect from him is the same gruesome Figueroa that we always see. He’ll try to make it a rough fight. Every fighter is different, but I don’t think he’ll be hard to hit. So, I’ll see ya’ll on August 20.”

The card will also feature two world title fights.

Top 140-pounders Alberto Puello (20-0, 10 KOs) and Batyr Akhmedov (9-1, 8 KOs) square off for the vacant WBA super lightweight title formerly held by Josh Taylor in the co-main event, plus WBA super featherweight champion Roger Gutierrez (26-3-1, 20 KOs) defends his title against unbeaten Hector Garcia (15-0, 10 KOs) in the telecast opener.

WBC super flyweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (16-0, 11 KOs) will defend his world title against Israel “Jiga” Gonzalez (28-4-1, 11 KOs) as the co-main event on the undercard of the trilogy clash between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas September 17. The event will be broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View in the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world on regular DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan).

Rodriguez is coming off a stoppage win over former champ Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on his San Antonio home turf last month, while Gonzalez is making his fourth world title attempt.

To date, this is the only Canelo-GGG undercard bout to be announced.

Good lineup of boxing matches this week, highlighted by the return of lightweight star “Kingry” Ryan Garcia against Javier Fortuna.

WEDNESDAY
This week’s major action starts in Tokyo where WBO junior bantamweight champion Kazuto Ioka defends against former world champion Donnie Nietes. No U.S. carrier yet, but hopefully some outlet picks it up.

THURSDAY
UFC Fightpass returns with a welterweight clash between Quinton Randall and Ivan Pandzic from Yakima Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington.

FRIDAY
ESPN delivers a Top Rank card featuring the super lightweight clash between Arnold Barboza Jr. and Danielito Zorrilla from the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California.

FITE presents a $14.99 PPV from Wuppertal, Germany, that includes former world champions Austin Trout and First Arslan (51) in separate bouts.

SATURDAY
DAZN will stream the lightweight clash between unbeaten Ryan Garcia takes on former world champion Javier Fortuna from the Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center) in downtown Los Angeles.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former 2007 WBC lightweight champion David Diaz (36-4-1, 17 KOs) spoke to Peter Maniatis of the KO Show about his career in the amateur and professional ranks when he battled the likes of Zab Judah, Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao. Continue reading “Q&A: David Diaz”

During Saturday night’s Showtime telecast, it was announced that former four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner (34-4-1, 24 KOs) will be back in action on August 20 against former WBC lightweight champion Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (28-2-1, 19 KOs). The bout is expected to land at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Broner-Figueroa will headline a Showtime Championship Boxing tripleheader to be officially announced this week.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

As expected, knockout artists JBC#3 welterweight Jin Sasaki (12-1-1, 11 KOs), 142, and unbeaten ex-university amateur hard-puncher JBC#18 Kotaro Sekine (3-1, 3 KOs), 141.75, put on a grueling battle, both hit the deck and had the other on the verge of a knockout, and finally fought to a majority draw (56-56 twice, 57-55 for Sasaki) over a give-and-take six on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Continue reading “KO artists Sasaki, Sekine battle to a grueling draw”

Unbeaten former 122lb champion Rey Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) dethroned WBC featherweight champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) by twelve round split decision on Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. In a slugfest, Vargas stood his ground and gave Magsayo all he could handle. Magsayo dropped Vargas in round nine, but Vargas was far busier throughout the bout. Scores were 115-112, 115-112 Vargas, 114-113 Magsayo.

After the fight, Vargas set his sights on a potential unification fight against four-division world champion and current WBA featherweight world champion Leo Santa Cruz, a potentially huge Mexico vs. Mexico clash.

“Now I want the unification bout,” said Vargas. “I want to fight Leo Santa Cruz. We’ve already talked about it with my team and I’m ready.”

Unbeaten super flyweight Nico Hernandez (8-0, 4 KOs) scored a six round unanimous decision over Delvin McKinley (4-3-1, 4 KOs) on Saturday night at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas. 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Hernandez dropped McKinley in round four en route to a 60-53 3x verdict.