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Cornflake is back. After a year layoff, middleweight Thomas LaManna (32-5-1, 13 KOs) returned to the ring scoring an eight round unanimous decision (2x 77-74, 78-73) over Saul Roman (46-15, 38 KOs) in the main event of Rising Star Promotion’s Boardwalk Boxing held on Saturday night at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. Shaking off ring rust after the longest layoff of his career, LaManna delivered a solid overall performance and nearly finished Roman in the fifth with a knockdown after landing a flurry of punches. The former world title challenger will remain busy, looking to fight twice more before year’s end, moving down to 160-pounds in the process.

Bantamweight Emmanuel “Salserito” Rodriguez (12-0, 6KOs) of Newark, N.J. captured the WBO NABO Latino title in impressive fashion by delivering a RD4 TKO (0:27) win over Frank “El Castigador” Gonzalez (9-3, 4KOs) of Miami, Fla. in the evening’s Co-Main Event. The offensive-minded Rodriguez dropped Gonzalez twice in the second before stopping him in the 4th to capture the 118-lb title. Continue reading “LaManna defeats Roman in Atlantic City”

In a clash for the vacant WBA super lightweight title formerly held by Josh Taylor, Alberto Puello (21-0, 10 KOs) scored a twelve round split decision over aggressive Batyr Akhmedov (9-2, 8 KOs) on Saturday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Hard fought bout with Puello prevailing 115-113 Akhmedov, 117-111, 117-111 Puello.

“I mixed it up, sometimes counterpunching and some other times coming forward,” Puello said. “What I studied from the gym and from the videos, I knew he would apply pressure. But I was actually surprised with the amount of pressure he started with and in the end I was able to figure him out. I knew it was a close fight, and I just kept the distance and kept the pressure on the jab tonight and that helped me get the victory.”

Unbeaten super featherweight Hector Garcia (16-0, 10 KOs) dethroned WBA champion Roger Gutierrez (26-4-1, 20 KOs) by twelve round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Garcia built up a lead then faded down the stretch, but he did enough tp prevail by scores of 117-111, 117-111, 118-110.

Two upsets in a row for Garcia, who shocked the world by soundly beating highly-regarded Chris Colbert in a WBA eliminator in February.

“It means a lot to me to win this title,” Garcia said. “I dedicate it to my people, the entire Dominican Republic and my town, San Juan de la Maguana. In the pros, nobody knew me. But in the amateurs, people knew my name. I went to the Olympics – it was my dream. I had a good run. [Gutierrez] was looking for the right punch to take me down, but I was able to dominate, dictate the pace of the fight and get the win.”

In a clash of former world champions, late sub Sergey Lipinets (17-2-1, 13 KOs) stopped Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (28-3-1, 19 KOs) on Saturday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Lipinets, who stepped in on five days’ notice after original Figueroa foe Adrien “The Problem” Broner suddenly pulled out citing mental health issues, dropped Figueroa in round two and punished him until his corner pulled him out of the fight after round eight. The bout was for the WBC silver title. After the fight, Figueroa indicated that this would be his final bout.

Unbeaten super lightweight Brandun Lee (26-0, 22 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Will Madera (17-2-3, 10 KOs). Madera dropped Lee hard in round three with a right hand. Lee recovered took control thereafter. Scores were 98-91 3x. Continue reading “Late sub Lipinets wins, Figueroa retires”

In a clash between unbeaten welterweights, Giovani “Gallo de Oro” Santillan (30-0, 16 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Julio Luna (19-1-2, 10 KOs). Scores were a realistic 96-94, and two judges had a 100-90 shutout for the hometown fighter.

Undefeated middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (6-0, 5 KOs), grandson of Muhammad Ali, knocked out Reyes Sanchez (7-3, 3 KOs) in the second round with a body shot. The fight took in the same venue where Walsh’s grandfather got his jaw broken by Ken Norton in a 1973 split decision loss.

In a clash between unbeaten junior welterweights, Mexican Olympian Lindolfo Delgado (16-0, 13 KOs) defeated Omar “Pollo” Aguilar (24-1, 23 KOs) over eight by scores of 77-75, 79-73, 79-73. Continue reading “Undercard Results from San Diego”

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury still has a few days to decide whether or not he will vacate his WBC title. From the looks of his comments after Saturday’s Usyk-Joshua bout, it sounds like he may un-retire and fight Usyk for the undisputed title.

“To be honest with you guys, after watching that, the both of them were shite,” said Fury. “It was one of the worst heavyweight title fights I have ever seen. It was bullshit. C’MON! I would annihilate both of them on the same night. F**king shite! Get your f**king checkbook out because the Gypsy King is here to stay forever!”

WBA, IBF, WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) retained his titles with a twelve round split decision over Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) on Saturday night at the King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Joshua came out with some new tricks learned from new trainer Robert Garcia. It took Usyk a few rounds to adjust. Joshua’s body attack was much improved from the first fight and Uysk became noticeably slower as the fight progressed. Joshua took over completely in round nine, but Usyk changed his tactics again and unloaded on Joshua in round ten, which kept Joshua from doing more body damage. Usyk took the fight to Joshua in the championship rounds. Scores were 115-113 Joshua, 115-113, 116-112 Usyk.

After the fight, Joshua had a bit of a meltdown, storming out of the ring, returning, dropping two of the belts on the canvas, and grabbing the mic and giving a rather bizarre diatribe. “I’m not a 12 round fighter? Look at me, I’m a new breed of heavyweight,” said Joshua. All them heavyweights, Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston, Jack Dempsey, they say ‘he doesn’t throw combinations like Rocky Marciano,’ because I’m not f**king 14 stone (200 pounds). That’s why. I’m 18 stone (250 pounds). I’m heavy.”

Meanwhile, Usyk called out Tyson Fury, saying “I want to fight him and if I am not fighting Tyson Fury, I am not fighting at all. Only God knows whether I will fight him or not, but all these gentlemen here around me, my team, they are going to help me.”

Unbeaten super welterweight Sebastian “The Towering Inferno’’ Fundora (19-0-1, 13 KOs) will defend his WBC interim super welterweight title against former title challenger Carlos Ocampo (34-1, 22 KOs) live on Showtime on October 8. Ocampo, who is ranked #13 by the WBC, has won 12 straight and recorded a first-round knockout on June 11.

The Showtime Championship Boxing telecast will also feature middleweights Carlos Adames (21-1, 16 KOs) and Juan Macias Montiel (23-5-2, 23 KOs) squaring off for the WBC interim middleweight title in the co-main event, while IBF junior bantamweight world champion Fernando Martinez (14-0, 8 KOs) meets former champion Jerwin Ancajas (32-2-2, 22 KOs) in a highly-anticipated 12-round rematch to open the telecast.

In an IBF heavyweight eliminator, Filip Hrgovic (15-0, 12 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Zhilei Zhang (24-1-1, 19 KOs) in the Usyk-Joshua co-feature on Saturday night at the King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Zhang dropped Hrgovic in round one then it became a war of attrition with both fighters being rocked. In the end, scores were 115-112, 115-112, 114-113. Hrgovic is now in line to face the Usyk-Joshua winner.

In a WBC light heavyweight eliminator, WBC #1 Callum “Mundo” Smith (29-1, 21 KOs) scored a fourth round KO against WBC #2 Mathieu Bauderlique (21-2, 12 KOs). Smith dropped Bauderlique twice in round four to end it. Time was 1:53. Smith is now in line to face WBC champion Artur Beterbiev, who is currently injured.

Former two-division world champion Badou Jack “The Ripper” (27-3-3, 16 KOs), now campaigning at cruiserweight, won a ten round split decision against previously unbeaten Richard “Popeye the Sailor Man” Rivera (21-1, 16 KOs). Rivera was busier while Jack landed the cleaner punches. Round eight ran four minutes. Scores were 96-94, 96-94 Jack, 96-94 Rivera. Continue reading “Hrgovic, Smith earn title shots in eliminators”

Kenneth Sims, Jr. 139.6 vs. Cristian Ruben Mino 139
(WBA Intercontinental super lightweight title)

Orestes Velazquez 139.6 vs. Emiliano Martin Garcia 138.8
Kevin Hayler Brown 143.4 vs. Jose Alfaro 148.8
Jeovanny Estela 149.8 vs. Ramon De La Cruz Sena 149.8
Antonio Vargas 117.8 vs. Samuel Gutierrez Hernandez 120.2
Adrian Pinheiro 198.8 vs. Jose Humberto Corral 217.8
Ramiro De Jesus 152.4 vs. Alberto Delgado 152.4
Dorian Mark Khan Jr. 129.8 vs. David Allen Morgan 129.4 lbs

Venue: Caribe Royal, Orlando, Florida (Sunday)
Promoter: BoxLab Promotions
TV: EntroBox Championship Boxing on Bally’s Sports

IBF #1 super flyweight Jade Bornea (18-0, 12 KOs) kept his immaculate record with a seventh round KO against Ivan Meneses (19-23-2, 11 KOs) in La Paz, BCS, Mexico. A body shot put Meneses down and out. The referee originally ruled it a foul and gave Meneses time to recover, but eventually Bornea was credited with the KO win.

“Meneses was very strong,” stated Bornea afterward. “He was bigger. I was hurting him with my sharp body shots. It eventually paid off and I got the stoppage win. This win gave me enough confidence to be ready for the big names in my division. Martinez, Ioka, Franco, whoever wants to dance with me in the ring, I’m ready to face them! Props to my team for the great support.”

Super middleweight Marcelo “El Terrible” Cóceres (31-4-1, 17 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over faded former world title challenger Javier “La Bestia” Maciel (34-17, 23 KOs) on Friday night at the Union Carmena Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cóceres, best known for being kayoed by Billy Joe Sanders in a WBO title fight in 2019 and for knocking down Edgar Berlanga last year, punished Maciel pretty much at will. During round four, the ring doctor advised the referee to call it off. 11 years ago, Maciel, 37, had a WBO middleweight title shot against Dmitry Pirog but had lost ten of his last eleven entering this fight.

In an upset, super lightweight Nicolás Paz (8-7-2, 3 KOs) beat Federico “El Zurdo” Pedraza (13-2-1, 2 KOs) by ten round unanimous decision. Scores were 96-94, 97-93, 98-92. Pedraza normally competes at featherweight.

Super middleweight Manuel “El Meno” Gallegos (20-1, 17 KOs), Mexico’s second-best super middleweight behind Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, stopped archrival Jesus “Mazo” Moroyoqui (10-2-1, 7 KOs) early in round two on Friday night at the Centennial Sports Center in Los Mochis, Sonora, Mexico.

In the co-featured event, unbeaten welterweight Jorge “Jorgito” Lugo Cota (9-0, 6 KOs) took a unanimous decision victory in his first eight-rounder against former WBA interim title challenger Jesus Antonio “Chino” Rubio (13-6-2, 7 KOs).

WBC #1 rated bridgerweight Evgeny Romanov (17-0, 12 KOs) saw his first ring action in 15 months in a TKO8 win over Vikapita “Beast Master” Meroro (30-13, 15 KOs) on Friday night at the Luzales Arena in Syktyvkar, Russia. Romanov dropped Meroro in round seven and was victorious when Meroro didn’t come out for round eight. Romanov is currently treading water in his career as he waits for the WBC to lift the ban on Russian boxers fighting for world titles.

Also in action, Olympic bronze medalist Vladimir Nikitin (7-1-1, 2 KOs) topped Ally Mwerangi (12-4, 8 KOs) over ten rounds in a featherweight bout. Scores were 100-90, 100-90, 99-91. Nikitin is best known for his rivalry with Mick Conlan.

In a clash for the NABF super flyweight title, Juan Carlos Camacho Jr (14-1, 7 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Fernando Diaz (11-2-1, 3 KOs) on Friday night at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Camacho outboxed Diaz in a bout that never really heated up. Scores were 99-91, 99-91, 97-93.

Six-time world title challenger Carlos Buitrago (36-7-1, 20 KOs) dropped José Martinez (21-2-3, 14 KOs) in the first round and went on to win a razor-thin eight round split decision in a super bantamweight clash. Buitrago was the aggressor and won 76-75, 76-75 on two cards. Martinez was up 77-74 on the third card.

Big-punching featherweight Pedro Marquez (14-1, 10 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over Wilner Soto (22-10, 12 KOs). Time 1:52. Soto down three times.

Featherweight Jan Paul Rivera (4-0, 3 KOs) had to work hard to beat Felix Sosa (1-2, 0 KOs) over four by scores of 40-36. Rivera had three first round KOs in his previous fights.

Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna 169.5 vs. Saul Roman 168.5
Emmanuel Rodriguez 117.5 vs. Frank Gonzalez 117.5
Kurt Scoby 148.5 vs. Raul Chirino 138.5
Paul Bamba 174 vs. Derrick Vann 170
Jose Nieves 122.5 vs. Juan Sequeira 123.5
Avious Griffin 146 vs. Ramon Duarte Marquez 145.5
Anthony Johns 113 vs. Jerrod Minor 118
Justin Figueroa 154 vs. Tavaris Smith 156.5

Venue: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Promoter: Rising Star Promotions

Cassius Chaney 252 vs. Matt McKinney 260
Juiseppe Cusumano 235 vs. Dennis Ventura 215.5
Francis Hogan 159.25 vs. Cleotis Pendarvis 159
Alejandro Paulino 136 vs. Brandon Idrogo 134
Gary Balletto III 178 vs. Jeremiah David Austin 181.5
Jalen Renaud 148.25 vs. Michael Ogundo 144.75
Sean Bey 218.5 vs. John Shipman 206
Jonathan DePina 135 vs. Christian Otero 135.25
Stevie Jane Coleman 146.5 vs. Jesenia Rivas 146.25

Venue: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut
Promoter: CES
TV: BXNG TV

Ruben Torres 136.6 vs Cristian Baez 136.8
Louis Lopez 146.6 vs Elias Diaz 146
Pedro Valencia 134.5 vs Adrian Corona 134.5
Nelson Oliva 162.7 vs Eduardo Reyes 162.4
Ioannis Manouilidis 138.4 vs Edgar Palacios 142.6
Anthony Saldivar 159.9 vs Antonio Duarte 159.6

Venue: Omega Products International Event Center in Corona, CA
Promoter: Thompson Boxing
TV: Thompson Boxing app

Former IBF middleweight champion David Lemieux recently announced his retirement at the age of 33. Always in exciting fights, he leaves with a record of 43-5 with 36 KOs.

Fightnews.com® sends best wishes to famed boxing agent Don Majeski, who is recovering from open heart quadruple by-pass surgery in a Long Island Hospital.

A ceremony to recognize the career of former world champion Juan Diaz took place this week in Houston, Texas. WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza personally presented the WBA Centennial belt to “The Baby Bull” in an emotional event.

Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete 125.8 vs. Eduardo Baez 125.8
(WBO featherweight title)

Giovani Santillan 147.4 vs. Julio Luna 147.4
Nico Ali Walsh 157.8 vs. Reyes Sanchez 157.2
Lindolfo Delgado 142 vs. Omar Aguilar 142
Xavier Martinez 131.6 vs. Alejandro Guerrero 131.8
Miguel Contreras 135.4 vs. Josec Ruiz 135.4
Luis Alberto Lopez 127 vs. Yeison Vargas 125.6
Antonio Mireles 266 vs. Kaleel Carter 237

Venue: Pechanga Arena, San Diego, California
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN, ESPN+

Omar Figueroa Jr 139.75 vs. Sergey Lipinets 139.75
(WBC super lightweight eliminator)

Alberto Puello 139.5 vs. Botirzhon Akhmedov 139.75
(WBA super lightweight title)

Roger Gutierrez 130 vs. Hector Luis Garcia 130
(WBA super featherweight title)

Brandun Lee 142.75 vs. Will Madera 142.5

Venue: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida
Promoter: TGB Promotions
TV: Showtime

By Joe Koizumi

Former world female champions Susie Ramadan (28-3, 12 KOs) of Australia and Japan’s Tomoko Okuda (7-3, 1 KO) will collide tomorrow (Saturday) in Melbourne, Australia. Susie makes a comeback after a two-year hiatus, while Tomoko, a school teacher, participates in her first bout since her forfeiture of the WBO 115-pound belt to Miyo Yoshida in a rematch this June. Both contestants made weight today under the stipulated 53 kilogram contract. The sensational show at the Melbourne Pavilion will be presented by Brian Amatruda of Big Time Boxing with PPV live streaming:

https://www.fite.tv/watch/btb-miller-vs-vandenesse/2pbrx/

The curtain raiser will start at 6 PM and the main event around 10 pm, Australian time.

Oleksandr Usyk 221.6 vs. Anthony Joshua 244.5
(WBA, IBF, WBO heavyweight titles)

Filip Hrgovic 242.9 vs. Zhilei Zhang 277.1
(IBF heavyweight final eliminator)

Callum Smith 174.7 vs. Mathieu Bauderlique 174.5
(WBC light heavyweight final eliminator)

Badou Jack 199.1 vs. Richard Rivera 194.9

Ramla Ali 122.6 vs. Crystal Garcia Nova 122.9
Andrew Tabiti 216.7 vs. James Wilson 238.5

Venue: King Abdullah Sports City Arena, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN, Sky Sports PPV

WBO featherweight champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (35-1, 29 KOs) and challenger Eduardo Baez (21-2-2, 7 KOs) faced off Thursday at the final press conference for their clash Saturday evening at Pechanga Arena San Diego.

Emanuel Navarrete: “I feel really good. We had a great preparation. We’re going to be making a really good return. It is a bit hard to make the weight because of the time that we were away from the ring. But aside from that, there’s nothing that worries me about being able to make this defense of my championship in excellent fashion.”

Eduardo Baez: “It’s an important fight for a world title. We’re coming double prepared. We are so happy to be fighting against a great champion like ‘El Vaquero.’ We thank him for the opportunity. We’ve come very prepared to snatch the title from him. I’ve seen it already. It’s very nice. He better not get careless because I’m going to snatch it away.”

Heavyweight contender Luis “King Kong” Ortiz held a media workout in Las Vegas on Thursday as he nears his WBC heavyweight title eliminator against former unified champion Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz Jr. taking place September 4 in Labor Day Weekend action headlining a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Luis Ortiz: “I feel so good both physically and mentally. I’m eagerly awaiting this fight and you’re not going to want to miss it when we get in that ring.

“After I fought Charles Martin, I was back in the gym a week later. Whether I have a fight or not, I’m always active and staying ready.

“I respect Deontay Wilder a lot and I appreciate him picking me in this fight. My intention is to knock out Andy Ruiz. One of us is getting knocked out and I can guarantee this one doesn’t go to the judges. Continue reading “King Kong: My intention is to knock out Andy Ruiz”