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On July 29, WBC #13-ranked middleweight Amilcar “El Pety” Vidal (15-0. 12 KOs) will return to his hometown of Montevideo, Uruguay, to defend his WBC Latin title for the second time against Gabriel Omar “El Loco” Díaz (12-3-0, 4 KOs). The ten-rounder will headline card without fans in attendance at Alberto Isabella’s American Box Gym in Montevideo and televised live by TyC Sports (Latin America), TV Ciudad (Uruguay) and Estrella TV (United States).

In the night’s ten-round co-main event, three-time world title challenger David “El Severo” Carmona (22-9-5, 9 KOs) and Alex “El Peque” Santiago (25-3-5, 13 KOs) will meet for the Mexican bantamweight championship. This bout marks the first time a Mexican national title has been disputed outside Mexico.

WBC featherweight champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo and former world champion Rey Vargas exchanged barbs at Thursday’s final press conference two days before they exchange punches in the main event of action live on Showtime this Saturday, July 9 from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Magsayo suggested that Vargas will be in full retreat mode on Saturday, wary of his power, while Vargas evened the score by saying that Magsayo’s growing entourage is proof the champion is more concerned with Vargas than he’s letting on.

The press conference also featured former world champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa and Carlos Castro, who meet in a WBC featherweight title eliminator in the co-main event, plus unbeaten lightweight contender Frank Martin and Jackson Mariñez, who battle in the 10-round telecast opener. Continue reading “Magsayo-Vargas Final Press Conference Quotes”

Heavyweights Derek Chisora and Kubrat Pulev faced off at the final press conference ahead of their WBA international title fight on DAZN Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London.

In the co-feature, super welterweights Israil Madrimov and Michel Soro collide in a rematch and WBA super welterweight title eliminator.

Super featherweight George “El YuYu” Acosta (12-1, 1 KO), of Whittier, California, will face Isaac “Canelito” Avelar (16-4, 10 KOs) of Aguascalientes, Mexico, on July 22 in an 8-round main event at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA. Acosta, who was set to fight on the past Thompson Boxing card last June, saw unforeseen circumstances have his fight canceled at the last minute. That turned into a blessing in disguise as Acosta will now headline this event and doing so at a new 130 lbs. weight class, where he feels more comfortable at.

In the 8-round middleweight co-feature, Richard “Cool Breeze” Brewart Jr. (12-0, 4 KO), of Rancho Cucamonga, California, will face Ramon “Niño de Oro” Ayala (25-6, 13 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico.

This event will stream live for free on the Thompson Boxing Promotions Facebook and YouTube pages.

Jake Paul has officially announced Hasim Rahman Jr. as his next opponent on PPV August 6 from Madison Square Garden. Rahman steps in for Tommy Fury, who was denied entry into the U.S. due to family ties with mob boss Daniel Kinahan.

Ring legend Manny Pacquiao is joining the exhibition circuit. Pacman is planning to face YouTuber DK Yoo in December.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Boxing Beat

It’s a homecoming show of Shigeoka brothers. The prodigies out of Kumamoto displayed fine stoppages before the hometown crowd. Unbeaten elder brother Yudai Shigeoka (5-0, 3 KOs), 105, successfully retained his WBO Asia Pacific 105-pound belt when he swarmed over Filipino Cris Ganoza (19-4, 9 KOs), 103.75, from the outset and sunk him with a vicious body shot at 0:59 of the third session in a scheduled twelve in the main event on Wednesday in Kumamoto, Japan. This result was registered as TKO by the JBC as the ref didn’t complete the count at the loser’s bad visit to the deck. Yudai, 25, is already WBC#6 and WBO#9 despite his short pro career (amateur mark 81-10). Continue reading “Shigeoka Brothers victorious, defend regional belts”

By Ron Jackson

Ronald Malindi makes the fourth defense of his South African bantamweight title when he meets the number one challenger Rofhiwa “Tsetse Fly” Nemushungwa at the Steve Tshwete Memorial Banquet Hall in Middleburg, Mpumalanga on Friday night.

Malindi (18-0, 9 KOs), who made his pro debut on 26 November 2013, won the vacant South African bantamweight title in September 2018 with a 12-round points victory over Mbulelo Dyanti and then won the vacant African Boxing Union bantamweight title three months later in a clash against Makazole Tete. Continue reading “Malindi to make fourth defense of SA bantam title”

Rivalta Boxing (Henry Rivalta) has signed Cuban amateur standouts Nestor Santana, Fernando Cuza, and Yordan Barrera. Santana is 23 and a massive heavyweight at 6’5 and 270 lbs. He is just 22 years old and had a stellar amateur career with 170 fights. Cuza is a 22 years old heavyweight, 6’5, and 225 lbs. He had 147 amateur fights and was recently called up to the Olympic team as a top heavyweight for Cuba. Barrera is the most experienced of the group. He is 25 years old and had 250 amateur fights. He was ranked #2 in Cuba behind 2-time Olympic gold medalists Roniel Iglesias. He will fight between 147-154 in the professional ranks. Continue reading “Rivalta Boxing inks Cuban trio”

Jeter Promotions has announce the signing of super bantamweight Elijah Pierce to an exclusive promotional contract. Pierce, 25 years-old of Gwinnett City, Georgia by way of Midwest City, Oklahoma has a record of 14-2 with 12 knockouts. He will be back in the ring on Saturday, September 10th in Philadelphia. Pierce is managed by Trifon Petrov and Jesse Tanksley. He is trained by his father Andy Pierce and Aaron Salamome.

“This is a great signing for Jeter Promotions as we feel Elijah is a terrific fighter. He has already shown that he will fight and defeat top fighters at any time and anywhere. That is the stuff that world champions do, and I feel that he will be a world champion. I can’t wait to get him started with us, and continue with Elijah on his journey to being a world champion,” said Tony Jeter of Jeter Promotions.

Unbeaten lightweight contender Frank Martin (15-0, 11 KOs) will now face slick Dominican sharpshooter Jackson Mariñez (19-2, 7 KOs) in the 10-round telecast opener live on Showtime this Saturday from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Martin was originally scheduled to fight Ricardo Núñez, who was forced to withdraw due to visa issues.

Mariñez is probably best known for a controversial decision loss to Rolly Romero in August 2020. Most recently, he was kayoed by former world champion Richard Commey in February 2021. So Mariñez is looking to halt a two-fight skid against Martin on short notice. Big ask, as they say in the UK.

WBC featherweight champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo and former world champion Rey Vargas previewed their upcoming battle of unbeatens before they step into the ring this Saturday, July 9 headlining live on Showtime from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Mark Magsayo: “I’m facing a fighter who’s usually going backwards. He’s tall, so that’s always his plan. I’m hoping he doesn’t run too much in this fight. If I’m able to get to the right distance with him, I’m going to get the knockout. I’m prepared for anything he brings. I’ve gotten great sparring with guys who move, guys who go toe-to-toe and everything in between. It doesn’t matter how he fights, I’ll be ready for it.  All of my opponents say they’re going to knock me out. I definitely don’t believe Vargas because I don’t see him pushing for it. Him saying that is just going to motivate me and make me better on July 9.”

Rey Vargas: “My goal is to dominate this fight and bring the title back to Mexico…I’m not overconfident, but I know how hard I worked and what I’m capable of. Magsayo will come out strong with lots of energy, but we will counter that. That’s when we’ll tear his head off.”

Continue reading “Magsayo, Vargas heating up”

The World Boxing Association (WBA) made the official presentation of the Super Champion belt to Jermell Charlo on Tuesday in Houston, Texas. WBA President Gilberto Jesús Mendoza made the presentation. Charlo also received a WBA ring.

Also honored was WBA female flyweight champion Marlen Esparza, who received her WBA championship belt. Continue reading “Charlo gets ‘super belted’ in Houston”

The World Boxing Association (WBA) is in the process of moving their headquarters from Panama City, Panama, to Houston, Texas. The organization, which was founded in the state of Rhode Island in 1921 and recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, later moved its headquarters to Panama, Venezuela, and then back to Panama.

“After 100 years, the pioneer sanctioning body shall be back in America,” said WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza. “It’s the right time to settle back in the most influential boxing market of the sport.

“Besides seeking to bond with every single member of the American boxing community, we come to support the systematic development of boxing. It needs to be from its roots. USA has talent in every corner and boxing has proven to be a path of success for many athletes.

“The headquarters will be in the city of Houston, Texas. A great sports town that witnessed great human beings and champions of the world. Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz and Jermell Charlo were motivation to choose the Space City as the WBA’s new hometown.”

Heavyweights Derek Chisora and Kubrat Pulev face off during fighter workouts in London today ahead of their fight this weekend on DAZN

YouTube boxer Jake Paul has announced that Tommy Fury is out as his next opponent after Fury and his team were barred from entering the U.S.

“Fury’s received a termination notice,” Paul said on social media. “MVP did everything it could to help him and his team. He wasn’t interested and he literally went into hiding. Second time in a row he has pulled out. Second time in a row I’m going to step up and take on a new opponent on short notice. August 6. MSG.”

The new opponent is expected to be heavyweight Hasim Rahman Jr. (12-1, 6 KOs), the son of the former heavyweight champion.

Sad to report the tragic passing of former world title challenger Toto “Muscovado” Landero (11-8-2, 2 KOs) at the age of 26. Landero was swept away by the current and drowned while attempting to swim across the Tabla River in his native Philippines after a heavy rain. His body was recovered two days later. Landero challenged WBA minimumweight champion Knockout CP Freshmart in 2018, losing by unanimous decision. R.I.P.

Heavyweight Kubrat Pulev is a 3:1 favorite over Derek Chisora for their rematch on Saturday at The O2 in London. In the co-feature, super welterweight Israil Madrimov is a 4:1 favorite over Michel Soro in their rematch which is a final eliminator for the WBA title. DAZN will televise.

WBC featherweight champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo against former champion Rey Vargas is a pick’em fight at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Also on that card, former world champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa is a 6:1 favorite over Carlos Castro in a WBC featherweight title eliminator. Unbeaten lightweight Frank Martin is 16:1 against Ricardo Núñez in the ten-round opener. Showtime will televise.

Also, unbeaten super lightweight Cesar “Rainman” Francis is 8:1 against former world champion Raymundo Beltran at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City, Florida. The bout can be seen on ProBoxTV.

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

July 4 marks four years since that event that changed my life. That schoolmate from the Ovalle Monday Institute, a friend since kindergarten, my dear Dr. Pablo Orozco, with his wonderful team led by Dr. Ortiz de la Peña, took care of me, and today I can enjoy a life to the fullest.

I was an athlete during my childhood and my youth. Good ballplayer: baseball was always the sport of the Sulaimans. I also played soccer. I was a good goalkeeper trying to imitate my idol Miguel Marín, and every Friday at my house there was a meeting with friends to put on the boxing gloves.

When I finished my MBA at ITESM, I went directly to take charge and run our medical products factory to give my dad total freedom, so he could attend the World Boxing Council. It was then that, without realizing it, I abandoned my sports life. Without exercising, I fell into unhealthy habits, mainly workaholism. I put everything aside to dedicate my body and soul to the company and to Don José. Continue reading “4 Years Ago, My Life Changed”

Bitter rivals Claressa “GWOAT” Shields (12-0, 2 KOs) and Savannah “The Silent Assassin” Marshall (12-0, 10 KOs) faced off today in London at the kickoff press conference for their September 10 clash at the at the famed O2 Arena. On the line is the undisputed female middleweight championship. Shields will enter the ring carrying the WBA, WBC and IBF belts, while Marshall will wear her WBO strap.

Claressa Shields: “I don’t hate nobody but I really do have a huge dislike for her. My grandmother told me not to use the word hate so I won’t use it, but I don’t like Savannah and she’s one of my biggest haters. They’re saying she’s a big knockout puncher, she’s the only blemish on my record as an amateur, that she has the recipe to beat me. My job is to show that she doesn’t and that I don’t reign supreme in three different weight classes for no reason. If she was better than me, she’d be the one supreme in three different weight classes, not me.”

Savannah Marshall: “I’m actually a fan of Claressa Shields, she’s a pioneer and what she has done for the sport has been amazing. But the reality is, she doesn’t beat me. She didn’t before and she won’t again. And it kills her, it absolutely burns her inside, the fact that I beat her and I’ll beat her again. I’m not just going to beat her, I’m going to outbox her. I’m going to hurt her. This fight has been a long time coming but we’re here now and September 10 I will be the new middleweight champion of the world.”

Continue reading “Shields-Marshall Kickoff Press Conference”

By Ron Jackson

The 42-year-old Bongani “Wonderboy” Mahlangu surprised the critics when he won South African junior featherweight title on a seventh-round stoppage against the 31-year-old defending champion Ayayabonga Sonjica from the Duncan Village, at the Orient Theatre in East London on Sunday. Mahlangu became the oldest active South African fighter to win a South African title, and also claimed the IBF Continental Africa junior featherweight title.

However, in the past fighters like Jack Lalor (44), Joe Goddard (42) and Jim Holloway (43) won South African titles at what is considered an advanced age for a boxer. Continue reading “Bongani Mahlangu wins SA title at 42”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia could be defending the title against fellow Australian and IBF #10 ranked Jason Whateley (10-0, 9 KOs) according to promoter Dean Lonergan. Opetaia and Whateley clashed multiple times in the amateurs.

“As soon as it’s right, my preference would be that we fight in Australia against an Australian,” Lonergan told Fox Sports. “The most obvious guy would be Jason Whateley. He’s up there and qualified, he’s in the top 15 in the world, he’s had 10 pro fights and he’d be a great fight for Jai, but we’ll just wait and see. At the end of the day, it’s going to come down to what Jai wants. We’ll just talk through about what he wants and we’ll go from there.”

Another big fight weekend on tap with three interesting shows on Saturday.

DAZN leads things off with a heavyweight rematch between Derek Chisora (32-12, 23 KOs) and Kubrat Pulev (29-2, 14 KOs) at The O2 in London. Also on that card is the rematch between super welterweights Israil Madrimov (8-0, 6 KOs) and Michel Soro (35-3-1, 24 KOs) in a final eliminator for the WBA title.

Then Showtime will present WBC featherweight champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (24-0, 16 KOs) taking on former world champion Rey Vargas (35-0, 22 KOs) in an attractive battle of unbeatens from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Also on that telecast is former world champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa (22-1-1, 17 KOs) taking on Carlos Castro (27-1, 12 KOs) in a WBC featherweight title eliminator, plus unbeaten lightweight talent Frank Martin (15-0, 11 KOs) against Ricardo Núñez (23-3, 21 KOs) in the ten-round opener.

Also, ProBox TV is back with unbeaten super lightweight Cesar “Rainman” Francis (10-0, 6 KOs) taking a big step up in opposition against former world champion Raymundo Beltran (37-9-1, 23 KOs) at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City, Florida.

Unbeaten heavyweight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (24-0-1, 20 KOs) will continue his comeback on July 23 at Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Miller, away from the ring the since late 2018, picked up his first comeback win on June 23 in Argentina. His bout in Murfreesboro will be his first on U.S. soil in nearly four years. He is scheduled for a ten rounder against TBA.

“I look forward to getting back in the ring July 23rd,” Miller stated. “The plan is to fight every month, shake off this rust and get back to where I need to be over the next few months. Big Baby is back!”

The show will also feature local heroes Rydell “Super” Mayes Jr. and Luis “El Taino” Galarza. Continue reading “Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller Comeback Continues”

The official announcement for the undisputed female world middleweight championship showtime between Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall will be made tomorrow. The bout is expected to land September 10 at the O2 Arena in London with female super featherweight champions Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner colliding in the co-feature.