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Top talent from Puerto Rico will be featured on the Gonzalez-Barriga undercard on Friday at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, and live on ProBox TV.

As previously announced, Jonathan “La Bomba” Gonzalez (25-3-1, 14 KOs) will defend his WBO junior light flyweight title against Mark Anthony “Baby Boy” Barriga (11-1, 2 KOs) in the 12-round main event.

In the co-main event, Axel “Mini” Vega (15-4-1, 8 KOs) of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico takes on Venezuelan puncher Angelino “Huracan” Cordova (16-0-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the WBO Latino junior flyweight title. Continue reading “Gonzalez-Barriga undercard set”

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

I sit down to write this column with an indescribable feeling, it is Father’s Day, and I received the best possible gift, as my dad visited me, appearing in my dream and I perfectly remember everything that happened, which is unusual for me.

I do not believe in coincidence, Don José was present for various reasons, to celebrate the historic event in Mexico City as a Guinness Record was established, and above all, to be with his children on this Father’s Day, confirming that he will never leave us. Precisely one Sunday my brother Fernando underwent a medical procedure as he was found with heart failure and three stents were placed with great success. Yet another warning on how health is the most important thing in the world.

I hope with all my heart that last Sunday, was special for everyone in the company of their loved ones. Continue reading “What a week in worldwide activity for the WBC”

Ouotes from today’s launch Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 press conference in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ahead of their rematch in the coastal city on Saturday, August 20.

Oleksandr Usyk: “We are doing what we have to do to achieve our goals. I have never made any loud or bright speeches. To become World Champion all I did was work hard in my training camp and gym. That’s what I am going to do until the day of the fight and my boxing will make me happy.”

Anthony Joshua: “Blips happen. Things happen in life but resilience, mental toughness and consistency will always prevail. We’re still on the road, we’re still on the road to Undisputed for sure. It’s just a little blip in the road but I’m focused on the target which is sitting over there (points to Usyk). Continue reading “Usyk-Joshua kickoff press conference”

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Thursday for the heavyweight showdown between former unified champion Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz Jr. and longtime contender Luis “King Kong” Ortiz taking place on September 4 during Labor Day Weekend from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and headlining a FOX Sports PBC pay-per-view event.

Pre-sale tickets are available TOMORROW beginning at 10 a.m. PT until 10 p.m. PT through AXS.com with the code: BOXING or CRYPTO.

This Friday night in Philadelphia, a marathon fight card will take place when RDR Promotions takes over the 2300 Arena. No less than 14 fights are on tap, scheduled for a whopping 66 rounds of action. The main event features middleweight Cameron Krael (18-22-3, 6 KOs) of Las Vegas against Vincent Floyd (4-12-1, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia in a six round bout.

Continue reading “Marathon Philly boxing card Friday”

Golden Boy returns to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, on Thursday, July 28, with an event headlined by fan-favorite and undefeated lightweight Jousce “Tito” Gonzalez (12-0-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-rounder against Jose Angulo (14-2, 7 KOs). The co-feature is unbeaten bantamweight Manuel “Gucci Manny” Flores (12-0, 9 KOs) in an eight-rounder against Daniel Moncada (15-6-2, 5 KOs). The rest of the undercard will be announced shortly. The card will stream live on DAZN and on the Golden Boy Boxing Youtube page.

On Thursday, June 23, at the Casino Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires, Argentina, unbeaten heavyweight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (23-0-1, 20 KOs) will return to action for the first time in nearly four years to face Argentinean veteran Ariel Esteban “Chiquito” Bracamonte (11-7, 6 KOs) in a 10-round showdown.

The fight, part of the WBA’s two-day KO Drugs Festival, will also be broadcast live to South America and parts of the United States on TyC Sports.

The 6′ 4″ Brooklyn native Miller prepared for his return by sparring hundreds of rounds with fellow prominent heavyweights, including a beneficial stint as sparring partner for world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Continue reading “Jarrell Miller to return Thursday in Argentina”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

If WBO #1 super welterweight Tim Tszyu dethrones undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo in Australia or the USA, he says he will “100 percent” make his first defense against IBF #1 Bakhram Murtazaliev.

“Of course it’s a big ask, fighting the top bloke in the division in his backyard, but once you’re in the ring it’s one-on-one. It doesn’t matter what friends or family are there or where it’s at, it doesn’t bother me,” Tszyu told News Corp. “We’re ready, and there’s genuine interest behind it. Murtazaliev, people have got no idea about him. Charlo needs interesting bouts and this one makes sense. Continue reading “Tszyu already thinking about first title defense”

By Miguel Maravilla

Santa Ana super bantamweight Ronny Rios (33-3, 16 KOs) is ready for this weekend’s world title fight as he challenges WBA and IBF super bantamweight champion Muradjon Akhmadaliev (10-0, 7 KOs) from Uzbekistan. Rios takes on Akhmadaliev this Saturday night at the Techport Arena in San Antonio, Texas, live on DAZN. We caught up with Rios here is what he had to say. Continue reading “Rios to become Santa Ana’s 1st world champion?”

Former WBO super middleweight champion and current WBA light heavyweight mandatory challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) is confident that the WBA will order WBA champion Dmitry Bivol to fight him next.

“I appreciate the WBA and believe the right process will be followed,” Ramirez said. “I’m confused about Bivol ducking me. I earned the WBA mandatory challenger position in the ring, not once, but twice. He’s  been talking about fighting me for the last two years. It’s time…Canelo didn’t commit to the rematch, so now I’m curious what other excuses he (Bivol) might make to avoid me.”

World title bouts galore this week.

THURSDAY
EOTTM has a PPV from the Cabaret du Casino in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, featuring Erik Bazinyan (27-0, 21 KOs), Artem Oganesyan (13-0, 11 KOs), and Yves Ulysse Jr. (20-2, 11 KOs) in separate bouts.

FRIDAY
ProBoxTV will air the world title defense of WBO light flyweight champion Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez (25-3-1, 14 KOs) against Mark Anthony “Baby Boy” Barriga (11-1, 2 KOs) from the Osceola Heritage Park Arena in Kissimmee, Florida.

SATURDAY
DAZN presents a world title quadrupleheader from the Tech Port Arena in San Antonio, Texas. In the main event, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (15-0 10 KOs) makes the first defense of his WBC super flyweight title against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (50-5-1 43 KOs). Also, unified WBA/IBF super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (10-0, 7 KOs) will defend his titles against Ronny Rios (33-3, 16 KOs). WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez (18-2 14 KOs) and McWilliams Arroyo (21-4 16 KOs) pick up where they left off from their curtailed firefight last year where both men hit the canvas in a firefight that ended in a no contest due to an accidental headclash. Plus undisputed female welterweight ruler Jessica McCaskill (11-2, 4 KOs) defends against Alma Ibarra (10-1, 4 KOs).

ESPN+ counters with a WBC light flyweight eliminator between #1 rated Hekkie Budler (33-4, 10 KOs) and Elwin “Pulga” Soto (19-2, 13 KOs) from the Gimnasio del Polideportivo in Mexicali, BCN, Mexico.

Heavyweight Ivan Dychko takes his 100% KO record to Argentina this week as the giant Kazak returns to the ring. Dychko (11-0, 11 KOs) will be looking to secure a 12th knockout from as many pro fights in Buenos Aires on Thursday (June 23) when he locks horns with local favorite Kevin Espindola (7-3, 2 KOs). The ten round clash takes place on the WBA’s KO Drugs Boxing Festival and will see 6’9” Dychko fight for the first time under the Probellum banner, having signed with the global promoters earlier this year.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

UK promoter Eddie Hearn doesn’t think Tim Tszyu is ready to challenge undisputed 154 pound champion Jermell Charlo which has been ordered by the WBO.

“Tim Tszyu is a good talent, I just feel the problem in boxing sometimes is some people can believe in their guy so much they can move them too fast and put them in the wrong fights,” Hearn told Wide World of Sports. “I’ve been guilty of it before. But I don’t like the Charlo fight for Tim Tszyu. I actually think he’s not quite there yet. I think there’s some more development to do. He went to America for his American debut, got dropped but it was a good win. I would actually bring him back here for one or two more but it’s got nothing to do with me. That’s the fan’s perspective. Continue reading “Hearn: Tszyu being moved too fast”

By Ron Jackson

South African junior bantamweight champion Lwandile Ngxeke (9-0-1, 4 KOs) was in outstanding form when he stopped the far more experienced former champion Lindile Tshemese (13-4-2, 5 KOs) in the fourth round at International Convention Centre on Saturday to retain his title for the first time. Ngxeke from Queenstown was in control from the opening round against Tshemese who has been fighting as a professional since 2016. The 27-year-old champion is not known as a big puncher with only three wins inside the distance going into the fight with Tshemese but he surprised his critics. Ngxeke, who is trained in Mdantsane by former South African champion Ncedo Cecane, dominated in rounds two and three with some stinging shots to the body as he slowed the challenger down. After the one-sided action, it came as no surprise when Tshemese did not come out at the bell for the fourth round.

SES Boxing returns n July 16 to the Maritim Hotel in Magdeburg, Germany. In the main event, IBF #8 light heavyweight Michael Eifert (10-1, 4 KOs) faces Adriano Sperandio (14-1, 2 KOs) in a fight for the IBF Inter-Continental title. The co-feature has light heavyweight Tom Dzemski (19-1, 10 KOs) against unbeaten Cüneyt Altintas (13-0, 12 KOs) in a clash for the German domestic championship.

Fighters: Al Cole, Fres Oquendo, David Tua, Shannon Briggs, Keith Mullings Sr., David Armstrong, Randall Bailey, Cory Spinks

Trainers: Gus Curren, Tito Tiburon Ocasio, Armando Wiz Fernandez

Promoter: Richard Dobal

Participants: Phil Alessi Jr., Richard Fabian, Jerry Reyes, Joey Orduna, Steve Harris

Officials: Dennis DeBon, Dr. Ramon Garcia-Septien

Media: Claudia Trejos

Achievement Awards: Chris Young, Vernon Ansell, Russell Ansell

Walter A Flansburg Lifetime Award: Tim Shipman

WBO #8 light flyweight Mark Anthony “Baby Boy” Barriga has officially landed in Kissimmee, Florida, ahead of his WBO world title clash this Friday, June 24th against world champion Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez live from Osceola Heritage Park and streamed worldwide on the Probox TV app.

Barriga is looking to dethrone the only world champion Puerto Rico has at the moment. The last Filipino to accomplish the feat was Jerwin Ancajas UD win over then-champion McJoe Arroyo back in 2016. Continue reading “Mark “Baby Boy” Barriga hits Kissimmee”

Unified WBA, IBF, WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) will defend his titles against former champion Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on August 20. Usyk-Joshua 2 is billed as ‘Rage on the Red Sea.’

Oleksandr Usyk: “I have a goal, with the help of the Lord I will complete my mission!”

Anthony Joshua: “A happy fighter is a dangerous fighter and I am the happiest and most motivated I have been.”

An announcement on tickets will come soon.

Mexico City’s Zocalo was adorned in the colors of the Mexican flag, as today 14,299 people completed a mega boxing class directed by female boxing stars Ana María Torres, Jackie Nava and Mariana Juárez plus NABF champion David Picasso.

This Guinness Record previously belonged to Moscow since 2017, but now it’s been broken.

Guinness representatives Carlos Tapia Rojas and Alfredo Arista together with the honorary witnesses, the president of the City Boxing Commission from Mexico, Ciro Nucci and Fernando Romero, confirmed the record and presented the certificate. Continue reading “Mexico City breaks Guinness World Record”

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Check out this GIANT Beterbiev-Smith photo gallery for some incredible shots, plus the scorecard.

Photos

In a highly anticipated light heavyweight unification showdown, WBC/IBF world champion Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs) crushed and dethroned WBO champion Joe Smith Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs) in less than two rounds on Saturday night at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Smith came out aggressively, but Beterbiev dropped Smith to a knee at the end of the first round. Beterbiev finished the demolition by putting Smith down twice in round two and leaving referee Harvey Dock no alternative but to stop it after some additional punishment. Time was 2:19. Beterbiev, boxing’s only world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio, continues his reign of terror in the 175lb division.

“My coach told me it’s not too far until I become a good boxer,” Beterbiev said. “Joe’s a little bit open, and it was more easy for me to get him. {Both of us} have a good punch, and both tried to {connect} first. I’m lucky that I was first.”

Sitting ringside was WBO mandatory contender Anthony Yarde, who may be in line for a shot at Beterbiev this fall. Beterbiev’s preference is a fight with WBA champion Dmitry Bivol, who recently defeated Canelo Alvarez.

“Unification fights are more interesting, more motivating,” Beterbiev said. “I prefer unification fight. I want to be undisputed.”

Photos: Sumio Yamada

In a clash for the USBA and WBO Global featherweight titles, two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez (10-1, 6 KOs) scored a spectacular fifth round knockout over previously unbeaten Abraham Nova (21-1, 15 KOs) in the Beterbiev-Smith co-feature on Saturday night at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Southpaw Ramirez outclassed Nova and laid him out with a crushing straight left hand. Time was 2:20.

“It was all about the strategy,” said Ramirez afterward. “I’m blessed to work with Ismael Salas, who is a genius in my corner. It really was about setting up that shot. If you watch the fight, it was about working, tapping the body until that opening was created. I knew he was dangerous, so I had to be careful, but when I saw my opening, I took it and I finished the fight.”

Continue reading “Ramirez KOs Nova in Beterbiev-Smith co-feature”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

As was expected, former undisputed lightweight champion George Kambosos has activated the rematch clause in his contract to force a return fight with undisputed IBF, WBC, WBA, WBO champion Devin Haney again in Australia.

“Yes, the rematch is happening, 100 percent. I have activated the rematch clause,” Kambosos told Newscorp. “We haven’t finalized a venue. There are options for Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. It will be in Australia which is great. I know I can win a rematch. I will make some changes and this is my destiny to show how great I am and get those belts back. The Emperor is dead, but Ferocious is still alive and I will be back.”

Super bantamweight Jack Bateson (17-0, 4 KOs) hopes to gate-crash the world rankings after defeating Diego Alberto Ruiz (23-5-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the Leeds United FC Banqueting Suite in Leeds, England. Bateson picked up the vacant WBA intercontinental belt with a unanimous points win after 10 rounds. Scores were 98-93, 98-92, 97-93.

WBO #1 super featherweight Archie Sharp (22-0, 9 KOs) returned to the ring with a ten round 98-93, 99-91, 99-92 points victory over Alex Rat (14-5-2, 5 KOs). Sharp hopes to secure a shot at champion Shakur Stevenson.

WBA #3 super lightweight Ohara Davies (24-2, 17 KOs) warmed up for a potential WBA world title eliminator against Sandor Martin by stopping Abdessamad Nechched (13-3-1, 1 KO). Davies forced his opponent to the canvas in round seven and, again, in round eight and though Nechched beat the count after being floored for a second time, referee Howard Foster said he’d taken enough punishment.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

WBC/IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs), boxing’s only world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio, has never heard the judges’ scores read in his pro career. And win or lose, it’s highly unlikely judges will be rendering a verdict tonight when Beterbiev faces fellow power-puncher WBO champion Joe Smith Jr. (28-3, 22 KOs) on ESPN from the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

However, just in case, judges Frank Lombardi, Joseph Pasquale and Steve Weisfeld will be at ringside scoring the bout.

The third man in the ring will be Harvey Dock.

Photos