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Photos: Sumio Yamada

Check out this GIANT photo gallery from Saturday’s spectacular IBF featherweight title fight between Venado Lopez and Angelo Leo in Albuquerque, New Mexico, featuring some incredible shots + the scorecard.

Photos

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Perennial contender Ryusei Kawaura (12-2, 8 KOs), 114.75, finally seized the belt when he scored a come-from-behind TKO victory over WBA#3, WBO#6, IBF#9 defending champ Tetsuro Ohashi (12-4-1, 3 KOs), 114.5, at 2:05 of the eleventh round and wrested the WBO Asia Pacific junior bantamweight title on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. The dethroned ex-champ was leading on points—96-94 twice, 95-95. Ohashi connected with persistent combinations to the challenger, pinning him to the ropes midway in the speedy contest of southpaws.

The ninth saw the tide turn in Kawaura’s favor with the champ’s fatigue. The challenger, in round eleven, positively accelerated his attack to have the champ temporarily at a standstill, when the referee Tanaka called a halt. Continue reading “Kawaura dethrones WBO AP 115lb champ Ohashi”

Undefeated WBO #2, WBC #9 junior lightweight Andres “Savage” Cortes (22-0, 12 KOs) and WBO #6, IBF #6 Charly Suarez (17-0, 9 KOs) will collide in a high-stakes ten-rounder on ESPN September 20 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Cortes-Suarez will be the co-feature to the 12-round super middleweight main event between Jaime Munguia and the unbeaten Erik Bazinyan.

The eight-round televised opener sees undefeated junior welterweight Emiliano Vargas (11-0, 9 KOs) step up in class against upset-minded Larry Fryers (13-6-1, 5 KOs). Vargas is the youngest fighting son of former world champion Fernando Vargas.

Undercard action on ESPN+ includes an eight-round step-up fight between heavyweight knockout artist and Olympic silver medal star Richard Torrez Jr. (10-0, 10 KOs) and Joey “Tank” Dawejko (28-11-4, 16 KOs). Continue reading “Munguia-Bazinyan Undercard Set”

This week’s big fights land on ESPN+ this Saturday at Quebec City’s Centre Vidéotron. Headlining the night, WBC #1, WBA #2, IBF #3, WBO #3 super middleweight Christian Mbilli (27-0, 23 KOs) will defend his WBC Continental Americas and WBA International titles against three-time world title challenger Sergiy Derevyanchenko (15-5, 10 KOs). Mbilli is a -450 favorite.

The evening’s co-main event will feature WBC #11 heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov (19-1, 18 KOs) against Guido ‘The Gladiator’ Vianello (12-2-1, 10 KOs). Makhmudov is about a 3:1 favorite.

In a clash between undefeated super middleweights, Junior ‘The Young God’ Younan (20-0-1, 12 KOs) will square off with Luzlim Bajrami (9-0, 4 KOs) in a ten rounder headlining Star Boxing’s Rockin’ Fights 48 on September 14 at The Paramount in Huntington, New York. Younan will defend his WBA Continental American Gold crown. Bajrami will be making his United States debut.

By Joe Koizumi

Lately it is rare to see Thai boxers victorious here in Japan. More rare is for a Thai fighter to dethrone our Japanese champion here. But it happened when unheralded Thananchai Charunphak (25-1, 15 KOs), 112, wrested the WBO Asia Pacific flyweight belt by winning a majority but well-received decision (116-112, 115-113, 114-114) over previously unbeaten WBC#14, IBF#13 defending champ Kento Hatanaka (15-1, 10 KOs), 112, over twelve hard-fought rounds on Sunday in Nagoya, Japan.

Kento, the son of former WBC 122-pound titlist Kiyoshi Hatanaka (who dethroned Argentine Pedro Decima in Nagoya in 1991), was a pre-fight favorite thanks to his unbeaten credentials despite a long hiatus caused by an injury since last September when he acquired the vacant WBO AP belt by scoring a close but unanimous nod over Akira Hoshuyama in Nagoya. The taller Thailander displayed his good judgment of distance, jabbing and countering with better precision. With the face badly puffed by his absorption of punishment, Kento gamely fought with jabs and body punches, but it was Thananchai that demonstrated his cleverness in dominating the championship rounds.

Promoter: Hatanaka Promotions.

By Mauricio Sulaimán
WBC President – Son of José Sulaimán

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games have ended, and in my opinion many good things were achieved in general during this, which is the most important event in the world of sports.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has always extremely complicated decisions in its hands, to achieve a balance between what the Olympic Letter says, and the changes it must make to maintain media and ratings interest, in addition to the total financial results and the interest of the new generations, both to practice in various sports and for the audience, to follow these competitions with interest.

I want to share my conclusions about boxing, as this is the sport that is my concern.

Phew! Where to start? As of today, boxing is out of Los Angeles 2028. A titanic task is required, for our sport to be in the Olympic Games in four years. Continue reading “Rescuing Olympic boxing for 2028”

Featherweight prospect Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez (10-0, 6 KOs), the latest power-punching standout from the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, has signed a long-term promotional contract with Top Rank. Gonzalez picked up his third win of 2024 last Saturday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with a third-round TKO over Damian Alcala. His next ring outing will be announced shortly.

“Albert Gonzalez is a ferocious, aggressive puncher, someone I feel is going to be a real force at featherweight and beyond for years to come,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “With Robert Garcia and his team guiding him inside the ring, combined with his natural talent, he has all the tools to become a champion.”

Welterweight Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (17-1-1, 10 KOs) is gearing up for a return to the ring before the end of 2024. Cobbs, who is promoted by the legendary Don King, is coming off the most monumental victory of his career, a 10-round unanimous decision victory against multiple division world champion Adrien Broner.

“I’m ready to fight anyone who dares to step in the ring with me,” said Cobbs. “I’ve proven myself against Broner, and now I’m looking for bigger challenges. I want the top contenders, the world champions, and ultimately, I want to destroy Ryan Garcia when he comes back.” Continue reading “Blair Cobbs Update”

Former WBC and WBO light heavyweight title challenger Tommy Karpency (31-8-1, 19 KOs) won a unanimous decision over rugged cruiserweight Joe Jones (14-12-1, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at Packard Music Hall in Warren, Ohio. Karpency dropped Jones with a straight left / right hook combination in the third round. Jones weathered the storm and had his moments throughout the bout. The win marked Karpency’s 40th professional fight as he plans to compete at light heavyweight. Continue reading “Karpency cruises in 40th fight”

Report and photos by Joe Koizumi

Is there professional boxing in Vietnam? Yes, there is. The WBA Asia Convention was held for three days from Friday by Vietnam Boxing Commission at Ho Chi Minh city—with the attendance of WBA president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza. It was organized by Chris Luu of VBC (Vietnam Boxing Commission) and Shadow Entertainment. The commemorative show was promoted at Saigon Sports Club on Sunday. Continue reading “Report: WBA Asia Convention in Vietnam”

Amateur standout teen twins Andrey and Ari Bonilla will be making their pro debuts in scheduled 10 round bouts. Following decorated international amateur boxing careers, the 19-year-old Bonillas will launch their professional careers August 23 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, in Hollywood, Florida. Andrey will fight as a bantamweight and Ari fight at super flyweight.

Fightnews.com® spoke with them as they wound down their training camp in San Antonio, Texas.

“We will also be fighting for WBA regional titles. We are training very hard for our fights and will be ready to go the full 10 rounds if necessary.” Continue reading “Bonilla Twins to debut in ten-rounders”

Heavyweight contender Bakhodir Jalolov (14-0, 14 KOs), representing Uzbekistan, won his second straight Olympic super heavyweight gold medal on Saturday in Paris, France. Jalolov swept through all four of his matches, culminating with a decision over Ayoub Ghadfa.

Uzbek fighters dominated the 2024 Olympic boxing competition, winning five of seven available gold medals. Cuba and Ukraine picked up the other two golds.

Team USA was represented by eight boxers (four male, four female) and secured one medal, a bronze, by welterweight Omari Jones.

Both of the controversial female boxers, Imane Khalif and Lin Yu-Ting, won gold medals. They were under scrutiny due to some previous gender testing results.

Here are all the Olympic medalists…

Unbeaten WBC #2 super welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 KOs) dethroned WBC interim champion Serhii “El Flaco” Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs) by twelve round majority decision on Saturday night at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. From the opening bell, both fighters went right at each other. Bohachuk was awarded a retroactive flash first round knockdown after a video review. Ortiz often seemed to be getting the better of the exchanges. Bohachuk scored another flash knockdown in round eight and Ortiz came back furiously. Ortiz rocked Bohachuk several times down the stretch. Scores were 113-113, 114-112, 114-112. Next up for Ortiz could be a clash with WBA champion Terence “Bud” Crawford.

WBC #3 super welterweight Charles “Bad News” Conwell (20-0, 15 KOs) scored a devastating second round knockout against Khiary Gray (18-7, 13 KOs). A body shot put Gray down for the count. Time was 2:32.

WBA #1 super lightweight Kenneth “Bossman” Sims Jr. (21-2-1, 8 KOs) pounded on game former super bantamweight world champion and late sub Jonathan Romero (35-5, 19 KOs) for five rounds in a good action fight. Romero’s corner stopped it after round five.

Continue reading “Ortiz gets past Bohachuk, Crawford next?”

Former 122-pound king Angelo Leo (25-1, 12 KOs) scored a spectacular tenth round KO to dethrone IBF featherweight world champion Luis Alberto “Venado” Lopez (30-3, 17 KOs) on Saturday night at Tingley Coliseum in Leo’s hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The unorthodox style of Lopez gave Leo some problems, but in round ten Leo flattened Venado with a left hook to end it. Lopez was on his back for the full ten count.

In a clash between undefeated junior welterweights, Lindolfo Delgado (21-0, 15 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Bryan Flores (26-1-1, 15 KOs). Delgado dropped Flores in round three. Flores was deducted a point in round seven for a phantom low blow. Scores were 95-93, 96-92 Delgado, 96-92 Flores. Mixed reaction from the crowd.

Unbeaten local flyweight Matthew Griego (14-0, 10 KOs) shut out late sub Gilberto Mendoza (23-18-4, 11 KOs) in an eight-round rematch. Scores were 80-72 3x. Griego previously shut out Mendoza via six-round unanimous decision in June 2022.

Junior middleweight contender Vito Mielnicki Jr. (19-1, 12 KOs) won his Top Rank debut by second round disqualification against Laszlo Toth (32-9-2, 20 KOs). Mielnicki dropped Toth in round two prompting Toth’s corner to enter the ring and cause Toth to be disqualified. As a result, Mielnicki doesn’t get the KO on his record.

Avzalbek Kuranbaev 153.5 vs. Dacong Wang 153.9
(WBA Asia Super Welterweight title)

Le Quan Wang 139.8 vs. Anuson Thonglueang 139
(WBA Asia East Super Lightweight title)

Nguyen Thanh Giang 141 vs. Nguyen Tien Long 143
Chien Vinh Tyson 118 vs. Frengky Rohi 118
Lam Phat 131 vs. Arief Blader 134.6
Le Van Cuong 121.1 vs. Le Van Hien 121.6
Tran Duc Khoa 121.7 vs. Dinh Van Lenh 121.6
Son Hung Vi 119.6 vs. Luong Trung Nguyen 121.3
Truong Van Vinh 120.5 vs. Can Minh Thai 118.9

Venue: Saigon Sports Club, Ho Chi Minh City
Promoter: Jenny Do (Shadow Entertainment)

WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza is in Vietnam for the WBA Asia Convention. The event is being hosted by Jenny Do (Shadow Entertainment) and the Vietnam Boxing Commission. “With our support through boxing, the World Boxing Association will do everything possible to support Vietnam to have one of the best champions in the world,” stated Mendoza.

Local promoter Jenny Do (Shadow Entertainment) added, “Hosting the WBA Asia Convention 2024 in Vietnam is a clear indication of our commitment to professional boxing and our readiness to engage with the international boxing community. This convention provides an invaluable platform for us to highlight the progress we have made, share our vision for the future, and forge meaningful partnerships that will drive the sport forward.”

Heavyweight contender Martin Bakole received a hero’s welcome when the BOXXER fighter returned home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo following his stunning KO win over Jared Anderson at last weekend’s historic Riyadh season card in Los Angeles.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Kinshasa as a police-led motorcade paraded Bakole through the Congolese capital to a special celebratory event hosted at (presidential building?) in honour of the champion boxer.

Bakole claimed the WBO International and NABF Heavyweight Titles with a thudding fifth round stoppage win over Anderson, sending the previously unbeaten American to the canvas three times en route to an emphatic victory. Continue reading “Bakole gets hero’s welcome in Congo”

Unbeaten flyweight Angel Ayala (18-0, 8 KOs) knocked out Dave Apolinario (20-1, 14 KOs) in round six to claim the vacant IBF world title on Friday night at the Restaurante Arroyo in Mexico City. Ayala’s bodywork put Apolinario on the canvas in round six. Ayala upped the pressure and dropped Apolinario again with a savage barrage of body shots. Apolinario could not beat the count.

Promoter Don King has announced the return to the ring of WBC cruiserweight champion Noel “The Dark Horse” Mikaelian (27-2, 12 KOs) as he faces Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1, 19 KOs) on Saturday, September 28 at Casino Miami Jai Alai. Mikaelian was originally scheduled to defend his world title against Rozicki on June 7 but the fight was postponed due to a cut Mikaelian suffered in training near his eye.

Noel Mikaelian: “It was disappointing that I wasn’t able to face ‘The Bruiser’ in June, but my injury has healed to perfection and I’m ready to go. I can’t wait for September 28th and to defend my world title during this massive Don King event.”

Ryan Rozicki: “I’m glad we were able to reschedule this fight, and now I will finally get what is rightfully mine. Mikaelian can’t delay my date with destiny any longer and I will put that world title belt around my waist come September 28th.”

Continue reading “Mikaelian-Rozicki back on for Sept 28”

Serhii Bohachuk 153.8 vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr 153.8
(WBC interim super welterweight title)

Charles Conwell 153.8 vs. Khiary Gray 154
Kenneth Sims Jr. ?? vs. Jonathan Romero ??
Gabriela Fundora 109.8 vs. Daniela Asenjo 111.2
Joel Iriarte 146.4 vs. Miguel Ortiz 143.6
Cecilia Braekhus 154.6 vs. Maricela Cornejo 153
Eric Priest 159 vs. Luka Lozo 160
Johnny Cañas 136.8 vs. Joseph Cruz 132

Venue: Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN

Venado Lopez 125.6 vs. Angelo Leo 125.6
(IBF featherweight title)

Lindolfo Delgado 139.9 vs. Bryan Flores 139.9
Matthew Griego 111.9 vs. Gilberto Mendoza 110.7
Vito Mielnicki Jr. 154 vs. Laszlo Toth 153.3
Albert Gonzalez 126.3 vs. Damian Alcala 126.9
Alan Garcia 136.2 vs. Maickol Lopez Villagrana 136.2
Steven Navarro 116.6 vs. Israel Camacho 115.6
Arnold Khegai 125.8 vs. Belmar Preciado 125.9

Venue: Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN

Former WBC and WBO title challenger Tommy Karpency (30-8, 19KOs) will face Joe Jones (14-11, 10KOs) this Saturday at Packard Music Hall in Warren, Ohio. After dropping a 12 round decision for the WBO light heavyweight title to undefeated WBO champ Nathan Cleverly, Karpency’s most notable victory came almost 10 years ago when he defeated former WBC champ Chad Dawson (32-3 at the time) on Showtime Championship Boxing.

To his credit, the 29-year-old Joe Jones upset a 9-0 Vernon Webber less than a year ago after Jones previously KO’d former WBA crusierweight title challenger Junior Anthony Wright (18-3 at the time). Continue reading “Karpency Returns on Saturday”

WBC interim super welterweight champion Serhii “Flaco” Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) and WBC #2 Vergil Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KOs) faced off at the final press conference for their clash on Saturday night at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Ortiz Jr. refused to shake hands with Bohachuk after the face-off.

Vergil Ortiz Jr: “I just feel like boxing is what I was made for. We put in all this hard work, it all goes back from that day after kindergarten til now. This Saturday, I will be a world champion.”

Serhii Bohachuk: “Big fight coming up. I’m ready for this fight. I hope Vergil is ready too. This Saturday will be hard, come and see.”

IBF featherweight champion Venado Lopez (30-2, 17 KOs) will fight on enemy turf once again as he defends his world title against Angelo Leo (24-1, 11 KOs) on August 10 at Tingley Coliseum in Leo’s hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Venado Lopez: “I’m used to being taken to different parts of the world. London. Leeds. It doesn’t matter where I go. Venado Lopez, the ‘Road Warrior,’ will always do his job. I work hard in the gym to do what I have to do. If we can end the fight early, we’ll do that. Either way, I’m coming back home as a world champion.”

Angelo Leo: “This means the world to me. Fighting back in my hometown is something I’ve always wanted. And what better way to do it than with a title shot…in my last fight, the main goal was to win. I knew everything else would fall into place with a Venado fight.” Continue reading “Lopez-Leo Kickoff Press Conference”