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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”

The International Boxing Federation has ordered a bout between IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs) and former champion Tim Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs). Date and location will be announced. This bout will likely land in the United States.

H.E. Turki Alalshaikh, Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority and currently the boxing’s most important investor, has announced on socil media that a super fight between Terence “Bud” Crawford and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is no longer in the cards.

[On the status of Canelo appearing on a big-money Riyadh Season show]

“I heard what Canelo said that he respects me but doesn’t like the way we do business. As for him respecting me, it doesn’t matter to me if he does or not. As for the way I do business, I know why he doesn’t like it, because I only target big fights at fair prices, so of course anyone who likes easy fights won’t like that. And I know how he feels after losing to Bivol, so he’s been looking for easier fights ever since. Also, I’m not the one who’s afraid of fighting Benavidez or Crawford. Therefore, I knew he was wasting our time and making excuses with big amounts of money that can’t be paid. So I’m continuing my way to make big fights that serve the boxing world, and he’s on his way to making easy show-only fights.”

[On upcoming plans in the works]

“Just wrapped up an important meeting now with my team, planning for the upcoming fights that we will make for 2024-2025. I decided to disregard the Canelo fight, as I don’t want it anymore. Instead, I will be focusing for the US market with bigger fights, especially for the legend Crawford. Additionally, I will support making fights for Boots, Haney, Shakur, Ortiz, Anderson, Benavidez, Zepeda and more, regarding Tim Tszyu, there’s something unclear with the communications from his team with our team, so I believe I will reconsider his situation. And for the rest of the world, definitely, I am focusing on Riyadh Season card, Wembley edition 21st of September (AJ vs. Dubois) and depending on the results and the results of Riyadh Season’s opening card (Bivol vs. Beterbiev) on the 12th of October, I will build the card for the rematch of Fury vs. Usyk on the 21st of December and another big card on the first quarter of 2025. Stay tuned.”

WBA/WBA/WBO super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez and undefeated Edgar Berlanga squared off Tuesday at a press conference in Los Angeles to preview their upcoming PPV showdown on Mexican Independence Day weekend at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. They also faced off this week in New York City.

Canelo Alvarez: “I respect my opponents, but I like to respond when they talk. I’m going to be at my best on September 14 and I’m not gonna have any compassion for him. I’m going to be different. He needs 20 of him to give me any problems…take it easy man, because your turn is coming. He thinks he has more intelligence than me and everyone I’ve fought. C’mon bro, he’s not gonna be able to touch me. I wanna see him try.”

Edgar Berlanga: “I’m the type of fighter who comes to fight. I won’t be running. Canelo was once in my shoes and now it’s my time to make my name and become a legend in the sport of boxing…he’s fought everybody and he’s seen it all. The difference in this fight isn’t physical. It’s about IQ and intelligence in that ring. That’s gonna make the difference. You could have all the power in the world, but at this level, it’s about intelligence.”

ESPN+ has picked up Friday’s clash between unbeaten flyweights Angel Ayala (17-0, 7 KOs) and Dave Apolinario (20-0, 14 KOs) for the IBF world title vacated by Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez in March. The bout takes place at Restaurante Arroyo in Mexico City. Ayala is rated IBF #1, while Apolinario is rated IBF #3. Continue reading “ESPN+ picks up Ayala-Apolinario”

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

The news that has flooded the networks and has tarnished the activity at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is regrettable, and is clearly exposing the crisis that amateur / Olympic style boxing is going through.

Two female boxers have been accused of being transgender, of having XY chromosomes (male), or some other condition, which when fighting against a woman, gives them an unfair competitive advantage.

The attacks and posts continue. The vast majority without having the minimum elements to express an informed and salient opinion. The central and most serious factor which should matter, is the integrity, safety and well being of the athletes.

The main conflict has been the media war between the IOC and IBA, which was the International Federation recognized by the same entity. They have taken center stage, by attacking each other, in a clear power struggle that will not solve the core issue.

Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting are the fighters in question. Without definitive evidence, they were apparently born XX (female), they are not trans, and apparently they were not born with Y chromosomes, but they do have a genetic condition that gives them significant physical advantages. Continue reading “The inevitable crisis in Olympic boxing”

Canelo Álvarez and Edgar Berlanga went face-to-face Monday at a press conference in New York to preview their upcoming September 14 showdown in Las Vegas.

Canelo Alvarez: “If he’s dreaming about fighting me, that’s perfect. He’s got it. Dreams coming true for him, but it’s gonna hurt.”

Edgar Berlanga: “I’ve been boxing for 20 years and we’ve been dreaming about this fight. When I first turned pro, Canelo was on my mind. I manifested this fight.”

September 14
T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
PPV

Canelo Álvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga
WBC/WBA/WBO super middleweight title

Erislandy Lara vs. Danny “Swift” García
WBA middleweight title

Caleb Plant vs. Trevor McCumby
WBA interim super middleweight title

Rolando “Rolly” Romero vs. Manuel Jaimes
Super lightweight (10 rounds)

Additionally, former unified WBC and WBO world champion at 122 lbs Stephen Fulton Jr. will face Carlos Castro in a 10-round featherweight bout that headlines PBC on Prime Video action leading into the pay-per-view.

By Joe Koizumi

WBO#4, IBF#4 ranked light fly Thanongsak Simsri (35-1, 32 KOs), 107.5, impressively kept his OPBF 108-pound belt when he kept whipping Filipino hard-puncher John Paul Gabunilas (10-4, 7 KOs), 106.75, with his fast left-right combinations, bloodied him and finally accelerated his attack to have him at bay to prompt the referee’s intervention at 2:52 of the fifth round in a scheduled twelve on Sunday in Osaka, Japan. Thanonsak is a 24-year-old Thailander under the promotional agreement who is gunning for a world title shot in the near future.

Promoter: Green Tsuda Promotions.
BoxRec: Thanongsak Simsri

By Joe Koizumi
Photo by Boxing Beat

Fast-rising ex-amateur prospect Shunpei Ohata (3-1, 2 KOs), 130, proved too strong and aggressive for WBO AP#12, OPBF#13 Rhonvex Capuloy (11-3-3, 8 KOs), 129.5, and finally decked a fine TKO victory at 2:48 of the fourth round on Sunday in Fuji city, Japan. Having experienced more than forty amateur contests, Ohata, formerly a silver medalist of national amateur tournaments in 2021, attacked the game but cautious Filipino from the outset, pinned him to the ropes and battered him with a flurry of punches. Staying too long with his back to the ropes, Capuloy was saved from further punishment by the third man midway in round four. Ohata, a graduate from Toyo university being a junior to 2012 Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata, looks promising with his hard-punching ability.

Promoter: Suruga Danji Promotions.

Two-division undisputed champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) dethroned WBA super welterweight champion Israil “The Dream” Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) via twelve round unanimous decision on Saturday night at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Close, gritty match with Crawford coming on late to win 116-112, 115-113, 115-113. Crawford also picked up the WBO interim belt.

The fight ended Crawford’s 11 straight KO streak. Promoter Turki Alalshikh stated he has an offer in for Crawford to face Canelo early next year.

Two-division undisputed champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) dethroned WBA super welterweight champion Israil “The Dream” Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs) via twelve round unanimous decision on Saturday night at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Close, gritty match with Crawford coming on late to win 116-112, 115-113, 115-113. Crawford also picked up the WBO interim belt.

The fight ended Crawford’s 11 straight KO streak. Promoter Turki Alalshikh stated he has an offer in for Crawford to face Canelo early next year.

WBA #5 super lightweight Jose “El Rayo” Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs) defeated and dethroned WBA world champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) by twelve round split decision on Saturday night at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Cruz pressed the action, but Valenzuela had success outboxing Cruz from the outside. Scores were 116-112, 116-112 Valenzuela, 115-113 Cruz. Cruz surrenders the title in his first world title defense.

WBA #1, WBC #6, WBO #11, IBF #14 heavyweight Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) ended the unbeaten reign of WBO #4, WBC #5, IBF #5, WBA #13 Jared “Real Big Baby” Anderson (17-1, 15 KOs) with an impressive fifth round stoppage on Saturday night at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Bakole dropped Anderson in round one, then floored him twice in round five en route to a referee’s stoppage at 2:07.

305lb heavyweight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (26-1-2, 22 KOs) and former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2-1, 22 KOs) battled to a twelve round technical draw. Ruiz won the early rounds with his hand speed, but Miller turned the tables midway and walked down Ruiz the rest of the way. Scores were 116-112 Miller, 114-114, 114-114.

In a clash for the WBA “regular” light heavyweight title, unbeaten David Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) defeated Radivoje ‘Hot Rod’ Kalajdzic (29-3, 21 KOs) by twelve round unanimous decision. Scores were 117-111, 117-111, 118-110 for the former WBA super middleweight champion.

Other Results:
Andy Cruz TKO7 Antonio Moran (lightweight)
Steven Nelson KO5 Marcos Vazquez Rodriguez (super middleweight)
Ziyad Almaayouf DRAW6 Michal Bulik (welterweight)

The 12 round main event saw unbeaten WBA #15 super middleweight and hometown hero Callum Simpson (15-0, 10 KOs) dethrone defending British and Commonwealth champion Zak Chelli (15-3-1,7 KOs) by twelve round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Oakwell Football Ground in Barnsley, England.

Both fighters came out fighting with alot of engergy in round 1 but it was Simpson who sent Chelli staggering around the ring prior to the round ending. Chelli gathered himself in round 2 tying Simpson up and smothering his offense but landed solid counter lefts in the round. Simpson regained his advantage in round 3 giving him space and landing multiple combinations during the round. Chelli had a much better round in round 4 landing multiple counters. In round 5 the awkward style of Chellis seemed to halt the previous onrushes of Simpson as Chellis counter seemed to give him something to think about After 6 rounds it appeared that Chelli had the rushes of Simpson timed and consistenly landed counters in round 6. A better round 7 for Simpson who gave himself the necessary space to landed some solid punches. A slower paced round 8 with both exchanging jabs. Chelli tied Simpson up more in round 9. A frustrated Simpson through Chelli into the ropes. Chelli seemed to out land Simpson in round 9. Simspon was more active throwing and landing punches in round 10 than Chelli. Simpson was more effective and outworked Chelli in round 11. Simpson closed strong in round 12 with multiple flurries.

The official scores were 118 -111, 118 – 110, and 117- 111 all in favor to Simpson. Simpson won the British and Commonwealth super middle titles.

* * *

Local favorite and unbeaten IBO lightweight world champion ‘Sweet’ Caroline Dubois (10–0, 5 KOs) of London, England won a unanimous 10 round decisión over Maira Moneo (14-2, 3 KOs) of Uruguay. The southpaw DuBois kept the onrushing Moneo at bay with her jab for the first 4 rounds. In round 5 the pair had the fans on their feet with a heated Exchange prior to the round ending. In round six Dubois dropped Moneo with an overhand left to the chin. Moneo beat the count but it was another clear round in favor to Dubois. The official scores were 100-89, 100-90, and 99-90 all in favor to Dubois who retained her IBO title and won the WBC interim title of Moneo. Dubois is the younger sister of IBF heavyweight champion of the world Daniel Dubois.

Super featherweight Jorge ‘Kan’ Mata (19-2-2, 13 KOs) unamiously decisioned countryman Rafael ‘Panadero’ Rosas (19-7-2, 11 KOs) in a ten-rounder on Friday night in Lienzo Charro de Oceania in Mexico City.

Mata was in control the entire fight, coming forward and landing many jabs and hooks. Round five saw the ring doctor called in to check on a cut over the right eyebrow of Rosas but deemed him fit to continue. The pace slowed a bit in the following rounds. So much so that in round seven the referee told both fighters to throw punches. In round eight, the cut of Rosas was worsening but the ring doctor again deemed him fit to continue. The pace continued with Mata in control to the final bell. No official scoring were announced.

Terence Crawford 153.4 vs. Israil Madrimov 154
(WBA super welterweight title)

Isaac Cruz 140 vs. Jose Valenzuela 139.8
(WBA super lightweight title)

Andy Ruiz Jr. 274.4 vs. Jarrell Miller 305.6

Jared Anderson 252.4 vs. Martin Bakole 284.4

David Morrell 174.8 vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic 174.4

Andy Cruz 134 vs. Antonio Moran 134.8
Steve Nelson 167.6 vs. Marcos Vazquez 167.6
Ziyad Almaayouf 144 vs. Michal Bulik 142.4

Venue: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, California
Promoter: Riyadh Season
TV: $79.99 PPV

The International Olympic Committee has issued a statement that stands by their decision to allow two boxers who have previously been rejected for women’s boxing competition due to “gender eligibility.”

Every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination.

All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU) (please find all applicable rules here). As with previous Olympic boxing competitions, the gender and age of the athletes are based on their passport. Continue reading “IOC Statement on Women’s Boxing”

Two-divison undisputed champ Terence Crawford and WBA super welterweight champion Israil Madrimov faced off at the final press conference for their PPV class clash on Saturday night at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

Terence Crawford: “I’m going to be stronger at 154 pounds and be more energized. It’s going to be less stress on my body with the weight and I’m going to be ready. I’m good right now and I expect to win however it comes if it’s a knockout, a decision I expect to win.”

Israil Madrimov: “I believe that anything is possible. My dream is to create something that nobody expects and do something and win the fight that nobody expects me to win and I believe I can do that Saturday.”

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Jared Anderson: “I just know that I’m gonna show why I’m here and why they say that I’m the future.”

Martin Bakole: “I’ve always wanted a big fight and Saturday night I’m going to face the best heavyweight in America for my first debut in America. I’m so excited!”

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Andy Ruiz: “I know that he’s coming hungry, I know he wants to win, but so do I. I want to win, I’m hungry and I’m motivated. I’m physically ready and prepared.. Let’s do this!”

Jarrell Miller: “I work hard, don’t get it twisted. When I’m in that gym I’m busting my ass.The Dubois fight woke up a demon in me man, it woke up a demon in me that I haven’t seen in awhile and come August third I’m beating Andy Ruiz up.”

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Isaac Cruz: “We’re expecting the very best from [Valenzuela], but the main thing is that I’m coming into this really well prepared, and I’m intending to come away with the victory.

Jose Valenzuela: “I have the height, I have the length, I have the skills, and I’ve sharpened up everything to come prepared.”

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David Morrell: “At 168, nobody wants to fight me so I’m going to 175, so I can fight the big name. That’s why I came out at 175 for this.”

Radivoje Kalajdzic:  “I believe I am the underdog and I will leave it at that, but we will see on Saturday night.”