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Julio César Chávez Jr will be returning on the September 25 card in Tijuana featuring the exhibition between his father, “el Gran Campeón Mexicano” Julio César Chávez against Jorge “Travieso” Arce. Junior was originally slated for an exhibition fight also, but he will now have an official fight against an undefeated boxer who publicly challenged him.

Chávez Jr. (51-4-1, 33 KOs) will face Mario Abel Cázares (12-0, 6 KOs) in a ten-rounder at light heavyweight. Both hail from the city of Culiacán, Sinaloa.

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya commented today on the current state of boxing. “If anyone doubted how badly boxing needs Canelo – the sport’s biggest star – back in the ring, look no further than the terrible ratings from boxing on network TV the last few weeks,” stated the Golden Boy via social media.

“It’s a f**king embarrassment that sports-starved fans are flocking to baseball and the UFC, and largely ignoring the greatest sport in the world. I have been working tirelessly day and night with our partners at DAZN to get a Canelo fight done ASAP and get our sport back on track.”

Unbeaten welterweight Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (12-0, 7 KOs) scored a seventh round KO over Louis Greene (12-2, 7 KOs) in a bout for the vacant WBO European title on Wednesday night at Production Park Studios in Wakefield, England. Crocker dropped Greene at the end of round one. Crocker knocked down Greene two more times in round seven to end it. Time was 2:02.

In a British welterweight title eliminator, Liam Taylor (22-1-1, 10 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Darren Tetley (20-1, 9 KOs). Taylor dropped Tetley with a body shot in round two. Tetley down again from a right hand in round three. In the end, scores were 96-93, 96-93, 95-93. Continue reading “Results from England”

Welterweight contender Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas, a two-time Lithuanian Olympian coming off a valiant effort last December against Terence “Bud” Crawford, will face NABO welterweight title-holder Mikael Zewski in a 10-rounder Saturday, Sept. 12 from the MGM Grand Conference Center.

In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, three-time world title challenger Miguel Marriaga will fight recent world title challenger Joet Gonzalez. Continue reading “Kavaliauskas-Zewski collide Sept 12”

Light heavyweight Anthony Yarde will take on Dec Spelman on September 12, in what will prove an ideal chance to directly compare himself against potential future foe Lyndon Arthur – who last month edged Spelman on points behind-closed-doors. Yarde challenged for a world title against Sergey Kovalev in 2019 and has been absent since his Russian mission – where he came within seconds of toppling the legendary champion.

The Beast from the East is now back in business against an opponent who extended Manchester’s Arthur to 12 rounds of work in July. Commenting on the fight on behalf of BT Sport on the night, Yarde complained over a lack of entertainment from the pair and that he needed paying to stay awake. Continue reading “Anthony Yarde returns Sept 12”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

In a grudge showdown, IBF #6, WBO #9, WBC #12 light middleweight Tim Tszyu (16-0, 12 KOs) scored a dominating eighth round TKO over former WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn (20-3-1, 13 KOs) on Wednesday night at Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Tszyu rocked Horn in round three, then floored Horn with a left hook. Tszyu continued to punish Horn as the bout progressed. Horn went to a knee after a body shot in round six. The beatdown lasted for two more rounds before the bout was finally halted after round eight.

“I want everyone to know my name’s Tim, not ‘the son,’” said Tszyu afterward. “This is a young man’s sport and I was better this time…it was an honor to share the ring with Jeff.”

Horn stated, “Tim was young, hungry, he’s an absolute champion…he’s now is the #1 in Australia. He wasn’t before this. He was saying he was but he certainly earned it now.”

Tszyu retains his IBF Australasian and WBO global belts. Continue reading “Tszyu dominates and stops Horn in eight”

Update on the scoring snafu. The WBC used live scoring after the fourth and eighth rounds. The announcer was accidentally given the score sheet after eight rounds instead of the final after the tenth round to read. The correct score was 99-91, 97-92, 96-93.

In a clash for the vacant WBC youth silver lightweight title, Luis Torres (10-0, 8 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Jose Luis Vazquez (10-2, 3 KOs) on Tuesday night at the Marinaterra Hotel & Spa in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico. It looked like it might be a short night when Torres floored Vazquez at the end of round one, but the bout went the full ten. The scores were announced as 79-72, 76-73, 77-72. Unusual scoring for a ten round fight.

In the co-feature, unbeaten WBC #15 welterweight Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (22-0, 17 KOs) scored a first round KO over late sub Adalberto “Terrible” Borquez (30-20-1, 27 KOs). Borquez down 3x. Time was 2:49. Dominguez won the vacant WBC Fecarbox title. Borquez stepped in after Dominquez’ original foe Jose Rosario Cazarez tested positive for covid-19.

Unbeaten welterweight Jermone Jones, Jr. (6-0, 6 KOs) scored a fourth round KO over Mario Israel Vera (6-2, 0 KOs). Time was 1:01.

World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman welcomed a strong return of worldwide activity throughout the World, with some excellent fights, punctuated by KOs.

Alexander Povotkin won the Interim heavyweight title and the Diamond Belt with a single explosive left uppercut, which knocked Dillian Whyte unconscious. Mauricio described it as: “Punch of the Decade,” saying one punch changed everything. Cecilia Braekhus lost her undisputed welterweight title and the chance of surpassing the seven-decade record of Joe Louis of 25 title defenses, being defeated via UD by a hard working, determined and effective Jessica McCaskill. Congratulating Jessica for a great performance, Mauricio said that Cecilia is now resting and considering her future. Age is one factor and the other was a very long six months away from home training. Continue reading “WBC Tuesday Coffee”

Lewis Crocker 145.5 vs. Louis Greene 146.4
(WBO European welterweight title)

Darren Tetley 146.5 vs. Liam Taylor 146.75
Lee McGregor 121.9 vs. Ryan Walker 121.75
Fearghus Quinn 163 vs. Robbie Chapman 162.25
Gary Cully 139.75 vs. Craig Woodruff 139.25
James McGivern 133.5 vs. Jamie Quinn 135.5

Venue: Production Park Studios in Wakefield, England
Promoter: MTK
TV: ESPN+

Sampson Lewkowicz, promoter for undefeated two-time WBC Super Middleweight World Champion David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez, has sent the following letter to the WBC, requesting they reinstate Benavidez into their super middleweight rankings. After failing to make weight for what would have been his first defense of the WBC strap against Roamer Alexis Angulo on August 15, the WBC installed Benavidez (23-0, 20 KOs) as their #1 contender at light heavyweight.

However, after consulting with physicians in his hometown of Phoenix, Team Benavidez say they’re confident the pandemic played a major role in Benavidez’s weight problems and that 168lbs is still a safe weight to make for the 23-year-old Benavidez. Continue reading “Team Benavidez wants to stay in 168lb rankings”

By Robert Coster

When lightweight contender Jackson Marinez returned to his native Dominican Republic, he was received by the Secretary of Sports Francisco Camacho, who called him “an uncrowned champion” and handed him a “symbolic title belt.”

Marinez was on the short end of a very controversial decision against Rolando “Rolly ” Romero for the WBA interim lightweight title on August 15th. A very emotional Marinez stated, “I was defrauded by judges who have never put on the boxing gloves. They ignore the pain and the sacrifice – for them boxing is a business. As for Romero, I have one message: Put a lid on your big mouth and let’s do it again. I’ll give you another boxing lesson.”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unheralded JBC#4 Daisuke Watanabe (11-4-2, 6 KOs), 126, won the final of the sensational “First Single Step” featherweight tournament as he floored game southpaw Shingo Kusano (13-9-1, 5 KOs), 126, in the fifth and pounded out a unanimous decision (78-73, 77-74, 76-75) over eight hard-fought rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. It was a commemorative tourney of the thirtieth anniversary of a nationally famous and popular comic strip named “First Single Step” by Joji Morikawa who recently drew a cover of The Ring Magazine featuring world bantam champ Naoya “The Monster” Inoue. Continue reading “Watanabe wins Japan’s 126lb tournament”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Jeff Horn 153.4 (69.6kg) vs. Tim Tszyu 152.3 (69.1kg)
(IBF Australasian/WBO global jr middleweight titles)

Venue: Bank Stadium, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Promoters: Dean Lonergan and Matt Rose
TV: Main Event PPV (Australia), ESPN+ USA

Notes: Horn arrived at the weigh-in late.

Things heated up when Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton told reporters that there are conflicts of interest involving two of the judges and Tszyu. Rushton alleged that Tszyu trained at a gym owned by judge Chris Condon, whom Rushton claimed was formerly a cornerman for Tim’s father Kostya Tszyu. Rushton also alleged that judge Phil Holiday has been heard saying Tszyu will win on cuts. Both judges will still be working the fight as of now.

Luis Torres 134 vs. Jose Luis Vazquez 135
Santiago Dominguez 146 vs. Adalberto “Terrible” Borquez 147
Jermone Jones, Jr. 147 vs. Mario Israel Vera 146
Ezequiel Borrero 122 vs. Jhoan Cano 122
Jesus Lopez 149 vs. Bryan Joel Morales 149

Venue: Marinaterra Hotel & Spa, San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico
Promoter: RJJ Boxing
TV: UFC Fight Pass

ESPN is reporting that WBC/IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev has a new opponent. Beterbiev will now face Adam Deines (19-1-1, 10 KOs) on September 25 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Original foe Meng Fanlong has visa problems.
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WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed to Sky Sports that Tyson Fury has “no restrictions” and can take on Anthony Joshua in 2021. WBC interim and diamond heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin is still tied up with Dillian Whyte due to a rematch clause.
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Former world champ Yoan Pablo Hernandez has vowed to continue even after his unexpected KO loss to Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson. “A defeat doesn’t matter. After a defeat you can go on,” he told MDR.

WBA/IBF junior welterweight world champion Josh Taylor will make his return to the ring from BT Sport Studio in London against IBF No 1 contender Apinun Khongsong on Saturday, Sept. 26, live on ESPN+ in the United States and BT Sport in the UK. This will be Taylor’s first fight since signing with MTK Global and Top Rank earlier this year.

Promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions and Top Rank, “The Tartan Tornado” will make his first appearance in the ring since his triumph in the World Boxing Super Series in London, where he defeated the previously unbeaten Regis Prograis to add the American’s WBA title to his own IBF version, while also claiming the WBSS trophy. Continue reading “Josh Taylor to defend Sept 29 on ESPN+”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech has predicted that former WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn (20-2-1, 13 KOs) will defeat unbeaten IBF#6, WBO#9, WBC#12 light middleweight Tim Tszyu (15-0, 11 KOs) when they clash on Wednesday at the Bank Stadium at Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

“I see Jeff Horn winning and it could be by stoppage,” Fenech told the Daily Telegraph. “If he can beat Tim Tszyu to his punches like the punches he hit Michael Zerafa with, he’ll knock anybody out. Continue reading “Fenech: Horn will win against Tszyu”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

IBF #6, WBO #9, WBC #12 light middleweight Tim Tszyu (15-0, 11 KOs) is confident he’ll defeat former WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn (20-2-1, 13 KOs) on Wednesday at the Bank Stadium at Townsville that will be televised on Foxtel Main Event on Pay-Per-View in Australia and ESPN+ in the USA.

Tszyu said on Channel nine Sports Sunday, “I have prepared by being in the ring with plenty of good boxers including Manny Pacquiao. I have been tested in sparring and training in America so I know the level I am at. I know the opposition that I am facing and I’m 100% confident in my ability and my fitness. I can do ten rounds or twelve rounds. I am ready. Continue reading “Tim Tszyu: I am ready for Jeff Horn”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with one of boxing’s top rising stars, Vergil Ortiz Jr. (16-0, 16 KOs) and his father/trainer Vergil Ortiz Sr. as Ortiz Jr was honored with a second mural in his hometown of Grand Prairie in as many weeks. We covered a lot of ground from his recent fight against Samuel Vargas during the pandemic, challenges of getting a title shot in the stacked welterweight division, the return of his promoter Oscar De La Hoya to the ring, Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr, the possibility of Errol Spence Jr vs. Terence Crawford, and a dream showdown with Spence Jr at AT&T Stadium (home of Dallas Cowboys) possibly down the road!

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WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury talks about Dillian Whyte’s knockout loss to Alexander Povetkin and much more.

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Former amateur star Kamshybek Kunkabayev seemed to be in tough for his pro debut, however, that didn’t turn out to be the case. In the main event of a boxing card on Sunday in Almaty, Kazakhstan, cruiserweight Kunkabayev (1-0, 1 KO) put Issa Akberbayev (20-2, 15 KOs) on the deck for the full ten count with a body shot in round two. Kunkabayev was a two-time amateur world championships silver medalist (2017 & 2019) before turning pro and he still plans to compete in the rescheduled Olympics next year.

In the co-feature, unbeaten WBC #14 lightweight contender Viktor Kotochigov (12-0, 5 KOs) stopped Andrei Isayeu (30-18, 9 KOs) with a body shot in round three. Isayeu beat the count and wanted to continue, but the ref waved it off.

“Upset Saturday” wrapped up with another stunner as strawweight Hugo “Chacal” Hernandez (16-5-1, 6 KOs) derailed WBC #2, WBO #4, IBF #5 rated Daniel “Cejitas” Valladares (22-2-1, 13 KOs) by ten round unanimous decision. Hernandez won by scores of 96-94, 97-93 and 98-92 at TV Azteca Studios in Mexico City.

Two-time welterweight world champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter spoke after his one-sided unanimous decision over Sebastian Formella Saturday night in Los Angeles. As the bout was an IBF eliminator, it puts Porter in line for a rematch with the winner of the upcoming WBC/IBF welterweight title fight between champ Errol Spence Jr. and Danny Garcia.

“There’s no telling what they’ll see from me in a rematch,” said Porter. “I think both guys can also make adjustments. That’s what makes rematches so great, the fans have seen what both of you can do and they want to see who will make the right adjustments. I definitely think that I will be a little different against either guy.” Continue reading “Porter takes aim at Spence-Garcia winner”

With his impressive KO win over former champ Eleider Alvarez, Joe Smith Jr. earned a shot at the vacant WBO light heavyweight title formerly held by Canelo Alvarez. He will face the winner of a WBO eliminator between #1 rated Umar Salamov and #2 Maxim Vlasov.

“Coming into this camp, I knew I had to work on my boxing,” said Smith. “I wanted to be sharp, throw a lot of straight punches. I watched his fight with Kovalev, and Kovalev kind of set the way to beat him. So we watched that and worked off of it. I knew coming in today I had to box a little more because he’s got that great right hand. He caught me with it a couple times, but I can take a punch, too. Continue reading “Smith: I wanted stop him in his tracks”

In a WBO light heavyweight eliminator, Joe Smith Jr. (26-3, 21 KOs) scored a highlight reel ninth round knockout against former world champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (25-2, 13 KOs) on Saturday night inside “The Bubble” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Smith roughed up and outworked Alvarez all night. The end came in round nine when Smith laid out Alvarez with a huge right hand. Time was :26. At the time of the KO, Smith was up 80-72, 79-73, 79-73.

Former WBA middleweight world champion Rob “Bravo” Brant (26-2, 18 KOs) busted up Vitaliy Kopylenko (28-3, 16 KOs) over five rounds. The bout was halted after the fifth round by Kopylenko’s corner due to a closing left eye. Continue reading “Smith Jr. KOs Alvarez in WBO L/H eliminator”