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By Boxing Bob Newman

Day two of the 56th annual WBC convention in Kiev, Ukraine was chock full of simultaneous activity. Starting with the ratings committee at 9 a.m., the medical seminar commenced at 10 a.m., along with the confederations meetings and the judges certification seminar at the same time. The WBC Cares departed the hotel at 11:30 a.m.

The ratings meeting is always one of the most highly contentious events at the convention. Assembled promoters, managers and agents all attend to lobby for the position of their respective fighters, sometimes aggressively so. This often drags out the proceedings for an uncomfortably long time. This year however, things went quite well and swiftly. Ratings chairman Bob Yalen was assisted by Dean Louhis. For whatever reason, there was relatively little objection to where fighters were presented in the rankings, leaving little room for debate. Continue reading “WBC 56th convention Day 2 report”

By Arvin Nundloll

Reigning WBC Heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder, and former champion Tyson Fury hurled abuse and promised swift ends on December 1 as both men fight for what may be an unmissable heavyweight classic live on Showtime PPV from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Speaking exclusively to FightNews.com®, Wilder showed the aggression expected from a reigning heavyweight champion while reminding everyone that Fury is a live and dangerous opponent even with his time spent away from the ring. Continue reading “Wilder and Fury promise KOs and pain”

Here are the highlights from today’s Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury: New York Press Conference at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

The press tour concludes tomorrow in Los Angeles.

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Former world champion Graciano Rocchigiani has been killed in an automobile accident in Italy. The 53-year-old Rocchigiani was reportedly struck by a vehicle last night around midnight while on vacation in Catania, Sicily. He held world titles in the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions and was the arch-rival of Dariusz Michalczewski. He sued the WBC and collected a multi-million settlement in 2003. Later he became a trainer and was also a popular ringside boxing analyst with his deep, booming voice. He had a career mark of 41-6-1, 19 KOs. His brother Ralf Rocchigiani was also a world champion.

Looks like the much-anticipated fight for the undisputed female middleweight championship between Claressa Shields and Christina Hammer on November 17 in Atlantic City is off. Shields stated via social media that Hammer has an undisclosed medical condition. More details to come…

UPDATE: Hammer has confirmed that the fight is off for now.

By Boxing Bob Newman

Former heavyweight champions Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko don the gloves to face off one more time!

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By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

WBA #9, IBF #11 super middleweight Bilal Akkawy (18-0, 14 KOs) talks to Fightnews.com® about new trainer Eddie Reynoso and working as chief sparring partner to Canelo Alvarez for the GGG 2 fight, his recent victory over Cristian Olivas (16-2) in Las Vegas and his next fight in New York during December.

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By Jim Jenkins, Courtesy of The Sacramento Bee

Paco Damian, 30ish-plus and Woodland (CA) based understudy to Don Chargin, says their Saturday (Oct. 6) card will go on as scheduled at the nearby Cache Creek Casino and Resort in Brooks.

“It’s how Don wanted it,” Damian said following the passing of the Hall-of-Fame promoter on Friday ( Sept. 28). “Long ago, as partners, he told me, ‘If I go first, I want you to continue.’ I thought about it, how long he’s been promoting despite his age, and told him, ‘I will, if you promise to go on if I go first.’ And so he did. It is my hope, if the family approves, that I can continue promoting under the name of Don Chargin Productions and Paco Presents.

Report and Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

The opening ceremonies of the 56th WBC convention in Kiev, Ukraine took place literally under “the big top,” a huge circus-like tent across the street from the Fairmont Grand Hotel. While the skies were bright blue, there was a slight chill in the air as it was only in the 50°F range.

As always, these gatherings are like family reunions, oftentimes old rivalries are forgotten. In fact, the most noteworthy one involved native son and now mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko and former WBC champ Lennox Lewis. There was nothing but love between the old foes- 15 years after the fact. In fact, Lewis, both Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko and Evander Holyfield all took turns addressing fans and the media with comments about how happy there were to be in Kiev and being part of the WBC family. Family is why Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales sat next to each other, Roberto Duran and Marvelous Marvin Hagler exchanged greetings. Continue reading “WBC 56th Convention in Kiev: Opening Day Report”

Wednesday, October 3 At 12:30 p.m. PT

Due to inclement weather in the forecast, Wednesday’s press event featuring WBC champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and lineal champion Tyson “Gypsy King” Fury has moved indoors to The Novo by Microsoft at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles. In anticipation of the December 1 heavyweight world title showdown between the larger-than-life heavyweights, the fighters will conclude a three-city international press tour following stops in London and New York. The U.S. events are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

The Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury Press Tour got off to a combative start as the two heavyweight giants went face-to-face in London on Monday, exchanging verbal jabs ahead of their December 1 showdown for the WBC Heavyweight World Championship live on SHOWTIME PPV from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Amidst the back-and-forth jawing, the 6-foot-7 Wilder and the 6-foot-9 Fury had to be separated when Wilder refused to back down from Fury’s challenge to engage in a sparring session.

“I want to feel the power,” Fury said to Wilder. “You’re going to feel the Fury, I want to feel the Alabama slammer.”

“I’m going to show you the full power”, Wilder fired back. “This ain’t no game!” Continue reading “More on explosive Wilder-Fury showdown”

Hard Hitting Promotions presents an eight-bout card on Saturday at The 2300 Arena. In the main event, undefeated heavyweight Darmani Rock (12-0, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia takes Pedro Julio Rodriguez (23-5, 19 KOs) of Miami, Florida, via Cuba in an eight-round bout.

In the six-round co-feature, Jeremy Cuevas (10-0, 8 KOs) of Philadelphia will fight Jerome Rodriguez (7-9-3, 2 KOs) of Allentown, PA in a lightweight contest. Continue reading “Darmani Rock back in action Saturday”

WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder and former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury embark on a three-city press tour to announce their December 1 world title bout.

“I want to feel the power,” said Fury approaching Wilder. Wilder responded with a shove and both camps and security separated the fighters.

Deontay Wilder: I’m all about devastating knockouts. That’s what I do…I want to make this the most devastating knockout of my career.

Tyson Fury: No 15 stone (210lb) man on the planet can beat Tyson Fury. I will stand and prove what I will do to this idiot. I will punch his face right in.

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By Gabriel F. Cordero

The Third Annual World Boxing Council Women’s Convention will be held in the Philippines. The convention was originally planned to be held in the Mexican city of Culiacan, but surprisingly during Sunday’s meeting of the WBC Board of Governors in Kiev, Ukraine, representatives from the Philippines informed the WBC that their country is prepared host the event from November 17 to 19 and the offer was accepted…..Meanwhile, candidates are already lining up for next year’s 57th annual WBC Convention, including Korea, India, Colombia, United States and Mexico.

Unbeaten super bantamweight Brandon Figueroa (17-0, 12 KOs) scored a tenth round KO over Oscar Escandon (25-5, 17 KOs) on Sunday night at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. Figueroa seemed headed to a unanimous decision when a crushing uppercut ended Escandon. Time was 1:42. Figueroa is the brother of former world champion Omar Figueroa.

Unbeaten Olympic super heavyweight silver medalist Joe “Juggernaut” Joyce (6-0, 6 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO over Iago Kiladze (26-4, 18 KOs). Joyce looked good, dropping Kiladze in rounds two and three. The bout ended after Kiladze hit the canvas for the third time in round five. Time was :41.

In a clash of unbeaten heavyweights, Efe Ajagba (7-0, 6 KOs) scored a first round KO over Nick Jones (7-1, 5 KOs). A right hand dropped Jones at 2:25. Continue reading “Figueroa, Joyce, Ajagba win by KO”

Former two-time IBF super middleweight champion James “Chunky” DeGale (25-2-1, 15 KOs) quietly returned to action tonight with a third round KO over former WBC lightweight title challenger Fidel Monterrosa (39-19-1, 31 KOs) on Sunday night at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. An uppercut finished Monterrosa, who didn’t beat the count. Strangely the ex-champ’s bout wasn’t selected for tonight’s FS1 telecast.

By Boxing Bob Newman

Kiev, Ukraine is at the epicenter of the boxing world as champs and delegates alike descend on the capital city which is playing host to the 56th annual WBC convention.
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While the WBC board has been here for a few days, conducting private meetings and ironing out last second convention details, many guests arrived over the weekend at the luxurious host venue Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv. Continue reading “WBC 56th Annual Convention Opening Cocktail Party”

Unbeaten world-ranked bantamweight Melvin “Melo” Lopez (17-0, 10 KOs) showed he had no problems risking his “0” on the road. Lopez made his Asia debut vs. battle tested local favorite Renan Portes. The bout took place at the SM City North EDSA Skydome in Quezon City, Philippines. Portes had the home crowd behind him, but Lopez was determined to keep his unbeaten record intact. The bout was a closely contested battle of wills. Lopez showed his class in the final round to edge Portes by majority decision.

World Boxing Association interim world bantamweight champion Reymart Gaballo (20-0, 17 KOs) had no trouble with Julias Kisarawe (29-8-1, 15 KOs) of Tanzania. Gaballo put Kisarawe down twice in route to stopping him in round one. Continue reading ““Melo” keeps his “0” in Philippines”

By Matt Thompson

Bakersfield lightweight product Miguel Contreras ran his record to 6-0, 5 KOs, after Mike Melikyan (4-4-1, 1 KO) could not answer the bell to start the sixth round on Friday night at Stramler Park in Bakersfield, California. Fighting behind a partisan crowd, Contreras wore down Melikyan using a solid body attack and picked up steam as the fight progressed to secure the stoppage in his hometown. Continue reading “Boxing Results from Bakersfield”

Former two-time IBF super middleweight champion James DeGale (24-2-1, 14 KOs) will return to action tonight at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. DeGale vacated the IBF world title in July, saying “I’m in the final phase of my career where I have a few good years left where I can be involved in massive fights and really leave a legacy in the division’s history.”

Former world champion Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares (45-4, 27 KOs) returned with an impressive third round knockout over Abner “Pin” Cotto on Saturday in Indio, Calif. It was Linares’ first fight in the super lightweight division, where he will soon look for title opportunities.

“I feel good, and I’m ready to fight the best at 140 pounds,” said Linares. “I’ve been hearing Mikey Garcia’s name, and he’s been hearing my name. Maybe we can have that fight next year. I came in very well prepared to fight the best in the division. I would also drop back down to 135 pounds to fight Vasiliy Lomachenko if we can make the rematch. At this point in my career, I want the big fights.”

Venue: Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California
Promoter: TGB Promotions
TV: FS1

DiBella Entertainment celebrated its 15-Year Anniversary of Broadway Boxing on Saturday night by teaming up with fellow New York-based promoters The Real Deal Boxing and Uprising Promotions for a stacked card of New York City’s most promising prospects at the legendary Kings Theatre in Brooklyn in front of an energetic and near capacity crowd.

Photos: Zanfer

Super welterweight José Carlos “Puro” Paz (23-7-1, 12 KOs) scored a ninth round KO over son of the legend Jorge “Maromerito” Páez (40-12-2, 24 KOs) on Saturday night in a rematch at the Gimnasio del Sindicato de Trabajadores del Metro in Mexico City.

The fight was one-sided with Paz connecting with his shots very accurately and from different angles. Paez was very close to being stopped on at least three occasions before the fateful ninth. In 2017, Paz beat Paez on points.

Also, in an upset, featherweight Wilmank Cano Jr (8-1-2, 7 KOs) scored an unexpected fifth round KO over previously unbeaten Carlos “Chinito” Ornelas (21-1, 12 KOs). Continue reading “Paz beats Maromerito again”

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Former three-division world champion Jorge Linares (45-4, 28 KOs), now fighting at super lightweight, scored an impressive three round destruction of Abner Cotto (23-4, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.

Linares dropped Cotto in round two with a right hand to the chin. Linares dropped Cotto again with a right hand in round three. Later in the round, as Linares pummeled Cotto, both men tumbled to the canvas. Cotto got up wobbly and the bout was stopped. Time was 1:31.

Abner’s cousin, the legendary multi-division world champion Miguel Cotto, was at ringside.

Lightweight Romero Duno (18-1, 14 KOs) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Ezequiel Avilez (16-3-3, 6 KOs) Duno dropped Avilez at the end of round one, twice more in round six, and had Avilez out on his feet at the final bell. Scores were 78-71 on all three cards. Continue reading “Linares crushes Cotto in three”