Fightnews.com

In an emotional ceremony, WBO super bantamweight champion Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete received his WBO belt in Mexico City. The presentation was made by WBO representative Rafael Lopez Santos.

Navarrete (26-1, 22 KOs) won the title last December 8 at Madison Square Garden in New York, beating Isaac Dogboe as a 7:1 underdog in a big surprise to the boxing world.

“Thanks to the WBO, to Zanfer, TV Azteca and the fans who always believed in me, and my family for supporting me. We will be champions for a long time and defend this belt with great pride and commitment. Continue reading “Emanuel Navarrete belted in Mexico City”

WBA super welterweight titlist Brian Castaño is nearing his first U.S. main event and talked about how training camp has gone so far as he prepares to face former world champion Erislandy Lara on March 2 live on Showtime from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Castaño is trained by his former pro boxer father Carlos in the bustling city of Isidro Casanova in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After a long and successful amateur career leading into his pro debut in 2012, Castaño has a chance on March 2 to make a lasting impact with an impressive performance against Lara.

“I’ve been boxing since I was a small child and now this is my opportunity to prove myself on the biggest stage,” said Castaño. “This fight is the moment I’ve been waiting for and the kind of tough challenge that I love. I want to make a statement to the American audience against one of the best fighters in the world.” Continue reading “Castaño aims to make statement against Lara”

Rio 2016 Olympian Antonio Vargas is set to return on the Boxeo Telemundo Ford undercard, with the show celebrating its 30th anniversary. The first of four installments airing in back to back weeks will kick off Friday, February 22 from Osceola Heritage Park Events Center in Kissimmee Florida.

WBO #15 Antonio Vargas (9-0, 3 KOs) is fighting for the seventh time in his hometown of Kissimmee. Vargas, and is the current NABF Jr bantamweight titleholder, having claimed the vacant title in his last outing against the tough Mexican contender Jorge “El Wero” Perez. Vargas returns to the Telemundo airwaves, this time he defends his title against Wilner Soto (21-5 12 KO) of Canalete, Colombia over 8 rounds. The young Olympic prospect looks to start off the year with a strong first defense and continue his trend in the pro ranks. Continue reading “Antonio Vargas returns Feb 22 on Boxeo Telemundo”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Boxing Beat

A JBC ring physician named Masahiro Tanaka, 29, a black belt of Kendo (Japanese fencing) with third dan (grade), became interested in putting boxing into practice while doing many medical checkups of boxers, began to learn how to box and then sensationally made a professional debut on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan. Tanaka, 104.5, furiously swarmed over another novice Yusuke Seshita, 103.25, and decked a very quick TKO victory in just 25 seconds into the first session of a scheduled four. After he floored his foe with an opening overhand right, the fight resumed with Tanaka quickly dropping him again with a flurry of punches. The ref then declared a well-received halt.

The cool-looking winner scientifically reviewed the fight, saying, “A boxer in a pro debut tends to be nervous enough to have stiff knees and legs, so I made an opening attack. My fight plan paid off.” Tanaka was a captain of Japanese fencing team at St. Marianna Medical University, and served as brain surgeon in Okinawa, Kanagawa and Fukushima after graduation. Continue reading “Ring Doctor makes debut; wins in 25 seconds”

WBA super featherweight world champion Gervonta Davis and former world champion Hugo Ruiz were on-hand at Churchill Boxing Club in Santa Monica Wednesday as they near their showdown that headlines Showtime Championship Boxing on Saturday from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, in Carson, California.

Gervonta Davis

“Camp is going great. I feel ready for Saturday night. I’m disappointed that I’m not facing Abner Mares but it doesn’t change too much. I heard that he hurt his elbow at first, I didn’t know that it was his eye. Once I heard it was his eye, I took it more seriously. I wanted to fight Abner. We could probably have done it back home but I gave him the chance to fight in LA. I am the champion, so I’m willing to give him another shot.”

Hugo Ruiz

“Out of my 39 wins, 33 of them are knockouts so I can say with confidence that I can knock out Gervonta Davis. No fighter is invincible and that’s a really possible outcome on Saturday…the reason I have so many knockouts is because I like to surprise my opponents and I really think I have something that I can surprise Gervonta with. Come Saturday, we will see how many ways I can surprise him.”

WBA super featherweight world champion Alberto “Explosivo” Machado (21-0, 17 KOs) and 130-pound contender
Andrew “El Chango” Cancio (19-4-2, 14 KOs) hosted their final press conference at the Golden Boy Promotions headquarters in Los Angeles ahead of their 12-round battle. The event will take place on Saturday at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. and will be streamed live on DAZN.

Fighters from the undercard also attended the press conference, including WBC super bantamweight world champion Rey Vargas (32-0, 22 KOs), who will defend his title against Franklin Manzanilla (18-4, 17 KOs) in the co-main event. Continue reading “Machado-Cancio/Reyes-Manzanilla Presser”

T-Mobile Arena will host Canelo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs) defending his WBC/WBA titles in a 12-round unification fight against IBF middleweight world champion Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs) during the celebratory weekend of Cinco de Mayo. The champion-vs.-champion event will take place Saturday, May 4 and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

“I’m excited to return to T-Mobile Arena for a fifth time,” said Canelo Alvarez. “I inaugurated this arena to boxing at an international level, and it’s a place where I have had some of my biggest fights. This fight against Daniel Jacobs will not be the exception. I am ready to capture another world title in front of a packed house, listening to the unconditional support of the fans in attendance, and also for those who will watch this fight through the screens of a huge platform in DAZN. I want it so when people talk about T-Mobile Arena, they say that is where Canelo Alvarez fights.”

SHOWTIME Sports will present the highly anticipated super middleweight matchup between fierce British rivals James DeGale and Chris Eubank Jr. Saturday, February 23 live on SHOWTIME from London’s The O2. In the co-featured bout, fast-rising prospect Joe Joyce battles former world champion Bermane Stiverne in a 12-round heavyweight clash. The event will air live on air and via the networks’ streaming service at a start time to be announced.

Two-division world champion Lamont Peterson takes on former junior welterweight world champion Sergey Lipinets in a 12-round welterweight match on FS1 and FOX Deportes on Sunday, March 24 from MGM National Harbor in Maryland. Also, Anthony Peterson, Lamont’s brother, battles former junior lightweight world champion Argenis Mendez in a 10-round junior welterweight bout that serves as the co-main event.

The Peterson brothers are an inspirational duo that rose from poverty and homelessness in Washington D.C. as children to become professional boxers and reach an elite level in the sport. They will be fighting as the main and co-main event in nationally televised bouts for the first time since 2006 and will look to put on a show for fans just outside of their hometown.

WBC super lightweight world champion Jose Ramirez has a pair of fights this week.

In the ring, the Avenal, Calif., native will defend his WBC super lightweight world title against Jose “Chon” Zepeda on Sunday at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. Outside the ring, Ramirez will help raise money and awareness for cancer research to assist men, women, and children who are afflicted with the disease.

Ramirez (23-0, 16 KOs) will pay a special visit to the Community Cancer Institute in Clovis, Calif., on Thursday at 12:30 p.m., where he will meet with patients and staff members. He will then auction off his fight-worn purple gloves and assorted fight night attire, with all proceeds benefitting the Community Cancer Institute. A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to the Community Cancer Institute, and Ramirez and his manager, Rick Mirigian, will also donate 1,000 tickets to Community Cancer Institute patients and their families. Continue reading “Ramirez set for defense Sunday”

Hard-punching welterweight Derrieck Cuevas (18-0-1, 14 KOs) says he’s not bothered by the number of hometown fans his upcoming opponent Ed “The Lion” Paredes (38-7-1, 25 KOs) will have in the house for their showdown on Friday, March 1, in the 10-round main event of The Heavyweight Factory’s, in association with All Star Boxing, “Rumble at the Rock IV” at the Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., and live on Boxeo Telemundo.

“It doesn’t bother me,” said Cuevas. “At the end of the day, it’s only me and him, and they can’t fight for him. I look forward to giving him a world-class beating in front of all his fans…I plan to be the first man to knock Ed Paredes out!”

Latvia’s Mairis Briedis (25-1, 18 KOs) and Poland’s Krzysztof Glowacki (31-1, 19 KOs) continue their quest for the Ali Trophy in the 200 lb division on June 15 at the Arena Riga in Riga, Latvia. Briedis and Glowacki both defeated their hard fighting quarter-final opponents by unanimous decisions November 11 last year in Chicago. Briedis beat Germany’s Noel Mikaelian to claim a spot in the semi-final, while Glowacki took the win against Russia’s Maksim Vlasov.

Now tournament #1 seed Briedis and #3 seed Glowacki will battle it out in Latvia’s capital for a place in the cruiserweight final of the World Boxing Super Series. The other WBSS cruiserweight semi is Yunier Dorticos vs. Andrew Tabiti, date and location TBA.

By Ron Jackson

Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotions has announced an exciting line-up for the February 24 tournament to be held at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday afternoon. In the main event South African super-middleweight champion Rowan Campbell (8-0, 6 KOs) has a tough test going in against Alex Kabangu (4-0-1, 2 KOs) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who is now based in South Africa.

In another interesting matchup Xolani Mcotheli (17-4, 12 KOs) who holds the South African and WBF Intercontinental junior-welterweight titles meets the rugged Jabulano Makhense (6-0, 4 KOs) from Pretoria in a clash for the vacant WBA Pan African junior-welterweight title. Continue reading “Feb 24 Emperors Palace lineup set”

WBA featherweight world champion Leo Santa Cruz hosted a media workout at Fortune Gym in Hollywood Tuesday as he nears his primetime FOX showdown against Rafael Rivera on February 16 at Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. Santa Cruz was originally scheduled to face Miguel Flores, but he was replaced by Rivera after Flores suffered an injury in training.

“We kept our training camp going despite the change of opponent. We always train the same no matter who the opponent is,” said Santa Cruz. Continue reading “Opponent change doesn’t bother Santa Cruz”

Mexico’s Cesar Juarez (23-6, 17 KOs) battles former champion Ryosuka Iwasa (25-3, 16 KOs) of Japan in a 12-round IBF super bantamweight title elimination match and undefeated IBF junior flyweight champion Carlos Licona (14-0, 2 KOs) of Mexico clashes with South Africa’s DeeJay Kriel (14-1-1, 6 KOs) in non-televised action on the February 16 Santa Cruz-Rivera card at Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. Continue reading “Juarez-Iwasa clash in IBF eliminator”

World ranked light heavyweight “Hot Rod” Radivoje Kalajdzic (24-1, 17 KOs) has thrown down the gauntlet to Staten Island, NY native Marcus Browne (23-0, 16 KOs) for a rematch of their highly controversial clash in 2016.

“I saw Browne’s fight against Badou Jack and it’s the same amateurish style since he turned pro, holding at the first sign of trouble,” said the 27-year-old Kalajdzic, who has called St. Petersburg, Florida, his home for 15 years. Browne won a 12-round unanimous decision against Jack on January 19, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, seizing the interim WBA light heavyweight title and the WBC silver light heavyweight title. Continue reading “Kalajdzic targets Browne rematch”

The WBA Champions Committee has postponed the three purse bids that were happening February 6th, they are rescheduled to February 13th. The bids will be made on the following bouts: Daniel Roman vs Murdjon Akmadiev for the super bantamweight title, Vasil Lomachenko vs Anthony Crolla for the lightweight title and Beibut Shumenov vs Arsen Goulamiriam for the cruiserweight title. The auction will take place in the WBA office located in Panama City, Panama. Aurelio Fiengo will supervise.

SES Boxing has announced a heavyweight twinbill for March 2 at the Maritim Hotel in Magdeburg, Germany. In the main event, European champion Agit Kabayel (18-0, 13 KOs) defends against Andriy Rudenko (32-3, 20 KOs), while WBO #2 Tom Schwarz (23-0, 15 KOs) faces Kristijan Krstacic (17-1, 14 KOs). Kabayel and Schwarz appeared at a kickoff press conference today.

Agit Kabayel: “Here in Magdeburg I became European champion and here I will continue to move to the top…my self-confidence is reinforced by sparring invitations with world champions like Joshua – as a European champion, I’m not really so far from their level. I have now begun sparring, know what we have to work on, and look forward to the fight on March 2.”

Tom Schwarz: “This is my home game. I have to prove myself in front of my fans. 2018 was my best year – 2019 we are still stepping up our game…the result I want against Krstacic is a clear victory.”

The WBO Championship Committee has advised the camps of WBO jr bantamweight champion Donnie Nietes and mandatory challenger Aston Palicte to negotiate and reach an agreement within 15 days. If an accord is not reached within the time frame stated, a purse bid will be ordered. The minimum acceptable bid is $100,000. Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process. Nietes and Palicte battled to a draw last September in Los Angeles.

Super lightweight Anthony Yigit (21-1-1, 7 KOs) will face Mohamed Khalladi (10-7-1, 5 KOs) in an eight round contest on February 16 at CGM Arena in Koblenz, Germany. The Swedish southpaw returns having proved his star potential with a heroic performance against Ivan Baranchyk in their World Boxing Super Series Quarter-Final clash for the IBF World Super Lightweight title on October 27.

Yigit stood toe-to-toe with Baranchyk in a fan-friendly contest at the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, but severe swelling around the Swede’s left eye forced the ringside doctor to stop the fight at the end of the seventh-round.

The 27-year-old says he cannot wait to get back in action as he looks to put into practice the lessons learned from his first career loss, and having gained international acclaim for his brave display, engineer a return to the world stage.
“The ring is where I feel at home, so I can’t wait to get back, especially in Germany as I’ve always had great support from the German fans,” says Yigit. Continue reading “Yigit returns on February 16 in Germany”

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Legendary former world champion Eusebio Pedroza, 62, is battling for life at the Arnulfo Arias Madrid Hospital in Panama City. Pedroza is suffering from cancer and insufficient blood flow to the brain and the next few hours are very important. Pedroza was the WBA featherweight world champion from 1978 to 1985 with a record of 19 consecutive defenses. He was inducted to the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York in 1999.

“I’d like to apologize to my fans – those who bought a ticket or were planning to watch it – for withdrawing from my mega-fight with Gervonta Davis this past week. I had to go through surgery for an injury and am now recovering. I am sorry that I couldn’t fight and I want to thank everyone for their support. I will be back soon.”
Abner Mares

–

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker would be interested in bouts against the best heavyweights in the world, including Derek Chisora, according to Parker’s promoter David Higgins.

“Like most top heavyweights, Joseph will be willing to fight anyone,” Higgins told Sky Sports. “I see Eddie Hearn mentioning Chisora publicly. If the deal was right, then, sure enough, Joseph certainly will not back away from anyone. It will be interesting to see how that pans out. There’s been one email from Eddie. No detailed discussion whatsoever. As I say, Joseph would be willing to step in with anyone, provided it’s the right terms. I’m hoping to speak to Eddie this week.”

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Australian light middleweight Tim Tszyu (11-0, 9 KOs) will clash with former Commonwealth Champion Denton Vassell (25-5, 11 KOs) over twelve rounds at the Hordern Pavillion, Sydney, NSW, Australia on Friday. Tszyu, who is the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, is coming off a round one stoppage of Marcos Jesus Cornejo in September 2018. Vassell who is from Lancashire, England, is coming off a second round stoppage loss to Evadais Korsakas in June 2018.

Also in action will be Rugby League football heavyweight star Paul Gallen (8-0, 4 KOs) who will clash with John Hopoate (12-5, 11 KOs). It will be Gallen’s first fight since November 2017.

Undefeated WBA #1 super lightweight contender Mario Barrios (22-0, 14 KOs) will look to continue his push toward a world title shot when he faces Mexico’s Richard Zamora (19-2, 12 KOs) live on Showtime this Saturday from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, in Carson, California. The card is headlined by WBA super featherweight world champion Gervonta Davis defending his title against former world champion Hugo Ruiz.

The 23-year-old from San Antonio can increase his knockout streak to seven on February 9, all since he moved up to 140-pounds. Here is what Barrios had to say about his upcoming matchup and more from training camp in Oakland, Calif. Continue reading “Barrios facing final hurdle before title shot”