Fightnews.com

Former world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa will look to put himself squarely back into world title contention when he faces fellow former champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez on Saturday live on Showtime from Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore. Gamboa-Martinez will be the co-main event to WBA super featherweight world champion Gervonta Davis against mandatory challenger Ricardo Núñez. If Davis and Gamboa are both victorious, Gamboa would welcome a future showdown between the two.

“After I win this fight, I am ready for anyone at 130 or 135 pounds,” said Gamboa. “Gervonta Davis is a very good fighter and has done a fantastic job in his campaign as a 130-pound champion. If Gervonta happens to be the next fight, let’s throw hands and see what happens. Unlike my fight with Terrence Crawford at 135 pounds, I feel like I would be the bigger man in the ring against Gervonta. A win versus Martinez is a wonderful opportunity and I will not let it go to waste as it will catapult me to much bigger fights, which my fans deserve.”

The California State Athletic Commission has voted unanimously to allow #1 rated IBF heavyweight contender Kubrat Pulev to reapply for a boxing license. Pulev was suspended for forcibly kissing a female reporter after an interview following his KO win against Bogdan Dinu in March. He was required to pay a $2500 fine and attend a sexual harassment seminar at UNLV. Any future offenses will result in Pulev getting a lifetime ban in North America.

By David Finger at ringside

Boxing fans in the Permian Basin came out for an exciting night of fights this last Saturday (July 20th) as two of the State of Texas’s hottest young lightweight prospects easily defeated their foes in separate bouts.

Undefeated 23-year old Abel Mendoza, 133 ¼, of Fort Stockton, Texas won a shutout unanimous four-round decision over Los Angeles California’s Raymond Chacon, 133 ¼ in the co-main event. Continue reading “Mendoza, Navarrete win in Midland, Texas”

By David Finger

In a bout for the vacant WBC Silver Latino Welterweight title, local contender Josh Torres, 146.4, won a razor thin split decision over Tucson, Arizona’s Alfonso Olvera, 146, on Saturday night at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Two judges had it 96-94 for Torres. The third judge scored the fight for Olvera by a score of 96-94. With the win Torres improves to 21-6-2, 12 KOs. Olvera falls to 11-6-3, 4 KOs.

In the co-main event undefeated prospect Matthew Griego, 114.6, survived a scare of his own as he struggled to win a six round split decision over Leonardo Torres, 116.8, of Matamoros, Mexico. Scores were 58-56 for Griego (twice) and 60-54 for Torres. With the win, Griego improves to 10-0, 8 KOs. Torres sees his record now stand at 4-13, 4 KOs.

WBC super lightweight champion Jose Ramirez (24-0, 16 KOs) is a slight favorite to defeat hometown hero and WBO jr welterweight champion Maurice Hooker (26-0-3, 17 KOs) in their world 140lb unification clash on Saturday at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. Ramirez is a -140 pick, while Hooker is +110. Ramirez normally fights in front a huge crowd of his hometown fans in Fresno, California, but this time he is traveling to the opponent’s backyard. The fight can be seen live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

Former world champion Fedor Chudínov (21-2, 14) of Russia KO’d former Argentinean Olympian Ezekial Maderna (26-6, 16 KOs) in round ten Monday to defend the WBA Continental super middleweight title. Chudinov dominated the action from the beginning with constant pressure wearing down Maderna. A short hook dropped Maderna in round ten where he was counted out. The main event bout took place at the Red Square in Moscow, Russia.

By Robert Coster

Super lightweight contender Jonathan Alonso, Dominican-born but a Spanish national, has arrived in Santo Domingo from New York, where he trained to face local hero Alberto Puello for the vacant WBA interim world lightweight title this coming Saturday. The bout between the unbeaten contenders will be the main event fight of the WBA “KO to Drugs” yearly card which is being promoted here by Shuan Boxing Promotion.

Said WBA #3 Alberto Puello (16-0, 9 KOs), “Alonso is going back to Spain empty-handed. He’s good but I’m better.”

In response, WBA #4 Jonathan Alonso (18-0, 12 KOs) declared, “I’ve got the space in my luggage where I will put my title belt.”

Alonso plans to step into the ring with both Spanish and Dominican flags, a choice which prompted Puello to say, “I’m the real Dominican here. Alonso represented Spain at the Olympics. Don’t be fooled, he’s a Spaniard.”

The televised card will be held at the 8,000 seat Carlos (Teo) Cruz Coliseum in the Dominican capital.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn (19-1-1, 13 KOs) could be in line for an upset loss at the hands of fellow Australian Michael “Pretty Boy” Zerafa (26-3, 15 KOs) when they clash on August 31 at the Bendigo Stadium, Bendigo, Victoria. according to Boxing Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech.

“Zerafa has always been a good fighter,” Fenech told Grantlee Kieza of the Courier Mail. “But he looked brilliant against (2016 Olympian) Daniel Lewis who was recently sparring a world champ Daniel Jacobs in America. I was blown away. Zerafa is a lot bigger than Horn and he looks to have gone up a gear or two with his boxing. I think Horn is going to get a huge shock at this guy’s speed and talent. Continue reading “Fenech: Zerafa can upset Horn”

Former Olympian Gan-Erdene Gankhuyag signed an exclusive promotional agreement with Heavy Hitters Promotions (Andy Kim) out of South Korea. Gankhuyag had a stellar amateur career amassing more than 350 fights. He represented his native Mongolia in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and is scheduled to debut in a major world sanctioning body regional title fight in Korea before the end of the year. Continue reading “Ex-Olympian Gan-Erdene inks Promotional pact”

Former WBC flweight champion Cristofer “El Latigo” Rosales (28-4, 19 KOs) of Nicaragua returns to the ring August 24 at the Gymanasio Nicarao in Managua, Nicaragua. Rosales will face countryman Eliecier Quezada (23-9-3, 9 KOs) in the eight round main event. The two fought locally in 2017 where Rosales won a split decision. Continue reading “Ex-champ Rosales returns Aug 24”

Super welterweight Michel Soro (34-2-1, 23 KOs) won the WBA gold title with a fifth round TKO over Anderson Prestot (23-2, 12 KOs) at the Palace of Sports, in Marseille, France on Saturday. Soro was to fight unbeaten Magomed Kurvanov for the vacant WBA world title, but visa problems kayoed Kurvanov and Prestot was brought in as a late sub with the gold belt on the line. Soro will fight for the WBA world title in the near future.

Fedor Chudinov 168 vs. Ezequiel Maderna 168
(WBA Continental super middleweight title)

Venue: Red Square, Moscow, Russia
Promoter: Patriot Boxing Promotions
TV: TyCSports

Photos: Stephanie Trapp/TGB Promotions

Undefeated former bantamweight champion Luis Nery (30-0, 24 KOs) delivered a great performance on the Pacquiao-Thurman undercard, scoring a ninth-round knockout of former bantamweight champion Juan Carlos Payano (21-3, 9 KOs). It was a body shot that finished Payano.

“He was a very complicated fighter at the beginning, he’s a veteran, so I had to try to adapt to his style to see how I could get in,” said Nery afterward. “In the fifth or sixth round I started gaining control of the fight and then that left hook came to the body which was devastating. I saw the openings in the body and then that’s when the left hook came and it was over. Continue reading “Luis Nery shines on Pac-Thurman undercard”

Manny Pacquiao just out to an early lead on all three scorecards. After round nine, Keith Thurman had drawn even on one card and was within two points on the other two. Pacquiao, however, essentially won the fight in round ten when he doubled over Thurman with a body shot. Thurman won round eleven on all three cards, and even had he won the final stanza across the board, Pacquiao would have still won a split decision. (Photo: Sumio Yamada)

By Miguel Maravilla

Following his victory Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, eight-division and newly crowned WBA welterweight world champion Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) talked about his split decision victory over Keith “One Time” Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) of Clearwater, Florida at the post-fight press conference.

“I’m sure everyone is happy with my performance. My opponent, he is young and a heavy-handed man. He can fight. His journey does not end tonight. He has a great future. Your journey is not over. This guy is a warrior. I’m blessed for being a winner tonight.” Continue reading “Pacquiao: I can still fight”

By Miguel Maravilla

Former welterweight world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) of Clearwater, Florida, discussed his defeat to Filipino boxing icon Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) at the post-fight press conference.

“Tonight was a great night of boxing. The opening rounds didn’t start like I wanted them to. Manny Pacquiao got momentum with the early knockdown. Obviously, he caught me in the first round,” Thurman said. “I was beaten tonight and that the sport of boxing. I’m not going anywhere and I will be back. Continue reading “Thurman: I will be back”

By Kurt Wolfheimer at ringside
Photos: Darryl Cobb Jr.

Rising Star Promotions put together a big night of professional Boxing at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, featuring the return of Tommy “Cornflake” Lamanna (27-2-1, 9 KOs) against thirty-seven fight veteran Carlos Garcia Hernandez. Unfortunately, the fight was cancelled when Garcia Hernandez failed to meet New Jersey Athletic Commission medical requirements. Rising Star Promotions would not let the fans down though and presented an entertaining five bout card.

In the main bout of the evening, undefeated bantamweight Ry’shine Collins (3-0, 2 KOs) was taken to the limit, but squeaked out a four round split decision victory over Antonio Lucaine (0-1). Continue reading “Collins squeaks by Lucaine in AC”

By David Robinett at ringside
Photos: Sumio Yamada

Father Time continues to creep closer and closer to Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao, leading up to the inevitable end of his reign as an elite fighter. But not today. The incomparable Senator from the Philippines is clearly showing some wear in the tread, but still had enough in the tank to earn a well-deserved split decision over the previously undefeated WBA welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman.

Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) had predicted in the lead-up to the fight that Pacquiao’s time had passed and he was no longer able to hang with the best of the division. But Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) gave notice in the opening round that Thurman would pay for his lack of respect, dropping “One Time” with a left to the body, right to the head that sent the pro-Manny crowd into a frenzy. Continue reading “Pacquiao beats Thurman for WBA welter title”

In a WBC welterweight title eliminator, Yordenis Ugás (24-4, 11 KOs) schooled previously undefeated former world champion Omar “El Panterita” Figueroa Jr. (28-1-1, 19 KOs) on Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Scores were 119-107 across the board.

A right uppercut by Ugas got things started, finding its mark and moments later Ugas followed up with a right hand, knocking down Figueroa as his glove touch the rope while staggering. Referee Russell Mora officially ruled it a knockdown. Ugas was warned for holding in round two as Figueroa stood close to him fighting on the inside. Continuing to hold, Ugas was deducted a point in the fifth but pressed and stood close to Figueroa. Continue reading “Ugas schools Figueroa in WBC eliminator”

Former IBF super lightweight champion Sergey “Samurai” Lipinets (16-1, 12 KOs) made quick work of late sub Jayar Inson (18-3, 12 KOs), scoring a stoppage at :57 of round two in a scheduled ten round bout and earning the WBO Intercontinental welterweight belt for his four minutes of work. Lipinets ducked under an Inson right cross and answered with a left hook that landed flush on Inson’s chin, dropping him in a heap. Inson, who replaced original opponent John Molina, Jr., managed to make it to his feet, put up his hands, and tell referee Jay Nady he could continue, but as is he is prone to do, Nady stopped the fight anyway.

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Undefeated former WBC bantamweight champion Luis “Pantera” Nery (30-0, 24 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico scored a ninth round knockout over former world champion and two-time Olympian Juan Carlos Payano (21-3, 9 KOs) of the Dominican Republic on Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The two southpaws clashed heads early in the opening round but no caused no cuts as Nery and Payano fought on. Fighting aggressively in round two, Nery landed some looping wild punches that got Payano’s attention. Nery began to pick up the pace connecting inside to the body and roughing up Payano. A short right by Nery in the fourth started things up as he backed Payano and followed up with his attack. Continue reading “Unbeaten Nery KOs Payano in nine”

By David Robinett at ringside
Photos: Sumio Yamada

IBF super middleweight champion Caleb Plant (19-0, 11 KOs) successfully defended his world title with a one-sided beatdown of Mike Lee (21-1, 11 KOs), earning a referee’s stoppage at 1:29 of round three in a scheduled twelve round contest at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

This bout featured two men who had remained undefeated despite substantial hardships, with Plant suffering both the loss of his infant daughter and mother in separate, tragic circumstances. Lee, a graduate of Notre Dame university who gained national recognition a few years ago as a spokesman for Subway, has battled inactivity and health complications from an autoimmune disease that he continues to hold at bay while he pursues this career. Continue reading “Plant smashs Lee, retains IBF 168lb title”

In a clash for the vacant WBC interim heavyweight title, Dillian Whyte (26-1, 18 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Oscar Rivas (26-1, 18 KOs) on Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London. Whyte appeared headed to an easy decision, but in round nine Rivas dropped him with an uppercut. Whyte survived Rivas’ follow-up barrage and Rivas was never able to mount another charge. Scores were 115-112, 115-112, 116-111. Whyte is now the WBC mandatory challenger.

Welterweight world champions collide when IBF champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. (25-0, 21 KOs) clashes with WBC champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter (30-2-1, 17 KOs)  in a 147-pound title unification match on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View September 28 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The co-feature of the evening will pit WBC super middleweight champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (33-1-1, 24 KOs) against unbeaten former champion David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez (21-0, 18 KOs).

Tickets for the event go on sale Monday.

By David Robinett at ringside

The first of two walkout bouts at the MGM Grand Garden Arena featured an intriguing matchup of undefeated older welterweight prospects, with Peter Dobson (11-0, 7 KOs) stopping Emmanuel Medina (16-1, 9 KOs) at 1:18 of round five in a scheduled six round contest. The 29-year old Dobson, who won a regional belt in June 2017 but then promptly sat out the next 18 months due to promotional issues, got off to inauspicious start, getting knocked down by the 30-year old Medina in the second round. Good two way action in round three before Dobson swung the momentum in his favor in round four with a right hook to the body that visibly hurt Medina. Dobson began to pour it on early in round five before a right uppercut dropped Medina for the first time in the fight. Medina beat the count but Dobson forced the stoppage with a series of unanswered shots to the body with Medina doubled over and unable to defend himself.

Lightweight Austin Dulay (14-1, 11 KOs) stopped Justin Pauldo (12-2, 6 KOs) at :46 of round three in a scheduled six round bout.

Efe Ajagba (11-0, 9 KOs) remained undefeated with a solid, if undramatic, ten-round unanimous decision over Ali Eren Demirezen (11-1, 10 KOs) in a matchup of heavyweights who both competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Scores were 97-93, 99-91, 99-91 for Ajagba. Although an Olympian representing his home country of Nigeria, Ajagba might be best known for literally scaring his opponent out of the ring last August, when Curtis Harper walked out of the ring after seeing Ajagba bearing down on him (or due to a pay dispute, depending on whom you believe.) Ajagba was less fearsome this time around, but still effective, relying almost exclusively on his left jab, right hand combination to pile up rounds while Demirezen lunged forward with sweeping left and right hooks that landed occasionally but not enough to cause Ajagba significant trouble. Continue reading “Undercard Results from Las Vegas”