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Weights for tonight’s Hitz Boxing card at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois.

Angel Barrera 134 vs Daniel Buenaventura 135
(Illinois State lightweight title)

Simon Buettner 166.4 vs James Quiter 168
(Illinois State super middleweight title)

Jonathon Hampton 159 vs Dawik Bosak 161
Kaltin Lavigne 160 vs Olivia Curry 159
Mirady Zola 176.5 vs Abimbola Osundairo 172
Ronny Hale 255 vs Deontae Pettigrew 293

Venue Parkway Sports Bank Sports Complex
Promoter: Hitz Boxing
Stream: BXNGTV.com

In an upset, bantamweight Eros Correa (12-1, 8 KOs) won a ten round split decision against WBO #5, WBA #8 Saul “The Beast” Sanchez (18-2, 11 KOs) on Friday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California. Close fight where Sanchez never got untracked. Scores were 98-92, 97-93 Correa, 96-94 Sanchez.

Undefeated WBA #6, WBO #11 junior bantamweight star David “El General” Cuellar (22-0, 15 KOs) notched his seventh consecutive knockout by finishing former world title challenger Yader Cardoza (26-18-1, 8 KOs) in the fifth round on Friday night at the Auditorio Municipal in Torreón, Mexico. A body shot put Cardoza down for the count. Cuellar overcame two cuts in the fight.

In the world title co-feature, WBC female bantamweight champion Yuliahn Luna (24-3-1, 4 KOs) retained her title by ten round unanimous decision over Jessica Gonzalez (8-6-2, 1 KO). Luna busted up Gonzalez to avenge a 2014 loss.

Olympian lightweight Juan “El Olimpico” Huertas (16-3-1, 12 KOs) scored a first round KO over previously unbeaten nbeaten lightweight slugger Jonhatan “Maximus” Cardoso (14-1, 14 KOs) to claim WBO Latino title at La Doce Sports Center in Panama City, Panama. Huertas connected with a huge right hand that put Cardoso out on his feet.

In the co-main event, former two-division world champion Luis “Nica” Concepcion (40-9, 29 KOs) scored a ninth round TKO over Juan “Pequita” Lopez (15-9-1, 14 KOs). Concepcion punished Lopez until Lopez’ corner requested a referee’s stoppage at 1:50 of round nine.

Other Results:
Gilberto Pedroza KO2 Pedro Villegas (light flyweight)
Darrelle Valsaint TKO1 Encarnacion Diaz (super middleweight)

To launch the September 17 trilogy battle between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin on DAZN PPV, Canelo and GGG will stage press conferences in Los Angeles and New York City starting next week. The LA presser is June 24 in Hollywood and the NY presser is three days later on June 27.

The World Boxing Council has unveiled the special 2022 Freedom Belt to commemorate Juneteenth Day. This belt was going to be on the line in the Jermall Charlo vs. Maciej Sulecki, scheduled for this Saturday, June 18 at the Toyota Center in Houston, but unfortunately had to be postponed due to a back injury Charlo suffered during his preparation. The WBC Freedom belt will be on the line in Jermall Charlo’s next bout, to be announced soon.

With WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in attendance, heavyweight Nathan Gorman (19-1, 13 KOs) needed just 92 seconds to demolish Tomas Salek (17-4, 13 KOs) in the first round of their clash Friday night at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England. After 15 months out of the ring, Gorman dropped Salek twice to quickly get the win.

“Tomas Salek has only lost to good fighters, but I think I’m the only one to do it in that impressive style,” said Gorman. “I’m really happy and really pleased with it, live on Channel 5 as well so hopefully there were plenty of happy people watching.”

“It’s now about being active. I’m only 25 years old, but I want to keep pushing on and hunting for them titles. There’s a hell of a long career ahead of me yet, and there are big things to come.”

Artur Beterbiev 175 vs. Joe Smith Jr. 174.6
(WBC, IBF, WBO light heavyweight unification)

Robeisy Ramirez 125.8 vs. Abraham Nova 125.4
Bruce Carrington 127.4 vs. Adrian Leyva 127.4
Jahi Tucker 147.8 vs. D’Andre Smith 147.6
Floyd Diaz 121.6 vs. Daniil Platonovschi 122
Troy Isley 158.6 vs. Donte Stubbs 161.6
Wendy Toussaint 152.2 vs. Asinia Byfield 152.8
Jahyae Brown 153.2 vs. Keane McMahon 152.6

Venue: Hulu Theater, MSG, New York City
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN

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By Héctor Villarreal

Two foreign fighters well known by Panamanian fans, collide in the main event of Laguna Premium Boxing Promotions’ card on Saturday night at Majestic Casino in Panama City. Mexican Salvador “Peloncito” Juarez (16-7-2, 4 KOs) takes on Nicaraguan Keyvin Lara (31-5-1, 11 KOs) in a fight scheduled for eight rounds on the super flyweight division.

Salvador Juarez 114.75 vs Keyvin Lara 116
Ernesto Marin 130 vs Jorge Sanchez 129
Edgardo Avila vs Jhoyner Cervera 126
Pascual Hodgson 233 vs Victor Delgado 234.5
Ibrahim Valdespino 124.5 vs Arnulfo Bejerano 123

Promoter: Rouss Laguna de Moreno
Matchmaker: Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno

By Gabriel F. Cordero

This Saturday, Mexico City will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest boxing class. The current record was set in 2017 in Moscow, Russia, with a class of 3,300 participants. For many months the World Boxing Council together with the Sports Institute of Mexico City and the various agencies of the local government and mayors have organized training on weekends to prepare for this special day. They are expecting some 40,000 participants.

The class will be held in the city’s famed downtown Zócalo starting at 8AM with the participants able to enter at 6:30AM. Entrants get an official kit with a jersey, cap, and participant number with a chip.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Saturday night’s high-stakes light heavyweight title unification showdown between WBC/IBF champion Artur Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs) and WBO champion Joe Smith, Jr. (28-3, 22 KOs) at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City promises to feature plenty of action between two of the sport’s most dangerous punchers.

The 37-year-old Beterbiev, boxing’s only active world champion with a 100% knockout rate, is about an 8:1 favorite at most sportsbooks. But Smith, 32, is a live underdog who has knockout wins over Eleider Alvarez and Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins among others.

The bout will air on ESPN.

More Photos

Saul Sanchez 118 vs. Eros Correa 118
Loui Lopez 148 vs Jaleik Bogle 147.7
Pedro Valencia 136.6 vs Mario Aguirre 137
Nelson Oliva 155.3 vs. Antonio Duarte 154.9
Anthony John Saldivar 149.9 vs. Genesis Wynn 148.4

Venue: Doubletree Hotel, Ontario, CA
Promoter: Thompson Boxing
TV: Facebook, YouTube

By Damon Gonzalez/LatinBox Sports

Angel llarraza 160 vs. William Lorenzo 162
Cesar Soriano 157 vs. Sanny Duversonne ??
Matthew Tinker 174.8 vs. Turner Williams 177.6
John Williams 151.2 vs. David Frcteau 152.4
Rufino Lewis 150.8 vs. Terry Roscoe 151.4
EnZo Herrera 148.2 vs. Christopher Puryear Angel Cotto 147.2
Nissan Anderson 168.8 vs. Frankie Solomon 177.4
Juniel Garcia 139.4 vs. Devarius McClendon 139.8
Imran Haddabah 177.4 vs. Lawrence Gabriel will weigh in tonight
David Fecteau 152.4 vs. John Williams 151.2
Rodolfo Cuazitl 129.2 vs Ralph Carvil 129.4
William Lorenzo 162 vs. Angel Garcia 160
Frankie Salamon 177.4 vs Nissan Anderson 177.4
Carisse Brown 125.4 vs. Karla Valenzuela Garcia 124.6

Venue: Marriott St. Petersburg/Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Promoter: T&K Promotions
Event held in conjunction with the Induction Weekend for the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame

Two of the light heavyweight division’s fiercest punchers will put three world title belts at stake in one of the year’s most anticipated showdowns. WBC/IBF world champion Artur Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs) — boxing’s only world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio — will take on Long Island’s WBO champion Joe Smith Jr. (28-3, 22 KOs) Saturday evening at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

At Thursday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

Artur Beterbiev: “This is a very important fight for me. With regard to the place, it’s not different for me. I’m more focused on the fight. I’m more focused on my opponent, not on the place. I always ask my boxing coach and my conditioning coach about how I’m doing. I ask them if it’s less than I was doing two years ago. They tell me that I’m doing better than two years ago.”

Joe Smith Jr: “This is a huge opportunity. Beterbiev is a huge name in boxing. Everyone knows who he is at this point. He has two world titles, and I want those belts. I believe this fight is going to be great. You’ve got two big punchers, and I’m just excited to be in there with him. He’s a great name.”

Welterweight terror Vergil Ortiz Jr. (18-0, 18 KOs), will return to the ring on August 6 against undefeated and world-ranked Michael “The Problem” McKinson (22-0, 2 KOs). The twelve-rounder will take place at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, and will stream live worldwide, exclusively on DAZN. McKinson was slated to face Ortiz in March, but Ortiz withdrew from the fight due to rhabdomyolysis and McKinson instead won a unanimous decision over Alex Martin.

Vergil Ortiz Jr: “I am very happy to be stepping back into the ring again. I’m ready to show the world once again why I’m ready for a world title.”

Michael McKinson: “I’m getting what I deserve. I was prepared to fight Ortiz Jr before. Now I have been given the opportunity again to prove I am the best in this division.” Continue reading “Ortiz-McKinson back on again”

Heavyweight “Juggernaut” Joe Joyce (13-0, 12 KOs) will return against Christian Hammer (27-9, 17 KOs) at the OVO Arena in London on July 2. Joyce has been out of the ring since last July, suffering a broken wrist that kept him out of action in the first half of this year.

“The most important thing is to get Joe active and confident again after injury,” said promoter Frank Warren. “Christian Hammer is an experienced campaigner who will provide a decent test and give him a good fight, but obviously we expect Joe to come through it successfully and then start preparing for a bigger showdown later this year. Continue reading “Joe Joyce opponent named”

Heavyweights collide as Nathan Gorman (18-1, 12 KOs) takes on Tomas Salek (17-3, 13 KOs) in the headliner on Friday June 17 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England. ‘Pretty Boy’ Josh Kelly (10-1-1, 6 KOs) also sees action against Peter Kramer (12-5-3, 8 KOs), and former Team GB fighter Chloe Watson (2-0) continues her undefeated start as a pro under the tutelage of Ricky Hatton, fighting over six rounds in the flyweight division against Fara El Bousairi (5-2, 1 KO).

Nathan Gorman 268 vs. Tomas Salek 232
(IBF International heavyweight title)

Josh Kelly 154.2 vs. Peter Kramer 154.1
Chloe Watson 112.12 vs. Fara El Bousairi 110.5

Venue: M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England
Promoter: Wasserman Boxing
TV: Channel 5 (UK)

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Sounds like IBF #10, WBO #10 Demsey McKean could be the next opponent of Australian heavyweight champion Justis Huni.

“Demsey McKean doesn’t want to fight.I don’t believe he wants to fight, and that’s alright. I’ll keep plugging away and my time will come,” Huni said. “I don’t know. I’m not into all of the talk and a lot of people know that. I don’t do a lot of talking. Like I said before the fight, I’ll let my actions do the talking.”

Huni’s promoter Dean Lonergan added, “Don’t even get me started about Demsey McKean. They will run like little b!tches because they will not fight Justis Huni because after that performance. Eddie Hearn will be sitting up there thinking, ‘why would I stick my big heavyweight in with him, he’s got no chance.’ Continue reading “Demsey McKean next for Justis Huni?”

By Ron Jackson

South African junior bantamweight champion Lwandile Ngxeke from Sade in the Eastern Cape makes the first defense of his domestic title against the mandatory challenger Lindale Tshemese of Duncan Village, at the International Convention Centre in East London on Saturday afternoon with the first fight scheduled to take place at 2pm. Continue reading “Ngxeke to make first defense of SA title”

Tapia Promotions returns this Friday night in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The event will special significance.

Five professional bouts are scheduled to take place including a heavyweight bare-knuckle bout between Terrance Brown (4-0) and Christopher Kharazi (pro debut). Continue reading “Tapia Promotions returns Friday”

Liam Paro and Brock Jarvis will clash in a twelve round super lightweight contest as Eddie Hearn and Matchroom break new ground with their first show in Australia scheduled for September.

Paro (22-0 13 KOs) is ranked #1 with the WBO at 140lbs and the Brisbane star will aim to kick-off Matchroom’s new era Down Under in style on his home turf. The 26-year-old inked a promotional pact with Hearn in December after seeing off the unbeaten Yomar Alamo in Tampa, Florida on his American debut.

Jarvis (20-0 18 KOs) also comes into the bout on the back of his first fight on US soil, where the New South Wales ace came out on top in a wild shootout with Alejando Rodriguez with a fifth round stoppage in Fresno, California. The 24-year-old recorded his 18th win inside the distance from 20 fights that night. Continue reading “Paro-Jarvis clash set for September”

Showtime has officially announced that popular cruiserweight YouTube boxer Jake “The Problem Child” Paul (5-0, 4 KOs), fresh off of his viral one-punch knockout victory in December, and Amanda “Real Deal” Serrano (42-2-1, 30 KOs), the unified female featherweight world champion who is coming off one of the most significant matches in women’s boxing history, will headline in dual main events at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, August 6 live on Showtime PPV in an event presented by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). Opponents for both bouts are to be announced.

“It has been one hell of a year already,” said Paul. “I couldn’t have been prouder of Amanda when she went toe-to-toe against Katie Taylor in April and made history at MSG. Now, to be able to make my own history at the Garden and share the night with Amanda is just the epitome of the American dream. This is a special moment for the entire creator community and I promise I will once again show the world anything is possible.”

Unbeaten super lightweight Cesar “Rainman” Francis (10-0, 6 KOs) will take a big step up in opposition when he faces 40-year-old former world champion Ray Beltran (37-9-1, 23 KOs) in a ten round battle for the WBO NABO title on July 9 at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City, Florida and streamed live globally on ProBox TV.

Cesar Francis: “It’s my time to shine. I’m going to go in and perform. Beltran is a great veteran, and I am not overlooking him. I helped Richard Commey get ready for his fight against him. And this time Commey will be my sparring partner. People better bring their umbrellas because it’s going to ‘rain’ that day.”

Ray Beltran: “I’ve been looking and waiting for this fight. Cesar Francis is an undefeated fighter who has a lot of confidence, and this is the kind of fight I need to put myself back on the map. I think my experience will help a lot because I’ve been in there with high-level fighters. Like always, I will do my part to make sure it’s an action-packed fight. My fights have never been boring. They’re always full of action.”

The WBA heavyweight eliminator between Hughie Fury and Michael Hunter has been postponed from its originally-scheduled July 2 date, it was announced today by BOXXER. Fury, who has staged this training camp in Cannes, France, had been attempting to train through the illness but his father and trainer Peter Fury today made the decision to suspend the camp to allow his son time to fully recover.

“On behalf of myself and my son, we apologize to the fans but most of all to Hunter and his team, because like us, they’ve gone through a hard camp and this news is the last thing anyone in boxing wants to hear,” said Peter Fury. “Hughie struggled on through the illness but physically broke down. We look forward to this fight being rescheduled as it’s a great fight for both men and for the fans around the world. Once again we apologize to everyone involved, but health is paramount in boxing.” Continue reading “Fury falls ill, Hunter bout postponed”

By Ron Jackson

South African boxing has an illustrious history in world championship boxing since 1924 Olympic gold medallist Willie Smith won the British version of the world bantamweight title after he had outpointed Teddy Baldock over 15 rounds at the Royal Albert Hall in London on October 6, 1927.

At present, there are only two fighters in South Africa, Ayanda Nkoisi and Ayanda Ndulani, who have a claim to some sort of a minor world title.

Nkosi (14-1, 8 KOs) won the vacant World Boxing Federation lightweight belt on September 28, 2019, with a seventh round stoppage win over the very ordinary Emanuel Lopez (30-11-1). He has not made a defense of the belt.

Ndulani (12-2-1, 4 KOs), the only other South African to hold a “world” belt, won the vacant IBO minimumweight belt on May 21, 2021, when he stopped the weight-drained Nkosinathi Joyi at 1 minute 31 seconds into the fourth round. He subsequently made a successful defense against Siphamandla Baleni (18-3-2) on a split decision.

Neither of these two fighters would be in contention for one of the main organization belts. Continue reading “Where have the SA world champions gone?”