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In a video posted on Instagram, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury says he wants to fight British rival Anthony Joshua for free.

Fury stated, “Right! This is a reconfirmation of what I’ve said about fighting Anthony Joshua for f*ck-all in England. That’s how the fight happens. I’ll sign the contract today. The fight’s got to be for free. Free-to-air television and all tickets go for free. No money is to be made out of this British historic fight if it happens. There’s the terms. I’m in the driving seat, take it or effing leave it. The ball is in your court, guys. Take it or leave it. Either way, I don’t give a damn. That’s the offer.”

Four-division world champion Adrien Broner lasted about two minutes on this week’s virtual press conference to launch the build-up for his August 20 fight against Omar Figueroa. After launching into a tirade about the virtual press conference format that has become common since COVID, “The Problem” abruptly left!

WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE

“I ain’t with none of this shit they got going on,” proclaimed Broner. “I feel like Al Haymon and Steven Espinoza is bullshitting because why is we doing a press conference on a computer? They don’t do Floyd’s shit on no fucking computer when he fights a YouTuber. They don’t do nobody else’s shit on the computer, but they want to do my shit on the computer – so that’s telling me they don’t give a fuck about me. So when you say fuck me, it’s fuck y’all. And at the end of the day, that’s what I really just came here to let y’all know. Anybody can see it. At this point, y’all just bullshitting. Y’all’s been supposed to make this fight. Y’all giving us dates. Y’all keep pushing our dates back. C’mon man. Who the fuck do a six-month camp? Y’all trippin. So what I’m gonna do is tell Omar keep training your ass off. I’m training my ass off too. Let’s go in there and put on the greatest performance.”

Broner later apologized (sort of) on Instagram:

“Listen man, I was just frustrated with a lot of shit that’s going on in my life. Me and Showtime Boxing and Al Haymon have no problems whatsoever.” Continue reading “Broner ERUPTS at virtual press conference”

The World Boxing Association (WBA) recently ordered light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) to next fight current WBA #1 and mandatory challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs), who has won two title eliminators. The two sides were given until August 10th to consummate a deal to avoid a WBA purse bid hearing, however, promoter Eddie Hearn is reportedly planning to request an exception from the WBA to allow Bivol to make a voluntary defense against #2 rated Joshua Buatsi in October with the winner to face Zurdo.

“I always hear things here and there,” Ramirez said, “but I’m in this position for a reason. The WBA is a tremendous organization and I believe the right process will prevail. Unlike others, I take pride in my craft and will always want to face the best in real life, and not just speak of it like other champions.” Continue reading “Bivol-Zurdo Update”

History was made last Friday night in Worcester, Massachusetts, as 52-year-old welterweight Paul “Rude Dog” Iannuzzi became the oldest boxer in the world to make his professional debut. Iannuzzi knocked out 35-year-old Lucinei Santos (0-5) late in the opening round of their scheduled four-rounder. Santos came out of his corner throwing wild bombs but Iannuzzi buzzed Santos with a left hook that disoriented him, followed by a right that closed the show at the 2:55 mark, much to the delight of the Iannuzzi’s many supporters in attendance at the famed Worcester Palladium.

Iannuzzi (52 years, 10 months, and 20 days old) broke the record of Dewey Bozella, a boxer who was wrongfully convicted of murder and imprisoned for 26 years. Bozella gained celebrity status after his release and set the world record for the oldest pro-debuting boxer (52 years, 4 months). Continue reading “52-year-old wins pro debut, promptly retires”

On Wednesday, August 10, at the historic Garden Theater in Midtown Detroit, the popular Detroit Brawl series continues with IBF #4, WBA #13, WBO #11 super lightweight Shohjahon Ergashev and WBO #12, IBF #11, WBC #7 light heavyweight Ali Izmailov in separate ten-rounders.

Ergashev (21-0, 19 KOs) will face Angel “El Furioso” Martinez Hernandez (14-1-2, 14 KOs) in a 10-round shootout, and Izmailov (8-0, 6 KOs) meets Eric Murguia (14-0, 12 KOs) in a clash of unbeaten.

“On September 10, boxing fans will see two top-rated contenders in Ergashev and Izmailov,” said promoter Dmitriy Salita, “and both have power-punching contenders in front of them, which will be good indicators of where they are. I believe both are a fight or two away from the world title. Our Detroit Brawl series just keeps getting better. Detroit is well on the way to being one of the hubs of professional boxing in the United States.”

In a long-awaited clash between Thai boxing icons, WBA minimumweight champion Knockout CP Freshmart, a.k.a. Thammanoo Niyomtrong, (24-0, 9 KOs) successfully defended his world title by twelve round unanimous decision against against former WBC champ Wanheng Meenayothin, a.k.a. Chayaphon Moonsri (55-3, 19 KOs) on Wednesday in a temporary arena at the Chonburi Provincial Ground in Chonburi, Thailand. Close rounds with both having their moments. Wanheng was maybe a bit busier early, but Freshmart’s combination punching won the day. Scores were 116-112, 119-109, and 117-111. Lots of smiles and hugs during the fight.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

IBF #9, WBO #14 122-pounder Sam Goodman (12-0, 7 KOs) stopped former world title challenger Juan Miguel Elorde (29-3, 15 KOs) in round eight of a scheduled ten round bout at the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, NSW with the IBF Intercontinental and WBO Oriental titles up for grabs. Goodman controlled every round as he connected with accurate left jabs and right hand power shots to the head that had Elorde on unsteady legs. A three-punch combination to the head of Elorde in round eight had him in trouble and referee Brad Vocale crowned Goodman at 1:26.

Goodman said. “ I thought I fought a smart fight and disciplined fight. I listened to my corner and we had a good game plan. “

Elorde is the grandson of Filipino great Flash Elorde.

In other action hot 154 pound prospect Nikita “ The Butcher” Tszyu (3-0, 2 KOs) outworked Ben Horn (4-5) over six rounds. Tszyu attacked Horn throughout the contest connecting with power shots to the head and body of Horn who responded with solid combinations boxing on the backmove. At the conclusion of six action rounds that had both Horn and Tszyu exchanging bombs at the bell the scores were 60-54, 60-54, 59-55. Continue reading “Goodman and Tszyu victorious”

ProBox TV and Cotto Promotions announced today that Miguel Cotto has become a partner with ProBox TV founders Roy Jones, Jr, Juan Manuel Marquez, Antonio Tarver and Paul Malignaggi – and Cotto Promotions will promote 15 events in Puerto Rico through 2023. The first Cotto Promotions event will take place on August 19 at Coliseo de Roberto Clemente then monthly events consisting mostly of prospects under the Cotto Promotions umbrella. Seating in the Coliseo will be scaled to about 2,500 (lower bowl).

Cotto and Marquez were on location in San Juan to officially make the announcement.

Miguel Cotto: “We had been in talks with ProBox for a couple of months. They are people that know boxing and without hesitation we decided to become a part of this new platform. They know what they’re doing and have a very solid platform for boxing and we’re expecting a great collaboration. It gives us the platform to be able to do boxing as well as serving as a workshop to be able to do right by the boxers that are signed to the promotion. We will also begin to recruit boxers and make an alliance with them as we start to work together. Continue reading “ProBox teams up with Cotto Promotions”

Boxing returns on August 6 to Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland in Hanover, Maryland, as rising super featherweight Jordan “Short Dog” White (13-1, 10 KOs)  takes on Derrick Murray (16-5-1, 5 KOs) for the WBC USNBC super featherweight title in the main event. In the 10-round co-feature, Demond Nicholson (25-4-1, 21 KOs) will take on Christopher Brooker (16-11, 6 KOs) in a super middleweight fight. Tickets for the marathon eleven-bout Jeter Promotions event are priced at $65-$150 and can be purchased at axs.com.

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán & President of the WBC

Julio César Chávez was born in a train wagon in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora into a humble and large family that eventually settled in Culiacan, Sinaloa.

He was a great athlete in his childhood, a good ballplayer, also a soccer player, and he even excelled at volleyball. His brothers boxed, and he used to go to see them at the gym, having no interest in this sport, until one day a bully picked a fight with him, and Julio kicked his ass.

“El Zurdo” López took him on as his first trainer, and Ramón Félix as his manager, welcoming him to the gym, and then developing one of the most formidable careers in boxing history. Continue reading “Julio Cesar Chavez – 60th Birthday”

Heavyweight Robert Helenius, mentioned as a possible opponent for the return of former champion Deontay Wilder, is demanding a shot at the winner of the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua. “I am rightfully the WBA mandatory, so of course I am interested in the Usyk vs Joshua winner. I definitely should be next,” Helenius told Sky Sports. “Every elimination bout after mine is bullshit. At this point, if we are not designated the mandatory after Usyk’s next fight, we will only have one option. My lawyers are very confident that the WBA have bungled this whole thing, so I am confident in my position.”

Helenius, who won a WBA eliminator against Adam Kownacki, then beat Kownacki again in a rematch, is currently rated WBA #2 behind Michael Hunter. WBA regular heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois is also a possible Helenius opponent if Dubois doesn’t directly face the Usyk-Joshua winner as part of the WBA’s title reduction plan.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

IBF #9, WBO #14 122-pounder Sam Goodman (11-0, 6 KOs) returns to action on Wednesday against former world title challenger Juan Miguel Elorde (29-2, 15 KOs) over ten rounds at the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, NSW with the IBF Intercontinental and WBO Oriental titles up for grabs.

In other action hot 154-pound prospect Nikita Tszyu (2-0, 2 KOs) will clash with Ben Horn (4-4, 0 KOs) over six rounds. Nikita is the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu and brother of WBO #1 Tim Tszyu. Ben Horn is the brother of former WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn

Televised on Foxtel Main Event and Kayo Sports.

Unbeaten super lightweight Gary Antuanne Russell held a media workout in his hometown of Capitol Heights, Maryland, on Monday, as he prepares to take on former two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy on Showtime July 30 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The telecast is headlined by two-division champion Danny “Swift” Garcia making his 154-pound debut against exciting contender Jose Benavidez Jr.

Gary Antuanne Russell: “We train for perfection every day. We know that execution is what wins fights. If our opponent can’t make the necessary adjustments to keep us off them, then that’s on them. This sport is a battle of wits. My will versus your will and my intelligence versus yours…if we come out unscathed from July 30, we’ll start working on the next opponent and get another fighter with great credentials in there. We’ll be looking at fighting for the titles. Our goal was to clean out the division. That’s the first goal, then we’ll start moving up to other weight classes eventually.” Continue reading “Russell aiming to clean out the division”

Unbeaten super middleweight Diego Pacheco (15-0, 12 KOs), who has extended his promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, will fight for his first pro title when he meets Enrique Collazo (16-2-1, 11 KOs) for the WBC USNBC silver title on the undercard of the trilogy clash between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin at T-Mobile Arena on September 17 in Las Vegas. The fight can be seen on DAZN PPV Pay-Per-View in the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world on regular DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan)​.

Pacheco-Collazo is the latest bout to be added to the bill, with WBC super flyweight champion Jesse Rodriguez defending his world title against Israel Gonzalez as the co-main event and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams taking on Kieron Conway for the vacant WBA International middleweight title.

Unbeaten super welterweight ‘King’ Callum Walsh (3-0, 3 KOs) has a new opponent for his next test as Benjamin Whittaker (15-8, 3 KO), of San Antonio, TX steps in for Cleotis Pendarvis in the six-round main event on Thursday, August 4 at The Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California. Walsh, who has all his fights by first round KO, will be headlining his third straight 360 Promotions card at the venue. Benjamin enters with four straight losses.

“Fighting Benjamin Whitaker is an even bigger step up for Callum in only his fourth professional fight,” said promoter Tom Loeffler. “Callum understands he needs to fight tough competition headlining UFC Fightpass and Freddie Roach says he’s up for the challenge.”

Not a really busy week. The big TV fight this week is ESPN+ stream of the WBC featherweight eliminator between two-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez (25-2, 15 KOs) and former junior featherweight world champion Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe (23-2, 15 KOs) from the Grand Casino Hinckley in Hinckley, Minnesota.

In a clash between longtime Thai boxing icons, WBA minimumweight champion Knockout CP Freshmart (23-0, 9 KOs) defends his title against former WBC champ Wanheng Meenayothin (55-2, 19 KOs) on Wednesday in Chonburi, Thailand. Wanheng ran his record to 54-0 before losing his WBC belt to Panya Pradabsri. Freshmart has been WBA champion since 2014. No English-language TV coverage, but there is usually a Thai-language stream of major fights from that country.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Sydney-based middleweight Alex Walters (15-1, 8 KOs) outscored Lachlan Higgins (7-5-2, 2 KOs) over ten rounds to capture the vacant Australian middleweight title at the Orion Function Centre, Campsie, NSW on Saturday. Judges scores: Justin Kennedy 99-92, George Plellis 96-94, Shane Stanford 98-92.

In other action, formerly world-rated super featherweight Bilel Dib (26-3, 13 KOs) stopped Satnam Singh (10-2, 4 KOs) when referee Kevin Hogan called the fight off in round seven of a scheduled ten round bout with the vacant IBF Australasian 130 pound title up for grabs.

Also, welterweight Yousef Dib (17-0, 8 KOs) stopped Ariel Blader (27-35-3, 11 KOs) in round three of a scheduled six round bout.

Unbeaten WBA #1 featherweight Thomas Patrick Ward (33-0-1, 5 KOs) has demanded that Leo Santa Cruz stop ‘holding up the division’ after taking out Ally Mwerangi (12-3, 8 KOs) in three rounds on Sunday at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England.

“I’m #1 in the WBA, Leo Santa Cruz is the ‘super’ champion and Leigh Wood is the ‘regular’ champion. It’s Santa Cruz that is holding up the division,” Ward told Probellum.com. “He hasn’t fought for the title in two or three years. Either fight for the title or move on! Move on or do something because there are other fighters waiting for a chance. If Santa Cruz doesn’t fight Wood, then me and Leigh will probably fight. If they do fight, I will take the winner!”

By Héctor Villarreal

Undefeated light flyweight Daniel “El Verdugo” Matellon (13-0-2, 7 KOs), a Cuban based in Panama, easily stopped Mexican Ivan Garcia Carrillo (10-2-1, 6 KOs) at 1:02 in round 3 of the main event of the card presented by Sergio Gonzalez Master Promotions on Saturday night in Los Andes shopping mall in Panama City.

Matellon, who was the WBA interim champion of the division until the entity eliminated the title, knocked Garcia down in the first round and did it again definitively in the third, to claim the regional Fedecaribe belt which was on vacancy.

“El Verdugo” Matellon, currently ranked #1 by WBA, has beaten three Mexicans in a row on very important boxing shows. He won the interim championship by majority decision on February 7th, 2020, over Guadalajara´s Erick Omar Lopez, in a fight aired by ESPN, then defended it once, outpointing Nayarit´s Jose Argumedo on June 26th, 2021 in a DAZN show. His victory over Mexico City´s Garcia was televised by Combate Space.

By Miguel Maravilla

After announcing he will be campaigning in the 140lb division from now on, unbeaten boxing contender Ryan Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) talked about his desire to face Tank Davis in his next fight. He also stated that if he can’t get Tank, he wants Teofimo Lopez.

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“I felt way better at this weight,” said Ryan “KingRy” Garcia after his dominant KO win over Javier Fortuna in a bout contested at a 140lb weight limit. “I’m not going down to 135 for nothing. But I will fight Tank next if he wants it at 140. I’ll make sure to record all the negotiations so you can’t say I was ducking. I want that fight because it’s going to give me the respect I deserve. I’m never afraid. I have a spirit of competition in me and you’re going to see that come out when I fight Tank and whoop his ass.”

Regarding his performance against Fortuna Saturday night, Garcia stated, “I know that I performed well for myself. I was crisp, sharp and I stayed in my truth. I didn’t do anything crazy. I know how good of a fighter I am, I just had to put it all together, just like tonight. Fortuna hit hard, he has a hard fist. Like I said when I fight stronger opponents, I box better. Yes, I caught him with a body shot. He thought I was going for the head but I switched it on him. I felt he was going to throw the Luke Campbell shot [the shot that dropped Ryan against Campbell]. I feel like everyone is going to try to hit me with that shot. I hit hard so it doesn’t take much to hurt someone. Continue reading “KingRy: I will fight Tank next at 140”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Lightweight Ryan Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) of Victorville, California, disposed of former two-time world champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (37-4-1, 26 KOs) of the Dominican Republic in six rounds Saturday night at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Garcia came out shooting the right hand and connecting with a thudding left hook, Fortuna walked through the punches and kept coming. In round two, Garcia pumped the jab and later connected with a flush right snapping Fortuna’s head. Still figuring out the style, Garcia kept working off the jab boxing as he pinned Fortuna up on the ropes momentarily in round three, shortly after Fortuna attempted to make it a rough fight swarming Garcia.

In the fourth round, Garcia connected with a short right hand and shortly after connected with a body shot sending Fortuna to the canvas. Fortuna got up, but Garcia had Fortuna on the run. A huge right hand in the fifth by Garcia dropped Fortuna for a second time. The former champion was up as Garcia stalked him to finish the round. However, a left hook by Garcia finally finished Fortuna as referee Jerry Cantu stopped the fight at 27 seconds of the sixth.

By Damon Gonzalez/LatinBox Sports

In the 10-round main event Saturday night at the Elevation Event Center in Chester, Pennsylvania, presented by Price Promotions, highly talented Dylan Price (15-0, 9 KOs) of Sicklerville NJ. became the NBA bantamweight world champion by scoring a ten round unanimous decision win over a very game Drew Correll (10-3, 8 KOs) of Danville, Virginia by way of Glassboro, New Jersey. Judges’ scorecards were 98-92, 99-91 2x in favor of Price. Continue reading “Price tops Correll in decision win”

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

In the Garcia-Fortuna co-main event on Saturday night at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, welterweight Alexis Rocha from nearby Santa Ana pressured Luis Veron out of Buenos Aires, Argentina all night and won a one-sided unanimous decision with scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91. The southpaw Rocha attacked Veron from the opening bell as he touched Veron with his right jab and hard left to the body and head. In round 5, Rocha picked up the pace and battered Veron from post to post but could not finish off the savvy veteran. Rocha continued to push forward against Veron over the second half of the fight but could not land the significant shot to put away the Argentinian. And although Veron engaged more the final few rounds, he spent most of the night on his bicycle to avoid the power of Rocha. In the end, Rocha earned the easy decision and the NABO welterweight title in doing so.

By Miguel Maravilla and Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

Washington D.C. super featherweight Lamont Roach Jr. (23-1-1, 9 KOs) won a lackluster unanimous decision over Angel Rodriguez of Columbia (20-2, 10 KO’s) in a twelve round WBA 130lb eliminator on the Garcia-Fortuna undercard at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Roach boxed aggressively early in the fight taking the fight to Rodriguez. Letting his hands go in the third, Rodriguez connected with a low blow as Roach took a knee in pain, Roach recovered and was up fighting. Roach staggered Rodriguez with a right hand in the fifth as he stalked the Colombian throughout the round. Momentum appeared to be going Roach’s way in the sixth as he backed Rodriguez and connected with combination late in the round. Boxing patiently in the seventh, Roach attacked smart backing and limiting Rodriguez. In the eighth, Rodriguez appeared to be fading as Roach kept coming staying on top of the limited Rodriguez.

In the ninth, Roach stayed on top of Rodriguez scoring points and painting up Rodriquez behind the jab staying busy. The whistles began to fill the arena with noise in the tenth as L.A fans began to boo, Roach’s dominance of Rodriguez. Roach boxed in the eleventh as he was obviously ahead on the cards outworking Rodriguez. Stalking in the twelfth and final round, Roach pressed behind the jab as Rodriguez held on in making it the distance. The judges scored the bout 117-111, 116-112, and 116-112.

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In a WBA flyweight title eliminator, David Jimenez (12-0, 9 KOs) out of Cartago, Costa Rica stunned the local, crowd favorite Ricardo “El Nino” Sandoval (20-2, 15 KOs) from Rialto, CA with a come from behind majority decision 114-112 twice, 113-113. Through the first six rounds, Sandoval picked his spots and tried to neutralize the constant movement of Jimenez as neither fighter could gain control. But in the 7th round, the tide appeared to change as referee Thomas Taylor deducted a point on Jimenez for holding. This seemed to energize Sandoval, as he came out firing in the eighth, which started with a left hook to the body that clearly hurt the Costa Rican. Sandoval smelled blood and went on the attack and dropped bombs to the head and body on Jimenez, who showed his toughness and survived the round. Jimenez was no longer coming forward as Sandoval was now in complete control until the fateful eleventh round. After a missed right hand by Sandoval, Jimenez stepped back and landed a flush right on the jaw of Sandoval that sent him to the canvas. Jimenez was now looking to stop Sandoval who did his best to survive to the final bell. Jimenez pulled out the victory to the dismay of the pro-Sandoval crowd and remained undefeated, while Sandoval lost for only the second time as his 16-fight winning streak came to a halt in dramatic fashion.

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Unbeaten minimumweight Oscar Collazo (5-0, 3 KOs) of Puerto Rico won a unanimous decision over Victor Saludar (21-6, 11 KOs) in a WBA 105lb eliminator. Collazo worked his way to a hard-fought 118-110, 116-112, and 116-112 judges’verdict. Continue reading “Roach, Jiminez, Collazo win WBA eliminators”