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40-year-old former four-weight world champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes says he still has plenty left in the tank and plans to work his back into title contention after his world title defeat to WBO junior bantamweight champion Kazuto Ioka Wednesday night in Tokyo.

“I lost the fight on points, and I felt that Ioka did not want to try and deliver a knockout win for his fans and was just happy to win the fight on the scorecards,” Nietes told Probellum.com. “I was not able to put as much pressure on Ioka as I would have liked. I was waiting for Ioka to move in and throw his shots, so that I could hit him with my big counters, but it didn’t happen often enough.

“I was defeated but, without question, I can still fight for world titles again.” Continue reading “Nietes: I can still fight for world titles again”

By Ricardo Ibarra

Unbeaten welterweight Quinton Randall (10-0-1, 2 KOs) outboxed Ivan “Cobra” Pandzic (14-2-1, 8 KOs) over eight Rigondeaux-like rounds on Thursday night at the Yakama Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington. Randall picked apart Pandzic and was content to cruise to a 78-74, 79-73, 79-73 win.

Unbeaten local super middleweight Andrew “White Lightning” Murphy (6-0, 4 KOs) took a workmanlike eight round unanimous decision over journeyman Isiah Jones (9-7, 3 KOs). Murphy, who is trained by Roy Jones Jr., won 79-73, 80-72, 80-72 to claim the NBA America’s title. Continue reading “Randall tops Pandzic remains unbeaten”

Lightweight contender Ryan Garcia and former two-time world champion Javier Fortuna faced off at the final press conference for their DAZN clash on Saturday at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles. Fortuna gave Garcia his Chicago Bulls hat as a gift after Garcia stated that he likes the Chicago Bulls.

Ryan Garcia: “I’m determined to do something amazing, entertain the fans and give them a show. He wants to knock me out too, so we’re going to come in and throw our punches and give the fans a great show…we know what we do. I’m coming to f*ck him up too. I don’t care if he gave me a hat or not.”

Javier Fortuna: “Obviously there have been a couple of times in my career where I left it up to the judges and it wasn’t a good thing. It’s either he kills me or I kill him. Me giving you this hat doesn’t guarantee I won’t break your face on Saturday. I don’t want any excuses.”

Arnold Barboza Jr 139.6 vs. Danielito Zorrilla 139.6
(WBO intercontinental junior welterweight title)

Raymond Muratalla 136 vs. Jair Valtierra 137
Richard Torrez Jr 224 vs. Roberto Zavala Jr 255.2
Jorge Marron Jr 143.2 vs. Adrian Yung 142.6
Austin Brooks 125.2 vs. Victor Saravia 125.2
Stephan Shaw 236.6 vs. Bernardo Marquez 231.2
Floyd Diaz 122.6 vs. Pedro Salome 121.4

Venue: Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN

Two former world champions are set for an Oklahoma showdown, as Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (29-4, 14 KOs) will battle Richard “RC” Commey (30-4, 27 KOs) in the 10-round junior welterweight main event August 27 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In the 10-round heavyweight co-feature, undefeated puncher Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (11-0, 11 KOs) returns to action against veteran Miljan Rovcanin (24-2, 16 KOs).

Pedraza-Commey and Anderson-Rovcanin will be broadcast live on ESPN. The undercard — streaming exclusively on ESPN+ — is scheduled to include the return of heavyweight puncher Efe Ajagba (15-1, 12 KOs) in an eight-rounder against Hungary’s Jozsef Darmos (14-4-3, 10 KOs). Continue reading “Pedraza-Commey clash Aug 27”

By TMZ.com

Boxing legend George Foreman says two women have made up claims that he sexually abused them … all in an effort to extort him out of millions of dollars.

Sources familiar with the matter tell TMZ Sports … a lawsuit against Foreman is expected to be filed in L.A. this week by two women whose fathers apparently had a friendship and working relationship with Foreman decades ago.

The suit, according to our sources, is expected to allege that Foreman sexually abused the women in the 1970s.

But, Foreman said in a statement on Wednesday that the allegations are flat-out not true.

“Over the past six months,” Foreman said, “two women have been trying to extort millions of dollars each from me and my family. They are falsely claiming that I sexually abused them over 45 years ago in the 1970s.” Continue reading “Foreman says he’s being extorted”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Looks like WBO #1 super welterweight Tim Tszyu will challenge undisputed WBO, WBC, WBA, IBF champion Jermell Charlo on January 28 in Las Vegas. Tha date is 27 years to the day when Tim’s famous Hall of Fame father Kostya Tszyu challenged Jake Rodriguez for the IBF super lightweight title in the same city.

“I can’t even describe it,” Tszyu told reporters on Thursday. “I’m fighting for all the belts in Las Vegas. It’s a dream come true. I’ll be basing my camp there. I’ll be there for two months. This is the biggest fight of my career. This is the biggest fight for anyone. This is the pinnacle of the sport, this is the pinnacle of all sports in general. All four belts. This is as big as it gets!”

Tim’s message for Charlo? “Don’t underestimate me. Stop being a grumpy old man. I’m coming for you.”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

WBO 115-pound champion Kazuto Ioka (29-2, 15 KOs), 115, made his fifth title defense when he decisively avenged his previous loss to Filipino veteran WBO#1 Donnie Nietes (43-2-6, 33 KOs), 114.5, by a unanimous decision over twelve speedy rounds on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan. The judges lopsidedly favored Ioka: Gerardo Martinez (Puerto Rico) 118-110, William Lerch (US) 117-111 and Waleska Roldan (US) 120-108. The referee who handled the fast-moving contest very well was Bence Kovacs (Hungary).

It was such a tactical fight of both four-division titlists as a couple of Miguel Cantos kept outboxing and countering each other, but it was Ioka, 33, that displayed more aggressiveness in throwing combinations upstairs and downstairs all the way. Nietes, 40, showed only his cleverness in averting Ioka’s versatile combinations, and failed to retaliate with more effective punches in return. Continue reading “Full Report: Ioka defeats Nietes in rematch”

By Miguel Maravilla

The Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya was on hand at Wednesday’s media day for this weekend’s lightweight fight between undefeated Ryan Garcia (22-0, 18 KOs) of Victorville, California, and former two-time world champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (37-3-1, 26 KOs) of the Dominican Republic. The bout takes place Saturday at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A. live on DAZN.

Here is what De La Hoya had to say.

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By Robert Coster

Domini Boxing Promotion has announced a 16-bout international card taking place July 22 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The main fights comprise the following:

• Former WBA interim world champion Felix Valera (19-5, 16 KOs ) vs. Felipe Romero (21-20-1, 13 KOs), Mexico, light heavyweight.
• Former world title challenger Lenin Castillo (22-4-1, 17 KOs) vs. Wilson Santana (14-3, 9 KOs), cruiserweight.
• Two-time world title challenger Thomas Dulorme (25-6-1, 16 KOs), Puerto Rico, vs. Abrahan Peralta( 19-11, 11 KOs), welterweight.
• Unbeaten Ernesbadi Begue (6-0, 5 KOs), Cuba, vs. Ronald Gonzalez (8-1, 8 KOs), Venezuela, light heavyweight
• Unbeaten Sanderson Diaz (15-0, 12 KOs) vs. Angel Yomar Mateo (22-1, 18 KOs), light heavyweight.
• Unbeaten Nike Theran (16-0, 11 KOs), Colombia, vs. Gustavo Pina Melgar (11-3-2, 5 KOs), Mexico, super featherweight

Continue reading “Huge Card in Santo Domingo July 22”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

ormer WBC flyweight titlist, hard-punching Daigo Higa (18-2-1, 17 KOs), 118, very barely eked out a split decision (76-75, 76-74, 74-77 against him) over ex-world challenger, Filipino Froilan Saludar (32-6-1, 22 KOs), 117.25, over give-and-take eight on the Ioka-Nietes undercard on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan.

The fourth witnessed Saludar explode a very vicious right hook that penetrated Higa’s chin and badly dropped him to the canvas. People then thought Higa, flat on the deck, might not be able to stand up and resume fighting, but he barely did. Higa, who forfeited his WBC belt on the scale in his title defense against Cristofer Rosales and was badly stopped by him in 2018, moved up to the bantam category, and acquired the WBO AP belt, but lost it to Ryosuke Nishida via upset decision in April last year. In his comebacking fight, Higa experienced a very tough time with the more skillful Filipino who gamely withstood the ex-champ’s desperate retaliation down the stretch.

Photos

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

Record-making thirteen-time national amateur champ, very highly expected prospect Hayato Tsutsumi, 125.75, made a successful pro debut by scoring a nearly shutout decision (80-72 twice, 79-73) over OPBF#5 feather Filipino Jhon Gemino (23-14-1, 13 KOs), 125.25, over eight fast heats beneath the Ioka-Nietes WBO junior bantam title bout on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan. The 23-year-old Hayato, whose amateur mark was 88-6, once won the national amateur championship by defeating all adult oppositions while he was just a high school student—like “Monster” Naoya Inoue. Already nicknamed “Next Monster”, Tsutsumi displayed his speed and skills against the more experienced and very durable Filipino, sweeping all rounds. This youngster is worth watching. Continue reading ““Next Monster” Tsutsumi makes pro debut”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

Workman stylist Makoto Kawasaki (13-8-2, 2 KOs), 153.5, barely retained his Japanese super-welter belt as he fought to a unanimous draw (all 95-95) with JBC#1 Ryosuke Maruki (18-7-2, 13 KOs), 154, over hard-fought ten on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.

Having acquired the vacant national belt by defeating Koki Koshikawa on points this April, Kawasaki, the oldest national champ at 38, had a very tough time coping with the perennial contender’s furious last surge from the eighth on. Ryosuke, in his fourth attempt to win the belt, is the son of former world challenger Takao Maruki (who failed to win the WBA 130-pound title from Samuel Serrano in 1978). We may see their rematch soon. Continue reading “Kawasaki draws with Maruki, keeps Japanese 154lb belt”

By Miguel Maravilla

Unbeaten lightweight Ryan Garcia (22-0, 18 KOs) of Victorville, California, kicked off fight week hosting a media day workout Wednesday afternoon at the EC Young Champions Gym in Los Angeles. Garcia will take on former two-time world champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (37-3-1, 26 KOs) of the Dominican Republic, this weekend Saturday, July 16 at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A. live on DAZN.

Here is what Garcia had to say…

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Quinton Randall 146.8 vs. Ivan “Cobra” Pandzic 146.6
Andrew “White Lightning” Murphy 168 vs. Isiah Jones 166.8
William Hernandez 141.8 vs. Magarito Hernandez 141.2
Joseph Aguilar 166.2 vs. Alarenz Reynolds 167.2
Chris Johnson 153.4 vs. Devontae McDonald ??
Bryan Sanchez 135 vs. Dyllon Cervantes 133.6

Venue: Yakama Legends Casino, Toppenish, Washington
Promoter: RJJ Boxing
TV: UFC Fightpass

Undefeated junior welterweight contenders Arnold Barboza Jr. (26-0, 10 KOs) and Danielito Zorrilla (16-0, 12 KOs) faced off at the final press conference for their clash for the vacant WBO Intercontinental belt on ESPN Friday evening from Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California.

Arnold Barboza Jr: “I think this fight has all the makings of being another great war between Mexico and Puerto Rico. I’m Mexican American and he is Puerto Rican. This one will be a great battle. Everyone knows my style, and he also likes to come forward. I can’t wait for Friday night.”

Danielito Zorrilla: “I’m well-prepared physically and mentally. Everyone will see on Friday night. I expect a lot from Barboza. He is a great fighter and one of the best in the division. This will be a very competitive fight. This will be a war!”

CES Boxing returns to Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, for the first time in nearly seven years Saturday, August 20 with a heavyweight twinbill. CES’ newest acquisition, 6’6 Cassius Chaney (21-1, 14 KOs), and 6’4 Juiseppe Cusumano (20-4, 18 KOs) will headline in separate bouts against opponents to be named. Tickets are available online at cesfights.com or through the Mohegan Sun box office.

36-year-old former two-time middleweight title challenger Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-4, 10 KOs) showed off his skills at a media workout in Brooklyn Wednesday.

After dropping four of his last five fights, the once highly regarded pressure fighter faces Joshua Conley in a 10-round off-TV undercard bout on July 30 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The bout may be streamed on Showtime’s social media channels, but no official announcement yet.

“I want to fight any of the champions at middleweight,” said Derevyanchenko. Jaime Munguia would be a great fight. There are a lot of strong fighters in the division and I want to face any of them. I still feel strong at middleweight. I’m going to keep working and facing the best challengers I can get so that I’m back in title contention. Continue reading “Derevyanchenko: I still feel strong”

Unbeaten middleweight Austin “Ammo” Williams (11-0, 9 KOs) will face Kieron Conway (17-2-1, 3 KOs) for the vacant WBA International title on the September 17 PPV undercard of the trilogy clash between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas​.

Williams-Conway become the second bout added to the undercard after the announcement that WBC super flyweight champion Jesse Rodriguez will defend his title against Israel Gonzalez in the co-main event.

ESPN+ has picked up Saturday’s SES Boxing card at the Maritim Hotel in Magdeburg, Germany. In the main event, IBF #9 rated light heavyweight Michael Eifert (10-1, 4 KOs) and Adriano Sperandio (14-1, 2 KOs) will face off for the vacant IBF Intercontinental strap. Also on the card is Top Rank-signed junior welterweight prospect Hugo Micallef (2-0, 0 KOs). “The Fresh Prince of Monaco” returns in a six-rounder versus Mauro Loli (7-3, 3 KOs).

All Star Boxing, Inc has announced the signing of undefeated light flyweight contender Gerardo Zapata (14-0, 5 KOs) to a multi-year agreement this morning. Zapata, also nicknamed “El Cascabel de Masaya,” the Nicaraguan fighting town which he represents, is managed by Cesar Garcia of Blackhouse Boxing.

“We are happy to bring undefeated prospect Gerardo Zapata to the All Star Boxing family” stated President & CEO Felix “Tuto” Zabala “The light flyweight division is getting interesting and we feel Zapata has the tools to join the mix and become a future world champion.” Continue reading “All Star Boxing inks WBO #13 Gerardo Zapata”

By Joe Koizumi

WBO 115-pound champion Kazuto Ioka (29-2, 15 KOs), 115, Japan, decisively avenged his previous loss to Filipino veteran WBO #1 Donnie Nietes (43-2-6, 33 KOs), 114.5, by a unanimous decision (118-110, 117-111, 120-108) over twelve speedy rounds on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan.

It was such a tactical fight of the four-division titlists as a couple of Miguel Cantos kept outboxing and countering each other, but it was Ioka, 33, that displayed more aggressiveness in throwing combinations upstairs and downstairs all the way. Nietes, 40, showed only his cleverness in averting Ioka’s versatile combinations, and failed to retaliate with more effective punches in return.

More to come…

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Now that WBO #1 154-pounder Tim Tszyu knows he will be challenging undisputed WBO, WBC,WBA,IBF champion Jermell Charlo in the fall, he has promised he will be in the best shape of his career.

The fight should be held in October or November, “somewhere in America, I’m hoping Vegas,” Tszyu told News.com.au. “I’ll be heading to America for maybe two months, doing my prep there, getting the best sparring and using the best facilities…I want to challenge the very best there is out there. I know I’ve got what it takes to win.”

Tim said he has a plan to beat Charlo. “Maneuver and don’t get hit,” Tszyu said. “Punch him harder. I want to stop him. I want to stop this bloke. I want to cause him pain.”

40-year-old former four-weight world champion Donnie Nietes says he could still be fighting at the age of 45 as he goes in search of his ‘greatest ever victory’ against WBO junior bantamweight champion Kazuto Ioka on Wednesday night in Tokyo, Japan.

“I think I could box for another three to five years,” Nietes told Probellum.com. “I don’t have any vices and I am not that abusive to my body, so I believe I can still be fighting for that long. As a boxer, you need discipline, hard work and consistent training.”

Nietes and Ioka first met in 2018’s clash for the vacant WBO title, with ‘Ahas’ defeating his Japanese rival via a split decision. Nietes later vacated the belt but believes that winning it back on Ioka’s home turf will rank as his finest hour. Continue reading “Nietes aiming for ‘greatest victory’”

Oddsmakers have established Jake Paul as a -225 favorite over Hasim Rahman Jr. (+180) for their August 6 PPV clash at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The funny thing is Paul was an underdog against his original foe Tommy Fury, yet most consider Rahman to be a tougher opponent than Fury. Go figure.

Odds courtesy of BetOnline.ag.