Fightnews.com

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

The IBF closed the festivities portion of their 37th annual convention with the emotional awards banquet. The somber emotions were felt right off the bat as esteemed ring announcer Craig Stephen of Scotland, tolled the memorial ten count for fallen members of the IBF family. Board members Anibal Miramontes, Dr. William Lathan, Roberto Rea, Eddie Cotton, Neville Hotz, Vaughn LaPrade, IBF members Hilton Whitaker, Lindsey Page, Luigi Zaccardi, James Bagshaw, Herbert “Fritz” Werner, Isaac Xamlashe as well as boxers Patrick Day and Maxim Dadashev all passed over the last three years.

There was a buzz as a few familiar faces, who weren’t present at the “Meet the Champions” night made their entry into the ballroom. Former IBF middleweight champ Michael “Second To” Nunn, former IBF Super Middleweight champ Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant and current IBF/WBO Jr. Lightweight champion Mikaela Mayer. Continue reading “IBF 37th Annual Convention Awards Banquet”

Report/Photos by Boxing Bob Newman

Day 4 of the IBF 37th Annual Convention got underway at 9:00 a.m. with the medical seminar. Doctors Rick Weinstein, Paul Wallace and Massimiliano Bianco delivered their respective talks during the morning session.

Dr. Wallace gave his talk entitled “Weight Cutting & Dehydration In Combat Sports.”

Concussions, traumatic brain injury and susceptibility to knockouts are all linked to weight cutting by dehydration/rehydration. Continue reading “IBF 37th Annual Convention Day 4”

Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Rolando “Rolly” Romero had to be separated at Friday’s weigh-in. When posing for photographers, Romero stood in front of Davis, prompting Tank to push him off the stage! An enraged Rolly then tried to get at Tank, but both fighters were held back. Should be a good one tomorrow (as long as it lasts).

Gervonta “Tank” Davis 133.75 vs. Rolando “Rolly” Romero 134.25
(WBA lightweight title)

Erislandy “American Dream” Lara 159.75 vs. Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan 159
(WBA middleweight title)

Other Weights:
Jesús Ramos 153.5 vs. Luke Santamaría 154
Eduardo Ramírez 130 vs. Luis Meléndez 130
Luis Arias 155.25 vs. Jimmy Williams 154
Jalil Hackett 145 vs. Jose Belloso 145.75

Venue: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY
Promoter: Mayweather Promotions, TGB Promotions
TV: Showtime PPV, Showtime YouTube

Greg Outlaw, Jr. 143.6 vs. Wilfrido Buelvas 143.2
Anthony Peterson 144.4 vs. Saul Corral 143.6
Domnique Crowder 122 vs. Yeison Vargas 124.4
Chris Arnold 230.6 vs. Lamarco Ellis 296.8
Donnell Poe 130.6 vs. Weusi Johnson 123.8
Joe Veazey 145.8 vs. Corey Champion 146
Jay Stancil III 124 vs. Andre Donovan 122.4
Crisanto Lucio 154.2 vs. Zack Kuhn ??
Max Garland 144.2 vs. Mike Fuller 138
La’Vay Lawrence 133.6 vs. Hugh Hinds 129.2
Nadium Salloum 168 vs. Elie Augustama 165.2
David Stevens 168.4 vs. Colby Courter 168.6

Venue: Entertainment & Sports Arena, Washington, D.C.
Promoter: Rising Star Promotions, DHH Promotions and TCMFB Boxing
Stream: FloSports

Mahmoud Charr 246.9 vs. Nikola Milacic 224.9
Ali Eren Demirezen 262.3 vs. Kevin Johnson 251.3
Michael Wallisch 233.7 vs. Toni Thes 220.5
Christian Hammer 257.9 vs. Drazan Janjanin 271.2
Mohammed Bekdash 180.8 vs. Nikoloz Berkatashvili 180.8
Branimir Malenica 174.6 vs. Slavisa Simeunovic 176.4

Venue: Die Bucht, Hamburg, Germany
Promoter: EC Promotions
TV: BILD+ (Germany)

By Brad Snyder-The Undercard
Photos by Bob Ryder

Heavyweight Otto Wallin returned to action for Salita Promotions Thursday night in Dearborn, Michigan. Wallin is looking to climb in the heavyweight rankings and crack the Top 5. Thursday brought him a tough challenge in Rydell Booker (26-6-1, 13 KOs). The style and weight of Booker would be Wallin’s toughest obstacles leading to his victory. Round one had Booker having some moments with a lunging left. Wallin controlled the first and second rounds. Wallin became frustrated early in the fight with Booker’s clinching style of boxing. In round four, Wallin was able to connect with a big left to Booker’s chin. The southpaw Wallin had his best round in the fifth, catching Booker on the ropes. Booker, who talked to Wallin throughout the fight, could not produce enough offense to threaten Wallin. The ninth and tenth Rounds of the scheduled 10-round bout had Wallin ending strong in the last seconds of those rounds. Booker, who was just too tough, went the distance.

“I knew he (Booker) was going to be dangerous for the first two rounds.. then try to survive. And that’s what he did,” Wallin said, after the fight. The judges saw the fight (99-91, 100-90, 99-91) all in favor of Wallin. The win improves Wallin’s record to (24-1, 14 KOs) as he looks to find bigger fights in the second half of the year. Continue reading “Wallin, Ergashev victorious”

By Ron Jackson

Lunga Sitemela from Cape Town won the South African junior lightweight title on a tenth-round stoppage against the defending champion Sibusiso Zingange of Pretoria at The Gallery in Sandton, Johannesburg on Thursday night. Zingange (56,20kg) suffered a dislocated left shoulder in round nine and could not come out at the bell for the tenth round. Continue reading “Sitemela wins SA junior lightweight title”

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

The general session of the IBF 37th annual convention kicked off in the Centennial Ballroom Thursday morning.

California State Athletic Commission Executive Director Andy Foster and Chairman Peter Nieves welcomed the convention to their state as well as discussed their roles as well as their long and prosperous relationship with the IBF. Nieves also mentioned his role with the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, KY. One of his initiatives is to petition the US Postal Service to commission a Muhammad Ali postage stamp. That effort will kick off on June 3rd.

The customary introductions then ensued with members from around the globe- from across the USA to as far as Mongolia, Luxembourg, Australia and Venezuela.

IBF president Daryl Peoples opened with the physical and emotional losses suffered by everyone in boxing and especially the IBF. The federation lost ratings chairman Anibal Miramontes, director Eddie Cotton, director and European representative Roberto Rea, Africa representative Neville Hotz and medical director Dr. William Lathan. A ten count will be tolled for these fallen members at Friday’s closing banquet. Continue reading “IBF 37th Annual Convention Day 3”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Undisputed IBF, WBA, WBO, and WBC Franchise lightweight champion George “Ferocious” Kambosos should be considered as a top ten pound for pound boxer and the best Australia has produced if he defeats WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney on June 5 (June 4 in the USA) at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, televised on ESPN and Sky, according to Hall of Fame promoter Lou DiBella.

“If he beats Devin Haney, he has got to be considered a top ten pound-for-pound boxer in the world,” DiBella said. “If he beats Devin Haney, he becomes the biggest Australian fighter in my memory. Jeff Fenech was a star and Kostya Tszyu was a star. There were other stars and upcoming stars like Tim Tszyu. If George wins this fight there is no one on the Australian continent bigger than George Kambosos. I think if he wins this fight he can make claim to be a top ten pound-for-pound fighter.”

Five-time world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and unbeaten mandatory challenger Rolando “Rolly” Romero squared off at a tense final press conference Thursday before they meet in the Showtime PPV main event this Saturday from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Tank Davis: “I just want to show people that there are different levels when it comes to boxing. There are people that play boxing and there are people who have been doing this since they were kids. It’s time to show that I’m one of the guys who’s not to be played with. It starts with him and it’s going to continue.”

Rolly Romero: “This guy Davis talks about everything but the fight. He’s taking this fight personally. My job is just to beat him up. He’s very emotional. That’s why I’ve been calling him out. He has a big head for me to hit. I’m not going to say what punch I’m getting him with, but you’re all going to see on Saturday night. This is ending in one round.”

More quotes

Southern California 140-pound standout Arnold Barboza Jr. (26-0, 10 KOs) wanted the main event spotlight. He’ll get his opportunity to shine when he takes on Puerto Rican contender Danielito “El Zorro” Zorrilla (16-0, 12 KOs) in a 10-round junior welterweight showdown Friday, July 15, at the Pechanga Summit at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California.

Tokyo 2020 U.S. Olympic silver medalists Keyshawn Davis and Richard Torrez Jr. will return on the card, with Davis battling Jair “Kaiser” Valtierra in the eight-round lightweight co-feature. Torrez will open the televised broadcast in a six-round heavyweight special attraction versus Roberto Zavala Jr.

Barboza-Zorrilla, Davis-Valtierra and Torrez-Zavala will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.

A bronze statue of former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder was unveiled Wednesday at the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. At the ceremony, Wilder announced that he will be resuming his career “for sure.”

“I’ve been highly requested,” Wilder said, as reported by the Tuscaloosa News. “So many people have told me, ‘come back, come back.’ I’d say I’m back by popular demand. And the business of boxing needs me. When there’s a thriving American champion, there’s nothing like it. When there’s not, you see it’s dead. There’s a drought. People know the difference now.”

No date or opponent, but Wilder is rated WBC #1, so if champion Tyson Fury is really retired, Wilder will be right back in the mix.

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with former amateur star and undefeated pro Javier Martinez (7-0, 4 KOs) out of Dallas, Texas, as he takes on Jose Daniel Hoil (6-4) this Saturday, May 28 in Cancun, Mexico. Martinez opened up about the dark times that stagnated his young career, sharing the ring with his good friend and multi-division champ Shakur Stevenson and his Dallas ties to unified welterweight champ Errol Spence Jr. and rising star Vergil Ortiz Jr. in this exclusive interview.

_

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

WBA, IBF world bantamweight champion “Monster” Naoya Inoue (22-0, 19 KOs) showed a public workout before the press on Wednesday at Ohashi Gym in Yokohama, Japan. He looked fit and sharp in strenuous training thirteen days before his grudge fight with WBC ruler Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire (42-6, 28 KOs), 39, with the three belts on the line at the Saitama Super Arena on June 7.

Naoya replied to the press representative’s questions:

“I’m very much motivated to display my improved real power to Donaire. Whatever strategy he may select and show, I’ll cope with him with no problem since I’m in great shape. Last time I had a grueling fight with him, but this time it won’t become like that. I’ll be convincingly victorious without fail.”

Photos

By Jeff Zimmerman

Former lightweight contender Anthony Peterson faces Saul Corral this Saturday, May 28, at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington D.C. as he looks for an impressive win and at 37 make a run at the top 135 pounders that includes Devin Haney and Tank Davis. Peterson opens up to Fightnews.com® about his once-promising career and the frustrations that took it off track. He talks about being rejuvenated with his brother and former champion Lamont in his corner and how he connected with former drug kingpin “Freeway” Rick Ross to relaunch his career in this emotional, exclusive interview.

_

By Ron Jackson

Nhlanhla Tyirha returns to action for the first time since October last year when he meets the tough Filipino, Esneth Domingo in a ten round non-title light flyweight bout at the East London International Convention Centre on Saturday.

Domingo, 23, from Sultan, Kudarat who has compiled a record of 16-1, 8 KOs, will be having his second fight outside his home country. The first fight was against Minth Phat Sam in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, where he won on a majority six-round points decision. Continue reading “Nhlanhla Tyirha returns to action”

Unbeaten WBA “regular” super middleweight champion David Morrell Jr. previewed his upcoming showdown against Kalvin Henderson before they square off in the co-main event on Showtime June 4 from The Armory in Minneapolis. Here is what Morrell (6-0, 5 KOs) had to say about training camp, June 4 and more…

On his recent training camp:

“This training camp has been special because I was in great shape coming in, and I got to work on a lot of new things with my coach Ronnie Shields. I got to spar with some new faces, and I’ll be very sharp going into this fight. My body feels good and I’m healthy. No body aches or injuries, so I’ll be ready to shine.” Continue reading “Morrell poised for Showtime showcase”

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

Day 2 of the IBF 37th annual convention featured a wonderful luncheon boat cruise along the Long Beach harbor aboard La Espada (The Sword), as well as the always popular Meet the Champions cocktail event in the evening.

Several dozen convention attendees took part in the cruise which boarded at 11:15 a.m. and docked at 1:30 p.m. One of the more fascinating sights along the tour was a view of the HMS Queen Mary- a former British cruise liner (1936-1967) now moored in Long Beach, CA and now serving as a floating luxury hotel. Lunch included a champagne greeting, Sauteed Chicken Piccata, pan roasted potatoes, broccoli crowns, braised red cabbage chocolate cake with raspberry sauce and whipped cream. Continue reading “IBF 37th Annual Convention Day 2”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with the former unified super bantamweight champ (WBA, IBF) Danny Roman as he looks to become a 2X unified champ as he faces Stephen Fulton Jr. on Saturday, June 4 at The Armory in Minneapolis, MN as part of a Premier Boxing Champions and Showtime broadcast. Roman talks about his journey into boxing, the feeling of winning his first world title in Japan, his loyalty to southern CA promoter Thompson Boxing and what to expect when he takes on Fulton for his WBC, WBO titles in this potential fight of the year and so much more in this exclusive interview.

_

Report/Photos: Bob Ryder

Otto Wallin 241.5 vs Rydell Booker 262.5
Shohjahon Ergashev 141.2 vs Luis Alberto Veron 143.4
Husam Al Mashhadi 152.4 vs Milton Banks 151
Marlon Harrington 153.4 vs Azael Cosio 153
Joseph Hicks Jr 163.4 vs Bruno Leonardo Romay 164.6
Da’velle Smith 162.2 vs Brandon Baue TBD
Ferris Dixon Jr 131.6 vs Daniel Arriaga TBD

Promoter: Salita Promotions
Venue: Ford Community & Performance Arts Center, Dearborn, Michigan
Doors: 6 PM
First Bout: 7 PM
Tickets: at Evenbrite.com and at 313-529-7604

More photos

The World Boxing Association (WBA) continues to make decisions moving forward in line with its intention to have only one world champion per category.

To date, the light heavyweight (Dmitry Bivol), super welterweight (Jermell Charlo), super featherweight (Roger Gutierrez), super bantamweight (Murodjon Akhmadaliev), bantamweight (Naoya Inoue) and flyweight (Artem Dalakian) categories all have a single champion. The situation of the super lightweight, whose title is vacant, was also resolved. Continue reading “WBA world title reduction plan update”

Former world champion and fan favorite Alfredo “Perro” Angulo (26-8, 21 KOs) returns on June 11 against Fidel Monterrosa Munoz (40-29-1, 32 KOs) at the Center Stage Theater in Atlanta. The 39-year-old Angulo, who now resides in Coachella, California via Mexicali, Mexico, wants one more chance against a big-name opponent.

“I feel good. My body is reacting how I expect and I feel really good. This is a short-term notice, but I am very motivated. I feel like I have nothing to lose and I will give it my all,” said Angulo.

“I am used to fighting in bigger arenas, but I have been inactive for two years, and I need this forum to give a good performance to get a bigger opportunity. I want to get a feel for myself, body and reflexes. I do want to end my career with my hand up high. We have a plan. This is a fight to get a better fight. Continue reading “Angulo: It motivates me to keep fighting”

Diego “Cuchis” Andrade (14-6-2, 1 KO) has replaced injured Irving “Poderoso” Castillo in the June 2nd championship final of the inaugural “WCBS 4-Man Lightweight Tournament” against unbeaten prospect and hometown hero Luis “Koreano” Torres (15-0, 10 KOs) at Palenque de la Expo in Obregón, Sonora, Mexico.

Castillo (12-2, 8 KOs) reportedly suffered a torn bicep during training camp.

The 10-round Torres vs. Andrade main event will also be contested for the vacant WBC Latino lightweight belt. UFC Fightpass will stream the RJJ Promotions card.

Undefeated WBA super middleweight champion David Morrell Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs) has responded to David Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) and his comments after his fight with David Lemieux this past Saturday on Showtime. Benavidez referenced Morrell Jr., Caleb Plant and Jermall Charlo as “bitches,” and proclaimed that he would knock everyone out.

“I ain’t no bitch and you’re going to find out,” stated David Morrell Jr. “I’m from Cuba and I’m not afraid to fight you. I’ve beaten bigger and better fighters than you. So right after this fight I got coming up, get your ass ready.” Continue reading “Morrell rips Benavidez for “b*tch” comment”

Former WBA heavyweight world champion “Diamond Boy” Mahmoud Charr (32-4, 18 KOs) meets Nikola Milacic (21-2, 14 KOs) in a ten round bout on Saturday night outdoors at Die Bucht in Hamburg, Germany. It will be Charr’s first fight since stopping Christopher Lovejoy 12 months ago. Charr lost his WBA title when he was unable to defend the belt against Trevor Bryan.

A number of other notable heavyweight bouts will also be on the card.

Ali Eren Demirezen (15-1, 12 KOs), coming off his TKO over Gerald Washington on a January 1 PPV, meets 42-year-old former world title challenger Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (35-18-1, 19 KOs). Christian Hammer (26-9, 16 KOs), coming off a points defeat against world-rated Frank Sanchez, meets journeyman Drazan Janjanin (22-34, 19 KOs), and Michael Wallisch (22-5, 15 KOs), coming off a TKO loss to Murat Gassiev last year, faces Toni Thes (19-11-1, 13 KOs).

Another heavyweight bout featuring unbeaten Victor Faust was canceled after Faust suffered a sparring injury.