Fightnews.com

Daniel Dubois is ready to exert punishment on Trevor Bryan for keeping him waiting for his world title shot. Dubois goes in with the American champion on June 11 with the WBA world heavyweight championship at stake, fighting for the ultimate right to take on the super champion, which is currently Oleksandr Usyk.

The 24-year-old Dubois has been out of action since August of last year when he fought Joe Cusumano in Cleveland that resulted in a first round stoppage. A vaccination issue prevented him returning to the States to fight again in December and, since this time, taking another fight would have jeopardized his mandatory rights with the WBA.

Bryan was also granted a voluntary defense of his title against Jonathan Guidry in January, which delayed the ambitions of the 17-1 Londoner and left him hard at work in the gym. Continue reading “Dubois ready to make Bryan pay for delay”

Super welterweight contender Luis “Cuba” Arias  (19-3-1, 9 KOs) will face Jimmy Williams (18-7-2, 6 KOs) in a 10-round showdown, and welterweight prospect Jalil “Major” Hackett (3-0, 2 KOs) takes on unbeaten Jose Belloso (4-0, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder in undercard bouts that will stream live on the Showtime Sports YouTube page this Saturday from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The streaming action will lead into the Showtime PPV telecast headlined by WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis against mandatory challenger Rolando “Rolly” Romero. Continue reading “Showtime to stream undercard bouts”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

2020 Hall of Fame inductee Lou DiBella spoke to Peter Maniatis of the KO Show about George Kambosos versus Devin Haney fight and the best boxer he’s seen fight live.

You are a former HBO executive and promoted Deontay Wilder, Bernard Hopkins and Paulie Malignaggi and also played yourself in the Rocky movie. What is like to be promoting George Kambosos vs. Devin Haney in Australia?

“I love Melbourne. I haven’t been to Melbourne since I was in my twenties, so it’s a long time. I love the culture and the beautiful scenery, the great food. I am looking forward to being in Melbourne – not only for the boxing match but just to visit and enjoy it again. At this point of my career and I have been doing this for over thirty years – I got into boxing in my twenties. I am now over that sixty mark. I am getting inducted into the Hall of Fame the week after the Kambosos vs. Haney fight. I am in the later stages of my career. I don’t want to be doing this in my nineties like King and Arum. Continue reading “Interview Lou DiBella”

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

The classy Westin Hotel in Long Beach, California, plays host to the 37th annual IBF convention this year. Activities got underway this morning with a closed meeting of the board of directors. The full board was in attendance, headed by IBF president Daryl J. Peoples, joined by Ratings Chairman George Martinez, Championship Committee Chairman Carlos Ortiz, Jr., Treasurer Randy Neumann, Secretary Levi Martinez, Legal Counsel Linda Pope Torres and board members Ben Keilty, Pete Podgorski and Melvina Lathan. Each officer presented their preliminary reports, which will be fully presented during the open session of the convention, as well as other matters. Continue reading “IBF 37th Annual Convention Underway”

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

Last Saturday was a wonderful day to remember.

I started it bright and early by going to the house of my friend, Luis Menéndez, who is a boxing fan like few I have seen. He created a club called La Legión, and it consists of friends who share an abiding love for our sport, and every Saturday they get together early to train and then have breakfast.

It is wonderfully instructive to see champions training this dedicated group. That team of expert champions consists of Carlos Zárate and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, among others, but the one who is always present is César Bazán. I attended with my son, Mauricio, and José Luis Bueno accompanied us to spend a morning full of boxing, friends, fun, work, anecdotes and laughter. Continue reading “Graduation Night”

It didn’t take long. BetOnline.ag has already posted odds for the September 17 trilogy clash between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin.

Gennady Golovkin +260 (13/5)
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez -350 (2/7)

It’s official. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin will meet in a trilogy clash on September 17, live on DAZN Pay Per View. The venue will be announced soon.

“The Canelo vs. GGG trilogy is the biggest fight in boxing and I am delighted to get this made for September 17,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “These are two men that bitterly dislike each other and want to end this incredible series with a blistering KO. I truly believe this will be the most thrilling fight between these two great champions and it will be fireworks from the first bell to the last man standing.”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #1 rated super welterweight Tim Tszyu’s promoter George Rose has indicated that undisputed IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO champion Jermell Charlo is expected to make a decision in the next few weeks whether to defend against Tszyu or vacate the WBO championship.

“Let’s hope he fancies it,” said Rose. “He has been very open about perceived weaknesses he thinks he saw when Tszyu made his US debut and after his own performance against Castaño he must be full of confidence. If Charlo truly sees no threat in Tszyu, he has an easy call to make – don’t vacate and run away – fight him for all your belts. C’mon Jermell, let’s make the fight!”

The fight could be targeted for September or October, most likely in the USA.

Sad to report the passing of Gary Russell Sr. at the age of 63. Russell was the patriarch of one of boxing’s most iconic families, training his sons, former world champion Gary Russell Jr., and unbeaten pros Gary Antonio Russell and Gary Antuanne Russell. He suffered from serious health problems in recent years.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

IBF #3 cruiserweight Jai Opetaia (21-0, 17 KOs) will challenge IBF cruiserweight champion Maris Breidis (28-1, 20 KOs) on July 2nd at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia, televised on Foxtel Main Event and Kayo Sports pay-per-view.

“We’ve been chasing these big fights for a long time now,” Opetaia said to news.com.au. “I just know I belong up there with the big boys. I know I can win this fight, my whole life has come towards this fight.”

Promoter is Dean Lonergan, matchmaker is Stuart Duncan.

Canelo Alvarez says an announcement for a third fight with Gennady Golovkin is imminent.

“We already had that contract, that deal, so we have to continue what we started,” Canelo said at a press conference in Mexico. “I think those are the two biggest fights in boxing, the fight with Golovkin and the rematch with Bivol. Unfortunately we lost, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try again. The important thing here is perseverance and we’re going to do it again.

“What is certain is that we are going to return in September. And in the coming days, today, tomorrow, the day after, we are going to announce the fight. We just have to wait a little bit.”

Jeter Promotions presented their debut event in Atlanta on Saturday night with a nine-bout card in front of a boisterous standing-room-only crowd at Buckhead Fight Club. In the main event, Morgan Grigge (4-0, 2 KOs) remained undefeated with a four-round majority decision over Luis Pena (0-3-1). It was a competitive fight that saw Grigge win by scores of 39-37 twice and 38-38. Continue reading “Results from Atlanta”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Undisputed IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC Franchise lightweight champion George “Ferocious” Kambosos has reached out on the behalf of Bill Haney, who is still trying to obtain a visa to travel to Australia to train his son WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney. Kambosos and Haney collide for the undisputed world title on June 5 (June 4 in the USA) at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

“Unfortunately, that’s the situation. That’s not my fault,” Kambosos Jr. told the Sydney Morning Herald. “I’m not the prime minister of Australia. I’ve actually reached out to a few high-profile people who have connections in the government to try to help the situation. I know there will be a whole lot of excuses once I destroy Devin Haney – about the father, about the trainer, about the jet lag, about everything – I’ve been trying my best to see if he can get in but, unfortunately, that’s not my problem. I’ve got all of my team here and I’m ready to fight!”

WBO/IBF junior lightweight world champion Mikaela Mayer (17-0, 5 KOs) and WBC champion Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner (12-1, 7 KOs) have traded social media haymakers. Soon, the two will throw down in the ring. Top Rank has secured the rights to the Mayer-Baumgardner title unification showdown, which will take place in late summer/early fall. Date, venue, and ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Mikaela Mayer’s prodigious talent is only matched by her tremendous ambition,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “She wants the biggest fights, and Alycia Baumgardner is a worthy champion. This is a huge event and one of the most anticipated matchups in women’s boxing.”

There are still some tickets remaining for the June 11th fight card at Center Stage in Atlanta. The Prestige Advisory Boxing Group will feature former world champion Alfredo Angulo, undefeated heavyweight knockout artist Raphael Akpejori, undefeated fighters Peter Dobson, Patrick Harris, local favorite Quatavious Cash plus undefeated former Miss Bikini World Pageant winner Avril Mathie in separate bouts. Tickets are $100, $250 and $500 and can be purchased on www.ticketmaster.com.

WBC/WBA/INF female middleweight champion Claressa Shields has accused arch rival and WBO champion Savannah Marshall of faking an arm injury to push back their grudge match until fall.

IBF #4, WBA #13, WBO #11 super lightweight Shohjahon Ergashev (21-0, 19 KOs) will take on Luis Alberto Veron (19-3-2, 9 KOs) in the 10-round super lightweight co-main event of Salita Promotions’ Detroit Brawl event this Thursday in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Ergashev is trained Javan SugarHill Steward at the Kronk Gym.

In the main event, WBC #11-rated heavyweight Otto Wallin (23-1, 14 KOs) will take on hometown veteran Rydell Booker (26-5-1, 13 KOs).

It’s the calm before the storm before all hell breaks loose next week, but we still have one huge card this Memorial Day weekend. It’s the long-awaited grudge clash between WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and unbeaten #1 ranked contender and mandatory challenger Rolando “Rolly” Romero on Saturday from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The telecast is a $74.99 pay-per-view that also features Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara defending his WBA middleweight title against Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan in the co-main event. Also, Jesús “Mono” Ramos will see action against Luke Santamaría in a 10-round super welterweight showdown, Eduardo Ramírez battles Luis Meléndez in the 10-round super featherweight telecast opener.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (42-6, 28 KOs), five-division champion of the Philippines, arrived on Sunday in Tokyo, Japan. On June 6, “Filipino Flash” will meet “Monster” Naoya Inoue, WBA/IBF titleholder, with three belts on the line in a rematch since their first encounter in November 2019.

Nonito said, “If Naoya thinks, Donaire is same as in our first encounter, that’s wrong. I’m quite different as I can punch him from any angle in any position now. My skills and motivation have improved a lot. You’ll see.”

We’ll see.

More photos

Tickets for the 12-round battle between WBO junior flyweight world champion Jonathan “La Bomba” Gonzalez (25-3-1, 14 KOs) and Filipino contender Mark Anthony “Baby Boy” Barriga (11-1, 2 KOs) are now on sale.

The event, which is promoted by ProBox Promotions in association with Tuto Zabala Jr.’s All Star Boxing, Inc., will take place on Friday, June 24 at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, and will be streamed globally on ProBox TV. Tickets for Gonzalez vs. Barriga are priced at $50 and $100 and are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com or ohpark.com

Undercard information for the event will be announced shortly.

By Ron Jackson

Former IBO junior featherweight champion Ludumo Lamati from Mdantsane who now fights out of Gauteng returned to action for the first time since 19 June last year, to score a one-sided ten round unanimous points decision over Tanzanian Haidari Mchanjo at the Booysens Boxing Club in Booysens, Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon, in an International junior featherweight bout.

The scores were 97-92 and 100-90 twice.

Another belt was introduced to the multitude of boxing belts around the world when it was announced that the winner would be presented with the WBC Ubuntu belt. Continue reading “Ludumo Lamati outscores Haidari Mchanjo”

By Ron Jackson

It has been reported that that former South African flyweight champion Johannes “Baby Joe” Miya passed away last week. He was 65. As an amateur he trained at the Elsburg Gold Mine in the Western Area under the guidance of Elias Mpembe

Miya who was born Johannes Mpiyakhe Miya on 19 April 1957 died at his home in an informal settlement near Eldorado Park and had been ill for some time. Continue reading “Former SA flyweight champion dies at 65”

By Zach Hirsch

Unbeaten 18-year-old Ashton “H2O” Sylve (7-0, 7 KOs) thrilled his hometown fans Saturday night at the Convention Center in Long Beach, California. Sylve fights out of the Jackrabbit Boxing Gym in Long Beach and fought for the first time at home as a professional. The super featherweight prospect impressively stopped durable Giovanni Gutierrez of Nicaragua in round one. Sylve dropped Gutierrez less than a minute into the fight and stopped him moments later with a vicious head and body combo. Gutierrez had only been previously stopped one time but never this quickly. Sylve had a standout amateur career (10x national champion) and international champion as well. This was his debut under the promotional banner of Jake Paul (Most Valuable Promotions).

The International Boxing Federation will finally host its 37th Annual Convention, scheduled to start this week on Tuesday, May 24 and conclude on Saturday, May 28, at The Westin Long Beach Hotel in Long Beach, California. The convention, which is hosted annually, was postponed twice due to the COVID 19 pandemic. “We are enthusiastic about the week ahead, and once again getting together with our members and colleagues in the boxing community. Three years have passed since our last convention which took place in Macau, China, and we are excited that this convention is taking place in the United States and has brought us to the West Coast,” remarked IBF President Daryl Peoples. Adding, “California has a long and rich history in boxing, and a robust boxing community, making Long Beach a great destination for us.” Continue reading “IBF Convention 2022/Long Beach/Kicks Off”

Sad to announce the passing of famed New Orleans-based boxing promoter Les Bonano at the age of 79. For decades Bonano promoted shows in New Orleans and all over the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He promoted fighters like Clifford Etienne, Jerry Celestine, Paul Whittaker, Anthony Stephens, John Duplessis, and most recently, Jonathan Guidry.

“Les was a boxing man through and through and it was always a pleasure to speak with him,” said Karl Freitag, editor-in-chief of Fightnews.com®.