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World title bouts galore this week.

THURSDAY
EOTTM has a PPV from the Cabaret du Casino in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, featuring Erik Bazinyan (27-0, 21 KOs), Artem Oganesyan (13-0, 11 KOs), and Yves Ulysse Jr. (20-2, 11 KOs) in separate bouts.

FRIDAY
ProBoxTV will air the world title defense of WBO light flyweight champion Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez (25-3-1, 14 KOs) against Mark Anthony “Baby Boy” Barriga (11-1, 2 KOs) from the Osceola Heritage Park Arena in Kissimmee, Florida.

SATURDAY
DAZN presents a world title quadrupleheader from the Tech Port Arena in San Antonio, Texas. In the main event, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (15-0 10 KOs) makes the first defense of his WBC super flyweight title against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (50-5-1 43 KOs). Also, unified WBA/IBF super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (10-0, 7 KOs) will defend his titles against Ronny Rios (33-3, 16 KOs). WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez (18-2 14 KOs) and McWilliams Arroyo (21-4 16 KOs) pick up where they left off from their curtailed firefight last year where both men hit the canvas in a firefight that ended in a no contest due to an accidental headclash. Plus undisputed female welterweight ruler Jessica McCaskill (11-2, 4 KOs) defends against Alma Ibarra (10-1, 4 KOs).

ESPN+ counters with a WBC light flyweight eliminator between #1 rated Hekkie Budler (33-4, 10 KOs) and Elwin “Pulga” Soto (19-2, 13 KOs) from the Gimnasio del Polideportivo in Mexicali, BCN, Mexico.

Heavyweight Ivan Dychko takes his 100% KO record to Argentina this week as the giant Kazak returns to the ring. Dychko (11-0, 11 KOs) will be looking to secure a 12th knockout from as many pro fights in Buenos Aires on Thursday (June 23) when he locks horns with local favorite Kevin Espindola (7-3, 2 KOs). The ten round clash takes place on the WBA’s KO Drugs Boxing Festival and will see 6’9” Dychko fight for the first time under the Probellum banner, having signed with the global promoters earlier this year.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

UK promoter Eddie Hearn doesn’t think Tim Tszyu is ready to challenge undisputed 154 pound champion Jermell Charlo which has been ordered by the WBO.

“Tim Tszyu is a good talent, I just feel the problem in boxing sometimes is some people can believe in their guy so much they can move them too fast and put them in the wrong fights,” Hearn told Wide World of Sports. “I’ve been guilty of it before. But I don’t like the Charlo fight for Tim Tszyu. I actually think he’s not quite there yet. I think there’s some more development to do. He went to America for his American debut, got dropped but it was a good win. I would actually bring him back here for one or two more but it’s got nothing to do with me. That’s the fan’s perspective. Continue reading “Hearn: Tszyu being moved too fast”

By Ron Jackson

South African junior bantamweight champion Lwandile Ngxeke (9-0-1, 4 KOs) was in outstanding form when he stopped the far more experienced former champion Lindile Tshemese (13-4-2, 5 KOs) in the fourth round at International Convention Centre on Saturday to retain his title for the first time. Ngxeke from Queenstown was in control from the opening round against Tshemese who has been fighting as a professional since 2016. The 27-year-old champion is not known as a big puncher with only three wins inside the distance going into the fight with Tshemese but he surprised his critics. Ngxeke, who is trained in Mdantsane by former South African champion Ncedo Cecane, dominated in rounds two and three with some stinging shots to the body as he slowed the challenger down. After the one-sided action, it came as no surprise when Tshemese did not come out at the bell for the fourth round.

SES Boxing returns n July 16 to the Maritim Hotel in Magdeburg, Germany. In the main event, IBF #8 light heavyweight Michael Eifert (10-1, 4 KOs) faces Adriano Sperandio (14-1, 2 KOs) in a fight for the IBF Inter-Continental title. The co-feature has light heavyweight Tom Dzemski (19-1, 10 KOs) against unbeaten Cüneyt Altintas (13-0, 12 KOs) in a clash for the German domestic championship.

Fighters: Al Cole, Fres Oquendo, David Tua, Shannon Briggs, Keith Mullings Sr., David Armstrong, Randall Bailey, Cory Spinks

Trainers: Gus Curren, Tito Tiburon Ocasio, Armando Wiz Fernandez

Promoter: Richard Dobal

Participants: Phil Alessi Jr., Richard Fabian, Jerry Reyes, Joey Orduna, Steve Harris

Officials: Dennis DeBon, Dr. Ramon Garcia-Septien

Media: Claudia Trejos

Achievement Awards: Chris Young, Vernon Ansell, Russell Ansell

Walter A Flansburg Lifetime Award: Tim Shipman

WBO #8 light flyweight Mark Anthony “Baby Boy” Barriga has officially landed in Kissimmee, Florida, ahead of his WBO world title clash this Friday, June 24th against world champion Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez live from Osceola Heritage Park and streamed worldwide on the Probox TV app.

Barriga is looking to dethrone the only world champion Puerto Rico has at the moment. The last Filipino to accomplish the feat was Jerwin Ancajas UD win over then-champion McJoe Arroyo back in 2016. Continue reading “Mark “Baby Boy” Barriga hits Kissimmee”

Unified WBA, IBF, WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) will defend his titles against former champion Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on August 20. Usyk-Joshua 2 is billed as ‘Rage on the Red Sea.’

Oleksandr Usyk: “I have a goal, with the help of the Lord I will complete my mission!”

Anthony Joshua: “A happy fighter is a dangerous fighter and I am the happiest and most motivated I have been.”

An announcement on tickets will come soon.

Mexico City’s Zocalo was adorned in the colors of the Mexican flag, as today 14,299 people completed a mega boxing class directed by female boxing stars Ana María Torres, Jackie Nava and Mariana Juárez plus NABF champion David Picasso.

This Guinness Record previously belonged to Moscow since 2017, but now it’s been broken.

Guinness representatives Carlos Tapia Rojas and Alfredo Arista together with the honorary witnesses, the president of the City Boxing Commission from Mexico, Ciro Nucci and Fernando Romero, confirmed the record and presented the certificate. Continue reading “Mexico City breaks Guinness World Record”

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Check out this GIANT Beterbiev-Smith photo gallery for some incredible shots, plus the scorecard.

Photos

In a highly anticipated light heavyweight unification showdown, WBC/IBF world champion Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs) crushed and dethroned WBO champion Joe Smith Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs) in less than two rounds on Saturday night at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Smith came out aggressively, but Beterbiev dropped Smith to a knee at the end of the first round. Beterbiev finished the demolition by putting Smith down twice in round two and leaving referee Harvey Dock no alternative but to stop it after some additional punishment. Time was 2:19. Beterbiev, boxing’s only world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio, continues his reign of terror in the 175lb division.

“My coach told me it’s not too far until I become a good boxer,” Beterbiev said. “Joe’s a little bit open, and it was more easy for me to get him. {Both of us} have a good punch, and both tried to {connect} first. I’m lucky that I was first.”

Sitting ringside was WBO mandatory contender Anthony Yarde, who may be in line for a shot at Beterbiev this fall. Beterbiev’s preference is a fight with WBA champion Dmitry Bivol, who recently defeated Canelo Alvarez.

“Unification fights are more interesting, more motivating,” Beterbiev said. “I prefer unification fight. I want to be undisputed.”

Photos: Sumio Yamada

In a clash for the USBA and WBO Global featherweight titles, two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez (10-1, 6 KOs) scored a spectacular fifth round knockout over previously unbeaten Abraham Nova (21-1, 15 KOs) in the Beterbiev-Smith co-feature on Saturday night at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Southpaw Ramirez outclassed Nova and laid him out with a crushing straight left hand. Time was 2:20.

“It was all about the strategy,” said Ramirez afterward. “I’m blessed to work with Ismael Salas, who is a genius in my corner. It really was about setting up that shot. If you watch the fight, it was about working, tapping the body until that opening was created. I knew he was dangerous, so I had to be careful, but when I saw my opening, I took it and I finished the fight.”

Continue reading “Ramirez KOs Nova in Beterbiev-Smith co-feature”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

As was expected, former undisputed lightweight champion George Kambosos has activated the rematch clause in his contract to force a return fight with undisputed IBF, WBC, WBA, WBO champion Devin Haney again in Australia.

“Yes, the rematch is happening, 100 percent. I have activated the rematch clause,” Kambosos told Newscorp. “We haven’t finalized a venue. There are options for Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. It will be in Australia which is great. I know I can win a rematch. I will make some changes and this is my destiny to show how great I am and get those belts back. The Emperor is dead, but Ferocious is still alive and I will be back.”

Super bantamweight Jack Bateson (17-0, 4 KOs) hopes to gate-crash the world rankings after defeating Diego Alberto Ruiz (23-5-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the Leeds United FC Banqueting Suite in Leeds, England. Bateson picked up the vacant WBA intercontinental belt with a unanimous points win after 10 rounds. Scores were 98-93, 98-92, 97-93.

WBO #1 super featherweight Archie Sharp (22-0, 9 KOs) returned to the ring with a ten round 98-93, 99-91, 99-92 points victory over Alex Rat (14-5-2, 5 KOs). Sharp hopes to secure a shot at champion Shakur Stevenson.

WBA #3 super lightweight Ohara Davies (24-2, 17 KOs) warmed up for a potential WBA world title eliminator against Sandor Martin by stopping Abdessamad Nechched (13-3-1, 1 KO). Davies forced his opponent to the canvas in round seven and, again, in round eight and though Nechched beat the count after being floored for a second time, referee Howard Foster said he’d taken enough punishment.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

WBC/IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs), boxing’s only world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio, has never heard the judges’ scores read in his pro career. And win or lose, it’s highly unlikely judges will be rendering a verdict tonight when Beterbiev faces fellow power-puncher WBO champion Joe Smith Jr. (28-3, 22 KOs) on ESPN from the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

However, just in case, judges Frank Lombardi, Joseph Pasquale and Steve Weisfeld will be at ringside scoring the bout.

The third man in the ring will be Harvey Dock.

Photos

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.