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Super lightweight Ohara Davies was hoping to be picked to fight for the vacant WBA super lightweight belt, but learned on Sunday night that #1 ranked Alberto Puello had been chosen to face Batyr Akhmedov, who sits at #6. The WBA also confirmed that Ismael Barroso, the Venezuelan puncher who withdrew from a November clash with Davies, will fight the winner.

Davies, #3 in the rankings, has been left to face Spain’s Sandor Martin in an eliminator while former world champion and fellow Probellum fighter Regis Prograis has been told he would replace any of the contenders if they chose to pull out.

“When I found out about the WBA’s decision, I was gutted,” said Davies, who fights in Leeds on Saturday night. “I felt like I should have been given the shot next because I was meant to fight Ismael Barroso, but he pulled out of our fight, so I don’t understand how he can be made mandatory challenger for the title? I didn’t understand the WBA’s decision, but I have had to fight my whole life, and this is just another fight. Continue reading “Ohara Davies: I should have been given WBA shot”

45-year-old ring legend Floyd Mayweather Jr returns in a September boxing exhibition against MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura on a Rizin Fighting Federation event. Date and exact rules are TBA. Floyd was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame over the weekend.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Australian heavyweight champion Justis Huni (5-0, 4 KOs), who had his house sprayed with bullets last week, returns to the ring Wednesday against Las Vegas-based Aussie Joseph Goodall (8-0-1, 7 KOs) with the IBF Pan Pacific, WBO Oriental, and OPBF titles up for grabs at the Nissan Arena at Nathan, Queensland, televised on Foxtel Main Event and Kayo Sports Pay-Per-View.

Huni weighed in at 242.5, while Goodall tipped the scale at 239.5.

Justis Huni: “I’m not looking to have a padded record. I want fight the best of the best….I’m not here to sit around and play marbles. I’m here to get the hard fights, get the job done, build my way up to a world title fight and get out of this well and healthy.”

Joseph Goodall: “For me, it’s everything. I don’t know what it is for him. But for me, it’s everything.”

Promoter Dean Lonergan
Matchmaker Stuart Duncan
IBF supervisor: Ben Keilty
WBO supervisor: Danny Leigh
OPBF supervisor: Frank Hadley

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Sad to report that Boxing Hall of Famer Carlos Ortiz has passed away at 85 years of age. Ortiz was a three-time world champion in two divisions, lightweight and super lightweight. At lightweight, he remained champion for nine years and was one of the great 135-pounders of all time, behind only Roberto ‘Mano de Piedra’ Durán and Julio César Chávez. He boxed from 1955 to 1973, and compiled a professional mark of 61-7-1 with 30 KOs.

The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee has determined that Alberto Puello and Batyr Akhmedov will fight for the vacant super lightweight championship, formerly held by Josh Taylor. After meeting with six teams of the top-ranked fighters days ago, the panel analyzed all the reasons of those involved and ordered the title bout, which must be negotiated in 15 days (until June 25) or it will be open to purse bid on July 5. The winner of Puello-Akhmedov will have to face Ismael Barroso in a period of no more than 90 days after the fight.

Meanwhile, Sandor Martin and Ohara Davies were also ordered to negotiate an eliminator fight, for which they will have a period of 50 days from the sending of the official communication from the WBA.

Former champion Regis Prograis will be eligible to substitute for any of the fighters involved if any of them do not want to comply or cannot due to medical or any other reasons. Continue reading “WBA super lightweight title update”

Here are both installments of the “Blood, Sweat & Tears: Beterbiev vs. Smith, Jr.” series that goes inside the fight camps of WBC/IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs) and WBO light heavyweight champion Joe Smith, Jr. (28-3, 22 KOs) ahead of their title unification bout on Saturday at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.

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By Boxing Bob Newman

The International Boxing Hall of Fame dubbed this year’s induction, the first in three years- “The Trilogy,” as the pandemic forced the cancellation of the enshrinement of the classes of 2020 and 2021. The 3-for-1 deal actually came off without too much of a hitch. While some segments of the four day event had to be scrubbed (the golf tournament, the VIP cocktail hour) and the inductions themselves had to be moved to the nearby Events Center at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino, to accommodate the triple-sized crowd, what did occur was enjoyed by all. Continue reading “IBHOF Trilogy Induction Speeches 2020, 2021, 2022”

By Miguel Maravilla

Following his victory, Tijuana’s Jaime Munguia spoke about his knockout over Jimmy “Kilrain” Kelly (26-2, 10 KOs) of Manchester, England Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Munguia held court addressing the media at the post fight press conference.

“I am happy with the victory. It was a great spectacle. My team and I did a great job leading to this fight and I clearly showed it tonight,” said Munguia on the win. Continue reading “Munguia: I would like some of the bigger names”

WBC World Youth Lightweight Champion Pedro Bernal (9-1-2, 3 KOs) of Mexico City is set to defend his title versus Georgie Payne (5-2, 2 KOs) of Australia, on August 27 at the Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Bernal won the crown via an upset unanimous decision over highly touted prospect Manuel Jaimes (12-1-1, 10 KOs), who entered that bout having upset former world champion Moises Flores (25-6-1, 17 KOs). Continue reading “Bernal-Payne clash Aug 27 in Hamilton”

Unbeaten super middleweight Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga (20-0, 16 KOs), has apologized for his post-fight comments and the dirty tactics employed in Saturday’s fight against Alexis Angulo.

In a statement on social media, Berlanga said, “I want to apologize for my actions and what I said yesterday about the Mike Tyson bite. I was in the moment and got a little ahead of myself. It doesn’t take away from the embarrassment that I have caused upon myself, my team, top ranks, and many others.

“I reacted poorly and take full responsibility. Moving forward, I am going to be more mindful and encouraging in my behavior. Once again, I do apologize.”

The WBA recently announced that unbeaten WBA ranked #1 super lightweight contender Alberto Puello (20-0, 10 KOs) of the Dominican Republic and WBA #6 ranked super lightweight contender Botirzhon Akhmedo (9-1, 8 KOs) will fight for the WBA super lightweight world title. Akhmedo is said to be moved to the #2 world ranking when the next rankings come out. An issue is that the current #2 world ranking is being held by former world title challenger Ismael Barroso (23-3-2, 21 KOs) of Venezuela. Barroso´s co-manager Osmiri Fernandez was very displeased by the WBA’S ruling and vows to pursue immediate legal channels to get justice for Barroso. Continue reading “Team Barroso outraged over WBA Ruling”

After two featured bouts fell out only days before the weigh-in and the other at the weigh-in, Star Boxing resiliently still brought the fans an entertaining and exciting 42nd edition of the “Rockin’ Fights” series at The Paramount in Huntington, New York on Saturday night.

In a bloody super middleweight battle, Lucas Martins (14-1 11 KOs) took an eight round unanimous decision over Tony Browne (5-2, 0 KOs) by scores of 78-73, 78-73, 80-71.

Other Results:
Zay Flaherty TKO4 Quadeer Jenkins (middleweight)
Ronny Reyes W4 Hector Becerra (lightweight)
Dequint Hill W4 Lou Maietta (light heavyweight)

Continue reading “Rockin’ Fights 42 Results”

Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

After a three year hiatus, the International Boxing Hall of Fame inducted three classes today into its hallowed fraternity and sorority. Some 36 inductees were enshrined overall. 22 were actually on hand with additional video greetings sent by Wladimir Klitschko and Lucia Rijker who remain back home in the Ukraine and the Netherlands respectively.

With the pandemic necessitating the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 festivities, the induction of three classes meant finding a way to accommodate the families and friends of three classes worth of inductees.

The Hall of Fame partnered with the nearby Turning Stone Resort and Casino to utilize their events center where boxing is often held, to conduct the induction. It was a perfect fit with over a thousand in attendance.

Inductions were done by class – starting with 2020 first and ending with 2022. A full video with speeches by the boxers will follow tomorrow!

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Looks like undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo will be facing WBO mandatory challenger Tim Tszyu next.

“We are told that they have an agreement and they are looking for a date because big fights are coming and this is one of them,” WBO president Paco Valcarcel told ESPN Knockout while attending International Boxing Hall of Fame festivities in Canastota, New York.

By Ron Jackson

In an epic toe-to-toe encounter, Roarke Knapp (14-1-1, 11 KOs) beat Brandon Thysse (14-3-1, 12 KOs) on a twelve round split decision in their rematch at Emperors Palace, near Kempton Park on Saturday night to win the vacant African Boxing Union junior middleweight title. Knapp, who was stopped in the seventh round to suffer his only defeat against Thysse in their first fight, was much sharper as he weathered an early storm in the opening round to punch out a deserved decision.

Judges Kedibone Phetlho and Mfundo Mvandaba scored it 115-114 and 116-112 for Knapp and judge Thabo Spampool had 115-113 for Thysse. Continue reading “Knapp wins toe-to-toe war for ABU title”

The highly promoted return of 39-year-old former world champion and fan favorite Alfredo Angulo (26-8, 21 KOs) as a light heavyweight against Fidel Monterrosa (40-29-1, 32 KOs) on Saturday night at the Center Stage Theater in Atlanta didn’t happen. The fighters weighed in Friday, but the 11-bout card ran long and local authorities shut the card down. The announcers alluded to a curfew on the stream and quickly signed off.

Update: We were told the Commission didn’t want fights starting after midnight.

In bouts that did take place, former Contender star and local super middleweight favorite Quatavious Cash (15-3, 8 KOs) outpointed Chukka Willis (4-16, 2 KOs) over six rounds. Scores were not announced. Cash had a previously beat Willis in 2019.

Undefeated heavyweight knockout artist Raphael Akepejiori (14-0, 13 KOs) went the distance for the first time against upset artist Terrell Jamal Woods (28-52-9, 20 KOs). No upset tonight as Akepejiori won a unanimous decision. No scores were announced.

Unbeaten super middleweight Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga (20-0, 16 KOs) outpointed two-time title challenger Alexis Angulo (27-3, 23 KOs) over ten rounds on Saturday night before 4,357 at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Berlanga, who opened his career with 16 straight first round KOs, now has four straight decision wins. Probably the highlight was Berlanga getting away with trying to bite the 38-year-old Angulo in round seven. Scores were 98-92, 99-91, 99-91.

Regarding “the bite” in round seven, Berlanda stated, “He was throwing elbows. I was about to do a Mike Tyson on him. He kept throwing his elbows, and I didn’t want to get cut.” Continue reading “Berlanga goes the distance again”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Tijuana’s undefeated middleweight and former world champion Jaime Munguia (40-0, 32 KOs) scored a fifth-round knockout over Jimmy “Kilrain” Kelly (26-3, 10 KOs) of Manchester, England Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Feeling each other out in the opening round, Munguia and Kelly jabbed. Smith came out firing and had a good round in the second, letting his hands go connecting as he backed Munguia. Boxing and feinting in round three, Munguia stalked as Kelly was on his feet moving and popping the jab. Kelly kept letting his hands go boxing well keeping his distance in round four as Munguia pressed, a solid right hand connected for Munguia at the bell to end the round.

In the fifth, Munguia began to pick up the pressure, a short-left hook found its mark for Munguia as he dropped Kelly. Getting up quickly, Munguia sent him to the canvas a second time with an uppercut. Munguia dropped Kelly a third time and referee Thomas Taylor had seen enough and stopped the fight at 2:57.

Unbeaten junior lightweight Henry Lebron (16-0, 10 KOs) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Luis Lebron (18-4-1, 11 KOs). Scores were 78-74, 79-73, 80-72. Luis may have suffered a broken jaw.

In a clash between unbeaten junior featherweights, it was Victor Santillan (12-0, 4 KOs) who rocked KO artist Carlos “Purin” Caraballo (15-1, 14 KOs) several times to win 77-75, 78-74, 78-74 over eight rounds.

Unheralded junior welterweight Dakota Linger (13-5-3, 9 KOs) handed once-promising prospect Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas (20-3, 9 KOs) a brutal second round TKO loss. After two knockdowns, the bout was finally stopped by the ring doctor with Linger teeing off.

Other Results:
Armani Almestica TKO6 Eliseo Villalobos (lightweight)
Orlando Gonzalez TKO5 Pablo Cruz (featherweight)
Omar Rosario W6 Julio Rosa (super lightweight)
Frevian Gonzalez W4 Refugio Montellano (lightweight)
Christina Cruz W4 Maryguenn Vellinga (female flyweight)

“The only words are ‘and the new’ and I am just so glad it is now,” said newly-crowned WBA heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois after his demolition of Trevor Bryan on Saturday night in Miami. “It is happening now and we have made it real, my dad and my family, I’ve done everyone proud, the country and I can’t wait.

“In the first round I was just trying to figure him out and see what he had. I said I was going to test the chin and I just went for it.

“He brought out something in me, he brought out a wicked left hand! It was a punch-perfect ending, and I am just so happy. I had a few rough patches during this camp, but we pulled through and we got the victory.

“I am just so happy to have got this world title. This is what all the hard work was for and, no disrespect to Trevor, but his 0 had to go and I was just in there on a demolition mission. Continue reading “Dubois: I was in there on a demolition mission”

#1 contender Daniel Dubois (18-1, 17 KOs) knocked out and dethroned WBA heavyweight champion Trevor Bryan (22-1, 15 KOs) on Saturday night at the Casino Miami Jai-Alai. Dubois aggressively took the fight right to Bryan from the opening bell. Other than a few jabs, Bryan seemed to be almost in survival mode. Dubois finally connected with a left hook that dropped Bryan face first in round four to end it. Time was 1:58. Dubois becomes the new WBA heavyweight champion (regular version).

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

In the co-feature bout of the evening, super lightweight Oscar Duarte (22-1-1, 18 KOs) of Chihuahua, Mexico scored an eight-round stoppage over Mark Bernaldez (23-6, 17 KOs) of the Philippines. Duarte staggered Bernaldez in the opening round as he continued to box aggressively and backing Bernaldez. Attacking smart, Duarte connected Bernaldez with solid punches. Duarte was on the hunt in the fifth and pinned Bernaldez on the ropes overwhelmingly connecting with big punches.

Coming out for the sixth, the doctor took a quick look at Bernaldez and let him continue as they began keeping a close eye on the Filipino fighter, Duarte boxed and attacked precisely. Patiently boxing in the seventh, Duarte controlled the fight as he had Bernaldez backing up. Late in the fight in the eighth Duarte continued to attack as the referee Gerard White had finally seen enough stepping in to stop the fight 2:05.

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In an upset, super welterweight Carlos Ortiz (13-5, 13 KO’s) of Torreon, Mexico handed previously undefeated prospect Evan Sanchez (11-1, 6 KOs) of Parlier, California his first loss in scoring a fifth-round knockout in opening up the DAZN livestream. Coming out exchanging wildly, Sanchez and Ortiz were off to a fast start. The fight continued at close range in the second, as Ortiz attacked as Sanchez stood in the pocket trading, but the momentum was in Ortiz’s favor to close the round. Continue reading “Munguia-Kelly undercard results”

BOXXER today announced the signing of former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (30-2, 21 KOs) to an exclusive long-term promotional agreement. Currently ranked #2 by the WBO and #3 by the WBC, Parker’s debut for BOXXER and Sky Sports will be announced in the near future.

“In signing with Ben Shalom and BOXXER I’m excited for the next phase of my career, where I will become a two-time world champion on Sky Sports, the best TV platform in sports. I’ve had a great relationship with Sky Sports in the past, with many great fight nights against the leading British heavyweights – I’ll fight absolutely anyone put in front of me,” said Parker.

Heavyweight Jonathan Guidry (18-1-2, 6 KOs) scored a spectacular seventh round KO over previously unbeaten Dacarree “Mac Truck” Scott (7-1, 6 KOs) to claim Scott’s NABA gold title on the Bryan-Dubois card at the Casino Miami Jai-Alai in Miami, Florida. Good action fight between two short, stocky, well-matched boxers. Toe-to-toe action all the way. In the end, Guidry won the war of attrition. Time was 2:01. Guidry was inspired by the ten count for former promoter Les Bonano, who recently passed.

NABA cruiserweight titleholder Johnnie Langston (11-3, 4 KOs) took a hard fought ten round split decision over Isaiah Thompson (6-2-1, 5 KOs). Thompson rocked Langston in round eight, but was dropped himself during his follow-up. Good toe-to-toe action in round ten. Scores were 95-94 Thompson, 95-94, 97-92 Langston.

In a clash for the NABA light heavyweight title, Ahmed Elbialo (22-1, 18 KOs) won via disqualification against hyper-aggressive Dervin Colina (16-2, 14 KOs). Colina rocked Elbiali in round two, but was deducted two points from referee San Burgos in round three. Burgos took another point in round four and Colina was DQ’d. Continue reading “Guidry defeats Scott for NABA gold belt”

In an IBF cruiserweight eliminator, “The Midnight Train” Richard Riakporhe (15-0, 11 KOs) stopped Fabio Turchi (20-2, 14 KOs) with a crushing hook to the liver in round two on Saturday night at the OVO Arena in London. Turchi barely beat the count, but his corner rushed into the ring with a towel to spare Turchi further punishment.

Super middleweight Zak Chelli (12-1-1, 6 KOs) dethroned previously unbeaten English champion Germaine Brown (12-1, 3 KOs) by ten round unanimous decision. Scores were 98-93, 97-94, 98-92.

Welterweight Chris Kongo (14-1, 7 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Sebastian Formella (23-3, 11 KOs) by scores of 97-93, 97-94, 98-92.

2020 Olympic Gold Medallist Lauren Price was victorious in her long-awaited professional debut, taking a six-rounder against Valgerdur Gudstensdottir (5-3, 1 KO). Score was 60-54.

Cruiserweight YouTuber Viddal Riley (6-0, 3 KOs) needed just 51 seconds to dispatch Viddal Riley (5-8, 2 KOs).