Fightnews.com

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.

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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.

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.