Fightnews.com

After a photo opp on Tuesday at the Empire State Building, undisputed female lightweight champion Katie Taylor and women’s P4P Amanda Serrano took part in a media workout today in advance of their clash on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City, live worldwide on DAZN (even in Australia and New Zealand!).

Katie Taylor: “There’s going to be a lot of Irish fans in the building, I think it could easily be a 50-50 crowd with a lot of Amanda’s fans too, so it’s going to make for an amazing atmosphere.”:

Amanda Serrano: “Being a Latina from Brooklyn, I’m excited to say, ‘I’ve made it.’ I’m fighting the main event at Madison Square Garden! I’m making seven figures, a young Latina from Brooklyn. I never thought it could happen.”

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

What an event and what a memorable show that I had the great opportunity to experience on Saturday at Wembley Stadium in England!

Tyson Fury celebrated the famous day of St. George and was proclaimed The King of Boxing in front of ninety-four thousand fans, in the most important fight during the last 30 years around the British Empire.

This event broke the attendance record for a boxing card in Europe and positioned itself as the second largest in boxing history only behind the Guinness Record of Mexican idol Julio César Chávez, with more than 136 thousand fans, on February 20, 1993, at the Azteca Stadium, promoted by Don King in association with Dan Goossen. Continue reading “The King of Boxing”

Former world jr middleweight champion and fan favorite Alfredo “Perro” Angulo has been added to the June 11th boxing card at The Center Stage Theater in Atlanta. The 39-year-old Angulo is 26-8 with 21 knockouts. Opponent is TBA.

In a six-rounders, super middleweight Casey” K Champ” Dixon (2-0, 1 KO) will take on Josh Franks (4-0, 3 KOs) for the WBA Youth title and middleweight Quatavious Cash (14-3, 8 KOs) takes on Jayson Minda (14-7-1, 8 KOs).

Veteran boxing trainer Orlando Cuellar has been selected by 2-time world champion Jean Pascal (35-6-1, 20 KOs) as his new chief second for his May 20th 12-round main event fight against undefeated Chinese light heavyweight Meng Fanlong (17-0, 10 KOs), the International Boxing Federation’s #1 contender.

The Miami-based Cuellar is best known for guiding the career of 2-time world light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson. Other world-class fighters he has trained include Antonio Tarver, Juan Carlos Gomez, Odlanier Solis, Eromosele Albert, and Yunieski Gonzalez. Continue reading “Pascal now training with Cuellar”

By Miguel Maravilla

There comes a time in a fighter’s career when he takes the biggest challenge and fights the best in his division. Julio Cesar Chavez took on the biggest challenge and best fighter in his division when he fought Melderick Taylor in what was a fight between two undefeated champions. For WBC champion Oscar Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs) of Tucson by way of Nogales, Sonora Mexico he will be experiencing that moment this Saturday night as he takes on WBO champion Shakur Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs) of Newark, New Jersey in a super featherweight unification showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas live on ESPN.

“I am ready for this fight. Ever since I was a kid, I have dreamed of being the main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This is the toughest and biggest fight of my career.” Continue reading “Valdez hopes to become one of Mexico’s greats”

Continue reading “Stevenson looks to unify, become a superstar”

Bitter junior lightweight rivals Oscar Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs) and Shakur Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs) will put their respective WBC and WBO belts on the line this Saturday on ESPN from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Four days from fight night, this is what Valdez and Stevenson had to say.

Oscar Valdez: “He is the type of fighter that is not willing to go to war. I’m the type of fighter that always wants to give the fans what they want. Since he is not willing to give the fans what they want, this will be more of a chess match.”

Shakur Stevenson: “I am the best 130-pound fighter in the world, and I will prove it when I beat Oscar Valdez and become unified champion.”

More quotes

Unbeaten two-time world champion David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez and former world champion David Lemieux previewed their 12-round showdown for the vacant WBC interim super middleweight title during a virtual press conference Tuesday kicking off the build-up for their May 21 clash on Showtime from Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

David Benavidez: “I see flaws in David’s game and I’m sure he sees flaws in me. I know he wants to stop me, and I want to stop him.”

David Lemieux: “Styles make fights. I have the style to hurt Benavídez and I’m training hard to beat this guy.”

More quotes

Matchroom and DAZN announced two new shows today.

On June 10 at the Arena Coliseo in Mexico City, Hiroto Kyoguchi (15-0, 10 KOs) will defend his WBA super world light flyweight title against WBA regular titlist Esteban Bermudez (14-3-2, 10 KOs). The bout will crown one WBA 108lb champion as part of the WBA title reduction program. In the co-feature, super lightweight Jorge Casteneda (15-1, 11 KOs) faces Eduardo Hernandez (31-1, 28 KOs) for the WBC Silver International belt. Also, super middleweight Diego Pacheco (14-0, 11 KOs) will see action.

On June 25 at the Tech Port Arena in San Antonio, Texas, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (15-0, 10 KOs) will defend his WBC world super flyweight title against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (50-5-1, 43 KOs). That card also features WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez (18-2 14 KOs) against McWilliams Arroyo (21-4 16 KOs), IBF/WBA super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (10-0, 7 KOs) against Ronny Rios (33-3 16 KOs), and undisputed female welterweight ruler Jessica McCaskill (11-2 4 KOs) vs. TBA.

In the co-feature, super lightweight Jorge Casteneda (15-1 11 KOs) faces Eduardo Hernandez (31-1, 28 KOs) for the WBC Silver International belt.

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano pose at the Empire State Building ahead of Saturday’s fight at Madison Square Garden.

On Thursday, May 26, Salita Promotions will kickoff Memorial Day Weekend festivities with a special edition of the Detroit Brawl series in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Rising super welterweight Marlon Harrington (7-0, 6 KOs) vs. TBA will be featured in the night’s eight-round main event. Fighting in supporting bouts will be several undefeated Michigan prospects.

There are still seats available for Floyd Mayweather’s May 14 exhibition against former sparring partner Don Moore on the helipad of the 56-story Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai, UAE. Tickets are going for 65 Etherium ($185,000) and ten of the twenty seats are reportedly already sold. The event is also available on pay-per-view and organizers are keeping the price reasonable at $14.99. Anderson Silva and Badou Jack are scheduled in separate undercard fights.

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has rejected calls by Dillian Whyte for a rematch with Fury due to a push. “No,” Warren told talkSPORT. “What for? Based upon what? Listen, when I was really young I was asking to take Julia Roberts out, it never happened. Where do you want to go with it? It’s not even debatable. It’s not going to happen, Dillian. You’ve got to fight your way back into contention and, you know, good luck to you doing that.”

Undefeated super lightweight prospect Mazlum Akdeniz (16-0, 8 KOs) will face Juan Antonio Rodriguez (32-8, 28 KOs) on June 2 in the Cabaret of Montreal Casino. Initially, the GYM/Probellum event was scheduled for May 5, but following the loss of the main event involving former world champion Eleider Alvarez, Mazlum was upgraded to the main event position on the new date. All May 5th ticket holders can be refunded at the point of purchase, but they will all be honored for June 2nd.

In the co-feature, super lightweight Mathieu Germain of Mascouche (20-2-1, 9 KOs) meets Eduardo Leonel Rodriguez (9-2-1, 4 KOs) in a ten rounder. Also, two-time Olympian Wilfred “Freeboy” Seyi (9-0, 4 KOs) faces David Benavidez (8-5, 2 KOs).

Former world champion and light heavyweight contender Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez (43-0, 29 KOs) and Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy hosted a press conference Monday to discuss Zurdo’s upcoming fight against former WBA interim light heavyweight world champion Dominic Boesel (32-2, 12 KOs) on Saturday, May 14. The 12-round fight will be a WBA light heavyweight final eliminator at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA and will be streamed live on DAZN.

Zurdo Ramirez: “I want to make a statement and get the winner from Canelo vs. Bivol, that’s the fight that I want and I need to pass through this guy first on May 14. I am really confident in myself and in my training. I knew the fight was going to be in May, but not the date, but I like to be in shape. I am always training and am ready for these big opportunities. On May 14, I will be 44-0, 30KOs no losses. I am looking for the knockout.” Continue reading “Zurdo Ramirez press conference”

WBA heavyweight champion Trevor Bryan (22-0, 15 KOs) is getting a lesson in camp from none other than the Easton Assassin, former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, as he prepares to defend his title against Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14 KOs) on Saturday, June 11 at a site to be determined. Bryan has taken a change of scenery as well as he has moved his camp from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to the bright lights of Las Vegas.

Bryan’s promoter, Don King, is planning to present another spectacular boxing card featuring six championship bouts with the theme of promoting peace and freedom for the people of Ukraine.

Middleweight contender Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (11-0, 7 KOs) will face undefeated Danny Dignum (14-0-1, 8 KOs) on May 21 in a 12-round showdown for the vacant WBO interim middleweight world title at Resorts World Event Center at Resorts World Las Vegas.

“Demetrius Andrade and Jaime Munguia avoided fighting me, so I give Danny Dignum a lot of credit for stepping up to the plate,” said 2016 Olympian Alimkhanuly. “I will show the entire world true ‘Qazaq Style’ on May 21, and I will leave the ring as the WBO interim middleweight champion. While the division’s top names are avoiding me, they won’t be able to run forever. I can’t wait to put on a spectacular showing at Resorts World Las Vegas.”

In the co-feature, former junior world champion Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring (23-3, 11 KOs) returns to the lightweight division in a 10-rounder against undefeated NABF titleholder Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (15-0-1, 8 KOs). Continue reading “Alimkhanuly-Dignum clash set for May 21”

Heavyweight title challenger Dillian Whyte says his fight against Tyson Fury shouldn’t have been stopped. “I was buzzed but obviously I was trying to regather my senses and he proper pushed me and I fell over and hit my head on the canvas which is illegal,” Whyte told Sky Sports. “He full on, two-handed pushed me. It wasn’t like a one-armed thing.

“Terrible job from the referee there, but it is, what it is. I should have had time to recover, time to go back to my corner, but Tyson Fury gets away with a lot of things.

“He said he would retire. I hope he doesn’t retire because I want another go.”

Another big boxing weekend on tap, headed by the super featherweight showdown between WBC champion Oscar Valdez and WBO kingpin Shakur Stevenson.

FRIDAY

Sons of legends see action in a $29.99 PPV on FITE. Kenzie Morrison and Hasim Rahman Jr. clash for the vacant WBC USNBC heavyweight title in the main event from Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

SATURDAY

ESPN presents the long-awaited super featherweight unification clash between WBC champion Oscar Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs) and WBO kingpin Shakur Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs) from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Stevenson started as a slight favorite and has been bet to nearly 6:1.

DAZN counters with the female superfight between undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor (20-0, 6 KOs) and women’s pound-for-pound best Amanda Serrano (42-1-1, 30 KOs) from Madison Square Garden. Serrano is a slight favorite at most sportsbooks.

By Miguel Maravilla

Middleweight Shane Mosley Jr. spoke about his breakout unanimous decision win over Gabriel Rosado on April 9th at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Mosley Jr. also commented on his plans to campaign at 160.

_

In Saturday’s KO win, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury showed great power and boxing skills honed by his trainer Sugar Hill Steward. After the fight, Sugar Hill received the WBC Trainers Belt inspired by the traditional towel used by all trainers.

Sugar Hill is the nephew of legendary trainer Emanuel Steward, head of Detroit’s iconic Kronk Gym, where dozens of champions have been trained. Sugar Hill and Fury first met at the Kronk in 2010. He reconnected with Fury 2019 and trained him to win the WBC title against Deontay Wilder in February 2020, repeating the feat in October 2021, and then for Saturday’s stellar performance against Dillian Whyte.

Sugar Hill had previously worked as a chef and a police officer, before following in his uncle’s footsteps via boxing training full-time. With Fury, he has really bonded and they have made a very successful team.

At a London press conference, it was announced that Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton returns to the ring in an exhibition fight against ring legend Marco Antonio Barrera on July 2 at the AO Arena in Hatton’s hometown of Manchester, England. The exhibition will not be scored and no winner will be announced.

Also on the card is a boxing match between UFC fighters Dan Hardy and Diego Sanchez, and a bout between rappers Casper Walsh and Don Strapzy. The event is being put on by Mike Jones of Europa Concerts.

During Saturday’s Fury-Whyte BT Sport telecast, Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren was joined by heavyweights Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker. Warren announced that negotiations were in the final stages for a fight in July. Joyce (13-0, 12 KOs) is rated WBO #1, WBC #2, and Parker (30-2, 21 KOs) is rated WBO #2, WBC #3.

After not having fought in his native land for almost four years, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) returned home with a spectacular sixth-round knockout over former training partner Dillian Whyte in front of a record crowd at Wembley Stadium in London.

“I’m overwhelmed with the support. I can’t believe that my 94,000 countrymen and women have come here tonight to see me perform,” said Fury. “Dillian Whyte is a warrior. And I believe that Dillian will be a world champion. But tonight, he met a great in the sport. I’m one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. And unfortunately for Dillian Whyte, he had to face me here tonight. Continue reading “Fury: I’m one of the greatest heavyweights of all time”