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Heavyweight “Juggernaut” Joe Joyce (16-2, 15 KOs) will have a 24.5 pound weight edge against Derek “War” Chisora (34-13, 23 KOs) for their clash on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London. Joyce weighed 281.2 and Chisora weighed 256.7. The bout can be seen on ESPN+ in the US and TNT Sports in the UK.

Other Weights:
Dennis McCann 121.7 vs. Ionut Baluta 121.8
Moses Itauma 239.8 vs. Mariusz Wach 287.4
Ryan Garner 129.4 vs. Archie Sharp 129.1
Royston Barney-Smith 129.4 vs. Briam Barajas 128.5
Sean Noakes 146.8 vs. Inder Bassi 145.7
Raven Chapman 125.8 vs. Yohana Sarabia 123.8
Aadam Hamed 139.7 vs. Georgi Velichkov 139.9
Brandun Lee 143.5 vs. Juan Anacona 142.4
Umar Khan 127 vs. Kaddour Hmiani 125.6
Jermaine Dhliwayo 134 vs. Engel Gomez 135.6

Ramon Arellano (Arellano Boxing Promotions) presented a night of boxing Thursday night in Nashville, Tennessee. The site of the event was Arellano’s popular San Jose Fiesta Mexican restaraunt. The 6 round cruiserweight main event featured the return of unbeaten Carlos ‘Pupita’ Fidel Guity Miranda(7-0, 3 KOs) of Honduras who unanimously decisioned journeyman Armando Reeves (4-18-3, 1 KO). Guity´s last fight was nearly 8 years ago where he scored an 9th round TKO in a scheduled 12 round bout in Venenzuela vs a local fighter to win a regional WBC title. Guity who is now 26, was a promising prospect prior to this layoff hopes to get back on track and properly drop down to his appropriate weight class. The 6ft Guity now resides in the U.S. and is scheduled to be active in bouts for the rest of 2024 under the promotion of Arellano. All judges scored it a shutout 60-54 for Guity who decisively boxed his way to victory. Continue reading “‘Pupita’ Guity returns with win in Nashville”

Omar Cande Trinidad 125.8 vs. Viktor Slavinskyi 124.8
Gor Yeritsyan 146.8 vs. Aram Amirkhanyan 146.4
Iyana ‘Roxy’ Verduzco 124.8 vs. Colleen Davis 124.2
Abel Mejia 129.6 vs. Jose Jesus Correa Abarca 130
Jaybrio Pe Benito 130.8 vs. Michael Land 130
Adan Palma 120.8 vs. Roberto Pucheta 120.6
Chantel Navarro 121.6 vs. Wildalys Rivera 121

Venue: Commerce Casino Events Center, Commerce, California
Promoter: 360 Promotions
TV: UFC Fightpass

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with the WBA #1 ranked super lightweight Kenneth “Bossman” Simms, Jr., as he makes his Golden Boy debut on the Ortiz Jr-Bohachuk card at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Sat, Aug. 10 and live on DAZN. Simms Jr. has not been in the ring since his thrilling win against Batyr Akhmedov in May 2023. Simms Jr. is facing the always tough TBA at this time. Simms Jr. talked about the Akhmedov fight, his signing with Golden Boy and his hopes to fight for a title shot soon in the stacked 140lb division. He also shared his thoughts on Bud Crawford moving up to face Israil Madrimov on Aug. 3 and potentially Canelo down the road plus seeing Bud and Andre “SOG” Ward share the ring recently and much more in this exclusive interview.

The final press conference was held today for undisputed female middleweight champion Claressa “GWOAT” Shields attempting to win a historic title in a fourth weight division by challenging WBC female heavyweight champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse on DAZN Saturday at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The vacant WBO female light heavy belt will also be on the line.

Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse: “I’m not a trash talker, I respect Claressa Shields and I know what’s she accomplished, but a fight is a fight. I’ll be ready Saturday night and I’m coming home with the belt in my suitcase. It’s going to be a fight, but I’m going to win it.”

Claressa Shields: “She says she doesn’t trash talk. I trash talk and back it up. I will be heavyweight champion Saturday, and nobody will stand in my way. Her size means nothing to me. I’m coming from 160 pounds, but I will be the bear Saturday night…she rubs me the wrong way. When I take her belt from her, she’s going back to Canada with nothing. She’s going home with a paycheck and beltless. That’s it…pray for Vanessa because she’s going down Saturday night.”

It’s official. Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez will put his unified WBC, WBA and WBO world titles on the line against undefeated WBA #1 mandatory contender Edgar Berlanga. The fight takes place on a September 14 Mexican Independence Day weekend pay-per-view show from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Tickets go on sale next week.

Canelo Alvarez: “I am very happy for this fight between Mexico and Puerto Rico. It’s exciting to be part of another great Mexico vs. Puerto Rico battle inside the ring because historically we have always offered unforgettable fights full of passion. I am proud to contribute to this legacy and facing an opponent like Edgar Berlanga adds even more excitement and meaning to this event.”

Edgar Berlanga: “This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I deserve to be here, and I’m going to shock the world and silence the critics by delivering a masterful performance and knocking out Canelo Álvarez on Sept. 14. I will prove that my Puerto Rican heritage surpasses Mexican boxing, from Gómez to Trinidad to Cotto, and now to Berlanga. I will reclaim what is rightfully ours!”

* * *

The co-main event will feature reigning WBA middleweight champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara against former two-division champion Danny “Swift” García.

Otto Wallin 244 vs. Onoriode Ehwarieme 226
Jason Castanon 139 vs. Arevonte Dukes 136
Justin Figueroa 159 vs. Freddy Espinoza 159
Bruce Seldon Jr. 229 vs. Isiah Margheim 243
Jacob Riley Solis 162.5 vs. James Abraham 164
Marco Romero 168 vs. Victor Pradis 168
Stacia Suttles 140 vs. Kalinda Faria 139 8

Venue: Tropicana Atlantic City
Promoter: Boxing Insider Promotions
Stream: DAZN
1st Bell: 7:30 PM ET

Coming off his first career loss against Canelo Alvarez in May, former world champion Jaime Munguia (43-1, 34 KOs) will next face super middleweight contender Erik Bazinyan (32-0-1, 23 KOs) on an ESPN platform September 20 according to the network. The bout is expected to land in Arizona. Bazinyan is currently rated WBO #2, WBA #4, WBC #6, IBF #8. Munguia is rated WBC #2, WBO #5, WBA #7, IBF #7.

Action Network spoken to Swedish heavyweight Otto Wallin (26-2, 14 KOs) in an exclusive interview ahead of his clash with Onorede Ehwarieme (20-4, 19 KOs). Wallin commented on his upcoming fight, predicted Joshua vs Dubois and said that Deontay Wilder needs to put his health first.

Some top-line quotes:

AJ In Five

I think that Dubois and Joshua will be a good fight. If Dubois comes out like he did in his last fight against Hrgovic, he was hit a lot, with one-two’s. You can’t take those shots from Joshua because his punch is very, very hard.

So if he comes out the same way against Joshua, then I think Joshua wins by knockout before round five. But if Dubois has tightened up his defense a little bit and can hit Joshua with a few good shots then it could turn into an interesting fight. Continue reading “Otto Wallin Interview”

WBO #8 heavyweight Justis “The Apex Warrior” Huni (10-0, 5 KOs) scored a second round KO against previously unbeaten Troy “The Titan” Pilcher (9-1-1, 7 KOs) to retain his WBO Global title on Thursday night at the Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Pilcher was very aggressive in round one, but Huni adjusted in round two and battered Pilcher, blasting him to the deck to prompt a stoppage at 2:20.

Carlos Fidel Guity Miranda 198 vs. Armondo Reeves199
Hebreux Francois 140 vs. Caius Jones139
Marco Hall 156 vs. Anthony Woods 154

Venue: San Jose Fiesta Restaraunt Nashville, Tennessee
Promoter: Ramon Arellano (Arellano Boxing)

Teiken Promotions and M.T Boxing Gym have come to an agreement with Top Rank to co-promote Japanese pound-for-pound star, three-division king, and reigning WBC bantamweight world champion Junto Nakatani.

Nakatani, who trains in Los Angeles with Rudy Hernandez, is expected to make his ring return before the end of the year.

The 26-year-old Nakatani (28-0, 21 KOs), from Sagamihara, Japan, defended his title last Saturday with a first-round stoppage over Vincent Astrolabio to improve to 7-0 in world title fights. Continue reading “Top Rank to co-promote Nakatani”

Unbeaten Romford, England, heavyweight Johnny Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs) looks to build on his sensational one-round destruction of Alen Babic when he takes on Ukraine’s Andrii Rudenko (36-7, 22 KOs) on August 24 in the Catterall-Prograis co-feature in Manchester, England. The event will be shown live worldwide on DAZN.

Heavyweights Justis Huni and Troy Pilcher stepped onto the scales today at the Lord Alfred Hotel in Brisbane, Australia, for the official weigh-in ahead of their highly anticipated bout tomorrow night at the Fortitude Music Hall.

Huni, who is defending his WBO Global title, weighed in at a solid 112.25 kg (247.5 lb), while his opponent Troy Pilcher tipped the scales at 107 kg (236 lb). The event is presented by Tasman Fighters in association with Riyadh Season, Matchroom Boxing, and Gold Star Promotions and will be telecast live on DAZN around the world.
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In the main support bout, Lucas Miller will defend his Australian light heavyweight title against Clay Waterman. Both men comfortably made weight.

WBC interim super welterweight world champion Serhii “El Flaco” Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) and undefeated WBA #1, WBC #2, WBO #2 rated Vergil Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KOs) of Grand Prairie, Texas and Vinitza, Ukraine’s hosted a media workout on Tuesday at Golden Boy HQ to discuss their August 10 DAZN fight in Las Vegas for Bohachuk’s WBC title.

Serhii Bohachuk: “I am feeling great. I wanted this fight because Vergil is a great fighter. Vergil was the best fighter in the 147-division and in the 154 division he is one of the best fighters…he is a good fighter, but I am better.”

Vergil Ortiz Jr: “I feel physically, mentally and emotionally great. I am ready to go – I am ready to get in the ring right now…we know sparring is sparring. Fighting each other is different. With 10-ounce gloves with no headgear – let’s see what really happens.”

Unbeaten WBA #4 ranked light flyweight Arvin Jhon ‘AJ’ Paciones (9-0, 5 KOs) is rapidly positioning himself for a world title opportunity.

Paciones, who is from the Philippines but fights out of Vietnam, is fresh off of his biggest win to date. He defeated former world champion Rene Mark Cuarto (22-5-2, 12 KOs) last month. Paciones dropped Cuarto in round two in route to winning by decision.

He is just 19 years old but his career is being moved at the proper pace by his Vietnam-based promoter Jenny Do (Shadow Entertainments). Fightnews® spoke with ‘AJ’ on his most recent victory and his future. Continue reading “Teen ‘AJ’ Paciones ready to shine”

By Boxing Bob Newman

The WBC has received notice from Sampson Lewkowicz that David Benavidez will remain at light heavyweight, not returning to super middleweight, where he has been the WBC mandatory contender for undisputed champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

It has been rumored that Alvarez is in negotiations for a September defense against Edgar Berlanga.

Benavidez became the mandatory challenger for the WBC light heavyweight title, currently held by Artur Beterbiev, when he outpointed former WBC champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15th.

The WBC has accepted Benavidez’ intention to stay at 175 lbs. and will mandate that he challenge the winner of Dmitrii Bivol-Artur Beterbiev after their expected October 12th battle for the undisputed title, rescheduled from June 1st after Beterbiev suffered an injury.

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

I was 16 years old, studying in high school at Winchendon School, near Boston, USA, when one day a package arrived in the mail; it was a walkman, the most modern of all gadgets back then, and it came with a card that said “Honda.”

That was my first encounter with the man who is now like my second father, Akihiko Honda, the greatest promoter in the history of all of Asia, and one of the most important in the entire history of boxing, at the level of Don King and Bob Arum. A quiet, respectful and even shy honorable man who is always behind the scenes, regardless of what event it is, a small show at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall or his induction into the International Boxing Hall of fame, it is never about him but about the attention and glory to others, has no ego whatsoever and still does not use a smart phone, rather a flipflop one.

No one has ever spoken negatively about him; He is respected and beloved by everyone in this complex industry, where blows and metaphorical brickbats are often inflicted outside of the ring for reasons of business and interests. Continue reading “Mr. Honda and Teiken Promotions”

Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to face unbeaten WBA #1, IBF #4, WBO #4, WBC #9 contender Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) next. According to ESPN, the fight is being planned for September 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The WBC has ordered an immediate rematch between WBC super featherweight champion Robson Conceição and former champion O’Shaquie Foster. Foster lost a controversial split decision against Conceição on July 6 in Newark, New Jersey. “The WBC Board of Governors has ruled to order a direct rematch between WBC super featherweight champion Robson Concenciao and former champion O’Shaquie Foster,” announced WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman.

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, today announced an official partnership between Riyadh Season and major US-based promoters Top Rank and Golden Boy.

Riyadh Season will sponsor 12 Top Rank events selected by the promoter during the remainder of this year and 2025. Golden Boy has a similar deal beginning with the August 10 WBC interim super welterweight title clash between Serhii Bohachuk and Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Over the past 12 months, Riyadh Season has established itself as a key player in boxing, having hosted a string of world-class and innovative cards, including the first undisputed heavyweight title fight of the 21st century between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. It is now looking to expand its reach into the U.S. market on August 3 when Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov go head-to-head for the WBA and WBO interim super welterweight titles at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

By Boxing Bob Newman

It is with great sadness that Fightnews.com® reports on the untimely passing of former WBA bantamweight champion Richie Sandoval at 63.

Sandoval, of Pomona California, was a standout amateur star and landed a spot on the 1980 U.S. Olympic boxing team, which unfortunately, boycotted the Moscow games under the direction of then President Jimmy Carter, protesting the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.

Sandoval streaked through the professional ranks, climbing to the #2 spot in the WBA rankings. He won the WBA bantamweight title in stunning fashion with a 15th round TKO over long time champion Jeff Chandler in April 7, 1984. Chandler suffered a detached retina and never fought again. Continue reading “Richie Sandoval Passes”

Cruiserweight Jake Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) stopped bareknuckle/MMA fighter Michael Perry (0-2, 0 KOs) on Saturday night at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Paul dropped Perry with a clubbing shot in round one. Paul floored Perry again in round two. The end came in round six when Paul put Perry down a third time. Perry was tough, but had no boxing technique making things easy for Paul. Next up for Jake is a date against Mike Tyson in November.

In a cruiserweight fight, former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr (54-6-1, 34 KOs) had to work hard to defeat Uriah Hall (1-1, 0 KOs). Chavez won by scores of 59-55, 59-55, 58-56. Chavez, 38, called out Jake Paul after the fight.

WBA, IBF, WBO unified female featherweight champion Amanda Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs) annihilated Stevie Morgan (14-2, 13 KOs) in two rounds. Returning to the ten round, two-minute format, Serrano punished Morgan from the opening bell and got a referee’s stoppage in round two.

In a pair of showdowns between unbeaten lightweights, Lucas “Prince” Bahdi (17-0, 15 KOs) scored a spectacular come-from-behind sixth round knockout over highly regarded Ashton “H20” Sylve (11-1, 9 KOs), and Corey Marksman (10-0-1, 7 KOs) took an eight round majority decision over Tony Aguilar (12-1-1, 4 KOs) in a rematch by scores of 76-76, 77-75, 78-74.

Former 2-time world title challenger Francisco Fonseca (34-4-2, 28 KOs) of Nicaragua scored the biggest win of his career upsetting former world champion Jezreel Corrales (26-7-4, 10 KOs) of Panama. The event took place Saturday night at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Ayma, in San Juan de Tibas, Costa Rica. There were a lot of clinches early on in the fight but things ended abruptly in round 4. A very short hook by Fonseca connected to Corrales chin who dropped to the canvas. The referee ruled Corrales unfit to continue and waived the bout off at 2:51 of round 4. ESPN Knockout televised the event.

Unheralded middleweight Brad Pauls (19-1-1, 1 KO) upset previously unbeaten WBA #5, WBO #5 Nathan Heaney (18-1-1, 6 KOs) in a UK showdown on Saturday night at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England. Heaney appeared appeared to be in control through 3 but was dropped in round 4 by Pauls. Heaney beat the count and made it through the round. Pauls came on strong in rounds 5 and 6 with heavy shots to the body that seemed to slow Heaney down. Heaney took control in round 7 but Pauls came on strong at the end of the round landed heavy blows to Heaney´s head. Pauls seemed to be physically imposing his will on Heaney in round 8 where Heaney seemed forced to clinch multiple times to stop the Pauls onslaught of punches. Round 9 was a good comeback round for Heaney has he controlled the action for most of round boxing from a distance and landing. The pace slowed in round 10 with both fighters having their moments. Huge round 11 for Pauls who had Heaney badly hurt and staggering prior to bell sounded. Pauls listened to his corner and jumped on Heaney pressed the action. A series of heavy punches landed by Pauls saw Heaney crumble to the canvas. Heaney got up on unsteady legs at about the count of 10 but the referee waved the fight off. Official time 54 seconds. Pauls wins the British and WBA Continental middleweight titles. Continue reading “Pauls shocks Heaney in rematch thriller”