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IBF welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (32-0, 28 KOs) stopped David Avanesyan (30-4-1, 18 KOs) in five rounds on Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ennis beat down the rugged Avanesyan, dropping him in round five. Avanesyan wasn’t able to continue for the six round.

Other Results:
Skye Nicolson W10 Dyana Vargas (female featherweight)
Jalil Hackett W10 Peter Dobson (welterweight)
Khalil Coe TKO2 Kwame Ritter (light heavyweight)
Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz TKO2 Derlyn Hernandez (super feather)
Christian Carto TKO3Carlos Buitrago (featherweight)

Official Statement:

*Announcing my retirement*

I want to show my gratitude and appreciation to the sport of boxing as it has changed my life in ways I never could imagine. It has instilled so many morals and values I wouldn’t have learned otherwise. Boxing made me the man I am today.

It has always been my dream to be a champion in life and when boxing found me, I was a poor kid growing up in Brownsville Brooklyn with not much to look forward to. As a young black kid I was being forced fed an identity that I wasn’t important or wouldn’t succumb to anything substantial in life I was told the ghetto that I grew up in was was full of criminals with no future and I will be a statistic just like my peers and the ones that came B4 me dead or in jail with no potential to make it out or to make a success of myself. I am now proud to say I’m the Rose that grew from concrete in Brooklyn. I’ve proven so many people wrong. Proud to say I’m a living example of what it looks like to take your destiny and your own hands And when you embrace yourself and God-given talents, what all you could achieve. Continue reading “Ex-champ Daniel Jacobs Retires”

Matchroom has announced three new fall shows, taking place in the USA, Mexico, and the UK respectively. DAZN will televise.

• Unbeaten WBO #1 super middleweight Diego Pacheco (21-0, 17 KOs) will take on Maciej Sulecki (32-2, 12 KOs) at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles on Saturday August 31.
• WBC #2 super featherweight Rocky Hernandez (35-2, 32 KOs) faces Thomas Mattice (22-3-1, 17 KOs) for the WBA Continental Americas title in Hermosillo, Mexico, on Friday September 13.
• Unbeaten WBC #3 super lightweight Dalton Smith (16-0, 12 KOs) meets Jon Fernandez (26-2, 22 KOs) for the vacant European title at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield on Saturday September 28.

Heavyweight Dave “White Rhino” Allen (23-6-2, 18 KOs) won a four round decision over Amine Boucetta (8-15, 0 KOs) on Saturday night at Skate Central in Sheffield, England. The referee scored it 40-36. Allen has been mentioned as a possible opponent for unbeaten Johnny Fisher.

In a Commonwealth super lightweight eliminator, Billy “The Kid” Pickles (16-1, 1 KO) survived a first round knockdown to defeat Keanen “The Wolf” Wainwright (11-4, 6 KOs) by ten round unanimous decision. Scores were 96-94, 97-93, 97-93.

Cruiserweight Anees “Braveheart” Taj (8-5, 5 KOs) outpointed Ryan “The Problem” Labourn (0-16-2, 0 KOs) over six rounds by a score of 60-54.

Photos: All Star Boxing

After nine-and-a-half years away, 5X former world champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez fought again in his native Nicaragua. Chocolatito (52-4, 41 KOs) scored a tenth round TKO against former world title challenger Rober “El Huracan” Barrera (27-6, 17 KOs) on Friday night at the Alexis Arguello Arena in Managua. Now campaigning at bantamweight, the 37-year-old Chocolatito landed big shots at the end of every round. Barrera went down from a body shot at the end of round eight. Chocolatito dropped Barrera again in round nine, but Barrera somehow survived the round. In round ten, the referee finally stopped the fight. Time was :51. This was future Hall of Famer Gonzalez’ first fight since December 2022.

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Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (4-0, 3 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over Zhaoxin Zhang (12-3-1, 7 KOs) to claim the vacant WBA bridgerweight title on Friday night in Serpukhov, Russia. Gadzhimagomedov pounded on Zhang until the bout was waved off by the referee. The title became vacant after former champion Evgeny Tishchenko tested positive for banned substances.

In the co-feature, Tokyo 2020 Olympian Albert Batyrgaziev (11-0, 8 KOs) stopped former champ Jono Carroll (24-3-1, 7 KOs) in round nine to claim the WBA interim super featherweight belt. Carroll down twice.

All-action super featherweight Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez has penned a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom. Hernandez (35-2 32 KOs) returned to winning ways in a trademark thriller in May in Aguascalientes with fellow Mexican Daniel Lugo, stopping Lugo in the seventh round of an all-out war. The 26-year-old agonizingly missed out on winning the WBC world title when he was stopped with just 22 seconds left by defending champion O’Shaquie Foster in October.

Raymond Muratalla 134.1 vs. Tevin Farmer 134.7
(NABF & NABO lightweight titles)

Ruben Villa 125.5 vs. Sulaiman Segawa 122.6
(WBC silver featherweight title)

Charlie Sheehy 139.9 vs. Ricardo Quiroz 139.8
Art Barrera Jr. 145.4 vs. Javier Mayoral 145.7
Jonathan Lopez 130.9 vs. Leonardo Padilla 131.8
Albert Gonzalez 128.8 vs. Conrado Martinez 128.1
Israel Mercado 140.2 vs. Dondrell Haynes 139
Javier Zamarron 126.9 vs. Mikey Bracamontes 127.8

Venue: Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN+

Jaron “Boots” Ennis 146.4 vs. David Avanesyan 147
(IBF welterweight title)

Skye Nicolson 125.6 vs. Dyana Vargas 125.6
(WBC female featherweight title)

Jalil Hackett 146.6 vs. Peter Dobson 146.4
Khalil Coe 174 vs. Kwame Ritter 173
Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz 131.4 vs. Derlyn Hernandez 131.4
Christian Carto 124.4 vs. Carlos Buitrago 125.8
Ismail Muhammad 144 vs. Frank Brown 144.2
Dennis Thompson 116.6 vs. Fernando Valdez 119.2

Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

WBO/IBF middleweight world champion Janibek Alimkhanuly was forced to withdraw from Saturday’s title defense against Andrei Mikhailovich at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas after being hospitalized Thursday evening due to dehydration.

“Janibek was cutting the final pounds last night when he fainted,” said Egis Klimas, Janibek’s manager. “We immediately took him to Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center, where he was put on an IV. While the scans showed no kidney damage, he was severely dehydrated and in no condition to fight.”

The 10-round lightweight showdown between undefeated contender Raymond Muratalla and former world champion Tevin Farmer has been elevated to the main event. Muratalla-Farmer and the rest of the undercard will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

By Miguel Maravilla

Undefeated super welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KOs) of Grand Prairie, Texas and Ukraine’s WBC interim super welterweight champion Serhii “El Flaco” Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) held a press conference Thursday afternoon at the Golden Boy Promotions Headquarters to officially announce their anticipated slugfeston August 10 at the Michelob Ultra Events Center at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas live on DAZN.

Vergil Ortiz
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By Miquel Maravilla

WBC interim super welterweight champion Serhii “El Flaco” Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) is ready to defend his title against undefeated Vergil Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KOs) of Grand Prairie, Texas. Bohachuk-Ortiz is set for August 10 at the Michelob Ultra Events Center at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, live on DAZN.

Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez 116.8 vs. Rober Barrera 117

Eveling Ortega 108 vs. Karol Mazariegos 107.6
Kevin Vivas 108.8 vs. Azael Villar 107.6
Michael “La Amenaza” Carmona 104.4 vs. Edwin “Canito” Cano 104.8
Alexander Hernandez 155 vs. Billy Aceituno 154
Jorge Silva 292 vs. Harris Vargas 265
Jeffrey Gonzalez 212 vs. Tony Urbina 201.6
Miguel Estrada 107.8 vs. Mayquel Aguilera 108.6
Moises Mora 125 vs. Claudio Obando 126
Brook Sibrian 108.6 vs. Hilary Romero 107

Venue: Alexis Arguello Arena in Managua, Nicaragua
Promoter: All Star Boxing
TV: ESPN+

Unified IBF/WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly and challenger Andrei Mikhailovich faced off at the final press conference for this clash on Saturday night at the

Janibek Alimhkanuly: “The reason I’m here is to fight for all four titles. It doesn’t matter if I’m going to defend one title or two titles. I’m looking to get and defend all four titles. I have to be critical of Erislandy Lara and Carlos Adames because they are champions and they do not want to fight other champions. I think that a real champion fights other champions. However, I think in the future, they will be sitting here as well.”

Andrei Mikhailovich: “Everyone tells me that this is a huge fight and asks me how I’m going to handle the pressure of fighting in Las Vegas for the unified WBO and IBF middleweight championship. But the fight of life is a lot tougher than this. This is just another day in paradise for me. This is what I love to do.”

IBF welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis and David “Ava” Avanesyan pose at the final press conference ahead of their DAZN bout on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

David Avanesyan: [on this being a 50/50 fight] Yes. I have many good fights. This is a good chance for me. I’ll give everything.

Boots Ennis: [on stopping Avanesyan early] Most definitely. I’m not going to look for him. I’m going to have my fun and put on a show and let the knockout come to me.

Golden Boy Promotions announced today the multi-year contract extension of undefeated super welterweight world title contender Vergil Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KOs). Ortiz Jr. has been signed to Golden Boy since his promotional debut in 2016 and boasts a 100-percent knockout ratio. The 26-year-old will fight Serhii Bohackuk for the WBC interim super welterweight title on August 10 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

“There is not a more dedicated fighter in the sport of boxing than Vergil Ortiz, Jr, and we are incredibly proud to re-sign him at such an important time – right before his first shot at a world title,” said Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya. “With this signing, Vergil is sending a clear message about his commitment and loyalty to Golden Boy and we will reward that commitment by working shoulder-to-shoulder with him as he becomes the next superstar of boxing.”

Undefeated Japanese bantamweight Katsuma Akitsugi (11-0, 2 KOs) scores a ninth round TKO against Eduardo Ramirez (22-4, 16 KOs) on Wednesday night at the Whitesands Event Center in Plant City, Florida. Akitsugi pounded on Ramirez until the bout was stopped. Time was 1:48. Ramirez down in round four.

Welterweight Nicklaus Flaz (13-2, 9 KOs) stopped late replacement Alfredo Escarcega (15-2-1, 7 KOs) in round four. Escarcega was down once in round three and twice in round four.

In a clash between unbeaten light heavyweights, Najee Lopez (12-0, 6 KOs) recovered from a fourth round knockdown hammered out a ten round unanimous decision over Steven Sumpter (9-1, 7 KOs). Scores were 77-74, 78-73, 78-73.

Filipino middleweight standout Weljon Mindoro (12-0-1, 12 KOs) impressed in his US debut with a second round KO against against Tyler Goodjohn (13-6, 4KOs). Goodjohn down three times.

WBC bridgerweight champion Lawrence Okolie has reached an agreement with interim champion Kevin Lerena for the mandatory fight that they must hold soon. Okolie (20-1, 15 KO) comes into this fight after winning the WBC bridger title, defeating former champion Lukasz Rozanski in the first round via an impressive performance last May. Lerena (30-3, 14 KO) is coming off a close heavyweight loss against Justis Huni. He claimed the WBC interim bridgerweight title by defeating Ryad Merhy in 2023. Details will be announced soon.

IBF #1, WBO #1, WBC #7 super bantamweight Sam Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) pounded out a twelve round unanimous decision victory over previously unbeaten WBC #8 Chainoi Worawut (25-1-1, 15 KOs) on Wednesday night at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. Scores were 117-111, 117-113, 119-109, however Goodman came away with an injury to his left hand. He is the mandatory challenger for undisputed champion Naoya Inoue.

Former two-time world title challenger Liam Wilson (14-3, 8 KOs), now competing at lightweight, scored a brutal eighth round KO against Youssef Dib (21-2, 11 KOs). Tough fight that ended with Wilson connecting with a left hook that spectacularly laid out Dib.

Also in action, 47-year-old former rugby star Barry Hall was annihilated in the first round by fellow rugby player Curtis Scott, 26. Scott needed only 34 seconds to finish Hall.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Japanese southpaw WBO#9 Katsuya Yasuda (14-1, 9 KOs), 134.75, successfully kept his WBO Asia Pacific lightweight belt when he landed a vicious left and sank WBO AP#3 Filipino Presco Carcosia (12-4-1, 9 KOs), 133.75, for the count at 1:58 of the eighth round in a scheduled twelve on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. Yasuda, making his third defense since acquiring the vacant belt by defeating unbeaten Thailander Apichet Petchmanee in June of the previous year, had the upper hand from the start, but he remained cautious against Carcosia’s occasional solid shots. The fatal eighth saw Yasuda turn loose and land a wicked southpaw left that dropped the game Filipino prone to the deck to be unable to beat the count. Yasuda, formerly an amateur campaigner, needs more aggressiveness. Continue reading “WBO #9 Yasuda finishes Carcosia”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Former USA amateur star, Jonny “Magic” Mansour jumps back in the ring for his 2nd pro fight after a successful pro debut in May in front of his hometown fans in San Diego. He will face Edgar Uvalle this Friday, July 12 on the Overtime Boxing card in Atlanta. Jonny shared his thoughts on the recent rants from Ryan Garcia, a potential super fight between Shakur Stevenson and Tank Davis and his desire to keep an active fight schedule as he builds his promising career.

Former two-time IBO super middleweight and WBA interim middleweight champion Chris Eubank Jr. and BOXXER have today announced a major partnership deal.

Chris Eubank Jr: “I’m very excited to have signed with BOXXER and Ben Shalom. They fit the direction I want to go in. We have big plans over the next 12 to 24 months. There are big fights in the pipeline and these guys can make it happen. This is a partnership. I have the freedom and the leeway to work how I want to work, which is very rare. I’m in a position of power. I’m in a position to really control the direction that I want to go in so I’m excited.

“I’ve been in the game for 12 years now and I’m still hungry. I’m still excited. I’m still in love with the sport of boxing. I’m in a blessed position right now where there are 4 or 5 different names out there that are mega fights that everybody wants to see. Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford, Conor Benn, Billy Joe Saunders – and that’s just off the top of my head. Continue reading “Eubank Jr targets Canelo, Bud, big fights”

Undefeated Albanian heavyweight Nelson Hysa (17-0, 15 KOs) hopes to have a triumphant homecoming against Germany’s Thorsten Fuchs (13-1, 10 KOs) in the 12-round main event for the vacant WBO European belt this Thursday, July 11, at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania.

Hysa-Fuchs and undercard fights will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. Undercard action includes the return of Top Rank-promoted junior welterweight prospect Hugo “The Fresh Prince of Monaco” Micallef (9-0, 2 KOs), who will take on Bogdan Draskovic (9-14-1, 5 KOs) in a six-rounder.

Heavyweight Junlong “Dragon King” Zhang (19-1, 18 KOs) will highlight the July 27th Three Lions card at the historic Masonic Temple, now called The Concert Hall, in Toronto Canada. Zhang, 42, came up short in his last outing with the bout being stopped due to an injury sustained in the third round. He had previously been ranked within the WBC’s top 15. Opponent is TBA.

The co-main event will see a pair of Canadian middleweights, Three Lions newest signee Triston Brookes (6-0, 6KOs) and Mikhael Miller (9-3-2, 2 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

“We are excited to get Zhang back in the ring, he is really focused in training and is looking stronger then ever,” stated Daniel Otter (Three Lions Promotions). Continue reading “Boxing Back in Toronto”

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

One of the greatest concerns my father, José Sulaimán, always had was seeing and lamenting how the vast majority of boxers end their lives in precarious, reduced circumstances and even in misery after having been idols due to their extraordinary performances in the ring.

This phenomenon is by no means exclusive to boxers, as the vast majority of athletes and entertainment personalities have that shadow which silently lurks and stalks them without them realizing it, stealthily creeping up throughout their career and as it winds down.

It is a given fact that many of those who reach the pinnacle of stardom come from humble backgrounds, and that they find in their discipline the opportunity to excel and become someone in life. In boxing, it is an absolute reality. It’s a given that most, if not all boxers come from the tough neighborhoods of their city in every country throughout the world. Continue reading “The End of a Boxer’s Career”