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Photos: Sumio Yamada

Check out this GIANT Charlo-Castaño photo gallery for some incredible shots, plus the scorecard.

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The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee has ruled that the super lightweight title, which was held by Josh Taylor, is now vacant. The WBA had ordered the mandatory fight between Taylor and the first-ranked boxer Alberto Puello. They had 30 days to reach an agreement after which the bout went to purse bid where only TGB, Puello’s promoter, submitted a bid. Taylor never agreed to the fight, and according to WBA rules, the belt was vacated. Puello will now fight a new opponent for the belt.

“This is legacy,” Jermell Charlo said in the ring after stopping Castaño in a rematch to become boxing’s first ever undisputed 154lb champion on Saturday night. “This is something that is legendary. I’m a legend. I knew Castaño was going to give it his all. I knew I had trained very, very hard but you all can see that I came in at 152 pounds because I was really in shape, and I wanted to make sure that this was my fight.

“I listened to my corner this time. I got in my bag around the seventh round. I started sitting down a little bit more instead of boxing so much and moving around. I saw that he was wearing down a little bit and I was breaking him down. I just saw my punches being more effective. I get stronger in the later rounds if they didn’t know.”

By Miguel Maravilla

Zurdo Ramírez has a message for Dmitry Bivol: “You can run, but you can’t hide.”

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By Jeff Zimmerman

The legendary Roy Jones Jr. was in Dallas Saturday night for the Kingdom Boxing card at the Bomb Factory. Jones Jr. shared his thoughts on Canelo’s loss to Bivol, the classic Taylor-Serrano fight, going into the Hall of Fame with rivals Bernard Hopkins and James Toney and so much more in this Fightnews.com® exclusive interview.

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By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with woman’s boxing trailblazer and hall of famer Christy “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” Martin Saturday night in Dallas as she was commentating fights with Jeff Mayweather for Kingdom Boxing. Martin discussed the Taylor-Serrano classic, it’s impact on woman’s boxing, the Jake Paul effect and so much more in this exclusive interview.

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By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

In the main event at The Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas, one of Dallas’ biggest stars over the last 20 years welterweight Charles Hatley (30-3-1, 21 KOs) got knocked out in the second round by Jamshidbek Najmitdinov (19-2, 14 KOs) out of Uzbekistan, who earned the WBC USNBC belt with the victory. Najmitdinov, a southpaw, came out firing left-handed bombs, but the veteran Hatley adapted and covered up and threw combinations of his own to thwart the initial onslaught. After Hatley tasted the power of Najmitdinov, he seemed ready to make it a fight and go some rounds. There was also a cut over Najmitdinov’s right eye that looked like it could become a problem if the fight went deep. In the second round of the scheduled ten, Hatley came out more aggressive and landed a nice counter right. But soon after, Najmitdinov wobbled Hatley with a powerful left hand and dropped another left hook square on the jaw that put Hatley awkwardly on his back. Hatley did everything in his power to get back to his feet, but referee Ruben Perez saw that Hatley was in bad shape and waived it off. The time was 2:18 of round two. Continue reading “Najmitdinov wins big in Dallas against Hatley”

By Rocky Morales at ringside

In a rematch, unified WBC, WBA and IBF world champion Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 18KO) captured the undisputed super welterweight title with a scintillating tenth round knockout victory over now former WBO champion, Brian Castaño (17-1-2, 12KO) on Saturday night at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. In round ten, Charlo dropped Castano twice to get the victory and become undisputed. Continue reading “Charlo KOs Castaño, becomes undisputed”

Former light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (35-4-1, 29 KOs) moved up to cruiserweight and scored a clear cut ten round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Tervel Pulev (16-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday night at the iconic Forum in Inglewood, California. Kovalev schooled Pulev with the jab to pull away to a 98-92, 98-92, 97-93 win.

Former heavyweight title challenger Kubrat Pulev (23-2, 14 KOs) pounded out a ten round unanimous decision over Jerry Forrest (26-5-2, 20 KOs). The fight was delayed 90 minutes due to a glove problem with Forrest. When the fight finally got underway, Pulev won by scores of 98-92, 99-91, 99-91.

Journeyman super welterweight Jurmain McDonald (7-5, 3 KOs) knocked out previously unbeaten Evan Holyfield (9-1, 6 KOs) in the second round. A right to the jaw finished Holyfield, the son of former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield.

Pro debuting lightweight Emiliano Vargas destroyed Mark Salgado (1-2, 1 KO) in the first round. Vargas dropped Salgado twice to end it. Time was 2:09.

Vargas was one of three sons of former world champion Fernando Vargas on the show. Earlier, super welterweight Fernando Vargas Jr. (6-0, 6 KOs) and junior lightweight Amado Vargas (4-0, 2 KOs) both kept their unbeaten records intact.

By Rocky Morales at ringside

Jaron “Boots” Ennis (29-0, 27 KOs) annihilated previously undefeated Custio Clayton (19-1-1, 12 KOs) by way of crushing second round knockout in an IBF welterweight title eliminator on Saturday night in the Charlo-Castaño co-feature at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

After an initial feeling out round, the IBF #1 rated welterweight, Ennis, went on a seek and destroy mission and landed a right cross to the temple of his Canadian opponent. Clayton went down hard, flopped around, somehow found his way to his feet but then continued to lose his footing causing the referee to stop the fight. With the victory, Ennis puts himself in line for a title shot against IBF/WBC/WBA welterweight champ, Errol Spence Jr., should a unification with WBO champ, Terence Crawford, not take place.

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

In a WBA light heavyweight eliminator, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez (44-0, 30 KOs) of Mazatlán, Mexico, scored a one-sided fourth round KO over former WBA interim champion Dominic Boesel (32-3, 12 KOs) of Freyburg, Germany, on Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. It was target practice as Ramirez dominated and finally dropped Boesel to end it. Time was 1:33. Ramirez is now the mandatory challenger for WBA champion Dmitry Bivol. Continue reading “Ramirez crushes Boesel in four”

By Rocky Morales at ringside

Kevin Gonzalez (25-0-1, 13KO), WBA #6 super bantamweight, went the distance in a winning effort against a very game Emanuel Rivera (19-3, 12KO). It was largely a very competitive back and forth Mexico vs Puerto Rico battle over ten rounds but with the Mexican, Gonzalez, doing slightly better. Judges scored it unanimously for Gonzales by scores of 97-93, 96-94 and 98-92.

Brandyn Lynch (11-1-1, 8KO) won a spirited battle over tough as nails Marcos Hernandez (15-6-2, 3KO) in an eight round middleweight bout. Lynch had to get up off the canvas, rally despite being a bloody mess, almost had Hernandez out on his feet at the end of the sixth round, but worked hard until the final bell to secure a unanimous decision victory. Judges scored it 76-75 (twice) and 77-74, all in favor of Lynch. This was a rematch of their 2021 fight that ended in a draw.

Former WBO Bamtamweight Champ, Marlon “The Maranding Nightmare” Tapales (36-3, 19KO) had an easy time with overmatched Jose Estrella (23-19-1, 16KO). With a vicious body shot, Estrella went down like a sack of potatoes and was counted out by the referee at 1:39 of the second round. The Filipino, Tapales, is the #1 ranked super bantamweight, and stays busy while he awaits his mandatory shot at IBF and WBA Unified Champ, Murodjon Alhmadliev. Continue reading “Charlo-Castano undercard results”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Undefeated lightweight William “El Camaron” Zepeda (26-0, 23 KOs) of Mexico put in work against the always tough veteran and former world champion Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (32-12, 21 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua in the co-feature bout on DAZN co-feature bout at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. Starting out at a fast pace, Zepeda and Alvarado exchanged as neither took a step back, letting their hands go.

Zepeda had his hands full in going the distance ten rounds for the unanimous decision victory. Continue reading “Zepeda defeats Alvarado; Scrappy, Akitsugi win”

In an upset, cruiserweight Armend Xhoxhaj (14-2, 7 KOs) took a ten round split decision against previously unbeaten Roman Fress (15-1, 9 KOs) on Saturday night on the lake stage in Elbauenpark, Magdeburg, Germany. Xhoxhaj’s pressure was too much for WBO #8, IBF #8, WBA #10 Fress to deal with. Scores were 98-92, 96-94 for Xhoxhaj, 96-94 for Fress.

Former light heavyweight world title challenger Adam Deines (21-2-1, 12 KOs) knocked out Norbert Dabrowski (24-10-2, 11 KOs) in the eighth round. Deines dropped Dabrowski twice to end it. Time was 2:25.

In an important heavyweight confrontation, WBA #9, WBC #15, IBF #15 Martin Bakole (18-1, 13 KOs) put a ten round beat down on previously undefeated IBF #5, WBC #9, WBA #13 heavyweight Tony Yoka (11-1, 9 KOs) on Saturday night at Accor Arena in Paris. The 277lb Bakole bullied the 241lb Yoka and dropped him in round one. Bakole continued to walk down, batter and bust up Yoka. Yoka went down again in round five, then mostly stayed out of range for the rest of the fight. Scores were 96-92, 95-93, 94-94!!!

In an eight-round lightweight contest, two-time French Olympian and 2016 Olympic silver medalist Sofiane Oumiha (2-0, 1 KO) outpointed previously unbeaten Mevy Boufoudi (8-1, 3 KOs) in a lightweight contest.

Unbeaten lightweight Christ “Little T” Esabe (12-0, 3 KOs) outscored Sander Diaz (13-9-1, 9 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

Lightweight Victor Yoka, younger brother of heavyweight Tony Yoka, won his professional debut by first round KO over over Gurami Kurtanidze (4-15-5, 1 KO).

Manny Pacquiao Jr., son of ring legend Manny Pacquiao, won his second amateur bout via three-round decision on Thursday night in Los Angeles.

PPV (Postponed)
Floyd Mayweather vs. Don Moore (exhibition)

ESPN+ (3PM ET, Noon PT)
Tony Yoka vs. Martin Bakole (heavyweight)

DAZN (8PM ET, 5PM PT)
Zurdo Ramirez vs. Dominic Boesel (light heavyweight)

SHOWTIME (9PM ET, 6PM PT)
Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castaño (jr middleweight)
Jaron Ennis vs. Custio Clayton (welterweight)

FITE (9PM ET, 6PM PT)
Sergey Kovalev vs. Tervel Pulev (cruiserweight)

By Bob Caico

Felix Tuto Zabala, Jr of All Star Boxing held a six-bout card at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, NY on Friday night.

A large crowd witnessed local favorite Wilfredo “El Bravo” Flores of nearby Dunkirk, NY gain the vacant WBA Fedecentro lightweight belt with a unanimous 10-round decision over Victor Betancourt, Jr of Mexico. Scores were 99-91, 98-92, 97-93.

Flores raised his record to 10-0-1, 5 KOs, while Betancourt drops to 27-5, 14 KOs. Continue reading “Flores remains unbeaten”

By Brad Snyder-The Undercard
Photos by Bob Ryder

Friday night, The Soundboard at Motor City Casino & Hotel in Detroit and Carlos Llinas put on a card that most will remember for a long time. The night had a special presentation by the WBC. Jackie Kallen, The First Lady of Boxing, had the honor of presenting Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns with a one of a kind commemorative Four Kings belt, honoring his unique time in boxing history. The belt represented what most boxing historians argue was when boxing was at its best. Continue reading “Night of Knockouts XXI Results”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

IBF #2, WBA #3 middleweight Michael Zerafa (30-4,19 KOs) says he has been offered a bout with former WBO super welterweight champion Jaime Munguia (39-0, 31 KOs) and he’s confident he can defeat the unbeaten Mexican.

“If it was up to me I’d jump on a plane tonight and fight him,” Zerafa told Wide World of Sports. “I’m keen for the Munguia fight. I believe I can beat him, I’ve seen him a few times, he fought a fellow Aussie in Dennis Hogan (in 2019), and I thought Hogan won that fight. Continue reading “Zerafa: I can beat Munguia”

Courtesy Jim Jenkins, Sacramento Bee

Sacramento may yet lack a boxing marquee main-eventer of glory years past, but Malikai Johnson (9-0-1) is blossoming into a candidate.

The homespun lightweight didn’t have the fiercest competition in front of him Friday night but dominated as expected with a fourth-round knockout of journeyman Pablo Batres (10-22-1) of Mexico in their feature match at the DoubleTree Hotel. Continue reading “Johnson Rolls On”

Emmanuel “Salserito” Rodriguez 118 vs. Juan Gabriel Medina 115.5
(WBA-NABA gold bantamweight title)

Andy Dominguez 108.5 vs. Edwin Reyes 108
Anthony Johns 117 vs. Gilberto Duran 118
Brian Ceballo 158 vs. Gerald Sherrell 155
Jose Nieves 122.5 vs. David Ashley 116
John Leonardo 125 vs. Jostin Ortiz Maysonet 126.5
Dave Roman Curiel 146.5 vs. Margarito Hernandez 145.5
Kahshad Elliott 151.5 vs. Tray Martin 153.5
Robert Terry 155.5 vs. Evincii Dixon 155
Gian Garrido 166 vs. Derrick Vann 170

Venue: The Robert Treat Hotel, Newark, N.J.
Promoter: Rising Star Promotions
TV: bxngtv.com

Sergey Kovalev 196.5 vs. Tervel Pulev 197.5

Kubrat Pulev 248.5 vs. Jerry Forrest 233
Evan Holyfield 153 vs. Jurmain McDonald 153.5
Emiliano Vargas 133.5 vs. Mark Salgado 133.5
Fernando Vargas Jr. 151.5 vs. Terrance Jarmon 148
Amado Vargas 130.5 vs. Anel Dudo 128.5

Venue: The Forum, Inglewood, California
Promoter: Triller Fight Club
TV: FITE

Jermell Charlo 152.8 vs. Brian Castaño 153.8
(Undisputed WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO super welterweight title)

Jaron Ennis 146.2 vs. Custio Clayton 146.6

Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.
Promoter: TGB Boxing
TV: Showtime

Gilberto Ramirez 174.8 vs. Dominic Boesel 174.2
(WBA light heavyweight eliminator)

William Zepeda 134.4 vs. Rene Alvarado 134.6
John Ramirez 114.6 vs. Jan Salvatierra 114.6
Katsuma Akitsugi 124.6 vs. Jose Gonzalez 125.8

Venue: Toyota Arena, Ontario, California, USA
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN