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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.

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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”

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) spectacularly knocked out mandatory challenger Dillian “The Body Snatcher” Whyte (28-3, 19 KOs) in round six on Saturday night in front of a record 94,000+ fans at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Fury outboxed Whyte for the first five rounds, then sent him crashing to the canvas with a massive right uppercut to the chin. Whyte barely struggled to his feet, but he was done. Time was 2:49.

After the fight, the 33-year-old Fury repeated his pre-fight vow to retire after this fight. “I have to be a man of my word and I think this is it. This might be the final curtain for the Gypsy King. And what a way to go out!”

Unbeaten welterweight Ekow Essuman (17-0, 7 KOs) defended his British and Commonwealth belts with a dull twelve round unanimous decision against Darren Tetley (21-3, 9 KOs) on Saturday night in the Fury-Whyte co-feature at London’s Wembley Stadium. In a bout that resembled a sparring session, Essuman won 117-111, 116-112, 116-112.

In a featherweight grudge match, unbeaten Nick Ball (15-0, 8 KOs) got a sixth round referee’s stoppage against WBC #13 Isaac Lowe (21-2-3, 6 KOs) to win the vacant WBC silver title. Time was 1:45. Ball dropped Lowe in round two. In round six, Lowe turned his back and took another big shot before the ref stepped in.

Unbeaten heavyweight David “The Chosen One” Adeleye (9-0, 8 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over 282-pound Chris Healey (9-9, 2 KOs). Adeleye landed a good left/right combination in round four and the ref quickly stopped it. Time was :52.

Light heavyweight Tommy Fury (8-0, 4 KOs), younger brother of Tyson Fury, beat up Daniel Bocianski (10-2, 2 KOs) over six sloppy rounds. Score was 60-54. Bocianski down twice. After the fight, Fury called out Jake Paul.

Unbeaten light heavyweight Karol Itauma (7-0, 5 KOs) stopped overmatched Michal Ciach (2-12, 1 KO) in the second round. Itauma dropped Ciach in round one and finished him in round two. Time was 2:27.

Super featherweight “Sugar Boy Roy” Royston Barney-Smith (2-0, 0 KOs) outpointed no-hoper Constantin Radoi (0-11) over four 40-36.

Super featherweight Kurt Walker (2-0, 1 KO) topped Stefan Nicolae (3-32-2, 1 KO) over four 40-36.

By Hesiquio Balderas

Mexican legend Erik Morales confirmed in his podcast that the fight between his pupil, former jr middleweight champion Jaime Munguía, and former middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs is a done deal and the fight will take place very soon. Morales also explained why Munguia-Charlo isn’t happening.

Munguía-Jacobs

“It’s a catch weight. I don’t know exactly at what weight it will be, but the fight is a done deal,” said Morales. “It’s a very tough fight. Danny Jacobs is a great fighter and he is up there competing. He lost his last fight but it was a close one on foreign soil. He is still elite and it will be a great fight.”

“Fernando Beltrán told me that the fight is set and we will be fighting above 160 pounds,” added Morales. Continue reading “Morales: Munguía-Jacobs is a done deal”

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will defend his crown against Dillian Whyte in front of a sold-out crowd of 94,000 at London’s Wembley Stadium (Live in the U.S. on ESPN+ PPV, 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT).

Current Odds (courtesy www.BetOnline.ag):

Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte
Tyson Fury -600 (1/6)
Dillian Whyte +450 (9/2)

Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte Props

Will the Fight go the Scheduled Distance?
Yes +240 (12/5)
No -300 (1/3)

Continue reading “Fury-Whyte collide today”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Shifty southpaw Masataka Taniguchi (16-3, 11 KOs), 105, successfully made his initial defense of the WBO 105-pound belt as he halted overweight opposition Kai Ishizawa (10-2, 9 KOs), no less than 110, with his incessant combinations at 2:29 of the eleventh round on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. It was such a lopsided affair that the champ kept battering the slower and sluggish foe upstairs and downstairs all the way.　Prior to the well-received halt, all the tallies were perfectly identical—Katsuhiko Nakamura, Masakazu Murase and Masahiro Muroya 99-91, giving only the third round to Micro Tyson. The referee was Michiaki Someya. All were out of the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC). Continue reading “Taniguchi halts Micro Tyson, keeps WBO 105lb belt”

Former IBF bantamweight champion Paul Butler (36-2, 15 KOs) outpointed late sub Jonas Sultan (18-6, 11 KOs) over twelve rounds to claim the vacant WBO interim bantamweight world title on Friday night at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena. Scores were 116-112, 118-110, 117-111.

Butler, who won the IBF belt in 2014 but never defended it, was originally slated to challenge WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero, but Casimero was forced to pull out due to weight issues and will likely be stripped.

Unbeaten former Italian super middleweight champion Ivan Zucco (16-0, 14 KOs) scored an exciting second round TKO over Marko Nikolic (28-2, 12 KOs) for the vacant WBC International title on Friday night at the Palazzo Dello Sport in Verbania, Piemonte, Italy. Zucco was staggered at the end of round one, but he dropped Nikolic twice in round two. Nikolic beat the count and seemed OK, but the bout was waved off despite Nikolic’s complaints. Time was 1:30.

Zucco said, “After Nikolic hit me hard to the face at the end of the first round I went back to my corner and my father/trainer Andrea told me to calm down, to keep my hands up and don’t trade punches immediately, but I was too angry with Nikolic and wanted to hit him hard. After I sent Nikolic to the mat with that straight left to the chin, I realized that he was hurt and that I could try to knock him out. That’s what I did with that right hook to the jaw.” Continue reading “Zucco stops Nikolic, remains unbeaten”

Unheralded super lightweight Alejandro Meneses (16-5, 9 KOs) stopped previously unbeaten local hero Sam Maxwell (16-1, 11 KOs) to win the vacant IBO title on the Butler-Sultan undercard in Liverpool, England. Meneses dropped Maxwell in round four. Meneses battered Maxwell from pillar to post in round seven. Meneses floored Maxwell again in round nine and got the stoppage with his follow-up barrage. Time was 2:29. Great fight!

Former WBA super middleweight champion “Rocky from Stocky” Fielding (29-2, 17 KOs), now competing at light heavyweight, scored a third round TKO over journeyman Timo Laine (30-18, 12 KOs). The referee waved off the mismatch at 1:34.

Former featherweight title challenger Jazza Dickens (31-4, 12 KOs) scored a fifth round KO against former Euro champ Andoni Gago (25-5-4, 7 KOs). Dickens dropped Gago in round three and finished him at 2:52 of round five.

Olympian super bantamweight Peter McGrail (4-0, 3 KOs) scored a fourth round KO over Uriel Lopez Juarez (15-18-1, 7 KOs).

Former WBO 168lb world champion and light heavyweight contender Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez (43-0, 29 KOs) will face former WBA interim light heavyweight champion Dominic Boesel (32-2, 12 KOs) on May 14 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA, and will stream live exclusively on DAZN. The 12-round fight will pit the WBA #1 ranked Boesel against the #2 WBA ranked Ramirez.

The co-main event will feature undefeated lightweight William “El Camaron” Zepeda (25-0, 23 KOs) defending his WBA Continental Americas title against former world champion Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (32-11, 21 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

Tyson Fury 264.8 vs. Dillian Whyte 253.25
(WBC heavyweight title)

*Some confusion about Fury’s weight. Ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. initially announced Fury’s weight as “264 pounds, 13 ounces.” He quickly amended Fury’s weight to “263 pounds, 13 ounces.” Turns out Jimmy had it right the first time.

Ekow Essuman 146.5 vs. Darren Tetley 145.75
Isaac Lowe 125.25 vs. Nick Ball 125.5
Tommy Fury 177.75 vs. Daniel Bocianski 175
David Adeleye 232.4 vs. Chris Healey 282
Royston Barney-Smith 132 vs. Constantin Radoi 132
Karol Itauma 175.75 vs. Michal Ciach 175.75
Kurt Walker 129 vs. Stefan Nicolae 127.4

Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Promoter: Queensberry, Top Rank
TV: PPV, ESPN+ (undercard)

By Joe Koizumi

Shifty southpaw Masataka Taniguchi (16-3, 11 KOs), 105, successfully made his initial defense of the WBO 105-pound belt as he halted overweight opposition Kai “Micro Tyson” Ishizawa (10-2, 9 KOs), no less than 110, with his incessant combinations at 2:29 of the eleventh round on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. It was such a lopsided affair that the champ kept battering the slower and sluggish foe upstairs and downstairs all the way.

(More to come)

By Ron Jackson

Cowin Ray was most impressive in stopping his #2 challenger Andile Mtungwa in the third round to retain the South African super middleweight title on Thursday night at The Galleria in Sandton. The time was 2:58.

It was a confident and superbly conditioned Ray (8-0, 6 KOs) who fights from the southpaw that came into the ring to make the first defense of his title. Continue reading “Cowin Ray retains SA title on a third round stoppage”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Undisputed IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC Franchise lightweight champion George “Ferocious” Kambosos is expecting 60,000 fans to attend his clash with WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney on June 5 (June 4 in the USA) at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

“I love fighting in America,” Kambosos told the Herald newspaper. “I love being that road warrior, but I’ve paid my dues and earned my stripes. It’s time that these guys get out of their comfort zone and do it the way I did it. It’s different because they’re getting out of their comfort zone but have got all the luxuries. They get millions of dollars to come over here. When I went and did it, I was fighting for $5,000 or $10,000 max. Continue reading “Kambosos expecting sellout crowd”

Fightnews.com® spoke to future Hall of Famer and living legend “The Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire about his start in boxing, how he got that nickname, his rematch coming up June 7 with “The Monster” Naoya Inoue, a potential mega showdown with another living legend Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and so much more in this exclusive interview.

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