Fightnews.com

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

UK promoter Eddie Hearn has signed several Australian boxing stars including IBF #10 heavyweight Demsey McKean, WBO #1 super lightweight Liam Paro and IBF female bantamweight champion Ebanie Bridges, but the fight he wants to make happen is rugby legends Sonny Bill Williams versus Paul Gallen, which is predicted would break Australian pay per view records

“The fight is to make Sonny Bill against Paul Gallen, that’s the fight for Down Under,” Hearn said. “If that fight can’t get made, then maybe the Jake Paul fight is one we can have some fun with.”

On May 13, at Allianz Cloud in Milan, Italy, Opi Since 82-Matchroom-DAZN will return with a tripleheader. In the main event, WBO Intercontinental super middleweight champion Daniele Scardina (20-0, 16 KOs) will defend against former WBA super middleweight champion Giovanni De Carolis (30-10-1, 14 KOs). DAZN will stream the show live and later on-demand. The tickets are selling fast, mostly because of Scardina-De Carolis which is considered a super-fight in Italy.

Scardina is the most famous boxer in Italy and by a longshot. He became famous nationally appearing on successful TV shows like Dancing With The Stars and many magazines wrote about him because of his work in the show-biz industry. Continue reading “Scardina vows to defeat De Carolis”

Another big boxing week with the blockbuster fight between Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol taking center stage.

THURSDAY

FITE+ has a heavyweight clash between heavyweights Rolando Soto (8-0, 3 KOs and Terrell Jamal Woods (27-50-9, 19 KOs) from the Pasadena Convention Center and Municipal Fairgrounds in Pasadena, Texas. A win for the unbeaten Soto isn’t a given. Woods has surprised some pretty notable names.

SATURDAY

DAZN PPV presents Canelo Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) challenging Dmitry Bivol (19-0, 11 KOs) for the WBA light heavyweight title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The price for DAZN subscribers is $59.99. Canelo is more than a 4:1 favorite.

If you’re not shelling out for Canelo-Bivol, there are some other options.

TyC Sports has former world title challenger Ryan Rozicki (14-1, 14 KOs) against unbeaten Yamil Alberto Peralta (13-0, 6 KOs) from the Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. The vacant WBC International cruiser belt is at stake.

If heavyweights are more your thing, FITE offers up a $13.99 PPV that includes WBA #14 rated Lenier Pero (6-0, 3 KOs) against Hector Perez (7-4, 3 KOs) from Hialeah Park Racing & Casino in Hialeah, Florida.

The May 21 fight for the WBO interim super middleweight title between Zach Parker (22-0, 16 KOs) and WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade (31-0, 19 KOs) has been postponed due to a shoulder injury suffered in training by Andrade. The bout was set to take place in Parker’s backyard at the Pride Park Stadium in Derby, England.

Photos: Sumio Yamada

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

Photos

By Miguel Maravilla

Shakur Stevenson’s post-fight press conference ended abruptly when the champ dashed from the stage to rescue his mother from a brawl erupting just outside the press room.

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“I told ya’ll what I was going to do,” said unified WBC/WBO super featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson after his win over Oscar Valdez Saturday night in Las Vegas. “I said I’m gonna beat Valdez, Canelo and Eddy Reynoso, so that was my gameplan, beat the whole team and I feel good about it. Much respect to them, but that was my gameplan.

“I want to collect all the belts at 130 and become undisputed. I deserve to be a superstar, so that’s what I gotta do.”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

In a grudge super featherweight unification clash, WBO champion Shakur Stevenson (18-0, 9 KOs) scored a one-sided twelve round unanimous decision over WBC champion Oscar Valdez (30-1, 23 KOs) on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Valdez had no answer for Stevenson’s skills and movement. Stevenson scored a flash knockdown in round six. Valdez had some success with straight right hands, but not enough to win many rounds. Scores were 117-110, 118-109, 118-109. Continue reading “Shakur dominates Valdez, unifies 130lb titles”

Photos: Emily Harney

In a long-awaited female super fight from the sold out Madison Square Garden in New York City, undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor (21-0, 6 KOs) took the women’s pound-for-pound recognition from Amanda Serrano (42-2-1, 30 KOs) with a split decision on Saturday night. Taylor fought in quick flurries. Serrano pressed the action and landed the more damaging shots. Taylor took major damage in round five. Serrano inexplicably took her foot off the pedal from rounds seven to nine. Round ten was toe-to-toe. Scores were 96-94 Serrano, 97-93, 96-93 Taylor.

All three judges scored the last three rounds for Taylor.

“What a fighter Amanda Serrano is,” said Taylor afterward. “I think we are both great fighters. Look what we have just done, selling out Madison Square Garden, the biggest venue in boxing history.

“Both of us have broken so many barriers in her careers. It feels great to be in this position really! Amazing fight. What a night!

“I knew exactly how deep I had to dig in this fight. I knew going into it that I was going to be in the trenches at some stage. She’s a phenomenal fighter and a great, great person.”

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Photos: Emily Harney

In a super welterweight crossroads fight between former world champions, Liam “Beefy” Smith (31-3-1, 17 KOs) scored an exciting tenth round TKO over Jessie Vargas (29-4-2, 11 KOs) in the Taylor-Serrano co-feature on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Smith took over midway and got a referee’s stoppage at :41 of the tenth. Smith won the vacant WBO Intercontinental title.

In a bout for the undisputed female super middleweight title, Franchón Crews-Dezurn (8-1, 2 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over a bloodied up Elin Cederroos (8-1, 4 KOs). Scores were 99-91, 99-91, 97-93. Continue reading “Smith stops Vargas, Crews-Dezurn unifies”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

2020 U.S. Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis (5-0, 4 KOs) was impressive in stopping Esteban Sanchez (18-2, 8 KOs) in six rounds. It was a feel out round in the first as Davis and Sanchez used the jab and boxed at a slow pace. Davis poked with the jab in round two as Sanchez came straight in eating leather. Exchanging in the center to begin the fourth round, Davis connected on Sanchez with solid punches. Unloading with combinations in the fifth, Davis began to break down Sanchez. Davis finished him off in the sixth as the referee Robert Hoyle had seen enough, stopping the fight at 2:44.

“He’s a great fighter, and I didn’t realize that until the first round,” said Davis. “I said, ‘Whoa, he can fight!’ I knew I had to snap into a different Keyshawn. He’s a great fighter, a real respectful fighter. Hat’s off to Esteban Sanchez. Thank you for this opportunity. We should see a lot of Esteban Sanchez in the future.” Continue reading “Keyshawn Davis remains unbeaten”

Former cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Glowacki (32-2, 20 KOs) rebounded from two consecutive world title fight losses to defeat Francisco Rivas Ruiz (16-4, 5 KOs) by fourth round KO on Saturday night at the Hala Sportowa in Walcz, Poland. Glowacki dropped Ruiz in round one and finished him with two more knockdowns in round four.

By Héctor Villarreal

In a clash of undefeated super bantamweight prospects, Panamanian Rafael “El General” Pedroza (13-0, 11 KOs) dethroned Argentine Hector Andres “La Maquinita” Sosa (13-1, 8 KOs) as WBC Silver Latin American Champion on Friday night, in the main event of the international boxing card presented by Sampson Boxing and Best Box at Hotel El Panama in Panama City.

Sosa suffered a serious cut to his right eyelid and Pedroza finished 10 rounds of intense action with severe swelling on his right cheekbone. Two judges scored the fight 97-93 and the other one voted 98-92, all 3 in favor of the local Pedroza who won by unanimous decision. Continue reading “Pedroza beats Sosa in Panama”

By Hesiquio Balderas

Comments from WBC super featherweight champion Oscar Valdez, who is a fairly heavy betting underdog in tonight’s showdown with WBO champ Shakur Stevenson…

“I know that people say you’re only as good as your last fight and in that regard they’re right, it wasn’t my best performance in my last fight. But that there, along and the fact that it is a unification fight, gave me the extra motivation to succeed and train harder.

“I know what everyone is thinking, but I trained extra hard for this fight. Me, Eddy Reynoso, my manager Frank Espinoza, and all the team we have a good game plan and we trained as hard as ever. Don’t underestimate me. I’ll show that I’m the best fighter at 130 pounds!”

Former world champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (50-5-1, 43 KOs) pounded on Kompayak Porpramook (61-13-1, 41 KOs) in a four round exhibition on Saturday night in Bangkok, Thailand. Both fighters wore headgear. Srisaket is scheduled to challenge WBC super flyweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez on June 25th in San Antonio, Texas.

In a bout for the WBC ABC Continental light flyweight title, Danai Ngiabphukhiaw (11-3, 6 KOs) scored a fourth round KO over Vijes Oak (3-1, 2 KOs).

Six sons of well-known former boxers were in action on Friday night at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. In the main event, unbeaten Kenzie Morrison (20-0-2, 18 KOs), son of former heavyweight champion Tommy “The Duke” Morrison, scored a fifth round TKO over previously unbeaten Hasim Rahman Jr (12-1, 6 KOs), son of former heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman, to win the WBC USNBC heavyweight title. Morrison came out aggressively and Rahman calmly outboxed him. Morrison starting turning the tables in round four and dropped Rahman in round five. Rahman beat the count and the bout was stopped by referee Robert Hoyle during Morrison’s follow-up barrage. Rahman complained about the stoppage, which seemed premature. Time was 1:37.

Lightweight Keith “The Bounty” Hunter (15-1, 9 KOs), son of former heavyweight contender Mike “The Bounty” Hunter, won an exciting ten round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Demarius “Chuckie” Hunter (12-1, 7 KOs). Hunter wore down Driver in a good two-way fight. Scores were 99-91, 97-93, 97-93.

Welterweight Roberto Duran Jr. (9-2, 7 KOs), son of ring legend Roberto Duran, lost a six round unanimous decision to unbeaten 19-year-old Arturo Moreno (6-0, 2 KOs). Moreno was simply busier. Scores were 60-54, 58-56, 59-55.

Super welterweight Sharif Rahman (6-0, 3 KOs), son of former heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman, scored a six round unanimous decision over Reyes Sanchez (7-2, 3 KOs). Scores were 60-54, 59-55, 60-54.

Cruiserweight Gerald McClellan Jr. (2-0, 1 KO), son of former world champion Gerald McClellan, took a four round majority decision over Demetrius Alexander (1-1, 1 KO). Scores were 39-37, 39-37, 38-38.

Oscar Valdez 129.6 vs. Shakur Stevenson 130
(WBC/WBO super featherweight title)

Keyshawn Davis 136.2 vs. Esteban Sanchez 136.6
Nico Ali Walsh 159.2 vs. Alejandro Ibarra 160.4
Raymond Muratalla 134.8 vs. Jeremy Hill 134
Andres Cortes 131.8 vs. Alexis del Bosque 131.6
Troy Isley 157.4 vs. Anthony Hannah 156.8
Abdullah Mason 136.4 vs. Luciano Ramos 137.8
Antoine Cobb 143.6 vs. Jaylan Phillips 142.4

Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN, ESPN+

“This is the truth, the gospel truth, nothing but the truth – I’m done.”

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury said on the Piers Morgan Uncensored show that he is serious about walking away from boxing for real. “I’m quitting while I’m ahead,” he said. “I’m undefeated, only the second man in history to retire undefeated heavyweight champion.”

Fury stated he’s not interested in fighting Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk, although he may be open to exhibitions or WWE.

“The fans will always want more,” said Fury. “They are always baying for more blood. But at the end of the day I don’t have anything more to give. I’ve given everything I’ve got. I’ve been a professional 14 years, I’ve been boxing over 20 years. Continue reading “Fury: No amount of money will make me come back”

The Showtime PPV undercard is set for the Gervonta “Tank” Davis vs. Rolando “Rolly” Romero clash on May 28 live from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Two-division world champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (28-3-3, 16 KOs) will defend his WBA middleweight title against Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan (31-4, 21 KOs) in the co-feature. Also, in a pair of ten rounders unbeaten super welterweight Jesús “Mono” Ramos (18-0, 15 KOs) meets Luke Santamaría (13-2-1, 7 KOs) in a “Revenge of the Nephew” showdown, and super featherweight Eduardo Ramírez (26-2-3, 12 KOs) faces Luis Meléndez (17-1, 13 KOs).

Katie Taylor 134.6 vs. Amanda Serrano 133.6
(Undisputed WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO female lightweight titles)

Franchon Crews Dezurn 166.8 vs. Elin Cederroos 167.8
(Undisputed WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO female super middleweight titles)

Jessie Vargas 153 vs. Liam Smith 154
Austin Williams 158.8 vs. Chordale Booker 157.4
Galal Yafai 111.8 vs. Miguel Cartagena 110.4
Reshat Mati 143.8 vs. Joe Eli Hernandez 144.2
Khalil Coe 174.6 vs. William Langston 173
Skye Nicolson 125.6 vs. Shanecqua Paisley Davis ??

Venue: Madison Square Garden, NYC
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

When Legendary undefeated champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather (50-0, 27 KOs) returns to the ring to face unbeaten “Dangerous” Don Moore (18-0-1, 12 KOs) on PPV May 14, the fight’s venue will deliver a unique experience as the two competitors square off outdoors “in the skies of Dubai” on the helipad above the 59th floor of Dubai’s opulent Burj Al Arab Hotel. The ring setup is pretty amazing.

By Ron Jackson

The 40-year-old Nkululeko Mhlongo from Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal defends his South African middleweight title against the 30-year-old John Bopape of Alexandra, Gauteng on Friday night at the Dr Molemela Indoor Sports Centre in Mangaung.

In their first encounter in Durban on 27 February last year Bopape (10-8, 9 KOs) won on a split ten round points decision in a non-title fight.

Mhlongo (23-9-1, 18 KOs) had previously won the vacant South African junior middleweight title and made five successful defenses to win the championship belt outright, one of the few fighters to achieve this in recent years. Continue reading “Mhlongo-Bopape meet in a rematch”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney has requested that he gets fair judges when he challenges IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC Franchise lightweight champion George “Ferocious” Kambosos on June 5 (June 4 in the USA) at the Marvel Stadium, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

“Here’s how I look at it,” Haney told Cigar Talk. “Robberies happen in the US. A lot of robberies. How many robberies? It’s too many to count. Robberies happen all over no matter where the fight is.

“Me and my team are doing the best to make sure that there’s fair judging, neutral judges, or if it’s not neutral judges, it’s gonna be a US judge and an Australian judge. We gonna make an even playing field. That was all I demanded. I just want fair judges. I wanted nothing else. Continue reading “Haney: I want fair judges”

By Joe Koizumi

Japan finally opened the door for foreign boxers to campaign here. After a long two-year hiatus since early 2020, we could see international confrontations of Japanese and foreign fighters for the first time—except for the 160-pound unification bout of Golovkin and Murata three weeks ago. Former WBO Asia Pacific 108-pound champ Riku Kano (14-3, 7 KOs), 112, moved up to the flyweight category and displayed his improved power in dispatching Thailand’s Sanchai Yotboon (7-5, 6 KOs), 111.75, at 2:42 of the second round on Sunday (April 24) in Osaka. Also, former world challenger Sho Ishida (30-3, 16 KOs), 117.75, halted Filipino Carlo Demecillo (15-6-1, 8 KOs), 116, at 1:20 of the eighth and final session.

Foreign boxers are mandated to get vaccinated three times with either of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Novavax that our government has approved. If not, they will have to be quarantined for several days.

Promoter: Taisei Promotions.

Christian Carto 120.8 vs. Ernesto Sebastian Franzolini 119.4
Julian Gonzalez 131.8 vs. Ivan Jimenez 130.5
Jeremy Adorno 128.5 vs. Jason Vera 130.8
Quadir Albright 145 vs. Jorge Martin Garcia 144
Kristian Prenga 242 vs. Deshon Webster 205.5
Thanjhae Teasley 144.5 vs. DeAaron Alexander 147.5

*The Paul Kroll-Marklin Bailey fight is off as Kroll did not make weight

Promoter: King’s Promotions
1st Bell: 7:15 PM ET
Venue: 2300 Arena
Stream: FloCombat