Fightnews.com

By Brad Snyder-The Undercard
Photos by Bob Ryder

A rocking Opportunity Center at ALCC witnessed four pro bouts in a pro/am card promoted by Carlos Llnas in Monroe, MI on Friday night. The main event saw Matthew Niziolek (2-0, 1 KO) defeat a tough opponent Derek Reyes (0-2) with a TKO at the 2:14 mark in the second round. Reyes was knocked down twice and showed heart but Niziolek was just too strong in the Welterweight contest. Continue reading “Results from Monroe, Michigan”

By Joe Koizumi

We feel sad, very sad, to hear that the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) is in virtual bankruptcy and decided to be liquidated on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. This isn’t an April fool. Ryohei Nagata, the chairman of the board of JBC directors, said, “The JBC’s administration will be continued even in the process of liquidation without bothering the Japanese boxing activities. It was caused by the JBC’s declining income in 2020 and 2021 due to the decrease of boxing promotions, which was mainly caused by the coronavirus pandemic since the beginning of 2020.”

The direct lethal shot to the JBC, however, might be the losing litigation against Kameda family with the JBC sentenced to pay a compensation of 100,000,000 Yen (some 833,333 USD) to Kameda brothers this February. Continue reading “Bankrupt JBC liquidated”

Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Danny Dignum is reportedly set for May 21 at a location in the United States. The bout will be for the WBO interim middleweight title and air on an ESPN platform. Alimkhanuly-Dignum was scheduled to go to a purse bid, but Top Rank (representing Alimkhanuly) and MTK Global (representing Dignum) reached an agreement first. Both Demetrius Andrade and Jaime Munguia passed on fighting Alimkhanuly before Dignum stepped up. Former WBO junior lightweight champion Jamal Herring will face TBA in the co-feature.

Robert Terry 155 vs. Deandre Pettus 154
Nick “The Bull” Vitone 141 vs. Llewelyn Mcclamy 141

Jamir Cope 140 vs. Ryan Schwartzberg 140
Jade Keon Ivory 165 vs. Tyler Jacques 164
Bryce Davis 145 vs. Shannon Hawkins 143
David Roman Curiel 152 vs. Henry Menez 152
Chaz Nyguen 175 vs. Tyler Voigt 175

Venue: The Terrace at Biagio, Paramus, New Jersey
Promoter: Abella Boxing Promotions

Mikey Garcia-conqueror Sandor Martin (40-2, 13 KOs) outboxed former contender Jose Felix (39-6-1, 30 KOs) over ten one-sided rounds for the vacant WBA International super lightweight title on Friday night at the Palau Olímpic Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona, Spain. In his first fight since pulling off last October’s 2021 upset of the year, Martin was in total control against the faded Felix, winning 100-90, 100-90, 99-91.

In a slugfest, unbeaten super flyweight and 2016 Olympian Samuel Carmona (7-0, 4 KOs) had all he could handle against former world title challenger Joel Cordova (13-6-2, 3 KOs). Good action all the way. Cordova relentlessly punished Carmona in round eight. Carmona dropped Cordova in round nine but was then openly holding and running from Cordova after that. The scores after ten rounds were 97-93, 96-93, 96-94 for Carmona, which seemed like a little home cooking’.

Light heavyweight Ricards Bolotniks (19-6-1, 8 KOs) hammered out an eight round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten 2016 Olympian Hrvoje Sep (11-1, 8 KOs). Bolotniks, who recently gave highly regarded Joshua Buatsi a tough fight, won by scores of 78-75, 78-75, 77-75.

In a clash of unbeaten middleweights, Jhon Jader Obregon (10-0, 4 KOs) won an eight round unanimous decision over Kyle Lomotey (10-1, 2 KOs). Scores were 80-71, 78-73, 77-73. Lomotey deducted a point in round five.

Female super bantamweight Jorgelina Guanini (10-4-2, 1 KO) defeated previously unbeaten Stevi Levy (5-1, 0 KOs) over eight rounds. Scores were 80-73, 79-73, 79-75.

By Robert Coster

Francis Frometa 135 vs. Oliver Flores 134
(WBA Latino lightweight title)

Jose Miguel Galvez 140 vs. Jam-pier Oses 139
(IBF Junior Caribbean welterweight title)

Luis Miguel Aguero 140 vs. Dixon Flores 140
(WBA Fedecaribe super lightweight title)

Geraldo Valdez 118.6 vs. Ranses Ranson 117
Marcelino Nieves 116 vs. Gerald Benitez 115
Feliz Batista 130.8 vs. Jean Carlos Hernandez 130
Jose Alfaro 132 vs. Sandy Montilla 128.9

4 more fights

Venue: Olympic Fencing Stadium, Santo Domingo
Promoter: King of Boxing Promoters
TV: Youtube TV Channel

By Brad Snyder/The Undercard

Erick DeLeon 148.6 vs. Hevinson Herrera 142.8
Ali Izmailov 176.4 vs. Abraham Tebes 181.8
David Alaverdian 114.2 vs. Jeno Tonte 114
Joshua James Pagan TBA vs. Dejuan Marquise RobinsonTBA
Timur Kerefov 161.4 vs. Cleotis Pendarvis 164.4
Brandon Moore 235.6 vs. Curtis Harper 271.6

Venue: Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, Dearborn, MI
Promoter: Salita Promotions

Savannah Marshall 159 vs. Femke Hermans 158
(WBO female middleweight title)

Florian Marku 146 vs. Chris Jenkins 146
Bradley Rea 160 vs. Lukas Ndafoluma 160
Zak Chelli 166 vs. Jack Kilgannon 168

Venue: Utilita Arena, Newcastle, England
Promoter: BOXXER
TV: SkySports (UK)

Jimmy Quiter 170.5 vs. Miraday Lubanzadio 170
Joe Ward 174 vs. Oscar Riojas 172
Daniel Buenaventura 135 vs. Yamin Muhammad 133.5
Dawid Bosak 164.5 vs. Turner Williams 172
Jorge Perez 133.5 vs. Don Stewart 133.5
Deontae Pettigrew 291 vs. Kaleb Slaughter 256
Sarah French 146 vs. Deborah Willies 147
Javier Rivera 115 vs. TBA

Venue: The Dome at The Ballpark in Rosemont, Illinois
Promoter: Hitz Boxing:
1st Bell: 7:30 PM Central; 8:30 PM ET
Stream: BXNGTV.com

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez bulking up in San Diego ahead of his clash against WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol on May 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Unified WBC and IBF welterweight world champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr., declared that he is “on point” ahead of his 147-pound title unification clash against WBA welterweight world champion Yordenis Ugas taking place Saturday, April 16 live on SHOWTIME PPV from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Responding to a statement made Wednesday by Ugas’ trainer Ismael Salas that he was a “different” fighter in his first fight back after a 2019 car accident, Spence stated, “Even half of me would beat most of these guys at the top level. I feel great now and I’m 100%. Physically I’m on point and everything feels real regular. If Ugas’ trainer thinks I’m a different fighter now, we’ll see in two and half weeks how different I am.”

Australia’s “Ferocious” George Kambosos Jr., the WBO/WBA/IBF/WBC Franchise lightweight world champion, will battle WBC world champion Devin “The Dream” Haney for the undisputed championship Saturday, June 4, at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. Kambosos-Haney will be broadcast in prime time, live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+.

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By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with trainer Derrick James after Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr.’s Dallas Media Workout today as he prepares him for his 147lb unification showdown with Yordenis Ugas on Sat, April 16 at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The fight will be broadcast on Showtime PPV.

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By Jeff Zimmerman

Unified welterweight champ Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr hosted the Dallas Media today as he prepares to add the WBA strap against Yordenis Ugas on Sat, April 16 at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The fight will be shown live on Showtime PPV.

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Savannah Marshall says she has “tunnel vision” going into this Saturday’s defense of her WBO female middleweight title against Femke Hermans taking place at Newcastle Utilita Arena, live on Sky Sports, knowing that a win will set up a showdown with bitter rival Claressa Shields.

Savannah Marshall: “Everyone keeps asking how I can focus on Femke when everyone is talking about Claressa. But the thing is, everyone’s been talking about Claressa for the past four years. She’s always been creeping about in the background for me, this is nothing new. [A win on Saturday means there is] nothing stopping setting up a massive fight between me and Claressa in the summer.”

Femke Hermans: “I’m in very good shape, I’ve had a great training camp, everything has fallen together in the last month and I am ready to kick some ass on Saturday.”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

IBF middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin arrived in Tokyo, Japan, today (Thursday). He will square off against WBA super champ Ryota Murata at the Saitama Super Arena on April 9. Golovkin said, “I respect Murata’s real power and his personality as well. I am in good shape, and will show a great performance without fail.”

Sandor Martin 139.3 vs. Jose Felix 139.3
(WBA International super lightweight title)

Samuel Carmona 115.7 vs. Joel Cordova 115.7
Ricards Bolotniks 177.9 vs. Hrvoje Sep 177.9

Venue: Palau Olímpic Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

WBA welterweight world champion Yordenis Ugás showed off his skills at a media workout in Las Vegas on Wednesday, as he nears his 147-pound title unification clash against WBC and IBF champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. taking place Saturday, April 16 live on Showtime PPV from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“Being an underdog means nothing to me,” stated Ugas, who is about a 3:1 underdog. “I was the underdog against Pacquiao and now again against Spence. I’ve always been the underdog and it doesn’t phase me…I’m happy to be fighting in Spence’s backyard because they have great fans down there in Texas. It just adds extra motivation. Fans can expect me to fight like a warrior. I’m going to take all of my hard work into the ring on April 16.” Continue reading “Ugas: Being an underdog means nothing to me”

The full card has been announced for this Saturday night’s Detroit Brawl event in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, MI. Five fights are scheduled in support of the eight-round main event, featuring the return of Detroit’s undefeated lightweight Erick De Leon (19-0-1, 11 KOs) taking on Juan Jose “Piquet” Martinez (28-11, 20 KOs).

In the main supporting bouts will be undefeated middleweight Timur Kerefov (12-0, 6 KOs) taking on Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis (21-9-2, 9 KOs) in an eight-round clash and WBC #9, IBF #15, WBO #14 light heavyweight Ali Izmailov (7-0, 5 KOs) against Abraham Tebes (7-0, 3 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Continue reading “Detroit Brawl Full Lineup”

DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing series makes its debut in the Motor City on April 15, at Garden Theater in Detroit. The event will be streamed live on UFC Fightpass.

Heavyweight knockout artist Mike Balogun (18-0, 14 KOs) headlines the event facing Ahmed Hefny (13-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round contest.
In the co-feature, bantamweight Ja’Rico O’Quinn (14-1-1, 8 KOs) takes on Jobert Alvarez (20-2-2, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Super featherweight Joshafat Ortiz (9-0, 5 KOs) battles Derrick Murray (15-4, 5 KOs) in an eight-rounder. And heavyweight Michael Pirotton-Bamogo (5-0, 2 KOs) meets Jonathan Gruber (3-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round affair.

Unified WBC, WBA and IBF champion Jermell Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KOs) and WBO champion Brian Castaño (17-0-2, 12 KOs) will meet in a rematch of their 2021 draw as they again seek to become the first ever undisputed 154-pound champion in the four-belt era on Saturday, May 14 live on SHOWTIME from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Charlo vs. Castaño II was previously announced to take place on March 19 but was rescheduled after Castaño suffered an arm injury in training.

Jermell Charlo: “I’m the unified champ and I’ve got business to finish. My total goal as a kid was to win all of the belts as a professional and I plan to make history yet again on May 14, in front of my west coast fans and all across the world. If you know me, you know how I don’t take opportunities lightly – Lions Only, the time is now! Make sure you tune in on May 14.”

Brian Castaño: “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to face Charlo again for all four titles. This is champion vs. champion, just like it should be. The first fight was a great war. The rematch will be no different, but this time I won’t leave it in the judges’ hands. This is my era, and I will prove it.”

Lightweight Keyshawn Davis (4-0, 3 KOs), the 23-year-old Olympic silver medalist, will battle Esteban Sánchez (18-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder on April 30 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Davis was supposed to fight Sanchez on March 19 in New York, but he contracted a non-COVID-related virus. Davis-Sanchez will be the co-feature to the junior lightweight title unification showdown between WBC champion Oscar Valdez and WBO king Shakur Stevenson and televised live on ESPN. Undercard bouts will be announced shortly.

With the NCAA college basketball tournament wrapping up this weekend, not too many stateside boxing promoters have anything scheduled in opposition. The two most notable cards of the week are in Europe.

On Friday, Mikey Garcia-conquerer Sandor Martin meets Jose Felix in a super lightweight clash on DAZN from Barcelona, Spain.

On Saturday, Claressa Shields’ arch-rival Savannah Marshall defends her WBO female middleweight belt against Femke Hermans at the Newcastle Arena in Newcastle, England. Sky Sports will air the bout in the UK. No US carrier yet.

Also Saturday, ESPN+ streams a card from the BUAP Arena in Puebla, Puebla, Mexico, featuring WBC female bantamweight champion Yuliahn “Cobrita” Luna defending against Mayeli Flores.

So slim pickings this weekend, but all hell breaks loose next weekend with GGG-Murata, Kingry-Tagoe, Lubin-Fundora, both Moloneys and much more.

Mikey Garcia-conquerer Sandor Martin and Jose Felix faced off at their final press conference ahead of their fight for the WBA International super lightweight title on Friday night at the Palau Olímpic Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona, Spain. DAZN will televise.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten WBA/IBF bantamweight champion “Monster” Naoya Inoue (22-0, 19 KOs) will square off against WBC titleholder Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire (42-6, 28 KOs) in Tokyo, Japan, on June 7. It was announced today (Wednesday) by Ohashi Promotions along with Amazon Prime Video that will exclusively show this unification rematch, following the Murata-Golovkin showdown on April 9. The fight venue will be same at the Saitama Super Arena the capacity of which is approximately 20,000. Monster and Filipino Flash, in November 2019, put on a grueling do-or-die battle with Naoya following emerging victorious on a unanimous decision thanks to his eleventh round knockdown of Nonito.

Inoue, 28, confidently said, “I’d like to win more convincingly than in our first encounter. I wish to have Nonito counted out this time since people called the previous eleventh-round knockdown a long count.” Continue reading “Inoue to face Donaire again for unification”