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Another terrific weekend of boxing action coming up including the welterweight unification between WBC/IBF champion Errol Spence and WBA champion Yordenis Ugas.

FRIDAY

ESPN+ has an MTK Fight Night telecast from York Hall in London featuring a British and Commonwealth lightweight title fight between Gavin Gwynne and Luke Willis.

UFC Fightpass has a Broadway Boxing card from the Garden Theater in Detroit featuring unbeaten heavyweight knockout artist Mike Balogun against Serio Marin.

SATURDAY

DAZN delivers a card topped by unbeaten welterweight Conor “The Destroyer” Benn against Chris “The Heat” Van Heerden from the AO Arena in Manchester, England.

Showtime will air two pretty good undercard fights leading into the Spence-Ugas PPV at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Showtime “Special Edition” is headlined by WBA regular welterweight champion Radzhab Butaev against top contender Eimantas Stanionis, with unbeaten super lightweight Brandun Lee against Zachary Ochoa in the opener.

The $74.99 PPV telecast features the welterweight title unification between Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugas, plus lightweight contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz against former world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, unbeaten lightweight Jose Valenzuela against former world champion Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas, and unbeaten welterweight Cody Crowley against Josesito Lopez.

By Jeff Zimmerman

Trainer Bones Adams talks about Shane Mosley Jr.’s big win against Gabriel Rosado Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

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By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Hall of Fame broadcaster Colonel Bob Sheridan who called some of the biggest fights including the Rumble in the Jungle – Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman in Zaire in 1974, spoke to Fightnews.com® about returning to broadcasting. He recently worked with Paul Malignaggi calling the fights in Mexico.

On calling the fights in Mexico…

I am back in action and did a fight in Jalisco, Mexico recently working with Paul Malignaggi and we had a lot of fun where we got the highest ratings ever for the company I worked for. I am very excited about that and they have hired us back. Paulie was great. I have worked with him before. He was sensational. Paulie was so good I let him do the blow-by-blow. I didn’t want to be cutting in on him he was so good. We work great together. I love all the networks there. They have been so kind to me. Continue reading “Interview: Colonel Bob Sheridan”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Trainer Joe Goossen talks about his new pupil, “KingRy” Ryan Garcia, on his performance against Emmanuel Tagoe.

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By Jeff Zimmerman

Shane Mosley Jr. talks about his one-sided victory against Gabriel Rosado at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

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By Jeff Zimmerman

Xander Zayas interview at the Garcia-Tagoe fight in San Antonio, Texas. Zayas was in the corner for Tagoe as they are both managed by Peter Kahn.

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By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Gennadiy Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs), 160, Kazakhstan, unified the WBA and IBF middleweight belts as he withstood a grueling battle with Japanese warrior Ryota Murata (16-3, 13 KOs), 160, and finally decked him with his tremendous attacks to halt him at 2:11 of the ninth round on Saturday in Saitama, Japan. Murata, WBA titlist, displayed his admirable courage in continually stalking GGG, who, however, caught up with him and scored a very significant victory.

Golovkin (amateur mark 345-5) won the silver medal in Athens Olympic Games in 2004, while Murata (118-19) acquired the gold one in London Games in 2012. It was in 2006 that GGG turned professional, while Ryota sensationally made a pro debut in 2013. Despite their only four-year difference of age, Golovkin, 40, was more experienced with 43 pro outings, while Murata, 36, fought just 18 bouts—even considering his two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading “Golovkin halts Murata, unifies WBA/IBF 160lb belts”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Ryan Garcia talks about his performance after his unanimous decision vs Emmanuel Tagoe at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

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By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Unbeaten Japanese southpaw Junto Nakatani (23-0, 18 KOs), 111.75, impressively kept his WBO flyweight belt as he pummeled compatriot WBO#2 Ryota Yamauchi (8-2, 7 KOs), 112, into submission at 2:20 of the eighth round on Saturday in Saitama, Japan. Nakatani, unusually tall as a flyweight standing 5’7”, fully utilized his advantageous height and reach, lopsidedly battered the shorter challenger at will and finally halted him with an unanswered combination midway in the fatal eighth. The 24-year-old Junto, making his second defense, showed his improvement in fighting in the close quarter, but may outgrow this 112-pound category soon because of his reported difficulty to make weight. Continue reading “Nakatani halts Yamauchi, keeps WBO 112lb belt”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

In a highly competitive confrontation, unbeaten WBO#5, WBC#15 Shuichiro Yoshino (15-0, 11 KOs), 134.5, successfully retained his OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific lightweight belts as he was awarded a unanimous technical decision (107-102 twice, 106-103) over former WBO 130-pound titlist Masayuki Ito (27-4-1, 15 KOs), 135, because of Ito’s bad cut caused by an accidental butt at 2:06 of the eleventh round on Saturday in Saitama, Japan. Continue reading “Yoshino beats Ito, keeps OPBF, WBO AP 135lb belts”

In a terrific clash for the WBC interim super welterweight title, undefeated 6’6 Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora (19-0-1, 13 KOs) scored an impressive ninth round TKO over Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (24-2, 17 KOs) on Saturday night in the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. As expected, it was a total slugfest. Fundora dropped Lubin in round two. Lubin dropped Fundora in round seven. The fight was stopped by Lubin’s corner after the ninth round due to the punishment Lubin was taking. Lubin was ahead on all three cards at the time of the stoppage.

“I think this was probably my best performance ever,” said Fundora. “It was a back-and-forth fight. He really brought his hammer but I decided to bring my drill. The uppercut was landing like no other. The uppercut is my lucky punch. I’m here in Vegas, so I feel a little lucky, and that’s my lucky punch. It lands most of the time with everybody. Southpaw. Right hand. It doesn’t matter. Once I find that, I feel like the job’s done.”

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Former WBC super welterweight world champion Tony “Superbad” Harrison (29-3-1, 21 KOs) outboxed Sergio Garcia (33-2, 14 KOs) over ten rounds in a WBC eliminator. Scores were 98-92, 100-90, 100-90 as Harrison took a unanimous decision.

Unbeaten super welterweight Kevin Salgado (14-0-1, 9 KOs) and Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella (17-3-2, 14 KOs) battled to a workmanlike ten round draw. Scores were 97-93 Perrellaa, 96-94 Salgado, 95-95.

Cruiserweight Simone “Tyson” Federici (19-2-1, 8 KOs) scored a sloppy ten round unanimous decision over Lyubomyr “Demolition Man” Pinchuk (14-3-1, 8 KOs) on Saturday night at Rivers Casino Event Center in Schenectady, New York. Scores were 97-93, 97-93, 99-91. Federici retained his WBC Continental Americas title and took Pinchuk’s WBA NABA Gold title.

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

Rising lightweight superstar Ryan “KingRy” Garcia (22-0, 18 KOs) out of Victorville, CA, made his long awaited ring return on Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and took a unanimous decision against the crafty Emmanuel “Gameboy” Tagoe (32-2, 15 KOs) out of Ghana over twelve rounds to win going away 119-108 twice and 118-109.

Garcia dropped Tagoe in round two after a double right hand, although Tagoe complained to referee Jon Schorle that he was pushed. Garcia followed Tagoe around the ring as Tagoe held often whenever they got close. Through the first six rounds, Garcia stalked Tagoe and at times unloaded a series of combos to the smaller Tagoe who did his best to duck and move away. Garcia had success to the body against the unorthodox Tagoe, who showed he was game against the social media star. Continue reading “Kingry defeats Tagoe by decision”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

WBO/IBF lightweight champion Mikaela Mayer (17-0, 5 KO’s) successfully defended her WBO and IBF junior lightweight titles with a unanimous decision win over Jennifer Han (18-5-1, 1 KO) of El Paso, Texas, Saturday night at the Hangar in Costa Mesa, California. A fast start from the opening bell as Mayer and Han let their hands go staying active. Mayer was cut on the left eye from a punch. Han boxed well in the second round as Mayer attacked behind the jab. In round three, Han boxed as she stuck and moved Mayer attacked but was caught with a short right hand. Han’s nose was busted in the fourth round by a left hook from Mayer as blood gushed out of Han’s nose to finish the fourth. Continue reading “Mayer, Santillan, Venado, Moloneys victorious”

By Joe Koizumi

Gennadiy Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs), 160, unified the WBA and IBF middleweight belts as he withstood a grueling battle with Japanese warrior Ryota Murata (16-3, 13 KOs), 160, and finally decked him with his tremendous attacks to halt him at 2:11 of the ninth round on Saturday in Saitama, Japan. Murata, WBA titlist, displayed his admirable courage in continually stalking GGG, who, however, caught up with him and secured a very significant victory.

Promoter: Teiken Promotions.

**More to come**

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten Japanese southpaw Junto Nakatani (23-0, 18 KOs), 111.75, impressively kept his WBO flyweight belt as he pummeled compatriot WBO#2 Ryota Yamauchi (8-2, 7 KOs), 112, into submission at 2:20 of the eighth round on Saturday in Saitama, Japan. Nakatani, unusually tall as a flyweight standing 5’7”, fully utilized his advantageous height and reach, lopsidedly battered the shorter challenger at will and finally halted him with an unanswered combination midway in the fatal eighth. The 24-year-old Junto, making his second defense, showed his improvement in fighting in the close quarter, but may outgrow the 112-pound category soon because of his reported difficulty to make weight. The ref was Katsuhiko Nakamura who made a well-timed stoppage to save the swollen-eyed loser from further punishment.

Promoter: Teiken Promotions.

By Robert Coster
Photos: Martin Avila Maria

In Santo Domingo on Friday night, local idol Norbelto “Meneito” Jimenez (31-9-6, 16 KOs) 115.4 outpointed former title contender Keyvin Lara (31-5-1, 16 KOs) of Nicaragua over 10 rounds. Initially, the crowd-pleasing “Meneito ” (the one who wiggles) had some problems with the aggressive, gritty visitor who took the fight to him, landing some good punches. The fight turned to Norbelto’s favor when he reverted to his style, one of foot and head movement, skills and picking his punches. In the last three rounds, Jimenez delighted the crowd with his side-stepping and dance moves, egging on the fans. It was standard “Meneito” at his best.

Other notable fights on the 16-bout marathon card, featured two former world champions. Continue reading “Jimenez trounces Lara in Santo Domingo”

By Ron Jackson

The Limpopo born Tshifhiwa “Atomic Spider” Munyai who now fights out of Gauteng retained the South African lightweight title for the third time when he beat the southpaw Aphiwe Mboyiya from the Eastern Cape on a 12 round split decision, at the Steve Tshwete Banquet Hall in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, on Friday night.

The scores were 116-114, 114-113 for Munyai and 116-113 for Mboyiya.

This was a closely fought and grueling encounter between the two vastly experienced fighters. Continue reading “Tshifhiwa Munyai retains SA title on a split decision”

Mexican super welterweight contender Damian “Samurai” Sosa (20-1, 11 KOs) defended his WBO Latino title with an impressive third round knockout victory against Jesus “Ingeniero” Vega (22-3-1, 13 KOs) of Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico in the main event of a Toscano Boxing Promotions show Friday night at Zonkeys Auditorium in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Sosa ended the bout at 1:35 of the third stanza and once again demonstrated his desire to have a world title opportunity in the near future. Continue reading “Sosa KOs Vega in three”

Simone Federici 195 vs. Lyubomyr Pinchuk 194.2
(WBC Continental America/WBA NABA Gold titles)

ahyae Brown ?? vs. Gilberto Pereira Dos Santos ??
Tony Browne 174 vs. Leandro Da Silva 176
Ryan O’rourke 143.2 vs. Faycal Rezkallah 143.4
Michelle Cook 131.2 vs. Liz Tuani 128

Venue: Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, NY
Promoter: Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing
TV: FITE

Mikaela Mayer 129.8 vs. Jennifer Han 128.8
(WBO/IBF female junior lightweight titles)

Giovani Santillan 147.4 vs. Jeovanis Barraza 148.6
Andrew Moloney 115.8 vs. Gilberto Mendoza 113.4
Floyd Diaz 122 vs. Blake Quintana 120.6
Duke Ragan 126.6 vs. Diuhl Olguin 125.6
Jason Moloney 119.4 vs. Francisco Javier Pedroza 119.8
Virginia Fuchs 109.8 vs. Randee Lynn Morales 110.6
Luis Alberto Lopez 128 vs. Raul Chirino 128.8
Lindolfo Delgado 142.6 vs. Gustavo David Vittori 145.2

Venue: The Hangar OC County Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa, Calif
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN, ESPN+

Erickson Lubin 153.2 vs. Sebastian Fundora 152.8
(WBC interim super welterweight title)

Sergio García 152.6 vs. Tony Harrison 153.4
Kevin Salgado 154.2 vs. Bryant Perrella 153.4

Venue: The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Promoter: TGB Promotions/Sampson Boxing
TV: Showtime

Ryan Garcia 138.8 vs. Emmanuel Tagoe 138.2
Gabe Rosado 167.8 vs. Shane Mosley Jr. 167
Marlon Esparza 111.4 vs. Naoko Fujioka 111.6
Azat Hovhannisyan 124.2 vs. Dagoberto Aguero 122.8

Venue: The Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN

By Héctor Villarreal

Norbelto Jimenez 115.4 vs Keyvin Lara 114
Yudel Reyes 104.4 vs Rene Santiago 104.6
Nike Theran 131 vs Rafael Hernandez 130
Felix Parada 228 vs Epifanio Mendoza 257
Wilfredo Mendez 106.2 vs Kenny Cano 107.4
Ernesbadi Begue 172 vs Reynaldo Gonzalez 182
Jonathan Guzman 122 vs Starling Martinez 121.2
Mario Beltre 143.6 vs Kelvin King 145.2
Angel Cruz 153 vs Abraham Peralta 147
Rocco Vasallo 151.8 vs Edison Acosta 153
Luigi Notini 136.2 vs Yordan Mejia 133.6
Drew Dwelly 163.4 vs Dalvinson Tejeda 162.4
Travis Shelton 157 vs Juan Miguel Garcia 152.2
Nicole Ocasio 131 vs Soranyi Severino 127
Yenifel Vicente 128 vs Angelo Muñoz 128.4

Venue: Fencing Pavillion, Olympic Center, Santo Domingo, D. R.
Promoter: Shuan Boxing – Probellum
TV: YouTube Shuan Boxing
Friday, April 8th, 6pm

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

The weigh-in ceremony is over on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. The results are as follows:

WBA/IBF middleweight unification bout
Ryota Murata 160
Gennadiy Golovkin 160

WBO flyweight title bout
Junto Nakatani 111.75
Ryota Yamauchi 112

WBO Asia Pacific lightweight title bout
Shuichiro Yoshino 134.5
Masayuki Ito 135

Happy birthday, GGG! Gennadiy Golovkin celebrates his fortieth birthday today, and Teiken Promotions has presented a bunch of flowers on the platform. Continue reading “Murata, Golovkin Make Weight”