Fightnews.com

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former Rugby League and Rugby Union football legend Sonny Bill Williams (9-0, 4 KOs) destroyed Australian Rules football legend Barry Hall (0-1-1) in the first round on Wednesday night at the ICC Exhibition Centre in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Sonny Bill dropped Hall three times to end it in just 1:55.

Unbeaten 2008 Olympian super featherweight Paul Fleming (27-0-1, 18 KOs) won a hard-fought ten round unanimous decision over Jackson Jon England (13-1, 8 KOs). Fleming recovered from a second round knockdown to win 95-94, 95-94, 97-92.

Pro-debuting Rahim Mundine, son of former world champion Anthony Mundine, outpointed Lepani Levatia (1-5, 1 KO) over four 40-37, 40-37, 39-37.

Cruiserweight Bilal Akkawy (21-1-1, 16 KOs) dominated Sebastian Singh (13-5-3, 8 KOs) over eight rounds, winning 60-54, 60-54, 60-54

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán / President of the WBC

I finally had the opportunity to visit the Middle East, and this trip to Dubai has been absolutely wonderful in a myriad of ways.

When I flew that night, countless times my thoughts recalled with such fondness my dad, and how much he enjoyed those tranquil hours on long flights. The atmosphere that generates velvet dark silence, with the view encapsulated through the airplane window which generates moments of reflection, meditation and connection, which leads to conceptualize those dreams on which one must work to make them come true.

It has been a very revealing journey. Syrian-Lebanese blood courses through Sulaiman veins, as my grandmother Wasila was from Syria and my grandfather, Elias, was from Lebanon, and for that reason, my dad worked so very hard for many years trying to bring boxing to the Middle East, where it has never really taken root to flourish into a core sport in most of these countries. Continue reading “Boxing in the Middle East”

This is a time of firsts for Mexican star Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt. The former WBC super featherweight world champion is now campaigning as a lightweight and will begin his quest to become a two-weight world champion Saturday against Jeremiah Nakathila in the 10-round main event at Resorts World Las Vegas.

Berchelt also moved his training camp from Mexico to Las Vegas to work with a new head trainer, Jorge Capetillo. The Nakathila bout will be his first since his title reign ended via brutal knockout at the hands of Oscar Valdez in February 2021. Berchelt (38-2, 34 KOs) made six successful defenses of the title he won in January 2017, and he hopes the Nakathila fight is the start of a fruitful lightweight campaign.

Berchelt spent camp training alongside UFC star Brandon Moreno, the first Mexican-born champion in the organization’s history. He ran the Mount Charleston roads and had access to more world-class sparring than ever before. This is what Berchelt had to say as he readies to tackle the lightweight elite. Continue reading “Berchelt: This will be a great comeback”

Toscano Boxing Promotions returns on Friday, April 8 as WBO Latino super welterweight champion Damian “Samurai” Sosa (19-1, 10 KOs) faces Jesus “Ingeniero” Vega (22-2-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round main event at Zonkeys Auditorium in Tijuana, Baja California Mexico. The event will be streamed live on pay-per-view via Fite.tv.

In the co-main event, Manuel Jaimes (12-0, 10 KOs) of Stockton, Calif. will defend his WBC Youth lightweight championship against Pedro Bernal (8-1-2, 3 KOs) of Mexico City. Continue reading “Damian “Samurai” Sosa returns April 8”

This Friday night, RDR Promotions will present a six bout card at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. In a featured bout, middleweight Isaiah Wise (10-2-2, 6 KOs) will take on veteran Cameron Krael (18-21-3, 5 KOs) in a bout scheduled for six-rounds.

Also seeing action is middleweight Isiah Seldon (14-4-1, 5 KOs), who will take on Temirlin Raimkulov (4-1-2, 0 KOs).

BXNG.com will offer a $19.99 PPV steam.

Light heavyweights Joshua Buatsi and Craig Richards faced off at the kickoff press conference ahead of their huge domestic showdown on May 21 in London, shown live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia, as usual).

Joshua Buatsi: “I wouldn’t dub it as the hardest test, for me, it’s just the most important fight in my career right now. It’s the next fight, the fight I must win, last time with Bolotniks but this time it’s Spider. I’ll prepared as diligently as I do, come May 21 I’ll be ready…I think that [Canelo] makes this a big fight for me, makes it even more important. I know what is at stake, what the reward is and that’s what I said when I was in Arizona. I’ll fight these guys as long as I know what’s next. This may lead to a world title fight next so for me, I’m easy, no matter who it is I’m prepared.

Craig Richards: “I think I’ve got the capabilities to win in any way, the most important thing is to prepare all-round the board. I’ve got to be prepared for everything, at this level you can’t just say I’m going to win it by a jab or closing him down. You’ve got prepare for Plan A, B, C or D, you might have to get rough and ready or box and be clever. It all depends on the night, you’ve just got to make sure you’ve prepared, have all your game plans and be fit, ready and strong. On the night just make it happen, listen to your team most importantly and execute what you need to win the fight.”

LaManna the promoter returns to Atlantic City on Saturday; plans August ring return

By John DiSanto – PhillyBoxingHistory.com

On March 26th, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna puts down his boxing gloves temporarily and once again assumes the role of boxing promoter. His Rising Star Promotions will stage a fight card at Atlantic City’s Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in the Adrian Phillips Theater. The show is filled with ring talent from Jersey and beyond, and this will be the first show in the famous building in three years.

LaManna has been toggling back and forth from boxer to promoter for several years now. As a boxer, he fought all the way to a world title shot, and as a promoter, he’s been a steady factor in Atlantic City, while also promoting shows in DC, other New Jersey locals, and even in Mexico. LaManna has been successful doing both jobs, and according to “Cornflake”, fight fans can expect plenty more from him in both roles. Continue reading “LaManna is still hungry for more”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Barry Hall 215.6 lbs.
Age 45 years
Height 6’4
Trainer: Tony Nobbs

Sonny Bill Williams 240.5 lbs.
Age 36 years
Height 6’3
Trainer: Andy Lee

Venue: ICC Exhibition Centre, Sydney, Australia
Televised on Stan Event Streaming Service

Barry Hall: “The press conference yesterday, there was an illustrious line-up (alongside Williams), all the names written down, I had two people with me. There’s a lot of people that don’t want me to win this fight, I understand that. There’s a lot of money lost if he loses, I understand that also. That’s why I need to win by knockout and why I’m going to.”

Sonny Bill Williams: “The last few months just shows what type of character he is – very, very arrogant. Like he’s just going to walk right through me, fight Paul Gallen and then walk off into the sunshine. He’s doing reality shows, saying he doesn’t need money, all this sort of stuff. It seems like all he’s doing it for is money.

“But I’ve got to respect him as a boxer because he can box. And I do respect him – I know he doesn’t respect me as a boxer so that’s what’s fuelling me. God willing, when I’m standing over him, picking him up for a hug after the fight, I’ll look in his eyes and he’ll say ‘yeah, you actually can fight, Sonny.'”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC Franchise lightweight champion George Kambosos looks likely to be defending against WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney, now former world champion Vasiliy Lomanchenko decided to remain in Ukraine to defend his country against the Russian invasion.

“I respect your decision and I totally understand and I pray for you and your country,” Kambosos told Loma on Twitter. “Please stay safe and once I wipe the floor with Devin, we will make this fight between two real champions. God bless.”

Famed New York-based referee Sammy Viruet has been appointed as new director of the WBO Ratings Committee. WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel recommended Viruet and the Executive Committee approved the appointment during a virtual meeting. Viruet succeeds Edgardo López Sasso, who held the position from December 2016 until the past week. Viruet has been associated with the WBO since 1993 and worked many important fights for both the WBO and IBF.

IBF light flyweight world champion Felix Alvarado (37-2, 32 KOs) of Nicaragua has vacated his title per his manager William Ramirez (WRAM Boxing). The IBF has officially been notified in writing. Alvarado had held the title since 2018 making two successful world title defenses. Alvarado was scheduled to fight on February 19, but the fight was postponed. He tried extremely hard but was unsuccessful in securing any unification fights with the other world champions at 108 before deciding to move up one weight class.

The IBF had to go through their rankings all the way to #13 Zhilei Zhang to find an opponent for #3 Filip Hrgovic to fight in a world heavyweight title final eliminator to name the mandatory challenger for the IBF world title held by Oleksandr Usyk.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for more than year,” said Hrgovic. “Finally, I have an opponent willing to face me for the chance to fight for the IBF world title. So many fighters turned down this challenge so credit to Zhang for being brave enough to accept. I know he’s a good opponent. He won silver at the Olympics so that means he’s a good boxer, but he is too slow on his feet and I believe I have the better qualities. My speed, stamina, and footwork will be too much for him. I will break him down and I will beat him. I’m now only one fight away from my dream of boxing for a world title and nothing is going to stop me.” Continue reading “Hrgovic: I will break Zhang down and beat him”

Two new fights on the PPV undercard of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s May 7 clash with WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas were announced on Monday. IBF #12 super lightweight Montana Love (17-0-1, 9 KOs) clashes with Gabriel Valenzuela (25-2-1, 15 KOs) and IBF #3 heavyweight Filip Hrgovic (14-0, 12 KOs) meets Zhilei Zhang (23-0-1, 18 KOs) in a final eliminator for the IBF title.

Don King Productions won the bidding for the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight championship bout between Trevor Bryan and Daniel Dubois. The auction took place on Monday via Zoom and the team representing Bryan, with Don King himself present at the purse bid, won the rights to promote the bout with a bid of three million one hundred and sixteen thousand and one dollars (US$3,116,001.00).

The winning promoter gave June 18 as the date for the fight, while as possible venues are London, South Florida, and New York.

The next bid came from Queensberry Promotions, which offered an amount of two million five hundred and three thousand dollars (US$2,503,000.00) and proposed to hold the fight in Derby, England on May 21 as the first option, Midlands, England on June 11 as the next alternative and another for June 18 in London.

Now, Don King Productions will have 20 days to send the contracts signed by both parties.

Welterweight U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson and Puerto Rican junior featherweight contender Carlos “Purin” Caraballo will see action on the Miguel Berchelt-Jeremiah Nakathila undercard Saturday, March 26 in the Events Center at Resorts World Las Vegas.

Johnson (2-0, 1 KO) will face an opponent to be named in a six-rounder, while Caraballo (14-1, 14 KOs) hopes to bounce back from his first career defeat against Luis Fernando Saavedra (9-6, 3 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Continue reading “Berchelt-Nakathila undercard lineup”

Another mega-boxing Saturday on tap with Showtime, ESPN, and DAZN all presenting live fight cards. Plus don’t forget about the return of Erik “El Terrible” Morales in a PPV exhibition.

The day opens with IBF featherweight champion Kiko Martinez (43-10-2, 30 KOs) defending his world title against Josh Warrington (30-1-1, 7 KOs) at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England. Martinez previously lost a majority decision to Warrington, so not an easy first defense.

That evening, Showtime and ESPN go head to head.

Showtime presents the long-awaited USA debut of unbeaten WBO #1 rated junior middleweight Tim Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) against 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs) from the Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tszyu, of course, is the son of ring legend Kostya Tszyu.

ESPN counters with the return of former world champion Miguel Berchelt (38-2, 34 KOs) against Jeremia Nakathila (22-2, 18 KOs) at Resorts World Las Vegas. Berchelt is moving up to the lightweight after losing his WBO 130lb belt by KO against Oscar Valdez 13 months ago. Nakathila is best known for taking Shakur Stevenson the full twelve rounds.

For those who prefer legends boxing exhibitions, you can order the $21.99 PPV on Fite headlined by ring legend Erik Morales against former world champ Orlando Salido from the Mesquite Arena in Mesquite, Texas.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Rugby League and Rugby Union football legend Sonny Bill Williams (8-0, 3 KOs) will clash with Australian Rules football great Barry Hall (0-0-1) on Wednesday at the ICC Exhibition Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia televised on Stan Event Pay-Per-View

“I will say, I respect Barry as a man, but over the past couple of months he’s come out with some outrageous things,” Williams told the Sydney Morning Herald. “Hearing some of the outrageous things he’s saying, it lights a fire and also shows what an outrageous character he is. Sometimes I feel like he’s a bit jealous of my platform. I’m not the one who dictates if people follow me on social media or if people want to watch what I’ve said. Continue reading “Sonny Bill: I’m not going to lose”

By Miguel Maravilla

Unbeaten welterweight contender Michael “The Problem” McKinson (22-0, 2 KOs) of Portsmouth, England, won a unanimous decision over Alex Martin (17-5, 6 KOs) from Chicago in the co-main event Saturday night in Los Angeles. McKinson was slated to take on Vergil Ortiz in the main event, but Ortiz withdrew from the fight due to rhabdomyolysis. Here is what McKinson had to say…

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By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former world champion Billy Dib updates us on his condition from the hospital…

First and foremost I want to thank the Almighty that both Jacob and I are safe. A big thank you to my team beautiful supporters family and sponsors for your love and support last night.

I’m currently in hospital with a dislodged rib that caused 3 separate fractures due to being flipped on the canvas. I’m doing ok and will be back on my feet real soon.

Jacob is a talented young fighter with great potential and I don’t believe there was malicious in his actions last night.

It was a great fight that I believe was only going to get better towards the later rounds as per our game plan.

A huge thank you to the amazing promotional team Ace Boxing Group for giving me an opportunity to fight one of your top prospects and putting on such a great promotion.

By Miguel Maravilla

Santa Ana’s Alexis “Lex” Rocha (19-1, 13 KOs) spoke about his victory at the post-fight press conference. Rocha handed Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (15-1-1, 10 KOs) his first defeat, stopping him in the ninth round Saturday night at the Galen Center at the USC campus in downtown Los Angeles. Here is what Rocha had to say.

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Canadian promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions presented an event Saturday night at the Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main event saw Brandon Brewer (21-1-1-2, 11 KOs) and fellow Canadian unbeaten Antonio Napolitano (5-0-1, 3 KOs) battle to a 10 round draw. The World Boxing Council United States (USNBC) middleweight  title they were fighting for remains vacant.

The eight round co-feature had the return of former world title challenger Ryan Rozicki (14-1, 14 KOs), who stopped Mexico’s German Garcia (7-4, 7 KOs) in round two. The win keeps Rozicki at a 100% KO ratio in his victories. Continue reading “Brewer-Napolitano draw, Rozicki wins”

“I got the knockout but I know I could’ve done better,” said Alexis Rocha after his ninth round stoppage of Blair Cobbs on Saturday night. “It took me quite a while to adjust. He was running, very awkward at first. This is what I need so I can develop as an all around fighter. It took me awhile since I wasn’t listening to my coach. I was getting careless, only throwing one shot, not cutting the ring and not throwing my combinations. I could have gotten him out of there sooner.

“The only round that I actually let my hands go I followed him up. That’s what put him down, me throwing combinations. I want to give Blair credit. He was a tough opponent, he was awkward and he did a lot of trash talking but you don’t play with Mexico. Viva Mexico!”

“He was just a good fighter today,” said Cobbs. “I was impressed by the way he came out. He got me with some pretty good shots. He got me in the later rounds very good so shout-out to him and his team. I was throwing shots but I wasn’t following up with them. I just couldn’t recover and figure it out in time to take over the fight. He did a tremendous job. I just wanted to give a shout-out to everyone that came out and I promise that Blair ‘The Flair’ will be back.”

The 33,000-seat Pride Park Stadium in Derby England will stage the WBO interim super middleweight world title clash between unbeaten two-weight world champion Demetrius “BooBoo” Andrade (31-0, 19 KOs) and Zach Parker (22-0, 16 KOs) on May 21, live on BT Sport.

“It will be incredible to walk-out and see the stadium packed with fans,” said Parker. “I can’t wait. Demetrius is a great champion and props to him for coming over here but I know I have the beating of him, I’m too big for him. We’ll see on the 21st, but someone’s ‘0’ has got to go!”

Promoter Frank Warren added, “There can be no questioning the pedigree of Demetrius Andrade. It is why we went above and beyond to win the purse bid to give our man every crucial advantage. Continue reading “Andrade-Parker set for May 21”

WBC #1 super lightweight José “Chon” Zepeda (36-2, 28 KOs) destroyed Francisco “Verdugo” Pérez (18-13-1, 13 KOs) in less than two rounds on Saturday night at the Gimnasio Municipal “Josué Neri Santos” de Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. After an uneventful round one, Zepeda opened up and dropped Perez three times in round two to end it. Time was 1:02.

Former world title challenger Pedro “Roca” Campa (34-1-1, 23 KOs) scored a TKO3 over previously unbeaten super lightweight Carlos “Tiburón” Sánchez (22-1, 18 KOs). Campa dropped Sanchez hard at the end of round two. Sanchez came out for round three, but indicated he injured his right wrist during the knockdown and couldn’t continue.

Super bantamweight Israel Rodríguez Picazo (24-5, 16 KOs) stopped previously unbeaten Jesús Riegos (15-1, 12 KOs) with a barrage of punches in round four. Time was 1:32.

“You could tell that he was fighting scared. Every time I reach in or throw something, he’d pull back and was running the whole fight,” said super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga after his decision win over Steve Rolls on Saturday night at MSG. “I was looking for the big shot. My corner was telling me to use the jab. I’m just happy we got the victory and I’m moving forward.

“He was a scared fighter. It’s tough to land your shots when he’s scared, especially moving back. When he fought GGG, he brought it to GGG. With me, he tried to use that running tactic.”

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum added, “Edgar Berlanga fought a tough, defensive fighter, and he got some valuable rounds in tonight. As you saw from the sold-out crowd, the kid is a star. There are many more big nights to come.”

Interestingly, According to CompuBox, Rolls actually outpunched (447-314) and outlanded (123-120) Berlanga in the contest.