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Former IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr. was reportedly shot three times on Sunday night during a street robbery in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is expected to survive. According to WTOL-TV, Easter Jr. was shot while attempting to flee from a group of thugs who robbed him of two gold chains, three diamond rings and his cell phone.

By Boxing Bob Newman

The IBF is ordering an elimination bout between the two highest-rated available contenders: #3 Evgeny Shvedenko and #10 William Scull for the number one position in the super middleweight division. The Russian-born Shvendenko, 15-0, 6 KOs, is promoted by Fächersport, Karlsruhe, Germany, while the Cuban-born Scull, 18-0, 9 KOs, is promoted by Agonsports, Berlin, Germany. Both fighters have indicated in writing that they are willing to participate in the elimination bout for the mandatory position. Negotiations should be concluded by February 20, 2022. The winner would be in line to face undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez.

WBO #4 middleweight Danny Dignum (13-0-1, 7 KOs) hopes that a win over Grant Dennis (17-3, 3 KOs) can help catapult him into some big fights in the division ahead of their meeting on Friday night at York Hall in London, which will be broadcast live in the US on ESPN+.

While Dignum has his sights set firmly on Dennis, the undefeated fighter knows he needs to produce the goods in order to secure some exciting clashes later in the year. Continue reading “Dignum: I need to take it to the next level”

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez (8-1, 4 KOs) will cross the pond to battle Eric Donovan (14-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight battle on February 26 at OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland. Ramirez-Donovan will serve as the co-feature to the showdown between undisputed junior welterweight champion Josh “The Tartan Tornado” Taylor and undefeated WBO #1 contender Jack “El Gato” Catterall on ESPN+.

Ramirez has been training in Las Vegas under Ismael Salas and has been unbeaten since a stunning defeat in his August 2019 pro debut. Continue reading “Ramirez primed for Taylor-Catterall co-main”

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano met again today in London at a press conference announcing their undisputed female Lightweight title fight on April 30 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Serrano suggested going twelve three-minute rounds for equality with men, but Taylor wasn’t interested.

Amanda Serrano: “I’m a woman for equality and we all talk about equality, on this table multiple times, we’re making history at the Garden being the first women to headline. We’re making the biggest payday for both of us, and I think we should just continue to make this iconic, make changes to this game and if Katie Taylor is willing and ready and able to make this an equal fight of twelve rounds of three minutes. If we want to make change, I think we should pave it right now on DAZN. This is all about equality and we should make the change right now.”

Katie Taylor: “I don’t think changing to twelve three-minute rounds will make a difference, this event is already iconic the way it is. The fact the pre-sales are the second best in MSG history says it all really, this fight is more important than we realize, and this proves that the perceptions have changed already. Boxing is boxing regardless, and the fight is already iconic the way it is. “

Probellum has announced the promotional signing of world-ranked middleweight contender Liam Williams (23-4-1, 18 KOs), who suffered a gutsy decision defeat to Chris Eubank Jr in Cardiff on Saturday evening, battling from early knockdowns to take the fight to the final bell. “The result against Eubank was obviously disappointing but sometimes that happens in boxing,” said Williams. “I am confident that with Probellum by my side I’ll be given lots of new opportunities to be back winning again and I’m already focused on returning to the ring later this year.”

Probellum, in association with Bulldog Boxing Promotions, also inked a co-promotional pact with unbeaten heavyweight prospect Ivan Dychko (11-0, 11 KOs).

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Japan’s perennial top contender Kyosuke Sawada (15-2-2, 6 KOs), 117.75, finally acquired the vacant national bantamweight belt when he was awarded a split technical decision (48-47, 48-46; 47-48 against him) over JBC#2 Kenshin Oshima (7-2-1, 3 KOs), 118, upon the victor’s bad bleeding from the head with an accidental headbutt at 0:27 of the fifth round in a scheduled ten on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Sawada, a 33-year-old workman stylist, caught Oshima, 26, with a flurry of punches to down him to the ropes midway in round two. It was a close affair with Sawada’s experience prevailing in the short-range mix-ups, but a second-round knockdown eventually favored him to seize the long-vacant belt. Continue reading “Sawada finally wins vacant Japanese 118lb belt”

World Cup Boxing Series (WCBS), co-founded by CEO Terry Hollan and matchmaker Guy Taylor, has announced it has signed 2-time world title challenger “Mighty” Aston Palicte (28-4-1, 24 KOs) to a multi-year promotional contract. Palcite is presently ranked IBF #9 and WBO #14 at bantamweight.

Palcite joins lightweight prospect Luis “Koreano” Torres (14-0, 9 KOs) in the relatively new WCBS stable.

This past Saturday, undefeated lightweight prospect Tyler “Short Fuse” Tomlin (13-0, 9 KOs) stopped Charlie Serrano (16-7-2, 5 KOs) in the second round in the Winfield Dunn Center at Austin Peay University in Clarksville, Tennessee. In round one, Tomlin was feeling out Serrano, looking for an opening to land a big shot. That shot came in round two when Tomlin landed a left hook to the liver, sending Serrano to the canvas. Serrano couldn’t continue and the fight was stopped at the 1:45 mark of the second round.

The main televised boxing action this weekend takes place in London.

The weekend kicks off on Friday at the famed York Hall where WBO #4 middleweight Danny Dignum (13-0-1, 7 KOs) defends his WBO Euro belt against Grant Dennis (17-3, 3 KOs). Also on the card is unbeaten IBF #3, WBA #6, WBO #11 bantamweight Lee McGregor (11-0, 9 KOs) against Diego Alberto Ruiz (24-3, 12 KOs).

The main bout of the week is Saturday at the Alexandra Palace where two-time middleweight world champion Daniel Jacobs (37-3, 30 KOs) meets world-rated John Ryder (30-5, 17 KOs) in a twelve round super middleweight encounter on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia). Jacobs is a narrow -175 favorite.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Unified WBA, WBO, IBF, and WBC franchise lightweight champion George Kambosos should soon make a decision on who he will clash with and what venue in Australia in 2022.

“I don’t have a preference on which I want to fight, I would fight them both (Lomanchenko and Haney) on the same night if I had to,” Kambosos told AAP. “It’s about who comes in with the better offer. The ball is in their court to step up to the table and show how much they want this fight. I’ve got all the belts and all the jewels so they have got to travel here.

Kambosos named Marvel Stadium (Melbourne), Rod Laver Stadium (Melbourne), ANZ Stadium (Sydney) and the SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground) as possible venues.

Unbeaten WBA #7, WBO #8 super flyweight David “General” Cuellar (21-0, 14 KOs) scored a sicth round KO over Ricardo “Big Bang” Blandon (15-5, 9 KOs) on Sunday night in Cancun, Mexico. A vicious Cuellar body shot put Blandon down for several minutes. Six straight knockouts for Cuellar, who won the WBC Fecarbox Silver title.

IBF mini-flyweight champion Rene Mark Cuarto (20-2-2, 11 KOs) retained his 105lb world title with a seven round technical majority decision over former world champion Pedro Taduran (14-4-1, 11 KOs) in their rematch on Sunday at the Digos City Gymnasium in Digos City, Philippines. Cuarto dropped Taduran in the second round. Cuarto was deducted two points for an intentional headbutt in round three. Cuarto put Taduran on the deck again in the fifth round. The bout was finally stopped in round seven due to a nasty cut suffered by Taduran and sent to the cards. Scores were 65-64, 66-64 for Cuarto and 65-65. Cuarto previously defeated Taduran twelve months ago by twelve round unanimous decision. This was Cuarto’s first defense.

Former welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman commented on his 12-round unanimous decision over former super lightweight champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

“This was a comeback fight after two and a half years away,” said Thurman. “I wish I had my best performance, but I did the best I could under the circumstances. “I grade this performance a C+ or B- for myself…we rocked him. We weren’t able to put him down and out, but we had a great performance and a great fight.

“I want the belts. I want the champions. I want to be back on top, so whoever is willing to send Keith Thurman the contract, let’s go!”

Claressa Shields easily retained her collection of world titles outclassing challenger Ema Kozin over ten rounds on Saturday night in Cardiff, Wales.

“I thought there were plenty of moments where the referee should have stopped it,” Shields said. “I give myself an A-. The only thing I didn’t do was get the damn knockout! She took six, seven, eight shots without responding. I thought her corner might have stopped it.”

The real action started after the bout concluded when Shields’ arch-rival Savannah Marshall offered her some robust criticism.

“If you perform like that against me, I’ll absolutely wipe the floor with you,” Marshall told Shields. “You just went ten rounds with an absolute child, people were walking out. Pillow fists. That was embarrassing.”

Shields responded “You couldn’t wipe my drawers. You couldn’t do shit with me. I ain’t no punk. Where your gold medals at?”

If Marshall successfully defends her WBO title later this year, the stage will be set for the two to face off at last.

It’s been three years since WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz defended his 126lb title, but “El Terremoto” now plans to return to the division. “We want to unify and defend our title. We want all the champions at 126 pounds,” said Santa Cruz after shutting out Keenan Carbajal over ten rounds on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

“We’re going to go back to the gym, get better and work on what we did wrong,” Santa Cruz said. “I went good rounds. If I had gone in there and finished him fast, I wouldn’t have gotten the experience I needed. I felt the long layoff a little bit, but I did my best and hopefully the fans loved it and want to see me again.”

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez moved up two weight divisions on short notice and still won the WBC super flyweight title against former champion Carlos Cuadras on Saturday night in Phoenix, Arizona.

“That was a tough ass fight,” said Rodriguez. “He brought out a Jesse Rodriguez I didn’t know was in me. I’m so happy. I knew it was going to be a tough fight, he’s a true warrior, I thought I was going to get him out of there but he’s so strong.

“I stuck to the game plan, used my angles, but in the fifth round I knew he wasn’t going to go so I stayed composed and did my work.”

As for the future, Rodriguez stated, “I feel good at this weight so I will stay here for now but if I get a good fight at 108lbs or 112lbs, maybe I’ll get the winner of Chocolatito vs. Martinez, who knows? – I’m just open to the best fights.”

Years of rivalry and a river of bad blood carried Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Williams into Saturday’s grudge match in Cardiff, Wales, with Eubank dropping Williams four times but unable or unwilling to finish him.

“I wanted to teach that man a lesson, he said some quite menacing things to me in the lead-up to this fight,” Eubank said afterward. “I wanted to punish him – I didn’t want to knock him out in one round, I wanted to punish him.

“Headbutts, headlocks… I am surprised he didn’t get disqualified. But I took it like a man and I punished him like I said I would. It was a fun night. I think I showed some of my critics a different side to me.

“There was no danger, if I had stepped on the gas at any point in the fight he would have been gone. There are levels to this game. Don’t be a big mouth against guys you can get hurt against.”

Former unified welterweight world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over former super lightweight champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (26-2, 17 KOs) on Saturday night inside the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Coming off a 31-month layoff, Thurman progressively busted up the very game Barrios but never came close to getting a stoppage. Scores were 117-111, 118-110, 118-110.

In a clash for the vacant WBC super flyweight title, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (15-0, 10 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over former world champion Carlos Cuadras (39-5-1, 27 KOs) on Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Rodriguez, stepping in on late notice after Cuadras’ original foe Srisaket Sor Rungvisai was forced out due to illness, dropped Cuadras in round three and pulled away to win 117-110, 117-110, 115-112.

In a complete mismatch, WBA female bantamweight champion Jamie Mitchell (8-0-2, 5 KOs) smashed novice Carly Skelly (4-1-1, 0 KOs) in four rounds. Mitchell dropped Skelly in rounds one and two, and got a referee’s stoppage in round four. Time was 1:32. Continue reading “Bam beats Cuadras for WBC superfly belt”

WBA featherweight champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs) took a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over Keenan “Bedo” Carbajal (23-3-1, 15 KOs) in a non-title bout on the Thurman-Barrios undercard on Saturday night at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Santa Cruz was troubled by a cut over his right eye from an accidental headbutt, but otherwise he was a non-stop punching machine as usual. Scores were 100-90 3x.

Unbeaten super welterweight Jesus “Mono” Ramos (18-0, 15 KOs) scored an impressive sixth round TKO over Vladimir Hernandez (13-5, 6 KOs). A barrage of punches prompted a referee’s stoppage at 2:21.

Former two-division world champion Luis “Pantera” Nery (32-1, 24 KOs) scored a ten round split decision over previously unbeaten Carlos Castro (27-1, 12 KOs) in a super bantamweight bout. Nery dropped Castro in round one, but Castro got the jab working after that. The smaller Nery had to grind hard to win 96-93 95-94 on two cards. Castro was up 95-94 on the third card. Continue reading “Santa Cruz, Ramos, Nery victorious”

WBA #1, WBC #3, WBO #5 middleweight Chris Eubank Jr (32-2, 23 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over WBA #6, WBC #6, WBO #7 Liam Williams (23-4-1, 18 KOs) on Saturday night at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales. Eubank dropped Williams in rounds one, two, four and eleven, but Williams managed to go the full twelve. Scores were 116-109, 116-108, 117-109.

Olympic female gold medallist Claressa ‘GWOAT’ Shields (12-0, 2 KOs) successfully defended her WBA, WBC and IBF middleweight titles by ten round unanimous decision against Ema Kozin (21-1-1 11 KOs). One-way traffic from Shields, but she couldn’t get the stoppage. Scores were 100-90 3x.

Heavyweight Otto Wallin (23-1, 14 KOs) won a very forgettable eight round decision over journeyman Kamil Sokolowski (11-25-2, 4 KOs) in an off-TV bout. Score was 79-74.

Welterweight Chris ‘Rock ‘n’ Rolla’ Jenkins (22-4-3, 8 KOs) won an eight round decision over 38-year-old former unified world champion Julius Indongo (23-5, 12 KOs). Score was 78-75. Continue reading “Eubank, Shields, Wallin win decisions”

By Ron Jackson

It has been reported that former South African and multiple world champion Zolani Marali passed away yesterday after an incident in the Eastern Cape. He was 44.

Born on 5 May 1977 in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape he was an outstanding amateur and won the flyweight title at the 1999 South African championships and won a bronze medal at the All-Africa Games in the flyweight class.

Zolani made his pro debut on 25 February 2001 at the Mdantsane Indoor Centre winning on a sixth-round technical knockout over Andile Sota (7-7-4). Continue reading “Former SA and world champion dies at 44”

Promoter Oscar de la Hoya announced on social media that unbeaten lightweight Ryan “Kingry” Garcia is back in action April 9 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Garcia (21-0, 18 KOs) will be fighting for the first time in 15 months against Emmanuel Tagoe (32-1, 15 KOs), who has fought all but two of his bouts in Ghana. DAZN will stream.

Keith Thurman 145.5 vs. Mario Barrios 146.5
Leo Santa Cruz 128.75 vs. Keenan Carbajal 129
Luis Nery 121.75 vs. Carlos Castro 121.5
Jesus Ramos 152.5 vs. Vladimir Hernandez 153.5

Abel Ramos 145.75 vs. Lucas Santamaria 145.5
Ryan Karl 145.5 vs. Omar Juarez 142

Venue: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
Promoter: PBC
TV: PPV ($74.99), FOX