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Female middleweight champion Claressa “G.W.O.A.T.” Shields held a media workout in Detroit on Tuesday as she nears her WBC/WBA/IBF middleweight title defense against #1 ranked challenger Ema Kozin on February 5 live on PPV in the co-main event from Motorpoint Arena Cardiff in Wales.

“The boxing world has forgotten who the best female fighter is since I’ve been doing MMA. The other girls like Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor have been showcasing some great skills, but I’m planning to showcase even better skills in my fight February 5. Continue reading “Shields: I feel like I have to dominate every fight”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury are training together in England and have apparently forged a solid friendship.

“We have a great relationship,” Parker told talkSPORT. “He treats me like a younger brother, his whole family looks after me. I’ve based myself here in Morecambe now. I’ve stayed in his house, I’m using his gym. I think I’ll never fight him. I’ll let him do his thing and fight everyone else. I’ll try to go another path and do my best to win the other belts if I can.” Continue reading “Parker: I’ll never fight Tyson Fury”

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

There could not be any other topic for this week, as I write this column, we are commemorating the eighth anniversary of the death of my dear father, José Sulaimán Chagnón.

It’s incredible to think that it’s already been eight years; There are moments when I feel like it was yesterday. Sometimes I feel like it was much longer ago, but in reality, I almost always feel that he is still alive, and I don’t say it romantically or colloquially. It`s because that’s how I feel almost every day of my life. He is present in my mind, actions, feelings and thoughts.

Unfortunately, we were unable to celebrate a face-to-face mass. We decided to do a virtual ceremony, given by Archbishop George Aby Yúñez. Continue reading “José Sulaimán, eight years after his passing”

Featherweight contender Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar (12-2, 9 KOs) will now take on Sakaria Lukas (25-1, 17 KOs) in the 10-round telecast opener live on Showtime this Saturday from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J. Vic Pasillas was originally scheduled to face Nyambayar, but he was forced to withdraw after a positive COVID-19 test.

The telecast is headlined by WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. defending his title against Mark Magsayo. Also, cuper lightweights Subriel Matías and Petros Ananyan meet for a rematch in the 12-round co-main event.

The non-televised undercard will include unbeaten super welterweight Evan Holyfield (8-0, 6 KOs), son of legendary heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, taking on Chris Rollins (5-3-1, 4 KOs) in a six-round fight, plus featherweight Rasheen Brown (11-0, 7 KOs) against Katsuma Akitsugi (7-0, 1 KO). Continue reading “New opponent for King Tug”

WBC super featherweight champion Oscar Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs) and WBO super featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs) are reportedly in advanced negotiations for a unification fight on April 30 in Las Vegas.

The three-time champion Jorge Linares (47-6, 29 KOs) will face Zaur Abdullaev (14-1, 8 KOs) on February 22 in a match for the WBC silver lightweight Silver title and WBC eliminator at the RCC Boxing Academy in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

We have a date and a site for Triad Combat II headlined by Kubrat Pulev vs. Junior Dos Santos and Chad Dawson vs. Vitor Belfort. The event takes place on February 26 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The standalone PPV price is $29.99, but it also comes with your monthly $2.99 TrillerVerzPass subscription.

Probellum’s latest signing is heavyweight Tsotne Rogava (1-0, 1 KO).

The WBC has extended the free negotiations period for the WBC mandatory heavyweight title fight between WBC champion Tyson Fury and interim champion Dillian Whyte. If there is no agreement between the parties a purse bid will be held on Friday, January 21 at noon in the WBC’s Mexico City headquarters.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum is in negotiations for former world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko to challenge undisputed WBA, IBF, WBO, WBC franchise lightweight champion George Kambosos in Australia in 2022.

“This fight, against George Kambosos Jr in Australia, is my first-choice for Loma. Loma is well-prepared to do it,” Arum told Sky Sports. “We are talking to the Kambosos Jr people about Loma going to Australia, which Loma is prepared to do. It would be a huge fight in Australia. But we have a Covid-19 problem to clear, which I think we can do.”

Bob Arum’s Top Rank company previously promoted in Australia in 2017 when Manny Pacquiao lost the WBO welterweight title to Jeff Horn in Brisbane with over 50,000 fans in attendance.

Legendary promoter Don King’s January 29 world title twinbill from Warren, Ohio, will be a $49.99 PPV available through Donking.com, DKPBoxing.com, and itube247.com. Veteran boxing announcer Bob Alexander and former WBA lightweight champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini have been named to the broadcast team.

The co-main events will feature WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu (28-2, 25 KOs) against Thabiso Mchunu (23-5, 13 KOs) and WBA heavyweight champion Trevor Bryan (21-0, 15 KOs) defends Jonathan Guidry (17-0-2, 10 KOs).

Check out the poster…

With Juan Francisco Estrada now bumped up to WBC franchise champion, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (50-5-1 43 KOs) and Carlos Cuadras (39-4-1 27 KOs) will reignite their rivalry with the vacant WBC super flyweight belt on the line at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday February 5, live worldwide on DAZN.

Rungvisai and Cuadras headline the event that was initially due to be held at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona, but logistical and operational issues mean the night moves venues but stays in Arizona and just a short distance to the downtown home of the Phoenix Suns.

A clash between Jessie Vargas and Liam Smith was slated to top the bill but the former tested positive for COVID forcing it to be postponed, with the fight set to be rescheduled. Continue reading “Sor Rungvisai-Cuadras headline Feb 5”

Undefeated lightweight Ruben “Ace” Torres (17-0, 14 KOs) headlines Thompson Boxing’s “New Blood” event, on Friday, February 18 against an opponent TBA in the 10-round main event at the Doubletree Hotel Ontario, CA.

In the 8-round co-feature, Isaac “Dinamita” Zarate (16-5-4, 2 KOs) will be featured in an eight-round co-main event featherweight bout, with an opponent to be named at a later date.

This event will stream live for free on the Thompson Boxing Promotions website and social media platforms. Continue reading “Torres headlines Feb 18”

Another sparse boxing weekend with just one major event on the schedule.

Saturday, January 22
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, NJ

Rarely seen WBC featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr. defends his world title against WBC mandatory challenger Mark Magsayo headlining a good tripleheader on Showtime Championship Boxing.

The telecast also features a 12-round rematch between super lightweight contenders Subriel Matías and Petros Ananyan in the co-main event, plus featherweights Tugstsogt Nyambayar and Vic Pasillas squaring-off in the 10-round telecast opener.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney and the undisputed WBA, IBF, WBO, WBC (franchise) lightweight champion George “Ferocious” Kambosos have exchanged blows on Twitter blaming each other that no progress has been made for a Kambosos vs. Haney bout to be held in Australia in 2022.

By Hesiquio Balderas

Mexican junior lightweight Rene “El Bravo” Tellez Giron (16-1, 10 KOs) will meet Puerto Rican Luis Melendez (17-1, 13 KOs) in a ten-round clash on ESPN January 29 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Giron-Melendez will serve as the co-feature to the WBC junior lightweight title eliminator between former title challenger Robson Conceição and undefeated contender Xavier Martinez.

The rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico has always produced fireworks and Téllez Giron expects nothing less in this fight. Continue reading “Téllez Giron ready for Melendez.”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #5, IBF #9 lightweight Jacob Ng (15-0, 11 KOs) is taking aim at an all-Australian showdown with undisputed lightweight champion George Kambosos, but first Ng must be victorious over former IBF featherweight champion Billy Dib (47-6, 27 KOs) on March 19 at the Star Casino, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia. Continue reading “Ng targets Kambosos”

Report/Photo Boxing Bob Newman

WBO light heavyweight champion Joe Smith Jr. says he wants WBC/IBF light heavy champ Artur Beterbiev next, and then a rematch with WBA light heavy ruler Dmitry Bivol to become undisputed. Smith also stated that Canelo Alvarez is on his radar.

“{Beterbiev} is what I want,” Smith stated after stopping Steve Geffrard on Saturday night in Verona, NY. “I want to get back in the gym, work on my craft, and like I say each and every time I get in the ring, I’m going to get better and better. I believe the next time you see me, I’ll be ready for anybody.

“If I get Beterbiev and beat him, I want Bivol next to unify all the belts and become unified champ – and then take out the pound-for-pound king. Continue reading “Smith: Beterbiev is what I want”

It was a night of knockouts on Saturday night at the Zonkeys Auditorium in Tijuana, BCN, Mexico.

In the main event, WBO #9 super welterweight Carlos “Chema” Ocampo (32-1, 20 KOs) floored Omir “Guerrero de Dios” Rodríguez (11-4-1, 5 KOs) twice en route to a first round KO. Time was 2:59.

In the co-feature, unbeaten super lightweight Carlos “Tiburón” Sánchez (22-0, 18 KOs) needed less than a minute to knock out José Luis “Pepo” Espinoza (14-6-1, 9 KOs) with a body shot.

Other Results
George Navarro TKO1 Javier Marquez (super flyweight)
Abimael Cruz TKO3 Ulises Pérez (super lightweight)
Jonathan Pinedo KO2 Marco Diaz (light flyweight)

In slight upset, Philadelphia super featherweight Avery Sparrow (11-3, 4 KOs) scored a shock tenth knockout over local favorite Matt “Sweet Child” Conway (20-3, 8 KOs) on Saturday night to claim the Pennsylvania state title on Saturday night at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center in Cheswick, Pennsylvania. Conway was a -152 favorite.

Report/Photos Boxing Bob Newman at ringside

WBO light heavyweight world champion Joe Smith Jr (28-3, 22 KOs) scored a ninth round KO over late sub Steve Geffrard (18-3, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

Smith had trouble getting through Geffrard’s high guard early on, but he was also far busier. Smith started connecting with his right hand in round three and began teeing off the defensive-minded Geffrard in round four. Smith had Geffrard hurt in round five. Geffrard seemingly went into survival mode after that. Smith battered Geffrard to the canvas in round nine to end it. Time was :37.

“He really brought it today,” said Smith afterward. “It was a great fight. As you can see, he’s a great boxer, a good survivor. I was trying to get him out of there early, but I realized he was very tough and I wasn’t going to be able to do that. I tried to wait until the later rounds and started throwing more combinations to pick him apart.”

Photos

Report/Photos Boxing Bob Newman at ringside

Unbeaten WBO #3, IBF #11 featherweight contender Abraham Nova (21-0, 15 KOs) scored an eighth round TKO over late sub William “El Gago” Encarnacion (19-2, 15 KOs) on Saturday night in the Smith-Geffrard co-feature at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Nova methodically broke down the very game Encarnacion and Encarnacion’s corner finally stopped the fight. Time was :55.

“I want {WBO world champion Emanuel Navarrete}, to be honest,” said Nova afterward. “Everybody thinks he’ll blow me out. Put him in there. Let’s see if he’ll do it. I know I’ll beat him. I know I have the punch output, I know I’ll knock him out, and I know I’ll be the next WBO champion.” Continue reading “Undercard Results from Verona, NY”

Hall of Famer and multi-time former world champion Michael Carbajal has released the following statement due to his name and family name being linked to the upcoming fight between Leo Santa Cruz and Keenan Carbajal:

Michael Carbajal releases this statement to clear any misconceptions that suggest or imply his support or endorsement of Keenan Carbajal.  Any assumptions that he is rooting for Keenan Carbajal are completely unfounded. To the contrary, Michael Carbajal will be rooting for Leo Santa Cruz to win and expects an early knockout victory.

The animosity between Michael Carbajal and the Keenan Danny Josephine Carbajal faction absolutely cannot be understated. There is no merit to any claim that Michael has any involvement, association, or affiliation with Keenan, his fight career, or any part of his life. Continue reading “Michael Carbajal rooting against nephew”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Undisputed lightweight champion George Kambosos has been offered to defend against WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney in the Middle East.

“I spoke to Lou DiBella and he’s doing his work in Australia,” Eddie Hearn told DAZN. “We’ve had an offer from the Middle East for Haney-Kambosos. This is one we’re edging towards where we’re receiving a firm offer for. For me, it’s the only fight in the division.

“I know Top Rank is talking about Lomachenko against Kambosos. We need to wrap up this undisputed situation We need to know who is the real champion. It’s a natural fight. Haney against Kambosos is a brilliant fight Continue reading “Kambosos Middle East offer on the table”

In an IBF super flyweight world title eliminator, undefeated Jade Bornea (17-0, 11 KOs) impressively scored a brutal third round KO over Mohammed Obbadi (22-2, 13 KOs) on Friday night at the Auditorio Jacales, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. A body shot put Obbadi down for the count. Time was 2:25. Bornea is now the mandatory challenger to countryman and IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas.

Lightweight Jaime “Jaimito” Arboleda (18-2, 14 KOs) recovered from two knockdowns to get a ten round majority decision over Nicolas Polanco (20-2-1, 11 KOs) on Friday night in a bout for the WBC Latino silver title at the Vasco Núñez de Balboa Convention Center in the El Panama Hotel in Panama City, Panama. Scores were 95-93, 95-93, 94-94.

Super lightweight Hugo Alberto “Nato” Roldan (21-0-1, 7 KOs) recovered from two knockdowns to get a ten round majority decision over German Del Castillo (10-2-2, 7 KOs). Scores were 96-92, 96-92, 94-94.

Female flyweight Gabriela “Sweet Poison” Fundora (5-0, 2 KOs) dominated Nataly Delgado (8-5-1, 3 KOs) over eight rounds by scores of 80-71 3x. Fundora is the sister of junior middleweight contender Sebastian Fundora.

Lightweight Carlos Suarez (9-2, 6 KOs) stopped previously unbeaten Ernesto Marin (9-1, 5 KOs) in round six.

Carlos Ocampo 153 vs. Omir Rodríguez 151.5
Carlos Sánchez 142.4 José Luis Espinoza 142
Abimael Cruz 140.4 Ulises Pérez 137.8
George Navarro 116 vs. Javier Márquez 115.8
Jonathan Pinedo 108 vs. Jesús Mercado 109

Venue: Auditorio Zonkeys, Tijuana, BC, Mx
Promotor: Zanfer
TV: TV Azteca

By Boxing Bob Newman at the scale

Joe Smith, Jr.174.25 vs Stephen Geffrard 173.5
(WBO Light Heavyweight Title)

Abraham Nova 126.75 vs William Encarnacion 127
Omar Rosario 139.25 vs Raekwon Butler 138.25
Troy Isley 156.25 vs Harry Keenan Cruz Cubano 156.25
Jahi Tucker 146.75 vs Akeem Black 145.75
Lyubomyr Pinchuk 194.5 vs Jose Mario Flores 197.5

Venue: Turning Stone Resort & Casino
Commission: Oneida Indian Nation Athletic Commission
Promomter: Bob Arum (Top Rank), Joe DeGuardia (Star Boxing)
Matchmaker: Brad Goodman
Media: ESPN, ESPN+