Fightnews.com

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBC, WBO#1 light fly Japanese Shokichi Iwata (13-1, 10 KOs), 107.5, had a tough time coping with unbeaten Filipino GAB#1 Jahzeel Trinidad (11-1, 6 KOs), 108, but finally dropped him twice and halted the game warrior at 1:10 of the sixth round in a scheduled ten on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Having failed to win the WBO 108-pound belt from Jonathan Bomba Gonzalez in 2022, the hard-hitting Shokichi scored three victories all within the distance. He impressively collected another victim by kayo, decking the gallant Filipino with vicious left hooks in round three and six. Now that Bomba renounced his belt to move up to the 112-pound category, Iwata will participate in a WBO 108-pound title bout for the vacant crown within this year. The up-and-coming Shokichi may have a good chance to seize the championship. Continue reading “WBC, WBO#1 Iwata halts Filipino Trinidad”

By Miguel Maravilla

Ricardo Sandoval speaks on his controversial stoppage over Tito Acosta.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda (to come soon)

Unbeaten Argentine Fernando Martinez (17-0, 9 KOs), 115, unified the WBA and IBF super flyweight belts as he fought a grueling battle with skillful Japanese Kazuto Ioka (31-3-1, 16 KOs), 114.75, all the way, winning a unanimous decision (116-112, 117-111 and 120-108: this score questionable) over twelve give-and-take rounds on Sunday in Tokyo, Japan. Martinez, 32, was more aggressive, while Ioka, 35, was more technical, scoring with counters and body shots. The Argentine’s abundant stamina was amazing, as he withstood Ioka’s persistent body bombardments and furiously retaliated with a two-fisted attacks upstairs. They kept exchanging solid punches from the outset to the end and fully entertained the audience.

Promoter: Shisei Promotions.

Former WBC super featherweight champion O’Shaquie Foster outlanded Robson Conceição 109-76 and vehemently disagreed with the split decision verdict that cost him his title on Saturday night in Newark, New Jersey.

“I don’t know, man. I thought it was easy,” Foster said. “I thought it was an easy fight. I didn’t get touched except with a headbutt. I don’t know, man. I’ll be back. But I want the rematch. They stole this from me. They stole this fight from me. I just wanted to show the world I could bang it out, and if I want to, I don’t have to get touched. I guess it wasn’t good enough for the judges.”

By Miguel Maravilla

William “El Camarón” Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) of San Mateo Atenco, Mexico, spoke to the media about his win over Giovanni Cabrera (22-2, 7 KOs) of Chicago Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. Zepeda scored a third round knockout over Cabrea in bold fashion. Here is what he said at the post-fight press conference (mostly in Spanish, but some English too).

Super middleweight Shane Mosley Jr. (22-4, 12 KOs) took a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over two-time world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (37-4, 30 KOs) on Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Mosley pulled away to a 99-91, 99-91, 100-90 nod against the 37-year-old Jacobs, who appeared to have lost a step.

Unbeaten lightweight Amado “AFV” Vargas (11-0, 5 KOs), son of former champion Fernando Vargas, scored a sixth round TKO against Sean Garcia (7-1-1, 2 KOs), brother of Ryan Garcia. Garcia came in three pounds heavy, but when not showboating Vargas won every minute of every round, dropping Garcia in round four with an uppercut. Ryan Garcia was removed from ringside by security.

Teenage lightweight prospect Curmel Moton (4-0, 3 KOs) kept his unbeaten record intact with a dominating stoppage of Nikolai Buzolin (9-9-1, 5 KOs) as he dropped his opponent in round one before stopping him in the second round of their super lightweight matchup.

The main event was a boxing match betwen longtime MMA rivals as Nate Diaz took home a majority decision victory over Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal. The event attracted a sold out crowd of 18,040.

Unbeaten WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) scored a workmanlike twelve round unanimous decision over Artem Harutyunyan (12-2, 7 KOs) on Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Stevenson stood his ground against Harutyunyan, using his speed and boxing skills to pull away to a 119-109, 118-110, 116-112.

Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição (19-2-1, 9 KOs) dethroned WBC super featherweight O’Shaquie Foster (22-3-1, 12 KOs) via controversial twelve round split decision. Foster outworked Conceição in a slow-paced fight, but judges scored it 116-112, 115-113 for Conceição, 116-112 for Foster.

Unbeaten WBC #3, IBF #4, WBO #5 lightweight and Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis (11-0, 7 KOs) dominated Miguel Madueño (31-3, 28 KOs) over ten rounds. The game Madueno battled hard to the end, but Davis was too fast and two sharp for him. Scores were 99-91 3x.

Another impressive performance for lightweight phenom Abdullah Mason (14-0, 12 KOs), who knocked out veteran Luis “Popeye” Lebron (20-6-1, 13 KOs) in round three. Mason dropped Lebron twice in round two and the bout was waved off after more punishment in round three. Time was 1:18.

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

It was another impressive performance by undefeated Mexican lightweight William “El Camarón” Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) of San Mateo Atenco, Mexico, scored a third round knockout over Giovanni Cabrera (22-2, 7 KOs) of Chicago Saturday night at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

Off to a fast start, Zepeda and Cabrera came out shooting in the opening round as Cabrera got the better of the exchanges snapping his punches and roughing up Zepeda as he shoved him to the corner to close. Letting loose in the second, Zepeda began to connect and back Cabrera with crisp clean punches. Fighting inside in the center, Zepeda got the better of the inside fight as he outworked and outhustled Cabrera. A cruching body shot during the exchange by Zepeda sent Cabrera to his knees as referee Thomas Taylor reached a ten count at 1:58 of the third.

Zepeda is rated #1 at lightweight by all four major boxing sanctioning organizations. Continue reading “#1 Zepeda dismantles Cabrera in three”

Unbeaten heavyweight Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs) needed just 36 seconds to demolish former bridgerweight world title challenger Alen “The Savage” Babic (12-2, 11 KOs) in the first round on Saturday night at the Copper Box Arena in London. Fisher dropped Babic with a right hand. Babic got up wobbly and the bout was waved off.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBA super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka (31-2-1, 16 KOs) tipped the beam at 114.75, a quarter pounder lighter than the limit, while IBF counterpart Fernando Martinez (16-0, 9 KOs), from Argentina, scaled in at the 115-pound limit on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Their unification bout will take place tomorrow (Sunday) at Ryogoku Sumo Arena (AKA Ryogoku Kokugikan) by Shisei Promotions.

Ioka said, “I respect Martinez’ career and unbeaten record. But I’d like to concentrate on defeating him with my best effort.”

Martinez, accompanied by his promoter Marcos Maidana (who fought Floyd Mayweather twice ten years ago), also cooly said, “I’ll make it a great fight and win both belts. I appreciate Ioka having accepted this bout with both belts on the line.” Maidana, 40, also confidently said, “I know Ioka is an intelligent boxer, but we’ll bring back both belts to Argentina.”

Time will tell.

Photos

Nate Diaz 175.6 vs. Jorge Masvidal 175.2
Daniel Jacobs 169.2 vs. Shane Mosley Jr. 167.6
Chris Avila 175.6 vs. Anthony Pettis 175.3
Curmel Moton 133.5 vs. Nikolai Buzolin 137.7
Amado Vargas 134.1 vs. Sean Garcia 138.1

Venue: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Promoter: Fanmio
TV: PPV

By Miguel Maravilla

William “El Camarón” Zepeda 135 vs. Giovanni Cabrera 137
Ricardo “El Niño” Sandoval 111.8 vs. Angel “Tito” Acosta 111.6
“Gucci Manny” Flores 124.4 vs. Noel Arambulet 128.8
Joel Iriarte 146.2 vs. Yainel Alvarez 146.8

Venue: Toyota Arena in Ontario, California
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN

Shakur Stevenson 134.1 vs. Artem Harutyunyan 134.8
(WBC lightweight title)

O’Shaquie Foster 129.9 vs. Robson Conceicao 129.5
(WBC super featherweight title)

Keyshawn Davis 134.8 vs. Miguel Madueno 134.7
Abdullah Mason 134.8 vs. Luis Lebron 135.8
William Foster III 130.4 vs. Eridson Garcia 130.7
Keith Colon 125.3 vs. Hunter Turbyfill 124.1
Kelvin Davis 142.9 vs. Kevin Johnson 142.5
Ali Feliz 219.5 vs. Robinson Perez 245.1

Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN, ESPN+

Unbeaten heavyweight Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher outweighed knockout artist Alen “The Savage” Babic by 24 pounds during their weigh-in on Friday in London. Fisher weighed 240.5 and Babic weighed 216.4. Fisher and Babic will clash in a ten-rounder on Saturday at the Copper Box Arena, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee has ordered a mandatory fight between WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and challenger Yuniel Dorticos. The negotiation period will be 30 days and will end on July 31. If the fighters’ teams do not reach an agreement within the time period, or if either side refuses to negotiate, the Championships Committee may call a purse bid.

By Gabriel F. Cordero

After his latest volley of inappropriate posts on X/Twitter, the WBC has had enough.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has announced the following: “Exercising my authority as president of the WBC, I am hereby expelling Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organization. We reject any form of discrimination. I fear for Ryan’s well being as he has declined multiple attempts for our help with mental health and substance abuse.”

Heavyweights Johnny Fisher and Alen Babic faced off Thursday at the final press conference ahead of Saturday’s clash at the Copper Box Arena in London, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

Johnny Fisher: “It’s just going to be me and you, and I’m big, I’m strong, I’m powerful and fast. There will be a realization when my fist lands on you, it’s not going to be a good thing. I’m going to have 10z gloves on, that’s going to be a jeopardy for you. Just remember, deep waters are coming.”

Alen Babic: “He’s a f***ing giant, I told you the first time, I like to kill giants. I just put my chin on his chest and make it as hard as possible. It’s going to be the loneliest place he’s ever been in and he’s going to feel it. He will feel it after, believe me, after five seconds. He’s going to know he’s in deep waters.”

By Boxing Bob Newman

German-born, Italian-by-blood lightweight prospect Pietro “Power” Loriga wants to make an impact in the boxing world. The well traveled Loriga wants to do it in the United States. The 14-1, 12 KOs Loriga and his brain trusts- trainer Ibn Cason (brother of former Heavyweight champ Hasim Rahman) and manager Beau Ioana have a path mapped out for the ambitious fighter and they all gathered together from the air conditioned confines of Starbucks in sweltering Las Vegas to talk to Fightnews.com® about just that.

Two-time world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs and Shane Mosley Jr. meet in the 10-round super middleweight co-main event on Saturday night’s Diaz-Masvidal PPV on Saturday in a $49.99 Fanmio PPV from Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Daniel Jacobs: “This is about legacy. I’ve never ducked anyone, and this is a prime example of that. He’s a great fighter, but I’m looking forward to showing just how great I am. I can’t wait to put it all together. ”

Shane Mosley Jr: “Jacobs is up against a veteran. I don’t have his accolades yet, but I have my own accomplishments and the experience that comes with them. I appreciated this challenge. You can only get better by going up against adversity. When they said the name Daniel Jacobs, I said yes right away.”

WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and top contender Artem Harutyunyan faced off at the final press conference for their clash on ESPN Saturday evening in Newark, New Jersey.

Shakur Stevenson: “I’m going to take him to a level he’s never been on. I’m just going to be myself. I’m going to come out and show my talent and show my levels. I think I’m one of the best in the sport of boxing at hit and don’t get hit. There’s a certain way of doing that, and I want to show the fans that all that moving around is something I don’t really have to do. I can sit in the pocket and beat you up, too.”

Artem Harutyunyan: “It’s a great opportunity. I had a great training camp, and I’m well prepared. I’m ready for this fight. I know Shakur Stevenson is a good fighter. He is a world champion. We both fought at the Olympic games. He is a silver medalist, and I’m a bronze medalist. Now we’re fighting for the world championship.”

WBC junior lightweight champion O’Shaquie Foster will defend his world title against Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição in the co-feature.

O’Shaquie Foster: “I just need to go in there and be me. That’s the biggest thing. I’m fully healthy. So, everyone is going to see a different fighter than what they saw the last time I came out…I’m going to go out and show the world that I’m levels above this guy.”

Robson Conceiçāo: “I don’t look at these challenges as pressure. I look at them as motivation. So, I’m motivated, and I’m looking forward to this fight on Saturday. I’ll be the new world champion. No pressure. Just motivation.”

Lightweight contender Keyshawn Davis will take on Mexican puncher Miguel Madueño in a 10-round special feature.

Keyshawn Davis: “He has a style that I’ve seen so many times, especially in the amateurs. When you travel overseas, you fight a lot of guys like that. Now that we are going 10 rounds, I can take my time and dissect this kid.”

Miguel Madueño: “I’m going to walk away with my hand raised. We’ll be looking for the knockout. He is a great fighter. We’ve been watching and analyzing him. He’s spectacular. But on July 6, we’ll walk away victorious.”

Super lightweight contender Brandun Lee (28-0, 23 KOs) has signed promotional terms with Frank Warren and the undefeated Californian will now fight under the Queensberry banner.

“I am thrilled to have signed with Queensberry Promotions,” said Lee. “July 27th will be the first time I fight overseas professionally and I’m extremely grateful. I’m looking to start a wonderful new campaign with the Warrens and Queensberry as a whole this summer. I know they will provide me with great opportunities in the future. My team is now complete and I’m ready for war.”

IBF #11 heavyweight Otto Wallin (26-2, 14 KOs) will return in an eight-rounder on July 26 at the Tropicana Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Wallin will face 6’7 Onoriode “Godzilla” Ehwarieme (20-4, 19 KOs), a 2008 Olympian.

Also on the show are heavyweight Bruce Seldon Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), son of former heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon, unbeaten junior middleweight Justin “Mr. Atlantic City” Figueroa (9-0, 7 KOs) in separate fights against TBAs.

Fans at the show can meet ring legend Micky Ward, who fought 22 times in Atlantic City, including two of his epic battles with Arturo Gatti.

Former WBO interim heavyweight champion Joe Joyce takes on former two-time world title challenger Derek “War” Chisora in an all-British showdown on Saturday, July 27, in the 12-round main event at The O2 in London. The action will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ in the afternoon hours.

Joyce (16-2, 15 KOs) suffered his first pro setbacks in 2023 in consecutive stoppage losses against Zhilei Zhang. He rebounded in March with a 10th-round knockout over Kash Ali. Chisora (34-13, 23 KOs) returns following a 10th-round stoppage over former world title challenger Gerald Washington last August.

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

The first half of this historic 2024 ended, with a more than positive balance for world boxing. Never before has there been a situation like the one, we are currently experiencing, in which many fighters claim to hold the famous term best pound for pound. Lets take a look at some of them and see what you think: Continue reading “First half of the year”

Lightweight Abdullah Mason (13-0, 11 KOs) will take center stage this Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Mason’s eight-round bout against veteran Luis Lebron (20-5-1, 13 KOs) has been elevated to the ESPN-televised main card, a four-fight lineup headlined by WBC lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson returning home to defend his belt against Artem Harutyunyan.

O’Shaquie Foster will defend his WBC junior lightweight world title against 2016 Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição in the co-feature, and lightweight contender Keyshawn Davis will take on heavy puncher Miguel Madueño in a 10-round special feature.