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Official IBF Statement:

On Tuesday, June 25, 2024 IBF President Daryl Peoples received notification that Oleksandr Usyk was relinquishing his IBF world heavyweight title. Usyk conveyed his gratitude to the IBF, especially for having the opportunity to become the undisputed champion in two weight divisions. The IBF was honored to have Oleksandr Usyk as its champion and wishes him continued success.

Daniel Dubois, former IBF interim world heavyweight champion, was sent notice on June 26 that he is recognized as the organization’s world heavyweight champion effective immediately. The IBF has received the request for Dubois’ first defense of the heavyweight title to be against Anthony Joshua.

Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has given up the IBF portion of his world championship.

In a social media message, Usyk sent a message to Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, who will be fighting for the vacant IBF belt in the fall. “Anthony and Daniel, listen. I know a world title is important to you. The IBF belt is my present for you for September 21.”

As a result, when Usyk returns December 21 for his rematch against Tyson Fury, it will be without the undisputed title on the line.

Undefeated Darius “DFG” Fulghum (11-0, 10 KOs) of Katy, Texas will face a newly installed opponent, Vaughn “The Animal” Alexander (18-11-1, 11 KOs) of St. Louis, Missouri. Alexander was last seen going the distance against 2023 fight of the year winner Sergiy Derevyanchenko on the Haney vs. Garcia undercard. Fulghum and Alexander will measure up in a 10-round super middleweight clash. The event will take place at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, the first fight begins at 5:00 p.m. PT and the worldwide DAZN broadcast begins at 6:00 p.m. PT.

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

The sport of fists has always existed, and over the centuries it has transformed, but the reality is that it was always a wild one, brutal, virtually inhuman and harboring significant risk to the contestants. There were basic rules of the sport, but for many years there was nothing with reference to the physical integrity of the participants, their safety and health.

When my dad accepted the Presidency of the World Boxing Council, he did so conditionally on starting a revolution and transformation, to implement safety measures, changes to the regulations, and fight against all types of abuse of power and discrimination. Continue reading “Medical Investigation, Research and WBC Actions”

Jesse “BAM” Rodriguez has been bet up to a whopping 4:1 favorite to dethrone WBC super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada on Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, live worldwide on DAZN. Some sports books have Rodriguez as much as a -480 favorite against Estrada. BAM opened as a -225 favorite.

Meanwhile, WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez is an overwhelming 12:1 favorite to retain his belt against Steve Claggett in their ESPN-televised bout on Saturday night from the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida, and live on ESPN.

Ring legend Roy Jones Jr. has issued a statement on the heartbreaking loss of his son.

Unfortunately, my son DeAndre took his life on Saturday. I’m so thankful that God allowed me to come home Friday night to spend the last night of his life with me and the family. I know a lot of people are going through tough times right now, but nothing is worth taking your own life. God gives it and God should be the one to take it away.

Please respect our privacy while my family and I process this loss.

Thank you for the love and support.

Roy Jones Jr.

WBC interim super welterweight champion Serhii Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) will reportedly be defending his title against unbeaten Vergil Ortiz (21-0, 21 KOs) on August 10 in Las Vegas. The mouth-watering bout between KO artists would air on DAZN and is expected to be officially announced shortly.

The WBC has received several specific requests concerning its super lightweight division. The WBC Board of Governors consideration of those requests has resulted in its rulings set forth below.

1. WBC super lightweight world champion Devin Haney requested to be placed in the status of champion in recess. The WBC Board of Governors unanimously granted Haney’s request and has declared him WBC world champion in recess.
2. Concurrently, the WBC Board of Governors declared current interim world champion Alberto Puello as WBC world super lightweight champion. The WBC will order a free negotiations period for champion Puello’s mandatory title defense against WBC #1-rated challenger and mandatory contender Sandor Martin.
3. Gary Antuanne Russell has petitioned that the WBC Board consider granting him an immediate rematch against now champion Puello in light of Russell’s very competitive and close split decision loss. After careful review, the WBC has granted an indirect rematch that will allow Russell to fight the winner of the now ordered bout between Puello and Martin.

Juan Francisco “Gallo” Estrada: “I was there [at his fight with Sunny Edwards], he looked great, but Edwards is a flyweight. It’s a different story up at super flyweight…people are talking about retirement. I have a lot left. He’s ten years younger but he didn’t look very good at super flyweight before. I want to keep making history.”

Jesse “BAM” Rodriguez: “I’ve been familiar with Estrada since I was 12 years old. I’ve been keeping an eye out. To share the ring with him is an honor…it’s my toughest fight to date. He’s been in the game a long time. It’s going to be an action-packed night.”

Congratulations to Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2024!

1. Dr. Mark Gordon (absentee) – Officials/Commission
2. Kathy Gentile
3. Chris Young
4. Tim Shipman
5. John Beninati – Participants
6. Marc Hager
7. Raul Alvarez
8. Carl King
9. Jorge Ebro – Media
10. Khalilah Escalera – Promoter
11. Sherman Henson – Manager/Trainer
12. Willie Vargas
13. Stacy Prestage (absentee) – Fighter
14. David Diaz
15. Raul Frank
16. Edner Cherry
17. Jose Alonzo
18. John John Molina

WBO junior welterweight world champion Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) is set to defend his title against Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs) on Saturday (June 29) at James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida. Lopez will headline in South Florida for the first time.

“This is going to be a tough fight,” said Lopez. “A lot of people look at Claggett’s record and think I’m going to fight a nobody, but he hasn’t lost in three years. He has fought former champions. He always comes to fight and throws a lot of punches. I need to be in great condition to battle a fighter like him. I can’t overlook him, get overconfident, and play around with him. I know this fight will be great for all my people in Miami.

“Unlike these other supposed champs at 140, Steve Claggett is the only fighter who raised his hand and stepped up to challenge me. No other fighters were interested in getting in the ring with me. Continue reading “Teofimo poised to face Claggett Saturday”

In a clash for the European middleweight title, WBC #14, IBF #15 rated Tyler Denny (20-2-3, 1 KO) won a five round technical decision over previously unbeaten Felix Cash (16-1, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England. The bout was stopped after round five due to a cut over Cash’s right eye. Scorecards read 49-46, 49-47, 49-47.

Unbeaten WBA #15 welterweight Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (20-0, 11 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over WBA #5 Conah Walker (13-3-1, 5 KOs). Good action fight with Crocker edging it 96-93, 96-93, 95-94.

Unbeaten super lightweight Cameron Vuong (5-0, 3 KOs) went ten rounds for the first time against late replacement Jeff Ofori (13-8-2, 4 KOs).

Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis will meet in a super lightweight clash at the top of the first ever boxing show to take place at new 23,500-seat Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on August 24, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

Catterall (29-1, 13 KOs) ended a two-year wait for revenge by beating bitter rival Josh Taylor in Leeds last month. Prograis (29-2, 24 KOs) is looking to rebuild himself as a contender after his one-sided points defeat to Devin Haney.

“This is a brilliant fight and I’m so happy that we are seeing the best 140lbs fighters face each other rather than just sitting around waiting for title shots,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Jack Catterall is on a great run and Regis Prograis needs to make a statement in this fight, I think it will be a thriller. I’m also delighted to give this incredible new arena its first live boxing event and it’s going to be a huge show from top to bottom August 24 – live around the world on DAZN.”

By Brad Snyder-The Undercard

​Detroit. Strawberry full moon. Eight fights. Seven knockouts. Night of Knockouts XXX proved a huge success providing very entertaining fights. The main event had local favorite cruiserweight Derick Miller competing for the ABF Atlantic cruiserweight title vs. Brian Houston. The fight had Miller dropping Houston right at the end of Round 1. A face-planted Houston was able to get up and continue to the 2nd Round. The 2nd Round did not fare better for Houston, as Miller scored another knockdown that had him winning the ABF title. The 2:16 2nd Round TKO victory keeps Miller on the hunt for a big pay day with big names in the future. The win improved Miller’s record (17-0, 9 KOs), as Houston falls to (5-2-1, 4 KOs). Continue reading “Night of Knockouts XXX Results”

After their successfull performances in Las Vegas on the Gervonta Davis vs Frank Martin card, world champions Carlos Adames and Alberto Puello will be honored by the Dominican boxing community during the international boxing event to be held at the Fencing Pavillion in the Olympic Center in Santo Domingo, D.R. on Friday, June 28.

Both WBC middleweight titlist Carlos “Caballo Bronco” Adames, and newly crowned WBC super lightweight interim champion Alberto “La Avispa” Puello, accepted a special invitation to attend the event promoted by Shuan Boxing Promotions. Continue reading “Adames, Puello to be honored in DR”

Tayden Beltran 134.9 vs. Cesar Villarraga 134.3
Eric Mondragon 132.5 vs. Kevin Piedrahita 131.7
Juan Sanchez 139.7 vs. Jaylan Phillips 139.9
Hector Lopez 127.1 vs. Jeronil Borres 130.7
Jared Hermosillo 125.2 vs. Arturo Herrera 125.5
Aristides Garcia 165.7 vs. Henry Rivera 165.4

Venue: Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California
Promoter: CBN Promotions
TV: FOX Deportes

Photos: Sumio Yamada

Unbeaten WBO featherweight champion Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza (25-0, 21 KOs) successfully made the first defense of his world title with a brutal beatdown of Sergio Chirino (22-2, 13 KOs) on Friday night inside BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. 6’1 Espinoza, the tallest featherweight champion in history, dropped Chirino with a left uppercut in round one. Espinoza busted up and floored Chirino again in round three with a body shot. The bout was finally stopped after a third knockdown in round four. Time was 2:45.

Unbeaten junior lightweight Andres “Savage” Cortes (22-0, 12 KOs) scored a controversial ten round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Abraham “El Super” Nova (23-3, 16 KOs). Nova pressed the action and did more, but the judges preferred the work of Cortes 97-93, 97-93, 96-94. Continue reading “Espinoza crushes Chirino in four, retains WBO title”

By Héctor Villarreal

Former two-time minimumweight world title challenger, Panamanian Leroy “Sensational” Estrada (18-4, 8 KOs) scored an impressive technical knockout over previously undefeated Colombian Rubén Mendoza (10-1-1, 9 KOs) at 2:19 in round two to claim the WBA Fedecaribe championship, now fighting in the superfly division.

Estrada dropped Mendoza with a powerful left hook to the chin. After the 8-second count the local placed the Colombian against the ropes, hitting him with strong combinations, forcing referee Guillermo Perez to stop the fight, the main event of the “Alma de Guerreros” card, presented by Sparta Promotions and Rogelio Espiño (Promociones y Eventos del Istmo), who came back to action after 52 months retirement. Continue reading “Estrada stops Mendoza on Espiño promotion return”

By Jeff Zimmerman

WBC lightweight champ Shakur Stevenson talked about his upcoming fight versus Artem Harutyunyan on Sat, July 6 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ and live on ESPN. Shakur also shared his thoughts on the Garcia-Haney ruling by the NYSAC, a potential Super Fight with Tank and how a Loma-Tank fight would playout, plus his marketability and free agency after this upcoming fight and much more on the Fightnews.com® exclusive interview.

Oluwafemi Oyeleye 153 vs. Leonardo Di Stefano 153.5
Samuel Arnold 174.6 vs. Jhosue Chumpik 178.5
Juan Marrero 134.1 vs. Michael Ruiz 136
Richard Johnson 156 vs. Edwim Charip 150.1
Noah Norman 133.8 vs. Michael Taylor 135.9
Dante Selby 220.1 vs. Daniel Bean 246.2

Venue: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Promoter: R and B Promotions
Stream: Combat Sports Now
1st Bell: 7:30 PM ET

Tyler Denny 159.5 vs. Felix Cash 159.9
(EBU European middleweight title)

Lewis Crocker 146.6 vs. Conah Walker 146.4
Cameron Vuong 139.3 vs. Jeff Ofori 139.9
Shannon Ryan 113.8 vs. Emma Dolan 114.8
Hamza Uddin 117.4 vs. Giulio Commerso 117.8
Aqib Fiaz 134.4 vs. Kane Baker 135.4
Ibraheem Sulaimaan 135.7 vs. Jesus Gonzalez 135.4
Muhammad Mustafa Ali 124.4 vs. Kelvin Madjid 123.2
Emmanuel Odiase 254.3 vs. Kevin Masirika 243.5

Venue: Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, England
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is already training for his December 21 rematch with undisputed heavyweight ruler Oleksandr Usyk after losing a split decision to Usyk last month. The Gypsy King still maintains he won the fight says he’s going for the KO in the rematch.

“I’ve watched the fight back lots and still got the same answer – I thought I won. Usyk knows he didn’t beat me. I thought I boxed the head right off him for most of the rounds. Obviously he landed a good punch in round eight and busted my nose, got the 10-8 in round nine and I gave him round ten. But other than that I didn’t give him any other rounds.

“I’ve got to get him out of there because I’m not gonna get a decision. Which is unfortunate because it’s hard enough to win a fight just by winning it, never mind knowing you got to knock someone out but I’m confident and looking forward to the challenge.”

By Héctor Villarreal

After winning the Panamanian 140-pound championship on April 4 of this year, unbeaten Jonathan “Alta Gamma” Miniel (5-0, 5 KOs) moves down on weight to face Fernando “Pantera” Martinez (6-2, 2 KOs) for the WBA Fedecentro Lightweight belt, on Friday, June 28, in the 8-round main event of the “Boxeo del Patio” card, promoted by former bantamweight super champion Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno and his wife Rousse at the Combat Center in Panama City. Continue reading “Miniel-Martinez announced in Panama”

Unbeaten super welterweight prospect Jordan “The Patriot” Panthen (9-0, 8 KOs) scored a spectacular third round TKO against Victor Toney (8-3-1, 6 KOs) on Thursday night at The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California. A short left hook in round three put Toney on the canvas. He got up wobbly and the fight was stopped. Time was 1:07.

Undisputed female middleweight champion Claressa “GWOAT” Shields and WBC female heavyweight champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse came face to face today for the second time this week at a press conference at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Claressa Shields: “I believe that on July 27, I will be heavyweight champion of the world. As we can see, I’m not a true heavyweight and that’s ok…people talk about how I don’t have knockout power, but I have to kill myself to make weight too. Now that I don’t, I think I will be putting all that talk to rest. She’s coming big, strong and fast, but I’m coming big, strong and fast too.”

Vanessa Joanisse: “I want the popularity Claressa has. She’s the face of women’s boxing and I want this fight. She has what I want.”