Fightnews.com

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Japan’s national hero, 2012 Olympic gold medalist and currently WBA middleweight super champion Ryota Murata (16-2, 13 KOs) celebrated his thirty-sixth birthday and demonstrated a public workout on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan. Murata has been eagerly anticipating that an oft-postponed unification bout with IBF titleholder Gennady Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs), 39, will realize soon. He was slated to face GGG here on December 29, but the omicron variant eventually forced it to be put off on December 3.

Before a big birthday cake prepared by Teiken Gym, Murata said to the press, “When I acquired the gold medal in London in 2012, people asked about a possibility of competing again in the Tokyo Olympic Games. I then denied it, saying that then I’ll be thirty-four in 2020 and that’s impossible. It is, however, surprising that I, at 36, am still active, pursuing my career. I now devote all myself to training diligently.” Continue reading “WBA 160lb champ Murata birthday workout”

WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford has filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Top Rank alleging the company was deliberately not building him into a PPV star. Crawford claims in the lawsuit that Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum displays a “revolting racial bias” against black fighters and charges Top Rank with “systemic racism” that runs throughout the company.

Arum told the New York Post that he lost millions on Crawford and called the lawsuit absurd. “My whole career — I may have made mistakes — but one thing I cannot be accused of is being a racist. I have promoted scores of top black boxers,” said Arum.

Read the actual lawsuit:

_

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

In a contest that is expected to break Australian pay-per-view records, AFL football legend Barry Hall (0-0-1) and former Rugby Union – Rugby League star Sonny Bill Williams (8-0, 3 KOs) will clash in a heavyweight bout in Sydney, NSW, Australia on March 23.

“For the first time in my professional sporting career, I am fully concentrating on boxing,” said Williams who holds a 2013 victory over former IBF heavyweight champion Frans Botha. I know Barry Hall is a very hard man and his debut proved he has a tonne of skill, but he is inexperienced in the ring and nowhere near my class level. This fight against Hall starts the last chapter of my sporting career and I will take this win and move on to further big fights over the next 24-36 months.”

Hall, who is a former amateur boxing champion and had a draw with Australian heavyweight contender Paul Gallen in 2019 in his only professional fight, said Williams had never faced anyone of his size or skill. “I showed against Paul Gallen that I can go the distance and go hard,” Hall said. “Sonny Boy has made a mistake in taking this fight, I intend to finish his boxing career and open up bigger fight opportunities for myself.” Continue reading “Sonny Bill-Barry Hall clash March 23”

Rolly: I am now the symbol of freedom, purity, and love

Lightweight contender Rolly Romero announced on social media that allegations of sexual misconduct against him have been dropped. Romero was slated for a big PPV payday against Tank Davis in December but was forced to withdraw due to the allegations.

“After three and a half months of my name being slandered with false accusations, having to miss out on opportunities, cheated out of my dream, and out of a massive amount of wealth – the investigation into the allegations made against me has been formally closed.

“Charges were not filed because the allegations could not be substantiated because, as I always stated, I am innocent. I am now the symbol of freedom, purity, and love known as “The Boxer Formally Known as Rolly.” Now all you hating mf’ can suck my fat black 🐓.”

The World Boxing Association (WBA) has called a purse bid between the Light flyweight super champion, Hiroto Kyoguchi and the regular champion of the category, Esteban Bermudez. The bidding will take place on Friday, January 28 at 3:00 p.m., US Eastern Time, and it will be through the zoom platform.

Kyoguchi must fight Bermudez as he is the mandatory opponent and the bout is part of the title reduction strategy that the WBA implemented several months ago. The bidding will be conducted by the WBA Championships Committee Director, Carlos Chavez and will have a split of 75% for Kyoguchi and 25% for Bermudez. Continue reading “WBA schedules Kyoguchi-Bermudez purse bid”

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaiman / WBC President

These are the men and women who are going to give us something to talk about this year. A wonderful group of champions, with absolute representation of the world, and with activity scheduled starting this January 22 .

Next, I present the lineup of the Green and Gold Champions. Continue reading “The WBC in 2022 Champions Lineup”

Undefeated middleweight contender Jaime Munguia (38-0, 30 KOs), will make a grand homecoming when he faces fellow unbeaten D’Mitrius “Big Meech” Ballard (21-0-1, 13 KOs) in a 12-round fight for Munguia’s WBO Intercontinental title. The fighters were originally slated to face each other in 2021, but the fight was postponed due to an injury Ballard sustained during training camp. Now the rescheduled fight is set to take place February 19 at the iconic 21,000-seat Plaza Monumental de Playas (also known as the Bullring by the Sea) in Tijuana, Mexico, and will stream live exclusively on DAZN worldwide, excluding Mexico.

Jaime Munguia: “Ballard is a good, hungry fighter who will try to keep his undefeated status. He is going to be a dangerous rival, but I won’t let him come take what’s mine. I respect him, just like all my rivals, but I will be prepared to protect my belt and my reputation.”

D’Mitrus Ballard: “I am blessed to have this opportunity to prove I have what it takes to be among the elite in the middleweight division. I believe our styles will make for a great and entertaining night of boxing. Scared money, don’t make no money!!”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

In the first show of this year here, hard-punching JBC#1 Kai Ishizawa (10-1, 9 KOs), 105, impressively acquired the vacant Japanese 105-pound belt as he halted previously unbeaten JBC#3 Katsuki Mori (9-1, 2 KOs), 104.75, with vicious combinations at 2:50 of the eighth round in a scheduled ten on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. Continue reading “Ishizawa halts Mori, wins vacant Japanese 105lb belt”

World Cup Boxing Series (WCBS) has finalized plans for its inaugural “4-Man Lightweight Tournament,” presented by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions, with the semifinals on February 24th at Palenque De La Expo in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico.

The semifinals match-ups have been announced: Luis “Koreano” Torres (14-0, 9 KOs) vs. Rodolfo “Rudy” Flores (14-5, 6 KOs), Alberto “El Alacan” Ruiz (11-4, 8 KOs) vs. Isai “Gaga” Hernandez (11-2-2, 7 KOs).

Semifinal action will be contested in 8-round bouts, 10 rounds for the championship final. The WCBS will also feature one “overtime” round, if needed, to declare a winner in the event of a draw upon the conclusion of the scheduled distance.

WCBS will also be offering a “Fight of the Night” and “Knockout” bonuses to each contestant through the duration of its “4-Man Lightweight Tournament.

Not surprisingly, WBO light heavyweight champion Joe Smith Jr. is an overwhelming favorite against late sub Steve Geffrard on Saturday night at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. The “Common Man” is around a 12:1 pick at most sportsbooks.

Featherweight contender Abraham Nova is a 25:1 favorite over late sub William “El Gago” Encarnacion in the co-feature, while cruiserweight Lyubomyr “The Demolition Man” Pinchuk is a 10:1 pick against Mario “Bazooka” Flores.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBA, WBO, IBF, WBC franchise lightweight champion Greorge “Ferocious” Kambosos says he will be making the first defense of the undisputed 135-pound championship in Australia against one of the best credentialed in that division. The list includes Vasiliy Lomachenko, Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis, and Ryan García.

“My whole career has been the hard road,” Kambosos told Fox Sports. “There hasn’t been an easy options for me. I have always had to grind. I wouldn’t be real or true to myself if I said I was coming for a defense and had an easy fight and you are going to see three rounds. What for? I am coming for the big names. Continue reading “Kambosos: I am coming for the big names”

WBC mandatory featherweight title challenger Mark Magsayo has vowed to end the seven-year reign of WBC 126lb world champion Gary Russell Jr. January 22 on SHOWTIME from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, NJ.

“I don’t think Gary has faced anyone since he became champion that has the skills that I have,” said Magsayo. “I’m going to go in there to show him something he’s never seen before and we’ll see how he reacts. I learned a lot from the Ceja fight. That gave me a lesson on how to adjust in the middle of a fight. It’s going to help me against Russell.

“I respect Gary Russell Jr., he’s a great champion, but I’m winning this fight on January 22. I want to prove to the people everywhere that I’m the best featherweight in the world. Continue reading “Magsayo: I’m not trying to be the next Pacquiao”

WBC featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr., who owns the longest reign of any current male champion and has held his 126-pound belt since 2015. On January 22, Russell takes on WBC mandatory challenger Mark Magsayo live on SHOWTIME from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J. Russell, who is making just his sixth defense in seven years, says he has problems getting opponents.

“I’ve been willing to compete against whoever, whenever and wherever, but I can’t force these guys to get in the ring and fight me,” Russell told reporters Tuesday. “I just have to prepare to the best of my ability. I need a dance partner. Continue reading “Gary Russell: I can’t force these guys to fight me”

Heavyweight Joe Joyce (13-0, 12 KOs) has been told he will be able start punching in six weeks following a wrist injury that ruled him out of an early 2022 date. The Juggernaut was scheduled for February action with the intention of beefing up his resume and topping up his experience ahead of a potential world heavyweight title tilt later this year. The 36-year-old is #1 ranked by the World Boxing Organisation and is next in line to face the winner of the forthcoming Oleksandr Usyk-Anthony Joshua rematch, which looks likely to take place in May.

Promoter Frank Warren has indicated a preference for April when it comes to Joyce’s return to action.

The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, which began in 2009 and has become one of the leading Halls of Fame in the world, made the official announcement of the Class of 2022 over the weekend at the SJC Boxing Gym in Fort Myers, Florida. There were 47 Hall of Famers in attendance along with legendary promoter and best-selling author J Russell Peltz.

Induction Weekend will be at the Marriott St. Petersburg/Clearwater June 17, 18, 19, 2022.

FIGHTERS
Al “Ice” Cole, Fres Oquendo, David Tua, Shannon Briggs, Keith Mullings Sr.*, David Armstrong, Randall Bailey, Cory Spinks

TRAINERS
Gus Curren, Tito Tiburon Ocasio, Armando Wiz Fernandez

PROMOTERS
Richard Dobal

MEDIA
Claudia Trejos

Continue reading “FBHOF announces 2022 inductees”

Floyd Mayweather is reportedly close to finalizing a fight with YouTuber “Money Kicks” a.k.a. Rashed Belhasa in an eight-rounder on the helipad at the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai on a date to be determined in February. Terms such as “real fight” are being thrown around.

Still no opponent for WBA heavyweight champion Trevor Bryan on January 29 in Warren, Ohio. WBA #1 rated Daniel Dubois is calling out Bryan, but with less than three weeks to go unbeaten Jonathan Guidry (17-0-2, 10 KOs), recently installed at WBA #13, could be getting the title shot.

Heavyweight Mahmoud Charr, who had been mandated to face Bryan, is no longer listed as “champion in recess” in the WBA rankings.

The Chris Eubank Jr vs. Liam Williams card in Cardiff, Wales was pushed back a week to February 5 due to covid restrictions. The bout will be a $29.99 afternoon PPV in the United States. By the way, Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin gets top billing in the U.S. advertising for that card.

Still no PPV price for the February 5 Keith Thurman vs. Mario Barrios pay-per-view telecast. Tank-Cruz was $74.99, so if Thurman-Barrios follows suit, fight fans can enjoy more than $100 of pay-per-view action plus a DAZN card on the same day.

Lightweight prospect Charlie Sheehy (1-0, 1 KO), a 23-year-old former Team USA amateur standout from the Bay Area town of Brisbane, California, has signed a multi-year professional contract with Top Rank. Sheehy, who is managed by Peter Kahn, will make his Top Rank debut March 4 on the Jose Ramirez-Jose Pedraza undercard.

6’3 lightweight Marcell Davidson has joined his younger brother, welterweight Marcus Davidson (2-0, 2 KOs), in Ryan Roach’s Fighter Locker stable having recently signed an exclusive managerial contract. He debuts February 12 on Vertex Promotions’ “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” card at Moseley’s On The Charles in Dedham, Massachusetts.

Boston Boxing Promotions has announced a four-round super middleweight bout between two fan favorites as David Tubbs (5-1, 5 KOs) takes on Malik Jackson (5-10-4, 3 KOs) on January 29th at the Castleton Banquet & Conference Center in Windham, New Hampshire.

WBA and WBC franchise super flyweight champion Juan Francisco “Gallo” Estrada (42-3 28 KOs) and former champion Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez (50-3 41 KOs) will meet in their mouth-watering trilogy fight on DAZN March 5 at the Pechanga Arena San Diego in San Diego, California.

Chocolatito won their first fight by unanimous decision in 2012 at light flyweight. Estrada edged out Chocolatito via split decision last March. This time Estrada plans to leave no doubt. Continue reading “Estrada: I am the better fighter”

Top Rank has announced that the February 5 clash between super lightweights Jose Ramirez and Jose Pedraza is being moved to March 4 after Pedraza fell ill with flulike symptoms that turned out to be COVID-19. The Save Mart Center in Fresno, California, will still be the venue.

Ramirez-Pedraza was facing stiff competition on the original February 5 date, going up against the Thurman-Barrios PPV and a world title twinbill on DAZN.

Two-time middleweight world champion Daniel Jacobs (37-3, 30 KOs) will collide with Britain’s word rated super middleweight contender John Ryder (30-5, 17 KOs) at the famous Alexandra Palace in London on February 12, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

Daniel Jacobs: “I’m super excited to be returning to the ring. It has always been a dream of mine to fight in London as a professional, and I’m looking forward to fighting in front of a great crowd. I’m putting my best foot forward on February 12.”

John Ryder: “This is the fight I need to really bring the best out in me. Jacobs is a great fighter but he has had his time and now it’s my time to shine! My dreams are at stake on February 12 and destiny awaits. It’s time to get right back to where I need to be.”

Olympic heavyweight hero Frazer Clarke, who captained Team GB at the 2020 Olympic Games and won a bronze medal for Great Britain, will make his highly anticipated professional debut at the BOXXER: KHAN vs BROOK event taking place Saturday, February 19 at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.

Clarke signed an exclusive long-term promotional agreement with BOXXER and Sky Sports soon after announcing his decision to turn professional. Anthony Joshua – Clarke’s former sparring partner at Team GB – will play a key role in guiding Clarke’s career having signed him to Joshua’s 258 MGT management label.

We originally had two major fights on tap for Saturday.

ESPN+ was planning to stream the heavyweight showdown between world-rated contenders Tony Yoka and Martin Bakole, however that bout was postponed due to COVID restrictions in Paris, France.

COVID also played a role for Top Rank’s ESPN card from the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, New York. WBO light heavyweight champion Joe Smith Jr. (27-3, 21 KOs) was slated to defend against Callum Johnson, however Johnson was knocked out by COVID. Happily, Top Rank managed to find a replacement in WBO #15 Steve Geffrard (18-2, 12 KOs), who was training for a fight card Saturday night in Delray Beach, Florida.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman talks to Peter Maniatis about Canelo Alvarez, Tyson Fury, George Kambosos Jr., and visting Australia in 2022. Continue reading “Interview: Mauricio Sulaiman”

The WBC has extended the free negotiations period for the WBC mandatory heavyweight title fight between champion Tyson Fury and interim champion Dillian Whyte. If there is no agreement between the parties, a purse bid will be held on Tuesday, January 18 at noon in Mexico City WBC headquarters.

Super welterweight Cristian “Azteca” Ayala (7-1-1, 3 KOs) destroyed Nicolás “El Elegante” Andino (16-3-1, 2 KOs) by a resounding knockout in the second round on Saturday night at the Palacio de Los Deportes in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Ayala dropped Andino in round one and finished the job in round two to claim the WBA Fedelatin belt.

Undefeated bantamweight Lawrence “Big Time” Newton (15-0, 7 KOs) won a hard-fought ten round unanimous decision over on Mario Hernandez (10-2-1, 3 KOs) on Saturday night at the Tennis Center in Delray Beach, Florida. Scores were 96-94, 96-94, 98-92.