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WBO light heavyweight champion Joe Smith Jr. is looking for a new opponent for his January 15 title defense in Verona, New York, after scheduled challenger Callum Johnson pulled out after contracting Covid-19. Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren confirmed Johnson’s status to BBC Sport. “It’s a real great shame for Callum,” he said.

Luis Reynaldo Nunez 128.2 vs. Carlos Arrieta 129.2
Starling Castillo 134.8 vs. Otar Eranosyan 135
Edwin De Los Santos 129 vs. William Foster III 129.4

Shinard Bunch 141.8 vs. Shyngyskhan Tazhibay 141.2
Elvis Figueroa 166.8 vs. Ryan Adams 164.2
Derrick Jackson 154.4 vs. Mike Plazola 156.6
Robert Ramirez 140 vs. Rodolfo Puentes 142.8
Ali Izmailov 179.8 vs. Isreal Duffus 174.2

Venue: Caribe Royale, Orlando, Florid
Promoter: Sampson Boxing
TV: Showtime

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s message to UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou: “You want to come into my world calling me and wilder out to a boxing match. What I can guarantee [is] you would be knocked out and also paid your highest purse to be so! So have a think.”

Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions has announced that its live streaming deal with UFC Fightpass has been extended through 2022. The first RJJ Boxing event of 2022 is scheduled for February 24 in Mexico, featuring the semifinals of the World Cup Boxing Series “4-Man Lightweight Tournament.”

Salita Promotions announced the signing of 2021 USA national amateur welterweight champion Joshua “Double J” Pagan to a promotional contract. Pagan will make his pro debut on Salita Promotions’ January 22 ‘Detroit Brawl’ event at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

Reformed drug czar, author, and motivational speaker Freeway Rick Ross is entering the world of boxing as an adviser. Ross has signed five fighters to his company Team Freeway Boxing and plans to further their careers with the help of boxing agent, broker, and consultant Rick Glaser.

The most notable name on the Team Freeway Boxing roster is former super lightweight contender Anthony Peterson (38-1-1, 24 KOs), who is looking to rejuvenate his career. The 36-year-old Peterson’s only loss was to Brandon Rios in 2010 by DQ.

Other fighters signed are light heavyweight Alvin Varmall Jr. (16-1-1, 13 KOs), middleweight Erick Kedar Gianous (3-0, 1 KOs), welterweight VeShawn Champion (2-0, 1 KOs), and lightweight Nafear “No Fear” Charles (8-0-1, 7 KOs).

WBC #5 cruiserweight Noel Gevor Mikaelian will headline the LNK Boxing event in Latvia on February 12. The Armenian-German Mikaelian (25-2, 11 KOs) will face WBC #14 Youri Kalenga (27-6, 20 KOs) for the WBC Silver title in the night’s main event. Mikaelian will be fighting for the first time since joining Probellum’s roster last month. He is best known for close losses to Mairis Briedis and Krzysztof Włodarczyk, and for being the step-son of former European middleweight champion Khoren Gevor.

Mexican action star Rene “El Bravo” Tellez Giron (16-1, 10 KOs) will meet Puerto Rican upstart Luis Melendez (17-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round junior lightweight showdown on January 29 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Giron-Melendez will serve as the co-feature to the 10-round WBC junior lightweight title eliminator between former title challenger Robson Conceição and undefeated contender Xavier Martinez. The ESPN+-streamed undercard will include the return of undefeated middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (3-0, 2 KOs), grandson of Muhammad Ali, in a four-round bout.

WBC, WBO female super middleweight champion Franchón Crews-Dezurn (7-1, 2 KOs) and WBA, IBF female super middleweight champion Elin Cederroos (8-0, 4 KOs) have signed promotional deals with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom and will meet for the undisputed title in the spring.

Franchón Crews-Dezurn: “I’ve worked and earned everything I have so if Elin or anybody else think they will take shit from me they truly have me mistaken. I really don’t wanna talk, I’m just going to bring that action for the main attraction and get everything I deserve.”

Elin Cederroos: “I have been ready for this fight for a long time now…it going to be a prestigious fight for the world of boxing and a big step for women’s boxing. Hopefully, I will be able to show my true power. We come from the land of the ice and snow.”

A date and venue for the undisputed clash between Crews-Dezurn and Cederroos will be announced soon.

Following his win over former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin, the IBF immediately ordered Luis “King Kong” Ortiz to fight Filip Hrgovic in a final heavyweight eliminator. Ortiz, however, is reportedly rejecting that fight. Ortiz’s manager Jay Jiménez told the Miami Nuevo Herald that Ortiz has a minimal fracture to his left hand and he won’t be ready by the March/April time frame Hrgovic and the IBF want. The IBF will now go down their ratings and select the next available contender (Joseph Parker and Tony Yoka being the next two) to face Hrgovic.

On December 18, despite having been inactive for more than a year and a half, former WBC world champion Jhonny González (69-11, 56 KOs) demonstrated his vintage quality stopping Sergio “Dandy” Puente (28-13, 12 KOs) vía fourth round TKO at the Tuzo Forum in Pachuca de Soto, Hidalgo, Mexico.

Jhonny, 40, who was a special guest at the WBC’s Tuesday Coffee explained that even though in the first rounds he felt out of range, he quickly got back into the groove and was landing on target in this bout fought at super lightweight. Jhonny says he wants to stay busy, planning to fight again in February or March. He`s currently studying offers of fights which include England and Phoenix, Arizona.

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

As the time of festivities is over, where we all become poets sending encouraging and positive messages, as we all were sensitive to welcome the New Year with enthusiasm and hope, here we are now, 2022 is here.

Diet, schedules, new purposes, and old ones too. It is a wonderful feeling to start a new cycle. We are still in time to dream what we want and take action to pursue it and make sure our goals are accomplished.

There are important concepts to maximize our chance of success. Continue reading “Let’s get to work to accomplish our dreams and goals!”

Triller Fight Club has announced that Triad Combat II will take place at the end of February and be headlined by a nine-round heavyweight clash between former heavyweight title challenger Kubrat ‘The Cobra’ Pulev and former UFC champion Junior Dos Santos with a venue and date to be announced shortly. Pulev smoked MMA legend Frank Mir in the opening round at Triad Combat I.

Additionally announced is a seven-round cruiserweight fight between former light heavyweight champion ‘Bad’ Chad Dawson and former UFC champion Vitor ‘The Phenom’ Belfort. Dawson is a three-time former light heavyweight boxing champion who last fought in 2019. Belfort scored a first-round knockout over 58-year-old boxing legend Evander Holyfield last September. Continue reading “Pulev-Dos Santos, Dawson-Belfort set for Triad fights”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBC #2 bantamweight Jason Moloney (22-2, 18 KOs) has targeted WBC #1 bantamweight Nawaphon Kaikanha (51-1-1, 41 KOs) for a WBC elimination bout to get a shot at WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire.

“I want the WBC title, that’s the dream.“ Moloney said. “So if that means fighting Nonito Donaire then so be it. It’ll be a great fight against a great champion. Firstly I have to get past whoever they put in front of me in an eliminator and that looks to be a 51-1 fighter from Thailand, so that’s my objective as of now, but fighting Donaire was on my Christmas list last year!” Continue reading “Jason Moloney targets WBC title challenge”

The Championships Committee of the World Boxing Association (WBA) sent a new communication to the teams of Hiroto Kyoguchi and Esteban Bermudez granting a period of 10 days to submit the signed bout contracts, the period expires this Friday, January 7. Kyoguchi is the light flyweight super champion, while Bermudez is the regular champion. As part of the WBA’s title reduction plan, the fight will crown one WBA champion in the 108lb division.

The communication was sent last December 29 and the bout must take place before February 9, 2022, since the 90-day term expires on that date since both teams announced to the entity that they had reached an agreement for the fight for the light flyweight title. Continue reading “Final deadline for Kyoguchi-Bermudez”

Southern California featherweight contender Joet Gonzalez (24-2, 14 KOs), who has twice challenged for a world title, is primed for another run at the brass ring. Gonzalez signed a multi-year promotional contract with Top Rank and will return in a 10-round bout against Filipino former world title challenger Jeo Santisima (21-3, 18 KOs) on Saturday, Feb. 5 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

Gonzalez-Santisima will serve as the co-feature to the 12-round junior welterweight showdown between former unified champion Jose Ramirez and Puerto Rican two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza.

Undefeated middleweight Connor “The Kid” Coyle (14-0, 6 KOs) is back in the US and preparing for a big 2022. Coyle trains under Florida Boxing Hall of Famer Jim McLaughlin in St. Petersburg but was in his native Northern Ireland the last two years due to Covid restrictions. He had two fights in 2021, both in Mexico. Coyle will be back in the ring on February 19 against Guido Nicolas Pitto (27-9-2, 8 KOs) in an eight round contest at Memorial Hall in Melrose, Massachusetts.

Light heavyweight Dante “Free Smoke” Benjamin Jr., who won seven national titles as an amateur, has signed a multi-year promotional contract with Top Rank. The 19-year-old will make his professional debut in a four-round bout Saturday, Jan. 29 on the Robson Conceição-Xavier Martinez undercard in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

BOXXER has signed heavyweight prospect Jeamie ‘TKV’ to an exclusive long-term promotional agreement. TKV will be trained by Ben Davidson, trainer of Undisputed world super-lightweight champion Josh Taylor and former trainer of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

BOXXER also signed former WBO global welterweight champion Chris ‘2 Slick’ Kongo (12-1, 7 KOs) to a multi-fight promotional deal. Kongo is managed by Dillian Whyte and will also be trained by Davison.

Granite Chin Promotions has announced its first event of 2022, scheduled on February 26 at the Sheraton Hotel in Framingham, Massachusetts. The card will mark Granite Chin’s first event in Massachusetts in more than two years, as well as being only the second professional boxing show ever in Framingham, which is located 23 miles west of Boston.

The eight round main event will pit local super lightweight Nelson “Chino” Perez (5-0, 2 KOs) against veteran Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (15-16-4, 11 KOs). Unbeaten welterweight prospect Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (7-0, 5 KOs) faces Alfred “Keenan” Raymond (1-0) in the six round co-feature.

TOURNAMENTS IN JANUARY 2022

Following advice from the British Boxing Board of Control Medical Panel, Boxing tournaments under the jurisdiction of the BBBofC will be suspended for the month of January.

A further review by the Medical Panel and Stewards will take place prior to the planned reeommencement of Boxing in February.

Robert W. Smith
General Secretary
British Boxing Board of Control

* * *

Unfortunately, this includes the big January 29 PPV card from Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales, featuring Chris Eubank Jr against Liam Williams and Claressa Shields against Ema Kozin.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Australian heavyweight champion Justis Huni has registered a positive covid test while training in Los Angeles, throwing into doubt his February 4 national title bout with Joe Goodall. Huni is suffering from a fever and body aches, and his trainer/father Rocki Huni said his son has a cough and sore throat.

“We were super safe over here,” Rocki told Fox Sports. “We’re always wearing masks everywhere we go … we didn’t see this coming.” Team Huni is scheduled to arrive back in Australia on January 14.

Goodall also training in the USA with trainer Kevin Barry in Las Vegas.

This week probably offers the lightest boxing schedule of the year, barring a complete shutdown like we saw in 2020.

The one televised card in the U.S., however, is a good one.

ShoBox: The New Generation will kick off the 2022 boxing calendar with a tripleheader featuring six undefeated fighters on Friday from Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

In the main event, lightweight Luis Nunez (15-0, 11 KOs) faces Carlos Arrieta (14-0, 8 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Lightweight Starling Castillo (16-0, 12 KOs) meets Otar Eranosyan (10-0, 6 KOs) in the eight-round co-feature. In the opener, super featherweight Edwin De Los Santos (13-0, 12 KOs) battles William Foster III (12-0, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

“I was very focused during this fight,” said heavyweight Luis “King Kong” Ortiz after coming off the deck twice to stop Charles Martin in round six. “I was never worried. My trainer just told me to keep working the jab and that’s what I was able to do. It was very difficult going southpaw against southpaw. At the end of the day, my intelligence won the fight.

“I maintained faith the entire time. I knew I had my family and these fans behind me. I told everyone that this fight would be fireworks. He knocked me down, but then I finished him. I respect him a lot and now I’m coming after every heavyweight in line for the title.”

In an IBF heavyweight eliminator, Luis “King Kong” Ortiz (33-2, 28 KOs) scored an exciting come-from-behind sixth round TKO over “Prince” Charles Martin (28-3-1, 25 KOs) on Saturday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Martin, who was IBF heavyweight champion for a minute in 2016, knocked down Ortiz with a shot behind the ear in round one. The 42-year-old Ortiz rebounded to win round two. Ortiz down again at the end of round four from a jab. In round six, Ortiz finally connected with an overhand left that put Martin out on his feet and Martin’s glove got bizarrely trapped between the ropes as he went down. Martin beat the count but Ortiz brutally battered him to the deck again to end it. Time was 1:37.

Unbeaten WBC #5, WBO #5 heavyweight Frank Sanchez (20-0, 13 KOs) outclassed late sub Christian Hammer (26-9, 16 KOs) over ten rounds, but was reluctant to let his hands go en route to a dull unanimous decision. Sanchez was credited with a dubious knockdown after a pushdown in round ten. Scores were 100-89 3x.

In a rematch, heavyweight Jonnie Rice (15-6-1, 10 KOs) won a slow-paced ten round unanimous decision over Michael Coffie (12-2, 9 KOs) by scores of 97-93, 97-93, 99-91. Easy win for Rice, despite weighing 15 pounds more than he did in winning their first fight. Continue reading “Ortiz comes off canvas twice to stop Martin”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Japan’s WBO junior bantamweight champ Kazuto Ioka (28-2, 15 KOs), 115, kept his belt as he earned a unanimous decision over #6 southpaw compatriot “Little Pacquiao” Ryoji Fukunaga (15-5, 14 KOs), 114.75, over twelve fast rounds on Friday in Tokyo, Japan.

The official tallies read as follows: Michiaki Someya 118-110, Masakazu Murase 116-112 and Tetsuya Iida 115-113, all Japanese judges in favor of the defending champ. Continue reading “Ioka-Fukunaga Full Report”

Luis Ortiz (32-2, 27 KOs) vs. Charles Martin (28-2-1, 25 KOs)
IBF heavyweight eliminator
Ortiz is about a -350 favorite, down from -500.
Ortiz has been in with much tougher competition, but he’s also (at least) 42 years old. Both his losses are to Deontay Wilder. As for Martin, even though he briefly held the IBF title, this would be by far the biggest win on his resume if he gets it.

Frank Sanchez (19-0, 13 KOs) vs. Christian Hammer (26-8, 16 KOs)
Sanchez a 30:1 favorite
Unbeaten Sanchez is a ring technician, late sub Hammer is an experienced veteran. Sanchez figures to win a decision unless Hammer is woefully out of shape.

Jonnie Rice (14-6-1, 10 KOs) vs. Michael Coffie (12-1, 9 KOs)
Rice started at +250, but is now -175
Rice upset Coffie in their first fight but came in 15 pounds heavier here at 283.8 pounds. Can he do it again? Or is he just here for the payday? Biggest question mark of the night.

Gerald Washington (20-4-1, 13 KOs) vs. Ali Eren Demirezen (14-1, 11 KOs)
Demirezen a -250 favorite
WBO #14 Demirezen steps up in class. Washington has lost four of six against better competition than Demirezen has faced and he beat Robert Helenius, so can’t count him out.

Viktor Faust (8-0, 6 KOs vs. Iago Kiladze (27-5-1, 19 KOs)
Faust is a 33:1 favorite.
On paper, Kiladze, 1-4-1 in last six, looking like cannon fodder for hot prospect Faust, the Germanized name for Viktor Vykhryst.

* * *

Frank Martin (14-0, 10 KOs) vs. Romero Duno (24-2, 19 KOs)
This lightweight fight on FOX in the lead-in to the pay-per-view could be the most interesting fight of the night. Martin is a hot prospect and 9:1 favorite. But don’t sleep on Duno. Yes, he got blown out in 98 seconds by Kingry, but normally Duno is pretty tough.

Last August, Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, president of the World Boxing Association (WBA), promised to begin the title reduction process and has delivered. When the process began, the WBA had 54 champions: 10 interim, 12 gold, 16 champions and 16 super champions. The first measure was to eliminate all interim titles and remove the gold from world championship status and request mandatory bouts or box-offs. There are now seven categories with one champion and 28 champions overall. There is still a long way to go, but Mendoza has affirmed that he will keep his commitment to fulfilling what he has promised.