Fightnews.com

By Jeff Zimmerman

Triad Combat post-fight presser with host Ray Flores and Team Captain’s Shannon “Let’s Go Champ” Briggs and “Rampage” Jackson plus the main event winner and former heavyweight boxing contender Kurat Pulev.

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“Helluva fighter, but I won tonight man. Everybody knows that,” stated former undisputed lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez after being dethroned by George Kambosos Saturday night.

“The referee raised my hand. I won tonight. I don’t care what anybody says, yo. I won tonight. At the end of the day I’ve been here, I’ve done that. I want to thank God. I want to thank everybody that came out tonight. Look. I ain’t no sore loser. I take my wins, I can take my losses. I’m a true champion. I came out here. I did what I had to do, and I went out there and I did my best. I don’t care what anybody says man. I am as real as they come. This is ‘the takeover’ man. We don’t stop. We keep coming. Yo. I love you all. I won this fight.

“You know what man? I know what it is. I know how these people work. The referee knew I won tonight. Everybody knew I won tonight and I’m just thankful…I don’t believe it was a close fight at all. At the end, I scored it 10-2!”

In an action-packed super bantamweight unification clash, undefeated WBO champion Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton Jr. (20-0, 8 KOs) took a twelve round majority decision over previously unbeaten WBC champion Brandon “Heartbreaker” Figueroa (22-1-1, 17 KOs) on Saturday night inside Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

It was rock’em, sock’em robots as both boxers traded punches non-stop the entire fight. It was Figueroa’s activity (1,060 punches thrown) against Fulton’s accuracy (37% connect rate) and judges scored it 114-114, 116-112, 116-112 for Fulton. Rematch please.

In a huge upset, George ‘Ferocious’ Kambosos Jr. (20-0, 10 KOs) won a twelve round split decision over undisputed lightweight champion Teofimo ‘The Takeover’ Lopez (16-1 12 KOs) and seized his WBA, IBF, WBO, and WBC franchise on Saturday night at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Kambosos dropped Lopez with a big right hand at the end of round one and largely outboxed Lopez until round nine, which Lopez clearly won.

Lopez knocked down Kambosos in round ten, but Kambosos survived. Kambosos rebounded in round eleven. In the end, scores were 115-111, 115-112 Kambosos, 114-113 Lopez.

Unbeaten super bantamweight contender Ra’eese Aleem (19-0, 12 KOs) scored a ten round majority decision over Eduardo Baez (20-2-2, 7 KOs) in the Fulton-Figueroa co-feature on Saturday night inside Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas. Scores were 95-95, 96-94, 98-92.

Unbeaten bantamweight Gary Antonio Russell (19-0, 12 KOs) had his hands full with Alexandro Santiago (24-3-5, 13 KOs). It was all out war for ten rounds with Russell taking a razor-thin majority decision. Scores were 95-95, 96-94, 96-94.

In a clash for the vacant IBF super featherweight title, Kenichi Ogawa (26-1-1, 28 KOs) won a brutal twelve round unanimous decision over Azinga Fuzile (15-2, 9 KOs) on Saturday night in the Lopez-Kambosos co-feature at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Ogawa dropped Fuzile hard in round five, but Fuzile survived. Ogawa dropped Fuzile twice in round twelve to punctuate a 115-110, 115-110, 114-111 victory.

By Jeff Zimmerman at triadside

In the main event of the inaugural Triad Combat, former heavyweight boxing world title contender Kubrat Pulev stopped former 2X UFC heavyweight champ on his feet in the first round at Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX, in front of 20K plus raucous fans that included a concert from heavy metal band Metallica. Team Rampage won 14-11 over Team Shannon.

Pulev showed he was clearly better on his feet than the Brazilian jiujitsu specialist Mir as he landed early to the head and body of Mir. Mir showed good movement and even got Pulez in a clinch, but soon after Pulev was able to get Mir off him. And with one second left in round one of the scheduled 9, Pulev landed an overhand right that was quickly followed up by a left hook that sent Mir to the ropes as he appeared to be out on his feet. Referee Dan Miragliotta looked at Mir closely and waved it off with Mir still standing. Continue reading “Pulev crushes Mir in Triad fight”

Unbeaten 6’6 heavyweight Zhilei “The Big Bang” Zhang (23-0-1, 18 KOs) scored a second round TKO over journeyman Craig Lewis (14-5-1 8 KOs) on Saturday night on the Lopez-Kambosos undercard at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Zhang, 38, dropped Lewis twice in round two and the bout was stopped. Time was 2:10.

Unbeaten featherweight Raymond Ford (10-0-1, 6 KOs) dominated and stopped Felix Caraballo (13-4-2 9 KOs) in round eight. The ref waved it off at 2:10.

Other Results:
Ramla Ali W4 Isela Vera (super bantamweight)
Christina Cruz W6 Maryguenn Vellinga (flyweight)
Anthony Herrera TKO2 Jonathan Herrera (bantamweight)

By Jeff Zimmerman

MMA legend Vitor Belfort talks about the new TRIAD COMBAT format tonight as part of Triller Fight Club, the fallout of the Oscar De La Hoya fight due to Covid, evening the playing field between boxing and MMA, and much more in this Fightnews.com® exclusive at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

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By Ron Jackson

In one of the poorest decisions in the South African ring in recent years Ayanda Ndulani retained the IBO minimumweight belt on a split decision over Siphamandla Baleni at the International Convention Centre in East London on Saturday night. Judges Tony Nyangiwe and Simphiwe Mbini scored it 117-111 and 116-112 for Nduleni and judge Lulama Mtya handed in a card of 118-114 in favor of Baleni.

In a poor fight with holding and pushing and numerous warnings from the referee Alan Matekane, Baleni crowded the champion who was unable to keep the shorter and busier challenger on the outside throughout the fight. After very little action in the first round with the champion possibly shading it, the fight developed into a mauling affair with the better scoring punches coming from the challenger.

Ndulani (47.50kg) improved his record to 12-2-1, 4 KOs, and Baleni’s record dropped to 18-4-2, 6 KOs. Continue reading “Ndulani retains IBO belt with disputed decision”

The highly-anticipated clash between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Williams has been rescheduled to January 29th at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.

Originally scheduled for December 11, the bout – presented by BOXXER and Sky Sports Boxing, in association with Wasserman Boxing – moves to the new year as a result of Williams aggravating the shoulder injury sustained during his world title fight against Demetrius Andrade in April.

Following a series of scans and consultations with medical experts, Williams has been advised that the flare-up can be treated without surgery and that the bout can take place at the end of January. Continue reading “Eubank-Williams pushed back to Jan 29”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

Japanese 154-pound champ Hironobu Matsunaga (20-1, 13 KOs), 155.25, engaged in a non-title go with former welter ruler Ryota Yada (20-8, 17 KOs), 152.25, and lopsidedly battered him en route to a well-received stoppage at 2:49 of the sixth round in a scheduled eight on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. Matsunaga, a stout-built southpaw bulldozer, kept whipping the ex-champ from the outset, weakened him in every round and finally accelerated his attack to prompt the referee’s intervention. The victor Matsunaga said he would renounce his national belt, while the loser Yada announced to call it quits. Continue reading “Matsunaga halts Yada in six”

WBA female featherweight champion Erika Cruz (14-1, 3 KOs) won a ten round split decision over Melissa Esquivel (12-2-1, 4 KOs) to retain her world title on Friday night at the International Convention Center in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. Scores were 97-93 Esquivel, 97-93, 98-92 Cruz..

NABO lightweight titleholder Angel Fierro (19-1, 15 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over Cristian Bielma (18-4-1, 7 KOs). The free-swinging Fierro cracked Biela with a massive overhand right in round four. Bielma turned his back and the bout was immediately stopped. Time was 2:08. WBO #8 Fierro is trained by Erik Morales.

In a clash of unbeaten super middleweights, Aaron Silva (9-0, 6 KOs) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Raul Salomon (8-1, 8 KOs). Scores were 77-75, 78-73, 78-74. Silva scored a knockdown in round three.

Super lightweight Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela (24-2-1, KOs) stopped Juan Jimenez (30-20-3, 20 KOs) at 1:59 of the first round.

Mark Dawson Jr. 145.8 vs. Paul Kroll 150
Isaiah Johnson 139.5 vs. Anthony Young 141.5
Rashan Adams 130 vs. Deo Kizito 132
Derek Starling 269.5 vs. Darryl Clark 241.5
LaQuan Evans 156.5 vs. Eliezer Olmeda 155.5
Temirlan Raimkulov 159 vs. Kareem Gladney 162.5

Venue: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia
Promoter: RDR Promotions
1st Bell: 7 pm ET
Stream: BXNGTV,com

Makabu-Mchunu collide; winner gets Alvarez

The world’s greatest boxing promoter, Don King, will return to his home state of Ohio on January 29, as he presents a world championship fight pitting WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Junior Makabu (28-2 with 25 KOs) and the number one challenger, WBC silver champion Thabiso Mchunu (23-5, 13 KOs) at the W.D. Packard Music Hall in Warren, Ohio.

In addition to Makabus-Mchunu, a special 10-round heavyweight sensational attraction will pit undefeated Jonathan Guidry (18-0-2, 10 KOs) against Alonzo Butler (34-3-2, 25 KOs).

King, who represents Makabu, came to an agreement with Mchunu’s representatives on the 12-round world championship fight, and the winner will advance to fight Mexico’s great champion Canelo Alvarez in the month of May. Alvarez will be ringside to see who his next opponent will be. Continue reading “Canelo Bowl set for January 29”

Brandon Figueroa 121.75 vs. Stephen Fulton 121.75
(WBC/WBO super bantamweight unification)

Raeese Aleem 121.75 vs. Eduardo Baez 121.5
Gary Antonio Russell 117.5 vs. Alexandro Santiago 118

Venue: Park Theater, Las Vegas
Promoter: TGB Promotions
TV: Showtime

In a clash for the vacant WBA Intercontinental light flyweight title, unbeaten IBF #15 Hector Gabriel Flores (19-0-4, 10 KOs) scored a sixth round KO over local hero and WBA #3 rated Jay Harris (18-3, 9 KOs) on Friday night at the Vale Sports Arena in Cardiff, Wales. Flores dropped Harris twice with body shots in round six. Time was 1:32.

In a bout that figured to go the distance, super lightweight Akeem Ennis-Brown (15-1, 1 KO) outpointed Daniel Combi (9-5, 1 KO) over ten rounds to win the vacant WBC International title. Scores were 98-92, 99-91, 98-92.

Featherweight Jacob Robinson (9-0, 2 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Angelo Dragone (5-3, 0 KOs) for the vacant Welsh Area title. Score was 95-94. Robinson was deducted a point for holding in round six and scored a throwdown/knockdown in round eight.

Teofimo Lopez 135 vs. George Kambosos Jr 134.4
(WBA, IBF, WBO, WBC Franchis lightweight titles)

Azinga Fuzile 129.6 vs. Kenichi Ogawa 129.4
(IBF super featherweight title)

Raymond Ford 126 vs. Felix Caraballo 125.4
Zhilei Zhang 274 vs. Craig Lewis 273.2
Ramla Ali 122.2 vs. Isela Vera 121
Christina Cruz 111.6 vs. Maryguenn Vellinga 110.8
Anthony Herrera 118 vs. Jonathan Tejeda 115.4

Venue: Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

Kubrat Pulev 254.9 vs. Frank Mir 269.4
Alexander Flores 244.7 vs. Matt Mitrione 272.2
Michael Seals 175.8 vs. Matt Perry 174.7
Brian Vera 167.6 vs. Derek Campos 164.1
Scott Sigmon 175.5 vs. Albert Tumenov 175.5
Angelina Hoffschneider 130.1 vs. Alexa Culp 126.2
Harry Gigliotti 142.8 vs. Jacob Thrall 145

Venue: Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas
Promoter: Triller
TV: Fite.tv

Two former world champions got quick wins on Friday night at MotoSpace in Dubai, U.A.E.

Two-weight world champion Badou Jack “The Ripper” (25-3-3, 15 KOs) moved up to cruiserweight and smoked Maryland boxer Samuel Crossed (11-2-1, 7 KOs) in two rounds. Jack dropped Crossed three times in round two to end it. Time was 2:20.

Former super-middleweight world champion Rocky “From Stocky” Fielding (28-2, 16 KOs) returned at light heavyweight after two years out with a second round TKO over Emmanuel Danso (32-7, 26 KOs). Fielding dropped Danso in round two and Danso didn’t come out for round three. Continue reading “Badou Jack, Rocky Fielding win in Dubai”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Former world lightweight challenger Lenny Zappavigna, who works as chief sparring partner to IBF #1 lightweight George Kambosos, predicts Teofimo Lopez will be in trouble if he hasn’t prepared himself for the tough challenger from Australia.

“I have done a lot of rounds with George in his preparation for this fight and I am a lot bigger and stronger and he can hold me off,” Zappavigna told Sporting News Australia. “George is very quick, sharp, and fast and I am backing him because I believe in him. He is confident and has the ability and skills to pull this off. Continue reading “Zappavigna: Kambosos has a strong chance of winning”

Erika Cruz 126 vs. Melissa Esquivel 124.5
(WBA female featherweight title)

Angel Fierro 134.2 vs. Cristian Bielma 134
Raul Salomon 165.5 vs. Aaron Silva 164.2
Gabriel Gollaz Velazquez 137.7 vs. Juan Jimenez 139
Christian Alan Gomez 146.8 vs. Javier Franco 146.3
Fabian Gonzalez 117.29 vs. Jorge Jair Mejia 113.98
Ruben Vega 121.25 vs. Victor de Jesus 120.59
Jesus Arechiga 122.8 vs. Jose Juan Morales 122.36

Jimmy Brenes 146.61 vs. Herbert Cruz Lopez 146.61
Venue: International Convention Center, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

Two hotly tipped heavyweight prospects won their pro debuts on the initial Wasserman Boxing Development Series event on Thursday night at the famed York Hall in London. But it was flyweights who stole the show.

After losing the first three rounds, unheralded flyweight Fadhili Majiha (28-14-4, 14 KOs) shockingly knocked out previously unbeaten WBO European titleholder Harvey Horn (9-1, 2 KOs) in the fourth round. Horn down twice. Time was 2:32.

345lb heavyweight Hosea Stewart, who was hand-picked by Anthony Joshua as a sparring partner, lumbered his way to a four round decision over game Mait Metsis (0-2, 0 KOs). Despite over a 100-pound weight advantage, Stewart couldn’t get the 40-year-old Metsis out of there. Score was 40-36.

6’8 heavyweight Matty Harris cruised past journeyman Mladen Manev (3-12, 2 KOs) over four workmanlike rounds. Score was 40-36. Continue reading “Stewart and Harris win, Majiha upsets Horn”

By Joe Koizumi

Japan’s WBO 115-pound champion Kazuto Ioka (27-2, 15 KOs) has announced today (Thursday) to participate in a unification bout with IBF titleholder Jerwin Ancajas (33-1-2, 22 KOs), a Filipino southpaw sharpshooter, in Tokyo, Japan, on New Year’s Eve.

The four-division champ Ioka, making his fourth defense, said, “Ancajas is a very strong titlist. I’m happy to see this unification bout realized.” Continue reading “Ioka, Ancajas to vie for 115lb unification”

Crawford-Porter reportedly did 135,000 to 190,000 PPV buys. For perspective, two weeks earlier, Canelo-Plant reportedly did 800,000. Jake Paul does 500,000.

Remember, boxing on FITE at 2PM ET,11 AM PT, including the pro debut of 345lb heavyweight Hosea Stewart, who was handpicked by Anthony Joshua as a sparring partner for his fight with Kubrat Pulev.

Have to admit the Jake Paul-Tommy Fury press conference was pretty entertaining. Tyson Fury and John Fury were there also.

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