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The new year will kick off with a heavyweight bang, as five exciting heavyweight matchups take center stage on a $39.99 FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View on New Year’s Day live from Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

The main event will see top heavyweight Luis “King Kong” Ortiz (32-2, 27 KOs) take on former world champion Charles Martin (28-2-1, 25 KOs) in a 12-round IBF heavyweight title eliminator. In the co-main event, unbeaten rising heavyweight star Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez (19-0, 13 KOs) will square off against Carlos Negron (25-3, 20 KOs) in a 10-round attraction.

The pay-per-view telecast heavyweight contenders Jonnie Rice (14-6-1, 10 KOs) and Michael Coffie (12-1, 9 KOs) in a 10-round rematch, former title challenger Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington (20-4-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round showdown against Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen (14-1, 11 KOs) and unbeaten Viktor Faust (8-0, 6 KOs) facing Iago Kiladze (27-5-1, 19 KOs) in a 10-round attraction to open the pay-per-view. Continue reading “Ortiz-Martin tops FOX heavyweight PPV on Jan 1”

WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade today addressed claims that his fights are boring:

“As long as Matchroom, DAZN, and everybody does their job to make sure that Demetrius Andrade’s being promoted and we’re doing what we need to do to promote, people are going to come out because they know I have the talent, skill, and I’m going to bring a fight if the other opponent is also going to bring a fight.

“We’re not in here to, you know, bore anybody. Boxing has nothing boring about it. It’s a strategic bout and everything we do is that way. So all I know is I’m 30-0, a 2000 Olympian and two-division world champion. How is that boring? Continue reading “Andrade: I’m going to make a statement”

All the fighters from Friday’s world title quadruple-header in Manchester, New Hampshire live on DAZN. Eddie Hearn hosts the final press conference for Demitrius Andrade vs. Jason Quigley, Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Jose Velasquez, Julio Cesar Martinez vs. McWilliams Arroyo, Kali Reis vs. Jessica Camara.

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Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions returns with its Hollywood Fight Nights series on Friday, December 10 at the Quiet Cannon located at the Montebello Country Club. The lineup includes undefeated junior lightweight Adrian ‘Bam Bam’ Corona (8-0, 2 KOs), cruiserweight Marco Deckmann (6-1, 5 KOs), junior lightweight Eric Mondragon, (4-0-1, 2 KOs), and lightweight Ruben ‘Gallito’ Islas, (2-0, 2 KOs) in separate bouts. Opponents are TBA.

With Canelo’s decision to fight his next fight at cruiserweight, #1 rated super David Benavidez has obtained approval to fight for the WBC interim super middleweight championship. David Lemieux is #2 in the rankings.

Light heavyweight Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (42-0, 28 KOs) has been matched against Yunieski “The Monster” Gonzalez (21-3, 17 KOs) on December 18 in San Antonio in the official WBA title eliminator. The winner will become mandatory challenger for WBA champion Dmitry Bivol.

“I was surprised when Bivol turned down the fight we offered because it was something I thought he wanted. I know he’s a tough warrior and aspires to be the best, which is why I was surprised. He publicly called me out and said that he was ‘ready.’ But unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case on his end. Again, in boxing, this seems like a common scenario where a fighter barks and barks, but he can’t back it up when it’s time to fight. With this fight (vs. Gonzalez) in place, Bivol has nowhere to run, and he will eventually have to face me.” Continue reading “Zurdo surprised Bivol turned down offer”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBO #1 light-middleweight Tim Tszyu (20-0,15 KOs) moved closer to a world title bout with a comprehensive twelve round decision victory over WBO #7 rated Takeshi Inoue (17-2-1, 10 KOs) on Wednesday night at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Tszyu took charge from round one and stalked the powerfully built Japanese opponent throughout the contest connecting with left hand leads and right hands to the head followed by hooks to the body that had Inoue wincing. Inoue was down in round twelve and it was ruled a knockdown by referee Will Soulos. Scores at the conclusion were 120-107, 120-107, 119-108. Continue reading “Tszyu defeats Inoue, Castaño next?”

By Hesiquio Balderas

“We would like to face Golovkin for a third time to close that chapter. I think we can make it happen,” said Eddy Reynoso, trainer/manager of undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez. “I would like for Golovkin to come to Mexico. We can make that fight happen in Guadalajara or Mexico City.

“We hope to make it happen. He hasn’t mentioned Canelo’s name, he has a fight in December against Murata in Japan. We’ll see what happens in that fight and perhaps we can make Canelo vs. GGG 3 happen.”

By Hesiquio Balderas

“We will have a great fight plan,” said Eddy Reynoso. “We have great possibilities to win. Working intelligently, we will work on the fitness part of boxing, training with weight, a different program.

“We know we can win this fight, to take this fight for the cruiserweight championship is a huge step in Saul’s career it will make him a five-division world champion. We take the fight because we like new challenges and we know we can win this fight. Continue reading “Reynoso: We will beat Makabu for the cruiser title”

By Boxing Bob Newman

The opening day of meetings of the 59th WBC convention got underway in the Castillo Room of the host hotel Intercontinental Presidente in Mexico City on Tuesday morning. After the mandatory roll call of the WBC board of governors to open the 59th annual convention, a very moving slide show commemorating those who the boxing world lost during the pandemic, was screened. A self-introduction of all attendees was then conducted. Continue reading “WBC 59th convention Day 1 meetings”

By Boxing Bob Newman

The WBC received a petition directly from Canelo Alvarez’ trainer Eddy Reynoso, for Canelo to challenge WBC CRUISERWEIGHT champion Ilunga Makabu! The WBC Board unanimously approved the petition. Canelo will be challenging for a world title in his fifth weight class!

By Boxing Bob Newman

Ring legend Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Jr. talks to Fightnews.com® about Canelo and boxing’s pound-for-pound title.

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By Jeff Zimmerman

Super bantamweight contender Ra’eese Aleem (18-0, 12 KOs) fights veteran Eduardo Baez (20-1-2, 7 KOs) on Saturday, Nov. 27 in Las Vegas as part of a Showtime / PBC tripleheader headlined by the unification title bout between Brandon Figueroa vs. Stephen Fulton. Aleem discusses his rough upbringing in Michigan before moving to Las Vegas with 3K in his pocket and what it was like in camp with the legendary “Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire and much more in this Fightnews.com® exclusive. Aleem hopes a big win against Baez leads him to the winner of Figueroa-Fulton.

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The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) has announced its 29-member Class of 2121. The 10th NYSBHOF induction dinner, sponsored by Ring 8, will be Sunday afternoon May 1 at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF include WBO heavyweight champion Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs (60-6-1, 53 KOs), WBO heavyweight champion Michael Bentt (11-2, 6 KOs), 3-time world light middleweight titlist Verno Phillips (42-11-1, 2 KOs), WBC light heavyweight champion Donny “Golden Boy” Lalonde (42-11-1, 21 KOs), WBC light heavyweight champion Johnny “The Heat” Verderosa (41-5-1, 33 KOs), 2-time World title challenger and No. 1 ranked welterweight contender Larry “No Fear” Barnes (44-3-1, 17 KOs), and welterweight Johnny Turner (42-6-2, 32 KOs). Continue reading “Briggs heads NYSBHOF 2021 inductees”

If you’re not an ESPN+ subscriber yet, be sure to sign up. It’s the only U.S. platform offering the Crawford-Porter PPV. The PPV price is $69.99, ten bucks cheaper than the recent Fury-Wilder and Canelo-Plant PPVs.

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Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing has announced the signing of lightweight prospect Shinard Bunch to a long-term co-promotional contract. A former amateur standout, the 22-year-old Bunch is (17-1-1, 15 KOs). He is trained by Chino Rivas, managed by Hall of Famer J. Russell Peltz, and co-promoted by Lewkowicz and Nedal Abuhamoud of Nedal Promotions. Lewkowicz, who says he has a potential fight date in January for Bunch’s first under his co-promotional banner.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

A world title opportunity for WBO #1 light middleweight Tim Tszyu (19-0, 15 KOs) could happen more sooner than later as long as Tszyu doesn’t stumble against WBO #7 Takeshi Inoue (17-1-1, 10 KOs) Wednesday night on PPV at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, NSW, Australia.

“It’s a very real chance that our next outing will be against Brian Castano for that world title,” Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings told Wide World of Sports. “It’s just a matter of timing to see whether or not the mandate gets enforced and we will roll on with that.”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Tim Tszyu 153.2 (69.52kg) vs. Takeshi Inoue 153.6 (69.68kg)
(WBO global and Asia Pacific super welterweight titles)

Tim Tszyu [on how he feels after making weight] “It’s alright, at least I made it and I’m coming for his head now. You’ve got to enjoy yourself. It’s all part of fight week. This is fun. I hope he’s had a great holiday here. The holiday ends tomorrow. Let him do what he wants. One thing I know is that I’m coming for his head and his body. It only ends one way. I’m coming for him.”

Takeshi Inoue: “From about two days before I was cutting just water weight and I was able to get down no problem. Now I’ll just be recovering; getting all my energy back in, eating some good food, relaxing. I feel confident I can make this a really good fight. I believe I’ll win by KO.”

Venue: Venue Qudos Bank Arena Sydney, NSW, Australia
Promoter: George and Matt Rose/No Limit Promotions
TV: Foxtel Main Event Pay-Per-View

Former WBA interim light heavyweight champion Robin Krasniqi says he hasn’t heard a peep out of the German Boxing Commission (BDB) since protesting his split decision loss to Dominic Bösel six weeks ago. The team of the Kosovo-born Krasniqi team questions why the international panel of judges were changed by the BDB to an all-German team (including the BDB President’s daughter) that they allege are close to German-born Bösel and promoter SES Boxing. They also point out when German Rico Mueller lost to Poland’s Rafal Jackiewicz last year, the BDB quickly acted on Team Mueller’s protest and reversed the decision in days.

By Boxing Bob Newman

In keeping with their tradition of always expanding boundaries, breaking down barriers and leading the way, the WBC pulled out all the stops in making the inauguration of their 59th annual world convention one of the most unique ever.

Bypassing the conventional trend of holding opening ceremonies in a grand ballroom at the host hotel, this year, the first live convention in 2 years due to the COVID pandemic, the WBC held their opening ceremonies at the incredibly expansive Arroyo restaurant about a 20-minute drive from the Intercontinental Presidente hotel.

To call the Arroyo simply a restaurant would be an understatement. This establishment was more of a multi-purpose complex. With a massive two-tiered banquet hall, the actual opening ceremonies were held in the attached bull ring! What could be more fitting than an arena where the most Mexican form of battle is held – a bullfighting ring? Continue reading “59th WBC Convention officially opens”

This week’s Crawford-Porter pay-per-view will be something different. Instead of buying through the regular PPV channels of cable, dish, apps, etc., fight fans can only purchase Crawford-Porter if they’re ESPN+ subscribers.

Promoter Bob Arum explains.

“ESPN+ has a platform now that has 19 million subscribers,” said Arum. “And when ESPN+ has the exclusive pay-per-view rights and they can publicize it and constantly email their subscribers, they’re doing huge numbers.

“How do I know that? Because while they haven’t had any exclusives yet in boxing, they have had UFC exclusively for a couple of years now at least. And the UFC numbers on pay-per-view are huge because of ESPN+ which has it exclusively. Continue reading “Crawford-Porter: For ESPN+ subscribers only”

Unbeaten WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz previewed their showdown for Davis’ world title during a virtual press conference Monday. They square off on Sunday, December 5 live on PPV from Staples Center in Los Angeles.

“December 5 is going to be a fireworks show. This is going to be one of the best fights of the year,”
– Tank Davis

“I’m ready to shock the world and become the next star in the pantheon of Mexican boxing champions,”
– Isaac Cruz

More quotes

Welterweight Thomas Dulorme (25-6-1, 16 KOs), has officially submitted a letter to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, disputing the result of his bout against Jaron Ennis (28-0, 26 KOs), in which he claims he was hit with an illegal rabbit punch to the back of the head. The fight took place at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, October 30, 2021.

Dulorme is asking the Nevada State Athletic Commission to overturn the knockout loss to a no decision due to the referee Mike Ortiz’ outcome-determinative error.

“I feel I wasn’t given the allocated time to recover by the referee, after getting hit from what was clearly an illegal rabbit punch to the back on my head, forcing me to fight at a disadvantage,” said Dulorme. “Jaron Ennis is a great fighter and I’m not taking anything away from his talent, I’m just disputing that I should have been given the allotted time to regain my composure. I’m hoping that Nevada State Athletic Commission will honor my appeal based on their rules.”

15:1 underdog Jason Quigley believes he’ll have the crowd on his side as he expects his Irish fans to roar him to victory when he challenges Demetrius Andrade for the WBO middleweight title at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire on Friday live worldwide on DAZN.

Quigley (19-1 14 KOs) is the second Irishman to try to take the crown from Andrade (30-0 18 KOs) after Luke Keeler was stopped in the ninth round of his attempt in Miami in January 2020, and now the 30 year old tries to work out the Rhode Island puzzle that no pro has been able to solve so far against the two weight champion. Continue reading “Quigley: I can win this fight”

By David Finger

About the same time a walk-on freshman from Plainville, Kansas became the most unlikely hero in college football, a similar underdog story was playing out at the Corral Arena in Hobbs, New Mexico.

27-year old Herman Rendon of Midland, Texas, came back to Hobbs for the second time in his career to score a stunning upset over undefeated fighter.  This time it was the talented local prospect Yhorhighness Rezzaq of Hobbs.  Rezzaq, a talented boxer-puncher, was propelled into the main even when the original headliner Mario Gonzalez was forced to step aside due to an injury.  It should have been a coming out party for the talented Hobbs, native.  But for the second time in as many fights, Rendon came to Hobbs and upended the apple cart. Continue reading “Rendon, Perez win in Hobbs, NM”