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Raeese Aleem and his team informed the World Boxing Association (WBA) that he will step into the ring on November 27 to fight Eduardo Baez and will not fulfill his WBA-ordered eliminator fight against Azat Hovhannisyan. Therefore Hovhannisyan will be named mandatory challenger at super bantamweight in the next WBA rankings. Continue reading “Hovhannisyan named WBA super bantam mandatory”

By Joe Koizumi

Let’s get ready to rumble. WBA middleweight super champion Ryota Murata (16-2, 13 KOs), Japan, and IBF titleholder Gennady Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs), Kazakhstan, will collide for unification in Saitama, Japan, on December 29. It was announced on Friday by Teiken Promotions in a press conference with GGG’s Zoom appearance. Murata, Japan’s national hero and 2012 Olympic gold medalist, ambitiously said, “I wish to be victorious so that I will prove I’m the strongest in this division.” Golovkin said, “It’s my great pleasure to fight in Japan. I also have Asian blood. Murata is a good fighter with a strong heart. It’s great that a couple of champions square off to decide the best.” Continue reading “Murata, GGG to collide for 160lb unification”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Three-time world champion Jeff Fenech says WBO #1 light middleweight Tim Tszyu has the skills and work rate to defeat undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez if they clash in the future

“I heard Tim mention not that long ago, that Canelo was beatable,” Fenech told Fox Sports’ Ben Damon. “I wouldn’t put that past him. Canelo is big and strong and throws eight to ten punches a round. Tim throws fifty or sixty or maybe more. It’s a big difference. Continue reading “Fenech likes Tszyu-Canelo matchup”

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten ex-amateur champ Yudai Shigeoka (4-0, 2 KOs), 105, barely acquired the vacant WBO Asia Pacific 105-pound belt as he edged former OPBF titlist Tsukasa Koura (15-2, 10 KOs), 104.75, by a hairline majority decision (115-113 twice, 114-114) over twelve close rounds on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. With his twin brother Ginjiro Shigeoka’s relinquishment, WBO AP#3 Yudai was given an opportunity to dispute the belt with more experienced WBO AP#2 Koura. They too often mixed up to clinch each other and had it difficult to score until Yudai seemingly swept the last three rounds with countering southpaw lefts. Continue reading “Shigeoka edges Koura for vacant WBO AP 105lb belt”

Jeter Promotions has announced the signing of undefeated junior welterweight Tyrek Irby to a multi-fight promotional contract.

Irby, of Landover, Maryland, has a pro record of 9-0 with three knockouts.

“We are excited to add Tyrek to Jeter Promotions,” said promoter Tony Jeter. “He was a major amateur, and he has a ton of potential to go far in the sport. We will have him back in February, and that will be the start of a long partnership that will hopefully culminate in major fights in the future.” Continue reading “Jeter Promotions inks undefeated Tyrek Irby”

By David Finger

For local boxing fans in Hobbs, New Mexico, November 13th was supposed to be an opportunity to see popular undefeated junior middleweight prospect Mario Gonzalez (5-0, 4 KOs) as he took on journeyman Michael Sanchez (2-8, 2 KOs) of Midland, Texas. It wasn’t expected to be a major test for Gonzalez, Sanchez was coming into the fight on the heels of a seven fight losing streak while Gonzalez was showing signs of being a legitimate world class prospect. But after Covid nearly scored a knockout over boxing in New Mexico, most local fans were just excited at the opportunity to come out and support their local prospect on his way towards a potential world ranking.

Unfortunately an injury in training derailed Gonzalez’s homecoming and the much anticipated main event was forced to be scrapped at the last minute. Continue reading “Rezzaq, Perez headline in Hobbs, NM Saturday”

Unbeaten heavyweight David Adeleye (8-0, 7 KOs) took apart Dominik Musil (6-4, 5 KOs) over four rounds on Friday night in the main event at York Hall in London. In his first eight-rounder, Adeleye started slow in round one. He upped the pressure in round two landing some big shots in round two. The pace then slowed until Adeleye drove Musil reeling into the ropes with a right hand for a knockdown with moments left in round four. Musil looked done and didn’t come out for the next round.

David Benavidez 169 vs. Kyrone Davis 167.75
Jose Benavidez Jr 158.75 vs. Emanuel Torres 157.5

Micky Scala 153.2 vs. Martez Jackson 153.8
Jesus Ibarra 126.9 vs. Hector Suarez 130
Farid Ngoga 152.6 vs. Isaac Freeman 152
Jonathan Fierro 130 vs. Victor Ruiz 121.8
Keenan Carbajal 126.6 vs. Josean Figueroa-Bonilla 125.8
Elijah Garcia 161 vs. Todd Manuel 160

Venue: Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Promoter: TGB Promotions
TV: Showtime

Jaime Munguia 160 vs. Gabriel Rosado 159.4

Alexis Rocha 146.2 vs. Jeovanis Barraza 146.4
D’Mitrius Ballard 159.8 vs. Paul Valenzuela Jr
William Zepeda 134.4 vs. John Vincent Moralde
Arely Mucino 111.8 vs. Jacky Calvo 112
William Zepeda vs. John Vincent Moralde
Alejandro Reyes 139.8 vs. Osmel Mayorga 144.2
Jorge Chavez 130 vs. Gilberto Aguilar 130
Asa Stevens 121.6 vs. Felix Vasquez 121.2

Venue: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN

Murodjon Akhmadaliev (9-0, 7 KOs) will now defend his WBA and IBF world super-bantamweight titles against José Velásquez (29-6-2 19 KOs) at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire on Friday November 19, live worldwide on DAZN, after mandatory challenger Ronny Rios was forced to withdraw with COVID. Continue reading “New opponent for Akhmadaliev”

Update: As expected, Kid Galahad came back later and made weight.

IBF featherweight champion Kid Galahad weighed in at 126.1 despite stripping naked. He has two hours to drop 1/16 of a pound. Kiko Martinez weighed 125.4. Galahad has two hours to lose the weight, which should be a formality. They clash Saturday night in Sheffield, England.

Super welterweight Vlad Panin (11-1, 5 KOs) escaped with an eight round split decision over Issac Luna (5-4, 1 KO) in the Fight Club OC on Thursday night at The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California. Scores were 77-75, 77-75 Panin, 77-75 Luna.

Undefeated super featherweight Michael “Lone Wolf” Magnesi (20-0, 12 KOs) recovered from a first round knockdown to stop Eugene “Rambo” Lagos (16-4-5, 11 KOs) in round three on Thursday night at The Paramount in Huntington, New York.

Undefeated super lightweight Alex “El Toro” Vargas (12-0 4 KOs) won a six round unanimous decision over Sebastian Chaves (5-3, 2 KOs). Scores: 60-54, 59-55, 59-55. Continue reading “Magnesi dropped, but remains unbeaten”

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

“Monster” Naoya’s younger brother, Japan’s brightening speedster Takuma Inoue (15-1, 3 KOs), 122, acquired the vacant WBO Asia Pacific junior featherweight belt as he proved too fast and ferocious for ex-IBF world challenger and former OPBF 122-pound champ Shingo Wake (27-7-2, 19 KOs), 121.5, dropped him with a smashing right in round four and scored a unanimous decision (all 117-110) over twelve sizzling rounds on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. Continue reading “Inoue defeats Wake; wins vacant WBO AP 122lb belt”

IBF middleweight champion Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs) and two-time WBA middleweight kingpin Ryōta Murata (16-2, 13 KOs) commented on their December 29 title unification fight on DAZN from Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, which border’s Murata’s hometown of Tokyo.

Gennadiy Golovkin: “I am really excited to be bringing the Big Drama Show to Japan, a country where boxing is very popular. Ryōta Murata has been an outstanding champion. It is going to be a special night when we meet in the ring to unify our titles. We are going to give the fans a great fight.”

Ryōta Murata: “I feel that my entire amateur and professional boxing career has been a preparation for this fight against Gennadiy Golovkin. This fight will determine my place in the middleweight division and boxing history…to me, he is still undefeated.”

Middleweight Jaime Munguia (37-0, 30 KOs) and “King” Gabriel Rosado (26-13-1, 15 KOs) faced off at their final press conference in anticipation of their clash on DAZN Saturday at Anaheim’s Honda Center.

Jaime Munguia: “I feel like this has been the best training camp I have had my whole career. I feel good, I feel strong and we are ready. I feel like moving up to 160lbs was good for me, my body feels stronger and I feel better. I think teaming up with Erik has improved my technique, we have made a great team, and I have learned a lot from him. And I think this Saturday we will show off everything we have worked for and have learned.”

Gabriel Rosado: “Freddie and I are coming off of some good momentum. We had a great camp, great sparring and truthfully it was a camp where I was locked in from beginning to end. Experience is what is different, locking in and training with a Hall of Fame trainer who just guides me. I have never given up on myself, I have always worked hard and have always believed that I could be a better fighter. And I look forward to proving that on Saturday.”

Unbeaten two-time WBC super middleweight world champion David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez and Kyrone Davis went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before they meet in the main event this Saturday live on Showtime from Footprint Center in Phoenix.

“I’m on a knockout streak and I’m keeping it going Saturday night. The fans want to see knockouts and that’s what I want to give them.”
David Benavídez

“This is going to be a world class fight. I’m coming to fight and I’m coming to win.”
Kyrone Davis

More quotes…

Welterweight prospect and New Jersey-native Vito Mielnicki Jr. (9-1, 6 KOs) will battle Nicholas DeLomba (16-3, 5 KOs) in a 10-round matchup on Saturday, December 25 headlining FOX PBC Fight Night action on Christmas Day from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

The broadcast will feature unbeaten middleweight prospect Joey Spencer (12-0, 9 KOs) taking on Limberth Ponce (18-4, 11 KOs) for eight-rounds of action in the co-main event. Continue reading “Christmas Day boxing card on FOX”

Unbeaten WBA super middleweight regular champion David Morrell Jr. (5-0, 4 KOs) will defend his world title in his adopted hometown when he faces Alantez Fox (28-2-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday, December 18 on FOX from The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The broadcast also features unbeaten lightweight Jose Valenzuela (10-0, 6 KOs) taking on Austin Dulay (14-2, 10 KOs) in the 10-round co-main event.

Danny Dignum, Isaac Lowe and Charlie Edwards are among those that will be involved on a December 3 card at York Hall in London, to be broadcast in the US on ESPN+.

Undefeated middleweight Dignum (13-0-1, 7 KOs) faces Lucas Brian Ariel Bastida (17-1-1, 9 KOs) for the vacant WBA International title in the main event. Also unbeaten featherweight Lowe (21-0-3, 6 KOs) meets Luis Alberto Lopez (23-2, 12 KOs) in a final eliminator for the IBF title, and former WBC flyweight champion Charlie Edwards (16-1, 6 KOs) faces Jacob Barreto (13-3, 5 KOs).

Former world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (42-0, 28 KOs)will face Yunieski “The Monster” Gonzalez (21-3, 17 KOs) in a WBA light heavyweight title eliminator on DAZN December 18 from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The winner will secure a mandatory challenge to the WBA light heavyweight world championship.

“I’m happy and excited to be back in the ring before the year ends and showcase my talent again in Texas. Of course, I was a little disappointed that Bivol didn’t want to sign the contract and make the fight happen, but that’s boxing. I know my team and Golden Boy have been working strategically to make this happen, and I will not disappoint all my fans on December 18,” said Ramirez. Continue reading “Zurdo lands WBA eliminator bout”

The long-running rivalry between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Williams will be settled on Saturday, December 11 at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, live and exclusive on Sky Sports. Eubank (31-2, 23 KO’s) and Williams (23-3, 18 KO’s) both lay claim to being the #1 middleweight in the UK and have traded verbal jabs numerous times in recent years. Now Eubank is taking the fight to Williams’ doorstep as he heads to the Welsh capital city of Cardiff to face the Welshman on home soil. Continue reading “Eubank-Williams collide Dec 11”

Claressa ‘GWOAT’ Shields, boxing’s first-ever undisputed world champion of two weight divisions, has signed a multi-fight, seven-figure deal along with her longtime promoter Salita Promotions, with broadcaster Sky Sports and the next generation promoter BOXXER.

Undefeated three-division world champion Shields (11-0, 2 KOs) will enter the ring in the Welsh capital city of Cardiff for a mandatory defense of her WBC world middleweight title on December 11 against the undefeated WBC #1 contender Ema Kozin (21-0-1, 11 KOs). Her WBA and IBF belts are also on the line.

Shields and WBO middleweight champion Savannah Marshall (11-0, 9 KOs) are on a collision course in 2022. Continue reading “Shields opponent named”

Undefeated heavyweight Zhang “Big Bang” Zhilei (22-0-1, 17 KOs) is set to face Bernardo “El Tarzan” Marquez (14-4-1, 10 KOs) on November 27th at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York City. Marquez, a southpaw from Southern California, is riding a six-fight winning streak. The ten-round bout will be streamed live on DAZN as part of the Teofimo Lopez vs. George Kambosos show presented by Matchroom Boxing.

Zhang is coming off a draw against Jerry Forrest (26-4-1, 20 KOs).  After the bout, Zhang’s condition deteriorated and he needed assistance to return to the locker room, where he nearly collapsed. Paramedics rushed to his aid, and Zhang was taken to the hospital via ambulance. Continue reading “Zhang Zhilei returns Nov 27”

IBF featherweight champion Kid Galahad and Kiko Martinez faced off at the final press conference ahead of Saturday’s world title showdown on DAZN from the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England.

Kiko Martinez: “There have been many surprises recently in boxing, look at some of the surprises, Joshua vs. Usyk, we have situations where champions aren’t respecting their defenses and their rivals. If Galahad doesn’t do the same and respect this fight, he’s going to get a big shock on Saturday night.

Kid Galahad: “Kiko mentioning Garcia and Joshua, mentally I’m different from those guys. Never in my career have I ever underestimated any fighter, on Saturday night trust me he’ll be wishing he never took this fight…I believe I’m a different kettle of fish to him and on Saturday night I’m not going to take it easy on him, I’m going to seriously hurt him.”