Fightnews.com

Weights by Brad Snyder

Ryan Williams 115 vs. Khendal Moore 115
Kevin Carree Jr. 163 vs. Rodolfo Puentes 160
Marcus Wilson 158 vs. Darius Carr 155
Hassian Bilal 184 vs. Martinez Stevenson 172
Faisal Rehman 161 vs. Katriel Young 163
Ontario Johnson 224 vs. TBA
Matthew Niziolek 156 vs. Lamar Bolden 164
Antwan Jones 182 vs. Alan Campa 178
Vernon Webber 222 vs. Jawaski Bethly TBA
Derick Miller Jr. 191 vs. Fransisco Cordero 196

Venue: Soundboard at Motor City Casino
Promoter: Carlos Llnas
Tickets available at the Soundboard Box Office or Ticketmaster.com. First bell is at 7pm.

Golden Boy Promotions will kick off its 2025 fight schedule on January 23 featuring the first headlining performance of unbeaten middleweight Eric Priest (14-0, 8 KOs), who will participate in a 10-rounder against Tyler “Hercules” Howard (20-2, 11 KOs). The event will take place at The Commerce Casino & Hotel and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

“Eric Priest has long been one of Golden Boy’s top prospects — with a victory on January 23rd, he officially rises to a full-fledged contender,” said promoter Oscar De La Hoya. “He is in an extremely tough fight against someone with 20 victories who hasn’t ever been knocked out. If Eric gets through, big fights are in his near future.”

Three bantamweight firefights, including a pair of world title showdowns, are set for Monday, February 24, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

In the main event, pound-for-pound star Junto Nakatani (29-0, 22 KOs) will defend his WBC crown against unbeaten Mexican puncher David Cuellar (28-0, 18 KOs). Newly crowned WBA champion Seiya Tsutsumi (12-0-2, 8 KOs) makes his first defense against former flyweight king Daigo Higa (21-3-1, 19 KOs) in the all-Japanese co-feature.

And, in a 10-round special feature, kickboxing legend Tenshin Nasukawa (5-0, 2 KOs) continues his burgeoning boxing journey against Australian former world champion Jason “Mayhem” Moloney (27-3, 19 KOs).

Nakatani-Cuellar, Tsutsumi-Higa, and Tenshin-Moloney will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ as part of a special early-morning presentation.

By Oliver Dütschler, Bern, Switzerland

Angelo Peña (30/Switzerland) successfully defended his WBO Intercontinental title on the legendary Boxing Day at the Kursaal in Bern. The Swiss boxing star of promoter Leander Strupler’s “Swiss Pro Boxing” defeated South Korea’s Gisu Lee (29) with a unanimous decision (98:92, 97:93, 100:90). Peña showcased his dominance from the outset, impressing with exceptional agility and a versatile arsenal of punches. With this victory, Peña extends his undefeated record to an outstanding 11-0, 6 KOs. Lee falls to 12-5, 5 KOs. Looking ahead, the Swiss champion has set his sights on a world title fight in the super featherweight division.

In a clash for the vacant WBC light flyweight title, WBC #2 rated Panya Pradabsri (44-2, 27 KOs) scored a controversial twelve round majority decision over WBC #1 Carlos Canizales (27-3-1, 19 KOs) on Thursday at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Scores were 114-114 (Malcom Bulner), and 115-113 (Antonio Carrillo), and 116-112 (Zanashir Taznaa) for hometown favorite Pradabsri.

After the fight, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman commented that Venezuelan Canizales “is a warrior who fought his heart out. I am disappointed at the performance of the WBC judges in specific rounds and I will order an immediate review by the corresponding committee. WBC ring officials are accountable for their performance.”

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

Sitting in the waiting room to begin my return home after a marathon and unforgettable December. I leave Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for Dubai, with a four-hour stopover to take a trip to my beloved Mexico, which will last 22 hours due to a stopover in Barcelona. I will be able to arrive on the 23rd at night to celebrate the long-awaited Christmas with my family.

I left on December 3rd, because we had our annual convention in Hamburg, I already told you last week how great it was, but the emotion, the memories and the multiple messages that I continue to receive keep alive the feeling of greatness that was achieved in Germany. Once again Id like to express my gratitude to Ismail Ozen, CEO of Universum, Ahmet Oener, and Malte Muller for the incredible effort to put the WBC annual convention together in Germany, to the WBC staff who worked tirelessly to attend every aspect, and the WBC members and guests which made this one of the best ever. Continue reading “Happy Holidays”

By David Finger

For boxing fans in Southeast New Mexico, the focus of Saturday night’s fight card at the Lea County Event Center was undoubtedly on the three local fighters from Hobbs, New Mexico who were making their professional debuts in front of their hometown crowd. But for boxing fans in general, the small School of Hard Knocks Promotions boxing show that went up against both the Usyk-Fury PPV fight and a pair of college football playoff games, was on their radar for a different reason. Making his professional debut was a young fighter from Odessa, Texas whom many consider to be the Lone Star State’s top prospect and a surefire future world champion in welterweight Josh Franco. Continue reading “Amateur champ Franco wins pro debut”

By David Finger

Fightnews.com® is sad to report the passing for former WBC super-bantamweight champion Thierry Jacob of Calais, France earlier this week. Jacob, whose death was announced by Calais’s mayor Natacha Bouchart on Facebook, was 59-years old.

Jacobs was perhaps best remembered for his stunning victory over Daniel Zaragoza on March 20th, 1992 by way of 12-round unanimous decision in front of his hometown fans in Calais. His win over Zaragoza would give him the WBC super-bantamweight title, and he would hold onto that belt for three months before dropping it to Tracy Harris Patterson in Albany, New York. Following the loss to Patterson, Jacob would finish the year fighting for the WBA super-bantamweight against legendary Puerto Rican puncher Wilfredo Vasquez. Although the Frenchman was leading on one of the judge’s scorecards (the other two had it even after seven rounds), Vasquez was able to stop Jacob in the 8th round. Nonetheless the close nature of the fight allotted Jacob another crack at that belt against the Puerto Rican in June of 1993. Vasquez would again stop Jacob, this time in the tenth round, and Jacobs would only fight once more in 1994 before retiring from the ring. Continue reading “Former WBC Champion Thierry Jacob passes away”

WBO #2 Jack ‘El Gato’ Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs) will face unbeaten WBO #1 Arnold Barboza Jr (31-0, 11 KOs) in a final eliminator for the WBO super lightweight world title at Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday February 15, live worldwide on DAZN.

Jack Catterall: “I’ve got a great fight in Barboza Jr. I’m glad he finally found his pen. I’m not overlooking him, but I’m ready to smash him to pieces to cement my spot for the WBO world title. I’m geared up for this one.”

Arnold Barboza Jr: “I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to take my skills overseas and contribute to my team’s success. I’m truly excited to do what I do best and make it a meaningful win!”

Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) defended his WBC, WBA and WBO titles against Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) for the second time with a 12 round unanimous decision at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

When asked if he thought the judges’ scorecards were correct, Usyk stated, “I’m not the judges, I’m an athlete. It’s not my decision, I win. Thank you, God…he’s a great fighter, he’s a great opponent. It was a great 24 rounds. I want to devote this victory to my mother. She’s worried about me all the time, and I want to say to her thank you very much for everything you’ve done for me. I devote this to her and all mothers of Ukraine.”

After Daniel Dubois came into the ring to verbally challenge Usyk, the champion was unphased, simply stating, “No problem. I am ready. I want to be home for a little rest, but I’m ready.”

* * *

Fury stormed out of the ring without comment after hearing the judges’ verdict, proclaiming that he thought he won by at least three rounds on the way to his dressing room.

Undefeated WBC, WBA, WBO unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) defeated former heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) again on Saturday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Tactical fight. Very close early rounds. Usyk landed two big left hands in round four. Fury connected with some hard shots in round five. Usyk connected with some big shots in round six. Fury, who weighed in 19 pounds heavier than the first fight, seemed to tire as the bout progressed. Fury got a second wind in round nine. Both landed good shots in round ten. Usyk had a strong round eleven and twelve. Scores were 116-112 3x in favor of Usyk.

Unbeaten WBO #6, WBA #10, IBF #14 heavyweight Moses Itauma (11-0, 9 KOs) impressively destroyed Demsey McKean (22-2, 14 KOs) in the first round in the Usyk-Fury co-feature on Saturday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 19-year-old Itauma dropped McKean twice in round one before the bout was stopped. Time was 1:57.

In what was billed as a final WBC super welterweight eliminator, former WBC 154-pound interim titleholder and current WBC #2 Serhii Bohachuk (25-2, 24 KOs) defeated late sub Ishmael Davis (13-2, 6 KOs) by sixth round TKO. Bohachuk dropped Davis in round two with a short left hook. Bohachuk continued to punish Davis until Davis’ corner pulled their man out after round six

Unbeaten WBO #13 rated Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher (13-0, 11 KOs) won a controversial ten round split decision over David “White Rhino” Allen (23-7, 18 KOs). Fisher won the first four rounds, but Allen dropped Fisher in round five, then battered him for two minutes. Allen rocked Fisher again in round six. Both landed big shots after that with Allen clearly doing more damage. Scores were 95-94, 95-94 Fisher, 96-93 Allen.

Featherweight Lee McGregor (15-1-1, 11 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Team Fury member Isaac Lowe (25-3-3, 8 KOs). Scores were 96-92, 97-91, 97-91. Lowe deducted a point for continually losing his mouthpiece.

Former Olympian super featherweight Peter McGrail (11-1, 6 KOs) scored a narrow ten round unanimous decision against previously undefeated WBA #13 Rhys Edwards (16-1, 4 KOs). McGrail fought most the bout with blood streaming from over his right eye. Edwards, a late sub, gave McGrail all he could handle, but came up short 96-95, 96-94, 96-94.

In a clash between unbeaten light heavyweights, WBA #11 Daniel Lapin (11-0, 4 KOs) scored a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over Dylan Colin (14-1, 4 KOs). Scores were 100-90, 99-91, 99-91. The IBF international and WBA continental belts were on the line.

Unbeaten heavyweight Andrii Novytskyi (14-0, 10 KOs) outpointed Edgar Ramirez (10-2-1, 4 KOs) over ten workmanlike rounds. Scores were 100-90, 100-90, 98-92. Novytskyi retains his WBC International belt.

Bantamweight Muhammad Alakel (2-0, 0 KOs) shut out Joshua Ocampo (8-34-5, 6 KOs) over six rounds.

By Joe Koizumi

WBA super flyweight kingpin, unbeaten Argentine Fernando Martinez (17-0, 9 KOs) arrived in Tokyo, Japan on Friday for his revancha (rematch) with ex-IBF champ Kazuto Ioka (31-3-1, 16 KOs) on New Year’s Eve.

The confident-looking Martinez, two years his junior at 33, said, “I have been training in my country two months and in the US a month before coming here. This time the fight will end two rounds earlier than our first encounter (a unanimous decision victory for Fernando this July).” Does it mean he’ll finish Ioka in ten rounds or less?

Martinez is a prohibitive favorite even in Japan due to his impressive performance last time.

By Joe Koizumi

The IBF 115-pound title bout for the vacant championship took place between Mexicans on Saturday in Shizuoka, Japan. IBF#3 Willibaldo Garcia (22-5-2-1NC), 113.75, and IBF#4 Rene Calixto (23-0-1, 9 KOs), 114.25, fought to a split draw over twelve sizzling rounds. It was a bizarre bout with Garcia attacking all the way and Calixto on the defensive occasionally countering the less accurate aggressor.

The officials tallies were as follows: Tetsuya Iida (Japan) 118-110 for Garcia, Surat Soikrachang (Thailand) 116-112 for Calixto, Edward Ligas (Philippines) 114-114. The referee was Koji Tanaka (Japan). The IBF belt had been renounced by Argentine Fernando Martinez who declined to defend his title against the IBF mandatory challenger and decided to respond to the challenge of ex-titlist Kazuto Ioka on New Year’s Eve in Tokyo.

Promoter: Kameda Promotions.

Oleksandr Usyk 226 vs. Tyson Fury 281
(WBC, WBA, WBO heavyweight title)

Serhii Bohachuk 153.1 vs. Ishmael Davis 153.6
Moses Itauma 249.1 vs. Demsey McKean 251.1
Johnny Fisher 241.1 vs. David Allen 257.6
Peter McGrail 129.8 vs. Rhys Edwards 129.1
Isaac Lowe 125.1 vs. Lee McGregor 125.9
Daniel Lapin 174.9 vs. Dylan Colin 173.1
Andrii Novytskyi 237 vs. Edgar Ramirez 261.1
Mohammed Alakel 134.1 vs. Joshua Ocampo 133.4

Venue: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Promoter: Queensberry
TV: DAZN

Undefeated, reigning WBC heavyweight titlist Claressa Shields (15-0, 3 KOs) will attempt to become the first boxer in history to earn the coveted title of undisputed world champion in three different weight classes on Sunday, February 2 when she faces Danielle Perkins (5-0, 2 KOs) for all four championship belts. Following last week’s fight announcement, the WBA, IBF and WBO each have agreed to sanction the bout for their respective women’s heavyweight world titles.

This special Sunday event, Super Brawl Sunday, takes place one week before Super Bowl Sunday, and happens at the Dort Financial Center in Shields’ hometown of Flint, Michigan, airing on DAZN.

Former minimumweight champion Erick “Mini-Pacman” Rosa (8-0, 2 KOs) hammered out a twelve round unanimous decision over Neider Valdez (14-2-2, 11 KOs) to claim the vacant WBA world light flyweight title on Thursday night at the Pabellon de Karate at Centro Olimpico in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Scores were 116-112, 117-111, 117-111.

Unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) and former unified heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) held their final press conference today at the Riyadh Season ahead of their highly anticipated rematch on Saturday, December 21 live worldwide on DAZN PPV from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Oleksandr Usyk: “Now we just have the performance. Talks, cameras, lights, kind of show. Everything is going to be taking place Saturday night on the 21st…” [final message to fury] “Don’t be afraid. I will not leave you alone. See you on Saturday.”

Tyson Fury: “I’ve got nothing to say apart from there’s going to be a whole lot of hurt and pain in this fight, you watch. The talking’s been done. The first fight, I talked, I joked, all my career. This time I’m serious, I’m going to do some damage here on Saturday night. Watch me go to work.”

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten southpaw prospect WBA#14 Yuga Ozaki (8-0-1, 6 KOs), 108, acquired the vacant WBO Asia Pacific junior flyweight belt when he fully displayed his superior hand speed and swept all rounds before halting unbeaten Filipino Archiel Villamor (8-1, 4 KOs), 107, at 2:08 of the ninth round in a scheduled ten on Saturday (December 14) in Osaka, Japan. Ozaki, also holding the WBC youth 108-pound belt, scored his first defense of this championship. Ozaki, 21, handled by ex-OPBF welter champ Taisei Marumoto, steadily showed his improvement since he turned pro after his amateur campaign two years ago.

Promoter: Taisei Promotions
Yuga Ozaki

Japanese legend and four-time world champion Katsunari Takayama (34-9, 12 KOs) triumphed over previously unbeaten Australian Kha Lu (7-1, 3 KOs) to win the vacant IBO minimumweight title at a Sanman Boxing event on Wednesday night at the Bula Gymnasium in General Santos City, Philippines. Takayama dominated the fight with relentless volume punching and pressure from the first round through to the twelfth.

In undercard action, former two-time interim world champion Reymart Gaballo (29-2, 24 KOs) stopped James Pagaling (8-4, 5 KOs) in the third round, sending him to the canvas twice during the bantamweight bout. Former flyweight title challenger Vince Paras (22-3-1, 16 KOs) delivered an impressive performance, dropping and stopping tough veteran Anthony Gilbuela (8-7-2, 2 KOs) in the fourth round. Dave Apolinario (21-1, 14 KOs) made a successful return, winning by unanimous decision against Jeny Boy Boca (14-17, 12 KOs) after six rounds, weighing in at 114 lbs.

By Joe Koizumi

In the midst of winter an avalanche has assaulted Japan, where our customary year-end world title shows have been postponed again and again. WBO bantamweight champ Yoshiki Takei (10-0, 8 KOs), former K-1 world titlist before his entry into the international style boxing, suffered a right shoulder injury so that his defense against unbeaten WBO#10 Yuttapong Tongdee (15-0, 9 KOs), Thailand, will be postponed until April. It was announced by Ohashi Promotions today (Wednesday).

Originally this title competition had been slated in the same show of the world 122-pound unified titlist Naoya Inoue versus Sam Goodman on Christmas Eve, but Goodman’s eye cut during a sparring session inevitably put it off until January 24.

We at first thought the scheduled semi-windup of the Takei versus Yuttapong card would be also moved to the same January 24, but Ohashi Promotions has surprisingly disclosed that Takei’s defense will be postponed separately from the Inoue defense until another fight date depending on the WBO bantam champ’s recovery.

David Nyika has been announced as the new opponent for defending champion Jai Opetaia’s mandatory defence of the IBF and Ring Magazine Cruiserweight world titles. The bout will take place on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at the Gold Coast Convention Centre and will be broadcast globally on DAZN, as well as in pubs and clubs across Australia and New Zealand via Entain Venues. The event is promoted by Tasman Fighters in association with Matchroom and Goldstar Promotions.

The announcement follows Huseyin Cinkara’s unfortunate withdrawal due to injury. Already in training for the undercard, New Zealand’s Nyika (10-0, 9 KOs) now finds himself thrust into the spotlight and a life-changing opportunity against the undefeated Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs). Continue reading “New opponent for Opetaia”

Former unified heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs) is confident that he will avenge his loss to WBC/WBA/WBO heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) on DAZN PPV Saturday from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

How does it feel to be the biggest show in Riyadh?

“I’m the only show in town. This time around everything is pretty much the same. It’s the biggest event of my life, so in that regard it’s pretty much the same. From one biggest event to the next biggest event. I’m looking forward to putting on a show as always.”

What can we expect differently in round 13?

“I’m going to knock him out. I’m going to give Turki what I promised him in May, a cooked rabbit in his kitchen. That’s my promise!”

What is your favorite moment of this week?

“My favorite moment will be getting my hand raised on Saturday night.”

Unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) spoke to the press in advance of Saturday’s rematch with former unified heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs)on DAZN PPV from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

We spoke with Tyson Fury and he promised his excellency that he will knock you out in round 13. How do you feel about that?

“It’s only talk. We will see. Whatever happens is God’s will.”

Right now, all eyes are on you. The world is watching as we close 2024 with you as the main event. How does that make you feel?

“It will be a great fight, I feel really good. I think that I will win.” Continue reading “Usyk: I think that I will win”

History awaits this Saturday, December 21, as Riyadh Season continues with the eagerly awaited rematch between two of the sport’s very best. Oleksandr Usyk faces Tyson Fury again after their undisputed clash earlier this year for the unified heavyweight championship, headlining a blockbuster card in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Today, the fighters took part in the Grand Arrivals at BLVD Runway as the countdown to Saturday’s epic event at the Kingdom Arena continues.