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By David Finger
Photos courtesy WBA

The 103rd Annual WBA Convention kicked off at the Caribe Royal Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida last night at the start of the “Most Valuable Prospects” KO Drugs Boxing card promoted by Boxlab Promotions and Most Valuable Promotions. It was a fight card that featured Antonio Vargas as he took on undefeated Winston Guerrero for the vacant WBA interim bantamweight championship, but it also served as the opening of the WBA Convention, which is coming back to Orlando for the third year in a row. Most Valuable Promotions promoter Jake Paul has worked closely with his non-profit charity Boxing Bullies and the WBA and his partnership with the WBA was evident as the opening ceremony for the WBA convention took place at the start of the DAZN televised boxing show. WBA President Gilberto Mendoza Jr. gave a hint of some of the events boxing insiders could expect during an impromptu interview alongside WBO President Gustavo Olivieri, legendary former WBA women’s champion Amanda Serrano, legendary former female boxer Christy Martin, and Jake Paul. Continue reading “WBA Convention kicks off in Orlando”

Alejandro ‘Konejo’ González (18-6-3, 10 KOs) of Mexico City decisioned countryman Arturo ‘Bam Bam’ Hernández (10-6, 3 KOs). The 10 round bantamweight main event took place Friday night at the Futurama Centro Cultural in Mexico City, Mexico. After a closely contested first round Gonzalez began to take control of the fight. Gonzalez dropped Hernandez in round 3 and would go on to win the unanimous decision. The cards were 99-90 twice and 98-92 all for Gonzalez who won the vacant WBC silver bantamweight title. Continue reading “Gonzalez UD Hernandez in Mexico”

Headlining the Hollywood Fight Night event at the sold-out Chumash Casino Resort on Friday night, undefeated middleweight contender Sadriddin Akhmedov, (15-0-0, 13 KOs), of Almaty, Kazakhstan now residing in Santa Monica, CA stayed perfect with a seventh-round stoppage over Nigerian veteran Raphael ‘Trouble’ Igbokwe, (17-6, 7 KOs), of Houston, TX in the scheduled ten rounder.

Trained by the renowned Abel Sanchez, Akhmedov displayed a relentless body attack and a strong beard in the first half of the fight as he stayed aggressive despite Igbokwe’s counter punching from the southpaw stance.

Akhmedov earned the stoppage from a barrage of unanswered power punches to the head and body in the seventh stanza over the game Igbokwe who had previously fought in a distance fight against former world champion Israil Madrimov. Time was :56 as Akhmedov’s powerful performance stamped him as can’t miss in the future.

2016 U.S. Olympian ‘King’ Karlos Balderas (15-2, 13 KOs), of nearby Santa Maria, CA returned in style in front of a huge crowd of supporters with a sixth-round stoppage of Colombian veteran Cesar ‘Ras Tas Tas’ Villarraga, (11-11-1, 5 KOs) in a scheduled eight rounder. Continue reading “Akhmedov, Balderas victorious”

By Damon Gonzalez/LatinBox Communications

In a clash for the vacant WBA interim bantamweight title, WBA #1 rated Antonio Vargas (19-1, 11 KOs) scored a tenth round TKO against previously unbeaten WBA #9 rated Winston Guerrero (22-1, 13 KOs) on Friday night at the Caribe Royal in Orlando, Florida. Vargas dropped Guerrero in round one. Guerrero responded and floored Vargas in round two. Vargas recovered and began to break down Guerrero. In round ten, Vargas rocked Guerrero and Guerrero’s corner pulled their man out. Time was 2:10. Continue reading “Vargas wins WBA interim bantam belt”

The European Featherweight title was on the line tonight in a card promoted by OPI Since 82 that took place in Carbonia, Sardinia, Italy.

It was a solid performance from featherweight European champion Cristobal Lorente against former EBU Silver 126lbs champion Francesco Grandelli. The Spaniard won via unanimous decision after 12 hard-fought rounds, earning the three judges’ scorecards (116-111, 116-111, 115-113) and keeping on his waist the EBU blue and golden belt. Continue reading “Lorente defeats Grandelli”

Alexis Rocha 146.4 vs. Raul Curiel 146.6
(NABQ/NABF welterweight titles)

Charles Conwell 153.8 vs. Gerardo Vergara 152.8

Scrappy Ramirez 114.6 vs. Ephraim Bui 113.8
Marlen Esparza 114 vs. Arely Mucino 111.8
Victor Morales 130 vs. Ivan Guardado 130
Jorge Chavez 121.4 vs. Ruben Casero 121.2
Ricardo Ruvalcaba 144.8 vs. Jabin Chollet 145
Gael Cabrera 121.2 vs. Garen Diagan 121.6
Joshua Garcia 134.2 vs. Uhiices Avelino-Reyes 132.2
Fabian Guzman 158.4 vs. Travis Floyd 154.6
Javier Meza 140.2 vs. David Music 141.4

Venue: Toyota Arena, Ontario, California
Promoter: Golden Boy
TV: DAZN

Jaime Munguia 169.1 vs. Bruno Surace 169.1
Alan Picasso 125.9 vs. *Yehison Cuello 124.6
*Cuello replaces Picasso’s original opponent, Isaac Sackey
Jorge Garcia Perez 154.3 vs. Kudratillo Abdukakhorov 158.2
Sebastian Hernandez 123.6 vs. Sergio Martin Sosa 123.2
Christian Islas Roldan 130.7 vs. Juan Anacona 129.5

Venue: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico
Promoter: Top Rank
TV: ESPN+

Murodjon Akhmadaliev 121.1 vs. Ricardo Espinoza Franco 121.6
(WBA interim super bantamweight title)

Cheavon Clarke 199 vs. Leonardo Mosquea 198.6
(EBU European cruiserweight title)

Beatriz Ferreira 134 vs. Licia Boudersa 130.6
(IBF female lightweight title)

Gary Cully 134.5 vs. Maxi Hughes 134
Teremoana Teremoana 267.5 vs. Volodymyr Katsuk 238.5

Venue: Salle Des Étoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

Antonio Vargas 117.2 vs. Winston Guerrero 117.8
(WBA interim bantamweight title)

Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton 135 vs. Erik Hanley 133
Dainier Pero 236.8 vs. Walter Burns 225.8
Tammara Thibeault 160 vs. Natasha Spence 158.6
Jeovanny Estela 153.6 vs. Jocksan Blanco 153.2
Gurgen Hovhannisyan 275 vs. Patrick Mailata 309.4
Hendri Cedeño 142 vs. Luis Hernandez Ramos 146.2
Jamar Pemberton 162.8 vs. Kahlil Mitchell 164
Antraveous Ingram 153.2 vs. Freddy Espinoza 156.4
Fradimil Macayo 134.8 vs. Oscar Escandon 138
Alex Bray 154 vs. Gaston Rios 151.6

Venue: Caribe Royale, Orlando, Florida
Promoter: Boxlab Promotions
TV: DAZN

By Brad Snyder-The Undercard
Photos by Bob Ryder

Unbeaten IBF #8 junior middleweight Andreal “Bossman” Holmes Jr. (17-0, 6 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision against Edwin Junior Jimenez (9-1, 7 KOs) on Thursday night at the Dort Center in Flint, Michigan. Scores were 97-93 across the board. With the win, Holmes looks headed toward an IBF eliminator against Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin.

The co-feature saw middleweight Joey Spencer (19-1, 11 KOs) score a tightly contested majority decision victory over Miguel Angel Hernandez (9-1, 7 KOs), giving him his first career loss. While facing adversity throughout the bout, Spencer strung together his third straight victory. Continue reading “Holmes tops Junior, remains unbeaten”

Reigning WBC women’s heavyweight champion Claressa Shields (15-0, 3 KOs) will defend her title plus fight for the vacant WBA heavyweight belt against undefeated contender Danielle Perkins (5-0, 2 KOs) on Sunday, February 2. The event will take place at Dort Financial Center in Shields’ hometown of Flint, Michigan, and air live globally on DAZN.

Heavyweight Bohdan Myronets (10-1, 5KOs) scored the biggest win of his career to date at the Grand Élysée in Hamburg, Germany, by claiming a split decision points win against the previously unbeaten Jose Larduet (13-1, 11KOs), over ten rounds to claim the WBC’s Francophone heavyweight title. The contest featured on Universum’s “Night Of Champions” in collaboration with the WBC and was held during the sanctioning body’s 62nd annual convention. Continue reading “Myronets upsets Larduet at 62nd WBC Convention”

A press conference was held today in Ontario, Calif., to promote Saturday’s 12-round clash between two world title contenders: NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2, 16 KOs) and undefeated knockout artist and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar” Curiel (15-0, 13 KOs) on DAZN from the Toyota Arena.

Alexis Rocha: “Yeah, I got a good opponent coming in front of me, undefeated. He has a winning streak, but every streak, unfortunately comes to an end. I’ve trained very hard for this fight. I’ve cut no corners. I’m mentally, physically, in the best shape possible. This is my moment, and I’m gonna go and take it. This is gonna be a war, December 14, and I’m ready to make a statement.”

Raul Curiel: “I’ve trained very hard for this fight. I know this fight can open all the doors for a world title shot, and that’s my dream. This fight is for Mexico, it is for all my people who have my back and support me. I know I’m going win.”

The road back to a world title for Jaime Munguia (44-1, 35 KOs) continues in a familiar setting. The Mexican super middleweight star comes home this Saturday, Dec. 14, to face the unbeaten Bruno Surace (25-0-2, 4 KOs) in the 10-round main event at Estadio Caliente in Tijuana.

In the 10-round co-feature, WBC #1 junior featherweight contender Alan Picasso (30-0-1, 16 KOs) hopes to set the stage for a monster 2025 when he takes on Ghana’s Isaac Sackey (26-2-2, 21 KOs).

This is what Munguia and Surace had to say at Thursday’s press conference.

Jaime Munguia: “He is a strong fighter. He throws a lot of combinations. We have to be careful with that. I’ve studied him, and I’m confident of the work that we have done. I will walk away with my hand raised in victory…if I knew in what round I could knock him out, I would bet all of my money on that. But I don’t know. It’s uncertain. I can tell you now with full certainty that I will be looking for the knockout.”

Bruno Surace: “He’s an outstanding fighter. He’s aggressive and very offensive. In the first few rounds, I’ll have to get a lot of information and lay out a plan to fight him. But I’ve also seen many videos of him, and I know how I will need to box him.”

Sadriddin Akhmedov 158.8 vs. Raphael Igbokwe 157.2
Karlos Balderas 142 vs. Cesar Villarraga 140.6
Jorge Maravillo 151.8 vs. Damoni Cato-Cain 150
Angel Carrillo 124 vs. Joshua Torres 124
Fidencio Hernandez 124.2 vs. Josaphat Navarro 124.2
Perla Bazaldua 114.2 vs. Mollie Backowski 112

Venue: Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California
Promoter: 360 Promotions
TV: UFC Fightpass

Francesco Grandelli 125.2 vs. Cristobal Lorente 125.2
(EBU European featherweight title)

Fabio Turchi 204.69 vs. Viktar Chvarkou 201.6
Patrick Cappai 127.5 vs. Tasha Mjuaji 127.3
Stefano Lai 151 vs. Sebastiano Argiolas 151
Fabio Crobeddu 124.6 vs. Christofer Salvatore 124.6
Lorenzo Fais 117.9 vs. Mladen Boljkovac 119.49

Venue: Palasport, Carbonia, Italy
Promoter: OPI Since 82
TV: ESPN+ (US), DAZN (Italy)

Nick Ball will make a second defense of his WBA world featherweight title against former world champion TJ Doheny at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on Saturday March 15. The card is co-headlined by British and Commonwealth bantamweight champion Andrew Cain going up against the European champion Charlie Edwards’.

In further major championship action, Brad Strand (12-1, 4 KOs) will take on Ionut Baluta (16-5-1, 3) for the vacant WBO European super bantamweight title and Cuban super featherweight star Jadier Herrera (16-0, 14) will make a defense of his WBA Intercontinental championship belt. Super-flyweight knockout machine Jack Turner (10-0, 9) will fight over 10 rounds.

“This card is literally combustible!” stated Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren. “There is so much at stake in all the championship fights and every one of them has got all the makings of a cracker!”

Report/Photos by Boxing Bob Newman

Firstly, more awards were verbally bestowed and will be mailed or otherwise delivered to the recipient.

• Work Horse: Anson Wainwright
• Lifetime Achievement: Don Majeski
• Commissioner of the Year: Charlie Giles
• Committee Chairman: Thanapol Bhakdibhumi
• Confederation: EBU
• MVP: Kevin Noon
• Lady of the Year: Miss Nagano (Teiken Gym)
• Commission of the Year: British Boxing Board
• Boxing Couple: Roberto & Carla Diaz
• Good Fellow Award: Mike George
• Man of the Year: Turki Alalshiekh
• Committee Member of the Year: Dr. Ricardo Monreal & Marcos Ariente
• Dr. Finerman Award: Luis Rodriguez

Continue reading “62nd Annual WBC Convention Day Three”

Lightweight Jonhatan Cardoso (18-1, 15 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Eduardo Ramirez (28-5-3, 13 KOs) on Wednesday night at the ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Scores were 97-93, 96-94, 96-94.

Unbeaten featherweight Luis Nunez (20-0, 13 KOs) hammered out a ten round unanimous decision over Leonardo Baez (21-5, 12 KOs). Scores were 99-91, 98-92, 98-92.

Unbeaten bantamweight Katsuma Akitsugi (12-0, 3 KOs) stopped former world title challenger Aston Palicte (28-6-1, 23 KOs) in round six. Akitsugi battered Palicte to the canvas to end it.

Unbeaten light heavyweight Dante Benjamin (10-0-1, 8 KOs) needed just 64 seconds to finish Aaron Casper (7-8-2, 5 KOs).

Weights by Brad Snyder / The Undercard

Ardreal Holmes Jr. 153.4 vs. Edwine Junior Jimenez 153.2
Joey Spencer 159 vs. Miguel Angel Hernandez 159.2
Caroline Veyre 124.6 vs. Gabriela Bouvier 125.4
Kahmel Makled 178 vs. Dominique Dunning 181
Hunter Lee 153.4 vs. Derrick Shreeve 149
Byron Rojas 113.4 vs. Robin Ellis 112.8
Pryce Taylor 264.2 vs. KeShawn Jackson 249.2
Da’Velle Smith 164.6 vs. William Townsel 160.6
Samantha Worthington 138.6 vs. Jaica Pavilus 134

Salita Promotions presents Big Time Boxing at Dort Financial Center Thursday December 12. First bell at 5:30pm with tickets available at the box office. DAZN will stream the action.

Shady Gamhour 162.8 vs. Devontae McDonald 164
Dominique Roundtree 125.3 vs. Jose Antonio Sampedro 124.4
Andrew Murphy 166.6 vs. Andres Martinez 166.9
James Wilkins 129.8 vs. Dennis Contreras 131.6
Chris Young 134.5 vs. Anthony Curtiss 136

Venue: Legends Casino Hotel, Toppenish, Washington
Promoter: Roy Jones Jr.
TV: PPV ($12.99 BLK Prime)

Italian contender Francesco Grandelli will square off against Spain’s Cristobal Lorente in the 12-round main event for Lorente’s European Union featherweight crown this Friday, Dec. 13, at the Palazzetto Dello Sport Carbonia in Carbonia, Italy.

Grandelli-Lorente and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.

Grandelli (18-3-2, 4 KOs) rebounded from his 2023 loss to Mauro Forte with a decision win over Emiliano Salvini that July and a second-round stoppage of then-unbeaten Stefan Voda in December. The 30-year-old returns home following a decision defeat versus Scotsman Nathaniel Collins on enemy turf in May. Lorente (19-0-1, 8 KOs) is an eight-year pro coming off a breakout performance against Forte, defeating him via 12-round majority decision in July to claim the European Union title. Continue reading “ESPN+ picks up Grandelli-Lorente clash”

Report and Photos: Boxing Bob Newman

Day two proved to be a long one as the ratings and mandatory defenses of both men and women were gone over. This year, the weight divisions were observed starting with strawweights and moving up towards heavyweights, rather than vice versa.

The following movements were observed:

Strawweight, Beaven Sibanda moved from #15 to #13.

Flyweight, former WBA champ Artem Dalakian moved from #15 to #11, on the condition that he comes through with his scheduled February fight.

Super Flyweight saw Don Majeski thanking the WBC for their #2 ranking of Andrew Moloney. In turn, the WBC presented Majeski with a lifetime achievement award.

Super Feathers Khalil El Hadri (#19) and William Vargas (#30) will contest the vacant WBC silver title. Michael Magnesi (#6) will face the winner.

Super Lightweight saw #3 Dalton Smith move to #2, swapping places with #2 Jack Catterall going down to #3. Promoter of both fighters Eddie Hearn of Matchroom supported the move as Catterall is going the WBO eliminator route.

Middleweight Chris Eubank, Jr. moved from #3 to #2.

Cruiserweight saw new #1 Michal Cieslak move back to #3 from whence he came, after the recent draw (12/7/24) between then #1 Ryan Rozicki and #2 Yamil Alberto Peralta, who will resume their respective positions. Champion in recess- Badou Jack took the microphone to proclaim the he is in training and boxing politics have kept him out of the ring. He is ready to take on current champion Norair (Noel) Mikaeljan, or anyone else.

Heavyweight saw WBC Silver champion Lawrence Okolie move from #5 to #4, swapping places with Martin Bakole who will now be #5.

Continue reading “62nd Annual WBC Convention Day Two – Ratings”

Jonhatan Soares Cardoso 134.4 vs. Eduardo Ramirez 135
(WBA Continental North American lightweight title)

Katsuma Akitsugi 118.2 vs. Aston Palicte 117.4
(WBA Continental North American bantamweight title)

Luis Nuñez 129.8 vs. Leonardo Baez 126.8
Dante Benjamin 173 vs. Aaron Casper 177.6
Hugo Amador Mendez 136.6 vs. Edwin Tercedo 136.2
Drake Banks 258.4 vs. Cashton Young 204.4
Mikahail Hernandez 144.2 vs. Carlos Rocha 139.2

Venue: ProBox Event Center, Plant City, Florida
Promoter: ProBox
TV: ProBox TV

Report/Photos by Boxing Bob Newman

Ermal Hadribeaj 154 vs Eddy Colmenares 154
(WBC International Super Welter)

Serkay Comert 158.7 vs Yassin Hermi 158.7
(WBC International Silver Middle)

Jose Larduet 221.8 vs Bohdan Myronets 222

Branimir Malenica 174.6 vs Benjamin Gavazi 174.8
(WBC International Silver Light Heavy)

Asley Gonzalez Macias 114.6 vs Mary Romero 113.5
(WBC Super Fly)

Esneidy Rodriguez Olmos 101.4 vs Sana Hazuki 102
(WBC Silver Atom)

Mourad Alive 259 vs Davide Brito 222.6
(WBC International Silver)

Billy Dib 134.4 vs Attila Kayabasi 136.6
Henry Green 146.6 vs Jonny Sanchez 147.2
Shokhjakhon Abdullaev 193.5 vs Dzemal Bosnjak 195.1

Venue: Grand Elyseé Hotel, Rotherbaum, Hamburg, Germany
Commission: Buns Deutsche Berufsboxer
Promoter: Ahmet Öner (Arena-Box Promotin), Ismael Özen (Universim-Box Promotion)
Matchmaker: Marlon Esteban

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