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By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

2021 super heavyweight gold medalist and IBF #1 rated Bakhodir ‘The Big Uzbek’ Jalolov (12-0, 12 KO’s) of Uzbekistan continued to build his record in scoring a fourth round stoppage over Curtis Harper (14-9, 9 KO’s) Saturday night on the Zepeda-Prograis undercard at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Jalolov started slow and pumped the jab as he kept Harper at bay in the opening round. The jab continued to land for Jalolov. Things got rough as Harper was hitting on the break and attempted to hit Jalolov behind the head but referee Thomas Taylor stopped and issued a warning to Harper. In the third round, Jalolov let loose as he unloaded the left and a huge straight left in the closing seconds that sent Harper to the canvas but he managed to finish the round. The straight left continued to find its mark for Jalolov as he tagged Harper early on in the fourth. Jalolov then dropped Harper with a series of punches. He was able to get to his feet, but referee Thomas Taylor waved off the contest. Continue reading “IBF #1 Jalolov remains unbeaten”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Undefeated IBF #4, WBC #5, WBO #8, WBA #12 super welterweight Charles ‘Bad News’ Conwell (18-0, 13 KO’s) of Cleveland won a ten round majority decision over the Dominican Republic’s Juan Carlos Abreu (25-7-1, KOs) in a WBC title eliminator Saturday night on the Zepeda-Prograis undercard at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Judges scored the fight 98-92, 96-94, and 95-95.

Conwell suffered a nasty gash on his left eye that bled profusely. Continue reading “Conwell wins majority nod over Abreu”

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Unified IBF/WBO female minimumweight world champion Yokasta ‘Yoka’ Valle (27-2, 9 KO’s) of Costa Rica won a majority decision over IBF/WBO light flyweight champion Evelyn ‘La Princesita’ Bermudez (17-1-1, 6 KO’s) from Argentina in the co-feature bout Saturday night on the Zepeda-Prograis undercard at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Coming out aggressive from the opening bell, Valle didn’t hesitate, taking it to Bermudez. Valle attacked on the inside in the second as Bermudez boxed from a distance outside, Connecting with combinations in round three Valle took it to Bermudez as she kept coming. In the fourth, Valle and Bermudez traded away to close the round as the crowd was on their feet. Continue reading “Zepeda-Prograis Undercard”

Heavyweight Jermaine Franklin (21-1, 14 KOs) went into the lion’s den and almost defeated former world title challenger Dillian Whyte (29-3, 19 KOs), losing by twelve round majority decision on Saturday night at Wembley Arena in London. Neither fighter was really ever in control. Scores were 115-115, 116-112, 116-112 for the local fighter.

After the bout, Whyte stated that he could have been a bit more active and thrown more big shots, but coming off a loss and with a new coach in Buddy McGirt, he said he was just listening to his coach. Franklin stated that he felt he was robbed in the fight.

* * *

Unbeaten heavyweight Fabio Wardley (15-0, 14 KOs) scored a third round TKO over Nathan Gorman (19-2, 13 KOs) in a bout for the vacant British title. Wardley dropped Gorman twice in round two, but Gorman survived the round. Wardley dropped Gorman again in round three and Gorman’s corner threw in the towel moments later. Time was 2:33.

2020 Olympic silver medalist Pat McCormack (3-0, 2 KOs) shut out Christian Nicolas Andino (16-6-2, 2 KOs) over six rounds in a welterweight bout. Score was 60-54. Continue reading “Whyte edges Franklin with majority decision”

In a clash for the WBO interim super middleweight title, John Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs) was victorious when previously unbeaten Zach Parker (22-1, 16 KOs) couldn’t continue after four rounds citing an injured right hand on Saturday night at the 02 Arena in London. Sudden end to a close fight to that point. Ryder is now in line for a shot at undisputed 168lb champion Canelo Alvarez.

John Ryder: “Zach started well, got behind the job well and was peppering me a bit there. I felt like the tide might be starting to turn and I was getting more on top, but these things happen in boxing. It is a bad injury for him and it feels like half a robbery victory for me.”

Zach Parker: “I was warming into the fight and it was becoming a good fight. When the injury happened at the start of that last round I kept having to move because every time I jabbed him it was hurting and clicking.”

WBC #12 middleweight Hamzah Sheeraz (17-0, 13 KOs) won by second round TKO over River Wilson-Bent (13-2-1, 6 KOs) in a bout for the WBC silver title. Sheeraz simply overpowered Wilson-Bent from the get-go and blasted Wilson-Bent to the canvas to end it at 2:55 of round two. Continue reading “Ryder wins WBO interim super middle title”

Unbeaten super lightweight Harlem Eubank (16-0, 6 KOs) scored a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over Tom Farrell (21-6, 5 KOs) on Friday night at the historic York Hall in London. Scores were 99-92, 99-91, and 99-91. Eubank is a cousin of middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr.

In the co-feature, middleweight Liam “The Machine” Williams (25-4-1, 19 KOs) knocked out “The Bomber” Nizar Trimech (9-4-2, 4 KOs) in round two.

Kingdom Boxing presents “Royal Rounds IV” tonight at the Bomb Factor in Dallas, Texas. Seven bouts scheduled to take place in all. Boxing luminaries Roy Jones Jr. and Jeff Mayweather set to be in attendance. The main event will be a women’s bout between Leanne Calderon (1-1-1, 0 KOs) of San Marcos, TX taking on Shuretta “Chiccn” Metcalf (10-4-1, 2 KOs) of Dallas, TX in a six round bout in the super bantamweight division.

Undefeated Roy Jones Jr.-trained fighters Fernando “El Terrible” Bunch (13-0, 6 KOs) and Zacariah “Duke” Lewis (2-0, 2 KOs) are scheduled for separate bouts. Continue reading “Boxing back in Dallas tonight”

Jose Zepeda 139.4 vs. Regis Prograis 139
(WBC super lightweight title)

Yokasta Valle 107.4 vs. Evelin Bermudez 106
(IBF female light flyweight title)

Bakhodir Jalolov 247.6 vs. Curtis Harper 260
Charles Conwell 154 vs. Juan Carlos Abreu 154
Fernando Vargas Jr. 150 vs. Alejandro Martinez 151.25
Amado Vargas 125.8 vs. Osmar Olmos Hernandez ??
Nathan Rodriguez 123.4 vs. Jerson Ortiz 123.8
Ruben Torres 136.2 vs. Eduardo Estela 136
Alejandro Reyes 142.6 vs. Daniel Perales 142.4
Austin Brooks 129 vs. Jesus Roman 129.6
Mario Ramos 151.6 vs. Geronimo Sacco 150
Eric Priest 160 vs. Luis Alberto Vera 159.8
Jacob Macalolooy 146.8 vs. Terrance Jarmon 144

Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California
Promoter: MarvNation
TV: PPV ($59.99)

By Boxing Bob Newman

Sad to report that former IBF jr. middleweight champion Buster Drayton passed earlier this week on November 20th. Born Moses Buster Drayton on March 2, 1952, Drayton became a US Marine in 1972, earning the rank of Sergeant. While enlisted, Drayton became involved in boxing and decided to turn pro after returning to civilian life.

His debut was a foreshadowing of things to come as he was thrown in with hometown fighter Charles Carey in Virginia Beach, earning a four round draw. Drayton would learn his trade in the hardscrabble Philadelphia gyms, becoming a sparring partner for undisputed middleweight champion “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler. Drayton would win more than he lost, but continued to face tough opposition along the way in the likes of James “The Heat” Kinchen, future champs Sumbu Kalambay, Lindell Holmes and Duane Thomas. Continue reading “Buster Drayton remembered”

Zach Parker 167.3 vs. John Ryder 167
(WBO interim super middleweight title)

Hamzah Sheeraz 159.3 vs. River Wilson-Bent 159.7
(WBC silver middleweight title)

Venue: 02 Arena, London
Promoter: Queensberry
TV: ESPN+ (US), BT Sport (UK)

Dillian Whyte 251 vs. Jermaine Franklin 257

Fabio Wardley 240 vs. Nathan Gorman 271

Venue: Wembley Arena, London, England
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Sad to report the passing of former world champion Moises Fuentes at the age of 37. Fuentes never recovered from a brain injury suffered in his KO loss against unbeaten “General” David Cuellar in October 2021. He held the WBO minimumweight world championship and WBO interim light flyweight championship, and compiled a career record of 25-7-1 with 14 KOs. R.I.P.

Heavyweights Dillian Whyte and Jermaine Franklin faced off at the Final Press Conference ahead of their showdown on Saturday night in London.

Dillian Whyte: “We know what’s in front of us. He’s young and he’s dangerous. Obviously he’s undefeated and he’s full of beans as we say here in the UK. It’s up to me to beat them out of him one by one. That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

Jermaine Franklin: “You keep bringing up him being stopped in his last fight but I don’t care about that. I’ve come in here and prepared like he’s a world champion. That’s all we’re looking at. I’m just focused on this fight.”

Fiery Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi captured the vacant Massachusetts State Middleweight title in Wednesday night’s “Jimmy Farrell Fight Night” main event, promoted by Granite Chin Promotions, as Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

The inaugural “Jimmy Farrell Fight Night” honored the late boxing trainer who coached many successful amateur and pro boxers in the Boston area during the past 4-plus decades. Continue reading “Results from Springfield, MAss.”

By Bob Caico

Bizzarro promotions continued Erie PA’s annual pre-thanksgiving boxing with a three bout card at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, Pennsylvania.

In the six round main, Alex Castellano (8-1-1) of Buffalo, NY and Andre Donovan (2-2) from Coshocton, OH battled to a three round no-contest after Castellano suffered a bad cut from an accidental head butt. The doctor stopped the fight before letting the fourth round begin. Continue reading “Results from Erie, Pennsylvania”

By Miguel Maravilla

WBC top-ranked super lightweights, #1 contender Jose “Chon” Zepeda (35-2, 27 KOs) of La Puente, California, and number two contender Regis Prograis (27-1, 22 KOs) of New Orleans, Louisiana met early this week in Los Angeles for their final press conference. Prograis Zepeda, square off this Saturday night for the vacant WBC super lightweight title at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, live on Pay per view.

“Both of us need it bad. We are the top 2, 140 pounders and with the most knockouts. There is dynamite and we have heart, it’s going to be fight of the year,” Zepeda told Fightnews.com®. “This is the time. It’s my third opportunity for a world title. I am 100 percent ready and focused,” Jose Zepeda added.

“I feel awesome. It’s been a long camp. It’s days away and I am ready. I train so hard, that’s why I am so confident that I will be victorious. I feel he does not train like me,” Regis Prograis told Fightnews.com®. Continue reading “Zepeda-Prograis Potential Fight of the Year?”

The WBA Championships Committee has granted a period of 15 days to the teams of featherweight “super” champion Leo Santa Cruz and “regular” featherweight champion Leigh Wood to reach an agreement and submit the contracts to the organization; otherwise, the fight will be up for bidding on December 12 in Orlando during the WBA’s Centennial Convention. The fight is part of the plan to reduce world titles and that seeks to leave the 126 lbs. with only one champion. Continue reading “WBA gives Santa Cruz, Wood 15 days to negotiate”

Tensions were high on Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles as a massive crowd of Southern California media attended the final press conference for ‘Battle of the Best’ Tuesday afternoon with #1 Ranked Jose ‘Chon’ Zepeda, (23-0-1, 20 KOs), of La Puente, CA and #2 Ranked Regis ‘Rougarou’ Prograis, (27-1, 23 KOs), of New Orleans, LA coming face-to-face for one of the final times ahead of their highly anticipated battle for the WBC Super lightweight world title set for this Saturday night at ‘The War Grounds’ Dignity Health Sports Park.

Jose Zepeda: “Prograis is going to be very surprised by my power and speed. We’re both going to fight the way we’ve been fighting. He hits hard, I hit hard and both of us are desperate to win which will make for a great fight. Both of us have a lot of heart and we both are looking for a real fight to settle this. I had two previous opportunities to win a world title and I truly believe this is the best version of me for this fight.”

Regis Prograis: “He said he’s 100% after the car accident so I don’t want to hear any excuses after the fight. I’m ready to dominate for 12 rounds. I’m going to dominate and I’m not worried about anything else…I just feel like I’m on another level than him, skill-wise. I have more experience and I’ve been at the top already. If you compare strength, power, chin, stamina, speed, defense, I feel like I win every time. Every category, it’s me. He’s been hurt, he’s been dropped a bunch of times. I’ve never been hurt and I destroy people.”

Super lightweight Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (27-1, 23 KOs) is a solid 4:1 favorite over Jose “Chon” Zepeda (35-2, 27 KOs) to claim the vacant WBC 140lb world title on Saturday at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Prograis opened at -200 and has been getting steady backing from bettors.

In the other fights of interest on the $59.99 PPV telecast, unbeaten junior middleweight Charles “Bad News” Conwell (17-0, 13 KOs) is a whopping 30:1 favorite over Juan Carlos Abreu (25-6-1, 23 KOs) and 2020 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist Bakhodir “The Big Uzbek” Jalolov, (11-0, 11 KOs) is 50:1 against Curtis Harper (14-8, 9 KOs).

The undercard is set for the $39.99 BLK Prime PPV fight between Terence “Bud” Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs) and David Avanesyan (29-3-1, 17 KOs), taking place at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Cris Cyborg (1-0, 1 KO) is scheduled to make her U.S. boxing debut against MMA fighter Gabrielle Holloway (0-0) in the co-main event special feature attraction.

Other bouts:

Ten rounds – Featherweight
Arnold Khegai (18-1-1, 11 KOs) vs. Eduardo Baez (21-3-2, 7 KOs)

Six Rounds – Heavyweight
Jeremiah “Dreamland” Milton (7-0, 6 KOs) vs. Dajuan Calloway (5-1, 5 KOs)

Eight Rounds – Light Heavyweight
Steven Nelson (17-0, 14 KOs) vs. James Ballard (10-4, 3 KOs)

Super middleweight contenders Zach Parker and John Ryder will collide in a 12-round main event for the WBO interim 168lb world title this Saturday, Nov. 26, at The O2 in London. This high-stakes showdown pits two of the UK’s top fighters, with the winner in pole position to earn a super fight with undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez in 2023.

Parker-Ryder and undercard contests will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Parker (22-0, 16 KOs) is a former British super middleweight champion who has been waiting patiently for a signature fight. He was supposed to fight Demetrius Andrade, but the American standout pulled out of a proposed May date with an injury and then declined the fight following a purse bid in September. Continue reading “Parker-Ryder collide on ESPN+ Saturday”

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

WBA #1, IBF #2, WBO #7 middleweight Michael Zerafa (31-4, 19 KOs) outpointed Sydney-based Italian Danilo Creati (8-1, 1 KO) over ten rounds in a lackluster bout at the Aware Theatre, Sydney, NSW, Australia, on Wednesday night televised on Foxtel Main Event and Kayo Sport Pay-Per-View. Zerafa was content to exchange long-range punches with the inexperienced Creati, and at no point in the bout was Creati in danger of visiting the canvas. At the conclusion of ten rounds, scores were 99-91, 98-93, 98-92 all for Zerafa.

Zerafa said afterward, “Creati was tricky and he was awkward. I took the fight on four weeks’ notice and my team is in America but full credit to Team Ellis.“

In other action, Australian heavyweight contender and Rugby league legend Paul Gallen (15-2-1, 8 KOs) outscored Justin Hodges (5-3, 2 KOs) over six rounds. Both Gallen and Hodges exchanged accurate left jabs in all the rounds but Gallen also connected with effective body punches and after six action rounds scores were 59-55, 60-54, 60-54. The 41-year-old Gallen announced his retirement after the bout. Continue reading “WBA #1 Zerafa victorious; Gallen wins, then retires”

By Jeff Zimmerman

Fightnews.com® caught up with rising, undefeated middleweight prospect Samuel Arnold III as he fights this Saturday at the Bomb Factory in Dallas. At only 19, Arnold was a 7X national amateur champion and has big dreams between 160-175. Arnold shared his views on Spence-Crawford as well as Plant-Benavidez and his relationship with former champ Corey Spinks from his original hometown of St. Louis and much more in this exclusive interview.

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Junior welterweight “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams and heavyweight Stephan “Big Shot” Shaw both kept their unbeaten records intact on Tuesday night as Broadway Boxing returned to New York City inside the famous Edison Ballroom.

Williams (19-0-1, 8 KOs) outpointed Clarence Booth (21-6, 13 KOs) over ten rounds by scores of 99-90, 97-92, 98-91. Both down in round ten.

Shaw (18-0, 13 KOs) shut out Rydell Booker (26-7-1, 13 KOs) over eight one-sided rounds. Scores were 80-72 3x.

In other action, unbeaten light heavyweight Juan Carlos Carillo (9-0, 7 KOs) scored a third round TKO over Matthew Tinker (8-2, 6 KOs).

Anthony Andreozzi 159.4 vs. Julien Baptiste 158.6
Lucinei Santons 140.2 vs. Stephen Davis 140.8
Scott Lampert 173.2 vs. Michael Medeiros TBA
Kirk Wilmont 264.6 vs. Aquilla Prote 257.8

Venue: Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
Promoter: Granite Chim Promotions