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Gabriel Maestre 146 vs. Mykal Fox 146.4
(WBA interim welterweight title)

Eimantas Stanionis 148.6 vs. Luis Collazo 148.8
Devon Alexander 154 vs. Lucas Santamaria 148.6
Petr Khamukov 166.6 vs. Marco Delgado 166.8
Ryan Karl 144.8 vs. Edgar Ramirez 144.8
Joahnys Argilagos 117.6 vs. Luis Javier Valdes 120
Breeon Carothers 135.6 vs. Phillip Percy 135.8

Venue: The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Promoter: TGB Promotions
TV: FOX

The World Boxing Council represented by its President, Mauricio Sulaiman from Mexico and WBC Middleweight Champion, Jermall Charlo along with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation represented by its Chairman, Rick Figueroa, met The Governor of the State of Texas, Honorable Greg Abbott yesterday at the State Capitol in Austin Texas.

The WBC Awarded Governor Abbott the Award “Hero for Humanity” recognizing his exemplary dedication and performance during the Covid 19 Pandemic which has hurt the world at all levels possible and imaginable.

“It was during the darkest times when the leadership of Governor Abbott rose to take actions which paved the way to the activation of the State, the country and the world in specific scenarios like the sport of boxing, it is my great honor to present this award on behalf of all the members of The WBC representing 170 countries of the world,” said Sulaiman. Continue reading “The WBC and TDLR visit Texas Governor Greg Abbott”

Kid Galahad 125.75 vs. James Dickens 125.25
(IBF featherweight title)

Fabio Wardley 235.5 vs. Nick Webb 256
Alen Babic 210 vs. Mark Bennett 272.5
Ebanie Bridges 118.75 vs. Bec Connolly 119
Johnny Fisher 239.25 vs. Danny Whitaker 259.5
Aqib Fiaz 131.75 vs. Kevin Baldospino 131.25

Venue: Matchroom HQ Garden, Brentwood, Essex, England
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

Courtesy Jim Jenkins, Sacramento Bee

David Melgoza 150 vs. Elias Davis 150
Kevin Montano 128 3/4 vs. Tyler Marshall 127 1/2
William Villa 123 vs. Jorge Soto Aguilar 126
Matthew Reed 146 1/4 vs. David Minter 145 3/4
Mark Salgado 133 vs. Cmaje Ramseur 134 1/4
Joeshon James 159 1/4 vs. Christian Duran 159.8

Date: 6:45 p.m., Friday, August 6.
Venue: Doubletree Hotel.
Promoter: Nasser Niavaroni (Uppercut Promotions).

By Joe Koizumi

Aggressive Japanese southpaw Ryomei Tanaka won the bronze medal in the 52-kilogram class of the Olympic Games on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. Ryomei, a 27-year-old elder brother of formerly three-division WBO champ Kosei Tanaka, had defeated three ex-medalists of Yoel Finol, Jianguan Hu and Yuberjen Martinez in the previous contests. Tanaka, however, lost to Carlo Paalam, a faster Filipino, by a unanimous decision (30-27 four times, 29-28, all for Paalam) over three hard-fought rounds in the semi-final. Ryomei, who changed his usual outboxing to free-swinging like his brother Kosei, threw stronger southpaw lefts, but Paalam connected well with right counters to the willing mixer, scoring good points. In the tough category with many strong participants it is remarkable that the underdog Ryomei could seize the bronze medal. It was the second time since Kiyoshi Tanabe in the Rome Games in 1960 that a Japanese flyweight won the bronze medal. Ryomei, a teacher of his alma mater Chukyo High School, didn’t turn professional like Kosei, but stayed in the amateur and kept on pursuing the Olympic medal. His dream came true.

USA lightweight Keyshawn Davis defeated Armenian Hovhannes Bachkov by unanimous decision in an ugly wrestling match on Friday in the Kokugikan Arena at the Tokyo Olympics. Davis won round one, but was deducted a point in round two. He then swept round three to move on to the gold medal match.

Davis will face Cuban Andy Cruz in Sunday’s final. Cruz defeated Australian Harry Garside by unanimous decision. Garside took an eight count in round three.

* * *

In the men’s heavyweight final, Cuban Julio la Cruz outboxed Russian Muslim Gadzhimagomedov. The Rio light heavy gold medalist la Cruz was in command all the way. This was Cuba’s third gold medal.

WBA #1 welterweight contender Eimantas Stanionis and former world champion Luis Collazo went face-to-face at a press conference Thursday to preview their showdown that headlines on FOX this Saturday from The Armory in Minneapolis.

The press conference also featured unbeaten welterweight and two-time Venezuelan Olympian Gabriel Maestre and Mykal Fox, who meet for the WBA interim welterweight title in the co-main event.

Also, former-two division world champion Devon Alexander “The Great” and Luke Santamaría, whose welterweight duel kicks off the telecast. Continue reading “Weltermania Final Press Conference”

Three undercard matchups have been added to the Pacquiao-Spence Pay-Per-View on August 21 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. WBA welterweight super champion Yordenis Ugás (26-4, 12 KOs) will square off against Argentina’s Fabian “TNT” Maidana (18-1, 13 KOs) in the co-main event, while former world champions Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (36-6-1, 20 KOs) and “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (32-6-3, 25 KOs) will meet in a 10-round welterweight duel. Kicking off the pay-per-view will be unbeaten featherweight Mark Magsayo (22-0, 15 KOs) against former world champion Julio Ceja (32-4-1, 28 KOs) in a 10-round attraction.

Two-division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux gave insight into his training camp as he prepares to take on WBO Bantamweight World Champion John Riel Casimero on August 14 in the main event live on SHOWTIME from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Here is what Rigondeaux had to say about training camp with Ronnie Shields and more: Continue reading “Rigondeaux: I’m going to tame Casimero”

On Thursday, August 26, promoter Lou DiBella will take his Broadway Boxing series to “The Diamond” in Richmond, Virginia, home of minor league baseball’s Richmond Flying Squirrels. Fite will stream the event.

Headlining the event in a 10-round heavyweight clash, between Stephan “Big Shot” Shaw (14-0, 10 KOs) and Robert Simms (11-3, 3 KOs) with the vacant IBF USBA title at stake.

Local heavyweight Jerry “Slugger” Forrest (26-4-1, 20 KOs) takes on Joe Jones (12-4, 9 KOs), for the vacant IBF North American title in the ten-round co-feature. Also, in an eight-rounder,

Fighting in an eight-rounder, unbeaten heavyweight Mike Balogun (17-0, 13 KOs) will battle Nick Davis (6-2, 4 KOs). Balogun played in the NFL for three years.

Undefeated Richie “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera, returns August 14th to where it all started for him in Worcester, Massachusetts. Rivera (19-0, 14 KOs) will take on Ernesto “Gatti” Berrospe Rivas (11-17, 6 KOs) in the 8-round co-featured event on the “New England’s Future VII card, presented by Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE) in association with Shearns Boxing Promotions, in one of three slated title fights at the famed Worcester Palladium. Rivera vs. Rivas will fight for the vacant NBA Americas cruiserweight title. Continue reading “Popeye Rivera returns Aug 14”

Mexican Esteban Bermúdez was presented on Wednesday with his light flyweight champion belt from the president of the World Boxing Association (WBA), Gilberto Jesús Mendoza.

The event was held at a prestigious hotel in Mexico City and featured the outstanding presence of the WBA Female Featherweight Champion Erika Cruz and former WBA Female Minimumweight Champion Anabel “La Avispa” Ortiz, whom, along with the WBA President, were in charge of presenting the champion belt to Bermúdez.

“I am very excited to have my belt. The hardest part comes now, which is retaining it. I want to thank everyone who helped me: My dad, my trainer, and the WBA,” said Bermúdez. Continue reading “Bermúdez receives his WBA belt”

Michael “Mick” Conlan 124.2 vs. TJ Doheny 123.8
(WBA interim featherweight title)

Venue: Falls Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Promoter: MTK Global
TV: ESPN+

We’re getting down to the business end of the Olympic boxing with the medalists already determined in all eight men’s divisions. Cuba has bagged two golds so far and is in the running for two more.

Super Heavyweight
Gold: Richard Torrez Jr. (USA) vs. Bakhodir Jalolov (Uzbekistan)
Bronze: Kamshybek Kunkabayev (Kazakhstan), Frazer Clarke (GB)

Heavyweight
Gold: Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (Russia) vs. Julio La Cruz (Cuba)
Bronze: David Nyika (NZ), Abner Teixeira (Brazil)

Light Heavyweight
Gold: Arlen Lopez (Cuba)
Silver: Benjamin Whittaker (GB)
Bronze: Alphonso Dominguez (Azerbaijan), Imam Khataev (Russia)

Middleweight
Gold: Oleksandr Khyzhniak (Ukraine) vs. Herbert Sousa (Brazil)
Bronze: Eumir Marcial (Philippines), Gleb Bakshi (Russia)

Welterweight
Gold: Roniel Iglesias (Cuba)
Silver: Pat McCormack (GB)
Bronze: Andrej Zamkovoi (Russia), Aiden Walsh (Ireland)

Lightweight
Semifinals
Keyshawn Davis (USA) vs. Hovhannes Bachkov (Armenia)
Andy Cruz (Cuba) vs. Harry Garside (Australia)

Featherweight
Gold: Albert Batyrgaziev (Russia)
Silver: Duke Ragan (USA)
Bronze: Samuel Takyi (Ghana), Lazaro Alvarez (Cuba)

Flyweight
Gold: Galla Yafai (GB) vs. Carlo Paalam (Philippines)
Bronze: Ryomei Tanaka (Japan), Saken Bibossinov (Kazakhstan)

Continue reading “Olympic Boxing Medal Update”

Promoter Mick Hennessy has announced that WBC silver middleweight champion Sam Eggington has signed a long-term promotional agreement with his first fight under the new deal on September 10th, live and free in the UK on Channel 5.

Eggington will headline a card at the Coventry Skydome Arena that also features Isaac Chamberlain, Stevie McKenna, Shakan Pitters, River Wilson Bent, Kaisee Benjamin, Idris Virgo, Brett McGinty, Tommy Welch and Michael Hennessy Jr.

Eggington was last out in May and scored a points victory over former World Champion ‘King’ Carlos Molina.

Russian brawler Albert Batyrgaziev defeated USA featherweight Duke Ragan by split decision to win the Olympic gold medal on Thursday in the Kokugikan Arena at the Tokyo Olympics. The score was 3-2. Three of the judges gave Batyrgaziev the first two rounds, so it was basically over then. Ragan clearly won the last round, but too little, too late. Ragan gets the silver medal.

The USA team still has two more gold medal hopes. USA super heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. will face Uzbek Bakhodir Jalolov for the gold medal on Sunday. USA lightweight Keyshawn Davis has a semifinal matchup on Friday.

Eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao held a media workout Wednesday, as he prepares to take on unified WBC and IBF Welterweight World Champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. headlining a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View Saturday, August 21 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Here is what Pacquiao, Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez had to say: Continue reading “Manny Pacquiao Media Workout”

World ranked Melvin “Melo” Lopez (25-1, 16 KOs) of Nicaragua (now based in Miami) returns to action August 20th when he takes on battle-tested Giovanni Delgado (16-10, 9 KOs) of Mexico in a 10 round main event at the Airport Hilton in Miami, Florida. Lopez is rapidly rising up the world rankings. He knows that he cannot look past the very tough Delgado who has shared the ring with multiple world champions and world-ranked contenders. The event” will be promoted by M&R Boxing Promotions (Laura Ching). Continue reading ““Melo” Lopez headlines in Miami”

The WBC has announced that it will only appoint ring officials and supervisors to WBC-sanctioned bouts who have received the Covid 19 vaccine, and who produce proof of vaccination, without exception.

Local boxing jurisdictions might appoint ring officials, over which appointments the WBC has no control. However, with respect to WBC appointments, the WBC will only consider those individuals who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination.

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

Late-bloomer Gakuya Furuhashi (28-8-1, 16 KOs), 122, impressively kept his Japanese 122-pound belt as he floored Seigo Hanamori (7-4, 5 KOs), 122, in the first round and finally halted him with a barrage of punches at 1:12 of the third session of a scheduled ten on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. Furuhashi, then an obvious underdog, dethroned national champ Yusaku Kuga by a come-from-behind ninth round stoppage this January, and this was his initial defense where he displayed an improved attack to effectively hurt the challenger. It was the 33-year-old champ’s countering right that decked the willing mixer, 23, in the first, and Furuhashi mixed it up to batter Hanamori in the second and fatal third. The referee waved it off then and there. Continue reading “Furuhashi halts Hanamori, keeps Japanese 122lb belt”

USA super heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. soundly defeated Kazakh Kamshybek Kunkabayev. Torrez took round one and dropped Kunkabayev in round two. In addition, Kunkabayev was deducted a point. The bout was stopped due to a cut on Kunkabayev’s nose. Torrez will now face Uzbek Bakhodir Jalolov, who defeated GB boxer Frazer Clarke.

USA women’s welterweight Oshae Jones bowed out in the semi-final losing a decision to Gu Hong.

In a WBA heavyweight title eliminator, Michael “The Bounty” Hunter Jr (20-1-1, 14 KOs) scored a fourth round KO over Michael “White Delight” Wilson (21-2, 10 KOs) on Tuesday night in the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. A big right hand put Wilson on the canvas and he was deemed unable to continue. Time was 2:49. Hunter won the WBA Continental Americas title.

Former WBO world champion Chris Algieri (25-3, 9 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Mikkel Lespierre (22-3-1, 10 KOs). Scores were 99-91, 100-90, 100-90. It was Algieri’s first fight in 26 months.

Welterweight Ivan Golub (20-1, 15 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Eric Hunter (20-4, 9 KOs) to claim the vacant USBA title.

Welterweight Aaron ‘The Alien King’ Aponte (4-0, 2 KOs) scored a second round KO over Gerardo Contreras Gonzalez (2-1, 1 KO). Time was :30.

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Hall of Fame broadcaster Colonel Bob Sheridan has called fights featuring the greatest world welterweight champions including Sugar Ray Leonard (36-3-1, 25 KOs), Roberto Duran (103-16, 70 KOs) and Tommy Hearns (65-5-1, 48 KOs) in world title bouts. He says they would have defeated future Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (50-0, 27 KOs) inside the distance. Continue reading “Colonel: Leonard, Duran, Hearns would stop Floyd”

Kid Galahad has vowed to win his first world title in style as he clashes with familiar foe Jazza Dickens for the vacant IBF featherweight crown at the top of the bill on Matchroom Fight Camp Week 2 this Saturday in Brentwood, Essex, live worldwide on DAZN.

“When we get in that ring on it’s just going to be me and him in there, nobody else. That’s when it’s going to matter. I’ve done it the hard way, and I’m going to win this world title in spectacular fashion. I’m going to be a world champion for a very long time. I’m not going to let it go. Continue reading “Galahad: Dickens going to get seriously hurt”

WBA #6 world-ranked heavyweight Michael “The Bounty” Hunter (19-1-1, 13 KOs) will take on WBA #14 Mike “White Delight” Wilson (21-1, 10 KOs) in the main event tonight at the famed Madison Square Garden (MSG) Theater in New York City, New York. The pair will square off for the WBA Continental Americas title and a WBA title eliminator. They were originally scheduled to fight as a co-featured bout in June but will now take center stage on the first installment of the new monthly series by Triller titled “TrillerVerz”. Continue reading ““The Bounty” Hunter ready to shine at MSG tonight”