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Two USA boxers were victorious on Tuesday in the Kokugikan Arena at the Tokyo Olympics.

In a featherweight semifinal, USA boxer Duke Ragan won a split decision over Samuel Take of Ghana. Ragan will go on to the gold medal match against Russian Albert Batyrgaziev, who edged Cuban Lazaro Alvarez.

In a lightweight quarterfinal, USA boxer Keyshawn Davis won a split decision over Russian brawler Gabil Mamedov. The bout was even going into round three. Davis staggered Mamedov and got a standing eight count in the final stanza to win it. Davis is assured of at least a bronze and will move on to the semifinals against Armenian Hovhannes Bachkov.
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Welterweight contender Eimantas Stanionis (13-0, 9 KOs) will square off against former world champion Luis Collazo (39-8, 20 KOs) in a 10-round duel that headlines on FOX this Saturday from The Armory in Minneapolis. The telecast also features unbeaten welterweight and two-time Venezuelan Olympian Gabriel Maestre (3-0, 3 KOs) battling Mykal Fox (22-2, 5 KOs) for the WBA interim welterweight title in the co-main event. Kicking off the broadcast, former-two division world champion Devon Alexander “The Great” (27-6-1, 14 KOs) will return to action for a 10-round welterweight showdown against Luke Santamaría (11-2-1, 7 KOs).

Maestre was originally scheduled to face fellow unbeaten Cody Crowley, who was forced to withdraw after a positive COVID-19 test.

Michael Hunter, 217.2 vs. Mike Wilson, 224.2
(WBA heavyweight world title eliminator)

Chris Algieri, 142.8 vs. Mikkel LesPierre, 144
Aaron Aponte, 139.8 vs. Gerardo Gonzalez, 138
Joe Ward, 175.2 vs. Troy Williams, 175.6
Eric Walker 147 vs. Ivan Golub, 146.2
(USBA welterweight title)
Christina Cruz, 111.2 vs. Indeya Smith, 111.6
Matthew Tinker, 174.2 vs. Michael Rycraft, 173.2
Robert Sabbagh, 220.2 vs. Cleveland Billingsley III, 251.2
Nikoloz Sekhniashvili, 154.2 vs. Guido Schramm, 155

Venue: Madison Square Garden Theater, NYC
Promoter: DiBella Entertainment
TV: fite.tv

On Thursday, August 19, promoters Sampson Boxing, Best Box and Paco Presents will host the first of a six-event series of professional boxing shows, entitled “Boxeo Caliente,” to be held at the Vasco Núñez de Balboa Convention Center in the El Panama Hotel in Panama City, Panama, broadcast live internationally on TyC Sports, and in Panama on TV Max.

For the inaugural Boxeo Caliente main event, Panamanian hero and WBA #9 super featherweight Jaime “Jaimito” Arboleda (16-2, 13 KOs) will take on Argentinean two-time world champion Jonathan “Yoni” Barros (43-7-1, 22 KOs) over 10 rounds for the WBA Fedebol super featherweight title. Continue reading “Arboleda-Barros collide Aug 19”

Entertaining heavyweight KO artist Alen “The Savage” Babic (7-0, 7 KOs) is back in action Saturday against Mark “Bad News” Bennett (7-1, 1 KO) in a scheduled eight rounder on the Galahad-Dickens undercard in Brentwood, Essex, live worldwide on DAZN.

“I don’t know who that Bennett guy is, I really don’t,” said Babic. “They told me he’s big. That’s all I need to know – another giant to slay. I hear he has six or seven victories but zero knockouts, or one knockout. How can you get into the ring with ‘The Savage’ with a record like that? Continue reading “Babic vows to destroy Bennett”

Florida’s most prominent boxing promoter Tuto Zabala Jr. has announced that he has secured not one, but two venues to host the WBO junior flyweight world championship title bout in the fall, between current world champion Elwin “La Pulga” Soto (19-1, 13 KOs) of Mexico and #1 mandatory challenger Jonathan “La Bomba” Gonzalez (24-3, 14 KOs), from Puerto Rico.

Although negotiations are currently underway, Zabala does not want to waste time if negotiations do not pan out and the WBO calls for purse bids. Therefore, two host cities have been secured. The first one is San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Kissimmee, Florida is plan B. Continue reading “All Star Boxing ready to host Soto-Gonzalez clash”

Three new matchups have been finalized for the Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley Showtime PPV fight card. Former world champion Ivan Barancyhk will compete along with WBA interim heavyweight champion Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois and UK star Tommy “TNT” Fury making their U.S. debuts in separate bouts on Sunday, August 29 from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

A former junior welterweight world champion, Baranchyk (20-2, 13 KOs) will face unbeaten Montana Love (15-0, 7 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Dubois (16-1, 15 KOs) will face Joe Cusumano (19-3, 17 KOs) in a non-title 10-rounder, and Fury (6-0, 4 KOs), the younger brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, will square off against MMA fighter Anthony “Pretty Boy” Taylor in a six-round, 180-pound catchweight fight. Continue reading “Dubois, Barancyhk on Paul-Woodley PPV”

By Jeff Zimmerman
Video Editing: Noe Gonzalez

Fightnews.com® caught up with one of boxing’s best trainers Derrick James as he prepares unified welterweight champ Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. to square off against the living legend Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao Sat, Aug. 21 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and shown live on FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View.

James shared his thoughts on what it will take to beat Pacquiao, the idea of fighting Terence “Bud” Crawford before Spence moves to 154 and if he could see a potential matchup with Canelo by the end of the year if he comes out unscathed against Pacquiao. James also took a look back at his other unified champ, Jermell Charlo, and his recent fight with Brian Castano for the undisputed title at 154 and much more in this exclusive interview!

Featherweights Michael Conlan (15-0, 8 KOs) and T.J. Dohenny (22-2, 16 KOs) will now be fighting for the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim title. The Championships Committee of the pioneer organization approved the fight that will take place this Friday at the Falls Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The title became available when Mexican Eduardo Ramirez informed the WBA of his decision to vacate through a letter sent by his promotions company Sampson Boxing. Ramirez thanked the WBA and explained that another opportunity has presented itself and he will take another direction in his career.

The first IBF featherweight title fight since 2019 will take place on DAZN Saturday when Jazza Dickens (30-3, 11 KOs) faces Kid Galahad a.k.a. Barry Awad (27-1, 16 KOs) for the vacant title at Matchroom HQ in Brentwood, Essex, England.

The belt has been vacant since January when then-champ Josh Warrington vacated after the organization refused to sanction a unification fight with then-WBA champion Xu Can.

Dickens-Galahad is a rematch, with Galahad having stopped Dickens in ten rounds back in 2013. Continue reading “Dickens-Galahad to fill vacant IBF feather title”

Pretty good mid-week fight card tomorrow night from the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The event is headlined by a ten-round WBA heavyweight world title eliminator between Michael “The Bounty” Hunter Jr. (19-1-1, 13 KOs) against Michael ‘White Delight’ Wilson (21-1, 10 KOs).

The co-feature is former world champion Chris Algieri (24-3-0, 9 KOs) against cross-town rival Mikkel ‘Slikk Mikk’ LesPierre, (22-2-1, 10 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round all New York welterweight clash.

In another notable bout for the vacant IBF-USBA welterweight title, Eric ‘The Baby-Faced Assassin’ Walker (20-3, 9 KOs) faces Ivan ‘The Volk’ Golub (22-2-1, 10 KOs).

The show marks the debut of the ‘TrillerVerz’ series, which will take place the first Tuesday of each month in the legendary MSG venue and be streamed free on fite.tv and triller.co.  In addition to boxing, fans will thrill to a rap battle between “Dipset” and “The Lox.”

Last night, professional boxing returned to Massachusetts for the first time in 1½ years, due to pandemic restrictions, as Vertex Promotions presented it first show, “Fight Night on the Charles at Moseley’s,” at Moseley’s On The Charles in Dedham, Massachusetts.

“Fight Night on the Charles at Moseley’s” also marked the initial pro boxing event ever held in Dedham, the town located on Boston’s southwest border that was settled in 1635. Vertex Promotions’ first show was a sellout, in fact, people were turned away at the door. Continue reading “Results from Massachusetts”

We’re getting down to the business end of the Olympic boxing with the medalists already determined in six of the eight men’s divisions. There are still traffic jams to be sorted out at lightweight and flyweight. No boxing action slated for Monday.

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

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

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

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

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

Lightweight
Keyshawn Davis (USA) vs. Gabil Mamedov (Russia)
Hovhannes Bachkov (Armenia) vs. Elnur Abduraimov (Uzbekistan)
Andy Cruz (Cuba) vs. Wanderson De Oliveira (Brazil)
Zakir Safiullin (Kazakhstan) vs. Harry Garside (Australia)

Featherweight
Duke Ragan (USA) vs. Samuel Takyi (Ghana)
Lazaro Alvarez (Cuba) vs. Albert Batyrgaziev (Russia)

Flyweight
YH Martinez Rivas (Colombia) vs. Ryomei Tanaka (Japan)
Shakhobidin Zoirov (Uzbekistan) vs. Carlo Paalam (Philippines)
Yosbany Veitia (Cuba) vs. Galla Yafai (GB)
G Escobar Mascunano (Spain) vs. Saken Bibossinov (Kazakhstan)

Continue reading “Olympic boxing medal update”

In a slugfest, USA super heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. defeated Cuban Dainier Pero by a 4-1 split decision on Sunday in the Kokugikan Arena at the Tokyo Olympics. It was all even on four cards going into the final round. Torrez had an exhausted Pero holding on at the end to win it. He will be assured of a medal by moving on to the semifinal against Kamshybek Kunkabayev.

Super heavyweights Uzbek Bakhodir Jalolov of Uzbekistan and Great Britain’s Frazer Clarke were both victorious and will meet in the other semi-final.

Coming in with two straight losses and just 48 hours’ notice, 25:1 underdog Jonnie Rice (14-6-1, 10 KOs) was expected to be cannon fodder for unbeaten and world-rated heavyweight contender Michael Coffie (12-1, 9 KOs) in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night. Unfortunately for Coffie, Rice didn’t read the script.

“I wasn’t a late replacement,” said Rice, who brutally stopped Coffie in five rounds. “I was waiting for an opportunity. We replaced someone, but we weren’t late. We were right on time. I was training every day. I was training with Michael Hunter. I did 20 rounds, 10 and 10 last Friday before I got the call. So when I got the call, I was ready. Continue reading “Rice: When I got the call, I was ready”

Leigh Wood stopped Xu Can in the twelfth and final round to claim the WBA featherweight world title in a big upset at the top of the bill on the first week of Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex, live worldwide on DAZN. Wood was thought to be up against it against Can, but it was clear from the opening bell that the Ben Davison-trained puncher belonged on the big stage.

“It feels good you know, to get the stoppage over the line in a great and high-paced fight, the last round with six weeks’ notice, I couldn’t have done any more,” Wood told Matchroom afterwards. Continue reading “Leigh Wood: I want big fights.”

USA featherweight Duke Ragan (4-0, 1 KO as a pro) scored a narrow 3:2 split decision over Kurt Anthony Walker of Ireland in a quarterfinal match on Sunday in the Kokugikan Arena at the Tokyo Olympics. Ragan moves on to the semifinals and is assured of at least a bronze medal.

Unheralded late sub Jonathan Rice (14-6-1, 10 KOs) shockingly stopped previously unbeaten WBA #9 heavyweight Michael Coffie (12-1, 9 KOs) in round five on Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Coming in on two days’ notice, Rice fought the fight of his life, breaking down Coffie round by round. By round five, Rice was in total control and absolutely teeing off on Coffie, prompting referee Eric Dali to call a stop to the action at the 2:32 mark.

Coffie was originally scheduled to face longtime heavyweight contender Gerald Washington, but Washington tested positive for Covid-19 and Rice came in as Washington’s replacement.

Coffie was a 25:1 betting favorite.

By Kurt Wolfheimer at ringside

Christian Tapia (12-0, 11 KOs), captured the NABA super featherweight title with a scintillating 2nd round knockout of veteran gatekeeper Mason Menard (36-6, 25 KOs) in the main event of a seven bout card promoted by Hard Hitting Promotions at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The sellout crowd rose to their feet as Tapia made his entrance to the ring. Menard, who had been in with Teofimo Lopez and went nine rounds with Devin Haney, would not be intimidated as he chose to slug it out with Tapia. Menard was no match for the quick and deadly combos from the Puerto Rican sensation. Early in round two, a tight right hand up top rocked Menard. He backed to the ropes and tried to shake it off, but Tapia calmly seized the moment and stepped inside with a strong left to the ribs and followed it up with a deadly right uppercut that sent Menard face first to the canvas. He would not move as Referee Allan Huggins reached the ten count at 2:34 of the second round for the knockout victory.

The card capped off the first of 12 monthly cards to be promoted by Hard Hitting Promotions at the Showboat. Continue reading “Tapia remains unbeaten, KOs Menard in two”

Now campaigning as a light heavyweight, longtime contender 37-yeqr-old Andre Dirrell returned to the ring with a KO win after a 19-month layoff. Dirrell (28-3, 18 KOs) scored a third round KO over Christopher Brooker (16-8, 6 KOs) on Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Dirrell dominated the fight, putting Brooker down three times in round three to end it. Time was 2:58.

Super lightweight Karl Dargan (20-1, 10 KOs) scored a spectacular third round KO over Ivan “Striker” Delgado (13-4-2, 6 KOs). Dargan dropped Delgado twice in round three to end it. Time was 1:09. It was Dargan’s first fight since 2018. Continue reading “Andre Dirrell returns with victory”

4:1 underdog Leigh Wood (25-2, 15 KOs) dethroned WBA featherweight world champion Xu Can (18-3, 3 KOs) by twelfth round TKO on Saturday night at Matchroom HQ in Brentwood, Essex, England. Wood gave as good as he got and landed the flashier punches. Xu stalked Wood around the ring, but often didn’t let his hands go. Wood finally dropped Xu in round twelve, then finished him with his follow-up barrage. Time was 2:43.

Jeff Mayweather-trained featherweight prospect Robin “Grave Digger” Ellis (3-0, 3 KOs) scored a fourth round TKO over former world title challenger Luis Carillo (18-18-1, 16 KOs) on Saturday morning at the Yolimar Hostal and Camping in Tolu, Sucre, Colombia. Continue reading ““Grave Digger” wins in Colombia”

After ten spirited rounds, “Little Lever’s Meat Cleaver” Jack Cullen (20-2-1, 9 KOs) scored a unanimous decision over former world title challenger Avni Yildirim (21-4, 12 KOs) at Matchroom Headquarters outside London. Coming off his loss to pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez in February, Yildirim was the aggressor, but judges weren’t having it. Scores were 100-90, 98-92, 97-93 for Cullen.

In a showdown for the European, British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles, Chris Billam-Smith (13-1, 10 KOs) took a twelve round split decision over Tommy McCarthy (18-3, 9 KOs). Scores were 115-114 McCarthy, 115-114, 116-112 Billam-Smith.

Lightweight Campbell Hatton (3-0, 0 KOs) outpointed Jakub Laskowski (4-5-1, 2 KOs) over four rounds. Score was 40-36. Campbell is the son of former world champion Ricky Hatton.

Super welterweight Anthony Fowler (15-1, 12 KOs) scored an eighth round TKO over late sub Rico Mueller (28-4-1, 19 KOs). A barrage of punches prompted a referee’s stoppage. Time was 2:12. After the fight, it was announced that Fowler will fight former world champ Liam Smith on October 9 at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

By Jeff Zimmerman

In the main event Friday night at the Southern Junction Nightclub in Irving, Texas, local fan favorite light heavyweight Rafael “Listo” Gaitan (7-0, 5 KOs) from nearby Grand Prairie, blasted out former Muay Thai fighter turned boxer Joel “El Chapo” Guzman (0-1), out of Fort Worth stopping him in the third round of the scheduled four to the delight of the packed house. Continue reading “Gaitan stops Guzman in Dallas”